Ch. 1 & 2: The Magician's Counterfeit and the False Lover
Magician’s Counterfeit
~Velvet, oh Velvet…~
One woman’s voice is enough to echo through the otherwise silent realm of space.
~My master has a large nose.~
The voice is singing something that only she would understand.
“Hm, this is rather inconvenient,” she mutters. She turns in another direction before asking, “Can you see me now?”
This woman is dressed completely in blue: hat, gloves, dress, and boots. She has a short-style of silver hair. Her golden eyes pierce the darkness and stare at one particular point.
“No, I suppose you can’t,” she sighs, “Oh well, you’ll just have to make do with the underwhelming description which can’t even begin to capture my brilliance.”
Not only is she arrogant, but she has a complete disregard for the fabric of reality. In fact, she-
“I am Elizabeth, the ‘One Who Governs Power’.”
-doesn’t even let certain people finish their sentences before speaking.
“I am also a humble elevator attendant. At the moment, however, I am utterly neglecting my duties. It is a pleasure to make your a-quail-tance.”
A-quail-tance?
“A-quill-tance? A feather dance? It’s something along those lines.”
Sometimes she mistakes one word for another. She is getting better with time… I think.
“Anyway,” she continues with a smile, “I’m happy to say that I’ve truly begun my journey.”
She turns her wrist to reveal a card being held between her fingers. There is a number “0” at the bottom. Above that is a picture of what appears to be some kind of jester carrying a bindle. The card is mostly the same blue as Elizabeth’s outfit.
“I have about a year to pass until that large Shadow beast returns to this sea of consciousness,” she proclaims her thoughts out loud, “In the meantime, I’m not entirely sure what my next step should be.”
Even as she says this, she opens a book in her other hand and flips through the pages.
“I suppose a field trip is in order,” she giggles.
A unique, circular pattern appears in blue light before her. Before I can object, she strolls right on through. (Why did I ever think that I could actually write a story about Elizabeth? She just does whatever she pleases.)
“Color me expressed,” Elizabeth marvels. Her word choice gives her pause, though, as she asks, “Expressed? Depressed? Emperor? Something like that. At any rate, I never thought I’d come across a world such as this.”
Since she forgets to mention these things, I guess I should let you know that she defies the normal boundaries of time and space. Lately in her travels, she tends toward areas in which there are large gatherings of power. It is strange that her journey takes her to the land she is in now. After all, none of the residents of this world can use Personas.
“Personas are like a façade that a person uses in order to overcome the Shadows of fear and weakness during the darkest of hours.”
I am getting to that. Be patient.
“While you are busy with explaining things, I shall go take a look at the event transpiring over there.”
Wait, Elizabeth! Orpheus darn it. She just wanders into the business of others unannounced. If I wasn’t a disembodied voice, my palm would be covering my face right now. Oh well. I can roll with this. Breathe in. Breathe out.
The transpiring event that she mentioned seems to be a caped, blue pony yelling at ponies of several other colors in front of her.
“Now you have to leave Ponyville FOREVER!” the blue pony declares as a flash of red briefly overtakes her eyes.
“That’s enough Trixie,” retorts an orange pony wearing a Stetson.
“You can’t possibly expect Twilight to leave town forever,” claims a white one.
“Pardon me if I intrude.”
“Huh?” ask some of the multiple ponies standing around.
I suppose the appearance of Elizabeth does warrant some confusion. In this world, the appearance of a biped that is humanoid in shape is very rare, if ever. Not to mention, she is interrupting an intense debate without any cause or actual point to make. Still, that doesn’t stop her from speaking her mind.
“I couldn’t help but notice the large disturbance of the peace,” she comments with an amused tone, “Is it safe to assume that you are the cause?”
“Who are you?” the blue pony asks, “The Great and Powerful Trixie demands to know.”
“My, my,” Elizabeth smiles, “‘Great and Powerful’ you say? That is indeed a grandiose title to have.” Though, her smirk neutrals out as she continues talking. “Are you certain that throwing away that much of yourself is worth that small shred of pride?”
“What?” Trixie opens her eyes wide at the unexpected question.
Her heart’s Arcana is not one of the Majors, Elizabeth thinks as she observes various waves beyond our understanding, It holds the same level as the Magician, but it carries the title of ‘the Deceit’.
“Instead of trusting a foundation in which you place your order,” she thinks out loud, “you instead rely on illusions surrounding your heart, hoping to fill the void with magic that just doesn’t fit.”
In contrast, she turns to look at the lavender pony just behind five others and a dragon, That one’s heart is that of ‘the Magician’.
“Even without the power of the wild card, you have bonds that can calm your emotions and help restore the sense of order that your heart desires.”
“Hey! Turn around and face Trixie!”
