Chapter 181: Our Town Pt. 2

A dark room was shown. Nothing but shadows and darkness filled the void. Soon, footsteps were heard as they began to get louder and louder with each step. A spotlight came on and shone down on a specific spot; someone was coming into the light. That person was shown with their head down before lifting it and looking straight at the audience.

"Every night, we lay our heads down to dream, and that's when our minds really start to tick. We start remembering all these things, these horrible things, these travesties that have happened to us in our lives. But in our dreams, we are superheroes. In our dreams, we can fix everything. We dream of revenge, we dream of payback. Just like that, man, just like that, we wake up, and that's when reality starts to set in. That's when we go to the mirror, look into it, and remember that we are not superheroes and that we can not fix everything. And so we bottle all this rage up inside of us, and we go on living our dismal lives as if nothing is wrong. But everything, everything, everything is wrong, and I plan on fixing that."

"You see, I used to have this mean old teacher, and this teacher she used to look down upon me, and she went to great measures to make sure that I remembered that I was a piece of trash and that I would never amount to anything in my life. She believed that everything she read in a book was true and that everything I believed in was a lie. So I went up to her, and I said, 'Ms. Teacher Lady, what is it about you that makes you think that you're so much better than me, that makes you think you're so much smarter than me? Is it because your Mommy and Daddy paid for you to go to some fancy school so that you could wave this diploma around all of us? So that you could look down upon children and force-feed them propaganda?' Well, I say, 'na uh'. She looked at me, and she said, 'Starlight Glimmer, you are rotten, you stand for nothing.' She said, 'Starlight Glimmer, the first time that I ever looked inside of your eyes, I knew there was something inside of you. I knew you were evil.'"

"But I'm proud to say that right now, somewhere, that teacher lady is rotting inside of some retirement home filled up with all of her life's regrets. But I, Starlight Glimmer, stand in front of you today as a conqueror, a revolutionary, and the person of a thousand truths. I say, Miss Teacher lady, look at me right now. I got the whole damn world in my hands."

"That is my payback. My ends justify my means."

Storm began to stir as he slowly opened his eyes. The Jedi could feel his head starting to hurt as he struggled to move his body. The boy sat up and put a hand to his head when he heard the sound of shackles. The teen looked at his wrists as they were handcuffed with a chain in between. He began to play with them to see if he could free himself.

"Don't even bother!"

Storm heard the voice as a light came on. The boy put his hand up to cover his eyes as he looked at a window before him. Starlight was shown as she looked at the intruder snooping around her home.

"Even with your Jedi powers, you can't break those shackles," said the girl. She revealed Storm's lightsaber from behind her back, confiscating it when she knocked out the boy. "You know it's funny. I figured a Jedi would be tougher to trap, but you were easy."

"You want to see what a Jedi can do? Then how about unlocking these cuffs, and I'll show you what I can do!" said Storm.

"Tempting. But… would Twilight be jealous that you have your hands all over me instead of her?" smirked Starlight as she set the lightsaber on a table. "Let's face the facts. I know who you are, Storm. I know you're a Jedi. Jedi Knight as your rank."

"And do you know all that?"

"I have my ways. I can be very persuasive when I want to be. One thing to know about me is that I always have a plan. Remind you of anybody. Perhaps your partner."

"What have you done with Twilight?" said Storm.

"Don't fret. I haven't done anything to her… yet. But that princess is in for a rude awakening," snickered Starlight. "That's right. I know Twilight is the princess of Equis. Who doesn't know that?"

"So that was your plan, huh? Bring us both here," said the boy.

"Not exactly. See, you're right. I did want to bring you here. I just didn't expect Her Majesty to come along. But I should've. She can't go anywhere without her personal guard and boytoy by her side. Tell me, how many times has she invited you into her private chamber?"

Storm scowled as he looked at Starlight. The girl seemed to ignore the boy's scowling toward her, as it was rather fun to taunt him.

"Why the serious face? I'm just asking a question. How many times has Twilight asked you to fuc…"

"That's none of your business!" shouted the Jedi.

"Playing hard to get, I see. Well, it's not the first time I haven't seduced a boy under my fingers. First time for a Jedi, though." snickered the girl as she walked to another table. "I'm a fair girl, Storm. So… I'm willing to give you a chance. After… I deal with my personal business."

