Crystarium Fantasia

Chapters

Prologue: Astrána
Chapter One: The Book
Chapter Two: To Ponyville
Chapter Four: Disturbance in the Woods
Chapter Three: University

Prologue: Astrána

Ponies had been suffering under the reign of Discord and his minions for decades; Equestria is in turmoil, unable to free itself from the almighty oppression of of their Dark Lord. It was not long since the outbreak of cutie pox Discord appeared, some say he was a pony that didn’t recover from the disease, others say he is the bastard child of a manticore and a dragon, I myself still speculate on his origins. I have come to believe that he himself does not know of his own origins, this alone has driven him to become what he now is. With further research and speculation I could probably determine his origins and what makes him appear to be a creature from some filly’s nightmare.

Alas, my studies will go unread and Discord will rule on until either my own daughter, or some other creature of immense power is able to stop him. There is no other option, I must pursue him, try to destroy his forces...

It has been weeks, months maybe even years! I cannot keep count, I have spent so much time searching for him, in this time it has come to my attention that Discord has found the elements I banished all those years ago, the elements that caused a great disturbance in the land creating the everfree forest and driving ponies to madness, evil... Chaos... These elements have been hidden in a separate dimension for eons, I still wonder to this day how he found out about the elements, let alone summon them! If he has managed to find those six to harness the element I am afraid to say we will never defeat him.

Discord has caught wind of my search; I have been encountering his forces much more often than I had anticipated. He has also discovered that the elements need to be wielded by those ponies, the six... If he is not stopped soon I fear that he will harness the power of the elements and take over Equestria forever. Canterlot is the last city I still have command of, I have ordered my best warriors to barricade the citadel in preparation for the worst.

It has happened, he has found them... I will have to use my power, this is the last thing I will ever write, I am going to finish those ponies. The rest is up to Celestia. It has been an honour to rule this land, whoever is reading this, you will take the throne after Celestia and Luna’s passing.

-Queen Astrána

Astrána placed the book in a hidden room in the Canterlot library, she then cast a spell that would cause the door to open once the one destined to rule Equestria entered the area. She smiled, a single tear rolling down her cheek, knowing that it would be the last time she visited her great city.

The Queen of Equestria soared across to the sky, she has acquired knowledge of the chaotic six, the ponies that have the ability to harness the elements of Chaos. She had heard tell that the ponies were residing in her ancient abandoned castle in the everfree forest. Astrána’s wings flapped furiously as she took a B-line to her old castle. I can sense it, those foul beasts are near. The crumbling ruin appeared from behind the horizon, a visible dark blue field surrounded the building, Astrána cursed, her horn began to glow a bright crimson for a few seconds before a colossal beam of energy shot out of it into the base of the field, the ball lodged itself inside the thin shield for a moment before it exploded with the power of ten sonic rainbooms. A smirk crossed Astrána’s face, she flew straight into the fort.

Astrána’s fear was palpable, there was only one way she could defeat the chaotic six, the prospect did not please her.

“Hello, Queenie.” A cold voice sounded from a corridor to the left of Astrána.

“Show yourself!” A clear, level voice shouted back.

“Temper, temper, you don’t want to get too angry. Old wench, you might give yourself a heart attack.” Another voice echoed from a separate area.

“Now, now Fate’s Blossom, we don’t resort to petty insults here.” A third voice said, this time it was male.

“Oh shut your mouth Shadow Feind.” A fourth voice this time, again male.

“Show yourselves and prepare for battle, unless you’re going to use trickery on me you un-honourable equine!” Astrána bellowed in the Royal Canterlot voice.

“Oh fine.” A rather fruity voice sounded from behind her. Six ponies appeared from corridors and rooms that lined the antechamber Astrána had been standing in. Each of them set themselves, steadied their stances and lowered their heads towards Astrána.

“The elements!” A pony named Nocturn Dusk bellowed, black flame appeared around the chaotic six, the evil energy radiating from the ponies forced Astrána back, she began to build up energy in her horn as she completed the complex mental process of casting a spell.

Boom.

Astrána’s spell clashed with that of the chaotic six, she had less power than them to begin with, now she had to deal with the fact their power had increased tenfold! No... No... I cannot beat them, not like this, at this very moment their spell is forcing mine back, I’ll be finished... I must use that spell, the one I forbid even myself the use of many years ago... Astrána ceased casting her spell, the black flames hit her with the heat of a thousand suns, she screamed as her very flesh melted off her body. The chaotic six laughed at the wreck Astrána had become.

