Eclipse of the Heart

There's a commotion in the castle not long after the dawn comes forth. Princess Celestia is already about, sending an order for her faithful pupil and her five friends. The order is sent, and she quickly trots through the castle toward one of the many towers. It's one of the highest and is decorated with paintings of moons, stairs, and various eclipses. The stairway is intricate and ornate; lined with blue gems and silver paint.

At the top there is a doorway decorated much as the steps themselves had been. It opens with ease as Celestia steps inside.

The room is huge, and like the stairway the walls are covered in beautiful renditions of celestial bodies. There is a large window facing east to view the dawn and another window facing west to view the dusk. The ceiling has several windows for looking at clouds or viewing the stars.

There's a bed, covered by blue satin sheets, and a writing desk, along with an entire wall of books on every subject available.

Sitting in the ledge of the east facing window is a pony not much younger than Celestia herself. She is a light blue color, with matching butterfly wings and spiraled horn and a tail and mane of dark blue that seem to hold the stars themselves. Her cutie mark is a Solar Eclipse and when she turns, her deep blue eyes sparkle at Celestia.

Out the window behind her, dark clouds are visible on the horizon.

"He's here." She speaks, voice naturally soft.

"Yes." The princess says with a slight nod, "And we'll need your help to stop him, Crystal Moon."

Crystal nods in return and stands, crossing the room to stand in front of her princess, respectfully keeping her head slightly lower, "I will help as best I can, Princess."

Within two hours time, six young ponies are standing in front of the royal thrown, heads bowed graciously.

"What is it, Princess?" The purple one, Twilight Sparkle, asks.

"I'm glad you asked," The princess declares, "My dear pupil, Ghost Moon, a powerful Alicorn much like myself, has come to spread chaos and dismay in Canterlot. You, along with Crystal Moon, are to find and defeat him. The harmony of Canterlot depends on it."

"Yes, Princess, I understand." Twilight replies with a curt nod.

"We'll catch that no-do-good'r, Princess, sure as my name ain't Apple Jack." The tan pony says with a buck of her legs, drawing a round of agreeing voices from the other ponies.

With a final farewell, the group of now seven set off from Canterlot and toward the Everfree Forest.
---
The Everfree Forest is stretched out before them, it's eerie green flora barely moving in the slight breeze.

Fluttershy whimpers, curling into herself slightly.

Rainbow Dash puffs her chest out with pride, "Come on! We've been through here dozens of times! There's nothing to be afraid of!" She bolts into the forest, wings carrying her with ease, though she does not make it far.

Crystal Moon stops her in mid air with quick magic, "Do not be so rash. We cannot be split up." She releases Dash from her magic, "Ghost Moon could be anywhere and everywhere at once. He will use your greatest fears against you if he can. We must stay together at all costs. Please, stay close to me."

Dash lands and huffs in indignation, "How do you know so much about this guy, hm?"

Crystal passes her, walking into the forest with no fear, the other ponies following closely behind her, "It's a long story."

"Can't you at least give us some background on him? It would be good to know who we're up against." Twilight speaks up, walking beside the Alicorn.

Crystal tilts her head in thought for a few seconds before giving in, "Ghost Moon is my elder brother. He was born under the Lunar Eclipse, while I was born under a Solar Eclipse, so I suppose we were meant to be opposites from the start. He became corrupt at an early age; spending a great deal of his time tricking other ponies and causing chaos within our small community. He only got worse as he grew older. I don't believe that he wants to take over or rule Equestria, but his love of chaos has caused a great deal of trouble for those who represent harmony."

"Like us!" Pinky Pie chirps, hopping along at an even pace.

"Right." Crystal confirms, "He's nearly the opposite. He'll make use of his dark magic to control the shadows to capture you, or learn your deepest fear and use it against you. That's why we must stick together. He's less likely to use fear tactics with so many of us."

"Fear tactics?" Rarity groans, "That's just playing dirty."

"Well, if'n he wants ta get dirty, we can get dirty too." Apple Jack says with a curt nod, "Ain't no ghosty gonna get the better uh us."

"I'd rather not get too dirty though." Rarity replies, nose scrunching slightly.

"Guys, concentrate on the task at hand." Twilight calls, gaining their attention, "We need to focus and pay attention; we can't risk being divided, physically or mentally."

"That's exactly right, Twilight." Crystal says, "Weakness in the mind is his greatest asset. If we're not paying close enough attention, he'll divide us without anypony even noticing."

"He sounds dangerous..." Fluttershy whimpers, keeping close to Dash.

"Very dangerous. Please, if we confront him, allow me to take my strike at him first. The rest of you should stay back unless I need help."

"Forget that!" Rainbow Dash speaks up, puffing her chest out again, "I could take out that big jerk in ten seconds flat!"

"Please, don't say such things," Crystal reprimands, "He'll use your arrogance against you."

