Rise of Opalineby WhisperFaceChapters1 Shine like an Opal2 Waiting to Test3 A Little Flame4 One Door Closes5 Look Mama, a Cutie Mark!6 To the Train7 Unfamiliar Faces9 School of Friendship10 Memory of Empire8 The Canterlot Dropoff1 Shine like an Opal"Oh darling. She shines like a fire opal," the stallion said. "Mmhm," the mother breathed hard. "Now push," the nurse said. The father beamed at his daughter as her mother finished up the afterbirth. The nurse offered him the option to cut the cord. He closed the clip. The nurse took the fledgling from the father's hooves. "Congratulations," the nurse said, "I'll go clean and weigh the crystal empire's newest citizen." Another nurse tended to the winded mother. The father gushed. "Darling she has your luminescence. We have a beautiful foal." "Good, good," the mother said. She closed her eyes," I just need to rest." The crystal mare closed her eyes. After a few minutes, the nurse brought back their little foal. The mother cried when she held her baby. "What shall we call her, Pinfire?" her stallion asked. "Our little, Opaline. Our most precious gift." Pinfire Opal was wheelchaired out of the hospital a few days later by her stallion with little Opaline in her hooves. Opaline grew up as pampered as any filly can be. Her mother showered her with presents. Opaline had merely to bat her eyes at her father and he caved to her every whim. Still Opaline had no direction in her life. She didn’t have her cutie mark. “Mama, when will I get my cutie mark?” Opaline whined. “You have to find your special talent my beautiful girl.” “But what if it isn’t good enough. I deserve the best Mama!” “Of course you do.” Years passed and Opaline got what she wanted. “Papa, I want to go to the Canterlot school for unicorns.” “You’ll need to work for that little one.” The unicorn stallion chuckled. He lowered his head and touched his curving horn to the stub on his daughter’s head. “Can’t you just buy me a spot?” Her father laughed. “I’m sorry, jewel. You have to show magical talent. It takes study and work.” Opaline batted wide eyes. “Please Daddy? I deserve the best.” Her father ran a hoof through his mane. He gave a nervous chuckle. “Perhaps I could make a generous offer. There is still no guarantee you would get in if you don’t show talent little one.” A fire entered the filly’s eyes that made her father step back. “I’ll show them talent. Just give me a chance and I’ll blow them away!” Opaline poured through the names of everyone on the admissions board. Three of the 25 ponies would oversee her admission test. She learned as much as she could about every one of them. The blue mare had a family of five, cuteness ought to be used in measure. Two stallions on the council had an addiction to chocolate and four enjoyed it. Safer to bring several bars of chocolate to sway them. There were secret obsessions and scandals. Opaline poured through the books and newspapers for dirt on every member of the council. The only one she left out of her research was the head mare. Why would the Princess, the ruler of the kingdom, show up at her test. Opaline glared at a book her father placed next to her. “The magic of friendship?” She frowned up at the stallion. Her father chuckled. “Its the story of The Princess and her friends, how they rose to power.” Opaline eyed the star covered tome. “Maybe later. I’m busy.” Her father hesitated, but Opaline was already reading about her targets again. “Opaline, have you practiced your magic?” The crystal unicorn filly waved her hoof at her father. “I’ll have time for that later. I have to get in first.” Her father shook his head. “If you don’t show a talent for magic you won’t get in, jewel.” Opaline gave him a radiant smile. “Of course I will. There is more than one way to power, Papa.” Her father trotted down stairs. Pinfire opal had a sapphire under a jeweler's lens and was carefully shaping it. “Darling, I’m worried Opaline isn’t practicing.” Pinfire waved a sparkling red hoof at her husband. “She’ll do fine. You don’t need to be such a worry-wort. Pass me that necklace, will you? This should be ready to place.” The stallion levitated the silver necklace in a soft green glow. “As long as she isn’t too disappointed. I’d hate for her to fail.” Opaline woke the day of the test . She shoved her bags full. She had chocolate, a cute ursa-minor plush, 5 flowers, and a notebook stuffed full of notes. She blurrily blinked in the mirror. Her hair was a mess. “Papa!” she yelled. But no one came. She looked around the house. Opaline found her mother hunched over a silver necklace. “Mama, where is Papa? I need him to braid my hair.” Her mother let out a breath. She glanced at the filly’s unruly mane and looked back into her Jeweler's scope. “He went to work early, dear. I’m sure you are capable. After all, you're going to go to a big fancy school for magic. Surely you can magically do your own hair.” Opaline frowned but went back to her room. She stared at her reflection again. “Its just three clumps of hair.” She closed her eyes and stuck her tongue out. Opaline’s horn sparked and died. She focused harder. She felt hair lift. He opened her eyes. One small clump was covered in a weak colorless bit of magic. Rage washed through her. How dare her magic defy her? The hair was harshly plucked from her scalp. She yelped. She cried. Papa didn’t come check on her. Little Opaline, frowned at her teary reflection. She grabbed the brush in her teeth and trotted down stairs. She sat next to her mother’s chair. She held the brush up to her mother. “I can’t do it yet. Braids are complicated.“ Her mother looked down at her. She snorted at the little filly. Opaline’s cheeks heated. “What?” Her mother took the hair brush with her free hoof. She laid the necklace on the table. “Ok, but I’m not doing your hair as elaborate as your father does. One braid around each ear. The rest is just going to be brushed.” Opaline huffed. Her mother arranged her hair by hoof and waved her off. “Go get into your magic school. I need this necklace done so we can pay for tuition," her mother said. Pinfire moved back to her jeweler's lens. Opaline grabbed her saddle bags and ran for the train. “Canterlot, here I come.” Author's Note I have noted a distinct lack of Opaline content. I want to explore her story from a g4 perspective from her rise to her fall if possible. Perhaps we will get more info before I am done, perhaps not. But here is what I envision for our favorite narcissist. 2 Waiting to TestThe train pulled into the Canterlot station. Opaline double checked that her saddle bag was buckled closed before stepping onto the platform. She looked around. There was a winding path that led down into the valley. One led into the city gates with the curving steeples and brass onion domes. Opaline grinned and headed for the castle. There was a table in front of the wing of the castle which acted as the grounds for the School for gifted unicorns. Opaline trotted up to the table. She waved to get the attention of the older blue mare. “Do I check in here?” Opaline said. The wrinkled blue mare adjusted her glasses. “Where are your parents, little pony?” “They’re working. Is this the place for the entrance test?” The blue unicorn smirked. She placed her hooves together. “Intrepid aren’t we. What is your name, little pony?” “Opaline.” “And your special talent?” Opaline’s cheeks heated. “I don’t have my cutie mark yet.” The blue mare raised an eyebrow. “You’re a little old for that.” “The best one is just waiting for me to find it.” The old blue mare picked up a little name plate on a bracelet. “Opaline, here we are. Lift your hoof.” The older mare clicked the bracelet around Opaline’s wrist. “It’s a little tight.” “You’ll be alright, you only need it for your test order. Just remember not to take it off.” The blue mare pointed into the building. Opaline nodded. She pulled a chocolate bar from her backpack. “For you’re trouble,” she said. The older mare chuckled. She waved the little unicorn toward a door into the palace wing. The little refracting purple unicorn flicked her pale hair over her shoulder. She trotted inside of a tiled hall with large windows. She went down the hall until she found a line of fillies and colts waiting in chairs. Opaline was half again the height of the tallest colt. She looked around, her eyebrows lowering. “Why are you all baby ponies?” Some of the nearby unicorns looked at her. A few chairs had parents hovering about their little ponies. Opaline’s heart sank in her chest. Was she the oldest pony taking the test? She looked side to side. Tiny ponies met her eyes on every side. Some of them already had their cutie mark. Opaline’s head reeled. “How do you get the best unicorns with babies?” she panted. The world was caving in. Shouldn’t she have known the age of most applicants? Did Papa know? She took a deep breath. “No matter, all the easier to win a spot. Like taking jewels from babies.” Opaline strutted to the front of the line. She stared at a set of blue twins sitting on a bench. “Move, I need to sit down,” She said. The colts scoffed. The one on the right rolled his eyes. “You don’t get to cut the line. We go in alphabetically.” “Well what are your names?” The one on the right shook his head. “I’m Alfalfa and this is Amaranth.” “Well I’m Opaline. I don’t feel like sitting in the middle with the babies. You seem more cognisant. I’ll bet you could even hold a conversation.” She shoved her way between the brothers. The one on the left lowered his head. Alfalfa on her right shoved back but she refused to move. “Hey, I’m supposed to stay by my brother. Your big butt is in the way.” “What are you gonna do about it? Magic me away?” “I could!” “Try it!” She shoved her muzzle close to his and glared. “See what happens.” “I-its ok Alfalfa,” Amaranth said. Opaline was surprised at how soft the colt’s voice was. She glanced at the other twin. “We have room for her, ju-just don’t fight. I don’t want you to get kicked out before we even get into the exam.” Alfalfa bared his teeth at Opaline. He took a deep breath and looked away. “Fine.” Opaline smiled, eyelids thin. She sat back. Maybe being taller than the others wasn’t so bad. Alfalfa and Amaranth were third and forth to be called into the exam room. Occasionally little ponies would be accompanied by adults, parents, grandparents, one brought her big sister. Opaline scoffed. Her parents trusted her to be a big pony. She stared out the window. “What if Papa had made it?” She shook her head. She wiped her foreleg across her eyes. She would not cry. She had thought Papa would at least have waved at the train station. 