Learning Magic

Chapter 7: The Plan

Everyone was looking at her. No one was interested in the other competitors, not even in Sunblaze. Their gaze drilled into Rarity, their laughter, which started as a single mocking sneer, soon gained on strength as almost everyone in stadium realized that she was just defeated by someone half her age.

B–but... H–how? I trained so hard for this... If I wasn’t a failure before, then I definitely am now. And not only in Twilight’s eyes.

Rarity slowly stood up, still trembling from exhaustion.

I can’t stand this anymore. The humiliation, the yelling of the crowd, that self-righteous smile of his... I need to get out of here.

Rarity started to gallop towards the exit. Her throat hurt as she tried to suppress her sobs.

———

Two hours later, Rarity and Spike were standing in front of another stadium, her sobs long since gone, all tears wiped off.

“How long will she be in there?” Rarity asked.

“I’m not sure, but last year, it took five hours before she was defeated.”

Rarity sighed. It was bad enough that she had to wait here for two hours, hoping that nopony would recognise her, but three more hours?

Hurry up, Twilight! There is something we need to discuss!

As if to answer her silent begging, the door of the stadium swung open, with nopony else that the purple unicorn herself standing in them.

“How did it go? Did you win?” Spike asked excitedly.

“No, but I placed fifteenth!”

“And that’s a good thing?” Rarity asked.

“Of course it is! It means that I am the fifteenth most powerful unicorn in Equestria, not counting the princesses of course. But how did you fare?”

Rarity frowned, tears returning into her eyes.

“Oh Twilight, it was horrible! I–I couldn’t beat Sunblaze and placed second. I was laughed at, completely humiliated and had to leave before that little ruffian drove me to insanity! My reputation as a mage— no, as a unicorn, is ruined! I don’t deserve my horn!”

“Don’t say things like that! Second place isn’t that bad and you’d deserve your horn even if you were last.” Twilight said.

“Yeah Rarity, you’re amazing, no matter what those jerks think!”

Rarity stopped crying, but her frown remained in place.

“Do... Do you mean it?”

“I mean it!” Twilight and Spike both said in unison.

Rarity managed to give a faint smile, but the sadness in her eyes was still there.

“Perhaps we should leave.” Rarity said.

“Yes, there is nothing left for us now. Spike, where is the chariot supposed to pick us up?”

“Nowhere. I didn’t know when will we be leaving, so I couldn’t tell him when he was supposed to come. I booked another one instead.”

“Good work, now let’s go.”

———

During her trip back to Ponyville, Rarity was absorbed in thought.

This is not about the dresses anymore. This is about magic and honour. While in Ponyville, nopony will probably even hear about my defeat, in Canterlot, they certainly will. I need to prove I’m not some pathetic excuse for a unicorn, and to show them that, I need to be better in magic than they are. But how to achieve that? Surely there must be some easier way than to train and train for the years to come. Maybe... No, that’s simply ridiculous. But what if...

“Twilight, do you think you could teach me the teleportation spell?”

Twilight smiled, probably happy that her friend thought about something else than her failure and that she didn’t want to give up on magic because of it.

“Of course I can, but you won’t be able to teleport more than several meters with your current stamina.”

“That doesn’t matter, dear; I’d like to know it nevertheless.”

“Well alright, stop by the library tomorrow.”

“I will do that.”

This might actually work...

———

The next day, Rarity was running all around Ponyville. She went to Fluttershy to ask her if she could watch Sweetie Belle tomorrow, she visited Pinkie Pie and borrowed some of her things for pranking people, she went to Zecora’s hut to buy some medicine and finally, she went to the library.

“Hello Twilight.”

“Hello Rarity, I suppose that you’re here to learn the teleportation spell?”

“Yes, that and few other things.”

“Other things?”

“Yes, I’d like to borrow a book and to ask you a favour.”

Twilight’s brow went up at the latter part.

“A favour? What favour?”

“I’m really in need to meet with princess Celestia. It’s urgent and very personal. Do you think you could arrange it?”

“I don’t see why not. But what do you want to discuss? If you tell me then maybe I could help you.”

“I’m sorry Twilight, but it’s personal and believe me when I say that you can’t help me with it.”

“Very well, I’ll send her a letter. I’m sure she will hear you out.”

Rarity was beaming. For the first time in last two days, Twilight could finally see her genuinely smiling.

Everything goes according to the plan. This will work.

“Thank you, Twilight, you are very kind. Now, the book I’d like to borrow is called ‘Gems and magic’. I think I saw it here earlier this month.”

“I know the book you’re talking about, but you should really learn more spells before trying to enchant anything.”

“You worry too much Twilight. But if it will make you feel better, I promise I won’t enchant anything.”

Twilight gave her a confused look, as to why she would want a book about enchanting, if she didn’t want to enchant anything, but gave her the book anyway.

Only one thing remains now.

“So, tell me about the teleportation spell, Twilight.”

“It’s actually pretty easy. All you have to do is imagine the location you want to be in, and then imagine yourself there. The reason why almost nopony uses it is that it consumes a tremendous amount of magical energy.”

“Mind if I try?”

“Go ahead.”

Rarity concentrated and tried to imagine herself on the second floor of the library. It wasn’t really hard, it was just strange. To imagine every detail of yourself, to see yourself from outside without using a mirror... With a sudden blast of light, Rarity appeared on the second floor, exhausted and panting furiously. While she wasn’t close to passing out, she could feel that she had already used part of her life energy.

Twilight wasn’t joking; this spell really does take a lot from me. This is unfortunate, but the plan should work anyway.

Rarity walked down the stairs and saw Twilight grinning.

“So? How was your first teleport?”

“Strange, exhausting and I don’t feel so well.”

“That’s quite normal; it should be okay in just a few minutes.”

I think I might throw up in just a few minutes.

“Do you think you could write to the princess now? I’d really like to know when I am supposed to arrive beforehand, so I can prepare.”

“Sure Rarity. Spike! Spike!!! Where is that dragon? Wait here for a moment, will you? Spike!”

Twilight left the library, giving Rarity the opportunity to inspect whether or not was there the spell she needed in her book. She was pretty sure it was, but it never hurts to check.

Enchanting, advanced enchanting, gem finding, disenchanting... Ah, here it is!

Satisfied, Rarity sat there and waited for Twilight. After about 10 minutes, Twilight walked in, dragging Spike behind her with her magic.

“Come on, Twilight! What could be more important than an emerald cupcake Pinkie made for me? It’s not like you can’t send the letter la– Oh hi there, Rarity! Is there anything I can help you with?”

Yes, there indeed is! But I don’t want to drag you into my plan; it could end up badly for you.

Rarity put on her puppy eyes. She knew full well that Spike would do it even without them, but old habits die hard.

“I just need you to write a letter. Will you do that for me?”

“Of–of course Rarity! You can count on me!”

Spike ran to get the quill and parchment with more enthusiasm than ever before.

“Now, what do you want me to write?”

“Twilight will tell you.”

Spike looked a bit down for a moment, but quickly shrugged that off as Twilight started to dictate.

“Dear princess Celestia...”

———

Rarity walked into her boutique tired, but happy. She was meeting the princess at 10 o’clock tomorrow.

The dice are cast.