The Elements of Harmony meandered through the crowded streets of Canterlot, trying to get to the castle courtyard. The place was practically swarming with ponies who had arrived to watch the spectacle that was about to take place. Rainbow Dash was certainly excited, trying to get a view from up above.
A rather confused Rarity said over the loud crowd, “Remind me again, why are we here?”
“Didn’t you hear the news?” Dash cried. “There’s gonna be a Magical Duel! It’s gonna be epic!”
“An’…what exactly is a Magical Duel?” Applejack inquired, a little frustrated from the shoving crowd.
Twilight Sparkle emerged from the horde, barely escaping being crushed by two huge stallions; flanks. “I can answer that one,” she said, regaining her breath. “We actually used to play this when we were little foals…well okay, everyone else played while I watched…but umm…
“Anyway, a Magical Duel, or Divina Duellum as it was called back then, is a competition played by two unicorns. See those targets up in the sky?” The unicorn pointed up at ten tiny dots, five red and five blue, each on opposite sides of the courtyard.
“The rules are fairly simple. The goal is to break your opponent’s targets with whatever spell you can conjure. Fire, ice, teleportation, even your own bare hooves if you can. The only other rules are that you can’t physically hurt the other opponent and no…well…killing spells. Other than that, you can use any form of magic on both the targets and the opponent themselves. And the game ends when one player forfeits or when all the targets are destroyed.” Twilight grinned, glad to be of service. But then she realized her friends paid absolutely no attention, instead arguing with some ponies that had shoved them out of the way.
Sighing, the unicorn glanced back up at the floating targets when she realized something was amiss. “Rainbow Dash?” she called, getting the pegasus’ attention. “When we played, the targets were usually attached to the ground. How can anypony reach those targets when they’re so high up? Who exactly is playing?”
The rainbow flier gave a all-knowing scoff and replied, “That’s the reason why there’s so many ponies here Twi’, duh! It’s Princess Celestia versus Princess Cadence!”
Rainbow Dash had barely finished her sentence when a sudden flash blinded her. When she opened her eyes again, her lavender friend was gone. Twilight Sparkle had teleported quickly, her rainbow friend unable to see her eyes widened from fear.
Xxxx
“Oh…I don’t know about this Shining. I’m starting to get the pre-game jitters,” the pink alicorn said nervously. She paced the throne room with her husband by her side, much like their wedding day. Only this time, her veil was replaced with a blue headband; her gown exchanged for a black leather vest.
“It’s been quite some time since I’ve done a Duel. In fact, the last time I fought anypony was back in Magic High School,” she told him, feeling her heart race right out of her chest.
The blue-maned stallion gave a chuckle and replied, “I remember that fight all too well. I’ve got the scars to prove it.” The joke had little effect however, and Cadence continued to paw at the ground worriedly.
Shining Armor smoothed his wife’s mane lovingly, and said, “Listen, I’m just surprised Celestia had the gall to talk about our marriage like that. If the rules allowed it, I’d go in there myself and give her a piece of my mind.”
“I’m just not sure I can even take her. I mean…she does have the whole ‘goddess of the sun’ thing, after all.”
“Don’t you worry about a thing, love. She may be an almighty deity, but you’ve got enough fight in you for one hundred ponies!” Shining remarked, nuzzling his love with his snout. This brought a small smile to the princess’s face, a sight Shining Armor was glad to see.
“You’ll do just fine, Cadence. I know you will,” he comforted. “And remember, if you ever start to doubt yourself, look for me. I'll always be there, cheering you on."
The stallion looked at the large golden clock hanging overhead. With time running short, planted a small kiss on her forehead and whispered, “Good luck dear. I love you.” And with the duel drawing near, the stallion exited the room, leaving his wife to wait alone. Despite her husband’s compassionate words, Cadence couldn’t help but feel just a tad bit anxious.
xxx
Meanwhile, at the opposite end of the castle, Celestia sat idly in her room, sipping a cup of tea. Contrary to her niece, she was not worried at all about the upcoming duel. In anything, she was quite joyous just thinking about the whupping she’d give Cadence. It will all be good fun…she thought.
Suddenly, a bright flash appeared behind her, followed by somepony calling, “Princess Celestia!”
The ruler turned to see her faithful student standing in the middle of a scorched piece of carpet. Choosing to ignore the burnt furnishing, Celestia said calmly, “Oh hello Twilight Sparkle. I’m surprised you could make it.”
