The sky was dark, but nopony paid any mind to it. As long as any of them remembered, there was only twilight. It shone when they woke up and it shone when it was time to rest. Even though were many lights shining in Ponyville, they barely lit the darkness on the streets. Some of them shone from humble houses, some from the lanterns lighting the streets where even fewer guards would walk the streets, and finally, some came from Sugarcube Corner, one of a few places where hard working ponies could find stale food and a pint of cheap swills. But the only natural light was only a slim line on the horizon. The red-yellow lights shimmered over the peaks of mountains far away.
A loud buzzer rang near the town hall, and soon, a crowd of ponies in miner hats came in from Ghastly Gorge's direction. The stream continued through the streets and flowed towards the doors of Sugarcube Сorner. All sorts of subjects were discussed among the ponies.
Most talked about their bounties and how they were going to spend it. Others talked about the king’s reforms, quietly, and some just chattered about the usual things in life. But many conversations eventually led to the topic of the Everfree Forest.
The Everfree Forest was indeed a mysterious place overrun with rumors. The first mystery was the strange, dense vegetation. Some ponies said it was the work of rebels who hide in the woods and robbed transports of food and seeds bound for Canterlot. The seeds were then used to grow the trees faster and stronger. They frequently robbed transportation of food and seeds for Canterlot’s breeders, and by this seeds, the trees of the forest grown faster and stronger. Some ponies supposed the forest was simply special and can not only grow in the dark, but even without water. Others believed the forest was enchanted by some powerful witch that even king’s guards could not catch.
The second mystery wese the strange animals that lived deep in the forest. They never left the woods, never attacked the town, and nopony heard about them living anywhere else except in the Everfree Forest. Timberwolves, parasprites, hydras, and even cockatrices were just some of the fauna that could be found in the forest. Not that the ponies really mind. The Everfree Forest’s creatures were frequent guests on a pony’s dish they were much easier to catch than buying any crops.
Behind the large crowd, one particular colt, with a matted mane and dirt stuck between his ears, slowly limped after them, carrying four bits in his mouth. Two royal guards walked along, glancing at the thin colt and giving a chuckle, before continuing their way to bring peace and harmony among the streets. As soon as both guards left, the young colt heard some rustling from behind but having no time to look back, tripped on something and fell. Bits tinkled, hitting the road and rolled away from him somewhere in the dark. Impish laughter burst from behind the poor colt.
"Need help, pal?" A brown-bodied stallion asked, looking like he was the leader of this little gang.
"Hey look, Filthy, the dope fell all over his face!" One of the dumb looking goons smirked, laughing cruelly as he pointed a hoof at the fallen foal. The others in their group laughed just as cruel and loud.
"Cool off. We ain't no monsters to laugh at some poor foal's faults. Here, take my hoof," Filthy Rich said in sympathy as he lent a helping hoof.
The colt stared at the hoof in apprehension, looking on guard as he looked unwilling to take it, but what choice did he have? He knew what would happen if he refused. He reached out his hoof to take Filthy's, but in a quick movement, the impish stallion pulled away, snickering as he watched the young colt smacked down onto his face.
"Gotcha!" They all laughed with a vengeance, smirking with a coltish cruelty.
"Hey, how stupid can you be if you keep on falling for the same trick again and again?" He stood on his forehooves and bucked against the prostate colt's stomach. "Did you think that you can get away from us? You haven't paid for the last three days, pal."
"I... I just don't have any money now. Please don't hurt me. I just need something to eat. This is everything I have. They don't pay a lot to colts, my father died in the mines, and my mother can't work anymore. Please leave me alone! I need this money!" the young colt begged, trailing off int a cry as tears streamed down his face.
“Hey, Filthy, catch!” One of Filthy’s companions kicked the bits to him. With a deft flick, Filthy grabbed all the coins in midair, still smiling mischievously, but soon, his face became red.
"Four bits? Garbage!" Filthy bucked him again, causing the poor colt to compress further. "You know that you're supposed to pay us for the job and room, but you are already late by three days!" he yelled angrily, bucking the foal once more. "What did you expect to buy with four bits? You can hardly buy a stinking pint of water for it! It’s better to take 'em from you, on account of your debt." He sneered down at him, indicating to one of his goons to fetch the fallen bits.
The colt coughed. "I... Please... I need them... We haven't eaten for the last three days... Please..." His pleas went unheard as the bully gave him a one hoof buck, this time to his face, causing a resounding crack and making the young colt cry out, clutching his hooves onto his snout. Blood gushed out as his tears began to flow down his cheeks from the pain.
"You have to be kidding. Listen here, stupid, you still have to pay us fifty bits in one month, and if you decide to spend these bits somewhere else, you won't get away with just a bucking." Filthy kicked him one last time and spat in his bloddy face before calling over his shoulder for his goons to leave, laughing about something or another, into Sugarcube Corner.
"Hold back, private, don't rush in." A mare held the guard. "She will not escape."
Around twelve ponies stood before a cave's entrance, forming ranks and prepearing to assault another witch who had foolishly run into a dead end. They could not pass by somepony who tried to do magic... and tried to steal their food.
The mare looked back at the troops that already formed into squads. "Good. Squad one and two will be guarding outside. Lightning Dust will lead squad three into the cave, and I, with squad four, will provide backup. Any questions? Good. Now go in, carefully. We don't know what lives in this cave."
Lightning Dust lit a torch, and the group of ponies started to slowly delve into the darkness. The cave seemed to get larger as they walked. A couple of steps and twists later, the cave expanded a little bit more, revealing new ledges and stalactites. Suddenly, Lightning Dust moved to a trot, separating from her comrades.
Her squad, a bit confused by the sudden change of formation, sped up to follow their leader.
"What are you doing?|” the mare hissed at Lightning Dust, “Get back into formation! That's an order!"
But she didn’t listen. Instead, Lightning Dust put her torch on the ground and snorted. "Why should we lose our time on formalities? We are two miles from Manehatten. Nothing lives in this cave. We are just wasting time searching for one pony. Nothing—" She had no time to continue as a sharp arrow cut through the air and buried into the ground one inch from her hoof. In a matter of seconds, she rolled back to her squad, readying a weapon.
"It's a trap! To arms!" The mare swiftly pulled out her sword just to meet another one which was held by one of the ponies who had jumped from their hiding spots on ledges. Another arrow whizzed just passed her ear. "Get back! Hold ranks!"
They were not in a good position. There were already around fifteen ponies assaulting them, apart from archers and other ponies who had just climbed down. Another arrow dashed right by her eyes, this time accompanied by a wheeze behind her. The mare made a quick glance, fast enough to keep parrying attacks, and to see what happend. Ironhoof! A tough lump stuck in her throat, but she kept moving back. She made a move under a sword swing and stabbed her own blade into her enemy. The pony fell, wheezing and trying to close the hole in his own body, while another jumped over him and took his place, pushing with his sword. The mare heard a crack of metal and another cry from one of her guards. Lucky Wing! Today he wasn't so lucky.
Soon, the two squads saw a light beaming not so far away, but their cheerful thoughts were soon cut off by more than a dozen new rebels who waited near the entrance.
King, save us! the mare thought when she heard another cry of help. Without even glancing, the mare rolled to the left just in time to cut the throat of another pony who had thrust his spear into the flank of another guard.
She looked at the guard who looked back at her, his body full of torment. "Captain, I..." He coughed, breathing heavily. "I... don't want to die. I have a family in Canterlot... I... I can’t die like..." He coughed again. "Save me, captain!" Another arrow from the darkness put an end to his torment. The mare shivered. She moved her head from the private just to meet another face right before her eyes. This was not a pony. Not a pony anymore. It was more like a skull with glowing eyes. The monster smiled impudently, showing its crushed teeth.