3 A Little Flame“Opaline?” She jumped off the bench as her name was finally called. The door opened for her. A brown unicorn she recognized from her research sat several seats back. Next to that unicorn were the last two ponies Opaline expected. Princess Twilight sat in the middle chair, her lavender and pink mane flowing with power. She had a long horn on a longer neck and large swan-like wings. Opaline’s eyes danced. She had never seen an Alicorn. Of course she had heard of the two that helped rule the crystal empire but she wasn’t from the center of town. The Princess fluttered her wings absently, and Opaline felt something. Her shoulders tried to shift similarly. That was what made the Princess the best, wasn't it? Being an Alicorn with the abilities of all three types of ponies? The third pony in the judges seat was her father. Opaline grinned. She strutted to the front of the classroom. She pulled her saddle bag off with her mouth and plopped it down. “I have something for you before we begin,” Opaline said. She reached into her bag. She pulled out the Ursa minor plush. Her horn sparked violently as she hovered the little stuffed bear to the brown mare. “What’s this?” The mare said. She took the little stuffed animal gently. “I read that your daughter loves Ursa’s so I brought that for you.” Opaline stuck out her tongue as she levitated. A chocolate bar toward the princess. “Did you bring something for everyone?” Princess Twilight asked. “I tried,” Opaline said. She ran her hoof through her mane. “I didn’t know you’d be here, Princess. But I hope you like chocolate.” The Princess smiled gently. Opaline nodded. She was sweating already but she had one more. She pulled a flower out of her bag. She had to improvise but she knew her Papa would like a red flower. She hovered the flower over to her father slower than the other two. She was starting to pant. Her vision began to cross. The brown mare said something. Opaline shook her head. She stood up as straight as she could. “Could you say that again?” she asked the mare. The brown mare pointed to the opposite door. Opaline looked. A grey stallion rolled in a cart. Atop it sat a globe full of flickering light. Opaline handed the grey stallion a small ring with a Rose Quartz on it. The stallion smiled. He shook his head. Opaline frowned. Was it the wrong stallion? She pulled out a chocolate bar instead. “A thank you for your time,” she said. The stallion laughed. “We aren’t supposed to take gifts from the applicants.” Opaline lowered confused eyebrows. She glanced at the Princess whose eyes shone with mirth as she munched on the chocolate bar. Opaline’s head lowered. “Oh ok. Um, thank you for bringing in the…test.” The brown mare smiled at the purple crystalline filly. She made an encouraging motion toward the glass ball of flickering flame. Opaline focused on the glass sphere. She stepped closer. Her saddle bag slumped behind her. In the heart of the glass the fire flickered. Opaline got close to the sphere. How was this a test? She looked at the judges. They held their clipboards in a magical grip. She looked at the sphere of fire again. Maybe she needed to get the fire out. Her horn sparked as she tried to pry at the sphere. She levitated it searching for weak spots. If the fire was flickering that meant the sphere had to be hollow right? She started to get light headed. Opaline placed the sphere on the floor. She spun the sphere with one hoof. The fire spun the opposite direction. She narrowed her eyes. Well there was one sure fire way to free fire from a hollow glass sphere. She touched the sphere to see if it was hot. When it didn’t burn her she picked it up. Opaline lifted the glass sphere high above her head. The princess’s eyes widened. Her father held out a hoof. Opaline smashed the glass sphere onto the ground. Magical fire burst and flickered around her. Ponies cried out. Her father called her name. Fire surrounded Opaline; she coughed at the heat. She breathed in, but instead of air the fire pulled into her throat. The clear magic around her horn burned and sparkled the colors of an opal. Pale blue and white fire wreathed the little unicorn. She stared down at her shaking hooves. Opaline laughed. She laugh long and hard. She spun and danced. Her rear burned. Light and fire. This was beautiful. Her flank tingled. Opaline stared at her back leg and saw the horn with a plume of fire on either side. “Fire magic! My special talent is fire magic!” she said. She hopped from foot to foot. A pail of water splashed across Opaline. It soaked her hair and extinguished her horn. “Hey!” She looked over to see her father. He held the pail in two hooves. His ears were back and his eyes wide. “Papa look, I got my cutie mark!” she said. “Yes, you did,” he said. Why didn’t Papa look happy? Opaline looked around. Fire burnt the walls, scorch marks covered the front two rows of desks. Opaline licked her lips. The Princess’s smile was gone. “So when do I start?” Opaline said. 4 One Door ClosesThe princess exchanged a look with the brown mare she locked eyes with Opaline’s father. “This is your daughter?” “Well, yes. But I can be objective.” “No, I think I understand. You left quite a generous donation and wiggled your way onto the judgment council to help your daughter attend.” “You have to admit she has potential,” Papa said. Twilight shook her head. “That wasn’t unicorn magic.” “But I controlled the fire!” Opaline said, “What else was I supposed to do?” The brown mare tilted her head. She pet the ursa minor plush in her lap. “You do have potential. But I don’t think this is the school for you.” Opaline’s ears flattened. “What?” The Princess stood. She walked up to Opaline. Opaline stared up. She saw the princess’ wings and gulped. They seemed bigger than a cloud up close. “Opaline, you absorbed dragon fire. I’ve never seen a pony do that. I’m afraid the School for Gifted Unicorns doesn’t have the facilities for that talent.” Opaline blinked back tears. “No! this is the best school. I’m supposed to get into the best school.” Princess Twilight lowered her head to the filly’s eye level. “There is no best school, only what school is best for you.” Opaline ran her foreleg across her eyes. She glared at the ground trying to keep the tears in with her rage. Twilight stood. She turned to Opaline’s father. “I can give her a recommendation for the School of Friendship.” “What? Friendship is for babies!” Opaline said. Twilight chuckled. "Yet you have a spark of talent for that as well. Bringing gifts for those you wish to think of you fondly is a good first step. And beyond that, it is the only school in Equestria with dragons in the student body.” Opaline looked at her newly minted cutie mark. “So I can learn more about dragon fire there?” “You can.” Opaline kicked the ground. She looked up at Papa. He nodded encouragingly. “Ok, I’ll go,” she told the Princess. “And Plasma Burst?” the Princess said. Papa grimaced. “Yes, Princess?” The Princess’s tone was gentle. “If you wish to move to Ponyville, the funds will be available.” “Oh...thank you, Princess.” “But don’t let this happen again.” “No, Princess. Of course not.” Princess Twilight nodded. She nodded toward the exit door. “Go on. We have more candidates before lunch.” She turned to the brown mare. ”Would you fetch Sapphire Star? We have need of a new third judge.” “But Princess, I can…” Papa started. “No Plasma, your daughter needs you. Go.” She gestured to the door with one massive wing. Papa nodded. He picked up Opaline’s bags with his magic and shooed her toward the exit. Opaline flexed her shoulders. She stared at Princess Twilight’s wings until the door closed behind her. She spun to her dad. “Papa, am I really going to get to meet dragons? Like Spike the Hero?” “It sounds like it, jewel. We better go tell your mother.” Opaline put her ears back. “She’s been working on that necklace to pay for my school. But I failed. Is she gonna be mad?” Papa shook his head. “You still have a school to go to. And you got your cutie mark! We have a Cutseñera to throw!” Opaline gasped. She grabbed her father and hugged him close. “You’re the best, Papa!” They rode the train home together. When Papa opened the door, Opaline saw Mama had hung up the necklace on its stand. The silver shone like fire. The light from the window refracted blue light through the sapphire in its center. “Wow, Mama! It's beautiful!” “It is Isn’t it?” Pinfire said. She turned to her daughter and husband. She gasped. “Is that a cutie mark?” “My special talent is fire magic!” “That’s my girl,” Pinfire said. She pulled her filly and husband into a hug. “Does this mean you made it in?” “No, they said they don’t have the fasisitees.” “The facilities,” Papa corrected, “We have a recommendation for the School of Friendship from the Princess herself.” “That’s great news! Why are your ears down, Plasma?” Papa shook his head. “I have been given the option to relocate to stay close.” He rubbed his knee with a hoof and wouldn't meet his wife's eyes. Pinfire’s ears dropped. “My work is here, Plasma. I can’t just leave the Crystal Empire. Where is the school even at?” “It’s in Ponyville.” Silence filled the air. Opaline looked back and forth at her parents. “I swore I’d never go back. You know that.” “I know darling.” Papa’s ear went flatter. “What’s wrong Mama? I get to go to the best school for me. I get to learn with dragons!” Mama stepped back. Her hoof went to her shoulder. She stared blankly at the wall. “By Celestia, I guess you did say your special talent was fire magic.” Pinfire let out a deep breath. She lowered her hoof and pasted on a grin. “Why don’t you run upstairs and decide on what to wear for your Cutseñera while I talk to Papa.” “Ok!” Opaline dashed upstairs, eager to leave behind the awkward silence. 5 Look Mama, a Cutie Mark!Opaline found the skirt that matched her mane. She had begged Papa to buy it weeks ago just in case she found her talent at school. She slipped it on and added a white puff-sleeved front with a puffy collar. She looked at herself in the mirror. “Perfect.” She ran out of her room to show her parents. But she skidded to a stop at the top of the stairs. “Dragonfire? How did they think that was safe? And she just broke it open? “The Princess said she had never seen a pony with the talent before.” “But Ponyville? That backward little town is full of miscreants from all over! Dragons are one thing. There are Yaks, Cows, and Changelings! We can’t expose our little girl to changelings!” Opaline could hear her mother pacing. The swift click-clack on the tiles was more nervous than contemplative. Mama never got nervous! “That’s why I should go,” Papa said. “For how long? Are you going to get a residence out there? Celestia knows my parents will find you. You cannot let them get to my little girl.” “I won’t. And they won’t. I’ll explain the predicament to the movers.” Opaline slowly went down the stairs. “I can’t just do this alone. Your help finding gems is invaluable. What will you do in Ponyville?” “The lead of the geology department out there is a talented mare. I’m sure she’ll have something for me to do.” Mama was hyperventilating. “Can we do this? I know our little girl deserves the best, but it's so dangerous. Ponyville is right next to that cursed forest!” Opaline peeked around the corner. Her mother had her hooves on her head. Papa sat next to Mama. He pulled Pinfire into his arms. “Hey, I love you.” Pinfire laughed. She buried her face in her husband's chest. “You two will have to come back on weekends, hear?” “Of course, Opal.” Opaline walked into the room with her head down. “Mama, why are you crying?” Pinfire wiped at her eyes with her foreleg. “I’m just so proud of you. Fire is a lovely talent.” Opaline looked back and forth at her parents. “But you don’t want me to go to the school with dragons?” Mama shook her head. “Dragons are fine. A little rough and tumble but not dangerous.” Opaline straightened. “So I can go to the School of Friendship?” Mama smiled. She held out her hood and pulled Opaline into the floor hug. “Of course you can. And your Papa will keep you safe.” “That’s right,” he said. “Ok, then let's go sign up.” Plasma Blast ruffled his daughter's hair. “In the morning. We have a Cutseñera to throw!” ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................... Opaline’s father threw the best Cutseñera ever according to Opaline. All the kids from her class came. It didn’t matter that she didn’t remember any of their names. They brought her gifts and she got to wear her cutest dress. Mama even let her wear the sapphire necklace for the party. “So you can breath fire like a dragon?” one colt asked. “No,” Opaline said, ”I can control dragon fire. That's why there’s fire by a horn not by a mouth in my cutie mark.” “Are you sure it’s fire? That looks more like wings!” Opaline stared at her cutie mark. “Wings?” The image of Princess Twilight’s wings flashed through her mind. “Now that would be the best. A fire Alicorn…” She sighed. “No, it's dragon fire.” “If it is wings does that mean you're gonna be the Princess of fire?” the colt asked. Opaline put her hoof in the colt’s face. “No, go get your party favor. You need to leave.” He laughed. “If you say so, Princess!” She stuck her tongue out. Princess huh? No, she was gonna be the best, a unicorn who could control dragon fire. Still. She wiggled her shoulders imagining wings stretching out. She shook her head. She walked up to Papa. “Papa, I’m going to bed.” “Oh? Why so early?” “The sooner I sleep the sooner I wake up. I want to go see real dragons at the school tomorrow like you promised.” “Oh, did I promise that?” “You said we’d go sign me up at the School of Friendship in the morning.” “So I did.” Papa kissed the top of her head. “See you in the morning, jewel.” Author's Note Hey all, next chapter coming out Saturday. 