Star Bound

by Doctor Disco

First published 28th of October, 2016

Twilight Sparkle: Genius, trouble maker, and now stowaway of the HSS Amity. After something from the future changes the past, Twilight must fight against her own changed destiny to save the universe.

Twilight Sparkle: A genius of unmatched proportions, a great friend to many, and proud Captain of the HSS Amity...

But that was another life.

When a ship from the future disrupts the determined chain of events, it creates an irreversible effect that changes all of history, altering the lives and destinies of everypony in the universe. Twilight was one such; with her whole childhood lived without a father and with her brother as her only compass, she deviated from a uniform pony to an adventurous delinquent capable of so much more. Friends she would've made, ponies she would've met and meetings that would've happened never did, and it changed many things. When the same enemy returns, however, she finds herself stowed away on the very ship she was meant to control.

Now with a new dawn, Twilight must now face the decision of whether to continue living her life as it is now...

Or to become the pony she was meant to become

---

An adaptation of the 2009 Star Trek film, and I will do my best to deviate from original dialogue and cutscenes. Don't kill me!

Also, see if you can spot the many reference I have littered throughout my story, both to Star Trek and to other Star Trek related pony-fictions on Fimfiction!

This is the same deal with PONY Origins, and will be updated whenever I can.

Prologue ~ Twilight

Stardate: 2237.168

Location: Uncharted Space, Quadrant Delta 55679

“How’re we doing?” A pony in a yellow uniform asked.

All around her, everypony was busy doing their own tasks and she addressed one particular pony to her left. Her mane was cropped to just the end of her neck, tied back in a braid, and she had the feel of a mare that didn’t take things lightly. On her uniform was pinned a uniquely shaped insignia, resembling that of an arrowhead, with a five-point star centered in the middle.

“All systems are functional, Captain,” a pony in a blue uniform announced as he tapped the monitors with his hooves. “Warp core is stable, shields are neutral and intact, and weapons systems are disarmed. Life support systems are at maximum efficiency and artificial gravity is at one G.”

Captain Blazer let a smile slip past her sharp facade as she heard that her ship was in the best condition it could be. Ponies everywhere in uniforms of red, blue and yellow bustled around the bridge, and she couldn’t think of a better place to be than here. In the company if her beloved crew. Especially the Captain’s chair, who doesn’t love that?

“Fantastic,” Blazer said.

Apart from checking all of the H.S.S. Spirit of Harmony’s systems, she couldn’t help but feel that something was off. Like something bad was going to happen, but she couldn’t put her hoof on it. Out in space, anything could happen. Sun Blazer had been in charge of the H.S.S. Spirit of Harmony for a year and she had never felt before.

Turning her mind away from such dark thoughts, she shook her head and cleared her mind before reflecting once again among many times how she had gotten here. After having been a part of defusing the Mareden civil war, she had been promoted to the honorary status of Captain to a ship that was then yet to be built. She had watched with fascination as over the span of two years, her starship was created. Taking after some of the first FTL and warp capable starship designs, it was rightly named the “Spirit Of Harmony”, as a respectful homage to the first Harmony class starship, the ES Harmony.

What her most favorite thing about this whole ordeal was that she got to go on a two year mission to take this starship on its maiden voyage. A two year mission to establish connections between existing worlds, explore relative uncharted areas, and to help the growth of other civilizations. It was her pride, and loved every moment of it.

Thus were the adventures of the H.S.S. Spirit Of Harmony. It’s two year mission? To explore uncharted territories, extend the hoof of friendship to unknown civilizations, and to-

“Captain, we’re reading unusual gravitational anomalies and signs of a lightning storm!” the blue pony called out, bringing the Captain out of her thoughts.

“Say that again, Night Light?” Captain Blazer furrowed her brows.

“Just a few clicks away from us are signs of increasing gravitational activity. Surrounding it seems to be dark clouds of unidentifiable matter that is creating lightning and is therefore cause for cautionary measures!” Night Light, First Officer of the H.S.S. Spirit Of Harmony said. Slightly squinting her eyes, she could see through the window in the bridge what her First Officer was talking about.

In the near distance, she could via magnification make out an area of space that was distorting the stars behind it. Around it were dark clouds of something she had never seen before. They were beginning to swirl around and she could see a few bolts of electricity arc across its tumultuous chaos. Glancing over to the readings on some of the monitors she could see, there were fluctuations in data and some she couldn’t identify herself. Steeling her gaze and adjusting her position on her chair, she shouted commands.

“Bell! Send an information packet to Starfleet ASAP. Night Light! Record this encounter in the Ship’s Log for posterity. It may shed light in the future when looking back upon it.”

“Yes, Captain,” Night Light said, before talking to a small device held aloft in his magic.

“It’s already been done, sir!” Bell said, “Now opening line of communication with Starfleet.” In a breeze, Bell brought up communications. After a tense few seconds of silence, they began to hear from them.

“HSS Spirit Of Harmony, this is Starfleet base.” A female voice rang through the bridge.

“Starfleet base. We sent you an information packet. Did you receive?” Bell asked, watching the monitor intently.

After another moment of quiet, Starfleet responded. “Affirmative. S O H, have you double-checked those readings?”

“Double and triple. Our gravitational sensors are going haywire and there are clouds of unidentifiable matter causing what appears to be a lightning storm. It is inexplicable,” Bell confirmed, looking at charts sent over from those in charge of the sensors.

“What you sent us doesn't seem possible,” the female Starfleet voice said. “These readings are off the charts!”

“Yes, ma’am. But that is the very reason why we sent it.” Bell paused before continuing. Blazer turned down the comm volume levels as she began to focus on what they were seeing.

“Bridge, report!” she announced.

“We’re still out of visual range without aid, Captain. We’ll be there in twenty seconds,” a bridge officer said.

“Is this Centauran? I repeat, is this Centauran?” Bell could be heard asking.

“Starfleet recommends you proceed with extreme caution… Negative, the nearest Centauran outpost is 125,000 kilometres from your position…” the radio chatter was tuned out by Blazer once again.

“Captain, are you seeing this?” another bridge officer said and the Captain squinted before widening her eyes.

Appearing before her eyes was a ship of gargantuan size. What they had detected as gravitational fluctuations were, as she saw now, the makings of a black hole. The lightning storm swirled and crackled, expanding along with the size of the dark gravity well. With silent terror, the ship emerged from the black hole, it's monolithic build setting fear into those who could see it. It seemed to be composed entirely of spikes, black lining whatever wasn’t covered. Wires and razors adorned the front, and it was a ship the likes of which Blazer had never before.

“Sweet Celestia…” Blazer unknowingly said aloud as she gripped the arms of her chair.

“I have a reading,” A red shirt said. Immediately afterward a pony in a yellow shirt swiveled his chair and shouted.

“Captain, they’ve locked weapons systems on us!” the helms-pony stated hastily.

“Red alert. RED ALERT!” Blazer yelled as she gripped her chair tighter. A crimson light filled the air and an alarm rang through the Spirit Of Harmony. “Mare your stations! Shields up! Arm the weapons! Go go GO!”

With the force of a supernova, the opposing ship opened fire on the Spirit Of Harmony. Immediately, the starship rumbled from the impacts and sheer intensity of firepower. Sparks flew and panels and wires fell from the ceiling, injuring several ponies and causing Captain Blazer to look around in worry. The Spirit Of Harmony was now shaking so much that anypony standing fell over. It seemed as though their shields were paper thin and their weapons were effectively useless.

“Evasive maneuver 267, all power to forward shields! Fire all phasers!” Blazer quickly shouted. Jamming her hoof on a comms link, she activated a line between her and engineering. “Damage report! Tell me what’s happening!”

“The ship’s taken heavy fire and if it continues to do so, we won’t make it! The warp drive is ruptured, I’ve never seen anything like it!”

“Weapons are down! Main power is 38 percent!”

“Damn it!” the Captain shouted as she heard the news. Looking out, she could see giant spiked green frags that were exploding the hull of her beloved ship.

“Decks seventeen to thirty eight have confirmed casualties!” somepony announced worriedly.

“Are our shields even up?!” another shouted.

“Captain, our shield integrity is dropping! 11 percent, 10 percent, 8 percent!” Night Light yelled as he flipped multiple switches.

“Direct all power to forward shields, prepare shuttles for evacuation!” Blazer grimaced as she talked into the comms. “Get medical ready to transport all injured!” But just as suddenly as they had been attacked, it stopped.

What replaced the sudden silence and chaos was a chilling voice. “Hello,” the voice said first, and Blazer turned to see a screen with a face now present on it.”My commander wishes to have your captain board our ship so that we may negotiate a cease fire. Your refusal to do so would be unwise.”

And just like that, the attacker’s message ended.

The bridge was in silence, nopony knowing what to do. Everyone, not just the ponies on bridge, looked to the Captain, wondering what she was thinking right now. Wondering what she would do, knowing she would use her wisdom to help them get out of this mess.

In reality, Sun Blazer was truly terrified, the first time since she could last remember. Though she did not show it on the outside, there was no denying she had her doubts, and feared for the safety of her crew. Narrowing her eyes and setting her mind, she did the logical thing. “Prepare a shuttle. Night Light, walk with me.” She then got off from her chair and exited the room.

“Yes Captain,” Night Light nodded, following her out. As they made their way to the hangar, there was an eerie silence throughout the halls of the ship. Stopping at the door to a spacecraft, Blazer turned to Night Light.

“Night Light, if I don’t return in fifteen minutes, evacuate the crew,” Captain Blazer said as she opened the door to her shuttle. “That is an order, are we clear?”

“But Captain, we can-” Night Light tried to say, but was cut off.

“Are we clear?” Captain Blazer repeated more forcefully. With hesitation, Night Light reluctantly nodded.

“...Yes, Captain.”

“You’re Captain now, Night Light. See you on the flipside.” With that, the now relieved Sun Blazer saluted to Night Light. With reverence and utmost respect, Night Light saluted back. Nodding at the new Captain of her treasured ship, she looked around at what would have been her ship for far longer than 12 months. All the memories she had made in that time, the beauty of this ship, she would hold it dear to her heart in what she knew was her remaining time to live. Nodding once again, she provided a grim yet sad and sincere smile to Night Light before entering further into the shuttle and the door closed behind her.

As she input the commands and the shuttle took off, she ever so slightly slumped in her chair, knowing what she was going into. It was to be a fruitless endeavor, that she knew for sure; if the feeling in her gut was any indication. She watched with silent awe as the ship she had gotten to know first came full view in her cockpit’s window, but after that slowly grew smaller and smaller while the enemy ship grew bigger and bigger.

With it only being a matter of time, she stood in front of the door, looking as crisp and prim as she could. The shuttle finally landed, the door opened, and she found a welcoming party of aliens ready to greet her. Holding her head up high, she walked out of the spacecraft and they escorted her through a few doors and across a few bridges before finally coming to a rest at what seemed to be a throne or Captain's chair of sorts where a more prominent pony-esque creature sat, silently watching.

