The Stars At War

Chapters

Red Star (edited by Patience 17/09/13)
Black Star Arrives!
The Threat Is Made!
Welcome to the fun, Blue Star!
Promise To Keep
Family Doubts
Confession of Regret
The First Star Falls (Edited and revised by Patience 15/09/13)
Alien Introductions (Edited by Patience)

Red Star (edited by Patience 17/09/13)

"Get it off, get it off!" Twilight shouts in a panic.

"Don't worry Twilight, we're a coming!" Applejack shouts as she jumps into the crater.

The others reach her and start to pull on her waist,

"Wow-e he's got a good grip!" Pinkie Pie says, they spend the next five minutes trying to wrestle Twilight from the grip of the creature. Then they hear a sound that makes them freeze; the creature groaning.

"Quick, get me out!" Twilight shouts again, a look of horror on her face. The group struggles, but finally the creature's hand lets go and all the ponies tumble away and end up in a big heap.

"Ow." Twilight moans softly while rubbing her head. "What happened?"

"I think it let you go," Rarity says. They all look back to the creature and release their held breaths.

"Well... at least we know it's not dead." Twilight says.

"Uh huh." The rest all say in unison while nodding agreement.

"So... what should we do?" Rainbow Dash asks.

"I'm not sure Dash, maybe we should bring it somewhere safe. I mean we can't just leave it here." Twilight gestures towards the creature.

"I vote we do!" Rarity says, much to the shock of everypony else.

"What! just leave it here?" Dash replies.

"No way, we can't leave it in my orchard. It has caused to much damage already." Applejack says pointing to the impact crater.

"Applejack, darling! We don't know what it is and where it came from. We really should be notifying the guard..." Rarity says.

"No! We must help it...” Twilight says suddenly. “I mean, uh, it's our duty as citizens of Equestria to help those in need..."

"Fine! Just be careful OK?" Rarity says with a small smile, Twilight nods as she charges her horn and lifts up the creature, but Twilight seems to struggle.

"Phew! it is heavier than I thought!" Twilight’s face turns red with effort.

"Maybe we can help?" Dash flies down and grabs one of the creatures arms, "Fluttershy get over here and help!" Fluttershy just gives Dash an incredulous look.

"I don't know," she says while hiding her face behind her mane, "it looks so scary." Dash plants her hoof firmly on her forehead and sighs.

"Fine, Applejack how about lending a hoof here."

"Sure sugercube, where do you want me?" Applejack walks forward.

"If you stand under him with Twilight and Rarity, we can lift him on your backs and I'll keep his arms up," she looks to Fluttershy, "and Fluttershy can hold his legs." Fluttershy winces.

"Oh, OK, holding legs, I guess I could do that." Fluttershy says while flying over and picking up both of the creatures legs.

"OK girls, you ready?" Dash asks, The four nod, "OK, one, two, three!" Dash and Fluttershy coupled with Twilight’s magic lift the figure up and place it on the ponies backs, then Dash realizes she gave nothing to Pinkie, "Pinkie sorry, I forgot you were here!"

Pinkie looks over, "No problem Dashie, I'm not a good carrier anyway, but is there anything I can do?" Dash thinks for a moment.

"There is one thing we need to let the guard know about this, could you go into Ponyville and get some of them for us?" Dash says as she lets go of a arm and points to town.

"Can do!" Pinkie replies as she bounces off until Dash stops her.

"Wait, don't you want to know where to bring the guards?"

"Oh yes silly me!" Pinkie giggles as she bounces back.

"Well we could use the barn." Applejack points out the large red building near the main farmhouse.

"Sounds good, did you get that Pinkie?" Pinkie Pie snaps a salute before hopping off.

"Now steady girls this is going to need teamwork." Twilight gasps.

"Applejack, I thought you said you didn't want it staying in your orchard." Rarity asks.

"Yeah, well we can't walk through town with it can we, so the barn is the best place for now.” Applejack replies.

The ponies take 25 minutes of slow walking finally making it to the barn, "OK wait here, I'll go check to nopony's inside." The ponies set down the creature before Applejack runs up to the barn, they see Applejack enter the barn only to exit a few seconds later, "Coasts clear lets go!"

The ponies set the figure back on their shoulders and walk into the barn,

"Where should we put it down?"

"Girls, should we always call it...It?” Spike asks.

"Well, since we don't anything about, uh... it I don't know what else to call... it." Twilight answers tentatively.

"Maybe we should wake him then." Applejack grabs spike and turns him around.

"Are you nuts! didn't you see what it did, what if it wakes up and kills us?"

"Do any of you see anything wrong with that idea?" Spike points to the others, they shake their heads.

"Girls, come on, do you really want to wake him up?" Applejack says.

"I don't see the problem darling, though maybe Spike should do it." Spikes eyes widen.

"Really, me?" they all nod, "OK then, are you going to watch?"

"We'll just stay behind these hay bails for now, but go ahead." Twilight makes a 'go on' gesture with her hoof, Spike just shrugs and takes a deep breath.

"Right Spike, time to show rarity what kind of dragon you are," he says to himself, "oh please don't be bad, wait what's this?" Spike bends down and looks at two small metal tags hanging around the figures neck. "Hey girls... there's some kind of tags around his neck".

"Do they have writing on them?" Twilight calls out.

"Yeah." Spike replies.

"Well, what do they say?" Twilight calls back while rolling her eyes.

"Red Star!" As Spike shouts back the creature bolts up. Spike is suddenly unable to move as the creature slowly turns to face him.

Black Star Arrives!

Red Star continued to walk into town, the bearers of harmony taking up different positions beside and behind him; however the night was young and many ponies where still out and about. Red Star decided to ask Twilight some more questions about the princesses, after all he had to know as much as he could about this new world.

“Twilight, could I ask you something?” Red Star asks dropping back to walk next to her.

“Sure, what's on your mind Red Star?” Twilight replies with a small smile.

“I wanted to ask about your princesses; if you don't mind?”

“Not at all, go right ahead; I'll answer the best I can!” Twilight smiles again.

“Well, where to start! OK, um, are the princesses the planets rulers? Or are they just Equestrias rulers?”

“Good question, they are Equestrias rulers, but sometimes a meeting of the lands can take place; where all species can be represented.” Red Star contemplates this for a few seconds, “but the answer to the first part no, they are not the planets total rulers”.

“Hm, interesting, most planets I have been to have the same set up!” Red Star states.

“ Oh good, that might save a lot of explaining.” Twilight says.

Red Star looks to Applejack but the mare just looks away red faced, “Um, Twilight, What's up with Applejack?”

“What do you mean?” Twilight answers back, looking towards Applejack with a raised eyebrow.

“She hasn't spoken to me since we left her farm; I didn't insult her by any chance?” Red Star looks down, emotions still feeling odd in his new form.

“I don't know, why don't you ask her?” Twilight replies, Red Star looks up.

“I not sure if she wants to speak to me,” Twilight giggles while holding hoof to her mouth.

“Then, just go ask; she won't bite,” Twilight pushes Red Star towards Applejack with her magic.

“Um, Twilight!” Red Star shouts before he can use any talents.

Applejack turns just in time to see Red Star covered in a purple aura smack into her, when she opens her eyes Red Star is lying on top of her rubbing his head. “Um, Red Star,” She gets his attention. “Would you mind?” Applejack points to a spot behind him, giving the gesture of 'get off'.

Red Star looks down and immediately stands up, “I'm so sorry miss Applejack, guess I tripped,” Red Star shoots Twilight a look. Only to catch her spelling 1 – 1 in the air with her hoof and walking off laughing. “I didn't mean to do that, are you OK?” He asks extending out his front hoof.

“Yeah, I'm fine; just little warning next time!” Applejack picks up her hat that had fallen off, “now what was it you wanted?” Red Star Turns and follows the others noting Twilight telling something to Rainbow getting her to laugh.

“I just wanted to know if I had done something to insult you?” Applejack stops and causes Red Star to do the same.

“Insult me, why would you think that?”

“Well, you haven't asked me a single thing or spoke to me since we left your farm.” Red Star notices her look away, Red star goes to put a hand on her shoulder; when he suddenly looks to the sky with anger on his face.

“Red Star, what's wrong?” Applejack ask seeing his turn of attitude.

“He's here!, no!, the bastards here!” Red Star says still looking to the sky, Twilight and the others come back. Seeing Red star looking to sky, Twilight approaches.

“Applejack, Red Star, there you are! We thought we lost you for a second!” Twilight states as she trots up to them. Twilight stops and looks to Red Star who is looking rather agitated. “Applejack, what's going on?” Applejack just turns and shrugs, “Red Star, why are you staring at the sky?”

Red Star feels a hoof touch his shoulder and he looks around, finding Twilight reaching out he calms down. “Girls and Spike” Red star says to them in a calm tone; yet a scowl has set on his face, “I think It's about time, I tell you the real reason I'm here!” Twilight pulls back her hoof and looks confused, “Is there any place private we can go?” Rarity walks forward.

“We can use my place, It's close to here.” Red Star walks up to Rarity and gestures for her to lead on.

“What was that all about?” Applejack asks Twilight.

“I have no idea but where about to find out!” Twilight replies stepping to follow Red Star and the others.

…............................................................................................................................................................

30 MINUTES EARLIER – EVERGREEN FOREST

A glowing purple orb sits stationary amid several destroyed tree's, a small hum from the sphere is the only sound. From the forest two figures appear, covered head to toe in twigs and leaves.

“Brother, s-should we be here? I-It's scary!” the first figure states, a small filly sporting a red mane and pure white skin.

“Don't worry Iris,” the taller brown stallion with a blue mane replies. “I just want to see what fell out here!” The young filly walks closer to her brother hearing unknown calls from the shadows.

“Lets go please! I want to leave!” Iris states jumping and grabbing hold of her brothers leg.

“Iris, we've come out to these woods everyday; what’s gotten into you?” the brown stallion looks down to her. “Now look, there's a light up ahead, that must be where it landed.” They both walk towards the light. After pushing away several branches the little filly gasps.

“Brother! What is it?” She says holding both front hooves to her mouth.

“I don't know, but I’m going to check it out!” The brown stallion runs out of the bushes ignoring the words of plea from his sister, he walks up to the purple orb and stares at it for a moment. “It's OK Iris, It's just a ball of light.”

“R-Really?” Iris says as she slowly walks up and sits beside him.

“Yeah look!” he says by dragging his hoof over the sphere, the surface ripples under his touch. “See nothing to be scared abo-,” his sentence is cut off as a limb shoots out and grabs his neck, Iris just screams.

