The story of a Protégé - Disunity

“Psst, if we get busted for this, remember that this was your idea.”

Ignore him. The doors to the dinner hall slid open. Brilliant, she thought.

“Twilight, are you even listening?” She wasn’t. Her construct became silent, as if brooding. Twilight concentrated the task at hand. This was it. Her last opportunity. She needed a clear head for this.

The pair moved silently through the well preserved hall, taking care to keep to one side and well out of the reaches of the furniture that might alert the servants and the caretakers to their presence. The two great tables that ran the lengths of the hall were already prepared as silken table cloths and fined cutlery from the entire nation were laid across the tables precisely and delicately. Portraits of past headmasters and famous scholars hung high up along the walls, just out of the range of the sunlight that was permitted through the stained windows and the like just on the other side of the tables. Soft velvet cushions were placed alongside the tables, each of a different variety of colours and patterns intended for the taste of their intended guests.

Looking back to the entrance she came from and the multiple doorways for the seventh time, she ploughed into one of the spare cushions lined with not silver, but gold. She squealed in glee and started examining a set of silverware. Twilight lifted a hoof and started rapping on one of the punch bowls to the rhythm of a familiar melody. She couldn’t help it. Clear headed or not, she was going to be foalish.

“Stop doing that, you’re going to get us caught,” whispered her construct in a slightly metallic but boyish voice. “Are you going to stay here all day?”

Her construct’s name was Spikialaimon, or Spike, namely for the line of spike like features that lined his spine. Currently he was a peculiar mechanical bat, clinging onto the belly of the table. Small gusts of steam could be heard if one strained but what was the most obvious was the fact that miniature gears, pipes and the metal covering the entire body. A blue light seemed to radiate from the multiple vaults that lined his body, a reminder of the magical workings within. Two cyan eyes peered back at Twilight’s gaze as its restless ‘skin’ shifted constantly.

“Relax Spike. No one is supposed to come in here just yet. In fact, the guests should be frolicking in the statue garden and the cooks haven’t even started preparing the first course yet,” Twilight whispered back. “Stop fussing.”

Twilight stepped back from the table and hid herself behind a slightly ajar display cabinet. Lighting up her horn, she weaved a complicated spell for breaking through the defensive locks that were placed on the door of the retiring room at the end of the hall. Then, she remembered a spell she came across that obscured a unicorn’s presence and cast it upon herself. One she was done, Spikialaimon fluttered ahead and through the now slightly open door to the retiring room. A moment later, he appeared again.

“It’s all clear,” he whispered to Twilight, “If we are quick, there should be no problems.”

From her hiding place, Twilight darted through the rest of the way and into the retiring room. She smiled as she looked around in the retiring room. Book shelves full of rare resources lined the entire room and the only source of light came from the fireplace, where a bright blaze sat atop a magical rune that created it. As a young filly, she had lived most of her live in the university but the retiring room was forbidden to all but the senior scholars and their guests. Any other time, usually the butler was skulking around somewhere.

Today, the Butler was unusually busy and there was talk of a very important meeting taking place with a special secret guest. It was a chance that Twilight couldn’t miss out on. Like so many other occasions she’s failed to infiltrate the inner complex of the university.

Spike fluttered over and with a burst of blue flash, turned into a metallic moth and settled onto her back.

“We’re here. Now we can go back,” he said. I just have to delay him until the others start to arrive, thought Twilight. It was a big room, with an oval shaped table of polished magewood dominating the centre of the room. Several luxurious armchairs were dotted around the room, often accompanied by an elegant silver stand with a basket of delicious delicacies. A cabinet and a wardrobe stood adjacent to the fireplace, each made out of the best of rosewoods. Scanning around the room, Twilight zoned in on the rows of books around the room.

“Don’t be silly! Look at the books that they’ve got here! All of these new knowledge.” She then made a big show of trotting past several shelves and pausing occasionally to look at random titles. While she was doing this, she restored the defensive spells on the door while covering it up by lifting a book off of a shelf and then deposited it on another one.

