Walking down the hall with a basket full of warm towels, Shadow entered the Spa Warming Room and sat the basket on the center table. As the surrounding ponies approached it for some relaxation, Shadow wiped his head, returning to the entrance, where Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo were all sitting.
Aloe, one of the two ponies in charge of the spa, walked out from behind the counter to them with a smile on her face. “Thank you ever so much little ones! And you too Shadow! If you had not come today, we would have been short hooved, and unable to accommodate all our wonderful customers!”
“Don’t mention it Aloe.” Apple Bloom replied. “And ah hope Lotus recovers from her cold soon.”
“You and me both darling.” Aloe said happily.
The CMCs and Shadow walked out from the spa. “Take care!” Scootaloo said as they all waved back to Aloe. As soon as they were out of earshot, Scootaloo let out a long sigh. “This is getting ridiculous….we’ve helped almost every pony in town, and still nothing.”
“Is there anypony else you girls can think of?” Apple Bloom asked. “Anypony at all?”
Sweetie Belle shook her head. “We’ve been at this for four days Apple Bloom; I’m not sure what else we can do.”
Shadow felt bad that the three fillies were so distraught at not finding anything. With a smile, he said, “Cheer up girls, maybe my purpose just isn’t in Ponyville.”
Scootaloo looked up at him. “Then how are we supposed to help you get your cutie mark?”
Something came to Shadow after she said that, something that surprised him how long it took to think of. “You know something? I don’t care about any purpose for me.”
The crusaders all looked at him, afraid he was losing hope. He looked back at them with determined eyes, and a smirk.
“If I can help out everypony just like you, and be as happy as I am now, then I don’t need a cutie mark, or some special talent.” Shadow felt the heat flare up in his chest. “Hanging out with the three of you, getting to meet ponies in town without freaking out, that is more important to me than some symbol on my flank.”
Apple Bloom looked over at Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo after Shadow said that. They all shared the same, proud expression and then turned back to him.
“Shadow, ah sure am glad you told us that.” Apple Bloom said with a wide smile. “Why don’t we call it a day for now? You head on back to the castle and meet up with us at the clubhouse at sundown, alright?”
Shadow was pretty tired. He nodded in agreement, saying, “Alright, sure. See you later.”
As Shadow turned and trotted away, the crusaders all looked back at each other, excited.
The castle library was covered in piles of books. Twilight and Starlight sat across from one another, reading with restless eyes. Books and scrolls had been imported to the castle from nearly every city in Equestria. Histories of regions, observational studies of dragons, artifacts of the world, etc.
Four days of researching; one of the longest periods Twilight had ever gone looking up a subject that she simply couldn’t find.
There had to be a connection, there just had to be. This dragon was no doubt the thing that attacked Zecora in search of the Alicorn Amulet. He was also likely the one that freed Shadow from the Castle of the Two Sisters. He made an attempt on Ember’s life and stole the Bloodstone Scepter. Where is the connection?
There wasn’t enough information, not enough evidence to point to a single motive. Twilight kept sharp eyes focused on each book, but ultimately found nothing. Starlight came up empty hooved as well; she just didn’t know what she was looking for.
Starfall opened the door to the library, hauling in a new cart of books.
“Here is the shipment from the Crystal Empire.” Starfall said, pulling the cart up to them.
Using her magic, Twilight was quick to lift the books and levitate them into a trail leading in front of her to read the titles. She stopped the line and grabbed “Ancient Artifacts of Equestria” by Clover the Clever.
Starlight needed a break, she levitated her book down and leaned back in her chair, letting out a sigh. Starfall walked on over to her, seeing that Twilight was busy.
“Hanging in there Starlight?” he asked.
Starlight chuckled best she could. “As well as I can.” She replied, eyeing him. “Any word from my village yet?” Starfall shook his head. Starlight sighed again, saying, “Figures.”
Starfall looked around the library, but saw only the two of them reading. “Wasn’t Trixie here helping you a while ago?”
“She headed into Ponyville,” Starlight responded. “Said she needed some time away from books.” Since he brought up the topic, Starlight gave him an apologetic look. “Could I ask you to find and look after her a bit? Not everypony in town is still overly nice to her.”
“Of course.” Starfall replied, glancing over at Twilight, and then back to Starlight. “Will you two be alright on your own?”
Starlight chuckled again, looking over at all the books stacked beside her. “I’m sure we’ll manage.”
