//------------------------------// // Chapter 24 - A Fallout // Story: Wherever the Light Shines: Part 2 // by MLPSolarDash1907 //------------------------------// “Why am I doing this?” That’s what Starlight asked herself for the last few times in the past ten minutes. She’s standing in the middle of her locked rented house staring at a lumpy sheet hiding something underneath it. Is that air freshener on the table next to her? What has Starlight been doing? Ever since she told Sunburst that she’d take a break, she had been regenerating plants, limbs on pets, fixing up flower fields, and restoring some Crystal ponies’ broken legs. She shared this with Sunburst and they both were really enjoying the new magic hypotheses, now proven true, she’d found. Starlight had never rested after she promised Sunburst that she would, but she looks rested thanks to a spell she cast on herself. Sure, she agreed to take a little break and visit Flurry Heart for a little bit, bond with the royal baby and catch up a bit with Cadance and Shining Armor, while her mind kept drifting back to completing the spells. Ever since she began, she’s been determined to push through. But now, and the night before, her thoughts have been doubting what she’s been doing is truly the way to go. Twilight has taught her not to use her magic to do things like the accidental mind control of her friends, however, she’s grabbed somepony from somewhere she rarely goes. The graveyard. Slightly lifting the sheet up, she got a glimpse of the dead pony’s hooves. Starlight cringed, looking away and dropping the sheet. “What was I thinking?” she asked herself, mentally scolding herself for ever digging up this body. Violating a pony’s peaceful rest. She’s done a lot of crazy, idiotic stuff, but this crosses the line more than three times! Maybe there’s still a chance for her to get it back to the graveyard without being seen, and that ponies probably knew about the dug-up grave. “But do you think it’d honestly reduce the pain you have?” a masculine voice asked from seemingly nowhere. Starlight wasn't intimidated by the voice as she became woozy again. Sitting down in a chair she answered, “I’ve gone too far.” I shouldn’t have dug up this pony.” “And would they understand?” the voice asked, “Are you really certain this pony is happy in some form of afterlife? Or are they really in a vast void of nothingness?” Starlight grunted, “And yet my parents told me of an afterlife, ponies talk about it all around.” “Do you honestly believe that? Or is your mind just filled with conflicted thoughts on what the greater good is?” The voice paused as Starlight rubbed her head, “You’re in pain, Starlight, and this solution, no matter what the price may be, it will bring the best for not only Equestria but for them as well.” “Resurrecting ponies seems like a crazy idea...” “It does, for those who are afraid of the unknown. With you, the possibilities are basically endless.” “Ponies will learn of this spell and some could use it for the wrong reasons,” said Starlight. “If you don’t enchant it to being only attached to you, Starlight. I thought you, one of the most magical ponies would be able to figure that out.” “I guess I’m just a little worn out,” Starlight yawned. “But this is worth the tireless hours you’ve had. May I remind you of the day when you first encountered me?” Starlight’s eyes widened, “Oh no, that’s not...” “Here you go.” Before she knew it, a brief wave of magic hit her in the forehead as she was brought back to the past. Flashback It had been a few hours since Starlight had visited her mother’s grave for the first time in years. It’s not that she didn’t want to go visit it, but because it brings up painful memories. As her past always seems to do. She and Firelight went back to the house to eat and calm down while they tried to talk about good memories of Starlight’s mother, Moonlight Star. Firelight did offer Starlight’s favorite blankie, cookies, and milk, which for once in a long time, Starlight wasn’t annoyed by the offer, but grateful. She even let him tie it around her head and he embraced her like a little filly again. Firelight promised he wouldn’t treat her like this all the time, but Starlight just let herself be held in her father’s forelegs. After a nice supper and reading some of Firelight’s history books, both ponies went to their respective rooms, only for Starlight to back up and not see her rock-punk like room as it reminded her of the day since her mom died. Firelight realized this and asked Starlight if she’d