The Magic of the Earth

Chapters

This is Just the Beginning...
As To Twilight
Meeting Princess Celestia
In the Royal Courts
Back at Home
A Day Off
A Day of Magic
A School Day
"What Happened?"
The Plan
The Fateful Day (Part 1)
The Battle (Part 1, Third Person)
The Battle (Part 2)
The Fateful Day (Part 2)

This is Just the Beginning...

I woke up in the pre-dawn light. The sun’s first rays poked out above the mountains. Light streamed into my purple bedroom, and onto my face. I opened my dark blue eyes and squinted in the light. The light made my white coat look even brighter than it did in the dark.

After a few minutes of coaxing myself, I got out of bed, and put my hooves on the carpeted floor. Once I got to my mirror, I looked at myself. My flank was as blank as ever. Everypony in my class has gotten their cutie mark, except me. Even the Cutie Mark Crusaders.

Apple Bloom got a cutie mark in building, Sweetie Belle got a music note cutie mark for her singing, and Scootaloo got a scooter cutie mark after she perfected her triple-spin flip on her scooter.

“Dawn! Breakfast if ready, honey! It’s your favourite! Hay pancakes!” my mom shouted from downstairs.

My eyes lit up. I love hay pancakes. “I’ll be right down, Mom!” I yelled back at her. I picked up a brush with my hoof and brushed through my light blue mane and tail.

Running down the stairs, I skidded on the floor and almost ran into my mother who was about to come up the stairs to get me.

“Oh, sorry Mom. Ahah. Maybe I need to slow down a little…” I laughed.

Her purple eyes looked at me with pleasure. “Maybe just a little bit, honey. Pancakes are on the table, help yourself. You have 45 minutes before you have to go to school, so use your time wisely,” she said over her shoulder.

I nodded in acknowledgement. As I ate my breakfast, I thought about the fun things I would do later on. Maybe I would discover my super special talent, and finally earn my cutie mark. Then I wouldn’t be bullied by those two evil ponies, Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon.

Soon, I had finished my food, and was going upstairs to get ready for school. After a few minutes of trying to do something with my hair, I frowned. “It sucks being an Earth pony. No wings, or horn. You can’t fly, you can’t do magic. It sucks,” I whined to my reflection.

I turned away, and put on my saddlebags, and trotted out the door, and went to school. Normally, I would rush to school, that way I could play on the swings, but today, I slowly made my way to the schoolhouse.

I didn’t have many friends, except a small green pegasus filly named Cloudy Skies. She has a cutie mark of some rain clouds. She is pretty much the only one who talks to me, and since she doesn’t like to fly, it’s nice to have a friend who likes to stay on the ground, even if she is pony who can fly.

“Heya Dawny!” I heard Cloudy yell.

I looked up. “Hey, Cloudy. How’s it goin’?” I asked politely.

Cloudy flapped her wings. “It’s been good. My parents want me to fly more than I do. But I hate flying. Why should some ponies get special abilities, while some get another one, or not any at all? I don’t think it’s fair,” she commented.

I nodded my head in agreement. “Yeah, I know how you feel. I get to see all these unicorns doing magic, and all the pegasus ponies flying around. All while I am stuck on the ground, not being able to do anything. I absolutely hate it,” I pointed out.

Cloudy walked up to me, and gave me a hug. “ I know it’s hard. But you can’t change yourself. And even if you could, finding a unicorn that could do that type of magic, would be near impossible. I don’t even know if the Princesses could do it-” Cloudy’s sentence was stopped short by the ring of the school bell.

I sighed. “I’ll you at recess!” I shouted behind me as I raced to my classroom.

Once I got into the classroom, I took my seat in the front of the classroom. As the lesson started, I looked around the room at my fellow ponies. Cutie marks adorned their flanks. Scrolls, Leaves, Moons, Gems, and Animals everywhere. I let out a loud sigh.

“Is there something wrong with my lesson, Dawn Shadow?” Miss Cheerilee asked. Giggles erupted from the class.

“No, Miss Cheerilee,” I answered.

Miss Cheerilee returned to her lesson about jobs. Of course, I wasn’t paying attention. I was thinking about cutie marks, as usual.

The sharp ring of the bell alerted me out of my thought. “Have fun at recess!” Miss Cheerilee called out after the mass rush of the students making their way to the playground.

I got up out of my seat, and slowly made my way to the grounds. I met up with Cloudy in front of the fresh, green grass.

“Hey Dawn!” Cloudy exclaimed to me.

I let my head down. “Hey Cloudy.”

Cloudy rushed up to me. “Dawn? Dawn, what’s wrong? Is it because you don’t have a cutie mark yet?” Cloudy invited.

Lifting my head, I nodded slowly. “It’s just, why can’t I be like the other ponies? Why do I have to be the only filly in the class who is still a blank flank? Even the Cutie Mark Crusaders have gotten theirs!” I demanded.

Cloudy looked around. I could tell she didn’t know what to say. I turned away from her and started to walk towards the schoolhouse. Right now, I just wanted to be alone. Cloudy was one of the first ponies to get a cutie mark. She would never understand. And she was a pegasus. She wouldn’t understand the hard life of an Earth pony. Sitting, watching magic, and flights, while you are stuck on the ground, doing nothing but farming, and owning a small business.

Most pegasus ponies worked up in Cloudsdale. Unicorns often owned shops, usually the ones that Earth ponies can’t do so well, or don’t have the stuff to do it with. With no magic, it’s hard to put small part together; so the unicorns usually owned electronic shops.

I heard Cloudy rush up behind me. “Go away. I don’t want to talk right now,” I stated.

“But, I just want to help,” Cloudy urged.

I turned around quickly. “How could you possibly help? You were the first pony in your class to get a cutie mark! You are not an Earth pony! You can fly! You don’t know what it’s like to have to be on the ground, with nothing special to mark you out of the crowd!” I pointed a hoof at her in accusation. A blue light shot out from my hoof and struck Cloudy in the wing. Next thing I know, Cloudy is on the ground, looking at her wing.

“What did you do? How-” Cloudy stammered.

“I- I don’t know. I’m so sorry! Are you okay? My Celestia! I feel so bad!” I stuttered.

Cloudy looked up. “I’m fine. Don’t worry. But I think I know a pony who could help us. Princess Twilight Sparkle. She is good with magic. Maybe she can help you. Lets get you out of here,” Cloudy instructed. With that, we turned and raced to Ponyville Residential Library.

As To Twilight

“Princess Twilight! Princess Twilight!” Cloudy and I yelled as we ran into the library.

Princess Twilight ran out of her basement, panicked. “Yes? Oh, hi girls. How may I help you today?”

I rushed forward. “I, uh. Well, uhm. Cloudy and I, well-” I stuttered. How was I going to word this? I thought to myself.

Cloudy rushed forward. “DAWN CAN DO MAGIC!” she yelled, clamping a hoof over her mouth the moment she said it.

Princess Twilight looked dumbfounded. She looked from me, to Cloudy, and back to me. "Is this true?" she asked.

I nodded, and went to levitate a small piece of paper that fluttered onto the floor when Cloudy and I rushed into the Library. The paper slowly, and very wobbly, lifted up off the floor.

“SPIKE!” she called. A little purple dragon came running out of the kitchen.

“Yes, Twilight?” Spike asked.

“Send a letter to the princess. Dear Princess Celestia, I have been notified of an Earth pony filly, known by the name of Dawn Shadow, who can do magic. As far as I know from my extensive studies, there is no record of an Earth pony, or a Pegasus pony who has been granted the skill of magic, as the Unicorns have. With this arising to my attention, I am asking if I am allowed to have a student. I know how young magic can sometimes get out of hand, even for a Unicorn. For an Earth pony, however, I figure it must be even harder. I am asking if I will be able to teach her to control her magic, and if I can take her under my wing here in Ponyville as my first Royal Duty. Please respond quickly, and thank you. Your faithful graduate, Princess Twilight Sparkle.” Princess Twilight finished. After she said that, Spike rolled up the letter, and breathed out. Green fire erupted from his mouth, and the letter caught on fire, and escaped out the window.

Princess Twilight walked over to me, and circled me. Soon, a purple aura of magic surrounded me. I tried to move, but the princess’s magic stopped me from moving. Soon, I gave up and let Princess Twilight do… whatever she was happening to do.

“So, I have noticed the magic presence in your mind-” Princess Twilight started.

“Well, of course she has a magical presence! She accidently hit me with that magic!” Cloudy interrupted.