"And business is that? Twilight," said the boy.

"Perceptive. But yes. I have business not just with your girlfriend but the entire royal family. For too long, they've been the cancer that bleeds Equis dry. They can make all the claims they want that they're the saviors and protectors of this world, but in reality, they're the ones slowly killing it into extinction. But the masses are so blinded by their mystique, smoke, and mirrors that they can't see the truth. But I can. My father saw the truth. And the truth is, the Sparkly family needs to be eradicated."

Starlight picked up a flash drive as she looked at it. Engraved on it were the initials of her father as she recalled his final words on his deathbed that he told her.

"Since the dawn of mankind's existence, mankind has struggled to answer one simple question: Where do we go when we die? A man of science would have you believe we just become one with the earth—nothing more. A man of faith would view things from a much, much different perspective. But what about those like you and I?" said Starlight as she turned her attention to the Jedi. "We're special. For us, there is no death."

Storm kept his eyes on his captor as she approached the window to stare into the boy's eyes.

"Let me tell you a little secret. This world is our hell," chuckled Starlight sinisterly as Storm kept his scowl. "This world is our hell! We don't belong here!" yelled the girl as if to tell the world what she was saying.

"I know you can hear me. But now, my eyes are wide open, and I don't fear you anymore! I pity you," said Starlight as she turned and began to head toward the door. "It's time for you to go home." The door shut behind the girl, leaving the Jedi alone in the dark.

Twilight awoke with a sudden start. The girl sat up in bed as she looked about to get her bearings straight. After Storm left, the princess was given one of the spare rooms in Sugar Belle's house to sleep the night. She had decided to wait for her partner to return, but it seemed she might have fallen asleep while waiting. The moon outside in the window showed that it'd been a few hours since she was last awake.

The princess tugged the blanket over her tighter, thinking she heard the Storm returning, but it was just the wind. The girl sighed as she lay back down and stared at the wall, clutching her blanket tighter. The Jedi was worried for her partner, expecting him to be back by now; she only hoped that he was alright and that he would return to be in her arms.

Morning came as the sun rose over the small village. Twilight felt the rays of the morning star as she let out a yawn. The girl looked about, expecting Storm to be present or in bed with her, but he wasn't. She sighed before getting up to freshen herself. The princess finished washing her face as she looked at herself in the mirror. She looked at her reflection as she raised her hand and began tracing her features.

"Am I… pretty enough for him?" said Twilight before her gaze shifted downwards to look at her body. The princess examined her features, especially her two most eye-catching ones. "Am I… big enough for him?"

Once she finished looking herself over, Twilight proceeded to the lower floor of Sugar Belle's home. She had expected to see the baker but was nowhere to be seen. The princess looked about as she wondered where she might be. Eventually, there was a knock on the door as she approached it. When she opened it, there was Sugar Belle.

"Twilight. Come quickly! It's Storm!" said the girl.

"Where is he?!" said the princess, concerned for her partner after hearing Sugar Belle's tone.

"Follow me!" stated the baker as she took off, with Twilight following behind.

The two ran down the street as Twilight's worries escalated to an all-time high. Sugar Bell turned the corner as Twilight was seconds behind her. Just as the princess turned, she immediately halted as there stood Starlight, along with some of the townspeople who still bore big smiles. Sugar Belle was shown being restrained by some villagers as she looked disappointed.

"Morning… Princess," said Starlight with a smile.

"I'm sorry, Twilight. She forced me…."

"It's okay," said the girl to the baker as she didn't blame her for what she did.

"Excellent job, Sugar Belle," said Starlight as she turned to the girl. She got in her face and snapped her fingers as the baker came under her control. She put on a big smile like the others as they released her, and she took her position.

"What did you do?" asked Twilight.

"Simple spell," bragged Starlight as she turned to face the princess. "But I know what you're thinking. Where's your boyfriend?"

"What have you done with Storm!" shouted Twilight.

"Don't lose your head, princess. Your boyfriend is perfectly fine. In fact, why don't I take you to him?" Starlight offered.

"And why would I listen to you?" countered Twilight.

"As if? You have no choice but to follow this sweet trail of breadcrumbs," said Starlight as she turned her back to the Jedi before turning her head. "So… what's it gonna be?"

