Sunburst
Pain.
Everywhere.
I may be a very skilled mage, but 5 summonings in a row was just ridiculous. I didn't even make it to 3 before collapsing. Sometimes Perfect Circle can be a real a slave driver. "Again, Sunburst," She'd say in that gravelly voice of hers. "Forget that the last one was a bull elephant that almost landed on top of you and cast it again so I can feel like my complete lack of a sex life has at least produced a semi-competent mage, even though by any reasonable metric I should know that by now. Celestia, I'm stupid. Speaking of the Princesses, when we're done here Princess Luna has asked to see you personally so she can give you a medal for putting up with my incessant shrill commands. Also, she will tend to all your aches and pains in a cute little nurse outfit."
... Okay I might be paraphrasing a bit there, but can you blame me?! Luna. Nurse outfit. You know it's hot.
At least the couch is comfortable.
What did I leave on the nightstand... Please be 'A Game of Ponies'... Or maybe Playcolt?
... Nope. 'Eastern Unicorns throughout History'... Oh yeah. I have a test on Meadowbrook tomorrow. Brilliant. I thought tests were supposed to end when you got out of school. I must've left it earlier so I wouldn't forget.
Ugh, I'm no fun.
Might as well crack it open and get to it, not like I'll wake up early enough to read it tomorrow. Lessee, chapter index is...
By Celestia, this book is beat up. When did I get this?
Oh right. Birthday party. Eighth, I think, maybe ninth. Who gives a kid a textbook?
... From this hoofwriting, another kid. Pretty sure we even knew back then you're not supposed to write in these things. 'It's got a lot of cool artifacts and magic in it. I know you said you can't cast spells this big yet, but I hope you like it when you can!', signed-
...
Starlight Glimmer.
...
Skipping one book won't hurt. I've read enough on Meadowbrook the last few days.
... No, stop it.
I shouldn't think about Starlight. I know where it'll lead, same place as always. A spiral down into thoughts of a friendship long dead, a filly (mare now, he supposed) long gone and memories of an innocent colt without a care in the world.
And all those thoughts and memories would come back to one question.
Why?
... I'm gonna do it anyway aren't I.
I placed another book on top of a massive tower that stretched practically to the ceiling.
Starlight clapped her hooves together, joyful and impressed. She hadn't managed levitation spells quite like I had, so this book tower doubtless looked like a marvel to her. I remember smiling a little. I was tired, but in a good way, and the look on her face was well worth it. She reached out with her own magic to move one of the books.
The tower wavered and fell right towards her.
Fear gripped us both.
I stopped all of the books at once just before they crushed my best friend.
I didn't even think to do it, I just kinda... did it.
A lot of unicorns get a sudden rush of power when they get their cutie marks, especially any kind of magic talent. They cast spells in that instant that are beyond them in both the moment before and after, often spells they've never even heard of. In my case, I put all of her books back on their shelves. In alphabetical order.
The thrill of the magic coursing through my body, out of my horn to weave the world to my whim... it felt wonderful. I think I'd always known I wanted to be a mage, but it was only right then that I decided it was the only thing I wanted to do. Whatever my actual talent ended up being, I wanted to use magic to fulfill it.
And the instant the spell was done I felt my mark form on my flank.
I try to hold on to how happy I felt as I raced out the door to tell my parents. I remember my elation as they cheered, as friends and strangers gathered around me and threw me into the air. For the next few days, life was a dream and a party rolled into one.
But at my cute-ceañera, as I looked over the crowd of ponies that had come to celebrate my mark... one was absent.
I think that was the first moment I realized something was wrong.
I made some half-hearted excuse about using the little colt's room and snuck out of my own party. I know it may seem strange to be so fixated on one particular mare, but... Starlight and I had done everything together for years. I didn't know why she hadn't shown up, and that worried me; if she'd been ill, I would've heard about it.
More than that... the more I thought, the more I realized I hadn't seen her in days. The last time I'd seen her was...
... the book tower.
Three days ago.
Something was very wrong.
The back door was unlocked. I made my way inside and up the stairs. I knew the way to Starlight's room, and as I reached it, I was stopped short by her voice. Even through the thick oak, I could hear crying and heaving. She'd never been so upset. I placed my hoof against the bark and knocked three times.
Something smashed against the door. I jumped and backed away.
"GO AWAY!" She sobbed.
I galloped away as fast as my legs could carry me.
By the time I got home, it occurred to me that she probably had no idea who was at the door. Sure, she'd been avoiding me but that didn't mean she was mad enough to throw things at me. Maybe she'd had a fight with her mom or something and I just showed up at the worst possible time. Even at that age, I understood that when someone was upset with you personally, you don't try to patch it up while they're also upset about something else.
Maybe if I go back tomorrow she'll be in a better mood and I can apologize properly for... whatever I did.
The thought didn't bring me much comfort, but it did help a little.