“Look at you! You’re pathetic. Equestria is ours.” Said Nocturn Dusk, Astrána smirked.

“Smiling at your own demise, courageous.” Fate’s Blossom sneered. Astrána’s smirk turned into a look of such ferocity even the chaotic six recoiled at it.

“You’re finished.” Astrána’s horn shone with the an ethereal glow, it exploded into a million pieces causing Astrána to scream in agony, a field of pure godlike energy began to expand slowly, turning every living creature it touched into crystal. It appeared the slow expansion didn’t last for long. After a few seconds the ball exploded in a thirty meter radius, encasing the chaotic six and Astrána in crystal. Stay strong, Luna and Celestia, I will always be here for you.

Chapter One: The Book

Astrána had a confused look on her face as Twilight led her into the Canterlot Library.

Twilight smiled as she said, "We should find some books on your namesake here, Celestia said the name meant a lot to her, that's why she was so shocked to meet you."

"Well... Umm, I hope so, I'm rather new here. I have lived in Fillydelphia all my life." Astrána said, an awkward expression coming over here face. She look quite out of place in the library, she had flowing pink hair and a dark purple coat. Her colours seemed to be the parallelisms of the city, it made her stand out a little more than she would've liked.

"I understand how shocking the change of scene can be.." As Twilight spoke the room began to shake violently, a small crack appeared in the wall, a blue haze shone through the small crack.

“What’s happening?!” Astrána screamed, she dropped to the ground and put her hooves over her head. Twilight stared into the crack, amazed such a large marble slab could be moved by whatever mechanism was causing the slab to slide along the marble.

“I think... I think there is a room behind that slab, I read about a hidden room in the Canterlot Library a long time ago! I never expected it to be true.” The slab continued to slowly open, after about thirty seconds it shopped with a resounding boom.

“Twilight, we should go.” Astrána said meekly, a worried expression on her face.

“No, I can’t. Whatever is hidden in here has been lost for millennia! We must retrieve it, the door may close any moment!” Twilight ran into the room, her body seeming to disappear as she entered the dark blue haze. Astrána followed hesitantly, as she entered the room it seemed to expand beyond the proportions of the library itself.

“Twilight? Twilight! What is going on?” Astrána looked terribly worried now, she wasn’t used to such stressful situations.

“It’s ok, Astrána, the room is magically enhanced. I’m just ahead of you.” Twilight cast a light spell, dispelling the dark blue haze around her. Astrána’s eyes lit up as she spotted her guide a few meters ahead of her. She ran towards Twilight who was currently surveying the area, she looked fairly disappointed to see no sign of any bookshelves.

“This place may be empty.” Twilight said, a sadness ringing in her voice.

“Twilight, look!” Astrána said, pointing to the centre of the room, “I think I see something.” Twilight peered into the distance, noticing a pedestal in the distance Twilight gasped.

“I think there might be something there!” Twilight squealed in excitement, she galloped towards the pedestal to see a thick tome lay flat on the golden surface of the pedestal. The title read, ‘Astrána’s Journal’ upon noticing this Twilight called Astrána over to her.

“Hey, take a look at this, I think we’ve found your namesake.” Twilight said in a mystified voice. Astrána’s eyes widened, she used a movement spell to open the time. Poof, a small jet of sparks erupted from the book, causing Twilight and Astrána to jump back. An impending sense of doom fell over the two ponies.

“Astrána?”

“Yes Twilight?”

“Did you feel that?”

“Yes...”

“Let’s grab the book and leave, we’ll finish it later.” Astrána nodded in agreement, they both ran out the room, as they left the door began to close by itself. They headed back to the castle and entered Twilights room.

“This could be bad.” Twilight said.

“I know... But this is important.”

The crystalline tombs of the Chaotic Six began to crack, something had happened, they regained consciousness. The six ponies writhed within their prisons; unable to breathe their panic was palpable. Crack! Their tombs exploded, they were free. A high pitched laugh came from Nocturn Dusk.

“It has happened! We’re finally free!” The other ponies began to laugh in unison with Nocturn Dusk, she stopped a few seconds after, the laughter began to die down.

“Discord... He’s gone. I cannot sense his presence in the land! He has been defeated.” A grin from Nocturn Dusk shocked the other ponies.

“How can you be happy?!” said Blood Wrath, “We need him.”

