Star walked through the Apple Acres, carrying three baskets of apples on his back. He was enjoying the nice, warm summer day, and he was glad he knew he would win the bet between him, Big Mac, and Applejack. There is no way I’m walking around town wearing a polka-dot hat. He was thinking about adding another bucket when he heard grunting nearby. He used his sensitive hearing to locate the sound.

It’s coming from over there! He dropped the buckets, and quickly ran over across the orchard. He was listening to the noise as it intensified. It sounds like Applejack and Rainbow Dash. He stopped for a second and blinked. Ew, ew! Bad thoughts, bad thoughts! He started running again toward the sound, having not so good ideas on what to expect. He reached the row of trees where the two mares were…

Hoof wrestling? Okay, not the weirdest thing I could’ve walked into. He blinked twice. Bad thoughts! “Uh, AJ, RD, what are ya doin’?” The mares in question stopped what they were doing and looked at Star. There was a moment of silence as both ponies blushed a bit from possible embarrassment. Star raised an eyebrow, Please tell me this wasn’t leading to something else.

“Uh, well, ya see…” Applejack started.

“Twilight got two tickets for the Grand Galloping Gala and we both wanna go, so we decided to hoof wrestle for it!” Rainbow Dash said, floating above the ground like she usually does. She then looked around, puzzled. “Where’d she go?”

Star shrugged. “Don’t ask me, I just got here.” Wait! “Did you just say Grand Galloping Gala?” Both mares nodded. “Huh, that’s cool.” AJ and RD blinked.

“That’s cool?” Rainbow clarified.

“Like, ya’ll ain’ that interested?” Applejack added.

“Yeah, you know I don’t like parties sis.” Star said, rubbing his leg uncomfortably. He was social, just not enough to go to such a big event. Applejack and Rainbow seemed to accept that answer. That, or they’re just glad there’s one less pony going after that ticket.

“Alright, then, I’ll see ya later Star.” Applejack ran off, no doubt to find Twilight and convince her to give her the ticket.

“Oh no ya don’t!” Rainbow Dash flew off after her. Star just watched them leave while shaking his head.

“I’ll never get those two.” He started to walk away when his ghost sense went off. He looked around as the sky went dark. “Oh no.” He transformed into Ghost Apple and started to float. He looked around, but he saw nothing. “Huh, must be nothing-” A loud roar shook the air around him. He turned back toward the barn to see a giant blue dragon blast through the doors and take off into the air. “Or it’s a big something!” He quickly flew toward it.

He managed to get in front of it, forcing the beast to stop. It growled at him, smoke blowing out of it’s nostrils. “I want to go!” It shouted before trying to fly away. Star blasted it with a ghost ray, it didn’t hurt but it made the dragon mad.

“If ya wanna go, go in private.” he joked. “It’s common courtesy!” He fired another ray, but the dragon blocked it with it’s claws. It roared loudly, spewing fire at the same time. Star tired to turn intangible, but the fire still burned. He screamed in pain before he fell to the ground. Black smoke appeared from his form, his fur was singed in several places.

“I want to go to the Gala!” The dragon roared, slamming onto the ground. Star slowly got up, his muscles burning in pain.

“You’ll have to wait, my sister and her friends take priority!” He aimed his hoof for another blast, but the dragon had different plans. It swung around and whacked Star with it’s tail. He flew into a tree, completely destroying it. He looked at the tree, then at the dragon. “Hey, my little sister planted that tree!” He put both hooves forward, firing a strong blast. It hit its mark, striking a large necklace placed around the dragon’s neck. The dragon fell to the ground while the necklace went flying into town.

Star, not noticing the necklace, flew over to the dragon. He expected it to get back up, but instead all there was, was a smoking crater. In the center, was a young unicorn mare wearing a noble’s gown with a rose crown. She looked at him with tears in her eyes. Star was shocked, he didn’t expect this at all.

“All I wanted to do was go to the Grand Galloping Gala, but my horrid brother won’t let me!” She cried before she disappeared. Star suddenly felt a bit of guilt, he hoped she would be okay. He sighed before looking at the damage done to the Acres.

“Oh great, an entire week’s apple supply burned and crushed.” He groaned. “How am I gonna explain this to Granny?!” He changed back into Normal Apple form. Still need better names. He ran over to where he left his baskets of apples, and he found them in perfect condition. “Wow, lucky me.” He grabbed all the apples and quickly ran back to the barn.

