Chronicles of the Protectors

With a burst of blinding teal light, Magia, Duster, Flood, Searing Sparks, Qul, and Tera' found themselves standing within a strange, well lit hallway.  The floor was colorfully tiled, holding a single red, regal carpet that led forward from where they had arrived.  Taking the obvious next step, Magia began walking along the carpet, prompting the others to follow.  As they walked, Magia took note of her new surroundings.  The walls of this hallway were lined with giant, regal stained glass windows, each depicting an odd symbol.  There appeared to be seven in total.  They held images of pink butterflies, a red, yellow, and blue lightning bolt, yellow and blue balloons, apples, a magenta six pointed star, a sun and moon, and one that caught Magia's eye much more than the others.  There, resting in the stained glass window, was a trio of blue, four sided diamonds, each resembling the single blue, four sided diamond on her flank.  Magia's thoughts of intrigue deepened more and more, as she inadvertently picked up her pace.

They soon reached the end of the hallway, where they saw, silhouetted in the dim light of a giant arched window, a lone pony, standing, looking outward.  He fluttered out the wings on his back, as his head moved upward, revealing a horn of considerable length on his forehead. The entire group was in awe.  Not only were they before the most powerful magic user in the world, but he was the only male alicorn any of them had ever heard of. Magia cautiously yet confidently approached the alicorn.

“Hello... sir...” She said, still in disbelief at the sight before her.  She noticed the alicorn's ears perk upwards as his head tilted slightly.

“Sir?” The alicorn responded, with a strangely effeminate voice.  He began to turn.  “Do I look like a sir to you?”  As the alicorn faced the group, Magia's eyes went wide and her mouth hung widely agape.  The alicorn before them was a mare. Her calming purple coat glistened in the dim light, almost accented beautifully by the low light.  Her mane and tail had the same effect, colored a darker purple, with a single pink stripe trailing through them. Her eyes glowed brighter than all of the light around them, shining a sharp, regal purple.  She smiled charmingly at Magia, who quickly dropped to a bow before the alicorn.

“Princess!” Magia exclaimed.  “Please, forgive my assumptions!”  The alicorn bent down and touched a hoof to Magia's. Magia looked up, still in awe, as the princess smiled at her.

“Do not fret.” The princess said. As she looked deeply into Magia's eyes, her expression changed, as if she had seen something that she had not seen in a long time.  “You...” She said, her face and voice holding a surprised and nostalgic feeling.

“W-what is it, princess?” Magia asked.

“Hmm?” The princess was lost deep in thought as she looked into Magia's eyes. “Oh! Nothing! I apologize.” She looked toward the rest of the group as Flood stepped forward cautiously.

“Are you the one known as choS?” She asked.

“I am, yet I presume that this one knows my true title.” She replied, smiling at Magia.

“Yes.  Princess Sparkle.  Princess Twilight Sparkle.” Magia recalled, bowing once more. Twilight rolled her eyes slightly, as she bowed down to pick Magia up once again.

“Exactly. My name is Twilight Sparkle, princess of Equestria.  I saw your unbelievable feat of magic, in putting Canterlot back where it belongs.  It truly does my heart good to see that royal city back in it's rightful place, overlooking all of Equestria.  I assume the library is still intact?” Twilight said.  Flood nodded as a smile began to crawl across her face.  “Now then, you know my name. Who are all of you?”

“My name is Flood. I am well trained in the conjuration and control of water in all forms.” Flood said, standing confidently.

“I am Duster.  I hold control over solid earthen materials, able to bend or alter them to my will.” Duster proclaimed, his face remaining stoic as ever, as he stepped forward, standing next to Flood.

“I'm Searing Sparks.  My magic focuses on heat and fire, in conjuration and control.” Searing Sparks said, stepping next to Flood and Duster.

“We are the brothers Ventus Dator, Qul and Tera'.” Tera' said, stepping forward alongside Qul. Magia stood, ready to introduce herself as well.

“And you are Magia Sperare.” Twilight said, looking toward Magia.

“Yes.” Magia confirmed, looking at the princess with a look of confusion.

“I know you through your eyes, for I have seen them before.” Twilight said, looking into Magia's eyes again.

“M-my eyes?” Magia asked, taking a step back.

“Yes.  The glow from beneath your eyes... I have seen it only once before, a long time ago.” Twilight said, “Please, come with me.” Twilight stretched a wing around Magia as she led her toward the stained glass window containing the trio of four sided blue diamonds.

“This symbol...” Magia said, looking at it more closely.  “It's similar to my cutie mark...”

“Exactly.  You have the family blood of a great unicorn in your veins. Tell me: do you recall the name of your great grandmother?” Twilight asked.

“Her name was Sweetie Belle.” Magia answered, looking toward Twilight.

“And do you know the identity of her sister? Your great, great aunt?” Twilight asked further.

“I-... No.” Magia looked down, and then back to the stained glass window.  “My grandmother told me that she was very rare. A one of a kind. Yet I never knew her name...” Twilight nodded.

“Well, she was certainly right in that regard.” Twilight said.  “Magia. Tell me if you know the name: 'Rarity'.” She looked toward Magia, who was tilting her head.

“Yes. She was one of the holders of the elements of harmony. The element of Generosity, if I recall...” Magia racked her mind, trying to remember all she had studied of the time before Degnemico. “Why?”

“That brilliant unicorn... is your great, great aunt.” Twilight said. Magia's eyes widened at this revelation, as she looked at the stained glass window in a state of disbelief. “I can see the spirit of harmony living on in your soul.  The spirit exists in every member of your family linked by blood.”

“But I don't think I understand, princess...” Magia said. “This astounds me, and I understand that I have the spirit of harmony within me, but what does any of that mean?”

“In her final hours, my dear, dear friend Rarity had a vision, shown to her by the spirit of harmony within her.  She told me that one day in the very distant future, a very powerful unicorn by the name of Magia Sperare would arrive before me.” Twilight said, recalling the past.  She seemed noticably sorrowful when speaking of Rarity.

“So? Did she say anything else?” Magia asked. Twilight closed her eyes as she smiled and nodded.

“She told me that this unicorn would be the one to decide the fate of Equestria.” Twilight said, looking toward Magia.

Magia stared forward, unable to convey any emotion. She moved her mouth, trying to think of something to say, but nothing came out.  Her mind was blank, as this prophetic news stunned her so greatly.

“M-me?” She finally choked out. “I will determine the future of Equestria?”

“Yes, Magia. I'm afraid that this burden rests on your shoulders.” Twilight said, nodding slowly. “However... That does not mean that you must bear it alone.  You have the aid of your friends behind you, prepared to aid you at a moment's notice.”

“My friends...” Magia turned and looked at the group behind her, each smiling happily toward her.  Magia couldn't help but smile back. She had seen the group as a set of faithful companions, yes, but now she was seeing them as her friends. A feeling that she had almost forgotten flowed back into her as she stood tall, smiling determinedly back at her friends. She turned her attention back to Twilight.

“Magia... There is one more friend you have on your side as well.” Twilight said, smirking slightly at Magia, who met her with a confused look. “You have me.  It is my sworn duty to protect the sanctity of magic, and friendship.  You will always have my aid.”

“Thank you princess.” Magia smiled happily at Twilight, who quickly matched her gaze.