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// Chapter 2: Conference in Canterlot 
// Story: A Star's Eternal Glimmer 
// by Rorschfox 
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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…