My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

Starlight, Starbright

Chapter 4

Plans

The bell to the Canterlot School for Gifted Youngsters rang and all the kids cheered as they ran out. “Winter Break! WOOHOO!!!”

Starlight walked out with a yawn. She stayed up too late last night, doing some studying into Timberwolves and their lifestyles and works. Every book and nature documentary she found on Timberwolves said the same thing:

‘Timberwolves are Canines made out of wood of any kind; oak, maple, burk, ETC. they are carnivorous creatures who have a taste for Pony and Quarry Eel flesh. Timberwolves are highly violent creatures that can overpower a Windigoe in packs of 10 or more. When one is ‘destroyed’, they can regenerate as if nothing had happened. If enough are ‘destroyed’, they can combine into a much larger wolf.

‘as with all Canines, Timberwolves hunt in packs. They always vary in size from 3 to as many as 15. One pack as been reported to have contained 40 wolves; half of whom were pups. Despite their ferocity, Timberwolves are dumb. They always attack in brute force without any sort of plan of attack. The smartest Timberwolves have been is knowing when to Mate.’

Starlight scoffed. Either the writers haven’t spent much time with Timberwolves or the pack that attacked her 13 years ago was an abomination. Maybe it was that leader with the scar; he seemed like a mutant. He had the wolves working as one and he even used a necklace that somehow hurt her. That was another question on her mind; why did that necklace hurt her? And why did it look so… familiar? And who was that black unicorn that saved her?

“Hey, Starlight!” Marian said as she walked over, still wearing the cape and hat.

The Alicorn broke out of her trance, glanced up, said ‘hey’, and continued walking with her head down.

“you okay?”

“not really, Marian.” Starlight sighed.

“uh-oh. Nightmare again?”

“Yep. And it was the same one; The Timberwolves attacking me in the forest and that unicorn saving me. I swear, these last 2 weeks were not kind to me.” the two arrived at a park bench, which they sat down on. “why are they popping up now and not when it actually happened?”

Marian shrugged. “the mind works in mysterious ways. Did anything happen 2 weeks ago that brought up these nightmares?”

Starlight thought back but couldn’t think of anything that would’ve triggered it. “mmm… no. nothing.”

“huh.” Marian sat back. “that’s odd.”

Starlight sputtered and looked back to her cousin. She just then noticed the new outfit. “hey, Marian. What’s with the new look?”

“oh, this?” she gestured to the cape and hat. “they were my mom’s. she gave them to me when I was 7.”

“speaking of aunt Trixie, how is she?”

“Still sick. I think she caught what aunt Applejack caught.”

“the flu?”

“the flu.”

Starlight sighed, then lightly coughed. “and I think I’m getting it.” she grunted as she cleared her throat.

“just be glad it’s just a cough. Mom’s vomiting like there’s no tomorrow.”

Starlight whimpered. “thanks for making me nervous.”

“no problem.” Marian chuckled.

Starlight rolled her eyes and chuckled. “so, what’s with the get-up? You planning on performing any magic tricks. Like, for a special somepony.”

Marian whistled and tapped her hooves together. “Maybe. Considering if he’s interesting.” she sat back and put her hooves behind her head. “speaking of cute guys, we need to find you a boyfriend.”

“What? No no no no no no! I’m not planning on falling in love until I’m in my 30’s.”

“What?! Come on. You should meet someone now. You can find a real cute stallion… or mare, if you swing that way. And why do you want to wait until your 30? What could happen if you fall in love now?”

Starlight looked at her cousin with one eyebrow raised. With some charades, she said… “Mom. Dad. Gryphon Kingdom. *bed spring sounds*. Me.”

“last I checked, they were 24, not 17.” she said with eye’s half closed.

“whatever.” Starlight laid down as she continued to chuckle. Her chuckle quickly left and got replaced with moodiness. “besides… Who would fall in love with me?”

Marian looked at her with a expression crossed weird and surprised. she quickly got rid of the expression before Star looked at her and quickly thought up something. “l-l-lots of ponies. And maybe gryphon’s, dragons, changelings… the list goes on and on.”

Starlight sighed. “I repeat. Who could ever fall in love with a Alicorn freak?”

Marian rolled her eyes. Where’d this sudden depression come from? She thought for a moment and came up with a idea. “you know, Peppy and Cotton are having a party tonight at Sugar Cube Corner to celebrate the beginning of winter break.”

“yeah. So?”

“So… maybe we can find you a nice stallion. They say winter romances are the best.”

“you are not going to let up on this, are you?”

“no.”

Starlight sighed and got up. “thanks for caring, Marian.” she unfurled her wings and flew away.

Marian cocked her head in confusion. “what is with that girl?” she muttered. “Why did she call herself a freak? And why is she acting all moody?” she sat there, trying to figure out why Star’s acting like this.

“… is it that time of the month?”

