Chapter 1: You shall not pass, you shall conquer! (Prologue) (v1.1)
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Chapter 1: You shall not pass, you shall conquer! (Prologue) (v1.1)
Twilight Sparkle has been waiting for this day. Her dream to get into Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns finally has came true. Almost. She just needed to pass entrance exam to get there, which should not be a problem.
She woke up earlier than usual and started her preparations. Checklist was prepared for current ritual. Wake up? Check. Make bed? Check. Brush teeth? Check. Repeat book material for magic? Check. She placed ticks on a piece of paper as she completed her tasks.
Now it was time to wake parents. Early.
"Twilight! It’s just 4 o'clock in morning! Go back to bed!" Twilight’s mother, Twilight Velvet, shouted with annoyance in her voice.
Wake parents early? Check! Another tick appeared on white sheet.
Wait was unbearable for her, she reread her magic related books. Books in question were "Advanced Magic for Grade 5", that was much more interesting than recommended "Basic magic for Foals", which she could recite completely, word for word. Other literature included "Practical uses of magic", as expected, it covered everyday use of magic in usual lives of ponies. The last book on list was "Magic Engineering (Second Edition)" sparkled more interest in Twilight than any other book. It described in detail how new spells are created and how they can be reverse engineered for improvement.
In spite of such vast knowledge for filly of her age, she could only cast very simple spells, such as telekinesis, otherwise she could only cast "sparkles" rather than coherent advanced spells. Useful for campfires or just to start any fires on flammable materials, learned from rich Twilight’s experience. It was one of reasons why she was hated by fireponies and public in general. The other reason was "unintended" destruction of property as result of Twilight's attempts to learn magic.
* * *
In Canterlot's central area where Twilight was living, it was not uncommon to find houses that had shop or cafeteria at ground floor and living quarters in above floors, every building had small backyard for foals to play and recreational area for other ponies. It was only common for older areas of Canterlot, as new developments were made for newer buildings, New areas had buildings with high tower appearance, since unicorns discovered “it’s-bigger-on-inside-than-outside” enchantments, they could in fitmany families, but still had maximum size limitations and had worse height space compression.
Twilight was in backyard of house she was living in, but particular shop was enough unfortunate to be located in same house in which Twilight lived. Fireworks shop. She was trying to learn cast illumination spell that evening. She tried to build up magic energy at her horn, but instead of light at tip of her horn, bunch of sparks shot out and flew in parabolic trajectory into window of said shop. The explosion showed itself instantaneously. Twilight saw amazing display of light, screams, debris and ponies running out of shop with their manes and tails on fire. Twilight made self-note for later: send letter to publisher to change “…focus and build up energy in your horn…” to “…TRY TO SQUEEZE YOUR BRAINS OUT THROUGH YOUR HORN…”
Later, Twilight's family and other families living same house had to move to new dwelling as old house was nearly destroyed and deemed unsafe for living. Their new address was at edge of city, with recently built houses in shape of towers. One tower could fit eight families for each floor and had ten floors. Towers were coloured white with cone shaped roofs, usually yellow in appearance, rarely red or purple. Buildings itself had golden intricate decorations painted on its’ walls. Neighbourhood had nice additions, such as playground for fillies and colts to play around, mini supermarket and entertainment centre (both located in different buildings), where ponies could watch movies, play table top games or just relax in cafe with live band and stand-up comedians. Just paradise, if not for Twilight Sparkle terrorising entire area within her reach.
Playground had seesaw, sandbox and other attractions for fillies. At side of playground, stood wooden gazebo. Twilight liked that area as site for magic practice. She had no interest in playing with other ponies of her age, but preferred to read books or trying to practice magic in shade of gazebo, sometimes trees. Only friend she had was mint coloured filly unicorn, Lyra Heartstrings. Twilight met her often at playground, Lyra was telling interesting stories about distant stars and bizarre stories about aliens called something alongside “humans” or so, but Twilight ignored her stories further, however they were sharing common interests in astronomy and could talk about it for hours.
This time, she was attempting to cast levitation spell to lift an apple from table in gazebo, but instead of her breakfast taking to air, roof started straining under unknown force and subsequently collapsing. She was able to escape gazebo just in time, but not all ponies were that fast to escape, especially when they expected it at least. Twilight was presented with a folding process of feeble building into pile of rubble. Fireponies arrived quickly and guided by screams of trapped ponies in rubble, rescued them from ruins of former gazebo. Twilight started making internal count of "unintentional" damage made by her “spells”.
Ponies in gazebo witnessed Twilight casting spell briefly before incident and reported that to her parents. After that incident Twilights parents hired foalsitter and gave Twilight lecture about casting spells in public places without supervision. Twilight had suspicions about foalsitter and her brother connected someway, but she was somehow forgetting it each time. Now, Twilight was limited to casting spells only in open and clear areas, in presence of foal sitter or adult. Since then, there were no catastrophic incidents, besides occasional burned trees and missing patches of grass in park area, which we too insignificant and numerous to record.
* * *
She finished reading her books. It was 8 o'clock and her parents just woke up. After breakfast and brief preparations, Twilight and her parents took carriage cab to school. Trip was lengthy, considering carriage traffic that day, as ponies were heading to work or for some odd errands.
They arrived to Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns. School was done in tower-ish style as rest of city, consisting of multiple white tower buildings and round saucer-like pavilion building, it reminded Twilight of alien spaceship told once by Lyra. Twilight still wondered if such structure could fly.
Buildings were connected by concrete tile walkways, with unicorns of various ages could be seen walking on them. Space between buildings had flowers planted with accurately trimmed bushes in various shapes, mostly in shapes of important ponies from history, but most worth of mention was huge flowerbed with yellow tulips planted in shape of sun, just like Princess Celestia’s cutie mark.
Twilight and her parents proceeded along wide main walkway to “saucer” building. They approached reception located after entrance of building. A white coated clerk unicorn was sitting at counter and making notes in fat counter book, wrapped in hard cover.
“Good day! We are here for entrance exam,” Twilight’s father, Night Light, said. “Name is Twilight Sparkle.”
“Good day! Let me see…” Receptionist pony replied, smiling and looked at rows of writing in counter book, moving her hoof down page to find a match in records. “Here it is! Please proceed to auditorium A5 located in this building, straight ahead and door on right.”
“Thank you!” Night Light replied.
Group went further into building through wide corridor with student ponies, some walking and some rushing, likely running late. Corridors had yellow hinted carpets, walls were decorated with different plaques of best learners and teachers, group photographs of students that finished school and chandeliers hanging from ceiling, however corridors were lit by outdoor light through sunroofs located along entire length of corridors.
Following signs on walls, it was not difficult to find auditorium A5. It was a large room with big panoramic windows, giving expanse view of school grounds and sky above. It had seats for students, but instead of students there were four examiners seated with very strict faces. Twilight didn’t want even to ask how was their day.
A tray was rolled in with a big purple egg with lighter round spots on its shell, carefully resting on pile of hay.
“Miss Sparkle!” Said one of examiners with harshness in her voice. “We know your game! We giving you something you will not break: a real dragon egg! You may start.”
Twilight felt a bit uneasy. She was expecting exam for basic spells or theoretical knowledge which were in her competence, but dragon egg was something different. She tried to cast a spell that could crack open egg’s hard shell. Few sparks fizzled out of her horn in attempt to cast “wielding torch” spell, but nothing happened. Egg was still intact and rock solid.
“There should be a way to deal with that blasted egg,” thought Twilight. “I must try from other side or maybe cast a bit harder!”
She went to other side of tray and applied more force to her magic, she thought that her head would explode from such effort. Something unforeseen happened… With foreseen consequences.
A sudden loud wave of thunder from outside blasted glass windows of auditorium to shards. Somewhere a lot of windows were broken that day and speeding fine ticket issued. Everypony was shocked by such sudden noise, except for Twilight, who was too concentrated on casting, she was used to such incidents and nothing could stop her from reaching the final goal.
Twilight’s casting suddenly surged with powerful beam of magic directed at the egg. The egg was split open and dragon has appeared from it. No, dragon grown from egg and rapidly increased in height, outside of building’s parameters. As expected, a new hole has been made in roof. This wasn’t end to unfolding disaster. Twilight has lost control of herself and magical beam hit her parents which were turned into plants. Next were examiners, who were levitated into air.
Her magic surge was fading away and its effects: dragon decreasing to normal baby size, her parents turning back to ponies and examiners dropping to floor. This will need trauma counselling for two parent ponies, various medical treatments for four high education examiners and one explanation from Twilight Sparkle.
* * *
*Somewhere in Cloudsdale...*
“Rainbow Dash!” A traffic pony shouted, crossing brows and approaching Rainbow Dash as she was landing on cloudy ground. “Do you know at what speed you were going!?”
“It is racecourse,” replied Rainbow Dash puzzled. “Isn’t it?”
Angry ponies were gathering at scene and more approaching from below, likely those who were in neighbouring towns located at ground.
“Eheheh…” Rainbow Dash looked at her onlookers with apologetic smile and rubbing her neck with hoof, attempting to look as cute as possible.
“Yes, but it is also training grounds for juniors,” explained traffic pony, continuing frowning. “You could have hurt somepony! Or worse, hurt yourself! There is a reason for those rules! And look at what have you done: you just destroyed all windows in surrounding area!”
“This is last straw. Sorry, I have to report this to your parents.” Concluded traffic pony, writing down a fine ticket. ”This is for breaking rules. Rules are rules. Congratulations on your first ticket!”
