Finding The Magic (Discontinued)

Chapters

2 Never Had A Friend Like Him
3 The Princess of Friendship
4 Off To See The Princess
5 The Canterlot Archives
6 Back Where You Began
1 The Void Stares Back

2 Never Had A Friend Like Him

“Honestly, does she really need these books this early in the...” Discord let out a heavy yawn. “...morning. I mean really, I've only had one cup of coffee.” Discord used his hooves to skate along the floor of the castle as if it were an ice rink. Princess Twilight had sent him to retrieve some books from the library in the ruined castle. “I have a report I need to write. Rarity asked me to help her with a dress line today.” Discord muttered mockingly while waving his paw and claw about. It might have been eleven o'clock in the morning, but that was still early for the Lord of Chaos. “Its as if she doesn't know how to sleep inn-nn-nnnn!!” Discord tripped and fell into a heap against a wall, his dragon-like tail draped between his elk and ram horns.

“Ouch. That hurt quite a bit. What did I...?” Discord looked back and saw that he had tripped over a sleeping... someone. “More like who did I.” Discord blew the tuft of hair at the end of his tail out of his face.

Astral awoke from the sound of the crash. Still sore, she sat up and turned around to see the crumpled heap of creature. “Wah!” Astral yelled. “Who... What are you?!”

“I should ask you the same.” Discord stood up, dusting himself off and resetting his small beard and eyebrows to their normal position. “I am Discord: Lord of Chaos! And apparently also delver of ancient ruins.” He said in disgust. He was still upset with not being able to sleep in.

“Well that at least answers the who, and I guess part of the what, too.” Astral replied, still pretty confused as to what the amalgamation of animals was that sat across from her. “My name is Astral Spectrum. I'm a human mage from the world of Azeroth. I was teleported here by accident and I'm not sure how to get back home.” She explained.

“A mage, hmm? So you can use magic then, but can't teleport yourself back? I may be the embodiment of Chaos, but that sounds strange even to me.” Discord laughed. He found the whole situation playfully ironic.

“Its true, I can use magic! Watch.” Astral flicked her wrist to begin casting a spell. A flicker of flame began to form in her palm, and then fizzled out. “What? Why isn't it working?” Astral said confused. She didn't understand why her magic wasn't working.

Discord ceased his giggling. “Wait a minute. You really can use magic, or at least you could.” His tone turned to one of fascination. Maybe she wasn't making this up after all. “You said you were from another world?” he quizzed.

“Yes. I'm from a world called Azeroth. I was searching for some ancient magical secrets when I...” Astral stopped herself for a moment. Did she really want to tell him she was here because she was tricked by a rather obvious magical trap?

“Yes? You what? Go on. I'm listening” Discord replied laying down with his chin held by his paw and claw, eager to hear more of this strange tale.

“I was fighting this huge black demon and it ripped open a portal and flung me through it before I could put an end to his evil and reclaim the hidden treasure! Thats how I ended up here.” Astral said quickly. It wasn't exactly a lie, but it wasn't the entire truth either.

“Riveting. Now, how about telling me what really happened.” Discord said smugly. He could see right through her blatant attempt at deception.

“What? How do you...?” Astral sat surprised. “Could this creature read minds? How did he see through me?” She thought to herself.

“Well, for one, that look on your face is a dead giveaway. Second, I'm the Lord of Chaos. I'm pretty confident that I can tell when someone is trying to deceive me. I'm hard to beat at my own game after all.” Discord sat twirling his paw with his chin mounted on his claw. His face wore a smug grin of victory. “Twilight was right. It IS more fun to use my abilities to help people rather than spread chaos!” Discord mused within his own thoughts.

“I...” Astral was stunned. Her mind tried to find something to grab onto. She couldn't make something else up; He'd just see right through it. Finally, she stopped trying to come up with another story. “Fine.” Astral sighed. “I was rummaging through the ancient keep known as Karazhan. I wanted to claim some of the powerful magical artifacts there for myself; more specifically, a journal that held untold magical secrets. I let my curiosity get the better of me and was fooled by a magical trap that dragged me through a portal and dropped me here. Now I'm stuck here and have no idea where I am or how to get home. To top it all off, that portal did something and now my magic isn't working either!” Astral said almost in tears. It physically hurt to say. All she wanted to do was prove she could be among the best, and she ended up messing up everything she had. She let it all go to her head and used her abilities just to gain the attention of those around her, and now it has her stuck in a strange land and in way over her head.

“Now, now. Don't cry. If there's one thing that I've learned, its that while the truth hurts, its nothing like the bitterness a lie leaves.” Discord said almost melancholic. He'd learned a lot over the time he'd been free from his stone prison.

“So, what am I suppose to do now then?” Astral wiped the tears forming from her face. “I can't use my magic and I don't know anything about this place or even where I am.”

“Well, I don't know how to get you home, but I'm pretty certain I know somepony who can find a way to do it, if it exists.” Discord proclaimed. He snapped his fingers and a book on the ground next to Astral popped into his claw. “Since I've found the book Twilight wanted already, I'll take you back to Ponyville with me to see her. If she can't figure this one out, nopony can!” Discord shouted in excitement. He hadn't gotten to extend a hand of friendship to anypony other than Fluttershy yet. This little meeting turned out to be quite fun for him in the end. Perhaps his morning hadn't been ruined after all.