“Come on Twilight, you’ve got the entirety of the university library at your disposal, well away from here.” Spike peered up at the portrait of a particularly gruff scholar, staring him down with all the harshness of the world. Twilight thought she saw him shiver, but wrote it off as a figment of her imagination.

“Really Twilight, we’ve been here long–” Spike didn’t finish his sentence as they both heard voices outside. Twilight was already dashing towards the large wooden wardrobe and clambered in, followed closely behind by Spike. A world of warm, synthetic fur greeted them as Twilight closed the door to all but a crack. She must have looked too gleeful for a second because Spike shot her a withering glare as she mustered her most innocent smile.

The Butler walked into the room, carrying a lamp. Following him was another two ponies, Twilight could tell from the sound of hooves clopping. The butler was decked out in his best, shiny dark suit with the green trousers. His construct, a little monkey clung to his back while carrying a vintage, no doubt intended for the special guest. A lot could be told from a glance at the complimentary beverage and the expansive taste of this one was speaking in lengths.

Then a stern voice said, “Has the esteemed guest arrived yet?”

The voice of the headmaster had frozen Twilight. Of course he would be here for the meeting, he is the host after all, Twilight told herself. His grey coat and lush black mane made him stand out against the backdrop of a busy scholars and it usually works in her favour, usually. The headmaster was an Earth pony of reputable fame and mysterious powers that were said to rival even the powers of an Alicorn’s. Of course, she had never seen it. Of all of the times she had seen the headmaster, he was understanding although his anger was not to be toyed with. If she was found here, she would be lucky not to be sent to the dungeons just from the headmaster’s wrath.

“They should be arriving soon, Headmaster,” said the butler. “The guards have already arrived on the grounds.”

“We’ll not be a good host if our guest goes hungry. Have the cooks start to prepare the appetizers. This meeting shouldn’t take long at all.”

“Very good, Headmaster.”

“I see you have brought the vintage. Leave it on the table and attend to your other duties.” The servant levitated the beverage out of his construct’s grasp onto the cabinet sideboard. Twilight held her breaths as the floating aura passed by but remained undetected.

“Shall I leave the lamp, Headmaster?”

“Yes, I do believe we will have use of it during the presentation. Do come in after the meeting to douse it, will you?”

The butler bowed slightly and turned to leave through the door, his construct still motionlessly on his back. When he was gone, Twilight let go of her breaths and proceeded to watch the Headmaster from her hiding place as he sat down on a comfortable looking chair to face the only other occupant in the room now. Producing a pipe, he started to work on it and motioned for the other pony to sit down.

Now, Twilight could see most of the details of the Earth pony and was surprised at his appearance. What she saw was a weathered face that was unlikely to be produced by years of studying and had likely seen more action than any of the scholars in the university. His position made it impossible for her to catch a glimpse of his eyes but she was sure it was something fierce. Strangely, the Earth pony was dressed in a servant’s attire. His bronze coloured snake construct coiled loosely around his hooves and remained motionless like a statue. She was startled out of her thoughts by the Headmaster’s voice.

“I take it the exploration convoy was a success, considering you’re here, Vigil.” Twilight frowned in confusion at the mention of a convoy. Certainly there was no need for exploration inside the barrier, she thought.

“Aye, we lost few and managed to make it back with discreet,” the pony named Vigil replied. “You were right. We found … something.”

“I thought so. The witch’s prophecy was true. Do we have our friends’ cooperation in the capitol?”

“That we do, my ponies are staying with the allies as of now. The preparations are starting already.”

