Author's Notes:

It's finally out! Sorry for taking such a long time with this one. I got a little distracted working on two smaller stories. The lonely Widow and Dairy Farm 2. Also, I ended up making this one sooooo long 11,000 words. I cut that last part and moved it to the next chapter, so good news. I am already 2,000 words done with ch 32.

Luna yawned and rubbed her tired eyes before returning her focus back to the deep shadows to watch for the Shadow Mare. This time she was going to be ready.

Despite the lateness of the evening, the longhouse was still active. Scattered throughout the room, mares sat in clusters, talking among themselves as they worked on small tasks. Sage Brush was telling stories to a gathering of ponies, his hooves waving in the air as he emphasized some exciting part of this tale. Ringed about the room, pairs of stallions kept watch with their spears leaned up against their shoulders. Every fire was well tended and burning brightly, casting light to all the corners of the room. Outside, ponies walked in tight patrols around the longhouse, none losing sight of another as they made their rounds.

This was her mother's plan. During the night, every adult would remain awake to help keep watch. At no point will there be a time when a foal wouldn't be directly in sight of one pony or another. with so many eyes on them, no foal will be able to leave unnoticed.

Luna frowned up at the shadows. None of the adults would believe her about the Shadow Mare, and told her to stop scaring the other foals with her fanciful imaginings. The Shadow Mare was real! She saw her! And the next time she comes, she's going to make her tell her where her sister was! Firming her little lips, Luna redoubled her focus on the shadows. She'll show everypony that she was real!

A short time later, Luna's eyes began to drift shut. Blinking her eyes, she struggled to keep them open, but quickly found it impossible, and drifted off to sleep.

Luna found herself surrounded by stars. She had never been here before. With a thought, her little hooves lifted from the unseen surface below her and she soared up into the air. Squealing in delight, Luna spun and looped through the air with ecstatic glee. Flying was so much fun! It wasn't fair that only the Pegasi could do it!

Circling and diving, Luna found she was wishing that Celestia was there too, to have fun with her. Coming to a stop, Luna frowned as she looked around. Where was her sister? She was usually somewhere nearby telling her what to do? Was she off sneaking honey again? Luna suddenly remembered that Celestia was missing, taken by the Shadow Mare! An intense heat flared up in her breast like a hearth fire. How dare she take her sister from her! Luna started to feel a strange tugging sensation pulling her to the side. Startled, Luna spun around to search for what it had been and found nothing there. Frowning, she returned her thoughts to her sister and the odd tugging sensation returned. Whirling about, Luna once again found nothing there. Nibbling her lip, Luna pondered what it could have been. If only Celestia was here, she'd know. The tugging sensation returned.

Luna didn't know how, but she somehow knew that the tugging feeling was linked to Celestia in some way! Focusing her thoughts onto her sister, she smiled when she felt the tugging resume. Her sister was out there somewhere, reaching out to her! She needed her help! "Tia! I coming!" Like a bolt of lightning released from a storm, Luna shot off, following her sister's pull.

As everything blurred around her, Luna lost track of how far she traveled. After a time, the air grew thicker as she had to struggle to push her way through it. Darkness enveloped her as the stars vanished. She couldn't see a thing, not even her own hoof when she lifted it to her face.

Faltering, Luna whimpered in fear as she huddled with her head beneath her hooves. The darkness, No! She was terrified of the dark! "Mama!" She couldn't help crying out for her mother. As if in answer to her cry, a clear silvery light suddenly appeared over her, driving the darkness away. Blinking up, Luna saw a full moon bathing her in its soft, effervescent light. Wiping the tears from her eyes, Luna thought of the story her papa told her about how the moon weaves filaments of hope into moonbeams to shine down onto the ponies below, giving them the courage to overcome the night.

Luna smiled up at the moon in relief and waved her little hoof. "Thanksees," she said in appreciation. Moving on, a shape slowly appeared in the distance. As she drew closer, Luna saw that it was a gigantic tree. It's sickly white trunk rearing up like a mountain, high up overhead. It's branches stretched outward with oily black leaves, looking like the deepest essence of darkness had been drawn into its canopy.

Following the tugging sensation, she flew high up into its shadowy branches. There she was led to a white flower pod hanging down from one of the branches. Curious, Luna flew over to examine it and the tugging vanished. Why was she led to it? Reaching out her tiny hoof, Luna set it onto the surface of the flower pod and felt it momentarily quiver at her touch.

Slimy looking vines began slithering along the branches, coiling and undulating as they moved towards her, their long thorns seeping black ichor.

"Sister, run!"

Luna gasped. That was Celestia's voice! "Tia!"

Suddenly, the vines jerked and struck out at her with the speed of a snake. Letting out a scream, Luna dodged with a quick loop and dove down. Thwarted by her quick maneuver, the vines pursued after her, slashing and grasping at her as she wove her way through their clutches.

"Tia! Tia!," Luna called out for her sister. Swerving back up, Luna searched through the branches, dodging the vines as she went. Where was she!? Suddenly, her attention fell back onto the flower pod and an idea came to her. Flying up to it, Luna called for her sister as she grasped at the closed petals and tried to force them aside. Throwing what little weight she had into her effort, one of the petals finally shifted enough for her to peer inside. There, curled up in the center was Celestia!

"Tia! Tia!" Luna called out, desperately trying to rouse her sister. Nothing. Celestia remained still. Luna didn't know what to do. Her mama had always been there when she needed help, but now she was alone. The vines were closing in around her and in a few moments they would have her if she didn't leave soon.

"Tia!" Luna cried out to the still form of her sister. The encroaching vines suddenly lashed at her, their coils reaching to snatch her up. Leaping away, Luna twisted around a striking vine and slipped through a narrow gap that had been momentarily left opened. Free, Luna circled around and wiped at her tear filled eyes. The vines lashed and coiled around her sister's flower pod, covering it in thick layers.

