Starlight came in with Twilight beside her. Twilight threw a leg over her briefly. "I think you've done very well for yourself. Those ponies were quite surprised to see you, in all the good ways."

Starlight smiled at Twilight in that confident way she had. "With you as a tutor? How could I fail... Do you think I'll be ready for him soon?"

Twilight tilted her head. "Mmm? Oh! Yes! He's on the list, but I've saved him for later. Let's make amends with the ponies you've crossed on the way to where we are. This weekend, Our Town. Are you ready to face them?"

Starlight shrunk a little. "Do they want to see me?"

Twilight raised a hoof. "I swear, their letters have been nothing but supportive. If you truly have turned a leaf, which I think you have, many of them are eager to meet the 'real' Starlight." She put a hoof on her chest. "We're all Equestrians. Let's put the bad things behind and come together."

Starlight burst into a gentle laughter. "Twilight, you're taking your role as the princess of friendship so seriously."

She tilted her head at that. "Shouldn't I? I'm also your friend, so that's twice the reason I should take this seriously."

Starlight nodded to Twilight. "And you're a fine one at that. Go on and say hello to your family. I'll help Spike get dinner going." She trotted into the kitchen to notice the light was off. With a flick, Silver was revealed, her eyes contracted in the sudden new light. Starlight yelped in surprise and hopped back as Silver stepped towards her.

"Good evening, Starlight."

Starlight shook herself out. "Silver! Don't do that. You almost scared me to death."

Silver felt a few biting retorts rise and bit them off. "We need to talk."

Starlight's face lost its playful hint. "What? What's wrong?"

Silver waved Starlight in and guided her to a small table. "I've learned that your time travel wasn't without consequence."

Starlight winced. "Your lost friend, yes... Are they alright?"

Silver put her hooves on the table. "He's... alright. But he is only the start. One friend died, where she might otherwise have found salvation and happiness. One friend lived, but knows little more than destitution and rage. Their aunt, still in Saddle Arabia, unaware of the fate of her nieces, which one lived, which died. Alone. A servant of the king of Saddle Arabia is no longer a trusted friend of mine, instead with him, where she can't put her talent to work. I have a new wife now, did you know that?"

Starlight's dumbfounded expression hinted she did not know that.

"Most of my circle of trusted friends is destroyed, many quite literally. Do you know why this is?"

Starlight slowly shook her head.

Silver pointed at Starlight accusingly. "You took my cutie mark! You tangled up my fate in this mess, and took my imperfect talent. You used it to literally break all the rules." She leaned forward. "Do you know I have Discord's blood in me now? That part isn't your fault, but I'm sure it didn't help. I'm a magnet for chaos, and you brought me close and friendly to... this..."

Starlight slipped down to her hooves. "I'll have my things pac--"

"No." Silver extended a wing sharply to cut off Starlight's retreat. "You don't get to just run away. You claim to have feelings for me? Fine. Act like it. You've hurt me, Starlight. Now act like it."

Starlight trembled softly. "There's nothing I could do that would even slightly make up for this..."

Silver hopped down from her chair. "That doesn't stop you from trying."

Starlight's ears fell. "I didn't mean for any of that to happen. I thought I'd just be destroying Twilight's little group of friends... You have to believe me."

"I do." Silver moved up to Starlight and leaned in. When Starlight flinched away, Silver paused. "I do... You didn't mean to do what you did, but you did it." She raised a hoof under Starlight's chin. "I don't want you to run away, and I don't want to hurt you. I want you to know what you did, and to be sorry, and to never do it again."

Starlight glanced away. "You say that, but you don't want to be near me now..."

Silver snorted. then darted in, pressing her lips to the side of Starlight's muzzle, kissing her as best she could without being faced. "Make me."

Starlight recoiled, ears going up. "Do..." She licked over her lips, looking quite uncertain. "I need to think about this."

Silver strode for the door out of the kitchen. "I'll get out of the way then. Just no running. I'm not hunting for revenge, just understanding. If you want to talk, I'll be with the foals." She was quickly out of sight, leaving the shaken Starlight to resume her plans for making food.

Night landed outside the door of the nursery and walked in to join Silver. "I hope you don't mind that I listened." Silver shook her head, rocking Clear Twilight softly in her magic. "Good. I thought you did very well. You made it clear what she did was wrong, and how it hurt things, but you also made it clear you weren't here to yell at her or send her away. It needed to be said."

