//------------------------------// // Chapter 3: Friend or Foe // Story: Starfall // by AuroraScribe //------------------------------// Celestia nods to Twilight and whispers, “It’s time.” “Princess… I asked Miss Cheerilee to take all of the fillies home…” She taps the Element of Magic on her head. “Just in case.” Celestia grins then nods. “It’s getting late, anyhow… that’s probably for the best.” With a deep breath, she moves to stand beside Luna who has already made it a good distance from the crowd. They look at one another then look at the star-filled sky above, their horns glowing softly with yellow and purple magic. A final shooting star streaks across the heavens then one by one, all the stars vanish until only a single, incredibly bright star remains. It glows intensely, but after a short while, it too fades, leaving the night sky completely black. “He-hey, where did they all go?” Pinkie shouts, mirroring what everyone is thinking. Celestia and Luna exchange glances as murmurs run rampant through the crowd of ponies. Trixie sees Twilight turn, giving her a stern look. “The Great and Powerful Trixie had nothing to do with this.” She shrugs then waves a dismissive hoof. “Or… That.” A single dot of blue light forms seemingly out of thin air, small enough it could be but a speck of dust, it floats down and hovers near the crowd of ponies. In moments the soft blue light grows in intensity shifting to a yellowish-gold then to pure white, illuminating the entire area. At first everyone is curious, but Celestia cautiously motions everyone to step away and move behind her. The light gains strength, growing stronger and stronger until all but Celestia and Luna cover their eyes. It explodes into a light as intense as looking at the sun, then, just as quickly as it formed, it collapses upon itself. In place of the light, a beautiful white winged-unicorn wearing gold armor now floats magically in the air, her horn glowing softly with magic and her glimmering blue mane and tail drifting skyward, moving as if she were underwater. Questions run rampant through the crowd but Celestia motions once more for everyone to stay back. “Well… that’s not what I was expecting.” Twilight gives Celestia and Luna a surprised look. “Her… Eyes are closed? Is she asleep?” Applejack moves to get a better look. “She is… and has been for many, many years.” Celestia says. At the sound of Celestia’s voice, the unusual pony begins to float gradually to the ground; her bright blue mane coming to rest over her shoulder as she lands gently. With her eyes still closed, the glow of her golden magic fades and in unison, the stars return to the night sky. Celestia gives a hopeful smile to Luna then takes a step forward. “Welcome back…” The pony opens her yellow eyes as she bows her head and takes a deep breath. She listens to all the sounds around her – the crackle of the bonfire, the crickets in the field, and the whispers of confusion from those near her. She sniffs the air lightly - enticed by the aroma of festival food, the light smoke and the musky scent of the lake nearby. A light breeze makes her mane flow outward like a crystal blue wave, a few strands of hair tickling her face. She blinks once fighting back tears then stretches her wings and examines the soft soil beneath her. “I’m… home…” She whispers. Celestia takes one small step forward. “You never had to leave.” She says, her tone apologetic. For a long time, the white winged-unicorn continues to look down. Suddenly, she twists a hoof uprooting the grass underneath. Raising her head slightly, her golden eyes glisten as she spots Celestia standing at the front of the crowd before her. “You and I both know that isn’t true...” She takes a moment to look at her surroundings. “I do not recognize this place… has Canterlot changed so much in my absence?” Twilight peeks around the crowd and says over the mumbling, “This… This isn’t Canterlot. You’re in Ponyville.” She swallows deeply, summoning the courage to stand next to Celestia. “My name is Twilight Sparkle, what’s yours… if you don’t mind me asking?” Pinkie bounces through the crowd to stand on the other side of Celestia. “Ooh! Ooooh! Let me guess! Flashy Sparkles!? No, hmm… Glowy Burst!?” Pinkie takes a step back as golden eyes narrow then focus on her. “Um… Angry Mare?” “Well, are you just going to stand there and keep looking mean, or are you going