I went back to the party and tried to pretend I was enjoying myself. But the other ponies gave me space, and I found it comforting. I think it was obvious something was on my mind, and the others didn't want to upset me. I spent the time trying to think of what I could have done, and thinking over what I'd say to her tomorrow. I'd tell her that I missed her, that I wanted to play some more. Maybe I'd bring a gift. Something she liked.
By the end of the night, I had about 14 different ideas, some of which might even have worked.
When the party had ended, my mother handed me one last gift. It was a letter, sealed and signed with an official-looking flourish.
Mother sounded so excited. "You're going to Canterlot!"
Four words.
My entire world was shattered by four words.
They had sent an application to Celestia's school for gifted unicorns weeks ago, and only just gotten word back. I was special, Mother said. I was going to learn from the best unicorn mages in the world, Father said. My uncle told me I could stay with him, which meant we could leave on the morrow. Classes started soon, after all.
They thought my tears were from joy, and I didn't tell them they were wrong.
It would have only hurt them.
Looking back... I should have gone into the room. Starlight would have screamed at me. Told me I was a horrible stallion and that she hated me. That I was a lousy friend for... doing whatever I did. I'd have gone home and cried, the next day I would have left with my uncle, and I'd never see her again anyway.
Now I'm going to spend the rest of my days knowing I lost my best friend because of a stupid mistake, but never even knowing what it was.
...
Look, I'm not ungrateful for the life I have. I'm a mage of minor to moderate renown. I know how to turn lead into gold (which admittedly isn't as impressive as it sounds, since it reverts back after 8 seconds. Peach Tree still thinks it's illusion magic). I've dated a few mares, made some great friends, lost a few others, even met the captain of the Royal Guard. I'm more knowledgeable than most ponies twice my age and living not exactly like a king but always knowing I'll eat tomorrow. And yeah, even if we'd parted as friends, we likely would've drifted apart eventually anyway. The chances of her coming to Canterlot at that age was minuscule.
But... Starlight and I were so close. I was closer to her than I had ever been or would ever be with anypony. And she felt the same; I don't think she even had any other friends.
Then... we were nothing. She spent the last four days I had in my hometown... I don't even know what she did and I don't care. I just know she was miserable, and I wish I knew why. I tried to get in touch with her again, but my studies ended up consuming all of my free time. Eventually, I managed to write. My first letter got lost in the mail - I think I misspelled the town name? (hey shut up, I was a little kid, so what if my S looked like a J?)
I tried to get in touch with Starlight's mother, gauge if Starlight even wanted to hear from me. I got a letter back after a couple of weeks telling me that Starlight's mom was dead, and her daughter had left the village with her father.
... Sometimes I want to go find her.
I know she left our old home for someplace far out in the east, though she didn't tell anypony where. I wonder, sometimes, what Starlight's mark eventually was. What she's doing now. But I haven't heard of her since she left home.
Sometimes when I picture her as an adult, I see an accountant, snobbish and uptight, but comfortably wealthy. Other times she serves in the night guard (unlikely, but she could be in a border patrol), and I hope Luna keeps her safe. On occasion I picture a scholar, rifling through old tomes and listing off facts and figures from a decade ago. Sometimes she's a doctor, happily married with two foals and a husband that brightens every day for her.
That one hurts, but it's my favorite.
The one I think most likely, though, was that she became an archaeologist. She loved those old books of hers. The ones on Meadowbrook were always her favorite, and there's not much past the desert but old ruins.
I guess she could stay in Equestria, but that seems too... safe for her. She was always brilliant and ambitious. Even as a foal, she was ready to change all of Equestria. I think she could do it, too. Whatever she's doing, if it were still in these lands, I would've heard of it by now.
I could be out in the east looking for Starlight. Sometimes, I imagine how it'd go if I did. I'd find her after a long, harrowing journey. We'd catch up on all the years apart, all the misadventures, all the drama and heartbreak and laughs. We'd make up and be best friends again... But that's a foal's dream and I know it. Even if I knew where she was (which I didn't, and still don't) I couldn't seriously expect to meet her again like nothing had happened. She certainly wouldn't want to see me just because I missed her.
...
But... I wonder if she misses me, too.
... Ugh, doorbell. I'm already aching all over, can I just get some peace?! Probably just a delivery pony, if I wait he'll just uh nope there it goes again.
...
Okay okay, I'm coming, Lunatic! What could be so important tha-
... tha...
That mane. That coat.
It can't be.
"Starlight?"
"Sunburst..."
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This is quite the entertaining story.
I too hope that we'll get to see Starlight and Sunburst reunite as friends again, or at least have a cameo of him in the background.
6804948 A cameo background appearance would be a huge waste of potential imo, but yes.
I dunno, Sunburst, I think you might have been better off not knowing...
'Cos if you hang around her long enough now, she might actually admit that she nearly killed the entire planet out of spite as (what she attributed to) a direct result of you getting your cutie-mark, and frankly, you strike me as areasonable sort of chap who doesn't deserve the sort of guilt that'll bring up, even if she tells you you shouldn't feel it.