"Arrogance?!" Dash practically yells, voice cracking slightly, "Who're you calling arrogant, lady?!"

"I did not mean to offend-"

"Well you did!"

"Rainbow, calm down." Twilight attempts, "She didn't mean it that way."

"Yeah, well she needs to have a little more confidence in us! Watch this!"

"No! Wait!" Crystal gasps, but it's barely a second too late as Rainbow Dash rockets straight ahead into the forest, leaving the group in the dust.

The blue Pegasus shoots through the forest with record speed, dodging trees with ease. She comes to a screeching halt in front of a monstrous tree, hits it with her hoof, then turns around and darts back toward the group.

"See? Ten seconds flat!" She says as she arrives back where she'd left them.

She's met with an empty forest.

"Um, guys?" She glances around, confused, "Hey? Where'd you go?"

A deep, rumbling laugh emanates from the forest, seemingly all around her.

"Who's there?!" Dash calls, searching the trees all around her, "Show yourself!"

"You really should listen to your elders, little girl." Comes a deep voice. On the path just ahead a tall silhouette appears walking toward her, "Such arrogance shouldn't go without punishment."

"Who do you think you're talking to!" Dash shouts, "I'm Rainbow Dash, the fastest Pegasus in Equestria!"

"And the dumbest, I'm sure."

"Why, you!" Rainbow growls. With a quick flap of her wings, she darts toward the figure.

She once again shoots through the forest at a high speed, determined eyes on the dark shadow.

But, it seems, she is not getting any closer. The trees wizz by, but the silhouette grows no larger.

"Huh?" Dash squeaks, confused. She pushes herself to go faster, but still she seems to be gaining no ground.

"What's wrong, Dashie? I thought you were the fastest in Equestria? Can't you catch me?"

"I am! I can!" She squeezes her eyes shut and pushes even harder, then all at once she's suddenly losing speed. She tries to flap her wings, but there's no response. She's falling, and suddenly she collides with the ground and rolls.

By the time she comes to a stop, her entire body is throbbing in pain. Her bones ache from impact and she's fairly certain she's lost some skin. She slowly opens her eyes and once the blur clears she gasps at the pair of black and red hooves in front of her face.

"What's the matter, Rainbow Crash? You have a little accident?"

She forces herself to stand through the pain and whimpers as she backs away. She attempts to take flight again, but nothing happens; her wings are frozen against her back.

"You don't mind being grounded for a bit, do you? What does the fastest Pegasus in Equestria need with a pair of working wings anyway?" Comes the voice again, along with a chuckle.

Dash whimpers and faces her opponent.

Before her stands an Alicorn, it's body as black as the night, with blazing lines of blood red in it's black mane. It's bat-like wings are raised in an intimidating stance, it's sharp horn protruding from it's skull menacingly, and it's burning, snake-like red eyes are on her. The cutie mark on his flank is a blood-red moon that seems to eminate an eery red glow.

She whimpers, frozen in fear.

The Alicorn, Ghost Moon, sneers at her, "What's the matter, Dashie? Scared? What happened to all that confidence earlier?"

"I-" She squeaks, shaking. With hardly a second thought, she turns and begins running as best she can, his deep cackling following her through the forest, surrounding her, consuming her.
---
"Rainbow Dash!" The ponies each call in turns, searching desperately for their friend.

"Golly, where'd that gal get off to?" Apple Jack muses, scanning the trees for the Pegasus.

"She's likely already been caught in Ghost Moon's snare." Crystal explains, never breaking her pace.

"We've got to save her!" Rarity gasps.

"No," Crystal quickly cuts off, "Once you're within his grasp you cannot be saved from outside forces. Her only hope is if we find him first and to do that we must stick together."

The ponies each gave one another skeptical looks, but do not argue. They quiet down and follow the Alicorn at a steady pace through the forest.

Pinkie Pie lags slightly behind, looking around the all the spooky scenery with a big grin.

A noise catches her attention and she stops, listening.

A giggle.

She looks toward the noise, somewhere off to her left. She opens her mouth to call out to the group, but she hears it again and tries to listen.

It's so close... It wouldn't hurt to just check it out real quick.

She diverts from the trails and heads into the trees, following her ears.

The giggling becomes laughing and grows louder. It sounds like a young filly frolicking in the forest.

Pinkie giggles, growing excited. She wants to frolic too!

But, the giggling suddenly ceases and she stops to listen.

Silence.

"Hello?" She calls, "Little girl?"

Silence.

She stands for a moment, confused, before shrugging it off and heading back for the group.

A sudden blood-curdling scream makes her stop dead in her tracks.

"...Hello?" She calls again, "Does someone need help?"

Silence.

She begins to take a step and turns her head to look forward again.

She jumps and screams when she sees a grotesque face in front of her. She pauses, then begins to giggle at the horrifying tree.

"Aw, you're not so scary!" She laughs, no longer afraid. She changes directed and suddenly finds herself face-to-face with yet another gruesome tree. Again, she laughs it off.

