“So would any of you care to explain why my sister’s Knight insisted I come talk to you six?” Celestia asks the group of ponies while looking at them with a neutral mask of emotions.

“We…we messed up Princess.” Applejack is the one to speak up as everyone but Twilight has their gazes transfixed on the floor, walls, or ceiling, anywhere except for the alicorn.

“I gathered that. I was hoping somepony would explain exactly what happened.”

“It’s my fault, Princess Celestia. I’ve been stuck in the library all week, too scared to go outside because… because I don’t know who’s real and who’s a changeling. Then I realized today was when I usually send you my weekly friendship report and I hadn’t sent anything so I started panicking. So, I was selfish and tried to burden my friends with my problems. I didn’t want to be tardy and I don’t want to let you down, and I ended up just becoming a nuisance asking them for help. They knew I wasn’t acting logically and tried to tell me I was worrying over nothing and all of my problems were just made up in my head, but I couldn’t get over it.”

As she talks Celestia’s features soften more and more, and towards the end her ears even start to pin back as Twilight continues to talk while becoming emotional. Her friends are not faring any better. They’d already felt guilty after the scolding from Ignis but hearing Twilight explain things from her warped point of view just drags them down even further. Fluttershy and Rarity are crying, Pinkie has completely deflated, and Rainbow and Applejack just look ashamed.

“That’s not true, Princess.” Rainbow barely manages to speak up despite the lump in her throat. Well most of it is true, but Twilight you didn’t burden us and you aren’t a nuisance. You trusted us to help you and we let you down. We had no clue what you went through was so…bad. I mean one minute we heard you were dead and then a couple of hours later and we’re all back on the train here like nothing happened. None of us thought anypony was capable of reviving somepony…you didn’t even look like you were injured. You were super out of it, but we just thought you were tired. We bucked up Twilight. We should’ve taken you seriously and been there for you, but we weren’t. We’re…..we’re horrible friends.”

The rest of the girls start to yell out apologies and agreements with Rainbow as all five run towards the unicorn and tackle her in a group hug. Twilight starts to cry as she’s buried in a multi-colored pile of fur. Part of her is relieved and happy after hearing what her friends said, but another part of her is still fragile and scared of how uncertain the world is. She’s too choked up and torn to decide on what words to say so she just leans into her friends.

There’s an eerie silence on the other side of the library as all of the ponies realize Celestia still hasn’t said anything. When they look up they’re all shocked to see the Princess crying as well. “T-This is my fault, my precious student. I knew there would be some underlying trauma but you seemed determined about not staying in Canterlot, so I foolishly let you leave. I didn’t explain the true severity of the situation to any of your friends. I won’t let you down again. Twilight Sparkle you are returning to Canterlot with me.”

“What?!”
“Princess, why?”
“Princess Celestia, please!”

“I’m sorry I didn’t turn in my report, please don’t take me away from my…my fr-friends!”

“I’m sorry, my little ponies, but this isn’t a punishment. Twilight I should not have allowed you to come back to Ponyville so quickly in the first place. There are no specialists in this village capable of helping you cope and overcome your trauma, and I know it will be painful to leave your friends for an extended period of time, but you need this. Do you understand?”

“I understand, Princess…” The unicorn mutters out as she paws at the floor with one of her forelegs.

“All of you will be able to visit the castle whenever you please and I’ll provide Twilight with teleportation to and from Canterlot at least once a week to visit you all. Let’s help her pack her things and we’ll head back before nightfall.”

Celestia walks outside to gather her thoughts as the girl help Twilight pack.

“This is lame! Why does the Princess think you need to go back to Canterlot?! She thinks we can’t help?” Rainbow complains as she avoids helping by flying around. Standard lazy behavior.

“Naw Rainbow, the Princess is right. This isn’t something you can fix with friendships and hugs. Well maybe after a long long time you could, but that ain’t healthy. Twilight needs professional help. Plus, you heard her, we’ll still be there for her as often as we wanna be. Twi…I really am sorry for how we acted. It ain’t right.”

“It’s okay Applejack. It’s not all bad! Now that I realize how important friendship is I can reconnect with some old acquaintances I brushed off back in the day. Oh, and I can hang out with my brother and Cadence and I can see my parents more often. Surely with all of that it won’t be too bad….right?” Her voice cracking a bit at the end.

After some reassurances from her friends the rest of the packing was mostly quiet as they spent the next half hour or so getting everything together. After that they stepped outside to meet with Celestia again.

