Celestial Mother Book One: The First Princess

Chapters

Chapter One: Clover The Fable
Chapter Two: Unwanted Rule
Chapter Three: The Ivory Eyed Stallion
Chapter Four: Immortalless
Chapter Five: Kindred Spirits

Chapter One: Clover The Fable

Twilight opened her eyes, lifting herself slowly from the ground and her eyes scanning the area around her. The last thing she remembered was being struck by the elements of Harmony, feeling power flood her body before the world had gone white. Now she was here, in this strange place, her entire body feeling sore as she stood, stretching her wings with not so much as a second thought. “Wait…WINGS!” she yelled, turning around to see a pair of wings clamped comfortably to her sides.

She didn’t have time to look over her wings though, for just as she noticed them a voice rang out over the landscape, and she spotted a figure walking toward her. But when the figure approached her jaw dropped open, for it was none other than a Star Swirl the Bearded.

“I can’t believe it Philomena, the stars words are true, she is here.”

She watched as he approached, spotting a phoenix on his shoulder as he bowed low to her. “Your highness, it is an honor to be graced with your presence, my name is…”

“Star Swirl,” said Twilight, catching the pony off guard.

“You…you know of me?”

“Know of you, I don’t think there is a single pony who doesn’t know of you. Your knowledge on pony magic has helped shape how we teach ponies about themselves, and my own teachers lessons were ones she had learned from you.”

Star Swirl stared at her for a moment, and then smiled, surprising her with what he said next. “So the stars were right about that as well, you are from the future.”

Twilight gave him a look, which caused him to laugh out loud. “I am sorry; I get that reaction a lot when I talk like that. My special talent is being able to converse with the stars themselves, and over my life they have shared many secrets with me. But enough about that, we must get you to the palace princess.”

Star Swirl turned to go, but was stopped when Twilight placed a hoof on his shoulder. “Um Star Swirl, I don’t know what the stars told you, but I’m not a princess.”

“What, but the stars said…ok just wait a moment.” He turned around and looked up at the stars, his eyes sparkling as he began to talk to the biggest star in the sky. “You, yeah you North Star, don’t you wink at me young lady I know your mother. You told me that this mare here-” he pointed at Twilight, “-was a princess, mind telling me why she says she isn’t.”

To Twilights surprise the star he was talking to began to blink and flash, making chime like noises as it spoke to him. “What do you mean she was sent to the past before she got crowned, I thought you said your little friends had everything handled?”

The star blinked again, and Star Swirl got really irritated by its response. “They goofed up, what do you mean they goofed up.”

The star gave another flash and Star Swirl facehoofed, groaning loudly in frustration. “They teleported her here before the bucking coronation, by my wife’s gems this cannot be happening.” He then turned to Twilight, looking at her with a question look. “Ok, were just going to need to create a cover for you then, and hide your wings till sometime in the future. Now we need a name for you, any suggestions bright eyes,” he said, staring up at the North Star with a smug look.

The star blinked once, and then flashed two times, causing Star Swirl to smile. “Well it is an unusual name, but I think it will work for her. Ok-” he said, turning to Twilight, “you’ll be under the name Clover the Clever for now, at least till such a time as we can reveal your true self, now hold still, this will tingle a bit.”

Before Twilight could react to what he had just said, Star Swirl’s horn lit up, causing a bright flash of light and a minor tingling sensation. After the flash was over, Twilight looked over herself, seeing that her wings had been hidden and she was her old self again. Still then she thought of the name he had given her, and her mind halted on it, allowing it to circle a bit while she processed this news.

“He didn’t even react as though there was another mare named Clover, does…does that mean that I’m the real Clover the Clever. But that doesn’t make sense, she was a unicorn, not an alicorn in disguise, how the hay am I supposed to be Clover the Clever!”

“You coming?”

Twilight was shaken out of her thoughts by the question, nodding her head and falling into stride beside him as he threw a cloak over her. “Okay, now here is how things are going to go. I will be introducing you as my personal student, which will probably raise suspicions due to my having never taking a student before. Now I will also need to teach you about what’s going on, I know you probably know a lot from history books but nothing beats up to date knowledge.”

They continued along the road, occasionally running into a pony or two but keeping quiet, till they finally reached the edge of a large town. They walked past some guards, who bowed to Star Swirl before returning to their posts. They kept moving, heading over to the palace in the distance while they talked.

“Make sure you are respectful, I don’t know about royalty of you time, but her majesty is very stressed due to all that has been happening of late.”

Twilight opened her mouth to speak, but stopped as they reached the gates, the guards their allowing them passage as they headed up the steps, walking through the halls before reaching the door’s to the throne room, Star Swirl whispering to a pony who nodded, opening the doors and then announcing their arrival.

“Presenting her majesties royal consort Star Swirl the Bearded, and his apprentice, the lady Clover the Clever.”

Author's Note

The first chapter in Celestial Mother book one, hope you all enjoy. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to drop them on by.

Chapter Two: Unwanted Rule

Star Swirl smiled as he walked up to the throne, Twilight following behind as she watched with shock as Princess Platinum got up from the throne, glaring at Star Swirl as he spoke.