She looks around to find that there are actually several trees, each with a different face.

"It's like a fun house!" She laughs, bouncing between them.

"You think my gruesome display is like a fun house?" A deep voice sneers from seemingly all around her, "This is fun to you?"

"Sure!" She cheers, stopping, "Anything can be fun with laughter! You just gotta giggle at the ghosty!"

"Huh-uh?" A tall figure steps forth from the shadows, it's eyes and mane a blaze of red and it's coat as black as night, "Tell me, child, would you find such things as fun if you couldn't laugh at them?"

"I'd never not be able to laugh! That would be like not being able to breath! That's crazy!" Pinkie giggles.

"Are you so sure? Who's to say you can't damage your vocal cords and render yourself unable to express such joy?"

Pinkie attempts to laugh, finding such an accusation completely absurd, but all that comes out is an airy squeak. She tries again with the same result. Then again, and again, and again.

The situation suddenly isn't that funny anymore. Without the sound of laughter, the trees around her and the Alicorn in front of her suddenly become so much more real and so much more terrifying.

She squeaks and begins backing away, looking fearfully between the trees.

"What's the matter child? Suddenly lose your sense of humor?" Ghost Moon asks before he begins laughing himself, "Because I certainly haven't lost mine!"

Then it's as though the trees are alive and they're reaching for her, trying to grab her. She lets out a silent scream and runs, trying to get as far away as possible. His cackling follows her through the dark forest along with the reaching branches, gripping at her, pulling her mane and tearing her flesh. Tears are streaming down her face, blurring her vision, but she can't let herself stop; even though her lungs are burning and her legs feel like bricks, she can't stop.
---
"Hey, ya'll, aren't we missin' a member?" Apple Jack asks, gaining the attention of the other ponies.

They stop to investigate her claim and quickly realize that, yes, another pony is clearly missing.

"Where's Pinkie Pie?" Fluttershy whimpers.

"She was right next to me just a second ago." Rarity explains, looking around worriedly.

"We cannot afford to waste anymore time. If she's gone then she is likely within his grasp and we can do nothing to help her now except find and defeat Ghost Moon." Crystal explains, walking again, "Please, hurry."

"How do you know we're even goin' the right way?" Apple Jack asks quizzically.

"We can sense each other as we become closer. He knows I'm here, just as I know that he is here. I can feel him, circling us, watching our every move. We'll have to move quickly if we want to best him."

"Uh, and how exactly 'r' we gonna catch 'em?"

"I haven't quite figure that out yet, to be honest."

Apple Jack and Rarity glance at each other skeptically. The tan pony leans toward her friend, keeping her voice low, "I ain't sure this pony knows what she's doin'."

"Well, it's not like we have a lot of choice in who to follow, Apple Jack." Rarity whispers back.

"I say, we go get our gals before they get into serious trouble."

"I'm not sure we should split from the group."

"Suit yourself, sugar cube." Apple Jack stops and changes direction, quickly making her own path back through the forest.

Rarity gasps and runs after her friend without thinking.

"Apple Jack! Get back here!" Rarity calls, trying desperately to keep up with the country pony while avoiding mud and dirt. She soon looses sight of her, however, and is left standing all alone in the dark forest; the large trees towering over her intimidatingly.

"Apple Jack?" She calls, glancing around nervously as she slowly navigates the woods.

The melancholy forest is completely silent; no animals make a sound, no wind rustles through the gloomy plants. The only sound is the soft thudding of the glamorous pony's slow hoof steps.

She looks above her at the tree tops, where the sunlight is barely streaming through. The tops of the trees barely move in the wind high above, but make no sound.

Her attention elsewhere, she trips over an exposed root, unceremoniously stumbling and falling into the dirt with a small yelp.

She quickly pushes herself up, but the damage is done. Her once beautifully pristine coat is now lightly coated in dirt and grime from the forest floor.

"Oh, ew..." She whimpers, standing stiffly in disgust, "Ew, ew, ew..." She slowly moves to wipe away as much dirt as best she can.

"Forget it!" She suddenly snaps, stomping her hoof, "This is ridiculous! I'm going home!"

She turns around and begins to head back toward the group, walking with a stiff gait.

A quick flash of light catches her attention and she comes to a halt. She takes a step backward, searching for the mysterious light. It comes again and this time she sees what caused it; a beam of light bouncing off of a mirror.

"What is this doing here?" She asks no one in particular as she walks toward it.

The mirror is rectangular, barely taller than herself, and is leaning up against a tree. She steps in front of it and looks herself over, nose scrunching in disgust at how dirty she has become.

"Oh, yuck!" She once again attempts to wipe the dirt off, but her hooves are also caked in mud, only making the situation worse.

"Ewww, nooo! This is horrible!" She groans dramatically, ceasing her attempts at cleaning herself, "I need a bath." She backs away from the mirror and turns toward the direction she'd just come from, only to spot another mirror.

