A warm breeze drifted across Butterfly Island, accompanied by fluffy clouds shaped like the insects that gave the island its name. The Rainbow Waterfall, which served as an entrance to the outskirts of Ponyville, seemed more colorful than ever—especially after the brief scare with the missing rainbow colors. The sea looked inviting, the sun was always warm, the coconuts were delicious as ever, and Butterfly Island as a whole was warmer and happier than usual.
Thus, the pegasus ponies were in a happy mood, and they decided to have a party. As word spread, everyone gathered around the rainbow waterfall's pond to plan for the occasion. Some flew in place, while others sat, and some, such as Thistle Whistle, arrived a bit late. When everyone was there, they watched as Star Catcher flew in the middle of their circle and addressed them.
Star Catcher was the pegasus ponies' unofficial leader, and she was known throughout the island for her gentle, generous nature. An entourage of butterflies followed her wherever she went, and they were good friends as well as companions. Unlike every other pony on the island, her wings were long and large, and she had special markings on her head as well as her cutie mark, which was a pink heart with blue sparkles surrounding it. Years ago, when the earth pony Skywishes had needed help, Star Catcher had braved the unknown to answer her call—and found a dear friend that helped bridge the gap between Ponyville and Butterfly Island.
"Hello, friends," Star Catcher said, and everyone said hello back. "If you want to have a party, consider it done—but before that, we need to plan for it. What kind of party should it be?"
"Hmm…How about a nice, quiet party somewhere by ourselves? And please, no flying near the clouds," suggested Thistle Whistle.
Thistle Whistle was a green pegasus with a red and yellow mane, and she was known for being somewhat stubborn and resistant to changes, as well as afraid of clouds. But she was a loyal friend once she warmed up to you, and two winters ago, she had braved her fear to help Minty. Every pegasus pony knew they could depend on her if they needed to.
"That sounds fun for you, Thistle," said a light blue pegasus with a cloud cutie mark. "But I'd rather have friends to be with!"
"Me too," said a yellow one with blue and purple bubbles for a cutie mark.
"Sorry," Thistle Whistle said, pausing to whistle nervously between her teeth. "It's just—it's been so long since we've had a real party. I sort of forgot what they're like."
"That's okay," said Silver Glow, smiling. "We'll help remind you!"
Star Catcher nodded and waved her hooves dramatically. "Parties are lots of fun. We have food, games, dancing, singing, and delicious ice cream! Two summers ago, the Ponyille ponies came here for a party! Do you remember?"
All the pegasus ponies grinned at the mention of ice cream; it was one of their favorite foods, and a trait they shared with other ponies.
Thistle Whistle blinked. "Wow. Now I remember parties! The ponies from Ponyville brought us that ice cream mountain, and we sang and danced all day! It was—" she whistled—"great!"
"It's okay that you don't like clouds, too," said Cloud Climber, a soft-spoken white pegasus. "I love flying in them, but we can find plenty of other fun things to do so you're not left out!"
Thistle Whistle smiled. "Thanks! Y'know, talking like that makes me miss the Ponyville ponies. We sure had good times."
She turned to the others.
"So, uh, where do we start? Any ideas, Star Catcher?"
"The first thing we need," Star Catcher said, "is food and drinks. We all love ice cream, of course, and I was thinking we could make coconut smoothies to go with them. What do you think?"
Island Delight and Coconut Grove fluttered forward, smiling. "Sounds great! I'll help make the food," said Island Delight. "And I'll get the coconuts—it's in my name," Coconut Grove giggled.
"I can help with the dancing or singing," Thistle Whistle said. "Or whistling!"
"Alright. Is there anything else we need?"
Everyone chattered at once. "Leis and hula skirts!" "Cake!" "Games!"
Suddenly a new voice spoke up—a small voice. Every pegasus turned round and saw Baby Honolu-Loo looking somewhat sad. She was a white pegasus with red and yellow mane, and her cutie mark was a purple butterfly. Baby Honolu-Loo, as her name suggested, was the youngest of all of them, and had yet to properly master her wings. She had been getting help from the others, but flying was still tricky—and that made her feel a bit left out.
"I want to fly," she said.
Star Catcher nodded in sympathy, but soon smiled. "Consider it done," she said. She whispered to her butterfly friends, and they flew under Baby Honolu-Loo, gently lifting her up.
