Day 0: Starlight Glimmer
All things considered, Starlight should be imprisoned somewhere. She should be banished to the moon, in Tartarus, maybe, or locked away in some mirror. Starlight kept this in mind when Twilight told her to clean the castle. To reiterate, the entire castle. It really could be worse.
Starlight noticed that Twilight was unusually fastidious today. Usually, Twilight prioritized castle cleaning according to room use. The Council Room, for example, was cleaned about once a week while the Guest bedrooms were scheduled for about once a month. Some rooms, like the secret room that Twilight sauntered into for days at a time, were never truly cleaned. Reorganized, yes, but not given a thorough scrubbing down.
“Starlight!” Twilight called, “Are you almost done with the hallway, yet?
Starlight set down her broom, and turned to look at her approaching teacher/friend.
“I’m almost done,” Starlight, “If you don’t mind me asking, Twilight, why the sudden need to clean the castle?”
“I didn’t tell you?” Twilight said, tilting her head, “I’m inviting some friends over tomorrow!”
“Twilight, If it’s just the girls, I don’t think they’ll mind the dust,” Starlight snarked.
“It’s not just the girls,” Twilight replied as she charged her horn. “Let me show you something.”
Both Starlight and Twilight were engulfed in a magical aura, instantly teleporting them from one hallway to another. This one was lined with doors each marked with a different pony’s cutie mark.
“This,” Twilight announced, “Is the Unicorn Wing!”
The two started walking through the hallway, Starlight admiring the doors on their way through.
“I’ve learned something this past year, Starlight.” Twilight said, “I learned that I did have friends in Canterlot, before I was sent to Ponyville. It’s kind of embarrassing to admit this, being the Princess of Friendship and all, but I couldn’t remember their names, much less the fact that I had them.”
Starlight raised a hoof and opened her mouth only to put it back down. Friends though they might be, that didn’t change the fact that Princess Twilight Sparkle held Starlight Glimmer’s fate in her hoof. She may have been able to out-power Twilight, but Nightmare Moon was similarly able to out-power Celestia.
“So,” Twilight continued, “to keep contact with them, I’ve set up a fun three-day weekend for all of us to get together, catch up and study!”
“That is very much a ‘you’ Idea, Twilight,” Starlight chuckled.
“Maybe, but we were all students at the School for Gifted Unicorns,” Twilight said as Starlight gave a muted grunt, “so I’m sure an exchange of ideas between friends can be at least somewhat fun.”
Starlight walked through the hallway and stopped at two doors emblazoned with two cutie marks she didn’t recognize from Twilight’s Canterlot posse.
“Who are these two?” Starlight asked.
Twilight looked at the two doors, “Well the magic wand is for Trixie Lulamoon, she’s a bit of a blowhard but she’s a great illusionist!”
“How did you meet?”
Twilight coughed, “I, uh, upstaged her street show, and then beat her in a magic duel when she vowed revenge.”
“Do you make friends with everypony that causes trouble for you?” Starlight asked.
“Well either that or we turn them into stone, or banish them to Tartarus” Twilight said with a smile.
“Uhhh... “ Starlight vocalized, trying to process Twilight’s dissonant serenity, “What about the other one?”
“Sunset Shimmer?” Twilight asked and then went into quiet contemplation, “Starlight, I… Need to show you something else.”
Twilight teleported the two of them to another hallway this time, in front of a large double doorway.
“First of all, I want to apologize.” Twilight said as Starlight tilted her head, “I didn’t want to show this to you because I didn’t trust you with that information. That was unfair of me.”
This piqued Starlight’s curiosity. Twilight trusted her with a great many things, including some magic spells that seemed to fit more with world domination than anything. The “Want it, Need it” spell gave Starlight nightmares. This must have been something dire to keep her in the dark about it.
Twilight opened the doors, “ Starlight, this is the crystal mirror.”
Starlight stared into the room in awe. The room looked like a laboratory, with various bits of machinery scattered throughout. The centerpiece of it all was a large mirror resting on some steps. Surrounding the mirror was indescribable machinery. Tubes and wires were connected to the mirror in various places. To the left of the mirror was a stand that held a book with Celestia’s cutie mark.
“So on top of being a princess, you're a mad scientist,” Starlight drawled.
