//------------------------------// // The Midnight Hour Strikes, Countdown To Rebirth // Story: Long Live The Empress // by Mystic Sunrise //------------------------------// This late at night most of Equestria slept soundly save for Princess Luna who was now out and about on her nightly duties. Tonight, however, several ponies were still up later than usual. In Canterlot Castle all of Twilight's friends and family still stood by the World Mirror, their expressions grim. The portal would be closing soon and Twilight had still not come through. Princess Celestia though had explained that since time flowed differently on that side, it would not close for sure until it was midnight over there as well. How long before it was was anyone's guess. For three days now they had waited for her return. That it hadn't happened sooner spoke that, whatever was going on over there was serious, but the wait was beginning to drive some of them crazy. Rainbow had been restrained after the first day when she had tried to rush through and buck the consequences, and the others weren't much better. None of them noticed the shadows gathering in the corner or the shadows that were already there deepen to a black void. *** Only one felt it as the countdown ran out. All Magic could do now was wait and hope that their time in the Human World hadn't changed anything. *** All across Equestria town bells tolled their mournful song as the midnight hour came. And in the Crystal Empire, the cries of a pony in labor were drowned out by the cries of a newborn filly. *** With all the excitement and worry of the Battle of the Bands now behind them, Twilight found she was going to miss all she had seen and experienced in the Human World. She and her friends stood outside Canterlot High saying their goodbyes for what felt like forever now, even if it was just thirty moons, though Sunset had promised to keep in touch with her Journal if Princess Celestia wouldn't mind that was. Twilight hoped she wouldn't. She had already said her goodbyes to Crystal, Celestial, Orchid, and Water Lilly. She had wanted to the night before after the Dazzlings had run off, but she couldn't find them. They had come to them earlier. Twilight felt her heart clench. They still blamed themselves for turning on them as they had and trapping them under the stage the night before, no matter how much she tried to explain that it wasn't their fault but the Dazzlings magic. Questions of why Crystal was as old as she was here compared to Equestria were pushed aside for the moment as she smiled. "I'm sorry we didn't meet under better circumstances, but I'll miss you all so much." That called for a group hug, one Pinkie was happy to instigate. They held for a moment before breaking. Twilight though noticed the group giving her an odd look. "What?" "Um. You're glowing Twilight." Fluttershy said. Twilight preened a bit. "Well, I am feeling pretty good at the moment." Applejack shook her head. "No Twi. You're literally glowing!" Twilight finally looked at herself and was shocked. She was glowing! A purple glow surrounded her, dancing like flames all over her body slowly growing in intensity before vanishing in a bright flash of light. She looked at the girls in shock, a look they were happy to return. " I don't know what that was. That's never happened before." "Do you feel any different?" Rarity asked. She shook her head. "No. In fact, I feel awesome." She looked at Rainbow. "No offense Rainbow." Rainbow just rolled her eyes, before getting a mischievous look. "Well, I know one girl who'll be happy about that." Twilight blushed as she twirled some of her hair. "I have no idea who you're talking about." "Sure you don't." Pinkie said in a sing-song voice. Twilight harrumphed and crossed her arms. "I need to get going anyway. I really do wish I could stay longer, but." Sunset nodded. "Don't be a stranger when you get the chance. I think the whole school likes you now." Twilight nodded and turned toward the portal. Placing a hand on it, she was glad to see it was still open. Giving her friends one last smile, she stepped through and was gone. *** The group watched the portal for a time, but nothing else happened. "Do you think we should have told her about the Friendship Games?" Fluttershy asked. Sunset shook her head. "Naw. She couldn't be here for them anyway." "So any idea why they moved it to next week?" Rarity asked. Sunset shrugged. "Nope, but there has to be a reason. And from what I hear, Crystal Prep wasn't any happier about the change than C.H.S. was." *** Across the city, another had her eye on Canterrot High, but for very different reasons. Twilight Sparkle looked at the ruin of her lab with a mixture of disbelief and vindication, and with the though Principle Cinch would have her hide for this. She had been tracking the strange occurrences all over the city ever since they began. It had started out as a curiosity, but she studied them with, what her parents called, her