Unity

Chrysalis hated this. She hated this weakness with every fiber of her being. Even now she could feel it running rampant through her veins, weakening her muscles and thinning her bones. The Queen of the Changelings lay in the same spot she’s rested in for the past several days, in the very center of her antechamber. The room appeared empty, devoid of all life but the queen. Her breathing was slightly labored, and her gossamer wings twitched spasmodically with cold. Her subjects had long since left the queen be, her dark thoughts keeping them well away from her private quarters. Her restless mind kept dwelling on the past, relieving that fateful day almost a year ago. Her plan had been so perfect. It had been almost completely foolproof. All it took was a single unicorn, too smart for her own good, to unravel all of her schemes.

“She’s a changeling! She takes the form of somepony you love and gains power by feeding off your love for them!”

The accusatory words of the real Cadance echoed through Chrysalis’ fevered mind. In the space of a few heartbeats, her plans had been ruined. She had never anticipated that Twilight would find a way out of those gloomy caves, let alone find the real Cadance. Even her brainwashed bridesmaids had failed her; all it took was a simple bouquet of flowers and her enemies had been free. But try as she might, Chrysalis couldn’t bring herself to actually hate the lavender filly that had ruined her plans.  If Chrysalis had bothered to study the real Cadance’s personality better, she would have been able to fool even Twilight. Simply put, Chrysalis was too mean. She had constantly degraded those around her, treating them just like she would her own subjects. It was a wonder that no one else had seen through the disguise from the start.

Chrysalis’ mad laugh echoed through the hall. “Right you are, Princess. And as Queen of the Changelings it is up to me to find food for my subjects. Equestria has more love than any place I’ve ever encountered. My fellow changelings will be able to devour so much of it that we will gain more power than we have ever dreamed of!”

Even with her plan in ruins around her, Chrysalis had refused to give up. While the changeling hordes were not starving by any stretch of the imagination, Equestria would have given them the power to climb back to the top of the power ladder. She had the love of Shining Armor to fuel her. In a fair fight, Chrysalis never would have been able to stand up to Princess Celestia. Acting swiftly, however, Chrysalis had been able to take the Equestrian monarch by surprise. With Celestia out of the way, Chrysalis had expected her victory to be swift and absolute. She never even tried to stop Twilight and her friends from going after the Elements of Harmony, knowing full well her drones would overwhelm them. But once more, that cunning Twilight Sparkle foiled her plans.

The young unicorn managed to free Cadance from her bonds and allowed the Alicorn to approach her fiancée. After that, it was over. Chrysalis, blinded by her anticipated victory, failed to remember that Cadance’s power was, essentially, love. Combine that love with the anger and fear the two had for the changelings that had ruined their wedding… It was a wonder any of the changelings had survived, let alone their queen. But Chrysalis knew that she was lying to herself. She had not survived. While that spell cast by Shining Armor had love in it, it also had anger, hate, and fear—which was poisonous to changelings in any dose. Chrysalis, being the closet to the spell, had suffered the most from it. While she had seemed to recover from it only months after the incident, the poison was still there, like cancer, biding its time.

Now the poison was determined to finish its work. Changeling doctors from all over had flocked to their queen in an effort to diagnose her illness and to find a cure. They had all failed, without question. No matter what medicine they offered her, or what magic they tried, they couldn’t help their queen. She was slowly dying, and that was that. Chrysalis had long since accepted the fact that she was dying. The one thing that kept her from completely shriveling away was her need to find a new leader for her kin. She had no sons, no daughters. She had neither heir by blood nor a chosen heir. Without a new monarch to lead them, the changelings would run rampant, killing each other and those around them. They would practically turn insane.

Nor could she just summon some changeling noble to her and claim him or her heir. Truth be told, she did not want the changelings to be led by a monarch who would follow in her hoofsteps. By nature, changelings were often greedy and impulsive. The younger the changeling, the more hotheaded they were. She needed an heir that would care for her people, and lead the changeling race back to the prosperity they had before the War of the Sun and Moon. But none of her changelings were going to be up to that task. Chrysalis would have to find an Outsider to become the new queen. Chrysalis turned slightly, staring into the shadows to the left of her.

