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// The Stars In His Hooves 
// Story: Since Before the Stars Swirled 
// by The Real Darkness 
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The proud alicorn stood in Canterlot, ponies and all kinds of species were present, though they dwindled in number. The golden age of Equestria was coming to a close and the influx of ponies was from the collapse of the Crystal Empire.

He looked at the sky, seeing the stars appear as the sun was going down.

"You...you are the one up there and I...came from up there," he spoke aloud, ponies and creatures looked in awe and curiousity at him.

It was rare again for him to step out of his home, he used to do so often when his friends were alive.

"And you sent me on a journey with some points in mind, but I know...I know that you can't plan it all out with complete accuracy."

He was not seeking to defy the EverMore, but to play his cards right and force it to tell him the things he wanted.

"I wonder, banishment to the moon, why didn't Luna remember more than just the color of that rock."

He stared and stared as the moon eventually rose from Twilight's magic before he made his way to the grand plaze where many ponies and some creatures stood, especially changelings. Candles were lit in everypony's hooves.

He trotted to where Sunset was, taking a position next to her where she handed him a candle in silence and he lit it using his magic.

"I...everypony. Everycreature. As I start this vigil off, I see so many new faces among the old that joined us this night. I'm grateful that friends still flock to Canterlot," Twilight looked around, "and I'm grateful for all the old friends who still stand with me today," she looked to Discord across the plaza and then to Pulsar and Sunset, "tonight, we remember Flurry Heart, my niece, the ruler of the Crystal Empire."

"She was...a beautiful foal and grew into a beautiful mare," Twilight's tears started and Pulsar continued to maintain his new headstrong face, "let's hear some stories from everypony."

And one by one, ponies began telling stories of her and even some changelings chimed in with how she impacted their lives. Eventually no creature had any other stories to tell.

"I...I did not know her that well, but Pulsar has some words," Sunset spoke, egging the Prince of Magic to soothe Twilight more.

"I taught Flurry Heart, I taughter her magic from since she was a foal, I've watched another filly start from such a small, new to the world pony into the great mare she was, ruling with such compassion and love for every creature."

"She was an incredibly gifted alicorn, there was little in terms of magic she couldn't do."

He smiled, "and I was the one to commit her to the grave when I discovered her. It was how she wanted to pass, she didn't even want me there. The love of everypony was buried with her that day. But here...we send her spirit off to the stars where every creature who loved her too is," he smiled.

Twilight was crying and Sunset went to her other side, hugging her tight with her wing while Pulsar also hugged the Princess of Friendship from her left.

"So, tonight and continuing...let's remember her properly and show love for every creature," Pulsar smiled and the candles began moving about as everypony spoke with each other or chose to left.

"Discord! May we have a word?" The draconequess walked through the crowd, coming before the three alicorns.

"Discord, your hair certainly has grown out," Pulsar smiled, "I kinda like it. I have a favor to ask."

"Of course, Pulsar Splash."

"I want you with us, with the alicorns as well, you are our friend and I'm tired of seeing you mope around everywhere. You'll be with hanging out with Twilight, Sunset, and me as well."

He looked in shock, "we were basically friends once, who's to say we aren't friends now?"

Pulsar knew Twilight would need him.

And then he would need him.

"And, we can even have some showcases of chaos around Equestria."

"Sunset, Pulsar, Discord," Twilight named them, the three looking to her, a big smile graced her lips, "thank you so much for being my forever friends."

That was the one solace of immortality, you could gift someone with happiness forever. At the least, what forever was to them. And Pulsar had noticed a disappearance that everypony else might not have. Grief had overtaken their lives, to the point where the obvious went unnoticed and the missing stayed missing.

"Twilight...where is Starlight Glimmer?"