The Moon and the Star

Chapters

The Filly in the Night Time
Golden and Star
Face to Face
The Escape
The Dream
Hearth's Warming Eve
Enemies Revealed
The Truth Revealed
The Crystal King
Star's Past
The Moon Rises
The Filly and the Moon
Epilogue
Prologue
The Shadow

The Filly in the Night Time

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

Golden and Star

Chapter 2 : Golden and Star

Star entered the school grounds and headed for her favorite place to just sit and read or think about things. She reached her spot, sat down

and took out a book called "How to survive at school". Star had skipped ahead to the chapter about being bullied when she first got it for 5

bits. The chapter only contained one word : "run". That was something that Star had already figured out by herself which made the book

pretty much useless. Seeing as everypony around new that book was useless because she complained about it very loudly, a young pony

once came up to her and asked :

"If it's useless, then why are you bringing it with you to school everyday? I mean, it looks like if it weighs a ton."

to which she answered:

"So that if somepony comes and tries to bully me, I'll have something to defend myself with."

All the smart school bullies kept their distance from that day on. All the smart ones...

And so came the day when the book was put to the test. Star was laying on the grass during the morning break reading a book about

famous Unicorns. She was reading the section about StarSwirl the Bearded, which was incomplete, when Thunder Wing started walking

towards her. She didn't see the young pegasus coming and when she finally noticed, it was to late for her to drag her book out of the way.

Thunder Wing trotted all over her book and then smirked at Double Star. Thunder turned her back on Star, which turned out to be a big

mistake on her part. With a sigh, Star took out the big book and shut one of her eyes so as to aim better.

Thunder Wing never knew what hit her. She just woke up in the nurses office an hour later, very confused as to how she had gotten there.

Star had been given detention for having rendered a schoolfilly unconscious.

She reached the detention room later that evening, she was told that one other filly had equally been given detention. She didn't know why

he was here, she was just glad that she wouldn't be alone.

"Hi there, I'm Golden." said a voice from behind her

Star turned around and saw a young colt with a brown shoulder length mane and a white coat. His tail was tied up in a short ponytail.

"Hi, I'm Double Star." she said

"So, are you the one that knocked out Thunder Wing earlier today?"

Star was cautious, this colt could be one Thunder's friends. He could be seeking revenge for his humiliated friend.

"Yeah... What of it?" she asked

"Good job. I can't stand that filly. She drives me crazy, constantly pushing everypony around. If she weren't so intimidated by the fact that

I'm taller then she is, I'm sure she would try pushing me around too." Golden laughed out loud.

Star smiled a little, seeing as she too was intimidated by the fact that he was taller. Golden noticed the look on Star's face and new what she

was thinking.

"It's OK, I may look intimidating but I don't bite." he said with an encouraging smile. Star looked at his face and decided that he indeed

would not bite her.

"So, what did you do to end up here?"

"See, not that hard to open up."he said with another smile. "I set off a cracker underneath Fancy Blue's chair. It was totally worth it. I wish I

had had a camera on me, to preserve that moment forever."

Fancy Blue arrived at the detention room and as he walked through the door, Star could have sworn he threw Golden a dirty look. Golden

completely ignored this and just passed through the door whistling.

They were released 1 hour later, and Star got over her shyness and was currently lecturing Golden.

"Fine, it was funny. But I still think it was a bad idea to take his glasses and put them in his boots. He was furious, I hope he doesn't make

you pay for them." said Star with small chuckle

"It was just as much worth it to me as the cracker beneath his chair." he replied "and if he makes me pay for a new pair of glasses, I'll just

make him a pair made out of a few twigs I'll pick up off the ground." Golden explained

Star and Golden both laughed so hard that they fell to the ground, not able to breath properly. It took them a few minutes to slow their

breathing enough to be able to form a single word.

"So" started Golden "Do you think we're we friends now? Or are you still scared that I'll bite?"

"Friends?" Star thought about it, did she really want a friend that was more often in detention then in actual class."Yeah, I think we are."

Golden looked at Star and smiled. Star starred at him for a while, and then smiled back at him. Golden and Star got up and started walking.

Golden insisted on escorting Star back to the orphanage before heading home. Star looked out the window and watched as Golden

vanished around the street's corner. Star went to bed, excited about the next day when she would spend time with her new friend.

Star was in a dark corridor, which seemed to have no exit. She turned and found herself face to face with an army of parasprites, except

these looked different. Their eyes were all red, and they all had sharp teeth that looked like if it could cut a chicken in half. She started

running away from the Parasprites, she looked back after running for a few minutes, noticing that they were gone, and then slowed down to

a gentle trot. She smiled, glad that she was safe from the adorable but dangerous bugs.

She turned around, a smug look on her face... And came face to face with a cockatrice, a chicken looking creature that turns everything that

looks into it's eyes to stone. And she was looking at those eyes, she didn't dare look down but she could feel the stone curse creeping up

her four legs. She tried to look away, hoping that breaking eye contact with the creature would stop the progress of the petrification, but

her eyes locked onto the cockatrice's eyes. The stone had now reached her jaw, she tried to call out for help but no help came. Just before

the stone covered her eyes, Star caught a glimpse of a strange shadow in the distance.

Star woke up with a gasp. What a horrible dream! Why does this always happen to me? Star asked herself.

She got out of bed and put on her slippers, deciding that it was time for another night time stroll.

The next day, she arrived at school, wondering if Golden would show up or whether he had decided to skip the morning class. She headed

for her usual place on the grass, hoping that Thunder wouldn't try to come and make fun of her again. She didn't mind detention but she

had better things to do. It was not to be, Thunder came over as Star knew she would.

"Hey Star. How was detention yesterday? Did you have fun?" teased Thunder

"I had lots of fun, how was your trip to the nurses office?" replied Star

Anger flashed across Thunder Wing's face. She grabbed Star's saddle bag and was about to throw it over the school wall, which meant Star

wouldn't be able to go get them because the school gates were closed. Golden, however, showed up and grabbed the saddle bags before

she could throw them out. Golden put the bags down next to Star, who was looking at him gratefully.

"Hi Thunder, how you are feeling? Heard you had a little accident yesterday. How's your head?"

Thunder looked at Golden nervously, not knowing how to react.

"You got lucky this time, but I will get back at you Double Star!" spat Thunder Wing

"Don't count on it." said Golden

Thunder ran off to rejoin the safety of her rather large group of friends.

"Thanks Golden." said Star

"Don't mention it, it was my pleasure." he answered.

And so they both headed to class together.

Face to Face

Chapter 3 : Face to Face

The next night, Luna was up on her tower again when she noticed that the filly was heading towards the Royal Gardens once more. Luna

jumped of the tower and glided quietly towards the gardens, she hovered high above the filly. She summoned her night wolf once again

and sent it to go meet the little pony.

Double Star was lying in front of the statue of Luna and Celestia when, out of the corner of her eye, she saw the wolf she had seen the night

before come towards her. Double Star got up and turned to face the wolf.

“Hi, how did you get in this time? Or do you live here? And I'm talking to a wolf now... Well, it's still better then talking to myself.”

Double Star turned away from the wolf and trotted towards the trees that were kept in the north section of the Royal Gardens. Luna

watched Double Star as she headed towards the trees, wondering what she was planning to do. She watched as the filly stopped in front of

a tree and looked up at it. It was a huge tree with several low branches that went all the way to the top. She must be planing to climb that

tree thought Luna. Luna dropped to the ground as Double Star reached for the first branch. Luna hid behind a bush and watched the filly

climb the tree. She did pretty well and Luna relaxed a little, the wolf was sitting beneath the tree staring up at Double Star.

Double Star was climbing up the tree, she loved climbing this tree. Whenever she was really upset, she would come here and climb this tree.

She was reaching for the next branch when she heard a crack from beneath her hooves. Before she could wrap her hoof around the next

branch, the branch bellow her gave in to her weight.

Luna was watching her climb, she was halfway up the tree when a branch suddenly snapped. Luna reacted in an instant, she powered up

her horn and caught Double Star a few meters before she hit the ground. Luna emitted a sigh of relief. She deposited the filly gently on the

ground and hid behind the bush as Double Star looked around, wondering why she wasn't hurt.

She started falling to the ground, hoping that the ground wasn't too hard. But she never reached the ground, shouldn't I have hit it by

now? she wondered. Double Star looked down, she was being held up by magic. What's going on? Could the wolf actually do magic?

Double Star looked at the wolf, it was chasing a fly and trying to eat it. Nah... So who's casting the spell? Double Star was lowered

to the ground, she had never been so happy to reach the ground. Double Star looked around, trying to see if there was anypony around

who could have casted the levitation spell. Double Star gave up trying to see anything or anypony and returned to her room.

Luna watched as the filly left the Royal Gardens and returned from wherever she had come from. She returned to her tower hoping that the

filly would be OK. Luna went to wake Celestia so that she could raise the sun.

“Tia? It's time to raise the sun.”

“Very well, anything happened during the night?”

“...No. Nothing at all.”

A few weeks later

Luna had the decided that she should show herself to Double Star, as she now knew the filly was called, and start getting to know her. That

night she waited for Double Star to show herself, as she had done for the past few weeks. Luna saw Double Star exit the building, right on

time she thought. Luna waited until Double Star reached the gardens before leaping of the tower to go meet the young pony for the first

time. She was standing in front of the fountain again, Luna crept up behind her and opened her mouth, ready to let her presence be know.

Double Star was staring up at the statue of Celestia when she heard a voice come from behind her.

“Good evening.” it said

There was something about the voice that made Double Star think that this was no regular pony. She turned around, expecting to see a

normal pony or at the most, a Unicorn. But she certainly wasn't expecting to see an alicorn princess. But there she was, smiling away and

looking down at her.

“Princess Luna!”

Luna watched smiling as realization dawned upon Double Star's face. She was surprised when Double Star fell to the ground and bowed to

her.

“Please, don't bow to me. I just wish to speak to you.”

“Me? Why do you want to speak to me?”

“Well, I have been watching you go out each night for a while now and I've decided that I want to finally meet you.”

“Really? But why?”

“As you can see, there aren't that many ponies around right now. Which is why, I believe, you enjoy coming out at night. Correct?”

Star shrugged and then asked:

“So you're lonely?”

“Simply put, yes. I wanted to meet somepony who isn't my sister who is not afraid of the night. You are one such pony, so I was curious.”

Double Star looked at Luna as if she could hardly believe what was happening. She saw Luna's horn and a thought struck her.

“You can perform spells right? With your horn?” she asked

“Yes. When the occasion calls for it.” replied the princess

“Right. I just wanted to ask you, a few weeks ago I fell from a tree but somepony caught me with magic before I could hit the ground. Was

that you?” continued Star

Luna smiled.

“Yes, that was me.”

“Wow, thanks. I actually went looking for the unicorns that live here but none of them seemed like staying up at night type... So, you said

you were curious. What about?”

“I was mostly just wondering why you ventured out into my night.”

Double Star stared at Luna for a moment, she may be one of the princesses but she wasn't ready to share that information with anypony

yet. So she settled for a half-truth.

“I have nightmares sometimes. The silence and fresh air helps me clear my head. I also prefer being alone, I don't have many friends and

there's this one pegasus in particular that teases me about my lack of a cutie mark.” stated Star

“I don't think I could make this pegasus you speak of leave you alone without upsetting my sister which, while entertaining, would have

some consequences. The nightmare however, maybe I could help you with that. This isn't general knowledge but I'll tell you because I

believe I can trust you.” started Luna

“Really?” asked the young pony

“Absolutely...I don't just raise and lower the Moon. I can also travel into my dreams and influence how they unfold, perhaps I could help you

in your dreams.” proposed the alicorn

“You can!? That's incredible! And you can really make my nightmares go away?” asked Star excitedly

“I believe so, I have never attempted it on anypony but myself before. But I am certainly willing to try.” declared Luna

“Oh thank you, thank you, thank you...” said Star

“I haven't actually done anything yet...” replied Luna

“Thank you, thank you, thank you...”

Double Star dropped to the ground and started kissing Luna's hooves. Luna looked around, glad for once that nopony was awake.

“Um... You may stop kissing my hooves now.”

Double Star looked up at Luna, turned a bright shade of red, got up and backed away a little.

“It is too late to attempt such a thing tonight, but I shall definitely try tomorrow night. And there is no need to thank me...again”

Double Star already had her mouth open, she snapped it shut and smiled at Luna. Luna smiled back.

“Now Double Star...”

“Just Star is fine.”

“Very well, Star. Why don't you go try and get some sleep for the remaining hours of the night?”

“OK, good night Princess Luna.”

“...Good Night, Star.”

Luna watched as Star trotted off happily. Nopony had ever wished her a good night before, except Celestia, but they weren't strangers to

each other. Luna returned to her tower and sat on it's roof, watching the sun rise and glad that she had decided to follow Star that night all

those weeks ago.

The Escape

Chapter 4 : The Escape

Double Star walked to school, as she had done everyday for the past few years, hoping that Thunder Wing wouldn't notice her, especially

today, because Golden wasn't here. But she got noticed...

“Hey! Double Star! When do you think you're going to get a cutie mark? I'm betting it's once you've finished school... or how about when

they come back?”

At this, Double Star stopped in her tracks. She had been teasing her about her lack of a cutie mark every single day since she got hers, and

she could live with it... But now, she had crossed a line. How DARE she bring them up! It doesn't matter why he brought it up, she's going

to regret it. she thought.

She turned around and looked at Thunder Wing. Thunder Wing was too busy laughing with her friends to notice that Star was staring at her.

When she did notice, she stopped laughing, Double Star pawed at the ground and charged. Thunder Wing started flapping her wings to try

and take off. But they weren't powerful enough to get her of the ground yet. And so...

“You stuffed your quill... up her nose?” asked Fancy Blue

“Yes Sir.” she replied

“May I ask why?” asked the director of the orphanage

“She made fun of me... again.” Star continued

“I see... Well, I'm afraid that I shall have to arrange a suitable punishment for you and Thunder Wing. Seeing as what you have done is

slightly more serious then Thunder Wing, your punishment will be more severe.” explained Fancy Blue

“But she provoked me!” protested Star

“I don't care, you just cannot stick quills up other ponies noses! Even if they deserve it! Thunder Wing will be given lines to write, seeing as

you have already punished her slightly. And you will...”