6 To the TrainThe morning sun shone right into Opaline’s eyes. She groaned and rolled out of bed. She rubbed her eyes and went downstairs. Papa had something sizzling in the pan. Opaline hopped up on a stool. “Are those hashbrowns?” she asked. “Nothing like potatoes to start the day.” Opaline stuck her tongue out. She tried to open the cupboard with her magic. Her clear magic shuddered the door. She slowly opened the door. It wasn’t the same. She closed her eyes and imagined the fire whisping through her fur. She shook her head. “I’ll see dragons soon.” “What was that jewel?” Papa said. He turned with a pan of perfectly crisped hash browns. Opaline focused harder. Two plates sparked and wobbled as she levitated them out of the cupboard. Papa chuckled as the plates settled to the counter with a clacking sound. He served up two servings of potato. Pinfire walked down the stairs. “What, no breakfast for me?” Papa laughed. He easily levitated a plate from the cupboard and slid the rest of the hashbrowns onto his wife’s plate. He kissed her head and placed the plate in front of her. “We have a big day ahead of us. Will you be joining us?” Papa asked. Opaline widened her eyes and put her hooves together under her chin. “Please Mama?” Pinfire took a bite and shook her head. “I can’t darling.” She patted her daughter’s head. “Aww, but we get to go see my new school, the one that’s best for me.” Pinfire shook her head again. “I have an important commission to deliver.” She paused. “But perhaps I can ride with you, at least until Canterlot.” “Yay!” Opaline threw her hoofs up in the air, “Canterlot visit!” Papa snorted. “We were just there yesterday, jewel.” “And you aren’t coming in with me,” Mama said, “You have a school to enroll in, remember?” She booped Opaline’s nose. Opaline nodded seriously. “Let’s go,” Papa said. The train to Canterlot was crowded. Pinfire held the shallow square box, with the sapphire necklace inside it, close to her chest. Plasma pulled her close and kissed the top of her head. “Don’t worry so much, Pinfire.” “Just keep her close, you hear me?” “With clarity, my gem.” Pinfire’s coat flared bright as she blushed. “You better.” “Opaline and I are just going to look at the school.” “What?” Opaline gasped. “No, we are going to sign up! What if I get behind!” Pinfire shook her head. “You won’t get behind, the school season is isn't officially started. Everyone could be moving into dorms for all I know.” “Dorms? But Papa’s getting a house, right Papa?” “We’ll see, jewel. I haven’t talked to Princess Twilight’s staff yet. Let’s see the school before we decide.” At the Canterlot station, Pinfire Opal stepped out of the train. Papa waved off Mama. Mama gave a small wave. She turned and wove into the crowd entering the capital city. Opaline bounced on her seat. “Now we get to go talk to dragons!” “Of course, jewel,” Papa said. He booped her nose. But he stared after his wife, well after the train had left the station. Opaline started kneading the train cushion with her hooves. “We’ve been in here for hours!” “Just you wait. We’re almost there Opaline.” “Papa I need to use the bathroom.” She whispered. The train crested a hill. A small city with cloud apartments floating above and a spire topped city hall came into view. Staring out the window Opaline gasped. A crystalline tree with windows and a door was set next to a building set within a waterfall. “Papa, what are those?” Papa glanced out the window. A soft smile crossed his face. “That is the school of friendship, jewel.” Her eyes widened. She looked at the huge tree. And the waterfall. A creature leaped from the lake. They glowed and landed with new wings and claws. She gasped. “Papa look a dragon!” Papa chuckled. “Not quite. They walk on their hind legs most of the time.” “Oh right.” Opaline pressed her nose to the window, ”Wow, there are Yaks over there. I’ve met Yaks. Are you sure that one by the waterfalls isn’t a dragon? The face is long and kind of beaky.” “That is a hippogriff, jewel. They live down south. Opaline was practically vibrating by the time the train doors opened. She shot out onto the platform. “Hey, slow down jewel!” Papa called. But she was finally here. Opaline shot off for the tree castle. “Opaline wait!” But Opaline was too focused. She went for the bathroom in the station and disappeared. 7 Unfamiliar FacesOpaline said. Opaline stepped out of the bathroom and looked around the station for her father. “Papa, can we go to the school now?” There were creatures of all sorts flooding through the platform. Opaline stepped into the flow of traffic. A feathered creature with a sharp beak, claws on its front legs, and paws on the back shouldered past her. Opaline was sent spinning. She bounced off a hard chest. She looked up into big blue bug eyes. The creature flared clear beetle wings the size of a pony’s. “Eep!” She jumped back. She stumbled. She ran into a long-legged pony. The pony twinkled like Mama. She grabbed onto the pale green front leg and stared up at a pony with a traditional crystal empire pile of braids. They sparkled in soft white and turquoise. “Oh good. Can you help me find my Papa? We’re supposed to go to the school.” “Hmm, what’s this?” the pony lifted the hoof Opaline clung to. The pale green pony narrowed ice blue eyes as Opaline kept wrapped around the hoof, leaving the little pony hanging in the air. The pony stared over sharp cheekbones at the purple filly. “Uh, you’re from the crystal empire right? I am too?” Opaline said. The pony grimaced. “You’re a half breed.” Opaline tilted her head. “What?” “Let go of me, little pony.” The pale pony said. The hoof shook until Opaline slipped off. She put her head down. The tall crystal pony glared down at her like she was a worm. Opaline shivered. Those icy eyes could freeze her to the floor. “I-I just wanted some help.” The tall pony gagged. “As if. There is nothing worse than something like you.” Opaline tried to shrink in on herself. “Hey, that was completely uncalled for.” A pink mare stepped between Opaline and the ice-eyed pony. That purple and turquoise mane, was it the pony from her trip to Canterlot? The tall pony finally turned that icy gaze off Opaline. “And who are you to correct me?” “I run the school of Friendship.” The mare snapped. The tall pony laughed. “Good luck with that. Friendship can’t be taught. You have it or you don’t” “You clearly don’t,” the pink mare said through bared teeth. The tall pony chuckled into a pale yellow-mint hoof. “I have many friends, all in higher positions than yours. You are a glorified teacher without an education, from what I hear.” “You have no idea what I am capable of.” The pale pony made a dismissive wave of the hoove. “I’m sure, Sunlight Shimmer. I’m all too happy to leave the half breed to you.” The pony turned. The end of the crystalline tail snapped across the pink mare’s nose. “You are not welcome.” The mare yelled after the tall pony. She huffed, “Not my best come back.” Opaline watched the mare with wide eyes. The mare turned and looked at her and tilted her pink ears. “Have we met? You look familiar.” “You were on the train yesterday.” “Ah,” she put a pink hoof to her pink neck and gave a half-hearted smile, “I’m sorry if I wasn’t in the best mood then. Starburst was… nevermind, what brings you to Ponyville?” “I’m recommended to the School of Friendship.” “Is that so? And who recommended you little one?” “Princess Twilight.” The pink mare narrowed her eyes. “She’s eager to send a student my way but not funds?” she shook her head. “Well I am Starlight Glimmer, the headmare. I can give you a simple test at the school.” “Oh,” Opaline jumped to her feet. “Is it true there are tons of dragons?” Starlight Glimmer chuckled. “We even have a dragon teaching.” “Really? What dragon can teach friendship?” “Well, Spike is basically the Princess’ little brother.” Opaline gasped. She grabbed Starlight’s face. “Spike the brave and glorious?” “Ah, so you are from the Crystal Empire.” “Is it him?” “Yes, but he’s grown. He isn’t a baby dragon anymore.” “Then he has gone on even more adventures! Let’s go!” Opaline grabbed the headmare’s hoof and pulled her out of the station. Starlight sighed. “Enthusiastic, aren’t we?” “I’m here because Princess Twilight said I could learn about dragonfire here.” “And what about friendship?” Opaline paused. The little purple unicorn stared at the ground a moment. She turned around to beam at Starlight with a soft smile. “She said I had talent.” Starlight’s expression softened. “Well, let’s get you a quick admission little one.” “Opaline. My name is Opaline.” 9 School of FriendshipOpaline followed Starlight Glimmer to the front of the tree palace. “Wait you’re going past it,” she said. “The school is over there,” Starlight said. She pointed at the building between the split waterfall. Opaline looked up at the branches of crystal interspersed with windows and balconies. “Then what is that for?” “That is the friendship castle. It's a power separate from the school. Come now, we should get your paperwork configured.” “Right.” They stepped across the stone bridge to the school doors. There was a glass stain of Princess Twilight above the door. Opaline pointed to it. “Why is the princess there. Isn’t the Princess’ school in Canterlot?” “That’s complicated.” “How does she have two schools?” “Well, she sort of inherited the school of magic after she founded the school of friendship.” “Why are you in charge then?” “I was the best fit for the position when she was given the reigns of Equestria.” “You must be like her right hand mare!” Starlight stumbled. She gave a nervous laugh. “Not exactly. Spike still has that honor.” Opaline’s brows drew together. “But he teaches a class while you are in charge? How does that make sense?” “Not every job is for everycreature. Everyone has their own strengths. Mine are with keeping creatures focused on a goal together. Spike has other talents. You’ll see if you take his class.” They approached a door. Opaline looked around the hall. “Why is nopony here?” “School starts next week. Most students aren’t back from the break.” “Oh, Mama said that might be the case.” Starlight used turquoise magic to swing the door open. Inside the room a stallion breathed into a paper bag while a pale blue unicorn smacked him on the back. “The great and powerful Trixie has great and powerful friends. Starlight will know what to do just you wait and see,” the blue mare said. “Papa!” The stallion looked up. He let out a deep breath. “You’re alright. Come here, Opaline.” He opened his arms wide. Opaline jumped into the hug. “Starlight, you have already delivered on Trixie’s promises. You are still the greatest assistant to walk Equestria.” Starlight rolled her eyes then gave the mare an affectionate shake of her head. “Trixie will you grab an entrance exam please?” “Where did you go jewel?” Papa asked, “I couldn’t find you anywhere?” “The bathroom. Then Starlight rescued me from a scary tall pony.” Papa’s hooves tightened around Opaline. “Papa, you're squishing me.” “Ah, so I am.” Starlight floated a slim stack of paper onto a desk next to the couch. “That should be it. Just answer to the best of your ability.” Opaline grabbed a pencil in her mouth and started answering questions. Papa glanced at her and back to the head mare. Papa fidgeted. He rubbed his foreleg. “Has Princess Twilight informed you of extenuating circumstances?” Starlight sighed. “No, is something wrong?” “Its not…there are some dangers to having my daughter in Ponyville.” “Oh? I’ve found Ponyville a fairly safe place as long as one doesn’t stray too close to the forest.” “Yes well, others have agreed. Can we talk in private a moment?” “Sure, if that makes you more comfortable.” Opaline didn’t miss her Papa glancing her way again before he nodded. He and the head mare trotted out into the hall. Opaline stopped halfway through a question. Was this about what had almost made Mama cry yesterday? She had to find out. She jumped off the couch. “Woah there,” Trixie said, “You need to finish your test to get into school.” Opaline pulled her eyes from the door to look at the blue unicorn. She held in a scoff. “What do you do at the school again?” The mare grinned. “The great and humble Trixie teaches about fostering the talent that makes you great… and I’m the school counselor.” She pouted. “It is the same job most days.” “Right, shouldn’t a counselor know what troubles a student is facing?” “Well, of course.” Opaline pointed to the door. “Then shouldn’t you be out there finding out what my Papa thinks is so dangerous about me being in Ponyville?” “Well yes, yes I should.” The blue unicorn walked toward the door. She turned back. “You won’t cheat on your test?” “I can’t. I didn’t know I was taking it until I got here.” Trixie nodded. She pushed the door open and joined the adults in the hall. Opaline snuck over to the door. She leaned very softly on the glass but couldn’t make out more than mumbling. She put a hoof to the door and opened it just a crack. “...and that could mean she gets hurt. Are there any measures you can take to prevent that?” “Well, unless you file a restraining order it is up to you as legal guardian. I can make sure she doesn’t leave with anyone else,” Starlight said. “That would be helpful, but not foolproof. I know changelings are in attendance.” “Changelings are harmless now. Starlight reformed them, ”came Trixies’s pompous voice. “Let me think on it,” Starlight said, “I’ll need to send a letter for some advice.” “Thank you. Her safety is of utmost importance.” The door unexpectedly swung open. Opaline froze. Papa’s eyes widened. “Were you eavesdropping?” Opaline shuffled her hooves. “What is a Changeling?” 