Starlight's Island Adventure
Starlight’s Island Adventure
With a weak moan, Starlight slowly returned to consciousness. Her ears detected the lapping of waves against the shore and her skin felt hot from the sun. As her mind began to grow more aware, she struggled to open her eyes. The bright light of the sun blinded her and she rolled onto her stomach, burying her face in the sand to escape the glare.
“Ugh.” She groaned. “My head.” Pushing herself up as best she could, Starlight got to her hooves and staggered as she found her footing. With her wits finally about her she quickly looked over her surroundings. “An island?” She muttered to herself as she gazed out over the endless ocean before her. To her right, she saw the tattered remnants of Twilight’s hot air balloon, the sight instantly jogging her memory. “Ah! The storm… I must have been dragged out over the ocean and brought down.” She let out a disheartened grunt. “Fantastic.” Looking back she saw only dense jungle with no immediate signs of life. The beach went on for as far as she could see in either direction and the only landmark she could make out was a large plateau to the east. “I need to see if anypony else is on this island.” Using her magic, she fashioned a crude hood for herself from the fabric of the balloon. She also made a satchel from the wicker of the riding basket and strapped it over her shoulder. Deciding the best course of action was to head for higher ground, she started hiking through the jungle to reach the plateau. With little experience rouging it in the wild, save a few camping trips with her friends, Starlight had a hard time navigating the unruly landscape. She used her magic to move obstructions from her path and began filling her satchel with any fruit she happened upon. It took nearly an hour to reach the base of the plateau and using some careful teleports she began to scale the steep incline of the rear face. When she found herself at the level top, she hurried to the edge and looked out over the entirety of the island. To her disappointment, there were no signs that the island was inhabited. The majority of the area was concealed under the dense tree line and the only sounds were those of wild birds. “Not good. Looks like I’m on my own… I wonder if the others even know what happened to me.” She felt a wave of fear and panic begin to overtake her. “No.” She took a calming breath and closed her eyes. “I can handle this; I just need to take care of the basics first… food, shelter and a fire.” Her bag had enough fruit to stave off hunger and thirst for the time being, so she set her mind on building a shelter. With her magic it was a simple task to collect enough materials from the area to put together a rudimentary hut. Weaving vine and leaf with branch and log, she was able to build a sturdy shack for one. With that done, she dug a pit and piled in the driest pieces of wood she could find. A quick blast of magic ignited the wood and she stockpiled enough logs to keep the fire alight for the foreseeable future. By the time she was done the sun was beginning to lower into the horizon. She sat before her fire and ate a few pieces of fruit, her mind consumed in thought as to what she could do to get off the island. With the trauma of the crash, the stress of the day and the hard work she had put into her campsite, her body finally succumbed to exhaustion and she curled up in her shack to get some sleep.
The warmth of the sun on her face caused Starlight to finally stir. She stepped out into the morning light and found her fire had burnt itself out overnight. Kicking some dirt into the pit to quell any remaining embers, she took the rest of her fruit and sat at the plateau’s edge while she ate. As she discarded seeds and skin to the side, a few colorful birds came close to peck at them.
“You wouldn’t know a way to get me home now, would you?” She asked, laughing at the lack of response. “Be nice if Fluttershy was here to pry some info out of you.” The birds suddenly flew off as if startled by something. Starlight immediately reared around and readied her magic to find an unknown earth pony before her.
“Please miss, I am not an enemy.” The young stallion held his forelegs up in a show of peace.
“Another pony… you live on this island?” Starlight asked as she lowered her guard.
“Yes, I do.” He lowered his legs. “My name is Blue Moon. I didn’t mean to frighten you. I saw the light of your campfire last night and came to investigate.”
“Am I glad to see you.” Starlight admitted with a sigh. “I was beginning to think this place was uninhabited.” She went to him. “I’m Starlight Glimmer.”
“A pleasure, miss.” He bowed formally.
“So, is there a village or settlement around here?” She eagerly asked. “I need some help getting back home.”
