The Mane-churian Candidate

Part Two: The Mane-churian Candidate

By Avianation

Twilight gazed out at the frozen tundra from the window of her train car. She thought of the bygone days when she would ride these same rails with her friends. The back-and-forth visits to the Crystal Empire, and more specifically, the time she and her five friends saved the city from the accursed King Sombra. Twilight thought of when she and Spike ventured to Sombra’s dark chamber at the bottom of the Crystal Castle. The vision of Celestia’s cold excommunication was in fact, flawed. She only realized that now. Her true worst fear was losing her friends. This altered vision was no longer an illusion. It was now a waking nightmare from which she could not escape. Twilight’s train of thought was derailed by Spike’s abrupt interruption.

“So,” he said. “What’s up next on the roster?”

“Oh, just some routine composure analysis and behavioral studies,” she replied curtly. “You know, the usual.”

Spike shifted about uncomfortably. Because he was heralded a hero, the Crystal Empire railway had fashioned him a customized train car. Also, because he was now too big to fit in the regular cars. After a few minutes of rearrangement and absentminded thought, he spoke.

“You know Twilight, I’ve held my tongue for a hundred years now, but I have to say this.” Twilight gave him a surprised look. “I think what you’re doing is highly unorthodox. You were made the Princess of Friendship two hundred years ago for a reason, does that mean nothing to you?”

“Spike you don’t understand. I am nothing, without them. The reason I was made Princess of Friendship is because they were there by my side. I am a better mare because of them and them only!”

“The Twilight I knew and loved would never have done this!” Spike retorted harshly. “Trying to weasel out of your duties and spying on your own niece for personal gain. Have you even bothered to tell poor Skyla what you’re planning?

“You have to break a few eggs to make an omelet, Spike.” Twilight rebutted. “This is my way of breaking eggs.” She glanced again out the window. “And no, I have not told Skyla. I will tell her when the time is right. Now is not that time.” They both went quiet for a few moments.

“You know, Twi. It’s called making the best of a shitty situation. Ever heard of it?” Twilight decided not to dignify Spike’s uncouth inquiry with a response. And so, they rode the rest of the way in silence.

***

They arrived in the Crystal Empire and were greeted by Princess Cadance, herself now a great grandmother. After their age old, “sunshine, sunshine, ladybugs awake,” routine and the usual pleasantries, they made their way to the Crystal Castle. Once there, they were greeted by Princess Skyla, eagerly waiting in the foyer.

“Aunt Twily!” She shouted, as she ran up to give her a great big hug. “I missed you so much! It’s been weeks since your last visit!”

“I’ve missed you too, sweetheart. Tell me, how are the grandchildren?”

“Oh, they’re fine. Stormy will always be my little pyro, and Middy has begun to write poetry. It’s rather pleasant.” Skyla’s grandchildren, Solar Storm and Midnight Requiem, were the most recent in a long line of natural-born alicorns. Solar Storm had been studying pyro kinetic spells for quite some time, while Midnight Requiem was infatuated with the night and moon alike. “They both can’t wait to see you.”

Twilight went to reunite with her great grandnephew and grandniece. She enjoyed humoring them in their interests, their childlike wonder was amazing to her, as they were both no more than twenty. What I wouldn’t give to be twenty again. Those were the best years of my life. After a few hours of fun activities and merriment, Twilight retired with Cadance for a friendly conversation.

“Skyla’s doing well.” Twilight said. “She reminds me so much of Shining Armor.”

“Yes, she takes after her father. More than you’d think.” Cadance remarked. Suddenly she seemed very distant, as if lost in thought. “I miss him so much, Twilight.” She said abruptly. “I miss him more than anything.”

“We all miss him Cadance. I miss him just as much as you do. I miss a lot of people…” They were both lost in thought now, of loved ones long since past. Twilight tried to snap them out of it.

“Enough of these intrusive thoughts and unpleasantries. It’s best we get some sleep. Tomorrow is another day, eh?”

“Oh,” Cadance said, now embarrassed more than anything. “You’re right Twi. Sometimes I just get wistful like this.”

“I understand completely, Cadance.” You think you’ve got it bad? I’ve been wistful every day for a hundred years! “Now, get some rest. It’s been a long day for both of us.”

“Alright, Twi. Goodnight, and sleep well.” She said as she exited to her bedroom.

“Goodnight Cadance.” She said. Twilight walked the long corridors to her room. She got inside and made herself at home.

“Goodnight Spike,” she said out the window. Over the past two hundred years, Spike had grown too big to fit into the castle. He had to sleep outside, although he didn’t mind as much as one would think.

“Goodnight Twi.” He said back. Twilight laid awake in bed for a while before drifting off to sleep.

Tomorrow is another day indeed. She thought to herself. The day I get what I want.

***

The next morning Twilight decided to take a walk through the streets of the Crystal Empire. On her way out of the castle she passed the Crystal Heart, ever-spinning on its pedestal not unlike the Earth’s core. It gave her an unwarranted flashback of that fateful day two hundred years ago. She thought of her friends, her brother, and that sinking feeling of true helplessness she felt. She also thought of Spike.
“Why can’t he just see things from my point of view?” Twilight didn’t know it, but all the while Spike had absolutely loathed her newfound nihilism. Only last night on the train had he worked up the courage to tell her directly. Twilight seemed indifferent, as she did with most things now. She pushed those memories sullied by death from her skull, and began her walk.

Twilight had only just left the castle when a flash of brown tartan streaked across the sky and crash landed dangerously close to her. Amidst the dust and rubble a tall, snake-like silhouette stood up and turned to her. It was Discord.

“Hello Twilight!” he shouted. “Aw, it’s been too long! Tell me, how have you been holding up the past hundred years?”

