Twinkle Star’s mystery

“Do you want to be alone with your son and Togli for a while, Katine?” Regina asked the emotional Katine, who nodded.
“I… yes, I’d love to. If they want to, that is.” Both Stanno and Togli agreed, though they were a bit confused of all that was going on.
“Let’s go, Twinkle Star.” Regina said without looking at her daughter, and she walked towards the door. Slowly Twinkle Star followed her mother. What on earth was going on? What had she done? What kind of powers did she have that she didn’t know anything about?  She closed the door of the throne room behind her when she left the room, and when she turned around she saw her mother looking at her.
“I’m sorry, Twinkle Star.” She said.
“Sorry for what?” Twinkle Star asked, confused.
“For comparing you with Reine. I shouldn’t have. You’re nothing like her, but you scared me, Twinkle Star. You exposed so much powers at once. I had no idea what was going on when I felt them. I didn’t even know you were that strong.”
“Neither did I…” Twinkle Star said softly.
“What happened in there?” Regina asked.
“I don’t know, mother. I… I got upset with Katine because she was so stubborn, and she refused to see the truth which I was sure was true. I released those powers, I guess, but I didn’t even realise I did such a thing. And about what Katine said… I had no idea I did that. I swear, I never intended to show her something like that, nor did I know I did it until she told us.”

Regina sighed and walked towards her daughter.
“I know you speak the truth, dear. I can see it in your eyes. You did nothing wrong there, I am sure of that. Your powers didn’t feel bad or wrong, now that I think of it more clearly. They were as pure as the water of Fiume.”
“Thanks, mom.” Twinkle Star said, and she hugged her mother, something she really needed right now. She didn’t want to admit it, but she was upset herself by what had happened.
“You are really special, Twinkle Star.” Regina said, while she hugged her daughter. “I knew it the moment you were born. That night, the night with the brightest star… From the moment I first looked in your eyes I knew you were special. And to be honest, I never understood you. You were a mystery to all of us. But your heart was good and all your intentions were pure. I love you Twinkle Star, more than you will ever know. Will you never forget that?” Twinkle Star shook her head, while she finally could not hold her tears back anymore.
“I love you too, mom. I love you too.”

“Why don’t you go outside for a while? I’m sure it’ll be good for you, some fresh air and all. I’m sure the trip is off, anyway.” Regina proposed to her daughter after a while.
“Yeah… Yeah, I will. Could you please ask Aline to come visit me outside, when you see her?” Twinkle Star asked her mother.
“I will, dear. Now, go outside and try to calm down a bit.” Regina said.
She gave her daughter one last hug, and then headed towards the stairs. Twinkle Star sighed and walked towards the door and into the very neat garden. The air didn’t smell as fresh anymore as it did in their room earlier. Life had woken up in Kise, and all kinds of smells were flying through the air, producing the already familiar smell of a city. Twinkle Star walked along the straight stone path through the flower fields. What kind of powers did she poses? Not only were her powers stronger than they should be for someone like her, apparently she also possessed powers she didn’t know anything about, and let’s not forget the fact that she can fly. She was no normal pony, she knew that much. But then who was she? Why did she have so many special abilities?

Her head began to hurt from all the confusing thoughts she had. She didn’t understand at all. How could things like this happen? She had never, ever heard anything like this. She was sure even Stelline could not show someone something when she didn’t know it herself. Twinkle Star looked up at the sky. It was a bit cloudy, but there were places in the air where the sun could break through. The brightest star in the night… right? What did it mean? Why did such a thing appear when she was born? Who was she? And… what was her future, her destiny?

“Hey, Twinkle.” A voice said from behind, and when Twinkle Star looked behind her she noticed Aline standing there.
“Oh, hi, Aline.” She said.
“Your mother said you wanted to see me?” Aline asked.
“I… yeah, I did.”
“How did everything end up with Katine? I felt these huge powers, I think everyone around here was scared.” Aline said, a bit concerned.
“I… yeah, those were mine, I guess. But, you know, I didn’t even know I was that strong. Anyway, seems like I changed Katine’s mind. She said I showed her her son’s wishes, and she realised she was wrong and all that.” Twinkle Star answered her best friend.
“So Togli and Stanno can be together now, here?”
“Yeah, I guess. That’s what she said.”
“That’s good.” Aline said with a soft voice.

Both of them didn’t really know what to say for a while. Aline was relieved the Stanno and Togli thing worked out, but she was curious about Twinkle Star’s powers, however she idn’t really know what to ask about them. She could see Twinkle Star didn’t know the answers to her questions, anyway.
“Aline… do you think I am different?” Twinkle Star suddenly asked, while she stared at a field full of red roses.
“What do you mean?”
“Well… you know, different from other ponies you’ve met.”
“Well… yeah, of course I do. You wouldn’t be my best friend if you were like everyone else.” Aline answered, and Twinkle Star smiled.
“But, you know, Twinkle, I know what you are trying to ask. I think you are special, yes. I have yet to meet a pony who doesn’t respect you at first sight. You’re nice to everyone you meet. You’d do anything to discover the truth. You’re strong, and I don’t just mean your powers.”
“Thanks, Aline. I… I don’t know what happened in there, I swear. But I want to find out, you know. It’s a part of me, apparently, but I want to know. But… I can’t figure it out by myself, Aline. I never thought I’d say this, as I did so much alone in my life, but, you know…”
“Don’t worry, Twinkle Star.” Aline said with a smile on her face. “I will be there for you. That’s what we’re friends for, right?”

