Alex
I opened my eyes, stretching out my arms in my bed. Sitting up, I ran my claws through my mane. Over to my left was Alexandria, sitting up in her bed, brushing her mane.
“Happy Birthday, Alex.” she said cheerily.
“What are you talking about? Our birthday isn’t until October.” I said.
“Yes, but it’s been exactly one year since we were separated, which is when we became two different ponies, which is kind of like our birth.”
“It’s been a year already, huh?” I asked, jumping to my feet.
“Yes it has. I got you a little something.” she said, tossing me a small, wrapped box, complete with a bow.
“I didn’t get you anything. I am moderately sorry about that.” I said, ripping open the present. “Not really, since I don’t care.” Inside the box was half of a red unicorn horn.
“Do you like it?” she asked in anticipation.
“You’re shitting me, right? No way in hell that this is what I think it is.” I said, filled with joy.
“It is exactly what you think it is. Conjure was teaching me invisibility, and we played a little game of hide-and-seek. When it was my turn to hide, I may have slipped into Princess Twilight’s chambers and, let’s just say borrowed this. But, you know, forever.”
“You broke into Twilight Sparkle’s bedroom and stole Lord Sombra’s horn, just to give me a present for a holiday that only makes sense because of a technicality?” I asked. “I really, really, really hate to say this, but that is literally the most badass thing I’ve ever heard.”
“Well, thank you.” she said. Just then, I had an idea.
“Okay, I may have lied. I have something to give you.” I said, reaching under my bed. I pulled out a briefcase, laid it on my bed and popped it open. Inside was a heart-shaped ruby, a raindrop-shaped sapphire, a wind-swirl shaped emerald and a topaz shaped like a mountain. “Here you go. A Fire Ruby, a Water Sapphire, an Earth Topaz and an Air Emerald. Use them in dresses or something.”
“No way! I couldn’t possibly receive such a generous gift.”
“Let’s skip the part where you have an internal argument with yourself and just take them.”
“Where did you get them?”
“Remember when Spike taught us how to grow gems?”
“No.”
“That’s because it was tucked into the dragon part of our personality, meaning I got it.” I said. “Don’t worry, if I want some more, I’ll grow some more. Now take them, it’s time for our lessons.”
“Well… if it’s really no trouble… I have the greatest idea for a new dress!” she squealed, eyes twinkling.
“You are your mother’s daughter.” I said, walking over to her with the briefcase. I threw it on her bed and, after a seconds hesitation, I squeezed her up in a tight hug. “You have no clue how much this means to me.”
“It was no trouble, my dear. And what exactly do you mean by that? You keep talking about Mom as if she’s not your mom as well.”
“She’s not my mom. She’s your mom, but I don’t have a mother.”
“What do you mean?”
“What I mean is I am not a unicorn. Since Rarity is a unicorn, I cannot possibly be her daughter, by any logical thinking.”
“Sombra’s a unicorn, but you consider him your father.”
“That’s different. He literally created me. Which reminds me, I need this horn so much, so I can’t lose this. Don’t tell Conjure and the General.”
“What do you intend to do with it?” she asked.
“A little of this, a little of that.” I said evasively. “I might make a necklace out of it.”
“Would you like for me to make it for you? I’ve been learning to make jewelry.”
“No. I have to be the one who does it.” I said, flipping the horn over in my hand. I shoved it in my pocket, unbelievably happy.
“Alex! You’re late!” shouted the General. “By, like, fifteen minutes!”
“Shut up, War!” I yelled back. “We’re exchanging presents!”
“Well, hurry your ass up and get down here!”
“See you later, Alexandria. Have fun with your super stupid, froo-froo magic crap.” I said, walking out of the room. I turned to the left and crashed into the General’s chest, falling to my butt.
“Get up.” he said, grabbing my wrist. “What’s this about exchanging presents?”
“Alexandria had this stupid idea that today is sort of like our birthday, because it’s been a year since we’ve been split.”
“Has it? Well, what did she get you?”
“Lady stuff.” I said. “You don’t want details.”
“Say no more.” he replied, looking uneasy. “That doesn’t excuse you from being late. So, as punishment, I need you to polish my armor.”
