A Tale of Sparkles and Black Magic

Black Magician Girl, Twilight, and Rarity met up sometime later as the next train’s arrival approached. Hopefully, this ‘Hoity Toity’ would be on board. Black Magician Girl was pleased to see all the ponies in town now seemed a little more relaxed with her presence— having the local ruler at her side apparently went a long way towards reassuring them. Some of them even looked particularly curious at her, especially a mint green unicorn mare with a strange yellow, hand-shaped glove over her hoof— the smile splitting her muzzle was almost maniacal like she was going to charge at Black Magician Girl and do unspeakable things to her.

“Is there something wrong with her?” She pointed with her staff to the unicorn.

“Oh, that’s just Lyra Heartstrings,” Rarity said. “Consider her to be the last dedicated humare in the world.”

“Humare?”

“A few years ago,” Twilight explained, “our close circle of friends ‘invented’ the concept of humans through fiction and a fandom sprung up. They called themselves humares, but the popularity kinda died down over time and the recent incident didn’t help matters. Lyra is the only one left that really clung to it all. Of course, seeing a real, live human walking around is going to make her more than a little giddy.”

Black Magician Girl gulped. “Is she gonna attack me?”

“Oh, heavens no, darling!” Rarity said, aghast. “You must trust us when we say Ponyville is filled with kind, respectable ponies!”

“Sorry, I have a lot of experience being hounded by people who love cute things…” It was her greatest pride whenever she was part of a duel with her master. In the Spirit World, however… she shuddered as some unpleasant memories resurfaced.

They made it to the train station in good time. The crowds were thinner this time around, owing to it being later in the day with the sun close to the horizon. Everyone parted for the group of three, allowing them to pass unabated across the train platform. Black Magician Girl heard little hoofsteps scampering behind her. She turned, only for her eyes to suddenly track a little gray colt as he dashed between her legs.

“Eek!” She instinctively pulled her legs together.

“What’s the matter, darling?” Rarity asked.

“Humans are very modest about their bodies, remember?” Twilight said. “Especially girls who wear short skirts. They don’t like it when someone gets a view from underneath.”

“Uh, no, no, that’s not it,” Black Magician Girl tried to reassure them. “I don’t think he saw anything. I was just acting on instinct.”

“Would you like me to design your new dresses to be more modest?” Rarity asked.

“I don’t mind short skirts, but keeping my personal space would be nice.”

“Say no more, darling.”

Twilight and Rarity positioned themselves in front of and behind Black Magician Girl. “Consider yourself protected,” Twilight said.

Black Magician Girl giggled. “I feel safer already.”

They took a place at the edge of the platform and waited patiently for the Friendship Express to arrive. It wasn’t long before they heard the whistle in the distance, followed soon thereafter by the train thundering into the station. The new arrivals stepped onto the platform, switching places with those intent on traveling to Canterlot for the festivities.

“Aha, there he is!” Rarity said.

She led them over to a stallion fitting the description she’d given earlier. Black Magician Girl assumed his posture was the pony equivalent to every royal or similarly high-class spirit she’d ever met, those who prioritized their outward appearance to the masses rather than being true to their feelings. In other words, no fun to be around. But if he was just here for business, then that wouldn’t be a problem for her.

Hoity Toity noticed their approach. His eyes were obscured by his shades, but his face snapped to Black Magician Girl the moment she came into view. She paused, unsure of whether she should be nervous or happy he was taking an interest in her.

“My my,” he said, lowering his shades, showing the surprise in his eyes, “I certainly wasn’t expecting to see something like this.”

Black Magician Girl tilted her head. He hadn’t seen her up in Canterlot? Pretty much every pony hadn’t been able to take their eyes off of her.

“Hoity Toity!” Rarity said. “Was your trip a pleasant one?”

“About as well as the last time I was here,” he said. His eyes seemed to waver between Rarity and Black Magician Girl. “Let’s discuss our business somewhere less noisy and… pedestrian.”

“Of course! Let’s go back to my boutique right away!”

