The Lost Pony Tales of Equestria follows an odd assortment of original characters as they live day by day. Their individual struggles become too much for them to handle alone. Watch as one by one they ease into friendships delicately balanced around
The Lost Pony Tales of Equestria follows an odd assortment of original characters as they live day by day. Their individual struggles become too much for them to handle alone. Watch as one by one they ease into friendships delicately balanced around Scarlet's dark secret. Learn alongside them as their friendships grow stronger with every challenge they overcome. That is until a dark unknown creature begins to put darkness into each of their hearts straining their friendship to the breaking point. After it all falls apart they find the light just in time to save a friend in need. As their friendships rebuild a new level of trust and strength bond them stronger than before. In this 4 volume series featuring over 50 original characters that follows the story line of the show and borrows some of the show's characters.
We find a figure leaning over a desk covered in a black cloak, lit with a candle who's light is weak barely lighting the table. She is writing in a tattered and worn diary, in a hoof made shack hidden deep in the Everfree Forest. Fighting back their emotions as they weave a tale into the diaries many pages.
"My name is Starlight I once was a beautiful unicorn born into a dark chapter of Equestria’s long history. A time of great suffering where chaos and disharmony covered much of Equestria, the creation of its dark ruler Discord. What he did to me with his dark magic ruined my life, as I knew it. Leaving me to live with a powerful curse. Even after he was overthrown his curse still clung to me haunting my every dream and clouding my thoughts. I don’t think any pony could look at me the same way knowing the horrible things I did, let alone forgive me. Even if they could the memories would haunt me the same and I could never forgive myself all the horrible things I did. I couldn’t stop let alone fight back, even if I did his magic took control of my body and did it for me. I was nothing more to him than a helpless pawn. But, no pony saw it that way so I left home, out of regret for what I had seen. But mostly of the fears of what they had planned for me, probably the same treatment Discord got being turned to stone."
"I once had a shimmering sliver coat with bright sky-blue hair with white frosted tips. But not anymore, thanks to Discord’s twisted magic I look more like a monster then a pony. I’m no unicorn anymore he thought I would look and serve him better as a dragon pony; he just combined me with a random dragon flying by. His magic turned my coat to blood red scales; my hair to blue spikes and my horn disappeared completely. My bright blue eyes darken to a deep teal almost black; even becoming more menacing with my pupils taking on a thinner taller appearance much like a dragons’. My teeth became sharper more spread out even got two sticking out the front of my mouth now. A set of dragon wings shot out from my back with black membranes, the pain was overwhelming. Not even my cutie mark escaped the transformation, looking sadly at her cutie mark turning from a bright white shooting star with blue center lines and yellow contrails making it appear to be falling right out of the night sky. It became a burning white star with flames licking their way around the star blacking the edges of the star; the blue lines have become a dark orange. All the time I spent hiding from ponies also has changed me, I’m collecting scars all over me. The most damming of all is just a gash I got recently through my right eye I can’t see that well with it now."
"For many years I’ve waited wishing that one morning I would wake up and be myself again. I’ve hidden from every pony for many years and I’ve seen many things in my unusually long life. Towns get formed and grow, cities expand and the rise and fall of king Sombra. The most disturbing of all was the fall of the 2 royal sisters’ rule, Celestia the oldest and Luna the youngest. Luna my mentor, what could have happened to you that drove you to madness to attack your own sister and calling yourself Nightmare Moon? You may have been the only pony who could have understood me and what I was forced to do. Possibly even helping me turn back into a unicorn, but no you’re gone and I only have the ruins of their castle they shared to keep me company."
"All the years I spent alone moving from one place to another hasn’t helped me cope with my past that much. My scientific and magical contributions of my past were praised while; I was shunned I wouldn’t be surprised if my name isn’t attached to my work at all. My actions under Discord’s control saw to that, no pony risked being attacked to talk to me. I tried to fight back I tried to use my magic to fight his, the more I fought the stronger his magic became. So it appeared to every pony that I willingly spread his “merriment” across Equestria. All I saw was me being used like a pawn; tormenting, humiliating, beating and enslaving ponies for his enjoyment to the horror of me and every pony else. Until the sisters set me free by defeating Discord and turning him to stone with the Elements of Harmony. I was overwhelmed with different emotions that day I was free at last but at what cost did it come, as a smile streaked across my face. The sisters looked at me they knew who I was, what I have done I couldn’t move I froze in fear of them."
"Thoughts raced through my head. What I did was just as bad as what Discord had done, are they going to turn me to stone as well? Should I plea my case tell them the truth, that I couldn’t control my actions? I was so afraid, so scared and helpless; I’ve never felt so alone in my life. They looked so sad to see me their eyes spoke of regret, and broken hearts. But they just walked away from me my mentor left me without saying a word. I never did find out what they wanted from me, maybe they looked for ways how to turn me back, for that was the last time I ever saw them. Every pony else voiced their opinions calling me Starlight Dragon and other harsh names with their mean and cruel glances. There was no pity for the pony that was used as a pawn by Discord; to every pony I was just as evil as him. I tried to cope, I tried to forget the past, but it was relentless just like the bullies. Begins to sob uncontrollably holding herself and wrapping her wings around herself; after some time has passed she composed herself she continued writing in her diary. I couldn’t stand being at home anymore so I ran as far away from it as my legs and wings would take me; I never gone back since."
"Over the years I spent wandering from place to place I picked up skills that have kept me yearning to learn more. Recently I have begun to study potion brewing could it be the key to ridding me of this dragon blood curse. My test batches that I’ve used on samples of my blood have shown some progress. But the process is hindered, what blood cells is it destroying the pony or the dragon. Destroying the pony blood would be a great disaster no telling what havoc I would cause. I must collect a sample of blood from a pony and or a dragon; the pony would be the easiest to collect but destroying the entire dragon blood sample would be compelling result. I’m not interested in kidnapping a pony, but I bet a hospital would have unicorn blood on hand somewhere in there. It’s going to be hard to sneak in without access to my magic but it would be worth the effort. According to my map the nearest town is Ponyville, I’ll leave at sundown. I’ll get my gear ready to go, pack it into my saddlebags and find my black cloak."
After waiting till sundown she eventually finds her way out of the Everfree Forest standing on its edge with Ponyville in sight. After she calmed herself she entered the town wandering around until she spots the hospital breaks in and takes a blood bag for unicorns. After making a clean escape she returns to the Everfree Forest making her way deep into the forest to her home. As she prepared the latest cure potions ingredients she removes her tattered brown cloak reviling her saddlebags below; carefully removed the blood bag and poured its contents into 2 separate clean plates. Prepared the potion and began to slowly pour the half the potion onto one, the other half she combined with her own blood in a separate dish. She waited for almost an hour before looking at a slide of each sample under her microscope. She carefully noted any changes in the pony blood sample then compared her blood sample to the unicorn sample it matched; she couldn’t see any difference from the slides. She rushed to her diary and began to write.
"Finally tonight I’ve stumbled onto a cure for myself, after all these years I’ve spent alone I might be finally comfortable with showing my face. I know it’s still very risky to experiment on myself but at this point what do I have to lose. Once I collect all the ingredients and the quantities I would need for a full dose I’m going to risk my life for the cure. Whatever my fate will be, I’ve done everything to test it and I’m confident it’s going to work. Tomorrow morning I make my list of what I need to collect, and begin the next chapter of my life. Closing her diary she looks at the moon through the make shift window. Says, “Goodnight Luna” before turning to blow out the candles with her wing and makes herself comfortable to sleep.
She wakes up and tidies up her home cleaning up her experiments and prepares the list for the morning hunt. It took her all day to collect every herb she need flying from place to place all over Equestria. With her saddlebags full of the herbs she took out her map one last time to head home. As soon as she got home she began the brewing process even though she was exhausted from her travels, hope giving her strength. After 2 hours of brewing it changed color indicating it was finally ready. She made a large batch more then she would need for one dose so she began filling bottles till there wasn’t much left. She pours the last bit of the potion into a glass and chugged it down. She could do nothing more but to wait and see if it worked. She wouldn’t have too wait long for about 20 minutes later she developed a nasty coughing fit before blacking out completely. The morning sun shining on her face gently woke starlight to a big surprise. Story by Anastasia N.
Characters Starlight and Scarlet belong to Anastasia N.
Luna, Celestia and Discord belong to Hasbro studios
The Lost Pony Tales of Equestria Vol. 1 Meeting the Crowned Crew of Ponyville Chapter 2 A New Me
We return to Starlight’s home, last night she conducted a dangerous experiment on herself to cure herself of her dragon blood. It’s early morning yet she still lies just where she fell, almost motionless on the floor. The morning sunshine sneaks through her makeshift window slowly creeping its way towards her face. As it reached her face Starlight finally began to stir the sunlight on her face encouraging her to get up. Her movement was sluggish and clumsily she appeared to be in some sort of pain or soreness. She apparently got more then she barged for in that potion. As her vision finally clears and her movements more calculated she sees the damage done to her home. Late last night her coughing fit broke almost all her bottles containing the cure potion, their contents uselessly on the floor turning the dirt to mud. She was covered in this mud she wanted to clean herself up before cleaning up her home. As she took the short walk to the river and began to rinse the mud off her, she realized her scales weren’t shining as she looked closer she realized it was fur. She quickly finished cleaning herself up so she could see herself in her small mirror. Her tears freely fell down her face as she was greeted by a unicorn not a dragon in the mirror, but that feeling fell shortly after she realized it wasn’t all what she had hoped she begins to talk to herself.