“Flicka,” the queen said softly, her voice hoarse and faintly laced with pain. Immediately, the cyborg unicorn bodyguard moved forward out of the shadows. Her mechanical right leg whirred softly as the unicorn moved, and her mechanical eye studied the changeling before her with faint worry.

“My Queen?” Flicka asked,  dipping a short bow.

“Summon the Council of Elders here. I do not have much time left, and we must discuss things of importance.” Flicka was gone almost before Chrysalis had finished speaking, teleporting away. Flicka was an unusual case. Abandoned in the desert by her nobility Canterlot parents, the unicorn has faced nothing but trial and hardships in her eighteen years of life. By accepting Flicka as a bodyguard, Chrysalis had already done wonders to improve the cyborg’s life.

The council members filtered into the queen’s chambers one by one, twelve of the realm’s most powerful changelings. They remained silent out of respect, the only sound the faint buzzing of their wings. The settled in a rough half circle around their queen, watching her with glossy blue eyes. Chrysalis was silent for a moment, collecting her thoughts, before she spoke.

“I am dying.” She spoke the words bluntly, dispassionately, as though she were discussing something that was happening to any changeling but her. The twelve council members shifted uneasily but remained silent. “As you know, I have no heir. I have no one to take my place when my time comes for me to return to the stone. We are going to need to find someone to replace me.”

One of the younger council members leaned forward eagerly. Chrysalis studied the youth opposite her with a critical eye. Vizio was an extremely new addition to the Changeling High Council, barely eighteen years of age and as far from wise as one could get. She was impulsive and hotheaded, and enjoyed drawing attention to herself, negative or otherwise. She was greedy, as was the nature of one so young, and she thirsted for any type of power she could get her fangs into. The Queen continued to study Vizio silently. The younger changeling stared right back, her bright blue eyes almost mocking the ancient changeling. “I would like the opportunity to place my name forward as a candidate, my Queen.” Vizio said boldly. “Who better to lead our people towards a better future?”

Chrysalis was already shaking her head, wincing as she did so. “No. It’s not going to happen again. You are nothing more than another me.”

Vizio scoffed. “Don’t you dare to presume to compare me to you,” she spat. “I am better than you and you know it.”

Chrysalis bared her fangs mightily, slowly wiping the grin from Vizio’s face. “Do not forget who your Queen is, changeling! You are not any better than I. All I see before me is another power hungry changeling who will stop at nothing until she gets what she wants.”

“Then why not the Council itself?” Vizio demanded. “Let the wisest and patient of changelings rule our people into a glorious future.”

Again Chrysalis shook her head. “You know nothing of our politics. The Council cannot rule, as all twelve of you have your own agendas you want to pursue. You would fight against each other more than you would help our people. While members of the Council would try to further their own wants, our people would slowly starve to death without anyone to properly guide them.”

“Then what do you mean for us to do, Queen Chrysalis?” Vizio could not hide the anger in her voice. “Every changeling is going to be like you all over again: A power hungry fool! It is the way of a changeling.”

Chrysalis snarled. She sent a tendril of green magic lancing into Vizio’s unprotected side. “Just because I am weak and dying does not mean I am completely without power. Greed is the way of a young changeling,” Crysalis corrected. Several council members nodded in agreement. “But I am not going to suggest we put an older changeling upon the throne. Even older changelings make their mistakes. No, what I propose is that we put Magic upon the changeling throne.”

A shivering beat of silence greeted the ancient changeling’s words. Then the chamber erupted into noise, each council member attempting to talk over another. Vizio, however, used her magic to amplify her voice, her horn glowing green. “Are you mad Chrysalis?! You want to put a non changeling upon the throne? Absolutely not! It is not allowed!” At this, Queen Chrysalis leapt to her hooves. Even though the action made her weak and lightheaded, she must be heard.

“Silence!” she roared, her voice crackling with barely bridled power. Immediately, there was complete silence in the chamber. “I am perfectly sane, Vizio. I would suggest you be careful of whom you call crazy in the future. Now, are you all really so forgetful as to not recall the old laws that were put into place by changelings before our time? Anyone can rule the changelings, so long as the council approves. Even a non changeling.”

“But to put one of our enemies onto the throne? Magic, out of all of our enemies?” Vizio tried to hide the derision in her tone.