“I hate you.” Said Rainbow Dash with venom in her voice that dense, so she could kill surrounding living creatures with just one her breath.
* * *
Events have not gone unnoticed by Princess Celestia. She rushed to source of damage and former mayhem. Considering earlier episodes, it came that Twilight earned reputation being blamed for any magic related damages or damage that is impossible to make by hoof.
“What has happened here?!”Asked Princess Celestia, glancing over broken roof, then stunned examiners, shocked Twilight’s parents and Twilight herself, along with newly hatched baby dragon. “Twilight Sparkle!”
“I’m sorry!” Twilight sparkle tried to defend herself. “I didn’t mean to do that at all!”
“I have seen enough,” said Princess Celestia with stern voice “But this is last straw. You are not accepted to my school. I don’t want my school to become barren land.”
It felt like a machinery which suddenly jammed and stopped. World around her has stopped. Or entire universe.
“B.. Bu.. Bu.. But…” Stuttered Twilight, with growing shock in her face. “It can’t be!”
The death glare Twilight given Princess Celestia, was remembered forever by all attendees in auditorium this day. The glare was so bright with hatred, so Celestia’s sun and other 999 suns could be put to shame. Movie directors still trying to work on this.
“You will pay for this.” Hissed Twilight Sparkle and dashed out of auditorium with tears running down her cheeks.
Author's Note
Changelog:
v1.1
-Lite edit
Chapter 2: 10 in 10 Mares in Black agree that conspiracies are bad
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Chapter 2: 10 in 10 Mares in Black agree that conspiracies are bad
Twilight ran as fast as she could through long corridors. She hated this place with every piece of her being. She needed a place to hide, like a storeroom or any place that is rarely used. She ran into first door her eyes have seen. Fortunately, it was storeroom for cleaning equipment and some empty forgotten cardboard boxes. She lit room with an illumination spell, wondering how easily she cast spell.
“I hate this place!” Thought Twilight with raising fury. “THIS PLACE MUST GO!”
In spite of quick rage quit from scene of devastation, she felt burning sensation at both her flanks just right now, thinking that she was hit by projectile from Princess Celestia. Something was not right, this was strange distribution for burn damage. She quickly assessed her flanks and noticed a…
“Cutie mark!” Squeed Twilight, gleaming with pure happiness.
Her cutie mark was more detailed that she had ever seen before, it was in shape of six-pointed star, with colours shifting from purple in centre to blue at tips of star and edges. The star had another smaller star behind it, but in yellow colour and tips coloured in orange. The stars were surrounded with five white coloured stars with faint white streaks flying outwards from centre of main star. According to descriptions in astronomy, cutie mark carried resemblance to supernova. This was most intricate cutie mark Equestria ever saw and nopony would wish to see particular cutie mark.
“No one dares to do this to me! NO ONE. They will pay dearly...” Twilight continued her biding. “Mission statement as follows: prissy princess should get thorn to her side! The school must be levelled down.”
Twilight considered if it should be figurative or literal thorn? Why not both? She rubbed her hooves together in anticipation for upcoming campaign, presenting widest smile that could even scare devil himself...
Later few hours, in spite thoughtful search for Twilight, nopony could find her, thanks to good hiding skills developed during episodes when Twilight was source of all kinds of problems. Twilight had used one of empty boxes in storeroom to hide and wait a while until night or at least evening.
She quickly evaluated her situation. The city is no longer safe for her in current state of affairs. She heard that Lyra enrolled Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns too. It’s time to search for particular unicorn. Carefully.
Twilight opened door slightly, just to peek. Interior was flooded bright light, but from looks of dark purple sky, it was late evening and corridors were empty, lit with golden light of chandeliers’ fire. It was advisable to avoid contact with other ponies.
She opened door of storeroom and carefully trotted towards exit at other side of building leading to school grounds. Although outdoors were lit by lampposts, it was still dark and few ponies were walking around, it was perfect opportunity to blend in, no one would distinguish her in bad lit conditions.
All walkways were leading to centre of grounds, towards square with fountain and silhouettes of pony statues. Once Twilight reached fountain, she took notice of big signboard with map of school grounds and buildings, all strategically important points: library, dorms, observatory and cafeteria. And Twilight knew where to find Lyra during such late hour. Lyra never would miss opportunity to gaze at stars. Twilight proceeded in direction of observatory, which was located in one of tower buildings at edge of mountain platform.
Twilight already began hating “it’s-bigger-on-inside-than-outside” enchantments. Observatory in spite of small external size was huge. She approached carefully, peeking around corners for sign of ponies who may bump into Twilight, but corridors were empty as if everyone magically disappeared. Following signs on walls, after long walking and stair climbing, she finally found required telescope room. As expected, she found small filly-sized shape sitting at telescope and apparently enjoying views though it. Twilight crept on familiar figure…
“Can you please tell me directions to library?” Asked Twilight nonchalantly.
“Aieeeeeeee!” Squealed Lyra, surprised at presence of somepony else at such late hour.
“Shhh!” Shushed Twilight. “It’s me! Twilight!”
“What are you doing here!?” Replied Lyra, still amazed at unexpected visitor. “Everypony was looking for you all day!”
“I have some unfinished, ahem, business, you know,” answered Twilight darkly, with playful evil spark in eyes. “Somepony owes me…”
“I even don’t want to know what you are up to this time,” replied Lyra, worried. “Let’s go, before somepony else stumbles on us.”
Lyra noticed something has changed in Twilight. Her natural curiosity has begun taking its effect…
“What’s happened?” Inquired Lyra. “Explosions and broken glass everywhere! Everypony in rush, search and panic! Don’t tell me it was you again?”
“I didn’t mean to!!!” Shouted Twilight back at Lyra, offended. “It was not my fault! Somepony else did it!”
Twilight told her short-long story of events.
“I know your 'I did not’!” Replied Lyra, with a bit of pride, once she finished listening to Twilight’s adventures. “That’s my Twilight!”
“Why it is so empty here?” Asked Twilight “I never had seen anypony indoor this evening!”
“Oh, you missing on a lot of interesting details!” Answered Lyra, with a smile. “We are using teleporters inside buildings. Unfortunately, it only works until nine o’clock in evening and start working in six o’clock morning, on top of that I would not recommend for you to use it, they may discover you some mumbo-jumbo authentication thingy. But we are relatively safe as long we keep our profiles low.”
Both unicorns travelled safely to exit.
“And about place to sleep… I have spot reserved for extra roommate,” said Lyra, tapping hoof at chin.
“And how did you manage to reserve a second spot?” Twilight asked slightly intrigued.
“Conspiracy-y-y!” Sang Lyra, mysteriously smiling. ”I was waiting for you. Turned out not as expected, but anyway… It worked.”
Twilight suddenly lost all of interest...
***
Few months ago, Twilight and Lyra were on visit to Canterlot History and Archaeology Museum. Twilight was lured by Lyra on grounds seeing ‘something truly magical’. Main focus of museum were historical artefacts from different eras of equine history and new archaeological discoveries.
Museum's featured exhibits were from eras of Discord’s reign, Founding of Equestria and many more, which were of no particular interest to Twilight, except for aisle that was covering history of great conjurer Star Swirl the Bearded. It sparkled Twilight’s interest, that’s ‘something truly magical’ Lyra promised! But was not what Lyra meant.
Lyra pressed Twilight to look at Equestrian archaeologists’ new artefacts discovered in San Palomino Desert located in next door hall with different artefacts behind glass covered showcases standing along walls; these artefacts did not present much appeal to Twilight: deformed metallic parts, nails, pots and other unidentified chunks of junk. Centre of hall had stage installed with some large object covered with roughspun cloth cover and khaki coloured mare with grey mane, wearing pith helmet and dark green shirt, surrounded by large crowd below. Twilight did not expect that humans will attract so many ponies, looks like it was contagious.
“Fillies and Gentlecolts, here you see a great mystery today,” announced a khaki coloured mare with a grey mane. “Today, we tell story about humans and dedicate this exhibit….”
“Not this again,” thought Twilight, annoyed. “These humans again. Ugh.”
Further story sounded like some underground fiction novel about unidentified flying objects in middle of desert.
“This happened many decades ago, when an identified flying object crashed in nightly desert of San Palomino Desert. Few witnesses report a streak of light and clouds left by object. Some say it was meteorite, others say it was a dragon. None of them were right!” Continued archaeologist mare. “Today, we will show unique find from San Palomino Desert,” she pulled off cover from object, discovering a white coloured contraption on four rubberized wheels. “An automobile! Few were found in ruins of San palomino Desert, it is believed that humans used it transport themselves, now it’s time for questions and answers!”
Exterior of automobile was impressive: shiny chromed front and rear bumpers, side mirrors were also housed in chromed housing. Interior was fully closed by windows and roof, which made it difficult to see besides being at lowered position. If any alive human was present on current event, he would call it along lines ‘Monstrosity from 50s-60s-70s, heck, I have no idea!’
“Look-look-look, Twilight!” Said Lyra excitedly, impatiently jumping in place. “Isn’t it gorgeous?! Truly magical!”
Twilight should have seen it miles and even moon’s distance away.
“Impressive.” Twilight found nothing to answer, as she was taken completely by surprise at possibility of human existence.
“You know what we will do?” Asked Lyra, with evil sparks in her eyes.
Twilight was buried deep in her thoughts… How it is possible to come up with such thing? What magic does it run on and which conversion method does it uses; polymorphic or kinetic only? Possibilities are limitless!
