The Price of Magicby RaichuChaptersChapter 1Chapter 2Chapter 3Chapter 4Chapter 1“I know, it’s last minute, but would you please consider it?” Twilight Sparkle pleaded to her former mentor and friend, Princess Celestia. Celestia’s expression never changed as she stared down at her former student. She hadn’t seen Twilight in over ten years; her young student had dropped contact with her five years ago, and, despite Celestia’s visits to Ponyville, Twilight never seemed to have time to see her whenever she was there. Despite her attempts to get Twilight to leave her house, she finally left her alone when Twilight had yelled at her. What she’d said exactly was something that Celestia would like to forget. But that was five years ago. And now Twilight Sparkle, her former student and friend, wanted Celestia to foalsit for her. It surprised Celestia that Twilight actually had a foal. Neither Twilight nor her friends had mentioned a pregnancy, but Celestia had not seen or heard from her former student in over five years. Perhaps it wasn’t much of a surprise after all. Celestia was shocked, however, when Twilight showed up at her castle door, asking her to foalsit as if she hadn’t broken off their friendship all those years ago. “You have a foal?” she asked as she glanced around the room. Twilight hadn’t come in with anypony else. “She’s in the hall,” Twilight said, noticing Celestia’s searching look. “I told the guard to watch her.” So she’s a filly, Celestia thought. “She can get into trouble at times, but I told her that you were her aunt and to listen to you,” Twilight explained. “She’s a complete sweetheart but-” “Why couldn’t you have somepony else foalsit her? Like her father perhaps?” Celestia asked calmly. She suspected there was no father and Twilight’s flinch only confirmed her suspicions. “She doesn’t have one,” Twilight said plainly. “It was a one night stand.” “Then why can’t somepony else foalsit her, Twilight?” Celestia asked with a slightly suspicious tone. ‘What aren’t you telling me?' Celestia thought. “There‘s nothing wrong with her,” Twilight said as though she could read Celestia’s mind, and having known Celestia for so long, she probably could. “But I couldn’t get anypony else to do it on such short notice,” she explained. A loud thump came from out of the room. Both alicorns looked to the door, then back at each other. “I hope she didn’t destroy anything,” Twilight muttered. She coughed then looked back up at Celestia. “I know that I haven’t really talked to you in the past few years, but I really need you to do this for me, Celestia. I’ll only be gone for two weeks. Please?” “Mommy?” A loud young voice came from outside the door. “I’m hungry and I have to use the bathroom.” “We’re almost done!” Twilight said loudly, in a gentle tone. “Wait just a little longer.” “Okay!” The voice yelled back. Twilight seemed to pause. “Actually, come in and meet Auntie Celestia!” The door creaked open. A gray hoof pushed through the crack and shoved the door open a little further. A small filly slid through the thresehold and trotted into the room. She stared at Celestia with wide eyes before quickly running behind her mother and peering out from behind her. “Hi.” She whispered. She was small unicorn filly. She had a light gray coat that seemed match her golden eyes, her mane was a dark purple with blue stripes. Her tail… Celestia squinted. “Come from your mother, young one.” Celestia said kindly. The filly inched from behind Twilight and sat down, wrapping her tails around herself. She didn’t have a normal pony tail. Instead, the lower half of her body, while the same color as her upper half was a fox’s lower end. She had fox legs for hind legs and white paws rather than hooves, she had two fox tails that were as grey as her coat with a white tip. Her cutie mark was a blue flame on the end of a stick. “I’m Spirit Blaze!” She said cheerfully, sticking out a hoof. Celestia shook it. “Nice to meet you!” “You too,” Celestia said distractedly as she stared at the tails. She noticed Twilight’s glare out of the corner of her eye but ignored it. “Spirit, will you give Twilight and I a moment? The bathroom is also down the hall and the first door on the right.” “Thank you!” She rushed from the room. Celestia looked to Twilight. “What was her father?” “He’s not important,” Twilight said casually. “It was just a one-time thing.” “I believe that he is important, considering that Spirit is only a half pony,” Celestia said, her voice adapting a much more stern tone. “It’s not that important,” Twilight stated calmly. “Then what was it?” Celestia pressed. “It doesn’t matter!” Twilight snapped. “All I need you to do is take care of her for two weeks and then we’ll be out of your life!” “Auntie Celestia?” The door creaked open and Spirit slipped inside once more. “Am I not going to stay with you?” Celestia paused. “Of course you are,” Celestia said gently as she and Twilight both stood. “Stay in my study for a second.” She looked at Twilight and frowned. “The guards will escort you out, Twilight.” Twilight nuzzled her daughter before leaving. As soon as she had gone, Celestia sat on the floor. “Have a seat,” she said, gesturing at the floor in front of her. She levitated a pillow down next to her. Spirit sat on the pillow and then looked up at Celestia. “Hello Spirit Blaze. I’m Princess Celestia, but you can call me Aunt Celestia or Auntie Celestia. I’d like for us to try to get to know each other better while you’re here,” Celestia said with a gentle smile. “Would you like to do that?” “Of course!” Spirit said happily as she nearly bounced out of her seat in excitement. She did fall over however, but got up just as quickly. “If you don’t mind me asking, I would like to know your species.” Spirit Blaze tilted her head and frowned. “I know that you are part pony but you do have a fox tail…” One of her tails stood up straight while the other lazily tapped the floor. She stared at her hooves then looked back at Celestia. “I’m part Kitsune.” She said quietly. Even though Kitsunes were real and though Celestia had met a few in her life, how Twilight had slept with one was, for once, something Celestia never imagined could happen. Kitsunes were wise even when they were young and had a problem with mating beyond their own species unless it was for good reason. They never had sex just to have it. They were wise and proud. This sort of thing didn’t just happen. There was more to this story, but Celestia didn’t see how she could obtain the rest of it. She supposed she could only get so much of the story from Spirit Blaze, assuming she even knew the story of her own birth and Twilight didn’t lie to her. “Are you ok, Auntie Celestia?” Spirit asked. Celestia snapped herself out of her thought and smiled down at Spirit. “Of course. I was just thinking. Do you know your father?” Spirit shook her head. Of course, if Twilight wasn’t going to tell Celestia, then why would she tell her own daughter? And yet, Twilight had met a Kitsune whom she also just happened to have sex with. And as Kitsunes didn’t exactly go around doing that with everypony they met, she had no idea how Twilight managed it. Let alone how she let herself get pregnant. Even Twilight would have been smart enough to use a spell to make sure she didn’t conceive. But Celestia was here to foalsit and not to sit around and think. Thinking could be done later. “What is your favorite food, Spirit?” Celestia asked as she stood. Spirit stared up at her for a few moments before she followed her to the door. “I like watermelon,” Spirit murmured. Celestia glanced back at her; she was staring at the floor before she looked up at Celestia. Spirit grinned. “I like watermelon!” She repeated in a more enthusiastic tone. Then she raced past Celestia and out into the hall. She turned around, sat down, and waited for Celestia, quietly. “Are you sure you like watermelon?” Celestia asked, suspicious of Spirit’s initial reaction to the question. “Or is that what Twilight told you to tell me?” “How did you know?” Spirit asked, looking up at Celestia in surprise. “Can you read minds?” “Why would Twilight tell you to lie to me?” Celestia queried, ignoring the young filly’s question. “I don’t know. She just said to,” Spirit said, nervously pawing the ground. “I’m sorry Auntie Celestia.” “It’s alright. You don’t need to lie to me. Just from now on, tell me the truth, alright?” Celestia asked, bending down to smile at the young filly. “Now what is your favorite food?” “I like chicken!” Chapter 2Celestia watched as Spirit Blaze tore into her roasted chicken. Thankfully, griffins knew how to cook meat, because Celestia’s cooks sure didn’t. She’d insisted they make her chicken tonight but, as her chefs didn’t know how, a local griffin cook from town was quickly sent in to make chicken for Spirit. Spirit tore into her chicken, hungrily, without a second thought. She ignored the utensils at her side and instead ate like a wild animal. She seemed to really enjoy the chicken, which pleased Celestia. What worried her, however, was how fast she gobbled it down. She was currently on her third plate, after devouring two other whole roasted chickens—minus the bones, thankfully. Celestia wondered if Twilight ever fed her, but she didn’t look underfed. “Spirit?” Celestia called out. She looked up from her plate and shrank back into her seat as she looked at the mess she had made on the table, then looked at how delicately Celestia was eating her salad. “Sorry for the mess, Auntie Celestia,” Spirit said, as she grabbed a fork in one hoof and a napkin in the other. “Never mind that,” Celestia said, cleaning the mess from the table instantly, with a simple cleaning spell. Spirit looked at Celestia in awe. “Wow!” She exclaimed. “Does Twilight ever feed you?” Celestia chuckled, partially making a joke. “Yeah. When she remembers.” Celestia immediately stopped laughing and looked at Spirit sternly. Spirit shrank even more under her gaze. “What do you mean by that?” Celestia asked carefully. “Well, Spike mostly gives me dinner. Mom’s always working on something and she mutters to herself about stuff. She never eats dinner, so it’s just Spike and me. When Spike’s not there, she tries to remember, but sometimes I have to eat cold soup by myself.” Spirit replied and glanced hungrily at the chicken. “And it’s never enough. Spike always makes small meals and it takes a lot to fill me up. And he doesn’t make chicken.” “Then how do you know that chicken is your favorite?” Celestia asked. “Mom went into one of her… moods again. She was muttering weird things and talking in a low voice. She made me chicken that day and she even ate it with me.” Spirit said and stared at her hooves. “Except I thought that ponies can’t eat meat.” They can’t, Celestia thought. But Twilight did. How though? “So thank you for making chicken, Auntie Celestia!” Spirit smiled. “What do you mean by one of Twilight’s moods? How long have they been happening?” Celestia asked curiously. Spirit handed her plate to the nearest guard who took it away immediately when Celestia waved at him to do so. The same guard brought her another plate of chicken and Spirit attacked it with the same ferocity that she used on the first chicken she ate. She paused, swallowed and looked at Celestia. “Since… forever. Well, she… she gets kind of… weird,” Spirit said, wiping her mouth on her leg. Celestia levitated a napkin down in front of her which she stared at for a few seconds before looking back up at her. She wiped it on her leg and cleared her throat. “I mean, Mom is mostly nervous, and she runs around working on magic and stuff, and she ignores me. But when she goes into one of her moods, she focuses all of her attention on me. Sometimes she talks to herself, but she mostly just cooks for me and talks to me about life. She goes into her moods almost three times a week,” Spirit paused and frowned. “She then asks me if she did anything when she blacked out and I always tell her no, even though I’m lying…” “How does she act when she’s in these moods?” Celestia asked. Spirit jumped out of her chair and onto the table. “Kind of like this,” Spirit said, her eyes glowing a bright yellow before dying down. She began to speak in a voice similar to Twilight’s. “How’s school, Spirit? Are you getting enough to eat? You look so scrawny. You know, back in my day, we used to eat whole chickens and we liked it. What do you eat? Nothing? Cause it sure looks like you’ve been living off beans and rice like some sort of… ah… pony. AHAHAHAHA! A pony!” Spirit blinked before staring directly