Chapter Four
A loud crash was heard outside of the library. This caused everyone in the room to jump. It even caused Spike to drop the book he was getting for Starburst. Twilight wondered if anypony else heard the crash other than them.
"What was that!?" the dragon asked.
"I don't know…It sounded different, like lightning. Let's check it out."
Starburst was the first to run out the door in a hurry. This surprised the purple mare, but she shook it off and cantered out.
There was a small circular object sitting before the ivory pony when she walked up to it. She wondered what could be inside, so she put a hoof to it…
"Starburst, don't touch that!" Twilight shouted, while her assistant follows behind. "You don't know what that is!"
She jumped as soon as the object reacted immediately to her touch. Magic began to emanate around the object and shoot up at their eye level. The ivory pony began to back up to stand next to the unicorn. The other pony eyed the flow of magic carefully to finally figure out what the magic was doing…
It was forming words.
When the message became clear, the confused dragon had to question what it said.
"Is that a message?" he asked, crossing his arms.
"No…I think it's a riddle." She replied.
Since you've found a pony, white as snow,
You will receive a task that I must bestow.
Upon learning the elements, in order to congest,
Six trials will emerge and be put to the test.
With help from these mares, the pony will learn with you,
Only then her colors, talent and memories return, perhaps anew.
There was no evidence of a signature. Who could have possible wrote this? And why was it delivered this way?
"What does it mean?" the purple dragon asked.
"Well, I know for sure that it is referring to Starburst," she replied. "And the mares…"
"Refers to you and the others, right?"
"Yes. For the most part, it makes sense."
The ivory mare continues to stare at the message with a confused look.
"Any idea on who could have sent this?" Spike asked. Twilight thought for a few seconds.
"Right now, I'm at a loss." She looks at Starburst, who noticed the unicorn looking at her via peripheral and turned to her.
"We might find out the truth once her memory returns."
She starts to walk towards the object, of which had eventually ceased showing the message, and used her magic to pick it up.
"Right now, I need to arrange a meeting with the girls. I'm thinking of gathering them at Rarity's Boutique. I'll need some time to prepare. In the meantime, Spike, could you gather them for me?"
The little dragon saluted.
"I'm on it!" he said, and runs off. Twilight began to trot towards the library's entrance and stops to turn to Starburst revealing a smile.
"Come along, Starburst," she said. "We must prepare ourselves for the short travel."
The white pony nodded and followed her inside.
Spike took the time to speak with the others.
"A meeting?" the purple-mane mare asked while looking over a rack of gowns that sit in the middle of her boutique.
"At Rarity's boutique? What could be the urgency?" A yellow mare asked from her cottage.
"She said it is at upmost importance," Spike replied. "She told me not to say any details, but are you able to make it?"
"Of course I will! I'll make sure I'll tidy up before then!"
"Well, if Twi says so, then I'm there!" The orange pony responds.
"I guess it wouldn't hurt to go, I mean, if that's okay with you." Fluttershy answers quietly.
"Of course I will, Spikey!" A jumpy pony says. "I'm going to bring some yummy cupcakes to pass the time!"
"Count me in!" Rainbow accepts.
Twilight had finally packed everything she needed for the planned meeting in her saddle bag. She then checked the sun outside the window for the time.
"Alright, I believe Spike should have everypony gathered by now." She turns to the ivory pony, who continued to peruse the book of astral figures. "You ready to go, Starburst?"
The pony perked up from her reading to look at her, stood up and nodded. With that said, the two left the library.
Starburst was picking up a lot of attention along the way. Ponies who were not all that busy spotted her immediately, and continued to stare. Minor whispers had even broken out within earshot that referred to the pony's unusual color.
"She's white and grey…" A unicorn murmurs.
"Indeed. It's very strange." An earth mare comments.
"Mommy! Mommy! Look at that pony!" A jumping filly pointed a hoof at her. The mother placed a hoof on the filly.
"Hush, dear! Let's go. You know it is rude to point!"
Twilight was more worried about the ashen pony submitting to the crowd's slander than the crowd asking why Starburst was with her. She understood that the crowd picked up on the pony's uniqueness, but she couldn't bear seeing her new friend staring at the ground looking defeated.
"Don't let them get to you. You may look like this now, but don't worry. You'll get your colors back in no time!"
She felt somewhat moved by the pony's encouragement, but continued to keep her eyes on the ground.
Once they have reached the boutique the unicorn could see everypony including Spike through the window, and watching them help themselves to Pinky's cupcakes. While the day still stands, she turned to Starburst as she reached the door.
"I really appreciate how strong you were making this trip with me," she complimented. "My friends will be more than happy to meet you. They will be surprised, but believe me, they won't be like them. I promise."
A smile instantly tells the white pony that Twilight was sincere, so she too smiles lightly. The purple mare opens the door and they walk in. The other ponies were in surprise the moment the ashen walks in. She caught a glimpse of them all before looking back at the floor.
"Well," Rarity broke the silence. "I've never seen a pony like this before. Especially the mane and tail." She narrows her eyes. "Is it a trend?" Twilight shot a glare at the white unicorn.
"Rarity!" she says.
"What? I just thought I'd ask..."
"Well, the color sure is a surprise to all of us," Applejack said.
"Oh dear...I can see why she's embarrassed. All of that attention must be awful!" Fluttershy said.
"I say it's a good thing!" Pinkie jumped. "Uniqueness means she could become famous!"
"Yeah, but I doubt she sees it that way, Pinkie," Rainbow Dash replied.
"Which is why I've scheduled this meeting, girls," the purple unicorn starts. "She fell from the sky in a cloud last night and landed behind the library. When she awoke she was unable to speak. She had also lost her memory, so she can't remember her name."
