STARLIGHT'S REQUIEM

Chapter 1: A Mysterious Beginning.

The first thing he remembered... was nothing but pure darkness.

A young, blue-furred pegasus colt laid in the middle of a dense forest, unmoving, gone to the world. His mane and tail were a deep shade of blue, and coated in dirt. Time passed slowly as the pegasus lay unconscious on the grassy floor of the lush forest. A small rustling came from nearby, a small group of rabbits hopping out from the brush. A couple of them stared at the figure of the unconscious pegasus, while one hopped forward, tapping him with a paw. The pegasus remained unmoving. The rabbit poked a bit harder, and the pegasus' wings fluttered, scaring the rabbits away. The small blue pegasus opened his eyes slowly, a low groan in his chest as his eyes tried to focus on his surroundings.

"Where... Where am I...?" He thought, his eyes coming into focus of the dark forest. "How did.. How did I get here...?" He slowly staggered to his hooves, and his eyes went cold, seeing a small pool of thick, dark red liquid beneath where he had laid. A small gash was across his stomach, caked with dried blood and dirt, causing him to wince when he seen it. "What... what happened to me..?" The pegasus shook his head, slowly trying to move his hooves. Slowly, surely, he began to walk, trying perhaps, to find a way out of the dim forest.

The young colt was scared... there seemed to be eyes everywhere, watching him, examining his every move. The forest felt... unnatural. The air seemed still, there was so much random life, the trees seemed to be aching to outgrow one another for life... He had never been in such a chaotic place. He began to whimper softly, his head low, softly calling out, maybe only to himself. "H-hello... P-please... Is anypony there...? S-someone, help me please..." The sound echoed around him, his own, soft voice seeming to mock his very presence in the forest. He heard a rustle, and his body froze, afraid to look behind him. He heard a low growling, and what blood he had left ran cold within his veins. He turned around slowly, the vicious visage of a Manticore staring at him, as if it were ready for it's next meal.

He began to back away slowly, but the Manticore was all too prepared, and began to charge. The young colt cried out, trying to run, but his limbs were too weak; He barely began to try to run and the Manticore smacked him aside, the small pegasus getting flung off to the side and hitting the base of a tree, hard. The wound on his stomach opened again, a slow trail of blood flowing as his vision began to fade, the manticore heading toward him, as if satisfied with it's kill. As the colt began to fade into the darkness, his life forfeit to the beast, he heard a loud yell. A flash of white light penetrated his falling eyelids, and the manticore began to back down. He struggled to stay awake, but the last thing his eyes showed him was a blurry form standing in front of him, before his mind went black.

Time passed slowly. Seconds faded to minutes... Minutes faded to hours... Hours felt like an eternity. The small pegasus began to stir, his eyes struggling to open. Was he dead? did the manticore finish him off? No.. wait... He winced softly as his eyes began to open. His body was wracked with pain, but that was a sure sign he was still alive. As his eyes began to focus, he noticed bandages across his body, and a tight bandage wrapped around his midsection. He looked up, and watched as a unicorn mare walked toward him.

He tried to speak, but the mare pressed a hoof to his lips, placing down a small bowl of water near his head. "Shh... Drink." The mare whispered to him. The pegasus softly smacked his dry lips... He wasn't sure if he should trust it... but if she was the one who had bandaged him... he didn't have much choice either way, actually... He leaned his head down, and began to drink slowly, the cool water quickly quenching his thirst. The mare smiled warmly as he drank, slowly running a hoof through his messy mane. "You gave me quite the scare, little one. I was unsure if I'd be able to save you or not. Not many ponies get attacked by a manticore and live to tell the tale, you know."

The blue pegasus finished the water within the bowl, and found the strength to speak again, turning his head to the one standing in front of him. She was tall, with pale-green fur, a dark green mane that hung down the sides of her face and neck, a dark green tail as well, that lightly draped down, but had a small, light-green bow in it and a thin, long pointed horn. A set of four 4-leaf clovers adorned her flank in a circle, with what seemed to be vines connecting them, and she was wearing what seemed to be a vest of some sort, with various pockets on it. "W-where... am I..?" The mare smiled again as he spoke, turning and settling down on the bed next to him. "You're in my home, just outside of the town of Ponyville. I've had you here for a good 2 days now.. I was afraid you weren't going to wake up." She looked at him questioningly. "Do you know where you're from? What's your name, little one?"

He thought a moment. Where was he from? Why was he here? He tried to think, but his memories, if he had any, seemed distant, faded... He tried hard to think, but nothing was coming to him... All he could recall was being alone... There were only two words that seemed to float to his mind, and he knew it was his name. "S-starlight.... Starlight Rave." He lowered his head a little. "I... I don't know anything else..." The mare frowned a little, but shook her head. "Well, Starlight. At least it's a start." She let out a soft sigh. "I, am Aloe Vera. I work with plants, herbs, medicines, and the like. You're only too lucky I found you when I did, or you might not still be with us."

Starlight looked to her. "T-thank you..." He looked away a little. "..I... D-do you know what.. what happened to me? I can't remember..." Aloe frowned. "I honestly have no idea, Starlight. Why a young pegasus like yourself was out alone is beyond me, let alone in the middle of the Everfree Forest! That place is horribly dangerous!" She lightly pointed to the bandage around Starlight's middle, and the small bandages across his body. "I don't know what got to you before the manticore did, but something did, and you were hurt badly. Thank Celestia I was able to get you to stop bleeding. Few in Equestria are so lucky."

