The next few days were relatively peaceful for Ponyville. However, the same could not be said around the castle. With the potential threat of The Alicorn Amulet, Twilight became a bit paranoid and overprotective. She was constantly trying to keep an eye on them, asking where they were going and what they were up to. It was especially awkward when Twilight would get so caught up in watching them, she would end up following them into the bathroom.

Not even Pumpkin Cake was safe. Not only did she have to put up with Twilight's overbearing behavior when at the castle, and had to put up with being escorted home (as well as being watched by her parents while there).

"You have to understand," Twilight explained, "you are one of the most powerful and talented unicorns, and my student. That means that whomever stole the amulet would either want to face you, or use you as bait."

The argument of "I'm old enough to take care of myself," did not really seem to have much influence on Twilight's view. So when Princess Flurry Heart came up with her idea, Pumpkin Cake's and Starry Skies's skepticism were understandable.

"A girls' night out," Flurry declared. "The three of us out on the town and having fun. We could go dancing, catch a show, hit an all night diner, maybe even stay up until dawn."

Twilight's brow furrowed as she looked at Flurry, lips pressed tight. One of her ears flickered.

"So... let me get this straight," she said. "You want me to let the three of you get out all night, alone, while there is a possible threat out there?"

"First," Flurry replied, "you don't know if there is any threat. There has been no sign of The Alicorn Amulet since it was taken. Second, it could be argued we are always in danger. Equestria isn't exactly a completely safe place to grow up, especially Ponyville which has been the sight of multiple attacks and is right next to a forest filled with wild monsters. Third, we wouldn't be alone. The three of us would all be together. We are all adults and can take care of ourselves. If anything happens to one of us, the other two will be there to help."

With a sigh, Princess Flurry Heart moved closer.

"My parents are coming tomorrow. This is going to be my last night of freedom before going back to The Crystal Empire. Please Aunt Twilight, let us have some fun."

Twilight shifted, looking conflicted. Seeing their opening, Starry Skies and Pumpkin Cake both added their own opinion to the conversation. Between the three of them and not having a very sturdy excuse to refuse, Twilight relented. As long as they stayed together and stayed in the town proper, they could go.

"But the moment you even think something is happening," she stated, "I want the three of you back here. Got it?"

The three of them shouted their thanks and got out of sight before Twilight Sparkle could change her mind. Star and Flurry headed upstairs while Pumpkin hurried home. After taking a shower, brushing her mane and tail, and putting her clip in place, Starry Skies was ready for a night on the town. Joining Princess Flurry Heart, the two of them left to pick up Pumpkin and enjoy their night of freedom.

The first place they went to was a restaurant. There they had drinks, appetizers and -- foregoing the main course -- dessert. It was the first time that Star had ever tried green bean fries, which she actually enjoyed. The grasshopper tasted of neither grass nor of the insect, but it did have a nice minty taste to it. The best part was the giant, warm, chocolate chip cookie with ice cream on top.

As they ate, Flurry Heart did most of the talking, telling them about her experiences in The Crystal Empire and some of her lessons.

After her third strawberry hard lemonade, however, her tone changed some.

"It's not that I don't like being royalty," she said. "I do. And I love The Crystal Empire. I really want to help them all, and hope to be a good leader. It's just... I sometimes wish I had more choice in the matter, you know? I mean, I've been raised and taught to be a princess my whole life, so I should be good at it, but what if I could have been something else? Maybe I could have been a DJ. Maybe I could have joined the guard like Dad. Imagine how great I could have been at protecting Canterlot. Or maybe I could have been a diplomat, bring peace between ponies and changelings."

She turned to face Starry Skies.

"Sometimes, I envy that you had the freedom to choose your own life. You didn't have to follow a certain path because of who you were."

"Not entirely true," Star mumbled as she looked down at the remains of her cookie.

"What?" Flurry said, leaning forward. "What was that?"

Star felt her face heat up as she realized she had actually been heard (although the alcohol probably did not help matters). Ears pulling back, she looked down at the table as she took another bite of her sugary dessert.

"Nothing," she responded. "I think I've had enough to drink."

"No," Pumpkin said. "You said something, and it was not happy. We're all friends here--"

"And we're family," Flurry added.

"And you've listened to me talk about some... personal matters," Pumpkin continued. "So it's only fair that you be allowed to do the same thing." She smiled. "Come on. It will make you feel better."

"It's nothing," Star repeated. "Just some old stuff. Nothing to really talk about now."

"Old stuff?" Flurry asked, raising an eyebrow. "How come I haven't heard of it before. You have to tell me now."

Her horn lit up with magic.

"And I'm not letting you leave until you do."