“No, not anymore. He needs us, if we can free him he will be under our command this time. This time, we win!” Nocturn Dusk looked at the other members of the Chaotic Six, “Does anyone disagree with me?” The other ponies shook their heads violently with murmurs of ‘No ma’am’ and ‘Of course not.’

“Let us recuperate in this castle, we plan our revenge tomorrow.”

Twilight and Astrána finished the book, they closed it over and stared at each other, delight but it was obvious the feeling of impending doom had not passed.

“Twilight!” Astrána said in delight I was named after Princess Celestia’s mother!”

“I know...” Twilight’s voice resonated with worry.

“It’s going to be ok Twi, that feeling was probably just a warning spell to keep thieves out.” Astrána said, nudging Twilight.

“I know, I just think... The feeling may have something to do with the ponies the Queen talked about in her journal.”

“Why would you think that?” Astrána asked, trying to comfort Twilight.

“They... They wield the Elements of Chaos... When you opened the book I felt something resonate within me, the part of me

that is attached to the element.” Twilight looked back at Astrána, a single tear rolling down her cheek. Astrána wiped it off

with one of her hooves.

“Don’t think like that, it’ll be nothing. There is no way they could do anything to us, they were finished off, I don’t think they could come back from whatever the Queen did to them.

“That’s the thing, Astrána, she defeated them, but what happened to the Queen?! She was killed too, they’re obviously powerful. They worked alongside Discord too, what if he’s been freed? We should’ve left, you were right.” Twilight was now in tears, pure terror emanated from her eyes.

“Twi...” Astrána said as she pulled her into a tight hug, Twilight shook violently in Astrána's tight embrace. Astrána closed her eyes and began to cast a ‘go to sleep’ spell on Twilight. After a few seconds she felt Twilight’s sobs subside and her shaking slow.

“You’ll be alright.” Astrána said as she carried Twilight to her bed. She cast a monitoring spell in the room so she would be notified when she awoke from her magic induced sleep.

Astrána began to make her short trip to her room just down the corridor when she was stopped by none other than Princess Celestia herself. She gasped and dropped to her knees.

“Your highness” She said, her heart beating like a jackhammer.

“I see you found my mothers jounal... I have been searching for that for millennia.” Princess Celestia said, her voice strong a firm.

“Yes, I would give it to you but it’s in Twilight’s room, she’s sleeping.” Celestia’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“I see, I will collect it tomorrow then. I may be able to piece together the fate of my mother. It has always disturbed me.” Her

head lowered as she mourned her loss.

“I... I’m sorry. But I was planning on sleeping myself, may I pass?”

“You may, I am sorry for bothering you, Child, the memories still sting.” Celestia said as she stepped aside.

Astrána stood and trotted towards her room. She turned and opened the door with magic. The room was fairly large, it had a four poster bed with red drapes, a mahogany desk with some cluttered papers placed atop it from Astrána’s studies earlier in the day. A wardrobe stood in the corner of the room, filled with formal attire. Astrána lay on the bed and mulled over the days events. I hope Twi’ will be ok. She thought before she fell asleep.

Chapter Two: To Ponyville

Astrána awoke to the sound of a sharp rapping on her door and Twilight's voice.

"Astrána? Wake up! Astrána!" She could not help but think how she wasn't woke by her spell.

"I'll be out in a minute Twi!" Astrána yelled back. She rolled out of bed with a yawn, she fixed her mane and tail with a quick magic spell before unlocking her door with a small key.

"Good morning!" Twilight said with a grin. Astrána smiled back She's ok. she thought with a sigh of relief.

"How did you sleep?" Astrána asked, trying to make some idle conversation, she was not looking forward to moving to another city so soon. Even though she had become great friends with Twilight she wasn't sure how awkward it would be staying with her. She couldn't help but think it must be awkward for her too, it being her first time teaching another pony.

"Oh... Quite well. I-I'm sorry about last night, I just don't know what came over me. I was just in shock, that's all." Twilight said, a wry smile on her face.

"When are we leaving?" Astrána asked Twilight.

"In about four hours, grab something to eat and have a stroll around Canterlot, I have some stuff I have to take care of. Not to mention the Queen's journal, Celestia wants me to deliver it to her. Astrána smiled and nodded at Twilight, she side stepped around Twilight and trotted down the corridor in the direction of the dining hall.

***

(Yes I am changing it, the other one was too much trouble. Also ponies.)

