It was the beginning of another bright summer’s day in Ponyville. As Luna slowly lowered the moon, Celestia raised the sun steadily over the opposite horizon, bathing the cloudless sky in a spectrum of colours as it washed away the former blanket of night.
As the sun slowly climbed ever higher in the sky, Ponyville began to come to life once more. All around the town, ponies of all colours left their homes, eager as much to feel the warming rays on their coats as they were to go about their business. Pegasi, unicorns and earth ponies all mingled together in a display of unforced harmony, each cheerfully greeting their friends whenever their paths crossed.
In the early morning sunlight, Starlight Glimmer stepped out of the Castle of Friendship. It was unusual for her to be out and about so early in the morning, but she had volunteered to run a few errands for Princess Twilight Sparkle and Spike. And so, wearing her empty saddlebags, she trotted slowly down the stone steps that led to the entrance, and into Ponyville itself.
Some time had passed since Twilight had brought Starlight back with her to the Castle of Friendship as her student. The unicorn may have graduated from her position since, but she was thankful for everything the alicorn princess had done for her. Even if she silently regretted the way their friendship had formed…
They had met as enemies, but the alicorn’s compassion had broken the former villain’s heart. She had tried to steal the Cutie Marks of the alicorn and her friends; and when that failed, she had attempted to alter the timeline to prevent the alicorn from ever meeting her friends. But she had failed. She had returned to Ponyville with the alicorn a broken pony, expecting to be punished for her crimes. But instead of throwing her into prison or even sending her to Tartarus, the alicorn had taken under her wing.
Twilight did not just take Starlight into her home, and teach her about the true meaning of friendship. She had supported her as she gained new friends, too. And yet, despite it all, the unicorn’s heart was filled with the guilt of what she had done. Even if Twilight and her friends had forgiven her, she had not forgiven herself.
It was a guilt that would haunt her to the grave.
Starlight tried to purge these thoughts from her mind as she trotted through the streets of Ponyville. The residents she saw all greeted her with a friendly hello, helping to lift her spirits. Although she did not stop, she did respond to the greetings in kind. Ponyville’s reputation as the friendliest town in Equestria was well deserved, and she found comfort in its warm, welcoming atmosphere.
As she walked, the unicorn did hope she might see her closest friend, Trixie Lulamoon: but neither the travelling magician herself, nor her wagon, could to be found anywhere in Ponyville. Evidently, her show was still out on the road somewhere. But Starlight quietly longed for the day when her friend would return.
Very soon, she reached the market. Stalls selling all manner of goods, ranging from food to flowers and pretty much everything else, were already open. Every stall had at least one pony in charge of it, some of whom called out to advertise their wares.
Searching the myriad of stalls, one specific stall in a quiet corner of the market caught her attention. There were no wares of any description on its black-clothed table, other than a single ancient, leather-bound book that was currently being read by the stall’s owner. Stood behind the table, a black cloth hooded cloak covered much of their form, although their height and build suggested this was a male. Most of his body was obscured by his cloak, save for a dark unicorn horn that protruded from beneath his hood.
As Starlight approached the stall, the hooded figure lifted his head from his book – although his features still could not be discerned.
“Welcome, Starlight Glimmer,” the mysterious pony said, his voice sounding strange. It was almost as though two voices were speaking as one. “I have been expecting you.”
“You have?” the unicorn asked in surprise. “Do I know you?” She was certain she had never seen this pony before – although it was quite possible he had seen her picture in the paper after she received her medal for defeating Queen Chrysalis.
“Not yet,” the stranger before her replied. “But you will soon!”
The mysterious pony’s eyes, previously hidden inside his hood, glowed an intense red that Starlight felt pierce right through her. All around her, the marketplace faded into a impenetrable stony-grey mist. Even the noise of the marketplace faded into nothing, leaving just her and the mysterious hooded figure. She instinctively tried to use her magic to protect herself, but her horn refused to light.
