Author's Note

Twilight and Mallow learn the secret of the Smithy Gang and the stars.

4. The Star Story

Twilight and Mallow head over to Ponyville to hopefully learn more about the Smithy Gang and the star they retrieved from Claymorton. But, when they got there, they see that the brightness of the village is dimmed. And, a bunch of arrows are landing on various places.

"What happened to Ponyville?" Twilight asked nervously.

Soon, Trixie Lulamoon, also known as the Great and Powerful Trixie, rushed in with her wagon in tow. "Am I glad to see you, Twilight."

"Trixie!" Twilight said with relief. "What's going on?"

"I was just setting up a friendly puppet show here in Ponyville. Starlight Glimmer was helping of course."

Starlight popped out of the wagon. "Then, a bunch of creepy arrows came falling from the sky. Some of the ponies got temporarily paralyzed. Everypony ducked back into their homes."

"Do you think the Smithy Gang had a hand in that?" Mallow asked.

"Smithy Gang? I'm guessing it's Chrysalis wanting revenge!"

"I don't think so, Starlight." Twilight interrupted. "Me and my little friend here saw Chrysalis on the pathway to here."

Flashback

Twilight and Mallow are walking in the woods when they saw Chrysalis looking around nervously. The heroes hid in the bush to watch over her.

"This is scary even to me." Chrysalis said to herself. "I need help to figure this out. Even if it's from Princess Celestia."

The frightened Changeling then flew off.

End of Flashback

"So, Chrysalis got nervous from that big sword that fell Into the Castle of Two Sisters." Trixie said. "This Smithy Gang must be bad news."

"They sure are." Mallow added. "We fought one of them, and found a glowing blue star."

"Let's head for my castle for the night." Twilight suggested. "We'll figure this out in the morning."

Starlight and Trixie followed Twilight into her castle for the night. As night came to Ponyville, a star of energy flew across the village and into Trixie's wagon. It landed on one of Trixie's puppets. It had on a blue cap and a raggedy blue cape. Soon, the puppet rose on it's feet. It looked around. Then, it crawled out of the wagon. "My mission awaits."

The next morning, Twilight and Mallow are ready to continue their travels when Trixie was at her wagon, looking worried.

"Twilight, one of my puppets is gone!" Trixie said.

"One of your puppets?" Twilight wondered.

"Yes. It's a little wood imp named Geno. I planned to have him as a hero in a story me and Starlight thought of."

Then, Spike the Dragon rushed in to deliver some news. "Twilight, some weird looking wood creature exited our village and went through a forest."

"My puppet came to life?" Trixie gasped.

Suddenly, arrows came back to strike the ground. Twilight used her magic to deflect some of the arrows so nopony gets hit.

"I'll bet that puppet knows something we don't." Twilight figured. "Let's go, Mallow."

Twilight and Mallow headed for where the puppet went. Trixie watched with concern. "Good luck, Twilight."

The two travelers soon followed the trail of the puppet. Twilight notices that Mallow is holding a staff. "Nice looking staff."

"It's known as the Frog Staff." Mallow said. "Grandpa gave it to me after I gave him his favorite snack, Cricket Pie. That's why I went to Canterlot."

Suddenly, they saw an unusual sight. It was an animated bow with arms and legs. It is joined by living arrows.

"More practice, I need." The creature said. "More statues, we create."

"We're with you boss!" The arrows replied.

Two arrows came to the bow. And, he launched the arrows into the air.

"So, he's the one who's been paralyzing everypony in Ponyville." Twilight said quietly.

At that moment, one of the arrows hopped back with a glowing green star. "Hey, Boss. Look what I found."

"A lovely star, you found." The bow replied. "A grand treasure this is."

"Let go of that star!" Said a high pitched male voice.

Out popped the little puppet from Trixie's wagon. He addressed the crazy bow. "That star belongs to the Star Road. Who are you to take what's not yours?"

"Bowyer, my name." The creature said. "Paralyzing fools my game."

Twilight and Mallow watch with concern.

"That little guy can't handle this freak by himself." Mallow said quietly.

