An Alicorn's Purpose

The energy Gespenst was giving off was disrupting the foundation of the castle. Twilight could see stress marks emerging on the floor below him and spreading fast. The long drapes over the nearby windows tore themselves to shreds. Even the light in the room began to dim.

Twilight looked into his eyes and saw the anger swell within them. The whites of his eyes turned black and the familiar purple mist exuded from them. His golden horn surrounded itself in a crackling purple aura. Twilight started to pant.

‘This can’t be real.’ She thought, observing the stress marks reaching down the hall to the doors. ‘He hasn’t even cast a spell yet and I can barely breathe from the force of all this magic!’

Celestia was charging her own horn with magic, but Twilight could see—though she didn’t want to admit openly—Celestia’s magic was nowhere near his. She feared her teacher would be…

Just as Gespenst shot out his magic, a pair of mismatched arms grabbed him from behind and lifted him into the air, aiming the magic into the ceiling and disintegrating a large hole several times larger than Twilights.

The arms turned Gespenst around so he could see whoever interfered with his attack.

Twilight couldn’t believe what she was seeing.

“Gespenst, lad!” Discord says in a cheerful voice. “How wonderful to see you again! Had I known you were coming, I’d have made a maelstrom of chocolate rain for you. I remember how much you loved my chocolate rain.”

Though she couldn’t see Gespenst’s eyes, she could see the purple vapors disappear.

“Draconequus.” He says coolly, letting the magic in his horn dissipate. “I’d forgotten you were released.”

“Oh yeah, that happened a couple months ago. I’m a refined and rehabilitated citizen of Equestria.” He says, bringing his talon against his chest and posing with Gespenst in his other arm.

“I doubt that.” Gespenst says. He looks back at Twilight and Celestia, who already let go of her magic and folded her wings back together. “What are you doing here?” He asks, facing Discord again.

“Well, a little shadow told me my two favorite alicorns might start a fight, so I decided to stop them.” He leans into Gespenst and whispers loud enough for Twilight to hear, “But you’re really my favorite.”

“Yes, I’m sure. And I see you’re still strong enough to get past Celestia’s silly protection.” Gespenst says, disappearing in a flash from Discord’s grasp and reappearing in front of him. “But I was in the middle of something, so if you don’t mind—”

Before he can say another word, Discord snaps his fingers and Gespenst disappears, only to reappear lying back on a curved couch. Discord pulls an armchair from thin air and sits in it, a notepad in paw and a pair of black glasses over his eyes.

“Now,” He says with a stoic expression on his face, “Tell me what’s on your mind. As you know, everything here will be kept confidential.” He leans forward in his chair, his glasses slipping down his face and inch or two. “Remember: I’m here to help you.”

Repose brings a hoof to her face to stifle a giggle while the diamond dog checks over Bones. She takes a few steps towards Discord.

“Mr. Draconequus!” She says with a smile. “If we’re all here, it can’t be confidential, heh!”

“Nonsense, dear…y.” He pauses, lifting his glasses as he looks at Repose. He teleports right in front of her and looks her over, scratching his goatee. “You wouldn’t happen to have a sister, would you?” He asks.

“Oh, no, heh.” She beams. “Most ponies think I’m the twin of that one pony in Cloudsdale, heh. I’ve actually met Surprise before, but I don’t see the resemblance, heh.”

“That’s not who I…hmmm.” Discord tries going on, but he loses his words. He turns back to the dark alicorn on the couch. “Gespenst, wherever did you find this lovely mare?”

Gespenst lights his horn and teleports again, landing next to Discord and Repose. “I didn’t.” He says. “She just…showed up one day. I still don’t know how.”

All the while, Twilight watched on in awe of these events.

‘The second Discord showed up, Gespenst completely calmed down. What’s with this stallion?'

Gespenst looks over his shoulder at the lilac alicorn, his expression stoic. Sighing, he turns fully around and slowly makes his way up to Celestia and Twilight.

