//------------------------------// // Through the Mirror // Story: Journey // by Penalt //------------------------------// Canterlot Castle is a bright, cheery place for the most part, full of large windows and well lit spaces meant for the open work of governing a kingdom. However, there are also rooms for learning, for science, for study. Rooms meant for the learning of secrets both gross and sublime. In one such room there stood a mystic mirror, recently returned for study from the Castle of Friendship. The room was well guarded, as more than once before those who had passed through the mirror had altered the fate of worlds. Both of the senior princesses of Equestria, were determined to ensure that nothing and no one unexpected, passed in or out of the portal. So, when the mirror changed, from brightly lit from within by a pink light to a sullen, dark gray, the change was immediately noted and the ruling diarchs of Equestria, notified. "Sister, do we have any idea what has caused this change in the mirror portal?" asked Luna, as she and her sister walked down the corridor. "I'm afraid not,” said Celestia. "However, I have sent a message to Twilight asking her help. Her previous experiences with the portal and the fact that she is the Element of Magic should prove invaluable to determining the cause." As she finished speaking, a scroll materialized out of a sudden puff of smoke in front of her. "Ah, a message from Twilight, no doubt,” said Celestia, stopping to catch the scroll in her magic. "What does it say?" Luna asked, who stopped as well and turned to look. "Hmm,” Celestia murmured, frowning. "The message is from Spike. It seems Twilight has been sent off on a friendship mission by the map in her castle and she is currently unreachable." "Twilight is the only one of us not completely tied to a particular castle or location," Luna said. "Her responsibilities certainly take her far and wide now.” The sisters continued their way down the corridor, past a pair of studies and a storeroom. "Indeed,” said Celestia, nodding to some guards as they passed. "And we both know from experience how seriously she takes those responsibilities." "So, without Twilight, is it up to us then, to determine the cause of this change in the portal?" asked Luna. "I have no problem in making the attempt, but this lies outside of our expertise I think. Perhaps there is another skilled mage we could consult." "Perhaps," said Celestia. "According to Spike, Twilight's zebra friend, Zecora, is currently in Canterlot, buying rare ingredients for potions, before returning to her home in the Everfree. He goes on to say she would be likely to help us, if we asked." "I remember her from my visits to Ponyville,” Luna said. "Zecora is skilled, experienced and wise in her use of magic. We should send some guards to find her and bring her here before she leaves." With that guards were dispatched throughout the capitol and within a few hours a gold ringed, zebra mare was brought before the diarchs. As she was brought forward the mare looked around with interest and curiosity. "Thank you for responding so quickly to our summons, Darwisa Zecora," said Luna. "We have need of your skills." "For as long as I dwell within your land, I shall always be at your command,” Zecora said, bowing low before the monarchs to show her obedience and respect to the Crowns. "Thank you, Darwisa Zecora," said Celestia, waving her hoof toward a doorway. "Please come with us. My sister and I will explain the situation on the way." As the trio walked down the hallway toward the guarded room holding the mirror, Celestia explained what was known of the mirror, and what had occurred the times that Twilight had traveled through it. More importantly Celestia also described the sudden change to the mirror, and how both she and Luna desired someone to examine it. "So Princess, you need me to make a brew that can duplicate what Twilight would do?” Zecora asked quietly as Celestia finished her explanation of why the zebra had been summoned. "Quite correct,” said Celestia from the other side. "I have never known Twilight to not throw herself fully into a research project. In fact, when she was my personal student here in Canterlot, I often had to quite literally, issue her Royal Commands to get her to eat and sleep during some of her research projects." She smiled in fondness at the memory as they reached the room where the mirror was kept. A pair of guard ponies were busy unpacking large amounts of glassware, herbs and other ingredients. "It is good that you love Twilight, to whom you are both mentor and friend," said Zecora, as she began to examine the alchemical equipment and supplies that had been provided for her. "Else I would worry that you saw her as an asset to expend.” "That is the burden of the crown, Zecora,” Celestia said, gentle reproof in her voice. "To protect those who depend on you, sometimes you have to send those you love into danger." Zecora bowed her head, acknowledging the point as the trio opened the door to the room holding the mirror and looked inside. “Returning to the matter at hoof," said Luna. "We have kept everypony out of this room until you could have a look. I admit to being unfamiliar with Zebrican magic. But I must ask when you think you might have some clue as to what is