Twists and Turns without Bends or Curves

          The unicorn used his magic to levitate the pair of magnified binocular lenses to his eye level. The day was clear and bright, the meadows shone vibrantly, showing off the color of follows that inhabited it. Two single figures resided upon it on a checkered sheet. One was small and short; the other was tall and stretched out. Her eyes were soft and gentle; her yellow wings were tucked by her side neatly, while his eyes were still wild and uneven, but had a tameness factor to them.

What’s this? the unicorn thought to himself. Discord, you’ve changed quite a bit. Indeed he had; a cheerful and genuinely happy gaze dominated his face, and his gestures were orthodox and friendly. He was so happy, in fact, he couldn’t pick up on the unicorn’s presence due to his distraction of the yellow pegasus. What are you planning, draconequus? Whatever it was, it didn’t matter. He probably would be acting on it over a long time period… time he didn’t know he didn’t have.

His calmed state didn’t fool him, however. Discord had full power; he was under no spell, and was under no control, something that would prove, if anything, troublesome later on. It only made the journey he was about to make all the more worth it, however. The unicorn slipped the binoculars into his bag, and headed for the train station. His time back in Equestria, though short, now had to be terminated.

The train huffed, and came to a full stop, the steel breaks making an unpleasant sound in his ears. All the passengers calmly trotted through the exit, him being the last to leave. He had set hoof into the Crystal Empire only once before, and it looked nothing like it did now. A sense of despair and hopelessness was the very existence of the atmosphere, and it manifested in the clanking chains of the residents. Now it was free and bright, the crystal ponies’ coats became the messengers of the sunlight.

While the sun was still up, the castle was open to at least getting inside it seemed.

As nightfall was nearing, the guards began to escort the tourists off of the castle grounds. It of course wasn’t hard to evade them. They were at their lowest moment throughout the entire day, where their job was not to watch and guard, but to escort, and before long he found himself in one of the many forbidden stairways of the Crystal Castle.

It was filly’s play to reach the top of the castle, especially without being noticed. The arching diamond like walls all came to this point, where a stalactite and stalagmite met at one point of the room- one object. Even he had to stop for a moment to appreciate this ancient relic. The crystal heart; an object thought to be long lost that all the crystal ponies placed their hope, unity, and love in.

He carefully approached the heart, a removed a jar from his bag. He took another look at the contents his red colored magic lifting it to his eye level; the black essence swirled from one side of the jar, to the other, hoping to get out. Using his magic, he removed it from the jar and held it in place, and to the crystal heart.

“The absence of light will remain tragic,” he muttered to himself, bringing the essence closer to the heart. Let’s see if the legends are true. “Revealed to those only with the highest magic.” The spell activated and the little nightmare essence he could muster up went through the heart and the top of the tower, and the presence was quickly diluted as it spread through the air in different directions. That should keep them busy for a while. Now he removed the retractable lightning rod he had bought, and used his magic to have it stick out on the outside wall, exposed to the clear night sky.

He quickly retreated from the roof and followed the hallways down to the room where he had read the other ancient artifact to be. The candles from the hallways were flickering as he passed by, making his stealth approach harder to the roaming guards with their ray of light spells, but soon that wouldn’t matter. When he came across the room, at last, he found an expected sight. Four guards lined up the wall and the door to where he wanted to go. They’re not taking any chances like last time. He was just around a dark corner that had just been checked by one of the patrol ponies, and observing the room and guards. Too easy. He cast the spell he needed. A few seconds passed by, and suddenly there was light booming of thunder. It became louder and louder, until the castle began to shake violently. The guards became aware of the commotion and looked above them to get a better listen for the magnitude.

“That’s funny, I could have sworn it was a clear night out tonight,” said one of them.

“It is,” another responded, also looking above, “but that is no ordinary rainstorm. It’s too powerful and sudden.” He narrowed his eyes, letting his suspicion manifest into words. “That’s magic. We might be under attack.”

“The crystal heart!” the third exclaimed, a look of worry crossing his face.

“Right; let’s go,” the first one said to the other three, and they charged off to the nearest stairwell up. A smirk crossed his face. This was the first victory of many he has had in a long time, and he felt good about it. The doors swung open, and it was there in the back of the room, was what he was searching for. Its reflective material glittered a powerful glow, and it showed his perfect reflection. Shutting the doors, he carefully approached the mirror.

Three days. Three days to learn the fabled spell. He took a deep breath, and charged through the portal.

