The Jeweled Night
Twilight felt Rarity’s eyes on her as the Astra Princess brought out the stars for their evening engagement. The moon had already begun its ascent through the sky, shining out over the gleaming gemstone city of Canterlot. With each new swath of stars Twilight moved into place, the light beyond the great Diamond Wall burned a little brighter and allowed both Rarity and Twilight to look out over the city. Months of occasional attacks and three weeks of focused assaults by the shadowkin had not been kind to Canterlot. Many of the city’s ornate spires and domes were broken or outright destroyed. Smoke still rose over several sections of the old entertainment district and the airship docks.
However, there were no longer any lurking shadows in the city below.
After the ceremony celebrating the fall of the shadowkin waygates, the united strength of the Celestial Forces and the allies of the Equestrian Realms had charged out of the repaired Harmony Gate. While none of the shadowlords had been caught, in the ensuing raid nearly a thousand lurking beasts from the broken army had been found and destroyed.
More importantly, they had finally located those lost to the Pox.
Deep beneath what had once been the Royal Treasury—the very place where Twilight and her companions had destroyed the master waygate—the shadowkin had gathered the victims of the Nightmare Pox. Some had been there for months with the Pox eating at their minds, but the ponies of the Equestrian Realms and their allies were strong. Though there had been a scuffle with a maddened dragon and several infected ponies, Shining Armor’s team had secured the captives with no casualties on either side. Amoris Princess Cadance, Radiant Hope and her mother, Countess Amore, had taken a veritable army of healers down into the catacombs that once housed Canterlot’s wealth. Nearly three hours had passed before Cadance, Hope and Amore stepped out with the first of the survivors.
Twilight’s eyes fell upon the hollow tower of the old Royal Treasury, remembering the pride she had felt upon seeing those poor souls returned to sanity. She had shivered when she realized she could have been among their number… and what had almost emerged from that place.
“Considering your enemies?” Rarity asked from behind her. “I can see you staring at that tower, my dear princess.”
“Perhaps,” Twilight replied. Starlight danced between her feathers as she wove more gems in the sky, arranging the constellations to celebrate her brother and the soldiers under his command for their acts yesterday. “I worry about the shadowlords. To retreat so rapidly… I wonder if they were even in the city when the master waygate opened.”
“Who can say?” Rarity commented. “What matters is that you won the day, my dear princess. Yes, I am quite sure this conflict is far from over, but you finally broke their lines. They committed everything they had and you defied them. You stood upon the shore like a rock against the sea, battered but never breaking.”
Twilight glanced behind her to see the virtrung lounging in one of Twilight’s patio chairs, sipping a flute of delicate cider with a little smile.
“You were a big part of that rock.”
“It’s not proper for a lady to boast,” Rarity said with a flutter of her eyelashes.
Twilight shook her head and returned her attention to her beautiful sky, remembering all the little lessons Aunt Luna had taught her over the decades. With a gentle touch, she nudged the stars into position, calling them forth as a warm silver light poured from her horn. It was the only time her magic ever changed color. It matched the patterns on her wings. She found she liked it.
And once, I hated it with every fiber of my being.
She could still remember the cheering. Her eyes wandered to the Royal Promenade below, where Rarity and Twilight had been presented by Mother to the population of Canterlot as the heroes of the day. Twilight had tried to get Starlight and Trixie up there, but they had conveniently vanished right before the ceremony. For all of Trixie and Starlight’s showing off, they always got a little strange around the big events.
Or maybe they just found a convenient bush somewhere and lost track of the time.
Twilight blushed at the thought. She blushed harder when her mind conjured a deer and a different pony in their places. But she at least managed to keep her wings down.
Half the sky was illuminated now, but Twilight could still hear the crowd. And as she heard crystal hoofsteps beside her, she was sure Rarity could hear them as well.
“What do you say, my dear princess?” Rarity asked as she bumped Twilight’s flank with her own. “Still think yourself to be nothing special? To be nothing more than a common pony?”
Twilight wanted to say yes, but the roar of the crowds in her memory drowned out the protest. They had shouted their names. Originally, it had been both of their names, but after Rarity took up the chant and focused it on Twilight… they had all shouted Twilight’s name and her name only. Twilight had gone crimson with embarrassment, but after seeing the proud look on Mother’s face, the gleeful grin of Sunset, the delight of Cadance, her Aunt’s expression of serene contentment and the mischievous glint in Rarity’s eyes… she realized maybe… just maybe… she did actually deserve at least a little of it.
She had done something remarkable yesterday. It was true, she hadn’t been alone. Rarity had been just as much as hero as she was, but Rarity had constantly redirected the praise back to Twilight, no matter how many times Twilight tried to squirm her way out of it.
Twilight smiled up at the sky, making sure the constellations showed the soul marks of Trixie and Starlight as well. She even shifted the color of the stars to make them properly reflect her two brave bodyguards and friends.
“I think they’d like that.”
“They’ll likely never see it,” Twilight said with a shake of her head.
“Oh, I think they will.”
Rarity pointed a hoof down at the Golden Boughs park and the lake where Rarity had first found Twilight. There, two chairs had been set up by the shore. Twilight could just barely make out the blue and lilac colors of the two unicorns. From what Twilight could see, they were just holding one another, staring up at the sky. Twilight smiled. They were good for one another, even if they each tended to get the other into trouble now and again.
“I’m sure they’re enjoying the show.”
Twilight couldn’t really disagree. She continued her work, but the cheers never left her ears. Nor did the simple presence of the doe beside her. Rarity seemed to burn with warmth. It was strange sensation to be so close to her, knowing that they would have no interruptions this evening. They could do anything they wished. They could finally speak without interruption. Twilight could find out everything she wanted to know about the Day Woods. Learn about the virtrung and their customs. About Rarity’s family and friends.
But most importantly, Twilight could finally learn about Rarity.
The doe let out a soft sigh as she rested against the railing and looked up into Twilight’s sky. It was a sigh of pure contentment, something that flowed around them both like an errant breeze.
That’s when Twilight looked over to Rarity and the suspicion that had been nagging at her since she had woken up in the medical ward came to the forefront of her mind. She thought about the confidence she had in facing down the enemy. Yes, part of it was simply to impress the doe. But it wasn’t only that. She had fought to help save her people and to prove that she was worthy of the circlet atop her head.
It may not have been the noblest reason for a charge behind enemy lines, but it wasn’t a horrible one either.