The alicorn ignites her horn and teleports away the luggage before turning her head towards the Everfree. “Alright Twilight, let’s get going. Did you give your farewells?” After a single nod the alicorn starts walking towards the forest. “Let’s go check in on my sister and her Knight and see if they’ve found out anything about that magic surge he went through.”

After finding Luna and Ignis in a quite lewd scene the two teleported straight to Canterlot.

“Hey, do you think it’s safe enough for me to run back to Ponyville for a quick trip to Rarity’s? She should hopefully have a shirt ready for me by now and I’d prefer to have one if I’m staying here in the woods for a while. It’s starting to get cold at night.” I ask the question to Luna with a fair amount of hope in my voice. After getting dressed I went back to work with ear scratches and gentle rubs on the Princess. Making sure to take full advantage of the lapse in busy work and world ending problems to shower the Goddess with affection.

“It’s more than likely safe, but I wouldn’t advise it at the moment. You’ll want to either find a river to bathe in or use magic to clean your scent.” Luna barely manages to eek out a response as she lays on my chest with her eyes closed, fighting off the sweet embrace of sleep due to how relaxed she is.

“Why? I took one this morning.”

“Well I don’t think you smell particularly bad, but other ponies probably won’t appreciate your scent at the moment.”

I sniff a few times at the air before sniffing my arm. I don’t smell anything? “I’m confused. I don’t smell anything.”

“Ah right, our sense of smell is much more sensitive than yours. Well if you go into town right now, every single pony you encounter will be absolutely aware of what we just did. It’d probably be quite embarrassing for you and annoying for them.”

Oh. “Got it.” After casting Prestidigitation a few times I shift around under the alicorn so I can stand up. Much to her vocal dissatisfaction.

“Cease your treason! Resume the scratches!”

“Nope, you already told me I could go into town. No takesies backsies.”

Luna just clicks her tongue in annoyance before getting off of me and standing up, allowing me to rise to my feet. “By the way…normally after a major event you usually get all excited and tell me about your “Level Ups” and “Quests” but you haven’t talked about anything like that since we defeated Discord. Did you not get anything for that?

“Oh fuck. I completely forgot to check! Weird normally it screams at me to check my pending rewards…”

Experience: 149,500/140,000.

Bladesinger 11/Paladin 2.

Level Up Available!

Pending Quest Rewards!

Well shit. Sure enough I have a ton of things waiting on me to go through them. “Level Up.”

Let’s put our 12th level into Wizard, and that’ll get me an Ability Score Improvement. “Select feat, Fighting Initiate. For the Fighting Style select Defense. Now when I’m wearing armor that’ll give me an extra +1 to my AC. If my new armor is just as good as my last set of armor then I’ll be at 19 AC now instead of 18. Combine that with the Dual Wielding feat I picked up when I lost Devil Sight and I’ll be at 20 AC. That’s basically my end game as far as Armor Class is concerned. With Bladesong that’ll be at 25, with Haste it’s at 27, and then throw the Shield spell in and that’s 32. That’s more than literally anything I’ve faced in Equestria so far.

Now for my Spells, let’s see I already know Tasha’s Otherworldly Guise and Globe of Invulnerability. Let’s learn… “Disintegrate and Contingency.”

Spell Book Configured! Level Up Complete!

Simulating Long Rest….

Hit Points: 97/97.

Aw, so close to 100. Oh, now I have access to my 7th Level Spell Slot. I don’t know any spells at that level, but with the Mizzium…this opens up some possibilities. Mainly… I involuntarily gulp as my blood freezes at the realization. I can cast Dream of the Blue Veil now. “Luna…can you…no nevermind.”

Her face turns serious in an instant upon hearing my tone. “What is it?”

“I can now cast one of the two spells I deemed viable as a way to return to where I came from. I can bring up to seven other creatures with me, and we’d be able to come back roughly one day after that. I was going to ask if you could cancel Night Court. I want to try the spell with you, Nightmare, and Force. But, I realized this isn’t something we should do on a whim. Let’s wait until we figure out this magic surge nonsense and then we can actually pack some supplies and prepare some materials in case anything goes sideways.”

Luna’s eyes go wide. “Just like that? We’re standing here one second and then the next second you’re able to cast a spell to bring eight creatures across the dimensional planes to your old home? No! We shouldn’t wait! Let’s go right now!”

Woah I wasn’t expecting this response. “We can’t Luna. If we go and then I have another surge and I get taken out of commission for a while you’ll be stuck there until I recover. Or, god forbid, but something kills me and you’re stuck there forever! I want to be more prepared before we go.”

