Chapter 2:
The Cutie Map Part Two:
From a safe distance, Twilight watched her friends being lead back into town and being locked inside a house guarded by two ponies so the five can learn to accept the ways and lives everypony has grown accustomed to.
Because that most of their talents and abilities relied on their cutie marks, Applejack and Rainbow Dash don’t have the strength to break down the door and Fluttershy can’t communicate with animals to get help.
Twilight does want to help them but doesn’t know how to without risking getting caught and stripped of her cutie mark. So she does the next best thing once she retreats to the nearby mountains so she can use her magic to teleport herself and appear inside the room the Mane Five are trapped in.
“In sameness, there is peace. Exceptionalism is a lie.
Free yourself from your cutie mark. Choose equality as your special talent.
Difference is frustration. To excel is to fail.
Be your best by never being your best.”
Starlight’s recorded voice spoke through a megaphone constantly non-stop.
“Oh, this is horrible!” Rarity cried out as tears streamed from her eyes.
“There, there, Rarity... It's not so bad...” Fluttershy tried to comfort Rarity as she placed a hoof on her shoulder to no avail.
“Yes, it is! Look at those drapes! I have no idea if they're tacky or not!” Rarity pointed out to the drapes hanging on the curtain.
“Well, I think they're nice.” Fluttershy complimented them as Rarity’s equal sign mark prevents Rarity from truly telling if they are or not.
“So do I!” Rarity again cried out in pain and sobs causing Fluttershy to back away from her seeing that her attempted efforts are in vain as a bird flies up to the window.
“Oh, thank goodness! Can you help us, little birdie?” Fluttershy asked the bird who simply tweets as her equal mark seems to be affecting her communication to her animal companions.
“Go on, now! Fly away and get us help!” Fluttershy further tried to communicate with the bird who simply chirps in response and flies away like it didn't understand a word she said without her cutie mark.
“Oh, even tweets don't make sense anymore!” Fluttershy sadly came to realize how badly this cutie un-marking is affecting her as Applejack tries to break down the door again but failed due to being stripped of her strength from her cutie mark loss.
“This door's shut tighter than a... summer of...” Applejack tried to comment while struggling for the words she was going to use as her loss of her cutie mark is affecting her ability to make countryisms anymore. “ ...uh, piglets in... shoot! I can't even make countryisms no more!”
“I don't know! Maybe it'll be super fun to be all the same!” Pinkie cheerfully tried to find the bright side to all of this before her expression turns dull as her lack of cutie mark keeps her from thinking cheerful thoughts “Sort of. More pleasant than fun, I guess...”
At that moment Twilight appeared and teleported inside of the room.
“Twilight!” The Mane Five exclaimed in delight to see her.
“Girls, are you all okay?” Twilight asked them out of concern.
“We’re fine sugarcube, but without our cutie marks we can’t bust our way out nor keep up being are usual self’s.” Applejack honestly answered.
“Oooh!” Pinkie exclaimed at Twilight’s brighter shade of color due to not being stripped of her cutie mark. “How come you are shiny and glowing like that Twilight?” Pinkie tried to happily ask before changing back into another dull expression. “Like anypony here cares.”
“Don't worry. Starlight and her town ponies don't know I'm here.” Twilight reassured her friends answered as she focused back on the more important issue.
“Then quit wasting time and just bust us out of here already so we can get our cutie marks back!” Rainbow Dash urgently demanded and explained a simple solution to her.
“As much as I want to, I can’t.” Twilight sadly replied.
“Why not?” Rainbow Dash irritably questioned of why that’s so hard.
“As much as I want to get you all out here, I can’t because well…” Twilight explained herself while trying to keep her composure as she talks. “Then that would just prove to everypony there that I was the pony that nearly took over Equestria.”
“Oh, come on!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed exasperated at her answer. “I’m sure anypony else in your hooves would understand why you broke us out from being forced into a philosophy and stripped of their true talents.”
“Actually, Rainbow Dash!” Fluttershy interjected. “What she is trying to say is because Twilight has just reformed doesn’t mean everypony here is going to agree that she has changed overnight.”
“Exactly!” Twilight exclaimed with a raised hoof while thanking Fluttershy for understanding her point. “If I bust you all out of here then they’ll think I haven’t changed at all and I can’t save you or everypony else if they look up to Starlight more than me. If do that what kind of princess would that make me?” She explained as she began voicing her thoughts about Starlight. “The moment I saw her I immediately saw myself in her.”
