The next day, when the sun rose up and covered Equestria with a blanket of warmth, Fluttershy woke up and then walked upstairs, then she walked over to Thomas and gently nudged him, “Thomas, it’s time to wake up, sweetheart.” Thomas suddenly woke up and rubbed his eyes, then he looked up and saw Fluttershy smiling at him, “Good morning, Momma.”
“Good morning, my sweet little one,” Fluttershy replied, then she gently lifted him up for morning hugs, then Thomas felt warm. “Did you have a good night’s sleep?” Fluttershy softly asked. “Mmhmm,” Thomas replied. “Good. How about if we go downstairs and get some breakfast?” Fluttershy asked. “Okay,” Thomas said.
When they arrived downstairs, Thomas sat down on the couch and then saw Angel and some other animals cuddling with him. Fluttershy suddenly came out with Thomas’s favorite bowl of porridge, and then placed it on his lap and gave him a spoon, then Thomas started to eat his breakfast.
While he was eating, Fluttershy heard a knock on the door, then when she answered it, Twilight and Spike were there. “Oh, Twilight. Good morning,” Fluttershy said, then she gently ruffled Spike’s head. “And good morning to you too, Spike.”
“Hey, Fluttershy. We’re visiting Canterlot for a presentation that’s happening tomorrow, so I have some time to socialize while I’m there today. I was also wondering if a certain nephew of mine would like to come along,” Twilight said. “I just thought it’d be fun with Thomas to hang out with one of his favorite aunts, who is indeed the Princess of Friendship,” Spike said. When Fluttershy turned around, she saw Thomas putting his bowl in the sink. When Thomas came back, he saw Twilight standing there, so he ran up to her for a hug, “Auntie Twilight!”
When he came over and hugged her neck gently, and nuzzled his cheek softly on her warm chest fur, Twilight smiled warmly and hugged him back with her head on top of his head, then gave him a kiss on the forehead. “Hey, sweetheart. Me and Spike are going to visit Canterlot. We were also wondering if you would like to come with us, unless if your mother has an idea about it,” Twilight said. Thomas turned around and gave his mother the begging face, “Please?”
Fluttershy smiled warmly and then nodded, “It’s alright with me.” Thomas then giggled and hugged her neck gently, “You’re the best Momma ever!” Fluttershy and Twilight smiled warmly at him, “You’re welcome, sweetheart. Now go get dressed and pack your bags.”
“Okay, Momma,” Thomas said, then he went upstairs to get dressed and his bags packed. “Thanks for planning to babysit him. I’m glad you decided to spend some time with him,” Fluttershy said. “Don’t worry. You’re looking at one of the best aunts your little colt loves the most. I’m sure he’ll be fine,” Twilight said. “And I’ll be sure to help her watch over him,” Spike said. “Thank you ever so much,” Fluttershy said, then she saw Thomas with his suitcase for the trip. “You ready to go, bug?” Twilight asked. “Yep. Can I ride on your back, Auntie Twilight?” Thomas asked. “Of course you can,” Twilight replied, then she lowered herself and then let him climb on her back, and finally stood up straight. “Okay, sweetheart. You be good for your auntie, okay?” Fluttershy asked, then Thomas replied with a nod, and gave her a hug, until she kissed him on the forehead. “And Twilight? Here’s his travel bag. It’s his snacks, books, and his teddy bear. He needs it to sleep.”
Twilight nodded, and then placed her hoof on Fluttershy’s chest, “Don’t worry, Fluttershy. We’ll take good care of him. Come on, Spike. We’ve got a train to catch.” Twilight and Spike turned around and left the cottage, until Thomas waved back, “Bye, Momma!”
Fluttershy waved back at her little colt, “Bye, sweetheart! Be safe! I love you!” Thomas nodded, and then he turned back to Twilight and rested his head on hers, then Twilight smiled.
When they got to the train station, Twilight showed the conductor their tickets, then he let them board the train. After Twilight took her seat, Thomas climbed onto the seat and sat closer to his aunt. Twilight then placed her wing over him and pulled him closer, “Thomas? You okay?”
“Yeah. I’m fine. I just missed Canterlot,” Thomas said. “You probably miss seeing Princess Celestia too, don’t you?” Twilight asked. “Yeah, but I also thought about seeing what Canterlot looks like,” Thomas said. “So, you really want to see Canterlot, even though you’ve barely seen it?” Spike asked, until Twilight gave him a stern stare. “Mmhmm,” Thomas said. “Well, I think it’s a lovely idea,” Twilight said, then she gave her nephew a kiss on the forehead. “Auntie Twilight? Auntie Rainbow Dash gave me these at my adoption party. Can you please read me the first one?” Thomas asked. Twilight took the book from his hands and looked at the cover, “Daring Do and the Sapphire Stone? I didn’t know you were into these? Did you start reading them?”
“Not yet,” Thomas said. “Could you read it to me?” Thomas asked. “Sure,” Twilight said, then she motioned Thomas to move closer and then she wrapped her foreleg around his shoulder for comfort as he sat on her lap, and then she started reading to her nephew.
