//------------------------------// // Chapter 7 - The Next Day // Story: Star Dust // by Juu50x //------------------------------// Star Dust Chapter 7 The Next Day “Uuugh...” Star muttered as the first sun rays touched her eyelids and burned through. She wrapped her hoof around her face, keeping the sun from hurting her eyes and her already hurting head. Then her senses, her nose to be exact, picked up something else that took her mind from her killing headache. It smelled really sweet and tasty. “Wha...” The next thing she knew, she was lying on the cold, hard floor and her head was killing her even more. “By Equestria! Why must the floor be so hard!?” She whined as she was getting up. She smelled the air again and could now tell that it was the scent of pancakes that had invaded her nostrils. As the door slowly opened, she heard Twilight's voice, not so quietly, coming from the down stairs. “Hurry up Spike! She could awake at any second!” “I think that thump sound we heard just moments ago might tell us that she is awake,” Twilight's dragon assistant replied in a bored tone as if this was an everyday occurrence. “And probably quite cranky as well.” “You have no idea...” Star rubbed her head as she walked down the stairs. For some reason, the stairs seemed to be farther away the last time she used them. And it didn't help her headache much either. “Oh! You are already awake!” she heard Twilight's surprised voice as the other unicorn’s head was peaking through the door with an awkward smile. “The breakfast isn't really finished yet. There are still some pancakes to be made and-” “It’s okay,” Star replied, trying to sound cheerful and less grumpy as the headache was still bothering her badly. She stepped inside the kitchen and was greeted by small pile of pancakes and next to them, a bowl of mixture of salad and fruits with a few sandwiches and a glass full of apple juice. Her headache suddenly left her. “But I don't think you have to do all of this,” she said while still looking at the table. Twilight's mood suddenly turned from slightly nervous, to completely nervous and her small smile faltered. “I... I mean that, maybe you didn't have to work this hard for me..,” Star quickly corrected herself before Twilight could say or do anything. “A simpler breakfast would have been fine too.” “Told you so...” Spike muttered in an annoyed tone. That made Twilight look more uncomfortable. “But, I still appreciate the effort you put into it.” “I'll make few more and then I'm off to bed...” Spike muttered annoyedly, glancing at Twilight. “Sure thing Spike,” Twilight replied with a smile. “You've earned it,” she added, knowing it would change the dragon’s mood. It certainly did put the young dragon into a better mood. Spike hastily made the last pancakes and quickly left the kitchen and back for his bed. “Is he alright?” Star asked concerned, while her eyes had followed the dragon until he disappeared above the stairs. “He seemed to be in foul mood.” “Oh Spike? Twilight tilted her head a bit. “He's fine. He's usually that when he hasn't slept that good,” she waved off as she took her seat. “He didn't sleep well then?” To that Twilight made a nervous look as her eyes darted around the kitchen. “Well... you could say that…,” she said, her lips forming a nervous smile. Star now gave Twilight an uncertain, but still questioning look. “What do you mean?” She asked, raising her eyebrow. “Well...” Twilight started while she was rubbing her hooves together timidly. “Somepony was rather loud last night.” Star could feel her face getting slightly warm as small drops of sweat started forming around her forehead as she realized where Twilight was going with this. “I'm rather surprised that a unicorn like you could have such strong vocal cords,” Twilight said jokingly, trying to ease the mood while still wearing a nervous look. “I think most of my neighbors must've heard that.” Twilight laughed. “Did you use some form of spell to increase your vocal cords while you were asleep?” she asked, now sounding rather genuinely interested. “Ehehe... you... you could say that...” Star said while her face was twitching slightly. But that quickly ended when her head had to also remind her about last night. “Ugh... and this is why I usually avoid drinking hard...” she muttered while rubbing her forehead. “Because of headaches?” Twilight asked, with slight amusement in her voice. “Here.” She levitated two pills and a glass of water to the pained unicorn. “These should help you with your head.” “That and... well, you know the rest...” Star muttered, annoyed and embarrassed. “And thank you.” She quickly took the pills into her mouth and drank the glass of water empty fast. “But how were you even able to sleep the whole night?” Star asked afterwards. Twilight's face then formed another embarrassed smile as she took the glass back. “Well Spike can get really