10 Memory of EmpireAuthor's Note Hey, sorry for the two-week delay on this one. It was a little hard to write and ended up a happily longer chapter. Have some Pinfire backstory, and some unfortunate foreshadowing for a character you may have met. And welcome to the first reason this story is tagged tragedy. Content Warning Pain Child endangerment Physical abuse Abusive Parent Blood Death 10 Memory of Empire A changeling was exactly what Pinfire had worried about. The crystal pony floated in a near void. Her customer had turned exactly like she had feared. Why did she ever let Opaline wear the necklace? Stupid mistake. During the first hour suspended in the goo within the changeling cocoon she had struggled, swimming nowhere, yet air flowing in just enough for her to breathe. The second hour, her mind had drifted. There was almost no sensation within the cocoon. The sensory deprivation escalated when the customer left, snuffing the fire and leaving her in darkness. Pinfire wriggled weakly. And she considered using what she swore she never would. The things that awful mare had taught her. No, she wasn’t that desperate yet. Was she? Her mind drifted and with the sensory depravation, it conjured images of her old home in such vivid detail she could swear she could smell pine. She had been young when Sombra’s soldiers came. Her father had told her to go hide in the back woods. But Pinfire had refused. “If you won’t go then you must promise to be silent.” “Yes Papa,” she said. She ducked behind the soft armchair by the fire. Papa pushed the curtain open an inch, looking through with one eye. He dropped the curtain with a startled yelp. Someone rapped on the door Her father glanced at her hiding spot. He glared. Her eyes widened. Little pinfire had crawled farther behind the chair. She heard her father open the door. Cold flowed into the house. Pinfire was glad she had hidden near the fireplace. “Where is she?” Came a harsh matriarchal voice. “She should be at school,” Papa said, “Not that it's any of your business. Who are your friends?” “Be respectful to the Colonel,” a deep voice boomed. Pinfire shrank in on herself. “At ease private,” The matriarchal voice said. She sounded smug. “You’re working for him now?” “What's better than serving my country? It's better than waiting in the woods for the bugs to eat me.” “Better in the snow than at the beck and call of a tyrant.” “Sombra only wants to protect his ponies from outside threats.” “I didn’t mean the king.” The matronly voice chuckled. “I’ll be watching. I will be taking my daughter. All able-bodied citizens must serve to the best of their abilities after all.” “She isn’t going anywhere without me.” “Hmm, confident, aren’t you?” Her voice raised. ”Sweep the woods. We wouldn’t want to leave a filly in the cold, would we?” Hoof steps retreated. But soft hoof steps entered sound clicking on the cobblestone. “Get out of my house,” her father said. A harsh whisper said, “She’s my daughter. You may have gotten custody under the queen, but new ruler, new rules. I am taking the little gem with me and there is nothing you can do to stop me." “Then go look for her, or are those soldiers your new lackeys?” Pinfire peeked around the chair carefully. Papa was snout to snout with a lanky mare with a pale green coat. Her turquoise and white mane and tail were pulled tight in military braids that led to five buns lining the tall mare's neck. “They need examples of perfection to contrast in the tests. Our little daughter comes from two immaculate crystal pony lines unsullied by other pony kinds. She is the first step to Crystal Empire dominance.” The mare spoke with fervor. She loomed over Papa as she pulled her head up. Her shoulder was at his eye level. Pinfire gasped. The Mare’s eyes swiveled toward the fire. Pinfire pressed herself against the back of the sitting chair. “Ah, of course, it was a ruse.” The mare said. She sounded disappointed, “You should know better, Blue.” Pinfire heard hoof steps coming her way. Papa slid in front of the fire. “Don’t touch her.” “Oh hon, it's cute you think I care what you say.” Pinfire scrambled behind her father. She saw the pale green mare’s eyes sparkle. “There you are little filly. My little fire has grown. How excellent.” Papa lowered his head and stamped on the cobblestones. “Don’t try this.” “Oh Blue. You know I always get what I want.” Papa charged the lanky mare. The mare twisted out of his way. He reared up on his hind legs to kick at her. The tall mare swept low, her back leg colliding into his. Papa fell on his side. He moved to right himself. The tall mare pounded a hoof into his ribs. He let out a pained gasp. “Papa!” Pinfire yelled. The Mare put her hoof on her father’s head. “Yield the child.” Papa kicked at the mare’s other legs. The Mare stumbled but kept her hoof on Papa’s head. Her other hoof slammed into his leg. There was a soft crack like the fire log had popped, then her father screamed. The mare smiled. She pressed her hoof into the rib she had kicked. “You never did know how to take a little pain.” “Run, Op-Opal,” Papa said. Pinfire Opal’s eyes filled with tears. She still felt the cold from the open door, but she couldn’t look away from Papa. Tears covered his face. “Watch carefully filly. This is what happens when you do not listen to me.” Papa struggled to look Pinfire’s way. “Look away,” he said. But she couldn’t. She watched the pale green hoof smash down behind Papa's ear. She saw Papa’s eyes spark and go glassy. She saw the pale green pony lift her hoof, the red of blood in stark contrast to her pale green fur. The horrible mare smiled. And finally, Pinfire ran, tears freezing as she plowed through the snow. Pinfire drifted. She remembered the hooves of the soldiers grabbing her. She remembered ice on her face where tears had frozen. She remembered the cart they had thrown her in, that they had surrounded her on all sides. The pale green mare had stepped into the back of the covered cart. She had taken a piece of cloth from the curtains inside. She sat and wiped the blood off her hoof with efficient strokes as Pinfire watched. “You won’t be causing any trouble will you little filly?” The mare said. Pinfire shook her head. “Speak up little thing.” “No.” The mare looked at her. “No what.” Pinfire curled in on herself. “No ma’am.” The mare clucked her tongue. “No mother. Try again. You won’t be any trouble, will you?” Pinfire curled her tail around herself. “No…mother.” 8 The Canterlot DropoffAuthor's Note A brief perspective change. 8 The Canterlot Dropoff Pinfire kept the box close to her chest. The cobbles of Canterlot clicked under her hoofsteps. She turned out of the main thoroughfare. A narrow alley led to a purple door. Pinfire took a deep breath. She carefully knocked on the door without putting down the box holding the necklace. The door creaked open. Pinfire took a steadying breath. For a moment her coat dulled. Pinfire Opal shook herself. This was for her family, not the ones that had abandoned her. Her darling husband and little Opaline. Opaline would have a better childhood than she had. She would grow up confident and calm with no evil kings and no pony to hurt her. This was the last time. The door swung open. Pinfire steadied her nerves. Her coat brightened as her confidence returned. It wouldn’t be too bad. She stepped into the dark hallway. Pinfire kept the box close to her chest. She listened to her hoofsteps in the cramped space. “You’re late.” Pinfire’s color dulled as a spike of fear shot through her. A black dollop of viscous liquid dripped past her face. She slowly looked up. Her hooves rooted in place. The ceiling slithered and shifted. Black opened holes to the bricks above and closed again at the rhythm of her heartbeat. She took a shaking step, then another, and another until she saw the light at the end of the tunnel. Her breaths were shallow. She finally stepped out into a cozy sitting room lit by a hearth. A shudder ran up her spine. Her fur stood on end. The red crystal pony pinned her ears. She glanced around the room. “Hello?” A beetle crawled across the floor. Pinfire stomped. It bounced back. Not a beetle, a cockroach. “You wouldn’t squish your client, would you?” A deep sonorous voice said. She stepped back. Her eyes widened. The cockroach flared its wings. Its exoskeleton boiled. The creature grew until its was a quadraped a bit taller than her. It had oily black legs of the same material that dripped from the ceiling. It looked like it could collapse under its own weight from the holes punched through its legs. Cold blue-green eyes stared at her with little white pricks of light in place of pupils. "What’s wrong little pony? Don’t tell me you need another extension.” “No, it’s finished.” “Excellent.” The creature stepped closer. “Let’s see it.” Pinfire pulled the necklace closer to her chest. “Your payment first,” she said. Her voice hardly even shook. The creature chuckled. “You don’t trust me after all this time?” “You are built from deception. What is there to trust.” “You flatter me.” Its deep voice came out soft. It moved toward the dark hall. It put the end of its leg on the black ooze covering the hall. Pinfire didn’t know if it had a proper hoof. But if it did it was sunk into the strange black substance. When the creature withdrew its leg, it had a canvas bag, that clinked with bits of gold. “Show me the bits,” she said. It smiled. Its mouth kept stretching, its two large fangs bared. It flicked a forked tongue between them. “Interesting.” It moved over to Pinfire. It placed the bag in her free hoof. It lingered its muzzle moving to the box. It sniffed . Pinfire flinched. “Oh, you left me a bonus.” “I did not.” “No?” The fangs sunk into the box. Pinfire jumped back. Her coat dulled. Her breath sped. The creature shook the necklace box. The cardboard tore until the silver chain sat on its fangs. It made a slurping sound. “Mmhmmhm, Someone you love dearly wore this.” “Stay away from her Changeling!” Pinfire growled. Her back arched. The bag in her hoof clinked as she held it to her chest as she had the necklace. “I think this deserves an extra payment,” the changeling said. It kept the necklace looped from its shorter bottom fangs. It turned and put its hoof back to the black ooze. Pinfire shuddered. It licked the silver like it had been dipped in honey, its unnaturally wide smile growing with each flicker of that forked tongue. It pulled the end of its leg back out of the dark ooze. The ooze turned green as it stretched Pinfire screamed. “Don’t move darling thing. This won’t hurt a bit.”