Starlight tilted his head questioningly. What was she talking about? He was starting to feel a little stronger, having rested, his mind trying to take in everything. He was scared... he just wanted to go home... did he even have a home? He shook his head, forcing himself to have a steely resolve. 'No... You can't focus on this now. you have to be strong.' He looked to Aloe, his voice steadying. "Ponyville? Everfree Forest? Celestia? Equestria? What are you talking about? You're... not making much sense to me."

Aloe frowned. "...You seem to know your name, but yet you seem to have a bad case of Amnesia." She sighed. "Ponyville is one of many towns in Equestria, our world we live on. It's a small town with many earth ponies, unicorns like me, and a few pegasi, like yourself. Princess Celestia is our ruler and deity. She raises the sun and moon every day so we may live in peace and harmony." She took a slow breath, watching him. "And the Everfree forest is a dangerous, horrible place. The weather and most wildlife are taken care of by all of us, but in that forest... Everything lives on it's own... the trees fight for survival by out-rooting the weaker one, animals hunt and kill each other for food, there's so many species of dangerous creatures never before seen in that forest... It's a terrible, dark place. Why you were in there is beyond me."

Starlight blinked a moment. "Ok, I understand, the forest is a bad place... so why were you in there? Weren't you scared?" Aloe laughed a little. "No, no, little one. I'm an herbalist. I use all kinds of herbs and berries and various plant life to make small potions, elixirs and medicines to help everypony out, and to benefit all. I've learned through my studies how to make a potion that smells foul and rancid to the creatures of the forest, keeping them away. I go into the forest often to gather more herbs and plants for my studies. That's when I heard you cry out for help, and heard the Manticore roar. All the creatures of the forest are used to the darkness and not the light, so I used a little magic to create a bright light. Between that and the smell of the potion, it ran away fairly quickly, and I brought you back here. I couldn't just leave you to die."

Starlight stared at her. "So.. That's what that light was..." He gulped gently, looking to her. "B-but... I don't know anything. I can't remember if... if there was anything, before..." He looked away. "...All I remember is being alone." Aloe sighed gently, moving close to Starlight and ruffling his mane. "No.. no, i understand that now. Whether you have amnesia or not, you don't have any place to go." She looked to him. "You can stay here, with me, if you wish, and i can raise you, at least until if and when your memory comes back." Starlight's ears perked up. "R-really? But... why? You don't have to..."

Aloe snapped at him, her eyes stern. "You know, for a beaten and battered colt, you sure do have a stubborn streak. I know I don't have to do anything to help you, but..." Her tone softened. "...I like children, and whether you think you can or not, you're not going to survive on your own. You don't even remember where you are." Starlight thought a moment, before slowly looking down. "Y-you're right... and I'm sorry, Miss Aloe... I don't really have anywhere to turn, and you've already done all of this..." He sniffled. "...I didn't mean to..cause you trouble..."

The green-maned unicorn shook her head and quieted him. "Hush, Starlight. It's going to be alright. You haven't caused trouble, and there's no need to worry." She leaned over, giving the pegasus a small hug. "I promise... I promise to raise you right, and to keep you safe. I won't let things like this happen to you anymore." She smiled, and lightly nuzzled Starlight's forehead. "Now, I know you just woke up, but you still need to rest." She pulled a small hoof-ful of herbs from one of the pockets on her vest, lightly crushing them and setting them in front of him. "Here. Eat these... They'll help the pain, and help you sleep a bit longer." Starlight whimpered softly, but took the herbs, almost gagging at how bitter they were. He swallowed heavily, sticking his tongue out afterward, and Aloe just chuckled. His eyes began to get fuzzy not too long after, however, and he felt a soft, warm numbness fill his body. Aloe watched at the pegasus slipped into a restful sleep, nuzzling his cheek again.

"I'll keep you safe. I promise. You won't be hurt anymore..."

Chapter 2: Growth.

Days passed quickly by. Weeks faded to Months. Starlight began to recover, and had began a new life with Aloe. His determination grew with the changing seasons, each day filling him with more confidence, driven on by what he could only call his mother... Aloe had become nothing less than a parent to him.

As the months began to fade to years, Starlight quickly began to grow. His body began to change, his legs stronger than they had ever been, his wings lengthening, his feathers soft, yet rigid for flight.
He was still a colt, however, but he was certainly bigger.

It was a cool Autumn morning. Starlight rolled out of his all-too familiar bed, woken by the sound of Aloe calling his name. "Ugh... Coming mom!" he called down, yawning heavily and spreading his wings. It had only been a couple of months since he had learned to fly, thanks to a couple classmates of his at summer flight camp, but he felt like he had known forever. He lightly lifted off his hooves, floating downstairs, his mane and tail a total mess.

