Chapter 1: Celestial Advice
One morning, Spike went to Starlight's bedroom and knocked on her door. Starlight wasted no time opening it. She didn't see anypony at her eyes level and finally saw Spike as she looked down.
"Hey, Spike," said Starlight as she stepped out of the room, "What's up?"
"Just, uh, wanted to make sure you're ready for your big ceremony today," said Spike in a rather nervous tone.
"Yep!" Starlight replied. Behind the lilac unicorn, Twilight teleported into the room, "Wow, I still can't believe my friends, Twilight and Chase's daughter, and I are getting medals of honor."
Behind her, Twilight told Spike to keep quiet as she got to work with some measuring tape and a clipboard, Spike had his head tilted to the side to watch the purple alicorn as she spoke.
"Are you kidding?" Spike replied as he discreetly tried to watch Twilight as she was measuring the wall behind Starlight's dresser, "You totally deserve it! After all, you...saved Equestria from...Queen Chrysalis! With the help of the Elite Ninja and Trixie and Thorax and Discord and Sokka and Dojo and Clay and Santos and Jewel and Nyx and Ember and Grazer and..."
"Uh, yeah," said Starlight as a matter of fact, " I know what happened. I was kinda there."
"Uh, right," said Spike, trying to continue to stall until Twilight was finished, "Uh so...what are you wearin'?" Starlight was surprised by that question.
"Not sure," Starlight replied and pondered aloud, "Why? Am I supposed to dress up?"
"No!" Spike interjected quickly, "I-I mean, you could. It's like Rarity always says..." Spike then shaped his top scales to look like Rarity's mane as he impersonated her, "There's no such thing as being overdressed, darling. You're just the best-looking pony in the room."
Spike then chuckled as his top scales returned to normal. He then quickly tilted his head to see if Twilight was finishing up or not. At the moment, the purple pony was jotting something down on a clipboard.
"What are you looking at?" Starlight asked curiously and went to look back, but Spike quickly grabbed her head to keep her from turning around.
"No, don't look!" Spike yelped and then Twilight saw him give a quick nod and teleported away. Spike quickly went for another cover up, "'Cause there was a spider there, but it's, uh, gone now, so, uh...thanks, Starlight! Byeeee!"
Spike then zoomed away as fast as he could. Starlight looked back to find her room empty and saw nothing out of the ordinary.
"Huh?" Starlight asked, but just suspected nothing as she headed back into her room and closed the door.
Inside the couple's master bedroom, Twilight was just pacing back and forth while checking a list together. Spike then walked inside the room with a smug looking smile on his face.
"Ha-ha! They had no idea," said Spike, "We're a good team, Sparkle!"
""Sparkle"?" said Twilight as she laughed.
"Yeah, we are," said Twilight, "So do you think Starlight will like it? I wanna show this present to say, "I'm so proud of you both as a mentor and a friend. Equestria is safer thanks to you"."
"Oh, I thought you were getting her a mirror like yours," said Spike. He then pointed to a mirror that Twilight had containing various pictures of both friends, family, and her husband.
"I am," Twilight replied.
"Uh, maybe you should get her a card 'cause I don't think the mirror will say all that," Spike remarked, "But I think she'll like it."
"It's just what her room needs," said Twilight, "The first thing she'll see when she wakes up is herself surrounded by all her friends." She then looked into her own mirror and smiled, "I plan on giving it to her after the ceremony."
"And what about Chase and his team?" Spike asked curiously.
"Oh, Chase said he and his family didn't want anything personal." Twilight said before she giggled. "Yet, I still love him so much. I want to make sure he is still having to honor his grandfather's spirit more just as much as he does."
"Yeah, that does mean a lot to him and his family." Spike agreed with a smile. "Anyway, speaking of the castle, don't you need to get the castle ready for the celebration?"
"Nah," Twilight replied, "Pinkie Pie's got that covered."
In the room where the party was going to take place. Pinkie quickly looked around for a moment. Then she pulled a rope chord. This set up all the party decorations and tables in just a couple of seconds.
"Phew!" Pinkie replied since her job was done...easily.
*Main theme*
Soon the party began. The room was packed with guests from all over Equestria from ponies, some changelings, and some dragons as well who respected Dragon Lord Ember. They were all gathered toward the back end of the room, which had been turned into a stage for the big ceremony. Twilight was at the center of the stage with Pakku, Bumi, Iroh, Celestia, and Luna right behind her.
The rest of the Mane Sixteen were off to the right side of the room. Surprisingly, Cadance and Shining Armor were able to make it to the party after all. Flurry Heart, however, had fallen asleep and was snoozing some place quiet for the time being. Nyx was overjoyed to see them again.
On the stage with Twilight, Pakku, Bumi, Iroh, Celestia, and Luna were Trixie, Thorax, Sokka, Sunray, Chase, Jade, Trini, Antonio, Grazer, Clay, Discord, Nyx, Jewel, Santos, and Starlight.
"Starlight, my daughter Nyx, my husband Chase, Jade, Sunray, Trini, Antonio, Santos, Jewel, Dragon Lord Ember, Grazer, Trixie, Thorax, Sokka, Clay, and Discord were brave in the face of danger," Twilight spoke, "resourceful when things got challenging, and proved that the bonds of friendship, no matter how unlikely, are stronger than any adversity."
Several Ponies smiled in the audience, especially Night Glider, Party Favor, Sugar Belle, and Sunburst, who waved at Starlight. Starlight saw the orange unicorn waving and smiled timidly at him.
"By stopping Queen Chrysalis, not only did they save Equestria, they set the changelings free from her reign," Twilight continued.
"Go, Discord!" said...a Discord copy wearing some sportsfan items on himself, "Yahoo!"
He then laughed heartily. Starlight and Nyx giggled as Chase, his family, Grazer, Clay, Ember, Trixie and Sokka looked at each other and rolled their eyes.
"Remind me why he is part of the team again?" Ember asked with a groan.
"He distracted the Changelings to let us get in and rescue our friends," Trixie said dryly, "And truthfully, he wasn't really heroic at all, unlike you."
"Agreed." Ember nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, should've seen that one coming." Chase remarked bluntly as Twilight glared in agreement.
"And that's why," Celestia continued, making Twilight feel a tad embarrassed, "we're proud and honored to give them the Equestria Pink Hearts of Courage!"
The special medals were resting on a pillow, which was on a special pedestal. The crowd cheered as the six heroes bowed respectfully. Celestia and Luna placed the medals around the necks of Chase, Jade, Sunray, Trini, Antonio, Clay, Sokka, Santos, Jewel, Nyx, Ember, Grazer, Starlight and Trixie. Discord, showing off, disconnected his head from his neck to get his medal on. Thorax, due to his new antlers, gave Luna a hard time as she was trying to get his medal on.
"Yeah! Oh," said Pinkie when she realized Luna was struggling and winced, "Oh, no. Not quite. Uh..." Then Luna finally got the medal around Thorax's neck, "Ah. There it is! Yay!"
Poor Luna was sweating heavily, but Celestia smiled at her for a job well done.
"It's alright, Luna," Pakku said assuringly to Luna as she smiled in return for the White Lotus clan leader.
"We are so proud of you all!" said Twilight.
"Congratulations to each and every one of you!" Pakku added as the crowds cheered and applauded.
Starlight and Trixie looked at their medals and exchanged smiles with each other. Chase, his family, Sokka, and Clay smiled with each other as well.
(Scene changes)
A few minutes later, Antonio was at some loudspeakers and the DJ turntable with Equestria's most famous DJ.
"Take it away, DJ-Pon3!" Antonio told her as the white unicorn put on some music and several ponies began to dance. A few others were just enjoying themselves.
