Celestia stepped towards the dining hall her assistant Raven quickly in toe her face buried in a small stack of paperwork. Celestia had thought it would be good for the two of them to take a break and deal with the new rush of complains and demands from her populace with a full stomach. When she opened the door however what greeted her was three of the six elements of harmony looking rather exhausted as they poked the meals in front of them, the other three looking confused or not paying attention at all.

“What is going on here?” Celestia asked as Twilight was the only one who noticed her presence and placed her book down.

“It was the first day of training.” Twilight explained looking to the three tired looking girls. “I don't know why your tired Rarity it was just reading on your part.”

A huff of air escaped the seamstress. “It wasn't just reading Darling. To you magic is simple, to me it is much more... what is the word I am looking for.” She asked nobody as she looked to the sky.

“Straining! Flabbergasting! Smackledorfing! Exhausting!” Pinkie hopped up shouting words.

“Nuanced, but thank you for your attempts Pinkie.” Rarity said with a comforting smile to the pink haired girl. “It is like the book is in another language to me.”

“It is Rarity.” Twilight said holding up the book in question. “This is Eorzean, very similar to our language but it has a few misplaced words and grammar structure. Than what we are used to. It is very fascinating.” A few groans from down the line of girls made Twilight stop before she began with a rant about the magical theory. “Rainbow are you sore? Do you want me to try and use this spell to heal you? It is amazing how they have made healing magics not just for people talented with them, but are able to be used by a large percent of ponies.” Twilight's hand glowed a soft green but was stopped as Rainbow held up a hand.

“It is a dull throb in my sides that should hurt, I was groaning because you girls are making my head hurt.” Rainbow joked causinggiggles from Applejack and Pinkie.

“Barbarian.” Rarity scoffed earning a dark look from Applejack and Rainbow.

“Lets see how you would hold up getting tossed around by that beast.” Rainbow hopped up quickly and immediately regretted it, as the sore muscles made themselves known. She winced as she slowly sat down

“She didn't exactly go easy on us. I did think she was holdin back tho.” Applejack said confidently getting looks of confusion from her friends. “You heard the guards talking when we went out last night Rainbow. Olwen isn't doing this to be mean, she wants us to be able to handle ourselves when the manure hits the fan.”

“What do you mean? She flattened me a couple times. Hitting me in the sides and cheating in a fight.” Rainbow shouted punching the table.

“She told you to be a dirty fighter in the way she was training you Dash.” Applejack said rubbing her shoulder as a loud pop was heard. A few of the girls winced at the sound, the relived look on the apple farmer's face made them mimic her. “You don't think all them buggers out there are going to fight fair are ya. Discord didn't. Tirek didn't. What makes ya think the primals are?”

Celestia sat down at the head of the table ignoring as the two friends bickered. Raven quickly placing the papers for her employer to work through. Celestia ignoring the work for this moment interrupted the element bearers. “Where is Miss Stormcaller anyways?”

“She said to come get a meal and relax before heading out for more drills.” Fluttershy replied to the Solar Princess. “She did not follow us here.” Fluttershy shrunk as Celestia turned to her.

“Maybe she went to see her friends that came with her.” Pinkie commented as Celestia held a hand to her chin.

…

Olwen sat on a table across from Urianger, the elven man had back to his friend and his head buried in a pile of books looking for anything wrong with the backlog of shipping manifests. He straightened cracking his neck.

“You know you don't have to watch me work.” Urianger commented rather coldly to his friend.

“I am just looking at one of us getting something done while here.”

“No luck in training?” he chuckled as he swapped one large book for another, he ignored the sigh of defeat from the Miqo'te woman. “I know your skills have gotten you far in Eorzea, but we are not in Eorzea.” He said turning in the chair to look at Olwen. “You are training civilians as well. You must remember they will go back to their normal lives. You will go back to adventuring when this primal business is through.”

“Are you saying don't get attached?” Olwen asked shifting under his gaze.

“Not at all. Don't you remember having a normal life?” Urianger asked noticing how his friend stiffened. “I take it I stepped into dark memories.”

“Not really. Just my parents were never very fond of my choice to leave the Shroud.” Olwen said kicking her feet at the air. “I never took up hunting like my sisters, they enjoyed tracking and killing prey they have hunted before, and were excellent at it. I preferred the discovery of the unknown, the thrill of finding something that nobody has seen in years is intriguing to me.”

“So the tales of curiosity and the cat are true then.” Urianger coughed as he received a death glare from his friend. “Sorry.”

Olwen hopped off the table and turned to the door, but stopped as she glanced back to her Urianger. “How long do you think this will take?”