"Run, dear sister. Go! Go now!"

"Tia!" Luna screamed as she felt the dream shift and fall away. Blinking her eyes open, Luna jumped up, her sister's name still ringing in her ears. Looking around she became aware at how unusually quiet it was in the room. "Mama?" Luna worriedly nudged her mother's neck. Her mother's eyes gazed blankly forward, frozen in the act of conversing with Bell, who also appeared to be in the same dazed state as her mother. All around the room, she saw the same blank look on all the ponies faces.

Luna quickly jumped to her hooves. The Shadow Mare was here!

"What a troublesome little thing you are,"

Luna gasped and spun around. There she was, standing only a few steps behind her!

The Shadow Mare's body flowed and eddied like smoke as she studied her. "Are you the other my master seeks?" With soundless steps, she moved across the ground, circling around her as she spoke. "What are you? I've never seen a filly that can Dreamtrot before."

"I not afraid of you!" Luna stamped her hoof.

The Shadow Mare continued to circle her, her mane flowing out behind her as she moved. "Such obstinate defiance," she tisked in annoyance. "I dearly hope that my master will allow me to keep you. You will become a wonderful servant for me once I suitably break you." She smiled as she licked her lips.

Luna glared up at the mare. "Why you take sister?!"

The Shadow Mare stopped to consider her. "The element of Life has been claimed by my Master. She is to become his mate and be the mother to the world as it is remade to his will." A look of envy came to her face. "What a great honor he has bestowed upon her. Soon now, she'll awaken to her true form and take up her place by his side for all time. Their children will outnumber the stars themselves! Glory be to the Midnight Stallion, and his mate, Daybreaker!"

A true sense of fear clenched at Luna's heart at the mare's words. "No!"

"No?" The Shadow Mare laughed. "It has already begun! Soon, I will have the Alicorn of Destruction in my possession and the preparations for my Master’s coming with be complete! "

Luna gasped as a memory of Ash's dreams flashed across her mind. With wings and horn, she remembered how mournful he looked as he walked through the desolated landscape of a world he himself had destroyed.

The Shadow Mare's red eyes narrowed as she noticed Luna's odd reaction. "You know of whom I search for, don't you?"

Luna quickly shook her head, trying to cover up her mistake.

The Shadow Mare smiled. "You do know."

Luna shook her head in denial. "No, no! Me not know who!"

"You are lying." The Shadow Mare said, her smile growing bigger. Moving over to Aurora, she reached her hoof out and gently brushed it along her mane. "Tell me who is it."

Luna felt her heart jump in horror. "You no hurt her!"

Tendrils of darkness flicked out from the Shadow Mare's hoof and flowed around Aurora's head. "Such savory dreams this one has." A look of yearning came to her face as she licked her lips. " I am going to enjoy devouring every last scrap she has until she's nothing but an empty husk. That is unless of course, you tell me which one the Alicorn of Destruction is."

Luna hesitated, what should she do!? If she told her about Ash, she'd be putting him in danger, but if she didn't, she was going to hurt Aurora!

The tendrils of darkness slowly spread out to touch little Applebuck. "Oh, and look, here's another one." She slid her hoof closer to the colt. "He won't be much of a meal, but the younger ones always taste the sweetest." Her mouth opened revealing two fangs as she leaned down close to the sleeping Aurora and Applebuck.

"H-He's not here!" Luna blurted out.

The Shadow Mare paused as she looked back up. "Oh? Where is he then?"

Luna clamped her lips shut and refused to answer more.

The Shadow Mare’s red eyes bore down onto her. “Refusing to answer me, hmm?” Reaching down, she caressed Aurora’s cheek with her hoof. “I suppose I will have to start on this one. Pity the young ones never last very long.” Wisps of her shadowed form began to swirl around Aurora’s body as the dark mare’s lips split wide in a carnivorous smile. “Mmm, this one seems particularly sweet. So much love and happiness. I am going to savor every last morsel until she has none left.”

"H-He gone to Unicorns." Luna reluctantly answered, holding back as much as she dared.

"The Unicorns?" The Shadow Mare hissed with distaste. "Pah! I hate Unicorns! Their dreams are always so bitter and unsatisfying! Nothing but hate and insatiable lust for power!"

"When they’s comes back," Luna continued. "They’s stop your badiness and get others back from you!"

"I look forward to seeing them try," the Shadow Mare said, touching her hoof to Aurora's head. "In the meantime, I’ll keep this one. She is quite unusual for a Unicorn. I cannot pass up a tasty rarity like her.”

Aurora climbed to their hooves, her dull gaze stared out blankly through her half hooded eyes.

"No!" Luna leapt forward in a near panic. "You no take her!"

With an irritated look, the Shadow Mare backhooved her away with a painful slap. "When you become my servant, you will learn to control that insolent tongue of yours."

Climbing back to her hooves, Luna gazed in horror as the Shadow Mare began to lead Aurora away. She needed to do something! She needed to stop her! Wiping the tears from her eyes, Luna rushed forward and swung her hoof into the Shadow Mare's dark form. "You will not take her!" A powerful surge suddenly roared through her tiny body and silvery-white flames flared up from around her hooves. The Shadow Mare screamed in pain as Luna's flaming hoof stuck her.

Recoiling back, the Shadow Mare glared down at her in shock and rage. "I will make you regret doing that you little monster!"

Aurora suddenly blinked and looked around. "What the...?" Seeing the Shadow Mare, she cried out in alarm and let loose a blast of magic at her that passed through the mare's dark form without effect, striking one of the thick beams behind her and leaving a dark score mark on its surface.