at Celestia. She crouched down as her tails stood straight up. She growled. “Dang ponies! Oh… um… Spirit, I didn’t see you there. Never mind me, just an old mare talking about junk. I’ll make beef ribs tonight. I know where to get a cow or two. That girl, uh, Fluttershy knows ‘em. Nobody will miss one… or three… or heh, FIVE.” Spirit cleared her throat. “And then she vomits all the meat she eats afterwards.” She said, her voice returning to normal. Celestia watched as Spirit sat down. She stared at the young filly before looking down at her salad. She felt sick. Something was definitely wrong with Twilight. If Spirit’s description of Twilight was correct, then Twilight was being possessed by a Kitsune. **************************************** Celestia threw aside another book. Spirit had just been tucked into bed, after being read a bedtime story, and now Celestia sat here in the library of the castle, searching for something that would give her answers on Twilight’s condition. Getting possessed by a Kitsune was rare. Kitsunes were normally more solitary than social and didn’t go near others more than what was necessary. They could tolerate being around their own species, as far as Celestia knew, but no other creature. Possession made that much worse because they were stuck inside a creature for a long time. That was assuming that it was even a Kitsune that was in Twilight. It could be some other creature, but the only creature who would care as much as Twilight about Spirit Blaze would be her own father. Kitsunes loved their families more than almost anything else. If her father had possessed Twilight, it would make sense. But something else didn’t make sense either. Twilight probably knew she was possessed. So why would she allow herself to become possessed in the first place? And possession never normally lasted a long time. The host would never be able to the take the pressure of two souls sharing the same body, even Kitsunes knew that. Twilight had been like that awhile, according to Spirit so that long of a possession would be impossible. Celestia would have to ask Spirit more. Unless the Kitsune was stuck inside Twilight somehow. It would make sense. Twilight would keep herself alive using magic and neglecting her daughter would be a result of trying to keep herself alive. When the Kitsune spirit would take over, it would be the one to spend time with Spirit. The Kitsune would be unharmed since it wasn’t the host. Assuming her theory was even right. The only way to test that was to visit Twilight. But she couldn’t since Twilight was going away for two weeks. So it seemed she was going to have to ask the next best thing. ******************* The only pony who could get here on such short notice was Rainbow Dash. The rainbow maned mare landed in front of Celestia, giving a slight bow before flying back up into the air. “What can I do for you, your highness?” Rainbow Dash asked, grinning. “What do you know about Spirit Blaze?” Celestia asked, as Spirit Blaze walked out from behind her. Rainbow stared at Spirit before shaking her head and backing towards the door. “I-I don’t know anything! I have to go.” Rainbow said and flew off towards the door. “Rainbow Dash, please. It’s important.” Celestia pleaded. Rainbow stopped and sighed. She flew back to Celestia and landed in front of her. “Princess Celestia, I… there are a lot of things I’ve seen. But Spirit isn’t just a filly. She’s a price.” Rainbow Dash said darkly. Spirit shivered and wrapped a tail around Celestia’s leg. “What does that mean?” Celestia asked with a frown. Rainbow’s expression lightened. “Dunno. That’s all Twilight would tell me when I broke into her house.” Rainbow shrugged, her tone instantly lightening. “Is that really all, Rainbow Dash?” Celestia asked, an eyebrow raised. “Well, she also mentioned something about wanting to learn more magic and Spirit was the price she had to pay or something, but that was egg-” Rainbow coughed. “I mean, boring stuff. You know, I’m not into all that.” “Does anypony else know about Spirit Blaze?” “Only the girls. We don’t know how it happened. I mean, Twilight took a trip to the White Tail Woods, came back, and soon she had a foal. We’re all not really sure what happened up there. We’ve questioned her like a million times, but she won’t say anything!” Rainbow exclaimed, throwing up her hooves. Spirit stared at her with curiosity. Celestia frowned. “Why did she go to White Tail Woods?” Celestia asked, taking a step forward. Rainbow flew a pace back and nervously grinned. She looked side to side then at Celestia. She suddenly took on a more serious face. “Dunno. Magic research or whatever,” She said calmly and shrugged. “Twilight stuff.” “Oh really?” Spirit asked loudly. Rainbow looked down at her. “Or are you lying Rainbow Dash?” “I’m not lying, kiddo.” “Oh sure. Mom goes to the woods for what, a week? And you don’t find that suspicious at all?” Spirit asked as she walked up to Rainbow, her tails held high. “Or maybe you know what happened and you’re too scared to tell us!” “Spirit.” Celestia said sternly but Spirit did not appear to be listening. “I’m not scared and I don’t know what happened,” Rainbow spat at Spirit and crossed her forelegs. “All I know is that your mother was gone.” “And why was she gone?” Spirit asked forcefully. “I don’t know!” “Scaredy cat!” “Am not!” “Are too!” “Spirit!” Celestia said louder and a little more forcefully. “Shush, I’m on a roll.” Spirit muttered. Rainbow did not seem to hear her statement. “Am not!” “Meow meow! Does Mr. Scaredy cat need a soothing hug?” Spirit mocked and stretched out her forelegs while she sat on her haunches. “Looks like some kitty needs a belly rub.” “I DON’T!” Rainbow shouted. Spirit shrank. “Your mother was going there to study magic, okay?” “What type of magic?” Spirit asked smugly. “I don’t know.” Rainbow said, her shoulders sagging. She landed on the floor and dipped her head. “I don’t know what happened when she went there. She just came back calmly and had a foal a few months later. We delivered you in her house because she refused to go to the hospital. We soon found out why.” “Because I’m not normal,” Spirit said, her ears drooping but she kept a firm tone nevertheless. “Well… yeah and I guess because Ponyville might panic if Twilight had a… a…” Rainbow Dash trailed off on her words. “A monster?” There was a hurt look in Spirit’s eyes. “No, a… foal. Your mother isn’t known for sleeping around.” Rainbow Dash said and looked up at Celestia. “As far as I know she was she said she was going on a trip to White Tail Woods to study forest magic or something there. It’s part of the Earth Pony magic studies she’s been doing lately. That’s what she told me when I saw her leaving Ponyville, anyways.” “Rainbow Dash.” Celestia spoke up. “Thank you for the information. You may leave whenever you please.” “Okay, Princess Celestia,” Rainbow bowed and began to leave. “Wait,” Celestia called out. Rainbow looked back at her. “Where did Twilight say she was going this week? She left young Spirit here with me while she went away on a trip.” “White Tail Woods.” Rainbow Dash said and flew out quickly. Celestia watched her go before looking down at Spirit. “We’re going to take a trip.” She said simply before turning to trot away. Chapter 3“This place makes me feel safe.” Spirit commented as Celestia landed in front of the path that led into White Tail Woods. The forest was much bigger compared to the Everfree Forest. Its tall trees seemed to bend towards and grow closer to each other making it so that the only path into the forest was also the only entrance. The trees blocked the sunlight into the forest and made the path look like a dark into the forest. Celestia’s horn glowed a bright yellow while Spirit snuggled into her back. “Safe?” Celestia echoed as she stared at the forest. She only felt dread. “Yeah. I don’t know why though.” Spirit looked up at the spooky forest. “Why are we here?” “To find your mother,” Celestia said firmly. “Mom said she’d be right back,” Spirit replied as her hooves dug into Celestia’s mane. They began to walk into the forest. Trees seemed to block their only exit and closed like doors to the outside world as Celestia began to walk deeper and deeper into the woods. “I know.” Celestia replied after a few moments of silence. “I just wish to speak to her.” Celestia suddenly stopped as a rabbit jumped from a bush right into the path before them. It blinked and sniffed the air. Then something leapt out of the bushes and tackled it suddenly. The two creatures fought before a swift bite to the rabbit’s neck brought an end to its struggling. The creature suddenly stood and looked at Celestia and Spirit. “Well… this awkward.” The Kitsune said, as Spirit jumped off of Celestia’s back. “Either of you want any?” “Who are you?” Spirit asked. The Kitsune stood up proudly. “The name’s Daredevil,” He said and put out a paw. Spirit shook it. “And you must be Princess Celestia. And you…” He looked at Spirit curiously. “Spirit Blaze.” Spirit introduced happily. “Ah, a half-tail.” He nodded. “Good to note. Where’s your mother… or father?” “We’re coming to find her.” Spirit said, sitting on the hard forest floor. “She’s a purple mare.” “Oh yeah. Her,” Daredevil said, frowning, he looked into the depths of the forest, his sharp blue eyes seemed to be glowing. “She went this way, I think. I’ll show you the way, if you want.” “Can we?” Spirit asked, looking back at Celestia. Celestia only nodded, lost in thought. Daredevil picked his rabbit up in his jaws and started making his way along the forest floor. They followed him deep into the forest. Celestia was surprised by how Daredevil talked. The Kitsunes she had spoken with— though it was over five hundred years ago—talked quite like how Luna spoke. They were wise, with more wisdom than Celestia. They seemed to be very traditional and secretive, but this one seemed kind and… modern. Kitsunes stuck to their old traditions. They were wary of strangers. Daredevil seemed fine with Celestia and Spirit Blaze. Even though the Kitsunes she met knew who she was, they still did not trust her. This was odd. “I’m not saying I’m not grateful for your help, but I assumed Kitsunes didn’t help strangers.” Celestia commented. Daredevil glanced back at her then faced forward again at the path ahead. “Well, times change. We had to either learn to fit in with today’s culture or hang on to our traditions and die with the past,” Daredevil said. “I’m roughly two hundred years old and I’ve seen a lot. If there’s one thing I know it’s that my species will only survive if we stay with the times, so to speak.” “So that’s why you accepted Spirit.” Celestia mumbled. Daredevil flicked his ear. “I can hear you… and yes, that’s why. A lot of clans are pushing the move to breed outside our own species. Spirit is not the only one of her kind,” Daredevil said as he kept walking. “Some of us wish to stick to our old ways so to be careful. Some of us are not as nice.” “So you all live here in this forest?” Spirit asked. “No, no. Just most of the clans. It’s the farthest forest away from ponies.” Daredevil said as he came to a stop. Spirit bumped into him and fell over. Celestia nudged her up then looked ahead to the clearing before them. “Is that her?” Daredevil asked, pointing. Celestia nodded. Twilight was crouched near a stone statue of a Kitsune. The Kitsune was sitting and was about Twilight’s size. Twilight was muttered something near the statue. “Mom!” Spirit shouted as she bounced towards the clearing. Daredevil’s tails seemed to stretch eerily into the air before a tail shot out and grabbed her. She was pulled back towards Celestia and Daredevil with ease. “Shhhh,” Daredevil whispered to Spirit as he dumped her beside Celestia. “Something’s not right about her.” “You’ve got that right,” Twilight said, her voice deepening and echoing around them. She turned around, her eyes bright yellow. Golden mist was circling her hooves. “Hello Daredevil.” “Smokey.” Daredevil growled. “What are you doing? You know the rules! We’re not supposed to possess ponies!” “Screw the rules, as the youngsters say today,” Smokey said and coughed. Golden mist began to leak from his mouth. “Get out of my mother!” Spirit shouted. “Get out you monster!” “Don’t you know who I am, child? Didn’t your mother ever tell you? I am your father.” Smokey grinned eerily. “What?” Spirit asked, taking a step backwards, her ears flattening on her head. “You’re not my dad. Mom said that my dad was dead!” “Well, she lied. He’s not dead, he’s right here.” Smokey said