Some ponies brought a couple of Apple Cider drinks for both Ember and Clay as they both were challenging each other. The Dragons, Spike, Echo, Mikey, Sly, and Teejay were cheering wildly for their Dragon Lord while the ponies and even Applejack cheered for Clay, mainly because his wife wanted him to win.
"Apple cider?" Ember asked curiously, "Is it good?"
"Good?" Clay asked in annoyance before scoffed, "The best! And trust me, there is no way you can beat me because you'd never try to drink it before!"
Ember snorted with her nostril blowing smokes out,
"Oh yeah? Bring it on, pony!" Ember smirked.
"Oh yeah..." Clay snickered a bit as he held his mug up, "The first pony standing and drinking many apple ciders wins!"
"Oh. You're on, pony!" Ember chuckled.
Clay and Ember began taking one-by-one apple cider drinks while their own kind cheering wildly and happily for them.
Just a short distance away, Trixie was with Sugar Belle, Party Favor, and Double Diamond.
"It was the Great and Powerful Trrrrixie's pleasure to save you from your imminent doom," Trixie boasted.
"Yes," said Discord as he made himself appear out of her hat, "because you did it all by yourself."
Trixie was most annoyed at being called out. Starlight just watched the scene a short distance away and giggled to herself. It was then Sunburst walked up to her, along with a green and cyan changeling.
"I can't believe you managed to do it without magic," Sunburst told Starlight, clearly impressed.
"It was amazing!" said the cyan changeling.
"No one's ever stood up to Chrysalis like that!" added the green changeling.
"Oh, I just did what anypony would have done," said Starlight modestly with a fore-hoof over her heart.
"Chase and his family were also amazing as well," said the cyan changeling.
"Especially when they used their skills on Chrysalis's guards and element powers on the throne." the green changeling added, "and stood up for us."
Starlight smiled.
From a distance, Twilight was just watching the conversation unfold with a smile on her face.
"It's a wonderful feeling, isn't it?" Celestia asked as she walked up to the purple alicorn, "Watching your student shine the way you always know they could."
Twilight laughed as Chase arrived beside her.
"My cheeks are sore!" said Twilight, "I don't think I've ever smiled this much in my life!"
"Well, I can fix that for you." Chase said as he kissed his wife on the cheek, making her giggle as she nuzzled her husband on the cheek.
"Oh, honey. You really love to do that, don't you?" Twilight asked sweetly.
"What can I say? I'm charmed." Chase shrugged with a smile as Princess Celestia giggled a bit before she smiled as well.
"I can only imagine the feeling," said Celestia, giving Twilight a wink and walking off.
"You know, Twilight." Chase said feeling a little down. "None of our romantic moments ever topped this?"
Twilight blinked and then blushed.
"Oops, my bad," said Twilight, "Actually I can think of quite a few moments where you made me smile so much my cheeks were sore. In fact, I can remember the day we confessed our love for each other. I woke up the next morning to find my face was stuck in a smile. I had to message my cheeks for an hour just to get the feeling in my face to come back. And as of today, after you drove Chrysalis away from the hive, I'm very proud of you, Chase Young."
Chase raised an eyebrow with a curious yet mischievous smirk.
"Oh, come on, honey." Chase chuckled with his wife. "You're just saying that, aren't you?"
Twilight then gazed into his eyes and wrapped her fore-legs around his neck.
"Would I ever bluff about how happy you make me, Chase Young? For making me your wife?" Twilight asked in a flirty tone.
Chase chuckled.
"No, of course not," Chase replied and they leaned in for a kiss.
"Oh, ain't this romantic!" said a voice, ruining the moment as they both groaned and pulled away as they saw a certain draconequus watching them.
"Bad timing as usual!" said Chase annoyingly.
"I try," Discord replied as he snaked himself around Twilight's torso. Chase took offense.
"Do you have to do that?" Chase remarked.
"Why not?" said Discord innocently, "It's not like its gets under your skin and makes you super jealous." Chase growled and blushed.
"You know I don't like it when you do that, Discord!" Chase remarked, referring to Discord's habit of getting under a pony's skin for his own fun and entertainment.
"Getting back to the subject at hand," said Discord, purposely ignoring Chase's remark, "Yes, Starlight is student of the year, isn't she? She has so much potential. So, what are we going to do with her? And by "we", I definitely mean "the two of you". Being their mentors and all that, their destiny falls squarely on your haunches."
Discord then poked both Twilight and Chase's noses.
"Wow, you're actually gonna let us control their destinies and not get involved?" Mario remarked sarcastically, "How kind of you!"
"With pleasure," said Discord, ignoring the fact Chase was being sarcastic. It was then Twilight teleported out of Discord's body grip.
"Oh, you don't worry," said Twilight, "I've planned enough friendship lessons to cover the next three years."
Discord stared and then laughed. Twilight took offense as Chase just kept a emotionless expression on his face.
"What's so funny?" Twilight asked skeptically.
"You don't get it?" Discord asked amusingly. Twilight and Chase were confused. He cleared his throat, "Clearly, Starlight is beyond basic friendship lessons. She just won a medal, for Equestria's sake. I thought you were joking. You are joking, right?"
"Of course I was," said Twilight with a nervous chuckle as sweat began appearing from her brow and Chase noticed this.
"Oh, jeeze." Chase groaned as he facepalmed himself in annoyance.
"Obviously, you should have a grand master plan for Starlight," Discord continued, "the same way Celestia set you and Chase on that path that eventually made the both of you a princess and prince, respectively."
Twilight just nervously smiled and her brow got even more sweaty.
"Yep," Twilight squeaked as Chase just had a stern look on his face.
"Oh, good," said Discord, "I'm sure she can't wait to hear all about it."
Chase took noticed that Discord rubbed his fingers deviously and disappeared. Chase snorted before he looked at his wife with concern.
"You've got nothing, right?" Chase asked.
"Yes. I mean No!" Twilight said to her husband in concern before sighed, "Actually I have the friendship lessons for them to learn but now..."
Chase patted Twilight's back.
"Twilight, don't let that idiot get to you. We're Starlight's teachers. We decide, not him. And besides, he doesn't care for anyone else and even now." Chase said bluntly.
"I heard that!" Discord's voice shouted in anger.
Chase just rolled his eyes in annoyance before he looked at his wife as she looked at him was a frazzled face and a loud whimper. Chase then grabbed her cheeks so they were making eye contact.
"Honey, look at me," Chase told her firmly, "Don't let Discord get to you. You're doing everything right."
"But Discord did have a point, Chase," said Twilight as she pulled away, "I was just thinking basic friendship lessons for her. I didn't even consider that she might ready for something greater! What kind of teacher underestimates their own students?!"
"Honey, calm down," said Chase, "It's an easy fix. Besides, we don't need to tell Starlight anything about having a grand master plan."
"What?!" Twilight exclaimed, "But...but she has a right to know!"
"Honey, I don't remember Celestia ever telling you or me about her grand master plan for us," said Chase, "She only revealed it when things happened. Like when we made our lifelong friends, defeated Sombra, stopped many of the Quinkan threats, earned our wings, etc. She never walked up to us and said what her plan for us was. She just let us figure it out. We can do the same for Starlight. Then when Starlight does find her destiny, we can take all the credit for it like Celestia did with our achievements."
"I heard that, Chase!" Celestia shouted from a distance.
Chase just chuckled in the alicorn's direction. Twilight laughed.
"Thanks honey, I feel much better," said Twilight as she gave him a hug. Chase happily returned the gesture.
"Hey, I'm just glad you're letting me help you," said Chase, "You still tend to ignore me when you anxiety kicks in."
