Twilight was sitting in the hut her mind was filled with new knowledge on magic. The elder was going over the different powders and how to mix in raw magic from the ground. He pointed to the black powder watching Twilight.

“That is ground onyx and sot from burned branches” she spoke up watching him nod. His hoof moved towards the purple bowl “That is ground amethyst and ground blackberries” she watched as he nodded again. Moving his hoof towards the green bowl “That is ground emeralds” he nodded before pointing to the orange powder and the yellow one “The orange one is ground coral with clay rock mixed in. the yellow one is ground sunflowers.” She watched as he nodded his head. His hoof moved towards the white, pink, blue and red waiting for her.

“The white one is diamonds ground. The blue one is ground sapphires. The red one is blood mixed with ground rubies. The pink one is just ground pink coral” she looked up as he tapped the red one again.

“Rubies and roses?” she tilted her head as he nodded.

“Blood not needed. Corrupts the ink” NitTa huffed as he pointed to the bottles “Once liquid is put together you can store them” he smiled as he pointed towards the book “Book holds all spells” he smiled.

“It takes elder two days to create potions. Nonelders takes week. Potions can be hidden. Can be used anytime.” NitTa smiled as Twilight looked up at him “We will show spells starting now” he pointed towards his father. The elders nodded as they opened the book they had in front of them. As they started to go over the different spells and recipes Selene was still sitting in the surf. She was watching the young fillies and colts play in the shallow end as the parents were busy working around the village. Rarity was helping the mares make up different fabric wraps for the little ones as Pinkie sat beside Selene watching the young ones. Rainbow was moving clouds from the area and placing them over Selene to keep her from getting sunburned. Many of the island Pegasus was watching her in awe. Applejack was helping the hunters get lunch ready as Princess Luna was snickering at the letter her sister sent back. It was covered in half black ink and pink ink as Cadence and Celestia fought over the scroll. She rolled the scroll up as she noticed the elder of the Nightwalkers walking up from the beach. He was wearing a large wide brim hat trying to stay out of the tropical sun’s heat. Selene watched as she went off with him. She also noticed Fluttershy and Pinkie follow some tree walkers onto a boat smiling. Her ears twitched as she stayed on the beach watching the sea. Krill moved up onto the bed changing forms allowing him to stay on the beach.

“I do not think your father will be coming Selene” he looked down at the merpony. She let out a soft sigh as she flexed her fins.

“I know I was hoping to have some kind of hope. If Twilight or the others ask I will be at the pond” She slipped into the water as Krill nodded his head towards Ra and Za. As she moved towards the hidden pond Princess Luna was assaulted by the nightwalkers who were holding different star charts and different kinds of jewelry made in the shapes of her stats. Luna was blushing as the elder brushed them off.

“I show her room. We will feast tonight” he smiled as the others rushed off leaving them alone. Elder sighed as he waved his hoof moving through the trees. Ropes and tree branches were tied together to make up rough walkways between huts that were built into the trees. The elder stopped at a large hut with a view of the sea.

“This be your room. Come get when sundown. Island very lovely at night.” He smiled as Luna nodded. As she was getting settled into her hut. Fluttershy and Pinkie were reaching the island of the tree walkers. Pinkie noticed small huts built out of the trunks of large trees while other huts were built on top. Vines were tied together making ladders and different walkways. Pinkie bounced off to see the smaller colts and fillies while Fluttershy followed the elder and lilac to the top of the trees. They took her to a small platform overlooking the whole island causing her to gasp.

“This is a lovely view” she smiled as Lilac and the elder nodded. Fluttershy smiled as she leaned into the stallion. She spent the day with Pinkie both of them wandering around the island with lilac walking beside them. The island was quiet except for the birds sitting in the trees calling out.

“Are there any animals on the island?”

“Birds” Lilac pointed up to the birds showing her a red macaw sitting on a branch staring down at them.

“Anything else?” Fluttershy watched as Lilac shook his head.

“Come. Elder putting on a feast for guests. He also tells others of Kiadre” he smiled as Fluttershy walked with him. While they were sitting and enjoying the night’s party Luna was busy walking around the village with Elder Kikka listening to him talk about the stars. Her face was blushed as many of the islanders came up holding up star charts for her to review. She loved the attention till Zita came flying through with Rainbow Dash following him.

“Zita! Slow” he snapped as Luna looked towards him.

“Kids are always a problem huh” she smiled as Kikka nodded.

“Not mine. My brother's hatchling. He and his wife died four moons before we saw Kiadre. She went looking for them. Found them past. Brought them home to be home. Never had a wife to busy taking spot of chief and watching Zita” he waved his hoof towards the blurs in the sky. Luna nodded as she looked towards him.

“Well, you are doing great. He not out trying to kill himself just yet.” She smiled as Kikka looked towards her and chuckled.