mad scientist persona. If she could figure them out and then duplicate them, it could be her ticket to Everton. One thing she had noticed was that they seemed centered on Canterlot High for some reason. So far she hadn't had the chance to get over there and study them up close, but she made a note to change that when she had the chance. But now something had changed. Just ten minutes earlier her electronics had picked up another surge, but unlike before this one kept growing and growing until a tidal wave of energy she couldn't even measure surged through her lab. She and Spike had barely had time to duck and cover before everything had exploded. Now all her electronics and meters lay ruined and burnt out, except one that is as her main detector somehow survived the blast, and she couldn't be happier about that. There was still a chance. "No doubt about it Spike. There is definitely something going on at that school." She declared confidently. Spike didn't look convinced. What she didn't say though was that she had felt something in the shockwave. Images and feelings and something, else that she couldn't explain, but it felt right all the same. Not just right though, but comforting, like something was calling her. She brushed them off though. They didn't make any sense, so she didn't care too much about them. But no matter how hard she tried, they wouldn't leave her alone, and a growing part of her wanted to embrace what she felt, something she only felt from her family and Dean Cadance. Love, acceptance, but most of all. Friendship, things she had never felt from Crystal Prep from either its students or staff. Twilight knew the truth though, no matter how hard she tried to deny it. She wanted those feelings to be real, that someone out there did care about her. She couldn't help it as she felt her tears fall. Maybe she was losing it, but she didn't care. Something else though stood out. In her visions, there had been a figure, not much older than herself. She couldn't make out her face, but the love, warmth and compassion she radiated... Twilight wanted to meet her, in a way she couldn't explain, but she didn't care. Unfelt, something stirred in its sleep deep in her subconscious. *** Once again Twilight swore that she would never get used to this feeling as she was whisked back to Equestria. Like last time, it was a quick trip and she soon felt the solid floors of Canterlot Castle beneath her hooves. Opening her eyes, she wobbled a bit as she realized she was still standing on two legs, but gravity soon reasserted itself and she was back to all four hooves. Princess Celestia was the first to greet her. "Welcome back. And not a moment too soon either." She said as the mirror hummed once before shutting down for another thirty moons. Twilight's response was cut off by a long yawn. Now that she was back, she felt just how tired she was. "Sorry girls. I'm just so tired from all the singing and songwriting." "You did that for three days?" Her mom asked. Twilight rolled her eyes. "You'd be surprised how important those things are in the long run." Her gaze went to Crystal, who blushed and looked away. Oh, this was going to be all kinds of awkward later. No one missed that look, but they held off on that question for now. "So, what did ya do?" Applejack asked. Twilight yawned again. "Sorry girls. It'll have to wait. I'm going to bed." And with that, she vanished in a flash of teleportation. Everyone shared a look. "You think we should have told her now?" Orchid asked. Celestia shook her head. "Let her rest tonight. From the sound of it, Twilight has had a busy few days, and she could use the break." "But this is big news for her. Shouldn't she know now?" Emerald asked. Spike shrugged. "If we told her now, she'd never get to sleep. It wouldn't be the first time either." He chuckled. Deciding that Spike had a point, they all decided that it was also time for them to call it a night, and save the news for the morning, and soon all were on their way to their rooms Celestia had given them all. *** "Are you sure of this?" Fleur asked as once again the same group had gathered in the same spot as before. Starlight nodded. "Positive. Her Final Flare has come to pass." "Then it is almost time." Another said. "What do we do now?" Starlight sighed. "There's something else. Princess Cadance has given birth." The others shared a look. "So? I'm surprised an alicorn could give birth, but I don't see how that's relevant." One said. Starlight shook her head. "It matter because the filly is not what anypony expected." She ushered them closer and whispered what she knew. ""What!?" Starlight nodded. "I know! This complicates things a bit. But it's too late to do anything about it." "Aren't you going to the Crystal Empire in a few days?" Fleur asked. Starlight nodded. "Yeah, hopefully, to find Sunburst. Last I heard he had moved up there. Why? Do you want me to spy on them?" The other shared an uncomfortable look before