//------------------------------// // Starlight Express // Story: My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic (Alternate Season Six) // by FlareGun45 //------------------------------// Over at Sugarcube Corner, Twilight, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, AppleJack, and Rarity were sitting at a table as Pinkie brings out some treats for them all. “Alllllright, everypony! Some freshly baked baked goods that’s goodly baked and are also cupcakes!” Pinkie said as she sets them on the table. “Ooooo!” the Mane Five said impressively. “My, my! They smell delicious, Pinkie Pie!” Fluttershy said. “I agree! If they’d make a cupcake perfume, I’d buy it in a heartbeat!” Rarity said happily. “But they don’t… so I won’t.” Rainbow Dash was about to grab a cupcake, but Pinkie immediately slaps it away from it. “HEY!” Rainbow yelled. “No can do, Dashie!” Pinkie stopped her as she waved her hoof back and forth. “We need to wait until everypony is here.” “Yeah. Where is Starlight anyway?” AppleJack asked. “I’m not sure.” Twilight admitted. “She hasn’t been quite herself this morning. I asked her what was wrong and she just walked out.” “Well it doesn’t look like she’s coming. Can I have a cupcake now?” Rainbow asked with an attitude. “NO!” Pinkie yelled. “We never leave a friend behind; even if that friend used to be a big meanie.” “Pinkie’s right.” AppleJack said. “We should head back to the castle and see how Starlight’s doin’. She might need the help of her friends.” “Agreed.” Rarity said. “Can we bring the cupcakes with us?” Pinkie asked. “Yes, Pinkie, we can bring the cupcakes with us.” AppleJack smiled. “Good, because it’s coming out of MY paycheck.” Pinkie informed them. So the Mane Six walked back to the Castle of Friendship hoping Starlight would be there. As the Mane Six were walking through the castle corridors, Spike walks by carrying a pile of books. “Dragon on the port-bow!” Pinkie cried out. “Yeah, hey Pinkie. Hey everypony. You’re back early.” Spike said. “Starlight hasn’t showed up at our get-together, and we think something might be wrong with her.” Twilight said. “And these cupcakes are starting to rot. 5 bits down the drain!” Pinkie complained. “So what do you want me to do about it?” Spike asked. “We want to find out why she hasn’t showed up.” Twilight said. “We think something might be wrong with her.” Fluttershy said. “Could it have to be something to do her regretting the things she did in the past?” Spike asked. “Maybe.” Twilight said. “Wait… did she tell you?” “I gotta go.” Spike said as he started to walk away with the pile of books. “Well that was weird.” AppleJack said. “I’ll worry about Spike later. Let’s just go find Starlight and help her out.” Twilight suggested. “If Starlight is worried about her past, could it have something to do with the ponies she’s encouraged to join her society?” Fluttershy asked. “I don’t think we’ll know for sure unless we ask.” Twilight thought as they continued walking. Over in Starlight’s bedroom at the castle, Starlight was sitting on the middle of the floor with her eyes closed and using her magic to make the objects around her room float when suddenly there was a knock on the door that ruins her concentration and makes her drop everything, including a pillow on the top of her head. She sighs and yells out, “Come in!” Twilight opens the door and she and the rest of her friends walk inside. “Hey, Starlight!” she said. “Hey, Twilight.” Starlight said as she faked a smile. “What’s up?” “You didn’t come to our little get together at Sugarcube Corner. Is something wrong, darling?” Rarity asked. “No I’m fine, girls. But thank you for asking.” Starlight said. “Spike said that your past is sorta botherin’ you.” AppleJack said. “Well that little dragon doesn’t know how to keep his mouth shut, huh?” Starlight asked sarcastically. “Well, I never told him to keep it a secret.” “What’s going on, Starlight? Why is your past bothering you?” Twilight asked. “I know you said I should learn about my mistakes in my past, and all that is is the past, but… it kinda bothers me still.” Starlight explained. “I’ve made so many ponies unhappy about my equality ways.” “But you went to the village and made amends to everypony, didn’t you?” Rainbow asked her. “Actually… those weren’t the only ponies I’ve upset in the past.” Starlight said as she stands up and walks over to the window. “Before becoming leader of that village, I travelled across Equestria to see if I could get some ponies to join my cause, and to the ponies that said ‘no’… I…” She turns back towards the Mane Six. “Well, let’s just say that I let my anger get the best of me.” “I know how that feels.” Fluttershy said. “You do?” Starlight asked. “Of course.” Fluttershy said as she walks over to Starlight and smiles at her. “When I thought I was too sensitive, I decided to get tough to prove I could handle myself, but I got carried away and let my toughness out on my friends. We all get angry, Starlight. It just means you’re a pony with feelings.” Starlight nods. “You’re right, Fluttershy.” “So we ready to eat the cupcakes now?” Pinkie asked. “Maybe a cupcake… might help.” Starlight said as she takes a cupcake out of the tray and was about to put it in her mouth, but no matter how much she tried, she hesitated. “I can’t do it, Pinkie. I’m