cranky when he doesn't get his good night sleep and...” Last night... “Spike get back here, you're going to wake Star!” Twilight whispered loudly with a commanding tone. “NO!” Spike whispered loudly back, which was a bit of a surprise that either of them could hear each other being this close to snoring Star Dust. “I haven't slept at all since you two came back!” Spikes left eye gave a small twitch. “And I'm actually surprised that anypony still hasn't come to complain about this yet! I'm going in!” “Spike wait!” Twilight now raised her voice a bit while trying to reach the young dragon with her hoof, but she wasn't fast enough. The dragon was already right next to Star’s bed and was reaching towards her with his claws. Twilight was about to use her horn next to drag Spike away, but Spike had already reached and was now holding Stars mouth shut. For a short while, nothing seemed to happen, but then Star started squirming and trying to open her mouth. But she quickly calmed down and was now breathing through her nostrils with a small sniffles while Spike stomped back to his bed. Present day... “Oh...” Star was now feeling really embarrassed, and she knew it as her face was burning up. “...I see...” Her ears flattened. “I'm sorry for being a bother to you...” Star apologized. “It was nothing really.” Twilight waved a dismissive hoof. “At least things ended up good and nopony came to complain,” Twilight said half jokingly. “How's your head?” “Better,” Star replied. Twilight smiled. “That's good.” She then picked up her fork. “We are going to have long day. I've made some long plans for today,” Twilight explained, taking a small piece of the pancake. “Really?” Star took a small piece of her pancake, and was feeling even better as the headache finally passed. “What have you planned then?” She asked, before eating the small piece of pancake. It tasted really good! “Well, first I thought we could visit Sweet Apple Acres and see Applejack,” Twilight explained. “Applejack...” Star muttered, chewing on her pancake. “She was that orange earth pony with a Stetson hat. Right?” “Yeah.” Twilight smiled. “Hopefully you two might get to know each other a bit better. Without all that cider and all.” Star immediately winced at the mention of last night. “And then maybe show you bit more of our town and then go to Fluttershy's-” Twilights explanation was interrupted by a knock on the door. “Who could that be?” “you weren't expecting anypony?” Twilight shook her head. “Not that I know of...” she said in a concerned tone as she left the table. Another knock on the door, this time a bit faster. “Alright, alright I'm coming,” Twilight said, now sounding a bit annoyed. “I hope this is importan...” whatever Twilight was about to say was forgotten as she stared at Ponyville's Mayor. “Oh my goodness Mayor! I- I wasn't expecting to see you here! I-I-I...” Twilight started stammering. “Yes, I have to say that my arrival was a bit of a surprise. But I simply couldn't wait any longer,” Mayor Mare said formally, but there was still some friendly amusement in her tone. “The reason why I am here, is for your next Winter Wrap Up plans.” “What is this Winter Wrap Up?” Star thought. Upon mentioning Winter Wrap Up, something clicked in Twilight's mind. “My- my plans for the... Winter-Winter Wrap Up?” she asked, almost sounding shocked. “Yes.” Mayor nodded. “Don't tell me you've forgotten our annual meeting about the event?” That didn't help Twilight's current condition at all. While Star Dust was standing behind Twilight, she could still see that Twilight wasn't exactly feeling well, especially with that small trembling and Star doubted it was from the cold. “I-I-I-I...” The Mayor was now raising a questionable eyebrow. “I'm so sorry!” Twilight exclaimed loudly. “I've been really busy with...” Twilight hurriedly tried to think of any kind of good excuses, but wasn't doing a good job. “Well with...” she then let her gaze go to Star Dust who was still standing at the kitchen’s entrance and looking quite lost. “Ah. I see,” Mayor simply replied. Strangely, she didn't seem that disappointed. “But I still have ideas with me!” Twilight then quickly said. “Just let me grab my things and...” Twilight was now running around the room, trying to find some notebooks and quickly got dressed up. “I'm really sorry Star Dust,” she apologized hurriedly, “but I think we need to postpone our schedule for now! But don't worry, I should be back shortly!” Star nodded. “It's alright. I try to-” and then the door closed before Star finish her sentence. “...figure out something to do then.” With that Star returned back to the kitchen, eating her share of the breakfast and then cleaning up the table. After that she walked around the library and began rifling through the many shelves. "I've seen bigger libraries…", she thought to herself, but didn't meant in a negative way. At least