Starry Skies considered it for a moment. The two of them were too interested to just blow it off, or at least not without something major to distract them. While a monster suddenly attacking was a possibility, it was very unlikely to happen at this very moment. Maybe she should tell them the truth. At least the part of it that was safe. It was about long past stuff anyways. Nothing to do with her current activities. Plus, friends shared personal things some times (so she had been told numerous times).

"Fine," Star said, "but you have to promise -- Pinkie Promise -- not to tell anypony else."

Pumpkin Cake went through the ritual instantly, but Princess Flurry Heart looked back and forth between the two of them.

"What is a 'Pinkie Promise?'"

"It's a special type of promise that Pinkie Pie came up with," Star explained. "It's very important and means you will keep it no matter what." Star's eyes narrowed. "Because if you don't, she will hunt you down, and... make... you... pay."

Flurry's eyes went wide as she let out an audible gulp.

"Pinkie has a very specific way of stating it," Pumpkin added, "but I can't really say it because if you do, she pops out for emphasis."

"Okay," Flurry said, "now you're just messing with me."

"She's not," Star replied. "Believe me."

After being shown how to do it by Pumpkin Cake, Princess Flurry Heart Pinkie Promised.

Starry Skies took a deep breath and prepared herself.

"I was born in Canterlot, and my family lived in an neighborhood that was -- until The Chaos Touched were born -- entirely unicorns." A sigh escaped her, one of her ears twitching. "Even after, it pretty much was. Supposedly there were some others, but they moved away for more diverse neighborhoods. So not only was I the only bat pony in a family of unicorns, but also the entire street."

Reaching out, she grabbed her drink and took another sip. Not the best idea considering what she did. With an occupation like hers, allowing something to slip was most decidedly a bad thing. Under different circumstances, she might have let slip something that was supposed to be a secret instead of a private feeling. A secret agent that could not keep secrets, at best, would be removed from the job, and, at worst, would end up dead with no one knowing where they had disappeared to.

"Even before Nightmare Moon's return, my family was pretty well known." She let out a snort. "I mean, hay, Dad worked at the royal observatory, Mom is a popular writer, Shining Armor was in the guard, rapidly gaining rank, and Twilight was the personal student of Princess Celestia. Once you add in everything that has happened since Nightmare Moon, it's no wonder that practically everypony knows about my family, and a lot of the neighbors try to kiss my parents' asses in the hopes of getting in good with the princesses.

"So here I am, the little bat pony growing up in a neighborhood where everypony else is a unicorn, with a family that are all very successful in their fields, and siblings that have all saved Equestria -- if not the world -- multiple times."

She downed the rest of her drink and huffed.

"Mom and Dad were supportive, wanting me to simply be happy and do my best, and Shining, Twilight and Spike were nice if busy with their own lives. Everypony else, however, seemed to have very high expectations to me... or thought very little of me. After all, if Shining could become Captain turned prince consort, Twilight a princess, and Spike a hero and dragon liaison, then I -- the youngest -- must be destined for great things. Alternatively, maybe I'll be nothing. After all, I'm just a bat pony! 'Can't save the day if you don't have ma-gic!'

"Not to mention the constantly being compared to them. No matter how well I do in school, Twilight Sparkle, former student to Princess Celestia and smartest pony since Starswirl the Bearded -- if not of all time -- did better. If I ever showed any interest in law enforcement, then I am trying to be like my big brother, or the whole family is brave and heroic.

"And it's not like you can get mad at them. No. After all, they're family. They're nice, friendly ponies who just happened to save Equestria on numerous occasions. They didn't do anything wrong, but you still find yourself stuck living in their shadows, never able to live up to it unless you somehow manage to become royalty and save the entire kingdom at least three times!"

She turned to face Flurry Heart more.

"You may not realize it, but you're going to face the same thing. Your parents are seen as heroes to The Crystal Empire after defeating King Sombra and restoring the empire. Being their daughter -- and born in The Crystal Empire -- the ponies there are going to expect you to be some totally awesome and heroic princess-slash-soldier-slash-who knows what else."

Starry Skies stopped as she realized that the other two mares were staring at her with wide eyes. A sigh escaped her as she slouched down in her seat, ears pulling back.

"Sorry," she said softly. "Didn't mean to go off like that."

"Wow," Flurry said. "I had no idea that you felt that way. You always seemed happy when we hung out."

"I really don't want to discuss this anymore," Star said as she pushed away from the table. "Let's just pay the bill and go do something else."

After they paid, the three of them left the restaurant in silence. Starry Skies wound up in the lead as they left, walking along the streets of Ponyville. She did not mind too much. It was rather embarrassing how much she had said. Her intent had been to simply say enough to sate the pair's curiosity, but once she got started, she just sort of lost control and it all came pouring out.

