When You Wish Upon a Star

Chapters

Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Seven
Chapter Sixteen

Prologue

"Memories Last Forever. Never Shall They Die."

Many have tried to tell the tales of Equestria before the alicorn sisters, but nopony knows the true story behind everything. It is a wonder on how Equestria came to be, why the sun and moon listen to the sisters, and well, just everything, like why the sky is blue, or grass is green. Honestly, these answers could be impossible... Or they could be right in front of you.

Asteria paced around in her chambers. Her days, she knew, where coming closer to her end, as the prophecy she had received from her mother was coming to life. Asteria remembered her mother, Phoebe, telling her that she, soon, will disappear to let Equestria find it's rightful path. At first, the star goddess was confused about the prophecy her mother foretold, but soon, everything started making sense. It was not her place to fix the damage that Eris had caused. Even with the goddess gone, her creation, Discord, was still around to cause the chaos that she could no longer do.

Asteria started preparing for the night of the eclipse. Every thousands of years the sun, moon, and stars aligned in unison. This pattern holds great magic, and holds the key to many questions. For Asteria, The Night of Alignment will cause for her body to turn into fine dust, that will turn into many stars with the lunar princess' help. But, of course, it is not known to the lunar princess of this task.

The goddess did not want to leave her students, her nieces, but if they were to understand their true calling and importance, then she must. Asteria had taken care of her nieces for as long as she cared to remember. Her sister, Leto, had disappeared a few days after birth, but this didn't bother Asteria. Her nieces, Celestia and Luna, were almost like the goddess' own children. She was the one there to help them grow.

This is what made it hard comprehend leaving them...

Over the next three days, as the stars began to align, the goddess grew weaker and weaker, making it impossible for her to even leave her bed. The two alicorn sisters started worrying. They hated seeing their mother-like figure so sick. Asteria wanted to tell her nieces, her children, about the prophecy and what was happening, but the words just couldn't leave her mouth. Celestia and Luna looked at the older Alicorn in fear and worry.

"My children, do not fear what is to come," the goddess spoke, "You must understand your present, before you can comprehend your future."

"But Asteria, how are we suppose to do this on our own?" the younger lunar alicorn asked.

"You will find a way, I know you will. Goodbye, my children," the goddess, Asteria, whispered.

The two alicorn princesses watched as their aunt, no their mother, turned to a fine dust and watched as the wind carefully blew the dust into the night time sky. They knew it was the beginning of a new era. One with peace and harmony. But the two sisters only wished for their aunt, their teacher, to have witnessed the changing of Equestria with them.

"Are you sure about this, Running Wind?" the mare asked with worry.

Running Wind gave the mare a questioning look, not comprehending his lover's worry. Frost Heart started to contemplate his words he had told her before they left. This is for the best, Frost Heart, if we don't leave, they will find out about us and they will tear us apart... Was this what she wanted? She looked back at him, and gave a small nod. The stallion sighed, but reluctantly followed the mare as she continued farther into the trees.

The two young ponies had been sneaking around, hiding their relationship from their families. Their relationship was forbidden on many, many levels. Running Wind was of Noble Blood, while Frost Heart was of the common. Not only that, but Running Wind was a Unicorn and Frost Heart was a Pegasus. Forbidden to marriage, they hid their love. But a problem soon came about.

Frost Heart soon fell pregnant. But of what type would the little filly be?

Unwilling to take the risk of losing his love, Running Wind put a spell on Frost Heart to hide the signs of pregnancy from all eyes, excluding their own. Both were unable to even think about aborting the little filly. Killing a little pony for the sake of being unknown was not an option. Frost Heart took her chances with the pregnancy.

By the time the stallion and mare found a place that was well hidden from any civilization, Frost Heart was going into labor. In preparation for this, Running Wind took it upon himself to learn how to deliver a baby. He read many books that he received from his best friend, the doctor, and even received advice and information about what to do if it were to happen away from the town.

After what seemed to before eons for the poor mare, the baby was finally born.

Frost Heart was excited to see what her little filly would look like, if it would be a Pegasus or a unicorn, would it look like her or its father? When Frost Heart looked at the little filly, she became very confused. The little filly had fur the color of ashes, with a blood red and black as night mane. But that wasn't it. The little filly had a horn, sharpened to a point, and wings folded against her side, only, they weren't feathered pegasi wings. Oh no. They were leathery bat wings! The little filly looked up at Frost Heart, making Running Wind gasp. The little filly had eyes the color of blood and teeth as sharp as knives! What kind of pony was this little filly?

Suddenly, an image glimmered in front of the family.

Do not fear the little filly. You, Frost Heart, were chosen to birth the child of Dreams. This filly was born by the love you share with Running Wind. The love you harness was enough power to sustain the fetus. Your connection to each other is what brought this young filly to life. Without the connection of The Forbidden Love, the filly would not have made it through the process, and neither would you have lived. You must understand, the pony you see is not familiar to you, but it is the way the filly was meant to be. You are to give her a name, but you must leave her at this tree, and return to your home before the sun is up.

"I-I have to..." Frost Heart started, but trailed off as she realized the glimmering image was right. She had to abandon her little filly. She cast her gaze at the small bundle of fur that she held close to her. She gave a small smile, before looking at Running Wind. "Let's name her Comet Blaze."

Running Wind smiled and nodded. "It's a beautiful name."

Frost Heart stood up, shakily, on her hooves, setting the small child down in the mossy area under the old oak tree. She gave Comet Blaze a gentle kiss on her head, before turning away. She looked at Running Wing with begging eyes. She knew she had to leave then, or she would run back to her little filly. As they started to walk, it took all she had to not turn back.

Running Wind and Frost Heart walked away from the young oak tree, hoping that the voice was right and that Comet Blaze was going to be alright. The mare started to shake, her hooves ached to turn around and retrieve her foal, but Running Wind kept her going. The lover's made their way back home to the place were they must hide everything again.

Comet Blaze sat in the moss of the tree until night came again the next day. The little foal stayed as silent as a fox, as she was still unaware of the loneliness that was starting to creep closer. The little filly, of the night of the next day, let out an ear piercing cry. The near by civilization heard the foal's cry and sent their leader to see what made that cry. Comet Blaze was soon found by a pony with the same leathery wings and knives as teeth. The stallion, Blood Dusk, gently picked up the filly and took her back to the cave. From this moment, Comet Blaze was just getting started on her adventure.

Her new life was about to begin.

Chapter One

"Only You Can Make Yourself a Victim."

A young filly, the color of ash and blood, walked slowly, yet swiftly, down the streets. Her only means of protection came from the shadows that hid her from the hateful eyes of the others that criticized the young pony. Every pony around her seemed to enjoy her pain. Some even made it their job to keep her in her depression-filled state. It was like the young filly was nothing but a mistake that the vampire ponies have to deal with. If only they knew the truth.

Ever since the young lass was found and, technically, adopted by Blood Dusk, the prince or king of the vampire ponies, she was made to feel like nothing, and every pony put her down. The other fillies and colts called her heart-stabbing names. Some even went farther and physically assaulted her, beating her into almost unconsciousness. With the filly's bad luck, she couldn't even fly. Or so every pony thought. The truth, though, was that she could only fly during night.

The filly, Comet Blaze, made her way down to the school house, like she did every morning. Swallowed in the shadows, she quickly sprinted down the street, as she had wasted most of her travel time sleeping, like she did just about every other day. The little filly hated going to school, though, it was mostly only Flight School she hated, as most of the idiotic bullies were in her class.

When Comet Blaze made it to the school house, class was just about to start. She entered in silence and took her seat in the far back corner, just like she always did. Taking one quick glance up at the front, she saw the teacher glare at her. The teacher, Burning Flame, had always hated the little filly, making her look like a complete fool in class, purposely doing many things to the little filly. The worst part, though, for Comet Blaze, was she didn't understand why the other ponies hated her so much...

"Taking a break from our normal lessons, I have a very important lesson planned for today. As you young ponies don't know, at one point, most likely in the near future, you are going to make The Journey to the Everfree Forest. Now, there isn't much I can do to prepare you for when your journey comes, but I can help inform you to help you succeed," Burning Flame announced. "First, I shall tell you a story. You may not realize it, but the journey is very important."

The class gazed at their teacher in awe. Burning Flame was one of the best story tellers in the land of the vampires. He knew every legend, and when he told them, he made them seem like you were almost there yourself. But, as said, he was one of the best, but the legend of the goddess was still every foals favorite.

"Countless moons ago, even before the alicorn sisters came to power, there was one even more powerful goddess. Princess Asteria. Under her ruling, all was fair in the land we now call Equestria. Like Celestia and Luna, she raised the sun and moon. She was the most powerful pony to have ever been in our history. But the one thing keeps the difference between our past princess, and our present princesses. Princess Asteria was a vampire pony."

The young ponies gasped. Many started murmuring to themselves and their friends, but only to have Burning Flame quiet them, before starting the story once again.

"No pony knows what happened, but the princess soon fell ill. The unknown disease took the princess' life, turning the body into a pile of fine dust. The same dust that Princess Luna had used to make the stars the shine brightest in the sky. There is a legend to our story, the reason why we keep on sending ponies on The Journey," the teacher said.

Every pony had their eyes wide, and waited for their teacher to tell them the legend, their prophecy.

A pony of age must be sent to the place where darkness feeds, and never leaves.
Five items are collected to show them their fate. Upon their age of eight, it must be complete.
For one day, you may find The One Who Has Gone Away...

"No pony knows what the legend means exactly. Many believe it means the princess will one day be reincarnated. Others believe it be a mere fillies' tale," Burning Flame told them. "But it's up to you to believe what you wish."

The second the teacher said wish, Comet Blaze felt like a sparkler was lit, then put out a second later, inside her. What was that feeling? Did it even mean anything? The little filly eyes widened, an image of a shooting star passed before her eyes. Comet Blaze shook her head lightly and turned her attention back to Burning Flame.

"Now, remember, your flight test is tomorrow and I expect everyone to pass," Burning Flame announced, glaring at me. "If any pony shall not pass, then you will be held back for further instruction. Class dismissed."

Every filly and colt hurried out of the schoolhouse, leaving Comet Blaze alone. Sighing, she silently got out of her seat and walked out of the school at a much slower pace then most of her peers. She started to walk back to the shadows of where they ended at her arrival, but before she made it even five steps out of the schoolhouse, somepony stopped in front of her. Looking up slowly, Comet Blaze saw the two ponies she never wanted to see again. Before her stood Diamond Aurora and Lightning Spark.

"Where do you think you're going, Baby?" Lightning Spark said in a baby voice.

Irritated, Comet Blaze replied coldly, "What do you want?"

"What? Are we not allowed to talk with our best friend?" Diamond Aurora asked with fake confusion, looking over at Lightning Spark that had the same confused expression.

Comet Blaze rolled her eyes.

Diamond Aurora was about to speak, but she started to get surrounded by some of her friends. Reason why? Comet didn't care. She took this chance and escaped to the shadows. She galloped away from the school house, quickly making it to her secret hide out. She sat in the mossy area under the old oak tree, thinking. Tomorrow was her test, but she still could not fly in the day light. She sighed, what am I going to do?

"Up next, Comet Blaze!"

On shaky hooves, Comet Blaze left her spot in the line and stood next to Burning Flame. It was time for her to take the flying test and to her dismay she never got to talk to Blood Dusk about her flying problem. Silently, she whispered to herself, I can do this. I can do this. In reality, she knew she wouldn't be able to fly, but she knew she had to at least try.

Taking a deep breath, she started to flap her wings. Faster and faster, until she couldn't seem to flap them any harder. You would think this was good, and trust me, it would have been... if her hooves had gotten off of the ground. Eventually, the young filly gave up and quit flapping her wings. She knew she wasn't going anywhere.

With a silent sigh, she walked back over to her spot in the line.

Behind her, she heard some pony snicker. Turning around, she saw Diamond Aurora and Lightning Spark casting glances at her and laughing. She rolled her eyes, and turned her attention to the next filly taking the flying test. Comet Blaze watched as the filly took off from the ground with ease and did the course that was set up perfectly. This made her feel worse about her performance on the test. If only I could fly in the day light, Comet Blaze thought.

By the time all her classmates had finished their tests, Comet Blaze had been willing to just suddenly disappear.

"Alright, all of you have passes your flight test, you are dismissed," Burning Flame announced. Comet Blaze started walking to the door, when she heard her teacher. "Oh, Comet Blaze, come here, I need to speak with you."

Sighing, she turned around and walked over to Burning Flame.

"I know that you know this, but you have failed the flying test. It seems to me that your wings do not obtain flight. As for this fact, you are finished with Flight School and are not permitted to come back. But, as for you, it is almost time, so this will not make any concern for you. Am I clear, Comet Blaze?" Burning Flame told her.

The young filly nodded and whispered, "Yes, sir."

"You are dismissed," Burning Flame announced.

Comet Blaze nodded and walked out of the school house, wondering if she was glad or not that she wasn't allowed to come back to school. Doing as she did yesterday, she traveled through the shadows back to her secret hide out. She couldn't believe what Burning Flame had told her. Since she failed at flying, she wasn't to come to school anymore?

Clearing Burning Flame's words from her head, she lied down on the mossy nest next to the tree trunk. Looking up at the sky brought a smile to Comet Blaze's face. The sun was now setting and soon night would fall over the land. She always had loved the night. It allowed her to be able to walk through town. Reasons being, one, most every pony was asleep or indoors at that time and two, the shadows were in many more places to help hide her from the gaze of the other ponies. It also allowed her to be able to fly, something she always loved doing.

As she made her nightly walk around the town, she noticed the chilling silence that would scare many ponies, but to her, it was... comforting. It was like her protector. It kept her safe from the other ponies that threaten her. The town's silence seemed to brighten Comet Blaze's mood, making her feel better about what had happened not too long ago.

Making her way to the edge of a cliff, that was a few minutes away from the town by running, she spread her wings and flapped them lightly. This was all it took for her wings to lift her off of the cliff. When she was comfortable with the movements, she soared higher into the sky. Watching the stars twinkle, and the moon glow in the dark, navy sky.

Suddenly, she felt something touch her shoulder. She seemed to have jumped ten feet higher into the air. Turning around quickly, she saw the princess of night. Princess Luna. She gently bowed her head at the princess.

"Now, child, look at me," Princess Luna said gently.

Comet Blaze looked up at the princess.

"Child, what is your name?" she asked in the same gentle tone.

"C-comet B-blaze," the little filly stuttered.

"Comet Blaze, why is a little filly like you doing out flying in the night?" Luna asked, again, with the same gentle tone.

"I-I've always liked the n-night. It h-helps me get a-away from the others," Comet whispered.

"Why do you wish to get away from the others, Comet Blaze?" the princess asked, concern filling her voice.

Again, when the princess said wish it was like a sparkler was lit, then quickly put out, inside of her. Why was this happening every time some pony said wish? She shook the thought away from her head and turned her attention back to the princess.

"N-nopony likes me," she stuttered.

"Why is that, do you know?" she pressed a little further.

"They say it was because I was ab-abandoned at birth, and that I am un-unable to fly," Comet Blaze told the princess that stood -well flew- before her.

"Unable to fly?" Luna asked, confusion clearly in her voice.

"D-during the day, I-I cannot f-fly," she said in a quiet voice.

This confused Luna, as it was unheard of to see a pony only be able to fly in the time of night. The princess and filly talked a little bit more before Luna had to get back to the castle and Comet Blaze had to get back to the ground. After wishing the princess farewell, the little filly dove down towards her secret hiding area.

When Comet Blaze reached the ground, she let herself fall into the mossy bed by the tree and closed her eyes. She had just met the princess of the night. She had just met the princess of the night! This made her eyes widen. Shaking her head clear of her thoughts, she started to feel herself drift of into the wonderful world of dreams.

Comet Blaze was awaken from her slumber by the sound of the horns blaring. The horns were used to summon every pony to the town center for a ceremony or announcement, though that hadn't happened in a very long time. Comet Blaze sat up in her mossy bed and let out a yawn before stretching out her muscles. The sun was about all the way up in the sky, meaning it was around noon.

Sighing, Comet Blaze stood from her nest and walked down the trail that led to a small brook. Leaning her head down, she lapped up a few mouthfuls of the delicious, clear blue water. After doing so, she proceeded to kick the near by apple tree, making an apple drop, and caught the fallen apple. She finished the sweet apple in a few bites. When she finished, she put the core in a pile with the others, and started her short journey to town, using the same path she used to use to get to the school house, in the shadows. As she trotted silently down the road, she thought about what could be going on, but no ideas came to mind.

What was going on?

Chapter Two

"She's leaving home after living alone for so many years."