"Starlight! How many times have I told you, no flying inside! ...and comb down your mane!" The pegasus frowned, landing on his hooves and tucking his wings in. "Oh mom, come on. I'm careful! I haven't broken anything this week, and hey, whats the point? It just gets messy again anyway, and it's a waste of time!" Aloe simply sighed, shaking her head. "That's not the point. I don't want you getting hurt, and our house isn't that big, you know that. I swear, your wingspan gets longer everyday, Star..." The pegasus blushed a little, chuckling. "Y-you think so? I mean.. Yeah, totally! I'm getting strong!" He grinned, walking over to Aloe and nuzzling her cheek. "...Ugh. Why can't I ever stay mad at you, Star?" "Because you love me, mom." Starlight just chuckled, settling down to his breakfast.

A few minutes passed as he ate his breakfast, and as he finished, Aloe nudged him, pointing toward the door. "Alright you, get going! You don't want to be late for school." He lowered his head, trodding the ground, and then quickly holding his stomach, making obviously fake moans of sickness. "U-um.. Urg! Ohh... My stomach hurts so bad... What did you feed me?" He looked to Aloe, who was clearly unimpressed. "Oh really? Then Maybe I'll have to get out the herbs again." His eyes went wide, jumping from the table. "Nonono! Don't!" Aloe smirked. "Thought so. Why don't you want to go to school, Star?"

The pegasus looked down. "...the rest of the class has... and I..." Aloe sighed a bit. "Star, hun, we've been over this. Just because you don't have your cutie mark yet doesn't mean anything. I was older than you when I got mine. You can't let them pressure you." Starlight huffed softly, stomping his hooves. "But it's just not fair! Everyone else is so cool with theirs! I mean... You remember that really big rainbow I told you about? Dash did that! That's when she got hers! Even Fluttershy has hers, and she barely does anything! She got hers at flight camp too, obviously she can talk to animals, or something!" He whined a little. "I just don't get why everyone has a special talent but me."

Aloe sighed a bit, trotting over and placing a hoof on his shoulder. "When the time is right, you'll know what your purpose in life is, and no matter what it is, I'll be happy for you, and support you." Starlight just looked down. "Now go. I don't want you late again! I've had enough visits from your teacher because of your tardiness! You're a fast flier, so hurry up!" She grabbed his bag in her teeth, nudging him out the door with her horn and tossing the bag next to him. Starlight yelped and turned back as he was forcibly ejected from the house, Aloe looking back with a smile. "Love you, Star. Be safe." The pegasus grumbled. "Love you too, mom.", before taking off, making a bee-line for the school.

Days began to fade again, twisting into weeks, and months... Starlight grew into a healthy young stallion. His legs, strong and thick from hours of activity, his eyes sharp and quick, able to spot things easily from a distance. His wings were several feet in span now, full and broad. They could be as soft as his feathers, or as rigid as steel when he was diving through a cloud. His deep blue mane was as messy as ever, but noticably longer, his mane coming down easily to the bridge of his nose. He was a prime specimen of a pegasus, one that anypony would wish to be like... except for one thing.

"Rave, dude, you've gotta be kidding me. You still haven't got that thing?"

Starlight growled lightly as his old pegasus friend, Full Throttle, a red pegasus with black markings and a firebolt cutie mark whipped a frisbee through the air to him. He caught the frisbee, his wings shooting him upwards. "I told you! I don't even care anymore! I live my life how I want to, not by some stupid marking!" He whipped the frisbee downward, it sailing through the air at a wicked speed, Throttle barely dodging it.

"Whoaaa, man! Chill out! I was just asking, bro." Starlight and Throttle flew down to the ground, landing. Starlight just shook his head. "Look. It's not even important anymore, Throttle. When and if I ever get the buckin' thing, then I guess I'll have finally figured it out. Maybe I'm just stupid, like every other pony who's never got their cutie mark." Throttle shook his head and just shrugged. "Yeah yeah, Whatever Rave. Listen, Pinkie's throwing another party today, go figure, right?" Starlight shrugged. "what about it? You know I'm always there." Throttle shook his head. "Uh-uh. She asked me to ask you specifically if you would come and help with the music this time."

"She wants me to help AGAIN?" The pegasus just lightly covered his eyes with his hoof. "Why does she always want me to mess with the music?" Throttle shrugged a bit, and nudged Starlight playfully in the side. "I got no clue. I guess she likes your style." He smirked. "Maybe that's your special talent, Rave! She's the party pony, maybe you're destined to be her musical helper!" Starlight growled a bit as Throttle laughed and took off, avoiding the blue pegasus' hoof as it swung toward him. "Oh, shut up, Throttle, I've only done it a few times, because she needed help." He huffed a bit. "I'm not even that good. I just play what feels right... Just kinda comes to me, you know?" Throttle landed, pulling his wings in. "I dunno, Rave. Always sounds good to me. Besides... I think she likes you."

Starlight sighed a moment, and nodded. "Oh, fine then. Tell her I'll be over before the party to get everything ready, and that she better be happy I'm helping her out again." Throttle grinned. "Whooo! Rave and Pinkie, sitting in a tree... C-L-O-P-P-I-N-G!!" Starlight swung at him again, this time connecting, and pushing the other pegasus to the ground. "Shut the buck up, Throttle, or you're never gonna clop again." Throttle laughed as Starlight let him up. "I was just kidding! I gotcha, bro! I'll see you tonight!" The red and black pegasus flew off, and Starlight sighed. "Geez. Where does Pinkie get off, always asking me to cater to her parties..." He chuckled to himself. "Well.. at least she's cute."

