Starlit Roots

by Willow NightSong24

Where I Belong

"Thank you, Daddy. You have no idea how much this means to me," A white auroricorn said as she excitedly trailed her father down the snowy path of the woods.

"Do not thank me, young filly. Mistakes aren't to be thanked," The old stallion said, staring straight ahead, refusing to look at his eighteen-year-old daughter.

"Daddy, not this again," The white auroricorn groaned, hurrying up to her father's side. "Daddy, you know I love you. I love Starlight Ridge and all the ponies in it, but–"

"If you loved it so much, you wouldn't be so joyous to leave it!" The old stallion leader interrupted harshly. "Or did I just imagine the aurora flare that burst across the sky when I finally agreed? I only agreed because I thought you'd back out at the last minute. Had I known how much you longed to leave your home behind, perhaps I would've…" The old stallion sighed heavily, looking down in exasperation. "I'm not sure, Snow. Just something. I promised your mother I'd take care of you, and I'm breaking that promise."

"No, you're not, Daddy. You're making me happy! You're fulfilling my dream!" A wide, kind smile split Snow's face. "You're letting me live my dream!"

"I'm banishing my own filly," The stallion said coldly before turning away and continuing to walk. "There's no dream in that."

Snow sighed dejectedly, looking down at the snowy ground. It was true she'd miss Starlight Ridge. It'd always be her home. But, there was more out there. She knew it. Ponies just like her to meet. Well, maybe not just like her, but still ponies nonetheless. Or perhaps some other creature. Or maybe just an empty world waiting to be discovered. She didn't know, but that was what appealed to her most. That was what made it so exciting. A mystery, just waiting to be uncovered.

Still, leaving the place she called home, the ponies who knew her, made it so difficult. And to know that there was the possibility that she'd never see them again made it that much more difficult. It brought tears to her eyes. Even though her father was the only one related to her biologically, the entire Ridge was her family. They all helped raise her, and she helped raise the younger generation. They weren't just a town, they were a family. The hearts that'd be broken with her disappearance were almost enough to stop her in her tracks and turn herself around and go back to her room, go to sleep, and forget this ever happened.

Almost…

She knew if she gave up her dream for the auroricorns, she'd grow to resent them, even if she didn't mean to. And they didn't deserve that. She couldn't be the leader they needed. If the leader was miserable, so were its ponies. They'd be better off with somepony else.

She followed her father in silence, though her heart raced in anticipation. She couldn't believe she was doing this. She was going to explore the world! Well, not the world but whatever lay beyond that portal. It was going to be amazing, she just knew it.

Finally, the old stallion stopped and turned to face his filly for the last time. His wisened eyes were sad and full of regret, but he continued anyway. Anything to make his daughter happy. Without another word, he glanced around to make sure nopony or creature was watching before taking the Nova Charm out with his Magic and opening the portal.

"I have but one request. Do not speak of us to the otherworlders, if you find any. They must not know we exist. Even if you were to find some creature there you'd trust with your life, do not speak of us. Don't even hint. Doing so could put us in grave danger."

Snow smiled kindly so her father knew she meant it. "I won't, Daddy. I promise. I know you don't want to hear it, but thank you anyway. You have no idea what this means to me. And Starlight Ridge will always be my home."

"Once you step through this portal, this place is not your home.

"Daddy…? What…what do…?

"A home is someplace you can go to whenever you need it. A home is a place you run to when you are in need of sanctuary, help, or just a place to let out your emotions. Once you step hoof off this Ridge, you will not be able to return. It is not possible."

Snow's heart broke at the mention of that, but she refused to allow it to deter her. "I will find a way back Daddy. I promise. Just…just don't give up hope. Please."

Skye Ice turned from his daughter. "I wish you luck on your journey. I hope you find there what you were unable to find here."

Tears filled Snow's eyes before she quickly wiped them away, turning to step through the portal. As soon as she was all the way through, he kept the portal open for a little longer in case she decided to turn back, but nothing else came through.

With a heavy heart, Skye Ice closed the portal, turning back to Starlight Ridge, and looking up to the sky. "Oh, Isá. I have failed our little filly. I'm so sorry."

A single tear ran down his face.

---

"I'm an auroricorn?!" Izzy asked in shock.

"Half auroricorn," Comet corrected, adjusting his glasses…again.

Izzy leaned into Misty, putting a hoof to the side of her mouth. "I'm beginning to see what you mean about those distinctions."

Before Misty had a chance to respond, Violet Frost was already speaking with the most joy the two unicorns have ever heard from her. "This is incredible! This is…you're a walking legend. I mean, if only Skye Ice was here to see this. He wouldn't…oh my stars, he wouldn't believe his eyes!"

"Skye…Ice?" Izzy said with a wide smile that somepony smiled when they had no idea what else to do.

"Your grandfather. Snow Blossom's father," Comet filled in helpfully.

"Oh…yeah…right…I have one of those, don't I," Izzy said awkwardly. Misty understood what Izzy was feeling. It's how she felt when she first spent her full day with Alphabittle.

"Oh! My! Stars! I can't believe it. You're like…the first auroricorn to be born outside Starlight Ridge!" Violet said with excited eyes.

"Half auroricorn," Izzy corrected, leaning into Misty again to whisper, "I'm actually glad for that distinction. Who knew?"

"Uh…Iz, not to make this more overwhelming or anything but umm…" Misty whispered into Izzy with her hoof up. "You are the first half auroricorn to be born…like, ever."

"Oh, spark my horn!" Izzy exclaimed in exasperation. "I can't win!"

"Violet! Violet! I have an idea! We should totally tell the other auroricorns about this! They'll go berserk!" Comet turned to Izzy. "Your mother is like a legend here! Before me, she was the only auroricorn to ever leave Starlight Ridge!"

"Heh…a legend, huh?" Izzy said nervously, a smile plastered on, though Misty could tell it was clearly strained.