“No… there is not.” Blue Moon shook his head. “I am sorry, but I am the only creature on this island.”
“What? Were you stranded here too or something?”
“No, this is indeed my home.” He assured. “But I am here alone.”
Starlight frowned a bit as her hope suffered a blow to the gut. “Well, at least I’m not here by myself.”
“Why don’t I take you to my home, there is food and water there.” He suggested.
“Beats camping.” Starlight said, looking back at her tiny shack. “Lead the way.”
Blue Moon began leading her back down the plateau via a crude, but walkable trail on the eastern face. As they reached the bottom and started into the jungle, Starlight walked up to his side as the trail widened.
“So, Blue Moon huh, that’s an interesting name.” Starlight said as she matched pace with him.
“I was born under the Blue Moon, my mother saw it fitting.”
“You said you’re alone… does that mean…”
“Yes, my family is gone now.” He finished for her.
“I’m sorry.”
“It is alright, Starlight.” He nodded. “My family lived on this island for generations, going back to my great grandfather.”
“So this island was lived on?”
“At one time, yes.” He hesitated. “But… that is a bit of story.”
“I’m not exactly going anywhere, Blue.” She smiled. “Tell me.”
“Alright.” He warmed to the idea of being able to share his tale. “Well, my family’s legacy actually begins in Canterlot; albeit on an unhappy note. My great grandfather, West Wind, worked closely with Princess Celestia as part of small group of advisors that helped oversee relations with nations outside of Equestria. His work not only allowed him to cross paths with many other creatures, but also venture to foreign lands. As in most groups though, there is always an outlier who seeks to use such a position to their advantage. Another advisor named Singleton, at the time West Wind’s close friend, was taking foreign funds to use his influence to help outside forces conduct illegal shipping activities within Equestria. West Wind uncovered his work but chose to confront his friend instead of going straight to the Princess. This decision cost him dearly as Singleton threatened to implicate him as an accomplice should he step forward with any accusations. Given their relationship and the nature of their work, it was no idle threat. Even so, West Wind chose to go to the Princess and accept whatever consequences came. Singleton followed through on this threat and after a convoluted and very public trial, the Princess decided to disband the entire council.”
“What happened to West Wind?” Starlight asked.
“Well, Singleton was imprisoned without question. However, while Celestia believed West Wind, he simply had no proof that he was not in any way involved in the matter. He could have fought the charges, however the damage to his reputation was done and there were many who felt that all of the advisors should be imprisoned. Princess or no, the public outcry was too great to simply do nothing. As a compromise, Celestia offered banishment as an alternative. They accepted the terms and West Wind left Equestria with his family.”
“That’s terrible.” Starlight shook her head. “I can’t believe Celestia would do something like that.”
“It was a different time I suppose. In any case, he bore her no ill will.”
“So how did he wind up on this island?” She asked.
“Leaving by ship, West Wind and his family headed out with intent to cross the sea to meet with a good friend he had made in his travels. Unfortunately, they were overcome by a storm and wound up ashore on this island. The boat was destroyed and they had no means to build another. Luckily, they were approached by ponies who were indigenous to this isle and were welcomed as friends. The ponies of this island were fairly primitive, but as I was told they were in possession of some kind of ancient treasure.”
“A treasure? What was it?”
“I don’t know, it is said to be located in a hidden chamber somewhere on this island. Out of respect for those who saved our ancestors, our family never questioned about it or searched for it.”
“How do you know if it’s real then?” Starlight queried.
“They had little reason to lie about such a thing.” Blue Moon surmised. “Regardless, a treasure doesn’t need to be real in order to impact the world. As it turned out, this island was often set upon by pirates and other hunters who were in search of the treasure. While West Wind was no warrior, his three sons were in service as castle guards and they used their experience to become the protectors of this island. They helped train the island ponies as well and they become heroes to them in the process. They fought off more than their fair share of would be invaders; and along the way they found love and had families of their own. Our family line has served as guardians to this place ever since.” He said proudly. “I may be all that is left, but to this day I still protect this island from its would be defilers.”
