It was a quiet evening. The sun was just beginning to set, but dusk had not yet started. Gentle orange light covered the pleasant little houses of Ponyville. It was warm, but not exceedingly hot or humid. Birds were gentle chirping as the town's ponies began to wrap up their daily business to head to either home or to the clubs. Slowly, a few of the vendor's stalls began to close up shop for the day. It was a very relaxing climate.
Except in one particular household.
"Spike!" Twilight Sparkle shouted, "Have you seen my bag? I can't carry all these books in my mouth!"
The newest Alicorn was struggling to balance a book on her head, holding two others with magic.
Spike trotted in, carrying her precious little book bag. He hurried over to her, and secured the bag onto her back. The little dragon then took the book from atop Twilight's head and placed it into the bag. Using her magic, Twilight gently set the other two in her bag. She took a relieved breathe, before smiling to her assistant.
"Thank you, Spike. What would I do without you?" She asked happily.
"Well, for starters, you'd be totally over-matched in your epic balancing contest against books!" He proudly said, putting a fist to his chest.
She jokingly rolled her eyes with a smile. Then, there was a knock at the library door.
Twilight turned and began to make her way to the door, but Spike cut in front.
"I'll get it, the library is supposed to close soon though..." He said the last part to himself and he pulled the door open. Why would somepony wait until right before closing to come check out a book anyway?
There was nopony on the other side of the door. Confusedly, he glanced left and right, searching for the prankster who decided ding-dong-ditching the library was what the cool kids did nowadays. Then, he glanced down.
There was a small package resting on the front step. Spike stepped out the door and again looked for the one who left this package, even looking up in the sky to try and see a delivery Pegasus or Griffon. There was nopony in the skies, and nopony anywhere near the library.
He just shrugged and picked up the package. It was addressed to Twilight. He went back inside and closed the door behind him with a stronger slam.
"Hey, Twilight! There's a package addressed to you!" Spike called out.
Twilight made her way from the kitchen, over to him, "Well, who's it from?"
"Uhh..." Spike turned the package every which way, "It doesn't say."
"Hmm..." Twilight hummed, taking the package from him with her magic, "That's odd, why would somepony leave a package without saying who it's from?" She shrugged, and began to open the package. She then felt the weight of a certain baby dragon standing on her back.
"Ooh, ooh, what is it?" Spike asked excitedly. Once again, Twilight rolled her eyes.
"Give me a second..." She said, finally opening the package. "It's... Playing cards?"
Twilight looked at the deck box she held in front of her. It was a gentle pink color with some golden accents around the edges and on the back. On the front was what appeared to be some sort of screen. She carefully moved it's position around, now slightly curious.
"Oh, there's a note too!" Spike said, taking it from the box.
"Will you please read it?" She asked him.
"Sure!" Spike replied, opening it up, "Dear new Master."
"Master?" Twilight asked, slightly confused.
Spike shrugged and continued reading, "Within these cards is your gateway to whatever your heart desires. These cards symbolize your induction into a battle for strategic and intellectual, as well as physical supremacy. Never let these cards out of your sight, they are your way to defend yourself. Outsiders mustn't know of these cards, lest they be put in grave danger. We here at the Mutual Dream Association wish you the best of luck in your endeavors."
Twilight looked over Spike's shoulder, studying the note. She had a bit of an annoyed look in her eyes. She wasn't one for games or pranks. Which this obviously was. How on Equestria would playing cards keep her safe, let alone grant her deepest wish? This had to be a joke, and she wasn't laughing.
"Yeah, right, cards are going to keep me safe? Cards are going to put me in danger? Please. A fillies card game, granting wishes. What's next, I have to play card games on chariots?" Twilight groaned. She glanced at the clock.
"Uh-oh!" She exclaimed, "I'm gonna be late getting to Rarity's now because of this silly little prank!"
Twilight set the cards on the table, before heading for the door. Spike, however, stood in her way, now holding those exact cards she felt great disdain for. He had a worried look in his eyes.
"Wait, Twilight. It said without them, you'd be in great danger!" He whined.
"Spike, they're just cards. This is obviously just a little prank." She once more rolled her eyes. Her assistant was not convinced in the least.
"Please Twilight? Just take them with you?" He gave her his biggest puppy dog eyes. She sighed, there was no resisting for her.