Misty was about to speak up for her friend when she was interrupted by Violet Frost once again. "Oh my stars, Comet. You are so right!"

"Oh. We are telling the world now. Great." Izzy said with a trembling voice, her smile widening, dragging out the last word.

"Maybe we should give Izzy some time to–"

"Let's go, Izzy!" Violet Frost exclaimed, interrupting Misty for a third time and picking Izzy up with her magic.

"I'm…I'm not so sure about this!" Izzy exclaimed, her brain jumping around.

She didn't know how to possibly process any of this. She just learned who in the hay her mother really was, that she was a living protege, and she's half of a whole other species, in the past five minutes. This was all too much too soon.

"Oh, no need to be shy! You're one of us now!" Comet exclaimed, his eyes full of glee.

"Okay, but umm…can I at least walk on my own though?" Izzy asked as Violet and Comet started walking Izzy to the door.

Violet and Comet looked at each other with embarrassed smiles before slowly setting her back down on the ground. Izzy breathed a sigh of relief. Comet and Violet were about to usher her to the door when Misty stepped between them, holding up her hoof.

"I umm…actually wanted to talk to Izzy alone real fast, if that's okay? It won't take long, promise."

Comet and Violet shrugged before leaving the mess hall to tell the other auroricorns.

"Thanks, Misty," Izzy said with a grateful smile.

"Are you okay? I know this is a lot to process. Trust me, I understand how hard it is to say no. You don't want to let anypony down, I get it. But…you have to take care of yourself first. Sometimes ponies can get so excited over somepony, they forget to ask the pony they're excited over if they're okay."

Izzy smiled reassuringly. "I'm fine. Trust me. I mean, we only have an hour left until we have to get back to the portal. I can last until then with all this attention and stuff, because, when we get back to Equestria, I'll have all the time I need to process this. I can push it off for an hour."

Misty bit her lip, not quite sure she believed Izzy. But it's not like Misty could force Izzy into doing anything, so she just had to let her go and be there when Izzy needed her. "Alright. If you say so."

"Thanks, Misty. And thanks for being here through all this. I don't know what I'd do if you weren't here."

"Of course. What are friends for? I'll always be here when you need me most, no matter what."

Izzy brightened up, not the fake brightening up, but for real. "I have an idea. Let's have a safe word. If I say it, you can help intervene. Like, how about Señior B? For Señior Butterscotch?"

Misty smiled and nodded, moving her ear as a show that she'd be listening closely.

---

Izzy and Misty stared wide-eyed at the crowd of auroricorns cheering as they stood outside of the mess hall. They knew Violet and Comet went before them, but Misty and Izzy were only talking for like five minutes. It looked like every auroricorn in Starlight Ridge was here. How did they manage to do that?

"Well, at least we can't say they don't work efficiently," Izzy whispered.

"How did they…" Misty started to mutter when she was interrupted by Violet Frost talking into a megaphone. "Oh. That's how."

"And here she is, folks!" Violet Frost said into her big megaphone.

Izzy leaned into Misty. "Why do I suddenly feel like a circus attraction?"

"Did she just say…folks?" Misty whispered back, before tuning back into Violet Frost.

"…ssom's daughter has returned! After twenty years of absence, she has finally returned to us, just like she promised us all those moons ago!"

All the auroricorns cheered and shouted, moving closer in hopes of being seen by Izzy. Violet Frost then went on to explain how Izzy isn't just the first with auroricorn blood to be born outside Starlight Ridge, but also the first half auroricorn ever. Izzy chuckled nervously as those words turned her from a long-lost part of society to a novelty.

The auroricorns oohed and aahed as they inspected Izzy from the crowd, taking a step closer every once in a while, trying to find similarities and differences of being a half-breed. Every step they took, Izzy followed with a step back, until her rump hit the closed doors of the Mess Hall.

Izzy glanced around, stopping when her eyes landed on Comet. She kept her wide, nervous smile on her face and her eyes on the cheering crowd as she sidestepped towards Comet, leaning into him.

"Hey, umm…Comet, I understand you're just trying to make me feel welcome, and I really appreciate it, but umm…is…is all this really necessary?"

"Of course! Not only are you a first in two things, but you're also the daughter of Snow Blossom. Especially for the older folks around here, you're like Snow Blossom reincarnated. I'm surprised they haven't thrown you a–" Comet gasped as his eyes widened. "Oh, my Starlight! Idea! Violet! Violet! We should totally throw her a party! We…we could call it Izzy Blossom returns!"

"Comet, that just sounds like you're trying to ship Izzy and her mom. Why don't we just call it a welcome home party?"

Comet chuckled nervously, readjusting his glasses. "Yeah. No. That works too."

"But, I think a party is a brilliant idea!" Violet put the megaphone back to her mouth. "Auroricorns big and small. Let's decorate the town square for a welcome home party for Izzy!"

Izzy's nervous smile grew as she sidestepped back to Misty. "I think I'm just going to shut up now," She said through her smile, barely opening her mouth as she talked.

"Don't worry, Iz. We only have another fifty‐five minutes to go and we'll be back in Equestria, okay?" Misty whispered comfortingly to Izzy.

"Okay," Izzy said as her smile became more strained, not sure how much more she could handle.

---

Misty stood awkwardly in the corner as music blaired in her ears. She kept her eyes solely trained on Izzy, her ears peaked for any sign of the safe word, which was easier said than done as Izzy was dragged all over the place as ponies asked her questions and requested to dance with her and basically anything that'd overwhelm her. Surprisingly, Izzy had yet to crack and break, her polite strained smile still plastered on, though Misty had to guess her cheeks hurt. However, her eye began to twitch with every new request or question, or, well, anything the auroricorns asked of her.

Misty looked at the time. They only had another twenty‐five minutes. They had to get going soon if they were going to get back to the portal in time. Sure, they opened it once, but who knows if they'd be able to open it again.