she didn't have to go around for hours to look what she was looking. "But I still need to find something to read…", after a little while of search she decided to look at simple adventure book. On the cover of the book was text: Daring Do and the Soul Star. "Hmm... that's interesting..." A couple of hours later, and there was still no sign of Twilight. But at least the book had been keeping her interested. “Where's Twilight?” She then heard a familiar voice asking with a long yawn. “She went with the Mayor,” Star replied, not taking her eyes of the pages. “She said she would-” “Be back shortly,” Spike finished Stars sentence before she could. “Yeah, when she means 'be back shortly'” Spike finger quoted, “it usually means that she'll be away most of the day.” Spike smirked. Now Star turned her gaze from the book to Spike. “Are you serious?” She asked, a bit skeptical. “Quite,” Spike replied. “That doesn't make any sense.” “That's Twilight pretty much.” Spike shrugged. “But she can't really help it when things like this happen. And Winter Wrap Up is really important here in Ponyville.” “I see..” Star muttered. ”Do you have any else I could do besides reading?” Star suddenly asked. ”While this has been quite interesting book, I still would like to do something else besides reading...” ”Don't say that out loud around Twilight.” Spike snickered,but quickly composed himself. ”Well, you can always walk around Ponyville if you like,” Spike suggested. Star pondered for a moment. Twilight had already showed her around the town, but it wouldn't hurt much looking around. ”I guess that could work,” she said. ”Could you tell Twilight where I am if she returns before I do?” Star requested while she was dressing. ”Sure thing!” Spike replied before Star closed the door behind her. The air was cold, but not cold as yesterday. Star started walking through the town and soon found herself walking past Sugarcube Corner. She thought about visiting it, but decided to do that later. She then walked passed by a candy shop. Much to her surprise, it wasn't owned by Pinkie Pie, but then it would probably look like copy of Sugarcube Corner. ”Why hello there!” A voice suddenly called out to Star. ”You’re Star Dust, am I correct?” The mare's voice asked behind her. ”Yes,” Star replied while turning. ”Yes I am.” She was now facing a rather familiar white coated unicorn. ”And you are Rarity, right?” ”That’s right my dear. Good thing you still remember me after such hard night,” Rarity teased Star, who on the other hoof had quite a distasteful look on her face. ”Why is everyone bringing that up anyway…?” She muttered in annoyance. ”I'm sorry but I just couldn't help it because some ponies had said that they heard rather loud snoring coming from the library.” Rarity chuckled. Star facehoofed from embarrassment. “This is why I try to avoid drinking…” she muttered both annoyed and embarrassed, which caused Rarity to laugh out loud. “I'm so sorry, but it just sounded so ridiculously funny,” Rarity said, still laughing. “Well, it is good if somepony is having fun.” Star sounded little vexed as she felt even more humiliated. “My apologies,” Rarity then added quickly, now in control of her laughter. “That was rather uncouth and really unladylike of me. I hope I didn't offend you.” Star looked at Rarity for a moment. Trying to see if the other unicorn was still making fun of her, but didn't see any of that. “I... I think it is alright,” she finally replied, sounding a bit unsure. “But I hope you don't mind me asking but, are you alone?” Rarity asked, wanting to change the subject quickly. “I had been given the impression Twilight wanted to show you more of our humble little town.” “Yes she was going to, but then had to got off with the Mayor,” Star explained, sounding a bit annoyed. “Something about preparing for the Winter Wrap Up.” Rarity's expression quickly became something of between shock and surprise. “Oh my, then you are going to be by yourself rest of the day then,” Rarity said. “This is rather big thing for Twilight. Well, everything is rather big to her.” “Really? But what does she do that is so important?” Star asked, now more interested. She also wanted to learn bit more about this “Winter Wrap Up” and also what part was Twilight actually playing in it. “And what is this Winter Wrap Up?” “Well, it is rather long story you see,” Rarity began. “I think we have the time.” Star smirked. Rarity chuckled at that. “Yes we do. What you say we take a walk too?” Rarity asked, to which Star agreed to. “Well first you need to understand few things about Winter Wrap Up...” Rarity then went on explaining of how Ponyville was founded by earth ponies and how they cleaned up the winter, before any of the pegasi started living there, the best they could. While that was happening, Star found herself quite intrigued of this event. Clearing the winter without using