“Thank you, for that input. So, yes you have a magical presence in your head. I don’t know where it came from, since you are an Earth pony. But maybe….” Princess Twilight let me down with her magic, and raced down to her basement. I looked around at Cloudy and Spike, who shrugged and walked off.

Princess Twilight came up the steps. Her horn lit up with a purple glow. The next thing I am aware of, I am floating in the air, and being rushed down the stairs, and placed in a chair. A helmet type thingy is strapped to my head, and beeping starts from behind me. “Uhm, Princess Twilight? What are you doing?” I asked cautiously.

“Ugh. Nothing is showing up! No spells put upon you. But there is no such thing as an Earth pony who can do magic! What is going on?” Princess Twilight paced back and forth across the basement. I figured I wouldn’t get an answer to my question, but this was just silly.

“Twilight! Twilight!” a little purple blur came rushing down the stairs. When it stopped, I noticed that it was Spike. “From the Princess. Dear Twilight, I have never heard of an Earth pony being able to do magic either. Before you take her under your wing, I ask if Dawn and you, may come up to Canterlot. I ask this so I may know just what is going on. Please send a letter back to me if you are able to come or not, so I know whether or not to send a chariot to the library. ~Princess Celestia.”

Princess Twilight looked at me. “Do you think your parents will be okay with you coming to Canterlot with me?”

“Yeah. Well, maybe. I’ll go ask. But I think it would be better if you came with me to ask.” I answered.

“Well, okay. Lead me to your home, then,” Princess Twilight said back to me.

I took the silver helmet off my head, and trotted up the stairs. I sent Cloudy back to school to tell Miss. Cheerilee where I went. Once she left, I lead Princess Twilight to my house. Of course, it didn’t go over well.

“What do you mean? You want to take my daughter to Canterlot, because she can do magic? She is an Earth pony, not a unicorn! I don’t care if you are a Princess or not, I will not have you take my daughter to Canterlot, without any proof,” my mom reprimanded.

“Mom, it’s true. Look,” I lifted my hoof, and levitated a pencil that was on the table. Her mouth dropped open.

“Uh- well. Uhm. So how long will you be staying in Canterlot?” my mom asked.

Princess Twilight looked pleased now. “Only a day or two, so Princess Celestia may see this for herself. Once she does, I will bring Dawn back to Ponyville, and I will be her teacher on how to control her magic. But I must ask, you mustn’t tell anypony about her ability. Nopony can know, except the few who do, Cloudy, Princess Celestia, Spike, you, Dawn obviously, and myself. We will be riding in a chariot sent from Princess Celestia to Canterlot, and do not worry about packing anything, I still have some things up there that you can use. Come on Dawn, I need to have Spike send a letter to the Princess to send a chariot.” Princess Twilight explained. I followed her closely, so I wouldn’t lose her.

Princess Twilight trotted into the Library, and called for Spike to take another letter. “Dear Princess Celestia, Please send a chariot as soon as you get this. I do not want Dawn missing too many days here in Ponyville. Thank you for the chariot as well. Your faithful graduate, Princess Twilight Sparkle.” Spike breathed out, and sent the letter to Princess Celestia.

About what it seemed 63 questions later, a chariot landed outside the library. Princess Twilight and I boarded the chariot, and set off for Canterlot.

Meeting Princess Celestia

When you are young, you always dream of going to Canterlot to look at the castle. I know I did. Now I get to be inside the castle. Inside the huge castle, and get to meet Princess Celestia, and if I’m lucky, Princess Luna too.

We pulled into the garden of Canterlot Castle, and got off the huge chariot decorated with suns.

Princess Celestia was waiting below the stairs. As I approached her, I bowed, just how I was taught to by my mom. “Welcome, Dawn Shadow. So, I hear that you have the ability to use magic, even though you are an Earth pony, correct?” Princess Celestia asked.

Her size scared me. she was easily 4 times my size. And to be looking to that Solar Princess was a huge shock. Princess Twilight’s words got me out of the trance. “It’s okay, Dawn. I know she is tall, but it’s okay. Go ahead,” Princess Twilight nudged me forward.

I scratched the ground with my hoof. “Well, uhm, yeah. I just found out today, and it was quite a shock to me. Earth ponies aren’t supposed to do magic!” I told Princess Celestia.

Princess Celestia nodded her head. “Please, follow me. I’m going to show you something. Twilight, will you please leave us alone for a while?”

Princess Twilight bowed and went over to the Canterlot Sculpture Garden.

Princess Celestia and I went up the long stairs. What seemed like an eternity later, I made it to the top of the stairs. “So, Dawn. As an Earth pony who can do magic, it is extremely important that you know how to control this magic. When I first met Twilight, her magic was out of control. She had a magic surge. Magic surges happen when some burst of some kind, triggers your magic so much that you can not control it. It happens to most unicorns when they are starting to use their magic. Yet with Twilight, hers was bigger than I have ever seen. As I know, today was your first day with magic. What exactly happened?” Princess Celestia asked as we walked down the long halls.

I started walking a little faster to keep up with the large Princess. “Well, I kinda got mad at my friend. She said she knew how I felt, and I yelled at her. I pointed my hoof at her, and a blue surge of magic flew from my hoof and hit her in the wing. I thought that I had hurt her, but she seemed fine. We then decided to go to Princess Twilight and see what she could do to help me, and we ended up coming to you.” I concluded.

Princess Celestia looked at me. “Well you do have a special gift. But you must learn to control it, and to hide it. If Twilight hadn’t asked me if you could be her student, I would have taken you under my wing. But I do believe that she can handle taking a student. So you will the personal student of Princess Twilight. Ah, we are here,” Princess Celestia explained.

In front of us was a large door, with a hole between where the two door met. Princess Celestia put her horn in the small opening, and used her magic to open the door. As the door opened, I saw that it was a bedroom. For a princess. “Excuse me, Princess, but what is this?” I asked as we stepped inside.

“This is the bedroom of my sister. No, it’s not Luna. It is another sister. Princess Aurora Dawn. She was the Princess of Fire. She passed just a few decades ago, long after I had banished Luna. She could not control her magical powers, like I could. It overtook her. I was with her when it happened. I had walked into her room to talk to her, and I saw that her magic was out of control. I tried to help her, but I couldn’t. She burst into flame, and I watched my sister burn, and I couldn’t stop it. It tore me up for months. I had no one to talk to after that. I would never leave my room. I lost weight, and became ill. I had lost everyone dear to me. I still care for this room, making sure the dust is gone, and I speak to her. I know it sounds silly, but it’s true. But when you can’t control your magic, it can kill you. You must be cautious with magic. You, Twilight, and Luna are the only ones who know what is inside this room. I must ask that you keep that totally to yourself, but you may speak to Luna or Twilight about it at anytime. Come, let me show you back to Twilight.” Princess Celestia ended her story.

Tears fell from my eyes. I couldn’t imagine losing my whole family like that. Especially if I couldn’t save them. I wiped away the tears from my face with my hoof. Once we got down to Princess Twilight, Princess Celestia told her that we can stay in Canterlot for a few days, and that I can be taught the basics of magic.

As we went up to the rooms that were offered to us, I decided to ask Princess Twilight about the room I saw. “So, what do you all know about Princess Aurora Dawn?” I asked shyly.

Princess Twilight looked at me. “She showed you the room, didn’t she? Well, I did a little research to see if I could find anything about her. When I looked, there was no record of a third Princess. But there has to be, because of Prince Blueblood being Celestia’s nephew. So I guess it adds up. But other than what Celestia has told me, I know nothing. There is nothing to prove there was a Princess of Fire at all. There aren’t even pictures of her. The only proof I have, is Celestia’s and Luna’s word. From what I know, you and I are the only ones to not have a full story. But do not dwell on it too much. Goodnight, Dawn. A maid will be in to wake you tomorrow.” Princess Twilight finished.

“Good night,” I walked into my room, and immediately fell asleep the moment my head hit the pillow.

In the Royal Courts

I woke up the next morning to a pony gently nudging me. “Ugghhhh. Just five more minutes, then I’ll get up. Maybe” I mumbled into my pillow as I rolled over.

“I’m sorry, Miss Dawn. But the princesses have asked me to see you to the Royal Courts. So, if you may, please get yourself ready. I will be back very shortly to escort you to the Courts. Good day, Miss,” the maid pony said to me as I rolled out of bed onto the floor.

I picked myself up off the newly carpeted floor. Slowly, but surely, I made it to the bedroom mirror, and brushed out my mane and tail. Soon, I looked somewhat presentable.

