//------------------------------//
// An Unexpected Visitor 
// Story: The New Talent 
// by Vinyl Mfing Scratch 
//------------------------------//


An Unexpected Visitor



"P-Princess Luna..." Carbon stuttered as he kneeled into a bow.

"Rise to thy hooves, I have not come under the common formalities." Said the princess. "I've come to advise." 

The unicorn rose from his bow and shifted uncomfortably. "Advise me on what?" He asked, a mixture of confusion and worry drawn across his face. 

"On the quest you have decided to partake in." Luna began, "And about the precious cargo you're protecting." 

"You're referring to the Gemstone Sound has, right?" Carbon asked, doubtful that could be of very much importance.

Luna considered for a moment before responding, "Yes, but also no." She stated simply. "There is yet another precious item in your midst." She told the unicorn. "One capable of weilding the power of said Gemstone. Thought she does not know it yet." 

The former Special Ops pony froze. Here was the Princess of the Night, in the flesh, telling him that that gem, and the white mare he was protecting, were not only both powerful, but that the mare in question was the only one capable of weilding it. But what was it? 

"Princess, what exactly is that gemstone?" He asked. 

"I will explain." She told Carbon, "But under one condition." 

"Okay.." Carbon said, not sure where this was going to leave him, "What is it?"

"Everything I reveal this night shall be known by you, and you alone. A seal must be kept on this information, as your friend needs to discover this power herself, lest she reject it." 

Carbon was beginning to get a bit worried for Vinyl. It sounded like Luna was putting a lot on her. "Why can't she reject it if that's what she wants? Can't somepony else use it?" Carbon inquired, trying to find a way to put less stress on his friend. 

"I'm afraid not." Began the Night Princess, "Vinyl is imbued with a certain power, binding herself to the stone. She alone must discover her abilities. The fate of Equestria could very well depend on it." She explained, her tone growing evermore serious. "It will not be long before her will is tested." 

Carbon didn't know what to say. Hell, he didn't even know what to think. Here was one of the most powerful beings in Equestria, telling him his friend would have to take Equestria itself into her hooves. All the military training in the world couldn't have prepared him for the barage of emotions he was currently feeling. 

He was frustrated that he couldn't tell Vinyl, scared for her safety, and he was resentful that he wasn't given the opportunity to wield the power himself. He had years of combat training, after all. Why not him? Carbon halted all thoughts flowing through his mind, and discarded his negative feelings towards Vinyl. 'If she was meant for it, than who am I to argue?' he thought. 

To top off his emotional rollercoaster, Carbon felt completely helpless. He had just been told, not advised, not suggested in mild conversation, that the power contained in the gemstone was meant to be used to save Equestria by his friend. 'Oh, well, I was wondering if it would be okay with you if I put the fate of Equestia in your friend's hooves. No big deal, right?' He imagined the princess saying. 

A thought then struck the stallion. 

"If you wanted her to find out on her own, why did you come to tell me about it?" He asked, genuinely baffled by the point the princess might have in revealing this information. It seemed redundant to him, though he figured the Night Mother would have her reasons. 

The alicorn continued without hesitation, "Because, my little pony, if she is to deny this power of her own accord, then Equestria could be doomed. I am tasking you with attempting your best at persuading her to accept it, should that happen." 

Carbon stared blankly at the princess. After a few moments of thought, he asked, "And how am I supposed to do that?" 

"By any means you have to use, Carbon. It is vital she accept this power, though idealy of her own choosing." Luna explained. 

Carbon considered this, trying to come up with a rebuttle but falling short. He could see no flaws in the Princess' argument, should the fate of Equestria really be at stake that is. The stallion thought for a few moments more before forming one last question for the Princess. 

"Princess?" He started. 

"Yes, Carbon?" 

"What, exactly, is threatening Equestria?" 

And so was the stallion told of Equestria's newest enemy.