magic. While many unicorns might scowl at the idea, it was still intriguing idea for Star. And the fact that somepony like Twilight Sparkle who was the most magical in Ponyville wanted to attend something that was almost out of her league. And with that she went telling Star about how Twilight had tried to find her place in the celebration, but didn't have much luck. “I guess it was by a sheer luck that she was around to hear that we've been late from the schedule many years. With that Twilight became our organizer and soon we were on schedule.” That made Star respect, and even slightly admire Twilight and her dedication towards her work. Even if she seemed to go bit too far with it. And that then made Star wonder just what kind of problems it could cause. “I really hate to see her on a bad day...” she shuddered. “Ah, we're already back!” Rarity smiled. Star left her thoughts alone when realizing that she was right now standing in front of Rarity's Boutique, and was now suddenly feeling a bit disappointed that she had to leave the other unicorn who she has come to know a bit better. “Would you like to come inside?” Rarity asked all of the sudden asked, as if reading Star's mind. “I'm sorry?” Star asked, taken by surprise. “Well, it is obvious that you need to do something while Twilight is still going through the plans for next Winter Wrap Up,” Rarity happily explained. “I also have some commissions that I need to work with.” Star could guess where this was going. “And you wish to use me as a model?” Star asked a bit boldly. Rarity gave Star a nervous smile while looking upwards, away from Star. “Oh, eheheh, I guess it was bit obvious question,” Rarity said. “But yes I would appreciate it, and you would also need your own winter jacket so you don't have to borrow one from Twilight.” Soon, Star and Rarity were inside the Boutique and it certainly looked almost the way she had imagined. Really clean, colorful, fancy and somewhat... girly. But not too much. “And besides,” Rarity then suddenly started. “That jacket on you doesn't fit with your colors at all!” she said rather critically. “And it seems to be too thick and just so... old looking.” That took Star completely by surprise. “So, what do you say we start immediately? I wouldn't take long.” The hours went by while Star tried out Rarity's various dresses. At first they had been working with designing Star's outfit but that had be cut short when three young fillies had suddenly burst into the room. And soon Star became to know the fillies who called themselves “Cutie Mark Crusaders”. And that one of their “member” was also the little sister of Rarity. And that they had been in the care of their parents before being sent to Rarity’ care. “Well, with them out of the way, we can get back to work.” Rarity smiled with so much glee that it almost scared Star. She had, in short time, fourd that when Rarity got inspired by her work, she could get too into it, which made her look and act bit more... different. And it frightened her a bit. Before she could say anything, Rarity already had measurement tape around her, taking notes about her body size. Soon she was covered by various thin fabrics all around her, taking small shapes of her. Then, they began moving on to different colored fabrics. “No no no!” Rarity muttered. “This doesn't do well at all...!” She took a quick look at the different colored fabrics. “The blue certainly isn't right... maybe I should make the sleeves longer... a bit more thicker...” Star was slowly becoming really impatient with this waiting. Rarity had said that it wouldn't take long, but she should have expected this. She wasn't annoyed at that, but she certainly did not enjoy the fact that she didn't have anything to say about what she thought. And some of the criticism about her form was just pushing it. “Nonononono! That doesn't fit with her form,” Rarity muttered. “I need something wider...” she then let out a loud frustrated groan. Star was getting really tired of this, so she decided to break the ice around Rarity so they could move forward. “Maybe I could try to help you to decide?” Star suggested, while keeping the annoyance from her voice from showing. “No no. I can't let you be bothered by that,” Rarity quickly declined. “And no offence, but I don't think you have any experience like I do.” She stated rather boldly, which just increased Star's annoyance. “I think I might have some,” she said with some annoyance. “And I think that since this is going to be my jacket, I should at least give my opinion about how it should look.” Now it was Rarity's turn to show some annoyance. “Let me tell you that I'm quite capable of doing this, so you can keep your thoughts to yourself,” Rarity said strictly. That didn't help Star's case much, as this situation was all too familiar to her. Almost every dresser she had met had the same kind of attitude and