The Prized Student

Twilight used four different spells just in case. One to protect the mares and herself from the Ursa. One to slow down the creature. One to look into the its mind and find the nightmare spell, and the last one to actually rip out the roots of the spell from its mind. Everything worked perfectly, she was in there. Time slowed down. Finding the spell was easy.

Too easy. She realized in the last possible moment that the Ursa wasn’t an opponent. It was a trap.

The nightmare spell did not appear to have any form at first. Just a cloud of dark magic, resembling the night sky in pattern. It only reacted, when she touched it with her magic. First it just started to hum silently, cooperating when the mare begun to flay it down from the mind of the Ursa. At the last pull, the humming stopped. Then, it attacked.

Quickly shifting in form, it took the shape of Mare in the Moon without any features what’s so ever. Black chains and smoke circled around it, closing in on Twilight’s mind. The alicorn tried to raise a purple shield around herself, but it was all in vain. It was a horrible experience.

The black magic of the spell assaulted her muzzle, pouring down on her throat, filling her stomach and lungs with malevolent force. She felt the dark essence trying to corrupt every cell in her body. Although she felt sheer terror fill her veins, she was aware enough to fight back, not just with instinct but a little tactic as well. Using her own magic to fill her insides she tried to force out the alien magic.

Once it realized that she started to gain the upper hoof, it changed tactics and begun to abuse her wounds, ripping them open and crawling into her blood system directly. Twilight would have screamed from the agony, but her mouth was still filled with sticky black substance. Even her gag reflex was useless by then.

Her sight was filled with the head of the magic’s chosen form, its featureless face burned itself into her memory. She felt tears sting her eyes, but refused to cry. Recognizing a lost fight when she saw one, she decided to make a desperate move. Not allowing herself to be consumed by the dark force, she urged her body to self-destruct.

It hurt so much more than the black magic in her veins. Her every cell was burning like the Sun itself came to life in her body. It lasted for a few minutes… Suddenly, everything became numb.

Sunset Shimmer trembled slightly as she tried to hold the spell. Tears were streaming down her face rapidly, but she did not acknowledged them. In front of her the alicorn stood mighty as ever. After that soul wrenching scream, Twilight’s body did not as much shiver. She stood perfectly still, eyes devoid of any life.

The three mares did not know what was happening until the alicorn’s coast started to turn into a darker shade, her mane becoming black as coal. Sunset had a dire feeling in her stomach when she felt the dark magic fill the air around her. She suddenly had an idea about what was happening to Twilight. That was when she collected all of her light magic and touched horns with the trapped mare, pouring as much into her system, as she was able to spare and more.

While they were touching horns, she could feel everything. The pain, the terror, the will to fight and after a few moment, hopelessness. It was an extremely intimate gesture amongst unicorns, so she had to push her embarrassment and shame away in order to help the other mare. Sunset even felt the moment, when the alicorn decided to end her life instead of letting her body be the puppet of the nightmare. That she could not allow.

Channeling twice as much magic into Twilight’s horn, she let it glow as brightly as possible, trying to catch the desperate mare’s attention. And catch she did. A gasp of pain escaped her lips, as she felt the tortured consciousness hide behind her for a moment. She was assaulted with the whole might of the nightmare, even if just for a moment. Then the alicorn’s mind attacked it’s intruder with newly found strength, protecting Sunset’s mind while feeding on her magic and regaining her own.

Sunset opened her eyes and saw the alicorn’s mane slowly turning back into a gentle purple, her coat losing the darker shade it gained just a minute ago. But the battle of the mind was not over yet. No matter how hard Twilight tried, she simply didn’t have enough strength to banish the dark magic from her system.

The unicorn saw the silent tear escaping the mare’s eyes and she felt determination. Slowly the mare’s coat started to turn black, but just in a certain pattern. Sunset recognized it as a caging spell. She was locking up the magic within herself. She did not see the full pattern, but it certainly marked the mares face.

And suddenly a shockwave exploded from the alicorn’s body, knocking back the unicorn and the other two mares. When they were able to look again, Twilight laid on the ground taking long and loud gasps of air. Sunset was the first to approach her.

“Twilight?”

The alicorn slowly raised her head to look at them. Sunset was right, the cage spell indeed marked the mares face. It started on her forehead on the left side of her face, crossing her eye, her sclera looked black for a moment, but it turned back into white fast. Resembling the shape of a thunder bolt, it disappeared under her cheek.

“Fine.” Her voice sounded raspy. “Just feel like something the cat dragged in.”

As she stood, Sunset could not help but notice that the alicorn looked taller. Not as tall as Celestia, but taller than she used to be. Her colors looked darker, her mane a little puffier than ever.

“She got me good.” The chuckle which escaped the alicorn’s lips was sad and desperate. “Must have used a huge part of her magic for this. Thank Celestia that she did not count on you intervening.”

Sunset blushed again. Some part of her hoped that the alicorn did not remember the horns touching part. Clearly, that was not the case. She scolded herself and chased her embarrassment away, turning her gaze to the Ursa next to them, which was sleeping soundly.