Twilight looked about and saw that the villagers were under Starlight's command. She couldn't risk hurting them, even if they were being controlled. In the end, the princess simply nodded as Starlight smiled. Two villagers approached Twilight and put the same cuffs on her as her partner. Twilight could feel the cuffs as they restrained her Jedi powers; her lightsaber was confiscated as they began to lead her while Starlight led the way.

Storm was shown against a wall as his cuffs were attached to a chain. The boy had been trying to see if he could break free from his binds, but it was useless. He could only go so far before he was held back, so he just sighed. He merely pointed his head up and closed his eyes as he tried to get some moments of clarity. However, that was also tough, given the constant voice he heard over the speakers projecting into his room.

Just then, the voice stopped as he opened his eyes. The door to his room opened, and Starlight stood there. The Jedi growled upon seeing the girl as she got closer to him.

"Why the long face, Storm? I thought you'd be happy to see me," Starlight grinned as Storm growled. "So, have you given some thought to whether you'll join me?"

The boy responded as he spat to the side, giving Starlight her answer.

"Why? Why? Why?" Starlight shook her head in disapproval. Well, if it makes you feel any better, I've got you a guest."

She stepped to the side as Twilight was shown entering. Storm's eyes widened at the sight of Twilight, and he saw that she, too, was cuffed. The princess saw her partner being chained up as she ran toward him.

"Storm!" said the princess as she put her hands on his face.

"Nice to see you, Sparky," chuckled the boy at seeing his partner.

"Let him go!" said Twilight.

"I'm afraid I can't do that just yet," snickered Starlight as she turned to leave with her followers. Before exiting through the door, she reached into her shirt and pulled out a key before tossing it to the floor.

The door closed with a thud, and Twilight scowled as she kept looking at the structure. She then scurried to get the key before returning to Storm.

"I'm sorry, Twilight," the boy said as she began to unlock the chain holding his cuffs. It's my fault…"

"Don't say that," said the princess as she finished releasing her partner.

Storm was relieved his arms were no longer being held up as he felt some of the pain starting to face. Twilight sat beside him, nestled close to her partner, and placed her head on his shoulder.

"What does she want with us?" wondered the boy.

"I wish I knew," responded the girl.

"Well, hopefully, your family knows where we are. 'Cause I don't know how we're gonna get out of this one," said Storm.

"Right now… all I care about is that you're safe," said Twilight as she shifted herself to sit directly in Storm's lap and grabbed both sides of his face.

The boy placed his hands on the princess' waist as he felt her wrap her legs around him. The two teens stared into each other's eyes as they relished being in each other's presence after being separated. Twilight was happy that her partner was okay and that she had to be in his arms again. The girl then rested her head on his chest and closed her eyes. Storm rested his head on Twilight as he enjoyed holding the fair princess. The pair enjoyed the silence before the speakers came on, and it began to repeat the same phrases Storm had heard earlier.

"In sameness, there is peace. Exceptionalism is a lie. Free yourself from your cutie mark. Choose equality as your special talent. Difference is frustration. To excel is to fail. Be your best by never being your best. Conformity will set you free. Accept your limitations, and happiness will follow. You're no better than your friends."

Hours passed as both Jedi tried to figure out ways to pass the time and, more importantly, find some way out. Twilight had been making her brain work overtime as the princess tried to use her intelligence to find some solution to their predicament, but she couldn't, especially with the constant loop of Starlight's sayings. Eventually, she gave up and sat in Storm's lap, the boy holding the girl as they stared at the wall.

"Any chance your parents might find us?" asked Storm.

"Maybe. But even so, we don't have this place recorded in the archives, so it might still be difficult," said Twilight as she relished letting Storm pet her hair.

"What do you think she wants with us?" stated the boy.

"I don't know, but it can't be good if she has images of my ancestors," the princess said as she looked at the speaker.

"... Difference is frustration."

"Agg!" said Twilight as she was annoyed by the voice.

Storm got up and approached the speaker. He jumped and tried to reach the wire in the back but didn't get it. He then jumped again as he got the wire this time and pulled it out. The speaker shut down as the Jedi sighed, knowing they had at least a few minutes of silence. The boy returned to the wall as he sat down with Twilight, putting her head back on his shoulder. The pair began to collect their thoughts with the newfound silence as they began to think about things.

"Storm… am I good enough for you?"