"He won't." Twilight whispered.

As the puppet is ready to battle this living bow, Twilight and Mallow show up to join the battle.

"Need a little backup?" Twilight asked the puppet.

"Princess Twilight Sparkle." The puppet said honorably. "It will be an honor to fight by your side."

The creature named Bowyer looked at his opponents. "Three against one I see. Not fair this is."

"Who said you fiends like fighting fair."

"Your spirits I crush. But, fair this should be. Calling for friends your necklace should not help you with."

Having no choice, the trio engage in battle. Bowyer set the stage. "Physical attacks restricted to."

With their special magic blocked, the team adjusted. Twilight took out her hammer, and hit Bowyer on the head. Mallow did the same with his Frog Staff. The puppet struck Bowyer with his laser. This got Bowyer scared. "Powerful these attacks are."

"No matter what you pull, Bowyer," Twilight said, "we can adjust."

Bowyer took one of his arrow soldiers and aimed at our heroes. The scattered to avoid being shot.

"Change the rules I will." Bowyer said. "Magic attacks restricted to."

The trio had their weapons blocked. But, they still make damage. The puppet steps up. "Geno Blast!"

Geno fired a ray from his weapon. Mallow adds to this attack. "Thunderbolt!"

Lightning Strick's the animated bow as Twilight makes her move. "Super Jump!"

Jumping into the air, Twilight gave a devastating kick. Recovering, Bowyer did the ultimate low move. He blocked all of their attacks. The vicious bow laughed. "Completely helpless you are!"

"Now how will we finish him off?" Mallow asked.

The puppet sees Twilight's necklace glowed, and made a suggestion. "Twilight, your necklace can do more than summon reinforcements."

"What are you talking about?" Twilight asked.

"Your necklace can help perform triple moves. Like this: STAR RIDERS!"

The puppet made stars appear. Soon, Twilight and Mallow joined him as they gathered the power of the star. And, fired a powerful beam to strike at Bowyer. After that star blast, the evil bow vanished. When the dust settled, the puppet walks over to the star. "Good. The star is safe."

The puppet then turned to Twilight and Mallow and gave them an explanation . "I come from a place far in the sky, beyond this world. Me and my people are in charge of a beautiful object called the Star Road. This is the source of all stars and their energy. If anything bad happens to the Star Road, no stars can be made. And, no being can make wishes on shooting stars."

"This sounds terrible." Twilight said sadly. "All of Equestria will feel very upset."

"Indeed, Twilight Sparkle. That giant sword that's at the castle of the Two Sisters was responsible for crashing onto the Star Road, and scattered seven stars all over your land."

"So, that star we found after defeating that creature in Canterlot was one of those stars?"

"Yes. And, including this one, we have two of the seven stars."

"That's amazing. By the way, what's your name?"

"My actual name is unpronounceable. Call me Geno, after this puppet I obtained."

"Okay, Geno. With your help, we'll find those remaining stars. Now, let's send this star back to the sky."

Twilight, Mallow, and Geno lifted up the star with magic, and sent it up into space. The two glowing stars started to sparkle.

"Let's go back to Ponyville." Geno suggested.

As the trio retuned to Ponyville, one of the living arrows heard the conversation. "Those stars are more than they appear. I better tell the boss."

Meanwhile, in Ponyville, the darkness was lifted, and the village is back to normal.

"Well, guys." Twilight said. "Now, we have our mission. Me, Mallow, and Geno are searching for the remaining five stars. Then, the Star Road can be repaired."

Trixie looks at Geno with confusion. "Why did you decide to have Geno as your vessel?"

"This puppet has potential." Geno answered. "It looks strong."

"That's understandable. I did plan to have Geno a powerful warrior."

Starlight gives some advice to Twilight. "Better be careful. The Smithy Gang will do anything to stop you."

"Starlight is right." Spike added. "If Claymorton and Bowyer were powerful, who knows what else this gang will unleash on you."

"Don't worry, Spike." Twilight assured. "Whatever the danger, the three of us will face it together."