Mystic took a bottle of water, popped off the cap, and chugged the liquid down her throat.
Whew! A day’s work of studying and homework is done! she thought with a smile.
Mystic took in her surroundings. She was proud of how the main lobby of the school looked. The decorations were all in place. The unicorn stretched, cracking her neck and letting out a grunt of satisfaction.
“Hey, Mystic,” said Silverstream, hovering nearby. “What’s under your armpit?”
The unicorn paused and lifted her foreleg to see a brownish sun as part of her coat and skin. “Oh, I’ve had that ever since I was born.”
“A birthmark?”
Mystic nodded. “Yes. I don’t really think about it much since I’ve got it hidden under my outfit.”
“I admit, I’m still trying to get used to seeing you without it,” replied Silverstream.
“I guess I am a little bit, too,” Mystic smiled. “I don’t wear it when I’m in my hut only.”
“Oh, yeah,” said Silverstream, “I remember you mentioning them.” She leaned forward and whispered into Mystic’s ear, “By the way, I think ponies have been staring at you.”
Unfazed, Mystic looked to her right to see several students had been looking at her.
Mystic just grinned at the gawking students. “What? Never think you’d see such a sight?” She pointed at her bare flank. They just looked away and began talking with each other, though Mystic saw them glance at her briefly.
Early the next morning, Twilight trotted down her castle’s corridors to the library with several sheets of paper and a quill in her magic.
It’s time that all of us got together for Starlight’s sake, Twilight thought, looking to see Spike dusting the shelves off. Everything in her system just wanted a good, quiet moment with each of her friends after everything that was going on.
“Spike!” Twilight called, “I need you for something.”
The drake flew down from the shelves and hovered next to Twilight with a feather duster in his claws.
“What is it, Twilight?” he asked.
“I’m going to have all of us prepare a breakfast and get together for each of us and Starlight,” said Twilight.
“All right,” said Spike.
“I know Mystic has been trying to help her out, but I can’t help but shake the feeling that Starlight still is keeping something in,” said Twilight.
“Did you talk to Mystic about about her?”
“She told me some things, but nothing too deep enough,” said Twilight.
“Shouldn’t we give Starlight more space?” Spike asked, scratching his head.
“We’ve waited long enough,” said Twilight, “We have to try again as a unit.”
Spike sighed and took the papers and quill from Twilight.
Later in Sugarcube Corner’s kitchen, Pinkie was wide awake and mixing batter for some of Starlight’s treats.
“It’s a pretty day to make pretty pancakes!” Pinkie sang as she stirred a little harder, getting some of the bowl’s contents onto the counter.
“Pinkie,” a voice said in a hushed tone, “The twins are sleeping.”
Pinkie winced, “Sorry Mrs. Cake.” She went quiet and went back to her stirring, looking over her shoulder at the oven for the third time. Fifteen minutes remain.
Focus, Pinkie! Focus! Pinkie thought, grabbing a tray with sixteen cupcake holders.
However, she couldn’t keep the negative thoughts from entering her mind that she tried to suppress. After her ultimate party for Mystic, she received complaints from various ponies about how they were disrupting their nights and how messy Ponyville had gotten. It didn’t help that one was from Cranky.
Pinkie finished pouring the batter into the trays for the cupcakes. She trotted over to the oven and put them in on the bottom rack, making a mental note to get them out another fifteen minutes after the big cake.
Now for the pancakes! Pinkie thought with a slight grin.
As she went over to a bigger bowl on the other side of the kitchen, Pinkie giggled at the memory of Twilight helping her so much before they fixed up her castle. But it was replaced with more doubts.
Mystic didn’t seem to have enough fun until she ate and drank my Elixir, Pinkie thought, sulking. Poor Starlight... what if this breakfast won’t be enough to get her happy again?
She wanted to cry, not being able to help her friend. Pinkie pulled a ‘stress cupcake’ out of her mane and ate it.