“This mirror was meant to be a window to other worlds, used by Starswirl The Bearded, of course.” Twilight sighed, “ Again, I’m sorry I kept this from you, but I didn’t want the mirror to be abused.”
Starlight stared at Twilight. “I don’t know what’s weirder: the fact that you kept this room from me, or the fact that you have two magical artifacts just lying around the castle.”
Twilight just smiled, all her worries were lifted by that statement, “This mirror leads to a world that is similar but completely different at the same time, Sunset Shimmer lives in that world now.”
“Why?” Starlight asked.
“Er… It’s a long story, but to put it simply, She had a falling-out with Celestia,” Twilight said.
“Friendship is weird,” Starlight stated.
“I can’t really argue with that,” Twilight said, “But it’s weird in the most wonderful of ways.”
Suddenly a large bang was heard from outside of the castle. Starlight jumped a little while Twilight just sighed and teleported both her and Starlight to the castle’s entrance, where a large wagon was waiting.
Suddenly, some heavy jazz music started to play. Starlight tried to look around for the source of the music while Twilight remained straight-faced. The Wagon then exploded open into a stage, smoke machines spraying everywhere to obscure it for a few tension building seconds. The smoke dissipated revealing the stage: The backdrop was a rustic city by the bay. The edges of the stage were decorated with golden masks and colorful feathers. Smoke erupted from the center of the stage, revealing The Great and Powerful Trixie.
“Watch and be amazed as you witness the mistress of illusions: The Great and Powerful TRRRRRIXIE!”
Starlight started to raise a hoof before Twilight lowered it for her. Trixie cleared her throat.
“Hello, Twilight Sparkle, or should I call you ‘Princess’?”
“Hi, Trixie,” Twilight greeted, “Trying for a Mare-di Gras thing now?”
“Trixie thought it was a good idea to revisit her roots”
“Wait, you’re from Neigh Orleans?”
“Nothing more shall be spoken of the subject! Rather, Trixie wishes to be introduced to her new fan.” Trixie indicated Starlight, who stood there with her mouth open, trying to process just what had happened.
“Oh, right,” Twilight said as she pointed to Starlight, “Trixie, meet my new student, Starlight Glimmer. Starlight, this is the Great and Powerful Trixie”
Starlight didn’t respond, her mind still was stalling. She wasn't even looking in Trixie’s direction anymore, her eyes were just transfixed on the stage.
“Well, It seems like Trixie has captivated another audience!”
“More like Starlight has never seen a pony enter like that,” Twilight snarked.
“Hm, Twilight Sparkle hasn’t tired of ruining other ponies fun,” Trixie said as she kicked the wagon, causing the Stage to fold in on itself, startling Starlight from her stupor.
“Only when Equestria is threatened,” Twilight said evenly.
Trixie grunted as she took her bag from the wagon and walked with Twilight and Starlight into the castle.
“So,” Trixie started, “Tell Trixie more about yourself.”
“Um… Well… “ Starlight stammered trying to summarize her story.
“There will be time for introductions when everypony’s here. It’ll rip the bandage off all at once” Twilight said.
“Hmph… Trixie guesses that’s fair enough, When is everypony coming, anyway?”
“Tomorrow,” Twilight said, “you’re the only one who came early.”
Trixie scoffed, “Early, late, It’s all the same to Trixie. Traveling by hoof doesn’t grant the luxury of keeping track of the passing days. Trixie does wonder how you sent her invitation.”
“It’s sort of complicated. I’ll tell you about it while I give you the tour of the castle,” Twilight started to explain, “Starlight, do you mind tidying up some more?”
“Not at all,” Starlight said, “I think some chores would help clear my head.”
Starlight picked a broom up and started sweeping. All things considered, she really deserved worse, but based on what she had learned today, so did a lot of ponies. Forgiveness wasn’t the word she would use to describe how Twilight treated her redemption. Trust seemed better, Twilight trusted ponies to not turn on her. Starlight still didn’t know that much about Trixie, but what she did know is that Trixie, like herself was Twilight’s friend, despite something that had happened in her past. Starlight couldn’t help but wonder if the rest of these guests would have similar stories.
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good first chapter. this sounds like it is going to be one fun read!looking forward with great interest for chapter two! kudos to you!
A great start.