Don’t even bother, Trixie. If I as the author cannot control what Elizabeth chooses to do, then you have even less of a chance. Right now, her attention is focused on the one surrounded by friends.
“Given enough time, you may eventually walk the path to even greater truths,” she says with a sense of fascination, “What is your name?”
“Twilight Sparkle,” responds the lavender pony Elizabeth is staring at, “But I don’t understand. What are you talking about?”
“The Great and Powerful Trixie will not be ignored!”
The woman sighs, “One moment please. It seems I must deal with a rude interruption.”
“You are the interruption!” Trixie yells as red sparks start dancing around her horn.
“Would you like to have a duel against me?” Elizabeth asks Trixie rhetorically, “Come, then. Your fate is in the cards.”
She opens her book and cards start floating in circular motions. They are in her power and under her control. These are not merely paper and ink, but the very force behind Power’s governess. Energy seems to rush in all directions. The six ponies and the dragon directly behind her have to take a few steps back because the sheer force of that energy is so overwhelming to be near.
Trixie attacks first with a magical burst that resembles an arc of red lightning. Elizabeth takes a direct hit. Despite her flinching, however, her words are still calm and collected.
“Oh my,” she says softly, “You have the eyes of one that intends to kill. Very well, then. Allow me to return the favor.”
One of her cards shatters as a new entity appears just above her head. It resembles a dark monster with several rectangular charms attached to its back. On top of that, it holds a sewing needle as large as a sword in its hand.
“Meet Thanatos,” Elizabeth introduces, “the very entity of Death.”
“Trixie doesn’t know what you’re doing,” Trixie admits, “but she won’t let it happen.”
Another spark from her horn gathers several storm clouds overhead. A large pile of snow is dropped on top of Elizabeth and her Persona. Trixie’s face holds a smirk until the snow suddenly spreads away from the enemy’s position.
“Here is some fire,” the enemy states. Thanatos waves a hand just above the ground as a pillar of blue fire races over. Trixie gets tossed into the air and gains a burn on her skin.
“Here is some electricity.” The book floats in front of Elizabeth as a stream of purple lightning rushes forward. The falling Trixie gets hit by the electrical blast and is sent sliding along the ground.
“Impossible,” she coughs, “No pony can defeat the Great and Powerful Trixie.” With that, she drops out cold.
Elizabeth shuts her book and Thanatos vanishes. A bell chimes three times. Every pony, woman, and dragon looks in the direction of the sound. The pink pony is holding a small bell and a mallet. She tries to say something in her defense. But it seems she is without a mouth to speak.
“Well, that’s enough to be done here,” Elizabeth comments. Another blue circle made from an unusual pattern appears and she starts walking through it.
“Wait!” Twilight Sparkle hollers, “I still have questions! Who are you?”
“Elizabeth!” the inconsiderate dimension-hopper replies before she and the circular pattern vanish.
What on earth was that all about? Twilight wonders silently.
Meanwhile, a forgotten antagonist comes to her senses and stands up. Her anger is only magnified by her red magical aura.
“As I was saying, you will leave forever!”
Twilight finds herself helpless as the red aura surrounds and flings her through the air.
False Lover
Elizabeth reappears in… a bride’s prep room. Wait, how are you here? The order of any story universe requires you to follow the chronological order of events.
“Such parlor tricks can get stuffed.”
Her disregard for the author’s concern is anything but quiet. A tall, pink pony in a rather fancy dress looks away from a mirror. When this pony sees the intruder, the rose that is being held up by a green aura quickly drops to the floor.
“What?” gasps that pony, “Who are you? What are you? Why are you here?”
As usual, Elizabeth completely ignores the interrogation and observes existence that cannot be comprehended by mortal, sentient beings. She does not read exact thoughts, but she can infer vague notions that are fairly close to actualities.
Hmm, this one’s power is similar in Arcana rank to that of ‘The Lovers’, she mentally notes, However, instead of desiring a meaningful relationship with reciprocating love, her power is that of ‘The Lust’. She draws in her energy by love sent in a single direction.
“On top of lust,” she continues out loud, “She currently holds an illusory form. It is not one involving buried memories. Rather, it is a form stolen to ultimately give strength back to her subordinates. How in-tree-guing.”
In-tree-guing?
“In-oaking? In-elming? Anyway, I’d like to test such a heart myself.”
“What the hay are you babbling about?” asks the confused pony.
Elizabeth opens her book and flips a couple of pages. Light starts pouring out of the book in all directions. It is blindingly bright. The pony in the dress has to raise a hoof to shield her eyes.
“Well, this is almost as fascinating as Labrys’s power,” comments Elizabeth with a small smile.
When the light clears, the dress and pony are no more. In their place, a creature as black as charcoal stands. Holes riddle the creature’s body. Its eyes are a sickly green. It has wings that resemble an insects and fangs of a carnivore.