Later that evening, Starlight was at home, getting things together for the upcoming party. Starlight looked to the door, and noticed a small, scribbled note had been slipped under it. He blinked a moment, picking it up and reading it. The reading was barely legible, like it had been written quickly, and it was in pink marker. "Huh... Pinkie moved the party to Sweet Apple Acres, instead..." He shrugged a little, crumpling up the note and tossing it aside. Aloe walked over to Starlight, and looked to him, her face worried. "You're going to Pinkie's again, aren't you?" Starlight stopped, and looked to her. "...Yeah. She wants me to work with the music for her party."

Aloe's ears dropped a little, and walked over, giving Starlight a little hug. "...Alright. I know you're sick of hearing this, but... Please be careful?" Starlight blinked and looked to her, returning the hug. "Mom. You're all I've had since as long as I can remember. I promise I'll be safe, like I've always been. It's just one of Pinkie's parties." Aloe smiled softly, kissing his cheek. "I just don't want you hurt again." Starlight pulled away from the hug after a moment and nodded. "I know." He gave her a soft hug again, and then waved a good bye as he hoisted his bag over his back, filled with various music and a few pieces of equipment. He opened the door, and it was dark out already. "Shoot. I'm going to be late." He closed the door and took off like a shot, tearing through the night sky.

Chapter 3: An Unexpected Party-Goer. ((GRIMDARK))

The chill of cool, night air... Was there anything better? He had heard of the stories. He witnessed Nightmare Moon's rising, though he didn't fully understand it until Aloe had explained it to him. He never really understood why so many didn't like Princess Luna's night. The cool, still air, the soft, flowing waves through his wings, the pleasant darkness on his eyes... Nothing was better. His thoughts became abrupt as he reached the gate to Sweet Apple Acres. He trotted in, bag over his back, looking around, and smiling as he spotted one of the larger sheds out in the distance with the light on. That had to be where the party was. He drew closer, and he lightly tossed his mane, shaking a bit, and folding his wings down. After all, he might as well look decent for Pinkie, right? He heard talking, and pushed open the door, grinning. "Alright, alright! Relax guys, the music is he-MMF!" Starlight was immediately cut off, a bag shoved over his head, stifling his talking and breath. the pegasus flared his wings out, but before he had a chance to react, there was a sickening thud and a sharp pain filled his skull, causing the pegasus to black out almost instantly.

'W-what...What's going on...?' Starlight thought to himself as he slowly regained consciousness. He tried to move his legs, but to no avail.. They seemed to be tied down... He struggled to flap his wings, but they were stretched back and out, held in place. 'W-why.. am I tied up... why does my head hurt...?' He groaned audibly, slowly opening his eyes. There were voices, coming toward him. A small beam of light shot out from the darkness, coming from a flashlight, shining on his face, his eyes screaming in pain from the sudden light. "You're finally awake. For such a strong pegasus, you sure did knock out easy." Starlight slowly got his eyes used to the light, and struggled against the chair he was tied down to. "W-what? Who are you?! What do you want with me?!" The darkness hissed at him, and he felt a searing white-hot pain burn around his tail, yelling out in pure agony. "QUIET YOU FOAL!" the darkness screeched. Starlight huffed, his hooves struggling to get free. "W-what... What do you want with me?"

"Your life."

Starlight's face turned a pale shade of white. "Y-you've got to be kidding me! What the buck have I done!?" A figure stepped forward, wearing a long black cloak and mask to shield it's body. It spoke in a low, female tone. "You're an abomination. A strong, healthy pegasus, with so much potential... and your life has been wasted, because you've failed at something even young fillies can do." Starlight blinked, and then cried out as a searing hot poker jabbed into his flank. "W-what do you want with me?!" Another assailant stepped forward in the same garb, but a low male tone this time, grabbing his chin. "You foal. You lack a Cutie mark. You've wasted your potential, and don't deserve a place in Equestria. You're a disgrace to all of pony-kind, and the pegasus race!" The male voice grabbed Starlight's head, and before he could comprehend, the male voice had pulled a small, thin knife from within the shrouded cloak, forcing the blade into Starlight's left eye, the blade puncturing downward, away from his brain. Starlight let out a cry of sheer agony, but his head was held steady, the assailant stopping, just holding the blade. Blood began to slowly trickle from his eye, and Starlight tried to hold his composure. He might as well go out with a fight...

"M-me...? A disgrace...?" He spat through his pain. "I... I might not have a cutie mark... but I've probably achieved more in my life... than either of you..." The voices hissed again, the male forcing the knife deeper in his eye as the female burned the ring around his tail again. Starlight screamed out again in agony as the blade was pulled from his eye and thrown away, skidding toward the darkened door to outside. He could feel the fur and muscle burning from around his tail, and he felt a dull numbness... He couldn't feel or move his tail anymore. It hung there, limp, as the male grabbed his bloodied face. "SHUT YOUR BUCKING MOUTH, YOU INSOLENT FOAL!" The female spoke slowly. "...Get it. We don't have time for this." Starlight panted softly, blood slightly trickling into his mouth. The male figure seemed pleased as he vanished from sight. As he came back, Starlight began to panic, his eyes wide.