“AHHHHH! No! Brother!” She tries to help him by grabbing the limb now firmly attached to her brothers neck.

“Iris, go! run!” Is all he says as in one movement, the unknown limb; breaks his neck. Iris starts to run, she runs back towards the area they came from, ignoring the cuts and grazes from the branches and twigs slashing at her as she runs. Tears streaming down her face as she moves through the under brush, she sighs a small relief as the entrance to the forest and Ponyville comes into sight.

“I'm going to make it!” She quietly says to herself. Only to be cut off when a figure drops in front of her.

CRASH!

The ground shakes slightly as the figure drops from the sky, Iris skids to a halt and starts to tremble. “Please, don't hurt me!” She shouts out holding both fore legs over her head. The figure just stands there, purple light emanating from it's eyes.

“What are you?” The figure asks.

“I'm just a foal, please; please don't kill me!” Iris pleads, still rooted to the ground.

“A foal! What is a foal?” Iris finally looks up.

“I'm a filly, just a child! Please don't hurt me!” She looks back down.

“So! Child! What is your name?” the figure steps forward. “Well? I'm waiting!” The figure moves to grab her.

“IRIS! my names Iris!” she shouts in blind panic.

“Well, Iris, my young child, we're going to play a little game; won't that be fun?” Iris looks again to the creature.

“W-What k-kind of game?”

“Oh, it will be a fun game!” The figure reaches down as Iris looks up, only to have her world turn to black.

The Threat Is Made!

The seven ponies made they way to rarity's, Spike however was asked by Twilight to prepare a room for Red Star; though to his dismay. After reaching Rarity's, which in Red Stars mind looked more like a circus tent. Rarity opened the front door of her shop. She ushered everyone inside before giving the area a quick glance.

Twilight watches Red Star pace back and forth, before approaching him.

“Red Star, what's going on?” Twilight and the others sit down near the centre of the room.

“Calm down darling, tell us what's wrong?” Rarity adds in.

Red Star looks towards the rest and sighs. The girls can see the pain and hurt in his eye's.

“OK! What i'm about to tell you is hard for me to explain, so please bare with me!” Red Star states.

“Eight thousand years ago I was created...”

“What!?” All the others shout.

“Well, not me; but the energy inside of me,” Red Star notices the blank looks on their faces. “You see the body I arrived in was just a host, The true me is in fact an energy being of sorts.”

Red Star looks between the others hoping that at least some of what he said has sunk in.

“The race that created me were called the Drex, I was originally created as an energy source but during my 'birth'; I gained sentience, and became the first of my kind!” Red star was met with more confusion, after recovering from a facehoof Red Star carried on. “The point i'm trying to make here ladies is that i'm not alone, after I was saved during my creaters race last moments; I was launched through the atmosphere of my home planet. But during the launch the rocket my energy was in was hit by a weapon from my creater race's enemy, and I split into two different beings!”

Red Star started to pace around again, trying to think of what to say next as to make it easier for the others to understand.

“Um, one question! What's a rocket?” Rainbow dash asks.

“It's a machine that can launch people into space, sometimes it can reach speeds of thousands of kilometres an hour.” Red star replies.

“OK!” Rainbow states her pupils shrinking.

“What i'm trying to say, is that the second being created gained all the bad things that makes a person; hate, anger, aggression, all went to him but the good went to me!”

“I don't understand!” Twilight interjects, “what has this got to do with how you arrived in Equestria?”

“For seven thousand years, we have been at war, tearing apart the universe as we hop from one planet to the next!” Red Star grinds his teeth trying to keep the memories of all the destruction at bay.

“But Red star, why are you worried now? You're safe here!” Twilight says.

“Yep, we look after our friends; especially if their new!” Pinkie states, jumping up and down.

“I wish it was that easy girls, I really do! But he's not like me, death and destruction is what he lives on! And the worst thing is he takes enjoyment out of it! Enjoyment from watching people suffer!” Red Stars eye's start to glow.

“Red star, you have to calm down!” Twilight says walking to his side.

“No! Twilight! I can't, not this time; I have to destroy him, this war goes no further!” Red Star stomps his hoof, causing all the girls to step back. Even Twilight backs away.

Before anypony can carry on the conversation, they all hear a commotion out side.

“What in Celestia is that?” Rarity says walking to the window.

Everypony now looks out with her, seeing several ponies gathered around something in the street. Twilight decides to investigate as she hears one pony shout for somepony to get an ambulance.

“Girls, Red Star, wait here! I'll see what this is all about.”

Twilight opens the boutiques door and proceeds to head towards the crowd.

“What's going on here!?” Twilight shouts above the crowds chatter.

Most of the ponies move away or part allowing Twilight to pass between them, When she reaches the front she gasps; seeing a white filly with red mane lying on her side, clearly hurt.

“Where did she come from?” Twilight asks, panicking. She lifts the filly off the ground with her magic, eyeing the other unicorns that didn't do it already. “Out of my way!” she angrily states.

The others mean while have come out of the Boutique, only to see Twilight running towards the hospital.

“Why is she in such a hurry? And what was that on her back?” Applejack asks.

“I don't know, but it looked like a filly.” Rainbow states.

“Maybe we should ask someone?” Red Star gestures to the crowd still conversing in the street.

“Hey! There's Lyra!” Pinkie shouts getting a wave which she eagerly reciprocates.

Upon seeing the five friends plus a new pony, Lyra walks over with Bon Bon close behind.

“Hey Lyra! What happened here?” Rarity asks.

“Oh! It was horrible! Some poor filly dropped out the sky, me and Bon Bon both saw it!” Lyra replies, visibly shaken.

“Did you know the filly?” Applejack asks.

“No, but it think the crusaders might know!” Bon Bon says.

“Why would my sister know her?” Rarity asks.

“Likewise,” Applejack adds.

“Well, though we don't know the filly; she does go to the school here, we've seen her before.” Lyra states but leans closer too them, “but if you ask me, I think she's one of those Everfree farmers.”

“Really?” Fluttershy now speaks up.

“Yeah! Every time we see her she's walking into it and talking with this young brown stallion.” Lyra replies.

“Where was Twilight taking her?” Red Star finally asks, getting looks from both mares.

“The Ponyville hospital, where else?” Lyra states.

“Thank you.” Red Star says, as he walks the direction Twilight ran.

“Who is that?” Lyra whispers to the others.

“Oh, that's Red star; He's new in town!” Pinkie states.

“Well, we best be off so he doesn't cause any trouble! Ta ta darlings!” Rarity says as she and the rest move off towards Ponyville Hospital.

Red Star starts to trot faster looking around for any sign of the hospital, when he finally reaches it; Twilight and the others are waiting.

“You know, you could of just asked us.” Applejack states. Pointing to the hospital.

Red Star looks at all the ponies eyeing him.

“Yeah, maybe I should have!” Red Star Says, rubbing the back of his neck and blushing.

The others all laugh as Red Star joins them. Twilight on the other hoof had a look of despair. Red Star notices this and approaches her as they all enter the hospital.

“Twilight, are you alright; you look a little down?”

“*Sigh* I just don't know who would do that to a filly!” Twilight says, lowering her head.

“I have an idea!” Red Star says, anger crossing his face.

“Huh! Who?”

“My brother! Black Star!” Red star states, his eye's glowing.

After explaining more about Black Star to the others, a doctor arrives to speak to them.

“Are you the ponies that brought the young filly in?” The doctor asks.

“Yes, we are doctor; Is she OK?” Twilight responds.

“Apart from having a few scrapes and bruises, she's fine.”

“But how? She was spotted falling to the ground from the sky!” Rainbow adds.

“Hm, I didn't find any evidence of that! But If you want to speak to her, it's OK by me!” the doctor states. “She is in room 28, down the hall to the left!”

“Thank you doctor,” Twilight replies.

All seven ponies walk down the hall to room 28, but they all stop before entering.

“Now, we don't know what happened to her so just be casual OK?” Twilight says to everypony else, yet Red Star thought more of it was directed at him.

“Uh huh!” They all say at once.

Twilight opens the door with her magic revealing a small room, a window straight ahead has it's curtains drawn and a small lamp gives the room an amber glow. However lying on the bed is the young filly, asleep.

As all the ponies file into the room Red Star can't help but feel something was off, it was a strange feeling like something was crawling over his back. Red Star shivers.

“Are you alright sugercube?” Applejack asks him.

“I'm not sure Applejack, I have this feeling that something is off.” Red Star replies.

Twilight and the others gather around the bed, the filly; still asleep. But before anyone can speak Red Star jumps in front of them and pushes them away with a flick of his hoof.

“Everyone get back!” He shouts, “something is wrong with her!”

Twilight goes to respond but is cut short by a laugh.

“Ha ha ha! Bravo my brother, it's seems you haven't lost your touch!” Everyone looks around for the voice but Red Star knows exactly where it's coming from.

Everypony looks on in astonishment as the little filly in the bed rises, arching her back before raising her head last; her eye's now open were just purple balls of fiery energy.

“Black Star you bastard! Why this young one, why her?” Red Star says, if he had hands they would be clenched.

“Why not? She was in the wrong place at the wrong time, but I said we would play a fun game and we did; though her screams did get tiresome!” The filly replies in a voice that isn't hers.

“Let her go! She's just a child, don't you have any honour left!?”

“Oh please! Like you know anything about honour! You blew up that star and killed all those innocents not me! And i'm supposed to be the evil one!”

“Just say what you have to say and leave this world alone!” Red Star states, his anger almost consuming him.

“Oh and here I was thinking I could just have a chat, but who's this?” The filly's body moves to look at the six ponies standing behind Red Star. “My my, you have been busy, one day and you already have six females following you! But in that form who could resist you? The great saviour of the universe! So tell me, which one have you taken?”

“That is none of your business, leave them out of this!” Red Star retorts.

“You haven't taken any of them, have you?” The filly lets out another laugh. “Why? Are they not pretty enough? Do they smell? Or is it because you can't decide? No matter I shall have fun toying with you, maybe one of them can be a pawn in our little game of cat and mouse? But I digress, the reason for me using my little puppet is the fact that i'm not in or near your precious little town! I am long gone but when I discover my counter part in this world, rest assured Red Star; that I will be back!”

The filly's body slowly lays back on the bed, her slow breathing resuming. Twilight and the others look at Red Star, the glow still emanating from his eye's. The glow starts to envelope his body as several of the rooms objects levitate upward, Twilight senses the increase in power; she trots over and puts a hoof on his shoulder.

“Red Star, please calm down! You're scaring us!” Red Star looks around.