“Lines! That's it! That's not fair, the quill didn't really hurt anyway, Thunder Wing was just being a big baby.”

“Do not interrupt! Now, you will help the cooks make tonight’s dinner... and go to bed without eating any of it.”

“What!”

“You heard me young filly! Get to it!”

“But...”

“Star!”

“...Yes sir.”

Double Star ran back to her room and kicked the door shut behind her. How could he send her to bed without diner! She had to peel so

many potatoes that her hoof still hurt even know. Double Star collapsed on her bed and just lay there thinking. To think that none of this

would have happened if Thunder Wing weren't here... or if I weren't here. Double Star suddenly realized that she didn't have to be

here. Everypony was busy eating their dinner, nopony would realize if she left... and let's face it, nopony would miss her once they did. But

where should she go? Where would she go? The castle is surrounded by the Everfree Forest. But maybe on the other side, if she could find a

safe path through the forest, she could find a new home where her lack of cutie mark would not be a problem.

What if there isn't anypony out there? asked a voice in her head. She had no answer, but she felt like she had to leave the castle,

Thunder Wing and everything else behind all the same. Star packed everything she owned in her saddle bags and crept out the door into

the night.

Luna was in her room, trying to figure out how she was going to enter Star's dreams and keep the nightmares at bay when there was a

knock at the door. It was Celestia coming to tell Luna that it was time to raise the moon.

“Good evening Luna. Have you slept well?” inquired Celestia

“Well enough to make it through the night.” she answered “Are you OK? You seem worried about something... Anything I should know?”

“Actually yes, a certain Fancy Blue came by the throne room today to tell me that one of his students are missing. He had punished her

earlier that day for sticking her quill up another filly's nose.”

“Up the nose? Really?” Luna chuckled.

“Yes. Anyway, he doesn't think she would have left the castle grounds so he would like us to keep an eye out. The filly in question is called

Double Star.”

Luna was in the process of putting her armor on. But at the mention of Star's name she stopped.

“Does Fancy know how long ago she disappeared?”

“Can't have been more then a few hours ago according to the pony. Anyway, I'm going to hit the hay now. Goodnight Luna.”

“Goodnight...”

Celestia left Luna's chambers but Luna didn't even notice, she had continued putting her armor on and thinking quickly at the same time.

Why would she run away? Did she have a bad dream again? No, it's still to early for her to have gone to sleep. And she always use to wait

until later to sneak out. What if she did go into the Everfree Forest, if she was desperate enough. The night has never frightened her

before... Oh I hope I'm wrong.

With that thought, Luna leaped out the window and sped towards the castle gate that with all the haste she could muster and headed into

the Everfree Forest.

Double Star had stopped at the gate, wondering if she should go on. She looked back at the sun, Celestia wouldn't lower it for another three

hours. She would be long gone before anypony even noticed she was missing. She looked at the forest, took a deep breath, and moved

forward cautiously. There was a path of sorts that seemed to cut through the forest, it seemed like as good a place as any to start. Double

Star trotted forward, looking every in every direction, hoping that she wasn't going to run into anything that could eat her faster then she

could say... well... anything. She had just passed a cave that seemed to be the residence of a bear, there was a sign in front that said:

'Went to the beach to collect seashells.'

Star pondered this. A bear that collects seashells? I've never heard of something like that before. She pushed the sign out of her head

and started moving again, and that was when she heard it, the howl of a Timberwolf. She stopped in her tracks and breathed in deeply

through her nose, trying to detect from which direction the smell of their bad breath came from... so that she knew which way to run.

Luna was flying over the forest, looking for any sign of the little filly, anything that might indicate if she had come through here. She had

found a pair of hoof prints a mile back, she had followed them here. As Luna followed the tracks, she noticed that the tracks had changed.

The filly who had made them was no longer trotting peacefully through the forest, she was running. And there was something else, Luna

dropped to the ground to inspect the tracks more closely. There was a second pair of prints, but they didn't belong to a pony, they belonged

to...

“HELP!!”

Luna leaped into the sky and started beating her wings. She flew towards the source of the sound, searching for the young pony all the

while. She flew over a clearing and that was where she saw her. Double Star was being attacked by a pack of Timberwolves.

“Help!” Double Star cried out again, she was lying down on her stomach and had her hooves over her head. She couldn't see the

Timberwolves but she could hear their growls and she could smell the stench of their breath. She closed her eyes, expecting to feel it's teeth

sink into her. But all of a sudden, there was a loud 'thump' that she couldn't identify right away. She heard one of the Timberwolves's paws

slice into something she couldn't see and heard a grunt of pain. She heard the sound of lightning flying through the air, which seemed

impossible seeing as the sky was clear just a few moments ago. She heard the Timberwolves whimper and the sound of the beasts running

away. Their paws striking the ground in a steady beat. What happened? she wondered.

When Double Star opened her eyes, she saw Luna standing over her, back lit by the Moon, which made her look fierce and there was a look

in her eyes that made Double Star hide beneath her hooves and cry.

Luna dropped to the ground between Double Star and the Timberwolves, her horn starting to crackle from the spell that she was about to

cast. She noticed that one of the Timberwolves was crouching, getting ready to attack her. She started to turn her head but it was too late,

the beast pounced towards her, it's paw already traveling through the air. Luna felt a sharp pain on her left shoulder as she fell to the

ground.

The other Timberwolves start running towards her. Luna got up and released the spell she had been building up. The spell was released

with a sound like lightning and hit the Timberwolf that had just attacked her, it flew through the air, hit an old oak tree and slid to the

ground unconscious.

Luna turned to face the two others, she noticed a big boulder on the ground and had an idea. She aimed her horn at the rock and

unleashed a blast of alicorn magic at it. Luna then teleported just as the lead Timberwolf was about to get her. She reappeared behind the

creature and blasted it into the sky and further into the Everfree Forest. But meanwhile, the remaining Timberwolf was already flying

through the air, planing on eating Luna. But before it could get to her, a giant creature snatched it out of the air and threw it after the other

Timberwolf. The spell that Luna had cast on the boulder had turned it into a Golem, a giant creature made of stone.

Luna turned towards Double Star and looked down at her. The young filly looked up and Luna saw fear in those eyes and she realized that

the young pony was afraid of her. The young Earth Pony ducked beneath her hooves. Luna was going to ask her what in Equestria she was

thinking but then she noticed that the young pony was crying. The words died in her mouth. She watched her for a minute, unsure of what

to do. Then, Luna knelt right next to Double Star. The filly jumped at the contact of the princess but then relaxed slightly when she realized

she was no longer in any danger.

“I'm sorry Luna.” said Star

“Why did you run away?” asked the alicorn

Double Star looked Luna and noticed that the look in Luna's eyes that had frightened her so had gone, she started to relax a little bit more.

After a few minutes of both of them laying on the ground together, Luna holding herself upright, her wing wrapped around Double Star and

looking down at her. The young Earth Pony with her head on the ground right by Luna's hooves. Finally she answered.

“I ran away because I didn't think that anypony would miss me if I did.”

“Why would you think that? Don't you think your parents would care?” asked Luna

“... I don't have any.” Star replied

Luna stared at the filly in silence, and finally recognized the building that Star had been sneaking out of every night. It was the castle's

orphanage.

“I'm sorry...” she started

“Oh they're not dead, they just gave me to Fancy Blue and left. He says it's because they didn't have the means to take care of a filly, but I

have doubts sometimes whether they were actually my parents, from the description that Fancy gave me, they don't even look remotely like

me.” explained the Earth pony

“So what was it that made you want to run?”

“It all started this morning, I was walking through the school gate when a pegasus called Thunder Wing started teasing me about my lack of

cutie mark again, I was used to her doing that but then she said that maybe I would only get it when my parents came back. So I stuffed my

quill up her nose and then got punished by Fancy Blue, and sent to bed without dinner. So, while everypony was eating, I ran for it.”

“I see.”

Luna and Star just lay there in silence for a while, Luna pondering what she had heard. It still wasn't quite clear to Luna what these

Timberwolves were doing in this part of the forest, they usually stayed clear of this area. Something lurked here that nopony had ever been

able to see, it scared beast and pony alike. It was nearing midnight and dangers that didn't fear alicorn magic lived in this part of the

Everfree Forest.

“Are you ready to go back now? We can stay here a bit longer if you want. Nothing would dare bother us now.”

“I'm OK now. We can leave... Thanks for coming to get me, Luna.”

Luna just smiled at the young pony and eventually she smiled too. Luna lifted thee filly onto her back and carried her back, using a spell to

keep her from falling off her back. Meanwhile, back in the forest a shadow lurked, watching the Princess and filly fly away.

“You may have escaped me this time, but you shall not get a second chance to do so. You shall be mine whether I must wait another 10

years or another 100.”

The shadow turned it's back to the castle and disappeared into the forest.

Luna brought the young filly to her chambers.

“Where are we? Aren't you taking me back to the orphanage?”

“No, I thought it would be better if you slept here for what's left of the night. Only if you want of course.”

“Can I really?”

“I don't see why not.”

Luna went to kneel by her window to watch over the night, she heard a sound behind her and assumed that the young filly had just climbed

into her bed. She smiled. Luna was surprised, however, when Double Star came over to her, dropped a pillow and blanket on the ground

right next to her and lay down and closed her eyes. Looking down at the filly, Luna draped her wing over Double Star and whispered in her

ear:

“Sweet dreams, my little pony.”

Unknown to Luna, the young pony was still awake and a small smile appeared on Double Stars face. Luna stayed there the rest of the night,

waiting for the moment when she had to lower the Moon.

The Dream

Chapter 5 : The Dream

The next day, Star was returned to the orphanage by Celestia.

“Thank you for finding Double Star.” said Fancy Blue

“It was not me, but my sister, Princess Luna, who found her last night. A pack of Timberwolves had chased her deep into the Everfree

Forest. If my sister had not intervened, who knows what would have happened. If I may, my sister does not believe that Double Star should

be punished... again, she has gone through enough as it is.” requested Celestia

“Very well Princess Celestia, I shall take into consideration Princess Luna's suggestion. Please thank your sister for me when you get the

chance.” asked the orphanage director

“I shall.” assured the princess

Star was waiting outside the office, waiting for the axe to fall. When Celestia and Fancy Blue came out, a knot formed in Star's stomach, she

had no idea was going to happen. Fancy Blue looked at Star.

“You are to go strait to your room, I'll shall be expecting you at lunch, and if you ever attempt something like this again... Timberwolves will

be the least of your worries, do you understand?”

Star gulped and nodded her head.

“Very well then, off you trot.”

Fancy Blue turned towards Celestia and escorted her out. The two left Star alone in the corridor to ponder exactly how she had not been

punished for last nights escapade. Star could not believe her luck, she had made it out of the forest alive thanks to Luna, and she wasn't

even going to be punished for running away. She suspected that Luna had pulled some strings, which made her feel even more grateful

towards the alicorn princess. Later that day, she had received a letter from Luna.

Star,

If you still wish me to attempt to enter your dreams and make sure that you are not bothered by nightmares, I believe I have found a

way to travel from my dreams to yours. I shall be attempting it tonight, so you must be asleep by the time the Moon is set or it won't

work.

Sincerely,

Princess Luna

Star was so excited, but she was also nervous. She was nervouscited. Would it work? What if Luna doesn't manage to enter her dream?

And what if she does enter but the nightmare is too much for Luna to handle? All these thoughts and questions plagued her mind as the

day progressed. By the time the day was over, Star didn't know whether she would even be able to fall asleep. It was finally time for bed,

Star slipped in between her covers and waited for sleep to come. She didn't have long to wait, five minutes later she was snoring away.

Double Star was walking through the castle grounds, Thunder Wing was a little ways away, whispering to her friends with a scowl on his

face. Star had finally gotten her cutie mark and she was walking around, showing it off. Suddenly Luna popped into the dream, she was

a bit disoriented at first. She looked around her.

“So, I can do it. Interesting.”

Luna looked around for Star, she saw her walking around with her cutie mark very visible. Luna smiled when she saw everypony fawning

over her, then she saw Celestia ask Star for an autograph, Luna burst out laughing. Star heard the laugh, she looked up and saw Luna.

“Luna! You made it! Or am I just dreaming you too?” exclaimed Star excitedly

“No, I'm really here. Wherever here is.” replied Luna

“Are you giving me this dream?” asked the Earth pony

“No, this is all you. I haven't done anything yet.” answered the princess

“You made it here, that's something.” stated Star

“I suppose...” trailed off Luna

“So, do we just wait for a nightmare?” wondered Star

“Yes, and then I'll see if I can influence your nightmares somehow to turn them into dreams.” explained Luna

While Luna and Star were talking, a shadow lurked in the corner of Star's dream.

“Do not worry, you shall not have long to wait.”

The unicorn fired up it's horn, magic crackling around it. Suddenly, the castle disappeared and everything was dark. Star and Luna looked

around. Two eyes suddenly opened behind the two ponies. And then a mouth full of sharp teeth. Then the whole creature was visible, it was

an Ursa Major.

Star started panicking and Luna looked at it in horror. They were still just in a dream, but they were still afraid. The Ursa Roared.

“Luna! You have to turn this into a dream! Before that Ursa eats us!” shouted Star

“But I haven't had time to practice! I don't know how to!” shouted back Luna

“Please try...” begged the filly

Luna looked at Star, she was afraid and trying not to show it. Then she stared at the Ursa Major. Luna fired up her horn, but this time, the

magic didn't appear as it did in the physical world. White tendrils of magic slowly came out of her horn, they reached for the Ursa Major and

wrapped themselves around it. The Ursa Major tried to break free but it was being held too tightly by Luna's magic. The Ursa Major started

fading in the dark, until it vanished completely.