As a group of auroricorns tried to drag her someplace else, Izzy claimed to have to go to the bathroom real quick, and just as many of the auroricorns offered their bathroom for the walking legend, claiming theirs were the only ones that were fit for such a pony as her and began to fight over it, she took advantage of their distracted fighting and hoofed it to the Mess Hall, probably to use the bathroom there.

Misty slipped away as well, sneaking to the Mess Hall without being noticed so as to not give away Izzy's small space of peace, though that wasn't too hard to do since nopony even noticed her. Which was fine by her. She was used to it. It wasn't like she wanted any of it anyway. It was hard enough with just her father fussing over her so much that day. She could only imagine what a whole town's sole attention would do to her. She began to worry if Izzy was really okay or not.

Once she stepped inside the Mess Hall, she slipped into the bathroom, first making sure some wandering auroricorn didn't follow her, before locking the door behind her to keep anypony from coming in.

Inside the Mess Hall bathroom, the music could barely be heard, but it was still pretty noticeable. Misty's ears rang from being in such loud music for almost an hour and then being in almost silence. She turned to see a row of stalls, one of them closed.

She slowly walked up to the stall and softly knocked on it. She doubted Izzy really had to pee.

"Go away already! Jeez, can't I get any privacy? This is a bathroom for crying out loud!" Izzy's voice yelled through the door as she pounded the stall door.

"Iz, it's only me, Misty. Your friend?"

Izzy slowly unlocked the stall door and slowly cracked it open, peeking through the crack. She sighed in relief as she saw Misty's face. "Oh, thank the moons. It's only you. Nopony else is here, right?"

"Promise. Nopony followed me. And even if they did, I locked the bathroom door so it's not like they can get in."

"Won't that be a dead giveaway that we're here?"

"I'm pretty sure the locked stall door already did that."

"Oh yeah." Izzy sat down in the doorway of the stall, looking down at the wooden floor. "I'm sorry I snapped at you."

"It's fine. I understand. Are you okay? You know we can go back whenever you want. We're not forced to stay here for the whole two hours."

Izzy bit her lip. "But…what about Comet? He hasn't been home in months. He really misses this place."

"Comet will understand." Misty put a hoof under Izzy's chin and lifted her head so Izzy could look her in the eye. "Hey, I know you don't want to let the auroricorns down, but you gotta look out for yourself too. I'll help, but only when you want me to. You need to make that decision. If the auroricorns really care and love you like they say they do, they'll understand. It was a lesson I had to learn. Multiple times. I know it's not easy, but if you're not okay, you'll snap at the auroricorns like you did with me and they don't deserve that. I may have understood, but others might not. Especially if they don't know what they did wrong, okay? I know this is a lot to take in. Promise me you'll look out for yourself too, okay?"

Izzy was silent for a bit as her eyes looked at the ground. Then she looked up at Misty with a small smile. "I will. Plus, we only have like ten minutes anyway, right?"

"Twenty, actually," Misty corrected sympathetically, making Izzy groan in exasperation.

Suddenly, the two ponies heard a soft knock on the bathroom door. "Izzy, a-are you in there?" Comet asked through the door.

Misty bit her lip before answering. "Umm…no, it's just me!"

"Oh. Umm…if Izzy's not in there with you, do you know where she is? She's been gone for a while, and we're a bit worried."

"Umm…no, I don't! Sorry! But umm…I wouldn't worry about her! She's probably fine!"

Misty heard Comet sigh. "Alright, well, we'll keep looking. Also, why is the door locked when there are individual stalls?"

Misty's eyes widened as she searched for an answer that wouldn't give Izzy away. "I…umm…really like a lot of…privacy when I go to the…bathroom?" Misty said hesitantly, not sure if that excuse was going to fly past the suspicious radar without being noticed.

There was a moment of silence, probably Comet wondering if he'd believe her excuse before he finally answered. "Uhh…okay," he answered in a tone that said he believed her but he thought she was the weirdest pony in Starlight Ridge, which probably wasn't far from the truth, especially because after Izzy's discovery, she was the only nonauricorn in Starlight Ridge at the moment. "But uh…you do know this is the little colt's room, right?"

Misty widened her eyes and Izzy gave her an oops look. She racked her brain for another excuse. "I guess I didn't see the…sign?"

"Finally, somepony who agrees with me. You know, I've been trying to tell Violet Frost that they're way too small but Violet said we don't get very many visitors, or any for that matter, but now that you got them mixed up, maybe you could help convince her to change her mind, especially if Izzy comes to visit more–"

"Comet?" Misty interrupted.

"Yeah?" Comet asked through the door, his interest peeked.

"I'm kinda busy at the moment. Can we put this conversation on hold? Please?"

There was a moment of silence as Comet realized the situation. "Oh my stars. Right. I'm so sorry. I'll be going now."

Misty and Izzy stayed silent until they could no longer hear Comet's hoofsteps. Once they were sure he was gone, they both breathed a collective sigh of relief.

Izzy looked up at Misty, giving her a grateful look before saying, "Well, I guess I should be going out there before they send out a search and rescue team out in the woods for me." Izzy's voice trembled as she and Misty stood up.

"Hey, Iz. Don't forget what I said about those boundaries. Don't be afraid to set them. This is a lot. But, trust me, if they love you, they'll understand and respect them. If they don't, you got me in your corner. And if worst comes to worst, I can hop over to Equestria and get the rest of our friends."

Izzy smiled, though, she doubted it'd have to come to that. "Thanks, Tea. You're a good friend. You know that?"

Misty shrugged, looking down at the ground. "It's the least I can do after everything I put you ponies through and what you've all done for me."

"Hey, you know you don't owe us for anything, right? That's just what friends do."

Misty looked up at Izzy with a soft, sad smile. "I know."

And with that, the two ponies walked out of the bathroom and Mess Hall. Misty hoped Izzy couldn't see the lie for what it was. Because the truth was, Misty did owe them. She owed them her life, even if they didn't know it. It was a debt she'd spend the rest of her life paying, but one she'd never let herself forget.