The young pony giggled.
"This tickles! Thank you!"
Star Catcher smiled. We can practice flying while the others get the party materials, if you like. Where would you like to fly?"
Baby Honolu-Loo nodded, and thought. "Hm…Up!"
At her words, the butterflies took her up into the sky, though low enough so she wouldn't be hurt if she fell. Star Catcher followed until she was level with her, and raised her wings up. Baby Honolu-Loo did the same, but couldn't hold it for long.
"I can't do it," she said.
"Try again. We'll all be here for you," Star Catcher said gently.
Baby Honolu-Loo focused again, raising her wings up as high and as long as she could. This time it was much longer, and she grinned when she finally lowered them. "I want to go higher!"
The butterflies obeyed, and Baby Honolu-Loo laughed in delight. From up here she could see much more of the island! "Everything's so small!"
Then she paused, spotting something near the Rainbow Waterfall. "Star Catcher, what's that?"
"What is it," Star Catcher asked, looking to where the young pony was pointing.
"By the waterfall! I see something."
Star Catcher fluttered forward and gasped. "You're right!"
As Star Catcher and Baby Honolu-Loo watched, the specks got larger until they could see that it was an earth pony riding a pegasus pony—and they were headed their way. The earth pony was pink with a yellow, orange, and pink mane and a blue and purple tail. The pegasus was purple, with gauzy, transparent wings and a pink and white mane and tail.
Both of the new arrivals seemed nervous—and so was Baby Honolu-Loo, who flew away from the butterflies on her own, landing safely on the ground before running off. Star Catcher glanced back and watched her go, saddened, but knew that she should welcome the guests first.
"Hello," she said. "I'm Star Catcher. Who are you?"
The pegasus gave a shy smile. "I'm Starsong, and this is Toola Roola. S-sorry if we scared your friend."
Star Catcher smiled. "That's alright. The pegasus ponies who live here on Butterfly Island are very shy."
She paused.
"But…can I ask why you're here? I have to say I'm curious," Star Catcher admitted. "You're the first visitors we've had in a long while!"
Starsong nodded and lowered Toola Roola to the ground, and Star Catcher followed.
"We came here to enjoy the tropical breeze," said Toola Roola, "and m-maybe make friends, too!"
She gave Star Catcher a winning smile, and the pegasus smiled back.
Suddenly, Thistle Whistle, Island Delight, Coconut Grove, and Cloud Climber flew through the trees and approached Star Catcher. Island Delight and Coconut Grove had a handful of coconuts and fruit in their hooves, and the others seemed happy to report back—until they saw Starsong and Toola Roola.
"New ponies that we've never seen before! Ack! M-maybe they're invaders," Thistle Whistle cried with a frightened whistle. At her words, the others cried out and scattered into the trees, leaving only the handfuls of food and coconuts behind.
The others stared.
"Please forgive Thistle Whistle," Star Catcher began. "She goes on flights of fancy at times. I'm sure you're not invaders…"
Toola Roola glanced back and forth, as if nervous, then nodded. "Nope! We sure aren't. And, um…It's okay if they're shy, Star Catcher. Starsong and I are really shy, too. But we love to have fun!"
She blushed and huddled behind her friend, and Starsong backed away a bit. "Maybe we could be shy friends together? Please?"
At her words, Thistle Whistle poked her head out of the trees. "You're shy too," she asked.
Toola Roola and Starsong nodded, and Thistle Whistle fluttered further out of her hiding place. "Y-you're sure you're not invaders?"
They turned to each other, winked, and shook their heads.
"Well…Okay! I'm so sorry for before. I-I'm nervous around new ponies and new places. Skywishes could tell you all about it, if she was here…"
Island Delight and Coconut Grove flew forward too. "And we were the first to agree to meet the Ponyville ponies! So welcome to Butterfly Island, friends," Coconut Grove said with a smile.
Cloud Climber flew up high out of her hiding place and gently touched the ground. "Hey, I know! Maybe you two can join in the party too!"
Starsong smiled. "A party? Toola and I love parties! I'm a very accomplished singer."
"And I love to paint," Toola Roola said. She reached around in her mane and pulled out a glowing, dazzling paintbrush that made the pegasus ponies gasp at the sight.
