//------------------------------// // Chapter 1 // Story: You Can Be King Again // by Mikleo //------------------------------// There was a soft sigh that sounded amongst the various conversations of ponies around Starlight, her hoof stirring her spoon within the teacup. She carefully eyed the ripples spreading throughout the caramel colored liquid, tracing each highlight from the lights overhead with a scrutinizing stare. She’d had pathetic dates before, but this one raised the bar. She couldn’t blame the stallion, though. No. She was the common denominator in the string of romantic misfortunes that had brought her here. Words went through one ear and out there other; the stallion sitting across from her flapped his lips on and on, speaking of his numerous pets at home. Cats, dogs, rodents, whatever. Perhaps he had so many because they routinely died of boredom. The monotone voice mixed with the high-pitched tone did him no favors. Any information about him came to her in bits and pieces, as her eyes studied everything in the room but him. The pictures on the walls were rather cute, actually, until a tiger painted on velvet reeled her back to her current situation. What in the world possessed her to think a zoologist would be a good match for her? No, she knew that answer. She was a mare, close to her thirties, with badgering parents wistful for grandfoals. A decent looking stallion approached her, and she decided to press her judgment of his tacky sunglasses aside. A mistake in itself. Out of politeness, and some worry, she didn’t storm off out of the cafe. Surely word would spread across Ponyville like a wildfire. Yes, her reputation was fine as it was. That wasn’t her main issue though. The disappointed eyes of her mother forced her to go on. Her tolerance wore thin. Locking eyes with, him, she watched his face grow crimson, words coming out as soft mumbles. Starlight could only force a smile. How long had she been thinking for? She was quickly sucked backed into her thoughts; how come she never blushed back to her date? Maybe something was wrong with her, maybe it was just she never found a stallion to make her feel embarrassed. Well, besides from stallions in those rather racy magazines Twilight did a terrible job at hiding. Or maybe they were Spike’s…? Her muzzle contorted in disgust. The stallion tilted his head. Starlight didn’t care, quickly muttering some random excuse for her expression. Either way, his name already slipped her mind and he certainly did not catch her interest. Fluttershy could be the only one in her life with all the animals. It’s not like this wasn’t her first time, as stallions before had the same effect: appealing until they opened their mouths. Her eyes kept downward, her magic levitating the tea towards her mouth. When had she really went on a date? A true and proper date with a stallion she was interested in? The smell of her citrus tea wafted up inside her nose, filling her with a pleasant warmth. Perhaps her revenge-addled mind had never put the time aside for her desires. Or had she any desires? No, that couldn’t be it. Right? Right. She nodded to herself, finishing her tea. At least this cafe was pleasant; she could’ve been stuck with a poor date and drink. Well, it wasn’t his fault; in truth, the small talk they’d made wasn’t bad, per say. Not that it mattered, anyways. Twenty-something cats weren't for her. The tangy taste of oranges still lingered on her tongue, eliciting a smile from her. If there was one thing Twilight had done for her that was most useful, it was switching her tastes from coffee to tea. Something about the wide variety of flavors that came from tea was much more satisfying than cheap creamer poured into hastily made instant coffee. Tea had made her slow down her process in the morning, taking the time to fully wake up and appreciate the early morning. Looking past the stallion through the glass windows in front of the store, she furrowed her brows. What was she thinking, rushing into something such as dating? If she could not rush her morning routine, what in the world possessed her to rush a serious thing like love? She could wait, enjoy her life, cherish the time she had with Twilight and her other friends. Not tie herself down. The image of her mother swiftly faded. There was a break in conversation, her date falling silent. His eyes pierced Starlight, her ears pricking up; a chance to politely get out of any second dates. Well, as politely as she could muster after an hour of babbling. She raised a hoof to her muzzle, clearing her throat ever so slightly. Her date’s eyes continued to cast towards her, waiting for her words, patiently, quietly. The innocent spark his eyes wasn’t enough to cover up the thousands of animals he surely possessed, alongside their inevitable stench. “Look, this had been great, but…” Starlight pauses, the stallion’s ears falling down, her words catching in her throat. He was a pony, just as her. Could she really crush him so easily? Maybe she should consider a second date? “...I don’t think we’re compatible.” That wasn’t too bad, right? He pointed his nose down, tracing his forehoof around his coffee mug. No, she couldn’t date a stallion who couldn’t take a simple rejection on a mere first date. Right? Right. Justification enough for her to settle for. Still, she found her hind legs shifting in her chair as a piercing silence