“Let’s steal it.” Said Lyra, as if she was suggesting to go out to picnic.
“Ok…” Replied Twilight, still lost. “Wait, what?”
“We will just borrow it for a ride!” Explained Lyra, gleaming. “And then we will see if we can return it.”
“What do you mean ‘and then we will see if we can return it’?” Twilight’s confusion was replaced by worry.
“Stuff happens, you know,” Lyra said nonchalantly. “It will be real shame if something happens to it… Like not returning it in one piece.”
Twilight was worried about Lyra, not the car.
“Anyway, how do you expect to pull it off?” Asked Twilight, trying to wrap her mind around such grand scheme.
“First we need to draw everypony’s attention away,” considered Lyra, looking up at ceiling. “And then we’ll sneak in and we will see from there on.”
“Just like that?” Twilight voiced her concerns about Lyra’s boldness. “No back-up plan?”
“Pfff! Who needs back-up plans?” Dismissed Lyra with hoof wave. “Back-up plans are for losers!”
“Twi, do you have matches?” Lyra showed a red cylindrical stick with thread leading inside stick. Twilight could read half rubbed-off black letters ‘TNT’…
“Where did you get it?” Twilight asked cautiously.
“Conspiracy-y-y!” Sang Lyra. “They have a lot of it in storeroom here. Looks like human fireworks… I think, they wouldn’t mind if they’ll miss one.”
“Are. You. Sure?” Twilight had very bad feeling about it. “I think, we have to drop this idea.”
“Yup.” Lyra hit Twilight’s head and sparks flew from her eyes, lighting up fuse on explosive stick. Lyra threw it in direction of showcases, while all ponies were still busy with Q and A. “Sorry.”
“HEY!!!” Twilight rubbed her aching head. “But!”
“Don’t worry, they always can get more at dig site!” Lyra calmed down Twilight. “Now, duck!”
Loud explosion echoed through halls of museum, tearing showcases into shreds and making a hole in a wall, raising panic deep within patrons and triggering magic fire protection. As expected, rainclouds formed under ceiling with immediate tropical rain downpour and ponies running in circles, with their manes and tails on fire...
Couple walked calmly towards automobile concealed by total mayhem, but faced problem: how to get inside.
“Now what?” Said Twilight dejectedly, soaking under rain. “And you said it was firework?”
“Get inside, what else?!” Responded Lyra, annoyed and not less wet than Twilight. “Maybe humans had hardcore parties!”
Twilight studied doors of car, looking at something that can open it, noticing that handles are familiar to typical handles in fridges, but only horizontal.
“I have idea,” said Twilight with smirk. “Can you give me boost?”
“Aww, why?” Lyra whined, pouting.
“You hit me,” explained Twilight, giving Lyra a ‘squee’. “Now it’s your turn.”
“Fine.” Grumbled Lyra.
Twilight climbed on Lyra’s back, causing her to stagger, Twilight pulled on ‘fridge’ handle, opening door with click and both unicorns lost balance, falling on their backs. Twilight and Lyra chuckled. Pair slipped inside, finding themselves in seat too large, even for adult pony, seat itself was made of unknown material. Challenge next up: move the whole machine.
Twilight and Lyra faced dashboard with multitude of levers, knobs, buttons, mysterious gauges and one steering wheel, while at bottom car had 2 pedals. On left side couple of large levers and other side had one lever, obviously to open door and other turnable lever on door. Both unicorns’ eyes were wide in awe and felt like sitting at controls of big spaceship.
“So, where do we start?” Twilight and Lyra asked each other in unison.
“Trial and error?” Lyra suggested, studying panel and pedals.
“I hope that none of buttons self-destructs entire thing…” Replied Twilight, taking closer look at symbols on and near buttons, levers, turnables and other interactive surfaces, many of which were either incomprehensible, silly or familiar symbols from alphabet, but useless in current context.
“What if we press this big red button?” Suggested Lyra, pointing with her hoof at red button on left of steering wheel.
“Isn’t it ill-advised to press big red buttons?” Considered Twilight, with hoof raised to her muzzle in doubt.
“Why humans would want to destroy such beauty?” Reasoned Lyra, slowly pressing button. Twilight pressed her ears with hooves.
Quiet giggling and then whirring sounded from somewhere front of car, sounds of living machine.
“This is captain Lyra Heartstrings speaking,” announced Lyra to particular no one. “Captain and her co-pilot Twilight Sparkle wish you a nice trip!”
“Twilight, pony the throttle controls!” Commanded Lyra, and pointing at pedals below. One doesn’t need to be a scientist to figure out controls, especially it’s common in science fiction to use pedals for major controls of spaceships and Lyra had vast theoretical technical knowledge in it. “I will be at helm!'
Space and high-tech themes were popularised by novel series ‘Celestial Odyssey’, quickly followed by comic books and movies. Story of venturing ponies into unexplored part of space beyond their home sol system, with final destination of meeting humans. And sudden of all, pony spaceship gets in trouble every time and in general their ship is trouble magnet. Spaceship’s captain, very courageous mare, always talks way out of trouble and gets out only mare alive because she wears uniform of particular colour.
Twilight never was fan of series and considered it ‘pseudoscientific garbage’, yet she wondered why in hay they would not outfit crew with safe uniform colours and avoid any deaths this way?
Twilight indistinguishably grumbled and climbed down to compartment below steering wheel with two pedals.
“Full ahead!” Shouted out Lyra, shifting lever on left to position ‘D’. “Twilight, pedal to metal!”
Twilight pushed tight pedal obediently… Nothing happened. She tried the other pedal, slowly pressing it in…
Automobile started swiftly from its place and drove into wall, creating additional hole in museum’s wall. Car entered road, starling pedestrians and ponies pulling carriages, was approaching marketplace square located nearby quite fast…
“Twilight!” Commanded Lyra, seeing as they headed for stall full of tomatoes. “Brake!”
Twilight reacted too slowly and stall took flat form-factor with juicy splat, completely painting car in red but mysteriously leaving chromed parts clean and shiny.
“Never mind!” Dismissed Lyra, taking course straight towards the remaining stalls in marketplace ahead. “Squeeze the juice, Twilight!”
Apple, Grape and Orange stalls followed the course, leaving behind respective puddles of juice and vendors searching for their jaws.
“I’m trying!” Shouted Twilight below, trying to shift hardly budging tight accelerator pedal as hard as possible.
Lyra looked down at dials in dashboard and searched for something else to press, finding switch labelled ‘Cruise Control’ and flipping it. Car maintained speed without any help of Twilight.
“Twilight!” Hollered Lyra from her seat. “You can relax!”
“What about brakes?” Asked Twilight, climbing on seat next to Lyra and questioning herself how she could let Lyra take command over controls.
“What brakes? Beep-beep, there are no brakes on this car!” Grinned Lyra with insane glitter in her eyes, sounding car horn twice for emphasis.
Meanwhile, car reached another row of stalls, throwing up in air different contents. Twilight gazed upon maddening destruction in front of her. As car progressed towards end of row, its monotonous colour changed to multi-coloured splats and blots. Roof was full of fruits, resembling fruit hat on some exotic dancer’s costume, only lacking in dress.
“We just need a dress!” Announced Lyra, turning steering wheel and taking heading towards shop across the road. “To the fabrics shop!”
Shop in question stood at other side of road, opposite of market plaza. Shop was tall, two storey building with long semi-round windows, providing light for both its storeys; and few oval checkered domes with mandatory flags and wind vanes. Building covered large area, taking up entire width of city block and had second main entrance leading to parallel street at other side of building.
Shop was central hub of textile trade, servicing thousands of customers daily, presenting large choice of fabrics and if customer wanted, he could order clothes sewn from any fabric pointed at.
Car crashed into shopfront destroying any mannequins and displaying excellent model of what could happen to patrons if they get into way of evil contraption.
“That's how you do drive-in shopping!” Exclaimed Lyra gleefully, driving car out of opposite side of shop.
Few ponies dashed out of shop, with their manes and tails on fire... Twilight could swear that all of her hair turned grey and left her body. Fortunately, it wasn't case as reassured by Twilight.
Car now had curtains inside at windows, chromed parts had long folded fabric hanging, tied with bows to keep it folded and hung along perimeter of car's body.
Automobile entered road and took exactly middle of road, causing carriages to swerve to edges of street. It was worth noticing that car's suspension provided jitterless and smooth trip on cobblestone road surface, even for its time, only leaving slight sideways swaying...
“Aren’t we supposed to drive on right?” Questioned Twilight.
“Who has more weighting?” Lyra digressed, leaning to press gas pedal further. “Them or us?”
Twilight had nothing to say against Lyra's infallible logic and pressed herself stronger into seat. Automobile was rolling lightly along street and quickly approaching live crossroad...
“Watch where you're going, fool!” Shouted Lyra out of window and shaking hoof at crossing carriage that was almost ridden over, while other carriages and carts braked, barely missing the 'crime against road rules' and crashed into each other, turning into huge cloud of dust; mix of ponies and debris rose into air, former landing conveniently on paved sidewalks, while the latter were part of unscheduled rain with chance of goods. Solitary wheel rolled out of slowly dissipating cloud of dust and continued its journey down the road.
Past crossroad, car was approaching dead end ahead ending with abyss off cliff side and pedestrian zone along coastline. Ponies were strolling and minded they own business, enjoying fresh breeze and conversing about classy topics like arts, literature and philosophy; about to be interrupted with something which will be discussed for months to come.
“Where's your back-up plan now?” Grinned Twilight maliciously, disregarding own safety in events about to transpire. “What are you going to do now?”