Astral gathered herself and walked beside the strange creature leading her out of the castle and into the forest. He was so strange looking. He had the head of a pony, but his body had parts from a lion, an eagle, an ox, a dragon, a ram, and even an elk. It was as if he was just stitched together out of seemingly random parts from random things that lived on this world. The 'Chaos' part of him started to make more sense to her. Astral continued to look him up and down, trying to figure out each creature that made up his body. She certainly wasn't expecting him to be friendly, but maybe he could help her after all. Suddenly, Discord whipped around and broke her concentration.

“Oh! I have to tell you all about my friend, Fluttershy, on our way back. She's so...” Discord began flitting about in the air around Astral as the pair walked, telling her all about Fluttershy and their friendship and the like. He began to ramble on with little breaths at random intervals. He clearly had quite a bit to say. Astral was curious now as to how this was all going to turn out in the end...

3 The Princess of Friendship

“...and they beat the Siren's, saved the school, and then she came home.” Discord stopped finally to take a breath. He'd been talking the entire time with very few pauses. “And that is everything that's happened to present day.”, Discord finished with a grin.

“Where are you going with all of this anyway, Discord?” Astral asked, her arms crossed in disinterest. His summarized account of seemingly every event of the last two years on this world was all well and good, but Astral failed to see the point.

“Here!” Discord proclaimed.

“Here? You were going here?” Astral was confused. He wasn't making any sense.

“Yes, here. As in, “We're here!”, and “here” as in Ponyville!” Discord said ecstatically as he pointed to the town now visible from the edge of the forest.

“What are you...” Astral turned to look where he was pointing. Just over a small meadow sat a bustling town. Its buildings were simple, yet well kept houses. It wasn't unlike the villages she had been too back on Azeroth. What had her attention were all of the small and very colorful horses walking around the town. They came in all shapes and sizes and varying degrees of color. They had shops, and businesses, and they traded and bought and interacted with each other. “Wow. He wasn't making all that up.” Astral thought to herself. She just stood there in awe. This town wasn't very different than anything back home except its inhabitants were ponies.

“Well, don't just stand there. We still have to get to the other side of town.” Discord pointed to the large, crystalline tree that towered over the far side of the village. It sparkled and shimmered in the sunlight.

“That seems... out of place really.” Astral said trying not to be rude. It was a really pretty tree, but it was kind of an eyesore in contrast to the town itself below.

“Yea, its pretty new. It fits the landscape a lot better at night. Now hurry up, I...” Discord yawned heavily, “...still need my second cup of coffee.”

The pair set off down the main road of town toward the large tree. Astral couldn't help but notice how quickly she became the center of attention. It was almost as if as the pair walked by, everything came to a standstill. Ponies just halted whatever they were doing, and turned to look at her and Discord.

Astral's face was turning bright red as she tried to tuck herself down into her jacket. “Discord. They're all staring.” She whispered.

“Oh come now, they're just curious. Its not every day a human comes wandering through this little town.” Discord said trying to reassure her. He loved the attention and was quite happy having everyone's eyes fixated in his direction for once.

Astral was the exact opposite. She had wanted people to notice her and all that before, but not like this. Everyone's eyes were glued to her as if she had just shouted for attention and then followed up with just awkward silence. Her heart was racing and she just wanted to get away from the middle of the street. She just wanted this to be over. Suddenly, everything stopped at once and all Astral saw were stars as she found herself on the ground and very dizzy.

“Well, I was going to say we are here, but you clearly know that already.” Discord stated with a giggle. “Although, it is best if you open the door before walking through it.” He outright laughed as he opened the door and walked inside of the large crystal tree. “Twilight, I'm back, and I have your book plus something special!”

Astral stood up and dusted herself off. She quickly followed Discord inside and closed the door behind her. The inside of the tree was stunning. The bark itself was actually crystalline and formed a solid wall. There were windows and furniture and even staircases leading to more rooms and floors. This was far more than a tree, it was a home. Looking around she saw a purple pony pouring herself over a book at a table in the center of the room. The table itself was surrounded by seven large throne-like chairs. Astral noticed that in one of the chairs, a small purple dragon appeared to be reading a large stack of comic books.

“Oh. Discord. You're back. Thanks for getting that book for me. That castle can be dangerous, so I figured it would be safer to ask you instead of sending Spike, and what is the other thing you brou...” The purple pony stopped and just stared at Astral like she had seen a ghost. The dragon looked up and stared, his eyes lit up in excitement.

“Whoa-h-h! Cooool!” The dragon jumped down and ran over to Astral. “Hi. My names Spike. I'm a dragon! Are you a human? I didn't even know they lived here in Equestria!”

Astral was startled by Spike's sudden rush. It wasn't exactly the reaction she had expected to receive. “Oh. Uhh. Well, hi there Spike. My name's Astral Spectrum, and I'm... umm...” Astral wasn't sure what to say to the rather bouncy little dragon.

“I found her in the castle and offered to bring her back here like a good friend. Do you think you can help her get back home Twilight?” Discord turned and said with a smug grin. He opened one eye when he didn't get a response. “Twilight?”

The three of them looked as the purple pony just twitched and muttered incomprehensible noises. It was as if Astral's presence had shattered her grip on reality. They all ran over in surprise when she fainted and fell over.