and laughed. “And dead? That’s a good one. How did she say I died?” “I don’t know,” Spirit whispered. “She never mentioned the how.” “Well, I hate to break it to you, sweetheart, but Kitsunes don’t just die. We live a very long time and if we do die, then well… it’s complicated. The thing is, we just don’t die.” Smokey said and trotted up to the edge of the clearing. “But that doesn’t matter. It’s good to see that you’re here, Spirit. We should have a little chat.” “How did this happen?” Celestia asked, speaking up for the first time in a while. “Twilight would be smarter than to let a Kitsune possess her. She would fight back.” “I don’t believe you know my predicament,” Smokey said, smiling at Celestia. “I’m stuck in this body. You see, Twilight allowed me to possess her. But she tried to pull me in with her magic rather than letting me do it naturally. It combined our souls and now we share a body.” “Why would Mom let you possess her?” Spirit asked. “She wanted to learn more about magic. More than her mentor could or would ever teach her. There were books, she claimed, that, even as a princess, her mentor would never let her access. Some mentor she has, I say. But she knew I could teach her that kind of magic. And I could possess her and teach her the magic from within her… for a price.” Smokey said and grinned at Spirit. “I’ve always wanted kids.” “You didn’t,” Daredevil growled. “You forced her to bear your young in exchange for teaching her about magic. That’s sick.” “Well, every Kitsune’s family line is expected to live on for a very long time. I’m not exactly attractive and I was an only child. I think it’s a great deal,” Smokey replied, watching Spirit. “Spending years stuck inside your mother was a great way to observe your progress. She never did spend any time with you. Always spent her time learning that magic I was teaching her. After a few years I refused to teach her because she never spent any time with you. She argued that it wasn’t part of our deal and tried to force me out. It didn’t work because our souls have become one, something she never realized. She came here to try and force me out. It didn’t work so I took over when I smelled you all coming here.” “You forced Twilight to have a child in exchange for teaching her magic? And she agreed to it?” Celestia asked, surprised that her former student would be so desperate to do such a thing. She knew Twilight wanted to know more about magic but the books she wanted to access were on dark and light magic. They were very dangerous and powerful spells and when handled improperly, could be dangerous to the user and everypony around them. Celestia intentionally kept them away from her until she was sure that Twilight had learned enough as a Princess to handle them carefully. She never knew that her former student was so desperate to learn new magic that she’d bare a stranger’s child in exchange for knowledge. “Tell Twilight that I’m extremely disappointed and angry at her,” Celestia said firmly to Smokey. Smokey nodded. “She can hear you, she just can’t do anything.” Smokey said. He closed his eyes and opened them a few seconds later. “I believe she’s angry yet crying. She says you didn’t trust her.” “Can I speak to her?” Celestia asked. “Sure. She won’t be able to move though. I have business to handle.” “What kind of business?” Daredevil growled. “None of your business, that’s for sure.” Smokey said. “Give me a sec, Princess.” He grinned. The golden mist began to spread across Twilight’s entire body before it encircled everything but her head. Her eyes cleared and became purple again. She shook her head and blinked before looking up at Celestia. Her eyes watered but she blinked them away and frowned. “Celestia.” She said, her voice wavering. “Hello Spirit.” “Don’t give me that hello crap!” Spirit burst out unexpectedly, both Daredevil and Celestia looking at her in surprise. She walked up to the edge of the clearing. Daredevil held out a tail that kept her from going any further. “You only had me so you could learn magic? Really? So you don’t care about me at all?” “It’s not like that, Spirit.” Twilight said. “I do love you.” “No, you don’t.” Spirit said, her ears flattening as she looked up at her mother. “Most of my life, you never paid any attention to me. Smokey was a better parent than you ever were.” The next few words were said with the most malice Celestia had ever heard a child say in a long time. “And I don’t love you, Twilight.” “T-that’s enough, Spirit.” Celestia said. Spirit turned around and raced back to Celestia. She fell next to the Princess, sobbing on the ground. Celestia looked sadly down at the young filly then back at Twilight. “I’m very disappointed in you, Twilight.” Celestia said coldly. “You wouldn’t let me see those books.” Twilight replied just as coldly. “What was I supposed to do, steal them?” “Considering the situation at hand, I believe that would have been better.” “I did nothing wrong.” “Just so you know, Spirit Blaze will be taken into my care, permanently. I have two witnesses that say you neglected a child. Smokey has permission to visit her but not you, Twilight.” Celestia said as she trotted forth. “Smokey won’t be visiting her either then. He’s stuck in me.” Twilight said. “I can fix that,” Celestia said and smiled. “With ease.” “I only wanted to read some books. But you kept them locked away from me. Didn’t you trust me?” Anger shook Twilight’s voice. “You wanted to read on dark and light magic. That is the most powerful type of magic. You were still a young Princess and alicorn. I wanted to make sure you were ready,” Celestia said. She stepped into the clearing. “Apparently you weren’t ready, nor are you ever going to be, it seems.” “It doesn’t matter. I learned everything I needed to,” Twilight said. “And I didn’t do anything wrong.” “You used illegal spells.” “What?” “Combining souls is not a natural concept. The spell you used on Smokey was a specific type of spell that fuses you to another living creature. You wanted to make sure he wouldn’t break your deal so you fused him with you.” Twilight looked down as she spoke. “The fusion of souls is an illegal practice. It’s highly dangerous to use for a short time but you kept it in use for years. When you spilt, there will be complications. Smokey will be fine, but you will probably not be.” Celestia said and frowned down at Twilight. “And I will be splitting you apart. For Smokey’s sake.” There was a quick flash of yellow and two beings were flung apart from where Twilight’s body was held in the mist. Twilight Sparkle flew to the left and landed on the ground on her side. Her wings were twisted at odd angles, and her horn was cracked. Smokey flew to the right. He was a gray Kitsune with nine long tails with fine white tips. He got up quickly, his golden eyes flashing before rushing towards Spirit. Twilight stood slowly while Celestia quietly watched. Her horn’s glow flickered in and out like a candle in the wind. She winced and stumbled before getting up once again. She rubbed her horn, her eyes widening with the realization that it was cracked. “You will come quietly back to Canterlot. There will be a trial there waiting for you,” Celestia said. Twilight’s horn glowed again, this time a darker color, closer to red. “No. I’m going home and I’m taking Spirit Blaze with me.” Twilight growled, her eyes flashing red. “I didn’t do anything wrong! All I wanted to do was learn and you’ve been keeping knowledge from me because you don’t trust me.” “There is why we don’t study dark and light magic, Twilight. There’s a reason it’s in the restricted section of the library.” Celestia’s horn glowed white. Twilight growled and raced forwards towards Celestia, her horn emitting a red light at her. Celestia stepped sideways as Twilight crashed into the ground where she’d been standing. The red blast hit a nearby tree, turning it to ash. “You’re quite fighter, Twilight. But not good enough.” Celestia side stepped Twilight again, this time the purple mare flew past her and landed on the ground in front of Celestia. Her mane had new darker streaks in it and her eyes glowed an off shade of purple. Her hooves were surrounded by a black mist that seemed to come straight out of her horn, which glowed a pinkish red. “I’ll beat you before I ever come back to Canterlot,” Twilight growled, her voice taking on a more echoing sounding voice. “Even if I have to use a darker type of magic.” “Dark magic corrupts good ponies, Twilight. We both know that and yet you dare to use it without any necessary protection spells?” “I’ve used it before. I’ve never been corrupted. Why are you worrying about me anyways?” Twilight asked as Celestia’s horn glowed white. “Ha! You’re using light magic. If you’re so worried about me getting corrupted, what about you?” “I’ve used it longer than you have, Twilight. I’ve much older and wiser than you. I know what I’m doing. You, on the other hand, don’t. You’re inexperienced and young. Give up now before the magic fully corrupts you. You’ll have a fair trial.” “So I used one illegal spell. So what?” “You used many illegal spells, actually.” “What?” “The practice of dark and light magic is illegal.” “You’re using it.” “This is a flash spell, used to blind ponies, Twilight. It’s a legal light spell and it’s the only legal one. We allow the Royal Guard to use it to fight opponents,” Celestia said, her horn fading into yellow again. Twilight only growled. “You’re losing yourself to the insanity of the spell. Please Twilight, I beg of you, please give yourself up. It’ll be easier for you in the long run.” “Never.” Twilight hissed as she launched herself at the Princess. Celestia let loose her spell and Twilight did as well. A bright red blast exploded, white light filled the area at the same time, blinding everyone in sight of it… Chapter 4I woke up in a small bed. It was comfy, and warm, and I almost didn’t want to leave. But I had to. I didn’t know where I was. I certainly wasn’t back home with Twilight. The door to the room suddenly opened and a mare walked in. She smiled at me warmly, as if she had known me forever. “Hello, Duchess Spirit Blaze,” she said to me, bowing slightly before standing again. “Would you like something to drink?” Now that I thought about it, I was parched. I wasn’t sure why this mare was calling me Duchess or if this was even real at all, but I nodded. “Milk, water, or tea?” She asked. “Water, please,” I croaked, my voice sounding like I had swallowed gravel. My throat hurt and my paws ached. My paws! I pulled off the bed sheet to see that my paws on my hind legs were still intact. I wiggled them. I could feel them. My tails were still there too. I unwrapped them from my legs and looked at them. They were still there. Why would I think they wouldn’t be, though? Oh, right. Auntie Celestia had a fight with my mother. There was a bright light and… I woke up here. Maybe I was dead. I wasn’t sure. I was sure that there wasn’t any pain in heaven, though. I glanced at the wall and spotted a dresser. On top of the dresser was a suitcase that I immediately recognized to be mine. Oh, right. I was in my room in the Canterlot Castle. That made sense. This room was way too fancy to be anything else. Why were they calling me Duchess though? That part didn’t make any sense. I wasn’t royalty… oh wait, I kind of was. Mom was a princess so that made me… a princess, right? Or maybe a Duchess? I didn’t know how titles worked. I wasn’t even sure what a Duchess was. The mare eventually came back with my water. I quickly drank it and thanked her. “Anything else, Duchess Spirit Blaze?” “Can you call me just Spirit?” I asked, my voice no longer sounding like I had swallowed gravel, thanks to the water. “Yes, Spirit.” She replied. “Anything else?” “How about some chicken?” “Of course, Spirit,” She said and exited once more. I smiled and rubbed my hooves together. I could get used to this. I was going to have to. Didn’t Auntie Celestia say I was going to live with her from now on? I suppose she did. So I’d have treatment like this every day? Sounded good, but it could get boring. My door opened again and this time Auntie Celestia slipped inside. She seemed to be okay, but then she collapsed onto the floor before my bed. She quickly stood up again before I could run to her and gave me a stern look. “I’m alright.” She said. I could see that she was definitely not alright, however, considering the reddish tinge to her eyes and the bags beneath them. She’d been crying. She seemed to try and play it off, but I’d seen it happen too many times to Twilight