A Soul of a Monster.by Apex-JaricoChaptersPrologue: An Anagram...Chapter 1: Laws of MagicChapter 2: Jak of the TradeChapter 3: Eye of Beholding What?Chapter 4: A Devil of the HeavensChapter 5: Breakable Values of So&SoPrologue: An Anagram...The sounds of a newborn crying echoed out of a barn behind a church in a quaint little town on the side of a mountain. A mare, laying on a pile of hay with a sheet covering her, held her newly born twins, as evening light slipped in through holes in the walls, surprised at the sight before her. Smiling nonetheless, she said, “I guess we’re going to need another name.” She lovingly glanced over to her stallion, currently out cold on another pile of hay. A group of nuns were currently moving every which way, cleaning up the place after helping deliver the foals, leaving the mare alone for now. “Hon? Dear?” She said trying to wake up the stallion. That was when one of the nuns holding a bucket came up to him and dumped water all over him, then vanished just as fast as she appeared. The stallion jerked upwards, yelping, “Holy! That’s brisk!” He shivered a little and took a few breaths, then looked over at his mare and the two newborns and he almost fainted again. “So, I guess we need to think up a new name then, huh?” He said, straightening up with a nervous smile. “Uh huh.” The mare said, nodding, cradling her two fillies. The father looked at his two children and smiled. A black furred pegasus and unicorn with green manes, gold strips flowing here and there. Yet once the pair opened up their eyes for the first time, the parents were befuddled a little bit. Red eyes. Nopony on either family tree ever had red-eyed relatives. Both gave their own look of concern. Cheaters? No. The pair loved each other too much for that. However both were just happy to have them. The ponies looked towards their newborn once more only to have those looks of concern come back. The pegasus was crying her eyes out. What newborn doesn’t? But that was just it. The unicorn, she was looking at her hoof with intensity that shouldn’t ever be on any newborn. She then looked upward at the pair staring back at her. The three stared at each other for a good while then the unicorn started laughing, flaying her legs every which way. “There we go.” The stallion sighed as the mare hugged the pair in her forelegs. “Sir, madam?” The two jumped slightly from a sudden voice behind them. “Apologies… it’s just, we need to leave soon.” The pair looked up at the nun, frowning in confusion. “Two of the armies are practically at the doorstep.” The new parents suddenly remembered just where they were, inside a barn in the back of a church, in the middle of a soon to be warzone. The church itself was in a mountain that the two neighboring armies thought the same thing. ‘My, what a great vantage point…’ The newly formed family escaped with only a few injuries, the father becoming blind in one eye, and the mother developing a limp in her left hind leg. One of the army’s scouts attacked the church before the ponies left. Killing and torturing ponies left and right but then the family was thrown into a warzone a moment later as the other army’s scouts just upped and barged in. Five long years passed and the violence just grew, lives were lost, families destroyed and villages and towns burned. Yet despite all that, order maintained and the citizens of Equestria were protected. Due mainly to the efforts of Princess Celestia. As she planned from her castle, the war continued relentlessly, her ponies dying every day. Celestia was sitting in her throne, currently contemplating the war. Not only was she losing the war, her sanity was on the brink of breaking. Her good intentions were getting her ponies killed. Looking over at her sister’s empty throne, a tear formed on her face, knowing that her sister was the one that she had clearly hurt the most, and who led one of the opposing factions out there. The other was led by a stallion shrouded in darkness and evil. That one was the real issue. That’s not to say Luna wasn’t a threat in her own right, but she was family. How could Celestia ever fight her own sister? “Your Majesty?” A voice knocked Celestia out of her stupor. She looked at the pony belonging to the voice. Starswirl the Bearded stood in front of her, steadfast. “Ah… yes?” She replied tentatively, wiping her tears away. “I’m here to inform you that our new batch of soldiers just arrived, and, um, we have a small problem.” Starswirl said with a slight wince. “Oh.” Celestia sighed, glancing down a little. “And?” She said trying her flank off not to sound sad. “One of the soldier’s wants an audience with you, my Highness.” Starswirl said, moving aside a little to reveal a filly that stood behind him, hidden up until now. Celestia was shocked, but she hid it well. ‘This...is one of the soldiers?’ She thought. Her shock ended abruptly when she saw the black filly’s eyes. A deep red, like a pony overflowing with hatred. It was disconcerting to say the least. “And… who might you be, my little pony?” Celestia saw the filly’s eye twitch the moment she said little. A moment of an awkward silence past by and Celestia was about to say something else but… “So, you’re God here.” The filly said flatly, her pose never wavering. Celestia however was taken aback by her comment. She never thought herself as a goddess. Yes, Alicorns did live for a much longer time than any other race on Equus, but never, not once did she think she was above any pony else “Hey there...manners.” Starswirl said harshly, giving her a little tap on the head. “That’s not necessary, Starswirl.” Celestia said.. He raised a confused eyebrow, but backed away after a bit. “Of course, your Majesty.” “Young one…” Celestia said, as she stood up and made her way over to the filly. “You wished to have an audience with me?” “Yes.” The filly said plainly, earning another hit from Starswirl. Celestia frowned, “Star, please.” She said, stopping in front of the filly. “But, your Majesty, she’s...” He started to protest. “Please.” She interrupted firmly. “As you wish.” Starswirl said, backing away from the pair. “But what I see…” The filly said, scrutinizing Celestia. “Is nonsensical.” Her words causing Starswirl to gasp. “Oh?” Celestia said, lying down, meeting the filly’s face with her own. On closer inspection of the filly, Celestia notice her horn was misshaped with a curve to it. However she ignored that for now. “So, what may I call you then?” She asked. “Lavender Shadow.” The filly said plainly. Celestia puzzled by her comment. She ran away from home and what? Joined the army on a whim? How ponies just let her in was off. “Starswirl. A word, please?” Celestia asked, standing up slowly and looking over to the elder stallion. “Yes, your Majesty.” Starswirl said, moving towards the princess. Celestia looked back over at the filly, “Excuse me, my little pony…” The filly’s eye twitched once more after the word little was spoken. Celestia took notice. “But would you be so kind to entertain yourself over by the door?” Lavender said nothing in response, however she did as Celestia asked and made her way over to it. “Starswirl?” She said, gawking over at him. “Yes. I do believe I know what you’re thinking, Princess.” Starswirl said, watching Lavender walk away with a deadpan look. “No, she is not a soldier.” “Ahhh, thank heavens.” Celestia said in relief. “No, I think she’s going to be my successor.” Starswirl said, smiling over at Celestia. Celestia however wasn’t really happy by that news. “A new one?” She said, worried. Starswirl’s smile disappeared. “If I may inquire what makes this pony different from your other two apprentices?” She looked over at Lavender, who was sitting against a pillar near the doors, looking at the places of the wall between pillars. “Other then you allowing one so young to be a student of yours?” “Because she has nothing to lose.” Starswirl said emotionlessly. “You mean?” Celestia grimaced, looking back over at the filly. “Her village was ransacked, some were killed.” Starswirl said, gazing over to the filly as well. The Crystal Empire enslaved the rest of them. Her parents included.” Lavender looked over at the pair. Both Celestia and Starswirl had concerned looks. She then sighed and walked out the front doors of the throne room. Celestia was saddened by the news of course, “So, she has no pony? “Correct, your Majesty. Minty doesn’t have a single pony to turn to at present.” Starswirl said “Minty? Her real name?” Celestia asked, moving her head towards the open doors. “Yes, Minty Coco.” Starswirl said plainly. “I think I’m going to make her say her real name.” “Oh.” Celestia said glancing over at Starswirl. “Come now, Star. Why?” “Because it’s disgraceful.” Starswirl said with a bit of pride in his voice. “Oh. Really?” Celestia asked. “Then should I call you by your birth name, my little hypocrite?” She teased with a playful smirk. Starswirl taken aback, “Ah, uhh… no, your Majesty.” He said. Celestia smiled warmly at the old stallion in front of her, “Then let me make a decree if I may. From here on out Minty Coco, is gone. So like you, Lavender Shadow is taking her place.” Starswirl stood there, a friendly smile formed on his face. “As you wish, your Majesty.” The rest of Celestia and Starswirl’s meeting consisted of small talk, riddles, jokes, and overall getting the war off Celestia’s mind for a short time. Starswirl’s visit was an unexpected one, and when he said it was time for him to take his leave, Celestia saddened but understood the role that she herself had given him. Celestia watched as Starswirl left her sight, her smile slowly vanished then sighed. “You can come on out, my little pony.” There was a moment of silence before a blur smeared itself to exist. Standing in front of Celestia was Lavender Shadow, smirking at her. “You knew that whole time?” She said with a hint of hate in her tone. “Why didn’t you say anything?” “Because there are questions I would like you to answer me, such as how you learned such advanced magic at such a young age?” Celeste asked.. “Magic? Magic is easy for me I guess.” She said, staring out into space. “Easy?” Celestia said with a hint of disbelief. “And if I may asks your age, young one?” She asked a little hesitantly. “Five.” Lavender said bluntly. “Officially.” Celestia taken aback a little. At the age of five, a filly learned a complicated spell of an illusion and somehow not collapsed on the floor from magic deprivation. “Officially?” She asked. “Yeah.” Lavender said, looking back at Celestia. “I’m well into my thirty’s Princess.” She started pacing, “And now that I’m on the subject. You think you can take me back home?” When Celestia didn’t answer but tilted her head in confusion Lavender sighed. “Right…” She said defeated. “You’re not God.” Celestia frowned, sighed, and then gave a loving smile to Lavender, “I never said I was a god, my lit-, um, Miss Shadow. I’m sorry to say…” Celestia started knowing full well what this pony meant by asking for her ‘Home’. “I can honestly say that there is nopony on the planet that can create a path to another world.” Lavender sighed, “Thought as much.” But then smiled at Celestia. “The fact that you know of the Multiverse gives me hope however.” Celestia grimaced inside a little, but didn’t let it show. She didn’t have the heart to tell this filly that she didn’t have a single idea of what she was talking about. Even her earlier comment. She just made an educated guess. Now, Celestia by no means thought this filly was crazy, so she chose to believe Lavender. “Pardons, your Majesty but Lavender seems to have-… oh.” Starswirl said, rounding the corner of the doors. Spotting Lavender he sighed. She stopped in her tracks after noticing him. “Why are you back here young one?” He asked walking up to the pair. “Needn’t worry, my old friend.” Celestia said before Lavender had a chance to speak up. “She wanted something of me.” She said, but then frowned a little. “Unfortunately, I am unable to take such a request.” That made Starswirl jerk back a little out of confusion, which caused Celestia to giggle. “Yes, Star, even I don’t know it all. That’s why you’re here after all.” “Well, yes, but, I...” Starswirl sputtered a little then sighed, “So then I imagine you heard what you wanted to, Miss Shadow?” He asked, looking at the filly. Lavender looked back at Starswirl, “No, but I don’t mind, she just said something else interesting just now.” She smiled at him, “She doesn’t know everything,” The other two tilted their heads, “That’s why you’re here.” She punctuated her sentence by pointing at Starswirl. It took a moment before Starswirl realized what she meant. “Oh.” He smirked, “Then I take it you already decided what you wanted?” He asked. Putting her hoof down, Lavender all but demanded, “Teach me everything you know.” “Now, Miss Shadow.” Celestia intervened. The pair looked up at her. “This is by no means a demand but perhaps you shouldn’t openly discuss where you come from.” Starswirl, confused, frowned slightly, “You mean her village?” “Starswirl is the exception.” Celestia added.” He looked over at Lavender. “What did you two talk about?” “I’ll tell you soon.” Lavender said, looking at him, then back at Celestia. “And I agree, your Majesty.” She then stood straight and saluted before smiling devilishly. Suddenly the filly started swaying and rippling on the spot before evaporating into the air. The pair left behind just stared on the spot the filly just stood. Celestia giggled, “You’re going to need to learn to sense her magic, my old friend.” She said. Starswirl was in shock. “Ah, um, yes.” He stammered, before chuckling himself. “You might want to hurry up and catch up to her.” Celestia said, nodding over at the door. Even after shaking his head a little, he was bewildered. “Ah… yes.” Causing Celestia to giggle once more. “Then I’ll be on my way.” He said, straightening up and bowing to the Princess. An hour later Lavender Shadow and Starswirl the Bearded were walking through a forest that seemed to have popped out of nowhere. It had been more or less a desert when the pair walked into Celestia’s castle. Once they left, forest. It started out small. A bush here and there, some grass and flowers, but bigger things kept popping up. The pair ended up thinking that Celestia wanted a change in scenery. At the same time during their stroll, the pair were talking of Lavender’s complications. It took a bit more convincing for Starswirl then it did Celestia. However he did eventually accept the possibility, but ultimately he was still skeptical about the whole thing. “Regardless of all that, you, Miss Shadow, are still going to start with the basics.” Starswirl said incredulously. “Understood…” Lavender replied nonchalantly. The trees and shrubbery of the newly made forest seemed to be making a near straight path for the pair. “There is one thing I wish to know.” He said. “Shoot.” “Huh? Shoot?” Starswirl frown, confused by what she meant. “Ah, never mind.” Lavender shook her head, “What’s your question?” “Well, I would very much like to know, how did you learn such a complex spell of illusion?” Starswirl asked. “Even if you are as old as you say, it still would have taken years to master.” “Illusion?” Lavender questioned his own, “I didn’t use an illusion.” Starswirl was puzzled and gave her a look that said to continue. “It was a simple peripheral spell. I just made it where the princess and you didn’t want to see me.” Starswirl stopped in his tracks. Lavender kept going on until she noticed her new master wasn’t with her. “Is something the matter?” She asked. Starswirl blinked a few times. “That, Miss… that isn’t as simple as you make it sound.” Lavender tilted her head as she turned to face Starswirl. “True enough that type of magic takes less energy to use, but something like that takes a sheer amount of focus that anypony needs to perform it. Simply put, I’m still quite impressed.” “I guess so.” Lavender said, as she turned back around and continued the path. Starswirl soon followed suit. “How?” He asked. “Huh?” “You forgot to tell me how you learned it.” He said. Lavender talked for a length of time about the way that magic, to her, was an awful lot like psychokinesis. She had never felt anything like magic before so her comparison wasn’t just, but it was the closest thing she could think of. And, of course, Starswirl asking more and more after each answer. He was clearly warming up to her story from earlier. The pair ended up passed the forest’s edge and in front of one of the biggest trees Lavender saw in this world. That actually could have been the fact that she was so small at the moment, but she was still in awe. The tree was in the middle of some grasslands and the forest behind them about a mile or so. “So, shall we begin your lessons?” Starswirl asked, smiling at Lavender. Author's Note Intro Song. No Heaven, DJ Champion. Side Note: Lavender Shadow is an Anagram of her real name. Chapter 1: Laws of Magic“Hi there, little one. You must be Lavender Shadow.” A yellow unicorn mare with a short orange mane said, kneeling down in front of Lavender. A violet stallion with a long dulled pink mane stood beside her. “My name is Scaramouche and this here is Harlequin. Nice to meet you.” The trio was inside a hollow, still living, tree, standing in the center of it. Lavender noted that it was clearly bigger on the inside. “Hun?” Scaramouche asked, thinking the black filly wasn’t paying attention. “I’m going to forget your name sooner or later.” Lavender said harshly. “Sorry ‘bout that.” She added realizing she just sounded like a prick. The mare just nodded. “Well then, you could just call me Smooch then.” She joked. “Smooch it is, thank you.” Lavender said. “Hey!” The mare shot out, her head jerking up. “And you’re Quinn.” Lavender said, pointing at the stallion. He in turn just said, “Meh,” as he turned his head over to Starswirl, who was sitting in a corner with a small smile. The mare sighed, “Okay, fine. But you, little missy. Your name’s Dow.” Scaramouche ended with a smirk. Lavender smiled herself. “Dow, huh? Dow, to be able, to thrive. Prosper. Do well… Ok, fair enough.” Harlequin laughed, “Give it up Smooch. I don’t think she cares in the slightest.” “But Quinn…” The mare started to whine. “See. You’re all ready warming up to it.” Quinn interrupted looking back at the mare. “Enough.” Starswirl interrupted as he turned around and walked towards the trio. “Do I have to take charge?” He asked, stopping a few feet away from the group. “No, Master.” Smooch blurted out. She turned her head and cleared her throat, “I’ll begin now then.” She levelled her gaze at Lavender, “So firstly, Miss Dow. What can you tell me of magic?” “Almost nothing.” Lavender said with a smirk, which made Smooch sigh. “However out of what I do know. Magic is the art and practice of moving natural energies to effect needed or wanted change. Magic is natural; there is absolutely nothing supernatural about it. Ponies, Zebras, Griffons, Dragons, Diamond Dogs… Buffalo and many other races throughout the world and throughout time, have used Magic. I can't think of even one culture that does not have their own form of magic. Magic is done every time you pray. Every time you wish for something. Magic can be done by anyone with an open mind and who takes the time to try it. Magic involves using your mind and will to affect the energy in and around you to perform the task or spell you direct it to.” The pair of apprentice’s mouths slowly dropped as this 5-year-old filly was saying stuff that took them a bit longer to get. “Whoa…” Quinn muttered in awe. “Agreed.” Smooch added. “I mean…” She looked at Starswirl, “I see why you picked her up, Master.” Starswirl chuckled, “No. She came on her own accord.” He said. The pair just looked over at Star then back to Lavender. “However, Miss Shadow…” Starswirl started as he sat down in front of the trio, “You know anything that I didn’t tell you when we first arrived?” He asked. The pair smiled sheepishly. Of course their master would start teaching right away. They both felt embarrassed after realizing that. “Right.” Smooch sighed, “Then I guess I’ll start from there.” Lavender sat next to Starswirl. “The 2 main types of Magic are Magic and Dark Magic. There is Magic that heals or helps; it is not used to manipulate ponies or cause harm. It is sometimes called Good magic. Dark magic is magic used to manipulate ponies, perform curses, etcetera.” “In all actuality Magic is neither good nor bad.” Quinn interrupted, “Magic is a tool; it is how we use the tool that constitutes as good or bad. For example a knife can be used to help cut things, heal ponies and so on; but it can also be used for evil such as to kill ponies, hurt ponies and so forth. The knife is neither good nor bad. What makes it good or bad is the pony who uses it.” “I hate using the terms good and dark when describing Magic,” Smooch interrupted back, “However, we used them here because beginners may find the cut and dried explanation more helpful to understanding Magic. In all actuality there is nottwo kinds of Magic.” “Magic simply is.” Quinn started up again, “If I had to classify what is taught in these classes as either Good or Dark magic I would have to say Good… Because no aggressive or attacking abilities are taught here. What is taught is the abilities that will let you do magic to improve your life and that will help you defend or prevent ponies from using magic against you. I do caution those who tend to be pulled to the "darker" uses of Magic though.” “Everything we do in this world, not just involving Magic,” Smooch said, “But everything we do in life comes back to another or us in some form. If you do good, good shall come back to you. If you do evil, you will get evil in return. Basically, everything in the world is connected, you harm something in the world it will come back to you.” “We’re not saying all experiences in life are a direct consequence of what you do in life. In life there are lessons to learn as well so even if you live a ‘perfect’ life you would most likely have bad experiences” Quinn smiled. “Not to say all lessons are bad experiences, but it seems the hardest lessons are viewed as bad rather then opportunities for growth.” Smooch said with a sigh, “There are many good or ‘happy’ lessons to learn as well. If it helps, think of it like a pond. If you throw a rock into the pond it will create small ripples. As these pebbles move away from the rock the ripples get bigger and bigger until eventually they hit the other side of the pond where they bounce back to you.” So, for your own sake,” Quinn said, “Make sure the ‘pebbles’ or deeds you throw in the "pond" or world are those that will only bring you luck and happiness.” Lavender that whole time was just sitting there, and staring at the pair intensely. “So in other words. Magic is what you make of it.” The pair smiled at each other. “Well, almost.” Quinn said. “It ultimately depends on your own beliefs and no matter what magic is to you, it all expense some sort of energy,” Smooch said. “Energy?” Lavender asked. “Yes.” Quinn started. “There are five overarching types of energy.” “The most basic of these energies is the core energy, of inner energy.” Smooch continued. “The type we unicorn’s use instinctively. The catch is, there’s a limit.” “Makes sense…” Lavender muttered. The pair in front of her tilted their heads. Starswirl smiled. “Core energy is an offal lot like chakra, the more you use the more of a chance of death.” “’What?” Both asked. “I mean, that’s true but…” Quinn started. “I wonder if the gates are involved in this sense too?” Lavender asked nopony in particular. “Gates?” Both of them asked, looking at each other. “Miss Shadow?” Starswirl interrupted. Lavender jerked out of her thoughts and looked at him. “Let them continue, please…” She just smiled. The other two were still a little confused but let it pass for now. “The second type is natural energy.” Smooch said, “It’s an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us and penetrates us; it binds us all in the strings of twine.” “The Force…” Lavender mumbled. “What?” Quinn asked. “Nothing, continue, please…” Lavender replied. So he did, “Even earth ponies can use this energy if they have an affinity for it.” “All you need to do in order to use this energy is to let go.” Smooch added. “Just let it do all the work as it were.” “I believe I get it.” Lavender said as she stood up. “So. What are the other three?” A week passed and Lavender learned of the other three types of energy. The first other energy the pair taught Lavender was Celestial Energy, which she easily guess it had something to do with the princess. So she dubbed it ‘Prayer’, Dow quickly realised that the princess was treated more like God then she first thought. In order to use this type of energy all one needs to do is pray to the princess and she hears it. Somehow… And if she finds you worthy, she’ll lend you some of her power. However Lavender thought it wasn’t worth it. The little she knew about Celestia, Dow figured she thought everyone worth it, so she might be giving her power to all. She might be even be running herself rampant at this time of war. So no. The next was Chaotic Energy. This was a bit more complicated. In fact Lavender thought it wasn’t so much energy but rather the ability to control destiny itself and turn it on its head. Meaning: it’s like taking the potential of a ‘What if’ and converting it to a power source to use on a whim. Dow didn’t like this one either. It was too...Chaotic, for the lack of a better word. And besides, She doesn’t believe in destiny. She didn’t have a nickname for this one. The last she was taught about was called Void energy, not because it came from a void, but more like it came from the nothingness of everything. This type of power seemed like it was inherently bad. She was told that if any pony were to use this emptiness, they themselves become empty eventually. So, in that sense she figured it was rather addictive as well. The more you use it, the more you’ll be willing to use it. In order to use this type of energy at all was also dark. One would need to be in pain to use it. Emotional pain. But, you know… whatever. “What is with that filly?” Scaramouche asked Harlequin one day. The pair were working in the inside of the tree, making it livable. Making a staircase to a balcony that turns into a room. A bookshelf for the few books they had. A basement, a few more rooms for other needs and a table in the center of it all. Lavender was sitting in a corner, her face in a book. “I don’t know what you mean.” He replied, “It just seems like she wants to learn to me.” “That’s just it. What five year old ‘wants’ to learn?” Smooch asked him as she started putting books on the shelf. “And your point?” Quinn asked as he started hollowing out another bookshelf. “I remember we were the same when we started working with Master.” “Yes, true, but we were practically adults by that point.” Smooch replied. “It’s because she doesn’t have anything else.” Starswirl popped out of a flash of light, right in front of them, causing the pair to jump, which in turn, made Lavender laugh out loud. “I’m never going to get used to that am I?” Smooch muttered, picking herself up. “We know.” Quinn said, “She told us pretty much everything.” “Everything?” Starswirl inquired, looking at Lavender out of the corner of his eye. “Yeah.” Smooch started, “You know. Born in a church, parents enslaved, met you soon after.” “Ohh.” Starswirl sighed looking at the filly… the filly? He wondered why she didn’t go all out and told them everything like she did the princess and him? However he didn’t want to stop her at the moment. The book she was reading… No Boundary, by K. W. “Personal and spiritual growth huh.” He mumbled to himself. He then saw the pile of four more books on the side of her. Liber Null & Psychonaut by P. J. C. The Golden Dawn by I. R. Magic: Liberaba… by A.C, and the Invisibles by G. Mor’Bison. All books documenting the uses of Magic. “Is something amiss, Master?” Smooch interrupted Star’s thoughts. “How long has Miss Shadow been reading?” Starswirl asked looking back at the pair in front of him. “Other then eating and sleep. A week.” Quinn said then looked at the filly a little scrutinizingly. “What is with this filly?” “See?” Smooch said, clearly frustrated that Harlequin just now got it. “All right.” Starswirl said, gesturing for the pair to calm down. “Enough, please…” He was, however, hiding his own