The True Meaning of Starlight

by SaburoDaimando

The True Meaning of Starlight Part 2

As the evening sky blessed New Ponyville with a beautiful glow, ponies made their way down the streets.  Some went shopping for presents.  Others went for food and various necessities.  But as for Starlight Glimmer, she followed Minty down the streets before making their way towards a nearby house, where the windows emit a whitish glow.

“This is your place?”  Starlight Glimmer asked.

“Home sweet home,” Minty said as she pulled a key out of her mane.

Minty placed the key into the keyhole and turned it all the way.  Then she turned the knob on the door before opening it.  

“Come on in,” Minty said to Starlight.  “You’ll love this place.”

Minty stepped into the house as Starlight slowly made her way up to the steps.

“It’s okay, Starlight,” Starlight said to herself.  “A friendly pony is letting you into her house.  Don’t let anything go wrong for you.”

But as Starlight Glimmer made her way towards the house, she tripped over the stairs and fumbled through the doorway before landing on the carpet.  Minty looked down at Starlight before giggling.

“Oh you remind me of how I often fell down,” Minty said before holding her hoof out.  “But don’t worry.  I still have my klutzy moments.”

Starlight Glimmer reached out and grabbed onto Minty’s hoof before the turquoise earth pony lifted her up.  Starlight stumbled for a bit before Minty grabbed her with her arms and held her close.

“It’s okay,” Minty said.  “I’ve got you.”

Starlight looked up at Minty.  The twin-tailed filly took a deep breath before lifting herself out of the earth pony’s arms.  After her arms were firm on the floor, Starlight looked up at Minty, who placed her arms down on the ground.

“That was a close one,” Starlight said.  “Thanks, Minty.”

“Anytime, Starlight,” Minty said.  “Now, I must show you the new socks I made.”

Minty led Starlight through her living room before heading down the hallway and into another room.  Atop a table were various pairs of socks, grouped up together.  While they all had colors that represented christmas, each of them had a familiar mark that represented a pony’s cutie mark.   Starlight walked up to the table and gazed at the socks.

“You made all of those?”  Starlight asked.

“I did,” Minty said.  “Every sock that you see was hoof-knitted by yours truly, and with the help of a little machine.  Take a look.”

Starlight turned to her left where Minty held her hoof to the side.  Next to her was a small circular sock machine with a threat of lavender wool yarn looped in.

“Wow,” Starlight said.  “I didn’t know you had something like that in your house.”

“A great sock maker needs all the tools to help make the socks extra special,” Minty said.  “But regardless, these socks were made with love.  Watch.”

Minty sat down on the stool before pressing a button on the machine, whirling to life.  In an instant, the machine spun, knitting the yarn together as fast as possible.  As the yarn spun off the spool, a sock was forming within the radius.   

“Amazing,” Starlight said.  “How did you get this machine?”

“It was a gift from Rarity,” Minty said.  “She said she appreciated it if I sped up my process of making socks for every pony.  I was against the idea, because I liked hoof-making my own socks.  But after giving this a test, I realized why she recommended it.”

Immediately, Minty pressed a button on the machine, causing it to stop.  With a flick of her hooves.  Minty pulled out the sock and stitched it together before showing the completed stocking to Starlight.

“It means less time to worry about making these socks and more time spent enjoying life itself,” Minty said.

“That is wonderful,” Starlight said as she clapped her hooves for Minty.

“So here’s the plan,” Minty said as she got off the stool with the newly made sock in her hoof.  “All you have to do is deliver these socks to each house in New Ponyville.  They’ve left their doors open so you can head inside and place them on a hook attached to the top of the hearth.”

“That sounds great and all,” Starlight said.  “But how do I transport them?”

“Oh silly me,” Minty said.  “I forgot to bring out my favorite bag.”

Minty reached below the table with the socks on top, and pulled out a red cloth sack.  She grabbed each pair of socks and threw them into the sack.

“You think of everything, Minty,” Starlight said.  “You’ll bet I’ll do this.”