just not feeling it right now. I can’t live like this!” “Not live with cupcakes?” Pinkie asked. “But cupcakes would bring a smile on everypony’s faces!” Pinkie leaned over towards Starlight, stretching out her neck on the process and asking with a glare, “You never had cupcakes before, have you?” “Of course I’ve had cupcakes before.” Starlight corrected her. “Oh phew!” Pinkie wiped her sweat. “I thought your sadness was the cause of the lack of cupcakes, but now that I know you had them before, what you’re going through is completely normal!” She tosses a cupcake into her mouth and then spits out the paper that covered the bottom of it, and the paper lands on Rarity’s face. Rarity didn’t say anything. She just glared at her. “Well, Starlight, I’m not sure what else to say.” Twilight admitted. “I mean if you really want to make amends to these ponies, I guess you-“ Starlight smiled and yelled, “Wait! That’s it! Twilight, you’re a genius!” “Wow, Twilight! She calls you what you call me!” Pinkie said as she then pats her on the head. “I have taught you well, young one!” “What did I inspire you for exactly?” Twilight asked. “I should make amends to all the ponies I’ve angered over the years!” Starlight said. “Really?” Twilight asked. “Of course! It may be the only way I could feel better about myself!” Starlight said. “I can make a list of all the ponies I need to apologize to. I got a good memory when it comes to ponies I’ve met.” “You sure that might be the best strategy, Starlight?” Twilight asked. ”I think that is awfully nice of her.” Fluttershy said. “And we can go with her and assist her!” AppleJack offered. “Oh no, you don’t have to do that.” Starlight insisted. “We insist, dear. You may want some assistance from us the first few tries.” Rarity said as she winked at her. “Well thank you all so much!” Starlight said happily. “I wouldn’t know where I’d be without you!” “Alone, miserable, no friends, maybe in prison.” Rainbow said. “Rainbow!” the Mane Six all yelled at her. “What? It’s true!” Rainbow said. “But she’s right.” Starlight said. “Anyways, I’ll get started with the list, and we can leave tomorrow.” “I can get Spike to help you. SPIKE!” Twilight called out. “No, it’s fine, Twilight. Let him do his thing.” Starlight insisted. “I can do this.” “Well… ok then.” Twilight smiled. The next day came, and the Mane Six, Starlight, and Spike all headed to the trainstation to catch a train to wherever they need to go. They were pretty excited, especially Pinkie. “Wooo!” Pinkie cheered as she hoped in the air. “Road trip! Or… in this case… train track trip!” “Ah wonder what places we’re goin’ to be goin’ to?” AppleJack asked. “I hope Manehattan is one of them!” Rarity hoped. “Actually it is.” Starlight said as she takes her list out. “What? That little list?” Rarity asked. “What little list?” Starlight asked as the paper unfolds itself, touching the ground and even going over the train tracks, revealing that the list is as long as a Hydra’s neck (well, one of them). “Whoa! That’s a… pretty big list you got there, Starlight.” AppleJack said. “I know! I’m so proud of her!” Twilight said excitedly. “Starlight likes to keep organized, just like me!” “So… what places are we going to?” Rainbow asked. “All over Equestria!” Starlight said. “Canterlot, Cloudsdale, Manehattan, Vanhoover, Fillydelphia, Los Pegasus, Baltimare, Mareami, Appleloosa, Foal Mouth, Dodge Junction, Rainbow Falls…” “Wow! That’s a lot of places!” Rainbow said surprisingly. “But no matter what, we’re going to be with you every step of the way, Starlight!” AppleJack promised. “Yes we are!” Twilight said. Just as Spike places the last suitcase in the pile next to the Mane Six, he wipes his sweat and says, “Phew! Well, that’s everything! You have a great trip! Best of luck, Starlight!” “You’re not coming along?” Rainbow asked. “Sorry, Rainbow, but I have a lot of research to pick up on.” Spike said. “Research for what?” AppleJack asked. “Research for research?” Pinkie asked. “Nah, just… research.” Spike said. “You’re not going to tell us why?” Twilight asked. “I said too much already.” Spike said. “Aw c’mon, Spikey-Wikey! You can tell us!” Rarity insisted as she flutters her eyes at him. “Please? For me?” “Sorry, Rarity. As gorgeous and tempting as you look, it’s not going to work this time.” Spike said. Rarity was shocked, and Spike realized how shock she was. He smiled at her and said, “But you were so close, I will give you that much, Rarity.” “No need to force it upon him. If he doesn’t want to say, he doesn’t want to say. He’ll be waiting for us and welcome us back, right buddy?” Starlight asked as she winked at him. “Absolutely!” Spike said as the train shows up. “Relax. You seven do what you need to do, and I’ll be here waiting for you with some treats!” “Ooo treats! Is it Nightmare Night already?” Pinkie asked excitedly. So the Mane Six and Starlight all hop onto the Friendship Express and started going to their first destination. They took a seat in a middle car with Pinkie, Rarity, AppleJack, and Fluttershy on the left side of the train, and Twilight, Rainbow, and Starlight on the other. Twilight immediately asks, “So, Starlight, who’s first on the list?” “The first pony on the list is a body builder named Muzzle Buff – lives in Fillydelphia.” Starlight said as she read