"Save us all, captain!"
CRACK
The mare hit the ground, panting heavily. She found herself staring at the wall of the captain's quarters, lying on the cold ground before her table. A candle glowed on a table, lighting the room just enough to see her armor on a mannequin and numberless pieces of paperwork which covered the whole table. The candle monotonically dripped onto reports, orders, arrangements to some events, and other forms, some new and some already signed.
The mare sighed and rubbed her sleepy eyes. Nightmares had started to haunt her often for the last two weeks, but for as long the mare tried to forget them, they kept on coming back. She grunted and sat back at the table. The mare spread her wings and felt her stiff muscles start to warm up. The mare smirked as she waved them around. The lack of armor on her back made it so much easier to move around. Even though her equipment saved her life a few times, it still had disadvantages. While wearing it, the metal plates prevented pegasi from using their wings. Some of the guards even forgot how to fly, but she didn’t want to. Maybe someday, everything would change, and then...
A knock on the door drew her attention. On the doorstep stood one of her lieutenants. "Everything is ready to escort the witcher, ma’am."
"Did he say what he wants?" The mare looked at him with still sleepy eyes.
"He asked to speak with you."
The mare raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Very well. Lead me to him."
Loud clops echoed through the prison accompanied by moans from cells here and there. Many cells were occupied by a pony, but some had a few or even all the members of a family. The law in Equestria was strict. Ponies were there for many different reasons. Bribery, thievery, rebelling, opposing the king, suspicion in betrayal to the crown, refusing to pay taxes—or more likely the inability to—and many more serious crimes. Here, they spent a major part of their lives, starving and praying to be released someday.
In a far side of the prison were special places for special ponies. Ponies that were suspected in threatening others by using unnatural abilities which everypony commonly called magic. Everypony in Equestria—either pegasi or an earth pony—knew one of the most ancient laws: don't bite off more than you can chew. The pegasi were born to fly while earth ponies were much stronger, and none of them could do something that others couldn’t. Of course there were exceptions or talents. Someone could do something better than others, but at the end, everypony could do it somehow. However, some dreamers sabotaged this system. They believed that ponies can do much more, something unexplainable. Some of them worked hard, and some just spread those ideas until other ponies whose talents were far more special started to appear.
And now, one of these dreamers was sitting on the cold stone floor of a prison before the mare. His forehooves and neck were bound to the wall while the rest of his body remained sitting on the floor. His purple eyes were open as he looked at the mare. He was... old. Older than most ponies ever lived.
Give him a day or two, and he will not need a gallow. The mare smirked as she entered the cell. A smile appeared on the prisoner’s face, making her wince. "What do you want, witcher?" She closed the door behind her and sat, looking at the prisoner with indifference in her eyes.
"You have come. Good. Do you already know my last request?" the pony asked slowly as though each word came with an effort.
"Of course I know. Why else would I be here? I must admit, your request is quite... unusual. Most ponies ask to let them say farewell to their families or even spare their lives, but you are the first who asked to talk with me."
"Look at me. Family? I already outlived them. I have no family and no friends left. All I have is my talent."
The mare winced again. "Talent? More like a curse. Your talent is prohibited in Equestria and is a reason for you to be here."
The pony smiled. "You’re right. That's the reason I’m here, but foreseeing the future is a gift, not a curse."
"Yet this gift did not save you from being imprisoned. If that's a gift, then it’s a useless one."
"Oh, you got me wrong. I'm not in prison for my talent. I am in prison because of my talent. I'm here to talk to you."
"And what exactly do you want to talk to us about?" The mare yawned.
"About what I’ve seen." The pony raised his glance, trying to look at the window above him. "Look outside. I cannot see anything from here, but I know what lies out there. Under the purple skies, ponies fight each day to survive in this world. The chance to grow food is a privilege, and others have to spend lives to be able buy it. And a slim, constant light shines from the dragon lands.
“Nothing has changed the whole time that I lived. Not for my father or even his father. But soon it will all change. A creature from the tales will come and spark a course of events that will change everything. The fire from the dragon lands will envelope the land, but it will be welcomed by everypony. It will not hurt or burn but provide warmth and light. The ones who had the privilege to grow food will lose it because everypony would be able to do.
I saw this land flourish. The rule of the black king will end, and new rulers will come. And you will be one among few who will make it happens."
"Is that all?" The mare raised an eyebrow lazily. "I have a lot of preparations to make for your execution."
"That is all I wanted you to know." The prisoner sighed. "I never thought the sky could be as beautiful as it will be."
"I have to say, that is a nice fairy tale of yours, but let me explain some things. I'm captain of the royal guards. My father was the captain before me and my grandfather before him. I've caught dozens, if not hundreds of witchers like you, all to protect the law and ponies. I'll always be loyal to the crown and will never betray the king. Not before, not now. Your mind is just playing tricks with you, witcher, if you think otherwise." With that, the mare opened the door to leave the cell.
"I never doubted that you will ignore me. But remember, you might be loyal to the crown now, but you will eventually understand how you were wrong, Rainbow Dash."
Those last words pierced through the door while the mare took her leave.
Streams of ponies flowed from the mines in Ghastly Gorge to the one and only place for fun: Sugarcube Corner. Ponies constantly moved in and out, colliding with each other before the doorstep of the store, sometimes on purpose to try to steal something for their pleasure. It wasn't a good day for pickpockets though since a few of them left the shop entrance with a couple of shiners. They were accompanied by a few bums who already spent all their bits on cheap booze or were thrown out for fighting and heckling other patrons.
There was not an empty seat inside the crowded room. Ponies of all statuses, from miners to even the mayor, found their own source of fun and excitement. Smooth music played, making the aura for tonight seem soothing and calm. A pony stood behind a table, waiting for something. A moment later, he pulled something out his month, and two dices rolled out. Most of the ponies gave a sound of disappointment when the dices finally stopped, counting in their minds all the bits that they lost. On the other side, a group of young hunters feasted over a delicious looking dish consisting of timber sticks with a slice of greenery— most likely moss—a pile of leaves, and on the top of that, roasted roots. Everyone had the same meal of what once were formidable timberwolves. Even though it was made from such woodsy beasts, it actually looked wonderful as they chugged down mugs after mugs of booze with at least five large bottles strewn all around them as they laughed boisterously over the prize they'd won.
A short, stout mare stood before a counter, polishing some plates, mugs, and whatnot with a wet cleaning cloth that looked worse for wear. You'd think a mare like her would get sick and tired of all the obnoxious noises of the occasional angry, drunken fight to the bums drinking down their sorrow and yapping about their misfortunes to nopony in particular, but she didn't care.
"I don't understand, Fluttershy, why you care so much about all these animals. You know how it's hard to survive for everypony, and having extra mouths to feed just makes the whole thing worse for you," Mrs. Cake said, looking at the hooded figure in front of her with a hint of annoyance.
The pony in question had long, pink hair, a butter-yellow coat looked meek, and was shuffling her hooves under the cloak she wore which actually looked more like a rag that was made into some sort of… cloak, if you can even call it that. She raised her hoof and pressed it somewhere near her wing, pushing back two white paws. "Oh... Well... I know, but you see... I can't just let them die. Who else can help them but me?" she said timidly, her eyes filled with empathy to the creatures in question.
"You're just so..." The pink-haired mare sighed, shaking her head in exasperation. "Okay, let's just pretend that I get it. I just think that your love for animals is too strange compared to the normal pony. What can you offer me this time?"
Fluttershy twisted around and soon, in her mouth, shone eight bits. "Is... Is it enough?" she asked nervously.