befell between them. Seconds passed. “Oh… alright.” His voice cracked, soft and barely above a whisper. “I suppose I should get going, then? Don’t worry about paying, I’ll handle it.” “Ah, thank you.” Starlight murmured back, avoiding his sapphire blue eyes while he hopped off his chair and towards the counter. No time for guilt, only freedom. She wasted no time to do the same, briskly trotting towards the door. The sooner she could push this random stallion to the back of her head, the better. Twilight would say something cliche about learning from her mistakes. Shoving the door open, the little ring of the bell sounding above her, she was quickly greeted with the beating sun of a summer day, squinting her eyes through the rouge rays of scattered sunlight. Ponies were buzzing about, walking to and fro in every direction possible. Summer drew ponies out like bugs. A scowl formed on her lips when two ponies passed her with entwined tails. No, she had no time for that. Not when her youth had yet to end, full of possibilities not achievable if tied down by another pony. She shook her head, then focused on the walk back to the castle. These thoughts of romance were merely brought up by a combination of her parents’ words and Twilight and Spike’s absence; the castle grew big and lonely. Yes, burying herself in distracting things such as her magic and friendship studies would help shove away these ridiculous thoughts. She nodded her herself, straightening her head. Love was for Princess Cadence to manage. No more. In a thankfully short time, the large purple crystals which made up Ponyville’s castle reached her field of view, her pace growing faster. Twilight would surely wish for her to further her friendship studies during her absence. What was it, three more days until she returned? Furrowing her brows, Starlight quickened her trot, ignoring the slight pieces of dirt that clung to her hooves. Trixie was busy performing in Manehattan. Rainbow Dash was with the Wonderbolts. She clicked her tongue, watching as a butterfly caught her attention; Fluttershy’s invitation for tea with her and Discord was a perfect opportunity. Studying of how bonds develop and grow with time, how small interactions between friends work, the ways opening up to friends about small things can affect a pony. Friendship stuff. There was plenty to be studied, learned, and even taught. A smug smile plastered across her lips, she snickered, the small chuckles creeping up her throat as she reached the castle doors. Imagine herself teaching the princess of friendship a thing or two about friendship. The irony would be priceless. A quick sparkly flash of her blue magic pushed the heavy crystal doors open, revealing the empty expanse of the castle. Grinning, she closed the doors behind her, looking around. Vast. Empty. Her ears began to droop. What could she do? Her eyes fell upon the cutie mark map. Perhaps she could dig deeper into the connection between the map and Twilight and the other’s cutie marks? Surely there was some sort of deep, magical link to be studied. Yes, there had to be! Starlight galloped towards the map, scrambling up a chair and thrusting her hooves down, a small smack echoing. Something kept this map linked to the element bearers and allowed them to be alerted of other ponies friendship issues. But what was that something? She growled, shaking her head. The student of Twilight had to be intelligent, book smart, able to figure out mysteries such as this. Starlight craned her head around. “Hey, Twilight-” Her pupils dilated as her mouth slammed shut. Oh. That was right. No Twilight Sparkle to ask for anything. A loud groan escaped her lips. Abandoning all dignity, she let her head fall against the table. How could she study the map without one of the key ponies linked to it here? And one of the ponies who could give her advice on what spells to use or where to look for magical signatures. There was no way, none. She would have to have all the bearers present, anyways. No discoveries to impress Twilight. Fluttershy’s tea was still an option… Dragging a hoof across her neck, ruffling her mane, she bit her bottom lip. Would Twilight want her to explore love…? “I need to make more friends,” she mumbled, sitting up slowly. Friends did the same things without all the needs. The kissing, cuddling, clinginess. A snort echoed in the room. The last stallion she was close to left her. Not that she was still bitter about that. Romance added more pressure. More things to worry about. Friends were certainly an easier option to sate her lonely desires. Well, easy enough, without the studying and teaching packed on by Twilight. Yes, making more friends would satisfy Twilight also. Not love. Love is stupid. Stupid, stupid, stupid. Her parent's stupid comment about needing a stallion meant nothing whatsoever. Yes, being alone was what was filling her with this unneeded thoughts. Yes, yes, yes. There was a gentle knocking on the doors, her ears swiveling backward, head following. A visitor and distraction! Starlight’s hooves leaped forward, flinging her body forward into a gallop as she skidded across the marble floor and towards the door. Nearly tripping over her hooves, she halted an inch away from the door, pushing it forward to reveal the potential friend awaiting her. “Hey, Starlight,” Thorax said slowly, his cheeks red. “I, uh, need to see Twilight?”