Star Phantom: Ghost Stallion of Ponyville

The sun shone on the Ponyville Schoolhouse. Inside the small red building were the many fillies and colts of the town. The classroom was filled with the noises of their conversations, all of them about their winter break. The winter break that ended about a week after Winter Wrap Up.

The conversations ceased when a loud tapping was heard. Miss Cheerilee continued to tap her hoof against the floor until it was the only thing that could be heard.

“Okay class. Now that winter break is over, I would like everypony to return their winter reading essays.” The class groaned, but complied. The ones that actually did their winter readings quickly pulled the book and essay out from their bags and put them onto their teacher’s desk. A few, however, tried to think of excuses as to why they couldn't do the assignment.

AppleBloom reached into her bag to grab her essay and book. But there was a problem, her bag felt way too soggy. In a panic, she quickly tried to salvage her paper and book from being too soaked. That only made things worse, since the paper was too wet, it split into several pieces and flew off all over the place.

The other students laughed at the little filly’s misfortune, but that paled in comparison to the stern look from Cheerilee. “AppleBloom, was that your report, along with the book donated from the library?” The filly solemnly nodded, accepting the fact. The older mare sighed.

“Please see me after school, AppleBloom.” was all the teacher said before heading back to her desk. Once there, she pulled out a quill and paper, and wrote a stern letter for the Apple Family.

No pony in the room saw the glowing green fly smirking on the wall.

Star Phantom in:

Therapy Office Blues

Anyone want some free therapy? I do!

Star read the letter several times before slightly glaring at his little sister. The yellow filly flinched under the gaze, as most sane beings did. The stallion sighed before putting the letter away.

“AppleBloom, while I understand this wasn't on purpose. I do need you to be more careful.”

“B-but ah wus! Ah don't know why mah apple juice spilled, honest!” Star put a calming hoof on her shoulder.

“I know, but accidents happen. I'm just not happy about this bill.” 38 bits, who pays this much for a book- wait, just remembered who the librarian is. He sighed. “You're not in trouble, just giving you a warning for future's sake, okay?” He smiled softly at his younger sister, who smiled back and hugged him.

“Thanks Star, ah will.”

“Good, now run along.” AB did as she was told, and went off to see her friend Sugar Twist. The ghost colt’s Ghost Sense chose that moment to go off. “Oh great.”

He quickly changed into Star Phantom, and flew off toward town. AB watched him fly overhead, and decided maybe now was not a good time to see Twist.

In town, a giant ghostly looking wasp was rampaging. It destroyed windows and terrorised many of the locals. It cornered the Flower Trio, who were on the verge of fainting, when Star plowed into it's side.

The two flew out into the open street of the market, where AJ and Big Mac were already getting ready for a fight. The bug gained some distance from Star and readied it's stinger. The half ghost got into a defensive stance, already preparing for what the bug would do next.

The ghost wasp charged, stinger first. The half ghost easily dodged the first few strikes, and narrowly avoided one that was aimed for the neck. After that, he knocked the wasp to ths ground with an ecto punch.

Star stood over the bug, assessing the damage as he prepared the thermos. “I would make an exterminator joke, but I already dealt with bugs worse than you, so…” The bug groaned before lifting its head.

“Well, I never was a good enough bug.” It said, in a very noble stallion sounding voice. The bug suddenly morphed into a blob before taking another shape.

“How about a wolf instead?” The new ghost wolf lunged onto a surprised Star, and pinned him to the ground. Star struggled, but couldn't get free from the wolf’s grasp.

“What's the matter, ghost colt? Can't hold your own against something better than a bug?” It mocked, laughing. “How pathetic.” The word set off a trigger for Star, memories from his childhood came screaming back at him.

Star was playing with one of his best friends at school, a geek named Poindexter. The two were playing on the swings when Poindexter was pushed off by a large pair of hooves. Star turned his head to see Dash Wing standing above them with a dark smile on his face.

“Times up, losers. Me and my buddies are gonna play on the swings now.” Dash’s cronies, Lug Nut and Hard Ball, posed behind him, not really contributing much to anything going on.