“You did it! You did it!” exclaimed Star

She was jumping around excitedly. Luna was watching her jump around with a smile on her face. Meanwhile, the unicorn had watched the

events unfold.

“Things just got very interesting.”

The pony smiled and then started laughing softly.

A few days later, Fancy Blue asked Double Star to come to his office at the end of the day, he had something to talk to her about before

lights out. Star sent a letter to Luna to warn her that she would be late for their meet up, she hadn't had a single bad dream since Luna had

gotten rid of the Ursa. They had been meeting every night for a few hours so that Star could still get some sleep.

Dear Princess Luna,

Firstly, I want to say thanks again for getting rid of my nightmares. I'm just sending you this letter to warn you that I will be late for our

usual meeting time. Fancy Blue has asked me too come to his office before lights out to talk to me. I hope I'm not in trouble.

I'll see you later

Star

Star went to the office at the designated time, she knocked on the door with her hoof and waited for Fancy Blue to tell her to come in.

“Enter.”

She pushed open the door and went to stand in front of his desk. Fancy looked up and seemed to remember why she was here.

“Ah yes... Star.” he said

He stood there for a few minutes, just watching her, wondering how to proceed.

“Where do you run off to once the Moon has risen?” asked the orphanage director bluntly

“Sorry?” Star replied

“You heard me. One of the fillies in your dorm said that you sneak out every night and come back a few hours before Princess Celestia rises

the Sun. So... Where do you go?”. he asked again

Double Star was shocked, she didn't think that anyone would notice she left the orphanage during the night. She doesn't say anything, not

knowing how to answer.

“Either you tell me or I shall have to punish you for leaving the orphanage at night...Well? What's it going to be?” asked Fancy

Before Star could answer, a voice came out of the shadows.

“She was with me.”

Fancy Blue and Star both jump at the unexpected response.

“And w...who are you?” stuttered Fancy

Luna stepped forward out of the shadows and Fancy's face immediately turned white.

“P...Princess Luna! I did not know you were here! But... if I may ask, why do you spend time with this young filly? Surely she isn't worth

worrying about by somepony as important as yourself?” asked the stammering pony

“It is not your responsibility to tell me what to do and who to spend my time with. But I shall answer your question nevertheless. I spend

time with her because I enjoy her company, because she is the only other pony that enjoys my night. The only pony I can speak to that isn't

myself. Is that reason enough for you or shall I continue?”asked the princess

“Well... I suppose that as long as she is in your company, Princess Luna, she is in little danger.” admitted Fancy

“Thank you.” she said. Luna turned to face Star and asked:

“Are you coming?”

Luna gracefully left the office, the young earth pony trotting behind her with a wide smile on her face.

“Thanks for getting me out of trouble...again.” said Star

“You're very welcome.” replied Luna

They walked on in silence for a moment.

“Did you really mean what you said in Fancy's office? About enjoying my company?”

“Of course I did. I love spending time with you.”

Luna smiled at Star, and then she smiled as well.

“Luna?” called the young Earth pony

“Yes?” she asked

“Can I ask you a question?” continued Star

“You just did. But you can ask me another one. Actually, you can ask me as many questions as you want. You don't have to ask for

permission. OK?” explained Luna

“OK. I was just wondering, where do you come from? Who are your parents? Where they alicorns too?” Star asked

“Celestia and I do not know where we come from, nopony knows. The order that took us in, known as the Order of the Alicorns, found us at

the door of their base of operations a few hundred years ago. When the monks realized that we might be the two alicorns that were

supposedly going to dethrone Discord, they called one of the most renowned unicorns of the age: StarSwirl the Bearded.

He taught Celestia and myself all that he knew about magic. It use to be his duty to raise the Sun and Moon before Discord took over

PonyLand. He may have been powerful, but he was still just a unicorn, and his powers were fading, so he taught Celestia how to control the

Sun and taught me how to control the Moon. That's how we got our cutie marks. Our parents are still a mystery to us, we attempted to find

out where we came from, but with little success. So we decided to give up the search and return here. We have ruled over Equestria, as it is

now called, ever since.” explained Luna

“Wow.” whispered Star in amazement

Luna had never revealed so much about herself to an outsider before, it was nice to be able to confide in somepony else for once.

“So, Star, how was your day?” asked Luna in turn

Star took a big breath and started talking.

Hearth's Warming Eve

Chapter 6 : Hearths Warming Eve

Tomorrow was Hearths Warming Eve, Star was really excited because this time she actually had somepony she could send a gift too. And

she new exactly what she would give to Luna. It was ready, she just needed to wait for tomorrow and she would send it to Luna's chambers.

It was a crescent moon carved out of oak that she had painted over with a metallic colored paint. She was quite proud of herself, it closely

resembled the moon in the night sky. Star put the gift in a small box with a ribbon to hold it closed then carefully put the box in her small

wardrobe. Golden was waiting outside so that they could go and see how the preparations for the Hearths Warming Eve were progressing.

Together they headed for the castle, where the celebration was being held, and encountered many different ponies organizing the usual

attractions that happened every year. They saw apple bobbing, a crowd favorite, a few stands where you could have your picture taken as

Celestia or Luna and many more games to play. Star spotted her favorite game and felt impatient about the day that remained until it was

time to start celebrating. She couldn't wait to play pin the tail on the pony.

There was one stand that was already fully set up, before most of the other ponies had even taken out the materials they needed for the

constructing of their stands. The owner of that particular stand was a pony wearing a long scarf with an hourglass for a cutie mark, his

stand was devoted to explaining how time travel was possible without magic, using a miniature blue box and tube big enough to make the

box go through. Star pushed the strange stand out of her mind and concentrated on the rest of the games.

Luna and Celestia were watching the preparations for Hearths Warming Eve from the balcony, but Luna's thoughts were elsewhere. She

was trying to think of what she could offer Star for Hearths Warming Eve, maybe she could find something in the castle that would interest

the young pony. She couldn't really hand over anything she found, some of the objects in this castle were to dangerous to hand over to

anypony. Maybe she could find something in the library that would be of interest to Star. Luna turned away form the preparations and

headed for the royal library.

"Where you going?" asked Celestia

"I going to the library to look for a book." answered Luna

"Very well, I shall see you later, once I have set the sun." said Celestia

Luna trotted towards the library wondering which book of the thousands that were in the library she could pick to offer to her young friend.

She had arrived at the library and then she knew what book to offer Star. She headed for the section of the library dedicated to History,

knowing that Star would find this particular unicorn's history just a fascinating as she had when she was younger. Star had had a wonderful

day, after exploring the different stands for several hours her and Golden set off to go to the doughnut store, where all the young ponies

hung out. Golden bought doughnuts for the both of them, they enjoyed them in silence, wondering what gifts they would receive the next

day. Golden accompanied Star back to the orphanage as he had done ever since they had met and then headed home.

The next day, Star awoke and saw that the dorm was completely empty. Everypony must be downstairs opening up their presents.

thought Star. Star got out of bed and performed her morning routine. She brushed her teeth, washed her hooves and slipped on a jumper

so that she wouldn't be too cold.

When she got downstairs, she started by eating some toast with haymite and butter on top and a glass of orange juice. After bringing her

plate and glass to the kitchen, she entered the recreation room and saw that most of the presents had already been unwrapped There were

still a few that hadn't been touched, those belonging to the fillies who hadn't gotten up yet. Star moved towards the Hearths Warming tree

and took out presents that had her name on them.

The first one she saw looked like if it had been wrapped in hurry, it was from Golden. She unwrapped it and there was a box beneath the

wrapping, inside the box there was a note. It said:

Hey there,

Happy Hearths Warming! Hope you slept well. I hope you enjoy the gift.

See you later at the castle,

Golden

Star looked at the short letter and smiled. She took a second look in the box, inside it was a photograph of somepony holding what looked

like a pair of wooden glasses, a furious look in his eyes, and a note written behind the photograph that said:

Hi again,

Well, he can't really complain, he has a brand new pair of glasses now. It's not my fault if he doesn't like them. I also have a picture

of this priceless moment, so that I can have a good laugh when I need it.

See you later at the castle,

Golden

Star looked at the photograph and just started laughing so hard she couldn't breath, everypony around turned their heads to see what was

going on, some ponies came to see what she was laughing about and just started laughing along with Star, bringing even more attention to

the photograph. Soon the whole room was laughing. Thankfully, Fancy Blue didn't come to see what all the fuss was about. He might decide

to confiscate the photograph and give her and Golden another hour of detention. The next present was expertly wrapped, as if by magic.

This was Luna's gift. It looked like a book and it felt quite heavy in her hooves.

Star took off the paper and inside was a beautifully decorated book. The title read: The Amazing Life and Achievements of StarSwirl the

Bearded

“Wow...” whispered Star “Thanks Luna”

There was a note attached to the book. It said:

My dearest filly,

I remembered you asking about our origins. In this book, you shall find a chapter dedicated to how StarSwirl the Bearded taught us

magic. It is extremely accurate, seeing as StarSwirl the Bearded and I traveled into the future and wrote the book you know hold in

your hooves. We both agreed that the details were important, and didn't want certain things left out... or left in for that matter. I

would equally appreciate if you kept the true identity of the authors a secret, Celestia doesn't know yet.

I hope you enjoy reading this Book.

Sincerely,

Luna

Star laughed again, imaging Celestia's face if she knew who had actually written the book. The name on the book was Swirly Moon. Star

laughed again even harder. She put the book aside and unwrapped the remaining presents, they were the usual things they got every year

from the orphanage. Two pairs of warm socks and a few bits to spend on the attractions the different ponies had set up at the castle's

party. On her way to the castle, Star saw Golden a few steps ahead of her, she ran to catch up.

“Hi!” she screamed in his ears.

Golden jumped at Star's unexpected arrival. She laughed as he calmed down.

“Hi to you too, what did you think of the picture?” Golden asked

“It's totally going on my wall.” she answered

Golden chuckled and they both entered the castle planning to have as much fun as possible.

Luna entered her chambers and saw a little box on her bed. She didn't know anypony but Celestia who offered her gifts, and she had

already given her gift to Luna that morning, so she assumed it was from Star. She was right. Inside was a necklace with a beautifully crafted

moon that seemed to glow in the light. Luna smiled, hoping that Star would enjoy the book. She slipped on the necklace and went to bed so

that she could watch the play representing the discovery and founding of Equestria.

Later

Star and Golden entered the main hall and went to sit as close to the stage as possible. Star looked towards the royal box and saw Luna

sitting there, Star was happy to see that she was wearing the necklace that she had made for her. Star sat down next to Golden and the

room full of ponies fell silent as the show began.

Enemies Revealed

Chapter 7 : Enemies Revealed

The following weeks were the happiest Luna had experienced in a hundred years. She would usually go meet Star in her dreams but

occasionally, Star would sneak out of the orphanage so that they could meet in pony. On those nights, they would just stroll through

grounds, not talking, just enjoying each others company. But this time was not to last, for an evil lurked in the shadows that Luna had

dismissed all those weeks ago, on the night she first saw Double Star.

"I may have fallen into myth and legend and bedtime story to teach young ponies a few life lessons. But I am still here, waiting in the

shadows. And now, the time for me to come out of the stories and enter the real world, where ponies shall fear me until the end of

Equestria. Which, if I have my way, should be soon."

The pony in the shadows laughed, the moon illuminating Luna's unknown foe, the moonlight reflecting off of his eyes.

Double Star had just had another wonderful day at school, spending some more time with Golden,

he had taught her how to do a hoofstand and she, in turn, had taught him how to cook. After all, they wouldn't be fillies forever. Knowing

how to cook was vital to their survival. When she got back to the orphanage, she found a letter lying on her bed, there was only one person

who sent her letters. Luna. The letter said:

My dearest filly,

I am writing to you know to tell you that our dream meetings shall have to be postponed, a threat has arisen in the north. The leader

of the Crystal Empire, King Sombra, had invaded Equestrian land. My sister and I are, as you read, on our way to the Crystal

Empire to defeat King Sombra and free the enslaved crystal ponies. I shall return in a couple of weeks if all goes well, which it shall.

I am confident that two alicorns can defeat one pony, no matter how powerful he may be. I shall see you soon.

Yours Truly,

Luna

Double Star re-read the letter, to see if she had missed anything. Star felt a twinge of unease, but Luna was right, very few things could fight

two alicorns and come out victorious. As it happened, one of the few things that was tied in power with the two princesses was at that very

moment plotting his return.

Somewhere deep in the Everfree Forest

"Now that the two most bothersome beings in Equestria are on their way to the Crystal Empire, there is nothing that can stop me from

entering the castle and claiming the last element I require for my plan to succeed." The Shadow Pony laughed maniacally and then

started heading for the castle the two sisters shared.

Double Star was lying on her bed, reaching the end of the book she was reading, the one that Luna had given her at Hearts Warming Eve.

She was about to stop reading to go to bed when a very loud sound came from the front gates, waking up all the fillies around her.

"What's going on?" asked the filly closest to the window.

Star trotted up to the window and looked outside, and she could hardly believe what she was seeing. An Ursa Major, exactly like the one in

her nightmare, was attacking the castle. And even if all the castle's forces, including the two princesses, had been present, victory may not

have been a sure thing.

"So, what is it?" asked the filly closest to the window impatiently.

"It's an Ursa Minor."

The filly laughed.

"You're joking right?" she asked

"Yes, I was trying to prepare you for the truth. It's an Ursa Major." replied Star

Nopony laughed this time, mostly due to the look on Stars face. Sheer terror.

"Well what are you waiting for? Get the hay out of here!" shouted Star.

Everypony in the room immediately scrambled for the door, the pegasus ponies decided that flying out the window would be faster.

Thunder Wing smirked at Star, she smiled back patiently. She had forgotten to remove her nightgown. Looks like you won't be able to

unfold your wings darling. thought Star with an evil grin. They were only on the first floor so Thunder should be fine, she should.

Meanwhile, the Ursa had broken through the front gate, not even bothering to fight with the guards. They were like flies to the enormous

beast, barely even distracting it. The Ursa Major was destroying things left and right. Ponies running for their lives, hoping to not to be

stepped on. And then a group of smaller ponies entered the Ursa's vision. And then a sudden urge overcame the Ursa to grab the little filly

that it had seen while it was sleeping. It reached out it's clawed hand and grabbed the filly before it could escape.