"Fine, if it'll make you happy." Using her magic, she tucked them into her bag.
"Be careful, Twilight." He said quietly, looking down at the ground.
She made her way over and wrapped her wing around him, "Don't worry, Spike. I'll take them with me and I will be careful. But don't worry about it too much, that's just silly."
"Alright, alright. Can I stay up and wait for you?"
She patted him with her hoof, "If you think you can."
Twilight gave him one final smile before leaving out the door.
~~~
She took a quick glance around. Most of the ponies had already cleared off the streets. She passed a few ponies now and then, but it was a fairly quiet stroll to Rarity's Boutique.
As Twilight reached her friend's beautiful little shop, she stopped. Turning around, she scanned up and down the road, looking for any signs of life. One colt looked at her awkwardly as he passed. She smiled sheepishly, now a little embarassed. She turned back to knock on the door.
"That's odd... I swear it felt like somepony was watching me..."
Finally, the door opened up. Little Sweetie Belle was smiling happily at her.
"Hiya Twilight!" She sang happily.
"Hey, Sweetie. Where's Rarity?"
"In the kitchen." The filly pointed toward the doorway.
She made her way through, and spotted Rarity sitting at the kitchen table. She appeared to be writing down something, her craftsman glasses resting on her head. After a short while, the elegant mare looked up to realize her friend had been standing there.
"Oh, goodness Twilight! I'm so sorry, I've been working on some designs, why didn't you speak up?"
"Oh, it's no big deal. I've only been her a few minutes." She assured her friend, trotting over to join her at the table. She took a look at the designs Rarity had began to write on the papers. Many of them had a very regal look, similar to the garbs found in the Castle of the Royal Pony Sisters.
"Oh, don't look at these. They're absolutely dreadful." Rarity said, flipping the paper down.
"I thought they looked lovely." Twilight said back, receiving a smile.
"Well, thank you for that. I was trying to recreate some designs from memory, but I'm afraid that just isn't my forte. If I had to recreate dresses from what I remembered, I'm certain I'd be out of business." She joked.
Twilight gave a little chuckle as she reached into her bag and set the books on the table, "Well, I've brought the books out asked for. The ones on various fashion designs from Saddle Arabia, Poodle Rico, and the Ponippines. They all are so different, I'm sure they'll add some great style to your repertoire."
Rarity took them and gave Twilight a gleaming smile, "Thank you oh so much!"
"No problem. Just bring them back to the library whenever you're done with them."
"Would you like to stay for some tea, darling?" Rarity asked, heading towards the stove.
Twilight glanced outside. It was already dark out.
"No, thank you Rarity. But I've got to be heading back. Spike's trying to stay up and wait for me."
Rarity gave a little giggle, "Oh, that's so cute of him! Alright, be careful of your way back!"
"I will!"
~~~
Ponyville looked very different at night. Very few ponies even ventured out at night. And that wasn't until the latest part of the night, or rather the earliest hours of the morning. That was when the hardest party goers and sloppiest drunkards made their way back to their abodes. But there were no such ponies at the moment. Just Twilight making her way home on the dark, silent streets.
The houses were dark, except for a few ponies with lit lamps on their doorsteps. But those were few and far between. The houses loomed darkly, it felt as though they were rising up around her, closing in.
Twilight quickened her pace, she was barely half way home. It didn't feel right tonight. She couldn't place her hoof on it, but it just didn't feel right. She glanced from side to side, trying to watch every direction at once. Then she returned her gaze forward...
And she immediately stopped walking, her heart nearly froze.
In the center of the road ahead, was a single cloaked pony.
She couldn't make out who it was, the hood was down. However she could make out that the fur of this pony was a pure white. There was an almost unnerving smirk sitting upon her face. Twilight decided to turn and take the indirect was home. She quickly hurried down a side street, hoping she could avoid any other ponies on this route as well.
As she made her way down the alley, she heard hoof steps. Glancing back, she could see that the pony from before had followed her. She quickened her pace, and the other pony did the same, staying almost an exact replica of her accelerated walking speed.
That was enough. Twilight took off running, taking time to glance back once more. The smirk on the white pony's face had grown to a full on grin. It looked almost excited as it watched her. She darted through several different alleyways, every which way.