not giving her a chance of saying her own thoughts or opinions and simply ignored her. “Oh please!” Star said rather loudly in frustration. “Just because I might not be the kind of dress maker like you, I think I know what I want!” “And that's just the problem!” Rarity almost yelled out of frustration, now facing Star. “Last time I did that, I became the laughing stock of Ponyville and Hoity Toity nonetheless!” with that outburst Rarity started to breath rather loudly, trying to calm herself down. “Well, I can understand from that,” Star said, her own tone now more controlled, but her frustration was still there. “But this isn't some kind of big project that everypony is going to judge.” Rarity took another deep breath before continuing. “Yes, but every work you make, there is always someone who is going to judge and criticize it,” Rarity explained rather as if it was rather obvious, while still sounding slightly upset and out of breath. “And I wish to make sure that even a simple piece of work is worth talking about.” Star started to see Rarity now in different kind of light. She already had some ideas about how the other unicorn could get carried away with her work, but she didn't know that it could go this far. “Well, what do you say if I just want something that does not draw any kind of attention?” she suggested calmly. “Something really simple that doesn't waste much time?” Rarity considered and pondered what Star had said, and she hated to admit it, but she had once again let her own desires to make something amazing to get the best of her. This was all too familiar to her, and reminded her lot of when she tried to make a perfect dress for Twilight which in the end turned to be a rather bland and simple dress. And Twilight had loved it, as well as Fancy Pants. Now she had probably wasted a lot of valuable time for a rather insignificant piece of clothing. Rarity took a deep breath. “Yes. I'm sorry for snapping at you,” Rarity apologized, “and I would like to hear your share of thoughts about your jacket.” Rarity's voice was rather sincere, but it was still upset. “It’s alright, and thank you.” Star acknowledged. “But what did you mean by last time?” Rarity shifted nervously while wearing an awkward and embarrassed smile. “Well, it happened some years ago when me and my friends prepared for the Grand Galloping Gala and they wanted me to make dresses for them the way they liked it.” Rarity moved her hooves from embarrassment. “And I got the idea of having a Fashion Show and..” Rarity sighed. “You can guess the rest.” Star had to say that she didn't expect this kind of answer, and now felt slightly guilty for making Rarity so upset about a rather insignificant thing and letting her personal feelings taking over. “I think I know where you are going with this, and I apologize for my previous behavior as well.” Rarity then offered Star a friendly smile. “Well, you are forgiven. I think that is what friends usually do.” “Heh.” Star chuckled, smiling widely. “You’re right.” “But let's get back to this so I can return to my other work as well.” Star nodded in agreement, going on to explain what she thought her jacket might need. “The sleeves are too long, and the colors could be a bit darker. And maybe I might not need so many pockets but you could...” With that things started to move rather smoothly. Soon, Star’s own winter jacket was finally ready and Rarity could now concentrate on her commissions. But things started to change when Rarity was done making the forms for her work and began moving on to putting the right fabrics on. “Hmmm... strange...” Rarity muttered as she went from drawer to drawer, fully opening them and throwing everything they contained out. “I swear I left some of them...” Rarity's mutters were slowly becoming more and more panicked. “Nononononono! This can't be happening!” Now Rarity was darting around the entire room, while poor Star just stared at Rarity in confusion and becoming uncertain of what to do. She had never really faced anything like this. “Uuh... Rarity...?” Star tried to timidly call her but with little success. “It can't be...” “Out of all the possible things!” Rarity suddenly yelled dramatically. “THIS! IS! THE! WORST! POSSIBLE! THING!” She suddenly held a dramatic pose. “... What?” Star was now confused and scared. Never had she seen anypony getting this dramatic over something, and before she could fully react, a white blur flashed before her eyes and the door to Rarity's room was opened with great force. “I MUST GO TO CANTERLOT TO GET SOME NEW FABRICS THAT I'M MISSING!” she heard Rarity call to her, before adding something Star didn't expect to hear. “COULD YOU LOOK AFTER MY SISTER AND HER FRIENDS UNTIL I RETURN!” Star was now downstairs, looking at Rarity who was almost dressed. “Well, I...” Star started, unsure. “Please!” Rarity pleaded. “I can't just leave them all by