like to sleep on the couch. The mare quickly agreed and Firelight promised to have all of her punk-rock stuff removed and sold off for his daughter’s sake. Both ponies bid each other goodnight before they laid down. However, Starlight couldn’t sleep. Her stomach has been twisted into a knot and some tears leak out of her eyes as she squirms to sleep on the couch. “I wanted closure... but it’s opening up the wound again...” she whimpered as she snuggled deeper into the sheets. However, laying there just made the knot grow and the need to vomit suddenly slammed into her. Fortunately, she never did, but she figured that she needed to get out of the house. So, after sneaking out as if she were in her teen years again, Starlight snuck down to the graveyard to see her mother’s grave. She intended to talk to her some more, handle things better than last time. When she arrived and knelt down on the wet grass, she opened her mouth to speak but she couldn’t form words. After several attempts to try and say something, nothing came to mind, she hated not being able to say anything, she’s gotten so confident again over the recent years. Her mind briefly returned to her old room. She never changed anything about it, never wanting to look at it again several months after Moonlight’s death. She was going through a bit of a stage back then, her relationship with her parents was vastly different. However, Moonlight fell sick and the rebellious teenage Starlight had to look out for her while her dad was at work. Moonlight tried several times to form connections with her daughter, but the younger mare always brushed her off, and how much Starlight now wishes she could take everything back and do everything the right way. Because then that night came. When her dad arrived home early, a concert Starlight wanted to attend finally arrived. A once in a lifetime opportunity for her, they barely came around her village. But Moonlight didn’t allow her to go because she and her husband need help and they didn’t bond with her as they should’ve in these years. Starlight painfully winced as she remembered the shouting, the screaming, telling her parents off for not being there for her and telling that she hates them both, especially her mother, before storming off to the concert. The concert was amazing, much better than hearing them on CDs. It was filled with loud screaming fans and the music was even louder. Starlight could’ve sworn her ears nearly popped off her head due to how loud it was. In fact, when she began walking home, she had to wait a while for her hearing to come back. When she arrived home, there were paramedics surrounding her house. ... She asked them what was going on, and they all told them they were sorry and expressed their condolences. Confused, Starlight headed in to find her father sobbing into his hooves. After a tearful hug from her father, she learned, just after their arguing, that Moonlight had a massive heart attack and died 30 minutes later. ... The news hit Starlight like a runaway train, she collapsed onto the floor and began bawling her eyes out, mostly due to guilt for telling her mother she hated her just before she left. Those were the last words she ever spoke to her mother, and now she won’t get to tell her how sorry she is. As Starlight gazed at her mother’s grave, tears welled up again. “Oh, how much I wish I could tell you how much I miss you and want you back! I want to make amends,” she placed a tender hoof on the grave. “It would mean the entire world...no, the entire universe if I could have you back...just to tell you how much I love you...” She choked as tears rolled down her face, “And how so so so thousand times sorry I am...” As she sulked, hugging her mother’s grave as if she were hugging her actual mother, she wished many many times that she could have her mother back. She’s angry at herself, angry for being like she was back then. She wanted to let out a massive surge of magic into the air to let something out, but all she could do was weep. “You poor little child,” said a soft masculine voice. Starlight perked up and looked around frantically. “What?! Who...” “Don’t worry, I’m not here to hurt you.” “Wh-who are you?” “Just consider me a friend, and refer to me as Voice,” said Voice. “What do you want?” Starlight whimpered, not sure if she can trust “Voice.” “It’s not a matter of what I want, it’s about you,” said Voice, sounding sympathetic, “I know your pain, my child. I’ve lost some close to me as well.” “Y-You do?” “Yes, they were a very close family...I