Star brought the Apple Stand Cart to the Market Center of town. It was another busy day since today was Market Day, he wished AJ and Big Mac were there to help, but AJ was still trying to get that ticket and Big Mac had to stay behind to clean up the acres. Who was that dragon anyway? He quickly shook the thought away as his first customer of the day arrived.

“Morning Doc.” He said with a smile. The brown earth pony returned the smile.

“Ah, good morning StarShine. Doing better I see.” He said as Star grabbed his usual order.

“Eeyup, been doing great.” The Doc stared at him for a few moments.

“Are you sure, after your accident…” He trailed off. Star sighed, then leaned on the cart.

“Look, Doc, I’m fine.” He explained. “I was out for a few weeks, had some trouble getting back in motion, but I’m doing better now, promise.” Star finished with a smirk and wink. The Doc laughed a bit, then took his order of apples and left the usual 7 bits.

He started to walk away, but stopped. “Oh by the way.” He turned back. “I noticed that Inviso-Bill started using that thermos of mine to capture the spirits, any idea how he got that?”

Star blinked for a moment, then started to sweat slightly. “Uh, no, I don’t.”

“Okay then, enjoy your day StarShine.” The Doctor said as he walked away back to his lab. Once he was gone, Star let out the breath he held for most of the conversation.

“That was too close.” He muttered. He hated having to lie to the town, but half of them hate Inviso-Bill, how would they react to him. How long before the scientists and sorcerers come and take him to be experimented on. He heard Twilight talking a few times about capturing him to see how he worked. He then remembered Applejack, how desperate she was to get that ticket. She’s not that desperate, is she?

“Please, ah’m desperate!” AJ shouted to Twilight. “Ah need that ticket for the Gala so ah could sell enough food tah pay for things down at the farm. Please ah’ll do anythin’!” Twilight sighed, then had an idea.

“Okay then, tell me this…” She started. “Why do you think so highly of Inviso-Bill?” Applejack seemed confused for a moment.

“He saves the town from ghosts all the time, why wouldn’t ah respect him?”

Twilight raised an eyebrow. “Okay, so... “ She started to smile. “Do you know where I could find him, does he haunt any specific location?” Applejack seemed hesitant, No Applejack, he’s your twin, you WILL NOT rat him out. then she looked at the ticket.

“He haunts around the Acres mostly.” What the actual buck is wrong with me?! Twilight seemed satisfied with the answer.

“Thank you Applejack, I’ll just-” There was a sudden crash. Both ponies looked over to see Rarity in the doorway.

“Twilight dear!” She shouted, obviously trying to hide her distress. "Please do not tell me you were planning on giving that ticket to Applejack.” Her eyes glowed for a second. Only Applejack noticed. Not good, is she overshadowed?! Twilight was trying to find a way out of the situation, then she looked at the necklace placed around the fashionista's neck.

“Oh wow Rarity, that amulet looks amazing.” She said, with a strained smile. “Where did you get it?” Rarity blinked before smiling.

“Ooh, you like it?” She asked, lifting it slightly to admire it herself. “I found it near the Acres this morning. I was passing by when I heard a clang in the bushes. I looked inside and there it was.” She explained. Twilight sighed, thinking she managed to pivot the conversation.

“But where was I, oh yes, were you planning on giving the ticket to Applejack?” She blinked, looking innocent.

Twilight groaned, there was no way out of it. She made a deal, and a deal is a deal. “Yes, Rarity, I was.” She said, looking down. There was loud hiss, Twilight looked back up to see an angry expression on her friend’s face. Her eyes were blood red, her fur turning from white to light blue. Her sharp teeth gleamed in the light, her dragon tongue snaked it’s way through. Wait, dragon tongue? “Rarity, are you okay?”

Star waved goodbye to Berry Punch as she walked away with an apple juice barrel on her back. He put the money when his ghost sense, not that he needed it because a moment later, the same dragon from before exploded from the market area.

“Must have it!” It roared, this woke the townsfolk from their stupor as they ran away screaming and panicking. Star ducked behind the cart, transformed into Ghost Apple, then flew off after the beast. He fired an ectoblast at it to get its attention. The dragon glared at him, its red eyes glowing brightly.

“Listen, I know the food service is slow here, but don’t go roaring at them, that’s just rude.” He joked, flying away. He then turned back around. “How ‘bout some punch!” He gave it a good punch too, sending it flying out of town. He chased after it quickly, hoping to keep it from getting back up.

The dragon slammed onto the ground, knocking the amulet off. Star arrived just in time to see the dragon transform back into Rarity. Wait, Rarity?! How? He flew down to make sure she was alright. He landed just as the unicorn opened her eyes. “Are you okay?” He asked.