“You don’t want to punish me.” I said, rolling my eyes. “You just don’t feel like polishing it yourself, you lazy bum!”
“I can neither confirm nor deny that to be true.” he said, turning away. He led me through the halls of the Crystal Castle, down to the armory. When we got there, he sat me down in front of his golden armor and handed me a jar of polish. I grabbed a rag and coated in polish. I waited until the General left and then I went to work.
“Sorry, War.” I snickered to myself. “Not really.” I grabbed the chestpiece and pit a huge hole in it. I chewed on the gold, savoring the taste. I swallowed involuntarily, then leaned forward and took another bite. This time, I controlled myself and spit it out. I balled it up and shoved it in my pocket, hiding it from view just as the General was walking in.
“What the hell?!” he screamed. “Did you eat my armor?!”
“I’m sorry. I was hungry.” I said, looking away.
“Dude! That’s not cool! I was going to let you know that lessons would be postponed until tomorrow, because Princess Twilight needs me to guard her on her trip to Earth! How am I supposed to do my job without my armor?”
“I was hungry.” I repeated. “I had the munchies. That only gold would satisfy.”
“What does that even mean?!” he asked angrily. “You know what? I don’t care. Jesus Christ, girl, do you know how much that armor cost me?”
“Nothing. Conjure made it for you on your birthday.”
“That’s besides the point! I have to go get a new set. Twenty laps around the Empire and don’t let your feet hit floor! I’ll know if you did it or not, so don’t pull some slick shit, capiche?”
“Yes sir.” I said, saluting.
“How can you have sarcastic body language?” he asked in confusion. “In any case, I’ll see you later. Get on those laps!”
“Oh, but of course.” I said, leaving the armory. I ran up the stairs and ran into the nearest room. I punched my hand through the window, shattering the glass. I jumped out and flapped my wings, rising in the air.
“Worth it.” I said, pulling the ball of gold out of my pocket. I squished and shaped it into a thin thread. Wrapping the gold around the horn, I spewed small flames, melding the gold into Lord Sombra’s horn. I draped the chain around my neck and tied it there.
“Thanks Alexandria.” I said.
Alexandria
I stowed the suitcase under my bed, along with my design book. I had big plans for those dresses. Maybe I could make dresses for me and Alex and design suits for Conjure and Robert. The possibilities were endless. I grabbed the design book and levitated a quill over to me. Grabbing the quill, I opened the book and began scribbling hastily what the dresses should look like. After about a minute, I had enough to work with. After lessons, I would just have to take some measurements.
“Good morning, Alexandria.” said Conjure, entering the room. “How are you?”
“I’m doing just fine, and you?” I asked, smiling brightly.
“Fantastic. I have some bad news, however. Lessons will be cancelled today.”
“Aww! Why?” I groaned.
“Princess Twilight needs to meet with the United Nations of Earth. Since Twilight hates pretty much everyone on the UNE, I have to go with her to keep her in check.”
“There’s going to be no lesson today? We were just about to learn the next level of alchemy!” I complained.
“I know, but I swear we’ll do it tomorrow. Quit your whining.”
“I’m not whining! I’m complaining! This is whining: Why can’t-”
“No!” laughed Conjure. “I know exactly how this goes! You are definitely your mother’s daughter.”
“You know, Alex said the same thing earlier. As she was the one who said it, I assumed it was an insult of some sort that I just didn’t understand, but now that you’re saying it, I think I’ll accept it.” Just then, Robert walked in, cradling his armor’s chestpiece.
“Isaiah! I need a new set of armor!” he said.
“Robert, that armor I gave you is practically indestructible. It’s a special mix of gold and a titanium-diamond alloy of my own creation. How did you manage to break it?”
“Alex.” he said simply, raising the chest and revealing the gaping hole. It looked as if somepony bit into it.
“I can make it!” I said cheerily. “Let me try!”
“Well, since there’s no lesson today, why not?” said Conjure, materializing a piece of chalk with his horn. He tossed it to me.
“Thank you.” I said, catching it. I ran over to the nearest wall and drew a little plus sign. Around it, I put three circles, filling each circle with the text Ξρεατε, Δεστροψ, Εχξηανγε (Create, Destroy, Exchange in some ancient Earth language. Grease, I think.) I drew a triangle around the circles, and a huge circle around the triangle, bordering the circle with the text as well.
