//------------------------------// // The Temple of Magic, part 1 // Story: The Legend of Celestia: Twilight Princess // by Kaliann25 //------------------------------// The Temple of Magic, part 1 It had been a long day for the Academy’s headmaster, an old unicorn named Deep Knowledge. He had tons of paperwork waiting for him in his office, but he couldn’t take care of it because he spent the whole day in what he considered pointless meetings. Sighing, he decided to have a small coffee-break to recover before going back to work, when one of his most praised students came in, Princess Twilight Sparkle. “Your Highness!” Mr. Knowledge greeted with a huge smile, even if he was screaming with annoyance on the inside. If the Princess was there, it meant he had to organize a welcome act and he had no time for such things. “It’s so good to see you, what brings you back to your old school?” Twilight made a small nod as greeting. “Sorry for interrupting you headmaster but we have a situation in our hooves and I need you to evacuate the school for today,” explained Twilight. “I hope you understand.” “Does it have anything to do with the explosions coming from the Palace?” Asked Mr. Knowledge cleaning his glasses. “I’m afraid so,” said the Princess of Friendship worriedly. “And it’s going to get worse if you don’t do as I say.” “Very well,” mumbled the old unicorn, picking up an old microphone he had on his desk. “Attention to all students, given the current situation, the Crown have given us orders to close the building for today. I want you to evacuate in an orderly fashion in the next five minutes. This is not a drill; I repeat: this is not a drill.” All the students in the Academy shrugged in confusion but obeyed, happy to be able to leave early. After quickly gathering their stuff, they left the building just in time. Looking at the students going home from the office’s window, Headmaster Deep Knowledge looked at his former student and the interesting group of people behind her. “I guess we’re done for today,” said the old unicorn. “Good luck to all of you, especially you Princess Sparkle. You’re the greatest achievement of our school, and if something happens to you I don’t know how we could handle it. Take care.” “We will,” Twilight assured Mr. Knowledge. “We will.” The unicorn left the school with a sigh. I guess I will finish my paperwork tomorrow morning, he thought. Back to the group of adventurers, they gathered around Twilight expecting instructions of where to start looking. “Let’s see,” said Twilight rubbing her chin. “I lived here practically all my school life, but I really don’t know where to start looking. There’s nothing unusual that I remember, just an observatory, a large library… practically everything you would expect to find in a Magic School.” “So shall we split in small groups to start looking?” Suggested Rainbow Dash. “No darling, we’re supposed to stay together!” Protested Rarity. “What if some of us find the Temple and get trapped in there before the others come to help, huh?” “Then what should we do?!” Asked an annoyed Dash. They all exchanged concerned looks when Fi advanced towards Link and bowed to him. “Master I think I have a solution to our situation,” said the spirit. “If it’s true the Bearers of Harmony are linked to these so-called Temples, then I may be able to locate its position through their auras. I only need to make a quick scan to Princess Sparkle and activate the Master Sword’s dowsing ability.” “Dowsing?” Asked Link confusedly. “Yes Master” said Fi bowing again. “Do you wish to mark the Temple of Magic as a dowsing target?” “I guess so,” said the wolf, raising an eyebrow. “As you wish, Master.” said Fi, turning to Twilight. “Please take a step forward so I can analyze your aura.” “Sure.” obeyed Twilight. Fi just stared at Twilight for a while until she finally turned back to Link. “It’s done, master. I’ve scanned the alicorn’s aura, and I can say for sure there’s a place strongly connected to her in this building. Please go back to your normal form so I can activate the dowse” That said, the spirit disappeared into the Master Sword again much, to everybody’s confusion. Seriously, what the hay just happened? Still there was no time for questions, so Midna turned Link and herself back to their previous forms. Link then aimed his sword to the air and it began to make a low and slow ‘plin-plin’ sound. “Okay, that’s a new one.” chuckled Epona. Link stood there moving his sword randomly, when suddenly the sound became louder and quicker. “This way!” Shouted Link, running in that direction. Even if the ponies weren’t able to understand Link’s words, it was more than obvious what he was saying so they ran after him. The damn school was like a maze, but thanks to Link’s Master Sword and Twilight, who knew the place as her right hoof, they were able to move around without a problem. As they kept advancing, Twilight started to figure where the Master Sword was leading them. “We’re going to the observatory!” Announced the alicorn. They arrived to the largest group of stairs the ever saw; precisely at the tallest tower of the academy. After a small groan from those unable to fly, they began to climb the stairs, but at some point Link decided to take a small liberty. “Epona, clawshots!” He asked. “Can’t say I didn’t saw that one coming” sighed Epona giving Link the requested weapon. “Dude, may I borrow your Spinner?” Link nodded at his friend’s neigh; again they shared some kind of especial bond that allowed them to understand each other, even if they couldn’t actually talk. So Epona took the most useless weapon Link had: a giant Teetotum with sharpened spikes in the sides that only worked in certain dungeons back in Hyrule. But Epona knew it could be useful, she positioned it against the wall and it began to automatically carry her to the top of the stairs. “Good one, I never thought this thing could be useful here.” said Link, genuinely impressed. Epona winked at him, very proud of herself, while the two of them waited for the others to show up. One by one the girls arrived, first Midna and Rainbow, then Twilight and Applejack, and last but not least Fluttershy with Pinkie Pie, Sweet Fog and Rarity. “And?” Asked Rarity. “You found the dungeon?” Link kept searching with his dowsing ability, the sound becoming quicker and louder, until it became insufferable in the center of the observatory. Luckily at the moment Link found the spot, the sound quieted and Fi re-emerged from the Master Sword. “Mater, I’m 96 percent sure you have arrived to your destination,” said the spirit, bowing again. “However I’m unsure how to proceed to open this dungeon, usually inserting the Master Sword in the center would do the trick, but we are currently not in our land.” Twilight approached to the center. “Thank you for the help, let me handle this for now.” Fi and Link stepped backwards allowing Twilight to work. She had to trust in her instinct, and what was her instinct telling her now? Come on, she thought, it’s supposed to be the Temple of Magic so it’s only logical to think my magic is key to open this door. So yeah, she supposed to use her magic… but how? Still unsure if this was the right choice, Twilight sent a magic beam to the floor. The entire tower shook. “I have a bad feeling about this,” mumbled Fluttershy, hugging Pinkie Pie. “Eeyup,” confirmed Applejack. And then the entire tower went down, like a giant elevator made of stone. Link smiled, he loved this sensation of go on adventure again; but he knew they were going to get hurt badly. Luckily Midna reacted on time creating a small levitation spell to slow down the fall and they landed soft and nicely. The tower’s walls fell apart showing a series of six doors surrounding the group but two of them had a giant padlock in the middle. “Doors and padlocks of course!” Said Midna face-palming. “I only have one question,” said Rarity, outraged. “WHY DID THE TITANS MAKE US CLIMB ALL THOSE STAIRS, IF THE TOWER WAS GOING TO FALL?” “I’m a hundred percent in agreement with the Element of Generosity,” said Fi dryly. “The amount of logic of those who built this tower is less than 0.3 percent.” “We can discuss that later,” said Twilight. “Now we have a Tree of Harmony to recharge” The purple alicorn walked to one of the unlocked doors and opened it, causing a bunch of bats covering in fire to fly towards her. Instinctively Twilight created a force-field to protect her friends and herself but Fluttershy tried a different kind of approach. “Sorry for bothering you batties but if you don’t mind we can discuss this, you see we invaded your home because…” But the Keese didn’t listened to reason and just increased the flames in their bodies, continuing their fearsome attack. Fluttershy shrieked