"I'm trying, okay!" Twilight retorted and gave him a puppy dog pout.
"I know, sweetie," said Chase, "I love you."
"I love you, too," said Twilight and they finally exchanged that kiss they were going to do before Discord showed up.
Elsewhere in the room, Starlight was speaking with Thorax.
"So how's the whole ruling-a-kingdom thing going?" Starlight asked the now taller changeling.
"It's a bit overwhelming," said Thorax honestly as they arrived at a table where two female changelings were speaking to Rarity and Applejack, "But we're adjusting."
"So, uh, you can't have friendship without makeovers?" asked one of the females.
"Eh, not-not exactly," Applejack replied as Rarity smiled and nodded in agreement.
But then they just exchanged awkward looks with each other. Thorax and Starlight exchanged sheepish smiles of their own when a certain draconequus appeared.
"Oh, Starlight," said Discord, "Princess Twilight and Master Chase has something very important to tell us. Well, just you, really, but I'm nosy and I want to hear."
Discord put on some gaucho glasses to emphasize his point, or possibly confirm he is a meddling doofus.
"Okay," said Starlight and then looked at Thorax, "Would you excuse m-?" Before Starlight could finished, Discord grabbed her and teleported them both over to Twilight and Chase.
"-Nevermind," said Starlight bluntly as Discord set her down and looked at Chase and Twilight, "What's going on?"
Discord just slithered behind the purple pony and brown pony. Chase had an angry look on his face.
"Well, Twilight was just about to reveal her grand master plan for you," Discord pointed out.
"Really?" said Starlight excitedly, "I was kind of wondering what I was gonna do next."
"Yes, I'd say we were both fairly interes-" Discord was about to finish when…
SQUASH!
"TED!" Discord yelped as he held his tail while bouncing around. "OWHOHOHO! YIPE!"
Chase then bashed Discord away with a punch to the chest as the Lord of Chaos crashes off screen somewhere else before the alicorn master rejoined Twilight.
"Don't listen to what Discord said. There's a reason why we call it 'surprise'. You all have to wait until the end of our party. And trust me, it'll be the blast." Chase said quickly with a nervously top smile.
"It sure is." Twilight gulped.
"Starlight, come on!" Trixie said excitedly, "The Ponyville Chronicle wants to take our picture!" She then saw Discord above them with a glare he sent at Chase and groaned, "Ugh, You, too, Discord."
The group then walked off. But it wasn't long before Discord came in-between the couple. And just before he could say anything, Chase grabbed and pulled down his goatee beard while giving Discord a death glare.
"I'm gonna make this very clear with you, Discord." Chase said in a low stern tone, making Discord look at him with full attention with wide eyes as he clearly knew where this was going and he didn't like it one bit. "If you ever, EVER, tell anypony about the surprise, you better hope that I don't kill you. Because I will have your head for this." Discord became nervous and worried. "Do you understand?!"
Discord gulped nervously.
"Y-Y-Yes. Sir." Discord said with a whimper.
"Now beat it!" Chase said firmly as he let go of the goatee beard before kicking Discord off. The draconequus muttered in anger and annoyance as he teleported out at once.
Chase then noticed his wife was looking very overwhelmed as she began to bounce on her hooves nervously.
"Honey, please calm down," said Chase, "Discord isn't gonna get away with this!"
"It's too late!" Twilight squeaked out in a panic in a loud whisper, "He's gone to tell everypony that I'm gonna announce my grand master plan to everypony! And I've got nothing!"
Twilight then ran out of the room and slammed the door. Spike, who had been eating some muffins, had heard the door slam and looked back to see Chase exit the room as well. It was then Nyx came up to the table.
"I wonder what that's all about?" Nyx asked as she gobbled up another cupcake in her fore-hoof.
"Think we should find out?" Spike asked.
Nyx gave a firm nod as the two friends exited the party room and went in search for the alicorn couple. Of course, the first place they decided to check was the library room.
"Twilight," Spike said as he opened the door and he and Nyx peeked inside.
"Mommy? Daddy?" Nyx asked, "Are you guys okay?"
"Are you reading during a party...again?" Spike asked as he and the alicorn filly walked inside.
"What kind of question is that?" Nyx asked annoyingly.
"It's a bad habit your mother has," Spike replied as a matter of fact.
It was then Chase was trying and failing to calm Twilight down as she was fumbling about a large pile of unrolled scrolls.
"Honey, please calm down!" Chase told her firmly, "We can fix this! It shouldn't be hard to tell everypony that Discord was just trying to embarrass you. Then we can enjoy the party and maybe watch Fluttershy and Sokka scold him like a little toddler."
Chase chuckled at that last part, but Twilight wasn't really listening.
"No, no, no!" said Twilight as she stumbled about the scrolls, "She's already good at that! She mastered this! She taught me about this one! So did my baby girl too!"
Nyx blinked before a teary smile appeared on her face.
"Mom hasn't called me that since my last confrontation with Spoiled Rich at the school house in Ponyville." Nyx said as she wiped the tears away from her eyes while Spike walked up to the alicorn couple.
"Wild guess - something's wrong." Spike asked.
"Yeah," said Chase bitterly as Nyx approached as well, "Discord has a bad habit of giving my girl panic attacks and setting her up to look bad in front of large crowds!"
"That's not the main problem here, honey!" said Twilight as she saw both Spike and Nyx before her, "Spike! Nyx! I'm a terrible mentor! Why didn't I come up with a path for Starlight? Princess Celestia had it all figured out for me and Chase!"
"Honey," said Chasein a slightly annoyed tone, "Did you already forget what I told you earlier? We're not my Celestia! We can't foresee the future like she could about us!"
"Point made," said Twilight, "But you know me, sweetie. I like to have a plan! And for the first time in my life! I don't!"
"Okay, okay," said Chase, "I see your point."
"Is that all?" Nyx remarked, "Mom, what do you always tell me when I feel lost, worried, or confused about something?"
Twilight stared and then gasped.
"That's it!" said Twilight, "Come on, everypony!"
Twilight gave a cute, excited squee as she ran out of her room with a long list in her magic grip. The end of the list wrapped around Spike.
"Whoa!" Spike yelped as he was dragged along.
Chase and Nyx chuckled at the little dragon's expense before they followed Twilight to the throne room.
(Scene changes)
It wasn't long before Twilight, Chase, Nyx, and Spike were sitting with Celestia in the throne room. They also had the cutie map active as they were talking. Twilight was initially surprised to see Nyx was there, but didn't object to having her daughter helping her out.
"I had years worth of friendship lessons ready to go," said Twilight, "but when we were captured by Chrysalis, Starlight, along with my husband, took charge and really stepped up. I don't think friendship lessons are enough for Starlight anymore."
"So you have an overachieving student," said Celestia and looked at both Spike and Nyx, "Sounds familiar." Spike chuckled.
"Spike, be more serious with this." Chase said sternly, making Spike flinch in surprise as he smiled sheepishly.
"Ahem, if we can get back in track here," said Twilight, "Celestia, that's why I had to talk to you. You, of all ponies, would know what to do. I mean, you were me and I was Starlight. But for now, I need you to pretend you're you and I'm me."
"Huh?" said Spike puzzled.
"Mom is asking Celestia to be the teacher and that she is the student again," Nyx explained to Spike.
"Heh. Go on," said Celestia and gave a fore-hoof gesture to continue.
"When Chase and I were your students," Twilight continued, "and you were in this place, you-" Twilight and Chase both realized something as Celestia gave them a solemn look, "Oh, no! You sent us to Ponyville! Which means it's time for me to send Starlight Glimmer away!"
