//------------------------------// // Chapter 3 // Story: Of Stars and Darkness // by Harmonic_Chaos //------------------------------// Twilight thought about it. She thought long and hard, but she couldn’t figure out what happened between her and Star just a few minutes ago. Of course, she knew that they had been frozen in place, and that they stared at each other for quite some time. What Twilight couldn’t figure out though, was why? Why had that moment happened? Why did she feel the way she did? How could such a smart pony as herself not know the answer to these questions? Perhaps there was a book that could help her with this in her library. Then again, if there was such a book, Twilight would know about it. After all, she took it upon herself to organize her books almost every week, so she would have seen it. Twilight trotted alongside Spike, down the long road towards the store that sold writing supplies. Since Spike was always eager to go shopping, Twilight didn’t want to keep him waiting. She usually just sends Spike out on his own, but she wanted to escape the awkward situation. Ponies of all kinds trotted down the cobbled path, some going in the same direction as Twilight, some going the opposite. The market was always busy at this time of day, for most vendors have just restocked their goods. Twilight tried her best not to bump into the crowds of ponies that were starting to form as they got closer to the center of the market. Twilight scanned for the particular store that sold quills. Once she spotted it, she motioned for Spike to follow her. Suddenly, she was bumped into by a cloaked figure. “Oh, excuse me,” said Twilight. The figure turned its head, and looked at Twilight. Its face wasn’t visible, but its eyes shone a dark red. A black horn protruded from under the hood. Before Twilight could examine the pony any further, it darted off, disappearing into the crowd. What a strange pony. Twilight thought to herself. “Eh, don’t worry about it Twilight,” Spike said. “Some ponies are just plain rude. Come on, we’re almost there.” They approached the store that sold quills, which was called “Quills and Sofas”. Twilight went to the counter and greeted the clerk, Davenport. He was a tan coated stallion, with green eyes and a brown, combed back mane. “I would like 50 quills please,” Twilight asked politely. “Sure thing,” said Davenport. He pulled out the correct amount of quills and inkwells from under the counter to in front of Twilight. “That’ll be 40 bits,” he said. Jeez, getting a little expensive, are we? Twilight thought to herself. She didn’t mind though, as long as she got her supplies, all was fine and dandy. She levitated the sufficient amount of bits onto the counter, then levitated the quills into her saddlebag. “Have a good day sir,” Twilight said. “You too ma’am,” replied Davenport, who was smiling at the bits he had swindled from her. As Twilight and Spike headed back home, Twilight could see Applejack and Applebloom off in the distance. Applebloom was, as Applejack called it, “rustling up” some customers. “Try our magnificent apples! They’re delicious and nutritious!” Applebloom shouted with glee, as ponies passed by her without glancing at her. One unlucky colt managed to walk a little too close to her. Applebloom took the opportunity and jumped right in front of him. “BUY SOME APPLES!” Applebloom shouted. The poor colt backed up in fear. He turned around, and ran for his life. “That tears it!” Applejack shouted. “That’s the third pony you’ve scared off today! No wonder why I’m didn’t let you help last time!” Applebloom looked down in shame. “I’m sorry sis.” Applejack sighed and shook her head softly. “Head on home. I’ll come when I’m done here.” “Another chance at a cutie mark, down the drain,” Applebloom muttered. Applejack noticed Twilight walking towards her, and went to greet her. “Well, howdy Twi!” Applejack greeted with glee. “What brings you out here?” “Oh, just getting some supplies is all,” Twilight replied. Applejack looked her over a few times. “Mhm, say, where’s that coltfriend of yours? I wanted to see if he’s as cute as I heard.” Twilight blushed. “Who? Star? He’s not my coltfriend, I’m just helping him with some research.” Twilight thought for a moment. “Wait, how do you know about him?” Applejack chuckled. “Rainbow Dash was flying over when she saw him knocking on your door.” Twilight blushed more. “Well, he’s not my coltfriend, just a... friend.” Applejack looked at her with disbelief. She leaned in close to Twilight. “Say, if you can tell he likes you, don’t be afraid to make the first move.” Twilight blushed even more. “Applejack, cut it out! You’re embarrassing me!” Applejack let out a laugh. “Boy howdy! You sure are fun to mess with Twi!” Twilight smiled and laughed as well, realizing that Applejack was just being friendly. “Well, I