Comet Blaze made her way to the town square, still wondering what the hay the town meeting could be about. A weird feeling made its way into her hooves. Was it something about her? By the time she arrived every pony was already there. She sighed, and sat down in the shadows and turned her gaze to Blood Dusk as he stood up on the stage. Fear was something that never came to her, even at this moment, it still wasn't there, but what was she feeling? Comet Blaze was starting to really, really wonder what was going on. Blood Dusk only ever used the stage when something important, really important, was happening.

"Welcome, ponies of all ages, I know you all are wondering what is going on, so I will begin the town meeting. As years have gone by, and with less little fillies and colts being born, this tradition has died down, but I will not let it disappear. If you, older folks, think back to your younger years, you will remember having to take The Journey," Blood Dusk announced. When he said that, though, many of the older ponies gasped, their eyes growing wide. It had been so many years since the last Journey was taken, that many believed that that tradition had died. Blood Dusk continued, "It is now time for one of the little fillies among us to take The Journey."

All the ponies turned their glance towards the group of little fillies and colts that were clustered together in a big circle, whispering among themselves. Many of the little foals started shaking with fear, as they didn't want to have to take The Journey to the Everfree Forest. The vampire ponies have many stories of the forest where the darkness feeds, and it haunted most of the little foals' minds. The question, though, is: who was the little pony that was going away? The group of Comet Blaze's bullies were shaking, scared that it was going to be them. The funny thing, though, was that that sight made Comet Blaze laugh. She wasn't scared, and she kind of even hoped it was going to be her. But only in her mind did she hope for it. What Blood Dusk said next, made every pony shocked.

"The little filly to be making The Journey is... Comet Blaze," Blood Dusk announced. "Comet Blaze, please come up to the stage."

Every pony gasped in shock and turned their heads, trying to locate the little filly. The little filly of ash and blood took a deep breath, and slowly emerged from the shadows. The older ponies turned their heads towards her, and watched as Comet Blaze made her way, slowly, to the stage. During these few moments, she kept thinking, I didn't mean it! I don't want to talk to Journey! Please, please tell me this is a mistake! But as she got to the steps, she knew it was not a mistake. After a minute, she galloped up the steps and took her place next to Blood Dusk.

Turning back to the audience, Blood Dusk recited the legend.

A pony of age must be sent to the place where darkness feeds, and never leaves. Five items are collected to show them their fate. Upon their age of eight, it must be complete. For one day, you may find The One Who Has Gone Away...

"As years have passed since the last Journey, I must review and explain what this entails," Blood Dusk announced. "Every pony knows the old tail of the Goddess, Princess Asteria. The fair princess was immortal, but being weaken by the illness, she had passed away. Some believe she didn't pass, only her spirit was captured. Many believed the princess to be reincarnated. During the Journey, the little filly is to find five sacred items. These items will help tell the past of the little filly. In order for us to find our beloved princess and goddess of the stars, we continue with the Journeys, hoping to someday see the return of our long lost princess."

Blood Dusk turned his attention to the little filly next to him. "Comet Blaze, you are the next filly to take The Journey. It was a common ritual for a young pony to travel to the Everfree Forest and collect Five Sacred Items. To this day, most of the scared items have been forgotten, but soon they will be known. Comet Blaze you are to find: First, The Plant of Blue that plays you for a fool. Second, A strand of hair from magic itself. Third, Potion of Pink to open your eyes. Fourth, Flower of Desire that comes from the heart. Fifth, A Single Seed From the Infinite Night. Once you have completed you task in finding all five items, you are then able to make your journey back to our lands. Until then, you are not allowed to return back here. Do you understand, Comet Blaze?"

The young filly nodded and whispered, "Yes, sir."

"Tomorrow you shall begin your journey to the Everfree Forest, until then you are to join me back at my place and we must speak," Blood Dusk told her, then he turned back to the audience, "This meeting is dismissed."

The two ponies got off the stage and walked to Blood Dusk's home in complete and utter silence. Comet Blaze had been there before, as Blood Dusk was technically Comet Blaze's adoptive father, but it was weird for her to go inside, as the only building she had ever recently been in was the school house. The two ponies arrived and made their way into the living room area.

"Comet Blaze, I've been meaning to speak with you for some time now. It has come to my attention, with the help of Burning Flame, that you are unable to fly. Am I correct?" Blood Dusk asked.

"Yes, sir," Comet Blaze whispered.

Blood Dusk sighed. "This will make your journey a bit harder. Without being able to fly, you will have to walk the distance."

Comet Blaze looked down at the ground.

"Come on, lets eat, then you may rest before you begin your journey tomorrow," Blood Dusk said softly.

"Yes, sir," Comet Blaze replied,

The two ponies walked into the kitchen and sat down at the table and began to eat their dinner of daisy sandwiches and hay fries. Comet Blaze couldn't concentrate on her food, she kept thinking about the journey. Was she even going to make it to the forest? How would she find her way? All these questions kept popping up into her thoughts. The biggest question that scared her though: What if she doesn't make it? Sighing silently, she pushed the thoughts about tomorrow away.

Blood Dusk noticed the little filly was in deep thought, he sighed. Poor little filly, he thought.

"Come with me, Comet Blaze," Blood Dusk said as the filly finished eating.

She looked up at him and followed his lead, as they walked down the halls towards a room.

"Here is were you will sleep tonight," Blood Dusk announced.

"Yes, sir," Comet Blaze replied, quietly, not looking at him.

"Oh, Comet Blaze," Blood Dusk sighed, "I wish there was a way I could help you. All I can tell you is, try to make some friends."

With that, Blood Dusk turned and left the room, leaving the little filly to think about his words. All Comet Blaze could think of is, why would he tell her to try to make some friends? Would there even be any other ponies are her journey to the forest? Or were there other ponies in the forest? Maybe there was something of great importance waiting for her at the start of her journey...

Shaking the thoughts away from her, she fell into a dreamless sleep.

The next morning, Comet Blaze was awakened by the sound of ponies galloping around the house. At first this scared her, as she is used to sleeping in silence and away from the town at her mossy tree. Then she remembered what happened yesterday. The town meeting, her being chosen, the journey, Blood Dusk. She sighed and shook her head and started getting up. As she started getting out of the bed, Blood Dusk came into her room. When he saw her getting up, he smiled.

"Good morning, little filly," he said, nicely.

"Morning, Blood Dusk," the filly replied as she walked towards him.

"It is still early morning, you will begin your journey at sun high. For now, let us go eat breakfast," Blood Dusk informed her.

Comet Blaze just nodded and followed Blood Dusk to the kitchen.

Breakfast went by quickly. Comet Blaze kept her gaze on her bowl of oats, that disappeared in a few minutes. During this time, no pony uttered a word. Everything was completely silent, making her get lost in her thoughts. Comet Blaze felt out of place here. She knew she didn't belong here, she belonged out in the trees by the brook, not indoors at this table. Especially not with Blood Dusk.

"It is almost sun high, Comet Blaze. My wife has put together a pack for you to take with you on your journey. The materials in it should last you a while. The food supply should last for some time, too," Blood Dusk said, placing the pack over Comet Blaze's back. "I wish you well on this journey, but it is time for us to get to the edge of the town."

The two ponies started walking to the edge of the town, which was only about a five minute walk. As they walked, Comet Blaze kept thinking about what this journey could hold. There were so many things unknown to her out past the town, and she couldn't fly for almost half the trip. Shaking the thoughts away, she realized they had just made it to the edge of the town.

Blood Dusk turned to the little filly.

"This is where you must start to travel alone. I wish you well on your journey, and I hope you have a safe return not too long from now. This journey is not on a timed schedule, so please remember to take all the time you must. Farewell, Comet Blaze, may you travel safely," Blood Dusk said, before turning around and walking back the way the two had originally came.

Comet Blaze took a deep breath and started walking away from the town. But before she got too far, she turned around and casted one last glance at her home. Farewell, she thought, before she started sprinting away, farther away from the place she had called her home.

If only the filly understood what was about to happen...

Chapter Three

"Change is never easy, you fight to hold on, and you fight to let go."

It was almost night when Comet Blaze had decided to start walking a bit. After she had sprinted away from the town, she took cover under the pine trees that were about a few miles away from her home, as she didn't want to travel by hoof in the daylight. She knew it would be best to wait until the night had fallen so she could fly, rather than to waste her energy walking throughout the daylight. When night fell, Comet Blaze unfolded her wings and starting flapping them, letting them take her off of the ground. The little filly traveled higher and higher, until the ground below her seemed to become unreachable, like it was almost impossible to ever reach again. But the little filly didn't care. She liked flying, as it helped her feel free from the ground trying to contain her.

Comet Blaze soared over the ground, debating on how she was supposed to get the Everfree forest without even knowing what it looked like or where the forest is. How did they expect the little fillies to find the way to the forest? The task at hand seemed to become even more impossible to the little filly. Was she ever going to the find the answers she needed? Comet Blaze could only hope and wish upon the shooting star that passed over her head.

Like a wish come true, she felt a hoof touch her shoulder. Comet Blaze turned around and her eyes widened. Before her stood -or flew- the princess of the night. Princess Luna!

"P-p-princess Luna? W-what are you d-doing here?" Comet Blaze stuttered slightly.

"My dear, I felt as though you might need my help?" The princess of the night asked gently.

Comet Blaze stared at the princess, speechless.

Princess Luna sighed. "Where are you trying to go, my dear?"

"T-t-the... E-everfree F-forest," Comet Blaze, again, stuttered.

The Princess was stunned. Why would a little filly want to go there?

"Why dost thou wish to travel there, young one?" Princess Luna asked.

"The Journey," Comet Blaze said.

Princess Luna was confused.

"The Journey?" she asked, the confusion was obvious to Comet Blaze.

"Do you remember the time before you and your sisters ruling? The time of Princess Asteria?" Comet Blaze asked in a very quiet voice.

The princess of the night was shocked. It had been a long time ago of that age. Long before the little filly before her would know. That name seemed to foreign and forgotten by most every pony. Why was this little filly bringing up the long lost Princess that once ruled Equestria?

"I do remember, young one. Why is this important to thy request of going to the Everfree forest?" The princess said, confusion still very noticeable.

"A pony of age must be sent to the place where darkness feeds, and never leaves. Five items are collected to show them their fate. Upon their age of eight, it must be complete. For one day, you may find The One Who Has Gone Away..." Comet Blaze recited. "This prophecy has given the vampire ponies the hope that the beloved princess of long ago would one day return. When the fillies reach the age stated, they are sent to the Everfree forest to retrieve five sacred items."

"What are the five sacred items, might I ask?" Princess Luna asked, curiosity had replaced the princess' confusion.

"First, The Plant of Blue that plays you for a fool. Second, A strand of hair from magic itself. Third, Potion of Pink to open your eyes. Fourth, Flower of Desire that comes from the heart. Fifth, A Single Seed From the Infinite Night. These are the five items I must find during my journey," Comet Blaze spoke softly.

"Very interesting, I must say. Now, my dear, dost thou know thy way to the Everfree Forest?" Princess Luna asked gently.

"No, princess, I do not," Comet Blaze said, bowing her head down in failure.

Princess Luna put a hoof under Comet Blaze's chin and made her look up. "Now, my dear, do not fear. If thou would like, I can take thee to the Everfree forest," Princess Luna offered.

Comet Blaze's eyes lit up. "Oh, would you?!" she said in excitement.

"I would," Princess Luna said, laughing. "Now, if I remember correctly, we must make it there before the sun should come up, am I correct?"

"Yes, Princess. I am not able to fly while the sun is up," Comet Blaze said, sadly.

The princess looked at the little filly. It pained her to see the little filly so upset. It also made the princess wonder. Why was the little filly only able to fly during the night? Unless... Could it be... Luna shook her head. Pushing the thoughts away, she turned her attention back to the little filly before her.

"Then we better start flying if we are to make it before sun rise," Princess Luna said with a small smile.

"Let's go," Comet Blaze said, returning the same small smile.

The vampire and alicorn took off into the dark night sky. Leaving behind the life the filly knew, and leading her into a life were everything she had once knew and believed would turn out to be false. Never looking back once, the little filly followed the Princess of the night towards the place where her destiny will be found.

By the time the vampire and alicorn made it to the edge of the town located by the Everfree forest, it was almost sun rise. The alicorn led the little filly into the town, which Comet Blaze soon learned was called Ponyville, towards what Comet Blaze thought was a big tree. The Princess of the night entered the tree, which Comet Blaze, also, soon learned was the library, cautiously and slowly. Comet Blaze entered, slowly, after the princess. When Comet Blaze could see the interior, she gasped silently. Books were arranged neatly against the wall, leaving no space for anything else.

"Twilight Sparkle?" Princess Luna called out.

Upstairs, the violet alicorn stumbled out of her bed, still a bit asleep, and tumbled the stairs. When she noticed Princess Luna and the unfamiliar filly, she bounded down the steps quickly and stopped short before the two ponies.

"Luna? Why are you here?" The pony, Twilight Sparkle, asked.

"I am here, because I have a favor to ask," Princess Luna told the violet alicorn. "This filly, Comet Blaze, has an important task to complete an-"

The violet alicorn, Twilight Sparkle, cut of the Princess of the night. "What is the task?" the violet alicorn said, obviously curious.

Luna glared at her and continued on. "And she will need a place to stay."

"I will gladly allow Comet Blaze to stay here at the library," Twilight Sparkle said, smiling.

"Thank you, Twilight Sparkle. For now, I must return to Canterlot. Good Luck on thy journey, Comet Blaze," Princess Luna said, before taking off out the door.

Comet Blaze looked at the alicorn before her. "Hello, Twilight Sparkle," she said, nicely.

"Hello, Comet Blaze. If it is alright, may I know what your important task is?" Twilight Sparkle asked, in a nice tone.

Comet Blaze nodded. "Do you know of the time before the royal sisters? The time of Princess Asteria?"

"I do not recall that name," Twilight told the filly. "Please, explain."

"Countless moons ago, before the alicorn sisters came to power, there was one even more powerful ruler. She was Princess Asteria, Goddess of the Stars. Like Celestia and Luna, she raised the sun and moon. She was the most powerfully pony to have ever been in our history. But the one thing keeps the difference between the past princess, and the present princesses. Princess Asteria was once a vampire pony, like myself. No pony knows what happened, but the princess soon fell ill. The unknown disease took the princess' life. When she was gone, a legend was formed. A pony of age must be sent to the place where darkness feeds, and never leaves. Five items are collected to show them their fate. Upon their age of eight, it must be complete. For one day, you may find The One Who Has Gone Away..." Comet Blaze recited to story Burning Flame told to her and the class.

"Okay, but has this got to do with you task?" Twilight asked, still very confused.

"I am at the age to start The Journey. I am to collect five Sacred Items from the Everfree Forest," Comet Blaze explained further to the confused alicorn.

"What are the five items you are to collect?" Twilight asked with curiosity.

"Riddles?" Twilight asked, mostly to herself. "Do you have any clue to the items you must find?"

"Um, I haven't really thought much about it yet, as it was only yesterday I set out to begin my Journey," Comet Blaze replied.

"If you would like, after you rest, tomorrow I can take you to meet my friends, and then we can start on your task and help you find the five items," Twilight offered.

"Oh, would you?" Comet Blaze asked.

"I will. I am sure my friends would like to help, too," Twilight said, smiling. "Now, lets get you to bed, before you fall asleep on your hooves."

The violet alicorn led the vampire up the stairs.

"You can sleep on my bed for tonight," Twilight told the young filly. Comet Blaze wanted to argue, but the look from Twilight and her lack of thinking and the over exhaustion stopped her. The little filly climbed onto the bed, and uttered a quiet thank you to the violet alicorn and closed her eyes.

Twilight smiled down at the little filly. Using her magic, she pulled the blanket over Comet Blaze's small body before heading back down the stairs to continue with her readings.

The vampire pony smiled. This was the most kindness she had received in a long time, and she liked it. The violet alicorn, Twilight Sparkle, was very generous and kind to the little filly. Comet Blaze smiled at the thought of what she has experienced on the journey so far. This has been the best thing to ever happen to the little filly in so long. After that thought, Comet Blaze fell into a dreamless sleep.

Chapter Four

"People Change for two Reasons: Either they learned a lot, or They were hurt too much."

Comet Blaze woke with a start, looking around at her surroundings. Wonder gently creeping up on her. Where was she? Why was she here? What happened? Then the event of the past few days flooded her memories. The flying test. Burning Flame. Class. Blood Dusk. The Journey. Princess Luna! Twilight Sparkle! Relief flooded through her as she remembered that the princess of the night had shown the little filly to the town by the Everfree Forest, and the violet alicorn, Twilight Sparkle, had offered to help her on her Journey.

Downstairs, the violet alicorn had gathered her friends up at the library. The Element bearers were very curious to why their violet friend had asked them to meet her at the library without telling them why. Twilight gave her friends no clues, but told them to be patient, before heading up the stairs. The violet alicorn looked at the sleeping form of the vampire filly, and smiled.