“Good, good. Remember, Vigil, this would be known to as little as possible. I will be pulling some strings for the duration of your mission. Our guest should be here soon, you should leave. We shall talk soon”

Vigil bowed stoically and left through the door, his snake construct uncoiled slithered after him obediently. Spike fidgeted from his spot in the wardrobe as she proceeded to watch the Headmaster from her hiding place as he proceeded to adjust the furniture. A frown passed over his features when glanced over the many titles on the shelf and no actions were taken. She remembered on her first day here, Spike had taken quite an interest in the Headmaster’s construct, Heraldophine, a slender dragon like serpent. It was almost unheard of to have a dragon not to mention impossible, the princess notwithstanding. It was when she realised the Headmaster’s construct was missing, or rather, never appeared. She felt a flicker under her hooves.

“I thought I had taught you better, but nonetheless, it would be wise at this point of time to come out, Ms Sparkle,” the Headmaster said. A moment later, her legs gave out and she tumbled forward involuntarily onto the carpeted ground. The headmaster looked at her disapprovingly.

Pain went through her mind as the Headmaster’s construct her ear harshly with its powerful tail. The Headmaster went on, his features slightly enraged.

“This is no place for a foal to be, especially today of all days. If it is not for the prophecy’s sake I would give you a good spanking. No, maybe a public humiliation is better. Stupid, blabbering witch. By Luna’s moon, I’m getting too old for this,” the Headmaster started rabbling on until Twilight interrupted.

“Who’s Luna?” The old stallion froze, his eyes widening slightly before he regained his composure. “No one important. Tell me, filly, have you read your appointed homework?”

“Yes, Headmaster. Are you going to send me to the dungeons?”

“Goodness gracious no. It smells like a drunken fool down there. You’ll stay in the closet for the duration of the meeting. Do you remember what I’ve taught you?”

“Yes, Headmaster. Always follow your intuition and bear the consequences that follow with it.”

“Good, good. This is your intuition alone so now bear your consequences. Now, get in!” The Headmaster ushered Twilight in with a tangle of hooves. Beneath his angry gesture, uncertainty flashed across his face for the briefest of moments. Twilight just chalked it up to him considering her staying. Finally, Twilight crouched there, closing the door to a just crack.

Multiple faint voices can now be heard outside, accompanied by the clip clop of hooves on marble. The voices became louder until finally, the door burst open and four guards strode into the room. They were stallions in golden armour, each bearing the sigma of the solar princess. Realisation dawned upon Twilight and she barely restraint a gasp. No wonder the senior scholars were panicking their flanks off. The special guest was the princess herself!

In a practised motion, the guards bowed over and lit up their horn, trying to detect anything out of the ordinary. Twilight froze when one of the golden stallions glanced over the wardrobe but relaxed immediately when it turned out to be just a routine sweep.  After the procedure was over, the princess herself strode into the retiring room.

The paintings and descriptions of the princess were far off, thought Twilight. How could you describe this warm feeling when you share the room with a goddess? Spike also seemed to glow brighter and exclude a purple bluish aura towards Twilight. The experience was unreal.

“Celestia, it’s good to see you again. Been busy I presume?”

“Deductive as always, Headmaster Sombra. You have an interesting university, I must say. It has seen a lot of change since I founded it all those years ago.” With a mischievous grin she said, “Although I must detest the hall of the horrors. Even your scholars shiver in fright at those who are already long dead.”

“Ah, you know me Tia. I must ask, though, where are the other scholars? I was so sure they were sent specifically to receive you, lest my memory fails me.”

“Worry not. There was a little magical experimentation in the statues garden. I’m afraid that you are now one short of a Minotaur statue. It was such a shame that one of the scholars tried to dispose of it. Such a refreshing posture, too.”

The two ponies made jokes and idle chats while Twilight fidgeted in her increasingly uncomfortable position. A slight movement next to her reminded her that Spike was still with her.

“Still glad we came here, Twi?” She didn’t bother to dignify that with a reply.

The guards stood as dutiful as ever, each taking a corner of the room and prepared to take any course of action if necessary. None were close

to Twilight and she was glad for it. A servant retrieved fumes lamp and tossed a few special smoke leaves that were especially good for one’s body and made for rich conversation.