“There are fairy tales that speak of shapeshifters known as changelings,” Elizabeth continues, “What a find to discover some truth in those fairy tales.”
“You would dare strip away the guise of Queen Chrysalis?” the presumed changeling snarls, “You will not leave this room alive!”
“So you aim to kill as well,” sighs Elizabeth like she is bored, “Then let us proceed. Your fate is in the cards.”
A card shatters atop her opened book. The Persona Thanatos appears with its needle ready to kill. The room that these occupants are in suddenly stops moving and turns completely black and white.
“And that, dear readers is where this tale comes to a close,” comments a separate, in-color Elizabeth while shutting a book.
Wait, what? What do you mean this is the tale’s close? We’re not done yet.
“Come now. Where’s the fun in just telling them how this battle turns out? Let their imaginations fill in the gaps.”
What? No, that’s not how you end things. Permanent cliffhangers make stories look lazily written.
“This has been your governess of power. I hope you all feel enlightened from basking in my presence.”
Elizabeth, wait! Don’t press that publish button yet!
Wait, what's going on? I thought this was a one-shot!
Untold Bookmark: The Chariot, The Star, The Hierophant, The High Priestess, The Empress, The Strength, and The Magician
“Well then, allow me to show you what would have happened in the event that I had stayed in that town’s center a little longer.”
Ah! Elizabeth-san, don’t scare me like that. Here I was convinced that you weren’t going to let the story complete.
“Hmm? This isn’t your story that I’m completing. It is simply a piece that I wish to explore in further detail.”
What? But your battle with Chrysalis…
“Here we go!”
For Jiraiya’s sake! Ugh, fine. We’ll do it your way for now. But we’re not done with this Elizabeth. (Why am I even trying?)
The elevator attendant opens a blue portal and steps through it.
In a repeat of the previous chapter, the mouthless Pinkie Pie rings her bell three times. The other ponies stare at her. However, the woman in blue is staring at someone else.
“Twilight Sparkle,” she says with fascination.
Twilight’s head quickly turns in Elizabeth’s direction as if she just remembers that she is there. She blinks a couple of times.
“I find your heart to be inspiring,” the Governess of Power continues, “Would you be so kind as to accept my challenge?”
“Your challenge?” echoes the unicorn, “You mean like a magic duel?”
“Splendid!” Elizabeth cheers, “We’ll begin right away.”
“W-Wait!” exclaims Twilight, “I never said yes.”
“Oh, don’t even worry about that,” Elizabeth says dismissing some unspoken statement, “You can have as many allies join you as you like. In fact, I encourage you to trust your friends to fight by your side.”
“Wait, what?” mutters the befuddled Twilight.
“Please bring your full strength as if you intend to kill me,” Elizabeth says with a straight face, “Otherwise, your very soul may shatter at the display of my spectacularness.”
Spectacularness? That wasn’t even a slip-up. You just made up that word.
“What’s your point?”
Don’t talk to me while you’re in the story’s setting. There’s something called the fourth wall. I’d like to keep the damage it takes to a minimum.
“Good luck with that.”
Tomoe darn it. While I’m busy arguing with our protagonist, Twilight Sparkle has her own discussion with the friends that surround her.
“What do we do, Twilight?” asks a concerned Spike, “She just challenged you to a fight to the finish.”
“Well, we can’t just ignore her,” Applejack pitches.
“Yeah,” agrees Rainbow Dash, “Anyone that threatens Twilight’s soul needs a good kick in the face.”
“But did you see how much force she could use against Trixie?” points out Twilight, “This woman doesn’t even seem winded from that last duel.”
As if to prove her right, Elizabeth opens her book and a force of energy feels like it is radiating just by her standing there.
Rarity moaned, “I’m feeling dizzy just by looking at her.”
“What do you think, Fluttershy?” asks Rainbow Dash.
The other Pegasus has so far done nothing but sit there shaking in fear. So it comes as a surprise to every pony when she stands up and takes a deep breath.
“I’ll be with you,” she says calmly.
“Huh?” Twilight blinks uncomprehendingly.
“She said you can have as many allies as you want, right?” Fluttershy reiterates, “We… we can’t just sit this one out. What kind of friends would we be if we forced Twilight to face a scary situation alone?”
“Fluttershy,” whispers Twilight.
“You’re right,” nods Applejack.
“Couldn’t have said it better myself,” admits Rarity.
“Count me in!” Rainbow Dash puffs up her chest.
“Y-Yeah, we’ll show ‘em,” stammers Spike in an attempt to sound confident.
Although Pinkie Pie can’t speak, she manages to make an affirmative sound. Twilight stands up and takes on a determined expression.
“All right, girls,” she states, “Let’s do this… together!”
“Together!” cheer the rest sans Pinkie Pie (because she currently can’t speak).
