Guardians of Magic

by Shire Folk

Evening Discourse

I’m pretty proud of most of this one. I enjoyed writing it and I hope you all enjoy reading it. I was also going to wait until late at night to update with this, but I feel as though my vendetta against Shadow Horizons' sleep lasted long enough.

Disclaimer: A dragon ate the papers that said I owned it, so I can’t claim that I do.

“I’m not hungry.”

Sora looked at his younger sister in confusion as she looked at the food on the plate Spike had just set down for her. Rei was eyeing it squeamishly. All around them were ponies chatting with each other at different sections of long tables or huddled together at small circular ones in this dining hall. Many of them had excited or worried looks clearly visible on their faces, while several were plainly leaving their determination unmasked.

“But ten minutes ago all you could talk about was how starving you were,” he reminded her.

“I must say,” Rarity announced, looking around the entirety of the hall, “I’ve never been in the castle’s north wing before. I didn’t do much exploring around while I was staying here on my shopping trip. What did you say this was again, Twilight?”

“The north wing of Canterlot Castle is home to Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns,” Twilight explained while Spike quickly went around to each pony seated at the table, putting down plates stacked with alfalfa sprouts, hay fries, and apple-buttercup-lettuce sandwiches in front of everypony, finishing with a small plate of gemstones for himself. “As you can see, right now we’re in the school’s mess hall, used by everypony from fillies and colts right up to those of us who have been studying for degrees or our doctorates to become Archmagi.”

“Oh,” Riku said, glancing around at all of the student unicorns in the hall, “so the School for Gifted Unicorns is basically a magic kindergarten right through university then.”

“Essentially,” Twilight answered with a nod as Spike placed her plate down in front of her. “Thank you, Spike.” He smiled, sat down next to her, and gave Peewee a bit of charred mouse meat from a bowl of stew. Peewee happily chomped on it before hopping down to the meat-filled bowl while Spike grabbed a dazzling garnet in his claw.

“So does that mean that that’s what you’ve been studying for all this time?” Rainbow Dash asked. “I was sure it couldn’t all be about friendship like Princess Celestia asked.”

“Oh, where did they get that for Peewee, Spike?” Fluttershy interjected.

“Twilight told me that when finishing their second year of magic high school a lot of students choose to get familiars,” he answered, “so there are usually owls, ravens, and snakes and stuff around. The mess hall started catering to familiars around seventy years ago.”

“You plan on becoming an Archmage, Twilight Sparkle?” Trixie asked, casually levitating her sandwich to her muzzle.

“Eventually,” Twilight answered. “Right now I’m in the middle of my Arcanist Degree to become a Magus, but I definitely plan on making Archmage someday.”

“Your Arcanist Degree?” Rarity asked, astounded. “Twilight, I admit that I had my suspicions, but I didn’t realize that you were that focused on your studies. How far in did you say you were?”

Rei continued pushing her food around her plate with her hooves, not enthused at the prospect of eating it.

“I haven’t, actually, and I can’t judge my progress with total accuracy, since I haven’t been attending any classes or lessons with Princess Celestia since moving to Ponyville, but I’d say that I’m about three credits off of my major, six away from finishing my minor, and another nine credits in elective studies away, plus I’ve just barely started my thesis paper.” She groaned and levitated her sandwich to eye level. “And I just know that that lovely piece of work is going to be a pain in my flank.”

Trixie chuckled in amusement across the table from her.

“How old did you say you were again?” Kairi asked.

“Nineteen.”

Thunk!

Twilight giggled as Sora’s, Kairi’s, and Riku’s jaws all hit the table. Riku slapped his back up to its proper place first. “Damn,” he said, picking up some of his hay fries, “I’m eighteen and I practically just started university, and here you are mostly through a degree already, in magic no less.”

“You’re a freaking genius,” Sora half-whispered in awe. Twilight blushed at the compliment.

“Well, magic is my special talent,” she admitted, glancing back at her cutie mark, and then at the tiara on her head.

“It’s no wonder that you’re one of the Guardians,” Sora added.

Rarity tapped her chin thoughtfully. “You know, I wonder what Princess Luna was doing with that tape measure. Twilight, do you know why the Princess would need your measurements?” Twilight shrugged.

“Beats me,” she answered. “I’ve never seen Luna so excited since she was in Ponyville for Nightmare Night.”

“Hmm,” Rarity pondered. “Perhaps the Princess is thinking of getting into fashion. She might require my expertise! I simply must find her later and assist her. Nopony has made more garments for you, Twilight, than I have.”

Twilight smiled. “Well, if Luna really is planning on making dresses for Trixie and me then I’m sure that she’ll appreciate your help Rarity.”

Sora glanced at his sister. “Rei, you need to eat,” he insisted again.

“I’m not hungry,” the cyan filly replied, pushing her plate away from her. In total contradiction of her words, her stomach gave a loud growl. She glared at it before looking back at her plate. Rei pointed at the sprouts. “What are those anyway?”

“Those are alfalfa sprouts sugarcube,” Applejack answered. “C’mon. They’ll make you grow big and strong just like yer brother.”

“Alfalfa?” Rei gasped. “Eww! And are those fries made from hay? Double eww!”

“What’s wrong with hay?” Applejack asked, the cowpony almost insulted.

“Nothing,” Pinkie Pie answered brightly, “but I’d have to agree with her that cupcakes are much better tasting than plain old hay, though I would definitely go for oats any day of the week.”

“Go on and try them, Rei,” Kairi urged. She picked up a hooffull of her own alfalfa sprouts and chomped down on them. Kairi chewed a couple of times, a sincere smile on her face while she did so, and swallowed. “See? They’re actually pretty good.”

Rei still seemed hesitant, so Sora prodded her shoulder. “Go on, eat up Rei. You’ll need to keep your energy up if you want to keep practicing magic.”

“But I don’t want to eat this,” she said, gesturing towards her plate.

“Then you won’t eat anything,” Sora said simply. He took a bite from his sandwich.

“Oh, my, don’t you think that’s a little…extreme?” Fluttershy asked. Sora shook his head.

“If she doesn’t want to eat, she’s old enough to understand the consequences.”

His sister looked close to revolting. “Sora-nii-chan!” she hissed.

Sora’s own irritation surfaced. “Rei, don’t make me pull the ‘I’ll tell Mom and Dad that you were refusing to try food given to you while we were gone’ card again!”

