It has rewards, sneak peeks, and early viewing of finished art for patrons! Also, for each funding goal met, I produce a new promised art and story reward!

Enjoy my content? Consider supporting me on Patreon!It has rewards, sneak peeks, and early viewing of finished art for patrons! Also, for each funding goal met, I produce a new promised art and story reward!

"Can I have that one, Mother?"Little Morning Glory was pointing at a spider-shaped chocolate cupcake, its little legs made of licorice. Starlight's smile faltered."Oh, sweetie, wouldn't you rather have something a bit less....spooky? Look, this one has rainbow frosting! And this one's got pretty pink glitter sprinkles-"The filly's muzzle crinkled in a surly pout. "....You said I could have whichever treat I wanted, 'cuz I got perfect marks on Princess Twilight's transfiguration test. You"....That I did." Starlight sighed, then forced a chipper grin onto her face.for my little smarty pants, and her adorable widdle" She scooped up her protesting foal to squish her chubby cheeks. Starlight had alwayswhen her father had done the same to her, but she was finding that now, as she had a baby of her own, it was easier to forgive the old sap. After all, who could resist doting on a precious little cutie-pop?Morning Glory groused. She'd gotten used to the syrupy treatment over the years and learned to just go limp, like someone being mauled by a bear. "You'reme.""ToStarlight scoffed, pressing a kiss to her daughter's forehead. "There's nopony in the shop."Morning Glory glanced at the bakery's back door. "....The shopkeeper's been spying on us since we walked in."From behind the door came a squeak. It creaked open suddenly, and a grey unicorn mare peered out, a nervous smile across her features. "H-Hello, Starlight.""Sugar Belle! Goodness, it's been too long!" Starlight beamed, reaching across the counter to clasp Sugar's hooves into her own. Sugar trembled- nearly imperceptibly- but Starlight caught it, and quirked an eyebrow. ".....Are you alright, dear? You're looking a little.....off-color."Sugar Belle attempted a wheezy giggle. "Oh gracious, no, I'm fine! Couldn't be better! It's just...." She bit her lip. "Well, it's silly, but I've been feeling a little.....on-edge today. I had a nightmare last night.""About spiders?" Morning Glory tapped on the dessert display case impatiently, eyeing the luscious spider-shaped treat."Oh no, dearie, nothing mundane like that." Sugar assured, but the filly only frowned. "Actually......I dreamed about Our Town." She shot an uncertain look in Starlight's direction.Starlight gave a strained smile. "You don'tWhat a silly thing to dream about, dear. Our Town wasago.""What'sMorning Glory piped up. Starlight sent Sugar Belle a warning glare, but the unicorn didn't catch it, bowing to smile at the little girl."Our Town was a village your mother and I used to live in, little sugar cookie. Did you know your mommy used to be the leader of a whole town? She kept us all safe. She controlled everything, made all the rules.""Sounds about right." The filly drawled. Starlight cleared her throat loudly, and attempted to shoo her daughter away from Sugar Belle.catching up with you, Sugar, dear, maybe we can reminisce another time-""Exactly!" Sugar smiled obliviously, placing a hoof on Morning's shoulder. "Starlight was like a mother to us all. She had a magical staff she used to remove our cutie marks, so we could all be equal, truly equal. And we were happy, so very happy.""....You don'thappy, lady."Starlight chided. "Little filliesdoinquire into the personal lives of grown-ups. You know better than that.""It's alright, Starlight." Sugar Belle smiled, but it was tired and sad. ".....Talking about the past....it helps.""Maybe forbut my Sunset has aStarlight pressed, a little sharply. ""That's a really sweet sentiment, Starlight. It's important to forgive yourself." Sugar explained patiently, "But.....I don't know how applicable that saying is for gettingto forgive you."Starlight looked as though she'd been slapped. When she finally spoke, her voice held none of it's typical cutesy syrup, and all that remained was a quiet growl, low and dangerous. Morning Glory, sensing a change in the air, immediately took shelter under her mother's legs."....What do you mean by that, dear?"Sugar Belle wavered. "It's just......w-well, Ileadership wasn't easy for you, Starlight. I k-know we didn't alwaysit easy for you. Youto be forceful. And Double Diamond and Night Glider were diligent in their work, they were strong enough to handle any behavior corrections you needed to impose. But me.....me and P-Party Favor......" She inhaled sharply, and her eyes held on the floor."I.....I can't help the nightmares. Our Town is finished now, but sometimes, I dream I'm still there, and....and I see your face, clear as day. And IShe shuddered, drawing her hooves up to hug herself. "I can't forget the things you said, Starlight. The things youStarlight Glimmer lifted her head. "And youme, Sugar Belle. Don't forget. So whatit you want from me, hmm? Do you want me to?""N-No, I just-""Did you really take away ponies' cutie marks, Mother?" Morning Glory blurted. She braved a peek at Sugar Belle. "....Didn't thatthem?"Starlight immediately bristled, advancing on Sugar Belle like a furious guard dog. Her horn roared to life, sparks of errant magic flying forth. "Wasyour intention, Sugar Belle? Were youto humiliate me in front of my foal? Is this some sick game for you, throwing yourself adredging up the past?"no, I-I-I just-" Sugar bleated, cowering in on herself. "I-I swear I didn't mean anything bad by it, Starlight! I-It's just- t-the past- it"I've forgiven and