“My darling angel, so good to…” he started, only to get slapped in the face as Platinum stopped in front of them.

“You insufferable cur, I sent you a summons telling you I needed you back at the palace and what do I get, a letter about you going off because the stars told you something important was happening, what could be more important than what I have to tell you?!”

Star Swirl smiled, “well I had an important matter dear, which we need to talk about, alone.”

Platinum looked at him skeptically for a moment, then she noticed the mare standing behind him, and more specifically her cutie mark. Her eyes widened, and then she turned to the other ponies in the room, her voice echoing with magical power as her horn glowed.

“I have important matters to discus with my royal consort, so court for the day is ended. I will be retiring to my royal chambers; I expect not to be disturbed.”

Many a pony murmured, and they all watched as Platinum led the other to ponies out of the room. Twilight followed close, making sure to keep her cloak pulled tight around her as they exited the throne room and went down a small hallway.

Platinum quickly sent the servants away, closing and locking all the doors before turning around and, much to Twilight’s surprise, bowing to her. “Your highness, I am honored that you have graced us with your presence, long have we been waiting for you to arrive…”

“Um Platinum, a word if you please,” said Star Swirl.

The Princess turned toward Star Swirl, leaning close as he whispered into her ear, causing her eyes to widen as she looked at Twilight. “But…but the stars have never made a mistake before, I mean they have always been right.”

“I know love,” said Star Swirl, “But in this case they were wrong, so we will just have to work around it.”

Platinum nodded, then walked over to Twilight and placed a comforting hoof on her shoulder. “Well seeing as how I no longer am needed at court, why don’t you and I go and talk for a while, for if you are to be a part of my court; I would like the chance to get to know you a bit better.”

Twilight nodded, “and I will go and see if the stars have any more news,” said Star Swirl, before teleporting away as the two ladies went to the princess’s royal chambers.

Twilight had to admit, it felt a bit spooky being inside of Princess Platinum’s chambers, mostly because they looked like a mirror image of Celestia’s chambers, right down to some of the furniture. Even Philomena was there, sitting atop Platinum’s shoulder as she spoke.

“So Clover, you don’t mind if I ask you any questions do you?”

“Um…no, but if I may ask, why are you being so um…nice to me…?”

Platinum looked confused, and then giggled as she gestured toward the back wall. “Do you see that sigil hanging on the wall there,” she asked, waiting for Twilight to nod before continuing. “Long before the unicorns ever came to power; we were all governed by a mighty race known as the alicorns. They were the ones who governed much of our world’s natural events, from our weather, to moving the sun and moon through the sky. We do not know what happened to them, but it was always foretold that one day an alicorn would appear to us, one who would be able to lead and bring great prosperity to our dying tribes.”

Platinum turned back to her guest, and was surprised to see a look of confusion on her face, “why whatever is the matter dear?”

“Well…not to disagree with you princess,” said Twilight, “it’s just that there has got to be more to it than that, just accepting an alicorn who pops up out of the blue because of legends, it’s just doesn’t make sense.”

Platinum kept up her smile for a little while longer, then sighed, letting all her masks drop and leaving behind a very tired and very worn out looking mare. “I can see that I can’t hide anything from you my dear, so I shall explain. In truth…I have been praying for your arrival for many years now, ever since I took the throne at the age of sixteen after my mother passed, and even more so when my husband Star Swirl said it would eventually be a reality.”

She sighed, “I was never meant to rule Clover, for my mother had always planned on having another foal to take the throne, a colt to be exact. She insisted that we needed a colt for our next leader, and refused to give me any knowledge on ruling a kingdom, but in the end she never mothered a colt, or any other children for that matter.”

“I also have been hoping for your arrival because I have recently learned that…that I am with child, and I honestly don’t want to raise her while still on the throne, so I…I am being nice to you because I know that will be dropping a heavy burden on you, the burden of ruling a kingdom.”

Twilight looked at her a long moment, then smiled, getting up and siting down next to the mare before giving her a comforting nuzzle. “It’s ok Platinum, I’ll learn what I can from you, I promise.”

The mare nuzzled back, and beamed brightly at Twilight, who giggled at the familiar expression.

“Why whatever are you laughing at?”

“Sorry, said Twilight, “it’s just that you are nothing like how history has painted you.”

“Really,” said Platinum, “and what how pray tell do these legends paint me, from how you are reacting I can gauge it is not a pleasant light.”

Twilight nodded, “yes, they…they always talked about you as though you were an uncaring individual, not concerned with anything except for your unicorns and what benefited them.”

Platinum laughed, “That sounds more like the chancellor of the earth ponies, he has no caring for anything but his own pony’s problems, and is always blaming my tribe and the pegasi for his problems. I on the other hoof know that is not the way to go about things, we need to mend our old problems, we need unity.”

Twilight nodded, impressed with what she had heard, “well I hope I can help you in this, and I hope I can prove a good addition to your court, as I was with the last princess I served under.”