In her boutique’s sewing room, Rarity had finished putting together silk drapes to hang in the dining room. She lightly smiled at her work. They were themed after Starlight’s colors and they had her cutie mark in the middle of them.
My generosity is a superstition... Rarity bit the lower end of her lip.
“Come on, Rarity, you know that you’re the most generous pony in Ponyville,” she told herself, picking up the drapes in her magic and carrying them out. Rarity descended the stairs and entered her kitchen. But when she did, she remembered how she had hung out with Sweetie a couple of days ago, but it was only for about an hour or so. It hadn’t felt like enough time with her closest family member.
What if my family and friends won’t need me anymore? Rarity thought. She began to sniffle, horrified at the thought. She wasn’t sure how well or bad things would go with Starlight.
Rarity shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts. The unicorn saw the plates of appetizers covered by plastic. She picked them up with her magic and began heading out of the kitchen.
As she walked to the door, Rarity did her best to keep her doubts at bay, but the memory of the disappointed looks on Sweetie’s face at every attempt to get her to hang out, caused her to stop again.
Rarity looked at her hooves, remembering how confident she was before. But the cloud of doubt has been hanging over her for far too long.
But what Rarity mostly didn’t notice, her friends, Applejack, Rainbow, and Fluttershy were all having insecurities and doubts of their own.
Mystic breathed in the fresh air of the cool morning. A breeze blew into her coat and onto her skin. She chuckled, still getting used to not wearing her outfit recently. Out of instruction from Twilight, she was looking outside of the castle for Starlight.
She could practically taste the pancakes Pinkie had been preparing and Applejack’s wonderful apple products. Before she could think of the food anymore, she saw Starlight off in the distance behind Twilight’s castle. Smiling, she headed over in that direction.
When she got close enough, she decided to give a casual greeting first.
“Hey, Starlight,” said Mystic. “You’re up early.”
“Oh, hi!” Starlight whirled around with a nervous laugh, “Ya know, the early bird gets the worm?”
“I’d never heard that saying before,” Mystic said with a teasing grin. Starlight just frowned in response, apparently not finding it humorous like Mystic. “Well, say something.”
“Okay, I just said something,” replied Starlight, turning back to the view of the field leading into the Everfree. Mystic stood next to the unicorn.
“Is everything all right?” Mystic asked. The was a small pause in the atmosphere, but Mystic kept herself silent, patiently waiting for Starlight to speak.
“Twilight and her friends have invited me to a breakfast this morning,” Starlight sulked.
“I heard,” replied Mystic, “Applejack had me help prepare some.”
“I see...” Starlight muttered, “But this is obviously another lame attempt for them to cheer me up.
“What’s wrong with that?” Mystic asked.
“Because,” Starlight looked up at her, “Because I feel like I don’t deserve it.”
“But you do,” said Mystic.
“You don’t understand, Mystic,” Starlight shook her head, “Things have been complicated for me and them.”
Mystic furrowed her brows, “Well, even if they are, I learned that you should at least try to--”
“And leave them with more burdens that are mine to carry?” Starlight glared.
“I’ve learned friendship is more than just that,” said Mystic. Starlight didn’t respond, she just simply looked away. Mystic tapped her chin.
Maybe if I made a deal with her, Mystic thought, slightly grinning.
“Starlight,” said Mystic, “What if I made you a deal?”
“A deal?” Starlight glanced back at her. Mystic nodded. “What do you have in mind?”
“How about this,” said Mystic. “If I teleport from here to the middle of that road,” she pointed to it about thirty feet away, “Then you’ll go to that breakfast. Deal?”
Starlight paused. “Fine. Let’s see how well I’ve taught you.”
Mystic felt some nervousness come to her, hoping that she would be able to pull it off. She brushed it off and looked at the nearby road.
Okay, you’ve got this! You can do it! Mystic lit her horn, concentrating her magic. She felt it surging through her system. Come on! Teleport! Teleport! Teleport! She felt herself getting tired and as if she wouldn’t be able to do it. No! Not this time! Go!