What Twilight sees shocks her further, Red Stars eye's appear to be similar to the filly's during the conversation but are completely red.

“I can't! You saw what he did to the young one! I...Just...Can't...” Red Star grinds his teeth and looks to the floor, Twilight thought she saw a tear; which is confirmed as he looks back up. “I can't do this any more! The fighting, the pain, the suffering! It all must stop!”

“But how?” Twilight enquires.

“By one of us dying!” Red Star states turning to the others, The light fading from his eye's.

“What!?” They all shout.

“Yes, the only way this war will stop is if one of us dies!”

“But that doesn't mean you...Right?” Rarity asks.

“It doesn't matter, Miss Rarity; one way either I die or my brother dies.” Red Star looks towards the sleeping filly, “and at this point, It's him that will die!”

Twilight feels the room change as her body tingles, Red Star continues to stare at the young filly; the thoughts running through his head, how to kill Black Star without endangering the lives of every pony here.

/~~~~~~~~~~~~~\

Black Star laughs to himself, sitting on a mountain several kilometres from Ponyville.

“Pathetic! Red Star has allied himself with the natives and so easily I might add! Never mind, his death will come soon enough!”

Black Star looks over the landscape before him, seeing nothing more than mountains and rolling hills.

“Hm, which direction should I go?” However his thoughts were interrupted by several creatures landing near him.

“Oh, look brothers; something new to play with!” The first creature says.

Black Star stands there, smiling. The creatures move closer, frowning.

“It seems he's not afraid of us!” Another creature says.

“And just what am I supposed to be afraid of?” Black Star finally asks.

“Well, we are dragons! I thought everypony was afraid of us?” A brown dragon asks the leader of their group.

Black Star starts to chuckle before breaking out into a fit of laughter. The dragons all stare at him, confusion brewing.

“Hey! Are you laughing at us?” The large dragon that is standing in front of Black Star says.

“No,” Black Star replies stopping his laughter, “I was just laughing at why you haven't attacked me yet?”

“Wait, you want us to attack you?” One of the dragons asks.

“Why not? It's been a few days since I have got a work out!” Black Star says, cracking his knuckles and flexing his neck. “Besides, I want to see what you've got!”

The dragons all stand dumbfounded until Black Star covers his body in Purple light.

“Right! who's first?” Black Star asks.

Several of the dragons look at each other before the large one walks forward.

“I'll go first!”

“Just leave some for us!” Another shouts.

The dragons start to chant the name of the large dragon, Black Star just smiles; thoughts of the fight crossing his mind. The large dragon charges forward raising his claws to swipe, as he brings his clawed hand down Black Star just grabs it!

“What!?” The dragon screams.

“My turn!” Black Star says, grinning.

Much to the dragons displeasure, Black Star raises his free hand and hits him square in the chest; causing him to fly backwards, smashing into a nearby stone cliff. Seeing the dragon not get up, Black Star looks to the other dragons; their fear evident.

“Now let's see! Should I break a sweat?” Black Star looks back to the large dragon still unmoving. “Now who was it that shouted 'leave some for us'? Oh, but don't worry! I have plenty to go around!” Black Star says creating two auras of energy around his hands and causing his eye's glow.

“No wait! we'll go! Just let us go!” One dragon shouts putting his claws up.

“Oh, very well! But your friend is mine! Leave! you won't want to see what happens next!”

The dragons nod and take to the sky, looking back over their shoulders they see Black Star approach their downed leader.

“Now, It's time to collect my trophy!” Black Star says, forming a small ball of light at the end of one finger.

The downed dragon picks just that moment to regain consciousness, as he sees Black Star reach down and drag a ball of light across his skin, causing it to peel off; He screams.

The dragons screams can be heard for miles, thankfully no one was around to hear it. Only until the last piece of the dragons skin was removed, did the screaming stop. Black Star was disappointed, he thought the dragon would still survive the skinning. After he made sure the dragon was dead, Black Star rolls the corpse of the mountain; Stopping only to pick up a green scale that had fallen of during the dragons last failed attempt of stopping him.

“Interesting!” Black Star thinks to himself, “This scale might come in handy!” He pockets the fist sized piece of skin and launches back into the sky. “Enough time has been wasted! Let's see what else I can have fun with!” He looks down just as a carriage makes it's way down a small road, Black Star flies down lower giving the carriage a closer look. It's was a simple wagon with four wheels made of wood, coloured red and green; but what caught his attention was the writing painted on the side.

'THE GREAT AND POWERFUL TRIXIE'

'MAGICAL EXTRAORDINAIRE'

Black Star smiles.

Welcome to the fun, Blue Star!

Trixie ran, she didn't no why or where she was going but; she ran! Why was this 'thing' chasing her? Why did it destroy her home? What did it want? All these thoughts passed through her head as she galloped through the forest. Branches, twigs, rocks all of them scraped along her coat cause deep cuts and bruises, but she didn't care! A creature was attacking her, following her; she tried to fight back only for her magic to be swatted away.

“Oh, Trixie!” The creature shouts again. “Where are you!”

Trixie continues to run, her breath; heavy and laboured. Trixie runs out into a clearing but spotting no where to run just a sheer cliff face in front and the closing figure behind, she turns and faces her pursuer. Still wearing what was left of her cloak, she removes it.

'It will only slow me down!' Trixie thinks, glaring to the now visible figure looming from the shadows.

“Ah! There you are! You know running away during a conversation, Is quite rude!” The figure states.

“I don't know who you are or what you want with me! But I won't go down without a fight! Trixie shouts between breaths.

“Fight my dear? I don't want to fight you! I want you to join me! The figure states by pointing to Trixie.

“Join you!? You destroyed my home! And you chased me! Why would I join you?”

“Because I have a small problem I need taken care of, And I sensed a strong level of anger within you; lets just say it peaked my interest.”

“What are you?” Trixie asks, relaxing slightly but still alert.

“Oh! Where are my manners? Black Star my dear lady Trixie, at your service!” Black Star replies, bowing sarcastically.

“Never heard of you!” Trixie retorts giving a small snort.

“Well duh! Considering I have been on this world for only a short time.”

“What do you mean? Only a short time?” Trixie asks.

Black Star walks over and sits on a nearby rock, “How can I put this? I'm an alien, I'm a really bad alien. Possibly come to destroy your world or enslave it! Not sure what will be funnier though.”

“W-Whuh! Destroy Equestria! Are you mad? What about all the innocents?” Trixie shouts getting Black Stars renewed attention.

“And why would I give a rat's ass about them? I'm evil, plain and simple.” Black Star says while shrugging.

“Then why would I help you? Why not just kill me!”

“Like I said before, you interest me! And I can give you power beyond your wildest dreams!” Black Star says standing up and walking to Trixie.

Trixie reels back, trying to keep the distance between her and this 'Black Star'. Then she thinks about the humiliation by Twilight and her friends, how she was driven out and cast aside; how she had to live like an animal just to survive, with her only possessions being the cart and all that was in it. But now that's gone so she had nothing left, so she had nothing to lose; Trixie smiled.

“What if I was to agree? What would this joining entail?” Trixie asks moving closer.

“Anything you want my dear, We could be friends, consorts, lovers!” Black Star walks pass Trixie dragging one hand across her side, “Though I like the last part!”

“Lovers!? How would we be lovers? We are not alike!” Trixie retorts, both confused and angry.

“That is the condition of accepting my offer, you will become like me!”

“Like you!? You mean bipedal!?” Trixie asks her eye's shrinking to pin pricks.

“Yes, but with that change you will become better than you are now, more beautiful and more radiant. Kings and queens will bow before you while the common folk tremble at your name!” Black Star says holding his hand outward. “And all you have to do is take my hand and say yes!”

Trixie looks to the creatures hand out stretched.

'All I have to do is say yes? That's it and Trixie will become great and powerful again,' Trixie smiles to herself. 'Then once I have this power, Twilight Sparkle will be no more!' Trixie was so caught up in her thoughts, Black Star was getting impatient.

“Well!” He asks.

Trixie reaches up and takes hold of his hand.

“Yes, I accept your offer!” Trixie Replies.

“Good! Lets get started shall we?”

Trixie was about to ask something when a pain was felt in her leg, next thing she knew was Black Star smiling and saying. “This will hurt!”

/~~~~~~~~~~~~~~\

Twilight and Rarity enter back into the room with the filly lying still asleep.

“Did you find him?” Fluttershy asks.

“No, We looked everywhere! Even the doctor's haven't seen him.” Twilight says lowering her head.

“Still! It wasn't polite of him to just walk out like that! And I thought he was the good one!” Rarity replies with annoyance in her tone.

“Sometimes I think that too, Miss Rarity.” Red Star says standing in the doorway.

“Red star! I didn't mean it that way! I-I...” Rarity stammers.

“No, your right! I have been at war with Black Star for so long, I have changed; I have become what I try to defend people against; I have become darkness!” Red Star turns and goes to walk out when they all hear a small murmur from the bed.

“B-Brother, M-Mother, Daddy!” The little filly stirs.

Red Star walks up to the bed, holding out his front leg; a red light emanates down to the filly.

Twilight and the girls watch on in shock and awe.

“Interesting, There are no traces of Black energy inside of her! Seems Black Star kept his word!” Red Star could help but grind his teeth.

“Who are you?” Red Star looks down to see the filly staring up at him.

“My name is Red Star, I'm here to help.” The little filly moves her head to look at the others in the room.

“Are you here to help too?” The little filly asks.

“We are Red Stars friends, my name is Twilight and these are my friends; Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Rarity and Pinkie Pie!”

“You are the Bearers ain’t you?” The filly asks.

“Yes, we are the Elements of Harmony.” Twilight replies.

“My names...Iris,” The little filly turns in her bed trying to hide her face.

Red Star places a hoof on her head, causing her to squirm; he immediately removes it.

“Iris, how do you feel?” The little filly looks up to Red Star.

“Fine, I guess...But my head feels funny, and my body feels tingly.

Red Star turns to Twilight and gestures for her to follow him, after they leave the room Twilight sits on the bench in the hallway.

“OK Twilight, there's only one way I can say this.” Twilight looks down dreading the worst, “Iris is going to be fine but...She might have to be kept somewhere safe!”

Twilight looks back up. “What do you mean? She has to be kept somewhere safe?”

“She may have been freed of Black Stars influence, but she has retained some part of his power.” Red Star looks out the window nearest Twilights bench.

“But what does this mean? For her?”