The rhythmatic pounding of a bass speaker blasted though the dance club known as Electronic Symphony. Vinyl was messing with her turntables off the stage. It had been acting weird for the past few days and she’s trying to figure out why. Octavia was also helping but her knowledge of electronic stuff was ‘Pfft’.

But wait, if Vinyl and Octavia are busy with a turntable, then who’s keeping the club going? Well, the club’s namesake; Octavia’s and Vinyl’s unicorn son Electronic Symphony. He had the basses pounding and the music booming with his uncle Neon Lights. Sym saw Peppy, Pumpkin, and Cotton come in and sit down at a table. He couldn’t help but smirk.

“taking off for a beat, uncs. Take care for a tick.” he said before jumping off the stage. Neon scratched his head, not sure what his nephew had said.

Sym jumped down off the stage and walked on over to the mares. “hellllo, Idaho.” he chuckled. Cotton and Peppy heard him and rolled their eyes. “to what do I own the honor of having two VERY lovely mares visiting my establishment?”

“oh, brother.” Peppy sighed. “First off, Sym. This place belongs to your mothers. Secondly, stop talking like that; it’s stupid. And thirdly, stop trying. You’re not going to get either of us.”

Sym frowned. “way to bust balls, Peppy.” Peppy shrugged then chuckled. “so, what are you two doing here?”

“We’re here to ask Vinyl and Octavia if we can use this place for a party.” Cotton explained.

“Party? What party?”

Pumpkin took over. “well, it’s two-fold. One, for celebrating the start of winter. And two, for Glade’s promotion.”

“Glade got promoted? Again? Wasn’t it just last week where he was just a corporal?”

“that was 5 months ago. Of course, you would know if you got your head out of that stupid machine you call a music box.”

Sym couldn’t believe what he had heard. She really just say that? “it’s called a turntable for a genre called Dubstep and Dubstep is highly growing in popularity. Or did you forget a little song called ‘Manenam Style’?”

“that crappy foreign song?” Pumpkin placed her hoof in her mouth and gagged. “no thanks.”

“well, I seem to remember someone doing the dance for a couple days.” Sym did the dance, pretending to be riding a horse while waving his hoof in the air.

Pumpkins mouth dropped in anger. Cotton and Peppy softly giggled. They quickly stopped and pretended to be innocent angels when Pumpkin shot them a evil glance. Sym also laughed but was cut short when Pumpkin elbowed him in the gut. He still laughed as he fell.

Cotton leaned over the table. “so… about the party?”

“Ask my moms. They make the decisions.”

Cotton and Peppy did just that and headed on over to them.

Sym stopped laughing and got up from the floor. “so…” he held back a laugh. “who alls coming?”

Pumpkin gave him a sneer but calmed down enough. “well, the entire gang, for starters. As well as all our parents.”

“All of them? Princess’ included?”

“Yep.”

Sym whistled. “wow.” he sat down in the same stall as Pumpkin. She scooched away from him. “wait, are Applejack or Trixie coming, cause I thought they’re still sick.”

“they are. But Aunt A.J. is well enough to move about. She may not be here for a long time, though, but she can move. Trixie, on the other hand…”

“Still bad?”

“Still bad. She got hit with the flu bad. According to Marian and Woona, she’s vomiting up a storm.”

“Ew.”

“yeah.”

A uncomfortable silence fell on them both. Pumpkin coughed as Sym whistled. He tapped his hooves on the table. “so--”

“We got the place!” Cotton happily exclaimed as she hopped on over.

“you did?”

“yes, yes, yes!” Peppy laughed as she slid to a halt. “we just need the condiments and the guest of honor and we can get this party ♪started♪!” she and Cotton laughed and headed off.

“really, Peppy? I thought you had a lot of work to do, getting everything ready for Hearth’s Warming Eve.” Sym pointed out.

Peppy stopped and kept laughing. “don’t worry, Sym. I learned my lesson last time and did it during the summer.”

“that’s why we never saw her. And I thought she was just avoiding us.” Pumpkin said.

“Show’s how much you know.” Sym commented. Pumpkin twitched a eye then beaned him upside the head.

Electronic Symphony:

Luna looked at a stained glass mural, contemplating on what to do. The stained glass showcased their human friends fighting off the giant dragon known as Oscurita. It wasn’t the only stained glass mural dedicated to their human visitors. There was one of them destroying Nightmare Moon completely, one with them destroying a giant crystal creature with Dark Chrysalis inside it, and one with them bringing Cosmos and Erys back and reforming Discord.

“what to do…” she muttered.

The doors opened and Erys walked in. “Aunt Luna? What are you doing here?” she walked over.

Luna heard her name and looked back. “oh. Erys. What are you doing here?”

“I just came to… get some inspiration.” she said as she looked up at the last mural mentioned.

“inspiration?”

“Yeah. Peppy and Cotton are throwing a party for Glade’s promotion and… well, this stallion I like is going to be there and… well, I’m nervous that he won’t like me.”