Then she heard a SHCHIM and swore she felt the ground beneath her change from grassy to gravel.
She heard Starlight let out a cheer. Mystic cracked open an eye to see she was standing in the middle of the road. Mystic gasped and turned around to see Starlight standing where she had been standing before.
“I... I did it,” Mystic whispered, locked onto Starlight’s amazed look. “I did it!” She laughed and concentrated her magic again. Mystic reappeared next to Starlight.
“Wow Mystic!” Starlight cried, smiling from ear to ear. “I’m so proud of you!”
“I had a good teacher,” Mystic beamed. “Thanks, Starlight.”
“Y-You’re welcome.”
Mystic patted her on the shoulder, “Now, let’s get you to that breakfast.”
Starlight froze. “Oh... that.”
“For the last time, we had a deal, and now you’ve got to follow through,” said Mystic as Starlight followed her close behind in the castle corridor.
“O-Okay...” Starlight mumbled. She began to feel very uneasy. This was a breakfast for her. She of all the ponies. She didn’t deserve any of what Twilight and her friends had given to her over the years. She firmly believed they were going to confront her over breakfast. She shivered, her heart began racing.
I just want them to leave me alone, why can’t they see that? Starlight thought, regret irking through her insides, It’s my fault that things have turned out this way, fully expecting them to be desperate and weepy, I was the one who allowed Nightfall to conceive his plan and nearly destroyed Equestria...
Mystic was only a few feet in front of her, and the double doors to the dining room were nearby.
“You ready?” Mystic asked, glancing back at her.
No. “Yes,” Starlight spoke weakly, no backing out now.
Mystic opened the doors with her magic and stepped inside. That action caused Starlight to recall Twilight’s lessons and how wonderful magic was, but they just felt insulting. My magic is a curse.
Starlight tried inhaling and exhaling to calm herself, but her fear continued to grow.
She entered the dining room, seeing the drapes themed after her. All of her closest friends were gathered around the table. She could see the pancakes, fruit dishes, donuts, orange juice in pitchers, along with plates, glasses, and utensils in front of the six chairs with two empty ones right across from each other.
“Hello Starlight,” Twilight smiled.
“H-Hi,” Starlight weakly waved to her. She hesitantly walked to the chair in front of her and sat down. She spotted several crackers with melted cheese nearby. Her favorite snack. She almost stifled when Mystic sat right in front of her.
They’ll know about what I tried to do if they don’t know already! Starlight thought.
“Let’s all dig in and enjoy breakfast!” Pinkie said happily, but Starlight noticed that her voice sounded a little down.
Starlight allowed everypony else to get whatever they wanted to eat. All of them murmured conversation to one another as Starlight halfheartedly grabbed a few donuts and appetizers to ensure they don’t think something was wrong. But they probably did know.
“You’re one of the best friends we’ve ever had, Starlight,” said Fluttershy.
“And we certainly adored having you be a part o’ our family,” Applejack said with a grin. Starlight grabbed one of her donuts and began chewing it.
Love. They all love me despite what I did.
Her actions, her unjustified actions, could be described in so many ways.
Absurd. For going out on a whim and with Sunburst in tow trying to look out for her. Selfish. Wanting to bring her mom back and justifying it as for the ‘good of all Equestria.’ Ridiculous. Outlandish.
Were they lying in order to save her for what she had done?
“Starlight,” said Twilight, causing the unicorn’s heart to leap. Her friends turned their attention to her. “We all gathered around today to give you a good time with good friends.” She gave the faintest of smiles. “As you know, we’ve been doing our best to get back on track with running things around here. However, we want to, out of consideration for a while now, we want to be here for you and allow you to be completely comfortable in your life again.”
“You’re just doing this out of pity?” Starlight asked.
“No,” Twilight said, a little too quickly for Starlight’s liking, “We just want to all pitch in and help you through whatever you need.” Starlight swore she saw a little uncertainty in Pinkie’s look.
