As I hop off my bed, a refreshing breeze greets me. The birds sing their rhythmic tunes - another morning in Ponyville.
I drowsily stumble to my mirror, nearly knocking it down. I shake my head to gain focus, and see that my turquoise hair is all messy, but I'm not planning to go anywhere, so it doesn't matter.
I levitate a book off of my bookshelf to me - a spell book. I look at the cover before cracking it open, not caring about my previous bookmark I put there. A wealth of information opens up in the form of recipes and incantations. While I start to get into how to make a potion of healing heart, someone knocks on the door, breaking my concentration. Even trying to understand how to give people mustaches takes intelligence, you know.
Already cranky from waking up and being irritated by this, I angrily walk to the door and peer through the peephole. Outside I see an awkward looking mare in mailmare attire. A mailmare. The mail company seems to be getting desperate now, sending people like this to my house.
Suspicious on how she looks, I cracked the door open a little bit - there are some ponies who bust in as soon as you open up. She looked at me through the crack.
"You're a mailmare, right?" I asked.
'Yup!" She answered, speaking awkwardly.
"Do you have mail for me?"
"Yup! For Vixxle! That's a funny name, ya know."
Now there questioning my name. Great.
"That is just an alias, mind you! My full name is Frosty Gales. And if you don't mind, I would like my mail now," I retorted.
"You're name should be blizzard, same thing," She said to continue the quarrel. "Now here's your mail. Sign here," She held out a piece of paper and an envelope.
I signed the paper and took the letter, being quite dissatisfied with her behavior. With all things done, she flew away.
I held up the envelope, and seeing the royal seal and fancy design, was sure that it was from Canterlot - maybe even the princess herself. Being from the capital itself, I don't get the surge of adrenaline other ponies may get when receiving a royal letter. Whilst I may discard the fancy design of an envelope, a lower-class pony would put it on display.
I closed the door and entered the living room, where exquisite designs and furniture adorned the room. I levitated the envelope and opened it. Levitating the letter in front if me, I read:
Dear citizens of Ponyville,
"All physically fit ponies must attend an assembly in the town hall at mid-day. More matters will be discussed then."
Sincerely,
Princess Celestia.
Must? Physically fit? For what? This wasn't like the princess to be sending obscure letters demanding attendance. And physically fit? What? I glanced at my mirror to look at myself, becoming quite self-conscious about my health. I guess I still counted. I was a bit frail for a stallion, not being able to haul a cart of apples. Oh, how I envy those ponies at Apple Acres.
The letter still fazed me on the subject of being fit. I was healthy. Nothing like those skinny ponies I may see. Just... weak was all. But I made up for all of that with my magical prowess. I could levitate many things at a time, after concentration, and hauling a cart? No sweat! Just use some magical force, that's all! I also study the elements, become in tune with nature and manipulate them for offensive purposes. If I killed somepony with a boulder, he would be dead physically, right?
I walked towards the mirror and gazed at my reflection. Not intimidating at all at first glance. My turquoise hair reached to my shoulders. Unruly too. Efforts to style it would always prove fruitless. My coat was white, and horn the same shade. I looked the same as any other pony, but was weak.
I levitate a loose fitting coat towards me and put it on. The attire I wear basically defines me as a social outcast, which was partially true. I just dislike being around other ponies.
Now what I called being "ready" I went out the front door, and sealed it with a spell. I do feel too overprotective sometimes.
The trek to the town square from my house takes around two hours walking speed. A rigorous task many ponies would agree. But I don't have to worry about exhaustion as I can simply teleport! Well, teleporting isn't exactly all it's cracked up to be. Many ponies get the misconception that teleporting is an easy way to travel and leaves no penalties. Couldn't be anymore wrong than that. Teleporting leaves the user completely exhausted after use if used to travel a long distance. You simply need to be talented, too.
I look around at the scenery. Mostly trees, more trees, and a river. I live in a lesser populated part of town so this is expected. The natural atmosphere helps my studies and concentration when casting spells. I wouldn't get that far in a bustling city, now would I?
I trot down to the river and stand on the bank, just enough for the pristine water to touch my hooves. I turn to town, it's rooftops aspire just above the trees. The huge mountain that is Canterlot stands strong in the distance. Absoulutely amazing.
Closing my eyes, I start the spell, and think of the plaza, ponies trotting, not caring of anyone else, loud, noisy.