What had really surprised her was the emotion that had come with it. Star had thought that she had moved on, put it all behind her, and forgotten about those feelings. After all, as it is, she was able to protect Equestria and not have to worry about being compared to any of her siblings in the process. She was doing what she wanted how she wanted. But once she had started talking, it all came back, fresh as yesterday.

Star pushed the thoughts aside. This was supposed to be a night of fun, after all. Plus, she should be watching out for the other two just in case something did happen.

Stopping, she turned to face the other two.

"So, where now?"

"How do you feel about singing?" Pumpkin asked. "I know a place that has karaoke."

"Ooh," Flurry Heart said, eyes wide. "I want to try that. Star?"

"I don't really feel like singing," Star replied, "but I'm more than happy to make fun of your singing. Lead on, Pumpkin."

"If you want to make fun of my singing, you're going to be disappointed," Flurry declared as they walked, head held high. "I'll have you know I am quite a skilled singer."

"Really?" Star asked with a smirk. "Because I heard it was so bad, you could shatter crystal."

Flurry's eyes narrowed as her lips pressed tight, glaring at Starry Skies. She stuck her tongue out before turning away and continuing on. A snicker escaped from Star as she followed.

After walking for a while, Star felt the familiar prickle at the back of her neck. Adjusting her pace, she moved to catch up with Flurry and Pumpkin, keeping the group closer together. Ears perked and twitching, Starry Skies looked around, taking in as much around her as possible.

She managed to catch a glimpse of something lightly colored with feathers and a dark tail.

At the next corner, form jumped out at them.

"BOO!"

Star tensed and jerked at the sudden appearance, but managed to keep from doing more as she recognized the pegasus in front of them. Princess Flurry Heart let out a yelp as she hopped back, flaring her wings out. Pumpkin Cake turned and swung out with a hoof.

"OW!" Pound yelped as his sister hit him in the shoulder. "It's me, Pumpkin. It's just me."

"I know," Pumpkin growled. "That's why I just smacked you and didn't try to blast you with magic. It's what you get for trying to scare us like that."

"Okay," Pound sighed, rubbing the spot where he got smacked. "Fine. I guess I deserve that." He then grinned. "So what are you three up to now?"

"We're on our way to sing karaoke," Flurry Heart stated.

"Sounds like fun. Mind if I join you?"

"Well..." Pumpkin Cake said, "...technically it's supposed to be a girls' night." She then turned to look at Flurry and Star. "But if they don't mind..."

"I'm fine with it," Princess Flurry Heart said. "Another pony could make it more fun."

With that, it came down to Starry Skies. It would be easy for her to simply say yes, and it would give her a chance to spend time with Pound and get to know him better, but she did not want to seem too eager.

Plus, an idea suddenly came to her.

"If you come with us," she stated, "then you have to sing."

"Hey," Princess Flurry Heart called out. "If he has to sing, you do too."

"Ugh," Star groaned out, rolling her eyes. "Fine."

Now with a fourth, they continued on. It was not long before Star could hear music.

And... was feeling kind of tired. It was just like...

On the path to Sweet Apple Acres! Star suddenly felt wide awake as her heart pounded in her chest.

"Cover your ears!" she shouted.

"What?" Flurry asked. "Star, why--"

"NOW!" Starry Skies snapped, causing the others to jump before doing what she said. Turning her back to them, Starry Skies took a deep breath, and let out an ear-piercing shriek. The sound filled the air, echoing off the small buildings. It was only when her lungs burned for air did she stop, gasping.

"Run!" she shouted. "Get to the karaoke bar." Moving forward, she pushed at the others, trying to get them going.

"Why?" Pumpkin Cake said, louder than was necessary. "What's going on? What's wrong?"

"Later. Move." Star gave a firm shove.

A pair of dressing dummies appeared in front of the group, blocking the way.

"Pumpkin, Flurry, blast them."

Pumpkin Cakes and Flurry Heart's horns started to glow with magic. However, before they could unleash the energy, the sound of singing filled the air. Star could hear it loud and clear, and recognized it: a lullaby.

The magic around Pumpkin's and Flurry's horns faded as they and Pound started to sag. Starry Skies could feel it as well. The adrenaline burst from earlier was wearing off, and she was becoming tired. Her eyelids were getting heavy and legs starting to shake.

Got to stay awake, she thought. Protect the others. Find out who...why...wha...wh...

As she fell, Star managed to turn toward the source of the singing. She caught sight of what looked like scales before everything went blurry, then went black.