1 Shine like an Opal"Oh darling. She shines like a fire opal," the stallion said. "Mmhm," the mother breathed hard. "Now push," the nurse said. The father beamed at his daughter as her mother finished up the afterbirth. The nurse offered him the option to cut the cord. He closed the clip. The nurse took the fledgling from the father's hooves. "Congratulations," the nurse said, "I'll go clean and weigh the crystal empire's newest citizen." Another nurse tended to the winded mother. The father gushed. "Darling she has your luminescence. We have a beautiful foal." "Good, good," the mother said. She closed her eyes," I just need to rest." The crystal mare closed her eyes. After a few minutes, the nurse brought back their little foal. The mother cried when she held her baby. "What shall we call her, Pinfire?" her stallion asked. "Our little, Opaline. Our most precious gift." Pinfire Opal was wheelchaired out of the hospital a few days later by her stallion with little Opaline in her hooves. Opaline grew up as pampered as any filly can be. Her mother showered her with presents. Opaline had merely to bat her eyes at her father and he caved to her every whim. Still Opaline had no direction in her life. She didn’t have her cutie mark. “Mama, when will I get my cutie mark?” Opaline whined. “You have to find your special talent my beautiful girl.” “But what if it isn’t good enough. I deserve the best Mama!” “Of course you do.” Years passed and Opaline got what she wanted. “Papa, I want to go to the Canterlot school for unicorns.” “You’ll need to work for that little one.” The unicorn stallion chuckled. He lowered his head and touched his curving horn to the stub on his daughter’s head. “Can’t you just buy me a spot?” Her father laughed. “I’m sorry, jewel. You have to show magical talent. It takes study and work.” Opaline batted wide eyes. “Please Daddy? I deserve the best.” Her father ran a hoof through his mane. He gave a nervous chuckle. “Perhaps I could make a generous offer. There is still no guarantee you would get in if you don’t show talent little one.” A fire entered the filly’s eyes that made her father step back. “I’ll show them talent. Just give me a chance and I’ll blow them away!” Opaline poured through the names of everyone on the admissions board. Three of the 25 ponies would oversee her admission test. She learned as much as she could about every one of them. The blue mare had a family of five, cuteness ought to be used in measure. Two stallions on the council had an addiction to chocolate and four enjoyed it. Safer to bring several bars of chocolate to sway them. There were secret obsessions and scandals. Opaline poured through the books and newspapers for dirt on every member of the council. The only one she left out of her research was the head mare. Why would the Princess, the ruler of the kingdom, show up at her test. Opaline glared at a book her father placed next to her. “The magic of friendship?” She frowned up at the stallion. Her father chuckled. “Its the story of The Princess and her friends, how they rose to power.” Opaline eyed the star covered tome. “Maybe later. I’m busy.” Her father hesitated, but Opaline was already reading about her targets again. “Opaline, have you practiced your magic?” The crystal unicorn filly waved her hoof at her father. “I’ll have time for that later. I have to get in first.” Her father shook his head. “If you don’t show a talent for magic you won’t get in, jewel.” Opaline gave him a radiant smile. “Of course I will. There is more than one way to power, Papa.” Her father trotted down stairs. Pinfire opal had a sapphire under a jeweler's lens and was carefully shaping it. “Darling, I’m worried Opaline isn’t practicing.” Pinfire waved a sparkling red hoof at her husband. “She’ll do fine. You don’t need to be such a worry-wort. Pass me that necklace, will you? This should be ready to place.” The stallion levitated the silver necklace in a soft green glow. “As long as she isn’t too disappointed. I’d hate for her to fail.” Opaline woke the day of the test . She shoved her bags full. She had chocolate, a cute ursa-minor plush, 5 flowers, and a notebook stuffed full of notes. She blurrily blinked in the mirror. Her hair was a mess. “Papa!” she yelled. But no one came. She looked around the house. Opaline found her mother hunched over a silver necklace. “Mama, where is Papa? I need him to braid my hair.” Her mother let out a breath. She glanced at the filly’s unruly mane and looked back into her Jeweler's scope. “He went to work early, dear. I’m sure you are capable. After all, you're going to go to a big fancy school for magic. Surely you can magically do your own hair.” Opaline frowned but went back to her room. She stared at her reflection again. “Its just three clumps of hair.” She closed her eyes and stuck her tongue out. Opaline’s horn sparked and died. She focused harder. She felt hair lift. He opened her eyes. One small clump was covered in a weak colorless bit of magic. Rage washed through her. How dare her magic defy her? The hair was harshly plucked from her scalp. She yelped. She cried. Papa didn’t come check on her. Little Opaline, frowned at her teary reflection. She grabbed the brush in her teeth and trotted down stairs. She sat next to her mother’s chair. She held the brush up to her mother. “I can’t do it yet. Braids are complicated.“ Her mother looked down at her. She snorted at the little filly. Opaline’s cheeks heated. “What?” Her mother took the hair brush with her free hoof. She laid the necklace on the table. “Ok, but I’m not doing your hair as elaborate as your father does. One braid around each ear. The rest is just going to be brushed.” Opaline huffed. Her mother arranged her hair by hoof and waved her off. “Go get into your magic school. I need this necklace done so we can pay for tuition," her mother said. Pinfire moved back to her jeweler's lens. Opaline grabbed her saddle bags and ran for the train. “Canterlot, here I come.” Author's Note I have noted a distinct lack of Opaline content. I want to explore her story from a g4 perspective from her rise to her fall if possible. Perhaps we will get more info before I am done, perhaps not. But here is what I envision for our favorite narcissist.
2 Waiting to TestThe train pulled into the Canterlot station. Opaline double checked that her saddle bag was buckled closed before stepping onto the platform. She looked around. There was a winding path that led down into the valley. One led into the city gates with the curving steeples and brass onion domes. Opaline grinned and headed for the castle. There was a table in front of the wing of the castle which acted as the grounds for the School for gifted unicorns. Opaline trotted up to the table. She waved to get the attention of the older blue mare. “Do I check in here?” Opaline said. The wrinkled blue mare adjusted her glasses. “Where are your parents, little pony?” “They’re working. Is this the place for the entrance test?” The blue unicorn smirked. She placed her hooves together. “Intrepid aren’t we. What is your name, little pony?” “Opaline.” “And your special talent?” Opaline’s cheeks heated. “I don’t have my cutie mark yet.” The blue mare raised an eyebrow. “You’re a little old for that.” “The best one is just waiting for me to find it.” The old blue mare picked up a little name plate on a bracelet. “Opaline, here we are. Lift your hoof.” The older mare clicked the bracelet around Opaline’s wrist. “It’s a little tight.” “You’ll be alright, you only need it for your test order. Just remember not to take it off.” The blue mare pointed into the building. Opaline nodded. She pulled a chocolate bar from her backpack. “For you’re trouble,” she said. The older mare chuckled. She waved the little unicorn toward a door into the palace wing. The little refracting purple unicorn flicked her pale hair over her shoulder. She trotted inside of a tiled hall with large windows. She went down the hall until she found a line of fillies and colts waiting in chairs. Opaline was half again the height of the tallest colt. She looked around, her eyebrows lowering. “Why are you all baby ponies?” Some of the nearby unicorns looked at her. A few chairs had parents hovering about their little ponies. Opaline’s heart sank in her chest. Was she the oldest pony taking the test? She looked side to side. Tiny ponies met her eyes on every side. Some of them already had their cutie mark. Opaline’s head reeled. “How do you get the best unicorns with babies?” she panted. The world was caving in. Shouldn’t she have known the age of most applicants? Did Papa know? She took a deep breath. “No matter, all the easier to win a spot. Like taking jewels from babies.” Opaline strutted to the front of the line. She stared at a set of blue twins sitting on a bench. “Move, I need to sit down,” She said. The colts scoffed. The one on the right rolled his eyes. “You don’t get to cut the line. We go in alphabetically.” “Well what are your names?” The one on the right shook his head. “I’m Alfalfa and this is Amaranth.” “Well I’m Opaline. I don’t feel like sitting in the middle with the babies. You seem more cognisant. I’ll bet you could even hold a conversation.” She shoved her way between the brothers. The one on the left lowered his head. Alfalfa on her right shoved back but she refused to move. “Hey, I’m supposed to stay by my brother. Your big butt is in the way.” “What are you gonna do about it? Magic me away?” “I could!” “Try it!” She shoved her muzzle close to his and glared. “See what happens.” “I-its ok Alfalfa,” Amaranth said. Opaline was surprised at how soft the colt’s voice was. She glanced at the other twin. “We have room for her, ju-just don’t fight. I don’t want you to get kicked out before we even get into the exam.” Alfalfa bared his teeth at Opaline. He took a deep breath and looked away. “Fine.” Opaline smiled, eyelids thin. She sat back. Maybe being taller than the others wasn’t so bad. Alfalfa and Amaranth were third and forth to be called into the exam room. Occasionally little ponies would be accompanied by adults, parents, grandparents, one brought her big sister. Opaline scoffed. Her parents trusted her to be a big pony. She stared out the window. “What if Papa had made it?” She shook her head. She wiped her foreleg across her eyes. She would not cry. She had thought Papa would at least have waved at the train station.