"Seriously, Sparky," said Storm as he looked at the princess. "You're the best person I could've asked for to be my partner. If you asked me three years ago when we first met, I'd be sitting here after all the adventures we've had… I wouldn't believe it."

"I appreciate that… but that's what I mean…"

"Sparky…"

"Storm… am I a good enough girl for you?" asked the princess as she shifted her position to be in his lap again and put her arms around his neck. She pressed her chest against him; the boy knew what his partner was referring to as he felt the two round objects his body was pressing against.

The boy gazed into the princess' eyes as he got lost in the sea of blue. Twilight stared into her partner's eyes as she felt a sense of comfort wash over her despite them being trapped. She felt something as Storm moved his hands downward until they found their new target. With a firm squeeze, Twilight felt it as she turned her head to see Storm's hands on her rump; it made the girl coo a bit, but it also felt nice.

"Does that answer your question?" said Storm in a soft-spoken tone.

The princess smiled as the boy gave a few more squeezes, which stirred the girl's heart.

"Storm…."

"Sparky…."

The two teens found themselves getting closer and closer as their faces were inches from each other. The two Jedi Knights fell under the other's spell and began to close their eyes as they felt the hot breath of the other on their lips. They were about to make contact when a sound was heard. The door to their room was open as Twilight got off Storm's lap, and a bright white light shone on their face. The pair raised a hand to shield their eyes from the sudden light entering their vision as two shadows appeared. They approached the pair and got them to their feet before guiding them toward the exit.

Outside the holding place was Starlight as she stood with some villagers behind her as they held their smiles. The Jedi Knights were brought before the girl as they scowled.

"So, how are my two guests?" asked the girl.

"What do you want?" asked Storm.

"My, my, aren't we curious," snickered the girl as she approached the pair and circled them. "You know, it was never my intention to capture you both. But I got a good deal, two birds with one stone. Man, I'm good."

"What are you planning?" asked Twilight.

"What I'm planning involves you, princess," said Starlight as she pointed at Twilight. "Let me ask you this. What makes you smile? Is it spending time with loved ones? Is it money? Power? Perhaps it's a memory you hold dear. Maybe something nostalgic from your childhood. But me… I'm different. I find enjoyment in the types of things that your Mommy and Daddy have shielded you from throughout your entire life. I'm not like you. I'm different. I'm leeches amongst men. I fear… nothing. Living… or dead. So I ask you, what makes you smile? Because after what transpires next. I promise. It's gonna be hard for you ever to smile… again."

The two Jedi held their scowls as Starlight let out a smirk.

"I'll see you two in the morning, and we'll see if you've changed your mind," said Starlight as the two were led back inside the home.

Storm and Twilight were pushed into their room, and before the door shut, the pair were given pillows and sheets.

"Well… at least we have something to sleep on," remarked the boy.

With nighttime upon them, the pair got to work on setting up their sleeping arrangements. Storm was shown lying down as Twilight lay beside her partner. The princess snuggled against the boy as she clutched him; Storm turned on his side to look at Twilight, their faces inches apart.

"We need to escape," said Twilight.

"Easier said than done," responded the boy as he stroked her cheek.

"At least we're together," smiled the princess before leaning to kiss Storm's cheek and cuddling him to fall asleep.

The Jedi Knight held the girl tighter as he drifted off to dreamland. While the pair slept in her home, Starlight was being delivered some stuff from Double Diamond.

"Here you go, Starlight," said the villager as he was under the girl's control.

"Thank you, Double Diamond."

"If I may, Starlight. Why do you keep both Jedi trapped? Why not just convince them to join us? It'd make things easier if people saw the princess of Equis joined our cause."

"I have my reasons, Double Diamond, particularly the princess. She's more important to me than the Jedi. But… it couldn't hurt to have him on our side, especially if Twilight joins our cause. You may leave." the girl said to the boy as he left.

Once he was gone, Starlight turned and headed to her secret room. The girl approached her room and touched her control room as she looked around the village. It was dead, indicating that everyone was fast asleep as scheduled. She then pulled up the folders she had saved on Twilight's ancestors, which filled her screen. Starlight then looked at the drive as she picked it up and recalled her father's final words.