Astrána had eaten her breakfast and was now out wandering Canterlot looking for something interesting to do other than sight seeing, it didn't interest her much. She was it as a rather mundane thing to do when she could be doing much more physical things out in the open. A shop caught her eye, it was marble, just like the rest of the city, with some golden gilding along the walls, a mosaic book as depicted above the doorway. Out of curiosity Astrána wandered inside, to her surprise the entire store was dedicated to spell books. Oh my! she thought as she observed the floor to ceiling book shelves lined with old decaying tomes, it appeared as if these books were not hoof written, they had all be hoof written and handed down generation to generation. Whoever owned the store obviously had a lot of experience collecting these works. Astrána browsed with rapt attention until she found a particular spell book that seemed to resonate with her. She took it off the shelf using magic, the book seemed to open of its own accord when it came close to her. A gasp escaped her when she noticed the hoofwriting. This was writting by the Queen! I must get this to Twilight! She galloped to the counter in pure excitement, she gave the book to the store owner so he could price the item.

"Oho?" He said, "You have quite an eye for books don't you miss - Uhh?"

"Astrána." She replied. A small smiled crept across the old colts face.

"I see, this book should cost about seven hundred bits... But you..." The old colt contemplated Astrána for a moment.

"Seven hundred bits! I can't afford that!" Astrána said in astonishment before the old colt had time to finish his sentance.

"To you... You can have this for twenty bits."

"Wha? That... No, I couldn't, it's worth too much!" She insisted, still, she stared longingly at the book knowing it would be terrible to lose it. The old colt shook his head and handed it to her.

"I know, I feel it too. It should belong to you. I don't know why but you seem to have some... Connection with whoever wrote this particular book."

"I... Ok." Astrána said, her eyes wide as she stared at the kind old colt. She placed down twenty bits and placed the book into her saddlebags.

"Have fun now." The old colt said as she walked out the store.

***

Twilight watched as Astrána walked down to the dining hall. After a few moments Astrána disappeared into another corridor. Twilight headed back to her own room, hers was a little more lavishly decorated as she had been staying in Canterlot a lot since she graduated from being Celestia's student to being her assistant teacher. She put on her saddle bags and moved the journal into her saddle bag before she set out to Celestia's throne room. A few moments passed, Twilight had made it to the throne room but was surprised to see Celestia was not there. She trotted over to one of the guards.

"Hello, have you seen the Princess anywhere?"

The guard stared at Twilight for a moment before he said, "She is atop the tower, watching over the city." Twilight smiled at him in thanks. Running towards the stairs Twilight considered the many reasons the Princess may be watching over the city. Maybe she felt that too... That doom. I can't be sure, but she never watches over the city, she is always too busy. Twilight finally reached the roof, Princess Celestia stood on the end precipice of the tower, her hair flowed in the wind as she looked out over the city. Twilight noticed she had a worried look in her eyes.

"Twilight." Celestia said in a stern voice.

"Yes, Princess?"

"I know you felt it last night, that... Horrible feeling. I got the same feeling the day my mother disappeared." Celestia's eyes lowered.

"Do you know what it was, Princess?" Twilight asked curiously.

"No, I do not. I can only guess." She paused for a moment, "Did the bring my mothers journal?"

"Ah! I did." Twilight passed the book to Celestia using a levitation spell. Celestia gave twilight a quick nod of acknowledgement and dismissal. As Twilight trotted down the stairs and began to head towards the dining hall should couldn't help but worry. *The Princess is scared, something is happening... She thought, her mane flowing in the breeze that entered through the window.*

***

Death's Blade paced back and forth by the fire while the other five ponies poured over a ethereal map Nocturn Dusk had conjured up.

"We will attack in a month, in the time leading upto our attack I suggest we roam the forest a gather as many forces as we can. I am sure we can convince these foul beasts to join our cause." Nocturn Dusk said, peering around at the other ponies.

"How can we convince the creatures to follow us? They will just see us as regular ponies." Lightning Wing stated as he hovered above the map.

"Our elements of course, they should sense the darkness emanating from them, they may be animals but they're not stupid enough to disobey ponies with such power." The ponies considered Nocturn Dusk's statement for a short while.

"I see. What of the Ursa's in the area, should we try to recruit those beasts?" Blood Wrath asked in a deep voice.

