The sun began to go down over the town of Ponyville. In the orchards of Sweet Apple Acres, Star Apple was hard at work, bucking apples to fill the day's quota. The work would've went by faster is AppleJack didn't leave to have that meet up with the girls.

She could've at least finished this section before leaving. Would've made my day a lot easier. Star thought as he bucked another tree. The apples fell with ease into the massive buckets that surrounded the tree. Star quickly picked them up, and carried them to the barn.

If there was one place Star hated to be in, it was the barn. It wasn't that something too bad happened in here, just the most life changing moment of his life.

All he could see was toxic green. Pain soured through his body as he let out a blood curdling scream.

Star blinked away the memory, then lowered the apple buckets to the floor, replacing them with empty ones. He looked back at the barn one last time, before walking back toward the orchard.

Star Phantom in:

A Phantom Story

Story Time!!!

Night blanketed Ponyville, signaling the end of another day's work. Inside the house, Star was helping AppleJack clean the dishes.

“So, how was the get together?” He asked.

“It went pretty well.” AJ said, a smile on her face. “Found out somethin’ pretty interestin’ today.” Star raised an eyebrow. “Turns out that rainbow ah saw as a filly that pointed home? That was from Rainbow's Sonic Rainboom!”

The halfa whipped his head in surprise at the news. “Wait. Really?!”

AJ nodded. “Eeyup. That Rainboom not only helped me get mah cutie mark, but also Twilight's, Rarity's, Pinkie Pie's, and Fluttershy's marks too!”

Star smiled. “Wow. Only you six would have a connected Cutie Mark moment.” AJ blushed and smiled sheepishly. “Seriously. You girls have a bond. One that I'm glad you have.”

“Yeah. Ah just wish two of mah friends weren't tryin’ tah hunt mah twin's alter ego.” The orange mare quickly shoved a hoof into her mouth. But it was too late. She expected a lot of things to happen when she said that. One of them was not for her twin to start laughing as if he just watched a Pinkie Stunt.

“True. That'll cause some crazy moments.”

AppleJack was surprised. How could her brother treat that fact like a small inconvenience, rather than the problem it was. Two of her best friends, one of them being the personal student of Celestia, were hunting her brother. Proclaiming him a menace despite the fact that he puts his half-life on the line to keep them safe from the other ghosts.

“Star.” She said sadly. “Are ya alright?”

Her twin looked at her confused. “Yeah, why?”

“Cause yur brushin’ this off like it's nothin’, when it's anything but!”

“What? Twilight and Rainbow hunting me? The GIW constantly hounding me? The fact that I'm actually a prophesied savior of worlds?! How am I supposed to treat this AppleJack?!” Star shouted. AJ took a step back. Star only used her full name when he was angry, or stressed, and she did not want to be too close when that happened.

Star's eyes widened when he realized what just happened, and looked back down at the dishes. “I'm sorry, Sis. But it's just too much to handle, and I'm trying my best to keep up, but…” He paused. “There are just so many days where I wish I never picked up that book.”

“What book?” Both ponies snapped their heads toward the voice, seeing AppleBloom standing in the doorway. The young filly looked tired.

“AppleBloom.” AJ said, using her stern voice. “You should be in bed, young filly.”

“Ah would be if ah didn't hear ya shoutin’ from mah room?” The little filly retorted. Star and AJ blushed, embarrassed that they were called out by their little sister. “Now, what book?” She asked again.

The twins looked at each other, and nodded. AJ went back to cleaning the dishes, and Star sat down at the table, gesturing for AppleBloom to do the same. Once she was comfortable, Star began.

“Well, it has to do with my… other self.”

This woke AppleBloom right up, her eyes fully opening, and her brain going into overdrive.

“It was about a year ago, now. I was out getting you school books for the year.”

StarShine Apple was walking through the streets of Ponyville, saddlebag on his back, and list in hoof. He approached the Ponyville Library, and opened the door. The Library didn't have an official dedicated Librarian yet, so there were volunteers from the Mayor's Office that would do it.

Obviously, one went out and forgot to lock up. Star closed the door behind him, then looked at the list. He needed to grab a math book, some Equish literature, a science textbook, and a history book. Great, nothing too fancy or out there.