“Yes. Let’s. Actually…” His posture returned to its previous stoic neutrality and he adjusted his shades. “Bring your human friend as well. I wish to speak with her.”

“Really?” all three girls said in unison.

“Yes, I do believe I spoke loud and clear.” He took off down the platform.

What could he possibly want with me? Black Magician Girl thought. She shared a confused look with Twilight and Rarity before they set off after him. The trip back to Rarity’s boutique was mostly uneventful. Rarity and Hoity talked about fashion stuff that both Black Magician Girl and Twilight couldn’t follow. That conversation continued even after they arrived at the boutique. Twilight and Black Magician Girl took spots on Rarity’s ‘drama couch’, as she called it, watching as she showed Hoity Toity the designs she was working on for the festival’s fashion show.

“Mm, yes,” Hoity Toity said, examining the drawings with a superbly critical eye, “these will certainly do. I approve of their inclusion in my fashion show.”

“Oh, thank you Hoity Toity!” Rarity said cheerfully, lightly stomping her hooves on the ground. “You can expect them to be finished and arrive on time in Canterlot!”

“Yes, good to hear. I hope a little extra work isn’t too much to ask for, though.”

“Pardon?”

Hoity Toity turned to the drama couch. He strode over to Black Magician Girl while she looked quizzically at him. He spent a moment inspecting her clothes before speaking.

“What is your name?” he asked.

She blinked. “... Black Magician Girl…”

“Hm, strange name, though, I suppose that’s to be expected with a strange species. Miss Magician Girl, how would you like to be the central attraction at my Festival Fashion Extravaganza?”

“What!?” Rarity said.

Twilight and Black Magician Girl were taken aback. “Really? You want me to be a part of it?”

“Yes. Your attire provides exactly the kind of exotic touch we need more of in the fashion industry. Not to mention, an exotic figure like yours would certainly draw more eyes to the show.”

Black Magician Girl felt a slight blush cross her cheeks. “Um, thank you…?”

“Will you do it?”

Black Magician Girl thought about it for a moment. It sounded fun, being the center of attention, but it also sounded like something different from anything she’d ever experienced before. She cast a glance to Twilight who offered her an encouraging smile.

“Oh, don’t be afraid, darling,” Rarity said, strolling over. “You’ll have me for support, so don’t be afraid to make yourself the center of attention!”

Another moment of thought, Black Magician Girl smiled and said, “I’ll do it!”

“Magnificent!” Hoity Toity said. He turned to Rarity. “I trust you’ll make equally impressive dresses for her?”

“Consider it already in progress!”

“Good. Good. I think I’ll stop by the cafe before I leave for Canterlot.” He exited the boutique on his own without so much as a wave goodbye.

“He’s not a very sociable person, is he?” Black Magician Girl asked.

“Not really,” Twilight said.

“Well, looks like I’ve got twice the workload to get done,” Rarity said, giving an exasperated sigh. “Rest assured I’ll finish it in time, so you enjoy your vacation here in Ponyville in the meantime!”

“I plan to!” Black Magician Girl replied cheerfully.

The Everfree Castle, standing tall and proud within the Everfree Forest, a historical sight that had seen many landmark events throughout its thousand-year-plus existence: The rule of the Royal Sisters, the fall and banishment of Nightmare Moon, the redemption of Princess Luna—

—the defeat of an otherworldly terror.

An immortal terror. The former Bearers of Harmony had fought this terror and believed they had defeated it. But no. Even as they returned to their normal lives, it remained alive. Greatly weakened, but alive. It couldn’t go out in direct sunlight, meaning its attempts to escape the crevice where it had fallen were restricted to nighttime; a time where sight was limited, not to mention its inability to effectively scale rock walls.

Rage coursed through it. This land was within its grasp. It was to be the eternal ruler of all those lowly ponies. Now it was stuck underneath a small rock formation, safe in the shade, but effectively trapped, unable to die or regain its strength. All it could do was scream, damning those ponies for what they’d done. Over and over.

His one and only hope was that a living creature would pass by, one big enough that he could graft his own head onto...