“What about the Ursa?” She couldn’t help but ask. It wouldn’t be good if it started rampaging again.

“It should be fine. The magic does no longer have a hold on it.” The unicorn noticed the alicorn wince, but did not address it. “Where are the others? We need to move twice as fast now.”

Rainbow Dash raised her hoof with a troubled expression.

“I’ll go get them.”

Once Twilight nodded, she took off. The pegasus did not want to offend the mare, but after what she witnessed, she needed a few moment alone to ease her breathing and heart rate at least. It’s been a long time she felt this much desperation and fear in a single minute.

“Shouldn’t we go back to the camp?” Applejack took back the hat in her head.

“Go back?” Echoed Twilight in a disbelieving tone. “No. We still need that food and water.”

“Okay, let me rephrase it. Shouldn’t yah go back and catch some rest?”

Twilight knew what the farmer was thinking, but that wasn’t an option. Not after all of this.

“Absolutely not! This could have been only the first obstacle. I won’t risk everypony’s life for rest.” She spat the last word like some kind of poison. When the mare opened her mouth to object, she cut her off. “I will hear no more of this. Gather the others. We will continue our mission immediately.”

Just as the words left her mouth, she turned around and walked away, probably to get some privacy. Sunset and Applejack looked at each other. It was the earth pony who broke the silence thought her voice was no more than a whisper.

“Do you think she will be alright?”

The unicorn hesitated to answer. She still remembered the sheer agony the other’s mind was in just a few minutes ago, though it felt like it was all just a nightmare. The only reminder was the magical exhaustion she felt. She gave a huge part of her magic to the alicorn and now she felt like she had been up for a week with only eating once a day. She wanted sleep, but apparently that had to wait.

“I don’t know. Maybe in time.”

Applejack frowned at her answer, looking after Twilight.

“Now that is what we don’t have Sugarcube.”

Twilight wanted to collapse. To scream, to cry and destroy everything in her path. Her insides still burned from the dark magic that was now locked into her veins. She still felt the foul taste on her tongue, smelled the sulfur in every breath. Her skin itched and her bones throbbed with pain, muscles more sore than ever been. She felt pressure on her chest, suffocating her slowly.

“Okay Twilight. Calm down. Get a grip on yourself. It’s over. It’s done. You survived. It’s over. You’re still yourself. Breathe.”

That was by far the most horrible experience she ever had, and she had a few. But this. This was something new. Terrifying on a whole new level. Is this what Princess Luna had felt, when she let herself get consumed by dark magic? How much desperation did the Princess feel to choose this instead of trying to fix the problem the other way?

She checked the spell. Multiple times. Making sure that did not leak anywhere. Even a small drop could affect her mind. It would be more than unfortunate to face Mare in the Moon with her magic flowing freely in her veins.

She was still shaking a little when the voice of Sunset Shimmer reached her.

“Twilight?” Her voice sounded uncertain.

The alicorn forced herself to face the mare. Sunset stood a few meters from her, trying to force on a reassuring smile. Behind her the other ponies whispered amongst themselves but ceased once she turned fully towards them. Twilight knew what they were saying. Of course they noticed the changes on her body. She found hard to care about that.

Sunset Shimmer. This unicorn risked her own safety to help her. Her own sanity. Her own body against the nightmare. She gave as much as she could spare and more. Is this what Celestia saw in her? The willingness to sacrifice herself for others? Is this even a good thing?

Not as much as the Princess thought.

“Alright. Let’s go!”

The mare looked like she was still uncertain, but nodded nonetheless and took her position at the head of the group. They reached Ponyville without any further complications. Sweet Apple Acres was quite without the Apple family, but untouched. They gathered food into the seven carts, while keeping their eyes on each other. It took less than a half an hour to fill the carts and once it was done, they headed back to the cave.

Twilight itched to go to the library and look for any clue about what Celestia wanted Sunset to find out there, but she couldn’t leave the group. Not now, likely not ever. The unicorn was tired and even though she felt herself ready to fight, she knew that very little of this magic was her own. She exhausted herself when she fought the nightmare and the magic inside her was almost completely dark magic. She would sooner bite her own tongue than use that.

It was Rainbow Dash yell that pulled her out of thoughts.

“Stop! Who are you?”

The group parted for her to look at the ponies in their way. It was a small caravan, no more than two dozen ponies in it. What Twilight found strange was the six royal guard, who stood in front of the civilians. Once they spotted her, one of the guards gasped loudly.

“Princess Twilight?”

The alicorn refused to sigh.

“I am no Princess, Sir…”

“Diamond Shield”

“As I said, I am no Princess. But tell me Diamond Shield, what does six of the Royal Guard doing here?”

The stallion lowered his head, just as he did when he spoke to Princess Celestia, but not as much.

“A dark alicorn appeared in the capital yesterday. Or at least according to the clocks, since we haven’t seen the Sun since three days. She looked furious and called herself Nightmare Moon, demanding from everypony to bow down to her. Some of the Royal Guard tried to attack her, but only a few of them survived, the others are locked up in prison.”