did all I could and gave them all I had...” Starlight sniffed as she wiped her snout, “I’m so sorry...” “Don’t be,” said Voice, “It was a long time ago, and I’ve moved on. But you...you seem to have an open wound.” Starlight looked around again, still not seeing anypony. She felt a little on edge. “Can I see you?” “I don’t think you can,” said Voice, “I’m just a Voice whispering for those in dire needs of healing and proper adjustments to pain in their lives.” He sighed, “I’ve seen terrible things, families torn apart and hurt lives such as yourself. I managed to help them and get their lives back on track.” “If you’re a Voice whispering around for those in need, why not help everypony?” “I want to, but I can only be heard by those who are in strong immense pain, it feels as if the whole world is crushing them. Like nopony can understand them, they try to move on but feel an immense hole that seems bottomless.” Feeling tears come to her again, Starlight blinked them away, “I...” “You feel as if there’s a bottomless hole, don’t you?” Starlight paused in wonder, trying to truly make out this Voice. However, somepony is listening. “I know you have your doubts, my child. I would too if you heard a voice talking to you out of nowhere, but I assure you, I am very real.” That is true, she did have doubts, but this Voice is sounding real as if he’s right next to her, but there’s nopony or creature in sight. Due to her sadness, her need, her void, Starlight decided to answer. “I do admit that I have a void... as if the world is crushing me...” “I understand. You’re not alone in your struggles, you can reach out and seek those who can really help with your pain.” “H-How can I simply just take away all of this pain I am feeling?” Starlight sniffed, tears running down her face. “It’s not an easy task, and it takes time for different creatures, but it does fade.” “I just wish it’d go away...” “It can as badly as you want it too.” Starlight shook her head, “How can I honestly believe that?” “Anything is possible as long as you believe it can,” the Voice paused for a second, “Do you want your mother back?” Starlight quickly nodded, “More than anything in the world...” “I see, and do you honestly believe in an afterlife where everypony is happy and together? Or are they just in a void filled with nothingness?” Starlight sniffed, “I’ve heard from my parents that there is such a place.” “And are you sure of that? Are you certain your mother isn’t just in a void?” Starlight’s lips curled into a snarl, “No! She can’t be, I won’t believe that!” “Ahhhh, so you believe that she’s happy. But...” Starlight listened for the Voice again, momentarily thinking it left her and it was just a piece of her imagination. “Isn’t it a shame we don’t live in a world where nopony we love perishes? The good ponies, that don’t deserve death?” Starlight thought about it, she does remember seeing graveyards filled with ponies. Who knows how many were loved and good? “Bad ponies that’re too wicked can stay dead, but those who’re loving, cherished, needed, and close to their families can stay together forever. Would you love to see a world like that?” “It... it would be wonderful...” “Yes, it would be. Wouldn’t it, Starlight?” Starlight’s eyes widened as she let out a light gasp, “H-How do you know my name?” “I’ve seen you struggle with the void in your life for a little while, and only when you decided to come here in hopes of gaining closure, you never got it, did you?” Voice asked. Starlight slightly froze as the Voice continued, “I know you have your questions, and that you’re freaked out about me knowing about this. However, it’s my duty to come and help those in dire pain.” Starlight slightly calmed down, but still feeling a little violated that the Voice invaded like that. “I still don’t believe that...I can be healed of this terrible pain...” she said. She closed her eyes thoughtfully, wondering if she should open up to Voice. “Go on if you want,” said Voice, “Unless you don’t want to.” There, Voice gave her an option, in the blur of her emotional instability, Starlight answered. “I have close friends, even a Princess that’s the Princess of Friendship...but even with them around...it’s just difficult for me to talk about this last sensitive issue my dad and I only ever briefly mention...” “But you want to open up.” Starlight briefly nodded, “I do. But it’s hard...” “What if you don’t have to?” “Huh?” Starlight asked, confused. “Remember when I mentioned the world where ponies could have their loved ones back?” Starlight