Twilight began to open her eyes. “Hey. She's waking up.” Astral called out.

Discord and Spike ended their game of cards and rushed over, “Hey, Twilight? You alright?” Spike asked with a worried tone.

Her eyes began to readjust. “Yes. I'll be fine. I was just a little surprised is all.” She turned her attention to Astral. “I'm sorry about that. My name is Twilight Sparkle. I, uhh, got a little overloaded with questions and everything there, and, yeah...”

“It probably doesn't help that you've been awake reading for the last thirty-six hours straight.” Spike mumbled.

“You dropped like Rarity seeing fabric fall in the mud.” Discord snickered.

“I'm going to ignore that one.” Twilight shot back. “Anyway, who are you? How did you get here? Are you from Canterlot High? How did you get through the mirror? Why do you still look like a human?” Twilight started bombarding Astral with questions. She wanted to know absolutely everything about Astral and how she got here.

“Whoa. Twilight. Chill. Give her a second to actually answer.” Spike said. “Sorry about that Astral. She gets like that when weird things happen.”

“Its alright. I imagine this must be just as weird for all of you as it is for me.” Astral feigned a light laugh. “My name is Astral, Twilight. How I got here is a bit of a long story, but I don't know of any place called “Canterlot High” or anything about a mirror.” Astral sighed. She began to retell the events of the day to Twilight. Twilight sat intently listening to her curious tale, making sure not to miss a single detail, like a child at story-time. “And then Discord decided to bring me to see you. He figured you'd be able to help me.” Astral finished.

“So you encountered a magical trap that was able to rip a hole open between dimensions and drag you to an undetermined end point to which it would leave you in as it was calibrated to only travel in a single linear direction? This is unprecedented! Nothing like this has ever been done before, at least not as far as I've ever read, and I've read a lot!” Twilight bounced around the room in excitement in the most literal sense.

“I'm glad you see the scientific potential in her predicament, oh Princess of Friendship.” Discord said with a tone of sarcasm as he poured himself another cup of coffee.

Twilight stopped in her tracks. She turned around to see Astral who was clearly not in as ecstatic a mood as she was. “Oh. I'm so sorry. I didn't realize.” Twilight adjusted herself and stood more presentably. “I'm not usually like this, and Discord is right. Its my duty as a princess to help you. I'm not really sure how we can get you home, but I'm certain I can work out a way to at least help you get your magic back. We'll just have to figure out why its stopped working.” Twilight grinned.

“Uh oh. She's got that look in her eye.” Spike said with worry.

“What do you mean?” Astral inquired.

“That's the “Its time to do science!” look.” Spike responded.

A flash of light went off as soon as Spike finished talking. In an instant, Astral found herself strapped down into a strange chair with an even stranger helmet on her head. Astral's head was still spinning with how quickly her surroundings had changed. She quickly began to realize that a teleportation spell had gone off. “You can use magic?” Astral asked as she looked around at all the strange machines in what appeared to be a laboratory.

“Yes. Now, sit still. This machine is going to analyze any residual magical energy in your body to try and determine its origin. That way, once we know how you used to use magic, we'll be able to start figuring out how to bring it back.” Twilight explained.

The machine whirred and hummed. Astral felt a small jolt of electricity fire through her. The helmet made a buzzing sound and then a loud click resonated from the machine. “There. Now it just needs time to analyze the data.” Twilight said removing the helmet and straps from Astral.

“How long will it take?” Astral asked as she stared at the machines. They clicked and buzzed as lights flashed on and off across several different panels. She'd never seen anything quite like it before.

“Probably overnight. Why don't we head upstairs and I can go over some useful information about my world. You might be here awhile after all, and it would certainly help you out and pass the time. I'm sure I have at least one guest bed in here somewhere too.” Twilight motioned toward the stairway leading out of the lab, and the pair headed back upstairs.

4 Off To See The Princess

“...And that's what the marks each pony has represents!” Twilight finished setting down a meager sliver of chalk on the ridge of her chalkboard. The board was adorn with drawings and diagrams of the three types of ponies with an in-depth analysis of their physical appearances, and a diagram detailing “cutie marks” that each pony had. She had decided to give Astral a short lesson on Equestria to better equip her for her stay. A “short” lesson for Twilight however, still took several hours as the moon was now sitting high in the sky as the stars twinkled about.

“So there are three types of ponies, not counting the special type called Alicorns, and each pony has their own unique “cutie mark” to symbolize their special talents. That's pretty interesting. There's nothing like that back where I'm from.” Astral rambled, repeating what had been said to make sure she understood it. For hours she had sat attentively and enthralled; listening and learning everything she could from Twilight. This world's inhabitants were beyond unique compared to anything she had met anywhere before.

“Is there a way the people of your world find out their special talents?” Twilight inquired. She was teaching Astral all about her world, but still had some questions of her own yet.

“No, not really. Most people spend their entire lives looking for their purpose back home. Some people find it within the cities as guards or politicians or vendors. Most find their place is on the battlefields fighting, and some people never even find theirs. I guess that's part of what got me here after all. I was so sure I was going to find the answers I wanted in that tower but now...” Astral looked down at her hands. She held them open and just stared in silence. Just yesterday, she could craft arcane constructs or command the forces of fire and ice on a whim or flick of the wrist, but now that power was gone. Everything she had read and planned for never prepared her for the situation she found herself in now.