"Are you kidding? I can sell you a gallon of booze, but this here is hardly enough for half an apple."
"Oh... but... but this is all I have. Is there anything I can get for these?" She lowered her bits onto a counter, shuffling her forehooves shyly.
The mare chuckled but took the bits. “Just wait here.” She passed the corner to the kitchen just to reappear again with a small, rough bag. The bag swung with every step, making a rattling sound.
Mrs. Cake spat the bag before Flutershy. “This is what we have left from the timberwolves. We use everything we can, but we always have something left. You barely can eat it, but perhaps you can try to feed some of your animals with that. And something for you too.” She opened the bag, revealing a slice of apple. “It isn’t much, but that’s everything I can do for you.”
The doors suddenly flew wide open by a hard kick from the other side. Nearly everypony turned to look at the newcomers with either fear or disgust. A quartet of ponies imposingly went through the hall to the bar.
A brown-coated stallion sat and carelessly threw a jinging bag to the mare.
“Hey! Give us your best booze and treats! I’m in a mood today!”
“Filthy Rich. Where did you get this money? Stolen from the colts?”
“Does it matter where the money comes from? Mind your own business!”
Mrs. Cake smirked. "Yes, of course. Even if it means to rob the poor." She opened the bag and looked inside. "There's around seventy bits. The best meal that I can do will cost a hundred for scum like you, so you better loosen your pockets."
"Hey, you don't want problems, do you?" Filthy narrowed his eyes at her, pawing at the ground menacingly.
"Have you ever met our newest bouncers?" Mrs. Cake nodded to the side, looking with her peripheral vision at the corner. Two rather large stallions were panting as they engaged in an intense hoof-wrestle. From just one glance at them, it was clear to better keep your distance. The brown and red stallions looked like tanks.
Filthy grimaced but soon pulled out another bag. "Whatever, just give us what you have."
"You better stay quiet; I got better things to do," The blue-coated mare said, frowning at the Filthy as she turned around and went inside a backroom behind the counter.
Filthy glared at the mare's retreating back, snorting in annoyance as he dared to peep at the far side of the counter where Fluttershy was tying her sacks.
"Hey, guys! Look who we got here: the crazy pony who's broke and alone! Hahaha! All because of her dumb animals!" He jumped from his place with a quick pace to stand before her. "Come with me, and I’ll show you the beasts we have," Filthy sneered, waggling his eyebrows as his cronies gave loud, obnoxious laughter, punching each other's shoulders.
The young, butter-yellow mare squeaked and backed away. White paws dropped from her cloak once again.
"Wow, huh. Hey, hey, hey, I have a better idea. Why don't you sell me one of your rabbits? I always wanted to test a hare." He moved his hoof towards Fluttershy.
At an instant after his words, a little, cute bunny's head showed from the side of her "cloak". Little, black-bead eyes angrily glared at Filthy. In a moment, the bunny jumped from Fluttershy's cover, onto Fillthy’s muzzle, and then kicked him in his right eye.
"OOOOUCH!!! THAT HURTS!!!" Filthy grabbed his eye in pain. The bunny jumped back to Fluttershy's wing and stuck out his tongue. "YOU LITTLE..." he raised his head, looking straight at Fluttershy with his black eye. "I WILL KILL YOU!" Filthy raised his hoof, ready to punch her.
"Don't you dare fight in my inn!" Mrs. Cake raised her voice. "And you," she looked at Fluttershy, "you better be going before this scrub does something he will regret later."
"Ahm... sorry for Angel... yes... Thank you." Fluttershy stepped back a few times before turning and running away.
“But she!? Her stupid animal hurt me! Everypony saw that!" Filthy tried to argue but was cut off by a stern look. He spat on the floor and went back to his seat.
One of his followers came closer to him. "Don't you think it's way too expensive here? We’ll have to spend a few days collecting bits again."
Filthy continued to look at the inn door. Soon, his face spread into a smile. "That won’t be a problem. I know exactly how we are going to make some more fast money."
Canterlot Gardens was packed to capacity. Noble ponies, families of guards, and honored citizens of Canterlot were dancing around or just chatting with each other about their everyday routine. The clinking of glasses and music accompanied them. Over a hundred ponies had came here today to watch a show, find new avenues for their businesses, or just spend their time in comfort.
On a balcony stood a black earth pony, looking at the swarming crowd with a smile. A generous number of gems adorned his vest and his crown, shining even in the constant twilight, accurately stressing his royal figure. Two guards were by his side, and right below the balcony stood their captain, Rainbow Dash. Her mane and tail were neat and tidy, and her armor was more decorated than what other guards had—she had some privileges after all—but even though she looked better than the others, her mood was nasty. She'd came through this way hundreds of times, one for each witcher the guards had caught. She swore they were doing the right things and other ponies enjoyed the show, but, still, she didn't like it. They were protecting ponies, and they had to do something with the witchers... but this was just too bloodthirsty.
Suddenly, she heard the sound of clopping from behind and turned to meet the upcoming guard. "I'm here to report that our informat in Ponyville saw another witch."
Rainbow Dash sighed. Finish with one just to deal with another. "Well, I will deal with it later. Anything else?"
"I'm also to report that everything is ready, ma’am."
"Good." Rainbow Dash nodded. "You can begin."
The guard nodded in response, backing away.
After a short moment, the sound of trumpets rang in the air, making all the ponies stop whatever they were doing and bring their attention to the main "guest". The show had begun.
The door of the prison swung open, revealing two guards escorting the witcher. The music died down, and everypony kept quiet. The only sounds that were heard were the sounds of the shackles and the heavy breathing of the prisoner.
The procession moved across the whole garden and up the scaffold, stopping only before the gallows. As they stopped, the royal voice from the balcony started to speak. "Fair Seer, You have been found guilty for treason to the crown, deceiving and threatening fellow ponies, and in the most serious offence, witchery. For your crimes, you'll be hanged at the gallows. Do you have any last words?"
Fair Seer raised his head to the sky. He opened his mouth and...
"Phaaaa..." His eyebrows raised in disbelief. He tried to open his mouth again. "Khraaaa.... pprghaaa..." His lips didn’t listen to him. He looked at the crowd which already laughed at the performance. He tried to reach for his throat, but his shackled hooves prevented him from doing so. Looking at the balcony he saw red eyes, nearly burning him with its fiery gaze, along with the violent smile on the face of their owner. The witcher tried to look away but only sank deeper into the eyes.
The prosecutor made his judgment and made a barely visible nod to the guards. At an instant they took the prisoner closer to the crowds of cheering ponies, and pulled the rope around his neck. The fate of Fair Seer was sealed, but neither it nor the loop that strangled him even before execution bothered him more than the fiery eyes he was looking at. Even when a pony came to the lever, the witcher didn’t show anything but confusion. His mouth spread into an unwilling smile.
"Hail... the king..." He shook his head in resistance to such nonsence, but nopony saw that. They were all waiting for him to finaly meet his death. A pony pulled the lever, and Fair Seer was released from the devil’s glance. It was too late for him. His hooves gave way to an opened abyss. He looked up, and saw the dark, starless sky. A soft smile spread across his face. Would anypony believe how the sky can be so…
The loud crack of a broken neck accompanied the clinking of glasses as the sounds of music resumed.
They MUST be somewhere here. A crystal-white pony walked through the gloomy corridors of the mines. Her short tail and mane were tied into a ponytail and barely bouncing with each step as the pony slowly moved, looking carefuly over the cave for something only she knew. Eventually, she reached a wall. She pressed her body against the wall, touching it carefully. That's too... tough. Growing frustrated, she pulled back and move to another spot. Not a moment longer, she pressed against the wall again, trying to find something in the heavy stone. "Not that... Neither is here... no… no… NO… NO! This is all wrong!" She moved her hooves a bit further and felt a tingle in her hooves. "AHA!" She pulled out a branch that she usually used for marking places and trotted into the dark.