When the train arrived at the station in Canterlot, Twilight and Spike took their luggage and Twilight let Thomas ride on her back while they walk. “Auntie Twilight, are we gonna do something, or is this personal business?” Thomas asked. “Actually, this is friendship business, and I thought it would be a good time for me to have some time with my nephew,” Twilight said, as she nuzzled his cheek. “We’re also going to visit some old friends of ours. I’m sure you’ll like them.”
“Okay,” Thomas said. “And I can show you the library me and Spike used to live in, and Princess Celestia’s school I used to go to when I was a filly,” Twilight said. “You went to a school where Princess Celestia was teaching?” Thomas asked. “Mmhmm. It was the School for Gifted Unicorns,” Twilight said. “And maybe later, we can check out some other places I used to go to while growing up.”
“Okay,” Thomas said, then Twilight took Thomas to a small park.
“This park right here is where Princess Cadance would take me while she was foalsitting me as a filly,” Twilight said. “How about if I push you on the swings?” Thomas nodded happily and then Twilight trotted over to the swing and magically placed Thomas onto the swing and gently gave him some pushes with her hoof. After the swing, they sat by a tree and gazed at the clouds, and then continued with the book.
While they were walking again, they were going to get some lunch at a small outdoor and indoor restaurant, until they saw three unicorn mares sitting on a table chatting with each other.
One of them had light cornflower blue fur, a moderate blue mane and tail with light bluish gray and very light blue streaks, moderate sapphire blue eyes, and her flank had a cutie mark of a gold hourglass.
The other had light yellow fur, a moderate cerulean mane and tail with a light cerulean streak on her tail, moderate raspberry eyes with cornflower bluish gray eyeshadow, and her flank had a cutie mark of three hearts, but two were light blue and one was green.
The third had light golden gray fur, a curly pale cerise mane and tail, moderate arctic blue eyes, and her flank had a cutie mark of three light blue stars.
“Hey, girls,” Twilight said. “Twilight!” the mares said in unison. “It’s so good to see you again!” Minuette said. “Would you like to join us?” Twinkleshine said. “Sure,” Twilight said, then she sat down, until she felt a soft tug on her tail. “Oops. Sorry, bug,” Twilight said, then she magically levitated Thomas onto her lap, then he hugged her foreleg, until she used her other hoof to softly ruffle his hair.
“Awwww... who’s this little guy? He’s so cute!” Minuette cooed, as the other mares adored her nephew. “Oh, right,” Twilight said, and then cleared her throat, “Minuette, Twinkleshine, Lemon Hearts, I’d like you three to meet my nephew, Thomas. Sweetheart, this is Minuette, Twinkleshine, and Lemon Hearts. We knew each other when we were fillies.”
Thomas waved softly, “Hi.” The three mares adored him, until Minuette brought him over to her so the other two can see him, until Thomas blushed and hid underneath Minuette. “What’s wrong, cutie?” Lemon Hearts asked. “Sorry. He’s a little shy, but he’s very gentle when meeting new ponies. He’s also very sweet and polite towards others because he has a big heart,” Twilight said. Minuette then looked at him and gave him a warm smile, “Well, I think he’s so adorable. Don’t you agree, girls?”
Twinkleshine and Lemon Hearts nodded, then Minuette gave Thomas a kiss on the cheek and gently ruffled his hair, causing Thomas to blush again and hug her foreleg. “By the way, have you three seen Moon Dancer?” Twilight asked. “No, not since yesterday,” Twinkleshine said. “She’s been hanging out with us, like ever since you came to visit,” Minuette said. “I see,” Twilight said. “Who’s Moon Dancer?” Thomas asked, eating his bologna and lettuce sandwich. “Moon Dancer was my best friend during study time. We were really into books,” Twilight said. “Is she nice?” Thomas asked. “Well, she’s normally a bookworm, but she was one of the best at Princess Celestia’s school,” Twilight said. “Why don’t we go see how she’s doing?” Minuette asked.
“Totally!” Lemon Hearts said. “And girls, I’m really sorry about my behavior from before. We didn’t know anything about friendship, but until now,” Twilight said. “I just didn’t know it was really that important.” Twilight was about to cry, until she felt a soft tug on her leg, and then she saw Thomas giving her a hug, “Please smile, Auntie Twilight. I don’t like you being sad. It makes me sad too.” Twilight smiled at him, then hugged him back, “Thanks, Thomas.”
When the mares stood up on four legs, Thomas climbed onto Twilight’s back, “Okay, let’s go see how Moon Dancer’s doing,” Twilight said, then she and the others went off to see their friend.