“Great. Now where to start.” He looked around until his eyes landed on a large section marked “School Books.” The stallion rolled his eyes, and walked over to grab the books. It didn't take long to find them, so he packed them away, and signed them out on the book list that was left by the center table.

Star was about to leave, when he felt something strange in the air. It felt unnerving, sinister, and cold. He looked around, when something slammed behind him. He whipped around, not seeing anypony.

“Who's there?” Star called. “Show yourself!” He looked down and saw a strange, black book on the ground. Star mentally kicked himself, getting spooked by a falling book. He picked it up, and was about to put it back, when a sudden sense of curiosity overtook him. He opened the book to a random page, and read something that would change his life forever.

The Soul Retrievement Spell.

Star carefully read the page, quickly examining it to see if it was real, and indeed, it was. The door opening behind him, snapped him out of his reading, as the volunteer librarian came in. Star quickly hid the book in his saddlebag, and turned around.

“Oh, hey Amethyst.” He said with a strained smile. The light purple unicorn mare smiled.

“Hey Star. Checking out books?”

“Oh yeah. For my sister, she's starting school next week.”

The mare's eyes and smile widened. “Oh that's great! Do you need help finding anything?”

“Uh… nope. All set.” Star quickly explained. “And I also already signed for them. Bits are on the desk.” He made his way to the door. “Sorry to be rude, but I need to get back to the farm. Lotta work to do.”

“Of course, no problem. Have a good day, Star.” Amethyst called out.

“You too!” And with that, Star left, with the mysterious book kept tightly in his bag.

“So ya stole a book?!” AppleBloom asked. Star rubbed the back of his head in shame.

“Y-yeah. I don't know what came over me.” He said honestly. “And something told me that book didn't really belong in a library in Ponyville.”

Star returned to the house, and gave AppleBloom her books. He kept the black book hidden in the saddlebag, and waited until he was alone in his room to read it again.

He opened it back up to the page, and began reading.

The Soul Retrieval Spell is not as complicated as most would think, as even an earth pony could do it. However, caution must be taken. For it could lead to disaster if not done right.

This spell can be used to bring back loved ones, either as spirits, or as a living creature once more.

The materials that must be obtained for this ritual are as follows:

• A piece of chalk
• Something living, including plants, in order for there to be energy.
• A place of memory for the desired spirit.
• The willingness

Star couldn't believe it. There was a spell that could bring back anypony, even his parents! He had to do this! He needed to see them again, bring them back to make everything better. Life hadn't been the same since Ma and Pa were killed by Timberwolves. This could fix it all!

Star looked through the book, learning everything he could to make the spell work.

About a week later, Star was reading up in the barn's rafters. The barn was his favorite place to be. It held a lot of fond memories for him in here, especially from when he was colt playing with his twin sister, and parents. He frowned, and looked longingly at the photo of his Ma and Pa that he had next to the book. He read the book front to back, learning the different symbols that were required, gathering the materials he needed, and preparing the barn for it. All he needed was a day to do the ritual, and he could bring them back. The family could be whole again

“Star?!” He closed the book, and got up, burying it in the hay. He looked down to see AppleJack looking for him.

“Hey Sis, what's up?”

“Granny's takin’ AppleBloom to Twist's house fur a while, and Big Mac and ah need tah take some apples to the Cakes.” She explained. “Could ya stay here and keep an eye on things ‘til then?”

“Sure, no problem at all.” Star was screaming internally with excitement. This was it. He could do the ritual today, and surprise them when they all got back.

He waited until they were all gone before he began.

The ritual was all set. The circle was complete, symbols drawn. Various plants were laid before him, all kept alive in their pots, and placed on each symbol.

With everything ready, Star got down on his knees, and placed his front hooves on the edge of the circle. Nothing happened. Star waited and waited, but the circle did nothing. No glow, no spirits, just nothing. What was he doing wrong?! Why wouldn't it work?! Star thought for a moment, when he realized something. The book said he needed the willingness to do it.

“I'm willing.” He said, his voice filled with determination. That's when it happened. The circle began to glow an eerie toxic green glow. The wind began to pick up, and the sun seemed to go out. A smile formed on Star's face.