“My scales, horns, spikes and wings may be gone but I wasn’t the Starlight I remember. My fur is a deep red just like her scales were; my hair has sliver streaks through the sky-blue hair with its white tips. My cutie mark still was a burning white star being eaten by the flames surrounding it. My eyes are back to normal, more or less. All my scars I got from all the time I been hiding from every pony, I can see them all much clearly now. The ones I got running and hiding from the mobs of angry ponies after me on my front knees. The gash that timber wolf gave me, on my left side almost perfectly centered between my shoulders where my left wing was nearly torn off.” “Sighs, and the one I got not paying attention to where I was going where I fell into thorns leaving a cut through, my right eye. At least I can cover it with my hair now, “my horn is back” she excitedly said, “I wonder if I can still use my magic!”
“My old painting set if the potion didn’t make me Starlight perhaps I could use this blessing to become a new pony. Leave my past in the past live a new life just like I always wanted. Make new friends be myself, enjoy the fun I’ve watched them all have. Finally getting out of this dark and gloomy forest and never come back.” Her levitation magic caused the brushes and oil paints to fly towards her she smiles,
“I still got it. Now what should my new talent and name be? My intelligence is my most admirable trait, but I fear it will create too much attention. Painting I could make everything I would ever need but I’m not very good at it I would make a horrible artist. Singing I have a great voice but, my personally and stage fright would make it hard to earn a living. Potion brewing great so I come across as being even crazier then I already am. Is there any hope for me now I thought of everything I’ve ever learned and they all seem so risky? Wait a moment I’ve never tried writing, I take detailed notes already how hard can it be to weave that into a story.”
She paints an average looking book on the right side with an open scroll and quill on its left, mirroring it onto the other side perfectly covering her real cutie mark.
“Now with that settled what am I gonna call myself now,” after a great deal of time thinking of names, “I’ll call myself Scarlet. Scarlet, it’s perfect I won’t need new bags or have that much trouble memorizing my name. Now, how will I make my first story so I can start earning some money to move out of this gloom forest and start my new life? I got my diary, and the ruined castle library mentioned a legend of Starlight Dragon being alive. That’s it write a book on the truth behind the Legend of Starlight Dragon using the book in the castle library, and my diary. I bet the castle still got some supplies I can use to make some copies of the book. It will be compelling, emotional and a mystery book it’s gonna at least be a good starting point for me. I’ll write it like an old pony tale the origins of Starlight’s Dragon Blood just like the Mare in the Moon.”
Moments later Starlight I mean Scarlet, left to collect what she could from the ruins of the castle. Returning laden with supplies and a dusty old book she got to work. Handwriting each page and drawing illustrations took time and a steady hoof. But Starlight or should I say Scarlet never backed down from the challenge driven by the possibility in her future she makes 13 copies of The Legend of Starlight Dragon. She eagerly and carefully packed them into her bags.
“I’ll be lucky if even a few of them sell right away, but maybe it’s the key to how I’m gonna fit in. I’m going to have to find a way to sell them faster though if I plan on getting anywhere as a writer. I just might make some friend tomorrow when I head into Ponyville for the first time in daylight. But I can’t shake this dark feeling in my chest it’s probably just my nerves. Its best I get some sleep tonight got a big day planned for tomorrow.”
Waking with the morning sun Scarlet prepared to head out of the Everfree Forest into Ponyville for the first time in sunlight putting on her tattered bags and torn cloak. She nervously left home and started making her way to Ponyville being careful not to bump into anything to avoid damaging the books. She was now on the forest edge after a long hike.
“I’ve watched these ponies run about their lives from this spot, now I’m gonna experience its wonders in the daylight leaving this spot behind.” She was shy and quite nervous avoiding contact with ponies till she realized that she was hopelessly lost. A desperate Scarlet asked a nearby pony,“Where is the bookstore?”
The pony she asks is a female pegasus with an eggshell white coat, her hair is dark green with yellow highlights, and her eyes are orange. Her black hooves stand out much like her cutie mark an atom with its electron’s spinning around its center. She replied to Scarlet while looking oddly at her covered in the cloak, “Not from around here are you?”
Scarlet replies, ”No not really, it’s my first time being here.” The pony asks, “Why don’t you take that cloak off and show your beautiful face.” Scarlet slowly removes her cloak from her head. “There u go, can u see better now?”
Scarlet asks her, “How does that help me find the bookstore?” The pony simply replied, “Makes you seem less out of place, and you want 3rd shop on the left side of the street.” The pony left Scarlet with a small smile after Scarlet realized what happens she thanked the pony for her help.
After entering the store and talking to the pony there she convinced him to display and attempt to sell 12 copies the last copy she would keep for herself. He would sell her books for her keeping 50% of the sale for himself and 50% for her at 6 bitts each copy. He set the price her work it was well constructed and beautifully illustrated in his words, “A perfect presentation of a story from unknown pony.” After he learned that she wasn’t living there and he would set up a delivery of payment to her in return for more copies if these ones would sell. He would be willing to pay 5 bitts for each additional copy of her book and wanted to see any of her future works. The upbeat Scarlet spent the morning wandering around Ponyville writing things down in her beaten up notebook. When the pony from this morning sat down beside her, Scarlet noticed her and bashfully looked back at her notes.
The pony introduced herself, “My name is Inertia and your name is?” “It’s Scarlet” not even looking up from her notes.
“Your absorbed by that notebook of yours writing another story?” Inertia asked. “How did you know I wrote a story?” Scarlet looked at her quite puzzled.
“I didn’t you just told me cheeky smile; I bet it’s good though you’re shy, probably not foolish.” Inertia asks Scarlet, “Where are you from you don’t seem to be from around here?” Scarlet replied “I’m not sure I’ve spent my entire life moving from one place to another that why my stuff so tattered and torn. I can’t even remember how I even got my cutiemark let alone my parents. My childhood is a blank page but I’ve never let it bother me much. My adventures made me strong and wise and that’s the way I like it to remember my past.”
Inertia was speechless for a moment the replied, “You’re really good at telling stories and probably good at writing them too. You had me on the edge of my seat even though it started out sounding sad; you proved that you’re not bothered by your past in fact your strengthened by it.” Scarlet said, “How very analyzing you are of my story must be a good scientist judging from your cutie mark.”
Inertia sadly looked at her hooves and said, “No not really no pony takes my ideas, or experiments seriously. But you should stay in Ponyville for a little while the Summer Sun Celebration is just a week away and being held here you could see the princess raise the sun, gotta go see you later Scarlet.” “Um Bye?” Scarlet replies as Inertia walks away. “In a week there’s no way any of my books will sell by soon ok maybe one but that won’t pay for much. I’ve gotta come up with a way to make money here faster or else I won’t be able to stay in town. Instantly it hits her use a little showmanship and tell the stories in the book in a brief and visual way she might get collect some donations and promote my book. A little magic blended with my Alchemy skills hopefully creates a compelling and interesting visual story telling of The Legend of Starlight Dragon.”
Scarlet returns the next morning her bags were full again as she brought what she need for her show that morning. Last night she created a powder that when manipulated with small amounts of magic would create vivid illustrations of what is spoken. She sets up shop right beside town hall to gain the most attention she set her book up on the railing using her now empty bags to keep it from falling. She removed her cloak and began to try and draw a crowd by saying,
“Come one come all, to see and hear a story brought to life like never before. The show is free I only ask for donations to help a pony live out her dream.”
She repeated this several times before she almost gave up till a little earth pony colt came to her and asked her if she was still gonna tell the story.
“Of course I do but I have a question for you little philly, does some pony know where you are?”
The young pony replied, “Ya my brother and sister are here running errands and shopping I asked to see what I was hearing and they let me.”
Scarlet replies, “I didn’t want to lead ponies astray but if you say its ok they know you’re safe it’s time for me to weave you a story in a way never seen or heard before.”
“I’ll begin right away; all I ask is you not to be afraid.” As Scarlet uncorks the first bottle of the powder and shakes it airborne she began to weave a story for this lucky philly. Her rather loud but gentle voice was heard clearly over the morning rabble. “Long ago in a place just like this, a unicorn named Starlight lived in dark and hopeless times. For attempting to bring light and peace into this chaos she was stricken with a powerful curse.”
With the words she spoke the story came to life in the powder, the philly silently watched almost entranced.