“Like how she’s got a town of ponies rallied up under her cause with great charisma and is extraordinary talented with magic like you.” Rarity summed up why in an understanding tone.
“Yes.” Twilight honestly answered. “The last thing I need is ponies to believe that I’m just setting them up to back-stab again and never be able to prove to them that I’m a changed pony.” She explained as she started to tear up a little. “And be seen as the pony who tried to take over Equestria who is no better than Starlight.” She tearfully choked through her explanation as tears fall from her eyes. “Not to mention, how scared I am just seeing her.”
The Mane Five all look surprised seeing Twilight like this seeing that Starlight is another dark reflection of her past self and that busting them out would just prove that she is no better than her.
“It’s okay, Twilight.” Fluttershy tried to comfort her. “We all know you will figure out another way to get us all out of this.”
Twilight hearing this as well as seeing the encouraging smiles from her friends causes Twilight to regain her composure as she already has a plan to go on about this.
“Fortunately for all of you as a former mastermind, I already have a plan.” Twilight spoke positively and upbeat.
“But how, Twilight.” Rainbow Dash again asked in exasperation. “This door's not opening.”
“And I'm afraid the windows are much too small for escape.” Rarity added.
“But there is a third way out of this.” Twilight pointed out.
“Of course! Eventually the wind and the weather will wear down the walls until they start to crumble! Then all we have to do is wait for a big enough hole to form and we can just walk out! It's the perfect plan!” Pinkie happily and wildly guessed as she changed back into her dull tone again. “I guess.”
“You don't actually have to escape. They'll just let you out when they think you've accepted their philosophy!” Twilight explained her plan to them.
“But they're never gonna believe we switched over in just one night.” Applejack pointed out the flaw with that plan. “Especially considering that you are currently in that boat just like you said.”
“There's one of you they might believe.” Twilight pointed out as she smirks at Fluttershy who looks surprised at her friend smiling at her.
“Oh! Me?!” Fluttershy asked surprised and confused seeing the girls eye her.
“You've been saying how great this place is since we got here!” Rainbow Dash pointed out.
“But that's because everypony's so nice and their village is so pretty, and, and... “ Fluttershy explained before realizing her point as she hung her head in defeat. “Oh, you're right. They probably would believe me. I hate to lie to them. They've been so welcoming and friendly... aside from locking us in here and trying to brainwash us into abandoning the things that make us special...“ She further voiced her doubts of going through with this before realizing what must be done. “Okay. I'll do it.”
“Woo-hoo! I mean, cool.” Pinkie Pie again cheerfully then dully commented.
“But what do I do once I'm out?” Fluttershy asked Twilight on what she does after being freed.
“You've gotta find a way to get their cutie marks back.” Twilight explained to her why pointing a hoof at the others.
“But what about you?” Fluttershy questioned Twilight of how she can help them from the sidelines.
“Don’t worry Fluttershy.” Twilight reassured Fluttershy as she floated down to place a hoof on her shoulder. “I’ll be watching and guiding you from afar, just like I did when I helped you all live up to your elements.” She referred to ability to hide in the shadows while nopony was watching. “Another plus from being a former villain who knows how to play and beat ponies at their own game.”
“Hey, what’s going on in there?!” A random pony questioned apparently having heard their voices.
“Gotta go, just look out for me when Starlight opens the door again and you wouldn’t have any trouble at all.” Twilight quickly instructed before teleporting away and out of the room and back to her hiding spot in the mountains.
The next morning Starlight voices through the mega-phone to address the imprisoned ponies. ”Oh, good morning!”
Immediately Starlight used her magic to open the door to greet the Mane Five.
“I trust you had a pleasant night? This way, please.” She greeted the five and instructed them to come outside who all glare at them with circles under their eyes from lack of sleep due to the annoying and agonizing words speaking all of the time in their confinement while smiling at Fluttershy to silently tell her. “You know what to do?”
“There are some friends who'd like to see you. Gather round, friends, gather round! We've come to ask if any of you are ready to join us! There are so many friends to be made once you realize you don't need your cutie marks or the talents that come with them.” Starlight offered them the opportunity to live freely as long as they have accepted their ways of living.