“That’s the spirit, Starlight,” Minty said as she placed a few more of the socks into the bag and tied it up.  “With these socks, you’re sure to spread some holiday cheer for all of New Ponyville.”

Starlight reached out and hugged Minty for a moment before picking up the sack of socks with her magic.  She walked towards the exit of the room before turning back to Minty.

“This one is for a wonderful Christmas,” Starlight said.

“Best of luck to you, Starlight Glimmer,” Minty said as she waved to Starlight.

“Oh I will,” Starlight replied.

In a flash, Starlight walked down through the hall and living room before emerging from Minty’s front door.  She made her way down the streets of New Ponyville before stopping by a nearby house.

“This must be Thistle Whistle’s house,” Starlight said.  “I’ll go stop by her place first.”

Starlight made her way up to the door and opened it.  She looked inside and saw a christmas tree standing in a nearby corner of the living room.  Nearby was a hearth with a fire burning within.   She was quick to see a hook sticking out from atop the hearth.

“That must be it,” Starlight said before pulling out a pair of socks with flowers and a bee for a cutie mark.  “Well.  Time to get to work.”

Starlight Glimmer slowly walked up to the hearth with the socks in her right hoof.  She reached out and placed the socks gently on the hook attached to the hearth.

“Wow,” Starlight said.  “Minty wasn’t kidding when she told me about this.”

But as Starlight turned around, she bumped into a pegasi mare before falling to the ground.  She looked up and saw the mare looking down at her.

“Starlight?”  The mare said.  “What are you doing here?”

“Oh hi Thistle Whistle,” Starlight said as she got herself up.  “Minty asked me to deliver socks across all of New Ponyville for Christmas.”

“Minty asked you to deliver the socks this year?”  Thistle Whistle said as Starlight got herself up.  “It means you’re finally making your mark for the holidays.”

“Thanks,” Starlight said.  “But I hope I can get this done before the evening is over.”

As Starlight made her way back to the entrance where her sack of socks were, Thistle Whistle looked at the socks that were hanging on the hearth before pulling them off.

“That Minty,” Thistle Whistle said.  “She never fails when it comes to her famous socks.”  Thistle Whistle turned to Starlight and added “Tell her thanks.  I appreciate it.”

“Anytime, Thistle,” Starlight waved before she picked up the sock sack and made her way out.

Starlight Glimmer made her way down the street once more until she noticed a house shaped like a carousel in front of her.

“Rarity’s carousel boutique,” Starlight laughed. “How can I forget it when it sticks out like a sore hoof?”

As Starlight approached the door, it swung wide open in an instant, where Rarity immediately stepped out and noticed the twin-tailed filly.

“Starlight, darling,” Rarity said.  “I’m surprised to see you filling in for Minty.”

“Well it was something to help make my mark for Christmas this year,” Starlight said as she placed her hoof into the sack.  “Here.  I’ve got your pair of socks that Minty made for you.”

Starlight pulled out a pair of socks with diamonds on legging before she held it out to Rarity.  The white unicorn looked at the socks before her eyes dazzled.

“Oh these are simply divine, darling,” Rarity said as she accepted the socks.  “But you must come in.  I still need some help with my new dress.”

“I don’t know,” Starlight said.  “I’m in a hurry to deliver these socks and…”

“I’ll make it worth your while,” Rarity said before pulling some bits out of her purse.

“Ahh what the hay,” Starlight said, seeing the bits in Rarity’s hoof.  “Count me in.”

With that, Starlight Glimmer followed Rarity inside, carrying the sack of socks with her.  Moments later, the door closed.

Inside, Starlight stood atop a platform as Rarity stitched together a light-blue/whitish gown on her.

“So,” Starlight asked.  “This looks like a nice dress.”

“It is, darling,” Rarity said.  “A special dress that reflects the very magic of winter itself.  I want to showcase it during the Christmas party.”

“Winter is a magical place,” Starlight said.  “Especially at night.”

“That you’re right about, darling,”  Rarity said as she applied another stitch to the dress.