Outside, on the road leading up to the Acres, AppleJack and Big Mac were trotting back, attached to the now empty cart. AJ suddenly stopped and shivered. Big Mac stopped a second later, and turned toward her with worry.

“AJ, what's wrong?”

“Ah… ah don't know. Ah just feel so… cold.” Her eyes widened. “Star.” The mare suddenly took off running, surprising her older brother. He quickly unhitched the wagon, and gave chase.

The glow intensified, forcing Star to back away and cover his eyes. The wind was now howling, blowing his mane and tail in every direction. Then, it calmed down, leaving a soft glow around the circle. The floor beneath it was gone, replaced with only a swirling green pool. Star slowly stepped toward it, never taking his eyes off of the supernatural sight. It was strangely attractive, an alluring sight. It didn't stay that way for long.

A toxic green tendril shot up from the pool, surprising Star. He didn't have time to react as the tendril grabbed his hoof, and started dragging him toward the portal. He screamed in pure terror as he tried desperately to get away.

“Help!” He cried, as the tendril began to wrap around his whole body. He could feel the energy entering through his skin, making him lose touch with his senses.

The barn door was kicked open, and in came AppleJack and Big Macintosh. They stared at the scene in horror, frozen in their place.

Star tried to think about what to do, when he remembered something.

“The book!” He shouted. “Close the book!” His hooves were touching the pool now, it felt like ice in the Frozen North was latching itself to his fur.

AJ immediately ran over to the opened black book, and slammed it shut.

There was flash, and a scream of agony. Star felt like his nerves were on fire, then frozen, then burned again in an even hotter blaze. His vision went white, and he knew no more.

It felt like an instant when he awoke in the barn. The first thing he saw were his two siblings staring at him in shock and fear. He understood why. They just saw their brother doing dark magic, and he almost got killed for it.

“S-Star.” AJ said slowly. “I-I-I-Is that… you?” Of course it was him, why wouldn't it be?

The stallion started to stand, when he saw his leg. He grew up with the image that his fur was always white, like snow. But there was something wrong. The fur on his leg was midnight black! Star's eyes shot fully open, and he rushed to a mirror.

Instead of a stallion with snow white fur, midnight black mane, and normal blue eyes, he saw a stallion with midnight black fur, snow white hair, and glowing green eyes.

“W-what?” He asked, his voice having a slight echo. “How? What?” He looked at his siblings, sharing their fearful expressions. “No. I… I can't be…”

“Star.” His twin said softly. “It'll be ok.”

Be ok? How?! He was dead! The spell killed him! How could he be so stupid?! Messing around with dark magic! He lucky he was the only one killed! What if it killed AJ, or Big Mac, or Granny, or even AppleBloom?! How could he live with himself if anything bad happened to them?!

This couldn't be happening! Why?! Why did he have to die?!

“Kids!” Echoed the voice of Granny Smith. “Get the soup on!”

No no no! She couldn't find out about this! Her heart wouldn't take it!

He needed to find a way back. To become StarShine Apple again!

A flash of light blinded them, and when they could see again. Star Apple stood before them. They all stared at each other in shock and awe.

“What. Just happened?” Big Mac asked, finally finding his voice.

“I… I don't know.” Star answered. He figure it out, right after he got rid of the book. He turned to grab it, only to find it gone. All three siblings looked at each other, and promised to never speak of this incident until they were alone again.

Over the course of the rest of the week, strange things began to happen. Star would find himself falling through his bed, and dropping things, no matter how hard he gripped them. His strength grew tenfold, demolishing entire trees if he wasn't careful. He would eat less, felt colder when touched, and would find that he didn't need to breathe as much. Then there was the fact that the book was gone, no trace left behind.

Star would find himself transforming into that alter ego of his at random times, thankfully when no pony else was looking, and he could fly. Whatever that book did to him, he had to learn how to control it.

It was later in the evening when it happened. Star was on his way back to the house, when a loud scream filled the air. He immediately ran to its origin, the acre closest to the Everfree Forest.