She could hear the whisperings of these pony-like creatures, a language she did not understand. She could see the same pony who delivered the message to their ship holding something, which he then threw in front of Sun Blazer. Taking a few steps back, whatever he threw activated, now displaying an image of what she assumed was a spaceship of some sort.

“Tell me if you recognize this ship. Are you familiar with it’s whereabouts?”

Slightly shaking her head and furrowing her brows, she didn’t state her answer. “Who is your commanding officer?” Blazer asked, lifting a hoof to the alien on the throne, “Is it him?”

“I will speak for Captain Grogar,” the quadruped that had been addressing her so far said.

“Well, ask your Captain what gives him the right to attack a vessel of the Harmonic Alliance?”

He ignored her. Stomping his hoof down on the ground, the image changed to what she could recognize as a pony’s head. Whoever this was had a pink mane, pointier-than-normal ears for a pony, and logical kind blue eyes.

“Do you know the location of Ambassador Shy?”

“I am unfamiliar with an Ambassador Shy,” Sun Blazer responded. She then saw him converse in whispers with the captain on the chair. Frowning slightly, she solidified her gaze on the pair. “I thought we were going to negotiate a ceasefire, how does this have any relation to that?”

The two payed her no mind.

“I insist that we negotiate terms so that you may be held in a fair trial for attacking an Alliance ship, and for the loss of many of my crewmembers.”

If they had heard what she said, they didn’t acknowledge it. Instead, the alien speaker asked her, “What is the current stardate?”

Confused as to why they would need to know the stardate, she responded, “Twenty-two thirty-seven one-eighty-six… Where are you from that you don’t know the stardate?”

She never saw it coming. Without warning, the creature on the apparent Captain’s chair shouted as he began to form something with magic. Sun Blazer, seeing this, quickly tried to escape but her attempts were futile. Knowing this was the end, she closed her eyes, gritting her teeth together, and made peace with what she had accomplished in her life.

It was merely a moment. Her whole life flashed between her eyes, and she was grateful for the time she had had. With family, with friends, with all those that loved her and that she loved. It may have been short-lived, but the time on her ship was the time of her life. Sadly giving a small smile, she faced her death with dignity.

“GrAHHHHHHH!” Captain Grogar yelled as he formed a magic spear. And with one swift movement, it pierced Sun Blazer. Sun Blazer stood for a second longer, before falling to the floor, the life finally leaving her eyes.

Night Light gingerly set himself down on the Captain’s Chair, still reeling from the fact he had been appointed Captain of this starship. With his pregnant wife on board, he only hoped he could save the crew and himself before they got destroyed by the looming starship.

“Captain Blazer's heart rate has risen!” a pony monitoring Blazer’s lifesigns said.

“Just keep watch, she'll be back soon,” Night Light reassured, “Soon, this will all be over and we’ll be left to go our separate ways.” Saying this however only strengthened his feeling of overwhelming dread. Something bad was going to happen, and they would not be prepared for it-

“Her heartbeat has flatlined! Life signs are terminated, no sign of life!!”

Night Light felt a chasm rip open in the pit of his stomach, a sense of shock and disbelief tearing across his mind. Captain Blazer was… dead? He looked over the shoulder of the pony monitoring the Captain’s life signals and found a big red box that was flashing with the word “TERMINATED”. His stomach fell further and his mouth opened a little, before he shut it back closed. He gulped, adjusting his collar before another pony shouted.

“They’ve locked weapons again! Sir, they’re firing!”

With no time to think and a ship for him to save, Night Light hardened his gaze. “Delta seven maneuver four! Fire full array of torpedoes, maximum power to forward shields!” Night Light ordered. As he did so, a new volley of mine frags hit the ship and he could clearly see areas of what was now his ship ruptured and torn open. Grimacing, he looked around at the chaos before nodding to himself.

“Everypony is now relieved of duty! I’m issuing Main Protocol Nine, we’re evacuating! Get off this ship!” Night Light commanded, and everypony nodded.

“Yes, sir!” one pony said before she abandoned her post. Night Light, looking around the disheveled bridge and the ponies getting ready to leave, he spoke into the ship’s comms system.

“All decks, this is your Captain speaking! Evacuate the ship, I repeat, evacuate the ship! There are shuttlecrafts at the ready, get to them now! I repeat, evacuate immediately! Main Protocol Nine has been issued! Evacuate immediately!”

Night Light then furrowed his brows as he manned the now empty stations of the bridge. He checked to make sure everything was in order as he attempted to make the shuttles’ journey’s as smooth as possible. Opening up his communicator, he tried to connect with another communicator onboard and heaved a sigh of relief as it did so.

“Night Light?” a voice crackled through the communicator

He laughed shakily. “Velvet! Thank Celestia you’re okay!” He wanted so much to tell her all the things he was thinking right now, but he knew it would only escalate the situation. “I have Shuttle Thirty-Nine ready for you, can you get to it now?”

“Yes,” Twilight Velvet’s voice responded.

“Okay, good. Everything is going to be fine, just get the shuttle. Shuttle Thirty-Nine. Just do exactly as I say.” Night Light comforted just as a large explosion rocked the front of the ship.

“It’s coming, Night Light, the baby’s coming!” Twilight Velvet said, “It’s coming now!”

“I’m on my way,” Night Light assured, and he leapt to another control panel, pushing a lever forward. He tapped into a keyboard with his hooves commands which would allow the autopilot to commandeer the ship without a pilot. Hitting enter, he stood back and watched with shock and dismay as the computer relayed a message to him.

“AUTO-PILOT FUNCTION HAS BEEN DESTROYED. MANUAL OPERATION ONLY.”

Closing his eyes and making a decision, he nodded to himself before directing his comms to his wife’s shuttle. “Shuttle Thirty-Nine, is my wife onboard?” he spoke as calmly as possible.

“Yes, Captain,” the pilot of shuttle Thirty-Nine confirmed.

“Leave now, Officer,” Night Light quickly said, “Leave now.”

“But, sir-!” the pilot tried to say over the line but Night Light shook his head, though he knew they couldn’t see it.

“That’s an order! Leave now.”

“Yes, sir,” the pilot finally said before they launched into space. Night Light then heard his communicator ring again and he answered it once more.

“Night Light?” his wife asked over the communicator, “Where are you? The shuttle is already leaving!”

Sadly frowning to himself as he watched phaser bolts and torpedoes whiz by the viewscreen as well as a perpetual amount of explosions, he thought about his wife. “Honey, I have to tell you something.” He blocked the light from an explosion with a hoof as he continued to pilot the ship. “I’m not going to be there.”

“No!” he heard his wife say.

“Velvet, it’s the only way.”

“But you can’t stay on the ship! You have to be here, with me,” Twilight Velvet pleaded.

“If I don’t, the shuttles won’t have any chance of escape,” Night Light reasoned as another explosion rocked the bridge. He saw a torpedo heading heading straight for the shuttle with his wife on it and quickly destroyed it before it could reach the shuttle. He heaved a sigh of relief. He continued to do so for the countless shuttles now leaving the H.S.S. Spirit Of Harmony.

“I can’t do this without you, Night Light…” he heard Velvet say, and he could clearly hear the crack of emotion in her voice. He closed his eyes again, his chest flaring with the thought of never seeing the face of his wife again, and vice versa. He let a tear run down his face as he heard the cries of pain her wife was in as she was going into labour.

With the weapons reserves now running on minimal, he looked for any other way to stop this barrage of firepower. Closing his eyes for a last time, he decidedly set a collision course for impact against the enemy ship. As he did so and sat in the Captain’s chair, he could hear the small cries of something… or someone.

Instantly knowing what it was, he chuckled softly. “What is it?” he asked.

“It’s a girl!” he heard his wife say, and he smiled.

“A girl!” he exclaimed, looking ahead at his impending doom. “Tell me about her.”

“She’s beautiful… Night Light, you should be here…” Velvet whispered, and Night Light smiled sadly. The monitors around him flashed in warning, the computer announcing out loud of imminent impact. Disregarding this fact, he continued on.

“What are we going to name her?” he asked, staring intently at the communicator in his hoof.

“Let’s name her after your mother,” Twilight Velvet said.

“Amicae? Are you kidding me? No, let’s name her after you, and your mother.” Night Light chuckled sadly as he saw the counter hit fifteen seconds.

“Sparkle… Okay, Twilight Sparkle it is…” Twilight Velvet whispered.

Night Light stared ahead now, focused on his final destination. Here was his end, and he embraced it. A captain should go down with his ship, after all… But it shouldn’t have been at the expense of a newborn child. He thought of how she would grow up without a father… He only hoped her brother could help her get on with her life…

“Velvet, are you there? Can you hear me?” he asked, one final thought in mind.

“Yes, I can hear you Night,” Twilight Velvet answered.

“I love you so much, you know that?” Night Light whispered, tears now marking both cheeks. He watched as the ship seemed to swallow the Spirit Of Harmony whole. And he said his final goodbyes as he closed his eyes, finally hitting the ship and everything exploded around him.

“...I love you…” Twilight Velvet heard her husband last say before the connection went dead and she felt and heard the shudder of an explosion. Her stomach dropped and she could already feel the well of tears that would flood her eyes. She looked tenderly at the purple unicorn in her hooves before the drops began to flow and she started uncontrollably sobbing. In the distance, seen through the window, was an explosive cloud of flame emanating from a single spot in the enemy ship’s hull.

In that instant, the universe was silent as the wails of a mourning widow pierced the air…

And the life of a fatherless unicorn began.

Author's Notes:

The Future Reimagined

in...

By

~Doctor Disco~

Chapter posted on 28th of October, 2016

Chapter I ~ The Fire Within

Stardate: 2248.62

Location: Canterlot, Equus

“Twily!”

Twilight Amicae Sparkle ignored the voice behind her as she rode away on the magic-powered carriage. Pumping the pedal, she flicked something with her hoof, and she accelerated, leaving behind a cloud of dust. Her watery eyes betrayed her emotion, one of anger and sadness, and she blinked her tears away. The phone inlaid into the automotive vehicle she had taken for a ride began to buzz, and she answered.

“Twily, I’m sorry! Come back! When mom finds out you took the car out for a ride, she’s going to kill the both of us! Please! Come on, Twily, before-!” Twilight ended the call before Shining Armour could finish his sentence.

“No…” she whispered, “I’m sorry.” She then waved her horn, unlatching two buckles which held the roof onto the carriage. In a flash, the flimsy material flew backward from the sheer speed she was going at, and it nearly tore off the back of the carriage. It now hung limp, swaying in the wind as she kept going faster and faster. Looking at the phone set into the dash, she clicked at the first song she saw and smiled, her previous emotion quickly being forgotten.

“Woooo!” she shouted, adrenaline now pumping through her veins as she piloted the carriage. She then saw a fellow friend she knew from school walking down the road and she waved to her as she passed. “Hey, Lemon Hearts!” she cheered and she continued to stumble down the road, now exiting Canterlot and heading into some fairly perilous mountain roads.

“Citizen, stop your carriage! You are endangering your life and many others! Desist at once!” A voice that came from her side said. She turned her head to find a police pony looking intently at her, riding on an anti-grav motorcycle.