---

Misty held up her phone urgently to Izzy, who was currently being carried by the magic of a crowd of auroricorns, the diminishing timer on display. The crowd completely ignored Misty as they fawned and praised Izzy for her ancestry and biology. Misty had to jump up and down, her phone carried by her magic, just to be seen by Izzy over the crowd that seemed to consist of every auroricorn in Starlight Ridge, and yet, somehow, more continued to join. Misty had not realized there were this many auroricorns in Starlight Ridge.

Izzy finally noticed Misty, much to Misty's relief because that meant she could stop jumping up and down, and Izzy's eyes widened when she saw the timer on Misty's phone. Seven minutes! Crap! They had to get going.

"Uh…hey, ponies, do you think you can…" Izzy stopped when she felt an auroricorn's horn accidentally poke her back, making her flinch. "Uh…please put me down now. Please."

The auroricorns couldn't hear Izzy over all their cheering.

Izzy looked around, brightening when she saw Comet. "Comet, thank moons I found you. Uh, can you get the auroricorns to put me down now please!" Izzy yelled, trying to be heard over the crowd.

"What?" Comet called, not really hearing her.

"Can you ponies put me down now?!" Izzy asked, a little louder.

"Can we ponies get you a crown? Sure. I'm pretty sure that can be arranged."

"No!" Izzy exclaimed, panic rising. That was the opposite of what she wanted. "I want you–" Izzy stopped when Comet slipped and fell, falling on his face. "Are you…wait no! I need to–" Izzy started to panic again when she was floated passed Comet. She turned her head as much as she could to make sure he was okay and she watched as another auroricorn helped him up.

She quickly glanced around, finding Violet Frost at the front, which was farther away than Comet had been. If Comet could barely hear her, Violet wasn't going to hear her.

Misty looked around desperately, trying to find some way to help her friend when she barely heard Izzy yell over all the noise, "Señior B! Señior B!"

Misty gave Izzy a firm nod and tried asking the auroricorns nearest to her if they could put Izzy down and perhaps spread the word to other auroricorns because Izzy was getting really uncomfortable, but the auroricorns flat-out ignored her. Even when she tapped their back or stepped in front of them, they'd ignore her or just walk around her.

Well, at least they weren't in a trance. Otherwise, they'd just try to walk right through her and push her out of the way without even batting an eye. Which means they were just being rude then. Great. She had to find a new way. The problem was, neither she nor Izzy were very assertive ponies.

That was when she saw Izzy pointing to the front of the crowd. Misty looked in the direction she was pointing in and saw Violet Frost. Perfect. Misty gave Izzyy a determined nod and smile before rushing up to Violet Frost.

"Umm…Violet. Do you think you could–"

"I know right? So fun!" Violet answered, interrupting Misty as the thirtieth auroriflare burst across the sky.

"Umm…actually…" Misty trailed off when she realized Violet was barely paying attention to her, playing her flute thing in the Starshine Time song, as she and the other ponies sang the lyrics, only adding to all the noise.

Misty's eyes widened as she realized it was almost near impossible that she was going to get their attention. She ran in front of them as they paraded Izzy around the town square in celebration. However, instead of stopping, they continued walking, causing Misty to get lost in the crowd. Ugh. This was almost as frustrating as when they were in that trance.

Misty found her way out of the crowd, glancing at Izzy, who was trying to get them to stop from where she was, but when she felt Misty's eyes and looked at her, Misty could see in Izzy's eyes that she realized it was most likely hopeless and that they'd have to wait until they were done to finally get their attention and by then, it'd probably be too late.

Not on Misty's life. She liked living in Equestria and she knew Izzy did too, half auroricorn or not.

Misty looked around, trying to find something, when she noticed Violet's megaphone on the makeshift stage. Misty smiled as she booked it to the stage, glancing at the timer on her phone. Three minutes. Luckily though, they set it for fifteen minutes early just in case. Thank moons they did.

Misty grabbed the megaphone with her magic and yelled through it, only to be ignored again. With all the auroricorns singing such a loud song, making percussion with their hooves, Misty might as well have the mute button on her voice switched on. Misty sighed in irritation, glancing around, when she saw the decorations.

Misty's eyes narrowed. Hmm…maybe if Misty created enough chaos, it'll get the attention of the performing auroricorns and she'll finally be able to talk to them. An idea began to form in Misty's mind. It'd have to be pretty big, but it just might work.

Misty closed her eyes, concentrating and focusing harder than ever before, reaching out with her magic. She never levitated so much before, but she hoped that because it would only be one quick movement, it'd work. She opened one eye, nodding towards the decorations that were engulfed in her magic, and Izzy's eyes widened, quickly understanding.

Izzy closed her eyes, also reaching out with her magic. Together, they were able to grab hold of all the balloons in the town square, which was a lot, and when Izzy opened her eyes to look at her friend, Misty counted down from three.

As soon as Misty got to one, Misty and Izzy squeezed with their magic, popping all the balloons at once, causing a loud popping sound that rang through the square, causing the crowd to silence and stop in mid-song and motion.

Misty sighed in relief before speaking into the megaphone. "Please put my friend down. She's very uncomfortable with this."

Violet chuckled nervously, as she stepped aside. The auroricorns who were holding Izzy in their magic floated Izzy to the front of the crowd and set her down on the stage so she wouldn't go slipping and sliding.

"Sorry about that, Izzy. Sometimes we can get a bit too carried away." Violet dusted Izzy off with a hoof, chuckling nervously.

Izzy waved a dismissive hoof, her smile wide and real, excited to finally be going home after the longest hour and forty-five minutes of her life. "Pfft. It's fine. Sometimes I can get carried away and my friends have to tell me when I'm being too much. I totally get it." Izzy's smile fell a bit. "Sorry about your balloons though. I know you ponies worked hard to decorate this place for me."