Luna had been shocked when she felt her hoof come up against something solid. She had managed to touch her! Luna smiled as a glint came to her eye. She can hurt her! Leaping forward, Luna reached her flaming hoof out at the Shadow Mare. "Now give sister back!"

Leaping up into the air, the Shadow Mare fled into one of the deep shadows and vanished. The sounds in the room suddenly returned as conversations that had been previously interrupted, resumed without notice.

Luna scowled up at the shadows, angry that the mare had gotten away. Aurora abruptly appeared and threw her hooves around her in a tight hug. "Oh Lulu! I sees her. I really did!" she said in a rush.

"Luna? Aurora?" Meadowlark's voice called out to them. "What are you doing up? It's late. Come back and get some sleep. You can play in the morning."

Wrapping her little hooves around her friend, Luna took comfort from her embrace. “I tells you everything, in morning,” she said into her friend’s ear. “I not lets her hurts you. I promise.”

Yawning, Wild Bolt stretched and scratched his belly. The sun was pleasantly warm, and the cool breeze of the lake carried a scent that reminded him of the lakeside back home. The squealing sounds of laughter punctuated by brays told him how well Jennet's swimming lessons with Snap were going.

First thing that morning, Snap and Jennet expressed their desire to go down the valley to the lake. Despite his need to get ready to leave the next day with the supply caravan, Wild was forced to go along with them as their escort. Cracking his eyes open, he watched the two as they splashed and played in the water, their coats shimmering in the sunlight as their sodden manes clinging tightly along their necks. His heart began to beat heavily in his chest. So beautiful.

When he had first met Snap, her youthful body curved smoothly along her flanks and rear, showing tantalizing hints of the mare she would become. Since then, she had filled out with maturity, her rounded flanks swept over wide set hips that would sway enticingly whenever she walked, making his heart gallop in his chest like a herd of wild stallions.

The beauty he saw in Jennet was different. When she first arrived, she had been like a broken flower, her petals rent and torn. Her injuries had healed into fine lines mostly hidden by her mouse colored coat, and beneath her gentle demure, Wild knew she had a strength that few could understand. Whenever he found himself gazing into her large brown eyes, he felt like he would fall in and be lost forever.

Letting out a sigh, Wild leaned his head back in the grass. He wished he could stay, but he knew his father would want him back home. He was the chieftain's only male heir, and he had a responsibility to his herd back home. His father had approved of his pursuit of Snap, having met Hoof Strike and Ground Pound, he admired their strength and believed that she'd provide good strong sons for Wild.

Wild had thought about asking for Snap to come back with him, but he knew that she'd insist that Jennet come too, and that would be a disaster. Him, a chieftain's son, taking a donkey as one of his mates!? Unthinkable! In fact, he feared that his father might actually kill her once he found out.

No. It was best that he just left and had nothing more to do with either of them.

The sounds of splashing drew closer as Snap and Jennet came out of the lake. Listening to their hoofsteps approach, Wild pretended to be asleep. Suddenly, he felt something wet, smack down on his face! Letting out a startled roar of outrage, Wild sat up and flung the pile of lake moss off his face. Squealing and braying in laughter, Snap and Jennet dashed off, leaving him staring after them in shock.

Leaping to his hooves, Wild Bolt grinned and shot after the fleeing pair. It was surprisingly hard to catch two mares. Whenever he drew close, they would split apart, forcing him to choose one to go after, and they'd end up escaping when he hesitated with indecision. Breathless from the long chase, Wild finally managed to tackle Snap to the grass. For a shocked moment, Wild didn't know what to do, not having planned on what he was going to do once he caught one of them. Grinning evilly, Wild began tickling Snap.

Squealing and writhing under him, Snap struggled to get away from his merciless attacks. Seeing the plight of her friend, Jennet ran in to try and save her, but that only put her into his reach as Wild quickly snatched her in his other hoof and forced her down alongside Snap for a good tickling.

Once he had the two mares in a breathless mess, Wild decided that they had had been punished enough and sat back. Blinking down at the two, Wild suddenly became acutely aware of their bodies below his as he straddled them. He could feel the softness of their bodies against his as their scent filled his nose. Two pairs of large eyes gazed up into his own as his heart began to race in his chest.

"So... Beautiful." Wild's mind was overwhelmed.

Snap and Jennet both flushed at his words. With a smile, Snap reached her hoof around Wild's shoulder. "Say Jennet. Wild gave us quite the merry chase. I think he deserves a reward for catching us, don't you agree?"

Jennet glanced at her before smiling. "Oh yes. Indeed." She agreed, her hoof coming around Wild's other shoulder.

Any thoughts of resistance crumbled as Wild felt himself being pulled down. Before he could comprehend what was happening, both Snap and Jennet's lips came together onto his. Wild's blood turned to liquid fire and thunder roared in his ears. Leaning down into their three way kiss, he felt their hooves move further around his back. All coherent thoughts vanished from his brain as he began to ravish both mares lips, the air filling with wet smacking sounds.

With his blood raging through his veins, Wild's stallionhood quickly began to harden between them. Feeling it push up against her thigh, Snap looked down with a surprised gasp, followed by Jennet who felt the same thing. Groaning with his need, Wild couldn't help himself and thrust his hips forward, grinding himself against their bodies.

"S-Slow down Wild," Snap said, her voice betraying her own arousal. "You haven't gotten it inside yet."

Wild groaned and drove himself along their soft thighs, his instincts screaming for him to plunge himself fully into the two mares below him and breed them, to fill their wombs with his virile seed! It was too much! Suddenly, he felt a powerful surge rise up in his loins. Throwing his head back, Wild moaned in intense pleasure as spurt after spurt of his seed erupted out onto Snap and Jennet, splashing it across their bodies.

Snap's eyes had gone very wide as she felt Wild's hot seed soaking into her coat. "Oh my...!"