“Wow, that’s amazing.” Starlight absorbed the story. “So, what happened to your…”
“Ah, we’re here.” Blue Moon interrupted.
Starlight looked up to see a beautiful stone home before her. Far from a castle, but more akin to a manor, the impressive structure had clearly stood the test of time. Blue Moon led her into the foyer, through the kitchen and down into the subterranean store room.
“Whoa.” Starlight looked over the stocks of hay, grain, oats and water barrels.
“Please, help yourself to whatever to wish.” Blue Moon gestured towards the supplies. “The stock may be a bit old, but the cold stone and underground location keeps the storeroom quite chilled, which serves well in keeping things fresh. I’ll meet you back upstairs.”
“Okay, thank you.” Starlight nodded and began filling her rumbling stomach. Once satisfied, she headed back up and began searching the home for Blue Moon. “Blue?” She called lightly.
“In here Starlight.” His voice came from down the hall. She traced it to the study and found him seated in a large, ornate chair. “I hope everything was to your liking.” He smiled.
“Definitely, beats foraging anyway.” Starlight sat opposite him, letting out a deep sigh of comfort as she settled in the chair. “Thank you, I’m glad you showed up when you did. I didn’t know what I would run into on this island, but I certainly wasn’t expecting a nice stallion like you.”
“Well, I have to admit it is nice to meet somepony who isn’t a marauder or crazed treasure hunter.” Blue Moon said with a laugh. “I’m glad I could help you, Starlight.” He sat forward and eyed her curiously. “So, how in the world did you wind up crashing here?”
“I got swept up in a storm, kind of like your family did.” Starlight began as she sat upright. “I was actually trying to help my friend Twilight test out a prototype, atmospheric monitor. Normally, pegasi have control of the weather but they can’t be everywhere at once; so Twilight was working on a monitor that could keep track of changing weather patterns at extremely high altitudes. It was deigned to go even higher than most flyers can typically go, so I used her hot air balloon to go out over the ocean and tried to set it up.” She sighed heavily. “I saw the storm in the distance but I was sure I was far enough away. Anyway, I must have been caught up in a heavy wind swell because I got dragged into the storm and lost control of the balloon. I used my magic to shield myself as much as I could… and that’s the last thing I remember.”
“This island is not that large.” Blue Moon noted. “You were truly lucky to wash ashore here.”
“Yeah, my luck is the one thing I can’t complain about in all this.” She laughed. “But, I do need to find a way to get back. Do you have anything that can help me?”
“I’m not certain.” He shook his head. “I have never left this island, I am not even certain how far we are from the mainland.” He paused to think. “A good place to start may be lighting a signal fire, if your friends are looking for you it will help attract their attention.”
“A fire huh.” Starlight set her hoof to her chin. “The best place for that would be the plateau, it’s the highest point on the island.”
“Then it seems we have a plan then, let’s return there and get to work.” Blue Moon stepped from the chair with an eager smile.
The duo left the manor and retraced their steps through the jungle. Traveling back to the top of the plateau they set themselves to designing an effective signal flame. Starlight’s powerful magic took care of the bulk of the heavy lifting as she decided to carve the word ‘Help’ into the granite of the plateau. Blue Moon then suggested filling the etching with wood and setting it ablaze at sundown. It took a deal of trees to supply enough wood for the plan but by the late afternoon the feat was accomplished. Dirty and tired, Starlight sat on a large rock and took a long drink from a canteen that Blue Moon offered from the manor’s storeroom.
“If I make it out of this, first thing I’m doing to hitting the spa.” Starlight said as she lowered the canteen from her lips.
“You’ve certainly earned it.” Blue Moon said as he sat beside her.
“Hey, why don’t you come back to Ponyville with me?” Starlight asked. “I mean, you said you’re the only one here right? Why stay?”