It's up to you… to complete Project Paradoxum…

"I will, Dad. I will complete your project to its end. And I will make the royal family pay for all they've done. Their reign will end, and then… peace will finally be ushered in. And it will be paved by their blood." Starlight could feel the pain and agony of her father as she saw him take his final breath. And the disdain that followed as she blamed Twilight's family for what they did. The girl then began to hear the lullaby her father sang to her every night as she repeated it.

"She's got the whole world in her hands. She's got the whole wide world in her hands. She's got the whole world in her hands. She's got the whole wide world… in… her hands…"

Another darkness appeared as another light shone down, and Starlight stood again, looking out to those who would listen.

"There are different types of people in this world. There are people who dream and never get off their couch. There are people who dream and never make it. And then there are people who dream and change the landscape of this world! People like Starlight Glimmer! But what about you, man? That's what I want to know. Aren't you tired of feeling unwanted? Aren't you tired of feeling like an outcast and being stepped upon? Well then, today is your day! Today is the day that Starlight Glimmer decided she would change everything! Today is the day that hell froze! Today is the day that pigs fly! Today is the day my people looked fear in the eyes, and we said, 'Mr. Fear, sir, you are a liar!' Today, I want you to go and tell these so-called world leaders that they'd better heed my warning and take notice of Starlight Glimmer! Because today is the day that Starlight Glimmer decided she was gonna bring down this machine!"

In their room, Storm faced Twilight as he lifted his cuffs with the girl's hands over them. Magic flowed from them, and the princess was hoping her magic might be able to release their binds. The pair had been trying for quite a while, and sweat ran down Twilight's face. The girl tried her hardest to use her magic to release their binds, but it seemed the cuffs were also enchanted, as she had some resistance.

"Anything?" asked the Jedi.

"No," sighed Twilight as her magic couldn't unlock their cuffs. "It seems this enchantment is pretty strong. If I could just analyze it…"

"Save it for another time. You need a break," said Storm, noticing that Twilight was a bit exhausted from all the concentration she had put into trying to free them.

"Sorry…"

"Hey, it's okay," said Storm as he shifted to sit beside the princess and put her in his lap. "It's okay, Sparky. We'll get out of this. We always do. You trust me, right?"

"You know I do," smiled Twilight as she looked at her partner before kissing his cheek and resting her head on his shoulder.

The Jedi tightened his hold on the princess as he closed his eyes. The paid didn't know how long they fell asleep as some sounds awakened them. The Jedi Knights looked as coming into the room were Party Favor and Double Diamond; both boys approached the princess as they grabbed a hold of her arms.

"What's going on?" asked Storm as he stood up, wanting to know where they were taking Twilight.

"Starlight requires your presence," said the hypnotized Party Favor.

The two then led Twilight away as Storm could only watch on. The boy hoped the girl would be okay with whatever Starlight had planned. Twilight was casually brought into a room as she sat in a chair. The girl looked about as she was left alone in a dark room. Soon, a light came on as it shone above her, causing her to put her hand up to block the sudden light from entering her eyes.

"So glad you could join us, princess."

Twilight looked as if a viewing window in front of her appeared, and Starlight stood on the other side with her arms behind her back.

"What do you want?" asked Twilight.

"Simple… you," glared Starlight. "To think, despite your entire bloodline history, there hasn't been a single Jedi… until you."

Twilight's eyes widened when she heard Starlight refer to her as a Jedi.

"That's right. I know you're not just the princess, the future heir of Equis, and the most pretty girl in the kingdom," mocked Starlight, "I know that you're a Jedi as well. I mean, why wouldn't you be? Considering you're supposed to be the greatest Sparkle of your entire family."

"Who says that?" responded Twilight.

"Destiny. Fate. Call it what you will. Maybe using your terms, the Force. One thing is for certain: Twilight. It wasn't a coincidence you were chosen to be a Jedi." said Starlight as she began to pace about before grabbing a match on the table and lit it.

"They say patience is a virtue. But in my estimation, it's a lost art," whispered Starlight as she watched the flame burn down the match to her fingertips before going out. "People want everything. They want more and more of it. They don't realize that beyond their precious city walls, there is another world. And it's full of animals. Just like yours. My world. And in my world, when one of my animals is sick or hurt, we don't let them fumble around in agony… we put them down." chuckled the girl sinisterly.

Twilight scowled at Starlight's insanity.

"So, princess. Want to see my world?" asked Starlight as she snapped her fingers.

