//------------------------------// // Prologue II.III: Mirrored Friendships // Story: The Little Pony Legend: The Redeemers // by eric-emanwu //------------------------------// Prologue II.III Mirrored Friendships Starlight and Sunset were standing in an open field near a barnhouse. Sunset was giving Starlight a serious look in complete silence. And Starlight could feel sweat rolling down her cheeks as she remembered what had lead them to this point. Sunset had an absolutely stunned look on her face. But despite the look that screamed, ‘I’m trying not to pass out’, she passed Starlight a napkin to wipe her face. Then the face shifted to fear and anger, and Sunset stood up. Starlight opened her mouth to say something, but all Sunset had said before walking off ahead of Starlight had been, “Follow me. Now.” Then she’d briskly made her way out, feverishly writing in a book she’d taken out. Starlight followed sheepishly behind her, unsure of what was coming, afraid that she’d somehow offended Sunset in some way. But wanting to say anything to break the tension, she at last reached out to Sunset. “So, where are we going?” “Applejack’s house.” “What? We’re going back to Equestria?” At this, Sunset gave an annoyed grumble, and Starlight could’ve sworn she’d heard under her breath, “have to explain that too..” Outwardly she merely replied, “It’s...not what you think. I just need a bit of space for what I’m about to do.” Starlight suddenly felt herself shaking slightly. Was Sunset going to...attack her? Hold a magic duel? What was going on? Finally, Sunset reached out and grabbed Starlight by her shoulders. Starlight mentally prepared to activate her airbending style in order to defend herself, but that was when she suddenly received a blast of noise to her face. “WHAAAAAAATTTT??????” Sunset seemed to recompose herself after getting that out of her system, then she began to bombard Starlight with her clear education. “HOW COULD YOU EVEN CONSIDER THAT A RATIONAL CHOICE?? Time travel magic is far beyond any unicorn’s capacity of magical reserves to achieve, and the only partial success was achieved thousands of years ago by Starswirl the Bearded. You’d need to account for temporal warping, fighting the paradoxical nature of taking such an action, and given that Starswirl’s magical work was only effective within a week of use, how could you compensate for the temporal line of bodily displacement? How could you possibly have been…” Finally able to react again, Starlight reached up and placed a finger on Sunset’s lips. “Well there Sunny, it sounds to me that you learned too much about the ‘traditional’ limitations that were in time travel magic. But I decided to use the newer tools available to us in order to achieve what I was going for.” "HOW??!!!???” At this, Starlight gave a slight grimace. “I heard tales about the elements traveling around Equestria using a magical cutie map to find what was needed for help. But that was a call thanks to the connection they had. So, I thought that if the map is related to the Elements of Harmony, then logically it must link to the power held with the bearers. Therefore, I concluded that if I could follow that connection to the source of the elements, then I could link the time travel magic to it and follow it all back to where the elements first connected and destroy the connection at the source.” At this, Sunset seemed to quiet down a bit. “Okay...a lot of that kind of magical theory actually sounds like stuff I never got around to studying before I left Canterlot, but the principle behind it seems clear enough.” Then Sunset sat down like she was back in class. Cross legged and with her full attention on Starlight Glimmer. “So, did it work?” Starlight sighed at the question. “Yes. It did. I stole the magical spell with Starswirl’s notes on time travel, and channeling my emotions along with my theories on magical unity, I managed to create my own version of the spell. One that had Starswirl’s time displacement linked with the Cutie Map’s omnipresence in space and supercharged with a pinch of my hatred and tapping directly into the unlimited powers The Elements of Harmony provide.” Sunset looked quite impressed, but then raised a hand. Starlight looked half amused, half confused at this gesture, but played along. “Yes...Sunny?” “But if the Elements of Harmony are pure goodness what with kindness, laughter, honesty, loyalty, generosity, magic and unity, how could you have tapped hatred in order to use that spell properly?” Starlight looked a bit taken aback at that, but gave a sad smile in response. “Hatred has no place in harmony, but the elements are virtues and choices. And hatred is a type of emotion too, which is..neutral when it comes to creating harmony. Besides, is it wrong to be loyal to your friends by hating that which is evil?” Sunset scrunched her face at that comment, but said nothing else. So