Aphelion

Aphelion

II. Deep Magic

“You want to what?” A light blue unicorn stallion asked, looking up in shock.

“I would like to take your daughter as my personal student in magic,” Princess Celestia said, eyeing the scared little unicorn filly who cowered between her parents. “She would live with me here in the castle, attend the Royal Academy, and receive private lessons from me.”

He looked to his wife, another unicorn. “Princess, I do not think we could afford the necessary accommodations.”

“Those will be taken care of,” Celestia replied, her eyes still on the young Twilight Sparkle. “Your daughter has displayed considerable natural talent, which I would like to develop.”

Twilight’s mother looked down at the shivering filly. “It’s up to you, dear,” she said, nuzzling against her daughter.

* * *

There was a knock on the door.

“Come in,” Princess Celestia called. As she expected, a nervous little filly entered.

“Good morning, Princess Celestia,” she said, bowing.

“Twilight Sparkle, there is no need to bow,” Celestia said. “I am your teacher. And I hope to soon be your friend, as well.”

Twilight straightened and smiled.

“Are you nervous, my student?”

Twilight nodded.

“There is no reason to be nervous.”

She stills shied away.

Celestia sang:

Oh, butterfly, butterfly, why must you flutter by?

Butterfly, butterfly, flying so very high

Oh, how cute!

Celestia kept singing, but there was no further sound. Where had that voice come from?

* * *

Twilight awoke on the train. She looked out the window to see the bright light of a full moon. Once upon a time the train ride to Canterlot was a few hours, but after a terrible rockslide a few months ago, the only rail route went first through Manehattan then around the mountain. It took nearly a day.

Twilight wasn’t sure why she woke up, but she wasn’t about to sit up in the dark. She watched the moon as she slowly drifted off to…

* * *

Twilight stood in a dark room lit only by candlelight that she did not recognize. It was dusty, and filled with mismatched shelves, tables, and trunks, all covered with various tokens and knick-knacks. Rarity would have thrown a fit.

Hearing a door open, Twilight gasped and hid behind a chest of drawers. She peered out from behind it and watched as an unfamiliar stallion in a cloak entered. Following him was… Princess Celestia! Only she looked younger. Her mane was not multicolored, but in fact only light pink. She seemed smaller, as well. Definitely less intimidating.

“It was cut in the first age, and it is very rare,” a crackly, misshapen voice came out of the cloaked stallion.

“It is a ruby?” Princess Celestia asked him, interested.

“It is not a ruby!” He coughed. “It is the rarest ruby in all of Equestria!” He approached the chest behind which Twilight hid, and she ducked back farther.

“I ask merely for clarification,” Celestia remarked.

The stallion stopped before going any closer to Twilight. He turned around and went to an old gold-plated trunk on the other side of the room. “Yes, of course it’s a ruby. That’s the symbolism.

There’s something on the train I need you to find.

That voice! It was starting to become familiar to Twilight.

He won’t see you. Look at it.

She couldn’t resist the temptation. She stuck her head out from behind the chest to see the stallion pull out of a dusty old trunk a fantastically bright red gemstone, which shone bright, even in the dim candlelight.

Celestia looked at Twilight, and she immediately jumped back behind the chest. But had she seen her?

Now you know where it is.

* * *

Twilight awoke again. It was darker now; the moon had hidden behind a cloud. But the vision of that gem still teased at her mind. Sure, it was just a dream, but it seemed so conscious.

You know where it is.

She looked around. Was that a memory, or had something just spoken to her? No, it was a memory. A very clear one. Standing up, she stretched. The car was empty, and silent aside from the noise of the train making its way across the countryside.

You know where it is.

That thought would not stop nagging at her. That trunk. That ruby. Every detail etched itself into her mind and pulled at her until finally she could no longer resist. With the utmost silence Twilight slid open the back door of her car, stepping out.

The train loudly clacked as she closed the door behind her. She took great care in crossing the gap between cars, watching the tracks pass below her. Then, with just as much care as before, she slid open the door to the next car.

It was the sleeping car. Ponies snored behind pulled curtains as Twilight crept through. She cast a silencing spell upon herself, not wanting to risk the clop of a single hoof.

Exiting the sleeping car, Twilight let off the silencing spell, as the loud clacking of the train covered her. She crossed to the other car carefully, and then moved to slide open the door. Locked. Nothing a little magic couldn’t fix. A pink aura began to emit from her horn, floating to and inside of the lock. Twilight bit her lip, as turning invisible mechanisms was never easy, but then—click!—she turned the correct pin, unlocking the door.

With a boosted confidence, she moved to slide open the door to the luggage car. Forgetting her care, Twilight misplaced a hoof and tripped. Her face smashed against the door, and she slid back, gasping as she rolled into the space between the cars. She reflexively reached, grabbing at anything she could to save herself from hitting the tracks below. All of a sudden, the falling stopped, and she looked up to see her hooves wrapped around a railing, a lucky reflex. As she pulled herself up, the speeding tracks underneath seemed to glare to her. She panted and quietly slid her way into the luggage car.

She closed the door behind her. There was no light, so she cast a glow from her horn, starting to take a look around. Twilight knew the trunk she was looking for. She panned the light over the various trunks and bags, searching.

“Ah ha!”

There it was: the old, gold-plated trunk. It was exactly the same as she had seen it before, as if lifted from her dream. It bore a hefty silver lock and sat in a corner. She crept to it and began emitting an aura from her horn to pick the lock.

BAM!

She flew backwards in a burst of sparks, hitting the wall and sliding down to the floor. As she rubbed her aching head, the door slid open, and a light shone on Twilight.

“Stop! Thief!” somepony shouted.

Twilight looked over as two ponies approached her.

“I recognize that spell,” said a male unicorn in nightclothes. “She attempted to unlock my trunk!”

“Is this true, Miss?” the rail security guard asked, holding his lantern over Twilight’s head.

She looked up, ashamed.

“Of course it’s true!” the unicorn yelled. “I recognize my magic anywhere!”

“Calm down, Sir,” the rail guard said, calming him. “Miss, did you attempt to open this gentlecolts’ trunk?”

Twilight looked at the trunk, a dim red light emitting from within that silver lock. She lowered her head.

“My good Sir,” the unicorn said through gritted teeth, “this luggage car was locked, and for good reason! She would not have come in here for any other purpose! Detain her!”

“Sir, we can’t—,” he was interrupted.

“I believe this will suffice for your troubles.” The unicorn pulled a small bag of bits from his shirt pocket, handing it to the rail guard.

He smiled. “Sir, I apologize for any disturbance she may have caused. I’m going to keep her in custody until we arrive in Manehattan.” The unicorn nodded and left.

“What?!” Twilight gasped. “You can’t do that!”

“You are under suspect of attempted thievery,” he growled. “You can either cooperate or I will have to use force.”