“Sorry, officer, no can do,” she said. She turned her attention back onto the road as she floored the pedal. She then saw the magic reserves of the car quickly depleting, so she thought of something quick. Her horn lit up to the best of the ability of an eleven-year old filly and she pointed it at the dash. She then let loose all she had, pouring magic into the magic-powered vehicle.

At that moment, several things happened at once. The carriage suddenly burst forward, a surplus of energy now motivating it go faster than it was ever intended to. Twilight began to strain from the magic she was putting in, but for some reason she couldn’t stop. As if by slow motion, her horn exploded in an explosive show of power, and her eyes began to glow white. The wheels of the carriage took on a purple glow, evidently the mana of a purple unicorn, and the car went off the road and into the ground below…

Except it didn’t.

It kept going, wheels still spinning on imaginary pavement. Twilight Sparkle whooped with her eyes still glowing as they began to ascend in altitude. With anothe bright white flash of light, something appeared on her flanks which she wouldn’t notice until later on. As suddenly as it all happened, it quickly began to die down and Twilight’s eyes slowly faded back to their normal colour, just in time for Twilight to actually see how far off they were from the ground.

Add that to the fact that the carriage had practically been fried from the magical input, the sound system crackled, filling with static before dying. She began to tumble out of the sky and into the awaiting ground below. With all of her might and remaining magic, she composed an ingenious set of wings from the tattered fabric remaining in the car.

“Gahhhhhhh!” she cried, jumping from the end of the falling car as she began to unsuccessfully glide. Thankfully, the road she had driven off of curled around and she set her sights on what would be her landing pad. From the force of her falling and haphazardly made wings, her wings broke and she tumbled roughly onto the dirt-packed road, earning her a few nicks and scratches. Coming to a stop, with her blood still filled with energetic plasma, she groaned. She then heard what she assumed to be the carriage exploding somewhere down below and grinned.

Getting to all fours, she made sure she had a sure footing. Before she could continue on her way, however, she heard the crunch of a hoofstep and she turned toward the sound. Standing there was who she presumed to be the same police officer before, and she gave him an innocent smile.

“Citizen, what is your name?” the police officer asked after a short silence.

Twilight defiantly raised her head and obliged. “It’s Sparkle. Twilight Amicae Sparkle.”

Stardate: Recurring

Location: Thestral Learning Academy 2161, Thestrall

“Fluttershy.” A thestral called out, two of his friends at his side.

Fluttershy, the thestral they were addressing, stared silently at a spot on the floor for a moment, not wanting to act on emotion. After all, acting on emotion was illogical, and such actions were not the thestral way. She looked up from the spot she was staring at and looked into what was empty space, as those who now conversed with her were behind her.

“I… I believe you have prepared more insults for me at this time?” Fluttershy asked softly, before turning around to face her repeat malefactors.

“That is affirmative,” the center thestral confirmed, and his associates nodded.

“This is your seventeenth attempt in eliciting an emotional response from me,” Fluttershy responded in kind, “You know I am unaffected by them.”

“We will see about that,” the thestral on the left said.

The center thestral stepped forward. “You’re neither Thestral nor Equustrian, therefore you have no place in this universe. With this, it is only factual that you must also feel, and are therefore driven by your emotion."

“Look at her pony eyes, they look sad, do they not?” the thestral on the right stated. “Your body is different, your wings are not like ours, your coat and mane are too colourful, and your very eyes betray you. How does that make you feel?”

“Perhaps an emotional response requires a physical stimulant,” the center thestral droned, pushing Fluttershy back with his hoof. Fluttershy stumbled a few steps back, her eyes now truly showing the illogical feelings she was producing. One’s she could identify as fear, anger, and hatred. Attempting to push back said feelings, she gulped.

“Of course, it’s not your fault. It’s your father’s. He’s a traitor you know, for marrying that equine monster.”

Fluttershy felt like something snapped inside of her. Her logical side cried out for her to control herself, to not let her emotion drive her. She could hear it saying how it would only worsen the current situation, let alone proving to her tormentors that what they said was true. However, she could not control how she felt. The raging fire that now ignited in her eyes, the boiling blood now coursing through her veins. She could not control it, they had just insulted one, if not both of her parents. Her logic was quickly falling apart, her mind now telling her it was only logical to make them pay for what they said.

With silent fury and her eyes watery and red, she attacked the first thestral with a hard shove back. “Nngha!” she grunted as she slammed into the second. Going for the third, the thestral tried to swing at her but she fluttered out of the way and tackled him to the ground. Now overtop of one of her offenders, she began to barrage his face with a series of punches, hooves connecting hard with the surface that was his face. Crying and sobbing all the while as she did it, she grunted every time she hit his head, the loud thumps echoing across the room. She then felt something hit her in the back of the head and she fell forward yelping, a sharp pain now stinging her skin.

Looking up from the ground, she could see the one she had shoved had recovered and hit her from behind. He then walked up to her, ready to take another swing at his victim when a voice shouted.

“Enough!”

He paused mid-punch, and the four thestrals looked to who spoke. It was one of the elders of the Thestrall High Council, and he did not seem at all pleased at the image he had come upon.

“You three are to remain here to await further instruction and disciplinary action for this unruly behaviour.” Turning to Fluttershy, he told her, “You will come with me, your father will be interested to know of this turn of events."

Fluttershy looked morosely and silently at the ground, fresh hot tears still streaking her face. She took a glance at her bully and saw a smirk on his face. A tinge of anger resurfaced, but she repressed, now knowing her attempts at persuading them further that she did not harbour emotions would be futile.

“Twilight Amicae Sparkle!” Twilight Sparkle flinched at the tone her mother now inflicted on her. “What in Celestia’s name do you think you were doing, taking out the car like that?!”

“I-” Twilight tried to defend herself but Velvet wasn’t having any of it.

“Do you have any idea what could’ve happened to you?” Twilight Velvet scolded her daughter. After a tense moment, she softened her gaze and pulled Twilight into a crushing hug, and Velvet closed her eyes cherishing the new moment with Twilight. “What I would’ve been like if anything had happened to you?” she said softly, stroking the purple filly’s mane.

She then hardened her stare at the blue maned colt that was her son. “And you, what do you have to say for yourself?” Velvet said, Twilight now squirming in her mother’s death grip. Velvet promptly let go and confronted her son.

Shining Armour took a careful step back, cowering under his mother’s gaze. “I- I’m sorry, Twilight,” Shining stuttered, “I should've told you that I applied for Starfleet earlier, and not just on the day I was leaving. I shouldn’t have shouted at you for saying those things about dad, even though you never knew him, I- I’m sorry.”

Twilight Velvet’s look lessened but she still kept an eye on Shining. “There, all better. And... you never told Twilight you applied for Starfleet?” Velvet asked her son. “No wonder Twilight did such a thing…” Velvet then looked over to her daughter and sighed. “Just promise me you won’t do a stunt like that again, okay?” Twilight nodded. “Off you go, then,” Velvet shooed with her hoof, and Twilight beamed. She watched as her purple filly sauntered a short distance away, using magic to assault her toy dolls with flames.

Velvet then noticed the new marks on her little filly’s flanks and a prim smile crept onto her face. “At least her little endeavor got her a cutie mark.” Velvet then turned her attention to her son once again. “Why’d you never tell her? Aren’t you… what is it, ‘BBBFF’s’?”

“Yeah…” Shining smiled awkwardly. He rubbed the back of his neck with a hoof. “I thought it would be nice to surprise her, but we both know how that turned out.”

“And for good reason, too,” Twilight Velvet chastened Shining, and he flinched again. “You’re like the father she never had, Shining. She looks up to you, more than you know,” Velvet explained. “With you going to wherever it is Starfleet will take you, she won’t have a compass to guide her anymore. She never knew Night Light, and you did. Tell me; How did you fare when he died? How did you see me deal with it?”

Thinking back, he grimaced. That was a hard time for him, having just lost one of his parents at a measly age of 9. He had cried his eyes out for hours straight, but it never removed the hole he left behind. “I… I guess I never thought about it that way.”

“I just hope you know what you’re doing, Shining Armour,” Twilight Velvet hugged her son. “Be safe out there.”

Shining Armour could hear the beep of his communicator and knew that it was time to go. He hugged his mother tightly back. “I will, mom. Don’t worry, I’ll keep in touch when I can,” he assured.

“BBBFF, don’t go!” Twilight cried, running to hug her big brother’s leg. She had now abandoned her playthings to try and convince Shining to stay. “Please? I'm sorry too, just stay!”

“I’m sorry LSBFF, ” Shining sighed, and ruffled his little sister’s mane, "but I’m already gone." He could see the tears reforming in her sister's eyes, and he hugged her tiny form. “Stay safe, kiddo.” With that, Shining Armour said his goodbyes and headed for the shuttle that would take him to Starfleet Academy.

Sniffling, Twilight waved at her brother, knowing she wouldn’t see him for a long, long while.

Fluttershy sat silently, staring at her hooves. She could hear the hoofsteps of a creature nearing her, and she logically assumed it to be her father. After all, it would only be appropriate for her parent, who also happened to be a member of the High Council, to chasten her for her actions.

Looking up from her bruised and beaten hooves, she found her father now finding a seat beside her. She seemed to look down in indifference again, but with the trained eye of a thestral it could be seen she was more than solemn and sorrowful.

“They called you a traitor. They called mother a monster.”

Legatus looked at his daughter with thoughtful countenance. “Emotions run deeply within our race, perhaps more deeply than in Ponies.” He placed a hoof over the shoulders of Fluttershy in comfort. “Logic offers a serenity Ponies seldom experience; that we may reign in our emotion so it does not control us.”

Fluttershy looked up and gazed into her father’s eyes. “Y-you… You suggest that I should be completely thestral, yet you married mother, a Pony. What does that make me?”

Legatus now turned his head to look forward, before he looked at his daughter again. “Since I am an ambassador for the planet Equus, I was tasked with strengthening and observing relationships as well as observing Pony life itself. Thus, it was only logical that I marry your mother.” Legatus then gently grabbed Fluttershy’s head and made sure they were eye to eye. “The question you now face, is what path shall you choose? Your destiny is yours and yours alone to control, and you must be the one to decide.”

Fluttershy nodded, thinking over the words her father had spoken. After a moment, she looked down. “I’m sorry for acting on emotion, father, it was unkind of me to do so.”

“We all make mistakes, young one. Perhaps you could learn from this experience.”

“Thank you, father,” Fluttershy finally said after another long pause, before embracing him in a hug. Legatus widened his eyes slightly, but chose to return the hug fully.

“Just remember… the path which you take will determine the future to come.”

And so they stayed like that for another sweet moment, as they cherished each other in their embrace.

Author's Notes:

An early chapter because I finished this a little bit ago.

I'm working on Chapter II as well as chapters on other stories which means I may not upload for a bit, so stay tuned!

Anyways, Happy Halloween!

Chapter posted on October 30, 2016

Chapter II ~ Hella Bar Talk

Stardate: 2261.93

Location: Council Hallway, Thestrall

“Fluttershy, come here,” Gentle Breeze beckoned, waving a hoof to her whereabouts.