No, I shake my head, I want to go there. Why am I thinking negative of it?
I attempt to think of the town square, fountains, the town hall, all the ponies of different colors... the snobby teenagers that pick on fillies... No!
By now my horn is flaring, the aura if blue becoming unstable as I hold onto my magic. I can't cancel the spell now. Teleporting will not work if I cannot get a clear image of my destination. If I hold onto to the magic, the energies could render me unconscious or even kill me.
As beams of fly from my horn, my thoughts drift to the mountains, beautiful. Springs flow down its peak, sparkling and creating a marvelous sight. Canterlot's spires rise above, elegant and royal.
I release my energy, and a transparent sphere engulfs me, becoming brighter until my eyes close to its blinding light. The sensation of floating hits me and I feel as if I am moving continually faster.
Suddenly, a sound so shrill pierces the air, followed by the sound of shattered glass.
I can not think clearly, and the darkness around my sight become larger. A nauseating feeling hits me just as my eyes shut. I hear a shout. Many shouts, orders. They continue until I cannot comprehend, and slip away.
************
"The shields been penetrated!"
"Someone investigate that light!"
"Get the captain!"
I groan and see grey tile beneath me. Where have I teleported to?
I stand up, holding my forehead and closing my eyes. Surprisingly enough, no harm was done to me. With the ear-piercing sound and the glass shattering, I was in fear for my life. All I have is a headache from face-planting.
When I open my eyes and look around, I see I am in a hallway. Red and gold banners hang from the walls, and a rug adorned with royal imagery lays on the ground. As I look behind me, I see what glass had been shattered. A window was burst open and it seemed it had just been polished. Shame, really.
It seems as if I have been teleported to the castle. That would explain the voices that I heard - guards. They are apparently going to investigate the blinding light that my teleportation made, no doubt. I'll have to find something to say.
The only two ways I can go are forward and backwards, both of which most likely are guarded. The smart choice is to just wait.
I walk to a window, where the sun shines through and look outside. From the view I see Ponyville and other parts of Canterlot. If I go to the other window I might even see Cloudsdale.
I trot to the other window, but see something move out if the corner of my eye. A guard?
"Halt!" He says.
I see that he is a pegasus, and bears the royal armor made of gold which confirmed that this was Canterlot, and that he was here to protect the castle. Aka run me through with his spear.
"Wait! I can explain!" I shout.
"You do not have the right to speak, trespasser!" shouted the guard.
Just then, the guard charged at me spear pointed like a lance at my chest. What a poor sight it would be, me impaled on the wall.
I point my horn at him, muttering a force spell under my breath. I hear his footsteps get louder each step, until he is nearly in front of me. I release my spell, sending a powerful blast of magic to send him flying. The guard is pushed back, and falls down ten or so feet away from me. His armor helped to weigh him down. His spear on the other hand, was sent flying and broke through another window and landed somewhere in the city. I can imagine the shock they must've felt.
The guard, disgruntled and fear in his eyes was about to retreat, most likely calling for his comrades to make a second stand. Before he disappeared around the corner, he spat at me and shouted:
"Warlock!"
Warlock? I am certainly not a warlock! His insult did not bother me in the least, as I reassured myself of the magic I practiced. A practitioner of the dark arts would be in Everfree Forest, no less!
Already coming off on the wrong foot, I needed to find a way to clear myself of the hostility they think I harness. I started to follow the guard, this time with a different approach.
After some time of walking, I wondered if I was even on the right path. Some hallways were dark, deterring me from exploring them. The more welcome hallways were lit by torches, and had the overall same look: Banners, pictures of the royal family, and fancy rugs. I even came across a spell library, and was examining books, until the librarian came walking around. I managed to take one spell book, unsure how I was to return it.
Idly walking the hallways became quite boring, and I was starting to get hungry. I was too drained to cast a teleportation spell back to my original villa in Canterlot, and no way I could get back to Ponyville. I only had enough energy to cast another force spell to defend myself.
Tired from walking for so long, my pace had slowed down. I had walked around seven stairsways down, and was sure that I had reached the bottom floor and wasn't that far from the throne room. The last hallway led to an arched gate, and was illuminated by a single torch, flickering and dying. As I neared the gate and heard discussion, I sidled along the side and rested in the space to the side of the gate, so that anyone coming in would have to look to the side to see me.
