MoF-LoEP3 Fallen Star 1

This story is based on characters from My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic cartoon series. Characters which are under ownership of Hasbro and Lauren Faust. I claim no ownership of the original characters, nor is this a licensed work of either. This is a work of fan faction.

This is a furry(anthro) style story, so all characters are to be considered as such. It is set in it's own universe, apart from the one the show is. It is a different spin on the series, set in a deep history devolved from inspiration from the original series. As such, some events are inspired by the original story, some lines have been used or modified for the purpose of humor, or connectivity to those events.

Story is created by Jimaza Dememder (c) 2011
My Little Pony is a property of Hasbro, originally created by Bonnie Zacherle (c) 1981
Friendship is Magic is created by Lauren Faust (c) 2010

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Equestria, in the final year of the Age Royal Sisters.

It was not long after the fall of Nightmare Moon, and Queen Luna was now gone into the Moon. Her fall from the path as benevolent Queen of the Night, left many souls damaged, and some destroyed. Two guardians stood against her, but one fell to her. The other, badly wounded, allowed Queen Celestia the time to free herself from the prison that became of the Castle of the Royal Sisters.

The ripples of what befell that day, shook much in the balance that was so hard fought in the previous age, when Night Beasts threatened all of Ponykind. The Elements of Harmony, a great treasure that helped bring balance to the land, and seem to have ties to the elongated life span of Ponies, was lost. With it, Everfree Forest, home to the Royal Sisters, was turning into a realm where magick could not touch, and the dreaded Night Beasts were returning.

Queen Celestia held a court of the representatives of the cities and towns, and the highest members of the land. It was a meeting to change the future of the land. The actions of Nightmare Moon would be covered up, telling only that the Queen of Night fell ill, and needed to rest in the Moon. In time, many would even forget there were two Queens, and the stories of the Royal Pony Sisters would be no more than an old Mare's Tales.

One stood in defiance to the plains of the Queen, who chose to allow Luna to live after what she had done. They were beaten in their argument, by the words of "All life is precious, and should not be taken in vengeance"

With the only opposition gone, another problem was addressed. The fact that the night needed some new protection in the absence of it's Queen. One of the former member's of Luna's court, trotted up, and declared a solution to the problem.

"My Queen, I believe the best answer to this problem, is to bring in a new soul, to take the place of our lost Queen Luna" The mare spoke, her deep red colour, was the cause for her name. Red Mare. An Earth pony, with dark brown mane, and deep green eyes. She wore the armor of a high ranking Commander, as she was once Luna's personal guardian.

Celestia considered this option. "They would have to be pure, and young. In the past, the Royal line was made from normal ponies. The attempts to create my predecessors, failed time and time again. The only time it had good chance, was if the subject was young" She shook her head though. "But that is far to risky"

"I understand, but I have one perfect for this cause. He was orphaned not long ago, seems in the lasting night, his parents were slain, perhaps by Night Beasts. I have taken him in, for his mother was a dear friend to me. I knew he was special, he loves the night, and was so named for his passion for the shimmering of the twilight's glow" She came closer, and was not far from where the Queen stood.

"He is pure of heart, if not for his own deeds, but of his parents. I can vogue for that. Take him in, teach in the ways of the night, and he will be the need for your cause. He will become the new master of the Night, with no risk of corruption" She paused. "Was also a promise I had made to his dying mother, to make sure he would be given a great future"

Red Mare was one of the Legends of Equestria. She was a bit harsh in battle, but her loyalty to the land was never in question. All she was, told a story of a great champion, and if any one soul's word was to be taken, it was hers.

"I... believe," Celestia thought it out. "Given the limitations of my power, with the raising threat of Night Beasts, and needs to protect our land, this maybe the only choice" She paused. "I hope he can hold up to the need. What is the name of this soul?"


The Magick of Friendship Pony Tales: Fallen Star
"Those who shine brightest"


"Star Light!?" The sky was dark, in the deepness of night, but far darker than it should be. A lone soul was calling out in the middle of an empty field. "Star, where are you?!"

He was an Anthroid, born in Equestria, when his parents had stayed here after visiting long ago. He was nearly all black, but spots of white all over his body. A long bushy tail behind him, and a short muzzle, his closest resemblance to a skunk. "This is an abuse of your powers!" A shadow started to form behind him. "Star!!"

"What!" The shadow said.

The skunk turned and panicked. He let out a hiss, than fell to the ground.

Light started to shine down, as clouds parted from the obstruction of the stars and Moon above. A clear image of a mare's head in the lunar body.