“No,” Fluttershy said softly, unsure whether she should approach her mother or to refrain from doing so. Her mother then tilted her head in a look of disappointment, and Fluttershy blinked.

“Fluttershy,” her mother urged, and Fluttershy relented.

Walking up to her mom, she came to a stop. Gentle Breeze then put a hoof on her daughter’s face, stroking it gently. “You’ll do fine, my dear. There’s no need to be anxious.”

“I am hardly anxious, mother,” Fluttershy said. “And fine is unacceptable, as it has more than one known definition.”

“How many times will I say to just call me ‘Mom’, hm? And would you rather the word ‘fantastic’?” Gentle Breeze prodded, smiling widely. Fluttershy merely cocked her head.

“It would appear to be more than once, Mom. And fantastic… may be more casual than the situation would allow,” Fluttershy nodded. Gentle frowned.

“Oh, you always have to be a downer, don’t you?” she said, before smiling again and pulling Fluttershy into a hug. For a second, Fluttershy wasn’t prepared, but she decided to hug back before pulling away.

“Mom, may I ask of you a personal query?”

Gentle Breeze cocked her head to the side and she gazed softly at her daughter. “Anything, my little Shy.”

Taking a breath, Fluttershy started quietly. “Should I choose to complete the Thestral discipline of Domina-Noctis, and purge myself of all emotion? I hope this does not reflect judgement on you, Mom.”

Gentle smiled and gazed into her daughter’s eye’s with fervency. “Fluttershy… I will always be proud of you, no matter what you decide, or the path you choose. Always know that I love you, okay?”

With that, Fluttershy nodded gently before initiating a hug herself, which in turn took her mother by surprise. With a smile, Gentle Breeze hugged back, and they nuzzled each other, neither wanting the moment to end.

Finally, it was time for Fluttershy to leave and prepare for her meeting with the Ministers, which was due to happen in a few moments. Releasing each other, Gentle put a reassuring hoof on Fluttershy’s shoulder. “Make me proud, Shy,” she smiled and Fluttershy nodded before turning to go her own way.

With her resolve strengthened and a purpose in mind, Fluttershy entered the Council Room.

Stardate: Recurring

Location: Cliffside Bar, Canterlot

“I’ll have a Sarkavian fire tea- Uhh... three Berry Punch classics, two Pergovian sunrises, and a...

“Try the Slusho, it’s pretty good,” the bartender suggested, and the polychromatic mare smiled.

“Alright then, the Slusho mix!” she said, knocking her hoof on the tabletop. A seat away from her, a slightly inebriated purple unicorn sat into a chair and smiled at the rainbow maned pegasus.

“That’s a lot of drinks for one mare!” Twilight smiled, raising an eyebrow at the blue mare. She only sighed with a grin and raised her hoof.

“And a shot of applejack, straight up,” Rainbow added

“Make that two, shot’s on me.” Twilight raised her own hoof, and the bartender nodded. Before he could do so, though, multi-colored pegasus shook her head.

“Her shot’s on her.” She then turned to Twilight and smiled. “Thanks, but no thanks.”

“Well then. I try to make a new friend and all I get is nothing and gratitude. Don’t you at least want to know my name before rejecting me completely?” Twilight waved her hoof, trying to bring her point across. The pegasus chuckled and looked down at her hooves on the table.

“I’ll be fine without it,” she said, looking up to see whether her drinks had finished yet.

“Maybe. Maybe not. The name’s Sparks. Twilight Sparkle, to be precise.” Twilight then looked at her expectantly, and she frowned slightly at the rainbow mare’s silence. “Well? If you don’t tell me your name, I’m going to have to make one up for you!”

“It’s Dash,” Dash said, and Twilight grinned.

“No way, that was the name I was going to think of for you!” Then motioning her hoof again, she said, “Dash… what?”

“Are you telling me you don’t know who I am?” Dash quirked, “I’m Rainbow Dash, fastest flyer in the galaxy!”

“That’s a bold claim to make, Dashie,” Twilight smirked. “But who knows? Maybe it’s true.” She then got up and moved to lean on the counter beside Dash. “So! You’re a cadet, and you’re studying… What’s your focus?”

Rainbow Dash chuckled lightly at the statement, before raising an eyebrow at the question. “Apart from being the top pegasus anypony has seen?” She took a drink from two glasses she had ordered before answering. “Xenolinguistics… although you probs have no idea what I’m talking about, huh?”

“The study of alien languages, morphology, phonology, syntax. It means you've got a talented tongue,” Twilight explained, and Rainbow looked impressed. “Although, I have to ask. Why would a fast mare like you go into something as ‘boring’” -Twilight did quotes with her hooves- “as xenolinguistics? I mean, even the name is unnecessarily complicated.”

Dash gave a wry smile. “Well, it’s a pretty lame story, actually. I basically just wanted to learn how to swear at this stupid bully in a language he wouldn’t understand, and it went from there.” She then downed the rest of her last glass. She kept it in her hoof, swirling the ice around as she stared at it. “Although, it’s pretty cool I’ll be able to finally go into space. Ya know, see the stars? I guess you could call it a ‘star trek’.” She finally shook her head and set the glass down.

“This townie ain’t bothering you, is she?” A stallion said, walking up to them in the same uniform that Dash wore. Three ponies flanked his sides.

“It’s nothing I can’t handle, gentlecolts!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed.

“You could handle me, that’s an invitation,” Twilight whispered. Dash laughed.

“Now that’s taking it too far,” Dash quipped.

“Hey! Watch your manners!” the stallion said, and Twilight glanced over to him.

“Relax, muffin, we’re all friends here, right?” Twilight patted his cheek with her hoof. He grabbed her foreleg and he snarled.

“Maybe you weren’t counting, but there’s four of us and only one of you!”

“So maybe get a few more fillies in here and we’ll call it an even fight, hm?” Twilight slurred, and she turned around to face the counter with all the drinks on it. The hairs on the back of her neck stood up, and she could feel something flying at her at a quick pace. With her horn now glowing a bright magenta, she pushed the stallion back into one of his buddies and she turned around, now in a battle stance.

A hoof connected with her from the side, catching her by surprised and sending her to the floor. Propping herself up on one hoof, she could see two groaning bucks on the floor with two more advancing on her. Frowning, Twilight telekinetically threw a chair at the one to her right, knocking him out cold. The stallion on the left then charged his own horn a bright orange, picking up Twilight herself and throwing her across the bar.

All the ponies present were beginning to run out frantically, not wanting to be a part of the mess that was happening.

Twilight felt like crap, and she groaned. Opening her eyes, she could see the two stallions had recovered and they now picked her up, throwing her onto a table. Before they could advance on her, she bucked one of them in the face, causing to pass out from a definite concussion. Just as she was about to douse the other one with a flame spell, the stallion that had thrown her across the room bashed his hoof on her horn, causing her to scream and for her magic to implode.

“What the tartarus, guys?!” Rainbow cried, “This makes literally no sense! Stop!” She kamikazi kicked one of them into the ground. Twilight swore she felt blood now running down her face, and she touched a hoof to her muzzle and retracted it. She found blood. She then lay limp on the table, too tired to do anything else.

skrrrrrrEEEEEEET!

A loud whistle echoed from the doorway. With one eye open, the world blurry, and glancing to who it was, Twilight could make out a white coat, and a mane filled with different shades of blue.

“Everybody, out! NOW!” the pony shouted. She could tell it was a guy's voice, but she couldn’t put a hoof as to why it was so familiar. With everypony now filing out beside her and leaving her alone, she tried to focus on the pony who had ‘saved’ her. Her world then came into a sharp focus as a familiar face came to view.

“Twily?”

Twilight groaned. This time, it wasn’t from pain.

“Fluttershy,” the minister addressing her said, “You have surpassed all the expectations of your instructors. Your final record is flawless, save for one exception. According to this, you have applied to Starfleet as well.”

Shy nodded. “It... was logical to cultivate multiple options.” She ran through her head what the minister had said and couldn’t help but think that it was for certain she would now be entering the Science Academy.

“Logical, but ultimately unnecessary. You are hereby accepted into the Thestral Science Academy. It is truly remarkable, Miss. Shy, that you have been able to achieve so much, despite your disadvantage.” She stood up and nodded to either side of her. “All arise!”

Fluttershy cocked her head to the side. What could the minister be talking about? She didn’t have some disability that was negligible enough not to be included in her ‘flawless’ record… did she? Before she could help herself, she had to ask, “Minister, if you would expound, to what disadvantage are you referring?”

The minister bowed her head to get a clear view of Fluttershy. “Your pony mother,” she obliged.

Fluttershy could feel a twang of anger pull at her heart. Thoughts raced by her head, too many for her to be able to process fully. But one thought was clear. Her mother? How could her mother be a disadvantage?! She was one of the only people that supported her through everything she had been through, and she just couldn’t let this stand. Memories of when the three bullies verbally attacked her mom came to mind, and her jaw grew rigid.

“Council, Ministers…” she took a deep breath and looked to her father before continuing, “I… I must decline.”

“...No Thestral has ever declined admission to this academy.” The minister frowned.

“Then... as I am half Equustrian, your record may remain spotless.”

A tense silence suddenly fell upon the council room, and her father ever so slightly furrowed his brows. “Shy, you have made a commitment to honor the Thestral way. This is unbecoming.”

“Why did you come to this council today?” the minister asked, “Was it to satisfy your emotional need to rebel?”

Fluttershy internally growled, half of her wanted to cry because of what they were saying, and half of her was angry at their passive attacks on her family. She showed no emotion, but she was torn inside out. Staying silent for a bit more, looking at the ground in front of her, she brought her head back up to address the council. “...The only emotion that I wish to express is my most sincere gratitude. Thank you, ministers, for your consideration.” With a step back, she raised her hoof and did a motion on her chest before holding it up. “Live long… and prosper.” With a twitch of her eyebrows in her self-righteous anger, she walked out of the Council Room.

She then walked around the corner to find her mother sitting patiently on a bench, waiting for the result of her daughter’s endeavors. Seeing and hearing someone nearing her, Gentle Breeze looked to the side and smiled at her daughter. “Fluttershy!” she greeted. Fluttershy stopped beside her and stood silently for a few seconds before slowly sitting down. She then hugged her mom and closed her eyes. A tear fell from her eye, though she had yet to break her emotionless complexion.

Pulling back, she sighed. “I’m sorry, Mother… Mom. I have disgraced our family.”

“Hush now,” Gentle whispered, putting a hoof on her daughter reassuredly. “What happened?”

“I was soon to accept my admittance into the Academy, when they said something which offended you and I… And I made a rash illogical decision to decline and left in a hurry.”

Smiling sadly at her daughter, she initiated another hug. “Come here, you,” she murmured. They stayed silent, enjoying either one’s embrace. Fluttershy finally broke into a soft sob, crying into her mother’s coat.

“I’m sorry, Mom, I have displeased you and- and I only made things worse-” Fluttershy was uttering in between breaths, but Gentle Breeze wouldn’t have any of it.