A weird feeling came to Twinkle Star. A kind of happiness she had never known before. She was not alone anymore. She had her best friend, Aline, for whom she didn’t have to have any secrets. “Thanks, Aline. You’re the best friend I could wish for.” She said to her friend, who smiled back at her. “Same goes for you.” Simply nothing happened for a few moments, but Twinkle Star didn’t mind. She finally felt herself again, and she simply could enjoy standing somewhere with her best friend. She never had any idea how important such a thing as friendship could be to her.

“Why don’t we go inside?” Aline proposed. “Maybe we can find Togli and Stanno, ask them how everything worked out.”
“Yeah, sure. Let’s go.” Twinkle Star answered. Together, Aline and Twinkle Star walked back to the castle doors and inside, where they noticed the door to the throne room was open, and Stanno noticed them from inside. He winked to them that they had to come inside. They walked to the throne room, where Aline was sitting on a couch, and Katine in one of the chairs, not on the throne. She looked so different from before, Twinkle Star noticed. Much more relaxed and… well, more alive.
“Twinkle Star… I, I really want to thank you again.” Katine said, when Twinkle Star and Aline also sat down on a couch.
“I… really, it’s no problem. I hardly realise what I have done, so, please, don’t thank me.” Twinkle Star said, a bit unsure.
“It’s like you opened the gate to my heart, Twinkle Star. Something I closed tightly long ago.” Both Twinkle Star and Aline looked at Katine confused.
“My country… when the old Friendship Lands were still existing, the balance of power in this world was very different from what it is today. They were so powerful, that nobody dared to oppose them. Mot countries were in alliance with it, however, my ancestors refused to do that. They were on friendly terms with the friendship Lands, yes, but they wished to remain completely independent. However, to gain some respect in this world, you had to appear strong. So my ancestors focussed on strong royal powers, to appear strong and in charge of everything. Love and feelings didn’t matter anymore, if we wished to survive. When I was young, I swore to myself I would not push my children the way my mother pushed me, forcing me to marry someone she chose, forcing me to make the decisions she thought were well. However… during the years, my heart hardened. When the old Friendship Lands fell, the world changed. The balance of power was changed. It was everyone of it’s own now, and suddenly, Kin became a lot more important, as we always worked for ourselves, without depending on the Friendship Lands. I took that opportunity, and I wanted to look even stronger, I wanted to be more important in the world. I closed myself for anything that did not fit in that dream. I forgot what my true feelings were. All I wanted was to live up to the expectations from my ancestors. But now, I realise I followed the wrong way. I cannot make my country strong by ignoring those who need my help, nor can I force my children to be how I want them to be. Stanno is my heir, and Togli is a wonderful girl. If his wish is to marry her, then so it shall be. You showed me that, Twinkle Star. You made me realise what the right path to the future is.”

Twinkle Star honestly didn’t know how to answer. She really did that? Then she really had some nice power deep inside. Of only she knew how she could use it, without it taking over her mind and scaring the crap out of everybody. She now was determined to find out what it was and how she could use it. If it could do such a good thing to Katine, it surely could be used for other good purposes?

“I’m glad you have your feelings back, my queen. So what will happen to Stanno and Togli now?” Aline asked, a little blunt, and Twinkle Star grinned. She knew Aline had wanted to ask that question the moment they entered the throne room.
“Togli and I will get married.” Stanno answered. “And we are going to do it soon, so the pregnancy doesn’t show yet. Togli herself said she didn’t want to look pregnant yet at her own wedding. If we are married soon, we can announce the pregnancy in a month, so the ponies in the country will have some time to get used to all the new things in their court.”
Togli nodded to confirm her fiancé’s story. “Stanno is right. Besides, if we get married soon, we have lots of time to prepare for the baby to come. You know, prepare it’s room and all that. Besides, I want to enjoy my pregnancy. I can’t do that when I’m caught up with the wedding and all.”

“Oh, a wedding! That’s SO cool! You know I was a bridesmaid one in my old village, I Love weddings! Can I do your hair?” Aline said, way to exited in Twinkle Star’s opinion.
Togli began to laugh. “Sure you can, if you guys are still around by then.”
“I think we will. I don’t think my mother would want to miss something like that. After all, you are her niece. When will the wedding be?” Twinkle Star asked.
“We think in something like two weeks. We do need some time to prepare, and to send invitations to all the important ponies of the country.”
“I’m sure we’ll stay for another two weeks, if there is a wedding coming up!” Twinkle Star said exited. She had to admit she too was looking forward to a wedding as well. 
“I’m really glad for you two.” She said to Stanno and Togli.
“Thank you, Twinkle Star. It’s all thanks to you, you know.”
Twinkle Star smiled. She didn’t know what her powers were, and maybe she wouldn’t find out anytime soon. But if they could make ponies as happy as this, well, she was simply happy she had them.