"That sounds wonderful," Star Catcher said, laughing as her butterfly friends flew in a circle above them. "You can meet our other friends when we get to the center of the island—and don't worry about Baby Honolu-Loo. She's shy too, but I'm sure she'll come out once she sees how friendly you two are."
"And the ice cream. Can't forget that," Thistle Whistle said with a smile.
###
The other pegasus ponies, while shy, warmed up to Starsong and Toola Roola after Star Catcher explained what was going on. They all agreed that the visitors should be included in the party, and after gathering the food, coconuts, and other supplies, the party was close to starting. All that was needed was for Star Catcher to make the announcement.
While they waited, Starsong and Toola Roola decided to chat with the pegasus ponies.
"You said you met Skywishes and the Ponyville ponies before," Starsong said to Coconut Grove. "What were they like? Have you seen them lately?"
Coconut Grove smiled. "Oh, they were so nice! Skywishes was very sweet, and she loved to fly kites and have fun! The Ponyville ponies visited us here on Butterfly Island, and two years ago, we visited them at Christmas! We had a bit of an adventure there, too, thanks to Minty."
She paused, frowning.
"But…we haven't seen them much since then."
Toola Roola seemed sad too. "Do you think they forgot about you?"
The others seemed shocked at the accusation. "No, of course not! I'm sure they've just been busy or something," said Island Delight.
"Yeah! Or maybe they're planning to surprise us," said Silver Glow.
"Maybe…but how do you know for sure?"
"Because they're friends," Baby Honolu-Loo said simply, walking out from behind a tree.
"Speaking of friends," Star Catcher said, eyes shining, "Let's welcome our new friends with a party. And that's a pegasus promise!"
She turned round, as did the other pegasus ponies, and they all twisted their tails together. "Pegasus promise," everyone said.
Starsong and Toola Roola giggled. "That looks fun! But what's a pegasus promise?"
Thistle Whistle grinned. "A pegasus promise is one that can't be broken. And we promise—" she whistled—"you're gonna have lots of fun!"
"I'm sure we will," said Starsong.
###
True to the promise, Starsong and Toola Roola were having fun in spite of themselves.
"Will you fly with me, friend," asked Baby Honolu-Loo.
Starsong shrugged. "I wouldn't call myself a friend just yet…"
The young pegasus whimpered, and Starsong felt guilty.
"But if you want to, then sure! We can fly together!"
Baby Honolu-Loo and Starsong flew from the beach to the tallest palm tree and back again—and together, flying was twice the fun.
As they landed on the beach, they saw Toola-Roola making a sand castle with Star Catcher, with help from the butterflies.
"You're very artistic," Star Catcher commented, smiling as Toola Roola stuck a purple starfish on a sand parapet.
"Thanks. And your butterfly friends are really colorful! Do they speak to you?"
Star Catcher nodded. "They do, and I can speak with them as well. And they're very loyal. They were my very first friends!"
"Really," Toola Roola asked.
"Yes. And between the pegasus ponies and our friends in Ponyville, we couldn't ask for better friends."
Star Catcher paused as the butterflies whispered something to her.
"Oh! They like you and Starsong, and want you to be friends too. Would that be alright with you?"
"Uhh…"
"It's alright. I know you two are shy. They say they'll ask again, when the party's over."
"O-okay," Toola Roola said.
Just then, a pink pegasus with a blue bird cutie mark flew over to the pair. "Ice cream's on, and so are the drinks!"
###
After a refreshing meal of coconut smoothies and the finest ice cream the pegasus ponies could provide, it was time for the conga line.
"Do you want to sing while we dance, Starsong," Star Catcher asked.
The purple pegasus shook her head. "N-no thanks…I'm still a bit shy," she said.
Star Catcher nodded. "That's alright. We can all dance together, then!"
The pegasus ponies, Toola Roola, and Starsong all lined up and began to dance to the beat, while the butterflies provided rhythm and color. Once Toola Roola tripped, but the others helped her up with a smile and continued on.
"That was fun. What's next," asked Starong, who was a bit breathless.
"Kite flying! The best part is that we can fly up high with the kites," said Cloud Climber
Toola Roola turned to her friend and winked. "That sounds great, but…I don't have a kite. I'd like to decorate it, too!"
"We can help get your materials. You have a brush, and we have paints. I know you'd make a wonderful kite," Star Catcher said with a smile, before flying off. "We'll be right back with paper and wood!"