3 A Little Flame“Opaline?” She jumped off the bench as her name was finally called. The door opened for her. A brown unicorn she recognized from her research sat several seats back. Next to that unicorn were the last two ponies Opaline expected. Princess Twilight sat in the middle chair, her lavender and pink mane flowing with power. She had a long horn on a longer neck and large swan-like wings. Opaline’s eyes danced. She had never seen an Alicorn. Of course she had heard of the two that helped rule the crystal empire but she wasn’t from the center of town. The Princess fluttered her wings absently, and Opaline felt something. Her shoulders tried to shift similarly. That was what made the Princess the best, wasn't it? Being an Alicorn with the abilities of all three types of ponies? The third pony in the judges seat was her father. Opaline grinned. She strutted to the front of the classroom. She pulled her saddle bag off with her mouth and plopped it down. “I have something for you before we begin,” Opaline said. She reached into her bag. She pulled out the Ursa minor plush. Her horn sparked violently as she hovered the little stuffed bear to the brown mare. “What’s this?” The mare said. She took the little stuffed animal gently. “I read that your daughter loves Ursa’s so I brought that for you.” Opaline stuck out her tongue as she levitated. A chocolate bar toward the princess. “Did you bring something for everyone?” Princess Twilight asked. “I tried,” Opaline said. She ran her hoof through her mane. “I didn’t know you’d be here, Princess. But I hope you like chocolate.” The Princess smiled gently. Opaline nodded. She was sweating already but she had one more. She pulled a flower out of her bag. She had to improvise but she knew her Papa would like a red flower. She hovered the flower over to her father slower than the other two. She was starting to pant. Her vision began to cross. The brown mare said something. Opaline shook her head. She stood up as straight as she could. “Could you say that again?” she asked the mare. The brown mare pointed to the opposite door. Opaline looked. A grey stallion rolled in a cart. Atop it sat a globe full of flickering light. Opaline handed the grey stallion a small ring with a Rose Quartz on it. The stallion smiled. He shook his head. Opaline frowned. Was it the wrong stallion? She pulled out a chocolate bar instead. “A thank you for your time,” she said. The stallion laughed. “We aren’t supposed to take gifts from the applicants.” Opaline lowered confused eyebrows. She glanced at the Princess whose eyes shone with mirth as she munched on the chocolate bar. Opaline’s head lowered. “Oh ok. Um, thank you for bringing in the…test.” The brown mare smiled at the purple crystalline filly. She made an encouraging motion toward the glass ball of flickering flame. Opaline focused on the glass sphere. She stepped closer. Her saddle bag slumped behind her. In the heart of the glass the fire flickered. Opaline got close to the sphere. How was this a test? She looked at the judges. They held their clipboards in a magical grip. She looked at the sphere of fire again. Maybe she needed to get the fire out. Her horn sparked as she tried to pry at the sphere. She levitated it searching for weak spots. If the fire was flickering that meant the sphere had to be hollow right? She started to get light headed. Opaline placed the sphere on the floor. She spun the sphere with one hoof. The fire spun the opposite direction. She narrowed her eyes. Well there was one sure fire way to free fire from a hollow glass sphere. She touched the sphere to see if it was hot. When it didn’t burn her she picked it up. Opaline lifted the glass sphere high above her head. The princess’s eyes widened. Her father held out a hoof. Opaline smashed the glass sphere onto the ground. Magical fire burst and flickered around her. Ponies cried out. Her father called her name. Fire surrounded Opaline; she coughed at the heat. She breathed in, but instead of air the fire pulled into her throat. The clear magic around her horn burned and sparkled the colors of an opal. Pale blue and white fire wreathed the little unicorn. She stared down at her shaking hooves. Opaline laughed. She laugh long and hard. She spun and danced. Her rear burned. Light and fire. This was beautiful. Her flank tingled. Opaline stared at her back leg and saw the horn with a plume of fire on either side. “Fire magic! My special talent is fire magic!” she said. She hopped from foot to foot. A pail of water splashed across Opaline. It soaked her hair and extinguished her horn. “Hey!” She looked over to see her father. He held the pail in two hooves. His ears were back and his eyes wide. “Papa look, I got my cutie mark!” she said. “Yes, you did,” he said. Why didn’t Papa look happy? Opaline looked around. Fire burnt the walls, scorch marks covered the front two rows of desks. Opaline licked her lips. The Princess’s smile was gone. “So when do I start?” Opaline said.
4 One Door ClosesThe princess exchanged a look with the brown mare she locked eyes with Opaline’s father. “This is your daughter?” “Well, yes. But I can be objective.” “No, I think I understand. You left quite a generous donation and wiggled your way onto the judgment council to help your daughter attend.” “You have to admit she has potential,” Papa said. Twilight shook her head. “That wasn’t unicorn magic.” “But I controlled the fire!” Opaline said, “What else was I supposed to do?” The brown mare tilted her head. She pet the ursa minor plush in her lap. “You do have potential. But I don’t think this is the school for you.” Opaline’s ears flattened. “What?” The Princess stood. She walked up to Opaline. Opaline stared up. She saw the princess’ wings and gulped. They seemed bigger than a cloud up close. “Opaline, you absorbed dragon fire. I’ve never seen a pony do that. I’m afraid the School for Gifted Unicorns doesn’t have the facilities for that talent.” Opaline blinked back tears. “No! this is the best school. I’m supposed to get into the best school.” Princess Twilight lowered her head to the filly’s eye level. “There is no best school, only what school is best for you.” Opaline ran her foreleg across her eyes. She glared at the ground trying to keep the tears in with her rage. Twilight stood. She turned to Opaline’s father. “I can give her a recommendation for the School of Friendship.” “What? Friendship is for babies!” Opaline said. Twilight chuckled. "Yet you have a spark of talent for that as well. Bringing gifts for those you wish to think of you fondly is a good first step. And beyond that, it is the only school in Equestria with dragons in the student body.” Opaline looked at her newly minted cutie mark. “So I can learn more about dragon fire there?” “You can.” Opaline kicked the ground. She looked up at Papa. He nodded encouragingly. “Ok, I’ll go,” she told the Princess. “And Plasma Burst?” the Princess said. Papa grimaced. “Yes, Princess?” The Princess’s tone was gentle. “If you wish to move to Ponyville, the funds will be available.” “Oh...thank you, Princess.” “But don’t let this happen again.” “No, Princess. Of course not.” Princess Twilight nodded. She nodded toward the exit door. “Go on. We have more candidates before lunch.” She turned to the brown mare. ”Would you fetch Sapphire Star? We have need of a new third judge.” “But Princess, I can…” Papa started. “No Plasma, your daughter needs you. Go.” She gestured to the door with one massive wing. Papa nodded. He picked up Opaline’s bags with his magic and shooed her toward the exit. Opaline flexed her shoulders. She stared at Princess Twilight’s wings until the door closed behind her. She spun to her dad. “Papa, am I really going to get to meet dragons? Like Spike the Hero?” “It sounds like it, jewel. We better go tell your mother.” Opaline put her ears back. “She’s been working on that necklace to pay for my school. But I failed. Is she gonna be mad?” Papa shook his head. “You still have a school to go to. And you got your cutie mark! We have a Cutseñera to throw!” Opaline gasped. She grabbed her father and hugged him close. “You’re the best, Papa!” They rode the train home together. When Papa opened the door, Opaline saw Mama had hung up the necklace on its stand. The silver shone like fire. The light from the window refracted blue light through the sapphire in its center. “Wow, Mama! It's beautiful!” “It is Isn’t it?” Pinfire said. She turned to her daughter and husband. She gasped. “Is that a cutie mark?” “My special talent is fire magic!” “That’s my girl,” Pinfire said. She pulled her filly and husband into a hug. “Does this mean you made it in?” “No, they said they don’t have the fasisitees.” “The facilities,” Papa corrected, “We have a recommendation for the School of Friendship from the Princess herself.” “That’s great news! Why are your ears down, Plasma?” Papa shook his head. “I have been given the option to relocate to stay close.” He rubbed his knee with a hoof and wouldn't meet his wife's eyes. Pinfire’s ears dropped. “My work is here, Plasma. I can’t just leave the Crystal Empire. Where is the school even at?” “It’s in Ponyville.” Silence filled the air. Opaline looked back and forth at her parents. “I swore I’d never go back. You know that.” “I know darling.” Papa’s ear went flatter. “What’s wrong Mama? I get to go to the best school for me. I get to learn with dragons!” Mama stepped back. Her hoof went to her shoulder. She stared blankly at the wall. “By Celestia, I guess you did say your special talent was fire magic.” Pinfire let out a deep breath. She lowered her hoof and pasted on a grin. “Why don’t you run upstairs and decide on what to wear for your Cutseñera while I talk to Papa.” “Ok!” Opaline dashed upstairs, eager to leave behind the awkward silence.
5 Look Mama, a Cutie Mark!Opaline found the skirt that matched her mane. She had begged Papa to buy it weeks ago just in case she found her talent at school. She slipped it on and added a white puff-sleeved front with a puffy collar. She looked at herself in the mirror. “Perfect.” She ran out of her room to show her parents. But she skidded to a stop at the top of the stairs. “Dragonfire? How did they think that was safe? And she just broke it open? “The Princess said she had never seen a pony with the talent before.” “But Ponyville? That backward little town is full of miscreants from all over! Dragons are one thing. There are Yaks, Cows, and Changelings! We can’t expose our little girl to changelings!” Opaline could hear her mother pacing. The swift click-clack on the tiles was more nervous than contemplative. Mama never got nervous! “That’s why I should go,” Papa said. “For how long? Are you going to get a residence out there? Celestia knows my parents will find you. You cannot let them get to my little girl.” “I won’t. And they won’t. I’ll explain the predicament to the movers.” Opaline slowly went down the stairs. “I can’t just do this alone. Your help finding gems is invaluable. What will you do in Ponyville?” “The lead of the geology department out there is a talented mare. I’m sure she’ll have something for me to do.” Mama was hyperventilating. “Can we do this? I know our little girl deserves the best, but it's so dangerous. Ponyville is right next to that cursed forest!” Opaline peeked around the corner. Her mother had her hooves on her head. Papa sat next to Mama. He pulled Pinfire into his arms. “Hey, I love you.” Pinfire laughed. She buried her face in her husband's chest. “You two will have to come back on weekends, hear?” “Of course, Opal.” Opaline walked into the room with her head down. “Mama, why are you crying?” Pinfire wiped at her eyes with her foreleg. “I’m just so proud of you. Fire is a lovely talent.” Opaline looked back and forth at her parents. “But you don’t want me to go to the school with dragons?” Mama shook her head. “Dragons are fine. A little rough and tumble but not dangerous.” Opaline straightened. “So I can go to the School of Friendship?” Mama smiled. She held out her hood and pulled Opaline into the floor hug. “Of course you can. And your Papa will keep you safe.” “That’s right,” he said. “Ok, then let's go sign up.” Plasma Blast ruffled his daughter's hair. “In the morning. We have a Cutseñera to throw!” ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................... Opaline’s father threw the best Cutseñera ever according to Opaline. All the kids from her class came. It didn’t matter that she didn’t remember any of their names. They brought her gifts and she got to wear her cutest dress. Mama even let her wear the sapphire necklace for the party. “So you can breath fire like a dragon?” one colt asked. “No,” Opaline said, ”I can control dragon fire. That's why there’s fire by a horn not by a mouth in my cutie mark.” “Are you sure it’s fire? That looks more like wings!” Opaline stared at her cutie mark. “Wings?” The image of Princess Twilight’s wings flashed through her mind. “Now that would be the best. A fire Alicorn…” She sighed. “No, it's dragon fire.” “If it is wings does that mean you're gonna be the Princess of fire?” the colt asked. Opaline put her hoof in the colt’s face. “No, go get your party favor. You need to leave.” He laughed. “If you say so, Princess!” She stuck her tongue out. Princess huh? No, she was gonna be the best, a unicorn who could control dragon fire. Still. She wiggled her shoulders imagining wings stretching out. She shook her head. She walked up to Papa. “Papa, I’m going to bed.” “Oh? Why so early?” “The sooner I sleep the sooner I wake up. I want to go see real dragons at the school tomorrow like you promised.” “Oh, did I promise that?” “You said we’d go sign me up at the School of Friendship in the morning.” “So I did.” Papa kissed the top of her head. “See you in the morning, jewel.” Author's Note Hey all, next chapter coming out Saturday.