The white and yellow ponies trot over to Starburst, trying to comfort her.
"You poor thing..!" The shy pony nuzzled her cheek into Starburst's.
"So, until her memory returns, I chose to give her the name Starburst, and she has taken quite a liking to it."
"It sure has a ring to it," the orange pony smiled. "Though Twi, what does Starburst have to do with us?"
"I'm getting to that."
The unicorn used her magic to pull out the mysterious orb from her saddle bag and sat it down before them.
"This fell out of the sky the following morning, and it had an interesting riddle. I remembered it, but it can no longer display the message anymore."
"So, what did the message say?" RD asked.
After Twilight recited the riddle, the puzzled pegasus scratches her head.
"This is why I don't get riddles..." she says.
The springy mare giggles.
"It's not hard when you think about it, Dashie," she said.
"You're the one to talk…My brain was built for flying, not solving riddles…"
"As I was saying," Twilight interrupts. "This message was sent in order to return Starburst's color, talent, and memories. That's where we come in."
"Oh, I get it," The white mare says. "The 'six mares' are in reference with the Elements of Harmony, right?"
"Right, Rarity. I'm not certain who the sender was, but in any case, he or she wants us to teach her about the elements. It's our only lead if she can return her memories."
"What did the sender mean by trials?" Fluttershy asks.
There was a pause from the purple pony.
"To be honest, I'm not sure what it means…But for now it's best that we focus on teaching Starburst about the elements. So, what say you, girls? Do you think you could do it?"
Another wave of silence flowed through the room, until Applejack finally broke it.
"Well, Twi, that sure is a lot of work to ask from us," she said, scratching her head.
"Starburst has only been with me for a short time, and she has a very gentle nature. I'm sure she shouldn't be much trouble, right? In turn, she could assist you on the farm. In fact, she be of assistance with all of you!"
Rarity canters over to AJ smiling.
"We can't all teach her the elements at once, Applejack," she says. "We well all have an equal job to do."
"Yeah," The blue pegasus says fluttering in place and smiling to agree. "We obviously can't teach her at the same time, so by helping us she might understand the elements along the way!"
Finally convinced, AJ smiled.
"Well, I guess that makes perfect sense." She then looks at the ashen mare. "So, who gets to take her in first?"
The room remained quiet for a few seconds until it clicked in somepony's head.
"I nominate Fluttershy," Twilight responded.
The shy mare perked up when she heard her name.
"Me…?" she asked.
"Why, yes! Starburst's current nature makes her perfect for you! After I've watched her back at the library, she is very observant and obligated to help me out! So, it makes you the perfect pony for the job!"
"Yes…but, um…I don't know if I can do this…"
"But you must, Fluttershy," the white unicorn says resting a hoof on her shoulder. "Think about it: she's gentle, and you're gentle. This will be the perfect opportunity to teach her the element of kindness!"
"She's right, you know," the orange mare comments. "I'm sure you won't be as busy when you think about it."
"Plus, we need to consider who might be too busy to take her in right now." the purple pony says.
"Yeah. It may be some ways to go, but I should practice my skills for an upcoming competition." RD responds.
"And Mr. and Mrs. Cake asked me to babysit the baby Cakes while they steward in the Canterlot bakery." Pinkie spoke.
"The Golden Apple Harvest will start soon, and I only have a few days to harvest them before they go down in value." AJ says.
"And my next order of silver fabric just came in for my next client, and I must have it done before the end of next week. It's is a very important occasion!" Rarity said.
"So you see, Fluttershy, I believe you can handle this task!" Twilight said. "I promise she won't be much trouble. Are you able to do it?"
Starburst stared at the floor worried about Fluttershy's decision. Fluttershy already knows that she wasn't too busy, and she could easily care for her knowing she's not going to be a hindrance. She could see it in the ashen pony's eyes! There's no way she could abandon her now…
"Well…" she starts, revealing a soft smile. "I can't say no to a request like that…I'll do it." She then nuzzles her cheek into Starburst's. "I promise to not let you down."
The surprised mare looked at her, slowly revealing a soft smile on her face.
"Then it's settled," Twilight says smiling. "I think a week will be enough. What say everypony?"
The others nodded.
"Alright, then I can announce this meeting complete!"
The other ponies begin to leave the area while saying their goodbyes and wishing Fluttershy luck.
"Um, Twilight?" Fluttershy stops the purple mare. "You didn't say you were busy…"
"Oh, I'm sorry, Fluttershy," she replies. "I was actually going to use this time to research Starburst's case: why she's like this, how she got here, and simulate where she might have fallen from. I'm sure everypony wants to know her story, but there's no telling when she will get her memories."
"Oh," the pegasus says, glancing at the floor. "I never even thought of that."
"Not to mention figuring out who could have sent this message!" Spike included.
"Yes," the unicorn agrees, and walks over to Fluttershy. "But what I'm going to do all benefits her as well!"
"Yes, I know…"
Twilight thought for a second.
"How about this then: if it isn't too much trouble, I want to visit her at your cottage soon. I'd like to monitor the progress and her behavior. She has already taken a liking to me, so I probably shouldn't be away from her too long. Would that be okay?"
"Actually," The shy mare looks at her and smiles. "I would like that."
Starburst could do nothing but smile.
"Let's go, Spike! We've got research to do!"
"Okay!"
Being the last to leave after saying their goodbyes, Fluttershy turns to the ashen mare, showing her signature smile.
"Alright. Are you ready to go, Starburst? I've never been a teacher before, but I'll do my best to teach you about the element of kindness...!"