“You have done no such thing, my child,” Gentle whispered, stroking Fluttershy’s mane. “If anything, I am proud that you have made your own decisions. You should not be controlled by the thoughts of others.” She gently pushed Fluttershy’s head with her hoof so she could look her in the eye. “Remember what I said about you? I will always be proud of you, whatever the decisions you make.”

Fluttershy nodded and sat a little straighter. Tears still streaked her fur. “Y-yes mom. I just… I was angry, that they had said you were my disadvantage… I couldn’t accept an offer like that… and side with them after they said that.”

“Then you made what you thought was the right decision, and that is all that matters, Shy,” she said. “Always know I will love you, no matter the circumstance, okay?” Gentle then smiled brightly at Fluttershy. Fluttershy smiled for the first time in years. A true, genuine smile, and hugged her mother tightly back.

“Okay.”

“You know, I couldn't believe it was actually you when I saw you lying there on the table?” Shining Armour said. He sat across from a now bruised and hurting Twilight A. Sparkle.

“Yeah? Well, you know better now,” Twilight scowled. Seeing the bartender walk past her, she raised her hoof which held a glass. “Can I have another one?” After getting her drink and taking a sip from it, she glared daggers at her brother.

“Why are you here, big brother?” she asked.

“I thought it would be nice to visit my family now that I’m a Captain and have a bit of free time,” Shining said. “I didn’t expect to see my little sister in a brawl with four Starfleet cadets.”

“Yeah?” Twilight scowled, “Deal with it.”

“What are you doing with your life, Twily?” Shining asked, propping his two forelegs on the table in between them. “You can be so much more than…” Shining waved his hoof at her countenance, “...this.”

Shaking her head, she snarled. “Don't call me that. I’m Sparks, okay?” She took another swig from her drink. “And who am I supposed to be, then?”

“You are our father’s little filly. You know that…” Shining Armour sighed. “You know I researched and learned everything about dad’s time as Captain of the HSS Spirit of Harmony? He never believed in no-win scenarios.”

“He sure learned his lesson,” Twilight looked away, taking another drink. Her glass was almost empty again.

“Don’t talk about dad like that,” Shining chided. “And you know what I loved about dad? Something I’ve been trying to live up to ever since he died? That instinct to leap without looking- the fact that he always made the best decisions in the spur of the moment.”

After finishing the rest of her drink, Twilight slammed the glass onto the table and looked straight into her brother’s eyes. “Why are you talking to me, BBBFF? Or should I just ditch that name altogether?” she put her hooves on the table and lifted herself, staring down at her brother. “In all this time, you only ever sent mail. Scarcely, at that. Never once visiting in person, ever.

“You know what that’s like? I was so alone for all these years, missing my big brother because he couldn't spare the time to visit his FAMILY!?” Twilight cried, fresh hot tears now blurring her vision. Shining Armour flinched, but stayed silent. Twilight pointed a hoof at the doorway behind her brother and shouted. “Why?! Why are you talking to me now, hm? Is it to mock me? Is it to make fun of me now that I am where I am?!” She slammed a hoof on the table, before sitting back down hardly, her forelegs crossed. She closed her eyes and bowed her head, still crying from the emotion coursing through her veins.

Staying silent for a bit longer, staring sadly at her sobbing sister, he dropped his own head before raising it again. “I’m sorry, Twilight. I did you wrong, and I see that now. But you know what? I looked up your file while you lay there unconscious on the table, and found your aptitude tests are off the charts!”

Twilight gave a small smile, giving a small laugh to herself at the words. “Yeah? So?”

“Do you like being the only genius-level repeat offender in Equestria?” Shining asked, shaking his head. “You should enlist in Starfleet.”

Twilight’s eyes shot open. “Enlist?” she laughed, clearly amused by the statement and bemused by the suggestion itself. “And join the organization that took my brother and father away from me? No thanks.”

Shining smiled sadly. “If you were to join, I could finally be around you more. And Starfleet could use a mare like you. You would be an officer in four years, maybe even have your own ship in eight! I could finally be able to make up lost time with my LSBFF.”

“Are we done?” Twilight questioned, not wanting to humor her brother any longer. Her tears had stopped flowing now.

With a repentant silence, Shining obliged. “Yes, I guess we are.” He stood up on four hooves and moved to hug his sister goodbye, but she flinched away fom him. Shining winced and felt something break inside him, seeing his little sister reject him. Moving to the doorway, he paused and turned around to address his sister one more time.

“Matterhorn Shipyard. The shuttle for new recruits leaves at oh-eight hundred.” Shining smiled sadly, and turned to leave but stopped one more time. “You know, dad was Captain of the starship for twelve minutes? He saved eight-hundred lives, including mom’s, and even yours. I may not be able to live up to that, but I know you can.”

With one last glance to her big brother, Shining gave Twilight one last morose smile. “I dare you to do better.” And with that, Shining Armour left, leaving Twilight to her own wits.

Twilight stopped crying after a while. Her face was caked with dry tears, and she levitated a Spirit of Harmony salt shaker towards her. Pondering, she stared at it with intensity.

“I can do better…” Twilight whispered. “I will do better… for dad…”

And with that, she nodded to herself, hugging the salt shaker close.

It was time to move.

Author's Notes:

New chapter! Whoop!

I hope it is to your liking!

Originally posted November 5, 2016

Chapter III - New Faces, Old Places

Stardate: 2261.93

Location: Night Light Family’s House, Canterlot

Twilight Sparkle stared at the doorknob to her family’s house.

It had been a crazy evening, but it didn’t compare to having seen her brother after so many years of separation. Even more so was his insistence that she could do better than her father. Somepony much nobler and more respectable than she was; a pathetic unicorn mare that was a rebel in more ways than one. Very smart, for sure, but she was nothing more than a sorry excuse for the legacy her father had left behind.

Everything now hinged on this moment. To decide to go to the same place her brother and father went before her, or to continue her life as an outcast, known only by her dad’s name. Was she up to it? Would she truly be able to live up to something like that? She didn’t know, and she knew she wouldn’t until she finally did. Breathing and steeling her resolve, she gently lifted her hoof to the door, and pushed it open.

Taking a breath, she stepped in and called out. “Mom? Are you home?”

She could already smell her mother’s old cooking and relished in the scent. She could hear something hit a pan and the rushing of hooves as her mother turned the corner and came into view. They stood there, the mother and daughter looking at each other before Twilight Velvet began to tear up.

“Twilight?” Velvet whispered, and she rushed to hug her daughter. With nothing to lose, Twilight hugged back, and they shared a tearful moment before releasing from each other. Velvet then put her hoof on Twilight’s cheek, looking into her daughter’s eyes. “How long has it been?” Velvet asked, trying to think of when she last saw her precious Sparkle.

“Too long,” Twilight smiled sadly, “It’s been too long.” They hugged again, and then Velvet forced Twilight to sit at the dinner table as she cooked.

“How are you, mom?” Twilight asked, wanting to know what she had been up to. She was also curious as to what she was making, but she kept that question silent. Her mother, however, chose not to answer.

As she rushed around trying to fix everything up, she asked Twilight a question. “Why are you here, Twilight?” she asked, adding some spices to whatever her creation was. “I’m so very glad to see you, but you wouldn’t have come here unless you had a reason.” She floated some plates and utensils over to the table before adding, “A very good reason.”

Twilight stayed silent for a moment. Velvet flicked her ears back in an attempt to hear whatever Twilight might say while she worked away.

“...Shining… I saw Shining Armour tonight…” Twilight breathed, and Velvet stopped for a second.

“Yes… he came by to say hi as well,” Velvet murmured, turning off the stove and preparing the food onto some platters. “He told me you might be coming by soon… and I’m very glad you did.”

“Does that mean… that he…?” Twilight whispered and Velvet nodded, floating the food to the table.

“I’m just glad you’re not hurt more than just a few sore muscles and a stinging horn,” Velvet said in disprovement and Twilight winced.

“I’m sorry, mom,” Twilight gloomed. She watched with disdain as Velvet filled her plate with food. “But Shining… he made an offer. He said I should join Starfleet. That he saw more in me than… than just what I am right now.” Twilight Velvet was now looking at her daughter with a look that can only be described as a mother’s concern.

“He said… he saw my potential. That I might even be able to do… to do better than dad…” Twilight finished, with fresh new tears on her face. She looked up from her plate to her mother, who now moved to comfort her only daughter.

“I’ve always known you can do better,” Velvet whispered, soothing Twilight as she cried into her mother’s embrace. “Call it a mother’s intuition, but I’ve always know you were meant for something more, something special.”

“B-but sh-should I join Starfleet, mom?” Twilight stuttered as she sobbed. “W-what should I d-do? It took Dad away… it t-took Shining away… n-now it’s going to take me from you t-too.”

“You would be a part of something greater, my little Spark,” Velvet cooed, “I will be proud of whatever decision you make, Twilight. But your dad… he was a great stallion, Twilight. He believed in Starfleet. A peace organization that stretched across the stars.” Velvet turned her daughter’s head to look at her. “I will be happy knowing you are doing the same thing your father did… establishing peace among the stars, exploring where no one has gone before. But you must be the one to make this decision, Twilight. It is your life to live. Just like Shining, you must be strong. Just like… just like Night Light, you have to be courageous.”

Velvet smiled into her daughter’s uncertain eyes as she began to tear up as well. “Be the mare you were meant to become. Be Twilight Amicae Sparkle.”

Stardate: 2261.94

Location: The Friendship Express, En Route to Matterhorn Shipyard

Twilight had a lot to think about as dawn broke over the mountains. After a night well rested, Twilight had embarked early on a train to Matterhorn Shipyard, nestled in the refuge of a valley surrounded by mountains.

She stared out the window, looking at the beautiful morning colours spreading across the sky, beams of light breaking on the ground through the mountain range. She would be leaving all of this… leaving her mom, her home, her past…

What would become of her now?

In no time at all, she finally reached Matterhorn Train Station and she stepped out of the train, taking in the shipyard in the short distance. With a little hesitation, she took a deep breath and began to walk. Soon, she made it to the shipyard, and could see the shuttle being boarded by cadets in uniforms of red. Glancing at her own nakedness, she frowned and then shrugged. As she neared the shuttle, she saw the one pony she needed.

“Shining,” Twilight said, “Just watch. I can do it in three.”

Shining Armour could only look at her sister with a proud smile that meant the whole world to her. “I’ll be watching.”

“You better be,” she called out before she boarded the shuttle and saw that most of the seats were taken. Seeing some of the ponies from the night before, she smiled flatteringly, batting her eyes.

“Gentlecolts,” she said as she passed by, and she could hear them snort in indignation. She smiled even wider. As she finally found a seat surrounded by empty ones, she buckled up only to see a polychromatic mane in the same aisle. Apparently, the mare had taken to noticing her as well.

“If it isn’t Twilight Sparkle,” the rainbow-maned mare said. Twilight waved a hoof in greeting at Dash.

“I would like to think so, Rainbow Dash,” she grinned.

“Recover nicely from that pretty cool beating?”

Twilight conspicuously checked a bruise on her foreleg and shrugged. “I’m working on it.” Dash then laughed before turning her attention away to the friends she was sitting with. Twilight’s smile quickly fell before she then heard shouting coming from her left. Straining to understand what they were saying, she turned her head to look for the source.