to introduce yourself?” Rainbow Dash flies up over the crowd and lands next to Pinkie. The white pony's eyes widen then quickly look down. Barely audible, she whispers, “Star Flare.” Fluttershy moves over to stand next to Twilight, “Oh don’t mind Rainbow, she’s just very assertive. My name’s Fluttershy. It’s um, very nice to meet you!” The pink curl of her mane bounces as she tilts her head and gives a welcoming smile. Star Flare glances nervously at Rainbow Dash then quickly back to Fluttershy. “You may not feel that way soon.” Fluttershy lets out a small squeak and steps back as Applejack moves in front of her. “Listen now, you don’t know us and we don’t know you, but there ain’t no reason we can’t all get along. I don’t know what ya meant by that, but we’re in the middle of a festival and everypony is here to have fun, there’s no need for trouble.” “Then why bring me back, here… Or even bring me back at all if trouble was meant to be avoided?” Star Flare gives Applejack a confused look. “We made the choice, Star.” Luna gracefully nods then gives a sad smile. “Canterlot holds many painful memories, for us both. It was important for you to first see how things have changed… for the better.” Star Flare glances at Luna then bows her head slightly. “Princess Luna, it is good to see you, your majesty.” “Is it impossible to fix this?” Celestia finally says, her voice unusually weak. Star Flare turns her head away, almost as if she had been physically struck. “You’d really ask me that?” She says barely above a whisper, a mix of emotions on her face. “After what happened… After you abandoned us?” Her eyes glisten, tears of anger and sadness beginning to form. Taking a deep breath, she turns and glares at Celestia. “Did you think I’d forget what happened? Or maybe you hoped you’d never have to see me again?” She almost growls, her voice rising to a shout. “My goodness, what’s all the commotion? Why are ponies yelling?” Rarity, with Spike on her back, moves through the crowd and finds her friends. “Oh my, who’s this?” “Woah, woah, woah! What’s going on?” Spike says as he quickly jumps down then moves to stand next to Twilight. “Is everything okay, it sounded like somepony’s really upset?” Celestia turns to see Spike, a look of concern on her face. “A… a dragon? A baby dragon? Here?” Star Flare nearly stumbles backwards, her anger swapped for confusion. “Um… hi? Nice to meet you, I’m Spike! But why are you so upset, what’s the matter?” The little dragon looks at everyone then steps forward. Star Flare’s eyes narrow at the little green and purple dragon, then, barely turning her head, focuses on Celestia. “You allowed this, didn’t you?” “I was the one to hatch him and he’s been one of my best friends for as long as I can remember.” Twilight speaks up, not liking Star Flare’s tone. Rarity nods to Twilight, “He’s special… to… um, to all of us.” “He came into this world with the guidance of magic and has helped everypony more then you could ever know.” Celestia concludes. Pinkie Pie clears her throat. “Welllllllll… Except that one time, when he was all like, gimme your cakes! And I did, but not actually giving, you know? I was throwing them at him, not to him. Nopony believed me, and that was reallllly annoying. After that, and well, before that too, he ran around Ponyville taking everypony’s stuff at random. Oh, and he kept getting bigger and bigger and pretty much wrecked the whole town.” Tapping her chin, she looks up pondering the memory then giggles. Everyone turns to stare at Pinkie. “But… he got better! Because of Rarity…” She squeaks as she finishes meekly. Spike turns back to Star Flare, “I didn’t actually-” He stops abruptly seeing Star Flare tremble and close her eyes, doing her best to hold back the tears starting to form. “Oh gosh… I’m really sorry, I didn’t mean anything by it, I just-“ Star Flare lifts her head and her eyes and horn flare bright blue in unison, her magic instantly freezing Spike in place. At first his feet crystallize… then his legs… but before the spell can be finished a flash of gold magic cuts through the blue. Celestia’s horn glows with a brilliant radiance, so intense many ponies have to look away. “Your exile is over, Star Flare… on the condition you’ve returned to live in peace. I cannot allow you to bring harm upon others. You were my friend once… Please, please do not take this any further.” Luna