“It means, she could use talents but then again we have never met your pony kind before.” Red Star turns back to the room seeing the filly called Iris talking with the other girls. “I don't think we should tell her yet, it could devastate her even further.”

Twilight taps her chin with her hoof. “Do you think the power will manifest?”

“Possibly, I don't know! The nature of this planet is strange, I can sense the emotions her but not the 'magic' you use.” Red Star sighs, “and I think it's the 'magic' here that is blocking my ability to sense Black Star.”

“Maybe the princesses can help with that? They are the most powerful beings around!” Twilight says.

“I would have to meet the princesses first Twilight, But this little filly...” Red Star turns back to the room looking through the small glass window in the door. “Needs our help now! I blame myself for her predicament, and I intend to help her through it!”

“You didn't turn her into a puppet, why are you taking the blame?” Twilight asks while walking to sit beside Red Star.

“Because he spawned from me Twilight! All my anger, hate and ignorance was given to him!” Red Star was about to continue when he felt a weight fall on his right side. “Twilight I...I...” Red Star looks to his side and sees Twilight leaning on his shoulder, her eye's are closed. “OK, I get the point, just don't get close to me alright?”

“Why not?” Twilight says her eye's still closed.

“Because anyone who has come to close has died! That's why!”

Twilight lifts her head, and walks back to the bench.

“I'm sorry Red Star, I just thought you needed a shoulder to cry on but I guess I was wrong!”

Red Star was about to apologize when the room door opened, Red Star and Twilight both look and see Rainbow sticking her head out.

“Hey, guys! Why are you out here?”

“I had to speak too Twilight, it was about Iris.” Red Star replies.

“What about her?” Rainbow asks.

“I don't think this is the place or the time Miss Dash, maybe we can talk somewhere else away from prying eye's?” Red Star asks while turning to Twilight.

“Well, we can use my house; I can put up a sound dampening field!” Twilight states.

Red Star just nods, “In the mean time, this little filly needs our help!”

/~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~\

Trixie was screaming. She didn't know for how long, the pain was immense. She strained to open her eye's, only then to be greeted by a bright purple light; she screamed more. Then as quickly as it came the pain was gone, the only sound was Black Stars words.

“It is done!” Trixie opens her eye's, “Welcome, Blue Star!”

Trixie looks down and gasps, she had two legs not four. Trixie holds out her front legs, no arms she corrects herself. No longer did she have hooves but she had hands, she had 'fingers' or what the minatours call them. She looks at her body and gasps again she wasn't wearing anything!

“Strange,” Trixie hears Black Star say. “You should have generated clothing to cover your beautiful body, never mind you are quite easy on the eye's.”

“I feel cold, is that normal?” Trixie asks.

“You just haven't generated your bodies energy field yet! Just think about surrounding yourself in a small amount of energy.” Black Star looks on as Trixie tries to use her new powers.

“It's not working!”

“Hm, maybe you need to concentrate more?” Black star now starts to get impatient, 'a being of her raw ability should be able to use the power straight away' he thinks to himself.

Trixie stares at him before closing her eye's and starting trying again. After a few seconds she feels a power grow inside of her and when it reached a certain point, Trixie started to glow.

“I feel something!” Trixie says. Black Star just smiles.

“Good Trixie, your power is awakening! Soon you will have what you wanted!”

Trixie concentrates more letting the energy consume her body, a bright light engulfing her body as she lifts off the ground. Then in one huge burst of radiant energy, Trixie screams again as her transformation is complete. Trixie's body lowers slowly to the ground as the light dissipates.

“I feel...Powerful!” Trixie states flexing her new body. “And I have attire, perfect!”

“You look powerful!” Black Star Says, walking up and grabbing Trixie by the shoulders. “My great and powerful Trixie!” Black Star pulls her in and kisses her causing Trixie to gasp out of shock, then as the kiss takes them; Trixie smiles and closes her eye's.

“Now, Let's go have some fun shall we?” Black star says pulling away, Trixie just stands there with her eye's still closed; a look of happiness spread across her face. “Yes, Today starts a glorious new chapter in this planets future, look out world; Black Star is coming! And I brought a friend”

Trixie and Black Star both take to the skies, laughing as they made there way to their next target.

Promise To Keep

Rubble and metal was strewn everywhere, buildings were gutted by fire or by families leaving in too much a hurry to care about what they left behind. Craters large and small dotted the area, some even as large as whole city blocks. A black and red figure stands amongst the carnage, holding a sign in it's hands. Tears stream down it's face as it holds the sign and looks around, only one word was written on the sign; written in stylised curved writing.

'CANTERLOT'

/~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~\

Red Star sits up, sweat covering his body. He reaches up to touch his face but instead of feeling the rough fur, he finds the smooth feeling of skin. Red Star leans over to the bedside cabinet and removes the cover on the lamp revealing the glow flies inside. As the light fills the room he looks down and sees fingers, he lets out a sigh.

Red Star is not startled by finding he had reverted back to his humanoid form. It had been 5 days since Black Stars message and Red Star had found a place to stay at Applejacks. He smiles at the kindness he has received since he arrived. Feeling tired he felt his face again. After finding his form properly restored and topless, he walks to the sink in the bathroom situated just off the bedroom.

“These nightmares are coming so frequent now,” Red Star says to himself, while looking in the large mirror above the sink. “I guess I've never had so much rest, this body had gotten used to being on the alert; I never really had much time to dream before.”

Red Star laughs to himself, if the others could see him now they would think him crazy talking to his reflection. But he wasn't worried about that, he was more worried that the young filly was going to be released tomorrow; and he wanted to be there for that! Red Stars expression changes when he again thinks of what Black Star did to her. In a fit of rage he punches the mirror shattering it into the sink, sighing he looks to his hand and recoils at what he sees.

Shards of glass were sticking out of his skin between his knuckles, “what the hell!” Red Star says to himself. “How is that possible?” He pulls the glass out of his hand and drops them into the sink. He looks at his hand and sees blood trickle down his palm, though after a small thought and a flash of red his hand is healed and the pain is gone.

“Maybe the planet is having an effect on me?...Not the first time.” Red Star says turning his hand in the air. He looks to the mirror again or what's left of it, “I'll clean that up in the morning, but first...” He lets out a yawn, “...I need to rest.” But before he climbs back into his bed, he presses his fingers to the wall getting a red shimmer to appear. “Good the sound barrier is still up!” Red Star thinks back to the first few nights when he woke up screaming, only for Applejack and the rest of the family to come running. “At least this way they can't hear me.”

Red Star chuckles to himself before climbing back into bed and hoping this time for it to be nightmare free.

/~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~\

Red Star and Applejack had been standing outside the hospital now for over an hour, Red Star was leaning against the entrance wall while Applejack was just pacing about.

“Applejack, you need to calm down and relax. I'm sure they have a reason for being late.”

Applejack stops a gives Red Star a narrow stare. “Calm down! That little filly is out today and the others are late! Don't you tell me to calm down!”

“Whoa! Whoa! I'm just saying, getting all worked up about it won't help!” Red Star says holding up his hands.

“Look! just because you changed back to your normal form doesn't mean you can boss me around!” Applejack says walking up to Red Star.

“I'm not trying too! I'm just saying, no pony has come to collect the filly; so are we even sure she has family?”

“Well, She did ask for her brother. But now I remember she never asked about her parents!” Applejack replied looking down.

Red Star was about to reply but turned to see the others walking up the road.

“Look see told you they would be here,” Red Star says to Applejack while gesturing to the girls. “Hi, Ladies!” Red Star gives them a wave.

The others wave back, Twilight being the first to approach.

“Hey Red Star, I see you have reverted back to your humanoid form!”

“Yup, this time though I think I might stay this way.” Red Star says, standing away from the wall.

“Really?” Twilight asks.

“Yeah! I think it maybe better this way, besides I need to train and no offence but my pony form was confusing.”

“Confusing eh? Maybe you just need a proper training partner!” Rainbow dash states flying up to Red Star.

Red Star laughs, “Maybe Rainbow, but my training needs somepony or something with magical abilities.”

“But the only ponies that can use magic are unicorns like me and Twilight,” Rarity states.

“And I would never ask a lady to help me combat train!” Red Star says with a wink to Rarity.

“Hey! Are you saying I'm not a lady!?” Twilight replies shooting Red Star an angry glare.

Red Star laughs again as he turns and walks into the hospital.

“This ain't over you know?” Twilight says, Applejack and Red Star chuckle between them.

All seven of them approach the main desk at the hospitals entrance, Red Star was getting several weird looks by the other patients waiting to be seen. Twilight speaks to the white pony sitting at the main desk.

“Oh hi! Nurse Redheart, it's nice to see you again!”

The white pony turns around and gives a smile to Twilight.

“Hello Twilight! I haven't seen you in a while, how have you been?” The white pony says.

“I've been fine, so how long have you been here in Ponyville?” Twilight asks.

“Not long, I come down from Canterlot every month and help out here! It's nice to get away from there every now and again.” The white pony keeps smiling. “Now Miss Sparkle, what can I do for you?”

“Oh! Right yes! We have come to take custody of a young filly called Iris; she is being released today.” Twilight replies.

“Let me see a minute...” The nurse searches through a stack off papers labelled out going. “Ah yes! Her she is! Iris, that's weird we don't seem to have much information on her other than her name! Anyway, if you have come to pick her up I just need your guardian papers.”

“OK, I have them here, all signed.” Twilight says levitating out two sheets of paper.

“Good, these seem to be all in order; now I just need your signature here and we can bring her out to you!” The nurse states.

Twilight signs the form handed to her and the nurse nods before walking to a back room labelled out waiting room. After a few minutes the nurse returns with a scared little filly hiding behind her, until the filly sees Pinkie that is.

“Pinkie!” The little filly shouts.

“Iris, how have you been?” Twilight asks as Iris hugs Pinkies leg.

“I-I'm OK,” Iris looks around. “Where's Red Star?”

Red Star walks forward and bows, “Hello Iris, your looking well.”

Iris looks up to Red Star and she squeals, jumping behind Pinkie as she starts to shake.

“NO! IT'S HIM AGAIN! DON'T HURT ME! PLEASE!”

Red Star just realises that Iris hasn't seen him in this form before.

“Iris i'm so sorry, I didn't realise you haven't seen me in this form before! Dash can I borrow you again.”

Rainbow walks over to Red Star and nods.

“Now watch this Iris,” Pinkie says.

Red Star places his hand on Rainbow and after a few seconds a red energy envelopes them again, the girls stand with a normal expression but Iris looks on in fascination; her eye's widening as the energy gets brighter. Several of the waiting room patients shield their eye's, before to long the light vanishes leaving two ponies; Rainbow and a now familiar shape that Iris knows all to well.