the list. “Oooo! Fillydelphia! Plenty of history there!” Twilight said. “I’ve always wanted to go there!” “Wait, you’re looking for a body builder, Starlight?” Rainbow asked like Starlight was crazy. “Wow! That is very brave for a first time!” Fluttershy said impressively. “I’m not afraid of anypony on this list! I can get through it with no fear whatsoever!” Starlight said excitedly. “Well that’ll make this trip a whole lot easier.” AppleJack said. “Yeah… a whole lot… easier.” Starlight said hesitantly as she looked down on the list and saw the name Sunburst on it. That’s when she started to get nervous. When the train arrives at Fillydelphia, the Mane Six exit the train and took a cab to the gym. When they got there, there were ponies all over the place excising their hooves, their wings, or even their magic, because magic needs to be strong too, right? Oh and there were some griffons and manitores there too. The Mane Six and Starlight searched around for him. “Anypony know where he is?” Rainbow asked. “How should any of us know other than Starlight? She didn’t show us a picture of him.” AppleJack reminded her. “Uh, attention everypony?” Pinkie called out as all the body builder stopped what they were doing. “We’re looking for a body builder here. Any of you seen one?” All the body builders looked at eachother awkwardly, and then they all raised their hooves. “Ah! I found him! I found a couple of hims, and a few hers too!“ “Well… hello, cutie!” one of the body builders said as he walked over to Rarity and Fluttershy. “Ooooh…” Rarity blushed. “Hello there, muscles! Mind if I have a feel?” “Uh, sure.” The bodybuilder said awkwardly as he let’s his arm out so Rarity can feel. “Oh my!” Rarity said excitedly. “Such a big strong pony!” “Uh, thanks?” the bodybuilder said awkwardly. “By the way, umm, no offense, but I was… actually talking to that cutie behind you.” “Oh that cutie behind- WHAT?!” Rarity suddenly gasped, and then the bodybuilder walks over to Fluttershy and flexes his muscles. “Hello, hello!” the bodybuilder said to Fluttershy. “Where is the dragon, because I see a kingdom has lost it’s princess!” “Oh my…” Fluttershy’s face turned red, but not in a good way. She covered her face with her hair. “Can it, buff-a-roni!” Rainbow instructed him. “Oh yeah?” the bodybuilder chuckled. “What can a little pony like you do to stop- OW!” Rainbow suddenly twists the bodybuilder’s arm with her hooves. “OK! Ok! Uncle!” Rainbow Dash released him and the bodybuilder rubs his arm. “Now tell us where Muzzle Buff is!” Rainbow demanded. “He’s over there at the trotmill.” The bodybuilder pointed. The Mane Six and Starlight walked over to Muzzle Buff whom was on a treadmill, trotting in a high speed while breathing heavily, sweating, while listening to music with small ear buds on his ears. Pinkie eventually finds a protein shake bar at the back wall. She smiles and says, “Oooo! Shakes!” and she trots over to it. Starlight gets a little nervous as she and the others walk over to Muzzle Buff, but Twilight pats her on the shoulder, and then Starlight smiles and nods. “Umm, excuse me?” Starlight tried to get his attention. “Mister… Buff? Mr. Muzzle Buff?” He didn’t respond, he just kept going. “HEEEY!” Rainbow yelled, but he still didn’t respond. “HEEEEEY!” “Shhhh! Let Starlight handle it, calmly.” Twilight suggested to her. Just then Pinkie rejoins the group taking a sip of a protein shake, but then she suddenly spits it out. “Yuck! What kind of protein shakes are these? They’re yucky!” “Wait… did somepony say protein shake?” Muzzle Buff asked as he stops the treadmill and removes his earbuds. He then spots Pinkie with the protein shake. “Umm… excuse me, miss, but… are you going to drink that?” “Ew, no! You can have it!” Pinkie offered. “Really? Thanks!” Muzzle Buff said excitedly as he takes the shake from Pinkie and starts to drink it. “Ah! Much better! I needed some fuel.” “Fuel? No wonder it tastes icky!” Pinkie complained. “Never seen you girls here before.” Muzzle Buff said. “Yeah, well… I work out all the time.” Rainbow fibs as she flexes. “Umm… hey, Muzzle Buff.” Starlight greeted. “Hey.” Muzzle Buff said as he continued to drink the shake. “Do you… do you remember me?” Starlight asked. “No.” he said as he took another big gulp. “Oh… well… I kinda let out my anger on you once and I wanted to say… I’m sorry.” Starlight said. “Ok.” He shrugged. “Yes I am very sorry for everything I did to you.” Starlight repeated herself. “Ok, whatever.” He shrugged. “Yeah for… everything… especially after trying to remove your cutie mark.” Starlight said. “Uh huh.” He said, still not caring as he takes another sip. “And for spilling your protein shake.” She added. Just then, Muzzle spits out the shake. “YOU WHAT?!” he yelled angrily. “Well, I…” Starlight stuttered. “Nopony… and I mean nopony…” he angrily says to her as he crushes the protein shake glass with his muscles. “…messes with my protein shakes!” “And that’s why I’m here.” Starlight said nervously. “I-I-I…” “Grrrrr!” he growled at her. “I WANT TO MAKE IT UP TO YOU!” Starlight yelled as she covers herself. “Well… if you really want my forgiveness, I could use myself with a new protein shake recipe.” Muzzle said. “Wait…” Starlight uncovers herself curiously. “That’s it?” “Well, I’m not saying it’s easy though. The