A pony stood over the fallen Anthroid, coat of first dark of the night sky. A soft blue, bit darker than that of the lost Queen. His mane was yellowish, like star shine, spiked in slight shape of the illuminating stellar bodies. His eyes were nearly white as the moon, with a hint of yellow. He was not blind, even saw better than most in the dark. He was dressed in clothing befitting a Royal, but not nearly so flashy. Simple garments that told he was the master of the Night, as with his dressings of a Royal, he also had the three form body of Earth, Unicorn, and Pegasus.

He started to laugh, offering his fore hoof to him. "Spotty, you are so easy to scare"

The skunk gripped the out reached hoof, and was pulled up. "You know how risky it is to be doing this stuff?"

The pony special Guardian of the Night, Star Light, paused a moment. "Hmm, I guess. But you never have sprayed me, so guess I'm just gonna keep risking it" He grinned.

"First of all, we do that more as a final attack. Second, I meant playing with the sky!" He was worked up again, fur getting a bit frizzled in his temper.

Star looked to the sky, and saw the patterns they made. "Everything is fine Spotty Tale, don't get yourself into a lather" He turned, and grinned at him again.

"You need to take this serious, first Queen Luna fell some 20 years back, and just recently, one of the greatest Guardians turned into a traitor, and took out several lives"

"Who?" He seemed genuinely out of the know.

"Don't know? They called him Shadow Colt. Rumors say he was in disguise, but know one seems to know who he was before"

Star waved it off. "I'm not evil, not a traitor, and if I ever thought of being really bad, I couldn't, cause you'd just hiss and moan" He laughed again.

He moved about, scanning the stars again. "I do my job. The Stars are supposedly gonna aid Nightmare Moon's return, but so long as I keep them in check, they won't. Queen Celestia trained me well, and that included knowing how to have fun"

Spotty grabbed him, and looked into his eyes. Green against the off yellow of the pony. "I've told you countless stories, as guardian of the forbidden Library, I know more stories than maybe any soul in this land. Many tales of how fun can turn so quickly into trouble. Need I recite 'Colt who cried Centaur'?"

Star lips pulled at the corners, back across his face, not a frown nor smile. "I know, but I'm not playing jokes on any pony, but you, and I'm not really doing any harm by moving clouds"

"I guess" Spotty let him go. "I just... don't want to loose you Star"

"Hey, who said you will? We were both orphaned, and taken in by Queen Celestia. Given duties of great importance, and we are closer than any!" He looked back to the sky, his eyes gleaming with pride. "Besides, I love these nights so much. I could never do anything to loose them, even if Nightmare Moon returns, I will not let her take them, and use them for evil"

Spotty seemed satisfied, and nodded to show it.

***

Star Light looked a bit older now, more of a Stallion than he was before. His body, as any Royal, was slowed in it's aging. He was flying across his skies, the Night skies, and was carrying a rider on his back. The Anthroid skunk Spotty Tale. His mighty wings, could easily carry his friend.

Spotty looked down to his friend. "Hey, you have been very quiet tonight. I believe I liked it better, when you scared me with shadow forms, and such" He tried to joke, to get his friend to share in it. "What is on your mind?"

Star did not respond right away. "Nothing" He plainly said finally, still looking ahead.

"I have know you since we were kits... or foals... you know. I have been with you all these many lifetimes we have been able to live thanks to your and Queen Celestia's magick. You never shut up!" He paused. "Unless... you are trying to scare me!"

With a sigh, Star started to descend. "I am just thinking" He said, part of the way down, than landed. He had never shared it, but something had been nagging his mind the last few years. Dreams haunted, and a desire growing.

Spotted climbed off, and came around to face his friend as he started to share his thoughts. "You know all these great stories, but I've never heard anything really good in the night. Night Beasts, Centaurs stealing foals in the night, Nightmare Moon, the deaths by Shadow Colt, and all that. The Night needs a new image, and I think I know just how to do it"

"You will consult Queen Celestia... right?" Spotty seemed worried.

"Of course" He smiled.

Not long after the conversation they had together about it, Star Light went to meet with the Queen

She did not look on him with a gaze that seemed hopeful, and with a heavy sigh, after hearing his idea, she answered. "I am sorry Lord Star Light, but it is simply not possible" She began calling him "Lord" in respect of his duties, and position.

"But? Why not?" He came a bit closer. They were alone, in her meeting room. "I would do all the work, I would not need any aid from any pony else, and I could still keep in my duties"

"The idea has merit, and maybe would do just as you wish it, but you know the truth. We are Guardians, not Gods. What we do with the magick we have, must be controlled, and no interfering with the natural order. Unicorns made that mistake ages ago, and that is how we came to be threatened by so much that still lingers this day"

She turned, pulling out a tome of great age. "The days and nights, are as long or short as they need be. If you like, studied this, and set your shows to the times of the years that are longest in the night. I am certain, that if you do so, more will grow to like the night"

"Even for a short time? Just so ponies will know it is not simply a seasonal thing?" He pleaded, but she shook her head.