happening with the portal?” “The possibilities are wide and vast. But I should have something by breakfast,” said Zecora. “We will leave you to your task then, Zecora,” said Celestia. “If you need anything at all, merely ask one of the guardponies and they will fetch it for you.” Zecora nodded and began to get to work. Inventorying the supplies and equipment the two guards were still in the process of unpacking. "Come sister," said Luna. "I am tired, and we will only be in the Darwisa's way if we remain." The two sisters left and went about their day. Luna to her rest, and Celestia to the challenges of her Day Court. While their routine continued as normal, they both dwelt on the mystery of the mirror at times, as the day and then the night passed. So, it was with some pleased anticipation that they saw a guard come before them, the next morning at breakfast. “Your Highnesses,” said the guard. “Darwisa Zecora requests that you join her at the mirror room.” “Thank you, Steady Pace,” said Luna, over her dinner tea. “Tell the Darwisa that we will be there shortly.” The guard left as the diarchs finished off the bites they were on and headed down to the room where the portal mirror was being kept. “Sister, do you think it is significant that the guard asked us to met Zecora at, and not in the room, where the mirror is kept?” Luna asked her sister. “We will know soon enough,” said Celestia as the pair walked back toward the room holding the mirror. Several guards were in the hall, many of whom had been pressed into service as impromptu assistants. As they approached, Celestia and Luna could see Zecora standing by several tables that had been set up in the hallway, near the door leading to the room itself. The sisters glanced at each other as they noted that the door had been painted with several alchemical signs and symbols. “Darwisa Zecora,” said Celestia. “Good morning.” “You and your sister are good to see,” said Zecora. “But you need not stand on such formality.” Celestia gave a small laugh, “As you wish, Zecora. From the markings on the door I am guessing you have had some success.” “Princess, I have learned some things indeed,” said Zecora. “To take in magic, the portal has a need. So, of my own accord, I have made a ward.” “Why is that?” asked Luna from her sister's side. “Is there some sort of danger?” “Some, and I can show you this thing,” said Zecora. “But first, for safety, put on a ring.” Zecora waved a hoof toward the table which had some completed potions and a small bowl of magical inhibitor rings. “Inhibitor rings?” asked Luna, raising an eyebrow at the zebra. “The portal is trying to drink in magic,” replied Zecora. “To enter without precautions could be tragic.” “I understand,” said Celestia. “The rings will cut us off from magic and reduce our magical signature. Otherwise. the portal might try to drink us or any other unicorn in.” “It is as you say, Princess,” said Zecora. “These kept your guards from being one less.” Celestia and Luna gravely dropped the inhibitor rings over each others horns. They were not sealed on in any way so they could be taken off by hoof or even a vigorous toss of the head would flick them off. “Zecora, if you would?” asked Celestia. To which the zebra opened the door and led the alicorns into the room. It was a large, well lit room, about thirty feet square. The early morning sun streamed in through a pair of windows and fell upon the sullen gray of the portal, lending contrasting colour to the light purple frame it was held in. The floor of the room had been painted with a large white warding circle and the remains of several broken potion bottles littered the floor. The room had also been home to a large number of books, chairs and magical lights for reading during the night. Nearly every book was off the shelves, some of which were piled against the walls, along with chairs. Every magical light was gone. “Is it safe?” Luna asked. “The safety of you and your sister is everything,” said Zecora. “All should be well, so long as you touch nothing.” , “Did the portal pull in all of the magic items in room?” asked Celestia as she stepped into the room. “That is quite correct,” said Zecora. “It left the room rather wrecked.” Luna followed her sister in and began to examine the large ward on the floor. “Is the ward designed to keep magic in or out?” she asked. “It took all my potions skill,” said Zecora. “But I have blocked both with a will. You may look closer if you wish. Have a care, the lines you do not squish.” The diarchs began to look around, examining everything closely. Luna raised a hoof and was about to touch the edge of the mirror when Zecora suddenly called out, “Stop! You risk too much. Please, do not touch!” Luna heeded the warning, lowering her hoof and she turned in place, looking toward Zecora to speak. “I forgot, Zecora. Thank you for the AH-” shouted Luna suddenly. As Luna had spun, her tail, her magical flowing tail of stars, had brushed against the surface of the mirror. In response, the mirror had flowed out tendrils of silver gray mirror stuff, grabbing onto the magic inherent in Luna’s tail and swiftly braiding their way up toward her dock. Luna’s forward motion was instantly arrested by that sudden, implacable grip on her. “Sister! Help!” Luna called out. Even as she said the words, the