> The Art of Magic II > by Fire Spark > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Prologue > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- The tale of the Magic Facility is a horrid one, but not all facts were revealed... Rarity stood before the young, purple mare, her closest friend, her closest worker. “Twilight, I trusted you...to keep the secret of this facility a secret, and you dared to break our rules in the mere fact that the Princess had asked of the disappearances?!” She said as her horn glow a dark blood red. Twilight spoke up, “I never told her! My friend found out and told the Princess! I swear I would never tell! I took the oath, which apparently you went behind yourself!” Rarity growled at Twilights outburst, pinning her against the wall “How dare you speak up to me! You should be ashamed of yourself. You know the punishment for both lying to me, and revealing the secret.” Twilight nodded slowly, speaking silently “Yes...death...” She sighed heavily, accepting the fact that she had failed her boss, and most importantly, her most trusting friend. > Chapter 1: The Usual Routine Has Been Interrupted > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Now what had happened? It all started mere days after Sweetie Belle’s innocent death. As the gates of the facility closed, Rarity took out the master keys, locking the door to ensure the prisoners do not escape, and nopony will be able to enter. She still dwelled on the fact that she had killed her innocent little sister. She spoke to Twilight, who was standing right next to her. “Twilight, make sure nopony hears of Sweetie Belles death, if that gets out, they will know everything we’ve kept secret for years.” Twilight nodded slowly, still dwelling on her own sisters death. “Yes ma’am.” She spoke quickly, as if she was under a spell. Rarity smiled, hugging the young mare tightly. “I’m glad I have you working with me. I couldn’t think of anypony better.” Twilight smiled and hugged her boss tightly. “I’m glad to be here Rarity, I can’t think of anything else better than this.” Days had passed, turning to weeks, then months. Both Twilight and Rarity had grown more and more distant from the society of Equestria, spending more time inside the facility. Both Twilight and Rarity have grown mentally unstable, unable to take eyes off their precious work that was so close to their hearts. Twilight stepped into Rarity’s office, smiling widely, “Rarity over the past week, magic input and output has nearly doubled! Taking the risk of being here twenty-four-seven was an amazing idea!” She giggled out of complete insanity at this point. Rarity smiled from behind her desk “Good,” She laughed maniacally, “How is the security?” She had asked Twilight. “Security is at its highest possible point, nopony is getting in or out without us knowing.” Twilight spoke in a slightly insane-driven state. Rarity spoke in the same calm tone she’d always spoken in. “Good, now back to work.” She smiled at the young mare, giving the signal to get back to her station. Twilight gave a simple nod and trotted off happily, her entire body soaked with stains of blood. Even more time passed, as both Twilight and Rarity have grown completely apart from the Equestrian society, the begun to spend every second of every day inside the facility, never sleeping or taking their eyes off their work. Eventually Twilight had completely snapped, focusing only on the death of all those innocent unicorns, creating magic with their blood and tears. Though they have had a few close calls because of sleep deprivation. During a casual day, Rarity called Twilight into her office. “Y-yes Miss Belle?” Twilight spoke in an insane, but afraid tone. “Twilight, I’ve had my eye on you my dear, and I’ve noticed that you have had a few close calls with ponies attempting to escape.” Rarity said in a calm tone. “Yes Miss Belle...I haven't been at the top of my game as of late...I have had all of my interest in keeping the Magic Facility at full strength.” Rarity nodded, “And I am proud of that, but I am going to have you take a week or two off to get back into the society. I’ve noticed the Princess has begun to worry. You need to re-assure her you are well to prevent any more suspicion from arising.” Twilight gave a nod and a simple “Yes Miss Belle.” as she walked out of her office, to the main entrance, and walking outside. > Chapter 2: A Hint of Suprise > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- About three days later, Twilight awoke in her home, to take immediate notice to her loyal assistant, Spike. Spike smiled weakly to the young mare and said, “Twilight...how are you feeling? I haven’t seen you in quite some time.” He said in a very quiet, Fluttershy-like tone. Twilight smiled and nodded to him. “I am just fine Spike, I’ve just been helping the Princess with some things in Canterlot, and I guess I was there for quite a while...” Twilight was thinking of ways to keep the secret of the Magic Facility a complete secret, being forced to lie to her most trusting friends, even the young dragon whom she’d raised since birth. About a week later, Twilight had restored her position in the