Chapters 1 - Summoned by the Tree.
Luna sighed as she returned from the realm of dreams to the realm of the waking. To say she was tired was an understatement. She was exhausted. It seemed to the dark colored mare that the dream realm had become more and more taxing, as if the realm was playing tricks on her. She could have sworn time and time again that she had caught sight of something out of the corner of her eye, but as soon as she looked, it was gone. Now this wouldn't be much of a problem except for one thing. As soon as she turned back to the dream she had been observing, it was gone. Vanished into thin air, as if it had never existed. The strange thing about it, however, was that it was always the nightmares that vanished on her. Never the positive dreams, and when the nightmare vanished, the pony woke up, usually confused, and then fell back asleep, completely at ease, as if the nightmare never happened. It was unnerving to say the least. Luna sighed as she walked into the dining room, smiling warmly at her sister before sitting at her place at the table.
"Good morning dear sister." Celeste said, smiling at her. "How was the dream realm?"
"Exhausting, as usual." Luna replied, taking a bite into an apple.
"I see... and have the dreams been disappearing again?"
"Yes, as usual."
"Hmmmm." Celestia hummed to herself and went back to eating her pancakes, and was just about to take a bite when a strange sensation on her flank caused her to drop the fork and turn to stare in shock at her cutie mark, which was glowing. "LUNA!" She said, turning to her sister, only to realize that her sister was currently having the same problem.
The two sisters turned to stare at each other for a few seconds before they took on serious faces. Getting up from their seats, they issued orders to the imperial guard, telling the guards what needed to be done in their absence, and once everything was settled, they took off towards Ponyville, where seven anxious pony's eagerly awaited their arrival.
Starlight sighed as she watched her friend and teacher fidget relentlessly in the room. She had tried several times to get her friend to calm down, but as usual there was no helping her. Though if she was being honest with herself, she was just as worried as Twilight was. She turned back to the map, where not six, not seven, but nine different cutie marks circled around Ponyville. She turned back to the other ponies, who were fidgiting in their own different ways. Rainbow Dash was flying back and forth, Pinkie Pie was shoving her face in a pie....which she had pulled out of her hair. Rarity was sitting on her chair with a constipated look on her face. Fluttershy was nervously petting Angel, who did not look happy about it. Applejack was also sitting on her chair, though she kept looking back and forth like she was expecting something to jump out at her...... And of course, Twilight was pacing around the room, mumbling to herself. Starlight was just about to say something when the doors were thrown open, and Celestia and Luna ran into the room.
"We came as fast as we could!" Celestia said, trotting over to Twilight, who immediately went to her former teacher. The two gave each other a reassuring hug before turning to the map.
"Does anyone know what is going on?" Luna asked, looking around.
"None of us have a clue, Your Highnesses, we were hoping you two might..." Applejack said, looking to the two sisters.
"We are just as confused as the rest of you." Luna replied, glancing at the map.
"Well, the map wouldn't call us all here for no reason......right?" Applejack said, sounding worried.
Right as she said that, however, all of the floating cutie marks suddenly merged into a single, shimmering light that began taking off in a single direction, past any of the lands that were currently known in Equestria and into the beyond, before stopping by a tall, snow covered mountain. The group of ponies all looked at each other before Rarity sighed and said what was on everypony's mind.
"Road trip, anyone?" The group sighed before heading out, Twilight making sure to give Spike a list of things to do while they were gone.
"Great, another list...." He grumbled, looking annoyed. Starlight couldn't help but smile before turning to the rest of the group, watching as they ran off to pack.
"I should probably pack too.." She said quietly to herself, and was just about to head back into the castle when there was a cool breeze by her ear, and she got the distinct impression it wasn't wind.
She turned and looked around, unaware of the pair of shimmering, pupil-less eyes watching her. Shaking it off, she trotted back to her room, packing only the essentials, like a sleeping bag, hairbrush, toothpaste, ext. before meeting the rest of the gang at the train station. She turned and quietly examined the rest of the group, groaning when she caught sight of Rarity as she approached with a cart full to the bursting with suitcases.
"Really, Rarity, did you pack your entire house in there?" She asked with a laugh.
"Just the essentials, dear. A sleeping bag, 5 inch mattress, sheets, pillows, a tent, toothbrush, toothpaste, pots, pans, my umbrella, the usual." She said, flicking her mane to one side.
"Sure, the essentials." Starlight muttered under her breath in a sarcastic tone, only to jump slightly when the familiar "wind' sensation tickled her ear, and this time, she heard a slight, quiet giggle.
"Did anyone else hear that!?" She said, looking around at her friends.
"Ummm.....Hear what?" Rainbow dash said, looking at her.
".......Nothing important."