“Who else could lead us to a better future?” Chrysalis demanded hotly, sinking back down to her belly. “Who else than the one who has defeated Nightmare Moon, Discord, and helped drive us back in Canterlot? Who else than the one who is Magic incarnate? We need to stop living the way we are.” Chrysalis slowly ran her gaze upon the twelve council members. “You all know how old I am. I have been Queen for a very long time, longer than any other ruler before I. Yes, I am power hungry. Yes, I am greedy. I never said that I am not. Nor did I say I was happy about putting an Outsider upon my throne. But it is needed. I swore, before my mother passed away, that I would lead the changelings to glory again, the same glory we had before the War of the Sun and Moon. Since then I have tried to uphold that promise. For a thousand years or more I have strived to keep that promise, and I have failed. We are no closer to being accepted by the other races of Sol than we were all that time ago. Part of this blame rests upon me. I’ve become blinded by power. That was all I cared about. If we put another power hungry changeling upon the throne, then the changelings will always be seen as the lesser race of Sol.”

“Then why not put a warrior upon the throne, then?” A few younger council members nodded in agreement.

“No,” Chrysalis said again. “Were you not listening? We’ve had enough of war to last us the rest of our lives! A warrior will lead us into pointless battles just for the fame and glory instead of pointless power. We need someone to lead us with wisdom and modesty, not strength and fighting. Again, who better than Magic herself? Surely those of you who where there at Canterlot remember her power. Surely you remember that she never once tapped into her full capabilities. If she had, the entire city could have been razed in her efforts to stop us. Have none of you heard of her other exploits? She saved her town from a rampaging Ursa Minor. She helped save her friend’s home from a pair of dishonest brothers. She saved her friends from a hydra. All of this she has done and more. A lesser being than her would have let all of this go to their heads long ago. But Magic is completely oblivious to her deeds. Who else could better lead our people in our quest for peace and acceptance? Do any of you have a candidate?”

There was a flurry of headshakes from her fellow council members. They all knew that without Chrysalis’ arguments, they would have allowed another power hungry changeling become the next King or Queen. Even so, Vizio could not help but attempt to have the last word. “Humph. This sounds like a fool’s errand to me. Do you even have any idea where Magic is?”

“Of course I do,” Chrysalis said a trifle smugly. “In fact, an ex Harvester is living in the same town as she.”

This caused Vizio to glare at her queen skeptically. “You mean what’s-her-fangs—Amethyst? Amethyst is dead. She has been for years.”

“I most certainly am not dead,” A new voice interrupted. Twenty-four eyes turned as one to stare at the door to the chamber. In front of said door stood a cream colored mare with a two toned mane, blue and pink. Several changelings instinctively hissed, while others glared at the offending pony. The new arrival scowled back. A green flash illuminated her form. When it faded, a pitch black female changeling stood there, no seemingly different from other drones. “I’ve been gone from the hive for five years, and this is how I get treated when I return?” She demanded, her voice now carrying the same echoing quality of other changelings.

“You were pronounced dead when you separated yourself from the hive. You and your self proclaimed love are blight upon changeling history.” Vizio’s voice dripped with venom. “Tell me, is that naive little mare you fell in “love” with still ignorant of what you are?”

“For your information, Lyra Heartstrings knows exactly what I am,” Amethyst retorted coolly. “She has known since I broke away from the hive to be with her.”

Vizio’s eyes dilated in surprise. “She is still with you, knowing what you are? I don’t believe it. You’ve brainwashed her, I’d bet.” Vizio summoned her magic, pinning Amethyst to the floor. “Why don’t I just send you back to the hell hole you sprung from in pieces?”

Amethyst struggled. “Let me go, Vizio, or I swear I’m going to hurt you.”

A third voice chimed in from just behind Amethyst, a musical voice that was oddly soothing to Chrysalis’ ears. “Bon-Bon has not brainwashed me, changeling. I would suggest you be careful who you insult. And if you don’t leave Bon-Bon alone, you’re going to find out exactly how tough we are.” A mint colored mare stepped up next to Amethyst, a lyre cutie mark standing out boldly upon her flanks. She gave a whimsical smile, though her golden eyes never wavered from Vizio’s blue orbs.

Vizio’s eyes narrowed in anger as other council members buzzed excitedly. “Another one of you?” she asked loftily. “Please make sure you don’t touch me; I would not want to hurt you.”