“The once kind and caring pony became a cold and heartless dragon pony who feasted on little ponies just like you.”
The philly screamed in terror as the powder flew towards her in the shape of a dragon pony just before it reaches her, the powder suddenly returns to Scarlet.
“The pony with dragon’s blood, Starlight Dragon tormented ponies and frightened of all ages. Till one day the sisters brought harmony to Equestria defeating her dark master. Her curse followed her even with his demise. She was shamed and horrified for what she had done under his control, the broken Starlight Dragon, fearful of retaliation fled Equestria and NEVER RETUREND.”
With telling her shortened version of the story she swipes the dust out and away from her face and says, “The End.”
But it was her that was surprised for not just one pony cheered at the story but several did. Unseen by her as she weaved the powder into images more ponies joined in watching the show. A rather eager pony in the crowd asked if she had any more stories. Her initial shock that was easily seen across her face was replaced with a smile.
“Certainly”, Scarlet said more confident than before, “More details I have hidden away for more stories today, but first a short intermission.” For all ponies to see my show here is twofold to get this, scarlet levitates her book for all to see, a little helpful advertisement as this is my first book only available here in Ponyville. Secondly I performed it hopeful of a few donations to help a pony fulfill her dreams of living in Ponyville instead of wondering from place to place and create more books. As I have said before the show is free, and I’m thankful to all of you for hearing my stories and grateful for any pony who donates any amount to help me out.” “With that behind us, on with the show” Scarlet loudly and happily said.
Scarlet did her story telling from morning till early evening after her last story she packed up her things she looked quite exhausted. She wandered into the shop she knew had book-making supplies after getting something to eat. The clerk behind the counter noticed her items a typewriter, 13 quills 20 book covers, 2 bundles of paper, and inks of many colors enough supplies to make 20 copies of her book.
She says, “My I think I see a blossoming writer, first book on its way?” Scarlet tiredly replies “no supplies to make more copies of my first book.”
She says, “We also specialize in restoration, book binding and reproduction of books.”
“Sorry” Scarlet replies exchanging her money for the supplies, “I wouldn’t be able to afford to have someone else do it plus I like the connection with the story and its quality.”
She packs her bags with the supplies and levitates the typewriter all the way home surrounded with a white aura. After unpacking her bag and setting down her typewriter on the table she pulls her cloak over her like a blanket and falls asleep. She intended to return to town in 3 days producing ten copies a day in order to fill the projected sales. The next morning she painted all the covers and drew the illustrations she then began handwriting the story over and over again. One day later it was almost over 19 copies completed, and all she had to do was write the story one last time on the pre-illustrated papers following her master copy…
The Legend of Starlight Dragon
Based upon a true story
Written by Scarlet
According to the stories passed from generation to generation and from written accounts dating far into the past. Tell the tale of the origins of the organization and early documentation of the stars and planets. The result of a unicorn with the encouragement and guidance of her mentor, she became driven to discover the great power hidden within her. Led by her confidence and curiosity she would create a powerful spell that shocked many. That would unfortunately brought her to the feet of the most powerful creature of her time, who's dark magic left her with a evil and powerful curse. That came to change her forever, turning a once kind and considerate pony into a cold and ruthless monster.
With so many different versions of the story out it’s about time I share the true story and full story of the Starlight Dragon. We must go back in time, back before the sisters brought harmony to Equestria. A time when Discord the spirit of chaos and disharmony, controlled all of Equestria. Born into these dark times was a young unicorn named Starlight, she was a rather curious little filly with her head constantly in the clouds. She was born with a Shimmering silver coat her mane and tail was a brilliant sky-blue with white faded tips. Her eyes were a bright blue; sadly she hid half of her face with the way she kept her mane. She was a smart, kind, independent, considerate and often outspoken philly by all accounts. She wasn’t a popular filly as she lacked her cutie mark, other ponies often picked on her and with the times no one put a stop to it. Obviously it wasn’t easy to make friends if you’re being picked on a lot but she did have a few, just none her age. Unlike many ponies that haven’t earned their cutie mark it really didn’t bother her she knew it would come eventually. But it did motivate her to try many things she never done before.
As she tried more and more things, she became driven not just to try, but to excel at anything she saw as worth trying. As we should all know it’s not always such a good thing that you push yourself to try to earn a name for yourself, let alone a cutie mark. The countless hours she spent alone toying with things far away from home in a lab she put together herself. Pushing what ponies were willing to accept in fields of magic and general knowledge. Her next big idea was to study the night sky and she came to learn of an alicorn whom we know now as Princess Luna, who shared in her interest of the night sky. Starlight sought Luna out and began asking her questions relating to what she knew about the night. Seeing the young pony’s interest she smiled and became a mentor to her. After a while Luna began to notice how Starlight has become obsessed with the few stars in the random and short night sky. Drawing maps of them fascinated by the way they dance across the sky. Luna urged Starlight to be weary of the dangers of Discord discovering her if she pushed too far. However, this warning fell on deaf ears; as she began work on a spell that she would cast every night that slowly was going to equal out the night and day. Her first casting caused her cutie mark to appear a shooting white star with blue centered lines and faded yellow contrails. After her excitement was contained she quickly began to draw the stars for didn’t have long to study the night.
2 years have passed Luna, fearing for Starlight’s safety, asked her older sister Celestia what to do? Celestia responds “There isn’t much we can do Luna, but warn her to be aware of the dangers. There was more work to be done to find the elements of harmony to combat Discord, and bring harmony to Equestria. I hope we find them before more suffer from his wrath.” As the young Starlight grew up her magical abilities and her confidence grew with her. Sadly no pony knew of Starlight’s true plans not only was she extending the night. She was trying to organize the stars and planets setting the way they would move. She needed to keep it quite no one could know, not many even watch the stars who would notice if she didn’t tell a soul. As she is making final preparations for her final spell, Luna’s warning drifted into her mind. She shrugged "No one noticed yet why they would now." The final spell she cast lit up the sky with a beam of bright light. As her spell forced night to roll in thousands of stars slowly began to appear. A beautiful moonless night the longest there has ever been, but it wasn’t going to be seen for some time for it wasn’t meant to be.
Starlight weakened by the spell she cast looked at her handy work but as she drank it in everything was about to change. This time someone did notice and it wasn’t just Luna a brief flash of light appeared behind her, a figure walks to her side. She knew this figure well as Discord and he wasn’t amused with her meddling in his “glorious night”. He would make a decision that changed her life forever, to make an example of this rebel pony. Greatly weakened by her spell she barely was able to run out of the lab, but she wouldn't make it far. This event was witnessed from a distance by Luna, who could do nothing but watch the horror unfold before her. He lifted her off the ground with his magic and began to surround her with it, she began to scream in fear and terror before it covered her completely silencing her briefly. Seeing a red dragon flying by he smiled as he plucked it from the sky combining the dragon with Starlight. After a minute he dropped the magical cocoon to watch her change, to enjoy his handy work. With cries of pain her beautiful mane falls out, replaced with sharp blue spikes growing out of her neck and head. Her tail slowly became solid gaining flesh as spikes grew out on the top of the tail all the way down. Her once shining silver coat became scarlet before scarlet colored scales grew painfully out from head to tail. Her horn disappeared completely in to her body replaced with a line of 4 spikes just above each of her darkening now teal colored eyes that became dragon like in appearance. Finally apparently flickering on the edge of consciousness, wings like a dragon's shot out just behind her front shoulders their membranes were black as night. She could not take anymore she finally blacks out, as Discord's cruel laughter was heard. All the changes forced upon her causing her great pain that created the piercing bloodcurdling screams heard that terrible night.
As she awoke she wished it was a bad dream but she noticed the changes that happened to her. Her mind is broken, still in pain, she realizes not just her appearance has changed but even her cutiemark has changed. The star appeared to be burning the edges of the white star darkened by flames licking around the star appearing to be consuming it. Discord who had waited for her to wake informed her of his plan. “You have gone against me destroying my hard work but I have plans for you. I have you fix what you did and help me spread my merriment across Equestria. My little dragon pet you will serve me until the end of time.” He used the existing darkness in her heart, he fueled it to the point where it over took her corrupting her soul and mind. She willing went out of her way tormenting, abusing and enslaving ponies of all ages, she was even seen to be smiling as she did it, to Discord’s pleasure.
