Author's Note

My writing the last few years has focused mainly on the nostalgia and emotional storytelling of the '90s and early 2000s. I was depressed for most of my adolescent life, and it hits so much harder as an adult. All I'm hoping for now is to make it to my birthday. On the plus side, it generally leads to some pretty creative outcomes - both online and IRL.

Blessed Altar of the Diseased Angel

Twilight lay under a tall oak tree, breathing deeply as the scent of life coursed through her. Spike emulated his sister's behavior, resting against the trunk. Leaves fell to the earth, echoing sentiments of death. The world now seemed cold and gray. Even during summer, the light could only reach so far. Between fall and winter, feelings of tenderness ceased altogether. Only sleep's embrace remained, tempting them to be whisked away by forces beyond their power.

"Hey, Twilight...?"

"Hm?"

"Why are we alive?"

"I don't know. We've been asking ourselves that question long before you and I were born. It's just the nature of reality I suppose. Organisms exist to reproduce. Nothing else matters in the grand scheme of things."

"You think there's a grand scheme at all?"

"On the cosmic level? Probably not. The personal's a different story. The lives we've lived aren't unique or exciting, but they're ours, and I'm content with how they've turned out. Are you?"

"Yeah. I was just curious more than anything."

"Curiosity killed the cat, or in your case, the dragon."

"Very funny."

"Think we should camp here tonight or go home?"

"I think I've had my fill. I wanna read a bit today, anyway."

"Me, too."

The siblings flew north to their mansion. It was close enough to maintain contact with civilization, but far enough for privacy. After high school, most of their friends either got jobs or moved away. Nowadays, only a tight-knit brood of mares kept in touch. With the colder seasons set in motion, they'd be hanging out a lot more soon.

Inside, Twilight ignited her horn. She could've switched on the lights, but it seemed more convenient to save on power. The walls were adorned with mystical creatures referenced throughout history - witches, vampires, ghosts, goblins. The list went on, but most of all, Twilight admired her progenitors. The spell-casters of days yore inarguably passed down a far richer tale. For centuries, they formed pacts with like-minded people, swearing their devotion to one another in rituals of allegiance. The Alicorn never understood what the purpose of these covens were. For the most part, there was no grander goal - nothing driving them to hold true to their oaths. However, after years of growth and maturity, she began to realize...Their contributions had been leading up to them...Their Coven of Evolution...

"So...It's finally time..."

In Twilight's room, she discarded her cloak and hat, revealing a simple t-shirt, jeans, and sneakers. Spike turned on the heater while she booted up her computer. She messaged Rainbow online to see if they could talk. Almost immediately, the Pegasus responded with a video call.

"'Sup, bitch?"

"Just checking to see whose dick you're gargling today."

"Yeah, right. I haven't been laid since prom."

"Aww! That's sad."

"Look who's talking. Got more money than you know what to do with and you still can't get a man."

"You have any idea how many gold diggers are out there? It's like, why can't someone just love me for me, ya know?"

"They will. Just gotta get out and mingle a bit. Only advice I can give is stay away from bars."

"Yeah. Tell me about it."

"To tell you the truth, I always figured we were the outcasts. Everybody hung out with us out of pity. After graduation, they forgot we existed. Still bums me out, even now."

"Just goes to show they weren't worth the time."

"Guess you got a point, but damn."

"Next time you guys come over, I wanna show you something. You know my penchant for magic by now, but Pegasi and earth ponies can use it, too. We never really experimented much back then."

"Sure. Fuck it."

"Wanna play some ROMs in the meantime? I've got some hacks we can try."

"May as well."

"Cool."

Twilight opened her playlist. It was sorted alphabetically to keep her files organized. She selected Morbid Angel's third album Covenant - fittingly titled for what she had in store.

A week later, Twilight told her friends to meet her by the basement. Rainbow, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, and Fluttershy circled around her. Spike stood aside for dramatic effect.

"So," Rainbow inquired, "what you got for us?"

"I've practiced a lot of spells here since I moved," Twilight explained, "The concrete prevents projectiles from escaping. Fortunately, I haven't had many mishaps."

"I doubt that's why you called us."

"Follow me."

Twilight led the sextet below. Spike followed behind, closing the door once they were all inside. At the bottom, they bore witness to a statue constructed by their leader. She'd placed candles around the base, creating a mystical atmosphere akin to a Luciferian gathering. The statue itself, however, was the exact opposite.

"I made it a couple years ago. It's based on a novel I read back in the day. It was about a seraph falling in love with a suffering stallion."

"She looks awesome," Rainbow praised, "I had no idea you could sculpt!"

"You know I come from a long line of mages. My family history extends to all branches - witchcraft, wicca, paganism, Luciferianism: everything you can imagine. School was just a stepping stone in my journey to draw out my latent abilities. Now that I've mastered my own magical powers, I can teach you to do the same."

"You lost me."

"I want us to form a coven - one dedicated to growth in all walks of life."

"A coven? Like...Chanting in the woods and stuff?"

Twilight shrugged.

"That could be part of it. There's a variety of magical styles. Mastering them requires practice and patience."

"That's weird. You're weird."

"And you love it."

"What can I say? I'm an open book."

"I don't know about this," Applejack hesitated, "I was brought up to believe in God and that witches were evil. I've been tryin' to be more open-minded, but..."

"Magic is only light or dark depending on how it's used. Are you familiar with Universal Unitarianism?"

"Can't say I am."

"It's a religious denomination dedicated to faiths around the world. People can meet and get acquainted with one another. It's one of the more popular sects these days."

"A harmonious gathering of faiths? I had no idea..."

"Just to demonstrate, I've prepared a ritual just for this occasion."

Twilight stepped aside, revealing a chalice filled to the brim with holy water. A magnificent light opened the gateway to another world.

"This is the real deal - blessed by the tears of a lifelong priestess."

"Where'd you even get that!?" Rainbow questioned, almost cackling at the absurdity.

"I have a lot of time on my hooves."

"Apparently."

"What I planned today was a friendship pledge. I'll perform an incantation, and each of us will drink from the chalice. You can add something to the pledge or just talk between sips."

"You have anymore cups," Pinkie asked, "I'm super thirsty!"

"I only have one for now. We can try to get more later. Prayer is at its highest during the colder months."

"Aww!"

Rainbow ruffled Pinkie's mane, locking her head in a noogie.

"You could get fat on water if you tried."

"Internet fetishes aside," Twilight continued, "I'll be performing my section in Latin. There's no real significance other than symbolism. You can pick whatever language you prefer."

"Mind if I ask what the endgame is?"

"You mean my goal?"

"Yeah."

"Mostly to stop making dirty jokes."

"That's no fun."

"We have a responsibility to protect the citizens of Equus. They'd be disappointed if we never evolved beyond our juvenile phase."

"Why you gotta be so smart?"

"Comes with the territory. Now, everyone form a circle."

Twilight extracted a piece of paper from her pocket. She began reading. It became clear why she'd chosen the language she had. The English translation was written on the back.

"Tutores vocamus praeteritorum, praesentium, et futurorum. Animas perditas benedicamus subsidio quaerentes in ulnis amantium. Exáudi vocatiónes nostras sicut nos tibi tradímus, et vovéndo tibi semper grátius servíre. Animae perditae non orant errant, sed inveniunt eos qui se patiuntur et novam viam praevertunt, quia corda nostra ad eos pertinent."

She sipped from the chalice, feeling her soul begin to change. It didn't matter if the others believed or took her seriously - only that the words spoken proved true. Over time, she would find a way to win their trust, and the greatest magic of all would be born...