nodded, “You might be hurting now, but what do you love doing besides being friends with everypony?” “I... I love magic.” “Exactly. You’re Starlight Glimmer, one of the most powerful magic users in all of Equestria. What if you could use your magic for something very beneficial not for only you, but for all creatures across the globe?” “How so?” “I know of some spell hypotheses that are believed to be healing and regenerating spells. To restore plants, limbs on creatures, and cure sicknesses.” At this, Starlight slightly perked up. “And I believe, with the right user, the right magic, the hypotheses can become real. And, there’s one more, when you know them all.” “What is it?” “You can bring ponies back from the grave.” Starlight gasped, her eyes widened, “Really? I mean...” “I know it sounds hard to believe, but you do love challenges with magic. These spells won’t be dangerous and won’t cause harm to anypony if they fail.” Then, the wind blew softly by and some scrolls landed close by to the unicorn. “Can you imagine what you’d do if you could bring ponies back? Wouldn’t you want to save them from an unknown fate? Death is a scary thing, Starlight. How can you be certain if these ponies really are happy?” Starlight blinked, “I...I can’t.” “Exactly,” said Voice, “Pick up the Scrolls.” Looking over to them, Starlight lit up her horn and levitated them over, unrolling them and seeing their contents for the first time. Her eyes slightly widened, seeing the incomplete hypotheses. “And you think these can work?” she asked. “That’s all dependent on you, Starlight,” said Voice, “You’ve done spells before, haven’t you?” Starlight nodded, “I’ve modified one and made one up before.” “Then you’re more than capable of getting these hypotheses figured out. Oh, and with this all in mind, and when they've figured out, you can bring your lost one back, too.” For the second time, Starlight gasped and glanced at her mother’s grave. At the possibility of bringing her mother back, to tell her over and over how much she loves her and how sorry she is lit the unicorn up with hope. “I-I can bring my mom back?” “Indeed. It will happen as long as you want it to happen.” “I so want it to happen!” Starlight declared. Voice chuckled, “That’s the kind of spirit I’m looking for. However,” he turned serious, “Don’t let too many ponies know about the resurrection hypotheses. Most ponies won’t understand the magnitude of the importance of all this. It’s the unknown, Starlight, ponies react to the unknown with fear.” “I see...” “They won’t understand you with your situation either, Starlight. You can do something great for the world on top of everything else, and you can be healed once again.” For the first time in a few hours, Starlight smiled, filled with hope and determination. “I won’t fail. I will bring Mom back,” she said. “Good. Very good, Starlight, you’re a real champ.” The unicorn lightly blushed as Voice continued, “I will guide you when you need me, and make sure you don’t speak to anypony about this until I say so. Not even your Princess of Friendship. Do you understand?” “I do.” “Wonderful. Now, get back to your house. You need to sleep.” With that, Voice left her and everything was quiet once again. Looking at Moonlight’s grave, Starlight kissed the top of it, whispering “Don’t worry, Mom. I will bring you back. No matter what.” With a new set of determination at her disposal, she went back to her house quietly, dried herself off from the wet grass, hid the scrolls under her sheets, and slept on the couch. As Starlight came out of the past and back into the present, she gazed around to see she’s back in her rented house. That was a few months ago, due to her life in Ponyville and friends, she made sure to blend in and not attract suspicions. The Scrolls didn’t vanish overnight and Voice spoke to her again the next morning, and he’s provided some advice several days at a time as she tried to crack the Scrolls’ puzzling layouts and wording. She looked back at the lumpy sheet containing the dead body in front of her. She had a sad look on her face as Voice spoke up again. “Do you now know what you’re supposed to be doing?” Starlight slowly nodded. “It’s just... out of all the crazy things I’ve done... this seems the most out there...” “I told you that ponies wouldn’t understand and you’re a pony. You’re proving that even the ones determined can have that small impression of the unknown.” “Still... digging up a pony’s grave?” “Where else did you think you’d get one?” Voice asked, “I gave you the idea