6 To the TrainThe morning sun shone right into Opaline’s eyes. She groaned and rolled out of bed. She rubbed her eyes and went downstairs. Papa had something sizzling in the pan. Opaline hopped up on a stool. “Are those hashbrowns?” she asked. “Nothing like potatoes to start the day.” Opaline stuck her tongue out. She tried to open the cupboard with her magic. Her clear magic shuddered the door. She slowly opened the door. It wasn’t the same. She closed her eyes and imagined the fire whisping through her fur. She shook her head. “I’ll see dragons soon.” “What was that jewel?” Papa said. He turned with a pan of perfectly crisped hash browns. Opaline focused harder. Two plates sparked and wobbled as she levitated them out of the cupboard. Papa chuckled as the plates settled to the counter with a clacking sound. He served up two servings of potato. Pinfire walked down the stairs. “What, no breakfast for me?” Papa laughed. He easily levitated a plate from the cupboard and slid the rest of the hashbrowns onto his wife’s plate. He kissed her head and placed the plate in front of her. “We have a big day ahead of us. Will you be joining us?” Papa asked. Opaline widened her eyes and put her hooves together under her chin. “Please Mama?” Pinfire took a bite and shook her head. “I can’t darling.” She patted her daughter’s head. “Aww, but we get to go see my new school, the one that’s best for me.” Pinfire shook her head again. “I have an important commission to deliver.” She paused. “But perhaps I can ride with you, at least until Canterlot.” “Yay!” Opaline threw her hoofs up in the air, “Canterlot visit!” Papa snorted. “We were just there yesterday, jewel.” “And you aren’t coming in with me,” Mama said, “You have a school to enroll in, remember?” She booped Opaline’s nose. Opaline nodded seriously. “Let’s go,” Papa said. The train to Canterlot was crowded. Pinfire held the shallow square box, with the sapphire necklace inside it, close to her chest. Plasma pulled her close and kissed the top of her head. “Don’t worry so much, Pinfire.” “Just keep her close, you hear me?” “With clarity, my gem.” Pinfire’s coat flared bright as she blushed. “You better.” “Opaline and I are just going to look at the school.” “What?” Opaline gasped. “No, we are going to sign up! What if I get behind!” Pinfire shook her head. “You won’t get behind, the school season is isn't officially started. Everyone could be moving into dorms for all I know.” “Dorms? But Papa’s getting a house, right Papa?” “We’ll see, jewel. I haven’t talked to Princess Twilight’s staff yet. Let’s see the school before we decide.” At the Canterlot station, Pinfire Opal stepped out of the train. Papa waved off Mama. Mama gave a small wave. She turned and wove into the crowd entering the capital city. Opaline bounced on her seat. “Now we get to go talk to dragons!” “Of course, jewel,” Papa said. He booped her nose. But he stared after his wife, well after the train had left the station. Opaline started kneading the train cushion with her hooves. “We’ve been in here for hours!” “Just you wait. We’re almost there Opaline.” “Papa I need to use the bathroom.” She whispered. The train crested a hill. A small city with cloud apartments floating above and a spire topped city hall came into view. Staring out the window Opaline gasped. A crystalline tree with windows and a door was set next to a building set within a waterfall. “Papa, what are those?” Papa glanced out the window. A soft smile crossed his face. “That is the school of friendship, jewel.” Her eyes widened. She looked at the huge tree. And the waterfall. A creature leaped from the lake. They glowed and landed with new wings and claws. She gasped. “Papa look a dragon!” Papa chuckled. “Not quite. They walk on their hind legs most of the time.” “Oh right.” Opaline pressed her nose to the window, ”Wow, there are Yaks over there. I’ve met Yaks. Are you sure that one by the waterfalls isn’t a dragon? The face is long and kind of beaky.” “That is a hippogriff, jewel. They live down south. Opaline was practically vibrating by the time the train doors opened. She shot out onto the platform. “Hey, slow down jewel!” Papa called. But she was finally here. Opaline shot off for the tree castle. “Opaline wait!” But Opaline was too focused. She went for the bathroom in the station and disappeared.
7 Unfamiliar FacesOpaline said. Opaline stepped out of the bathroom and looked around the station for her father. “Papa, can we go to the school now?” There were creatures of all sorts flooding through the platform. Opaline stepped into the flow of traffic. A feathered creature with a sharp beak, claws on its front legs, and paws on the back shouldered past her. Opaline was sent spinning. She bounced off a hard chest. She looked up into big blue bug eyes. The creature flared clear beetle wings the size of a pony’s. “Eep!” She jumped back. She stumbled. She ran into a long-legged pony. The pony twinkled like Mama. She grabbed onto the pale green front leg and stared up at a pony with a traditional crystal empire pile of braids. They sparkled in soft white and turquoise. “Oh good. Can you help me find my Papa? We’re supposed to go to the school.” “Hmm, what’s this?” the pony lifted the hoof Opaline clung to. The pale green pony narrowed ice blue eyes as Opaline kept wrapped around the hoof, leaving the little pony hanging in the air. The pony stared over sharp cheekbones at the purple filly. “Uh, you’re from the crystal empire right? I am too?” Opaline said. The pony grimaced. “You’re a half breed.” Opaline tilted her head. “What?” “Let go of me, little pony.” The pale pony said. The hoof shook until Opaline slipped off. She put her head down. The tall crystal pony glared down at her like she was a worm. Opaline shivered. Those icy eyes could freeze her to the floor. “I-I just wanted some help.” The tall pony gagged. “As if. There is nothing worse than something like you.” Opaline tried to shrink in on herself. “Hey, that was completely uncalled for.” A pink mare stepped between Opaline and the ice-eyed pony. That purple and turquoise mane, was it the pony from her trip to Canterlot? The tall pony finally turned that icy gaze off Opaline. “And who are you to correct me?” “I run the school of Friendship.” The mare snapped. The tall pony laughed. “Good luck with that. Friendship can’t be taught. You have it or you don’t” “You clearly don’t,” the pink mare said through bared teeth. The tall pony chuckled into a pale yellow-mint hoof. “I have many friends, all in higher positions than yours. You are a glorified teacher without an education, from what I hear.” “You have no idea what I am capable of.” The pale pony made a dismissive wave of the hoove. “I’m sure, Sunlight Shimmer. I’m all too happy to leave the half breed to you.” The pony turned. The end of the crystalline tail snapped across the pink mare’s nose. “You are not welcome.” The mare yelled after the tall pony. She huffed, “Not my best come back.” Opaline watched the mare with wide eyes. The mare turned and looked at her and tilted her pink ears. “Have we met? You look familiar.” “You were on the train yesterday.” “Ah,” she put a pink hoof to her pink neck and gave a half-hearted smile, “I’m sorry if I wasn’t in the best mood then. Starburst was… nevermind, what brings you to Ponyville?” “I’m recommended to the School of Friendship.” “Is that so? And who recommended you little one?” “Princess Twilight.” The pink mare narrowed her eyes. “She’s eager to send a student my way but not funds?” she shook her head. “Well I am Starlight Glimmer, the headmare. I can give you a simple test at the school.” “Oh,” Opaline jumped to her feet. “Is it true there are tons of dragons?” Starlight Glimmer chuckled. “We even have a dragon teaching.” “Really? What dragon can teach friendship?” “Well, Spike is basically the Princess’ little brother.” Opaline gasped. She grabbed Starlight’s face. “Spike the brave and glorious?” “Ah, so you are from the Crystal Empire.” “Is it him?” “Yes, but he’s grown. He isn’t a baby dragon anymore.” “Then he has gone on even more adventures! Let’s go!” Opaline grabbed the headmare’s hoof and pulled her out of the station. Starlight sighed. “Enthusiastic, aren’t we?” “I’m here because Princess Twilight said I could learn about dragonfire here.” “And what about friendship?” Opaline paused. The little purple unicorn stared at the ground a moment. She turned around to beam at Starlight with a soft smile. “She said I had talent.” Starlight’s expression softened. “Well, let’s get you a quick admission little one.” “Opaline. My name is Opaline.”
9 School of FriendshipOpaline followed Starlight Glimmer to the front of the tree palace. “Wait you’re going past it,” she said. “The school is over there,” Starlight said. She pointed at the building between the split waterfall. Opaline looked up at the branches of crystal interspersed with windows and balconies. “Then what is that for?” “That is the friendship castle. It's a power separate from the school. Come now, we should get your paperwork configured.” “Right.” They stepped across the stone bridge to the school doors. There was a glass stain of Princess Twilight above the door. Opaline pointed to it. “Why is the princess there. Isn’t the Princess’ school in Canterlot?” “That’s complicated.” “How does she have two schools?” “Well, she sort of inherited the school of magic after she founded the school of friendship.” “Why are you in charge then?” “I was the best fit for the position when she was given the reigns of Equestria.” “You must be like her right hand mare!” Starlight stumbled. She gave a nervous laugh. “Not exactly. Spike still has that honor.” Opaline’s brows drew together. “But he teaches a class while you are in charge? How does that make sense?” “Not every job is for everycreature. Everyone has their own strengths. Mine are with keeping creatures focused on a goal together. Spike has other talents. You’ll see if you take his class.” They approached a door. Opaline looked around the hall. “Why is nopony here?” “School starts next week. Most students aren’t back from the break.” “Oh, Mama said that might be the case.” Starlight used turquoise magic to swing the door open. Inside the room a stallion breathed into a paper bag while a pale blue unicorn smacked him on the back. “The great and powerful Trixie has great and powerful friends. Starlight will know what to do just you wait and see,” the blue mare said. “Papa!” The stallion looked up. He let out a deep breath. “You’re alright. Come here, Opaline.” He opened his arms wide. Opaline jumped into the hug. “Starlight, you have already delivered on Trixie’s promises. You are still the greatest assistant to walk Equestria.” Starlight rolled her eyes then gave the mare an affectionate shake of her head. “Trixie will you grab an entrance exam please?” “Where did you go jewel?” Papa asked, “I couldn’t find you anywhere?” “The bathroom. Then Starlight rescued me from a scary tall pony.” Papa’s hooves tightened around Opaline. “Papa, you're squishing me.” “Ah, so I am.” Starlight floated a slim stack of paper onto a desk next to the couch. “That should be it. Just answer to the best of your ability.” Opaline grabbed a pencil in her mouth and started answering questions. Papa glanced at her and back to the head mare. Papa fidgeted. He rubbed his foreleg. “Has Princess Twilight informed you of extenuating circumstances?” Starlight sighed. “No, is something wrong?” “Its not…there are some dangers to having my daughter in Ponyville.” “Oh? I’ve found Ponyville a fairly safe place as long as one doesn’t stray too close to the forest.” “Yes well, others have agreed. Can we talk in private a moment?” “Sure, if that makes you more comfortable.” Opaline didn’t miss her Papa glancing her way again before he nodded. He and the head mare trotted out into the hall. Opaline stopped halfway through a question. Was this about what had almost made Mama cry yesterday? She had to find out. She jumped off the couch. “Woah there,” Trixie said, “You need to finish your test to get into school.” Opaline pulled her eyes from the door to look at the blue unicorn. She held in a scoff. “What do you do at the school again?” The mare grinned. “The great and humble Trixie teaches about fostering the talent that makes you great… and I’m the school counselor.” She pouted. “It is the same job most days.” “Right, shouldn’t a counselor know what troubles a student is facing?” “Well, of course.” Opaline pointed to the door. “Then shouldn’t you be out there finding out what my Papa thinks is so dangerous about me being in Ponyville?” “Well yes, yes I should.” The blue unicorn walked toward the door. She turned back. “You won’t cheat on your test?” “I can’t. I didn’t know I was taking it until I got here.” Trixie nodded. She pushed the door open and joined the adults in the hall. Opaline snuck over to the door. She leaned very softly on the glass but couldn’t make out more than mumbling. She put a hoof to the door and opened it just a crack. “...and that could mean she gets hurt. Are there any measures you can take to prevent that?” “Well, unless you file a restraining order it is up to you as legal guardian. I can make sure she doesn’t leave with anyone else,” Starlight said. “That would be helpful, but not foolproof. I know changelings are in attendance.” “Changelings are harmless now. Starlight reformed them, ”came Trixies’s pompous voice. “Let me think on it,” Starlight said, “I’ll need to send a letter for some advice.” “Thank you. Her safety is of utmost importance.” The door unexpectedly swung open. Opaline froze. Papa’s eyes widened. “Were you eavesdropping?” Opaline shuffled her hooves. “What is a Changeling?”