Thrusting his hips with each release, Wild emptied himself onto the pair. Expended, Wild sank down as he panted for much needed breath. Slowly he blinked his eyes open and found himself looking into two sets of shocked eyes. Feeling the wetness between them, the realization of what he had just done suddenly crashed down on him.

Wild Bolt quickly threw himself back and turned away to hide his softening shame. "I'm sorry! I... I didn't mean... I just couldn't stop..." He was so dead. When Tiger Lily and Hoof Strike find out what he had done, they'd likely tear his spine out through his throat, if not from the other way instead! How could he even look at Snap and Jennet ever again!?

"Well that... happened." Snap said with a resigned sigh, disappointed. "Common Jennet, let's go wash this mess off before the smell soaks in." Climbing to their hooves, Snap paused as she started by Wild. "Well, are you just going to mope there or are you going to help us?"

Wild blinked and glanced up. "Aren't you angry at me!? Don't you both hate me now?"

"Why would we?" Snap asked, glancing back at Jennet.

"Of course we don't hate you." Jennet agreed.

Snap made a sour face. "Sure, this was a bit off putting, but then I understand it's common for young stallions to... prematurely finish during their first time." Flashing a smirk, she winked at Jennet. "I was told that it might take a stallion few tries before he... gains his stride."

"It's too bad he's leaving tomorrow," Jennet said, lamentably.

Sighing, Snap shook her head and looked at Jennet. "Yes indeed. That is very inconvenient. It's a shame that we don't have more time. If only he'd lasted a bit longer."

"You shouldn't be so hard on him," Jennet gently chided her. "He's not used to these things."

It took a few passes through his mind before Wild caught on to what she was saying. "Wait...! You're trying to make me stay, aren't you?"

"Is it working?" Jennet asked, sounding completely serious.

Wild stared up at the two in bewilderment. "I don't believe you two!"

Snap let out a light laugh and gestured at him with her hoof. "Okay, enough sitting there like a goosed goose and come help us wash."

Nearly a full day's walk to the south of the Unicorns black mountain rested an elder forest, its ancient branches gnarled and bent like grasping claws of some great beast that lay sleeping for untold millennia. A thick carpet of red moss grew along the forest floor, with vibrant shades of blue and yellow mushrooms sprouting up in massive patches, giving a discordance of color that gave off a sense of unease to any who passed through. Carnivorous ferns with serrated leaves ready to tangle and slice any unwary victim that was foolish enough to wander into their hungry clutches grew along the streams and low areas.

Many Unicorns avoided the Cursed Forest, believing it to be inhabited by evil spirits that caused stillbirths and disease to those who crossed into its borders. Casters used it to test their young initiates, having them travel to the heart of the forest and collect a poisonous flower that only grew there and return with it. Those that were weak and failed the test were never seen again. If a Caster initiate refused to go inside, or returned without the flower three times, they were expelled from ever becoming a Caster. Starless did it on her first try.

Starless had her camp set up on the far side of the forest, using it's dark reputation to shield them from discovery. There were many in her camp who were unsettled by being this close to the forest, oftentimes glancing at its edge with barely concealed anxiety.

With her Enchantress mask sitting by her side, Starless ate her morning meal with Sylvan Serene. Her breakfast of soaked oats, seasoned with honey and berries was rather good. Taking a mouthful, Starless chewed the sweetened mush and swallowed with a satisfied smile. Since its development, oatmeal was becoming a favored breakfast among the Unicorns, with many varieties of flavors being created every day to satisfy the tastes of every pony. It was probably the most perfect food ever devised by ponykind.

"Have you spoken with Sunspot Blitz yet?" Starless asked.

Sylvan nodded and swallowed her own mouthful of oatmeal. "I have. She and the others will be ready to leave shortly. I'll take them around to the north before heading in. We'll look like returning gatherers that have finished up for the day. Nopony should even look at us twice. Don’t you worry none. I'll get your ponies into the mountain without a problem."

"I'm sure you're right," Starless said. "I’m just concerned for what comes after. The task I have given you is most dangerous. If they should discover what you or the others are doing."

"There is a flower I know," Sylvan said. "If they come for me... I understand that it's quite painless. Like going to sleep and never waking. It will be... better that way."

"I pray to the First Mother that that will never need to happen." Starless felt her chest tighten. What she was asking these ponies to do. Was it worth it? Was even one life worth the sacrifice? She hated herself for what she had to do, but knew that it had to be done. It was too important to have eyes and ears inside that mountain. No. Not just eyes and ears, but lips too. Lips to speak and spread the truth and remind the Unicorns what they have lost. Not long ago, a pony asked her what use courage was against magic. Her answer was both simple and profound. Everything. Courage is a strength that allows ponies to act, to fight for what they believe in no matter what they were up against. It takes courage to stand and fight, for without it, all is lost. She needed to have courage now and let others go off and possibly die for her.

"You've grown up so much," Sylvan said, giving her an appraising look. "I still remember the gapped toothed little filly that used to come play with Sweet Blush."

Starless smiled wistfully as she dropped her eyes. "That was a long time ago. A different lifetime."

"Not so long ago in my eyes," Sylvan said. "Though I am rather old after all."

"It was a... surprise to see Sweet Blush again," Starless confessed.

"She was so worried when you stopped coming by," Sylvan continued. "She pestered me into going to your mother to see if you were alright. She didn't take kindly to our visit and turned us away without so much as letting us see you to say goodbye. Later, I found out that you had been raised to a high blood due to your unusually strong magical talent, and that your mother was putting you under strict magical training in preparation into you becoming a Caster."

"You could say that that was the end of the foalhood days," Starless said wistfully. "I had to grow up fast after that."

"It's too bad that you kept your identity hidden from Sweet Blush while she was here, she would have been so happy to see you again."