Twilight could have fought him off, but then where would she have gone? And what would the princess say when she—

The princess!

Twilight hung her head in shame as the rail guard led her to a secure car for supervision, realizing what the princess would think. First night out of Ponyville, already an attempting theft! Princess Celestia would be so disappointed she’d surely send Twilight away at once. How could she have been so stupid? Following a dream. She didn’t even know if there was anything in that trunk—as a matter of fact it was probably just a similar trunk!

She laid against the window in the secure car, the rail guard watching over her. A pair of hoofcuffs weighed her down. Twilight stared at the full moon, slowly drifting into slumber.

* * *

She was nowhere this time. Or perhaps she was somewhere, but she didn’t recall.

It was in there. You could have had it.

“It was a magical lock!”

You should have expected it to be magically protected.

She groaned. “I don’t even know what it is.”

You needn’t know what it is. You need it.

* * *

“Good morning, Twilight Sparkle.”

Twilight opened her eyes to the rail guard removing her hoofcuffs and Princess Celestia standing behind him.

“Princess Celestia! How did you—,”

“Don’t worry Twilight, I’ve sorted things out.” Twilight had expected her to be angry, but instead she acted as if she already knew the whole story. The rail guard bowed and left, Princess Celestia following behind.

Twilight lowered her head. “Princess Celestia, I’m sorry.”

She turned back and smiled. “For what? My Faithful Student, it is not unlike you to find yourself somewhere that you do not belong.” She paused. “The train is leaving Manehattan shortly. All of the luggage has been unloaded.”

Did she… know?

“I wish I could offer my company on the ride, Twilight, but I must fly back to Canterlot for an urgent matter. But I’ll be seeing you in a few hours.”

And with that, she exited the car.

Twilight avoided any trouble for the last few hours of the ride, merely watching the scenery as the train trekked up the mountain.

* * *

Princess Celestia met Twilight at the platform, wearing the same smile she had before.

“Ah, so good to see you again, my Faithful Student!” She said, escorting Twilight past the royal guards.

“Princess Celestia,” Twilight said, still glum, “I assume you want an explanation for what happened on the train.”

She laughed. “Oh no, don’t worry Twilight. You’ve been granted a royal pardon, so I say we just forget the whole incident ever happened.”

“If you say so Princess.” A royal pardon! Twilight felt ashamed.

They made small talk as Celestia led Twilight into the familiar castle. Spiraling up the staircase in the West Tower, Twilight became more and more curious about exactly why she had been asked to return. Twilight followed Celestia through a door into a large chamber, lit only by the sunlight that shone through the window.

“Have you not heard of knocking?” Princess Luna looked up from a worn book.

“Sister, look who’s here.”

Luna eyed Twilight. “Hello again, Twilight Sparkle.”

Twilight smiled. “Princess Luna! It’s so good to see you again.”

Luna approached, grinning. “The pleasure is all mine. I look forward to our studies together.”

“Studies?”

“Have you not told her, Sister?”

Celestia sighed. “I had not yet explained to Twilight why I asked her to return,” she said. “But I suppose now is as appropriate a time as any. My Faithful Student, your lessons on friendship are not complete by any measure. However, I am putting them on hold so that we can further your lessons in magic.”

“Magic?” Twilight asked. “But Princess Celestia, how much more is there for me to learn?”

Luna and Celestia smiled to each other.

“There is much more for you to learn,” Celestia said. “I will be instructing you in magical combat and Deep Magic.”

“Magical combat?! But Princess Celestia, when am I ever going to need—,”

“And Luna will be instructing you in the art of Subconscious Magic.”

Twilight looked to Luna with confusion, “Subconscious Magic?”

“It is an art that nopony else has been able to achieve in the last thousand years,” Luna nodded. “I will explain more as we begin lessons, but as a warning: it will not be easy.”

“Obviously this will be a lot for you, Twilight,” Celestia said, “but I trust that you have the magical ability and the drive to succeed.”

“But Princess Celestia,” Twilight asked, “What am I going to need magical combat for?”

“We will go into that further when your training begins. For now, let’s just get you settled in.” Celestia exited the room, and Twilight followed. They walked down a hall and took a left, entering a room with which Twilight was very familiar. She gasped with delight.

“Recognize this place?”

It was her old room! She ran in and looked around; everything was as she had left it: bed sheets unmade, telescope positioned, and an open book on the table.

“Of course, Princess!” she said, as Celestia came in after her. “I haven’t been in here in three years.”

“I have,” Celestia said. “I meant to clean up at some point, but I expected you—,” she hesitated, looking around. “I didn’t want to interrupt any research you may have been pursuing.”

Twilight went silent as she looked at the book on the table. It was open to a page on Nightmare Moon.

“Everything alright, Twilight?”

She looked up. “Oh, yes Princess Celestia. It’s just—,” she sighed, “When I first went to Ponyville all I could think about was coming back home to my tower.

“Are you not happy to be back?”

“Well, since meeting my friends, I haven’t thought of any place as home but my library.”

“I remember there once was a time when no tree stood where your library is now, and it was only by chance that a little filly planted its seed there in the first place.”

“But now that I’m really back home, I feel more homesick than ever.”

“Twilight, your home is not a place; it’s what you make of where you are,” Princess Celestia replied. “Your home is not a tree, nor a tower. It’s where you spend time with your friends and stress over research. It’s where you long of collapsing into your bed after a long day of studying.”

“I think,” Twilight said, “I think I’d feel much more comfortable in my bed back in Ponyville.”

Celestia nodded. “I had a feeling. You’ve planted yourself deeply there, and it will take quite a force to uproot you. Just like that library of yours.”

She pulled Twilight against her.

“Your trunk should be up any moment; go ahead and take some time to unpack, and then I would ask that you accompany me to the gardens for a private meal.” She gave Twilight a kiss on the forehead. “And don’t feel too terribly sad that you’re so far away from your friends, my Faithful Student. You have many adventures ahead of you, and I am certain they will come to your aid.”

She walked to the door, turned, and smiled.

“And so will the basics of magical combat.” Then she was gone.

A member of the Royal Guard entered, a brown unicorn with a white mane in gold armor. He carried behind him a large trunk, held in the air by a gold aura emitting from his horn.

“Miss Sparkle?”

She looked over.

“I have your trunk,” he said laying it down in the center of the room.

“Thank you,” she said, opening it.

“Miss Sparkle?” He asked.

“Yes?”

“Prince Shining Armor is your brother, correct?”

She nodded, starting to unpack its contents.

“My name is Diadem,” he said. “I’m temporary Captain of the Royal Guard while Prince Shining Armor and Princess Cadence conduct royal business in the Griffin Kingdom.”

“A pleasure to meet you,” Twilight said, not paying much attention.

“I personally brought up your luggage so that I could have the honor of meeting my prince and Captain’s little sister.”