After what had seemed like an eternity, a rushed tsunami of sounds reached their years as sweaty scholars rushed through the door, begging their pardons for being late and greeting the princess herself. What they received was a nod and smile from the princess and a vague gesture of a hoof from the Headmaster. Trailing slightly behind, were some of the scholars from the Capitol, who greeted fellow scholars and talked about exciting new researches, news and politics. When all was seated properly and quietened down, the Master stood up.

The discussion was mainly on politics, as well as the most of the rest. Under the constant noise and the pleasant smells, Twilight delicately removed a robe of its hanger laid it on the bottom of the wardrobe.

“You’re getting too comfortable, Twilight,” said Spike.

“We’re going to be here for a while so might as well.”

She sat down and listened to the conversation. No matter how she much she tried to focus, it was dull and boring talk. The marriages of nobles did not interest her, nor did a misunderstanding between the Duke and a simple merchant. If she didn’t know better, she would’ve thought that the Capitol was as dull a place as it could be. The smells of the frying leaves tempted Twilight to nod off more than once. Spike found it annoy the number of times he had to ram with all his moth-like strength into Twilight to wake her up. Of course, it was not like he could transform without revealing their position.

Eventually, she heard someone rapped on the table. The other voices fell silent. It was the Headmaster.

“Mares and Gentlecolts,” he started, “I welcome you all to the University of Celestine and for those of you that stay, welcome you to your home for the next few years. Today, however, we have a special guest, who, I’m assuming you all know. Politically tensions are high as of now and it was a miracle that the princess could come to this humble gathering. Tomorrow morning, the princess will take an airship to a peace summit in the Cloud Delta of Hoofingdale. The princess’s time is valuable and we must use it wisely.” The Headmaster sat down after he spoke.

“Thank you, Headmaster,” said Princess Celestia, shifting the attention back onto her. “My little ponies, as you are all aware, beyond this city, lay the Heavenly Barrier. It is the only thing standing between our Great Nation and the machinations of the chaos spirit, Discord.

“However, as of late, it had caused a great unrest in our society by those who believed we should abolish the barrier.” A ripple of murmur broke out across the room but Princess Celestia continued on. “In this last week, I had attended more peace summits than in the last decade. The situation is unfortunate but you all know why I cannot remove the barrier. But that is not why I’m here.

“I am here because there had been a sighting at Fort Everfree. It is to be believed that a pony had been spotted outside the barrier.” There was silence for a moment before a roar of conversation exploded around the room. Speculations were tossed around the room and there were already talks of the possibilities of setting up long term observational stations. Twilight sat there, dumb folded.

It was part of her basic education to be taught about the Heavenly Barrier, just like any other foal. Centuries ago, a powerful entity appeared in their world; a being of chaos and Madness and the war that followed was dubbed as the War of Insanity. Armies of hundreds of thousands of ponies took a stand to fight against this abomination in the single largest alliance in all of history. His name was Discord. What should have been a certain victory was instead a slaughter. Discord turned ponies against each other, corrupted generals to lead their soldiers to their deaths and created all manners of dark creatures able to flatten a battalion of ponies in seconds. The first battle lasted just shy of two days and the casualties crushed the rest of the armies. The wave of chaos, led by Discord, tore through settlements, towns and cities, and often left the survivors wishing they were dead. Finally, the princess and her elites took a final stand against Discord. The battle that followed almost rendered ponykind extinct and sealed Discord in a tomb and created a barrier for the survivors to shelter from the chaos and madness

outside.

There were no ponies left outside the barrier.

“Ponies? Outside the barrier? I know nonsense when I hear it!”

“Fort Everfree is the only place able to observe the outside of the barrier. If a pony was spotted there, who knows how many more there are!”

“If the rebels get their hooves on this information, it won’t just be a trivial unrest anymore.”

