Alicorn: The Lost Princess

The stars gleamed in the sky, the day she entered the world. What they had anticipated being their second and final child, turned middle-child. Twilight Sparkle was gifted with unfathomable magical prowess from the day she learned to wield. By the time she could walk, she could hover just as well. Teleportation came soon thereafter.

Her first year in school, a challenge was given to all newcomers. She was astonishingly young for the institute, and no pony had ever successfully completed the challenge. To use their magic to hatch a dragon’s egg.

Where they had come upon such a thing, no one seemed to question. That was of little relevance… as was the issue of possibility. Twilight Sparkle was the picture of impossible. A filly afforded a spot at an institution for adult ponies.

The egg task proved challenging, but entirely possible. As in a blast of light, Twilight’s power swelled. The egg shell cracked and out burst the baby dragon. Cute, and chubby. Their family decided to raise him as their own son.

From that day forward, Twilight had cemented herself a magical legend. Spending days and weekends honing her craft. Once she had reached maturity, she was well versed in nearly all forms of magic accessible to her… even some that were forbidden.

“Twilight!” Her mother called. “A summons from the king…” she gulped. “You haven’t been doing any of those military spells your brothers taught you, right?”

Twilight trotted down the stairs of her family home. “He probably just wants to show me off to his delegates again. He said I am a true testament to what a unicorn should be.”

Her mother released the bated breath. “Just make sure you get there on time. You know the king doesn’t like to be kept waiting.”

Twilight nodded, dawning her cloak and taking the summons scroll with her magic. “I’ll go straight there and straight back.” She promised.

Twilight made her way up the step of the castle. Escorted by a gaggle of guards toward the king’s meeting chamber.

When they arrived, she looked up to the king in his platformed throne. She bowed as their eyes met. “Good afternoon, Twilight Sparkle. As our most decorated student and role-model to all Canterlot I took it upon myself to welcome you back to my home.” The castle was cold, and a chill flew up her spine, but she knew better than to speak in the presence of the king unless instructed. “Your power is one I would like to harness… for my wartime efforts. I need someone with your skill and knowledge to guide me.” He chuckled. “Not that I need guidance, more servitude.” He said cockily. “A servant to advise my magical exploits.”

Twilight released a breath of fear and disinterest. She did not believe in the war, she did not stand for it. She was a believer in learning, and would much rather live unified with the other tribes and learn from them.

He noticed her hesitation. “Or…” he thought for a moment. “That brother of yours, I suppose he would make a fantastic front-lines man.” His highness laughed. The twisted horn in his head drawing her eye. “And that dragon? A child, but a fantastic puff of smoke and fire. I’m sure the brothers you hold so dear will make hearty sacrifices indeed.”

Twilight gasped, gulping back her reluctance. “I should have but a moment to gather my thoughts.”

The king hummed, hating the sound of her voice. “You shall do it. Beginning tomorrow, and it is not a request. If you attempt to flee, you will be considered a traitor, and your family too.”

Twilight walked slowly, hanging her head as she went. The town seemed so loud and aggravating. Every noise threatening to send her over the edge. Soon, she came upon a building with nothing but burnt posts where structure used to be.

The Great One sat in the midst of the rubble, silent as the sun shone down on her. No pony else around, it was such a strange vision, Twilight nearly thought she was imagining it.

She approached carefully, as the Great One summoned her with a small motion of her hoof. She stepped over debris carefully as she moved.

“You are the one.” She said. The Great One was vague, and it seemed like she wasn’t all there. “The last Princess, the fourth.”

Twilight swallowed back the nervousness she felt. She had heard of The Great One and her bizarre prophecies. She had also heard that she had never been incorrect. “A Princess?” She asked.

The Great One swayed with the wind, almost holographic. “Each tribe will have one, and you are the fourth.”

Twilight’s mind reeled as she hopped now, trying to reach her more quickly. “Did you say four? But there are only three-“ The Great One was gone. It was a vision… or a spirit? And if it were just a vision, perhaps Twilight was losing her mind.

That night, Twilight stole away into the grassy knoll behind her home. The stars were easy to see, the sky was clear. She looked up, never having been a spiritual pony, but wondering if there were something in this universe that could save her from the king’s wrath.

Footsteps came up from behind her. The bipedal dragon waddled up behind her. He was small and purple in color, like her. Only he had complimentary green scales, unlike her who had no scales at all. “You don’t seem like yourself tonight.” The dragon said. It sounded so critical, but it was compassionate.

“The king commanded I be his… servant advisor for the war.” She confessed. “I don’t know what to do, Spike.”

Spike sighed. “That’s rough.”

“And I saw The Great One.” She added.

Spike looked over at her with his mouth agape. “No rest today.” He said simply.

She shook her head. “She told me I was ‘the last princess’ whatever that means.”

The pair giggled for a moment and the absurdity of such a sentiment. As the looked up, a star shot across the sky. “Make a wish!” Spike shouted urgently.

Both closing their eyes, it seemed they wished for the same thing. And in a sudden blast of magic Twilight was overtaken by a whirl of magenta, glittering, magic. Without word or reason, she emerged utterly unscathed… save for the new wings.

“Twilight… you… you look like those ponies from the stories.” Spike stammered, pointing one claw at her wings.

Instinctively, Twilight’s wings shot open, revealing them to her. “Oh no… oh no no no!” She shouted in sincere panic. “Spike this is awful… I’ve been transformed into a Pegasus!” She rationalized, she began to rub her forehead, but slammed her hand into the horn on her head. “Ow-“ she cried. “I’m , oh no Spike… I’m an Alicorn… oh no.”

Spike jumped to his feet trying to quiet and calm her. “No, no Twilight… this is good… aren’t Alicorns supposed to be especially powerful? Maybe this is how you can stop the king!”

Twilights mind reeled… “she said I was one of four… the last one…” she gulped the lump in her throat. “That means I have to find the others.”