one replied. "Keep an eye on them. No matter what, her ascension is only a matter of time now and we still don't know what will push her friends to cross that line with her. If they don't, then our world is finished." Starlight sighed. They had a point. But that didn't mean she had to like it. *** The next morning, despite still being sore and tired from the Battle of the Bands, Twilight still awoke with the sun, and for the first time in weeks? No headaches! Despite her sore hooves, Twilight hadn't felt this good in months. Her hoof pain brought her mind though back to something she, needed to get sorted out. Namely her feelings for Crystal's human counterpart. She and her friends had been the biggest help for her outside Sunset and the girls and, no matter what she had wanted to say otherwise, Twilight found her cute. But that feeling had only hit home after the four of them had trapped the Rainbooms under the stage. Twilight's heart had broken seeing the look of evil satisfaction in her eyes when she had pulled that lever. Forget that they were brainwashed at the time. The girls had figured it out pretty quick, but aside from some good-natured ribbing from Rainbow and Pinkie, they didn't seem to mind. But in all that excitement of the final battle and the breaking of the spell, the four of them had vanished before she had a chance to talk to them. Even before she left, she hadn't had the chance to bring it up with them. They were too heartbroken to listen even if she had, so she had let it sit, and now she wouldn't see them for another thirty moons. She knew one thing though. She didn't think she could ever look at Crystal here the same again. Maybe she could talk to Cadance about it. Love was her thing after all. How that would work was anyone's guess as she came to the Royal Dining Hall. As expected her friends and family were already there. Princess Celestia smiled as she saw her. "Good morning Twilight. Sleep well?" "Like a rock," Twilight mumbled as everyone chuckled. She soon noticed the envelope on the table as she sat down and began to dig in. "What's that?" Luna smiled. "It's from your brother. Cadance went into labor last night and gave birth several hours before you returned." Twilight gasped excitedly, before becoming worried. "Are they?" Celestia smiled. "Cadance and the filly are fine Twilight. In fact, the letter is also an invitation for everypony to come up ad see her and be there for her Crystaling." "Her what?" Twilight asked. Crystal grinned. "It's something families do in the Crystal Empire when they have a kid." She smirked. "But that'd be spoilers if I said anything else." Twilight looked at her parents. "So is everyone going?" Velvet nodded happily. "All on the same train too. Cadance sent the Royal Express to pick us up. It should be here by tomorrow." Everyone then looked at Crystal, who only looked back in confusion. "What?" "It's just. This is your first you'll be home in a while. Are you going to be okay?" Fluttershy asked. Crystal shrugged. "I'll be fine. Sure it'll be great to see mom and dad again and show you guys around all the places I love. But." "But?" Emerald prompted. Crystal slumped in her seat. "I don't know, it feels weird going back. I haven't even really thought about it since coming to Ponyville." Four of the girls shared a knowing look. "It's the same for us," Orchid said. "I mean, sure we miss home." "But it's not on our minds all the time now." Water Lilly finished. "I really don't have a home to go back to." Celestial added. "Ya mean ya don't miss your families at all?" Applejack asked, aghast at the very idea. "It's not that Applejack." Water Lilly replied. "Besides Crystal, we're all old enough now to be living on our own." She shook her head. "If all this hadn't come up, we'd probably be moving out soon as it is." Twilight was only half-listening, her mind already deep in baby-related subjects, and how she was going to be the Best Aunt Ever to the new foal. *** Starlight knew she was in big trouble if was caught now. But if she was, she blamed the others for roping her into doing this. She had been at the Canterlot train station when Twilight, her family, and friends, had arrived. Luckily she didn't stick out in a crowd, and for the first time in a long time, Starlight was glad she didn't. Seeing Twilight and her friends in the flesh had gotten her more excited than anything had for a long time. But more than that was seeing the glow that surrounded her and five of her friends had made her even giddier. It was as they thought. It was only a matter of days now, less maybe. She was glad of one thing though. Though she could trace her ancestry all the way back to Moon Petal herself, her connection to the powers she had given her children had faded over the millennia. Now the urge to rush over and pledge her eternal support was easier to ignore. But not fully, which explained why she had snuck aboard the Crystal Express when it had pulled into the