Starlight continued. “Anyways, when I cast that spell, I included a clause that if anypony else cast it, I would immediately come to the time chosen by it. That way, I had a backup in case Twilight and her friends tried to stop me after I’d succeeded in the past. After all, change is easy. There’s only one way to get a sonic rainboom right, but there’s a million ways to get it wrong.” Sunset tilted her head at that. “Huh. I guess you have a point there. I mean, it’s still horrible you resorted to that, but when you think about it, it’s a miracle that so much works out the way it does if you put it in perspective like that.” Starlight bashfully hung her head. “I kept messing up Rainbow Dash’s attempts to race, and Twilight and her friends…” “Which ones?” “Oh, uhh, it was...Spike, Flash Sentry, Mako, Asami and Bolin.” Sunset smiled at that. “Ah, so the regular sidekicks. Twilight sure was lucky to have so many friends to help then.” “So they all kept trying to stop me, but each time I managed to make my plans work. Then finally Flash Sentry came up with an alternate plan to stop me...they took me back to the present to see what all my actions were doing.” “And what were they doing?” At this, Starlight sat down next to Sunset, her eyes downcast. “I was destroying the worlds by stopping the sonic rainboom. By the time they pulled me in with them, all there was left of Equestria was a bleak, empty field devoid of life. And from what I learned talking to them afterwards, the worlds that I created before ranged from prolonged war with King Sombra to destruction by Dark Spirits, to worlds overrun by industrialization, and others were enslaved to the ideals of villains.” Sunset seemed to be scrutinizing Starlight, but simply waved her hand at her. “Continue.” “I didn’t want to accept that they’d somehow had such a large impact on the world. I raged and vented at them, showing how Sunburst and I grew apart, and then trying to pull the revised time travel scroll to pieces in order to trap them in a timeline I choose.” At this point though, Starlight’s voice cracked, utter shame and sadness entering her voice. “But...they never gave up on me. Asami forced me to confront that I actually loved Sunburst, and that’s why it hurt even more than just losing a friend. Bolin swore that human talents can take people away as well, but that you can adapt to that and still remain friends. Mako encouraged me to keep trying so to find what’s great in the world. And….” Starlight had to reach up and wipe a tear from her eye. Sunset, her own eyes brimming with empathy, reached out and put a supportive hand on her shoulder. Still, she also pushed Starlight onward. “And?” Starlight hung her head. “Aaaand Twilight promised that She would be my frieeee-eeend!!” She then lunged at Sunset, hugging her tight. Sunset gave Starlight a comforting squeeze as they sat there as the sun began to set. “Shhhhhh, it’s alright,” Sunset whispered. “It’s okay Starry Eyes. I’m here.” And Sunset gently stroked Starlight’s back as small sobs raked Starlight’s body. After 4 minutes, Starlight’s sobs began to die down, until at last she pulled away, wiping at her eyes. “Sorry. I don’t know where that came from.” Sunset gave Starlight a gentle smile. “Yes you do. There’s something about Twilight becoming your friend that bothers you.” Sunset tried to keep her voice level, though she was unconsciously moving her eyes up and down in nervousness. “Do you have any idea what that might be?” Starlight stared down at her hands, thinking. This...this must be what’s been bothering me all day. Why I’ve been so haybrained and reluctant to being awarded for being a hero. So what is….of course. Starlight looked up. “Because I don’t deserve any of it. I was horrible towards so many ponies, and next thing I know, I’m being given….a new life.” She looked Sunset square in the eyes. “After I was convinced to give up, the sonic rainboom flew over. It was beautiful beyond anything I’d really known before, and then we returned to the proper present. I knew I’d done wrong, and was prepared for any punishment, and in the end I was given a choice: time in a Republic City prison, or become a member of the Airbenders.” “And you chose the airbenders?” “Yes. And these last 6 months have been...magical. I began learning how to make friends, I found 2 best friends in the human P’Li and the Unicorn Trixie. I managed to be introduced to Sunburst again, and asked him to be my coltfriend, trained in airbending so my technique could become more refined….” Sunset smiled at that. “Sounds like a perfect storm to me.” Starlight’s face then contorted into a frown. “But it’s not enough! I...how can I possibly make up for the lives lost and ruined in the timelines I created?” Sunset replied, “I don’t think you really can.” Starlight was about to respond to that, but Sunset continued. “Don’t worry so much about what you could have