And yet… if this had happened a week ago, Twilight was positive she never would have done something so reckless. A week ago, there had been no great font of courage coming from the sky. In fact, a week ago, there had been little more than abject loneliness and fear as she worked on her stars.
The visions from when Rarity had saved her from the Pox once more came back to her as she put the final touches on starscape above the eastern horizon.
“Gemstones of the night,” Twilight murmured.
“What was that, my dear princess?” Rarity asked.
“You can touch them, can’t you?” Twilight whispered. It wasn’t really a question. “That’s what your mark really means… your ‘gemstones of the night.’”
Rarity seemed to glow at that moment, fulfilled in some strange way by Twilight’s insight. She nodded with a delighted little smile.
“Since that night, I’ve always been able to touch the stars,” Rarity replied with a serene air, as if finally releasing a great secret. “And every night, I found something there. Sometimes, it was the gift of intense focus as I worked with starsilver. Occasionally, it was a burning passion to be the absolute best in anything I did. And once in a while, I ended up staying awake the entire night pouring through every tome on ponies we had. Those were special nights.”
Twilight swallowed. It wasn’t hard to make the connection. “What about the other nights?”
“The rest of the time?” Rarity licked her lips. “I just felt warmth. Or love. Or passion. Or laughter. Or joy. Sometimes confusion or sorrow or pain. But I always felt something. There were also a few other effects. Like a desperate need for validation. Or a rather intense attention to detail… something I can appreciate.”
Twilight smirked just a little.
Rarity smiled wanly. “Perhaps these sound familiar?”
Twilight nodded.
“Tell me, my dear princess… what do you feel when you work on your stars?”
She swallowed again, wondering why the lump in her throat wouldn’t go away.
“Well, usually it’s just a desperate need to get it right.” The alicorn shrugged. “To make Mother, Aunt Luna, Cadance and Sunset proud of me. And my parents of course. Then there’s making sure that the constellations are correct and—”
“My dear princess, you know exactly what I’m asking… and you are deliberately avoiding the answer.”
There was a brief silence as Twilight tried to come up with an answer… but in the end, only the truth would do.
“That’s what I felt inside of me when I was doing it,” Twilight admitted. “But I’ve always had a sense of something else on the other side while I’ve worked with my stars. They inspire me. They give me creativity. They give me the fine control I need to make a constellation just so. And occasionally, after my work, I’ll find myself with the grace and poise to handle nearly anything that comes my way. It rarely lasts. But it’s often there. In fact… the only other time I’d felt anything like that was with you before we teleported to the top of the Diamond Wall.”
Rarity nodded. “I suspected as much. Please understand, my dear princess, I didn’t know until two nights ago that I’d been touching you this entire time.”
Despite herself, Twilight’s wings twitched.
Rarity, of course, noticed.
“No teasing meant this time, darling.” Rarity giggled beside her. “I simply spoke the truth. In fact, even before this mark appeared upon my flank, I always did my best work at night. When I crafted something from starsilver, I would reach out and find the right star. I would call upon just a hint of magic… and it would just flow down into whatever I was working on. After it appeared, that connection grew ten-fold. Be it sword or shield, chestplate or helm, the star-touched pieces would last forever. They never failed… unless an enemy was supremely lucky, as was your assailant yesterday evening.”
“The stars possess a powerful magic,” Twilight admitted, her tail twitching slightly and brushing against one of Rarity’s hindlegs. “Even I—”
“I was never touching the stars,” Rarity chided as she put a hoof on Twilight’s shoulder. “And you know it. I was touching you… your soul… even half a world away.”
For a time, silence descended upon the alicorn mare and the virtrung doe. Twilight had completed her nightly work. Now, they could simply enjoy the glowing gems in the night, basking in the radiance filled the entire world. Slowly and softly, Rarity brushed up against Twilight’s side. The alicorn’s wings attempted to flare up once more, but she managed to keep some semblance of control. Instead, she just shivered. Rarity let out a soft giggle at Twilight's involuntary reaction, which was completely and totally unfair.
But to hear Rarity giggle was good enough.
“You’ve never really had anyone appreciate you for you, have you?” Rarity sighed.
Twilight could feel the doe staring at her, but she couldn’t bear to look her in the face.
“No. I already told you. I’m the weird one with books and an obsession with the stars.”
“It’s not that, darling,” Rarity replied, her voice seemingly sad for some reason Twilight couldn’t comprehend. “It’s just… unfair, really.”
“Unfair?” Twilight blinked. This was not a line of reasoning she had been prepared for. “Why?”
Rarity tapped a crystal hoof on the railing. This hesitation finally got Twilight to look at the stunning doe who was—in defiance of all reason—somehow on her private balcony. With her. Alone.
I never even arranged for her ambassadorial quarters, Twilight realized, flushing. She hadn’t been thinking that far ahead. But Mother, Aunt Luna, Cadance or Sunset should have thought of it. Even Raven, the Seneschal of the Diamond Palace, should have suggested it after tonight’s feast! There was only one possible reason for such an oversight and that was—
Twilight yanked herself away from that line of thought. She had known this doe for only a short time. Such thoughts were unbecoming the Astra Princess—no matter where her mind had wandered over the course of the last two days. But even as the proper part of her balked, a deeper part pointed out that for ten years, they’d been touching the same stars. Feeling one another across the world. They’d never met before, not really.
But maybe… that didn’t matter. Because they had already met innumerable times amidst the stars.
So what if their bodies had never been tog—
Twilight once more yanked herself away from the images that statement conjured. Still, her wings once more wanted to explode. There were days she hated her wings.
“I’m… concerned about something.” Rarity’s words once more brought Twilight back out into the real world. Rarity was blushing as she nibbled on her lip, like she was weighing some great and horrid confession.
“And that is?”
“You may find it rather silly of me, I’m afraid.”
Twilight couldn’t stop herself from giggling. “After all you’ve put me through in the last two days, now you worry that you might appear silly?”
“Well!” Rarity huffed and stomped a hoof on the balcony in a supremely petulant fashion. “There is a difference between acting coy and acting silly.” She hesitated. “I am also afraid you might take this the wrong way.”
Now it was Twilight’s turn to be worried. “Rarity… what are you talking about?”
To Twilight’s surprise, the virtrung took a few steps away from her and released an enormous breath. She sat down on the marble balcony and faced the Astra Princess. The faint hint of jasmine and apple blossoms wafted up from the gardens below.