Twilight was just about to say something when the sound of a whistle alerted the group to the trains departure, and the group quickly boarded, though Rarity was forced to leave some of the essentials behind, as it wasn't able to fit on the train properly. The trip to the mountain was, surprisingly, easy. Once they got off the train at the farthest point, they hired a local guide to take them the rest of the way. Other than a few large rivers, which Pinkie Pie had a blast drenching everypony at, where in the name of Equestria did she even GET a squirt gun of that caliber? A small canyon, and a slightly territorial Quill cat, which was basically a large cat with quills coming out of its back, which was quickly reduced to a mewing kitten when Fluttershy got after it, the trip was relatively easy. Starlight sighed, however, when the guide, a kind, elderly minotaur, was unable to go any further, and had to turn back. Though at that point the very tip of the mountain could be seen in the far off distance. And by distance she meant a very lengthy walk/flight through rocky terrain that was quickly becoming cold and icy with every step, as if the mountain itself was sapping the very warmth from the air around them.
Starlight shivered as they finally made it to the mountain, their location confirmed when their cutie marks lit up for a few seconds before going silent. She looked around, using her magic to tighten the scarf around her neck in an attempt to shield herself from the cold, and glared at Rarity who was perfectly comfortable in her coat, snowboots, and scarf. Turning back to the icy terrain, she could see nothing but snow covered rocks all around. All and all it was a horrible, desolate place. Rainbow Dash flew around the mountains base a few times before landing among her friends.
"Well, there has to be something here, or the tree wouldn't have called us all here..." Rainbow Dash said, flying around in an attempt to see anything unusual.
"I'm not so sure about this..." Starlight said to Twilight, who gave her friend a pat on the back.
"This is ridiculous! there is nothing here!" Rainbow Dash said, kicking the side of the mountain in frustration, only to have the snow come crashing down on her. Rarity giggled, and went to help dig her out when something caught her eye.
"Oh my..." She said, brushing away the rest of the snow. "TWILIGHT!" She called, running over to the Alicorn. "You must come see this!" She screamed as she dragged the lavender pony over to the mountain side, the rest of the group following close after.
"Runes?" Twilight said, gazing in awe at the intricate, beautiful writing on the mountain side.
It was in a language she had never seen before, and when she turned her head to look at it from different angles, it seemed to change color, like a gem she had never seen before.
"I've never seen anything like this.." She said, reaching out a hoof to touch the ancient writing.
Starlight stared at the writing, unable to take her eyes off it. It was so beautiful, as if it had been forged from a dream. She was just about to walk forward and touch it when she gasped, feeling as if something had touched her consciousness for a brief moment. So fast it was as if it never happened, there was a flash of an image in her mind, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't bring it to life, and it vanished just as quickly. However, when she turned back to the writing, she gasped and ran forward, pushing Twilight and Celestia out of the way in her mad dash to reach the runes.
"Hey!" Twilight yelled, glaring at her student.
"Sorry! But i can read it!"
"Wait, WHAT?" Twilight said, staring at her in shock.
"I know it's strange, but i can, though I don't know how..." She had a sneaky suspicion it had to do with the strange feeling earlier, but she shrugged it off and turned back to the runes. "Hmmm, let's see...... Have no fear, for we are kind, although we feed on dreams of fright. A shadow here, a glimmer there, we are specters in the air ."........
"What does that mean?" Rainbow Dash asked, looking at her friends.
"I honestly don't know..." Starlight replied, placing her hoof on the wall. Just as she did, however, the writing began to glow, and she yanked her hoof back just in time as the wall seemed to melt away, and a shimmering, multi-colored portal opened right in front of them.
"Are we seriously going in there?" Rainbow asked, looking around.
"Yes." Celestia said resolutely, before stepping into the shimmering portal.
The rest of the gang followed suite, and Starlight sighed one last time before entering the portal, unable to take her mind off the glimpse of a vision she had. Had she been able to truly see what the vision actually was, she would have been able to make out the form of a creature so mysterious, and so strange, it would have left even the most ancient of pony history unable to identify it. And as she ventured into the portal, she could have sworn in the back of her head she heard a soft, otherworldly giggle pass by her ear as she was enveloped in darkness.
Starlight blinked in shock and confusion as she stepped through the portal, gazing at her surroundings in awe. The ponies were currently floating in a strange, yet oddly beautiful realm, full of wisp like crystals and bubble like objects they had never seen before. Starlight, unable to help herself, was currently examining one of the crystal like structures when a familiar gust of wind ruffled her mane, and she watched as one of the bubble like crystals floated toward her. Feeling almost drawn into the un-equine object, she gazed into its core, and watched as a strange, yet familiar image began to play at its center. Pulling away from the bubble, she turned to her friends.
"Where are we?" Starlight asked, turning around in a circle.
"Sure beats me." Applejack replied.
"Perhaps the princesses know?" Rarity responded, turning to look at Twilight, Celestia and Luna.