“Be calm, My Little Ponies,” the princess said, loud enough for it to echo throughout the room as everypony fell silent. Her emphasize on ‘Little’ wasn’t lost on anypony. “We yet have any prove on the existence of a non-Celestine pony. It might as well been have a deformation of one of the new chaos spawns.” The rest of the conversation was indulged in a slightly more subdued manner and the allocation of the remaining budget was sorted out with the financial scholars.

“Say, Twilight, do you really think there are ponies outside?” said Spike, fluttering onto her shoulder.

“I don’t know Spike, but I don’t think so. Without the princess or the guard to protect them, it would be next to impossible to survive out there. Remember the Excursion we went on to Fort Everfree?”

“Yeah, it was pretty bad out there. Not a single construct snack bar.” Twilight rolled her eyes. Whether it was a coincidence or something else, she would never know, but out of the corner of her eyes, she saw one of the guards closest to the princess move, lighting up his horn very subtly. She flicked her eyes to the other guards, who stood as motionless as ever. Something was not right. They were too still.

“Twilight, what’s wrong?” Twilight ignored Spike. She was about to reach out to the nearest guard with her magic when she saw a small stain on another guard’s side. It wasn’t a stain, she realised. It was blood. Eyes widening in fear and shock, she turned around to face the other two guards and found the same small and almost unnoticeable blood patch. The only guard that was alive was slowly but definitely advancing towards the princess. A few odd scholars watched in mild confusion and but did not react.

She panicked, not knowing what to do. If she was mistaken, then she couldn’t possibly live with herself. She couldn’t do this, she thought, this wasn’t her responsibility.

Suddenly, the unicorn’s horn lit up in a bright flash and a moment before he struck, the doors of the wardrobe flew open. Twilight didn’t even realise what she had done before she cast a spell that she didn’t even realise she had prepared. She only had time to glimpse a look at all the surprised expressions before her eyes turned pure bright.

“Twilight, are you alright?” said a distant voice. Twilight felt like she was in a cross between numb pain and paradise, failing to describe the sensation she was feeling. Slowly, as the sound became louder, the world started to fade away and she felt drained and tired. Slowly she opened her eyes.

It turned out she blanked out for only a few seconds but from the looks of the retiring room – or what is left of it – a lot can happen in a few seconds. There was a shallow crater on the wooden floor not far away and a black trail leading toward her. The wardrobe looked like it had exploded and purple membranes now covered the room, protruding from newly made anchors on the dented walls.

“Damn you, bloody tyrant!” She snapped her head around so fast it felt like it could break off from her neck. The imposing guard had been bounded by what seems like golden chains, nailing him on to the floor. The Headmaster stood next to him, content with just scowling at him. The group of elderly scholars still huddled together, not exactly sure how to react given the situation. No equations or magical theory could solve this one.

“My little pony, are you alright?” Twilight realized Princess Celestia was speaking to her. The princess of Equestria was speaking to her! Twilight panicked. She was a filly. A nobody. This is her one chance to make an impression of the goddess of Celestine.

“Is it true your chamber is a self-functioning library?” And, there goes her chance. Well, this question did bug her for a long time, she thought. She expected a scornful gaze or maybe has the princess of Equestria ask her what sort of question that was. What she heard next wasn’t what she expected at all. The Princess of Equestria laughed and gestured around to the confused scholars.

“Oh, what have you done, Sombra? The filly had just had the most powerful magical surge I had ever seen and had just saved my life and the first thing she said was to ask me about my personal library.”

“So it’s true?” Twilight felt as giddy as a foal on her birthday, and barely managed to restrain herself from jumping up and down.

“Oh yes,” said the Princess with a mischievous smile, “We can go there together, just the two of us, with you as my personal protégé. What do you say?” Jaws dropped across the room and one even tried to speak but was interrupted by an ear-splitting squeal.

It consisted of just one word.

“Yes!”