When they arrived at the place, which was a small house that looked like a small library, Twilight, with Thomas on her back, knocked on the door three times. When the speakeasy peephole was open, a light yellowish grey coated unicorn mare with a mane and tail that had the same style as Twilight’s, but in grayish red with moderate purple and grayish violet streaks, dark purple eyes, a bluish black sweater with pink buttons, eyeglasses on her muzzle, and her flank had a cutie mark of a dark purple crescent moon and three dark pale pink 4-pointed stars. “Yes?” she asked. “Moon Dancer? Are you in there?” Twilight asked. “Twilight?” Moon Dancer asked, then she opened the door and took a look at her. “Oh, Moon Dancer! It’s so good to see you!” Twilight said as she hugged her friend. “I’m glad to see you too,” Moon Dancer said. Twilight smiled warmly and then Moon Dancer let her and the others inside.
“I’m really glad you’re doing okay, Moon Dancer. You’ve been quite busy,” Twilight said, as she laid on the couch and then wrapped her wing around her nephew as he leaned back towards her stomach and read his book. “Yep. Ever since you and Spike came to visit and taught me everything about friendship, I thought it’d be a good idea to study about it and why it’s so important,” Moon Dancer said, while she was making her guests some tea. “Oh, by the way, there’s somepony I want you to meet, but except he’s not a pony,” Twilight said. “Oh?” Moon Dancer asked.
Twilight nodded, then turned her head and looked down at Thomas, until he looked at Moon Dancer. “Hi,” Thomas said, as he waved at her. Moon Dancer was surprised about his physical appearance and then smiled warmly and placed her hoof on her chest about his politeness. “Hello,” she said, then gave him a hug. “Aww, he’s such a sweetie!” Minuette said.
“Mmhmm. By the way, is it okay if I tell you guys about him? It’s kinda gonna be sad,” Twilight said, as she held Thomas in her hooves, but he sat up straight and hugged her other hoof that comforted him, then Moon Dancer gave him a mug of hot cocoa with marshmallows. When her nephew was comforted and drinking his cocoa, Twilight began to tell her friends about his abusive and lonely life in the orphanage, and why he never had anyone to care or rely on.
She then told them how Princess Luna brought him to Equestria after hearing his wish, and how he met Fluttershy, herself and her friends, and then the parties he went to, and finally ended the story with how Fluttershy is taking care of the boy as his adoptive mother.
The four mares gasped with shock and mild horror, then they felt sad and sorry about Thomas’s past life, and then Moon Dancer looked down at Thomas and gave him another hug, then the other three came to him, and gave him a group hug while Minuette held him in her hooves. “You poor, sweet little thing,” Lemon Hearts said, softly stroking his shoulder. “We are so sorry all of that happened to you, sweetheart. I don’t like ponies being treated that way,” Twinkleshine said. “But you should be grateful to have somepony who’s willing to care for you,” Minuette said. Thomas then sniffed and then leaned his head on Minuette’s chest, “Thank you.” The three mares smiled at him, then they each gave him a kiss on his right and left cheeks and his forehead, until Thomas blushed again.
Moon Dancer then came over and stroked his hands, “It’s okay, buddy. The reason why nopony picked you is because they probably didn’t think you were special enough. But at least you’re in a better place right now, and that’s what matters.” Thomas then hugged Moon Dancer. “Moon Dancer, Auntie Twilight told me that you were really into books. Is that why you didn’t do friendship?” Thomas asked.
“Mmhmm. Books were our passion, I mean while Twilight and I were fillies and growing up,” Moon Dancer said. “Many months ago, Twilight came over and she was kind enough to teach me the importance about friendship. Now that I’m doing research on it, I decided to make sure I get to spend some time with my friends anytime I want.” Thomas then hugged Moon Dancer again, until Twilight came over and put him on her back. “Sorry to cut off quickly, but we should probably get going, and my little nephew might need some sleep later on. It was good to see you all again, though,” Twilight said. “Bye!” they said in unison, as Twilight and Spike left the library.
After they visited their friends, Twilight took Thomas to the Canterlot Library, which was next to the archives. She showed him some of cool stuff that was written by Starswirl the Bearded. “Who’s Starswirl, Auntie Twilight?” Thomas asked.
“Starswirl the Bearded was a unicorn wizard who had the amazing ability to come up with advanced spells that can be used for good use. He was a real legend,” Twilight explained. “Wow...” Thomas said. “You wanna know how I got my wings?” Twilight asked in excitement. “Mmhmm,” Thomas replied.
“Well, it was like this. You see, when I was a ordinary unicorn mare, his secret unfinished masterpiece is what turned me into an alicorn princess,” Twilight said. “You see, two years ago, I received a package from Princess Celestia, which contained a sacred book that held Starswirl’s secret unfinished masterpiece.”
“Why was it unfinished if it was so secret?” Thomas asked. “Well, I figured out that he was never able to get it right, so he abandoned it for no reason. But Princess Celestia knew that I was the only pony who could understand and rewrite it. I tested it the first time by casting a spell to figure out what kind of magic it was, but nothing happened, but the next day, I found out that something weird happened: the spell accidentally changed the Elements of Harmony by switching my friends’s cutie marks.”
“Really?” Thomas asked, until Twilight nodded. “Then what happened?”