That was until the sisters defeated Discord with the elements and sealed him in stone 4 years later witnessing him being turned to stone. She was seen with tears coming from her dark teal eyes and a grin from ear to ear, a rather terrifying and evil smile with her razor sharp teeth and muscular jaw. As the sisters glanced over to her the smile fell from her face, as their confident glance brought Starlight expression fear. Starlight flew away from them that day, as all Equestria rallied behind the sisters. The darkness he fed to her disappeared, as a result her eyes and scales slightly lightened in color. Her eyes changed from dark teal to a lighter shade, dried-blood red to scarlet. She wandered around town broken, fearful, and hated by all those around her. As time passed Starlight never returned to her former self the Starlight they knew, the Starlight Luna knew was gone. The sisters now had to decide her fate as ponies demanded justice; it has been a year since they beat Discord. Starlight’s crimes were equal to Discords too many ponies who suffered from her wrath. But the sisters, mainly Luna knew it was discord's magic to blame but, they also weren’t willing to risk her releasing Discord. But before they could act Starlight just vanished, they couldn’t find her anywhere. Many years will pass before the discovery of her hidden lab and what it contained created a legend. Not only were there papers that Luna knew Starlight had created but there were others, charts depicting the current night sky and a tattered diary signed by Starlight Dragon. No pony knows for sure where they were taken after being discovered, but its information was published with Luna’s orders though many may have stolen Starlight’s work claiming it to be their own. The final location of all her work disappeared in a week after its discovery although many believe it was a hoax to continue her being hunted down.
As no pony is sure if she ever addressed herself as Starlight Dragon before disappearing, and I’m not sure she did, the royal records also never mentioned it. It would be odd for her to take a name that was being used to belittle her, as her true name. What continues to fascinate ponies of all ages is that Starlight is rumored to be sometimes seen on the edge of the Everfree Forest to this day. Some ponies have tried to connect Starlight to a shy brown cloaked, red furred pony with a glowing teal blue eye the other covered. But it was seen once and appeared to be a dragon’s eye. Some believe that Discord’s magic finally wearing off created this pony, a shadow of her former self. As no one has spoken to them they always disappear if someone gets near them. I even stumbled across a possible prophecy relating to Starlight. “With the return of darkness and chaos unrivaled, at the return of her dark master, the dragon shall rise again serving her master once more.” Whether you’re a believer or a skeptic in the Legend of the Starlight Dragon after hearing the story, if she is in fact still alive after all these years of living in isolation. Is it possible that she lives alone hiding in fear not just from us? Trying to hide from her dark and miserable past that likely haunts her, seeking the forgiveness for all her evil deeds. Or is she waiting for the right moment of weakness to free Discord and continue to spread Discord’s “merriment” across Equestria under his leadership. Whatever you believe sometimes the answers are right in front of you, waiting to be found by someone willing to look in the right places.
With the last words written the last copy was complete, she quickly bonded it to its cover, binding all its pages together neatly. She smiled as it joined the others in her bags ready to go into Ponyville the next day. She went to sleep happy that her work was complete. Unknown to her, a pony wearing a cloak wanders the edge of the Everfree Forest, looking for the pony that legend spoke of.
Story created by Anastasia Newman
Characters Starlight and Scarlet belong to Anastasia N.
Luna, Celestia and Discord belong to Hasbro studios
The Lost Pony Tales of Equestria Vol. 1 Meeting The Crowned Crew of Ponyville
Chapter 4 Special Delivery
We enter Ponyville’s Post Office alive with its morning buzz as messengers, delivery ponies and mail sorters show up for work. We meet a male delivery pegasus packing his large saddlebags full of this morning deliveries, his name is Special Delivery. Dressed in his postal uniform a light gray short sleeve shirt with the company logo, a flying envelope on its right sleeve. He also wears a hat but his hat isn’t a company policy, his hat is blue messenger cap with his cute mark on the front and his name monogrammed on its right side. His saddlebags have his name monogrammed just above his cutie mark on each side. His outfit the result of working at the Cloudsdale post office before moving to Ponyville. His cutie mark is a cardboard box with a letter sitting on the edge of its taped lid, with white pegasus wings. His black coat, red messy mane and tail with his light brown eyes make him appear menacing but if you really know him he is a kind and considerate pony. But his initial shyness and clumsiness often gets the wrong attention, leading some ponies to avoid him. Lets take a closer look shall we,
Special Delivery is talking to himself as he packs the last box into his bag. “I’m in for a short days work today, 6 letters, 3 small packages. Hello this one is for my sis… Finally I have an excuse to visit her today. What’s this?” A posted job for locating and delivering a package to a unicorn named Scarlet from the bookshop keeper Haiden. “Looks easy enough, hey boss get anyone to do this run for you yet?” His boss Artrell (Art-rell) a male brown pegasus with tan hair and compass as his cutie mark responds to him, “Nope you’re the first one that got posted today, guess you want to give it a try.” He picks up the flat box handing it to Special Delivery who looks it over before packing it in his bag. “Try not to lose this one this time alright, look I pay you extra if you deliver it on time to her. But good luck finding her got no information about where she lives or if she is returning to Ponyville soon.” “Don’t worry boss I be careful with the boxes and letters, I’m feeling really good about today.” “Just try and keep them from getting broken that’s all I ask of you speedy.” As Speedy left a shady griffon gestures guide him to her, her gray and white body hiding in the morning shadows. Speedy asks her “who are you?” “My name is Seenta, I heard your looking for some pony. I might know a thing or two about that but it will cost you a bit, my information is worth the price.” Speedy pulls out a bit from a small pouch on his bag, and hands it to her. “A wise choice, the pony you seek left town two days ago late in the night. She bought supplies to make copies for a book of hers planning on returning in a day or two. I also know she is not the pony pacing the edge of the forest that’s a different story entirely.” Speedy asks her, “Then who is pacing the edge of the forest?” “That would cost you another bit Speedy” she replies with a smile. He left to continue making his morning rounds he was more confused then when he started this mornings rounds.
“Speedy my nickname, my fast but clumsy flying earned me that name just gotta keep positive and fly good today. My deliveries got me going to Cloudsdale first for 2 packages the rest is in Ponyville should be easy. Gotta remember to keep my eyes open for this Scarlet pony, unicorn, red coat, sky-blue hair with silver streaks, teal eyes, and a scroll beside a standing book and quill cute mark.” Speedy flies to Cloudsdale on his way there and back he scans looking for Scarlet on the ground. He spends all morning looking for her heading back to Ponyville for lunch and to finish his daily rounds. His favorite place to eat lunch is at Chineigh Café, a crossover between Asian food and local favorite dishes. Run by a unicorn named Rice Chop with the help of his wife and employees. Speedy is greeted at the door by Cali, Rice Chop’s head waitress a orange coat earth pony with blue hair kept up in a bun and wearing her waitress uniform. She seats him at chef Fire Dancer table, as she takes his order he asks her “have you seen a unicorn named Scarlet?” she replies, “Looking for your date, Speedy? Sadly no I haven’t, name does ring a bell.” Speedy sighs and says, “No Cali, I’m looking for her to deliver her something and no one can find her, or point me to where she is.” “Calm down Speedy, no need to get all worked up a good lunch will help put your mind at ease. If I remember right Scarlet is a writer perhaps some of the shopkeepers will know about her.” Cali gives Speedy a reassuring smile just before she walks away. With his stomach full he takes off and quickly delivers the remaining mail to its proper owners. “Sis likes to close shop early so I better hurry up before she locks up and hits the town. Haven’t seen her since I moved to Ponyville a few weeks ago. I have to find this Scarlet before the summer sun celebration or I could kiss that bonus goodbye. I really need this bonus this time, bills are pilling up and rent is due. There it is that one griffon that said he saw her heading into the Everfree Forest two days ago, I don’t think its true. Finally Bubbles’s Oddities, sis’s shop.”
Speedy does his best landing of the day only to trip over his bag as he walks inside and knocking some items off of his sister’s display. “Speedy been a while, nice to see Ponyville hasn’t changed you” Bubbles says, as she comes up the stairs into the main floor of her shop. Bubbles, Special Delivery’s half sister her being an earth pony, and the fact they weren’t really related never bother them much. Bubbles teal blue coat, her messy purple hair with lime green tips, lime green eyes and her cutie mark was 5 bubbles. Her shop has a bit of everything though she works mainly as a bookbinder, selling odds and ends as well. “How’s living in Ponyville compare to living in Cloudsdale bro? Work been good to ya Speedy?” He replies, “Its nice to be living closer to you sis you’re the only family I’ve got left, and work is taking some getting use to crashing up in the clouds is different from crashing into the ground.” “Flying still giving you trouble that’s why you moved to Cloudsdale to get flight lessons and a job where you could stretch your wings?” Speedy replies with his head down, “Didn’t go as planned I was too old for flight school, and no one was willing to teach me. I’m looking for a job that will keep me on the ground but I’m no more graceful here then in the sky sis. My boss is furious with me I keep losing or damaging packages I keep this up I wont have a job, or a place to stay.” “Speedy there is no need for all that negativity of yours, there’s always a silver lining. By the way did you bring me my delivery?”