“-ease sit down, miss!” A formal sounding voice said.

“I’d rather not, thank you very much!” a pony with something akin to a fancy accent stated.

“You need a doctor,” the formal voice said. Finally, they came into view and she saw a uniformed official trying to push a white-coated mare into the passenger area, where everypony was seated.

“How many times have I told you I don’t need a doctor, I am a doctor.” The purple maned pony tried to push past the official but she stood firm.

“Miss, you really need to get back to your seat, now!”

“I had a perfectly fine seat in the bathroom, however unsanitary it was, so if I may get back-”

“I insist you sit down, Miss, for your own safety!” the official commanded.

“I suffer from aviophobia. Do you not know what that is? It means a fear of dying in something that flies!” she argued.

“Miss, there are no excuses, so please, sit down!”

Finally, it seemed that the alabaster mare gave up, seeing that the Starfleet officiator would not budge. Grumbling to herself, she found a seat beside Twilight as they were practically the only one’s left vacant. Twilight quickly began to whistle while looking elsewhere as she buckled up, and it then died as she looked at the mare.

“Just saying,” the white unicorn said as she pulled out a silver object from her saddlebags, “I may throw up on you.”

Twilight raised an eyebrow and motioned to the aircraft around them. “I think these things are pretty tight, literally and metaphorically.” She scrunched her eyebrows in confusion when the purple-maned mare gave a light chuckle.

“Don’t cater to me, darling,” she smiled wryly, “One tiny crack in the hull and our blood boils in less time than you can say the ABC’s. Celestia might think it funny and cook us in our seats with one of her solar flares. Just wait until you’re sitting pretty with a case of the Canarrion flu. Let’s see how you relax when your insides are melting.” She took a swig of whatever was in her flask before continuing. “Space is a disease. It harbours danger and darkness and silence.”

Twilight looked at the mare sitting beside her with wonder and confusion. “Well… I hate to break this to you but Starfleet does operate in space.”

Rarity, just stared at her flask with an exhausted face. “Yeah? Well, I’ve got nowhere else to go. The lawsuit took the whole damn planet with it. A bratty, spoiled, uncultured…” she sighed as she stopped herself. “Anyway, everything is gone. All I’ve got left are my gems.”

Twilight looked at her with a newfound respect and nodded. The mare then looked at Twilight with a grateful smile before offering her drink to Twilight. Twilight took it in kind with her magic.

“Twilight Sparkle. You can call me Sparks,” Twilight nodded before taking a drink herself and hoofing it back.

“Belle. Rarity Belle,” Rarity introduced, and they shook hooves. After a few moments of awkward silence as they sat waiting for the last of the recruits, her brother’s voice came onto the intercom.

“If you would all buckle in, this is Captain Armour speaking! We have been cleared for takeoff, so sit tight.”

And just like that, the journey of a lifetime began.

Author's Notes:

A little late, but here's the Star Bound chapter of the week!

If you haven't already, please comment on how my story is going! I appreciate every comment and will gladly take criticism!

Stay awesome, y'all!

Chapter IV.I ~ The Starfleet Years - Year I

Stardate: 2261.115 - A few weeks after the start of the year...

“Well, first year is kicking off quite nicely, don’t you think?” Rarity asked Twilight as they walked through the library of Starfleet Academy. After the first week or two of integration, they had slowly been adjusting into Academy life.

“It’d be better if there was more than just studying and tests,” Twilight grumbled, annoyed already at the amount of work that was put on their shoulders. “I already know the entire curriculum. Twice over.”

“Well, you’re a very optimistic bunch today, aren’t you?” Rarity said.

“I should be the one saying that to you,” Twilight muttered as she rubbed her temples. “Today’s a bad day.”

“If a bad day for you makes me seem chipper, than it really is a bad day.” Rarity shook her head.

“You’re not that bad, Gems,” Twilight said as she took a book from the shelf.

Rarity groaned and looked away before glaring at Twilight. “I said that once. Why are you still using it as my nickname? It’s not even a good nickname!” Rarity finally snapped, having been referred to as that since their first encounter.

“Well if it annoys you that much, I’ll keep using it!” Twilight finally said after flipping through the book and put it away.

“I hate you sometimes, you know that?” Rarity whispered.

“I love you too, Gemmy.”

Rarity sulked behind Twilight as they scrolled through the books. As Twilight had claimed, she already knew most of the curriculum, yet the higher ups wouldn’t allow her to skip the year. A lot of it was because of her own tarnished record as a delinquent, and also because they didn’t want to show favoritism. For… obvious reasons. As she walked through the aisles looking for books to pass idle time, Rarity followed behind, also seeing if some books would be of use to her.

“You didn’t have to come with me to the library, you know,” Twilight said. “I can handle myself just fine.”

“Well, I’d love to see the library catch fire too, but somepony has to keep an eye out for you.”

Twilight stopped in her tracks as she turned her head to look at Rarity. Glaring at her, her lips curled into a smile and she laughed. “You know me too well, Gems.”

“I’m never going to get escape that name, am I?”

“Nope,” Twilight confirmed.

Rarity sighed in contempt. “Figures.”

Stardate: 2261.174

“Shut up, Gems,” Twilight huffed as she walked into the dorm room.

Rarity snickered and giggled, putting a hoof to her mouth as she tried to stop laughing. She, unfortunately, couldn’t handle herself and broke the ladylike manner she always composed herself in at the sight of Twilight. “Bwahahahaha! Sparks! Haha! Y-you… Hahahahaha!”

“Ugh, I hate you sometimes, you know that?” Twilight said, echoing what Rarity had once said to her as well.

“Y-you look ridiculous! Hahaha!” Rarity giggled uncontrollably on her bed. She had been brushing her hair as she was reading a medical textbook when Twilight had walked in, and now all was forgotten as she ridiculed her purple friend.

“Well, you don’t look too bad yourself,” Twilight snidely said as she walked to their shower.

“I’m s-sorry! You just look absolutely absurd!”

“No, you’re not sorry,” Twilight pointed out as she got into the shower.

“What happened to you?” Rarity inquired now calming down as she wiped a tear from her eye. “What did you get into this time?”

“None of your concern,” Twilight grumbled as she pulled the shower curtains closed.

“Oh, but I do think it to be my concern. You are my friend, after all,” Rarity said, her laughing now down to a few laughs every few seconds. Rainbow coloured slime now coated the path which Twilight took to the shower.

“I don’t think I’ve ever heard you admit that,” Twilight shouted over the now active showerhead.

“Well, it’s true, isn’t it? Now You have to tell me what happened!”

After a few minutes of silence with the pitter patter of shower water, Twilight sighed. “I… Let’s just say it was… colourful.”

“Oh, dear,” Rarity facehoofed. “I had always taken you as a pony to make jokes, but to go as far as bad puns?”

“We’re never speaking of this again.”

“Oh, but you still haven’t-”

“Never again.”

Stardate: 2261.271

“We’re halfway through the year and you’re already studying for the end finals?” Rarity asked incredulously. She didn’t have a problem with the exams or studying ahead herself as she was very detail oriented, but she didn’t understand Twilight’s methods.

“I told you at the start of the year, didn’t I?” Twilight reminded, “I already know what’s coming, I might as well refresh myself on it.”

“Well, Hearth’s Warming is hardly an appropriate time to be doing so, don’t you think? Why don’t you contact your family? Your brother is certainly within talking distance, and your mother and father would love to speak with their daughter wouldn’t they?”

Twilight froze at Rarity’s last few words, before turning her head to look at Rarity. “Is something wrong, Sparks?” Rarity said after seeing the look on Twilight’s face.

“You really don’t know, do you Rarity?” Twilight whispered before closing her textbook and packing up.

Rarity frowned and watched as Twilight put everything into her saddlebags and left quietly. She had rarely ever heard Twilight say her real name after their first encounter, and yet there it was. Something must have really bothered her in something she said if it prompted Twilight to call her by name.

“Twilight?” Rarity finally whispered as she watched Twilight’s form grow smaller through the cafe window.

The waitress walked up to Rarity behind the counter and noticed Rarity looking at Twilight’s seat with a look of contemplation. “Is something wrong, Rarity?” Mocha Swirl asked.

“No, I…” Rarity said before turning to face Mocha. “Do you know why Twilight was like that? At the mention of her family?”

Mocha stopped cleaning behind the counter for a bit at those words. “I don’t quite know if it’s proper for me to say,” Mocha Swirl muttered. “How about this. Search up Twilight’s lineage. You’ll see why.”

Rarity raised her hoof to ask Mocha a question as to why, but Mocha had already moved on to another customer. With a sigh, Rarity packed her things up as well and headed for the dorms. Hopefully, she could understand why Twilight was so sensitive with the topic of family… But it was hardly manners to go snooping in other ponies’ business.

“Have you ever heard of the H.S.S. Spirit Of Harmony?” Twilight asked silently after a while.

“Yes, I’d come across it once when I was researching the history of Starfleet Exploration,” Rarity said. “After your words on that shuttle, I figured since I’d be going into space I might as well learn more about it.

Twilight widened her eyes at that, before nodding and smiling sadly. “Heh, you never cease to amaze, Gems.” She then looked at her hooves before asking another question. “Tell me what you know about the history of that ship.”

Sensing where this was going, Rarity carefully chose her next words. “In its nearly twelve month tenure of exploration and diplomacy, it was captained by Sun Blazer, a pony that was decorated in honours if I’m not mistaken, and was commandeered by the first officer, Night Light, at the death of the previous captain.” Rarity could see her words were now impacting Twilight quite a bit, but since she wasn’t saying anything, Rarity hesitantly continued.

“All I can remember is that the new captain, Captain Night Light, saved eight hundred lives at the cost of his own life and the ship itself.”

Twilight breathed heavily before wiping her eyes with a hoof and sniffling. She then turned to Rarity with tears streaking down her face and whispered something. “Do you know he had a pregnant wife on board? Who delivered as the ship was attacked and destroyed?”

Rarity widened her eyes at that. All she had known was that he was the saviour of countless lives. With this statement, she could already connect the dots and see where this was going. “N-no. I did not.”

With a nod, Twilight sniffled. “Of course you didn’t. It’s not your fault, of course, but… I’m his daughter. He was my father. A father I never knew, and a father I will never know.”

Rarity sucked in some air at her words, feeling her own tears coming. With a hoof to her chest, she looked away for a time, trying to comprehend. “Oh dear…” she whispered, before looking back at the form of Twilight.

“Don’t pity me, I hate pity,” Twilight mumbled and Rarity laughed as much as she could in the situation.

“Oh, you know me too well,” Rarity said before going over to hug Twilight. Twilight flinched, before leaning into it.

“You annoy me so much,” Twilight muttered and Rarity hugged tighter.

“You’re great too,” Rarity whispered.

Stardate: 2261.365 - New Years...

“Happy New Years!” Twilight shouted as she lit her horn with a flourish of magic.

“No fireworks, Twily. It’s against the rules,” Shining Armour chided, but Twilight smirked in defiance.

“Buck the rules!” she cried and launched magical fireworks with her magic.