They haven’t truly moved on, they’re all here to confront me! Starlight thought, her heart beginning to race, why couldn’t they just leave her be? “I-I’ve been seeing different ponies that are helping me get back on track.” She looked at Mystic. “Didn’t Mystic mention our fun times together?”
“Yes.”
“The times we had together were interesting,” said Mystic, “But I think the others need to speak with you.”
“But you and I both know that I’m fine!” Starlight smiled brightly, “I’m just...”
“You’re just wanting things to go back to normal, I know,” said Mystic, grabbing some pancakes with a fork and taking a bite of them.
“But I’ve been trying to talk with you over and over again, Starlight,” said Twilight.
“And you kept shutting her and us out,” Rainbow added, which earned her a glare from Applejack.
Oh, boy, here we go, “I appreciate your efforts, but they aren't helping, it's annoying.” She looked right at her friends, “Why can’t you just accept that I’m just wanting to move on?”
“Because of Oogundaa,” said Spike.
Starlight froze, and she knew everycreature in the room noticed. No! I am done! I am finished trying to keep myself from resuming things as they need to be!
“Why did you go out there?” Applejack asked.
“We’ve all been worried about you ever since you’ve returned, and more so before the journey to find you,” Rarity added, sipping her orange juice.
“I’ve got my reasons,” Starlight said, grabbing a glass with her hoof and gulping down her orange juice. She reached over to grab the pitcher to fill her glass. But her hoof wasn’t able to grab it like she wanted. She tried getting it from the outside.
“Starlight, you know you can pick it up with your magic,” said Twilight, “Why aren’t you?”
“I just don’t want to use magic!” Starlight blurted out. Gasps pierced the room. Starlight froze. Oh, horseapples! But the damage was done. All of her friends and Mystic were wide-eyed and Twilight had her jaw agape.
“What did you just say?!” Rarity cried.
“Say what?!” Applejack shouted.
“I-I mean, I just am trying to do new things without magic!” Starlight waved her hoof in front of herself, “It wasn’t how like it sounded!”
“But why wouldn’t you want to use your magic?” Fluttershy asked, now sitting straight up with a frown.
“I...”
“Starlight, is there something wrong with your horn?” Twilight asked, “Is it hurting?”
“No!” Starlight said hastily, she saw Mystic’s eyes were as wide as saucers.
“Talk to us, please,” Rarity begged.
“I’ve caused too much trouble with my magic!” Starlight screamed, causing her friends’ to go silent again, but she wasn’t finished. “If you recall, I hypnotized most of you, tried to bottle my anger, switched Celestia and Luna’s cutie marks, using magic to solve my problems, and I...” She cut herself off, almost revealing digging up a corpse to experiment on to revive her mother.
“Starlight, we’ve forgiven you for your mistakes,” said Rarity.
“And what has that accomplished? I’m completely impulsive to my magic!”
“But you’ve done so many wonderful things, Starlight,” said Spike, “Like helping repair the Crystal Heart, defeating Chrysalis, and helping us reach Stygian.”
I’m done trying to hide the pony I truly am! Starlight thought, “What I’ve done in my past and with my magic pales in comparison to all of that.” She squeezed her eyes shut, “It’s been made clear that I’ve been nothing but a selfish, numbskulled pony that has been treating your good wills with nothing but animosity.”
“Then what do you want us to do?!” Pinkie cried.
“Just stop butting into my life and leave me be,” said Starlight, opening her eyes and getting up, “Can’t you see that’s all I ever wanted?”
“Did you honestly think that we could jus’ go back ta normal on a whim, Starlight?” Applejack shouted. “We can’t jus’ turn a blind eye to somethin’ that happened to one of our own!”
One that didn’t deserve any of this, Starlight thought. She saw the sad looks in her friends’ eyes, including Mystic.
“I’m grateful and appreciate you girls trying so hard and wanting to help me as the best you could, but when I request something, and you do something extravagant as this,” she motioned to the drapes, the table, and the food, “It’s rather embarrassing and just puts a bad taste in my mouth.” She closed her eyes again, knowing she was probably lying again, “You all taught me that friendship is about looking to the interests of others, even when they don’t understand it.”