ones I have at home are pretty old. I mean my favorite protein shakes are from that bar over there, but they don’t give away their recipe to just anypony.” Muzzle explained. “Do you know of how I can get it?” Starlight asked. “If I knew, I’d have it by now.” Muzzle reminded her. “Oooh… are you sure this is what you want?” Starlight asked. “You want my forgiveness? Then do me this favor.” Muzzle said as he starts trotting on the treadmill again. Starlight then turns to Twilight and asks her, “How am I supposed to help him? You think I could just buy the recipe?” “You know, Starlight, you don’t have to do this for him.” Twilight informed her. “But I have to! I need his forgiveness to clear my judgment.” Starlight said. “If you ask me, he seems to be takin’ advantage over you.” AppleJack said. “But I have to do this! Please, girls! Please, Twilight! Can any of you think of anything I could do?” Starlight asked. “I got one!” Pinkie said as she buys another protein shake. “Good idea, Pinkie, but… I don’t have the necessary equipment with me to analyze the recipe.” Twilight said. “No need! Just watch, and take some notes.” Pinkie said as she drinks the protein shake. She gives her mouth a few taps on her lips, and then she says really fast, “1 ounce of buff powder, 5 teaspoons of oats, one slice of banana, four frozen strawberries, and a quarter-cup of orange juice; and wow, that should’ve been delish! Why was it so icky?” She asks as she then spits out the taste. “You got it, Twilight?” Starlight asked. “Hold on.” Twilight said as she continues writing. “And a quarter-cup orange ju- ok got it!” “I hope this is legit enough.” Starlight said as she takes the recipe and walks back over to Muzzle. “Hey Muzzle?” “What?” he asked. “I… I, umm…” Starlight stuttered. “Well? Spit it out.” He said impatiently. “I got your protein shake recipe.” Starlight offered. “Ah, nice!” Muzzle said excitedly as he takes it from her. “This will do very nicely! I will save so much money this way! Thank you so much, umm…” “Starlight Glimmer.” She said. “Starlight Glimmer! You have my forgiveness!” he said as he excitedly ran off. “Wow! You did it, Starlight!” Pinkie said excitedly. “I did do it didn’t I?” Starlight said excitedly. “So who’s the next lucky pony you’re going to help next?” Fluttershy asked. Starlight takes out her list again and reads, “Angel Wings of Vanhoover is next. He shouldn’t be too difficult.” “What did you do to him?” Fluttershy asked. “I exposed his crooked ways as a carriage dealer to everypony.” Starlight said. “Oh… sorry I asked.” She said embarrassedly. “It’s ok, Fluttershy.” Starlight said. “Nopony believed me anyway. I gotta say, he was good.” “Why would you want his forgiveness anyway?” AppleJack asked. “Sounds like the type of pony that would rip other ponies off.” “Yeah, the worst type of business ponies out there! Are you sure you want to do that?” Rarity asked. “Positive.” Starlight said. “Well if that’s what you want, Starlight, we will help you get there.” Twilight smiled. “Right girls?” “Right!” the Mane Five agreed. “Then let us finish the next 57 ponies off this list!” Starlight said excitedly. The Mane Six all faked smiles as they returned to the Friendship Express to the next town. During this little montage of Starlight trying to earn everypony’s forgiveness, the seven of them all sing a little tune where the train whistles take over most of the instrumental parts of the song like a beat. The song starts off on the train, and it went a little something like this… Starlight started it off, “Here we are on the road again. We’re here to make amends. Here we are on the rails again. Will it work, it depends. I’ve got to clear my conscience from the catastrophes… the catastrophes I caaaaaused! Checking this list, and check it again… don’t stop until I make amen, oh yeah!” The Mane Six sang, “All abooooooooard the Starlight Express!” 4 second instrumental pause. “All aboooooooooard the Starlight Express!” The next part the song gets sung as Starlight’s montage begins. First, Starlight visits Angel Wings at his carriage dealership where Starlight apologies to him and wants to make it up to him. Angel asks her file paperwork for him so he can spend more time selling his carriages. Starlight gets exhausted over all that work and faceplants herself on the papers. “We’re going town to town.” AppleJack sang. “We won’t stop till it’s done.” “No matter how much we try.” Fluttershy sang. “This is something we cannot outrun.” The next part shows Starlight trying to make amends to an actor in Los Pegasus that just finished filming for a cereal commercial. He takes off his dinosaur mask just as he leaves the studio and Starlight shows up with a platter of donuts while giving the actor a fake smile. The actor licks his lips as he picks up a donut and was about to eat it, but he saw that Starlight was still there fake smiling at him, so he waves his arm signaling her to shoo. “We can’t run, or even hide.” Rainbow sang. “It’s the only way to redemption!” The next part takes place in Manehattan where Starlight is dressed up in a purple and black sparkly dress as she posses for Photo Finish as she takes a picture of her. The camera flash temporarily blinds her. “Forgiveness, and favors.” Rarity sang. “Just prove to them you have affection, that’s