“But onii-chan, this isn’t food! This is what food eats!”

Total silence reigned around the table for ten seconds. Twilight and Trixie dropped their sandwiches. Spike choked on a gemstone. Rainbow Dash spat out a mouthful of chocolate milk. Fluttershy momentarily appeared mortified. Rarity looked as though she’d just stepped on something that came out of a creature after everything useful had been digested. Pinkie Pie had a simple ‘huh?’ expression on her face, and Applejack just stared at Rei.

“What in tarnation does she mean by that?” AJ asked, green eyes darting to Sora’s.

He took a very long time sighing before raising his head to look at Applejack. “She means—”

“Hey, Twilight Sparkle! Haven’t seen you here in a while.”

Saved by the bell, Sora thought gratefully. Thanks Poseidon.

You’re welcome.

Shut up Roxas.

Twilight Sparkle turned her head, her curiosity refocused on the pony who called her name. The voice felt familiar, but…oh! Yeah, she recognized him.

“Hi Scribbler!” she greeted cheerfully, waving at the peach-orange unicorn stallion with both lime and forest green in his mane. Beside him was a blue mare with a black mane containing a robin-egg-blue highlight running through it. “Hey Ocean Mist. How’re things going?”

“Place is like a hornet’s nest right now,” Scribbler answered. “Ever since Moondancer and Starshine ran into those shadows last night the rumor mill has been going wild, and it went totally haywire after Coltinster suspended all classes and assignments to have us digging through the archives trying to find a hint of them in Equestria’s history. If even Princess Celestia doesn’t know what these things are, then how are we going to figure them out?”

“I know that we could capture one and study it!” Ocean Mist pointed out vehemently in a manner that indicated that it wasn’t the first time she had proposed this. “If only Professor Hayken gave Morning Ray permission, she, Silvera, and I would be out there already bringing one back in.” She screamed in frustration through her teeth, and then slowly adopted a smile. “Well, that’s how it’s been here, anyway. How have things been with you, Twilight Sparkle? It’s been a long time since you’ve shown your face around here for any length of time.”

“I’ve been very well, thank you,” Twilight answered. She turned to the others at the table. “Everypony, I’d like you to meet two of my former classmates, Scribbler and Ocean Mist. Scribbler, Ocean Mist, meet my friends Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Sora, Rei, Kairi, Riku, and—”

“Trixie does not need you to introduce her, Twilight Sparkle,” the showpony interrupted. “Feel honoured, students of Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns, for you stand in the presence of The Great and Powerful Trixie!” Her horn was basked in violet light, and suddenly a pair of roman candles and green sparklers exploded behind her.

Scribbler and Ocean Mist seemed more interested than impressed. “Hey, an evoker,” Ocean Mist commented. “Nice work there. A little pedestrian, if I may say so, but a very solid effort for a spontaneous casting.”

“Pedestrian?” Trixie asked dramatically. “The Great and Powerful Trixie does not perform such trifles as pedestrian magic. Trixie is destined to be the most talented unicorn in history, and she will not stand to be talked down to by students of this two-bit school.”

“Uh-huh,” Scribbler said, an amused smirk playing on his face. “Couldn’t get in, huh?”

Trixie levitated another hay fry to her lips. “No, Trixie gained entry into the school when she was just a little filly. However, she left after completion of Magic Elementary. There were many… creative differences between Trixie and her professors.” She continued with a mutter, “But who the hay asks a mere foal to hatch a dragon for a test? Hatching it left poor Trixie drained for three whole days.”

“You hatched a dragon?” Ocean Mist asked, eyes wide. “Wow…I thought that Twilight was the only unicorn who’d done it in over forty years.”

Trixie smiled smugly back at Ocean Mist. “Yes, the Great and Powerful Trixie did hatch a dragon like Twilight Sparkle did. However, the ordeal left Trixie in Magic Exhaustion and it took three days sleeping to recover. The examiners and staff determined that while Trixie was fit to enter the school, she was not fit to care for the hatchling like Twilight Sparkle was.” Everypony could feel the bitterness in her voice at that. “Trixie is not sure what became of the hatchling.”

“Ooh, bad luck on that,” Scribbler said, wincing. “My entrance exam was conjuring a top hat and cane for a teddy bear I was supposed to make tap dance while it changed colours every five seconds.”

Ocean Mist’s eyes widened. “You had to perform a trick as simple as that?” She began to grumble under her breath. “Why couldn’t I have gotten the nice examiners? I was made to hold an anvil directly above my head for a half-hour.”

“Rei, you still aren’t eating,” Sora prodded while the unicorns prattled.

“I told you, onii-chan, I’m not hungry.”

“Rei, eat.”

“But onii-”

“That’s Master Sora, Rei.”

Rei stared at her brother, looking as if she’d just been slapped in the face. She dutifully turned her attention to the plate in front of her, and sighed slowly. “Yes, Hoshisho-sensei,” she mumbled.

Twilight could see that Scribbler and Ocean Mist were giving her friends odd looks, and even the rest of her friends were looking oddly at Sora and Rei while Kairi and Riku both appeared to be acting as if nothing were happening. “So, how’re classes going?” Twilight asked quickly to draw attention away from Sora and his sister. “Is Professor Hoofer still insane?”

Scribbler barked a laugh. “You don’t know the half of it. He’s come up with an invention that he wants to put in the Cloudsdale Weather Factory to replace the current method of rainbow making.”

Rainbow Dash nearly choked on her sandwich. Pounding her chest a couple of times, she gasped out, “He wants to do what?”

“Hoofer’s always been a nutcase,” Twilight explained in a nutshell. “So, what’s this device of his?”

Scribbler and Ocean Mist glanced furtively around the room, and their faces lost some of their colour as the blood drained from them. Both unicorns looked a little nauseated. “Well, he, sort of wants to take everypony who can’t physically pass pegasus flight school and…his device…it’s supposed to suck out the colour of their coats and…it doesn’t sound very pretty.”

“Nopony’s going to agree to it though!” Ocean Mist quickly assured them. “All the teachers agree that it’s insane. Coltinster practically blew him halfway across campus when he found out, and you can bet that the Princesses won’t allow it for sure.” She cocked her head to the side, eyes widening in interest as she tried to change the subject. “Nice crown-thingy Twilight. Is that the Element of Magic?”