“what makes you say that?”

“well… I never tried to talk to him and I don’t think he knows I exist.”

Luna chuckled. “I see.”

Erys turned back to her aunt. “do you have any tips for me? Cause I could sure use some. Like, how did you and Aunt Trixie meet? And how did your relationship go?”

Luna chuckled again. “well, I was the stupid one who decided to go with a disguise.”

“disguise?”

“yeah. I was nervous that no one would go out with a princess so your mother decided to bless a lily as a disguise. During my masquerade as Lily, I met the love of my life. And when she found out that Lily was really me, I thought she didn’t want to see me but I was proven wrong. Trixie loved me for me.”

Erys looked with her with curious eyes. “nice story but how does that help me with my boy troubles?”

“didn’t you listen? Trixie loved me for me. Hopefully, they’ll be some stallion or mare that will love you for you. Just be yourself.”

“be myself…” Erys repeated. She looked back up at the mural. “if you say so, Aunt Luna.” Luna looked up at the mural as well and walked up beside her. That reminds her… “you know, you didn’t answer what you were doing here, Aunt Luna.”

The princess knew that question was coming. “I… was hoping that the humans would come back.”

“come back?”

“yeah. I have this terrible feeling that something horrible is going to happen and it’s going to happen soon. And I’m not just feeling it; Celestia and Cosmos feel it too.”

“they do?” and they’re Alicorns. “so, why don’t me, Woona, Cadence, or Starlight sense it?”

“cause the 3 of us are intune to the planet. Comes with being born 2000 years ago. Alicorns born way back when can sense disturbances in the planet though a number of means; the air, the ground, the birds songs…”

“Like now?”

“yeah. There’s some bad on the horizon. Something horrible; something… dark.”

“That’s why you want our human friends to come back; so they could deal with it?”

“yeah. If it wasn’t for them, Nightmare Moon would’ve taken control of the planet and we would’ve still be human. Chrysalis and the Changelings would’ve had the world under their control. Discord would’ve gotten his revenge and send the world into chaos. And Oscurita and his handler… would’ve killed us all. Now… without them… I’m worried about what will happen now.”

Erys wondered that as well. If it wasn’t for them, she’d still be a Draconequus. Or dead. She shook her head. “well, as Season would say, no sense worrying about it now. When it comes, it’ll come. And every bad situation has some good outcome.”

“Season said that?”

“yep. Every word. And he is right, there always is some good out of a bad scenario. Without the bad Discord caused, Mom wouldn’t have her best friend back, Dad would still be in that prison of his, and I wouldn’t be here.”

Luna took what she said to heart. if she wasn’t worried about her being a princess, she wouldn’t have met Trixie. A whole bunch of what-ifs. Erys quickly dismissed it.

“So… you coming to the party?”

“Are you kidding, I wouldn’t miss it. It’s not every day someone Glade’s age becomes a captain.”

“what about Aunt Trixie?”

Luna winced. “oh. Right. I forgot she was sick.” she looked up to the tower she and Luna were living. “hopefully, she’s feeling better. If not, guess I’m staying.”

“staying?”

“Part of love is learning to sacrifice.” Luna said as she walked to the exit.

Erys stayed and looked at the mural Luna was looking at. What did she mean, that something dark was on the horizon? Naturally, that would be considered as something horrible but… that’s it. What else is there? What is that something dark? What is that something horrible? Erys thought long and hard about it until she got a headache. A really bad headache.

“Ah! Not again!” she snarled to herself as she fought it though.

Within a dark corridor, the torches lit up in a violent and bright manner. Green and black fire rose up from the torches. A coffin opened up and a black pony rose out of it. He roared as he fired a beam into the ceiling from his horn, destroying a small part of it.

“ARHHHA!” he fired again, destroying another big part of it.

“RAAAH-Hahahahahaha!” his roar turned into a laugh. He stopped laughing and walked out of his coffin and the corridor.

“Finally! After 18 long years of waiting, the day is almost here.” he walked into his throne room and sat at his throne. “just a few more weeks and my plan; Orochi’s plan, will come to fruition.” he pressed a button on his throne, causing the screens to pop up. The screens all focused on a certain pink Alicorn with a light-blue fire-esq mane. “all I need is her… then it will be ready.”

He got up from his throne and walked to the exit. Shadows swirled around him and covered his body. When he reached the gate, the shadows dispersed and he turned into a red Unicorn with a black mane. “but… as good as your plan is, Orochi, it still needs a push.” the gates opened wide and he walked out into the cold wilderness.

“Time to plant the seeds of deceit and distrust.” he disappeared in a flash of dark fire.

Author's Notes:

uh-oh. that guy has a bad plan, i know it. and Luna sensed something bad was coming. i betcha 2 bucks that he's got something to do with it.

sorry for the delay. Procrastination hit me hard. that and i had trouble trying to figure out what to write for this.