"It'll be best she didn't know about me." Starless shook her head. "It's bad enough that you know, so please, I ask you to keep it that way."

"I will do what you ask, and tell no one." Sylvan bowed her head low and set her hoof over her heart. "By the milk of the First Mother, I swear it."

"Thank you." Starless said gratefully. Looking back down at her meal, she was surprised to find her bowl was empty and licked clean. When did she finish it? Frowning in disappointment, Starless set her bowl to the side and picked up her willow bark tea to sip at it. "Are you sure that Sweet Blush and that stallion should have gone back alone last night?" Involuntarily, Starless felt her cheeks flush warm. No stallion could be that good looking! "Wouldn't it have been better to have them return with you today?"

"Frost Conjure's not really a part of this and needed to go back before he was missed." Sylvan explained, "Besides, there would have been no way we could have concealed a white stallion like him. I don't even know how he managed to sneak out in the first place."

"No, I suppose not." Starless felt her cheeks flush even hotter. During the short time Frost Conjure had been with them, every mare in the encampment fawned over him, endlessly offering him food and sweets until he couldn't eat another bite.

A scratch at the tent flap drew their attention as Ground stuck his head in. "That Eclipsea has been asking to see you."

Starless let out a sigh and nodded. "I suppose I should see her now." Reaching for her mask, Starless stopped when she realized the futility of wearing it in front of a blind mare.

"Well, I'll go ahead and take my leave now," Sylvan said, standing. "Good day, Enchantress." She bowed and slipped outside.

Starless sat quietly as she waited for Eclipsea to be led inside. She'd been dreading this moment since the Mystic arrived. She'd met Eclipsea once when her mother took her to her for a soothsaying when she was young. The strange mystic terrified her as her mother forced her to present herself before her, she couldn't stop shivering. Finally, after a long while, the Mystic seemed satisfied and nodded. "I have seen this one in my dreams. In time she'll grow to become a great and powerful mare, beautiful as the sunrise and as fierce as a thunderstorm."

Her mother was overjoyed by the telling and failed to hear the rest as she turned excitedly to her two sisters.

"Thy path will be perilous, with many snags and pitfalls to falter your step. Trust your heart to guide you through it, for without it, you will surely perish," the Mystic said, keeping her voice low for only her to hear. "What is thy name. little one?"

"Starless," she managed to answer, surprised she would want to know. "Starless Night."

"Starless Night?" the Mystic murmured, nodding. "A suitable name for you." Reaching her hoof down, she set it onto her head. "Stars are meant to be guides that lead lost ponies through the darkness. Seek your star, Starless Night. I pray that you find it before it is too late."

The tent flap pulled aside as Eclipsea stepped in with Ground leading her from the side. Guiding her forward, he brought her up before Starless and helped her down onto the mat.

"Thank you dear," Eclipsea said to Ground as she settled herself onto her mat. She then turned her attention to Starless. "You have grown much, little one. You've become quite a beautiful mare, Starless Night."

Starless gave a start of surprise. How did she know who she was!? "That is quite a trick, considering you have no sight."

"I need not my eyes for such things." Eclipsea smiled. "I can see you clearly enough in my dreams."

"Yes... of course." Starless said, not sure how that worked.

"You found an interesting companion." She turned to face towards Ground. "I must say that he is quite impressive. I never knew that a pony could grow so large."

Ground blinked in sudden puzzlement and gave the blind Mystic a speculative look.

"I'd be lost without him," Starless said, a small smile coming to her lips. "He's been my guiding star."

"Indeed," Eclipsea said, nodding. "He’s been quite satisfactory at it I should say, for without him, your path would have concluded long since."

Starless thought about when she had first met Ground, he saved her from being eaten by the hydra. Then later when fought and defeated the giant Gigas Arachny to protect her. He was always there for her, ready to come to her aid whenever she needed it. "Mentioning companions, that was a very interesting companion you had, leading you out to us. I believe his name was Frost Conjure."

"Ah, yes." An odd look fondness came across Eclipsea's face. "Frost's a sweet stallion. He was kind enough to allow me to borrow him for a little while. It's a shame he's going to have to grow up so fast."

"Oh?" Starless said curiously.

Eclipsea turned to gaze sightlessly to the north, towards the Black Mountain. "His path is irrevocably intertwined with another. They will have an interesting life ahead of them." A look of regret came to her face "I sincerely hope that they survive it."

Starless wondered what fate was ahead for the young stallion.

Eclipsea turned to Ground. "My apologies honored stallion. I would ask that I speak to Starless alone."

Ground looked to Starless and waited for her to nod before standing and heading to the door flap.

Once he was gone, Eclipsea turned to Starless. "Tell me about your dreams."

"My dreams?" Starless asked, surprised. "But I thought we were going to talk about your dreams. You're the seer after all."

"Dreams can tell us many things," Eclipsea said. "Please, share them with me."

Starless shook her head. "I don't like to think about them. They're rather unpleasant." She took a breath and slowly let it out. "My dreams have been been getting worse. I see myself struck down in the midst of battle and other times I watch them come for me during the night." Tears came to her eyes. "Sometimes, I dream of having children, their numbers change, sometimes I have just one, and other times there are several." A note of longing crept into her voice as she spoke. "Those dreams are the worst. Over and over again, I am forced to watch as they kill Ground and steal my foals away. Oh my poor beautiful foals! Then, when I am at my greatest despair, they come for me." Starless clamped her eyes shut as she began to weep. "I can't! No more."

Eclipsea leaned forward and touched her horn to Starless', there it glowed for a moment. "Yes. It's there. Its weak and untrained, but there."

"What?" Starless said, wiping at her eyes.