society of Equestria, bringing the Princesses suspicion levels down to a minimum. With this, Twilight had returned to the facility in full strength, ready to resume her precious work. She walked in, admiring the gruesome sights, trotting directly to Rarity’s office. “Miss Belle, the Princess is no longer suspicious of the facility. I’m back to resume my work which I hold so dear to my heart.” Twilight gave a smile as Rarity nodded, “Good job Twilight. You may resume your work.” Twilight gave an excited nod as she immediately trotted to her station and resumed her work that was so close to her heart. Once more, Twilight had grown apart from the Equestrian society, but this time, her mind had been completely immersed in her work. She wouldn't even follow Rarity’s orders to take time off. Eventually Rarity had to call Twilight to her office once more. “Twilight,” Rarity spoke in a very worried tone, “I’m worrying about you. You haven’t slept in over a week. I hate to do this, I honestly do, but as of now, you are relieved of your duties here.” She said as she began to use a memory erasing spell. Twilight had been taken by surprise as her memory was completely wiped. Minutes afterward she was tossed out as if she was a filthy rag. > Chapter 3: Visitation Days > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- A few months later, Twilight was called into the Princesses’ chambers. “Yes Princess Celestia?” Twilight had asked the Solar Princess. “Hello Twilight, I’ve just called you here to ask you to check up on your Ponyville friends, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, and Rarity. Please report to me on how they are.” Twilight gave a simple nod before trotting off. She knew how Applejack and Fluttershy were, considering the fact that they can’t really be involved in any big activities, with their goody-four-hooves nature. The only ponies she worried about were Rainbow Dash, Pinkie, and Rarity. A few hours later, she had arrived at Rainbow’s cloud house in Cloudsdale. She knocked on the door carefully. “Rainbow Dash? Are you there? It’s me, Twilight.” She carefully stepped back, awaiting her rainbow-colored friend to open the door. Eventually there was an answer. Rainbow cracked the door very very slowly “Twilight? What are you doing here?” She said in a quiet voice. Twilight replied in her normal tone, “Princess Celestia wanted me to check up on you. May I come in?” She said as she stepped forward a little, tilting her head. Rainbow stepped back, closing her door slightly. “I uh...I don’t think thats such a good idea Twi...” She said as if she was afraid. This confused Twilight, considering Rainbow never showed fear, let alone have very many fears. Twilight gave a small sigh before turning around “I understand Rainbow, I’ll just tell the Princess you are fine.” She said before she re-entered her balloon, flying back down to Ponyville. After she had landed she went to Sugar Cube Corner to check on Pinkie. She knocked on the door to the candy shop adored by many. Unknown that it was her old friend Twilight, Pinkie opened the door without hesitation. After she saw it was Twilight she got a huge smile on her face, hugging the lavender coated mare tightly. “Twilight!! I haven't seen you in forever! Where have you been??” Pinkie asked in her usual, excited tone. “I was in Canterlot,” Twilight replied, “Princess Celestia told me to check up on you guys, see if everything is okay.” Pinkie smiled before nodding. “I’m just amazing! Mister and Misses Cake have been helping me work on a ton of new recipes for treats! Do you wanna come in and try one??” Twilight shook her head, “No Pinkie, maybe later, I have to check on Rarity, Applejack, and Fluttershy.” She smiled before hugging Pinkie once more, “Goodbye Pinkie, hope to see you again soon!” Twilight said before she walked away from Sugar Cube Corner. Eventually Twilight reached the cottage of the caring Fluttershy. Ever so carefully she knocked on the door, not hoping to spook the timid mare. Fluttershy was busy caring for her amazing collection of animals, as she heard the knock. “Coming!” She said rather loud for her usual personality. Fluttershy carefully opened the door, smiling at her old friend. “Hi Twilight.” Fluttershy said in a calmed tone. Twilight responded, “Hi Fluttershy, it has been quite long since we’ve seen each other, hasn’t it?” Fluttershy gave a nod of agreement. “Yes, it has. Where have you been? I-I mean you don't have to tell me, i-if you don't want to that is.” She said in her usual, timid tone. Twilight gave a little giggle before smiling. “I have been with Princess Celestia in Canterlot, she asked me to come check up on you and the others.” She said plainly. “O-oh...” Fluttershy said quietly,“Well, um, I'm fine, Angel and all the other critters are just fine as well..." She said lightly. "Well alright, it is good to hear that you and your animals are alright." She said, giving her a small hug. Fluttershy hugged back with a smile. "See you around Twilight!" She called out to her as she left. A few hours had passed, as the day nearly drew to a close. Twilight still had two mares to check on, so she was determined to get the