forgottentransgressions." Starlight spat. "It's notfault you can't do the same.""I'veSugar Belle pled, now on the verge of tears. "Honest, I have! But Iforget! We lived in Our Town forand- a-and it got sonear the end, w-when you forbade anypony leaving, when you caught Party Favor trying and had him-"Starlight's mouth pulled up, back into her familiar, maternal smile. "How's your mother been?""M-my mom?" The unicorn's ears slicked back, utterly confused."Yes, dear." Starlight cooed. "The same one that tried to visit you in Our Town. Goodness, I remember it all soHow desperate she was to break you out, how she insisted you'd been snared into a cult. Funny though, I remember you getting so angry, dear. Screaming howshe insult your new family, how she didn't understand that it was more than philosophy, it was your new home- and if she couldn't grasp that, she was free to get out of your lifeSugar Belle paled. Her mouth opened to interrupt, but Starlight only continued, pacing the shop."You know, at the time, I thought the old mare's tears were just her beingBut, now that I have a foal of my own-" She lovingly brushed Morning Glory's mane with a hoof, though her cold gaze never broke from Sugar Belle. "Why, I can't imagine the heartachefeel, ifchild could say something soto me.""....I apologized to her." Sugar Belle whispered. "....More than once.""Maybe, but can she everforget?" Starlight lilted. "Since you know, apparentlycan't. Since apparently,believe forgiveness is something that can be given and revoked willy-nilly."Sugar Belle scrubbed at her face, attempting to salvage her dignity in the face of a wide-eyed, watchful child. "....I think I'd better....write my mom a letter." She lit her horn, retrieving the spider cupcake from behind the display case. "...Here, sweetheart." She proffered it to Morning Glory, eyes looking anywhere else but at the filly. "....It's on the house.""Oh my, howStarlight sang. She leaned forward, hooking her hoof under Sugar Belle's chin. "It's okay to feel poorly about things that happened years ago, sweetheart. Just remember- 'your past does not define you'-"".....And my past is not today." Sugar Belle echoed finally, obediently. She attempted a feeble, reassuring smile, but it slid quickly from her face. Starlight didn't seem to notice, only nodding in approval."Excellent! Lesson accomplished! Princess Twilight would be proud!" She praised, turning on her heel. The doorway bell jingled merrily as Starlight made to leave the shop. "Come along now, Morning Glory-!"Morning Glory held the cupcake in her hooves. The treat looked as tempting as ever, but her appetite seemed to have vanished. "....Goodbye, Miss Sugar Belle." She said politely. She broke off one of the spider's legs, placing it on the table top. "Um, licorice always makes me feel better when I have nightmares.""....Thank you."Sugar Belle followed the filly with hollow eyes, watching her scamper to catch up with her mother. She placed the licorice leg in her mouth, only dully aware of the cloying sweetness, and carefully flipped her shop's cheery welcome sign to c~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~can y'all tell i've been inspired by the ever-incredible , pls check out her gallery and far superior horse artStarlight is such a fascinating character to write. Whenever I wonder if I'm characterizing her as too manipulative or cruel, I go back and watch clips and learn, yeah nah, she'smanipulative and cruel in the canon show. Despite being a good guy (or so the show tells us), Starlight is remarkably two-faced, calculating, and callous when it comes to the feelings of others. She repeatedly uses magic to superimpose her will on others and is impressively self-assured in doing thingsway, ethics and empathy be damned. That doesn't make Starlight acharacter (on the contrary, she's fascinating), but it does get frustrating watching her receive nothing but unconditional forgiveness for her many, many transgressions. She reminds me a lot of Bojack Horseman, with both characters repeatedly making hurtful, selfish decisions.....but Bojack must suffer the consequences of his actions, which an apology is rarely enough to alleviate. Starlight, comparatively, only has to do her cutesyshtick for the consequences to immediately evaporate. Do y'all remember back in, when Twilight selfishly used magic to force ponies to fall in love with her ratty old Smarty Pants doll, andTwilight faces consequences for the dumb things she does. Starlight doesn't. Nobody even mistrusts her, even a little. Her former cult members, abused and unhappy though they were, have nothing but smiles for her, even offering her her old position of leadership back! It's so....urgh. I guess Starlight's just the favorite of one of the show writers.Despite the mishandling of her as a protagonist, Starlight Glimmer remains my all time favorite MLP villain. I think she could've really dazzled if she's been allowed to remain an antagonist and recurring rival to Twilight, and given a slow character redemption that took place over seasons, not one quick song about friendship. Oh well.Starlight's self-righteousness seeps into her parenting style. This is why Morning Glory/Midnight Abyss was a very straight-laced, polite little girl, riiiiight up til she hit her rebellious teen years and said screw you mom i do what iSugar Belle's relationship with Double Diamond, Night Glider and Party Favor is still canon. She just struggles with "grey days" sometimes, because it turns out the psychological fallout of being in an abusive cult led by a fascist ideologue can't be entirely fixed with three seconds of musical number~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~