The First Star

Rocky had been running for hours, and the sun had finally outran him.  He found himself tumbling along the road that had lead to the cave, completely alone.  He stopped and examined the dark trail around him.  The moon was full, so he was able to see a good distance down the trail both ways.  The trail ran around a forest and the other side ran near to the edge of a pond.

He looked behind him, and far in the distance a light glowed brightly.

“Hello!” he yelled, attempting to get the pony at the light’s attention.

He must have succeeded in getting noticed, because the bright blue light moved closer and closer.  A blast of cold air swept along the path, and a shiver crept up Rocky’s spine.

Suddenly a feeling of dread overcame him.  He began to back away from the approaching light, but it was too late.  He let out a scream as it collided with him leaving a patch of frostbite.  The apparition knocked him to the ground, and Rocky breathed his last as the thing attacking him brought a hoof down on his head.

The air around the ghostly body grew even colder as vapor rose from the remains of Rocky. Blood ran from the crater in his head. The ghostly glow grew brighter, and then faded off into the night as the apparition floated into the woods.

___   ____   ___

The unicorns in Canterlot must have been up early, because so was the sun.  Harper awoke as the birds in the trees began to chirp around the camp.  She stretched out her forelegs above her head, and rolled off the mat and summoned Ruby to reignite the fire from the night before.

Celestia was up already, kicking dirt around the campsite.  Luna was still snoring on her mat.  The fire was quickly lit, and a quick breakfast was had.  Luna awoke at the smell of bread and cheese, and looked almost cheerful as she snacked on the food she was given.

"The sunrise seems early today," Harper said. "but that's good, we can make it to Canterlot by mid-day."  Harper packed up the mats and recalled Ruby to her trinket.

"Where is this town?  All there is around here is trees and mountains." Celestia asked.

"Look up."

The girls stared up in awe at the giant castle protruding from the mountainside.  Clouds floated around the the great castle’s walls like a second set of ramparts.  Pegasi looked like dots flying cloud to cloud near the mountains tip where the castle resided.

“H-how in the world are we going to get up there?!”  Celestia stuttered. Luna fluttered her wings once again, but a sharp stare from her sister denied that idea.

“We take the tunnel.” Harper pointed to the base of the mountain.

“Why would you build such a castle on the side of a mountain?!” Celestia said, still in shock.

“Well, the pegasi wanted it up in the air near cloud level. However, the earth ponies wanted to keep their hooves on the ground. And Princess Platinum liked the view.”  Harper chuckled at the last bit as they continued on their way towards the base of the mountain.

___   ____   ___

“Princess, somepony was found dead on the east road this morning.”  The guard was a pegasus and had an eyepatch over his right eye.

Princess Platinum sat up on her throne, looking at her Captain of the guard without emotion, “Do you know what did it?”

“No ma’am, but rumors are already floating around.  The body was brought in; never seen wounds like it.  He’s like a husk, like the life was sucked right out of him.”  He shifted on his hooves like something was bothering him.

“You seem disturbed Captain,” Platinum remarked.

“There was something about the place the body was found.  The pegasi are in the midst of summer season, but the ground around the site was frozen hard.  The grass was covered in frost and the water that ran along the trail was frozen over."

"It appears the only option we have is to increase the number of patrols until we know what happened.  I also want you to bring in the Pegasus in charge during that time, find out if they noticed anything suspicious." Platinum rose from her seat and moved to the window that looked out into the valley.

Now the captain spoke, "Do you want me to tell Commander Hurricane?"

"Not now. She is still busy training new guards.  But be ready in case the killing escalates.  We have no idea if this is just a random animal, or something more malevolent.  It will reveal itself in due time."

"Yes ma'am," the captain nodded to the other guards. They all exited the throne room, leaving the Princess to look out the window on her own.

___   ____   ___

Harper and the sisters traversed the busy streets of Canterlot.  Harper still in her curiass, while the sisters wore cloaks to cover their wings. Harper had decided walking around Canterlot with two ponies with wings and horns would attract all the wrong attention.

Celestia looked between the workers roaming up and down the street with carts full of tools and materials, the guards with their swords and crossbows, and the majority of the ponies they passed with intricate dresses and suits of armor.

"So much culture. I'd love to come look around here later."

"Maybe later, right now we need to go the University and find a friend of mine."

Luna wasn't looking at the people like her sister. She moved from window to window, store to store.  Looking in every shop, until Harper beckoned her to follow closer.

They approached a large building with huge doors. Unicorn guards flanked the opening on both sides.  As they approached, the guards opened the doors. Harper and the sisters entered the library.

Harper approached the front desk and whispered something to the librarian, who pointed to one of the many hallways that branched off from the main hall.  Harper waved to the sisters, who were too busy examining displays to notice.  Harper trotted over to them, and dragged them down the hallway promising there would be time for looking at the exhibits later.

The hallway was long, and the ceiling was high. The hall was well lit by chandeliers that hung down from chains attached to arches that defined the hallway's shape.

Harper stopped at the last door in the hallway.  The door was heavy, with intricate woodwork. Done by a pony of obvious skill. She rapped against the door with her forehoof.

The sound of clutter being shifted came from the other side of the door. The sisters creeped slowly away, but stopped when Harper gave them a stern glance.

The heavy door groaned in protest as a purple mare opened the door to see who had disturbed her studies. The mare looked from Harper to the sisters, and back again.

"Long time, Clover. How've you been?" Harper extended her hoof out in greeting.

Clover opened the door fully, "Aren't you supposed to be playing your lyre somewhere?" Harper chuckled as the friends embraced.

"How is my relic doing?" Clover asked. Pointing to the trinket dangling from Harper's saddlebag.

Ruby emerged from the jewel and stretched her fiery wings, "I am fine ma'am."

Clover motioned to enter the room. Harper entered followed by Ruby. The sisters entered close behind, and Clover shut the door behind him.