“Red Star!” Iris shouts as she bounds across and tackles him. “That was so cool! But what was that other um...thing!?”

“That was my true form Iris, it's what I really look like.”

“Oh! Sorry I yelled, you looked like that nasty one; the one that hurt me!” Iris says tears forming as she continues to hug Red Star.

“It's nothing you should apologise for, I should have changed before I came here I just didn't think!” Red Star smiles giving her a little kiss on the head. “Now shall we go? I bet your eager to leave?”

“You bet! And Red Star...” Iris looks down before continuing, “...Thank you.”

Red Star looks down to Iris, “What are you thanking me for?”

Iris jumps onto Red Stars back and snuggles into his fur, Red Star just looks at her with a smile on his face.

“For being there for me! I still remember what you said to me that day, did you mean it?” Iris asks.

Red Star Thinks back to the day after Iris woke, when he had visited her alone.

/~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~\

Red Star knocks on the door, hearing no response he knocks harder. A small voice was heard saying 'come in'. Red Star enters the room seeing Iris laying on the bed, she had a sleepy look to her like she had just woken up.

“Evening Iris, are you feeling well?”

The young filly looks over to him and smiles.

“Yes, I am better.”

“That's good to hear, are you OK to talk for a few minutes?” Red Star asks.

Iris pushes herself up in her bed.

“Yes, what did you want to talk about?”

“Well, you! I just want to know a little about you, If you don't mind?” Iris shakes her head. “Great! Well first question would be where do you live?”

“I live just inside the Everfree forest, inside of a pony made clearing.” Iris replies.

“Must be a nice place.”

“Well, it is but...” Iris drops her head.

“But?” Red Star says sitting by the bed.

Before Iris continues, the filly launches herself out of the bed and grabs Red Stars neck. Red Star just freezes, but relaxes as he hears sobbing coming from Iris.

“Iris, what's wrong?”

“He's dead! My brother was killed by that...that...thing!” Iris sobs get louder as she now fully breaks down into Red Stars fur.

Red Star puts his front leg around Iris, he knows all too well the pain of losing a family member. Red Star rubs Iris's back.

“Iris, if you ever need me I'll be there for you!”

Iris stops crying and looks up. “Y-You mean that?”

“Cross my Soul Iris, I promise!”

Iris cries again and Red Star unfolds his right wing and puts it around her.

/~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~\

Red Star snaps back to Iris still staring at him, he smiles as he rubs a hoof on her head.

“You bet I do Iris, I promise.”

“I'm glad...” Red Star keeps watching as Iris slowly falls off to sleep still perched on his back.

Family Doubts

Red Star woke up again covered in sweat, he had another nightmare. This nightmare though featured one pony in particular, Iris. The dream started off fine, he and Iris were playing like a normal family. That was until Black Star came and killed her and everyone else in Ponyville. Red Star had to tell someone about these dreams, but the only one's he trusted were the girls. Red Star looks down to his bed and sees Iris still asleep. Iris never wanted to go with any of the others, she wanted to stay with Red Star.

“I want to stay with him! He makes me feel safe!” Red Star smiles as he remembers what Iris said yesterday. He reaches down and strokes her cheek, in her sleep she smiles back.

“You've been through a lot kid, I just don't know why you would want to stay with me?” Red Star whispers. “But I won't let anything happen to you.”

Red Star knows he won't sleep now so he quietly slips out of the bed and heads out of the room. When he approaches the top of the stairs he finds the living room light on downstairs. Curious he slowly descends noting the clock on the wall.

“3 am? Who could be up at this time?” Red Star came to the bottom of the stairs and found no one in sight, so he continued to the front door and opened it. Red Star stood on the front path of the orchard taking in the wonderful night before him, that was until he heard the unmistakable sound of someone bucking apple trees. “Who could that be?”

Red Star listened to the sound and followed it. I seemed to be coming from one of the far orchards.

“Guess who ever it is didn't want to wake the household.”

As Red Star crossed the orchard, the sound got closer until he heard a voice.

“Gosh darn it! Ah knew that would happen!” The voice said out loud.

Red Star came to a halt and peered around a tree, it was Applejack; she was bucking trees illuminated by several lamps positioned nearby. Something seemed to be bothering her, out of curiosity Red Star had to know what it was.

“Applejack?”

“What? Who's there!” Applejack was clearly startled.

“It's me!” Red Star steps out from behind his hiding place.

“Oh, Hi Red Star. What brings ya out here?”

“I stepped out for some fresh air and heard your bucking.”

“Ah come out here on mah own sometimes, it's peaceful.” Applejack says.

“I know, it's funny you know.”

“What is?”

“Every planet no matter what or where it was, the nights were always beautiful. If it wasn't stars then it was some gaseous light created by a nearby anomaly, but it was always so peaceful; like that was how the night was always supposed to be.” Red Star states leaning against a tree.

“Seems like ya enjoyed moving around.”

“Actually no, it was always Black Star that made me move on. I want to settle down Applejack, I want what every normal person has; a family.”

“A family? But ah thought you said ya had a family.”

“Had being the word there Applejack, remember i'm not mortal. I don't age, but I can die.”

“What?”

“Yeah, I can be killed. But only by Black Star, however I think Equestria is changing me.”

“In what way?”

“I can get hurt here by normal objects, like glass and rock. If I can get cut by that stuff then your weapons can hurt me, but your magic i'm not so sure?”

“Why is our magic not strong enough?” Applejack asks.

“I don't know the only way to test that would be if some...Uh...Pony attacked me with magic.”

“Ya could always ask Twilight, ah'm sure she would help.”

“But do you realise what that would entail? She would have to attack me! With her magic!”

“Ah know what it means, but if she knew it was just a test then ah'm sure she would oblige.”

“I don't what Iris to see it.” Red Star says.

Applejack stops her bucking and looks to Red Star. She finds him staring at the sky with both his eye's closed.

“What do you mean by that?”

“Like I said, I don't want Iris to see it. It might frighten her too much and it would tear me up to see that!”

“She's a strong filly, if ya just tell her about it ah'm sure she will understand.”

“I hope so Applejack, I like her; she reminds me of one of my past children. And it pains me to think if anything should happen to her.”

“Ah know, ya have that parent instinct to ya. Ah just think ya should tell her about yourself a little more, she might even want to watch yar magic test.”

Red Star turns to look at Applejack and smiles.

“You always know the right thing to say, don't you?”

“Well, ah am the element of honesty.” Applejack replies.

“Heh! I forgot about that.” Red Star looks back in the direction of the house. “I better get back, Iris is a light sleeper.”

Applejack turns to say something but changes it at the last second.

“Ok, I'll see ya tomorrow morning.”

“Take care Applejack,” Red Star walks away but looks back. “And don't work so hard, trust me it never brings any good.”

**** ***** ****

“Wake up! It's morning!”

Red Star opens his eye's only to find Two happy looking eyes staring down at him.

“Morning Iris, Sleep well?” Red Star gets a friendly nuzzle.

“Yep! You know your very warm!”

“Huh?”

“Yeah! You give off a lot of heat, when you sleep that is!”

“I do, do I?”

“Yup!”

Red Star grabs Iris under her front legs and pulls her over to the side, She squeals but Red Star attacks her with a series of tickles and raspberries to her chest.

“Warm am I?” Red Star laughs.

“No. Stop. Please! Hahahaha! I can't! It tickles!”

“See ya two are getting along great.”

Red Star halts his attack and looks towards the bedroom door, Iris follows suit. Applejack was standing in the door, a big smile planted on her face.

“Applejack! Tell him to stop! I can't take it!” Iris says.

Red star gives Iris one last tickle, getting her to giggle again.

“I think we should get ready for breakfast, don't you?” Red Star asks Iris.

“Yeah!” Iris jumps off the bed. “Last one to the bathroom is a smelly dog!”

After Iris runs out Applejack turns back to Red Star, But she sees tears in his eyes.

“Red Star what's wrong?”

“Did you see that Applejack, she wasn't scared of me. I'm in my human form, and she wasn't scared!”

“That's a good thing though, right?”

“Yeah it is. It means she's not afraid any more. Iris can move on with her life, find some pony to look after her; be her proper parent.” Red Star says getting up from the bed.

“Wait, what do ya mean find somepony? She has you!” Applejack replies unsure of what she just heard.

“And how long will that be? Remember I said I never age, or have you forgotten. I will see her grow old and die but I will never change! I can't get too attached to her, I realise that now. She needs a family, not me!” Red Star slams his hands down on the nearby clothes chest. “I can't put her through that, i'm not even a pony! I'm not even human, i'm not anything! I'm just a blob of energy in a shell! I shouldn't even have these emotions!”

“That's manure! Ya know that's not true! Ah have seen it mahself, you are ah good stallion! In this form or your pony one! Don't ruin Iris's life because ya can't see past your own thoughts! She loves ya, more than you think.” Applejack walks up to Red Star and puts her hoof on his back. “Just give her a chance ok? Let Iris decide who she wants to be with. If it's not you then, ya have nothing to worry about.”

Red Star sighs. “I guess your right Applejack.” Red Star walks over and puts his hand on Applejacks head, “Your always right!”

“Darn straight ah am! Now ya better get ready for breakfast. Ah'll see ya down stairs.”

Applejack walks away leaving Red Star standing in his doorway, he looks to the bathroom as Iris exits. Red Star smiles as Iris looks over to him, she smiles back.

**** ***** ****

“You know Big Mac, Applejacks very insightful.”

“Eeyup!”

“I mean that she seems to know exactly what to say and when, I am glad to know a pony like her.”

“Ya two have been very close lately, ah wonder if ya two have something?”

“What!?”

“Listen Red Star, ah ain't known for mah talking. Ya could say ah am very picky with what ah say. But ah see things, more than any pony; and ah see ya two getting close everyday.”

“I'm not saying there's anything between us, we have a good friendship. I wouldn't do anything to put that at risk.”

“But what ahbout ya brother, Applejack told me he's your opposite?”

“He is, But I think he can change. I've seen it!”

“Ya have?”

“Yeah! If you have a while I can tell you?”

“Ah ain't going nowhere.”

“Well, it was on the planet Gorsuun; me and Black Star was in the final stage of our battle before the planet was destroyed........”

PLANET GORSUUN

2237 YEARS AGO

“Black Star! We don't have to do this! This pointless war will stretch on for ever! We can stop!”

“Stop!? Stop!? Why would I want to do that!?”

