Twilight didn't usually bounce excitedly in her chair like a child on the way to the candy store, that was usually Pinkie Pie’s thing, but today was different. The familiar landscape of the Canterlot lowlands flicking past the train window was usually very calming, not this time though. Not even the rumble of the lumbering metal behemoth which usually rocked Twilight to sleep during long rides affected the alicorn.

Who was clutching her dress in both hands, right leg bouncing up and down as she grinned with barely contained glee as she stared out the train window.

“If you smile any wider your face might just split in half,” Spike remarked with a smirk.

Twilight blinked, and glanced down to her assistant who sat to her left. “Don't be ridiculous Spike. That would never happen. Besides, if it was possible then I’d probably have to super glue Pinkie Pie’s head to her body at least twice a week.”

“You think she’d lose it often?” Spike replied with a smirk.

“Everyday,” Twilight answered, grinning back.

The dragon chuckled. “Well I’m glad you’re happy, though I’m not sure I get what the big deal is.”

“What isn't there to get? I’m finally becoming a fully fledged alicorn!” Twilight exclaimed.

“I thought you were an alicorn the second you got those wings,” Spike pointed out, gesturing to the feathered appendages on Twilight’s back.

The alicorn scoffed. “That made me an alicorn yes, but it did not make me a mature alicorn.”

“And the difference is…” Spike offered, one eyebrow raised.

“The difference is that a mature alicorn rules something, and has responsibilities of her own,” Twilight stated. “With my crowning I’ll finally be an official monarch of equestria!”

“You know I would have thought you’d be a little more freaked out by all this,” Spike pointed out. “I mean it isn't everyday that you reach the same level as Celestia.”

Twilight laughed a little too loudly. “Oh Spike. That's because I scheduled my panic attack for tonight, right before I go to bed.”

“That's… very forward thinking of you Twilight,” Spike muttered.

Twilight nodded confidently. “Of course. I won't have time to present my findings at the enchanters exhibit and still have the chance to review my notes on rulership if I spend all day freaking out.”

“Wait, so does that mean you figured out that whole thing with the power watchamijger?” Spike asked.

Twilight hummed to herself. “Not exactly, but I should have more than enough time to figure that out before I am to present my findings.”

“So what does it do exactly?” Spike inquired, scratching his head. “All I remember is that you called it the recursive loop extractor…. Thing.”

“The recursive loop extractor function is a magical subroutine I designed to make hardening spells work at peak efficiency,” Twilight claimed.

“So you make something really hard?” Spike remarked.

“No, well technically yes but think of it like… one of your comic books where the good guy becomes invincible due to some spell,” Twilight began. “Normally such a thing is impossible because the mana drain of such a thing is exponential, quickly taking all available mana the caster has. Though with my solution this drain merely becomes linear.”

“So you could actually make something invincible then?” Spike finished.

“Yes, exactly!” Twilight exclaimed. “It wouldn't be for very long, but it would be at least possible.”

“Huh,” Spike murmured. “So what exactly was Celestia planning on talking to you about during your super secret meeting before the ceremony?”

“I’m not totally sure,” Twilight admitted, her shoulders slumping. “She said that with my full ascension that I would be able to learn some kind of information that I otherwise wouldn't be allowed to know.”

“Spooky,” Spike murmured, leaning forward in his chair. “You’d tell me if aliens were real, right?”

Twilight chuckled, rolling her eyes as she patted the dragon on the shoulder. “Yes Spike. I would tell you if aliens were real so you can win your bet with Rainbow Dash.”

Spike pumped a fist in the air. “Awesome. My money is on space apes.”

“Really, monkeys? They just barely entered the stone age,” Twilight replied.

“Yeah and they are already making tons of tools and stuff,” Spike replied, waving a finger in the air. “Mark my word. Those monkeys you talk down on are already out there among the stars.”

“You’ve been reading too many comic books,” Twilight exclaimed.

“More like you haven't read enough,” Spike retorted.

Twilight rolled her eyes. “Agree to disagree then.”