“So sis, heard of a pony named Scarlet?” Speedy asks as he hands Bubbles, her package. “Yes I’ve heard of her Speedy, but I haven’t seen her since the storytelling day 2 days ago. Why do you need to find her?” Speedy replies, “Got a delivery for her, and no one seen her anywhere.” “There is that rumor that she in the Everfree Forrest probably just studying its wildlife they seen her go to the edge every night she got to be camped out somewhere. The summer sun celebration is in 4 days I don’t think she miss a chance like that to promote her book.” “That’s just it sis I need to find her before the summer sun celebration to get the bonus boss promised.” “I’m jealous of you speedy you get to meet and talk to the newest writing star, maybe I get to meet her too have her sign my copy of her book.” “All I have is her description to go off of, I don’t know if I can pull it off before the celebration now.” Bubbles hands him the copy of the book she just unwrapped “Here this is her, she put a self portrait in her book. Time flies when your having fun you should head home Speedy its not safe to fly at night.” As they both hug and say their goodbyes for a moment the distance between them disappeared.
As speedy flies home, Scarlet has finished binding the last copy of her book deep in the Everfree Forest where she calls home. She packs her saddlebags full of her books she leaves her brown and black cloaks behind. She begins to hike back to the edge of the Forrest where she had stashed camping supplies in a small cave near Ponyville. Planning on camping out the edge of the forest Scarlet collected her supplies and set up camp. Speedy had made a detour flying the edge of the forest spotting a unicorn setting up a campsite on its edge. In his excitement he crashes right into the unicorn knocking her to the ground separating her saddlebags from her. Speedy nervously asks, “Oh no, are you alright?” Scarlet answers him, “Yes I’m alright, why are you flying this late isn’t it dangerous to fly this late?” “Yes but, I’m looking for someone for a urgent delivery is your name Scarlet?” Speedy asks as he helps her pick up the saddlebags contents, her scatted books. Scarlet hesitated for a moment, “Yes my name is Scarlet, but perhaps we should wait till morning, tonight the moon isn’t going to rise completely into the night sky. You should stay here tonight be way too dangerous to fly.” Speedy replies, “You really think its gonna be that dark that you shouldn’t travel tonight and you wouldn’t mind me staying here tonight?” “Of course its no trouble, I’m about to get the fire started so you know who I am what’s your name?” “My name is Special Delivery, but you can just call me Speedy everyone does.” “Well, Speedy it’s a pleasure to meet you, but im tired after traveling today I see you in the morning. Keep the fire going till your ready to sleep, it will be very dark tonight. Good night.”
We return to the edge of the Everfree Forest where Scarlet, and Speedy are camping out the moonless night. As the sun begins to rise Scarlet begins to stir lets see what she is up to so early. She is cleaning up camp from last night stashing the supplies in her hiding spot. Cooking up some hot tea with her magic enough for herself and Speedy. “Oh my you must like sleeping in Speedy, well sadly for you it’s time to wake up.” All of a sudden a Dragon like roar shakes Equestria,“RAAAARRRR.” Scarlet uses her dragon roar to wake him up, a deep raspy roar spreads across Equestria. Speedy wakes up terrified just like any pony that was trying to sleep in this morning.
Speedy asks Scarlet, He is breathing rather quickly sweat beads and slides down his face, “What, was that?” She replies, “We are on the edge of the Everfree Forest Speedy, it could have been any creature that calls that place home. Perhaps we should get to business so what did you bring me.” “Special Delivery for Scarlet, this box and this bag were sent by the Ponyville Bookshop’s keeper Haiden,” Speedy replies handing her the box and bag. “This order is much larger then I expected, 70 copies before the summer sun festival. It took me two days to make 20 copies and I have 3 days to fill his order. I never be able to make that many on my own, I should at least get these 20 copies to him. Hey Speedy want to make a detour from your normal route this morning, and drop these off? I am happy to pay for your trouble.” Speedy smiles, “Sure, I be happy to take them in for you, and I have an idea on how your gonna make those 50 copies in time.”
As Speedy and Scarlet make their way into town, they begin to make a working relationship. He would become her go to delivery specialist, to help her books spread in turn giving Speedy his much needed extra work. “Here we are Scarlet, Bubbles’s Oddities the shop I was telling you about.” Scarlet replies, “You’re sure this is a bookbinding shop Speedy, it doesn’t look like one?” Speedy looks back at her as he was preparing to fly to work. "Ya, I very sure it is I deliver stuff to this shop every once in awhile. Don’t be such a shy pony, the owner Bubbles is very friendly and I’ve known her for a few years. All you need to do is to go inside and talk to her about making copies of your book, don’t worry. Anyway I have to head into work maybe I see you later Scarlet.” With that he flew away off to work and delivering her books. Starlight gather her nerves and opened the door, a bell rings as she enters. There’s stuff here that I’m not even sure what it does, stacked on shelves and stacked on display boards. “Can I help you miss?” Bubbles begins screaming like a fan girl, “You're Scarlet, can I have you’re autograph!? You can sign my copy of your book!” Scarlet was quite surprised and shocked by Bubbles’s reaction to seeing her. “Ok, I sign it give it here." “Oh thank you Scarlet, I forgot my manors I’m Bubbles. What brings you to my shop this morning?”
Scarlet replies, “I need to have some copies made of my book as soon as possible. A pegasus named Special Delivery told me you’re an excellent bookbinder and guided me to your shop.” Bubbles replies, “Ah so how many copies do you need made and when do you need them done?” Scarlet answers, “I need 50 copies before the summer sun festival.” “Well no wonder you need help Scarlet, that’s a lot for one pony to make. Lets get started shall we follow me.” Scarlet nervously follows her into the basement of her shop. She soon finds herself in a room full of strange machines dimly lit from lights hanging from the rafters. ”Here we are Scarlet, the text I easily can produce with the presses I have, but your illustrations require using plates one for each color. I could have them made but it would cost 30 bits to have them done, and they wont be ready in time. But after that each copy will cost you 2 bits per copy to make.” Scarlet removes her saddlebags but not her cloak with her magic, a white aura guides its movement. She then pauses to think rubbing her chin as she thinks about what they could do. “ I have an idea Bubbles you order the plates, and I’ll illustrate the books till their ready.” Bubbles smiles and replies, “Alright I’ll prepare the order for the plates why don’t you get started drawing, the paper is under the desk there.” After a short amount of time Bubbles returns and gets to work, right beside Scarlet. She admires Scarlet’s talents, and the two of them get 10 copies before a loud crash is heard from above. The two head up to investigate the noise.
“Special Delivery?” Scarlet seemed amazed to see him again. ”Here are your packages, Scarlet! Ready to go for lunch sis?” Scarlet was dumbfounded, not only was Speedy there again but they were siblings. “Oh no, he just doubled his order from 50 to 100 copies but he paid for it again in advance. I don’t think even with my magic I can illustrate 100 copies in that short of a time.” Bubbles walks to her side and says, “We figure out something Scarlet, but lunch does sound good would you like to join us?” “Thank you Bubbles," she levitates her saddlebags onto herself. “ Like you said lunch sounds good and it would be a great chance to see the town again.” “Speedy why don’t you fly ahead and reserve a table for us all at your favorite restaurant.” Speedy replies, “Ok I see you guys there, don’t take too long getting there.”
Scarlet asks Bubbles as they walk to the restaurant, “Do you really think we can still pull this off somehow?” Bubbles does her best to be positive, “Yes its still possible, we just have to come up with a new plan and work hard. Those plates will speed up production in 3 days, we will make as many as we can till then. You’re a gifted writer and a good storyteller you should be ecstatic you so successful.” “I know but it happened so fast I still can’t believe it. I mean it feels like, one day I was wondering Equestria roads and trails alone searching for my place in this world. The very next day the story that kept me awake on moonless nights would be what makes me special. What every pony would want from me making it possible to settle down finally. I’m slowly getting use to staying in one place, and not having to struggle to survive each and every night.” Bubbles hugs Scarlet, “You’re never going to be alone Scarlet in this town, I’ll be here for you. My brother and I know what it feels like to be in your shoes. Your going to be fine Scarlet, your kind and considerate just like me. I can’t see anyone not liking you, just be true to yourself and to your friends.” Scarlet glances down at her hooves tears rolling down her face. What bubbles said really got to Scarlet, she was being true to her nature but she also was living a lie. Covering her true self much like wearing a mask, hiding who she really is behind a painted cutie mark. She hides her other scars with a cloak and her mane but they still reminded her of her past. She could also still feel the dragon’s power and it’s growing inside of her each day it was a matter of time before it would come out once again. She would put every pony around her in danger if her dragon side took over her body again. Scarlet wiped the tears from her eyes and looked at Bubbles. “Your right Bubbles, I’m just letting the stress get the best of me, you really want to be my friend?”
“Of course Scarlet, and I bet Speed would like to be your friend too. I bet a good lunch and some company will put your mind at ease, and luckily we’re here.”
