Four hundred years ago, when Twilight was in the prime of her rule, she instituted the Canterlot School for Gifted Unicorns for the prodigies of Equestria’s race of unicorn ponies. This new institution, modelled after Princess Celestia’s own School for Gifted Unicorns, was prestigious, even among the wealthy. However, its prestige stemmed not from its cost, for admission was free to those who proved themselves talented and ambitious enough, but for the level of skill and aspiration the school fostered.

With but one exception, every pony who walked those hallowed halls went on to serve Equestria in a caliber of the highest order. They were the most driven, the most intelligent, the most powerful, and the kindest ponies to ever walk this land. Beyond mere knowledge, the school fostered keenness of mind and logical thinking. It not only taught the skills of command and leadership, but how to follow and work as a team.

The school thrived for a full century, student after student thriving and blooming like a well-cultivated flower and entering society with honor and integrity.

However, in the one-hundred and twenty-second year of the school’s operation, a young orphaned unicorn filly stumbled, sodden and bedraggled, out of the horror-ridden depths of Bell Meadow. The cause of her parents’ demise was unknown and the filly herself claimed she had no memory of what happened. She could recall neither where she had lived nor to whom she was related. The only thing she could remember was that her name was Rose Bud.

Immediately, Princess Twilight Sparkle took interest in the young filly. After all, a great philosopher and scientist like Twilight couldn’t resist the allure of such a strange curiosity as Rose Bud. For many a week, Twilight nursed the filly back to health and in that time it was discovered that Rose Bud was no ordinary unicorn.

Her extraordinary acuity and talent for magic at once became self-evident, eclipsing even the most gifted of Twilight’s students. Even the most difficult of the spells Twilight taught her younger students Rose Bud executed with ease. The few spells with which she struggled, she tackled with a single-minded determination until she had mastered them.

For a month or a bit more, Twilight puzzled over her new charge’s unprecedented skill, certain that she would make a grand addition to her school, but unsure of where to place her. It was clear that Rose Bud’s prowess put her far beyond the elementary years of the School for Gifted Unicorns and that placing her with the younger students would be a waste of valuable time and talent. Or so Twilight thought.

One day, nearly two months following her arrival at the Canterlot Palace, Rose Bud came running into the throne room where two emissaries of the changelings sat in audience with Twilight. The unicorn filly’s eyes were brimming with tears as she ran to Twilight, sobbing hysterically.

“Princess!” she cried. “I’m so so sorry! I didn’t know what I was doing and I...I...please hurry!”

Without delay, Twilight made her apologies to the visiting changelings and followed Rose Bud to her quarters from whence issued a smell most foul...that of burning hair and flesh.

Even Twilight, with all of her years of experience with violence, was revolted by what she saw. On the carpeted floor of Rose Bud’s tower bedroom, lay what appeared to be a partially liquified, smoking, bubbling puddle of brown and red tar. The only indication that the revolting mass had once been one of the three palace cats was the single twitching paw which stuck out of it at a forty-five degree angle.

Appalled, Twilight inquired of the filly what had happened.

The tale the young unicorn spun was, no doubt, cleverly woven. In the end, she managed to convince Twilight that she had tried to grow the cat’s fur, but had mistakenly dissolved the whole cat instead. What nopony else had seen was that on the previous day, that same cat had used Rose Bud’s journal, which had been left on the floor, as a scratching post.

As was to be expected, Twilight was upset with the filly, but saw the lapse in judgement as a sign that it might be best if she were enrolled with students of her own age anyway, despite her advanced skill. After all, Twilight’s school taught circumspection as well as magic, and this action of Rose Bud’s was far from circumspect.

After comforting the young foal and admonishing her for experimenting on a living creature without having attained mastery of her spell, Twilight imparted to Rose Bud her intention of enrolling her in the Canterlot School for Gifted Unicorns. Rose Bud’s excitement at this pronouncement eclipsed the unpleasantness of the disgusting task to which she had been entrusted of cleaning up and burying the remains of the dead cat.

The new semester only weeks away, Rose Bud spent all of her spare time sequestered in her room, studying and learning the rudimentary skills Twilight saw fit to teach her. While all of these skills were fundamental and repetitive, Rose Bud did not complain. Rather, she fell to the task with gusto, putting to rest Twilight’s concern that Rose Bud perhaps lacked the common sense her school prized. If the filly was anxious to learn and atone for her slip-up, she would not be punished further by being held from exercising her full potential.