Scribbler interrupted before Twilight could even begin to answer. “Shoot! C’mon Mist, it looks like Electroshock wants us. It was nice seeing you again, Twilight!”

“Same here,” Ocean Mist agreed as Scribbler quickly left the group. “Good luck on your degree, and whatever you’re doing with that Element of yours.”

Rarity blinked as the two ponies bolted away. “Well, that was rather…unexpected. Twilight, are the students at this school always so…”

“Jumpy?” Applejack supplied.

Twilight shrugged casually. “Everypony around here gets that way around exam time or when something major is going on.”

“The Heartless appearing is definitely something major,” Fluttershy said.

“Major,” Pinkie Pie asked, “how about super-duper monumentally huge? We’re talking about creepy things that steal hearts, not silly little things like papers and tests.”

Riku calmly watched everything while he ate from his plate, snorting as Twilight looked like she was about to say something very scathing, but was visibly restraining from letting it loose. He smiled at Rei and shook his head when she sent a hopeful glance his way, a polite way of telling her that he wouldn’t assist in cleaning her plate of greens. Kairi was sighing while idly munching on her sandwich, and Riku noticed that both she and Sora were being quieter than they usually were. In fact, he didn’t even know if he felt like talking much either.

“—quiet, Riku,” said Fluttershy.

Riku’s head snapped towards the butter-yellow pegasus, the sound of his name tugging at instinct and demanding that he pay attention. Fluttershy recoiled a few centimetres, but still stared at him expectantly. It took Riku a second to realize that she was waiting for him to answer something. “Oh, sorry Fluttershy. What was that?”

“I just said that you and your friends have been awfully quiet recently, considering…” she answered timidly. “Um, is there something on your mind you’d like to talk about? If that’s okay with you, I mean. If you don’t want to talk that’s fine too.”

He almost chuckled. Almost. Instead he sighed. “I think we just have a lot on our minds right now,” he said. Riku glanced down at his plate. “In fact, I think that we’re still in a state of shock over what happened this morning. It’s not like us to be caught off-guard like that and thrown headfirst into a strange world anymore.” He placed a hoof to his head. “I think I really just want to go to bed and clear my head over a night’s sleep.”

“That’s alright,” Applejack told him, nodding her head in understanding. “We’re all gonna need our rest for tomorrow. Can’t go gallivanting across Equestria with no sleep, now can we girls?” Six mares nodded and their evening meal continued.

        Books, scrolls, and the assorted detritus of papers that had accumulated within Coltinster’s tower office, which also served as his personal library and living quarters, were being covered in auras of golden light and levitated before the Headpony of Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns before being tossed aside again with a casual jerk of his head. “No, not that one. Not this scroll either.” He snorted impatiently and looked at another scroll that he was levitating in his horn’s glow.

        Coltinster recoiled in shock. “Mother Mystra, why did I even keep this essay on record? Nothing Greenhorn ever wrote was worth more than a quick trip to a blazing hearth.” He quickly rolled the scroll back up and cast it into the fire. A small explosion came from the fireplace a second later, causing Coltinster to turn to peer at it for a moment before shrugging. “He must have enchanted his writing so that it would burst aflame if somepony tried to change it. He always was too cautious about nothing. That transmutation thesis spell of his using Palfrey Arrays was complete drivel; one good polymorph spell and it’s done with.”

        He returned to the mountain of paperwork he was trying to sort through, paused, and frowned. Coltinster began to run a hoof through his beard. “Then again, very few unicorns in Equestrian history have been able to successfully perform a spell even remotely similar to a polymorph.” He glanced back at the fireplace, and shrugged nonchalantly. “Now, where did I put those papers of hers? She’s Celestia’s personal student, so they should be in that shelf where I placed the assignments of Celestia’s last five pupils. Hrr…now why is Radiant Star’s work mixed in with Twinkling Twilight’s?” He groaned exasperatedly. “Where is Lhaeo when I need him? Gods I miss that man. He always knew where every. Last. Tome. Was. Ah! Here’s her work!”

        Brightening up considerably, Coltinster let the mass amount of other material he was levitating drop to the floor and trotted over to his desk, a considerable pile of papers and scrolls still following behind him. He paused for a second as a sudden thought struck him. That Kairi seemed quite distressed when she discovered that she couldn’t use magic. Considering her hair and probable stature, as well as what he’d gleaned of her personality, she reminded him somewhat of Jhessail, or maybe a little of that mischievous Pennae; both of them were firebrands when you got under their skin.

Coltinster sighed. A pity there was that incident with the weretiger. None of the Knights were quite the same after losing the rogue to it.

A soft rapping at the door interrupted his musing. “Enter.” A dainty unicorn mare with a light blue coat and two-toned silver mane that nearly bordered on white in one instance came in cautiously.

“Sorry to disturb you, Coltinster,” she began, her eyes apparently intensely interested in the quill on his desk, “but a mare of a noble house, I think her name was Upper Crust, has been going through the halls of the castle and is now within the school, loudly demanding that she be allowed to search everypony’s quarters for a silver, diamond-studded sapphire pendant.”

Coltinster’s eyes sparked with a sudden gleam of mirth, even though his answering voice was stern. “And ye thought it best for this trifle to come to my door, did you Blizzard?” he asked. His horn began to be enveloped in a golden nimbus. He clearly had signs posted outside his door that trespassers or belligerent ponies that needlessly interrupted him would be polymorphed.

Blizzard took a step back, aghast. “Of course not! I just…felt that you should be notified is all. Um…what would you like us to do with her?”

“Shoo her away!” Coltinster insisted. “Urgently! She’s not searching the rooms of everypony in the dorms all because she couldn’t hold onto some jewelry. She likely has many similar pieces in her collection anyway. That is all, and if she still objects, she can see me, speak with one of Princess Celestia’s other courtiers, or speak to Princess Celestia or Princess Luna herself.”

 Blizzard and the doors became enveloped in the same nimbus flowing around Coltinster’s horn, and the young unicorn suddenly found herself being levitated outside and the doors shut in front of her. Coltinster laughed bawdily once they were closed. He’d been itching to have somepony stick it to Upper Crust for a while now. She and her husband were far too uptight, flaunting their money for everypony to see, even though this event may just dig that stick even further into their cushy rumps. “Definitely Pennae,” he chortled before returning to the books and scrolls he’d gathered. “Now, we shall see what Miss Twilight Sparkle was planning on doing with her life before this mess started.”