concerns, forgetting for a moment that she was older then she looked. She wanted to hide her true past from other ponies… Okay then, he thought, why was she so open with him? Why did she try so hard to make one pony believe her if she wasn’t going to do it again? The next day he asked her. The answer Starswirl got was so vary anticlimactic. “Because I don’t want to answer questions that are thoroughly pointless by now.” Disappointed, but still… ‘So she found out there is no way back home, so why talk about it and reopen old wounds? Makes sense’, so Starswirl left it at that. Today was more reading for Lavender Shadow. It was just one book after another. The pair still working on the inside to make it a home. They both noticed that the filly’s reading was slowly getting faster and faster. As if she was learning how to read, as she read. Starswirl was popping in and out at a regular rate. Showing up every hour just to leave ten minutes later. It was a little annoying to Lavender but she held her cool for the time being. It was a few hours later when she slammed the book she was reading at the time. “Okay…I think I’ve got enough to work with.” She said jumping up, “Now then, who’s going to teach me what?” “You mean when are we going to teach you anything.” Lavender turned around to spot Scaramouche rubbing her right eye, staring at Dow for waking her up. There she was, in a poorly put together bed and Harlequin in bed with her, still asleep. “It’s, like, almost midnight, Dow.” Putting her hoof down for a moment. “So first, bedtime.” She said pointing to a smaller poorly made bed. “Then when we wake up, breakfast, then… Then maybe magic stuff.” Lavender just sighed, “Yeah, you’re right, I guess.” She was walking up to ‘her’ bed. Smooch sighed and fell back into her own bed. Lavender looked around a little. Their home was coming along nicely she thought. Then when she looked up, she saw Starswirl, staring at her from the balcony. He smirked. “Well that’s not creepy.” She muttered. He then slowly moved out of sight as Lavender plopped down in her bed. “Tomorrow then.” The next morning the four of them were outside all doing their own thing at the moment. Starswirl was sleeping in, under one of the protruding branches of the tree. Scaramouche was juggling random things she found off the ground. Harlequin, playing around with water, most of it were in the air, held there, and given odd shapes by his magic, and Dow, She was getting frustrated. Pacing left to right. “AAAAHHHH! DAMNIT!” She yelled. All the ponies jumped out of whatever they were doing and gawked at her. She in turn just kept pacing. “So, if I may inquire, when’s breakfast?” Starswirl started laughing as the other two glared at the filly, “Well, aren’t you a rather impatient pony.” He said when his fit was over. Lavender said, still pacing, “But she said,” giving Smooch a twitch of her head, “that magic lessons start after we eat.” Starswirl sighed, “She has no say on the subject.” He said, looking over at his two apprentices. “Neither of them do… No offense.” Both of them simultaneously said, “None taken.” Going back to their own projects. Lavender stopped pacing and sighed, “Because you’re the Master.” She said, looking towards the other two. “Oh…” Star smiled. Lavender just realized that the pair were waiting as well. At least she was playing the part of a spoiled brat well enough. Right? Starswirl chuckled a little, “Then here’s lesson one for you. ‘Patience’” Lavender exasperated a sigh, mentally fisting the air. “Of course, Sensei.” Author's Note Lesson one: may actually take FOREVER. sorry bout that. Chapter 2: Jak of the Trade“Well that’s interesting.” Starswirl said as he watched a battle unfold before him. The scene in front of him was that of his three apprentices duking it out for reasons he didn’t know. At his left was another Starswirl just standing there. The five of them were on an open field. One of the three drew a big circle around them. It also looked as if it was two on one. “Ahhh, so that’s it.” He thought. “My two prized pupils are weary of their status.” He was happy about that for a moment, but his expression went from that to being stern. He then looked at the Starswirl on his left. He coughed, getting the other one’s attention. The pair of Starswirl’s looked at each other, the left looked proud, the right just confused. “So how far back do I go?” He asked himself. The other Starswirl chuckled a little. “I remember this.” he said looking back at the fight, raising a shield of magic. The other Star just gawked a little as he turned his head to the fight. A bright light, a loud boom and a huge gust of wind then swept him off his hooves. It pushed him back a few feet, making him drop with a thud. The second Starswirl lowered his shield and walked up to the first. “Apologies. You know all about time jumping.” “Yes, I know.” The first said picking himself up. “How far back? If you please…” “Twenty minutes.” The second said as he turned back to see the fight was just about over. “Thank you kindly.” The first said as he performed the spell and disappeared. He reappeared in the same spot but it was twenty minutes before that point. “Right… hide. Where?” he mumbled to himself as he found himself a bush. Not even a minute past as his first two students showed up. “Damn that girl.” Scaramouch said stopping and stomping her hoof down. “How long did it take us to learn that spell?” she asked looking back at Harlequin. He walked just a bit slower then Smooch but caught up just the same. “It took us about a year to master it.” He said stopping next to her. Starswirl’s eye twitched a little. “Is this really how it started.” He thought. Haven’t I taught you better?” “It took her a month…” Smooch said. “A MONTH!” she repeated. “Hay hay hay…” Quinn jumped in front of her and looked at her with such a look that told her ‘I Know’. “Look.” He started looking around a little. Most likely to see if Dow was within earshot. “We just need to face the fact that she’s a prodigy.” Quinn said taking a step back. “But we can’t let her show us up to Master… I’m sure he won’t play favorites.” He said, ending with a sigh. “But at the same time Master’s keeping a closer eye on her then he ever did with us.” Smooch finished what the pair were both thinking at that moment. Starswirl thought on that for a few seconds and quickly came to the conclusion that it was true. He was keeping a close watch on her. His apprentices were mistaken however. She is a prodigy, but that’s most likely because she haves a mind much more developed then your typical filly. In fact if the story she told him was true, even just a little. She’s twice their age. “If you feel that threatened by me, then why not do something about it?” The pair jumped at the sudden voice next to them. Starswirl jumped a little too. Thankfully not being noticed. He smiled as Lavender drizzled into existence. She was standing behind Quinn. “I really need to learn when she does that.” He said sighing silently. Quinn turned around as Smooch stepped next to him. “And?” Smooch asked. “You two want a piece of me anyways right?” Dow asked rhetorically. “Why not get it over with.” She said turning to the open field they ended up in. “Lets do it Sumo style.” She said smiling. “Sumo. Style?” the other three said simultaneously. “Right.” Dow said turning to look at the pair. “We draw a circle around us and apposing sides try their damn-ness to push each other out.” The pair looked at one another, Starswirl smiled. “That seems way to simple.” Smooch said skeptically. “And the catch to Sumo?” Quinn asked bluntly. “No catch. Rules are simple.” She said turning back around, looking at the field. “Either the first to force the other to step out of the ring wins or the first to force the opponent to touch the ground with any part of the body other then the bottom of their feet… hooves, wins” Lavender thought for a second. “Manes and tails are not included.” “So… She’s the one that temped them to fight.” Starswirl thought. He then smiled and shook his head in silence. “Now I don’t feel like being so stern with them.” Starswirl’s smile vanished when Dow smiled suddenly. He was taken aback a little. Lavender’s smile sometimes appeared like that of a monster. This was one such time. “What’s she wanting to prove?” …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Five minutes later a large circle was in the middle of the open field, courtesy of Starswirl himself. After the terms were met, he decided to come out and show himself. He agreed to referee and drew up the circle. He was currently standing in the spot his future self was a moment ago. The other three inside the boundaries of the ring. “Ok then…” Dow started by stomping her hoof down. “Sumo's supposed to be performed without the use of magic, so I am changing it up a bit. Of course this is your first time hearing about this so I guess that don’t mean much.” She ended with a smile. The other two harrumphed. “So hears the deal. Use whatever magic you like that doesn’t involve any forms of levitating your opponent.” Lavender said. The other two looked at each other then over at Starswirl. He had a face that looked just as puzzled. “Agreed. What else?” the pair said simultaneously. “We’ll have ten minutes to win.” Dow said as she turned and started slowly walking. “Me verse the both of you.” She stopped halfway from the center of the ring. “We start here.” She said turning back around. The other two follow her steps and went on the opposite side. “Good. We ready?” Lavender said smiling. “Ready.” The pair said, making a stance as they did. Dow followed suit. “Sensei?” Lavender asked, holding her gaze at her opponents. “Ok…” Starswirl sighed. “Ready… Set… FIGHT!” The pair started yelling as they both charged at Dow. Dow just smiled as she evaporated like smoke. When the pair saw that Dow wasn’t in front of them anymore they slid to a halt. The two looked around for a few seconds before each other. “Well that didn’t work.” Smooch said. “Your damn right that didn’t work!” Starswirl yelled at them, ending it with a cackle. “Was that really your plan here?” Dow’s voice came from behind the pair, but when the two turned they didn’t see anything. “I mean. Just how long has it been? Just over a half a year now. Right?” Suddenly Quinn felt something kick his side. “Gotcha!” he yelp pouncing in that general direction, but he didn’t feel anything there. “Wait a second.” Smooch said. “Haves it only been six months?” she asked as she got kicked by something too. She then tried and pounced, only to catch nothing as well. “This is a dual of unicorns. Lets See Some Magic!” Dow’s voice rippled through the air as both adults were hit on the head. “She’s right.” Smooch said just before she engulfed herself in an orb of magic and expanded it a little. Causing Quinn to jump back and the both of them heard a yelp from a near by filly. “Did I get her?” she asked. “Nope…” Starswirl replied. She’s still standing. Suddenly the pair saw Lavender evaporate back into to world. She was smiling. “Now we’re having fun.” She said, and then went back into the stance when the dual first started. Causing the other two to do the same. “You two know I only know a few working spell yes?” she asked. “Sure we do.” Quinn replied. “But we know better.” Smooch added. The pair not taking their eyes off of the filly. “Ohhhh, but big sis…” Lavender said as she makes a cute wide-eyed face. “I’m just a little girl.” The pair rolled their eyes. Dow then laughed. “AAaaaaahhh, Fine. Have at Thee!” she yelled then charged at the pair. The pair stood their ground for a second then Quinn made his horn into a flamethrower. He made a wall of fire in front of Dow, forcing her to stop. Then Smooch jumped up and shot a barrage of icicles at Dow. However Lavender just jumped around a little. None of them hit her. Smooch landed in front of the wall of fire as it died down to reveal Quinn slowly walking through. “And how was that; little know it all?” Smooch asked. “Stupid.” Dow said bluntly. “Fire and Ice… Really?” she asked as her backed away. “HAY!” Smooch yelped and charged at Dow. However Quinn put a hoof in front of her. “Culm yourself. She’s just trying to get you to be stupid.” He said looking over at Starswirl for a second. For that second it looked like he was drinking tea, enjoying the show. “You do tend to blow up more then most ponies.” Lavender said still backing away, smiling a little more. This time Smooch didn’t do anything but smiled herself. Lavender stopped walking when the other two looked ready to attack again. “There we go. Round two then?” She said, and then started swaying her head from side to side. Her opponents puzzled by that of course. It was like, she was moving to the beats of music no pony was hearing but her. Then that when the pair noticed the ground. The ground was moving too. “What the?” Quinn asked looking down. The pair of them noticed that the grounds movement was based on Dow’s head bobbing. “ “When she cast another spell on us?” Smooch asked as she felt the ground’s soft sway was getting stronger. It was to the point of it feeling like a small earthquake. The pair started stumbling a little. Dow started giggling as her head started bobbing harder. The earthquake grew in strength as a result. She then started dancing a little too. “Damn it!” Smooch yelled as she started up a spell of her own. She covered Quinn’s and her hooves with a glow of her magic, making both of their hooves stay on the ground no matter what. “Quinn? You think you can help out here?!” She asked, straining a little. “Right.” Quinn replied. The earthquake seemed big enough now that they would’ve fallen if Smooch didn’t use her magic. However, the scent of vertigo was still with them. Quinn shot a few bolts of magic at Dow, missing every time. It was pure dumb luck that the last one hit. Knocking Lavender back a little. Not enough to do harm, but at least her spell was broken. “FINILLY!!!!” Smooch screamed as she broke her own spell. The pair feel like the two of them had just ran on the spot, in circles for hours. Quinn nearly threw up. “That was a little boring on my end students.” Starswirl blurted out. He was currently enjoying what seemed to be a jelly spread crumpet. “I’m sorry, Lavender over there was dancing while you two just stumbled about.” “Soo… No earthquake.” Quinn said, looking up at Dow. She was still smiling. It was devilish this time round. She was waiting for the pair to recover. “So Hay? Why aren’t you taking advantage here?” he asked. Both Smooch and Dow deadpanned at Quinn. “What?” “You think I could just push you down?” Lavender asked. “Yeah. Don’t you dare give her the win!” Smooch yelled at Quinn causing Dow to laugh. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Eight minutes past from the start of this dual and both sides weren’t making things easy for each other. Scaramouch and Harlequin were trying to best a little girl but before the pair could really do anything, Lavender always attacked first and with such weird spells. There was the first two. Making her invisible to the pair, then forcing vertigo on them. The next few were odd too. Making it look like she was a lot faster then she actually was, then causing the pair a great deal of fear by forcing them to have no scents at all, and then the last one so far. The three of them were all in the center of the ring all standing face to face to face. They all were looking up at the moment. The second Starswirl was next to the first by this point too. “Why can’t we move?” Smooch asked as all three put their heads down. “See, you can move.” Dow said sarcastically. “YOU KNOW WHAT SHE ASKED!” Quinn screamed at Dow. Lavender just smiled. “Touchy.” She said. “I developed this spell off of something I saw years ago.” She said turning around, forcing the pair to do the same. “I guess I stole it really.” She started walking, forcing the other two to do the same. The pair were trying their hardest to stop themselves but couldn’t do a damn thing. The trio’s shadows were somehow connected and drawing out a peace sign on the ground. “It’s called Shadow Possession.” She said as she kept walking. “Wait… Shadows.” Smooch said pondering. By the half way point Smooch started up a spell of her own. She was thankful that this didn’t seem to effect magic too. Her horn glowed as clouds started covering the skies. Quinn noticed what Smooch was doing and followed suit. His horn started glowing. “Oh Celestia I hope I don’t kill her.” He mumbled as his horn glowed just a little brighter. The pair were on the edge by the time Lavender noticed it was starting to rain. She stopped and turned around and saw her opponents were using magic “Ahh. Thank you Dow.” He said as a light started forming behind the clouds. One of the Starswirls chuckled. “I remember this,” he said raising a shield of magic. The second he did, a bolt of lightning struck down in the center of the ring, causing enough light to dissipate the shadows on the ground, and a gust of wind to blow all around them, making the second Starswirl fall. The three down in the ring, some how, miraculously, were still standing on all four hooves. That’s when they all saw the pair of Starswirls talking to each other. Apologies. You know all about time jumping.” One said. “Yes, I know.” The other said picking himself up. “How far back? If you please…” “Twenty minutes.” The one said as he turned back to see the fight was just about over. “Thank you kindly.” The other said as he performed the spell and disappeared. Starswirl saw that the trio stopped and were looking over at him. “What?” he asked. “You’re teaching me that later Sensei. Lavender said. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… The last minute of the fight was a little anticlimactic, but it was to be expected. All three were on the edge of the ring and were tired to the point of collapse, nearly out of juice and sore from all that work. Yet for some reason, it looked as if no pony was going to back down. For one side, the pair felt as if this fight was going to determine their futures, or rather it felt like, in order to have a future at all, was to beat Lavender Shadow no matter what. As for Dow, she was clearly having the time of her life. The more the fight went on, the more it showed. It just started out as a giggle but by this point in the dual, she was cackling maniacally and exhausting more energy at the time then she had. The other three were concern but it really wasn’t the time to dwell on that. Starswirl just awaiting the climax patiently but he did seem like he was getting a little bored by nine minutes in. The match ended quite abruptly as well, when Starswirl announced that there was only a half a minute left. The pair got desperate. By now all three of them had just enough energy to just keep standing. Scaramouch and Harlequin gawked at each other and nodded in agreement. The pair decided in silent to do whatever it takes. The problem is that neither of them had anything left, so they ended the fight the same way it started. The pair charged at Lavender, screaming at the top of their lungs. Dow in turn looked as if she tried to become invisible again. However she to was out of energy so she instead braced for impact. The two crashed into Dow, causing her to fly upwards and like a slow moving scene, she fell outside the ring. “And that’s Game.” Starswirl said trotting down to the victors. The two ponies still standing cheered at each other. Prodigy or not, both of them expected an easy victory. Neither could’ve predicted just how weird and ridiculous Lavender’s spells were. All her spells deliberately messed with their minds say for that last one. She stole it? The two agreed that it was just weird. Starswirl stopped next to them smiling. “Master. Just where, did… did you find… this girl?” Smooch asked, as both his apprentices were glaring at him. Starswirl chuckled a little. “She’s one of Celestia’s best.” He said as he looked over to Dow. Smooch and Quinn gasped at the sudden revelation and gawked at Dow. Lavender was lying just outside the ring, fast asleep. “You know, Just how old is she?” Quinn asked turning his head to Starswirl. “I think she’s five by this point.” He replied. The pair went wide-eyed. “No… Just no.” Smooch said. “I don’t care if she is a prodigy. I just thought she was small for her age.” “I had a similar reaction.” Starswirl said chuckling. Quinn just stared at the sleeping filly. “Master…” he said bluntly. “I noticed something while we fought.” “Oh?” Starswirl said as he and Smooch looked up at Quinn. “And that would be?” “She haves no Aura…” Quinn said with a hint of fear in his breath. Whenever I see her magic, I never saw her horn glow. Not once.” Starswirl’s smile disappeared. Sure he saw that too, but just how was he supposed to know of a being’s from another existents inner workings. He sighed, knowing that they wanted an answer. “I’m sorry my students, I wouldn’t know.” He told them truthfully. “I don’t think she even knows.” Chapter 3: Eye of Beholding What?“It’s been a year since I left Lavender Shadow in the hooves of Starswirl I wonder how, wait...” Celestia said up top her throne, letting her mind wonder off the war once more. However she didn’t know why she started thinking about the pony from another world. The more this hell went on the more Lavender kept creeping up from the back of her subconsciousness. “Why? I need to focus.” She said. She was a mess at the moment, her fur disheveled; her mane was losing that bright pink every pony was used to; her fatigue was showing and she didn’t much care right now. She made some parchment and a quill popped into existents with a golden glow. She started writing… My Dearest Sister. I send this letter to you once more to try my hoof to convince you to see reason. Please, I ask you Sister… I beg you to stop, or at least work with me to stop this meaningless bloodshed. Let us be Sisters once more. Please. I need you back. What will it take to get you back? Let me know. I’m sorry. Let me tell you that face to face. I hate this! I want it to stop! Please. Help Me… When she finished the quill disappeared in that same golden glow and she rolled up the parchment and put it at her side. Suddenly the front doors blasted open and in ran a royal guard a parchment of his own in his mouth. Celestia jumped at the sudden bang the door caused. She glared at the pony galloping up to her. The stallion took notice. “My Apologies princess.” Straightening herself back up she sighed. “No no, it’s fine.” She said sighing again. “Report.” “Of course.” The Stallion said taking off his helmet an putting the parchment down. “So, all attempt at your peace efforts are not…” “No!” Celestia snapped. The stallion taken aback and Celestia gasped at her sudden outburst. She took a breath and started again. “No… I meant… I mean.” “Your Majesty?” the stallion inquired. “Do you need a moment?” Celestia thought on it for a second but declined. “My Apologies. I’m just so…” “Understandable.” The stallion interrupted. “Why are you here soldier?” Celestia asked bluntly. The stallion just picked up the note he was carrying earlier. “Oh.” She said picking it off his hoof with a golden glow of her horn. “Who gave this to you?” she asked as she began to unravel it. “It was a filly my Princess.” The stallion said with a little hesitation. “Black fur.” Celestia stopped for a second. “Lavender?” she mumbled. “Why she send a letter to me I wonder.” She thought. She got her answer right away however. Dear Princess Celestia… Just what the Fuck do you think you’re doing?!... Here I am learning to live on a world that I’m stuck on for the rest of my lives, Thinking that by some miracle the strongest living Thing on the face of this Planet would end the war in one fell swoop. But No, here I learned that this “WAR” haves been going on for years. YEARS!... In my honest opinion I do believe we need to talk face to face about Ending this here War. I have some ideas if you care to hear them. Or Maybe, you could grow some Fucking Balls and end this BullShit Now? But alas, I come to find out you are indeed a “Pacifist” Through and Through. And Pacifists haves no place in War. Finishing the letter Celestia put it down gently. She sighed and with a face that no pony ever imagined to see on the face of their ruler. Celestia looked angry. Like, she could really end the war right now. End the world with a glance. “Soldier?” She said glaring at the stallion. The Stallion in turn just about pissed himself stumbling backwards a little. “Yee. Yess. Your Majesty?” he sputtered. “If you would be kind enough to fetch Miss Lavender Shadow for me please..?” she said with searing annoyance in her voice. “Y-Ye-Yes, Your, Your…” “Now… Please.” …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Later that day. “Dow is a Bitch!” Scaramouch said bluntly. Smooch then gasped a little. “Um Sorry Princess.” She was standing in front of the throne as Celestia stood in from of a window closest from the throne. “It’s quite all right my little pony.” Celestia said with a smile. Turning around to look at Smooch she said. “Proceed please.” “Um so, really.” Smooch started, wondering why she just got away with that. “She’s selfish. She’s blunt. She haves these little fits when she doesn’t get her way with anything.” “So by all definitions, she’s acting according to a child?” Celestia interrupted Smooch. “Well Um… I guess so.” Smooch said sheepishly. “But as a Student of Starswirl the bearded himself…” “You think she should act as such.” Celestia interrupted again. “Yes.” Smooch said feeling a little more comfortable. “I’ve seen her maturity first hoof.” She said looking down. “She talks with Starswirl as if the pair were old friends.” “Doesn’t Star talk like that with every pony?” Celestia asked slowly walking up to Scaramouch. “Well, for the most part sure.” Smooch said. “But we both know he always seems to haves those moment of loneliness. Not with her.” Celestia actually knew why but like Lavender, Starswirl wanted his secrets kept too. “It sounds to me that Lavender is just getting under your fur Scaramouch.” Smooch in turn just sighed. “I guess so.” She said hanging her head down. “Do you know Why?” Celeste asked. Smooch jerked her head up at the question. “Because…” she hesitated. “She’s better then me.” Celestia just tilted her head at Smooch. “umm?” It took Smooch a moment to realize that the princess wanted her to elaborate. “You see… Dow haves only been with us a year, but she’s learned so much more then I did in ten.” “Oh…” Celestia replied. So it was one of these stories she thought. “So?” “Huh? What? Wait?” Scaramouch sputtered as her back half fell to the floor. A few seconds of deep thought then Smooch said. “Oh… I’m. My Apologies.” Celestia nodded her head as she gave Smooch a warm smile. “No need to be sorry.” She sat down with Smooch. “Think of it this way. Most, nearly all Unicorns don’t learn any magic past levitation.” The pair looked at each other. “So that right there proves you’re leagues ahead from most other ponies.” Smooch sighed. “All other ponies but her.” She said turning her head away. “All?” Celestia inquired. “What of your fellow students?” “You mean Quinn?” Smooch asked as she stood up. “Sure. I can admit his skill comes close…” She then walked behind Celestia and started pacing. “Sure, he’s powerful, one of the best but…” “Stop.” Celestia interrupted turning Smooch’s way. “Please?” She did just that and sat back down. “Your Ego is out shining your confidence.” “Ah.” Smooch gasped. “Huh, oh…” she said with a hint of disappointment on her face. I’m, my Apologies.” “Needn’t be sorry.” Celestia said with that same loving smile from before. I myself should apologies. Letting us trail of subject like that.” “No. it’s fine.” Smooch said standing back up. “I still stand by what I said though.” “She’s a Bitch…” Scaramouch went wide-eyed and stared at Celestia. She never thought Celestia would ever say anything like that. No pony would. “I know I know, it’s just…” “The War?” Smooch interrupted. “The reason why I asked you here.” Celestia said. she had a worried look on her face all the sudden. Smooch took notice. “What’s up princess?” she asked. “In your honest opinion. You think I should recruit Lavender Shadow for the War effort?” Celestia asked with no emotion what so ever. “Bu-a-um… NO!” Smooch sputtered and stumbled and it took her a moment for her to compose herself. Celestia just stared at her. “I mean, huh, that, that’s just my misgivings with her sooooo.” “Scaramouch.” Celestia