An Element of Friendship is missing and Twilight doesn't have the answers!
The Elements of Harmony helped bring Twilight to her destiny as Princess of Friendship. Now her student, Starlight Glimmer must discover hers. Something about the magic of friendship is missing. The Elements of Harmony alone aren't enough for Twilight to forge the path of Friendship Magic. Perhaps it's time for her to hand the limelight to someone else!
It was a bright fall morning. An overnight frost clung to the leaves as dew. While the rest of Ponyville hummed to life, the Castle of Friendship remained quiet and dark, all except for the sound of furiously turning pages and the light snoring of a unicorn mare.
With a frustrated grumble, Twilight Sparkle slammed another book shut. Even the latest editions didn't have any advice. Forging a new path in magic was much harder than it looked and more than she expected. She had long since forgotten Starlight Glimmer was in the room.
Starlight had stayed up most of the night with Twilight practicing new spells and bouncing ideas back and forth. But she was exhausted compared to the alicorn. Becoming Twilight's pupil was the most challenging thing she had done for herself. Her studies on friendship were paying off and it was starting to show.
She had learned to compromise when she disagreed with somepony and how to stand her ground . It was still frightening to her when she was tasked with befriending and resolving problems with ponies she had never met before. But she had learned to trust herself.
In all the time she lived in Ponyville, the only pony she felt completely comfortable with was Trixie Lulamoon. It wasn't that she didn't like Twilight or didn't trust her. But Twilight constantly worrying about her and hovering over her shoulder at every turn was getting aggravating.
Recently, Twilight began reading the Friendship journal she had created with her friends. Something felt like it was missing. The spell from Star Swirl the Bearded she had finished had only brought her studies together. Despite the appearance of the castle and cutie mark map, there was no crowning jewel among her letters or spells that would survive the test of time.
She had assembled the mane six the day before to brainstorm ideas and combine the magic of friendship in new ways. But something was still missing and she couldn't put a hoof on it.
She even asked her own student for help but Starlight just didn't have as much knowledge of friendship or magic as she did. Nopony did. But Starlight suggested looking for new books to add to her library to calm her down. It had worked for most of the afternoon but the excitement of new books slowly gave way to fixation on absorbing new information. Twilight hardly touched her dinner despite Spike's hard work and encouragement.
Starlight began worrying about her mentor and offered to search the books with her in the evening. But she had no idea what she was looking for. There was no direction or clues to help her. But Twilight seemed to relax with the offer. During their breaks, they tried combining spells or rewriting some of them but to no avail. It was hard on Starlight and very taxing. She only meant to rest her eyes. Twilight was so focused on her books now that she hardly noticed the snoozing mare or her own exhaustion.
When Twilight looked up, she squinted at the morning light beaming in. "Oh... I didn't realize how late it had gotten. I'm sorry Starlight. I..." She turned to Starlight who was sleeping across from her own reading spot. She smiled sleepily and looked to the corner of the room where some blankets were folded neatly. Choosing a soft blue one, she covered Starlight gently, tucking her in, closed the curtains and started walking toward the door.
"Trixie..." she overheard Starlight mumble. Twilight looked at her and blinked, wondering what she was dreaming about, smiled at her sleeping student and quietly left the library, closing the door behind her. Yawning loudly she sleepily wandered off to the kitchen to make breakfast. She wanted to continue reading over a warm plate of food and let her worn out student sleep in peace.
Just as the light of the new day peeked over the side of the mountain, Trixie roused herself from a night of restless sleep. She had become accustomed to Starlight spending the nights with her in the small confines of her show wagon.
While most ponies stayed in houses and cottages, Trixie found them too limiting, too immobile. She preferred life on the road, going from town to town to perform. She was always on the move, always had something to do.
Starlight Glimmer had advanced pretty far in her friendship and magic studies that Twilight felt more relaxed about letting her travel to new places on her own. While she still had the tendency to hover, Twilight no longer used magic to check up on Starlight on her missions or her wanderings with Trixie.
Twilight still felt a little uncomfortable with Trixie around. She hadn't fully closed the rift between them since the duel with the Alicorn Amulet. While on the surface she had forgiven Trixie, she still wondered and worried about what that young unicorn was capable.
Trixie could see she still wasn't completely accepted or welcome in Ponyville after her lies and attempt at revenge. It bothered her and chipped away at her confidence each time she circled back there with Starlight. But there was a little glimmer of hope that she could one day redeem herself and find a place to call home.
The main reason she put up with coming back to Ponyville was for Starlight to check in with her friends and mentor. Helping Trixie with her performances left little time for writing letters to Princess Twilight.