She was absent for a long time but eventually the sound of hoofsteps and grinding resounded. She was back, but now she wasn't unprepared. With a mining hat on her head, she pulled a cart from the darkness, moving to the lucky mark. She squeezed her jaws on a pickaxe and...
CLANK
She hit it once but only a few tiny pieces of stone shattered and flew away.
CLANK CLANK CLANK
She kept hitting the wall, breaking through more and more stone. Her heart started to beat harder and hot sweat spread all over fur, but that was nothing to distract a pro like her.
CLANK CLANK CLANK CLANK CLANG
Excitement building up within her, she dropped her pickaxe and kept cleaning the spot with her hooves. Amongst the dirt and stone, a huge red ruby, as big as her hoof, was encrusted in the wall. The pony wiped the sweat from her head. This was going to be a long day.
"How... Again!? Wow, girl, how are you doing that?" a pegasus looked behind his partner, whistling. The pony who he was speaking to was covered in dust and rubble, and her mane was tangled. There was so much dust and dirt on her, it was difficult to see the white of her coat. The only thing that kept shining were the tired smile of satisfaction on her face and the trolley full of gems.
"I mean, we all work harder than ever, but you've outdone everypony. Girl, how do you even do that!?"
"Oh, you know, just luck." She raised her eyebrows.
"By any means, you are our best digger, Rarity. Without your help, I doubt that our team would meet our quota." He moved aside to another trolley. "Look." He put his hooves inside and soon revealed some sharp green stubs which was once a glorious gem. "That is all I could find for today. I'm afraid it is not enough to provide for my parents.”
"You know, I’ve already found enough. You can use my vein."
The pegasus looked at her in shook "But... but you found it. You know the rules: we work together and will never steal from each other."
"This is not stealing, silly. You can just use it. I don’t need it anymore. Besides, I can always find a new one."
"That is just too..." He sighed. "Thank you. I mean it." He raised his hoof to his chin. "You know, I thought about it a lot and..." he put his hoof arround his neck, "Well... There is a show in the hall today after work, and my cousin received some extra tickets and... You know... I can... I mean..."
"Do you want me to come?"
"Yes! Khm... That would be lovely." He smiled a little, but his shining eyes hardly hid his excitement.
She giggled and rubbed against his cheek. "Of course I will. Wouldn't miss it for the world." She smiled and nuzzled him again. "Just need some time for prepare. Can you give me a few hours?"
"Yes, sure! Few hours... I mean... that is fine. I have a lot of things to do too for now so... yes... that is great!" The smile stuck at his face so hard it looked scary on his confused face.
But Rarity didn't mind that scary look. At last, everything in her life was falling into place.
Fluttershy went through the empty streets of Ponyville to her shelter. Her step was slow, and her mood wasn't good at all. Not only had she lost her house from debts a month ago, but now she did not have enough bits to even feed her little friends. If it weren’t for Mrs. Cake and Rarity, she wouldn't be able to live for long. And now, she not only faced poverty, but nearly started a fight at Sugarcube Corner and caught unnecessary attention. She knew that citizens called her a witch behind her back, but she always tried to avoid contact and be less of a distraction for others, so they tolerated her. What if they change their minds after this incident? What if she could not come into town anymore?
"You shouldn't have done that, Angel." Fluttershy lowered her muzzle facing her "cloak". "Fighting is always not a good way to behave."
There were quiet squeaks from beneath her cover, and she felt a light kick at her hip. "No! You should not even think about it! What would the others think about that? They will not feel happy at all!"
This time, a white, little head appeared from beneath her cloak and looked at Fluttershy surprisingly. Angel opened his mouth and made a few more squeaks.
"Oh, maybe you are right. Maybe I had to stand up for myself. But next time, could you please avoid fighting?"
The bunny snorted. This cute, little snort made Fluttershy smile. How could she leave all her friends unfed? Angel, squirrels, mice and many birds who nested under her roof all relied on her one way or another. She could not leave them. She simply couldn’t.
But money doesn't come from thin air. She tried to get a job, but she was too weak for digging, too kind for patrol, and even fainted at her very first perfomnce at the local theater.
"What should I do, Angel? We can’t keep afloat for long."
The bunny shrugged. Then he slammed his paws and start to squeak feverishly.
Fluttershy chuckled. "Oh, I don’t think they will let me. You see, when—"
SMASH
She fell to the ground and looked ahead of her. The two guards she just hit rearranged their armor in front of her. Their indifferent glare over Fluttershy was enough for her to take a few backsteps.
"Miss, you are suspected in witchery and attempts to use magic. As you well know, this is a high level of crime. You must be escorted to Canterlot for further investigation immediately." A guard reached out to her.
"What? This must be some mistake... I do respect the law..." Fluttershy tried to mumble something to them, but Angel made his move first. He jumped from his cover and stood bravely between her and the guards. They took a second to exchange confused looks. That was their mistake. In a swift dash, Angel reached for the hoof of the forward guard and clamped his little teeth on it.
"OOOUCH! GET OFF!" The guard shouted and shook his hoof desperately, hopelessly attempting to throw off the white beast. Fluttershy jumped up, flying away to her shelter as fast as she could. "You stupid..." The guard finally released his hoof from the bunny. "Get her!"
Fluttershy flew as fast as she could, but she wasn't used to it. Sweat started to form on her wings almost immediately, and the harsh wind cut her eyes. She looked down. Even though she made quite a distance, both guards were still meters away. She gulped and felt like her heart was ready to break away. Each gasp was harder than the one before. As she lowered over the first trees of the Everfree Forest, one thought on her mind: run. The animals and her friends could not live without her, and she could not live without them. Oh, Angel, what have you done!? She landed carelessly on her hoofs, making a few wobbling steps on the ground before running.
The shelter was right on the edge of the forest, not further than a mile, near a small lake. The woods covered her and gave enough places to live and hide, and the pool outside gave fresh water for every one to use. Fluttershy dashed inside, shut the door, and tried to hide in a corner of the half-empty room.
Please... do not find me here... please leave me alone... please...
She heard distant voices outside, shouting at one another, commanding to search arround. Soon, tustles of leaves accompanied them. They were close. Too close.
CRACK
Fluttershy shivered over each rustle and broken twig. Please... Please go away...
"Sergeant, I think I found something!"
CRACK
Another twig was smashed by a hoof, mere meters in front of Fluttershy. The hoof steps got closer. The voices got louder.
Please... some pony... any pony... help me... please... Fluttershy closed her eyes.
The door burst open and a flash shone from above.
"Are the treats cooked?"
"Check."
"Do we have enough flowers?"
"Check."
"What about music?"
"Check."
"And what about banners? Remember how Golden Harvest nearly screwed up the banners last year?"
"Check."
"And what about..."
Twilight Sparkle walked nervously around, trying to distract herself, but it barely worked. Preparations had started a week ago, and she had hovered over them, checking each one off her list. Not satisfied with just one check, she checked them again. Then again. And again. The ponies she got to help were so used to her obsessive checking, they knew what she wanted without needing any directions. And still... she wasn't satisfied. It was not enough.
Her number one assistant, Spike, stood in a doorway with a huge list that trailed out of the house. "Twilight, calm down! You keep checking things over and over everyday. This is just a casual visit. Everything will be fine."
