Seventh Soul: Birth

It was early morning in Ponyville. The entire town was quiet as its citizens slept. The sun was just beginning to rise above the horizon. The silence of that morning was broken by the screaming of a purple unicorn librarian at her assistant. "Spiiiiiiiiiiike!? Are you done packing yet we should have left five minutes ago! At this rate I'll be *gasp* TARDY!" Twilight was in full on panic mode at this point. Her hair and tail, which she had been growing out for a year, was a mess its long strands were pointing in every direction as she paced the room causing a grove to form on the floor. She stared at the clock one more time and saw the minute hand move, her panic worsened. "Spiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiike hurry up!" There was a faint sigh from the next room, followed by a grunt as spike walked out carrying a saddlebag filled to the brim with papers and books.

"Geez Twilight, any louder and the whole town will be awake." Spike had changed much in the three years since the wedding. According to Zecora, after the greed phase a dragon will gradually mature, but they do so at a far faster rate than ponies. Spike was a prime example of this, the spikes on his head and back had grown and become more pointed, his voice had become slightly deeper, the biggest change though was his body. He now stood slightly taller than Twilight when on his hind legs, and to Twilight's surprise, his wings had begun to grow in. Spike gave a sigh of relief as he sat down, happy to get the load of the saddlebag off, his tail was acting as a cushion as he sat and looked at Twilight. "Seriously Twi, why exactly do we need all this stuff? We are just heading to canterlot for a day." he said flatly

"Because the princess asked us to bring my past research on ancient spell deciphering, though I'm not quite sure why... Regardless my mentor asked for it so we are taking all of it with us." Spike moaned knowing he'd be the one carrying it. " Besides Celestia's letter was very urgent, she said it would all be explained once we got to the castle." Twilight lifted her mentors letter to her face and begin reading it for the hundredth time.

To My Most Faithful Student,

A matter of concern has come to my attention, and I am in need of your assistance. I can not reveal the circumstances to you in this message, for that i apologize, but know that all will be explained when we meet. I am sending for a carriage to pick you and Spike up at 8 in the morning. It is imperative that you arrive as soon as possible, for i fear the longer we stall the matter the harder it will be to address.

Also, if i remember correctly you researched ancient spell theory while in the academy. Please bring all things regarding the subject with you to the castle, as the may be neccassary to the task at hoof.

You Mentor and Friend,

Celestia

Twilight had forgotten all about her panic and potential tardiness while reading her mentors letter. She didn't really know what was going on, in the 17 years she has been the princess' student not once had she been called upon like this. This thought and others swam through her head as she stood in the library, completely forgetting Spikes presence or the time. Her thoughts were cut short by a knock on her door "Coming" she replied and trotted over to the door, putting her old thoughts out of her mind. When she opened the door there stood a Royal guard in full armor.

"Ms. Sparkle." his voice was gruff and his tone uncaring. He bowed his head to her more as a formality than anything else.

"Yes, that's me. I take it your my escort?" Twilight replied trying to mimic the guardponies tone, but to no avail.

"Correct, now if your ready please follow me to the carriage." Finishing his talk he turned and walked off.

"Come on Spike time to go." Said Twilight as she followed the guard out the door. She heard Spike moan in protest as he lifted the saddlebag and followed. Once at the carriage the guard quickly hooked himself on and checked that his two passengers were secure, seeing they were he took of towards Canterlot. Twilight stared over the side at the ground below and thought "Relax Twilight, if it was truly serious she would call the other Elements of Harmony." She leaned back and relaxed as the castle slowly came into view.

Celestia and Luna sat upon their thrones as they waited for the days tasks to begin. Today was they day they were to hear from the public and try to deal with the ponies problems as best they could. The assembly was just about to start when a guard approached the princesses and saluted. "Twilight Sparkle has arrived at the castle." he said bluntly and lowered his hoof to the ground while awaiting orders.

"Good. Escort her to the throne room immediately. Once here nopony is to enter, understood?" she didn't wait for the guards reply as she stood and walked to the center of the room, the assembled ponies quieted as she walked by. "My dear subjects. I am sorry to say that this assembly is canceled due to unforeseen circumstances. The assembly shall gather again tomorrow, until then I ask you all leave the all." her voice was not demanding, but everypony cleared the throne room immediately as to not upset their princess.

"Nice lie." said Luna after the room was clear. Celestia just looked back to her sister and nodded, then returned to her spot on the throne. The room was silent. Neither sister spoke as they waited for Twilight to enter. After five minutes the doors opened and a purple unicorn mare followed by a "baby" dragon entered the room.

"Good morning princess. Im sorry for the delay, bu-" Celestia raised a hoof signaling for her to stop talking.

"It is good to see you to Twilight, but formalities will have to wait. Follow me." both her and Luna rose from their throne and turned to face their seats.

Celestias horn lit up, followed by Lunas, and the two thrones began to glow. "Drelct nix vra Gh'ect." the princesses said and in a flash the thrones disappeared leaving a stairwell where they once stood.

Twilight was dumbstruck at what she just witnessed. She had never heard an incantation spell like that before, and her curiosity was building. She was about to ask what kind of spell it was, but before she could ask celestia said "Come Twilight we must hurry before the doorway closes." both princesses headed down the stairwell. Twilight and Spike looked at each other confusedly before heading down the stairs with the princesses.