“What do you want from me?” Starlight asked, her voice trembling. Fear gnawed at her, and she felt more vulnerable than ever.
“I want you to join me,” the hooded stranger replied.
Starlight scowled. “Never!” she snapped.
“Are you so certain about that, Starlight Glimmer?” The stranger raised a hoof towards the horizon, beckoning the unicorn look that way. In the distance, the Castle of Friendship appeared, piercing the mist. “If you do not join me, there will be consequences for those you hold dear to you…” With a wave of his hoof, a vast shimmering ball of energy appeared above the castle.
Starlight’s mouth dropped open in shock. Even from that distance, she could feel the static from the immense energy ball tugging at her mane and coat. And yet, try as she might, she still could not get her magic to work. It was as though something was blocking her. She tried to run towards the castle, but the strange mist prevented her from making any progress. It was as if she were just running on the spot.
The unicorn’s ears drooped dejectedly as she stopped and looked down at the ground. “Why do you want me…?” she asked morosely.
“I know what you have done, Starlight Glimmer,” the stranger stated. “I know how you have used your unique talents. And I believe a pony of your ability would be very useful to me.”
Starlight did not answer. As swirls within the mist surrounded her hooves, preventing her from even lifting them, she knew she was trapped. And yet at no point did she consider the request. Her instincts screamed at her, begging her not to accept it. Whatever she may have done in the past, it was something she would never do again.
The hooded stranger chuckled. “I see you need to be persuaded…”
As Starlight watched on powerlessly, the stranger sent the huge energy ball crashing into the Castle of Friendship with a casual wave of his hoof. It exploded, instantly obliterating the entire castle, and spraying debris in all directions.
“No!” Starlight screamed, anguished tears streaming down her face. “Twilight!”
“A sample of my power,” the hooded beast stated, chuckling evilly. To the unicorn, this creature had now ceased to be any kind of pony. “And unless you join me, more will suffer the same fate!”
Starlight closed her eyes and lowered her head as she wept miserably. She desperately did not want to go back to being the pony she once was. But unable to move or use her magic, in the evil silence, all she could do now was resist.
She would not give up without a fight!
“Starlight Glimmer,” a female voice suddenly echoed through the mist.
“Princess Luna?” the unicorn questioned, recognising the voice instantly. She looked around for the dark-coated alicorn. “Is that you?”
“Starlight Glimmer, you must wake up!” the princess continued, her voice full of urgency.
“Wake up?” Starlight looked around her more closely, suddenly making sense of what she was seeing. “This is a dream?” She sighed in relief.
“It is: but you are in danger here, and I cannot protect you for very much longer.”
“In danger?” the unicorn questioned. If this was a dream, how could she be in danger?
“There is no time to explain, Starlight Glimmer,” Luna continued, the strain in her voice only too obvious. “Please, you must trust me. If you can wake up now, then you must do so!”
Starlight did not hesitate in heeding Princess Luna’s request. As the world around her swirled into total blackness, she finally managed to drag herself free of the mist, before she too was pulled into the darkness.
Suddenly, she was back in her bedroom, in the Castle of Friendship. She awoke with such a start that she sat bolt upright in bed, her heart pounding, her breathing coming in short, staccato pants. Although she felt safe here, only now was she aware of the danger she had faced in the dream realm. Something had been trying to recruit her to its cause – something evil. And had it not been for the intervention of Princess Luna, it may have succeeded. She had been powerless to stop it.
Starlight shuddered as a sudden chill ran up her spine. As a soft aquamarine glow emanated from her horn, she wrapped the bedsheets around herself, so only her eyes, ears, horn and some of her mane were visible. This evil presence had targeted her because of her dark past, and this very fact ate away at her heart. And worse, it had threatened to harm Twilight. To Starlight, the alicorn was far more than just her teacher – she was her friend. The pony who had done so much for her, and who she had grown to admire so much. The pony she remained in Ponyville for, and one she would do anything for.