"Lord Star Light, Great Guardian of the Stars and the Night. You have a pure heart, great ambitions, and are everything I hoped for in one who could take the..." She paused in her thoughts, the word she nearly used, held back in time. "Position held once by my beloved sister. You are one of few who even know those stories are true. She wished to try many things to bring more to the night, but she knew that changing the flow of Dust and Dawn, would have brought about unknowable dangers"

He did not look so convinced, but decided to accept his only choice. "Very well, you know best my Queen" He bowed, looking defeated.

"Take heart young Guardian. Do your best with your shows, and be proud of the nights you command. Soon, more will come to see what it has to offer" She smiled to him, trying to ease his troubles, but it was not entirely potent.

He turned, and left the council room, mind filled with what he could do in the limitations set by the natural order.

***

Star Light kept to his word, and did his shows, turning the night sky into a rainbow of colours, making it look like glass curtains in the sky. He used his magick to make the grounds glisten with the dew of rain drops, and it's reflection of the stars above, and the moon, gave the illusion of the show above. He found the idea, in the dead of winter one night. He was playing a game with Spotty Tale, when the brightness of the stars did just what they are now, only off the sheets of snow.

At first, he was hopeful, for it looked even more beautiful during the other parts of the year. Only, he was one of few. Some of the other Guardians of Night, a dwindling group, now that most dangers resided solely in Everfree Forest. Also the few other ponies who heard of these lights, but it was not enough.

The longest nights of the years, he put more and more into his shows, even going as far as to create explosions of light and colour, but even those drew little attention. In this era, only a few hundred years into the Age of the Mare in the Moon, ponies were still workers by day, and resting at night.

He would bring up his request a few more times, but each time, Queen Celestia denied him. She grew worried about him, but he never showed her any signs he would take drastic actions. She believed he was ignorant to the skills that had been forbidden to learn since Luna's fall. He knew only enough of the Night Arts, to do what he needed to do, and to protect himself if the Night Beasts ever attacked.

Too blind she was, to the facts. His closest friend, was Guardian of the Forbidden Library. She never imagined he was learning the arts, and was starting to feel the urge to use them for his own needs. combined with the haunting dreams, growing in their power over him, he was slowly turning down the same path as the one before.

Whispering, terrible whispers of dark desires. Stories told, to fill him with ache, and sorrow. "How dare they? How dare they forsake you, when you have given your heart and soul to the cause. You were an orphan, and were shaped to be their tool. To be used time and time again, till she returns. Maybe, maybe it was her. The great Queen, she stole your family, so she could have a new pawn who felt loyal to her"

The voices continued on, saying the same things, but adding more each time. "When she is back, the night will change forever. For her, you must make ready. Ring in the Mistress' return, by showing all these foals what it will be like. They forgot all about her, will you allow that? Allow the same to you? When Celestia has her fill of you, and moves on, where will you be imprisoned?"

He fought them, but they were relentless, and not even Spotty could give him comfort. "Strike first, use your skill, and make the first move. She returns soon, and Celestia will not be able to repel you and her. If you fail, she will save you"

***

Spotty stood, with a look of heavy burden on his mind. He was behind another, a pony encased in shadows. "You can not be serious, this is not you Star. You've been neglecting your duties, and even stopped the shows" He tried to reason with his old friend. "In nearly nine hundred years, I've never seen you like this"

"Things are going to change" His tone was as dark as the cloak he was in. "Ponies have been abusive to the beauty of the night, far countless ages. Queen Luna gave her all, and was shunned. I have given my all, and too am shunned... I will make them see"

"You are not going to-" He was cut off. "Bring about Night time eternal? No, that was a mistake. I only wish to prolong the night for a few hours, and make the ponies awake in darkness, and see what it is like. Soon, many will grow use to it, and will begin to do so on their own. Then, Celestia can have her time back" He was corrupted, but not completely.

Spotty grabbed him. "Star, this isn't right. Stop before it's too late. The Queen will stop you, if you try this!"

He turned, and came into the sliver of light peering into the room. His light blue coat, was deeper like the night, and his once starry mane, turned to living shadows. His eyes were now a yellow, of a haunting moon of a bad omen, and his lids puffy and heavy, looking to have lack of sleep. "I will soon have all I ever wanted, and it won't disrupt the balance. I will only coat the sky in a think cloud, to prevent the sun's light"

"Please, if you go through with this, Queen Celestia will imprison you. She did so to Queen Luna, she did it to Shadow Colt, and she will to you!" Spotty was pleading now, gripping tighter to the pony's arm.