“Discord,” she was somewhat surprised to see him. “Fancy meeting you here. I’ve been doing the best I can, you know.” They hadn’t formally spoken to each other since the funeral for the rest of the mane six. “So how’s tricks?”

“You know, it was the funniest thing this morning. I was sitting in my thinking tree, thinking about how much I miss Fluttershy, when I started to think of you. I said to myself, ‘Discord, remember all those friendship lessons you taught her? What is she going to do now that she’s all alone?’ So, I decided to pay you a visit. And here I am.”

“Oh,” Twilight said nervously. “Well, I’m still the Princess of Friendship. Same as always, heh heh…” Discord frowned.

“You really never were one for lying Twilight. Something’s up, you and I both know it.” He leaned in close to her. “You can’t out-trick a trickster, Twilight. I’m eons ahead of you in that regard.” Twilight backed up.

“Discord, I assure you, I’m not planning anything. I’m the Princess of Friendship. I always have been, and I always will be.”

“Goodness, I never said you were planning anything!” he said with a Cheshire smile, as Twilight kept talking.

“Either way, I’m in the Crystal Empire visiting Skyla because she’s my niece and I-”

“What’s this about Skyla now?” He asked, feigning curiosity. “Twilight, what you’re saying sounds highly suspect. I think I should pick your brain, you don’t mind, do you?” Before she could answer Discord shrank down to the size of an earthworm and slithered in one of Twilight’s ears and out the other. He grew back to his normal size, and wore a look of shock on his face that was rather rare for him.
“My, Twilight…” he said, his voice unusually calm. “I never took you for such a conniver.”

“Discord it’s not what you-” He cut her off abruptly.

“I’ve never been more proud of you!” He said, grinning ear to ear. “You remind me of myself when I was two hundred.” Discord leaned down and picked her up, squeezing her affectionately. “My little Twilight’s all grown up!”

“Disc-*agch*,” Twilight struggled to speak. “Put me*gurk*down!” He dropped her on the crystalline pavement. She gasped heavily for a few moments before regaining her composure. “You can’t tell anyone! Understand?”

“Oh don’t worry. Your secret’s safe with me.” As he said this a zipper appeared on his lips which he then zipped shut.

“Thank you.” Twilight said. “I’m going through a lot right now, and I don’t need one more thing on my plate.”

“Ha ha, splendid! Well, I’ll be off then. You know, places to go, chaos to cause…” Discord manifested a tiny hat and briefcase from thin air. “Ta ta for now, Twilight.” And with a snap of his fingers he disappeared. Twilight took a moment to assess what had just happened, then continued walking.

Twilight thought about what Discord had said to her. Am I really a conniver? She didn’t know whether her actions were morally justifiable. There’s nothing wrong in what I’m doing, is there? As Twilight walked she glanced at various crystal ponies. In a way she envied them, as they were all heedless of the gift it was to be mortal. Through the sprawling buildings and by-streets she was again reminded of the crystal fair and the colosseum erected for the Equestrian Games. Her efforts to banish those thoughts to the recesses of her mind proved fruitless. She didn’t care though. She had reached her destination.

Twilight stood in front of the Crystal Empire Library. She entered through the huge crystalline doors and approached the reference desk.

“Pardon me,” she said. “I am looking for the spell archive.”

“Oh,” the librarian said. “Of course, Princess. That’s, hm…okay. Ah! Yes, I remember! Spell archive is located in the east hall.”
“Thank you.” Twilight walked back to the east hall of the enormous library. After a few minutes of searching, she found the book she needed.

“Ah, here it is! A Collection of Offensive and Defensive Spells for the Practical Unicorn.” A tome of eldritch lore predating even Starswirl the Bearded. Most of the spells in this book would largely be considered unorthodox, even illegal by today’s standards. She used her magic to flip though the pages. “Alphabetized, just the way I like it.” As she glaced at the various diagrams, she couldn’t help but imagine Equestria in a barbaric state, where these spells could be deemed even tolerable.

“P, P, where is P…ah, right here! Let’s see, P-R…” Twilight continued searching the ancient tome until she found a particular spell.
“Here it is!” Twilight half-shouted. She read the description aloud to herself:

Praeceptum ex Cornu - the commanding spell. A latent mind control spell that remains dormant in the recipient until invoked by the caster. By uttering the following incantation, the spell will implant in the target until activated by the caster through use of a trigger phrase of the caster’s choosing. Because of the nature of this spell, it is often referred to as, “The Sleeper Agent’s Spell,” or the “S.A.S.”

Twilight quickly memorized the spell, and chose a trigger phrase to activate it. She didn’t know why, but felt that “Would you kindly?” would be most appropriate.

“Perfect for my backup plan!” She said. “Let’s just hope this failsafe works better than my last one.” She closed the book and made a haste exit. With this knowledge secure, she returned to the castle.

That night, as Skyla lay sound asleep in her room, the door creaked open ever so slightly. Twilight entered without a sound, and loomed over the foot of her bed. Her horn glowed a bight magenta as she readied herself.

“I’m sorry, Skyla. But this is something I have to do.” Without further ado, Twilight whispered the spell:

When all is said, and all is though

All my bidding will pass unto you!

A tiny pink orb emerged from Twilight’s horn. It floated over Skyla’s body before snaking its way into her mouth. She didn’t so much as flinch. When Twilight was certain the spell had finished its assimilation she exited the room without a sound.

All that remained of Twilight’s plan was to choose a time when she would ask Skyla to take her place. After a hundred years of preparation, her plan was finally coming to fruition. For the longest time after Twilight cast her surreptitious spell, everything seemed perfect. But perfect never lasts.