"You my dear, have a little bit of dream talent." Eclipsea said, leaning back. "You're seeing visions of possible events"

Starless blinked at Eclipsea. "I'm dreaming of the future? Are you saying I'm a seer like you?"

"No, not quite." Eclipsea shook her head. "You do have the talent, but it's not very strong. Your visions are too fractured and disjointed for you to truly understand properly." She gave a disappointed sigh. "It's clear to me now that you are not the one I was looking for."

"What do you mean?" Starless asked, confused.

Eclipsea considered her for a time. "Recently, I have begun sensing the emergence of a new dreamer, a powerful one. I hoped that it was you, but I was unfortunately mistaken."

"Why do you need to find this dreamer?" Starless asked.

For the first time Eclipsea looked worried. "This dreamer has an incredibly strong talent. One that can be very dangerous if not guided properly. I have been unable to see them clearly in my dreams. All I see is you standing under a full moon."

"I don't understand," Starless said, shaking her head. "Why would you see me?"

Eclipsea pursed her lips thoughtfully. "Perhaps it means you are close to them."

Starless thought about it, it did make sense. She had come across strange magic before, like in both Celestia and Ash. Could it be one of them? Or was there another she didn't know about?

Ground suddenly stuck his head into the tent. "My apologies for interrupting, but there is a problem. A group of Casters are heading this way."

Snatching up her mask, Starless quickly slipped it on before rushing out. "Where's Dizzy!?"

"I'm here," Dizzy suddenly appeared, landing in front of her. "I don't understand it! They keep following her no matter where she goes!"

"What do you mean they're following her?" Starless asked in concern. "One of the Pegasi!? Was one of them discovered!?"

Dizzy shook her head. "I'm not sure. When they started into the woods, we did what we normally do to lead them away. It seemed to be working just fine at first, but then when we tried to slip away like normal, they continued to followed after Cirrus Burst ." She fluttered her wings in agitation. "I don't understand how they're doing it. There was no way they could have seen us! No matter where she goes, they're coming right for her."

Starless' mind was racing. Following a Pegasus that didn't want to be followed wasn't an easy thing to do. Were they somehow using some kind of tracking spell? There were some she knew about, but how could they have cast one on to one of the Pegasi!? Could they have set off some kind of trap!? Summoning her magic, she cast it onto Dizzy running it across her body. When her magic touched the glow-crystal hanging around her neck, she felt a slight resonance of her own magic still held inside from the time she charged it, but other than that, she sensed nothing else. "I don't sense any tracking spells on you," she said, both relieved and worried. If they were tracking them somehow, she needed to find out how. She turned to Moonglow."Break camp. Whatever is not ready by the time I return, will be left behind."

"What about Azure Shard and that filly of hers?" Moonglow asked.

"They'll be coming with us, so please see that they are prepared." She answered before turning her attention to Ground. "I want you to find Dew Sparkle. We might need her talents." Ground nodded and dashed off. Starless' mind was racing. "Dizzy, I'm going to need you to lead us back."

When Ground returned with Dew Sparkle, the four of them departed, moving along the edge of the Cursed Forest, passing under the overhanging branches, Starless tried to ignore the oppressiveness as they seemed to reach down at them. Hurrying north, they circled around until they came to another forest. This one was younger forest, with normal trees and foliage. Moving inside, Dizzy led them at an angle to the northwest.

After a time, she stopped and lifted her hoof to her mouth and let out a bird call. A moment later, another call answered back. "Stay here." she took off and vanished. After a short wait, she returned with two other pegasi, Cirrus Burst, a young mare with a rosy-orange coat, and Feather Flit, a pale-yellow mare with usually large eyes. With barely a flutter, they glided in on silent wings and landed in front of them.

"There are six of them. Real scary looking ones too," Cirrus Burst said, keeping her voice low.

Feather Flit nodded. "They have some kind of strange shimmering flower with them."

A shimmering flower!? Starless had never heard of a spell that used a flower in such a way. Casting her magic out to the pair she ran it over Feather Flit's body, sensing her own magic held within Feather's glow-crystal. Moving to Cirrus, she sensed nothing until she came to the hooded glow-crystal hanging around her neck. Within it she sensed the familiar touch of Aurora's magic, remnants from when she had last practiced on it. A terrible thought came to her. Were they searching for her!? Taking the crystal off Cirrus, she swapped it with Dizzy's. "Dizzy, fly around and circle around behind them, I want to see if anything happens."

Dizzy nodded and flew off. "Cirrus, do you know a place where I can watch them without being seen?"

"I know of a nearby ridge we can look down on them," Cirrus Burst said, gesturing for them to follow. "There's some low bushes there that would conceal us as they pass."

"That should work just fine." Starless said, following after her with the others.

Making their way to the rise, Cirrus crouched low and pushed herself into a bush. Starless followed closely by Ground and the other two mares. Inside, they waited until six unicorns appeared out of the trees. The sight of them made her blood run cold. They were the same Casters from her dreams.

She'd met three of them before, Withering Rose, Falling Star, and Prickly Pear. All three were highly talented Casters who had quickly rose to the top of the Casters ranks. The other three she knew from their reputations. Web Dancer was a thoughtful dark-grey mare who took delight in causing pain. It was whispered that on some nights, you could hear agonized screams coming from her chambers hidden deep in the mountain. Wicked Delight, was an overly voluptuous pink and red mare with an insatiable carnal appetite for the companionship of stallions. It was even rumored that she had her own personal stable for her own use as she pitted stallions into deadly combat against each other to win the right to mount her. The last was Lofty Glare, a silvery blue mare who had a tendency to hold her head so as to look down her hooked muzzle at everypony. She is the first daughter of one of the oldest bloodlines, able to trace her lineage all the way back to High Prancer the Peaceful, the Matriarch that led the Unicorns in eradicating the spiders from their lands. All of them were Pure Bloods. Elite Casters who were some of the most powerful Unicorns, reporting directly to Matriarch Astral.

