My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

Starlight, Starbright

Chapter 5

Party of Deceit

Goldie whined as she impatiently paced outside her parents bedroom. “Mooooom! Daaaaad! Hurry up! We’re gonna be late.” she whined. “Glade’s going to be angry if we’re late to his party.”

“we’re talking, Goldie.” a emotionally distant Twilight said. “why don’t you take Starlight and go on ahead? We’re gonna be awhile.”

A confused Goldie scratched her head but then shrugged. She then headed off for Starlight’s room, eager to get to the party pronto.

Starlight was hard at work, trying to figure out what outfit to go with. “hmm… the ballroom dress.” she used her magic to pull the dress over to her. She was prepared to put it on manually when she thought something up. Putting it on would take too long and Goldie would hate her for it. And using her magic would take too long as well.

“if Mom found out, she’d kill me.” she muttered. She made sure the door was locked good and tight and the curtains closed before going to work. “2 minutes aught to do it.” she muttered.

She closed her eyes and concentrated. Her Cutie Mark glowed as her power over time fast-forwarded her two minutes into the future. The dress quickly got on and she found a bow for her fire-like hair, which only looked like fire but didn’t have it’s properties.

It may’ve looked like a few seconds to us but to her, two minutes went by like *snaps fingers* that.

Fully dressed up, Starlight stopped her magic and looked in the mirror. “yeah. That’ll do.” she grabbed a rose and put it in her dresses breast pocket. “why is Mom so afraid of this kind of magic? It’s not going to hurt anyone.” she headed to the door. “at worse, I can turn someone into a old hag or a filly again.” she opened her door and found her sister waiting outside with a irritated look. “Goldie?”

“hurry up! We’re gonna be late!” she urgently exclaimed.

“I’m ready. I‘m ready. Sheesh. You think it was your own party.”

“Great! Finally.” she said, not really listening to Starlight. Goldie rubbed her head and sighed. “I’ll be downstairs. Maybe you can ‘convince’ Mom and Dad to talk faster.”

Starlight gave her a irritated look. “Goldie…”

“hey. I was just throwing out a suggestion. Doesn’t mean you have to go with it.” Goldie left and headed for the stairs.

Starlight playfully scoffed. “wow. She is something.” she chuckled again and headed for her parents room.

Twilight used her magic to bring a necklace over to her. She put it on with a *click* and went to work brushing her hair.

Halo stood behind her with a somber look. “Twilight… you can’t ignore this…”

Twi adopted the expression and sighed. “I know. But I thought we agreed to wait until she turned 20.”

“I know. I know. But… I feel like Starlight deserves to know.”

Twi sighed again. “you’re right, Halo, but we can’t tell her now. She’s in a very delicate part of her life right now. She could barely survive her favorite band breaking up. If she learns this… I’m worried that she’ll do something stupid and reckless.”

Halo lightly shrugged in agreement. “true. She’s not exactly known for her taking things well. But still… she deserves to know the truth.” he looked away from his wife and sighed. “she deserves to know that I’m not her real father…”

Twilight sighed and lowered her head to her makeup desk. Knowing the truth, that Starlight’s dad was some ruffian that had his way with her in Feather Top… “that’s going to devastate her, Halo. I can’t believe it myself…” she got up with a heavy sigh. “we just have to… find a way to break this to her gently. Maybe… when she’s had the best day of her life…”

“And we know that’s not going to happen anytime soon.” Halo used his magic to bring his tie over and put it on.

Twilight looked at her handsome husband and somberly smiled. She used her magic to pull him over and kissed him on the cheek. “you’re so handsome, you know that?”

Halo smiled smugly. “I know.”

“MOM! DAD!” Goldie called up from the main room of the library. “HURRY UP! WE’RE GONNA BE LATE!”

Twilight chuckled. “she is so antsy when it comes to her cousin. It’s like she’s obsessed with him.”

“Just like how you’re obsessed with Shining Armor?” he said as he headed for the door.

“Hey!” she started towards him and the exit. “He’s my Big Brother Best Friend Forever. And the only friend I had in Canterlot other Celestia and Cadence.”