One of the voices I heard was the princess's. The other two voices were masculine and feminine. They could be discussing extremely confidential matters, or just some royal gossip. With my ear against the wall, I took the gamble of eavesdropping, and listened.
"Has the intruder been taking care of yet, Shining Armor?" Celestia questioned.
"Not yet my lady, we are still working on it. My guards have spotted him, but he has gone missing. I will make sure my guards are doing their best to find the rogue." Shining Armor said.
Silence and tension overtook the atmosphere.
"You are excused, Shining Armor," Celestia spoke, irritated.
After some silence, I heard Shining Armor walk the opposite direction, open a gate, and leave.
"And you, sister, I want you to write a letter postponing the selection, or go out there yourself to entertain the crowd. I will be in my chamber until the intruder is caught," Celestia spoke, as I heard her come off the throne and walk the opposite direction, metal clanking behind her - guards.
"Yes, my sister," Luna said, although after Celestia left...
My eyes were closed by now, resting, Luna would have gone the other way by now, no reason not to.
I was becoming lazy leaning on the wall, I didn't pay attention to the thumping I was hearing, or the fact I could be caught anytime. All this stress drained me out, leaving me exhausted, and needing to rest.
As I was drifting off, falling asleep, I felt something silky touch my neck. Soft, silky and moist - and it was writhing, sending shocks all through my body, paralyzing me.
My body suddenly jerked up, and I feel to the cold floor. I was scared, tired, and stressed. The silky thing touched my forehead, and I screamed. There was a giant octopus in the room with me.
But that seems a bit irrational.
"Get it OFF! Aughh!" I screamed.
I scramble to my feet, only being able to stand due to adrenaline. I start running toward the other side of the room, but hit my side on the wall, scraping it. I lose my balance and fall down, rolling, and stop at the other doorway.
"WHO GOES THERE!" Boomed the other side of the room.
I get up to my knees, and sworn I could have whimpered. Feelings of dread and horror wash away all other feelings. I had this feeling once before - when I had gotten stuck in the forest, and looked at the moon some years ago.
I was in fear for my life, as the monster's silhouette came closer, it's silky tentacle waved through the air, about to grab me.
"Don't eat me octopus! Nooo!" I panicked.
I levitated the torch and pointed it at the monster, if it made any move I would throw the torch, and burn the monster.
I stood there, torch pointed at the monster, who was silhouetted. It stood there, seemingly fazed about my actions. My own vision had become blurry, and wait, monsters can talk?
The pieces started to come together now. A horrible realization came to me. That this person in front of was not a monster, but Princess Luna.
My own tiredness had bewildered me, making me jump to far-fetch conclusions. Monster can not talk, only ponies. How was I so stupid? Also, it appeared right after the thumping noises I heard, which were definitely Luna's footsteps. How did I miss that as well?
The final thing was the tentacle. This was utterly embarrassing. I was not touched by a tentacle, or anything slimy for that matter, but was stroked by Luna's silky, flowing hair. How stupid was I, yelling octopus monster at the dumbfounded princess.
I put the torch back on the pedestal, and kneeled to the princess. I do not usually kneel to royalty, but if I want my life, might be good to show some respect.
"Just to clear myself," I said, standing up. "I am not insane in any way, ok, Princess Luna?"
She stood there. I backed up a little, as I expected her to fly into a rage. But she didn't.
She giggled. Then laughed. She laughed even more, until she was leaning against the wall. It was then I realized how comical this was. Stroked by hair and then: octopus monster! I understood why this was funny, but laughing? I could be an assassin, with a knife stowed in my coat. But I wasn't.
There was no harm in laughing with her, and holding back was pointless. I laughed aloud. Kept laughing until I held the wall for support, too. As all joy is temporary, the laughing stopped, leaving us standing there for a more serious matter.
"Would you mind introducing yourself, citizen?" Luna said, her voice ringing through the room.
I adjusted my clothing and bowed to the princess.
"I am Frosty Gales, better known by my alias, Vixxle, and am a scholar of the natural elements, as decreed by Celestia herself. I hail from Canterlot." As I had said this many times before, it came out stale.
"So your that scholar, hmm? Able to transform the elements previously only able to be manipulated by earth ponies, as a type of magic? That sparked quite a bit of controversy among earth ponies, but it's potential is unlimited," She spoke. "And what's your business in the castle?"
Controversy? I had not known that about my discovery.