right!” Afterwards, Starlight heads over to Dodge Junction to help Cherry Jubilee pick cherries off her trees. It started off as hard work, but Starlight gains an idea. She uses her magic to remove the cherries from the trees, but the easiness turns out to be more difficult as she would have to arrange the cherries from red to yellow, and all the cherries were piled onto eachother. This made Starlight very annoyed. “All abooooooooooooard the Starlight Express!” the Mane Six sang. “All abooooooooooooard the Starlight Express!” During the instrumental solo that features an accordion in it, Starlight goes to Baltimare where she is juggling rubber chickens while balancing on a ball. That’s when the accordion solo comes as Cheese Sandwich dances by while playing it, as Boneless 2 was sitting on his shoulders. After that, Starlight goes to Appleloosa to assist Braeburn and Apple Fritter with loading apple pies into a carriage to ship out. Braeburn and Apple Fritter were doing fine when they were carrying one box at a time to the carriage, but when Starlight carries so much at a time using her magic, she trips on a snail and the boxes all fall over and apple pies get dumped all over Starlight and the snail. That was when Braeburn and Apple Fritter started laughing (even though they tried to hold in their laughter, but couldn’t), and Starlight just glared at them without amusement. The snail then licks itself off with a smile on its face. On the next train ride to their next destination, Starlight was feeling exhausted and upset as she looked out the train window. Twilight notices and she walks over to her and sings, “We knew we were getting close now! This is no time to give in! We’re getting real close now. The situation will never be grim!” “Yes we’re getting real close now!” Pinkie sang as she reads Starlight’s list. “We only have 22 left to gooooooooo!” “Wow, that much?” Rainbow complained. “It feels like it’s been forever!” “Well who’s next on the list, Starlight?” Pinkie asked as she gives her back the list. Starlight looks over the list and then she suddenly gasped because next on the list was Sunburst. “Well?” Twilight asked as the Mane Six all looked at her with smiles on their faces. Starlight nervously looks at the list again. She looks at Sunbursts name again, and then suddenly goes down to the name after that. “Turnip Field in Trottingham.” She said with a fake-smile. “Then it’s off to Trottingburg then!” Pinkie cried out as the Mane Six cheered, leaving Starlight stumped. As Starlight finishes up the list, the song continues. As this song continues, Starlight continues her list from helping a mare named Turnip Field in Trottingham with cleaning litter off the interstate and got covered in mud by a reckless carriage driver riding along the curve. Afterwards, Starlight goes to Mareami to help out some surfer dudes with chugging a jug full of cider; they were going “Chug! Chug! Chug!” as she finished the whole thing and started to feel ill in the process, but the surfers still cheered. Next, Starlight travels by boat to Foal Mouth Island, where Starlight meets up with a very angry cyclops that roars angrily carrying a supply of coconuts. He then hands some of the coconuts to Starlight and they both started throwing them at a pack of angry Stymphalian Birds attacking the village. Starlight continued the song during these events, “Favor to favor, task to task, there’s so much forgiveness I’m trying to ask. How am I supposed to live my life with this guilt inside of me? Travelling around, trying to win. Looking for the impendent peace within. How can I live with all this hostilityyyy?” The next part takes place on a train with Starlight looking out a window, and Pinkie tries to comfort her with her part, “Starlight, don’t you see, friend? You don’t need to be too square.” “You have, a good heart now!” AppleJack sang. “So Starlight, please beware.” Rarity sang. “You don’t need to… finish that list now.” Fluttershy sang. “Just know that you were fair.” Rainbow sang. “You’ve done me… and your friends proud, to show that you really care.” Twilight sang. “Choo choo!” Pinkie tooted. “All abooooooooooooard the Starlight Express!” the Mane Six sang. “All aboooooooooard the Starlight Express!” “You made amends, just so you know that.” Twilight sang. “All aboooooooooooard the Starlight Express!” the Mane Six sang again. “But Twilight it’s not all that…” Starlight sang. “All abooooooooooooard the Starlight Express!” the Mane Six sang one last time as the song ends there. “Wait, what do you mean it’s not all that?” Twilight asked. “We just finished the last pony off your list, see?” Pinkie pointed. “So… we’re done there. We can go home now?” Rainbow asked. “I… I guess so.” Starlight said hesitantly. “Yes! This trip was REALLY starting to bore me!” Rainbow admitted. “It was all worth it in the end though, wasn’t it Starlight?” Rarity asked. “I… guess.” Starlight said. “Hmm…” Twilight thought. “Doesn’t seem that you’re all that satisfied though.” “Satisfied? Of course I’m satisfied!” Starlight lied as she chuckled nervously. “I have no reason not to be! I earned the forgiveness of every single pony I wronged!” Twilight takes the list from Pinkie and takes a look at it. She then says to Starlight while showing her the list, “Or did you?” Starlight gasped. “No! That’s