As painful as it was to return each time, the fear of losing her one and only friend kept her going. She kept that fact buried deep inside her heart so it didn't show. The strengthening bond between Starlight and Trixie meant they were more perceptive of each others' feelings. But to her audience, the Great and Powerful Trixie didn't know fear or pain.
At first, she thought Starlight making new friends would mean they would have less time together but somehow they had become closer as best friends and stuck together most of the time.
Trixie yawned and rolled over. On her nightstand was the only picture she had as evidence of her new social life. A picture of her and Starlight in front of the wagon stage smiling with Starlight's left arm energetically wrapped around a shy, blushing Trixie.
Back then, Trixie loved the attention she got when she performed on the stage. But for some reason, more interpersonal interactions felt awkward and strange to her. It wasn't a bad feeling, just different. These days, she could embrace Starlight like anypony would a best friend.
Looking at her reflection in the glass of the picture frame, she took note of her disheveled mane, groaned and sat up. Trixie yawned again and stretched her arms and hooves above her head and flopped back on the bed.
They were hitting the road again today. Starlight had been gone all night with only a hastily written note left on the door to the wagon,
"Twilight needs my help with something. I'll be back later!
- Starlight"
Trixie didn't mind too much at first. She had gotten some time to herself to relax. But once the sun set and the night went on, she suddenly realized she was lonely. Sleep came slowly and reluctantly but it did eventually overcome her feeling of emptiness.
After a few minutes of staring at the wooden ceiling of the wagon covered in white painted stars and moons, Trixie sat up on the edge of her bed and opened the top drawer of her nightstand. She pulled out her favorite purple brush that matched her cape and started brushing out the knots in her mane.
On the way to the kitchenette, she picked up her cape that was hanging by the window facing a view of Ponyville, half hidden by the hill she had parked behind.
This cold morning called for something warm to drink. But her tin of hot cocoa powder had only crumbs and dust left. Not enough for a full delicious cup. Oh well, I'll refill it on our next shopping trip, she thought to herself. A nice hot cup of apple cider tea sounds nice too. She sat down with her tea and a bowl of hot cinnamon oatmeal.
Back at the castle, Starlight was in a panic. She hadn't meant to doze off or stay overnight. She quickly folded the blanket Twilight had tucked her in with and packed her bag, double checking she had everything: scrolls, quills, ink and the books she was borrowing to study magic while she was away from Ponyville.
Starlight rushed to her room and combed out her mane. The frame of the mirror that Twilight had given her was filled with memories of new friends and old friends alike. But her favorite picture was that of her and Trixie in front of the wagon; the same one Trixie had on her nightstand.
She rushed out the door into the hall and almost bumped into Spike who had just woken up.
"Good morning Spike!"
He yawned and replied, "...'Morning Starlight. What're you doing up so early?" and rubbed sleep from his eyes.
Starlight chuckled and said, "I stayed over last night to help Twilight with her research but I didn't mean to stay this long. I'm leaving with Trixie today. Got to go!" She started trotting to the map room. Spike yawned again and waved as she left.
Opening the doors to the map room, Starlight saw the fresh, golden morning light beaming in, illuminating the crystal floor. Twilight sat in her chair with scrolls strewn about the table. She had dozed off with her muzzle, covered in crumbs resting on a half eaten muffin.
Starlight smiled and put on her saddlebags. Setting one hoof into the library once again she retrieved the blanket she had folded and covered Twilight before walking out the front door.
She raced across Ponyville, stopped briefly at the Apple Family's pie cart to buy some warm fresh tarts and a fresh supply of cocoa powder to share with Trixie and continued toward the outskirts. Several ponies greeted her on the way there. She only hoped her best friend would forgive her for staying out all night.
By the time she reached the wagon, Trixie was strapping down some things and preparing it for travel.
"Trixie! Sorry I'm late", she greeted between breaths. She had worn herself out running up the hillside.
"What took you so long?" Trixie retorted in an annoyed voice and looked at Starlight with a look of disapproval.
Starlight looked down, "I'm sorry Trixie. Twilight looked like she needed help again. She's overly focused on research again." Trixie raised an eyebrow, still just as annoyed. Starlight took a package from her bag and sat down.
"But, look! I got us some apple tarts to share later and a fresh batch of hot cocoa powder!"
Trixie sighed and looked away. Then she smirked, put an arm around Starlight's shoulders and said boldly, "I guess the Great and Powerful Trixie... can't stay mad at you forever!" After a brief smile and a wink, she went back to packing the wagon.