“So you did serve under a princess then?” asked Platinum, looking pleased as she took a sip of some tea.

“Yes,” said Twilight, “she was the greatest teacher a pony could ever ask for, especially when it came to magic. She could always find the best method for teaching me, and would always help no matter how busy she was.”

Platinum chuckled, “she sounds like a great mare, I wish I could meet her.”

“I’m sure you will,” said Twilight, laughing at the confused look before continuing. “My teacher was an Alicorn, and she was around for thousands of years before she ever met me, and mentioned in passing that she knew you as a close friend.”

Platinum smiled, then jumped when she heard a knock at the door, calling out to invite the pony in, who turned out to be one of her guards.

“Your highness, Commander Hurricane and his delegation have arrived to discuss the plans for the meeting of the three.”

“Ah, perfect timing, tell them they can come up here, and make sure to tell them I have a new advisor with me, I would rather them not be to surprised when I walk in there with this mare in tow.”

The guard nodded then left, leaving Twilight to turn a questioning eye towards the monarch, clearing her throat before speaking. “Um your highness, not that I’m not…”

“Oh please dear,” started Platinum, “there is no need for titles among us, just call me Platinum dear.”

“Ok,” said Twilight, “well Platinum, not that I am not flattered, but do you really think I am worthy of such a position as your advisor?”

“Why of course dear,” said Platinum with a grin, “you were after all taught by a pony with century’s worth of knowledge. But besides that young Clover, you have the makings of a great leader inside you, and as my advisor, I will be able to help you become that great leader, and eventually succeed me as princess.”

They then both got up, Platinum leading the way out of the room as Twilight followed suit, praying that she knew what she was doing.

Author's Note

There, yah'll happy now, I tweaked the chapter and gave Platinum a more concrete reason for wanting to give Twilight the throne. Also, just to avoid confusion, anytime the other ponies say the name Clover or Clover the Clever, they are referring to Twilight, however Twilight will continue to refer to herself by her own name in her head, and the story itself will identify her as Twilight. Anyways, next chapter will be introducing Hurricane, who will be an integral character to the central plot. Till then, if you guys have any questions or comments, please feel free to drop them on by, you all know I love hearing from you.

P.S. expect updates for this story to increase in rate and frequency.

Chapter Three: The Ivory Eyed Stallion

Twilight followed princess Platinum nervously as entered the meeting hall, her eyes falling upon the face of a large pegasus stallion who looked up, and immediately she gasped, for his eyes were milky white.

“He’s blind,” she thought.

“Princess Platinum,” said the stallion, his deep voice rumbling across the room, soothing Twilight’s nerves in an oddly familiar way. “It is good to see you again; I was worried you had forgotten about this meeting.”

“Not at all Commander Hurricane, I was just brining my new advisor Clover up to speed on current affairs.”

“New advisor,” asked Hurricane before his nostrils flared, and then his eyes drifted over to Twilight. “Ah, I see; come closer child.”

Twilight looked nervously at Platinum, who nodded, and then she walked forward, coming to a halt in front of him.

He was a large stallion, the largest stallion she had ever seen, easily bigger then Big Mac ever was. He had a pale night blue coat, and his mane and tail were the color of the earth. He leaned down and sniffed her, his eyes dawning a curious look as he stared down at her. “You smell like a pegasus, but you also smell like a unicorn, how curious.”

“I can explain that,” said Twilight, “My father was a pegasus, while my mother was a unicorn.”

“Hm, yes, that could explain it,” said Hurricane. “But…the scent I detected is much…deeper, then the scent of a normal pony, if anything it is just as strong as your unicorn scent, which is very odd.”

“But not unheard of,” said Platinum behind them.

Hurricane stared for a long moment, and then nodded his head, moving back to the table and sitting down. “Very well, then let us get to the matter at hoof.”

Everypony sat down, Twilight choosing a seat near both Hurricane and Platinum, for she felt an odd…comfort emanating from him, a familiar comfort which she could not place.

“To the matter at hoof then,” said Hurricane, “I came to you today to discuss how we are going to handle the little problem we all know as Chancellor Pudding Head. Our problem is I think well known to us, all of us?”

His gaze was pointed toward Twilight, who shook her head before remembering he was blind, but before she could correct herself he spoke.

“I see, I thought you said you brought her up to speed on current affairs,” said Hurricane as his gaze turned toward Platinum.

“And I had, all except for our problems surrounding the Chancellor, which I honestly am not as good at covering as you are.”

“Very well,” said Hurricane, before turning back to Twilight. “Well you see miss…oh dear, I am afraid I do not have the pleasure of knowing your name young miss.”

“My name is Clover the Clever commander,” said Twilight.

“Clover,” said Hurricane, “an earth pony name, how interesting. But anyways, our problem is that for the past few meetings the dear Chancellor has become increasingly resistant to negations, especially whenever I try to speak, for he is under the delusion that it is us pegasi who are causing the storm.”

Twilight stayed calm, but inside a voice in her head was screaming at her to break her silence. She of course knew what was causing the storm, and her conscious kept telling her that she should tell them, and thus save them. But that presented another problem, for she knew if she told them about the windigo’s, then history…her history, would be altered, and she would not be able to make it back home.