Spike shrugged. “Fair enough, though if you had the time to read one, I would recommend the one about the guy from-”

A sudden shriek stopped Spike’s comment, and both dragon as well as Alicorn looked to where a passenger was staring out the window. The horror stricken expression on her face was enough to make Twilight’s blood run cold though she followed the other woman’s gaze regardless. To where a man had emerged from a field, blood gushing from the stump where his arm had once been.

Numerous cuts covered his body and though he seemed to be on death’s doorstep something far more horrifying quickly grabbed Twilight’s attention. Namely a large emaciated biped with leathery wings on its back and long swords for hands which had emerged from behind the man. It was obvious that this freakish creature was the cause of the man’s injuries as the beast was bathed in crimson blood obviously not its own.

“What is that thing?” Spike whispered.

“I don't know,” Twilight admitted. “But it looks like-”

With a single chop of the creature’s arm the man was decapitated, shocking the already terrified people on the train. A gasp was followed by the sounds of retching, as well as a building sense of panic which threatened to explode at any moment.

Twilight couldn't let that happen. Her ponies were in danger, and she would do everything in her power to protect them.

“Spike, go stop the train. I’ll subdue this monster, and begin looking for survivors,” Twilight stated calmly.

“Are you-yes Twilight,” Spike dutifully replied.

Twilight gave her assistant a nod, before turning and sprinting towards the nearest roof access hatch. Which she quickly threw aside using her magic, causing a rush of wind to enter the cabin, and ruffle the alicorn’s mane. Twilight was far beyond such small concerns though, and the woman swiftly leapt up into the opening.

Pulling herself up onto the roof of the train, Twilight awkwardly steadied herself using her outstretched arms. Upon looking around the alicorn realized how ridiculous her little plan was, despite how smart it seemed at the time. It would take far too long to wait for the train to stop though, and so while channeling her inner Rainbow Dash, Twilight opened her wings.

The rush of force very nearly caused the alicorn to come crashing right back onto the train, but with a careful application of pegasus magic she was able to level out. Swooping to the right, Twilight began to bank back towards where she had last seen the strange creature from earlier, gaining speed as she went. She had not expected the monster to fly directly at her while letting out a shrill cry, its arms raised and ready to strike.

Summoning her magic, Twilight conjured a pair of golden chains around the monster’s midsection, binding its wings and arms to its sides. Though the beast took a rough tumble into the ditch below, Twilight knew it would survive such an impact. Without some terrifying blood covered murderer in her face Twilight was able to inspect her surroundings much closer.

The first thing she noticed was that there were more of the creatures, as well as more injured victims who were fleeing through a nearby field. Twilight counted four of the winged monsters, and swiftly moved to intercept the closest one with a trio of stun spells. The magical attacks flew unerringly towards their target, dropping the swooping creature out of the sky.

The beast took a rough fall, but ultimately seemed relatively unharmed, and was swiftly bound by more conjured chains.

“Go to the train further up the tracks, you will find aid there!” Twilight shouted towards the still fleeing pony.

Whether the terrified earth pony heard Twilight was uncertain, though the alicorn didn't have time to double check. For the cry of a panicked young woman had alerted Twilight to a teenager hiding within the mostly hallow interior of a long dead tree. Her attacker seemed intent on tormenting her, with the hellish monster slamming its bladed limbs against either side of the trunk. Slowly but surely it was cutting its way through, slobber dripping from its jaws as it eyed the girl with naked hunger.

A concussive blast knocked the creature off balance, allowing enough time for Twilight to cast a more complicated sleep spell. The second it was completed the terrifying monster dropped to the ground like a sack of potatoes. Twilight quickly bound the strange creature in more conjured chains before repeating her command to the teenager and setting off once more.

This time it took an even shorter amount of time to find her next target as it was already flying directly at her. A spike of fear shot through Twilight’s heart, though the alicorn had enough presence of mind to roll out of the way. After narrowly dodging the creature’s attack Twilight unleashed an unfocused blast of mana, knocking it back.