10 Memory of EmpireAuthor's Note Hey, sorry for the two-week delay on this one. It was a little hard to write and ended up a happily longer chapter. Have some Pinfire backstory, and some unfortunate foreshadowing for a character you may have met. And welcome to the first reason this story is tagged tragedy. Content Warning Pain Child endangerment Physical abuse Abusive Parent Blood Death 10 Memory of Empire A changeling was exactly what Pinfire had worried about. The crystal pony floated in a near void. Her customer had turned exactly like she had feared. Why did she ever let Opaline wear the necklace? Stupid mistake. During the first hour suspended in the goo within the changeling cocoon she had struggled, swimming nowhere, yet air flowing in just enough for her to breathe. The second hour, her mind had drifted. There was almost no sensation within the cocoon. The sensory deprivation escalated when the customer left, snuffing the fire and leaving her in darkness. Pinfire wriggled weakly. And she considered using what she swore she never would. The things that awful mare had taught her. No, she wasn’t that desperate yet. Was she? Her mind drifted and with the sensory depravation, it conjured images of her old home in such vivid detail she could swear she could smell pine. She had been young when Sombra’s soldiers came. Her father had told her to go hide in the back woods. But Pinfire had refused. “If you won’t go then you must promise to be silent.” “Yes Papa,” she said. She ducked behind the soft armchair by the fire. Papa pushed the curtain open an inch, looking through with one eye. He dropped the curtain with a startled yelp. Someone rapped on the door Her father glanced at her hiding spot. He glared. Her eyes widened. Little pinfire had crawled farther behind the chair. She heard her father open the door. Cold flowed into the house. Pinfire was glad she had hidden near the fireplace. “Where is she?” Came a harsh matriarchal voice. “She should be at school,” Papa said, “Not that it's any of your business. Who are your friends?” “Be respectful to the Colonel,” a deep voice boomed. Pinfire shrank in on herself. “At ease private,” The matriarchal voice said. She sounded smug. “You’re working for him now?” “What's better than serving my country? It's better than waiting in the woods for the bugs to eat me.” “Better in the snow than at the beck and call of a tyrant.” “Sombra only wants to protect his ponies from outside threats.” “I didn’t mean the king.” The matronly voice chuckled. “I’ll be watching. I will be taking my daughter. All able-bodied citizens must serve to the best of their abilities after all.” “She isn’t going anywhere without me.” “Hmm, confident, aren’t you?” Her voice raised. ”Sweep the woods. We wouldn’t want to leave a filly in the cold, would we?” Hoof steps retreated. But soft hoof steps entered sound clicking on the cobblestone. “Get out of my house,” her father said. A harsh whisper said, “She’s my daughter. You may have gotten custody under the queen, but new ruler, new rules. I am taking the little gem with me and there is nothing you can do to stop me." “Then go look for her, or are those soldiers your new lackeys?” Pinfire peeked around the chair carefully. Papa was snout to snout with a lanky mare with a pale green coat. Her turquoise and white mane and tail were pulled tight in military braids that led to five buns lining the tall mare's neck. “They need examples of perfection to contrast in the tests. Our little daughter comes from two immaculate crystal pony lines unsullied by other pony kinds. She is the first step to Crystal Empire dominance.” The mare spoke with fervor. She loomed over Papa as she pulled her head up. Her shoulder was at his eye level. Pinfire gasped. The Mare’s eyes swiveled toward the fire. Pinfire pressed herself against the back of the sitting chair. “Ah, of course, it was a ruse.” The mare said. She sounded disappointed, “You should know better, Blue.” Pinfire heard hoof steps coming her way. Papa slid in front of the fire. “Don’t touch her.” “Oh hon, it's cute you think I care what you say.” Pinfire scrambled behind her father. She saw the pale green mare’s eyes sparkle. “There you are little filly. My little fire has grown. How excellent.” Papa lowered his head and stamped on the cobblestones. “Don’t try this.” “Oh Blue. You know I always get what I want.” Papa charged the lanky mare. The mare twisted out of his way. He reared up on his hind legs to kick at her. The tall mare swept low, her back leg colliding into his. Papa fell on his side. He moved to right himself. The tall mare pounded a hoof into his ribs. He let out a pained gasp. “Papa!” Pinfire yelled. The Mare put her hoof on her father’s head. “Yield the child.” Papa kicked at the mare’s other legs. The Mare stumbled but kept her hoof on Papa’s head. Her other hoof slammed into his leg. There was a soft crack like the fire log had popped, then her father screamed. The mare smiled. She pressed her hoof into the rib she had kicked. “You never did know how to take a little pain.” “Run, Op-Opal,” Papa said. Pinfire Opal’s eyes filled with tears. She still felt the cold from the open door, but she couldn’t look away from Papa. Tears covered his face. “Watch carefully filly. This is what happens when you do not listen to me.” Papa struggled to look Pinfire’s way. “Look away,” he said. But she couldn’t. She watched the pale green hoof smash down behind Papa's ear. She saw Papa’s eyes spark and go glassy. She saw the pale green pony lift her hoof, the red of blood in stark contrast to her pale green fur. The horrible mare smiled. And finally, Pinfire ran, tears freezing as she plowed through the snow. Pinfire drifted. She remembered the hooves of the soldiers grabbing her. She remembered ice on her face where tears had frozen. She remembered the cart they had thrown her in, that they had surrounded her on all sides. The pale green mare had stepped into the back of the covered cart. She had taken a piece of cloth from the curtains inside. She sat and wiped the blood off her hoof with efficient strokes as Pinfire watched. “You won’t be causing any trouble will you little filly?” The mare said. Pinfire shook her head. “Speak up little thing.” “No.” The mare looked at her. “No what.” Pinfire curled in on herself. “No ma’am.” The mare clucked her tongue. “No mother. Try again. You won’t be any trouble, will you?” Pinfire curled her tail around herself. “No…mother.”
8 The Canterlot DropoffAuthor's Note A brief perspective change. 8 The Canterlot Dropoff Pinfire kept the box close to her chest. The cobbles of Canterlot clicked under her hoofsteps. She turned out of the main thoroughfare. A narrow alley led to a purple door. Pinfire took a deep breath. She carefully knocked on the door without putting down the box holding the necklace. The door creaked open. Pinfire took a steadying breath. For a moment her coat dulled. Pinfire Opal shook herself. This was for her family, not the ones that had abandoned her. Her darling husband and little Opaline. Opaline would have a better childhood than she had. She would grow up confident and calm with no evil kings and no pony to hurt her. This was the last time. The door swung open. Pinfire steadied her nerves. Her coat brightened as her confidence returned. It wouldn’t be too bad. She stepped into the dark hallway. Pinfire kept the box close to her chest. She listened to her hoofsteps in the cramped space. “You’re late.” Pinfire’s color dulled as a spike of fear shot through her. A black dollop of viscous liquid dripped past her face. She slowly looked up. Her hooves rooted in place. The ceiling slithered and shifted. Black opened holes to the bricks above and closed again at the rhythm of her heartbeat. She took a shaking step, then another, and another until she saw the light at the end of the tunnel. Her breaths were shallow. She finally stepped out into a cozy sitting room lit by a hearth. A shudder ran up her spine. Her fur stood on end. The red crystal pony pinned her ears. She glanced around the room. “Hello?” A beetle crawled across the floor. Pinfire stomped. It bounced back. Not a beetle, a cockroach. “You wouldn’t squish your client, would you?” A deep sonorous voice said. She stepped back. Her eyes widened. The cockroach flared its wings. Its exoskeleton boiled. The creature grew until its was a quadraped a bit taller than her. It had oily black legs of the same material that dripped from the ceiling. It looked like it could collapse under its own weight from the holes punched through its legs. Cold blue-green eyes stared at her with little white pricks of light in place of pupils. "What’s wrong little pony? Don’t tell me you need another extension.” “No, it’s finished.” “Excellent.” The creature stepped closer. “Let’s see it.” Pinfire pulled the necklace closer to her chest. “Your payment first,” she said. Her voice hardly even shook. The creature chuckled. “You don’t trust me after all this time?” “You are built from deception. What is there to trust.” “You flatter me.” Its deep voice came out soft. It moved toward the dark hall. It put the end of its leg on the black ooze covering the hall. Pinfire didn’t know if it had a proper hoof. But if it did it was sunk into the strange black substance. When the creature withdrew its leg, it had a canvas bag, that clinked with bits of gold. “Show me the bits,” she said. It smiled. Its mouth kept stretching, its two large fangs bared. It flicked a forked tongue between them. “Interesting.” It moved over to Pinfire. It placed the bag in her free hoof. It lingered its muzzle moving to the box. It sniffed . Pinfire flinched. “Oh, you left me a bonus.” “I did not.” “No?” The fangs sunk into the box. Pinfire jumped back. Her coat dulled. Her breath sped. The creature shook the necklace box. The cardboard tore until the silver chain sat on its fangs. It made a slurping sound. “Mmhmmhm, Someone you love dearly wore this.” “Stay away from her Changeling!” Pinfire growled. Her back arched. The bag in her hoof clinked as she held it to her chest as she had the necklace. “I think this deserves an extra payment,” the changeling said. It kept the necklace looped from its shorter bottom fangs. It turned and put its hoof back to the black ooze. Pinfire shuddered. It licked the silver like it had been dipped in honey, its unnaturally wide smile growing with each flicker of that forked tongue. It pulled the end of its leg back out of the dark ooze. The ooze turned green as it stretched Pinfire screamed. “Don’t move darling thing. This won’t hurt a bit.”