Then, she saw at the end of the last alley, an opening. She put her head down and dashed out, panting heavily as she burst into the open. And then, her heart sank. She was right back on the street where she first saw the stalker pony.
"Oh, no. No, no, no, no, no, no... This is not good. Not good at all. No, no, no..." Panting, she looked every which direction. She could hear them. The hoof steps from that pony. They echoed through the alley, Step by step. Then, she heard the owner of those step's voice.
"Come on now, Princess Twilight. Stay right where you are, I'm getting tired from all this chasing. I'm coming to get yooooouuuu. I thought you'd be putting up a fight. Where's that magic of yours? Where's that bravery?" The voice said in a happy, sing song voice. The voice was definitely female, almost raspy sounding.
Twilight was in a panic, the last thing she wanted to do was fight. Boom, she realized. She was probably strong enough to fend of whoever this pony was. But, she knew her magic might even be strong enough to kill this pony, now that she was an Alicorn.
Then, she realized. This mare was taunting her, knowing exactly who she was.
Perhaps this pony was strong enough to match her? The thought frightened Twilight.
"Potential Master." A female voice called out, startling Twilight.
"Wah?! Who's there?!" The newbie Princess asked in fright.
"In here, smart one." The voice replied. It was coming... From her bag?
Using her magic, she reached into her bag. She rustled through, eventually pulling out the deck box from before. Seriously? This couldn't be happening. These cards couldn't be talking to her. But sure enough, the screen was glowing, and the voice continued.
"Do you wish to enter? I can assist you with anything if you do."
"This can't be real. These cards are talking to me. Well, whatever! Sure! Yes! Help!" She shouted.
"Understood. We will now begin the entry process. Please state your name, date of birth, and blood type."
"What? Uhh..." Twilight then began to comply with questions given.
~~~
The cloaked mare from before was still wandering the alleys, even as Twilight was busy with her own issues.
"Huh. Well, I think I'm lost. Stupid back alleys! Buck you, Ponyville Architect's Union!"
~~~
"... And my blood type is O Negative." Twilight concluded.
"Next, I need your address, height, weight, and plot size."
"Oh, you can't be serious..." Twilight groaned.
"Also, what was your age when you had your first crush?"
It was then, Twilight double face hoofed.
~~~
"Aha!" The cloaked mare exclaimed, only to find she had exited out of the wrong alley.
She sat there for a minute, before slamming her head into the ground.
"I really need to get out more..."
~~~
"This is the final question." The voice said to Twilight.
"Well, what is it?! Are you pausing for dramatic effect?!" Twilight shouted in frustration.
"Perhaps. Now, do you agree to forming a team with us?"
"Ugh, yes, I agree! For Celestia's sake, are you gonna help be or not?!"
"Understood, Master. We're ready for battle." The voice concluded.
Suddenly, the deck box began to shine brightly. It was blindingly strong light, Twilight had to shut her eyes and turned away from the box, holding her hoof over her eyes. A strong pulse of magic came from the deck.
"Wha?! What's going on?!" Twilight shouted as the light engulfed her.
It was then that the mysterious mare burst out of the alley.
"Finally! I know why I never take those thing." She sighed, before looking up at the blinding light, "Aww, buck. She already completed her contract? How long was I even in those alleys..."
As Twilight opened her eyes, she couldn't help but stare. In front of her was an absolutely gorgeous earth pony mare. She had a lovely, flowing mane of pure gold. Her eyes were a deep amber. She had a perfectly cyan-colored coat. It was similar to Rainbow Dash's fur. She had a rather thin frame, and her legs were also a bit thin. On her flank, her cutie mark was what looked to be a golden dagger.
She smiled strongly at Twilight.
"Greeting, Master. It's lovely to finally meet you. I'm a Fantasista Pony, here to fulfill my Master's every little desire. I'm here to serve you, I do hope we get along." The mare bowed slightly.
"Fantasista Pony? Master?!" Twilight gasped, "Oh, it's nice to meet you too. I'm Twilight Sparkle."
The mare nodded, "My name is Golden Strike."
