//------------------------------// // Starlight's Thoughts Part 3 // Story: CMC Going Away // by PonyJoel //------------------------------// Starlight Glimmer wakes up from her slumber. It's a new day. She looks around to see whether Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle are awake. After a few moments, Starlight decides to go to her office. As she enters, she closes the door. Not wanting to be disturbed, she needed to express her thoughts. "Alright, Starlight. So far, everything has gone smoothly. We now have a Princess living among us. A Princess, looking to redeem herself. A Princess, wanting to create something better for all of Equestria." Starlight starts walking in a circular motion as she continues to express her thoughts. "Even though Discord may have erased the minds of Twilight and her friends on finding the village, I can't help but feel that they may return soon. For what reason, I do not know. I speculate that something huge may be on the horizon or the determination of seeking redemption by any means necessary. Good thing Discord is our protector when all goes wrong," Starlight stops walking in her circular motion. "Can't think on the negatives right now. Some possibilities, sure but, not everything," Starlight resumes her circular motion. "I'll show Celestia the rulings of the village later today, so she sees how we co-exist as a family." Starlight hears Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle calling her name as they knock on the door. "Starly, are you awake, or are we intruding?" Apple Bloom asks. "You're not intruding, Apple Bloom," Starlight answers. "Can we come in?" Sweetie Belle asks. "Yes. You and Apple Bloom may walk in. I have nothing to hide." Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle enter Starlight's office. "So, what were you doing, Starly?" "Just talking to myself. Expressing recent events that transpired in the village, Sweetie Belle. It's still mindboggling that a Princess of Equestria is living among us." "Never in my life that I'll be living next to a Princess," Sweetie Belle exclaims. "Yea. Who would have thought it?" "No one, Apple Bloom. Normally, Princesses live in castles, not in a house." "How long you think until more ponies start to show up and make the village into the next capital of Equestria?" "It's never going to happen, Sweetie Belle. Celestia is keeping her word in that department. Plus, Discord is going to be sure that it remains like that. Our village will remain hidden. If the village becomes the next capital of Equestria, then say hello to your sisters." Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle cringe a bit from that statement. They do not want that outcome at all. "I know you don't want to see them. Our village will not become a capital cause Celestia is among us. Trust me when I say this, everything will be alright in the end." "We know," Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle said in unison. "Good. In a half-hour, I'll start making breakfast. There is something I need to express privately." "Understood, Starly," Apple Bloom said. She and Sweetie Belle leave the office and trot to the kitchen. Starlight closes the door. "I have to be sure that everything falls in place for any Royal Guards daring to follow the Princess. They have hurt my fellow brother and sisters throughout the years with their delays and excuses. They will get their just desserts as Celestia has no say in the matter of our justice system. I'll have to ask Celestia to not partake in our routine of welcoming new ponies to the village. I will have to ask her to stay in her home until a certain passphrase or signal to notify her that it's all cleared," Starlight nods with the idea in mind. "Yea, that'll be best, so she doesn't see how the justice system is processed." Starlight sits on her lounge chair. She takes a deep breath. "There'll be a lot to address to Celestia later. For now, I'll let her be for a few days so she can get accustomed to living in the village first. Let her experience the life of being a neighbor in the village. Let her witness the family-like structure we've built throughout the years of its foundation. Knowing her give-or-take, she'll enjoy how everypony around treats each other. Cutie Mark or no cutie mark that each of us bears or not." Starlight Glimmer gets off of her lounge chair and goes to the kitchen. She'll prepare breakfast for her, Apple Bloom, and Sweetie Belle. She does hope that Celestia will enjoy her first day living in the village for the first time.