"N-no... No... Please... anything but that..." His assailants simply laughed. The male voice had returned, carrying a large, two-handled hacksaw. "N-no... Oh, please.. Celestia, no..." The voices just seemed to cackle to themselves, walking around behind him. The pegasus was frantically looking for any way to escape... a loophole, perhaps... but there was nothing... He hung his head, tears streaming from his un-injured eye, the other crying a slow stream of thin blood as he felt the two position the saw over his wings. "You don't deserve to be a pegasus... So we're going to fix that...right...NOW." The dark, female voice hissed out the command, and a jolt of pure electricity shot through his veins as the blade began to grind and tear away at his fur, flesh, and bone, jets of blood spurting from the large, open wounds. Starlight yelled out, screaming in agony, the pain flooding him to his very core. The hacksaw was grinding through even his thick, strong bones effortlessly, and the grinding, aching feel of metal on bone sent waves of discord through him. His body was going limp from pain, and blood was starting to run from his sliced wings, the hacksaw almost all the way through.

He had given up... He was dying... He wasn't even a pegasus anymore. He heard his assailants cackle again as they began to grind away the last of his wings, only a small amount of skin and muscle left of the bloodied blue appendages hanging from his back. As the two began to cut the hacksaw the final time, there was a loud bang, and the door to the room flew open, an intense burst of wind and white light flooded the room, forcing the two assailants to hiss and pull the hacksaw down hard, slicing off the remainder of his wings, and cutting into the rope on his back, the rope loosening and falling down his form, as they were forced back against the wall from the strong burst of energy and wind. Starlight slipped from the chair and onto the floor in a puddle of his own blood. His wings, once proud and strong, now lay on the floor, bloodied and useless as the white light penetrated the far corners of the room.

Aloe growled, running head first into the room, her horn shining with a bright white magic, holding the light intact. She dimmed the light enough to be able to see the room, and her face paled as she saw Starlight, laid on the floor, covered in his own blood, next to the bloodied, mangled remains of his wings. She hoped the light had blinded the assailants long enough, and she ran over to him, her eyes full of tears as she noticed he was bleeding from his eye as well. "M-mom...?" Starlight coughed, choking a little on his own blood. "H-how...?" Aloe was crying, the tears streaming down her face... The only son she'd ever had... and he was... She sniffled heavily, trying to hold him. "I... I found the note... and I was scared... so I came to make sure everything was ok... I was just going to peek in and then leave again... until I heard you scream... It brought back memories of... of when i first found you... and I reacted..."

Starlight coughed again, trying to get to his hooves. His wings were gone, blood was pouring in thick streams from the two tattered spots on his back and from his eye, and he couldn't move his tail... it felt like dead weight. "T-thank... Thank you..." He whispered as he stood. Aloe smiled through her tears. "C-come on, Star... We.. we have to hurry... We don't have m-MMPH!" Aloe's eyes went wide as the female assailant had reached her from behind, thrusting a knife into the unicorn's throat. Starlight's eyes were frozen, fixated on the sight. "ALOE, NO!" He charged forward with what strength he could muster. The female quickly turned away, dragging the knife through Aloe's throat, blood pouring from the wound, Aloe's eyes transfixed upward in a state of pure horror as the life left her eyes, her horn sparking into nothingness. Starlight tried to turn, running toward the female again, knocking into her, hard, and sending her crashing to the floor.

The once-proud blue pegasus, now covered in blood, wingless, pinned down the female assailant. The female hissed beneath him, taking a knife and shoving it into his stomach, dragging it up to his sides, but Starlight couldn't feel it. His hooves began stomping down as hard as he could onto the others face. "M-MURDERER!!!! YOU KILLED HER!!!! YOU! KILLED! HER!" He could feel bones breaking beneath his hooves, and blood was beginning to spray from the face. Starlight's mind was twisted and in a pure state of rage... He didn't notice the male voice creep up and swing at his legs. Starlight felt a sickening crunch and an even louder crack as a thick metal pipe smashed into his front hooves, breaking them instantly. Starlight fell away from the female-voiced one, slumped on the ground as the male-voiced one hovered over him.

"Y-you..." the male voice spat. "..Y-you can die here... slowly.. for what you've done..." Starlight looked pitifully to the limp, bleeding body of Aloe, and a stream of tears, and a stream of blood, washed down his face. "I-I'm... I'm so sorry... I... broke.. my promise... Aloe..." The male voice spat and growled again, slamming the pipe into Starlight's head again, the broken and stripped pegasus fading into darkness.

Chapter 4: Realization and Rebirth.

Darkness. Why did it feel so familiar? So comforting... So inviting... Starlight was lost, his spirit and mind lost to reality. The pegasus was standing at a bright crossroads. A sign simply pointed in two directions. As the broken Pegasus stepped to the sign on his broken hooves, he was enveloped, half in a soothing darkness, and half in a warm, comforting light. Starlight looked to his sides... his pain was gone... The half of his body that was standing in the darkness was covered in a weird metallic gloss, as if it was made of steel, and it shone brightly, his feathered wings reflecting the sun. In the light, his body was normal, his old, blue feathered wings greeting him like a lost friend. He had to choose, and he started walking toward the side of light, his body slowly repairing itself, turning normal. As he reached the end of the road, he stopped. He could hear a voice calling to him... but it was faint... who.. who was calling him. The darkness sprang forth, and enveloped his body, covering it in a stifling metallic gloss, and he struggled, unable to breath, dragged down... down...