"I am afraid I do not know, but my sister might..." Celestia responded, turning to gaze at Luna. Luna was just about to respond when Starlight called her over.
"Princess Luna, you might want to look at this!" She said, floating aside to allow Luna to look at the crystal bubble. Luna frowned as she approached the mare, confused as to why she had been summoned, but lit up with interest when Starlight motioned to the bubble.
"Just look!" Starlight said, pointing with her hoof to the bubble.
"What is it, sister!?" Celestia asked, worried.
"It’s....It’s...........But that’s impossible...." Luna explained, before turning to look at the rest of the realm.
"Well, what is it!" Rainbow asked, impatiently crossing her hooves.
"It’s a dream....All the bubbles here contain dreams.......This ENTIRE realm is like the dream scape, but it’s like nothing I’ve ever seen before..." She explained, looking around in awe.
"But how can this be the dream realm? Doesn't that already exist? And how can we be here when it’s daytime? None of the ponies of Equestria are asleep right now." Twilight explained, a perplexed look on her face.
"I’m sure there is a logical explanation for this....There has to be." Applejack said, though she did look slightly worried.
"Maybe we should look around, see if we can find anything?" Twilight offered, looking at her friends.
"I agree with Twilight. Let us investigate this new realm, but tread carefully my little ponies. We do not know what dangers lurk in this world." Celestia cautioned. The rest of the group nodded in response, and began plotting a course of action. Starlight was just about to give a suggestion when the all too familiar breeze ruffled her main, and this time, she heard the voice loud and clear, though it was still a sliver of a whisper.
"This way..."
Starlight blinked and turned in the direction of the wind, which was gently pushing bubbles out the way as it passed them.
"This way!" She called out to her friends, taking off in the direction of the breeze.
"Hey, wait!" Twilight called, running to catch up, the rest of the group hot on her tail.
They soon found themselves diving deeper and deeper into the realm, twisting their way around strange, energy-like stalactites and crystals that looked like they had mini stars trapped within their core. Not to mention the strange, misty crystal bubbles that showed various dreams. Starlight could have sworn she recognized some of them from the past, and briefly stopped to gaze at one particular dream that involved Fluttershy riding a dragon sized Angel, complete with dragon wings and breathing fire. Though her momentary distraction was quickly dissipated when the breeze came and danced around her ears until she relented. She followed the parting bubbles, the group soon coming upon what had to be the strangest, yet most beautiful structure of all. Huge energy like stalactites rose up like pillars on both sides, forming a sort of hallway. Hundreds of crystal bubbles slowly floated around each pillar, melting and reappearing at both the top and bottom. Starlight had a feeling that whatever had led them here, wanted them to venture in, and so, taking a deep breath, she began to walk down, watching for any signs of danger as the pillars slowly but surely began to squeeze together. In mere moments they were surrounded by walls on both sides, the pillars having fused into what could almost be called a building, although the corridor lacked a roof. Turning to glance at her friends, who had gone silent, she turned back to the makeshift path, only to gasp and run forward when it opened up into a room. The gasp was caused when she caught sight of the mural like drawings upon the far wall, depicting a creature unlike anything she had ever seen before. She could only gaze in awe and wonder at the strange being, and jumped when Twilight placed her hoof on her shoulder.
"Have you ever seen something like this?" She asked, turning to look at Twilight.
"No, it’s never depicted in any of my books, and I’ve never seen it on any ruins."
Starlight turned back to the drawing. A pony like creature had been painted onto the surface in beautiful, stunning detail. It looked to Starlight as if the drawing could suddenly come alive and jump at her. The pony, if it could even be called that, had a long, flowing mane, and a silky tail, both of which were brown, with blue highlights. Its body seemed to be made of three different shades that blended perfectly into each other, and it seemed to glow from its center, as if a star breathed at its core. Soft, delicate fur hung off its forelegs and fetlocks, the fur being light green in color, while the hoofs, if it had hoofs, were a purple shade that blended into an icy blue color she had never seen before. The creature had no mouth whatsoever, and its eyes reminded her of the changelings; pupil-less, compound, and iridescent. At the same time, pitch black markings cascaded over its body in a beautiful pattern, framing the top of the head and muzzle, as well as its neck, back, and flank. Iridescent, butterfly-like wings stuck out from its back in vivid shades of purple and blue. A bright red and yellow flower rested delicately behind tufted ears, and as her eyes traveled downwards, she caught sight of the ancient text again.Where darkness hides, and dreams breathe life, we come like shadows in the night. When ponies dream, and the moon is bright, I am a mystery, just out of sight. If you glimpse me, don't take fright. For I am a Specter of the night. ".........
"Huh, that’s interesting. I wonder what that means..." Twilight mused, a thoughtful look on her face.
"I wish I knew...." Starlight said, looking back at the drawing.
"Wait, is that it? No dangerous monster? No saving the world?.....LAME!" Rainbow said, slamming her hoof into the mural wall.
