Star Apple was once again operating the Apple Family Cart in the Ponyville Market; and, for once, he was actually able to enjoy it. The market was the perfect amount of busy, not slow, yet also not overcrowded, and there wasn't a single ghost to deal with, none at all. Not even the Box Ghost was a problem, which a celebration within itself. Star's talk with Luna the other night was awesome, sharing stories from both their pasts. I wonder if I should write them down. He was broken from his thoughts by the increasing sound of an excited crowd.

“What could that be?” He went out from behind the cart toward the noise, and lo and behold, there was a massive crowd formed around a small, makeshift stage. He was about to question what the show was about when smoke exploded from the stage. From the smoke, appeared a light blue unicorn wearing a purple wizard hat and cape. “Fillies and gentlecolts, behold the Great and Powerful Trrrrixie!” Fireworks went off from behind the stage as the unicorn announced herself. The fireworks instantly amazed the crowd. Star only had one thought on this. That is the loopiest outfit I've ever seen.

Star Phantom in:

Magician’s Play.

Magic *snort snort*

Star watched the show with mild interest, Trixie was doing the usual magic show shticks. Pulling a rabbit out of a hat, making a cloth disappear, and having fireworks go off after every act. This, of course, enthralled the town. Seriously, how does this three year old birthday party stuff impress a town of adult ponies?

Trixie did another “amazing” act and was about to close off when Rainbow Dash started groaning about the blue unicorn being nothing but a boaster. AJ and Rarity wholeheartedly agreed. “Well, to these neigh sayers here, I'll perform my greatest feat of all.” She paused before pulling out a red crystal ball. “Behold, the Orb of Spectral Influence.”

The crowd seemed curious and amazed at the slightly glowing orb. Star rolled his eyes. Right, like I'm gonna listen to a red Hearth’s Warming ornament. The crystal ball started to glow, which caught his attention, all of his attention. “Behold crowd, for I shall summon a spirit and bring it under my control.” The crowd oohed while AJ seemed slightly nervous.

Trixie raised the orb into the air with her magic. “Spirits of Ponyville, come to me, and obey The Great and Powerful Trixie!!!”

Star focused on the orb, as well as the voice holding it. His vision went red, as well as his eyes. “Obey the Great and Powerful Trixie.” He repeated blankly. The entranced stallion transformed into Phantom and flew down onto the stage, much to the surprise of the crowd, and horror of Applejack.

Trixie smiled smugly at the entranced half-ghost. “Well, what have we here? Name yourself.”

Star stared at her blankly. “My name is-”

“Nevermind, ghosts who obey Trixie do not get names unless she permits it.” The unicorn said as she turned back to the crowd. “Now I shall make this spirit do tricks, what tricks do you wish for it to perform?” The crowd went wild with ideas. Some were basic, such as fly in a figure eight, go invisible, make them invisible, and lift the heaviest thing in town. Others were insane, like bake some cupcakes while floating in the air, or go into a lab and let it be dissected. AJ glared at the crowd, especially the purple unicorn who called out the dissection part. Why do ah put up with ya Twilight?

AJ tried to think of a way to get out of this situation. She, Big Mac, and Star all thought of different scenarios and how to deal with them, but none of them thought of a plan when it came down to Star being controlled by a magician for a stage show. Think AJ, think. An idea came to mind and she then formed it into a plan. She was about to enact that plan when Rainbow decided to unintentionally botch it with one sentence.

“I challenge him to a race!”

Trixie laughed. “Very well, let's see if your speed could match my minion’s. Name the challenge.”

“Race me to the Castle in the Everfree and back.” The crowd oohed. Star looked to Trixie for instruction, which she gave.

“You heard her, minion.” She waved a dismissive hoof. “You may begin when ready, show her the might of Spirits.” Star’s eyes went from completely red to normal ones, only instead of green irises, they were blood red.

“With pleasure, my mistress.” He said with a cocky grin.

