Chapter Text
Young Sunny Starscout loved to hear stories told by her father, Argyle. One story especially was her favorite and she requested to hear it over and over again. That day was no different.
"Dad, can you tell me that story?"
Sunny asked as they once again were at the top floor of the lighthouse, looking at the countless stars high above their heads.
"Again?"
Argyle asked with a warm smile on his face.
"Please?"
Sunny looked up at him with endless wonder in her eyes.
"Alright, then. Many, many moons ago, in ancient Equestria lived one very special pony.."
"A unicorn!"
Sunny interrupted her dad with excitement in her voice. She had heard this story so often that she knew exactly how it went, but it didn't make her love it any less.
"A very gifted unicorn who was sent on an important quest by her mentor, the ruler of Equestria,"
Argyle continued. And again, Sunny took over:
"Princess Celestia!"
"That's right, my little pony. The princess sent the unicorn to the town of Ponyville where she was to make some friends and learn about friendship in the process. The unicorn, Twilight Sparkle, saw making friends as nothing but a waste of time. She would much rather be studying independently and spend her time reading books. But she respected the princess and set on her way to new adventures."
Argyle looked up at the starry sky, with Sunny following his example. She loved to look at the stars. There were so many of them, way too many for her to count. She also loved learning about stars. It was something that really fascinated the young filly.
"And then Twilight made friends! She became close friends with earth ponies, pegasuses and unicorns! Just like I hope to do one day.."
Sunny sighed longingly. But soon her face lit up once more.
"Dad? Can we send the lantern now?"
she asked, referring to something she had made earlier with her dad.
"I think that's our duty,"
he told her. He then stepped inside to get the lantern. Attached to it was a message.
"Dear unicorns and pegasi, you have friends in Maretime Bay. Come visit us,"
Argyle read the message written on the paper next to a drawing Sunny had made. Together they sent the lantern on its way, watching as it rose higher into the night sky before eventually drifting far enough to disappear from view.
"Dad?"
Sunny said.
"Can I stay up here a while longer?"
"Of course,"
Argyle promised.
"But don't stay too long, it's almost time for bed."
As Argyle walked back in and took the elevator downstairs, Sunny stayed out on the balcony. Sitting down, she continued to admire the stars.
"The stars are never alone, so why do we have to be?"
she asked. She wasn't quite sure who she was talking to, the filly just felt like it was a question she had to speak out loud for it to mean something. After a few minutes of tranquil silence something caught Sunny's attention and sharpened her senses.
"A shooting star!"
she breathed out, jumping back up on her hooves.
"Quick, Sunny, you have to wish on the star!"
she then reminded herself. Luckily she didn't have to think about her deepest desire because that was already kept safe deep in her heart.
"I wish for all three ponykinds to be reunited. I know we're not meant to be separated like this. Twilight made the impossible happen as she made friends. That's enough proof that ponies can all live in harmony. I just know it. And I'm going to make it my mission to bring the pegasi, unicorns and us earth ponies back together. One day it'll become reality!"
Having spoken these words, Sunny realized that something was happening. Looking at her flank she saw it.
"My cutie mark..!"
she gasped, lifting up her hind leg a little so that she could take a better look.
"Three stars.. three ponykinds!"
she gasped, eyes sparkling with excitement.
"And.. one of these is a shooting star! But what does its tail represent..?"
Sunny wondered. And then she understood.
"It's me..! I'm on a journey to bring all the ponies back together, just like shooting stars journey across the sky!"
Excited about her cutie mark and her destiny, which was now written in the stars, the filly ran back inside and took the elevator back down.
"Dad! Dad, look!"
Sunny couldn't contain the happiness in her voice.
"What's that, Sunny?"
Argyle asked, turning to look at his daughter.
"I wished on a shooting star that we could be reunited with the unicorns and pegasi. And look, I got my cutie mark!"
The little filly was jumping around the kitchen table, overjoyed. She knew that it was a sign. Her dream wasn't just a waste of time. And one day she would make her dream a reality at last.
Argyle allowed Sunny to stay up for some time longer because it was a special occasion. He was telling her some more stories. Until, at last the filly grew tired and was barely able to keep her eyes open. It was way past her bedtime, after all.
"Alright. Come on, my little filly, it's time for you to go to bed,"
the stallion said as he knelt down so Sunny could climb up and hitch a ride on his back. She held on tightly as her dad carried her to the elevator and up to her bedroom. She yawned as Argyle set her down on the bed and watched as she settled down under the blanket.
"Good night, my little Sunny,"
Argyle said as he nuzzled her cheek. She did the same to him.
"Good night, dad,"
Sunny said back with a tired but happy smile on her face as she placed her head on the pillow. Argyle then turned off the lights and gently closed the door.
"Good night, friends,"
Sunny then whispered as she turned on her side, looking at the hoof-made pony figurines placed neatly on the shelf.
"I'll meet you one day."