“Here.” said Conjure, summoning a knife.
“I can’t wait until I can do that.” I said, grabbing the knife. I pricked my finger with it, and let three drops of blood fall on my alchemy circle. The circle glowed red and the symbols burned black. I touched the middle with my palm, turning the circle from red to grey. I clenched my fist and pulled slowly, dragging out a suit of golden armor. One last yank pulled it out completely, and I handed it to Robert.
“Impressive.” he said, putting it on. “Just like the old set!”
“Except that this is far lighter, more breathable and much more comfortable.” I said. “No offense, Conjure, but I, being a fashionista, can’t overlook certain details such as mobility and appearance.”
“What about the look changed?”
“I altered the accents, the chest is a little bolder, the boots more subtle, and I added Princess Twilight’s Cutie Mark on the back and helmet.”
“Well done.” said Conjure, snapping his fingers. My circle disappeared from the wall. “Thanks for your help, Alexandria, but we have to go.”
“Right.” said Robert, walking towards the door. “See you later.”
“Wait!” I called. “Where’s Alex?!”
“Doing laps around the Empire. Don’t help her.”
“Alright, alright.” I said, more to myself than anypony, as they walked out. I jumped onto my bed and thought about my gift to Alex. I had a sneaking suspicion that something was going on, something Alex didn’t let me in on. I closed my eyes and concentrated on making a connection with her.
“Alex.” I thought. “Are you there?”
“Of course I’m here, stupid! You’re putting thoughts into my head.” she responded, voice echoing in my head.
“Is the connection stable?” I asked worriedly.
“It has been for three months! Why would it suddenly screw up now?”
“I have a question. Why did you eat the armor?”
“I needed the gold for Lord Sombra’s horn. To make a necklace like you said.”
“Really? That doesn’t make any sense.”
“Why doesn’t it?”
“Because if you wanted gold, you would have stolen it from me or Conjure. You’re too scared of Robert to steal from him.”
“I’m not scared of him! I’m not scared of anypony. I know what he’s capable of, and have a healthy respect for his power, but I do not fear him.”
“Even so, what was more important than your respect for Robert? I can think of only one thing.”
“Enlighten me.” she said, panic in her voice rising.
“You know that the armor wasn’t just gold. It was mixed with titanium and diamond.”
“What relevance does that bear?”
“Titanium is really good at holding repair spells, although you’ll have a hard time getting one on. Diamond, however, increases the power of almost any spell cast on it. Something to amplify a spell and something that is difficult to enchant, but also holds the enchantment better? Sounds like a good combo. A combo for stirring up evil.” A sharp stab of pain shot through my head. I sat up, then tilted my head back, halting the blood that was now pouring from my nose.
“Whoops.” echoed Alex. “My bad. So sorry, but here come some more!” My brain exploded into agony. It felt as though somepony took a wooden stake and stabbed it into my brain. Blood dripped out of my ears slowly.
“Alex!” I called with my mind. “Stop! Please!”
“I thought you were learning healing spells.” laughed Alex.
“Next week! Alex, please stop!”
“I want to say ‘no’ but I feel like that gives you hope. How about ‘no way in hell’?”
“Alex, this isn’t funny!” I thought, blood dripping from my eyes. “Conjure left already! If I need another transfusion, I am out of luck! Nopony else in the castle has O- blood! I’ll die!”
“Sorry, Alexandria, but I’m too busy not caring to help you. See you at lunch. Or at your funeral, depending on how this goes.”
I coughed and sputtered on my own blood, which was now steadily dripping out of my nose, ears, mouth and eyes, all of which hurt like the dickens. I rolled off of my bed and desperately began to crawl. A few feet from the door, I lost control of my hands and hooves. I laid there, blood leaking from every imaginable place on my body. I lifted my head, vision blurring, and I cast a spell. Grey light illuminated the room, surrounding me. Slowly, the bleeding halted and returned to my body, as if sucked up by a vacuum.
“Happy Birthday, Alex.” I said, as darkness overtook me.