Lyra took a hoof step forward. “Are you threatening me as well as my love?” She demanded softly. Chrysalis was close to warning Vizio to back down. But the scene playing out before her amused her greatly. She knew the rumors, as much time as her Harvesters spent around the ponies. Lyra Heartstrings was no laughing matter. It was said that the mint green mare with a whimsical sense of humor was probably one of the most dangerous ponies in Equestria. One of her Harvesters had actually seen Lyra fight, once. The fight had lasted no more than ten seconds.

Vizio snorted. “I don’t care what you think I am doing, pony. You have no business here in our realm or in our council. I suggest you leave before I make you.”

Lyra just shook her head, smiling gently. “I’m afraid I’m not just going to leave because you want me to.”

Vizio barked out a harsh laugh. “What’s the matter, greenie? Are you going to work some magic on me? Every changeling knows that unicorns are the weakest casters on Sol. What are you going to do, tell me I won’t like you when you’re angry?”

The unicorn gave a silvery laugh that only served to enrage Vizio further. “Goodness, no. I don’t like being angry. Such a negative emotion! Now, I’m only going to tell you this one more time. Let Bon-Bon go.”

Vizio just did not understand when she was outmatched. “No, I don’t think I’m going to do that,” the changeling said.

Lyra sighed and hung her head in defeat. Vizio relaxed her guard, thinking she had won the argument. Before the young changeling could react, Lyra’s horn flared with green-white light. Vizio tumbled from her seat like she had been given a nasty shove. There was another burst of magical light, and Vizo was tossed back against the wall of a chamber, wings buzzing angrily. With a third blast of light, the hostile changeling went limp as she collapsed to the floor. Amethyst was instantly released from Vizio’s magical grip and moved over to her lover. Lyra turned to look at Queen Chrysalis a small smile tugging on her lips.

“Assaulting a guest is a punishable offense, is it not?” The mint green unicorn asked. Queen Chrysalis regarded the mint green unicorn before her. She would make a powerful changeling, if they could convert her. Taking out a council member in only three attacks was pretty impressive.

“Yes, it is,” Chrysalis finally replied, turning to glare at the unconscious form of Vizio. She turned back to the pair before her. “I assume you got my message?”

Amethyst bowed. “We did, Queen Chrysalis. Lyra and I came as quickly as we could. The Unity Chalice is approaching soon. My sources say Twilight has been chosen to enter. It might be a good time to try to talk to her about all this. If all else fails, we can kidnap her. I can imagine she’ll want nothing to do with the changelings no matter how many times we explain.”

Chrysalis nodded. “Go then, both of you. I do not have much time left.”

**********

“Can I help you, young mare?” The receptionist barely glanced up from his paperwork. His tone was clearly bored, assuming she was only a tourist or something. He was black coated with flecks of brown, and his nametag identified him as Dry Parchment.

Twilight Sparkle strode up to the receptionist as confidently as she could, trying to stop the light jittery trembles shaking her form. “I’m looking for an audience with the Board of Arcane Sciences,” the young sorceress announced, her voice an octave or two higher than usual.

The receptionist frowned at her now, finally looking up from whatever he had been reading upon his desk. “It is normally required that you send in a written request first, so that they can determine whether or not your research is worth their notice. They are busy ponies, and as such they cannot grant an audience to just anypony.”

Twilight sighed. This receptionist was definitely new if he did not even recognize her at first glance. She turned her body sideways, showcasing her cutie mark to Dry Parchment. It was almost comical watching his eyes widen in alarm. “I’m not just anypony. I’m, ah, Twilight Sparkle. I was told I should come here—“

“Ah, miss Sparkle. Accept my apologies; I did not notice you there. Please, down this hall and the second door on the left. They are waiting for you.”

“Thank you,” Twilight moved down the hallway the receptionist had indicated, trying to smooth out her already frazzled nerves. It was bad enough that the Board of Arcane Sciences were wary of her and wanted to keep an eye on her, but to have them summoning her every time one of her experiments succeeded only made everything worse. She had graduated the top of her class at the School for Gifted Unicorns, and had passed challenges the Board could only dream of passing. She knew what she was doing when it came to magic and experiments and magical experiments. Yet… She understood why the Board continued to have a special interest in her. With her growing magical prowess and her extraordinarily keen mind, it was only natural for the Board to keep an eye on her.