Star rolled his eyes. “Leave us alone, Dash, ya already had your turn.” He started to swing, but the bullying pegasus caught the chain of the seat.

“So what, we want another one.” Dash said, looking angry now. “We got cutie marks, so we get to do what we want.” A small crowd of children started to gather around the swing set, but neither pony noticed.

Star sighed and got off the swing, while Dash let go. “Ha, pathetic little blank flank.” The three bullies started laughing, not noticing Star grab hold of the swing. The little colt lifted the metal seat high, and threw it down.

In a flash, Dash Wing was on the ground, missing three teeth, and their teacher, Mr. Worded Lance, dragged Star into his office for punishment.

“Don't. Call me. Pathetic!” He kicked the ghost wolf in the gut, sending it flying into a nearby cart. The impact completely annihilated the wooden cart, much to the anger of the pony who owned it.

Star fired more blasts at the wolf, who dodged them each time, and each blast either destroyed a cart or a section of a building. Finally having enough of the fight. AppleJack threw out her ghost lasso, catching the wolf. When the rope caught the ghost, she yanked back, stopping it in its tracks.

The wolf slammed onto its back, giving Star a chance to pin it. The wolf looked around at the damage and grinned. “Well, that's enough damage for one day.” It said before melting into the ground, escaping the rope and Star.

The half ghost growled in annoyance, not noticing the crowd forming around him. When he did notice, he saw the angry expressions on their faces. He got up, yet shrunk under their glares.

Rainbow Dash flew forward. “Watch it, ghost punk!” Others joined in.

“Quit destroying our town!”

“Wasn't once enough?!”

“Get out of my way so I could catch him!” Twilight Sparkle could be seen coming through the crowd, a large butterfly net in her magical grasp. Star quickly took off, too fast for either Twilight or Rainbow to catch. AJ and Big Mac watched him go with deep frowns.

Star landed back in his room at the Acres. He transformed into Star Apple and sat down on his bed. He groaned before throwing his front hooves up. “Great job StarShine. Just had to let your anger get the better of you.” He sighed and looked solemnly at the floor. “Some hero I am, destroying half the town in a fight with a wolf bug.” He laid down, but didn't rest well that night.

The next day, most the buildings were almost fully repaired. The town was already used to their homes and businesses being destroyed by ghosts or some beast from the EverFree, so they got very good at rebuilding quickly. Mayor Mare was in her office, doing damage reports, when her secretary came in.

“Madam Mayor? The new town therapist has arrived.”

“Very well, send her in.” A few seconds later, a unicorn mare with bright orange fur, a dark red mane and tail, and shades, that hid her eyes very well, entered the office.

“Madam Mayor, an honor to meet you, truly.” The energy the mare had was anything but infectious, it even seemed kind of draining.

“Yes, a pleasure, uh miss…”

“Dr. Personality Spectra. From Manehatten.” Spectra finished. “I won't take up much of your time, must be busy with all those new constructions outside.”

The Mayor frowned. “Actually, it's repairs. Our town was recently damaged in a spirit fight. Sadly, it's an almost daily occurrence, but yesterday was just too much.”

Spectra innocently frowned. “Oh, I'm so sorry. I heard the rumors, but I didn't think they were real.”

Great, other towns know about our mess. This is embarrassing! Mayor Mare could feel herself becoming more depressed as the conversation continued. “Well, if you know about it, then that's one less thing to go over.” She pulled a small key from her desk and presented it to Spectra. “Here is your home/office key. If you want a second one, visit the locksmith in the market area.”

Spectra took the key and smiled. “Thank you, Miss Mayor. I'll just check out my office and get outta your mane.” She got up, said goodbye, and left, leaving Mayor Mare feeling more tired and sad than ever before.

The rest of the week rolled by without incident, which the town was greatly thankful for. In the EverFree Forest, Star was hard at work perfecting his fighting techniques. He punched trees and fought groups of different wild animals that tried to attack him. With every missed punch and over shot kick, he grew more frustrated.