She looked up to him, wearing a fake smile. “That’s very kind of you—,”

“You have the most beautiful eyes.”

She stepped back. “Wh-what?”

“I’m sorry. How unprofessional of me,” he smiled and stepped closer. “But it’s hard to remain so serious when around the most beautiful unicorn I have ever had the pleasure of meeting.”

“Your flattery knows no bounds. If you could excuse me, uh—,”

“Diadem.”

“Yes. Diadem.” She started to walk to the door, hoping he would get the hint. “Anyway, if you could excuse me, I have some unpacking to do.”

“After you unpack, how about you meet me in my quarters in the South Tower, and we can get to know each other?”

Twilight’s face went flush, and from her horn she shot a small flame straight towards Diadem. He stepped to the left and dodged it.

“Or… you could meet me in the dungeon immediately.”

Twilight scowled. “Please excuse me while I pack.”

He nodded and winked, stepping out. “I am sure I’ll be seeing you later, Miss Sparkle.” He left.

Creep.

Twilight closed the door to her room, and went back to unpacking her things. Without thinking, she moved her copy of Types of Magic by Token Bones to the table instead of the bookshelf. She walked over and started flipping through the pages, looking for any mention of—

Deep Magic!

There it was! An entire chapter! She read:

“Deep Magic is a term used to describe a number of ancient spells and practices which due to their extreme difficulty, dangerous outcomes, and ethical concerns were never refined by modern conjurors into magic as we know it today.”

Hmm.

The chapter went into further detail, but she would have to read it later; Princess Celestia was waiting, and it would take Twilight a bit longer to make her way to the gardens, while avoiding the South Tower.

* * *

Twilight Sparkle made her way down the spiraling stairs of the West Tower, through the halls of the castle, and down the large stone staircase into the gardens, completely from memory. Passing by several statues, she paused when she saw the familiar face of Discord, immortalized in stone.

“See someone you remember?” Princess Celestia sat at a wrought iron table just beyond.

Twilight looked beyond the statue to the princess, and then approached her.

“May I ask you something, Princess Celestia?”

“Always.”

“Do you know what it is like to be turned to stone?”

That was not the question she had expected first.

“Let me caution you, Twilight, that I have never been turned to stone, so I cannot answer from experience.” She laughed.

“Is it like being… dead?”

“Perhaps. But that depends on what being dead is like, and there’s nopony we can ask.”

“I suppose.”

“This may satisfy your curiosity,” Celestia said. “I recall an account of an old pony philosopher. Forgive me if I paraphrase but he said, ‘When one’s likeness is carved in stone, he is immortalized even through his death. When one is turned to stone, his death is immortalized, as he finds himself trapped in eternal nothingness, where he will never die, but from which he will never return.’”

“So,” Twilight said, looking back at the statue of Discord, “Discord is alive, but trapped in some sort of… nothingness?”

“It is contested whether or not the philosopher whom I recall had the spell placed upon him for any time, but if I were to hazard a guess, I would say he is.”

“He can’t see through the eyes of the statue, can he?”

“Oh no,” Celestia smirked. “That’s an amusing thought, considering how many times I have kicked that statue, but no. Eyes set in stone cannot see.”

A member of the royal wait staff approached. He was a crimson unicorn in a tuxedo. A white aura emitted from his horn, which carried behind him a dinner tray.

“Princess,” he bowed to Princess Celestia, using his magic to move two meals into place, along with a kettle of hot tea.

“Thank you, that will be all we require,” Princess Celestia said. The unicorn bowed and left.

“I’ve been taking my meals in the gardens recently,” Celestia explained, noting Twilight’s curiosity. “The dining chambers have just felt so close to everything. It’s just relaxing to back up from everything sometimes.”

“Princess Celestia?” Twilight asked as the princess poured her a cup of tea.

“Yes?”

“Are we at war?”

Princess Celestia laughed, almost spilling the tea.

“What makes you say that?” she snickered.

“Well, forgive me for trying to put things together—,”

“I’d have been concerned if you hadn’t.”

“—but magical combat is so,” she searched for words, “out of fashion for a unicorn who isn’t a member of the Royal Guard. I didn’t know much about Deep Magic, so I read a quick passage while I was unpacking, and it said that Deep Magic is this very ancient and dangerous form of,” her words started to run together, “and I haven’t looked up Subconscious Magic yet, but it sounds very difficult and—,”

“Twilight—,”

“—Shining Armor hasn’t told me why he and Cadence went to the Griffin Kingdom, but it could be for negotiating terms of war or—,”

“Twilight!” Celestia interrupted. “Equestria continues to maintain peaceful relations with its surrounding nations. Furthermore, I would never use you as a tool of war. You are greater than that.”

Twilight lowered her head, “I’m sorry, Princess Celestia.”

“No, I’m sorry,” she said.

“Princess, do you know Diadem?”

She laughed and nodded. “Of course I do, Twilight. He’s second-in-command of the Royal Guard. I believe he wanted to meet you.”

“He wanted to do more than meet me.”

“Oh?”

“Never mind,” Twilight grumbled.

“I put a lot of trust into Diadem, my Faithful Student,” Celestia said. “Especially with Cadence and Shining Armor away for the next few months, there’s a lot his plate. I know he can,” she hesitated, “come on strong, but he’s been under a lot of stress. If he becomes bothersome, just ignore him.”

She nodded and sighed.

“Something wrong?”

“This is just all so overwhelming,” Twilight said, looking up. “Canterlot feels so much darker, all-of-a-sudden.”

“That’s because the sun is setting,” Celestia nodded to the West Tower, where on a high balcony Princess Luna watched the sky. “And now Twilight comes to Canterlot.” She smiled. “Get some rest, my Faithful Student. We have an early morning.”

* * *

“You are going to have to be completely honest with her at some point, Sister,” Luna said, watching the moonrise from her balcony.

Celestia sat behind, her mood somber, “I know.”

“What have you explained to her?”

“Nothing.”

“Nothing at all?”

“Nothing.”

Luna sighed and turned to her sister. “Celestia, this is unlike you.”

“I know. It is Aphelion befalling me. I have been distant on all accounts.”

“Your distance is your greatest enemy right now.”

“You know my greatest enemy!” she shouted at Luna.

“Now, now,” Luna teased. “The princess wouldn’t want her loyal subjects waking in the night to her screams.” Luna sat down and nestled against a pouting Celestia. “Sister, be honest with Twilight. Overcome the pull of Aphelion for as long as your task takes.”

“It is not easy.”

“It is not easy for me to resist the temptation of Nightmare Moon within myself, but lo and behold, I manage to make it. Sister, you are stronger than I, and I have the utmost faith in you.”

Luna pulled her sister close, burying her muzzle into that flowing, celestial mane.

* * *

Twilight stood in Canterlot Gardens, gazing upon a stone statue of Princess Celestia.

“I know you’re in there!” she shouted, slamming her hoof against it.