A sheet of snow covered the ground, the roads just recently plowed and kept clear for everypony in town. Snow-ponies were built up wherever little fillies and colts could find enough snow. Chimneys all over had light towers of smoke rising from them, only to be cleared by the chilling headwinds in the sky.
While walking along the main road, Starfall realized that he hadn’t walked around town without Twilight or her friends since he had arrived. Word seemed to travel fast, now just about everypony in town knew he was Twilight’s guard, and greeted him as they passed by.
Having already met so many ponies, Starfall tried his best to learn all their names as quickly as he could, but he was no Pinkie Pie. It was easy enough for them to remember his name, but he had a long way to go before he could go around naming everypony in sight.
Thinking about friends got him to thoughts of Hearth’s Warming, it was only a month away. Starfall knew he was going to need to get gifts for Twilight and the girls, as well as Spike, Derpy, and Starlight, maybe even Trixie if he had the time. Not to mention gifts for his mother, father, and Auraglow to be sent by mail.
Starfall’s train of thought continued rolling off track until he remembered he was looking for Trixie, having just thought of the name. He could do a quick fly over Ponyville, but perhaps it would be better asking around, try getting into the town spirit.
A unicorn mare with a white coat, electrifying blue mane and tail, and a music note cutie mark walked by. Her head was nodding up and down as she listened to her headphones, and she had on some really slick, purple shades.
“Excuse me.” Starfall said, getting the mare’s attention. “Hi, my name is Starfall. Do you know where I can find Trixie Lulamoon?”
The unicorn kept nodding with the beat of the music she listened to. She smiled, but did not seem to respond in any other way.
“Ummm….” Starfall said, not sure how to continue. “She’s a blue unicorn? Probably has a hat and cape on? Big ego?” The mare, once again, did not respond, but stopped nodding with the music. Starfall pointed his hoof at her. “Do you….know where….I can find….Trixie?” he asked, pointing to himself.
Something he said seemed to click because the mare then nodded. Starfall felt relieved, but the feeling didn’t last. Taking out a paper from the saddle on her back, the mare used magic to write something on it. She gave it to him and then gave him a playful punch in the shoulder before continuing on her way.
Starfall squinted at her as she walked away, his head tilted in confusion. He looked down at the note:
Neon Palace, tonight at 9:00. See you there, hot stuff.
Looking back up at the mare, Starfall was still lost in a confused expression. She turned her head back and lifted up her shades for a second to reveal her purple eyes, winking at him before putting them back down and resuming her walk.
“Wha….?” Starfall said, looking back down at the note.
“Excuse me sir.” Came a voice from behind him. Starfall turned to see a light gray earth pony with an elegant, dark gray mane and tail. “I’m terribly sorry, she-”
She paused just as Starfall did, the two of them looking at each other.
“Starfall?” she asked, a smile appearing on her face. “Starfall Blitz, is that you?”
“Octavia?” Starfall replied, the two of them recognizing each other almost immediately.
“My, my, what has it been? Twelve….thirteen years?” Octavia asked.
Starfall nodded, smiling as well. “Twelve. This is incredible….you live here too?”
Octavia was about to say something, but she then remembered what she originally walked over for. “Right. That was Vinyl Scratch you met just now, the mare with the headphones? She is my roommate here in Ponyville, but she cannot speak.”
Glancing back in the direction of the unicorn mare, she was gone. “Oh….” Starfall replied.
As he turned away, Octavia caught a glimpse of what she wrote. “Typical Vinyl, inviting you to such a dreadful place for a date.”
“A da-!?” Starfall cut himself off, looking back down at the note. “All I did was ask her if she has seen another pony!”
Octavia pointed to her ears. “It’s the headphones. Their volume is always on the max, she couldn’t hear a word you said.” Octavia smirked a bit at the thought of her translation. “I’m actually quite impressed; getting a date without even having to ask.”
Figures the first date Starfall ever had was going to be with a mare he barely knew. No point in arguing, he had to do it, he didn’t want to be rude.
Tilting her head, Octavia got back into the excitement of seeing him. “Starfall Blitz….” She said, shaking her head. “Look how far we’ve come since we met.”
“I heard you are the best cellist in Equestria.” Starfall complimented.
Octavia blushed a bit, acting like she got that kind of praise all the time. “I imagine you are Princess Twilight’s guard that everypony has been raving about.”
Starfall scratched his head, blushing himself. “Yeah, guess we have come pretty far.”
In an attempt to change the red-face inducing topic, Octavia asked, “Who is it you are looking for? Perhaps I can help you.”