“We have a welcome ceremony for new friends! The whole village joins together to build you your own cottage—“ Double Diamond offered before being cut off by Rainbow Dash.
“Not interested!” Rainbow Dash immediately rejected. “You may have them now, but we're going to get our cutie marks back!”
“Y'all don't understand, do ya?” Applejack further retorted. “You can't force nopony to be friends! It don't work like that!”
“Please, join us!”A gray stallion pleaded with a smile
“We love new friends!” A mare with a pink mane and light blue eyes added.
“It's all right, everypony.” Starlight reassured everypony as she addressed them. “This is a perfectly normal part of the equalization process for those who haven't... quite seen the light yet.” She secretly smirked for a split second. “We'll try again tomorrow once you've had a bit more time to consider our philosophy!” She motioned to the ponies standing at the doorway to instruct the Mane Five back inside before being stopped by Twilight with a brief use of her magic to remind her of the plan as she gives Fluttershy a silent nod to carry it out like they planned.
“I'd like to join!” Fluttershy quickly spoke then covered her mouth with her hooves.
The ponies hearing this chattered in excitement seeing they have a taker.
“Fluttershy? How could you?!” Twilight spoke with her voice perfectly imitating Rarity's to make it sound like Rarity is calling her out on it causing her to sound a little exasperated at her exaggeration of her imitation.
“If giving up my cutie mark means I get to stay in this lovely village with these lovely ponies, then I'll do it.” Fluttershy answered while she and the Mane Five sounded a little confused as they know Rarity did not really speak those words before correctly seeing that this is part of Twilight’s plan after they spotted Twilight hiding from atop of the houses while winking at them as this is part of the plan before quickly ducking out of sight.
Starlight smiles seeing that her philosophy has worked for Fluttershy as she shuts the door with her magic.
“We have a new friend, everypony!” Starlight addressed everypony as they all gathered around Fluttershy to greet her now that she has ‘accepted’ their ways as Fluttershy nervously smiles.
“Now, there's one more order of business.” Starlight brought up as she walked up to Fluttershy as she continues in a faking sad tone. “It seems some in our midst might be... dissatisfied with the village life!”
The town ponies gasp at the very thought of it.
“Unfortunately, it's all too true, my friends” She addressed everypony before turning to Fluttershy. “Will you kindly tell us the names of those friends who so desperately miss their cutie marks that they would sneak around in the shadows talking to strangers about it? Just so we can be sure your intentions are indeed pure.” Starlight politely but ominously asked her as Night Glider, Sugar Belle, and Party Favor all smile very nervously realizing that they are all in major trouble right now.
Fluttershy nervously gulped at the thought of ratting out ponies who tried to help them before Party Favor called out to her so he can take all of the heat for this.
“It was me! It was only me! But I only wanted it back for a little while!” Part Favor confessed as she knelled before Starlight.
“And you're quite certain it was only you?” Starlight suspiciously asked with a smile as she placed a hoof on her chin.
“I just wanted to remember what it was like.” Party Favor assured her yes and why he wanted his mark back while ashamedly replying.
“And no thought to the pain you'd cause your friends. Such selfishness.” Starlight disappointingly commented as she instructed the town ponies to throw him inside with the four ponies as all of the ponies glare at him.
“I'm sorry, everypony! I never wanted to leave the village! I love all of—“ Part Favor apologetically told them before being cut off by Starlight shutting the door on him leaving Sugar Belle and Night Glider feeling guilty of what had just happened.
“Don’t worry.” Twilight whispered to them who is now invisible. “Just stay positive for the time being while I get to the bottom of this.”
“Huh?” Both ponies exclaimed in confusion hearing Twilight’s voice as she secretly follows Starlight and Fluttershy without being seen who is being greeted by multiple ponies.
“Gosh, you really are the nicest ponies I've ever met.” Fluttershy kindly replied.
“Come. All new friends stay with me until their cottage is completed.” Starlight instructed Fluttershy to follow her to her house. “Let's get you settled, and then you can enjoy all that our little village has to offer.” She spoke as she opened the door to her cottage as Sugar Belle and Night Glider smile and wave to her. Fluttershy returns the gesture before Starlight quickly motioned her to come inside as she closed door after her as she sports another smirk directed at them as if she already knows that Party Favor isn’t the only pony who knows the truth.