His frustration was let out on a poor tree near the edge of the forest. “Stupid wolf, bug, thing.” *punch* “Thinks I'm pathetic.” *punch* “I can fight wolves, bounty hunters, a freaking alicorn, and Luna knows what else.” *slam* “But I can't beat a stupid, trash talking smart ass!” The last punch went right through the trunk of the tree, sending bits of wood flying out the other side. Star heard a near silent scream and turned to see Fluttershy standing there, mouth a gape. He immediately panicked and backed away.

The yellow filly looked like she wanted to say something, but the half ghost flew off before she even had the chance.

He didn't stop until he reached his house.

Inside, he could hear voices. It sounded like his two sisters, and they were having an argument.

“That's two times this week AppleBloom!” AJ yelled.

“But it ain't mah fault!” AB retorted. Star chose that moment to walk in, after changing back to Star Apple.

“Look, Bloom. Miss Cheerilee is demandin’ that we send ya tah see Spectra. So just talk tah her and see how it goes.” The little filly harrumphed before heading up to her room.

Star chose that moment to enter the room. “What's going on?”

AJ sighed before explaining. AppleBloom has been having trouble all week. Assignments were either missing or ruined, and something always seemed to be bothering the poor filly. So Miss Cheerilee decided to send her to see the new therapist in town.

Star frowned. That was not good news. “Have you tried talking to her?” AJ nodded. He sighed, then agreed to the idea. The half ghost went upstairs and went straight to bed. He was just too tired to do much else except think about how to beat that ghost.

I can't let him get to me. I gotta keep my anger in check. I won't let words hurt me. His eyes widened. But maybe I can let them hurt him.

The next day went by without incident as Star waited for AppleBloom to come out. He looked around the room, noticing pictures of Spectra with different patients. Strangely, while Spectra looked cheerful and young in each picture, her patients seemed the complete opposite.

What kind of therapist keeps the sad pictures in their lobby? He pushed that thought to the side when an older, butler looking stallion came in. His tan fur made his pasty, gray mane stand out, as well as the mustache of the same color.

Ship Shape was the name and being grumpy was his game. A slogan Star, himself, came up with. A slogan that needed to be branded and sold on shirts.

The half ghost’s marketing plan was interrupted by a huge blast of cold air from the therapy room. Star looked to see his little sister leaving the office. The yellow filly slowly trotted over with her head nearly touching the ground, while the therapist waved her happily away.

“Bye bye, and remember: Ponies who know their place make it far in life!” With that strange advice given, she slammed her door shut while Ship Shape groaned and face hoofed. AppleBloom didn't seem to acknowledge anypony in the room, and instead chose to keep on trotting. Her brother quickly followed her and looked her over.

“So…” He asked, awkwardly. “How did it go?” His sister didn't answer right away, she barely even lifted her head.

After a minute of depressing silence, she spoke. “Star, why don't ah have a cutie mark?” The stallion raised an eyebrow, confused. But he answered anyway.

“Because you haven't found your talent yet, and that's nothing to be ashamed of.” He sighed. “What did Spectra say to you?”

“That… that, fillies like me are gonna have a harder time in life cause we don't know what tah do in it.” Tears started pooling in her eyes. “That we ain't worth helping unless we're willin’ tah accept our place at the bottom.” The pools overflowed and streamed down her cheeks.

Star immediately pulled the tortured filly into a comforting hug, not caring how moist his shoulder was getting. After a long hug, he looked her in the eye. “Can you go to the Corner by yourself?” He asked, ferocity in his eyes. AB nodded, and smiled, understanding what he had in mind.

“Give her a good talkin’ to.” Star grinned and headed back to office. Spectra broke a rule. Never, ever, mess with the Apple Family.

He got back to the office rather quickly, and in an instant, he noticed two things. Firstly, Ship Shape was nowhere to be seen. Which was strange since there should always be someone at the desk. Secondly, there was a glow coming from the therapy room. Several warning bells went off in Star’s head. This was not good.

He transformed into Phantom and turned invisible before floating into the room. Inside, Spectra and Ship were talking.

