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// Chapter two: It begins 
// Story: The Prince of Darkness 
// by Morningstar 2143 
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“What do you mean? What’s wrong with Rarity?” Star asked asked as Sweetie belle pulled him through the castle door. She looked worried and panicked as they ran across town.


“Just come on Star! She told me to come and get you and the others!” they ran passed Spike, Twilight, and Starlight outside of Trixie's cart “Come on guys there's something wrong with Rarity” there faces instantly dawned worried expressions. They made their way to Sweet Apple Acres, which was having its annual cider sales for Ponyville. “Applejack, Rainbowdash, Pinkie Pie! Come on something is wrong with Rarity.” They saw her panicked expression and that she was on the break of crying and began to follow. They finally arrived at the Carousel Boutique, charged in and ran up the stairs and exploded through the bedroom door to discover Rarity lying in her bed. Her coat was pale and washed out as if it were sun bleached and her mane was mangled and ratty, also washed out and pale.


“She can’t hear anything i say and she won’t wake up. I don’t know what to do.” she broke out and started crying. Star place his hoof on Sweeties shoulder in a consoling manner.


“Don’t worry, we’ll find out what’s wrong” he smiled at her and she smiled back. She gave him a hug and left. While the others were inspecting Rarity, Star noticed the white paper underneath a nightstand. “What’s this?” he picked it up to discover it to be a note, he began to read “I knew you would come to her aid little lamb” the others gathered around to listen. “Your friend in the bed has been poisoned with my incurable venom. If you wish to save her, come to my lair in the frozen tundra beyond the Crystal Empire, bring the dying wad of flesh with you, other than that, come alone. Signed Rosemary Queen of the vampire race.” a long silence filled the room. Star made his way to the bed and hoisted Rarity onto his back.


“What do you think you’re doing?” asked Twilight


“What do you think i’m helping Rarity. I’m going to this place to find Rosemary and make her fix Rarity.” his face beamed with intensity and determination.


“At least wait for Princess Celestia to…..” Star stopped her


“No. look at her Twilight, she won’t make it till then. I need to go now, if i don’t then she might……..” he paused and peered at the floor. A single tear fell from his nose and hit the floor. “No, lets not think about that right now. Twilight, I need you to teleport me to the Crystal Empire.” she looked at Star and noticed his legs, they were shaking. She realized that he wasn’t doing it because he wanted pay back or to look brave. He was doing it for her.
“I can do you one better.” she smiled. The tundra was cold, the wind was howling and the snow was blinding. Despite the unrest and chaos, the tundra was peaceful. Suddenly, a flash of light dropped hooves into the undisturbed snow. Star pulled down his mask and looked around. He could see faint lights and the silhouette of the Crystal Empire through the twisting wind and piercing snow. He put his mask back on and began walking in the opposite direction. His hooves sunk in the snow with the weight two ponies. Rarity lie on his back, still unconscious, wrapped in multiple blankets to form what looked like a cocoon of fabric with just a small amount of her face showing.


Star walked for what seemed like days scaling small mountains, navigating ravines, and searching. He took shelter in small ice caves and crudely crafted igloos. He ran out off food on the sixth day and knew he wouldn’t be able to survive much longer. Three more days without food or water and Star is beginning to feel the side effects. Finally, on the last day, he couldn’t continue. He collapsed under the pressure, unable to carry his own body weight. Before he blacked out he noticed that Rarity fell beside him. He looked at her exposed face as his eyes began to close.


“I’m sorry. I tried” a tear rolled down his cheek and froze. He blacked out. Minutes after he went under, two silhouettes appeared over their unconscious bodies. They nodded at each other, hoisted the bodies onto their backs and vanished into a wisp of black smoke.