Later that night, Fluttershy makes her way outside through the chimney on top covered in smoke and ash causing her to cough when he finally makes it outside.
“Get the cutie marks back. That's all you've gotta do, Fluttershy.“ Fluttershy calmly assured herself to keep herself together as she started to fly off. Just sneak through the dark up to that spooky old cave with the scary magical staff and get the cutie marks back.”
“Don’t worry Fluttershy.” Twilight appeared in front of her to reassure her she is not alone. “I’m right behind you.” She replied with a wink before frowning. “But I already checked the cave and you and your friends cutie marks aren’t there.”
“But then where could they be.” Fluttershy worryingly questioned while sounding like she is going to panic at the thought of never having her cutie mark back ever again.
“There.” Twilight pointed out as she directed a hoof at Double Diamond who has brought their cutie marks to Starlight who takes them inside using her magic.
“Excellent work, Double Diamond.” Starlight commended Double Diamond for doing what she asked of him.
“Of course, but I don't understand why you wanted me to bring them here. Fluttershy is one of us now. Surely she can be trusted.” Double Diamond questioned her method.
Both Twilight and Fluttershy fly over to the window so they can spy on their conversation in the living room.
“Because they are friends with a princess.” Starlight answered. “This could be very important to our cause once she comes to accept our ways.”
“But if Twilight Sparkle becomes our friend, then why do we care about this old cutie mark?” Double Diamond questioned again as Fluttershy watches on nervously while Twilight looks at Starlight’s direction suspiciously especially her use of magic and brighter coat.
“I just want to keep them close until everything is... settled.” Starlight answered with another subtle smile. “You may go, Double Diamond.”
Double Diamond then left Starlight’s home even though he isn’t one hundred percent on board with Starlight’s approach to friendship as Twilight and Fluttershy quickly duck out of sight as he leaves Starlight’s home.
“Oh, dear. How are were ever going to get the cutie marks back now?” Fluttershy questioned Twilight with hooves placed on her shoulders as they watch Starlight take the cutie marks to a secret room.
Before Twilight could answer a crash from inside is heard.
“Ow!” Starlight shouted in pain.
The two girls immediately flew up to the window to see that Starlight has accidentally drenched herself with water as an empty bucket rolls over.
“Ugh! Starlight, you clumsy foal!” Starlight berated herself as she places the cutie mark jars on the nearby table before wiping herself dry with a towel while revealing that she still has her cutie mark on her flank and the equal sign was really powder and make-up covering it causing Fluttershy to gasp in shock seeing this while Twilight narrows her eyes in determination to stop her even more while unsurprised considering that she saw her perform magic before from close observation.
Starlight hearing Fluttershy’s gasp immediately looks out the window just as Twilight and Fluttershy quickly duck out of sight again. Fortunately, for the two of them Starlight was able to return to her usual business as she trotted away from the window.
“Oh, no...” Fluttershy spoke still in shock at this development while hiding under a roof top.
“It all makes sense now.” Twilight spoke her mind about all of this. “I knew there was something odd about that staff. I haven't studied Eastern unicorns as much as I should have, but I'm pretty sure Meadowbrook only had eight magical items, not nine. And I don't remember any of them being a staff. Turns out I was right.”
“But what are we going to do now?” Fluttershy asked Twilight pleading her to tell of what she has in mind.
“With this in mind here is the new plan…” Twilight reassuringly told Fluttershy as she whispered in Fluttershy’s ear to tell her what they are going to do now.
The next morning, Starlight has gathered everypony together ready to see if the remaining four ponies have changed their minds while Twilight watches from atop while nodding her head to silently ask Fluttershy that she remembers her plan who nods in response to answer yes.
“I've got a good feeling about today! So, do any of you have anything you'd like to say?” She asked the four ponies who all don’t respond as they look with her expressions of refusal and drained fatigue from getting little to no sleep. “Aw, pity. Well, let's try this again tomorrow, shall we?” She instructed the ponies to head back inside. “No new friends today, I'm afraid!” She told everypony.
“Wait! I'd like to lock them in.” Fluttershy spoke up.
“Marvelous, Fluttershy!” Starlight commended her. “That's the spirit!” Her smile turned into a sterner one as she addresses Party Favor inside. “Party Favor, will you join us, please?”
Part Favor immediately obliged to her request as he groveled before her.