Starlight gasped, coughing, his eyes shooting open, his lungs filling with sweet, warm air. 'Am... am I alive? But... how..?' He was suspended in the center of a room, and his body was tingling, like it was filled with electricity, but it didn't hurt, not like the rest of his body. He watched out of his right eye as a figure came into view, but it was too blurry to make anything out. It simply spoke. "Starlight Rave." He tried to focus, but he couldn't speak, or move. "You are dead." Starlight tried to speak, but still couldn't. How was he dead... was he really alive? "Your body is broken. Your organs, your life-giving functions, have been cut and torn. Your wings are a bloodied mess of feathers. You are a soul, in a dead body."

The figure seemed to move... It was tall, and seemed to move on two legs... "Your purpose in this life is no longer relevant. It vanished with your wings, and with the soul of whom you loved. You, however, remain here. Your mother was right when she first found you. You have a stubborn streak." The figure laughed. "Your soul needs reason to go on. Your purpose needs form."

The figure made a snapping sound, the lights in the room dimmed, and loud, blaring music began to play. Electronica... Techno... Dubstep... He listened to these all the time... He played them at Pinkie's parties. "You never realized it, but your soul... your purpose... was within the music you shared with your friends. To many, it sounds like screeching, like a hoof grinding down a chalkboard. They call it filth. You called it music. Your friends called it music, because you played it for them. You made it into what you wished it to be." Starlight's eyes widened slowly. He struggled, and his lips moved, uttering two words. "My...Purpose..." It all made sense... Throttle had been wrong. It wasn't him, that Pinkie was after... it was his music... the same kind of heart he put into each chord was the same kind of heart that the pink-maned pony put into each moment of her parties. Starlight began to cry softly as he felt a warmth on his flanks, a deep black biohazard symbol appearing on them, his purpose revealed. The figure spoke. "There's a reason you're called 'Rave'. Your body may be destroyed.. but I will make you into the living embodiment of Rave itself..." Starlight's eyes began to fade again, before sinking back into unconsciousness.

"My...Purpose..."

Starlight was asleep for what seemed like forever. His mind was blank, empty, nothing but the warm embrace of darkness keeping him alive. He felt like he was changing, but he was unsure how... All he knew was that he was nothing but the ghost of a pegasus, whose only hope was in a figure who seemed to know more about him than he did about himself. Time continued to pass, and through the silent, warm darkness, a small light began to shine. It was time for him to wake up again, he guessed. In his mind, his broken figure moved toward the small beam of light, fading back into reality, unsure what awaited him.

"Starlight. Starlight Rave. Wake up. It's finished."

Starlight's eyes began to stir. His eyes slowly opened, and immediately, his mind went into overdrive. He was looking at a dim blue screen in front of his eyes, and he still couldn't move. He was laying in the center of a white room, a tall, 2-legged figure standing away from him. His left eye seemed to able to see again, at least for the most part... He watched the screen intently as text began to appear, and a low, electronic voice filled his mind.

Subject: Starlight Rave.
Beginning System Boot.
Authorizing Protocol 18-01-22-05.
Encoding DNA Profile...
DNA Encoding Completed.
Beginning Life Support and Mobility Functions...
Systems Activated.
Memory Back-up Activated.
Enabling Data Scan...
Data Scan Ready.
User Controls Activated.
Protocol 18-1-22-5 Authorized.
Automatic Override Disabled.
Manual Override Engaged.

As the last line of text scrolled across the screen, there was a soft hissing sound, like air being released, and he felt a weight get lifted from his body. He could move again. Starlight was confused... He wasn't in pain. How was this possible? As he got to his hooves, he felt surprisingly light, soft metal clanking echoing through the room as he moved, stretching a bit, as he would any other morning when he woke up, his wings stretching as well.

Wait. WINGS?!

Starlight gasped, looking to his sides, the dim blue visor having faded clear. Large metallic appendages were spread from his body as his wings would be, small, shimmering lights along the breadth of them, intricately ornate with runic and metallic symbols along them. His mind began to race, wondering what was going on, his tail lightly swishing behind him. ...Wait. His tail. He could move it again! He turned back, looking to his tail, the blue and black streaked cluster of hair swinging slowly back a forth, a couple small rings binding parts of it, and a large, ornate ring at the base of his tail, where he had been burnt. He noticed the same kind of intricate metal and runic symbols and plating on all 4 of his legs, and he just stood there, not sure what to make of everything.

"Good. You're moving, and you seem coherent. Everything is going well so far."

The voice came from the 2 legged figure who was now walking toward him. Starlight looked up as it approached. He hadn't seen anything like this before... The creature was walking on two legs, and had oddly shaped hooves... they seemed to have little appendages on them. It seemed to be male, and he didn't have a tail, either... just a head of short, brown hair. He was wearing a long, white coat, and.. something to cover his legs. "Um..." Starlight spoke, finding his voice. "Y-yeah... I guess. What is all of this...? And who are you..? What are you?"