“Well, I didn’t know what to do, but Spike reminded me that my friends mean more to me than anything. I suddenly figured out that I could fix everything by reminding my friends of who they truly are and what they mean to each other,” Twilight said. “After we gathered my friends by fixing their true selves, I finally figured out how to fix the spell. We used all our friendship magic to get it right, and it worked, until I found myself in a vast area surrounded with stars, galaxies and cosmic dust. After I saw Princess Celestia appear, she showed me my memories of the times I’ve had with my friends, including your mother and other aunts. She also told me that I had fulfilled my true destiny, which was me achieving my title as another princess of Equestria. And that’s how I reappeared and got these.” Twilight opened her wings to her full length and let Thomas touch them, then she blanketed him with them. “All my friends were really happily surprised to see them.”
“I didn’t know you were amazing at this stuff, Auntie Twilight,” Thomas said. Twilight giggled softly, then he hugged Twilight’s neck gently, until she smiled back and nuzzled his cheek.
After Twilight took Thomas to another restaurant to grab some dinner, Twilight decided to take him to one more place for the night. When they arrived, Twilight opened the door and Thomas gazed in awe. “Wow... what is this place?” Thomas asked. “This, Thomas, is the library me and Spike used to live in before we moved to Ponyville,” Twilight said. “It’s where I would work on my studies, and this is where I raised Spike when he was a hatchling. He was so cute and very sweet.” Spike blushed, until Twilight kissed him softly on the forehead. “I’ve got an idea. Thomas, remember my parents, Twilight Velvet and Night Light? I’ll see if they’ll allow us to sleep over for the night,” Twilight said. “Really?!” Thomas asked. “Yep, and maybe they’ll foalsit you while I’m at my presentation tomorrow,” Twilight said. “Okay,” Thomas said, then he climbed onto Twilight’s back, and then the three left the library.
When they arrived at Twilight’s parents’s house, Twilight knocked on the door, until her mother opened the door. “Twilight! Spike! So good to see you!” Mrs. Velvet said, until she saw Thomas on her back. “Hello, dearie! How’ve you been?”
“I’ve been good,” Thomas said, until he softly yawned. “Mom, can we sleep over for tonight? We’ll stay for breakfast,” Twilight asked. “Of course, sweetheart. You can use your bedroom upstairs,” Mrs. Velvet said. “Thanks, Mom. We’ll see you and Dad in the morning,” Twilight said, then she, Thomas, and Spike went upstairs to Twilight’s old bedroom and then unpacked their bags for tonight.
When Thomas came out of the bathroom, he was wearing his blue starry pajamas with the slipper socks, and then he saw his Auntie Twilight reading a book on geology while laying on her bed with her legs tucked underneath, so he went over and climbed onto the bed, then he tucked himself underneath the blankets. When Twilight turned around and saw him comfy in the blankets, she put her geology book down and then she lifted her wing up and motioned Thomas to come sit with her.
After she blanketed him underneath her wing, she continued to finish off on the Daring Do book. When she was finished, Thomas hugged his aunt, then she nuzzled the top of his head. “Hey, you know what scary creature’s coming?” Twilight asked, with a mischievous face. “What?” Thomas asked. “It’s no other... than the TICKLE MONSTER!” Twilight playfully exclaimed, then she tickled Thomas with her hoofs, causing him to laugh uncontrollably. “*laughs* Auntie T-Twi-Twilight! *laughs* Stop i-it! *giggles*”
After 11 seconds of tickling, Twilight took a deep breath and blew a raspberry on his belly, and it made Thomas laugh some more, until Twilight giggled, and Thomas softly giggled with tears in his eyes. He suddenly felt her hooves hold him as she held him in a motherly embrace, causing him to hug her back as he leaned his head on her chest and as he listened to her heartbeat, he suddenly fell asleep. Twilight then smiled warmly at his sleeping form, and laid down on her side, then she tucked herself underneath the blankets, and gave her nephew a kiss on the forehead. “Sweet dreams, little nephew. I love you,” Twilight whispered, then she gave him one more kiss, and then while Thomas was close enough and leaning his head on her chest, she went to sleep.
The next morning, Twilight opened her eyes and smiled as she saw Thomas was still leaning his head on her chest. Then she gently got up without waking him, but he suddenly made a soft yawn and woke up. “Good morning, Auntie Twilight,” he softly said, until he received a hug from his Auntie Twilight. “Good morning, Thomas. Did my little nephew sleep well?” Twilight asked, while she held him in a comforting hug. “Mmhmm,” Thomas replied as he rubbed his eyes. “Twilight! Breakfast!” Mrs. Velvet called. “Coming, Mom!” Twilight replied, then after Thomas got on her back, she went downstairs to eat with her parents. When they sat down, Twilight’s parents were sitting down at the table with haycakes on their plates. “Thanks, Mom,” Twilight said. “You’re welcome, Twilight,” Mrs. Velvet said. “Thomas, would you like some juice?” Thomas nodded, and then Mrs. Velvet poured him a glass of orange juice for him. “Thank you. Am I allowed to call you Mrs. Velvet?” Thomas asked. “Of course. You’re family too, you know,” Mrs. Velvet said. “Okay,” Thomas said, as he received a hug from Twilight’s mother.