"Huh?" She pauses for a second, startled, before walking up to this one. Her reflection is still covered in dirt and mud, and the sight is repulsive.

Groaning, she again backs away.

"What's wrong, Rarity, afraid of a little dirt?" A deep voice echos through the forest around her.

She squeals and jerks her head around nervously, searching the forest for the origin of the voice. Instead, she is horrified to find more and more mirrors.

"Wh-what?!"

"You know what they say, 'The problem with beauty is that it’s like being born rich and getting poorer.' You may be easy on the eyes now, but it's only down here from here, hun."

Dozens of reflections stared back at her, each one progressively older, uglier, wrinklier, and more terrifying than the last. She screams and darts from the circle, keeping her head low as she dodges trees. She glances behind her, hoping nothing is following, then looks back ahead. She yelps and comes to a sudden stop just before colliding with a large, circular mirror.

Staring back at her is a gruesome, mangled, and oddly familiar corpse. It's previously white coat is a washed out grey and is missing in some places, exposing muscle and bones. It's once vibrant purple hair now faded and mostly gone. One eye is missing, the other hanging loosely from it's socket, and it's jaw is cocked at an awkward angle. She stands stock still, the macabre sight making her skin crawl.

From behind the mirror steps an Alicorn, coat as black as death and eyes the color of blood, "Beauty is only skin deep, Rarity." He says with a wicked grin.

Rarity lets out a horrified scream before her eyes roll back into her head and she passes out.
---
Apple Jack plods along through the dark forest at a hasty pace, calling out for her missing friends.

"Rainbow Dash! Pinkie Pie!" She yells, scanning the woods around her for movement.

A sudden rustling catches her attention and she quickly spins to face the noise.

Out from the shadows steps a tall Alicorn, mischievous red eyes staring her down.

"I take it you're Ghost Moon." AJ says, standing defensively, ready to either attack or run in a moment's notice.

Ghost grins at her, bowing his head slightly, "Guilty as charged. You're the country pony, Apple Jack, correct?"

"As if the hat ain't a dead giveaway?"

Ghost chuckles and shakes his head, turning to slowly begin circling the tan pony, "My my, you aren't known for your manners, are you?"

"I don't see the point in treatin' ponies like you politely." AJ snapped, keeping her front to the Alicorn at all times.

"That's alright. I like a little bit of fight. Makes victory that much sweeter."

"Don't think you c'n try 'n' trick me with yer little head games. I won't be bested that easily."

"Oh, I'm aware, thank you. No, you see, I have a much more fun game for you." He halts and faces the earth pony, "You strike me as more of a competitor, am I right? And, an honest one at that. So, perhaps you'd like to have a bit of a contest?"

AJ raises an eyebrow, eyeing Ghost Moon skeptically, "What kind'a contest?"

"Whatever you like. You may choose. Perhaps whatever it is you're best at?"

"...And this ain't some kinda trick?"

"No, I assure you. Just a contest. I won't even cheat."

AJ pauses, thinking over her options. She doubts she could beat him in a race, since he has longer legs. An agility test was out of the question for the same reason. Pulling weights was also out, since she had no way of knowing his physical strength.

"I challenge you... to an apple buckin' contest!" It was perfect. She'd been doing it since she was a little filly and very few other ponies knew how to properly buck a tree to get it to drop enough apples.

"Apple bucking? How... country. As you wish." He grins. His horn suddenly glows red and the trees around them turn into apple trees, each one filled with bright red apples.

"Ten trees each. Whoever finishes all of them first, wins."

"And you promise you won't cheat?" Apple Jack gives him a little glare.

Ghost Moon raises a hoof in defense, "No cheating, you have my word. I won't even need to. This challenge is mine."

AJ snorts, walking toward one of the trees, "Don't be so sure'a that. I ain't exactly new ta this."

Ghost Moon also takes his position at the other end, "You really think you stand a chance against me? A pony of incredible power who has lived far longer, seen much more, and traveled much farther than you? Please, AJ, give me some credit. Besides, dear, you've already hit your prime. Even if you're a great apple bucker now, doesn't mean you always will be. Soon, you'll grow so weak you'll become useless around that little farm of yours."

"You sure talk a lot. Maybe we could get down ta business instead? What do I get if I win?"

"I'll set your friends free and leave, of course. You'll never hear a peep from me again." Ghost grins, making a zipping motion across his mouth.

"And, if you win?"

"Hmm..." He taps his chin in thought before smiling, "Well, I get the satisfactory of victory, of course."

"What about a prize?"

"Prizes are for the arrogant. All I want is victory."

AJ eyes him suspiciously, "Really? That's it?"

"That's it."

"Fine. Take yer position."

"Way ahead of you. Do be careful, we wouldn't want you to hurt yourself."

"I could say the same ta you. And don't talk down ta me like that."