"No, they’re not, Spike! Everything can’t just be fine! Everything must be spotless! You know that Princess Celestia rarely visits Ponyville, and today is the day everything must be perfect!" Her pupils shrank and she gasped. "Almost forgot! Did we handle backup plans for a parasprite invasion?!"
Spike pointed a claw at the bottom of the list. "Check," he answered. "You also protected the town in case of changeling invasion, placed banners all over Ponyville, ordered cider from Fillydelphia even though Applejack has enough, and..." he blushed, pointing at the current paragraph on the list, "this."
Twilight looked at the list and soon turned red too. "I did... what!?"
"This is checked as well." Spike coughed in his claw, trying to hide a smile spreading wider than his face.
"Well then... are you sure that we didn't forget anything?"
"Yep. Triple-checked the double-check checklist... check." He put his quill down. "I don’t understand you, Twilight. This is not some kind of test; Princess Celestia didn’t even ask for this. Why are you so nervous?"
"Don't you get it, Spike? The princess is too busy to just drop by. There must be something behind this "casual" royal visit. What time is it, Spike?"
"It's almost noon." He looked back at the clock and grabbed his head in horror. "IT'S ALMOST NOON! Princess Celestia will be here in five minutes!" He panicked and ran after Twilight in her nervous walking.
"WHAT?! Hurry up, Spike! We cannot keep the princess waiting!"
Over a dozen ponies gathered by town hall. Some placed new banners, while others rehearsed chants and songs, and some, their primary chres complited, assisted others in the final touches of their tasks Rainbow Dash and the weather team had already cleared the sky so the sun could embrace Ponyville in welcoming light. Loud, friendly chatter could be heard everywhere while ponies were enganged in their various activities. The town was alive.
A chariot appeared in the distance, and all the ponies finished their last preparations and gathered in a crowd to wait for their princess.
Everypony but one. Twilight Sparkle ran, trying to be in time, as if her life depended on it. Of course, she saw the princess on a regular basis. There were countless times when the princess welcomed Twilight in the palace at Canterlot, but this time... This time, Celestia came to Twilight, despite all her duties, for a friendly visit. Glimpses of past visits brought a smile to Twilight’s face. Nothing could ruin this event for her. She was prepared. If only she could make it in time...
Twilight turned the corner to the town hall just in time to see the squad of royal guards stop in the middle of the crowd. Standing at least a head taller than everypony was the white, royal alicorn, a bit confused by the unexpected attention. Twilight slowed down, still wobbling after the run, with Spike bringing up the rear as he crawled on the ground. She bowed and then trotted to her beloved tutor.
"Princess, you... Aaaah.... have arrived! Aaaah.... how was Aaaah… your trip?" she panted heavily, gasping for air with each breath. Her heart was still pounding, either from the running or because the long-planned events had finally started.
"Twilight Sparkle, my prized pupil. So lovely to see Ponyville again, and it's always good to see old friends too." She glanced over to the waiting crowd.
One of the ponies moved forward and spoke. "Welcome to Ponyville, Princess. I, Mayor Mare, the mayor of Ponyville and all its citizens, am glad to welcome you to our town." She pulled a brochure from her saddlebags. "Here is a program for you, your majesty. First, there will be a concert at the town hall then we will move on to the Ponyville Schoolhouse where..." The princess embraced the brochure in her magic, following everything the mayor was telling her.
"I'm terribly honored that you have planned such an interesting day for me. But could we start it later? I heard a lot about the local bakery, and I am in the mood for a couple of snacks." She winked.
Mayor Mare paused for a moment but quickly recovered her confidence. "Y-yes, of course. If the princess wishes to taste Ponyville’s baking then let me show you the way." With that, the mayor led the princess to Sugarcube Corner amidst loud cheering from the crowd.
Sugarcube Corner boomed as the fire of joy, friendship, and fun embraced everypony on this significant day. Pinkie Pie, who had hosted a "Welcome to Ponyville, Princess!" party, scanned the whole building over and over again with a strict eye, making sure all the ponies were doing what they must to do: have fun. Even the royal guards, who were usually strict and disciplined, tapped their hooves to the rhythm of the music.
The center of everypony's attention was the white alicorn who regally sat in front of a huge table, tasting yet another piece of cake. This time, a chocolate-covered and marshmallow-flavored cake covered with whipped cream and frosting swiftly melted on the royal tongue as a few crumbs fell into her cup of tea. As soon as the cup was empty and the cake was finished, both owners of Sugarcube Corner scrambled to refill the tea and present new, even sweeter treats to their royal guest. On the left side stood the mayor who carefully checked to see if the princess was pleased or not while on the other side of the princess sat her most faithful and beloved student, Twilight Sparkle.
"So, how are you enjoying your visit so far, Princess?" Twilight looked at her mentor directly.
"Oh, that pastry was wonderful." Celestia bit another chunk of the cake. "Did you try this cake? It is simply delicious! But as good as it is to just enjoy the party, I heard that there is much more you have planned for me." She winked at Twilight.
"Oh, yes! There is so, so much more I want to show you! At the school, the foals have prepared a special show for you. There is also going to be a parade! Rainbow Dash had been preparing to lead it for weeks! And then Fluttershy is going to throw a short concert. And blossoming flowers! This is just the season for them, and in Ponyville, they are particularly beautiful! Then a walk by the river, then a fashion show, then Ghastly Gorge, then I want to show you my library, then..." A pure stream of words flooded out of Twilight's mouth.
The princess chuckled. “That is quite a day you have planned. I'm glad that Ponyville had gone to such great lengths, but I’ve come here for a particular reason. I need to have a serious talk with you, Twilight Sparkle." Celestia's horn started to glow a gold radiance.
Twilight raised her eyebrows, looking at the princess with surprise. This was the second time her heart nearly jumped out of her chest. "Did I do something wrong? Is the princess not enjoying her visit? What did I miss?" The whispers of failure and misfortune resounded in her head, blaming her for no particular crime. She heard them so clearly... Maybe just a little bit too clearly.
Twilight looked around, just to find out what was different. The ponies still played and dance, enjoying themselves and pleased with the princess's visit. Mayor Mare stood on the left side of the princess, and the guards stood right at the entrance, tapping their hooves.
Yet, she did not hear a sound. Everypony was dancing, playing, and smiling in absolute silence. No claps of hooves, no laughing, no whispers—except the few in her own head—nothing, just her and the princess who was looking directly at her.
"May I ask you, Twilight? How long have you been my student?"
"You have taught me for almost ten years, Princess."
"Yes." The princess smiled. "Those ten long years I watched you grow up and learn about magic. Do you remember your very first question about our lessons, Twilight?"
"I..." She looked up. Then down. Then directly at the princess, searching for the answer. "It was too long ago, princess. I can’t seem to remember."
"When you first came to the castle as a filly, you were as eager for knowledge as you are now. While you were showing me your levitation, you saw a picture of a pony and asked who he was. That was the first time you saw Starswirl the Bearded. I told you that he was one of the most powerful unicorns that ever lived. He could change the seasons, fly in the sky, and even levitate whole castles. And you asked me then, how did he do those things? I told you that very few ponies could do a fraction of what he could manage to do, and he had succeeded because of his faith. He believed that a pony’s potential is unlimited and that practicing and experimentation is a key to progression. He was smart. He was in fact, one of the wisest ponies of his time, but even he missed some aspects.”
Celestia's horn, for a moment, blinded Twilight with light, but as soon her vision returned, she saw a book floating in front of her. "I think that it is time for you, Twilight, to find out what Starswirl the Bearded believed in. This is his book. Almost all the spells he had created, and almost all of his thoughts about them, are in this book. You must be careful while studying it, Twilight. Some of the spells can be difficult, and a few are simply dangerous. You can show me what you learned from Starswirl the Bearded when we meet again.