“Is that why you were pursuing the spell hypotheses?” Rainbow suddenly asked.
“Rainbow Dash!” Rarity shouted as Starlight’s eyes popped open.
“We should’ve confronted her over this a long time ago,” said Rainbow, “We’ve been bad friends for not helping her sooner!” The brash pegasus just affirmed Starlight’s fears.
“Confronted me?” Starlight whispered.
“That’s not what Dashie meant!” Pinkie cried.
“It sure as crap sounded like it!”
“It’s not what she meant,” Twilight cut in.
“I get you’re all mad at me,” Starlight began, taking a breath in.
“We’re not mad at you,” said Rarity.
“We’re just upset!” said Rainbow, hovering above her seat. Starlight noticed that Fluttershy looked on the verge of tears. She felt horrible and like a truly lame friend, after all, they had done for her over the years.
“There was no intention of us wanting to pressure, annoy, or just get in the way of your life,” said Pinkie, getting up, and wrapping comforting forehooves around Fluttershy. And, she was right.
“Why didn't you tell us what your plan was when you went out there, Starlight?” Twilight asked softly.
“Because I didn’t...” Starlight held back a choke, “Want to put any more burdens when you and the others were going through concerning the school.” She cleared her throat, “And if I wasn’t right, I wouldn’t have wanted you all to be there for nothing.” She sighed, rubbing a hoof through her mane, “I just... wanted to do something that was for the good of all Equestria.”
“What were you planning?” Mystic suddenly asked.
Starlight blinked back some tears, feeling the urge to spill about what happened came in full force. She held her chest, unable to bring herself to tell them why she was really out there.
“It doesn’t matter,” Starlight whispered.
“Doesn’t matter?!” Twilight gasped, eyes wide as she stood up. “Of course, it matters! We want to help but you--”
“Go ahead! Just admit it,” Starlight glared.
“Admit what?” Twilight asked.
“That all of you know what I tried to do and you’re just trying to appease yourselves to help a pony who’s not worthy of your time!” Starlight screamed.
“Did what?” Twilight asked.
“I mean, have you been listening to our conversation?” Starlight demanded, slamming her hooves onto the table, “You know about Oogundaa and more!”
“Starlight, we know Nightfall was the one who put you under a spell to go out there!” Twilight said desperately.
“Oh, you don’t believe that,” Starlight hissed, getting up, “Why can’t you admit that I betrayed your trust and was foolhardy in my planning once again?!”
Rainbow had opened her mouth again, but Applejack put her hoof up against it, silencing the pegasus.
“You’re asking too much that we cannot do!” said Pinkie, a deep frown on her face.
“What? You think I don’t accept my mistakes so close to my heart and how I long and yearn for Sunburst’s return?” Starlight asked, unable to stop a tear from rolling down her cheek. She began to step towards the door, “Look, I am sorry for wasting all of your time.” She began to crack it open.
“W-Wait!” Rainbow cried desperately.
“Don’t go and just destroy yourself in your self pity!” Pinkie cried.
Starlight froze. How did they... She suddenly realized.
Mystic told them.
She turned and looked over at the young filly, barely noticing her friends were standing close by.
“I had to tell them,” said Mystic, crossing her forelegs “I know I promised to keep things between us, but Twilight was adamant. I’m sorry.” Starlight felt betrayed, she wanted to lash out at Mystic, but she couldn’t bring herself to. “You’re destroying yourself in your own self-pity, and I had half a mind to tell without Twilight’s urgency.” Starlight opened her mouth to respond, but her words died on her lips.
Now they’ll never believe that I’m okay...
“Starlight,” said Twilight, “We’re just upset and we all couldn’t help but feel--”
“Responsible?” Starlight cut in, “This is why I’ve been wanting you all just to leave me alone and get back to your own lives! You all just can’t leave it alone that I am fine--”
“Why haven’t you told us you felt this bad?” Rainbow demanded.