Twilight spoke up and snapped Astral back into reality, “Hey, don't worry. My Analyzer is still working through the data. We'll find a way to get your magic back, I'm sure of it. Why don't you go lay down and get some sleep? You've had a really busy day after all.”. Twilight motioned by pointing a hoof to a door on the far side of the room, “I have a spare bed made up in that guest room you can use.”

“Yea. You're right. Some sleep in an actual bed would be nice.” Astral yawned. She stood up and walked over towards the room. The room inside was simple enough: A dresser, a bed, a side table, and a window overlooking the field outside. The bed had a starry bedspread that resembled the night sky. The furniture all seemed to be made of the same crystal the tree itself was made out of.

Astral sat down on the side of the bed. She took off her boots and set them near the foot of the bed and hung her jacket over them. She rested on the side of the bed for a moment; Her gaze fixated on the stars in the sky outside the window. “A special mark to symbolize a special talent or destiny. So far, it doesn't seem like I'll ever find mine.” Astral thought to herself. She noticed a single star glowing just a bit brighter than the others around it. Its eight points extending out along the sky almost as if it was trying to keep the few stars around it within its reach. Astral set her head down on the pillow and pulled the covers over herself; never taking her eyes off the window and the stars beyond as she slowly drifted off to sleep.

Astral let out a long and heavy yawn. She could feel the sting of the sun as she began to open her eyes. Slowly blinking her eyes to adjust to the light of the dawn, Astral rolled herself onto her side to see the door on the far side of the room. Pushing herself up off the bed, she was able to climb down and walk towards the door. “I wonder if Twilight's machine found any results yet?” Astral sleepily thought to herself.

Astral yawned once more as she opened the door. Out in the main hall, Twilight was already wide awake. She had books strew out across the table and stacked taller than Astral was. She was pouring herself over book after book as if what she was looking for was of the utmost importance. “How could that be possible?” Astral could hear Twilight mutter to herself.

“Is something wrong Twilight?” Astral inquired.

Twilight looked up confused as if she hadn't expected a question, “Well, no. Yes? Maybe. I'm not sure. Maybe the machine was wrong? It just doesn't make any sense!”. Twilight was in a fitful tizzy trying to find the answer to something.

“Whoa. Calm down Twilight. What doesn't make any sense?” Astral responded and now also confused.

Twilight took in a deep breath and sighed. “The machine finished calculating the results, but the results themselves shouldn't be possible.” Twilight explained. “These readings indicate your magic was of a cosmic nature, not unlike my own.”

“So my magic used to be like your magic?” Astral replied trying to make sense of what Twilight was confused about. “I don't understand why that's out of the ordinary, even given the circumstances.”

“Because, my magic isn't like other ponies magic. My magic is Alicorn magic. Its only held by four ponies in all of Equestria. Unlike how normal magic has a basis in arcana, Alicorn magic is based in the cosmos and can't be drawn on by conventional means given its fluctuating nature. Its so beyond a rare occurrence for a pony to have that level of magic within them that its considered legendary.”

“In English Twilight!” Spike shouted from the kitchen. “I'm confused and I'm not even in the same room as you two!”

“Oh. Sorry. What I'm saying is, the magic you “lost” is special. It can't just be removed. Something has caused your magic to revert to its weakest state and go dormant. You'll have to relearn how to draw it out and awaken it, but I have no idea how to do that. Alicorn magic is nothing like Unicorn magic. I'm still learning how to use it myself.” Twilight stated grimly. She had a frown on her face trying to show sympathy for the news. “I'm sorry.”

“Oh. That's why you made it sound like it was bad news.” Astral lowered her head and hung one arm on the other. This wasn't the news she was hoping to hear when she woke up. Things just seemed to keep getting worse for her. “Now what do I do?” Astral muttered to herself in defeat.

“Why not ask Princess Celestia for help? Wouldn't she know all about Alicorn magic?” Spike asked as he walked into the room with a large plate of pancakes that seemed to have various gemstones cooked into them.

Twilight's eye lit up, “Princess Celestia! That's it! Spike you're a genius!”. Twilight rushed over and hugged the purple dragon relentlessly.

“Alright already. I'm trying to eat my breakfast.” Spike began to complain as his stomach growled in hunger.

“Fair enough Spike.” Twilight turned her attention to Astral, “Grab your things. We're going to Canterlot!” Twilight clapped her hooves together with excitement. It had been some time since she went to go see the Princess.

“Alright, but who's Princess Celestia?” Astral asked as she saw her boots and jacket float through the air towards her.

“I'll explain on the way, just get dressed and let's hurry. The next train leaves in just fifteen minutes!” Twilight exclaimed as she gathered together a few books in her travel bag and threw it over her back.

“Twilight?” Astral asked as Twilight continued to rush about the tree.

“Hmm?” Twilight stopped as she began to notice a slight smell of sweat from Astral, who she almost ran into.

“Would it be too much to ask if I had a chance to bathe first?” Astral asked. She hadn't had a chance to wash herself since before she departed for Karazhan the day before.

“Ah. Right. Probably would make for a bad first impression if you met the princess smelling like that. The bathroom is down the hall. Leave your clothes outside and I'll get those washed before we leave quick.”