Suddenly, a device came in front of Twilight as a bright light flashed in her eyes, causing the entire room to go white.

Twilight opened her eyes and found herself in a barren wasteland full of rubble and destruction. The princess couldn't believe what she saw as she stood up, now free of her cuffs, and looked about.

"Where are-"

Before Twilight could get her question out, a rumble began to happen soon before the princess was large Starlight as she chuckled and scowled at the girl.

"No way," said the princess upon seeing the girl. Her head began to hurt as she clutched it, her Jedi senses going off the rails as Starlight cackled.

"This… is you," the girl said in a deep tone, feeding off of the emotions swirling in Twilight's head.

Starlight thrust her hand out to shoot some magic as Twilight saw it coming and dodged out of the way. The giant Starlight then began to hover away as some makeshift platforms appeared as if to tell Twilight to follow her. The princess glared as she began to jump after her enemy.

"I need to keep focus," said Twilight to herself as she was jumping from platform to platform. Below the girl was a giant sea, and more platforms and obstacles appeared. She used her Jedi parkour skills to travel across and chase after Starlight. "Gotta remember, none of this real."

"What's more real than fear?" echoed Starlight.

"What are you doing to me?!" shouted Twilight as she wall ran along a building.

"Taking a look into your soul, princess. I see a girl… terrified of being alone… Of failing her family."

"No!" countered Twilight as she avoided another swipe of Starlight's magic and did a front flip to springboard herself forward. However, the Jedi felt some effects from whatever Starlight was doing as her mind began to hurt. "You… can't… hurt me."

"Everyone has a breaking point. Even a Jedi. It's just a matter of finding it." Starlight continued her dive into Twilight's mind. "And I have all the time in the world to dig into you."

"Get out of my head!" shouted Twilight as she nearly missed the attack from Starlight and continued to chase after her.

"Out of your head? But there's so much to SEE in here…" chuckled Starlight, "So much dread… so much pain… So much doubt…"

"I'm not listening!"

Starlight felt some resistance to Twilight as the girl was trying to fight back.

"You're strong. But no one is stronger than themselves."

"Starlight!"

The Jedi finally picked up speed and jumped as high as she could. She went flying toward the giant version of the girl, pierced right through her, and began to fall. She crashed into a platform and tumbled. The girl stood up to get her bearings straight as she looked for Starlight.

"Where is she?"

Twilight then clutched her head as she felt it in pain. Soon, some swirls began to appear and take shape before her. The shape then appeared as it was none other than Celestia.

"Twilight…"

"Celestia?" said the girl as she saw her master.

"You don't get it. I mean, I TRIED! I tried to teach you, make you into a Jedi."

The Jedi Master walked away as the giant Starlight appeared and brought her hand down to slam the princess. Twilight rolled out and pulled out her lightsaber as several droids appeared and charged at her. The princess began to deflect the blaster shots and defend herself as she sliced down the enemies trying to kill her. As she fought, Celestia's voice kept on talking.

"I knew you'd always be second best, but… All you've ever done is let people down. Put people in danger. That's not a Jedi. Jedi HELP people. You've just hurt them."

"That's not true, master," cried out Twilight as she stabbed a droid and then used it as a shield to tank some shots before ripping it apart and sliding about to slash as ten more droids in a line before propping up to defend the barrage of shots that were closing her in.

"And look at you! You want to run off and neglect your duties as Jedi all for some boy! I told you, he's an anchor. I'm your wings. I lift you up, and he drags you down. But yet you disobeyed my warnings. All I've done for you, all I've sacrificed for you. And this… THIS is the thanks I get. You're an ungrateful student and a disappointment."

"Master! I'm not!" cried Twilight as the guilt of failing her mentor hit her deep.

"Who are you really, Twilight?" taunted Starlight as her voice was heard.

"Starlight!"

"Let's dig deeper!"

Twilight couldn't hold on as she fell to her knees and was shot by the barrage of blaster shots before the ground broke under her, and she began to fall. The princess then landed on another piece of the ground and groaned. She got to her feet and clutched her head as she felt Starlight digging around; it caused the girl to stumble forward, but she caught herself to reposition herself. A swirl then happened as several figures appeared before the Jedi.

"What the hell, Twilight!" shouted Rainbow.

"I know this is you, Starlight!" said the girl as the figures of her friends before her weren't real.