Nyx gasped while Twilight was in shock. Fortunately it only took a couple of minutes before Twilight was able to recompose herself to some extent as Chase held her close.
"I can't believe it!" said Twilight, "It's really time for Starlight to go, isn't it?" Nyx ran up to them both with a sad look.
"Is it true, Daddy?" Nyx asked sadly, "Is it time for Starlight to leave Ponyville?"
"I...I don't know," said Chase quietly in a worried tone, "This is all so sudden."
"Only you can make that decision, Twilight," said Celestia. "It's a difficult decision to make, but your heart knows what is right, even as it hurts."
Twilight just looked sad and said nothing as Chase held her close for support.
"Where're you gonna send her?" Spike asked eagerly. Twilight winced and Celestia and Chase glared at him.
"You really gotta start paying attention to the mood around here," Nyx remarked.
"Uh, too soon?" Spike remarked from all the glares.
"Ya think?" Nyx replied sarcastically as she slapped Spike by the back of his head, making him yelp in pain before he rubbed it and glared at the alicorn filly.
Celestia and Chase both rolled their eyes at his insensitivity.
"Honey, you don't need to rush it," said Chase, "I can easily step back to the party room and tell everypony Discord is just sticking his foot in his mouth...as usual."
"This isn't about what Discord is trying to do anymore," said Twilight and then took a long sigh, "This is about Starlight and it's something I have to do."
Twilight then walked up to the cutie map and began looking around the area. She didn't feel any more confident as she started looking about.
"Oh boy," Twilight groaned.
"Want some help Mommy?" Nyx asked as she came up the purple pony, "I could write a check list of some pros and cons of each location for you?"
Twilight giggled and just hugged her daughter close. Not only was Nyx thinking like her, but that wasn't such a bad idea.
(Back in the party room…)
"Oh, boy!" said Fluttershy excitedly.
Unfortunately, Discord had slyly wasted no time to spread the word about "Twilight's" announcement and was now telling the rest of the Mane Sixteen all about it. Sokka, Clay, Sunray, and Jade were the only ponies skeptical while the others had curious looks on their faces.
"Whatever Twilight and Chase are planning for Starlight is going to be so exciting!" Discord told them.
"Hmm," said Applejack, "Wonder why she didn't tell any of us about it."
"I've been wondering the same thing, AJ," Sokka added as he gave the draconequus a suspicious look.
"Yea, why didn't you tell us before?" Clay asked with the same look he sent to Discord.
"Probably because you're not as close as you think you are," Discord remarked. The rest of the group shared concerned looks while Sokka, Clay, Sunray, and Trini gave him a glare.
"Not funny," Sokka remarked.
Discord laughed.
"Relax, Sokka, Clay, Sunray, and Jade, I'm kidding!" Discord said once he calmed down and then leaned in towards the group, "They wanted it to be a surprise. Just between us, They're getting ready to make a big announcement!"
"And what exactly has this to do with you doing another one of your mischievous schemes to make her feel embarrassed?" Jade asked skeptically, making Discord wince.
"Uh… um… ahem, it's none of your business!" Discord snapped once he recovered and zipped away.
"Oh really?" Sokka replied with a raised eyebrow. Pinkie squealed.
"That's so exciting!" Pinkie said excitedly, pushing her nose into Rarity's, "And surprising. Usually, you tell your party planner about all about the plans for your party."
"Another red flag if you ask me," Sokka muttered to Fluttershy with concern.
"Oh, I'm sure everything will turn out just fine, honey," said Fluttershy, "Twilight and Chase never do things without a plan."
"Hmm...good point," Sokka remarked, rubbing his chin.
"Fluttershy's right, Sokka," said Rainbow, "This is Twilight and Chase we're talking about. They definitely have one. I mean when has Twilight and Chase not had a plan?"
Sokka nodded, but unlike the others, he knew Discord up to something.
It was then that Jade and Sunray noticed something on the ground. It was a white card as Jade used her magic to pick it up before she motioned her younger brother to follow her out of the room. Once they were out of the room, Jade opened the card with her magic. Once she and Sunray saw what was on it, they became angry at what Discord is really trying to do.
"Oh, he is so not gonna get away with it." Jade said with a stern look.
"I hear ya, sister." Sunray agreed with his older sister with the same look on his face.
(Scene changes)
Back in the throne room, Twilight was just mumbling to herself.
"Gosh, I don't know...I just don't want to send her to the wrong place," said Twilight worriedly.
"Guess my checklist idea wasn't that helpful," Nyx remarked sadly as she scanned her papers.
"They were, sweetheart," said Twilight, "My issue is making the right choice."
"Well, don't feel like you have to choose a place alone," said Chase as he walked up to the map.
"Yeah, Mom, let us keep helping you," said Nyx as she started to scan the map, "I'm sure there are some places in Equestria that could use Starlight's expertise and magical power more than others."
"I just, I just don't know..." Twilight replied as she kept looking on the map. She then suddenly gasped.
"I got it!" Twilight exclaimed as she ran over to Celestia, "Since defeating Chrysalis, Starlight's given the changelings an opportunity to revolutionize their society. Maybe I can send her there."
Twilight then case a spell over everypony in the room. Within seconds, the four ponies and Spike were turned white and transparent as they appeared in the changeling kingdom.
"Whoa!" said Nyx. "This is new." Spike then watched as a changeling walked right through him and never noticed the little dragon was there.
"Cool spell," said Spike to Twilight.
"I'm rather impressed with myself," Chase added.
"If Starlight goes to the changeling hive," Twilight explained, "she can help them adjust to their new way of life."
Nearby, Starlight and Thorax were standing side by side before a large group of changelings.
"Okay, Friendship 101," said Starlight, "Thorax and I are going to show you how to compromise."
"I want to have a honeysuckle nectar for lunch," said Thorax in a very slow and slightly mechanical tone.
"I would like a sandwich," said Starlight in the same tone, "Oh no. What should we do?"
"Attack!" one changeling suggested, "The winner gets to choose!" The other changelings chattered in agreement. Starlight and Thorax both winced.
"Or...Thorax and I can talk about it and come up with a solution that works for everypony," Starlight suggested.
"Starlight, how do you feel about honeysuckle and peanut butter sandwiches?" Thorax proposed.
"Why, that sounds dee-licous!" Starlight replied.
"Compromise," Starlight and Thorax said together. The other changelings chattered impressively. Meanwhile, Spike and Nyx have rather puzzled looks on their faces.
"Uh, this doesn't seem like something Starlight and Thorax would do," said Spike.
"I have to agree with Spike in that," said Nyx, "The changelings are a bit naive about alot of things, but this lesson treats them like they're simple minded."
"Uh, this is Twilight's fantasy, Spike and Nyx," said Celestia, "There is no wrong way to fantasize."
"Thank you," said Twilight proudly. Chase didn't resist chuckling.
"Starlight Glimmer is a most apt and perspicacious pony!" said a changeling from the fore-ground.
"Yep. Definitely a Twilight fantasy," said Spike annoyingly.
SMACK!
"OW!" Spike shouted as he rubbed the back of his head in pain before he gave Chase a glare as the alicorn stallion gave him a stern look as Twilight gave the baby dragon a glare.
"At least Mom took my suggestion that the changelings are smart," Nyx pointed out.
"This seems like a lovely path for Starlight," said Celestia, "The changelings have so much to learn about how to enjoy love through friendships. Starlight would be busy for a very long time, but her work there would be very rewarding."
Nyx looked rather sad.
"A long time huh?" the filly said quietly.
"Or dangerous," said Twilight worriedly, "It would only take one changeling to deviate from the pack."