“Princess…with all due respect of course…ARE YOU CRAZY?” Twilight said, frantically waving her hooves about. Celestia watched calmly as her student began to pace about the room muttering to herself (because, frankly, it’s not the first time it’s happened).
Finally, the unicorn addressed her mentor. “You’re challenging Cadence to a Divina Duellum? First of all, she’s your niece, so that in itself is just plain wrong. Second, you do realize that Duels are one of the most dangerous, grueling sports in Equestian history? Even little foals that play it blow up half the neighborhood. Imagine what would happen if two alicorns battled! It would be a catastrophe!”
Twilight ended her flailing about, and stood there, hyperventilating. “Are you done?” Celestia asked quietly.
Clearing her throat, Twilight answered, “Yes, I believe so.”
“Oh come now, Twilight Sparkle. You know I understand all that,” Celestia assured. “But I’m afraid a duel is the only way to solve the problem at hoof.”
Then, putting on as compassionate a face as she could muster, the ruler said, “But, that being said, I don’t want Cadence to get hurt just as much as you do. But you see, I’m afraid that this battle will go on for so long that somepony is bound to get hurt. The only way to end this before anypony gets badly hurt is to beat Cadence quickly.” Then, trying to pull off a needy tone, she added, “And the only way I can do that…is with a little help.”
Upon hearing this, the studious mare covered her ears and replied, “No, absolutely not. I will not get caught up in your schemes. Nope, nope, I am not listening, I am not listening!” She began to back out of the room while chanting lalalalala.
“But Twilight Sparkle, I thought you were my most faithful student,” Celestia muttered, hiding a smirk.
Twilight wheeled around and said, “I am your most faithful student!”
“Well my most faithful student wouldn’t refuse to help me in my time of need, would she?”
The two locked eyes for a moment, Celestia’s seeming to bore into Twilight’s skull and into her brain. Finally, unable to take the deity’s manipulative glare, the unicorn said defeated, “Y-yes Princess.”
“Good. Now run along, my most faithful student. Give me a minute to suit up.” With that, the unicorn skulked out of the room, completely and utterly depressed.
But back inside, Celestia only gave her insidious smile once more. “Once again, this shall be too easy,” she whispered sinisterly. “Oh, I just realized I hate tea.” Digusted, she threw the cup into the fire, and watched the shattered remains crack, blacken, and burn.
Xxx
Cadence stood at the foot of her starting tower, ready to get the show started. She stared up helplessly at the dark abyss above, taking a deep breath. Somehow she had managed to scrounge up whatever courage she had left, and was ready to begin the treacherous climb up. But before she could, she was stopped by a voice behind her.
“Cadence. Art thou here?”
“Auntie Luna! What are you doing here? I mean, it’s not that I don’t want you here. I just thought you’d… go support your sister,” the newlywed said, rather awkwardly.
“Oh nonsense Cadence. You are my niece too after all. I just wanted to come by and wish thee good luck,” Luna assured. “Oh, and give you this.” The moon princess magically opened a satchel at her side, levitating a small bobble out of the pack. It was a jewel, dark as night and so smooth and round it was almost flawless. A small silver chain looped through a tiny hole carved into the top of the bauble, which Luna held in her hoof.
“Wow, it’s beautiful Luna,” Cadence complemented. “But…err…what is it?”
“Ohhh, it’s just an…old lucky charm I used to wear,” Princess Luna answered innocently. “Now I wish to give it to you. It is called The Moon’s Eye. It’s said to bring the wearer amazing fortune and power.” She levitated the trinket over her niece’s head, making sure it was tucked into her vest and out of sight.
The younger mare gave a loving, gracious smile and said, “Thank you Auntie, it means a lot. Besides…I probably need all the luck I can get.”
“Don’t worry, Cadence. I know you’ll do your best.” The co-ruler took her niece in a warm embrace. What Cadence didn’t see was a small dark stream of magic flowing from Luna’s horn and into the jewel inside her vest.
For some reason, the hug seemed to make her feel…warmer. Actually, it made her feel absolutely great. All the anxiety just flooded out of her system, leaving a warm confidence in its wake.
“Thanks for that Auntie. I suppose I should get up there now,” the newlywed said, feeling rejuvenated. Then she began her procession up the stairs, towards impending danger.
“I know you'll give Celestia her comeuppance!” Luna called. Then, with a voice so quiet only she could hear, the moon princess whispered evilly, “I’ll make sure of it…”