“Plan’s lifecycle expired,” Said Lyra calmly, as if nothing had happened or about to happen. “So… Abandon ship!”
Lyra grabbed Twilight and opened door, quickly jumping off and taking care not break any appendages. Car continued to move towards its doom, breaking metallic barrier at edge of cliff, and finally, diving into blue distance. Twilight and Lyra galloped along with other ponies towards edge of platform to conduct a vehicle with their eyes, observing as alien contraption crashes into ground below, exploding in a ball of fire. Only latent, faintly audible clap reached ponies’ ears.
The couple of filly unicorns disappeared from scene of tragedy, nopony suspected seemingly innocent fillies…
***
Twilight was blankly staring into space. Every time Lyra said word ‘Conspiracy-y-y!’, it meant some deep stuff about to go down.
“Oh horseapples…” Twilight thought, not saving language. It's just nothing compared to things to come. “Not this again...”
“I see you've got your cutie mark! I suppose it have to do anything with that little accident? Twilight?” Lyra asked, and not getting any answer from Twilight in stupor. “TWILIGHT! WAKE UP!”
“Uh, what? Sorry.” Apologised Twilight “I was carried away a bit.”
“If my astronomy knowledge is correct,” pondered Lyra, tapping her hoof at chin. “Is it supernova?”
“Yep. I think my cutie mark has to do something with massive destruction.” Concluded Twilight flatly.
They were approaching one of dorm towers. It had round ladder around building, sheltered by barely noticeable thin glass layer. It had series of doorways along ladder, leading to different floors of building. Every door had large vases with unidentified small slim gold-leafed trees. At entrance of building, there was an old porter pony snoozing behind counter. Twilight flinched at his sight, but Lyra reassuringly put hoof on Twilight’s shoulder.
“He’s asleep.” Said Lyra, yawning. “Hide behind one of those vases, he knows literally everypony here and we don't want him asking embarrassing questions about you.”
Twilight lurked to nearest vase. Lyra woke porter and asked for keys, displeased porter was grumbling something about 'fillies at that late time', gave her keys and went back to his sleep. Lyra and Twilight continued ascend upstairs. The air and walls of tower seems emitted glowing light, making any other light sources unnecessary.
“By the way, what’s name of your ‘roommate’?” Asked Twilight, wondering what her new name will be.
“Dusk Shine.” Replied Lyra, shuffling her fore hooves.
“Sounds awful a lot like my name…” Responded Twilight with apparent suspicion, but made decision not to question Lyra any further and change conversation topic to avoid any demons in Lyra’s wardrobe.
“Lyra, what are you going to study besides magic?” Asked Twilight with a hint of curiosity. “Astronomy? Aliens? I’m even not sure that such subject exists…”
“Yeah,” sighed the other unicorn. “At least there is astronomy, and there is not much choice here generally.”
The couple of unicorns reached their floor, entering doorway and trotting along circular lobby, completed in similar colour as interior in the rest of buildings, besides for row of redwood doors along wall and round metallic plate at floor. They stopped by one of doors with number 1024.
“Welcome to our humble abode,” Lyra motioned her hoof, demonstrating a high-ceiled room with two single beds opposite of each other, matching set of wardrobes and one table large enough for two ponies by a high window with semi-round top. Table had two lamps and was completed with two chairs, table top already had some books, obviously, brought by Lyra. Room had entrance to bathroom on close right and small kind of kitchen on left side. “Choose your bed! I choose one by right!”
“Right.” Twilight rolled her eyes and looked at books on table, mostly pertaining to astronomy. “I guess it’s time to go to bed…”
“Indeed,” agreed Lyra, comforting herself on bed. “We need to wake up early tomorrow, we have a lot of to cover…”
“May I borrow one of your books?” Asked Twilight, smiling. “Little read couldn’t hurt, right?”
Lyra nodded, wrapping in blanket. Twilight climbed on bed and pulled covers over herself. She only fell asleep in early morning with a copy of ‘Constellations of Universe, 102nd Edition’.
Author's Note
Constructive criticism welcome!
(But keep in mind that English is not my home language)
Chapter 3: Spy order college
The next day Lyra brought a few envelopes. She looked at calmly snoring Twilight, considering it would be a such crime to interrupt her sleep, but importance of mail she has received was crucial. She was told to deliver letter to Twilight personally under extreme secrecy, letter should be incinerated if Lyra was caught with it.
“Five more minutes, mom...” Grumbled Twilight under her breath, rolling up herself deeper into blankets away from Lyra's hoof. Last night's read was worth it. As always.
“I’ve got mail!” Lyra waved envelopes demonstratively in her hoof and threw them on table, except for one. She outstretched her hoof with envelope to eye rubbing Twilight. “And you too!”
Twilight's sleep was stripped immediately. She unfurled out of bedsheets, recounting yesterday's events. She did not expect any mail from somepony she knows. Sound suspicious, it could range from angry letter to embedded tactical explosion spell. Twilight never understood where is tact in wiping out average sized town. Maybe saving manual labor in doing so.
“Here it goes early in morning...” Twilight thought at idea of things going not only south, but also all the other 359 directions, actually explosion of sorts.
“What is it?! Who knows about me?” Twilight sprung out of bed, backing away from envelope. “No one should know that I’m here! Did you rat me out? DID YOU?”
“I am not!” Lyra rejected defensively. “I swear!”
“Swear on your horn,” Twilight retorted coldly, slowly rising her hoof indicating intentions. “Or else...”
This was something new to Lyra, Twilight never took oaths that seriously before. Too seriously. Since the last incident involving alien self-propelled transport, Twilight really tired of Lyra's fanaticism around museums, especially if it contained human artifacts. Twilight took word from Lyra never to put both of them into danger and other potentially unlawful actions.
Still, Lyra never was able to stop in face of temptation touching, stealing or destroying human artifacts, usually coming all together in one package, Lyra had had her priorities sorted properly: humans first. It usually ended up with minor quarrels between Lyra and Twilight, involving hurling pointy and sharp objects at each other with band-aid outcome at end.
Now it is not Twilight Lyra has knew: her determining cold stare targeting Lyra's horn and rising hoof, instilling chills of arctic nights. Something told Lyra, perhaps intuition, that it's indeed going to do something with her horn.
Lyra learned painful way that unicorn's horn is strongest tissue in body, surpassing multiple times of hardest metals known to civilizations throughout Equestria and lands beyond, unfortunately it is most sensitive part of body.
Once ago, Lyra tripped over protruding cobblestone, impaling into pavement and leaving horn shaped indent in it, while sharp pain seared through horn and exploded into head. Luckily, Twilight was nearby to help Lyra to get her home safely, or rather dragged, only to spend the rest of day recovering from nightmarish migraine.
Lyra hoped that it's not what Twilight thought up, but all signs tell opposite...
“I swear on my horn that I am not in way affiliated to your apparent enemies,” sighed out Lyra in single breath, trying to shake off traumatizing experience. “I would like to clarify enemies part later...”
“Good girl,” replied Twilight, satisfied with her 'negotiations' and lowered her hoof. Twilight knew very well how to convince ponies.
Twilight cautiously took light purple envelope from Lyra’s hooves and thoroughly examined it. Envelope carried stamp with image of mare holding giant scroll with both her hooves, the one Twilight had seen in Canterlot gardens as statue. Further envelope lacked any teeth marks, which looked suspicious – usually pegasus or earth pony deliver letters and rarely unicorn, usually it is prohibitively expensive to use express mail by teleportation. Address fields contained neat writing, which could be only done by unicorn, but only recipient address was filled in, reading:
“Dusk Shine
Princess Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns
Canterlot, Equestria”
Twilight placed envelope on desk, took few steps back and began carefully opening it with her telekinesis spell, expecting envelope to explode upon opening. Lyra’s expression on face quickly turned to amazement seeing Twilight’s antics. Twilight finished opening envelope, seeing that envelope did not explode in her would be muzzle, slowly took steps towards desk.
Twilight extracted white, carefully folded sheets of paper and took in her hooves. Her jaw began dropping slowly, indicating progress of reading the letter.
Dear Twilight,
We knew that you won’t accept rejection from school, so we made some preparations in such case (and it became such case). We used help of your friend, Lyra Heartstrings (don’t forget say ‘hi’ from us), to reserve extra space and personally deliver this letter to you.
You probably wondering, what happened when you left of auditorium? After you ran out, Princess Celestia ordered everypony to search for you. Once searches were unsuccessful, we left school and Princess Celestia promised to keep us informed if there would be any news about you, but we won't.
We know that you’re excited to write back to us, but we have to warn you: don’t do it. Letters are scanned for any suspicious keywords at mail posts and it is very likely that they may search for your name in letters. You are holding this letter thanks to Lyra, since it was delivered past official channels. Now your handle is 'Dusk Shine' for use inside the school.
You likely to ask who is ‘Dusk Shine’? It is your name, if you was born colt. We thought about names before your birth, I will tell you more about it when you will be older.
In conclusion, we wish you luck with your magic studies and stay safe.
With love,
Mom and Dad
P.S. Keep good relations with your friend. She is dangerous pony, but very good friend and likely will be only your friend for years to come.
Letters dropped from Twilight’s hooves. Now it made complete sense, but still not on Lyra’s part, how she was related to all this besides being closest friend.
“So, it means that my parents are okay with destroying the school?” Twilight rubbed hoof at her chin, scanning ceiling of the room with her eyes with a faint smile. “My mission is greenlit!”