"Comet Blaze, wake up," Twilight said softly, shaking the little filly.

Comet Blaze's eyes shot open. Her eyes the color of silvery mist. Twilight looked baffled. The little filly closed her eyes, shaking her head. When she opened her eyes again, they were back to their original blood-like color. Comet Blaze looked up at Twilight.

"Good Morning, Twilight Sparkle," Comet Blaze greeted in a quiet tone.

"Come on, Comet Blaze, I have some ponies I would like you to meet," Twilight said, before heading back towards the steps.

Comet Blaze got off of the bed and followed the violet alicorn down the stairs. As she came closer to the ground floor, she noticed five other ponies. The first one was a light blue Pegasus with a rainbow mane and tail, then there was a yellow colored Pegasus with a light pink mane and tail. Beside the Pegasi, there was a unicorn. She had a pure white coat, with a purple tail and mane. Then there were two earth ponies. One was pink, she was bouncing all around the place. To be honest, she kind of scared Comet Blaze. Then there was a orange-ish color mare with a yellow colored mane. These five ponies must be Twilight's friends, Comet Blaze thought.

"Girls, this is Comet Blaze," Twilight announced to the five ponies.

The pink pony started bouncing around Comet Blaze, making the little filly uncomfortable.

"Hiya! I'm Pinkie Pie!" the pink earth pony, Pinkie Pie, said as she bounced.

"Hi, I'm Apple Jack," the other earth pony said.

"I'm Rarity," the unicorn stated in a bored tone.

"I'm Rainbow Dash, the fastest pony in Ponyville!" the light blue Pegasus gloated.

"I'm Fluttershy," the yellow Pegasus said in a squeaky voice that Comet Blaze wouldn't have understood if she didn't have the heightened senses of a vampire pony.

"And, you already know that I'm Twilight Sparkle," the violet alicorn said, ending the introductions.

"Right, now Twilight dear, why did you call us all here?" the earth pony -Apple Jack- asked.

"Yesterday, Princess Luna came to my door and asked for me to help this little filly," Twilight started. "This little filly would like for us to help her on her task."

"Oh, Oh, What's the task?" Pinkie Pie said, jumping up and down.

"She was sent here to collect five sacred items from the Everfree Forest," Twilight explained.

"Why in tarnation would any pony send a little filly into the Everfree forest?" Apple Jack asked.

"It was a tradition," Comet Blaze whispered.

The six ponies turned their gaze to the little filly.

"What do you mean it was a tradition?" Apple Jack asked softly.

Comet Blaze, then again, retold the story that Burning Flame had told to her class. Explaining the history of the beloved princess Asteria and telling them the legend that had followed the story for generations. The five ponies -excluding Twilight- looked confused.

"What are the five sacred items you gotta get?" the Pegasus -Rainbow Dash?- asked.

"First, The plant of blue that plays you for a fool. Second, A strand of hair from magic itself. Third, Potion of pink to open your eyes. Fourth, Flower of desire that comes from the heart. Fifth, A single seed from the Infinite Night," Comet Blaze recited from memory.

"Riddles?" Rainbow Dash said.

"Riddles," Comet Blaze confirmed with a sigh.

"Hey, Comet Blaze, do you have to retrieve the items in order?" Twilight asked.

"I-I believe so," Comet Blaze said, unsure.

"Well, The plant of blue that plays you for a fool. What could that be?" Twilight asked, mostly to herself.

Twilight started pacing, mumbling incoherent things to herself. What could it be? Twilight thought. Comet Blaze watched the older alicorn pace around in thought, then she started to think. She didn't know of any plant that could 'play you for a fool'. But then again, she had never left the town before. Then, suddenly, the pink earth pony broke the silence.

"Oh, oh, I know! I know!" the pink earth pony squealed.

"Pinkie?" the violet alicorn said, still pacing back and forth.

"Poison Joke!" Pinkie Pie said, jumping up and down.

Twilight stopped pacing and looked over at Pinkie Pie in surprise. "How did you get that so quickly?"

"Just a hunch," Pinkie Pie said with a big grin.

"Um, what's Poison Joke?" the little filly asked.

"It's a plant that grows in the Everfree Forest. When you touch the plant, the next day it plays a prank on you," Twilight explained to the little filly.

"But, Twilight, how are we suppose to get one without letting it play it's pranks? 'Cause I for one would like to stay normal size," Apple Jack stated.

"Um, I could use magic to grab one and we can find something to put it in," Twilight suggested.

"Alrighty then," Apple Jack said with uncertainty.

"But what could we put it in?" Twilight asked.

"Uh, we could wrap it in something?" Comet Blaze suggested.

"That's a good idea, Comet Blaze!" Twilight praised the young filly.

Twilight's horn then began to glow with a violet mist. Comet Blaze watched in interest. She had never seen a pony use magic before, but whenever she was able to, she would always read books about magic. But being a vampire pony, there was a limited amount of books about magic, as it was unnecessary to have, as most vampire ponies cannot use magic.

"Alright, let's go find the Poison Joke," Twilight said.

The seven ponies headed out of the library. Traveling through town seemed like an easy task, and it was for six of the seven ponies. As they walked, all the ponies they passed seemed to stop and stare at young Comet Blaze, making the filly annoyed and hurt. Back home, she was used to being judged by every and any pony that passes by. It seemed to be the same here.

Comet Blaze was to busy trying to ignore all the other ponies and to block out all the old memories, that she didn't even notice that they all had already made it to the edge of the Everfree Forest. The little fillies eyes widened.

"Woah," she whispered.

The seven ponies continued into the forest as the little filly looked around the forest. The trees seemed to have faces that followed you every where you went, that seemed to laugh at you. The little filly was getting terrified.

Fluttershy was also scared of being in the forest. She looked back at the little filly and frowned. She flew next to the little filly. Comet Blaze looked up at the yellow Pegasus with wide eyes. The yellow Pegasus -Fluttershy- smiled lightly at the younger filly and whispered softly.

"You know, this place looks very terrifying, but with those other five ponies, you are going to be safe," Fluttershy whispered softly to the little filly.

The Poison Joke must not have been too far to walk to, as when the filly looked around, she saw a big patch of the blue flower. Again, the little vampire pony watched with great interest as the violet alicorn's horn lit up with the same violet mist as before. The mist trailed away from the violet alicorn's horn and plunged into the blue patch of Poison Joke, pulling one out of the bunch and wrapping it in a violet cloth.

Comet Blaze smiled. She loved watching the violet alicorn perform magic, as magic was a very interesting subject to the filly. Comet Blaze let out a soft sigh. She only wished she could perform magic like the violet alicorn. Shaking away those thoughts, the seven ponies headed back to Ponyville.

"It was nice meeting ya, Comet Blaze, I'll see y'all later, I gotta head back to the farm," Apple Jack said before sprinting off.

"I'm with Apple Jack, I gotta go practice my awesome tricks!" Rainbow Dash said, before flying off.

"Um, I have to go check on my animals, if that's alright. Good bye Twilight, Comet Blaze," Fluttershy whispered before walking off in the direction of her cottage.

"And I must go find Sweetie Belle. Good Luck on your task, Comet Blaze, if I can any of assistance, just come down to the Carousal Boutique," Rarity said in a formal tone, before walking away.

"Oh, I'm gonna go plan your "Welcome-To-Ponyville-And-Good-Luck-On-Your-Task" Party!" Pinkie Pie said in an extremely hyper voice before bouncing off towards Sugarcube Corner.

Twilight sighed. "Come on, Comet Blaze, let's go back to the library."

The alicorn and vampire pony headed back towards the library. This time, though, Comet Blaze was to busy thinking about the task and the riddles before her, to think about the other ponies constant stares and looks of judgement and fear.

It has been day two of my journey, and day one in Ponyville, and I have already retrieved one out of the five items I need. This task was going to be easy! Comet Blaze thought.

If only she knew how wrong she was.

Chapter Five

"Be the Friend That You've Always Wanted."

The moon was just rising when Comet Blaze decided to take her normal nighttime fly. When she was back at her tree by the brook, she would always take the time at night to fly to where ever she desired. Her heart yearned to be back home, under the old oak tree and the navy blue, spotted with white, blanket that hung so high up. She wanted to be there, even if it meant being alone for the rest of her life. But instead, she was here, living with an alicorn in a tree-library.

She silently crept out of the tree-library, being careful not to wake Twilight Sparkle, as she didn't want the purple alicorn to know she had left in the night. Thankfully, vampire-bat ponies were always quiet with their movements.

Comet made it out the door in complete silence. Once she was outside, she let out a breath that she didn't even realize she was holding. After she walked a few steps forward, she looked back at the door for a second before letting her wings take her up. Instead of flying over head, above the treeline, she decided to fly around the town and have a look around without having anypony around to stare at her. She hated when everypony would stop and stare at her, it made her feel like she was something else, something that didn't belong.

As she flew along the roads of Ponyville, she kept feeling like something -or someone- was watching her. Comet shook her head and silently laughed at herself. Someone wouldn't follow me, nopony is probably even up at this time! she thought to herself. At least, that was what she had hoped. What pony would even be up at this time, anyways?

Suddenly, she heard a noise.

"Pssst!"

She stopped and started looking around her. After a few seconds, she shook her head and continued to fly.

"Pssst!"

Again, she stopped and looked at the places around her. She shook her head again, after a minute, and continued flying.

"Pssst!"

This time she stopped and yelled quietly, "Who's there?"

"Over here!"

With her ability to use sound to find the object, Comet was able to locate "over there". When she did, she saw three fillies like herself. One was an earth pony, she had a yellow coat with a pink colored mane, to be honest, she kind of looked like an apple with her coloring. Next to her was a pegasus. She had an orange pelt with a magenta colored mane. Then there was a unicorn. She had a pure white pelt with a purple and pink colored mane. All three of the fillies, also, didn't have a cutie mark.

"Who are you three?" Comet Blaze asked, quietly.

"Ah'm Apple Bloom," the apple-colored earth pony said.

I guess that makes sense, as she is colored like an apple, Comet Blaze thought.

"I'm Scootaloo," the orange pegasus announced proudly.

"And I'm Sweetie Belle," the white unicorn said.

"And we are the Cutie Mark Crusaders!" all three of them yelled.

"The... Cutie Mark Crusaders?" Comet Blaze asked in a quiet voice, filled with confusion.

"Now that you know who we are, who are you?" the orange pegasus -Scootaloo?- asked.

"I am Comet Blaze," she replied, quietly.

The three fillies -The Cutie Mark Crusaders- started circling around Comet Blaze, making her feel very uncomfortable. The fillies circled around her, inspecting every detail they could. Eventually, they stopped circling around Comet Blaze and again stood in front of her.

"What kind of pony are ya?" the apple-colored earth pony -Apple Bloom!- asked.

"I am a vampire-bat pony," Comet Blaze answered with pride.

"Vampire-bat pony?" the pure white unicorn -Sweet Bell? No... Sweetie Belle!- asked, fear creeping into her voice.

"Do not worry, our name is just of our physical appearances and traits, not of our eating habits," Comet Blaze assured the three fillies.

"Oh," all three said.

"Why are you three out at this time of night?" Comet Blaze asked, now wondering.

"Oh! Well we were having a crusader sleepover and decided to see about the new pony in Ponyville!" the pegasus -Scootaloo- told her, excitement in her voice.

"And we wanted to see if you'd like to join us on a crusader mission to get our cutie marks!" the unicorn -Sweetie Belle- added.

"And by the looks of it, ah reckon ya'd like to?" the apple-colored pony asked, adding on to what the others said.

"Um," Comet Blaze didn't know what to say.

"Come on! Don't you want to get your cutie mark, too?" Scootaloo asked.

"Do vampire-bat ponies even get cutie marks?" the apple-colored pony asked.

"We do, yes, get cutie marks. And what type of things do you all do, trying to get your cutie marks?" Comet Blaze asked with uncertainty.

"Everything!" they all yelled.

"Everything?" Comet Blaze repeated with fear.

"Yep! We gotta do something tonight! Maybe our cutie marks have somethin' to do with the night!" Apple Bloom exclaimed.

"I don't think so," Comet Blaze said.

"What?" the three asked.

"I mean, think about it. What talents does your family have?" she asked the three fillies that stood before her.

"My sister owns a boutique and has an amazing sense of fashion," Sweetie Belle said.

"I think you probably have a talent in arts," she said, but the unicorn filly looked at her with confusion. "You know, like drawing, writing, dancing, or singing, or something."

"My brother and sis both have somethin' ta do with apples. Actually, my whole family does!" Apple Bloom stated.

"I think your talent probably lies with apples, like your family does," Comet Blaze told her.

"And Scootaloo's talent probably lies with her scooter!" Apple Bloom yelled.

"It could. To be honest, I can't tell you what your talents are, but I think I gave you all a good idea of where your talents probably lie," Comet Blaze stated.

"What about your cutie mark?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"Oh, I don't know. I'll probably find out what my talent is after my Journey," Comet Blaze answered.

"Your Journey?" they all asked, confused.

"That's why I am here," the vampire-bat said.

"What are you suppose to do on your Journey?" Scootaloo asked.

"I have to collect five sacred items," she replied.

"Have you found any of those items yet?" Sweetie Belle asked with wonder.

"Yes, I actually have. Twilight Sparkle and her five friends helped me find the first item," Comet Blaze told the Crusaders.

"What was it?" Apple Bloom asked with excitement.

"The plant of blue that plays you for a fool," Comet Blaze recited. The fillies looked confused by the statement, so she explained it a little further, "Poison joke."

"Ohh!" the little fillies giggled.

"I was wondering, what could you three tell me about Twilight Sparkle and her five friends?" Comet Blaze asked the crusaders.

"Well, Princess Twilight Sparkle, is the princess of friendship. She was the student of Princess Celestia. And..." the crusaders went on and told Comet Blaze about everything that had happened to Twilight Sparkle up until now. "And that is everything we know about Twilight."

"What about her friends?" Comet Blaze questioned further.

"Well, they are the holders of the Elements of Harmony," Scootaloo stated.

"My sister, Rarity, holds the element of Generosity. Pinkie Pie holds the element of Laughter," Sweetie Belle explained,

"My sister, Apple Jack, holds the element of Honesty. Fluttershy holds the element of Kindness," Apple Bloom added.

"And Rainbow Dash holds the element of Loyalty!" Scootaloo exclaimed.

"We, the Cutie Mark Crusaders, elect Comet Blaze to join us as a sister, friend, ally, bossom buddy, gal pal, compadre, chum of chums..." Sweetie Belle read off of a sheet, and was soon interrupted by Scootaloo clearing her throat. Sweetie Belle then exclaimed, "Well, you wrote this!"

"Oh, uh yeah..." Scootaloo whispered.

Sweetie Belle sighed, and continued reading, "Homegirl... Amiga... blah blah blah blah blah. Oh, yes, here. ...and fellow Cutie Mark Crusader! You are solemnly sworn in, here this day, in witness of your fellow sisters, friends, confidantes... bossom buddies... compadres..."

"Congratulations!" Scootaloo exclaimed, then whispered quietly, "I still haven't revised it!"

Comet Blaze laughed. "Thank you, girls!"

Comet Blaze decided to take a few moments and let her eyes wander around the clubhouse. She had never been in a clubhouse before, and it was a really cool place. The Cutie Mark Crusaders, and herself at the time, had been running around Ponyville, trying to do some different things. Sweetie Belle took up Comet Blaze's advice and tried to do some of the arts ideas, like painting and dancing. Apple Bloom and Scootaloo also gave those a try.

Eventually, they decided to come to the clubhouse, which led to the initiation of Comet Blaze.

Too soon, though, the sun was starting to rise and it was time for them to head home. The Crusaders first walked to the library-tree, as the three fillies thought that it would be a good thing to walk home the new crusader. As soon as they reached the library-tree, Comet Blaze turned and looked at the other three ponies, her friends.

"What is it, Comet Blaze?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"Well, I was... uh... wondering if you might want to help me figure out the next riddle?" Comet Blaze asked the other crusaders, quietly.

"We would love to!" all three exclaimed.

"You would?" Comet Blaze replied with excitement.

"Of course!" Apple Bloom told her.

"What is the next riddle, Comet Blaze?" Scootaloo asked, her excitement was obvious.

"A strand of hair from magic itself," Comet Blaze recited.

Right after she said it, the sun was on the horizon.

"Uh-oh, girls we gotta get back to Fluttershy's cottage!" Apple Bloom exclaimed.

"Right!" Sweetie Belle replied, "And if we get an idea, we'll come find you and tell you, Comet Blaze!"

"Alright! I'll see you soon, girls!" Comet Blaze called after them as the original three cutie mark crusaders ran towards Fluttershy's cottage. Comet Blaze shook her head and quietly headed back into the library-tree, being careful, like when she left, to not make a sound. Once she got in, she headed back up the stairs and quietly made her way to her bed.