gray tendrils finished braiding their way up her tail and wrapped firmly around her dock. “Luna!” Celestia yelled and grabbing onto her sister’s neck, began pulling. “AHHH!” cried out Luna as her tail was painfully pulled between the mirror and her sister. Zecora jumped in as well, pulling with all her strength on the lunar princess. “PULL, Sister,” Luna urged as Celestia had slacked off at her sister’s cry of pain. “Even if you pull my tail out from the root. PULL!” Even as Celestia braced herself to pull again, the tendrils from the mirror wrapped themselves around Luna’s hips. Flowing down her sides and back up and around the circle of her hips, the tendrils completed a pair of silver grey loops about her. It’s prey snared, the mirror then began to pull Luna towards it. Luna and Celestia panicked. Their hooves scrabbling on the floor even as half the length of Luna's tail disappeared into the mirror. The mirror tendril’s pull stopped for a moment, as if the mirror was taking a breath before continuing. Taking advantage of the pause, with a toss of her head, Luna flung the inhibitor ring from her horn, and turned to unleash a blast of power at the mirror. The sudden dip and sweep of Luna's horn forced Celestia to release her sister and back off slightly. “Princess, do not!” warned Zecora. “It will worsen your lot!” Luna, in her panic, either did not care or did not hear the zebra. A blast of pure lunar power blasted toward the mirror. The mirror merely drank in the power and with a pulse, the thin tendrils around Luna’s hips and dock swelled and flowed. In the space of a few heartbeats, Luna’s entire hindquarters were covered in the silver gray matter of the mirror. She gasped as an icy cold sensation flowed over her sensitive areas, shocking her out of her panic. She looked at Celestia, who was about to fling her own ring off in an attempt to aid her sister. “Tia, No!” shouted Luna. The warning had the desired effect and Celestia stopped even as she was winding up to fling away her ring. Her face was full of desperation to help her sister. “Tia, it will be okay,” said Luna, trying to calm her sister. She felt a sudden calm acceptance come over her, as she realized that she was well and truly caught. Barring a miracle, there was to be no escape for her, from whatever the mirror had in store. Even as that thought crossed her mind, she could feel the mirror stuff begin to slowly wrap around her barrel. The tendrils tightly weaving a net like pattern across her body. It’s chill was spreading down her rear legs as well. All that remained for her was to ensure that her sister did not throw herself away in some vain attempt to save her. And to meet her fate in a manner befitting that of a Princess of Equestria. “Luna,” said Celestia as tears began to flow from her eyes. “I can’t lose you, not again.” “It will be alright, Tia,” repeated Luna and she pushed her sister further away from her, as the mirror’s tendrils reached her forequarters. The mirror tendrils began to spiral down her forelegs and circle the base of her neck. Celestia tried to grab onto Luna again, heedless of the danger. Zecora put herself between the two, barely keeping the tearful monarch of the Day from joining her sister in her ensnarement. “Princess! Think it through,” pleaded Zecora. “We cannot lose you too.” “OUT OF MY WAY ZECORA!” Celestia thundered. She could see that Luna’s hindquarters were beginning to enter the mirror. The entire web woven about Luna’s body began to tighten and drag her sister in as the mirror resumed its pull. Celestia began to push past Zecora. “STOP!” bellowed Luna in the Royal Canterlot Voice, stunning her sister into immobility. “Tia, it will be okay. I swear, I will return to you. No matter how long it takes. I will come back. But you need to promise me something in return.” “I...what is it Luna?” asked Celestia, regaining some semblance of control, even as tears openly flowed down her face. The constricting net now folded up Luna’s legs alongside her body. Without that resistance Luna was now steadily being pulled in. At the rate she was being drawn in, Luna realized only a minute or so remained until she was completely in. “You have to promise me that you will wait for me,” said Luna. “Promise me that you and Equestria will still be here when I return. Promise me that you will be the beacon for me to find my way home.” Luna was halfway into the portal now. She shuddered from the cold enveloping her. “I swear it, Luna,” said Celestia. “I swear Equestria will be here when you return. I swear that I will be here when you return, and be the light that calls you home. Should the sun grow cold and the stars burn out, still will I be here waiting for you.” “Take care of her, Zecora,” Luna said addressing the zebra. “Get Twilight and her friends here as quickly as you can. My sister will need them.” Now, it was Zecora’s turn to cry. “I will do as you and your sister say,” said Zecora. “I have been the cause of a horrible day.” “Nay,” said Luna. Only her forequarters, neck and head were still outside the portal now. “T’was an accident. You bear no fault.” Only seconds remained. “Luna! I love you,” cried Celestia. “I have always known that,” smiled Luna. “I love you-” And she was gone. Swallowed up by the mirror that slowly began to return to normal.