Star looked down, seeming to hear reason. "I'm sorry Spotty..."

"Just stop this now, and we can-" Star looked at him, eye to eye. The pony's held no sanity, only rage. "Sorry you do not share my dreams" He broke the hold, and moved back.

"Good bye... old friend" He turned, and shot off through the roof, not even phased by the wood there. In his wake, was a cloud of twisting shadows, and an Anthroid skunk, who's heart was shattered. Fearing, he lost his friend in the one way he never imagined he would.

***

It was hours past dawn, when the Sun should have been partly into the sky. The Queen received many words of concern, and she knew she had to find just what was causing this.

She had no time to wait for her guard, or a chariot, so she flew solo, sending word ahead to nearer posts toward the horizon, to meet with her there to begin an investigation.

Not far into her flight, she found something in the sky before her, and it seemed to be causing the thick bank of clouds rolling over the sky. She assumed it was a dragon in rest, but it was much worse when she was closer. It was a pony, one of her own, and another to seem to fall to a magick she thought long hidden.

When she was near enough, she called out to them. "You there, what are you doing? Who are you, and why have you prevented the Sun from bring it's rays?"

He turned, the evil looking pony, once Star Light, and he seemed amused by her. "Oh Queen Celestia, I was waiting for you. I have found a solution to our problem. See? The clouds only cover the sun, but do not prevent it from it's path"

She was stunned, and knew who he was now. Taken aback by his actions, but more over, his knowledge. "Clouds? these are no natural or pony shaped masses. These are shadows! How have you learned that magick?!" She was starting to grow angry, more at herself, for not taking the trots to stop this.

"In the Lost Library, my Queen" He spoke mockingly.

"End this!" She commanded.

He looked darkly at her, not taking to her orders. "With all respects due, oh great one... No"

"Star Light, I command you, as Queen of Equestria, to withdraw these Shadows, and allow the Sun light through! The Night is done, and if you refuse... so are you..."

He did not answer, only closed his eyes.

"Star Light, this is not the same pony I took in," She softened her tone, seeking to reach him. "Not the same one I trained into a fine Guardian, one of the best I had seen since Light Bringer" She moved nearer, trying to show him she did not want to fight, but to bring peace back between them.

"You are right, I am not the same. The Light has faded, and has left only Shadows" He looked at her again, a gaze that threatened to swallow even the Queen. "Friendship is the magick that binds us all in harmony, and you have dared to prevent me from sharing in it. That is why I must make others see what I offer, why I must take my power and push back the light, and show Equestria what the Night is all about. By force, if it comes to that"

With a deep sign, she lowered her head. "So, you will not yield?"

"No!" He shouted.

She closed her eyes, and in a flash, the alicorn, and his wings, were gone. Leaving only a dark coated pony, with gravity pulling him down. He had no time to cry out in shock, for he was still too deep in it to notice, till he crashed. When he was aware, he was in pain, and struggled to get up. By this time, the Guards had arrived, and grabbed him, holding him, none to gently, to prevent his escape.

Queen Celestia came down, and stood before him, still not looking at him. "Star... Shadows, for your crimes; Using Forbidden Magick, against the order of Equestria. For disobeying the orders of the crown. Being a threat to this land, and it's ponies, I have stripped you of those gifts I once gave you. You may retain the prolonged life, for maybe in time, you will overcome these dark desires, and return to service as a Guardian" She looked to him now, he was struggling in the guards' grip, and looked back. Her eyes held much, but his had no hint of regret. "Till that time, you will remain in the Harmony Lost Hold, in the room made for those who use Shadow Magick. The Sun Cells"

He never lost his defiance, and was taken by force, to a chariot awaiting his arrival.

***

Star Shadows, looked nothing of himself, not even the new self. He wore a blank look, and moved only as he was pushed into the Holds. They came up to a door, and when it was opened, a bright light flooded the hall. There was not a single shadow to be seen, the magick in the room, made it where even in the cracks, light was pressed to it. If a shadow could be summoned, it would melt before it could do much more than appear.

He was pushed into a cell, and the door locked behind him. He stood there, with no emotion, or care. He was completely removed, receded into his mind.

When the guards left, a voice called to him. "Hey, who did they throw in here?"

Star did not answer.

"Gonna be a long trip, if you don't talk, even if it's to yourself. They think I'm crazy, but it's all I have to keep sane in this cursed room" He kept going on about doing something, or else you would loose it. He was practically rambling, not having many to share his voice with.

"Star Shadows" He answered at last, hoping to shut the other up.

"Sounds familiar, and that is funny. After all, I've been in here some eight hundred years. Names Shadow Colt"


--Chapter End--