“Bring it on creep!” Rainbow immediately took off, with Phantom following close behind. AJ watched them take off in fear. Please be careful.

It didn't take long for the two racers to reach the Everfree, Phantom easily caught up to his rainbow maned opponent, who looked a little too cocky for her current situation. “You getting tired yet?!” She called to him. Star rolled his eyes and scoffed.

“Oh please, I'm just getting started.” He slowly crawled ahead, leaving Rainbow in his vapor trail. They reached the castle in no time. Once they were directly above the decaying structure, they did a 180 degree turn back toward town. Star was able to turn quicker than Rainbow however, which gave him a slight lead. It didn't take long for the two of them to get back into town.

To the naked eye, it looked like a tie. Thankfully, Twilight used a fast motion camera to record who won, and also to track Star’s speed for later analysis. Several shots revealed that Star Phantom arrived first with enough time to pose for the camera several times before flying back and crossing the finish line a second time before Rainbow crossed. Rainbow would later mumble about a cheating ghostfreak.

Trixie displayed the winning photo with pride, for herself of course. “As you can see, the Great and Powerful Trixie can control the fastest ghosts in the land.”

“Oh puhlease.” Rarity scoffed. “It's easy to control a ghost to do simple things like racing.” The fashionista walked onto the stage with several random objects in her magic. “But to truly show power and control, you must make them create an amazing work of art.”

Will these ponies stop using my brother as a showpiece?! AJ thought as she glared at the white unicorn.

Trixie smiled smugly before turning to the mesmerized ghost. “Minion, you heard her. Create art.” Star immediately flew off to Rarity’s Boutique and came back with several jewels and thread, much to the white unicorn’s horror.

“My babies!”

Star then started weaving them together. His hooves and materials became a large blur. Once he stopped, he held up a beautiful necklace, which he gently placed around his mistress’ neck. The crowd was in awe of the beauty of the necklace. Rarity would have no doubt enjoyed it as well, but she was busy mourning the loss of her gems.

Trixie laughed triumphantly. “Witness how my control can make a beast who only knows destruction, instead create.” Applejack was ready to tackle the magician, but she held herself back.

“Now, that shall be all for the Great and Powerful Trrrrrrixie!” The blue unicorn and her minion disappeared in a large puff of smoke, amazing the crowd one last time and driving fear into Applejack. What's she gonna do with Star?! She immediately ran back to Sweet Apple Acres to inform Big Mac of the situation.

Trixie returned to her trailer with Star in tow. The hypnotized half ghost stares blankly as his mistress removed her hat and cape. She then placed the crystal ball on its special pedestal. The mare stared at it and her minion, a sly smile on her face. “It's been a while since I've had a ghost STALLION under my control.” She walked up to her minion, this time giving him a thorough inspection. “My family controlled ghosts for generations. They used them for crime and other dirty jobs while I found a more entertaining use for them.” She then walked over toward her bed. “Especially for myself.” She laid down on her belly and looked at Star. “Now get over here and give me a massage.”

“So that’s the whole situation.” Applejack finished explaining the situation to Big Mac, who hasn’t even blinked since the story began. “What are we gonna do Big Mac?”

After the few seconds, the red stallion blinked at looked at his younger sister. “The library.” Applejack raised at eyebrow. “We can look for a book tah see if there’s a way to break the spell from that ball.”

“Okay, but how do ya reckon Twilight will think?” She countered. “Won’ it seem mighty suspicious when we come in and ask fur a book on ghosts?” Big Mac lowered his head, realizing how suspicious that was.

Applejack sighed. “We'll save that fur last resort. But we need somethin’ else.” She looked back toward town as the sun started to set and the moon took its place in the sky.

In Canterlot, Celestia was reading the letter Twilight just sent her, amazed and concerned at the information. A crystal ball with the power to control spirits. A tool most favored by Him. She summoned an empty scroll and quill, and wrote down instructions for Twilight to acquire that orb. I will not allow that thing to remain available to others, who knows what evils that mare could be doing right now.