“I'm sorry, Starlight! I'm sorry, everypony! I've seen the error of my ways! I” Party Favor apologized to everypony. “I never want to look at my cutie mark again!
“It seems there's cause for celebration after all!” Starlight happily announced to the crowd who applaud him for this.
“They tried to break me! They wouldn't stop talking about how different they are, and that somehow makes their friendship stronger!” Party Favor further explained his regrets over voicing his thoughts about his cutie mark.
“Such backwards thinking.” Starlight solemnly spoke.
“But I didn't listen! I knew what they were up to, and I didn't listen!” Party favor further added that they tried to get him to reconsider.
“Well done, Party Favor!” Starlight complimented Party Favor for turning himself around. “We welcome you back with open hooves!”
“Um, Starlight? I think we might have one more friend joining us today.” Fluttershy spoke to Starlight as she walked back outside.
“Really? And who might that be?” Starlight questioned Fluttershy as Twilight appeared in front of them.
“That would be me.” Twilight answered causing the crowd to gasp at the sight of her appearance
“Is this true?” Starlight suspiciously asked her to see if this is really happening.
“Yes it is.” Twilight confirmed with a nod as Fluttershy secretly sneaks away to get a bucket of water so she can expose Starlight. “But I just want to be sure before I do. If I agree to give up my cutie mark in the vault, will I really be happier?” Twilight questioned.
“Just look around! Equality has given us more happiness than you've ever known!” Starlight answered as she pointed out to every smiling pony in town.
“And you wouldn't let me just live here in the village with my old cutie mark?” Twilight further questioned her suspiciously as she looks at her cutie mark.
“Out of the question. A pony with a different cutie mark in our midst would destroy our entire philosophy.” Starlight immediately rejected the very idea as she happily faced everypony around her with a raised hoof. “We are all equal here!”
“Figures you would say that.” Twilight calmly reacted as if she expected that answer. “But you know there is a funny thing about life as destiny can be full of surprises.” She further added as Fluttershy has a full bucket of water ready to dump on Starlight’s flank ready to expose her while right behind them overhead.
“Fluttershy! NOW!” Twilight commanded as Fluttershy immediately dumped water on Starlight.
“I knew you couldn't be trusted!” Starlight angrily responded to both Twilight and Fluttershy as one of the ponies notice her exposed cutie mark and uses a towel to wipe to clean. “No! Get away!” She reacted in a panic as the crowd gasps at the revelation.
“Wha... What are you looking at?!” Starlight further panicked as she quickly tried to hide her cutie mark as she pointed a hoof at Twilight and Fluttershy as the former smirks seeing that she and Fluttershy have successfully exposed her and winks at Fluttershy as their friends who have all emerged outside. “They're the problem, not me!”
“How could you?” Party Favor asked with his voice filled with betrayal as tears form around his eyes.
“You said cutie marks were evil! You said special talents led to pain and heartache!” Double Diamond asked in the same tone.
“They do! Don't you see?! Look at them!” Starlight tried to explain herself to save face. “I mean don’t you all see what Twilight did do you all of you.” Starlight tried to mention Twilight’s past crimes as Midnight to sway the crowd in her favor to no avail.
“Then why? Why did you take ours and not give up your own?” Sugar Belle asked as she approached Starlight sounding hurt by what she has done.
“I... I had to, you fools!” Starlight hesitatingly then angrily answered in an attempt to justify her actions. “How could I collect your cutie marks without my magic?!
“But the staff has all the magic we need!” Night Glider interjected as Starlight gets up in her face with her composure unraveling.
“The staff is a piece of wood I found in the desert!” Starlight angrily responded as she loses more of her cool by the second. “It's my magic that makes all this possible! You'd all still be living your miserable lives thinking you're better than everypony else if it weren't for my magical abilities!” She continued to angrily rant as she yells in other ponies faces. “I brought you friendship! I brought you equality! I created harmony!”
“You lied to us!” Double Diamond responded with anger in his voice.
“So what?” Starlight tried to shrug off as if it’s no big deal. “E-Everything else I said is true! The only way to be happy is if we're all equal!” She tried to point out all of the good she has done as she turned away. “Not to mention all of the pain and suffering Twilight caused.” She again brought up Twilight’s past to try again at swaying the crowd in favor.