and tried to cover herself when Fi came and with her legs hard as steel she danced destroying all the tiny pests with great ability. That just infuriated the remaining Keese, as each one tried to attack a different target, and Link was the one who destroyed them with his Master Sword, along with Midna and the Mirror of Shadows. “It’s official, we have their attention.” said the Twilight Princess, smashing several of the bats with hands summoned by the Mirror of Shadows. “If you’re going to check that room do it now!” Again the ponies understood even if they didn’t understood the words and ran inside the room. “Epona, they may need some assistance, join them as well!” Commanded Link. The hylian steed nodded and ran after Twilight’s group along with Sweet Fog. When they went through the door, they ended up in a circular room with a burning torch in the center and two without fire on the sides. In front of the ponies were two fragile cages, each containing a monstrous pony skeleton wearing light armor and wielding a huge sword and a shield. “Damn it, Stalfos,” said Sweet and Epona at the unison. “Stal-what?” Asked Applejack. “It’s a kind of monster from Hyrule,” said Sweet Fog, watching every move of the caged skeletons. “Very strong, but what is a hylian monster doing here?” “I don’t know,” mumbled Epona. “But what I do know is that we should be ready for a fight.” Twilight gulped, watching as the seemingly impatient monsters got out of their cages and attacked the group. When they broke out of their cages, she saw that there was something else behind them. Behind one there was a treasure chest, and behind the other a door. “Which one shall we free, girls?” Asked Twilight with a shiver. “Both,” said Epona and Fog in unison. “WHAT?!” Shouted Fluttershy hiding behind a shaking Rainbow Dash. “Welcome to a dungeon,” said Fog waiting. “Epona, how do we open the cages?” “By lightening the torches of course,” said Pinkie Pie proudly. “But if we free them they’ll attack us! Why don’t we wait for Link and Midna?” “Because we can handle this!” said confidently the hylian steed. Epona prepared her Spinner and Sweet Fog took a dagger from his saddlebag and put it on his mouth. Then Epona threw one of Link’s bottles to Applejack. “If something happens to me give me that. It’s Chu-Chu jelly, the same we gave to you back in the Castle,” explained the brown mare. “Princess Twilight light the torch!” Twilight gulped but prepared her magic. “Three… two… ONE!” The alicorn shouted, using a fire spell on one of the torches. One of the cages opened freeing the first of the Stalfos, who ran towards the terrified group of friends, but then Epona activated the Spinner attacking the skeleton’s legs making the horrible creature fall. Seeing an opening, Applejack took her chance and kicked the creature’s back causing the entire creature to shake. Infuriated, the monster jumped, aiming his sword to Applejack. Before the stalfos could land his attack, Sweet Fog jumped in the way, blocking it with his dagger. The monster jumped backwards, now targeting Sweet Fog, but Epona jumped right on its back with the Spinner, reducing it to a bunch of dry bones. “Is it over?” Asked Applejack. “Not yet,” said Epona placing a bomb. “Fire in the hole!” Done, the creature exploded into a million pieces. “Next one!” Said Sweet Fog. This time was Rarity who lit the torch, and as soon the new Stalfo came to attack, Twilight immobilized it with her magic. “Ey, we got this,” complained Epona. “I know, but it is our test,” said Twilight. “Now Pinkie!” The pink mare quickly pulled her party-cannon. “Say goodbye, bony meanie!” Cheered the party pony, firing her cannon. The explosion was half funny half devastating, as liters and liters of cream and confetti began to fill the Stalfos’ cranium with so much cream that began to leak from its eyes. Finally, Applejack kicked the creature’s skull reducing it to dust. “That was barbaric,” said Rarity, who was busy comforting a very scared Fluttershy. “But at least effective, good job to both teams.” “A’ must say, that spinny thing of ya’s is really useful.” said Applejack, smiling to Epona. “Link doesn’t like it because he says it only works to one of the Temples he visited, but I knew I could do something interesting with it.” said Epona with a smirk. “Well, sorry for not knowing how to use that thing properly,” said Link, entering to