Everyone's done well so far and it looks like it'll be a very sweet read. Faving
Twilight, Starlight, Trixie, Sunset, Moon Dancer, Lyra, Minuette, Lemon Hearts, and Twinkleshine? All in the same castle?
As awkward as it is now, it could get even more so if the Canterlot unicorns are less forgiving of Sunset and Trixie than Twilight was. Twilight kind of ignored them before moving to Ponyville... Sunset downright insulted them in her comic backstory.
Hmm, interesting. I like it, but calling it a Unicorn retreat, kinda sounds a bit racist, just a bit. Also, there is no real common thread between all of them. Sure Trixie, Sunset, and Starlight are all similar, but the others are ponies that Twilight did wrong by. It's like two completely different catagories brought together for some reason. If the reason is just to have some sort of magic convention with the Unicorns in her life, then why isn't Rarity invited? or Shining? Or her parents? Just curious is all.
This will be fun. I can't wait for Sunset and the others to arrive and mingle.
They thought the Apple Family Reunion was wild! What happens when nine tiny unicorns take the weekend off to nerd out over magic and food?
It's off to a good start. I'm looking forward to this.
i am looking forward to this
No dislikes! You're meeting all my standards!
NYEH HEH HEH HEH!
Excellent start so far, I've been waiting for a story like this Trixie, Sunset and Starlight, 3 of Twilight's former rivals I guess all gathered in the same place, love that your including Moondancer as well, if Twilight's Unicorn Canterlot friends are all attending as well, im surprised Lyra isn't already there seeing as how she lives in Ponyville as well, anyway, again, excellent start, can't wait for the next chapter
Me likey.
I could this being a show
I like how this is going so far. Starlight seems pretty chill about being Spikes assistant (in a way) and it should be fun to watch everyone tell their stories around the campfire! I mean fireplace. Looking forward to more,
Fascinating opening. Really looking forward to how this story progresses.
Okay I half expected Starlight to react very aggressively to Trixie given she pretty much represents everything Starlight detests (lording one's talent over other ponies) but this is a redeemed Trixie so maybe Starlight and her can get along. I expect Starlight to more easily bond with Sunset due to their similar falls to the dark side and both almost causing the end of the world (Trixie was influenced by the Alicorn Amulet, it's not the same).
Not sure what Moondancer and the others will contribute to the story as of now but I'll track this for now. You have my curiosity, give us updates and we'll see if you can earn my attention.
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It's not racist to call something what it is. It's a retreat for unicorns, ergo it is a unicorn convention. A miracle of unicorns, if you will. If they're going to be discussing unicorn-related things, what's the point in inviting pegasi and earth ponies. And if it's only unicorns, why generalize the name? "Pony convention. Present horn for admission."
That'd be like calling Cloudsdale racist for being relatively inaccessible to any other kind of pony.
6904116 True, I was woried about it being exclusively for Unicorns because the description mentioned inviting ponies she'd helped redeem. I thought, what if someone fell into that catergory but wasn't a Unicorn, Discord for example. However, if the purpose of this is to explore the potential of Unicorn magic, then yeah it's perfectly alright to call it that. Having said that, Discord is a magic user, couldn't he help?
This looks like it's going to be a good story. I'm certain that Spike is happy that he doesn't have to do the cleaning.
I am also looking forward to the meetings of the others.
X-Men reference? It sounds line one.
it looks like a second mane six is being created, but why wasn't rarity invited?
I prefer to think that on top of being a mad scientist she is also a princess.
In Equestria, you either die a villain, or live long enough to see yourself become the hero.
Minor correction: that should be pony's or ponies'.
OVERpower.
Starlight stared at Twilight. “I don’t know what’s weirder: the fact that you kept this room from me, or the fact that you have two magical artifacts just lying around the castle.”
I'm drawing a mental blank. Other than the portal, can somepony tell me what the OTHER magical artifact is? It's not the map, is it? And it CAN'T be the Elements of Harmony. Starlight probably doesn't even know what they are, anyway besides the fact that they've been in a tree for months.
7106869 How in Equestria do you do a quote bubble? I'm new-ish and have NO IDEA how this works. Thanks! (btw a little grammar police now and then is AWESOME.
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The book with Celly's CM.
Or maybe it could possibly be the map. It could be considered magical.
Either one.
And the Elements are still in the Tree of Harmony.