station. "Well, this is a new low." She grumbled as she lay in the Baggage Car. The things she did for the future sometimes. Her thoughts were derailed as she felt the train begin to slow down. "Finally." She muttered as she stood and stretched. She knew that it would all be for nothing if she was caught now, so, though it was risky with no set destination in mind, Starlight teleported out of the car and into the empire. *** "I must say that this was definitely the most comfortable train ride I think I've ever been on." Rarity said as the train slowed to a halt. "Yeah. Why can't they all be like this?" Rainbow grumbled, thinking of past trips on the rails. "Tis why I prefer the Royal Chariot," Luna said as she stretched her wings. "Less bumpy and no one else to share with." Crystal chuckled. "Well, I can definitely cross this off my list of things I wanna do." Her smile grew. "I mean, how many fillies my age get to ride on a Royal Train?" "Very few I bet," Emerald added. "This did beat my first trip to Ponyville." Her look darkened as everyone gave her an odd look. "I'd rather not talk about it." Twilight made a mental note to look into it later as the side door opened to reveal a yellow Pegasus in guard armor, on that looked very familiar to her as she looked around. "Where's my brother? He said he'd meet us?" The guard bowed. "My apologies, but Captain Armor is currently resting." His mask slipped a moment as he chuckled. "Wife's orders." Velvet and Night Light shared a knowing look, knowing exactly what that meant, even if no one else did. "So then, where's Cadance?" Spike asked. The guard nodded to one of the castle towers. From here the couldn't see much, but an occasional flash spoke of a Spell Ward around the room. "Princess Cadance is watching after the newborn at the moment. She hasn't slept since she gave birth." He replied. Velvet nodded in a sagely way. "Glad to see that she's picked up on that little bit of being a mom." He hesitated slightly. "It may not be like you think mam." "What do you mean?" Orchid asked. "Is she okay?" He nodded. "Both are fine. But." "But?" Pinkie prompted. He sighed. "It's better if you see for yourselves. I've been asked to bring you to them." Everyone shared a look. There was something he wasn't telling them they could feel, but what was anypony's guess. "Lead on good sir." Princess Celestia replied after a moment. As they were led to the Crystal Palace, Rarity asked the question they all seemed to have forgotten to ask. "I don't believe we ever got your name Mr?" The guard smiled. "It's Corporal Flash Sentry mam." *** Twilight couldn't believe what she was seeing. It didn't make sense. It couldn't make sense. But there it was, clear as day. The trip to the Nursery had been quick and uneventful. Aside from an occasional guard, the palace seemed deserted, which had seemed odd at the time. but having seen who was in the Nursery, Twilight had a good idea as to why it was. To say Cadance looked frazzled would be an understatement. She looked like she hadn't slept in days and her mane went in every which direction possible. A cradle sat next to her in which a filly lay fast asleep. Her mane was a perfect mixture of her mom and dads and a horn poked through the soft covering. Twilight had never seen anything more adorable in her life. And then she had unfolded her wings, and everyone's brain broke as the filly cooed softly. Twilight finally found her voice. "The baby is an alicorn?!" Cadance nodded wearily. "Looks like that." "But... But... But I thought alicorn wings had to be earned by accomplishing some great princess-worthy deed?" Rarity sputtered. "Yeah. How can you just be born with them?" Applejack asked. Celestia and Luna shared a look. "That is not entirely true Applejack. While it is true that is how Twilight and Cadance earned theirs, it is not the only way." Celestia said. The girls shared a look. "What do you mean?" Water Lilly asked. Luna sighed as her gaze became distant. "My sister and I were both born alicorns. As were our parents. It's been over three thousand years since the last natural alicorn birth." "So what does it mean that it's again now?" Celestial asked. Celestia shook her head. "I do not know. But it would not happen otherwise." And she truly had no idea of what that could be. Before anyone said anything else, the baby began to sniffle, holding in a sneeze, before finally letting it out as a beam of magic shot from her horn and vaporized part of the ceiling above. A lone pony stuck her head over the hole, looking frazzled. Everyone could only gaze at the baby in shock as she rubbed her nose. "Gezhuntite!" Pinkie said happily. "It appears her magic is even more powerful than that of a newborn unicorn," Celestia said in shock. Luna looked out a nearby window. "The crowds have already started to gather." Pinkie inflated a balloon she had pull from, someplace. "This Crystaling is gonna be some party!" Cadance gave her aunts a worried look. "Do