On her very first day at Twilight’s school, it was clear that Rose Bud was in her element. Not only was the filly instantly popular amongst even the older students, but her insatiable desire for knowledge promised that she would undoubtedly be the greatest student to ever walk the halls of the School for Gifted Unicorns. Her popularity did not cease with the students either. Rose Bud was every professor’s favorite, knowing what to say and when to say it to ensure a high opinion. Her wit and charm brought smiles to the faces of all who encountered her, even the uncommonly wary.

In this manner, five years passed. Rose Bud grew rapidly in knowledge and prowess, excelling far beyond everypony’s expectations. In spite of her status as a student, she was awarded Cosmare’s “Canterlot’s Most Charming” as well as featured on the covers of Gallop and Prance and Vanity Mare. Rose Bud’s prestige didn’t stop at charm and appearance, however. Her arcanoscientific prowess merited the “Pioneering in Magic” column in The Canterlot Chronicle not just once, but a record-breaking seven times.

It should be noted that the professors of the Canterlot School for Gifted Unicorns were some of the most skilled and intelligent ponies in existence. Twilight herself oversaw the selection of each teacher to ensure that they were among the elite of their respective skill sets. Even so, it didn’t take long after Rose Bud’s second “Pioneering in Magic” column for teachers to start coming to Rose Bud herself with their questions.

“It wasn’t until Rose Bud was nearing the end of her seventh year at the school that everything began to go wrong.” Spike said solemnly. For, of course, it was Spike who was telling this story.

“Twilight was attending to various school matters when Rose Bud knocked on her office door. Of course, Twilight invited her in. She conjured Rose Bud a seat and asked her how she could be of assistance. That’s when Rose Bud made her first critical mistake. You see, up until this point, Twilight had been extremely wary of her. At Twilight’s request, I had kept a close eye on Rose Bud when Twilight was attending to her royal duties, and let me tell you...that filly was one of the most cautious and snake-tongued malefactors this world has ever known. She knew exactly what to say to charm other ponies. The only one who didn’t fall for her charade was Twilight herself.”

Spike lifted one claw and flicked a loose scale from his glistening hide. The scale flew a dozen yards or so and landed bounced across the floor with a metallic clinking.

“Anyway,” Spike continued. “Rose Bud had come to Twilight with a question. She asked Twilight if she would divulge the nature of a spell so powerful that, when it was cast, had shaken Equestria to its very foundation.”

The six ponies stared at Spike, riveted by his tale.

“That was the first time Twilight realized that she had made a grave error in teaching Rose Bud.”

Moonlight, her voice quivering with anticipation, asked, “What was the spell she wanted Twilight to tell her about?”

Spike looked grave. “As you all know, when Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Rarity were nearing death, Twilight used a spell on them that she had spent decades formulating to turn her friends into immortal spirits.”

The six ponies nodded.

“That was the spell Rose Bud sought. Knowledge of what Twilight had done was no great secret. In fact, she had been praised for her achievement and nothing but good had come of that spell. However, she had always felt uneasy at its mentioning. In spite of its obvious merits, Twilight never got over the feeling that she had been tainted by executing such a piece of magic. She always felt that meddling in the whys and wherefores of death was more than just a simple taboo. To have a student, especially one like Rose Bud, inquire about the details was more than Twilight was prepared for.”

“What did she do?” asked Orange Blossom in a hushed voice.

Spike sighed, “I’m afraid she lost her temper. And quite badly too. After that day, Twilight’s relationship with Rose Bud was never quite the same. There was always this tension between them when they were in the same room. Even when they weren’t speaking or looking at each other, you could almost feel the distrust. Needless to say, Rose Bud never confided in Twilight again. It seemed afterward that Rose Bud was content to simply finish her final three years at the school and be on her way. For the next two years, things continued much as they had. Rose Bud continued to receive the praise and admiration of teachers, fellow students, and the general public. She continued to excel at her studies and make even the smartest unicorns look plain and uneducated. The only pony who didn’t adore every aspect of her existence was Twilight.”

Having evidently grown uncomfortable, Spike shifted his weight to his other side as he lounged on his giant cushion, a loud grunt issuing from his mouth along with a puff of dark smoke.