        Hoofsteps echoed around Rarity as she slowly made her way through a passage in Canterlot Castle. Most of the others had settled into the private suites that Princess Celestia kindly allowed them to stay in for the night, while Twilight and Spike went back to the unicorn’s personal tower.

It had left Rarity in a state of shock for a few moments the previous month when she’d discovered this in idle conversation with the unicorn. Not only was Twilight, as Princess Celestia’s protégé, granted quite a substantial stipend that paid for her schooling, daily expenses, and funded the Books and Branches library in Ponyville, but she also had her own personal tower! When Rarity considered what she’d learned today, it certainly appeared as though Twilight Sparkle and her family were set to become very important ponies to Equestria’s future.

        “Oh my stars,” Rarity whispered as a thought occurred to her. “Archmage Twilight Sparkle, sister-in-law to a Princess of Equestria, the Element of Magic, and the personal student of Princess Celestia herself! That’s what she’ll be one day, and maybe she’ll even earn the position of Grand Archmage; she’s definitely talented enough for it, furthermore being a Guardian of Magic like Sora says is sure to guarantee it. And I’m one of her best friends!”

She giggled excitedly to herself. Rarity had never considered before just how high up Twilight’s studies could take her, and being the friend of such an important pony could open up doors to very wealthy and influential ponies. Twilight Sparkle aiming so high and succeeding may very well make her business far more lucrative in the future.

Rarity ceased her giggles and composed herself while she strode down the deserted passageway. “Now Rarity, calm yourself,” she instructed. “While Twilight’s studies and magic may very well make her a very important pony to Equestria in the future and open up numerous potential contracts, you did not make her your friend just so you could abuse her connections. Twilight Sparkle is Twilight Sparkle; a kind, thoughtful, and generous pony who is highly talented in magic, studious to a fault, slightly irrational and unsure of herself… but she’s noble, forgiving, and understanding. She’s the best friend a pony could ask for and you will not take advantage of her friendship without her consent. However, it could not hurt her rising star if it came to light that you assisted Princess Luna in designing a fabulous gown for her.” Trying to stifle her squeal, Rarity picked up the pace a little.

As she continued down the corridor, Rarity felt a little bit of unease creeping into her, like a tingle on the nape of her neck. She hadn’t seen a single soul since retracing her steps to the infirmary and casting a simple spell to track magic. Twilight probably could have cast it better, but Rarity was competent enough to discern which one of the signatures present had been the Princess’ and to follow it. After all, it had been one of the most powerful auras present while she’d levitated her tape measure. Doing just that had brought her here. The white marble that Rarity had started in had slowly changed into a different stone, she assumed from the dimmer torch-light that was now illuminating the area, instead of the electric lamps in the castle proper, that it was likely some form of granodiorite, and the corridor had widened extensively. A weighty feeling came onto her while she glanced up at the ceiling. It no longer felt as though she were simply in the castle; it almost felt as if the passageway she was now striding in was within Mount Ponylon, and she got the impression that she was on a subtle decline.

Another fifty paces and Rarity was certain. She was on a path heading deeper into the mountain and towards the bowels of the earth. Her breathing became heavy and laboured as the air suddenly felt more compact and dense. The wide corridor began to feel stiflingly tight, and the high ceiling either fragile with the threat to cave in on her, or too low.

Rarity stopped. She closed her eyes and went through a quick breathing exercise to steady herself. She was being nervous about nothing. Princess Luna had gone this way, and if the Princess had truly believed this way to be unsafe then she likely would not have taken it. Besides, nopony had made quite as many pieces of clothing for Twilight as she had, therefore it would be in the best interests of both Princess Luna and Twilight Sparkle for her to be present and offer her input.

“Remember Rarity, this is for Twilight and the Princess,” she said to herself, slowly beginning to walk again with now-open eyes. “Come on now. It’s just a little corridor in the depths of the mountain beneath a thousand tonnes of rock. This passage must have existed for centuries and nothing bad appears to have happened to it. Oh, look! Thank Celestia, an exit!” Her gait quickened into a canter at the sight of heavy oak doors down the passage.

She was still cantering towards them two minutes later, the doors now appearing substantially larger than when she’d first spotted them. At this point she was able to make out a design that had been placed over them. A hammer and anvil were encased within a mountain, with a dozen earth ponies wearing aprons surrounding the base of the mountain. A pair of very regal-looking alicorns flanked the anvil, with one holding a shield aloft in one hoof, and the other carrying a sword. All of it was traced in silver lines that shone with pale light. By the time Rarity finally did reach them, the massive oak doors towered above her head like a Hydra dominating a field mouse. Each of the small earth ponies she’d seen were three times her own size!

How in Equestria am I going to open these doors? Rarity asked herself in both amazement and dismay. The trail of Princess Luna’s magic goes right through them.

Suddenly, as if acting to Rarity’s thoughts, a much smaller door that was big enough for three ponies to walk abreast opened up. The white unicorn took a step back in surprise. The vastly smaller door had been fitted seamlessly into the other. Not even her discerning eye could tell that it had been there.

Intense dry heat billowed out of the opening, and Rarity felt herself struggling with her desire to enter. A dragon had to be in there, breathing fire just out of her sight. She heard no roaring, but the heat was definitely comparable to that which the teenage dragon that had burned the eyelashes of her fabulous dragon costume had produced.

Suddenly, she wasn’t sure that she wanted to continue onwards.

“You may enter, Rarity.”

And now the option to leave quietly had been abruptly denied to her. Slowly walking in after Princess Luna’s voice, Rarity closed her eyes as her entire being was assaulted by the heat inside. There came a gasp from across the room, and the white unicorn heard the sound of a levitation spell being enacted. A weighty strap fell against her neck, followed by the press of cloth against her chest and across her barrel. Straps were magically tied over her back, tightening the object, and suddenly the oppressive heat of the room was gone.

“Our apologies, Rarity,” Princess Luna’s voice spoke again. “We had forgotten that most ponies are not accustomed to this heat. Many never do become accustomed to it even after many ventures to this place. You may open your eyes again.”

Rarity did as the Princess bid, and suddenly the reason for the intense heat became clear.