created, and focus on what you can do now. The magic of friendship is meant to be spread and anticipated. Not held to the past like a weight. You need to keep going forward. And Starry Eyes, people and ponies can give you forgiveness all you want, but only you can accept it. But I suggest you be willing to receive what’s given and react as you choose from there.” Starlight pondered this a bit longer, than smiled. “Perhaps you’re right. Perhaps it’s just that after all that happened with me saving Equestria and Republic City…” Sunset’s eyes grew even bigger than before, but Starlight held up a hand. “Which, if you’re patient, I’ll tell you about. I guess after all that, I didn’t know how to feel about going from an outcast to one of the most well known airbenders in the nation. Maybe...maybe I’m just adjusting to the fact that I do know friendship and forgiveness after all. Thanks Sunny.” Then Starlight gave Sunset another hug. “No wonder you’re the duchess of forgiveness.” Sunset gave a light laugh at that, but hugged back. “You’re welcome. And any friend of Twilight Sparkle is a friend of mine.” As they continued the hug, then Sunset remembered her place. “Hey, how would you like to tell your world saving story to MY best friends and I?” Starlight broke the hug, grinning. “I’d love that.” Sunset then saw someone coming behind Starlight. “Good, but I hope you’re ready for a surprise.” Starlight’s nose wrinkled at that. “What? What’re you…” “Sunset! Who’s that with you?” Starlight suddenly went rigid. “Rainbow Dash?” Sunset grimaced slightly. “Uhhh, not...exactly.” Starlight turned around, and was very surprised to see… “Rainbow Dash? Applejack? Fluttershy? What are you all doing here?” All of them stopped for a second, before all of them giving a collective sigh. Then Applejack stepped up. “Uh, we’re not the ponies you think we are.” AJ then awkwardly scratched her head. “We’re... alternate universe versions of the ponies you know. Only we’ve never been ponies in our lives.” AJ then sighed again. “After we met them at the Friendship Games, we have to give that answer at least once in case someone knows us without our knowing them after the last 2 times we had visitors from Korra’s universe.” Starlight blinked at that, then turned to look at Sunset. “Reeeally…” Then she bounced up and began looking them over. “I must say, even though the proportions are off, you all do look very similar to the others. Although now that I think of it, my Rainbow Dash has finally come to appreciate a comb.” Rainbow grumbled at that. “And I think that with Fluttershy doing part time work with the airbenders, she’s been carrying herself far more upright compared with this fluttershy.” Fluttershy gave an awkward rub on her arm at that. “An’ me sugarcube?” AJ asked slightly annoyed. Starlight looked her over. “I think...the outfit’s different. The Applejack I know has gotten a bit more tidy in her clothes choices. Especially when not a pony. Although, I do think your hats are just about identical.” Sunset quickly stepped up. “Starlight! Show some manners. These are not the ponies you remember! They have their own interests that would never happen to the others due to technology being leagues ahead of Equestria or Korra’s world.” Starlight turned to look at Sunset with a questioning look. “What? It’s just noticing differences. It’s not like...oooohhhh. Right. Sorry about that everyone. I forgot friendship lesson 38. Just because two people are similar doesn’t mean they’ll be exactly alike.” Then Starlight smiled. “So, anyone going to invite me to dinner tonight? I mean, it’s not like I’ll be needed in Equestria for a little while?” Sunset gave a grin that looked surprisingly evil. “I think I have an even better idea.” Starlight was standing outside Pinkie Pie’s house, holding a shopping bag and a few extra things that Sunset picked up from her house before coming over. “I still don’t get why we need to have a ‘slumber party’ to talk with everyone. We always have evening storytime or private get togethers back on the air temple island. Why do we need to partake of foalish pastimes like this?” Sunset gave a light giggle at that. “Clearly you didn’t have much of a childhood, didn’t you? Slumber parties are the fastest way to get girls to get along! And you’re going to love meeting all the other people here.” Starlight shrugged. “Alright. You’re the host after all Sunny.” Sunset then rang the doorbell, resulting in the door opening to reveal… “Hi there! I’m Pinkie Pie! Gosh, it’s so good to meet a new friend. I love sweets. Don’t you? Sunset said you were trying to live simply, but you just have to try my sister’s rock candy. It’s simple and sweet. You’ll love it. Ooohhh, I wonder if you have counterpart here we haven’t met yet. I’ll bet she’ll waltz into our lives before long! How do you feel about cupcakes?” Starlight finally shook her head, thoroughly disoriented