Blue Moon hesitated at her question. “I appreciate the offer Starlight, but this is my home. As silly as that may seem to you, to live alone in that old manor and walk an empty island, it is still my duty to protect this place and its treasure.”
“That’s admirable Blue, but… aren’t you… lonely?”
He nodded. “Sometimes. But not right now.” He looked to her with a warm smile. Starlight smiled back with a bit of embarrassment. “The sun will be down soon, shall we see how well our plan worked?”
“Right.” Starlight got to her hooves and Blue Moon moved well out of the way. “Here goes.” She fired her magic into the pits and the wood slowly began to light. It took a good twenty minutes but they soon stood before an impressive set of flaming letters. “Wow.” Starlight said as she and Blue Moon continued to back away as the heat rose. “Better than expected.”
“Definitely.” Blue Moon laughed. “A bit dangerous to be sure… but it should do the trick.”
“What do you say we head back down?” Starlight asked.
“A wise choice.” He agreed.
They headed back down that plateau, the sun setting as they traveled, and made their way towards the beach where Starlight had originally washed up. As the moon rose in the sun’s place the steadily crashing water began to shimmer beautifully. Starlight sat in the sand and looked out over the clear night sky.
“I have to admit, it’s really beautiful here, Blue.” She smiled up at the stars.
“There are certainly worse places to be stranded.” Blue Moon joined her. They sat side by side for some time, not saying much and just enjoying to cool ocean air. Suddenly, in the distance, Blue Moon noticed a peculiar anomaly. “Starlight, look.” He pointed his hoof out towards the northern sky.
“What?” Starlight looked out but saw nothing.
“I saw some type of flash of light.” He explained.
As they stared they saw it again and Starlight jumped to her hooves. “That’s not light, that’s magic!” She shouted as she fired a bolt of her own magic high into the sky. The flash in the distance came again in response and Starlight began hopping up and down excitedly. “That’s Twilight’s magic!”
“Amazing.” Blue Moon noted. “Keep signaling them, they can land on the beach.”
“Right.” Starlight fired again and again in short bursts until she could clearly see a white balloon. Soon, she could see Twilight, Rainbow Dash and Princess Celestia waving to her. She frantically waved back, her eyes filled with happy tears. “Come on, Blue!” Starlight waved him along as she took off down to beach to meet the descending balloon.
As the basket of the balloon touched down, Twilight flew out and straight into Starlight’s hooves. “Starlight!” She squeezed her like a vice. “You’re okay!”
“Twilight, am I glad to see you!” Starlight said as relief washed over her. “I didn’t know if you’d be able to find me.”
“Well, Rainbow Dash was able to trace the storm’s direction so I went to Princess Celestia and asked if we could use her old balloon to come after you.” Twilight explained.
“Thank you, all of you.” Starlight said as she wiped her eyes.
“Of course, Starlight.” Celestia placed her wing over her. “We are just glad you’re safe now, everypony is worried about you.”
“So, survived a deserted island huh?” Rainbow Dash flew over and elbowed her. “Not a shabby adventure, up there with Daring Do.”
“I don’t know if I would have made it without Blue.” Starlight admitted.
“Who?” Twilight asked.
“Blue Moon, he lives on the island. He’s right…” Starlight turned back but saw that he was gone. “Here.” She looked around in confusion. “Blue!” She called out. “Why’d he take off like that?”
“Starlight, you been in out in the sun too long?” Rainbow Dash asked.
“No!” Starlight turned back to them. “You saw him, he was right next to me.”
“Starlight, you were on the beach by yourself.” Celestia informed.
“What…” Starlight took several steps back. “No, he’s been with me this whole time. He said his family lived on this island since…” She recalled his story. “Princess, you knew his great grandfather West Wind, Blue said you were forced to banish him.”
“West Wind.” Celestia thought back. “Yes, I do remember.”
“See.” Starlight said.
“But Starlight.” Celestia began with a troubled look on her face. “That was nearly five hundred years ago.”