everypony! I swear!” “Wait a minute, lemme see that.” AppleJack grabs the list and takes a look at it. “Uhh… who in Equestria is Sunburst?” “Go ahead, Starlight. Tell them who Sunburst is.” Twilight instructed her. “Sunburst? Never heard that name before in my life.” Starlight lied nervously. “It must’ve been… uhh… slipped in there?” “Wow.” Pinkie said. “Even AppleJack can make a better liar face than that!” “What in tarnation is that supposed to mean?” AppleJack asked insultingly. “Starlight if you don’t tell them, I will.” Twilight promised. Starlight knew she couldn’t win, so she took a deep breath and told them the truth, “Sunburst was my friend back when we were young. We did… we did everything together. Until he got his cutie mark and left me.” Starlight started to get angry. “That was when I vowed to have everypony equal! Nopony shall betray the other ever AGAIN!” She slams on the window, which really startles the Mane Six, and some of the other ponies on the train. Starlight took a deep breath and calmed herself down. “Sorry about that.” “It’s ok, Starlight.” Twilight said. “Perhaps it would be best if we… went to see him?” Fluttershy suggested. “WHAT?!” Starlight yelled. “Or… if you want to.” Fluttershy corrected herself. “No, Fluttershy’s got a point, darling.” Rarity said. “If you think it might help with your guilt, perhaps the best thing to do is face him yourself.” “No, but… I mean… you see… I got…” Starlight stuttered. “You don’t have to see him, if you don’t want.” Twilight said as she places her hoof on Starlight’s shoulder. “Starlight, you changing yourself for the better is forgiving enough. You don’t need the forgiveness of ponies you barely know.” “Yeah, from what it’s worth, half of them barely remembered you.” AppleJack said. “Sometimes it takes a little travellin’ to know that you’ve done what’s good for your heart all this time.” “And it takes guts to face the ponies you’ve wronged in the past.” Rainbow admitted as she play-punches Starlight on the shoulder. “I couldn’ve done it better myself!” “So if you really want to go home, Starlight, that’s your call.” Twilight said. Starlight thought long and hard about what needed to be done, and then she smiles with confidence. “He’s currently living at Rainbow Falls.” She said. The Mane Six all cheered as the train railed off to Rainbow Falls. As the train arrived at Rainbow Falls and the ponies walk out, Starlight was feeling really nervous. More nervous than she’s ever been her whole life, most likely. She was literary shaking real bad like there was no tomorrow, but luckily her friends were there to calm her down. “Are you sure you want to do this, Starlight?” Twilight asked. “I dunno.” Starlight said. “Maybe he’s not even here. Maybe we should just go.” “Hey! We’re here now; we should just get it over with!” Rainbow persuaded her. “Rainbow’s right, Starlight.” AppleJack said. “If you want to feel better about yourself, you’d just get this over with.” “Are you sure it’s going to help me feel better?” Starlight asked. “Just look at him in the eye and tell him exactly how you feel.” Fluttershy advised her. “You sure that’s what I need to do?” Starlight asked. “It works on my animals.” Fluttershy said. “Ok.” Starlight nodded as she and the others walk out of the trainstation and start walking through town. It wasn’t too long until they left the trainstation when they found him. “Oh my gosh!” “What? You see cupcakes somewhere?” Pinkie asked as she excitedly looked around. “That’s him!” Starlight pointed to the unicorn that was showing off his magic to a group of ponies. “And what happened next, Mr. Sunburst?” a young pony asked. “Ha ha ha! Ok, sonny. Watch as the amazing powers of Sunburst once again impress your puny little eyes.” Sunburst said as he uses his magic to project a small movie as he narrates his own story for the young ponies. “That was when I had to take action. When the rampaging Manticore attacked the town, I knew I had to take action. Nothing was going to let me down, and so, just like that, we had the battle of the century! Sunburst vs. a rampaging Manticore! I showed him what for, and just like that, the Manticore ran off and never looked back! I was named a hero of the town and I was transferred to Canterlot’s School for Gifted Unicorns. I showed the doubters what for and I was finally happy!” The ponies all cheered after he concludes his story. The Mane Six and Starlight all heard, and the Mane Six all had disgusted looks on their faces. “Wow… that was… he was…” AppleJack stuttered. “A show-off, a liar, and a jerk?” Rarity asked. “Well, that’s three ways of puttin’ it.” AppleJack said. “Trixie, you’ve officially been replaced.” Rainbow said. “Are you sure you want to apologize to him, Starlight?” Twilight asked. “I’ve come this far and I will not come all the way here for nothing.” Starlight said. “I must confront Sunburst now and tell him how I feel.” “That’s a very brave thing you’re doing.” Fluttershy smiled. “Hey, I have my new friends here to watch my back.” Starlight smiled. “As long as I know you’re here for me, I can do anything!” “Well in that case… go get ‘em, tiger!” Pinkie said. With confidence and her head held high, Starlight starts marching over to Sunburst who was smiling at his audience as they continued to cheer for him. Starlight walks