“By the way,” Starlight asked.  “Minty said that you got her a circular sock maker a few years back.”

“I did,”  Rarity said.  “And for a good reason.  Minty loves to make socks every Christmas.  But she often wore herself out in the process.  I felt sorry for her, so I got her a sock maker so she doesn’t have to burn herself out.”

“She burns herself out?” Starlight asked.

“Hoo boy,”  Rarity said.   “It was a few years ago around Christmas.  I invited Minty into the boutique where she made her usual sock deliveries.  But as soon as she placed my socks on the hearth, she collapsed from exhaustion.” 

“That’s horrible,” Starlight said.

“When I looked at her hooves, I noticed she had worn herself out making as many socks as possible,” Rarity said.  “I felt sorry for poor Minty.  So I got her a circular sock maker for Christmas not only to help ease the process, but for her own well-being.”

“I’m glad you thought of it, Rarity,” Starlight said.

“It’s great that she delivers socks to us during Christmas,” Rarity said as she applied the final stitches to the dress  “But at the same time, she also has to look after her own well-being.  Even a great sock maker can’t deliver socks if her health is poor.”

“That, I’ll keep in mind, Rarity,” Starlight said.

Rarity took a few steps back from Starlight Glimmer, who struck a pose with the dress completely on.

“There,” Rarity said.  “That looks gorgeous, like it captures the very essence of winter itself.”

A half-hour later, Starlight Glimmer left the boutique with her sack on her back, while Rarity waved to the twin-tailed filly.  Next to her was the dress that Starlight wore, now fitted onto a mannequin. 

“Thanks for the socks and for your assistance, Starlight,”  Rarity waved.  “Go get yourself something nice.”

“I will, Rarity,” Starlight waved back.

As Starlight Glimmer made her way down the streets of New Ponyville, she stopped by a red house with a yellow roof on it.

“That must be Sprout Cloverleaf’s house,” Starlight said.  “Well, I better get his sock ready.”

Starlight Glimmer pulled a pair of socks with a turnip on the legging out of the sack before she opened the door and went inside.  Within the house, there was a christmas tree with ornaments shaped like a red stallion on it.

“Well,” Starlight laughed.  “That’s just like Sprout to be so full of himself.”

As Starlight Glimmer placed Sprout’s socks on the hook hanging on the hearth, her ears picked up the sound of a young stallion singing through a powerful reverb.

“Someone must be playing something popular on the radio,” Starlight said.  “I wonder who it is.”

Starlight Glimmer made her way down the house before coming towards a closed door where the singing is the loudest.  She looked at the light that emitted from beneath the door.

“This must be where the music is coming from,” Starlight said.  “I should ask Sprout what that is.”

Starlight Glimmer turned the knob of the door and opened it, where it led into a bathroom.  Inside, she saw the shadow of a young stallion from behind a curtain, taking a shower while singing loudly.

“That sounds so fun,” Starlight cheered. 

Suddenly, the stallion came to a stop before turning towards Starlight.  He pulled open the curtain where it is none other than Sprout Cloverleaf.  Sprout looked down at Starlight, who began to blush.

“Uhhh….hi,” Starlight waved.

“AHHHHHHH!” Sprout screamed.  “GET OUT OF HERE THIS INSTANT!”

Immediately, Sprout threw a bar of soap and a wash brush right at Starlight Glimmer, forcing the twin-tailed mare to  shut the door to the bathroom in a hurry.  The brush and soap hit the door before falling to the ground.

Outside of the bathroom, Starlight Glimmer slowly walked away, her face still beet-red.

“I am never going to get that image out of my mind,” Starlight said.

A bit later, Starlight made her way down the streets once more, still beet-red from early on, but also carrying the sack of socks on her back.

“I wonder if Minty went through a scenario like that,” Starlight said to herself.  “That’s a story I might ask once I’m done.”

As Starlight made her way down the street, she noticed a house that was shaped like a cupcake.  She looked at the door, which was swung wide open, and noticed the light emitting from inside.