“Why would any being energy or no, want a war to last forever!?”

“Maybe because it's fun! I am everything your not my brother! I am death, I am destruction! I live of the misery of others!” Black Star gestures to the wasteland below, burning beyond control. “ I love this! This is my vice! My pleasure!”

“You could be much more! Black Star please! Stop this pointless bickering!”

“End the bickering!? I have been trying to kill you for four thousand years! Why would I Stop!?”

“Because in the end, you know that this will end with my death or yours!” Red Star points at Black Star. “And what will you do then!?”

“I can see your point! If I die that will be unexpected, but if you die I will roam this universe with nothing to do! Ok my brother! What do you suggest!?” Black Star crosses his arms.

“We both leave this world! Travel far away from each other and never meet again!”

“What!? That is no different from if any one of us dies! You are trying to deceive me!”

“No! I...”

“I DON'T LIKE BEING DECEIVED!”

Black Star holds out his hands, a purple orb of energy appears between them.

“Black Star don't do it!”

“Too late brother! This planet will be destroyed and all the people below will perish! Their blood will be on your hands!”

Black Star points his hands at the planet below, his hands flair for several seconds before a bright purple beam shoots out.

“Noooo!” Red Star shouts, just as everything goes black.

**** ***** ****

SWEET APPLE ACRES

PRESENT

“So he destroyed the planet? Doesn't seem like ah guy that could change.”

“I know he can Big Mac, I know he can!”

“Ah'm not doubting it! Ah just don't want you to get yah hopes up that's all.”

“Yeah I guess your right, anyway I think we better get back to work; Applejack might kill us.”

“Eeyup!”

Confession of Regret

Red Star was putting the last of the hay bails onto the cart when a high pitched shrill sounded behind him. His first instinct was to spin around and fire a blast of energy, he was glad he didn't as Iris tackled him to the ground.

“Heya dad!” Iris shouts before going in for a hug.

“Hey Iris, have a nice day?” Red Star replies stroking her mane.

“Yeah, I learned a lot today. Was your day fun too?”

“It was productive, but not as fun as going school.”

Iris lets out a small laugh as Red Star picks her up and places her down so he can stand.

“Oh yeah, um Miss Cheerilee gave me this to ask you something.” Red Star leans down and takes the note Iris removed form her satchel.

Red star opens the letter.

“Dear Mr Star,”

“Your Daughter Iris has been telling me that you come from some place beyond Equestrias borders, or as she puts it Equestrias sky. I find it hard to believe that you could be something from another planet. I have asked Iris to deliver this message to you so that I could ask you to see me at your earliest convenience. Iris is a wonderful student but this spate of lies is starting to frighten her classmates.”

“Yours Sincerely.”

“Cheerilee.”

Red Star reads the letter again to make sure what he read was not fake. Iris's teacher was claiming that she was lying in class. Red star folded the letter back up and put it into his pocket.

“Iris, please can you go and tell the Apple family I will be late for tea. It seems I have to set something straight.”

“Sure dad, y-you won't hurt Miss Cheerilee will you?” Red Star was shocked at Iris' question.

“Of course I won't Iris, I just need to see her about this letter that's all.” Iris rubs against Red Stars leg like a cat would do before running to the farm house. “Now I have to see some teacher about accusing my daughter of lying.” Red Star starts to walk towards town pulling out the letter and watching it go up in flames between his finger tips.

**** **** ****

When Red Star reached the school house he stopped and calmed himself, he knew he was here to set a record straight but they are just ponies. Maybe they don't know about other worlds yet, the thought made him smile; these ponies are in for a rude awakening. Red Star walked up to the front entrance and noticed three fillies exiting, it didn't take him long to know who they were.

“Hey Apple bloom, Scootaloo, and of course Sweetie belle.” The three fillies look up but Red Star saw their faces were down trodden. “You look down girls, what's wrong.”

The three fillies start to look confused, Red Star also noticed they weren't scared; well Apple Bloom anyway considering she sees him everyday at the farm.

“Oh, Mr Star! Ah didn't know ya came ta pick up Iris. She's already gone though.”

“No, I came to speak to your teacher about a letter I received. Apparently Iris is telling lies about me being from another world.”

“But ah thought ya are from another place.” Apple Bloom states raising her eyebrow.

“Yeah, I am. But your teacher doesn't think so! That's why I am here.”

“Well, we better leave ya to it then.” The fillies walk passed but stop as Apple Bloom turns around. “Um...Mr Star can ah ask you something?”

“Sure, go ahead.”

“I have told Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle about what you can do, but they don't believe me.”

Red Star looks to the three fillies noting the expressions on their faces, Apple Blooms was sad and facing down but the other two were more sceptical and almost eager to know if it was all true.

“Tell you what, how about I show you what I can do. I come find you when I've finished here, I'll even bring Iris along.”

“You will!” The three fillies all say at once.

“Yes, but I think away from the town would be best.” Red star rubs his chin. “I know! How about the park, plenty of room and it'll be a great area for using my talents.”

“That would be so cool!” Scootaloo Says jumping around.

“Yay!” Sweetie Belle shouts.

“Good! Well I'll see you girls later then.”

“Yeah! See ya Mr Star!”

The three fillies run off giggling amongst themselves. Red Star turns back to the school house and walks through the main entrance. The entrance was not like most schools Red Star has entered, drawings of various types were hung on walls and the colour matched the outside. Red Star approached a cabinet that displayed some trophy’s, the last one earned seemed to have been only a month ago. Red Star was brought out of his thoughts by a cough behind him.

“Excuse me? Can I help you? Um...Sir?”

Red star turns around and sees a pink pony standing behind him, she was definitely a mare but seemed older than some of the mares in town but not by much. Her mane was curled at the front and coloured pink with a lighter pink stripe.

“Ah yes, i'm looking for a Miss Cheerilee. Would you happen to know where I can find her?” Red star asks standing up straight.

“Well, you've come to the right place. You've found her.” The pony answers.

“Nice to meet you Miss Cheerilee, I'm Mr Star; Iris's father.” Red Star sees the colour drain from the teachers face.

“I think we should talk in my classroom.” Cheerilee points to the open door behind her.

Red Star nods and follows after the pink pony unsure of where this conversation will take him. The classroom was pretty much what Red Star expected, a blackboard stood at the front of the class with the teachers desk planted in front of it. Red Star looked across the walls and found drawings from the classes fillies and colts, one caught his eye. The drawing was near the back wall and was undoubtedly him, the humanoid form standing next to a filly both had smiles; something Red Star was now doing.

“That drawing was done by Iris, she's very proud to have you as her father. Though nopony knows what happened to her real family.” Cheerilee states. “I have tried asking her but she just says your her family now.”

“Did you know them?” Red Star asks turning around to face Cheerilee.

“Iris's real family? No, I only knew her brother who came to pick her up everyday. It was strange though, a week ago he stopped coming. Iris won't tell me why and now I remember it's about the same time she started calling you her father.”

“I think he is dead, that is what Iris told me; and I believe her.” Red Star says sitting down on a chair. “She's a wonderful filly Cheerilee, I want to look after her but I don't know if I can.”

“Why not?”

“It's not her, it's me. I have lived for a long time, even longer than your princess but I have never been to a place that has conflicted me so.”

“Mr Star, where do you come from?” Cheerilee asks leaning forward on her desk.

“That's a two fold answer, my host came from a world called earth three thousand years ago. I myself am not a corporeal being, I am in fact made of energy. I live inside this body and we share a symbiotic relationship.” Red Star could see Cheerilee was struggling to understand. “The being you are talking to now is the energy inside this body not the host, the hosts conscious died a long time ago.”

“I see.” It was all Cheerilee could say.

“I know this a lot to understand, I'll give you time to think.” Red Star stands and walks to the door. “I hope Iris won't be punished for lying about me.”

“No, she will not be punished.”

“Thank you Miss Cheerilee, I hope we can talk again. It was nice talking to someone Educated, it was a rare thing I got to do on my travels.” Red Star walks out leaving Cheerilee to think over the information he had just given her. The only thing he was thinking about however was that Iris was safe from punishment.

**** **** ****

Red Star thought long and hard about what he was going to show the girls when he arrives at Ponyville Park. At first he might show them some basic energy abilities, the kind to quench their anticipation. Then he thought of following up with some target practice, creating energy targets to attack and destroy. Red Star even thought of using some defensive talents too, bring in a unicorn to attack him with some basic magic attacks and show how strong his shields can be.

Red Star was grinning when he arrived, spotting Iris sitting near the parks grassy field. But Red Star couldn't help but notice something amiss, He hadn't invited Iris yet; and where were the others? Red Star carefully approached the field and called Iris.

“Iris? What are you doing here?”

“Daddy! Stop! It's a trap!” No more than a few seconds after Iris speaks several blasts of blue energy hit the ground between Red Star and Iris.

“So you are the one Black Star calls his brother! Can't say I am impressed!”

Red Star looks up and spots a figure dressed almost similar to him but blue in colour.

“Who are you!?” Red Star clenches his fists. “Why have you kidnapped my daughter!?” Red Star then realises something and a small amount of fear crosses his features. “What have you done to the Apples!?”

“Oh the Apples are fine, well mostly. And your daughter was means to an end, she won't be harmed further!” The figure says.

“Iris run home, now!”

“But daddy!” Iris shouts.

“Iris! Go! Now!” Red Star shouts back.

Iris runs away, crying as she goes.

“I will ask again! Who are you!?”

“I was named The Great and Powerful Trixie! But my love calls me Blue Star, I kind of like it!”

“Trixie? Your that mare Twilight told me about, the one she ran out of Ponyville.”

“Yes and now with my new powers I can repay her in kind!” Trixie floats down and lands before Red Star. “But first I have to deal with you!”

“Deal with me? Do you have any idea how strong I am?” Red Star replies pointing at Trixie.

“My love has told me everything about you, he has faith in me!”

“Faith! That's funny! I never thought my brother had any!”

“Then you don't know him very well do you?” Trixie asks.

“I know him well enough! I have found with him every day for eight thousand years.”

“That doesn't matter! I will end you and he will reward me!” Trixie Flares her hands and creates two orbs of energy. “I will end you!” Trixie throws the orbs and Red Star just stands there.

The orbs hit Red Star square and cause dust and earth to churn up around him. Trixie laughs but her laughter stops when Red Star was unharmed. A red shimmer disappears from around him.

“If that's the best you can do then you better go back to were you come from Trixie!”

“But-But! That's impossible! Black Star said I could beat you!”