Starlight smiled at her and continued her story.
"I guess Twilight is really stuck this time. She can't even tell me what she's looking for. I'm not sure she even knows what the answer is herself. She keeps talking about something missing. A missing element or whatever. I don't even know how to help her."
Trixie raised an eyebrow.
"I'm sure she'll be fine, Starlight. She's an alicorn now after all..." Trixie looked away momentarily and drifted to memories of being defeated over and over and outshined by that unicorn that was now an alicorn princess. Then she turned back to Starlight and smiled lightly.
Starlight sighed and mumbled, "I guess you're right. But I can't help feeling this is something out of her reach." She stood up, opened the door and stepped inside to put their groceries away. Trixie continued her circle around the wagon, making sure everything was tied down and ropes and latches were secured properly.
She still felt a little bitter, jealous and insecure about being shown up so easily but the pain had ebbed as her bond with Starlight grew.
Trixie took one last look at the town she resented for so long and sighed. Now that everything was packed up, it was time to be on their way. As she turned away and walked to the hitch of her wagon, Starlight opened the door and came out bright eyed for their next adventure.
"So, where are we headed next?" she asked Trixie cheerfully.
Trixie smiled and rolled her eyes. Things were going back to normal between them, for now.
As Starlight and Trixie followed the mountain path toward Phillydelphia, Starlight’s excitement turned into pauses to yawn. She only slept for part of the night and the adrenaline rush that had occurred with her realization that she was late had kept her going in the morning. Midnight spell practice was catching up. But her tiredness didn’t get past Trixie. It bothered Trixie more than anything at the moment.
Worried and a little frustrated about her best friend, Trixie came to a sudden halt and pulled the side of the smooth yet unpaved road. With a disgruntled huff and a loud thud, she took off the collar and hitch and let it fall to the ground. The sudden noise startled Starlight awake. She blinked and looked wide eyes at the illusionist in confusion.
“Is everything ok, Trixie?” Starlight asked, wondering why they were stopping all of a sudden. She searched her best friend’s face for an answer.
Trixie, looking down at the ground, scrunched up her face in disgust and anger.
“No! It isn’t ok!” she finally exploded. Shocked by her own outburst she looked at a startled Starlight with her own expression of amazement. She was upset at Starlight but didn’t expect this reaction from herself. She sat down for a moment to clear her head.
“I’m sorry Starlight. I didn’t mean to yell at you like that. I’ve just been having a hard time since last night. I missed you and didn’t expect to be alone all night. It’s kind of a new feeling for me.” She looked away shyly.
Starlight felt a twinge of pain for her companion. She didn't mean to hurt her at all. Especially not like that.
"Oh, Trixie. I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to make you feel that way!" With emotions pouring from her heart, Starlight hugged Trixie. Trixie, caught off-guard by the sudden physical show of affection, exclaimed, "Wah! It's ok Star! I'm ok now!" Starlight held on for a few seconds more, unbelieving she couldn't see before the pain she had caused.
When she pulled away from the ironically shy performer, she smiled and looked her in the eye, "You called me 'Star'!" Trixie opened her mouth slightly and raised an eyebrow and gave a silent 'Huh?'. Star continued, "The very first time I've ever gotten a nickname from a pony I cared about that didn't make me feel shy or insecure or like I'm a filly again." She rolled her eyes at memories of embarrassing moments her parents caused. All of the building and rapidly changing emotions began to spill from her bright lavender eyes.
"I want to do something for you Trixie. You have given me everything. You are my best friend. I am so sorry I didn't realize you were hurting much sooner than I did."
"Woah, Star! You're making this a bigger deal than it needs to be. I'm ok. Really. But if you still really want to make it up to me," Trixie put her arm around Star's shoulders," the Great and Powerful Trixie!...", she paused for effect and to make Star smile, "Could use a more regular assistant in her next line of shows! Besides, I'm a little rusty my transformation and teleport spells!" Then Trixie walked proudly away toward the hitch she threw down earlier.
Starlight took a step toward her and hesitated, unsure what 'assistant' meant this time. She had helped Trixie in the past but never for an extended period of time or officially on stage more than once. Somehow, this time felt different. Like it meant something more than before. In her heart, she knew Trixie would never lie to her; and after their talk just now, she knew she could count on Trixie to be open with her about how she felt. They were best friends after all. But she was missing something and she couldn't quite place it. With her eyebrows scrunched in confusion Star glanced at the ground.
Eyeing Trixie's unique hoofprint in the dust, she wondered why she noticed the difference so easily. Custom horseshoes weren't exactly uncommon. But Trixie's curved starburst patterned prints stood out to Star.
