"A bolt of lightning broke the Sun Stone," Rose Dust said.
"Mike just fell," Micky said. "Boom! He's asleep, and I can't wake him up, and it looks like the star on his neck is glowing."
"I sensed this thing on his neck wasn't what it seemed!" Galaxy shouted. "We'd better get back to Dream Valley. Paradise will know what to do."
Micky put Mike's arm over his shoulder and did his best to take him back to Dream Valley. It wasn't easy. Gusty decided she should carry him on her back. That was what they ended up doing. Paradise and Cupcake were waiting on the hill. They were surprised to see the Flutter Ponies with the group that went to Flutter Valley, and also to see Mike lying limply on Gusty's back.
"What's the news?" Cupcake asked.
"A bolt of lightning broke the Sun Stone," Rose Dust said.
"And Mike just collapsed," Micky said. "I can't wake him up. And the star on his neck is glowing."
"This looks bad," Paradise said. "We'd better bring him into this cave we found."
The group moved into a large cave that was around the hills of Ponyland. Sparkler had her horn lit up for light.
"What 'appened to Mike?" Davy asked.
"I don't know," Micky said.
"He just fell asleep, I guess," Fizzy said. "And the star's glowing."
The ponies cleared a path for the others. Micky and Peter took Mike's arms and legs and laid him down on the ground. Paradise got a close look at him and the star.
"I remember something about this star, but I can't remember what," she said. "I wish I could."
"Did it have to do with magic?" Sweet Stuff asked.
"I think so," Paradise said.
"Then I think we may have to go see the Moochick," Megan said. "If magic is involved."
Fizzy, Wind Whistler, Galaxy, and Paradise went with Megan to see the Moochick. The others stayed behind to try to figure out what to do. The four of them walked along until it began to get darker.
"This isn't natural, Megan," Galaxy said. "It's not a normal rain cloud, either."
"The Moochick will know what it is!" Fizzy shouted. "And he'll know how to fix it!"
"I hope you're right, Fizzy," Megan said.
Megan and the three ponies walked to the Mushrump. The Moochick was sitting outside, reading a book.
"Mr. Moochick!" Fizzy called out. "We're sorry to bother you, but we need help."
"Help? Again?" the Moochick asked, putting his book down. "My, my, my, my, you ponies get yourself into more trouble than anyone I know!"
"We realize that, Mr. Moochick," Wind Whistler said. "But we need to inquire if you agnize anything about this sudden somberness."
"Huh?" Fizzy asked.
"She said we need to ask Mr. Moochick if he knows anything about the sudden darkness," Galaxy whispered.
"Hmmm, seems familiar," Mr. Moochick said. "I think I have a book around somewhere. HABIT!"
Habit was Mr. Moochick's rabbit, and he was smarter than the Moochick! Habit hopped about the house, just as Mr. Moochick, Megan, and the ponies walked inside. He gave Mr. Moochick the book.
"Ah yes, here it is!" he shouted, opening up a page. "Eternal Darkness. It says here that this spell has been tried many times, once by Tirac, who was stopped by the Rainbow of Light, and the other by the sorceress Enchantra, who was stopped by a great warrior, Claudius Nesmith."
"Did you say Nesmith?" Galaxy asked.
"Yes," Mr. Moochick continued. "Even though Enchantra has lived for years, her powers really never ceased. This looks just like her work."
Mr. Moochick showed Megan and the ponies the picture of Enchantra. They gasped when they saw the symbol on her forehead.
"That looks like the one on Mike's neck!" Fizzy shouted.
"And here's an image of Claudius Nesmith, Megan," Wind Whistler replied.
"He looks exactly like Mike," Galaxy said. "You guys don't think . . . ."
"Mr. Moochick, we have another problem you might want to look at," Megan said. "A friend of ours suddenly got this star shape on his neck, and he just dropped into a sleep, and we can't wake him up."
"We think it has to do with magic," Fizzy said. "Will you look at it for us?"
"Might as well, might as well," Mr. Moochick said. "Lead on!"