you think we should call it off?" Rainbow scoffed. "Um, we've faced way worse than baby magic before." "And I can't imagine canceling something so important over something so adorable." Rarity squeed while the others nodded. Celestia nodded. "In light of the little one's abilities, this Crystaling might be more important than ever." She looked at Cadance. "Perhaps you should address your subjects and remind them of that." Cadance nodded, leaned over, and gave her daughter a kiss below her horn and was soon out the door. "So then, what do we do?" Fluttershy asked. Crystal grinned in a way that made Pinkie proud. "And that's my cue." She trotted to the door. "Come on everypony, we've got a lot of work to do!" Figuring she had a point, the girls followed her, leaving Pinkie, Velvet, Night Light and Twilight to watch over the baby. *** "So this is where you lived?" Orchid asked as the group stood outside a building that didn't look any different from those around it except for the sign over that door that was shaped like a cupcake and the name below it: Crystal Sweets and Treats. Crystal nodded as she smiled up at the sign. "Yep. It's been in the family for as long as I can remember. Hope it stays like that too." "So we're here why?" Rainbow asked. "My mom was Crystaler for Princess Amore's daughter a long time ago. So she'll definitely be able to help us." Crystal said as she pushed open the door. Inside was rather cozy. A large display counter and shelf ran along the back wall, the display filled with every kind of baked good you could think of and along the other walls booths and sat, some of which were occupied. Before anypony could comment though, Crystal was whisked up by a light pink mare and was soon being hugged in a way that reminded everyone of how Pinkie Pie hugged ponies. "Crystal!" The mare exclaimed excitedly. Crystal's response wasn't exactly forthcoming as the wind was being crushed out her, but even then she was still smiling. "Mom. Can't. Breath." The mare set her down after that as she noticed the group behind her. "And these must be your new friends." "That's us! Pinkie said. Rarity smiled. "So very sorry to drop in on you like this Miss?" She smiled. "The name's Velvet Strawberry. My husband Sapphire Sorbet is out at the moment." She scooped Crystal back up in her hooves. "Oh, I'm just so glad you brought my little girl home." "Mom! Not in front of my friends." Crystal huffed indignantly. Everyone chuckled at her red face. "Oh let a mother dolt on her daughter sweetie. Besides, I get the feeling this isn't a social call." Velvet responded. Crystal sighed. "No, not really." Her smile grew a bit. "I mean I'm glad to be back, but that's not why we're here." Velvet sighed as she set her down again. "I figured. My little filly is growing up." She said as she ruffled Crystal's mane. Crystal sulked a moment before she remembered why they were all here. "Actually, we wanted to ask for your help. You were Crystaller for Princess Amore's daughter right?" Velvet nodded sadly. "For as long as it lasted I was." Her brow rose. "But why come to me? I doubt Princess Cadance would ask me to do it again." "That's the thing." Applejack said as she stepped up. "We're, kinda lost on what this all means." "And Crystal said talking to you might help," Emerald added. Velvet smiled slightly. "Well there's not much I can do, but I'll help as much as I can." *** Starlight was not impressed. Finding Sunburst's house had been easy once she picked up his magic trail, but talk about a letdown. "Oh yeah, real mature Sunburst." She muttered flatly as she took in the house before her. It wouldn't have looked out of place in a fairy tale. She couldn't help but feel that this was partly her fault. The two of them had been best friends as foals. At the time he had better control of his magic. But the day he had received his cutie mark, her own dormant Exarch powers had awoken, and even as a filly they had put his to shame. And even though she had tried to explain what had happened, Sunburst had left in a huff for Celestia's school to study magic. And never looked back. At the time she had blamed all cutie marks for it but having grown into her powers, she had long since stopped believing that. She had tried to find him in her trips to Canterlot, but no luck and the School for Gifted Unicorns had said he had flunked out years before. In her more vindictive moments, she felt he deserved it. But for all that she still wanted to reconnect, so here she was, standing in front of the ugliest house she had ever seen, and that was including the eyesores she put up within Our Town. Sighing Starlight swallowed her pride and walked up to the front door, but before she could even knock, she found a note hung on. Pulling it off, this is what she found. Gone to Crystalling. Be back later. Questions of what exactly a Crystalling was were put to the side as she sighed. "Go figure. He's never home when I want him." Turning around