Taking a calming breath, she focused her attention on the strange shimmering object Lofty Glare was holding out before her in her magic. A flower, its petals opened revealing lavender petals, seemed to be pointing the way. Was it some kind of Dowsing Charm? Where did they get it? Suddenly, the flower dimmed and its petals began to close.

"What is it now!?" Wicked Delight demanded, her voice filled with irritation.

"It moved again," Lofty Glare answered with a vexed hiss. Turning slowly, she swept the flower around, as if searching for something.

With her heart racing in a near panic, Starless held her breath as the flower passed over their hiding place. When nothing happened, she let out a relieved breath. It didn't react to them. So it wasn't following after Cirrus. Continuing around, the flower opened back up and began shimmering again.

"Its behind us now." Lofty Glare said.

"It's just like earlier!" Withering Rose snapped angrily. "How does it keep moving around so fast!?"

"Perhaps it's a spirit." Prickly Pear offered, looking around. "You know this forest is full of them, right?"

"Don't be a complete foal!" Falling Star scoffed.

Prickly Pear spun around on Falling Star angrily. "It's not foalish!"

"It is, when you are considering that it's spirits!" Falling Star said, scowling.

"That is enough, you two!" Lofty Glare shouted over her shoulder. "It doesn't matter what it is. This is the first time the flower has reacted since Mistress Astral gave it to me, and I am not going to let your bickering keep me from my mission!"

"Your mission!" Wicked Delight said in outrage. "This task was given to all of us! I think you've held onto that for long enough, it's time you gave it to me to hold."

The air crackled dangerously around Lofty's horn. "What you think does not matter! She gave it to me so I am in charge of it! Remember your place!"

Wicked Delight flinched and stepped back, her eyes filled with hate. "Fine. I'll let you keep it for now, but remember this, your place is not as secure as you believe. Matriarch Astral is growing quite impatient with your lack of success."

Web Dancer watched the exchange with a curious look on her face, her thin lips tweaked into a little smile.

"It's not my fault!" Lofty Glare blurted out. "She never told me what it is we are searching for!" Her mouth snapped shut as she realized what she had just confessed and fury filled her eyes. "You're wasting time here." Lofty Glare growled, moving ahead. "Let's get going."

Starless watched as the Casters made their way back north, directly towards Dizzy. That flower. It was seeking Aurora's magic! "We're leaving." Starless said, backing out of the bush. Aurora was in danger!

"What are you going to do?" Ground asked, his face unreadable.

Starless didn't answer him as she turned to Cirrus Burst. "Cirrus, please go and tell Dizzy to lead them north then around to the east until you reach the river. We'll be waiting there for them." Cirrus nodded, and took off, vanishing into the trees.

Starless turned to go, but stopped when Ground stood in her way. "You can't be seriously considering what you are about to do."

Starless reached up and caressed his cheek with her hoof. "Please trust me, my heart."

Ground's eyes searched hers, after a few moments he sighed and leaned his head down and nuzzled the side of her muzzle. "Always, my love."

With their cheeks flushing red, Dew Sparkle and Feather Flit quivered with barely restrained giddiness as they watched the intimate exchange between the two lovers. Starless noticed this and shook her head at the pair. "Never mind." She then turned and moved off. "Let's get going. We need to hurry and get ahead of them."

They quickly made their way through the forest, heading for the river. If what she was planning was going to work, they were going to need to be on the other side before the Casters arrived. Flying ahead, Feather Flit found a nearby ford they could use to cross. Making their way over, they proceeded downriver until the river quickened into rapids.

"This is it," Starless said in approval, looking around. Large boulders lay scattered along the shore from past flooding that had over-topped its banks leaving uprooted trees wedged into piles. "Feather Flit, please find Dizzy and have her meet us here."

Feather Flit nodded and took off, flying off over the river she disappeared into the trees.

Starless turned to the young mare standing behind her. "Dew Sparkle, have you been practicing your magic?"

Dew Sparkle blinked when Starless' focus came upon her and nodded. "Yes. mistress." She lifted her horn up to the sunlight and an orb of light appeared around its tip. Directing her horn down, she sent the orb a few steps ahead of her where it then began to take on a shape of a pony. In moments, a near copy of Dew Sparkle was standing in its place.

Starless circled around, examining the pony. Dew Sparkle's magical talent was to collect sunlight and cast a projection with it. "Good. Now this is what I want you to do," she said looking at Ground. She prayed that this was going to work.

A short while later, Lofty Glare and the other Casters emerged from the trees and stopped along the shoreline.

"Another obstacle," Wicked Delight sighed. "What do we do now?"

"It's close," Falling star said, pointing at the flower. "It's opened nearly all the way now."

"We'll cross over." Lofty Glare said, her horn glowing as she prepared to Flash across the river.

"I warn you against attempting that," a voice said, carrying over the river. "You will find that you will regret it if you do."

Every Caster horn suddenly flashed with magic as they prepared to attack. Stepping out onto the far shoreline they saw a massive stallion with a thick muscular body that looked like it could crush boulders with ease. His white coat shone with an inner light of its own as his long golden mane and tail flowed out in the breeze. Two long horns arrayed with one before the other stood out prominently on his forehead.

"By the Mother! He's gorgeous!" Wicked Delight's ears stood up stiffly as her gaze filled with an intense desire. "This one is mine! I claim him!"

"No!" Web Dancer said, jumping in her way. "I will have him! Never before have I seen a stallion more worthy to explore all the sweet agonies of the flesh!" she said with a look of hunger, her tail flagging high with obvious arousal. "Oh, the sweet pleasures I will draw out of him."