“your words hold true” he smiled as he held his hoof out towards her. He continued to show her around the island while the others were getting a party up and started. Luna noticed they were decorating the huts with different types of moons and stars while others were placing on different size jewelry on with the stars or moons on them. Many walked up to her decorating her in the same kind of jewelry.

“Lets party” he smiled bringing her to the center of the island where the ponies had gathered. Every pony was busy that night. Twilight was still in the hut her head was being crammed full of different kinds of magic. Rarity was helping the mares with the fillies and colts teaching them some of the mainland past times. Applejack was wrestling and training with the hunters. Rainbow was chasing Zita all night long as Luna was drinking and having a good time with the elder. The booze may have been talking but she ended back at her hut with him. At the same time, Fluttershy had called Discord to introduce him to the stallion she had met. They had spent the night talking while Pinkie was having a good night dancing and entertaining the other ponies on the islands. Selene was resting in the small pond area as Ra and Za kept her company. She was lying on the sand bar her tail twitching behind her. She was sleeping on the sand bar instead of hiding in the cave allowing the two guards to watch over her.

Selene was moving through the castle as she noticed it was voided of all life. Her heart could be heard in her ears as she moved towards the throne room. She noticed a small merpony looking like her standing in the middle of the room. Her teeth were sharp and in fangs as her eyes were voided of all color. She was wearing a smile on her face as a large sea witch was standing behind her. A hoof was placed on her head while the sea witch was laughing. Star wrapped her hooves around Selene pulling her from the dream.

“Selene”

“Star what is going on?” her voice was shaking as she looked back towards the pony.

“Nothing. Just ignore it”

“Star how can I ignore that?” Selene was shaking as Star pulled her into a hug.

“Selene I want you to worry about your life now. Let me deal with the demons in your shadow. That Is what I am for. That is why I am here” she growled as Selene looked up towards her.

“What? I thought you were a curse?”

“I am and I am not.” Star sighed as she shook her head.

“Selene everything will be answered after you give birth okay” Star patted her head with a smile on her face as Selene kept her eyes on the merpony beside her.

“Why then?”

“Because the flood gates will be open. Your magic will not be sealed by a healer or me. IT will be open and then the shadows that are lurking and watching will appear” Star looked down at her “They are tired of waiting Selene” she had a sad look on her face as Selene was shaking.

“What can I do?”

“Let me do my job” she chuckled as she kept her hoof on Selene’s head.

“I thought your job was to kill me” Selene snapped as Star looked towards her with a smile.

“Have I not been telling you and other ponies that I did not start as a curse. I became one?” she chuckled as she leaned in and kissed her cheek. She placed her hoof on Selene’s chest before moving to her shoulder biting down hard.

Selene let out a scream causing her to wake up panting. Looking around she noticed Ra and Za were curled up asleep with each other. Her nerves were on high as she silently slipped into the water moving from the sand bar. She moved towards the island hoping to find somepony but they were all asleep. Even Twilight was nowhere to be seen causing her heart to pound.

“Selene you should be asleep” Edan let out a yawn as she was laying on the beach.

“I need Twilight…I need my aunt” her voice was shaking as she had the sounded as she was on the verge of tears as Edan pulled her spell on. She nodded as she moved into the village poking her head silently into huts. Selene stayed on the beach her eyes trying to stay open. Her hooves were shaking as Edan walked back empty hoofed.

“The elders are teaching her all night. The guards are a little fussy. What is going on?” Edan walked up towards her.

“It's about my curse.” She looked up towards Edan. The merpony moved away from her as she noticed one of Selene’s eyes were black.

“Where are Ra and Za?” her voice was waving.

“On a sand bar in a pond. Go around the island there is a single empty river. Follow it up and you will see them” Selene was getting worried as Edan slipped away from the beach. Looking around she could see the stars slowly fading. Blinking slowly she watched the sky slowly change colors as Edan came back with Ra and Za. The guards stopped as they noticed Selene’s eye. It was staring at them as it cried black.

“Selene”

“Help” her voice was soft as she landed on her side. The two guards rushed up towards Selene as they looked towards Edan.

“Edan stay with Selene” Za placed her spell on as she quickly ran into the village shouting. Her voice woke the ponies as she was shouting “Kiadre pasknaie! Healer! (Queen of the sea passed out! Healer!) she kept shouting causing NitTa to poke his head out of the hut.

“why scream so early?”

“Kiadre pasknaie! Need Troola healer!” Za ran from the hut as NitTa stuck his head in telling the others. He ran out of the hut with the elders following them. Selene was lying on her side her eye was still black as the liquid was staining her fur. NitTa placed his hoof up as he kept the villagers back. Elder Sol and Twilight moved closer.

“What happened?”