“Mom, Dad, Spike and I are gonna be at a presentation, but I did promise Fluttershy I would watch over Thomas. So since this is less fun for him, do you think you two could foalsit him until I come back? I just don’t want him to be bored,” Twilight said. “Absolutely! We’ll make sure he has a good time with us,” Night Light said. “Don’t worry, dear. You just go do your presentation and we’ll take care of your nephew,” Mrs. Velvet said.
“Thanks. Okay, sweetheart. Mom and Dad are gonna look after you while I’m at my presentation, okay?” Twilight said. “Okay, Auntie Twilight,” Thomas said, hugging his aunt. “Mom, do you think you could give him a bath?” Twilight asked. “Sure,” Mrs. Velvet replied. “I have to go now. I’ll see you two later, and please take care of my nephew,” Twilight said. “Thomas, you be good. Okay?” Thomas nodded as he waved, then Twilight and Spike left for their presentation.
Mrs. Velvet then carefully scooped Thomas with her right foreleg and held him close to her chest, “Come on, dear. Let’s get you ready for your bath. And when we’re done, we can read a book or play a game while we drink some hot cocoa. How does that sound?”
“That sounds like fun,” Thomas said, then Mrs. Velvet carried him upstairs to the bathroom.
Meanwhile, Twilight was at the auditorium doing her presentation speech, “If somepony had told me when I was a blank flank that one day I’d give a speech to a class at Celestia’s School of Magic, I would’ve believed it but... *cards shuffling* I hope that I’ve been up to the task, because I can tell that all of you are and that the future of Equestrian magic is now in good hooves.” The audience ponies clapped their hooves, then Twilight cleared her throat and continued, “When Princess Celestia asked me to speak to you today, I was really honored to have this opportunity to talk about my favorite subject of all: magic.”
When Mrs. Velvet came back to check on Thomas, she gently rubbed his shoulders and then softly scrubbed the soap on his scalp with a sponge full of shampoo. When Thomas dunked into the tub, Mrs. Velvet smiled warmly at him, then magically levitated him onto her hooves and dried him off with a towel.
When he was dressed into his clothes, which consisted his red and white striped shirt, fire engine red jacket, and his blue overalls, Mrs. Velvet carried him downstairs and then took a book from the bookshelf and then read him a fairytale book.
Later on, Twilight continued with her presentation while showing slides of her friends and what they do, “Well, obviously, the long-term effects of the simultaneous acquisition of cutie marks has yet to be determined, but I can speak from my own personal experience that the power of Cutie Mark Magic is very real, and in the instance of my friends and I, it can be traced to any single event!”
The audience was surprised, then Twilight continued with her speech, “But without Rainbow Dash’s racing skills to defend Fluttershy, that rainboom wouldn’t have happened at all and we all wouldn’t have received our cutie marks because they’re symbols about who we are and what our talents mean to us. Without the rainboom, Fluttershy might never have discovered her love of animals, Applejack might never have realized that she belonged on her farm, and Pinkie Pie wouldn’t have decided to leave hers or find joy and laughter in her heart. It also might be hard to see what would’ve happened if we saw Rarity without her sense of fashion or imagine her without her generous fabulousness for others. I also may not have gotten into Princess Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns, and she wouldn’t have taken me as her pupil or sent me to Ponyville to meet my friends. I also wouldn’t have helped Fluttershy raised this human child that wished for a good home and a family.”
She presented a slide about a picture about Thomas with the six mares and three fillies, then the audience d’awwed at the picture, then Twilight finished her speech, “Yes, Thomas, who is Fluttershy’s adopted human son, was the sweetest, kindest and most special colt we have ever met, and thanks to our six traits of friendship, we all came together and gave him the love and care he deserves because it was the right thing to help cure a broken heart. And the most powerful and amazing thing about Cutie Mark Magic that I recently found during my journey is the connection I share with them and the time I love to spend with my nephew. And I hope you do the same as well and remember what your cutie marks mean to you. Thank you.” The audience ponies applauded, and then Twilight bowed her head and exited the stage.
“That was amazing, Twilight!” Spike said. “Thanks, Spike. Luckily, I was able to get some practice,” Twilight said. “Now, let’s go pick up Thomas so we can head back to Ponyville.”
“But Fluttershy’s not back yet,” Spike said. “Hmm, then he’ll have to hang out with us until she returns,” Twilight said.
When they got back to their parents’s house, they entered the house and Twilight saw her mother and father showing Thomas some memory books. “This is when Twilight was just a little filly, and this when first held Spike when she got her cutie mark and got into the princess’s school, and these are the good times she and Shining Armor had before he got into the academy,” Mrs. Velvet said. “And this the picture on the day she was born.” She suddenly saw Twilight with a warm smile, “Hello, dear. Did it go well?” Twilight nodded and then saw come down with their belongings. “Mom, Dad, it was great seeing you, but we have to go back to Ponyville,” Twilight said. “We’ll probably see you soon.”