The question snapped Starfall out of his slight awkwardness. “A unicorn named Trixie.”
He could tell Octavia knew the name; the moment it was said, a somewhat annoyed expression conquered her face.
“Ah yes….her.” Octavia replied, not sounding overly enjoyed. “I believe I saw her in the marketplace not too long ago.”
Starfall looked in the direction of the market, just a few blocks away.
“So great to see you again.” Octavia told him, knowing he was sure to be in a hurry. “We should get together some time, catch up on a few things.”
Looking back to her, Starfall nodded. “I’d like that.”
Octavia offered another smile, turning around and walking on her way. “See you then.”
Starfall watched her as she walked away. Getting back to the task at hoof, he trotted on over to the market.
Having gone all over town with the CMCs and meeting countless ponies along the way, Shadow felt much more comfortable walking the roads alone. Ponies recognized him, waving as they passed by. The fear of getting caught up in a crowd was still there, but it wasn’t as terrifying as it had been several days before.
Thoughts of the little crusaders circled him back around to his identity. While it was a bit of a downer to not have a cutie mark, perhaps it was better that way. After all, Shadow was the one that told Celestia he wanted no part in recollecting his past. Maybe his cutie mark would be something bad, and not knowing it made him want to avoid it even more.
All of this negative thinking had to stop. He looked around to find something to get his mind off of it and spotted a somewhat familiar building.
“Carousel Boutique.” He said, reading the name at the entrance.
Opening the door and peering inside, Shadow spotted Rarity humming to herself as she worked on a few dresses at once, using her magic to suspend them in the air. Hearing the bell from the door opening, Rarity’s ears perked up.
“Just a minute!” she said regally, putting on a few finishing touches before turning around. “Welcome to-” she paused when she saw him, a smile coming across her face. “Shadow! How lovely of you to stop by for a visit.”
“Good evening Rarity.” Shadow replied, looking around at the gowns and outfits. “Did you make all of these?”
“Yes, do you like them?” Rarity asked.
Shadow could see the time and imagination put into them. He was by no means a pony who knew anything about fashion, but he knew effort. “They look very beautiful.”
Loving the admiration of a new friend, Rarity said, “Oh why thank you darling!” Using her magic, she levitated the dresses back onto several mannequins. “When these are complete, they will be the finest gowns at this upcoming Grand Galloping Gala!”
Having already heard several names he was not familiar with, it didn’t surprise Shadow that there would be another. “Gala?” he asked.
Rarity then remembered who she was talking to. “Oh Shadow, the Grand Galloping Gala is the most premiere event in Canterlot! A gorgeous night of music, dancing, and dining with all the elite of Equestria!”
“Sounds like quite the event.” Shadow chuckled, liking the unicorn’s excitement.
An idea then came to Rarity that she hadn’t considered before. “Shadow, would you like for me to make you an attire for it?”
Shadow took a step back, lifting his hoof slightly. “Gee Rarity, I don’t think I’ll be invited to something as big and important as that…..”
Rarity stifled a little laugh. “Oh nonsense my dear, Twilight would be happy to get you a ticket! Oh…..IDEA!” Galloping into the next room, the unicorn used her magic to bring in all kinds of fabrics. “I am going to make for you the most brilliant and unique suit in the history of fashion!”
Offering a sheepish smile, Shadow restrained himself from quivering. “Yay….”
Inspecting the powder stand, Trixie mumbled to herself, eying the little phials.
“Are you quite sure you don’t have more?” Trixie questioned the sales-pony.
The pony behind the cart counter nodded. “You want it or not magician?” he asked sharply.
Trixie raised her chin and looked away from the rude cleric with a snooty pout. “Fine.” She tossed four bits onto the cart and took the phial of powder. “Try stockpiling some manners next time.” She snapped, trotting away.
Looking down at her purchase, she grimaced.
“This will hardly be enough for a dozen smoke bombs.” She complained. “Lousy cart merchant.”
Only needing one more ingredient, Trixie resumed her search through the market. She had become more widely accepted into Ponyville, but obviously there were some that had yet to forgive her. She had hoped that her efforts from not long ago would have convinced them of her change of heart, by means of “The Humble and Penitent Trixie's Equestrian Apology Tour”…….wow, that’s a mouth full.
“It was a working title!” Trixie huffed.
Not seeing her last needed ingredient, she sighed and lowered her head.
“Want some help?” Starfall asked, walking up alongside her.