“Ah, good. You are now ready. Now, Miss Dawn, if you would please follow me to the Royal Courts, that would be fantastic,” the mare turned around. I noticed she had a small broom as her cutie mark. She was a unicorn pony, so that might be why she worked here. Also because was the maid. I haven’t seen any Earth ponies working at the castle at all. Not even in pictures. It was always the Unicorns, or the Pegasus ponies.

Soon, we had made it to the Royal Courts. I opened the tall doors, and peeked in . Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, and Princess Luna were all sitting on their respective thrones. A Sun, for Princess Celestia, a Moon, for Princess Luna, and a 6-pointed star, for Princess Twilight.

“Welcome, Dawn. Now, I ask if you may tell your story to my sister, Luna, so she can hear your words,” Princess Celestia asked.

I swallowed and nodded slowly. I made my way closer to the thrones, and looked at Princess Luna. As I told her my story, she nodded her head several times, and sometimes even interrupted my story to ask an occasional question.

I looked back at Princess Twilight to see if I did well. She smiled and nodded her head. I had always looked up to all the princesses, even Princess Cadence. Where was she, anyway? Oh well, I figured she had some better things to do in the Crystal Empire than to come here and listen to my story of being an Earth pony who can do magic.

“Well, Dawn. That was quite an interesting story that you told there. I am glad that you shared it with me. Now, from what I understand, you will be traveling back to Ponyville with Twilight and have her as your mentor in the skill of magic, is that correct?” Princess Luna asked.

I looked back to the blue mare. “Yes, Princess. That is correct,” I said.

Princess Luna nodded to Princess Celestia. Princess Celestia’s horn glowed in the sweet gold. A necklace landed around my neck, and I looked at it. “W- what is this?” I asked, wondering why the Princesses would give me a necklace. Of all things, a necklace.

“It is a necklace of Help. If you ever need the help from one of us, we will hear it. It’s only audible to us three, so when you are trouble, like you are getting picked on for being special, or someone tries to get you to take your magical powers, ring, and one of us will come to your help. You are officially under the Princess’s watch. We will always be here to help you with your magic. That necklace also helps control your magic, so you only use it when you truly want to use your magic,” Princess Celestia explained to me.

Princess Twilight nodded. “You are never alone. We will always be here to help. Princess Celestia helped me learn what friendship is like. Now I can teach you how to control magic. This is gonna be so exciting!” Princess Twilight squealed. She cleared her throat. “Oh, uhm, this will be very intriguing, if I do say so myself,” Princess Twilight composed herself.

The Princesses and I all looked at Princess Twilight with a smile on our faces. “Well, I think it would be best if you and Dawn went back to Ponyville, so ponies won’t wonder where Dawn went. And the Princess. A ‘random’ pony and the Princess missing is due to cause some confusion. So, I have a carriage stationed out in the West Gardens. If you need our help, please do not hesitate to ask. Spike, Twilight’s dragon, can send me fire letters, so that will be nice if you choose. For immediate action, please use your necklace. Thank you for visiting the castle, and I hope you come back soon!” Princess Celestia called out as Princess Twilight and I as we left the Royal Courts.

Princess Twilight and I made our way to the West Gardens. Soon, we were on our way back home to Ponyville.

Back at Home

When Princess Twilight and I returned back to Ponyville, we saw that my mother was waiting for us outside of the library.

“MY DAUGHTER CAN DO MAGIC! I looked in all the books in the library. There is no recorded pony who could ever do magic besides the Unicorns, and the Alicorns. My daughter is the only one!” my mother screeched.

Princess Twilight looked at her. “Well, yes. It seems as if that is the case. With this going on, I am going to be mentoring Dawn that way she knows how to control her magic. As a unicorn filly, a parent usually teaches you how that works. I was honoured to be taught not only by my parents, but also Princess Celestia. As far as I can tell, Dawn has done exceptionally well at controlling her magic. So I trust that you will let me tutour your daughter, correct?” Princess Twilight explained.

My mother looked dumbfounded. “Uhm. Of course. Whatever you say, your majesty.” my mom bowed.

Princess Twilight laughed. “No need to use formalities. While I am still living in Ponyville, you are all my friends. You may call me Twilight, and no need to bow in my presence. I like the formalities, but it’s getting old. I’ve only been an Alicorn for a short time, and I’m tired of the regality. Just to think that Celestia and Luna have been doing this for over a millenium,” Twilight told.

“Okaaayyy,” I started. “Well, this has been a nice talk, but I am gonna be with Prin- Twilight today, so I can practice on my magic. Goodbye!” with my final word I took Twilight and ran into the library, leaving my mom looking at a cloud of dust in our wake.

Spike was walking around dusting the shelves. When he heard us enter, he turned around. “Twilight! I’m so glad you’re back! It’s hard running a library all by myself!” Spike exclaimed.

Twilight looked around. “It seems like everything is fine. How about you go see if Rarity needs any help?” Twilight asked.

Spike lit up at the idea. He ran out the door, and down the street to the Carousel Boutique. For as long as I can remember, that little dragon has had a huge crush on the white furred, purple maned mare.

I walked around the library. I had only been in here once before, when my mom wanted to buy a book on herbal teas. I don’t remember it very well, but I do remember that Twilight was just a regular unicorn who was a student of Princess Celestia.

I have met all of the Elements of Harmony before. That was a huge honour. Sadly, I didn’t get to go to Twilight’s coronation. That made me sad, but it was alright. We had the Princess of Magic living in our town, running our library! Not living in some fancy castle, but an ordinary library right in the middle of Ponyville. Princess Celestia did offer Twilight a place at the castle, but Twilight felt that it would be better if she stayed in Ponyville, with her friends, and she would still get to stay in a library, so that was a big deal for her.

“Okay, so first of all, I want you to close your eyes. Feel the magic within you. Feel it’s presence, and control it as best as you can,” Twilight told me.

I tried to control it, but it kept fighting me. After an hour of trying, I broke down and cried. I never liked crying in front of anypony, but this was just too much for me to handle.

“Hey, it’s alright. The first time is always the hardest. You will get better with time, I promise you,” Twilight said sweetly.

I looked up at her. “No! I just can’t do it!” I got up off the floor and walked out of the library doors.

Of course I felt bad about walking out on Twilight, but I just needed some air. If I am the only non- unicorn pony in Equestrian history that can do magic, then no one can know how hard it is. I know that sometimes Unicorns aren’t very skilled in magic. Sometimes Sweetie Belle has trouble with her magical abilities.

But since I am an Earth pony - or a unicorn earth pony? - it’s even harder for me than it should be in the first place.

I looked back at the Tree Library. I felt bad for running out on Twilight like that. So I decided to go back and apologize to her for being so rude.

I stepped into the library with my head hung low. Twilight looked up from her desk and looked at me quizzically. “I’m sorry for yelling at you like that. I shouldn’t have run out. Can you please forgive me?” I asked Twilight as I lifted up my head.

She looked pleased. “Yes, Dawn, I can. I know it’s hard. But you are special. You have made it into the history books. And even though it seems difficult now, with a little practice, you will get better. When I was in Princess Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns, I was being taught how to control magic. I grasped it pretty easily, but the other unicorns couldn’t do it as well as me. You just gotta give it a little time, Twilight explained.

I looked back up at her. “Yeah, I guess. But what about everypony at school? It’s not like I can go to Princess Celestia’s school. And you have your Royal Duties, so I can’t be with you all the time,” I started out. “What if I accidentally let my magical skills show in class, then everypony wonders why I am like this?” I said.

Twilight laughed, but I found no amusement in this at all. “You’ll be fine. Just stick to it. Like Rainbow Dash always says, ‘Never give up on your dreams, kid,’” Twilight told me.

I nodded my head and went back to my exercises with my magic.

A Day Off

Days passed, and it seemed like I wasn’t getting any better. I just wanted to give up all the time, but Twilight kept me going. She never stopped believing in me. She would always encourage me to keep trying, and to never give up. She even told me times where magic was hard for her.

So, I kept trying. Today, she had me working on levitating things across the room. The feather was easy for me. The object kept getting heavier and heavier. I did also break a few items, but Twilight didn’t seem to mind. She also knew a spell that fixed items. So there was no more visible damage.

Now, I am working on levitating a medium sized book. It took me what seemed like forever just to pick it up off the floor. Once I got it up the floor, the next challenge was to keep it in the air.

Luckily, Spike came in with some daffodil sandwiches for lunch, so I got a nice break.

“You’re doing very well, Dawn. I think you have earned yourself the rest of the day off, and tomorrow off. I don’t want you to overwork your magic. Unicorns have a resistance to ward off a magic overload, but it only goes so far. Even unicorns have to take a break. I can’t imagine how it must be for you. I don’t even know if you have a resistancy. So once you’re done here, you can go run off and play with your friends,” Twilight told me.