during her magic study sessions in the basement. “What’s going to happen to Twilight and Smokey? What happened back in the forest? Where am I going to live?” I said quickly. Auntie Celestia sighed and stood. “Well, Smokey and Twilight will be taken care of. Twilight’s trial will be held tomorrow at noon. She may have to be given less prison time and more rehabilitation time due to her mental state. Using so much dark magic has corrupted her mind and soul. It’ll be a while before she’s back to normal again. As for Smokey, he will be getting a different sort of punishment,” Auntie Celestia explained. She glanced at my wall for a few seconds before continuing. “As for you, I have found a couple looking for a young filly to adopt and are willing to take you in until I can figure everything out. I agreed with them and hoped that you would, too, unless you’d like to stay with me, but I think you will find royal life incredibly boring after a while.” I nodded in agreement and rubbed my chin in thought. “Who is it? Is it somebody I know?” “Well, I know you don’t know this couple very well but they were the first and only to volunteer for the job so I’m sure you’ll like them.” “Oh.” “Yes. You will get to know them overtime. I’m sure you’ll like them. And if you don’t then you can always come back here.” “Who are they?” I asked out of excitement. Princess Celestia crouched to reveal two ponies standing behind her. I immediately recognized the mare as Rarity, one of Twilight’s old friends who came to visit on occasion. She always brought me dresses that I never got to wear due to Twilight’s insistence that I would never need them. She was always kind to me when she came, but Twilight always herded her out quickly like the rest of her friends that came to visit. Beside her was a stallion I did not recognize. He had a light yellow-brown sort of coat and wore a brown leather jacket. He had on a Stetson that covered his eyes, but when he lifted his hat up, it revealed bright green eyes that stared at me. “I know that we’ve met in the past, but I shall reintroduce myself. My name is Rarity. I was a friend of your mother’s.” Her tone changed instantly making me jump. “If I had known that Twilight was treating you like that, I would have pulled you out of that household myself! A young mare such as yourself must learn to grow in a proper environment!” Rarity huffed, stamping a hoof. “Why, I would even fight Twilight to get you out of there! You poor thing, it must have been so hard living there. But you shall suffer no more!” “Thanks, Rarity.” I smiled dimly. “This means a lot to me.” “Of course, darling.” She replied with a flip of her mane. “And I’m Braeburn.” The stallion introduced himself, his voice had a thick southern drawl to it. “Rarity and I are your new parents. Ah know you don’t know us very well, but ah hope that you come to know and like us.” “We’ve already set up a nice room for you in the boutique,” Rarity stated. “I’ll help you pack whatever things you want out of the castle.” “Thank you so much!” I thanked as I leapt out of the bed and ran over to hug Rarity. She hugged me back tightly before letting go and smiling at me. “You’re going to be happy with us.” Rarity said. “You may call me Rarity or Mom whichever you prefer.” “I think I’ll have to adjust to this all before I call you anything.” I said. She nodded, understanding filling her face. I then turned to Auntie Celestia and frowned. “So what’s up with the whole Duchess Spirit thing?” “Ah yes.” Auntie Celestia nodded. “You are quite different by pony standards. I’ve recently had a chat with Daredevil and according to him, Kitsune-pony hybrids are apparently numerous, although I have never seen or met any in my entire existence. I assume that neither has the population seen a lot of your species and for that reason alone, I have given you your new status. It should keep ponies from harassing you in any way.” “How dare they mess with my Spirit!” Rarity shouted, pulling me in a tight hug and instantly getting defensive. “They won’t dare touch her.” “Of course. But just as a precaution.” Princess Celestia nodded. “Wait…” Rarity let me go and trotted forward in suspicion. “Do we all get the title of Duchess and Duke?” “Of course.” Rarity seemed to explode in happiness and excitement as she squealed but then paused, coughed and returned to a more formal manner. “That was not very ladylike. I’m sorry, your Majesty,” She apologized, bowing at the hooves of Celestia. “So we’re going to live in Ponyville?” I asked. Breaburn nodded. “Ah believe they are more used to… odder things. Although ah know it may remind you of your mother, ah do believe it would be beneficial to you if you stayed there with us. Plus Rarity ain’t so fond of moving.” “Alright.” I nodded in agreement. “I would love to live with you guys!” “Then it’s settled.” Princess Celestia spoke. “These are your new parents.” “Yay!” I said happily and ran into the embrace of my new parents. ******************** Somewhere below the castle, Twilight Sparkle paced a small cell. She felt at the dispersion ring on her horn. She played with her mane. Her eyes glowed a light red. She resumed pacing. A doctor suddenly walked into her room with a clipboard. She attempted to lunge at him and failed, falling a few feet away from the doctor. She glanced back at the chain that had attached her leg to the wall and glared at the doctor. “I want to see Spirit.” Her voice took an angry tone. “You may see her when you’re better.” He said. “Twilight, you are suffering from magic poisoning, corruption, dark influences and magic withdrawals.” “I want to see Spirit.” She repeated. “We need to know how much dark and light magic you have used over the years. It will help with your recovery. Only after you have recovered can you then see Spirit.” The doctor said and levitated his pen in the air. “Do you want to tell me how much you’ve used?” “I don’t have to tell you anything.” She spat. “You wrongly took my daughter away from me. She needs me! She wants me!” “Quite the contrary, actually. She’s being sent away with a new couple right now.” The doctor stated rather cheerfully. “Who?” She said angrily. “I am afraid that that information cannot be divulged.” She began to foam at the mouth a little. Her eyes burned a bright white and her mane began to ripple. “I would not try that, Twilight Sparkle.” The doctor advised but Twilight ignored him as her body began to glow and she lifted into the air. Her mane rippled with magical energy and her cutie mark began to pulse with a white glow. Her eyes blazed and her magenta aura began to creep up around the dispersion ring. Suddenly, there was a loud popping sound and Twilight fell onto the floor, her horn sizzling. “And that is what the dispersion ring is for.” The doctor stated. “Princess Celestia made this one especially for you.” “I want to see my daughter!” Twilight screamed as she began to throw a tantrum like a child. The doctor just looked down pitifully at her. “I demand to have her back!” “It cannot be done, Twilight. You have broken the law.” Twilight looked up to see Princess Celestia standing before her in the small cell, making it cramped with the three ponies. She looked down at Twilight sternly. “You must be punished. Your daughter is going to a nice home that won’t neglect her as much as you did. She deserves better. I don’t quite understand why you would want her back so badly. You didn’t even care about her.” “I…I…” Twilight stammered before slumping onto the floor. “Repono Spatium.” “What?” “Repono Spatium.” Twilight repeated, much louder this time, a grin creeping upon her face. “Oh, no,” Princess Celestia whispered, glancing at the doctor who looked utterly confused. She whispered something in his ear, he nodded then left. Princess Celestia stared at her former student, taking a slow step closer to her. Twilight only grinned at her. “Please tell me that you didn’t, Twilight.” Princess Celestia begged. “Please.” “That’s right. Now you must let me see my daughter,” Twilight said. Princess Celestia was silent. “She is my daughter after all. And if you want to fix me, Celestia, then you must bring her to me. You know this. Only I can fix myself now.” “You couldn’t have put all of it—” “I did. Every. Last. Drop.” Twilight dragged out her words, her grin, now sinister, seemed too large for her face. Her eyes widened to impossible lengths and for a second they were black with white pupils as Celestia stared down at her crazed student. Twilight twitched and almost everything went back to normal, as though Celestia had only imagined it. Almost. The sinister grin was still plastered on her face as she grinned up at her former mentor. “Twilight…” “It’s the only way. You of all ponies should know how this works. Considering Luna and all.” “Don’t you dare mention Luna,” Celestia growled, her stern mask wearing off, replaced by a face of anger. “This is far more different and dangerous than what happened to her. Why would you do this to yourself, Twilight?” “It was necessary and only temporary at first. A precaution.” Twilight shrugged. “But soon the magic I had learned was too… special to let go of. So I kept things that way.” “Too addicting, you mean… How long, Twilight?” “Ten years.” She replied. Celestia gave only the faintest of gasps, but Twilight heard and smiled at her. “It’s not too late however. Just look at Luna.” “Don’t you mention-” “Of course, you would have to bring Spirit back soon. That’s if you would like to fix me in the next week and allow me to keep my sanity. And the more we stand here talking, the more it slips away. There goes your precious… student.” Twilight said evilly, her eyes turning again to black with white specks for pupils on the last word. Celestia stepped back. “What’s the matter, Celestia? Corruption never was pretty, was it? Now hand over Spirit and we can fix this.” “I’m sorry Twilight. But I cannot bring Spirit here.” Celestia said, shaking her head slowly as if this was hard for her to say. “I’ll…I’ll find some other way. But I can’t put her in danger. I don’t know if you will fix yourself or corrupt her.” “NO!” Twilight screamed in a high pitched, other worldly voice. A dark red liquid dripped from her mouth but she quickly licked it up with a swipe of her seemingly too long tongue. “I must have SPIRIT BLAZE!” Twilight’s eyes suddenly closed as she collapsed onto the floor. A dim yellow light quickly faded from her body as well as from Celestia’s horn. Celestia knelt beside her former student. “I’ll fix you, Twilight. I promise.” She whispered as she nuzzled Twilight before standing to leave. The doctor suddenly returned holding a pill bottle in his magical grasp. “I have the medicine that you requested... what happened in here?” He asked as he glanced from Twilight’s slumped form to Celestia. “Twilight Sparkle requested that I help her sleep. In the meantime, we will have to completely change her medicines and dosage. Her magical corruption is far more complicated than I expected.” “Yes Your Highness!” The doctor bowed before trotting out. Celestia followed him. “So what sort of treatment…” ******************** I suddenly felt a light tap on my shoulder. I turned around to see my new father giving me a concerned expression. I stared back. “What?” I asked. “You seemed a little lost in thought.” He said. I looked back outside at the rolling landscapes that passed by. The train to Ponyville was moving fast, much faster than the rate it was going at when I rode on it with Twilight to Canterlot. “I was just thinking about Smokey and Twilight.” I replied as I watched a bird fly by. “Princess Celestia said that Twilight’s mental state was messed up. I wonder why that is and how Smokey or I wasn’t affected by it. Like how did the dark magic Twilight was using not affect me?” “Ah don’t know.” Braeburn said after a moment. “Maybe she was corrupted after you were born?” “I guess so.” I replied and turned to him. He smiled at me. “Ah don’t know a lot about magic,” my new dad began. “But ah do know that you obviously weren’t affected. So you’ve got nothin’ to worry about, darlin’.” “I hope you’re right,” I said and turned back to watch Canterlot Castle disappear behind the mountain as I rode the train with my new parents towards Ponyville. Author's Note There are a lot of mysteries in this last chapter. I specifically wrote it out like that with plans to make a sequel to this eventually. If the sequel never comes then I will be sure to explain many things in a blog post. But I plan on making a sequel. Anyways, I hope you all enjoyed this story! Here's a song to end things off.