“Well.” he continued. “About halfway through her ninth year, Rose Bud proved again that she lacked the sense that the school demanded.”

“Did she kill another cat?” Wind Song asked sarcastically.

Spike looked grim. “Worse. Far worse. It was a rainy afternoon in winter when there was a loud scream from one of the empty classrooms. It was fortunate Twilight was close at hoof when the cry went up, otherwise rose bud may never have been discovered. Even as Twilight kicked down the classroom door, she beheld one of Rose Bud’s acquaintances lying on the floor. The poor filly was shrivelling like a raisin...with Rose Bud standing over her, horn aglow. Before Twilight could do anything, Rose Bud cast a spell that bound everypony in place. It was only about six or seven seconds before Twilight was able to break the spell, but it might as well have been an hour for all the good it did. That was all the time it took for Rose Bud to run to the window and jump out of it, off the side of Canterlot, and into the edge of Bell Meadow.”

Wind Song and the others looked aghast.

“What did she...that is, Rose Bud, do to her friend?” Willow asked, horrified.

“I’d be hard pressed to call her Rose Bud’s ‘friend’. She never really had any proper friends. She simply had admirers. But, to this day nopony is absolutely sure what she did. By the time Twilight had freed herself of Rose Bud’s spell and attempted to save the poor cursed filly, it was too late. The body had become barely anything more than a skeleton. A couple minutes later and even the skeleton had crumbled to dust.”

“That’s terrible!” Moonlight exclaimed in a choked voice.

“What happened to Rose Bud?” Wind Song asked carefully.

“She fled.” Spike said flatly. “Got away. I watched her jump from the window myself. About three quarters of the way to the ground, she just vanished. I don’t know how she did it, but this was Rose Bud. Of course Twilight sent every available member of the royal guard that could be spared to find her. She even hired mercenaries to bring her back alive. This was all mostly to keep up appearances, of course. Twilight knew as well as I did that if Rose Bud didn’t want to be found, she had the skill to hide herself as long as she wanted.”

Spike paused and took a deep breath.

“Of course her teachers were all appalled.” Spike said as he exhaled. “Most of them thought the whole thing was some kind of elaborate prank. It wasn’t until Twilight shared her memory of the incident with them that they actually believed it.”

The six ponies sat in silence, pondering all they had just heard. Spike, meanwhile, waited patiently while they considered.

Finally, Wind Song spoke up, “So, that’s an interesting story and all, but what does any of that have to do with Black Ro…” he froze. “Rose Bud is Black Rose, isn’t she?”

Spike smiled morosely, “It’s hard to be one-hundred percent sure, but...yes. I’m fairly certain that Black Rose was once Rose Bud.”

“So she figured out Twilight’s spell after all then?” Snow Star asked. “You know, the one that made the Council of Friendship immortal?”

“I don’t think so.” Spike replied carefully. “I won’t go into exact detail, but Twilight’s spell turned the Council into spirits. Or rather, bound their spirits to the land itself. Black Rose is no spirit. Unlike the council, she still has a body...of a sort…”

“Of a sort?” queried Moonlight.

“Of a sort.” affirmed Spike. “She’s become warped and twisted, but she’s still flesh and blood like the rest of us.”

“Well then,” Wind Song said with a slightly exaggerated sense of optimism. “Since she’s still flesh and blood like us, it probably means she can be killed like us, no?”

Spike nodded slowly. “In theory, yes. Those were my exact thoughts. The problem is that in spite of all of the preparations Twilight made after the hermit sent his warning, Black Rose still captured Twilight like it was nothing. There’s something else going on here. No pony alive should have that much power. Even Celestia and Luna were weak compared to what Twilight became, and still she was defeated so easily.”

As Spike spoke, Willow had begun to shake again, although not with fear this time, but with anger.

Finally, she couldn’t take it anymore and burst out, “What in Tartarus is wrong with you?!”

Spike quickly turned to face the raging unicorn. The five other ponies stared at Willow, appalled at her lack of respect.