Trixie screamed in pleasure as Star managed to hit every pressure point on her body. “I’m definitely going to keep you.” The stallion suddenly stopped, confusing Trixie. “Why have you stopped?” She turned to see her slave looking dazed.

“Huh, what?” His red eyes became neon green. “Where?”

Trixie starred in shock. “Is that… is that free will?” She immediately ran to grab the crystal ball, only for a still dazed Star to do the same. Both their hooves collided with the orb, causing it to the floor and crack.

A red light lit up the carriage, the beams flashing through the windows, followed by an agonizing scream. This managed to quickly wake up the sleeping Ponyville.

Star clutched his head as it felt like it was on fire while being crushed by hot metal. The half ghost then started lashing out on every item in the room. Trixie quickly ran out of her carriage, hoping to get as far away from the violent entity as possible. Lucky she got out when she did because a few seconds later, the carriage and attachable stage exploded in a large ectoplasmic blast.

The explosion woke up Applejack, causing her to jump out bed and see what was happening. To her horror, she could see a large fire that sprouted right in the middle of town, along with several green flashes. “Star.” The orange earth pony immediately ran to get Big Mac.

Back in town, the situation was getting worse. Twilight and the rest of the girls gathered at the Library, with Twilight demanding an explanation. Rainbow Dash started off. “That Inviso-Bill just started destroying everything it sees. Trixie’s carriage is gone, and two homes-” There was a sudden large explosion outside. “Make that three, homes that he just damaged, and we got a lotta fires.”

“All the animals are frightened too, all the pets are fleeing to my place for shelter.” Fluttershy quietly explained, wanting to be with them more than anything else.

Twilight thought for a moment before she had an idea. “Okay, here's the plan.” “Rainbow Dash, you and the other pegasi get some rain clouds and put out that fire, I'll cover you.” The cyan pegasus saluted. “Fluttershy, you gather up the remaining animals and take them all to your place.” The yellow pegasus nodded. “Pinkie, Rarity, get the townsfolk to safety.” They nodded. “I'll try to distract Invisio-Bill long enough for you guys to get to safety.” And maybe if I'm lucky, I can capture him for experiments. “Alright, let's go!” The five mares immediately ran off to complete their tasks.

Twilight went down to her lab and ran toward a table with a large white sheet over it. She yanked the sheet off with her magic to reveal her Sparkle Anti-Ghost Ray™. “Alright ghost colt, you're going down.”

At the same time, Applejack and Big Mac arrived in town to assess the situation. “We need tah hurry up and find Star.” AJ said aloud, since no pony was left in town anyway.

“Yeah, but how?” Big Mac asked. His question was answered by a wall exploding and revealing the half ghost. The two looked at their brother in worry and slight fear.

His blood red eyes glared at them with pain and hatred, while his teeth were bared in a growl. AJ took a very cautious step toward him. “Star, it's us. Big Mac and AJ, yur family.” She said softly, giving Fluttershy a run for her money. Star continued to glare and growl at them like a rabid dog, giving the Apple siblings little hope.

The rabid ghost’s eyes suddenly blink from red to green and he tried to shake away the daze. “AJ? Big Mac?” The two suddenly smiles, thinking they got through to him. “I… I-” His eyes suddenly went red again and he screamed in pure agony while clutching his head.

Trixie suddenly appeared from around the corner of the building that Star just blew up, the cracked, glowing orb in her magic. “Spirit, return to Trixie’s side as her minion at once!” She commanded. Star screamed again before painfully glaring at the unicorn.

He was looking for the one that caused him pain and she finally revealed herself. Destroy her! Destroy the pain! The mentally unstable ghost snarled at Trixie like a wild animal, causing the magician to step back in fright.

“How dare you growl at your mistress?” She said angrily, mostly to cover up her fright. “Obey Trixie!” She raised the orb again, causing Star more pain.

“Stop!” AJ shouted. “Yur makin’ it worse!” Star charged at the blue unicorn, intending to destroy the one who caused him so much pain.