“Everything is all set for the party.” The old stallion said, a rather sadistic grin revealed several disappearing wrinkles on his face. Spectra herself was literally and metaphorically glowing.

“Excellent, once those cupcakes causes food poisoning, this backwater town will feel enough dread to keep us young forever!” The two did a small tango dance before Ship Shape transformed into a green wolf. He sniffed the air and growled.

Spectra immediately caught on. “Show yourself!”

An ecto blast came out of thin air and sent Ship Shape flying back. Star Phantom became visible, his eyes and hooves glowing with anger.

“So, a therapist who enjoys misery. Honestly, I'm more angry than surprised.” He fired another blast, which Spectra dodged with ease, a big, sharp grin shined in the light.

“So you're the half freak they all speak of.” She said matter of factly.

“Freak, huh? That the best insult ya got?” Star prepped another blast.

“Oh most definitely not, but I'd rather let Shift Shape deal with you.”

“Shift Shape?” A giant, green vulture phased through the wall and grabbed the halfa by his shoulders.

“She means me, brat!” The voice of Ship Shape, now properly named Shift Shape, echoed. The two took off into the air, appearing high above the building.

“Now do me a favor, and just cool down!” Shift flew over toward the lake, before launching his catch at high speed. Star crashed right into the water, making a large splash.

Star charged back into the air, hoof slamming straight into the vulture’s face. “Is a vulture all ya got?!”

Shift Shape growled. “How about we try something familiar.” His form shifted into a giant wasp, the stinger growing sharp and large. “Careful, this might sting.”

Star got into a defensive stance, complete with a “come at me, bro” hoof motion. The wasp obliged amd charged, stinger first. It was a move that the stallion saw coming a mile away, which made it all the more easier to dodge.

He turned, placing the thermos behind his back. “Come on, little bug!” He taunted. “Come at me!” The bug did so, right into the beam of the cylinder device.

“No. No! NO!” Echoed from the thermos before the lid was closed and sealed.

Star laughed. “There are times when it feels too easy.”

“Easy enough when the ghost is weak.” Spectra appeared from a small puff of smoke, her shades hiding her glaring eyes.

“Spectra. Just leave. Go back to the Realm.” Star said, annoyed.

“And why would I?” She grinned.

“Cause you aren't worth a fight.” The half ghost smiled back. He noticed her eyebrow twitch a bit. Got her.

“Yeah, seriously. You talk about weak ghosts, and who would know better than you.” Star’s grin matched Spectra’s earlier gaze. The half ghost prepared many more insults as he saw the therapist get more angry and annoyed.

“Silence that tongue, you little freak!”

“What's the matter, Spectra? I thought you had more insults. Come on, give me your A material.” A few veins popped in her forehead. “So, no real creativity, huh? I guess that makes you pretty pathetic.” Star started to laugh, a good, hearty, taunting laugh.

“Shut. Your. Mouth!” Spectra’s body suddenly turned into a shadow and charged at the laughing stallion. She came at him so fast that he was caught off guard. The two flew further into the air before diving down, Spectra having a strong grip on the halfa.

Star growled as he struggled. “Let. Go. Of me.”

“Why would I do that?” The shadow mare snarled. “Afraid you'll splat? I might be doing this town a favor.”

She decided to push further when she saw a small shift on his face. “Oh yes. I'll make it easier for this whole town, your so-called friends, and the family that doesn't really love you.” Star roared, and shot her point blank in the face with a powerful ecto blast.

“How many times do I have to say it? Leave my family alone!” He charged, ecto hooves powered up. Spectra was so stunned, she didn't notice him coming until his glowing hooves slammed into her full force. She crash landed onto the field, leaving a small crater in the ground. Star charged up a double hoofed blast, and fired.

The beam covered Spectra’s whole body, the shadow disintegrating back into her pony disguise, which started to shrivel. When Star finally stopped, tired and out of breath, the therapist saw what was done to her. Her once beautiful body shriveled up into a wrinkly, old mare.

“No! I'm nothing without my-” The suction from the thermos got her attention, as she feebly tried to fight it.