Double Star was looking around her at all the confusion and chaos. Ponies screaming, pegasus ponies trying to lead the Ursa away and

Unicorns trying various spells that all failed one after the other. Star was so distracted, she didn't see a clawed hand reaching towards her,

but she did hear somepony shout out.

"Star! Look out!"

It was Golden.

Star felt the clawed hand trap her and lift her of the ground. The Ursa stared at the young earth pony to be sure it was the right one and

then turned around and exited through what was left of the front gate. Leaving a destroyed town behind it. Golden looked hopelessly at the

Ursa as it carried away his friend. The last thing he heard from Star before she disappeared along with the Ursa Major was a faint cry for

help.

The Ursa Major walked through the forest, trampling trees like they were mere flowers. Star didn't know how long the creature had been

walking and didn't know how much longer it would do so. Eventually, they reached an area of the Everfree Forest where the trees that grew

there were leafless, not a single flower grew, not a single bird singing. Complete silence. The Ursa Major put Star down and then a voice said:

"You have fulfilled your purpose, now leave this place until I have need of you again."

It was a voice the likes of which Star had never heard before, it seemed unreal, like it belonged to another age.

"Welcome Double Star, I've been wanting to meet you for quite a while now, but I needed to get your silly alicorn princesses out of the

way before having you brought to me. I wasn't sure the Ursa Major would have succeeded had Celestia and Luna been at the castle." said

the voice from the trees

"Who are you? Why did you bring me here?" asked Star

"Now, now. Patience, you shall know all in good time. But let me first tell you how I got here..."

"Dear Celestia, you're going to tell me your life story... Great. Can't wait... for it to be over." said Star with a slight smile.

"Silence! Interrupt me again and I shall call back the Ursa!" said the voice

The voice waited to see if Star would say anything, when she stayed silent it proceeded.

"Before your precious princesses defeated Discord, I was the second most powerful being in all of Equestria after the god of chaos

himself. Discord created me from an old legend that you ponies thought up to teach your children important lessons? Can you guess what

legend I came from? No? I shall tell you, I am the Shadow Pony as seen by Discord. As you can imagine, I was created purely to amuse the

bringer of chaos. And so I was but a fraction of what the legend told about the Shadow Pony. I was furious to be enslaved by that joker of a

world power. So I devised a plan, I would make myself more powerful through arcane means and overthrow Discord and finally step out

from beneath his shadow and cast a shadow of my own. The likes of which have never been seen before nor would have been again. Alas,

Luna and Celestia defeated Discord before I had the chance to separate myself from him. My existence is tied to his, he still lives but his

power no longer supports me. I have had to perform certain rituals so as to remain strong and independent of Discord. And so the time has

finally come, one final ritual and I shall no longer need to depend upon anything or anypony to remain strong!"

"What do you mean?" asked Star

"You see, a few months ago. While everyone was enjoying the Hearths Warming. I broke into the library and found an interesting book

with an even more interesting spell. With that spell I would finally be free to force my will upon the world! I have spent the last few weeks

searching for gathering all the items I would need to perform the ritual." the Shadow Pony explained.

"You still haven't told me why you need me!" said Star

"You were the last item I required to succeed in this endeavor. And now I have you."

"But what would you need me for? I'm just an earth pony!" shouted Star

"So...You do not know from whence you came. Interesting..." said the Shadow Pony

"What are you talking about?" demanded Star

"You really don't know do you?" asked the pony, clearly enjoying himself

"Just say it already!" shouted the young Earth Pony

Star was worried, she didn't understand why she was acting like this. She was shouting at a being of legend that supposedly had enough

power to turn her to ash. Where was all this coming from? Why did she feel so angry?

"Very well... Story time. How did your parents die?" asked the Shadow Pony

"They were attacked by Timberwolves. Why?" she asked

"Sorry, wrong answer. The correct answer is: you never had parents."

"What do you mean? Of course I did. How else would you explain that I exist?"

"Easy, but first, let me tell you what the final ingredient necessary for this ritual was... The final thing I required was a sample of

changeling fur." informed the Shadow Pony

"Changeling fur? What does that have to do with me?" Star asked

"Everything! You see... You are the long lost daughter of the changeling queen!" exclaimed the creature

Double Star looked upon the Shadow Pony, horror displayed on her face.

"You're crazy! That's not true!" she shouted.

"Am I?" he asked.

The Shadow Pony stomped his hoof on the forest ground, Star could feel a strange tingling starting at her hooves and working it's way up.

Her brown coat was disappearing, leaving in it's place a changeling's body. Star ran to the pond that was in front of her, she looked at her

reflection and saw a changeling staring back at her.

The Truth Revealed

Chapter 9 : The Truth Revealed

Double Star closed her eyes, hoping that whatever the Shadow Pony did would be quick and painless. But time passed and nothing was

happening. What's going on? Why hasn't he done anything yet? Star wondered as even more time passed. The last thing she saw

before closing her eyes was the Shadow Pony's hoof reaching for her. She remembered hearing a shriek but she thought that that was her,

she opened her eyes, expecting to see the Shadow Pony. Instead she saw Luna a few meters away, glaring at Star, she realized that she still

looked like a changeling.

“So... You're supposed to be Star?” asked Luna, unsure of how to deal with the situation that she was now facing.

“I could say 'yes', but you wouldn't believe me.” replied Star.

Luna stared at the changeling, not sure what to do. She turned around, trying to think of a way to be sure whether this was the young earth

pony she had met many moons ago. Luna was thinking when she heard a strange sound coming form behind her. Thinking that the

changeling might be doing something that would place her in danger, Luna turned to face the changeling, ready to defend herself. What she

saw surprised her beyond anything she had seen in all of her time in Equestria. The changeling was lying on the ground... crying. Luna was

truly confused and completely lost, how was she supposed to deal with this? Luna stared at the changeling for a moment, then started

moving towards it.

Star was lying on the cold ground of the forest, crying at all the truths that she had learnt and at all the things that had happened in the past

few hours: getting fillynapped by an Ursa Major, being face to face with the Shadow Pony, learning of her true origins. It was all too much

for her, and so she broke down. Then and there. Star felt something lay down next to her, she turned her head and saw Luna staring at her,

pity showing in her eyes. Luna looked into the changeling's eyes, desperation was the dominating emotion that Luna noticed, Luna felt pity

well up inside her. No changeling could be this emotional, this was no natural changeling, and so Luna realized that this must be Star.

“Are you OK?” asked Luna

“Yes... Do... Do you believe me?” asked Star

“I think I may have to. I've never seen a changeling cry before.” replied Luna

Star looked at Luna, glad that she wasn't going to be left alone in the forest. A Timber Wolf howled at that moment. Luna was surprised to

feel the changeling lean into her, as if she were trying to get away from the howl of the TimberWolves. Luna lifted her wing, hesitating about

whether she should, then draped it over the changeling and pulled it closer to her. She could feel the changeling trembling, and so Luna

waited for the changeling to stop fearing that anything more would happen tonight. When Star had finally calmed down, she realized

something. The cold was no longer affecting her. The answer to that was simply that Luna's wing was protecting her from the cold. Star

was surprised that Luna felt sure enough of who she was to keep her warm and comfort her.

“Luna?” called out Star

“Yes?” she answered

“Do you really believe that I'm me? I mean... you know...” Star trailed off

“Yes, I do.” replied Luna

Star poked her head out from beneath Luna's wing and looked at the alicorn princess. Luna was back lit by the moon, looking very fierce

and powerful. But there was a softness in her eyes, Star smiled, seeing that she was safe. Luna smiled back.

“What do you think happened to me? Am I really a changeling? Did he just make me look like one to have some fun? What am I suppose to

do now! Who...” rambled on Star

“Star, stop!” said Luna “I don't know the answers to those questions. Celestia might, but she's currently waiting for me at the border of the

Crystal Empire. She cannot defeat King Sombra alone. You shall just have to wait for us to return, if you truly wish to receive some answers,

you shall have to be patient.”

“You can't leave! What if the Shadow Pony comes back! What if he takes me again!” exclaimed Star.

“I thing that he's gone for good this time. But just in case, I want to you to stay where other ponies can see you. Keep your friends close.

We'll be back before to much time has passed.” explained Luna.

“OK, but what do we do now? I still look like a changeling. How do I turn back into myself?” asked Star

“I believe focusing on who you wish to turn into may trigger the transformation.” answered Luna.

Star looked at Luna, doubt filling her mind, but it was worth trying if she could be herself again.Star focused as hard as she could on how

she used to look, on how she wanted to look. She felt a strange energy traveling from her hooves to her head. A green light flashed in front

of her eyes, and when she looked down, her fur was no longer black but it's usual shade of brown. Star smiled, glad that she no longer

looked like a changeling.

“What do we do know?” asked Star

“We go home.” answered Luna with a smile.

Luna lifted Star onto her back and then flew in the direction of the castle. It took a long time to reach the clearing, but it seemed to take

mere minutes for the castle to be in sight. From Luna's back, Star could see a lone figure standing in the courtyard, looking up at them. Luna

landed gently in the courtyard, Star saw the figure run towards them.

“Star! Are you alright? Is she alright? What happened?” asked Golden, question after question pouring out of his mouth.

“She is fine, she just needs to rest. She has had a very trying time.” answered Luna “I shall have to leave her with you, for I must return to

the Crystal Empire. I am needed, but I would appreciate it if you would leave Star alone until she is ready to tell you what happened.”

“Of course, Princess Luna.” answered Golden.

And so, her instructions given, Luna disappeared in a flash of light. Golden looked at Star worriedly, he wanted to ask so many question, but

he kept Luna's advice in mind. He kept silent and simply escorted Star back to her dormitory. Golden led Star to her bed and watched as

she fell asleep. He left a few minutes later, hoping in his mind that she would be alright. Star heard the door shut and new that she was

alone. The other fillies of the orphanage were out helping clear up the mess the Ursa had left in it's wake. Star fell slowly to sleep, her

dreams were undisturbed and peaceful, courtesy of Luna, who, even though she was currently fighting her way through Sombra's army, still

worried about the young filly.

When Star awoke the next morning, she felt slightly better and ready to explain the events of the previous night to Golden. She got and

went to brush her teeth, after having done that, she looked at herself in the mirror, knowing and worrying about what was hidden beneath

her brown coat. She left the bathroom and went to get ready to go outside and face the day.Golden was waiting in the street for Star to

show up, he had been so worried about the look on her face when she had returned with Princess Luna that he had hardly slept that night.

He heard the door open behind him and turned around, Star was coming down the steps slowly. She looked a little better then she had

yesterday, but still a little worn out. She saw him and smiled, Golden smiled back.

“Hi. Do...Do you feel better?” he asked

“Sort of... But listen, there's something I need to tell you.” she replied

“OK, what is it?” he inquired

“Um... is there somewhere private we can go?” Star asked

“I know a place, come on...” declared Golden

Golden trotted off, Star following him closely, in the direction of the castle. Golden lead them down several narrow, windy streets. Finally

they reached a completely empty alleyway with nopony around.

“What is this place?” asked Star

“Just a place I come to when I want to think about stuff. So... what did you want to tell me?” asked the young colt.

Star took a deep breath and started telling Golden the events of the previous night. The more of the story she told, the more serious and

silent Golden became. When she told him about her true origins, a shock appeared on his face. Star looked away, not wanting to see his

face, to know how he was reacting to such a revelation. Golden looked at Star not wanting, not able to believe it.

“Are you sure?” he asked

Golden watched as Star turned into a changeling before his very eyes, her head still turned away.Golden stood there for a few moments,

then he reached out his hoof towards Star.

Star still wasn't looking at Golden, wondering what he was going to say, what he would do, whether he was even still there. Star felt a hoof

on her cheek, she started, and felt the hoof turn her head back towards the young colt.

“Hi.” said Golden with a smile.

Star looked at him, her eyes brimming with tears. A small chuckle escape through her lips. Golden approached Star and then pulled her into

a hug, one of his legs passing behind her and pulling her in. Star wrapped her front legs around Golden's neck, who was now supporting her

weight, and started crying. Golden just stood there, not letting go of his friend who desperately needed somepony to support her, physically

as well as emotionally. And so they both stood there, the colt and the changeling, as the day slipped away.

The Crystal King

Chapter 10 : The Crystal King

Luna and Celestia had finally reached the heart of Crystal Empire, Sombra's forces had been unable to stop the from reaching the castle,

though they had certainly tried their hardest. The Royal Army had succeeded in pushing back Sombra's army, all that they needed to do

now was fight their way to the throne room and defeat Sombra. A task that was the sole responsibility of the two alicorn princesses, but

getting to the King was easier said then done. Celestia was inspecting the castle, wondering how to proceed.

“What do you think?” Celestia asked

“I'm not sure, but I suspect a trap. My spell revealed no presence inside the castle except the King. Not a single soldier, not a single guard,

nothing.” answered Luna

Celestia kept looking at the castle, thinking.

“I can only see one option, we enter the castle anyway and deal with the threats as the come.” said Celestia

“Agreed, I do not think it would be wise to bring the army, they could alert Sombra to our presence.” acquiesced Luna

Celestia nodded, she turned towards the commanders that waited patiently for orders, and told them how they would proceed into the

castle alone. The commanders argued, trying to dissuade the princesses of such a foolish plan. But they eventually fell silent when they

remembered who it was they were addressing.

“We are sorry, but this is the only way to take Sombra by surprise.” explained Luna

“My sister is right. Now, if we have not returned by nightfall, you must return to the castle with all haste, Sombra will not wait very long

before attempting to invade our lands.” ordered Celestia.

Luna and Celestia spread their wings and took off, the force of their wings blowing dust away from the area where they took off. They both

flew high in the sky, then bomb dived towards a window that had been chosen due to the fact that it was close to the throne room. Celestia

let a small but powerful beam of magic shoot out of her horn and cut a hole big enough for them to get through. Luna caught the glass

before it hit the floor, the two princesses entered through the hole, looking for guards or some other danger that they knew nothing about.