“I… confess, before this soul mark appeared, I gathered my fair share of suitors,” Rarity mumbled, unable to look Twilight in the eye. “Some of them were quite wonderful. But they never lasted. Yet, I admit that… I got rather used to the attention being lavished upon me.”
“Are you concerned that… I might have a problem with you being with somepony… err… somedeer else?”
“Well, I wasn’t a moment ago,” Rarity groaned. “But I am now.”
“Don’t,” Twilight said simply. It was her turn to lift Rarity’s head with a hoof. “That doesn’t bother me. You’re the first one to ever appreciate me. Even if you do so in a completely shameless way.”
Rarity snorted at that. “Well, I couldn’t help myself. You are far too cute when blushing—yes, just like that!”
Twilight swore to herself that she would find a spell that would grant her some sort of immunity to blushing.
But then Rarity would pout about it until I removed it…
Not worth it.
“But… therein lies my problem, my dear princess,” Rarity said, scuffing a hoof against the marble of the balcony. “I fear that you are responding to my admittedly shameless advances because no other creature has ever approached you in such a manner. Indeed, one of the reasons I tended to be so brazen was due to simple fear.”
“Fear?” Twilight scratched her head. “I’m confused. Why were you afraid?”
Rarity smiled, as if amused by Twilight’s confusion. “You must understand, the only reason I was not ousted from the Day Woods years ago was due to my skill as a starsilver shaper. Yet there were many who still wanted me gone. When I came here and found you…” She swallowed, took a deep breath and plunged onward. “When I found you, I was afraid you might reject me outright. Think my tale ludicrous or some sort of deerkin game. I daresay the reputation the deerkin have for ‘playing’ with the pony races is not undeserved, as your handsome brother pointed out quite succinctly.”
Twilight blinked a few times as Rarity continued.
“So… in a desperate attempt to not be rebuffed, I panicked and went with the most direct route of ingratiating myself to you. And… you’ve seen the result. Please understand that it was not an act and I do find you quite fetching. Nothing I have said has been a lie. And yet… I find that I must ask you a difficult question: are you responding simply because you’ve never had such attention?”
Twilight blinked as the concept hit her like a concussive spell to the head. She flopped to her haunches with a thump. While it was true nopony—nor any other sort of being—had ever shown the slightest bit of interest in her as a mare, that had never been something she’d thought about. She hadn’t cared. The idea of any sort of romantic entanglement had been impossible to imagine. Even now, she still had trouble even making friends. Now that she was presented with another being that was indeed interested—and then some—she found it rather intoxicating. But… there was more to it than that.
“I… can’t answer that honestly,” Twilight admitted. “But… Rarity, answer a question for me?”
“Anything,” Rarity replied without hesitation.
“Are you my friend?”
Rarity seemed taken aback by the question. She paused for several seconds to consider it.
“I admit to being no great master of friendship,” she said slowly. “But… I would like to say yes.. If you’ll have me as one, at least. We do share several common things. Attention to detail, dedication to perfection… and occasionally unhealthy obsession with our work. And that’s putting aside the the fact that I find you positively radiant.” Wings twitched. Rarity smiled. “And while my experience in friendships has dwindled in recent years, I believe commonality is traditionally an element that is usually required.”
Twilight chewed her bottom lip for a short time and spat out the next question.
“And if I decide I’d prefer for us to be nothing more than friends?”
Rarity froze. Twilight hated asking the question. But she needed the truth… even if she didn’t really want it. She probably should have asked this earlier, but here she was.
A few long seconds passed before the doe licked her lips and found her voice again. “Then I shall be disappointed, but I shall respect your wishes and endeavor to be the best friend I can be for you. Though I make no promises to ease up on the flirting.”
Twilight giggled. “I’d be disappointed if you did.”
“There are some things that simply cannot change, my dear princess. Asking me to stop such a delightful act would be like asking this mountain to get up and walk to the sea.”
Time stretched out over the balcony as the subtle sound of the city at night washed over them.
Twilight looked up at the stars. So did Rarity.
Then, she made her decision.
“Then that’s a foundation I can start with,” Twilight stood back up, fixed her wings and nodded. “You already admitted the reason you charged into battle was for my sake and not anypony else’s. You might think that’s bad, but I don’t. I’m… flattered. And that’s putting it mildly. We also both know I did something all too similar trying to impress you. And you supported me in defending my city. Saved my life. Even more… you’re willing to be my friend before moving any further with this… this… thing we have.”
Rarity giggled.
“No, I’m not experienced with anyone telling me I’m attractive. But even if I was… you said it yourself. Every time you touched the stars, you were touching me. And every time I put out the stars, I was feeling you. And we’ve been doing this for a long time, Rarity.”
Twilight approached the doe cautiously and held out a hoof.
“I think that’s a better place to start than most have, don’t you?”
Rarity stared at her hoof for a short eternity before finally nodding and allowing Twilight to pull her up. Then, to Twilight’s surprise—and probably Rarity’s—Twilight grabbed the doe and pulled her into a hug: forehooves, wings and all. Rarity simply melted into it as if she were nothing more than a large minky blanket. Both doe and mare shivered at the contact, simply relishing the newfound realization that they were not alone.
Finally, Twilight opened her eyes… and happened to glance forward toward Sunset’s balcony.
“Twilight?” Rarity asked in reaction to Twilight’s sudden twitch. “Whatever is the matter?”
Rarity pulled away to follow Twilight’s gaze.
“Um…” Rarity said.
Sunset grinned with a grin so wide it could probably be seen from the surface of the moon. Beside her, wrapped within one of Sunset’s great phoenix wings, was a familiar-looking unicorn. Her mane was different. Even her soul mark—though she always insists on calling it a cutie mark—was different. But the most noticeable difference was the glasses.
“Twilight… who is that with your sister?”
“Her name is Twilight Twinkle,” Twilight sighed. “It’s… a very long story.”
“She looks like…”
“Oh yes, I know exactly who she looks like.” Twilight glared at her sister and her sister’s companion. The unicorn tried to hide beneath Sunset’s wing. “Long version or short version?”
Rarity paused for a moment. "I believe I'll take the short version."
“They met after some sort of magical accident sent Sunset through a weird space-time rift. Happened before I became the Astra Princess.”
“Ah.”
“I’ll tell you… it’s made things awkward more than once.”
“I… see.”
“No, you don’t.”
“No, I don’t,” Rarity admitted. “But I have an excellent imagination.”
“Goodnight, Sunset!” Twilight called out.