Deciding it was nothing to worry about, she perked up and trotted over to Trixie who was struggling with untangling some rope. Though Trixie's cart was relatively new, it was starting to show wear from travel. The collar and hitch had been repaired more than once and not very well. The wheels, which were well oiled, remained constantly covered in dust and rust from all types of weather.
In her frustration to untie the rope, Trixie had accidentally made the knot tighter. She hadn't been practicing basic object manipulation spells with Star lately and wished she had been. With a sigh, Star tapped Trixie on the shoulder and took hold or the knot with her magic. In the blink of a well-trained eye the knot was undone and the rope freed from the hitch. Heavy creases and a deeply frayed end marked the rope, betraying its age. It had seen better days.
As Trixie reassembled her collar an hitch more securely, Star let out another ginormous yawn. The emotionally heated talk had worn her out more.
Much less frustrated after the relieving talk, Trixie smiled slightly and looked at her newly appointed assistant.
"Before we begin discussing and practicing the new tour, I think you should get some sleep. I don't want to be accidentally teleported into the wrong inescapable box again." Trixie stuck her muzzle into the air and pranced forward a few steps in a proud manner. Then she turned her head back to look at Star's reaction, a wide, devious smile crossing her face.
Star smiled sleepily and walked toward the door of the wagon. She opened the door and climbed in just in time for Trixie to put the hitch back on.
Closing the door gently and quietly, Star snuck a peek at Trixie through the window facing the hitch. What was so interesting about her that she felt the need to spy on her innocently without Trixie knowing? The last Star saw of Trixie was her friend referencing the map and mumbling something to herself.
She was so exhausted and the dark wagon felt like a large blanket beckoning her to sleep. Sitting on the edge of the bed, she gave a larger than normal yawn and stretched her arms skyward. Suddenly the cart started moving and she fell backward. If she was startled, she didn't notice. The soft bed and warm blanket sapped the rest of her energy before she could climb inside.
The darkness stretched on for miles. The light from her horn didn't even light the ground before her.
Where am I? she thought to herself. I was talking to Trixie just a minute ago. She looked to her left and then to her right. Nothing. Pure black nothingness. She was alone. Slowly turning around in a circle she called out to the void.
"H-hello?! ...Can anyone hear me?! ...Is there anyone here?!" Her voice didn't echo. Even her hoofsteps were eerily silent.
Panic started to creep into the corners of her mind; tears in the corner of her eyes. What happened? Where is the wagon? Where's Trixie?
Then to her left, a Bit-sized orb of white light sparked to life in the distance; as if it were answering her question. Looking at it wide-eyed and confused, Star stepped forward. The sound of her hoof hitting solid ground echoed like a room with tile walls.
The light intensified and grew, causing Star to look away and squeeze her eyes shut. As her eyes adjusted to the blinding sphere, she heard a low murmur.
"Wh... re... ou..." It seemed vaguely familiar. But she couldn't place it.
Inching apprehensively toward the voice, Star tilted an ear in its direction.
"Wh... re... you?" The voice repeated more clearly. Still faint and distant, it tugged on Starlight's curiosity. She walked toward it more calmly and inquisitively. Star lifted a hoof and reached out to the sphere of light. Upon touching its warm glow, it grew larger and chased the void away.
Her eyes adjusted to her new surroundings. An abandoned town lay before her. Many buildings had crumbled or wasted away to dust. What used to be a well-traveled road was overrun by grass and weeds. Only the rut caused by many hooves and carts betrayed its history.
Stepping forward into this new place, Starlight looked around for more clues. Continuing down the empty street, something made her feel uneasy. I've been here before. But, when?
Just ahead, next to a weather-beaten fence something sparkled in the dust. Starlight trotted toward it for a closer look.
At first glance, shards of colored glass stood out. But something was amiss. They were too thick and opaque to be glass. Were these gems? Where did they come from? Clearly they didn’t belong here.
The confused unicorn furrowed her brow. Levitating a larger purple piece with magic, she turned it over, looking for more clues. This odd gem seemed familiar but not any kind of jewel she had studied before. Maybe Rarity or Twilight would know.
Twilight! Starlight had completely forgotten the search for her mentor. She picked up a scoop of dust with all the tiny shards and ran farther into the abandoned town. She had no idea where her hooves were taking her but they seemed to know and have a mind of their own.
The beaten path started to feel familiar. She kept running.
Far ahead loomed a shining blue mountain. Its glittering rock face began to disintegrate before her eyes. The closer she got the clearer she could see it wasn't a mountain but a giant pile of rough blue gems.