As soon as she lied her head on her pillow, she was out like a light.

Chapter Six

"Everything must happen for a reason."

"Comet Blaze!"

The little filly's eyes shot open as she jumped, falling off of her bed. She quickly got herself to her hooves and looked around, her eyes wide with confusion.

"W-what's going on?" she stuttered, still a bit sleepy.

"Nothing, I was just trying to get you to wake up," a pony said.

Confused about her whereabouts, she looked around until her eyes rested on a violet alicorn. She sighed. It was only Twlight Sparkle. Princess Twilight Sparkle. Then everything that the Cutie Mark Crusaders had told her came back to her mind. Princess Twilight Sparkle! The Magic of Friendship!

"Twilight Sparkle?" Comet Blaze asked, quietly.

"Yes?" the violet alicorn replied.

"What does your cutie mark mean?" she asked, shyly.

"Honestly, it depends on how you want to interpret it. The stars, though, usually represent magic. I think it represents my power," Twilight Sparkle explained.

"Your power?" Comet Blaze asked, confusion evident in her voice.

"Well, like Celestia and Luna. Celestia's power is to raise the sun, her cutie mark is the sun. Luna's power is to raise the moon, her cutie mark is the moon. Same with Candence, her power is love, her cutie mark is a heart," Twilight Sparkle explained further.

"Oh, your power is friendship, and your cutie mark has six stars, like you and your friends," Comet Blaze described.

"Yeah..." Twilight Sparkle whispered, "I always thought of it as, my power is magic and my cutie mark represents magic."

"Wait a minute... You're the princess of magic?" Comet Blaze asked, an idea coming to her mind.

"Yes," the violet alicorn said, confused.

"Then mayb-" Comet Blaze started, but was then cut off by a pink, fluffy thing jumping through the door.

"Hiya, Twilight, Comet Blaze!" the pink, fluffy thing, also known as Pinkie Pie, exclaimed as she bounced towards the two ponies.

"Hi, Pinkie," Twilight Sparkle said, slightly irritated.

"Hello, Pinkie Pie," Comet Blaze said with a small, polite smile.

"Are you ready?" Pinkie Pie asked, still bouncing. Though, after asking Comet Blaze if she was ready, she seemed to bounce higher. The pink, fluffy mare was a little weird, to say the least, but Comet Blaze was really starting to like her.

"Ready for what?" she asked, confused.

"Oh, follow me!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed, then starting bouncing out the door.

Comet Blaze looked at Twilight Sparkle, hoping for some type of answer. But sadly, the violet alicorn had none.

"We better follow her if you would like an answer," Twilight Sparkle said, smiling.

Comet Blaze smiled and the gave a slight nod, before walking out of the tree-library. Once she was outside, she looked around for the pink, fluffy earth pony named Pinkie Pie. She was about to turn back and ask Twilight Sparkle if she had any idea of where the pink pony would have gone, but before she could the pink, fluffy earth pony was bouncing in her face.

"Come on!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed, before bouncing away, down the street.

Comet Blaze shook her head, before walking after the pink pony. As she walked, she made sure to keep her eye on Pinkie Pie, so she wouldn't lose her. Comet Blaze didn't really feel like getting lost in the town today. Or any day, for that matter. Soon, though, Pinkie Pie was moving so quickly, Comet Blaze had to start running to keep the pink earth pony in her sight.

It seemed like a very long time, before Pinkie Pie stopped outside someplace she had never seen. After slowing down, she cautiously walked over to the pink, fluffy mare. Taking a look around, she saw a big building. It was red with a purple roof, and was surrounded by trees -apple trees?- growing in the fields. Where did Pinkie Pie take me, Comet Blaze thought, confused.

"Pinkie Pie? Where are we?" Comet Blaze asked the pink, party pony.

"Sweet Apple Acres! One of my bestest friends lives here!" Pinkie Pie said, bouncing up and down.

"Who?" she asked.

"Applejack, silly!" the pink, fluffy pony told her, giggling.

Suddenly, the vampire-bat filly was on the ground under a heap of yellow, white, and orange fur. Whatever had piled on top of her, was heavy! After the shock of the sudden movements, she stood up with ease and looked at the yellow, white, and orange fur fall into a pile next to her. Once she realized what -or who- the fur was, she smiled.

"Hey, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo," she said, smiling.

"Hiya!" Apple Bloom yelled, "What're ya doin' here at Sweet Apple Acres?"

"Um... I don't know, I followed Pinkie Pie here," Comet Blaze said, then with wonder, turned to Pinkie Pie and asked, "What are we doing here, Pinkie Pie?"

"Oh! I needed to get some of the snacks for your party!" the silly, pink, party pony said, still bouncing.

After that was said, an orange-ish colored pony, with a yellow colored mane, with three apples for a cutie mark come galloping towards us, or more so towards Pinkie Pie. Once the pony reached her destination -Pinkie Pie-, they started to talk among themselves, leaving the four fillies in wonder and confusion. The orange-ish earth pony seemed to notice, as she turned to us.

"Apple Bloom, why don't ya take Comet Blaze here back to Twilight's place?" the orange-ish pony -Applejack?- suggested.

"Okay!" the apple colored pony said, smiling, "Come on, let's go!"

The Cutie Mark Crusaders took off, sprinting away from Sweet Apple Acres. As the little fillies ran, they broke out into fits of giggles, that eventually made them stop running. The crusaders, the original three, turned their attention towards the new addition. Comet Blaze looked at them with confusion.

"What?" she asked, looking kind of scared.

"Well, one, we... we were wondering," Sweetie Belle started, looking at the other two to help her.

"How come you never fly?" Scootaloo finished for the white unicorn filly.

"Oh, well, um... I... I cannot fly. Well, at least, not if sun light..." Comet Blaze stuttered, not sure how to explain.

"Oh..." all three of the fillies said.

"You know, I can't fly, either," the pegasus pony, Scootaloo, said, with a sadness edging in her voice.

"Come on, let's get to Twilight Sparkle's place," Comet Blaze said, trying to lighten the saddened mood, and took off towards the tree-library.

"Wait, Comet Blaze!" the apple colored filly called out.

"What?" the vampire-bat filly asked, confused, as she walked back over to her friends.

"I just remembered, I think we know the answer to the second riddle," Apple Bloom announced.

The other two original Cutie Mark Crusaders nodded.

"What is the answer, then?" Comet Blaze asked, excitement obvious in her voice.

"The answer is T-" Sweetie Belle started to say, but was cut off by something whizzing by, followed by a rainbow streak.

"What was that?" Comet Blaze asked.

"It was Rainbow Dash!" Scootaloo said in complete awe, "She is the fastest, and the best, flier in all of Ponyville!"

"Well, anyways, the answer is T-" but again, the white unicorn filly was cut off. This time, it was by Pinkie Pie, bouncing over to the fillies, laughing.

"Come on, you guys are gonna miss the party if you just sit out here!" the silly, pink, party pony giggled.

"Looks like the answer is going to have to wait," Comet Blaze said, her ears and tail drooping.

"Oh, cheer up, after the party, we will get the next answer, alright?" Sweetie Belle said.

"Alright," the little vampire-bat filly said.

The four little fillies giggled, then raced towards Twilight Sparkle's tree-library.

During the whole party, all Comet Blaze could think about is what the answer to the second riddle could be. She knew that the original three Cutie Mark Crusaders had an idea, but everypony kept interrupting them, so she never got to hear their idea for the answer! This whole thing was becoming a mess, and it was starting to scare her. What if the other items are even harder to find? How long would she be stuck here in Ponyville for? Would she ever even be able to go home? Was that place even her home?

The party was finally starting to whine down, and most of the ponies were leaving. This was the perfect opportunity, Comet Blaze thought, If only I knew where the Cutie Mark Crusaders were...

As if they had read the young filly's mind, the crusaders came barreling towards her and ended up bringing her to the floor, with them. All four of the fillies burst out laughing. After a few moments of letting the laughter sink in, the four fillies started to stand back on their hooves again.

"Well, that was unexpected," Comet Blaze said, giggling.

"Anyways, the answer to the second riddle is Twilight!" Sweetie Belle exclaimed.

"What?" Comet Blaze asked, confused.

"A strand of hair from magic itself. It is Twilight's hair!" Sweetie Belle explained to the vampire-bat filly.

"You're right!" Comet Blaze exclaimed, "Come on, let's go find Twilight Sparkle!"

It didn't take the Cutie Mark Crusaders that long to find the violet alicorn, as she was by the door, with the five element bearers. The four fillies smiled and raced over to Twilight Sparkle, yelling her name. Once they reached her, they all giggled, while Twilight Sparkle, along with the five element bearers, looked confused.

"Yes?" she asked, confusion was obvious in her voice as well as on her face.

"We found the answer to the second riddle!" Comet Blaze exclaimed.

"Really? Well, what is it?" the violet alicorn asked, wonder laced her voice.

"You!" all four of the fillies yelled.

"M-me?" Twilight Sparkle said, confused.

"A strand of hair from magic itself. You are the Princess of Magic! It has to be you!" Comet Blaze exclaimed, trying to remain calm, but failing miserably.

"I think she's right, Twi," the orange-ish pony from early -Applejack- said.

"I think so too, AJ," the violet alicorn said.

Two object found, another three to go. Maybe the next three will be easier, Comet Blaze thought.

If only that could have been true.

Chapter Eight

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Chapter Nine

Author's Note

Again, this chapter contains scenes and dialogue from Season 4 Episode 2- Princess Twilight Sparkle
Just a fair warning, again.

Chapter Nine

"Everything is not what it seems."

The little vampire-bat filly sprinted down the street that she had original walked down to find the violet alicorn and element bearers. She held the two items that the zebra, Zecora, had given her, tightly in her mouth. As the filly ran, she also watched the flask and flower, making sure that nothing would happen to them. Sadly, for the little filly, she spent to much attention to the items, rather than where she was going.

As she was sprinting full pace, and not paying attention to the path ahead of her, she ended up running into a creature that had stepped into her path. The collision caused the little filly to fall, and the items she had once held tightly in her mouth to fly over her head. Panic struck her. She scrambled off the ground and followed the items from the ground. Her head was running in circles, trying to predict where the flask and flower would fall.

The creature that Comet Blaze ran into watched in amusement as the little filly made herself dizzy, trying to predict the place the items would fall. The creature, of course, decided to joke around with the little filly and used his magic to make the items disappear, laughing, when the little filly looked around in surprise. Then her eyes landed on the creature in front of her.

"Who are you?" she asked, looking at the creature before her.

The creature had a horse-like head. Upon his head he had two different type of horns, on the right, he had a deer antler and a blue goat horn on the left. He also had one long fang, pupils of two different sizes, a snake tongue, a goat beard, and white bushy eyebrows. His body was also created with different animal parts. His right arm was of a lion, the left claw of an eagle, the right leg of a lizard, and the left leg of a goat. The creature before her also had wings, the right of a bat's wing and the left of a Pegasus wing, and he had a horse's mane and a dragon-like snake's tail with a white tail tuft. To be honest, the creature looked familiar, with his snake-like body and a million different parts, but the little filly couldn't figure out why.

"I'm Discord, the master of chaos!" the creature, Discord, announced.

"You're Discord?" Comet Blaze asked, surprised.

"Yes, and you're A-I mean, who are you?" Discord asked, covering up what he was going to say.

"My name is Comet Blaze," the filly answered, unsure. She wanted to know what he was going to say.

"Ah, Comet Blaze. Now, aren't you looking for something?" the creature asked, grinning, before disappearing.

"What did you do with my things?" Comet Blaze asked, angrily.

"Why do you assume I did anything? And after we just met," Discord said, appearing behind the little filly.

"You wouldn't have brought it up if you didn't do anything," Comet Blaze growled.

Discord rolled his eyes. "Good point, good point," he whispered, his annoyance obvious.

"Where. Are. My. Things?" Comet Blaze asked, forcefully.

To the little filly, she was just angry. But to Discord, it was so much more. Before him, the once ash and blood filly was now a full grown, very powerful creature that's eyes were completely black. Around her horn, magic was buzzing, and her wings fully spread. Discord started to step back. He confirmed his suspicion. It was her.

"Okay, okay. Calm down, calm down, " Discord said, snapping his claws, causing the potion and flower to reappear.

"Thank you," Comet Blaze growled.

Thankfully, for Discord, instead of the very powerfully, able-to-do-anything-to-him creature that had stood before him only a few moments ago, was now replaced with the little vampire-bat filly that could do next to nothing to him. Rolling his eyes, he set the items on the ground.

"What's so important about these items, friend?" he asked, intrigued.

"I need them. I was sent here to collect five items, and the flask and flower are two of those five," Comet Blaze explained.

"What are you trying to do, bring the dead back to life?" Discord asked, rolling his eyes.

"Yes."

He looked down at the filly, narrowing his eyes. The little vampire-bat filly looked right back at him, staring into his eyes, silently challenging him to say something. Eventually, Discord shook his head and looked away.

"Excuse me for a moment," the creature of chaos said, snapping his fingers, making him disappear.

Comet Blaze watched as he reappeared by the trail that Twilight Sparkle and the element bearers just exited.

"Bravo, ladies, bravo! How ever did you save the day this time? Blast the beastie with your magic necklaces, I presume? Where are those little trinkets of yours? You know, the ones you use to send me back to my extremely uncomfortable stone prison?" Discord asked in a shrunken down size, on Applejack's back. He moved her mane away from her neck and looked at her neck, proving his point even more so.

Applejack sighed, then answered, "Gone."

"Gone? Gone?" Discord repeated, smiling.

"But our friendship remains. And if you want to remain friends, you'll stop thinking whatever it is you're thinking and help us clean up," Fluttershy reprimanded. As if to play along, or something, the creature of chaos, as she reprimanded him, kept shrinking himself, making himself become very small.

"Fine. But I don't do windows," the creature of chaos replied, appearing normal size, and in a maid's costume, and started walking down the path.

"One thing I don't get. Why did all this happen now?" Applejack asked, looking at everypony.

"I have no idea. Those seeds I planted should have sprouted up ages ago," Discord said.

"What did you say?!" Twilight Sparkle yelled.

"Oh, why should I try to explain it when you can see for yourself?" he said, smirking.

Twilight Sparkle took the flask in her magic and took another sip of it. Her eyes, again, shot open, in a blinding white light. The little filly watched, narrowing her eyes. Again, Discord used his magic to take the potion from her. Shaking her head, she silently hoped that much of this potion was going to be needed.

"Well, obviously things didn't go according to my original plan. My plunderseeds should have stolen the magic from the Tree of Harmony and captured Princess Celestia and Princess Luna thousands of moons ago. Alas, it seems the tree had enough magic to keep the seeds from growing up big and strong. Until now, that is," Discord explained, smirking.

"You realize this is information we could have used hours ago?!" Twilight Sparkle yelled, angrily.

"And rob you of a valuable lesson about being princess? What kind of friend do you think I am?" Discord said in a fake saddened voice.

Comet Blaze stayed hidden behind a bush, and watched as the once element bearers and the violet alicorn walked away, leaving the flask where Twilight Sparkle had set it. Smiling, she dashed from her hiding place and grabbed the flask. She smiled in success and decided to also head back to the tree-library.

Comet Blaze was, again, alone in the tree-library, as Twilight Sparkle, her friends, and Spike all went to Canterlot for the Summer Sun Celebration. They had all left, leaving the little filly behind. It didn't bother the little vampire-bat filly, though. She was used to being excluded and forgotten. Back home, she was never included in anything.

She went into the library portion and decided to try practicing. Taking out her notebook, she opened up to the first page. Here, she had taken notes on Levitation. Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes and started to concentrate on trying to make her book rise. It took a few moments before she opened her eyes. When she did, she smiled. The book was levitating! She did it!

Comet Blaze spent the rest of the evening practicing and researching more about magic. The little filly was overjoyed that she was finally learning magic and was able to do a lot of it. She went through most of her notes before she decided that what she had done already was enough. Using her magic, which made her smile, she lifted the book and pencil and settled down onto the ground with the book before her, keeping the pencil in her magic. Once she was settled, she started to write.

Four out of five. I only have one item left, thanks to a zebra named Zecora. She was very helpful, and I'm glad she was there, otherwise I never would have found the potion of pink or the flower of desire that comes from the heart (the flower is called Heart's Desire!). Now I only need to find the Seeds of the plant that will awaken your past, whatever that means. Today, apparently, is the Summer Sun Celebration. Sadly, I didn't get to witness what the celebration was, but I did get to do something. I finally got to practice my magic! I can levitate things now! It is so awesome, finally being able to use my horn! I forgot to mention, I finally met this creature, he goes by the name of Discord. He is what they call a Draconequus. Discord was very irritating! First, he made the items I received from Zecora disappear, then he took the flask again, giving it to Twilight Sparkle. But I guess it's alright, I mean, I do have the two items still. Anyways, I think it's time to wrap up this entry. It's getting close to moonrise and I want to get a snack before I fly...