Nevertheless, Willow continued, “We come all this way with the promise of a hopeful solution only to have our greatest hope for success rail on and on about how this whole damned thing is hopeless! Well, mister dragon sir!” This last word was spoken with a mocking contempt that was almost palpable. If this is your idea of encouragement, it’s a pretty lousy one! If this whole gambit is as completely hopeless as you keep implying it is, then I give up! I might as well just go back to Ponyville and, if I don’t get my ass killed in Bell Meadow, I’ll turn myself in to those lovely croanies of Black Rose’s. OR…” she added as an afterthought. “...maybe I’ll just march right on up to Canterlot right now and turn myself in. That’s one less pony she has to look for and I’m sure my death will at least be quick instead of slow and painful! That way at least I won’t have to be alive when all of those colts and fillies get the life force sucked out of them.”

All present simply stared at Willow as she stood there. Her legs spread as though she were about to charge and her chest heaved. She wore an expression of utter rage on her face but, in spite of that, a steady stream of tears poured down her cheeks. A few moments later, Snow Star carefully stepped forward and put one leg around the mare, pulling her to him in a tight embrace.

That was all the poor unicorn could take. She lost control completely and broke into hysterical sobs while Snow Star stroked her mane and patted her back.

Spike, who had been watching all the while, too dumbfounded to speak, finally said, “Willow, Snow Star, all of you...I’m so sorry. I let my own fears get the better of me and didn’t think before I spoke. I’m truly sorry. As it happens, though, Twilight had a plan in the eventuality that she was killed or captured, and that is why you six are here. If you are still willing to hear me, I’d like to explain what I know.”

Moonlight, Wind Song, Honeybell, and Orange Blossom, who had all been looking shamefacedly at the ground, suddenly looked up. Two minutes passed in silence as Willow’s sobs subsided into the occasional loud sniff.

Finally, Willow turned, pulling herself carefully out of her husband’s grasp, and facing Spike with a look of determination.

“Tell us.” she said firmly.

An apologetic grin split the old dragon’s lips.

“Thank you, Willow.” Spike said. “Twilight, as always, has a contingency plan for everything, this included. Above in the city of Canterlot, at the base of the east tower of the palace, is a secret entry to a library containing Twilight’s most treasured books.”

“But what’s the plan?” Snow Star interrupted, still a bit irritated that Spike had upset Willow so deeply.

Spike replied slowly, “I don’t know.”

“WHAT?” the six ponies asked in unison.

Spike continued, “Twilight determined that the only way to keep the plan out of Black Rose’s hooves was to keep it a secret from everypony, the Council included. She imparted to me the location of the book...Palace, east tower, under the secret library.”

“Under? Why does it always have to be under?” Honeybell commiserated.

“Under.” Spike repeated. “When you reach the library, search the shelves for ‘Friends and Fortune’ by Starlight Glimmer. Open the book to page six hundred seventy-two and read the seventh line backwards.”

Silence.

“You can’t be serious.” Willow said sarcastically after several moments.

“Unfortunately.” the dragon said, chagrined. “Beyond that, I’m unsure of what to expect. You six are the only free ponies capable of retrieving whatever it is Twilight has hidden there.” He paused. “Will you go?”

Several moments elapsed where the six friends looked from one to the other before, as one, they nodded.

“Excellent!” Spike crowed triumphantly. “I’ll see you off. There is a path ahead that leads to the surface that I’ll show you. For my part, I need to make ready to fly from here as quickly as I can.”

“Wait, you’re leaving?” Wind Song asked incredulously.

“I have an errand far to the south.” Spike replied with stony determination. “The dragons are a race that is hard to rouse, but once they are, we’ll fly together back to Canterlot. If it’s a war Black Rose wants, it’s a war she’ll get.”

The six ponies whooped loudly at this pronouncement. In spite of the earlier trepidation, defeating Black Rose suddenly seemed far more possible.

As the group followed Spike toward the rear of his chamber, he gave them instructions on the best paths to take and what to do if they encountered soldiers. Once they reached the back of the room, Spike stopped in front of a small pony-sized door.

“Now, there are exits through here that would be shorter, but they’d let you out straight into the palace. Follow this path straight on. Always straight on. It will let you out in the streets just northeast of the palace in the slums. From there it will be an easy journey to the east tower.”

“Thank you, Spike.” Wind Song said earnestly. “I hope we get to meet again.”

The others nodded their agreement.

“Me as well, my friends. May the wind always rise under your wings.”

Each pony waved at Spike as they turned and stepped single file through the low doorway and into the tunnel that would lead them upward to the heart of their enemy’s power.

Author's Note

The Thorn of Equestria

Chapter 11

By Wind Song

REVISED 14DEC20