"What's going on Starhopper? Why are all these other Unicorns here? Where is here, anyway?" I mumbled.

Powder, who was in the very middle, stepped forward. "Hello Lady Opal Star. First I will tell you what we are doing here, then Starhopper can . . . share.

"We are the Unicorn Ambassadors. Our goal is to reach every separate land in Ponlynad and to spread the word that we wish to accomplish a dream of no more separation and silence. The United Lands of Ponyland. That's our dream. All of us are from Unicornia or some other land, but we all are from Ponyland," Powder said.

Crystyl Tear stepped forward, and Powder took a step back. "Right now there are seven ambassadors. Our specific ambassadors will be to Sweetberry Plains, Tropical Paradise Island, Star Castle, or the Candy Cane Mountains. Powder, Pinwheel, Sparkler and I will be to wherever we are needed at the time. Your turn, who ever's next," her voice rang out. That was the most I've ever heard Crystyl Tear say.

Sparky stepped forward, so I could tell who was next. "We are prepared to come under fire of the gossip queens to break the silence. To turn separation into unity," Sparky paused. "Hey, that sounded cool . . ."

"And we need your help," piped up Hula Hula.

Silence filled the glen.

"Your turn now, Starhopper," came Cocoa Berry's soft, sweet voice.

I turned to face my sparkling friend.

"I, I have a very important role in Star Castle's government. I am Queen. I have a husband, a daughter, and a step daughter who is also a Sparkle, in, um, in Village, a small settlement North of here. Not even a month ago, I forced my mother, Queen Angolan, off the throne. Now, I will strive to get everyone's attention so they will think differently of the monarchy, and so things can and will change."

Wow, that's some history. These guys, who are some of my best friends now, don't even know my past . . .

"Will you help us Lady?" asked Berry Pie with wide eyes. "We need somebody to go to Crystal Castle in the Jewel Desert. None of us know how to get to the Royal Paradise."

I shook my head. "I - I have been banished. I'm sorry you didn't know earlier."

"They'll listen to you though! They have to!" Pinwheel pleaded.

"I don't know."
 
"Lady," Powder began, "we need as much help as we can get. And if you don't join us, then you'll have to find someplace else to live."

Well, that doesn't give me much of a choice, I thought. "What? You want an answer now?"

Their faces told me they were not pleased.

I gulped. "All right. I'm in!"

A cheer went up.

"That's the spirit Opal Star! That's the spirit!"

If that's the spirit, then why did it get me banished the last time I showed "spirit?"

Now Cocoa Berry spoke. "Our first assignments have been given. We have not journeyed to our destinations, but soon will. And yours will be Crystal castle, to talk with Princess Tiffany. She is High Queen now, I believe."

Oh yes, she's High Queen all right. The High Queen that banished me. . . .

"B-Berry is to go to the Sweet Berry Plains. Cocoa will go to the Candy Cane Mountains. Hula will go to Tropical Paradise Island. Pinwheel will go to Windy Summer Valley and see Princesses Cool Breeze of the Windies and Lady Flutter of the Summers. Powder will go to Dream Valley. Crystyl will go to Rainbow Glade, and I will go to Flutter Valley. Before we go to our destinations, however, we will hold a rally in Unicornia, gossip queens or no gossip queens. To gain their support, whether those creepy . . ." Sparky paused as Starhopper shot her a warning look. ". . well anyway, then it's off to the other lands of Ponyland with us!" Sparky finished.

Everyone was now looking at me. Man I hate it when they put me on the spot like this!

"We have one more favor to ask you Lady. We've been holding out for a leader. As much as we'd like Hopper here to be leader, she refuses. So we now ask you," Pinwheel said, breaking the eerie silence.

I hesitate. Then I think of a way to avoid it. "I can't be leader! If we're going for the unity of Ponyland, nobody can rule!"

"No no no no no! Just for the Ambassadors!" said Cocoa Berry.

Grundlenumph! "Oh, well. That's different."

Now Starhopper spoke. "We plan to hold the rally in about four days. I think we'll take "oh, well that's different" as a yes. We will meet again, day after tomorrow."

My life had officially changed.

Again.