The light from Celestia's horn extinguished, and Twilight shivered from the abrupt return of sound from the music and dozens of ponies. The book still hung in front of Twilight's eyes, now in her own magic. Celestia took another piece of cake. "Now, if we want to keep our schedule, shall we move outside?" She took a bite of another cake."Oh, but this is simply delicious..."
The stars had just appeared in the dusky sky when Twilight opened the door to the library. A whole day of events, partying, and spending time with Princess Celestia had left her tired but satisfied. Owlowiscious seemed to have cleaned the library, and now, there was no trace of him. The corners of Twilight's mouth raised slightly. Perhaps her second assistant was away doing "owl's" business. Twilight made her way upstairs as her horn lit up, plunging the first floor into darkness. She yawned, entering her bedroom.
Twilight's bedroom was a sacred place. There, she did all of her studies. There, she always enjoyed reading. The library was fairly huge compared to other buildings in Ponyville, but Twilight's bedroom was a small corner where she could completely delve into a question. While her workplace as a librarian was on the first floor, amongst shelves with books and scrolls, there was something in this room, something tranquil and something else, that encouraged her to plunge into a book. The moon’s first lights broke through the window, lighting up the whole room in night's splendor but not enough to read.
Twilight entered, her horn blinking for a moment, and soon,light spilled into the room. Spike mumbled something, dreaming, but the sudden light didn’t wake him up, for he still slept curled up in a ball on Twilight’s back. Carefully levitating her sleeping assistant off her back, Twilight placed him in his basket. Some books that she had just started to read or was nearly finished lay on the desk right next to her bed. They were not important anymore. Not now.
Twilight levitated the book Celestia had given to her. The book was... odd. She hadn’t noticed it the first time she saw it, but now she immediately saw the difference between this tome and the other manuscripts in her collection. This was supposed to be Starswirl the Bearded’s notes, but the pages seemed to be new and soft printed. The pages were yellow on the sides, but when Twilight opened it, every single page was blinding white. It seemed like the book was just printed. It even smelled of new paper, and still, every sense told Twilight that this document was written thousands of years ago. The newness of the manuscript did not prevent Twilight from sneezing hard when a pillar of dust rose from its pages.
She braced herself, preparing for a long night of translating Old Equestrian, but was surprised when the first lines welcomed her in the modern dialect:
"Most ponies believe that we are nothing more than what we can become. From Fillydelphia to Canterlot, there is no other opinion: the limit of what a pony can do is very clear to everypony. But not for me.
I remember when I first met Princess Celestia at a magic competition for young ponies. I was twelve and levitated four ponies at once. Looking back, I was way too young to even compete with others, but I somehow made it all the way to the finals. I never doubted that I would lose that day, but what the princess said to me made me who I am now. She said that she was impressed that I was able to do something other ponies were not capable of doing.
It was common for ponies my age to use basic levitation and rudimentary transformation. That’s how every pony got through magic education. Simply put, a young pony body does not contain enough magical energy to levitate heavy objects or make transformations permanent. So when she first said that I was different, the first thing I thought was why?
From what I can remember about my foalhood, I always relied on myself. Ponies found me odd because of my love of reading, and I was mostly bored with their simplistic thinking. How could they even understand that the manuscripts I read contained a perennial spring of knowledge? I learned my first spell when I was four. I delved further, and when I was seven, I tried something new. While other foals could hardly levitate a quill, I already made my first attempt at teleportation. I finished my magic education when I was nine, and at eleven, I was a head above most high-level unicorns.
As I'm writing these lines, I'm thirty-two years old, and I had created magic, literally. Very few ponies my age had mastered transformation spells, levitation, aging spells, telekinesis, and could make attempts to move the sun and moon. I have created and mastered over a dozen other kinds of magic that other ponies never could possess. What holds them back? Stereotypes. The thinking that a pony’s abilities is limited by nature has locked their real potential.
The pony’s strength is unlimited. Of course, there are a lot of things that we don't know and could be afraid of, but that is the point: we shall always follow the path of discovery to explain the unknown. The dragons to the east have some specific spells to help them communicate with other creatures, including ponies. I heard that the tribes to the west found a way to bind magic spells to certain items. While tales like the first pool of magic, the depths of Tartarus, or the sands of the lost seem to be unbelievable, the truth and their origins must come from somewhere.
For those who seek knowledge, I will write all my findings below and hope that these notes will give a greater understanding of ponykind. Whoever they are, I hope that they will continue my studies as I wait for them on the other side.
The very first of these spells is visible right before your eyes. The spell I placed over this book is a kind of immortality that the princesses use, but simpler. Whoever looks at this book will always find it anew like it was written minutes ago. Anyone will be able to read it, no matter the age or species. The spell itself is easy to understand if you first realize the streams of magic purges which..."
Twilight soaked up every word as morning came.
THUMP
Another heap of delicious fruits left their branches, gathering in baskets. Applejack wiped the sweat from her brow and looked around. The whole Apple Family had worked hard since the first rays of the sun shone over the horizon, and now, there were only a few trees left that they had to harvest.
"Ah have to hurry. There is still lotta work to do. The reunion is just a few weeks away, and it would be a shame fer us to not serve enough apples. Also races. We'll need cloth ties, a finish line... better to ask Rarity. Maybe she can do something. Need to get new quiltin' materials, fabric, needles, thread..."
"Hey, Applejack!" A sudden voice from behind made her jump. A bright, pink pony was playing the party horn in her ear.
"Pinkie, ya scared me!" She moved her hoof, pushing aside the pipe. "Ah was thinking about the upcoming reunion. What are you doing down here on the farm?"
Pinkie smiled. Confetti sprayed in all directions when she pulled a colorful card out of her mane and offered it to Applejack. "I wanted to invite you to a party!"
The pink card was saturated with pictures of balloons and dancing ponies. Pinkie’s bizzare hoofwriting filled it, making the card seems more like a foal's picture than an invitation.
"I thought that we haven’t had a party for a while since the last one was almost a week from today, so I decided to throw a “Waiting for More Parties Party!" It's at Sugarcube Corner, this evening at seven! Can you come?" Pinkie bounced around her friend.
"Sure ah do! Would not miss a Pinkie party fer anything!"
"Okie Dokie! There will be lots of stuff like sweets and dancing, and of course playing, and—"
"There you are!" Something blocked the sun for a moment before instantly hitting the ground. A colorful mane and tail swayed slightly from the landing "Hey, Pinkie. I looked all over for you. Good to see you both here."
"Hey, Dashie." Pinkie giggled, and another card appeared in her hoof. "There is your invitation too! The "Waiting for More Parties Party" in Sugarcube Corner, this evening at seven! Would ya come? Would ya, would ya?"
"Eeem... Yes?" Rainbow shrugged.
"’Dis is surprising. I thought you would be napping now.”Applejack narrowed her eyes.
"Well Duuuh!" Rainbow rolled her eyes. "I would be if Twilight wasn’t so frantic about something. She woke me up an hour ago and asked to bring you all to Zecora's hut."
"Wha... Why didn't she come along? What is this all about?"
"She was so excited you should have seen her. I think she got a new book or something. What else could put her in such a great mood? Anyway, she said that she needed to prepare something.”
"Something?"
"You know some egghead thingy. Something about magic and herbs and magic, yada-yada-yada. I'm not a good listener when someone wakes me from my nap." Rainbow scowled and looked away.
"Wheee! That sounds totally fun! I have to give her an invitation anyway. I hope that Twilight wasn’t planning anything for tonight."