Sunset winked at both of them, mouthed something that looked vaguely like ‘have fun,’ and retreated into her chambers. Twilight held her breath for a few moments, making sure her big sister wouldn’t make a reappearance at exactly the wrong time, before turning to Rarity once more.
“Sorry about that,” Twilight said with a shrug. “She means well… I think.”
Rarity smiled up at her. “She cares for you a great deal, you know. I can see it in her eyes.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Twilight grumbled. “I just wish she’d keep her muzzle out of my affairs.”
“You know you love the attention,” Rarity concluded with a self-satisfied smirk.
“I do not!” Twilight protested, even as she felt her face glow with warmth.
“Oh, you definitely like the attention,”
“You know, I could speak to Raven to have your private quarters arranged. I never got around to that.”
It was an idle threat. They both knew it. And the fact that it was an idle threat made them both blush as they were forced to acknowledge where they would be spending the evening.
That’s when Twilight decided she didn’t care.
Well, that wasn’t strictly true. She did care. But she was going to do her best not to care. At least for the rest of the night. Despite all logic, all reason, and everything that should have been rational… she did have some rather strong feelings toward this gorgeous flirt of a doe.
So, Twilight turned and looked up at the stars once more. Rarity sidled up to Twilight. The alicorn wrapped one of her enormous lavender and silver wings around the doe. Rarity gasped at the contact and shivered when Twilight delicately ran her feathers across the doe’s soul mark.
“You know…” Rarity said in a slightly shaky voice. “I do happen to know what that particular custom means.”
“Good,” Twilight replied. This time, she was definitely, absolutely, positively not blushing. Because she was totally in control right now. Completely confident. She knew what she was doing. “I’d hoped you would.”
I have no idea what I’m doing. But… this whole thing is crazy, so might as well make it up as I go along!
That’s when the idea came to Twilight. It was another crazy idea,… but it seemed right.
“Help me,” Twilight asked in a breath before she could change her mind.
“Whatever do you mean, my dear princess?” Rarity cocked her head.
“Help me finish the night sky.”
“I was under the impression you had completed it. I think it’s the most beautiful display of stars I’ve ever seen.”
Twilight glanced down at the doe’s soul mark and then glanced at her own.
“No,” Twilight said as conviction filled her. “I missed something.”
Rarity followed Twilight’s gaze. A few seconds passed before the doe’s eyes widened.
“Are you sure?”
“Completely,” Twilight replied.
“But… I don’t know how. I’ve touched them… but never controlled them.”
“I don’t control them, dear.” Twilight said with a laugh.
“Please tell me you didn’t just call me ‘dear.’” Rarity raised an imperious eyebrow at the alicorn princess.
“You’re the one who’s been calling me ‘my dear princess’ ever since we met!” Twilight protested. “I think it’s only fair!”
Rarity sighed. “I happen to know you can be a lot more creative than that.”
“I’ll work on it… if you help me.”
Rarity took a deep breath. Twilight found it rather alluring to see the doe nervous. It was a strange thing. They were both having the most fun when the other was slightly—or in Twilight’s case, extremely—awkward.
“What do I need to do?” Rarity asked.
Twilight smiled. “You have to trust me.”
Rarity looked up into the alicorn’s eyes. “I trusted you before I even met you.”
“And now that you’ve met me?”
“Now… I trust you with all my heart.” Rarity put a hoof on Twilight’s chest. “There’s a phrase in deerkin: ‘fea niasa.’ Most ponies translate it to ‘soulmates.’ But I prefer the traditional translation of ‘old souls:’ souls that remain together throughout time. In our language, it can mean anything from friends to confidantes to family to…” Rarity blushed. “…lovers.”
Rarity didn’t say a word when Twilight’s wings had miniature seizures caused by Twilight forcing one to remain down and the other to remain wrapped around Rarity.
“O-okay.” Twilight swallowed. “Then… just relax. This… might feel a little strange.”
Twilight’s horn ignited. Magenta power shifted quickly into the silver aura of her star magic while Rarity looked on in wonder. Then, gently, Twilight leaned down and touched her horn to Rarity’s head. The doe let out a sharp heated gasp and shuddered in delight as Twilight’s magic wove its way through her body.
Then, all four of the virtrung’s legs began to glow with magic. The patterns didn’t burn with the same blue as Rarity’s eyes. Instead… they were like lines of silver fire. Rarity let out a sound of awestruck wonder as she stared up at the stars.
“I… I can feel them… what… what is this…?” Her voice was husky and full of wonder.
“This… is how Aunt Luna taught me,” Twilight whispered in an almost reverent tone. “This was how she taught me to control my powers and call on them. To ask them to work their magic. She… she warned me it was an…” Twilight coughed. “…intimate experience. I didn’t realize just how… powerful it was.”
“Intimate?” Rarity’s eyes reflected nothing but stars as her crystal hooves shone silver. “You mean…”
“I may have had a tiny crush on her for a week or two after. Don’t worry. It passed. She thought it was… cute.”
Rarity laughed. It sounded like the laugh of the stars themselves. Maybe it was. Magic was strange like that.
“And what about now?” Rarity asked. “Why… give this to me?”
“It… just feels like the right thing to do,” Twilight answered. “Don’t ask me how I know that… I don’t know. But I know I have to do this. They belong to us both now.”
“And we belong to them,” Rarity whispered. “Leaf and Stone, Twilight… I can almost hear them singing. It’s beautiful. I’ve never felt anything so lovely before. It’s like every moment I felt you, magnified a thousand times over.” Her voice hitched as tears ran down her face. “I… I can’t thank you enough…”
“You don’t need to,” Twilight murmured as she tightened her wing around the doe. “Now… ask them.”
“Ask them what?”
“You already know.”
Rarity only hesitated a second. Then she closed her eyes and the light around her legs and hooves became like the light of the moon. Still, Twilight didn’t look away from the stunningly gorgeous doe wielding Twilight’s own magic. She didn’t even see Rarity’s work until Rarity’s eyelids fluttered open and Twilight saw the reflection of the night sky within those great blue eyes of hers.
Finally, Twilight tore her gaze away from the doe and looked up into the sky.
A brilliant magenta star shone over the city, surrounded by five white stars burning like embers in the night. Somehow, Twilight knew that those stars would be there every night for as long as she drew breath.
…and probably long, long after.
Rarity shivered again, almost overcome with the power.
“They’re… they say it’s your turn,” she whispered. “Please, my dear princess, if you would?”