She returned to second sheet of paper lying on floor, it was letter from her older brother, Shining Armor.
Dear Twily,
I heard about what happened at Princess Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns and I would like to give you a few advices.
First of all, stay hidden. You are in for a lot of trouble for what happened and I even don’t want to mention what would happen to you if they find you.
Secondly, I know of one spell that will help you walk in sight of staff without suspicion, unless you want them to (I don’t know why you would want to do that). It won’t work with elite royal guards, since they are trained for that but I'm not sure about Princess Celestia, still better avoid her. Please see embedded page with instructions. You won’t find this at regular section of library.
Thirdly, it’s recommended to research more on how to stay hidden. Try closed section at library located at school, as I said before you won’t find much at public section of library, you must visit closed area during daytime with magic security is offline at that time of day and guards’ alert is down, preferably in evening, when shifts are closing to end, or in the morning. Though mixing with crowd is a plus elsewhere, but don't expect it to play out with access to restricted areas. It's not a thoroughfare.
Fourthly, don’t try anything stupid until you are ready and know what you are going to do next unless your next move is to die. You know how they like to say ‘Revenge is a dish best served cold’.
Stay well and safe.
Best wishes,
Your B.B.B.F.F.,
Shining Armor
P.S. Attached instruction leaflet enchanted for your eyes only.
P.P.S. Please, don’t use this spell on your friend without consent. In your place, I would not make enemy with that filly. You can trust her completely.
“Bummer, big brother always does this to me!” Twilight pouted at paper, descending to sadness at creeping realization.
Twilight always kept special bond with her older brother, he was closest friend to her ranking higher than Lyra, he always shared time with her and were caring for each other. Twilight secretly had called Shining Armor 'B.B.B.F.F.' - Big Brother Best Friend Forever, yet he knew about it but never called himself that way. It only could mean one thing: everything getting real serious from now on and this is warning from him to take care and doubles as farewell, likely she will not see her brother in a very long time.
Putting aside somber thoughts, Twilight spotted that brother's letter has yellow hinted sheet attached at back, seems not made out of paper. Twilight tore off sheet and placed letter on deck, she glanced at strange sheet and writing transpired with complete information on spell called Perception Distortion Ward.
Paper contained vector values for spell and other technical information, Twilight understood everything thanks to her previous self-studies in magic engineering, but spell demonstrated completely new concept of tying mental state to spell.
Dropping unnecessary details, the spell would make caster invisible to most of sentient creatures by replacing information about user with one caster has on mind. The spell's purpose was espionage, but newer spell replaced it. It didn't concerned Twilight so far.
“Covert ops, here we go!” Twilight rubbed her hooves, while Lyra stared at Twilight interestingly. “Maybe Lyra could help me with it...”
“What?” Asked Twilight resentfully, returning look at Lyra.
“Your reactions sooo cute when you read these letters!” Snickered Lyra, looking away.
“Oh. My parents say ‘hi’ to you,” said Twilight, waving her hoof at Lyra enthusiastically.
Twilight considered that it's in her interests to fix awkward tensions between Lyra and herself, otherwise she won't get far in her conquest without any support.
“And I would like,” Twilight shuffled hoof at carpeted flooring, ashamed. “To apologize for horn thing before... I was a... I don't know what came over me...”
“It's okay,” Lyra sighed with relief. Finally, Twilight is back to sense.
“Can we forget entire thing?” Twilight smiled weakly, outstretching her hoof. “So, peace?”
“Peace.” Lyra took Twilight's hoof and shook softly, smiling blissfully. “You know, I could have forgiven you anyway, but it was nice gesture!”
“Oh, and one more thing,” Lyra's smile suddenly vanished, still holding Twilight's hoof. “Promise, that you'll never, ever threat me that way.”
Twilight was left speechless, Lyra's speech had stronger effect than any threat. Her parents and brother were right, she is way more complex and adult than she looks.
Lyra released Twilight's hoof, a weight lifted from her as barrier of mistrust vanished between both of them. To Lyra's surprise, Twilight suddenly embraced her friend into a tight hug.
“Twilight...” Lyra suffocated in Twilight's grasp. “I can't breathe.”
“Sorry!” Twilight released Lyra, catching latter away from hitting carpeted, yet still hard floor.
“But still, I would like to know what happened to you!?” Lyra said, as she regained back on her feet with Twilight's help.
“You don't look yourself at all!”
“Well,” Twilight sighed. “Those scoundrels went all crazy on me and did not let me study here!”
“And they should pay for this.” Continued Twilight with evil glint in eyes and manic smile, rubbing her hooves together, atmosphere in room attained infernal colors, complete with thunderclouds and shooting fire jets from floor in background. “Leave no one unpunished...”
Lyra's face covered in shock at sudden realization – Twilight had gone insane. She just understood that there is no old Twilight, but the brand new Twilight. Yet she barely grasped concept of scale that will be caused by mayhem.
Now Lyra hugged Twilight, angrily muttering. “We shall bury them all. We shall...”
“No need for a such brutality.” Replied Twilight, still being hugged by Lyra, hellish environment quickly dissipated back to regular room. “However, burying in paperwork sounds fun.”
Lyra released Twilight in surprise at sudden swing in mood. Twilight met hard carpeted surface.
“We need tons of paper,” enumerated Twilight, still lying on floor, shifting imaginary beads above her head. “But it won't be feasible to fill in ourselves in first place.”
“You know,” Lyra finally recovered from shock. “There is paper that replicates text on papers which were bound to it.”
“Yes, Replicating Paper spell,” replied Twilight, finally lifting herself from floor. “But recipient would throw away the rest of papers once she realizes that it's just copies.”
“Agree.” Lyra nodded. “But there is advanced version of that spell, or rather specially enchanted paper. Spell is so powerful, that it may require specific paper able to carry such spell.”
“I think I know what are you thinking about...” Twilight narrowed her eyes at Lyra.
“Eternal Replicating Paper spell.” Both unicorns said in unison.
The spell was few orders complex than its basic brother, dropping unnecessary technicalities, its functionality summed up to enchanting 'master' sheet which is original and then binding 'slave' sheets which receives contents of 'master' sheet. Basic variant of spell only worked for short duration and in small range, while advanced version allowed for spell to stay infinitely on all sheets.
The main feature of such spell allowed for up-to-date critical documents such as spell books and official bulletins updated without requirement to be changed physically. Once 'master' sheet changes its contents, all bound papers are automatically changed in same way as main sheet, no matter how far away they were. No pony has tested actual range of this spell, but generally accepted as 'almost anywhere'.
“But where we will get such paper?” Lyra pondered. “It is not paper you just buy at shop.”
“Closed section at library, of course!” Twilight replied knowingly.
“How we will get permission?” Lyra asked with concern, rubbing with hoof behind ear.
“Who said we going to ask for permission?” Twilight's now trademark smile of madpony grew on her face. “We will borrow it. Who will miss a couple of some off-yellow sheets? Simple and easy.”
“Wait, what? ”Lyra had shuddered herself out of hypnosis, induced by Twilight's smile. “It's called stealing. We may get in trouble.”
“And you said it's okay back then,” smirked Twilight. “And now I hear what?”
“I have changed my mind on that...” Answered Lyra uneasily. “Just forget it!”
Twilight never had saw Lyra so defensive on shenanigans done together before. Probably Lyra's intuition for danger was slightly misaligned after Twilight's smile.
“Alright. I will go alone, but I will need your help,” grunted Twilight. “I need help with learning Perception Distortion Ward, it's a new concept.”
“I could have taught you it anyway, or else how you will get out of here,” answered Lyra. “Anyway, let’s get started…”
“First of all, cast spell and then think of your legend.” Instructed Lyra, keeping completely serious face. “Make sure your mind ‘announces’ that legend.”
“Sounds like you have done that spell before,” wondered Twilight.
“Yes, I’ve used it before. I know some things more than you and better not know about those things. You know, like they say, ‘Know less, sleep better’.” Explained Lyra intricately. “Stay focused Twilight, we need to be ready by tomorrow.”
“Hold on...” Lyra threw look at year planner plastered on wall. “Actually, today. My bad, studies begin soon.”
Twilight gave Lyra glare of doom, while Lyra only could flash back with bright smile of apology and audible 'squee'.
It was unknown how Lyra got hooves on that spell, but fact of knowing such spell insured Twilight that she indeed is dangerous pony.
Twilight prepared to cast, set up vector for spell and then built up energy, ready to release. It was quite different since her powers were “upgraded”, it felt like a steady stream of energy, in comparison to weak twinkling before. Twilight released energy around herself, setting up field around herself.
“Good,” said Lyra, turning around. “Now, let’s say you are blue in color. Now, imagine that you are blue filly.”
Twilight tried to think of herself as of blue coated filly…
“What?” Asked Lyra with confusion as she turned around. “You look like purple-and-blue zebra that been in some paint factory incident! Again, forget what color is you coat. Try to vacate your mind from anything at time of casting. Think of any particular pony and only that pony.”
Twilight dispelled her ward and started again all over. She imagined Lyra standing in middle of black nothingness, taking attention to details, mint coat color, golden eyes, mane and tail of paler color than coat and white streaks in it…
“Ok… Wait what!?” Lyra gasped, glanced split-second at almost exact copy of herself, which reverted back to Twilight Sparkle in her normal appearance. “Why me in particular?”
“But you said anypony,” Twilight defended. “Only pony I knew very well and could imagine, was you!”