"No, even they will now bow to us until we have displayed our battle prowess. We need to take a few pony settlements before that can happen." Shadow Fiend flew over to the map, pondering Nocturn's statement.

"We have a month to do this?" He asked.

"Yes." Nocturn replied.

"Excellent, I have a plan of my own. Do you mind if I put it into action?" He asked hopefully.

"No, I do not." Nocturn said dismissively, she obviously treated him with apathy as she knew of his frivolous attitude to their plans. She also knew that most of the time his plans benefited hers. Shadow shot a quick grin at Fate's Blossom, immediately she rolled her eyes knowing his plan will involve her some how. *I don't have time for this, his plans usually over exert us. She looked pleadingly at Nocturn Dusk.*

"No, Fate, I have a good feeling about his plan this time." The sternness in her voice intimidated Fate's Blossom, she lowered her head and patted the ground with her left front-hoof.

"Now, go and get some rest everypony, we have work to do tomorrow." At Nocturn's words the other ponies walked off to the areas they had turned into their sleeping quarters for the time being.

(Writers note: This scene is terrible, I know. It will be improved one day but I had the insane urge to write at 5 am.)

***

Astrána met Twilight just outside her room, she had packed all of her luggage already.

"Oh, I'm so sorry I'm late, Twi. I ran into something quite astonishing." A grin spread across her face as she thought of the Queen's spell book being in her possession!

"Hmm? What was that?" Twilight asked, noticing Astrána's delighted grin.

"Oh! Umm, I'll show you when we get to Ponyville, is that ok? I'd like to be in a safer environment." Twilight peered curiously at Astrána for a moment before accepting her proposition, albeit hesitantly.

"Ok, go and pack quickly, the train is leaving in twenty minutes." Astrána smiled and nodded at Twilight, she couldn't help but smile herself, although she didn't understand why she did.

A few minutes later Astrána returned with her saddlebags packed.

"Are we off then?" Twilight asked.

"I guess so." Astrána added before they both trotted out the castle and headed towards the train station.

Chapter Four: Disturbance in the Woods

Guys, if anyone wants me to continue this fic just comment or message me. I have the time, just not the drive.

***

Twilight waited at the door while Astrána went to upstairs wake Spike, thoughts raced through her head. The implications of teaching Astrána offensive magic were immense, seeing as the only place they could practice was infested with wild beasts and pony eating monsters. Several minutes passed before Astrána returned, carrying Spike on her back.

"Are we ready?" She asked.

"No." Spike interrupted, "Let me go back to bed."

She smiled, "Yes, let's go then." Twilight lead Astrána out the door, she turned and closed the door with magic. The two mares and the dragon began to make their way to Fluttershy's cottage, the safest and easiest way to get into the Everfree forest. As Twilight had suspected the dragon fell asleep on the rather short journey to the pegasi's cottage. A faint giggling came from the humble abode, Twilight grew rather curious and began to listen in. She heard Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy, unsure of what they were talking about Twilight tuned out. They had always been close, the mare didn't doubt they could have feelings for each other. She shrugged the odd feeling off and took Astrána and Spike deep into the Everfree forest.

"Twi', I'm scared." Astrána said as the screeches of a cockatrice sounded from afar.

"It's ok, let me get a light." Twilight's horn glowed for a second before a flare of light illuminated the path, a small luminescent orb levitated above Twilight's head. I didn't take long before the three reached a clearing in the woods. The trees that lined the clearing were leafless and scorched, some even had chunks of wood missing.

"This is where I usually practice." Twilight said. "Ok, so I am going to teach you three spells, one is just a plain blast of magical energy. I know you already can do this but I want to enhance your technique. The second is an fire element spell, it causes a lot more damage than a measly burst of magic. And finally, I'll be teaching you a blast spell, it's very similar to the magic blast but this spell converts the magical energy into pure energy." Twilight finished with a smile.

"I... I can do that. But what of the mental process, I know the magical burst is rather easy to pull off, but what of the other two?"

"Well, the fire element spell doesn't require any complex calculations as such, but it does require intense concentration. It you manage to loose focus for even a second you could find yourself in an inferno. You need to focus on the flame inside of you, the burning desire to accomplish your tasks and follow your dreams. The pure energy burst however will require you to focus on everything and nothing at the same time. Broaden your mind and take in everything, once you feel you're registering everything snap your focus to the one thing you want to annihilate, then release your magical energy, it will feel as if there is a filter on the end of your horn. I have still not figured out why this happens but it does." Astrána nodded, she felt as if a lot of pressure was being put on her chest.