They walked down a tunnel for several minutes in silence. Despite no visible light source the tunnel had a faint glow to it which lead the way down the path. Twilight was looking at the strange architecture of the tunnel, its designs were so ancient and beautiful it would be impossible to describe them with words. the silence, as well as Twilight's amazement at the tunnel, was broken by Luna "We are here." was all she said. Twilight looked in front of them straining her eyes to see in the dull light. Before them was a door, it was bigger than a full grown dragon and looked to be 1000 or so years old. The designs on the door were even more breath taking than the tunnel walls, so much so that twilight felt a tear come to her eye.

Celestia didn't share her students wonder at the designing, and simply held a hoof up to the door causing it to open. The four walked through the doorway and into a black room. Celestia's horn lit up once again and four torches the size of ponies burst into flame along the walls, illuminating the room.

Twilight stared around the room puzzled, she saw spike doing the same out of the corner of her eye. There was nothing in the room besides the now lit torches along the walls and a stand in the center with a large rolled up scroll placed upon it. Twilight could feel the great magical energy emanating from the scroll and stared at it transfixed.

Celestia saw her students reaction to the scrolls magic and said "Be careful many a good pony has gone mad in the presence of this scroll." she saw her student break her gaze immediately and look to her for answers. "That is the Guardian Scroll. It is the last spell ever constructed by the Six Greats and nopony to this day has ever been able to use it... including myself." She saw her students mouth hit practically hit the floor, but she ignored the urge to laugh at Twilight's face and continued "As you know many things have changed in Equestria ever since the changelings attack. The troubles of the people grow each day and all my power goes to helping the ponies who are made victims. All the while the cause of these events hides in the shadows and taunts us." The anger was clear in her voice as she continued "This scroll is a long shot but if it works then the guardian brought here can put a stop to the one responsible." Her expression softened as she levitated the scroll from its spot on its pedestal and floated it over to Twilight. "The task of deciphering and performing the spell goes to you, Twilight Sparkle. You can decline if you wish, but if you accept be forewarned the enchantments on this scroll make the spell impossible to read, it has baffled even the greatest of my researchers. "

If Twilight's mouth could have fallen off it would have. In front of her face was the greatest spell ever constructed in pony history, and it was her task to decipher it. She could barely contain her joy, but managed it down to respond to her mentor. "This is a great honor princess. I accept the task to decipher this great spell." She bowed to both the princesses, Luna had a smile across her face while Celestia seemed downcast slightly. Twilight ignored their looks and unraveled the scroll wanting to see how bad this enchantment could be. She stared at the scroll with a confused look, she glanced at the two alicorns curiously and asked "Uhhhh... are you sure this scroll is enchanted?"

The question caught the sisters off guard. "Of course it is." Said Luna "Why dost thou ask?" her use of old equestrian showed she was irritated by being asked such a stupid question.

Twilight didn't pick up on it though and continued speaking "Well... I can read it fine." she said bluntly.

Spike, who had stayed quiet as he tried to follow all the magic stuff, walked up to Twilight and glanced at the unraveled scroll. "You serious? I cant even tell which side is up on that thing!"

She looked at her assistant puzzled, then at the princesses. Both of the had looks of disbelief. Twilight laid the scroll onto the floor and said "I dont understand. Right here is the ingredients list." she pointed to a jumble of symbols that none could made hide nor tail of. "And over here are the spells steps." This time she pointed to what looked like a hole in the paper.

"Maybe you should lay down, Twilight. I don't even see anything that could be considered language on that scroll." Twilight looked to spike angrily. Sh wasn't crazy and she could see the spell clearly. "Why only me?" she thought to herself.

"I'd expect no less from the Element of Magic." said Luna. Her shock had faded and was replaced by hope. The hope that Twilight can do the spell. "Now since only you can read this scroll what exactly do you need?"

Twilight quickly read the ingredients list and instructions. "Well... the ingredients are easy enough to get, and the runes are relatively easy to write. The only concern is the magic energy required to do the spell. Nothing can give off this much power..." she stopped as a thought came to her head. "Except, maybe the Elements of Harmony."

Celestia looked at her student and thought over bringing together the elements again. After what felt like hours she answered. "Very well Twilight. I shall send out a notice to all of them telling them to meet you in Ponyville a week from today. Also, I shall have all necessary materials for the spell sent to you."

"Thank you princess." Twilight bowed and put the scroll in the bag spike was carrying.

"Wait" said Spike. "Are you telling me i draggd this huge bag along for nothing!" he stomped the ground angrily.

"A little exercise never hurt anypony... or dragon in this case." said Celestia with a smile across her face, which made Spike all the more pissed.

"Calm down Spike." Twilight said "We can just teleport home remember?"

"Oh... Yeah" Spike put his head down in embarrassment.

"Well i think that's everything. I'm sorry to leave so suddenly, but i wish to start work on the spell immediately." She looked at the princesses. Both bowed their heads in understanding.

"Very well. Be sure to send reports to me on your progress. I shall send the messages to the other elements immediately " Said Celestia as she gave Twilight a small hug goodbye.

"Thank you again princess." Twilight smiled and turned to stand besides Spike. "Now if you'll excuse me Ive got work to do!" Her horn flashed bright purple and in an instant she was gone.

"That mare will never cease to amaze me. Will she?" Luna walked past her sister to leave the room. Seeing Celestia remained behind she stopped and turned.

"No." said Celestia after a moment of thought. "I don't believe she will." she started to laugh, and Luna all to happily joined in. The two left the room laughing the whole time. A small glimpse of hope had been found. Hope for all of Equestria.

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A/N: Huzzah! Chapter 2 of "Seventh Soul: Birth" is complete! Next chapter expect some action.