After a quick shower and clothes washing, Astral and Twilight departed together from the Tree and headed for the Train Station. Twilight began to tell Astral all about Princess Celestia on their way to the station sparing no detail. Astral was beginning to realize there was a lot more to learn about this place than she had first anticipated.

5 The Canterlot Archives

The engine huffed and expelled steam as it braked to a halt upon its arrival in Canterlot. The doors rolled open as the conductor at the station shouted “Now arriving in Canterlot! Welcome to the capital!”. Departing the train, Astral was astounded by the towering city before her. Canterlot sat built onto a cliff-side that overlooked all of Equestria. Its buildings progressively rose until they reached the immense towers of the castle that dominated the skyline above all else. The sun reflected off the brilliant white brick used to construct the countless structures.

Astral just stood in awe. She couldn't find words to describe the city she was looking upon. Her eyes just affixed from tower to tower, taking in every detail.

“Astral? Come on, the castle is this way!” Twilight called out to the daydreaming Astral.

Looking around, Astral saw Twilight was already waiting at the gate to leave the station. Twilight was clearly very excited to be visiting Canterlot. Joining her purple pony guide, Astral followed Twilight through the streets of Canterlot. Ponies didn't seem to stop as the pair walked down the cobbled roads. Occasionally a pony or two would stop to greet Twilight as a princess, but most just kept about their business. This city was far more bustling than Ponyville, which now seemed like a silent burg in comparison.

The pair turned down a final road as they passed a large ornate fountain depicting two female ponies holding large mason jars of which water poured from. At the end of the road were the brilliant golden gates that marked the entrance to Canterlot Castle. Two male ponies in golden armor stood at attention before the gates as if in an eternal vigil.

“Attention! Princess Twilight approaches!” The guards shouted in unison as Twilight and Astral approached the gates. The more senior appearing guard turned his attention to Twilight and Astral and with a gruff but welcoming voice greeted the pair. “Welcome to Canterlot Castle, Princess Twilight. You and your guest will find Princess Luna just inside the castle's doors.” he stated as he charged his horn with magic that opened the large golden gates.

“Princess Luna? Is Princess Celestia not here?” Twilight asked the guard pony.

“Princess Celestia is away on business for the time being. Princess Luna has taken to watching the day to day operations of the kingdom until her return.” The guard replied. “I do hope your visit will not be interrupted by this information Princess.” The guard pony bowed his head in respect.

“No, its fine sir. Thank you for your assistance.” Twilight replied respectfully. She wondered to herself where Princess Celestia would have gone?

Together the pair entered the main doors of the castle. Inside was a large hall that at the end sat two large thrones. In one sat a tall dark blue pony. Her mane seemed to move on its own as if wind constantly blew through it. What caught Astral's eye was how her mane seemed to appear as if it were made of the night sky itself, stars and all.

“Princess Luna!” Twilight called out as she waved to the pony sitting on the throne. She seemed to be slightly exhausted, as if she were not used to being awake at this hour.

“Ah. Twilight Sparkle. It is always a pleasure. Forgive us for our demeanor. We are not used to being awake so early in the...” Princess Luna let out a long drawn out yawn. “I really do not care for my sister's trips away from the kingdom...” She muttered out under her breath.

Twilight giggled quietly to herself. “Princess Celestia is away then correct?”, Twilight asked.

“Indeed. She should be back by day's end however. She ran out of her favored parchment and you know how she prefers to retrieve it herself.” Princess Luna explained with a hint of bitterness. “Who is this then? I had thought I have met all of your friends already?”

“My name is Astral, your highness.” Astral said formally with a bow of respect. Social formalities weren't something she dealt with often, but she picked up on them out of necessity back on Azeroth.

“'Tis a pleasure to meet thee, Astral. What brings you to our kingdom?” Luna replied with as much formal effort she could muster in her exhausted state.

“There's a bit of a story behind our visit Princess.” Twilight retorted. She began retelling all that had happened over the last two days.

“Hmm. This is a most interesting series of events. Nothing of this nature has ever happened in as long as I can remember.” Luna explained. “Perhaps the Royal Archives may hold an answer?”

“That's not all Princess.” Twilight explained to the very exhausted princess.

“Oh? What more is there?” Luna inquired. She was unsure as to how there could possibly be more to this story.

“Her magic has the same cosmic signature as Alicorn magic.” Twilight said. “We're unsure how to help her tap back into it however. That's why we came her hoping Princess Celestia might have an idea.”

Princess Luna looked over Astral. Astral started to become a little unnerved as it seemed like the Princess was looking through her very being. Finally Luna broke the silence, “Well, you are welcome to wait here at the castle until my sister returns. As I mentioned, perhaps your answers are within the Royal Archives.” Luna let out a heavy yawn once more.

Twilight and Astral thanked the very tired Princess Luna and headed off towards the archives. Astral couldn't help but think she heard snoring as they left the throne room...

Shelf by shelf the pair looked through books and scrolls of all kinds. Nothing so far seemed to be of any use to the pair. The archives were extensive; Thousands of books lined the shelves of the chamber. At its center was a large metal hourglass that seemed to just be decoration as the sand within it was stationary.

“There's plenty of books in here, but nothing seems to be recorded on cosmic magic at all.” Twilight said cycling through books along a shelf.