The blood crazed beast surprised Twilight with its speed and before the alicorn could follow up her attack, it was already on her. The creature swept right, then down, forcing Twilight to constantly stumble backwards lest she stray into its deadly path. Thankfully for the woman, her attacker overcommitted, allowing Twilight the chance to leap back and conjure a gust of wind.

This time the creature was forced back several feet, its long swordlike arms raised in defence. Twilight had no intention of using any conventional attacks on the creature, and quickly increased its gravity tenfold with a spell. The monster had evidently not seen this coming, as it slammed into the ground a second later, sinking several inches into the still wet earth.

Another bunch of chains later and Twilight was down to only two enemies left.

“Right, I can do this. These things don't have any resistance to magic,” Twilight murmured as she took wing once more.

Again her prey was not hard to find, as near a small creek nearby was a large orange bubble inside of which were an older unicorn as well as a young girl. Standing outside the shield were two more of the winged creatures, who were both battering away with their sword arms. Twilight made a note to give the unicorn mage some pointers when they were safe before leaping into action.

Seeking to end this one quickly while utilizing the element of surprise, Twilight took a page from Trixie’s book and turned one of the monsters into a teacup. His ally didn't have long to wonder what had happened, as he had been gripped tight in Twilight’s telekinetic field. He was then forced face first into the ground and bound with several quickly constructed golden chains.

“You may come out now,” Twilight declared in the softest, kindest tone she could muster.

The unicorn hesitated a moment before letting his horn dull and his spell to fall away.

“Thank goodness you showed up. I don't know what I would have done,” he exclaimed in an exasperated tone.

“Are either of you injured?” Twilight asked as she walked up and kneeled down in front of the still cowering child.

“I got hit in the shoulder pretty good, but thankfully it was with the blunt side of that thing’s sword,” stated the man, who was already sporting a massive bruise on his upper arm. “Bubbling Cup here is just fine. Isn't that right my little sweet tea.”

The child opened a single hesitant eye, only to notice the alicorn standing before her and immediately gasp in surprise. “It's a pwincess daddy, were saved!” She exclaimed.

Twilight chuckled. “For now. Though I’d like to know where these things came from.”

“I don't know to be honest,” muttered the unicorn, who glanced up at the horizon. “We were just having a picnic with the extended family when they swooped in from out of nowhere.”

“Are you going to take care of all the bad guys?” whispered the young girl.

“I promise,” Twilight exclaimed, placing a hand over her heart.

“That makes me happy,” stated the child.

Twilight was about to ask another question when she heard the sound of clanking hoofsteps coming from behind her. A second later and three royal guards were standing at the edge of the small clearing, a familiar dragon in their midst.

“Status?” Twilight barked.

Spike stepped forward. “We found a couple survivors and are treating them on the train.”

“Bloody Bandage and Iron Arm stayed back with the others,” added one of the guards.

“I wish you would have taken us with you princess. You could have been hurt,” added another.

“I couldn't leave my ponies to suffer,” Twilight replied. “Now then let us gather up the remaining people and try to figure out what happened here.”

“Hold on, what is it doing?” Spike asked.

Everyone glanced down to where the demonic creature, not turned into an inanimate object was wiggling its body vigorously. Blood coursed down its form, and then just when Twilight was about to stop it, the creature broke free of its bindings. Not through any feat of strength or skill, rather it had cut off its own arm, and used the extra room to slip out.

The creature didn't get far as it was slammed back into the ground by three different auras. It was then wrapped in a dozen chains, which were in turn bound to the ground by a magical anchor.

“Fan out. Locate the ones already subdued and ensure they don't escape!” Twilight shouted.

“Yes your majesty!” Replied the guards.

“Do you really think they might get out?” Spike asked hesitantly, glancing to the distant tree line.

Twilight frowned. “Not likely. Though at this point anything is possible.”

“Where do you think these guys came from?” Spike continued. “They don't look like any creature I’ve ever seen before.”

Twilight’s frown deepened. “I don't know Spike. But I have a feeling that we will find that out very soon.”

Author's Note

This is a request fic, which receives updates whenever someone submits a request for me to do so on a request thread on my patreon.