The thought of losing any of her friends hurt Starlight. After her years of loneliness that had once led her down a dark path, she now finally understood the wonder of having friends. And so each and every one of her friends was precious to her. Something to cherish, and protect at all costs.
A sudden knock at the door startled Starlight, and she voiced a muted yelp of surprise. Moments later, the door burst open, and Twilight charged in.
“Starlight,” the alicorn said as she raced into the room, stopping beside the bed. “I’m so glad to see you awake! Princess Luna told me what happened. I –”
Twilight did not get a chance to say anything more. Scared by what she had witnessed in her dream, Starlight dived out of bed and threw her hooves around the alicorn’s neck, hugging her. The unicorn was trembling, and as she buried her muzzle into her friend’s pristine coat, she began to cry.
Twilight wrapped her front legs and wings around Starlight, hoping to console her. Although the unicorn could be very emotional, she did not behave like this without good reason; and having been warned what had gone on, she could understand her reaction.
“Starlight,” the alicorn said softly into the weeping unicorn’s ear. “It’s OK now. You’re safe.”
At first, Starlight did not move from the warmth of her friend’s embrace. After what she had seen, she needed to know she was still there. Eventually, she pulled back a little, allowing her to look into the alicorn’s eyes. Twilight held her wings around the unicorn, hoping she could ease the distress that still lingered inside her.
“Thank you,” Starlight said softly. She had stopped crying, although her tears had left tracks down her cheeks.
“I’ll always be here for you, Starlight,” Twilight replied warmly, gently wiping her friend’s tear tracks away with a hoof. “That’s a promise.”
As Twilight smiled at her, Starlight found herself smiling back. She was lucky to have her as a friend, and she knew it. She tried to speak, but could not find the words.
The alicorn princess’s smile widened. “It’ll be morning soon,” she continued. “Princess Celestia has asked that we all meet her in Canterlot Castle as quickly as we can, and I want us to be on the next train.”
“I’ll be ready,” Starlight promised.
As Twilight turned and left the room, softly closing the door behind her with her magic, Starlight glanced out of the window. A faint glow in the inky murk showed the two Royal Sisters were performing their daily ritual of lowering the moon and raising the sun, but she paid it little notice. Somewhere, out there in the darkness, something evil was stirring. It had already tried to recruit her once; no doubt it would try again. And silently, she resolved she would resist it to the last.
Chapter 2: Conference in Canterlot
It was early in the morning when the Friendship Express left Ponyville station.
Despite the time, Twilight had found little difficulty in getting all her friends to board the train prior to its scheduled departure. Exploiting her magical teleportation abilities, she had simply paid each one a visit in turn, informing them they were required for an urgent meeting in Canterlot. Most weren’t fully awake by the time they arrived at the station with the alicorn, and Rainbow Dash was suffering from a bad case of bed mane. But as the train made its way along the tracks, they had an opportunity to wake up, and Rarity was on hoof to help them tidy up their manes to make themselves more presentable. The only one who did not need any help was Spike: not only were his scales already straight, but he was busy helping Twilight as she ran through one of her ubiquitous checklists.
After the horrors she had seen in her nightmare, Starlight sat alone at the back of the carriage. She stared silently out of the window, absently watching the scenery speed by. Lost in her thoughts, she did not initially notice when Fluttershy sat beside her.
“Are you OK, Starlight?” the pegasus asked softly.
Starlight turned to face the yellow-coated pegasus. “I’m fine,” she replied. “It’s just…” The unicorn paused, then sighed. “I don’t know. I guess I’m worried about my nightmare becoming a reality.”
“It sounds like it must have been horrible,” Fluttershy commented, her gentle features full of concern.
“It was,” the unicorn admitted, her spirits lifted by the pegasus’ compassion. “But thankfully, it didn’t happen – at least, not in the real world. And with luck, the princesses will know what’s going on – and what we’ve got to do to stop it.”