"HEY!" Twilight yelled, about to scold the cerulean pony when the wall shook and seemed to vanished into thin air, revealing another chamber, only this one was different. This one was dark, with no light whatsoever. A single, darker-than-night bubble floated in the center, completely by itself. No color existed here, no crystals, no bubbles. It was absolutely desolate. Starlight started to walk toward it, only to halt when a shudder went down her spine. She immediately froze, starring at the bubble with what she knew only as fear, though she couldn't fathom why. She was just about to call Twilight when Fluttershy called everypony over to the side of the room.
"You need to see this", Fluttershy murmured, stepping aside to reveal yet another mural.
The group was soon standing around a much larger and more detailed mural; only this one was unlike the one in the first chamber. A large group of the pony-like creatures were gathered around a large, darker-than-black substance, and they looked to be in battle. The ones in the forefront attacked the dark mass with beams of deep blue light, while others were running away with the bubble-like orbs in their hooves. There was writing under the mural, only this writing was not beautiful, nor cheerful. Starlight knew a warning when it smacked her in the muzzle, and she couldn't help but shudder as she began to read it out loud.
The consumer of dreams. The ultimate threat. It consumes those who cross it, with no harsh regret. Stallions, colts, fillies and mares, none are spared from the darkness it shares. Don't let it find you, dreaming or wake, for once it consumes you, you will never awake...........
"........The c-c-consumer?" Fluttershy asked, staring at the image as her wings shivered against her sides.
"Don't worry Fluttershy, these, um, Specters obviously have it under control. Otherwise things would be very different....I think." Twilight explained, giving the pegasus a reassuring pat on the withers.
"I agree with Twilight. If this...Consumer...was still around, then Equestria would be a very different place. Although I have never heard of such a monster, nor have I heard tale of these Specters before." Celestia mused, narrowing her eyes as she leaned in to inspect the mural in greater detail.
"If that’s the case, then where are these 'Specters' anyway, why haven't we seen them?" Rainbow Dash asked, crossing her hoofs.
"A very good question, one that I fear we will never find the answers to." Celestia replied, turning away from the drawing.
"I suggest we return to the waking world, and come up with a strategy on how to handle this." Celestia said, looking at each pony in turn.
After a chorus of agreements, the group returned to the first chamber, and Starlight found herself gazing at the detailed mural of what she now knew to be a Specter, and couldn't help but feel like she had seen the one depicted on the mural before, despite the fact that was impossible. Shrugging it off, she returned to the rest of the group, unaware that a purple, iridescent pair of pupil-less eyes watched her, before turning to glare icy daggers at the black orb that floated in the second room. Slipping out of the chamber as the door sealed shut once again, the unseen figure resumed stalking the departing ponies, thinking about all the different ways she could toy with the unsuspecting visitors. Unfortunately, she was completely unaware that as she floated off to torment the Equestrians, a single, tiny crack broke its way through the crystal’s surface. A black, mist like substance began to ever so slowly seep through, unnoticed as the door to the chamber closed without a sound....
Author's Note
The Specter depicted on the mural is viewable as my cover photo, and is also the relevant stalker.
Starlight frowned as she and the group exited the ruins. She just couldn't seem to get the image of the Specter and the shadow out of her mind. The very though of the creature depicted in the murals gave her the shivers, and for good reason.
"The Consumer......." She thought, unaware that she was mumbling to her self.
"Starlight, are you alright?" Celestia asked, coming up beside her.
"Oh, I'm okay." She said, blushing slightly.
She turned and focused on her surroundings, taking in the surreal landscape in an attempt to forget about the murals, when she felt a shiver go up her spine. Frowning, she turned and looked around, feeling eyes gazing at her from the shadows.....Nonexistent shadows..... To say the lease, it was making her nervous. She turned and was just about to call out to Twilight, who was walking ahead of the group, when a familiar breeze suddenly blew around her, whipping her mane into her face. She heard the tall-tail, otherworldly giggling in her ear, and just as she turned her head to look behind her, the wind stopped, and the feeling of being watched disappeared. She took deep breaths, trying to steady her nerves, when Pinkie Pie suddenly showed up in her face....Upside down.
"What'cha doin'?" She asked, gazing at the lavender mare with big, happy eyes.
"Uhhh...." Starlight muttered, looking around at the other ponies, silently begging them to help her.