It chipped.

“Come out and tell me something already!”

It chipped again.

“Tell me what’s happening!” She shouted as loud as she could, and with a final blow the statue cracked and turned to powder, blowing away in a sudden gust of wind.

…

And she didn’t notice the company she kept, as usual.

If you can’t get answers out of her, perhaps you must try something other than asking.

“How can I do that?”

Do what you do best.

* * *

“Good morning, my Faithful Student!!”

Twilight jolted awake, and rolled to get out of bed.

POMF!

She hit her head off of the wall (wrong way!) and then rolled the other direction, falling out of bed at Celestia’s hooves. She looked up at the princess, seeing stars swirl around her vision.

Celestia smiled, holding back tears. “Twilight Sparkle, what ever am I going to do with you?”

“Princess Celestia!” Twilight stood, woozy. “You startled me!”

“That was the plan, but I did not expect it to be so funny!”

“What time is it?” Twilight groaned and rubbed her head.

“Five A.M. sharp!” Celestia laughed. “I told you that you had an early morning.”

“They still make five A.M.?”

Celestia walked to the door. “I brought you some breakfast.”

A plate of eggs sat on the table.

“After you finish, meet me in the Great Hall in the South Tower for your first lesson in magical combat!” Celestia walked out, whistling.

“I had forgotten she was such a morning pony,” Twilight said to herself, digging into her eggs.

“It makes sense doesn’t it?”

Twilight looked at the doorway. Luna.

“Oh, good morning Luna.”

She yawned, “Morning, yes. I’ll be resting shortly, just wanted to stop by and tell you I expect you in my chamber at midnight.”

“For what?” Twilight raised a brow.

“Have you already forgotten your lessons with Auntie Luna?” Luna yawned and stretched.

She had. “Oh no, I was just curious,” Twilight lied. “Wasn’t sure when that would start.”

Luna saw through it, like she always did. “Be there at midnight. You have a very short time to learn magic that nopony has been able to accomplish for over a thousand years.”

At that, Luna left. She was obviously not a morning pony.

Twilight finished her breakfast, and set out down the spiral staircase of the West Tower. She took the route that led across a bridge over a small canal of which she had always been fond as a filly. Opening the door to and entering the South Tower, Twilight inadvertently bumped into Diadem, heading out for early morning routines.

“Miss Sparkle! I see you decided to take me up on my offer. Better late than never, I suppose,” he smirked.

“Out of my way, Diadem,” Twilight snapped. “I’m meeting the princess.”

“The princess can wait.” He moved forward, emitting an aura from his horn that immediately closed the door behind Twilight.

“Diadem, stop!”

He backed her against the door. “I may need to report a security breach, a certain purple unicorn who is in a place she shouldn’t be—perhaps a possible case of theft! I hear you’ve stolen before.”

“Diadem!”

The door glowed blue and swung open causing Twilight to fall backwards. Before Diadem could react, she reared up and bucked him in the chest as hard as she could. She got to her hooves and ran past him, into the South Tower.

“I won’t forget this, Sparkle!” He shouted behind her.

Twilight ran straight to the Great Hall.

I put a lot of trust into Diadem, my Faithful Student.

She composed herself, wiping the tears from her eyes and smoothing out her mane. Twilight stepped into the Great Hall, to find all of the tables pushed aside and Celestia standing at the other end.

“Twilight, how nice of you to join me!” Celestia flew across the hall and landed in front of Twilight. “Are you ready for a hoofs-on intensive in magical combat?”

“As ready as I’ll ever be,” she sighed. “Is there a book?”

Celestia laughed, “Oh no. The course is simple, my Faithful Student. You are going to fight me, and you are going to keep fighting me every day until you finally win.”

“What?”

A light began to glow on the tip of Celestia’s horn and a ball of flame shot out of it. Twilight ducked out of the way, and it hit the stone floor.

“What was that?!” Twilight said in disbelief as she back against a table.

“I believe I was clear,” Celestia said, flying into the air and shooting another ball of flame towards Twilight, who once again dodged it, running to the other end of the hall.

“You’ll have to be more offensive, dear,” Celestia smiled. She reared back in the air, her horn becoming aglow. A bright beam shot out, headed straight for Twilight. In reflex, Twilight shot out of her horn a beam of bright pink, which intercepted the path of Celestia’s attack in midair, creating a mess of sparks and light which danced around the room.

Twilight groaned, trying her best to push back Celestia’s attack, but her strength was growing weaker. Celestia was a much more powerful being, and did not let up at all. Finally Twilight let down her attack out of exhaustion, but jumped away as Celestia’s beam of light slammed into the wall, spraying sparks and gravel onto Twilight.

Twilight ran across the hall, dodging attacks from Celestia, who taunted her to be more offensive. She ducked behind a pillar, trying to catch her breath and think of any attack spell she could remember.

At that moment, Celestia came around the pillar, and shot a ball of flame straight at Twilight. It slammed against her like a buck to the chest and everything went red as she was engulfed in fire.

“And you’re dead!” Celestia laughed, landing on the ground.

Twilight opened her eyes. The flames had gone, and she was not burned.

“It’s cold fire, it won’t hurt you.” Celestia smiled and lay down beside the shivering purple unicorn. “I would have told you, but I wanted you to realize the seriousness of your studies in magical combat.”

“Princess Celestia,” Twilight laid against her, still shivering, “Am I ever going to have to fight somepony like that?”

Celestia frowned, “I cannot tell you that you will not, for it is so difficult to predict what is to come.” She looked down at Twilight, who was crying. Celestia laid a wing over her, and pulled her close.

“My Faithful Student, do not cry,” she consoled, “This is just as much a learning experience as any lesson you’ve had before.”

Twilight nodded.

“Now what did you learn today, Twilight?”

“Combat is scary.”

Celestia chucked and kissed Twilight’s forehead. “Yes it is, but it is at times a necessity to accomplish a noble goal.”

Twilight nodded.

“You and I will discuss attack spells after lunch today, Twilight. What you cast today was very strong, but I did notice that it was a spell used most often to warm tea.”

Twilight smiled and looked up. “It was the first thing I thought of.”

“I understand. You have a lot of power, but without the proper magic you will still lose.”

She nodded.

“Something else to work on is being more offensive.”

“But Princess Celestia,” Twilight said, “it is so hard to attack you.”

“I do have an advantage with flight, but—,”

“No, I mean,” she paused, “it’s hard to attack someone I love.”

Celestia leaned down and nuzzled against Twilight. “Do you not think the same is true for me?”

Twilight smiled.

“Just do what I do, my Faithful Student. Pretend I am someone you would very much like to attack.”

Twilight thought for a moment, and then pictured herself shooting balls of sparks at a certain brown unicorn. Diadem.

* * *

Twilight rested, and then went off to meet Princess Celestia in the library. She managed to get all the way there without running into Diadem, but if she did she wouldn’t be afraid to buck him again.