Scarlet and Bubbles are standing outside The Chineigh Café, a small restaurant owned and run by a local chef. As Bubbles enters, she gestures Scarlet to follow her. Poor Scarlet wasn’t prepared for this a lot of ponies were there for lunch today, and she wasn’t comfortable being in a crowd like this. Bubbles could see she wasn’t handling things well and went to find the owner Rice Chop. Rice Chop is a unicorn with indigo blue coat with dark pink hair with yellow streaks. Yellow eyes with feminine like long eye lashes topped off with a white chef hat his hair sticking out of his hat base.He follows Bubbles back to Scarlet weaving through the crowd. “So this is Scarlet pleasure to have you in my restaurant my name is Rice Chop. Your friend Speedy booked a table for you ladies, but I would rather have you sit at my private table. So I can personally meet the pony my wife adores, I haven’t had a chance to read it myself. Quite the gift you have Scarlet, Scarlet blushes. Now ladies follow me I take you to my table in the dinning area.” Scarlet replies, “Thank you sir, but may I ask you a question?” “Yes what’s on your mind?” “Its I've never seen a cutie mark like that before.” “Well, Scarlet that there is a egg roll, beside a mango with a California Roll sitting on top of the mango.” “Lets get you ladies some lunch shall we, follow me try to keep close.”
As Rice Chop, Bubbles and Scarlet weave through the restaurant she begins to admire the subtle beauty of it. Its white walls with red beams, beautiful landscape paintings hang from the walls. Eastern style lanterns hang from the beams casting a warm orange light. The dinning area has 8 Hibachi Tables surrounding Rice Chop’s private table, separated from the others with paper walls. Each table sits 7 hungry ponies while a skilled chef cooks your meal before your eyes. In Rice Chop’s booth Speedy was already waiting, “There you girls are I’m starving. What took you girls so long?” Scarlet blushes and hides her face, Bubbles replies. “We had a little issue getting here, I took the wrong turn and I got distracted.” The 3 order their meals with Cali they continue to bond, as Rice Chop expertly prepares their meals before them. They enjoy each others company as Scarlet and Bubbles put together a plan to get the books done. Scarlet will give her magic a shot at creating the plates they need. As the group enjoys each other company for about an hour before they get to the point of saying their goodbyes. Scarlet and bubbles return to the shop, and Speedy finishes his daily rounds.
As night falls Scarlet leaves for home, “Could my dreams really have come true after all these years? Making friends, living out of the shadows, is this really real? But I know I’m hiding from my true destiny, I feel the darkness rising in me how long can I hide the dragon within. How long can I keep it from my friends, I'll have to tell them someday I just know when.”
We leave Ponyville and a map reveals Canterlot our next focus as the map comes to life. Late in the morning light the royal castle comes into view, and we find a few of the royal guards standing in line. But in the line 4 stand out from the rest, the captain of the royal guard and 3 younger guards with oddly colored armor. The royal guard elite scouts, the toughest guards in the entire army. The hardest positions to get into, they wear custom colored armors bearing Celestia’s day guard star. The rookie, Blue Flame a unicorn with blue eyes and hair with a gray coat wearing brown armor. The wise, Wolf an earth pony brown coat light blue eyes and brown hair he wears green armor. Finally the mysterious, Silver Fall a pegasus wearing blacked out royal armor. His metallic gray coat purple tipped wings, white hair and blue eyes with a falling meteor cutie mark.
Shinning Armor the captain of the guard is drilling his troops, “Silver Fall, Blue Flame, and Wolf you may wear their armor but you haven’t earned my respect yet. So before I make full use of your talents, I have one last challenge of your skills. Silver Fall, you may have led them to this point but your under my command now. Your squad needs to operate alone if necessary and I need to know that they can make logical decisions on their own. You have any problem with this cadet?” “No Sir.” Silver Fall replies without looking at him. “That’s good sergeant, your order is to follow my sister Twilight Sparkle she is a student of Celestia’s and lives here in Canterlot. You’re not to been seen by any pony, but your to track her for 3 days and report directly to me your findings. Private Wolf, you’re to break into the castle and steal a scroll from the library. Private Blue Flame, its time you’re given some leadership you’re going to drill the other cadets until your squad mates complete their tasks. Do you all understand your tasks cadets?” The 3 reply, “SIR YES SIR.” “Then fallout and prep for your assignments. Squad dismissed!” As the cadets return to their rooms they remained silent till Silver Fall breaks the silence. “He has us doing what we were not trained to do me following and tracking that’s your training Wolf. Blue Flame has the infiltration mastery, and I was selected for leadership.” Wolf answers him with his usual wisdom; “He is testing us as individuals, addressing our weakest skills as we were able to rely on each other during training.” Silver Fall sighs, “Lets do our best we can guys or our elite rank will be gone, squad good luck and move out.”
As the three separate Silver Fall takes off heading towards the royal library all the guards know his armor know his face. He needs to make use of the shadows but he wasn’t the best he made his armor black to help him blend in the night sky. Not usually doing the scouting he relied on Wolf for that so now he had to crash course himself in tracking and blending in. “There she is Twilight Sparkle, that’s your sister Shinning Armor? What makes her so special to be an apprentice of Princess Celestia? She just sitting there reading a book and yet your big brother is the captain of the guard. This is going to be easier then I thought she's not bothering to look around. Completely absorbed in her book there is she just going to sit there and read all day? This is going to be a long three days if this keeps up… sigh. Guess I should follow her home tonight, best not to get too close or else the Captain will catch me. Ok relax I’ll get some sleep and be ready early the next morning.”
Meanwhile, Wolf is using the cover of night to make his infiltration. With some quick movements he unlocks an unguarded window pulling himself up. He had traded out his armor for a much better stealth gear. Waiting for a guard to pass so he could knock him out and take his armor and keys. “This is too easy, and I failed this course in training. Now where did you leave your keys? What no keys I forgot unicorns use magic. Still every lock has a key I still have some lock picking skills. Breaking into the Star Swirl wing to steal a scroll, to prove my skills I got off easy. Silver Fall has to track, and poor Blue Flame he is way too shy to lead.”
As Silver Fall falls asleep everything fades to black. He is awoken by the sunlight hitting his face. She is already gone he does his best to catch up with her but he runs out of cover to hid in. “Oh no, well at least she back to reading again girl must not have any friends. Wait where is she off to now? The royal library I must get closer without being spotted. I can’t see her from there, a cloud perfect camouflage. Well I’m starting to appreciate Wolf’s talent a lot more. Is that a baby dragon, she is being followed by a baby dragon. Ok that different he appears to be helping like her assistant. Wait what she sends Celestia letters with that dragon’s fire? No being sent away from Canterlot… I have to keep tracking her no matter what. I'll sneak back into the barracks and get the rest of my gear she probably say her goodbyes and such so I still have time.”
As he returns with supplies weighting him down he finds her just as she is preparing to head off. We return to the barracks where Shinning Armor wakes up Blue Flame, “Wake your fellow cadets, its time to drill.” He replies, “Sir I don’t know how to Silver Fall use to do all that.” “Don’t back talk me you're a leader now stop messing around and shape up. You seen others do it every morning now wake the cadets.” He softly replies, “Sir yes sir.” Shining Armor answers, “It’s going to be a long three days for you if you don’t shape up soon.” A pegasus wearing royal armor rushes in “Captain permission to speak sir?” “Granted” he takes a deep breath, “Sir your sister is being sent to oversee preparations for the summer sun festival in Ponyville. It appears Silver Fall broke in and got supplies to follow her.” “Thank you for the information your dismissed, return to your post.” As he flies out Shinning Armor follows him, “I expect to see you and the cadets in 10 minutes drilling, move out!”
We return to Ponyville, the last day before the festival the town is a buss of activity. Scarlet and Bubbles are finishing off the last few copies together while Speedy is making his usual morning rounds. Silver fall is tracking Twilight Sparkle as she makes her trip into Ponyville doing his best to avoid being spotted. But Inertia isn’t doing anything special being her usual self she preparing a new theory. In her usual lengthy monologue…
“Princess Celestia maybe the ruler of the land but her coming her means nothing to me. There is a dragon pony wandering around and I’m going to find it, me being a laughing stalk will finally end. They’ll accept my theories and I get the respect I deserve but denied all these years. Ever since I got out of school they mocked me, my theories are illogical CRAZY EVEN. I’ll show them their all wrong, I’ve been right all along there is a monster in that Ever Forest and I’ll prove it. Someway I’ll prove it, prove that I’m right. It could be sitting there on the edge of the forest right now, watching us silently. Waiting for something to happen, waiting for the right moment to attack.” Little did she know how right she was, a dragon was rising but not in the forest it was much closer to home. Poor Scarlet could feel the dragon rising its dark desires clouding her mind, how much longer will her willpower keep it contained. Inertia who has been spending her evenings pacing the edge of the forest dressed in a dark green cloak looking for any sign of the monster within the forest. When it’s in the town hiding in plain sight, trying to live a normal life hiding scars underneath a black tattered cloak.
Speedy drops by Bubbles’s shop, “Hey sis heard there was a delivery almost ready to be sent off. Three stops for these books her books are getting around a lot better now that you've helped.”
Bubbles replies, “Hey bro, ya a few more copies are left unfinished would you like to help us finish them? Oh and it’s all her she been doing all the hoof work doing public reading and visiting shops.”
