The next day, after gathering the info from Twilight, Starlight decided to head back home with Sunburst. Twilight offered to join them, but Starlight decided that it would be best if it was just her and Sunburst. As for Trixie she promised to stay in Ponyville until Starlight and Sunburst return.
Like her reunion with Sunburst, Starlight was understandably nervous once they reached her parents' front door. Unlike her reunion with Sunburst, Starlight was able to knock on the door without encouragement.
"Yes, may I-" A white unicorn with a dark pink/light purple mane and tail opened the door; her blue eyes widened. "Starlight? Honey is that you?"
"Hi mom." Starlight hung her head slightly.
Starlight's mom - Sweetheart Guide - suddenly left the doorway and hugged her. A Cutie Mark of three hearts was now visible on Sweetheart Guide's flank.
"Sweetheart honey, what's-" A purple unicorn with a light blue mane and tail and lavender eyes appeared and also widened his eyes. "Starlight?"
"Hi dad." Starlight started to shed tears.
Starlight's dad - Alcor Garrison - just stood there, pain evident in his eyes.
"Where have you been, don't you know how worried sick your mother and I were." He said. "I know Sunburst leaving you hurt, but-"
"I know, I'm so sorry." Starlight almost sobbed.
Sweetheart Guide pulled away.
"Well, at least you've returned-" Sweetheart Guide just noticed Sunburst. "Sunburst? My goodness is that really you?"
"Yeah..." Sunburst looked away awkwardly, a bit afraid that Starlight's parents now hated him for 'abandoning' her.
"It is, we rekindled our friendship a while back." Starlight confirmed. "Turns out the whole thing was a misunderstanding. Kinda a long story."
"In that case, why don't we all go inside for tea and you can tell us the whole story." Sweetheart Guide suggested.
"Good idea, I would like to hear the story and I definitely need some tea." Alcor Garrison gave Sunburst a cold look.
"Me too..." Sunburst winced.
Starlight and Sunburst followed Sweetheart Guide (well actually Guide was her maiden name now, but I'm going to continue using it since this is her first appearance) and Alcor Garrison inside. Once Sunburst was inside enough for the front door to be shut Alcor Garrison stopped him.
"I know you and my daughter were friends, and you may have rekindled your friendship now, but when you left it broke her heart. So if you mess up again you will have to answer to me." Alcor Garrison glared.
"I know I broke her heart sir, and I never meant to." Sunburst hung his head.
"Dad easy, Sunburst didn't really abandon me he just felt unworthy of my friendship." Starlight frowned.
Alcor Garrison softened.
"Is this true?" He asked.
"Yes sir, school...well, to put it simply school was horrible. I could barely do anything and I was frequently bullied. I ended up believing that I was worthless and that Starlight deserved unicorns more powerful than me for friends, so I couldn't even work up the courage to contact her." Sunburst was almost in tears as a few bad memories from school played in his mind.
"Ah...I see. So finding out about that is why you rekindled your friendship with him." Alcor Garrison turned to Starlight with realization.
"Yes, though I was afraid that he wouldn't want to be friends with me because...well, because instead of receiving help over my pain I lashed out. I listened to my broken heart instead of my common sense and I ended up doing some horrible things." Starlight hung her head. "This was why I didn't return even after realizing how wrong I was, I was kinda afraid that you would disown me."
"Starlight I could never disown you, no matter what you did." Sweetheart Guide wrapped a hoof around Starlight's shoulders.
"Even if I killed one of the princesses?" Starlight deadpanned.
Sweetheart Guide and Alcor Garrison looked at her with shock while Sunburst facehoofed. Not exactly an appropriate thing to say.
"I mean I didn't, I'm just saying..." Starlight hastily backtracked.
"Oh. Well...I guess that would be a gray area." Sweetheart Guide said awkwardly. "Um, why don't you all sit down while I get the tea."
Starlight, Sunburst, and Alcor Garrison did. Sweetheart Guide soon appeared with tea.
"So what did you really do?" Alcor Garrison asked.
Starlight took a deep breath and released it.
"Well, first of all I deluded myself into believing that friendships could never be harmed if everypony was the same, so I created a spell to remove Cutie Marks. Ended up taking over a village with that, until Princess Twilight Sparkle and her friends found out about it." Starlight began. "They managed to reveal me as a fraud - since I never removed my Cutie Mark - causing my leadership over the town to end. So I started spying on Twilight and found out how she and her friends became connected as fillies, leading to them becoming friends later on as adults. Out of revenge I went back in time to try to prevent their connection, but Twilight and her brother-figure Spike found out and started following me back in time. It turns out every attempt I made to prevent their connection from forming led to Equestria becoming ruined by a random enemy, but I didn't believe it until Twilight showed me one of the bad futures. I then told her the truth about my past, and she convinced me to try again at making new friends, even offering me her friendship as a start."
Alcor Garrison and Sweetheart Guide were silent for a moment, processing what Starlight had just told them.
