The Darkest of Stars

Seven Months Ago

It was nighttime in Canterlot. The stars were shimmering brightly in the dark, beautiful sky. The moon was high and shone brightly in its full glory. Princess Luna made a special exception (the moon was supposed to be at half size tonight) since tonight was another lesson on how to use the Teleyedoscope.

“Remember, Twilight,” Luna instructed. “Moving the Teleyedoscope isn't necessary. You can direct it anywhere you please using only your magic.”

Twilight looked over the strange telescope. Honestly, it looked just like the one she had in the library in Ponyville. “So only unicorns are able to use it?” she asked.

Luna shook her head. “Only alicorns,” she corrected. “Using this device requires a...special kind of magic that only we possess.”

Twilight squinted. “What does it do exactly?”

Luna chuckled. “See for yourself.” She gestured towards it.

Twilight stepped forward and looked through it. Immediately she was bombarded with so much information she couldn't sort it all out. She could see the entire castle. Not just its outside, but the inside as well. Every door, every room, every hallway, every guardpony—it was like seeing all around her. It wasn't even like having eyes in the back of her head—it was more comparable to having her entire head becoming a giant eye that could focus on her entire environment at once.

Suddenly, her view expanded to all of Canterlot. She could see all of the structures and buildings. She could see the stadium where the Wonderbolts put on frequent performances for the elite of the city. She could see every piece of art in one the most popular art galleries, despite all of the lights being off. She could see every guard patrolling the city, waiting for any dangers that may threaten the sleeping citizens. She could see everypony sleeping soundly in their beds.

Without warning, her vision switched to Ponyville. She could see everyone and everything in the small town. She saw Rarity draped over an unfinished dress on a ponnequin in exhaustion. Fluttershy was sleeping peacefully in her cottage next to Angel Bunny. Applejack was sleeping soundly while Applebloom and her cousin, Babs Seed placing her hoof in a bowl of water. She saw Rainbow Dash fast asleep with a copy of Daring Do and the Kingdom of the Crystal Heart tucked away in her hooves. Pinkie Pie was sleep-bouncing in her room, jumping up and down in her bed while being completely unconscious.

Then as quickly before, her expanded past the whole of Equestria to the entire world. She could see into the Griffon Kingdom, the Ibex Empire, Glascow, Germaneigh, Gildedale, Camelu, Zebrica—she could see it all! Every person, every equificial structure, every--

“Twilight!” She heard a familiar voice. Though at the moment, she couldn't be bothered to remember who it was. There was too much to see, too much to learn, too much to understand--

“Twilight Sparkle! You have to come out now. Focus on the sound of my voice and release yourself!”

Twilight could sense the urgency in the voice and decided to do as it told her, though it took every ounce of will that she had to let go of all the knowledge she could gain from it. After all, if she could see the entire world didn't that mean she could see the entire universe as well...?

Twilight felt a hoof grabbing her right shoulder and ripping her away from the Teleyedoscope.  Her eyes were swirling around so much that for a while she resembled Derpy Hooves. “Oh man...I think I'm gonna be--” Before she had a chance to finish, she vomited on the balcony.

Luna stepped back a little. “Perhaps we should hold off on the Teleyedoscope lesson for a while,” she suggested, giving a weak giggle. “I forgot how easy it is for one to lose herself in its powerful abilities, especially for a beginner.”

Twilight nodded weakly, swaying slightly. “That's fine with me...I still feel like I'm seeing double...”

“You should go to bed for the night,” Luna told her. “I'll send someone to your room with some food and medicine. Pleasant dreams.”

Twilight walked away back inside the castle. Luna, the Princess of the Night took a look through the Teleyedoscope, monitoring only the country of Equestria. She focused on only one area at a time, just as she did every night. It was possible to look through the device without losing oneself; it just takes a little practice.

“Hello, Princess Luna. It's good to see you again....”

Luna jerked out of the scope when she heard the whispering, malicious voice. She looked around, but saw no one nearby.

“How long has it been? Hmm...I have to say it's easy to lose count when you've been imprisoned for a thousand years. Oh right...”

Luna took flight into the sky over Canterlot, trying to find the source. She looked left and right and up and down. Nopony.

“I suppose I should tell you that I'm communicating telepathically with you, but I'm having so much fun watching you freak out.”

Luna decided to speak with the voice, against her better judgment. “Who are you?”

“Oh so you've decided to treat me as a credible equine and speak to me? I am so touched.”

The princess was not up for games. “Tell me who you are. Now.”

“You mean you don't remember me? That wounds me, Princess Luna...or Nightmare Moon. Whomever you are these days.”

Luna cringed a little at the mention of her...other persona. She tried not to let it show too much.  “My name is Luna,” she said firmly. “What is yours?”

“You're not kidding are you? That is a shame....oh well. I'm pretty busy right now anyway, but let's just say that...the Darkest Star is about to rise. Goodbye, My Little Pony.”

“Hello? Hello!” she called out. Silence. Whomever the voice belonged to was gone now. She went back down to the balcony, feeling troubled. What was that voice talking about? It sounded vaguely familiar, she had to admit. And was this Darkest Star business? What was about to rise?

Suddenly, realization dawned on the Princess's face as bright as a supernova in the nighttime sky.

She remembered who the voice belonged to.