though, she could see the huge crowd beginning to form in front of the Crystal Palace. She smiled. "Oh, what the hay. I'm here. Might as well see what the big fuss is." *** Now Twilight knew for sure. She'd rather deal with another villain than try and handle a baby alicorn. Her niece seemed to have a strong attachment to Pinkie Pie as she had latched onto her as soon as she could. Pinkie didn't seem to mind though as she was whisked around the room. "Whee!" Was all she heard as they did another lap of the room. "Well... at least she's having... fun!" Twilight sighed as she looked at her parents who watched the show with amused looks. "Was I this bad at her age?" Her dad chuckled. "No, but then you weren't an alicorn. I wonder if the princesses were like this?" Her mom chuckled. "If they were I feel sorry for their parents." Twilight giggled as well as she raised a shield to deflect another blast of baby magic. "Pinkie, hold her still!" "I'm trying!" Pinkie yelled as she zoomed past again, the baby giggling happily the whole time. *** Cadance tried to smile as best she could, but her exhaustion was clear to everyone who saw her, but even then she still spoke with an authority none could dismiss. "Dearest citizens, I am sure you're all just as thrilled and ready for this Crystalling as myself and Shining Armor." The rest of the speech was drowned out by a massive cheer from the crowd. From the back of the podium, the girls couldn't help but feel the same energy as the crowd. "Was it always like this?" Applejack asked. Velvet nodded. "Oh yeah. Regular Crystallings are a big dead, but Royal Crystallings is a rare event, so it's even more exciting." "I bet," Orchid added. Velvet had been a huge help. With her help, Shinning had the honor guard and narrowed down the choice for the purity crystal. Rarity smiled as she floated a box in her magic before them. "Now, I know choosing the crystal of purity is a very important decision, so I've brought only the incredibly pure to outrageously pure." Everyone gave them a look. "They all look the same to me." Crystal said. Rarity sniffed. "Oh, well, to the untrained eye maybe. What do you think Shining Armor?" Shinning yawned before catching himself. Even after a day-long rest, he was still tired but had enough energy to be alert for this. "You know more about this than me Rarity. You decide." Rarity squeed and pulled out the last crystal. "Outrageously pure it is!" "So do you have somepony in mind for Crystaler?" Celestial asked. He nodded. "Yeah. All we need now is..." "The baby?" Cadance asked as she rejoined them. Just then a flash of teleportation filled the room leaving Twilight, Pinkie, her parents, and the baby standing there. "We're here!" Twilight exclaimed. "She's a really strong flyer!" Pinkie added as the baby detached from her and flew over to her mother who shared a knowing look before Cadance walked over to Twilight. "Twilight, we would be honored to have you as our daughter's Crystaller." Twilight's eyes bulged. "Wait. Me?" Shinning nodded, smirking. "I don't know anyone better. Besides, if the last few days are any indication, she'll need someone who knows magic to help her with her own." Twilight only took a second to decide. "I'd be honored." *** Everypony was starting to get impatient. The ceremony should've started by now. Starlight was beginning to wonder too what was going but soon all eyes turned to the stage as the Royal Family appeared. Twilight held the filly in her hooves while Cadance and Shining Armor stood alongside her. Leaning down, they both placed a kiss on their daughter's cheeks. She giggled as their horns lit and lifted her up. As she reached her peak, Twilight took out the purity crystal. "Citizens, may I present to you the newest member of the Crystal Empire!" With that, she floated the crystal over to the Crystal Heart, who's own magic reached and joined its own to Twilights. Together they melded the crystal into the Heart. The baby giggled as she began to glow. As she did, all the citizens bowed toward her their love empowering the magic of the empire itself as it began to race toward the Heart. As it reached it, the Heart exploded out an aurora that soon had everyone in a crystallized state as a beam of magic shot through the palace and erupted in a display that all of Equestria could see. When the effect had died down, ponies began to talk excitedly. "She's beautiful!" One stallion said. "Oh! It's just so amazing!" Another said. But one summed it up best. "Best Crystaling ever!" Starlight couldn't agree more. She had no idea what was going on, but she couldn't deny that it had been beautiful, and she had never felt this amazing in her life. *** In Manehatten, another too felt the release of magic, and he couldn't keep an evil grin from his face. "Soon." The pathetic wretch at his feet was soon forgotten as he moved on to another. It was almost time now, and there would be nothing to stop him this time. *** Twilight was glad