Twilight then teleported the group to another point in her fantasy of the future. Starlight used her magic to pick up some changeling eggs and then walked off. It was then an orange changeling appeared with a devious smile on their face. They quickly transformed into Starlight, laughing evilly as they approached three other changelings in the area.
"Hi, I'm Starlight Glimmer! What's your name?" the fake unicorn asked. The three changelings shared funny looks with each other.
"Uh, Cornicle?" the changeling replied. Fake Starlight laughed at them mockingly.
"What kind of name is that?" Fake Starlight asked and then used her magic to extend another changeling's wings, "Ah, your wings are so, um...see-through. I'm so glad I'm a pony. Are you, like, bugs, or what?"
"The fake did not just go there?!" Nyx exclaimed in shock.
"It did..." Chase said wearily.
Fake Starlight then made a giant fly swatter appear and then smacked the square end of it into two changelings and ran off. Not a second later, the real Starlight appeared. unaware of her doppelganger. Cornicle gasped.
"There she is!" Cornicle shouted angrily, "Get her!" Starlight winced and ran for her life. Twilight, Chase, and Nyx cringed before Twilight ended the fantasy.
"Uh, that probably won't happen," Spike remarked dismissively.
"Get real, Spike!" Nyx remarked, "Just because the changelings are good now doesn't mean they've lost their ability to change physical forms. Plus there are still a small number of changelings that haven't learned the benefits of sharing love. Any one of them could impersonate Starlight and tarnish her reputation if they wanted to! You've seen how easily they can fool anypony, even themselves!"
"Okay, what happened to helping Twilight not be nervous?" Spike remarked.
"I'm just saying her concern is justified!" Nyx shot back, "It's not that far-fetched!"
"I still say that won't happen!" Spike protested.
"But it could!" Twilight remarked, "I can't just send her to Celestia-knows-where without thinking it through!"
"Hmm, I was not aware that I was an expression," said Celestia, "An appropriate one, of course, for even I don't know the answer."
"Well, it may be harder than we thought for an answer." Chase remarked as Celestia walked up to Twilight.
"This is a momentous decision," said Celestia to Twilight as Chase stood by his wife. "You must consider all the possibilities."
"Also keep in mind that there are risks in every journey, honey," said Chase, "and Starlight is an adult after all. She is capable of handling herself in sticky situations, especially when she gets herself into those sticky situations."
"True about that, Daddy," Nyx pointed out.
"Rethink, rethink, rethink!" Twilight said to herself as she looked about the map once again. She then noticed a familiar volcanic area.
"What about the dragons?" Twilight suggested, "I can send Starlight to the Dragon Lands! She and Ember would totally hit it off after they helped each other take on Chrysalis!"
Twilight then summoned her fantasy spell to teleport them to the dragon lands. Ember was just sitting by herself as dragons of all shapes and sizes hovered above the new Dragon Lord. It was then Starlight appeared via her own teleportation magic.
"Ember!" Starlight called out in a deep tone.
"Starlight!" Ember replied in the same tone. Then they did a combination of an arm/fore-leg wrestle and claw/hoof shake, which was followed by chest bumping each other and grunting.
"You ready to do some death-defying dragon stuff?" Ember asked, still using a rather macho tone.
"Ah, totally!" Starlight replied in a very poorly done surfer tone.
"Okay, that doesn't sound anything like Ember or Starlight," Spike remarked.
"Yeah, no offense Mom, but your idea of macho or surfer voices needs work," said Nyx added.
"Or at least make sure they won't get into any trouble either." Chase said with a smirk as Nyx, Celestia, and Spike snickered.
Twilight glared at them annoyingly.
"Eh-heh-heh!" Twilight laughed annoyingly, "anyway, who knows what their dynamic would be, you guys?"
It was then the dragons were using their fire-breath to destroy some rock structures. Starlight then took her turn and literally wiped out the entire field with a powerful magic blast. Ember was impressed as she and Starlight shared a hoof/claw bump. Spike and Nyx then looked down and found that there was nothing for them to stand up.
"GASP!" Spike gasped as she quickly grabbed Twlight's fore-leg.
"YIKES!" Nyx squeaked as she jumped into Chase's back.
Spike then tapped the air to find he could stand at that spot and not fall. Nyx jumped down and tapped the air as well to find that she could do the same.
"Whoa...cool," said Nyx impressively.
"Starlight will love it here in the Dragon Lands," said Twilight, "In her letters, Ember said the dragons do alot of fun things. The Feast of Fire, the Dragon Bowl, Claw-chella."
As Twilight was speaking, a large group of dragons were flying through the skies they were "standing" on. Starlight was then seen riding the former Dragon Lord's back.
"Whoo!" Starlight cheered and laughed.
"Starlight could be there for a really long time," Twilight pointed out.
"That seems to be a common theme," Nyx said sadly.
"But then again," said Twilight, "not all dragons like ponies as much as Ember does."
"Right." said Chase annoyingly as he glared at Garble, "Especially a particular red dragon who has proven to be a big bully and a sore loser."
Twilight then teleported them to another point of her fantasy. Garble was getting ready to take off with the other dragons when Starlight approached.
"Hey, Twinkle Star!" Garble called out with a smirk that was anything but friendly.
"It's, uh, Starlight Glimmer," the unicorn corrected.
"Star-kle Light-star?" Garble repeated dumbly.
"Is he..." Nyx tried to ask.
"Yes, he's that stupid," Chase answered, "or at least acts stupid to be disrespectful." Nyx rolled her eyes.
"Starlight. Glimmer," the unicorn corrected again. This time more firmly.
"Yeah, whatever," Garble replied, "You wanna hand with us?" Before Starlight could reply, he grabbed the unicorn and jumped off a cliff.
"What are we diving into?" Starlight asked.
"Lava!" Garble answered.
"What?!" Starlight exclaimed as she saw the pool of lava below and approaching fast. Twilight and Chase both winced as the dragon and unicorn made impact.
"Twilight, this is crazy!" Spike called out as Twilight ended the fantasy, "Starlight's really good with magic. She could just stop herself from falling into a pit of lava!"
"What if she didn't realize it was happening?" Twilight protested.
"Hmm, I could definitely see Garble pulling a stunt like that on Starlight, or anypony actually," said Chase, "but even in the situation we saw, Starlight had more than enough time to teleport herself out of Garble's arms to safety. Plus, Starlight and I have been working on a spell that protects you from lava damage should you fall into it. And, for extra insurance, I taught Starlight how to make my metal cap, which make you invincible to lava and fire altogether."
"She could still drop the cap or have it stolen," said Twilight, "And that lava proof spell you two have been working on doesn't last forever! It could wear off at the worst possible time!"
"Oh boy," Chase remarked annoyingly as Twilight walked over to the map. Chase walked up so they were standing side by side.
"Sweetheart, I know you're nervous," said Chase calmly, "But don't you think you're getting a little overprotective?"
"Honey, if you had to send Nyx away, wouldn't you be nervous sending her someplace where she could get hurt or worse?" Twilight asked. Chase sighed.
"Good point," said Chase, "I just think your pressuring yourself too hard to figure this out right now. Just let me go tell everypony Discord was just sticking his foot in mouth...again and you can take your time with this."
"Still doesn't solve the fact I don't have a plan," said Twilight, "I just need to think of someplace safe to send her!" Twilight began to scan the map once again, "Someplace safe, someplace safe, someplace safe...I could send her to the Crystal Empire to continue her studies with Sunburst!"
Twilight went to cast her fantasy spell.
"Wait, wait, wait, wait!" said Chase, "You gotta add this to your fantasy!"
Chase then tapped his horn to Twilight as the spell took effect. Within seconds, they found themselves in the middle of what appeared to be a room in the Crystal Palace for a special occasion. More specifically, Starlight and Sunburst's wedding!