themselves.” Rarity shuddered at the thought. “And I shouldn't be way too long.” “But you’re going to Canterlot!” Star pointed out. “Well yes. But it still shouldn't take more than four or five hours.” Rarity said, now her tone a bit hasty again. “Well...” Star started unsurely. This was a completely different situation that she never had, or thought would have to face. But for some reason she was ready to try. “I guess I could watch over them...” she almost muttered. “Splendid!” Rarity exclaimed, not allowing Star to continue. “SWEETIE BELLE!” “What?” A little filly's voice was heard from upstairs. “I HAVE TO LEAVE FOR A BIT, BUT STAR DUST HERE WILL BE LOOKING OVER YOU AND YOUR FRIENDS!” There was a moment of pause before Sweetie replied, probably speaking to her friends. “OK!” “GOOD!” Rarity then turned to Star. “And thank you for looking over my little sister and her friends,” she thanked hurriedly. “It’s not a big deal.” Star tried to sound bit more confident. “I believe I can handle-” “Just be careful, they can be a real hooful if you are not careful!” Rarity suddenly warned. “I have to go now before the next train leaves!” Rarity quickly ran outside so fast that even Rainbow Dash would be surprised. Star just stared as Rarity disappeared while the door slowly closed itself and was now left to herself. She then turned her gaze to the stairs that lead upstairs where the three fillies were. Already Star could hear rather loud sounds coming from above. "What did I just get myself into?" she thought as she started walking up the stairs. I've never really looked after any fillies before. "How do I know what they need or not need?" As she went on more and more questions began to rise. "Do they have a time when they go to sleep?" Her thoughts were quickly interrupted by a loud crash coming from Sweetie's room. Star immediately sprinted to the door and inside the room, where three fillies were staring at a fallen shelf. None of them noticing that Star had entered. “I thought I got it this time...” Sweetie pouted sadly. “What is going on here?” Star asked a little too demandingly. “Sweetie Belle tried to pick up a book with her magic.” The earth pony filly named Applebloom explained while pointing at the fallen shelf. Star just stared at the fillies, not sure how to react. She knew what the little unicorn had tried to do since she still doesn't seem to have the required magical skills. Usually many unicorn fillies were studying how to lift simple objects. “I swear, I only tried the book.” Sweetie looked at Star with the most saddest (and cutest) look that Star was sure her heart was close to breaking. But she still needed to do it with someone else, especially with another unicorn, to make sure nothing bad happens. Even with little fillies, unstable magic can be lot of trouble. “Maybe I should...” a thought suddenly entered Star's mind. It sounded far fetched, as she had never done anything like this before. But she would just give the young filly the basics so she could learn to control her magic better and safer in the future. “Well, if you would like, I could teach you some basics about magic.” “Wha!? Really?” Sweetie asked excitedly, and for some reason made Star question if she made the wrong mistake. “Y-yes,” she said, slightly unsure, but that went unnoticed by the excited fillies. “Ooooh, thank you thank you thank you THANK YOU!” Sweetie jumped around Star before wrapping her hooves around her. “Maybe I can now earn my Cutie Mark!” “And we ours!” Applebloom suddenly added. “Is that even possible?” Star asked confusingly as she turned to Applebloom. “Well, if Zecora could do those strange hocus pocus things, then we can too!” Scootaloo proclaimed. "This is starting to feel like a REALLY bad idea..." Star was now dreading her decision. “COME BACK THIS INSTANT!” Star screamed. “NO CHANCE!” Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle yelled as they both ran around the living room and the kitchen with Scootaloo floating in the air thanks to Sweetie’s magic. Star was now majorly regretting teaching the young unicorn the simple arts of levitating. Well, she should have known the unicorn around that age, and the way she behaved, would get a bit too excited to try the spell on everything. And that had resulted with many childish pranks. “At least stop this childish act!” Star yelled, her tone down a bit. But the only reply she got was just a big giggle from Sweetie and sent a few books flying from their shelf. "That's it!" Star thought angrily to herself. Her horn then started to glow as she wrapped her magic around Sweetie and Scootaloo. Of course, both of them were trying to fight back, but Sweetie Belle had forgotten that Scootaloo was still wrapped in her magic as well and as she was shaking and struggling, which sent Scootaloo flying across the room. “Sweetie Belle!” Scootaloo called her friend as she was