“You'd think at some point somepony would have written something down information about two of the most important beings in all of Equestria.” Astral mentioned in frustration. This was getting them nowhere.

“In all honesty, it might be because there are only four known ponies who can even use cosmic magic.” Twilight replied.

“What?” Astral stopped looking through the tome she held and turned her attention to Twilight. “There are only four Alicorn ponies in all of Equestria?”.

“Well, yes, and up until just recently that number totaled only three. Very little is known about it at all, even by me. That's why I thought we should come here. If anyone knows about Alicorn magic, it would be Princess Celestia.” Twilight explained.

“If only she was here to help us. At least then we might have a better idea on where to look that going book by book...” Astral let out a sigh as she leaned up against the hourglass.

There was a sudden click from behind Astral that sounded like a lock moving into place. She felt herself falling backwards as the hourglass began to tip. She caught herself before she hit the ground and looked up to see the hourglass rotate around. As it clicked into place in a now reversed position, the entire room seemed to change. Everything gave off a blue glow as a portion of the wall began to move revealing a hidden room. Twilight and Astral exchanged worried gazes.

“Did you know that was there?” Astral asked.

“I used to spend hours in here reading when I was in school, but I never knew about that.” Twilight replied back her stunned friend.

The pair eased their way toward the suspicious room that had opened. Inside the walls were covered in charts and maps of various stars and constellations. Tomes and journals filled a few small shelves. Papers and quills littered the floor around a small chair and desk. On a small stand atop the desk surrounded by balled up scraps of paper rested an untouched book. It seemed to be made out of brown leather bindings with a single light blue star on its cover. Twilight and Astral didn't take their eyes off the mysterious tome that seemed almost out of place.

“You think this might be what we're looking for?” Astral asked Twilight.

“Considering where it is, I'd think so. I wonder what this place is...” Twilight said looking around the room again.

Astral picked up the book from its resting place. Opening its cover, she began to flip through the pages to see what was inside. Each page outlined various spells based around the stars themselves. Footnotes and journal entries were scribbled on the pages between and around each spell describing magic that came from the stars and celestial bodies and how only certain ponies seemed to be capable of using such magic. “This is amazing. Whoever this belonged to seemed to be researching a connection between magic and the stars themselves!” Astral said in excitement as she thumbed through the pages.

“I thought this would be where I would find you.” A voice spoke up from behind Astral and Twilight.

6 Back Where You Began

Astral and Twilight exchanged a quick glance and turned to look behind them. Standing in the doorway of the secret room was a rather tall pony, at least twice as tall as Twilight who only came up to Astral's waist. Her coat was as white as a fresh snowfall and her mane seemed to drift on its own much like Luna's did, except this pony's mane was a striped series of blues, greens, and pinks. It reminded Astral of the various hues the sky takes on during sunrise and sunset. This mysterious white pony was also wearing regal golden jewelry and horseshoes, both adorn with purple gemstones.

“I am surprised you found this room. It has been sealed for over four-hundred years.” The white pony said as she entered the room. Her voice was soft like a teachers and almost seemed to emit an aura of calm. “Tell me, Twilight, who's office do you think this is?”

“It has to be Starswirl the Bearded's office! This is his wing of the library after all.” Twilight replied with authority.

“One would think, but Starswirl had not even come to be when this office was constructed. This office-” The white pony turned to look at Astral and the book she held, “and this journal, belong to me.”

Astral looked closely at the tall mare before her. Everything began to fall together now, “Wait a minute. You're Princess Celestia then?” Astral exclaimed.

“Indeed I am. I built this office centuries ago as a place for me to go when I needed time away from running the kingdom. Equestria was not always the peaceful land it is now, and my position often became very demanding. Here, I could study magic and other interests in peace, away from the outside world and my responsibilities.” Celestia let out a sigh. She appeared lost in thought of a time long since past.

Twilight spoke up, “That's why we're here! You see-” Twilight once again began to recount everything that had happened, explaining Astral's appearance here and why they needed Celestia's help.

“Hmm...”, Celestia muttered as she levitated the book from Astral's hands. “Well, I know the answers you need are not in this journal.” Celestia placed the tome on a shelf behind her and turned to Twilight, “Twilight, could you go let Luna know I have returned so she can go to bed? I'm certain she is exhausted from being awake for so long. I will handle things from here with your friend.”

“Certainly!”, Twilight replied to the princess with respect as she trotted off towards the door.

“So how can I regain my magical ability then, Princess?” Astral asked Celestia. She was out of options now and clearly Celestia knew something about what had happened.

“Not regain, relearn. Twilight was partially correct. Your magic cannot be removed or lost. You have had your magic this entire time.” Celestia replied as she began to charge her horn with magic.

“What do you mean? I knew how to use my magic like a master before I ended up here in Equestria.” Astral replied in confusion.

“Allow me to show you.” Celestia said as she released the magic held in her horn. The room began to glow a blinding yellow forcing Astral to cover her eyes. When she could see again, the pair stood in a starry void that seemed to have no end in any direction. All around them seemed to float windows in time of Astral's past. Every event of her travels in Azeroth played out before her eyes. It was like looking into countless mirrors that showed back every minute of her life.

“How?” Astral was speechless. She didn't understand how this could be possible.