from the greeting. “Uuuuhhhh, they’re….good!” “YAY! I know we’re going to be super duper friends after a super spectacular slumber party!” Then Pinkie grabbed Starlight by the hand and yanked her inside. “Welcome to my humble abode!” Starlight was led into a living room, though far more advanced looking than any other sort of living space she’d ever been familiar with. “Soooo many gadgets…” Then she remembered herself. “No. No no no. I’m an airbender now! Technology is an opiate to be controlled, not consumed.” Pinkie gave a light giggle. “Oh just you wait Starlight Glimmer. I think you’re going to LOOOOVE what comes later tonight.” Then the doorbell went off again. “I’ll get it!” Next thing Starlight knew, Pinkie was walking in with a girl with white skin, and a fine looking dress. Starlight knew only one being who could pull off that look without looking tacky. “Rarity?” Rarity opened her mouth, then looked over at Pinkie. “Another one?” “Yes siree!” This Rarity sighed again. “Yes. It’s me. Though I must say, whomever you are, why did the mirror make you look so...pedestrian? You’d think you’d turn out more like Asami then like Rainbow Dash.” Then she gave a small gasp. “Especially with those holes! That style’s only good if you want to look less well off than you actually are and usually feels disingenuous. However did you end up like that?” Starlight gave a slight wince. “Uhhh, well, technically I’m a monk back home, so...maybe it reflects that?” Rarity rushed to Starlight, fawning over her appearance, evaluating her over. “Hmmm, I must say despite the holes, most of you doesn’t seem too rough and tumble. Certainly not..well..affluent, but comfortable. Use to getting your hands dirty in the world. And that beanie makes your face look extra cute. I think your special someone will like that!” Starlight took off her hat to look at it, pondering what Rarity had just said. “That’s...an interesting way to put it.” She then thought of something. “I wonder if I could ever...will myself to have that kind of outfit in Korra’s world? I’d love to see if Sunburst agrees with your assessment.” “So, are you a pony or a person?” asked Rarity. “A pony. My name’s Starlight Glimmer. And I must say, you look quite proper tonight Rarity.” Then she turned to look at Sunset. “Say if I’ve seen one of all the elements so far here, does that mean…” They heard another doorbell ring. Sunset gave a slight smile at the sound. “I got this.” Starlight watched Sunset go off, and then come back with…. “Uuuuuuhhhhh….” Both Sunset and Twilight Sparkle gave Starlight an unhappy look. Sunset speaking up first. “It’s just glasses!” Starlight rolled her eyes slightly, then responded. “Yeah, but it makes her look like an unholy combination of both Princess Twilight and Moondancer. Like she could shut herself away for a year and then never come out. And considering how I know the princess now, that seems like a terribly frightening image to me.” Twilight at that seemed to wilt slightly, before walking straight up to Starlight’s face. “That may be so, but I’ve learned that you need some spine to ensure you don’t lose yourself entirely! And that I always was missing friends in my life, so don’t expect that to happen anytime soon!” Starlight quickly backed up, hands up. “Okay, okay. Sorry. This has just been a full day for me.” Then she smiled back. “Besides, I’m pretty sure I had to learn a similar lesson too, Twilight Sparkle.” Then Pinkie spoke up again. “Alright ladies. As soon as Rainbow Dash gets here, we’re going to get this party started. Now, who’s up for Super Monster Fighter IV!?” Starlight turned in utter confusion. “What?” “I will crush you with my super firestream! No being can withstand my power!!!” Starlight was squinting in extreme concentration before, “Yes! I have slain the Troll! I am victorious!!” Pinkie smirked. “Told ya you would love this.” Starlight laughed. “Yeah, you did. If only I could take this with me. I’m sure it would make a killing if it ever got introduced to Korra’s world.” Twilight turned her head. “How is she by the way?” Starlight smiled. “Doing well. She’s been kinda busy lately, trying to lend an extra hand in the Earth Kingdom. I hear she’s got a big meeting this weekend with Queen Hou Ting about the future of her kingdom.” Then Starlight gave a slight grimace. “Then again, given how 4 governments got compromised recently, I’m guessing she’ll be sticking around Republic City for a few extra days to make sure nobody else is going to go Evil Changeling on them.” Everyone turned their head at that. Starlight then gave a slight grimace. “It’s...kinda a long story.” “We have all night!” Declared Rainbow. “So spill it.” “And that’s how I helped save 4 nations at the same time.” Everyone’s mouths were hanging open, before all of them began clapping. Sunset in particular looked quite impressed. “In all my years of learning, I barely