Her words made Starlight’s face grow pale. “That’s…” She pursed her lips and turned, running back into the jungle.
“Starlight!” Twilight called after her. “Starlight wait!”
Using her horn as a light, Starlight raced through the jungle and back towards the manor. She burst through the large doors and looked around the foyer. “Blue!” She called out. “Blue, where are you!” She ran the halls until finally exiting the back and into the rear garden. She found Blue Moon standing near an unkempt garden of roses.
“Starlight.” He said in surprise. “I had thought you would have left with your friends. I am sorry for not staying but…” Before he could finish she ran at him and went to place her hoof to his chest, it passed cleanly through him and she backed away in fright. He saw the fear in her eyes and saddened.
“Blue… you’re…” She tried to speak.
“Yes, I am.” He nodded solemnly.
Starlight thought back, realizing that during her time with him she never physically touched him or saw him directly interact with anything other than furniture. She even handled all the work of digging the fire pits and setting up the wood under his guidance without ever giving it a second thought. “Why didn’t you tell me?” She finally asked.
“You were stranded and in need of help, I didn’t wish to scare you.” He said honestly.
“What happened to you?”
Blue Moon looked down at the roses and sighed. “It was… an illness.” He began. “I wasn’t wholly truthful about the treasure of this island, it does exist and it is what cost all who lived here their lives.” He looked back into her eyes. “A group of pirates came ashore at the far end of the island, well away from anypony who would detect them. They waited until the dead of night and attacked the village where the island ponies lived. Taking the tribal elder hostage, they forced them to give up the location of the treasure and to save his life, they did so. The pirates accessed the long sealed chamber and claimed the treasure. By then, my family was notified and we went to intercept them. It was a rough battle, and it cost my brother his life, but we were victorious in the end. About a month later, ponies in the village began to fall ill of a mysterious disease. It was unlike anything the island had seen in its history and it began decimating the population. The elder believed it was a curse for allowing the treasure to be disturbed. My sister, however, believed it to be some dormant plague that was released when the seal of the treasure’s chamber was broken. We tried to help, tried to protect the villagers as we always had, but this was no foe that could be bested with strength or steel. Eventually, I was all that remained. I was able to avoid illness for several months but… well, I tried to use what time I had left to hide the treasure once more. Fulfilling my duty to keep it safe.” He lowered his head. “I am sorry I deceived you, Starlight.”
Starlight reeled at hearing all this. “It’s… okay Blue.” She gave him a reassuring smile. “I’m not afraid. I mean, ghost or not, you saved me.”
Blue Moon looked to her in surprise. “Really?”
“Of course.” Starlight nodded.
“Thank you.” He smiled.
“Starlight!” Twilight’s voice rang out. “Where are you?!”
“Starlight!” Rainbow Dash’s voice joined in.
“Here!” Starlight called back. “In the rear garden!”
Twilight, Rainbow Dash and Celestia hurried out onto the patio. “Why did you run off like that?” Twilight said as she caught her breath. “We were barely able to follow you.”
“I’m sorry.” Starlight apologized. She looked back at Blue Moon and again to her friends. “You really can’t see him, can you?” She asked, more fascinated than frightened now.
Celestia stepped forward and shook her head. “No, we cannot. But I do believe you Starlight.” She nodded. “There is no way you could have known about West Wind.” She looked past Starlight at the roses. “Can… he hear us?”
“Yeah.” Starlight nodded.
“Then, Blue Moon was it?” Celestia began. “I am sorry for what happened to you and your family. I have always held onto the guilt for what happened to West Wind and the others. Sending them away, at the time, was the kindest thing I could do.”
Starlight looked back and listened for a moment, she nodded and turned back to Celestia. “He says it’s okay, Princess. His family never held it against you and they found happiness here.” She looked back again. “Huh?” She asked, shaking her head with a smile as she listened. “He also says you’re as lovely as was described to him.”