She found herself within a great cavern inside of Mount Ponylon, and cascading down from the walls into a slowly flowing pool beneath her hooves were several magmafalls. The stone of the immediate area was a drastic shift from the slower-cooling rock that had composed the majority of the tunnel behind her. All around Rarity the walls and floor of the cavern were basalt. Natural-looking walkways of the black stone were throughout the cavern, traversing and circling the great pool of magma beneath. Tunnels of it hid behind red veils of the magmafalls, and bored into passageways and large open areas surrounding the molten rock.

“Where are we?” Rarity asked, unable to draw her eyes away from the magnitude of the place in which she stood.

“You are standing within the Hearth of the Mountain,” Princess Luna answered. The faint clip-clop of her hooves against the stone turned Rarity’s head so that she could look at the lunar diarch, and Rarity couldn’t help but recoil slightly in surprise. The Princess wore not her crown, her peytral, nor even her glittering diamond shoes. Across Luna’s chest was a black smock, one that Rarity could tell had seen many years of use with its frayed edges and clear burn marks smattered around the garment. Her magically flowing midnight-blue mane was restrained, forced into a bun at the back of her head.

“The Hearth of the Mountain?” Rarity asked, glancing down at herself for a moment before her eyes returned to the Princess. As she had suspected, she too was in a smock, though hers was a plum purple.

Princess Luna nodded. Her horn glowed with cobalt blue light, and the door through which Rarity had entered swung closed with a resounding whump! The Princess turned away and began speaking, forcing Rarity to follow if she wished to hear. “The Hearth of the Mountain is a forge we used in days that seem ancient to you and your kin, Rarity. We were the greatest smithy in all of Equestria, and only the very finest smiths of pony, gryphon, and even dragonkind were permitted access to this place, our forge, to work alongside us and use the molten fires from the world’s mantle and the myriad of metals found within to craft their works.”

“A forge?” Rarity asked, pausing while they walked under a magmafall to admire the glow coming off the superheated liquid rock. Luna began to speak again, and Rarity hurried to catch up.

“Yes, Rarity, this place is a forge. The greatest in all of Equestria, nay, in the whole world.”

“How come I’ve never heard of it?” she asked. “A place like this, with a passage leading to it from within Canterlot Castle…shouldn’t everypony know of its existence?”

“Nay,” Luna answered simply, but sharply. “This is our forge, Rarity. I kept its existence secret. Only myths of this place and the work of its smiths left it. Further, when my jealousy over Celestia and the joy our subjects showed her while they relished in her day and shunned my night allowed my heart to be overtaken by the Nightmare, Celestia locked fast my forge and hid the entrance from the eyes of normal ponies.”

The Princess’ voice rose in excitement. “But now, now our forge has been unlocked and returned to us. We can return to our worktable, anvil, and hammer. The bellows will blow, and winds will howl as the air is vented out to the mountainside. The molten fires of the earth will boil and bring forth its precious metals. They will heat our work so that mithril will bend, adamantine will yield, and even obstinate obdurium will obey.”

Rarity nearly gasped at the fiendishly enthusiastic tone that Princess Luna’s voice expounded, the alicorn slipping into the traditional Royal Canterlot Voice mid-sentence. Princess Luna had picked up into a canter, and Rarity hastened to catch up even though she was now unsure if it was safe to continue following the Princess. “B—but Your Highness, why did you then take Twilight and Trixie’s measurements?”

Luna stopped and turned around, looking at Rarity in confusion. “Why did we…I, take their measurements?” she asked slowly.

“Why yes,” Rarity answered. “Your forge is very nice, and please forgive me if I believe that blacksmithing sounds a mite garish for one of your royal stature, Princess, but I simply cannot believe that you would wish to design gowns for my friend down here.”

Princess Luna stared at Rarity, and the unicorn suddenly felt as though she were missing something very important. What in the name of Celestia could Princess Luna be doing here in a great forge when she should be designing a regal-looking gown for Twilight? She spotted a ponyquin stand here and there, but they were very out of place in this volcanic-rock filled cavern.

Then again, the inside of this forge and the lake of magma beneath her were starting to fill Rarity’s head with inspiration. Yes…a fire-themed ensemble with brilliant reds, dashing oranges, charcoal black and incendiary white! Ooh, what a statement it would make to any stallion for a headstrong, confident mare to walk into the room garbed in the loud dress, wearing a sultry little smirk.

A strangled gasp followed by a chuckle forced Rarity’s thoughts back to the present. “You…you thought that I was to be designing a dress for Twilight Sparkle?”

Rarity found herself rocking back on her hooves as she stuttered a reply. “W—well yes. It hasn’t been all that long since you returned to Equestria. I thought that, since you took Twilight’s measurements and everything—and with a possible desire to acquaint yourself with the Equestria of today—that you would be interested in designing a fabulous gown for her to wear at the next Grand Galloping Gala; or you could want for her to make a statement that ponies of other worlds would be crass to ignore when meeting her.”

The Princess of the Night silenced Rarity before she could start rambling further with a second chuckle. “Well, we shall certainly be making something for her, and for Trixie Lulamoon, that will make a statement, Rarity, and your assistance in helping us to design their garments will be most welcome.”

Stars shone in Rarity’s eyes. “Really? You want my help, Your Highness?”

“Please, Rarity, call us…me, Luna.”

“Very well then, Luna,” Rarity said unsurely. “Luna,” she said again, trying the sound of the name and finding that she liked it as much as the smile the Princess was giving her, “what will we be making then, if not gowns?”

Luna’s smile threatened the crack the very walls of the cavern with its intensity. “We shall be designing and forging armour for Twilight Sparkle and Trixie Lulamoon. Armour the likes of which has not been seen in Equestria in eons! Only the very finest of metals will suffice; shaped, formed, and bonded together by our will. Your friend will be able to buy all of Ponyville and the surrounding farmland thrice over with just the helmet alone when we are finished!”

“Really?” Rarity gasped. “A—armour? And you want me to assist you in designing it? Are you sure that it’s necessary for Twilight to be given such a present?”

“It will be necessary,” Luna answered. “Twilight Sparkle is strong in magic, and she has the potential to become far greater than she is right now. Being a Keeper of the Art, or Guardian of Magic as I have heard it called recently, only reveals the magnitude of that potential. Further, she is also my sister’s pupil, and Celestia worries for her constantly. She will not permit Twilight Sparkle to travel to other worlds, even with such good company as Sora and his friends appear to be, without some form of protection.