I perked up at this. “Really! Oh my Celestia, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you! I’ll see you on Friday!” I yelled over my shoulder as I dashed out of the library doors.

I trotted down the street and saw Apple Bloom racing after Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle. “Hey. I was wondering if I could join in with you guys?” I asked.

Apple Bloom stopped running. “Ah don’t mind. How ‘bout you, Scootaloo?”

Scootaloo turned around. “Come on! We are trying to catch Sweetie Belle,” she explained to me.

I started running. “Well what are you doing talking to me? Lets go get her!” I laughed. Apple Bloom and Scootaloo followed me. I saw Sweetie Belles tail turn around a building. “Guys, I found her. Go around the other way, we will corner her off,” I said.

They left and I kept running towards Sweetie Belle. I somehow caught up to her and tackled her to the ground.

Apple Bloom laughed. “You got her!”

“Hey, I was wondering. Where have you been the past few days? You haven’t been at school, but here you are, fit as a fiddle,” Scootaloo asked.

I looked around. What should I tell her? I can’t tell her I went away to Canterlot and have been studying how to do magic. “Uhm. Well. I went out to see family,” I lied.

“But I saw you over at Twilight’s everyday,” Apple Bloom commented.

I closed my mouth. “Yeah, she was helping me go through my problems. Don’t worry, I’m feeling better. I’ll be going back to school soon though.” I lied again.

Scootaloo nodded her head. “Okay. Well, if you need anypony to talk to, I’m here. We are all here for you, Dawn.” Scootaloo looked up. “Oh goodness. I better be getting home. My mother will be wondering where I am. Bye!” Scootaloo took off on her scooter.

“I better be getting home too. Rarity said she had something planned for us today. See ya Apple Bloom! Bye Dawn!” Sweetie Belle picked herself up off the ground and galloped to her sisters store, the Carousel Boutique.

Apple Bloom looked at me. “Well, ah guess it’s just us two now. What do you wanna do, Dawn?” Apple Bloom asked.

I sat down slowly. Apple Bloom did the same. “Well, I guess we could go see if Pinkie Pie wants any help baking. Or if there is a party she needs help throwing.” I noted.

Apple Bloom stood up. “Ooh! Yeah! Come on!” Apple Bloom took off towards the bakery.

When we reached there, we found Pinkie Pie being as jumpy as ever. “Hi guys! Wanna cupcake?” she shoved two cupcakes in front of us. We both took them and took a bite. It qwas soft and very good.

“Hmm. Thank you, Pinkie Pie,” I said as I swallowed the delicious cupcake. “So do you need any help with baking, or a party?” I finished.

“I love parties! Parties, Parties, Parties! you know, Life is a Party! Well, I don’t have one planned. Let’s throw a party for Spike! We could gather gems, and bake a cake for him for being such a great dragon and assistant, and just being him!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed. In just a few minutes, we were mixing up a gem cake while Pinkie Pie was setting up a party.

When the cake was done, Pinkie Pie sent me to go get Spike. I reached the treehouse library, and called out for Spike and Twilight to come down to Sugarcube Corner for a surprise.

Spike rushed forward and followed me closely. I opened the door and the lights turned on. Confetti and streamers fell from the ceiling. “IT’S PARTY TIME!” Pinkie Pie grabbed Spike and showed him his cake.

“Is that, a jewel cake?” Spike asked as he licked his lips.

“Yeporooni, Spikeerooni!” Pinkie Pie responded. Spike grabbed himself a piece of the cake and ate it greedily.

Twilight stepped up next to me. “How is your day off coming long?” she asked as she watched Spike eat more cake.

I looked up at her. “Amazing. I can’t wait for tomorrow! Tomorrow I’ll do even better!” I exclaimed. I left Twilight and joined in with Spike. Games were around Sugarcube Corner. Purple and green streamers were everywhere. I never quite figured out how Pinkie Pie was able to put parties together so fast.

When the party was over, I went back to my house and ate a little dinner. I told my mom about the party me, Apple Bloom, and Pinkie Pie threw for Spike. When I finished dinner, I went up to bed, and fell asleep.

A Day of Magic

I stepped into Twilight’s library with my head held high. I knew I would do so well today. I might even earn my cutie mark!

Twilight looked up from a book she was reading. “Oh. Hey, Dawn. So I was just reading about what new spells I should teach you. I noticed you were having troubles with Levitation, so I decided to go onto creating light. I know. this seems like it’s easy, but it shows how well you can handle magic,” Twilight explained. “Most unicorns practice making light first, so they can channel their magic easier. So try it out!”

I nodded my head, and I closed my eyes. I thought about making light. How the light is produced, and how it moves through the world around us. I focused my magic.

I felt the warm light surround my hoof. Opening my eyes, I saw that light was actually being made!

As I gasped in surprise, the light fell dim. “Darn it!” I shouted.

Twilight walked over to me. “It’s okay. You just need to learn how to do magic, and be able to do other things. The harder spells you get, the harder it is to multitask like that. But for this being your first time, you did very well. Your light was very bright. The more times that you end up doing magic, the more skilled you get, so the brighter your light is. You are very talented at magic!” Twilight said.

I blushed lightly. “You know,” I began, “I really want to be able to levitate items without having to point my hoof at them. It gets annoying, and it can get really hard if I have to pick up multiple items.”

Twilight looked around at her books. Rushing forward, she grabbed a book on levitation. “Well, I guess we can try. What I would say is keep your eyes open, and focus on an object. Focus your magic onto that object, and try to lift it with your mind. It may be easier than using your hoof, so,” -she set the book on levitation on the floor- “try to levitate this,” she finished.

Once again, I looked at the book. Instead of focusing my magic on my hoof and an object, I just focused it on the book. A light blue aura surrounded the book. Even though I was very happy, I didn’t let it stray me from my levitation spell. I went to pick up the book. It wobbled off of the floor, and I moved it over to the desk. I carefully set it down on the wooden desk.

Twilight beamed at me. “Good job, Dawn! Spike!” she called.

The small dragon came running out of the kitchen as fast as his legs could carry him. “Yes, Twilight?”

“Take a letter,” Spike grabbed a piece of parchment and a quill. “Dear Princess Celestia, I am happy to report that Dawn is doing quite well in mer magical studies under my teaching. She can now levitate objects using her mind, and she does not have to point her hoof at it to move it.

She has also been able to create a very bright light. As you know, the brighter the light the unicorn, or in this case, Earth Pony, can produce, the better their magic can be. I believe that once her studies are finished under my care, she will be a very special pony.

Princess of Equestria, and Princess of Magic and Friendship, Princess Twilight Sparkle.”

Spike took a deep breath and blew fire onto the rolled up letter, and sent it on it’s way to Princess Celestia.

I took a step forward. “Twilight? Why did you send a letter to the Princess? I thought you weren’t her student anymore. So why do you still send her letters?” I asked.

Twilight looked at me. “Well, I guess I still do it so she knows how I’m doing. As far as I know, she hasn’t gotten another personal protegee, but even though I am not her student, I still like to be in touch with her,” Twilight explained to me. “Oh, I forgot to mention, you can go back to school. Just don’t let your magic show and if anyone asks why you haven’t been at school for the past few days, tell them that you were helping me, and if they have any more questions, to come talk to me.”

I nodded my head in agreement. “So, lets get back to practicing!”

“Okay. This is going to be a hard task, but I am going to ask you to teleport. No, I’m not asking you to teleport far, just over to where I’m standing,” Twilight turned around and walked over to the middle of the room. It was probably about 20 hooves from where I was standing. “This is a hard magical concept, and not many fillies, or unicorns in general can teleport. It takes lots of concentration. You have to put the magic into yourself. Once you do that, concentrate on the place where you want to move. Then, imagine yourself jumping there in a single leap, but you don’t move your legs at all. So, try it out.”

I stood there, terrified. I knew it wasn’t far, but something that big scared me. After about a minute of coaxing myself to try it, I began the steps.

Step one, channel the magic into yourself. I gathered all the magic I could. I let it flow through my body, from my tail to the tip of my nose. I brought in all the magic I could hold, and let it stay within me.

Step two, concentrate on where you wish to move. I looked to a space just in front of Twilight. I looked at it carefully, and I decided where I wanted to end up.

Step three, imagine yourself jumping there in a single jump. I closed my eyes, and thought about getting there as fast I could. The warmth of the magic crowded around me as I set off my magic.