They advanced cautiously, casting spells meant to detect specific threats, as they slowly made their way to the throne room.

After several tense minutes, Luna and Celestia finally reached the throne room. They pushed open the doors with their magic and saw King

Sombra, facing them in a full set of armor.

“Welcome to my castle, Luna and Celestia, alicorns of Equestria.” said Sombra

“We are here to stop you. And you cannot defeat both us.” stated Celestia

“You're right... I cannot defeat both of you...” replied Sombra with an evil grin

Before either princess could move a muscle, Sombra fired up his horn and shot a spell at Celestia, who collapsed to the ground.

“'Tia!” screamed Luna, turning her head to where her Celestia lay on the ground, not knowing whether she was alive.

“You have nothing to fear, she is still alive... But you will not be for much longer!” shouted Sombra, firing another spell at Luna.

Luna, who not been totally unprepared for the attack, managed to get out of the way. The spell had still singed the end of her tail. Luna

leaped into the air, beating her wings hard, and shot a spell of her own at Sombra. Sombra raised a protective magical bubble that deflected

her spell like she would a ball. Luna attempted another spell but before she could, Sombra fired one of his own and it hit her on the chest.

Luna fell to the ground, stunned, while King Sombra laughed at his easy victory. Sombra walked up to where Luna was panting on the

ground.

“You are weak Princess Luna, that is why I chose to bring down your sister. She might have been able to defeat me, but you never had a

chance.” said Sombra “I shall boast of my victory over the two most powerful beings in Equestria. And now, you die...”

Sombra fired up his horn, dark magic crackling at it's base. He fired the spell, expecting Luna to turn to dust, but what happened was very

different. The curse rebounded of a force field that seemed to appear out of nowhere and almost hit Sombra, who leaped out of the way

with only a second to spare.

“How is this possible!” raged the Crystal King “You can barely stand!”

“Can't I?” asked Luna, except the figure that stood before Sombra didn't look like the alicorn princess that Sombra had shot down. This one

was closer to Celestia in size, and it's mane looked like a darker night sky, unlike Luna's mane that had stars twinkling in it.

“Where is Princess Luna?” demanded Sombra

“Her mind is still present, she is just overwhelmed by me.” answered the newcomer

“And who would you be?” asked the King

“I am a Nightmare. A Nightmare to the Crystal Empire! To all of Equestria! Nothing is more powerful then I!” said the stranger “You

attempted to destroy me, I shall now return the favor.”

“HA! You believe that you can destroy me?” laughed Sombra

“Yes, I do.” stated the Nightmare

Sombra stopped laughing and studied the third alicorns body language, she was completely relaxed and smiling slightly. There was no fear

in her eyes. Sombra took all this in and experienced an emotion he had never experienced before: it was fear. Sombra looked hesitantly at

the creature, getting ready to defend himself. The creature was on all four of her legs, smiling at Sombra. She loosed a spell at the King, who

barely managed to get out of the way, which made a small table behind Sombra burst into flames and then turn into ash in a matter of

seconds. Sombra looked at the table in shock, how had it burnt out so quickly? he wondered The only possible explanation is that she

channeled a time spell and a fireball through her horn at the same. But that's impossible! The amount of concentration required for such a

thing alone is beyond even the most accomplished unicorn. Sombra turned to look back at the creature.

“What are you? Where did you acquire so much power?” asked Sombra

“I do not know, and if I did know, and for some unknown reason, decided to tell you. You wouldn't be around to tell anypony else!”

exclaimed the powerful alicorn

With that statement, she fired a spell at Sombra. When it hit him, Sombra screamed. The spell was disintegrating him and turning him to

shadow. And so was vanquished the evil Ruler of the Crystal Empire. The Nightmare laughed as she saw her work was completed. She

could feel Luna begin to re-emerge.

“You may be coming back, but in time, Equestria shall be mine!”

And with that vow, Luna re-appeared, confused as to what had happened. Luna tried to get her hooves, when she realized that she was

already up. Luna looked around her, searching for Sombra when her eyes fell upon Celestia's immobile form.

“'Tia!” shouted Luna

Luna ran to her side and inspected Celestia, she was still breathing, she was just unconscious. Luna could have attempted to wake Celestia

up, but she didn't have the strength to perform the spell. So she settled on levitating Celestia until she reached the safety of their camp.

When she got there, she ordered the first patrol she encountered to take Celestia to the healers. She then went to meet with the generals to

explain all that had occurred in the castle.

After having explained in detail what had happened, Luna ordered the generals to prepare the troops for the trip back to the castle. The

sooner they got back, the safer she would feel. While King Sombra may have been defeated, Luna could still feel the power of a strange and

evil presence. Luna was resting when she heard several shouts coming from outside her tent. Luna rushed outside, expecting some sort of

counter-attack by Sombra's army, but she saw nothing. Luna stopped a Pegasus archer.

“What is going on?” demanded Luna

“It's the Crystal Empire” replied the pegasus “It's gone!” and with that, he flew away, going to warn the generals of this development, no

doubt. Luna stared at where the Crystal Empire had stood barely one hour passed. Celestia arrived at that exact moment, out of breath, a

team of healers rushing after her.

“Was Sombra defeated? How did you defeat him? What happened? Why is everypony panicking?” asked Celestia

Luna stared at Celestia, wondering where to start.

Star's Past

Chapter 11 : Star's Past

Star was looking out the window, anxiously waiting for the Luna and Celestia to return to the castle. A pegasus had arrived the day before,

telling the ponies of the alicorns victory over the dark king of the Crystal Empire, which was met with several loud cheers, and of the

empires disappearance, which was met sounds of amazement and several gasps. Star listened to the news, not reacting to the

disappearance of the Crystal Empire, just caring when they would return.

Several days later

Star was walking around town with Golden by her side, he hadn't left her alone except to sleep ever since she had come back from the

Everfree Forest, and Star truly appreciated it. They were on their way to the Royal Gardens when a trumpet sounded all over town. The

princesses were back! Star turned around and ran as fast as she could towards the entrance of the town, smiling all the way, Golden on her

tail. When she reached the gate, she saw the army marching through the gates. Star desperately searched for Luna among the crowd,

hoping that nothing bad had happened to her.

“Looking for somepony?” asked a voice from behind her.

“Luna!” exclaimed Star, turning around and jumping into the princess's embrace.

Luna caught the filly and held on to her tight. Star hadn't felt this happy and safe in weeks, Golden watched the scene with a smile, Luna

saw him and lifted him with her magic and included him in the hug. Luna finally put the two ponies down and looked down at Star, worry in

her eyes.

“Are you OK?” asked Luna

“I am. I feel better then before anyway.” answered Star

“Very well, do you still wish to ask if my sister if she knew of your...” Luna glanced at Golden “...origins?”

“It's OK, he knows what I am.” reassured Star

Luna studied the young colt.

“And this does not bother or frighten you?” asked Luna

“No. She's still my friend underneath.” answered Golden, determination filling his eyes.

Luna studied the colt a moment longer.

“Then I am grateful to you, for not deserting Star in a troubled time.” said Luna

“It would take more than that to drag me away from her.” replied Golden

Star glanced at Golden, glad to have such a wonderful friend by her side.

“Star, are you ready to go?” asked Luna

Star took a deep breath.

“I'm ready.”

She leaped onto Luna's back and they flew off towards Celestia's chambers. Celestia was in her room, putting all her gear away, hoping that

she wouldn't have to take it out again for a long time. She heard a knock, on the door.

“Come in.” she said

Luna walked into the room.

“'Tia, we need to talk.” said Luna

“About what?” asked Celestia, noticing a serious look on Luna's face

Luna turned to look at something on her back.

“It's OK, you can show yourself, she won't bite.”

Celestia started wondering what this was all about. She saw a young filly, the same filly who had been attacked by Timber Wolves all those

months ago, come out from behind Luna. And so Luna started explaining what had happened the night the Ursa attacked. About the

Shadow Pony, the ritual, the potion and Star being a changeling.

“What I would like to know is, did you know what she was? You can sense if something dangerous is within the town.” said Luna “So where

did she come from?”

Celestia sighed.

“It was several years ago, during the day. I was scouting the forest, looking for potential dangers, when I saw a carriage in a ditch. I flew

down to see what had happened and check whether I could be of any assistance. When I reached the carriage, all I saw was a newborn filly,

and lying next to it, a newborn changeling. I looked around, trying to find some hint as to what had happened. I quickly noticed two

different tracks. The first was easy to see, it belonged to TimberWolves. So I deduced that the pony or ponies that owned the cart had been

taken by the beasts. The second pair was much harder to spot, I originally mistook it for a rabbit of sorts. On closer inspection, I noticed that

they were the prints of a very young changeling. So the changeling must have arrived after the TimberWolves had left, and fell asleep next

to the newborn filly. I returned to the cart and thought about what to do. It was an easy enough decision to make for the filly, I would send

her to her family wherever they may be. For the changeling on the other hand, I was at a loss. The wisest thing to do would have been to

send it back to it's colony, but I dismissed the idea almost immediately. It would have been brought up to hate ponies and it would never

have been loved by anything back were it came from. I looked down at the changeling and I saw it turn into the filly that was sleeping

peacefully next to it. That was when I had the idea to cast a spell that stopped the changeling's powers from working, made up a name for it

and sent it to the orphanage.” finished Celestia

Star sat in silence, taking all the new information in.

“So, now you know.” said Celestia

“Are you OK?” asked Luna

“I'm fine.” answered Star “I'm just glad to finally know the truth.”

“I must warn you, the spell I had cast to suppress your powers was removed by the Shadow Pony. I may cast it again, if you wish.” said

Celestia

Star thought about it for a moment.

“No, it's OK. I think I can keep the power from manifesting. And it could be useful in the future, should the Shadow Pony ever return. He

knows what I look like, changing my appearance could be useful.” explained Star

“If you wish. But I would ask that you do not use your power to cause trouble within the kingdom.” ordered Celestia

“Yes Princess Celestia.” said Star

“Now, if you'll excuse me. I have several important matters to attend to.” said Celestia

With that dismissal, Star and Luna exited Celestia's chambers.

“Do you truly feel better now? knowing the truth?” asked Luna

“Yes. I'm just glad that there won't be anymore surprises now.” answered Star

“Of course, no more surprises.” repeated Luna

Star turned to face Luna, she had sounded strange for a moment.

“Are you OK, Luna?” asked Star

Luna seemed not to hear Star.

“Luna!” shouted Star

Luna started, then turned to look at Star

“Yes? I'm sorry, I was lost in my thoughts.” replied Luna “What did you say?”

“I was asking you if you were alright, you seem a bit off.” said Star

“I'm fine, it's just something that happened while Celestia and I were in the Crystal Empire. I am simply trying to remember exactly how

Sombra was defeated.” explained Luna.

“Does it really matter? As long as he was defeated, right?” asked Star

“I suppose not, but it's still strange.” answered Luna

“I'm sure it's nothing to worry about, it's not like it's a bad thing that you don't remember. If I were ever in a war or battle, I wouldn't want to

remember it, very few good things come out of wars.” said Star

Luna looked at Star and smiled.

“You're right, there's no reason to worry.”

Star smiled back and said:

“Of course I'm right. When am I ever wrong?”

“Do you really want me to answer that?” asked Luna

Star and Luna laughed together, as they headed back to the orphanage.

Meanwhile, back in Celestia's chambers

“I hope that you understand, you are not to be seen. You are simply keep watch, I do not know where that changeling came from, but it

seems harmless enough. And with Luna spending most of her time with it, I am not worried for my ponies. But I still want somepony to

report all of it's movements to me.” explained Celestia. “And if anypony asks, including my sister, I demand complete deniability from the

Anti-Monster Agency. Do you understand Special Agent Apple Strudel?”

“But what of my current assignment? You ordered me to watch Princess Luna and inform you if anything should appear as out of the

ordinary. Getting hired as her chef was not easy, and I must now give an excellent reason as to why I must leave her service, I do not think

she will be eager to let me go seeing as I make the best apple fritters in Equestria.” asked Apple Strudel

“You will simply tell her that you haven't been to see your family that live in Baltimare in a while and that you would like to go spend some

time with them. She will not be able to refuse your request.” advised Celestia

“As you wish, Princess Celestia.” answered Special Agent Caramel Apple, as he exited through the door.

Celestia looked out the window, hoping that Luna would never find out about this.

The Moon Rises

Chapter 12 : The Moon Rises

Star and Golden were at school, Thunder Wing watching them, wanting to go have fun with Star but she didn't dare, not with Golden

around. The bell rang to inform the fillies that the day was over and that it was time to return home. She waved goodbye to Golden as he

headed home then went her own way, planing to spend a bit of time outside. She hadn't been to the royal gardens in a while, so Star decide

to head for those.

Star headed for the gardens, but ever since she had been fillynapped, she couldn't help being nervous when she was alone. She knew she

was just being paranoid, but not without good reason. She pushed open the gate leading to the gardens, once past the gate, she headed for

the statue of Discord. She looked up at it, and thought back to that night, only a couple of weeks ago. So much had happened in such a

short period of time, how could she be expected to deal with all this and not break down completely?

Star left the statue of Discord and went to look at the statues of Luna and Celestia, she looked up at the two sisters stone replicas. The

resemblance was uncanny, looking at the stone Luna was almost like looking at the alicorn princess herself. She heard a splash come from

behind her, she turned

around expecting to see somepony dropping a bit in one of the fountains, as they often did. All she saw was the statue representing Winter

Wrap Up, she came closer to the statue and then looked down, wondering if a piece of the statue had fallen in the water. What she found

however was not what she expected, what she lifted out of the water was nothing more then an ordinary pencil. But how had it gotten

there? There was nopony around but her, Star inched closer to the statue, looking for anything that was out of place. After a moment, Star

gave up looking for an explanation, stored the soggy pencil in her bag and left.