“You see, from even the first moments of understanding the magic you possessed, you only sought more power. Each new challenge was a way to advance your abilities further, to push you limits. However, your world works differently than ours, and in turn so does the magic here as well.” Celestia motioned a crystal-bound book towards Astral. It was bound with a nearly transparent blue crystal material and bore a single eight-pointed white star on its cover. “You mastered the art of war magic back on your world. Here, your magic has a new nature for you to learn and understand. Focus your mind and draw upon it to take this tome, and with it, start the next chapter to add to your story...”

Astral gazed at the crystal tome hovering between them. Light flickered off its bindings as it bobbed up and down in midair. Astral reached out her hand and began to focus. A faint cyan aura began to form around her outstretched hand. She could feel the magic dance around her fingertips. She continued to reach out towards the book as if trying to physically touch it. The cyan aura around her hand became clearer and began to look as if small stars danced around within it. Focusing her will, the aura began to surround the tome.

“Impressive. Now pull it towards you.” Celestia said from a distance. She was impressed by how quickly Astral was able to focus herself once she knew the goal.

Astral fixated her eyes on the book. In her mind, she could see herself already holding the book. “I've done this before, I can do it again.”, Astral thought to herself. With a sudden flick of her wrist the book shot through the air and landed gently into her grasp. Astral released her magic with a sigh of relief.

“Well done.” Celestia congratulated softly as the realm filled itself with that same blinding light once more.

As Astral's eyes adjusted once more, she found herself standing with Celestia and Twilight in the Castle's Throne Room where they had met Luna earlier.

“Whoa! Where did you two come from?”, Twilight cried out in surprise. Her eyes fixated on the book Astral was holding. “Wow. What's that book?”

Astral concentrated and levitated the book over to the inquisitive Twilight. The second time had been easier than the first. Astral could feel the magic flow from her mind and outward to where she focused it. “Already starting to get the hang of this.” Astral commented as the book lightly tapped Twilight's stunned face. It gently floated about in the air as Astral loosely kept hold of it with her magic.

“How...” Twilight was nearly speechless. Only a few minutes ago downstairs, Astral was unable to use her magic, and now she suddenly could levitate a book about with relative ease.

Astral pulled the book back over to her and held it at her side. “I just had to relearn how to draw on my magic. It was never lost, just different than it was before.”, Astral responded as she looked over at Celestia with a small grin of appreciation.

“So what will you do now?” Celestia asked Astral. “You can use your magic once again.”

“Well, I still have to find a way home. Now that I can use magic again I'll have to practice and get better with it, and then find a way to get myself back. I'm just unsure as to how long that might take me.” Astral explained as she thumbed through the blank pages of her new book.

Twilight came back from her stunned silence almost instantly, “I've got an idea! Why don't you stay in Ponyville? There's already a room in the Tree for you to stay in for now, and I can even teach you what I know about magic and help you practice. You could even teach me more about your world and such too even! It'd be like a really long slumber party!” Twilight became very excited at the thought of having someone to practice magic with.

“I think that's a wonderful idea.” Princess Celestia announced.

With that, it was decided. Twilight and Astral gave their thanks and said their goodbyes to the Princess before departing the Castle for the Train Station. Able to use her magic once more, Astral now had a goal in mind: practice and master the new form her magic had taken on and find a way to get back home. With Twilight's offer of assistance and a place to stay, Astral was certain that before long, she'd figure out the way back...

“Sister?” Princess Luna called out as she removed herself from the shadows.

“Hmm? What is it, Luna?” Celestia asked her younger sister.

“That girl has little understanding for those around her. She knows only how best to serve her own ends. I fear she will struggle in this world without understanding friendship and care for others. Was it truly wise to let her go with Twilight Sparkle?” Luna asked with worry as she looked out the window and used her magic to bring the moon into the sky.

Celestia walked up behind her sister and used her own magic to lower the sun to make room for the moon in the night sky, “Do not worry about her Sister. If anyone can teach her about the Magic of Friendship, it will be Twilight and her friends...”

1 The Void Stares Back

“Karazhan, the legendary home of The Last Guardian of Tirisfal. Now home to a history and legacy both dark and mysterious.” Astral recited like a narrator of an ancient text. “And after tonight, those secrets will be mine!”

The foreboding keep of Karazhan towers out of the broken and forgotten valley of Deadwind Pass. Its massive spires reach high toward the night sky. In isolation it sat, ruined and gratefully forgotten by Azeroth's inhabitants after the fall of its last tenant. Its halls had been empty since the city of Dalaran's top mages had purged the keep of its owner many years ago. One apprentice, however, had returned to this harrowed place following tales she found deep in Dalaran's libraries of the legendary Last Guardian. She is a young girl and now stands before this ancient place. Her navy blue hair flitted about in the light wind. An adventurous glint shown in her ocean blue eyes. Her leather jacket and beige skirt, which cover her fair skin, transition abruptly into high riding boots which are adorned with a fiery decal that completes an outfit resembling a red-hot spirit. Her name was Astral Spectrum, an ambitious mage looking to prove herself to the world. Following tales and stories of the secrets and treasures lost to time within this ancient keep, she sought to find and use these secrets to learn magicks to surpass even her best teachers.