“This is why we always get into trouble, Sparks, this is why,” Rarity scolded Twilight and Twilight laughed.

“Relax, Gems, my big bro will always be there to bail me out,” Twilight said and Shining Armour facehoofed.

“Actually, since I saw you in the act, I’m going to have to report you,” Shining Armour explained. “As pretty as they are, you’ve disrupted a lot of ponies just now.”

“Aw, come on, big bro! Have some fun! It’s twenty two sixty two in two minutes! Learn to live a little!” Twilight slurred.

“There’s also a mandatory exam tomorrow and ponies are still studying at this moment. Sorry sis, but you just can’t go around shooting fireworks.”

“And there is my point,” Rarity mumbled as Shining Armour gently stole Twilight away from Rarity.

“Don’t do anything Twilight would do!” Shining yelled as they left the gardens of the Academy.

“I wasn’t planning on it!” Rarity cried back, before realizing she was now all alone. She tossed her mane and sighed. “Oh bugger.”

Stardate: 2262.1

“Where am I?” Twilight groaned as Rarity woke her up. “Gems? What happened?”

“You drank too much and your brother took you in.”

“What did I do this time?” Twilight mumbled, stumbling out of bed.

“You launched fireworks into the sky.”

“Why did I do that?”

“Because it’s six o’ clock in the morning on the first day of a new year,” Rarity provided, and Twilight nodded.

“Oh, yeah… We both have an exam, don’t we?”

Rarity sighed as she put on her uniform. “As much as I hate them too, yes. We do.”

“Ughhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh,” Twilight moaned as she crawled to the shower.

“You’re a pathetic mare,” Rarity tutted as she shook her head.

“Tell me something I don’t know.”

“Your brother is hot,” Rarity said.

“Yeah, tell me something- Wha? Hey!” Twilight cried as she stopped and Rarity smiled.

“Hey, just because he’s your brother doesn’t mean I can’t look at him. He’s the hunkiest piece of eye-candy I’ve ever seen!”

“Make it stop! Make it stoooooooooop!” Twilight cried as she covered her ears in futility. All Rarity could do was laugh.

“Hey, you asked me to tell you something you didn’t know.”

“Not something like that!”

“Be more specific next time!”

“There won’t be a next time!”

“Whatever you say, Sparky.”

Stardate: 2262.40

“You’re going to do what!?” Rarity shouted more than asked. She couldn’t tell whether she should be impressed or baffled and chiding or a mixture of both.

“I’m going to take the Kobayashi Maru Test. So what?” Twilight nonchalantly remarked.

Rarity flipped her hair and moussed it a bit, looking in the mirror as if what she had said was void. “Oh, I don’t know, maybe because” -Rarity turns to glare at Twilight as if she were insane- “it’s an impossible test that nobody, pony or otherwise has ever passed, much less at the end of their first year in the Academy!”

“Oh, I think I’m pretty capable,” Twilight said as she fixed her own uniform and headed to the door. “Stop being a drama queen and come on! You’re going to be my chief medical officer!”

“Oh, I’d be delighted to spectacularly fail this test with you, darling!” Rarity said before grumpily following. “You know, I’d rather we wait until we’ve actually heard some of the things people have to say about this test. Or you know. Maybe until we actually have to take it.”

“I’d rather jump in and see how I do,” Twilight shouted, now skipping to the test chamber. “It’s far easier than asking other people what I need to do!”

“That is what you’re best at,” Rarity whispered under her breath before increasing her pace to a trot. “Wait for me! Celestia knows you need me so you don’t make any rash decisions!”

“I wouldn’t have it any other way!” Twilight yelled as she turned a corner.

Rarity grumbled more yet as she now raced to catch up with Twilight. Twilight couldn’t wait to take the test, as she had no prior knowledge as to what was in store. This was, she would later find, to be a big mistake.

Author's Notes:

Let's mix things up a little, eh?

Well, I had this section planned out for a while but I was caught up in writing my HiE. Here's the first year of some of their adventures at Starfleet Academy! I might come back to this later and expand it more than just the few scenes I have here, but that's really up to you guys and gals.

Whelp. Enjoy!

Chapter IV.II ~ The Starfleet Years - Year II

Stardate: 2262.40, Starfleet Academy - Just after the test...

“I told you,” Rarity chided with vigor. Her mane was all mussled up and Twilight could only groan in response. “I told you we should’ve waited. We did horrible on the test! I can’t believe we lost the entire crew and our ship!”

“If you didn’t see it before, it was an impossible scenario. It was either leave the Kobayashi Maru to die or try and save it, in turn provoking a war with Centaurans and dying ourselves.”

“We still could’ve done something!” Rarity cried.

“It was a no-win scenario. Even if I had no knowledge of what was going to happen, I kne that much. You can’t stay in this place for long without at least knowing why it’s so damn hard,” Twilight countered. Rarity dragged her hooves down her face in response, runing her makeup.

“You’re unbelievable,” Rarity groaned, rolling over in her bed and staring at her make-up covered hoof.

“I do my best, Gems,” Twilight said, falling onto her own bed.

Twilight stared up at the ceiling, her brain working hard to process everything that had happened. During the test, after the test, before the test… it all became a blur. She was apparently the only first year to try for the test in ages, and many were looking to see what would happen.

And, like most other challengers, she failed. She failed to save the crew, and failed to save her own vessel. She failed in her attempt to make contact with the Centaurans and more or less started a war. Most important of all, she failed to win.

Twilight huffed as she went deeper and deeper into her thoughts. Maybe next time, she could do the complete opposite, and not save the crew at all… But what would the implications be? The crew she would be given might mutinize her, she would violate at least twelve Starfleet regulations, and she might be court-martialed in-game. Adding to that would be the consequences of abandoning the crippled crew on her own conscience if the scenario were to play out in real life.

Rarity brought Twilight out of her reverie. “At least that’s a year we’re done with. I can’t believe that I survived that. After today, I might need to get myself a small drink…”

Twilight laughed at Rarity’s remark. “You and me both, sister. After that school year, I could chug a whole barrel of cider.”

“That is a completely valid comment, but you would die before you even finished a quarter of the-” Rarity began to say.

“I know the risks of actually doing that, Rarity.”

“Well, I never truly know with you if you’re being sarcastic or being literal,” Rarity argued. “It’s seems to me that every other thing you say is the complete opposite of what you’re going to do.”

“Chaos is great,” Twilight smiled.

“For you, maybe,” Rarity muttered, “Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to take a shower and fix my hair before you waste all the hot water. Celestia knows after having to fall like that, I need it.”

“You know you’re the one that uses all the hot water, right?”

“Oh, shut up.”

“Make me.”

Rarity glared at Twilight from across the room. “I’ll smack you with my hoof if I have to.”

Twilight grinned. “I’d like to see you try.”

Rarity and Twilight held a stare for another moment before they broke eye contact. Rarity walked into the washroom as she humphed. “I can’t believe you. Nearly a year, it’s been, and I still can’t do it.”

“I like to think it’s one of my more definable traits.”

“Sparks, I will come over there,” Rarity called from the washroom.

“Love you too, Gems.”

Stardate: 2262.97 - After the Summer Break

“How’s the first day of the second year been?” Rarity asked Twilight. She watched as her best friend slumped to the floor in a heap of purple fur. At the action, Rarity rolled her eyes and closed the door behind Twilight.

“I’ve already had three exams testing what I remembered from the previous year,” Twilight moaned, her voice muffled through the carpet she had so graciously fell into. “Even though I know I passed each with flying colours, doesn’t mean I hate it any less.”

Rarity nodded in agreement. “Though I may not be as dramatic as you are, I can agree that it is indeed brutal.”

“Ungghhhhhhhhhhhh!” Twilight groaned, beginning to crawl her way to her bed.

“Okay, Sparks,” Rarity nearly facehoofed, “It’s only been a day and you’re already dirtying the dormitory!”

“The carpet feels so good though…” Twilight whimpered, inching herself closer and closer to her bed.

“And I thought the three exams I had as well were pathetically hard to understand,” Rarity grumbled. She promptly picked Twilight up in her magic, craning her neck slightly at the effort, and deposited her on her mattress. All the while, Twilight kicked her legs in an attempt to break free.

“That’s no far, you used your magic!” Twilight cried from bed, sighing as she was soon consumed in it’s fluffiness.

“I was just worried you might merge with the floor,” Rarity snarked.

“You can’t separate us like that!” Twilight shouted dramatically before rolling off her bed and onto the floor, out of view.

Rarity closed her eyes, breathing in and out as she calmed herself down. Finally tidying her own things up, she went to sit on her own bedside. “Why am I still here?” she muttered under her breath, before groaning softly and plopping onto her back.

Stardate: 2262.134

“They still won’t let me take my exams in advance!” Twilight whimpered. “This goes against my rights!”

“Sparky, dear, you have no rights,” Rarity said, her voice tired and defeated. “Can you keep down the ruckus? I’m studying right now and I’d really appreciate if I got some peace and quiet. Celestia knows I need some of it right now…”

Rarity was responded with a soft floomp. Raising an eyebrow tiredly, she glanced to the side before peering over her shoulder. Lying on her bed face down was Twilight, who groaned silently.

“Twilight, would you be a dear and shut up?”

“Hnnnggh.”

“Thought so,” Rarity sighed, going back to her notes and books while having to listen to Twilight’s muffled rant. Being at the top of her class, Rarity wanted to maintain an image. Having to also study for Biology and the like really killed some brain cells, so it was no surprise to see her dead tired.

“You know what,” Rarity huffed, putting all her studies away and shutting off her desk light, “I’ve had enough of tonight. Let’s go have a small drink, shall we?”

Twilight stopped for a moment, before her head turned away from the sheets. Looking at Rarity with a smile, Twilight grinned. “Thought you would never ask, Rares.”

“Small, Twily, small.”

Twilight’s smile quickly fell into a glare. “Only my family gets to call me that.”

“But I pretty much am family, having to put up with you everyday,” Rarity snorted. She pushed off from the desk and began to trot to the door.

“Fair point,” Twilight conceded, shuffling herself off her bed. “Friends are family, am I right?”

“Whatever you say, Sparks,” Rarity agreed.

Stardate: 2262.138

Twilight entered her dorm room, only to find all the lights suspiciously turned off.

She carefully set her saddlebags down, adjusted her uniform, and stepped in. Something was wrong.

She could sense a presence in the room. Either someone was going to jump her, or she was about to die, and she wanted to be prepared. Squinting in the light, she charged her horn, and…

“Happy Birthday Twily!” Shining Armour shouted, and the light’s flickered on in a flash. Everypony else in the room shouted their own greetings, with streamers and confetti flowing everywhere. Unfortunately, Twilight was unprepared.

“Eep!” Twilight cried in alarm, and her spell misfired, landing somewhere. That somewhere being Rarity, who was blown backwards from the force of the spell.

“TWILIIIIIIII-” Rarity cried as she waved her hooves before she hit the wall next to Twilight’s bed and slumped down, unconscious.