of the graveyard. You’re not out to murder, and where else were you going to get one? The morgue? The hospital?” Starlight paused. Of all the options Voice mentioned, the graveyard under the night sky was the best choice. “Do you want other ponies to experience that pain? Do you want ponies who’ve lost their past loved ones to be somewhat empty in their lives?” Starlight shook her head. “Then you must proceed with the spell. However, there is one lacking key ingredient in the spell needed to get it done.” Starlight blinked, “What is it then?” “It’s called the Resurrection Eternal Flower,” Voice explained, “It’s a very rare flower that’s grown only in the lands of Oogundaa. It’s said to be a legend these days, but, I don’t think that should be much of a problem for you.” “The land of Oogundaa? Isn’t that land said to be cursed?” “Yes, but the flower has an everlasting power that will grant the creature that picks it the power to resurrect those long gone. You can find it for the sake of your mother, can’t you Starlight?” For a brief second, Starlight had a second thought about going through with this, but it was quickly brushed aside as she formed a determined look. “I’m ready to head out,” she said. “But first,” said Voice, “Hide that body, pack up, and tell Sunburst you’re heading back home. Then you’ll make your move to get your mother back.” “Starlight?” Sunburst called as he stood outside Starlight’s house, “Are you there?” No response. The unicorn groaned, she’s been cooped up in there for most of their visit, even after having a wonderful evening a few days ago and bonding a bit more with Flurry Heart, Starlight still insists on getting through the spells. Sunburst loves learning about spells and seeing them work in the end, but he wasn’t as advanced as Starlight, and he sometimes took a break due to her encouraging him to do so. Now, it seems like Starlight’s been nothing about learning these spells. He knocked on the door, “Starlight! Please come out! I know you want to get those spells done, but we should really have a picnic!” He heard some shuffling in the house and a loud crash, making him slightly wince. He gained a suspicious look as he tried to peek inside. The door opened revealing Starlight. She beamed, “Oh, Sunburst! Great to see you this morning!” “You mean evening?” Sunburst raised an eyebrow. Starlight blinked, gazing to see that the sun is setting, “Riiiiighhtt... evening.” “Starlight, I don’t know why you’re so into these spells, but I thought you came here to hang out with me and the Royal family and you’ve barely seen them or me for that matter.” He frowned, “What’s going on?” “Nothing!” Starlight said a little too loudly, “I’m just losing track of time is all!” “Right,” Sunburst sighed, “Look, I know when a pony is cooped up for far too long, and you need to come out and enjoy the outside world.” At this Starlight snarled, slightly startling Sunburst, “Oh, like you were better than me!” “What?” “Don’t ‘what’ me! You know what I’m talking about! You spent your life practically in the library!” “And you convinced me out of it,” Sunburst reasoned, “I’ve gotten out of it and now you’re cooping yourself up like I was.” “Pssh! For the greater good, not some worn-out books!” Sunburst gasped, looking hurt, “Starlight...” “Oh, it’s not that bad of a statement,” Starlight brushed him off, “Besides, you know it.” “I don’t...” “Oh, pshah! This is quite a surprise visit, Sunburst, but I should really be going!” “What? Going where?” Sunburst asked, confused and a little surprised. “Oh, my visit’s over, I’m going back home!” “What? No, it isn’t you haven’t been here a whole week yet.” “I’m sure I have been,” said Starlight, backing into the house, “As for me, I’ve got to get going, it was fun!” “Wait Starlight!” Sunburst cried stopping her from closing the door. Starlight snarled again, “Sunburst. Let me close the door.” “No,” Sunburst said firmly. “What?” “I said no!” Sunburst began pushing the door open, causing Starlight’s eyes to widen and let out an involuntary gasp. “No! Don’t come in!” “Let me,” Sunburst practically burst the door down, “In!” Starlight stumbled backward and tripped over a lumpy sheet. Time seemed to slow down as the sheet came off a little bit, revealing the body’s decayed hooves underneath. Sunburst gasped in horror. Starlight struggled to stand up, her legs flailing before she managed to sit up. The first thing she saw was Sunburst’s wide eyes, dilated pupils and agape mouth. Starlight bit her lip in fear, glancing to see that part of the body’s