“Fine.” Grumbled Lyra, slightly disturbed. “Now we need to create plausible legend for you…”
Twilight once again removed ward from herself, now thinking of how ponies should see her, preferably invisible, but spell did not provided that…
“Typical error is that users pick wrong color. It should be adjacent or same, not complimentary.” Continued Lyra normally. “You may even keep original color, but change gender or just background information. We will change both.”
“Okay, let’s start!” Said Twilight, taking clean sheet of paper and started writing down story, pondering in parallel on perspectives of being colt. “By the way, how did I managed to replicate your appearance?”
“Hmmm... Hard to answer.” Lyra pondered, rubbing her chin with front side of forehoof. “Probably, your capabilities overpowered my perception ones. Historically, only few exceptional ponies managed to do this, while the rest had to use complimentary colors usually.”
“I am dark purple colt with dark blue mane and pink streak in it. I was born in… Let’s take something close…” She glanced at map of Equestria. “Like Ponyville. Let’s pretend that I moved to Canterlot at very young age, which explains lack of accent, habits and other specifics related to Ponyville…”
Twilight learned from conversations with Lyra that Ponyville is quite different compared to Canterlot. Ponyville is small countryside village founded recently by apple farming community, town’s age is unsurprisingly small, yet more developed than typical farming town with luxuries available only in large cities.
Equestria in general had few towns, considering lessons learned from being almost turned to icicle alive briefly before Equestria’s founding, since then ponies preferred to stay closer together in large communities.
If new settlement was founded, it means that there was need for that town. Usually, new towns are used to support farming plantations like Junction Dodge and Appleloosa or cloud cities used as regional weather headquarters, like Cloudsdale for entire central and northern regions, and Las Pegasus for just entire desert area in south to support very favourable climate for crops, at expense of pegasi. Any tourist may find this city attractive, but behind scenes it is hell for pegasi to maintain weather in arid region.
“…My parents are normal parents.” Finished Twilight, with sweat running up on her temples. “That’s it.”
“Let me see…” Lyra snatched paper from Twilight, latter only snapped empty air with her teeth in attempt to catch floating away paper while her telekinesis was busy with ink pen. “Not bad, now learn it by heart. We need to be ready in an hour.”
Twilight intercepted back paper from Lyra's telekinesis field, re-reading paper once again.
* * *
*Fifty Nine Minutes later...*
“Are you done?” Asked Lyra impatiently, tapping her hoof on floor. “We are going to be late!”
“Let me check if I have everything…” Twilight called out, looking at checklist and placing ticks respectively for each item. “Books? Check! Pencils? Check! Notebook? Check! Spell? Activating… Check!”
“Argh! You doing this like for third time!” Grumbled Lyra, pushing out Twilight out of room into corridor. “You have everything set! And if something goes wrong, there is nice word, called ‘borrow’. Not one you like using, the other one, the True Borrow. By the way, you look dashing!”
Under the spell, Twilight looked like colt version of herself. To outsider she looked like colt that looks like a filly or vice versa.
Lyra locked room and couple hurried to teleport pad. Pad had interesting eight-pointed pinwheel star shape etched on steel plate, with rune symbols between star’s points glowing with red colour. Star itself, had gold and silver coating.
Teleports were voice activated, requiring to name destination and actual permission for said action, which Twilight did not have.
“Let me activate teleport, you will be in tag,” explained Lyra and stepped on pad, inviting Twilight who anxiously walked onto pad with unsure steps.
“Prepare!” Said Lyra, holding tightly Twilight around barrel. “Keep still pose!”
“Zodiac, Auditorium B3,” commanded Lyra, taking still pose along with stone hooved Twilight. Seconds later they were in ‘saucer’ building outside room marked 'B3'. The rest of rooms in corridor carried designation beginning with ‘B’.
“That’s how this ‘saucer’ building is called!” Amused Twilight, giggling a bit. Lyra glanced at her surprised.
“So, it is not only me! I call this building ‘mothership’ myself, but ‘saucer’ is fine too!” Lyra answered and both unicorns burst into laugh. “Too bad it won't let us to use custom names!”
“How I am going to bypass teleport permissions?” Asked Twilight with concern in her voice.
“We are going to get to it later…” Replied Lyra in mysterious voice.
Twilight and Lyra entered lecturing theatre. Seats were arranged in semicircle with back rows raising above front rows, facing towards chalkboard and large lecturer's deck with unicorn standing behind it and shuffling papers, obviously lecturer. Some seats have been occupied by multitude of unicorn fillies and colts.
Room has no windows in walls, but has sunroof with multihued glass, providing enough light and giving ‘magical’ atmosphere to classroom. For nightly sessions, auditorium was backed up by chandelier hanging from ceiling, having similar coloured light filters installed. Walls were decorated with various informative posters about magic, containing diagrams and pictures along with text, and portraits of famous ponies. Wall behind chalkboard was draped with purple curtains.
While Lyra and Twilight admired beauty of auditorium, lesson began shortly. Both unicorns quickly deployed themselves in last row, preparing their stationery for merciless notetaking.
“Hello, class! My name is Top Marks and I will teach you magic theory, mandatory fundamentals of magic you will be studying.” The pale blue unicorn with gray hair presented himself to class. “Today we will discuss format of our studies and will start off with theory, which will explain format of our studies.”
Uncoordinated rustle of paper and clatter of writing equipment echoed through classroom.
“Our lessons will have both theoretical and practical components, with focus on practicals due to nature of unicorn magic. Our studies will be split one day for theoretical part and the rest week for practicals.”
“Let's start with big picture before we will go down to details!” Top Marks levitated multiple coloured chalks. “It is known, that magic naturally occurs throughout Equestria and neighbouring lands as invisible ambient field which used by all living creatures and influences inanimate objects as well.”
“Some scholars prefer to call it 'ley lines',” he drew on chalkboard multiple points with concentric rings around each, connected by lines. “However, majority prefers to call it just 'ambient field'. Both definitions are acceptable, since there is no definite answer on source of magic.”
“Theory of ambient fields was first suggested by the Star Swirl The Bearded,” Top Marks pointed at one of hanging portraits with bearded unicorn wearing blue night themed pointy hat with small golden spheres around rim of it. “He theorized that source of magic comes from powerful sources buried deeply underground, providing radial coverage of magic power.”
“Clover The Clever, one of Star Swirl's disciples,” now Top Marks pointed at next portrait. “Discovered through sophisticated experiment involving hundreds of unicorns in all corners of Equestria, that power of field is not infinite and equally distributed between users in small area. It turned out that ambient field's power weakens, affecting casting capabilities of participants that were using magic at moment.”
“Meanwhile the other unicorns located at different end of Equestria, experienced insignificant drop in their magic performance.” Top Marks returned to chalkboard and highlighted lines between points. “It was proven that ambient field is treated as whole finite resource with connections between areas and limited self-balancing capabilities.”
“Many scholars and scientists tried to find subterranean sources, but none of them were able to reach it,” Top Marks erased concentric circles, but left points and lines. “Until Clover The Clever, proposed revolutionary for that time theory. According to which, energy does not travels radially from each 'node', as Clover The Clever called them, rather they serve as points between which magic force travels.”
“She called it theory of ley lines,” Top Marks drew straight and curved lines between nodes. “In more detail, theory suggests that each node has its own charge and network of nodes tries to balance out each other, resulting in flow of magic energy. However, magic dissipates between points causing nodes never to fulfil its goal in balance, even if they generate their own magic energy.”
“So, to this day there are two competing theories exist shorthooved 'centralized' and 'decentralized' magic source theories respectively. That's all for big picture!” Top Marks glanced at class full of amazed eyes. “Any questions?”
One filly raised hoof.
“Yes?” Top Marks focused on filly.
“What's size of area mentioned in Clover The Clever's experiment?” Filly asked, unsure.
“The surviving documents indicate that area was approximately between hundred and thousands meters.” Answered Top Marks. “Anypony else?”
Seeing that nopony wanted to ask question, Top Mark moved to next topic.
“Now we will move to more personal topic,” Continued Top Marks. “Unicorn's magic.”
“Unicorn can use ambient field's power to convert magic to more useful kind of energy that can complete goals.” Top Marks levitated chalks, then illuminated classroom with his horn and finally, teleported himself closer towards class, and then dispelled his magic. Chalks clattered, bouncing off floor in a splash, rolling all over floor. “By end of your studies here, you will be able to cast these spells, if not by end of this year.”
“Unicorn's magic consists of indivisible steams of magic, called bands.” Top Marks levitated chalks again. “I'm using one band on each chalk to levitate it separately. Now I'm lifting seven chalks, it means there are seven bands. Sometimes bands can be combined for single spell.”
“Power of magic used in each band strongly depends on unicorn's magic capabilities and training,” he placed pile of chalks on his table. “But number of bands strongly depends on concentration of unicorn. Typically, unicorn can cast from two up to seven bands. Sometimes spells have limitation on amount of bands used.”
“As you may already know that casting magic can be hard,” Top Marks glanced over silent class. “You passed through entrance exam with raw power or either instinctive use of multiple bands. I'm sure that many of you practised your magic every day or improved your concentration levels.”
“And this is why we are more focused on practical studies, rather than theoretical,” Explained Top Marks returning to chalkboard. “Besides, there is not much to study on theoretical side. We could finish studying it in one year, but we would not have enough practice, hence we stretched it for over three years.”
“Practical studies will be done outside of Canterlot due to favourable ambient field energy levels,” said Top Marks. “Since Canterlot had predominant unicorn population, energy levels for studies and research are suboptimal.”