For she knew she could get home, because she knew, even though she didn’t know how she knew, that she was now immortal, and that presented its own dilemma. If she wanted to get home, she would have to make sure she played clovers part in history to the letter, which presented a problem.

Clover the Clever’s history was well documents up till a little after the founding of Equestria, but after that anything about her history became shrouded in rumors and mythos. There was nothing, absolutely nothing about Clover the Clever after the beginning of the second age, which meant that Clover…or rather she had somehow removed herself from the history books.

All of these thoughts took but a second to complete within her mind, leading to her decision, finally allowing her to look up and speak. “But why would they believe that, from everything I know about this storm, it is not pegasus made, nor is it natural.”

“We have come to the same conclusion,” said Hurricane, “but our dear Chancellor refuses to see it, and in so doing refuses to believe that this storm is beyond our control.”

“That’s not very wise of him,” said Twilight, looking concerned as she glanced over at Platinum.

“No it is not, but it does make our problem a bit easier to manage. If we can somehow convince him that this storm is not of pegasus make, then we might finally be able to persuade him to lend his magic to ending it.”

That got Twilight curios, “his magic, but how can earth pony magic help us with a storm?”

The moment the words had left her lips Twilight knew she had said something wrong, for the looks that had crossed those gathered in the room looked as though she had called one of her own princesses a whores.

“Clover, I can’t believe you said such a thing, you know that earth pony magic is one of the three pillars.”

“The what?”

Hurricane eyes widened at that, but before he could speak Platinum intervened. “I shall handle this later, for it seems there are some things even I do not know about my new advisor. For now though, let us stick to the matter at hoof, so you may continue Commander.”

It took many more hours to hammer out the plan they were going to use to try and convince the Chancellor, but it was finally ready, and everypony was getting ready to depart. But as Twilight got up, Hurricane decided to speak up.

“Miss Clover, if it would not be too much trouble, could you stay a moment, I promise I will not keep you long.”

Twilight stared at him a moment, then looked at Platinum, who like before nodded and then left, leaving Twilight alone with the stallion.

The moment they were completely alone Hurricane walked up to her, and then, much to Twilight’s surprise leaned himself against her, letting his head falling upon her shoulder as he spoke. “I have waited for you…for so long…”

Twilight’s immediate reaction was to jerk away, looking frightenly at the stallion as she spoke, “what the hell are you talking about?”

“You’re her aren’t you,” asked Hurricane, his voice almost pleading. “You’re the alicorn princess of time, the one sent to us from the great beyond to save us…aren’t you?”

“How many damn legends are there about me,” thought Twilight exasperatedly, but outside she remained calm. “I’m sorry Commander Hurricane, but I have no idea what you’re…”

“Don’t…” started Hurricane, “…don’t lie to me, I knew what you were the moment I caught your sent, I just didn’t realize it, you have to be her!”

Even though he was blind, Twilight could see the pleading in his eyes, the desperation brought on by the events that had been spiraling around him…but she knew she had to keep up her ruse. “I am sorry Hurricane, but I am not an alicorn, I am a unicor…”

“But you have to be,” he cried, running up to her and placing his hoof on her side, only to jerk away when he felt no wing. “Wha…but…but it has to be you, you smell like an alicorn. Please…please tell me that it’s just some trick, some form of deception you are using to protect yourself…please…”

Again Twilight could hear the desperation in his voice; a desperation that she was all too familiar with, for it was the desperation of a pony whose belief was being shattered. It almost broke her, but she knew she could not let her resolve shake, not now. “I am sorry Hurricane, but I am not an alicorn, I am a unicorn.”

Hurricane looked defiant for a moment, and then sighed, only for a coy smile to spread across his face as he spoke. “I see, then I shall stay silent for now, till you feel it is safe. Till then however, I would like to offer myself to thee, to repay the offence I have made for trying to push you for answers.”

Part of Twilight cringed, for she had known that this might happen to her eventually, but another part of her paused, seeing opportunity in this stallion’s proposal. During this time, stallions used to offer themselves to mares they felt they had offended them, becoming a sort of concubine for their personal use.

However, what intrigued Twilight about Hurricanes offer was that it correlated with a certain myth that had surrounded Clover the Clever for an age, a myth which stated that she and Commander Hurricane were not only friends, but were husband and wife. She knew not all the myths were true, but she also knew some of them had to be partially true, and so…

“Commander Hurricane, I cannot accept your offer, for I do not feel offended in anyway. However,” she said, noting the downcast look on his face, “if…if you would like, then I would be happy to court you, starting tomorrow when the sun sets.”

Hurricane smiled at that, bowing low as he spoke, “I would be honored my lady, and I shall wait for you outside the palace gates when the sun sets, till then, I bid thee good day.”

And with that he left, Twilight watching him go with both surprise, and a little curiosity as well. For, even though the stallion was obviously blind, he moved with the grace of a stallion who knew everything around him, and she could not wait to figure out how he did it.

