Starlight walked through the open hallways of that magnificent and also deteriorated Castle. What was first a royal and almost divine structure turned into a forgotten place, a place in which beasts could hide and shadows whispered tales of bygone eras. Then it turned into the place where the Magic of Friendship was reborn, stronger than ever, defeating a powerful foe in Nightmare Moon…

Now, it served as the place where she could conserve some of her sanity. It served as the place where she could protect every person she knew and cared for, as well as to protect the innocent, the defenseless.

It was her duty as the last guardian of friendship.

The moonlight covered the stones and glass of the place. She smiled melancholy.

-Oh, Twilight, if only you were here with me- She showed herself vulnerable, turning her face down- You've had figured the cure by now… And you would help me get her back- The unicorn muttered, exhaling with tiredness- Once upon a time, I rolled my eyes and sighed with annoyance every time she said her stupid name… "Great and Powerful Trixie"… Oh, what would I give to hear that again…

A small, rebellious teardrop escaped from her left eye, rolled through her cheek and fell to the ground. She chuckled with sadness.

-I guess I'm still sensible after hearing the recorder.

-Recorder?- That voice made Starlight instantly startle, turning her face to that direction, only to find the only person she didn't wanted to see in that precise moment- That sounds interesting.

-…

-What? Did I hear something that I shouldn't?

-Go away, Scootaloo.

-Go away?- The Pegasus chuckled, starting to walk to her, an action noted and hissed at by the unicorn- But I'm perfectly fine here! Y'know, I have to keep an eye on you.

-I don't need this right now.

-What are you doing here by yourself, Starlight Glimmer?- Scootaloo faced the older equestrian, who just frowned even more- Are you conspiring against us yet again?

-I have never conspired against you.

-Oh! But I do remember a time when you did!- The Pegasus grinned bitterly- Do you remember the time you almost left Equestria as a barren desert?- Starlight recalled that event, one of her most shameful acts of defiance and hatred against her would be master.

-… I'm not proud of my past, I'm proud of what I became after all- Scootaloo huffed with both surprise and resentment.

-What? A backstabbing, worthless, sister-killer, piece of shit?- The Pegasus chuckled, to which the unicorn frowned- How proud would Princess Twilight be of you!

Starlight just let out a small huff, attracting the attention of the purple-haired explorer.

-I'm fucking tired of you- Scootaloo gulped heavy when she saw Starlight. Her mouth was contorted in a cold, small grin. Her pupils were contracted, her lilac eyes covered by the shadows of her fringe and dull. Her expression was like watching a dead person alive- I'm tired of you, Scootaloo- The Pegasus, recovering from her initial shock, quickly composed a mockingly countenance.

-And I'm tired of seeing you around here and especially around my friends.

-Hmm? What reason you have to fear my presence here?

-Because I don't want what happened to Applejack to happen to Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle or Spike- The unicorn composed the same expression her unwanted company had.

-Oh dear, but if you represent a greater danger than me, Scootaloo!- Starlight raised her left eyebrow- Let's see… You have gotten people killed in far greater numbers than I have. You lost four people in your last mission!- The Pegasus grin died instantly, instead being replaced by a rabid expression.

-My-

-Oh! And you killed Twists brother too!- The unicorn giggled- Looks like we both are dirty sibling killers for our friends.

-We are not the same, you-

-We, indeed, are not the same. You stand in the presence of something far more important than a Rainbow Dash wannabe- Her last words made Scootaloo's pupils shrunk to their minimal expression. Her teeth clenched with rabid anger and she quickly raised her right fist.

-SHUT THE FUCK UP!- The Pegasus shouted, but before her hand could reach Starlight's cheek, it was covered by magic. Scootaloo felt like her wrist was being pressured heavy, making her close an eye and almost kneel at the sudden pain- Agh!

-Hmm, the S-49 sample seems promising... You're not even half as fast as your umm… "sister"- Starlight chuckled, her horn shining brightly. Her head was starting to hurt, but she endured the pain. The Pegasus on the ground groaned with hatred, trying desperately to move, but she soon realized that the grip the unicorn had over her wrist would tear it apart if she tried to break it- You're so pathetic, Scootaloo.

-BITE ME YOU TREACHEROUS BITCH! AGH!- Starlight grinned a bit when she applied more pressure to the Pegasus wrist. Her eyes were starting to bleed and from her mouth had some lines of blood poured down her chin.

-E-Easy now, youngster. It's the first time someone is standing up to this shitty attitude of yours. You thought that everybody would put up with it… And, to be fair, we did. I did. I thought that if I let you discharge your anger and resentment this way, you would find a place in your miserable heart to forgive me- The unicorn's horn became brighter, forcing the Pegasus to see her to the eye- But I guess I was wrong- She smirked, to which Scootaloo tried to spit at her face. The unicorn evaded that "attack", huffing with disappointment- What a vulgar action. Sweetie would be displeased.

-I'LL FUCKING KILL YOU, STARLIGHT!- The Pegasus grinned malicious- Wait until I say what are you doing right now to them! They'll fucking exile you!

-They would not do anything because you won't say anything- The unicorn sentenced, her voice grave, her face more serious- You will start to behave properly, to treat them the way they rightfully deserve- Starlight closed in on the Pegasus- In exchange of that, I will concede you your greatest wish. If you're so resentful and despairing to have a villain to justify your shitty behavior, I will be the villain you desperately need- Starlight's lilac eyes shined with intensity- But make no mistake. I can crush like the insignificant ant you are. I'm Starlight Glimmer, the loyal unicorn apprentice of Princess Twilight Sparkle yes, but also I alone am the greatest magician left in this cursed earth. I alone bended the concept of time and I alone will be your worst nightmare if you continue with this annoying attempt at blaming me of every single one of your troubles. Sleep tight, Scootaloo, because I will protect you… even from yourself.

With that said, the unicorn left the Pegasus wrist go and turned away, leaving the explorer with a frustrated, angered expression.

But most of all, she could feel her heart sinking into fear.

-Dear Celestia…

Hello, back at you with another episode. This time is a short one, but important. Hope you like it! Leave a Review if you want, it's F.R.E.E after all.

¡Hasta la vista!