“I think this might be Pinkie Pie’s place,” Starlight Glimmer said.  “I believe it’s called the Sugar Cube Corner.  But if Pinkie Pie’s at the palace, helping out with preparing for the Christmas party, then who’s in there?”

Starlight Glimmer slowly made her way up the single stair before she opened the door and looked inside.  The store was filled to the brim with sweets and baked goods, some of them behind a glass display.  Next to the cash register was a box that said “For Princess Wanda.  Gluten Free.”  

As Starlight looked around the lobby of the Sugar Cube Corner, she took a sniff of the air before she licked her lips.

“That smells so good,” Starlight said. “I wonder what’s being made.”

But in an instant, Pinkie Pie popped up in front of Starlight and yelled “SURPRISE!”

Starlight screamed loudly before tripping and falling down on her back, landing atop the sack of socks.  Pinkie Pie looked at Starlight before taking a glance at the socks.

“Hey Starlight,” Pinkie Pie said.  “Are you here to deliver socks on behalf of the legendary sock maker Minty?”

“Y-yeah,” Starlight said as she rolled off the sock sack and got back on her four hooves.  “But how come you’re already home?”

“Oh easy,” Pinkie Pie giggled.  “Danged Spell and Sunburst were doing a great job in putting the party together.  So I came back to help get some tasty treats back to the castle, including one for Princess Wanda.”

“Is that the box you’re talking about?”  Starlight asked, pointing to the box with Wanda’s name on it.  “And why does it say Gluten Free?”

Pinkie Pie walked up to the box with Wanda’s name before picking it up.  She looked inside to see a number of cupcakes fill the interior before closing it.

“Did anyone ever tell you that Wanda has celiac disease?” Pinkie Pie responded.

“No,” Starlight said.  “What’s that?”

“Let’s just say that if anyone with this disease eats any kind of gluten-based foods like wheat, barley or rye, their immune system would have a panic attack,” Pinkie Pie said. 

“That’s horrible,” Starlight said.  “I never knew something like that could exist.”

“Oh you better believe it,” Pinkie Pie said as she hopped back to Starlight.  “As one of the bakeries with a dedicated gluten-free kitchen, I do what I can to make baked goods separate from everything else for the Princess.  But sometimes, her sister Sunset Shimmer orders the same thing she orders out of sympathy.”

“That does leave me one question,” Starlight said.  “How did Wanda and Sunset become sisters?”

“That’s a story for another time,” Pinkie PIe said.  “But you can thank Princess Celestia for raising those two into wonderful rulers.”

But as Pinkie Pie was about to bounce out of the Sugar Cube Corner, Starlight immediately reached into the sock sack and pulled out a pair of socks with balloons on the legging.

“Hold on,” Starlight said.  “I have your socks, Pinkie.”

“Niiiiiice,” Pinkie Pie said as she came to a stop.  “Feel free to hang them any place you desire like Minty does.”

“No problem,” Starlight said.  

As Pinkie Pie made her way out of the Sugar Cube Corner, Starlight Glimmer walked up  to the cash register and noticed a hook hanging on the stand below it.  She placed the sock on the hook before taking a few steps.

“Oh Pinkie,” Starlight said.  “I wish I was more like you.  So carefree.  So optimistic.  So energetic.”

A few moments later, Starlight Glimmer walked down the streets of New Ponyville, going door-to-door to deliver as many socks as she could.  One by one, each pony accepted their sock gift, thanking the twin-tailed pony for her delivery.

Some of them said “Oh thank you Starlight.  Minty put a lot of faith in you.”

Others said “Oh bless your and Minty’s heart, Starlight.”

There were even those who said “Tell Minty that I appreciate this, Starlight.”

But as the evening went on, Starlight Glimmer looked tired as she walked around the village square.  Starlight placed her sock sack on the bench before sitting down.

“Whew,” Starlight Glimmer said.  “Who knew delivering socks would be so exhausting.  I need a break.”