Processing underneath the stone archway into the library, the overwhelming smell of books brought back memories of many long days spent in that ancient room. Just as she began to reminisce, she ran into Princess Celestia, who had a number of books suspended in the air behind her.

“Good afternoon, Twilight,” she whispered, eyeing the old librarian, a wrinkled Earth pony who sat a few meters away behind a desk. “I’ve found most of the source material we’ll need.” She laid the books down on the table, with a thud.

“Shhhhh!”

Princess Celestia looked over to the librarian, who grumbled under her breath.

“Sorry, Madame,” Celestia said, lifting the books up again. “On second thought, let us go to the grounds.

Celestia left the library with Twilight close behind her.

“I’ve never heard anyone brave enough to shush a princess before,” Twilight laughed.

Celestia trotted down the stairs, “I may have lived for more years, but Madame Inkwell is much older than I.”

They exited through a pair of large wooden doors onto the castle grounds.

“That library is her kingdom, just as Equestria is mine. I’m only a princess when not under her athenaeum rule.”

Twilight snorted. Celestia laid the books down in the shade of a tree, where she plopped down.

“I’ve gotten the basics: Beginner’s Magical Combat, and for when you finish that, Intermediate Magical Combat, and for when you finish that, Advanced Magical Combat, and for when you finish—well, there’s about three more books here, and you understand.”

“This is rather overwhelming.”

Celestia laughed. “You needn’t read them one after the other. We’ll start together right here, and then you’ll understand enough of the basics to work through the rest mostly on your own.”

Twilight looked nervous.

“I’ll be here if you have any questions, of course, and we are going to fight every morning, so you can put these concepts to practice.”

“Must I fight you, Princess Celestia?”

“Sometimes you must fight your very best friends.”

“Are you sure I couldn’t fight somepony else? Perhaps—,” she watched a familiar brown unicorn trot past in the distance, “—perhaps the Captain of the Royal Guard?” She grinned at the thought of sending a fireball at him this very moment.

“The difference between myself and Diadem,” Celestia explained, seeing the fire in Twilight’s eyes, “is that one of us will actually hurt you.” Celestia opened the copy of Beginner’s Magical Combat.

“Alright, this book starts off with the basics of a simple attack spell. Let’s read through them and give one a shot.”

The pegasus weather diverted that night’s planned rain shower in order to put out the fire on the castle grounds.

“Simply spectacular Twilight!” Celestia laughed. “You have the power of flame only seen in dragons!”

Twilight panted. A fire attack spell was a lot more difficult to control than the campfire spell she had shot at Diadem the day before.

“Your power is still very raw at the moment, but we will work on refining it, my Faithful Student.” She patted Twilight’s back. “For now, I suggest you rest. We have an early morning fight, and I would hazard a guess that you will share a late night with Luna.”

Twilight panted.

“Oh, don’t worry so much, Twilight.” Celestia laughed. “The grass will grow back!”

* * *

Twilight slept through dinner, and awoke in time to meet Luna in her chambers at midnight. She quietly crept down the hall, so as not to wake anypony who might be sleeping, but she didn’t know anypony other than herself and Luna who resided in the West Tower.

She knocked quietly on the door. It glowed blue and swung open.

“Ah, good evening Twilight Sparkle. Welcome to the first night of what shall be many a painful lesson in Subconscious Magic.”

Twilight groaned. Great, more pain.

Luna glared at Twilight, as if she’d read her mind. Twilight smiled.

“Knowing you, you have done some pre-reading on the subject,” Luna said, stepping out onto the balcony. Twilight followed.

“I actually didn’t get a chance.”

Luan grinned, “Then you saved yourself the trouble, because there exists no reading on the subject.”

Twilight rolled her eyes.

“See that guard down there?”

Twilight stepped to the edge of the balcony, looking to where Luna gestured. On the stone walk bordering the castle grounds, a Royal Guard pegasus took rhythmic steps.

“Yes,” she nodded.

“Do you know him?” Luna asked.

Twilight squinted, trying to get a better look. “I don’t think so.”

“If you knew him, you would know he is the Head Chef, and not a guard at all.”

“Then why is he making rounds in armor?”

“Because he is asleep,” Luna said in her singsong voice.

“He’s asleep?” Twilight asked, with disbelief. “Is he sleepwalking?”

“Yes.” Luna started to giggle to herself.

“But wait, if he’s the Head Chef, then where did he get the armor?”

“He sleepwalked into the armory and put it on.”

Twilight laughed. “Now that, Luna, is impossible. There is no way a sleepwalker could accomplish that.”

“Not on his own.”

Twilight raised a brow. Luna couldn’t contain herself. She looked down to the guard, “I bet you ten bits that he’ll attempt a flip.”

“You’re on!”

They watched, and no sooner than Twilight agreed did the pegasus in armor attempt to jump up into the air and flip, coming crashing down on the stone and waking up, confused.

Twilight started, “How did you—,”

“There are two types of Subconscious Magic. The first is Manipulative,” Luna explained, laughing as the pegasus below examined his armor in confusion.

“But wait,” Twilight contested, “I know you weren’t controlling him with magic, or else I would have seen it on your horn.”

“Subconscious Magic is magic of the mind, Twilight,” Luna said as she watched the pegasus run inside quickly. “The first type, Manipulative, requires creating a link between your mind and somepony else’s in order to control their actions. It works best during sleep, or else they notice.”

“What’s the second kind?” Twilight asked.

* * *

The alicorn Princess and the purple unicorn filly made small talk as Celestia led Twilight into the unfamiliar castle. Spiraling up the staircase in the West Tower, Twilight became more and more curious about exactly what her studies would entail. Twilight followed Celestia down a hall and took a left, entering a small chamber.

“This, my student, is going to be your room.”

Twilight gasped with delight: it was her room! She ran in and looked around at everything.

“Do you like it?” Princess Celestia smiled, coming to Twilight.

Twilight nodded, but she couldn’t help but notice that aside from a layer of dust the room seemed occupied: bed sheets unmade, telescope positioned, and an open book on the table.

“I apologize for its state. I meant to clean up at some point, but I expected Lu—,” she hesitated, looking around. “I had more important affairs with which to deal.”

Twilight came to Celestia and nestled against her. “I absolutely love it, Princess Celestia! Thank you so much!”

Celestia smiled.

The second kind is Invasive Subconscious Magic.

* * *

Twilight awoke with a start. She was lying on Luna’s bed, light from the waning moon shining upon her.

“Oh, you’re awake.” Luna called from the balcony.

“What happened?” Twilight rubbed her head.

“You nodded off,” Luna smiled and walked over to the edge of the bed, “So I tucked you in.”

Twilight blushed. “What were we talking about?” She started to get out of bed.