"Of course. Ready when you are."

AJ backs up to the tree and and readies herself, "On yer mark... Get set... Buck!" She quickly slams her back hooves into the trunk as hard as she can, sending apples tumbling to the ground. She grins triumphantly.

Her grin fades however, when she notices that Ghost Moon's first tree is also bare and he's heading toward his second. She quickly goes to the next one and bucks it, clearing it in one go again.

Ghost Moon doesn't hasten his stride, but instead barely stops to kick the second tree with one leg, sending all the apples to the ground with ease, before continuing on to the next target.

Apple Jack growls and runs to the third tree, giving it a hard buck. Not all of the apples drop, however, so she must kick it a second time to get them all.

"You'd best pace yourself," Ghost Moon calls as he strolls toward his third tree, "You'll wear yourself out."

"Don't tell me how ta buck apples!" AJ snaps as she moves to the fourth set.

This one takes two bucks to clear, the fifth one takes four, and by the time she gets to the eight tree she has nearly stopped progressing.

She kicks and bucks the trunk, but barely manages to move it. She doesn't understand why; on the farm she could clear acres of trees in a day and never have trouble.

Ghost Moon knocks all of the apples from tree number six and leisurely heads for the seventh, "Too weak to keep going, AJ?"

"No way!" She yells, bucking as hard as she can. Two apples drop, but nothing else.

"Oh... Oh no..." She groans, panic taking over.

Ghost Moon clears his seventh with no problem, "Calm down, tom-boy, it's not like you're losing anything by losing this competition. Well, except for your pride, of course."

"Shut it!"

"I don't mean to be rude, but it seems to me that if you can't even clear ten trees, then you're pretty well useless, right?" Ghost asks, taking his time getting to tree number eight.

"I said be quiet!" AJ continually kicks the tree, each kick dropping an apple or two.

"It's nothing to be upset about. Lots of ponies can't buck apples very well. I'm sure you can do something else. Maybe sewing is more your forte?"

"No! I'm one of the best apple-buckers in Equestria!"

"Aren't you pretty well the only apple-bucker around here? Besides your brother, of course." A quick kick sends the apples of tree eight tumbling to the ground.

"You know what I meant!" The tree is eventually cleared and she moves onto number nine. She bucks it repeatedly as hard as she can, but to no avail. Not a single apple drops.

What has happened to her? Why is she no longer able to do what she has loved doing for so many years?

Ghost easily finishes his ninth, then trots over to number ten and wins the competition with ease.

AJ hangs her head in shame, "Fine. You win. Go ahead, rub it in."

"Oh, AJ, I'd never dream of it." Ghost says, walking over to the smaller pony and laying a hoof on her shoulder, "Poor, poor AJ, unable to perform her own job. It's alright, I'm sure they'll find a good use for you elsewhere. You know, I hear that if you watch an apple, it never rots. Maybe you could do that?" He drops his hoof and begins to walk away, chuckling, "Best of luck, Apple Jack."

He slips away through the trees and disappears into the darkness of the forest, leaving the broken pony to wallow in her despair.
---
"So, you and Ghost Moon are siblings?" Twilight asks, attempting a conversation.

"Yes. We were born not too long apart."

"Were you ever very close?"

"At one point, yes, we were about as close as two completely opposite siblings could be. We argued often, but we didn't hate one another. We were just young children when he got it in our heads that we could take on the world, as children tend to do. We left home together, convinced we were an unbeatable team. Our little duo only lasted about a year though, before we decided to go our separate ways. I became an apprentice to Celestia, while he continued his trouble-making."

"That must have been hard for you. Do you ever miss him?"

"Sometimes. We are brother and sister, after all. It's as I said earlier, I do not believe his intentions to be completely malicious; he's just naturally a little bit off. But, regardless of his motivations, he must be stopped before he crosses a line, which he is well-known for doing."

"Well, I hope we can find him before it's too late then." Twilight says, turning her head, "Right, girls?"

The trail behind her is empty.

"They're gone!" She gasps, halting.

"Oh no!" Fluttershy whimpers.

"Keep walking, Twilight." Crystal calls, "There's nothing we can do for them now."

Twilight runs to catch up then keeps pace with the taller pony, "You keep saying that, but how do you know for sure?"

"He's my brother. I know exactly what he is capable of. Mental weakness is his greatest tool for tearing a group apart like this and taking them out one at a time. You're friends are likely alright for the most part; he's not one to physically harm a pony too much himself. He likes to play games. But, even if we searched for them and found them, they would likely not be able to see us. That is just one aspect of his extensive magical abilities; total isolation. We would not be able to directly help them. Their only chance to return to this reality is if we find and defeat him. That will break his spell."

"Couldn't we just, maybe, ask nicely?" Fluttershy asks tentatively, staying close beside the Alicorn.