He never got the chance to reach her before he was blasted out of the air by an ecto-blast. Everypony looked over to see Twilight Sparkle stand there with her smoking ecto-gun. “Surrender Inviso-Bill.” She ordered.

Another pony who causes pain, get her. Star fired a blast at the purple unicorn, which she blocked with a magical shield. He snarled before charging at her, ecto-rays prepped in his hooves. He started pounding on the shield, immediately creating cracks in the bubble.

Trixie was about to use the distraction to try again when she was tackled to the ground by AJ. The shock forced her to let go of the orb, gravity happily taking over. The red orb slammed onto the ground, shattering into several pieces.

The red in Star’s eyes instantly changed to their normal green. “Huh?” He looked around, completely confused. “What's going on?”

“What's going on, Inviso-Bill, is that-” Twilight was suddenly interrupted by a wail of a defeated Trixie.

“No! My family’s crystal ball!” The blue unicorn looked at her family heirloom with anguish. “My family treasure, gone!” She then glared at Star. “All because of you!”

Star recoiled. “Me? What did I do? You're the one that hypnotized me!”

She obviously ignored him as she raised her hoof in the air. “Know this, ghost. The Great and Powerful Trixie WILL be back for revenge!” With her proclamation over, she slammed a smoke bomb on the ground, failing to hide her escape as she could be clearly seen running down the street.

Twilight and Applejack shook their heads in disgust. “Now, Phantom.” Twilight turned. “I need you to come with…” The pony in question was not there. “... Me.” Twilight groaned. “Fine, let's just clean up this mess.” With that, Twilight went off to help clean up the debri that littered the streets as the residence did the same. Applejack, however, ran back to Sweet Apple Acres.

Star Apple kicked the bucket hard. “Darn it, what did I do?” He looked out from the barn door toward the smoking town. “I did that.” Star looked at his hooves and shivered, memories of the message he gave burning it’s way into his skull.

“Star!” The half ghost’s attention was drawn toward the calling of his name. He could see Applejack and Big Mac coming toward him.

“Hey guys.” He sighed and waited for them to come closer before continuing. “I did some horrible things tonight, didn’t I?”

“It wasn’t yur fault, Star.” Big Mac stated.

“Besides, it ain’t nothin’ ya can’t fix.” AJ added. Star looked at them blankly, then smiled slightly.

“You’re right, like always… But…” He hesitated before taking a deep breath. “I think it might be a good idea if I go away for a day or two.”

“What?!” Both of his siblings yelled at once.

“But why?” Big Mac continued.

“I was planning on it anyway, before this whole thing.” He sat down in a small pile of hay. “I talked to Princess Luna and told her I would visit tomorrow, you know, when I make that delivery to Canterlot.”

AJ’s upset feelings made themselves appear on her face. “And you were gunna tell us..?”

“I was gonna tell ya this morning, but Big Mac was busy, and you were in town. So I was gonna do it tonight.” He took a deep breath. “It was just for the night, so that Luna could help me figure out my powers a bit more, how this happened. Maybe a away to finally close that portal in the Castle.” This got the siblings thinking. No more portal, no more ghosts, and finally, the chance to live a somewhat normal life.

“If there’s even a chance of that happening, I’m going to take it.” All three Apples looked at each other in silence for a few moments, then AJ and Big Mac conceded.

“Alright.” AJ sighed. “Make sure ya pack a toothbrush, paste, some snacks…”

“Okay, okay.” Star put up his front hooves defensively. “I needed your understanding, not your babysitter attitude.” His twin put him in a playful headlock.

“Too bad, ya got it whether ya want or not.” The three had a good laugh, enjoying the brief moment of family joy after the events of today.

Author's Note

Yes! Finally got around to finishing this! And on the 14th Anniversary of Danny Phantom's First Episode Premiere. Hope ya'll enjoyed the read, because this took me awhile to write, and rewrite, and rewrite, and rewrite.

See ya next time, on Star Phantom