The giant double doors creaked open slowly of their own accord as Twilight Sparkle approached them. Doing her best to swallow the last of her nervousness, Twilight stepped slowly into the dark room. Runes lined the walls and windows, gleaming quietly. Tossing a passing glance at them, Twilight determined they were designed to prevent noises from escaping outside the chamber. They had not been there the last time she had visited the Board. Twilight paused in the middle of the room. With a small whisper of her mind, she let her magic bleed into her eyes, allowing them to pierce the dark gloom before her. The Board stood upon the edges of the chamber, thirteen of them all, wearing cloaks and hoods that concealed everything from sight. Not a one of them moved, observing the young mage before them silently. Finally, one of them stepped forward slightly and spoke.

Twilight Sparkle,” the mare said, her voice seeming to echo from all directions. “We received your request for an audience regarding your latest experiments. While we are unsure that an experiment of that caliber can be completed successfully by a mage barely out of her filly years, we deemed it prudent that you be allowed to show us.”

Twilight’s ears fell flat against her head. Although she should be used to it by now, it still hurt. The Board went out of their way to remind her that they were the best in Canterlot, no matter how well Twilight preformed. She had been before the Board several times in the past, normally just for magical growth checkups. Each time, the Board felt it their duty to make subtle comments that they really did not have the time for some lesser spellcaster. If it were not for Princess Celestia’s insistence that Twilight be evaluated magically by the Board, the Board would not even give Twilight the time of day. Twilight mentally shook herself and stood up proud, her ears perking back up. Today was different, it had to be different. Today was the first day she had ever been before the Board because of a successful experiment.

“My experiment is a success,” Twilight answered proudly. Her horn glowed briefly. A small rift appeared next to her, causing the Board members to murmur. Out of this rift floated two square bricks of wood.

“Is that a space pocket?” the mare demanded, voice suddenly harsh.

“Uh, yes?”  Twilight stammered. “I use it to store objects. It’s much easier than carrying around saddlebags all the time and I won’t have to worry about accidentally losing anything.”

“An interesting feat, Sparkle. Of the thirteen of us, only four can cast that particular spell.” Coming from the hooded mare, that was high praise from the Board of Arcane Sciences. “Now, what is it you have here? Do you mean to tell us that these little blocks hold your experiment?”

“They do,” Twilight said. A tendril of red magic yanked the blocks of wood from Twilight’s aura and pulled them over to the Board. Their earlier quiet murmurs grew steadily louder as they examined the blocks.

“You mean to tell us that there is enough energy in these blocks that they can power other objects? Could they power a train, perhaps? How would a non unicorn use these?”

Twilight hesitated a bit before replying. “Yes, all of the energy is in those blocks. I have not figured out a way for non unicorns to use them yet. To the best of my knowledge, a non unicorn just simply can’t access that much energy and use it. In essence, yes, they could power something like a train. A unicorn would only have to unleash the energy within, and the train would move, following the tracks. There would be no need for constant energy drain as a unicorn maintained the spell. There would be no need for earth ponies to be constantly shoveling firewood into a furnace, or tethered to the train to pull it up steep hills.”

“How exactly have you manage to accomplish this, and at such a young age? Members of the Board have attempted to do the same thing you seem to have done with no results. How do the blocks regain the energy?” The lead mare’s voice sounded doubtful.

“Well, regaining the energy is easy!” Twilight gushed, eager to be teaching about something. “I originally got the ideas from flora. They absorb light from Celestia’s sun, and turn it into energy they can use. But I couldn’t find a way to make that work on non organic objects. So instead I exploited the dimorphism of magic. The wood the blocks are made of is still alive, and serves as a “flora focal point” that polarizes the dimorphism. Then all I had to do was distill the energy into a reformed core.”

“Sparkle, I have been studying this myself for years and have no idea what you just said.

Twilight sighed in exasperation. “Basically, the living wood still absorbs light from Celestia’s sun and converts it into chemical energy, which is then converted into an easier to manage kinetic energy and stored elsewhere into the wood, waiting to be called upon by a unicorn familiar with the floes of energy. Just place one of these blocks out in the sun for a day, and by nightfall it will hold enough energy to power a train for a day or so.”