Meanwhile, one of the ponies from the statue turned it's head and watched the young pony leave. Special Agent Apple Strudel breathed out

in relief. That was close. he thought. He hopped down from the statue and followed Star out of the Royal Gardens.

Star wondered how a pencil had found it's way into the fountain, the only logical explanation she could think of was that a Pegasus had

been flying overhead and the pencil had fallen out of their saddlebag. That was the most likely explanation, but it was already late,

everypony would have been home for at least half an hour. Star had a nagging feeling that that wasn't what had happened. Star pushed the

soggy pencil out of her mind and thought about other things, like looking forward to tonight's Dream Meeting. They would have more

wonderful adventures, and you never know what to expect in a dream. Star returned home and went to bed, anxiously waiting to fall asleep.

It didn't take long. Star explored her dream while she waited for Luna, she saw cotton candy cushions that looked very comfortable, and

delicious. She saw flying sheep with saddles that she could probably ride. The sky was a beautiful blend of orange, pink, and blue. Star saw

many other wonderful things. Then she noticed a hole appear in the sky and out flew Luna.

“Luna!” shouted out Star, waving so that Luna would notice her.

Luna flew down to where Star was waiting.

“Hello Star.” said Luna with a smile “How was your day?”

“Pretty normal. Got up, went to school, laughed at the fact that Thunder didn't dare come bother me and went home. Oh wait, I also

stopped at the Royal Gardens for a minute.” replied the filly

“Was Golden with you at the gardens?” asked the princess

“No, I went on my own.” stated Star

“Were you OK on your own?” asked Luna, her smile decreasing slightly

“I'm fine, it's not like there could be anything more that could possibly happen to me. I think too much has happened already.” explained

Star

“I suppose you're right.” declared Luna “So, what shall we be doing this evening?”

“We could watch the end of the sunset on those comfy clouds up there. Or we could do an Ursa Major race. I think I saw a few grazing by

the gingerbread tree forest. Or we could wait a while and see what my mind makes up.” proposed Star

“I like the first one.” said Luna as she offered her back to the young earth pony.

“You're forgetting we're in dream Luna.” said Star

Star closed her eyes and seemed to be concentrating very hard on something. Suddenly, a pair of wings popped out of Star's back. Luna

stepped back in surprise and then relaxed.

“They look very nice. I didn't know that a dreaming pony could have enough control from within the dream to influence it.” stated the alicorn

“Ever since you came into my dream the first time and made the Ursa go away, I realized that you had influenced my dream. And I

wondered, if an exterior force can influence my dreams, shouldn't I be able to? I mean, it is my dream after all.” declared Star

“That does actually make some sense, I suppose.” said Luna “So you think of what you wish and it appears?”

“Yeah, it's so amazing! Watch this!” exclaimed the young earth pony

Star closed her eyes again and concentrated. All of a sudden, a giant cake appeared next to the two ponies. Luna laughed out loud.

“It's caramel on top of a variety of red fruits.” said Star as she licked her lips.

Luna and Star both approached the cake, spoons appearing by their sides, ready to be used. All of a sudden, two arms sprouted out of the

cakes sides and picked up the giant plate that it was on, revealing a pair of skinny legs underneath. The cake turned around and ran for the

gingerbread tree forest. Luna and Star watched it go, surprise very present on both their faces.

“Yeah... Sorry about that. I haven't quite got the hang of it just yet.” apologized Star

Luna watched the cake as it approached the forest, saw the Ursa Majors, stopped and ran back towards the two ponies.

Luna laughed out loud and soon after Star joined her. They both fell to the floor and kept laughing long after the cake had vanished from

the dream and been replaced by a cow with wings and a horn. The cow looked around it and then flew off to join a group of ducks flying in a

standard V-formation, the ducks flew in circles seeing as they didn't know which way South was in a dream world.

“What's that?” asked Luna, pointing out an object in the sky with her hoof.

Star looked to where the princess was pointing.

“It looks like a soggy pencil.” said Star, and then she remembered where it came from

“Why are you dreaming about a soggy pencil?” wondered the alicorn

“It's just something strange that I can't explain that happened at the Royal Gardens. I was looking at the statue of you and Celestia when I

heard something fall in the fountain of the Winter Wrap Up statue. When I went to see what had fallen in the water, I found that pencil. I

don't know how it got there. The only explanation I could think of was that it fell out of the saddlebags of some Pegasus flying overhead, but

I didn't see anypony around.” explained the Earth pony

“That is strange.” agreed Luna “Maybe it was a unicorn who mastered the skill of invisibility?”

“Is that even possible? Becoming completely invisible?” asked Star

“Full invisibility has never been achieved, but maybe somepony figured it out and doesn't want to tell anypony about it.” theorized Luna

“But what about the pencil?” asked the filly

“Maybe the unicorn in question was recording what invisibility was like.” responded Luna

“Maybe...” hesitated Star

Luna looked at Star for a moment then burst out laughing.

“What is it? What's so funny.” demanded Star “Why are you laughing?”

“You didn't really believe any of that did you?” exclaimed Luna “Seriously. Invisible unicorns? There's no spell that can render a pony

invisible.”

Luna kept laughing and Star smiled at the princess's satisfaction in having tricked her into believing in invisible unicorns.

“Maybe you have a better, actually possible, idea?” asked Star innocently

Luna stared at Star.

“I have several. But they're all mostly ridiculous.” replied Luna

“Let's hear them.” said Star

Luna spent the next half hour explaining her crazy theories to Star, who laugh harder at every new theory. Eventually, Luna ran out of ideas,

so Star stated an idea that had come to her between 'a living pencil that wanted to go for a swim' and 'some creature from another

dimension had found a magical portal to Equestria and had thrown a pencil through it to see what would happen'.

“Maybe somepony was spying on me!” exclaimed Star, chuckling at the very idea.

Luna laughed.

“Why would anypony...” Luna started to ask, but then her smile disappeared. There is a reason for somepony spying on Star. She's a

changeling, she's potentially dangerous. thought Luna. But who would spy on a filly? It has to be somepony who knows what she is, and the

only ponies who know about Star were her, Star, Golden and Celestia. Luna froze as that particular thought crossed her mind.

But why would Celestia send somepony to spy on Star? I would understand the first few years, just to be sure, but by now Celestia would be

sure that Star isn't a threat to the ponies around her. No...There must be somepony else behind it.

Star noticed that Luna was no longer laughing, she turned around to ask if anything was wrong, but the look on the alicorn's face answered

her question.

“Luna? Is something wrong?” asked the filly

“No, everything is fine... Sorry, I was just lost in thought for a moment.” answered Luna

“OK...” Star stared at the princess, suspicion clearly present on her face.

“I'm sorry Star, I have to go. It's time to lower the Moon so that the Sun may rise.” stated Luna

“Already?” said Star, disappointed that time had gone by so quickly “Will I see you tomorrow night?”

“You know you will.” answered Luna with an encouraging smile. Luna hugged the little pony and then left through a dream portal back to

her chamber. Star watched as Luna vanished, worried about how the princess had gone from happy and having fun to how she changed

when something was wrong. Star sighed, wishing she could help her in some way.

Back in Luna's chambers

Luna opened her eyes and was glad to find that she was back. Luna then started thinking about ways she could find out if there was some

truth behind Stars crazy spy theory. She could have somepony follow Star around during the day, but that would be no better then what the

other pony, or ponies she thought, were doing. I could cast a spell on Star that would search the minds of the ponies around and

inform me if somepony around was spying on Star. But that would mean that the spell would force it's way into ponies minds and with no

respect for their secrets. That would be wrong. It seems the only choice left to me is to follow Star around and try to find any sign of

somepony spying on Star. I shall follow Star around tomorrow, and then I shall see...

Having come to a decision, Luna went to Celestia to wake her, wondering if her sister could be involved somehow.

“'Tia? It is time.” informed Luna

“I am coming.” replied the sun princess

Celestia came out of her chamber and together they set and raised the moon and sun. Once they had finished, Luna looked at Celestia, still

wondering what was going on.

The next day, Star got up and performed her usual morning routine. She did not know, however that she was being closely watched by not

one, but two ponies. Luna followed Star to school, making sure to stay out of sight, she mustn't alert the potential spy to her presence. And

she didn't want Star to know about this either. Luna spent the day searching for anything that was not as it should have been while Star was

in class. She did not have any luck throughout the day, Luna was starting to believe that she was wrong about the spying pony and that

maybe the pencil was nothing more then an inexplicable mystery. And that was when she noticed it, the fountain that had been built in the

town's square, it was suppose to represent all the different kind of ponies living together peacefully: Earth, Unicorn and Pegasi. But the

statue was different then Luna remembered it. It had always had three ponies standing side by side, now there were four. Earth, Unicorn,

Pegasi and Alicorn. The alicorn had definitely never been represented in the statue before, Luna was almost convinced that she was

correct. She got the final proof that she needed when she saw the stone alicorn stretch one of it's legs.

I suppose it is hard to stand still all day without moving. But that was you're mistake, now I know where you've been hiding. thought

Luna. She swooped down, snatched the fake alicorn statue and flew off to the highest tower in the castle. The stone alicorn was no longer

immobile, it was thrashing it's legs, trying to get free.

“By all means, please keep trying to free yourself, but if you fall it will not be my fault!” shouted Luna over the wind, she didn't know if the

pony had heard her or not but it soon stopped thrashing, it must have realized what she had said for itself.

Once they had reached the roof, Luna dropped the spy and cast a spell making sure it couldn't run away. The pony was squirming

attempting to move, Luna folded her wings and landed right in front of it. The spy stopped trying to escape and just looked at her. Luna

removed the grey mask to see who was hiding beneath it.

“Apple Strudel?” said Luna, surprised

“Princess Luna.” replied Apple Strudel politely

“What are you doing?" asked Luna "Why are you spying on Star? How much do you know? Who are you reporting to?”

“I am afraid I am not at liberty to say.” stated Apple Strudel

Luna's whole expression changed in an instant, before she had talked to Apple Strudel in a civilized manner. But know, she wouldn't bother,

he was spying on Star for who knows what reason. Apple Strudel looked up at Luna and was frightened.

“You will tell me what you were doing.” ordered Luna

Apple Strudel started to sweat, he had been ordered to deny everything.

“I wasn't spying on her, I was just making sure nothing bad happened to her.” answered the spy

“That's my job now, if you have been keeping watch as you claim, then you would know that I would never let anything happen to Star. You

aren't needed, so why are you still here?” asked Luna

Apple Strudel stayed silent, panic showing in his eyes. Luna stared into them and noticed the fear that was there.

“I think you're lying to me, which gives me no choice but to enter your mind and seize the information I want. Unless you wish to save me

the trouble and just tell me?” said the moon princess

“You can't do that!” shouted Apple Strudel

Luna looked at the pony and grinned.

“You know what's funny about being a spy and living in a spy world? You don't exist in the real world, and the rules of the real world can't

be applied to ponies that don't live in it.” explained Luna

Apple Strudel's face became as white as the clouds above.

“You may be able to, but you wouldn't, would you.” rebuked the pony spy

Luna's grin disappeared.

“You're right I wouldn't...” started Luna

Apple grinned, success all over his face.

“...But unluckily for you, I'm not myself when the ponies I care about are being spied on.” finished Luna

Apple Strudel looked deep into Luna's eyes, and he saw no hesitation about forcing her way into his mind, and there was another secret

that if she found out about, might just bring this kingdom crashing to the ground. Apple Strudel sighed.

“Very well, I shall tell you.” started the special agent “I was recruited by Princess Celestia to keep an eye on the changeling, the story she

had told you about the baby changeling and baby pony was a lie. She has no idea where the changeling came from, she asked me to make

report after a month of observation and tell her whether it posed a threat. So far I see nothing that could show it as a threat.” explained

Apple Strudel

“But why did she not let me know? I can understand why telling Star would be a bad idea, but why hide it from me? We are suppose to tell

each other everything, otherwise how can we trust each other enough to rule together?” spouted Luna

“I do not know why your sister would hide this from you, but I can certainly think of a few good reasons.” answered the pony

“Will you share them with me?” begged Luna

Apple stared into Luna's eyes again, and some more then determination this time, he saw hurt. He sighed again.

“One possible explanation would be that Celestia thought you might tell Star if you knew...” started to explain Apple

“I might not have, she couldn't have known.” interrupted Luna “But I can understand. And the second reason?”

“You probably would not have approved.” finished the agent

“I certainly would not have!” said Luna

“That is all I know.” ended Apple Strudel

“Are you sure?” asked Luna “Absolutely sure?”

Apple stared at Luna without blinking, determined to keep the last secret a secret.

“Yes.”

“I'm trusting you Apple Strudel, even though I probably shouldn't.” said Luna as she got ready to go talk to Celestia

“I am aware.” he said. “Princess?”

“Yes?” she replied

“I am thinking off leaving the spy world behind once this is all over, I am tired of lying. So I was wondering, will you allow me to remain

your chef in the castle?” asked the former spy

Luna stared hard at the spy and wonderful cook.

“Make me an Apple Fritter and I'll think about it.” replied the alicorn.

Apple smiled and waved as she flew off. Hoping that this would not end with a fight between the two alicorns, such a battle could rip apart

the kingdom and destroy this peace that was made possible by defeating Discord.

Meanwhile, back at the castle

Celestia was reading a report from the scouts that had been left in the Crystal Empire just in case it should return. So far, the land is just as

empty as it was when Luna defeated Sombra. Celestia looked out the window, lost deep in her thoughts, when she noticed Luna was flying

towards her window. Something was wrong, Luna usually took the stairs if she wanted to talk, this was probably going to be very bad.

Celestia prepared herself for a very heated argument. She took a deep breath and then breathed out slowly. She heard the window break,

Luna didn't even bother to open it, this was really bad. Celestia turned to face Luna, Luna looked furious, more then she had ever been

before.

“Good evening, Luna.” said Celestia

Luna didn't return the pleasantry. She just stared at her sister, anger stopping her from being able to transform her thoughts into words.

“I gather from your destructive entrance that you have somehow learnt the truth.” continued Celestia

Luna finally found her voice.