"So you're now friends with the Princess of Friendship?" Sweetheart Guide finally said.
"Yeah, and her student since I obviously had - and still have - a lot to learn when it comes to friendship." Starlight nodded.
Starlight wasn't surprised by her mom's question because she always had a habit of focusing on the good side of a bad incident. In fact when Sunburst left for Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns Sweetheart Guide had an optimistic reaction to that, and even had one when a long time passed without Sunburst contacting her. Looking back on that Starlight wished she had listened to her mom instead of dismissing her optimistic view, but she wasn't going to travel through time just to change that.
"Well, you did do a couple of bad things but at least you learned your lesson and you're trying to make up for it." Alcor Garrison then finally said. "And no we're not going to disown you, we're just glad you're back. And not just physically either." He then smiled.
Starlight smiled back.
"So how did you and Sunburst meet up and rekindle your friendship?" Sweetheart Guide asked.
"Oh that was Twilight's doing, she was the one who tracked down Sunburst and she made reuniting with him my first lesson. I was hesitant, even scared, at first because I believe he wouldn't want to become friends with me after finding out about my past. Turns out he was afraid that I wouldn't want to be friends with him after finding out that his magic isn't as powerful as I thought, so our first attempt was...well, pretty darn awkward." Starlight chuckled a bit.
"Yes, it sure was. A little amusing too though now that I look back on it." Sunburst nodded.
"Yeah." Starlight agreed. "Anyway, I pretty much gave up on being friends with Sunburst again until...hoo boy where to begin with this part?"
"Allow me: have either of you heard of the Crystal Empire?" Sunburst asked Starlight's parents.
"Oh yes, in fact we were planning on taking a trip there really soon. There aren't really any couples I have to help and your father doesn't need to help any lost foals right now." Sweetheart Guide smiled.
To clarify: Sweetheart Guide was a couples' therapist and Alcor Garrison was a counselor for abused and/or runaway foals. That's why I named Starlight's dad that, turns out Alcor means 'neglected'. So he's a garrison for the neglected, pretty cool huh?
Oh, Alcor Garrison also did search for Starlight after she ran away but the town she took over was so unknown that he could never find her. Plus there were other lost foals he needed to help, and he didn't want to leave his wife alone for too long after their daughter left. Anyway...
"We even heard that the new heir to the throne had been born not too long ago...Flurry Heart I think? Interesting name." Alcor Garrison said.
"Fitting too, you see the Crystal Empire is where Sunburst moved and the day I was reunited with him was the same day Twilight first visited her. Flurry Heart's her niece." Starlight said.
"Oh yes, I heard that the new rulers were related to Princess Twilight. Prince Sh-Shining Armor and Princess Cadance right?"
"Right, though all three of them prefer to be addressed without their titles." Starlight confirmed. "Anyway, Flurry Heart is an alicorn and her magic back then was berserk and accidentally shattered the Crystal Empire's main source of defense. So I went to get Sunburst to help, but this led to the reveal that his magic isn't as powerful as I assumed. Fortunately his knowledge of magic is powerful and he was able to use that to help restore the source of defense, and also fortunately his confession led to mine which led to our friendship being restored."
"We kept in touch ever since, and Starlight visits me often." Sunburst added. "Er...I'd visit her too but my life at the school prevented me from being willing to travel outside the Crystal Empire."
"You did manage to make some progress though, you went to Canterlot just to get me a gift and you were willing to come with me here." Starlight smiled.
"Yes, well, that was just for you." Sunburst blushed a little.
"I'm so happy you two are back together." Sweetheart Guide teared up with joy.
"Truthfully, so am I." Alcor Garrison admitted.
"More than together...actually." Starlight now blushed. "We...fell in love not too long ago."
"Really?" Alcor Garrison was either unhappy or wistful, it was hard to tell.
"That's wonderful news!" Sweetheart Guide went over to hug Starlight and Sunburst. "I always had a feeling that you two would end up together, why even as foals you both had a strong connection."
Starlight and Sunburst both blushed, but otherwise enjoyed the hug. Then Starlight noticed her dad's expression.
"Dad? What's wrong?" She asked.
"Huh? Oh...nothing really, it's just...I can't believe how much you've grown up." Alcor Garrison admitted.
"I know...I've been away for too long." Starlight agreed. "And I wish I could move back here but...well, I'm still Twilight's student and I don't want to neglect my studies."
"Oh we understand honey." Sweetheart Guide pulled away to smile at Starlight; she then turned to her husband. "Alcor dear, things have been slow here for a long time. Maybe...maybe it is time we moved? Say...to Ponyville? I believe that's where Twilight Sparkle lives."
"It is." Starlight nodded.
Alcor Garrison smiled.
"I think that's not a bad idea. There may be couples and neglected foals who need our help there anyway." He said.