“Well, Sparkle, it seems we have underestimated you. We will need to perform our own experiments on the matter before we determine if this is something we could present to the Princess. We shall keep you informed of our findings. In the meantime, you are free to go.”

Knowing that this was the best she could have hoped for, Twilight turned and left.

**********

Twilight headed back to her old room in Canterlot Palace. She had been summoned to Canterlot by Princess Celestia, who wanted to personally see how well her student was progressing. Twilight had decided it would be the perfect time to bring her experiment to the Board. She had spent the morning with Princess Celestia, catching up on details of their lives and analyzing Twilight’s energy experiment. Princess Celestia had been pleased with how far her student had come, and had personally suggested that Twilight take it to the Board of Arcane Sciences. So when Princess Celestia took her leave to deal with the petitions of nobility, Twilight had set out to show the Board what she had accomplished.

Now, though, her only thought was to retire to her bedroom for a nap. However, as she pushed open the door to her quarters, she was welcomed by the sight of both Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. “Princess Celestia! Princess Luna!” Twilight cantered over to her mentor and gave her a brief nuzzle, while a slightly more reserved hug was delivered to Luna, who accepted it with a smile.

“Good evening, Twilight Sparkle!” Luna’s voice bounced around the bookshelves lining Twilight’s room endlessly. The Princess of Night brought a hoof to her mouth. “We mean, good evening, Twilight Sparkle. Pray tell, what are you doing this fine evening?”

Twilight nickered slightly, trying to get her ears to stop ringing. “I just got back from the Board of Arcane Sciences, actually. Is there something I can help the pair of you with?”

“Ah, yes,” Princess Luna answered. “Our sister told us of your most recent success, Twilight. We extend our congratulations. Tonight’s visit is more along the social venue, but we are also here on a state of business.”

Twilight’s curiosity raised its head, sniffing the air. “What sort of business, princess?” In answer, Princess Celestia floated a letter off of Twilight’s bed. With an intrigued glance at her mentor, Twilight took the proffered letter and opened it to read.

Ms Twilight Sparkle

Twilight’s Suite, Canterlot

In recognition of your contributions to the magical arts, primarily friendship, and in further recognition of your services to your homeland and to the rest of Sol, you are cordially invited to participate in the 678th annual Unity Chalice. It has been agreed that you are to be placed in the young adult bracket according to your sponsorship. Please RSVP with confirmation of your participation in the tournament, as well as list the number of guests you will be bringing. Enclosed with this letter you will also find the name of your battle partner for this competition.

Signed

Princess Celestia of Equestria

Emperor Zackra of Zebrith

Flock Mother Godwyna of Griffon Nation

Queen Athest the Fire Starter of the Netherlands

Twilight stared at the invitation dumbly. Her expression was a cross between mortified and glee. “Are you talking about the same two versus two team tournament I’m thinking of?” She finally asked in a small voice. “But that… That is for experienced Magicians. And powerful ones! I’m not—”

“Powerful?” Celestia broke in. “If you are not powerful, than whom else is?”

“But… my schooling… I’ve not even reached the most advanced stuff yet. This tournament is for experienced wizards and magicians, not for some aspiring sorceress.”

“Twilight Sparkle,” Celestia said. “What true scholar of magic is ever truly finished with their studies? You are still the most powerful sorceress I know, unicorn or otherwise. It has been a long time since a unicorn has studied the magic of a sorceress, let alone one as powerful as you. I do not expect you to win, Twilight Sparkle, but I expect that this will be a good experience for you. You are skilled, and you already have a sponsor. The judges have already agreed that you are more than qualified to compete at your age level.”

“Who is my sponsor, then? I don’t know anypony with that type of money…” Twilight trailed off as she stared at Princess Luna, who was striving to hide a grin.

“I am your sponsor, Twilight Sparkle,” the midnight Alicorn said.  "I was imprisoned well before the very first Unity Chalice but when Celestia mentioned it to me I could think of nopony more deserving of a chance than you.”

Twilight was almost speechless. “Thank you, Princess! I just… wow. I’ve never dreamed of participating in a tournament like this!”

Princess Luna chuckled. “I am also offering a sponsorship to your partner.”