“The crystal hunt?” Urianger asked turning to the paperwork. “Could be a couple of weeks to a month. We may get lucky and figure it out in a few days. I will contact you when I find something.” Olwen nodded and walked to the door.

“Just remember don't work yourself to the bone.” Olwen joked as she opened the door.

“Same to you.”

…

Minfillia leaned against a desk looking at the floor. Luna sat at a nearby desk watching the Scion leader, she could almost see the gears turning in the blond woman's head. She was interrupted by the blond breathing in deeply and let it out slowly.

“So you are saying the Elements of Harmony had trapped you in a moon, five years ago you were released. You were possessed by a shadowy force, the Elements cleansed you and you are the way you are now.” Luna nodded as the Scion began to pace. “This aligns with what we have called the Calamity, the fall of Dalamud. And the release of the elder primal Bahamut.” A confused look spread on the Lunar Princess's face, Minfillia noticed and continued.

“Five years ago the moon Dalamud fell on Eorzea, What we didn't know at the time it was a construct by an ancient race to imprison Bahamut so he could not be summoned. They had trapped many of his devout followers to keep their prayers to keep him summoned away from Eorzea. Bahamut was released due to what I believe was one man's arrogance and ambition to destroy us all so there was no competition for his invasion. The details are foggy at best. A dear friend and mentor...” Minfillia stumbled on the words as she rubbed her arm. She turned away from the princess to a nearby window overlooking a garden. Breathing deeply as she appeared to shake slightly. ”A dear friend sacrificed himself by placing barriers to stop most of Bahamut's attacks. We tried to reseal him, but he broke free and vanished. Since then we have been trying to prevent any further events like that to happen.”

“I am sorry for your loss.” Luna spoke up moving behind Minfillia placing a hand on the smaller woman's shoulder. “I am sure they did what they believed was right.” Taking a solemn nod from Minfillia, she continued. ”I was not aware that my prison also held a beast of such power. ”

Minfillia did not react as Luna turned back to the library. “Maybe there is more to the Elements than we know.” Luna said to nobody in particular, but it got Minfillia thinking.

“Maybe there is.” She said as she looked to a pair of gardeners trying to patch up a lattice arch. “Like everything is a tangled mess.”

…

The dining room only had the element bearers inside the long room as Celestia and her assistant had rushed out to tend to deal with the court. Still the element bearers were surprised when a guard rushed into the room and knelt before Twilight holding a letter. “This was rushed to us from Ponyville.” He said as he nearly shouted to the floor, taking it from him Twilight opened it quickly. The guard took this time to rush back to his post.

“If it was so urgent why didn't they use Spike? He has a direct line to Princess Celestia.” Fluttershy asked getting a nod from Applejack and Rainbow.

“Maybe this is from the Mayor?” Rarity suggested as Twilight's expression seemed to sour. “Oh dear don't make that face it is so unbecoming.”

Twilight ignored the comment as she looked to her friends. “Trixie has shown up in Ponyville again. This time she is claiming she could beat me in another competition. She demanded my presence, Spike tried to explain to her that I wasn't there and she ran to Mayor Mare and harassed her enough to send this letter. I assume Mayor Mare did express post to get Trixie out of her hair.” Twilight said folding up the letter.

Rainbow groaned as she hit her head on the table. “Not that showboat again. Doesn't she ever get a hint.”

“She may be a ruffian, but she is a determined mare I will give her that.” Rarity said earning a nod from Twilight and Applejack.

“So what are y'all gonna do?” Applejack asked looking to Twilight.

“I guess we will have to go back home and stop Trixie. I don't know what she would do if we didn't show up.”

“What about Olwen and the primal stuff?” Pinkie asked hopping up from her seat. “We said we would train with her and I don't think she would be happy if we ditched her. That wouldn't be nice.”

“You got a point Pinkie. What do we do bout all this?” Applejack asked looking to Twilight as she looked at the letter in deep thought.

“I am worried about Spike.” Twilight said getting to her feet. “We will have to postpone training until this event is settled. We will explain to Olwen that an emergency has come up at home and we will return as soon as possible.”

Just as she finished the sentence the door to the dining hall opened to reveal the woman in question. Six sets of eyes turned to the cat woman. She looked to the six women and knew something was up as they all tensed up. “Are you afraid of training that much?” Olwen tried to make a joke but her near monotone voice seemed to echo in the long hall.

“It isn't that.” Twilight coughed. “I just got word that a thorn in my side has shown up again and may be doing something back home.” She growled the last couple words trying to not sound angry, but came out even angrier.

“So you are going to go deal with this annoyance.” Olwen said calmly walking towards the group. “I have no problems with it.” The group looked to her confused for a few seconds.