“I suppose I may have gone a little too far.” He says, stopping in front of Twilight and lowering his head to her level. “I won’t force you to come with me. Instead, I’ll give you…let’s say three weeks; yeah, three weeks. Use that time to choose whether or not to take me up on my offer to teach you.” He spins in place, walking back over to his group.

“Wait, what?” Twilight asks, thinking she misheard him. “Why would I want to become your apprentice?”

“You’ll see.” Gespenst stops and turns his head, looking at Twilight from the side. He has a dark grin on his face. “You won’t make it a week before you cave and accept my offer.” Gespenst looks over at the covered unicorn still sprawled out on the floor. “Come on, Bones!” He calls. “Get up! We’re leaving!”

“Yes sir.” Bones says, slowly lifting himself off the ground.

“Honestly.” Gespenst lights his horn and shoots the ground behind him with a small beam of magic. The energy quickly circles the group, leaving a black circle of energy on the ground. The space in the circle begins turning black. “Oh, and Twilight!” He says, turning to face her. “You may not contact any of the princesses for those three weeks. You have to make this decision without their council. Draconequus?” Discord hovers forward, his body horizontal to the ground as if he were lying on the air. “Please teleport Twilight back to Ponyville. No funny business, please.”

The bodies of Gespenst’s group begin sinking into the floor, which begins rippling like water.

“I would never commit any funny business with you, Gespenst.” Discord says, placing his paw over his chest while holding up his claw, crossing two talons.

Gespenst rolls his eyes, but he gives a small smirk. “Oh, and somepony tell Shade he’s working Canterlot for the next three months!” He yells before disappearing into the floor. The black surface quickly shrinks until it’s a tiny speck before disappearing.

The throne room got real quiet for a moment.

“Oof!” Discord voices, placing a paw on his side. “Long goodbyes are the worst.” He slithers in the air around Twilight, looking her in the eyes. “Well, Princess Twilight, you heard what the questionably nice stallion said.”

“W-Wait a minute!” Twilight yelps. “He can’t be serious!”

“Well, I certainly don’t know what he thinks.” Discord throws an arm in the air in a dramatic manner.

“Princess, does he—”

“Ah, ah, ah.” Discord places a claw over Twilight’s mouth. “No talking with the princess.”

“Are you serious?!” Twilight yells, swatting the talon away.

“Oh, come now, Twilight Sparkle. It’ll only be three weeks. Well, if you don’t agree to study under him, that is. Besides, I’ll take any chance I can get to tell Celestia not to do something.”

“I thought you were reformed!” Twilight grits her teeth.

“Yes, but I still like to have fun.” Discord turns to Celestia, looking her over. Instead of seeing a scowl, he sees…worry. “But, I suppose you can say your goodbyes. Just make it quick.” Discord teleports from around Twilight, landing in his curved couch.

Twilight looks up at her mentor, eyes pleading.

Celestia lowers her head to her, nuzzling her.

“What should I do?” Twilight asks, ignoring Gespenst’s instructions.

“I can’t say.” Celestia responds. “Either way, be careful.”

Discord looks over at the pair. With a snap of his fingers, Twilight disappears from the room.

~ _ ~ _ ~ _ ~ _ ~

Back in Ponyville, Spike was lounging on a couch, a half-eaten emerald on his scaled belly. A quiet snore made its way around the library. All of a sudden, a loud pop sounded throughout the room. Spike jumped with a start, landing on his side on the ground.

“Gah! I’m sorry I forgot to water the books! I…uh.” Spike looks around, spotting Twilight in the center of the room. “Twilight!” He runs up to her. “I didn’t think you’d be back so soon.”

Twilight just stands there, unmoving. Behind her, a lilac bag appeared with a book sticking out of the pocket. Harmony in Magic it read.

“Whoa. D’you leave so fast you forgot your bag?” Spike looks up at her. “What are you doing back here anyway?”

Twilight just stands there, staring at the wall.

“Twilight?” He calls at her.

Twilight snaps to attention, looking down at the dragon.

“Spike,” She says, turning towards the bookshelves, “We have some research to do.”

END CHAPTER