Closing her notebook, she got up from her spot on the floor. After a few moments of stretching, she stumbled her way into the kitchen. Looking around, she decided on something simple. Apples. Taking one in her magic, she levitated the apple to her mouth and took a bite.

Yum! she thought, taking another bite.

Soon, the little vampire-bat filly was full, after eating four of the best apples she had ever eaten. She grabbed a cup, again with magic, and filled it with some water, before downing it. She repeated this a few more times. Once she was refreshed, her hunger fed and her thirst quenched, she went back into the library portion. Taking her notebook into her magic, she put her prized possession back into her bag. After everything was picked up, her notebook put into her bag, and whatever else she had to do, she went to the window and opened the curtains.

It is almost moonrise! the little vampire-bat filly thought, excitedly.

It is almost moonrise...

Chapter Ten

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Chapter Eleven

"Instead of Wishing you were some one else, be proud of what you have,
cause you never know who's been looking at you, wishing they could be you."

The little vampire-bat filly and the lunar alicorn princess flew around and talked for a while after the little filly received the final item she needed to collect. A star. The filly was overjoyed, though not by completing her task of obtaining all five of the sacred items, no, she was overjoyed by the fact she had used magic to gain the final item. Before coming to Ponyville, the little filly was unable to do magic, as there was no one in the vampire-bat's home able to do magic. She hadn't ever even seen another pony with a horn and wings before.

The lunar alicorn princess was also overjoyed. Her happiness came from the fact that she gained answers. Answers about a long lost question that had been so long forgotten by the lunar, and even the solar, alicorn princesses. The little filly flying before the lunar alicorn was something far more extraordinary than what others thought. Even more so than the filly even knew herself. She was so much more than a rare type of vampire-bat ponies. She was so much more.

To the little filly's disappointment, the moon started to wiggle and whine, begging for the lunar princess to take him down, to let him sleep. The lunar alicorn sighed, before turning to the little filly. No words were spoken, but so much was said. The filly gave a small, saddened smile before nodding. The two ponies made their descent back to the ground below them. Once they landed, the lunar alicorn turned to the little vampire-bat filly.

"Take care, Comet Blaze. Remember, only a few days, then you must leave," the lunar alicorn princess reminded softly, before taking off in, what the little filly believed was, the direction of Canterlot.

Comet Blaze stood outside the tree-library, staring off into the direction that the lunar alicorn princess had just flown off in. To her dismay, the moon soon then started to descend, lower and lower behind the horizon while the sun had also began to ascend, higher and higher above the horizon. The little filly sighed. No more flying now.

As the little vampire-bat filly stood there, watching the sun ascend into the sky, she was unaware of the little Pegasus filly watching her from the bushes. Her jealousy was growing, more and more, each time the filly saw her "fellow crusader". The filly watched carefully, trying to keep her presence hidden.

"What are you doing, Scootaloo?" a voice asked from behind her.

The little Pegasus filly shot up and jumped around to face the pony of the voice. Behind her stood Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom. She sighed.

"Thanks a lot, guys! You scared me," the little Pegasus filly yelled, playfully.

Apple Bloom rolled her eyes. "So, what are you doin'?"

"Oh, um, Nothing," Scootaloo said, unsure of what to say.

"Why are you hiding behind the bushes..." Sweetie Belle started to say as she got into the position Scootaloo had been in when they arrived, "Staring at... Comet Blaze?"

The two other crusaders looked over at their Pegasus friend. Scootaloo turned her gaze to her hooves, not wanting to look at the two faces before her, questioning her actions. The Pegasus filly barely knew why she was staring at the vampire-bat filly, but she still knew that she felt betrayed and jealous. The filly didn't understand her feelings. Why should she be jealous that Comet Blaze could fly, even if only at night?

"Well, come on! Let's see if Comet Blaze wants to go on an adventure! We could go to the castle of the two sisters!" Sweetie Belle said in excitement.

"Yeah, let's go ask," Scootaloo replied with no enthusiasm.

The three original cutie mark crusaders bounded over to Comet Blaze. The vampire-bat filly's mind was somewhere else, so she didn't hear or see the three fillies bounding towards her. Comet Blaze was then pulled out of her mind when she tumbled over with three bundles of fur on top her, making a big pile or orange, white, yellow, and ash-colored fur.

"Girls! What are you doing?" Comet Blaze whined, trying to get up.

The three girls giggled as they got up off of their ash-colored friend, allowing her to get up from the ground as well.

"Sorry!" all three yelled, laughing.

Comet Blaze rolled her eyes. "Do you mind explaining to me why you decided to tackle me to the ground and try to suffocate me?"

"We came to ask you if you wanted to go on an adventure with us! We are going to go to the castle of the two sisters!" Sweetie Belle explained, excitement seeping into her voice.

The castle of the two sisters?

"Woah."

That was Comet Blaze's response.

The four little fillies had traveled through to Everfree Forest to the Castle of the Two Sisters, thankfully not running into any type of trouble. The castle, to the little vampire-bat filly, was beyond amazing. The three other fillies laughed at their friends response, as they didn't find it beyond amazing like her. Comet Blaze looked around the place as they entered, something felt different.

The little vampire-bat filly felt like she knew this place, that she had been here before. She looked around the whole entrance, her eyes landed on something. Her eyes widened. A path. A path made out of stars leading from the door down to a hall way. Entranced, she followed the path, her eyes never leaving the star patterned path. The three other fillies watched their friend, confused, as she walked with her head down towards a hall way. With a glance at each other, the three fillies decided to follow the vampire-bat filly.

The star-patterned path led Comet Blaze and the other Cutie Mark Crusaders down a long corridor before turning off of the hallway into a stone wall. On the wall was a carving. An eight pointed star. Comet Blaze stared at the carving, confused. Where had she seen that image before? Why was it so familiar? Shaking her head, she turned her attention back to the path. It led right to the wall. Gently, she raised her hoof up to the eight-pointed star, setting onto the middle of the star. The wall started to shake, then slid away, making a path into the wall. The star-patterned path continued down the corridor behind the door.

"Comet Blaze? How did you find this place?" a voice asked, bringing the filly back from her mind.

"The star-patterned path," Comet Blaze answered.

"What star-patterned path?" a different voice asked.

That made Comet Blaze confused. She turned around and looked at her friends. Each held a look of confusion and wonder on their faces. Comet Blaze looked at the ground. Yes, there was a star-patterned path. Why were they asking about what path, unless... they couldn't see it?

"You girls don't see this?" Comet Blaze asked, pointing to a spot on the path.

"No?" they all asked confused.

Comet Blaze was confused. Why was she seeing the path, but her friends weren't seeing it?

"Are you alright, Comet Blaze?" Sweetie Belle's voice asked, breaking into her train of thought.

"Yeah, yeah. I'm alright. I'm just confused," Comet Blaze admitted, quietly.

"We all are. And even though we don't see the path, it must there. I mean, look! You led us to some eight-pointed star carving, and apparently opened another passage way!" Sweetie Belle exclaimed, "We should keep exploring. Maybe we'll find something really amazing at the end of this path."

"Yeah, I mean this castle is full of passage ways, there could be amazin' things hidden in here!" Apple Bloom added, excitedly.

Comet Blaze gave them a smile, before nodding and turning her attention back to the star-patterned path. She felt like she knew the answer to her question. Where the path led to. But she couldn't put her hoof on it. Shaking the thought from her mind, she kept her eyes on the star-patterned path, allowing it to show her they way to the unknown destination.

The corridor seemed to go on forever. No passage ways were seen, or discovered, by the four little fillies, as they continued walking down the stone corridor. Eventually, the star-patterned path curved again, leading them to another stone wall. This time the carving was still of an eight-pointed star, but beside the star, on the right was a carving of the sun, on the left was a carving of the moon. Like how she got the stone to move the first time, she put her hoof onto the center of the star. This caused the sun, moon, and star to glow brightly before it went dim. It didn't open.

"How do I open it?" Comet Blaze asked, quietly.

The filly, as she was standing on her back hooves, pushed her front hooves onto the star. It pushed in. The star started to shine. Her eyes widened. Keeping her hooves on the star she looked over her shoulder at her three friends. Thankfully understand what her friend was asking, without her words, Sweetie Belle stepped forward and pushed her hooves onto the image of the sun, causing it to push in. The sun, like the star, started to shine in a bright yellow color. Then Scootaloo stepped forward and pushed her hooves onto the image of the moon, pushing it in. The moon, like both the star and sun, began to shine in a bright blue color. All three of the carving were glowing brightly, the three fillies moved back, as the rock started to shake. It shook violently for a second before sliding away, leaving another passage way.

All four of the fillies stared in shock and awe. After a few moments passed, the shock died down and the fillies started walking forward. Comet Blaze took a few steps up to the passage way, before seeing the star-patterned path disappear as it entered behind where the stone was. With great wonder, she stepped into the passage way behind the rock. Only, it wasn't a passage way. It was a room. The three other fillies entered after the vampire-bat filly, and looked around in wonder. The room wasn't just any room. It was a bedroom. It was her bedroom.

Once Comet Blaze realized it, she fainted, and was thrown from the room. Not physically, but mentally.

All she could see was darkness...

Chapter Twelve

"The past is a good place to visit, but certainly not a good place to stay."

All she could see was darkness...

The darkness that surrounded the little filly started to fade, being replaced by a blinding white light. Only, it wasn't blinding. The filly stared into the white light, hoping for something to happen. Something that would make sense. But was that even possible? All she remembered was walking into that chamber, that bedroom, before being surrounded by darkness.

The blinding white light started to fade, leaving in it's place the chamber that she and the others had found. But instead of seeing her three friends, she saw an alicorn. The alicorn was a bit bigger than Celestia, and was colored more like Luna, with a few brighter colors in her mane. Who was she?

"Asteria!"

The little filly turned her attention to where the sound came from. Her eyes widened when she saw who had called out. It was Celestia. Only it wasn't the Celestia she knew. She was still very young, maybe around the element bearers age (which is still very young considering the fact she lives for thousands of years). Her mane wasn't full of colors like it was, but it was a solid light pink color. The little vampire-bat filly was confused.

"Yes, Tia?" the big alicorn asked.

"Have you seen Lulu around? I have been trying to find her since a bit after sun high, but she isn't anywhere!" the young Celestia asked, whining a bit.

"Luna is probably in her room sleeping, Tia. You know she'd rather be up during the night, rather than the day," the big alicorn -Asteria?- said.

"You're right. I didn't think to check her room," young Celestia said, her ears dropping.

The big alicorn sighed, and said, "Why don't you go see if she is there. If she is, then bring her back here with you and I'll give you two a small magic lesson."

Young Celestia's head shot up, her eyes wide. She exclaimed in excitement, "Really?! You will!?"

The big alicorn laughed and nodded, and spoke, "Yes, I will. But you better go find your sister."

Before the big alicorn even finished her sentence the young Celestia was already sprinting out of the chamber, yelling Lulu as she ran. Comet Blaze watched as the young princess ran. She was confused. Hoping to find some answers, she turned back to the big alicorn, who was also watching the young Celestia running down the corridor yelling out her sister's name. The big alicorn sighed, before walking over to her desk.

"Mother, how long do I have to teach them, before I must leave?" the big alicorn -Asteria- asked, seemingly to nothing.

"Patient, my child. The Night of Alignment is when you must go. This night is not for another few," a voice answered.

The big alicorn sighed, before whispering, "Why did Eris have to do this? Disharmony and her creation, Discord, have caused nothing but pain, misery, and heart ache."

Discord? Hearing the name of the creature of many parts caused the little filly to pay attention.

"Why did Leto have to disappear? "

The big alicorn kept asking questions, ones she knew would not be answered, but she still asked. Everything was slowly falling apart, the world was even falling apart. Discord, the creature of disharmony, was running around causing chaos everywhere. The sun and moon were difficult to control, as the two fillies of her dear sister, Leto, were born. The sun knew that Celestia was the one that it had wished for to control it. The moon, too, knew that Luna was the one it had wished for to control it. This caused a lot of trouble for Asteria, as it was up to her now to raise and lower the sun and moon. Before, the task was always Leto's, as the sun and moon both adored her. The trait passed from Leto to the goddess' children. Asteria's task was with the stars and comets. The smaller things in the sky.

The big alicorn, Asteria, had spent so much time thinking and questioning, she had missed the sound of hooves clicking against the stone floors of the corridor. The solar and lunar princesses raced into the room, jumping up and down with excitement. It was obvious to the little vampire-bat filly that the magic lessons were, either, very rare or they both really loved learning magic, or both, probably. It took a few moments before the big alicorn -Asteria- turned around to see the two young princesses, the children of her dear sister, waiting anxiously for the magic lesson.

"Who's ready for a magic lesson?"

Darkness started to surround the small vampire-bat filly once again.

Similar to the last time, a blinding white light started to replace the darkness.

As the white light faded, another scene was placed before her. She was still inside the chamber behind the stone wall carved with an eight-pointed star, the sun, and the moon. The big alicorn -Asteria- was lying in her bed, she looked weak and tired. The little vampire-bat filly started questioning what was happening and how much of a jump was between here and where she just was. Just as she was thinking, two ponies came into the room.

It was Celestia and Luna!

This time, they looked just like they did back in the real time, only both still have a single, solid colored mane, and still a bit shorter. The two smaller alicorns' eyes widened at the sight of Asteria, lying weakly in her bed. They both rushed to her side, trying to figure out what was wrong.

"Asteria? Why do you look so weak?" the still quite young Celestia asked, worry evident in her voice.

"My students, my children, I wish I could explain everything to you, but I cannot do so. You must be brave, Celestia and Luna. A time is coming, one where you both must stand tall, one where you will do so without me," the bigger alicorn replied.

"No! You can't leave us!" the smaller, lunar alicorn exclaimed.

"Oh, Luna. I must, if this world is to become what it has to be. You and your sister are the key to getting the world back to harmony. To do this, for you both to see, I must go. But do not worry, I won't be gone forever," Asteria explained softly.

Tears started to swell in both the lunar and solar alicorns' eyes. They weren't ready to say goodbye their teacher, to their aunt, no, not their aunt, their mother.

"My children, do not fear what is to come," the bigger alicorn spoke, "You must understand your present, before you can comprehend your future."

"But Asteria, how are we suppose to do this on our own?" the smaller lunar alicorn asked.

"You will find a way, I know you will. Goodbye, my children," the alicorn, Asteria, whispered.

After that, the bigger alicorn turned into a fine dust, the night time air blowing the fine dust into the sky. The solar and lunar alicorns started to cry. Their aunt, no their mother, had just disappeared. Leaving them alone. The two young princesses stayed like this until it was time for the young solar princess and the young lunar princess to lower the moon, and raise the sun.

It will not be forever, my children.

The young vampire-bat filly was thrown back into the present with a quick jolt. Her eyes shot open, only around her wasn't the stone walls of the chamber, but the book-covered walls of the tree-library. Closing her eyes tightly, she opened them after a few moments. That is when she noticed many ponies surrounding her. The element bearers, the original three Cutie Mark Crusaders, and Twilight Sparkle.

"What happened?" Comet Blaze asked, groggily.

"We don't know. We were hoping for you four to explain," Twilight Sparkle asked, angrily, looking between the filly lying on the couch and the three standing close by.

"W-we decided to e-explore the c-castle of the two s-sisters and C-comet Blaze had found a-a star-patterned p-path, but w-we c-couldn't see it. We all decided to let her lead us down the path, and w-we ended up in a chamber, and after a few moments Comet Blaze fainted," Sweetie Belle explained.

"Wait, you followed a path you couldn't see?" Rainbow Dash asked, confused.

"Well, Comet Blaze could see it!" Scootaloo exclaimed.

All nine of the ponies, not including the little vampire-bat filly, turned and looked at Comet Blaze. The little filly looked down at her hooves, not wanting to look at all the ponies that were staring at her. After a few moments her dreams, or what ever they were, started to fill her mind. Was what she saw real? Was that what happened in the past?

The little vampire-bat filly was taken out of her mind by the violet alicorn shaking her and yelling her name.

"What?" Comet Blaze asked, eyes wide, as she looked around.

"I asked how did you see a path, but those three couldn't?" Twilight Sparkle repeated, rolling her eyes and pointing a hoof at the three other little fillies.

"I... I don't know," Comet Blaze whispered.

Everypony was silent.

"Did you find the third item you need yet?" a voice asked, breaking the silence.

"Third item?" Comet Blaze repeated, confused. She already found all five items.

"You know, the items you came here to find? Did you find the third one yet?" the voice, Scootaloo, asked.