rose her voice a little more then usual. Please. It’s fine. I hear your words and…” “Apologies.” Smooch interrupted. “But you haven’t.” the two looked at each other for a moment before Celestia gestured for her to continue. Smooch complied. “As for the good of this land. That pony can actually do so much at six years of age, it’s scary. So in my unbiased honest opinion is... …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… “Hello my little pony.” Celestia said on top her throne. Harlequin sitting on a pillow in front of it. “So let me get straight into it shall I?” “Of course your majesty.” Quinn replied. He was polite, but he had that nagging feeling that something was up. Like was he in trouble for something he didn’t know about or remember? Or was it that she needed his help only he could do? However his worries seemed invalid once he heard the princess ask the question. His Answer was immediate. “Dow is a Beast!” Celestia didn’t expect that from him. Out of Starswirl’s stories she kind of knew Scaramouch would act the way she did but Harlequins was supposed to be analytical, regal… Clearly Lavender had a greater impact with Quinn here then Smooch. “Oh damn, here we go again” she thought giving Quinn a warm smile. “Why say that?” “Because she is!” Quinn said standing up and taking a step forward. Celestia’s guards took notice and prepared themselves. Celestia however raised a hoof making them stop. Quinn sat back down. “I mean, she’s just a filly right?” he said with concern. “That’s what I thought, up in till I saw what she was capable of.” He said with some trepidation. “And?” Celestia asked with some amusement by his antics. “Um. Well… She’s to full of herself.” Quinn said jerking back a little afterwards. “I mean, she loves herself to much.” Celestia giving Quinn a smile. “Needn’t be so worried Harlequin.” “Ok…” Quinn said taking a breath, finally sitting back down. “ok… well, she likes messing with other ponies as well.” Celestia suddenly worried herself by that. However not showing just how hypocritical she felt. “Like, confusing ponies on a whim, being extremely mad one moment then laughing about that vary same thing minutes later, saying stuff that would break the best of us.” Quinn by now was getting a little agitated by his own words. “What of Scaramouch?” Celestia asked suddenly. “Dow deliberately messes with Smooch the most.” He said with a little chuckle. “And after she thinks nothing of it.” “And what of you my little pony?” Celestia asked concern for Quinn’s well being. “Well, me? She and I don’t see eye to eye” Quinn said. “I try to talk with her from time to time but all that comes out of her mouth makes Me doubt myself.” He said with a little sense of hate. “I’m trying my flank off to be friendly to a pony from across the seas…” Celestia noticing that he was getting agitated again. “But knowing the things she does for ‘FUN’…” Quinn stopped after that yelp. After a few seconds of dead silence, it looked as if Harlequin was about to cry. “It’s enough to drive some pony Bat Shit INSANE!” This time he screamed at Celestia and this time her guards sprint into action, pinning him down in a blink of an eye. Celestia in turn just took a breath, seeing Quinn was ready to burst into tears. She got up and slowly started down to Quinn. “It’s like she hasn’t a care in the world.” She said coming to a stop in front of Quinn. “And she doesn’t care if any pony would ever like her.” Quinn slowly looked up at Celestia as she laid in front of him. The pair of them took a breath simultaneously. Quinn closed his eyes and Celestia gave the ok to her guards to let him go. They promptly did so, but not without their own trepidations. Both sat up and looked at each other. Quinn look better then just a moment ago Celestia thought. “You know, from everything I read about you Harlequin.” Celestia said with a smirk. “I’d assumed that you were more emotionless. I’m so relieved to see that I was wrong.” The pair stared at each other for a moment more, then Quinn went wide-eyed in sudden realization. “What is it?” Celestia asked. “Apologies…” Quinn said sitting straight up, now baring the look of clarity. “I know what’s she’s doing.” Quinn gave a smirk of his own. “She’s going to pay for that.” “Oh?” Celestia started as her concerns shifted a little. “Then if you please, before you go off to have your vengeance. The second thing I’d like to know is, what you just realized?” She said standing up and turned to head back up her throne. “I just noticed that Dow’s treating every pony differently.” Quinn said as Celestia made it on the throne and sat back down. “She’s seeing how much pressure needs to build on a pony's mind in order to break.” He said with a little chuckle at the end. “And she Broke me… Fuck!” Every pony in the room gave the one in the middle the weirdest look any pony could ever give another. “What?” Celestia composed herself before telling Quinn, “I see our vocabulary is ever growing, ever since Lavender’s arrival.” She smirked. “When she say that word?” She asked. “Whenever she’s frustrated or mad about something.” Quinn replied. “So you’re frustrated?” Celestia asked unmoving. “Oh a great deal, apologies princess.” Quinn replied. “No need, she is an Ass hole.” It was Quinn’s turn to give her a weird look, just made Celestia giggle. “But I’m getting off track… I’ve been doing that a lot as of late…” She coughed once in her hoof. “the first thing I wanted to know from you… In your honest opinion. You think I should recruit Lavender Shadow for the War effort?” “Um, if I may ask, why ask me at all, your majesty?” Quinn asked calm and collected. Celestia relieved to see Quinn becoming a bit saner then he was just a moment ago. “Well you see,” she started making Lavender’s letter appear with a golden glow. “After nearly a year, Miss Dow sent me this letter asking if she can join the battles.” She said looking over the parchment again. Quinn just stared at the paper floating in the air thinking that can’t just be it. “May I?” he asked. “Of course.” Celestia replied, floating it down to Quinn. He took it in his own magic and brought in up to his face. It was only a few seconds in before he sneered at the paper. You see my dilemma then?” Celeste asked. Quinn took a breath. “And here I am being selfish.” He said dropping his head and in turn the letter. “Your majesty… she deserves no such praise, even after this filth.” He said stomping at the paper. “But… I’m telling you the truth of the matter.” Quinn raising his head. “I’ve seen her work. I seen the way she uses magic. If she haves a way to end this War. Then in my honest opinion… …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… “Dow is, by all definitions, an Alien.” Starswirl said, sitting at a table across from Celestia. Both with a bowl of salad to their left and a slice of cake on their right. “And it’s not because she’s not of this world. No… I believe even in her world she was an outcast.” “I believe I can see that as well.” Celestia said taking a bite of her food and quickly swallowed. “of course her treatment of her fellow students isn’t helping her in any way.” “Ah. So you already spoke to my students have you?” Starswirl said taking his first bite. “Yeah. She haves no respect for any pony.” “She seems to have respect for you.” Celestia interrupted. “Really?” Star asked. “I mean I guess so. We talk to each other well enough.” He said pondering on the matter. “I think it’s more then that.” Celestia pondered as well. “The pair of you are similar in that both you aren’t from this place.” She smiled. “Well she probably came from farther then you.” She jest but quickly gasped after so. “I’m…” “It’s quite alright your majesty.” Starswirl interrupted. “I came to terms that I’m never going back to my old home again.” He smiled at her. That alone seemed to perk her up a little. “No, what surprised me, was it took her minutes what took me years to get over.” Celestia a little intrigued at that. “the moment she found out she couldn’t leave. She moved on, like it never mattered to her at all. “That’s a little scary if you think about it.” Celestia commented. A moment past of the pair chewing food then, “I would love to hear more of our mystery pony if I’m not so intrusive?” She asked. “Certainly.” Starswirl said bluntly. “I imagine it’s about that letter you’re hiding right now?” “Haa, how did you…” Celestia started but sighed soon after. “Yes.” Starswirl just smiled back at her. “Well… She is a… Manipulative, Egocentric, Bombastic even.” Celestia just listened at the moment. “She loves to Nitpick at other pony’s minds. So much in fact that I don’t think she knows how to stop, or when they break.” “Wait? And we let that slide do we?” Celestia asked. “That’s… a little horrifying.” “That it is.” Star replied. “But I guess I understand though.” “How so?” Celestia asked taking a nibble of her cake. “Of course, think on it… Coming to a world you know nothing about.” Starswirl said, clearly choosing his words. “And being as analytical as she is, you’d want to know as much as possible. And being as impatient as she is, you’d want to know it fast.” “I guess that does make some sense.” Celestia said tapping her chin with her hoof. “She’s creative as well.” Star said now eating his cake. “Oh.?” “She haves this idea in her head that all ponies, no… All the different species of this world can use magic. Like a unicorn…” Celestia gasped at that, choked a little then coughed up some crumbs. She then proceeded to stare at Starswirl in disbelief. “Yep… I had a similar reaction.” “Ok… I mean sure all ponies have inherit magic in them but…” “She even went so far to promise this earth pony that he could use magic.” Starswirl said. at this point the pair stopped eating. “been working that poor pony to near death for months now… his choice.” “And we haven’t stopped this yet?” Celestia asked running her concerns across her face. Suddenly she went wide-eyed. “You think that’s one of her ideas?” she asked. “Must be.” Starswirl replied. “However I wouldn’t know how she could ever make an earth pony use magic?” he said taking a bite of his cake. Celestia sighed. “Fascinating to say the least. Yet once again I’m getting us off track.” “Of course.” Starswirl interrupted. “You wish to know if it’s a good idea to let Miss Shadow help with the war effort?” Celestia just smiled and nodded for Star to continue. “I’m going to half ta say no…” He said with no emotion. “Huh…” Celestia said. “What?” Star asked. “Both your top two students said practically the same thing.” Starswirl stared off in the distance. “But then…” “But then the pair thought on it for a moment. Maybe even just seconds like I just did.” He said. “ok…” Celestia said. “Then what’s your honest opinion?” By this point all the food was gone from Starswirl’s plates. Celestia still had a little left. “the truth of the matter is that my opinion shouldn’t matter at all… The truth of the matter is that Lavender Shadow… …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… That night… “Lavender Shadow maybe the best pony to Win this War.” Those words rang in Celestia’s head ever since all three ponies she met today all said the exact same thing, and she hated that. Celestia currently on a balcony staring up at the moon. Remembering earlier that morning. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… That Morning… “Ah, Miss Shadow? To what do I owe this pleasure?” Celestia said still angry from reading Dow’s letter. She was sitting up top her throne as Lavender was below her, just staring at Celestia with a blank look. “Don’t spit that shit at me Princess” Lavender said harshly. Every pony gasped at that and the guards took action right away, lunging at Dow only to hit each other’s heads. Knocking them out instantly. Dow herself was a few feet in front of them. “I know full well why I’m here.” She said looking back at the guards. “So should I get to the point or you want to ask your obligatory questions?” She said gawking back at Celestia and smiling evilly. Celestia with a look of shock and awe on her face. No pony had ever spoke like that to her. Sure Dow was a pony not from this world but has she no manners at all? She composed herself with the sternest physique she can muster. “Well, if you’re so impatient then proceed Miss Shadow.” She said trying to keep as calm as possible. “First off… I’m surprised you have yet to reprimand me.” Lavender said sitting on the ground. “I see that you clearly want too.” “That’s because I want to hear your ideas.” Celestia said thinking if that was actually true or not. “ok.” Dow said smiling. “Then my idea that I’d know would be best for the long run.” She said standing up. “is Conquest.” “What?” Celestia asked not knowing how to react to that. “Conquest.” Dow repeated. Lavender seeing that Celestia seemed to be struggling with that concept. Dow took a breath. “Could you please show me a map of the world?” Celestia hesitant at Dow’s request but materialized a hologram of the world beneath Dow’s hoofs. She made it big enough to let Dow walk through it as if the filly was ten miles tall. “Good.” Dow said looking around. “Now please show our land and the borders to our competition.” Celestia did just that. The borders first appeared. Celestia and her people were smack dab in the middle of the map. Just barely ten percent of it. Then came the rest. That Somber King controlled thirty percent of the world. At eleven twelve and one o clocks. Luna controlled another thirty maybe a tad bit more of what Dow saw. Five six and seven a clocks. Separate factions of other races controlled the rest of the world. Dragons a percent here and there. Same for many other races on the world. Dow noticed her birthplace was taken over by griffons. Dow seemed antsy for a second or two but then she giggled. It lasted a while. Celestia puzzled when Lavender started trotting along the outside of the borders. “Miss Shadow?” Celestia asked wondering if she should make the map vanish. To Celestia, Dow looked too happy to be ten miles tall. Dow stopped and snapped her head towards Celestia. “Umm.” She said, a blush on her face. “Sorry… Soo…” She said looking over the map. “What I know we need to do first is get ourselves a better base then this shithole.” Celestia taken a little aback by that last word but she kept quiet for the time being. “I suggest that place there.” Dow said pointing out one of the castle’s windows to that mountain the griffons are inhabiting. Celestia looked over at the mountain. “Are you saying to take that rock by force?” She asked. “Yes…” Dow said bluntly. Celestia didn’t want to think of the implications of that. Firstly to force whatever creature out of the thing they call home, then all the deaths that may occur in such a battle. For Celestia, it was maddening to think about. “I… I don’t know if I could…” “Then don’t!” Lavender interrupted as she started pacing back and forth. “Let me do all the work!” “No…” Celestia said as the map vanished. “I can’t let you go out of your way to…” “Shut up!” Dow interrupted again. “You can’t let me protect my home!?” She said stopping and turned to look back to Celestia. “You mean you…” “I Said Shut It!” Dow yelled at Celestia. Celestia in turn couldn’t fathom all this strife Dow had towards her. It was disconcerting to see a filly scream at her, to say the least, but she stayed silent. “Look. I’m stuck here, I have no choice but to call this my home.” Lavender started. “So there is no Fucking Way I’m Going to Spend the Rest of My Life…” Dow said slowly raising her voice, To eventually it became a scream. “FIGHTING A WAR YOU CAN’T WIN!” Dow finished almost hyperventilating. And Celestia becoming a bit more upset herself, to the point was she found herself sneering at Lavender. She quickly stopped and shook her head. Lavender took a few deep breaths before continuing “Princess Celestia…” The pair looked at each other. “You are to Nice. You need to be more selfish. Or find a pony that is.” “My little pony... I believe you’re done.” Celestia said standing up and slowly walked towards Lavender. “Let me have a day and I’ll give you my decision.” She said standing in front of Dow. “You will let me think on this.” She said with a hint of animosity. Lavender just smiled back. “A day then.” She said as she backed away a little. She then turned and started trotting off. The guards slowly opened their eyes at that point. The pair saw Lavender being on her marry way. Then they looked at their princess. To them, she looked so distraught. The pair picked themselves up and looked back at Dow. “Your majesty? You want her detained?” one of them asked. “No…” Celestia said taking a breath. “however I need to ask something of you.” “Anything.” One replied as both stood at attention. “I need you to bring Starswirl and his students for me.” She said as Dow left through the front doors. “Then I need to be alone in till they arrive.” “Of course your majesty.” Both said simultaneously. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Celestia looking at the moon, her thoughts wondering off once more. A tear ran down her cheek. “I’m to nice huh???” Chapter 4: A Devil of the Heavens“So, this was your brilliant plan? Surrender!!!” screamed Scaramouch from inside a cage barely big enough to hold her. Next to her was a pair of pegasi, each in there own cage, and both angry at a certain young unicorn. Next to them was Lavender and to her was an earth pony that seemed way to laid back for their current predicament. “I mean you even left our fleet outside pass the borders?!... Why?!...” “Oh do be quiet Smooch.” Lavender replied looking over at the earth pony. “I just needed Jojo… The three of you weren’t even supposed to be here!” “Would the both of you shut up!” said one of the pegasus next to Smooch, clearly impatient with the pair. “It’s been nothing but nagging and bickering ever since we started this endeavor.” Meet Rock… Well the pony Lavender calls Rock. The commander of this small party. Blue fur, black mane, a trio of black lighting bolts zigzagging upwards to each other. “Miss Dow, when is this plan of yours going to occur?” He asked. “It would occur faster if everyone… Every pony would shut up…” all of them but the earth pony glared at Lavender. “And what of you Jojo?” She asked the earth pony. The colt was older then Dow for sure but still seemed to young to be recruited for a war, snow-white fur covered in dirt, and a dark blue messy as all hell mane covered most his face and neck. He was also quite sickly skinny looking as well. “I’m fine Sensei.” He said moving in a meditative position. “You wish for me to bust every pony out now?” he asked closing his eyes. “No.” Lavender said bluntly. “You’re here for one reason only, understand Jojo?” finally letting her eyes wonder. “Oh my Celestia, you’re insufferable.” Smooch said, hissing at the end. “I know.” Dow replied with a deliberate slur. “But now for the task at hand.” She said looking over at Smooch. “You braking us out or you gonna let a little girl out show you?” “Oh I know you didn’t just say that!” Smooch said sternly, gawking at Dow. “Shut up! The Both of You!” the other pegasus barked. A pony with red fur and light blonde hair. A cutie mark of a trio of black moons forming a pinwheel. Lavender dubbed her Roll. “I don’t care one way or the other who the hell does what!” Roll said siting down and rubbing her temples. “Please I’m sick of both you fillies. Hell this Jojo here.” She said pointing to the colt. “Is the most sane one of us all.” Dow smiled at that. “What!” Roll asked. “You just called yourself insane.” Dow chirped. “Oh my Celestia… JUST GET US OUTTA HERE!” Roll screamed. Suddenly a griffon barged in the room, having the door slam behind him. Clearly angry. “Which one of you is this Dow bitch?!” the griffon asked sternly. Every pony looked at Lavender who was acting like a frightened newborn who was staring down an ursa major. “You’re coming with me.” He said stomping his way over to Dow. “NOOOOOOOO!” Lavender screamed. “Momma Please!” She said slamming herself in Smooch’s direction. “Help me! Please Momma, don’t let the monster take me away!” she yelled, practically blowing out Roll’s ears in the process. Smooch was staring at Lavender in disgust before turning her head with a tsk under her breath. The griffon in front of Dow by now looked at Smooch then down at Dow. “Looks like Mommy doesn’t love you anymore huh.” The griffon said chuckling at the end as he grabbed the cage and started to drag it back with him. The rest of the group looked onward as the griffon opened the door. “MOMMMMAAAAAAA! PLEASE!” Lavender screamed one final time before the door slammed behind them. “Right.” Smooch scuffed. Rock, Roll and Jojo just looked at Smooch. “What?” she asked when she took notice. “That was awful.” Rock said. “Sure I knew it was just an act but you didn’t even attempt to play along.” “So?” Smooch asked plainly as she looked at her locks. “It was way to believable!” Roll added stomping on the ground. “So?” Smooch asked again. She then looked over to Jojo. “Looks like you’re up kid.” Jojo in turn just looked back at her. “But sensei said…” “Sansah’s not here now is she?” Scaramouch said sternly. “And besides these cages are enchanted. Means no magic.” She said sighing as she hung her head down. “And there’s your answer.” Jojo said looking at the front of his cage. “No magic.” …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… A griffon walking through a hallway, pulling a cage behind him. The cage held Lavender seemingly half asleep. The griffon himself seemed annoyed. He was average built with a hooked beak. A mesh of black, gray, brown and pale yellow feathers riddled his body. “Ok wait!” He said looking behind him. “You were just screaming a moment ago for your mother…” he said stopping and turning around to face Dow. Lavender smiled evilly at the griffon. “Oh, you needn’t worry about Mother dearest.” She said giggling a little. “No, your worry should be of that earth pony you’re clearly not paying to much mind over.” The griffon started to get a little uneasy. Not by Dow’s warning, but how she presented herself to him. Not at all like a filly but rather a dragon in disguise. “Mind you. That unicorn isn’t one to be ignored either, she haves this nasty temper whenever she’s really pissed off.” The griffon in turn scowled at Dow. “Don’t you dare pretend little girl.” He then punched the side of the cage in hopes his uneasiness was unwarranted. “Got it?” Lavender smile just grew. “Got it.” The griffon turned back around and started pulling the cage once more. Lavender laid down, still smiling. “Fair warning kid.” She said, no signs of him listening. “I’m going to Kill the closest thing to me when I’m out of this cage.” The griffon flinched but kept walking. “Better make sure you’re not the one letting me out.” A few minutes later Lavender was in a room with a pair of griffons in sight. The one that pulled the cage and one staring out a window, standing on just her hind legs. Her claws crossed behind her. She had gray feathers on her head, darker gray for her mane and the rest were black. The room itself was bare. Nothing in it but a desk, a chair, that window and a lantern hanging from the ceiling. “Garble? Why did you bring the whole cage?” the griffon at the window asked. “Well… um…” “No reason then” she interrupted as she turned around and dropped on all fours. “Get her out.” The griffon saw the filly smile and Garble frown upon hearing that order. “Ye-yes Mam” Garble said hesitantly as he unlocked the cage and opened it up. Lavender stood up and walked out. “So miss, what I call you?” “Hold your Tahhuuaaaaah.” Garble started to say but a split second later Dow’s horn was shoved deep in his throat. The other griffon raised an eyebrow and smirked. Garble trying to catch his breath while Dow was bobbing her head to a song she was humming. The sudden shock made Garble forget that Lavender was three to four times smaller then him. Remembering her words from earlier made him realize that she wasn’t pretending at all. His sight went first, and the last thing he heard was the laugher of a little girl currently murdering him before he went limp and both fell to the floor. “Call me Shadow.” The griffon said looking at her now dead soldier. “Lavender pulled her horn out of Garble. “No.” she said standing up and turning to the other griffon. “My Name is Shadow.” The griffon laughed a little. “Well Lavender Shadow really, Dow for short.” She said smiling sheepishly. “Try again.” …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… “You know we don’t have all day Jojo.” Smooch said impatiently tamping her hoof on the front of her cage. “Please Scaramouch. It’s all ready hard enough with conflicting orders.” Jojo said sitting in an odd looking stance. His hind legs were crossed and his front’s were hanging in front of his face. “Just give me a moment of peace.” Smooch Rock and Roll gazed at Jojo in silence for a moment when the three felt the air around them suddenly became heavy. “Huh, whaa?” Roll said startled. “Gate of Opening” Said Jojo as he crossed his arms. “RELEASE!” he screamed as he pumped his arms to his sides… …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… A moment earlier. “So Dark, there is really no negotiating with you then?” Lavender asked the griffon she was currently standing in front of, blood still trickling down from her horn, smirking all the while. “It’s rather a vary tempting offer Shadow.” Dark replied sitting in front of Dow. Secretly contemplating on just how to kill Lavender. What she offered was nothing short of utter surrender for the griffon population or your know, death, and Dark wanted no part of it, but with the threat of gods on Dow’s side she was backed into a corner. However before she gave her answer there was a loud BOOM off in the holding cells. Dark jerked her head up and towards the noise. “What the Hell!?” Dow just sighed. “And that would be the sound of my student disobeying me.” She said tilting her head. “Weird.” “Your student?!” Dark asked looking at Lavender with some distaste. “Yes… but before he comes in here and kills you…” Lavender said turning her head back around. Dark wasn’t amused by that threat just now. “I’d like to know why you wanted me?” Dow said looking onward carefully at Dark’s demeanor. “Why a little filly like me huh? Why not our commander?” Lavender noticed a little twitch in Darks left claw. “Meaning you were after me specifically.” The pair of them started hearing screaming from beyond the doors behind Dow, followed by sounds of crashes and booms every which way. Dark visibly getting worried and Dow taking notice. “Meaning still you think I’m special?” Another twitch came from Dark’s left eye this time. “Quickly Jojo! Ram them through!” the voice of Rock bled through the walls followed by more screaming and crashes. Dow sighed. “Whelp… Guess it’s to late for your men” she said snickering at the end. “Fat chance of that kid.” Dark said trying to keep her cool. “Woh there Jojo! Don’t Kill us too!” the voice of Smooch was heard before a louder boom that followed suit. Dow giggled, and Dark hissed. “Hhii, Hi’m, Sorry Scara-“ Jojo said, sounding like he was just outside the room Dow suddenly frowned and turned to the door. “HAY JOJO! YOU FUCKING IDIOT! WHAT THE FUCK YOU DOING!” She screamed. Dark saw this to be the opportunity to see if she could do something about this monster in the form of a filly. She pounced at Lavender, however it was for not. The moment Dark was half way in the air the door exploded. Shards of wood blasted all over the place. A good number of them cut, stabbed, and lodged themselves half way inside Dark’s front, forcing her backwards. Lavender started cackling as she slowly turned around. Dark on her back, shook her head and looked onwards. First at Dow then at something terrifying behind her. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… The Week Before… “How?” Starswirl asked simply. He was standing on a field of white flowers with Lavender, Smooch, and Quinn standing at his sides. A white earth pony stood in front of them with what could only be described as translucent blue flames covering every inch of him, and the colt looked as if he was working out all his life, his muscles were big and chiseled for his size. The three ponies next to Dow were ah-struck, speechless, and terrified all at the same time. “Meh… I gotta be honest with you.” Lavender said with pride in her voice. “I haven’t the slightest Idea.” She said becoming a little giggly. “But it’s so magnificent.” The three ponies all stared at Jojo for a tik longer then turned their heads to Dow. Her smile was slowly growing as she giggled under her breath. It was making the others quite uncomfortable. Suddenly her whole body twitched and her demeanor changed from being a creepy filly to one with no empathy. “Right right then. Jojo. That’s enough.” She yelled at the colt. “Yes Sensei.” The colt said as the flames evaporated and his bulk deflated where he looked like he hasn’t eaten in years. When it was over he looked up at the group in front of him then down to Lavender and smiled. “What else ya need Sensei?” he asked. “Nothing for now. You’re dismissed.” Dow said plainly. Her and Jojo bowed to each other and Jojo walked off. Lavender watched him stumble around a little and waited for him to be out of earshot. Once he was she turned to look at the trio currently looking back at her inquisitively. “I don’t think he’s ready but I think we can use him.” She said with a smile. “Ok…” Starswirl replied. “Still want to know how?” he said turning fully to Lavender. “Same here…” Quinn chimed in, following his teacher’s actions. Smooch followed soon after. “Dow sighed. “I said I don’t know…” she said sitting on the spot and gawked up at the trio. “However, what I taught him was a practice I’ve learned from way back when.” Smooch and Quinn pondered on that comment for a few seconds. Way back when. “Just how old does this brat think she is?” both thought. “What I did was teach him about a meditation practice. I call it, the Eight Inner Gates.” She said throwing her hooves in the air. She continued as she stomp the ground. “That, was all his doing.” “That’s all well and dandy but…” “We just witness an earth pony that USED MAGIC!” Smooch interrupted Starswirl mid sentence as she kicked the air. Starswirl shook his head. “How did you know that would happen?” he asked plainly. “Oh, I didn’t.” Dow said smirking. “Wait.” Quinn spat out making the other three gawk at him. “So… you’re risking some pony’s life off of a theory?” Lavender then slowly nodded her head while her eyes twitch from left to right and back at random intervals. “Nnnyyah.” She said standing up and trotting off. The other three ponies all watch Lavender leave them. They then looked at one another with varies looks of concern of “What the hell have we done?” …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… “I Surrender.” Dark said standing up from her position before. She then hung her head low. “Please tell me your monster here didn’t kill to many?” “Oh, no worries miss.” Jojo spoke up. He sounded metallic with a small boom at the start of every syllable. He was currently standing in front of Dark, looming with the air around him slowly becoming heavier with each breath. Smooch was at his side at the moment as well. “I didn’t kill any of your...” “Jojo…” Dow interrupted. “Ahh. Apologies Sensei.” He replied and backed away, letting Lavender show herself. Jojo moved to her side. Letting the pair stare at each other. Lavender noticed blood trickling down every hole the wood made on Darks body. Dow knew right off the back Dark was dying. To Dow, Dark was playing an act. The pride of the griffons fascinated her, however Dow still had a job to do. “So. What are your terms?” She said tilting her head. “My Terms?!” “Her Terms?!” Both Dark and every pony else blurted out. “You’re dying Dark.” Lavender said with no emotion. Dark then coughed up blood and stumbled a little as if on queue. “I say your final wishes would be apart of the terms of surrender yes?” She said smiling lovingly. Something that Scaramouch knew was fake, glaring at Dow for a moment before turning her head away. “Whatdayou say?” “Well damn it.” Dark said trying to keep herself up right. Dark couldn’t tell what Dow’s plans were by this point. First this filly walks up to their bases front door and surrenders with more or less no fuss, then once in this room she goes and kills one of her subordinates. Then letting her monster wreck the place up and essentially killing her. Now hearing that this filly is letting Dark make her peace. For Dark, confusing and aggravating. “Who does this filly thinks she is!?” Dark thought. She finally started to feel weaker from all that blood loss. The puddle of blood was big enough to ooze past Dow’s front hooves. It was slow going, but she noticed herself slipping away. “Fine.” She said sitting down. “Find us a place to live.” “You mean your tribe here?” Roll asked popping her head out from behind the doorway. “No…” Dark replied. “You mean all griffons yes?” Lavender asked. “Yes.” Dark replied keeping herself straight. “Agreed…” Dow said plainly. Jojo then powered down, becoming his small frail self. Making the doorway big enough for Rock and Roll to peak their heads through. Smooch and the rest gawked at Lavender. “However… only for those of them that want no part of the war.” Dow said. “Like you I take it?” She asked, pointing at Dark. “Agreed?” Dark managed to let out a chuckle and nodded in agreement. Dow in turn sat down on the spot. Sitting in the growing puddle of blood. “Then Miss Shadow Wing. I accept your Surrender.” Dark smiled a little as she lost conscious and fell to her side. Lavender in turn just stared at the now dead Shadow Wing. It made every pony wonder just what was going through that head of Dow's. “Wow?” Rock chimed in. “What?” Dow asked turning her head enough to look at him. Rock hovered slowly in the room looking at the pair of corpses. “I’ve only known you for little less then a week now.” He said looking at Dow. “I hate you. You’ve been nothing but a brat to my men and me for all of thus week. We come to call you the Monster of the Heavens…” “Fitting” Smooch said under her breath. “But then you pull something like that on me!” Rock gestured at Dow in frustration. Dow then looked at Rock. “Just what in Celestia’s name are you?” Lavender smirked. “Can’t you tell mister?” She said acting like a child. “I’m just a little filly trying her best. She said hopping up to stand. “To bring peace to this world.” Dow said making her way past every pony and out the door. Every pony else stumbled out the room, some of them seeing Dow trotting down the hallway. Her backside and tail was soaked with blood, trickling down a trail as she rounded a corner. Jojo ended up following her. Slipping of some of that blood before rounding the same corner. The halls were riddled with unconscious griffons scattered all through out. Some looked more banged up them others but surprisingly none of them were dead. Smooch, Rock and Roll just stared down the hall for a moment. Rock and Roll that turned to look at Smooch. “You had to deal with THAT.” Rock said pointing a hoof down the hall. “For a YEAR?!” Scaramouch sighed. “Yup...” Rock hovered to the ground as he rubbed his temples. “Right. Scarlet.” He said suddenly as he looked at Roll. “Mind getting our troops over here. We got to round these griffons up before they wake up.” “Got it.” Roll said as she zoomed out a near by window. “Miss Scaramouch.” Rock said looking back to her. “Could you send a letter to the Princes? We’ll be needing a little help with the crowed.” “Yeah… I can do that.” Smooch said looking around at Jojo’s mess. “There are a lot more griffons here then what we thought, isn’t there?” …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Lavender and Jojo were currently walking outside to a nearby river Dow found before that whole event. Blood still dripping off her tail. “Sensei?” Jojo asked for Dow’s attention. Her ear’s twitch in response. “This place… was where you were born right?” “Technically…” Dow replied as the pair reached the river. “Sooo. You thought this mountain would be good for the war?” Jojo asked looking behind him for a few seconds. Dow jumped in the river. It was a moment later where she popped her head out and glanced at Jojo. “I’m going to stop you right there.” She said with a little higher tone then normal. “Yes. I was born in that vary church.” She said nodding her head to the building they just came from. “But no… this place really is a great place to be for war.” She said as she started to hop around. “Maybe the best vantage point in all the lands. You can see for miles on end.” Dow said before diving into the waters again. Jojo sat down and waited for her to continue. When she popped her head out she did. “So no, this wasn’t about revenge. I don’t even remember who attacked this place so long ago.” Ending the sentence with a chuckle as she hopped out from the river. She shook herself dry. Most the blood was gone by now. “However we got ourselves a big problem.” “How so Sensei?” Joao asked. Haven’t been in this war for more then a week and we already have a traitor in our midst.” Lavender said trying her hardest not to scream that out loud. Jojo Gasped and was silent for a moment. ”But, wha… um. You know who?” he asked struggling to find the words. “No.” Dow said plainly as she started back up to the church. “Keep this between us yes?” Dow more so ordered Jojo then asked him. “Yes Sensei.” He replied as he followed Lavender. Keeping that secret would’ve been all well and fine if it weren’t for the fact that some pony was listening. Yup, across the river there stood behind a boulder and a few trees was Quinn lurking in the shadows. “A Traitor huh?” Chapter 5: Breakable Values of So&SoOne month, it’s been one month scents we procured this mountain. Dow even titled it “Camelot.” I personally don’t like the name. Seems too racist. Wait does that make me racist as well? “No. That makes you biased.” The voice of Starswirl knocked Scaramouche out of her scribbling. There he stood in the doorway of a nice sized barn, Smooch in the back corner of it and she didn’t realize she asked her question out loud. The barn seen better days. The wood had rot, the metal had rust. Not to mention all those holes everywhere. One look at the place and Star deemed it unsafe. “That doesn’t make me feel any better.” Smooch sighed. Starswirl just chuckled a little. “Coming along.” He said gesturing at Smooch to follow. “Yes master.” Smooch said picking up a book she was writing in and the quill she plucked from a griffon. She turned around and headed to Starswirl. The moment her back was turned, a rather sizable piece of wood fell right were she stood just a second before. The pair jerked and Smooch hurried out the doors. Starswirl followed. Outside was the sight of pegasus and griffons performing a plethora of tasks. Mainly focused on building walls and lookout towers surrounding the town. It wasn’t impressive in the slightest; just a bunch of logs slapped together with rope and spit, but it was strong. Star and Smooch saw the wall and a few of those towers from the barn. “I’m actually impressed by this whole event.” Starswirl said looking around him. “Really?” Smooch asked looking at her teacher. “I mean ok, we did a lot more in the past month then what we ever did in the last decade, and the griffons are doing a lot more then I’ve ever thought but…” “Stop!” Starswirl interrupted turning to glare at Scaramouch but softened his gaze at her. “I’m sorry… I guess I was wrong.” He said softly as he turned around and walked off. Scaramouche sighed and trotted after him. “Master?” Smooch said when she thought she was close enough. “What’s wrong?” Starswirl sighed again as he stopped, letting Smooch walk in front of him. “A great deal I say.” He said catching a glance of a griffon flying past the corner of his eye. Scaramouche turned her head to see the same griffon. He was flying with a heavy load of boxes, tools, and other assortments of stuff and he was clearly struggling to stay up in the air. However the griffon past them by. “Are you really worried about the griffons?” Smooch asked looking back at Starswirl. “And you’re not?” Starswirl argued. “We practically made slaves of them.” “So?” Smooch asked bluntly. “Oh Celestia…” Starswirl sighed as he continued walking. Scaramouche started to follow, however Starswirl blocked her with a glow of his horn. He made a wall of magic behind him as he walked. Smooch stared at the shrinking image of Starswirl as she wondered why he wanted to talk to her in the first place. Cursing at her pride. Having an idea why her mentor’s sudden distaste towards her. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… At the same time Lavender seemed to be off in her own tangent. Seemingly forgetting that there was a war going on and instead focusing on experimentation. At the start of this month she gave the griffons a choice. Either be banished from Celestia’s lands and future territories for ever, or come win the war with Celestia’s army, and give them amnesty for once they did. Dow was pleasantly surprised to see all but a lingering few stay. The few that didn’t stay flew off disowning their own kind. She then started barking orders to fortify this town and with a letter to Celestia came pegasus to help with the workload. After that she started looking for other ponies to work with one on one. At the same time giving Jojo freedom to hone his magic The pony Dow ended up with was not a pony at all. She found a griffon she dubbed Roh. He was a griffon with tan fur and silver wings and mane and the mane itself was thick. Thick enough to hide the whole face, say for his beak. Dow made it possible for griffons to use a form of magic too. However it was short lived. Killing Roh, blowing up with her medaling with nature. Dow came to the conclusion that it seemed that only equines where the only species to use real magic. That was about the time Starswirl started to avoid Lavender. Presently Dow haves a new subject. An actual pegasus this time. The pair stood face to face on the far end of town and Jojo about a hundred yards away, punching a large rock repeatedly. “And you’re sure you want to do this?” Dow asked sternly staring at a light red, but not quite pink, pegasus with a quad of black stars for his cutie mark. His mane and tail, long, disheveled, light blue. “Yes sir…” The pegasus said. “Wait? I mean,” he started, seeing the deadpan look Dow was giving him. “What was it?” Dow sighed and smiled. “Not to threat. You needed remember anything if this doesn’t work and you’re dead.” She said turning away from the pegasus she just then decided to start calling him Bing. His real name was Bergen Swift, not that Lavender cared what so ever. To be honest ponies by this point expected that Dow was going to give them a nickname, but Bing was a little worried on what Dow just said. There was the potential of death? However he stood straight. “Teach me.” He said smirking a little. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… The last month haves been one hell of a ride for Harlequin however. First finding out that there was a traitor out to get Lavender but her keeping that fact a secret from every pony made him a little concerned. So he wrote a letter about it to Celestia. He would’ve told Smooch and Starswirl first but came to the conclusion that, what if one of them was the traitor? As sickening as that thought was, he simply couldn’t help it. He trusts his friend, his teacher, right? When Celestia replied to him a week later, she asked him to start investigating the matter if he hadn’t already, and to keep it from Lavender for as long as possible. Quinn agreed and started investigating. At the start of his investigation he made it a point to make sure it wasn’t his friend or teacher, simply not wanting the traitor to be them. Next he went and spied on every other pony for a bit, in till he noticed Jojo. He had the most meticulous schedule Quinn haves ever seen. How Quinn didn’t suspect him to begin with? Every day of the month Jojo woke up, ate something, does this weird dance, kicked a bolder or tree for what seemed like hours, meditated for a time, eats again, bathes, speed reads a book from start to finish, than falls asleep. The only things that diverged that schedule was Dow coming up to talk to him or vice versa. Quinn broke in Jojo’s sleeping quarters when he was smashing stone with his bare hooves. Quinn expected whatever noise he makes would hopefully drown out by that. “Ok… so what am I looking for?” He asked himself out loud as he looked from left to right. Jojo’s room was a bit baron. All it had was a bed, a desk and a small library of books in the back corner, and a window lighting the place up. The little that was there, it didn’t take him long at all to search everything. The bed and desk had nothing to be concerned about, however halfway through those books be came across a bookmark with a small note on it. It read “Gotcha!!!” Quinn gasped as the door slammed behind him. “Damn it!” Quinn yelped as he turned and slammed into the door. He slammed the door a few more times to come to think that it wasn’t going to budge. Lamenting, Quinn gawked around a little. That’s when he spotted a pair of eyes peeping at him through the window. “HOLY Celestia!” he gasped falling on his rear. “Hello there Harlequin.” Jojo’s voice came from those eyes. “Comfy?” “Get me out of here!” Quinn demanded jumping up. “Mnnaah.” Jojo said disappearing of to the side. “But, can I ask you something?” he reappeared from the other side. Quinn sighed vary clearly upset at his predicament. “What?” “You working for Luna or Somber Crystal?” Jojo asked moving to make his head visible to Quinn. “Huh? Wah, what?” Quinn said taking a double take. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Celestia sitting upon her throne, just having one of her guards deliver a letter to one Harlequin. She was in one of those moments of deep thought. “A traitor among her ponies… Or maybe not? Maybe a spy?” Her own thoughts where making her much more concern then ever before. Unfortunately, she didn’t have the luxury to worry over it at the moment. A week ago she had a squadron of pegasus try to make peace with a clan of dragons. It was met wit pore results. Only three lived that day, and only because Celestia helped them out when the three of them prayed to her. An event before that was trying to make peace with some diamond dogs and a time before that was that of minotaurs. The throne room doors burst open and a guard ran in. “Your Majesty!” he screamed as he entered. He screeched to a halt, as he felt close enough. Celestia turned to look at him. Dry tears streaked her face but she kept this harden gazed at her subject. “The platoon is back!” he said noticing that Celestia wasn’t looking well. “Are they well enough for me to meet them?” Celestia asked with a glow of her horn, that made her tears evaporate to nothing. “Yes.” The guard replied but then stumbled a little. “Well. Two of them are.” He corrected himself. “That’s fine.” Celestia said standing up. “Would you want them to come here then?” the guard asked. “No thank you.” She replied as she started her way to the front doors. “Yes your Majesty.” He said watching the princess leave. There stood a medical tent just outside Celestia’s castle. When she walked out, every pony outside all stopped and bowed to her. She sighed. “This isn’t the time for that my ponies. Please.” She said as she moved to the tent. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Inside the medical tent laid Rock and Roll and a third dark yellow pegasus, comatose at the moment. The three had scars and burns all over their bodies. Rock and Roll staring off into space, contemplating about something the pair of them realized when they were flying for their lives. Peace wasn’t working… Suddenly the tent opened up and in walked Celestia. She came in with a smile but seeing her ponies in the state they were in and the glares the pair still awake were giving her, the smile shrunk. “Oh…” She started emotionless. “I see you want to talk to me as well.” Rock sat up right still looking at Celestia as he did. “Don’t apologies!” he spat out. Celestia stopped in her tracks. “I believe I know why you’re here.” Rock sighed and gave a smile. “But no.” Celestia took a breath then moved to sit between Rock and Roll’s beds. Roll then sat up and mimicked Rock. “But still.” Celestia said with a small quiver on her lip. “I’m…” The pair of ponies put one hoof up and nodded their heads “No” simultaneously. “I said don’t.” Rock said sternly. “But…” Celestia said starting to plea with them. “Your Majesty…” Roll blurted out. “Please stop trying. Rock added. That’s when Celestia stopped, closed her eyes for a few seconds, and then looked at the pair with no emotion on her face. “Then tell me, something’s clearly bothering you more then the deaths of your comrades?” “It’s the death of all our friends.” Rock said with an equally emotionless face. “The death count of all YOUR subjects!” Celestia visibly shaken after hearing that. “I understand your ways princess but you clearly can’t focus enough to realize that…” “That War haves no place for a Pacifist.” Celestia interrupted, repeating Lavender Shadow’s vary words. “You’re to kind.” Roll added, repeating Celestia’s vary words. Rock nods, agreeing at the same time. “Ok… So… what would you have me do?” Celestia asked the pair, looking concerned after doing so. “If I may be so bold.” Roll started… Later that evening… Celestia sat on top her throne, pondering on the words of one Cobalt and Scarlet Ray. The pair suggested a difference in leadership. To not replace her, but to let some pony else take the rains of her armies, and she fully agrees with them. She knows that everything she’s been doing up to this point was for not and once again, she hated it. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Elsewhere, at the same time. Quinn and Jojo were walking down a road laughing their flanks off. “So you’re to tell me that she really did that?” Jojo asked drunkenly. “Yyy yaa ya yesss-ss-ss-ss-sssss.” Quinn replied. He then took a big breath still kinda giggly but composed himself all the same. “But in all seriousness.” Jojo suddenly frowned. “Yeah.” He said as he stopped walking. “You first?” Quinn mimicked Jojo then turned to look at him. “I was wondering just how stable you were.” He asked. “An earth pony using magic.” He sighed. “That does not happen, but here you stand.” Quinn said, not lying per say but he couldn’t tell Jojo that he was tracking down a traitor. On the other hoof, Jojo, after seeing his sensei doing nothing about thus traitor she thought was roaming about. He took it upon himself to set a trap. Figuring that some pony would try something sooner or later, but of course he couldn’t tell that to one of Starswirl’s students. “As for me… I like my privacy.” He said nonchalantly. “Sad to say, you’re not the only one that stepped in my room with the same questions.” “Quinn sighed. “I guess I can see that…” “Thanks” Jojo replied. However unbeknownst to Quinn. Jojo flat out lied to him. Quinn was the only pony that ever did that. Meaning Jojo now knew that Quinn was hiding something. The pair of them sighed at each other and both walked off in there own directions. One thinking he was in the clear while the other knew to keep a closer eye on that pony. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… The next mourning. The pegasus and griffons still busy building the fort around a town that’s on top of a mountain. Lavender Shadow was currently banging her head against a wall. A stream of blood was visible from her forehead. Apparently every pony she spoke to on what to call this place either miss heard or didn’t care, but some how Camelot turned into Canterlot. Scaramouche just so happened to be walking by when she saw the sad sight of Dow. “Whoa!” she yelped as she trotted over to Lavender using magic to stop the filly from hurting herself further. Dow in the air became limp. “So, um, what haves you down in the dumps?” Smooch asked putting Lavender down purely being curious more then concerned for her. It took a moment of silence before Dow started talking. “No more.” She said nearly muttering her words. “What?” Smooch asked plainly, moving her head ever so slightly closer. “No more Puns.” Dow said louder but still a bit softly. Puzzled by Dow’s words Quinn pressed further. “Um… what’s a Pun?” she regretted asking. “AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!” Dow screamed in Smooch’s face. She then started running in circles around Smooch. “No more No More NOMORE!.. I can’t take all these horse puns!” She then sped off and evaporating like she usually does. Leaving Smooch behind with a worried yet scared expression. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… So here we had Starswirl the bearded, in his living space, sitting down at a makeshift desk, drinking some morning tea, looking at a raggedy, warn out book with an eligible language, say for the cover which read ‘Legends of Equestria’. He sat the tea down and looked skywards. “I need to apologies to Scaramouche.” He thought out loud. However suddenly he heard this gut-wrenching scream off in the distance. It sounded like Lavender to him. He slammed the book closed and ran off in her direction. As he ran, he saw a pegasus from beyond the wall speedily flying to the newly dubbed Canterlot. He changed direction and went to the front gates instead. However when he got there he felt stupid. He knew a few spells that could’ve done the same job without letting him be so winded. He took a few deep breaths and composed himself. Opened the gates to see the pegasus land in front of it. “Oh. Did you know I was coming?” she asked. She was tan with an orange mane, and wore a bag that seemed empty. “No madam I didn’t.” Starswirl replied. “I just so happened to see you a moment ago.” The pegasus smiled and opened her sack. She then quickly pulled out a letter with the royal seal on it. “Thank you.” Star said taking the letter with the glow of his horn. “Your welcome.” The pegasus said as she jumped in the air and flew off. Starswirl then proceeded to break the seal and started to read… “What!” …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… My dear little ponies It comes to my attention that we will not win this war with the methods I have provided. It comes to my attention that I am unfit to rule. So I’m temporarily stepping down and giving leadership to three ponies of your choosing. A unicorn, pegasus and earth pony. These three souls will be charged with leading what seems fit to them and will be provided to follow threw my duties in my absence. As for me… My apologies but I wont be helping you with the ways I’ve done before. In less the council says too, but rather I want to fight side by side with you, my dear little ponies. I’ll await your decisions on own newly formed mountain stronghold starting tomorrow. See you there. “Meaning we’ll need a bigger base.” Scaramouche said. She was sitting in a circle of others listening to Starswirl as he read the letter out loud. There was Smooch; the left of her was Quinn, then Jojo, Dow, a pair of pegasus next to her, Starswirl and a griffon beside him. All currently in a room that seemed private enough. Everyone’s expression differed by the news Celestia just dropped on them. Starswirl sighed and let go of the letter. “A bigger place in deed.” “So… what do we do?” one of the pegasus asked looking weary of the news. “We await Celestia’s arrival.” Dow spoke up smirking at the same news. She seemed to have her mind on overdrive for some reason. However only Starswirl and Jojo noticed that. “In the mean time I say we start asking around who would what to lead or be led by.” The griffon of all beings spoke up, looking at Dow with a distasteful glare at her but quickly hid it away. “And what pray tell are you here for anyways?” the other pegasus asked harshly. “I invited him Glory Haze!” Starswirl replied. “And I’d vary much appreciate it if you’d be a bit more humble to the current leader of the griffons here.” Scaramouche giving her teacher a sorrowful look. “If we’re going to ask around then lets start right here.” She said. Looking around the room. “Agreed.” Quinn chimed in. “Then we all have an accord?” Lavender asked the group but looking at Starswirl specifically. Everyone in the room nodded once in agreement with each other. “Well.” Quinn started up, breaking the silence. “I wouldn’t know about the earth ponies or the pegasus and I guess I’m playing favorites when it comes down to it…” He slowly looked around the room as he spoke, ending it by looking at Dow “And I believe miss Dow haves the same idea.” He then switched over to Starswirl. “I’ve already decided who’d I follow.” Everyone looked at Starswirl in response. It took a moment for him to realize it, but Starswirl was the center of attention and all he did in return was sigh.