everyone had decided to make this an extended vacation after Flurry Heart's Crystalling. They all needed it, and it gave Cadance and Shinning a chance to catch up on some much-needed sleep. Crystal had decided to stay in her old home while they were here, even after Cadance had offered her a room in the Palace with the others. No one blamed her one bit for her choice. Even Cadance had said later that she only offered it to show she did care about her and didn't want her to feel left out. Twilight herself had slept little. While Celestia and Luna did the best they could to help, they remembered little of their own foalhoods so it only did so much. Even with that, she was glad of what they could give. Flurry's magic was indeed much stronger than most unicorns her age. Twilight had quickly learned that Shield Spell was her best friend when she was with her. Her split ends would take forever to regrow. Magic induced trauma aside, she wouldn't trade her time with her niece for anything. Flurry had taken to her as fast as she had Pinkie, minus the eye holding thankfully. Twilight still couldn't figure that out but chalked it up to Pinkie being Pinkie. But there was something else on her mind as well. A feeling and it was growing stronger every hour, and she knew Celestia and Luna felt it too. They had been giving her odd looks when they thought they could get away with it, but she still saw them. What they meant she didn't know, but she knew one thing. Equestria stood at a crossroads now, and it waited only for someone to give it the right push. For good or ill she didn't know. *** Later that night, a lone stallion walked the streets of Vanhoover alone, a bucket of oranges floating in his magic. He hated being out this late for the fog was thick making every sound louder and more ominous than usual. He jumped as something clattered at his feet, and sighed when he saw it was only a cup. He nearly jumped out of skin though when he nearly ran into a cloaked figure than had suddenly appeared out of nowhere. Whoever it was, he was breathing heavily. The stallion chuckled. "Very sorry. You came out of nowhere." "'Is he friend or foe' the pony wonders." The figure stated. "I can assure you... I am no friend." He said, throwing back his hood, revealing a gaunt face. "I am Lord Tirek, and I will take what should have been mine long ago." That was all the stallion heard before his magic was drained and he knew no more. *** In her bed, Princess Celestia awoke with a gasp, drenched in a cold sweat. Luna entered a moment later. "Sister, are you alright?" Celestia shook her head. "I've just had the most terrible dream." Luna nodded. "Why do you think I'm here? You know as well as I that this was not a dream but a vision." Celestia nodded as she stood. "Then we don't have time to waste. If it is him, then all of Equestria is in danger." Luna shook her head as they left the room behind. "It's not just Equestria. All of Equus is in danger." *** The next morning found all four princesses gathered in the Meeting Room of the palace. Twilight's friends and family had already left but she had been asked to stay behind for this. "So what exactly are we dealing with?" She asked. Celestia steadied herself before she began. "Lord Tirek. twelve thousand years ago, he began a reign of terror across the world that has never been equaled. His atrocities..." "His atrocities make what Nightmare Moon, Discord and King Sombra did tame by comparison and we won't mention them here," Luna added. "But he had another goal in mind. The so-called. "Night that Never Ended'. In some form of devotion for the moon." And there it was again, the feeling that Twilight knew all of this already, but it was even stronger now than before. "He obviously didn't get what he wanted," Cadance said. Celestia nodded. "His brother Scorpan helped an extraordinary group of friends defeats him at Midnight Castle just as he was ready to unleash it." She shook her head. "By all rights, he should be dead." Cadance and Twilight shared an uneasy look. "But then how is he still alive?" Twilight asked. Luna sighed. "We don't know. But now he has begun to steal all the magic in Equestria. With each passing moment, he grows stronger. Soon he will come after us. He wouldn't pass up the chance to steal our alicorn magic." Twilight nodded vigorously. "Then we need to stop him now before he gets any stronger." Cadance nodded and smiled. "And I know just the princess to do it." Twilight nodded as she stood a little straighter. "Yes. I'll find him and-" Celestia shook her head. No Twilight. I'm afraid I must call in another to stop Tirek. Discord." Twilight, Cadance, and Luna gasped in open-mouthed shock. *** "... As in Discord Discord?" Applejack asked. Twilight nodded. "Yes!" She still couldn't believe having just returned to Ponyville and have told all of her friends everything she knew. "I don't think its that big of a surprise. He can be very helpful." Fluttershy replied. Everyone