"That would be a complete waste of a stallion with obviously high exceptional breeding!" Withering Rose said in outrage. "He would be best used filling my womb with foals!"

"Of course you would think so small!" Falling Star scoffed. "Think how much a Unicorn, no, a Bicorn like him is worth! He's a one of a kind! Every Highblood mare would be frothing at the mouth for a chance to gain even one breeding for their daughters!"

"And allow him to be used in such course and undignified way?" Prickly Pear sneered with disdain. "He should be serving a mare of true status like me. All my friends would be filled with envy when they see him with me. When he finishes giving me a long massage in the baths, I'll have him sing as he obediantly feeds grapes to me, and then during the night, he'll curl up against my hooves to keep them warm as I sleep."

"Don't be ridiculous! I saw him first, so I get him!" Wicked Delight exclaimed.

"You saw him first!? I was walking in front of you so it was I who saw him first! That makes him mine!" Web Dancer shouted, turning on Wicked Delight.

"It doesn't matter who saw him first!" Withering Rose said, cutting in. "Fate had brought him to fill my fertile body with his beautiful foals!"

"Why have foals when you can have adoration!" Prickly Pear interjected, her eyes taking on a dreamy look.

The group quickly broke down into a screaming match where each was shouting the reason they should have the stallion. Lofty Glare tried to ignore them as she examined the flower. It was facing straight across the river right to the handsome Bicorn Stallion. Him!? All this time they had been searching for a stallion!?

"Enough!" Falling Star cried out. "All this arguing is solving nothing!"

"That's right," Wicked Delight agreed. "I say the first one to catch the stallion should be the one who keeps him!" Suddenly her horn flashed and she vanished.

Midway across the river the air rang as if something had been struck and the air shimmered before a very surprised Wicked Delight reappeared and fell with a terrified scream down into the raging waters below!

"I warned you against attempting that." The stallion said with a resigned shake of his head.

Withering Delight sputtered and flailed about in the water as she was carried downstream. With a flash she vanished, reappearing back on the shore with the other Casters. Soaked with water dripping from her sodden body, she glared furiously at the other snickering mares.

"Who are you?" Lofty Glare asked, calling over the river.

"My name?"Ground blinked and flicked at questioning glance down at Starless as she hid, crouched, behind a boulder. They had been so rushed with setting this up, they never came up with a name for him! With frantic gestures Starless urged him to answer. "I am... the... Great and... Magnificent Magus."

Starless let out a groan of dismay. Where did he come up with that name!?

Hidden behind another boulder, Dew Sparkle stared with a focused intensity as she held the Bicorn image over Ground's body. "Try to not move around so much, you almost slipped out that time," she whispered urgently.

"Why does thou come seeking me?"Ground continued, his horns flashing in the sunlight.

"To have your foals!" Withering Rose called out and was pushed back by the others.

Lofty Glare cleared her throat and stepped to the forefront. "Our mistress, The Great Matriarch Astral, wishes to meet with you."

The Great and Magnificent Magus frowned across at her. "Please return to thy mistress and tell her that I decline."

Lofty Glare's face hardened. "You cannot refuse."

A dangerous look came to the Magus's eyes. "Thy think to threaten me?"

Lofty Glare stepped closer, her hooves coming right up to the edge of the water. "Despite your rejection, you will be coming with us. You have no choice."

Starless felt her wards being probed as they sought a way through. High above, hidden safely on top of a cloud, Dizzy and Cirrus watched. Starless had promised Dizzy's brother back when she had first started to help her that she wouldn't let his sister get hurt. Having Stratus Streak angry at her wasn't something she ever wanted to happen. No, Dizzy needed to stay out of this. It was too soon for their enemies to discover that Unicorns and Pegasi were working together.

The air stirred with the slow chuckle of mirth. "So. I have no choice then?" Magus said with amusement. "Very well. I will grant thy request and present myself to her, but only if you meet my challenge."

"Challenge?" Lofty Glare asked, surprised at the turn of the situation. "What challenge?"

The Magus smiled. "It's quite simple." He reached up and pointed his hoof to his horns. "You need only to touch my horn."

"Touch your horn?" Lofty Glare asked. "That is all?"

"Indeed." The Magus's smile broadened. "The first mare to do so, will have any wish granted."

Prickly Pear's ears shot up. "Any wish!?"

"That's right, any wish you desire," The Magus answered. "You have but to touch my horn, and it is yours."

Starless was amazed. She had come up with this deception to give the Casters something to focus on that was as far from Aurora as possible. What could be more detracting than a mysterious Bycorn stallion. But this last part that Ground had come up with was a masterstroke. Not only would they be searching for a stallion that didn't exist, but now they'll be fighting against each other to be the one to catch him! Brilliant!

"And now I bid you all, good luck" The Magus said, crushing the light-crystal hidden under his hoof, releasing the magic contained inside in a blinding burst of light.

Starless was ready. With a powerful surge of her magic, she released her ward and transported all three of them a short distance away, reappearing into a small hollow hidden within a tangled pile of logs. Outside they heard the hurried hoofsteps of the Casters as they rushed past.

"Find him!" Lofty Glare's voice shouted. "He mustn't get away!"

"He had to of gone that way!" Withering Rose exclaimed.

"Hooves off! He's mine!" Wicked Delight bellowed.

"Not if I get him first!" Web Dancer chortled.

Huddled in the cramped confines of their hiding place, they listened as the pursuit faded into the distance. Starless let out a breath she didn't know she'd been holding. She couldn't believe it, they had done it!

"Dew, would you please close your eyes for a moment?"

Dew gave her a curious look before doing as she asked and shut her eyes.

Turning to Ground, Starless slipped her Enchantress mask off and firmly planted her lips to his. Dew's ears perked up at the sound of lips smacking together and she had to fight to hold back a giddy smile.