Trixie looked over at him, saying, “Thank you for the offer, but it doesn’t look like its here.”
Starfall looked around at the stalls. “I see.” He then turned back to her. “Want to just go for a walk? Twilight and Starlight are still busy researching the books, and there’s still about an hour left before sundown.”
Trixie really had nothing better to do. “Sure, why not?”
Walking out from the marketplace, the two ponies turned on a road headed towards Ponyville’s southern area. It was quiet between them for the first few minutes, the two of them not entirely sure what to say.
“So….” Trixie tried at a conversation. “Liking Ponyville so far?”
“I am.” Starfall replied. “I would dare to say it is one of the best places to live in Equestria.”
Trixie chuckled to herself, rolling her eyes. “Trixie hears that a lot.”
“Oh, I forgot to ask,” Starfall said. “Do you plan on starting another magic show soon? I am really curious to see it.”
More invested in the topic, Trixie gave him a performer’s smirk. “The Great and Powerful Trixie has many wondrous performances to give!” she announced, waving her hoof to make her cape soar behind her. “We are in a momentary reprieve, but the show shall go on!”
Starfall’s smile managed to keep him from laughing a bit. She took off her hat using her magic and bowed her head. He wasn’t making fun of her, but it was funny to see just how theatrical she was.
Before she could put the hat back on, Discord’s head popped out of it. “And go on it shall!” he shouted.
Trixie yelped and dropped the hat on the ground. It was then lifted off a few inches from the ground and moved around, crawling up Trixie’s body to her head. Discord then appeared, sitting on top of her, twirling the hat.
“Come on, I wasn’t even trying that time!” Discord joked.
“Can’t you go be brainless somewhere else?” Trixie scoffed, shooing him off of her head to put her hat back on. “Trixie and Starfall are trying to have a conversation.”
Discord floated through the air and landed just in front of them. “Well I was planning on waiting for you two to split up, but listening to the two of you trying to start a conversation is like using sandpaper cue tips to clean my ears.”
Trixie shivered at the comment. Starfall then said, “What do you want Discord?”
Slowly rotating to become upside-down, Discord kept his smug expression on his face. “I couldn’t help but overhear that you failed to acquire a certain ingredient for your illusions Trixie, is that correct?”
Trixie eyed Discord, her eyebrow rising. “That’s right.”
With a snap of his claws, the draconequus made a flask of chemical reagents appear on the ground. “Will this much do?” he asked with a smirk.
Picking up the flask, Trixie looked it over, she then looked up at him, suspicious. “Is this the part where Trixie uses it and the smoke bombs explode in her face or something?”
“My dearest mediocre illusionist….” Discord said in a sad voice. “Do you not trust your good friend, the Master of Chaos?”
Trixie replied with a blank expression.
Discord dropped the act and straightened up, his arms crossing. “You should know me better than that Trixie; why would I pull such a predictable prank like that?” He gestured his head to Starfall. “I need to speak with the pegasus, be a good little unicorn and be on your way.”
Looking over at Starfall, he gave her a confident nod. Trixie stashed away the flask and then walked away. “Talk to you later then Starfall.”
Starfall waved to her as she walked off, and then turned to Discord, dropping his smile.
“Ooooh,” Discord cringed, unable to keep down his wicked smile. “Why the icy glare?”
“What do you want Discord?” Starfall repeated himself.
Snaking his way through the air, the draconequus landed beside the pegasus, wrapping his arm around him. “Starfall, Starfall, Starfall…..” he mused, lifting him up in the air as he floated along the road. “Surely with all your training, all your talents, and all your intuition you too can see what I have come to fear.”
Starfall remained perfectly calm, looking up at the insanity known as Discord. “See what?”
“That you and everypony else are being played for fools by a master of deception.” Discord said quietly. “That the biggest threat to Equestria has been welcomed under your own roof. And that Princess Twilight has never before been in such peril.”
Shooting Discord a sharp glare, Starfall said, “If this is some kind of joke then let me be clear; you are messing with the wrong pegasus.”
Discord knew that last one would hit the right strings. Teleporting the two of them to the outskirts of town, the draconequus’ smug façade darkened.
“This is no joke.” Discord hissed. “Each and every day you let that creature stay here in Ponyville is another failure on your part as a royal guard.”
Starfall was surprised to hear this from Discord, who he was told to never take things seriously. Starfall spread his wings, releasing himself from the Master of Chaos’ hold. He glided down to the ground and turned to face him.