Applejack looked around. Usually, she would be spending her time on the farm, doing her chores. But Twilight wouldn't round us up fer nothing, would she? Ah did finish bucking all the little ones.
"Do we have to bring the elements with us?"
"No... I mean yes... I mean maybe. Geez, we can take them anyway, right?" Rainbow looked confused. "If you ponies are ready, let's go. We still have to get Rarity and Fluttershy."
"Are ya sure Twilight asked us to meet at Zecora’s?" Five ponies trotted in the depths of the Everfree Forest. Even on such a sunny day, the constant blanket of branches covered the forest from above, allowing only the occasional, lucky ray of light to reach the forest floor. A constant buzzing could he heard, mixing with the sound of crackling wood and hoofsteps. The ponies had only entered the mysterious place, but wild growth was already all around them, leaving only a small trail untouched. Suddenly, a huge bush on the right started to shake.
"Aahhh!" Fluttershy jumped and hid behind the others. Everypony stared at the bush, ready to run, but at the next moment, the bush stopped shaking, and two little parasprites fly out. The ponies relaxed and, after assurring Fluttershy that everything was fine, continued on.
"Ah'm not sure if Twilight asked you to come here." Another low branch once again knocked her hat to the ground. "Horseapples! This forest is just too unnatural of a place!" With a sharp twist, she returned her hat to its place.
"I most certainly agree, darling." Rarity trotted carefully, trying to step on the little remains of grass. "Twilight would hardly ask us to come here if it weren’t for... for..." She scratched her chin. Of course, she didn't know the real reason of their trip, but she had already started to talk, and a lady always shows confidence. "For fixing something really terrible!"
"I dunno, but this is super duper interesting for me! Maybe there is a super secret party for us all that she had planned for a long time, but each time, when she wanted to throw it, some other thing happened, so she couldn't throw it, so she made something happen by herself to finally throw the party!?"
"Um... I don't think so, Pinkie. If it was a party, Twilight would have found another, more open space in town among other ponies and..." A sudden hoot from an owl nailed Fluttershy to the ground as she hid behind her own hooves. "Faaar aaawaaay from this scaaary foooreeest!" Fluttershy whimpered. "I just want to end this as soon as possible..."
"Fluttershy is right. Why didn’t Twilight wait fer us at town? Why ain't she come to invite us by herself?" Applejack looked up at her friend, who was floating above.
"Geez. All I know was that she was hyper excited." Rainbow flew at least three hooves above, just under the canopy. "You all need to have faith in Twilight. If she asked us to meet at Zecora’s, then there is something she wants us to do."
"Well, I presume, as soon as we get there, that we will be free from all this... dirt. I think I need a full spa treatment after this little ‘party’.”
"Ah still am afraid we're all mistaken." Applejack shook her necklace. "Why does Twilight need the Elements of Harmony? Does she actually need the elements or us? Did something happen? There are just too many questions."
"I think you better ask her." Rainbow landed on the ground right in front of the bizarre building amidst the trees. "We're here."
The slightly crooked tree which contained Zecora’s home was right in front of them. The bone masks of unknown creatures, with terrible grimaces on them, hung just above the doorway. The windows glowed with a small but steady green light. If it were not for the zebra that lived there, the ponies hardly would dare to look inside.
The friends pushed open the door. Inside, the hut seemed just like they remembered the last time they were here. Zecora rarely made changes to her refuge, satisfied with replacing a few herbs from time to time or changing one potion for another. The shelves were filled with natural ingredients, plants, ready potions, and other mysterious things. The cauldron boiled as it always magically did when ponies came to visit her, ready to make another brew. Bubbles grew and burst with a quiet pop, just to grow and burst again.
But today, things were simpler. Zecora was stirring a simple, wooden bowl that was filled to the brim. She stepped towards the corner where Twilight Sparkle sat in front of a table with a similar cup in her hooves.
“—this another cup you asked about, but I have to warn you, since I have a doubt. What you are about to do is not simple magic, for you and your friends it could become tragic.”
"Thank you for your kindness, Zecora, but I made my mind. Starswirl the Bearded explained the spell well enough to understand every step. If I want to improve my magic, I have to try it myself. And besides, what can possibly go wrong if we take it carefully?"
“The magic flow is not a toy, for many zebras it was a decoy. Many years they took to learn it too, but you want to simply rebuild them anew.”
"I have all that I need right here." She pointed at the book that laid before them. She looked at the doorway, just realizing her friends were here. "And now, I have even more than that. Hi, girls!"
"Hi, Twi, I brought them here." Rainbow Dash lowered her head to avoid bumping a mask.
"Great! Thank you, Rainbow. You have no idea how much you helped me." She stood up from the table and approached her friends. "Today is a great day! Special day! Oh, I'm so nervous! And excited! Should I call that nervousexcited?" She looked confused.
"Emm.. Twilight? Are ya alright, sugarcube?"
"Oh... Yes, sorry. I can just hardly wait!"
"Wait for what exactly, darling?"
"Hadn't Rainbow told you?"
The eyes of the blushing mare darted to the ceiling as she felt a dozen eyes drill into her. "Heh, didn't I?"
"She didn't. We all were worried. Why did you call for us like this? Why here? What happened? Are the Element of Harmony needed?"
"Let me explain. You will not need your elements because nothing happened. Yet. You are here because the Everfree Forest is the best place for what we are going to do. I couldn't come after you myself because I had to convince Zecora to help and for a good reason..." She rubbed her hooves. "Girls. You will remember this day for a long time. Today, we are going to travel in time!"
"Time travel? Seriously?" Applejack raised an eyebrow suspiciously. "Don't get me wrong, Twi, Ah'm excited, but Ah never heard about ponies going time traveling. Have the princesses done that before?"
"Yes..." Twilight raised her chin but soon became confused. "I mean no... I mean... Maybe?" Her horn lit up with a purple radiance, and the book swiftly traveled right in front of her. "Princess Celestia gave it to me, saying that I could find something that will push me in my studies. There is TOO much information here! I could hardly do a quarter of everything that Starswirl had written here, and even then, I can only do by carefully following the instructions, step-by-step. But that’s what I need to do. That’s what the princess asked me to do, study magic. And time travel... The book listed it at the very beginning, and it is one of the most basic spells he discovered."
"Oh... Time traveling sounds AWESOME!" Rainbow Dash made circles around her friends, giggling and cheering. "We can travel forward and look at my perfomance as a Wonderbolt! Oh, yeah! We can see what happens with us in twenty years! Or, or maybe fifty years! We can even talk with us! Em..." She stopped and looked at her hooves, confused, making some calculations. "Twilight? How does it even work?"
Twilight leafed through the pages. "Ah, here it is."
"Mastering of time matter is imperative to learn more about the complicated branches of magic such as advanced dimensional magic, necromancy, restructurization of subjective magic surges, and controlling wild magic flows and fixing them.
During my research, I'd come to the conclusion that time matter is one of the basics of this world. Regular ponies only occasionally can feel time flows, but they pierce our very existence. Most of the cases that could be learned from simple observation is closely linked to deja vu. In rare cases, some ponies have the gift of foresight. These ponies use magic taken from the time flows and never know about it.
From my analysis of time tendrils, I had discovered that the entwined natures of the basics of dimensional magic led to the reconstruction of subjective magic in magical surges and the control of wild forces that exist in the flow of time. The wild forces are transformed into fractured time tendrils, and the final outpour of force serves to mend the fracture and transform it back into a conglomeration of force and energy that create a time tendril, thus reversing the time disruption.
But, if a pony creates a similar force, he will became a capacitor and conductor that could affect flow of tiem. They would be able to travel in time, and with mastery, even change events in time. Although my experiments only allowed me to view events in time, I do believe that it is possible to produce enough force to affect local time events.