They were surrounded by a small collection of Crystal ponies and the Mane Sixteen was in the crowd. Trixie was there, wearing a bride's maid dress.
"Honey!" Twilight protested, "Starlight doesn't see Sunburst that way!"
"Um, Mommy," said Nyx, "You used to say the same thing about master for years on end."
"And there is no wrong way to fantasize after all," Chase said with a smirk.
Twilight just groaned and rolled her eyes. Spike and Celestia chuckled as they watched the wedding unfold.
"And do you Sunburst, take Starlight as your wife?" Cadance asked.
"I do," said Sunburst, making Starlight's eyes tear up.
"And do you, Starlight, take Sunburst as your husband?" Cadance asked.
"I do," Starlight replied as some tears streamed down her eyes.
"By the power invested in me, I now pronounce you mare and colt," said Cadance.
Starlight and Sunburst then went in for a kiss. Twilight couldn't help but smile at the scene with Chase, but then they heard the sound of a pony crying. They found out it was Nyx.
"I love moments like this," Nyx sobbed happily.
Chase just chuckled as Twilight rolled her eyes, but still smiled too.
"Okay, enough romance," said Twilight as she used her horn to teleport them to the Crystal Library where the two unicorns were now working on some magic together. Starlight was wearing some safety goggles as well.
"It'll be perfect!" said Twilight, "Sunburst's knowledge of magic is only matched by Starlight's abilities."
"And they make a cute couple," Nyx added. Twilight just sighed.
"Fine, they do," Twilight admitted...hastily. Down below, Sunburst was reading a book to his wife.
"I've got it, honey!" said Sunburst, "Try placing your horn directly on the potion and picture the clock you wish to make."
Starlight obeyed and tapped her horn on what looked like a tree stump filled with magic potion. The object turned into a cuckoo clock, which the birdie was actually a little wooden mock up of Flurry Heart.
"They could challenge each other into becoming the most talented unicorns Equestria's ever seen!" said Twilight.
"Second only to you, right Mom?" Nyx pointed out.
"Ehh...r-r-right," Twilight replied sheepishly since everypony in the group knew Starlight outclassed her magically.
"We did it, dear!" said Starlight, "Quick, what's next?"
"Of course, the study of magic is a lifelong pursuit, and Starlight could be there for a while," Twilight pointed out as she saw Starlight and Sunburst walked off side by side in the foreground, "especially once they start attempting the really complicated stuff!"
"Uh-oh," said Nyx bluntly.
"Three, two, one..." Spike counted down, awaiting Twilight's worst case scenario.
"What if they become too ambitious?!" Twilight said worriedly.
"Oh boy, that is a good concern," said Chase, "Starlight isn't afraid to combine, merge, and modify complex spells. And, so far, her efforts have had some rather...interesting...results. She is prone to getting into trouble when it comes to magic and I doubt Sunburst will do anything to stop her."
"Seriously?" Spike remarked annoyingly.
"Spike, I can't control this alicorn over here!" said Chase, pointing a fore-hoof at Twilight, "What makes you think Sunburst could control Starlight?"
"Oh yeah, good point," Spike replied as Twilight pouted as Nyx and Celestia snickered.
Twilight then moved her fantasy to Sunburst's house, or thanks to Chase's addition, Sunburst and Starlight's home. The two unicorns were now looking at another spell book.
"I never thought to combine Star Swirl's apparition spell with Spacium Flexibus, honey!" Starlight pointed, "But what would happen if we added Somnambula's Tempus Objectus?"
"If we do it just right, dear, it should allow us to materialize an object that was lost in the past," Sunburst told his wife and then used some chalk to draw a magic portal on the floor. Diamond Tiara shuddered.
"Those things always give me the creeps," said Nyx.
"Same here," said Chase, "Thank goodness Twilight never made us try to create or activate one."
"Because I know how dangerous they are," Twilight remarked as a matter of fact but then nervously watched as Sunburst completed drawing the portal.
"No! Don't try it!" Twilight pleaded as Chase cringed.
"I can't watch!" Nyx cried out and covered her eyes, but still peeked out of one.
Sunburst and Starlight then made their horns glow to activate the portal. Immediately, the portal quickly turned into a mini black hole that started sucking in anything within range. Starlight and Sunburst started to scream. To make matters worse, Starlight couldn't resist the suction and got pulled into the portal.
"Starlight, noooooo!" Sunburst and Twilight screamed.
The latter was crying as she did so. Then Sunburst was pulled into the portal and all the surroundings until the rest of the transparent group was standing in a black void. Poor Twilight was in pure shock as tears poured from her eyes. And seeing Twilight in such a state was scaring Nyx.
"Mom? Mommy!" Nyx cried out, shaking Twilight to get her attention, "Speak to me!"
"Honey! Honey!" Chase called out in desperation.
"Twilight, snap out of it!" Spike shouted.
Twilight finally regained her senses to end her fantasy, but was still crying even after they returned back to the throne room.
"It's okay, Mom, it's okay," Nyx said in a gentle but sympathetic tone as she hugged the purple alicorn.
Twilight then stood up and wiped her eyes, but still looked very frazzled. Chase pulled her close to help her calm down, stroking her mane with a fore-hoof.
"Easy, Twilight," said Spike gently, "It didn't happen."
"But it could!" Twilight interjected, "I just don't think I can send her anywhere. What am I gonna do?"
"Honey… I… I don't know." Chase said softly with concern.
HA-HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
The entire group was then left in shock when they saw the Celestia was laughing. Chase and Nyx's jaws dropped in shock.
"Are you laughing at me?" Twilight asked in a tone that was both shocking and hurtful.
Celestia didn't answer. She was too busy laughing.
"I can't believe you're laughing at me," said Twilight, now feeling rather hurt.
"What's your problem?" Nyx asked, showing she wasn't afraid to speak her mind to Celestia now.
"That's not cool, Celestia," Chase retorted angrily, "That's not cool!"
Celestia finally calmed down.
"Oh, Twilight, Chase, Nyx, I'm not," said Celestia as she calmed down and then looked at Twilight, "I'm laughing because I had the exact same fears you're having."
"What?!" Twilight and Nyx exclaimed in surprise.
"Are you kidding?" Chase asked in confusion.
Celestia chuckled.
"Let me tell you all a story," said Celestia as the others took a seat before her, "Once upon a time, there was a very bright young filly and a very smart, young, and very quick martial arts skill learning colt."
Flashback
Inside a classroom, past Celestia was at a teacher's desk where young versions of Twilight, Chase, and the old Canterlot group could be seen doing their school work.
"They were truly two of my best students," Celestia narrated as young Twilight was wearing goggles and reading a book.
Young Chase was also wearing some goggles while reading a book as well. Young Twilight was about to mix one potion with another when Chase stopped her, flipped the pages, and showed young Twilight another page. Young Twilight blinked at her mistake and grabbed a different potion and mixed that one instead and kept working, not bothering to tell Chase thank you. Young Chase just got to work mixing his own potion.
"Are you talking about Twilight and Chase?" Spike asked off screen, "I can't see what you're thinking about."
It was then young Minuette and young Twinkleshine used their potion to make a plant grow. Young Moon Dancer young Lemon Hearts did the same. Past Celestia smiled and then she saw Chase and Twilight combine their potions to make a huge majestic plant grow from their pot. Young Twilight and young Chase smiled excitedly.
"Yes, Spike," said Celestia, "I was constantly surprised and impressed with both of their combined and individual discoveries."
Past Celestia watched as Chase held out a fore hoof for Twilight to hand him a book, which she did and went back to reading. Chase smiled at her for a moment before he went back to reading as well.