Twilight closed her eyes and focused. It required almost no thought at all. The stars had been waiting for this moment. She could feel their smiles—or the closest thing to smiles—as she brought forth three very special blue stars in the midst of the ones Rarity had brought out.
Then she opened her eyes.
Both mare and doe watched in wonder as the two soul marks suddenly ignited in the night sky. A single shining magenta star surrounded by five white stars. Three blue gemstones. But now, instead of just constellations, they were full images. Both intertwined in the night sky above the great gemstone city of Canterlot.
Twilight wasn’t really sure who kissed who first. After further thought, she realized it didn’t really matter all that much. After even further thought, she decided to stop thinking about it.
All that mattered was the moment. The taste of Rarity’s lips upon her own. The desperate hunger within each of them, clawing its way forward.
Some tiny rational part of her knew that she could very well be completely and madly in love with this doe she had met less than two days ago. That rational part of her balked at such sentimental nonsense, for she was a pony of science and magic, reason and logic, order and precision. But she couldn’t deny that every one of these elements paled in comparison to the passion in this single kiss.
It didn’t take long for that tiny part of Twilight to just accept it as the rest of her mind focused on the gorgeous doe before her.
They broke apart. Twilight saw stars in Rarity’s eyes. She knew Rarity saw stars in Twilight’s eyes.
It was what had bound them together since Twilight’s ascension. It was what had bound them together through Rarity’s trials in her Day Wood.
Rarity’s right. We are old souls.
And nothing could be more beautiful than that.
Rarity came out from under Twilight’s wing and stood before the Astra Princess, breathing heavily. Finally, after several long seconds, the doe threw herself once more into the mare’s embrace. This kiss was just as passionate, but not nearly as desperate. The first kiss had been the dam breaking. This kiss was the flow of the river as it began its eternal journey to the sea. It held the promise of a thousand, thousand more.
But all that could wait. For now… it was just Twilight, Rarity and their stars.
It wouldn’t be until three days later on her throne that Twilight would learn their soul marks burned throughout the night. It would be Rarity that told her the correlation between what they had been doing and when their marks had been the brightest in the sky.
That would be the first time Astra Princess Twilight Sparkle actually lit the carpet on fire as a direct result of her embarrassment.
It wouldn’t be the last.
Theme for Diamonds Amidst the Stars
I do hope you all have enjoyed yet another journey to another dimension in the vast multiverse in Diamonds Amidst the Stars! Retrospective now available right here!
I know, I know. I have a thing for Alternate Universes. It’s fun. It allows me to have much more control over the landscape of the world, the roles of the individuals in it, the powers they hold and everything else. New villains. A new version of Canterlot (yeah, another). New roles for the Princesses. And an entire new race to play with in creating the deerkin!
And let’s be honest, Rarity as a deer? Yeah, I could have come up with something a bit more canon-based with some sort of magic spell, but this was way more fun. Plus, who better in the Mane 6 to be portrayed as a deer, which are usually painted as the elves of Equestria?
The idea of this was to combine the comedy and banter of Princess Celestia: A Brief History with a bit more of the action and wonder of the new world created in And a Sky Full of Stars. Another story that was almost completely discovery-written.
The original concept for this story was based off a combination of the adorable artwork of Sirzi and the classic FimFic story It’s a Dangerous Business, Going Outside Your Door. Not only that, but Sirzi was kind enough to let me use the concept for this piece. In fact, I was originally going to go with a modified version of Rarity from the following picture, but it just didn’t fit the story.
Instead, we got Jykinturah’s amazing piece, who did it more justice than I could have thought possible. He totally captured the look. I adore that art piece. So special shoutouts to both of these amazing artists. Go check them out!
Next, a very special thank you to Monochromatic for her amazing inspiration for coming up with this piece. I can’t remember which one of us actually came up with the prompt “Interwoven Colours,” (that night is still a bit of a blur), but the fact that she finally buckled down and did it gave me my first chance to write a full-blown shipfic (yes, yes, I know the irony of my first full shipfic being RariTwi instead of SunLight).
And now, maybe finally she’ll let me read The Enchanted Library. (I'm teasing! I'm teasing!)
Another shoutout to MrNumbers for his interpretation of Rarity in The Mare Who Once Lived on the Moon. The idea of Rarity as this sultry, slinky character came a lot from that particular version of everypony’s favorite white unicorn. She was hysterical to read in that story and a huge amount of fun. I just got to dial her up to eleven. 
Finally, I had a long list of editors and beta readers for this story. And I’m happy to say that the Wavelengths Editing Team has a new member in the form of Cursori! Cursori is just freaking amazing. He can totally fangirl over writing while saying really helpful and insightful things. To get him on board (as in I stole/borrowed him from Mono) was such a wonderful gift.
EbonQuill: As usual, for keeping my head together and still being willing to tear apart the story at a molecular level to make it everything it could be.
Little Tinker: For being silly, fun, entertaining and strangely deep for this particular story.
Beltorn: For challenging me for the entire original battle sequence, which forced me to change it from at the Harmony Gate to atop the Diamond Wall. I think the final result was much better.
Painted Heart: As usual, finding all the words I forgot and somehow got missed by everyone else.
Monochromatic: For being the actual Patron Saint of RariTwi and being willing to read and totally fangirl over Rarity in this. You have no idea how badly I needed that.
As I said, I’ll be having a full-blown follow-up to this story with more details on the development (including details on what was originally going to be my story for Mono’s Interwoven Colours contest!), editing and creation of this crazy romp through a whole new universe.
I’m really eager to hear your comments about the story as a whole too! Let me know what you think of this version of Rarity and Twilight and this wild world I’ve explored here.
Will we ever come back to the Diamond City of Canterlot? Dunno. It’s not like I enjoy jumping between different universes. But there’s always the possibility. 
As for what’s next… well, that’s a surprise! But, I think the next one will be a lot closer to the Equestria we already know and love. It may be part of the Wavelengths Timeline... or it may be something completely different!
But until that happens, I hope you've got a little bit more romance in your life with this story of Rarity and Twilight. I've always enjoyed the ship. And who knows? I might even give you another interpretation of a popular ship soon too! 
Until next time, this has been Novel Idea! Have fun out there!