job done before she laid to rest. Luckily for her, the farm mare known as Applejack was still busy at work, determined to get her farm chores done. Twilight didn't even have to set foot in the orchard before Applejack called out. "Howdy Twilight!" Applejack said as she kicked an apple tree with tremendous force. Twilight smiled to Applejack. "Oh, hello Applejack, I just came to check up on you, see how things were going. Princess Celestia-" She was interrupted by Applejack. "Things are goin just dandy! Big Mac's been takin' care of the apple count, and we've had more apples bucked in the past week than all of last winter! Applebloom's startin' to get mighty strong, and who knows, she might get her Cutie Mark in Applebuckin'!" She said as quick as Pinkie Pie would usually talk. "Well uh," The lavender Unicorn had to take a moment to process what just happened. "That, good to hear, I guess?" "Though Ah do have just one question. How come y'all are askin' about this?" Applejack inquired. "Huh? Oh, Princess Celestia asked for me to check up and you and the girls, and I'm just making sure to get this taken care of, you know?" She smiles. "Oh, Ah see what y'all are gettin' at. You and yer studyin' with the Princess. Well, just know Ah'm as dandy as a Spring mornin'!" Applejack gave her proud-to-be-a-farm-mare smile. "I can see that. Thank you for your time Applejack." Twilight said as she turned, and walked off. "Yer more than welcome!!" Applejack yelled out to Twi. Alright, four down...one to go. Twilight thought to herself. She was worried about Rarity the most because of her 'episodes' from time to time. It wasn't really much to worry about, considering Rarity was such a drama queen all the time. But she still had her doubts. The famous Carousel Boutique was still in full shape, but something seemed off. Twilight stepped on the doormat that Rarity kept so a certain farm pony wouldn't track mud in her house. Just before Twilight's hoof hit the door, a flash of light shined in her eyes "Twilight, you have exceled in all of the examinations, I am proud to award you the title of Full Unicorn." Twilight sat there for a moment, blinking. W-What in Equestria was that?? She thought. Oh well, no harm no foul. > Chapter 4: A Discovery Already Known > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "I am proud to award you the title of Full Unicorn." That single thought kept running through the Unicorn's mind. It could have been a clue, but it was unclear even to her. Twilight shrugged off the detail, remembering her main priority. She tapped her hoof against the Boutique's door, but nopony answered. Instead, the door opened itself under a loud creak. She wasn't sure she should go in, but the curiosity got the best of her. As her horn charged up just enough that she could see, as she trotten in slowly, her guard up in case somepony decided to break into Rarity's home. As Twilight trotted up the stairs, she saw something...intresting. She saw a faint red glow eminating from Rarity's room. She picked up the pace a bit as she ran into the white Unicorn's room. Just as her head fixated on the Unicorn, the familiar flash of light appeared again in her eyes. "You will be working the Maker. Delve as much fear as possible into them before you extract the raw magic." Twilight nodded to the shadow-like figure. "Yes Miss Be-" The flashback was interrupted by a loud "NO!!" The voice came from none other than Rarity. Just as Twilight's eye had dialated enough to see that it was Rarity, it was much too late. She, along with Rarity, were teleported to the one and only place no Unicorn wanted to end up; The Magic Facility. Just as Twilight opened her eyes, the flash of light appeared once more. "W-What the?! Where in Equestria am I?!" A frightened Twilight spoke. "You are in the Magic Facility, where all of Equestria's magic is created, and sent out to the many Unicorns of Equestria." "What? B-But I thought magic was-" "We use that excuse so nopony knows our secret...One that you yourself will know..." "Twilight Sparkle!" An angered Rarity spoke. "W-What the?" Twilight shook her head. "Rarity?! What are you doing here?!" "Twilight, how DARE you think that you can just waltz into my home, and barge in on VERY important matters. This place is no joke." Rarity replied, fixated in a battle-ready stance. Twilight didn't respond, but instead she looked around, seeing the brutal horrors of the Facility. "N-No please no I don't deserv-GAAAAH!!!!" A young filly was in the clutches fo the Maker, her fluids ebing drained entirely. Tears, blood, the raw magic inside of her. Twilight stared upon the horrific machine, as the young filly slowly lost all life force within her. She was dead. Twilight couldn't beleive what she had just seen, but something inside her, it told her that she belonged here... "NO!" Twilight called out. "I DEMAND TO SPEAK WITH WHOEVER RUNS THIS GROUSOME PLACE!" She yelled. "You're speaking to her darling." Rarity grinned in a sadistic manner. The flash appeared yet again. "Just, one question..." Twilight said, "Who exactly, are you?" The white Unicorn stepped out from the shadows, revealing her face. "R-Rarity?? But...how?"