"I don't know about couples, but there is one foal who could use a kind ear." Starlight remembered. "Her name is Diamond Tiara, her mom used to push her into being a social climber which led to Diamond Tiara becoming a bully. Diamond Tiara learned her lesson and stood up to her mom even before I arrived in Ponyville, and her mom doesn't push her around anymore, but since her dad is busy with work she could use a parental figure to talk to."
"What about Silver Spoon's parents- Oh yeah, they're often busy too." Sunburst remembered. "Well, better busy kind parents than idle mean ones."
"Oh the poor dear...but if she finally stood up to her mom before you arrived how do you know all this?" Sweetheart Guide asked.
"Oh after Diamond Tiara heard about me she visited me to talk to me about bad pasts." Starlight explained. "Also when Diamond Tiara's not sleeping over at Silver Spoon's place her mom Spoiled Rich-"
Alcor Garrison stifled a laugh.
"Sorry, it's just that name is a little too fitting." He explained.
"I know right? Anyway, Spoiled Rich sometimes hires me to foalsit Diamond Tiara whenever she goes to Canterlot or Manehattan for an extended stay. It's only because I'm 'Princess' Twilight's student though, which I take advantage of to give Diamond Tiara a break from her mother." Starlight rolled her eyes with amusement. "Hanging out with Diamond Tiara has been good for me too, she's actually a nice and fun filly deep down and our talks have also helped me."
"I think talking to me will help her as well." Alcor Garrison nodded. "That settles it, we're definitely moving to Ponyville."
So Starlight and Sunburst helped Alcor Garrison and Sweetheart Guide pack up and move to Ponyville. Starlight had written ahead to Twilight before they left, so once she got the letter Twilight started arranging for a new home to be built for the Garrisons. She also talked to the hospital about setting up a fun wing for neglected/runaway foals to talk to Alcor in.
Once Sunburst and the Garrisons arrived the Garrisons were greeted warmly. Pinkie unsurprisingly arranged for a party and while they waited Twlight, Spike, Starlight, and Sunburst showed Alcor and Sweetheart around the castle. Trixie joined them as well, wanting to get to know Starlight's parents. Upon learning how Trixie and Starlight became friends Alcor and Sweetheart weren't happy that Trixie accidentally hurt Starlight, but they forgave her and were glad that she was able to help Starlight start to gain confidence in making new friends. They also became interested in Trixie's career, and promised to see her next show.
"By the way, Sweetheart and I have been wanting thank you for helping our daughter leave her destructive path." Alcor then said to Twilight. "And for helping her reunite with us."
"You're very welcome, and I'm glad she did. Not only for her sake, but also because of you two moving into Ponyville." Twilight smiled. "I think your presence here will help a lot of foals in both Ponyville and Canterlot Mr. Garrison, Canterlot is only a short train ride from here so I can even arrange for you to help foals from there."
"I would like that, the more foals I can help the happier I am." Alcor smiled.
And obviously the first foal he started talking to was Diamond Tiara. It wasn't an official meeting though, Diamond Tiara was a bit afraid of her mom finding out about the counseling so it was set up to make Spoiled Rich think that she was merely socializing with other high class ponies. In Spoiled Rich's mindset: being a student of Princess Twilight made you a high class pony, and in turn made your family high class ponies as well.
This didn't make her change her mind about the Cutie Mark Crusaders though, but that was for two reasons: one was obviously her pride, and the other was because the Crusaders weren't official students of Twilight. They just learned things from her for the fun of it and to hang out with an honorary aunt.
But back to Diamond Tiara...
"So, my daughter told me about you. She said your talks with her helped you both." Alcor said.
"Yeah, it was nice talking to somepony who could listen and not judge. Plus Starlight's a fun foalsitter, even though I can't use magic she still sometimes performs spells to entertain me." Diamond Tiara smiled. "She even used her magic to send us flying around the library while we were acting out a story. Plus she isn't materialistic, which is a breath of fresh air after living a life like mine."
"I'm glad she still isn't, it means her mother and I raised her right." Alcor smiled. "Though given what she told us about her first Hearth's Warming Eve in Ponyville we may have overdone it just a bit."
"Oh I think she just didn't feel like celebrating without you and her mom...and possibly also Sunburst." Diamond Tiara giggled. "I'm glad those two are together, Sunburst is a really nice stallion. I hope I can find one as well..."
She and Alcor continued talking, and Diamond Tiara felt less alone than before. Not only did she have friends in school, she also had a friend - and possibly big-sister-figure - in Starlight and a second-father in Alcor. She later even met Sweetheart, who became more of a mother to her than Spoiled Rich ever was.
Alcor and Sweetheart also returned to being second-parents for Sunburst, and accepted him as Starlight's very special somepony (and possible future son-in-law, though they didn't say that one out loud even to each other until they were getting ready for bed one night).
As for Starlight, she finally felt as if her past had been completely put behind her. Not only did she get her old friend Sunburst back, but they were now more than friends, she was able to make new friends, and she even got her parents back. And she had never been happier.