//------------------------------// // Spell // Story: Rise of the Zodiac // by Brony Brush //------------------------------// Rise of the Zodiac Twilight was sitting on her cushion, in the middle of the library with a large tome open in front of her. The label of the book was ‘Ancient Mares and Stallions of the past’. She was fascinated with the subject when she heard about it, and asked Celestia if there was any type of book or scroll on such a subject. Celestia had given her the tome after she asked, allowing her to get a better idea of who she was researching. “How long are you going to read that thing?” Spike whined as he walked into the room. Twilight rolled her eyes and looked up from her book to look at her purple and green assistant. “Spike, I have only been reading for a hour.” Twilight said smiling. “Its been a day.” Spike deadpanned. “Really?” Twilight said looking at the clock. “But it says it’s only five...” “Fine, it has felt like a day to me.” Spike sighed. “Then you can go out for a little while, so I can finish this book.” Twilight said giggling. “I have an idea.” Spike said raising a claw, “Maybe instead of reading that, you can use your magic to bring them here so you can talk to them.” Spike suggested. “You mean bring the ponies of the past, to the present?” Twilight said raising an eyebrow. “Do you know how traumatizing that would be for them?” “It worked for you.” Spike reminded her. “After I had a mental breakdown.” Twilight quipped. “Because you wouldn't listen to yourself.” Spike said. “... Okay okay point taken. But the problem still remains that that would require a tremendous amount of energy.” Twilight said looking back at the book. “Ok fine, read your book, I’m going to help Rarity.” Spike said, walking over to the door and opening it, before leaving. Twilight just giggled before mulling over Spike’s idea in her head as she read the book. After a few minutes an idea struck her. If she were to get them all at once, instead of individually, that would require less energy and less concentration! “That’s it!” She exclaimed before she jumped up from her cushion to go prepare. “This is going to be so exciting!!” She squealed as she began to gather the necessary items for the spell to work properly. ______________________________________________________________________________ Twilight read over the spell scroll again, making sure she hadn’t missed a single detail. She was combining the Timespell with the Teleportation spell, a difficult process, but this was a delicate procedure and nothing could be wrong. Thanks to her minor compulsive OCD like nature, she had made everything perfect for the spell. The room she was using, meaning her basement, had been cleared and was only a large empty space. There was back up measures in place in case this spell failed, buckets of water in case the spell singed or set fire to her home, and finally tons of parchment, quills, and ink pots. “Alright. I hope this works.” Twilight muttered to herself as her horn glowed softly before turning a fluorescent white as more and more magic was being charged. The magic buildup was so vast that sparks were beginning to fly out of her horn before there was a blindingly bright flash that filled the room and dazed Twilight. She opened her eyes to see that there was nothing in the room and she gave a small pout. “What did I miss? Maybe it was a-” There was an almost comically quiet ‘Pop!’ from in front of her before she looked to see seven ponies standing there, all with different expressions. The first one was a pale green Unicorn mare with a Blue mane and tail with a lighter blue stripe going through the top along with purple eyes. Her Cutie Mark was two curved lines going vertically with a horizontal line going through their middles. She was sitting on her haunches with a blank look on her face as she simply stared off into nothing. The second was a Cyan Earth Pony stallion with a grey mane and a braided tail with amber eyes. His Cutie Mark was a bell shaped line that had a small circle on the left end of the line. He was sitting next to the Unicorn Mare trying to grab her attention. The next was a Magenta Unicorn Mare with a light purple mane and a tail that had bands along it and a pointed tip to give it the appearance of a scorpion's tail along with having dark green eyes. Her cutie mark looked like a cursive M with the bottom of the last line going horizontal for a few inches. She had an expression of ‘What is going on?!’ plastered across her face as she haphazardly whipped