"Yeah, of course it is," scoffed Rainbow as she turned her back on her friend.

"We're always here for you, sugarcube!" scowled Applejack as Twilight looked up to see Starlight bring her hand down again on her, and she backflipped out of its way, with the figures of her friends being gone, but their voices remained.

"We do everything for you," said Pinkie.

"I'm not listening!" shouted Twilight as more droids charged at her, and she began to defend herself.

"Yeah, we're not surprised you'd say that. Because all that matters is you, right?" said Rainbow.

"All you do is take," echoed Fluttershy's voice.

"You put US in danger! And for what?" said Rarity.

"What do WE get?" shouted Pinkie.

"Girls… I… I know I'm-" panicked Twilight as hearing the voices of her friends gave more to her doubt as she struggled to fight against the droids shooting her.

"Left behind. That's all we get!" said Rainbow.

"Girls… girls, please!" pleaded Twilight as she slammed her hand on the ground to use her Force powers to push the giant wave back. But then they all got back up and continued to march forward, firing in unison.

"We know it isn't your fault, but sugarcube, we just feel sorry for you," stated Aj. "We didn't want you to feel responsible. Especially after…"

"No! Aj, no!" yelled the princess as she was shot in the back and fell before being shot in the chest.

The girl fell as the army of droids didn't stop but kept shooting the girl in the back as Twilight yelled in pain. The princess felt the barrage of blaster bolts being put into her as she tried to reach for her lightsaber to keep fighting. The Jedi tried to live up to her ideals that she was taught to keep fighting till her last stand, but she couldn't. Her hand touched the hilt of her lightsaber, but she couldn't grab it.

"This ends when you want it to, Twilight," said Starlight. "You're going to let me in eventually."

The ground before the princess broke open as she found herself free-falling again.

"And until then… Struggle!"

Twilight crashed to the ground as she winced in pain. The girl tried her hardest to get on her hands and knees, but it proved difficult. She stumbled forward and touched her head, trying to get her bearings straight. She then looked up as there was Storm.

"No," said the girl.

"Sparky…"

"No, no!"

"I can't do this anymore, Twilight. I'm always having to look after you. I'm always having to play babysitter. And for what?" said Storm.

"Storm, please…"

"I tried to help you; I really did. But I should've known you'd be nothing but dead weight for me. All my training that I did, and I have to spend a second of it wasted on you. I busted my ass for years to get where I'm at. And what about you?!" said the boy.

"Storm!" cried Twilight as her heart ripped into two.

"You know when I said you were the best partner I could ever ask for? Yeah, I just said that because I pitied you. And what do I get in return? Not even so much as a thank you. I was right; go home and figure out which guy you want to get laid by. Leave the fighting to me! Leave it to people who actually care about us. I said it before: we're the good guys and here to save the galaxy. And if anybody else believes otherwise, they're wrong."

"Storm!" said Twilight.

"Hey, whoa, don't shoot the messenger here! It's not even me you're letting down. It's your family." said the boy.

"No…"

"Do your job as princess. Inherit the throne and produce your heir, 'cause that's your duty!" scoffed Storm.

"NO!" screamed Twilight as she felt her mind breaking. "No, no, no, no. Starlight! That's enough!"

"You're right," cackled the girl as she enjoyed messing with Twilight's inner mind. "That's MORE than enough. I have everything I need."

The girl appeared and slammed her hand on the ground, sending Twilight into one more free fall. The princess fell hard as she didn't move upon impact as before. All the doubts she'd been hearing had caught up to her as she began to cry. Tears flowed from her closed eyes as her heart ached in pain, nearly teetering on the verge of being shattered. The girl couldn't take it anymore as she somehow managed to reach her hands and knees. Her eyes were puffy from all the crying still flowing as she got to her feet and was bent over with her hands on her knees. She then let out a scream of mixed emotions while clutching her head.

"Just… stop," said Twilight as she was nearly broken.

The girl then lifted her head as she came face to face with a sight that nearly made her heart drop. There a few meters before her was her father.

"Dad?" spoke Twilight softly at the image of her father.

"My little Twily," said Night Light as he began to hover away with Twilight slowly following him. "A lot's changed since you left Equis."

"Dad…"

"You became a whole different person. You became a Jedi, instead of a princess."