“Except for you. And at least for whatever Twilight has done she has proven she is better at looking out for everypony’s well-being than you.” Party Favor called out while defending Twilight causing Starlight to grit her teeth in anger as she readies her horn to attack him before being interrupted by Twilight who speaks her mind.
“Everypony has unique talents and gifts, and when we share them with each other, that's how rea—“Twilight further lectured Starlight until she interrupted her as she turned to face her.
“QUIET!” She shouted as the princess glared at her for having the nerve for doing so.
“You can't have a cutie mark, Starlight! Either we're all equal, or none of us are!” Sugar Belle glared at her demanding her really step up and proving she does really care about as Starlight sees everypony defiantly glaring at her as well.
Starlight immediately responds by quickly using her magic to clear an path for herself to escape as she retreats to her house.
“Come on! Let's get our cutie marks back!” Double Diamond announced as he lead the others to the cave where their cutie marks were being held hostage.
“Yeah!” The ponies all shouted in agreement as they immediately followed suit.
“Come on! Let's go get our cutie marks!” Rainbow Dash confidently spoke ready to follow suit.
“Our cutie marks aren't in the vault! They're in there with her!” Fluttershy quickly pointed out to her cottage.
Twilight immediately blasted the door down with her magic as she flies up to the cave.
“Then you all better go while you still have the chance.” Twilight immediately instructed to pursue Starlight while she turns to fly off towards the cave. “I’ll be with you all as soon as I help the others get their cutie marks back.”
Immediately after giving her instructions, Twilight immediately flew off to the cave while the Mane Five barged inside Starlight’s home.
Twilight quickly flew over the cave where everypony is banging on the glass futilely trying to break and free their cutie marks when she makes her way inside.
“Stand back everypony!” She commanded them to back away as she flew down and blasted the glass with her magic accompanied with Double Diamond tossing the staff at it causing the glass to shatter and immediately returned all of the town ponies’ cutie mark’s to them once they all regained their cutie marks all of their manes and bodies shined with brighter colors.
Everypony cherished as they all finally regained their special talents and abilities as they all quickly ran out of the cave where they see the Mane Five still slowly trotting up to just outside of town where they have walked through a secret passageway Starlight had created as she had an escape plan all ready to go still without their cutie marks.
“Look!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed as they all witness Starlight running towards the mountains from afar.
Now that Party Favor has his cutie mark back he quickly makes a pair of binoculars out of party balloons.
“She's headed for the pass! If she makes it into those mountains, we'll never find her!” Party Favor observed Starlight from them
“These are amazing!” Pinkie took the moment to awe at the binoculars he created as she held them.
“There's a whole network of caves up there! Your cutie marks will be gone forever!” Sugar Belle spoke the now urgency of stopping her before she gets to the mountains.
“Then let's get moving, y'all!” Applejack instructed everypony as all of the ponies speed off ahead to stop them as Twilight used her magic to pick the Mane Five up so she can ensure they don’t get left behind seeing that they are trotting slowly unable to run or fly fast due to their lack of cutie marks.
“Oh, come on!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed in frustration.
As Starlight runs off ahead she sees Night Glider closing in on her from her flight.
“Are you all so willing to give up everything because of these strangers?!” Starlight questioned her as she used her magic to make snow from a mountain above to fall on her stopping her in her tracks.
“We gave up everything for you, because we thought you were our friend!” Sugar Belle answered to her as she is next pony to try to follow suit as Double Diamond and Party Favor follow closely behind.
“I can't believe we have to count on these other ponies to save our cutie marks!” Rainbow Dash further complained at being helpless as Twilight is just calmly watching the scene from above. “Why aren’t you doing anything to stop her right now?!”
“Because if we hadn't come here to help them, they'd still be living under her rules!” Twilight pointed out. “Now it's their turn to help us!”
“And I know they can do it!” Fluttershy further vouched for them as she smiled confidently seeing that Twilight has also planned on them come to their rescue. “Looks like you have also planned for this as well.”
“Yes I have Fluttershy.” Twilight kindly smiled in response with a knowing wink that they will come to help them in return.
Starlight continues running off with the three ponies still close behind their as they all cross the bridge.
Now that Sugar Belle has her cutie mark back she uses her magic to hurl a pie made out of snow at Starlight’s direction.