Step four, actually move to the intended spot. I kept my eyes closed, and thought about getting to that one spot. I let my magic do its work. I felt it building, trying to do the spell that I wanted it to do.

Soon, the magic depleted. I opened my eyes slowly, thinking that I didn’t move anywhere. When my eyes were open all the way, I noticed Twilight standing just in front of me. I looked behind me. A small bit of magic was left behind where I used to stand. I looked back at Twilight. “D-did I just- did I just teleport here?” I asked shakily.

Twilight slowly nodded her head. “I didn’t think that you would be able to do that. Teleporting is a very hard spell to master. I can’t believe you did that! I’m so proud of you!” Twilight exclaimed.

I jumped up and down excitedly. “I just teleported! Me! The Earth Pony, just teleported!” I shouted in happiness. “Spike!” I called out.

He came rushing out of the kitchen once more. “Yes?”

“Take a letter! Dear Princess Celestia, today I am proud to report, that I teleported! It was hard at first, but I did it! I was standing about 20 hooves away from Twilight, and she told me to try to teleport over to her. I thought she was crazy, but I trusted her. As I built up the magic around me, and it depleted, I was crushed. I thought the spell didn't work at all! But then I opened my eyes, and I was right in front of Twilight!”

“Spike, don’t forget to mention that Dawn has now received her cutie mark,” Twilight interjected.

I looked at my flank. There it was. A cutie mark. A blue, six-pointed star. I knew that meant magic. “Princess Celestia! I received my cutie mark! A six-pointed star, kinda like Twilight’s! Except mine is a light blue, and it doesn’t have extra stars around it. Your faithful - very happy - subject, Dawn Shadow of Ponyville,” I concluded.

Spike rolled up the letter, and sent that letter off to Princess Celestia as well. I look back up at Twilight. “Wait, what if somepony asks me what my cutie mark means?”

Twilight looked at me with wide eyes. “Uhm just say that you have learned about stars. The only pony you can actually tell what your cutie mark actually means if your friend, and your family. Don’t speak of it to anyone else. Well, until the time is right,” Twilight said to me.

I nodded my head once more. I went back to try to teleport back to my original spot. Since I was now farther than originally, this time would be harder, but I was determined to make it all across the room.

I gathered up my magic, and repeated the same steps as before. The only thing different from last time is that I could feel myself being pulled away from the spot that I was at, and being deposited onto my intended spot.

I breathed in and out; my body wasn’t used to being pulled so far away that fast. I knew I completed this teleportation faster than the first time. It was a strange feeling, but I was still proud of myself for being able to do that.

Spike came out of the kitchen once more and had a piece of parchment in his small claws. It looked like it was from Princess Celestia. He unrolled it and began to speak: “‘Dear Princess Twilight, and Dawn Shadow, I am pleased to hear that Dawn’s practices are going well. I am also pleased to hear that Dawn has received her cutie mark. A cutie mark is very important for a young pony. I am also pleased to hear that Dawn was able to teleport. That is a very hard spell to do. I look forward to hearing from you in the future. Signed, Princess Celestia of Equestria, Princess of the Sun, and High Co-Ruler of Equestria.’” Spike concluded.

“Thank you, Spike,” Twilight told Spike. He closed the letter, put it in a drawer full of other letters -probably from Princess Celestia as well- and went back to the kitchen.

I looked up at the clock and saw that it was already 4:00. “Oh gosh. I better be heading home. I’ll see you tomorrow after school, Twilight. Thank for the lesson today!” I said as I rushed out the door.

I could have teleported home, but I was worn out from all the magic use from today. When I got home, I told my parents all about my day and how I teleported. They were so proud of me. Once I finished dinner, I immediately fell asleep.

A School Day

When I woke up the next morning, I happily jumped out of bed. After I brushed out my mane and tail, and brushed my teeth, I teleported to the kitchen to eat my breakfast. When I arrived in the kitchen, my sister was staring at me with shock on her face. “What?” I asked nonchalantly.

“Y-you just. You just appeared out of nowhere! How did you do that? Only unicorns, and especially high-level unicorns can do that!” she noted to me, still having a look of shock plastered on her pale face.

I laughed. “Haven’t you been told? I can do magic. Look, I even got my cutie mark,” I showed her my flank.

Her eyes lit up. “Ohmygosh ohmygosh ohmygosh! You got your cutie mark! Uhhh, what is it, exactly?”

I started at her in disbelief. “Doesn’t it look familiar to you at all? 6 pointed star? Kinda like the cutie mark of a certain Princess Twilight Sparkle? The princess of magic? 6 pointed star equals magic!” she still looked confused. “I have a cutie mark in Magic, you dodo.”

Isabelle’s mouth formed an ‘o’. She resumed drinking her strawberry hayshake.

I shook my head. As I gulped down my food, I could only think about what today would bring. I would get to see Cloudy, Miss Cheerilee, Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle again. But I would also have to see Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon again. Once I finished my hay pancake, I rushed out of the door and made my way down to the school yard. Cloudy was sitting on the swing, lazily kicking back and forth.

The Cutie Mark Crusaders were playing a game of hoofball, and Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon were doing… whatever they were doing. I was never sure what they were doing unless they were tormenting another filly.

As I walked onto the school grounds, Cloudy looked up from her place on the swing. “Dawn!” she gasped. She flew -literally- off the swing and landed gracefully in front of me. “I’m so glad you’re back! It was so boring sitting alone. Even though I could have played with the Cutie Mark Crusaders, it wasn’t really the same without you. Hey, what’s that?” she asked as she pointed a hoof at my flank.

“It’s my cutie mark. I finally got it when I was practicing with Twilight,” I explained happily.

“Well, well well. If it isn’t the blank flank. Wait, you got your cutie mark? That means you aren’t some lame blank flank anymore. What are we gonna call you now?” Diamond Tiara snickered while Silver Spoon just stood next to her.

Silver Spoon always seemed like a nice filly when Diamond wasn’t around. Silver Spoon never talked much, except for the occasional agreement with Diamond. Whenever Diamond Tiara was off at her home sick, Silver Spoon always seemed relatively nice.

“Yeah, well at least mine is good. I like mine, and I’m not stuck with a tiara or a spoon on my flank for the rest of my life,” I retorted as I walked away from the two bullies.

Before I could say anything else to Cloudy, the school bell rang. “Ugh,” I groaned. “I guess I’ll talk to you later, Cloudy. Wait for me in front of the swings before lunch starts. I have so much to tell you,” I set off towards Miss Cheerilee’s classroom.

It felt like the first day of school again. I hadn’t been at school for a few days, and it seemed so different. Maybe it was because that I found what I’m really good at, but I didn’t exactly know how to act upon it. As I stepped into the full classroom, I took my regular spot in the front of the classroom.

As the late bell rang out, Miss Cheerilee began. “Welcome, students. And welcome back, Dawn. Pleasure to have you back. Now if I may ask, where have you been the past few days?” she questioned me.

I looked at her, unsure of what to say. “If you wish to know where I was at the past few days, I request that you talk to Princess Twilight Sparkle. She will be able to fill you in on my absense,” I concluded.

Whispers were heard throughout the small room. “The Princess?” “Why wasn’t she here?” “Was there something bad going on?” I kept looking at Miss Cheerilee, careful to not draw too much attention to myself. Miss Cheerilee only nodded her head and started on the lesson for today. I had a feeling lunch would only be so fun. Ponies would probably keep coming up to me asking what I was doing with our newly appointed Princess.

The lesson seemed to drone on forever. Today, it was all about the mystical creatures that inhabited Ponyville, and the Everfree Forest. I loved studying creatures; when I was younger, I thought that helping animals would be what my super special talent was. I would usually go over to help out with Fluttershy on the weekends, even though she didn’t need it. It helped me learn how to take care of animals, and I was thankful for her to let me into her home and trust me enough to help her out with her animals. I wasn’t particularly fond of Angel, but he was sweet when he wanted to be.

I do have to admit, however, that working with Discord around there was really strange. He would never stop staring at me, and I could never figure out why he did that all the time. There was nothing different about me -well, that I knew- that would mark me as different. Maybe it was my pure white coat, like Rarity’s. White coats were rare, they usually had a hint of gray in them, but to have a pure white coat was extremely rare.

The sharp ring of the bell alerting lunch snapped me out of my thoughts. Fillies began to get up, but Miss Cheerilee abruptly stopped us. “For your homework tonight, you must write a one page paper about the creature of your choice. It will be due tomorrow at the end of the day. Have fun at lunch, my little ponies,” she called out as we rushed out of the classroom.

