The Darkest of Stars

“So it's the Alicorn Amulet you wish to possess?” Zecora wondered. “You must know that jewel brings nothing but duress.”

Allis briefly held the jewel around his own neck. “Trust me...I know,” he said. “But it's important that I have it.”

Zecora shook her head. “Even if I did wish to release the stone, I'm afraid it's something I no longer own.”

A vein looked like it was about to explode in Allis's temple. “What?”

“Someone else of importance came to me,” Zecora explained. Then with a chuckle she added. “They were reputable, so I did it for free.”

Allis was now inches away from her face. “Who did you give it to?”

Zecora was unfazed. “The Princess of the Night...who's very appearance can cause quite a fright.”

Allis backed away slightly. “Luna...I see.” He paused and then turned away. “So she's caught on as well. We should have expected as much, considering.” He flexed his wings.

“If you are here, that means the others are near,” Zecora observed. “Dark times are ahead. Very soon, the land will be filled with dread.”

Allis turned around to face Zecora once more. “If you want my advice, forest alchemist, leave this place. If we fail, Equestria will as well.”

Zecora shook her head. “I am comfortable here, in my home. Never again will I choose to roam. Besides, what have I to fear when the Order of the Darkest Star is here?”

Allis smiled slightly. “I should have figured you knew who I was.” He flexed his wings and took to the air. He called down to the zebra. “Beware, because is the brightest star dies--”

Zecora finished it for him. “--that is when the darkest star will rise.”

~

“Alright, Spike. Do we have everything?” Twilight asked her assistant. The two roommates were back together in the library in Ponyville, preparing to go out for a nice afternoon with their friends.

“Yep!” Spike affirmed for about the third time that afternoon. He was getting irritated as always, but tried to keep on a happy face for Twilight.

“Let's double check just to make sure,” Twilight suggested, opening her mouth to start another checklist.

Spike rolled his eyes. “We already checked, double checked and then double checked the double check,” he complained, counting on his fingers. “Besides, I don't think a picnic needs this much preparation.” He gestured towards the picnic baskets, blankets and selection of gourmet foods and desserts. He then whispered to himself. “I don't even think anyone eats like this at a picnic...”

Twilight suddenly flashed in front Spike, pressing her face against his. “Spike! This is important! This day needs to be perfect! Do you know what will happen if I don't take care of every single detail?”

Spike thought for a moment. “Umm...someone else will?” he answered with a nervous smile.

Twilight flexed her wings in frustration, flashing away and groaning at the same time. “UGH! No! Everyone will think I don't care about them anymore.” She began flashing all over the room, checking every single supply for their picnic. “And if they think that I don't care, they'll think that I won't want to be their friends anymore. And if they think that I don't want to be their friends anymore, they won't want to be friends with me anymore. And if they don't want to be friends anymore--” She paused for a moment, looking down at the floor. Shaking her head, she went back to checking the supplies. “So this lunch just has to be perfect!”

Spike put a sympathetic hand on his friend's shoulder. “Twilight...Applejack, Fluttershy, Rarity, Pinkie and Dash will always be your friends. One little picnic isn't going to change that. Trust me, they'll just be happy to see you.”

Twilight turned to look at Spike, wiping away a small tear. “You...you really think so?”

“Well, duh!” Spike teased. “They're only your best friends after all!”

Twilight giggled, enveloping Spike in a huge hug. “Thanks, Spike. Not only are you the best assistant in the world, you're also the best friend in the world.”

“Please continue. I haven't gotten rid of my breakfast yet.”

Twilight and Spike looked up to see a unicorn neither one of them had seen before sitting in their window. “Are you two done or can we get down to business?” She jumped down in front of them.

“Umm...who are you?” Twilight asked, trying to sound friendly to the pony that just broken into their house.

“And what's up with your horn?” Spike asked. Twilight gave him a hard shove. “Ow! I was just asking!” he whined.

“Got it caught in a door once,” she said dismissively. “My name's Kassandra Tharsus and my friend, Radley Kane and I have some questions for you.”

“Your friend?” Twilight repeated, confused.

Suddenly, she heard a voice behind her. She jumped straight into the air in surprise. “You know there's a secret passageway underneath this tree? You should probably get that secured.”

Twilight had attached herself to the ceiling. “Who in Celestia's name are you people!?”

“We heard that you're having a picnic with your Ponyville friends,” Radley mentioned. “Can we join you? What we have to say concerns you all.”

“That sounds ominous...” Spike said under his breath.

Twilight lowered herself to the ground. “What do you mean 'What you have to say'?” she said skeptically. “And how do you know my friends and I?”

Kassandra grinned. “How could we not know the new Elements of Harmony?”

“Wait...what do you mean the 'new' Elements of Harmony?” Spike questioned.

Kassandra bent down and looked Spike straight in the eyes, making him back up a little. “You think Twilight and her friends were the first to utilize the Elements?”

“No of course not,” Twilight answered for him. “Princess Celestia and Luna were the first.”

Radley chuckled. “There's a lot you don't understand. Now, about this picnic you're having...”