//------------------------------// // White Dwarf // Story: No Hugs for Sugar Crush // by FerociousCreation //------------------------------// The instant Nightshade opened the doors to the Bright Spotlight, the receptionist recognized her with a smile. “Good morning,” Novelette said while she fussed with several papers. “Are you here for Morganite?” “That I am,” Nightshade nodded. The pegasus placed down the sheets and giggled, “You know, you could just ask for a job here for how many times you come here on a weekly basis.” A small dose of humor was something Nightshade wanted. She didn’t want to barge into Morganite’s office and immediately start discussing sensitive subjects. Nightshade flashed a tiny grin. “I’m already a guard for Princess Luna. We’ve talked about this before.” “I know! It’s just everypony here knows who you are. Even our boss likes you, despite how you just loiter.” “I give my input!” Nightshade protested. “In fact, I have managed a little surprise for Morganite that will help your magazine sell like moon pies.” "That sounds lovely!" Novelette settled her mood and rose a brow, “Don’t you mean ‘hotcakes?’” “Nope!” Nightshade grinned. “And what’s a ‘moonpie?’” Novelette asked. “A dessert made by my mother’s mother’s mother,” Nightshade proclaimed with pride. A knock on the wall wedged itself into Nightshade and Novelette’s talk. Both mares turned and saw a very sly Morganite leaning against the shiny lime-green wall. “Sounds to me that you have been holding something back for me.” The thestral’s ears fell down, “You weren’t supposed to hear the surprising surprise.” “Considering recent events, along with what I overheard about this ‘moon pie’, I am certain you have a lot to say!” Despite Morganite’s twinkling smile, the emotion weighed down Nightshade’s heart. The two knew a lot about each other, no doubt. And if there was one thing that always sent the crystal pony into a flurry of tears, it was the 1000-year-old past. Nightshade took a few speedy steps toward her friend and then pulled Morganite into a tight squeeze. “Oh!” Morganite gasped. “Umm… good morning to you too.” The thestral said nothing, unable to move herself to press forward with disheartening talk. “Nightshade, is something wrong?” “I need your help with something in private,” Nightshade whispered into Morgainte’s ear, aware that there was another body in the room. Morganite stepped back and looked at her friend’s concerning frown. “Okay.” “And if you’re curious, I am not being dramatic for comedic effect. Not this time.” A pink hoof patted Nightshade’s shoulder. “I believe you.” *** The door sounded like shattering glass when Morganite closed it. Nightshade sank into the plush armchair, the cushions soft at her backside. The crystal pony slowly walked over to her desk, not once moving her eyes from Nightshade. “Nopony can hear us,” Morganite reassured. Nightshade nodded. “Just so you know, not everything I have to say is bad. I even got some juicy information about our favorite couple.” “We can get to them in a moment,” Morganite said without a change in her mood or expression. “Did something bad happen?” “It involves what I overheard this morning. And I need your help with addressing it to Saradiamond.” Nightshade was not surprised when the name warped Morganite’s attitude toward anger. “Are you going to tell her to not be such a jerk to Mineral?” “In a roundabout sort of manner. But this is a much more inclusive question that involves you and her.” Morganite softened her mood, much less furious and extremely curious. “The question revolves around… Sombra.” Both of Morganite’s eyes widened for a brief moment before they settled down. The crystal pony’s pupils landed on the hard, wooden desk. She swallowed something in her throat before croaking a, “What about him?” Seeing her cherished friend pained by the mention of the tyrant forced Nightshade to poke her tongue with a sharp tooth. “Here’s some context: So I noticed Mineral was walking around with Rarity this morning. As carefully as I could, I eavesdropped on them just to hear what they were talking about.” Morganite didn’t lift her gaze, but she couldn’t resist grinning. “‘Just to hear what they were talking about’ and not check and see if Mineral was loyal to your sister?” Morganite pressed. Nightshade sucked in her lips, “That was only ten percent as to why I listened in on them.” Morganite