Learning Magic

Chapter 10: The Trial

Rarity teleported into a dark cold place. She couldn’t see or hear anything, except for the occasional dripping sound, as the drops of water fell on the old stone ground.

Time to liven this place a bit.

Rarity lit her horn and looked around. She was in an old crystal mine beneath Canterlot. She knew about it because of the whole Canterlot wedding incident; Twilight shown it to her afterwards, in hopes that Rarity could use the crystals for something. Of course, Rarity would never use something as common as crystal for her dresses – it was better than glass, but only slightly. Now, however, her knowledge of this place proved invaluable.

I hope there are some high-quality crystals still left.

Rarity went further into the mine, but all the crystals she saw were somehow imperfect.

This one would shatter after even a light touch, this one is impure, that one is cracked...

She continued her musings, until she finally found what she was looking for.

Yes! These ones are perfect! And there are several of them I can use. Now what did the book say? Hmm...

The book she was thinking about was the one she borrowed from Twilight. It was also the thing that led her here; while she was searching for the spell to drain the Elements, she also stumbled upon a part which said, that the Elements were made out of crystals and that, theoretically, somepony with enough power could even create one. It was a long shot, of course, as the book stated that even the princesses, while possessing enough power, were unable to create one. The likely cause was, as they said, that they “didn’t have their essence”.

I certainly have the power and I really hope that I have consumed their essence too...

Rarity focused on one of the crystals. It was light pink, smooth and perfect in every possible way. She didn’t know how to enchant something, but hoped that it will come naturally; the spells she learned so far weren’t really complicated, they were just demanding.

Maybe if I try to channel my magic into it? Whatever else could it be?

Rarity tried to infuse the crystal with her magic and succeeded. It was quite easy actually – as soon as she started, the spell seemed to become alive. Just like when she drained the Elements, she couldn’t stop the process now even if she wanted to. Simultaneously, her mind was being flooded by images of ponies sharing, helping each other and giving presents. When the flood was over she felt weaker, but there was a blue crystal in her hooves now.

The Element of Generosity... Now to make the rest of them.

———

Half an hour later, she was finally finished. Six beautiful crystals levitated around her as she inspected them.

Beautiful, marvellous, such finesse...

While she was quite weak now, the experience she got from casting those incredibly powerful spells remained, so she was able to teleport across the large abyss between her and the exit. It left her exhausted, but she was finally outside of the mine.

The thing about the Canterlot mines was, that they were literally under Canterlot. The entrance to them was in the castle basement, and it was also because of this fact, that Twilight managed to stop the wedding ceremony in time.

I should probably find Twilight, where did she say she was staying? In the library, I bet.

Rarity sneaked through the castle, hiding in the shadows every time she heard as much as a sound. Luckily for her, most of the guard was searching for her all over Equestria, so there weren’t that many left to guard the castle halls. Soon, she saw the door leading to the library. She opened them a little, peeking in to see if her unicorn friend was in there. She was.

“Twilight?”

Twilight’s eyes filled with disbelief when she heard the familiar voice.

“Rarity?! What are you doing here? Everyone’s searching for you!”

“I’m here to apologize to the Princess...”

“It’s a bit late for that, don’t you think? You’ve almost killed Princess Luna!”

“I know, but... I managed to repair the Elements, at least.”

“And is that supposed to– wait, what?”

“I repaired the Elements, Twilight.”

“But that’s amazing! How did you do that?”

Same old Twilight. One minute she’s shouting in anger, the next she’s excited like a little filly, wanting to know how the magician did his trick.

“I’d love to tell you, darling, but all I can think about now is meeting the Princess and fixing this whole mess.”

“It seems that you have found me then,” Celestia said, standing right behind her.

———

Rarity was sitting in an uncomfortable wooden chair, attending a trial that Princess Celestia held right after finding her. She spent the last hour telling her story to every last detail. It almost made Twilight cry, when Rarity described how she felt like a failure.

“And that’s how it all happened, Your Highness.”

Celestia kept silent for several minutes, evaluating her options.

I didn’t mean any harm! Please don’t execute me! And don’t banish me, I want to stay with my friends!

“Guilty.”

Rarity could feel a cold grip forming around her heart and Twilight started to cry.

This... This is the end, isn’t it?

“Your punishment shall be...”

Don’t say death, don’t say death, don’t say death!

“...forbiddance of studying magic under Twilight Sparkle.”

Rarity squealed when she heard this.

Not only will I stay alive, but I can also stay with my friends! Princess Celestia is truly merciful.

“Thank you, Princess, for your mercy.” Rarity said.

“It is not my mercy that left you alive, Rarity. It is pragmatism.”

Both Rarity and Twilight were confused.

What does the Princess mean? What benefit could my survival bring?

“You possessed strength superior to both me and my sister, for a time. You then willingly gave that up without a fight. If I execute you now, as the law demands, then next time a similar situation arises, that being a situation when someone is more powerful than us, things wouldn’t go so well. That person would know that we’ll execute him if he gives that power up, and so he’ll fight to the bitter end. This way, he’ll know that he will be free and alive afterwards and might choose the path of peace, like you did.”

“But won’t Princess Luna be angry, when she learns that you gave me such a light sentence for injuring her?”

“Unlike Luna, I punish ponies not for the sake of punishing them, but to make sure they won’t commit that crime again. I believe that now, when Twilight can’t teach you anymore, you won’t be compelled to try anything like this ever again.”

“Thank you, Princess. You are indeed very wise.”

———

Several days later, Rarity was stitching one of her dresses once again.

Another terrible order from that noble! And again, I can’t change anything on the design. Why would he even want to wear something as terrible as this?!

Once again, Rarity’s mind started to drift off topic.

...free like that time when Twilight gave me wings! It felt magnificent! I wonder how it would be like to race everypony like Rainbow Dash does. Such speed... I should ask Twilight to give me wings again and try it out!

THE END