“You are supposed to train us if the Elements of Harmony don't work.” Twilight said the anger still in her voice but was easing up. “How can you train us if we run home?”

“Twilight Sparkle, I have been talking with Urianger. The tall guy from the other day.” Olwen made a motion of how tall the man was with a raised hand. “He has said that it may take a couple weeks or more to figure out where the primal could be summoned. I am usually in the field so I usually am only called in the short couple days to hours before the primal is summoned.” Twilight looked at the cat girl curiously. “Letting you go home and deal with matters will not slow down training. Just remember to train as you do other things.”

“You mean take the book with me? What about the others?” Twilight asked getting nods from the other ladies around the table. “They all have jobs that will need to be tended to soon.”

“They are free to go as well. As long as they keep training.” Olwen said giving the group a commanding look. “I haven't taught you much so I may have to go with you to teach you on the side.”

“What do ya mean by that?” Applejack asked leaning on her elbow.

“Applejack, what do you do for a living?”

“I help run Sweet Apple Acres. Best apple farm in Central Equestria.” Applejack said proudly puffing out her chest. “But I don't know how that has to do wit anythin'.”

“You could be training to be a monk as you do the farming. Controlled accurate strikes to the trees, to toughen your hands, shins and even shoulders to help protect yourself when you fight.”

“We already buck them.” Applejack remarked getting a confused look from the cat woman. “We kick the trees in the right spot so they drop the ripe fruit.”

“You are already on the way.”

Rainbow slammed her hands onto the table hopping up. “You mean we could be learning this stuff at home.” She shouted, Twilight tried to hush her but was ignored as the speedster threw up her hands in an over dramatic way.

“How would we know if Urianger had found out where the primal is?” Twilight motioned for Rainbow to sit. “If time is of the essence then we would have to head out as soon as possible when they show their face.”

Olwen reached into her belt and produced a small clam shelled container. The dark blue caught Rarity's eye immediately a smirk on her face. “Is that what I think it is darling?” Rarity asked as the group turned to the small object.

“It is a link shell.” Olwen said calmly as the seamstress seemed almost giddy with excitement. “How do you know what it is?”

“It is a budding trend in Manehatten.” Rarity answered with a smile, Twilight looked to her in confusion. “A few of the sailors and a few other ponies have been using a new found creature that releases pearls that you can communicate with. If I remember right, a pirate crew that was arrested here gave them the idea.” Olwen nodded as she continued. “If you hold the pearl to your ear you can squeeze it and are able to transmit sound to other people that had a pearl from the same creature. I have been wanting to make them into accessories for the fashion world here.”

“Yes, this shell is connected to the other Scions. Minfillia and Urianger both have a pearl for us to communicate with. They have a long distance but lose signal in certain weather and a few other minor concerns.” Olwen explained placing the shell back into her belt. “Any questions?”

A thrust of a pink hand made everyone turn. “When you change clothes in the flashy thing, how do you know that the link thingy will stay in your belt?” Pinkie Pie asked getting looks of confusion from all around the table. She giggled as the group shrugged their shoulders.

“If you come with us then you will have to have a place to stay. The new castle has plenty of extra rooms, you can stay in one of them.” Twilight said calmly as Olwen nodded. “You all have to head out soon I don't want Trixie to do something stupid. I am going to go on ahead.” Seeing the nods from her friends she returned the nod, glowed in a purple aura and vanished.

“Teleportation?” Olwen asked.

“Eeeyup. She has gotten better at teleporting herself. She still ain't all that keen on takin a whole group far though.” Applejack answered getting up from the table and heading towards the door. “We better tell the Princess bout this and get ready ta head out.” They all nodded and headed for the door.

Olwen stopped and let out a sigh, the group turned to her confused. "I never gave her a pearl. I hope nothing big happens while we are separated."

"Oh don't worry it is just Trixie. Twilight has dealt with her before." Rainbow chuckled flying ahead.

…

Twilight reappeared in her throne room with a flash of purple light. She gave herself a small smile as she walked to an open window quickly glancing to see what Trixie could have done to the town. Looking over the lazy town she couldn't tell if anything was out of place. Seeing nothing wrong the friendship princess turned to find her assistant.

“Spike are you here?” Twilight shouted earning only echos in return.

Her hooves clacked loudly on the hard floors as she made her way through the crystalline castle. The unnerving emptiness crawled up the violet princess's spine, she made the decision to speed up her walk. That feeling just added to itself as her hoof falls sped up adding even more echos.

Stepping out into the warming sun a soft sound of music drifted on the breeze, the haunting sound of a carnival theme. The tune seemed muffled and made the chill return, this made Twilight worry and rush to the sound. As the music grew louder Twilight heard the mummer of various ponies, turning a corner she looked to the open market teeming with ponies in center of all the usual stalls stood a large cart with an enormous stage. On the stage was lights and various machines on posts that looked to be giving off the music.