“My newest recipe – snow pie!” She happily said as the pie crashed on Starlight causing her to tumble and lose her footing which causes her wagon to break and the jars to fall out from her destroyed cart as they fall to the ground from the ledge. Starlight was just able to save the jars from crashing into the ground just in time and quickly get herself back up to speed to keep her distance from her closest pursuers and destroy the bridge just before they could even cross it.
Thinking quick, Party Favor made a makeshift bridge made out of part balloons with Night Glider quick placing the bridge in place so every pony can hop up across.
“She's gonna get away!” Rainbow Dash pointed out as Starlight is getting closer and closer to the caves.
Just when the three are pursing Starlight Double Diamond stopped in his tracks when he noticed something familiar in the snow.
“Whoa! These are my old skis! This is where I first met Starlight!” Double Diamond remarked as he recognized them and got a closer look at them.
“Maybe you can reminisce another time! She's almost to the caves!” Night Glider urgently reminded them that time is in the essence here.
“Feel like an air drop?” Double Diamond spoke as he immediately has an idea in mind and together with Night Glider’s assistance in flying him in front of Starlight he was able to slide down the nearby slope causing snow to fall on her just before she reach the cave entrance causing her to buried under the snow and the jars containing the Mane Five’s cutie marks to fall onto the ground and finally break freeing them and allowing them return to the Mane Five.
Once Twilight sees this she immediately let go of the Mane Five so they can regain their cutie marks.
Once the Mane Five’s cutie marks were returned to them they all regained their color, talents, strength.
“Yee-haw! Finally, I can buck like a five-bit snake herder in an Appleloosa ranch house again!” Applejack happily exclaimed as she kicked up her hooves in excitement after regaining her cutie mark.
“And you got your countryisms back, too!” Fluttershy commented that to Applejack that she can speak her usual countryisms again as the Mane Six all run and fly over to catch up to the others and face off against Starlight.
Just as Double Diamond was about to be thanked by Part Favor, Sugar Belle, and Night Glider for coming through for the Mane Five, Starlight quickly emerged from the snow and attempted to blast them with magic in anger causing all four ponies to recoil in fear.
But before Starlight’s magic could harm them, Twilight came to their rescue by countering with a magic shield to protect them. After several seconds, Starlight’s magic gave out as she sees Twilight standing in front of them with her wings spread out protecting the thankful ponies for saving them.
“Wh– I studied that spell for years! How can you— “Starlight asked in disbelief of how Twilight was capable of matching and even surpassing her level of magic.
“I studied magic for years too!” Twilight responded in her hastily incomprehension as she stepped forward. “But what I didn't know then was that studying could only take me so far.” She further explained herself as the Mane Five catch up to them. “Each of my friends has taught me something different about myself! It was their unique gifts and passions and personalities that helped bring out the magic inside of me! I never would have learned that I represent the element of magic without these five!” Twilight continued to speak as the everypony smiles at each other as Twilight looks back at them. “And I certainly wouldn't be here to stop you now!”
“Spare me your sentimental nonsense! I gave these ponies real friendships they never could've had otherwise!” Starlight retorted evidently having none of Twilight’s speech. “And I can’t believe a former convict like you would even come back to save these ponies sorry flanks even though you had no reason to.”
“How do you know that?! You never even gave us a chance!” Double Diamond quickly retorted and shut down Starlight’s claim. “And at least this “former convict” cares about us better than you!”
Starlight finally seeing that she has lost uses her magic to teleport herself inside of the caves as she makes her escape as everypony shields their eyes from the glare it produced.
“She's getting away!” Rainbow Dash pointed from hearing her hoof steps from inside.
“We'll never find her in there!” Double Diamond pointed out that Starlight has now escaped.
“We just have to hope that when she's had a chance to think it over, she realizes that you all have taught her something.” Twilight responded deciding to let her go so she can properly think things through with the hope she will redeem herself in time.
“It's you who have taught us something.” Party Favor countered that Twilight was the one who truly taught them something. “We all came to this village because we were searching for something missing from our lives. We thought Starlight had given it to us, but now... now it seems it was in front of us all along. It's us!”
The four ponies would then hug each other at their newfound friendships with their true talents reawakened as Twilight smiles at the heartwarming sight.