It looks like Luna is biting the inside of her cheek as she thinks. “Okay. Just don’t hesitate to change your mind. Whenever you want to go just let me know and I’ll drop whatever I’m doing. I know I was supposed to wait until Nightmare showed up but Celestia is demanding I return to Canterlot. Apparently it doesn’t have anything to do with…” The alicorn pauses and starts to blush up a storm as she thinks of her next words. “With what happened earlier.”

“That’s fine, I’ll talk to you tonight with the Sending stone. I’ll head into town and grab a shirt. After that I’ll probably go setup camp at the old castle. Don’t get too embarrassed when you’re talking to your sister or it’ll just make things awkward.” I give her a smirk as I tease her. “Love you.”

One quick peck later and Luna is gone. Leaving me alone in the Everfree with an eerie silence. Oh right, I almost forgot.
“Claim Quest Rewards.”

Main Quest - The Return of Harmony. Quest Complete! Secret clear condition met! You sealed Discords power and returned Harmony to Equestria.

Calculating rewards…

Quest Reward is unavailable at this time. Incompatible.

The fuck? No experience, no items, and no spells. I only get a single reward and I’m apparently incompatible?

Main Quest - Element of Magic. Quest Complete! You adapted to the power of raw magic and successfully wielded the element. Secondary Condition Met: You revive the rightful holder of the element.

Calculating Rewards…

+5,000 XP: 154,500/165,000.

• Mystic Arcanum: Once per Long Rest when you cast a spell from the Wizard spell list, you can choose to ignore all required components of the spell and cast the spell without consuming a spell slot. Cannot be used to upcast (If you use this ability on Fireball then you could cast it while Silenced and Restrained without using a 3rd Level Spell Slot, but you could not use this ability to cast Fireball at any level higher than 3rd Level.)

• +2 Intelligence.

Woah. That’s actually kind of insane. I thought I’d already gained the benefits of becoming the Element of Magic. Whenever I cast Equestrian spells now I don’t have to use any stupid imagery and extra concentration to maintain my runes. I just picture the runes and they instinctively appear and maintain their shape. Based on how the ponies describe it I basically have a horn, but it’s not visible. The limit seems to be six runes though.

Now that I have 22 Intelligence my spells get a +13 to hit and my spells that require a saving throw have a DC of 19. I’m pretty strong…that’s not even considering this new ability. That’s actually super versatile and useful. Once per long rest is pretty rough, but I think it’s understandable. Even if it still used a spell slot, being able to cast a spell without moving my hands or speaking an incantation and bypassing the material cost is bonkers.

That just makes me even more curious about the incompatible quest reward. If that secondary quest gave those two insane rewards then the incompatible one must be…on a completely different level.

My thoughts are interrupted with a shiver as some wind hits my exposed chest. Okay yeah let’s go get this shirt. Wait, can I even go there quickly? I wanted to try out a unique method of flight, but it’s already this chilly. I think if I fly I’ll actually die. That kinda rules out running fast as well.

Wait, Luna taught me that warming spell! Haha, perfect. Alright, that's much better. Now, let’s try this new method of flying.

When I expelled the magic upwards earlier during my surge I learned how to shoot magic beams like all the other ponies. I don’t know why they never taught it to me before since it doesn’t even require a rune, but it gave me an idea. The force of the expulsion was enough that I felt like I was being crushed into the ground. If it has that much propulsion then can’t I use it to fly Iron Man style?

That’s what we’re about to find out! Alright, feet together, arms point straight down with my palms flat pointing at the ground. Now just concentrate the flow of mana to my palms and both of my feet. This next part is almost exactly the same as telekinesis with one key difference.

Instead of throwing out a cluster of my own mana into the air and controlling it, I’m going to…it’s hard to describe. I think ignition is the best word, but essentially you’re activating the same you would as if you were casting a spell. Except there’s no runes so it just converts into energy like normal but with no runes to shape it and give it other properties it just becomes raw magic. You just have to give it enough force and aim it and it’ll go. It’s surprisingly simple.

The only hard part is that it’s almost like trying to pee when you still have pants on, if that makes sense? Your body just really doesn’t want to do it, so you’ve gotta really like, try, to force it out. My mana system instinctively knows it’s not supposed to activate the mana if there’s no runes, so it’s a pain to force it. This isn’t the best analogy though, because infants still piss their pants. This is more like something that’s hard coded into any creature with mana, apparently. Keep foals from just firing off beams all willy nilly.

