//------------------------------//
// Morning-Star 
// Story: The Last Elements 
// by RavensDagger 
//------------------------------//

	Crescent Hill
South of Equestria
Two Months after the Summer Solstice

Morning Star adjusted the scope with a quick tap of his hoof. He was laying uncomfortably near the top of Crescent hill, overlooking the estates of a small group of Zebras who had gained the attention of Chronos.

His goal was simple at first. Gather information about the compound and its movements for twenty-four hours, then fly back to the rendezvous point without being spotted.

His orders had changed.

His target was a renowned politician with deep ties in the world of zebra narcotics,the politician had recently acquired an item that made him a threat to Equestria. It was Morning Star’s duty to     eliminate that threat. That’s why he was laying on top of the hill, cradling a very big, very long, and very powerful crossbow on such a chilly autumn night.

He was looking around, desperate to find a source of entertainment, when out of the corner of his eyes he caught some rapid movement. Shifting his scope over to the entrance of the mansion that dominated the estates ,he noticed that quite a few of the zebra guards were fighting. Throwing punches and bucking each other, they were soon joined by some of the luxurious guests.

He saw his target walk out and throw a few kicks into the melee himself. That was odd, most of the time zebras were stone faced and placid, never showing emotion; especially not violence, unless sufficiently provoked. He picked up the com unit from the saddlebags at his side with a quick swipe of his hoof.

“Home, this is MS, I have very.. unusual activity here,” he silently dropped the small magical device, just as a thin, shallow voice answered.

“MS, this is HQ, we have nothing on the situation at this moment. Please specify condition.”

“Subjects are acting like drunk colts at a party, sir,” he noticed that most of the hits were missing, and that they were running as if they were very dizzy and disorientated.

“Repeat that, MS?” came a bewildered reply. He could understand their suspicion, he couldn't believe it himself.

“They are behaving like mad drunkards, the guards as well as the guests are fighting between themselves with no apparent order or groups.” The entire group turned and looked at the door as if someone had called their attention. He was too far away to hear anything, but he strained his ears anyway.

A young zebra filly walked out of the mansion, stopped a few feet from the door, and waved her hoof as if to chastise the entire group. They all looked down as if they were disappointed, some even started to cry.

Morning Star felt an odd longing in his chest at seeing the zebra filly. He tweaked his crossbow's scope. She was a small zebra youngster not altogether different from the average child. All that adorned her was a simple, small necklace containing a small, blue jewel. Something about her captivated him. He wanted her to be happy, to be proud of him. He understood now why the other zebras fought each other. They were fighting over her, for her. “How dare they!” he muttered. “They don’t deserve her. She should be mine.”

“MS, can you repeat that last message?” He looked down, surprised out of his thoughts. He had left the com device on. He slammed his hoof on it and returned his eyes to his scope.

He felt a burning rage build up as the group sat in rapt attention of the filly. Why would she speak to them and not him? That rage became jealousy, and before he knew it he was boiling with rage.

He tried to reason with himself but the sight of her giving undeserved attention to them infuriated him.

 He had pulled the trigger.

The arrow whizzed in a small arc and hit the head of the zebra nearest the filly, and planted itself in the ground opposite the unfortunate zebra. The filly let out a loud shriek of surprise and fear. The others never let their eyes off her, barely noticing that one of their comrades was dead.

He could clearly hear the scream as it echoed in the hillside. “MS, this is HQ, please respond,” chirped the device that he had only partially damaged.

Guilt hit him hard. He could have hit her. Maybe he scared her, maybe she was mad at him. The thought of her angry, or worse, scared, drove him to tears. He took off suddenly. Leaving all his equipment behind. He flew straight like the arrow he had just fired. Gaining more and more altitude until he could hardly breath, yet even this was not punishment enough, his mind told him. Suddenly, an idea popped into his head. He could pay her back life for life. A small smile crept unto his face as he closed his wings and dropped to his death all the way to the rocky hillside.