Chapter Text
Misty had expected to get her cutie mark at a young age, just like she'd heard all the other ponies did. But it never happened, and she didn't quite understand why. Then again, for the longest time she didn't remember anything about her fillyhood prior to running into Opaline. The alicorn had taken her in and been a mother figure to her. As Misty grew up, she never had any real idea about who she was. When she was just a filly, Opaline drained all of Misty's magic for herself which only contributed to why Misty was having such a hard time figuring out who she actually was meant to be. All the belittling and neglect from Opaline's part didn't help, either. As Misty grew up to be an adult mare, she slowly began to suspect that maybe Opaline didn't really care about her, after all, and was only using her as a way to get what she was after. But Misty was always too scared of her to speak up, so she'd learned to keep her thoughts to herself.
For as long as she could remember, she'd never had a chance to have any friends, either, because she was always with Opaline. And the alicorn mare certainly didn't have a lot of voluntary visitors.
And even when Sunny and her friends started making their appearances in her life, she never could even dream of ever becoming close with them. Misty was simply keeping an eye on them because Opaline told her to. A true friend would never do any of the things she was forced to do.
It took a great act of bravery to first start doing things behind Opaline's back and then, at last, change sides completely by choosing to free Sunny and the others from the alicorn's clutches, giving the group of friends the upper hoof against their enemy. Misty, as she was given a chance to start over, was ready to say goodbye to years of neglect and abuse, and chose to stand by her new friends. The first real friends she'd ever had. With them by her side she was ready to start really living her life. She had so much to do, see and learn after being stuck in one place for so long. Her social anxieties were proven to have quite a hold on her, but her friends chose to be by her side through thick and thin. It was a new kind of experience for Misty; to always have somepony to really stay with her and help her with whatever she needed. In return, she learned to trust them and rely on them without feeling like she was being a burden.
And as she was starting over, she finally earned her cutie mark after choosing real friendship. The butterfly represented recovery and new beginnings, proving how Misty now was ready to truly get out of her cocoon and show her growth to everypony around her. And whenever she struggled or something was otherwise bringing her down, she had friends who were always ready to listen to her and help lift her back up. She would never have to be alone again.
One day, shortly after Misty had earned her cutie mark, the six ponies were spending time at the Crystal Brighthouse.
"Hey Misty, what kind of smoothies do you like?"
Sunny asked as she was in the process of making some smoothies to everypony. She already knew what the others preferred, but Misty was still a mystery.
"I.. I'm not sure.."
the unicorn mumbled, staring down at her hooves. Her voice was a little more than a whisper. Of course she knew that she could be herself now, but the old habits had deep roots.
"I've never had that many smoothies, so I.. I guess I don't really have a preference.."
Her undecided response didn't keep Sunny down.
"Well, that's okay! I'll choose something for you, I'm sure you'll like it!"
she announced brightly and started gathering the ingredients like a banana, some lemon juice and even blueberries in addition to everything else she needed.
"Oooh, Sunny!"
Izzy called out as she was sitting next to Misty.
"Don't forget to add a lot of glitter!"
"Glitter?"
Misty repeated, mild confusion written all over her face.
"Edible glitter!"
the other unicorn specified and continued to explain:
"So that your sparkle shines extra bright!"
Misty felt her cheeks flush light pink as she heard the encouraging words and the honest excitement in Izzy's voice.
"Alright, tell me what you think,"
Sunny said a while later as she placed the smoothie cup in front of Misty. She picked it up and took a careful sip. However, it didn't take very long for her eyes to start shining like never before.
"I've.. I've never had anything this good in my life,"
she admitted carefully but honestly.
"To Misty Brightdawn!"
the others said in unison and clinked their smoothie cups together, toasting their lasting friendship. Misty joined in with a happy smile on her face.
She had never before felt like she truly belonged somewhere. But now, as she stood there and looked at the ponies around her and listened to their laughter, she knew that she had at long last found what she had been longing for: friends and family. With them part of her life and always in her heart she would never be alone again.