Astral pushes open the large door at the base of the keep. Its ancient hinges creaking as it slid across the stone floor. Stepping inside, the door slid shut behind her, eager to return to its unopened state. “Wow. Its a lot bigger on the inside than it looks from outside.” Astral said amazed. The keep from the outside had appeared rather small by comparison now. The ceilings rose to towering heights. This keep was a spiraling expanse that seemed to go on forever. “I just need to find my way to the library.” Astral muttered, stepping over rubble and debris that littered the once grand entryway.

The heels of her boots clicked on the tiles as she made her way up the stairs, entering a grand ballroom complete with an entire stage fit for plays or orchestras. A massive grand piano sat in front of stage left. Astral looked around the halls, “This must have been beyond amazing in its day.” Climbing the steps, Astral made her way to the top floor, finding an entrance to the servants quarters. “Alright... finally, almost there.” Astral panted. She was doing this all from memory. She had to leave the journals back in Dalaran so they wouldn't be missed, but she reread every account that was put to text of trips into the keep until it was burned into her memory. “Ballroom. Servants Quarters. Menagerie.” Astral rounded one last corner, reciting each room she had to pass to get to her destination. “... and then its the,” Her mouth fell open in disbelief. “... Library.”

“This is insane. How am I going to find it in all of this?!” Astral was astonished. She shuffled through the bottom shelves of the massive bookcases. They were the size of buildings and filled to the brim with books. “How am I going to find this journal?” She was looking for the prize of all prizes. The journal of the Last Guardian himself. The secrets it must hold would be beyond anything she could learn in Dalaran, but how would she find it in all these books?

“Up.” A distant voice whispered.

Astral stopped where she was along the shelves. She looked around toward the spiraling staircases on the far side of the room. “What was that?”.

“Up...” The voice whispered again. “Find... your... destiny...” The strange voice echoed through the Library's halls.

Astral climbed the staircases and hallways higher and higher. She passed by countless bookshelves and nearly endless rooms following the echo of the voice. Eventually she had to create a small flame using her magic to illuminate the darkening halls. The flame lit up the room around her, revealing a bed and dressers. “This must be the living quarters...” Astral said in amazement. Only a handful of people had ever set foot in this room. This was where the dark legacy of the tower ended. The Last Guardian was said to be slain by his own apprentice in this very room. Astral could feel the magical energy still stirring in the air. It was as if all the latent energy of the tower was being directed straight up from the deepest depths of the complex to this very spot.

“Closer...” the voice called.

Astral looked around for where it was coming from. A purple haze drifted from around a corner. She peeked around to see an opening in the wall that led out into a large open space. “Impossible. How can this even be here?” Rocky spires floated around in nether space. It extended far past how far she could see. It was as if the wall opened up into a separate realm all of its own. Astral stepped out onto the platform and extinguished her fire spell. There were no lights or windows, but this place was illuminated as if it were outside. In the center of the platform she stood on, a single book lies lifelessly.

“Your... destiny... awaits...” The voice coerced. “Find... The... Magic... You... Seek...”

Astral's eyes lit up. This had to be it. The journal of the Last Guardian, and within it, all the secrets of magic that would grant her power and abilities beyond her wildest dreams! She rushed over to grab the book, but before she could reach it, it spun into the air and ripped apart into a swirling blue portal! Wind and power rushed around her, almost knocking her off balance and to the ground. The portal gave off a blinding flash of light and Astral threw her arms up to cover her eyes.

The voice called out, “Finally! My imprisonment is over! You shall take my place, and my work can continue!”

Astral gazed at the portal, trying not to lose her balance. “Who are you? Why are you doing this?!” She called out. The portal held a light blue hue, and continued to swirl endlessly. Only the empty blue void of the portal stared back.

The only response she got was laughter from the portal. A pair of æthereal tendrils shot from the portal and grabbed her legs, knocking her to the ground. Panicking, Astral began throwing fire spells at the portal as the tendrils dragged her closer to the portal. “Let me go!” Astral screamed in terror. Struggling against the tendrils wrapped around her ankles, she found a handhold in the stone.

“Your fate is sealed. I will be released!” The voice shouted. More tendrils emerged from the portal, wrapping around Astral's torso and arms, breaking her grip on the handholds. “No!!”, She screamed in fear as she was dragged into the portal.

Astral felt a light breeze brush through her hair. She knew she was on the ground, feeling the cold of the stone at her back. Her eyes inched open to a bright blue sky above her. Her entire body hurt like nothing she had ever felt before. From head to toe her body tingled as the magical energies of her body twisted and settled themselves. “What happened? Where am I?” Astral whispered to herself. Her mind was dizzy and she was finding it hard to focus. She tried to think back to before she blacked out. “That portal must have flung me somewhere.” She struggled to sit up despite her body fighting her.

Looking around, Astral found she was sitting in what looked like a decrepit castle long past its day. The stone walls were crumbled to ruin with ancient tapestries barely still hanging or intact. The sky could clearly be seen through much of the nearly nonexistent ceiling. “This place must be ancient.” Astral said, still groggy from the pain.

The sun bore down through the open ceiling. It was warm on Astral's face as she looked up, “Its so warm. The sun is really bright today.” Astral could feel herself falling backwards toward the stony floor of the ruined castle. The pain she had been feeling had taken its toll on her. She fell unconscious as her body dropped back down onto the stone floor. Unconscious and alone, she was now stranded in a strange land.