“Black Star lied, you think you're the first to gain this power? Many came before you, and they all died fighting me! Do you want to die Trixie? Do you?” Red Star creates an orb of his own. “I can end you right now, if you wish. It would take one ball of power and you would cease to exist.” The energy ball in Red Stars hand gets larger.

“No I don't want to die, but I have to destroy you! If I go back a failure Black Star won't be pleased.” Trixie starts to look fearful.

“Then join me!”

Trixie looks up sharply. “What?”

“Join me Trixie, if you stay with my brother you will end up dead like the rest. Don't be another body for Black Star to climb over!” Red Star deactivates his energy orb and extends out his hand. “Please, You are beautiful Trixie. Even in that form, I can see that revenge doesn't consume you; let the past go and look towards the future.”

“I-I..” Trixie slumps to her knees and looks at her hands. “What have I done? Look at me! I have betrayed myself.” Trixie starts to cry. “I can't be like this! The hate! The anger! Though I loath what Twilight did to me, I can't use this power to kill her it just wouldn't be right!” Trixie looks up at Red Star. “Can you help me? Turn me back?”

Red Star walks to Trixie and kneels in front of her.

“I'm sorry Trixie, This change cannot be undone; only death can break it.”

Trixie grabs Red Stars hand and places it on her forehead.

“Then do it! Kill me! Break this violation of my body! I don't want to be it anymore!”

Red Star uses his free hand to pull away from Trixie's grip.

“I can't Trixie, not like this. Maybe I can help you understand what you are better but I can't kill you.”

“But why!?”

“Because I want all the killing to stop!” Red Stars outburst causes Trixie to recoil. “To many have died and now I have placed a line here! From this point on nobody will die needlessly.”

Trixie looks down tears in her eyes. “You don't know what we have done, do you?”

“Done? What do you mean?”

“We have killed so many already, i'm amazed you don't know.” Trixie looks at her hands again. “These things are covered in the blood of so many! I can't be forgiven! I can't live like this!”

“Trixie!” Red Star shouts, Trixie stiffens. “Who's blood? Where?”

“Coltdon. We attacked the ponies there...As practice!” Trixie collapses to the floor. Tears flowing from her eyes. “I was so caught up in my hate and anger, I never realised what I was doing!”

“Then why did you come here? How will killing me help?” Red Star asks. “Why spill more blood? And kidnap my daughter too!”

“It was the only way I was sure the real you would appear. I know you have the ability to change shape, and I didn't want the elements getting involved.”

Red Star looks up as he hears hooves rapidly approaching. “I don't think you can avoid that now.”

“Red Star who-” Twilight goes to say. Red Star just puts up his hand. Twilight and the others get the gesture.

“I won't tell them who you are for now, I think that should be your decision.” Red Star stands and holds out his hand. “But for now, I think we should get you cleaned up; don't you think?”

Trixie looks Red Star in the eyes uncertain of what to do. She then reaches up and takes his hand, a smile crossing her features.

“Dad? Is it safe?” Red Star looks to the group and he sees Iris hiding behind Fluttershy.

“Yes, it's safe Iris. This is Blue Star, another one of my kind.” Red Star replies holding Trixie by the hands.

“I'm sorry! I never meant to hurt you little one. I was scared, you see I am new to this power.” Trixie says slightly changing her voice.

“If my dad says your ok then I will not bare any grudge.” Iris says running up and hugging Trixie's leg.

“I uh! Thank you.” Trixie says patting Iris's head.

“Now I think we should go somewhere private, Twilight could I use your place?” Red Star asks turning to Twilight.

“Of course, any friend of yours is welcome.” Twilight replies.

“Now Blue Star when we get back to Twilights, I want you to tell me everything that has happened ok? And I mean everything.”

Trixie nods. “You won't like what you hear.”

“Then I'll be the judge of that!” Red Star says as the group head towards Ponyville.

The First Star Falls (Edited and revised by Patience 15/09/13)

Eight thousand years ago two species in the height of war created the Energy. On one side you have the Drex, a species that evolved on a planet mostly covered in water. On the other the Nolox, a reptilian race bent on destruction.

The Drex however had one advantage: technology so advanced they could move space itself. Then you had the Nolox, their technology was inferior but by no means harmless. Both sides had bordered each others space. The Nolox wanted more territory and the Drex were just trying to live. Finally, one disastrous day, the war came to its climax...

A reptilian creature sat cross-legged in a hard back chair staring at a blank screen, anger evident on his face.

"Rar! I was told we have firing solution." The reptile hisses while its tongue impatiently darts in and out, another reptile spins around in its own chair a few feet away.

"We did sir, but all communication with the surface has been lost." The creature spins back around, and after a few moments the first creature roars in frustration and tears the nearest screen of its arm and tosses it aside.

"Then we fire anyway! All batteries open fire and wipe out everything!" Most of the other reptiles within ear shot stopped and looked towards their leader.

"But sir, we would kill our own troops without proper coordinates!"

As a reply the reptile gets a long sharp blade between the eyes.

"I will not have insubordination aboard my vessel," the creature looks around, "anymore questions?" The other reptiles shake their heads and return to work. A small smile crossing the scaly lips of the commander.

"Fire!"

A hellish fire storm unleashes from the main batteries of the Nolox cruiser, in the first few minutes hundreds of rounds pass through the Drex home worlds atmosphere and impact the target areas destroying and killing thousands per hit. Meanwhile the last remnants of the Drexian government prepare their last hope of survival.

Impacts are heard above but, the compound is deep beneath the earth, any worries are unfounded, but then again... the scientists know it's only a matter of time.

"Sir, we have loaded the Energy into the receiving chamber." A creature resembling an earth jellyfish speaks.

"Good!" Another alien, the project leader, speaks, its voice distorted by a mic unit attached to its body. "We must launch it now or the Energy will never reach the safe zone." The leader hovers over to a console and pushes several buttons opening a small compartment containing two keys. "You must take this key," he says holding it out, "and start the launch procedure." The other alien dips slightly signifying a nod.

"What about you?" The second alien asks the other.

"I need to program some additional commands, go! I'll be right behind you." a louder impact is heard, "Their bombardment is getting closer, this Energy needs to survive." the leader hovers to a nearby terminal as his associate leaves.

After 20 minutes of preparation the Energy is ready to leave. There's only one minute and counting till launch, his associate returns.

"I did it, are you sure this will work?" The scientist asks.

"I have no idea. The red energy was never meant to be without a host. I just hope it finds the right one out there somewhere." the countdown finally reaches zero and the craft containing the energy rockets away. However as the rocket leaves the platform a shot from an orbiting destroyer hits the rocket causing a chain reaction.

"No, its too soon!" The project leader exclaims, but moments later another shot passes through the open launch bay doors and destroys the facility.

Meanwhile the rocket continues its course skyward, all attempts to shoot it down fail as it finally leaves the planet, passing by hundreds of large and small ships in orbit the craft charges a green engine and hyper slips away.

8,000 years later

Spike, a young, purple dragon, stomps around in frustration a small bag over his shoulder.

"Come on Twi, we're going to miss it!" He calls out into the house. A young, mulberry, unicorn, mare appears on the top of the landing of a set of stairs. Her normally straight mane was only slightly disheveled.

“I had to get my ink and quills or I won't be able to take notes!” She shouts down from over the banister. Quickly darting into the nearby room.

"Fine, but the others are waiting outside." Spike yells back to her.

"OK, OK, I'm ready now." Twilight says as she suddenly comes into existence, in a flash of purple light, next to Spike. Spike jumps on to her back as they leave their home.

"Do you think we'll get a good view?" Spike asks Twilight as they began the walk to Sweet Apple Acres.

"Of course, Applejack says her farm has the best hill for watching it." She replies. Shortly they meet up with two of their friends.

“Hey girls!” Twilight say with a bright smile. “Ready for the big night?"

"Yep, yep, yep!" Pinkie Pie says excitedly, while bouncing around vigorously.

"Oh, darling, you know I wouldn't want to miss this! It's going to be great as an inspiration for my next line of clothing." Rarity, in her posh accent with her purple mane bobbing lightly, says as she brings her front hooves together.

"Well then let's go! The others should be there when we arrive." The four friends make their way out of the town, towards the farm in the distance. After 15 minutes they reach a small hill near the farm and walk up a recently hoofed path. As they crest the hill they see their three other friends sitting on a red and blue checkered sheet with generous amounts of all around it.

"Howdy girls," the orange Applejack, in her signature Stetson, calls out, "you're just in time!"

"So when is it about to start?" Twilight asks.

"Well it was supposed to start four minutes ago, but I guess Princess Luna is out of practice!" The multi-chromatic Rainbow Dash replies, crossing her fore-hooves in front of her.

Just as she finished her statement a few flashes of light start to fall across the sky. "Woah! This is great." Spike says, his eyes going wide.

"Seems Princess Luna is going all out." The small quiet voice of Fluttershy sounds from the group.

"She sure is darling." Rarity says while putting her front leg over Fluttershy's shoulder. The flashes of light increase in number as more and more fill the sky.

"Uh, T-Twilight." Spike says, a touch of fear in his voice. Twilight looks over to him.

"Yes spike?" She can see the worry in his eyes. "Spike what's wrong?" The dragon now stands rooted pointing to the sky.

"Twilight we should run, now[/]!" Twilight looks skyward sees a bright red light heading straight for the hill top.

"Girls!" She shouts. "We need to get off the hill, look!" She points to the light.

"Oh Celestia!" the others shout in unison, the light now only moments away.

"Everyone, Down!" Rainbow Dash shouts.

They scatter as the light strikes. It skimmed the hill top and crashed into the ground nearby; taking several trees with it.

"Dangnabbit!" Applejack shouts while standing up. "That's several good trees gone up in smoke." She adds completely ignoring the glowing red orb in the center of the crater in the middle of her farm.

"W-What is it Twilight...Aliens?" Spike says, shakily peering from behind the sanctuary of Twilight's legs.

"I'm not sure, let's go and see." She says and the seven friends walk to the crater. As they get closer they notice that the orb isn't giving of any heat.

"Well that's strange, it's not hot at all!" Rarity say while holding out her hoof over the craters edge.

"It's not! That's strange. A bright glowing orb not giving off any heat, yet it fell from the sky." Twilight says, resting her head against her free hoof, while pondering the mystery. Pinkie Pie decides, at that moment, to approach the orb and reach out a hoof,

"Pinkie, don't!" Twilight cries out, but it was too late. Her hoof touches the orb and the red light dissipates. A small outburst of smoke later, and the seven friends find themselves peering over the edge of the crater, but what they see shocks them even more.