As I stepped out of the classroom, I saw a purple bat wing? I didn’t know of any ponies who had a purple wing, let alone a bat wing. I decided to follow this mysterious wing, and I ended up behind the school, right at the edge of the small school grounds.

A certain creature lay upon a hammock between two palm trees. “Discord?” I asked.

“So glad of you to finally show up. I was wondering when you silly fillies got let out. I thought you would have some type of recess before lunch, but I have apparently been proven wrong,” with a snap of his claws, a second hammock appeared out of thin air, and I was put upon it.

“What do you want, Discord? You don’t just show up out of the blue and call upon a random pony unless you have a pretty good reason. So what is it?” I asked as I let myself off the hammock. Just as quickly as it appeared, it disappeared.

“From what I have seen with your studies with Princess Twilight, you are skilled in the art of magic, is this correct?” I nodded my head in agreement. “So, I have a proposition for you, Dawn. Give me what I desire, and I will give you all the magic in the world. You just have to agree to my demands,” he declared.

I turned around, and saw Cloudy asking ponies where I was. “Just make it quick. I’ll see if I agree. I have a friend to meet up with.”

“Perfect,” Discord grabbed my hoof and we teleported to somewhere. There were frames of Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, and Princess Twilight.

“What is this? What do you want me to do?” I questioned, looking at all the video clips of the Princesses lives.

“This is the Hall of Life. It shows the Life of anypony you want to see. In this case, we have the 3 Princesses. Now, Princess Cadance I can deal with on my own. It’s easy to get rid of her-”

“GET RID OF? You want me, to get rid of the Princesses? I’m sorry, but no. I will not do it. Now send me back home, now.” I protested.

“No. You will do what I say, when I say it. Correct, pet?” a claw pressed to my head and thoughts swarmed my head. Darkness. Immense power. Banishment. As much as I tried to fight all these feelings, they overcame me like a wave from the sea. I felt trapped inside my own head, but soon, it left.

All the bad feelings, gone. It felt so right. I needed to banish the princesses.

“Correct,” I replied. It did feel a little weird, but then again, I know I had to do it.

Discord grinned. Next thing I knew, I was swept out of the Hall, and back behind the school. “Now, my little pet, let us go. We will get this handled quickly,” we teleported back to his lair.

*Cloudy's Point of View*

I looked around. “Dawn!” I shouted. I saw her behind the school with Discord. I knew it couldn’t be good. I called out her name, but she didn’t even turn around. It was like I wasn’t even there.

Next thing I knew, Dawn and Discord vanished into thin air. Knowing it couldn’t be good at all, I rushed off the school grounds.

As I neared the Library, I was running out of breath. “Princess Twilight! Princess Twilight!” I yelled as I burst through the doors. Princess Twilight looked up from her huge stack of books.

“Cloudy? What’s wrong?”

I breathed in and out heavily. “Dawn- Discord- gone- send- help,” I breathed.

“SPIKE!” the purple dragon came running down the stairs. He had a piece of parchment and a quill in his claw. “Dear Princess Celestia, I know this on short notice, but you must come down to Ponyville immediately with Princess Luna. No time to explain. I’ll fill you in when you arrive. This is an emergency. Signed, Princess Twilight Sparkle of Equestria.”

The letter was sent immediately and Princess Twilight and I waited for the Princesses while I filled her in on what happened. “So I was looking for Dawn because we were gonna play at lunch. I couldn’t find her, so I decided to look behind the school, and I saw her standing with Discord. I called out her name many times, but she didn’t even turn around. It was like I wasn’t there. Next thing I know, they are gone. Just gone. I knew it couldn’t be good at all, so I rushed over her as fast as I could,” I explained.

With a soft pop Princess Celestia and Princess Luna appeared in the library. “What is it, Twilight? What’s wrong?” Princess Luna asked.

“Dawn has been taken, well I guess a better term would be, err, went off with Discord. I highly doubt it’s good at all.”

"What Happened?"

Cloudy's Point of View

“Dawn has been taken, well I guess a better term would be, err, went off with Discord. I highly doubt it’s good at all.”

The Princesses eyes widened. “So you mean to tell me that she went off with Discord, on her own accord, and neither of you know why?” Princess Celestia asked.

Princess Twilight nodded her head in agreement. “That’s how it sounds like to me. I think the better pony to ask is Cloudy,” Princess Twilight motioned to me.

As I explained what happened - again - they seemed to understand what happened a little better than what Princess Twilight had said. Princess Celestia seemed extremely worried, and I understood why.

Very few ponies actually believed that he was fully reformed and all better now. The only pony that actually believed that he was fully reformed was Fluttershy, since she lived with him. He also acted like the best Draconicus this side of Equestria. Then again, no one had ever heard of another like him, so we are forced to believe that he was the most reformed of them all, since there probably wasn’t any more.

When I finished my story, Princess Celestia began talking immediately. “Okay. I am going to bring many Royal Guards here. Twilight, I know you aren’t fond of being guarded like that, but it must be done, for the sake of Equestria,” she said, noticing Princess Twilight’s look of disgust. “If any pony sees Dawn, or Discord, they are to be captured immediately and brought to Canterlot at once.”

Princess Celestia teleported out of the library, leaving Princess Luna sitting in the Library. “Well, I will make an announcement to the citizens of Ponyville,” she walked out of the library, and Princess Twilight and I followed her.

“CITIZENS OF PONYVILLE. COME TO THE TOWN HALL AT ONCE. BY ORDER OF THE PRINCESSES, ALL ABLE PONIES MUST REPORT TO THE TOWN HALL AT ONCE!” she decreed in the Royal Canterlot Voice.

As ponies filed in, they all bowed in the presence of the two Princesses. “PONIES OF PONYVILLE, ONE OF YOUR NEIGHBORS HAS BEEN TAKEN. DAWN SHADOW HAS GONE OFF WITH DISCORD SOMEWHERE. AS YOU WILL ALL FIND OUT SOON, DAWN HAS THE ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE WITH MAGIC. SHE IS AN EARTH PONY GRANTED WITH THE SPELLS OF A UNICORN. BY ORDER OF PRINCESS CELESTIA OF EQUESTRIA, THE SOLAR PRINCESS, AND HIGH CO-RULER OF EQUESTRIA, IF ANYPONY IS TO SEE DAWN OR DISCORD, THEY ARE TO BE CAPTURED AND BROUGHT TO CANTERLOT POSTHASTE.”

A small filly stepped forward, and bowed. “Princess Luna? What does ‘posthaste’ mean?” she asked quietly.

Lowering her voice, she answered the small filly. “It means quickly. As fast as you can. THE BEST PLAN WOULD BE TO BRING THEM TO PRINCESS TWILIGHT SPARKLE, WHO CAN TELEPORT THEM ALL TO CANTERLOT. IT WOULD BE FASTER. NOW, GO ON YOUR OWN WAY!”

The ponies quietly filed out of the Town Hall, and went back to what they were doing before they were called out by Princess Luna. The two Princesses and I looked out to Canterlot. “Celestia is gathering the Guards. She will be arriving again shortly. Wait a minute…” Princess Luna looked harder at the castle. Her horn glowed, and she shrieked.

“Princess Luna? What’s wrong?” Princess Twilight asked, worry spread across her face.

“Twilight, can you teleport Cloudy and yourself to Canterlot? We need to get there now!” Princess Twilight nodded her head and lit her horn.

I felt the magic surround me. It was like a soft blanket. I felt myself being peeled away from where I was, and I closed my eyes. I knew that this is what teleportation felt like, but it was so different. When I finally stopped moving, I opened my eyes. I was standing in the West Gardens of the Canterlot Grounds. Princess Twilight had already rushed ahead of me, and I ran after her. “Princess Twilight? What is going on?” I shouted as I caught up to her.

“I felt it when I got here. Dark magic. It’s terrible. We need to help Celestia right now, before anything worse happens,” she told me as we ran up the stairs.

“Anything worse?” I asked aloud. I picked up my running speed. If Princess Celestia needed help, I would help her the best I could.

Running through the dark halls, we found Princess Celestia laying on the ground, and Princess Luna standing over her. “Celestia? Celestia! Wake up. Please. Come on Tia. I can’t do this without you. Tia…” Princess Luna sobbed.

Princess Celestia’s white coat rose and fell slowly. “Guards!” I shouted. Some of the guards filed into the room, and gasped at the sight of Princess Celestia. Lighting their horns, they levitated Princess Celestia out of the room.