Author's Note

Ok, I know you are all probably going "what the buck?" but let me get my chance to explain. As we know from the last chapter, there is a legend roaming around an alicorn princess who will appear to the ponies and save them, bringing about a new age of peace an prosperity. Princess Platinum heard of the legend due to being royalty, and it is the reason her mother wanted a stallion to be on the throne before this event happened. However, Hurricane is different, and while I can't go into much detail about it now, but I can give you this. Hurricane was raised on the legend of the Alicorn Princess, and because he was blind, he has a very powerful sense of smell, one even more powerful then that of his own kind, and it was due to this that he was able to sniff Twilight out, and also there is a lot behind his words "I have waited for you for so long," which will be illuminated on later.

Anyways, next chapter Twilight will learn about the three pillars of magic, and the chapter after that will be the beginning of Twilight's courtship of Commander Hurricane. So as always if you guys have any questions or comments, please feel free to drop them on by, I love hearing from all of you.

P.S. If any of you guys were wondering about where in the timeline we are in regards to the event known as Hearth's Warming, we are currently two months before that event.

Chapter Four: Immortalless

Twilight made it back to the princess’s room ok, but when she entered it, it was to the greeting of shocked looks as both Platinum and Star Swirl moved toward her.

“My wife has just told me of what transpired during your meeting with Hurricane, and I find myself worried about what you said, but first what did Hurricane want.”

“He knows I’m a alicorn,” said Twilight immediately, causing both Platinum and Star Swirl to pale.

“He…he knows, but how?”

“He could smell it, I don’t know how but he could, but he will hold his tongue…until I am ready to reveal myself.”

The other two hesitated for a moment, and then Platinum spoke up. “Then I would advise you to be careful around him, at least till a peace is settled.”

This confused Twilight, “what…but why?”

“Because,” stated Platinum, “Hurricane has been groomed since birth to be the perfect mate for the alicorn of legend, for his mother Storm was the last pony who believed in the legend, before Star Swirl told me of its truth. If he believes you to be the alicorn he seeks, then he will try and offer himself to you, no matter what you say.”

Twilight stiffened at this, for she didn’t know if she should tell them about her courtship of the stallion. “…No, this needs to happen, I don’t know why…but it does.”

She then looked back at Platinum, “I shall be careful your highness, but for now, let us get to the matter of my…outburst.”

They both nodded, “Yes,” said Star Swirl, “your outburst. Now, I can gauge from your reaction that you have no knowledge of the three pillars.”

“Well I wouldn’t say that, for I know of the three pillars, however in my time they have nothing to do with earth ponies.”

“WHAT!”

The look on Star Swirls face was one of disgust, the words that Twilight had spoken sickening him. “I cannot believe that, how could the three pillars not have anything to do with earth ponies?”

“Because the three pillars have to do with Unicorn magic, the pillars representing the unicorn virtues of wisdom purity and stren…”

“No…I will not hear this, I have heard enough,” said Star Swirl, storming out of the room as Platinum placed a comforting hoof to stay Twilight.

“Let him go,” said Platinum, “he above all other practitioners in the field of magic holds a high regard for the pillars, and what you have stated has shaken him greatly, so he will need a moment to calm down.”

“I see,” said Twilight, “well then, before we continue, maybe it is best if you tell me about the pillars, that way I can better gauge what is different here.”

Platinum nodded, “Very well, I shall explain as best I am able, though I am not as proficient a magic user as my husband. You see Clover, the three pillars of magic are the foundations of our very world, the pillars of Earth, Sky, and the Divine. Each pillar is held up by a specific pony race, and in so doing, those races are granted special magic to help protect those pillars. The first pillar, the pillar of earth, is held up by the earth ponies, and grants them to power to bend both the earth and fire to their will, allowing them to create beautiful wonders and grow our food. The second pillar, the pillar of sky, is held up by the pegasi, and grants them the power to control both the winds and the waters of our world, allowing them to shape the weather and manipulate the clouds in the sky. And the last pillar, the pillar of the divine, is held up by the unicorns, granting them to power to bend light and darkness to our will, and gives us the power to move the sun and moon each day. When working in harmony, these three pillars hold up our world and make it stable…but when they do not, it leads to strife and unrest, upsetting the balance of all things governed by them.”

Platinum smiled after she finished, but when she looked at Twilight, she immediately dawned a look of concern, “Clover?”

Twilight was frozen in place, for the weight of the information Platinum had given her was mind breaking. That magic, the three pillars, they did not exist in her time, or if they did, then the ponies of her time didn’t have a connection to them anymore, all save for two.

“Celestia and Luna must be holding the pillars up then, for they have the exact same powers that Platinum described. But…but if they do, what causes us ponies to lose our connection to them, and worse…what sort of pressure would having to hold up that kind of magic cause.”

But for now those worries would have to wait, for she had to speak to Platinum, so she did. “What you say is very troubling Princess, for it reveals to me many troubles which have gone unnoticed till now. In my time, we have lost our connection to these pillars, and…if I had to wager a guess, these pillars are now only being held up by two ponies, the alicorn princesses of my time.”