Lying, inside of the apparent escape pod, covered in clothes was a red and black colored creature they had never seen before. The creature had two legs, and two arms. its skin was a shade of brown, as if slightly tan, they saw its mane was the same red as some of its clothing, yet it didn't cover its body; just the top of its head. They can see glasses perched on its head but they are all black and mirrored, they can not see its eyes.

After giving the strange creature a once over Twilight decides to approach it.

"Twilight, what are you doing?" Applejack asks.

"I'm going closer." she replies, simply.

"It's an alien." Spike points out, making the others gasp.

"I just want to see if it's hurt that's all. It is alive after all." Twilight reasons as she approaches the sprawled creature and nudges its foot with her hoof, which it does not respond to. She then walks to its side and nudges again recoiling away just in case. When nothing happens, again, she walks to its head and looks at the mirrored glasses.

"What do you think these are for?" she inquires back at Rarity, while pointing to the strange glasses. Rarity just shrugs.

"Special reading glasses maybe, or special lenses for the wearer!" Rarity calls back.

“Maybe if I...” Twilight thinks as she reaches down to grabs the glasses, but as she reaches the aliens hand grabs her leg and she bellows out a scream.

Alien Introductions (Edited by Patience)

“Spike, run!” Twilight shouts out, waving her front legs in the air. Too late, the being just stares at spike.

“Emouch!, tresek wooch,” the creature shouts. “Ecoss, ecoss! Spike, still frozen, finally speaks.

“Um, what?” Spike replies, much to the growing annoyance of the creature.

“Foroom tres, gress batoom ki?” after still no response from Spike, the being reaches out, Spike tries to run only to be held in place by the beings hand. A red glow appears around the creatures hand and it speaks again. “Foroom tres, gress batoom me?”

“Hey, I understood that last word.” Spike replies pointing to the creatures face. Another small glow of red light and the creature continues.

“Foroom you, gress stand me?” Spike nods slowly.

“A little, can you say more?”, the creatures hand glows again for the final time before it's removed from his head.

“Can you, understand me?” Spike jumps up smiling.

“Yes, I can!” the being sighs and holds out its hand.

“Good, now maybe we can be properly introduced, my name’s Red Star.” Spike grabs Red Stars hand and shakes it.

“Nice to meet you, my name’s Spike” Red Star nods and goes to stand up, only to wind up back on the floor, “Whoa, are you alright?” Red Star looks at Spike as he rubs his head.

“Yeah, I'm fine, just bad landing, I think.” Red Star looks around. “Where am I?”

“You’re in my friends barn.” Spike gestures holding up his arms.

“Oh, is your friend here?” Red star asks.

“Well...” Spike pauses while looking back at the hay bales.

“No matter,” Red Star says getting up again, “...So, what species are you?”

“I'm a dragon” Spike replies.

“Dragon, hmm, haven’t seen a dragon in a long while,” Red Star leans forward, “but then again, I probably haven't been to your world before.” Red Star states as he shrugs.

“So you are an alien?” Spikes eyes widen.

“If you want to call me that then, yes.” Red Star walks to the barn door, but stops before he reaches the hay bales stacked near it. “Do you feel that?” Red Star asks turning back to Spike.

“No, feel what?”

“I feel an energy, faint but close.” Red Star lifts up his hand as he holds it palm out, “hmm,” Red Star’s hand comes to a rest over the hay bails. “There behinds those… things,” Spike runs over and stands in front of Red Star.

“There's nothing there, just some hay bales.” Spike says as he waves his arms about.

“Come out!” Red Star shouts, red energy flaring in his hand, “I know you are there, I can sense your energy.” Red Star drops his hand, “look I promise I won't hurt you, you don't have to hide from me.”

Red Star waits for a few more seconds, then five small heads appear above the bails. “Um, hi.” Twilight says giving a small wave.

“Why were you hiding?” Red Star questions walking forward, “You have no reason to be scared of me”.

“Well, you are big.”

“And scary.” Applejack and Rarity answer one after the other, Red Star notices the looks of terror still on their faces.

“Maybe we should start again, can you please come out from behind those...Hay bales, I think you call them.”

The five ponies look at each other, contemplating whether or not to trust him, finally they nod and walk out. Red Star look at them and kneels down so he's eye level.

“Maybe we should introduce ourselves, I'm Red Star.” Twilight looks at his hand and places her hoof on top.

“I'm Twilight Sparkle, um, nice to meet you, Red Star.” Red Star just smiles and give her hoof a gentle shake.

“Nice to meet you too, Miss Sparkle.” Twilight giggles, “What's so funny?”

“You have such good manners, for an alien that is.” Red Star lifts an eyebrow. “I didn't mean it in a bad way, just not expected.” Twilight shuffles nervously.

“Oh, you get many aliens around here do you?” Red Star folds his arms.

“No! I didn't mean, I...” Twilight stops as she sees Red Star smiling. “You're messing with me and I fell for it.” Twilight.

“Yeah, but you handled it well.” Red Star replies, standing up and rubbing Twilight’s mane. “I guess these are your… friends.” Red Star gestures to the others.

“Yes, sorry!” Twilight stands beside Red Star. “This is Applejack, this is her farm.” Applejack tilts her hat.

“Howdy, Mr Star.” Twilight carries on to the others one at a time.

“And these are my friends, Fluttershy, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash, there's one more but she's out gathering… Oh no!” Just as Twilight finishes her sentence, the barn door burst open, revealing Pinkie with four guards behind her.

“Hi, girls, I brought the guards.” Twilight suddenly gives her a look of horror. “What’s wrong Twilight, you said to bring the guards.” Pinkie look up to Red Star. “Oh!” the guards sprint forward, placing four swords under Red Star, who just points at them.

“Please, don't hurt him, he's new to Ponyville!” Red Star leans down to the guards and looks them over.

“Twilight, these guards couldn't even tickle me with those swords, let alone harm me.” this causes the guards to redden in anger.

“You will kneel, you are under arrest!” the first guard demands, Red Star just laughs. “This is no laughing matter, kneel or we will force you!” the guard barks, becoming more irritated.

“And how are you going to force me? With those?” Red Star asks pointing to their swords, “I would like to see you try.” Red Star laughs again.

“You insolent creature!” the guard shouts as he goes to swipe at Red Star.

The guard lunges forward, all Red Star does is hold up one hand, the guard stops unable to move,

“Let me go!” he demands, his still body quivering in place.

“Red Star, please!” Twilight begs as she tugs on his trouser leg.

“OK, fine I’ll let him go on one condition, he doesn't try that again.” Twilight looks at the guard who just nods, quickly.

“He not going to,” Red Star lowers his hand and the guard falls to the floor, “will you?” Twilight says as she ushers the guards out of the barn.

“N-no! We will just be going now.” the guard says joining his friends running out the door, only to hear Red Star sniggers.

“That was fun.” Red Star laughs as he sits on a nearby hay bail.

“How did you do that?” Twilight asks, Red Star looks up seeing confusion on her face.

“You mean my talents? I was made with them, I can manipulate them to form force fields, energy beams, or use them to levitate objects of any size.” Red Star answers looking at his hands palm up.

“So, you can do magic then?” Twilight sits next to him.

“Magic, no, magic is a common term in the galaxy that is used to explain something that can't be explained. My abilities were manufactured, so they are called talents... but if you want to call it magic, go ahead, I won't stop you.” Red Star looks over to the others and leans closer to Twilight, “um, not to be rude, but why are you and Rarity different from the others.”

“What do you mean?” Red Star points to her horn, “Oh, you mean our horns! well it's because we are unicorns, Applejack and Pinkie are earth ponies, and Fluttershy and Rainbow are pegasi.” Red Star just nods.

“So, there are only ponies?” Red Star asks.

“No, no, there are many different species living in Equestria.” Red Star just smiles.

“So you call this land ‘Equestria’? Twilight nods an affirmative.”Well, at least I know where I am. Will I be allowed to see more of it?” Twilight puts a hoof to her chin and thinks.

“Maybe, we could show you but, you might need a disguise.” Red Star looks down.

“Oh, right, um… Rainbow, could you come here a second?” Rainbow Dash flies over.

“What's up?”

“Rainbow, could I borrow your likeness?”

“Borrow my likeness?” A look of confusion and apprehension spreads across her face.

“Yes, I need to disguise myself, only way I can do that is by borrowing your likeness and changing myself to look like you”.

“Why can't you use Twilight?” Rainbow questions pointing to Twilight.

“Well, you have wings, it would help disguise my flying abilities, if you don’t mind that is?” Rainbow nods her head, slowly.

“It won’t hurt will it?” Red Star doesn't reply, instead he reaches out and grabs Rainbow by the leg and red light begins to envelope both of them.

The energy turn both Red Star and Rainbow completely solid red blinding the others, after a few moments Red Stars silhouette starts to shrink, his height lowers to that of a stallion just smaller than Big Mac, his arms contort and shrink into legs, his hands altering to look like hooves and finally two large wings, double the size of Rainbows wing span sprout outward from his back. When the red light dissipates the friends gasp in shock.

Standing before them a pony, sporting the same colors as Red Stars clothes, still holding Rainbow’s leg. Red Star opens his new eyes.

“Well, what do you think?” He asks.

“You look great!” Applejack says with almost a slight bit of lust in her voice, Red Star look over to her and she shy away realizing what she just said. “Um, I mean, it looks alright.”

“Will I pass for one of you?” Red Star looks over his new body.

“You sure will.” Twilight answers, a small rumbling noise pervades the air. “What was that?” Red Star grabs his belly.

“That was me! guess this new form is hungry.” He says with a smile.

“No problem, we can treat you to dinner in town then show you around.” Twilight replies with a grin.

“Shall we go then?” Red Star gestures to the barn door still open from when the guards ran out.

“Do you think it's a good idea to bring him into town?” Applejack whispers to Twilight as they fall in line behind Red Star on their way out of the barn. Twilight turns her head and whispers back.

“Maybe, maybe not... but how often do we get to speak to an alien.” Applejack looks back to Red Star.

“Maybe you’re right. I guess I’m being foolish, I just hope he doesn't do anything stupid.” Twilight nods.

“Even if he does, we will be there.”

“Yeah, but still I have this niggling feeling that something else is gonna happen, and we won't be able to stop it!” Applejack looks up to the sky, she lets out a small sigh as Twilight walks beside her heading to town.

As the group walks back to town a single small speck glows in the sky, the speck grows larger as it falls through the night air, its color shifting from white to purple as it passes by the farm and lands in the Everfree Forest.