Starlight looked to see Mystic had vanished from the spot she had been sitting at.
“I am begging all of you...” Starlight’s voice went into a murmur, “Please, for the sake of us all, now that you’re caught up in your worlds, just leave me be...”
“We jus’ can’t do that, Star!” Applejack inquired.
“Then try harder,” Starlight hissed. “I’m not going to go over any more of this melodrama!”
Without hesitation, Starlight turned and ran off. She could hear her friends call out for her but she just kept running. She wouldn’t let herself cry. She couldn’t because she was a selfish, lying, and inconsiderate pony.
Starlight ran out of the castle, not caring who was in her way.
Why do I continue to do this to the ponies I love? Starlight thought. They’re always trying to help but I lie. And on top of those lies, I just lie some more!
And that was besides turning into a maniac in front of the breakfast table.
I know I’m supposed to be good friends and talk through and work things out, but I’m just so... broken! Starlight began to sob, hating herself for it. I’m so pathetic and deserve to suffer! She began to slow down, running out of energy. My friendships are ruined all because of my selfish, stupid actions!
The cat was out of the bag, Twilight and the others probably hated her now and were probably looking into how horrible her actions were before and during Oogundaa.
It was as Nightfall said, Starlight thought, as she slowed to a trot and came to a stop next to a street in Ponyville, Everypony will know what I did and what I tried to do...
Her mother would hate her. Would be disappointed in her. It wouldn’t surprise her if her ever-loving father would as well.
“What was I thinking? I’m just a national disgrace,” she muttered, getting up.
“Hey,” said Mystic. Starlight whirled around to see the unicorn leaning against a pillar. Starlight wanted to scream at her for letting some of her secrets out, but she was too upset and exhausted to even try.
“Everypony’s tried to talk to me and cheer me up,” said Starlight, turning and walking away. “So, don’t even bother.”
“Oh, I’m not,” said Mystic, now walking alongside her.
“Really?” Starlight snarled defensively.
“I’ve come to know that you want your space, Starlight,” said Mystic, not phased at all, “Wanting to just move on.”
“It’s just so annoying with them practically over my shoulder, trying to ensure that me, Starlight, a broken pony is okay and comfortable and accepted into their ways of friendship!”
“We all don’t deserve that kind of stuff, Starlight,” said Mystic. Then, Mystic spoke in probably the most honest and softest tone Starlight had ever heard. “I do care for you.” Mystic gently walked up to her and placed a gentle hoof on her cheek, “I know you, Starlight, please don’t try and leave me out. You can speak to me when you wish, but just don’t close yourself off of your friendships.” Starlight observed Mystic. She saw something else within her eyes and her body was visibly more submissive and not as tense.
But Starlight’s anger and defensiveness hadn’t dwindled.
“Why are you weaving me around your hoof just so I can stay around you?” Starlight asked. Really, why are you still doing this?! Starlight just stood there, unmoving and observing Mystic like a hawk.
“Do you truly believe that?” Mystic suddenly asked.
Starlight opened her mouth, but Mystic’s simple question just stopped her cold. Everything from the past few months from visiting her mom’s grave, the spells, Oogundaa, Nightfall, and the recent events all flashed through the mare’s head. Her face began to fall as she felt tears beginning to well up.
“No...” Starlight whispered.
Starlight couldn’t keep her emotions in check anymore. She allowed herself to become vulnerable. Mystic was here, and the only pony she was connected to recently. Starlight began sobbing, not sure what to do other than just cry.
Suddenly, Mystic lunged forward and hugged Starlight tight causing the unicorn to stifle a gasp as she froze for the umpteenth time. Mystic just held on as if her life depended on it. The tears rolled down Starlight’s cheeks like a waterfall as she let all of her emotions out onto Mystic’s shoulder. She barely noticed herself being sat down as the sobs rolled out.
