My Little Pony | Home Is Where The Heart Is

Through the Ages

Starlight Glimmer sat in her office at the School of Friendship, sorting through a stack of papers for the EEA—even though her school doesn't exactly go by EEA standards, they still like to keep tabs on them. Since Twilight Sparkle gave her Head Mare position to Starlight, Starlight assumed Chancellor Neighsay wanted to keep a closer eye on the school now. Not like it's changed, though.

As her eyes scanned a paper, she suddenly smelt a familiar burning sensation. She turned to see green, sparkly smoke making its way to her desk and transforming into a sealed scroll.

Starlight levitated the parchment in front of her, gingerly pealing off its seal. Starlight Glimmer was used to seeing these messages . . . just never to herself. The possibilities of what could be inside scared her. Did she have to go on a mission, was she needed for a royal duty, did Twilight suddenly think she was a bad Head Mare?

She breathed out a small laugh. "Don't be silly, Starlight. I'm sure this note isn't filled with any news like that."

As she rolled opened the scroll, all her previous worries dissipated and were filled with excitement and dread. She didn't have to go on a mission, just a short journey. And she was going to do something she was good at: counseling.

. . .

"Wow," Sunburst stared, astonished at the mirror in front of him. He hesitantly touched his hoof to the glass and watched as the tip of it disappeared. "Amazing." He pulled his hoof back out and stared at it. "It felt just like stepping in a puddle of water. Tingling, cold water, to be exact."

"Yeah. It is very strange," Starlight stated, gathering things to put in her saddle bag.

"I can't believe you get to go to this other world! I've read books about ancient legends describing portals like this, but they are always hidden away or destroyed. I wasn't aware Twilight had something so powerful in her castle."

"It's not something she liked to disclose with other ponies. I didn't know about it until the friend of Twilight's came to pick up her journal."

"That's so incredible that you made friends with someone from another world." Sunburst gushed, his eyes sparking with wonder complimented by the big goofy grin on his face.

"Well, she was actually from this world but ending up leaving. Anyways, you remember why I asked you to come, right?"

He blinked twice and gave Starlight a blank stare before giving an answer of, "Oh! Right! Yes." He pushed his glasses back up to the bridge of his muzzle. "To go over any last minute details about running the school—if it comes down to that."

"And?"

"Research!" he cheered before taking a step closer. "And to make sure you made it safely."

"Aw, Sunburst." Starlight combed a hoof through her mane. "I'll tell you as much as I can about my trip once I get back. I shouldn't be gone too long. A few hours at the least, but as I said earlier, it could be longer. If I don't get back by tonight, you're in charge of the school."

We gave her a soldier solute and said, "Will do."

"And I need those papers filled out by—"

"Starlight, don't worry. I got everything under control. We are a team, so I know your job pretty well. Just go and have a good time, okay."

Starlight smiled before wrapping her hooves around her best friend. "Thanks Sunburst. I really don't know what I would do without you."

Sunburst returned the gesture. When they pulled away Starlight nodded in his direction and flashed him a smile before stepping through the portal.