So, this is my first fanfiction, so if it's terrible, don't hold back your criticisms. I'm always looking to improve.

Now let's see, this story begins 18 years after Twilight Sparkle had become a princess. Years later, she took a young mare under her wing, in hopes that she would grow to use her magic to protect Equestria.


A sleek, blue unicorn, her long, silky, baby blue mane flowing like a river in the crisp, autumn breeze, sat quietly in front of a two story, red brick house. To her left, a small, light brown pegasus with a short, golden mane, looked up at the much bigger mare beside her, her soft pink eyes dotted with tears.

"Oh, Midnight," she sobbed, "what if I never see you again? What if, when you become a princess, you forget all about me and mom and never return?"

"There's nothing to worry about, Cookie Crisp," Midnight reassured her. "How could I ever forget about my little sister? Sister's never forget each other, even after they become royalty."

The younger mare looked up at her, wiping away a tear from her right eye. "Do you Pinkie Pie Promise not to forget about me?"

"Fine," she sighed. "Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye."

Cookie Crisp smiled and stared at the sky. The longer she stared, however, the more her smile started to wane. Midnight, knowing that a simple promise wouldn't be enough to keep her happy, looked through her bag and pulled out a brown teddy bear with a red bow tie around his neck and gave it to her.

"Here," she said, "so you won't get lonely while I'm away."

The pegasus immediately became infatuated with the toy and gave it a tight hug. Not long after, a carriage driven by a member of the Royal Guard appeared in the sky.

"Well," Midnight thought, "guess this is it."

Before leaving, a lavender colored unicorn walked up to her and gave her a hug.

"I'm gonna miss you, Midnight," she whispered.

"I'm gonna miss you too, mom."

As the carriage landed, she took a deep breath. Leaving would mean being away from home for four years. On the other hoof, if she stayed, she'd have to give up everything she'd been working for all these years. She decided that even if she had to leave home, it was for the best. As she stepped into the carriage, she looked back on her home, her family, her old life. Inside, part of her was dying as the pegasus took off. However, she knew this was her destiny, that she had to leave, and reminded herself that she would be back in a few years. Just a few, short years.


Well, there it is. The prologue to Shooting Stars and Beating Hearts. I hope you enjoyed this, because it's all you're gonna get!

...

No, not really. I don't do that kind of stuff. Be on the lookout for chapter one, if you liked this.

And make sure to review!