The two had their introduction cut short by clapping. Twilight and Golden Strike turned to see that cloaked mare from before, clapping. Her grin was still sitting upon her lips. She slowly stopped clapping, and looked directly at Twilight. It was then, she could see the mare had some other-worldly shades upon her eyes. The frames were black, while the lenses themselves were purple.
"Congrats on becoming a Master. Too bad I gotta beat the stuffing outta you now." She smiled, before using a deep blue magic to bring a deck box very similar to Twilight's. A single card ejected from it, and was laid upon the screen. In a flash, a new mare appeared.
She had a strong red mane with benign pink fur. She looked the build of an average mare, with blazing red eyes to match her mane. She had what was similar to maid clothes on her, and she was a unicorn using red magic to hold a pair of short hatchets in front of her. The cloaked mare spoke.
"Go get her, Flare." The white mare commanded.
Almost instantly, the unicorn called Flare dashed forward, hatchets raised. Equally as quick, Golden Strike darted forward, delivering a strong kick to Flare's midsection, knocking her all the way back to her Master's hooves.
She knelt down, "Hey, Flare? That was a pretty strong kick, you okay?"
"I'm... I'm fine, Master! I'm ready to go!" She gutted out, returning to her hooves.
Twilight watched the pair, taking note of their interactions. She couldn't help but think, were these mares really called forth by cards? How? These little cards contain living ponies? It's not possible. Then again, it probably was. Technology in Equestria was always advancing torridly. And magic made almost anything feasible. For Celestia's sake, she was the leader of the Elements of Harmony not too long ago.
"Master?" Golden asked, "I need you to do exactly as I say, okay?"
"What?" Twilight blinked, "Uh, sure! Alright!"
In a flash, Golden disappeared, but reappeared on the card that was now held by Twilight. She just stared. Did that seriously just happen?
"Master?" Golden's voice asked, "Are you ready?"
"Yeah, let's do it!" Twilight nodded.
In unison, they chanted, "Oh, light that slices through the darkness, illuminating the path through time. Under the oath of eternal guidance, I order you to show yourself, in the purest form! Awaking!"
Twilight set the card upon the screen of the deck box, as another flash manifested. When it was cleared, Golden Strike was once again standing in front of Twilight. Now, however, she was donned with a thin white cloak upon her body, a dagger in a sheath on a belt wrapped around her shoulder.
"Uh-oh... This just got a whole lot more difficult." The other master sighed.
"Do not fret, Master. I can still take her." Flare said, before once again sprinting at Golden Strike.
"No, Flare, wait!" Her Master called, but it was too late, Flare was within range of Golden.
"Golden Strike!" Twilight shouted with concern, only to be met with a smile.
In a smooth, fluid motion, Golden unsheathed her dagger, holding it in her mouth. She threw her head forward as Flare attempted to bring down her hatchets. The result was a strong impact of the weapons. Flare's eyes widened in fear as she looked on. Golden had used her dagger to block the x-shaped slash of the hatchets.
In another quick step, Golden pivoted her head and hips, knocking both the hatchets away. Before anypony else could react, Golden followed through with a quick slash and another strong kick to Flare's stomach, sending her flying, then skidding to the hooves of her master.
Flare attempted to get up. but immediately fell. Her eyes widened, as did her Master's. The was a strong cut across her torso. But it didn't bleed. Instead, there was a glowing coming from the slash. In a pulsing flash, Flare was gone. In her place, sat a card with her image on it before the cloaked Master's hooves.
Using her magic, she picked up the card, "Darn it, Flare. You're as dumb and reckless as me..."
She turned to Twilight, that huge grin gone, but a small smirk remaining.
"You're good," She complimented Twilight, "But Flare isn't the strongest Fantasista Pony. Not even close. You got a tiny little sample of what these battles will look like. Still... Not bad. I'll see ya around."
With that, the mare turned and began walking away. Golden turned to Twilight.
"Should we go after her, Master?"
"... No. No, let's not for tonight. I really need to get home and sleep this whole crazy day off..."
"Lead the way, Master."
Author's Note
Well, there you have it! My very first serious story on here!
I really enjoyed writing this, and put my all into it! Three hours of nonstop writing.
Honestly, I felt a bit rusty.
Oh, I'm my own editor and pre-reader until a friend of mine takes over. :3
Review and tell me what you think. I bet most of you know who that cloaked Master is. :3