“Right. Right.” Halo used his magic and they both walked out the door. “and what; no Lyra or Moondancer?”

“I only knew her in High School.” Twi commented as they walked down to their second daughter. “Oh. Forgot to close the door.” Halo used his magic to close the door from downstairs, which had a highly shocked and disturbed pink Alicorn on the other side.

Starlight knees buckled and she fell. She couldn’t believe what she had heard. She was a accident? A bastard child of some pervert? She doesn’t want to believe it. She didn’t want to believe it. But she heard her parents say it.

“STARLIGHT!!!” Goldie called out from below. “WHAT’S TAKING YOU SO LONG?!”

Star snapped out of her shock-induced trance but couldn’t get over this shocking revelation. But if she lets her parents know that she found out, they would likely confront her. She has to play it safe for now, until she gets the full story. “s-sorry.” she said, trying to hide her broken heart. “I had to go to the bathroom.”

With a heavy heart, she got up. Her knees still buckled beneath her but she had to ignore it. She forcefully stiffened them and walked to her family. Well, her family plus Halo.

A noisemaker went off and streamers fell on the unsuspecting Glade’s head.

“CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR PROMOTION!!!” All his friends and family cheered.

Music started up and they all know what that meant. Cotton, her mother Pinkie, and Peppy appeared on the stage in wisps of spotlights.

“♪Congrat-congrat-congratulations! Congrat-congrat-congratulations! Congratulations on your promotion! you are now a captain of the royal army! Now can we get to celebrating winter?♪”

The crowd politely applauded. Cotton’s and Peppy’s friends cheered like there’s no tomorrow. The trio grabbed each other’s hooves and bowed to them all.

“Encore! Encore!” Windancer, Eris, and Filigree cheered.

Cotton and Pinkie looked at each other and smiled wide. Peppy chuckled at how hyper those 2 are. She walked off before she got roped in again.

The black and red pony appeared just outside of the club in a flash of dark fire. He heard the music booming and the ground beneath him shake.

“humph. I will never understand the fascination with this ‘pop’ craze.” he said as he walked to the club.

“Guys. You didn’t have to throw me this party.” Glade said to his friends in a corner of the club. The party was in full swing and kicking. Everyone was having a great time. Everyone except Starlight that is. She was still depressed by what she heard her parents say, but she kept up a brave face so her friends wouldn’t get suspicious.

“are you kidding, Glade? You’re the youngest knight in history to get promoted to Captain. You deserve this kind of shindig.” Pound said.

“plus, Cotton already planned to use this party to celebrate the coming of Winter. So, technically, it’s a win-win here.” Peppy said.

“if you say so.” Glade said with a light shrug.

Cotton laughed as she jumped down from the stage. “Did you all see that sweet move I just pulled? Man, it was so awesome. You know, I think I could’ve been a skateboarder.”

Filigree couldn’t help but burst out laughing. “A skateboarder? You? Hahahaha! Cotton, there’s 2 things needed for that. 1; you need to have to legs. That’s why it’s a Dragon and Diamond Dog sport. And 2; you have no balance.”

Cotton playfully gasped. “that’s not true.”

Eager to help Filigree put Cotton down, Woona used her magic to summon up a balance bean. Cotton scoffed and jumped up onto it. 2 seconds later, she fell off. “Told ya.” Filigree said.

Erys hid around the corner of the stage and took a deep breath. “Come on, Erys. Come on, Erys. You can do this.” she took another deep breath and started to walk out when anxiety hit her and she bolted back behind it. She quickly breathed as she bit her hoof. She slapped herself in the head. “Come on. Remember what Aunt Luna told you; Just be yourself.” she steeled herself and headed out. “Hey there, Pound.”

The Pegasus heard his name, looked back, saw her, and went “hey, Erys.” he then went back to eating a corn on the cob.

Erys walked up to him, trying to hide a smile. She stopped just beside him. “do you mind if I sit down?”