One pony turned and noticed Twilight, a mint coloured woman with short two tone messy hair. The woman motioned to her come to her. Twilight obeyed and leaned in to listen to the woman. “You have any idea what this is? Seems like something like the showboat from before.”

“I have an idea Lyra. It is the same showboat.” Twilight replied earning a face palm from the mint woman.

“Seriously? This is what the fourth or fifth time she has been here and caused trouble?” Lyra nearly shouted but was drowned out as the music grew louder and a puff of white smoke appeared on stage.

The smoke dissipated to reveal a woman clad in a starry cloak and matching large pointy hat. The woman bowed before silencing a the crowd that sounded rather angry. “The great and powerful Trixie has appeared before you all to call out the one known as Twilight Sparkle. This will be a challenge like no other and you all may witness as a mere mare can defeat a princess chosen pupil.”

Twilight groaned as she made her way through the crowd ignoring the few shouts of ponies as the woman on stage tried to calm them. This was going to be annoying. Twilight stepped to the edge of the stage and walked up a set of stairs and proceeded to stand behind the magician as she tried to calm the crowd.

“Trixie, seriously.” Twilight asked her voice bored and annoyed as the crowd noticed their princess step on stage grew quiet. The magician spun on her heel and glared at the violet mage.

“Trixie's honor and reputation has been shamed by you and your tricks.” Trixie bellowed as she thrust a finger into the air.

“You have done that to yourself most of the time.” Twilight sighed as she pinched her nose. “Second time you used a cursed artifact, why don't you just go and do magic and move on.” Twilight suggested ignoring the now fuming woman in front of her.

“Trixie has been training for this moment! Trixie shall not let her rigorous training in the mountains to be wasted!”

Twilight looked at the woman and sighed louder and turning away from the magician. A few laughs from the crowd and a few ponies began to leave, this made Trixie furious as her rival turned and began walking down the steps.

“Halt! I demand that you fight me in a magical duel.” Twilight stopped and slowly turned to the magician.

“Trixie, I have no time for this. I need to find Spike and fill him in on a few things.” Twilight declined turning back around.

“So you are chicken.” Trixie laughed loudly as Twilight shrugged her shoulders.

“I don't have time for this.”

“The great and powerful Trixie demands your time.” As a barrier of stars cut off Twilight's retreat, this just made Twilight clench her fists. “Don't try to run my spells are already in place. You cannot leave until one of us is defeated.”

“Trixie, I don't want to hurt you so I will do this.” A snap of her glowing hands a violet bubble formed around the now confused magician, striking the barrier only seemed to reinforce the dome.

Walking calmly to the edge of the bubble Twilight put a foot on the barrier. A wing powered shove made the bubble begin to roll, the bubble rolled off the stage and into the parting crowd who added to the momentum of the orb. The orb rolled down a street and towards the bridge out of town, the container wobbled slightly and rolled into the river with a loud pop the barrier released. Trixie was released with the magician sputtering and gagging as the motion of the orb caught up with her.

Wiping her hands clear of any dust Twilight sighed and moved to walk off the stage ignoring the laughing crowd. The sound of somepony smacking into glass silenced the crowd as they turned from the drenched magician to their resident princess who sat on her behind and rubbing her forehead. The crowd looked on confused as Lyra moved to help Twilight to her feet, a second sound of somepony hitting glass and a confused and angry mint haired woman holding her nose.

“What in the hay?” Lyra cursed as she reached out with a hand. Her hand lay flat against an invisible barrier. A knowing look crossed Twilight's face as Lyra moved around to try and find the edge of the barrier, but only circled around the stage that Twilight stood on. “Twilight I don't think there is a way out.”

“There is, there always is.” Twilight moved to the edge where she removed Trixie from the stage. Knocking on the magical wall the hollow echo spread through the crowd as many looked on confused. “If Trixie hasn't fled town yet she will know how to get this down. She wouldn't dare trap herself and not know a way out.”

“In the mean time since we will go searching for Trixie do you need anything?” Lyra asked as the crowd began to spread out and hunt for the magician.

“If you see Spike tell him where I am. Also get him to come here so we can tell the Princess all of the details.” Twilight sighed sitting down and began to try and figure out this spell.

Author's Note

This took a lot longer than it should have for multiple reasons I don't think need to be posted about my private life. Lets just say medically I am not in the greatest shape but am recovering. Also if I didn't have bad luck I would have no luck at all. Hopefully the next chapter won't take as long but no promises.