“Okay, dear,” Mrs. Velvet said, then she gave her daughter a hug. “Thomas, it was such a pleasure to see you again.” She gave him a hug, then a kiss on the cheek. “Come on, you two. Let’s go home,” Twilight said, then after Spike grabbed their stuff and when Thomas climbed onto Twilight’s back, they left the house and walked over to the train station.
When the train arrived back in Ponyville, they got off and walked through the town. Thomas suddenly saw his aunt feeling a little off, “You okay, Auntie Twilight?”
“I kinda feel like I was being stalked by somepony at my presentation,” Twilight said. “It’s like whoever it was probably has an affect on cutie marks.”
“You mean Starlight Glimmer?” Spike asked. “Who’s Starlight Glimmer?” Thomas asked. “She’s somepony we once dealt with before, but we had trouble with cutie mark type-stuff,” Twilight replied. “Oh,” Thomas said. “But I was really sure I saw her, Spike. But when I looked again, she was suddenly gone! I’m just really worried what she might be up to,” Twilight said. “I don’t wanna know,” Thomas said. “Nothing good, I bet. I heard she wasn’t really that happy the last time you saw her,” Spike said. “I know, Spike. But forcing everypony in her village to have the same cutie mark after having it magically stripped away and placed into jars, and lying to her villagers wasn’t the right thing to do. We had to do something!” Twilight said.
“Do you think she might... come back to get you or come back for... revenge? What if she was into your speech?” Thomas nervously asked, until Twilight nuzzled his cheek. “I don’t know, sweetheart. But honestly, I’m not really sure what I saw back there. But as long as we have each other, I know that everything will be alright,” Twilight said, then she gave him a kiss on the forehead. “Maybe I was probably just more stressed out about that speech than I thought, but I’ll never know.”
“Yeah,” Spike said. “That probably sounds way better than Starlight Glimmer just wanting to come back with some evil plot that deals with revenge. That’s not her style.”
“Well, when you say it like that, it does sound kinda silly, or otherwise it’d be totally true,” Twilight said, then looked down at Thomas. “How about if we go sit by the fire?” Thomas nodded and then when they opened the doors, they saw a unicorn mare with a pale light grayish heliotrope fur, a moderate purple mane and tail with lighter purple and pale light grayish aquamarine streaks, moderate persian blue eyes, and a her flank had a cutie mark of a purple and white star with two greenish blue glimmering streams. She was sitting there looking at Twilight with a mischievous grin and had her hind legs placed on the table. “Welcome home, Twilight!” she said evilly.
“Starlight! What are you doing here?!” Twilight asked. “Oh, not much! Just seeking revenge on the pony WHO RUINED MY LIFE!” Starlight replied angrily as she walked towards Twilight. “I never ruined anything. You only brought it on yourself!” Twilight said. “I created a perfect world of ponies who could live in equality and didn’t have to use their cutie marks for anything. But then you and your friends took it away from me! Now, you will pay for making me suffer,” Starlight said, until she saw Thomas shaking in fear. “You leave him out of this,” Twilight said, then magically placed Thomas on the floor. “Thomas, run!” Thomas nodded and ran off to the bedroom halls.
“Well, looks like it’s you and me!” Starlight said. “But I have a better idea. Since this is our battle, I too get to make up the rules!” Starlight took out a scroll and suddenly magical clockwork appeared, and then Starlight stood onto the table, “Follow me if you dare!” When Starlight jumped through, Twilight, Spike and Thomas followed her.
When Twilight opened her eyes, they were in Cloudsdale. “Auntie Twilight! Look!” Thomas said, pointing at a couple of colts racing a young filly. “Hey, that looks like Rainbow Dash, but she looks a little younger, but I don’t see her cutie mark,” Twilight said. “Wait a minute... You don’t think... we went back in time when she raced the bullies who picked on Fluttershy and performed her first Sonic Rainboom?! Only Starswirl the Bearded could’ve done something like that, and even his spell might’ve sent him back a week! I don’t understand, how could Starlight have...” Twilight saw Starswirl’s scroll, “Oh no, Starswirl’s spell!”
“Oh, this is bad. This is totally bad!” Spike said. “Auntie Twilight, I’m afraid. I wanna go home,” Thomas said. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. Once we find out what’s going on and stop Starlight from whatever she plans to do here, we’ll be out of here soon. We just need to find her,” Twilight said.
“Finding her was easy, but stopping me will be hard!” Starlight said, until Twilight stood in front of Spike and Thomas, who hid behind her and hugged left hind leg. “Sorry to disappoint you, but I created that spell to send myself back in time. So even when you cast it, I still get sent back here, but Starswirl already did the hard part. But did you really think you’d figure out I could use the map to go to any time or place and pull you along with me? Ha! I’m really impressed. I knew that you’d come here to stop me!”