"What are you talking about? I've already found all five," Comet Blaze replied, confused.

"You found all five?! When?!" Sweetie Belle asked, loudly.

"I got the last item last night," the little vampire-bat filly whispered.

"If you have all five, does that mean you have to return home soon?" Sweetie Belle asked, this time quietly.

"After today, I think I have only another day left here, before she's going to make me leave," Comet Blaze said, thinking out loud.

"Who is 'she'?" Apple Bloom asked.

"Oh, Princess Luna," Comet Blaze said, still thinking.

"Wait, you've been hanging out with the princess?!" Sweetie Belle exclaimed.

"Well, sort of. At night she flies with me. She was even the one to bring me to Ponyville," Comet Blaze explained.

Before anymore questions could be asked, the vampire-bat filly curled herself into a ball, allowing the darkness to engulf her for the third time today. Thankfully, this time the darkness was not interrupted by a blinding white light.

Only one day left in Ponyville...

Chapter Thirteen

"I really don't want to say goodbye to any of you."

As the little vampire-bat filly was sleeping on the couch, where she had fallen asleep the night before, three other little fillies were creeping up on her. The Pegasus, Unicorn, and Earth pony fillies quietly stalked over to the occupied couch, trying to be absolutely silent. The violet alicorn watched the three fillies from the top of the stairs for a few moments, before shaking her head and returning to her room.

"Ready?" Apple Bloom asked her two friends.

"Ready," both the unicorn and Pegasus replied.

"One," Apple Bloom started.

"Two," Sweetie Belle, the unicorn, added.

"Thre-," Scootaloo, the Pegasus, added after her friend, barely able to finish as she was cut off by screaming.

"Attack!" the earth pony and unicorn yelled, before allowing Scootaloo to speak.

The three little fillies, after two had yelled Attack, jumped onto the sleeping vampire-bat filly, making her tumble to the ground and wake up. The four fillies combined together to make a pile of yellow, orange, white, and ashed-colored fur. The vampire-bat filly, being stuck under the three other fillies, started to try to push them off of her.

"What are you guys doing!?" the vampire-bat filly yelled.

"Waking you up!" Sweetie Belle replied, yelling back.

"Why!?" Comet Blaze, the vampire-bat filly, asked, still yelling.

"Quit yelling!" a voice yelled from upstairs.

All four fillies rolled their eyes.

"Why?" Comet Blaze asked again, without yelling.

"It's your last day in Ponyville and w-" Sweetie Belle started to explain.

Comet Blaze didn't hear the rest of what her white unicorn friend was saying, as her mind remembered that today was her last day in Ponyville, that tonight she had to go home. She had to go home. Then her mind started spinning. What are those five items for? What are they going to do with them? The vampire-bat filly was taken out of her trance by her apple-colored friend shaking her and yelling her name.

"-aze! Comet Blaze!" the apple-colored filly said, yelling.

"What?" she asked.

"You were spaced out. Did you hear what Sweetie Belle said?" Apple Bloom asked.

"Some of it," Comet Blaze answered, sheepishly.

"I said, It's your last day in Ponyville and we want to spend as much time as we possible can together, before you leave," Sweetie Belle repeated.

"Oh! Yeah, so what do you guys want to do?" Comet Blaze asked.

"Well, somepony has a surprise at Sweet Apple Acres," Apple Bloom said.

"Let's go!" Scootaloo yelled, before sprinting out the door, disappearing, to only, a few seconds later, reappear and ask, "Well? Are you guys coming or what?"

The three other fillies looked at each other, blinking, before running after their Pegasus friend. Once they made it out the door, they looked down the street to see their orange colored friend close to disappearing from their view. Comet Blaze rolled her eyes, turning to look at her other to friends.

"So, what's at Sweet Apple Acres?" Comet Blaze asked, hoping to get an answer.

The apple-colored earth pony and white-colored unicorn quickly glanced at each other before sprinting off after the orange-colored Pegasus. The vampire-bat filly sighed before chasing after her friends. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle weren't too far ahead, unlike Scootaloo, but Comet Blaze wasn't fast enough to catch up to the two other fillies.

Darn it! If only I could fly, then I would have already caught up to them! Comet Blaze yelled inside her head.

The vampire-bat filly kept on chasing after the unicorn and earth pony, hoping to catch up to them soon. But her luck was cut short when she looked ahead and saw Sweet Apple Acres coming into view. Comet Blaze's eyes widened. Did they run straight here so they wouldn't have to tell me what was going on here?

Comet Blaze rolled her eyes, before slowing down to a walking pace. There wasn't a point to keep on running after them if they were going to end up at Sweet Apple Acres were the surprise was going to be anyways. Eventually, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle stopped running and looked behind them to see Comet Blaze walking.

"Do you think she gave up?" Sweetie Belle asked her apple-colored friend.

"No, I think she just realized that we were leadin' her ta Sweet Apple Acres, anyways," Apple Bloom explained.

"Oh. That would make sense. Should we wait for her?" Sweetie Belle thought out loud.

"We probably should," Apple Bloom answered, halting her movements, with Sweetie Belle following after.

The vampire-bat filly looked up ahead and noticed that two of her friends had stopped running towards the farm and were waiting for her. She smiled. It was a very thoughtful thing for them to do. Comet Blaze was glad to see that she wouldn't be stuck walking the rest of the way to Sweet Apple Acres by herself. As her hooves finally brought her to were her apple-colored and white-colored friends sat, she smiled.

"Finally decided to stop?" Comet Blaze asked, smiling.

"Thought ya might want some company," Apple Bloom answered, also smiling.

"Do you think-" Sweetie Belle was cut off by the sound of thunder racing towards them.

All three fillies turned their heads towards the direction of the thunder. Turns out there was no thunder, only Scootaloo stampeding her way towards her friends. Once Scootaloo reached them, the thundering noise stopped, making the three other fillies go into a laughing fit, leaving Scootaloo totally confused.

"What?" the orange-colored pegasus asked, confused.

The three fillies kept laughing, unable to answer their orange-colored friend.

"Fine, then, I'll just go to Sweet Apple Acres by myself!" Scootaloo yelled, pretending to be angry.

Apparently, it worked, as Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle shot up with shock on their faces. This had also gotten Comet Blaze to stop, but not out of shock, more so out of confusion than anything else.

"No!" the apple-colored earth pony and white-colored unicorn yelled simultaneously.

"Then come on!" Scootaloo yelled back.

Comet Blaze, still confused, asked, "What was all that?"

The three other fillies looked at each other before simultaneously blurting out, "Nothing!"

Comet Blaze rolled her eyes.

"Come on! Hurry up! We need to get to Sweet Apple Acres quickly," Scootaloo exclaimed.

The three fillies jumped in surprise at the sound of Scootaloo's exclamation, before jumping to their hooves and running after their Pegasus friend.

What was going on?

Surprise!

Comet Blaze stood perfectly still, unable to comprehend what was happening. She was then brought out of her state of shock by the pink, fluffy earth pony bouncing in front of her.

"Were you surprised? Were you? Were you?" Pinkie Pie asked, enthusiastically, as she was hopping up and down.

"Yes..." Comet Blaze answered, questioningly.

"Good!" the pink, fluffy earth pony exclaimed before bouncing away.

The vampire-bat filly watched as the fluffy, pink earth pony bounced away. What was up with her and throwing parties? Is there anything she doesn't through a party for?

"Nope!"

Comet Blaze jumped, turning around to see the pink, fluffy earth pony named Pinkie Pie standing behind her bouncing in place with a huge grin on her face. "I throw a party for everything! Parties are my special talent!" she exclaimed, pointing to her cutie mark.

Comet Blaze sighed, of course they are.

"Come on, let's have some fun! It is your last day here in Ponyville, Comet Blaze!" Scootaloo said, "We have to make it memorable!"

The four fillies set off, exploring the games and sweets that were present at the party. Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, and Apple Bloom kept Comet Blaze on her hooves, having her try every game, every food and beverage, never letting the poor vampire-bat filly to rest her hooves. The Cutie Mark Crusaders were always moving about, trying to find something new that they haven't tried yet. Whenever Comet Blaze tried to ask them to slow down or stop, the original crusaders would keep going, sometimes they would start to move even faster!

After a few hours of trying to keep up with the original Cutie Mark Crusaders, Comet Blaze let her hooves fall from underneath her, letting her body land on top of the couch. She sighed in relief when her hooves left the ground and her body stopped moving. Finally, she thought, peace.

The vampire-bat filly's peace was short-lived, as the original Cutie Mark Crusaders came back.

"Come on, Comet Blaze! There is still so much to do!" Scootaloo yelled, hoping to get the other filly to follow.

"And still so much time to do it in, Scootaloo! My hooves hurt from all the walking, running, and gaming! I want to rest!" Comet Blaze yelled, pleadingly.

"Fine," Scootaloo sighed, rolling her eyes.

The party went on for hours. With all the walking, running, and gaming that the original Cutie Mark Crusaders made Comet Blaze do, it was no surprise to her when she let her heavy eyelids close, letting the darkness over take her.

It seemed like only a few seconds, but it had actually been a few hours, when Comet Blaze felt someone shaking her and calling her name, trying to wake her up. The little vampire-bat filly whined, not wanting to get up, as she was still very tired from all the gaming, walking, and running. Eventually, as the pony was very persistent and kept shaking her and yelling her name, she finally opened her eyes.

"Come on, sleepy head. It's getting close to sun set, meaning you need to get ready for your journey home," the pony that had awakened her said softly.

Comet Blaze gave a soft nod before getting off of the couch.

The next few seconds were a blur, as once she was off of the couch, the pony that had awaken her grabbed her in a magical aura and teleported them to the violet alicorn's place, were the little vampire-bat filly was staying.

Only one thing was on the little vampire-bat filly's mind.

I don't want to say goodbye to this place or to any one.

Chapter Fourteen

"She wanted none of those days to end, and it was always with disappointment
that she watched the darkness stride forward."

The little vampire-bat filly was still dead tired. It seemed next to impossible for the little filly, for any pony to even try, to get her awake. It was impossible for the little filly to make her journey home for now. The pony that had tried to awaken her sighed, she knew that the little filly wasn't going to wake up until she had rested. This meant that the filly couldn't leave for her home until later. The pony smiled lightly as she teleported herself and the filly back to the violet alicorn's tree-library, setting the tired filly onto the couch.

"Doesn't she have to leave tonight?"

The lunar princess raised her head and looked toward were the voice came from. Her eyes met with the violet alicorn's. The lunar princess turned her head back to the little vampire-bat filly, a small smile on her face. She closed her eyes for a minute before speaking.

"Her journey home can wait until tomorrow. I'm sure she will want her rest. Especially after that party," the lunar princess said, with a small laugh. "I will be back tomorrow evening to take her home."

"Alright, Luna. Until then," the violet alicorn said, respect and even a little annoyance squirmed into the alicorn's words.

"Until then," the lunar princess agreed, before using her magic to teleport herself out of the violet alicorn's residence.

The violet alicorn sighed. She knew that the little filly had to get home. She knew that something important was coming, that it was something to do with the little vampire-bat filly before her. There was something special about her. Something very, very important. But what was it? The violet alicorn could only but guess. Even she knew that her guesses couldn't even compare. The violet alicorn knew she had to just wait. Time was always the best thing for a pony's curiosity.

The violet alicorn pushed her curiosity out of her mind, casting one last glance at the little filly, before making her way up to her bedroom. It was very late. A bit past midnight, the violet alicorn thought, looking out the window that sat next to her bed. She made her way across the floor and slide into her bed. Her thoughts started to waver, as sleep was begging for her to let them over take her. Eventually, the violet alicorn princess gave in, and the darkness took over.

Downstairs, upon the couch, the little vampire-bat filly was fast asleep. Her dreams plagued with darkness, whispers could be heard all around her. Whispers, but no words. Nothing made sense. The dream was horrid. No, this wasn't a dream. It was a nightmare.

The voices, the whispers, kept getting louder, like the things making those sounds were getting closer. Or was she moving closer? The whispers continued to grow, louder and louder, until finally they stopped. The noise was gone, and darkness was left. The filly was confused. What did this all mean?

Suddenly, the whispers started again, still she unable to make out any words they murmured. Until one voice became louder than the others.

It will not be forever.

The little vampire-bat filly froze.

It will not be forever.

What did it mean?

It will not be forever.

The voice continued to grow louder and louder, repeating the same line over and over again. What did it mean? What did all of this mean? But the little filly had no clue. The darkness around her started to burn. The black becoming violet, then blue, fading into green. The green faded into yellow, then into orange. Then the darkness became red. Burning red. The darkness the color of red seemed to burn into the little filly's skin, singeing her mane and tail. The whispers became louder, the flames became hotter. Nothing was stopping, nothing was ending. It seemed like forever, as the flames burned into her skin and singed her mane and tail. The little filly was close to giving up, close to letting the flames over take her. But before she was able to question herself any further, the flames of red began to change. Just like before, the red became lighter and lighter, turning from red to pink. The darkness became light, as the last of the red faded, leaving the darkness a burning white. The pain of the flames disappeared, and the whiteness that surround the little filly seemed to glow. Then it hit her. What the whispers meant, what this all meant. Her flashback. Asteria! It was trying to tell her something about Asteria! But before the little filly could do anything more, the whiteness started to fade, leaving nothing. That's when the little filly's eyes shot open.

Comet Blaze sat up, shaking her head, trying to clear away the nightmare, all the burning flames, from her mind. When she looked up, she saw the violet alicorn looking at her. Confusion glittered in Twilight Sparkle's eyes, along with wonderment and curiosity.

"Are you okay, Comet Blaze?" Twilight Sparkle asked, curiously.

"I... I'm fine," the little filly replied, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath.

"Alright," Twilight Sparkle replied, still a bit unsure, then continued, "Come on, it's a bit past noon, so let's go have some lunch. You need to get your strength up for tonight when you have to return home."

"Why... Why didn't I return home last night? Like I was supposed to?" Comet Blaze asked, confused.

"Luna thought you needed the rest, and decided to let you sleep. She will come back tonight to help you return home," the violet alicorn explained.

"Oh...kay," the little filly replied.

The two ponies made their way into the kitchen. The little vampire-bat filly went straight to her seat at the table, while the violet alicorn went right to the counter to make herself and the little filly a daisy and hay sandwich with apple slices. With her magic, the violet alicorn took only a minute or so to prepare both sandwiches. Comet Blaze was grateful for this, as as she sat in her chair at the table, she could hear her stomach grumbling, demanding to be fed.

The two sat in silence as they ate their lunches. Even though the little filly had spent some time in the violet alicorn's home, the alicorn still felt too much like a stranger to her for the filly to be comfortable enough to begin a conversation. The violet alicorn wasn't always the best at talking to other ponies, either, so she just let the silence settle before them.

It was going to be a long day.

Do you really have to go?" the white unicorn filly whined.

"I'm sorry, Sweetie Belle. But I'll come back one day! I promise!" the little filly of ash and blood promised.

"You better!" the orange pegasus -Scootaloo- all but screamed.

The original three Cutie Mark Crusaders then jumped on top of their ash-and-blood-colored friend, creating once again a pile of white, orange, yellow, and ash-colored fur. The little vampire-bat filly wiggled underneath the weight of her three friends, trying to push them off. It took a few minutes, but eventually she got the three off of her and stood up, glaring at her friends, falsely.

"Oh, you're all going to get it!" Comet Blaze screamed, before chasing after her friends.

The little fillies played around for a while, as the sun started to lower, leaving for the moon to rise. This went unnoticed by the fillies, as they were too busy enjoying the last of the day that Comet Blaze would be in Ponyville. The last of the time that all four of them would be together for a while.

Off in the distance, the lunar princess watched the four friends play. She was sad that she had to ruin their fun at one point, but she knew she had to. The lunar alicorn flew most of the distance to the four little fillies, before letting her wings lower her to the ground and started walking. The little fillies didn't seem to even notice the lunar princess as she walked over to them.

"I'm sorry to say this, but Comet Blaze, we have to leave soon if we are to make it back before the sunrise," the lunar alicorn princess said, breaking into the four little fillies' fun.

"Already?" the little vampire-bat asked, confused, "But it's only..."

The little filly looked towards the sky and saw that the sun had set and the moon was shining brightly in the sky. She lowered her gaze back to the lunar alicorn princess. She was right. They had to leave soon or they wouldn't make it back in time, before the sun would rise. The little vampire-bat filly turned to her friends.

"You won't forget me, right?" the little filly asked, looking at her friends.

"Of course not!" all three of the original Cutie Mark Crusaders yelled.

"We will all be waitin' for ya ta come back ta Ponyville!" Apple Bloom added.

"Yeah! We could never forget you, Comet Blaze! Not after the great adventures we all had together!" Sweetie Belle added on to what Apple Bloom said.