“Beyond that, the closeness between us and Twilight Sparkle has marked her as a target for those who choose to be enemies of Equestria. It is not an uncommon tactic. This quest of Sora’s will likely give Twilight Sparkle much experience in combat, and those who would target her upon her return would think twice when seeing her comfortably arrayed for battle. That being said,” Luna glanced towards a rack set upon the wall, where mighty hammers rested, before returning her gaze to Rarity. “What are your plans when Twilight Sparkle leaves Equestria?”

“Pardon?”

“Do you plan on accompanying her on her journey to other worlds, seeking out the remaining Guardians?”

Rarity bowed her head and pawed at the ground anxiously. “I haven’t thought that far ahead yet, Prin—Luna.”

Luna nodded her head. “That is understandable,” she stated. “However, are there any of your friends that you know, right at this moment, that are seriously considering accompanying her?”

“Nopony has said anything,” Rarity answered, “but I am confident that Rainbow Dash would join her. The very words ‘action’, ‘adventure’, and ‘adversity’ seem to be written into her soul.”

“And she is also the Bearer of the Element of Loyalty,” Luna added with an additional nod of her head. “Yes, Rainbow Dash would stand with Twilight Sparkle in her hour of need. She will need friends along the road destiny has set for her, and Loyalty will help her stand strong. We should also craft something for Rainbow Dash as well.”

“We should?” Rarity asked, stepping closer to Luna as the alicorn left the cavern’s massive open space and began to traverse a smaller corridor, lit by the ambient light from the magma and torch-filled brackets. “A set of armour for her too?”

“Nay,” Luna answered. “Our sister did not ask for it, nor did we acquire Rainbow Dash’s measurements.”

“I do have them memorized,” Rarity offered proudly.

Luna shook her head dismissively. “That will not be necessary. For the Element of Loyalty, she who stands up to defy any oppressor and challenge those who threaten her friends, a weapon is required.”

Luna turned sharply and entered an alcove that, to Rarity, seemed much more of a room than an alcove. More torch-filled brackets lit the room, and four long, black, wooden tables were situated around the roughly circular space. Each had a thick scroll of parchment on them with charcoal markers close by. Hanging from the walls were drawings of different works of metalwork, their margins thick with the writing of details and intricacies about each piece. Rarity guessed with how yellowed the parchment had become that they had been projects of days of yore.

“You may take that table,” Luna said, pointing to the one furthest from the entrance on the right. “You may commence designing to your heart’s content. Remember, Rarity, that we are designing armour and not a gown. It is meant to protect from harm as much as possible while still providing adequate movement and visibility. However, this armour for both Twilight Sparkle and Trixie Lulamoon is to be inspiring and intimidating at once. Friendly ponies are to feel heartened when seeing them within, and foes are to immediately tremble upon sight of their arrival.”

“I shall do my best, Luna,” Rarity replied. She looked down at the table, and was surprised to find a pair of red glasses sitting there. Rarity scrutinized them for a moment before stifling her gasp. These weren’t just any red spectacles, these were her glasses! Rarity glanced at Princess Luna.

Could she have…? Rarity thought. No, that’s highly unlikely, but still…

“Aren’t you going to begin?” Luna asked.

Startled, Rarity hastily answered. “O—of course, Luna.” She levitated the glasses onto her nose and unrolled the parchment.

Luna waited with a smile for the scritch-scratch sound of charcoal against parchment until she levitated her own black half-moon spectacles to her face and unfurled her own scroll. A familiar tingle went down the back of her neck, and Luna felt a sudden tugging at her mane, still in its bun, from an invisible wind for a moment before it faded. She turned her head towards the entrance to the room, and then glanced up at the ceiling. The mountain of rock above her was invisible to her eyes, seeing only the stars and moon for a long moment before returning her attention to the blank parchment before her. Rarity’s scribbling had intensified. “Now, it is time to design a sword for Rainbow Dash the likes of which has never been seen.”

Rarity’s scribbling paused. “Luna, are you sure that a common sword suits Rainbow Dash best? I would think that a lance, or possibly something that favours her athleticism or, heavens, utilized her wings would be preferable?”

“Nay,” Luna repeated. “She must have a sword forged by my hammer. It has been agreed upon. The huntress requires the very finest of blades if all others fail.”

“The huntress?” Rarity asked, curious. This final question received no answer.

        The Royal Sculpture Garden was calm and peaceful in the silvery light of Luna’s night. Two pegasi walked slowly side-by-side, their blue eyes sweeping over the various sculptures and the shadowed forms of the blooming flowers. The grass rustled in the wind and underneath their hooves, its crisp scent joining the others that the wind carried.

        “That was close at supper,” Kairi said softly, glancing at Sora, “with Rei I mean.”

        He sighed. “I know. It looks like they know a little bit about humans already, but how are they going to react when they find out that we eat things that are made of meat?” He paused for a second, and then smiled. “Mm…bacon.”

        Kairi giggled and bumped into his shoulder. “You’re terrible, you know that?” He glanced down at her, and chuckled slightly.

        “Hey, my family likes meat,” he said.

        “I know,” replied Kairi softly, “and you personally are big on fish, especially that grilled mackerel with lemon linguine that you enjoy me making.” Sora blushed a little, and recognized that he would have run a finger across his cheek if that had been a viable action at the moment.

        “Well, you are a great cook; you’re much better than I am, anyway.”

        “Don’t say that,” Kairi returned. “Cooking can be really fun. You just need a little practice, that’s all.”

        “I burned water,” Sora muttered in a stage whisper, his embarrassment thoroughly heating his cheeks.

        Kairi rubbed against him again, affectionately bringing her neck over his to get him to cease moving. “And you got better,” she reminded him. “That tempura you made the other night was delicious.”

        “Kairi…” Sora droned playfully, a smile working its way onto his face despite her lie.

        She sighed. “Alright. It wasn’t the best tempura I’ve ever had, but you’ve improved a lot since we started out.” She laughed again and couldn’t resist playfully adding, “Though when you start at burning water and only being able to use a toaster, anything remotely edible is a vast improvement. However, you’re still leagues ahead of where Riku’s at.”