"There was a bit of a mishap during teleportation, you know? I ended up here in the castle, and now I'm trying to get out. I can empty all my pockets, I swear I didn't take anything," I said, as I levitated the spell book behind me, and emptied my coat pockets.
Luna seemed to be surprised about something, her pupils becoming a bit wide, and an overall look of shock on her face.
"Your teleportation did that to our shield? Shining Armors shield isn't pierced so easily, unless something is wrong with Shining Armor, but he's perfectly fine! How strong is your magic?" Luna questioned.
"Not so loud, you're hurting my ears! And for my magic this is all I can tell you: I practice everyday, study, and am simply talented." I spoke.
"Your magic may even rival Twilight Sparkle's, who is a powerful caster and scholar of the elements of harmony."
"Is she your apprentice?"
Luna shook her head.
"Celestia's."
"Oh, I just thought that because, you know, twilight and night time? Get it? Nevermind," I said. "As Twilight is a student of Celestia's, she must be a very talented and powerful spell caster. I am but a rogue scholar who just happened to stumble upon a discovery." I said.
"Don't be so humble, Vixxle, do you even know what Twilight studies? Friendship. Just like Cadence's love, what effect will this have in war? Nothing! Chaos is is about to take over Equestria, with the recent threat of a war with the changelings," She said. "With elemental magic, we can train scholars to use the elements. In the midst of war, there will be flying trees! Am I correct?"
Wow, her view of the elements is completely wrong.
"Elemental magic doesn't work like that. The user has to actually be in tune with nature. It's not something you can read a book about. If your body or soul is not at peace, the spell can backfire," I explained. "Also, what's with this war I'm hearing about?
"Have you not received the letter? There was a selection letter for physically fit ponies, along with the letter explaining the threat."
"No, my mail deliverer was really clumsy, and speaking of letters, haven't you got a letter to write?"
Luna, hit by realization, got a worried look on her face.
"Oh yes, the letter!" She got out a quill and paper, and started writing. When she was finished, she levitated the letter and made it disappear, sent to the mail company.
"Are you going to the selection for magically talented unicorns?" Luna asked.
"The what? I was about to teleport to the physically fit ponies one when this mishap happened."
"Oh yeah, you moved Ponyville right? You received the physical one. Ponyville is a town known for its strong earth ponies."
"Well now that I know about the magic one, I guess I'm going now, where is it?" I asked.
"In a field, just outside the castle walls. There's only about fifty unicorns attending, but there's going to be magic flying everywhere, so we can't afford to have it inside the castle walls you know." Luna said, with a smile.
"Who is mentoring it?"
"Celestia and I. Shining Armor mentors the physical selection."
"Okay, could you escort me out of the castle? Because I don't want to leave this room and be stabbed by a spear."
Luna sighed and said, "Follow me, I'm going to the selection anyway, so we can just walk together."
A citizen and princess walking together? It just didn't happen. Said citizen should be dropping flowers behind princess. Luna doesn't get much respect, does she?
"That would be nice thank you," I said.
Before we started moving I levitated the spell book and teleported it back to my house. The conversation with Luna had allowed me to regain my energy.
We walked through the throne room when we ran into Shining Armor. He was quite perplexed that the intruder was walking with the princess. Luna brushed off his concern by saying that I was her guest. Shining Armor shot me unbelieving look as we left the castle. He must be thinking that I had hypnotized Luna or some other conspiracy.
The walk through Canterlot wasn't that bad. I ran into some particular snobby ponies that I had a distaste for, but also met some of my friends, too. The city was the same as always - fashion crazy, snobby ponies and overly luxurious decor. I couldn't believe I was from this city.
Luna and I chit chatted about magic and other stuff. One conversation to note was when I asked her how she felt being Celestia's sister. Was the crowd bowing to Celestia or her little sister Luna, sitting behind her? She said she got extremely envious at times but nothing bad enough to bring harm to her sister. Their relationship was overall fine, she said.
We also got into elemental magic. I explained that there was two ways to do it. Either manipulate your surrounding, which uses less energy and is what I use. The more in tune you become, the more powerful your spell will be. The second is the conjuration method. For this way, you actually summon element, such as fire. This takes much more energy than just using your surroundings but has its advantages. Fire is hard to come across naturally, so I would summon it instead and throw it as a fireball. This method is for more of a caster kind of person.
Once we passed the gates I saw the small crowd in the field
