The Second Pony to Become an Alicorn

by Razor Blade the Unicron


Welcome, Starlight!

Shadow moved silently through the pitch-black cave, satisfied with the lack of light. There wasn't a single sound, which would intimidate most others, but not an entity such as themself. After several minutes, Shadow stopped walking, and glanced around in the darkness for signs of movement. There was no one else around.
"GYAAAAAH!" screamed Shadow, smashing their hoof into the ground. "That stupid pegasus just can't leave me alone! She only ruins my perfect plans due to the luck that those wretched Elements give her! I was going to have all of that idiotic unicorn's power, but that pegasus is so annoyingly steadfast that she just won't give up!"
Shadow paused from their ranting to condense into an orb of black magic with wisps of red. They were too weak to maintain any other actual form, much to their annoyance. They needed more power to be able to do that.
"That. Is. It." said Shadow angrily. "I'm going to Everfree. That place should have plenty of magic for me to obtain somehow. I don't care how close it is to Rainbow's home town, none of the stupid residents go into Everfree. They're all just too scared. As they should be."
The orb of black and red zipped down the cave, laughing madly to itself.


Starlight shivered in the cold as she and six other ponies and one dragon stepped off the train. The ground was covered in snow, and flakes were falling from the sky. It was significantly warmer in her village.
"Time to get the party set up!" cried Pinkie suddenly. "It'll be a Triple Party!"
Pinkie zipped off towards Sugarcube Corner, leaving Starlight stunned.
"Uh, what exactly is Pinkie doing?" asked Starlight.
"She's setting up a party for you." said Rainbow. "Well, a triple party, apparently."
"Why is she setting up a party for me?"
"Pinkie throws welcome parties for everyone! She also throws parties for half-a-bazillion other reasons."
Starlight nodded. "That does seem very... Pinkie-ish."
Rainbow snickered a bit at that. "Okay, so do you want to go to Town Hall to see if there's any houses you can buy?"
"Yeah, that sounds like a good idea."
Rainbow and Starlight walked towards Town Hall, with Starlight looking around at everything in Ponyville.
"What's that large thing in the sky?" asked Starlight, pointing at something near the edge of town.
"Oh, that's my house." said Rainbow. "Luna sent it to me after we changed her back from Nightmare Moon."
"You don't have a castle?"
"Nah. I like my house. A castle would just look all out-of-place and wouldn't feel like home."
They walked up to Town Hall, and Rainbow opened the door with her magic. She and Starlight walked in, and almost ran into Mayor Mare.
"Oh!" she said in surprise. "So sorry, Rainbow Dash."
"No, no, it's my fault." said Rainbow.
"Did you need something?"
"Yeah. My friend Starlight was looking to buy a house." Starlight smiled nervously. "Are there any open ones?"
"I'll need to go check the papers, if you'll wait just a minute."
"Sure thing!"
Mayor Mare walked off into another room, leaving Starlight and Rainbow behind.
"Rainbow," said Starlight nervously, "What if there aren't any houses open? What do I do then?"
"You could stay with me or one of my friends!" said Rainbow. "There's no need to worry, Starlight."
Mayor Mare walked back in, holding several papers. "Looks like there's several open!" she said, giving Starlight the papers. "You can go look at them and come back if you've found one you like."
"Thank you." said Starlight.
"It's no trouble!"
Starlight and Rainbow walked back outside, where the snow was falling more lightly.
"So, are you going to-" started Rainbow, before a loud bird call cut her off.
"Kak!" cried Captain (Rainbow's falcon), flying up to Rainbow with a note in his talons.
"Heya, Cap!" said Rainbow, taking the letter in her magic. "What'cha got for me?"
"Ka-kak!"
Rainbow opened the letter, and a large smile appeared on her face. Starlight cocked her head in confusion.
"What does it say?" she asked.
"We're finally having the Winter Moon Festival!" said Rainbow gleefully.
"The what?"
"It's like the Summer Sun Celebration! And Luna wants me to help out in it!" Rainbow looked back at the paper, and her smile faded a bit. "Although... It is in Canterlot... So I need to leave for a while..."
"But you should go!" said Starlight. "You don't need to worry about me or anything!"
"Said the pony who was just worrying."
Starlight sighed. "Yes, I get it. I've been getting too nervous. But you definitely should go if Princess Luna wants you to."
Rainbow smiled. "Thanks, Starlight. Although... There is something you can do while I'm in Canterlot."
"What?"
"Can you and Twilight get everything organized for the Festival here?"
"Er... I really don't think that I should be in charge of something..."
"But you're a great leader! And you'll be working with Twilight! Come on, Starlight! Please?"
"...Okay."
Rainbow flew into the air with joy. "Yes!"
"Starlight!" said Pinkie, popping up in front of her abruptly. "You're invited to A PARTY!"
"Wait, how did you-" started Starlight, before Pinkie cut her off.
"Are you coming?"
Starlight hesitated, and then nodded. "Of course, Pinkie. I don't want to miss you party!"
"Yay! It's party tiiiiiiiime!!!"