Also LikedSimilarAuthor
- Amber Spark · 13k words · 292 15 · 3.7k views
- Amber Spark · 11k words · 409 16 · 5.7k views
- Carapace · 10k words · 261 12 · 3.9k views
- Carapace · 26k words · 258 12 · 3.5k views
- Amber Spark · 15k words · 285 11 · 4.9k views
- River Road · 5.3k words · 287 11 · 3.8k views
- Smjames · 7k words · 128 6 · 3.3k views
- Monochromatic · 43k words · 434 12 · 6.5k views
Stats
Page generated in 0.188 seconds
Total duration
862 users online
1,260,877 hits today, 2,054,621 yesterday
FIMFiction
My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Fanfiction
Designed and coded by knighty & Xaquseg - © 2011-2024
Follow & Support Us
Support us
SubStar
Chat!
Discord
Follow us
Twitter
MLP: Friendship is Magic® - © 2024 Hasbro Inc.®
Fimfiction is in no way affiliated with or endorsed by Hasbro Inc.®
An Action Romance.
Not bad. I approve.
8198978
I see! Well I still look forward to see more stories from this AU in any case!
You know, I'm not sure exactly what word I would use to describe how I feel about this story.
But I think I have an idea.
As much as I want to more of Wavelengths I also want to see more of this world as well. This was absolutely amazing.
8199327 Glad you enjoyed it! Adventure romance is a bit of a tradition, isn't it?
8199398 We shall see!
8199787 Don't worry, Wavelengths is still beating at my brain demanding to be written. And it will be!
RariTwi still isn't my preferred ship for either, but you've made it work quite well.
Plus, I'm always a sucker for good AU lore and worldbuilding.
8199398 Seconded! This was full of delightful little AU-teasery and I want to learn more.
I admit I'm a bit puzzled why Luna (rather than Celestia) is "aunt" to Twilight, given the nature of the connections going on. Maybe I'm assuming a connection to their magical roles that isn't actually there, though.
8200096 Well, now you've shipped them. YOU CAN'T GO BACK!
8200359 AUs are fun. Because I can pretty much do whatever the heck I want.
As for Celestia being Mother, in this particular universe, Celestia traditionally is the one who officially adopts ponies who ascend into the Royal Family, so she is automatically Mother. I also have this headcanon (currently) that she's the undisputed High Sovereign of Equestria and all other Princesses are equal beneath her. (Not entirely fleshed out at present, so no promises about that staying the same if I come back here!)
8200412 Oh, I will. Mark my words, I will.
I have a combined Sunlight-Rarijack (+a bunch of other non-shipping stuff) story in the works and my OTPs will not be denied!
So... at some point you're gonna do the whole visit to deer country and such, yeah?
8200494 StarTrix keeps sneaking into my stories. And Starlight annoys me!
SHIP ALL THE THINGS.
8200605 Sure. Soon(TM) [Now, the real question... is it Blizzard Soon or Valve Soon?]
8200840 Of course that's the thing you comment on. Seriously, why did I expect anything different?
8201559 Go to Derpibooru. Search "Feathermarking," look through the pictures, and figure out how many of them Tcherno paid for personally.
Obviously that's what he's going to comment on! :P
8201579 Oh, I know. Trust me. I know. When you chat with the guy for as long as I have... feathermarking is pretty much canon.
8201587 At this point I'm waiting for it to happen in the friggin' show.
8201587
If only, Jet.
8201589
be still, my beating heart...
Yo! Why did you stop this story? it has an easy set up to be a series. You already have a big bad, with the shadow things. It has a pretty big world that can be explored with the mix of other races as a base. Questions to be asked. What are the Shadow Generals up to? What dangers are to come? Are there other friends to be made? What about the other main6, are they be other races too? Is this the only battle won in this war? How will Twilight's and Rarity's relationship blossom? And that is just the immediate questions.
There is also the plot threads you could fallow. Deerkin and Pony relations, as well as the other races too. Introduction of the some of the main6. Another attack. (part of the first book) The Shadow Generals introduction. Possible fall of the main city. introduction to the rest of the main6. trials of love. trying to spy on the enemy. finding out what the shadows are.(second book) failed rallying the troops. fulfillment of love. news that the other princesses are safe. successful rallying the troops. taking back the city. and so on.
Point is you have a pretty big world you can work with and rules to it are something that isn't hard to fallow. Work with it and I wouldn't be surprised if people made fan works-fics trying to expand on the world you made.
8202972 Yeah, this is officially the most people have ever clamored for more of an AU from me. I'm even surprised at the reaction! I may very well come back to Diamondworld (name subject to change), but not yet. I do have a pretty bit Alternate Timeline I've invested a lot of time into.
As for why I stopped... well, the story was supposed to be a shipping story of Twi and Rares!
8204334
VICTORY IS MINE!
8205089 Best Comment:
Well, poor Twi is being consumed by the Nightmare Pox. Need a bit of serious in there to amp up the tension. I mean... the other kind of tension.
It's... close?
I'm sure I'm going to have to buy a LOT MORE newspapers before this over.
8205089
At one point, Starlight tried hiding under Trixie’s ridiculous hat, and Trixie pretended to pull her out with a puff of smoke: “Ta-da!”
8206006 I can respect that. But as I said though, you have quite the world with Diamondworld. It has a lot that can be done with it. I know I would come back to read more.
One thing that I can see happening that you might want to keep in mind is that if you people might get in a tizzy if you don't make Rainbow a Griffin. Same thing might happen with the other main6 as well. Just be prepared for that.
8207144 Oh, I'm fairly sure no matter what I do, some people will go into a tizzy. People are always going into tizzies around this place.
Sunset had a blast on cleanup.
Like, a literal blast. the entertainment district was overrun, but it wasn't on fire before Sunny got there.
"I said I was sorry!"
And they let Sunset out of her corner.
Do they even know what the shadowlords look like?
Where they purified everyone using a massive amount of love energy generated from and equally massive orgy--Ouch! Who even has newspapers anymore!?!
There was a moment where I pictured a tiny Starlight Glimmer doing ballet on Twilight's outstretched wing.
"Yeah, except this rock grabbed a couple other rocks and the prettiest gemstone it could find, leapt off a cliff into the lake of baddies and nearly got itself and its friends eaten and crushed and covered in barnacles!"
"Okay, I was with you up until the barnacles--"
"And then! The gemstone saved her from the barnacles and managed to seal up the fissure that was letting the water and the giant squid into the lake--"
"Hold on, are the shadowkin the water, or the sea creat--"
"And then the gemstone showed the rock the part of her that still had some rock attached, and revealed that she had been broken off from the rock many years earlier and the gemstone and the rock fit together perfectly."