“Unlike you, I trust Twilight.” Starfall said proudly. “If she trusts Shadow, then so do I. And as her friend, so should you.”
Discord grimaced in disbelief. “You ponies are so naïve. Not everything, everywhere is good. You think that just because he says he’s afraid and that he smiles whenever you’re around that Twilight should trust him? You don’t understand, none of you do; this is not a game.”
“No, you don’t understand.” Starfall snapped back. “You never have. I have read all the reports, all of the records of what you’ve done since your reformation. Twilight and her friends have steered you on the right path countless times because you lacked the discipline to believe in something you don’t understand.”
Discord scoffed, saying, “I don’t la-”
“I’m not done!” Starfall shouted, flying up to eye level with the draconequus.
Unknown to the two of them, Starlight had been told by Trixie about how Discord was alone with Starfall. She was searching for the two of them when she heard raised voices. Coming to the wall of a building, she waited just out of sight, listening to them.
“Having a friend means believing in them and sticking with them through the thick of it all.” Starfall continued. “There is nothing I wouldn’t do to protect Twilight and her friends, nothing! She knows more about friendship than you or I could learn in a lifetime! So when I say that I will not be swayed by the paranoia of a coward like you, then you’ll know I mean it!”
Overcoming the initial reaction of the pegasus yelling at him, Discord moved in close to Starfall’s face, his eyes glowing. “How dare you call me a coward….” He growled. “I will not stand by as everything I have come to care for is taken away from me! Not again!”
The two pressed their foreheads against one another’s, deathly glares tossed in between them.
“Starfall!” Starlight called out cheerfully from behind the corner of the building. Starlight gave them a second to separate before she trotted out from around it, acting like she had just found them. “There you are……oh, hello Discord. What are you doing here?”
Discord glanced over at Starfall before replying in a cold voice, “Do excuse me, I was just leaving.”
Before anypony could say any more, Discord vanished. Starfall finally took in a breath. It wasn’t easy mouthing off to a powerhouse like Discord.
Starfall turned to thank Starlight, but was silenced when the unicorn hugged him. “Ummm….?” He said in reply, looking at her in confusion. “What is it Starlight?”
Releasing him, Starlight offered him a smile. “Nothing. Just realizing how lucky we all are that you’re here.” Starfall wasn’t given long to come up with a response. “Let’s get back to the castle, Twilight is waiting for us.”
The sky began to light up with a crimson flare, the sun falling close to the horizon. Shadow trotted along the dirt road on Sweet Apple Acres, enjoying the brightly colors above.
Having had met with the crusaders at their clubhouse for the last few days, he had already memorized the path to get there. Shadow hoped that even though their focus would no longer be on finding him a cutie mark that they would still be able to hang out. He liked the three fillies; they were energetic and fun.
Coming up upon the clubhouse, Shadow walked up the ramp and knocked on the door.
“Come on in!” Apple Bloom shouted.
Opening the door, Shadow walked inside, seeing the three fillies waiting for him up by the podium. He was quick to notice their stout, serious faces.
Somewhat concerned at the sight of their expressions, Shadow asked, “Girls? Did I….do something wrong?”
Apple Bloom cracked a smile, unable to hold it in. “Quite the opposite Shadow Light, you’ve done something very right.”
“For the last few days,” Sweetie Belle said aloud. “The four of us have gone all over Ponyville in search of a way to get you your cutie mark, but nothing seemed to click.”
Apple Bloom nodded. “But in our failure, you discovered something we have in the past; it doesn’t matter in the end if what we do helps ourselves, only our friends and those around us.” Looking over at their third crusader, Apple Bloom said, “Scoot?”
Scootaloo kept silent and took out a drum set from behind her seat. Drumming up a loud, catchy beat, the clubhouse vibrated from the sound waves. When she finished, Shadow looked back and forth between the three of them, trying to understand what was happening.
All three fillies then jumped to the floor and walked up to Shadow.
“For tireless effort and tenacity….” Sweetie Belle said.
“For faith and awesomeness in the face of failure….” Scootaloo went next.
“And for the friendships you have made and put before your own desires,” Apple Bloom continued. “We three announce you….”
Apple Bloom picked up a small box at her side and opened it. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo each grabbed one shield emblem from inside it and gave them to Shadow.
All three fillies said in unison, “THE NEWEST MEMBER OF THE CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS!!!”