There, he saw AppleJack being surrounded by a pack of timberwolves. Their glowing green eyes glared at their soon to be meal, who was backing up into a nearby tree. Star knew he had to do something, when an idea formed in his head.

He charged down toward them, and thought about his alter ego. He felt energy sour through him, and a huge grin formed on his face as his eyes glowed green.

“Hey! Sticks for brains!” The Timberwolves look over to see another pony appear from the trees, this one glowing with a strange aura. He gave a posture they recognized as one an attacker does with their prey. The pack turned their attention to this new prey, but the leader yipped a word of caution. This pony did not have a normal pony smell, it smelled like death.

The pack ignored the warning, and charged at the earth pony. AppleJack watched in horror, thinking that Star completely lost his mind! He just stood there with a smirk as the pack came closer, then at the last second, he took off into the air. The action caught the timberwolves off guard, giving him a chance to grab one of them and throw it high into the air.

The halfa then punched another one, shattering it to splinters. The timberwolves shook off their shock, and went in for the kill. Star simply dodged their attacks, throwing in kicks and punches, with some thrown objects in between. The leader watched in awe as his pack was being annihilated. He quickly realized he could not beat this Pony of Death. She he turned his eyes to his original prey. The orange one who was distracted with the carnage. He would be an easy kill. One that would keep him fed for a week.

Star kicked away another timberwolf, watching its body explode into dozens of splinters. It was 9ut of the corner of his eye that he caught something, a timberwolf approaching his sister, and the mare not noticing it. His eyes widened, and he tried to rush over, but two more wolves blocked his way. The leader was about to pounce, he didn't have time to fight these two.

His mind went into overdrive, trying to think of a way to attack the wolf from his spot. But nothing came to mind. He was starting to get angry. What's the point of Ghost Powers if you can't do anything useful with them?!

He felt his hoof get hot, surprising him. He looked at it to see a toxic green glow surrounding it. The two timberwolves backed up slightly, obviously intimidated by the action. Star smirked, and aimed his hoof at the leader. He then left instinct take over, and a green laser blast left his hoof, striking home in the Tikberwolf's head. The wolf disintegrated into ashes, which proved to be the final straw, as the surviving wolves ran back into the forest.

When the two realized it was over, Star and AJ gave a quick back breaking hug, and ran for house, with Star transforming back into Apple Form.

“And after that, I thought long and hard about what I wanted to use these powers for. It was after the fight with the timberwolves, and the sudden sightings of ghosts around town that I made up my mind.” Star explained. “I decided to protect my town. It was my fault that the ghosts were showing up, since me using that book probably reopened the portal in the Everfree.”

AJ and AppleBloom were in awe, neither of them spoke as their voices were long gone. After a few moments of awkward silence, Star stood up. “Alright, now, I think you need to get to bed young filly.”

AppleBloom blinked, and groaned as her mind caught up with her. “Do ah have to?”

“Eeyup.” Star said, popping the ‘p’ with a smile. He watched his little sister get out of her seat, and trot back up the stairs. The stallion waited for the door to shut before turning back to his twin.

“Well, guess we should get some sleep too.”

AppleJack blinked, then smiled. “Yeah. Ah guess.” The two started walking, when she spoke again. “And Star.” The earth pony in question stopped, and turned to face her. “Ah just wanna say I'm sorry.” Star raised an eyebrow.

“About worryin’ so much. Not bein’ as positive and supportive as ah should be-”

“Stop.” Star said suddenly, surprising her. “AJ, if you weren't worried, I would be. If I didn't have you, Big Mac, AppleBloom, Zecora, and Luna. I don't know where I'd be. To have family and friends who support me is more than I could ever hope for.”

“Whatever comes our way.” He said with a confident grin. “We'll get through it.” Tho two smiled, and gave the same back breaking hug they gave each other they did after the timberwolf fight. “Now let's get to bed. I'm plumb tuckered out.” The two went to their rooms, unaware of the hooded figure watching them from a portal window.

The figure smiled and closed the portal, then pulled the black book out of his purple cloak. “All is as it should be.”

Author's Note

And now we get the origins of Star Phantom. Hope y'all enjoyed another chapter, as there are now only two to go for this season.