Now I just gotta hope I don’t instantly lose balance and fire myself into a tree, or have too much force and go into space. Once there’s a ball of mana sitting in my palms and feet I ignite it and push out.

“WOAHHH!” Within the first second I’m nearly over the treeline, but everything is moving too fast. I’m already diagonal and if I can’t counteract this I’m going to go sideways and splatter against the forest. I move my left hand from my hip and thrust it to the right and at an opposite angle than what I’m currently tilting towards.

It’s enough to slow how fast I’m tilting, but not stop it or push me in the other direction. Alright let’s add in the right hand.

Things go from bad to worse. Pointing my right palm in the same angle as my left did stop my tilt and point me upwards, launching me clear of the canopy, and into open sky. However I also seem to have made a critical miscalculation, because as soon as I clear the canopy my body starts to spin in the air. It only takes a second and I’m spinning so fast everything is a blur.

For a few seconds I try my hardest to fix it, but darkness is closing in on the edge of my vision. I think I’m spinning so fast I can’t breathe. In an instant I cut off all of the mana flow, and as soon as I do the spinning slows. It doesn’t slow very much, but enough that I’m not about to pass out. Another couple of seconds pass and I realize that not only is the spinning slowing down, but my ascent is slowing as well.

I come to a complete stop in the air and realize I’ve hit my peak, and right around that time my spinning has slowed down enough that I can orient which way is up and down. I almost regret being able to do that. When I look down I can’t even make out the individual buildings that make up Ponyville.

It’s just one tiny dot in a sea of green that borders with a sea of dark green. My spinning comes to a complete stop and now I’m just nose diving towards what I hope is Ponyville. My eyes are watering from the wind as I reach terminal velocity.

Five seconds pass and the dot is much larger, I’m able to see lines between buildings and sections of the village. Another ten seconds pass and I can tell that this is Ponyville for sure. Once I’m only a hundred or so feet above the town I flip around and point my feet towards the ground. Next I try to slowly release mana from just my feet. I can use Feather Fall if this doesn’t work, but I want to learn how to land on my own.

As soon as the mana ignites and expels from my feet I shoot several feet in the air. Okay too much force. Limit it even more.

On my next attempt I find the sweet spot, and it’s so weird. It feels like I’m walking on jello while drunk, and that really is the best I can describe it. I’m descending at around one or two feet per second but I’m constantly wobbling back and forth trying to keep my balance. It’s like standing on a spinning log, but it literally feels like I’m standing on water.

Around 30 or so feet from the ground I finally lose my balance and flip head over heels in the air. In the heat of the moment I forget to stop sending the mana out of my feet, and before I can even react to cast Feather Fall the mana expelling out of my feet cause me to slam into the ground head first.

-67 HP: 30/97.

“FUCK!” It’s not even sunset yet, so a decent bit of Ponyville is out and about as I crater into the ground near the center of town. When I pull my head out of the cartoonish looking hole in the ground I find all of the nearby ponies just staring at me with looks of concern. “I’m good!”

“I don’t think you are, dear.”

Some random mare I don’t recognize disagrees with me and before I can argue with her my vision turns red as blood pours down my face from a wound on top of my head. “It would seem you are correct. Cure Wounds.”

+38 HP: 68/97.

I can hear a few of the ponies gasp in surprise while a few sigh in relief as the wound closes and I no longer feel a waterfall on my face. “Prestidigitation.”

Cleaning away the blood I stand up and brush my pants off before walking towards the boutique. There’s a loud brrrring ring as I open the door and I hear the mare call out from the back of the building.

I have no clue what she said so I don’t respond and just stand around in the lobby. After several seconds I can hear hoofsteps approaching, “I said I’m sorry, but we are closed for the day. You’ll nee- Oh! Hello darling.”

“Sup? Apparently I have to live in the Everfree until they figure out this magic surge business, so I was hoping you had my shirt ready? Also I need to add a couple of hoodies to that order.”

“It does get quite chilly once the sun goes down…that’s no way to treat a stallion in my opinion. I know I wouldn’t make you sleep out in the cold in the middle of the woods.” Rarity sympathizes with my plight as she ignites her horn and floats over a black t-shirt. Wait is she flirting?

“Well it’s either that or we risk me accidentally blowing up the entire town. You saw that beam earlier, surely?” I let the question hang for a second as I push my head through the designated hole in the shirt. “That was me. Even with me directing the blast straight upwards it still blew all the trees within 100ft of me.”