Chapter 1“I know, it’s last minute, but would you please consider it?” Twilight Sparkle pleaded to her former mentor and friend, Princess Celestia. Celestia’s expression never changed as she stared down at her former student. She hadn’t seen Twilight in over ten years; her young student had dropped contact with her five years ago, and, despite Celestia’s visits to Ponyville, Twilight never seemed to have time to see her whenever she was there. Despite her attempts to get Twilight to leave her house, she finally left her alone when Twilight had yelled at her. What she’d said exactly was something that Celestia would like to forget. But that was five years ago. And now Twilight Sparkle, her former student and friend, wanted Celestia to foalsit for her. It surprised Celestia that Twilight actually had a foal. Neither Twilight nor her friends had mentioned a pregnancy, but Celestia had not seen or heard from her former student in over five years. Perhaps it wasn’t much of a surprise after all. Celestia was shocked, however, when Twilight showed up at her castle door, asking her to foalsit as if she hadn’t broken off their friendship all those years ago. “You have a foal?” she asked as she glanced around the room. Twilight hadn’t come in with anypony else. “She’s in the hall,” Twilight said, noticing Celestia’s searching look. “I told the guard to watch her.” So she’s a filly, Celestia thought. “She can get into trouble at times, but I told her that you were her aunt and to listen to you,” Twilight explained. “She’s a complete sweetheart but-” “Why couldn’t you have somepony else foalsit her? Like her father perhaps?” Celestia asked calmly. She suspected there was no father and Twilight’s flinch only confirmed her suspicions. “She doesn’t have one,” Twilight said plainly. “It was a one night stand.” “Then why can’t somepony else foalsit her, Twilight?” Celestia asked with a slightly suspicious tone. ‘What aren’t you telling me?' Celestia thought. “There‘s nothing wrong with her,” Twilight said as though she could read Celestia’s mind, and having known Celestia for so long, she probably could. “But I couldn’t get anypony else to do it on such short notice,” she explained. A loud thump came from out of the room. Both alicorns looked to the door, then back at each other. “I hope she didn’t destroy anything,” Twilight muttered. She coughed then looked back up at Celestia. “I know that I haven’t really talked to you in the past few years, but I really need you to do this for me, Celestia. I’ll only be gone for two weeks. Please?” “Mommy?” A loud young voice came from outside the door. “I’m hungry and I have to use the bathroom.” “We’re almost done!” Twilight said loudly, in a gentle tone. “Wait just a little longer.” “Okay!” The voice yelled back. Twilight seemed to pause. “Actually, come in and meet Auntie Celestia!” The door creaked open. A gray hoof pushed through the crack and shoved the door open a little further. A small filly slid through the thresehold and trotted into the room. She stared at Celestia with wide eyes before quickly running behind her mother and peering out from behind her. “Hi.” She whispered. She was small unicorn filly. She had a light gray coat that seemed match her golden eyes, her mane was a dark purple with blue stripes. Her tail… Celestia squinted. “Come from your mother, young one.” Celestia said kindly. The filly inched from behind Twilight and sat down, wrapping her tails around herself. She didn’t have a normal pony tail. Instead, the lower half of her body, while the same color as her upper half was a fox’s lower end. She had fox legs for hind legs and white paws rather than hooves, she had two fox tails that were as grey as her coat with a white tip. Her cutie mark was a blue flame on the end of a stick. “I’m Spirit Blaze!” She said cheerfully, sticking out a hoof. Celestia shook it. “Nice to meet you!” “You too,” Celestia said distractedly as she stared at the tails. She noticed Twilight’s glare out of the corner of her eye but ignored it. “Spirit, will you give Twilight and I a moment? The bathroom is also down the hall and the first door on the right.” “Thank you!” She rushed from the room. Celestia looked to Twilight. “What was her father?” “He’s not important,” Twilight said casually. “It was just a one-time thing.” “I believe that he is important, considering that Spirit is only a half pony,” Celestia said, her voice adapting a much more stern tone. “It’s not that important,” Twilight stated calmly. “Then what was it?” Celestia pressed. “It doesn’t matter!” Twilight snapped. “All I need you to do is take care of her for two weeks and then we’ll be out of your life!” “Auntie Celestia?” The door creaked open and Spirit slipped inside once more. “Am I not going to stay with you?” Celestia paused. “Of course you are,” Celestia said gently as she and Twilight both stood. “Stay in my study for a second.” She looked at Twilight and frowned. “The guards will escort you out, Twilight.” Twilight nuzzled her daughter before leaving. As soon as she had gone, Celestia sat on the floor. “Have a seat,” she said, gesturing at the floor in front of her. She levitated a pillow down next to her. Spirit sat on the pillow and then looked up at Celestia. “Hello Spirit Blaze. I’m Princess Celestia, but you can call me Aunt Celestia or Auntie Celestia. I’d like for us to try to get to know each other better while you’re here,” Celestia said with a gentle smile. “Would you like to do that?” “Of course!” Spirit said happily as she nearly bounced out of her seat in excitement. She did fall over however, but got up just as quickly. “If you don’t mind me asking, I would like to know your species.” Spirit Blaze tilted her head and frowned. “I know that you are part pony but you do have a fox tail…” One of her tails stood up straight while the other lazily tapped the floor. She stared at her hooves then looked back at Celestia. “I’m part Kitsune.” She said quietly. Even though Kitsunes were real and though Celestia had met a few in her life, how Twilight had slept with one was, for once, something Celestia never imagined could happen. Kitsunes were wise even when they were young and had a problem with mating beyond their own species unless it was for good reason. They never had sex just to have it. They were wise and proud. This sort of thing didn’t just happen. There was more to this story, but Celestia didn’t see how she could obtain the rest of it. She supposed she could only get so much of the story from Spirit Blaze, assuming she even knew the story of her own birth and Twilight didn’t lie to her. “Are you ok, Auntie Celestia?” Spirit asked. Celestia snapped herself out of her thought and smiled down at Spirit. “Of course. I was just thinking. Do you know your father?” Spirit shook her head. Of course, if Twilight wasn’t going to tell Celestia, then why would she tell her own daughter? And yet, Twilight had met a Kitsune whom she also just happened to have sex with. And as Kitsunes didn’t exactly go around doing that with everypony they met, she had no idea how Twilight managed it. Let alone how she let herself get pregnant. Even Twilight would have been smart enough to use a spell to make sure she didn’t conceive. But Celestia was here to foalsit and not to sit around and think. Thinking could be done later. “What is your favorite food, Spirit?” Celestia asked as she stood. Spirit stared up at her for a few moments before she followed her to the door. “I like watermelon,” Spirit murmured. Celestia glanced back at her; she was staring at the floor before she looked up at Celestia. Spirit grinned. “I like watermelon!” She repeated in a more enthusiastic tone. Then she raced past Celestia and out into the hall. She turned around, sat down, and waited for Celestia, quietly. “Are you sure you like watermelon?” Celestia asked, suspicious of Spirit’s initial reaction to the question. “Or is that what Twilight told you to tell me?” “How did you know?” Spirit asked, looking up at Celestia in surprise. “Can you read minds?” “Why would Twilight tell you to lie to me?” Celestia queried, ignoring the young filly’s question. “I don’t know. She just said to,” Spirit said, nervously pawing the ground. “I’m sorry Auntie Celestia.” “It’s alright. You don’t need to lie to me. Just from now on, tell me the truth, alright?” Celestia asked, bending down to smile at the young filly. “Now what is your favorite food?” “I like chicken!”
Chapter 2Celestia watched as Spirit Blaze tore into her roasted chicken. Thankfully, griffins knew how to cook meat, because Celestia’s cooks sure didn’t. She’d insisted they make her chicken tonight but, as her chefs didn’t know how, a local griffin cook from town was quickly sent in to make chicken for Spirit. Spirit tore into her chicken, hungrily, without a second thought. She ignored the utensils at her side and instead ate like a wild animal. She seemed to really enjoy the chicken, which pleased Celestia. What worried her, however, was how fast she gobbled it down. She was currently on her third plate, after devouring two other whole roasted chickens—minus the bones, thankfully. Celestia wondered if Twilight ever fed her, but she didn’t look underfed. “Spirit?” Celestia called out. She looked up from her plate and shrank back into her seat as she looked at the mess she had made on the table, then looked at how delicately Celestia was eating her salad. “Sorry for the mess, Auntie Celestia,” Spirit said, as she grabbed a fork in one hoof and a napkin in the other. “Never mind that,” Celestia said, cleaning the mess from the table instantly, with a simple cleaning spell. Spirit looked at Celestia in awe. “Wow!” She exclaimed. “Does Twilight ever feed you?” Celestia chuckled, partially making a joke. “Yeah. When she remembers.” Celestia immediately stopped laughing and looked at Spirit sternly. Spirit shrank even more under her gaze. “What do you mean by that?” Celestia asked carefully. “Well, Spike mostly gives me dinner. Mom’s always working on something and she mutters to herself about stuff. She never eats dinner, so it’s just Spike and me. When Spike’s not there, she tries to remember, but sometimes I have to eat cold soup by myself.” Spirit replied and glanced hungrily at the chicken. “And it’s never enough. Spike always makes small meals and it takes a lot to fill me up. And he doesn’t make chicken.” “Then how do you know that chicken is your favorite?” Celestia asked. “Mom went into one of her… moods again. She was muttering weird things and talking in a low voice. She made me chicken that day and she even ate it with me.” Spirit said and stared at her hooves. “Except I thought that ponies can’t eat meat.” They can’t, Celestia thought. But Twilight did. How though? “So thank you for making chicken, Auntie Celestia!” Spirit smiled. “What do you mean by one of Twilight’s moods? How long have they been happening?” Celestia asked curiously. Spirit handed her plate to the nearest guard who took it away immediately when Celestia waved at him to do so. The same guard brought her another plate of chicken and Spirit attacked it with the same ferocity that she used on the first chicken she ate. She paused, swallowed and looked at Celestia. “Since… forever. Well, she… she gets kind of… weird,” Spirit said, wiping her mouth on her leg. Celestia levitated a napkin down in front of her which she stared at for a few seconds before looking back up at her. She wiped it on her leg and cleared her throat. “I mean, Mom is mostly nervous, and she runs around working on magic and stuff, and she ignores me. But when she goes into one of her moods, she focuses all of her attention on me. Sometimes she talks to herself, but she mostly just cooks for me and talks to me about life. She goes into her moods almost three times a week,” Spirit paused and frowned. “She then asks me if she did anything when she blacked out and I always tell her no, even though I’m lying…” “How does she act when she’s in these moods?” Celestia asked. Spirit jumped out of her chair and onto the table. “Kind of like this,” Spirit said, her eyes glowing a bright yellow before dying down. She began to speak in a voice similar to Twilight’s. “How’s school, Spirit? Are you getting enough to eat? You look so scrawny. You know, back in my day, we used to eat whole chickens and we liked it. What do you eat? Nothing? Cause it sure looks like you’ve been living off beans and rice like some sort of… ah… pony. AHAHAHAHA! A pony!” Spirit blinked before staring directly at Celestia. She crouched down as