Starlight didn’t know how long she had cried, but it felt like an eternity until she was finally exhausted. She just hugged her newest friend, one that she cared about, and the selfish part of her was happy to have a shoulder to cry on.
The unicorn opened her eyes to see the street that they sat next to—
Only to see Nightfall standing in the middle of it.
“Nightfall!” Starlight shrieked, causing Mystic to jump. Only when she blinked, he was gone. Starlight frantically looked around, eyes wide and heaving hard.
“Where are you?!” Starlight shouted, getting up and running to where he was, her vision becoming red as steam escaped her nostrils.
“Whoa! Whoa!” cried Mystic, suddenly appearing in front of her and grabbing ahold of Starlight’s shoulders. “Starlight, calm down! There’s nothing here!”
“But I saw him! He was out in the middle of the street!”
“What?!”
“I need to find and stop him! I need to--” Starlight froze when she felt a pair of forelegs wrap tightly around her barrel.
“Shhhhhhhh,” said Mystic as Starlight sat down along with her comforter again.
Mystic just rubbed her hoof up and down Starlight’s back, not paying attention to the staring eyes.
“I swear, I saw him...” Starlight whispered.
“Did anypony else see anything in the middle of the street?” Mystic asked the surrounding ponies.
“No,” replied one of them, followed by a series of ponies shaking their heads and multiple no’s. Mystic just hugged Starlight tighter as she recalled seeing a figure that looked like Nightfall outside the Liberator camp just before they fell. Nopony else, including Song or Juan, noticed him.
“I’m crazy, I’m just going crazy,” Starlight whimpered.
“Starlight, you’re not crazy,” said Mystic.
“How?” Starlight demanded, looking at her, causing Mystic to tense.
“Y-you’re... just not... I know somepony who hallucinated her nightmares onto the real world sometimes,” said Mystic.
Starlight paused. “Y-You do?”
Mystic nodded. “Yeah, but she hasn’t been sure lately if she had seen a nightmare or not. But the main thing she tries to do is to close her eyes and count to ten.”
“D-Does she ever get scared that what she’s seeing might be real?” Starlight shivered.
“Plenty of times,” said Mystic. “But she’s grown more used to them and she lives her life day to day in light of fear and uncertainty to keep pushing herself forward.”
Starlight began to inhale and exhale, trying to calm herself down. But Mystic tried to think of who she was talking about as somepony else, rather than herself. But it wasn’t working as she’d hoped.
“Who is this mare?” Starlight asked.
Mystic sighed, “She’s somepony who’s uncertain in what she’s dealing with. Thinks the world is against her sometimes. A lot like you, Starlight.”
“M-Me?” Starlight asked.
“Yeah,” replied Mystic. “She wouldn’t want to see you going through what you’re going through.”
“I see...”
“But she would try and go with what you want,” said Mystic, “And if you want to talk, she would want to listen with open ears.”
Starlight didn’t say anything as she sat there with a pony who believed she didn’t deserve as a friend.
Later, Mystic and Starlight both sat on a bench in Ponyville’s park. The day was nice, but Starlight couldn’t bring herself to enjoy it.
Another pony is suffering like I am? Starlight thought, And like Mystic? Her heart ached for them.
Both of them hadn’t said anything since they had left the streets to just sit.
Maybe I’ll make it clearer that I want them to leave me and my life alone, Starlight thought, scratching her neck, But it’ll take a while to do so...
“You’re like a safe that doesn’t want to open, Star,” said Mystic.
“Oooh, and you’re the one to talk first,” Starlight said, “You keep most of what’s behind you a secret, too.”
“And you were acting irrationally when it came to the breakfast table when it came to yours, too.”
Starlight let out a dry chuckle. “Wow, we’re both hypocrites.”
“I guess we both suck, huh?” Mystic asked with a slight smile.
“I suck even more!” said Starlight, crossing her forelegs.
“But why did you want to teach me magic if you hated it?” Mystic asked softly.
Starlight felt her stomach knot, “I think you know.”