up to him and asks angrily, “So this is you now, huh Sunburst?” Sunburst’s eyes opened surprisingly when he heard Starlight’s voice. “This is what you’re doing with your life? Planting lies and decent?” Sunburst quickly turns around and with a shocking look on his face, he asks, “Starlight? Starlight Glimmer?! Is that you?!” “Yes, Sunburst. I’m here.” Starlight said angrily. “Starlight, I… how did… how did you find me?!” Sunburst asked excitedly. “Don’t give me any of that!” Starlight yelled at him. “You left me alone at home! When you earned your cutie mark, you just left me! You went on to Canterlot to fill your dreams, and you didn’t even say good-bye! Because of you I had crossed a new path to save friendship throughout Equestria and all I did was cause grief, all because you left me alone!” “Wait… what?” Sunburst asked curiously. “You were my best friend, and you ruined my life!” Starlight explained. “When I found my new friends here, I started to have hope! I had high hopes of seeing you again, and now that I got my wish, I suddenly regret it, because I don’t see my best friend Sunburst. All I see is a show-off spreading lies to these young ponies, telling tales! You’re a shadow of your former self, Sunburst, and I will NOT forgive you for this! I hope you’re happy with yourself!” Starlight then turns around and marches right back to the Mane Six. “Starlight, wait!” Sunburst called out. “C’mon, girls. We’re leaving.” Starlight demanded as she walks right passed them and starts walking back to the trainstation. The Mane Six all looked at eachother worryingly as they soon followed her. On the train ride back home, it started to rain, and Starlight just leaned her head on the window just sadly watching the raindrops fall onto the window. She started to tear up just before her friends came over to comfort her. “Hey, sugarcube. You alright?” AppleJack asked. “Actually… yeah. Yeah I am.” Starlight said as she wiped her tears and looked back at the Mane Six and smiled. “I feel… I feel like a changed pony. I feel like I can do anything now.” “What happened back there, Starlight? Do you want to talk about it?” Twilight asked. “I thought you wanted to apologize to him?” Fluttershy asked. “Me, apologize to him?” Starlight asked as she laughed. “Yeah, that’s good one, Fluttershy!” “Oh… I… I didn’t realize I was joking.” Fluttershy admitted. “Don’t you think about stealing my job, Fluttershy!” Pinkie warned her right to her face. So close to her face that they touched muzzles. “But I didn’t do anything to him.” Starlight said. “If I were to apologize, I would apologize for being his friend in the first place. Like you said, Fluttershy, I had to tell him how I really felt, and therefore I did; and just like that, I feel much better. It’s like I didn’t even need to apologize to anypony on this list.” “So it wasn’t the other ponies that bothered you. It was just Sunburst.” Twilight understood. “It seemed all I had to do was face Sunburst all alone.” Starlight said. “But after the way you talked to Sunburst, you two may never be friends again.” Rarity reminded her. “I know.” Starlight said upsettingly but then she smiles. “But I have my new friends now, and you will never leave me the way he did. I don’t need him anymore. Friends come and go all the time, and I can’t do anything about it. There will always be new friends to come my way.” Just then, the seven of them all gave eachother a group hug. After they all return to Ponyville, they all headed back home for the night. The next day came and Starlight was in the library with Spike as Spike was reading. “And that’s what happened.” Starlight concluded her story. “Wow, I have to say, I never expected that.” Spike said. “I would’ve expected you two to hug and make-up.” “I did too until I realized how much of a jerk he is.” Starlight said. “How’s the research coming along?” “So far, nothing, but I’ll get there.” Spike said. “You know, Twilight is starting to get a little suspicious. Perhaps it’s best to keep the research to a minimum so she doesn’t expect anything.” Starlight suggested. “Actually, that’s a good idea.” Spike agreed as he puts the book down. “Even though I’m trying to find things on what to do with my life, perhaps it’s best to stick with what I do best until that time comes.” Just then, the library door opens and Twilight peeks her head inside. “Umm, Starlight? Do you have a minute?” “Sure, Twilight. What’s up?” Starlight asked. “I just wanted to say how proud I am of you.” Twilight said as she walks inside. “For what?” Starlight asked as Twilight walks over to her and sits down next to her. “For caring so much about ponies that you wish to earn their forgiveness.” Twilight said. “Yeah, it does feel good to do good.” Starlight said. “All I want is to do some good in the world, and spread friendship throughout Equestria. I still need to learn on what the right ways are a bit, but at least I am on the right path. Or… I am… am I?” “You are!” Twilight said. “And sometimes… even though you wish for forgiveness, sometimes you need to give other’s forgiveness as well.” “Yeah, I was actually thinking about that.” Starlight admitted. “Perhaps I was a little hard on Sunburst back in Rainbow Falls. I should’ve just explained how I felt without ranting at him. Oh I wish I could relive that moment so we