“Of course I know the truth! How did you guess? Was it the look on my face? THE FACT THAT I DESTROYED YOUR WINDOW?

CAUSING BROKEN GLASS TO GO EVERYWHERE? OR IS IT THE FACT THAT I'M SHOUTING AT YOU?” screamed Luna

“All three of them.” answered Celestia

“OK THEN! WHY DID YOU NOT TELL ME ABOUT THE SPY!?” continued the Moon Princess

“I did not tell you about sending somepony to spy on you because I thought that you would not appreciate being spied on.”answered

Celestia

“You... You sent somepony to spy on Star and me!” said Luna in disbelief

“I thought you knew. Isn't that why you're angry?” asked Celestia

“I was angry about you spying on Star. I'M FURIOUS NOW!!” shouted Luna

Celestia felt the beginning of something she hadn't felt since they went to face Discord: Fear.

“HOW COULD YOU CELESTIA? I'M YOUR SISTER! WE'RE SUPPOSED TO TELL EACH OTHER EVERYTHING! OTHERWISE,

HOW ARE WE SUPPOSED TO RULE THIS KINGDOM PROPERLY?!” yelled Luna

Celestia was at a loss for words, she didn't know how to deal with this. She had never seen Luna so angry and upset. Celestia was staring at

Luna, but she was seeing a stranger. There was fury in her eyes, and she was breathing deeply, overwhelmed by having shouted so much,

so loudly.

At that moment, the Moon came out from behind a particularly big cloud, it's light shining through the broken window and illuminating

Luna. Luna squinted, the Moonlight was brighter then she had ever seen it. Before she could think about the strange new moonlight, she

felt something within her awaken. She did not know what it was, but she heard a voice within her head utter:

“My time has finally come, I will rule ALL of Equestria. And nopony will be able to stop me!”

Luna only had time to speak one word before the strange force took over her mind.

“Run...”

Celestia watched in horror as Luna closed her eyes and went through a terrifying transformation. Some sort of magical energy, that

seemed to be coming from the Moon, surrounded Luna.Luna seemed to grow bigger before Celestia's very eyes, her mane and tail became

darker, all the stars extinguished. Armour similar to Luna's appeared on the alicorn that now held itself before Celestia. When Luna finally

opened her eyes, her usual eyes were gone. Her pupils were now slits and her irises were no longer their usual shade of blue but an eerie

turquoise color. The new alicorn opened her mouth and spoke.

“Good evening, Celestia. I am Nightmare Moon.”

The Filly and the Moon

Chapter 13 : The Filly and the Moon

“There can only be ONE Princess in Equestria! And that Princess will be ME! AHAHAHAHHAHAHA!!”.

Nightmare Moon shot a beam that caused the ceiling of the Throne Room to collapse. She aimed another beam at Celestia. Celestia dodged

the beam and more of the roof fell, letting the Moonlight enter the Throne Room.

“Luna! I will not fight you! You must lower the Moon! It is your duty!”

“Luna... I am NIGHTMARE MOON! I have but ONE royal duty now! To destroy YOU!”

Nightmare Moon shot another beam at her sister, Celestia shot into the air to avoid it and flew through the hole made by Nightmare's

earlier spell.

“And where do you think you're going?” asked the nightmare

Nightmare Moon followed Celestia through the hole she had created. Celestia waited for what was once her sister, her back to the Moon

and looking down at the creature. Nightmare shot another two beams at Celestia. The first continued on towards the Moon and the second

destroyed one the castle's towers. Celestia kept trying to find a way to stop Nightmare Moon before she destroyed the whole castle.

Two more destructive beams made the castle crumble around Celestia. Nightmare Moon destroyed the bridge leading to the castle in an

another attempt to defeat her sister. She attacked Celestia again...and this time the spell found it's mark. Celestia was hit by

the dark magic of Nightmare Moon. Celestia crash landed back to where the chase had started with a scream...the Throne Room.

Elsewhere

Double Star was in her bed, reading the book that Luna had given her for Hearth's Warming eve when she heard a very loud explosion

coming from the dormitory window. She approached the window and looked outside and saw that the roof of the castle's throne room had

collapsed. At this point, Star wasn't afraid, merely flummoxed by the incident and concerned about Luna. She was about to go to her desk

for a quill and piece of parchment when she saw Celestia fly out the hole in the roof followed closely by an alicorn that Star did not

recognize. It looked like Luna, but this alicorn was bigger and it's mane was different.

Where IS Luna, anyway? Shouldn't she be helping? thought Double Star. But then Double Star saw the strange alicorn fire a spell at

Celestia that missed her by inches and destroyed the bridge. What's going on? wondered the young Earth pony.

The other young ponies had now woken due to the sound of the bridge crumbling. They all got out of bed, at first upset that something had

woken them up, and then terrified at the sight that met their eyes. There was a third alicorn in Equestria. And she didn't seem friendly.

Star quickly slipped on her shoes and a jumper to keep warm.

“Where are you going?” asked Golden Bronco

“Oh, hi Goldy. Um... I'm going to try and find out what's going on.” replied Star.

“Don't you think you should just let the castle guard go find out what the problem is?” asked Goldy

“No... They might lie to us. I want to really know what's happening.” said Star

“In that case, I'm coming with you.” said the young colt

“I don't think that's a good idea. You could get hurt.” retorted Star

“So could you. I'm coming, and that's final.” he replied

“Fine, grab your boots and jumper. It's a cold and dark night.” said Double Star

Meanwhile, back at the castle

Nightmare Moon laughed long and hard as her sister fell to the ground. Meanwhile, in the Throne Room below, Celestia got painfully back

on her hooves. She looked up at her sister with determination, and perhaps a little sadness.

“Oh dear Sister. I am sorry, but you have given me no choice but to use these!” She exclaimed

Celestia's horn glowed with magic as a secret compartment in the floor was revealed and the Elements of Harmony rose out of the

darkness. Celestia flew up to the Elements of Harmony's resting place, ceased them the first five with magic. With the five being held by her

spell, the final element appeared. The Elements started spinning around Celestia. She flew up to face Nightmare Moon again, but this time

with the Elements of Harmony by her side. Nightmare Moon's eyes shone white as she powered up her horn to cast a powerful spell.

Celestia's horn shone as she prepared to banish her sister, tears running down her cheeks. They released their spells at each other, the two

meeting in the middle. Nightmare Moon was powerful, but her magic couldn't compete with that of the Elements of Harmony.

“NOOOOOOOOOO!” screamed the creature of nightmares.

Nightmare Moon was propulsed towards the Moon by the spell that her sister had cast. The shape of her face, present on the Moon as a

constant reminder of the events of that night.Celestia looked up at the Moon, Luna's shape clearly visible on the surface. Still trying to grasp

with all that has happened in the last hour. Celestia felt like she could no longer be asked to rule over Equestria, especially not alone.

Celestia heard several hooves strike the ground quickly and getting nearer. Celestia turned around expecting to see the castle guard,

instead she saw two young fillies running towards her.

“What are you two doing here?” she asked

“Um...” started Golden, not sure how to address the royalty that now stood before him.

“I wanted to check whether you and Princess Luna were alright, Princess.” answered Star

“That's very kind of you but this place is not safe, the foundations are no longer stable. We must leave the castle.”

Celestia lifted the two fillies onto her back. Golden Bronco was happy that they were leaving the unstable castle behind. Double Star

however looked around looking for her friend.

“Wait... Where's Luna? Is she already outside?”

Celestia looked at the young pony and finally recognized her, she was the young pony that had been

fillynapped by Shadow Pony. She would have to lie so that they could leave.

“Well... As you can see, Luna is not here.” replied Celestia

“OK.” Star stopped searching.

“Hold on tight.” Celestia said to the two fillies. Star, who had traveled this way before was not afraid. Golden on the other hand was holding

on for dear life. When Celestia's hooves struck the ground, Star jumped off and started looking for Luna. Celestia watched the filly for a

moment, not even turning her head when the young colt fell off her back onto the hard ground. Star soon realized that Luna was nowhere

in sight, she turned to Celestia.

“So... Where is Luna?” asked Star

“... She is gone.” replied the lone alicorn

“Gone where? After the alicorn that attacked you? Don't you think you should have gone with her?” asked Star

Celestia took a deep breath. Wishing it didn't fall to her to explain to the young Earth pony what had occurred that night.

“I banished Princess Luna to the moon. If you look at it now, you can see my sister's shadow on it's surface.” explained Celestia.

“But... But why did you banish her? Why not banish the other alicorn she was the one attacking you after all.” she asked

“The other alicorn was Luna.” said Celestia

“What do you mean, that didn't look anything like Luna! And Luna would never attack you!” exclaimed the filly

“No, she wouldn't. But when I said that was Luna. I meant that it was similar to her, but it wasn't actually her. I tried to defeat her but even if

did succeed I would have had to find a way to detain her, I thought of using the Elements of Harmony to turn her to stone like I did with

Discord but no spell would have lasted long against such a power. Not even one cast with the Elements of Harmony. Banishment was the

only option.”explained Celestia.

Star was looking at Celestia with horror, tears beginning to form in her eyes. Star collapsed to the ground, no longer able to stand after such

a revelation. Golden Bronco trotted over to Star and knelt on the ground next to her. He tried to think of something that would comfort her.

Try to make her forget that she had just lost her best friend.

“You might see her again, you know. If she turns back into Luna, Celestia could bring her back.” proposed the colt

Star looked up at the young colt, tears running down her face and dripping to the floor from her chin.

“But even if she does turn back into Luna one day. It could take years, maybe it could take longer then my whole life! What makes you so

sure that I'll ever see her again!?” demanded the distraught filly

“You just have to be patient and believe that you'll see her soon.” replied calmly the young pony

Star looked at the young colt with a scowl, but then her whole face changed. Hope was hiding just beneath her eyes. Star got up in a single

bound and rushed towards Celestia. Celestia looked at the filly, wondering what could cause her to have hope on this dark day.

“I want you to use the Elements of Harmony to banish me to the moon.” said Double Star

“Star no! When I said you might see her again, that's not what I meant!” shouted Golden Bronco

“I'm afraid I cannot banish you...” started the princess

“Why not! You just did it to Luna!” shouted the young pony

“I understand what you are hopping for, but if I banish you. My sister will not be the pony you encounter. You shall find yourself face to face

with a creature that will feel no pity or love towards you as my sister once did.” replied Celestia

“I don't care! Isn't there a chance she'll turn back into Luna after a while?” asked Star

“It is highly unlikely, and even is she did. Your life will have ended long before this happens. You would spend the remainder of your life

running from a monster, from a nightmare.” replied Celestia

“I still don't care! SEND ME TO THE MOON NOW!!” screamed Star

Celestia sighed, she fired up her horn, letting a white light completely surround the young earth pony.

“NO!” shouted Golden

“Stay back!” warned Celestia.

Golden did as Celestia ordered, but he still couldn't believe that she would actually do it. The white light faded and Golden looked towards

the moon, hoping he wouldn't see a second smaller shadow, appear next to the one made by Nightmare Moon.

Epilogue

Star opened her eyes, a little bit confused about the previous night. She couldn't really remember what had happened. She got up and

started looking around her, she felt like is she was suppose searching for something or somepony. She took a few steps when she heard

somepony call her name.

"Star! You're OK!" said Golden "I was so worried!"

"Goldy? What happened last night? I don't remember anything." asked Star

Golden bit his bottom lip, thinking back to the previous night.

10 hours previous to Star's awakening

Golden looks at the moon and saw... nothing. No new shadow. He turned on the spot and stared at the spot where Double Star had been

standing, and where she now lay. Peaceful in her unconsciousness.

"What did you do?" asked the young colt

"I made her forget. She no longer remembers my sister as anything more then one of the two alicorn Princesses. All the time they have

spent together has been erased from her mind. Now she can live a life free of the pain of losing somepony else, she has already lost and

been through too much." answered Celestia

"So...What now? Will she wake up soon?" asked Golden

"I do not know when she will regain consciousness, but it will be at least several hours. And when she does wake, I must ask you not to tell

her of what I have done. It could cause her to remember what happened." asked Celestia

"Yes, Princess." acquiesced the young colt

"And one more thing..." she said

"Yes?" asked Golden

"Help me take care of her. I owe at least that much to Luna." said Celestia "And you may give her this. I do not believe that this alone could

remind her of what has happened."

Celestia was holding the moon pendant that Star had made for Luna at Hearths Warming Eve.

The present

"So what happened?" asked Star

"You wanted to go to the castle to find out was going on, and on the way up the castle steps a piece of rubble fell and hit you on the head."

answered Golden, having rehearsed what he was going to tell her.

"Funny, I don't remember that." said Star

"The doctor who examined you said you wouldn't. You got hit pretty hard." replied Golden

"Oh... Hey Goldy?" called the filly

"Yes?" he answered

"I don't know how to explain it but I feel really sad for some reason. Why would I be sad?" she asked

"... I don't know, but I can certainly think of something that's going to cheer you up." said the young colt

"And what's that?" inquired Double Star

"You're Cutie Mark" he said.

Golden left Star alone so that she could inspect her new cutie mark. He smiled a little as he saw Star grin from ear to ear, forgetting her

unhappiness instantly. Star ran for the mirror that was by the window and inspected her Cutie Mark. It was a very bright star. It was actually

two planets overlapping creating what looked like a single enormous star.

5 years later

"So, miss Star? Why are you interested in joining my school of astronomy?" asked the pony

"I don't know how to explain it. I guess it's because I've always been interested in the night sky. And most of all, I loved watching the moon

travel through the night when I was just a filly. The moon was one of my only friends growing up." Star looked at her moon pendant and

smiled.

THE END

Author's Note

Hi there!

You have just finished reading my FIM Fiction (obviously). I hope you enjoyed it, please tell me what you thought about it and how I may improve any future Fictions I may write by leaving a comment below.