“Now to spells' structures,” with these words Top Marks wrote few lines on blackboard describing structure of spell on diagram. “Spells can be recorded in a simple diagram as shown here, in our case it's levitation spell, also known as telekinesis spell.”
“Spell diagram displays 'vectors', so called properties of spell, which uniquely define spell,” Top Marks pointed at various regions of diagram. “There also variable vectors of spell called 'parameters', which can be changed without fear of breaking spell. Vectors contain information about energy conversion, power of spell and pinpoint location of spell.”
“Energy conversion contains multiple sub-vectors and major part of spell,” Top Marks highlighted section of diagram with red chalk. “Remember, you should reproduce exact energy conversion component if you want spell to succeed. Once you have managed to hit correct energy conversion values, then increase magnitude to desired levels and finally point spell at desired location. Then release built up energy.”
“I see some of you finding that boring,” Top Marks looked disapprovingly at yawning students. “But believe me, instincts are not enough for advanced spells in future. The easiest way to remember is PCPR: Precast, Charge, Point, Release. Any questions so far?”
Twilight rose a hoof, Top Marks nodded.
“Who invented those diagrams?” Twilight asked, wondering why inventor was not mentioned in material that Twilight had read before.
“Difficult question,” answered Top Marks with sigh. “Original documents from pre-discordian era were lost mentioning original inventor. Some think that it was Star Swirl, while others consider Clover The Clever, or ancient magic collegiate that existed before founding of Equestria, yet diagrams were heavily modified over time by many scholars. Diagrams now are heritage of pony race. You may ask lecturers from history faculty, I'm sure they will tell you more.”
Twilight has not needed any consultations, she had her sources: Lyra. Her interest and vast knowledge in history never had left Twilight without intriguing stories to pass time.
“Hold on, I don't remember you, young colt,” Top Mark lifted clipboard from deck and glanced at attached list. “You should have registered at your dorm with porter. Better do this after lessons, otherwise next time I will be obliged to call guards.”
Top Marks placed back clipboard and returned to lecturing. The rest of his lecture went smoothly, Top Mark's speech mesmerized many students, including Twilight, who didn't notice how lecture came to end.
“...And here, we finish our lecture,” concluded Top Marks, walking toward his deck and lifted heap of papers. “For homework, write a small essay on which ambient field theory makes more sense to you.”
“Here, take levitation spell diagram,” he floated paper to each student. “Please, place it into your spell book and look at it tonight, practice at least for one hour. See you tomorrow, it is going to be exciting day for you!”
Learners left class in rushy manner, Twilight and Lyra followed the suit. Twilight decided to ask how so much knowledge had been lost.
“Lyra, may I ask you question of historical nature?” Twilight asked.
“Sure!” Lyra was more than happy to answer question on one of her favorite subjects. “What is it?”
“Top Marks said that many significant documents were lost during discordian era,” Twilight queried. “How did it happened?”
“Well, Discord found that scholars' research in library lacked fun, so he took all scholars against their will, of course, then he split them in 'raiding parties' of twelve ponies and gave them armor, weapons and combat spells,” Lyra answered, Twilight stared at her with mouth agape. “After that, he took all knowledge and dispersed it around Equestria in randomly generated dungeons, where 'raiding parties' should get back their knowledge in end dungeon chest after defeating all monsters guarding it.”
Twilight was shocked completely at such treatment of important ponykind's knowledge.
“Unfortunately, Princesses responded too quickly before scholars could warn about knowledge,” Continued Lyra. “Discord has been turned to stone real fast. Discord's effects on ponies worn off, but he had been in middle of assigning teams and half of dungeons' locations remain still unknown. Explorers still find new dungeons every year, but yet only two-thirds of original papers recovered. I wish I could helped...”
“Bastard!” Shot out Twilight. “I'll beat crap out of him when I will see him next time, or even better burn him, then freeze and then beat what left of him...”
“Language!!!” Lyra gasped at friend's new vocabulary, horrified. She could have sworn that she felt smell of something burning. “There is no next time, he had been turned to stone permanently! CALM DOWN.”
“Alright, then next on list will be defacing his statue or whatever he is now.” Twilight took out her small notepad and wrote down second line below 'Bury Celestia in paperwork', another side-quest: 'Deface statue of discord'. “Duly noted! Oh, wait, something is missing in here...”
She added one more line for her main quest. “Now we are set!”
Lyra coughed continuously. “Since when I became part of this automatically!?”
“Since today,” Replied Twilight flatly. “If I recall, we were always in team, right?”
“Oh.” Lyra quieted down to inaudible mutter, struggling against temptation of adventure. “This is going to be... Fun!”
Both unicorns left auditorium and moved in general direction of exit.
* * *
*One walk later*
Cafeteria was located in middle of campus, unlike the rest of buildings it was smallest building with lack for claim of epicness and pompousness. Structure provided large outdoor dining area under striped red-white tarpaulin and smaller one indoors, in case of severe weather. Noon hours always cluttered cafeteria with all kinds of ponies, yet miraculously never ran out of seats.
Twilight and Lyra approached cafeteria, looking out for nearby vacant table.
“I don't have any bits with me,” said Twilight.
“Don't worry, I'll share with you,” replied Lyra. “Once you register, you can get your food like everypony else, for free.”
“Did you mean 'costs included into school fees'?” snickered Twilight.
“That's details,” giggled Lyra. “And for you, it's free! Like anypony else... Parents do not have to pay school fees at all, all costs are sponsored under Talent Development Act.”
Twilight read something about act in newspaper a while ago. Princess Celestia decided to rollout mass long-term investment in Equestria's nation, abolishing any requirements to pay at all educational institutions, but institutions required to be under partial royal control to ensure that funds are spent effectively. Twilight has seen it as another step to total domination by tyrant Princess Celestia.
“I'll better watch what they put in my food,” said Twilight cautiously. “You'll never know whether they poison it to mind control youth!”
“Whoa,” Lyra's smile vanished and moved hoof defensively. “Where did you learn that?”
“The same place where you learned about aliens and other silly stuff,” retorted Twilight. “Logic!”
“I don't get it...” Lyra said with confusion. “What?”
“Let me explain!” Twilight got closer to Lyra, reducing voice to whisper. “You say that aliens exist based on archeological data, as we seen back then. We both know that race was technically advanced, and there is no way they could died that easily. Maybe they have moved to different place or were here just for a picnic...”
“Plausible,” Lyra agreed to Twilight's hypothesis. “But I see, you still find it improbable and why I should find your ramblings sensible?”
“Easy,” Twilight continued, glancing sideways as if someone could listen to their conversation. “Why improbable? Because their technology was advanced, but not enough advanced for space travel. Even if they came from outer space, it should be way more sophisticated, since planets do not come with already built roads and if they moved to other place, they should have left entire civilization ruins behind, unless they led nomadic life. Then they should not have left their obviously expensive stuff in limited infrastructure conditions.”
“There could be other explanations, but I think it's beyond our comprehension,” Lyra ruffled her mane. “You still did not explain yours, now it's your turn.”
“I'll get to it right now...” Twilight noticed vacant table. “Here's our table!”
Twilight and Lyra took their places.
“So,” Twilight leaned towards Lyra, still keeping her voice down. “Mine is very easy, as you know I was booted from entrance exam for being a bit too overpowered. They has considered that knowledge is too powerful for me and I may overthrow current ruler. Princess became paranoid, so she decided to take population under control via her petty acts and command what ponies may know or not.”
“I think you are overreacting,” sighed out Lyra, seeing Twilight freaking out completely. “Princess just wanted to take you on advanced study program and make you Princess' personal protege! My trusted sources say so at least...”
“Maybe in some parallel alternate universe,” deadpanned Twilight. Lyra harrumphed in futility at attempt of changing Twilight's mind.
“I pass.” Lyra gave up and rose from her seat. “I'll get us food.”
Twilight was left with her thoughts alone. “Lyra is incorrigible... One day I will prove that Celestia is tyrant. Only if...”
Twilight has tried in her head all possible combinations, but none were appropriate to convince Lyra.
Five minutes later Lyra returned with fully burdened tray of food, enough for both grown ponies.
“I'm back!” Said Lyra, excited. “Good thing they don't count how much food does ponies take, so I took for both of us.”
“And surplus,” chuckled Twilight. “Somepony feels really hungry...”
“And second tray!” Lyra took out another tray from under tray she was holding.
“Let's get back to topic,” said Lyra, seating herself back. “Same sources say that there is going to be Tournament of Magic, Wits and Perseverance, for first time ever. And all thanks to you!”
“Hows that?” Said Twilight, shoveling food onto empty tray. “Don't tell me that it is all my fault. Again.”
“Technically, you ruined protege selection during entrance exam, since everypony was looking for you.” Lyra impaled fork into salad. “Congratulations, Twilight!"
Twilight had nothing witty to say in response. “And what's about that event?”
“Details are only drafted up, but in short it sums up to contest where all first year students must participate against challenging environments, situations and other participants.”
“Should not be hard,” Twilight dismissed, biting into hayburger.
“Actually, it is going to be hard,” replied Lyra, finishing her salad and observing Twilight stopping chewing. “In attempt not to disclose yourself.”
“I even wonder how did you passed entrance exam? It is not for average and even not for above average adult!” Twilight decided to switch topics to something less painful. “How did you hatch dragon egg?”
“Well, I did not. I told them that to hatch dragon egg, amount of power required to perform such are not within capabilities of even powerful unicorn, not talking about the filly with underdeveloped magic,” answered Lyra, while Twilight was shocked at how cunning Lyra was. “They considered my answer logical and sensible, and then asked me to do more simple spells.”