"Dad… a Jedi protects people. They help them…" said the girl as she tried to explain to her father, who stood before a set of thrones.

"You can try and run from your destiny, Twilight. But we know who you are. What you've become." said Night Light as the rest of her family appeared.

Twilight saw her mother and her brothers all standing before her. They all stood before their thrones and sat down and looked at the girl as if she were the black sheep of their family.

"We've been watching you, sweetie," said Velvet as they sat down.

"You have?" said the girl.

"... And it hurts," said Spike.

"What happened to the girl we raised?" spoke Night Light.

"You're a coward, Twilight. You're a stain on our family!" said Shining Armor. "I knew I never should've invited you to my wedding."

"Shining!" said Twilight, hearing the words of her BBBFF puncture her heart. "You don't mean that! None of you do!"

"We all do. You're a failure, Twilight. Not just to us, but to our entire bloodline. If our ancestors saw you, they'd be ashamed to know someone like you was produced." said Night Light. "I've told you it all takes but one weak link to break the chain of a mighty dynasty. And since the day you were born, that's all you've been."

"No, you'd never say that! None of you would!" yelled Twilight as she tried to fight her inner struggles.

"You want to neglect your duties as the heir and in turn, it causes our people to question us. To question our leadership if we made the right choice. It makes us look bad. You embarrass me and your mother. You disappoint us as an heir and a daughter.

"Mom, Dad!"

"You're the daughter we wanted, sweetie. Because a good daughter obeys her father and mother. She does what they ask of her without question because we know what's best for you! A good daughter knows her place."

"I… I do know my place… I-"

"I wish you never came back, Twilight."

"Spike."

"Twily, you're the greatest mistake to ever happen."

"Shining!"

"You killed our dynasty, Twilight. Everything ends because of you. You ended the Sparkle bloodline. You threw away our lineage for your own selfless needs. Had I known you become that, I've disowned you the moment you were born.

"I'm not…"

"It's time to give up, sweetie," said Velvet.

"Give up, Twily," said Shining Armor.

"No…" spoke Twilight.

"Give up!" shouted Rainbow and the others as their voices echoed.

"I won't," repeated the princess.

"Give up," echoed Celestia's voice.

"Give up!" said Night Light.

"Give up!" shouted Storm.

Twilight struggled with her mind as several arms appeared from the ground. They began to claw at her, trying to drag her with them. The girl fought with her mind as she felt herself being pulled in. The many hands soon covered Twilight and sank into the ground. Soon, the pile began to glow as a purple light burst through. The hands then disintegrated as Twilight let out a fierce scream and stood ready; the princess was now wearing her element as the crown on her head shined with all its glory. Starlight was shocked to see Twilight standing there as she beared her element.

The princess felt the power of her element surging through as more foes charged at her. She rushed at them with her lightsaber and began to mow them down.

"Just give up!" shouted Starlight.

"I won't!" declared Twilight as she had some newfound confidence. "You want to know who I am, Starlight?" The princess ducking under a droid and slamming her free hand on the ground, shooting out her magic to destroy the many before her. "My name is Twilight Sparkle. Daughter of Queen Twilight Velvet the Undaunting and King Night Light the Bladebreaker. I am the 75th generation of King Lambert, and descendant of the Astros, the very first Sparkle in my bloodline! I am also the bearer of the Element of Magic. I am the future heir of Equis and I am Jedi!"

A surge of magic shot out of Twilight as it destroyed every single foe before her and the giant version of Starlight as she winced in pain. Starlight then appeared before Twilight as the girl was coursing through with magic. She then began to pull her foe toward her using her newfound powers as Starlight growled and stared the princess down.

"I know who I am!" said Twilight as she pulled Starlight closer.

"I am Twilight Sparkle. I'm a princess and a Jedi!"

Starlight was pulled closer as she and Starlight were now face to face as the pair growled.

"And I'm not afraid anymore," said Twilight as she let loose all the magic inside of her, destroying everything. Everything around shattered like a mirror as darkness began to engulf, making everything fade to black.

To be continued...

Author's Note: We got an even clearer insight of Starlight's mentality. Her beliefs and ideals that she preaches. And what she did to Twilight, digging into her mind, exposing her doubts and fears. It's clear Starlight has a personal issue with Twilight that stems from her family. Even so, Twilight has also shown she's been able to fight back against Starlight's antics.