The man laughed. "Don't be afraid, Starlight Rave." He stepped closer, kneeling down. "My name is not important. I'm a human. It's best that I don't tell you too much. We have been watching your world for a long time now, just watching, mind you, more intrigued than anything by your wonderful lifestyle. We're not from your world of Equestria." He smirked. "Then again, neither are you." Starlight's face went blank, and he looked up. "W-wait... you mean... I wasn't forgetting anything, way back then! What do you know about my past?!" The human seemed unimpressed, and leaned forward, pressing a small button on the visor, causing Starlight to instantly lay down. "Calm yourself, please. I'm not here to be your enemy. I've spent these last 3 months bringing you back, because it wasn't your time."

Starlight's face fell as he was forced to lay down, listening to this... human. "T-three months...?" He looked away a little. He had nothing to lose. "Alright... you've got my attention. I'm sorry. I'm just so confused right now... What is all of this?" The human shook his head, releasing the button, allowing the pegasus up. "It is as I told you 3 months ago, when I first brought you here. You were meant for more than you had experienced, and after the unfortunate events leading to your death, I was forced to step in, and bring you here." He took a slow breath. "You never gained your Cutie Mark, because you never listened to your friends. Your friends had such praise for you, for your style, for your music, for the way you made them smile, just by putting sounds together. You always took it as a friendly gesture, and not as what it actually was." He pointed to the biohazard cutie mark on Starlight's flank.

Starlight nodded slowly. "...I... I obviously understand that now. Pinkie Pie was trying to show me, and I never listened..." He lowered his head. "Do not fret, Starlight Rave. Your existence has not been forgotten. Even now, your friends wonder and worry about what happened to you. However, you have a new place." The human stood up, walking slowly toward the wall. A mirror raised up from the floor, and a low, booming tone of bass began to play as dubstep flooded the room. Starlight walked forward, stepping up to the mirror, his eyes transfixed upon what he saw.

His wings were large and metallic, ornately carved with runic symbols beyond his comprehension, and they moved at his will, just as his old wings did. His legs had large metallic bracers in the same style as his wings, covering the majority of his front legs, and part of his back ones. A thin metallic plate covered his chest and stomach, small lines of the metal trailing up and ending at his sides. His tail had the same kind of ornate ring, with smaller ones on the hair of his tail. Each of his ears had a couple small glowing piercings, and he was wearing a small collar, the same kind of biohazard symbol engraved on it as his cutie mark. The visor covered his eyes in a clear substance... it wasn't plastic, or glass... but it was cool to the touch. Two large buds adorned the sides of the visor like headphones, that were connected around his ears, small winglike-appendages branching off of it to match his wings.

As the music played, the bass dropping harshly, he felt a chill run down his spine, and he lowered his form, growling at the metallic pegasus he was seeing, as if issuing a challenge. He stood up after a moment, satisfied, looking to the human. "I think you'll find your new form gives you a bit more control over things than your old one did. Your legs will be stronger, you will fly faster, and your visor will tell you everything you need to know about anything. If you can see it, you can get information. And information, my cybernetic equine friend, is your key to survival." He nodded gently. "So, do you like it?"

Starlight lowered his head, the music fading away. "...It looks like I'm ready for a party, but it's not bad... Better than being dead..." The human smiled. "No. you're not ready for just any party. You're ready for a Rave." He leaned down and pressed a button on the visor, a long, extensive list dropping down. Songs. Lists upong lists of songs, and artists, and more music and beats than he'd ever thought possible. The human turned it off after a moment, and nodded. "You have the world's thoughts, feelings, and hearts in musical form, all in that visor." Starlight blinked a moment. "I... I'm a DJ. After all of this... I'm a DJ. For a Rave." The human nodded. "Yes. But, whether you choose to use the tools I have given you is up to you, my equine friend. I merely gave you the tools to survive, and the means to do it. It is up to you to shape your life into what you will."

Starlight nodded, reaching up a hoof and pressing a button on his visor. There was a couple dozen of them around the rings on his ears. A large list dropped down in front of his face with various music tracks. He pressed another, and his vital signs showed up. He pressed several buttons, the visor quickly responding, and he nodded. "A-alright. I think I'm starting to get this." The human smiled, nodding slowly, before leaning down to Starlight. "Be cautious my friend. With great power and knowledge come great responsibility and danger. Do not attempt to remove any of the cybernetic replacements I have outfitted you with, or you won't like the outcome. They're as much a part of your body as anything else is, now. You may remove your visor, if needed, but I do not advise it. Your eye was barely salvageable, and it does not work well in direct light from outside the visor. Too much exposure, and you will go blind in that eye." Starlight just nodded. "I understand..."

He took a silent moment, thinking everything through. He was a monster. An abomination. He was a pegasus who was half pony, and half machine. He didn't even know of technology like this existing on Equestria... What would everypony think? What would everypony say...? Would he even be accepted back after being gone for so long, and then looking like he did..? He shook his head, and looked to the human again. "Now... It's my turn... What do you know about my past? Why did you do all of this for me? Why didn't..." He swallowed back a lump in his throat. "Why didn't you save Aloe?" The human waved the questions away. "You're special. You're not from Equestria, but your life is there. There is nothing for you here, and it is time for you to go back." Starlight went to object, but his eyes suddenly felt heavy, and he slumped to the floor, words flashing on his visor.