“The second kind of Subconscious Magic,” Luna said, gesturing for Twilight to stop. She leaned down and pulled the covers back over Twilight, cooing a fragment of song:

Sweet and low, sweet and low

Wind of the Western Sea

Low, low, breathe and blow

Wind of the Western Sea

Over the rolling waters go,

Come from the dying moon and blow,

Under the silver moon;

Sleep my little one,

Sleep, my pretty one,

Sleep.

And she slept.

* * *

Twilight yawned as she woke, the sun shining hot on her face. She stretched, and pulled herself out of bed. Half expecting Princess Celestia to have woken her up for another early morning, she was relieved to find herself alone, and the sun already risen beyond five A.M.

Celestia must have decided not to have a fight this morning, Twilight thought to herself. She looked on the table to find somepony had left her breakfast, which she gobbled down. She shook herself off and walked to the door.

“And where do you think you’re going?” called a voice from behind her.

She turned. Luna.

“Luna! I didn’t hear you come in!”

“I didn’t use the door.”

Twilight shuffled. “Oh, um, I’m sorry I dozed off last night before we could get to a lesson. But I promise tonight I’ll be well rested and—,”

“Twilight,” Luna interrupted, “Your first lesson begins now.”

“But I thought you wanted your lessons to be at night and so I figured—,”

“It is night,” Luna rolled her eyes. “You don’t often notice me in your dreams, do you?”

“What?”

“You are dreaming, Twilight Sparkle.”

“That’s not true!” Nervous laughter. “Your attempt at a prank isn’t going to work, Luna.”

“When did we get here?”

Twilight looked up, to see the sun above her head, at high noon. She and Luna sat at a wrought iron table in Canterlot gardens.

“How did we—?!” She shook her head in disbelief. “I didn’t even notice.”

Luna laughed. “No, Twilight, you never notice.”

She closed her eyes and started to concentrate. A glow radiated from her horn.

“What are you doing?” Luna looked concerned.

“I’m forcing you out!”

“You really think you can overpower the Queen of Subconscious Magic?” Luna laughed loudly.

Her laughter stopped as Twilight shot a beam of gold light out of her horn, which hit Luna, surrounding her with sparks.

Everything turned to black.

* * *

Twilight gasped as she awoke. She glanced out her window to see the waning moon still high. She got out of bed and illuminated a candle, resolving not to sleep again for the night. Idly flipping through the pages of Mypes of Tagic.

Wait. That’s not right.

She stared at the cover. The day before the title had said, “Types of Magic,” but now for some reason it said “Mypes of Tagic.” Perhaps somepony had decided to play a little prank on her, or—

“You noticed something, that’s a first,” Luna said, looking over Twilight’s shoulder.

She jumped. “Luna! What are you doing here?”

“Our lesson continues, Twilight,” she said, walking over to the bed. “You’ve performed satisfactory, for the most part. You noticed the mistake, but you failed to identify what it was.”

“Mistake?”

“Twilight, you’re still asleep!”

Twilight opened her copy of Mypes of Tagic. The pages were blank.

“I could have sworn I was just reading this,” she said, in confusion.

“What makes the subconscious so malleable is everypony’s inability to notice anything!”

“But it feels so real,” Twilight whimpered. “I can feel the wood on my hooves; I can smell the breeze coming in from the window.”

“Your senses deceive you. What you feel are memories, not reality.”

Twilight cried out in frustration, “This is ridiculous! If I can’t trust my senses, and I don’t notice anything, how can I know I’m in a dream or not?”

“You must focus!” Luna yelled. “Focus yourself! Push all of this away! Focus yourself on what you really feel!”

Twilight closed her eyes and groaned, trying to focus. Idle sparks shot from her horn as she began to shake. The world around her started to crumble, pieces falling into a void of nothing. She screamed, and collapsed to the floor.

* * *

“Twilight, wake up!”

She awoke with a start, sitting up to see Luna by the bedside in the light of the morning.

“Twilight, are you okay?” Luna seemed frantic.

“My head hurts,” Twilight moaned. “What happened?”

“Look at me,” Luna said. “Look at me!”

Twilight obeyed, looking into Luna’s eyes.

“Now, don’t look around. Tell me what room we’re in.”

Twilight hesitated. “I—,”

“It should be easy, Twilight. It’s the room in which you fell asleep.”

Twilight groaned, “I don’t remember what room I’m in!”

“And you still haven’t noticed.”

Twilight’s eyes widened. She realized. “I’m asleep.”

“Yes you are!” Luna smiled. “Just as asleep as you were last time.”

She groaned and lay back down on the bed. “This is just too much for me, Luna! How do you expect me to realize I’m in a dream if every dream begins with me waking up!”

Luna laughed and leaned against the bed, looking down to Twilight. “They all won’t, silly. I’m doing that to confuse you.”

Twilight frowned.

“But no matter in what situation you find yourself, there are cardinal rules for determining if you are in a dream.”

“What are they?”

“You tell me. What room are we in?”

Twilight stopped. She still didn’t know.

“Not knowing where you are, or how you got there?” she asked.

“Correct,” Luna smiled.

“Let’s see… mistakes?”

“Yes,” Luna said. “Like the lack of words in books.”

“What else is there?” Twilight asked.

“There is more, which you will learn in time.” Luna leaned down to nestle against Twilight. “For now, tell me what you sense.”

“I feel the heat of the morning sun, the softness of this blanket—,”

“Wrong. Try again, and focus this time.”

Twilight sighed and closed her eyes. She cleared her mind, and ceased all movement—even breath. The world around her did not crumble, but instead it faded out, so that the only thing that existed in the entire universe was a singular Twilight Sparkle. She felt nothing.

And then from the nothingness, she felt something. A warmth. A scratchy warmth. Like feathers and fur. She felt something press against her entire body, and then retract away. And then it pressed again, and then it retracted again.

What do you feel?

She felt something balled up against her chest. Something soft, and cuddly. Something blanket.  The smell of warm air engulfed her, and she felt a tickling against her nose. A feather.

Then she began to hear. A quiet breeze in the distance, a soft breath in and out. The sound of her own breathing. She was breathing.

I am in bed, under your wing.

* * *

Luna smiled down at the little purple unicorn who slept clutching a blanket, wrapped up under the warmth of her wing.

“Congratulations, Twilight Sparkle, you have felt through to the waking world.”

Twilight opened her tear-filled eyes slowly, looking up at a smiling Luna.

“How long have you been in my dreams?” Twilight asked.

“Since Celestia told me she’d be asking you to come.”

Twilight nestled up against Luna, who pulled Twilight even closer with her wing.

Sleep, my little one

Sleep, my pretty one

Sleep.

* * *

Princess Celestia smiled, looking over the two entwined ponies.

They must have fallen asleep after an exhausting lesson, she thought as she quietly closed the door to Luna’s room, and headed down the hall. She made her way into Twilight’s room.