Past Celestia rolled her eyes but smirked at the sight, but then her facial expression became more serious.
"But I noticed that Twilight's pursuit of academia was preventing her from reaching her full potential," Celestia narrated.
"You mean it was keeping her isolated and alone?" said Spike, "and she took Chase for granted?"
SMACK!
"OW!" Spike yelped. "Okay, I'll behave, Chase! Stop doing that!"
"Too late for that, Spike." Chase said sternly. "So stop being rude."
"It's alright, Chase. And… Uh, yes, Spike," said Celestia as she watched Chase heading over to a bird cage that had his phoenix pet Ray, still as a chick, and opened the door.
Ray hovered out of his cage and landed on his master's back, nuzzling Chase on the cheek as the young colt smiled. Ray then hovered on the table Chase and Twilight were working at as Chase was showing his companion some new jiu jitsu skills he was practicing. From high kicks, punches, blocks, and katas, Chase performed like a natural fighter.
"As for Chase, he was very determined to be a great jiu jitsu master like his grandfather." Celestia narrated as her past self watched young Chase perform impressive katas that really wowed the other students. "And because of his parents training him to face his fears since the elite ponies mocked them none stop after Darius disappeared without a trace, Chase proved to be more brave in the face of danger. Especially when he stood up to the elite ponies, yet it still hurt him that day he missed his grandfather so much. With both Chase and Twilight spending hardly any time making friendships, I knew I had a decision to make. Oh, but it wasn't easy."
(Scene changes)
Past Celestia could be seen standing at the horizon as the sun began to set as she began talking to herself.
"Maybe I could close the library," Past Celestia said aloud, "or throw a party in the castle. Oh, they'd have to talk to the other fillies and colts then! Then again, the last time I tried throwing a party for Chase. The other ponies only sought to get in good graces with me or Cadance. They didn't even want to try to get to know him...and after Darius' disappearance...most of the elite has wasted no time making Chase feel unwelcome here..." Past Celestia then looked at the moon, which still had Nightmare Moon's face on it.
"I must send them away," said Past Celestia sadly as tears appeared in her eyes.
(Scene changes)
Sometime later, past Celestia was in Ponyville speaking with Mayor Mare when she saw five very familiar fillies speaking and chatting with each other.
"I knew there was a special group of fillies in Ponyville," Celestia continued to narrate, "Fillies that I knew would not only help Twilight. They would accept Chase for who he was and help him defend his family's honor, so to speak. But I kept inventing all kinds of reasons why I shouldn't send them away."
(Scene changes)
Back at the castle, Past Celestia was pacing about in the foreground of the throne room.
"What if they run into a manticore?" Past Celestia asked herself, "Or what if they get pulled into Tartarus? Or worst of all, what if they don't get along with anypony?!"
Past Celestia was beginning to panic, which made the two guards standing in the background feel rather awkward.
"Are we supposed to do something?" The right guard asked.
"I don't think so," The left guard replied nervously.
(Scene changes)
Her past self watched past Chase, past Twilight, and past Spike fly off to Ponyville.
"I kept you both in Canterlot longer than I should have." Celestia finished as her past self cried as she watched the two ponies and little dragon disappear into the distance.
End Flashback
"Eventually, I realized all the anxiety I felt was because I didn't want either of you to go."
"Really?" said Twilight and Chase as the purple alicorn's eyes shined.
"I loved having you both as my students." Celestia said. "You both challenged me and taught me just as much as I taught you. I am embarrassed to admit it, but I was afraid if you both made friends, you wouldn't need me anymore."
"Aww..." Nyx cooed cutely. Twilight and Chase were so touched that they began to cry.
"Princess Celestia, that is so not true," said Twilight, "I will always need you."
"Especially me," said Chase, "Just because I was able to find friends, learn jiu jitsu so quickly, and open up didn't exactly solve all my issues after all. I still need you more than ever, especially if I'm ever going to fully honor my family's legacy."
"In regards to feeling needed, I think Starlight Glimmer might feel the same way about you," said Celestia to Twilight, "if that is what you're afraid of."
"Maybe it is," said Twilight timidly, "Just a little."
"Oh it definitely it," said Spike, "Like, a lot." Spike chuckled as Twilight shot him a glare.
"Yeah, well," Twilight snorted before calming down, "If I'm being honest, I'm more afraid of that happening between me and Nyx. She's not exactly a little filly and she's grown and matured in such when her family was taken by Zhao before Chase and I ever adopted her from the Sanzu River mayhem long ago."
"That doesn't mean I'll stop needing you as I get older, Mommy," said Nyx, "Trust me, I'm not exactly in a hurry to grow up. It will be a long time before I'm ready to leave. I promise that we are going to have lots of time to get closer to each other as mom and daughter. I love you."
Twilight was touched and pulled the filly in for a loving hug, kissing her fore-head.
"Here we are after all these years," said Celestia as she pulled Twilight, Chase, Spike, and Nyx closer to her, "You, me, and Chase are living proof that letting someone spread their wings doesn't mean you no longer have a place in their lives."
"Thank you," said Twilight with a smile as she continued to hold her daughter close, "and now I get to experience the joys of motherhood."
Celestia chuckled.
"It is a very rewarding and wonderful experience," said Celestia, "and if you ever need any advice, feel free to write to me. In fact, if your still worried about Starlight, you can always make her write you letters."
"At least until it gets old," Chase added with a smirk. Celestia gave him a raspberry as Spike and Nyx giggled. Twilight just smiled.
"Feeling better sweetie?" Chase asked as he walked up to his wife.
"Yeah," said Twilight, "and now I think I know what my plan for Starlight is."
Chase smiled, but then the sound of the doors were opened.
"Unfortunately, we're gonna need to put that one aside for a minute, guys." Jade said as she and Sunray made their appearance, making the four alicorns, and Spike turn to them.
"Guys, what are you doing here? Why aren't you at the party?" Chase asked his siblings as they approached the five with glares.
"We thought you guys might wanna look at what Discord is really trying to do." Jade explained by holding the card the draconequus dropped.
Chase and Twilight knew what was going on as they now felt angry for Discord. Then Twilight snapped out of her glare as she smirked.
"I think I have an idea of what we can do, guys." Twilight said slyly as the others shared the same look on their faces, knowing that the alicorn couple were gonna give Discord a piece of their minds.
(Scene changes)
A few minutes later, Celestia, Sunray, Jade, and Spike had already returned to the party. Chase and Twilight then entered a few minutes afterward as the alicorn mare was carrying a present in her magic grip.
The crowds fell silent as they watched the alicorn couple head to the back of the room and put their presents down. It was then a spotlight shined on them, nearly blinding the two alicorns, and then…
"Hey!" Chase yelped as he and Twilight were bopped on the head with a boom mic that was being held by Discord wearing a camera-pony's outfit.
"I may have let it slip that you'd be unveiling your big plan for Starlight tonight." Discord remarked. "Silly me. But we're all very excited to hear what you've cooked up."
There was a long silence as Twilight and Chase noticed that the entire crowd was staring at them.
"Oh boy..." Chase remarked with a deadpan look as Twilight looked away and winced.
"You weren't coming up with a plan just now, were you?" Discord asked in disbelief, "Oh, dear. This could be pretty embarrassing for you."
Discord smirked.
"Gee, thanks, Discord," said Twilight sarcastically.
"Like you would ever set up my wife to be humiliated in front of all our friends." Chase remarked in the same tone.
"Anytime." Discord replied, disregarding the sarcasm, as he patted Twilight's fore-hoof, "I really love being helpful."
But he was taken back as Twilight took her hoof out of his hands as she gave him a stern glare.