Silver nuzzled her daughter gently. "I thank every star in the sky that my very closest, my first, and my children, are untouched."

Night sat quietly a moment, then reached for Morning Glory, cradling the colt in her arms with a happy little murmur. "To think some crazy ponies thought it was Celestia's wish to see you kept from us? I'm glad that's over."

Silver raised a brow. "You know, for a moment I wasn't sure that survived. I feel all out of place. How much of my past is what I think it should be?"

Night moved to be side-by-side with Silver, settling with her. "You said it right the first time. We're the core of this family, and we're not going anywhere. Hay, you tried to slip away from us once, and we turned the universe on its ear to make that not happen."

"That sucked." Fast slipped inside, trotting lightly as she looked them over. "Not going to invite me to snuggle time?"

"It was kind of spontaneous." Silver smiled at Fast and reached out a wing. "Come here." All three nestled together, their foals warm and secure between them.

They were content until a soft 'aw' came from the doorway, where Spike stood giggling.

Silver reached out her other wing. "You want in?"

Spike looked confused, glancing around and pointing at himself. "Me?"

"I don't see any other number one assistants around here."

Spike slowly approached on uncertain feet. "Oh, uh, I just kinda thought..."

Fast's magic wrapped around him and brought him close enough for Night to snag him and pull him into the group hug. "We know how precious you are to Twilight, and she's very special to us, which makes you important, Spike."

Silver nodded in agreement. "I'm sorry for not giving you enough time. It must be hard being the only dragon for miles." She leaned in and nosebumped him. "We're here for you, if you need anything."

Spike worked his claws nervously a moment. "So hey, uh, Silver, you're from another world, right?" Silver nodded. "So, uh, do they have any great dragons there?"

Silver smiled. "Oh, we have so many legends of great dragons. Some of them huge and terrifying, and others wise beyond words. Be they for good or evil, a dragon was a force to be reckoned with, and no casual encounter." She tapped Spike on the belly. "Just like you."

Spike snorted at that and waved a claw. "Aw come on. I'm just a baby dragon."

"That's saved an empire." Silver raised a brow. "Helped defeat a time bending unicorn. Saved a princess stranded in a whole other world... For a 'baby' dragon, you sure have been busy."

Twilight poked into the room suddenly. "Hey, have you see-- Spike?" She approached with a curious face as Spike began to go darker and darker red. "Oh, you seem to have him well in hoof. I didn't know you all got along so well."

Fast put her hooves on Spike's shoulders. "We were just explaining how much of an awesome dragon he is."

Twilight flashed a bright smile. "He's my number one assistant." She leaned in to nuzzle and hug the flustered dragon. "Starlight said she'd have dinner ready in about ten minutes. I was going to ask Spike to set the table, but I think I'll do it tonight. You go on with your conversation." She rose and strode from the room, beaming.

Night watched her go. "I think she likes that we're getting along."

Spike rubbed behind his head. "Not that I, uh, mind, but I didn't think you all liked me that much."

Silver tilted her head. "That would be my fault then. I'm sorry for not making it clear before, Spike. You're a very cool person, and an awesome dragon in general. My stupid drama kept getting in the way of making time. No more of that." She waved a hoof dismissively. "There's a picnic tomorrow, right?" Spike nodded. "So what's your favorite dish? I'll make sure you have it."

"Oh boy, really?! Hmmm, mashed turquoise in a light garnet glaze, please." He grinned hopefully at Silver even as she struggled to imagine what he was requesting exactly.

"Do you have a cookbook?" Night smiled. "We're a little new to gem preparation."

"Oh, sure!" Spike wiggled out of the group and dashed off in a hurry with the pitter patter of young dragon feet.

Fast burst into a light laughter once the steps became faint. "Did you see his face? He looks so happy! Let me help. I want to be a part of that."

Silver wrapped a wing around her gently. "Of course. We'll all put some love into it. That's half of making a good meal anyway."

Clear Twilight's eyes opened and she yawned widely. Silver nuzzled the little filly's cheek. "Good evening. How was your nap?" She got nipped on the nose for it, but only felt happiness. The little pain seemed so tiny compared to the other slings she'd suffered. "Does that mean you're hungry? Maybe mother will oblige you."

Night accepted Clear Twilight. The sound of her nursing roused Morning Glory, and soon both were getting their fill from the patient form of Night Wing. "Motherhood. They never write about this part of it."

Silver leaned in and kissed Night on either cheek. "They should."

Author's Notes:

Family stuff! And some stern words.