“Sure what can I do to help?” Speedy asks as he follows his sister into the basement.
“Take over the press from Scarlet bro she looks a little out of it right now. Scarlet you ok?”she asked sounding very concerned.
Bubbles reaches to touch her right shoulder her eye looked so distant but the second she touched her. Scarlet head snaps towards Bubbles her right eye was briefly visible to Bubbles before she turned its pupil faded almost like she was blind in that eye. Scratches right through her eye she imagined how much that must have hurt. She tries to hide the flinch as the thought such a kind soul was tormented with a painful injury,
“You ok Scarlet you looked a bit out of it.” She guides Scarlet to a chair. Scarlet replies to her question, “I’m sorry Bubbles there’s just, a lot on my mind right now.” “Just sit there dear, Speedy and I will finish the last ones. Don’t worry its fine, just relax for a little while.”
Bubbles wasn’t sure who she was reassuring at the moment, her or Scarlet. Her hesitating wasn’t new she noticed it before, like she is hiding something. Probably not best to press her right now she must not be ready to talk about it yet.
We turn our focus to Silver Fall and Twilight Sparkle now, they have both arrived in Ponyville. It’s midday Twilight and Spike are walking through town to meet the pony in charge of decorations. But her plans got derailed as Rarity takes Twilight to the Carousel Boutique forcing Sliver Fall to move once again. “She is so busy going from place to place this is exhausting following her with my pack on. Gotta stash this somewhere, somewhere some pony won’t find it” stuffs it into a hole in a tree and covers it with leaves. “There that’s good enough for now she’s on the move again.”
Spike asks, “Twilight if you worried about Nightmare Moon, how will you make friends.”
Twilight replies, “Something about it bothers me I’m not sure what but something got me on edge.”
Night has fallen on fair Ponyville; tonight will be no different, she locks up and leaves home heading to the edge of the forest. Inertia says to herself, “I’m feeling lucky tonight there is something different in the air.”
Meanwhile Scarlet and Bubbles say their goodbyes, and part ways Scarlet heading off towards the forest.
“I can’t risk all their lives anymore, I should have know the potion wouldn't kill it off completely on the first dose. I have to go back home and wait till this event is over and I don’t want to risk seeing Celestia. Who knows how the dragon will react to seeing her again, Luna guide my way tonight.”
An eager Inertia is wandering the edge of the Everfree Forest she sees a figure shrouded in a black cloak walking into the forest. A pony who is moving swiftly though the thick undergrowth making it look so easy, going deeper into the woods then anyone would normally dare.
“Could this be the Starlight Dragon I’ve been hunting for all this time? I have to follow them for science and for myself.” Till they look back towards Inertia, the moonlight lit up its scarlet coat and blue eyes. Her sky-blue mane with white tips covering her right eye, a faint white glow lighting up her face as she turns away revealing the glowing horn.
“What in Equestria is unicorn doing heading so deep into the Everfree Forest, I think its worth to keep following them.”
Scarlet beings to wonder, “Did anyone see me come into the woods, I can’t shake the feeling someone is watching me. I’m almost home just past this next clearing, and I won’t have to worry about this anymore.”
Scarlet is stopped cold as a pair of green/blue eyes appears before her slowly rising out of the bushes. Jumping towards her knocking her cloak off of her head revealing her silver streaks…
“SCARLET, hold on I’m coming!” But before Inertia could catch up with her to protect her from the attacking timber wolf.
“Woody I told you to stay at home, I can handle myself."
Inertia stops to avoid being spotted but is shocked; Woody a tame dwarf timber wolf who somehow came to befriend Scarlet, with his eyes glowing a distinctive bluer hue then usual.
“I would hate to see you get hurt again Starlight.”
Inertia eyes widen,“Scarlet is Starlight… no this isn’t possible she so kind how could she murder and torture ponies.”
Woody speaks, “I’ve been watching you since you got deeper into the wood. No offence Starlight but look at yourself, your covered in scars and your blind in your right eye.” As he lifts her mane out of her face revealing the right eye a scared blinded eye. Inertia flinches as she realizes not only would that have hurt, but also her friend the person who didn’t judge her was the pony she was hunting. How do you expect me to just let you walk through the woods alone.” Scarlet looks annoyed as she swats his paw out of her face, “Scarlet I’ve told you my name is Scarlet now, that part of my life is behind me and I want to leave it that way. If my memory serves me right I’m blind because I was saving you from more vicious timber wolfs. Even if my spell was meant to kill you when you attacked me it didn’t and I’ve protected you more then you have watched over me.”
Inertia watches as Scarlet’s blue eyes begin to glow red as her anger and rage grew within her. Her thoughts turn to the book. The horrors Starlight’s eyes have seen, from a power she appeared to have such little control of. She had all the information she needed to expose her as what she truly was, a pony with a dark gift she couldn’t control. The thoughts swirled around in her mind,
“If I reveal her they will hunt her down like a monster, I’ll be hailed as a hero but at what price. She is so kind even with everything that has happened to her, I would feel like I was the monster feeding her to a pack of timber wolfs to save myself. I don’t think I can do it, not for such a selfish reason as satisfying my ego. No one else is taking the story seriously just playing it off as an old mares tale, and for now that’s how it should stay. As long as no ponies life is put in danger I’ll remain silent.”
Inertia turns to walk away when screams of pain stop her dead in her tracks,
“Scarlet, oh no what is happening now.”
She screeches as a black and purple glow emanate from Scarlet’s horn surrounding her in a fog. Scarlet screams in pain as her body absorbs this dark aura, her red coat beings to harden into scales. Her horn is absorbed within her, replaced with blue spikes all the way down her head leading to and down her solidified tail. Black and red wings shoot out painfully from behind her front shoulders twisting and wincing, as she is great pain. What remained of her coat burned away reveling her true cutie mark, the burning blackened white star. Leaving a sliver belly of scales as the fire sweeps across her coming to her face she contorts trying to avoid it as if someone unseen was holding her down. But it comes consuming her face her once bright blue eyes darken to a teal and her teeth sharpen to a point. Finally the dark aura disappears completely and Starlight collapses to the ground.
Woody quickly spots Inertia and utters, “ Are you stupid come on run follow me,” as he pulls the unconscious Starlight onto his back.
Inertia hears what he was warning her about as she hears the distinctive timber wolf’s howl she darts off in the direction she saw them disappear into. Woody then appears on the edge of the clearing he had came back without Starlight guiding the now lost Inertia to Starlight’s shack.
Inertia is led to safely inside Starlight’s small cramped shack, “Thanks for saving me back there Woody right?”
“Ya that Starlight has been calling me that ever since her spell went awry. That gave me a voice instead of shattering me into pieces like the two other timber wolfs that attacked her. I ambushed her from the right side I though I was going to die but too my surprise I didn’t. She had blasted me with her spell but she collapsed mid casting. When I brought myself to walk to her side, her right eye was bleeding and her left wing was barely attached oozing blood. She was just lying there in a pool of her own blood; she attacked the other two almost like she was trying to save me, then I turned on her. I thought about ending her suffering right then and there but strangely I almost threw up at the thought. When she came to she was terrified she try to stand but quickly collapsed I saw fear in her eyes and I thought about telling her to calm down I wasn’t going to hurt her. She looked less afraid more startled and muttered weakly,”
“you, you can talk? That’s impossible the spell was too disrupt the magic that gives you life for a while... yet you can speak?” She is putting pressure on her nearly detached wing, slowing the bleeding,
“Can all of your kind speak?”
“No” I replied to her, “Not to the point of your understanding, is there something I can do to help you?”
She looked at me weakly and said, “Just kill me, it will do the world a fav…or” her voice drops as she collapses once again.
“I wasn’t sure what to do then, she wanted me to kill her but I couldn’t bring myself to do that. I did my best to tend to her wounds but it wasn’t the best she was out for hours, when she did wake she almost looked relieved that someone was there taking care of her. I carried her to this shack and helped tend to her wounds better and kept watching, waiting for something to attack.”
Inertia asks, “How long has it been since that day,” she looks over at Starlight with sad eyes.
“It’s been almost 2 years now, and for the longest time its been just her and me. She been the friend I’ve never had yet she focused so much energy into going back to who she use to be. Her heart is the same that it was before she was corrupted, but she only sees the monster that stares back at her in the mirror.”
He glances over moving her cloak to cover her like she had been sleeping.
“She’s so afraid of hurting someone again she tried to kill off the corruption before but that proved almost fatal. When she tried this time I was preparing for her to lose control like last time. He looks at the claw marks on his legs.
“Did she do that to you?” Inertia asked her voice shaky from fear.
“It was like something took over control of her, her eyes when red, she suddenly grew taller then even me and her hooves became claws. It was like she couldn’t hear my voice she attacked me for a while, eventually pinning me down her eyes were so distant. She was about to kill me her claws poised right above my face then she stopped. Her body began shaking like someone was holding her back. Then the red color in her eyes faded away the claws disappeared and she returned to her normal size. She didn’t want to talk about it after she came too she just sat there looking at her hooves.”