“no. go right ahead.” he offered a seat to her. She smiled and took it. She just sat there, watching him, which made him feel weird. “uh… you want something to eat?”

“yeah. I’d like that.” she said with a hint of passion. She argued internally in her mind about wanting to tell him. “(come on, stupid. Tell him. Tell him.)”

“Can we get another corn cob over here?!” Pound called out.

“so… you like corn?”

“like it? I love it! If possible, I’d change my name to Corn Cob.”

“Ah. (wow. He really likes corn.)”

“but…” the new order arrived. He pushed on it, sending it to her. “I’m not that obsessed with it.”

“oh. Thanks, Pound.” Erys used her magic to grab hers and pull it to her mouth. “you know, I never had corn before.”

“Really?”

“yeah. In the castle, we had fancy feasts and lovely meals but… I don’t think we ever had corn.”

Pound chuckled. “You’re missing out.”

Erys looked at it, curious as how to eat it. “so… how do you eat it?”

“like this.” Pound held his up and went all Scooby-Doo on it, mowing though it. He looked to see Erys still confused. “you can do it slower, you know.”

“I was well aware of that part.” she muttered. “um… how does it taste because I have a sensitive pallet.”

“pretty good. Nice and juicy too. It tastes a whole lot better with butter, pepper, and a dash of salt.”

“oh.” Erys did just that and flavored the cob up. Done with that, she took a bite. She bit down, chew it down, and swallowed. “Wow. This is incredible.”

“really?”

“yeah. I never tasted anything like it. It’s good.” she took another bite, trying to hide her distain for it. “(don’t let him know that you hate it, Erys. That only turns stallions off.)”

Applejack moaned as she rested her head on a table. “why did you guys make me come?” she painfully asked her friends.

“Cause you needed to get some fresh air.” Twilight said. “you’ve been stuck in your house for a week.”

“that’s because I’m sick! And coming to a night club isn’t going to make me feel any better. Besides, Trixie didn’t come and she’s as sick as me.”

“Sicker.” Celestia said. “Trixie’s got a high fever going, along with vomiting. Zilver says those symptoms disappeared from you a long time ago.”

Applejack groaned as she moved her head. “still doesn’t mean I don’t feel like crap.” she blinked a few times and groaned again.

Zil shrugged to her sisters-in-law, not sure what to do.

“Wait. I think I have something that will cheer you up.” Derpy said.

Eager to try anything, Applejack turned her head to the mare. “What?”

“well, we’re not supposed to give out information about packages and letters earlier then we’re supposed to but… tomorrow, you should be receiving a letter from Applebloom.”

“Applebloom!?” Applejack happily said, feeling a lot better. She hasn’t seen her little sis in 6 years, not since she moved to Manehatten to live with Babs and her family. In fact, it’s been 3 months since her last letter.

“yeah. I don’t know what’s in it but my gut’s telling me it’s good news.”

“What about letter’s from Sweetie Belle?” Rarity asked.

“Or Scootaloo?” Dash added.

Derpy shook her head. “none today, I’m afraid. I didn‘t even get one from Dinky.”

Both Dash and Rarity’s ears drooped. Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, and Dinky left around the same time as Applebloom and stopped writing 3 months ago as well.

Sweetie Belle went to Baltimare with Sapphire Shores to become a professional singer; with Rumble along for the ride. She quickly became one of the hottest singers on the planet. Just 4 months ago, Sweetie Belle appeared on Jimmy Clopple Live, announcing her engagement to Rumble, much to Rarity‘s surprise.

Scootaloo moved to the Gryphon Kingdom to help Feather Weight find a steady job. Easier said then done. In her last letter 4 months ago, Scootaloo said that she and Feather Weight eloped in Las Pegasus.

And Dinky and Pipsqueak, now asking everyone to call him Pip instead cause he ain’t small anymore, just… disappeared. Derpy believes they went with Daring when she last came to town and the letters, which are a bit hard to read thanks to them writing in riddles, seemed to lean toward that.

Starlight sat by herself in a corner of the club, messing with the umbrella in her drink. She wants to be by herself right now, just wanting to let what happened sink in.