“She came here looking for you. She said something about a curse” Edan looked towards them as Sol placed his hoof on Selene’s chest.

“Bratheing (Breathing)” he moved her mane as he noticed the back of her neck. He moved her mane down as he waved his hoof towards the others causing them to back up. He looked towards Twilight as he pointed towards Selene. NitTa walked closer as he heard his father speak.

“Father wants to know. Curse?”

“Yes, she is cursed. She called Star. Pink mane and” she was cut off as he held his hoof up.

“Not curse father says” Elder nodded as he took a deep breath in “Elder Roseate came asked for protection. Elder SolLun was living. He good at souls and spells. Took part of her soul placed in charm. Charm made for Kiadre. Curse on her neck. Is not curse. Witch lives within her. Witch is slowly taking over. Elder Roseate King Atlas knows cure” Elder Sol looked towards Twilight “She needs to go away. Being here is making curse worse. Will not affect children. Part of spell and what it is in book.” Elder Sol waved his hoof as he pulled the book from Twilight. He flipped through the pages marking the one she needed. He handed her the book back.

“Curse won’t transfer to ponies. You safe she safe. Marks on neck count years till witch takes over.” As he was talking Selene sat up as she rubbed her eye. She was breathing heavily as she looked up towards the Elder noticing his face. Elder Sol looked towards her eye noticing it was back to normal as he moved his hoof through her mane.

“You need to go to mainland”

“But we” she was silenced as she noticed his smile.

“You will be better there. You can come back to visit but can not stay. Till you are cured. Hut will be here for you and your children. You are still family. You are like my daughter and still are. My offer of you being buried here still stands.” He moved his hoof through her mane “Told Troola what she needs to do. What can help you. What can make you comfy till curse takes over”

“I did ask her to help break this curse” Selene looked towards him as Elder Sol pulled her into a hug.

“I knwoe Troola wilja brekna curse ( I know Twilight will break curse)” he smiled as he let her go. Selene pulled her tail in as she looked towards him.

“I didn’t want you to worry.” She placed a smile on her face as he patted her head. He glanced towards his son.

“We pack items for you. Pack things for travel home. Will see when time to sign treaty.” He turned to face the islanders “You stay. Rest we will pack” he smiled as the others nodded before walking off. Selene moved her head as she noticed Twilight was staring into the book that the elder handed over to her.

“Twilight?” her voice was soft as the purple unicorn looked up with a smile on her face.

“I know”

“Star is not the curse”

“I know the elder told me something. But how do you know Star is not the curse?”

“I had a bad dream. A sea witch was standing behind a smaller version of myself. Star said I had till the twins were born” she noticed the purple unicorn staring at her.

“Why?”

“They're holding my magic back. Plus I think Kibby added some seals. Once they are born the seals will break and hell will break loose” she stared at Twilight with a worried look on her face. Twilight looked towards Edan as she smiled.

“I sent Ra out to fetch the others. I’m not sure if they can get to us but any cargo the islanders want I will take to the ship. Za can you get Krill and wake his sleeping flank up” she looked to the guard as the merpony nodded. Selene felt a soft nuzzle against her cheek causing her to look to her left. Twilight had the book attached to her hip as she moved towards Selene.

“look I have more information that I can go off. I will break this curse” she kept her head against Selene’s nuzzling her. The merpony smiled as she leaned against Twilight her eyes closing. She opened them when she heard the shouting of voices around her. Fluttershy was standing on the beach with her stallion friend. Rarity was smiling as she was saying her goodbyes to the mares. The elders were talking to princess Luna. Sol was pointing up at Selene who noticed she was floating off the ground. Looking behind her she noticed Discord was holding her in his claws. Turning her head back she watched as the elders were nodding as Luna had a disappointed look in her eyes. She closed them as the Nightwalker moved towards her kissing her cheek.

“Come to visit” he smiled as she nodded. The hunters walked past them placing a roasted pig on a boat causing some of the ponies to look towards it their faces white.

“Luna I am taking Selene back to the boat”

“Okay Discord. Tell the captain we are getting ready to return home. And place Selene in my cabin again please” she waved her wing as Discord nodded. Selene looked up at him.

“Can I get a moment?” she blinked as he nodded placing her down on the ground. The Elders walked towards her bowing. She had tears in her eyes as she bowed towards them.

“I wilja misk (I will miss) she was stopped as Elder sol placed a hoof on her muzzle.

“Bak stoante Kiadre. Cures wilja brekna. Kiadre aken Troola stake many sun aken moon (Be strong queen of the sea. Curse will break. Queen of sea and Twilight stay many sun and moon) he placed his hoof on her cheek as Selene nodded. Discord leaned over and picked her up from the beach. He disappeared as she started to cry. Once he was on the boat he pulled her close allowing her to cry as he gave the captain his orders.