Manual Override Disabled.
Automatic Override Engaged.
De-Authorizing Protocol 18-01-22-05.
System Shutting Down.
System Reboot in 30:00...
29:59...
29:58...

Chapter 5: The Party to end all Parties.

Starlight awoke after the time had passed, the soft, synthesized voice chiming in his head, he struggled to look around. As his vision faded in, a warm, faint, familiar scent came to him... He looked around, the visor fading clear after starting up, and he felt a soft tear come to his eye.

He was home, in his bedroom.

Memories of the night 3 months prior flooded his mind, filling his gut with a sickening fire and rage... Aloe... why did she have to die for him? She was like a mother to him... the only family he had ever known... He forced back his tears, and walked downstairs, his steps lighter than normal, regardless of the heavy metal braces on his hooves. The house had seemingly been untouched... Everything was sitting as it had before he had left that night, although everything was caked in a thin layer of dust... He shook his head slowly. "...I can't stay here. This isn't where I belong anymore." He spoke, more to himself, and stepped out of the door, closing it slowly behind him, leaving that part of his life behind him.

"Aloe... I'm sorry."

Starlight looked up into the bright, warm, summer sky. He stretched his new wings slowly, the metallic appendages unfolding, the small lights along them lighting up as his visor gave him the clear that they were ready. He braced himself for the worst. "Alright... Lets see if that human was telling the truth." He sprinted forward like a shot, running dead forward. His eyes went wide... He felt light, and he was running a fair bit faster than he used to. He nodded in approval, slightly smirking. He tilted his wings, and he jumped, lifting off the ground, flapping them quickly, like they were his own. The metallic wings shot him upward at a blazing speed, and he quickly hit the brakes. "Whoa... This is unreal." He shot downward, diving to the ground, quickly twisting his wings, turning him to shoot back up, just before he hit the ground.

"Alright. I can get used to this. At least I can fly." He swooped down quickly, heading toward Ponyville. He had to talk to Pinkie Pie... He had to explain. He got to the edge of Ponyville, and he landed, his cybernetic wings tucking down to his sides, the lights dimming. Nopony seemed to be around... good. He ran quickly to Sugarcube corner, only to find it was closed and locked up. He knocked. No response. His wings extended again, and he flew upward, looking into the window of the upper floor of Sugarcube corner, where Pinkie's room was. Sure enough, the party pony was asleep. He tapped the window a few times. "Pinkie! Pinkie Pie! Pinkie, wake up!"

Pinkie Pie began to stir, waking up, trotting over to the window, pulling the curtains the rest of the way open, rubbing her eyes. "Dashie? What are you doing here so ea-..." The party ponies eyes got huge and wide as she quickly realized it wasn't Rainbow Dash outside her window. She threw open the windows and yanked the pegasus inside, throwing him to the ground and sitting on top of him, hugging him tightly, tears in her eyes. "STARLIGHT! WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN!? EVERYPONY WAS SO WORRIED ABOUT YOU!!!" Starlight tried to take a breath as he was flung around and hugged, lightly patting Pinkie on the back and trying to sit up, though she didn't seem to be budging.

"It's... It's a long story, Pinkie... But first, I want to apologize for not showing up to your party about 3 months ago... after I promised to help you." Pinkie Pie pulled away from him, shaking her head. "Oh, Starlight, it doesn't matter anymore... I'm just glad you're..." Her eyes finally took in what she was seeing, her eyes gazing over the cybernetic pegasus' features. "...ok..?" She stood up a bit, walking around him. "Starlight... what is all of this?" She gasped deeply. "YOU GOT YOUR CUTIE MARK!" She hugged him again, and he spluttered, hugging her back, and then lightly pushing her away, getting to his hooves. "Relax. I'll explain everything. This stays between you and me though. Nopony else can know. " Pinkie Pie blinked and nodded, her hoofs quickly moving. "Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye!" He chuckled a bit, and settled down.

"...It all started the night of your party, 3 months ago."

Hours had passed, and Pinkie was now lightly walking around Starlight, examining his wings and various metallic parts, nudging and poking them to check them out. "So... All of this isn't just for looks?" Starlight shook his head somberly. "Unfortunately. I can't take any of it off except the visor, and i shouldn't even do that." Pinkie took a breath, and shook her head. "I know I'm always so happy for everypony... but Starlight... I can't imagine what you've gone through... Are you sure you're going to be ok?" He nodded slowly. "That's why i came to you. I need your help." Pinkie smiled. "Anything, Starlight!" Starlight just smirked, a small glint in his eyes.

"We need to throw a party. A BIG party."

The first thing he remembered... Was nothing but pure darkness.

As the slow sound of a rising bass filled his ears, his cybernetic wings spread out, lighting up, points of light in the darkness. Pinkie Pie began to announce, and thousands of ponykind began to cheer and scream.

"You asked for him, everypony, and here he is! The Cyber Pegasus himself!"

"Let's give it up for DJ BLUE MOON!!!!"

The lights shot on, large globes and cones of colored light flooding the room as the crowd cheered, the cyber pegasus pressing a button on his visor, the mixer in front of him starting to play. Loud bass filled the room, and the crowd began to jump. Everypony was happy. Everypony was here. This was a party to end all parties.

This was a Rave.