//------------------------------// // Stars Don't Twinkle, The Moon Doesn't Shine // Story: My Little Hedgehog: Redux // by TheOtherOne41 //------------------------------// Back to re-writing. Sorry for the hiatus. I'm bad at that, aren't I? ________________________________________________________________________ The moon shined brightly over Ponyville. The soft moonlight casting a faint light on the town. There was nobody outside, everyone as at their homes, sound asleep. The library was dead silent, the only noises being the faint snores of Spike and Sonic. The farm was also quiet with the many trees blowing slightly in the soft wind and the farmhouse sat quietly with its occupants asleep. Fluttershy's house was also quiet. The many animals all sound asleep in the trees, in the ground, in wherever they were. Fluttershy and Shadow were both sleeping, with Shadow sleeping in a spare bed that was lying around. Even while sleeping his expression was rather serious with his arms crossed, while Fluttershy was peaceful in hers. Just like every other house, Rarity's house was quiet with not a sound to be heard. She was sound asleep with a smile, her room with various designs and sketches lying around, However, there was a lone figure standing near her house. She looked around the area, to make sure she wasn't spotted, but it was a dead area, alone in the darkness. She moved up to the door and knocked swiftly. Inside, the knocking sounded much louder. Rarity stirred and moved in her bed. In an attempt to block out the noise, she grabbed her pillow and covered her head with it, but to no avail. She growled as she got out of her bed, eyes slightly bloodshot and walked downstairs. The knocking continued, which only made Rarity more irritated. "Who is wanting to see me at this hour?!", she snarled to herself. "What do you want at this hour?!?!", with her teeth gritting together in pure frustration. Every pony needs its beauty sleep and Rarity was not getting her's, which only made her more and more irritated. Her anger cooled however as she saw what was standing at the door way. It was a lone figure, she couldn't see what it was at all. The figure stood covered by a large cloak, its eyes covered by the shadow of the cloak over its head. Its legs were slightly visible. They were white from what Rarity could see. Its shoes could be seen clearly, it wore tall high heels. They were pink and white with white fluffy cuffs. It's mouth could be seen. It wasn't smiling though, it seemed rather serious. "Sorry for disturbing your sleep Miss Rarity", the voice was female. "Who... Who are you? How do you know my name?", Rarity took a step back. "I overheard you’re the one to come to when looking for some gems, is that correct?", she was rather calm and collected. "I might have a few gems just lying around, yes. Why do you ask?" Rarity inquired. "Maybe you can help me...may I come in?", she asked. "Could you come back in the morning, dear? If you can't tell, it's past my bedtime", Rairty explained, but the stranger did not want to leave. "It's urgent I'm afraid. Please" Rarity pondered whether to let this complete stranger into her house. Hesitating, she stepped aside and allowed the female into her house. She stepped inside as Rarity closed the door quietly. The female smiled at her kindness. "Thank you. I'm sorry or this inconvenience, but I could not wait till tomorrow." Rarity smiled slightly. "It's fine. I guess. Follow me to where I keep my gems." Rarity walked off as the cloaked girl followed behind her. Rarity felt rather uncomfortable about this, letting a clocked stranger into her home. It could be a spy, stealing her designs, or worse! "May I ask, what is your name?" The girl looked uncomfortable as this. "I'd rather keep myself unknown. I apologize", she replied. Rarity rolled her eyes and sighed. "Oh well never mind. The gems are just through here." The silence of the night was slightly disturbed by the two walking side by side. They entered a dark room. Rarity flipped a small switch and the room lit up instantly. She looked at the stranger to see if the light would give anything else away. The girl had large eyes, but that's all she could see. Rarity walked over to a large chest on the ground. The stranger stood at the doorway and observed her surroundings. She turned to see the white pony opening the large chest, which glowed as it opened. She walked over to join the pony at her side. She looked down to see miscellaneous gems. Big ones, small one, some as big as a pony's head. But one stood out among the rest. The stranger gasped at the sight of it and Rarity turned to her, rather defensively. The gem was a large yellow rectangular gem. It glowed more than the others, as if it was special. The cloaked stranger reached to grab the gem, only to be stopped by a white hoof. "And what do you think you’re doing?", she remarked accusingly, "I found that gem today. Kept it a secret from everyone. It's such a beautiful gem and I'm thinking of using it for a dress I'm working on, now if you're hear to simply steal my gems, you are obviously not the greatest thief, now are you?" Rarity could see the stranger's eyes narrow. Her teeth were showing, displaying what appeared to be sharp fangs. Rarity was slightly frightened by this, but remained defiant. "I'm sorry but that's not for taking" The stranger sighed. "Fine, I'll play your little game", she pulled out a similar gem, her hand being a white glove with a fluffy cuff on her wrist. It didn't quite glow like the other one, but it still looked beautiful. "That gem you have there is more important than you can imagine. Come to think of it, it's not a mere 'gem' either, but that's not important. Here is a replica. I will happily give it to you in exchange for that one." Rarity pondered. It was a very rare looking gem she had, yet the one that was being offered to her was almost as good. She was feeling generous. "Hmph. Fine take the gem", She handed the glowing emerald to the stranger and got the replica in return. "Thank you for your generosity", the stranger smiled, "I'll be going now." The stranger walked out of the room and went for the door. Rarity followed, stopping as the stranger walked out of the door. "Who are you?" She turned to face the confused pony and smiled. "Who I am is not important, but you have helped me so much Miss Rarity. Farewell", the stranger closed the door, leaving the pony alone in a dark hallway. She sighed to herself. "Urgh! I'm off to bed again!", she slumped and walked off. The stranger walked alone in the sleeping town, gazing into the gem. "It's a start. Now, to find somewhere to hide", she said, walking into the darkness.