Have a nice day /)

PinkieBrony :pinkiehappy:

Prologue

Author's Note

Hi there! :twilightsmile:
I'm currently in the process of re-writing this story so that it can be a bit more interesting and better written. It's my first FIM Fanfic so it's not very well written. You can read it (I can't stop you :raritywink: ) just know that it could use some work. :twilightoops:
If you decide to read it anyway, I hope you can still enjoy it despite the not so good writting. :applejackunsure:

Prologue

Prologue:

“So... Is it them? Are they the ones?” asked a pony in robes.

“Yes, I believe it is them." said another similarly clad pony. "It was said that two alicorn sisters, one as bright as day and one as dark as night, would overthrow Discord and bring harmony to Equestria. They are exactly what was described to us by our forefathers, shortly after Discord took over Equestria or as it use to be known... Ponyland.”

“Don't listen to him!" a pony suddenly interrupted. "Of course it's not them! It can't be! We've been waiting for these supposed princesses for generations! Why should they show up now?”

“It seems that you have lost faith Brother Hooves.”

“So what if I have, Pine? If these two alicorns defeat Discord, I'll cross my eyes so hard it'll become an affliction that will curse all of my descendants.” said Brother Hooves.

"I would not say such things if I were you." said Pine with a grin "While Fate may be incredibly just and strives towards bringing balance, it also has a very peculiar sense of humor... Never tempt Fate, my friend."

Hooves' expression went from annoyance to slight panic.

"Can I take back what I said?" he asked, the worry very evident in his tone.

"You can try." said Pine,trying not to laugh at his friend's discomfort.

26 years later

“It's time for the both of you to go and do what we have been trying to prepare you for. You must overthrow Discord and become the Princesses of Equestria. You shall rule together. Now that you have found the elements of Harmony, defeating this creature of chaos should not be too difficult. Now go... You do not have much time, Discord could notice the presence of the Elements at any time”. explained the pony.

“Good luck. You're going to need it... If you want to escape with your lives.” said Brother Hooves.

“Pay no attention to Brother Hooves, I am certain that you will succeed.” he retorted, casting an angry glare at the pony in question.

Celestia and Luna headed for the exit of the small house that was the size of a Cathedral on the inside due to Discords tampering, nopony that lived there was particularly upset about it. As they left, they heard a pony with an hourglass for a cutie mark say:

“Hmm...it's bigger on the inside. Maybe I'll try that some day.”

They arrived at edge of the Everfree Forest, where Discord had decided to stay. They truly had reached the center of all chaos in Equestria.

They saw ponies performing a strange dance on their front hooves and singing a song that seemed to be dedicated to Discord. They saw Dragons hopping around like bunnies and bunnies soaring through the sky spitting fire. They even saw rectangular holes in the sky of various sizes, where strange creatures with no hooves but something else that the two sisters couldn't name, just watched the events unfold with interest. They marched forward, preparing themselves in case something more dangerous then bunnies or dragons decided to attack. A voice sounded from behind them.

“Oh oh, this is so much fun! How about a game of pin the tail on the pony?” Discord lifts a tail that looked suspiciously like Celestia's.

Celestia turned around and noticed that her tail was missing. She turned to face Discord, anger etched across her face.

“Playtime is over for you Discord!” she exclaimed.

“Oh, I doubt that. Hungry?” he extended a bag of seeds towards Celestia and Luna, they both give Discord blank stares.

“Suit yourselves.” He stuffed a claw full of seeds in his mouth with delight.

Celestia and Luna removed the Elements of Harmony from their saddlebags and placed them in a semi-circle, hovering in front of the two sisters.

“Ooh... What have you got there?” askedu Discord.

“The Elements of Harmony.” responded Celestia.

The Elements of Harmony started to rotate at high speed, encasing the two Princesses in a protective sphere of magic.

“With them, we shall defeat you!” cried Luna.

Discord laughed. “You should see yourselves right now. The expressions on your face, so intense, so sure of yourselves. Ahahah.”

Celestia and Luna crossed their horns to unite the Elements of Harmony's power. As a rainbow shot into the sky and headed towards Discord, a group of four ponies strangely dressed all shouted out at the same time:

"DON'T CROSS THE STREAMS!"

Discord,who was too busy laughing at the duo to take notice of the danger he was facing, just stood there.

“Hilarious! Ahahahah!”

So thus was Discord, the bringer of Chaos, turned to stone in a position that made many a filly for generations to come wonder if he was singing at the time of his demise.

100 years later

Time passed rather slowly for Luna ever since she and Celestia had defeated Discord. She was glad that harmony had come to Equestria.

That things started to make sense. And she was especially glad that it wouldn't rain chocolate anymore. She had had more than enough of chocolate while Discord ruled over Equestria.

When they had started taking care of the rising of the Sun and Moon without interference from Discord. Luna was happy to perform her royal duties at first, but as time passed she realized that all the ponies preferred Celestia's day to her night. She was sad that all these ponies were missing out on the wonders that her night had to offer. Celestia had noticed that her sister was acting strange, but she decided to blame it on the sleepless nights. Finally, Celestia breached the subject.

“Are you alright Luna? You seem upset about something.”

“I'm fine...” replied Luna.

“When you say “fine”, what does that mean exactly? Because it seems that not everything is “fine” to me. And don't try to lie, you and I both now that you can't stop your ears from twitching when you lie.” warned Celestia.

“Look, it's not important. It's just that I'm getting bored. Fighting Discord was the most exciting thing that has ever happened to us!” exclaimed the bringer of the moon

“I see.” stated simply Celestia.

“It's just that once I rise the Moon, all the ponies fall asleep until you raise the Sun. Spending all these hours alone... I just wish there was somepony who didn't spend all day playing and would come out during the night.” complained Luna.

“I can't understand what that must be like. But I can try to understand how you feel. If you wish, I can stay up at night to keep you company.

Equestria means very little to me when it comes to your happiness and well-being.”

“Thank you but...no thank you. Somepony has to make the decisions. If we are both asleep, even without Discord, Equestria would fall back into chaos. I shall just have to grin and bear it.” said the youngest alicorn.

“Very well, but we shall continue this conversation tomorrow. I may not be able to keep you company but if there is one thing that the council has taught me, it's that the only way to resolve a problem is to mention it.” advised Celestia.

“I suppose you're right.” sighed Luna.

“Try not to dwell on this matter further. At least until we can talk about it more. I wish you a safe night Luna.” Celestia said as she left to go rest.

“Good night Tia.” whispered Luna.

She turned away from Celestia as she left the tower they used to watch over the land. Luna looked up at the Moon and sighed.

The Shadow

Chapter 8 : The Shadow

Luna and Celestia were half way to the crystal empire, they could have completed the trip in a day by flying and in a minute by teleporting.

But the Royal Army did not move so quickly. They still had a long way to go. To make things easier. Luna slept during the day in a chariot

while the army progressed. Luna was not letting herself dream as she thought it best she not get distracted with the battle she and Celestia

would soon have to fight lurking ever closer.

All of a sudden, a giant pony shaped shadow leapt out of the darkness of her dream and emitted a maniacal laugh that sent a chill down her

spine. Luna woke with a start, not knowing how that could be possible, her sleep was suppose to be peaceful and undisturbed.

Where could that shape have come from? It was not of my doing, which means an exterior force has found it's way into my dreams. I

must warn Tia! she thought. Luna flew out of the chariot and headed for the front of the army as fast as she could, time could be of the

essence. Luna saw Celestia below her and she dived towards the ground.

“Luna? I thought you were resting?” asked Celestia

“I apologize but there is no time for pleasantries, I believe that our home is facing a threat more severe then King Sombra.” stated Luna.

“What do you mean? What could be more dangerous the Sombra?” asked Celestia

“I do not know, but I think this may something to do with Discord.” said Luna

“But we turned him to stone, it cannot be Discord.” said Celestia

“Maybe he left a trick or trap somewhere in Equestria that has only now resurfaced?” wondered Luna

“Whatever the threat, you have never yet been wrong about its magnitude. Sombra will have to wait, you must return at once.” said Celestia,

immediately taking control of the situation.

“You must teleport back to the castle while I keep heading for the Crystal Empire.” ordered Celestia

“But... This threat is apparently more powerful then Sombra, and it would take two of us to defeat him!” exclaimed Luna, panic making

itself apparent in her voice.

“I know, but I cannot leave our forces here alone so near to the Crystal Empire.” answered Celestia

“...You're right, but how am I to defeat this threat alone?” asked Luna

“I am confident that you will find a way to succeed.” answered Celestia “Now go, our ponies may need you now.”

Luna fired up her horn and teleported away. Luna reappeared in the middle of ruined houses and streets, thinking at first that she had

somehow been transported to the wrong place. She was looking about her in confusion when somepony shouted out her name.

“Princess Luna! Thank Celestia!”

Luna turned around ans saw a young colt run towards her. It was Golden.

“What happened?” asked Luna

“It was an Ursa Major! It came and destroyed half the town, and it fillynapped somepony!” spouted Golden

“It fillynapped? Ursa's don't usually do that, who was it?” asked Luna

“A filly called Double Star.” answered Golden

“It took Star?” asked Luna

“Yes, it headed into the Everfree Forest! You have to hurry, who knows what it could have done to her by now!” said the young colt.

Luna spread her wings and leaped into the air, turned to face to dark and dangerous forest, and sped into it's depths with all the haste in

Equestria.

Star was staring at herself in horror, except it wasn't her, it couldn't be! Star didn't even notice when the Shadow Pony snipped of a piece off

of her now changeling mane.

“At last! I shall now be powerful enough to defeat Luna and Celestia and rule over Equestria!” the Shadow Pony laughed, but Star didn't

even hear it. However, a certain alicorn Princess did hear the laugh. Luna had left the castle over an hour ago and still hadn't seen any sign

of the Ursa or Star. The Ursa's tracks had lead her all the way to the center of the forest but then they just vanished with no explanation.

Luna did not understand, but she knew that Star had to be around here somewhere, she was flying over a particularly dense bunch of trees

when she heard an sinister laugh coming from bellow.

Luna slowed down and quietly landed in one of the trees, hoping that she wouldn't be seen. When she observed the scene below her, all

she could see was a mysterious shadow and a changeling. What is going on here? she wondered Changelings usually stay in large

groups, why is this one alone? And what is that shadow, hiding in the dark?

Luna fell silent and listened as the conversation between the shadow and the changeling resumed.

“Discord! I am no longer your creation! You are no longer my master!” shouted the Shadow Pony at the sky “And know thanks to you,

my dear filly, I shall become the most powerful being in all of Equestria!”

Luna was shocked when she heard the shadow described the changeling as a filly. She fell quiet, her mind thinking about the implications of

the shadows words. The shadow called that changeling filly, there's only one pony missing from the castle, and that's Star. Could that

changeling be Star? But that can't be! Star is a pony! Luna swore that if she got out of this alive, she would question Celestia further on the

matter.Star stared at the Shadow Pony, thinking very quickly. Luna isn't here and I'm the only one who knows about this. I have to do

something! she decided But what? Star noticed a small table with what looked like a potion. That's it! If I spill it, he can't drink it!

And before he can gather all the ingredients again, Luna and Celestia will be searching the forest for any strange magic. And they'll find him!

But they probably won't find me, he's still powerful enough to get rid of me...

Star filled up with with determination as these thoughts crossed her mind, and sadness, because she would never see Luna, Golden or any

of her friends again. The Shadow Pony had his back to her, about to put the last ingredient in the potion. Star prepared to charge, planing to

knock the table over and send the potion falling to the ground. Luna, on the other hoof, saw and quickly understand what Star was planing

to do. From her hiding place in the trees, Luna watched as the changeling, who was Star according to the shadow, got closer to the pony.

What should I do? In the end, the only thing Luna could think of doing was distract the Shadow Pony while the changeling destroyed

the bottle.

“Hey!” shouted Luna at the top of her lungs as she launched herself of her perch.

The Shadow Pony turned it's head towards Luna, recognized her and hissed. Just then, Star had reached the table and sent it flying through

the air, the potion still on it.

“NO!” screamed the Shadow Pony.

Star starred at the bottle with a grin as she watched it fly through the air, then her eyes met Luna's. And she gasped, hoping that Luna

wasn't about to attack her as well. Luna starred into the changeling’s eyes and she saw something that made her hesitate about knocking

out this changeling, there was joy in those eyes, but an equal dose of fear. This changeling was happy to see her, but also afraid of her.

And then the potion bottle smashed on Luna's head, it's contents pouring all over her.

“Luna!” screamed the changeling

It was the last thing she heard before she lost consciousness.

When Luna woke up, she could see the Shadow Pony inching closer to the changeling.

“I may not be as powerful as I would have been if I had drunk that potion, but I am still powerful enough to defeat one alicorn! And she is

no longer a threat! Seeing as I still need you for the ritual, I shall have to keep you alive, but make no mistake... When I am powerful again,

I shall dispose of you!” screamed the Shadow Pony.

Luna watched helplessly as the Shadow Pony slowly lifted it's hoof, dark magic covering it's whole surface. Luna had to do something, and

fast! Or who knows what would happen to this strange changeling. Luna tried to force herself on her hooves but she fell back to the ground.

Determination filled her up, and then, she felt a change happen inside of her. It felt like her magic was changing, becoming different. Luna

got up on her hooves and fired up her horn.

The Shadow Pony was getting closer to the changeling that had ruined his plans, planning to turn her into his slave. Just as he was about to

make contact with it's forehead, he felt a strange change occur. If he could define it, he would swear that magic in this part of the forest was

evolving, changing somehow. He turned around and saw Luna standing tall, except it didn't look anything like Luna. The potion! he

thought It must have amplified her powers somehow! She is now more powerful then me! She has become an irregularity in this world! A

nightmare! That potion was meant for shadows like me! Who knows what the potion did to her!

The Shadow Pony stared at the changeling, then back to the thing that Luna had become, and decided that fleeing was the only option left.

The Shadow Pony started running but it wasn't fast enough to escape. Luna's horn shot a beam of light that engulfed the Shadow Pony in

it's entirety, the pony of shadows disappeared with a shriek, never to be heard from again except in myth and legend, for the events of that

night were hidden from all. Only three ponies in all of Equestrian history knew the truth about that night. And one would be leaving

Equestria very soon.