"...dear, that's pretty, but I think the story works better if you just tell it using the ponies and shadowkin that were actually there."
"Yeah, but then I'd have to face the fact that I almost died to the Pox." *Twilight curls up on the ground*
*Hugs* "Oh, my dear princess! I'll protect you from the nasty barnacles and squids!"
Good. Don't make it too easy for Rarity to catch you fantasizing. Also the rest of the world doesn't need to know every time you look at Rarity's flank.
Y'know, we really ought to fix that. I don't know how comfortable I am having random not-even-ponies I don't even know touch my soul from the other side of the world.
Ha!
HA! Oh, those ponies. Always pulling fast ones.
There is a big red "PANIC--KILL THOUGHT PROCESS" button in Twilight's mind that is getting a lot of use today.
I was going to say "It's a pretty blurry line", but now that I think about it, I can see a clear difference. Ironically, if you are trying to be silly, you are being coy, you have to be trying to be serious in order to potentially think yourself silly. There's a strange contradiction in semantics.
Totally worth it! I mean, obviously not to keep. But it would make for an incredibly entertaining few days. See how very shameless Rarity can get in pursuit of that blush.
See^^^Slice of Life chapter idea, right there.
...I cannot believe it took me until I read the words "deerkin game" to think to make a joke about unfortunate Rarity's enforced absence from all reindeer playtime activities.
Perfect, Rarity. Dig deep into that pony vocabulary. The quickest way to Twilight's flan--heart, to Twilight's heart is through her massive, literature-enhanced lexicon.
Daaaaw. Awesome. It still would have been weird to suddenly be together together, not to mention this gives time (and wordspace? *eyebrow waggle*) for them to actually, non-magically fall in love.
Heh.
Hey! We do get an answer! And I guess this universe does follow the Sunlight constant. Now where oh where are AJ and RD...?
"Hmm? Who does she look like?"
"Uhmm. Well, you, obviously."
"Oh really? I hadn't noticed."
"Wha, but you--"
"Of course I noticed, Rarity! Glasses aren't actually a universal catch-all disguise!"
*Rarity continues staring at Sunset's now-empty balcony, cheeks gradually reddening*
"Rarity! Stop fantasizing!"
"I'm sorry! It's just...You and Sunset!"
"Eww! We are sisters! That's like, illegal or something!"
"Oh please, dear, like the law has any say over the affairs of the heart."
"...You're supposed to object to the 'sisters' part, not the legality."
"Look me in the eye and tell me you haven't fantasized about her in the last 6 months."
"..."
"In the last month?"
"..."
"In the last week?"
"...I...haven't...Shut up. Next conversation."
"We were just hugging!"
"Well, speaking from experience, sis? 'Hugging' wherever the urge hits you sounds like fun when you are doing it, but your back will be killing you in the morning."
Wing hug under the starry sky. All those hours spying on Sunny are paying off.
Twi, Twi, Twi. It's a race thing. You just can't say stuff like that, even if you hang out with them and your best friend is one. It's still not PC.
That's some weapons grade romance, right there. I like it.
Finally the Kill thought process button is used for good.
Who's the Alicorn 'a Love, now, bitches!
Alt:
Throw Sunny's stars up there, see how often they flare!
Alt:
Trixie and Starlight ain't got nothing on these two. Never again will Twilight crack jokes about their lack of subtlety.
Alt:
"Alright, Rarity, we can only...erm..."
"Copulate? Rut? Intercourse--"
"Be intimate! We can only--"
"...sleep together, consummate, make love..."
"--be intimate during the day! When the stars aren't out--"
"...get to work, have dinner, have some fun--"
"Th-Those aren't event euphemisms!"
"They weren't. But now I have inextricably linked three commonly used phrases with sex. You'll seem to blush at the most random comments right in the middle of court. It will be wonderful. So what do you say, my dear, it's the middle of the day? Want to go have some dinner?"
*One very fun, work-filled afternoon later*
"Y'know, sis. I didn't think you had it in you. Trying to outshine Mother's sun in the middle of the day? That takes some guts. And stamina."
Very fun story, loved the whole thing! Certainly delivered on the promise of banter. Also (sorta) linked into the sliders universe, so that's interesting. RariTwi focused romance story while still containing Sunlight (as if there were ever any doubt). I want to say "poor Twi", with all these ponies in her life relentlessly teasing her, but damn, she got the dame, so I don't actually feel bad for her at all.
I can understand the desire for a sequel, considering how many sequel hooks you left, but they don't really seem like the purpose of the story. The near-end of the world was just a back-drop. There are certainly more RariTwi scenes to be had, (they do have an eternity to have them) but the story wraps up nicely where it is. Don't think this means I wouldn't love to see one, tho.
Perhaps a visit from a 'verse-surfing Sunny or Twi in the inevitable spiritual sequel to Sunlight sliders?
8206018
I would probably tell her I'd buy it if she could get Starlight back in the hat.
8209027 I know, and I think it is great. People are way easy to get upset because you see things differently than them. I have trolled around the MLP fandom for that reason alone for a while now (not always trolling sometimes I try and help an author like yourself out). However, after offending so many people on YouTube, Deviant, and Tumblr to the point where they challenge me to write my own story I now have my own account here and plan to do just that... eventually. Let's see if my I can put my money where my mouth is. Lol
I was serious about your work though, I would come back to this to see how it goes if (or once) it continues.
Its been a while since I last added a story to my favorites list that quickly. Well done.
Lovely all around, a wonderful blend of shameless flirting, gripping action, and intriguing magibabble. I wouldn't at all mind visiting this universe again someday.
I especially appreciate you working in Sunlight regardless of the nature of the contest.
Thank you for this, Novel.
...and now we know how pulsars are made
Just wanted to say that I absolutely adored this story. Everything from the characters to the way they were used, the dialog, the action, the world building, all the way to the revelation at the end. Everything about it was spot on giving this piece a level of quality that many struggle to achieve. Aside from a single spelling mistake that I have been unable to relocate, this story was in my opinion, flawless. This has been one of the few stories that I add to my favorites almost immediately after I finish reading the first chapter. Truly, spectacular work.
This was an enjoyable read! I loved what you did with the characters, and the lore behind their soul marks. I would say the only drawback for me personally was that it felt like a lot of information to take in all at once, seeing as just how many changes there are from canon and on such a big scale. Felt kinda like diving in the deep end versus slowly wading in. Still, I enjoyed the action, and most certainly the romance. It was a very unique take on Raritwi and it was a lot of fun!