the room in wolf form, followed closely by Midna in her imp form. “And? Have you found something?” “Another door and a chest.” said Sweet Fog. Link nodded and Twilight went to open the chest. “It’s a key!” Announced the proud purple alicorn. “I bet it works for one of the padlocks outside!” “But let’s check on this door, first.” said Applejack. approaching it. They all agreed and entered to a new room, apparently empty. “I don’t like this” mumbled Rainbow Dash. “Neither do I” said Link walking into the room. Once he started to walk in, several giant slugs that were made of magma began to fall from the roof to attack the wolf. “Gross, gross!” Complained Rarity. “Fire-slugs! Feels just like home!” Said Link with a smirk. Fi evaluated the creatures. “Master, you have defeated a total of 456 of this target” said the spirit with calm. “I can say your performance against this type is monster is very strong.” “Did she always intervenes like this?” Asked Link to Midna. “You should heard her at the Battle of the Crossed Eras,” sighed the imp. “Anyway, let’s have some fun!” Going back to their previous forms, the two warriors began to hunt the monsters. Once they got rid of all the monsters the ponies were able to carefully approach the room, it was dark, but when their eyes got used to the dark they were able to distinguish the details. First of all there were two elevated platforms, one to the right, one to the left, that could only be reached by flying. “Look! There are a couple of switches at the top of the platforms!” Said Rarity. “Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy can go and activate them easily… or Twilight, I don’t know.” “And how are we supposed to do that?” Asked Fluttershy. “I guess we can approach and guess from there,” answered Rainbow Dash, already flying to the right platform. Fluttershy gulped. “Are you sure we aren’t going to activate a trap?” Asked Fluttershy with a trembling voice. “This is a dungeon, in one way or another you’re going to activate a trap.” answered Epona. Fluttershy gulped again and flew to the left platform. On the right side Rainbow took a closer look of the switch, it was purple and had Twilight’s Cutie Mark on top of it; how could she activate it? As a lucky guess Rainbow Dash decided to step on the switch and it went down at her weight. The floor in front of the rest of the group opened revealing a chest, but when Rainbow was about to fly back to them it went back to normal. “I get it! Fluttershy at the same time!” Yelled Rainbow Dash. Fluttershy nodded and stood over the switch of her side at the same time Rainbow did. This time the effect was immediate, the floor opened again revealing the new treasure chest and a hidden mechanism lifted it to the girls. Rarity ran to open it finding a small purple fabric bag. When she opened she found… “Money? A hidden room guarded by frightening skeletons just for fifty bits?!” “Get used to it,” said Link, Midna, Epona, Sweet Fog and Fi at the same time. “Don’t let this discourage us, girls,” said Twilight. “At least we have a key, we can open one of the locked doors. And there are also three other unlocked doors to explore.” The two groups left the room of the money and Stalfos and went back to the room with the six doors. Picking a new door the, first thing they bumped into were a group of four monoliths with rolling eyes as heads that seemed to watch every move in the room, At the sight of the unknown ponies, they began to shoot lasers from their eyes. By instinct the group split in small groups jumping around to elude the attacks of the fearsome Beamos. “I hate these things!” Complained Midna. “Sweet Fog, my bombs!” The thestral reacted quickly, and with his recently-acquired wings, he flew to the closest Beamos and threw a bomb at the monster. Epona did the same while Link protected her with the Hylian shield. “One of the bomb bags you brought is empty! There’s only one more and then the water-bombs” said Epona. They jumped away when the bomb was about to explode. They finished the monsters quickly, and suddenly an unnatural light appeared in the middle of the room, slowly turning into a large treasure chest, bigger that the one they found in the Stalfos room. Twilight opened it. “And what is it?” Asked Applejack. “If it’s money I swear…” began Rarity. But the purple alicorn shook her head. “It’s not money, it’s the dungeon map.”