Celestia went to the table, and moved aside Twilight’s copy of Types of Magic. She summoned some parchment, a quill, and ink from the shelf, laying them down on the table. She composed a letter:

My Faithful Student,

Do not fret that you slept through our training this morning; I understand how exhausting my sister can be. Rest up, and meet me in the Great Hall in the South Tower for some spell-casting lessons after lunch.

Princess Celestia.

She folded the note, wrote Twilight’s name upon it, and left it on the table. However, knowing Twilight, she’d wake up in a panic and immediately run to find Celestia.

* * *

Twilight awoke in a panic and immediately ran to find Celestia. Luna was briefly awoken, but rolled over and returned to sleep. Twilight stumbled down the West Tower’s spiraling stairs, only stumbling once.

She ran through the grounds, over the charred grass, and straight to the South Tower, hoping she had not kept the princess waiting for too long. Bursting through the doors into the Great Hall, Twilight’s heart sank when she found it empty.

“Slept well?”

Twilight turned to see Princess Celestia standing in the doorway.

“Princess Celestia!” She lowered her head. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to—,”

“It’s alright, my Faithful Student,” Celestia smiled. “You and Luna were simply too cute to disturb this morning.”

Twilight blushed.

“I left a note in your room, but I had a feeling you wouldn’t read it before running here.”

“I’m sorry, Princess.”

“We’ll fight tomorrow morning,” Celestia said. “For now, let us practice spell-casting.” She produced an aura from her horn that pushed aside the tables, clearing the hall.

“What spells?” Twilight asked.

“How about you show me?” Celestia winked.

Twilight sighed, but gave in. She reared back and then growled as she shot a concentrated of flame from her horn, which lit the room orange.

“Yes! Much more refined than before!” Celestia cheered. “You have improved, but you must focus further to make the spell even more powerful.”

Twilight groaned. “But Princess Celestia, I’m performing the spell the way the book says, how can I make focus anymore?”

“A perfect attack spell has two elements,” Celestia explained. “The first element is the by-the-book spell. If you master that, then you are only halfway there. The second element is aggression.”

“Aggression?”

“Yes, Twilight. Not anger, but pure aggression. You don’t have to feel any sort of hatred towards what you’re attacking, but you need to have a merciless desire to attack.”

“Hmm.”

* * *

For hours Twilight attempted to focus her aggression into the attack spell, Celestia cheering her on with each bit of improvement. She started to imagine Diadem standing at the other end of the room, taunting her with his smug, pretentious face. Finally, with a large huff she shot a concentrated, spiraling beam of flame straight ahead into the other wall, leaving a huge black mark.

“Spectacular!” Celestia whooped. “Your focus is improving!”

Twilight panted, “This isn’t easy.”

Celestia laughed, coming over to the burnt out unicorn. “Of course it isn’t, silly filly.”

Twilight blushed.

“However, sometimes you can’t just do things by the book. At least if you expect to beat me.”

“I don’t think I could ever beat you, Princess Celestia,” Twilight looked down.

“You will, someday. Even if I have to help.”

* * *

Almost every day for the next few weeks Twilight would wake in the morning and get creamed by Celestia. Her technique improved, but she was still no match for the most powerful alicorn in Equestria. Luna woke up one morning to watch, and was highly impressed, amazed to see that Twilight had so quickly surpassed her own ability. Though she would never let on to that.

The nightly lessons in Subconscious Magic continued, as Twilight learned to distinguish dreams from reality. This did not come as quickly to her as magical combat, but she made significant improvements from her first lesson. When she started to truly grasp the abilities to realize the dream world, Luna began teaching how to manipulate it. Twilight was still far off from the ultimate goal of putting these techniques to use in the mind of another pony, though.

Celestia began to grow more distant, leaving Twilight to her own private study with the exception of morning combat. Only on a few more occasions would Princess Celestia instruct Twilight, and those times would be on the subject of Deep Magic.

* * *

Twilight slowly pushed open the door, nervous. She’d never been invited to Princess Celestia’s private chambers before.

“Twilight! Please come in,” Princess Celestia called. Twilight made her way inside, shutting the door behind her.

“You summoned me, Princess?” Twilight asked, looking around the large chamber. For the Princess of the Sun, it was rather dark, with curtains drawn, lit only by a few stray candles.

“Yes, my Faithful Student,” Celestia summoned a large book, placing it down on the desk between herself and Twilight. “It is time for your first lesson in Deep Magic.”

Twilight gulped.

“We’ll start with one of the simpler spells, but one that you will find to be most important,” Princess Celestia said, flipping through the pages.

“What spell?”

“A-ha!” She found it. “This is called the Artifact Unification Spell.”

“What?”

Celestia chucked. “I suppose it makes more sense if you understand Separation. I’ll explain it later, for now—,”

Twilight interrupted, “Princess Celestia?”

“Yes?”

“Can you explain it now?”

Silence.

“Yes, my Faithful Student.”

Celestia came around the table to Twilight, nodding toward the bedside.

“Please, sit. This will be a long story.”

Twilight sat on Celestia’s bed, and the princess climbed up next to her.

“Many thousands of years ago, there was a very powerful Sorceress. Because her power was so great, other ponies worshipped her without question. Although she liked to think of herself as a very kind and benevolent mare, she had a dark side.

“Though power was at first given to her, she began to be consumed by greed. As greed took control of her, she began to feel herself transforming into a Nightmare. You recall of course the tale of Nightmare Moon. It is the same Deep Magic of greed that turned my dear sister into Nightmare Moon that began to overtake this young Sorceress.

“But this Sorceress did not want to succumb to the enchantment of her Nightmare Self, so she looked to the same Deep Magic that was overtaking her in order to save herself. Before the Nightmare could overtake her, she Split herself into two physical forms. One physical form was she, as everypony knew. The other was the Nightmare.

“She fought her Nightmare self, subduing it in order to perform another piece of Deep Magic: Separation. She Separated the physical form of her Nightmare self, sealing it magically within different objects, known as Artifacts. Though Split from herself and Separated, the Nightmare was still a part of her, and she still had a mental connection, though she successfully prevented the Nightmare from ever overtaking her.

“The Artifact Unification Spell is a piece of Deep Magic that goes along with Separation. It would be used in any instance where the Artifacts were brought back together, and would reunite the physical form of any Separated being.”

“Princess Celestia, you’re bleeding!”

She pointed, and a small tear of blood trickled down from Celestia’s temple, onto her cheek.

“Yes I—,” she hesitated, “Don’t mind it, Twilight. It is part of the Deep Magic.” She stood and moved over to the table. “It cannot be performed without tribute.”

“Tribute?”

“Yes, my Faithful Student.” Celestia wiped the blood from her cheek. “Tribute must be paid to the Deep Magic in advance, or else it will be taken from you without warning.”