Starlight laid back on the bench and looked up at the stars that emerged.  Each of them lit up the sky like diamonds.  Starlight Glimmer looked at the shiniest star and reached out with her right hoof.

“Star light, star bright,” Starlight said.  “First star I see tonight.  I wish I may, I wish I might, have the wish I wish tonight.”

As Starlight placed her hoof down, she kept her focus on the star that shined in the distance.

“I wish this was the most magical Christmas for everyone of New Ponyville,” Starlight said.

As Starlight Glimmer directed her eyes away from the star, she looked down at the giant Christmas tree in front of her.  A number of ponies walked through the square.  Some talked with each other.  Some sang to warm the mood, while others enjoyed scrumptious food and yummy treats.

“That tree looks so beautiful with all those decorations,” Starlight said as she got off the bench.  “Minty told me that Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie were able to set it up.”

Starlight Glimmer walked up to the giant Christmas tree and looked up at the star that stood atop.  It glowed brightly with a wondrous shine that rivaled the lights on every pony’s house.

“New Ponyville must be blessed with having that kind of tree,” Starlight Glimmer said. “In fact, of every city across this wonderful planet, New Ponyville is the most festive place for Christmas.  And I don’t think there is anything that can ruin it.”

But Starlight’s nose began to itch.  She let loose a couple of small sneezes as she turned her head left and right.  She began to breathe in, as if she was about to sneeze loudly.

“Oh no,” Starlight said as she forced some sneezes out of her nose.  “Now is not the time to sneeze.”

Starlight Glimmer inhaled loudly as she placed her hoof on her nose.  She tried desperately to stop herself from sneezing.   But at the height of her inhaling, she let loose a great sneeze that shook the great Christmas tree in front of her.  

“Oh no,” Starlight said as she wiped her nose and looked up.

The tree wobbled in front of her, causing ponies to flee for their lives.  Starlight looked up and saw the star on top fall down towards her.  

“NOOOO!”  Starlight screamed as her horn lit up.

Before the star could land on Starlight, it stopped just a few feet above her, surrounded by an aura of magic.  Starlight looked up and breathed a deep sigh of relief.

“That was a close one,” Starlight said.  “It couldn’t have gone worse than that.”

But then Starlight’s nose twitched again.  She rubbed her nose with her hoof, only for her to huff and puff some more.  At the height of her inhaling, she sneezed once more, sending the star flying into the tree where it shattered upon impact.  The tree began to fall towards her.

“Oh no,” Starlight said.  “What have I done?”

Starlight Glimmer immediately ran as far as she could as the Christmas tree crashed down on the floor, taking down some of the ornaments and pulling down two of the night lights, which crashed onto the pavement with its lights shattering to pieces.  Paying no attention to the sock sack on the bench, Starlight Glimmer ran far away from the town’s square in a hurry.  

Back at the castle, Wanda Young was enjoying a nice cupcake with Pinkie Pie by her side.  Next to her with a cat with blue hair that stood by Spike the Dragon’s side.  Rainbow Dash, Zipp Storm, Pipp Petals and Sunset Shimmer were placing decorations on the top part of the ballroom while Danged Spell and Sunburst went to work on forging new decorations.  Wanda swallowed the piece of cupcake before turning to Pinkie Pie.

“Pinkie,” Wanda said.  “You make the best gluten-free cupcake in the world.”

“Exactly as you wanted it,” Pinkie Pie said.  “I even tested it to make sure there was no gluten in it.”

“I know,” Wanda cheered.  “But I’m also glad that you agreed to lead the committee on planning this festive Christmas party.”

“Well duh,” Pinkie Pie said.  

As Wanda enjoyed her cupcake, Abigail looked up at Wanda with a worried look on her face.

“Abby,” Spike said.  “Are you still worried about Wanda”

“I am,” Abigail said.  “Sometimes I wonder if Wanda pushes herself too hard for the ponies of New Ponyville.   For this Christmas party.”

“I know how you feel,” Spike said.  “Twilight would often break down when she feels like she’s backed into a corner.”