“Halo… isn’t my father…” she closed her eyes. “Why did Mom lie to me all my life?” she silently cried, causing a few tears to fall. “why would she lie?” She heard someone approach but didn’t open her eyes. She just wanted to be alone.

“is this seat taken?” a booming voice asked.

Starlight opened her eyes and looked up to see a Red Unicorn with Black Hair standing next to her. Something seemed off about this guy. She felt a dark foreboding aura around him, like he was really powerful, but in a bad way. If she was her normal self, she’d tell him ‘yes. I’m saving it for someone else.’ but now, after that revelation a couple hours ago, she’s not completely there. “no. you can take it.” she hoarsely said.

The Unicorn used his magic, which had a black glow, and took out his seat. He sat down in it. “Are you okay?” he asked.

Starlight looked away and set her head down on the table. “no but… you don’t want to know my problems.”

“not true. If possible, I can help you.”

Whoever this guy was, he had a point. Besides, keeping something like this bottled up is bad for your health. “all right.” she sighed. “I just found out that my father… isn’t really my father.”

“Hmm?”

“Halo, the pony who I thought was my father, just said that he wasn’t. he… lied to me all my life. Why would he lie?”

The red pony pretended to think. “simple. Because he doesn’t want you to know your real father.”

That part, Starlight didn’t want to believe. “but… why wouldn’t he want me to know my real dad?”

This is going to be easier then he thought. No way she‘s this naïve. “cause he’s likely one of those ponies who only cares about himself and nobody else.”

“Wh-- that’s not true.”

Guess she is. So much for Alicorns being all-knowing. “why else would he have lied to you for 17 years?”

Starlight was going to counter-argue but he had a point. Plus, Halo seems to have spent more time with Goldie then her ever since she was born.

“Where’s Starlight?” Halo asked, holding a couple of cotton candies with his magic.

Twilight wondered that as well. She looked around and found her. “Hmm… over there.” she pointed to the corner where she was talking with the red pony.

“Okay.” he headed on over to her.

Starlight still sat there, absorbing the pony’s words. Halo was just using her? Lying to her, pretending to be her father? What kind of a sick man does that? Speak of the devil, Halo walked up on them both in the middle of their talk. “Hey, Starlight. Who’s your friend?” he asked, passing a cotton candy to her.

“Someone who was just leaving.” he got up to leave. “You two have much to talk about.”

He left, leaving Halo confused. “talk? Talk about what?”

Starlight angrily looked up at him. “the truth, ‘Dad’.”

The way she talked surprised Halo. She never spoke to him like that before. “the truth? What truth?”

Starlight scoffed. “what truth? You know what truth, ‘Dad’. you know full well what it is!”

Halo wasn’t sure what she was talking about and started to get a bad feeling. “no… I don’t.”

“*Scoffs* of course you don’t. you would never know! Geez, I guess Mom married you because of your looks.”

“What has gotten into you, Starlight? Why are you acting like this?”

“why do you care?” Starlight scoffed.

“Because I am your father and I deserve a explanation, young lady.” he said in a fatherly tone.

Father? He had the nerve to throw that out? Oh, she had a lot to tell him. “Father? Really? I thought only father’s had the right to ask their children what’s wrong and last I checked, you’re not my real dad!!” The music had the unfortunate opportunity of stopping when she yelled that out. Everyone looked in their direction but she didn’t care.

“Why would you care if you’re not my real father!?!” she said before running to the exit.

“Starlight!” Twilight ran after her daughter with Halo not far behind.

“un… what just happened?” eTu`nes asked.

Something Celestia feared would happen. She had a sinking feeling that the truth would come out but not like this. And if her feeling about something horrible coming is true and Starlight’s connected to it…

The red pony softly and evilly chuckled from a hide-away. “now… I just wait…” he said to himself before disappearing in a flash of dark fire.

Author's Notes:

If it feels rushed, it’s because it was. I’ve just been feeling uninspired lately and it’s showing. I just feel *Pfft* in inspiration.