Chapter Three

"Lily Star!"

"Over here!"

"Come back!"

Lily Star squeezed through the crowd of fans, batting away ponies that got too close with her wings. This happened almost everyday. She would walk out of a shop and suddenly be surrounded by a crowd of ponies.

Okay, this is WAY too much attention, she thought. I gotta get out of here!

Opening her wings, she lifted up into the sky. The ponies below yelled "NO!" or "BUT THE INTERVIEW!" Somepony grabbed her by her tail, but she was able to shake them off.

Lily Star was a famous singer, whom was well known around Equestria so she barely ever got time to herself. The paparazzi were always knocking down her door.

Lily Star had a teal blue coat, and a long, curly, lavender mane and tail. The tip of both her tail and mane were light blue. Her eyes were the color of bright, red rubies mixed with a dark orange. Her cutie mark was a golden star with a black microphone beside it.

As she soared over Canterlot, she took a deep breath, and then exhaled. Even though she usually liked attention, she wanted a break once in a while from crazy fans. Suddenly, something caught her eye. She hovered in place, peering at a shiny object hidden behind a building and behind a dumpster.

What could that be? She thought curiously, slowly heading towards it.

"Interesting," Lily Star murmured, lifting the grey amethyst with her hoof. "It's grey..." She poked the jewel with her tail. "Looks real and feels real. Why would somepony leave something as valuable as this out in the open? Oh well, it's mine now."

She yelped when grey smoke came out of the jewel. She stumbled back, confused. What was happening? A few moments later, the smoke cleared and the gem was gone from her hoof. It was now a necklace around her neck.

Star Lily gasped, trying her best to pull it off. The necklace was beautiful, yes, but it didn't match her coat at all! It was no use though, it didn't budge. She paced in a circle, flapping her wings.

Ugh! Why won't this stupid thing get off? She thought, suddenly noticing the grey vines around her hooves. She yelped, tugging at them. Maybe, hopefully, someone in Canterlot will know how to remove them.

She took off into the sky once more, heading to her best friend's house.

The sunlight of the setting sun beat down on her as she nearly tangled with another pegasus. After yelling at the other pony to watch where he was flying, Lily Star dove down towards a dark green house with lovely, red rosebushes.

"I. NEED. HELP!" Lily Star cried, crashing through the unicorn's open window.
"Nice. To. See. You!" Lolly yelled back, popping her dark red head out of her hammock. "What's up, Star?"

She pointed to her neck, trotting over to her. "This-" she then held up her hoof higher. "–and this is what's up!"

"How beautiful," replied Lolly, admiring the shiny, grey necklace. "Where'd you get it? Was it from a fan?"

"As much as it pains me not to talk about my recent fan gifts, we must put it aside for now. Like I said before; I need your help. This necklace won't come off. Neither will these vines."

Lolly held the necklace up with her hoof and studied it. "I've never seen this before," she commented. "How about you talk to Princess Celestia? I'm sure she can help with a magic spell."

"Princess Celestia is not available today; she's in Fillydelphia trying to do who knows what."

"How about Princess Luna?"

"She's with her."

Lolly tapped her chin, frowning slightly. "Princess Twilight Sparkle knows a lot about magical talismans."

Princess Twilight Sparkle! Why didn't I think of her? She thought as she stared internally at her necklace. She then smiled and nodded her head.

"Thanks!" Lily Star chirped, flying out the window. "Your help was deeply appreciated!"

"I know," Lolly whispered before diving back into her peaceful slumber.

To the train station! Lily Star thought, beating her wings as fast as possible. She had a show tomorrow morning and she did not plan on missing it. Oh, but wait! Ponies will recognize me if I go on the train. I'm going to need that disguise Stitches made for me a few weeks ago.

She turned around and flew to her mansion instead. Lily Star then came to a halt. My mansion is all the way on the other side of Canterlot! By the time I get there, put on my disguise, and then fly back to the train station, it'll already be past midnight! And if I don't get that disguise, I'll be mobbed by crazed fans. She huffed, floating down onto a building's roof.

"Oh, if only I could teleport," she murmured, pacing. Suddenly, just like before, grey smoke swirled out of her amulet. The smoke was thick that she couldn't see two feet in front of her. She felt like she was being sucked into a black hole and then dumped out. Again, after a few moments, the smoke disappeared.

Lily Star blinked, looking around. She gasped in surprise, stumbling back. She was in her bedroom.

B-but… HOW?! I'm not a unicorn, I can't do magic. She glanced down at the necklace lying innocently against her neck. Is this thing cursed with-

But before she could finish her thought, a scroll appeared on her bed. Fan mail? She picked it up and quickly read it over. Her eyes widened at the words written across the paper.

Princess Twilight Sparkle wanted to meet with her about some crisis? But why? Did it have something to do with the jewel she had found?

Well, there's only one way to find out.

"STITCHES, CANCEL ALL MY CONCERTS, INVERVIEWS, AND APPOINTMENTS, I'M GOING TO PONYVILLE!"