"Ok, what should I aim at?" Astrána asked. Twilight pointed to a fairly undamaged tree. This one still had a few leaves hanging onto dead branches. The dark purple mare stared ferociously at the tree, she began to build up the necessary energy needed to cast the magic blast. A few seconds passed before she released the energy, a ethereal white line shot towards the tree, splitting some of the bark. Twilight grinned.

"Brilliant! It seems you've already mastered that spell. I cannot teach you any more than you already know with that one. Now, do the fire spell."

"Ok..." Astrána gulped, she concentrated on her inner flame and built up the energy once more. Heat, to her surprise, began to gather in her horn. Once it reached the point of pain she released the energy, focusing on a single tree in the distance. A large fireball shot towards a group of trees in the distance, engulfing them. Twilight put the fire out with a simple spell.

"Good, you just need to concentrate more. The fire needs to be a lot more concentrated." Twilight said in a firm but kind way.

"Ok, I'll try." Astrána said, once more focusing on her inner flame, and this time intensely focusing on the tree in the distance. Fortunately this time a high speed jet of flame was released from Astrána's horn. It hit the tree, burning the wood to a crisp.

"Excellent!" Twilight yelled, "Now, be careful with this last one."

"I... Ok. I can do this." Astrána's dark pink mane blew in the wind, she stared into the distance for a long time, trying to focus on everything and yet nothing. Thirty minute passed, Spike woke and began to watch. Astrána felt she was focusing on everything around her, Astrána began to build up a massive amount of energy, once she has reached the pinnacle of her power she released it. An orb formed around her for a moment, flaring red, blue and green before exploding. It launched Spike and Twilight further into the Everfree forest while Astrána was blasted towards Fluttershy's house.

***

Astrána's body hit the side of Fluttershy's cottage with a loud bang, a high pitched squeal could be heard from inside. The unicorn writhed on the floor in pain, Fluttershy came out of her cottage to discover what caused the loud bang.

"Oh my gosh, you poor thing!" Fluttershy cried as she ran towards Astrána, "A-Are you okay?!" Astrána opened her eyes, relieved to see a pony she knew.

"I-I'm fine." Astrána picked herself up from the ground, she peered around, scanning the area for Twilight and Spike.

Fluttershy stared a Astrána's blackened horn, "What happened?" She asked tentatively. Astrána stirred, not wanting to tell the timid pony of Twilight's predicament.

Astrána thought for a moment, "My spell... I lost control and it sent me flying in the opposite direction."

Fluttershy gasped, "What happened to Twilight and Spike?"

"I-I'm not sure." Astrána lied.

"Let's go find them!" Fluttershy said, a worried expression upon her face. The two ponies ran into the forest, exchanging but a few words on the way to the clearing Astrána had been training in. A cry escaped Astrána's lips as she saw a huge smocking crater... And a fair amount of blood where Twilight had been standing. Fluttershy just stood there in shock as tears filled Astrána's eyes.

Rocks from the ground had been scattered all around the clearing, some had even embedded themselves in trees. Astrána notice one tree which had a hole all the way though. A thought struck her. Maybe one of the rocks hit Twilight! Yes, that was it. Only a small cut. tears began to flow down Astrána's cheeks.

"C'mon Fluttershy, we need to look for them." Said Astrána. The almost catatonic pony shook her head and with a worried expression began to follow Fluttershy.

***

Spike awoke next to a rather bloody Twilight, it took a few seconds for him to realise what had happened and process the information in his groggy head. His eyes snapped open once he noticed Twilight was bleeding from her side, a twelve inch gash, an inch deep at it's worst. Spike yelled Twilight's name, hoping to wake the injured pony.

---I will update tomorrow most likely---

Chapter Three: University

Astrána and Twilight stepped out onto the platform. Twilight took a deep breath, the smell of trees, open air and... Candy filling her nose, Pinkie Pie ran headlong into Twilight, hugging her tightly.

"TWILIGHT! I've missed you soooooo much!" She squealed in excitement, Twilight hugged back for a moment.

"Pinkie, you can let go now."

Pinkie frowned, "But I don't wanna!"

Applejack trotted upto the three ponies, Astrána stood dumbfounded at Pinkie's actions, "C'mon Pinkie. She needs to get her stuff back to her library."