All ponies present turned to Twilight and her brother, a little worried. Twilight could only stare on in surprise and embarrassment, while Shining Armour chuckled nervously. “Okaaaaay…” Shining Armour laughed, “Uhm, I think that’s game, everypony. You can all leave your presents… and take a slice of cake on the way out…”

They all murmured in agreement, greeting Twilight a happy birthday once more before they left, leaving only the two siblings and the unconscious Rarity in the dorm room. Everything was still there, the party decorations all hanging, bright and colourful. They all looked a little droopy now, as if the mood had soured.

Twilight and Shining Armour stood silent for a few moments, neither one meeting the other’s eyes. “I guess next time, we won’t throw a surprise party,” Shining Armour joked, and Twilight finally looked up.

“You know how much I hate parties on my birthday,” Twilight murmured. Pushing past her brother, Twilight walked over to Rarity, checking her over.

“Come on, sis,” Shining Armour pleaded, “We skipped your birthday last year. You can’t keep doing this to yourself…”

“I can’t?” Twilight asked, “I have to. Every time I think of my birthday, I can’t ignore the fact it’s the same day Dad died!”

“Dad died so you could live, Twilight. Doing this every year isn’t living.”

“Yeah, well, tell me something I don’t know,” Twilight seethed. “You think this is easy for me?”

“No, and it isn’t any easier for Mom or I, Twi,” Shining Armour said softly, “You’re not the only one suffering here.” With one last sigh, Shining Armour turned to leave the room. “Happy Birthday, Twilight.”

Twilight stayed silent, all the while listening as the door finally closed and Twilight wiped her eyes.

“Owww…” Rarity groaned, rubbing her head.

“Sorry about that, Gems,” Twilight grinned lightly, “You’re tough as diamonds. This is nothing.”

“You should listen to your brother, Twilight,” Rarity whispered after a while. “He’s right.”

Twilight’s expression soured and she turned away. “I know he is,” Twilight muttered, “I just… Starfleet reminds me everyday. Everywhere I look, it’s always there…”

“Then use it,” Rarity consoled, “Use his memory for good. Take it as your own, be the mare he knew you could be, live the life he never could.”

“That’s just it, Rarity. I’m afraid that I’ve already… I’ve already gone too far… I’m an idiot that will never be able to live up to my Daddy’s legacy.”

“You’re wrong and you know it,” Rarity chided.

“It doesn’t stop me from thinking it,” Twilight whispered, moving to her bed. She slipped off her uniform and chucked it to the side. “And sometimes, I tear myself apart from the inside.”

Plopping onto her bed, Twilight stared up at the ceiling, and both mares boiled in their thoughts. Rarity, still nursing her head, sat on the edge of her bed, frowning at Twilight.

“It’s your birthday, Twilight. You should at least have a slice of ever-fattening sugar. Rarity received no response from the pondering Twilight for a while.

“Pass me a piece,” Twilight finally said, and Rarity grinned.

“I thought you would never ask.” Rarity quickly cut a piece and put it on a paper plate, floating it over to Twilight’s bed stand.

“Thank you, Rarity,” Twilight murmured, taking the plate in her own magic and taking a bite.

“Anytime, Sparks.”

Stardate: 2263.10

“Twilight,” Rarity narrowed her eyes, nicknames forgotten, “I know that look.”

“Yes, you do,” Twilight smirked.

“Whaaaat are you doing this time,” Rarity sighed.

“I’m taking the test again,” Twilight remarked. Rarity laughed.

“A test? Ha! Please, Twilight, why would you take a test… again...” Realization quickly dawned on Rarity’s face while Twilight could only smile wider at the look.

“You’re not seriously going to take it again, are you?” Rarity asked incredulously. “Twilight, this is insanity!”

“No it’s not. I can be one of the first to take the Kobayashi Maru test a second time! It’ll be fine.”

“Don’t you remember what happened last time?” Rarity shook her head. “I can’t believe this.”

“Come on, Gemmy. I need you with me.”

“No, you really don’t.”

“You know what’ll happen if you don’t coooome!” Twilight sang.

Rarity could only sigh deeply, groaning like she’d never have before. “Yes, and I’m worried of what might happen if I don’t.”

“All the more reason,” Twilight said, leaving the door ajar as she left their dorm.

With one last like at her book, she cried out to Twilight. “Wait up, you dimwit! Somepony needs to watch after you!”

“Love you, Rares!”

“I hate you.”

“No you don’t.”

Author's Notes:

After two months! Woo!

Enjoy.

Chapter IV.III ~ The Starfleet Years - Year 3

Author's Notes:

After uh... four months...

Woo...?

But from here on out, we finally re-converge with the movie-like events... hehe...? Heh...

Stardate 2263.99 - The Start of a New School Year

Twilight found herself staring the door down with the same intensity she had both times she had been here for another year of school. No matter how smart or ahead of Twilight was in her class, she still hated the long, boring lectures. She gained nothing out of listening to professors talk about something she already knew all about. Yet the system seemed to require her to do so.

No matter, Twilight thought. This year, I can finally escape those stupid rules and prove Shining Armour wrong!

As she opened the door, a blast of cleanliness and scented fragrance filled the air. She knew that smell. “Gemmy?” Twilight called out. “Gems!”

A shout could be heard coming from the bathroom. Twilight, cocking her head to the side, winced as she heard several things clatter around. Banging and crashing could be heard from within, and then, a long winded groan. Standing there with a pained grimace and a slow stream of air being sucked through her teeth, the door opened. Slowly, from where she stood in the doorway, she saw several products of hair, fur, and make-up as well as several miscellaneous items toppled over or teetering dangerously far.

“Would it kill you to knock?” an accented voice whimpered, and Twilight broke into a goofy grin.

“Gems! It is you!” Twilight smiled, slamming the door behind her.

“Of course it’s me!” Rarity grumbled. “Who did you expect, a country hick?”

“Now that’s just offensive,” Twilight said.

Rarity rubbed a sore spot on her muzzle and sighed as she adjusted the towel on her head. “Not to you, it isn’t.”

Twilight gasped, putting a hoof to her chest in dramatic happiness. “You don’t think I’m a country hick?”

Rarity closed her eyes and sighed. “No, Sparks. I think you’re a bumbling idiot that doesn’t know when to stop.”

“This is gonna be a great year!” Twilight announced, throwing her stuff onto her bed. “With you by my side, nothing can go wrong!”

Rarity cocked an eyebrow. “Sparky, the day when nothing goes wrong with you around is the day I’ll lick my hoof and call it sanitary.”

“I’ll hold you to it, then, Gems,” Twilight smirked.

“I’ve told you countless times to stop calling me that.”

Twilight blew a raspberry at her.

Rarity facehoofed.

“You’re still unbelievable…”

Stardate 2264.01 - Exams...

“Woohoo!” Twilight cheered.

“What is it?” Rarity asked, rolling her eyes. “Don’t tell me you’ve set fireworks in the middle of the garden again. I didn’t like that whole debacle with being reprimanded like we were, and I wasn’t even helping you!”

“No, no, it’s not that,” Twilight squeed. “I can finally take my exams in advance!”

“So…?”

Twilight whizzed around, facing Rarity with an intense glare. “Seriously?” Her smile quickly returned. “This means I can make my big brother eat it!”

“Darling,” Rarity said, “I’m already one of the senior medical officers designated to the soon to be christened H.S.S. Amity. That’s hardly an impressive feat.”

Twilight’s jaw nearly dropped. “W-what?”

Rarity smirked, having finally gotten an upper-hoof on Twilight. “Oh yes! Since I was already so well taught in the Sciences, particularly Biology, they let me skip a year when we both first came here.”

Twilight’s shocked expression took on an even greater depth of incredulousness. Soon, however, Twilight’s jaw slowly came back up as it began to clench. Her teeth began to grind together as her face began to turn red and Rarity was beginning to get worried as she thought she saw steam coming out of Twilight’s ears. Just when Twilight had crouched into an attack position and seemed ready to explode, she returned to normal and her whole body relaxed.

This in turn, made Rarity all the more cautious. “Are you… erm…” Rarity paused. “Are you okay, Sparks?”

“N-never better!” Twilight smiled widely, her ears flicking and twitching. “It’s just I found out that my best friend has actually been more of a year ahead of me and that I fought hoof and nail for three whole years just for this one opportunity and my friend is ahead of me!”

Rarity winced, clearly realizing her mistake. “Oh… uh, erm… does that… does that bother you?”

“Oh no, not at all!” Twilight began to laugh hysterically as she trotted to the door to their dorm. “Hehehe! Nope, I’m a-okay! Just going to go take my tests now and I won’t come back until I’ve finished everything!”

Rarity, for all it was worth, felt bed. “Erm… you go do that?”

Twilight’s head twitched erratically. “Hehehe! I’ll see you later!”

With that, the door slammed shut behind her, rattling the small Rod of Asclepius pendant Rarity had gotten as a small reward for being an outstanding knowledgeable doctor. WIth a grimace, Rarity straightened the charm on her bedside table and continued to look at the door.

“...nutcrackers…” Rarity murmured.

Stardate 2264.15

“You’re looking chipper today,” Rarity observed.

Twilight practically bounced in her step as they descended a short set of stairs just outside the Academy Hall. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Rarity sighed. “I don’t suppose you do.”

With a grin, Twilight took a small object out of her red cadet uniform and observed it with a glinting eye before pocketing it again and going on her merry way. Rarity could only watch in scrutiny. “I don’t suppose you know what that thing you just pulled out of your pocket is either, hm?”

“Nyope!” Twilight smiled before stopping to look at Rarity. “I’m taking the test again, Gemmy.”

Rarity nearly dropped the folder she was carrying in her magic, abruptly stopping in her tracks. Twilight could almost see the sparks emitting from her hooves. “You’re what.”

“I’m taking it again, and I want you to be there!”

Rarity groaned before tossing her head face to the skies as if to send a prayer of utter disbelief and chuckled nervously. “You’ve got to be kidding me, darling!”

“Nyope!”

This time, Rarity deadpanned. “Okay. The last time you took it, you were given a stern talking to about abandoning the lives of a crippled vessel in enemy territory. The time before that, you were reprimanded for being reckless enough to destroy your whole ship in an attempt to save everybody! Those are the only two outcomes of the test, Twilight Amicae Sparkle. You know better than anyone.”

“Uh-huh, and I’m taking it again. You’re point?”

Rarity blinked. “Seriously? I’m a doctor, Twilight! I’ve got better things to do than watch you embarrass yourself for a third time!”

It was Twilight’s turn to look at Rarity. “Rarity Belle, doesn’t it bother you that nobody has passed the test?”

“Twilight, it’s the Kobayashi Maru,” Rarity said. “No one passes the test or comes back for seconds, let alone thirds.”

Twilight frowned for a few seconds before lighting up like a Hearth’s Warming tree once more. “You know what, I’ve got to study. Be there or be square!” With that, Twilight was off, trotting at a brisk but gentle pace through a few crowds of Starfleet cadets.

Rarity could only watch on in disbelief before shaking her head and continuing on her way.

“Study my flanks,” Rarity muttered, wondering for the nth time why she put up with Twilight’s antics.

With a sigh, Rarity resigned herself to her fate with stupidity.