"Thanks, guys! I will try to return to Ponyville soon, I promise!" Comet Blaze promised, looking at her friends. I promise.

"Come now, young Comet Blaze. The night grows older as we wait," the lunar alicorn princess said, kindly telling her to hurry up.

"Okay," she replied, before turning to her friends, pulling them into a group hug. Comet Blaze savored the last taste of friendship for now. It was hard for the filly to let go of her friends, but she still did, then said, "Okay. Let's go. Goodbye girls. I will return someday. I promise!"

"Goodbye!" the three other little fillies chorused.

The lunar alicorn princess and the little vampire-bat filly took off into the night sky, flying away from Ponyville. Comet Blaze casted one last glance back at the town she called her home for the past few days. Goodbye, she thought. Her gaze returned to the night sky before her, letting Ponyville vanish behind her.

I will come back, someday! I promise. I won't be gone forever...

It will not be forever...

Chapter Fifteen

"The hardest part about leaving is knowing what you are leaving behind."

The young vampire-bat filly sighed, glancing back at the town she had called home for the last few days. The place where she had made wonderful friends and had a great time. The whole experience was amazing, and she learned a lot. She only wished that she didn't have to leave so soon. Suddenly, a thought popped into her mind.

"Hey, Princess?" Comet Blaze started.

"Please, call me Luna," the lunar alicorn said, before asking, "Yes?"

"When Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, and I went to the Castle of the Two Sisters, I saw a star-patterned path on the ground. I decided to follow it. The path led us to a carving on the wall of an eight-sided star. At that point, my friends asked me how I had found my way to the carving. When I told them about the star-patterned, they were confused. They couldn't see it. Do you know why I saw the star-patterned path, but they didn't?" the young vampire-bat filly asked the lunar alicorn princess.

"The star-patterned path was Asteria's way of navigating through the castle. She placed the path a few months before the Night of Alignment, but she wouldn't tell us why," the lunar princess started, "I do have a theory to why you could see the star-patterned path, but your friends could not. But I am afraid, that I cannot tell you my theory, as the answers you seek shall show themselves soon."

"Asteria was the one who raised you and Celestia, wasn't she?" Comet Blaze asked.

"H... How did you know?" Princess Luna asked, looking at the young filly next to her, sadness filling her eyes.

"I... I saw a -vision?- of her in the room behind the carvings of another eight-pointed star, the sun, and the moon. I saw the big alicorn -Asteria- in the room, when Celestia -well, a younger Celestia- came into the room asking if she had seen you, because she couldn't find you. Asteria told her you'd probably be in your room sleeping, since it was only sun-high," Comet Blaze explained.

"That was so long ago..." the lunar princess whispered with a sad face.

"What happened to Asteria?" Comet Blaze asked.

"My sister and I never knew for sure what had happened. The last night we saw her, we watched her body turn to ash. The ashes became the stars that burn so brightly in the sky," Princess Luna explained, softly.

"Was she really a bat pony before she became an alicorn?" the young vampire-bat filly asked.

"Asteria had been born a bat pony, while her sister, my mother, had been born a normal pegasus. When they were little, only one alicorn was ever present in the world. Once their mother became old, and had to pass on the title, her sister -my mother- had gotten that title. It was around that time when Celestia and I had been born. But something happened, and Leto -my mother- had passed on the title to Asteria. Asteria didn't have knowledge of the transformation until the next night. Leto had also disappeared, but that's a whole different story. One that no pony has ever finished," the lunar princess answered.

After the lunar princess finished answering the young vampire-bat filly's question, silence settled between them. The young filly was nervous, thinking about returning to her home with her kind. Where she faced all the bullying and the teasing, being left alone, and the comfort of the silence of her tree besides the stream. Then a question entered the young vampire-bat filly's mind.

"Hey, Pr-, I mean, Luna?" the young vampire-bat filly started, before catching herself. She turned her gaze to the lunar alicorn princess, hoping that the princess had heard her silent words.

"Yes, Comet Blaze?" the lunar alicorn asked in reply only a few moments later.

"Why... Why are you helping me? Why are you doing all these things for me?" the filly asked, turning her gaze away.

"Well, young Comet Blaze, it is my duty to help those in need. I am the ruler in the night, and that is when you were struggling. If you came across one that needed help, would you just leave the one alone?" the princess asked, gently.

"N-no, I wouldn't," the young vampire-bat filly answered, almost silently.

"That is what I did with you. You needed help, and I provided that to you. And as for all the things I do for you, well, the answers are simple. I do all these things, as you so call them, because it is my way of giving you the push you need. There is something, greater than anything you could ever imagine, waiting for you. You just needed a push to get you into the right direction," the lunar alicorn explained. "And soon, you shall get there."

As the night drew on, the lunar alicorn and vampire-bat filly flew on towards the setting sun. The young vampire-bat filly let her mind wander away from her, thinking about her journey to Ponyville, her adventure while she was there, and all the ponies, and creatures, she got to meet. She let out a soft sigh. She hadn't even been gone for more than a few hours, and still she was already hoping to turn around and go back to Ponyville. Sadly, she knew that wasn't an option. She knew she had to return to the others.

"Comet Blaze, I know you didn't want to leave Ponyville and your friends, but think about this. Aren't you curious to why you needed to collect those five items?" the lunar princess asked.

"I.... I guess," the young filly replied, her mind wandering, "It would be interesting to see what is so special about these five items."

"And the only way to find out is..." the princess dragged on, giving the young filly next to her a knowing look.

Comet Blaze sighed, "The only was to find out is to return home."

"Exactly," the lunar princess confirmed, feeling pleased with herself. "Come on, it's getting close to dawn, and thankfully we are almost there."

The lunar alicorn princess spread her wings further and started gliding along the wind. Comet Blaze watched, and tried to copy. She, thankfully, succeeded in gliding along the wind, like the princess, with only a few stumbles. She smiled, quite pleased with herself. She wasn't the best at flying, being as she could only fly at night, but she still tried her best and loved every minute of it.

As the moon started to shake, the princess and the filly decided it was time to start the journey on foot. But the lunar princess decided to show the little filly something first.

"Comet Blaze, I want to show you something. I think you'll find this interesting," the lunar princess said, a look of curiosity in her gaze.

The lunar alicorn princess' horn began to glow a translucent light blue. As the princess' horn glowed, the young filly's gaze went to the moon. Before, the moon was shaking, like it was anxious and wanted to get out of the sky. It almost seemed as though the moon was shy, and didn't want to be there when all the ponies would be getting out of bed. Now, the moon was truly descending, lowering out of any ponies vision. She put her gaze back to the lunar alicorn, her eyes big with amazement. She actually got to watch the princess lower the moon!

She turned her gaze back to the sky when she realized something else was happening. The sun was rising! The sky turned from the dark navy blue color of the night to a pink, orange-ish color as the sun rose. It was a beautiful sight. One she barely saw, as she slept through the rising of the sun. Comet Blaze loved to watch the sun set, and the moon rise. Those were breath-taking sights. The sunrise was another beautiful sight. As she watched, she never wanted to stop.

The lunar princess chuckled at the little filly's amazement. She was glad to know that at least some pony can still appreciate the changing of day and night, and night and day.

"Come on, Comet Blaze, we better start walking. It would be best to get you home before the sun reaches its highest peak," the lunar princess announced as she started walking down the trail.

"Okay!" Comet Blaze replied, bounding after the lunar alicorn.

The two continued down the path, allowing a peaceful silence to settle between them. It was now past dawn, so many creatures were starting to wake up. Birds were chirping and singing as the light wind carried the sound. Smaller animals, like the squirrels and rabbits, were out looking for food and getting some warmth from the sun. Comet Blaze loved watching the animals, almost as much as she loved watching the stars in the night.

The path continued on, bringing the alicorn and filly closer to the bat ponies' town. As they got closer, Comet Blaze began to recognize where they were. During the beginning of her journey, before the lunar princess helped her get to Ponyville, she had traveled down the path that leads from the edge of town to where ever the trail ends.

"Comet Blaze, from here you must return home on your own. It is time that I return to Canterlot. Good luck, dear one, I believe we will meet again soon," the lunar alicorn princess announced, saying farewell, before letting her wings lift her off the ground and take off towards Canterlot.

"Goodbye, Luna," Comet Blaze whispered as she turned her head and started walking.

Alone again, the little filly thought. Alone again.

Comet Blaze continued down the trail, trying to push away the loneliness. She had gotten so used to having Luna with her on the travel, that it was lonely and weird not having the lunar alicorn with her. The little vampire-bat filly just kept wishing and hoping that she would reach the town soon, she didn't want to be alone.

Soon, up ahead, she saw it. It was the town! It was her home! Excitement was building up inside, and she couldn't hold back anymore. She took off sprinting. She just wanted to be back, to be with more ponies. She just didn't want to be alone. Pushing her legs to move faster, she soon came to the entrance and raced through. All the bat ponies who had been outside in the town looked at her with surprise and wonder. Then she heard some pony yell.

"She's back!"

I was back...

Chapter Seventeen

"The Past is a good place to visit, but never a good place to stay, no matter how inviting it seems"

Everything went black...

The world around the little filly was black and dark. There was no light. The little filly spun in circles hoping to find something, or someone, that could help her understand or not feel like she was alone. What was going on? Where was she? Was she dead? What was happening? The filly's mind spun in circles, going crazier and crazier by the second, but then she heard something. A soft, soothing voice broke through the darkness.

My Star...

The little filly jumped in surprise from hearing the whisper.

"Who-who's there?" she stuttered slightly.

"Don't be frightened, my child, it is I," the voice whispered in a soft and soothing tone.

"M-mother?" the filly again stuttered, shocked.

"Yes, child. It is I, your mother," the voice whispered, confirming what the little filly had said. "My dear, you've almost made it to the end of this journey, and I must warn you. While the tides turn and stars fall, there will be troubles that you must face. While fire ignites inside of your bones, let the light show you the way. Inside the old castle, a path of eight-pointed stars led your way. Let this continue as you continue your journey," the voice of the filly's mother warned. "Be brave, my starry one, be brave."

"I will try, mother, I will try to be brave! But what are you trying to tell me? Fire inside my bones? What am I supposed to be prepared for?" the little filly asked, quivering slightly.

"Be brave, my starry one," the voice whispered again.

"What am I supposed to be prepared for?!" the filly screamed.

The little filly didn't get an answer. Her head started to spin, faster and faster. She was getting dizzy. She could hear her mother whispering, Be brave, my starry one, over and over again. But it didn't sooth the dizziness.

Again, everything went black.

Her eyes shot open.

Where was she?

Who was she?

Her attention was caught by the sound of coughing and chatter. Turning her gaze, she saw an elderly alicorn standing in a balcony, overlooking a crowd of others. The alicorn looked old and tired, but no weakness was shown through her body or words. Perking up her ears, she watched the alicorn began her speech.

"As it has happened, eons after eons, generations after generations, it is time that I pass on the role of Alisorn to my daughter. I have been the Alikorn for centuries, and as traditions pass, so do I. While I grow weak and old, my daughter thrives in youth and power," the elder Alicorn paused for a moment, then continued, "I say this beneath the sun and moon, before the gates of a world beyond. While the stars fall beneath the waves, let lightning rise over the sound. Let my power of day and night, transfer from one to another."

Once the elder Alicorn had said that line, a ray of light shot from her horn. Her head was thrown back and her wings spread, and the light started to lift the elder Alicorn off of the ground. The ponies on the ground watched in awe as the body of the Alisorn turned into a rainbow of light. Lasting for only a few moments in the sky, the rainbow of light soon shot out of the sky and onto another pony. The pony was a pegasus with a pure white coat and darker colored mane and tail. The rainbow of light lifted the pegasus off of the ground. Her wings were spread out and started to grow bigger. Her legs grew longer, her wings grew out, and even a horn grew out of her head. Once the light from the rainbow light diminished, a new pony, a new Alikorn, stood in pride.

Using her great wings, she flew up to the balcony and looked over the crowd of ponies.

"As my mother, Phoebe, may have died in body, she has not died in spirit. Her spirit shall live in me and help guide me to the right path. The sun and moon shall rise and fall, as shall the Alisorn in their time. With wisdom and courage, I will lead all of Equus to a better time. I say this now, the stars fall beneath the waves and the sweet sound of harmony fills the air. Sun's rays light the sky, while moon and stars guide the night. I shall be Equus' new Sun, Moon, and Stars," the new Alisorn swore to all of Equus.

Again, after the last words were spoken, everything went black.

It was midnight. Everypony was asleep. Everypony was asleep. Why does that sound unusual? Because it was unusual. The Alisorn, Leto, had cast a spell upon the castle. The Alikorn sat in the Nursery, staring at her babies. The firstborn was a pure white unicorn with a light pink mane and tail. Her second born, who was usually up during this time, was a darker blue pegasus with a lighter blue mane and tail. One of the sun, one of the moon.

"Goodbye, my Sun and Moon," the Alikorn whispered before walking out of the Nursery. She sighed, closing the door. Making her way down the hall, she came to a stone wall. Using her magic, she pressed the symbol, making the stone wall become a doorway. The long, stone corridor gave the Alikorn time to think. Was she really doing this? Shaking her head, she pushed away any doubts. She knew she had to.

She arrived at another stone wall, this time containing three carvings. Sun, Moon, Star. Pushing the symbols, again, the stone wall became a door. She entered the room where her dear sister was asleep.

"Oh, Asteria, please forgive me," she whispered. "As it has happened, eons after eons, generations after generations, I pass on the role of Alisorn to my sister," the still barely new Alikorn paused for a moment, her gaze resting on the sleeping figure before her. She sighed, then continued, "I say this beneath the sun and moon, before the gates of a world beyond. While the stars fall beneath the waves, let lightning rise over the sound. Let my power of day and night, transfer from one to another."

A stream of light shot from Leto's horn, lighting up the room. Like when she had watched her mother turn over the power, her wings were drawn away from her sides, lifting her up. Her body was on fire, burning from the inside. But it did not hurt. In fact, it felt like somewhat nice. As she burned, her body turned to dust, but her spirit became a bright rainbow colored light. From in the air, it shot down onto the sleeping figure of Asteria. The rainbow light surged through the sleeping bat pony. Luckily, the one of night was asleep, for if she had been awake, pure agony would have torn through her body.

As she slept, the rainbow light filled her body, turning her leathery bat wings into large, feathered wings. A horn of a unicorn was a replacement for her old one. Her once very dark colored pelt, became a few shades lighter, her mane and tail still streaked with different colors. The rainbow light diminished.

The sun rose, for the last time by the will of the Alisorn, Leto.

Asteria was awaken by a bright light shining in her eyes. Something felt off, like something bad had happened. Not wasting a single second, she raced out of her room towards were her nieces were asleep. Entering the room, she let out a sigh of relief. Both were in their beds, sound asleep. As she turned to leave, a voice spoke up behind her.

"Star, why did your wings change?"

Asteria paused, eyes widened. She turned around to see a curious white unicorn. She spread her wings out and gasped. Her niece was right! Instead of her usual leathery, bat wings, she saw feathery, pegasus wings. She ran from the Nursery towards her sisters room. Barging in, she screamed. Leto was gone. Her eyes widened, for the millionth time that day. A neatly folded letter sat on the bedside table, her name written neatly on it. Grabbing it, she opened it.

Asteria-

I cannot explain why I had to leave. But you must believe me when I tell you this. It was never my destiny to be Alisorn; it was yours. Please, understand that this is all that I can tell you. I only ask that you raise my Sun and Moon. Celestia and Luna are destined for great things, I know they are. Please, understand.

With Great Love,

Leto.

"Asteria? Why do you look so weak?" Leto's child of the Sun asked, worry evident in her voice.

"My students, my children, I wish I could explain everything to you, but I cannot do so. You must be brave, Sun and Moon. A time is coming, one where you both must stand tall, one where you will do so without me," the Alisorn replied.

"No! You can't leave us!" the smaller, lunar unicorn exclaimed.

"Oh, My Moon. I must, if this world is to become what it has to be. You and your sister are the key to getting the world back to harmony. To do this, for you both to see, I must go. But do not worry, I won't be gone forever," Asteria explained softly.

Tears started to swell in both the lunar and solar alicorns' eyes. They weren't ready to say goodbye their teacher, to their aunt, no, not their aunt, their mother.

"My children, do not fear what is to come," the Alisorn spoke, "You must understand your present, before you can comprehend your future."

"But Asteria, how are we suppose to do this on our own?" the smaller lunar child asked.

"You will find a way, I know you will," the Alisorn whispered.

"As it has happened, eons after eons, generations after generations, I pass on the role of Alisorn to my nieces," the Alikorn whispered, "I say this beneath the sun and moon, before the gates of a world beyond. While the stars fall beneath the waves, let lightning rise over the sound. Let my power of day and night, transfer from one to another and two."