Prologue: An Anagram...The sounds of a newborn crying echoed out of a barn behind a church in a quaint little town on the side of a mountain. A mare, laying on a pile of hay with a sheet covering her, held her newly born twins, as evening light slipped in through holes in the walls, surprised at the sight before her. Smiling nonetheless, she said, “I guess we’re going to need another name.” She lovingly glanced over to her stallion, currently out cold on another pile of hay. A group of nuns were currently moving every which way, cleaning up the place after helping deliver the foals, leaving the mare alone for now. “Hon? Dear?” She said trying to wake up the stallion. That was when one of the nuns holding a bucket came up to him and dumped water all over him, then vanished just as fast as she appeared. The stallion jerked upwards, yelping, “Holy! That’s brisk!” He shivered a little and took a few breaths, then looked over at his mare and the two newborns and he almost fainted again. “So, I guess we need to think up a new name then, huh?” He said, straightening up with a nervous smile. “Uh huh.” The mare said, nodding, cradling her two fillies. The father looked at his two children and smiled. A black furred pegasus and unicorn with green manes, gold strips flowing here and there. Yet once the pair opened up their eyes for the first time, the parents were befuddled a little bit. Red eyes. Nopony on either family tree ever had red-eyed relatives. Both gave their own look of concern. Cheaters? No. The pair loved each other too much for that. However both were just happy to have them. The ponies looked towards their newborn once more only to have those looks of concern come back. The pegasus was crying her eyes out. What newborn doesn’t? But that was just it. The unicorn, she was looking at her hoof with intensity that shouldn’t ever be on any newborn. She then looked upward at the pair staring back at her. The three stared at each other for a good while then the unicorn started laughing, flaying her legs every which way. “There we go.” The stallion sighed as the mare hugged the pair in her forelegs. “Sir, madam?” The two jumped slightly from a sudden voice behind them. “Apologies… it’s just, we need to leave soon.” The pair looked up at the nun, frowning in confusion. “Two of the armies are practically at the doorstep.” The new parents suddenly remembered just where they were, inside a barn in the back of a church, in the middle of a soon to be warzone. The church itself was in a mountain that the two neighboring armies thought the same thing. ‘My, what a great vantage point…’ The newly formed family escaped with only a few injuries, the father becoming blind in one eye, and the mother developing a limp in her left hind leg. One of the army’s scouts attacked the church before the ponies left. Killing and torturing ponies left and right but then the family was thrown into a warzone a moment later as the other army’s scouts just upped and barged in. Five long years passed and the violence just grew, lives were lost, families destroyed and villages and towns burned. Yet despite all that, order maintained and the citizens of Equestria were protected. Due mainly to the efforts of Princess Celestia. As she planned from her castle, the war continued relentlessly, her ponies dying every day. Celestia was sitting in her throne, currently contemplating the war. Not only was she losing the war, her sanity was on the brink of breaking. Her good intentions were getting her ponies killed. Looking over at her sister’s empty throne, a tear formed on her face, knowing that her sister was the one that she had clearly hurt the most, and who led one of the opposing factions out there. The other was led by a stallion shrouded in darkness and evil. That one was the real issue. That’s not to say Luna wasn’t a threat in her own right, but she was family. How could Celestia ever fight her own sister? “Your Majesty?” A voice knocked Celestia out of her stupor. She looked at the pony belonging to the voice. Starswirl the Bearded stood in front of her, steadfast. “Ah… yes?” She replied tentatively, wiping her tears away. “I’m here to inform you that our new batch of soldiers just arrived, and, um, we have a small problem.” Starswirl said with a slight wince. “Oh.” Celestia sighed, glancing down a little. “And?” She said trying her flank off not to sound sad. “One of the soldier’s wants an audience with you, my Highness.” Starswirl said, moving aside a little to reveal a filly that stood behind him, hidden up until now. Celestia was shocked, but she hid it well. ‘This...is one of the soldiers?’ She thought. Her shock ended abruptly when she saw the black filly’s eyes. A deep red, like a pony overflowing with hatred. It was disconcerting to say the least. “And… who might you be, my little pony?” Celestia saw the filly’s eye twitch the moment she said little. A moment of an awkward silence past by and Celestia was about to say something else but… “So, you’re God here.” The filly said flatly, her pose never wavering. Celestia however was taken aback by her comment. She never thought herself as a goddess. Yes, Alicorns did live for a much longer time than any other race on Equus, but never, not once did she think she was above any pony else “Hey there...manners.” Starswirl said harshly, giving her a little tap on the head. “That’s not necessary, Starswirl.” Celestia said.. He raised a confused eyebrow, but backed away after a bit. “Of course, your Majesty.” “Young one…” Celestia said, as she stood up and made her way over to the filly. “You wished to have an audience with me?” “Yes.” The filly said plainly, earning another hit from Starswirl. Celestia frowned, “Star, please.” She said, stopping in front of the filly. “But, your Majesty, she’s...” He started to protest. “Please.” She interrupted firmly. “As you wish.” Starswirl said, backing away from the pair. “But what I see…” The filly said, scrutinizing Celestia. “Is nonsensical.” Her words causing Starswirl to gasp. “Oh?” Celestia said, lying down, meeting the filly’s face with her own. On closer inspection of the filly, Celestia notice her horn was misshaped with a curve to it. However she ignored that for now. “So, what may I call you then?” She asked. “Lavender Shadow.” The filly said plainly. Celestia puzzled by her comment. She ran away from home and what? Joined the army on a whim? How ponies just let her in was off. “Starswirl. A word, please?” Celestia asked, standing up slowly and looking over to the elder stallion. “Yes, your Majesty.” Starswirl said, moving towards the princess. Celestia looked back over at the filly, “Excuse me, my little pony…” The filly’s eye twitched once more after the word little was spoken. Celestia took notice. “But would you be so kind to entertain yourself over by the door?” Lavender said nothing in response, however she did as Celestia asked and made her way over to it. “Starswirl?” She said, gawking over at him. “Yes. I do believe I know what you’re thinking, Princess.” Starswirl said, watching Lavender walk away with a deadpan look. “No, she is not a soldier.” “Ahhh, thank heavens.” Celestia said in relief. “No, I think she’s going to be my successor.” Starswirl said, smiling over at Celestia. Celestia however wasn’t really happy by that news. “A new one?” She said, worried. Starswirl’s smile disappeared. “If I may inquire what makes this pony different from your other two apprentices?” She looked over at Lavender, who was sitting against a pillar near the doors, looking at the places of the wall between pillars. “Other then you allowing one so young to be a student of yours?” “Because she has nothing to lose.” Starswirl said emotionlessly. “You mean?” Celestia grimaced, looking back over at the filly. “Her village was ransacked, some were killed.” Starswirl said, gazing over to the filly as well. The Crystal Empire enslaved the rest of them. Her parents included.” Lavender looked over at the pair. Both Celestia and Starswirl had concerned looks. She then sighed and walked out the front doors of the throne room. Celestia was saddened by the news of course, “So, she has no pony? “Correct, your Majesty. Minty doesn’t have a single pony to turn to at present.” Starswirl said “Minty? Her real name?” Celestia asked, moving her head towards the open doors. “Yes, Minty Coco.” Starswirl said plainly. “I think I’m going to make her say her real name.” “Oh.” Celestia said glancing over at Starswirl. “Come now, Star. Why?” “Because it’s disgraceful.” Starswirl said with a bit of pride in his voice. “Oh. Really?” Celestia asked. “Then should I call you by your birth name, my little hypocrite?” She teased with a playful smirk. Starswirl taken aback, “Ah, uhh… no, your Majesty.” He said. Celestia smiled warmly at the old stallion in front of her, “Then let me make a decree if I may. From here on out Minty Coco, is gone. So like you, Lavender Shadow is taking her place.” Starswirl stood there, a friendly smile formed on his face. “As you wish, your Majesty.” The rest of Celestia and Starswirl’s meeting consisted of small talk, riddles, jokes, and overall getting the war off Celestia’s mind for a short time. Starswirl’s visit was an unexpected one, and when he said it was time for him to take his leave, Celestia saddened but understood the role that she herself had given him. Celestia watched as Starswirl left her sight, her smile slowly vanished then sighed. “You can come on out, my little pony.” There was a moment of silence before a blur smeared itself to exist. Standing in front of Celestia was Lavender Shadow, smirking at her. “You knew that whole time?” She said with a hint of hate in her tone. “Why didn’t you say anything?” “Because there are questions I would like you to answer me, such as how you learned such advanced magic at such a young age?” Celeste asked.. “Magic? Magic is easy for me I guess.” She said, staring out into space. “Easy?” Celestia said with a hint of disbelief. “And if I may asks your age, young one?” She asked a little hesitantly. “Five.” Lavender said bluntly. “Officially.” Celestia taken aback a little. At the age of five, a filly learned a complicated spell of an illusion and somehow not collapsed on the floor from magic deprivation. “Officially?” She asked. “Yeah.” Lavender said, looking back at Celestia. “I’m well into my thirty’s Princess.” She started pacing, “And now that I’m on the subject. You think you can take me back home?” When Celestia didn’t answer but tilted her head in confusion Lavender sighed. “Right…” She said defeated. “You’re not God.” Celestia frowned, sighed, and then gave a loving smile to Lavender, “I never said I was a god, my lit-, um, Miss Shadow. I’m sorry to say…” Celestia started knowing full well what this pony meant by asking for her ‘Home’. “I can honestly say that there is nopony on the planet that can create a path to another world.” Lavender sighed, “Thought as much.” But then smiled at Celestia. “The fact that you know of the Multiverse gives me hope however.” Celestia grimaced inside a little, but didn’t let it show. She didn’t have the heart to tell this filly that she didn’t have a single idea of what she was talking about. Even her earlier comment. She just made an educated guess. Now, Celestia by no means thought this filly was crazy, so she chose to believe Lavender. “Pardons, your Majesty but Lavender seems to have-… oh.” Starswirl said, rounding the corner of the doors. Spotting Lavender he sighed. She stopped in her tracks after noticing him. “Why are you back here young one?” He asked walking up to the pair. “Needn’t worry, my old friend.” Celestia said before Lavender had a chance to speak up. “She wanted something of me.” She said, but then frowned a little. “Unfortunately, I am unable to take such a request.” That made Starswirl jerk back a little out of confusion, which caused Celestia to giggle. “Yes, Star, even I don’t know it all. That’s why you’re here after all.” “Well, yes, but, I...” Starswirl sputtered a little then sighed, “So then I imagine you heard what you wanted to, Miss Shadow?” He asked, looking at the filly. Lavender looked back at Starswirl, “No, but I don’t mind, she just said something else interesting just now.” She smiled at him, “She doesn’t know everything,” The other two tilted their heads, “That’s why you’re here.” She punctuated her sentence by pointing at Starswirl. It took a moment before Starswirl realized what she meant. “Oh.” He smirked, “Then I take it you already decided what you wanted?” He asked. Putting her hoof down, Lavender all but demanded, “Teach me everything you know.” “Now, Miss Shadow.” Celestia intervened. The pair looked up at her. “This is by no means a demand but perhaps you shouldn’t openly discuss where you come from.” Starswirl, confused, frowned slightly, “You mean her village?” “Starswirl is the exception.” Celestia added.” He looked over at Lavender. “What did you two talk about?” “I’ll tell you soon.” Lavender said, looking at him, then back at Celestia. “And I agree, your Majesty.” She then stood straight and saluted before smiling devilishly. Suddenly the filly started swaying and rippling on the spot before evaporating into the air. The pair left behind just stared on the spot the filly just stood. Celestia giggled, “You’re going to need to learn to sense her magic, my old friend.” She said. Starswirl was in shock. “Ah, um, yes.” He stammered, before chuckling himself. “You might want to hurry up and catch up to her.” Celestia said, nodding over at the door. Even after shaking his head a little, he was bewildered. “Ah… yes.” Causing Celestia to giggle once more. “Then I’ll be on my way.” He said, straightening up and bowing to the Princess. An hour later Lavender Shadow and Starswirl the Bearded were walking through a forest that seemed to have popped out of nowhere. It had been more or less a desert when the pair walked into Celestia’s castle. Once they left, forest. It started out small. A bush here and there, some grass and flowers, but bigger things kept popping up. The pair ended up thinking that Celestia wanted a change in scenery. At the same time during their stroll, the pair were talking of Lavender’s complications. It took a bit more convincing for Starswirl then it did Celestia. However he did eventually accept the possibility, but ultimately he was still skeptical about the whole thing. “Regardless of all that, you, Miss Shadow, are still going to start with the basics.” Starswirl said incredulously. “Understood…” Lavender replied nonchalantly. The trees and shrubbery of the newly made forest seemed to be making a near straight path for the pair. “There is one thing I wish to know.” He said. “Shoot.” “Huh? Shoot?” Starswirl frown, confused by what she meant. “Ah, never mind.” Lavender shook her head, “What’s your question?” “Well, I would very much like to know, how did you learn such a complex spell of illusion?” Starswirl asked. “Even if you are as old as you say, it still would have taken years to master.” “Illusion?” Lavender questioned his own, “I didn’t use an illusion.” Starswirl was puzzled and gave her a look that said to continue. “It was a simple peripheral spell. I just made it where the princess and you didn’t want to see me.” Starswirl stopped in his tracks. Lavender kept going on until she noticed her new master wasn’t with her. “Is something the matter?” She asked. Starswirl blinked a few times. “That, Miss… that isn’t as simple as you make it sound.” Lavender tilted her head as she turned to face Starswirl. “True enough that type of magic takes less energy to use, but something like that takes a sheer amount of focus that anypony needs to perform it. Simply put, I’m still quite impressed.” “I guess so.” Lavender said, as she turned back around and continued the path. Starswirl soon followed suit. “How?” He asked. “Huh?” “You forgot to tell me how you learned it.” He said. Lavender talked for a length of time about the way that magic, to her, was an awful lot like psychokinesis. She had never felt anything like magic before so her comparison wasn’t just, but it was the closest thing she could think of. And, of course, Starswirl asking more and more after each answer. He was clearly warming up to her story from earlier. The pair ended up passed the forest’s edge and in front of one of the biggest trees Lavender saw in this world. That actually could have been the fact that she was so small at the moment, but she was still in awe. The tree was in the middle of some grasslands and the forest behind them about a mile or so. “So, shall we begin your lessons?” Starswirl asked, smiling at Lavender. Author's Note Intro Song. No Heaven, DJ Champion. Side Note: Lavender Shadow is an Anagram of her real name.
Chapter 1: Laws of Magic“Hi there, little one. You must be Lavender Shadow.” A yellow unicorn mare with a short orange mane said, kneeling down in front of Lavender. A violet stallion with a long dulled pink mane stood beside her. “My name is Scaramouche and this here is Harlequin. Nice to meet you.” The trio was inside a hollow, still living, tree, standing in the center of it. Lavender noted that it was clearly bigger on the inside. “Hun?” Scaramouche asked, thinking the black filly wasn’t paying attention. “I’m going to forget your name sooner or later.” Lavender said harshly. “Sorry ‘bout that.” She added realizing she just sounded like a prick. The mare just nodded. “Well then, you could just call me Smooch then.” She joked. “Smooch it is, thank you.” Lavender said. “Hey!” The mare shot out, her head jerking up. “And you’re Quinn.” Lavender said, pointing at the stallion. He in turn just said, “Meh,” as he turned his head over to Starswirl, who was sitting in a corner with a small smile. The mare sighed, “Okay, fine. But you, little missy. Your name’s Dow.” Scaramouche ended with a smirk. Lavender smiled herself. “Dow, huh? Dow, to be able, to thrive. Prosper. Do well… Ok, fair enough.” Harlequin laughed, “Give it up Smooch. I don’t think she cares in the slightest.” “But Quinn…” The mare started to whine. “See. You’re all ready warming up to it.” Quinn interrupted looking back at the mare. “Enough.” Starswirl interrupted as he turned around and walked towards the trio. “Do I have to take charge?” He asked, stopping a few feet away from the group. “No, Master.” Smooch blurted out. She turned her head and cleared her throat, “I’ll begin now then.” She levelled her gaze at Lavender, “So firstly, Miss Dow. What can you tell me of magic?” “Almost nothing.” Lavender said with a smirk, which made Smooch sigh. “However out of what I do know. Magic is the art and practice of moving natural energies to effect needed or wanted change. Magic is natural; there is absolutely nothing supernatural about it. Ponies, Zebras, Griffons, Dragons, Diamond Dogs… Buffalo and many other races throughout the world and throughout time, have used Magic. I can't think of even one culture that does not have their own form of magic. Magic is done every time you pray. Every time you wish for something. Magic can be done by anyone with an open mind and who takes the time to try it. Magic involves using your mind and will to affect the energy in and around you to perform the task or spell you direct it to.” The pair of apprentice’s mouths slowly dropped as this 5-year-old filly was saying stuff that took them a bit longer to get. “Whoa…” Quinn muttered in awe. “Agreed.” Smooch added. “I mean…” She looked at Starswirl, “I see why you picked her up, Master.” Starswirl chuckled, “No. She came on her own accord.” He said. The pair just looked over at Star then back to Lavender. “However, Miss Shadow…” Starswirl started as he sat down in front of the trio, “You know anything that I didn’t tell you when we first arrived?” He asked. The pair smiled sheepishly. Of course their master would start teaching right away. They both felt embarrassed after realizing that. “Right.” Smooch sighed, “Then I guess I’ll start from there.” Lavender sat next to Starswirl. “The 2 main types of Magic are Magic and Dark Magic. There is Magic that heals or helps; it is not used to manipulate ponies or cause harm. It is sometimes called Good magic. Dark magic is magic used to manipulate ponies, perform curses, etcetera.” “In all actuality Magic is neither good nor bad.” Quinn interrupted, “Magic is a tool; it is how we use the tool that constitutes as good or bad. For example a knife can be used to help cut things, heal ponies and so on; but it can also be used for evil such as to kill ponies, hurt ponies and so forth. The knife is neither good nor bad. What makes it good or bad is the pony who uses it.” “I hate using the terms good and dark when describing Magic,” Smooch interrupted back, “However, we used them here because beginners may find the cut and dried explanation more helpful to understanding Magic. In all actuality there is nottwo kinds of Magic.” “Magic simply is.” Quinn started up again, “If I had to classify what is taught in these classes as either Good or Dark magic I would have to say Good… Because no aggressive or attacking abilities are taught here. What is taught is the abilities that will let you do magic to improve your life and that will help you defend or prevent ponies from using magic against you. I do caution those who tend to be pulled to the "darker" uses of Magic though.” “Everything we do in this world, not just involving Magic,” Smooch said, “But everything we do in life comes back to another or us in some form. If you do good, good shall come back to you. If you do evil, you will get evil in return. Basically, everything in the world is connected, you harm something in the world it will come back to you.” “We’re not saying all experiences in life are a direct consequence of what you do in life. In life there are lessons to learn as well so even if you live a ‘perfect’ life you would most likely have bad experiences” Quinn smiled. “Not to say all lessons are bad experiences, but it seems the hardest lessons are viewed as bad rather then opportunities for growth.” Smooch said with a sigh, “There are many good or ‘happy’ lessons to learn as well. If it helps, think of it like a pond. If you throw a rock into the pond it will create small ripples. As these pebbles move away from the rock the ripples get bigger and bigger until eventually they hit the other side of the pond where they bounce back to you.” So, for your own sake,” Quinn said, “Make sure the ‘pebbles’ or deeds you throw in the "pond" or world are those that will only bring you luck and happiness.” Lavender that whole time was just sitting there, and staring at the pair intensely. “So in other words. Magic is what you make of it.” The pair smiled at each other. “Well, almost.” Quinn said. “It ultimately depends on your own beliefs and no matter what magic is to you, it all expense some sort of energy,” Smooch said. “Energy?” Lavender asked. “Yes.” Quinn started. “There are five overarching types of energy.” “The most basic of these energies is the core energy, of inner energy.” Smooch continued. “The type we unicorn’s use instinctively. The catch is, there’s a limit.” “Makes sense…” Lavender muttered. The pair in front of her tilted their heads. Starswirl smiled. “Core energy is an offal lot like chakra, the more you use the more of a chance of death.” “’What?” Both asked. “I mean, that’s true but…” Quinn started. “I wonder if the gates are involved in this sense too?” Lavender asked nopony in particular. “Gates?” Both of them asked, looking at each other. “Miss Shadow?” Starswirl interrupted. Lavender jerked out of her thoughts and looked at him. “Let them continue, please…” She just smiled. The other two were still a little confused but let it pass for now. “The second type is natural energy.” Smooch said, “It’s an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us and penetrates us; it binds us all in the strings of twine.” “The Force…” Lavender mumbled. “What?” Quinn asked. “Nothing, continue, please…” Lavender replied. So he did, “Even earth ponies can use this energy if they have an affinity for it.” “All you need to do in order to use this energy is to let go.” Smooch added. “Just let it do all the work as it were.” “I believe I get it.” Lavender said as she stood up. “So. What are the other three?” A week passed and Lavender learned of the other three types of energy. The first other energy the pair taught Lavender was Celestial Energy, which she easily guess it had something to do with the princess. So she dubbed it ‘Prayer’, Dow quickly realised that the princess was treated more like God then she first thought. In order to use this type of energy all one needs to do is pray to the princess and she hears it. Somehow… And if she finds you worthy, she’ll lend you some of her power. However Lavender thought it wasn’t worth it. The little she knew about Celestia, Dow figured she thought everyone worth it, so she might be giving her power to all. She might be even be running herself rampant at this time of war. So no. The next was Chaotic Energy. This was a bit more complicated. In fact Lavender thought it wasn’t so much energy but rather the ability to control destiny itself and turn it on its head. Meaning: it’s like taking the potential of a ‘What if’ and converting it to a power source to use on a whim. Dow didn’t like this one either. It was too...Chaotic, for the lack of a better word. And besides, She doesn’t believe in destiny. She didn’t have a nickname for this one. The last she was taught about was called Void energy, not because it came from a void, but more like it came from the nothingness of everything. This type of power seemed like it was inherently bad. She was told that if any pony were to use this emptiness, they themselves become empty eventually. So, in that sense she figured it was rather addictive as well. The more you use it, the more you’ll be willing to use it. In order to use this type of energy at all was also dark. One would need to be in pain to use it. Emotional pain. But, you know… whatever. “What is with that filly?” Scaramouche asked Harlequin one day. The pair were working in the inside of the tree, making it livable. Making a staircase to a balcony that turns into a room. A bookshelf for the few books they had. A basement, a few more rooms for other needs and a table in the center of it all. Lavender was sitting in a corner, her face in a book. “I don’t know what you mean.” He replied, “It just seems like she wants to learn to me.” “That’s just it. What five year old ‘wants’ to learn?” Smooch asked him as she started putting books on the shelf. “And your point?” Quinn asked as he started hollowing out another bookshelf. “I remember we were the same when we started working with Master.” “Yes, true, but we were practically adults by that point.” Smooch replied. “It’s because she doesn’t have anything else.” Starswirl popped out of a flash of light, right in front of them, causing the pair to jump, which in turn, made Lavender laugh out loud. “I’m never going to get used to that am I?” Smooch muttered, picking herself up. “We know.” Quinn said, “She told us pretty much everything.” “Everything?” Starswirl inquired, looking at Lavender out of the corner of his eye. “Yeah.” Smooch started, “You know. Born in a church, parents enslaved, met you soon after.” “Ohh.” Starswirl sighed looking at the filly… the filly? He wondered why she didn’t go all out and told them everything like she did the princess and him? However he didn’t want to stop her at the moment. The book she was reading… No Boundary, by K. W. “Personal and spiritual growth huh.” He mumbled to himself. He then saw the pile of four more books on the side of her. Liber Null & Psychonaut by P. J. C. The Golden Dawn by I. R. Magic: Liberaba… by A.C, and the Invisibles by G. Mor’Bison. All books documenting the uses of Magic. “Is something amiss, Master?” Smooch interrupted Star’s thoughts. “How long has Miss Shadow been reading?” Starswirl asked looking back at the pair in front of him. “Other then eating and sleep. A week.” Quinn said then looked at the filly a little scrutinizingly. “What is with this filly?” “See?” Smooch said, clearly frustrated that Harlequin just now got it. “All right.” Starswirl said, gesturing for the pair to calm down. “Enough, please…” He was, however, hiding his own concerns, forgetting for a moment that she was older then she looked. She wanted to hide her true past from other ponies… Okay then, he thought, why was she so open with him? Why did she try so hard to make one pony believe her if she wasn’t going to do it again? The next day he asked her. The answer Starswirl got was so vary anticlimactic. “Because I don’t want to answer questions that are thoroughly pointless by now.” Disappointed, but still… ‘So she found out there is no way back home, so why talk about it and reopen old wounds? Makes sense’, so Starswirl left it at that. Today was more reading for Lavender Shadow. It was just one book after another. The pair still working on the inside to make it a home. They both noticed that the filly’s reading was slowly getting faster and faster. As if she was learning how to read, as she read. Starswirl was popping in and out at a regular rate. Showing up every hour just to leave ten minutes later. It was a little annoying to Lavender but she held her cool for the time being. It was a few hours later when she slammed the book she was reading at the time. “Okay…I think I’ve got enough to work with.” She said jumping up, “Now then, who’s going to teach me what?” “You mean when are we going to teach you anything.” Lavender turned around to spot Scaramouche rubbing her right eye, staring at Dow for waking her up. There she was, in a poorly put together bed and Harlequin in bed with her, still asleep. “It’s, like, almost midnight, Dow.” Putting her hoof down for a moment. “So first, bedtime.” She said pointing to a smaller poorly made bed. “Then when we wake up, breakfast, then… Then maybe magic stuff.” Lavender just sighed, “Yeah, you’re right, I guess.” She was walking up to ‘her’ bed. Smooch sighed and fell back into her own bed. Lavender looked around a little. Their home was coming along nicely she thought. Then when she looked up, she saw Starswirl, staring at her from the balcony. He smirked. “Well that’s not creepy.” She muttered. He then slowly moved out of sight as Lavender plopped down in her bed. “Tomorrow then.” The next morning the four of them were outside all doing their own thing at the moment. Starswirl was sleeping in, under one of the protruding branches of the tree. Scaramouche was juggling random things she found off the ground. Harlequin, playing around with water, most of it were in the air, held there, and given odd shapes by his magic, and Dow, She was getting frustrated. Pacing left to right. “AAAAHHHH! DAMNIT!” She yelled. All the ponies jumped out of whatever they were doing and gawked at her. She in turn just kept pacing. “So, if I may inquire, when’s breakfast?” Starswirl started laughing as the other two glared at the filly, “Well, aren’t you a rather impatient pony.” He said when his fit was over. Lavender said, still pacing, “But she said,” giving Smooch a twitch of her head, “that magic lessons start after we eat.” Starswirl sighed, “She has no say on the subject.” He said, looking over at his two apprentices. “Neither of them do… No offense.” Both of them simultaneously said, “None taken.” Going back to their own projects. Lavender stopped pacing and sighed, “Because you’re the Master.” She said, looking towards the other two. “Oh…” Star smiled. Lavender just realized that the pair were waiting as well. At least she was playing the part of a spoiled brat well enough. Right? Starswirl chuckled a little, “Then here’s lesson one for you. ‘Patience’” Lavender exasperated a sigh, mentally fisting the air. “Of course, Sensei.” Author's Note Lesson one: may actually take FOREVER. sorry bout that.