“What,” said Platinum, “but if that’s true then those two are in danger, terrible danger.”

“What do you mean danger?”

“Alicorn’s are not meant to support the pillars of magic; they are made to embody them. It is us, the mortal ponies, who are meant to hold up the pillars, because only mortal hooves can steady them and support the magic that flows within without suffering drastic effects. Because of this, if an alicorn should try and support the pillars, it will begin a magical feedback loop…”

“Whoa hold on a second, I thought you said as best as you were able, from the sounds of it though you are well versed in this magic, at least beyond what I perceive to be the basics of it.”

“Can you blame me when my husband is the arch mage of our tribe,” said Platinum, before shaking her head and continuing. “Anyway as I said, it will begin a magical feedback loop on the alicorn or alicorns in question, which if not halted will…will…”

Platinum stopped, her eyes widening in shock as the cogs started to move in her head, making connections as Twilight spoke up, “Um…Princess Platinum.”

“By the makers that’s it, it all makes sense,” cried Platinum, shocking Twilight and causing her to jump.

“What make’s sense, Princess what are you talking about?”

“Clover, if a magic feedback loop is not halted, it will eventually kill the pony who is suffering from it, mostly due to the ever increasing influx of power. As I told you before the alicorns used to control every aspect that governed our world, and we ponies were as you described, not having any connection to the pillars. With that in mind, it is possible to theorize that the alicorns vanished due to supporting the pillars of magic for too long and, in a sense, getting crushed by them, forcing us mortal ponies to finally take up the charge of holding up the pillars.”

Again, Twilight found herself rendered speechless. Partly because of the information this presented, and partly because out of all the strange little nuances she could have expected to see during this time, Princess Platinum the scientist had not been one she had been ready for.

However she was able to shake it off, smiling at the mare before speaking herself. “Well thank you Platinum, your information has helped me greatly, but for now I wish to retire.”

“Say no more young Clover,” said Platinum, “your quarters have already been prepared; they are through that door back there.”

Twilight thanked her, and then left, heading through the door and into her new chambers, finding where her bed was located and then collapsing on it, letting the emotions of her realized immortality finally wash over her.

She had managed to stave off the reaction due to more pressing concerns, but now the weight of her realization hit her with its full force. She would live forever, she would watch everypony around her die, and even though it meant she would get to see her friends, her brother, and her parents again, she would eventually have to watch them die as well.

But this presented its own problem, for if she was immortal, where was she in the future. Even with how careful she could be, it was highly unlikely that she could stay out of even the grasp of a legend or two, yet there were no such legends about another long lived alicorn besides Celestia and Luna.

“That leaves only two possibilities,” thought Twilight, “Either I get killed some time in the future…or worse, something is keeping me out of sight of the others…and I can only think of one being capable of that…Discord.”

It presented a daunting possibility, for if discord was her opponent, then she would need to find the elements of harmony in order to prevent whatever he had planned. It would be risky, for it meant she would have to directly interfere with time, but if she knew herself as well as she thought she did, she knew she could pull it off.

“I’ll do anything to see my friends again,” thought Twilight, and with that thought she got back up, heading out the door to make her rendezvous with Hurricane.

Author's Note

This chapter was majorly important, for it reveals the foundation for Equestria's magic. There will be a chapter later on where Twilight delves deeper into the mysteries of the three pillars, but for now you will just have to content yourself with a date chapter, which will hopefully be enjoyable. As always, if you guys have any questions or comments, please feel free to drop them on buy, you all know I love hearing from you.

Chapter Five: Kindred Spirits

Twilight made it down to the gates as the sun began to set, trying to ignore the itch to fly as she moved under the sky. She was starting to get a small inkling of why Rainbow always flew whenever she wanted to go somewhere, for the sky above her looked so inviting, it was almost painful to ignore.

“Couldn’t fly even if I wanted to though,” thought Twilight, thinking about the spell that Star Swirl had cast on her. As she was the element of magic, she figured she would be able to break it in a matter of seconds once…

“Wait a second,” she thought, “he wasn’t using the kind of magic I am used to, he used magic connected to the third pillar, and from everything Platinum said that kind of magic is extremely powerful. My old magic probably couldn’t even touch it…but I bet my new magic could.”

That thought made her giddy, for like her immortality, she also knew she herself was connected to the pillars of magic, and she wanted to see how much this new magic had to offer.

However that would have to wait, for at the moment she had just spotted her target, who was staring right at her, which made her speak up.

“How do you do that,” asked Twilight.

“Magic,” said Hurricane simply, falling into stride with Twilight as she raised an eyebrow.

“Magic, I’m sorry Hurricane, but I find that hard to believe.”

“Really,” said Hurricane, “and this from a pony whose race claims magic can do anything.”

“Well I wouldn’t…” started Twilight, only to chuckle as she stopped herself. “Well, I guess I have a few more things to learn about magic it seems.”

“It would seem,” said Hurricane, “but it does make one wonder, where would a pony have to grow up to not know the pillars.”