shrinks back. Memories of the chaos she caused ages ago returning to her. Seeing her sister’s piercing eyes, her determination… it’s just like the night of Nightmare Moon’s banishment. Star Flare looks at Spike as she purses her lips, her spell now having turned the tiny dragin completely into crystal. “To live in peace?” Is that why you brought me back?” She looks across the crowd of ponies staring back intently. “You abandoned me, Celestia… what right do you have to tell me how I should live?” “That’s not what happened…” Celestia almost gasps, tears flowing heavily. “The dragons nearly destroyed Canterlot – you never returned with the elements as you promised!” She steps forward, digging her hooves into the earth. “To save the city, I used magic that I never should have; magic far beyond my ability.” She turns away from the crowd and sits, looking up at the stars shining brightly above. ”I lost… everything that day. Everything that mattered to me.” She puts her head down and sniffles, no longer able to fight back the tears. “The following day I find you’ve returned to the castle and you refuse to see me... Your guards, those that once followed me, barred entrance.” She clears her throat. “That didn’t last long.” “Star, I had a reason… it was very hard for me, too.” Star Flare turns, glancing over her shoulder. “Through all that had happened… so much destruction, so many lost… What were you doing? Sleeping.” Luna moves to stand between Star Flare and Celestia. “Star… there is so much, so very much you do not know.” “Don’t try to make excuses for her, Princess. Celestia can defend herself… Or maybe she can’t. Maybe that’s why she ran.” Celestia weakly looks at Luna then back to Star Flare. “Still you say nothing.” Celestia sits back; taking in a heavy breath then adjusts her wings. “So very long ago…” she pauses, the weight of the memories taking hold. “You assaulted Canterlot castle, injured multiple guards and did an incredible amount of damage in your fury… Yet you wouldn’t attack me.” She stops, meeting Star Flare’s eyes. “You chose exile for your crimes, sealing yourself within the void before I could give you any clear answer. Star, the truth is… I had left to set things right… I didn’t have a choice.” “Set things right? The city was burning… your people needed you more than ever!” Star Flare turns then nods at the crystal statue of Spike. And here we are… a dragon living amongst our kind. Your view and my own clearly differ on how to protect the ponies of Equestria.” Celestia looks at the ground, keeping eye contact with Star Flare becoming almost impossible. “So much time has passed. So much has changed… The world is very different now.” Luna puts a hoof to her mouth, feeling her lip tremble. “Star, please let us speak with you.” “Then I will do what I should have done long ago.” Star Flare steps back and stands defiantly, her golden armor reflecting the flames of the bonfire. “I challenge you, Celestia. I challenge your right to protect Equestria, to even be a part of it… you have brought pain, misery and are the cause of eternal suffering to those who once called you friend.” Her eyes lower; suddenly it’s painful to look upon the princess. “You do not deserve your crown.” The crowd of ponies gasp and look at one another as Luna’s eyes fill with tears and she tries to speak, but no words will form. Celestia blinks away tears. “Perhaps… you are right.” “No… No she isn’t right!” Unable to stay silent any longer, Twilight steps in front of Celestia, giving her a look of confusion. “This isn’t up for debate.” Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, and a terrified Fluttershy move to stand next to Twilight, forming a half circle around Celestia. Murmurs run rampant through the crowd of ponies but quiet down as Celestia steps forward, moving past Twilight. “Remember what I said, little pony.” She whispers. “What, you said… Princess? What do you mean?” Twilight shakes her head, a sense of dread filling her. Luna can barely croak out a few words. “Sister… What is thou doing?” Celestia glances at Luna then turns to face Star Flare. “I accept.” Gasps and sounds of shock erupt from the crowd. Stunned, Luna, Twilight and her friends stare at Celestia helplessly. Pinkie shakes her head and stumbles backwards as Twilight falls into a sitting position, her legs suddenly lacking the strength to fully support her.