//------------------------------// // 12 — Story Time // Story: Zero Fate // by GreyNimbus //------------------------------// After waking up the next day in my own room (courtesy of Twilight), my mind was beginning to catch up on the events that have happened to me so far these last few days. If someone told me a week ago that I would escape the harsh realities of my world and find myself in a colorful paradise, I would've called them a liar. Now remembering what the last 3 days have done for me, I'm still having a hard time fitting into pony society, despite all the wonderful guidance that I didn't deserve. I stretched my tired muscles as I still lay in bed. I let out a moan of relief, knowing that I no longer have to see a chiropractor anymore. Back on Earth, I had to see one at least once a month. My lower back was always in a crooked state due to spending literally all my free time sitting in front of a computer. I miss my lifeline. Finally getting out of bed, I did some quick morning exercise to get my blood pumping. Normally, I would just sleep in until I'm fully awake. For the first time since I started my new life in this strange world, I'm actually grateful for being who I currently am, despite everything that I unwillingly abandoned. My job. My possessions. My family. It's like I died and got reincarnated, but I still have all my previous life's memories. Maybe that explained my reclaimed youth. I still want answers, but I'm gonna let it go for now. I then proceed to remove my new pajamas and slip on some of my new awesome casual clothes. After getting myself fully clothed for the day, I begin to make my way to Starlight's room to give her the morning greeting I think she deserves. However, I was the one who got that greeting. As I opened the door to my room, I found Starlight directly on the other side, her hoof raised as she was about to knock on my door. Luckily, my door opens inwards so I didn't slam her face right into it. We both stare at each other presenting expressions of surprise. My expression quickly changed into one filled with glee and excitement. Starlight was the first to speak. "Good morning, Ze..." I interrupted her as I leaped into her chest and gave her a tight hug. Every time I see her, it fills me with hope and love. Her caring nature and personality were almost all I needed to achieve inner peace. Emphasis on almost. As I locked my arms around her neck, I shut my eyes tightly as I tightly nuzzled her. She responds with a nuzzle of her own and strokes my back. I finally spoke up. "Morning, Starlight." "Well, somepony's in a good mood this morning. Did something happen?" she asked. We ceased our nuzzling and pulled back, focusing on each other's faces. "No... I'm just so happy to see you again." I said, still excited. "It's only been, like, 10 hours, Zero. Besides, I live here too. Did you think I wasn't going to see you again?" "No, not at all. I just..." I hesitate to continue as I recalled the events that have transpired these last few days. "After everything you've done for me, I can't imagine life here without you. You mean a lot to me, Starlight." She responds with a proud smile and places a hoof on my shoulder. "That means a lot to me, sweetie." After enjoying our moment a little longer, we both made our way to the kitchen for breakfast. On our way, I decided to start a conversation. "So, what's our schedule today, Starlight?" I asked. "Well, after breakfast, we have to go back to Town Hall to pick up your new documents, then we pay a visit to the schoolhouse and get an update from Cheerilee about your enrollment, and maybe afterward, we can go shopping." "Okay..." I hesitated. "By the way, I've been wanting to ask you something for a while now. Can I ask you over breakfast?" I pleaded, giving Starlight a curious expression. "Sure, Zero. You can ask me anything." We soon helped ourselves with what we craved for as today's first meal. I requested something practical and Starlight recommended cereal, which I gladly chose. In the pantry, I saw 2 different brands of cereal boxes, one of them seemed like the sugary kind for kids, the other was a bland, healthy bran type. I decided to go for the bran cereal. I may be a fit kid again, but that's no excuse to neglect my diet. As for Starlight, she made herself 4 slices of buttered toast and a cup of coffee. Once we were both set on the table, I decided to get my question out of the way before I forget. "So..." I began. "Oh, yeah, what did you want to ask me?" Starlight asked. "You said you've been Twilight’s student for a few months, right?" "That's right." Starlight nodded, levitating a piece of buttered toast to her mouth. "What did you do before that?" Starlight hesitated, slowly placing the toast back down on its plate. "It's a long story. A pretty depressing one at that." "If you're okay with it, I'd like to know more about you as much as I can, Starlight. But I'll leave that choice up to you and respect your decision." I reassured her. Starlight remained silent and bent down to her plate, placing her piece of toast back in her mouth. After taking a big bite out of it, she levitated it away from her muzzle and looked at me. "Let's finish breakfast first, sweetie." I gasped excitedly before scoffing through my cereal like a watermill. After slurping the last of the milk from my bowl, Starlight levitated our dishes before making her way back into the kitchen to wash them while asking me to go to the library and wait for her there. I complied without hesitation and gleefully jogged to the library. After 5 minutes of waiting patiently on one of the library sofas, Starlight entered the room and joined me on the coach. "Thanks for waiting, Zero." Starlight said in a motherly tone. "No problem, Starlight. So, is it story time now?" I said, unable to contain my excited curiosity. Starlight giggled at my remark. "M-hm-hm-hm. Yes, I guess you could call it that, you little rascal. Now, get comfortable and clear those ears." I jumped on the coach, changing my position to laying on my back with my head on the arm of the sofa. I locked my hands together over my chest and prepared for Starlight's story. Seeing me now in a more comfortable position, Starlight leaned back on the sofa and took a deep breath. "Alright, here goes." Starlight began, "When I was just a little filly, about your age, I was living in my hometown of Sire's Hollow. It's just your average, run-of-the-mill town, but it was home. Not as good as Ponyville, though. I wasn't a very popular or social filly. The only friend I ever grew up with was a colt named Sunburst. He and I were always fascinated with books and magic. Every day, we would hang out and learn something new.  