For the first time Inertia was afraid she though, “If she attacked someone she cares about what could stop her when it’s not someone she knows. Could she even stop herself? I don’t want to think about what the royal guards would do to her if they caught her.”
Scarlet begins to stir from underneath the cloak, suddenly her eyes shoot open and she nearly hits Inertia as she punches the air just in front of her like she was fighting something they couldn’t see.
“Uhhggg.” Starlight muttered, “What happened?”
Her eyes show terror as she sees she has returned to Starlight Dragon once more. Even with Inertia standing on her blind side, their eyes make contact; she turns her head to see who was there.
Starlight was speechless at first but uttered, “Inertia what are you doing in the Everfree Forest let alone my home? Contrary to what you may think Woody I’m not completely blind in my right eye.”
Inertia is speechless, “Does she really not remember what happened in the clearing. “I followed you into the forest; I didn’t know whom I was following at first till the timber wolf knocked the cloak off your head. I wanted to find the dragon that legends spoke of, living in the Everfree Forest.”
Starlight looked at her, “Well you found it, why don’t you go on home and tell the world of your discovery. After all I’m just a monster that thousands already tried to hunt down long ago, and failed.”
Her eyes darkened, almost becoming black. Her blunt cold words hurting her with each thought they provoke.
Inertia replies, “I can’t do that you’re not a monster Scarlet, the only pony who offered me any kind of friendship in a long time. You expect me to betray you so easily I can’t I just can’t.”
She can’t hold back her tears any longer, and just breaks down and cries. Starlight looks puzzled at the pony wallowing on the floor beside her, something in her broke that day. For moments later Inertia felt the weight of a hoof gently stoking her back silently reassuring her.
“You can call me Starlight, Inertia but only when I look like this.” She comforts the weeping pony on the ground, "I’ll guide you back to the edge of the woods soon. I still don’t feel that good to travel just yet. For now you can be my guest.”
Inertia looks up and sees Starlight smiling looking at her before nearly tackling Starlight with a hug.
We return to Starlight and Inertia talking, laughing inside of Starlight’s shack in the Everfree Forest. Their friendship growing with the secret they share, the night was going to be a pleasant memory after all.
Starlight addresses her friends, “Let’s get you back to Ponyville, Woody keep watch over things here alright, I be back in the morning.”
Little did they know Nightmare moon had returned seemly pony napping Princess Celestia. As the main six (Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy and Rarity) enter the forest, Starlight and Inertia are on the edge of the path their taking. Starlight sees the purple mist and feels its dark presence; it rushed towards her and both Inertia and Starlight scream as it takes hold of her.
“Ahaahh!”
Starlight’s eyes became red and her body began to grow before her friend, Inertia fled in pure terror. The main 6 pause turning back to see a dragon rise out of no where with dark red scales, almost black and piercing red eyes. It lunges at them slashing, chomping, and smashing it’s tail around trying to crush or slash them all.
Twilight tries to reason with the dragon, “ Please we didn’t mean to offend you perhaps if you calm down we can leave you in peace? Whaaah!”
Starlight Dragon’s angry stomps broke the mountainside free, but someone prevented her from following after her prey.
“You leave them alone you stupid dragon.” With a swift fly by Silver Fall draws the dragon attention away from the girls.
He flies high into the sky, “Lets see how you like my Meteor-Strike you overgrown lizard!”
Starlight Dragon unfolds her wings but before she could take off she is struck hard in the head. She angrily roars in response blasting the pegasus with a fire, setting his tail on fire as he flights much higher this time for his next attack. As this attack lands he struck the weak part of her skull, the dragon weakly roars before collapsing. Even he was shocked when she fell, creating a depression in the ground and knocking down a few trees. He flew down preparing to finish this violent creature off when Starlight returned to the normal dragon pony form before him.
“Please Stop!” Inertia cries out as she flies over to the stallion now standing over her friend. “Something took over her she not violent like that please don’t hurt her anymore. Just keep this a secret please, she wants to try and live a somewhat normal life.”
“As a member of the royal guard I cannot keep this from the princess. An unknown dangerous creature just tried to kill 6 ponies she must be made aware of its existence. But this is the Everfree Forest a place forbidden to enter, as long as she stays in the forest your friend is safe. Now I have to catch up with those girls and make sure they're safe you be careful miss.”
She waves and yells, “I will, thank you!”
A pair of glowing green blue eyes stares at her from a bush. Once Silver Fall is gone Woody comes out of the bushes,
“What made her lose control like that, and what stopped her?”
“Woody thank Celestia, I’m at a loss of words, one moment she was surrounded in a purple and blue mist then she started screaming in pain. A blow to the head knocked her out cold she gonna be alright, right?”
“It’s best that you go home Inertia I’ll take care of her, I’ve always have watched over her. I saw her in the dragon form again and I got here as soon as I could.”
Inertia replies, “Ok, just take good care of her.”
"You have my word Inertia I will take care of her."
Inertia walks away arriving in town shortly after leave Starlight in Woody’s care. The town was a buzz full of panicked ponies running with no true purpose locking themselves inside their homes.
“What happened here?”
A crazed stallion screams as he runs down the main road, “Run, run for you life you fool the pony of nights Nightmare Moon has returned and took our beloved princess.”
Apparently a pony by the name of Nightmare Moon has been spotted and has been accused of kidnapping Princess Celestia. After a few hours the sun rises and Princess Celestia, and the long missing Princess Luna return to Ponyville. Along with Equestria’s newest heroes the main six bringing the elements of harmony back to Equestria. But, back in the forest a different kind of story is unfolding.
Starlight’s eyes shoot open and she cries out in pain, “Starlight! Easy your in bad shape right now just relax.”
“I can’t relax and I’m fine I just have a headache. Get out of the way Woody I’m going to the creek I need to wash this mud off of me.”
“Fine Starlight, I'll clean up thing’s here just call my name if you need me.”
As she gets to the creek she sees her horn is back,
“What have I become, I’m a monster hiding behind a mask. What do they see a red kind unicorn, I see the monster that would kill them for even glancing my way. The potion was to fix this, get the monster out of me! All its done is make things worse making yet another character in the story of my life!” She slams her hoof into the stream distorting the image of herself… “I wanted to go back to who I was before, but it seems I've descend into madness instead. Talking to my reflection in a stream, talking about the pony I use to be. As if I was just a fading memory of the pony I once was...”
“I don’t see you that way Starlight.”
She turns around seeing a bronze coated pegasus with red eyes and hair and a black bat with a red star on its chest as its cutie mark. She tenses up pain shoots up her legs, she fights the pain speaking to the stranger.
“Who are you and why are you here.”
“My name is to hard for one of your kind to speak you may call me Deg. I am a guardian bronze dragon, I’ve been sent to find you Starlight Dragon. Help you to control the power you came to acquire, I take this form as it’s much easier to move and draws less attention.”
“Are there are more dragons like me?”
“Not for thousands of years the dragon that is apart of you is a Nightmare Dragon. A very powerful kind of dragon, and their blood lust is immeasurable the fact it hasn't corrupted you completely shows how strong of a spirit you contain.”
“All those nightmares of me killing were real?” she’s shaking with fear, looking at her own hooves.
“Unfortunately I have to say yes if it was in control then it will kill until it can’t anymore or it get bored.”
She is frozen in fear the images of her butchered parents and brothers flash before her eyes their blood on her clawed hooves. Tears stream down her face she collapses crying, as more faces appear in her eyes all wounded or dead. Deg walks over comforting her placing his hoof on her head just below her horn, suddenly all the faces were gone.
“The one that dwells with in you is stronger then I though it would be, torturing it’s host feeding on your emotions. Do not give into the nightmares Starlight, they are the creations of Maha-nu-kca, the dragon spirit within you.”
“Mahanukca, why would they need to feed like that?”
“Nightmare Dragons feed in several ways much like normal dragons eating gems but only they can kill absorbing the energy from the flesh of their kills. Stealing the life force from souls, strength and magic of the living, or feeding on the horror, sadness and hopelessness of the living. With more energy she would take over you body making you cease to exist a hollow shell for her to live once again. Much like the poor soul you saved when Discord ripped her out of the dragon that was flying by. She stole his body using it as her own her kind has been extinct for over 3000 years. How she has switched from body to body all these years still amazes me.”
“Can’t you rip her out of me and destroy her.”
“Unfortunately no, she has bound herself to your soul I rip her out you will die… and I can’t destroy her soul only the keeper can but if you die in the process, she moves on to a new host. Plus all the dragons have tried everything to kill off the last 2 nightmare dragons and we only been able to track her we lost her brother thousands of years ago. But you Starlight you must rest your wounds need tending. You will find me near by follow the scent of roses and I will be there.”
“I have so many questions…”
“They can wait your wounds have made you weak you need rest, so rest my dear I will answer all you questions soon.”