“Oh.” Celestia blushed a bit. “Thank you.”
“This is nuts.” Rainbow Dash scratched the back of her head. “This really is turning into a Daring Do book.”
“Starlight?” Blue Moon called her attention.
“Yeah, Blue?” She returned her attention to him.
“I have… something I wish to ask of you.” His tone grew more serious.
“What is it?” Starlight asked.
Twilight, Rainbow Dash and Celestia watched her as she had this ethereal conversation. Starlight gave words of agreement and she turned back to them.
“What did he say?” Twilight asked.
“Before we go, there’s something I need to do for him.” Starlight informed. “Will you help?”
“Certainty.” Celestia nodded.
“Thank you, Princess.” Starlight bowed to her. “Follow us.” She headed past them and back into the manor. A bit confused, they followed none the less. Starlight began leading them towards the southern part of the island with Celestia using her powerful magic to illuminate the landscape.
“Where are we headed?” Rainbow Dash asked.
“This island is home to an ancient treasure.” Starlight explained. “It’s what Blue Moon’s family have been helping to protect since they came here. He told me that he didn’t know about it but… that wasn’t exactly true.” She paused as she looked to her left. “It’s okay, Blue. I get why you didn’t tell me.” She turned her focus back to her friends. “Anyway, he’s leading us to it. He wants us to take it back to Equestria.”
“What is this treasure?” Twilight asked.
“Apparently it’s a crown.” Starlight continued. “It… well… it’s with Blue.” Her tone relayed what she meant by that. They pressed on until they came upon the cliffs overlooking the southern beach. Blue Moon led them to a carved out opening in the rock face and stopped before it. Starlight listened and nodded. “The crown is in here. Give me a minute.”
“Be careful, Starlight.” Celestia said.
Starlight nodded and headed in. The space was tight and difficult to maneuver through; she made her way into the surprisingly deep cave until she came upon a small chamber. Using her horn to light the space, she scanned the area until she found what she was looking for. “Blue…” She whispered as she beheld the bones of a stallion; there was a set of digging tools laying nearby and in his hooves rested the crown. She slowly approached, overwhelmed with emotion at the sight. “Oh Blue, I’m so sorry.” She took the crown with her magic and hurried back to the surface. She emerged from the cave and took several deep breaths as she recovered from the task.
“I’m sorry you had to see that.” Blue Moon said as he went to her side.
“I know that artifact.” Celestia said as she went to Starlight.
“You do?” She asked, holding it up for her with her magic.
“Indeed.” Celestia nodded. “It is known as the soul crown, legend suggested that it granted its owner immortality.” She held her hoof out. “May I?”
“Sure.” Starlight placed it in her hoof.
Celestia observed the jewel at the crown’s center. “I see.”
“What is it, Princess?” Twilight asked.
“Yeah, don’t keep us in suspense.” Rainbow Dash added.
“This stone.” Celestia held the crown out to them. “It is called a soul gem. Long ago, powerful unicorns experimented with forbidden magic to use them to entrap the essences of other ponies for use as magical conduits.” She looked to Starlight. “The spirit of your friend must have bound itself to the stone, it must be what is keeping him manifested on this island.”
“Wow.” Twilight said in awe. “Something like that really exists?”
“I guess they got the immortality part right… sort of.” Starlight said as she had an idea. “Let me see the crown.” Celestia returned the crown to her and she quickly turned to Blue Moon. Holding the crown in her hooves she reached up and slowly placed it on his head. To her surprise, the crown rested on his brow and the jewel lit up, followed by a flash of light.
Blue Moon staggered and braced his hoofs on the ground, greatly surprised at the sensation. “The ground.” He looked up and around at the scenery, taking a deep breath of the fresh air. “The air.” He said in a near whisper.
Starlight went to him and slowly reached out, she placed her hoof on his chest and smiled as she felt his warmth. “Blue.” She looked up into his eyes.