Personally, I would be a bit surprised if we do see Sunburst. (I mean, I'm still hoping that Starlight doesn't take a place in the main cast that really ought to be Sunset's, if anyponies, but even then, I should be a bit surprised if they dig him up. I won't say I hope for it, since I don't really want to see Starlight much, but if they actually did, then it would probably be worth doing. I'm just not sure it's likely.)
6805736 *shrug* The finale is a bit rushed, but so was Magical Mystery Cure (Twilight flying into the camera right after getting her wings), and if you say Sunset Shimmer's redemption wasn't jarringly fast I will punch you. By the time we reach season 6 I'm betting that they're going to jump back a bit and work a bit more on Starlight's character.
While I'm not thrilled to see yet another villain redemption, I think looking more into Starlight's backstory could make her motives and actions less...... well, utterly insane. As I said in the author notes, I think the incident with Sunburst was only the start. Or they could move her forward with the whole 'i nearly ended all life in Equestria' angle and make her actually work for her redemption. They did so with Sunset Shimmer, and they had even less to work with there. (and no, I don't want Sunset coming over to be with the mane cast. She has her own spin-off series that's doing decently and has most of her character development. Visits are fine, permanent residence less so)
On guilt: I don't see Sunburst blaming himself for his friend going nutso when he finds out that the reason she was crying like a baby was because her friend ran out on her that one time. Like you said, he's a reasonable pony.
6806653
Sunset Shimmer got blasted by The Elements of Harmony... somehow, as that what a Rainbow Colored Energy Blast signifies in the show, just like Luna did as Nightmare Moon. And then Sunset WORKED for her forgiveness. Neither of those happened to Starbitch.
I really think they should have had a meeting with Sunburst in the montage at the end. But that's me.
Nice story, at any rate.
Are you making a sequel, or another chapter? I want to see how the end goes.
This story is honestly a welcome change, giving us some insight into Starburst's mind is great and lets in a bit more depth with his character. I'll be honest when I say that I loved this finale and what happened in it. For the time frame they had, they did their best and I'm grateful. Sometimes, like some episodes, another five minutes could have helped, but here, I still enjoy it. Favorite finale so far.
6806834 Rainbow Rocks was a separate movie that came out a year afterwards. In the meantime, many and I mean many thought her redemption was forced and that she was faking it. There were tons of fics on it, she garnered hate, and it wasn't until Rainbow Rocks did it let up.
The difference here is that Starlight's world wasn't shattered with a beam of friendship. It was shattered by actions, showcasing the ash world and Starlight realizing that everything she ever strived for, everything that ever mattered, who she was meant nothing and would hurt everyone she knew. That's why she snapped and took so long ripping the scroll.
Nor is it so strange to see a happy ending at a season finale.
season 3 had Twilight loving her role as a princess and flying. Yet, throughout season 4 and Equestria girls, we see her struggle with her role and her flight.
season 4 ended with Twilight rather content with her new castle, yet we soon see an episode early on in season 5 detailing how wrong it is to her and her sadness.
Twilight takes Starlight under her wing as insurance. Applejack herself voices the concern they all feel at the end, that they can't trust her to be left alone and Twilight agrees, willing to teach Starlight a different way so it won't happen again. The four ponies of the town were willing to give her a chance, since a part of them would have longed for the friendship they perceived originally instead of the lies it turned out. This doesn't mean they truly trust her, nor the whole of the town.
6806834 *Falcon-
Correction. None of those things have happened YET. And Sunset had the exact same complaints levelled at her before Rainbow Rocks came along: her redemption came out of left field and was too fast.
Yeah she didn't get blasted by magic but she did see that her actions were going to destroy the world, I'd say that's a pretty big impetus.
6806904 meh, i'm gonna leave that open for the show to do.
6807028 Unlikely. If I do it might be from Starlight's perspective, or I'd change up the writing style so that it doesn't sound like Sunburst's thought process.
6807205
Aww, well, I hope you do!
6807205
It's made very clear during the song that Starlight somehow wrapped up everything with everyone without needing to work for forgiveness.
That didn't happen with Sunset. Sunset's redemption may have been fast, but at least everyone didn't immediately accept her.
Wow! This story is extremely well written!
One particular sentence really stuck out to me.
I just really love the way you described this! Well done!
type type type type aaaaaaaand enter. There we go. Head cannon updated.
But seriously, awesome story and fav
6807358 Sunset had a scene devoted to her sobbing about how sorry she was and then went dancing with them; next movie she's a social outcast because mass mind control.
Twilight got a song about how everything would be perfect, and then it didn't happen.
I stopped watching the show due to funds issues and a lack of interest in whatever they actually do with Starlight, but I maintain that the song wasn't wiping away all her problems.
7065593
7496036
*tilts hat* Thank you both. I try.
Nice story! Sunburst can be added to the character list properly, no tho. :)