Celestia produced an aura from her horn, which lifted the blood into the air above the table. Twilight gasped as it turned to sparks. Celestia then summoned two objects from her bookshelf, a pocket watch and a teacup, setting them on the table.

“What are these, Princess Celestia?” Twilight asked.

“Two Artifacts,” she said, nodding at the book. “I Separated a beetle this morning, and I would like you to reunify it.”

Twilight looked nervous, looking down upon the pocket watch and teacup. She quickly read over the page in the tattered, old book, but couldn’t keep herself from skimming, the ever-watchful eye of Celestia beaming down on her.

She produced an aura from her horn, focusing on the instruction in the book, surrounding the teacup and pocket watch. Grunting and closing her eyes, she did her best to focus.

Why does everything require focus? Why is all of this powerful magic about focusing my thoughts? Why can’t I just go back to magic that didn’t require—

“Twilight!”

Twilight looked up. Princess Celestia nodded to the teacup and pocket watch, which sat on the table, no longer surrounded by an aura.

“Something is on your mind.”

She sighed and lowered her head, “How can you tell?”

“I can always tell,” Celestia smiled and embraced Twilight. “My Faithful Student, if I am pushing you too hard, just tell me.”

“No! No, not at all!” Twilight said. “It’s just so overwhelming, all of this. But it’s not too much; I know I can do it! I don’t want to let you down!”

“Oh Twilight, you have done nothing but impress me since your return to Canterlot.”

“I just feel I’m learning very slowly.”

Celestia came around the table again, pulling Twilight close, “You are subject to daily lessons in some of the most ancient and powerful magic in all of Equestria. There is nopony else I know who would be able to learn as quickly as you are.”

Twilight smiled.

“Rest, my Faithful Student. You deserve it,” Celestia kissed Twilight’s forehead. “Go ahead, take the Artifacts and the book back to your room. Take as much time as you need, and I am certain you will soon come to me beaming with a beetle.”

“Thank you, Princess Celestia.”

“No, thank you, Twilight Sparkle.”

* * *

Burning midnight oil, Twilight sat up at her desk, hunched over a pocket watch and a teapot. She glanced at the book.

Focus.

She cleared her mind, blasting out an aggressive aura onto the pocket watch and teacup. Sparks flew, and smoke rose from the Artifacts, but nothing happened. Reading over the passage once again, she could not figure out just what she was doing wrong.

She closed her eyes and shot another aura from her horn. Sparks and smoke, but still two plain objects remained. Though she had spent hours blasting them, they had not stained at all. The pocket watch remained as polished as it had ever been, and the teacup’s porcelain was without crack or chip.

Twilight once again closed her eyes, focusing. She bit her lip, and suddenly tasted blood. She shot out the aura against the Artifacts, and in an explosion of light, she opened her eyes to find a small beetle walking across the table, seemingly unaware that it had been Separated.

Twilight grinned and whooped! Though she longed to run and tell Celestia, her exhaustion finally overcame her as she stood up from her desk. She’d not paid attention to just how tired she was.

Letting out a yawn, she crawled into her bed and contently curled up to sleep.

Well now, if you can do it in your dreams, then I am sure you’ll be able to do it when you wake.

* * *

Twilight opened her eyes, sitting up in Luna’s bed.

“I think I understand now,” she said.

Luna sat across the room. She hadn’t planned for a lesson that night, but Twilight begged for one, desperate for anything that would help her succeed with the Artifact Unification Spell.

“Do you?” Luna asked. “The dream is fleeting, what do you remember?”

“I remember trying it many, many times,” Twilight recalled. “But the final time, something was different.”

Luna nodded and smiled, standing. “And what was different?”

“I felt—,” she searched for words, “Different. As if I had cleared my mind in a different way—in a more aggressive way!”

Luna sighed and sat back down.

“What?”

“You are wrong, Twilight Sparkle.”

Twilight huffed, “What do I have wrong, then?”

“For the first time, you have taken too literally the power of focus. Deep Magic is not like Subconscious Magic,” she explained. “Subconscious Magic comes from focus of the mind. Deep Magic comes from sacrifice.”

“What do you mean?” Twilight asked.

“The more powerful the sacrifice, the more powerful the magic,” Luna stood and walked over to the bed. “That’s the way Deep Magic works, anyway. Once you become more adept at it, you can cheat the system, but the magic will take from you whatever it can afterwards.”

“That’s what Princess Celestia said,” Twilight contemplated.

“You should have listened to that,” Luna grinned.

“But I don’t understand!”

“The blood, Twilight!” Luna explained. “You bit your lip in frustration. You made a blood sacrifice to the Deep Magic, and that is what made it succeed. You paid tribute!”

Princess Celestia, you’re bleeding!

“What do you mean, though,” Twilight asked, “when you say the magic will take from you?”

Luna lay against the bed and sighed. “Let us say you become very skilled with Deep Magic. You will have the skill to perform it, and therefore you may not feel the need to pay tribute. Deep Magic spells are tied to the pony who casts them, and will drain tribute from them, if they do not forfeit it up front. It may take as tribute something physical, such as blood, or it may choose to drain something else.”

“But Luna, let’s say you had to perform some Deep Magic,” Twilight wondered, “Why would you not just pay the tribute? I mean, I just had to bite my lip and—,”

Luna laughed. “Twilight, you performed a very small amount of Deep Magic—within a dream, no less! Separating a beetle into two Artifacts does not require the same sort of tribute that it would take to say,” she mused, “Separate a Nightmare self into six pieces.”

“Princess Celestia told me the story about a Sorceress who did that. What sort of tribute would that amount of Deep Magic require?”

Luna grinned. “Just a little less than is required for the ultimate piece of Deep Magic.”

“What is that?” Twilight asked.

“Resurrection,” Luna said. “For that very deep and powerful magic, the only tribute is complete self sacrifice.”

* * *

Twilight woke in the morning draped underneath Luna’s wing. This time she did not panic, as Princess Celestia had grown familiar to Twilight sleeping through combat lessons underneath Luna’s wing.

She stretched and got out of bed, making her way to her own room. Celestia usually left a note on the days Twilight slept in, explaining where she would be. This morning however, Twilight was surprised to find the princess waiting in her room.

“Good morning, Twilight!”

She jumped, startled. “Oh my! Princess Celestia, good morning! I—,”

“Late night with Luna, I see?”

Twilight nodded.

“Well, my Faithful Student, I have good news.” Celestia stood, coming over to Twilight. “You’re going back to Ponyville immediately!”

Twilight’s heart sank.

“Princess Celestia, what did I do wrong?” she pleaded, “I’m sorry I’ve missed so many combat lessons, I just—,”

Celestia laughed, and interrupted. “I’m sorry Twilight, let me explain before I scare you any further. I’m sending you back to Ponyville with a task to complete.”

“A task?” Twilight asked.

“Yes,” Celestia nodded. “There’s something of mine that I need you to acquire.”