her head back and forth to look at every corner of the room she was in. The fourth had a surprised, but calm expression as he looked about the room, almost silently studying it. He was a Pegasus Stallion with a pale orange coat and light purple mane and tail with a dark orange stripe running through the middle. His Cutie Mark was a Half circle over a horizontal line. the fifth pony was a unicorn and was staring at the sixth pony which appeared the be like the Spa twins as the colors of their coats were inverted to their own. The fifth pony was Mint green with a cream colored mane that had a white stripe going down the middle, and the sixth pony had the exact colors only switched. The oddest thing about the two ponies staring at each other was their Cutie Marks. It was the Romane symbol for the number two, only the top and bottom lines where curved. Twilight shook her head and shoved the odd duo aside from her mind. The final and seventh pony was a light blue earth pony with a navy blue mane and a short tail. She was smiling happily, albeit her eyes held confusion, as she scanned the place with a gleeful glance here and there. Her Cutie Mark was a curved line that mirrored itself to create a line pointing down to the floor. The most peculiar part about this pony was the fact she had two horns curling out the side of her head. “Wheeere are we?” The orange pegasus asked as he looked around. “It seems safe.” The navy blue pony with horns on her said said. Just then the pony that was staring into space shook her head and looked around confused before looking at the stallion that was trying to get her attention a minute ago. “Leo, what happened to my fish?” She asked the stallion, presumably Leo. “Finally! I thought you fell asleep.” Leo said chuckling. “I would love to try and fall asleep with my eyes open.” The mare said smiling. “I missed you!” The two twin ponies said to each other, before hugging. “You saw each other literally not ten seconds ago. Why did you miss each other?” The orange pegasus asked. “We closed our eyes!” The ponies said. “Could you please stop with the synced talking, it’s kinda creeping me out.” The magenta Unicorn said as she shook her head and looked at the two twins. “What do you mean?” The ponies asked, tilting their heads in confusion. “Stop talking at the same time Gemini!” The Magenta Unicorn said. “Sorry Scorpio.” One of the twins said as the other was silent. “Thank you...” Scorpio said sitting and rubbing her head with a hoof while she looked at the orange pegasus. “Libra, do you have any clue where we are?” “You are asking me if I know where a wooden enclosed room is?” Libra asked back looking at Scorpio before looking at the twisted horned earth pony. “What do you think Aries?” “I think there is a purple unicorn looking at us confused.” The earth pony said, looking at Twilight. “Oh so she is... Shall we introduce ourselves?” Leo asked looking at all the other ponies. The pony next to leo looked at Twilight as she tilted her head and studied her before talking. “I think we can trust her, anyway, my name is Pisces, nice to meet you.” Pisces said, nodding at Twilight, who was looking back at her with a confused, and slightly awed, expression. “I am Aries, good to make acquaintances.” The bull horned earth pony said. “We are Gemini!” The twins said together, smiling, “Most ponies call me Gem and her Ini though.” The pale yellow unicorn said, pointing to the other. “I am Scorpio.” The Magenta unicorn said smiling. “I’m Leo! Nice to meet you.” The cyan stallion said with a grin. “And I am Libra.” The orange Pegasus said nodding his head with a small smile. “We are all part of the Zodiac family.” “But some of us are missing...” Leo said looking around. “Maybe they are back at the castle, Leo.” Pisces suggested. “That is always possible.” Leo said nodding. “.... It worked... it worked!” Twilight said smiling happily before bouncing around. “It worked, it worked, it worked, it worked!” “What worked?” Arias asked, walking closer to the bouncing Twilight. “The Time and Teleportation spell! I can’t beleive it worked!” Twilight said almost squealing in delight. “Yay!” The twin Gemini said, bouncing around with her. “Oh dear Celestia...” Libra said rubbing his temples with his hoof. “They are wound up again.” “Gemini, calm down please.” Arias said, turning to look at the twins. “Oh let them have their fun.” Leo said chuckling. “Fine, but I’m worried more about the unicorn over here, she is acting crazy.” Arias said. “Hey! I am not crazy!” Twilight said