Chapter Twelve

Time is of the essence. The longer Starburst and the others took hurrying back to the valley, the more destructive Gluco became with every passing minute. Fluttershy continued to gather all the saccharites, but the dragon's intimidation kept scrambling them. The shy mare was aware that she became the primary target since Starburst left. Time was short, but the wait seemed long. Both ponies' remained hopeful, however, that the sun doesn't peek over the horizon.

"Miss Gluco!" She tried to exclaim! "Please calm down! I'm worried you might harm the other saccharites!"

"She's too enraged to listen!" Cara replied.

"The others are too frightened to hear us, too!" Malta yelled.

"Oh my...I hope Starburst returns soon!"

It wasn't long until an ashen pony catches sight of the distressed crystal dragon from a distance. Still in a constant gallop, the mare and the two sprites were relieved they were going to make it. Along the way Shugo had doubted her decision, but knowing that Starburst had always lifted her spirits made her more eager than ever before.

"We're almost there!" Glucy announced, taking notice of the current destruction. "I feel terrible for all of this...Shugo, what are you going to do when we get there?"

'I'm afraid I don't have a plan.' She answered honestly, which surprised the others.

"What? But the sun might rise at any minute!"

Shugo looked at her.

'Being a leader isn't always about having a plan.' The sprite reveals a confident smile. 'Sometimes...you just need to wing it.'

Starburst and Glucy were thrilled by her new flow.

'You can do this, Shugo,' the ashen mare smiled, directing her thoughts to her. 'Show everyone how it's done!'

After complying with her response, they finally reached the cratered valley. Gluco was too busy going after Fluttershy to realize their arrival. The tiny sprite wanted to let her and everyone else know she was meant to lead. Normally her thoughts would be able to reach all of them, but this time she felt the need to try another approach. She didn't feel like she was being held back anymore, and it didn't matter what the other sprites thought of her. The moment she inhaled, it was now time for her to release the first thing in her heart.

"STOP!"

The voice grew louder, echoing across the whole valley. Where there used to be endless destruction, silence immediately followed once the voice had ceased. Everyone had turned to her, surprised at hearing her voice for the first time. Gluco was stunned the most.

"...Shugo?" She asked quietly, and yet her voice still sounded immense. "Did you just…?"

"I did," the little sprite smiled. "You don't have to worry anymore. Your little saccharite can speak for herself now!"

More silence filled the area once more till the sun's light peaked over the horizon. As it slowly made its appearance, tiny cracks began to show throughout the dragon's body. They soon became bigger, and the more they appeared, the more everyone worried about the possible outcome.

"What's going on!?" Glucy asked frantically. The others were practically frozen in place until the tiny sprite's concern for their safety soon kicked in.

"Everyone! Move as far away as you can!" she says, taking action. "Quickly!"

They did what they were told, hoping they were far enough prior to the body's constant cracking had ceased.

***CRASH***

Shards that appeared as thorns big and small flew in all directions. Awhile after the "explosion," everyone who took cover looked up to observe the possibility of more damage to the valley.

There was snow instead, or at least it was portrayed that way.

Thousands of specks of powdered bliss showered the valley, whereas the valley held the appearance of a winter wonderland. Once it was believed that the coast was clear, the silent pony began to step onto the new terrain. Fluttershy was still afraid, but she followed behind.

"Oh my," she said, lifting a hoof to catch one of the falling specks. "How could it be snowing at a time like this?"

"That's because it isn't," Shugo smiled, giving it a taste. "It's sugar!"

"If this is sugar," Glucy began, scanning the area. "Then where's our leader?"

As the sun continued to rise, the silent mare signaled the others towards a small figure shining before the sun's rays.

Gluco had returned to normal. She glanced over at everyone once the remnants of her transformation had ceased falling. She began to move slowly after locking eyes with Shugo, still in disbelief hearing her speak for the first time.

"Did my ears deceive me…?" she asked. "Did you really speak?"

The little sugar sprite nodded, revealing a smile.

"I did!" she answered as tears began to fall from her eyes. Her leader couldn't help but immediately embrace her.

"This is fantastic news!" She shortly pulled away to get a better look at her, and not to mention her wings. It was uncertain when the other half was restored, but they were definitely upgraded. "Even your wings...They're a lot larger than I remember! And yet you're covered in dirt! Should I even bother asking?"

"It's quite a story. I'd rather tell you once we return home."

"I have so many questions...but I'm just happy you're safe! Your sucrosis must have been awful!"

Everyone turned to the leader regarding the term.

"Sucrosis?" the shy pegasus asked.

"At birth, certain saccharites are endowed with a jewel and a random disability," Gluco began. "Jeweled sprites are destined to become leaders, and sucrosis exists to test them. Once they are able to prove themselves worthy of this responsibility, the disability will vanish."