her tails stood straight up. She growled. “Dang ponies! Oh… um… Spirit, I didn’t see you there. Never mind me, just an old mare talking about junk. I’ll make beef ribs tonight. I know where to get a cow or two. That girl, uh, Fluttershy knows ‘em. Nobody will miss one… or three… or heh, FIVE.” Spirit cleared her throat. “And then she vomits all the meat she eats afterwards.” She said, her voice returning to normal. Celestia watched as Spirit sat down. She stared at the young filly before looking down at her salad. She felt sick. Something was definitely wrong with Twilight. If Spirit’s description of Twilight was correct, then Twilight was being possessed by a Kitsune. **************************************** Celestia threw aside another book. Spirit had just been tucked into bed, after being read a bedtime story, and now Celestia sat here in the library of the castle, searching for something that would give her answers on Twilight’s condition. Getting possessed by a Kitsune was rare. Kitsunes were normally more solitary than social and didn’t go near others more than what was necessary. They could tolerate being around their own species, as far as Celestia knew, but no other creature. Possession made that much worse because they were stuck inside a creature for a long time. That was assuming that it was even a Kitsune that was in Twilight. It could be some other creature, but the only creature who would care as much as Twilight about Spirit Blaze would be her own father. Kitsunes loved their families more than almost anything else. If her father had possessed Twilight, it would make sense. But something else didn’t make sense either. Twilight probably knew she was possessed. So why would she allow herself to become possessed in the first place? And possession never normally lasted a long time. The host would never be able to the take the pressure of two souls sharing the same body, even Kitsunes knew that. Twilight had been like that awhile, according to Spirit so that long of a possession would be impossible. Celestia would have to ask Spirit more. Unless the Kitsune was stuck inside Twilight somehow. It would make sense. Twilight would keep herself alive using magic and neglecting her daughter would be a result of trying to keep herself alive. When the Kitsune spirit would take over, it would be the one to spend time with Spirit. The Kitsune would be unharmed since it wasn’t the host. Assuming her theory was even right. The only way to test that was to visit Twilight. But she couldn’t since Twilight was going away for two weeks. So it seemed she was going to have to ask the next best thing. ******************* The only pony who could get here on such short notice was Rainbow Dash. The rainbow maned mare landed in front of Celestia, giving a slight bow before flying back up into the air. “What can I do for you, your highness?” Rainbow Dash asked, grinning. “What do you know about Spirit Blaze?” Celestia asked, as Spirit Blaze walked out from behind her. Rainbow stared at Spirit before shaking her head and backing towards the door. “I-I don’t know anything! I have to go.” Rainbow said and flew off towards the door. “Rainbow Dash, please. It’s important.” Celestia pleaded. Rainbow stopped and sighed. She flew back to Celestia and landed in front of her. “Princess Celestia, I… there are a lot of things I’ve seen. But Spirit isn’t just a filly. She’s a price.” Rainbow Dash said darkly. Spirit shivered and wrapped a tail around Celestia’s leg. “What does that mean?” Celestia asked with a frown. Rainbow’s expression lightened. “Dunno. That’s all Twilight would tell me when I broke into her house.” Rainbow shrugged, her tone instantly lightening. “Is that really all, Rainbow Dash?” Celestia asked, an eyebrow raised. “Well, she also mentioned something about wanting to learn more magic and Spirit was the price she had to pay or something, but that was egg-” Rainbow coughed. “I mean, boring stuff. You know, I’m not into all that.” “Does anypony else know about Spirit Blaze?” “Only the girls. We don’t know how it happened. I mean, Twilight took a trip to the White Tail Woods, came back, and soon she had a foal. We’re all not really sure what happened up there. We’ve questioned her like a million times, but she won’t say anything!” Rainbow exclaimed, throwing up her hooves. Spirit stared at her with curiosity. Celestia frowned. “Why did she go to White Tail Woods?” Celestia asked, taking a step forward. Rainbow flew a pace back and nervously grinned. She looked side to side then at Celestia. She suddenly took on a more serious face. “Dunno. Magic research or whatever,” She said calmly and shrugged. “Twilight stuff.” “Oh really?” Spirit asked loudly. Rainbow looked down at her. “Or are you lying Rainbow Dash?” “I’m not lying, kiddo.” “Oh sure. Mom goes to the woods for what, a week? And you don’t find that suspicious at all?” Spirit asked as she walked up to Rainbow, her tails held high. “Or maybe you know what happened and you’re too scared to tell us!” “Spirit.” Celestia said sternly but Spirit did not appear to be listening. “I’m not scared and I don’t know what happened,” Rainbow spat at Spirit and crossed her forelegs. “All I know is that your mother was gone.” “And why was she gone?” Spirit asked forcefully. “I don’t know!” “Scaredy cat!” “Am not!” “Are too!” “Spirit!” Celestia said louder and a little more forcefully. “Shush, I’m on a roll.” Spirit muttered. Rainbow did not seem to hear her statement. “Am not!” “Meow meow! Does Mr. Scaredy cat need a soothing hug?” Spirit mocked and stretched out her forelegs while she sat on her haunches. “Looks like some kitty needs a belly rub.” “I DON’T!” Rainbow shouted. Spirit shrank. “Your mother was going there to study magic, okay?” “What type of magic?” Spirit asked smugly. “I don’t know.” Rainbow said, her shoulders sagging. She landed on the floor and dipped her head. “I don’t know what happened when she went there. She just came back calmly and had a foal a few months later. We delivered you in her house because she refused to go to the hospital. We soon found out why.” “Because I’m not normal,” Spirit said, her ears drooping but she kept a firm tone nevertheless. “Well… yeah and I guess because Ponyville might panic if Twilight had a… a…” Rainbow Dash trailed off on her words. “A monster?” There was a hurt look in Spirit’s eyes. “No, a… foal. Your mother isn’t known for sleeping around.” Rainbow Dash said and looked up at Celestia. “As far as I know she was she said she was going on a trip to White Tail Woods to study forest magic or something there. It’s part of the Earth Pony magic studies she’s been doing lately. That’s what she told me when I saw her leaving Ponyville, anyways.” “Rainbow Dash.” Celestia spoke up. “Thank you for the information. You may leave whenever you please.” “Okay, Princess Celestia,” Rainbow bowed and began to leave. “Wait,” Celestia called out. Rainbow looked back at her. “Where did Twilight say she was going this week? She left young Spirit here with me while she went away on a trip.” “White Tail Woods.” Rainbow Dash said and flew out quickly. Celestia watched her go before looking down at Spirit. “We’re going to take a trip.” She said simply before turning to trot away.
Chapter 3“This place makes me feel safe.” Spirit commented as Celestia landed in front of the path that led into White Tail Woods. The forest was much bigger compared to the Everfree Forest. Its tall trees seemed to bend towards and grow closer to each other making it so that the only path into the forest was also the only entrance. The trees blocked the sunlight into the forest and made the path look like a dark into the forest. Celestia’s horn glowed a bright yellow while Spirit snuggled into her back. “Safe?” Celestia echoed as she stared at the forest. She only felt dread. “Yeah. I don’t know why though.” Spirit looked up at the spooky forest. “Why are we here?” “To find your mother,” Celestia said firmly. “Mom said she’d be right back,” Spirit replied as her hooves dug into Celestia’s mane. They began to walk into the forest. Trees seemed to block their only exit and closed like doors to the outside world as Celestia began to walk deeper and deeper into the woods. “I know.” Celestia replied after a few moments of silence. “I just wish to speak to her.” Celestia suddenly stopped as a rabbit jumped from a bush right into the path before them. It blinked and sniffed the air. Then something leapt out of the bushes and tackled it suddenly. The two creatures fought before a swift bite to the rabbit’s neck brought an end to its struggling. The creature suddenly stood and looked at Celestia and Spirit. “Well… this awkward.” The Kitsune said, as Spirit jumped off of Celestia’s back. “Either of you want any?” “Who are you?” Spirit asked. The Kitsune stood up proudly. “The name’s Daredevil,” He said and put out a paw. Spirit shook it. “And you must be Princess Celestia. And you…” He looked at Spirit curiously. “Spirit Blaze.” Spirit introduced happily. “Ah, a half-tail.” He nodded. “Good to note. Where’s your mother… or father?” “We’re coming to find her.” Spirit said, sitting on the hard forest floor. “She’s a purple mare.” “Oh yeah. Her,” Daredevil said, frowning, he looked into the depths of the forest, his sharp blue eyes seemed to be glowing. “She went this way, I think. I’ll show you the way, if you want.” “Can we?” Spirit asked, looking back at Celestia. Celestia only nodded, lost in thought. Daredevil picked his rabbit up in his jaws and started making his way along the forest floor. They followed him deep into the forest. Celestia was surprised by how Daredevil talked. The Kitsunes she had spoken with— though it was over five hundred years ago—talked quite like how Luna spoke. They were wise, with more wisdom than Celestia. They seemed to be very traditional and secretive, but this one seemed kind and… modern. Kitsunes stuck to their old traditions. They were wary of strangers. Daredevil seemed fine with Celestia and Spirit Blaze. Even though the Kitsunes she met knew who she was, they still did not trust her. This was odd. “I’m not saying I’m not grateful for your help, but I assumed Kitsunes didn’t help strangers.” Celestia commented. Daredevil glanced back at her then faced forward again at the path ahead. “Well, times change. We had to either learn to fit in with today’s culture or hang on to our traditions and die with the past,” Daredevil said. “I’m roughly two hundred years old and I’ve seen a lot. If there’s one thing I know it’s that my species will only survive if we stay with the times, so to speak.” “So that’s why you accepted Spirit.” Celestia mumbled. Daredevil flicked his ear. “I can hear you… and yes, that’s why. A lot of clans are pushing the move to breed outside our own species. Spirit is not the only one of her kind,” Daredevil said as he kept walking. “Some of us wish to stick to our old ways so to be careful. Some of us are not as nice.” “So you all live here in this forest?” Spirit asked. “No, no. Just most of the clans. It’s the farthest forest away from ponies.” Daredevil said as he came to a stop. Spirit bumped into him and fell over. Celestia nudged her up then looked ahead to the clearing before them. “Is that her?” Daredevil asked, pointing. Celestia nodded. Twilight was crouched near a stone statue of a Kitsune. The Kitsune was sitting and was about Twilight’s size. Twilight was muttered something near the statue. “Mom!” Spirit shouted as she bounced towards the clearing. Daredevil’s tails seemed to stretch eerily into the air before a tail shot out and grabbed her. She was pulled back towards Celestia and Daredevil with ease. “Shhhh,” Daredevil whispered to Spirit as he dumped her beside Celestia. “Something’s not right about her.” “You’ve got that right,” Twilight said, her voice deepening and echoing around them. She turned around, her eyes bright yellow. Golden mist was circling her hooves. “Hello Daredevil.” “Smokey.” Daredevil growled. “What are you doing? You know the rules! We’re not supposed to possess ponies!” “Screw the rules, as the youngsters say today,” Smokey said and coughed. Golden mist began to leak from his mouth. “Get out of my mother!” Spirit shouted. “Get out you monster!” “Don’t you know who I am, child? Didn’t your mother ever tell you? I am your father.” Smokey grinned eerily. “What?” Spirit asked, taking a step backwards, her ears flattening on her head. “You’re not my dad. Mom said that my dad was dead!” “Well, she lied. He’s not dead, he’s right here.” Smokey said and laughed. “And dead? That’s a