could just make-up and be friends again instead of me just ending it there on the spot.” “Maybe you don’t have to.” Sunburst said as he walks into the library. Starlight gasped in shock after seeing him. “Sunburst?!” Starlight cried. “Starlight, I was… I was thinking about what you said, and I’m… I’m so sorry for leaving you! Please, Starlight! I would do anything to earn your forgiveness back! It’s all I really want!” Sunburst begged. Starlight suddenly runs over to him with tears in her eyes and she gives him a hug. “Never leave me alone again!” “I promise, Starlight. I promise I won’t.” Sunburst said. “But why, Sunburst? Why did you leave like that?” Starlight asked. “You think I didn’t regret leaving you?” Sunburst asked. “Huh?” Starlight asked. Sunburst sighs as he explains his side of the story. “You see, after I earned my cutie mark from saving you from the toppling books, I got really excited and had to show my parents. I knew our code in trying to earn our cutie marks at the same time, so I immediately wanted to help you earn yours, but just like that, I was immediately signed up for Princess Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns, and they didn’t give me a chance to say good-bye. I tried to tell them, but they were only worried about my future. The first few weeks of my life in that school were miserable, but after a while I had to just accept it and move on with my life.” “Oh… I see.” Starlight said. “And all this time I was angry at you for leaving me.” “I was angry at myself too, Starlight.” Sunburst said. “Sometimes… sometimes I wished that… everypony in Equestria would be… you know… equal.” Starlight surprisingly looked back at him and asked, “Really?” “Would you understand something like that?” Sunburst asked. Starlight then smiled and said, “More than you could ever know.” Sunburst smiled back as they hugged again. “But wait…” Starlight stopped. “What about that fairy tale you told those kids at Rainbow Falls? Did that actually happen?” “Actually no, you were right, it was all lies.” Sunburst admitted. “But you should’ve let me explain it to you.” “Why would you tell them lies though?” Sunburst asked. Sunburst started to chuckle and shake his head. “You obviously weren’t there throughout the whole story. The story was actually about me in a young age. I had no talent, no friends, and I was picked on for being different from everypony else. Not everypony has a big white spot on his face. But one pony, a pony by the name of Starlight Glimmer stood up for me to those bullies. I felt so happy because nopony has ever stood up for me before. We became fast friends, and Starlight explained on how unique I was and that I’m about to do great things. But suddenly, a rampaging manticore invades the town and started causing havoc. Nopony could do a thing to stop it. You said that I was the only one that could, but I didn’t have enough confidence; but then you told me to believe in myself, and that the most unique of all ponies are very special. I just had to feel it within me.” That’s when I knew what to do.” Sunburst continued. “I struggled to use my magic against the manticore, but it was too strong. I kept trying and trying but I couldn’t anything, but there you were rooting for me. I felt your friendship within me, and just like that I impressed everypony in town with my magic. I defeated the manticore, and it ran away like the coward it was. I was praised for it. Even the doubters no longer doubted me any longer.” “So… so it was me in the story.” Starlight understood. “I was the one that gave you the confidence to believe in yourself and defeat the manticore.” “That was one of the things in the story that was true.” Sunburst said. “I wouldn’ve gotten where I am today if it weren’t for you. I had to save you from those books, and your friendship earned me my cutie mark.” “R…really?” Starlight asked as she smiled with tears of joy. “Really!” Sunburst said. “I go around Equestria telling these stories to the ponies around Equestria who lack confidence in themselves. They may be tales, but… they’re tales that help them go on in life and fulfill their destinies, and that wasn’t all. While I was travelling around Equestria, I was also looking for you, but I couldn’t find you anywhere, but instead…” he smiles. “…you found me.” “Oh Sunburst!” Starlight gives him another hug. “I missed you so much!” “I missed you too.” Sunburst said. As they hugged, Spike and Twilight both smiled with tears in their eyes and they both cheered for them. “By the way, Starlight. You never told me how you got your cutie mark.” “Ooooh… I was just studying magic.” Starlight said. “I thought of you the whole time, and it gave me the will to go on. I felt that were still there with me. I didn’t want ponies to suffer what I had to go through, and just like that, this baby appeared!” “Interesting!” Sunburst smiled. “So… umm… you want to… grab a coffee or something?” “Absolutely!” Starlight said. “But… I have the feeling you’re not going to be here forever. Are you?” “I have to fulfill my destiny, Starlight.” Sunburst said. “Ponies are out there in Equestria that need confidence. But if you… really want me to stay… I’ll…” Starlight gives him a kiss on the cheek and says, “Just come back and visit, ok?” Sunburst blushes as he places his hoof on his cheek.