“Oh dear…that does seem to be a compelling argument. Surely they aren’t makin sleep out there alone though, right?”

“No, that’d be cruel. Luna was hanging out with me for a few hours, and Nightmare might actually be waiting for me over there by the time I get back. Wow, this is soft. Good work, Rarity.”

“Of course! Only the best for my customers. However, Ignis dear, just know that I’m saying this for your own benefit. You need to clean yourself properly after you, uhm, are intimate with another pony. It’s quite a strong scent.” It’s only then that I notice the small blush on her face.

“I did! Oh. I didn’t clean the clothes. That’s my bad. I appreciate you for letting me know though, I’d hate to have gone out there and walked around like that. Prestidigitation.” After snapping my fingers a few times I look over at the marshmallow unicorn and tilt my head. “Is that better?”

“Much. If it gets too cold you’re welcome to use the couch back in the lobby, but I ask that you run as far away as possible before blowing up.”

That’s such a playful tone in her voice. “Nah I wouldn’t wanna risk it, and I know a warming spell so I should be fine. I just wanted the shirt for comfort. Thanks again, Rares! Gonna head over to the old castle in the Everfree.”

“Wait! You should just sleep in the library! Twilight and Spike are back in Canterlot so we need somepony in there anyways. It’s also one of the more isolated structures so if you blow up it’ll only be the library itself that gets damaged.”

I involuntarily raise my eyebrows as she talks. “That’s…a really good idea actually. Thank you once more, o’generous shopkeeper.”

She just snorts and waves as I leave the building. “Sending. Yo, Nightmare, I’m gunna sleep at the library in Ponyville. If you’re waiting for me in the Everfree you should head over here instead.”

It’s only 24 words, but that’s fine. I only make it a few steps before she responds. “Are you sure that’s wise? I haven’t left Canterlot yet, but I’ll go there once I do leave.”

I’m not wasting another spell slot to tell her why it’s safe, so she can either use my connection to her divinity to reach out telepathically or she can just wonder why I’m not responding, haha. It seems she ran out of patience as I opened the door of the library.

Why aren’t you responding? Did something happen?

No. I was using my Sending spell to contact you, and I can only reach out once per casting. It’s a third level spell and I didn’t want to use up any more spell slots. If we talk like this though there’s no problem.

Tch. It’s not like I was worrying about you or anything. I was just annoyed that you weren’t answering me.

Uh huh, whatever you say Princess Tsundere. Anyways, yeah this should be safe. The library is vacant since Twilight went back to Canterlot and the tree is actually pretty isolated so if I have another surge only the library will get damaged.

But why risk the destruction of the library? I know you have no qualms against camping out in the Everfree.

Cause it’s cold. I can use the warming spell, but I’d rather just use no magic and relax. Plus cuddling under a blanket for warmth is way more comfy than a stupid spell. So get over here already.

I can hear a sigh over the telepathic link. Ugh, alright I’ll be there in five minutes. I have an update for you as well, but I’d rather tell you face to face.

Oh? Apparently it’s my turn to get left on read cause she doesn’t respond. Climbing up the stairs I lay down in what is probably Twilight's bed after I take off my shoes. After laying there and looking up at the ceiling for a few minutes I hear the door open downstairs. For some reason I can just tell it’s…wait what? It’s Luna. It’s Luna and Nightmare.

Glancing over I watch as Luna, Nightmare, and Force crest over the top of the steps. The three of them stand there and give me somber looks. “What? I’m not gunna complain, but why are all three of you here? Did something happen?”

I start to stand up but Force jumps forward and pushes me back onto the bed as she lands on my chest and looks at me with glassy eyes. Luna climbs over me and squeezes herself between me and the window. Nightmare lays down at the edge of bed with over half of her body on top of me as well, and she’s still nearly falling off the mattress. “Ladies, I think this bed is too small for whatever you have planned.”

I crack a joke as my throat dries up. I can tell something is wrong by the way all of them are still silent and how sad they all look. “Will you please tell me what’s going on?”

“Celestia ended up consulting with Harmony about the details of your surge, and….it’s not good Ignis.” Luna informs with her voice just above a whisper.

“Am I going to lose my magic forever or something? What could have made you three so upset?”

“You’re dying, Ignis.”

Author's Note

Well that's a bummer. Sorry there's not alot going on this chapter, but I really want to enjoy this downtime before I kick things into overdrive again.

Thanks for reading! <3