good one. How did she say I died?” “I don’t know,” Spirit whispered. “She never mentioned the how.” “Well, I hate to break it to you, sweetheart, but Kitsunes don’t just die. We live a very long time and if we do die, then well… it’s complicated. The thing is, we just don’t die.” Smokey said and trotted up to the edge of the clearing. “But that doesn’t matter. It’s good to see that you’re here, Spirit. We should have a little chat.” “How did this happen?” Celestia asked, speaking up for the first time in a while. “Twilight would be smarter than to let a Kitsune possess her. She would fight back.” “I don’t believe you know my predicament,” Smokey said, smiling at Celestia. “I’m stuck in this body. You see, Twilight allowed me to possess her. But she tried to pull me in with her magic rather than letting me do it naturally. It combined our souls and now we share a body.” “Why would Mom let you possess her?” Spirit asked. “She wanted to learn more about magic. More than her mentor could or would ever teach her. There were books, she claimed, that, even as a princess, her mentor would never let her access. Some mentor she has, I say. But she knew I could teach her that kind of magic. And I could possess her and teach her the magic from within her… for a price.” Smokey said and grinned at Spirit. “I’ve always wanted kids.” “You didn’t,” Daredevil growled. “You forced her to bear your young in exchange for teaching her about magic. That’s sick.” “Well, every Kitsune’s family line is expected to live on for a very long time. I’m not exactly attractive and I was an only child. I think it’s a great deal,” Smokey replied, watching Spirit. “Spending years stuck inside your mother was a great way to observe your progress. She never did spend any time with you. Always spent her time learning that magic I was teaching her. After a few years I refused to teach her because she never spent any time with you. She argued that it wasn’t part of our deal and tried to force me out. It didn’t work because our souls have become one, something she never realized. She came here to try and force me out. It didn’t work so I took over when I smelled you all coming here.” “You forced Twilight to have a child in exchange for teaching her magic? And she agreed to it?” Celestia asked, surprised that her former student would be so desperate to do such a thing. She knew Twilight wanted to know more about magic but the books she wanted to access were on dark and light magic. They were very dangerous and powerful spells and when handled improperly, could be dangerous to the user and everypony around them. Celestia intentionally kept them away from her until she was sure that Twilight had learned enough as a Princess to handle them carefully. She never knew that her former student was so desperate to learn new magic that she’d bare a stranger’s child in exchange for knowledge. “Tell Twilight that I’m extremely disappointed and angry at her,” Celestia said firmly to Smokey. Smokey nodded. “She can hear you, she just can’t do anything.” Smokey said. He closed his eyes and opened them a few seconds later. “I believe she’s angry yet crying. She says you didn’t trust her.” “Can I speak to her?” Celestia asked. “Sure. She won’t be able to move though. I have business to handle.” “What kind of business?” Daredevil growled. “None of your business, that’s for sure.” Smokey said. “Give me a sec, Princess.” He grinned. The golden mist began to spread across Twilight’s entire body before it encircled everything but her head. Her eyes cleared and became purple again. She shook her head and blinked before looking up at Celestia. Her eyes watered but she blinked them away and frowned. “Celestia.” She said, her voice wavering. “Hello Spirit.” “Don’t give me that hello crap!” Spirit burst out unexpectedly, both Daredevil and Celestia looking at her in surprise. She walked up to the edge of the clearing. Daredevil held out a tail that kept her from going any further. “You only had me so you could learn magic? Really? So you don’t care about me at all?” “It’s not like that, Spirit.” Twilight said. “I do love you.” “No, you don’t.” Spirit said, her ears flattening as she looked up at her mother. “Most of my life, you never paid any attention to me. Smokey was a better parent than you ever were.” The next few words were said with the most malice Celestia had ever heard a child say in a long time. “And I don’t love you, Twilight.” “T-that’s enough, Spirit.” Celestia said. Spirit turned around and raced back to Celestia. She fell next to the Princess, sobbing on the ground. Celestia looked sadly down at the young filly then back at Twilight. “I’m very disappointed in you, Twilight.” Celestia said coldly. “You wouldn’t let me see those books.” Twilight replied just as coldly. “What was I supposed to do, steal them?” “Considering the situation at hand, I believe that would have been better.” “I did nothing wrong.” “Just so you know, Spirit Blaze will be taken into my care, permanently. I have two witnesses that say you neglected a child. Smokey has permission to visit her but not you, Twilight.” Celestia said as she trotted forth. “Smokey won’t be visiting her either then. He’s stuck in me.” Twilight said. “I can fix that,” Celestia said and smiled. “With ease.” “I only wanted to read some books. But you kept them locked away from me. Didn’t you trust me?” Anger shook Twilight’s voice. “You wanted to read on dark and light magic. That is the most powerful type of magic. You were still a young Princess and alicorn. I wanted to make sure you were ready,” Celestia said. She stepped into the clearing. “Apparently you weren’t ready, nor are you ever going to be, it seems.” “It doesn’t matter. I learned everything I needed to,” Twilight said. “And I didn’t do anything wrong.” “You used illegal spells.” “What?” “Combining souls is not a natural concept. The spell you used on Smokey was a specific type of spell that fuses you to another living creature. You wanted to make sure he wouldn’t break your deal so you fused him with you.” Twilight looked down as she spoke. “The fusion of souls is an illegal practice. It’s highly dangerous to use for a short time but you kept it in use for years. When you spilt, there will be complications. Smokey will be fine, but you will probably not be.” Celestia said and frowned down at Twilight. “And I will be splitting you apart. For Smokey’s sake.” There was a quick flash of yellow and two beings were flung apart from where Twilight’s body was held in the mist. Twilight Sparkle flew to the left and landed on the ground on her side. Her wings were twisted at odd angles, and her horn was cracked. Smokey flew to the right. He was a gray Kitsune with nine long tails with fine white tips. He got up quickly, his golden eyes flashing before rushing towards Spirit. Twilight stood slowly while Celestia quietly watched. Her horn’s glow flickered in and out like a candle in the wind. She winced and stumbled before getting up once again. She rubbed her horn, her eyes widening with the realization that it was cracked. “You will come quietly back to Canterlot. There will be a trial there waiting for you,” Celestia said. Twilight’s horn glowed again, this time a darker color, closer to red. “No. I’m going home and I’m taking Spirit Blaze with me.” Twilight growled, her eyes flashing red. “I didn’t do anything wrong! All I wanted to do was learn and you’ve been keeping knowledge from me because you don’t trust me.” “There is why we don’t study dark and light magic, Twilight. There’s a reason it’s in the restricted section of the library.” Celestia’s horn glowed white. Twilight growled and raced forwards towards Celestia, her horn emitting a red light at her. Celestia stepped sideways as Twilight crashed into the ground where she’d been standing. The red blast hit a nearby tree, turning it to ash. “You’re quite fighter, Twilight. But not good enough.” Celestia side stepped Twilight again, this time the purple mare flew past her and landed on the ground in front of Celestia. Her mane had new darker streaks in it and her eyes glowed an off shade of purple. Her hooves were surrounded by a black mist that seemed to come straight out of her horn, which glowed a pinkish red. “I’ll beat you before I ever come back to Canterlot,” Twilight growled, her voice taking on a more echoing sounding voice. “Even if I have to use a darker type of magic.” “Dark magic corrupts good ponies, Twilight. We both know that and yet you dare to use it without any necessary protection spells?” “I’ve used it before. I’ve never been corrupted. Why are you worrying about me anyways?” Twilight asked as Celestia’s horn glowed white. “Ha! You’re using light magic. If you’re so worried about me getting corrupted, what about you?” “I’ve used it longer than you have, Twilight. I’ve much older and wiser than you. I know what I’m doing. You, on the other hand, don’t. You’re inexperienced and young. Give up now before the magic fully corrupts you. You’ll have a fair trial.” “So I used one illegal spell. So what?” “You used many illegal spells, actually.” “What?” “The practice of dark and light magic is illegal.” “You’re using it.” “This is a flash spell, used to blind ponies, Twilight. It’s a legal light spell and it’s the only legal one. We allow the Royal Guard to use it to fight opponents,” Celestia said, her horn fading into yellow again. Twilight only growled. “You’re losing yourself to the insanity of the spell. Please Twilight, I beg of you, please give yourself up. It’ll be easier for you in the long run.” “Never.” Twilight hissed as she launched herself at the Princess. Celestia let loose her spell and Twilight did as well. A bright red blast exploded, white light filled the area at the same time, blinding everyone in sight of it…
Chapter 4I woke up in a small bed. It was comfy, and warm, and I almost didn’t want to leave. But I had to. I didn’t know where I was. I certainly wasn’t back home with Twilight. The door to the room suddenly opened and a mare walked in. She smiled at me warmly, as if she had known me forever. “Hello, Duchess Spirit Blaze,” she said to me, bowing slightly before standing again. “Would you like something to drink?” Now that I thought about it, I was parched. I wasn’t sure why this mare was calling me Duchess or if this was even real at all, but I nodded. “Milk, water, or tea?” She asked. “Water, please,” I croaked, my voice sounding like I had swallowed gravel. My throat hurt and my paws ached. My paws! I pulled off the bed sheet to see that my paws on my hind legs were still intact. I wiggled them. I could feel them. My tails were still there too. I unwrapped them from my legs and looked at them. They were still there. Why would I think they wouldn’t be, though? Oh, right. Auntie Celestia had a fight with my mother. There was a bright light and… I woke up here. Maybe I was dead. I wasn’t sure. I was sure that there wasn’t any pain in heaven, though. I glanced at the wall and spotted a dresser. On top of the dresser was a suitcase that I immediately recognized to be mine. Oh, right. I was in my room in the Canterlot Castle. That made sense. This room was way too fancy to be anything else. Why were they calling me Duchess though? That part didn’t make any sense. I wasn’t royalty… oh wait, I kind of was. Mom was a princess so that made me… a princess, right? Or maybe a Duchess? I didn’t know how titles worked. I wasn’t even sure what a Duchess was. The mare eventually came back with my water. I quickly drank it and thanked her. “Anything else, Duchess Spirit Blaze?” “Can you call me just Spirit?” I asked, my voice no longer sounding like I had swallowed gravel, thanks to the water. “Yes, Spirit.” She replied. “Anything else?” “How about some chicken?” “Of course, Spirit,” She said and exited once more. I smiled and rubbed my hooves together. I could get used to this. I was going to have to. Didn’t Auntie Celestia say I was going to live with her from now on? I suppose she did. So I’d have treatment like this every day? Sounded good, but it could get boring. My door opened again and this time Auntie Celestia slipped inside. She seemed to be okay, but then she collapsed onto the floor before my bed. She quickly stood up again before I could run to her and gave me a stern look. “I’m alright.” She said. I could see that she was definitely not alright, however, considering the reddish tinge to her eyes and the bags beneath them. She’d been crying. She seemed to try and play it off, but I’d seen it happen too many times to Twilight during her magic study sessions in