Shadow’s face looked like it went into shock. He looked down at the emblems; they were the same shape and color of the CMC’s cutie marks but at its center there was a silver moon inside of a golden sun.
It came like a wave, sweeping over his entire body. It was more than just a feeling, it was there, right there, as if blazing just beneath his black coat. Looking up from the shields, Shadow felt purpose as he looked into the eyes of the excited young ponies.
“We had to think of something that best resembled you.” Scootaloo said happily.
“Yeah!” Sweetie Belle agreed. “Do you like it?”
Words did not surface immediately, there was a pause as Shadow looked down at the shields again. It felt like the symbol really was his cutie mark, and that he finally had an identity.
“It’s…..” he managed to say, trying to form words. “It’s perfect….thank you…..” Moving forward, Shadow clasped all three of them in a big hug. “Thank you so much.”
The four ponies sat in the treehouse hugging as the sun flashed its last beam of light onto Equestria, disappearing from sight beyond the crimson horizon.
Twilight sat down another book, making her levitation spell stop. She took in a deep breath, massaging the sides of her head with her hooves as she let out a groan. Ten hours straight…..nothing. Four days of researching…..nothing. All of the books and information of dragons and artifacts from all of the libraries and archives of Equestria…..nothing.
“How am I supposed to solve this if I can’t even figure out what it is?” she asked herself, alone in the library with only her doubts to reply.
Time was not on their side. That dragon could be anywhere by now, have done most anything and they would be powerless to stop him. With another groan, Twilight pressed her face against the table, using every ounce of brainpower she could to figure any of this out.
A flashing light caught her attention and she lifted her head, looking down at its source. With a slight gasp she got up and galloped out into the hall.
Twilight, Rainbow, Fluttershy, Starfall, and Starlight all stood in the throne room around the cutie map. Twilight, Rainbow, and Fluttershy’s cutie marks circled over Griffonstone, the once great city at the heart of the Griffon Kingdom.
“The map is summoning us to Griffonstone?” Rainbow asked, looking at the other two called with her. “All three of us?”
Fluttershy looked worried. “It is late, do you think we should wait until morning to leave?”
“I say we go now!” Rainbow said fearlessly.
“Ummm….” Fluttershy said in objection. “How about we at least wait until Shadow gets back, you know, so he does not worry.”
Twilight looked at the map, and then back at the others. “We should wait until morning; I’m not sure if I would be up to flying that far on how little sleep I’ve gotten the last few days.”
Fluttershy looked relieved, but Rainbow crossed her hooves, scoffing in return.
“Okay, okay, fine.” Rainbow huffed. “But we’re leaving bright and early!”
Looking over at Starfall, Twilight asked, “Would you be alright coming with us tomorrow?”
Starfall nodded without hesitation. “Of course.”
Rainbow turned her eyes back to the map. “Why do you think it is summoning the three of us? Usually it just sends two of us at a time.”
“I guess we each have a role to play there.” Twilight suggested.
Rainbow eyed Twilight, chuckling a bit. “Huh, I figured you’d be more excited than this to be able to go; last time you were practically itching to come with me and Pinkie.”
“Don’t get me wrong,” Twilight replied. “I am excited to finally be able to see Griffonstone. But with everything that has been happening, I just think the timing could have been better.” Letting out a sigh as well as her calming hoof technique, Twilight got her thoughts straight. “Regardless of what is going on elsewhere in Equestria, we still have a role to play in helping others solve their friendship problems.”
Starlight chimed in for support. “I can look after Shadow while you are gone. You have nothing to worry about Fluttershy.”
Fluttershy gave a smile in response, knowing everything was in good hooves.
“Well, I guess we better get to sleep early.” Twilight told them. “We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow. Starfall, before you go to sleep, could you tell Applejack, Pinkie Pie, and Rarity about our plans so that they don’t worry?”
“Absolutely.” Starfall said, nodding. “I will do so immediately.”
Everypony split up into groups. Fluttershy and Rainbow flew out of the castle to return home. Twilight and Starlight walked up the stairs of the castle to get to sleep. All while Starfall awaited for them to leave before performing his tasks.
“Remember to hurry back and get some sleep Starfall.” Twilight told him as she ascended the stairs.
Starfall nodded once again, waiting for the two mares to be out of sight. He flew out from the castle to inform their friends of the plans tomorrow. Keeping an eye on the time, Starfall knew he had to stay up late, and that he was going to regret it in the morning.
Once he finished informing the rest of the girls, he had to be off to Neon Palace in town.