“Okay.”
Starlight expected Mystic to ask another question, but both mares just sat there in silence again. A cool breeze blew by as birds chirped in nearby trees. However, there was one more question Starlight needed to ask.
“Why even try with me, Mystic?” Starlight asked. “You know how I became after Oogundaa.”
“I do,” Mystic wryly grinned, “Yet, I just found it within myself to help somehow.” She looked at Starlight. “I do want to help, but I just suck at this stuff, Starlight. Maybe you’re better off with Trixie at the spa.”
Starlight chuckled. “Oh, no, despite our... issues, I have enjoyed being sucky with you.”
Mystic laughed heartedly. “I’ve been sucky my whole life, Star.”
Starlight returned the laugh. She examined Mystic once again. She felt as if things were real between the two of them. Mystic was just being herself.
“I guess we’re two of a kind, aren’t we?” Mystic asked.
“In a lot of ways,” replied Starlight.
“If you ever want to open up,” said Mystic, “I’ll open up myself.”
Starlight nodded. She had a thought to spill out the information about her mother and what she tried to do. But something pulled her back from saying something, causing the unicorn to curse herself.
“To being terrible?” Starlight gave a crooked grin.
Mystic smiled back. “To being terrible.”
That didn’t go as I hoped... Mystic thought, walking back to the Castle's dining room, Bonding over being terrible? Yeah, great job, Mystic.
She didn’t know how honest she was about ‘opening up’ like she said but it was a huge effort just to tell her a little bit about herself. It always was. Yet, it seemed like Starlight was deteriorating in front of her, and she thought she had done so a long time ago.
Why do I feel like I’m standing firm and... she’s not? Mystic thought, the memories of the last week or so returned. When she opened the dining-room door, she saw only Twilight cleaning up what was left of the dishes from the table.
“Well, that was a disaster,” Twilight muttered. Mystic could make out a distressed look on the alicorn’s face. Before she could say anything, Twilight noticed her. “How is she?”
Mystic shrugged, “About as you’d expect.”
“Did you talk to her? What did she say?” Twilight asked in a desperate tone, trotting up to Mystic.
“I just went up to her, comforted her, and allowed her to have a minute,” said Mystic, “If you’re going to help her, you need to take better delicate measures in this situation.”
“I...” Twilight had raised a hoof, but she put it back down.
“You can’t decide when she’ll be ready, Twilight,” said Mystic, remembering some events with the Liberators, “Trust me, I know.”
“I’m just so tired of not being able to get into this sweet, wonderful pony,” said Twilight, a huge frown on her face, “I feel as if I’ve failed her.”
“She’s still here, isn’t she?”
“But she’s just totally disconnected from us!” Twilight cried, “I need to fulfill my duties and help her out!” She sniffed. Mystic sighed and believed she wouldn’t get anywhere with this.
“She believed she saw Nightfall in the middle of the street,” Mystic said. Twilight’s eyes widened. “It was a hallucination, but it seems like she’s had Nightfall a lot on her mind lately.”
“Because of what he did to her?” Twilight held a hoof close to her lips.
“Maybe, I don’t know,” said Mystic, “Twilight, I’m no expert in dealing with a pony in Starlight’s... condition, I think she might need to see a professional.”
“I was thinking that, but when I asked at one point, she was adamant she was fine and refused to go through with it,” replied Twilight.
“Sometimes you just need to cut through a pony’s objections and get them the better help they deserve,” said Mystic, though a small part felt she was betraying Starlight a little.
“What about you, Mystic?”
Mystic slightly reeled back. “What about me?”
“Don’t you need some help, too?”
Mystic shook her head. “I’ve found my way in my life, Twilight. I’m just along for the ride on the magic of friendship as set in motion by you.” She pointed at the alicorn, “Don’t try to change the subject again.”
“All right,” Twilight said with a defeated look. Mystic wasn’t sure if the alicorn was convinced, but Mystic decided to teleport away to keep herself from more questions.