I thought it would last forever." I could tell from Starlight's sudden decrease in vocal tone after she finished that sentence. Clearly, the real story is just beginning. After heavily exhaling a breath she didn't know she was holding in, she proceeded in her backstory. "But one day, after Sunburst and I were browsing some books in my house, his Cutie Mark suddenly appeared after he gracefully levitated said books. He ran outside to show everypony his achievement. His parents were so proud of him, they sent him off to a school for gifted Unicorns, leaving me behind. With my only friend gone, I became completely distraught and blamed his Cutie Mark for his departure. Many years later, I dedicated my life to starting a crusade against Cutie Marks. When I was old enough to leave my home, I gathered together a herd of followers to help my cause. We eventually built together a small, remote village in the middle of nowhere as our base. After studying magic for a long time, I discovered a spell to brainwash my followers into thinking they were all equal by removing their Cutie Marks and storing them in a magical vault. Things were..." "Whoa, whoa, hold on..." I interrupted, "You mean you started a cult? All because your only friend left?" "Uhh, yeah. I realized a few months ago that my ambitions were wrong after Twilight and Spike truly opened my eyes." "But a cult? That's going way too far. You must've been really messed up in the head when Sunburst left you behind." "It wasn't easy for me, you know. How would you react if your best friend suddenly got his Cutie Mark and left to fulfill his destiny?" "First of all; I don't believe in 'destiny'. Second of all; humans don't get Cutie Marks. Thirdly; Cutie Marks had nothing to do with your crusade. The real culprit was Sunburst!" Starlight was a little shocked at my comment on her backstory. She felt she still needed more to hear from me. "What do you mean Sunburst is the real culprit?" she asked. "What kind of friend would just up and leave to go live somewhere else and completely neglect his only friend? Even if he got his Cutie Mark, that doesn't excuse him for abandoning you. Even though you both separated, didn't you think to write each other letters or something?" There was a huge pause as I waited for Starlight's response. After seconds of awkward silence, she simply slapped a hoof against her forehead. "Why didn't I think of that!?" I was quite surprised that someone with her level of intellect didn't have enough common sense to do something that wasn't so regrettable. I don't know what she must've gone through when she was growing up, but I won't forgive Sunburst for what he did to Starlight. I leaned closer and wrapped an arm around her shoulders, hoping to reassure her. She responded with a smile. "So... did you ever see Sunburst again?" I asked. My reassurance seemed to have worked. Starlight pulled me into a hug and allowed me to sit between her hind legs. She begins stroking my hair as she answers my question. "Yes, I did, actually. It was actually just a few weeks ago." Did they reunite just recently? Well, that works for me. "Twilight and her friends were invited to the Crystal Empire in Northern Equestria to meet her new niece. She told me that Sunburst was also living in the Crystal Empire as a wizard and she dragged me along with the rest of her friends. Of course, I was too afraid to even speak to Sunburst, but Twilight’s first friendship lesson for me is making amends with him." "And did you?" "At first, it was totally awkward between us. But eventually, we confessed the truth about our mistakes in life and worked together to help save the Crystal Empire from being blanketed in snow." "If it was up to me, I'd kick that guy in the teeth." I said venomously. "WHAT!?" Starlight exclaimed, surprised at my indirect threat, "Why would you say that!?" "No disrespect, Starlight, but why would you forgive him for basically catalyzing your entire mental breakdown, which, might I remind you, motivated you to start a cult to erase the very lifestyle of an entire country? You should hate the guy for what he did!" Starlight sighed. "That would've been the easiest way out, but Twilight once told me 'Friendship is worth fighting for'. I was convinced that Sunburst didn't want to be my friend, but Spike assured me that Twilight wants to be my friend, and so does he, so I shouldn't give up on the pony who used to be my one and only friend. Sunburst admitted that he failed as a student at Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns before apologizing for losing touch with me for so long and not telling me the truth sooner. I forgave him and we both finally made amends." I lowered my head, a little disappointed with how the story concluded. I can't imagine going through such a life of despair and forgiving the very cause of it. After a heavy sigh, I decided to bring this topic to an end. I was no longer in the mood to go over the frustrating details. "Well, thanks for the story, Starlight. It wasn't exactly what I was hoping for, but knowing more about you was satisfying enough for me." I said calmly. "You're welcome, sweetie. Thanks for listening." she replied. Finally getting what I wanted to hear from my favorite pony, I leaped off the sofa and raised my arms for a stretch. Sitting in one spot for too long would be a waste for my youth. "Now that I'm prepared for the day, can we go and get those documents?" I said excitedly. Starlight smiled and furled her eyebrows as she too got off the sofa. "Oh, I almost forgot about that. Come on, let's get your new life together." ...Wait, what?