"Thanks, Applejack," Twilight smilled as Fluttershy, Rarity and Rainbow Dash approached, "I've missed you guys so much!"

"I think I speak for all of us when I say I did to." Rarity said, smiling. Pinkie stood, allowing Twilight to get to her feet. Twilight looked at her friends.

"Do you want to walk back to library with me?" The purple mare asked. The group agreed to walk with Twilight and Astrána to the Library. As they progressed towards the hallow tree they passed the university, the building was finished while Twilight was away in Canterlot.

The seven mares reached the Library, Twilight unlocked the door and stepped inside.

"Twilight! I've missed you!" Spike ran over to Twilight and hugged her.

"Come on in girls," she said, "Spike will make us some food." Spike looked at Twilight with a look of amusement. The five other mares walked in smiling, Astrána walked to the doorway.

"Come in, Astrána. This is your house as much as mine, for now." Twilight said with a smile. Astrána walked in, she looked around nervously for a while.

"Umm... Twilight?" Fluttershy said quietly. "I need to speak to you."

"Ok Fluttershy." Twilight replied, walking a few meters away from the group with her. "What's up?"

"I..." Tears filled her eyes, "I felt something yesterday. It felt like some unnatural force was awoken."

"I know... Princess Celestia and I felt it too. I can't quite tell you about it now. I'll come over to your cottage tomorrow, ok?"

"O-Ok Twilight." Fluttershy walked back to the group after this. Twilight began to feel worried but she shrugged the feeling off. Approaching the group she realised Astrána had begun talking to her friends. Good, it's not taking her as long to adjust to my friends. It was a week before she would call me Twilight. She smiled as she remembered Astrána calling her 'Miss Sparkle' it always tickled her.

***

A few hours had passed, Spike had gone to bed, Twilight had ate with her friends. Astrána and her were idly chatting.

"I didn't know I was your first student." Astrána stated.

"Oh, yes. I'm worried I won't be able to focus on your studies as much as I have been the past two weeks. The university wasn't supposed to be finished for three months."

"That makes me feel rather special." Astrána said with a sligh blush. "But, I see you as more of a friend than a teacher, is that wrong?"

Twilight thought for a moment, "I see you as a friend too, Astrána. It might be unprofessional but I can't really help who I grow attached to."

Astrána smiled, "Thanks Twi'. I find it hard to make friends in new places. I'm glad your friends were nice to me. They usually find my silence disturbing."

"Oh don't worry," Twilight said offhandedly, "Fluttershy is quiet, a lot like you."

Astrána smiled at this, "I'm glad I have something in common with your friends, it would have been terrible if we did not get along."

"I doubt that would've happened."

"I'm a rather nervous person, I just assume the worst," Astrána said, laughing slightly. "Are you feeling better, after yesterday?"

Twilight felt she needed to lie, but she had the greatest urge she could trust and confide in Astrána, she was the same age as her. "Yeah, I'm... No, I've not been feeling ok."

Astrána moved closer to her, she put her her leg around Twilight's back, "Why? did the others feel it too?"

"Yes, they did. I'm worried this might be a serious issue." Twilight lowered her eyes to the ground.

"Everything will be ok." Astrána the leaned into a Twilight and nuzzled her before giving her a quick peck on the cheek.

Twilight's ears perked up, she turned to look at Astrána, "I... Umm... Astrána?"

Astrána immediately removed her leg from around Twilight, blushing. "I'm sorry! I don't know what came over me."

Twilight smiled, "It's ok..." She thought for a moment, "We're still friends."

"That's good." Astrána said, a flash of sadness flickered through her eyes, it was so momentarily that Twilight dismissed it for some other feeling.

"I'll... Go to bed." Astrána said, blushing.

Twilight smiled, "I guess I will too, it's pretty late."

***

Twilight left Astrána and Spike in bed, stepped outside into the dim morning sun. Birds flitted from her tree when she closed the door. She trotted towards the University, it was a large stone building, it seemed too big for the small town. Twilight soon realised that ponies will be travelling to Ponyville to learn from Celestia's student herself. Twilight pondered whether she should enter the building. She approached the door, just as she was about to enter she remembered her promise to Fluttershy the previous night.

After a short walk Twilight reached Fluttershy's house, she knocked on the door. A few seconds passed then Fluttershy opened the door.

"Oh, hi Twilight. I didn't know you would come this early..." Fluttershy said.

"Am I too early?"