***

“Pinkie Pie, we go through this every time,” Rarity huffed, “I’m telling you, your outfit looks absolutely ridiculous, darling.”

“How is the Grand Galloping Gala ever going to be fun, unless we spice it up a bit?” she whined, blowing a party horn afterward. The unicorn removed Pinkie’s “party attire” off of her.

“I didn’t spend all this time making you a new Gala dress, so you can go and ‘spice it up’. Now be a good girl and try this on.” She used her magic to levitate a freshly made product in front of the hyper earth pony. She took it and bounced off into another room. Rarity now focused on the other. “Now Rainbow Dash,” she took another good long look at her through her red glasses, “I had made more room on the dress I’ve made for you, but I would like to take a few more measurements as I make some final touches.” The pegasus relaxed, “Do whatever you need to Rarity. I’m countin’ on you to make me look as awesome as ever when we go to the Gala.” Her red eyes looked straight and steady ahead as Rarity pulled the measuring tape over her.

The unicorn’s suspicions were correct; Rainbow Dash had actually grown a bit. Though she made the dress to accommodate this, she was now realizing it wasn’t enough. Wouldn’t be too much trouble however… extending the sleeves a bit, and replacing the laces for the shoes, and she should be fine. She rolled the tape up and set it aside.

“Raaaarrity!” Pinkie Pie called, “the dress fits!” She trotted from the other room for Rarity to see. She took another long look to see if anything was significantly out of place. After finding nothing, she nodded and the pink pony went back to change. Rainbow Dash stretched and yawned.

“I dunno how you do it, Rarity,” she said. The unicorn began sorting one of the counters.

“Do what?” she asked, keeping her focus on the counter.

“Make all these super duper dresses,” Pinkie Pie continued. “They’re always on par,” Rainbow Dash stated, “Even when they’re completely new!” her eyes became wide. Rarity blushed a bit, “Well it is my passion, and you girls are my friends, so I would do the best job I can to make the highest quality attire for all of you.” The sunlight’s intensity through the curtains were dimming.

“Oh my,” she observed, “it is getting late; why don’t you girls head back and we’ll catch up later, okay?” Pinkie Pie had already come back and was now standing next to Rainbow.

“Okie dokie,” she confirmed, and Rainbow just nodded and the two headed out the door.

With the mares gone and the room not in a huge mess, Rarity retired to her bedroom, where she collapsed on her bed eyeing Opal who was napping on the floor. She spent the evening catching up on one of her favorite novels, and by the time night came, she was ready to black out.

After saying goodnight to Opal, she did just that, and sleep came upon her.

Rarity found herself in her very own house, but the lighting was off. There was a shadowy overtone of darkness that covered her walls and infected her floor. The air felt abandoned and forgotten. A sense of dread overcame her when she realized this was not natural whatsoever.

“Hello?” she called out stupidly, not knowing why she did. Oh wait, that’s why. She felt as if she were being watched. Her house had long been empty, but yet, some feeling in the air, betrayed the void. It crept up on her back;

two eyes burned into it.

Waiting… watching.

She whipped her head around to find her wall. “W-who’s there?” she stammered, now walking along the hall. Somepony was watching.

Then its voice was everywhere.

Did you miss me?

It sounded familiar. It felt familiar.

Envy. Enveloped in jealousy.

But she shook herself off for a moment, and responded, “Who are you?! Show yourself!” You didn’t miss me, but I missed you.

The house was getting darker. The presence was getting nearer. Her heart rate was accelerating as she felt herself beginning to panic. Suddenly, in the midst of a still room, one of the chests on the far side of the room swung open. She again whipped her head in the direction and noticed that there was a glowing violet-blue light coming from it. Cautiously, she moved towards it, oblivious to the presence enclosing on her. The light belong to, her most prized gem. The golden necklace shined, and the gem enclosed in the center was beaming light.

Her Element of Harmony! Generosity.

She felt relieved to see something familiar. Her heart dropped when suddenly it crumbled and disintegrated in front of, causing her to back away.

It was right in her ear.

“I’m back for you, Rarity.”

She yelped as her neck strained to bring her head off of the pillow. It took a moment to register that she had now awoken, and was lying in bed safe and sound. The sky outside was a purple growing into orange. It was dusk already. She groaned as she realized her entire body was stiff, and her head was aching.

What was that?

Where did that dream come from? It was over so quickly and yet it took the entire night from her.

Well whatever it was, it will definitely hold me back today. Rarity felt sore, and needed to spruce up before she took on another day. It was important after all. The Gala was in a few.