Elements of the Past

My Faithful Student:
Your presence is requested and required in Canterlot. Depart with the sunrise. Do not bring Spike, or any of your fellow Elements. There are important matters we need to discuss. You may be spending several weeks in Canterlot, so plan accordingly.
Your Teacher, Mentor, and Friend;
Princess Celestia

Requested and required, a phrase that stood out sharply in Twilight’s thoughts. Celestia’s letter was disturbing. The Princess was normally very friendly, very informal. The sharpness of her letter made Twilight think something was very wrong in Canterlot.

Twilight made some simple preparations. Spike was more than capable of minding the Library in her absence. She spoke with Rarity, arranging for Spike to spend the next few weeks staying with her, much to his delight. She spoke with Pinkie, apologizing in advance for missing her upcoming birthday, and explaining how she had to visit Canterlot. When Pinkie insisted they simply move the party to the capital, Twilight had to rather harshly reject her idea. She left a gift for the party with Applejack, hoping her tasteful present would cheer up the dejected pink pony. Then she packed, taking a simple dress, a couple of pieces of modest jewelry, and several indispensable reference guides. She needed to be prepared for anything.

The train took Twilight to Canterlot the next morning. She noted with a chill that she was its only occupant. Was the Princess displeased with her? When the train pulled into the station, she was met with a pair of surly looking royal guards, as well as a bevy of reporters. The attention that Twilight and her friends were receiving in Canterlot was embarrassing. It had been that way ever since the unfortunate events at Shining Armour’s wedding, which had revealed to the entire court their identities as the Elements of Harmony. Upon the last trip she had made with the girls to the capital, they had been hounded by reporters, well-wishers, and photographers. By the end of it, even the spotlight loving Rainbow Dash, and the glamour loving Rarity, were camera shy.

She dutifully followed the guards towards the carriage that was waiting for her, gritting her teeth, ignoring the blinding light of the cameras’ flashes. Once she was inside, she let a sigh of relief. When were those ponies going to tire of news stories about the Elements of Harmony?

She was greeted at the palace by a solemn looking Celestia. Twilight felt her hair standing on end. Something was wrong. Something had to be wrong. Celestia let out a melancholic sigh. “Come with me Twilight.” The white princess started walking towards the castle, clearly expecting Twilight to follow along beside her. “You’re probably wondering why I’ve had you come.” Celestia looked down at Twilight, who nodded back. “Simply put, there are areas of your education which have been neglected, as they are…” The princess trailed off, then shook her head. “Unpleasant.”
Twilight waited quietly until they were alone in the Princess’ study. “What do you mean, unpleasant?” Twilight asked in a flat voice. They sat at a small, two person table near the room’s solitary window. Tea, coffee, and a variety of pasties were lain out upon it. With the smallest effort, Twilight poured herself a large cup of steaming coffee. Her horn still glowing with magic, she inclined her head towards the Alicorn.

“Tea, thank you Twilight.” Celestia’s face was still nearly expressionless, something that worried Twilight a great deal. Her teacher was usually vibrant, and energetic. Twilight poured a cup of tea, ignoring the pastries. Twilight looked expectantly towards Celestia. Celestia looked away from Twilight, before posing a question, “What do you know about the Black Archives?”

Twilight’s eyes widened at that. “You…we store forbidden magics there. It’s a repository for the knowledge that nopony should have.” Celestia nodded.
“Nearly right, my dear Twilight,” Celestia winced at her unintentional rhyming. “Though the archive contains mostly magical knowledge, it also contains histories, and several artifacts. It has, over the years, become a hiding place for the ugliness that I did not wish to expose my little ponies to.” Twilight watched Celestia intently, thinking to herself, that in this instance, the princess looked very old. “However, It is short-sighted and wrong for me to feign ignorance about certain things. Some knowledge is necessary.” A very serious look crossed Celestia’s face, “What do you know about dark magic, Twilight?”

Celestia studied her student intently, looking for tells, reaction, anything to imply that her faithful student had been trotting in forbidden grounds. The matter of fact way that Twilight answered stripped any lingering suspicion from her mind. “Very little, Princess. I know that Dark Magic is mainly used to cause injury, pain, or death to other. However, more malicious compulsions, summoning rituals, and certain restorative spells are classified as such.” Twilight rattled off, word for word, a textbook definition of Dark Magic. “I’ve never cared to really look into it, Princess. Some unicorns at the academy were very interested, but…” Twilight trailed off. “It’s repugnant, isn’t it?” I mean, what it the point of magic that can only do bad things to others? It’s just not something I’d ever need to know.”

“A very practical attitude. However, there are other considerations.” Celestia shook her head. “You know Alicorns may not use Dark Magic, yes?”
Twilight looked at her teacher, furrowing her brow. “No, I didn’t. I didn’t think there was anything you couldn’t do.”

In spite of herself, Celestia chuckled, forgetting at time just how her subjects viewed her. Omnipotent. Immortal. Omniscient. She had heard all these phrases thrown about before. The events of the last two years should have proven to everypony how she was mortal, fallible, just like them. But no, since everything worked out, everypony assumed that it had been her plan all along. In truth, her recently revealed weakness had left her very worried. She hadn’t lost a battle in over a thousand years, yet Chrysalis had bested her. With ease. The Changeling Queen had expected annihilation when she had faced the Alicorn. Celestia had expected the same outcome. She was willing to act, decisively to protect her subjects. Both her and Chrysalis, had been shocked she had failed.

“Twilight,” Celestia spoke, a very gentle reprimand on her lips, “I’m not a god. I have never claimed to be such.” I am as mortal, as prone to mistakes, as any. Even more so than someponies.” Celestia stared at her student, who was looking rather shaken. Idly, Celestia reached out with her magic, and poured another sugar into Twilight’s nearly untouched coffee. She offered her student a reassuring smile. “Which brings us to the matter at hoof. Redbeard, as you know, is the head of the Academy, as well as being in charge of the School for gifted unicorns. He has, slipped deep into senility as of late.”
Twilight watched her with cautious interest. “I’m sorry Princess, but I don’t understand what that has to do with me”

Reluctantly, hesitantly, Celestia replied, “Redbeard is very learned in Dark Magic.” Twilight let out a sharp gasp. Very firmly, Celestia continued, “At my order.”

“But why, I don’t understand why anypony would need to know…” Twilight nearly spit out the words, “that horrible magic.”

Celestia had expected this. “It’s a failsafe. Against me. And now you must learn the same, so if it ever comes to it,” Twilight’s expression was one of pure horror, “You can kill an Alicorn.”