When the train arrived at Canterlot station, the seven ponies and baby dragon immediately disembarked. To their astonishment, Princess Cadance, Shining Armor, Flurry Heart and Sunburst were all waiting for them. On seeing them, Twilight rushed to greet her brother and sister-in-law, and to see how her baby niece was doing; while Starlight headed straight for Sunburst. After the horror of her nightmare, the unicorn mare was elated to see her long-time friend.
It took the group only a matter of minutes to trot the rest of the way to Canterlot castle. The immaculately-presented royal guards immediately allowed them all through the lavish entrance, and they trotted briskly to the castle’s vast throne room.
“Thank you all for getting here so quickly,” Princess Celestia said as the ponies entered. “I only wish it could have been under better circumstances.”
“Has a threat been made against Canterlot?” Twilight asked.
“Not directly,” the majestic, white-coated alicorn replied. “But the events of last night make it clear that the whole of Equestria is in danger, and we must all be ready for it.”
“But from whom?” Twilight pressed.
“A dark unicorn called Antares,” Princess Celestia answered. “Although I knew Antares in the past, I never got to know him well. He always seemed pleasant enough, if a little distant. He could often be found in or around the Canterlot Library, but it wasn’t until the last time I saw him that I discovered what he was searching for: the secret of immortality. It appears he must have succeeded in his search, for the last time I met him was over two hundred years ago – and yet he is still alive.
“But this isn’t the Antares I knew. He’s become cold and ruthless. And I fear what he intends to do next…” Celestia turned to her sister beside her.
“Last night, Antares approached all of you while you slept,” Princess Luna stated. “He tried to target me first, while I kept watch over the Dream Realm. When he failed, he instead sought out other ponies to infect with his darkness. He was very direct when he attacked my sister, and was every bit as aggressive when he went after Princess Cadance, Shining Armor and Princess Twilight Sparkle – although that simply made him easy to stop. But then he got more subtle, and tracking him proved more difficult. By the end of the night, he had targeted everypony – and every dragon – in this room.”
While Spike was pleased to hear the Princess of the Night refer to him directly, Starlight was likewise a little relieved to know that Antares had not targeted her specifically – although this was tempered with the fact he had tried to harm all the others in this room. Whatever his goals, it was clear he had to be stopped – and quickly.
Princess Luna’s attention turned directly to Starlight. “I must apologise to you, Starlight Glimmer,” she said, her voice softening. “Antares crept into your dream unnoticed; and by the time I found where he had gone, he had filled it with his evil. He resisted every attempt I made to force him out, and it was all I could do to prevent him from infecting you. But I certainly did not intend to leave it so late.”
“I understand, princess,” Starlight said warmly. “And thank you.”
“Did Antares manage to claim any victims last night?” Twilight asked.
“Not that I am aware of,” Princess Luna replied. “I remained in the Dream Realm until I was certain everypony had awoken. But I cannot patrol the Dream Realm forever: so we can only hope that nopony fell asleep afterwards.”
Starlight felt a sudden sinking feeling in her heart. Trixie would often sleep in during the mornings! She could only hope that wherever she was, this was not one of those mornings. More than ever, she wished she knew where her friend was, if only so she could be certain she had not been harmed. But for the moment, there was nothing she could do.
“What does Antares want?” Twilight asked. “And why would he target all of us?”
“While we do not know his intentions, Princess Luna and I both believe he views all of us here as a threat to whatever he has planned,” Princess Celestia replied. “By trying to capture us in our dreams, he attempted to remove us as a threat.”
“He may have failed: but this was clearly just the start,” Princess Luna continued. “We believe he’ll make his move soon – and we must be ready for him.”
“We do not believe that Antares is currently in Equestria,” Princess Celestia added. “But we have heard rumours from the lands beyond ours – rumours of griffons, changelings and even dragons being attacked by an unknown enemy. Rumours of some apparently being kidnapped during the night. Some of the small pony communities outside Equestria have reported the same, too. Whatever it is that Antares is up to, it could be that he’s preparing an army to invade Equestria.”