According to my tests, the best aid for ponies practicing with magic flows is a brew made up of a few simple components that will not be an issue for any experienced herbalist. All it needs is a piece of cloud for a stabilizing effect, poison joke's dust for potency, saliva of bat for contrast, mix everything with a gross-grass, add aloe for taste, and leave the mix in the sun until brewed.
Another way to recognize time flows lies in the rituals of a band of itinerant pony healers. They believed the nose was the most sensitive part of a pony's body, and not only was it a major factor in their healing magic, but the same technique can help increase a pony's sense of magic. The recipe is the same, but this time, all components must be gathered in a circle around the subject and must be ignited but not burned."
Twilight then pointed right at the book "Here! This is the spell, step-by-step." She raised her eyes just to see her friends with confused looks.
"That is sooo much clearer now." Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. "So, are you going to do this now?"
Twilight sighed. Of course, this type of text was familiar for any scholar of Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns but maybe was just a little unclear for everypony else. "Not exactly, Rainbow. Zecora agreed to help us make the brew and ritual, but she ran out of ingredients. We shall find everything and bring it here. How about we meet here in an hour?"
The ponies nodded approvingly.
"Great. Rainbow, you will get some clouds. Fluttershy, I will ask you to find some bat's saliva. Is that alright with you?"
"Oh... ehm... I think. I never asked for something like that, but I hope it will not disturb the poor creatures."
"Good. Rarity, Applejack, help Zecora get some poison joke dust. She will explain to you how to make it. Pinkie, you'll get aloe."
"Bleh! No can do!"
"Pinkie?"
"Ah, that's alright, Twilight, but whenever I smell aloe, I get scratchy, sneezy, and twitchy all at once."
"Oh... em... okay? I think I got some back at library. Could you cut some gross-grass?"
"Okie dokie!"
"Fine. Let’s get everything then meet in an hour."
"So we got to get some poison jokes, right? Got some bad memories 'bout those darn weeds."
"Poison joke collecting can be hard to learn, but gathering the leaves is not my main concern.”
"Huh? What's that?"
“The book Twilight brought, put me on tension, what is written in there is beyond my comprehension. Time matter is not a plaything and can bring many woes, but Twilight is blinded by eagerness and can’t see further then her nose. The spell itself can be dangerous and more, but all my words of care she just ignore.” Zecora sighed. “Let me show you what to do, but a talk with Twilight must also be done by you.”
The sun barely reached its zenith when all the friends gathered together for the last preparations. Zecora's bowl gurgled, but this time, it wasn't herbal soup. Instead, a pinch of a cloud, mixed together with leaves of aloe, gross-grass and blue dust—the remains of the poison joke—was being brewed into the potion from Starswirl’s long forgotten recipe. In spite of the gloomy surroundings, the ground beneath the ponies’ hooves was lit by sunlight. Twilight had cast a spell on the branches, allowing a huge pillar of light to shine down on them. Her friends were scattering the remains of what they gathered around the lake.
“The potion you asked is right in my hooves, but you must be careful to not make any harsh moves. The magic you’ve told me is beyond my understanding, you can be scared or hurted by your findings.”
"I appreciate your concerns, Zecora, but everything is going to be fine." Twilight gripped the bottle with her magic and looked at the transparent liquid. "I can do this. The princess believes I can, and I’ll make her proud." She then turned to her friends. "And besides, it is going to be great adventure for all of us!"
"Em... Twilight... About that. Are ya sure ya wanna do this? I mean ya just read about it in a book, and Zecora does know a lot," Applejack faltered.
"Applejack? Wha... Of course I do! I can do this! The instructions have been clear!"
"But you know, darling, Applejack has a point. You never tried to do this kind of magic before, did you?"
"Rarity?"
"Just imagine what could happened to us? We could get lost in time, or we could see something... we don't want to see," Rarity continued. "It was lovely of you to invite us, and we all appreciate it, but... I don’t think that I am sure either."
Twilight’s head dropped. "You... Alright, girls, I'll prove to you that everything is safe!" She opened the flask and drank every drop.
The world burst around her. Instinctively, she shut her eyes, and when she opened them, she could not recognize her surroundings. All that she could see was lines of pure light that twisted around above her head and below her hooves, forming many different shapes that no pony could ever imagine. Some of these lines of light collected to form the shapes of ponies. The lines moved constantly, changing, and at the same time keeping the forms of the ponies. Her friends were no longer around her. There was no more her as she looked down and realize that even she was now nothing but a bunch of tendrils and light.
It wasn't painful for her. Twilight was surprised by the revelation that she didn't feel any pain or discomfort as she watched the lights twisting and changing before her eyes. She was just blown away by how everything truly looked.
One figure, this one with a bulb on its head, swam a bit closer to Twilight and reached for her head with a few of its tendrils. The lines of her "head" tilted a bit and...
"Are you alright, darling? You seem to be panicking." The sounds of her friend reached Twilight's ears but she hardly could recognize her friend like "this".
"Rarity?"
"Why, yes. Why do you ask? Anything wrong?"
It can't be. The magicians at the school for Gifted Unicorns always told me that magic is around us, that it is everywhere, and that unicorns draw upon it everyday but… It cannot be SO MUCH!
"Egm.. I'm alright... I... think?" She rubbed her head. "I think I just see a little different. I can... Whoa... What I see is nothing that can be explained! Could you perform the ritual for me, please? I can hardly find the leaves."
As the leaves started to burn, Twilight smelt something. The feeling was so unusual for her. Her body felt so... free, so relaxed, like she probably could fly away if she wished hard enough, but at the same time, the heavy haze pulled her head down to the ground.
The lights around her faded a bit as colors mixed into them. Some of the tendrils retained their dazzling, white shine while others constantly shifted from red to blue, to yellow, and so on, changing so fast that it was almost impossible to see what color they were. Twilight took a cautious step towards one of these tendrils, trying to keep her balance on whatever she thought she was standing on, and looked deeply into the tendril.
She saw Canterlot. It didn’t look exactly like it, but Twilight could say without a doubt, that it was Canterlot down there. The wooden buildings towered over the empty squares, and the whole sight of the city was more like a village. Even the castle was in poor condition. All the towers were gone, and all Twilight could see was barely fifty or so ponies building what seemed to be the main hall. There were three ponies on the porch: a pegasus in heavy armor, a lime earth pony with some weird contraption on her head, looking through one of dozens of monocles that were attached to the contraption, at some notes, and a snow-white unicorn dressed in a long mantle and a crown. But what was most exciting to Twilight, above everything, were the two little figures that chased each other right before the castle. A little, white alicorn was running so fast, the dark-blue one could hardly keep up.
As Twilight slightly twisted the tendrils, the image failed, just to reappear once again. Now, there was no Canterlot, but instead, dozens of ponies were in the middle of a grove. The ponies were bucking the trees as hard as they could. The rainbow-colored fruits that dropped down were their reward. Twilight looked more carefully and recognized a few ponies from Ponyville although much younger.
Twilight used her magic on a stream. Carefully carry the time flow within your grasp while crossing it with your inner magic, she repeated to herself Starswirl's notes on the spell. Right, now reverse the—
"ACCCHHHOOO!"
"Pinkie!"
"Shush!"
"I'm sorry, girls, it’s my sneezing."
"Can ya’ll be quiet fer a bit?"
The moment was enough to break Twilight's concentration. The time flow twitched and fell to the ground. A burst of light blinded Twilight and forced her to give a cry.
"Twilight? What's wrong dar—" The words hung in the air.
In the glade, surrounded by burning leaves, where a pony once stood moments ago, now was a black spot.