flying all around the room. “Stop it! I think I'm gonna hurl!” Sweetie let out a small cry as she noticed what was happening and quickly cut her magic off. Only to make Scootaloo soar from the living room to the kitchen, quickly followed by loud crash. “Scoots!” Applebloom was the first one rushing to the kitchen while Star and Sweetie quickly followed in suite. Waiting in the kitchen was utter carnage. The table was on the other side of the room, while the chairs were scattered around it, a few were missing some of their parts. Various dishes had been shattered on the floor as well as some jars that had fallen from the shelves. “Oh no...” Sweetie muttered in horror at the sight of the kitchen and that she still didn't see Scootaloo. “Scootaloo?” she then called her friend with a quiet voice. “Are you OK?” They then heard a low moan coming from under the tablecloth and the table itself. Both Sweetie and Applebloom quickly ran to help their friend, lifting the table off of her and helping her to stand up, but Scootaloo quickly gave out a small cry from pain and soreness that she still felt strongly. “I'm so sorry Scootaloo! I'm SO sorry! Can you ever forgive me!” Scootaloo let out a few small coughs, but wasn't able to collect herself when Sweetie's hooves were wrapped around her neck really tightly. “H-hey, Sweetie Belle!” Scootaloo gasped. “I- I can't... BREATH!” Sweetie Belle quickly released her grip from Scootaloo and then looked around the kitchen in horror. “Oh no... Rarity is going to kill me!” she whined/whimpered as she slumped to the floor. “Well, considering about how she acts sometimes, I have a strong feeling about that,” Star then suddenly commented, maybe a bit too seriously. “How is that suppose to make me feel any better!?” “I was just saying out loud,” Star replied, annoyed. “But it can't be that bad, can it?” “You don't understand,” Sweetie whimpered as she buried her face in her hooves. “Rarity could come in at any second, and when she does...” Sweetie shuddered at the thought. “Well shouldn't we get to work then?” Star asked with raised eyebrow. That seemed to lift Sweetie's spirit a bit, but not enough. “But what about all these broken chairs, jars and other things?” Sweetie asked while looking around the kitchen. “Leave that to me.” Star now gave small smug smirk as her horn started glowing. “You three can go and collect all that has not been broken,” she then said to the three fillies. And with that the Cutie Mark Crusaders quickly collected few unbroken plates and glasses, while all four chairs had miraculously survived. Soon, Star’s horn had started glowing and soon all the broken dishes, jars and the table were repaired like they were never broken. “Wow...” Sweetie said with surprise at the sight before her. “You are probably good as Twilight,” she complimented Star. “Yeah,” Applebloom interjected. “Ah've seen her use magic a lot, but still seeing somethin' like this, it's still strange.” “The way those glass shards just put themselves back together like they never had been broken!” Scootaloo then commented. Star felt a small blush forming around her face, the way the fillies were describing her magic. “Well, it wasn't anything difficult,” she said as-a-matter-of-factly, but a small embarrassed smile was still on her lips. “Many unicorns can learn these kinds of spells-” “I want to learn them and maybe then I’ll get my Cutie Mark!” Sweetie exclaimed excitedly. But her excitement was quickly silenced by Star’s stern look. “Well... maybe later...” she said awkwardly. “Or maybe not for a long time,” Star said, giving Sweetie a bit scolding look. “If you only pursue ways of magic with only the intent of earning a Cutie Mark, that might never happen,” Star explained rather too seriously. “And magic certainly isn't something you wish to learn, like Twilight no doubt did.” “But what if-” “And you certainly lack the patience that is needed to be at any kinds of levels like Twilight,” Star quickly added, interrupting Sweetie. “And this current incident is a good example of that,” she said while eyeing the now clean kitchen. “Hey! It wasn't completely her fault!” Scootaloo then stood in front of Star, defending her friend. “If you haven't tried to catch us with that magic of yours, this wouldn't have happened.” Stars expression didn't change and neither did her tone. “If you haven't started using your magic for such puny and childish acts and simply just listened to me, this certainly wouldn’t have happened.” The three fillies then slowly lowered their heads down in shame, realising that Star was right. “But...” Star’s tone suddenly changed, and the three fillies ears suddenly fluttered up. “I will admit that my rashness was also the cause of this, and I'm sorry about it.” Now the three of them were looking up at Star with surprise, not expecting this from her. “And I would be quite a hypocrite if I