“No!” With the old mare inside, Star took a moment to calm down. It didn't last when he remembered.

“The cupcakes!” He catapulted back toward town.

In SugarCube Corner, AppleBloom was helping Pinkie Pie prepare the cupcakes for serving. The treats were already cooked, but neither mare noticed the green substance mixed in with the frosting.

“All right AppleBloom. Let's give these out to the ponies outside.” The filly nodded and was about to grab a platter full when Star Phantom burst in. Without a word, he fired several blasts at each platter. Pinkie and Bloom ducked behind the counter, cowering away from the ghost stallion.

What's Star doing? What happened with Spectra?

That meanie pants in RUINING MY CUPCAKES! He shall pay!

After a terrifying minute, Star left in satisfaction as every cupcake was now a smoldering brick. Once he was gone, AppleBloom and Pinkie looked at the devastation.

“Oh man! That mean ghost ruined my cupcakes! And I can't bake more cause we don't have any more batter! The pink mare rambled on as a sad song on a small violin started playing in the background, much to the confusion of the youngest Apple sibling in the room.

Outside, Star Phantom transformed into Star Apple, just as AppleJack arrived. “What happened? Ah heard blasts.”

Star explained everything. Spectra, the fake therapy, and the cupcakes. When it was over, AppleJack sighed with a face hoof. “Ah can't have anythin’ normal happen in town, can ah?”

“Eenope.” Star mimicked his brother with a smile. “Now come on, we got Rich’s daughter’s party to enjoy. “ The two went inside, where the party was going on, unhindered by what occured in the kitchen.

The party was anything but fun. Food was good, games were great, and DJ Pon3 doing the music made it all the better. There were just two problems. One was the Guest of Honor, Diamond Tiara. The little spoiled filly was once again teasing AppleBloom for not having a cutie mark. Although his sister looked more annoyed than hurt, Star was ready to give that brat a talking to when her mother intercepted him. She was the second problem.

“Well well well, Lame Apple. A droll to see you again.” The mare remarked snidely.

“Spoiled Rich, and here I thought your daughter was the only one sucking the life out of this party.” Star retorted with much more venom. The older earth pony recoiled in disgust.

“Ugh, just as disgusting as your Blank Flank sister.” The half ghost got within inches of her face.

“How about you pluck up some courage and leave my family outta this.” The two arguing ponies seemed ready to rumble when a new voice broke the moment.

“You gotta problem with Blank Flanks?!” All eyes turned toward a table, where two fillies, an orange pegasus and a white unicorn, crawled out from under.

“What?”

The orange pegasus spoke again. “I said, do you have a problem with Blank Flanks?!”

“Uh, and what if I do?” Diamond Tiara asked mockingly.

“Then that's your problem.” The white unicorn.

“Why? She's the only one without a mark, she's nothing!”

Star watched the exchange with anger and anticipation while Spoiled Rich watched with pride for her teachings that she shared with her daughter.

“But she's not alone.” The two new fillies turned to reveal their blank flanks.

“Y'all don't have your cutie marks either? Ah thought ah was the only one.” AppleBloom said, her grin growing wider.

“Well, we thought we were the only two.” The pegasus stated. Star chose that moment to enter in.

“And you three are very lucky.” All eyes turned to him. “You still have a chance to discover who you really are, and that's an adventure I'd love to relive any day. Anypony who have the chance to learn who they are is somepony I'd be proud to be friends with.” He winked at his little sister, who practically had stars in her eyes. When other fillies and colts started gathering around the three, he decided to step out, with a quick “See ya at home” to AppleBloom. Everypony ignored Diamond Tiara’s whining for attention and Spoiled Rich’s exasperated gasps of disgust.

As the party drew to a close, Star watched the three fillies, AppleBloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo, form the ‘Cutie Mark Crusaders’ and for a split second, the half ghost felt a chill go down his spine at the mention of the name. After a few seconds, he shrugged it off.

“I'm sure they'll do great.” Little did he know just how much infamy would follow the creation of this new club.