revealed. Nopony spoke a word for what seemed like forever, Sunburst unable to get his agape mouth closed. Starlight’s mind was racing, he shouldn’t have figured this out. Nopony should’ve. “St-St-Starlight...” he gasped out, his voice completely drained, “I-It... was you?” “Now now now, this isn’t what it looks like!” Starlight cried, panicked. “Y-You stole a body from the graveyard?” Sunburst asked, his horrified eyes unable to leave the body. “N-No! Just...” she struggled to find the right words, “Just borrowed!” Sunburst greatly flinched at that answer as he looked at Starlight. “‘Borrowed’?” he asked, he began forming a glare, “Who just ‘borrows’ a body from a graveyard?!” Starlight growled in response, standing up, “Ponies who know what they’re doing for the greater good!” “How does this,” Sunburst motioned to the body, “Do anything for the greater good?! You could get arrested for this!” Starlight’s eyes widened in anger, her pupils shrinking, “Do not tell me that I can in regards to this!” “But I have to, Starlight! I thought you’d moved on from doing stuff like this!” “I did!” Starlight roared, “I found those scrolls! I’ve been working my flank off!” “It shouldn’t have been worked on if it was being led to this! You can’t just affect ponies that have passed on!” “What?! Do you believe in an afterlife?! Do you really think that ponies are truly happy in a life beyond this?!” “I’m not saying that it’s interfering with the natural order! You cannot undo death, it’s impossible!” “It’s not for me!” “Starlight!” “What?!” Starlight roared, “Should I not help other ponies?! Should I not keep those that’re loved alive?! Don’t you wish you lived in a world where death wasn’t around for them?!” “It would be wonderful, but it’s just wonderful thinking! Besides, even if there is an afterlife, would you possibly consider the fact that you might be stripping other ponies’ happiness and eternal rest from past dead members?!” “I can bring’em back! All of them!” “What if you can’t?! There’re some bodies that were never found!” Sunburst screamed, his glare matching Starlight’s. “So what?! I can turn this whole darn planet upside down until I find the slightest DNA from them all!” Starlight stomped hard on the ground. “Starlight, what you’re doing is crazy! You need to reconsider all of this!” “You will never understand! None of you will!” Starlight screamed, tears falling down her face, “You ponies are all so scared of the unknown that you won’t see the amazing stuff these spells can do!” “I don’t think this is a viable option for the unknown!” “Horseapples, Sunburst! I thought you of all ponies would appreciate me for pursuing this!” Sunburst’s eyes widened taking that like a punch to the gut. “And not to mention how you yourself were ALL about magic and are trying to stop me from doing this!!” “I think we need a better way!” “This is the way, Sunburst!” Starlight screamed, levitating him off the floor and throwing him to the outside, she stomped off after him, her horn glowing furiously. “I am going to Oogundaa! That’s where the last ingredient is! I WILL find it and there’s nothing anypony can do to stop me!” “No! Not in that direction!” Sunburst pleaded, “Please, Starlight, I’m begging you!” “Enough! Some supportive friend you are you no good unable to use magic freak!” Sunburst gasped, his eyes wide with horror and hurt. Some tears began to form in his eyes. But Starlight couldn’t stop her anger from spilling out. “St-Starlight...” “You were always a bookworm! No better than Twilight! You can never use magic like I can! You’re not talented like I am. I am more than capable of the unknown!!” Sunburst crawled on his back, trying to get away from his angry friend. “You got your cutie mark for nothing! You thought you had great magic potential, but no, you’re just a loser book freak that can’t cast even the simplest of spells! You’re a weakling Sunburst! Some childhood friend you were back when you abandoned me and now not supporting me now!” She stomped her hooves hard on the ground, “You haven’t lost a mother after you yelled at her! Wishing you could take it all back! And now I have this opportunity that you’re trying to take away!” By now, Sunburst was crying. Starlight’s eyes were filled with fury and her pupils seemed slightly duller. Heaving with anger, Starlight whirled around and went back inside the house, slammed the door while a surprised, saddened, and broken Sunburst let his tears fall. All while the mysterious bi-pedal animalistic figure watched in the shadows with a smirk.