He reached out and set his hoof to her cheek, marveling at the sensation of another pony after so long. His eyes began to water and he smiled brightly. “Hello, Starlight.”
“Hello, Blue.” She hugged him tightly as she began to cry. He hugged her back and laughed in a mixture of excitement and joy.
“Remarkable.” Celestia said. “I’ve never seen anything like this.”
“Doesn’t make it any less awesome.” Rainbow Dash noted as she surreptitiously wiped her own eye.
Starlight released her hold on Blue Moon and turned back to Twilight. “See him now?” She asked sarcastically.
“We sure do.” Twilight smiled and approached him. “It’s great to finally meet you, Blue Moon.”
“Likewise.” He nodded. “Thank you all for this, it certainly wasn’t what I was expecting when you uncovered the crown.”
“Well, it looks like you can take it back to Equestria yourself now.” Twilight said surely.
“No.” Blue Moon shook his head.
“What?” Starlight asked. “What do you mean by that?”
“I am bound to the jewel, if this crown leaves my head then I will return to being a spirit.” He explained.
“So, we’ll put a strap on it to make sure it stays on.” Starlight said in light jest.
“Starlight.” He looked to her with a peaceful smile. “While I had no idea that wearing the crown would restore my form… it is not why I asked you to retrieve it.” He laid his hooves to her shoulders. “I have walked this island for a long time now, driven by my duty to uphold my family’s pledge to guard this treasure and the ponies who lived here. Now though, there are no ponies to protect and with you, I have the opportunity to see this treasure in safe hooves.”
“Blue… no.” She realized what he was saying and shook her head fervently.
He saddened as he saw the tears in her eyes. “Please understand, my time has long since passed. You are the first friend I have had in nearly two hundred years and I am happy to have had this final chance to be myself. I know it is a lot to ask of you, but I want you to destroy this gem and take the crown with you.”
“No!” Starlight shouted. “If I do that then you’ll… you’ll be gone forever.”
“Yes.” He nodded. “But I am okay with that. This gem is dangerous and as long as it exists, it will forever be hunted by those who should not possess it. If the gem is destroyed and the crown is with you, then I can rest easy knowing that my family’s work is done… and that I can finally reunite with them.”
“Blue.” Starlight sobbed as she laid her head to his chest. “I understand.”
“Thank you.” He laid his cheek against the top of her head, his own tears soaking into her mane. “I’m glad I got the chance to meet you, Starlight. I just wish I could have met you a few hundred years ago.”
Starlight laughed through her crying. “Me too, Blue.”
“Are you ready?” He asked, giving her a confident smile.
“Yes.” She nodded.
Blue Moon looked to the others. “Farewell my friends… my Princess.” He bowed.
“I wish you and your family the peace they deserve.” Celestia tipped her head. “Know that your family’s name will forever be held in Equestria’s highest regard.”
“Thank you, Princess Celestia.” He felt a deep pride hearing those words. “I am ready.”
Starlight used her magic to lift the crown from his head and he returned to his spectral form. She pried the jewel from the crown and set it on the ground. Taking a few steps back she readied her magic. She hesitated greatly and looked over at Blue Moon; with a calm smile and a sure nod from him, she closed her eyes and fired. The jewel burst and when she opened her eyes, Blue Moon was gone.
“Starlight.” Twilight went to her after a long minute and put her wing around her.
“Let’s go home, Twilight.” Starlight said in a hollow voice. Celestia bubbled Starlight in her magic and together they flew back over the jungle and back to the balloon. As they stepped into the basket, Twilight began firing up the burner and the balloon began to lift off. As they ascended, Starlight looked back down onto the beach and saw Blue Moon standing on the shore waving to her. She quickly reached out to wave back and he slowly faded away. “Rest well, Blue.” She smiled.
“Starlight, are you okay?” Twilight asked, seeing her gazing out onto the island.
Starlight turned and nodded, wiping her eyes. “Yeah, I’m good.” She settled down and held the crown close as Twilight set the ballast and put them on path for home.