        Her quick save kept Sora from playfully ribbing at her, but that didn’t stop him from chuckling and leaving her hug anyway. “May the gods pity the girl that he winds up with,” he declared, “or bless her with fantastic cooking.” Sora sat down and looked up at the night sky. Kairi dropped down next to him and chose to lie on her belly instead. There were absolutely no clouds above, and the mantle of sable above was definitely more beautiful than any other he and Kairi had spent time together gazing at. They had no idea that it wasn’t Luna who had crafted this sky, but her sister Celestia instead. Either way, the entire world seemed serene and at peace as they looked at the stars.

        Every one was their charge; every one a different world, as far as they cared. Master Yen Sid could read the stars to discern events occurring in the worlds at large, but it was a skill that he had yet to pass down to King Mickey or to either of them. In a sense, Sora looked forward to that day, but a part of him was also quite scared. Gazing at the awe-inspiring breadth of the night sky made pride battle against humbled amazement. He was a Keyblade Wielder, he and Riku both fully acknowledged Keyblade Masters at that, and had sworn in his heart to protect and defend the Light of the worlds. There were just so very many of them that on some occasions the overwhelming vastness of the sky beat down his pride and humbled him to where he felt so very small and insignificant. How could one person protect all the hundreds of worlds out there?

        Kairi stirred next to him, sighing wistfully and breaking his inner thoughts. “It’s been a while since we’ve been able to enjoy a moment like this,” she purred in contentment.

        Sora looked down at her and felt a warm grin emerge on his face. The weight of the worlds came off of his shoulders when he gazed at her. It didn’t matter that she was a pony at the moment. She was still Kairi; a Princess of Heart and the most important light he could think of. Regardless of his ability to safeguard all the worlds, if he could keep this precious light safe, then that was more than enough for him.

        Shifting so that he was lying down with her, Sora lightly pecked her cheek with his lips and sighed in blessed mimicry of her own contented sigh. “Yes it has. I guess we’ve had a bit more than our share of excitement recently.” Kairi leaned into him, humming in agreement.

        The moments passed by slowly; peacefully. Little disturbed their rhythmic breathing while both gazed up at the stars, perfectly content in the tranquil silence of the night. Nothing else that was going on at anyplace could have disrupted them; no worry came into either one’s mind.

        Until Kairi spoke, that is.

        “Sora, I’m worried about Orville,” she said suddenly, a tiny amount of panic gripping her voice. Startled a little, Sora looked at her in concern.

        “About Orville? Why? What’s wrong?”

        “What if something terrible happens to him?” she asked. “He’s probably so lost and confused right now without me. He needs me Sora.”

        Sora smiled but withheld his laughter at his girlfriend’s state. “Kairi…” he began patiently.

        “What if Midna eats him?”

        This time he couldn’t help but laugh. “Kairi, by Poseidon’s golden trident, Midna is not going to eat your cat!”

        “How do you know that?” Kairi retaliated. “How do you know that weird twilight imps don’t eat cats? I swear I saw her lick her lips when she saw him!” Sora gave her nose a quick lick with his tongue, having roughly the same effect as slapping her in the face.

        “Maybe she just thought that he was adorable?” he countered. “Orville is too cute of a kitten. Heck, he’s almost as cute as Rei is as a filly here. Besides, Rikku, Yuna, and Zelda are in love with Orville in case you forgot. He’s probably getting all the doting he needs.”

        “What if he yowls all night keeping everyone up because he misses his mommy?” Kairi asked, returning to the land of awareness.

        “I’m sure he won’t,” Sora said playfully. “He’ll have Donald to harass, after all.” Kairi’s worry seemed to fly away at the mention of the magician, and she let out a delightful little squeal of laughter. Capitalizing on it, Sora nudged her in the side with the elbow-joint of his right foreleg, drawing a tiny giggle out of her. He nudged her again, and again, and again. Sora kept nudging and poking her until she was nothing but an unceasing fit of giggles.

        “Sora, stop!” she gasped, rolling over in an attempt to escape the onslaught.

        “Not until you stop worrying!” he answered, pouncing and planting his lips against her chest. He blew, and Kairi burst out laughing. Tears began to pour out of her eyes as her laughter overcame her, and Sora was finding it hard to concentrate when he started to laugh too. Kairi took the opportunity and ran with it, managing to twist away from Sora’s mouth and hooves and escape. She playfully cantered away from him, sticking out her tongue and laughing.

        Sora gave chase, laughing the whole while. She stayed ahead of him, just far enough out of his reach to keep him missing nips at her tail, not that he was trying his hardest to catch her anyway. Kairi circled around a statue that stood away from the others in a secluded section of the sculpture garden, giggling while Sora followed and circled after her. He made sure to stay just slow enough so that she could continue to ‘outpace’ him until he made an about turn. Kairi’s eyes loomed in front of him, the pegasus smiling tenderly at him. He kissed her impulsively, warmth blossoming inside of his chest and his heartbeat quickening.

        Breaking the kiss after somewhere between an instant and an hour, the human-turned ponies nuzzled noses before rubbing their necks together.  Kairi sighed. “I wish things could stay like this forever,” she whispered, “but the Blue Council won’t have that.”

        “Are you still thinking about that?” Sora asked quietly, moving to sit down while facing his girlfriend. Kairi just smiled and nodded, sitting down across from him.

        “We both know what’s going to happen,” she answered. “Radiant Garden will make me Queen. That’s unavoidable, so I might as well accept it and go along with it.”

        “You’ve decided, then?” Sora asked quietly. Kairi sighed, and he wasn’t sure whether it was in resignation or not.

        “I have decided,” she said, her voice soft and caring; certainly not resigned. “I have decided that if they want me to be their Queen, then they will have to accept that I will require a competent Steward in position for when my husband and I leave to perform Keyblade business or on a getaway with our three children.”

        Sora laughed in his throat. “You’ve planned us out that far, eh?”

        Kairi leaned into him, whispering softly. “I’ve been dreaming of us since the moment I gave you my charm in Traverse Town.”

        “So, what have you dreamed up for us?”

        Kairi hummed a little. “Well,” she began, “we’ll live in the big castle, and we’ll have summer homes on Destiny Islands and a few of our favourite worlds. We’ll have three children, two girls and a boy, though I haven’t come up with names yet…”

        “Whoa, whoa, whoa! Only one son?” Sora asked incredulously. “I’m not having only one son even if I do get two gorgeous baby princesses.”

        “Well I’m not having only one girl,” Kairi retorted. “I feel as though our family will need more estrogen in the house than testosterone.”