8209628
Twilight has no interest in seeing that particular trick. Ever.
8211680
I actually meant to reply to this some time ago, but it slipped my mind. And Deer Rarity is fun a hell. I'm delighted you enjoyed the whole thing. It was a blast to write... and I already have the first half of a sequel in my head.
As for the quote, well, I think enough time has passed. You're right. I forgot to put the translation in there. I left it until someone asked.
The rough literal translation is:
The actual translation is:
8211832
Squee!
8219456
It was great fun... and yeah, we'll probably come on back here, after some more time in Wavelengths. As for the Sunlight, hey, it's still me!
Magibabble and technobabble are two of my specialties!
8226812
Oh jeez, I just about died laughing. Then some science nerd needed to come wreck it. So I ignored them and continued to laugh.
8259495
Thank you very much! Every single word of this made me grin like an idiot. This is probably one of my favorite stories I've ever done... and I know, it's not SunLight! I blame Mono for making me enjoy RariTwi too much.
8262343
Eep! You might be somewhat iffy on And a Sky Full of Stars, then. Because if you think this was diving into the deep end... Sky was diving into the deepest ocean. Don't worry, someday we'll come back to the Diamondverse and we'll take things much slower.
8279179
Mono makes us all enjoy RariTwi too much.
8280055
I know. And it's completely unfair!
...I have no idea why. I just feel like whining about it for no real reason.
8279156
yeah it was the mark that bonded both dragon and rider gedway ignasia meaning "glistering palm" in the ancient language, that was why I drew the parallel between the cutie mark bonding and this. fyi I also haven't read the series in years, but I just happen to have a good memory. : )
That was quite a good little story. I really liked how you wrote Rarity, but thats at least party because I have a huge weakness for confident flirty badass Rarity. Her interactions with Twilight were fantastic.
It did feel a bit short, not rushed, but like it was meant to be part of a much larger story. Really if you ignored all the shadowbeast stuff and just had Rarity as a diplomat messing with Twilight during negotiations that would have been fine. Not that the action scenes weren't good, they were, just felt like they needed more build up or something.
A wonderful read! Like I mentioned in my first comment I am a big fan of the world building, it just opens so many new opportunities and ideas.
I hate this fic with a BURNING passion for ONLY ONE reason:I WANT MORE!
This was amazing, just everything about it. The story is complete as is, but in a way that sparks the imagination and the desire for more.
8311419
Join the club, my friend.
As for the Invasion, I tend to subscribe to the "in late, out early" philosophy of writing. Occasionally, I'm in a bit too late and out a bit too early. That being said... this is a universe I want to come back to. Both in a very small way... and a very big way!
8379382
Oh yes. I so very much want to come back here.
8393727
I accept your hate with love, an evil cackle and a lightning flash in the background.
8394454
Truly? Walled cities with huge impervious (supposedly) gates getting attacked by huger monsters... yeah it's been a bit since I've read this now but I was catching several parallels. It's certainly no knock; it's an interesting anime, though if dark and violent aren't your.... *remembers he's talking to a Fallout modder* ...scratch that proviso. Anywho, might be worth a look in concept if nothing else. That said... I'd hate to contaminate any potential continuation of this, which I'll add my own 'yay!' to... whenever and however you find the time.
8394791
Actually, just because I work in the world of FO:E doesn't mean it's the world I want to write for myself. But I do love me some epic world-building and hoof-biting action from time to time. Don't worry, I already have half of the sequel planned. As soon as I develop my time stop device, I'll get it all done in a flash!
8416655
Fair point, and yes I certainly wouldn't want to see anything go quite as dark as that anime in any sequel to this. I simply meant you may or may not enjoy even watching it since it is a bit messed up. But you have experience with messed up... Fallout being what it is.
To quote what was I believe a goblin explosives 'expert': "There's just no possible way this can be a bad idea!" The best of luck to you; I look forward to it.
8418273
Words to live by, that's to be sure.
8615941
Okay, I will take your word on that. :)
8616321
Hm. I’m curious which of my theories was the concern, and if you felt the story answered why Rarity was as... enthusiastic as she was.
Fluttershy? Actually, if they're Elves, Fluttershy would be a Wood Elf and Rarity might be a High Elf. Applejack might make for a good Wood Elf, too... or maybe she's too practical and not magicky enough for that. Depends on your interpretation, I guess. It all depends on interpretation. I personally think Rarity's not mysterious or wise enough for a High Elf as they're portrayed in, say, Lord of the Rings.
Anyway, now that I've read this, I can move on to Diamonds Amidst the Snow! Not today, though. I need some time to process what I just read, as is usually the case when I read things set in immersive and complicated universes.
8616369
More than made sense to me, a long-time lover of fantasy and romance. The concept of a predestined soul-bond through a purely magical medium is really no different than the canonical concept of cutie marks. Just this is between two souls, which is perfectly romantic. Rarity's strong, flirtatious advances shape the scene for her confessions as to why she started off that way - both her personal reasons, and her ancient magic reasons. Relatable, even.
8618504
Fluttershy would make a good Wood Elf or some type of Druid. However, when I think High Elf (which is normally the kind of I think of first), Rarity's definitely the one I think of. I have a much more general view of elves, spanning multiple universes! Sorry if it didn't work for you as well as it could have. (Though if you want to check out the Retrospective, you'll learn a lot more about how I developed the deerkin in the Diamondverse!)
That being said, I have plans for the entire Mane 6 in the Diamondverse.
8619646
That's a great take on it, with one little caveat. In this case, while they may have had a soul-bound connection, what they did with that was up to them. They could have been just friends! Personally, I'm not a fan of destiny as a driving force. I prefer potential. But I yammer about that a lot in my Retrospective.
Though honestly? This was my favorite development of the story. I didn't actually have it planned out. It just came to me in the moment and it's one of those things that just redefine everything you've read before. I love these kinds of moments!
8619773
Oh, please don't misunderstand--I loved Rarity's character in this, and I think it worked wonderfully. I know I didn't mention that in my earlier comment, but I didn't really have anything new to say.
As with any mythological species or race, Elves are highly open to interpretation. I've read so many versions of the Fair Folk that I can't claim any to be "right", and I don't think I've yet met an Elven race I didn't like. I do have a favorite version, but please don't think I dislike this story because this understanding of High Elves is different than my own.
New versions of all the Mane 6? I'm excited to see that! A new universe opens so many possibilities, and I can't wait to see them explored!