knew the Changelings as anything but thieves and marauders. I never would have guessed about...colorful changlings giving love.” Her friends turned to look at Sunset’s face as she said this. Each of them saw the slight twinkle in her eyes, but said nothing. Instead, they all gave a nod of agreement. “So then...that’s it? You got a party as part of saving 4 nations and that's it?” asked Rainbow. “Oh no,” smirked Starlight. “You see, in a few days, I’m actually going to be honored by the princesses and queen for my work alongside my friends. In fact, I bet I’ll be made a national hero by the end of it all.” Rarity gave a slightly deadpan look at Starlight for saying this so proudly, but Applejack placed a hand on her shoulder, shaking her head slightly. “Let it go,” she whispered. “She’s earned this.” Rarity rolled her eyes slightly, but gave a light sigh and smiled again. “So, Starlight. Tell me, will you be going back after tonight?” Starlight opened her mouth to reply, before pausing. Then she turned to look at Sunset. “I...I..” Sunset gave a chuckle at that. “Princess Twilight said that as long as you’re not late for the ceremony, you should be fine.” Starlight then gave a grin to the whole crowd. “Well then girls, I’m crashing here for the next 2 days!” “Yeah!” “And I’ll hang out with you all in different ways! Get to see more of this...techno wizardry world.” “Oh, it’s never magic,” assured Twilight. “At least, not for most of it. Oh! We should band practice tomorrow. That way you can see us pony up!” “YEAH!” cheered the rest of the rainbooms. “What?” asked Starlight. Sunset just lightly shook Starlight’s shoulder. “You’re gonna be in for a treat tomorrow Starry Eyes.” And Starlight was in for a treat. While the next day was..variable while the Canterlot High people were working on homework, Starlight took her time to do some reading to learn more about this dimension while this was going on. Indeed, there was one particular author she found so interesting she asked Sunset to buy her the book for later. And in time, Starlight got to see it all: The interior of Canterlot high (at lunch time. Principal Celestia was adamant of ‘no more freeloaders’ during the school year.), the band practice (She’d practically fallen out of her seat watching, and then when the explanation for it came well...it took her a while before accepting the rationale behind it), sports, hangouts, Math. She especially liked the math, which was child’s play compared with some of her more complex equational planning for magic. But like all good things, eventually it was time for her to go home. And so she stood at the pedestal, looking at all the new friends she’d just made over 2 days. “I wish I could stay longer,” she lamented. “You silly pony,” giggled Pinkie. “It’s not like this is goodbye forever. I’m sure if you really wanted to, you’d find time to see us again.” Starlight smiled at that. “Yeah. I suppose you’re right.” She then gave each of them a hug, going down the line, until she reached Sunset, where she suddenly stopped for a second, and looked her in the eyes. “Sunny” she began. “Now don’t get too sentimental on me Starry Eyes. You have another party to get to after all.” Starlight gave a sigh at that. “I…” then she practically lept at Sunset, giving her a tighter squeeze than all the others. “Thank you. Thank you for taking care of me while I was here. I promise I’ll come back...and I better see you in Equestria again!” Sunset gave a light laugh, then a slight smile. “I promise I’ll come back one day.” At that, Starlight turned to the statue, took a deep breath, and thrust herself on the base. Immediately, a stream of magic burst from the statue, before sending her careening through the rainbow portal again. Sunset and her friends watched Starlight go, before turning to each other. “Sunset?” asked Fluttershy. “Yes?” “Did you mean what you said? About wanting to go back to Equestria again?” “Uh, well, uh, that is…” Sunset stuttered for a bit. “It’s..not that I want to leave you all behind, it’s just...I wanna go see Korra’s world one weekend! And practice my Firebending with real masters.” “An is that all?” pushed Applejack. “Of course.” Sunset briskly replied. “Why else would I want to go back if my friends are all here?” The six other people looked at each other. Then Twilight stepped forward. “That is not for us to answer Sunset Shimmer. But just remember, we’re going to be graduating soon. So you better get your head on straight for what you want after we finish together. Because something tells me that nothing will ever be the same again soon.” They all nodded in agreement at that. Even Sunset. Then Pinkie gave a giggle. “Alright ladies, now who wants to go plan senior prank!??” And the 7 girls walked away from that statue, aware, but still never quite realizing just how much their lives would change soon. Especially for the pony in human form.