It was Violet's turn to wave a dismissive hoof. "It's fine. You had to get our attention somehow, right?"

"Yeah, umm…about that…" Misty said a little hesitantly, holding up her phone. "We should really get going. Since we didn't use the Nova Charm to get through, the portal will be closing soon. So, we should really grab Comet and–"

"Oh! I was thinking about–whoa!" Comet exclaimed as he slipped, but was caught by an auroricorn. "Thanks." Comet cleared his throat and adjusted his glasses. "What I was saying is that I think I should stay here. I didn't realize how much I missed Starlight Ridge until I came back. This is my home, and I'd like to stay here. At least for a little while."

"Oh umm…okay," Izzy looked a little sad by that, but she wasn't about to try and talk Comet out of it. Izzy knew what it was like to be homesick, if she were being honest she was feeling it a bit herself, and she wouldn't wish that on anypony. "If you're sure. But umm…you'll be missed. For sure. But, umm…Misty and I should be heading back now. You know, before the portal closes, and we're stuck here."

Comet and Violet looked at each other. "Well, umm…Violet and I were talking and umm…" Comet stuttered, adjusting his glasses. "We…we were thinking that…umm…"

"You could stay here! With us!" Violet exclaimed, interrupting Comet.

"W-WHAT?!" Izzy exclaimed, dread building up inside of her.

"Well, umm…with me staying here…a-and the Nova Charm being b-broken and all, you no longer have that connection to Starlight Ridge anymore s-so, you may not be able to visit. Ever. W-we just thought, since you're one of us too, that you know…now that you spent half of y-your life over there…"

"You can spend some of it here. With us!" Violet finished.

Izzy's eyes widened. She hadn't even realized that. She was so excited to finally go back to Equestria, that she didn't even think about the fact that with Comet being here, she might not have a way to come visit. Here she just discovered a whole new part of herself, and now she'd have to potentially leave it behind forever.

But, could she really leave Equestria? Her friends? Her home?

Where even was home?

"But…my friends…I can't just…they're practically my family," Izzy said, tears filling her eyes.

"And we're your family too, Izzy. When Snow Blossom left all those moons ago, she left a big hole in our hearts. We never quite recovered from her leaving, even though we knew why she did it, and we wanted her to be happy, we still could never quite move on. But now, with you here, her daughter, it fills that hole your mother left behind."

"I…I…umm…" Izzy stuttered, her mind being pulled in a million directions. Of course, Violet Frost was right. She couldn't just leave, after everything, and never be able to return. But, she couldn't not ever see her friends again.

Misty stepped up to Izzy, putting a hoof on her back and turning to Violet Frost. "Violet, Izzy just found out who her mother was. That was already a lot to begin with. Asking this of her, it's just too much. It's an impossible decision."

"We understand how hard this decision must be and normally we wouldn't ask this of her, but once she steps through that portal, she may not be able to come back," Violet Frost argued.

"But, there must be another way! We've done it before without Comet. I'm sure we can do it again!"

"But you can't be sure, can you Misty? Can you promise me, promise Izzy, that she will be able to come and go as she pleases whenever she likes because you found another way to activate the portal?"

Misty remained silent, knowing that was a promise she couldn't make. "No," Misty muttered, looking down.

"If she still had the Nova Charm, I never would've asked, but it's not that simple anymore. With that Charm gone, we may never be able to go back and forth anymore!"

"But you seriously don't expect Izzy to be able to answer such a question, can you? Equestria's the only home she's ever known!"

"Well, it is her decision to make! And this could be her home too if she'd give it a chance. She is part auroricorn after all!" Violet turned to Izzy. "Izzy, I know this is hard for you, but please. This place, you can learn more about who you are. About who your mother was. We have auroricorns who knew her very well when she was just a filly. They have amazing stories they could tell you about her."

"Izzy," Misty interjected softly. "Remember what I said earlier about boundaries. Don't worry about them. Don't worry about our friends back in Equestria. Don't even worry about me. Just worry about you. Is living here really what you want? Whatever you decide, we'll all understand because we love you."

"I…I don't know…I…" Tears filled Izzy's eyes. This was all too much. It wouldn't be as bad if it wasn't permanent, but she'd have to live the rest of her life with her decision, never being able to change it. And she had no idea what she'd choose.

"Izzy, your mother loved this place. And she always promised she'd return. She never got the chance because she never figured out how to get back. But you did. Are you going to follow in your mother's hoofsteps, or are you going to stay here and learn about the other half of yourself?"

"Izzy, it's okay to say no. If the auroricorns don't understand, they didn't care about you to begin with. Izzy, don't feel pressured just because of who your mother was…"

Misty and Violet continued to talk to her, but to Izzy, it all just sounded like a jumbled-up mess. A really loud and overwhelming jumbled-up mess that just seemed to be getting louder and louder. The voices closed in around her, making the space feel smaller and smaller, squeezing her in tighter and tighter until it felt like there was no room to breathe and she couldn't move and in the back of it all she was still trying to figure out who she even was in the first place, but the voices weren't letting her think and–

"STOP! JUST STOP! IT'S ALL TOO MUCH! JUST LEAVE ME ALONE! PLEASE!" Izzy shouted at the top of her lungs, before jumping off the stage, landing on her hooves for the first time since she'd ever been in Starlight Ridge, and ran off to the Mess Hall, only to slip and land on her back.

When an auroricorn tried to help her, Izzy glared at her and picked herself up, running to the Mess Hall, slipping and falling every few feet, making it take longer than necessary. Tears filled Izzy's eyes as she felt the eyes of everypony behind her bore a hole in her back. She heard a couple of them shout for her to wait, but Izzy ignored them. Finally, she heard Misty's voice softly say just to give her some space, much to Izzy's relief.