Twilight saw how scared Thomas was, until she started to confront Starlight, “Why, Starlight? Why did you do this?!” Starlight got frustrated, “Why should I know?! And why else would I leave the scroll behind?! You knew that touching the map would trigger the scroll’s magic and whisk you here, so that you can watch me erase the one thing that linked you with your friends!”
“So that’s what this is all about?! Stopping the rainboom until I would meet my friends?! Why?!” Twilight asked angrily. “Because my village was a peaceful sanctuary of equality, where nopony’s cutie mark would ever allow them to feel superior again! But then YOU AND YOUR FRIENDS TOOK THAT AWAY FROM ME!!! NOW, I WILL MAKE YOU PAY BY MAKING YOU SUFFER LIKE I HAVE! Now it’s my turn to take something special from you! Without the rainboom, you and your friends will never form your cutie mark bonds!”
“I won’t let you! Thomas, stay behind me!” Twilight said, until Starlight blasted a beam of magic at them, and Twilight casted a shield. “Not bad, but it’s gonna take a lot more than that!” Starlight said. “Lucky for you, there’s more where that came from!” Twilight said, then she and Starlight fought each other by dueling with magic and flying.
After 1 minute of fighting, Twilight and Starlight panted heavily. “So... give up yet?” Starlight asked. “No. I’m just getting started,” Twilight said.
Starlight smirked, “So, I take it you’re up for another race-ending fight, Twilight?” Twilight then sighed, until Thomas came to her for a hug, and she placed her forehoof on his shoulder, “No. You were right. I can’t stop you. But no matter what happens, if we keep doing this, then we could be stuck doing this for all eternity.”
“So what?! If that’s what it take you and your friends from getting your precious cutie mark connection, then I’m game!” Starlight said. “You could also prevent my birth!” Spike said. “And I’ll never get to be with Momma,” Thomas said, crying while hugging his aunt’s leg.
“Don’t you see? What you’re doing goes way beyond cutie marks! If we continue this rivalry forever, then everything we’ve been doing here will create an avalanche of trouble in the future!” Twilight said. “Spare me your overblown ego! No group of friends, like Princess Twilight’s is that important!” Starlight said. “We are important because we help keep Equestria in balance, but if you wanna know, I can show you the world would look like without mine,” Twilight said, as she teleported all four of each other to a barren wasteland.
“Where are we?!” Starlight asked. “This is the future. Or rather, the present,” Twilight said. “But there’s nothing here! How could this relate to anything!” Starlight said. “Well, I wish I could say I was surprised. But this is what would happen if we kept fighting for eternity, meaning we wouldn’t have a home anymore, making it worse than the last,” Twilight said. “I didn’t know why my friends and I are so important to Equestria. But the truth is... we actually are.”
“I don’t believe you! You’re not special!” Starlight said. “Starlight, look around you!” Spike said. “The Elements of Harmony were what made us who we are. Without them, then the magic of friendship wouldn’t exist,” Twilight said. “Besides, like I said, everything that happens or alternates in the past affects the future with random changes. And what you’re doing might lead to here in this time. I know I can’t stop you, but I thought this would change your mind.”
“Change my mind?!” Starlight asked, until she got more upset and had tears in her eyes, “YOU THREE HAVE NO IDEA WHAT’S LIKE TO BE ALL ALONE IN THE WORLD, WITH NOT EVEN A SINGLE FRIEND!!! I WAS PERFECTLY HAPPY BEFORE YOU AND YOU’RE FRIENDS RUINED WHAT I BUILT!!!” A moment of silence spread across the wasteland, until Thomas put on a serious face. “Yes, I do, Starlight,” Thomas said. That had Starlight confused, “That what you just said... that was every day of my life, before I came here to Equestria, and before I met my Momma.” Starlight thought for a moment, then saw Twilight give her a sad smile, then looked back down at him and lowered herself towards his level and laid flat, “I’m listening.”
Thomas then told Starlight about his past life in the orphanage, then he told her about his loneliness and why no one adopted him or made friends with him, and ended it with how he felt, then he told her how Princess Luna brought him to Equestria and how he met his mother and her friends and how much he enjoyed Equestria. Starlight suddenly started to feel sorry for the poor boy.
Twilight then sighed, “Starlight...“ Starlight looked at Twilight, who was giving her a rather concerned look, “I don’t know what led you to your village without cutie marks, and I’m sorry my friends and I had to take it away.“ Thomas was confused, “What?”
“It’s a long story, Thomas. I’ll explain later,” Twilight said. Starlight sighed, “So you really want to know what happened to me, huh?” Twilight, Spike and Thomas nodded, then Starlight got up and headed towards the map, “Alright. I’ll show you.”
When she activated the spell, they were sent to another period of time that looked familiar. “Where are we?” Twilight asked. “That map of yours is connected to every part of Equestria, and this part is my home I grew up in,” Starlight said, as she showed them a view of herself when she was a filly, and there was a orange colt with a reddish orange mane and tail. He was showing her a trick, then the younger Starlight clapped her hooves.
“When we were young, Sunburst and I did everything together. In fact, I don’t remember us being apart. Until today,” Starlight said.