Twilight opened her mouth to speak, only to be stopped as something tackled her to the ground, rolling her over before she came face to face with an angry pegasus, her red eyes staring down at her as she began shouting at her.

“What are you doing with my big brother you bloody unicorn…”

“PANSY!”

The pegasus immediately leaped off of Twilight, allowing her to get up as she watched the young pegasus mare look at Hurricane with a scornful gaze. “sorry Hurry, I was just wondering why this here unicorn was talking with you and smiling, after all you are…”

“I know what I am Pansy,” said Hurricane with a laugh, “but this mare here has kindly asked if she can be allowed to court me, and I have accepted.”

Pansy’s eyes widened at that, “What…but…but mom said you have to marry the alicorn of time, mom will be very angry with you.”

“Well Pansy mother will just have to accept the fact that I make my own decisions,” said Hurricane simply, “now could you please leave me alone, we have places to go.”

Pansy grumbled, mentioning something about telling their mother, but flew off all the same. Hurricane then draped a wing over Twilight as they started walking again, grinning as the mare blushed before speaking once again. “Now that we got that out of the way, would you mind answering my question?”

Twilight nodded, “well, my village is…or rather was located in a very remote area, lots of monsters surrounding it on either side. I was sent away by my parents due to…well how the rest of the village viewed me, for they believed me to be an affront to pure blood unicorns. I sadly heard later that the entire village was wiped out, for there magic couldn’t hold back the beasts that attacked them.”

“I see,” said Hurricane, though from the look on his face Twilight could tell he was only humoring her. “I shall leave that topic for another day, for now, I would like to take you to a race, if that is alright.”

“That would be lovely,” said Twilight.

Twilight sat in one of the reserved box seats along with Hurricane, looking at the racers and noting with surprise that both unicorns and pegasi were competing.

“Puddinghead has decreed that no earth ponies will be competing in any events till us pegasi end this storm,” said Hurricane, “which is why you don’t see any of them in the race.”

“Still,” said Twilight, “this will hardly be a competition, after all, pegasi are natural athletes, so they should be able to beat the unicorns fairly quickly.”

“Well that would be true,” said Hurricane with a grin, “if this were based on endurance alone.”

Before Twilight could comment on what he said, a horn blared, signaling that the race was about to start, and she found out why he had said what he said. The moment the horn had blared, the unicorns horns had lit up, surrounding themselves with light, and the pegasi’s eyes had begun to glow, their own bodies becoming enveloped in fields of electricity.

“There allowed to use their magic?” asked Twilight aloud, causing Hurricane to chuckle.

“Of course,” said Hurricane, “after all as you said, pegasi hold an unfair advantage due to their natural agility. But when it comes to magic, all ponies are equal under the eyes of the pillars.”

“Then why compete at all, if as you say no magic is stronger than the other?”

“Because,” said Hurricane, “even if no form of magic can topple the other, each practitioner would naturally have a different level of skill. Through competitions like these we can…discover ourselves, and hopefully gain some improvement along the way.”

Twilight smiled at that, watching a bit longer as the ponies made their final preparations before speaking once more. “Would you mind explaining the rules of this race?”

Hurricane nodded, pulling her close with a wing and gesturing out to the race track. “The track actually spans a great distance beyond your sight, but each track has assigned unicorns who display where the racers are at all times, allowing ponies on any part of the track to see that action. As for the rules, each race last about five laps around the track, and the first one to reach the end of their fifth lap is declared the winner.”

“Any other rules?”

“Yes,” said Hurricane, “you may not use any combat magic against your fellow racers unless you acquire a attack sigil from one of the many sigil plates scattered across the track.”

That got Twilight curious, “Sigil plates?”

Hurricane nodded, before reaching down and picking up a crystal with his hoof, one that had been attached to the podium in front of them. He let it go in front of him, letting it hover there before speaking to it with a commanding tone. “Please show us the nearest sigil plate on the track.”

Immediately, the crystal lit up, projecting an image of the track and the racers before zooming of to a nearby point further down and stopping on a strange metal plate, one covered in runes which formed several different sized circles.

“When a ponies hoof touches the plate, it temporarily places a sigil upon there forehead, allowing them to use the spell assigned to the symbol, and once that spell is used the symbol vanishes, and they have to wait till they get another one before they can attack again.”

“I see,” said Twilight, before jumping a bit as a horn blared out over the field, and the racers took off running or flying, all of them moving at blinding speed as the crowed began to roar in excitement.

As the race commenced, Twilight decided, with a little smirk on her face, to lean herself against the large stallion, Hurricane blushing a bit as she spoke to him. “You know, despite my naivety on some things, I...i have actually heard of you before, you were actually quite famous in my village.”

“Oh really,” said Hurricane with a smile, unfolding a large wing and wrapping it around her, reminding her of when Princess Celestia would do the same, which caused her to smile as well.

“Yeah,” said Twilight, “our elder used to tell all these amazing stories about you, how you fought a dragon on your own with nothing but your sword, how you pulled were the first and only pegasus to create a rainbow cascade, so many stories.”