stopping her bouncing and looking at the light blue mare. “You seem like it.” Scorpio chuckled. “She seems like it, but she is just happy that her spell worked, usually those spells don’t work or backfire and it can hurt the caster, she was lucky, but she is also tired.” Pisces said. “I am a little tired...” Twilight said as she suddenly felt a tidal wave of fatigue overcome her, making her waver from side to side for a moment. “I wonder how little Luna is right now!” Gem said as she hopping with her twin in circles. “I’m more worried about where she is. Luna was always the adventurous one.” Libra said shaking his head. “She got a lot of that because of us.” Pisces said, looking at Scorpio. “One time! I went into the forest with them one time!” Scorpio huffed. “Leo said if I was careful, it was okay!” “I wasn’t the one who let them wander off.” Leo pointed out. “You seemed like you were having fun with them.” Gem said as she and her sister stopped bouncing around. “Well it was at first, but manticore pups aren’t supposed to be pet when the mother is RIGHT THERE!” Scorpio said making a pointing motion. “Wait wait, what?” Twilight said tilting her head. “You even know the princesses?” “I sense confusion in you, what is your name?” Pisces asked, looking at Twilight. “I’m Twilight Sparkle... Nice to meet you.” Twilight said shaking her head real quick. “Same, are you confused because you don't know Luna and Celestia?” Pisces asked. “No, I am confused on how you know the princesses.” Twilight asked. “We are the little princesses caretakers since their parents died.” Pisces said. “I still maintain that we should have told them sooner.” Libra said as he sighed. “You know how sensitive Luna is!” Pisces said, pointing a hoof at Libra. “Everypony grows up at one point or another. It just stings more to be lied too.” Libra said narrowing his eyes at Pisces. “You can’t feel the sadness when somepony is told something sad.” Pisces said, shivering slightly. “I can feel emotions just fine!... I just choose to ignore them.” Libra said. “I can't ignore them.” Pisces muttered. “She does have a point Libra.” Scorpio said nudging him making him groan. “Yeah yeah, can we leave please? We need to check up on the little ones, it is almost our shifts.” Libra said. Twilight’s tiredness faded in an instant before she shook her head quickly. “Oh no no no no! You can’t leave yet!” She said hastily. “They seem fine to us!” Gemini said together, smiling as they looked at nothing. “Gemini, that is a wall.” Leo said looking at the twins. “Yes it is.” Gem said. “... Anyway. Why can’t we leave?” Leo asked Twilight. “Because!... Um.. I wanted to ask you all a few questions?” She said with a sheepish smile. “Twilight!! I’m back!” Spike yelled as he closed the upstairs door. “Down here Spike! I am going to need your help!” Twilight shouted upstairs. “Alright, I’m coming.” Spike said as footsteps were heard coming down some stairs before a door opened and Spike walked into the room. “Dragon!” Arias yelled as she ran and tackled Spike to the ground while the rest of the ponies took up defensive stances in front of Twilight. “Ahhh!” Spike screamed. “Wait! He is my assistant!” Twilight said worriedly. “He isn’t going to do anything!” “A dragon for an assistant? Are you trying to kill yourself?” Arias asked, looking down at Twilight. “Yes, the dragons have been trying to destroy the pony territories for the past century!” Scorpio stated. “They almost got Pisces once!” Gem said smiling. “Gem that is nothing to smile about.” Leo said frowning. “I know, I am sad about it.” Gem said. “Then why are you smiling?” Libra asked. “Its better to smile then to frown!” Gem exclaimed as Ini smiled. “Strangely true. Takes more muscles to frown than smile.” Libra said nodding his head. “Look, that conflict ended a few millennia ago! Now they are in their own lands!” Twilight said panicking. “Now you are lying! It can't be millenia ago, because we would be dead!” Arias said, but nonetheless got off Spike and let him stand up. “Wait, everypony, didn’t she say she used a time spell...” Libra said as he looked at his family members. “I do remember her saying that.” Pisces said nodding. “But if she did that means.... Oh buck.” Scorpio said falling onto his haunches. “Luna and Celestia could be dead!” Pisces muttered, her eyes wide. “We have to get back to the castle!” Leo said starting to panic. “We said they are alive!” Ini said as she walked over to the others with Gem “You don't know!” Arias said beginning to run around in a