rolled her eyes, both landing on Nightshade once they stopped moving. “Right…” Morganite’s mood seemed to be much more lifted, but Nightshade knew it would only last for a little longer. “While I listened, I learned a lot about Mineral and heard his side of his story. And even though I thoroughly understand why Mineral wants to show how much he loves Sugar, it all revolves back to Sombra. He’s the reason for the Crystal Empire’s banishment.” Nightshade watched Morganite place her arms on her desk. The thestral prepared for the worst of reactions and took a deep breath. “What I need your help with is to ask Saradiamond ‘why it is so hard to move on from the past?’ And I want to hear your reason." Nightshade gave Morganite no quarter to advance any possible words she might muster up. “I bring this up because I know what it is like to lose somepony. I once had a friend who advised Nightmare Moon, and his name was... White Dwarf.” A bold-white figure appeared in her head. Dense with muscle, eyes a bold sapphire, wings with tips as sharp as a spear, and a mane the same as his fur. Just like his color, Nightshade remembered how much White stood out. His existence, off or on duty, radiated with devout loyalty. “You’ve never told me about him,” Morganite said with parted lips. It was a long time since Nightshade had talked to somepony else about White Dwarf. Even to her mother; the last time he was mentioned to Sugar Cane by Nightshade was a month after his passing. Curious little Sugar Crush at the time knew mentioning the word “white” would set off the elder sister’s already fickle emotions into tears and frustration. So instead of Sugar Crush asking Nightshade if she was okay, the filly would quietly crawl under her sister’s blankets and accompany the sibling by nestling on her back. Carnation aided Nightshade with strong conditioning to move his daughter away from crippling depression. No doubt was it challenging to tell somepony to move on, even though the pony they loved didn’t just die, but was killed. Nightshade slowly shook her head. “He’s gone. Besides, there’s been no reason to talk about White until now.” “Did you-” “He was among the most loyal who served her,”  Nightshade interjected, her tone blunt, “and he volunteered to put his life on the line to become the princess’ adviser!” Morganite sank back into her seat, taken aback from the bark. Nightshade instantly regretted her outburst and apologized, “I’m so sorry! What were you going to ask?” “No, it’s a sensitive question. I was being impulsive.” Morganite swirled her hoof in the air, “You know me, being the interviewer type and ready to ask anything.” Nightshade knew where Morganite was going with her question, though she didn’t want to hear it. However, Nightshade figured it would be best to let out the absolute truth in order to help her glimmering friend. “Were you about to ask me if I loved him?” Morganite's entire figure sagged. Sadness loosened the muscles in Nightshade’s neck, and the mare dangled her head. “Because I did,” Nightshade muttered with a choked whisper. “Oh, Nightshade!” The mare behind the desk climbed off her chair and approached her friend with an extended arm. Nightshade had to lean forward to hug Morganite just as she came within the thestral’s reach. The body heat and the memory of White Dwarf flooded Nightshade of times spent with him, the most being when the two of them snuck away during primary resting hours and went to the bathhouse to enhance their intimacy. They were nearly caught but being trained to be stealthy and escape from supposedly impossible situations proved to be quite effective. A part of Nightshade did hate herself for being caught by a mere child when she was listening in on Mineral and Rarity. She didn’t let it bother her for too long, considering being caught by a foal wouldn’t cause similar consequences compared to being spotted by Nightmare Moon herself. “Thank you,” Nightshade whispered. “You’re welcome,” Morganite responded with a better squeeze. Nightshade’s throat rumbled as a giggle vibrated within. “I won’t be thanking you if you crush me to death.” Tempted by words, Morganite gave more squeeze to her grip. “You’re a tough mare! You can take it!” “That I am. That. I. Am.” Morganite slowly loosened her hold, then backed away from her friend. Nightshade was in a much better mood with a small smile at the corner of her mouth. “You