“Excellent,” says Elizabeth, “The cards shall decide your fate.”
---{Enemy Advantage}
For some reason, the six ponies and the dragon now stand around Elizabeth in a large semi-circle. She flips a few pages in her book as a trail of cards spins around her. One of the cards shatters as Thanatos stands above her. She reaches a hand to the sky.
“I give you Megidolan!” she calls.
Three gigantic, purple lights appear in the sky and start swirling around en route to the ground. In haste, Twilight concentrates her magic into a large, magenta bubble that covers herself and her friends. Elizabeth’s attack explodes on the ground. No pony or dragon takes damage and neither does the ground. The magical bubble, however, wobbles a bit before popping.
Whoever is viewing this scene zooms in where they can just see the back of Rainbow Dash’s head. She flies in place and prepares to “Attack”. After initiating her choice, she rushes in with a quick pass that makes contact with the opponent.
“Oh my,” says Elizabeth.
The view transitions over to where Pinkie Pie is currently bouncing in place. She attempts to check “Persona”, but her ears droop when the grayed out option doesn’t work. Though, she quickly perks up again as she selects “Skills”. In doing so, she pulls out her ten simultaneous instruments and plays them all. An orange light called “Attack Up” is given to everyone on her team.
Applejack takes the spotlight by showing off her “Skills”. She pulls out her trusty lasso and aims it at Elizabeth. With a tug, she pulls the lady to fall flat on her face.
“Oh my,” Elizabeth says again. She stands right back up without trouble.
Fluttershy is given the floor. Contrary to her claims that she can’t control it, she gives her “Skills” a try. Her eyes open wide as the very air seems to vibrate. She stares at Elizabeth very harshly. It appears to visibly shake some “Attack, Defense, and Hit/Evade” down from her.
Rarity’s gem-finding spell kicks in and pulls a red gem out of the ground in front of her. Her “Attack” launches said gem forth, shattering on impact with the opponent.
“Good hit,” Elizabeth compliments.
An “Item” manifests itself from Spike’s fire breath. Specifically, it is a letter from Princess Celestia giving a little extra notice for when she’ll be back. The detail catches Twilight’s attention and a blue light shines from underneath her hooves.
“Twilight is now focused,” Elizabeth notes.
I was going to say that!
“Then next time, just say it.”
For the love of Konohana Sakuya, stop talking to me while I’m trying to tell the story!
Now, where was I? Oh, yes. With Twilight’s “Mind Charged”, she can now focus the strength from the bonds of all her friends here. A pseudo-elemental rainbow shines through the air and runs by the necks of Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Fluttershy, Rarity, and Spike. This converges into a star-shaped point above Twilight’s head.
“All of us together,” Twilight speaks with glowing white eyes, “Together as friends!”
A multi-colored laser flashes forward and squarely hits Elizabeth. She falls over into a relaxed reading position.
“Well done,” she congratulates.
“Splendid,” Elizabeth smiles as she closes her book and Thanatos disappears.
“The overwhelming mana flow,” notes Twilight, “It’s gone!”
“That battle has verified the answer to my question,” Elizabeth continues as if she doesn’t hear, “The observation of potential is in all of the bonds together rather than any single individual. It’s absolutely rephrasing.”
Rephrasing?
“Re-taining? Pre-mazing? Something like that.”
“What the hay is your problem, lady?” fumes Rainbow Dash.
“I’m afraid I must concur,” states Rarity matter-of-factly, “Forcing a duel of magical might upon some pony that doesn’t wish to is rather barbaric.”
“Could we please not do that again?” whispers Fluttershy. It seems her courage from earlier is back in its contained compartment.
“Uh, didn’t we kind of accept her challenge without hesitation?” points out Applejack.
Rainbow Dash tries to come up with a response. Failing to do so, she settles for a growl.
“Who in the world are you?” inquires Spike.
All eyes turn to the woman in blue. She simply smiles and focuses her golden gaze.
“Treasure the bonds you have forged,” she advises, “Never take them for granted.”
“R-Right.” Twilight slowly nods. “I know that.”
“Well, then.” A portal pops open. “I do believe it’s time for me to take my leave.”
“Wait!” Twilight calls, “You still haven’t told us your name!”
“It’s Elizabeth!” the woman hollers back as she steps through the unusual blue pattern.
Pinkie Pie’s muffled voice once again cannot be understood as she tries to add some comment. It’s probably not important anyway.
“It was amusing to appear in front of all of you again.”
You still have yet to help me fill the plot holes and ending of the last chapter.
“Do so on your own time.”
I can’t do that now. You closed off my first chapter with a password that I don’t know that only interferes with the writer’s view, not the readers’ access.
“Hmm, good point. Oh, this publish button looks very attractive right now.”
Mother of Take-Mikazuchi!