should head home. Star is probably waiting for me.” As Twilight walked away, Applejack shouted, “Go get ‘em!” Suddenly, Twilight could feel something... strange. As if someone, or something, was watching her. She looked around to see if she could pinpoint where this feeling was coming from. After finding nothing, Twilight shrugged it off and kept walking home with Spike. ______________________________________________________________________________ In a dark alley, just within eyeshot of Twilight, the same dark, cloaked figure watched her. So, this is the one the Keeper wants? he thought to himself. If she’s anything like Star Gazer, she shall be easily manipulated. He contemplated on whether he should strike out at her or not. It would be unwise for him to do so, since it was broad daylight and numerous ponies roaming the streets. He already made the mistake of revealing himself to her once, he didn’t want that to happen again. Too much attention would make everypony suspicious. “Soon,” he said to himself. “very soon.’ ______________________________________________________________________________ As Star waited for Twilight to return, he thought about the little “scene” they had earlier. Does she like me? he thought to himself. She has to, after all, she DID stare at me with those big... beautiful... eyes... Star thought about how deeply he had looked into Twilight. The smoothness of her velvet eyes made it seem as if Star had stared into space itself. There was one thing that bothered him though; was it love? Or was it lust? He didn’t want it to be lust, he wanted it to be genuine love. It could be lust. After all, he hardly knew her, and yet he finds himself looking at her with prying eyes. Shouldn’t ponies get to know each other first? Shouldn’t they learn more about each other before they “get together”? “Let’s just let things develop on their own,” Star said, “and try not to force anything to happen.” Just then, Twilight walked through the front door with Spike following. Star smiled and walked over to her. “Hey there!” Star greeted. “How came the shopping?” “Great! I got enough to last us for another month,” Twilight answered. They looked at each other for a few seconds, then looked away as an awkward silence began to occur. The unusual tension was almost tangible. Star decided to break the silence. “So, anything interesting happen?” Star asked. “Well, I saw my friend Applejack at the market. She was working at her apple stand with her little sister, Applebloom. We chatted for a little bit.” Twilight blushed. “In fact, she mentioned how one of my other friends, Rainbow Dash, saw you while she was flying overhead.” “Oh really?” Star said with a raised eyebrow. “I’ve only been in Ponyville for a couple of days, and I’m already popular,” He said with a slight sarcastic tone. Twilight giggled. “Well, don’t get ahead of yourself mister.” Twilight poked him in the chest playfully. “There are plenty more ponies out there than just my friends. In fact, I should show you around sometime. Maybe you’ll like it here!” Star nodded. “Sounds like a good idea to me. I’d like to meet those friends of yours.” Twilight smiled. “I’m sure they’d like to meet you as well!” She thought for a moment. “Hmm, there was also an odd pony, a unicorn, that bumped into me before I got my supplies.” “What did he look like?” Star asked. “Well...,” Twilight said with hesitation. Suddenly, she was struck with a massive pain. “Ouch!” she cried. Twilight’s head throbbed. It felt as if a migraine had struck her without warning. It wasn’t a pain you would get from a cut, or punch to the gut, this was a pain that words couldn’t describe. One that came from deep inside her head, deep down where no matter of medication could cure. “Twilight! What’s wrong?” Spike asked urgently. Twilight struggled to respond. “I... don’t... know...” Then, as fast as it came, the pain was gone. The throbbing had subsided and she could think clearly now. “Are... you okay Twilight? Star asked. “Yeah, I am now,” Twilight said.”But... I... can’t... remember...” Spike and Star looked at each other with a confused look. “Remember... what exactly?” asked Star. “The... odd pony,” Twilight said. “I don’t remember what he... or she... looked like.” Something is very wrong here. Star thought to himself. What could possibly be making her lo- His thoughts were cut off by a loud knocking at the door. Dumbstruck, the three looked at each other, then at the door. Who in the world could that be? Star thought. Star went over to the door, and opened it. There stood two royal guard ponies. “Are you Star Gazer?” One of the guard ponies asked in a low voice. Star became nervous. “Umm... yes, I am.” The two royal guard ponies looked at each other, nodded, then looked back at Star. “By the order of the Royal Guard, you’re under arrest,” they said in unison.