panic. “Everypony calm down!” Libra shouted in a frustrated tone. “We are calm.” Gemini stated together. Everypony else slowly began to calm down, taking deep breaths and such before they all finally stopped panicking. “Everypony, let’s ask the mare what time we are in, what became of Luna and Tia, then ask her to take us home.” Libra said. “Sound like a plan?” “Sounds good for me, how about you Leo?” Pisces asked, rubbing against Leo affectionately. “If it means getting back to the little ones, then yes.” Leo said smiling. “They are fine, the plan is good.” Gemini said. “Again with the synced talking...” Scorpio muttered as Libra just hugged her. “Alright, Mrs. Sparkle, what time are we in?” Libra asked. “And how did you get the dragons to back off.” Arias said, glaring slightly at Spike, who was behind Twilight. “Um, you're in year one thousand-oh-two, A.N.” Twilight said. “What does A.N. stand for?” Gemini asked together. “After Nightmare?” Twilight said unsure. “Who is Nightmare?” Pisces asked. “Oh boy... Look can we go upstairs? I’d prefer not to talk in the basement.” Twilight said as she began to walk upstairs. “Yes!” Gemini said before running quickly towards the door and up the stairs. Twilight just shook her head and walked upstairs while the others soon followed after, while Spike mostly cowered behind Twilight. Once everypony was situated upstairs in her living room, after many questions about living in a Library, they began to talk again. “Now for the Dragon conflict, if I remember my history, Celestia and Luna went to the dragon lord-” Twilight began. “Our little Luna and Celestia?” Pisces interrupted. “Well they weren’t little then.” Twilight said as she levitated a book off the shelf and over to her before turning to a specific page. “Here it says that they were around the age of.. Thirty when they approached the dragons.” “That’s... Fascinating.” Leo said as he shook his head at the fact. “Are you sure that they won't come back though?” Arias asked, looking at Spike instead of Twilight. “Yes I am quite sure. There hasn’t been a dragon attack in over four thousand years. The occasional dragon will slip into our lands to sleep, but that is the extent of their intrusion.” Twilight said smiling. “Fine.” Arias said, as she took her attention away from Spike. “What I am more concerned about is what became of the little ones.” Scorpio said as she laid against Libra. “Well today they reside in Canterlot Castle today, ruling over all the ponies in their realm.” Twilight said smiling. “It’s been that way for a millenia.” “The little ones are safe and happy!” Gemini exclaimed. “I knew they would live a long life, but this is just ridiculous.” Libra said shaking his head. “When you consider that they are the only two alicorns, with the abilities of all three tribes of ponies, it isn't that ridiculous to consider them almost immortal.” Pisces stated, looking at Libra. “Yes, but still. What I am more worried about is the others of our family.” Libra said sighing as he rubbed his forehead. “They are probably fine, they were able to protect the princesses into marehood at least.” Arias said shrugging, “Cancer probably had a lot of fun with Luna.” “Oh here is something interesting...” Twilight mumbled to herself. “It says seven of the twelve ponies that were originally there to help protect and keep the princesses healthy all disappeared, and no pony ever figured out how, or even when they went missing... Uh oh...” “We can still get sent back though.” Pisces said, not seeing the full picture to what Twilight had said. “Oh great...” Scorpio said facehoofing. “Uh, Pisces?” Leo said chuckling nervously. “Yes?” Pisces asked, looking at Leo. “I think what the unicorn is trying to say is that we may not be able to go back...” Leo said wincing slightly. “Goodbye.” Pisces said, before her eyes glazed over and she stared at a wall. “Oh great there she goes again.” Libra said facehoofing as well. “It isn't her fault she likes going into her mind whenever she cant take something.” Arias growled. “This seems like fun!” Gemini exclaimed as they jumped up and down. “Did...you get Pinkie’s ancestors here?” Spike asked nervously as he watched Arias. “Maybe?” Twilight said as she flipped through the book. “Look, it doesn’t matter. Spike, I need you to take a letter, so I can inform the Princesses of what is going on.” “Ok!” Spike said, taking out a quill and a scroll from behind him. Twilight quickly summarized what she had done, what happened afterwards, and who was currently in her home while