can go back to your desk if you want,” Nightshade said. “I’m fine with standing here,” Morganite argued. Nightshade wanted to hear that. “Alright then.” Morganite sucked in her lips a bit, holding back words. “So… about White Dwarf.” “Yes, him,” Nightshade echoed, however, had a hard time saying his name. “He was Nightmare Moon’s close adviser. I was terrified when he told me about his new position.” “How come?” Morganite asked. “The position is cursed. Ponies have been killed by Nightmare Moon during her fits of wrath. And advisors are usually the target.” Morganite blinked away, her stare angled at her desk. “I see.” “However,” Nightshade continued, “Wh- he was quite efficient at his tasks; he even impressed Nightmare Moon.” A good memory surfaced and made the thestral grin. “The princess teased him for being efficient at what he did and wondered if I would be the first to kill him if he got on my bad side for one day.” “Aww,” Morganite giggled. “Yeah, he certainly was quite the stallion…” The change in tone brought Morganite to Nightshade’s side. “If you want, you can use my story for an article," Nightshade suggested. "It’s about to get interesting.” Morganite gasped at such a proposition. “I will not profit off of something that will bring my friend pain!” “Just listen to the rest of the story,” Nightshade said with a calm tone. “But- why would you suggest something like that?” Morganite argued. It took Nightshade’s entire being to not get too upset. “To further get White out of my head!” Confusion warped the crystal pony’s expression. “How could you do that if I display your troubles in a book?” “Misery loves company,” Nightshade answered. “Have you ever listened to a sad song when you are upset?” Morganite’s quick switch to sadness was enough of a response for Nightshade, but the mare replied anyway, “I have.” “Why?” “Because… I wanted to get out all the bad feelings.” It was Nightshade’s turn to give Morganite a hug. The embrace was awkward because the thestral had to lean over the chair’s armrest. “Did you do that when you returned from your banishment?” Nightshade asked. “Mmhmm!” A hard sniff accompanied Morganite’s tears. “And I still want to get out those bad feelings!” As the two mares held one another, a coworker was caught by Nightshade as he was looking through the glass. The unicorn scurried off with a stack of papers, a few fluttering off the top from the sudden jolt. Even though she was crying, Morganite managed to laugh a little. “For somepony who has a tendency to let your emotions get the best of you, you haven’t cried even a little.” Nightshade smiled and said, “That’s because I have a much happier present which includes you as well.” “Hehe!” Morganite giggled and squirmed, her pink body moved by the betterment of positivity. The thestral tapped her friend’s shoulder so the two can stare at one another. “It’s also because the past has been settled; I had clarity after the tragedy.” Morganite wiped her eyes with a hoof, along with her smile. “What… happened to White?” Nightshade rested her back onto the chair once more but only kept a hoof surrendered to Morganite. As Nightshade delved deeper into the past that was already gone, everything started to come back to her; the moment White fell, the endless days of collapsing into fits of rage and tears, the tireless investigation. Her eyes started to warm a little, but Nightshade knew crying would not bring him back. “I told you about how thestrals live on the moon, right?” Nightshade asked. “You have,” Morganite nodded, “even though I told you that the Crystal Empire had knowledge of their way of living.” “Just making sure,” Nightshade said. “It saves me the trouble about explaining the details and layout of the terrariums. White-” Pressure started to build at the back of Nightshade’s eyes. It was very hard to force herself to say his name. A brush on the arm distracted Nightshade from her thoughts. “Let it out,” Morganite whispered. The magic of those three words unlocked the floodgates. Nightshade felt no shame. She trusted her friend. Nightshade didn’t cry as her friend did. Her tears did run quickly, and the thestral bore a nasty scowl. But the main difference was how Nightshade had control of her breathing. Deep long breaths from the muzzle, and even longer, calmer exhaling. “The day of his death started with a shout,” Nightshade began, her voice cracked and hurt.