"Oh, no. Come in." As Fluttershy spoke these words she stepped aside, allowing Twilight to enter her cottage. She noticed she had redecorated. More walkways and small houses for animals lined the walls, Angel sat over on the couch chewing on a carrot.

"So, what did you want to talk about?" Fluttershy asked Twilight.

Twilight paused for a moment, "Well, while Astrána and I stumbled upon a secret room in the Canterlot library."

Fluttershy look bemused, "A secret room?"

"Yes, the Queen of Equestria herself created it. She had left her journal on a pedestal in the antechamber."

"I thought you said it was a room."

"Well, it was. Only it was bigger on the inside." Twilight tried to explain, "We opened the book, some sparks shot from the inside of it and then, that's when we felt it. That's when everyone felt it."

Fluttershy pondered for a moment, "What did the journal say?"

"Well... The Queen of Equestria was named Astrána, she went to stop six ponies that were working with Discord that harness some great power, the element of Chaos." Fluttershy recoiled at the sound of the elements, "The last thing she wrote was..." Twilight paused for a moment, "I...I don't remember.

"You don't remember? But it can't have been that unimportant." Fluttershy stated curiously.

"It wasn't! I remember reacting, it was a great shock to both me and Astrána." Twilight began feeling frantic, "Celestia must remember... I'll send her a letter as soon as I get back." Twilight trotted towards the door.

"Twilight wait!" Fluttershy said, quite loud for her. Being the quiet pony in the group. "The animals will be ok... Won't they?"

Twilight paused for a moment, "Of course they will, Fluttershy." She walked out the door with a quick glance and a smile back at Fluttershy, she seemed reassured for some reason.

***

Twilight reached the University once more, the sound of desks being dragged along floors sounded from within the building, Twilight's ears flopped to the sides of her head. It was not long ago she was a student herself, now she was burdened with taking that knowledge and passing it onto the next generation. The prospect depressed her, yet at the same time, empowered her, it made her feel alive. The next generation growing up having her as a teacher.

Thinking it was high time she did something relaxing Twilight decided to go for a walk. Ponyville had not changed since she had left, except perhaps for the few tidbits here and there might have been altered.

The brisk morning air blew through her coat and mane. Ponyville appeared fairly barren such an early time, few ponies roamed the streets, Twilight noticed a few fillies taking themselves to school, the bare flanks on the young ponies reminded Twilight about Sweetiebelle, Applebloom and Scootaloo. She knew she would be teaching them but had not had the chance to speak to to the young ponies in months. I must make a note to go and visit them this week. She thought.

An hour passed, Twilight entertained herself by watching the morning in Ponyville unfold, the shops were opened, ponies now roamed the streets, people mingled and chatted with friends. Twilight even met with a few old acquaintances she had almost forgotten about.

Twilight headed back to her house, keeping in mind she needed to write a letter to Princess Celestia discussing the matter that came up and Fluttershy's cottage, it still worried her. As she entered the door she saw Astrána sat by the fire reading the Queen's spellbook.

"Hello, Astrána." Twilight said, smiling.

Astrána jumped slightly, surprised to see her, "Hello, come and take a look at this, some of these spells are extremely complex!"

Twilight trotted over to where Astrána was seated, "Oh, oh dear. This book contains arcane spells of the highest nature..." Twilight scanned the page, "Here, take a look at this one. Crystarium Fantasia, a spell that renders everything within a thirty meter radius encased in a crystalline tomb. Odd, it doesn't say when it wears off."

Astrána closed the book, "I guess that'll have to wait for another time."

"Yes, it will." Twilight agreed. "I guess we need to get back to your studies... Today I will be teaching you offensive magic. We'll have to travel to the Everfree forest to practice this, it should be interesting." Twilight said.

Astrána smiled, "Oh! I've been excited to learn offensive magic!"

Twilight nodded towards Astrána, "I need to write a letter to the Princess, could you gather your notes on offensive magic and wake Spike? We'll leave in an hour." Astrána smiled and trotted upstairs to wake spike. Twilight began to write her letter.

Dear Princess Celestia

Earlier today I was conversing with Fluttershy when she asked me a few questions about your mothers journal. I was unable

to answer a few particular because their answers did not appear in my mind. It was as if the book itself had wiped them from my

memories. It was a rather disturbing experience considering the conclusion of the book was so important. Could you please

get back to me on this matter as soon as possible.

Your faithul Student

Twilight Sparkle