Izzy slammed the door closed with her magic and locked it. Slowly, tears filling her eyes, she walked to the picture that was hung up on the wall, staring at her eyes on a different mare. A mare who had to make the hard decision. Was it really selfish to choose her own happiness over others'? Would the auroricorns despise her for it? Would her friends back in Equestria?

What was she even thinking? She had to figure out where that place even was first. The place that would make her happy. She didn't even know what that place was.

She looked at her mother desperately, tears in her eyes. "Mama. What do I do? Tell me. Please."

Izzy looked down when she got no answer in return. That was when she felt a hoof on her shoulder. She gasped and turned around, only to see somepony that was completely impossible.

"M-Mama?!" She asked in shock, tears pouring down her eyes.

Snow Blossom smiled warmly at her. Izzy didn't remember much about her mother. She had passed when Izzy was a small filly. But she'd never forget that smile.

Without any hesitation, Izzy jumped up, and hugged her, wrapping her hooves tightly around her mother. Izzy felt warm hooves wrap around her and squeeze her tightly. After what felt like hours, they finally separated. Izzy looked up at her mother with joy and pure happiness. She couldn't believe she was seeing her mother for the first time in a decade.

"H-how are you here?! How…"

"Your heart called for me. It was in desperate need of guidance. So I came for a short while in hopes that maybe I could help. Tell me, flower, what burdens your heart so."

Izzy sat down next to Snow Blossom, who sat next to her, and laid her head on her shoulder, the tears forming again. "I…I don't know where to stay…Equestria, where I grew up, or here, where there's a whole half of me I have yet to meet."

"Why can't you choose both, flower?"

"Because we were only able to make the portal to get here because we had Comet. Once I step hoof through that portal, I'll never be able to come back. Once the portal closes, I'll never be able to go back to Equestria. I'll never see my friends again."

Snow Blossom was quiet as she thought the whole thing through. "You know, flower, my father said those very words to me when I left."

"But he was wrong. Right? I came back." Izzy looked up at her mother with renewed hope.

Snow Blossom smiled softly, but there was sadness in it too, as though she didn't want to tell her daughter this. "No, flower. He was right. We are two different ponies, Izzy. Yes, you have some of me in you. Like my mane." Snow Blossom ran a hoof through her daughter's mane. "My eyes." She put a hoof to Izzy's nose, making her giggle. "And my creative brain." Snow put a hoof on Izzy's forehead. "But you also have some of your father's qualities in you too. Like your smile. Your coat. Your kindness. Though, that actually comes from both of us. Your outgoing, friendly, and positive attitude and outlook on the world. That's definitely from your father. But, just because you have our qualities in you, doesn't make you us. You are your own pony, with your own desires. Just because you found a way to Starlight Ridge, doesn't mean I did."

Izzy smiled, just happy to be in her mother's presence. Then her smile fell. "Mama, I…I don't know where home is."

"You know, flower, a wise auroricorn once told me that a home is someplace you can go to whenever you need it. A home is a place you run to when you are in need of sanctuary, help, or just a place to let out your emotions. But, flower, don't let my decisions guide yours. One of the most valuable lessons I've ever learned was to not let other ponies be the reason I make a decision. I learned that it's not fair to me or them. Because, if I'd come to regret it, it'd be them I'd blame, and that's not fair, because I'm my own pony who can make my own decisions."

Izzy looked down. "Do you…do you regret coming to Equestria and leaving Starlight Ridge behind?"

Snow pulled her daughter close. "I'm not gonna lie to you, flower. I definitely missed home. I missed my friends, who were practically my family, who were practically the whole village. I missed my father. If I had a chance to come back, I would've. But do I regret going in the first place? No. I don't. Because if I didn't go, I never would've met your father. I never would've had you," Snow squeezed her daughter tighter, rubbing her nose on Izzy's cheek playfully, making Izzy giggle. "My precious flower. Beautiful things can happen anywhere, Izzy. You just have to let them."

"When did you know you couldn't live here anymore? That you wouldn't be happy if you stayed? How did you know it was the right decision?"

Snow leaned in and whispered, "Let me let you in on a little secret: I didn't. It was a risk that I could've very well regretted, but it was a risk I knew I had to take. Sure, I was content here, but I wasn't exactly happy. My heart longed for more. Starlight Ridge is a magical place, but it just…wasn't for me. My heart longed for something more. I guess it was a lot like how you felt when you left Briddlewood in hopes of finding the pony who sent you that pretty lantern with a message inside. And I must say, you've made some pretty great friends."

Izzy gasped, looking up at her mother. "You know about that?"

"Of course I do, flower. Just because I had to leave this world, doesn't mean I had to leave you…

🎵You've come, such a long long way.
And I've watched you,
From that very first day.
To see how you might grow,
To see what you might do,
To see what you've been through,
And all the ways you've made me proud of you.🎵

Izzy's face instantly brightened, tears filling her eyes. "Y‐You're proud of me?"

🎵It's time now, for a new change to come.
You've grown up,
And your new life has begun.
To go where you will go.
To see what you will see.
To find what you will be.
And only you can choose your destiny!🎵

Izzy smiled up at her mother, her melodic voice being everything she remembered. The sound soothed her very soul, filling a piece of her she didn't even know was missing to begin with.

Then Izzy was startled by a knock. She turned towards the main doors of the Mess Hall, seeing the shadow of a pony.

"Izzy? Are you in there? It's me, Misty. I just want to talk. I promise I won't pressure you into making a decision. I just want to help."

She turned back, only to see her mother gone. She began to panic.

"Mama? Mama, where are you? I still need you to help me make a decision!"

There was only silence in response until a soft breeze blew, and seeing as she was inside, Izzy knew it wasn't natural. Suddenly, Izzy heard the smallest voice, "You've already made the decision. You already know deep down in your heart. You just have to be brave enough to see it."

"I…I don't want to lose you again, Mama!" Izzy cried, looking around desperately for the source of the voice.

