Three months ago...
As Starlight stood between Princesses Celestia and Luna and looked upon the citizens of Equestria, he couldn't help but believe what he was seeing. Ponies were lined up in rows, signing their allegiances to whomever they felt was the right leader. He also saw that all the ponies from each state was signing for one particular ruler each.
Celestia: the ponies of Canterlot, the Crystal Empire and Appleossa
Luna: the ponies of Cloudsdale, Saddle Arabia, and half the ponies of Ponyville
Starlight: half the citizens of Ponyville and the ponies of Manehatten
As the began to stand next to their respective rulers, Starlight couldn't help but shook his head. "So this is how democracy ends," he thought, "with everyone picking sides."
"Prince Starlight!"
The yelling of his advisor, Doctor Whooves, helped Starlight snap back to reality. He looked around and saw that he was in his conference room and was surrounded by his advisors Derpy Hooves, Bon Bon, Vinyl, and Doctor Whooves. "I'm sorry; must have dozed off." Starlight said, "What were we discussing?"
Looking rather annoyed at his prince, Doctor Whooves continued. "We were just discussing about how the griffin clan would be willing to take up residence within our nation. What do you think, Starlight?" As he turned, however, he saw the prince had fallen asleep once again. Slyly, Doctor Whooves snuck up close to Starlight's ear and yelled, "PRINCE STARLIGHT!!!!!"
Starlight immediately jolted awake and said, "It's okay, the cat's got it with the salad." After hearing a few stifled laughs from his advisors, Starlight rubbed his eyes and said, "Alright everypony, let's wrap it up for today. Everypony should go home." As he watched his advisors leave, Starlight walked out to the balcony and looked down at his nation. Everypony was happy with the government that he had established; they had a say in political matters, but the prince could still enforce laws. Moreover, some ponies arrived from the Solar Empire or the Lunar Republic to switch their allegiance with the Equestrian Nation. However, Starlight was unhappy with his nation. As he looked up at a star that gleamed brightly in the sky, he closed his eyes and began to sing.
In the light that falls at moonrise
In the rhythm of the rain
In the miracle of ordinary days
In the hush of night I will be in the whispers of lover
Everywhere, you will find me there
In the rustle of a curtain
In the bustle of the world
In a thousand little unexpected ways
When you lift your gaze I will be like the shimmer of one small star
Out there, shining everywhere
I will be there beside you through the lonely nights that fall
So close your eyes, remember my embrace
I will be there like mercy, I will find you through it all
This do I swear, I will be there
Meanwhile, at her castle in the middle of Ponyville, Princess Twilight looked up at the sky from her balcony and saw the exact same star. Touching the heart-shaped locket that was wrapped around her neck, she also began to sing.
In a language never spoken
Live the promises we've made
In the endless love that owned me heart and soul
In the certainty I will always be true and as near
As my next prayer, you will find me there
In the echo of the ocean
In the hunting of the wind
In mysterious extraordinary ways
Through the darkest sky I will be like the shimmer of one small star
Out there, shining everywhere
I will be there beside you through the lonely nights that fall
So close your eyes, remember my embrace
I will be there like freedom; I will find you through it all
This do I swear, I will be there
In the harbor quarter
In the stone and mortar
In the star that we both share
In the sound of laughter
Now and ever after
Look for me, I will be there
I will be there beside you through the lonely nights that fall
So close your eyes
Remember my embrace
I will be there
Remember my embrace
We'll be there
like justice; I will find you through it all
This do I swear, I will be there
This do I swear, I will be there
This do I swear, I will be there
As they looked up at the stars, the two lovers sadly left their balconies and went to their separate beds, each far from the one they loved.