When the younger Starlight pulled a book from the tower, it was about to tumble onto her, but the younger Sunburst caught them before they would touch her, then an aura wrapped around him and he magically placed all books on the shelves, then when he came back down he got a cutie mark of a orange sun with rays of yellow and golden orange, and blue glimmering stars. When he showed everypony his cutie mark and was carried away, the younger Starlight began to feel her heart break and went back inside all alone.
“And just like that, my friend was gone forever. His family recognized his magical talent and then sent him off to magic school in Canterlot. I never saw him again,” Starlight said. “Because of his cutie mark? That’s why you were so broken?” Spike asked. “Yes. He got his, and I didn’t. He might’ve moved on, and I didn’t. I didn’t want it to happen every time, so I stayed here and never made another friend again because I was too scared that another cutie mark would take them away, too,” Starlight said.
Twilight suddenly felt sorry about her, “Starlight, a cutie mark can’t take your friends away, but you’re right. I don’t know what you went through. But I do know how to help you get through this.”
“How do you know?” Starlight asked. “Because like Thomas said, he’s been there like you have, but in heart because he had nopony to care for him. He was suffering from a broken heart,” Twilight said. “If what you’re doing happens, it won’t turn out well in Equestria without my friends.”
“What’s so special about your friends? How can a group of ponies like you that are so different be so important anyhow?” Starlight asked. “The differences between us are the very things that make our friendship strong,” Twilight said. “Well, I thought Sunburst and I were the same, but eventually we turned out different. Then it tore our friendship apart!” Starlight said, with tears in her eyes. “So try again. Make some new friends,” Twilight said. “Everypony’s friendships are important. There are others that are willing to give you a chance if you let them.”
Starlight then continued to cry, until she felt a soft tug on her chest and a pair of arms wrapped around her neck, so she looked down and saw Thomas hugging her. “I forgive you too, Starlight,” Thomas said as he nuzzled his cheek on her chest fur, until Starlight felt confused. “I don’t follow,” she said. “He also has a big heart, meaning he’s caring towards others,” Twilight said. Starlight suddenly smiled warmly at Thomas’s kindness and hugged him back with one foreleg and rested her head on top of his, “Thanks, Thomas,” Starlight said. “Starlight, will you accept my offer?” Twilight asked, reaching out her hoof, then Starlight took her hoof and nodded as a reply. When they accepted each other’s feelings, they used the scroll to send them back to the actual present.
Starlight suddenly felt her heart was being sewn back into place with a thread full of happiness and warm feelings. When she looked at Thomas, she leaned down, “Thomas, you really have some guts, but thanks for helping me with my pain. You’re a good kid.” She suddenly gave him a kiss on the cheek, and then hugged him again as he made a warm sigh and nuzzled his cheek on her chest fur.
“I’m glad things are back to normal as they are meant to be. Aren’t you, Twilight?” Spike asked. “Mmhmm. And I think I have one more surprise for Starlight,” Twilight said as she thought of an idea.
Later on, Twilight brought her friends over, and then she showed them how well Thomas was getting along with Starlight Glimmer. “Uhh... what’s she doing here?” Rainbow Dash asked. “Didn’t she try to rid us and those other ponies of their cutie marks?” Applejack asked. “Well, yeah. But don’t worry, Thomas helped heal the despair inside her and filled it with love and comfort,” Twilight said. “Aww... that’s my sweet little colt,” Fluttershy said, then she saw Thomas look at her. “MOMMA!” Thomas said, as he ran over and gave her a hug on the chest and neck. “Oh, Momma. I missed you so much!” Thomas said. “I missed you too, my precious little one,” Fluttershy said, then she gave him a kiss on the top of his head.
“Everypony, I know what I did was very wrong of me,” Starlight said. “I was scared that if I made another friend before they would receive their cutie mark, I would be lonely forever. Thanks to your son, Fluttershy, he pretty much taught me something about family. And Twilight, I’d love to be your student.”
“I’m glad you approve, Starlight,” Twilight said. “Starlight, am I allowed to call you Auntie Starlight?” Thomas asked, until Starlight smiled warmly at him, and hugged him closer to her chest and gave him a soft kiss on the top of his head. “Yeah, I don’t mind. I’d love to be your aunt anyway,” Starlight said, then Thomas smiled warmly at her. “I love you, Auntie Starlight,” Thomas said. “I love you too, Thomas,” Starlight said.
When Fluttershy and Thomas arrived back at the cottage and ate some soup for dinner, Fluttershy took Thomas upstairs to bed and then tucked him in her bed. When he was comfy, Fluttershy gave Thomas a hug, and gave him a tender kiss on the forehead. “Goodnight, sweetheart. I’ll see you in the morning,” Fluttershy said. “Goodnight, Momma,” Thomas said, then he went to sleep after Fluttershy left the room. ‘I’m glad Auntie Starlight’s in the family now,’ he thought to himself and then he slept peacefully while the warm glow of Luna’s moon comforted him.