Oh, my precious flower. You never lost me. I've always been here. And I always will be. I may no longer be here physically, but I'll always be here, in your heart, no matter what. Whenever you need me, all you have to do is listen closely, reach into the deepest part of yourself, and you'll find me. I love you, my flower."

Bittersweet tears filled Izzy's eyes. "I love you, too, Mama."

Another knock came on the door. "Izzy, please open up. I'm worried about you. I just want to know if you're okay."

Izzy sighed, looking down at the ground. With a heavy sigh, Izzy unlocked the door with her magic. Slowly, hesitantly, the door opened and Misty walked in. She closed and locked the door behind her, slowly walking up to Izzy and sitting next to her without saying a word.

After a long moment of silence, Misty finally spoke. "Hey, Izzy. I'm sorry about the way we pressured you like that. We all are. I know I promised you I wouldn't pressure you and that I'd stand by whatever decision you'd make, but I know I was only making things worse."

"It's okay, Misty. Besides, I already made my decision," Izzy said, looking up at Snow Blossom's picture.

"Y-you did?" Misty asked, looking up at Izzy.

Izzy nodded. She did. She thought back to what her mother said about what a home was. It was a place she could always go to when she was in need of sanctuary or just a place to let out her emotions. When she thought about what that place was, the first place she thought about was the Crystal Brighthouse. Her mom was right. She had already made that decision. She just had to be brave enough to see it.

"If you don't mind me asking…where is it?"

Izzy sighed. "Equestria. I've lived my whole life with a hole in my heart, never quite knowing where I belonged. Knowing I never quite fit in with the unicorns in Briddlewood. And then I found you ponies and you created new places in my heart I didn't even realize existed. Sure, that hole was still there, but it was less noticeable. I never felt more at home than when I was with you ponies. Now I know what that hole was, and even though Starlight Ridge is great, I've already lived my whole life with that hole. I'm used to the feeling. But, I can't imagine creating five new holes." Izzy sighed, looking back down at the ground. "It's probably too late anyway. The portal's probably closed by now."

Misty looked down at her phone. Yeah. The fifteen minute cushion as already up by now. Meaning the portal was gone and they were stuck here. "Yeah. It probably is."

Izzy looked up at Misty with a small smile. "But hey, if we're stuck here, at least we're stuck together, right?"

"Yeah. I just wish we knew how we got here the first time without that connection to Starlight Ridge." Misty sighed. "If Zipp was here, she'd probably already have it figured out."

"Yeah. Probably."

"Well, I should go break the news to the other auroricorns." Misty stood up, turning back to Izzy. "You coming?"

Izzy looked up at Misty. "I'll catch up. I just need a little bit more time."

"Alright. Take as long as you need." And with that, Misty walked out of the mess hall.

As Izzy sat in front of her mother's picture, staring at the ground, a small cherry blossom flower gently fell and landed right below Snow Blossom's picture, and right in front of Izzy. Izzy smiled, picking up the flower and putting it behind her ear and looking up at her mother's portrait as she stood up and prepared to go back to the chaos outside. "Thanks mama," She muttered.

Suddenly, Misty burst through the door, a wide smile on her face. "Izzy! I got it! I know how you don't have to choose!"

Izzy widened her eyes before following Misty out of the Mess Hall.

---

"Hey, Izzy?"

Izzy looked up to find Misty heading straight for Violet Frost, who was the one who called out to her and Comet. Izzy braced herself, ready to defend her decision, if she could even get back to Equestria.

"We're…sorry. We didn't mean to make you feel pressured into making a decision and make you feel pressured into doing all the things we suggested."

"We were just so happy about having a piece of Snow Blossom back that we wanted you to feel as happy as we did, but we kind of forgot to actually make sure you were happy." Comet continued, adjusting his glasses.

"Misty told us how uncomfortable you were through all of this and we just wanted to apologize for that. That wasn't our intention. And we want you to know, no matter where you decide to live, we'll understand." Violet finished.

Izzy smiled, a real and genuine smile this time. "Aww…thanks guys. I forgive you. Excitement can often get the best of us, especially when we don't even realize it. I mean, just ask Misty. We were so excited when she first moved into the Crystal Brighthouse that we completely overwhelmed her. Though, I'm sure my sleep levitating didn't help. It wasn't until she snapped and ran away that we realized that maybe we were being just a bit too much. So, trust me, I totally get it."

Izzy paused, her smile dimming a bit as she readied herself for the next part. "But umm…you should know…Equestria is my home. My friends may not be biologically related to me, but they're still my family." Izzy looked at Misty. "And I wouldn't have it any other way." She looked back at Violet and Comet. "I hope you guys understand."

"Of course we do, Izzy." Violet said with a soft smile.

"It's how I felt in Equestria," Comet explained, adjusting his glasses. "It was a really cool place to visit, but Starlight Ridge will always be my home. Like how Equestria is for you."

"It was nice to see you and have a piece of Snow Blossom while you were here, even if we'll never see you again." Violet Frost hugged Izzy.

"Thanks guys, though, I doubt it matters. The portal is closed anyway." Izzy sighed, looking back down to the ground dejectedly, before a small smile appeared on her face. Well, at least she'll only have four holes to fill rather than five. She looked up at the auroricorns. "But, if I'm stuck here, I'm glad it's with you ponies."

"That's what I was saying! You don't have to choose. You can stay in both worlds!" Misty exclaimed excitedly.

Izzy looked at Misty confused. "What do you mean?"

"I figured it out! I figured out how we got through the portal the first time!"

"You did!" Izzy exclaimed, tears of happiness filling her eyes. "What was it?"

"It was so obvious. I'm surprised we didn't see it before. It was you, Izzy! You were the connection!"

Izzy tilted her head. "Okay, now I'm doubly confused. What do you mean?"

"You're half auroricorn and half Equestrian. You have a connection to both worlds in you're very blood! That's all we needed to open the portal. A connection to here, and a connection to Equestria! You're that very connection. With the magic of the Together Trees, you can create a portal whenever you want! You're the secret key, just like Comet was!"