The assembled ponies gasped as the reality of the situation hit home. Although Equestria had faced all manner of threats before, this felt much worse than any of them. This sounded not so much like a battle, but a war – and one that could very quickly escalate to cover the whole of their land if not stopped quickly.
“Princess Twilight,” Princess Celestia stated. “We do not believe that even the Cutie Map will reveal the location of Antares. But it may be able to alert you to whichever part of Equestria is in danger.”
“We’ll keep watch on it,” Twilight responded. “And if it warns us of anything, we’ll let you know immediately.”
A sudden, incessant knocking of hooves at the door shocked everyone in the throne room into silence. Seconds later, the doors burst open.
“Your Highnesses,” a royal guard blurted as he raced into the room. “News from north-eastern Equestria. A village has been attacked by unknown forces!”
Starlight’s mouth dropped open in shock at the report. That was where her old village was located! Her heart sank at the thought that her friends could be under attack, more than likely by the same evil creature she had encountered in her dreams. Her instincts begged her to investigate, and she took a single hoof step forwards before pausing. Whatever her feelings, this was not her decision to make. She could not go without first getting approval.
“We should definitely check that out,” Twilight stated, instantly noticing Starlight’s concern.
“I agree,” Princess Celestia concurred. “But I would suggest you do not bring all your friends with you, and I insist you travel with some guards.”
“I understand, princess.” Twilight glanced at Starlight, reading her intent in her eyes. “Starlight, you’re coming with me.” She turned to her friends. “Applejack, Rainbow Dash: you’re coming too.”
“On it!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed, pleased to have been chosen.
“Ah’m ready,” Applejack stated, joining the rainbow-maned Pegasus.
“You too, Spike,” Twilight added, noticing the baby dragon’s obvious disappointment. “I may need to send a message to Princess Celestia, and dragon mail is the fastest way to send it.”
The dragon was visibly excited to be included in the group. He rushed over to Twilight and lightly rested a claw against her fetlock.
“Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie: I need you to head back to the castle. Keep an eye on the Cutie Map, and pass word to me if you see anything out of the ordinary.” She paused as a soft magenta light built around her horn. Moments later, a parchment materialised in the air with a flash of magic, which she quickly levitated over to Rarity. “Take this. I’ve cast a spell on this scroll, so the next time it’s sealed, it’ll be sent straight to me.” She winked at Spike, letting the baby dragon know exactly how she would be able to receive the scroll.
“Yes, darling,” Rarity responded cheerfully.
As Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie and Rarity trotted out of the chamber to begin their journey back to Ponyville, four of the royal guards joined Twilight, Starlight, Rainbow Dash, Applejack and Spike.
“How’re we gonna get there, Twilight?” Applejack asked. “It’s a mighty long way, an’ Ah don’t think the train’s fast enough!”
“I could always fly on over there and check it out,” Rainbow Dash volunteered. “I’d be there and back before you know it!”
“No, Rainbow,” Twilight stated authoritatively. “We’ve got to stick together. And besides: I know a much quicker way…”
Starlight caught the alicorn’s implication. “You mean: we teleport there.” The unicorn paused. “But that’s a long way to go, Twilight.”
“And that’s why I need your help, Starlight. Neither of us can teleport that far on our own. But if we work together, we should be able to teleport everypony right there.”
“It’s certainly worth a try.”
Twilight looked around at the other ponies in her group. “Stay close, everypony.”
As the other ponies stood close around them, Twilight and Starlight stood facing each other, their brightly glowing horns almost touching, as they collectively built a massive sphere of magical energy around them all. The shimmering light of their combined magic danced through the vast throne room for a moment, before the group disappeared in a huge flash.
“Good luck, my dear Twilight,” Princess Celestia said quietly after the group had disappeared. Princess Luna, equally as worried, nodded her agreement of her sister’s sentiment.
All they could do now was wait – and hope…