“If information about protege student was right, then they were looking for immensible raw power of unicorn according to their sources,” continued Lyra. “Right after exam, I ran to library to check on previous exams. It was clear that it was supposed to be just theoretical question and never practical.”
“I could have answered that...” Twilight slammed her head into table.
“You did!” Giggled Lyra. “The practical part.”
“I bet that they have used prophecies as their main source,” Twilight raised her head, grunting. “I'd rather use eight ball than some prophecies written by delirious mare.”
Little Twilight and Lyra knew, that prophecies were 'five thousand-year royal plan' or rather more of guidelines with blurriest lines in existence, comfortable in goalpost shifting with a millions of interpretations to choose from.
However, prophecies were discontinued as part of governing plan and completely forgotten, but their business continues to live, due to expire at thousandth summer celebration with grandiose results, if plans are not adhered to...
Lyra glanced at nearby post with hanging clock.
“I gotta go for history lectures!” Lyra shot up from seat and dashed away.
“Now it's time for some prescribed reading...” Twilight smiled slyly, finishing off hayburger.
* * *
The Royal Library was located on school grounds, providing access to students and general public as well, thanks to clever positioning close to center of Canterlot, yet still on school grounds. Library was tall multiple towered building with typical golden cone rooftops, keeping style of Canterlot city, except for large windows, providing enough light for comfortable reading conditions.
As soon Twilight entered, she was welcomed by clean and quiet interior. Carpeted floor provided excellent sound absorption from hoofsteps and very strict librarian's presence ensured in preservation of order in temple of knowledge.
Tall shelves were reaching to top of ceiling and stretching infinitely, sometimes interrupted by passage arcs to other towers and stairs leading to upper floors with reading areas, with even more books. In spite of day's peak, library was not crowded as most students have not got their research tasks yet.
Books were not much of interest for Twilight at moment, but location of closed section and possible approaches to it. She wandered from tower to tower, gaping at all books around her and considering that one day she could read it all.
Twilight could have wandered for entire day like that, until she arrived at arc with guard blocking passage. Once she approached him, guard looked attentively at her. One more step...
“Hey, young colt!” guard called out to Twilight. “Sorry, you cannot pass here. You do not have access rights to this part of library.”
Twilight only had option to turn around and leave, building her plan along way.
“What if...” Twilight thought. “I assume form of one students or even, lecturers... Let's observe.”
She picked one of random books off shelf and began 'reading', changing books from time to time, while keeping eyes on ponies rarely passing by. Most of them weren't interested in closed area, but twilight waited patiently. Half hour later, three unicorns and pegasus arrived, they moved directly towards forbidden arc.
They were Top Marks, unknown lecturer judging by her age, younger unicorn, obviously student, and young pegasus mare... Guard greeted lecturers and let them to pass through, but pegasus and student were asked for medallions, giving rights to visit particular part of library.
Twilight took every detail of their appearance and their mannerisms when they were greeted by guard. Assuming appearance of lecturers is quite risky, since guard may ask random question. If answered incorrectly, would mean complete failure and... Twilight shuddered at possible consequences.
Situation would require delicate handling. Twilight summoned mental checklist, assigning items for favorable outcome: first of all, guard must be inattentive at most to details, which could be accomplished by late visit or early visit.
Second item of checklist was to acquire medallion, which is hardest of all. Twilight had no idea how to acquire one, besides stealing, which was hard to realize as well... Twilight suddenly remembered adventure with Lyra back at museum. Key is distraction, which is not hard to create, just good timing.
Third is quire straightforward, assume appearance of medallion owner. Either pegasus' or student's appearance.
Twilight remembered their profiles perfectly. On whole, operation looks sound... Hold on, why not...
“Look at all those books you standing under, it will be a real shame if something happens to it...” Twilight smiled crazily.
A feint shearing of levitation spell and entire structure above group destabilized, burying all five ponies under avalanche of books. Twilight managed to catch unicorn's medallion before everything vanished under weight of knowledge. After dust settled, pegasus' hazy head and upper body popped up from pile of books.
Twilight telekinesised one of heaviest books within her reach from shelf, which turned out to be a dictionary and launched at pegasus' head. It hit her right in between eyes, effectively knocking out her and leaving her resting with her head on both her forelegs, outstretched forward over hill of books.
“And you said that words cannot hurt!” Taunted Twilight, packing her trophy and leaving place of tragedy.
Acquire the medallion. Check!
* * *
As Twilight was on her way from library enough far to not cause any suspicions, emergency teams already have arrived at scene of disaster, investigating and evacuating injured. Twilight encountered apparently troubled Lyra running towards her.
“I was so worried about you!” Lyra hugged Twilight. “Did you hear what happened at library?!”
Twilight did not react to her friend's relief.
“Thanks Cele-... Wait a sec...” Lyra unclenched herself from Twilight, squinting her eyes at Twilight. “Was you up to something, didn't you?”
Twilight looked away, trying to avoid eye contact with Lyra.
“It was your first school day...” Lyra looked at Twilight with reproach, not sure whether she should laugh or cry. “And you already have got away with five kills. Just. On. A. First. Day. Of. School... Neat.”
Twilight stared at Lyra with big eyes and mouth agape in complete horror. "I didn't wanted this!"
“Not for real!” Lyra hurried to fix misunderstanding, returning to normal. “But jokes aside, the pegasus got serious contusion. The most should leave hospital by tomorrow, except for unicorn that I don't know, in couple days.”
That played out well for Twilight.
“It's just beginning, Lyra...” Thought Twilight, as both unicorns continued walking towards dorms. “On side note, telekinesis spell is great all-round combat spell.”
“Lets get to more pressing matters,” Twilight remembered about teleporters, as they approached dorm building. “How do I register?”
“To register and get permission, you need to see porter at our dorm,” Explained Lyra. “He's grumpy a bit, but there's nothing to worry about.”
Couple entered dorm building, porter was sitting behind counter and reading fresh issue of Canterlot's newspaper. Once unicorns stepped their hooves into limits of building, porter left reading newspaper and attentively looked at both fillies. His interest over Lyra faded away quickly, but all of his attention was focused on Twilight. It made Twilight uneasy, beads of sweat appeared on her temples.
“Keep calm!” Whispered Lyra into Twilight's ear. “It should work. I'll wait for you by stairs.”
“You there, young colt!” Said porter, still keeping his gaze. “I don't remember you, who are you?”
“Um... I'm... Du-, Dusk. Dusk Shine,” stuttered Twilight, being under his scanning beam-like gaze. “I have arrived late yesterday.”
“Hold there!” Porter ordered and glanced into thick book laying on counter. He opened it at bookmarked page and listed through couple pages until his eyes were on slightly retouched colored photo of lavender colt who looks like a filly or other way. In other words, hard to tell. Photo has name next to it reading 'Dusk Shine'. “Hmmm... Everything seems in order, let me register you and you could use teleporters after it. Stand still!”
He took out a black cylinder and rotated few concentric rings on sides of cylinder. Teal magic radiated from the cylinder, showing circles and runes rotating around axis of cylinder until runes merged into ball of light, which slowly floated towards Twilight and enshrouded her into teal aura, gradually fading.
“That's all!” Signed out porter with relief. “It will last until you finish studying here.”
Twilight sighed with relief too, she joined Lyra and both moved upstairs.
“Wait!” Porter called out to quickly walking away Twilight. She stopped in mid-motion, her heart skipped a beat. “Keys.”
“Oh.” Twilight dashed back to porter, fetched keys from him and swiftly joined back to Lyra.
Porter conducted with his gaze vanishing couple behind turn and grumbled. “Kids nowadays... Rushing somewhere, as if there is no time in all world...”
* * *
*Somewhere else in Canterlot*
Princess Celestia sat in her study, shuffling through papers and signing important papers, policies, laws and acts. Suddenly, a scroll appeared in red flash. She left her paperwork and levitated scroll from floor, unwrapping it. She looked at scroll with crossed brows.
TOP SECRET
EYES ONLY
Your Highness,
Today, approximately at 16:24, incident occurred at Royal Canterlot Library. We are aware that You know about it already from one of Your advisors.
We suspect that the incident carries intentional character, to be exact – sabotage. Our experts find official version unconvincing, since structure demonstrates forced breakage of unknown nature.
We would like to suggest to increase Your security and avoid going out to public as often as possible, however there is weak link between incident and You – nothing had gone missing of critical importance from library, yet one of our interns missing his medallion, used to access to restricted section of library.
We have notified guards to be attentive to any unauthorized circulation and use of medallions.
Statistically, number of magic related incidents this year has increased multiple times than last year and it is just past middle of year! In spite of numerous witnesses, it is still improbable for filly named Twilight Sparkle to wield such raw power, just magic shock wave surge, as witnessed by entire Equestria.
We don't know what you have made up at Ministry of Magic, our ideas are contradictory and we have other things to attend to with already straining resources, we no longer can commit to search needle in haystack. Please, understand us, our training and methods are not tailored for such delicate job.
Sincerely,
General Red Glare,
Ministry Of Security and Safety (M.O.S.S.)
P.S. If Twilight Sparkle's powers are indeed true, then You help all of us...
With unsatisfactory sigh, Princess Celestia took empty scroll and began writing her response...
Author's Note
It may be a bit long, tried new stuff, brushed up on English a little...
If you will find grammatical or any other issues, let me know. I also would like to have constructive criticism/feedback.