she was writing this letter before signing it off and letting Spike send the letter. “... You just let that dragon burn your letter...” Leo said raising an eyebrow. “Enchanted dragon fire that can still burn you?” Arias asked. “Well technically yes it could still burn you, but Spike has enough common sense to not do anything like that.” Twilight said waving a hoof dismissively. “Ok.” Arias said shrugging. ______________________________________________________________________________ “Dear sister, what has Twilight Sparkle given you for a friendship report now?” Luna asked as she walked over to Celestia, who was holding the unopen scroll with her magic. “I don’t know, but I am going to assume that it’s something good, or else she wouldn’t have written.” Celestia chuckled as she rolled her eyes and looked over the scroll. “True.” Luna said. Celestia’s expression slowly turned into a furrowed brow and puckered lips as she read the letter. “This... doesn’t make sense.” Celestia stated as she looked over the letter again. “What?” Luna asked as she looked at the scroll. “Remember our old caretakers? The Zodiac family?” Celestia asked. “The ponies I turned into stars when they died? Yes I do, they are all in the sky.” Luna said, smiling. “Remember how several of them went missing?” Celestia asked again. “Yes.” Luna said. “Twilight found out why.” Celestia said showing Luna the letter. “That’s great!” Luna said smiling, looking over the letter herself, before her eyes widened, “She made them go missing?” She said wonderingly. “Now I know why she was asking about all those old ponies.” Celestia said rubbing her temples with her hooves. “I do not believe she meant to take the Zodiacs, she may have meant some other ponies from history.” Luna suggested. “She shouldn’t have taken other ponies at all.” Celestia muttered before pulling out a scroll and quill. She quickly wrote on the scroll before rolling it up and sending it off to Twilight and looking at Luna. “Shall we go visit our old friends?” “Lets let them adjust first, we don’t want to scare them more then they probably are.” Luna said. ______________________________________________________________________________ “BURRRRRP!” Spike belched as green fire escaped from his mouth as well as a scroll. Twilight caught the scroll in her magic before levitating it over to her and unraveling the piece of parchment. “And the dragon burps letters out as well.” Arias muttered. “Mailing by Dragon fire. That’s rather interesting. Faster than letting a mail pony take it, I’ll give him that.” Libra said nodding in approval. “Do it again!” Gemini said excitedly. “Calm down Gemini.” Leo said chuckling. Twilight rolled her eyes and began to read over the letter. “Dear Twilight Sparkle, I am glad to hear that you have found the research you were looking for, but I must protest against the type of magic you used. Nonetheless, I am happy to hear that the ponies that you brought through time are in good health and are keeping calm. We will be down to see these individuals as soon as we have the time. Signed, Princess Celestia.” Twilight read out loud. “She remembers us!” Gemini said happily. “She would Gemini, we took care of her for years.” Arias said. “That is true.” Leo said nodding his head. “I wonder what they are going to think when they get down here and see us.” Scorpio said giggling. “I can think of a few things that might happen.” “One of them being go crazy?” Spike asked meekly. “Yeppers!” Scorpio said chuckling as Libra just rolled his eyes. “Why does everypony always over exaggerate things.” Libra muttered as he smiled slightly. “Because the world is magical.” Arias said. “He has a point.” Leo said smiling. “I hope Pisces snaps out of it soon.” Arias said, looking at the unicorn before her horn started glowing a soft blue as she continued staring and water came under her, shooting up a few feet so she was floating on cloud like water, “And there she goes again.” “Ah dang it! I don’t like getting wet...” Libra said as he scooted away a few feet. “Isn't this about the time we try to snap her out of it?” Arias asked backing a little further away from the air water. “Well, I don’t have magic, so I don’t know how to get her down.” Leo said scooting away himself. “We will get her.” Gemini said as she flew over to Pisces and held her, before flying down with her and setting her on the floor as the cloud like water disappeared as her horn stopped glowing. “Well that’s one problem taken care of.” Leo said shaking his head. “Yep.” Arias muttered.