"All leaders had to go through this?" the little sprite asked.

"Of course, dear. I went through the same thing! But I have to say, having two disabilities is quite a rare occurrence."

"Two?" Fluttershy asked.

"Yes. Shugo's case involved not being able to speak, and it's very uncommon for a sugarling to be her size.¨

"That form you took was also a bit terrifying as well…"

"Ah, I do apologize for that...You see, leaders are able to sense when other leaders are in distress."

"Really?" Shugo was taken aback. "But, I wasn't a leader then…"

"Of course you were." Gluco said. "It was within you since birth!"

"But I never expected to be one!"

"Because no one helped you acknowledge it!"

Another voice was heard from the crowd of sugarlings. It was Cara.

"None of us did...and we were only doing more harm than good…"

"We didn't mean to treat you different from us," Fetti followed. "We just never realized how important you were to us."

"We're all sorry," Malta stepped in. "Can you forgive us?"

"Of course I can," Shugo smiles. "Your friendship was all I ever wanted!"

Glucy and her friends were thrilled by her response, gathering around and embracing her in a group hug. Fluttershy and the others were nearly jumping with excitement from their little reunion.

"Everything's happening so fast," the tiny sprite says. "I never expected to become a leader so quickly, and let alone have new friends."

Something clicked when she turned to Starburst. The ashen pony was particularly special to her. She had stuck with her every step of the way: telling her to always believe in herself and to never give up. It made no sense to leave her out of the loop. Nothing would have been made possible without her. It's best to provide her final thoughts before departing the valley.

"Starburst," she says, fluttering over to her. "I really appreciate everything you have done for me. I never realized how nice ponies can be! You were always caring, trustworthy, and always knew how to uplift my spirits. You never gave up on me, and now I'm thankful that you've helped me achieve my dream. I really want to thank you."

Using little magic, the tiny sprite conjures what appears to be a hexagonal necklace around the pony's neck. The colorless adornment on the necklace immediately reacted, changing into a pink hue.

"In my world, this necklace represents a special form of honor. It represents kindness. I'll never forget your compassion, so I hope you'll continue to thrive in spreading your kindness across Equestria as you did for me!"

Shugo's words had instantly made Starburst shed tears of joy. It was obvious that she, and anyone else for that matter, would never forget this moment. The tiny sprite had to embrace her as a reflex.

It didn't take long for the portal to the flurry's world to reopen. The other saccharites began to gather, preparing to leave Equestria.

"I guess now's the time for us to depart," Gluco said. "Once more, I do apologize for the mess. We will have it tidied up in no time. Come along now, Shugo! Let us be off, everyone! Be sure to thank our beloved ponies for their kind assistance!"

Each and every sugar sprite collectively thanked the ponies prior to departing.

"Perhaps we'll see each other again!" Shugo smiled at Starburst, parting from her. "Take care!"

The ponies watched carefully as the flurry flew together in a circular pattern, swirling the blankets of sugar along with them. In a matter of seconds the swirls of sugar had made it difficult for the ponies to see the saccharites, but once the dust had settled, The Valley appeared like it was brand new. No more craters, and no more sugar...The valley was spotless once again.

The yellow pegasus couldn't help but have a sigh of relief to all the things that had occurred up to this point.

"Wow, that was quite an adventure!" She said, breaking the silence. "I can't wait to tell Twilight and the others! Aren't you excited?"

The ashen pony felt as if her eyes were itchy. As she uses a hoof to rub them, she also developed an urge to cough.

"Oh my, are you all right, Starburst?" Fluttershy worried. "I guess some of the powdered sugar got caught in your system, didn't it?"

"...Yeah," the white pony looked at her, now showing eyes with the color of a primrose garden. "A little too much."

The pegasus pony recognized that voice too well. Her eyes widened in surprise.

"Starburst...did you just…?"

It didn't take long for the other pony to realize it.

"I...I can talk!" She smiled. "I guess this means I've passed the trial of kindness!"

"And that's not all. Your eye color has changed, too. It's a lovely shade of pink! Could they be your original color?"

"Beats me. I wish I could remember."

"I'm sorry, you're right. Well then, let's hurry back to the cottage. Twilight should be expecting us soon!"

The trial of kindness felt like a wild roller coaster ride. It was the best opportunity for the ashen pony to get her hooves wet, and it was only the beginning of her friendship journey. She didn't know what to really think of it in regards to what her purpose was in this life, but this trial alone taught her many things. She may not be able to recollect her past, but she was bound to recover her memories at some point. It probably wasn't the best time to think about it. Her day was already filled with excitement from passing this trial...and potentially an undiscovered skill. After collecting their things, the ponies made their return trip back to the cottage.