Chapter 11 : Star's Past
Star was looking out the window, anxiously waiting for the Luna and Celestia to return to the castle. A pegasus had arrived the day before,
telling the ponies of the alicorns victory over the dark king of the Crystal Empire, which was met with several loud cheers, and of the
empires disappearance, which was met sounds of amazement and several gasps. Star listened to the news, not reacting to the
disappearance of the Crystal Empire, just caring when they would return.
Several days later
Star was walking around town with Golden by her side, he hadn't left her alone except to sleep ever since she had come back from the
Everfree Forest, and Star truly appreciated it. They were on their way to the Royal Gardens when a trumpet sounded all over town. The
princesses were back! Star turned around and ran as fast as she could towards the entrance of the town, smiling all the way, Golden on her
tail. When she reached the gate, she saw the army marching through the gates. Star desperately searched for Luna among the crowd,
hoping that nothing bad had happened to her.
“Looking for somepony?” asked a voice from behind her.
“Luna!” exclaimed Star, turning around and jumping into the princess's embrace.
Luna caught the filly and held on to her tight. Star hadn't felt this happy and safe in weeks, Golden watched the scene with a smile, Luna
saw him and lifted him with her magic and included him in the hug. Luna finally put the two ponies down and looked down at Star, worry in
her eyes.
“Are you OK?” asked Luna
“I am. I feel better then before anyway.” answered Star
“Very well, do you still wish to ask if my sister if she knew of your...” Luna glanced at Golden “...origins?”
“It's OK, he knows what I am.” reassured Star
Luna studied the young colt.
“And this does not bother or frighten you?” asked Luna
“No. She's still my friend underneath.” answered Golden, determination filling his eyes.
Luna studied the colt a moment longer.
“Then I am grateful to you, for not deserting Star in a troubled time.” said Luna
“It would take more than that to drag me away from her.” replied Golden
Star glanced at Golden, glad to have such a wonderful friend by her side.
“Star, are you ready to go?” asked Luna
Star took a deep breath.
“I'm ready.”
She leaped onto Luna's back and they flew off towards Celestia's chambers. Celestia was in her room, putting all her gear away, hoping that
she wouldn't have to take it out again for a long time. She heard a knock, on the door.
“Come in.” she said
Luna walked into the room.
“'Tia, we need to talk.” said Luna
“About what?” asked Celestia, noticing a serious look on Luna's face
Luna turned to look at something on her back.
“It's OK, you can show yourself, she won't bite.”
Celestia started wondering what this was all about. She saw a young filly, the same filly who had been attacked by Timber Wolves all those
months ago, come out from behind Luna. And so Luna started explaining what had happened the night the Ursa attacked. About the
Shadow Pony, the ritual, the potion and Star being a changeling.
“What I would like to know is, did you know what she was? You can sense if something dangerous is within the town.” said Luna “So where
did she come from?”
Celestia sighed.
“It was several years ago, during the day. I was scouting the forest, looking for potential dangers, when I saw a carriage in a ditch. I flew
down to see what had happened and check whether I could be of any assistance. When I reached the carriage, all I saw was a newborn filly,
and lying next to it, a newborn changeling. I looked around, trying to find some hint as to what had happened. I quickly noticed two
different tracks. The first was easy to see, it belonged to TimberWolves. So I deduced that the pony or ponies that owned the cart had been
taken by the beasts. The second pair was much harder to spot, I originally mistook it for a rabbit of sorts. On closer inspection, I noticed that
they were the prints of a very young changeling. So the changeling must have arrived after the TimberWolves had left, and fell asleep next
to the newborn filly. I returned to the cart and thought about what to do. It was an easy enough decision to make for the filly, I would send
her to her family wherever they may be. For the changeling on the other hand, I was at a loss. The wisest thing to do would have been to
send it back to it's colony, but I dismissed the idea almost immediately. It would have been brought up to hate ponies and it would never
have been loved by anything back were it came from. I looked down at the changeling and I saw it turn into the filly that was sleeping
peacefully next to it. That was when I had the idea to cast a spell that stopped the changeling's powers from working, made up a name for it
and sent it to the orphanage.” finished Celestia
Star sat in silence, taking all the new information in.
“So, now you know.” said Celestia
“Are you OK?” asked Luna
“I'm fine.” answered Star “I'm just glad to finally know the truth.”
“I must warn you, the spell I had cast to suppress your powers was removed by the Shadow Pony. I may cast it again, if you wish.” said
Celestia
Star thought about it for a moment.
“No, it's OK. I think I can keep the power from manifesting. And it could be useful in the future, should the Shadow Pony ever return. He
knows what I look like, changing my appearance could be useful.” explained Star
“If you wish. But I would ask that you do not use your power to cause trouble within the kingdom.” ordered Celestia
“Yes Princess Celestia.” said Star
“Now, if you'll excuse me. I have several important matters to attend to.” said Celestia
With that dismissal, Star and Luna exited Celestia's chambers.
“Do you truly feel better now? knowing the truth?” asked Luna
“Yes. I'm just glad that there won't be anymore surprises now.” answered Star
“Of course, no more surprises.” repeated Luna
Star turned to face Luna, she had sounded strange for a moment.
“Are you OK, Luna?” asked Star
Luna seemed not to hear Star.
“Luna!” shouted Star
Luna started, then turned to look at Star
“Yes? I'm sorry, I was lost in my thoughts.” replied Luna “What did you say?”
“I was asking you if you were alright, you seem a bit off.” said Star
“I'm fine, it's just something that happened while Celestia and I were in the Crystal Empire. I am simply trying to remember exactly how
Sombra was defeated.” explained Luna.
“Does it really matter? As long as he was defeated, right?” asked Star
“I suppose not, but it's still strange.” answered Luna
“I'm sure it's nothing to worry about, it's not like it's a bad thing that you don't remember. If I were ever in a war or battle, I wouldn't want to
remember it, very few good things come out of wars.” said Star
Luna looked at Star and smiled.
“You're right, there's no reason to worry.”
Star smiled back and said:
“Of course I'm right. When am I ever wrong?”
“Do you really want me to answer that?” asked Luna
Star and Luna laughed together, as they headed back to the orphanage.
Meanwhile, back in Celestia's chambers
“I hope that you understand, you are not to be seen. You are simply keep watch, I do not know where that changeling came from, but it
seems harmless enough. And with Luna spending most of her time with it, I am not worried for my ponies. But I still want somepony to
report all of it's movements to me.” explained Celestia. “And if anypony asks, including my sister, I demand complete deniability from the
Anti-Monster Agency. Do you understand Special Agent Apple Strudel?”
“But what of my current assignment? You ordered me to watch Princess Luna and inform you if anything should appear as out of the
ordinary. Getting hired as her chef was not easy, and I must now give an excellent reason as to why I must leave her service, I do not think
she will be eager to let me go seeing as I make the best apple fritters in Equestria.” asked Apple Strudel
“You will simply tell her that you haven't been to see your family that live in Baltimare in a while and that you would like to go spend some
time with them. She will not be able to refuse your request.” advised Celestia
“As you wish, Princess Celestia.” answered Special Agent Caramel Apple, as he exited through the door.
Celestia looked out the window, hoping that Luna would never find out about this.