"And you can also be helpful by going to the corner and think about what you've done, because I am not sending her to your realm!" Twilight said angrily, shocking Discord as everypony, minus Celestia, Sunray, Spike, and Jade, gasped at what they heard before they glared at Discord suspiciously.
"WHAT?!" Discord asked in shock as he stuttered a bit nervously, scared by now. "Uh- that's not what I was-" Then he recomposed himself as he tried to glare back at Twilight. "You don't have any proof of it or what I'm talking about!"
"No proof, huh?" Chase said sternly as he used his magic to make the lights go away as he glared at Discord as well. "Then how do you explain this?"
Chase lifts the card in his wing Jade and Sunray found, shocking Discord even more.
"Apparently, Jade and Sunray found this on the floor after they said to me you told the others about your little scheme to embarrass Twilight." Chase continued as he opened the card to show the proof as it showed Discord and Starlight having punch together in a bad way. "This card says 'this was all my idea. Have fun in my realm as my roomie. Love, Discord'."
Discord's eyes popped out as he now was caught red handed before he flinched back as Chase pointed his right hoof at Discord angrily.
"For attempting to embarrass Twilight in front of the crowd, you're banned from using your chaos magic for two months!" Chase said as this was Discord's punishment.
"TWO MONTHS?!" Discord exclaimed in shock as he stuttered a bit more while his clothes disappeared. "But-I-I-guh-duh- D'OOOH!" Discord groaned in anger before he leaned into Chase's face as Chase had no effect on this as the draconequus pokes the alicorn master at the chest and brings his fists up, threatening him, but to no avail. "You get this, Chase Young?! If you don't keep your nose out of my business again, I am going to murd-"
"Ahem." A cleared throat was heard from behind Discord, causing him to forget what he was about to say and he sees everyone in the room glaring at him.
"Duh-uh, I mean, uh, just stop messing around with Twilight like this so she can plan her own brilliant plans for Starlight in the future." Discord finished with a meek smile before he became completely embarrassed and humiliated.
"Discord." Fluttershy said in a mother tone as she glared at him while hovering in front of him as she pointed in an off screen direction. "Like Chase said, go to the corner right now. You're grounded for a whole month."
Discord groaned in misery before he glared at Chase and walked off.
Twilight then grabbed a spoon and empty drinking glass from the table where Applejack, Clay, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Sokka were sitting. She then used her magic to clink the spoon against it.
"If we could have everypony's attention!" said Twilight as the ponies focused on her.
"The floor is yours my love," said Chase as he pecked her cheek.
Twilight giggled as she cleared her throat.
"As you all know," Twilight told to the crowd, "Starlight Glimmer's been our pupil for a while now, and I'd hope she'd be our pupil for a long time to come. But it turns out that's just not meant to be."
The crowd gasped. Starlight, Trixie, and Sunburst were in complete shock.
"Starlight," Twilight said to the still stunned lilac unicorn, "you have proved yourself to be a kind, loyal, strong, and truly magical friend. Just looking around this room at all the new friendships you've made, I know there's nothing more I need to teach you. So we have a second reason to celebrate today. Three cheers for Starlight Glimmer on her graduation day!"
"Congratulations!" Chase cheered as he tossed some confetti into the air.
The other ponies smiled as Twilight spoke, but poor Starlight was overwhelmed. Her flustered feelings grew when Twilight announced her graduation and everypony cheered. Pinkie squeed.
"What a great surprise!" Pinkie Pie giggled with a big smile and watery eyes.
"The future's in your own hooves now," Twilight told Starlight.
"Wow," said Starlight, still recovering from the shock, "I was not expecting this!"
"Mmm..." Trixie and Thorax hummed and giggled as they gave Starlight some hugs.
Twilight and Chase shared smiles with each other as they watched the three friends embrace each other. That's when Dojo came up to them.
"Well, guys. Looks like you've managed to give Starlight a better plan and got back at Discord. Not bad for a party." Dojo said with a smirk as Chase and Twilight smiled back at the serpent before they walked away.
It was a second later that Thorax, Trixie, and Starlight pulled away from their hug.
"How do you want to celebrate?" Trixie asked eagerly, "Girls' trip to Las Pegasus?"
"We could throw you a changeling Gorbfest!" Thorax suggested as Starlight and Trixie cringed.
"Uh, it's more fun than it sounds," Thorax said with a sheepish smile.
Starlight just smiled until Discord tapped her shoulder.
"Or we could go cause a little mischief," said Discord, "I know a trick that'll turn Celestia's castle into cheese. Do you think it's a "gouda" idea?" Discord gave a chuckle, "That's just the first of many cheese jokes if we go down this path."
"I thought you were still grounded." Trixie remarked with a glare, making Discord flinch before he moaned in annoyance and walked away.
Starlight just looked at her friends, unsure of what to say or do.
"Well, that all sounds wonderful," said Starlight slowly, "But, um, give me a minute, would ya?"
Starlight then headed over to Twilight, Chase, Spike, and Nyx who were chatting with Celestia and Luna. She got the alicorn couple's attention as Celestia and Luna took a few steps back to let them chat.
"Congratulations," said Twilight and Chase together.
"Thanks," Starlight replied.
"So how do you feel?" said Twilight asked.
"Happy, surprised, overwhelmed," Starlight replied honestly, "I mean, not that I'm not grateful, but are you sure?"
Twilight looked back toward Celestia, who gave her a smile. Chase reached out and held one of Twilight's fore-hooves.
"Believe me, I've thought long and hard about this," said Twilight.
"Of course you did," said Starlight as a matter of fact.
"Well, at least we outsmarted Discord big time, find the right path to you and that's all that matters." Chase said with a smile as Twilight giggled.
But they noticed that Starlight still looked uncertain. Twilight lifted Starlight's chin so they were making eye-contact.
"Starlight, trust me," said Twilight, "You're ready."
"Yeah!" said Starlight as she walked away, but only took a few steps before turning around and stopping, "No, I'm not!"
"What are you talking about?" Twilight asked.
"What's wrong?" Chase asked as well.
"I'm not ready to leave!" Starlight cried out, getting the attention of some ponies in the foreground. To her, surprise Twilight and Chase were smiling.
"Oh, good!" said Twilight quickly with relief as she hugged the lilac unicorn, "'Cause I'm not ready for that either! Here!"
Twilight then used her magic to bring over her present.
"I got you this present," said Twilight as Starlight used her magic to unwrap it and looked at a mirror that had pictures all around the frame, "It was going to be a "congrats on getting a medal of honor" present, but then I was afraid it would have to be a going-away present, but now it's an "I couldn't be happier you're staying" present! It fits perfectly over your dresser! I know. I measured." Starlight was just crying as a large smile appeared over her face.
"Thank you," said Starlight as her tears continued to flow.
"We may not know what comes next for you, but whatever it is, we promise I'll always be there for you," Twilight said sympathetically.
"And most importantly," Chase added as he put a fore-hoof on the unicorn's shoulder, "we love you Starlight."
He then pulled the two into a hug.
"Oh," Starlight cooed.
"Oh," Twilight cooed as well.
The three ponies stayed in their group hug as Celestia and Luna smiled at each other. The former gave an approving nod over what had happened as the rest of the party continued to chatter about in the fore-ground.
(Scene changes)
Once the party was over, the area was a mess. Pinkie just looked around, smiled, and quickly zipped away. She then placed her own patented vacuum cleaner in the center of the room and pushed a button.
VROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM! SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS-POP!
Within seconds, the vacuum sucked up everything inside the room.
"Phee-yew!" said Pinkie as she wiped her brow.
Author's note: Here's the first chapter of Season 7, guys. This was the best I could think of. Hope you like it.