wouldn't admit that I was bit like that when I was around your age,” Star said mischievously. “Ya really talk funny sometimes,” Applebloom then commented. “Really?” Star smirked. “Mmhmm,” The three of them answered. Star responded to them with a grin, before three balls of water dropped on top of their heads, making the three fillies yelp from shock and surprise. “Oh my goodness!” Rarity gasped as she walked through now the empty streets of Ponyville. It had taken her much longer than she had anticipated. When she had tried to find the right shops, she had accidentally come across Fleur and stopped for a rather long talk, and before realizing it, she was also spending time with Fancy Pants. After a couple of hours of conversation, Rarity had remembered why she had come to Canterlot and hastily left the couple, quickly explaining her real reason to be there. After another walk, she finally found what she needed, but then the train just had to be late and she had to wait extra hours! And when she finally reached Ponyville, it was late evening. She was dreading what kind of horrible state her house and boutique would be in since Star had no experience with Sweetie Belle and her friends. But as she was closing to her home, she was surprised to see that her home was still standing. But the inside might be a different story. She was surprised yet again when, upon entering her home, it was pretty much the same when she had left. And it was quiet; a bit too quiet for Rarity's taste. When it was quiet, it usually meant that either the Crusaders were planning something, or had escaped and now were running around somewhere, with poor Star trying to catch them. But soon she heard hoofsteps coming from upstairs and she quickly ran to the edge of the stairs, seeing Star coming down. “I'm so sorry about leaving you with them!” Rarity apologized, almost embracing Star. “It was no problem,” Star dismissed, smiling, while Rarity gave her a surprised and skeptical look. “No, I'm serious. Well, it was slightly hard at first, but I got the hang of it.” Rarity just stared at Star, this was getting ridiculous! First Fluttershy could tame these three fillies and now somepony like Star Dust?! Some complete stranger who could hold her sanity intact! What in the name of Equestria was this kind of magic? And she still haven't learned it?! “Ah... I.. I see.” Rarity stuttered a bit with awkward smile, trying to keep her emotions in check. “Well, good to know things went well with you and them then.” Rarity then eyed the room, looking for the three fillies. “And where might the young ones be?” “In bed, sleeping. It wasn't easy but I can be a bit persuasive and...” Star stopped herself when noticing the strange look Rarity was wearing. And it wasn't directed at herself, but it looked like she was almost like trying to comprehend this. “Are you alright Rarity?” “I uuuh... I.. I think I'm just... just a bit tired,” Rarity said. “Yes. Yes. That is! Tired.” Then Rarity let out a not so convincing yawn. “I see...” Star replied worriedly. This wasn't the kind of reaction she was expecting from Rarity, and that troubled her. “Well, I guess I'll be going then,” Star said, suddenly feeling tired herself. Keeping an eye on three really energized fillies bent on finding their Cutie Marks was even more tiring than she had realized. “Goodnight, Rarity,” she said, but only to realize that the white unicorn wasn't standing next to her anymore, but was already walking upstairs. “Yes, yes. Good night!” Rarity called back, sounding absent. With that Star left the boutique and walked through the empty streets of Ponyville, giving a good look at the now quiet town. It was completely different now that nopony was walking around, buying or just spending time with each other, and that was a bit sad as she gazed at the night sky. But those thoughts were put aside when she reached the library, and a slightly panicked Twilight, who was already at the door, asking where has she been and what she had been doing. After quickly calming her down and explaining, Star learned that Twilight had only gotten back about few hours before her. Twilight had then started to ask her if she was feeling good enough to go through the “To do list” for their (or Twilight's) plans for tomorrow, but Star quickly felt the tiring feeling coming back. “I'm sorry Twilight, but I'm not feeling that good at the moment,” Star then said. “If it's okay with you, I would like to go to bed now.” “Of course you can, I didn't meant to pressure you with this.” Twilight smiled. With that Star turned to head upstairs, feeling tired, but also refreshed in someway. This had been a rather interesting day, meeting rather intriguing fillies with interesting futures ahead of them, no doubt. And that Rarity too, if she can keep her nerves in check of course. Star chuckled. She certainly couldn't wait for the next day.