The light that had once taken both her mother and her sister had began to take over her, as well. She welcomed the fire as it burned through her.

Her vision faded, and everything went black.

Author's Note

Just in case:

Alisorn -the princess or ruler of Equus (the planet), always an Alikorn

Alikorn- old time spelling of Alicorn

Leto- Favorite daughter of Phoebe and mother of a child of the sun and one of the moon. (wink wink)

Phoebe- Mother of Leto and Asteria

Chapter Seven

Author's Note

This Chapter contains scenes and dialogue from Season 4 Episode 1- Princess Twilight Sparkle. (It actually is mostly the episode)
Just a fair warning.

Chapter Seven

"Believe you can and you're halfway there."

My time in Ponyville was quite... well, let's say normal? Quiet? Or at least it started out that way. My Journey led me to a far away place to collect five sacred items for who knows what. But it also led me to making new friends, something I hadn't had, and I was honestly loving being here. The Cutie Mark Crusaders, Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom and Scootaloo, are the greatest friends I could ask for. They are even helping me collect the items I need for my Journey. Twilight Sparkle, or should I say Princess Twilight Sparkle, has also been a great help. I mean, she is the one providing me with a place to sleep and food to eat. Her and her friends, the element bearers, are a great help, though, I don't think the element bearers like me very much.

Though, I do have to say, it was very interesting watching Princess Twilight Sparkle's flying lesson...

"You gotta really flap them hard!"

Twilight Sparkle gave Rainbow Dash a nod, then, concentrating hard, she started to flap her wings harder and harder. Apparently, she flapped her wings a little too hard as it sent her spiraling into a nearby tree. This caused Rainbow Dash to give out a slight laugh as she flew over to the violet alicorn in the tree.

"Uh, maybe not quite that hard," Rainbow Dash said, trying to be encouraging to the alicorn.

The violet alicorn then descended down from the tree, still slightly -if you could even say that- unable to control her wings, causing her to crash into the ground as she landed. The orange-ish earth pony -Applejack- come over to the violet alicorn and offered a hoof to help her up.

"Lookin' good up there, Princess Twilight," Applejack said, as Twilight Sparkle got up.

"Applejack, you know you don't have to call me that," Twilight Sparkle said, slightly confused.

Comet Blaze stopped listening to the conversation of Twilight Sparkle and her friends after that. It wasn't that she was eaves-dropping on the violet alicorn, but more so as she was interested in learning more about her, and even so her element bearing friends. She didn't understand why she was so interested in the violet alicorn and the element bearers, but something was telling her to learn as much as she could about the group of friends.

... She seems to be having trouble with her wings. I don't blame her, though. Controlling new parts, like wings, is a very hard thing to learn. I mean, she isn't even used to having wings, only her horn. Rainbow Dash, the element of Loyalty, seems like an alright teacher, but I guess I have only watched their one lesson, but Rainbow is showing her loyalty to her friend by helping. I really enjoy learning about the elements from every adventure, or even lesson, that the element bearers go through...

It was a few days before the Summer Sun Celebration that Twilight Sparkle left to Canterlot, as the celebration was being held there this year. Comet Blaze was left alone in the tree-library. It was weird to be alone, as the violet alicorn usually spent most of her time in the library, anyways. With absolute boredom, and nothing to do, Comet Blaze decided that, since her friends were busy with the celebration party here in Ponyville and she had nothing else to do, she would read. And by read, she meant it.

It took only a few moments before the little vampire-bat pony had her nose stuck in a book. Comet Blaze was a quick reader and had a great, burning passion for learning. Twilight Sparkle's library was filled with books on magic, every type of it, and history. Being a special kind of vampire-bat pony, with both a horn and wings, Comet Blaze was really excited to learn magic. She was hoping to get some ideas on how to actually perform it. Being a special kind of a pony type has its downsides, like for her, there was no where that she could learn how to use her horn, her magic. She was stuck only learning how to fly, which she knew how to do very well... during the night.

As the vampire-bat filly read, she also took notes about anything she found interesting in her journal. She had only just started writing her days in Ponyville in the little book, and she really liked the idea. It would give her a reminder of all her adventures in Ponyville once she returned home. And taking notes on Twilight Sparkle's books would give her something to study more after the Journey was over, too.

It seemed to be only a few minutes, which it had actually been hours, before Comet Blaze heard something. Getting up from the current book she was reading, she went over to the window, opening the curtains, so she could see what was happening. Her eyes widened as she saw the sky. The sky was half day, half night! Confused, she looked at the rest of the scene before her. Plants the color of darkness were growing wildly all over the ground, and in the sky clouds of the same darkness hung. It was absolute chaos! Ponies were running all over the place, trying to avoid the plants that grew from the ground at random places and times.

What was happening? Comet Blaze thought, but was soon interrupted by the door opening.

"There has to be something in Twilight's library that'll help us," somepony said, as a group of five ponies entered.

Hiding behind a pile of books, Comet Blaze looked over at the group of five ponies. She relaxed when she realized it was only Twilight Sparkle's friends, the elements bearers. Still hiding, she watched them quietly. They were all looking through the books, hoping to find something to help them with the chaos outside.

Suddenly, something tumbled out of the air into a pile of books. Thankfully, that something was actually a some pony, and that some pony was Twilight Sparkle.

"Oh, thank goodness!" Rarity sighed in relief as the violet alicorn stood up .

"Oh, I hope you know we wouldn't normally go through your books without permission," Fluttershy said softly as the door opened.

"Sweet ground!" Spike entered the tree-library, kissing the ground. "Sweet, sweet, wonderful ground!"

Annoyed, Twilight Sparkle exclaimed, "Okay, I get it! I need to work on my flying!"

"I dunno if you've noticed, but the Everfree Forest is just a teeny-tiny bit out of control," Pinkie Pie said, appearing next to Rarity.

The pink, fluffy earth pony's tail then started to shake, confusing Comet Blaze, as she had never seen that before. The pink earth pony ducked, and one of the dark roots shot through the window, hitting Rarity.

"Guess it turned out you were missin' something here in Ponyville after all," Applejack said to Twilight Sparkle as she closed the window that the root had came through.

"But perhaps you already know what's causing all of this calamity. Has Princess Celestia sent you to dispel it posthaste?" Rarity asked, hopefully, getting up from the ground.

"Not exactly. You see, Princess Celestia is, well... she and Princess Luna are both..." Twilight Sparkle started to explain, unsure of how to tell her friends.

"Gone missing!" Spike exclaimed, jumping up before putting his hands over his mouth.

They all gasped.

"I don't know who has taken them, but I've got a hunch we're going to need the Elements of Harmony to get them back," the violet alicorn explained as she used her magic to transfer the elements from the case to the bearers.

"Oh, yeah, just like old times," Rainbow Dash said, smiling, as her element necklace was placed onto her neck.

"A-boo-yah!" Pinkie Pie said as her element necklace was, also, placed onto her neck and she and Twilight Sparkle brohoofed.

"I told ya we'd always be connected by the Elements," Applejack said, again, as her element necklace was placed onto her neck. She sighed. "Now we just gotta figure out who to aim these bad boys at so we can get Celestia and Luna back and keep the rest of Equestria from becoming plant food! Any ideas?"

"Hmm..." Twilight Sparkle said, thinking. Applejack, along with the others -except for one-, was looking at her, hopeful that she would have an idea.

"I haven't found squat in any of the books I've been looking through!" the pink earth pony exclaimed, causing every pony to look over as her. "Oopsies! Missed a spot!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed, as she scribbled in the missed spot with a crayon in the coloring book.

Ignoring the pink earth pony's input, the other four ponies turned their attention back to the violet alicorn, hoping she had an idea.

"Half day, half night... strange weather patterns... out of control plants. I think I'm starting to get a pretty good idea of who we're up against," Twilight Sparkle said, explaining her thoughts. "Discord."

With that, the violet alicorn and the other element bearers left, quickly.

Sighing, Comet Blaze got out of her hiding place. She was tempted to follow the violet alicorn and her element bearing friends, but as she looked around the library, she noticed all the books were scattered everywhere. Shaking her head, she started to reorganize and put away all the books. Comet Blaze hated when things were scattered everywhere, and she knew she had been one of the six to scatter them every where. She sighed, shaking her head clean of her thoughts.

Better get to work, I want to see what this Discord creature is and maybe I'll get a hint on what the next item is! Comet Blaze thought.

Maybe I'll get a hint...

Chapter Sixteen

"You never know how strong you are until being strong is all you have left."

"She's back!"

Everypony stared at her in awe. The little filly was surprised at the shock, she had been gone for around two weeks or so. Why were all the ponies so shocked to see her? Did they think she wouldn't have made it home? Or maybe they thought it was going to take her longer?

After what seemed like ages, Blood Dusk made his way in front of the young filly. He smiled down onto the little filly, pride filling his eyes. To Comet Blaze, this pony was always the closest thing to a father in her life, sometimes she had even wished that he had been her father. Blood Dusk was always so kind and caring to her, he acted like her father, and Comet Blaze loved it.

"Comet Blaze, you have returned!" he announced, "Let's return to the house, while we talk, alright?"

The young filly nodded, smiling. The older pony turned and started walking back in the direction he came. Comet Blaze raced after him, catching up to the older pony in only a few strides, before walking beside him. Blood Dusk decided to start the conversation then, a lot sooner that Comet Blaze had expected, but she didn't mind.

"How was your journey?" Blood Dusk asked, starting a conversation.

"It was great! At first, it was difficult. I didn't know where to go, as I had never left the mountain before, but I soon found...." she paused, could she tell about Princess Luna helping her? Pushing those thoughts away, she continued, "something.... that led me to where I needed to go."

"Something?" he asked, confused.

"Yeah... Something," she whispered.

"What else happened on your journey?" Blood Dusk asked, changing the subject slightly.

"Well, I ended up in Ponyville, a town right beside the Everfree Forest. I stayed in a tree-library with Twilight Sparkle! She was so kind to me, but she and her friends weren't around a lot, as some other things came up. But I made three friends who are my age! Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, and Scootaloo! We had so much fun. We went on an adventure to the Castle of The Two Sisters! They helped me a lot during my time spent there..." Comet Blaze babbled on, pausing after her mind raced back to her friends. She sighed. The little filly missed her friends.

"Your friends sound wonderful, Comet Blaze. Maybe soon you will see them again," he told her, trying to make her feel at least a little bit better.

"Hopefully," she whispered. Hopefully.

After that, the two continued walking silently, unsure of what to say. Thankfully, they were close to Blood Dusk's, and hers, technically, home. Once they reached there, it would be better for them to talk about the journey and such. Comet Blaze kept glancing at Blood Dusk. Since she left, he seemed different. Physically, he looked the same, same dark coat, mane, and tail, same dark, mysterious, cool eyes, but he didn't act the same. In fact, no pony was acting the same.

Finally, the two had reached the house and made their way inside. Blood Dusk led the way into his office, closing the door behind them as both made it fully into the room. He sat in his chair behind the desk, giving Comet Blaze a look to do the same with the chair in front of the desk. She complied, sitting down in the chair.

"I guess, first things first. Did you retrieve all five items?" Blood Dusk asked in a dull monotone.

"Yes," the little filly replied, almost questioningly, "I think so."

"You think so?" the older pony questioned.

"Well, the items were given as riddles, so I think I got the items right," the little filly whispered, almost feeling like she wanted to cry.

Suddenly, the door burst open. Standing in the door frame was a bat pony, one the little filly had never seen. Confused, she turned her gaze towards Blood Dusk, but he was looking at the pony in the door frame.

"What is it, Shimmer?" he asked, patiently.

"Selene and Dante are ready," the pony, Shimmer, as Blood Dusk called her, announced.

"Thank you for informing me, Shimmer, please tell them that we will be arriving there shortly," he told the silver, shimmering pony called Shimmer, dismissing her with a look that she seemed to understand.

She turned, leaving the two alone in the room. Comet Blaze looked at Blood Dusk, confusion evident in her eyes. Sighing, he cleared his throat, then started to speak.

"Selene and Dante are here to help mix the potion using your five items. Both have talents in the magic of nature and potions, they will be very helpfully during the next step of your journey," Blood Dusk explained. "Come on, we must be going now. The sooner, the better."

Comet Blaze rolled her eyes, but still got up and followed as Blood Dusk, too, got up and exited to room.

This was going to be a long day...

Once the two reached their destination, Blood Dusk stopped just outside the door and turned to Comet Blaze.

"I don't know what is going to happen once we begin, but be prepared for anything. Alright?" Blood Dusk asked, almost begging.

"Alright," the little filly replied.

Blood Dusk was starting to frighten the little filly. What was going to happen? Comet Blaze just wished she could know. Was something bad going to happen? Or was Blood Dusk just being paranoid? Pushing away her thoughts, she watched carefully as the older pony pushed open the door and walked in. She followed, walking slowly.

The room wasn't overly large, just big enough to fit many herbs and materials lined up on shelves against the walls, a large pot in the center, and a few other ponies inside, too. The walls were a calming mixture of blue and green, making Comet Blaze relax slightly. Inside the room, two ponies were shuffling around, seemingly trying to find something.

The first was a silvery white, unicorn, with a blue mane, stripped with a few other shades of blue. Selene, Comet Blaze guessed. On the unicorn's flank was a rose, moon, and a few six pointed stars. Her cutie mark made it obvious that he talent was with magic, while it also matched her name.

The other pony, Dante, as Comet Blaze guessed, was a pegasus. He had a black coat, and his spike-y mane and short tail looked like flame, a dark red and orange colored his hair. Flames. His cutie mark was a flaming six pointed star. Magic. Just like Selene, his cutie mark made it obvious that his talent was magic, despite being a pegasus, and it also matched his name.

"Comet Blaze, this is Selene," he pointed to the silvery-white unicorn "and Dante," he pointed to the black pegasus "They are going to help make the potion."

"Hello, Selene, Dante," the little filly said, trying to be polite, but it backfired as she was still very quiet and unsure.

"Hello, Comet Blaze," Dante spoke quickly before flying off to the wall to find whatever he was looking for.

"Hello, young one," the silvery unicorn, Selene, said, smiling. "Don't mind my brother, he is just working on his studies. Now, should we see what we must do for your potion?"

The unicorn brought a book down from one of the shelves, opening the book to a page.

"This book should help us make the potion. Can I see the five items?" Selene asked.

Comet Blaze nodded, setting her bag onto the table. Selene smiled and started pulling out the items. First, the Poison Joke, then a strand of violet-colored hair, then Zecora's pink potion, then the Heart's Desire, and finally the bag holding the star. Selene studied the items for a second before turning her attention to the book.

Comet Blaze watched in awe as Selene made the potion. Using a much smaller pot, she mixed water, herbs, and a few items that she had retrieved. In the boiling water, the Poison Joke petals, Twilight Sparkle's strand of hair, the Heart's Desire, and a few other herbs that Comet Blaze couldn't see, were put inside, making the water turn into a boiling rainbow. After what seemed like hours, the pot was done. Selene smiled, then opened the vial containing Zecora's pink potion. Using her magic, she pour the rainbow colored potion into the vial, mixing it with the pink colored liquid. The potion turned into a white liquid, with a rainbow swirling around inside. Taking the star out of the container, she placed it inside the white, rainbow swirled potion. The star shone brightly, sending of a rainbow in Comet Blaze's direction.

She shrieked.

At first, the rainbow seemed to burn inside of her, then it calmed. It was like water, flowing through her, looking for something. The water-like rainbow must of found what is was looking for, as it turned from a gentle flowing stream, to a boiling, bubbling spring, turning back into liquid flame, burning through her.

Again, Comet Blaze shrieked.

What is this? What is it doing to me? Comet Blaze was starting to panic. Her vision was going blurry, her ears felt like they were stuffed with fluff as all noises were muffled. What was happening?

The liquid flame burned through her, she tried to scream to Blood Dusk or Selene or even Dante, but she couldn't make a sound. Nothing. She could do absolutely nothing. All she could do was let the flame burn. She stopped fighting it and let it do what it wanted. She knew she couldn't stop it. She couldn't do anything.

Luna! Comet Blaze called out in her mind, hoping that maybe the lunar alicorn princess could hear her. Luna! Please! Help Me!

Comet Blaze continued to call out in her mind. In her mind, she saw a silhouette coming towards her. She gasped.

Luna? she called out to the silhouette.

No, dear one. Do not worry, the flame will melt away soon. the silhouette soothed.

Who are you? the filly asked.

You know the answer to that, young one. the silhouette whispered soothingly.

Mother?

Everything went black...

Author's Note

I'm so sorry it took so long to update! I was so busy on focusing on school!
Anyways, here's an update!
She finally returned home, the potion was made, but now what?
What did you guys think of Selene and Dante? Well, Selene mostly...
I'll try to update again soon, maybe again today!