"Unlikely. He likes the game far too much. That being said, he isn't one to cheat or go back on his word. If we cannot match him in a fight, then our only hope is to beat him at his own game."

"Would that even be possible?" Twilight asks.

"I've never seen it happen. He has a way with words, you could say. He doesn't need magic to win, because he can talk you into doubting yourself, or even causing your own physical ailment. I once witnessed him convince another pony that her own best friend was an imposter and had kidnapped her 'real' best friend and would take her next. To the best friend he said the same thing. The two avoided each other ever since. It took him less than two minutes to convince them that his lies were truth."

"That's incredible... It sounds like we'll have more luck in a fight than beating him at his own game."

"That is the case. As I stated before, in the event that we confront him, please allow me to take the lead. There is a very slim chance that I can convince him to move to another location; however his stubbornness is only exceeded by his cleverness, so I doubt my words will convince him to leave."

"You were always one to give back-hoofed compliments, dear sister." Comes a voice from all around them, followed by a deep chuckle.

The group of only three comes to a quick halt.

"Brother, why have you come here?" Crystal calls into the trees.

"Am I not an adult? Can I not make my own decisions? I go where I please and stay as long as I want and do what makes me happy. My intentions are none of your concern."

"They become my concern when they affect me and those around me."

"Oh, relaaaax." Ghost Moon says in a droll manner, stepping forth from the trees to stand before them in all his glory, "I'm just having a bit of fun. Lighten up, sis. I'll be gone before you know it."

"That is not an acceptable answer." Crystal says authoritatively with a stomp of her hoof, "You will leave this instant."

The dark Alicorn grins and shakes his head, "No, I'm afraid I won't be. You see, I'm having far too much fun with the toys you've kindly brought me."

With a cruel laugh, his horn flashes with red light and the trees come to life, reaching out for the ponies.

Twilight attempts to fight off the offending branches with her magic, but a scream breaks her concentration.

Fluttershy struggles and breaks free of a branch's grasp on her and quickly takes off through the forest.

"Fluttershy, wait!" Twilight calls.

"Go after her!" Crystal instructs, "I will take care of him!"

Without another word the purple pony darts after her friend.

"Ha!" Ghost Moon taunts as the ponies disappear into the woods, "You've kindly handed over two more pawns in my game!"

"Your opponent is me, brother! Leave them out of this!"

"Oh, my poor naive little sister," Ghost chuckles, grin extending, "They became a part of this the second you led them into these woods. You should have known better, really. Why bring them along in the first place? It's not like they could help you. Sometimes I wonder if maybe you like baiting me on purpose, just to make the game last a little longer..."

"That is completely absurd and you know it." Crystal growls, "Your little game is sick and twisted."

"You shouldn't talk to your older brother that way, sis. It's rude and disrespectful. Besides, I know I'm right, even if you don't know it. You like my games; they remind you of our time spent together."

"That is a lie. Your head games do not work on me, so stop trying."

"Heh, couldn't hurt to try. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some new toys to play with. But, don't worry, I won't be too long." Ghost Moon says with a chuckle.

"Don't you dare!" Crystal yells, horn igniting in a blue aura. She fires a powerful blast of magic at him, but he easily jumps from it's path. The blast levels the trees behind him.

"So predictable, as always." He laughs. In a moment's notice, he's gone, as though the wind has simply swept his body away into the shadows, leaving behind his slowly fading laughter.
---
"Fluttershy!" Twilight calls out desperately, pausing only a moment to listen for a reply.

Silence.

"Great..." She groans, her head drooping, "Now we're all completely split up..."

"Ever the observant pupil, aren't we, Twilight Sparkle?" The voice comes again, seemingly all around her.

She is instantly on guard, "How did you get away from Crystal?"

"She's my sister, I know what needs to be done to get away from her. That being said, she always could find me again pretty quick, so perhaps we should get this show on the road?" He steps out from the trees, a wicked smirk in place.

"I know about your mind tricks. I'll have you know they won't work on me." Twilight declares proudly, "I'm-"

"You're what?" Ghost Moon asks sarcastically, "The smartest pony in Equestria? The biggest book worm in Equestria? Celestia's best pupil? Please, runt, I've been dealing with similar crap all day. The fastest flyer in Equestria, the most fashionable, best apple-bucker, best party-thrower; and yet they all fell to me. You think you'll be any different?"

"Well, I..." Twilight falters, but quickly clears her head, "I'm not perfect, but I'm perfectly capable of defending myself against a smooth talking pony like you."

"You think so? Prepared to put your money where your mouth is?"

"You bet." Twilight smirks, completely confident in her abilities.

"Fine. I'm going to talk to you, for just a bit, and if by the end of my lecture you can still use your magic, I'll set you and your friends free and leave."

"Fine, sounds good to me." Twilight says with smile. There's no way she'll lose this.

Ghost Moon smirks and shifts his weight around his hoofs, making himself more comfortable, "Ready?"