Twilight had just started to walk forward when the familiar breeze suddenly began to pick up, stronger than ever, and something slammed into them. Some strange, unseeable force, like standing in the path of an ocean wave and letting it wash over you, knocking them all over. Gasps and shrieks rang out amongst the startled ponies as a familiar giggle echoed above the wind, this time heard by all ears present. Starlight willed the strength and courage to open her eyes and look up into the wind, and this time, she could make out a shape, fuzzy and mist-like, in the heart of the gale. Bright, purple and blue pupil-less eyes gazed back at her, crystal clear in Starlight's mind, before suddenly disappearing, The wind and mist died down to nothing upon the disappearance of the figure, as if it never happened. Starlight, suddenly understanding what was going on, leapt to her hooves, looking back and forth in a frenzy as she tried to spot the creature in the mist. She was unable to spot the mysterious being again, and snorted in frustration before turning to look back at her companions, who were slowly picking themselves back up. Even Celestia and Luna looked dazed and frazzled, and when every pony finally regained enough sense to focus on each other, they all shared one collective thought.
"What in the wide world of Equis was that?!"
Starlight gazed around at her fellow ponies, at a complete loss for words.
"I think we should return to our world." She said, feeling a shiver of nervous energy run up her spine.
"I agree. It would seem we are not alone in this realm, and I would rather we not stick around to find out if it is friend or foe." Luna explained, looking at her sister, who nodded in agreement. A chorus of yes's quickly followed, and a few minutes later, the entire group had returned to the safety of Luna's original dream world via a very powerful transport spell. Luna explained that her own connection to the Dream Realm allowed for her to enter and exit at her pleasure, although it did nothing to explain the other Dream Realm they had just departed.
"I believe it would be best for us to return to the waking world and regroup at the castle. I shall send for Starswirl and Cadence once we arrive, they might be able to lend us aid." Celestia stated, looking at the group, who nodded in agreement. A few seconds later, and the group found themselves waking up at the same cavern that they had entered not so long ago.
"Alright, know that we have been returned to our waking selves, my sister and I shall go retrieve Starswirl. The rest of you shall go retrieve Cadence and Shining Armor. We will meet back at Twilight's castle and consult the map, perhaps it can help us learn more about these, Specters." Celestia waited for every pony to nod in understanding before turning to her sister and taking off. Twilight turned to Starlight as the others conversed among themselves, noticing the thoughtful, somewhat worried expression on her face, and tapped the unicorn's shoulder, startling her in the process.
"Are you okay?" Twilight asked, worried.
"Honestly, I'm not sure. I just can't shake the feeling this is bigger than we realize." Starlight replied, looking nervous.
"I understand, but right know we have to focus on getting Cadence and Shinning Armor. We will need all the help we can get." Twilight said, nodding in agreement to herself.
"Right, okay." Starlight replied, though she didn't look convinced.
She watched as her friend quickly gathered the other ponies, and after brainstorming for a few moments, they climbed back down the mountain and across the land leading home. Once they reached the border of their homeland, they were able to catch a train from Appleoosa and then on to the Crystal Empire. Starlight stared out the window as the train clicked along the tracks, her mind a whirlwind of questions, all leading back to the figure she saw in the mist. Something in her heart told her that what she saw had been a Specter, and if that was correct, she couldn't help but fear what was to come, especially since she knew the kinds of trouble her group of friends somehow got themselves into. Turning from the passing terrain to look around the cabin, she watched as the group talked amongst themselves about the Crystal Empire and what they had seen in the alter-Dream Realm, and couldn't help but smile at their rambunctious attitudes.
"We're here!" Pinkie exclaimed, planting her face against the window as the train pulled to a stop.
"Well, what are we waiting for, lets go!" Rainbow said, shooting out of the doors and into the air.
"Rainbow Dash, wait! We need to find Cadence and Shinning Armor!" Twilight shouted, watching the flying pony.
"Yeah, I know, that's what I'm doing!" Rainbow announced, turning away from the group before stopping. Starlight watched as both Cadence and Shinning Armor arrived, both looking alarmed.
"The guard alerted us of your visit, is everything alright?" Cadence asked, looking around at the group.
"Actually, we need you and Shinning Armor to come with us to Ponyville Castle." Twilight said, looking up at her sister-in-law with a serious expression. Cadence and Shinning armor exchanged glances before turning to the group.
"We would love to, but right now we're worried about Flurry Heart." Shinning Armor explained to the group.
"Why? Whats wrong with her? Is she alright?" Twilight exclaimed, her wings flaring wide in alarm.
"Oh no, its nothing like that, its just...well..." Cadence replied, looking nervous.
"She has been having the strangest dreams, nightmares, but whenever they start, a slight mist appears out nowhere, and then the dream stops, like she never had it, and the mist goes away." Shinning Armor explained, wrapping a hoof around Cadence.
"Interesting, this reminds me of the mural we saw." Twilight remarked, looking at Starlight.
"I know, it matches the description almost perfectly." Starlight observed, a hoof to her chin in deep thought.
"Im sorry, but what are you talking about?" Cadence asked, gazing back and forth between the duo.
"You don't mind if we take a look at Flurry Heart, do you?" Twilight asked, looking at her friend.
"Not at all, this way." Cadence said, turning and headed for the castle.