Toola-Roola waved as the others left, then glanced around and above her. When she was sure no one else was around, she turned to Stasrsong and whispered.
"This is a perfect opportunity, Starsong!"
Starsong nodded and grinned. "We have to be extra-careful around them because they can fly, and because Master said they've used the light before. But this will be easier than I thought!"
In short order, the pegasus ponies returned. Thistle Whistle carried a large piece of paper and set it down before the ponies, and Island Delight offered paint.
"Me first," Toola Roola crowed, dipping the glowing paintbrush into a container of brown paint and turning away from the others. Her brush strokes were quick and precise, and she finished quickly. When she was done, everyone crowded around, curious to see her painting.
They found themselves staring at a picture of a large square of wooden branches and twigs—a cage.
"What is it," asked Coconut Grove, curious.
Toola Roola smirked.
"A cage. And you're going in it!"
At her words, one appeared in real life—right behind the pegasus ponies. They gasped.
"Why!? Y-You said you weren't invaders," Thistle Whistle cried.
"Well, we're not invaders. Our Master is," Toola Roola laughed. "Once he separates you pegasus ponies from the unicorns, Breezies, and earth ponies, he'll make everyone forget about everyone else!"
"Unicorns? Breezies? What are you talking about," Star Catcher asked.
"You mean they didn't tell you? Looks like your friends have forgotten about you already," Starsong said, her tone neutral.
"That's not true," Island Delight cried. "Skywishes and her friends haven't forgotten!"
"Then why didn't they tell you about their new friends," Toola Roola asked, seeming genuinely curious.
The pegasus ponies weren't sure how to respond at first, until Star Catcher stepped forward, butterflies trailing behind her.
"Friends may grow distant, Toola Roola, but they're still our friends. And true friends won't forget us." Her tone was stern, but still kind, and it was clear she believed every word she said.
At that they gave a bitter laugh. "Yeah. Just like our friends didn't forget us—but they did."
"…How sad," Baby Honolu-Loo said. "But we can still be—"
Starsong stared at the little pegasus with sad eyes. "There's no way I can believe that now…even if we did have fun together."
Standing to attention, Toola Roola pointed at the cage with her brush. "Everybody in or we'll make you go in!"
Some of the shyer pegasus ponies did go in—but others shook their heads. "No way, nuh-uh, I am never ever going in there," said Thistle Whistle.
"Thistle's right. You can't make us imprison ourselves," said Star Catcher.
Starsong grinned. "Oh yeah?"
She opened her mouth and began to sing—and the pegasus ponies stopped where they were. Their eyes began to glaze over and deep, dark swirls appeared within them. With precision, Baby Honolu-Loo flew inside the cage and waited.
"Not good," said Thistle Whistle, trying to shake off the hypnosis by whistling. In response Starsong sang louder, and soon her eyes were vacant as well.
Frightened, most of the other pegasus ponies stopped trying to fight the hypnotic effects, and those that did soon gave out and were caged with the rest. Soon only Star Catcher was left free—and her will was weakening.
"Have to…stop this," Star Catcher groaned, trying not to listen. When this failed she sang a few notes of the song Skywishes and Pinkie Pie had sung for her and her friends when they visited. This didn't last long, but it was enough to clear her head temporarily.
She needed a plan. She needed to get away and get help.
Looking around, Star Catcher saw that Toola Roola seemed to be enthralled by Starsong's singing as well; her eyes were closed. If she could distract them, she could get away.
She turned to the cage, eyes hopeful, but saw that everyone in it was hypnotized—and the door was locked tight.
She turned to Starsong and Toola Roola, but looking at them made the song go through her head that much more. She was weakening.
Then Star Catcher looked at the sky and grinned—her butterfly friends were there, chattering loudly enough for her to listen.
They would help. They always did.
"Look," she said, pointing in their direction. "It's a hot air balloon! It's our friends from Ponyville!"
The butterflies made a shape like a balloon and flew further up, far enough away to conceal their true shape. Starsong and Toola Roola turned to look, and in that moment Star Catcher flew away from them towards the Rainbow Waterfall.
She didn't look back until she was through it, safely on the other side. Landing momentarily, she turned to the waterfall portal and spoke.
"This is a pegasus promise," she said solemnly. "I will return with help."
Star Catcher turned and flew off into the sky.
She wasn't sure where she was flying.
But she knew she had to get help.