Princess Luna sobbed loudly. She picked up a small chair with her magic, and threw it against the wall in pure anger. “Luna, please. Calm down. I know, this hurts. But it won’t get any better with you like this. We need to find Discord and Dawn soon. This can’t keep going on. Cadance is busy with the Crystal Empire, so we can’t bring her here. It’s only you and me. We gotta stay strong,” Princess Twilight looked out the window. “I guess I’ll lower the sun and bring up the moon. I don’t think Luna can do it right now,” she walked to the window, and lit her horn. It glowed brighter than I could ever imagine. The sun slowly lay rest behind the mountains. Lighting her horn once more, she brought up the moon from the opposing mountains.

She stepped away from the window, looking exhausted. “Y- you didn’t have to do that, Twilight. I could have done it on my own,” Princess Luna remarked.

Princess Twilight shook her head. “No. You need your rest. Don’t worry about it. Go to bed. I’ll talk to the guards and do all the Princess stuff. Rest. Now I know you aren’t tuned to sleep at night, but I insist.” Princess Luna exited the room, trying to calm herself down.

“Okay, Cloudy, I’ll show you to a room that you can stay in. If you need me, just call a guard to come find me,” I followed Princess Twilight out of the room we were in, and up to the room I would be staying in for tonight.

“Thanks, Twilight. I’ll see you tomorrow,” I closed the door and went to sleep the moment my head hit the pillow.

Dawn's Point of View

“They never saw it coming. You just gotta get the Princesses alone. So how about we hit Twilight next?” I suggested.

Discord looked at me. “No. It will sound too planned. We gotta wait a little while. Let them try to find us. They never will,” Discord commented.

Twilight's Point of View

I rushed around my room, looking for a book to help me understand what was going on. It just didn’t seem right, and I couldn’t understand why Dawn would go with Discord like that! It was preposterous. She knew better, didn’t she?

Thoughts raced through my mind. “I just don’t get it!” I yelled. “What about that necklace? What ever happened to that? I should have stayed with her. I should have given her guards. I’m so stupid!” I threw a book at the window with my magic, thus breaking it. “Oops….”

A guard rushed into my room. “Princess?! Princess are you alright?” he asked.

“Yeah. I just accidentally broke my window in anger. I’m fine. Don’t worry, I’ll fix the window and all that. I just don’t understand how something like that could happen.”

The guard stepped forward. “Do you want me to go fetch Princess Luna for you?”

I nodded. The guard left, and I went to fix the window. Gathering all the pieces, I put the window back together with my magic.

The door to my room opened and Luna stepped in. “Hey, Luna. Thanks for coming. I guess I just needed someone to talk to.”

“It’s okay. We all need someone to talk to sometimes. Even when you are stuck on the moon. You end up feeling lonely, and hoping somepony will show up to comfort you,” Luna chuckled. “But that is beside the point. Why did you call?”

“I don’t understand why Dawn would do this. Why would she go with Discord like that? She should have known better.” I remarked. My eyes widened as the thought dawned on me. “Wait a minute. When Discord came back, he changed our personalities to somepony we weren’t. We were the opposite of who we are,” I got off the bed and paced around the room. “He can manipulate ponies to do things they normally wouldn’t do. She ignored Cloudy, and now she is attacking us. The exact opposite of who she really is.”

Luna looked at me curiously. “What do you mean, Twilight?”

“I mean, Dawn is somewhere inside her. Well, it’s still Dawn, but not the real Dawn. She just has been manipulated into doing this. She is what she doesn’t want to be. It all makes sense now! She has been ‘taken’ - in a sense - to be somepony she isn’t supposed to be!

I raced out of the room and went to Cloudy’s room as fast as I could. I threw open the door. “Cloudy! Cloudy, wake up!” I shook her, rousing her from her slumber.

“Ugghh… what do you want? I’m tired?” she grumbled.

“I figured it out! Come on!” I said as I dragged her out of bed by my magic.

The Plan

Dawn’s POV

I lay back against the cracked wall. “When are we going to make our next move?” I asked Discord.

He looked at me. “I’m not to sure. I don’t think Celestia has woken up again, and Twilight is probably rushing around to find an answer. But I would say that we go for Twilight next.”

A voice tugged at the back of my mind. No! Not Twilight. Please, no. I’ll do anything, just not Twilight! I shoved the thought away.

“I agree. If we take care of Twilight, Luna will be left all alone. I don’t think she can handle that, since she has only been back for a little while. We shall begin in the morning,” I concluded.

You horrible monster. Why are you doing this? Ponies may think that it’s me there, but it’s not. I’m still here. I always will be. You will not win this fight.

“Shut up! Get out of my head!” I screamed.

You can’t get rid of the pony who inhabits this body. All you are is filth. Put here by Discord. He shoved me away like I was nothing, and replaced me, with you. You don’t belong here. So I tell you now, get out, or you will never see the light of day again. The voice told me.

“I said get out! You are nothing! Go away!” I shouted. The voice didn’t know anything. What Discord and I are doing is for the greater good. Without the stupid Princesses, Equestria will fair better than it ever had!

“Dawn? Is everything alright in there?” Discord asked from the kitchen.

I shook my head. “Nothing is right! I have this stupid voice in my head, telling me that what you are doing is wrong. It doesn’t know what it is talking about. We are doing what is right. The voice won’t go!” I yelled, as the voice kept on with it’s incessant talking.

Discord walked up to me. “It’s the voice of the nice Dawn. She is trying to tell you what is right. But this is the right thing. And soon, everypony will know it. Just fight the voice. Soon, it will fade away into nothing.”

I put my hooves over my ears and screamed. The horrid voice. Always pestering me. Why couldn’t it leave me alone?

Cloudy’s POV

I groaned as I was pulled out of bed by Princess Twilight’s magic. “What is the big deal? It’s so early,” I muttered.

Princess Twilight stopped in her tracks. “The big deal is that I found out what is going on with Dawn! The real her is still there, but can’t get out,” her magic released it’s hold on me, setting me down on the floor. “I have to contact Spike! Tell him that my friends need to come here immediately,” she raced off. Shaking my head, I took off after her.

When I found her in her bedroom? she was scribbling down on a piece of paper. The next thing I know, it’s flying out of the window in the cloud of smoke. “What was that?” I asked as I stepped into the bedroom.

“Oh, it was just a letter to Spike to tell the girls to travel to Canterlot as soon as they can. To do what I need to do, I’m going to have to have the Elements of Harmony to help me. So the term that I am going to use for what happened to Dawn, will be ‘Discorded’. this has happened to all my friends, including me, and now Dawn. He does this to influence ponies to do something they may not want to do, or something that they wouldn’t normally do. When he did this to my friends and I, we were the exact opposite of ourselves. Now with Dawn, the same thing has happened. But this time, she is being asked to hurt the Princesses. I imagine so Discord can reign ruler of Equestria, and bring Chaos everywhere in Equestria,” Princess Twilight explained.

I looked at her with wide eyes. “HE WANTS TO WHAT?!” I shouted. “Oh, uhm, I mean, what in the world is he thinking?” I corrected.

Princess Twilight looked at me with sad eyes. I knew it was bad. “Unless we can stop Dawn and Discord, Equestria will be full of Chaos, and no Harmony. They already attacked Princess Celestia, and the Princesses don’t usually have guards around them when they are going places, unless they request them. This is going to be dangerous, and without the Elements of Harmony, it won’t get any better.”

I turned around to face them. “Well, then I guess we are going to fight them back.”

The Fateful Day (Part 1)

Cloudy's POV Throughout Whole Chapter

I woke up to Princess Celestia’s sun shining through the large windows of my room in Canterlot. I moved the dark covers off of me, and rolled out of bed onto my hooves. A knock came from outside my door.

“Who is it?” I called out laily, trying to keep my eyes open.

“It’s Twilight. We have to meet with Princess Celestia in 10 minutes. I’ll be sending a guard to bring you down to the throne room when the time is ready. Please be ready soon, Cloudy,” Princess Twilight called out from outside my room.

I nodded my head, but it really didn’t matter, since she wouldn’t know that I was nodding my head. Oh well. I made my way to the bathroom and ran a brush through my horrible bedmane. A few minutes later, another knock came from outside my door.

“Ms. Cloudy?” a guard called from outside my room. “I have been instructed to lead you to the Throne Room. If you would please, come on out and follow me downstairs.” I trotted through my room, and opened the large door with some effort.

I followed the Unicorn Stallion down to the Throne Room. He opened the door with his magic, and I walked into the room. “Welcome, Cloudy. We need to talk today,” Princess Celestia said. I could tell she was still worn out from being knocked out by Dawn and Discord.

“Yes… I would imagine so…” I said slowly, unsure of what the Princesses wanted to address.