Star slowed down to a trot and skirted the pile to the left, still eyeing the collection with curiosity. Something was familiar about these gems too. Not just the dust she collected on her way here.
Something purple moved in the corner of her eye and startled her. She stopped in her tracks and refocused on the path around the back of the gems.
Sitting at the base of the pile sobbing, with her head down was the mare Star was looking for, Twilight Sparkle. But something was very different about her. Starlight gasped in wide-eyed horror.
"Twilight! Your WINGS!" Starlight stared in disbelief. "They're GONE!" she yelled.
"They're GONE!" Every thought and concern left her mind. A chill ran down her spine. The fur on the back of her neck stood on end from the shock.
In the spot where Twilight's wings should have been were shards of bone sticking out of torn flesh, fur and feathers.
Another chill ran down Starlight's back as she processed this ugly, horrendous sight before her. It paralyzed her in her tracks. Suddenly, Twilight spoke.
"Where WERE you?!" Twilight quickly shoved her bloodshot eyes and tear-stained muzzle in Starlight's face. Her voice was hoarse and breaking from screaming and crying in pain.
Starlight shrank back several steps away from her now earthbound mentor. But Twilight limped heavily toward her, the pain numbed from deep rage. Starlight blinked, speechless and confused by Twilight's tone.
"In the library! Or did you forget again?!" The heavily injured Princess spat.
"W-what?" Starlight stuttered, still speechless and unbelieving of the situation. She held her right arm across her chest defensively and glanced away in uncertainty. This volatile Twilight looked ready to maim anypony nearby.
"We were supposed to meet in the library after breakfast! Remember the research project? I waited for you! It's been weeks!" Red sparks suddenly started popping and sizzling around Twilight's horn. Starlight quickly took notice of the odd color and the deep glowing fissures in the horn of the battle-hardened leader.
"B-but, I only left this morning!" Starlight hesitated as the sparks grew and continued to fly off Twilight. "I told you I had plans with Trixie! I put it on the calendar months ago, like you asked me to do!" Starlight instinctively leaned toward her teacher as she tried to talk sense into the unreasonable and out of control alicorn.
"Oh, I get it!" Twilight sarcastically exclaimed, "You care more about that liar than the fate of Equestria!" The sharp venom in her voice caught Starlight off guard. She knew Twilight struggled with accepting Starlight's first friendship with Trixie after the Ursa incident.
But this was extreme. Even when Princess Twilight Sparkle lost her temper, she was never this fierce or threatening.
Something wasn't right. But before Starlight had a chance to respond, Twilight's blood red sparks of rage turned into magic and engulfed the princess's body.
"Ahh!" Starlight flinched and fell backward over herself. She scrambled to her hooves, ready to run away from her impending death.
"Oh no you don't!" Twilight yelled hoarsely, eyeing Star's fear. Before Starlight Glimmer could leap out of the way, a blinding red flash and the following shockwave engulfed her. Then everything disappeared and the world went black.
---
Her ears rang in the darkness. She was laying down but her body didn't hurt. Did she escape?
"Starlight!" A familiar, worried voice called out. She was not alone. Other than some songbirds and a crackling fire, this place was quiet.
"Starlight!" The voice echoed in her head again, louder than before.
"Wake up, Starlight!" The impatient voice touched her ear.
Her eyes sprung open to Trixie's frustrated stare. Starlight gasped in surprise and sat up. She was back in Trixie's wagon. It was mostly dark with some yellow light filtering through the curtains. It was late afternoon. The sun was starting to set. Birds were fluttering about looking for food. Somewhere out of sight a fire continued to crackle. Trixie must have stopped for a rest.
Starlight shivered for a moment and pulled the blanket tighter around her, trying to gather her thoughts. Her mind recalled the recent series of events. It was a dream. Just a dream. A very scary dream.
Still standing next to her, Trixie was very concerned. She put a hoof on Starlight's arm in an attempt to show quiet support.
"Nightmare, huh?", she asked quietly. "Want to talk about it?"
Still speechless and anxious, Star felt something on her cheek. She raised a hoof to brush it off. Water? Tears. She was crying. The realization made her eyes well up more. Starlight let out a sob and bear-hugged Trixie.
"Whoa, there! Are you alright?" Trixie gently hugged back, unsure what the fuss was about.
"It was AWFUL!" Starlight whimpered between sobs. She refused to let her best friend go. Starlight was terrified of going back to that empty, painful place.
"I'm right here. Now tell me all about it." Trixie gently smiled in understanding and continued to hug her suffering best friend.