the basement. “What’s going to happen to Twilight and Smokey? What happened back in the forest? Where am I going to live?” I said quickly. Auntie Celestia sighed and stood. “Well, Smokey and Twilight will be taken care of. Twilight’s trial will be held tomorrow at noon. She may have to be given less prison time and more rehabilitation time due to her mental state. Using so much dark magic has corrupted her mind and soul. It’ll be a while before she’s back to normal again. As for Smokey, he will be getting a different sort of punishment,” Auntie Celestia explained. She glanced at my wall for a few seconds before continuing. “As for you, I have found a couple looking for a young filly to adopt and are willing to take you in until I can figure everything out. I agreed with them and hoped that you would, too, unless you’d like to stay with me, but I think you will find royal life incredibly boring after a while.” I nodded in agreement and rubbed my chin in thought. “Who is it? Is it somebody I know?” “Well, I know you don’t know this couple very well but they were the first and only to volunteer for the job so I’m sure you’ll like them.” “Oh.” “Yes. You will get to know them overtime. I’m sure you’ll like them. And if you don’t then you can always come back here.” “Who are they?” I asked out of excitement. Princess Celestia crouched to reveal two ponies standing behind her. I immediately recognized the mare as Rarity, one of Twilight’s old friends who came to visit on occasion. She always brought me dresses that I never got to wear due to Twilight’s insistence that I would never need them. She was always kind to me when she came, but Twilight always herded her out quickly like the rest of her friends that came to visit. Beside her was a stallion I did not recognize. He had a light yellow-brown sort of coat and wore a brown leather jacket. He had on a Stetson that covered his eyes, but when he lifted his hat up, it revealed bright green eyes that stared at me. “I know that we’ve met in the past, but I shall reintroduce myself. My name is Rarity. I was a friend of your mother’s.” Her tone changed instantly making me jump. “If I had known that Twilight was treating you like that, I would have pulled you out of that household myself! A young mare such as yourself must learn to grow in a proper environment!” Rarity huffed, stamping a hoof. “Why, I would even fight Twilight to get you out of there! You poor thing, it must have been so hard living there. But you shall suffer no more!” “Thanks, Rarity.” I smiled dimly. “This means a lot to me.” “Of course, darling.” She replied with a flip of her mane. “And I’m Braeburn.” The stallion introduced himself, his voice had a thick southern drawl to it. “Rarity and I are your new parents. Ah know you don’t know us very well, but ah hope that you come to know and like us.” “We’ve already set up a nice room for you in the boutique,” Rarity stated. “I’ll help you pack whatever things you want out of the castle.” “Thank you so much!” I thanked as I leapt out of the bed and ran over to hug Rarity. She hugged me back tightly before letting go and smiling at me. “You’re going to be happy with us.” Rarity said. “You may call me Rarity or Mom whichever you prefer.” “I think I’ll have to adjust to this all before I call you anything.” I said. She nodded, understanding filling her face. I then turned to Auntie Celestia and frowned. “So what’s up with the whole Duchess Spirit thing?” “Ah yes.” Auntie Celestia nodded. “You are quite different by pony standards. I’ve recently had a chat with Daredevil and according to him, Kitsune-pony hybrids are apparently numerous, although I have never seen or met any in my entire existence. I assume that neither has the population seen a lot of your species and for that reason alone, I have given you your new status. It should keep ponies from harassing you in any way.” “How dare they mess with my Spirit!” Rarity shouted, pulling me in a tight hug and instantly getting defensive. “They won’t dare touch her.” “Of course. But just as a precaution.” Princess Celestia nodded. “Wait…” Rarity let me go and trotted forward in suspicion. “Do we all get the title of Duchess and Duke?” “Of course.” Rarity seemed to explode in happiness and excitement as she squealed but then paused, coughed and returned to a more formal manner. “That was not very ladylike. I’m sorry, your Majesty,” She apologized, bowing at the hooves of Celestia. “So we’re going to live in Ponyville?” I asked. Breaburn nodded. “Ah believe they are more used to… odder things. Although ah know it may remind you of your mother, ah do believe it would be beneficial to you if you stayed there with us. Plus Rarity ain’t so fond of moving.” “Alright.” I nodded in agreement. “I would love to live with you guys!” “Then it’s settled.” Princess Celestia spoke. “These are your new parents.” “Yay!” I said happily and ran into the embrace of my new parents. ******************** Somewhere below the castle, Twilight Sparkle paced a small cell. She felt at the dispersion ring on her horn. She played with her mane. Her eyes glowed a light red. She resumed pacing. A doctor suddenly walked into her room with a clipboard. She attempted to lunge at him and failed, falling a few feet away from the doctor. She glanced back at the chain that had attached her leg to the wall and glared at the doctor. “I want to see Spirit.” Her voice took an angry tone. “You may see her when you’re better.” He said. “Twilight, you are suffering from magic poisoning, corruption, dark influences and magic withdrawals.” “I want to see Spirit.” She repeated. “We need to know how much dark and light magic you have used over the years. It will help with your recovery. Only after you have recovered can you then see Spirit.” The doctor said and levitated his pen in the air. “Do you want to tell me how much you’ve used?” “I don’t have to tell you anything.” She spat. “You wrongly took my daughter away from me. She needs me! She wants me!” “Quite the contrary, actually. She’s being sent away with a new couple right now.” The doctor stated rather cheerfully. “Who?” She said angrily. “I am afraid that that information cannot be divulged.” She began to foam at the mouth a little. Her eyes burned a bright white and her mane began to ripple. “I would not try that, Twilight Sparkle.” The doctor advised but Twilight ignored him as her body began to glow and she lifted into the air. Her mane rippled with magical energy and her cutie mark began to pulse with a white glow. Her eyes blazed and her magenta aura began to creep up around the dispersion ring. Suddenly, there was a loud popping sound and Twilight fell onto the floor, her horn sizzling. “And that is what the dispersion ring is for.” The doctor stated. “Princess Celestia made this one especially for you.” “I want to see my daughter!” Twilight screamed as she began to throw a tantrum like a child. The doctor just looked down pitifully at her. “I demand to have her back!” “It cannot be done, Twilight. You have broken the law.” Twilight looked up to see Princess Celestia standing before her in the small cell, making it cramped with the three ponies. She looked down at Twilight sternly. “You must be punished. Your daughter is going to a nice home that won’t neglect her as much as you did. She deserves better. I don’t quite understand why you would want her back so badly. You didn’t even care about her.” “I…I…” Twilight stammered before slumping onto the floor. “Repono Spatium.” “What?” “Repono Spatium.” Twilight repeated, much louder this time, a grin creeping upon her face. “Oh, no,” Princess Celestia whispered, glancing at the doctor who looked utterly confused. She whispered something in his ear, he nodded then left. Princess Celestia stared at her former student, taking a slow step closer to her. Twilight only grinned at her. “Please tell me that you didn’t, Twilight.” Princess Celestia begged. “Please.” “That’s right. Now you must let me see my daughter,” Twilight said. Princess Celestia was silent. “She is my daughter after all. And if you want to fix me, Celestia, then you must bring her to me. You know this. Only I can fix myself now.” “You couldn’t have put all of it—” “I did. Every. Last. Drop.” Twilight dragged out her words, her grin, now sinister, seemed too large for her face. Her eyes widened to impossible lengths and for a second they were black with white pupils as Celestia stared down at her crazed student. Twilight twitched and almost everything went back to normal, as though Celestia had only imagined it. Almost. The sinister grin was still plastered on her face as she grinned up at her former mentor. “Twilight…” “It’s the only way. You of all ponies should know how this works. Considering Luna and all.” “Don’t you dare mention Luna,” Celestia growled, her stern mask wearing off, replaced by a face of anger. “This is far more different and dangerous than what happened to her. Why would you do this to yourself, Twilight?” “It was necessary and only temporary at first. A precaution.” Twilight shrugged. “But soon the magic I had learned was too… special to let go of. So I kept things that way.” “Too addicting, you mean… How long, Twilight?” “Ten years.” She replied. Celestia gave only the faintest of gasps, but Twilight heard and smiled at her. “It’s not too late however. Just look at Luna.” “Don’t you mention-” “Of course, you would have to bring Spirit back soon. That’s if you would like to fix me in the next week and allow me to keep my sanity. And the more we stand here talking, the more it slips away. There goes your precious… student.” Twilight said evilly, her eyes turning again to black with white specks for pupils on the last word. Celestia stepped back. “What’s the matter, Celestia? Corruption never was pretty, was it? Now hand over Spirit and we can fix this.” “I’m sorry Twilight. But I cannot bring Spirit here.” Celestia said, shaking her head slowly as if this was hard for her to say. “I’ll…I’ll find some other way. But I can’t put her in danger. I don’t know if you will fix yourself or corrupt her.” “NO!” Twilight screamed in a high pitched, other worldly voice. A dark red liquid dripped from her mouth but she quickly licked it up with a swipe of her seemingly too long tongue. “I must have SPIRIT BLAZE!” Twilight’s eyes suddenly closed as she collapsed onto the floor. A dim yellow light quickly faded from her body as well as from Celestia’s horn. Celestia knelt beside her former student. “I’ll fix you, Twilight. I promise.” She whispered as she nuzzled Twilight before standing to leave. The doctor suddenly returned holding a pill bottle in his magical grasp. “I have the medicine that you requested... what happened in here?” He asked as he glanced from Twilight’s slumped form to Celestia. “Twilight Sparkle requested that I help her sleep. In the meantime, we will have to completely change her medicines and dosage. Her magical corruption is far more complicated than I expected.” “Yes Your Highness!” The doctor bowed before trotting out. Celestia followed him. “So what sort of treatment…” ******************** I suddenly felt a light tap on my shoulder. I turned around to see my new father giving me a concerned expression. I stared back. “What?” I asked. “You seemed a little lost in thought.” He said. I looked back outside at the rolling landscapes that passed by. The train to Ponyville was moving fast, much faster than the rate it was going at when I rode on it with Twilight to Canterlot. “I was just thinking about Smokey and Twilight.” I replied as I watched a bird fly by. “Princess Celestia said that Twilight’s mental state was messed up. I wonder why that is and how Smokey or I wasn’t affected by it. Like how did the dark magic Twilight was using not affect me?” “Ah don’t know.” Braeburn said after a moment. “Maybe she was corrupted after you were born?” “I guess so.” I replied and turned to him. He smiled at me. “Ah don’t know a lot about magic,” my new dad began. “But ah do know that you obviously weren’t affected. So you’ve got nothin’ to worry about, darlin’.” “I hope you’re right,” I said and turned back to watch Canterlot Castle disappear behind the mountain as I rode the train with my new parents towards Ponyville. Author's Note There are a lot of mysteries in this last chapter. I specifically wrote it out like that with plans to make a sequel to this eventually. If the sequel never comes then I will be sure to explain many things in a blog post. But I plan on making a sequel. Anyways, I hope you all enjoyed this story! Here's a song to end things off.