Princess Celestia got off her throne. “We imagine that Dawn and Discord are probably going to attack Canterlot today. The problem is, we don’t know when. As you may have noticed, there are more guards on duty today than usual,” I nodded my head. There was a substantial amount of guards in the palace today. “Well, knowing Discord, he will be able to sneak himself and Cloudy past the guards, even with my extra precautions.”

I looked at the Solar Princess. “Well, I’m not exactly sure what we should do, or what I can even do.”

Princess Luna stepped up. “Discord and Dawn have already been able to attack Celestia. Now that we know that they have the power to do someone like that so easily, we are all in danger,” she commented, looking at her fellow Princesses. “Twilight will bring the other Elements of Harmony here to Canterlot, and if they see Discord, they will return him to stone. Hopefully Fluttershy complies. If we see Dawn, we try to tear what happened to her from her.”

“What if that hurts her? What if you can’t get it out of her? Are you gonna banish her to the moon? Or even worse-”

“Cloudy. She will be fine, I promise. Twilight was able to get her friends to get out of it, with the help of her magic. With all the Elements working together, it should easily get it out of her. It may hurt just a little, but I know she will be able to do it,” Princess Celestia noted.

I calmed down a little by her statement. “Okay. But what am I supposed to do?”

“If something bad happens to all of us, which might happen, then we need you to go to the Crystal Empire and talk to Princess Cadance about coming here to Canterlot, and leaving Shining Armour to run the Crystal Empire,” Princess Twilight explained.

“Wait, does that mean that they might kill you?” I asked.

“No. Alicorns are very, very hard to kill. It would take more power than Discord or Dawn could ever have. ou would have to be really skilled in the magical arts to be able to kill an Alicorn. I believe their plan is to banish us somewhere, so Discord can rule,” Princess Twilight explained to me.

The doors opened behind me. I turned around to see who was entering. Rarity, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie ran into the Throne Room.

“We came as soon we were called. So why exactly were we called here, Twilight?” Rainbow Dash asked.

Before Princess Twilight could answer, Pinkie Pie jumped in. “Dawn has been taken by Discord, and now she is all crazy, and Discord convinced her to help him take over Equestria, but to do this, they have to banish the Princesses to the Moon, or the Sun, or somewhere, that way Discord can bring Chaos throughout Equestria, and make it rain chocolate rain! And we were called here because Twilight needs to use the Elements of Harmony against Dawn and Discord, and she couldn’t do that without us, so she called us here!” a large smile grew in her face.

“Pinkie Pie, that is the craziest thing I have ever heard from you,” Rarity commented.

“How did you know all that?” Princess Twilight said.

“Lucky guess!” Pinkie Pie said as a grin spread across her face.

The other Elements stared in shock at Pinkie Pie. “So you need our help, right, sugarcube?” Applejack asked Princess Twilight.

“Yeah. They will most likely be coming to get us soon, so we have to be ready. Come on girls, let go get the Elements of Harmony,” Princess Twilight said she and her friends raced out of the Throne Room, leaving me with Princess Celestia and Princess Luna.

“They can’t banish you guys. They just couldn’t. Well, they could, but they couldn’t. It’s not like they would keep Equestria the same. The whole of Equestria would be put into a realm of Chaos!” I said as I turned back to the two Princesses.

“That’s why we have this extra security. But you should run along now. Get ready just in case something bad does happen,” Princess Celestia told me. I nodded, and left the Throne Room.

The Battle (Part 1, Third Person)

The sun slowly rose over the mountains on the East Coast of Equestria. Celestia sat upon her throne, looking out into the very empty room. She quickly realized that this wasn’t right at all. Where were her guards at? Suddenly, she heard a laugh coming from one side of the room.

“Discord! Show yourself!” Celestia shouted in the general direction of the laugh.

Discord walked out of his little hiding corner and looked Celestia in the eyes. “Oh, Tia. So wonderful to see you again. How’s it going?” Discord asked.

“You’re not here for small talk. Where is Dawn?”

Discord stepped forward, and Celestia lit up her horn. “Woah, woah. Easy there little mare. Dawn is here. Trapped inside of her mind.”

“You won’t get away with this!” Celestia shouted, sending a bolt of magic straight towards Discord. However, he was too fast for her. He teleported behind her and struck her with some of his magic.

She hit the ground, and began to send a telepathic message to Twilight. However, before she could get the message through, she was struck once again.

“Twilight is away on a little vacation with her friends. All the way in Baltimare. It was surprisingly easy to do so as well. Just a few minds tricks, and they were on their way.”

Celestia picked herself up off the ground, and formed a sword with her magic. Celestia grinned to herself. She knew that Discord wouldn’t be able to get away with this. The last time he tried to overthrow her and her sister, they turned him to stone with the… Elements of Harmony… Celestia suddenly wasn’t very happy with herself. If Twilight was away in Baltimare with her friends, there would be no way to stop Discord. Only the Elements of Harmony could do that.

Discord lunged at Celestia, sending his magic towards her. She stopped the magic with the sword, and sent her own magic back at him.

Spikes grew from the ground around celestia. She tried to get away, but a forcefield stopped her. She tried to teleport out, but her magic was useless in the circle that she was encased in.

Luna watched from around the corner. She knew that if she intervened, she wouldn’t be able to get to Twilight either. Luna teleported herself all the way to Baltimare, to find Twilight.

When she finally did find Twilight, she lifted the spell off of her and her friends.

“What?? Why in Equestria are me and my friends doing here??” Twilight asked loudly.

“Please, you must hurry. My sister is in trouble and you need to stop Discord from ruling.”

Twilight had a look of anger on her face. “Of course. Come on girls!” Twilight wrapped them all up in a bubble and teleported the group to her library, where the Elements were being stored. They all picked up their respective Element, only after they gained their balance after being suddenly teleported many miles.

“Let’s go,” Twilight said, once again teleporting the group to Canterlot.

“Rainbow Dash, you go find Princess Luna, and tell her to go get Cadance,” Rainbow Dash sped off. “Girls, you follow me but stay in the hallway. Don’t enter until Rainbow Dash comes back. We won’t be able to trigger the Elements without her here.”

Twilight walked towards the Throne Room, and the rest of the Mane 6 stayed behind. “Discord!” Twilight shouted to him.

“Ah, Twilight. What a pleasure to see you. How was the vacation? Have fun?” Discord grinned.

“Stop it, Discord! Let Princess Celestia go!”

Discord stepped down from his Throne. “Or what?”

“Or we will turn you back into Stone,” Twilight answered.

“Yeah!” the girls came out from behind the wall, including Rainbow Dash.

Twilight smiled at her friends. “Now let her go!” Twilight yelled.

Discord shook his head. “I have a much better place for her to go,” with that, Discord snapped his claws and Celestia disappeared.

The Battle (Part 2)

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The Fateful Day (Part 2)

Dawn's POV

The voice. The voice. Always there. Pestering me. Spells couldn’t keep her away. I always heard her taunting voice, “You know what you are doing is wrong.” “You have to stop this.” “Discord is tricking you.”

I knew what I was doing is right. No one likes the Princesses. But they will all love the reign of Discord, and his apprentice, Dawn. I’m right!

“You’re wrong, you know,”

“SHUT UP!” I screamed at the top of my lungs, as I threw mirror across the room, shattering it to pieces.

Discord peeked into my room. “Is everything alright in here?” he asked.

“No! She won’t keep her annoying mouth shut! She just needs to leave me alone!” I screamed again, putting my hooves over my ears.

Discord appeared beside me. “It’s okay. Just ignore her. She is wrong. Come, we must prepare ourselves for this fight,” Discord lead me out of the room.

Luckily, the Dawn I had taken over, had been polite enough to stay quiet. As I made my way down the stairs, Discord went over the elaborate plan that he had made.

“We are going to infiltrate the castle. I know how to sneak in past the guards so they won’t be able to get us. Once we get in, we take over Celestia and Luna before they can call for help. Eventually, Twilight will come in and notice that the two Princesses are gone,” he laughed. “Then, we will take her out as well, and become the rightful rulers of this world,” he finished.

“That, is wonderful plan,” I said to Discord.

“Stop it.”

“No! You stop it! All you have been doing is annoying me. Now will you shut up for 3 seconds you annoying brat!?” I shouted to the air.

“Get in control. If she realizes how powerful you really are, she will stop. She will slowly die away until you are the rightful owner of this body,” Discord commented to me. “But anyway, we will set out tomorrow morning. When the Princesses are at their weakest point,” Discord also said to me.

“Okay. I will be ready when the sun rises.”