***The days soon come, o watchful one, those days of dark and fear.
Student of the final hour, with the special power, the thing you dread is near.
Though you wish to challenge fate, you think destiny will wait, you're all too wrong o star light.
Your change was true, but much over due, and now you'll cower with deadly fright!***
It was just another sunny day in Ponyville, according the peaceful ponies who lived there. The birds were singing their enchanting tunes, the sky was bluer then forget-me-nots, the flowers blossoming in all the colors of the rainbow, and everything looked absolutely positively perfect.
Starlight, however, drank it all in, every wonder that nature offered was not lost on her, she stopped to listen to every bird, smelled every flower, and every now and again, stopped to stare in wonder at the clear blue sky.
She was out for a stroll, but first she needed to finish her assignment from Twilight, before checking on her own project.
She walked through town, purpose driving her onward, stopping at Carousel Boutique. She needed to see how her and Twilight's dresses were coming for an upcoming meeting with princess Celestia. Twilight was trying to be vague with the details, but by the way she was stressingover every little detail, it was a progress report. On her
"Good morning Rarity!" Starlight said as she entered. "I've come to check on the dresses!"
"Hello darling!" Rarity called to her from her sewing machine. "Don't worry, I have almost completed Twilight's dress, then I'll start on yours without delay."
Starlight walked over to the maniquine that was wearing Twilight's dress.
It was a masterpiece. It was made from some silky cloth, a vibrant magenta color, with golden stars along the hem, and a golden sash that glimmered in the light. Rarity walked over to it, and placed a hoof on the hem.
"I only need to make some last minute adjustments, but it should be done by this afternoon. I know it's not perfect, but it was inspired by Twilight's cutie mark. I made it the same color, and if the light hit's the dress just so..." She nudged it ever is slightly to the right. "Then you can see the pattern of her cutie mark in the dress!" She finished grandly.
"It's beautiful Rarity!" Starlight exclaimed in delight. "Twilight will love it."
"Thank you darling." She said, with a pleased look on her face. "Now, I would love to chat with you dear, but I simply must get on with my work." She adjusted her red framed glasses and went back to stitching some gold stars for the dress.
Starlight left the shop, and tried to picture Twilight in the dress. She had walked not ten feet from the shop when she heard the familiar cry.
"INCOMING!"
Starlight teleported away just in time, as Rainbow Dash crashed into the road.
"Hey there Starlight!" She cal!ed out casually, like nothing happened. "What's up?"
Starlight wanted to rant at her how careless she had been, and give that pony a piece of her mind. But she only flipped her mane over her shoulder, and walked off, but not before using a little magic. Rainbow would be fine, just "grounded" for a bit.
She walked on, humming a little tune as she walked past sugarcube corner. As she walked past the scent of fresh baked goods wafted out to her. Her stomach rumbled.
"I guess it wouldn't hurt to pop in for a quick bite." She said aloud, and entered the colorful shop. Today Pinkie Pie was in charge of the shop. She waved Starlight over.
"Hi! Guests what! Today has been so busy, I've already done orders for Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Carrot Top, Mayor Mare, Berrypunch, Sweetiebell, Scootaloo, Applebloom, Filthy Rich, Diamond Tiara, Silver Spoon, Pipsqueak, Derpy Hooves, Octavia, Big Mac, Cheerilee, Cranky Donkey, Roseluck, Rarity, Spoiled Rich, Time Turner, Twilight, Spike and now you! What do you want Starlight?"
"Just a couple muffins, and I'll be on my way." She said, trying to hold in her laughter. Pinkie Pie was so... Pinkie!
Alrighty! Just a sec." She popped into the back. "Have a seat, I'll be right there."
Starlight had arely sat down when Pinkie appeared beside her, startling Starlight, balecing half a dozen trays of muffins on herself, including her tail.
"So, what kind do you want? I have blueberry muffins, apple spice muffins, banana nut muffins, cinnamon muffins, chocolate muffins, oatmeal muffins, strawberry muffins, English muffins, plain muffins, carrot muff-"
"Just some blueberry muffins please." Starlight interrupted. "With butter."
Soon she was back on the road, with a saddlebag filled with muffins "for later" as Pinkie Pie had put it. She walked down the path, listening to the sound of approaching hooves.
"Howdy there Starlight!" Applejack called to her as she passed her on the road with her cart filled with apples for the market. "How are ya doin'?"
"Fine, thank you!" She called back as she continued walking. "Just taking a stroll."
"Well enjoy yore walk sugarcuber, I'd best be off!" She trotted off and headed towards the market.
Starlight smiled with a touch of amusement. She had more to do then just enjoy the scenery.
She had walked only a few more minutes when she saw Fluttershy helping some ducklings cross the road.
"Hi Fluttershy! What are yo-"
"Ahhh!" Fluttershy screamed. Jumping high enough to get tangled in the tree.
"Oh dear, sorry!" Starlight apologized after helping her down. "I forgot how jumpy you are."
"It's fine." Fluttershy said softly. "I should have been paying more attention."
They stood there for a bit, listening to the awkward silence.
"Well..." Starlight said cautiously. "I'd best be going. Bye!"
She walked off deeper into the woods, feeling her hidden purpose drive her onward.
She entered the deeper part of the forest, the part that began the everfree forest.
Soon she came to a clearing in the middle of the woods. There was a tranquillity about the place that Starlight loved. She set down her saddlebag, and sat in the middle of it, and closed her eyes.
Time to work on her masterpiece.
A week ago she had come across the spell in Twilight's library. An ancient spell that spoke of wishes being granted. A wishing stone.
She had been trying everyday to accomplish this spell, but it required the utmost concentration, and a clearness of mind.
One by one though, she had accomplished the steps that it required. Starlight pulled the scroll out and studied it for a moment more and began to read.
Step one, a smooth gem, completely round. It says different stones would have different results, but it recommended a ruby, so that is what she had used.
Step two, coat the stone in moon dust, check.
Step three, infuse the stone with the pollen of the breezier, not easy, but Fluttershy had been willing to help.
Step four, let it rest in the earth for three days. She dug it up and held it to the light. Perfect!
Now for step five, she thought, she looked at the scroll, eager to learn the next step. Ah, there it was, add dark magic to the stone durning a full moon.
Dark Magic... Now where was she going to get that?