Rarity screamed in terror. “Inviso-Bill!” She quickly got up and started to run away toward town. “Out of my way!” She shouted through the streets, gaining all the attention, “That ghost is trying to hurt me!” All the townsfolk looked at Star, who stood there in shock.

“So ya like hurting mares huh?” A stallion said. “We’ll teach you ghost colt!” Several ponies charged at Star. This snapped him out of his shock, thankfully, when he saw the crowd, he went invisible and flew away as fast as he could. In the distance, Twilight and Applejack watched it all go down. Twilight wrote the whole ordeal down while Applejack’s teeth started to crack from how hard she was gritting them. She left Twilight to her notes as she ran toward Sweet Apple Acres.

“Star, are ya hear?” AJ called through the door. She heard no reply, so she slowly opened the door. Just as she feared, her brother’s room was empty, everything was untouched. She sighed, not noticing a red stallion walk up behind her.

“Applejack?” She jumped at the voice of her older brother. She turned to face the older Apple.

“Big Mac, thank goodness, have ya seen Star?”

Big Mac shook his head. “Eenope, I thought he was in here.” He explained. Applejack groaned, she had to find him. “Only place left is the barn, come on!” Both siblings ran out toward the bright red building right next to their small house. They opened the door, and walked inside. The only light was from the last bit of sunlight coming through the door. Big Mac grabbed a torch, lighting it with a spare match.

“Star?” Applejack called out.

“Go away.” A voice mumbled. Both siblings looked at each other before walking further into the barn.

“Star, we’re not leavin’ ‘til we know you’re okay.” Big Mac said as gently as he could.

“Do I seem okay?” Star said as he revealed himself. He was in Ghost form, his green eyes were bloodshot and his cheek fur was wet with fresh tears. His hair was a mess, sticking out in more placed than usual. “How can I be okay when most of the town hates me, and even when I save them, they still try to drive me outta town, so how could I be okay Big Mac?!” He ranted. He took a few jagged breaths, then curled into a ball.

“It’s all my fault.” He continued. “If I hadn’t opened up that stupid portal, none of this would be happening.”

“You’re right.” Applejack said, standing above her twin. He looked at her, confused. “None of this wouldn’t be happenin’, Nightmare Moon would be in charge, the sun would still be set, and ah wouldn’t be here.” She explained. She sat down, wrapping a hoof around Star. “If ya hadn’t opened the portal, you would be a regular earth pony, just another Apple, but you’re not.” She smiled. “You’re something bettah, and if the townsfolk don’t see that, then they have a problem.”

Big Mac sat down on his other side. “We’ll always support you Star, the ponies here will just take more time. They’ll warm up to ya eventually.” Star wiped the tears with his hoof, he started to smile.

“Thank you, both of you.” He stood back up. “Come on, I’m hungry.” The other siblings laughed, and joined him as they walked out of the barn. “So AJ, how did getting the ticket go?”

“Twilight almost burst intah flames from tryin’ to decide.” She started. “So we decided to not go.” Star went wide eyed. “So she sent them back. Funny thing was, Celestia sent us each a ticket.” Star smiled.

“Alright, good for you sis.” They hoof-pumped and walked into the house, but Star stopped.

“What is it Star?” Big Mac asked. Star walked over to their mailbox and grabbed the envelope that was sticking through the hole.

He opened it and read the letter inside. “You are invited to the Grand Galloping Gala in Canterlot by the Invitation of Princess Luna?!” He reeled back in shock.

“Luna?!” Applejack shouted. “But why?”

“She knows.” Star said simply.

“How does she know?” Big Mac asked.

“Because that’s how she became Nightmare Moon, she was a possessed by a spirit while creating a portal, maybe she wants to know how I’m still me.” He explained with a shrug. “Well, we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it. Come on, let’s eat.” With that, they walked back inside, thinking that today’s troubles were behind them.

The amulet was carefully placed on the table, then several wires were attached to it. The computer that were home to the wires started to print out a long chart. They went for several seconds before stopping. Once it stopped, it was picked up by a light purple magic aura. Twilight Sparkle looked at the chart, then at the amulet. “Perfect, now we can begin to study on what makes these spirits tick.” She said with a determined grin. She grabbed the amulet and placed it in a glass case. She then walked up the stairs and out of her basement.

Author's Note

And done! Alright, episode 2 is done. Yes, I may have made the townsfolk a bit cold but hey, that was most of Amity Park in the original too don't ya know. Anyway, hope you enjoy, and see ya later.