In answer, Twilight fumbled for the second piece of parchment. It read

Your partner for the 678th Unity Chalice is one Ms Rainbow Dash.

“Rainbow is participating? And she is my partner?”

“Quite so, Twilight. I believe Captain Spitfire of the Wonderbolts had originally planned to sponsor Rainbow, but as Rainbow is one of her Trainees that would not have gone over well." Princess Luna laughed, and stood to leave, her sister following. “I had better hear you are training hard.”

On that final note, the royal sisters departed. Twilight barely noticed. Her mind was a million miles away, still trying to come to grips with what had just happened. She had been chosen to partake in the Unity Chalice. The princesses thought that she, a mere unicorn sorceress, was powerful enough and talented enough to partake in the very tournament that celebrated the unity of the races of Sol. As she sat there lost in space, her body finally insisted enough was enough. Curling up in the still warm space her mentor had just vacated, Twilight slowly began to drift off into slumber.

Power. Overwhelming power. It surged through the Rune beneath Twilight Sparkle’s hooves and through the air around her. Tiny sparks danced upon the magic laden atmosphere, looking as though she were standing in a snow storm of purple and white. Her eyes literally blazed amethyst, afterimages of flames dancing in front of the orbs. She could feel the raw magical energy swirling up through her body, leading directly to her horn. Twilight’s gossamer insect wings twitched with energy as the Changeling Queen struggled against completely letting loose. The cold taste of metal filled her mouth as more motes of energy flickered from it. She stared at her foe hovering across from her; the same foe who had tried to hurt her friends, who had tried to kill Twilight. Vizio, for her part, looked almost bored, unfazed by the raw power that filled her Queen’s trembling form. The Alicorn Amulet, an old artifact Twilight had encountered only once before, hung around the traitor’s neck.

Twilight tossed fitfully in her sleep. Her eyes were squinted shut, and a fine layer of sweat dusted her skin as she shivered. Flailing hoofs caught her bed sheets and drug them up over her, creating a stifling cocoon. A small whimper eased its way from her muzzle as she dreamed.

”Twilight!” Rainbow Dash’s voice could easily be heard over the din of the battle around the Pegasus. Bodies clashed against each other, the black of changelings and the gleaming color of ponies. Griffons darted to and fro, slashing all that came within reach. Zebra shaman and alchemists dotted the battlefield, trying to sooth wounds and poison enemies. Through it all Dash flew, weaving desperately around obstacles in her efforts to reach her friend. Something clipped her wing, causing her to dip dangerously before she recovered with a snarl.

“Get out of here, Rainbow Dash!” Twilight shouted from where she stood, embroiled in a mass of foes. “This is not your fight! You’ll only get yourself hurt!”

“No!” Rainbow yelled back, turning sideways to buzz between two startled combatants. “Damnit Twi, this isn’t your fight either!”

“It’s always been my fight, Dash! I have to make this right! Get to safety. I can’t let you get hurt over me!”

Dash was only ten yards from her friend now. There was a sudden rumbling off to her left. She glanced over just in time to see a cascading wall of rubble heading directly for her. The cyan Wonderbolt banked sharply, trying to avoid it. With a resounding boom, though, it was upon her. Dash heard Twilight scream her name, distantly. A flying boulder smashed into her back, driving her to the hard ground below. More debris joined the first, smothering Rainbow Dash in a cloud of dust and rocks. She coughed, trying to clear her lungs and stay conscious all at once. There was something she had to tell Twilight!

“Tw-Twiight,” Dash coughed violently. She couldn’t even hear the sound of her own voice. “Twilight, I-I lo—“ Rainbow Dash sunk forward into black oblivion before she could finish her sentence.

Twilight whimpered, faint tears streaking her face. She tossed again, dangerously close to rolling off her bed into the floor. There was a faint rip as her blanket was torn asunder by a fore hoof. Dim sparks shot from her horn, dissipating harmlessly upon the mattress. She drew in wracking breaths as she silently cried, but she still did not wake.

The scene faded to black and then disappeared, to be replaced by a small Zebra, barely older than a filly. “Sleep, little Twilight,” the Zebra said, her voice soothing, compassionate. “Sleep, and do not let the Sight trouble you.”

Twilight’s shivering eased. She hiccupped once, her crying ceased. She turned over one last time before drifting off into an easy, dreamless slumber.