The group trailed along, eager to learn more about the mystery at hoof. Starlight watched as Cadence, having reached the castle and Flurry's room, pushed the door open and allowing the group to enter. Flurry turned and watched them as they walked in, a happy, playful expression on her adorable face. She babbled at them and flew over to her mother, burying her face into Cadence's neck. Starlight smiled, unable to help herself, and started to walk over to them when a drawing on the wall caught her eye. Turning to stare at the filly's drawing, she couldn't deny the fact that the figure drawn next to the young aileron looked very familiar.
"Twilight, come look at these!" She remarked, calling her friend over. Twilight walked up, staring at the drawings before turning to Flurry Heart and her mother.
"How long has she been making these?" Twilight asked, gazing at the filly.
"Not long, about a month or two now. We thought it was just a imaginary friend she made, should we be worried?" Cadence asked, holding Flurry close to her body.
"I honestly don't know yet, we are still trying to figure things out. This may be connected to why we wanted you to return to Ponyville with us. Celestia and Luna are probably already there." Twilight explained, giving Cadence a reassuring pat on the shoulder.
"Can we bring Flurry Heart with us." Cadence asked, looking at them.
"Of course you can! Besides, she might be able to help us solve this mystery." Twilight remarked, a exited look on her face.
"Alright then, let us prepare the guard and then we shall be off." Cadence said, nodding at Shinning Armor who nodded in return and began barking orders to the stallions posted behind the group.
"Well then, lets go already!" Rainbow Dash announced, impatient as ever. The group nodded and took off, headed for Ponyville on the next train out, unaware that a pair of pupil-less eyes quietly followed.
Starlight groaned as she buried herself into her seat, pressing her hooves into her ears in a futile attempt to drown out Pinkie Pie’s relentless chatter. They had almost reached Ponyville, and she was eager to get back to the castle. The memory of what had happened in the dream-scape, and then learning about Flurry Heart’s so-called imaginary companion did little to ease her nerves. She wanted answers, and the longer it took, the more nervous she became. She could only hope that the royal sisters and Star Swirl would be able to help them. Pulling herself away from the window, she turned and looked across the train at Flurry Heart, who was happily flying around the cart, stopping every once and a while to look at something before moving on. She couldn't help but smile at the young filly, and turned away, looking out the window at the passing landscape before gasping as something tackled her head, knocking her face first into the window. Pulling her face off the glass, she rubbed her cheek before turning to stare at Flurry, the source of the tackle, who was giggling and smiling at her.
"I’m so sorry about that!" Cadence remarked, using her magic to return the filly to her side.
"It’s alright. Honestly, I don't mind." Starlight reassured, smiling as Flurry removed herself from her mother’s side and flew over to her, sitting on the chair and wiggling herself between her front hooves. She cooed in contentment before gazing up at Starlight’s face, a bright smile on her cheery muzzle. Turning to look out the window, Starlight sighed in relief as Ponyville appeared in the distance. Picking up Flurry Heart and placing her on her back, she stood and trotted over to the door, bracing herself as the train rumbled to a stop in front of the station. She watched as the train doors finally opened, and was just about to step off onto the platform before she was, once again, knocked flat on her face.
"Sorry, Starlight!" Rainbow laughed, flying ahead of the group.
"Sure you are, Rainbow." Starlight muttered to herself, rolling her eyes at the pegasus before rising to her hooves, checking to make sure Flurry was alright before heading for the castle. Reaching the big, crystal doors, she watched as they opened via magic, and bowed low with the group as they were greeted by Celestia, Luna, and Star Swirl.
"Nice to see you made it back alright." Star Swirl remarked, nodding at Twilight.
"Good, now that we are all here, we can explain to Star Swirl what we have discovered, and perhaps check the map to see if it can help us." Celestia nodded to the group, before her eyes landed on Flurry. Smiling, she turned to Cadence.
"Perhaps it would be best if Flurry took a nap. We are unsure what could happen, and I don't want her to be frightened, or injured." Celestia explained, smiling warmly at the filly, who babbled in response.
"Absolutely, let me put her to bed, and then I’ll return. Spike, would you be a dear and watch over her while we are busy?" Cadence asked the young dragon, a warm smile on her face.
"Sure, I don't see why not. Spike the Hero shall look after the fair maiden while she slumbers." Spike replied, puffing out his chest as he took Flurry Heart and headed upstairs, her mother close behind them. Twilight couldn't help but chuckle at her adoptive brother, before leading the rest of the group to the throne room. Leaping into her chair, she examined the structure, checking to see if it would give her any clues. Seeing nothing, she sighed and leaned back in her seat, a thoughtful, yet worried look on her face. Starlight, on the other hoof, was more than just worried. The familiar feeling of being watched had returned, and she shuddered as her spine tingled. Sitting up straight, she looked around, expecting the tell-tail giggling and wind to pick up, and jumped when a hoof patted her shoulder. She turned and looked at Luna, who was gazing warmly at her.