Chapter 2: Jak of the Trade“Well that’s interesting.” Starswirl said as he watched a battle unfold before him. The scene in front of him was that of his three apprentices duking it out for reasons he didn’t know. At his left was another Starswirl just standing there. The five of them were on an open field. One of the three drew a big circle around them. It also looked as if it was two on one. “Ahhh, so that’s it.” He thought. “My two prized pupils are weary of their status.” He was happy about that for a moment, but his expression went from that to being stern. He then looked at the Starswirl on his left. He coughed, getting the other one’s attention. The pair of Starswirl’s looked at each other, the left looked proud, the right just confused. “So how far back do I go?” He asked himself. The other Starswirl chuckled a little. “I remember this.” he said looking back at the fight, raising a shield of magic. The other Star just gawked a little as he turned his head to the fight. A bright light, a loud boom and a huge gust of wind then swept him off his hooves. It pushed him back a few feet, making him drop with a thud. The second Starswirl lowered his shield and walked up to the first. “Apologies. You know all about time jumping.” “Yes, I know.” The first said picking himself up. “How far back? If you please…” “Twenty minutes.” The second said as he turned back to see the fight was just about over. “Thank you kindly.” The first said as he performed the spell and disappeared. He reappeared in the same spot but it was twenty minutes before that point. “Right… hide. Where?” he mumbled to himself as he found himself a bush. Not even a minute past as his first two students showed up. “Damn that girl.” Scaramouch said stopping and stomping her hoof down. “How long did it take us to learn that spell?” she asked looking back at Harlequin. He walked just a bit slower then Smooch but caught up just the same. “It took us about a year to master it.” He said stopping next to her. Starswirl’s eye twitched a little. “Is this really how it started.” He thought. Haven’t I taught you better?” “It took her a month…” Smooch said. “A MONTH!” she repeated. “Hay hay hay…” Quinn jumped in front of her and looked at her with such a look that told her ‘I Know’. “Look.” He started looking around a little. Most likely to see if Dow was within earshot. “We just need to face the fact that she’s a prodigy.” Quinn said taking a step back. “But we can’t let her show us up to Master… I’m sure he won’t play favorites.” He said, ending with a sigh. “But at the same time Master’s keeping a closer eye on her then he ever did with us.” Smooch finished what the pair were both thinking at that moment. Starswirl thought on that for a few seconds and quickly came to the conclusion that it was true. He was keeping a close watch on her. His apprentices were mistaken however. She is a prodigy, but that’s most likely because she haves a mind much more developed then your typical filly. In fact if the story she told him was true, even just a little. She’s twice their age. “If you feel that threatened by me, then why not do something about it?” The pair jumped at the sudden voice next to them. Starswirl jumped a little too. Thankfully not being noticed. He smiled as Lavender drizzled into existence. She was standing behind Quinn. “I really need to learn when she does that.” He said sighing silently. Quinn turned around as Smooch stepped next to him. “And?” Smooch asked. “You two want a piece of me anyways right?” Dow asked rhetorically. “Why not get it over with.” She said turning to the open field they ended up in. “Lets do it Sumo style.” She said smiling. “Sumo. Style?” the other three said simultaneously. “Right.” Dow said turning to look at the pair. “We draw a circle around us and apposing sides try their damn-ness to push each other out.” The pair looked at one another, Starswirl smiled. “That seems way to simple.” Smooch said skeptically. “And the catch to Sumo?” Quinn asked bluntly. “No catch. Rules are simple.” She said turning back around, looking at the field. “Either the first to force the other to step out of the ring wins or the first to force the opponent to touch the ground with any part of the body other then the bottom of their feet… hooves, wins” Lavender thought for a second. “Manes and tails are not included.” “So… She’s the one that temped them to fight.” Starswirl thought. He then smiled and shook his head in silence. “Now I don’t feel like being so stern with them.” Starswirl’s smile vanished when Dow smiled suddenly. He was taken aback a little. Lavender’s smile sometimes appeared like that of a monster. This was one such time. “What’s she wanting to prove?” …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Five minutes later a large circle was in the middle of the open field, courtesy of Starswirl himself. After the terms were met, he decided to come out and show himself. He agreed to referee and drew up the circle. He was currently standing in the spot his future self was a moment ago. The other three inside the boundaries of the ring. “Ok then…” Dow started by stomping her hoof down. “Sumo's supposed to be performed without the use of magic, so I am changing it up a bit. Of course this is your first time hearing about this so I guess that don’t mean much.” She ended with a smile. The other two harrumphed. “So hears the deal. Use whatever magic you like that doesn’t involve any forms of levitating your opponent.” Lavender said. The other two looked at each other then over at Starswirl. He had a face that looked just as puzzled. “Agreed. What else?” the pair said simultaneously. “We’ll have ten minutes to win.” Dow said as she turned and started slowly walking. “Me verse the both of you.” She stopped halfway from the center of the ring. “We start here.” She said turning back around. The other two follow her steps and went on the opposite side. “Good. We ready?” Lavender said smiling. “Ready.” The pair said, making a stance as they did. Dow followed suit. “Sensei?” Lavender asked, holding her gaze at her opponents. “Ok…” Starswirl sighed. “Ready… Set… FIGHT!” The pair started yelling as they both charged at Dow. Dow just smiled as she evaporated like smoke. When the pair saw that Dow wasn’t in front of them anymore they slid to a halt. The two looked around for a few seconds before each other. “Well that didn’t work.” Smooch said. “Your damn right that didn’t work!” Starswirl yelled at them, ending it with a cackle. “Was that really your plan here?” Dow’s voice came from behind the pair, but when the two turned they didn’t see anything. “I mean. Just how long has it been? Just over a half a year now. Right?” Suddenly Quinn felt something kick his side. “Gotcha!” he yelp pouncing in that general direction, but he didn’t feel anything there. “Wait a second.” Smooch said. “Haves it only been six months?” she asked as she got kicked by something too. She then tried and pounced, only to catch nothing as well. “This is a dual of unicorns. Lets See Some Magic!” Dow’s voice rippled through the air as both adults were hit on the head. “She’s right.” Smooch said just before she engulfed herself in an orb of magic and expanded it a little. Causing Quinn to jump back and the both of them heard a yelp from a near by filly. “Did I get her?” she asked. “Nope…” Starswirl replied. She’s still standing. Suddenly the pair saw Lavender evaporate back into to world. She was smiling. “Now we’re having fun.” She said, and then went back into the stance when the dual first started. Causing the other two to do the same. “You two know I only know a few working spell yes?” she asked. “Sure we do.” Quinn replied. “But we know better.” Smooch added. The pair not taking their eyes off of the filly. “Ohhhh, but big sis…” Lavender said as she makes a cute wide-eyed face. “I’m just a little girl.” The pair rolled their eyes. Dow then laughed. “AAaaaaahhh, Fine. Have at Thee!” she yelled then charged at the pair. The pair stood their ground for a second then Quinn made his horn into a flamethrower. He made a wall of fire in front of Dow, forcing her to stop. Then Smooch jumped up and shot a barrage of icicles at Dow. However Lavender just jumped around a little. None of them hit her. Smooch landed in front of the wall of fire as it died down to reveal Quinn slowly walking through. “And how was that; little know it all?” Smooch asked. “Stupid.” Dow said bluntly. “Fire and Ice… Really?” she asked as her backed away. “HAY!” Smooch yelped and charged at Dow. However Quinn put a hoof in front of her. “Culm yourself. She’s just trying to get you to be stupid.” He said looking over at Starswirl for a second. For that second it looked like he was drinking tea, enjoying the show. “You do tend to blow up more then most ponies.” Lavender said still backing away, smiling a little more. This time Smooch didn’t do anything but smiled herself. Lavender stopped walking when the other two looked ready to attack again. “There we go. Round two then?” She said, and then started swaying her head from side to side. Her opponents puzzled by that of course. It was like, she was moving to the beats of music no pony was hearing but her. Then that when the pair noticed the ground. The ground was moving too. “What the?” Quinn asked looking down. The pair of them noticed that the grounds movement was based on Dow’s head bobbing. “ “When she cast another spell on us?” Smooch asked as she felt the ground’s soft sway was getting stronger. It was to the point of it feeling like a small earthquake. The pair started stumbling a little. Dow started giggling as her head started bobbing harder. The earthquake grew in strength as a result. She then started dancing a little too. “Damn it!” Smooch yelled as she started up a spell of her own. She covered Quinn’s and her hooves with a glow of her magic, making both of their hooves stay on the ground no matter what. “Quinn? You think you can help out here?!” She asked, straining a little. “Right.” Quinn replied. The earthquake seemed big enough now that they would’ve fallen if Smooch didn’t use her magic. However, the scent of vertigo was still with them. Quinn shot a few bolts of magic at Dow, missing every time. It was pure dumb luck that the last one hit. Knocking Lavender back a little. Not enough to do harm, but at least her spell was broken. “FINILLY!!!!” Smooch screamed as she broke her own spell. The pair feel like the two of them had just ran on the spot, in circles for hours. Quinn nearly threw up. “That was a little boring on my end students.” Starswirl blurted out. He was currently enjoying what seemed to be a jelly spread crumpet. “I’m sorry, Lavender over there was dancing while you two just stumbled about.” “Soo… No earthquake.” Quinn said, looking up at Dow. She was still smiling. It was devilish this time round. She was waiting for the pair to recover. “So Hay? Why aren’t you taking advantage here?” he asked. Both Smooch and Dow deadpanned at Quinn. “What?” “You think I could just push you down?” Lavender asked. “Yeah. Don’t you dare give her the win!” Smooch yelled at Quinn causing Dow to laugh. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Eight minutes past from the start of this dual and both sides weren’t making things easy for each other. Scaramouch and Harlequin were trying to best a little girl but before the pair could really do anything, Lavender always attacked first and with such weird spells. There was the first two. Making her invisible to the pair, then forcing vertigo on them. The next few were odd too. Making it look like she was a lot faster then she actually was, then causing the pair a great deal of fear by forcing them to have no scents at all, and then the last one so far. The three of them were all in the center of the ring all standing face to face to face. They all were looking up at the moment. The second Starswirl was next to the first by this point too. “Why can’t we move?” Smooch asked as all three put their heads down. “See, you can move.” Dow said sarcastically. “YOU KNOW WHAT SHE ASKED!” Quinn screamed at Dow. Lavender just smiled. “Touchy.” She said. “I developed this spell off of something I saw years ago.” She said turning around, forcing the pair to do the same. “I guess I stole it really.” She started walking, forcing the other two to do the same. The pair were trying their hardest to stop themselves but couldn’t do a damn thing. The trio’s shadows were somehow connected and drawing out a peace sign on the ground. “It’s called Shadow Possession.” She said as she kept walking. “Wait… Shadows.” Smooch said pondering. By the half way point Smooch started up a spell of her own. She was thankful that this didn’t seem to effect magic too. Her horn glowed as clouds started covering the skies. Quinn noticed what Smooch was doing and followed suit. His horn started glowing. “Oh Celestia I hope I don’t kill her.” He mumbled as his horn glowed just a little brighter. The pair were on the edge by the time Lavender noticed it was starting to rain. She stopped and turned around and saw her opponents were using magic “Ahh. Thank you Dow.” He said as a light started forming behind the clouds. One of the Starswirls chuckled. “I remember this,” he said raising a shield of magic. The second he did, a bolt of lightning struck down in the center of the ring, causing enough light to dissipate the shadows on the ground, and a gust of wind to blow all around them, making the second Starswirl fall. The three down in the ring, some how, miraculously, were still standing on all four hooves. That’s when they all saw the pair of Starswirls talking to each other. Apologies. You know all about time jumping.” One said. “Yes, I know.” The other said picking himself up. “How far back? If you please…” “Twenty minutes.” The one said as he turned back to see the fight was just about over. “Thank you kindly.” The other said as he performed the spell and disappeared. Starswirl saw that the trio stopped and were looking over at him. “What?” he asked. “You’re teaching me that later Sensei. Lavender said. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… The last minute of the fight was a little anticlimactic, but it was to be expected. All three were on the edge of the ring and were tired to the point of collapse, nearly out of juice and sore from all that work. Yet for some reason, it looked as if no pony was going to back down. For one side, the pair felt as if this fight was going to determine their futures, or rather it felt like, in order to have a future at all, was to beat Lavender Shadow no matter what. As for Dow, she was clearly having the time of her life. The more the fight went on, the more it showed. It just started out as a giggle but by this point in the dual, she was cackling maniacally and exhausting more energy at the time then she had. The other three were concern but it really wasn’t the time to dwell on that. Starswirl just awaiting the climax patiently but he did seem like he was getting a little bored by nine minutes in. The match ended quite abruptly as well, when Starswirl announced that there was only a half a minute left. The pair got desperate. By now all three of them had just enough energy to just keep standing. Scaramouch and Harlequin gawked at each other and nodded in agreement. The pair decided in silent to do whatever it takes. The problem is that neither of them had anything left, so they ended the fight the same way it started. The pair charged at Lavender, screaming at the top of their lungs. Dow in turn looked as if she tried to become invisible again. However she to was out of energy so she instead braced for impact. The two crashed into Dow, causing her to fly upwards and like a slow moving scene, she fell outside the ring. “And that’s Game.” Starswirl said trotting down to the victors. The two ponies still standing cheered at each other. Prodigy or not, both of them expected an easy victory. Neither could’ve predicted just how weird and ridiculous Lavender’s spells were. All her spells deliberately messed with their minds say for that last one. She stole it? The two agreed that it was just weird. Starswirl stopped next to them smiling. “Master. Just where, did… did you find… this girl?” Smooch asked, as both his apprentices were glaring at him. Starswirl chuckled a little. “She’s one of Celestia’s best.” He said as he looked over to Dow. Smooch and Quinn gasped at the sudden revelation and gawked at Dow. Lavender was lying just outside the ring, fast asleep. “You know, Just how old is she?” Quinn asked turning his head to Starswirl. “I think she’s five by this point.” He replied. The pair went wide-eyed. “No… Just no.” Smooch said. “I don’t care if she is a prodigy. I just thought she was small for her age.” “I had a similar reaction.” Starswirl said chuckling. Quinn just stared at the sleeping filly. “Master…” he said bluntly. “I noticed something while we fought.” “Oh?” Starswirl said as he and Smooch looked up at Quinn. “And that would be?” “She haves no Aura…” Quinn said with a hint of fear in his breath. Whenever I see her magic, I never saw her horn glow. Not once.” Starswirl’s smile disappeared. Sure he saw that too, but just how was he supposed to know of a being’s from another existents inner workings. He sighed, knowing that they wanted an answer. “I’m sorry my students, I wouldn’t know.” He told them truthfully. “I don’t think she even knows.”
Chapter 3: Eye of Beholding What?“It’s been a year since I left Lavender Shadow in the hooves of Starswirl I wonder how, wait...” Celestia said up top her throne, letting her mind wonder off the war once more. However she didn’t know why she started thinking about the pony from another world. The more this hell went on the more Lavender kept creeping up from the back of her subconsciousness. “Why? I need to focus.” She said. She was a mess at the moment, her fur disheveled; her mane was losing that bright pink every pony was used to; her fatigue was showing and she didn’t much care right now. She made some parchment and a quill popped into existents with a golden glow. She started writing… My Dearest Sister. I send this letter to you once more to try my hoof to convince you to see reason. Please, I ask you Sister… I beg you to stop, or at least work with me to stop this meaningless bloodshed. Let us be Sisters once more. Please. I need you back. What will it take to get you back? Let me know. I’m sorry. Let me tell you that face to face. I hate this! I want it to stop! Please. Help Me… When she finished the quill disappeared in that same golden glow and she rolled up the parchment and put it at her side. Suddenly the front doors blasted open and in ran a royal guard a parchment of his own in his mouth. Celestia jumped at the sudden bang the door caused. She glared at the pony galloping up to her. The stallion took notice. “My Apologies princess.” Straightening herself back up she sighed. “No no, it’s fine.” She said sighing again. “Report.” “Of course.” The Stallion said taking off his helmet an putting the parchment down. “So, all attempt at your peace efforts are not…” “No!” Celestia snapped. The stallion taken aback and Celestia gasped at her sudden outburst. She took a breath and started again. “No… I meant… I mean.” “Your Majesty?” the stallion inquired. “Do you need a moment?” Celestia thought on it for a second but declined. “My Apologies. I’m just so…” “Understandable.” The stallion interrupted. “Why are you here soldier?” Celestia asked bluntly. The stallion just picked up the note he was carrying earlier. “Oh.” She said picking it off his hoof with a golden glow of her horn. “Who gave this to you?” she asked as she began to unravel it. “It was a filly my Princess.” The stallion said with a little hesitation. “Black fur.” Celestia stopped for a second. “Lavender?” she mumbled. “Why she send a letter to me I wonder.” She thought. She got her answer right away however. Dear Princess Celestia… Just what the Fuck do you think you’re doing?!... Here I am learning to live on a world that I’m stuck on for the rest of my lives, Thinking that by some miracle the strongest living Thing on the face of this Planet would end the war in one fell swoop. But No, here I learned that this “WAR” haves been going on for years. YEARS!... In my honest opinion I do believe we need to talk face to face about Ending this here War. I have some ideas if you care to hear them. Or Maybe, you could grow some Fucking Balls and end this BullShit Now? But alas, I come to find out you are indeed a “Pacifist” Through and Through. And Pacifists haves no place in War. Finishing the letter Celestia put it down gently. She sighed and with a face that no pony ever imagined to see on the face of their ruler. Celestia looked angry. Like, she could really end the war right now. End the world with a glance. “Soldier?” She said glaring at the stallion. The Stallion in turn just about pissed himself stumbling backwards a little. “Yee. Yess. Your Majesty?” he sputtered. “If you would be kind enough to fetch Miss Lavender Shadow for me please..?” she said with searing annoyance in her voice. “Y-Ye-Yes, Your, Your…” “Now… Please.” …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Later that day. “Dow is a Bitch!” Scaramouch said bluntly. Smooch then gasped a little. “Um Sorry Princess.” She was standing in front of the throne as Celestia stood in from of a window closest from the throne. “It’s quite all right my little pony.” Celestia said with a smile. Turning around to look at Smooch she said. “Proceed please.” “Um so, really.” Smooch started, wondering why she just got away with that. “She’s selfish. She’s blunt. She haves these little fits when she doesn’t get her way with anything.” “So by all definitions, she’s acting according to a child?” Celestia interrupted Smooch. “Well Um… I guess so.” Smooch said sheepishly. “But as a Student of Starswirl the bearded himself…” “You think she should act as such.” Celestia interrupted again. “Yes.” Smooch said feeling a little more comfortable. “I’ve seen her maturity first hoof.” She said looking down. “She talks with Starswirl as if the pair were old friends.” “Doesn’t Star talk like that with every pony?” Celestia asked slowly walking up to Scaramouch. “Well, for the most part sure.” Smooch said. “But we both know he always seems to haves those moment of loneliness. Not with her.” Celestia actually knew why but like Lavender, Starswirl wanted his secrets kept too. “It sounds to me that Lavender is just getting under your fur Scaramouch.” Smooch in turn just sighed. “I guess so.” She said hanging her head down. “Do you know Why?” Celeste asked. Smooch jerked her head up at the question. “Because…” she hesitated. “She’s better then me.” Celestia just tilted her head at Smooch. “umm?” It took Smooch a moment to realize that the princess wanted her to elaborate. “You see… Dow haves only been with us a year, but she’s learned so much more then I did in ten.” “Oh…” Celestia replied. So it was one of these stories she thought. “So?” “Huh? What? Wait?” Scaramouch sputtered as her back half fell to the floor. A few seconds of deep thought then Smooch said. “Oh… I’m. My Apologies.” Celestia nodded her head as she gave Smooch a warm smile. “No need to be sorry.” She sat down with Smooch. “Think of it this way. Most, nearly all Unicorns don’t learn any magic past levitation.” The pair looked at each other. “So that right there proves you’re leagues ahead from most other ponies.” Smooch sighed. “All other ponies but her.” She said turning her head away. “All?” Celestia inquired. “What of your fellow students?” “You mean Quinn?” Smooch asked as she stood up. “Sure. I can admit his skill comes close…” She then walked behind Celestia and started pacing. “Sure, he’s powerful, one of the best but…” “Stop.” Celestia interrupted turning Smooch’s way. “Please?” She did just that and sat back down. “Your Ego is out shining your confidence.” “Ah.” Smooch gasped. “Huh, oh…” she said with a hint of disappointment on her face. I’m, my Apologies.” “Needn’t be sorry.” Celestia said with that same loving smile from before. I myself should apologies. Letting us trail of subject like that.” “No. it’s fine.” Smooch said standing back up. “I still stand by what I said though.” “She’s a Bitch…” Scaramouch went wide-eyed and stared at Celestia. She never thought Celestia would ever say anything like that. No pony would. “I know I know, it’s just…” “The War?” Smooch interrupted. “The reason why I asked you here.” Celestia said. she had a worried look on her face all the sudden. Smooch took notice. “What’s up princess?” she asked. “In your honest opinion. You think I should recruit Lavender Shadow for the War effort?” Celestia asked with no emotion what so ever. “Bu-a-um… NO!” Smooch sputtered and stumbled and it took her a moment for her to compose herself. Celestia just stared at her. “I mean, huh, that, that’s just my misgivings with her sooooo.” “Scaramouch.” Celestia rose her voice a little more then usual. Please. It’s fine. I hear your words and…” “Apologies.” Smooch