Twilight thought as much. Mare in the Moon must have been upset for not being able to kill her. Considering the trap she made in the mind of the Ursa, she needed time to recover soma magic, yet still was able to defeat the Royal Guard. Impressive and scary at the same time.

“What happened in the capitol afterwards?”

It was another stallion who answered.

“She locked up every royalty and noble, who refused to give up their title and power.”

Twilights ears perked up.

“Royalty?” She had a dire feeling in her stomach. Was Princess Mi Amore Cadenza in the capitol? Was she defeated?

“Yes. Prince Blue Blood was the first.”

“We have a Prince? A male alicorn?” How did she not know about that? How did she miss his magic?

“No Miss Twilight. Prince Blue Blood is a unicorn.” The guard clearly was taken aback by the suggestion.

It took a moment for Twilight register what he said. Princess Celestia gave the title of a Prince to a regular unicorn? Was he like Starswill or Sombra? That still didn’t explain why she did not feel that big source of magic.

“Twilight. You misunderstand.” Sunset’s voice put a halt on her thoughts. Locking eyes with her, she gestured to clarify. “Prince Blue Blood is a relative of Princess Celestia. That is why he has the title of a Prince.”

The alicorn of magic wore a deadpanned expression for a few minutes. Then she felt the anger. The thoughtlessness! The ignorance! The royalty was apparently this country’s first and only defense line! The representatives of power. No wonder that the other countries aren’t afraid to attack, since a simple unicorn is presented amongst their ace cards! What was Celestia thinking?

That is unacceptable! There has to be a line! The Princess of the Sun can’t expect a peaceful happily ever after, if she does not provide the necessary safety. Putting the whole country’s well being for a relative was by no means fitful to a ruler. Twilight suddenly was grateful for Mare in the Moon for providing an opportunity for Sunset to prove herself worthy, otherwise Twilight would have written to the other alicorns by now. Scratch that, she will write to them as soon as possible.

One of the guards continued, clearly not sensing her inner turmoil.

“She also started to infect the Royal Guard with some kind of dark magic. Now they look like bat ponies and they only listen to her. Many of us lost friends and family.”

Apparently Mare in the Moon did a poor job at getting others to love her. Something must be done and it must be done quickly. If this goes on the griffons, the changelings, the caribou, heck even the rough pony tribes will abuse the situation.

Maybe it was time to accept a crown after all.

No! Don’t go there Twilight! This is the dark magic speaking!

Even with this news, Twilight was glad that some of the guard was able to flee amongst some citizens. She will find use of them. Although she thought it was a little suspicious that these ponies managed to escape without consequences.

“We have a camp nearby. If you want, you can join us with one condition.”

Everypony nodded, not even worrying about the condition, just wanting to feel safe at least.

“I will check each and every one of you for every possible threat. You can be mind controlled or infected by dark magic without even knowing about it.” She did not say anything about intentional threats. She hoped that they won’t get to that.

Once every new pony had been checked for mind control and dark magic infection, she managed to smile for a moment, feeling relief. At least they did not carry any unintentional threat. When they headed out for the cave, she left the Royal Guard at the back, while she walked next to Sunset Shimmer.

“Do you think we can win this?”

She was caught off guard by the mare’s question. Was Sunset having doubts? Considering what happened in the last few hours, her concern was understandable.

“I got a reminder just today that there is no lost battle until you give up.”

She gave a small smile to the unicorn, when she faced her.

“Are you sure? After all, she is an alicorn.”

“So am I.” She chuckled when Sunset’s cheeks turned red. “Nopony is invincible. She was put down last time, she can be put down again.”

“Yeah, but back then the Princess had the Elements.”

The alicorn stopped. She felt like she had been dropped into icy cold water. The Elements of Harmony. The ancient artifacts that held magic above every creature in Equestria and beyond. The eternal weapons used in the great battles eons ago.

“Do you know where they are?” Her voice sounded like she just swallowed sand.

“One of the books in the library mentioned that they can be found in the Everfree Forest in the–“

“In the Castle of the Two Sisters!”

Was this Celestia’s plan all along? She wants to bring back the Elements into the game! Once again, Twilight resisted the urge to let her anger be shown. This is a gamble. A huge one! How can the Princess be so reckless? Did she forget what happened with the other six?

She swallowed and lowered her head a little, silently mourning for the old lost.

You should have seen it! Their deaths are upon you!

She shook her heard. Don’t go there Twilight. She must not let the past hurt her. Of course, it was harder when the dark magic in her veins tried to abuse every weakness it spotted. Sleep will be a terrible experience from now on.

“Twilight?”

Looking at the unicorn’s concerned expression, she wondered how much time did she spent with her thoughts.

“I’m sorry Sunset. I was just considering our options.”

Apparently this was enough for the mare to drop the topic and let her think.

So it looks like the Princess wanted to activate the Elements once again and she meant Sunset to be one of them, likely the Element of Magic. But what about the others? She must have had a plan. Maybe they already met the others, just did not realize at the time. She have to investigate, once they reach the camp.

Looking up at the night sky, she frowned. She had some letters to write too.