"Are you alright?" She asked, looking expectantly at the lilac pony.
"Sorta. I'm just nervous." She responded, putting on her best fake smile. Though deep down, she couldn't shake the feeling something was going to happen. What that something was going to be, was a mystery. She stared at the map, hoping something would happen, a sign or a symbol, anything. She was just about to tap the map with her hoof when Cadence walked into the room.
"So, anypony want to explain to us what is going on?" she asked, going to stand next to her husband.
"We recently were sent on a quest by the map, and discovered an alternate dream-scape, one that not even Princess Luna was aware off. While in that world, we discovered ruins depicting creatures we have never seen before." Twilight responded, walking over to Cadence.
"What does Flurry have to do with this?" She asked, looking around at the group.
"Those drawings she made are almost exactly like the murals we found in the ruins." Celestia replied, looking at said drawings.
Cadence was just about to respond when the map suddenly lit up, and the cutie marks of everypony present suddenly appeared on the map. Glancing nervously at each other, they watched as the cutie marks all converged on one single structure. The Crystal Castle. Staring at each other, Twilight was just about to say something when a bright light erupted from the map, blinding everypony present, before everything went black.
Starlight gasped as she woke up, shooting to her hooves as she looked around. She had expected to still be at the castle, and was somewhat shocked when she realized she was anywhere but. The fact that she was surrounded by familiar, multi-colored bubbles and floating crystal that emitted an ethereal mist was quite a surprise to the ponies present, and Starlight took a deep breath in realization.
"What is this place? Where are we?" Cadence asked, turning in a circle as she stared in awe at her surroundings.
"This is the alternate dream world we were talking about." Luna told Cadence, looking around at the dimension.
"I can't believe my eyes!" Shining Armor said in awe, studying a floating crystal that pulsed with light.
He turned to his sister, about to say something when a giggle pierced the silence, startling the ponies present as the wind picked up, slamming into them. Starlight grit her teeth, refusing to allow herself to be knocked over as glowing mist saturated the area, eliminating her view of her companions and effectively separating them. Turning to look into the mist, she couldn't help but gasp when she saw the figure again, and blinked when bluish purple eyes meet pupil-less ones.
"Wait, pupil-less?" Starlight thought, gazing into the eyes that gazed right back before narrowing, and with one last giggle, the form began to vanish.
"Oh no you don't!" Starlight cried, leaping at the form, intent on tackling it to the ground.
She was sorely mistaken when not only did she phase right through it, but crashed face first into a crystal formation. The sound of laughter rang in her ears as she picked herself up and turned to glare at the figure who blinked playfully at her before turning and taking off, hidden in the mist.
"You are NOT getting away from me!" Starlight cried, leaping after the retreating form.
Needless to say, she was taken on quite an endurance test as the mystical figure led her around pillars, stalactites, bubbles the size of a house, bubble waterfalls, and glowing crystals. Never did she get close, and never did she make out the figure. She slowed as she rounded a stalactite, ready to pick up speed once she got past the obstacle when she slammed into Twilight and the others. Getting knocked on her flank, she blinked at her companions.
"I take it we were all chasing the same thing?" Star Swirl asked, looking at his fellow ponies. A chorus of tired yes's filled the air, and Starlight sighed as she got to her hooves.
"Something tells me we may never be able to catch it." Starlight said, about to help Twilight to her hooves when happy laughter filled the air, sounding out from behind a nearby pillar.
"Flurry?!" Cadence gasped, leaping to her hooves as she practically flew to the pillar before becoming still as a statue.
"What is it?" Starlight asked, dread filling her heart as she and the other ponies crowded around Cadence, looking around the pillar.
Collective gasps of awe and shock filled Starlight’s ears as she gazed at the creature in front of her, its attention currently focused on a familiar alicorn foal, who was currently playing happily with the fur on its fetlocks. There was no denying that the creature she was seeing was the one depicted on the mural, only no drawing could ever do justice to just how beautiful the creature actually was. It looked like a pony, only it wasn't like any pony she had ever seen before. Its fur was bluish in color, like sea ice, and seemed to pulse with an inner light, the bluish color fading into purple around the hooves. Greenish tufts of fur covered the backs of its legs and the tops of its pasterns, and pitch black markings flowed from its muzzle down its neck and back, snaking their way down all four legs. Its mane was long and silky, light blue with strikes of chocolate brown, and green tufts covered the tips of its ears. Its eyes were dark purple, with icy blue in the center, as if a cold star pulsated from their depths. Pupil-less eyes, that seemed to draw in any who gazed into them. A bright red flower sat delicately against its ear, with a yellow center that pulsed with energy. But the most shocking features were its wings. Butterfly-like wings sat at its shoulders, Purple with bluish veins, a blue dot in their center. These, too, pulsed with energy.