"Aaanytime you'd like to get started."

"So, you're the Princesses lackey, huh? Oh boy, the things I could say about her. She's one powerful pony, and yet she sends six runts out to do her dirty work? Seems a little reckless to me. Maybe she doesn't care about her kingdom all that much, or hell, maybe she just doesn't care about you? It would be simple, wouldn't it? Just keep sending you on these increasingly dangerous little quests, hoping that one day you won't wonder back. You wouldn't be her problem anymore, and you certainly wouldn't be a threat to the kingdom with all that power of yours. I have to wonder, did she really take you in to help you hone your skills, or was it to simply keep an eye on you until she could come up with a way to be rid of you?"

"Princess Celestia isn't like that! She-!"

"DON'T INTERRUPT ME!" Ghost Moon booms, shaking the forest, "I hate being interrupted! Do it again and you'll lose the bet! Now, where was i? Right, right.... Has she even been teaching you anything useful at all? I mean, Rarity has had no magical training what-so-ever, and it seems like she can use it nearly as well as you can. You couldn't take me on in battle; you wouldn't stand a chance. Face it, your magic is diluted and useless thanks to your Princesses' dislike of you." Ghost Moon smiles at his words, "Alright, I'm done I suppose. I could go on for days, but you seem upset, so I think I did well enough."

Twilight can barely contain her rage, "It isn't like that at all! She's a good, kind, caring, wonderful teacher and ruler!"

"Are you so sure? She's sent six brats to help take out one of the most powerful being's on the planet; how many fewer fucks can you give than that? It's clear she wants you out of the picture."

"You're a liar!"

"Am I?" Ghost grins, "Prove me wrong. Come on, take me out. Show me that she made the right choice in sending you on this little mission."

"You asked for it!" Twilight braces herself in preparation for using her magic. She concentrates as hard as she can, mustering up all her strength. Her horn begins to glow and flicker and she takes aim at the Alicorn.

Without warning, her magic dies. She tries to recall it, but it's no use.

"What? I don't understand... I know you're wrong!"

"Want in on a little secret, Twilight? When I talk, I'm not talking to you, I'm talking to your subconscious; playing on all the secret little fears you're not even aware of. You can't control what your subconscious allows you to do and not do since you're, well, not conscious of it. That is perhaps my greatest power."

"It shouldn't matter because you're wrong!" Twilight cries, attempting again to use her magic.

Nothing happens.

"Am I, Miss Sparkle? Perhaps we should ask your so called "friends," hm?" Ghost Moon says with a sly grin. His horn glows red and in a puff of smoke, Fluttershy is standing next to him.

The shy pony gasps and looks around, clearly startled, "Huh? Where am I?"

"Fluttershy, dear," Ghost says, leaning down toward the shorter pony, "I was just explaining to Twilight here that her dearest Princess Celestia has been lying to her for some time. Would you care to back me on this?"

"Oh, well, um..." She looks down at the ground and nervously rubs a hoof against her leg, "I don't know that I should say..."

"Come on, don't be afraid. She has a right to know, don't you think?"

"Well, I guess so..." She hesitantly looks up at the purple pony, "Gosh, I don't want to sound mean or anything, Twilight, but, I mean, well, you're not really our friend, or anything. I mean, don't get me wrong, I kind of like you, and such, you're very nice, but, um, I kind of... don't like you either, um, if that's okay..." She trails off near the end, choosing to stare at the ground.

"Just because you've managed to steal my magic doesn't mean I'm any less intelligent." Twilight says with a glare, "I know that's not the real Fluttershy. She would never say such things."

"Well, she ain't the only pony who thanks so." Says another pony. Apple Jack steps out from the trees, "Ta be honest, sugar cube, we all thank you're a bit... annoyin'."

"Not only that," Says Rarity as she too comes into sight, "But your mane is absolutely atrocious."

"And, you didn't appreciate the first party I threw you!" Pinkie Pie accuses, dropping in from a tree, where her tail is wrapped around a branch, leaving her hanging upside down, "That's so rude!"

"Not to mention, you're a total egghead." Calls Rainbow Dash, hovering just above the group.

"U-um..." Twilight takes a few steps backward, "I know these are just illusions. My real friends would never say these things."

"Could an illusion do this?" Dash snaps, dropping to the ground long enough to kick some dirt in Twilight's face.

Twilight cries out in pain and backs away further, shaking her head in an attempt to remove the dirt from her eyes.

The other ponies slowly close in, surrounding her.

"You're always talking down to everypony like you think you're so much better than them!" Dash yells.

"And, you can be kind of, um, loud and, well, obnoxious sometimes, I guess..."

"Ya can't even thank for yerself. Yer always relyin' on other ponies for help."

"You never wanna have fun! You're so stuck-up!"

"You're never appreciative of the things I do for you!"

