An Alicorn by Any Other Name

"You must be so excited!"

Firefly turned her head to her colleague, nodding with a smile. She didn't even have to fake the smile this time, she really was happy that her time had come. Lady Stratus had finally sent word that she would be permitted a trial before the Elements. Her entire life's calling-...

"So whatcha think is gonna happen?" her thought process was cut off by Cherry Springs, and Firefly grumbled in her head.

"What do you think?" Cherry was non-stop. The only reason she kept her around was because Friendship was literally a requirement at the University of Magic, even with her tutor being Lady Stratus. She didn't understand why, nor did she care, but she made sure not to gain the ire of her teachers and peers by avoiding everypony.

"I dunno! I'm not even sure if I'll get called up anymore, what with my Cutie Mark and all." Cherry Springs looked back at her mark, a fountain filled with red water. She had discovered her talent not long ago when trying to use water with healing magic. Her red aura infused itself into the water, and remained even after she let go. Upon further testing, the water appeared to be drinkable, and quite tasty. It took a bit to realize this magical water worked as a catalyst with healing magic, speeding up the process of healing in the ponies. She was so surprised and happy to be able to help other ponies, that when her mark appeared with a flash, she barely noticed.

Ignoring her "friend"'s frustrating outburst, she said, "I'll be one of Harmony's Blessed before the end of the day." Firefly was incapable of shaking the smug smile from her face. She was certain that her talent was immense, and would show only reveal itself before the Greatness that was the Elements.

Cherry continued on talking, but about what, Firefly was blissfully unaware. All that mattered to her was the coming afternoon, and the test that would change her life.

For better or worse.

As Firefly ascended the marbled stairs to the Seat of Harmony, she briefly took the time to marvel in its beauty. It was said that each temple was build the same, carefully crafted by all three pony tribes, to house the Elements when they arrived. The marbled stairs met with a gleaming crystal floor, reminiscent of Faust's Willow. The blinding glare of it appeared to turn Firefly's orange coat a rich gold. She shook her head to move some of her hair before her electric yellow eyes, the charcoal of doing well to block the light. The yellow streaks, however, did her no such favors.

Upon reaching the top, a familiar sight awaited her. Hiding within the gleam of the crystal was Lady Stratus, looking down with waiting eyes upon her pupil. No words needed be spoken; Firefly took up pace behind the sky blue mare, curling tail and mane wafting as though no different than the clouds themselves. She was tall, and the most graceful pony she'd ever seen, even for an alicorn. Her steps were light and practiced, barely making a sound on the crystalline hallway before them.

After what seemed like forever, they arrived. Before them, six gemstones encircled a pillar of light. She knew this light for what it really was --- Harmony in its purest form. Spectral colors bled from the pillar and danced on the surfaces of the gemstones, which seemed to create a lightshow all of their own.

"Harmony, you are with all of us, and you grace us with your presence each and every day

We begin with you and end with you, and keep the dark at bay

And now, I humbly request you look into the heart of this mare, who has toiled endlessly under our tutelage in Harmony's teachings, and reveal what part she is to play in the future to come."

Lady Stratus' voice was light, and yet deep, and dark. She spoke as all Children of Harmony did, with a gentle touch. Still, her voice thundered deep as a storm cloud, reverberating throughout the room.

Once she had finished her short speech, the traditional words spoken and request made, there was silence. A few moments later, the Elements began to move. Slowly at first, but soon, they were hard to keep track of. Aware of what was happening, Lady Stratus nodded towards Firefly to come up, to accept Harmony's gift.

Few knew what to expect up here. It was rare the Elements chose to rest here, and rarer still for a pony to reach the point where they would gain an audience with them. It was said, though, that the Elements knew all, could peer into a pony's soul and reveal things they themselves didn't know. Lady Stratus was one of them, so very long ago.

The Elements blended into each other as they reached an incomprehensible speed, causing Firefly to barely hesitate. She knew she was destined for greatness, for power. She simply had to touch the Elements, and all would be known.

With a trembling hoof, she slowly reached for the Elements. They seemed almost as one now, the light they encircled now blinding. She closed her eyes, and felt herself touch something...

And time stopped.

...

...

...

And then, the Elements stopped. Abruptly. Their glow faded, Harmony darkening considerably. A pulse came, making Firefly stumble, nearly falling to the ground. Another pulse, this time she wasn't as lucky. Pulse after pulse, like a heartbeat. After a time, far too long in her opinion...they simply stopped. They returned to their stagnant position, and regained their glow.

Firefly stood up, blinking lethargically. Eventually she got a hold on herself, and began to feel...nothing. She felt nothing. It was as though any happiness she had was stripped away, replaced by this sense of foreboding. She turned back to Stratus, who had a look upon her face that almost seemed...betrayed?

Before she could question it, Lady Stratus turned, and began to walk away.

"Wait!!" She shouted, her voice wavering, confusion covering her features.

The alicorn stopped. But only for a moment.

Only to say, "You are no longer my Student. I'm...sorry." Her hoofsteps were soft, and broken, as she made her way to the edge and down the steps. Firefly was frozen in place, her mind trying to grasp something, anything, to make sense of what just happened.

It grasped but a few slivers, from a voice that she did not recognize...

"...heart...locked...

hunger...power to betray...never...love.

...threat...undoing..."

She realized it was whispers of Harmony. She could barely hear it, it was so faint...but she knew.

Harmony had betrayed her. Lady Stratus had turned on her. She was alone now, her goal shattered and bleeding, ice under the sun. But she knew, somewhere deep inside of her, in her Heart, that she would find a way to regain her destiny.

No matter what she had to do.