interrupted. “But you haven’t.” the two looked at each other for a moment before Celestia gestured for her to continue. Smooch complied. “As for the good of this land. That pony can actually do so much at six years of age, it’s scary. So in my unbiased honest opinion is... …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… “Hello my little pony.” Celestia said on top her throne. Harlequin sitting on a pillow in front of it. “So let me get straight into it shall I?” “Of course your majesty.” Quinn replied. He was polite, but he had that nagging feeling that something was up. Like was he in trouble for something he didn’t know about or remember? Or was it that she needed his help only he could do? However his worries seemed invalid once he heard the princess ask the question. His Answer was immediate. “Dow is a Beast!” Celestia didn’t expect that from him. Out of Starswirl’s stories she kind of knew Scaramouch would act the way she did but Harlequins was supposed to be analytical, regal… Clearly Lavender had a greater impact with Quinn here then Smooch. “Oh damn, here we go again” she thought giving Quinn a warm smile. “Why say that?” “Because she is!” Quinn said standing up and taking a step forward. Celestia’s guards took notice and prepared themselves. Celestia however raised a hoof making them stop. Quinn sat back down. “I mean, she’s just a filly right?” he said with concern. “That’s what I thought, up in till I saw what she was capable of.” He said with some trepidation. “And?” Celestia asked with some amusement by his antics. “Um. Well… She’s to full of herself.” Quinn said jerking back a little afterwards. “I mean, she loves herself to much.” Celestia giving Quinn a smile. “Needn’t be so worried Harlequin.” “Ok…” Quinn said taking a breath, finally sitting back down. “ok… well, she likes messing with other ponies as well.” Celestia suddenly worried herself by that. However not showing just how hypocritical she felt. “Like, confusing ponies on a whim, being extremely mad one moment then laughing about that vary same thing minutes later, saying stuff that would break the best of us.” Quinn by now was getting a little agitated by his own words. “What of Scaramouch?” Celestia asked suddenly. “Dow deliberately messes with Smooch the most.” He said with a little chuckle. “And after she thinks nothing of it.” “And what of you my little pony?” Celestia asked concern for Quinn’s well being. “Well, me? She and I don’t see eye to eye” Quinn said. “I try to talk with her from time to time but all that comes out of her mouth makes Me doubt myself.” He said with a little sense of hate. “I’m trying my flank off to be friendly to a pony from across the seas…” Celestia noticing that he was getting agitated again. “But knowing the things she does for ‘FUN’…” Quinn stopped after that yelp. After a few seconds of dead silence, it looked as if Harlequin was about to cry. “It’s enough to drive some pony Bat Shit INSANE!” This time he screamed at Celestia and this time her guards sprint into action, pinning him down in a blink of an eye. Celestia in turn just took a breath, seeing Quinn was ready to burst into tears. She got up and slowly started down to Quinn. “It’s like she hasn’t a care in the world.” She said coming to a stop in front of Quinn. “And she doesn’t care if any pony would ever like her.” Quinn slowly looked up at Celestia as she laid in front of him. The pair of them took a breath simultaneously. Quinn closed his eyes and Celestia gave the ok to her guards to let him go. They promptly did so, but not without their own trepidations. Both sat up and looked at each other. Quinn look better then just a moment ago Celestia thought. “You know, from everything I read about you Harlequin.” Celestia said with a smirk. “I’d assumed that you were more emotionless. I’m so relieved to see that I was wrong.” The pair stared at each other for a moment more, then Quinn went wide-eyed in sudden realization. “What is it?” Celestia asked. “Apologies…” Quinn said sitting straight up, now baring the look of clarity. “I know what’s she’s doing.” Quinn gave a smirk of his own. “She’s going to pay for that.” “Oh?” Celestia started as her concerns shifted a little. “Then if you please, before you go off to have your vengeance. The second thing I’d like to know is, what you just realized?” She said standing up and turned to head back up her throne. “I just noticed that Dow’s treating every pony differently.” Quinn said as Celestia made it on the throne and sat back down. “She’s seeing how much pressure needs to build on a pony's mind in order to break.” He said with a little chuckle at the end. “And she Broke me… Fuck!” Every pony in the room gave the one in the middle the weirdest look any pony could ever give another. “What?” Celestia composed herself before telling Quinn, “I see our vocabulary is ever growing, ever since Lavender’s arrival.” She smirked. “When she say that word?” She asked. “Whenever she’s frustrated or mad about something.” Quinn replied. “So you’re frustrated?” Celestia asked unmoving. “Oh a great deal, apologies princess.” Quinn replied. “No need, she is an Ass hole.” It was Quinn’s turn to give her a weird look, just made Celestia giggle. “But I’m getting off track… I’ve been doing that a lot as of late…” She coughed once in her hoof. “the first thing I wanted to know from you… In your honest opinion. You think I should recruit Lavender Shadow for the War effort?” “Um, if I may ask, why ask me at all, your majesty?” Quinn asked calm and collected. Celestia relieved to see Quinn becoming a bit saner then he was just a moment ago. “Well you see,” she started making Lavender’s letter appear with a golden glow. “After nearly a year, Miss Dow sent me this letter asking if she can join the battles.” She said looking over the parchment again. Quinn just stared at the paper floating in the air thinking that can’t just be it. “May I?” he asked. “Of course.” Celestia replied, floating it down to Quinn. He took it in his own magic and brought in up to his face. It was only a few seconds in before he sneered at the paper. You see my dilemma then?” Celeste asked. Quinn took a breath. “And here I am being selfish.” He said dropping his head and in turn the letter. “Your majesty… she deserves no such praise, even after this filth.” He said stomping at the paper. “But… I’m telling you the truth of the matter.” Quinn raising his head. “I’ve seen her work. I seen the way she uses magic. If she haves a way to end this War. Then in my honest opinion… …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… “Dow is, by all definitions, an Alien.” Starswirl said, sitting at a table across from Celestia. Both with a bowl of salad to their left and a slice of cake on their right. “And it’s not because she’s not of this world. No… I believe even in her world she was an outcast.” “I believe I can see that as well.” Celestia said taking a bite of her food and quickly swallowed. “of course her treatment of her fellow students isn’t helping her in any way.” “Ah. So you already spoke to my students have you?” Starswirl said taking his first bite. “Yeah. She haves no respect for any pony.” “She seems to have respect for you.” Celestia interrupted. “Really?” Star asked. “I mean I guess so. We talk to each other well enough.” He said pondering on the matter. “I think it’s more then that.” Celestia pondered as well. “The pair of you are similar in that both you aren’t from this place.” She smiled. “Well she probably came from farther then you.” She jest but quickly gasped after so. “I’m…” “It’s quite alright your majesty.” Starswirl interrupted. “I came to terms that I’m never going back to my old home again.” He smiled at her. That alone seemed to perk her up a little. “No, what surprised me, was it took her minutes what took me years to get over.” Celestia a little intrigued at that. “the moment she found out she couldn’t leave. She moved on, like it never mattered to her at all. “That’s a little scary if you think about it.” Celestia commented. A moment past of the pair chewing food then, “I would love to hear more of our mystery pony if I’m not so intrusive?” She asked. “Certainly.” Starswirl said bluntly. “I imagine it’s about that letter you’re hiding right now?” “Haa, how did you…” Celestia started but sighed soon after. “Yes.” Starswirl just smiled back at her. “Well… She is a… Manipulative, Egocentric, Bombastic even.” Celestia just listened at the moment. “She loves to Nitpick at other pony’s minds. So much in fact that I don’t think she knows how to stop, or when they break.” “Wait? And we let that slide do we?” Celestia asked. “That’s… a little horrifying.” “That it is.” Star replied. “But I guess I understand though.” “How so?” Celestia asked taking a nibble of her cake. “Of course, think on it… Coming to a world you know nothing about.” Starswirl said, clearly choosing his words. “And being as analytical as she is, you’d want to know as much as possible. And being as impatient as she is, you’d want to know it fast.” “I guess that does make some sense.” Celestia said tapping her chin with her hoof. “She’s creative as well.” Star said now eating his cake. “Oh.?” “She haves this idea in her head that all ponies, no… All the different species of this world can use magic. Like a unicorn…” Celestia gasped at that, choked a little then coughed up some crumbs. She then proceeded to stare at Starswirl in disbelief. “Yep… I had a similar reaction.” “Ok… I mean sure all ponies have inherit magic in them but…” “She even went so far to promise this earth pony that he could use magic.” Starswirl said. at this point the pair stopped eating. “been working that poor pony to near death for months now… his choice.” “And we haven’t stopped this yet?” Celestia asked running her concerns across her face. Suddenly she went wide-eyed. “You think that’s one of her ideas?” she asked. “Must be.” Starswirl replied. “However I wouldn’t know how she could ever make an earth pony use magic?” he said taking a bite of his cake. Celestia sighed. “Fascinating to say the least. Yet once again I’m getting us off track.” “Of course.” Starswirl interrupted. “You wish to know if it’s a good idea to let Miss Shadow help with the war effort?” Celestia just smiled and nodded for Star to continue. “I’m going to half ta say no…” He said with no emotion. “Huh…” Celestia said. “What?” Star asked. “Both your top two students said practically the same thing.” Starswirl stared off in the distance. “But then…” “But then the pair thought on it for a moment. Maybe even just seconds like I just did.” He said. “ok…” Celestia said. “Then what’s your honest opinion?” By this point all the food was gone from Starswirl’s plates. Celestia still had a little left. “the truth of the matter is that my opinion shouldn’t matter at all… The truth of the matter is that Lavender Shadow… …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… That night… “Lavender Shadow maybe the best pony to Win this War.” Those words rang in Celestia’s head ever since all three ponies she met today all said the exact same thing, and she hated that. Celestia currently on a balcony staring up at the moon. Remembering earlier that morning. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… That Morning… “Ah, Miss Shadow? To what do I owe this pleasure?” Celestia said still angry from reading Dow’s letter. She was sitting up top her throne as Lavender was below her, just staring at Celestia with a blank look. “Don’t spit that shit at me Princess” Lavender said harshly. Every pony gasped at that and the guards took action right away, lunging at Dow only to hit each other’s heads. Knocking them out instantly. Dow herself was a few feet in front of them. “I know full well why I’m here.” She said looking back at the guards. “So should I get to the point or you want to ask your obligatory questions?” She said gawking back at Celestia and smiling evilly. Celestia with a look of shock and awe on her face. No pony had ever spoke like that to her. Sure Dow was a pony not from this world but has she no manners at all? She composed herself with the sternest physique she can muster. “Well, if you’re so impatient then proceed Miss Shadow.” She said trying to keep as calm as possible. “First off… I’m surprised you have yet to reprimand me.” Lavender said sitting on the ground. “I see that you clearly want too.” “That’s because I want to hear your ideas.” Celestia said thinking if that was actually true or not. “ok.” Dow said smiling. “Then my idea that I’d know would be best for the long run.” She said standing up. “is Conquest.” “What?” Celestia asked not knowing how to react to that. “Conquest.” Dow repeated. Lavender seeing that Celestia seemed to be struggling with that concept. Dow took a breath. “Could you please show me a map of the world?” Celestia hesitant at Dow’s request but materialized a hologram of the world beneath Dow’s hoofs. She made it big enough to let Dow walk through it as if the filly was ten miles tall. “Good.” Dow said looking around. “Now please show our land and the borders to our competition.” Celestia did just that. The borders first appeared. Celestia and her people were smack dab in the middle of the map. Just barely ten percent of it. Then came the rest. That Somber King controlled thirty percent of the world. At eleven twelve and one o clocks. Luna controlled another thirty maybe a tad bit more of what Dow saw. Five six and seven a clocks. Separate factions of other races controlled the rest of the world. Dragons a percent here and there. Same for many other races on the world. Dow noticed her birthplace was taken over by griffons. Dow seemed antsy for a second or two but then she giggled. It lasted a while. Celestia puzzled when Lavender started trotting along the outside of the borders. “Miss Shadow?” Celestia asked wondering if she should make the map vanish. To Celestia, Dow looked too happy to be ten miles tall. Dow stopped and snapped her head towards Celestia. “Umm.” She said, a blush on her face. “Sorry… Soo…” She said looking over the map. “What I know we need to do first is get ourselves a better base then this shithole.” Celestia taken a little aback by that last word but she kept quiet for the time being. “I suggest that place there.” Dow said pointing out one of the castle’s windows to that mountain the griffons are inhabiting. Celestia looked over at the mountain. “Are you saying to take that rock by force?” She asked. “Yes…” Dow said bluntly. Celestia didn’t want to think of the implications of that. Firstly to force whatever creature out of the thing they call home, then all the deaths that may occur in such a battle. For Celestia, it was maddening to think about. “I… I don’t know if I could…” “Then don’t!” Lavender interrupted as she started pacing back and forth. “Let me do all the work!” “No…” Celestia said as the map vanished. “I can’t let you go out of your way to…” “Shut up!” Dow interrupted again. “You can’t let me protect my home!?” She said stopping and turned to look back to Celestia. “You mean you…” “I Said Shut It!” Dow yelled at Celestia. Celestia in turn couldn’t fathom all this strife Dow had towards her. It was disconcerting to see a filly scream at her, to say the least, but she stayed silent. “Look. I’m stuck here, I have no choice but to call this my home.” Lavender started. “So there is no Fucking Way I’m Going to Spend the Rest of My Life…” Dow said slowly raising her voice, To eventually it became a scream. “FIGHTING A WAR YOU CAN’T WIN!” Dow finished almost hyperventilating. And Celestia becoming a bit more upset herself, to the point was she found herself sneering at Lavender. She quickly stopped and shook her head. Lavender took a few deep breaths before continuing “Princess Celestia…” The pair looked at each other. “You are to Nice. You need to be more selfish. Or find a pony that is.” “My little pony... I believe you’re done.” Celestia said standing up and slowly walked towards Lavender. “Let me have a day and I’ll give you my decision.” She said standing in front of Dow. “You will let me think on this.” She said with a hint of animosity. Lavender just smiled back. “A day then.” She said as she backed away a little. She then turned and started trotting off. The guards slowly opened their eyes at that point. The pair saw Lavender being on her marry way. Then they looked at their princess. To them, she looked so distraught. The pair picked themselves up and looked back at Dow. “Your majesty? You want her detained?” one of them asked. “No…” Celestia said taking a breath. “however I need to ask something of you.” “Anything.” One replied as both stood at attention. “I need you to bring Starswirl and his students for me.” She said as Dow left through the front doors. “Then I need to be alone in till they arrive.” “Of course your majesty.” Both said simultaneously. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Celestia looking at the moon, her thoughts wondering off once more. A tear ran down her cheek. “I’m to nice huh???”
Chapter 4: A Devil of the Heavens“So, this was your brilliant plan? Surrender!!!” screamed Scaramouch from inside a cage barely big enough to hold her. Next to her was a pair of pegasi, each in there own cage, and both angry at a certain young unicorn. Next to them was Lavender and to her was an earth pony that seemed way to laid back for their current predicament. “I mean you even left our fleet outside pass the borders?!... Why?!...” “Oh do be quiet Smooch.” Lavender replied looking over at the earth pony. “I just needed Jojo… The three of you weren’t even supposed to be here!” “Would the both of you shut up!” said one of the pegasus next to Smooch, clearly impatient with the pair. “It’s been nothing but nagging and bickering ever since we started this endeavor.” Meet Rock… Well the pony Lavender calls Rock. The commander of this small party. Blue fur, black mane, a trio of black lighting bolts zigzagging upwards to each other. “Miss Dow, when is this plan of yours going to occur?” He asked. “It would occur faster if everyone… Every pony would shut up…” all of them but the earth pony glared at Lavender. “And what of you Jojo?” She asked the earth pony. The colt was older then Dow for sure but still seemed to young to be recruited for a war, snow-white fur covered in dirt, and a dark blue messy as all hell mane covered most his face and neck. He was also quite sickly skinny looking as well. “I’m fine Sensei.” He said moving in a meditative position. “You wish for me to bust every pony out now?” he asked closing his eyes. “No.” Lavender said bluntly. “You’re here for one reason only, understand Jojo?” finally letting her eyes wonder. “Oh my Celestia, you’re insufferable.” Smooch said, hissing at the end. “I know.” Dow replied with a deliberate slur. “But now for the task at hand.” She said looking over at Smooch. “You braking us out or you gonna let a little girl out show you?” “Oh I know you didn’t just say that!” Smooch said sternly, gawking at Dow. “Shut up! The Both of You!” the other pegasus barked. A pony with red fur and light blonde hair. A cutie mark of a trio of black moons forming a pinwheel. Lavender dubbed her Roll. “I don’t care one way or the other who the hell does what!” Roll said siting down and rubbing her temples. “Please I’m sick of both you fillies. Hell this Jojo here.” She said pointing to the colt. “Is the most sane one of us all.” Dow smiled at that. “What!” Roll asked. “You just called yourself insane.” Dow chirped. “Oh my Celestia… JUST GET US OUTTA HERE!” Roll screamed. Suddenly a griffon barged in the room, having the door slam behind him. Clearly angry. “Which one of you is this Dow bitch?!” the griffon asked sternly. Every pony looked at Lavender who was acting like a frightened newborn who was staring down an ursa major. “You’re coming with me.” He said stomping his way over to Dow. “NOOOOOOOO!” Lavender screamed. “Momma Please!” She said slamming herself in Smooch’s direction. “Help me! Please Momma, don’t let the monster take me away!” she yelled, practically blowing out Roll’s ears in the process. Smooch was staring at Lavender in disgust before turning her head with a tsk under her breath. The griffon in front of Dow by now looked at Smooch then down at Dow. “Looks like Mommy doesn’t love you anymore huh.” The griffon said chuckling at the end as he grabbed the cage and started to drag it back with him. The rest of the group looked onward as the griffon opened the door. “MOMMMMAAAAAAA! PLEASE!” Lavender screamed one final time before the door slammed behind them. “Right.” Smooch scuffed. Rock, Roll and Jojo just looked at Smooch. “What?” she asked when she took notice. “That was awful.” Rock said. “Sure I knew it was just an act but you didn’t even attempt to play along.” “So?” Smooch asked plainly as she looked at her locks. “It was way to believable!” Roll added stomping on the ground. “So?” Smooch asked again. She then looked over to Jojo. “Looks like you’re up kid.” Jojo in turn just looked back at her. “But sensei said…” “Sansah’s not here now is she?” Scaramouch said sternly. “And besides these cages are enchanted. Means no magic.” She said sighing as she hung her head down. “And there’s your answer.” Jojo said looking at the front of his cage. “No magic.” …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… A griffon walking through a hallway, pulling a cage behind him. The cage held Lavender seemingly half asleep. The griffon himself seemed annoyed. He was average built with a hooked beak. A mesh of black, gray, brown and pale yellow feathers riddled his body. “Ok wait!” He said looking behind him. “You were just screaming a moment ago for your mother…” he said stopping and turning around to face Dow. Lavender smiled evilly at the griffon. “Oh, you needn’t worry about Mother dearest.” She said giggling a little. “No, your worry should be of that earth pony you’re clearly not paying to much mind over.” The griffon started to get a little uneasy. Not by Dow’s warning, but how she presented herself to him. Not at all like a filly but rather a dragon in disguise. “Mind you. That unicorn isn’t one to be ignored either, she haves this nasty temper whenever she’s really pissed off.” The griffon in turn scowled at Dow. “Don’t you dare pretend little girl.” He then punched the side of the cage in hopes his uneasiness was unwarranted. “Got it?” Lavender smile just grew. “Got it.” The griffon turned back around and started pulling the cage once more. Lavender laid down, still smiling. “Fair warning kid.” She said, no signs of him listening. “I’m going to Kill the closest thing to me when I’m out of this cage.” The griffon flinched but kept walking. “Better make sure you’re not the one letting me out.” A few minutes later Lavender was in a room with a pair of griffons in sight. The one that pulled the cage and one staring out a window, standing on just her hind legs. Her claws crossed behind her. She had gray feathers on her head, darker gray for her mane and the rest were black. The room itself was bare. Nothing in it but a desk, a chair, that window and a lantern hanging from the ceiling. “Garble? Why did you bring the whole cage?” the griffon at the window asked. “Well… um…” “No reason then” she interrupted as she turned around and dropped on all fours. “Get her out.” The griffon saw the filly smile and Garble frown upon hearing that order. “Ye-yes Mam” Garble said hesitantly as he unlocked the cage and opened it up. Lavender stood up and walked out. “So miss, what I call you?” “Hold your Tahhuuaaaaah.” Garble started to say but a split second later Dow’s horn was shoved deep in his throat. The other griffon raised an eyebrow and smirked. Garble trying to catch his breath while Dow was bobbing her head to a song she was humming. The sudden shock made Garble forget that Lavender was three to four times smaller then him. Remembering her words from earlier made him realize that she wasn’t pretending at all. His sight went first, and the last thing he heard was the laugher of a little girl currently murdering him before he went limp and both fell to the floor. “Call me Shadow.” The griffon said looking at her now dead soldier. “Lavender pulled her horn out of Garble. “No.” she said standing up and turning to the other griffon. “My Name is Shadow.” The griffon laughed a little. “Well Lavender Shadow really, Dow for short.” She said smiling sheepishly. “Try again.” …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… “You know we don’t have all day Jojo.” Smooch said impatiently tamping her hoof on the front of her cage. “Please Scaramouch. It’s all ready hard enough with conflicting orders.” Jojo said sitting in an odd looking stance. His hind legs were crossed and his front’s were hanging in front of his face. “Just give me a moment of peace.” Smooch Rock and Roll gazed at Jojo in silence for a moment when the three felt the air around them suddenly became heavy. “Huh, whaa?” Roll said startled. “Gate of Opening” Said Jojo as he crossed his arms. “RELEASE!” he screamed as he pumped his arms to his sides… …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… A moment earlier. “So Dark, there is really no negotiating with you then?” Lavender asked the griffon she was currently standing in front of, blood still trickling down from her horn, smirking all the while. “It’s rather a vary tempting offer Shadow.” Dark replied sitting in front of Dow. Secretly contemplating on just how to kill Lavender. What she offered was nothing short of utter surrender for the griffon population or your know, death, and Dark wanted no part of it, but with the threat of gods on Dow’s side she was backed into a corner. However before she gave her answer there was a loud BOOM off in the holding cells. Dark jerked her head up and towards the noise. “What the Hell!?” Dow just sighed. “And that would be the sound of my student disobeying me.” She said tilting her head. “Weird.” “Your student?!” Dark asked looking at Lavender with some distaste. “Yes… but before he comes in here and kills you…” Lavender said turning her head back around. Dark wasn’t amused by that threat just now. “I’d like to know why you wanted me?” Dow said looking onward carefully at Dark’s demeanor. “Why a little filly like me huh? Why not our commander?” Lavender noticed a little twitch in Darks left claw. “Meaning you were after me specifically.” The pair of them started hearing screaming from beyond the doors behind Dow, followed by sounds of crashes and booms every which way. Dark visibly getting worried and Dow taking notice. “Meaning still you think I’m special?” Another twitch came from Dark’s left eye this time. “Quickly Jojo! Ram them through!” the voice of Rock bled through the walls followed by more screaming and crashes. Dow sighed. “Whelp… Guess it’s to late for your men” she said snickering at the end. “Fat chance of that kid.” Dark said trying to keep her cool. “Woh there Jojo! Don’t Kill us too!” the voice of Smooch was heard before a louder boom that followed suit. Dow giggled, and Dark hissed. “Hhii, Hi’m, Sorry Scara-“ Jojo said, sounding like he was just outside the room Dow suddenly frowned and turned to the door. “HAY JOJO! YOU FUCKING IDIOT! WHAT THE FUCK YOU DOING!” She screamed. Dark saw this to be the opportunity to see if she could do something about this monster in the form of a filly. She pounced at Lavender, however it was for not. The moment Dark was half way in the air the door exploded. Shards of wood blasted all over the place. A good number of them cut, stabbed, and lodged themselves half way inside Dark’s front, forcing her backwards. Lavender started cackling as she slowly turned around. Dark on her back, shook her head and looked onwards. First at Dow then at something terrifying behind her. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… The Week Before… “How?” Starswirl asked simply. He was standing on a field of white flowers with Lavender, Smooch, and Quinn standing at his sides. A white earth pony stood in front of them with what could only be described as translucent blue flames covering every inch of him, and the colt looked as if he was working out all his life, his muscles were big and chiseled for his size. The three ponies next to Dow were ah-struck, speechless, and terrified all at the same time. “Meh… I gotta be honest with you.” Lavender said with pride in her voice. “I haven’t the slightest Idea.” She said becoming a little giggly. “But it’s so magnificent.” The three ponies all stared at Jojo for a tik longer then turned their heads to Dow. Her smile was slowly growing as she giggled under her breath. It was making the others quite uncomfortable. Suddenly her whole body twitched and her demeanor changed from being a creepy filly to one with no empathy. “Right right then. Jojo. That’s enough.” She yelled at the colt. “Yes Sensei.” The colt said as the flames evaporated and his bulk deflated where he looked like he hasn’t eaten in years. When it was over he looked up at the group in front of him then down to Lavender and smiled. “What else ya need Sensei?” he asked. “Nothing for now. You’re dismissed.” Dow said plainly. Her and Jojo bowed to each other and Jojo walked off. Lavender watched him stumble around a little and waited for him to be out of earshot. Once he was she turned to look at the trio currently looking back at her inquisitively. “I don’t think he’s ready but I think we can use him.” She said with a smile. “Ok…” Starswirl replied. “Still want to know how?” he said turning fully to Lavender. “Same here…” Quinn chimed in, following his teacher’s actions. Smooch followed soon after. “Dow sighed. “I said I don’t know…” she said sitting on the spot and gawked up at the trio. “However, what I taught him was a practice I’ve learned from way back when.” Smooch and Quinn pondered on that comment for a few seconds. Way back when. “Just how old does this brat think she is?” both thought. “What I did was teach him about a meditation practice. I call it, the Eight Inner Gates.” She said throwing her hooves in the air. She continued as she stomp the ground. “That, was all his doing.” “That’s all well and dandy but…” “We just witness an earth pony that USED MAGIC!” Smooch interrupted Starswirl mid sentence as she kicked the air. Starswirl shook his head. “How did you know that would happen?” he asked plainly. “Oh, I didn’t.” Dow said smirking. “Wait.” Quinn spat out making the other three gawk at him. “So… you’re risking some pony’s life off of a theory?” Lavender then slowly nodded her head while her eyes twitch from left to right and back at random intervals. “Nnnyyah.” She said standing up and trotting off. The other three ponies all watch Lavender leave them. They then looked at one another with varies looks of concern of “What the hell have we done?” …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… “I Surrender.” Dark said standing up from her position before. She then hung her head low. “Please tell me your monster here didn’t kill to many?” “Oh, no worries miss.” Jojo spoke up. He sounded metallic with a small boom at the start of every syllable. He was currently standing in front of Dark, looming with the air around him slowly becoming heavier with each breath. Smooch was at his side at the moment as well. “I didn’t kill any of your...” “Jojo…” Dow interrupted. “Ahh. Apologies Sensei.” He replied and backed away, letting Lavender show herself. Jojo moved to her side. Letting the pair stare at each other. Lavender noticed blood trickling down every hole the wood made on Darks body. Dow knew right off the back Dark was dying. To Dow, Dark was playing an act. The pride of the griffons fascinated her, however Dow still had a job to do. “So. What are your terms?” She said tilting her head. “My Terms?!” “Her Terms?!” Both Dark and every pony else blurted out. “You’re dying Dark.” Lavender said with no emotion. Dark then coughed up blood and stumbled a little as if on queue. “I say your final wishes would be apart of the terms of surrender yes?” She said smiling lovingly. Something that Scaramouch knew was fake, glaring at Dow for a moment before turning her head away. “Whatdayou say?” “Well damn it.” Dark said trying to keep herself up right. Dark couldn’t tell what Dow’s plans were by this point. First this filly walks up to their bases front door and surrenders with more or less no fuss, then once in this room she goes and kills one of her subordinates. Then letting her monster wreck the place up and essentially killing her. Now hearing that this filly is letting Dark make her peace. For Dark, confusing and aggravating. “Who does this filly thinks she is!?” Dark thought. She finally started to feel weaker from all that blood loss. The puddle of blood was big enough to ooze past Dow’s front hooves. It was slow going, but she noticed herself slipping away. “Fine.” She said sitting down. “Find us a place to live.” “You mean your tribe here?” Roll asked popping her head out from behind the doorway. “No…” Dark replied. “You mean all griffons yes?” Lavender asked. “Yes.” Dark replied keeping herself straight. “Agreed…” Dow said plainly. Jojo then powered down, becoming his small frail self. Making the doorway big enough for Rock and Roll to peak their heads through. Smooch and the rest gawked at Lavender. “However… only for those of them that want no part of the war.” Dow said. “Like you I take it?” She asked, pointing at Dark. “Agreed?” Dark managed to let out a chuckle and nodded in agreement. Dow in turn sat down on the spot. Sitting in the growing puddle of blood. “Then Miss Shadow Wing. I accept your Surrender.” Dark smiled a little as she lost conscious and fell to her side. Lavender in turn just stared at the now dead Shadow Wing. It made every pony wonder just what was going through that head of Dow's. “Wow?” Rock chimed in. “What?” Dow asked turning her head enough to look at him. Rock hovered slowly in the room looking at the pair of corpses. “I’ve only known you for little less then a week now.” He said looking at Dow. “I hate you. You’ve been nothing but a brat to my men and me for all of thus week. We come to call you the Monster of the Heavens…” “Fitting” Smooch said under her breath. “But then you pull something like that on me!” Rock gestured at Dow in frustration. Dow then looked at Rock. “Just what in Celestia’s name are you?” Lavender smirked. “Can’t you tell mister?” She said acting like a child. “I’m just a little filly trying her best. She said hopping up to stand. “To bring peace to this world.” Dow said making her way past every pony and out the door. Every pony else stumbled out the room, some of them seeing Dow trotting down the hallway. Her backside and tail was soaked with blood, trickling down a trail as she rounded a corner. Jojo ended up following her. Slipping of some of that blood before rounding the same corner. The halls were riddled with unconscious griffons scattered all through out. Some looked more banged up them others but surprisingly none of them were dead. Smooch, Rock and Roll just stared down the hall for a moment. Rock and Roll that turned to look at Smooch. “You had to deal with THAT.” Rock said pointing a hoof down the hall. “For a YEAR?!” Scaramouch sighed. “Yup...” Rock hovered to the ground as he rubbed his temples. “Right. Scarlet.” He said suddenly as he looked at Roll. “Mind getting our troops over here. We got to round these griffons up before they wake up.” “Got it.” Roll said as she zoomed out a near by window. “Miss Scaramouch.” Rock said looking back to her. “Could you send a letter to the Princes? We’ll be needing a little help with the crowed.” “Yeah… I can do that.” Smooch said looking around at Jojo’s mess. “There are a lot more griffons here then what we thought, isn’t there?” …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Lavender and Jojo were currently walking outside to a nearby river Dow found before that whole event. Blood still dripping off her tail. “Sensei?” Jojo asked for Dow’s attention. Her ear’s twitch in response. “This place… was where you were born right?” “Technically…” Dow replied as the pair reached the river. “Sooo. You thought this mountain would be good for the war?” Jojo asked looking behind him for a few seconds. Dow jumped in the river. It was a moment later where she popped her head out and glanced at Jojo. “I’m going to stop you right there.” She said with a little higher tone then normal. “Yes. I was born in that vary church.” She said nodding her head to the building they just came from. “But no… this place really is a great place to be for war.” She said as she started to hop around. “Maybe the best vantage point in all the lands. You can see for miles on end.” Dow said before diving into the waters again. Jojo sat down and waited for her to continue. When she popped her head out she did. “So no, this wasn’t about revenge. I don’t even remember who attacked this place so long ago.” Ending the sentence with a chuckle as she hopped out from the river. She shook herself dry. Most the blood was gone by now. “However we got ourselves a big problem.” “How so Sensei?” Joao asked. Haven’t been in this war for more then a week and we already have a traitor in our midst.” Lavender said trying her hardest not to scream that out loud. Jojo Gasped and was silent for a moment. ”But, wha… um. You know who?” he asked struggling to find the words. “No.” Dow said plainly as she started back up to the church. “Keep this between us yes?” Dow more so ordered Jojo then asked him. “Yes Sensei.” He replied as he followed Lavender. Keeping that secret would’ve been all well and fine if it weren’t for the fact that some pony was listening. Yup, across the river there stood behind a boulder and a few trees was Quinn lurking in the shadows. “A Traitor huh?”
Chapter 5: Breakable Values of So&SoOne month, it’s been one month scents we procured this mountain. Dow even titled it “Camelot.” I personally don’t like the name. Seems too racist. Wait does that make me racist as well? “No. That makes you biased.” The voice of Starswirl knocked Scaramouche out of her scribbling. There he stood in the doorway of a nice sized barn, Smooch in the back corner of it and she didn’t realize she asked her question out loud. The barn seen better days. The wood had rot, the metal had rust. Not to mention all those holes everywhere. One look at the place and Star deemed it unsafe. “That doesn’t make me feel any better.” Smooch sighed. Starswirl just chuckled a little. “Coming along.” He said gesturing at Smooch to follow. “Yes master.” Smooch said picking up a book she was writing in and the quill she plucked from a griffon. She turned around and headed to Starswirl. The moment her back was turned, a rather sizable piece of wood fell right were she stood just a second before. The pair jerked and Smooch hurried out the doors. Starswirl followed. Outside was the sight of pegasus and griffons performing a plethora of tasks. Mainly focused on building walls and lookout towers surrounding the town. It wasn’t impressive in the slightest; just a bunch of logs slapped together with rope and spit, but it was strong. Star and Smooch saw the wall and a few of those towers from the barn. “I’m actually impressed by this whole event.” Starswirl said looking around him. “Really?” Smooch asked looking at her teacher. “I mean ok, we did a lot more in the past month then what we ever did in the last decade, and the griffons are doing a lot more then I’ve ever thought but…” “Stop!” Starswirl interrupted turning to glare at Scaramouch but softened his gaze at her. “I’m sorry… I guess I was wrong.” He said softly as he turned around and walked off. Scaramouche sighed and trotted after him. “Master?” Smooch said when she thought she was close enough. “What’s wrong?” Starswirl sighed again as he stopped, letting Smooch walk in front of him. “A great deal I say.” He said catching a glance of a griffon flying past the corner of his eye. Scaramouche turned her head to see the same griffon. He was flying with a heavy load of boxes, tools, and other assortments of stuff and he was clearly struggling to stay up in the air. However the griffon past them by. “Are you really worried about the griffons?” Smooch asked looking back at Starswirl. “And you’re not?” Starswirl argued. “We practically made slaves of them.” “So?” Smooch asked bluntly. “Oh Celestia…” Starswirl sighed as he continued walking. Scaramouche started to follow, however Starswirl blocked her with a glow of his horn. He made a wall of magic behind him as he walked. Smooch stared at the shrinking image of Starswirl as she wondered why he wanted to talk to her in the first place. Cursing at her pride. Having an idea why her mentor’s sudden distaste towards her. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… At the same time Lavender seemed to be off in her own tangent. Seemingly forgetting that there was a war going on and instead focusing on experimentation. At the start of this month she gave the griffons a choice. Either be banished from Celestia’s lands and future territories for ever, or come win the war with Celestia’s army, and give them amnesty for once they did. Dow was pleasantly surprised to see all but a lingering few stay. The few that didn’t stay flew off disowning their own kind. She then started barking orders to fortify this town and with a letter to Celestia came pegasus to help with the workload. After that she started looking for other ponies to work with one on one. At the same time giving Jojo freedom to hone his magic The pony Dow ended up with was not a pony at all. She found a griffon she dubbed Roh. He was a griffon with tan fur and silver wings and mane and the mane itself was thick. Thick enough to hide the whole face, say for his beak. Dow made it possible for griffons to use a form of magic too. However it was short lived. Killing Roh, blowing up with her medaling with nature. Dow came to the conclusion that it seemed that only equines where the only species to use real magic. That was about the time Starswirl started to avoid Lavender. Presently Dow haves a new subject. An actual pegasus this time. The pair stood face to face on the far end of town and Jojo about a hundred yards away, punching a large rock repeatedly. “And you’re sure you want to do this?” Dow asked sternly staring at a light red, but not quite pink, pegasus with a quad of black stars for his cutie mark. His mane and tail, long, disheveled, light blue. “Yes sir…” The pegasus said. “Wait? I mean,” he started, seeing the deadpan look Dow was giving him. “What was it?” Dow sighed and smiled. “Not to threat. You needed remember anything if this doesn’t work and you’re dead.” She said turning away from the pegasus she just then decided to start calling him Bing. His real name was Bergen Swift, not that Lavender cared what so ever. To be honest ponies by this point expected that Dow was going to give them a nickname, but Bing was a little worried on what Dow just said. There was the potential of death? However he stood straight. “Teach me.” He said smirking a little. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… The last month haves been one hell of a ride for Harlequin however. First finding out that there was a traitor out to get Lavender but her keeping that fact a secret from every pony made him a little concerned. So he wrote a letter about it to Celestia. He would’ve told Smooch and Starswirl first but came to the conclusion that, what if one of them was the traitor? As sickening as that thought was, he simply couldn’t help it. He trusts his friend, his teacher, right? When Celestia replied to him a week later, she asked him to start investigating the matter if he hadn’t already, and to keep it from Lavender for as long as possible. Quinn agreed and started investigating. At the start of his investigation he made it a point to make sure it wasn’t his friend or teacher, simply not wanting the traitor to be them. Next he went and spied on every other pony for a bit, in till he noticed Jojo. He had the most meticulous schedule Quinn haves ever seen. How Quinn didn’t suspect him to begin with? Every day of the month Jojo woke up, ate something, does this weird dance, kicked a bolder or tree for what seemed like hours, meditated for a time, eats again, bathes, speed reads a book from start to finish, than falls asleep. The only things that diverged that schedule was Dow coming up to talk to him or vice versa. Quinn broke in Jojo’s sleeping quarters when he was smashing stone with his bare hooves. Quinn expected whatever noise he makes would hopefully drown out by that. “Ok… so what am I looking for?” He asked himself out loud as he looked from left to right. Jojo’s room was a bit baron. All it had was a bed, a desk and a small library of books in the back corner, and a window lighting the place up. The little that was there, it didn’t take him long at all to search everything. The bed and desk had nothing to be concerned about, however halfway through those books be came across a bookmark with a small note on it. It read “Gotcha!!!” Quinn gasped as the door slammed behind him. “Damn it!” Quinn yelped as he turned and slammed into the door. He slammed the door a few more times to come to think that it wasn’t going to budge. Lamenting, Quinn gawked around a little. That’s when he spotted a pair of eyes peeping at him through the window. “HOLY Celestia!” he gasped falling on his rear. “Hello there Harlequin.” Jojo’s voice came from those eyes. “Comfy?” “Get me out of here!” Quinn demanded jumping up. “Mnnaah.” Jojo said disappearing of to the side. “But, can I ask you something?” he reappeared from the other side. Quinn sighed vary clearly upset at his predicament. “What?” “You working for Luna or Somber Crystal?” Jojo asked moving to make his head visible to Quinn. “Huh? Wah, what?” Quinn said taking a double take. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Celestia sitting upon her throne, just having one of her guards deliver a letter to one Harlequin. She was in one of those moments of deep thought. “A traitor among her ponies… Or maybe not? Maybe a spy?” Her own thoughts where making her much more concern then ever before. Unfortunately, she didn’t have the luxury to worry over it at the moment. A week ago she had a squadron of pegasus try to make peace with a clan of dragons. It was met wit pore results. Only three lived that day, and only because Celestia helped them out when the three of them prayed to her. An event before that was trying to make peace with some diamond dogs and a time before that was that of minotaurs. The throne room doors burst open and a guard ran in. “Your Majesty!” he screamed as he entered. He screeched to a halt, as he felt close enough. Celestia turned to look at him. Dry tears streaked her face but she kept this harden gazed at her subject. “The platoon is back!” he said noticing that Celestia wasn’t looking well. “Are they well enough for me to meet them?” Celestia asked with a glow of her horn, that made her tears evaporate to nothing. “Yes.” The guard replied but then stumbled a little. “Well. Two of them are.” He corrected himself. “That’s fine.” Celestia said standing up. “Would you want them to come here then?” the guard asked. “No thank you.” She replied as she started her way to the front doors. “Yes your Majesty.” He said watching the princess leave. There stood a medical tent just outside Celestia’s castle. When she walked out, every pony outside all stopped and bowed to her. She sighed. “This isn’t the time for that my ponies. Please.” She said as she moved to the tent. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Inside the medical tent laid Rock and Roll and a third dark yellow pegasus, comatose at the moment. The three had scars and burns all over their bodies. Rock and Roll staring off into space, contemplating about something the pair of them realized when they were flying for their lives. Peace wasn’t working… Suddenly the tent opened up and in walked Celestia. She came in with a smile but seeing her ponies in the state they were in and the glares the pair still awake were giving her, the smile shrunk. “Oh…” She started emotionless. “I see you want to talk to me as well.” Rock sat up right still looking at Celestia as he did. “Don’t apologies!” he spat out. Celestia stopped in her tracks. “I believe I know why you’re here.” Rock sighed and gave a smile. “But no.” Celestia took a breath then moved to sit between Rock and Roll’s beds. Roll then sat up and mimicked Rock. “But still.” Celestia said with a small quiver on her lip. “I’m…” The pair of ponies put one hoof up and nodded their heads “No” simultaneously. “I said don’t.” Rock said sternly. “But…” Celestia said starting to plea with them. “Your Majesty…” Roll blurted out. “Please stop trying. Rock added. That’s when Celestia stopped, closed her eyes for a few seconds, and then looked at the pair with no emotion on her face. “Then tell me, something’s clearly bothering you more then the deaths of your comrades?” “It’s the death of all our friends.” Rock said with an equally emotionless face. “The death count of all YOUR subjects!” Celestia visibly shaken after hearing that. “I understand your ways princess but you clearly can’t focus enough to realize that…” “That War haves no place for a Pacifist.” Celestia interrupted, repeating Lavender Shadow’s vary words. “You’re to kind.” Roll added, repeating Celestia’s vary words. Rock nods, agreeing at the same time. “Ok… So… what would you have me do?” Celestia asked the pair, looking concerned after doing so. “If I may be so bold.” Roll started… Later that evening… Celestia sat on top her throne, pondering on the words of one Cobalt and Scarlet Ray. The pair suggested a difference in leadership. To not replace her, but to let some pony else take the rains of her armies, and she fully agrees with them. She knows that everything she’s been doing up to this point was for not and once again, she hated it. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Elsewhere, at the same time. Quinn and Jojo were walking down a road laughing their flanks off. “So you’re to tell me that she really did that?” Jojo asked drunkenly. “Yyy yaa ya yesss-ss-ss-ss-sssss.” Quinn replied. He then took a big breath still kinda giggly but composed himself all the same. “But in all seriousness.” Jojo suddenly frowned. “Yeah.” He said as he stopped walking. “You first?” Quinn mimicked Jojo then turned to look at him. “I was wondering just how stable you were.” He asked. “An earth pony using magic.” He sighed. “That does not happen, but here you stand.” Quinn said, not lying per say but he couldn’t tell Jojo that he was tracking down a traitor. On the other hoof, Jojo, after seeing his sensei doing nothing about thus traitor she thought was roaming about. He took it upon himself to set a trap. Figuring that some pony would try something sooner or later, but of course he couldn’t tell that to one of Starswirl’s students. “As for me… I like my privacy.” He said nonchalantly. “Sad to say, you’re not the only one that stepped in my room with the same questions.” “Quinn sighed. “I guess I can see that…” “Thanks” Jojo replied. However unbeknownst to Quinn. Jojo flat out lied to him. Quinn was the only pony that ever did that. Meaning Jojo now knew that Quinn was hiding something. The pair of them sighed at each other and both walked off in there own directions. One thinking he was in the clear while the other knew to keep a closer eye on that pony. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… The next mourning. The pegasus and griffons still busy building the fort around a town that’s on top of a mountain. Lavender Shadow was currently banging her head against a wall. A stream of blood was visible from her forehead. Apparently every pony she spoke to on what to call this place either miss heard or didn’t care, but some how Camelot turned into Canterlot. Scaramouche just so happened to be walking by when she saw the sad sight of Dow. “Whoa!” she yelped as she trotted over to Lavender using magic to stop the filly from hurting herself further. Dow in the air became limp. “So, um, what haves you down in the dumps?” Smooch asked putting Lavender down purely being curious more then concerned for her. It took a moment of silence before Dow started talking. “No more.” She said nearly muttering her words. “What?” Smooch asked plainly, moving her head ever so slightly closer. “No more Puns.” Dow said louder but still a bit softly. Puzzled by Dow’s words Quinn pressed further. “Um… what’s a Pun?” she regretted asking. “AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!” Dow screamed in Smooch’s face. She then started running in circles around Smooch. “No more No More NOMORE!.. I can’t take all these horse puns!” She then sped off and evaporating like she usually does. Leaving Smooch behind with a worried yet scared expression. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… So here we had Starswirl the bearded, in his living space, sitting down at a makeshift desk, drinking some morning tea, looking at a raggedy, warn out book with an eligible language, say for the cover which read ‘Legends of Equestria’. He sat the tea down and looked skywards. “I need to apologies to Scaramouche.” He thought out loud. However suddenly he heard this gut-wrenching scream off in the distance. It sounded like Lavender to him. He slammed the book closed and ran off in her direction. As he ran, he saw a pegasus from beyond the wall speedily flying to the newly dubbed Canterlot. He changed direction and went to the front gates instead. However when he got there he felt stupid. He knew a few spells that could’ve done the same job without letting him be so winded. He took a few deep breaths and composed himself. Opened the gates to see the pegasus land in front of it. “Oh. Did you know I was coming?” she asked. She was tan with an orange mane, and wore a bag that seemed empty. “No madam I didn’t.” Starswirl replied. “I just so happened to see you a moment ago.” The pegasus smiled and opened her sack. She then quickly pulled out a letter with the royal seal on it. “Thank you.” Star said taking the letter with the glow of his horn. “Your welcome.” The pegasus said as she jumped in the air and flew off. Starswirl then proceeded to break the seal and started to read… “What!” …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… My dear little ponies It comes to my attention that we will not win this war with the methods I have provided. It comes to my attention that I am unfit to rule. So I’m temporarily stepping down and giving leadership to three ponies of your choosing. A unicorn, pegasus and earth pony. These three souls will be charged with leading what seems fit to them and will be provided to follow threw my duties in my absence. As for me… My apologies but I wont be helping you with the ways I’ve done before. In less the council says too, but rather I want to fight side by side with you, my dear little ponies. I’ll await your decisions on own newly formed mountain stronghold starting tomorrow. See you there. “Meaning we’ll need a bigger base.” Scaramouche said. She was sitting in a circle of others listening to Starswirl as he read the letter out loud. There was Smooch; the left of her was Quinn, then Jojo, Dow, a pair of pegasus next to her, Starswirl and a griffon beside him. All currently in a room that seemed private enough. Everyone’s expression differed by the news Celestia just dropped on them. Starswirl sighed and let go of the letter. “A bigger place in deed.” “So… what do we do?” one of the pegasus asked looking weary of the news. “We await Celestia’s arrival.” Dow spoke up smirking at the same news. She seemed to have her mind on overdrive for some reason. However only Starswirl and Jojo noticed that. “In the mean time I say we start asking around who would what to lead or be led by.” The griffon of all beings spoke up, looking at Dow with a distasteful glare at her but quickly hid it away. “And what pray tell are you here for anyways?” the other pegasus asked harshly. “I invited him Glory Haze!” Starswirl replied. “And I’d vary much appreciate it if you’d be a bit more humble to the current leader of the griffons here.” Scaramouche giving her teacher a sorrowful look. “If we’re going to ask around then lets start right here.” She said. Looking around the room. “Agreed.” Quinn chimed in. “Then we all have an accord?” Lavender asked the group but looking at Starswirl specifically. Everyone in the room nodded once in agreement with each other. “Well.” Quinn started up, breaking the silence. “I wouldn’t know about the earth ponies or the pegasus and I guess I’m playing favorites when it comes down to it…” He slowly looked around the room as he spoke, ending it by looking at Dow “And I believe miss Dow haves the same idea.” He then switched over to Starswirl. “I’ve already decided who’d I follow.” Everyone looked at Starswirl in response. It took a moment for him to realize it, but Starswirl was the center of attention and all he did in return was sigh.