“So you think there are similarities between Wanda and Twilight?” Abigail asked.

“Do I?” Spike said as he placed his hand on Abigail’s back.  “We’ve known Wanda, Sunset and Twilight for a long time since they were younger.  They were an inseparable trio that could bring inspiration to the people of Earth.  But I do admit, I miss seeing Twilight right now.”

“I heard she has a long task ahead of her on Planet Cybertron,” Abigail said.  “What’s that planet like?”

“Hoo boy,” Spike said.  “Abby, that’s a tale I have yet to tell you.”

But as Spike finished speaking, the front doors to the ballroom swung wide open as a pair of New Ponyville guards ran through in a hurry.  Rainbow Dash, Zipp Storm, Pipp Petals and Princess Sunset Shimmer flew down from above, Wanda jumped down from the stage, holding her cupcake, while Danged Spell and Sunburst placed down their tools before running up to the rest of the group.

“‘Your majesties,” One of the guards shouted.  “We report bad news.”

“What happened?” Sunset asked.  

“The giant tree in the village square toppled down,” the second guard said.

“Oh no,” Wanda said.  “Did it not get propped up right?  Did I leave something that caused it to fall?”

“It’s not that,” the first guard said.  “We think someone must have tipped it over.”

“Wanda, this sounds rather serious,” Sunset Shimmer said.  “We’re going to fly over and check the scene out.”

“Right,” Wanda said.  “We’ll catch up from behind.”

Sunset Shimmer extended her wings out before she leaped into the air and flew out the back exit of the ballroom.  Rainbow Dash, Zipp Storm and Pipp Petals followed from behind, flapping their wings before taking off after exiting the room.  Wanda immediately turned back towards the two guards.

“Lead the way,” Wanda said.  “We’d like to see the damage.”

“At once, your majesty,” The guards saluted.

Immediately, the guards turned tail and ran down towards the entrance to the ballroom.  Wanda Young ate the last of her cupcake before she picked up the box of cupcakes and ran after the guards.  Abigail Albright, Spike the Dragon, Pinkie Pie, Danged Spell and Sunburst followed from behind.

Outside in the village square, every pony was gathered around the fallen tree, dismayed and saddened by the fallen tree that now laid in front.

“What happened to the holiday tree?” One of them cried.

“IT’s a disaster,” Another one said.

“Does that mean Christmas is canceled?” A third one asked.

Above in the clouds, Princess Sunset Shimmer looked down at the wreckage of the tree.  Behind her flew Rainbow Dash, Zipp Storm, and Pipp Petals.

“Wow,” Rainbow Dash said.  “Whoever tipped that tree down did a mighty fine job at it.”

“I’ll say,” Zipp Storm said.  “I never thought to see Christmas get ruined in just one accident.”

“So now what do we do?”  Pipp Petals asked.  “The choir was resting their vocal cords and we were about to bring them back in.  So much for the performance.”

“Now’s not the time to cry over spilled milk,” Sunset Shimmer said.   “We need to figure out who caused this and why.”

But as Sunset Shimmer’s eyes were on the tree, Rainbow Dash noticed the giant sack that was still on the bench.

“Hey,” Rainbow Dash said.  “Isn’t that Minty’s bag of socks?”  

“You’re right,” Pipp Petals said.  “Why would she leave a bag of socks on the bench?”

“She didn’t,” Zipp Storm said.  “Remember when Minty gave Starlight Glimmer the task of delivering socks to every pony in New Ponyville?”

Immediately, Sunset Shimmer paused for a moment with a horrified look on her face.

“Wait,”  Sunset said.  “She couldn’t have……oh no.”

But down on the surface of New Ponyville, as every pony gathered around the fallen tree, Starlight Glimmer hid in an alleyway, horrified at the damage.

“This is my fault,” Starlight cried.  “I ruined Christmas, and now every pony is going to be angry at me for the rest of my life.  I don’t deserve to be here.”

With that, Starlight Glimmer turned around and ran down the alleyway in a hurry.