Izzy widened her eyes, almost afraid to hope, but she could feel it swelling up in her chest. "Do…do you really think it'll work?"

"Only one way to find out." Misty answered with a shrug.

---

The air was thick with tension as everypony stood a couple of paces back from where the portal had appeared. It was now gone, but if Misty's idea worked, that wouldn't matter. Izzy was standing in the front, a couple of hoofsteps away from the rest of the auroricorns and Misty.

She reached up with her hoof and touched the flower her mother sent her. She may not have known it, but Izzy Moonbow stood in the same exact place her mother, Snow Blossom, stood over twenty moons ago. And while Snow Blossom promised she'd find a way back, Izzy was about to see if it was a promise she herself would be able to keep.

Izzy sighed, swallowing nervously. She glanced back at Misty, who gave her n encouraging smile. She turned back around and closed her eyes, just like she did back at theTogether Tree in Opaline's dark castle. Izzy smiled a bit. Misty was right. They really needed to come up with a better name for that.

Izzy closed her eyes as she began to focus on the portal, putting every ounce of her concentration into that one thought. She pictured what she thought the portal looked like, and envisioned it leading her to Equestria, to the Together Tree where they had left the Marestream.

At first nothing happened, but after another ten minutes of concentration, Izzy's cutie mark began to glow. Everypony gasped as they watched, but Izzy refused to let that break her focus. She continued to concentrate, focusing harder on this then she ever had before.

Slowly, a blue light began to shine in front of Izzy, growing bigger and bigger the longer she concentrated, until it was just as big as before. The ponies gasped in wonder as they watched the portal appear before their very eyes.

Izzy, hearing a whooshing sound and feeling the softest breeze blow from in front of her, opened her eyes and gasped. She had done it. She opened the portal! But this portal looked a tad bit different than before. While the original blue and white remained, there were streaks of different shades of purple. When Izzy looked closer, there were the smallest streaks of pink as well. The sane shade of pink that matched her mother's cutie mark. Izzy smiled as she touched the cherry blossom flower once again.

Izzy felt a hoof on her back. She turned to see Misty standing next to her, a soft smile on her face. "You did it, Iz."

"I did, didn't I?" Her smile widened as she gasped. "You know what this means! I can visit whenever I want! I don't have to choose!"

Izzy began to jump around, only to slip and fall again, but this time, before she could fall flat on her face, Misty caught her, just like Violet Frost had done for Comet so many times. She smiled gratefully at Misty, who smiled back.

Violet Frost slowly approached Izzy. "Well, I guess this is goodbye then." Violet rubbed the back of her neck nervously.

"Not goodbye," Misty started.

"Just an until next time. I can visit whenever I want, even without Comet or the Nova Charm."

"You still want to after…everything?" Comet asked, adjusting his glasses.

"Of course I do! Not only are you ponies my friends, but now you're my family! I can't wait to come back and here more stories about my mother. My father told me everything he knew about her, multiple times, but now I can hear stories of when she was a filly!"

Violet and Comet looked at each other before looking at Izzy. "We have a little something for you." Comet said.

Izzy tilted her head when she saw Violet pull out a locket necklace with her magic, handing it over to Izzy. It was so different from the normal Starlight Ridge necklaces she'd see. It was silver, with a silver pendent that had a very light blue tint to it. Upon closer inspection, she could see there was a cherry blossom flower carved into the pendant, however, one petal was torn down the middle and halfway up, the petal was stitched by needle and thread, like it was in the process of being fixed. She recognized it as her mother's cutie mark. With her magic, Izzy opened the locket and gasped when she saw a white mare with a cerulean mane and magenta eyes on one side, and a dark blue stallion with a navy mane that almost looked black on the other. She recognized the mare as her mother but didn't recognize the blue stallion.

"Skye Ice. Your grandfather." Violet Frost informed helpfully. "This locket belonged to them. Your mother wore one half while Skye wore the other. You're mother had accidentally left it behind when she went through the portal. After she left, he had it put back together and hid it in her room among her things, which was to remain undisturbed, just in case she were to return. We thought you'd like to have it."

Izzy smiled, putting the necklace around her neck with her magic. "Thank you Violet and Comet. I don't have very many pictures of my mom and I certainly don't have any pictures of my grandfather." Then something Violet said seemed to sink in. "My mother's old room is still intact?"

"Yeah. We can show you next time you visit if you want."

"I'd love that–whoa oof!" Izzy exclaimed as she started to jump up and down, only to fall flat on her face.

Misty hurried to her side and helped her up, saying, "Maybe we should get going before you break a hoof."

"Maybe you're right," Izzy said as she rubbed her head.

Izzy and Misty all said their goodbyes as they hugged Violet Frost and Comet, Izzy promising that she'll come back to visit soon and Violet promising to collect as many stories about Snow Blossom as she could.

Once they were finished, Misty and Izzy took a deep breath and turned to the portal.

"You alright?" Misty asked, watching Izzy carefully.

Izzy smiled, her eyes glistening with tears of happiness. "Yeah. I am. I really truly am. For the first time in my life, I think I finally know who I am."

Misty smiled back. "Good. I'm happy for you Izzy. And I'm proud of you. I know this hasn't been easy, but you handled it better than anypony else could."

Izzy hugged Misty before the both of them walked towards the portal, holding hooves. Before they stepped through, Izzy glance behind her at all the auroricorns watching her with a smile.

As she watched them, words played through her mind. I'm so proud of you, flower. You've chosen your own destiny. I love you so much.

"I love you too, Mama," Izzy muttered.

"Did you say something?" Misty asked, looking at Izzy confused.

Izzy shook her head, her smile never wavering. "Nope. Nada."

Misty shrugged, and together, they walked through the portal back to Equestria, the portal closing behind them.

Comments

[Catdad]

Really great story so far.