Accusations and insults are thrown at her from all around, each one cutting deeper than the last. She can hardly fit a word in between the five ponies, her arguments always quickly cut off. Their voices grow louder and harsher as they close in on her, cutting off any means of escape.

Eventually they seemingly engulf her, blocking her from Ghost Moon's intense gaze. He grins when he hears her sobs between hateful sentences and quietly takes his leave.
---
The silence of the dark forest is periodically broken by quiet whimpers and soft sobs. Inside a hollowed tree trunk lies Fluttershy; curled up with her head tucked beneath her wing.

She begins to tremble and her heart hammers in her chest as she hears heavy hoof-steps thumping across the dirt toward her.

"Fluttershyyyy." Calls a deep voice, "Come out, come out, wherever you aarreee." The hoof-steps stop, "Don't be shy, I don't bite... Much." A dark chuckle makes her chest ache. She whimpers and tries to hide further inside the tree, but her back presses against wood and she can go no further.

"I know you're here, little pony," Ghost states, "I can hear your heart thumping in fear."

Fluttershy screams when the tree is suddenly ripped from the ground and thrown in the opposite direction, leaving her exposed to the smirking Alicorn.

"Well, well, well, look what I found. Do I get a prize for winning our little game of hide-and-seek?"

The yellow pony lets out a little squeal and attempts to run, but Ghost's magic catches her by the tail and lifts her from the ground. Her wings flap uselessly against the force, which is slowly pulling her closer to the dangerous pony. She eventually gives in a dangles uselessly in the air, not face-to-face with Ghost.

"Well, aren't you quite the catch? Ha!" Ghost lets out a bark of laughter at his own joke, "Too good to throw back, don't you agree?"

Fluttershy only whimpers in reply.

"What's the matter? Cat got your tongue? Well, I doubt that since you seem to get along with them so well." He chuckles.

Another high-pitched whimper.

Ghost frowns, "It's difficult to play the game if you won't participate." He allows her to drop to the ground, though she does not land on her hooves and has to scramble to her feet.

"Now, are you going to play or will you run?"

Fluttershy squeaks and cowers before him, averting her eyes.

Storyline

okay you arrive at Canterlot and meet with Celestia
Mane Six are ordered up to the castle and informed of your evil older brother
the mane six and you head to the forest and start looking for signs i was there
forest starts changing around separating the seven
first one i confront is rainbow dash
rainbow hears laughter and starts flying towards my shadow but just before she tackles me...
"poof" wings disappear and slides on the ground to my feet
reason dash's wings vanished is i played into greatest fears and since dash likes flying
Twilight no magic
Rarity old/ugly
Pinkie no voice
Apple weak
Fluttershy
yea... maybe she sees my "heart of gold" or something sappy like that
im thinking the other five and you barge through as i'm staring flutter down and you shoot me with magic and knock me out
you wake up in like a prison hospital or something
and they lock you up
but fluttershy's all "No hes good really, he can get better" or whatever
and convinces them to give you another chance?
then there would probably be more
like fluttershy is put in charge of "reforming" you
then we nuzzle in the rain

Ponies

Crystal Moon ->
Younger
Born under Solar Eclipsed moon (occurs 2 – 5 times a year)
Lives in harmony with the forests
Can control water; creates rivers
Purifies anything she chooses
Promotes joy, harmony, and forgiveness
Soft spoken, but not shy
Stands up for those who cannot defend themselves

Born under a Solar Eclipse, Crystal Moon grew up under the protective care of her parents and watchful eye of her older brother, Ghost Moon. They left home together at a young age to explore the world, but soon went their separate ways. Crystal was soon appointed by Celestia to schedule eclipses, which earned her a cutie mark after her first successful eclipse. She spends much of her time either in the palace or high up in the sky, where most ponies cannot venture. Her abilities to control water and purify anything contaminated make her an asset to the city. On nights of a Solar Eclipse, she dances beneath the stars and brightens the night sky.


Ghost Moon ->
Older
Born under Lunar Eclipsed moon (occurs once a year or less)
Fast
Able to exploit one's greatest fears
Blends in with the shadows
Promotes chaos, distrust, and vengeance
Tends to be rather loud and standoffish
Smooth talker; can talk even the most kind and gentle of ponies into doing a bad deed
Likes to cause trouble, but doesn't actually want to rule Equestria

Born beneath a Lunar Eclipse, Ghost Moon took a keen interest in darkness more so than any of the other colts. Also unlike other colts, he gained his cutie mark, a moon during a Lunar Eclipse, much faster. The Lunar Eclipse brings him great luck, he realized at an early age, and used it to his advantage, often performing his most daring acts of chaos on these nights. After his sister, Crystal Moon, was born, he became slightly less troublesome, but only for a short time. The two left home together at an early age, but split apart very quickly to perform their own agendas. Ghost traveled across Equestria, tricking naive ponies into performing mean tasks or tricking them out of their possessions. He has no real agenda, but instead simply wants to create a little chaos.