Starlight couldn't take her eyes off the entity as it studied Flurry Heart, who continued to pull eagerly at the fur on its hooves. She could make out no mouth whatsoever, and watched with bated breath as it lowered itself to the ground, looking at the young alicorn as she laughed and proceeded to climb her way onto its head and neck. Starlight blinked as she watched the entity slowly close its eyes and relax, and in that moment, she sensed a deep, overwhelming sadness from the creature. Loneliness. Suddenly, it all started to made sense. The murals, the Consumer, the fact that they had never seen any creature like this before, the fact that even Princess Luna had never encountered any in her long life, it all pointed to one conclusion.
The entity in front of her...No, the Specter in front of her, was the last of her kind. It would also explain why the map had sent them. This was a friendship problem, and this Specter was the source. The map wanted them to befriend it, since it was the last of its species...all alone...
Starlight frowned as she stood up straight, a look of determination on her face, before stepping out from behind the pillar.
"What are you doing?!" Twilight asked, looking at her in confusion.
Starlight ignored her friend as she stepped forward, her eyes never leaving the creature in front of her. Flurry Heart squealed as she spotted Starlight, sliding off the Specter’s head as she approached. Starlight watched as the pupil-less eyes opened, looking at the filly curiously before turning to gaze at Starlight. She froze as their eyes met, unable to calm her racing heart as she was studied intently. She gulped as the Specter slowly rose to its hooves in one fluid motion. It towered over her, and yet she felt no malice, only curiosity. Taking a deep breath, she walked over to the creature, reclining her head back so she could look it in the eyes.
"You’re a Specter....aren’t you?" Starlight asked, tensing. The entity stared at her for a few seconds before closing its eyes and nodding. She sighed in relief before straightening her stance.
"Why did you attack us?" Starlight asked, looking intently at the mysterious being. It blinked, tilting its head, a look of confusion on its face as it stared back at her.
"At the ruins, you hit us with wind." Starlight explained, suddenly unsure.
The Specter blinked, its eyes widening before it shook its head and assumed a playful stance, turning to glance at Flurry Heart, who laughed and planted herself on its back. Turning back to Starlight, it gave her a playful shove, its eyes glowing with mischief as it leapt away before sending a gust of wind into her face. Flurry Heart laughed at Starlight’s ruffled appearance as she gaped like a fish out of water, realization dawning on her face.
"You were playing with us?!" She asked, staring at the Specter in disbelief as it leapt onto a pillar, glowing eyes gazing down at her.
A simple nod was all the warning she got before another gust of wind smacked her in the face, forcing her to close her eyes. She opened them, only to shriek when she realized the Specter was inches from her muzzle, giving her a detailed look into both of its eyes. Flurry Heart giggled from her seat on its back as it leapt away again, looking expectantly at her. She was just about to say something when the Specter suddenly glanced behind her, and just as quickly as it had appeared, it vanished, leaving Flurry Heart to float alone in the air.
"NO! Wait, please don't go!" Twilight called, running forward as Starlight stared at the spot the specter had been.
She couldn't believe what had just happened, and felt her heart squeeze with pity as she stared where the Specter had stood moments ago, only to blink when she spotted the red and yellow flower that had rested behind its ear. Gently picking it up with her magic, she studied it, wondering what significance it held. She blinked when she felt a tug on her mane, and looked up at Flurry Heart, who was looking at the flower with a disappointed expression on her face.
"Well my friends," Star Swirl said, looking around at his fellow ponies, "I believe we have just met our first Specter."
He turned to gaze curiously at the flower floating in Starlight’s magic, but did not comment other than to perform a quick scan of the object. Starlight looked back at the flower, the memory of how lonely the Specter had looked floating around in her mind, and decided then and there that she would return the flower, and do everything she could to befriend the creature. Turning to join the group as they prepared to return to the real world, she felt eyes on her once again, and turned to search for the purple eyes before the world went dark. This left behind a very disappointed Specter, who floated out from behind her spot to stare at where the pony had once been. Giving an annoyed huff, she turned and began to make her way towards the location of Ponyville, deciding to properly introduce herself to the group who had stumbled into her home, hell bent on getting her flower back from the lilac pony.
However, if she had turned back for just a second, just for a single moment, she would have seen a dark, mist-like thing slither along the ground, pausing at one of the smaller dream bubbles before engulfing it, contracting for a few milliseconds before moving on. In its wake it left behind an empty bubble that exploded into nothing as soon as it touched a crystal. Had anypony been paying attention that night, they would have heard, for just a second, the agonized screams of a pony as he collapsed to the ground, his body twitching for a few moments before going still, his mind and soul having been devoured by the Consumer. The ethereal entity continued on its hunt, never stopping, never resting, as it devoured the dream energy of any creature it encountered, leaving nothing behind but a corpse as it searched for its next meal.