        “I’m not saying that you need to give up a daughter for a second son,” replied Sora, “I’ll gladly have five daughters and beat the skulls in of five would-be-suitors each so long as we have at least two boys.”

        “Done!” Kairi agreed brightly, suddenly making Sora wary of what he’d just agreed to. “We’ll have seven children; five girls and two boys. Oh, think of what the papers will say.”

        “Who cares what the papers say?” Sora rhetorically asked quickly. “They’ll adore them. A big Royal Family after the way things went when Maleficent took over? Nothing would make Radiant Garden happier,” he kissed her cheek, “and nothing would make you happier than to have them. You love kids.” She sighed in agreement, and then nuzzled her cheek against Sora’s. He relished in the quiet for a minute, though his mind quickly went back to what they had just discussed.

        You just agreed to having five daughters, buddy, Roxas irately commented. We’re going to be surrounded by pink and yellow dresses, tea parties with stuffed animals, dolls, and playing dress-up for fifteen years!

        Nuts to that! Sora retorted. I’m surrounding them with swords, bows, chocobos, horses, forges, and spellbooks so that that won’t necessarily happen! I’ll spar with my daughters and sons every day if that’s what they want.

“So what do you think of this world?” Kairi asked softly, breaking his train of thought. “Honest opinion.”

        “Hm? Oh, it’s a bit too cute, but the locals appear to be very friendly and well, normal, despite all of them being candy-coloured ponies,” he answered. Sora chuckled. “It’s awesome, but it also just seems so wrong because somebody changed the rules of how the world works.”

        “I agree, a bit,” Kairi said. “A weather factory? So they make all of the weather for Equestria and places like the Everfree Forest where the weather occurs naturally are mysterious and spooky? I suppose I could live with it, though, even if I have to laugh at them for being afraid of clouds moving by themselves.”

        “Summer home material?” Sora asked.

        “It’s on the ‘maybe’ list,” Kairi answered with a small smile.

        Aw, now that’s really too bad. And here I was, hoping that it would be on your shortlist.

        Sora rose to his hind legs in an instant, wings snapping out to try to give him balance while his Keyblade appeared in his hooves in a flash of light. Kairi mimicked his position, both pegasi standing back-to-back, faces set and ready for a confrontation.

        “You heard that too?” Kairi asked.

        “Yeah,” answered Sora. “Sure didn’t sound like it was Roxas talking in my head.”

        Oh, you have voices in your head, do you? Well, we’ll get along famously then.

        “Who are you?” Sora asked, his eyes sweeping the area in front of him. Nothing was moving in the trees at the edge of the secluded alcove he and his girlfriend were in, and there was no sign of any creature around.

        Who am I? Oh dear, what has Celestia been doing to those history books? Shouldn’t everypony know who I am by now?

        “Enough talk,” Kairi said. “Where are you?” Sora felt the hairs on the edge of his mane rise as the voice chuckled.

        Where, you ask? Alright, I’ll tell you. I’m right beside you. Of course, you would have known that if you weren’t too busy having your little lovey-dovey moment.

        Sora jumped to the side and turned around, struggling to maintain balance on his back legs. He adjusted his wings futilely, and dropped down onto three legs while still barely maintaining his grip on the Oblivion. He swept it up to point straight at the figure who had been speaking, and restrained his jaw from dropping in surprise.

        The voice that had been entering his and Kairi’s heads was coming from a statue of a creature whose eyes were wide open in disbelieving horror. What’s more, he knew he’d seen a relief of the same statue before, though it was in a different pose.

        “You’re Discord!” he gasped.

        Discord chuckled. Smart boy, you have heard of me; though I guess that sort of thing happens when you hang around Twilight Sparkle and those other Elements of Harmony. Now, I have a proposal for you…

        “Forget it!” Kairi snapped. “We heard all about you and what you did to Equestria. You turned this world on its head. Like we’d ever do anything you asked us to.”

        Oh, a feisty one, are you? Is that what your heart is telling you? Not to help a poor, trapped soul that was unjustly imprisoned by your so-called friends?

        “If you’re trying to get us to help you escape, you’re sweet out of luck,” Kairi retorted with a shake of her head. Discord startled them both when he began to laugh, exuberantly!

        Escape? Now why would I ever bother with trying to escape so soon after being turned to stone again? If I were to break out of here and have a little fun, wreak some chaos here and there, turn Celestia’s statue into a chicken with a bunny’s head, maybe, Twilight Sparkle and her friends would just hit me with that, his voice shuddered in disgust, rainbow of friendship from their Elements of Harmony and turn me back into stone.

        “So…” Sora asked warily, “what do you want?”

        Discord’s reply was pleasant enough. I just want to talk to somepony else who feels as though this world is a little too…structured for their tastes.

        Kairi glanced at Sora in concern, and he had to agree. An imprisoned spirit of chaos and disharmony simply wanted to talk? How did that make any sense? “But,” Kairi began cautiously, though with a small amount of interest, “why would you want to talk to us? It doesn’t make sense to me that all you want to do is talk instead of come up with elaborate plans for your eventual escape and revenge.”

        His answering tone more than showed how unimpressed the draconequus was with his current predicament. Have you any idea how utterly boring it is being turned to stone? I stand here, all day and night long, in this secluded part of Celestia’s little collection of sculptures as the only one who’s actually alive. Nopony comes to pay me a visit besides the foals and teenagers who come by with eggs and wonderful memories, they called them nightmares, of when I was briefly back in charge. I’m confident that the birds were told that they could use my head as their own outhouse all they wanted. And the custodial staff in their garish uniforms never stick around for any longer than the time it takes to clean the feces off. I still think that they’d look better in that polka-dot-plaid outfit I designed.

        Sora quickly brought a hoof to his mouth, but he was still too late to stop the snort of laughter from getting past his lips. He got the impression that Discord’s mood seemed to lighten, and Kairi gave Sora a quizzical look. Sora shrugged and dismissed the Oblivion from his hoof. “Well, if he just wants to talk,” he said, sitting down.

        Excellent, Discord giggled. Have I told you about the time I entertained a group of unicorns by pulling a gorilla out of a hat and having it tap dance?

Oh Discord, you never make any sense, do you?

Special thanks to my beta Goldpen for her read-through and in-character checks and to Pissfer for his editing assistance.

Shire Folk