As she spoke, her mind suddenly snagged on another factoid related to the few rumors that Clover and Hurricane were lovers. In that story, the reason why Clover fell for Hurricane was because he studied magic, and had even been able to teach her things about magic which later bled into her own magic reforms.

So, with the conversation already opened up, she decided she might as well take a risk, “However, there is one story my elder used to tell me, one which I would like to ask you about, if I may.”

“For you I am an open book, so please, ask away.”

Twilight took a deep breath, then she sighed before speaking once more. “The story she told me was that you studied magic, and not just pegasus magic either, all forms of magic, because it is your secret pleasure, and your true calling.”

When she turned to look at him, she saw that his face had morphed into one of shock, and one of fear, the stallion shaking as he tried to speak. “You....your elder must have known me really well to know that, but I must ask, did they tell anyone else this story.”

Twilight was quick to shake her head, “no, she was reluctant to tell me, made me swear upon my very soul that what she told me would never be told to another.”

Hurricane sighed with relief, “thank the makers, I often dread of what would happen if the pegasi found out about my true talent.”

Twilight gave him a raised eyebrow, so Hurricane pulled away from her, taking a quick look to make sure no one else would see, and then he pulled back his cloak so she could see his cutie mark.

What she saw baffled her to no end, and defied everything she had ever learned or read about the pegasus. His cutie mark was a sun with a crescent moon over it, surrounded by a field of stars.

“Your...your talent is magic?”

Hurricane nodded, putting his cloak back in place before speaking. “Indeed it is, I hope this does not displease you, I know how some ponies like a mate who's talent fits more in line with their race....”

“.....why would you think that would displease me?”

Hurricane looked confused, then Twilight decided to get bold, pulling back her own cloak to show her cutie mark to him. The moment he saw it, his eyes bulged out of his head, the man looking alarmed as he quickly grabbed her cloak and covered her cutie mark. “My lady do you realize what your talent means?”

Twilight nodded, “My talent is magic, all magic.”

Hurricane stared at her for a long moment, then his eyes softened, the stallion sighing as he let go of her cloak before speaking. “Lady Clover, I want to apologize for my earlier actions, I...I truly thought you were the alicorn of time, and I apologize for pressuring you with my beliefs.”

This surprised Twilight, “Wait, your saying you no longer believe that?”

The stallion nodded, “The Alicorn of times talent is what allows her to travel the great distances of time, for her talent is time itself.”

“I...I see,” said Twilight, “so with that said...what does that mean for us?”

The stallion hesitated for a moment, then draped his wing over her once more before speaking. “I would hope it does not prevent you from courting me My Lady, for I do admit, I feel a kinship with you I have not felt with anypony I have had the pleasure of meeting.”

Twilight looked surprised, then smiled as she leaned herself against him. “I'm glad, for I was...really happy that you accepted my proposal to court you. You are a fine stallion, and I feel lucky for knowing you.”

The race had long since ended, and Twilight found herself walking side by side with Hurricane, the two simply wandering the outskirts of the village as the winds howled around them.

Feeling bold again, she decided to pose another question to the stallion who was slowly etching himself upon her heart. “Hurricane, I know you want to keep your talent a secret, but...if it pleases you, do you think you could teach me magic?”

Hurricane gave her a smirk, “Oh, and what brought this question on?”

“...You know I have no knowledge of the pillars, both from my outburst during the meeting, and from our earlier conversation. As much as I am thankful to be under the guidance of Star-Swirl, I fear even with his open mind, he may have a biased view when it comes to magic. Because of this, I would like you to teach me about the pillars, for I feel that you will best help me discover all there is to know about my talent.”

Hurricane stayed silent for a long moment, then he smiled. “I would be honored to teach you dear Clover, but just so you know, my feelings for you will not mean I will go easy on you during our lessons, for I will be expecting the best.”

“I expected nothing less from the commander of the pegasi,” said Twilight with a smile, before she and him jumped as a voice sounded behind them.

“Hurricane, step away from the princess's charge at once!”

They both turned around to find several guards standing behind them, Twilight growling a bit as she turned to face them. “What is the meaning of this?”

“Lady Clover, Princess Platinum has had us looking for you for hours, she was worried for your safety when she did not find you in your chambers. However, we can discuss that later, for now I must ask, has he hurt you my Lady?”

“No he has not, Hurricane behaved himself quite well, as anyone courting a lady should.”

The guards eyes widened, then the leader bowed his head, “our apologies, we had no idea you were courting him, we shall keep that in mind from now on. However, I am afraid we must insist on escorting you back to the castle, for the Princess wishes to speak with you.”

“I see, well could you gentlecolts then give me a moment to bid my stallion fare well?”

They all nodded, backing away and about facing as Twilight turned to Hurricane with a sad smile. “Well, it looks like this is where we part way for now, though fret not, for I shall be seeing you soon.”

“And I look forward to that meeting my lady,” said Hurricane, taking her hoof and giving it a kiss before spreading his wings and taking off into the sky, leaving Twilight with her escort as they began making their way back to the castle.

Author's Note

I know you've all been waiting, hope you enjoy.