The Darkest of Stars

Two Days Later...

The Everfree forest was home to some of the strangest and mysterious magics in Equestria. Zecora lived there for that very reason. Magic flowed everywhere in the world, but it was strongest in the forest. So many creatures were also drawn here - cockatrice, manticores, taraxippi – because of the powerful arcane happenings here. Not very many ponies, even unicorns, fully understand how magic itself works. Zecora was one of those few that did.

It was high noon in Ponyville, but it is nearly impossible for sunlight to reach the floor of the forest. The canopy is so thick that even rain doesn't reach the ground at times. The forest was constantly muggy and damp due to this as well. However, it also contributed to a thriving and varied selection of fauna.

Currently, she was out collecting herbs for a potion that would straighten out someone's eyes. She looked up from a patch of flowers when she heard rustling in some nearby bushes. It didn't sound like the usual forest creatures that scurry across the floor. “I say, who is following me?” she asked, looking around. “Come on out so that I can see.”

“Very astute. It appears I've found the right zebra.”

Zecora turned around to find a pegasus standing behind her. It was a stallion with what appeared to be one normal wing and one demonic, bat-like wing. She couldn't tell his mane or coat color due to the lack of light, but it was hanging down the left side of his face.. It also looked like he had some sort of blindfold over his eyes. A necklace with a brilliant jewel hung around his neck. “It appears that of me, you already know,” Zecora observed. “Tell me sir, how is that so?”

The pegasus was facing down as he spoke. A smile crept across his face. “Rumors spread fast across the land, forest alchemist,” the pegasus said matter-of-factly. “You are quite famous...or infamous, if you prefer. The strange zebra that lives in one of the most frightening locales in Equestria...” He flipped his mane over to the other side of his face. “How could rumors not be started?”

“I always knew I had a certain clout,” Zecora admitted. “Of that I've never had any doubt.” She paused and looked directly at the pegasus. “But you still haven't answered my question: Who are you and what is your intention?”

“My name is Allis Yahn.” He bowed as he introduced himself. “I have come to retrieve something that belongs to me.”

Zecora raised an eyebrow. “I do possess strange items, of which I have many. What exactly is it that you fancy?”

At that moment, it was almost as if Allis was looking directly at her. He spoke firmly. “The Alicorn Amulet.”

~

“What part of this don't you understand?” the gray unicorn said in an exasperated tone. “I need to speak with the princess!”

The pegasus guard posted at the entrance shook his head. “I've already told you ma'am, the princess is busy today. No one is allowed to see her.”

The unicorn finally snapped. “Does it look like I give a flying feather?” Her horn began to produce some kind of black smoke. “This could mean the end of Equestria if you don't get it through your thick skull!” Some passersby were beginning to look on with confused interest at the developing scene.

The guard stepped forward, unabashed. “Ma'am, I'm going to have to ask you to leave.”

“Oh, I'm not going anywhere you son of a--”

Suddenly a maroon Earth pony walked up, placing a hoof over the unicorn's mouth. He put on the biggest smile that he could muster when he addressed the guard. “Hello!” he said in the most saccharine way possible. “How are you today, sir?”

The guard was not amused. “Is this unicorn a friend of yours, sir?”

The Earth pony tried to find the right words. “Umm...you could say that, yes. Has she been causing you trouble?”

The guard shook his head. “It was no problem,” the guard said, betraying nothing. “Just get her under control.”

“I will do that sir!” the maroon pony promised, chuckling humorously as he dragged the unicorn away from the entrance to the castle. “Don't worry!” He kept chuckling until he was sure the two of them were out of earshot of the guard. His forced smile quickly turned into a serious frown. “What in the name of Tartarus do you think you're doing, Kassandra?”

“Getting us in!” the unicorn said, standing up for herself. “That guard was about to crack, Radley.”

“Yeah, his spear over that crooked horn of yours,” Radley retorted. “That's not how you do this. Remember, this is extremely important.”

“Alright oh Master of Mitigation,” Kassandra said, giving a sarcastic bow. “How would you do it?”

“Just watch and stay here,” Radley commanded. “I get the feeling that he doesn't like you so much.”

“Fine...” Kassandra relented. She took a seat on a nearby bench and gestured toward the guard. “Show me how the great Radley Kane does it.”

Radley rolled his eyes and approached the guard. He bowed towards. “I'm sorry about the brashness of my friend,” Radley apologized, putting on his best affected accent. “But we really do need an audience with the princess. How soon can that be arranged?”

“I'm sorry as well,” the guard said. “But the princess is extremely busy today. She is not accepting visitors.”

“This is extremely important, sir,” Radley said, trying hard not to sound irritated. “The very fate of Equestria hangs in the balance.”

“The princess does not have time for the ravings of a few mad ponies,” the guard said almost contemptuously.

“I beg to differ.”

Both the guard and Radley looked up to see Princess Celestia lowering herself to the ground. She looked absolutely radiant with the noon sun at her back. The light shone through her flowing mane and tail, causing a beautiful spectrum of pink, white and light blue to be cast down upon all of those below. All ponies in the area had stopped what they were doing to stare at the Princess of Equestria and bow to her in respect.

The guard was completely flabbergasted, but had enough sense to bow to his leader. “P-Princess, I-I was just--”

Princess Celestia raised a hoof, signaling him to be quiet. She smiled good-naturedly. Her voice was as warm and bright as the sun she rose every morning. “I understand. Just know that I always have time to speak to a pony with a problem.”

“Y-yes, Princess,” the guard said, bowing again and looking a bit embarrassed.

Celestia nodded and turned towards to Radley and Kassandra, who had come to Radley's side. “Now, what are your names and what was it that you wanted to speak to me about?”

Both Radley and Kassandra looked at each other, looking a bit uneasy. “Uhh...my name is Kassandra Tharsus and this is Radley Kane. I guess we should have been a little clearer.”

Celestia chuckled. “Don't worry about the guard. He's new and is just a bit...eager to prove that he can do his job well.”

Radley shook his head. “No it's not that. You see...it wasn't you that we wanted to talk to.”

For a moment, Celestia looked surprised but she quickly regained herself. “I see...would you like to speak to Princess Luna then? I'm sorry but I haven't seen her in a few days.”

“Not her either,” Kassandra said. “We need to speak to Twilight Sparkle.”

Celestia raised and eyebrow. “And what do you need to discuss with her?”

Radley Kane cleared his throat. “We heard that she had rewritten a spell created by Starswirl the Bearded. Seeing as how we used to be friends...I just had to see for myself.”