“Listen.” Twilight began to speak while sounding hesitant at first to admit to her sins. “I know I have done those terrible things in the past that Starlight has already told you all about.” She started to explain as she took a moment to sigh to keep herself composed. “And I understand if you all don’t want to see me again because I truly still see that I have a ways to go if I want to prove to everypony that I’m truly am the Princess of Friendship. But I just want to let you know all that I’m sorry on behalf of everypony I hurt there.” She attempted to further reach to them as glanced aside still ashamed of herself. “Back when I was Midnight I thought I was doing what was best for every pony so much that I didn’t care who got hurt in the process. It wasn’t until recent events that caused me to open up my eyes to finally realize what I have been doing all this time and learn the errors of my ways.” She added as she turned away ready to fly away as she spread her wings. “I can only hope you’ll come that I truly have changed someday.”
Sugar Belle, Night Glider, Party Favor, and Double Diamonds all sounded touched by what Twilight had just said. She was just run out of town and even when they made it clear they don’t want to see her again she still comes back exposes Starlight helps restore their cutie marks back to them, and gave them a really heartfelt apology to show she really wants to be good now. After giving each other thoughtful looks Double Diamond spoke on behalf of the group.
“Wait!” Double Diamond spoke as he raised a hoof to plead with her not to fly away. Twilight turned around and saw the four ponies smiling at her. “Could you stay with us please?”
“What?” Twilight asked completely confused. “Why would you all still want me around even after everything?”
“Um yeah, because you help us regain our cutie marks and freed us from Starlight’s control.” Party Favor happily pointed out the good she has just done. “Even after we said we never wanted to see you again.”
“Yeah!” Sugar Belle kindly added. “It takes a lot of courage for somepony to admit when she has made a mistake and still come through in the end.”
“Plus if it weren’t for you, we and your friends would be living under Starlight’s rule never allowed to use our special talents again.” Double Diamond happily pointed out. “You have just proven that you definitely care about every pony even morseso than Starlight could ever hope for.”
“Awww….” Twilight happily said as tears fell through her eyes as she joined in on the group hug with the Mane Five joining her.
“Does that mean you'll stay in the village?” Twilight asked the four when they broke up from the hug.
“It's our home. I'm not going anywhere.” Night Glider happily answered.
“This is a chance for all of us to get to know each other again for the very first time!” Double Diamond happily added.
“And I finally have a chance to bake something besides terrible muffins!” Sugar Belle added in excitement now that she really do something with her reawaken talent as everypony laughs.
Later everypony made it back into town throwing a celebration for the success of regaining their cutie marks, true talent, and freedom from Starlight Glimmer. The town was decorated with streamers and balloons with Sugar Belle presenting pies, cupcakes, cookies, and pastries on the table for ponies to enjoy. Part Favor was playing with ponies by tossing an inflatable ball towards them who would pass it to each other.
“Now those are real smiles.” Pinkie happily noted seeing everypony partying.
At that moment the Mane Six’s cutie marks all shine repeatedly which they all take notice of.
“I'll never get used to that.” Applejack noted she finds this weird.
“I think it's divine.” Rarity admirably commented.
“Does that mean that the map is calling us somewhere else?” Fluttershy asked Twilight of what this means.
“I have a feeling it means our work here is done.” Twilight happily answered.
“Looks like you were right, Twilight.” Applejack noted as she points a hoof to the celebrating ponies. “The map did have a reason for sendin' us here. We brought real friendship to these here ponies. Guess that's why you're the Princess of Friendship and that you have definitely earned it with what you did today.” Applejack happily added with a wink directed at her.
“Thanks.” Twilight thanked Applejack for the compliment. “Even though it was a long and painful journey.” She added as she chuckled as she glanced aside. “But the map didn't send me. It sent us.” She added as she raised a hoof on her chest. “You're a part of me, all of you. And there's no doubt you're a part of my mission to spread friendship too.”
The Mane Six engage in a group hug laughing at the moments they can now cherish together.
“This feels like an ending!” Pinkie Pie asked. “It doesn't have to be an ending yet, right? Cause that Sugar Belle can bake!” She happily noted while asking Twilight if they can stay and join the celebration.
“Maybe we can stay a little while longer.” Twilight happily obliged. “Come on!” She told the others as they make their way into town to join in on the fun the town ponies are having.
“Even though the road is going to be tough and long.” Twilight thought to herself with a reassured smile to herself. “I know in time I will prove to everypony that I have changed and that I truly live up to my new role as the Princess of Friendship.”