just gave her a deadpan look. "He can sense when there's a magical imbalance. The next time Tirek steals magic, he'll be able to track him down." Twilight explained. "So what are supposed to do now?" Crystal asked. Twilight sighed as she turned away. "Nothing." The girls shared a look. "Where are you going?" Spike asked. "To the Castle of the Two Sisters. I'm not really needed anywhere else, might as well catch up on some reading." Twilight replied. "You want some company?" Rainbow asked. "We never really have seen the old castle," Emerald added. Twilight smiled gratefully. "Maybe I could use a little company right now." *** "... It doesn't look like much." Crystal commented as the group stood on a cliff overlooking the castle ruins below. Rarity sniffed. "Maybe not now darling, but it used to be the grandest structure in Equestria." "Built with all ponies working together in harmony," Twilight added, having read Celestia and Luna's old journal. "I just hope another 'friend' of ours never makes have to do something about him," Applejack added. "Oh you're talking about me I guess?" Discord asked as he floated in on an umbrella. "How'd you guess?" Orchid asked. "My ears were burning." Discord replied pointing at his ears, which were indeed burning which he put out with a glass of water. Rainbow groaned. "What are you even doing here Discord?" "Annoying all of you, what else?" He asked with an infuriating grin. Everyone sighed in exasperation. "Don't you have a creepy magic stealing villain to track down?" Emerald asked. He waved her away. "Yes, yes, yes, of course. I suppose now is a good time as any for me to get started." He magicked a door out of thin air before leaning down to Fluttershy. "We're still on for tea later, aren't we?" Fluttershy smiled. "I wouldn't miss it." Discord grinned. "Well. I'll bring the cucumber sandwiches...!" And was gone. "And good riddance!" Applejack yelled after him. "Sometimes I think the 'reformed' Discord is more obnoxious than the 'before-he-was-reformed' Discord." Everyone but Fluttershy couldn't agree more. *** Hours later, having had their fill of reading in the old Castle Library and now on their way back to Ponyville, the girls were brought up short when Spike belched out a letter from Princess Celestia. Twilight's eyes widened in shock as she read it. "What's it say Twilight?" Pinkie asked. "That I'm needed in Canterlot at once!" Twilight replied before vanishing in a flash of teleportation. *** Twilight couldn't believe what she had just heard. Discord had betrayed them and had joined Tirek. With their combined power, there was no safe place now for anypony. They had just begun to go after the earth ponies after unicorns and Pegasi. Her mind returned to the morning after her coronation, the story she had been told. "But what about-" Celestia shook her head. "It doesn't matter now if Cosmos does return. Who can say she would in time if she did?" She was shocked. She had never seen her mentor so down, so low. So broken. Her head sank. "Then what do we do now?" There was a plan it seemed, risky as it was. A few minutes later, Twilight left the room now filled with all the alicorn magic of her fellow monarchs, and a command to stay away from her friends, for their own safety. No matter how much she didn't like it. *** Twilight stood in front of her bedroom window in the Golden Oaks Library, sweating bullets, to say the least. She now had the responsibility to raise and lower the sun and moon. And she had no idea how to do it! Breathing out, she reached out with her magic and tentatively coaxed the sun to rise and the moon to set. To her shock, they obeyed rather well and soon the sun was high in the sky. She blinked. "Well, that was easy." *** Unfortunately, that had been her last experience with sane magic. Twilight shook her head as her friends offered to go with her to the Castle ruins again as another jolt of .agic surged through her. They were coming faster and faster now. "Not today! I mean. Tirek may still be a threat. I need you all to stay here and encourage everyone to remain inside." With that, she teleported away, without a backward glance. "Okay. Anypony else think there's something going on here?" Water Lilly asked. "Eeeyepe. But maybe Twilight's got a point." Applejack said. "Let's just get everyone inside for now and then we'll worry about her." *** Hours later all of Ponyville was safely inside as the Mane 5 gathered in the town square. "Alright, y'all. I think that's all of em." Applejack said. "I'm sure Discord will catch Tirek and this will all be over soon," Fluttershy added. "I'll bet he takes his sweet time," Rainbow grumbled. "Or perhaps these things just take time." Came Discord's voice. Looking over they found him with a smug grin on his face. Fluttershy ran over and gave him a hug. "You're back! Did you bring the cucumber sandwiches?" Discord nodded. "I did. I imagine they'll be your last decent meal for quite some time." Before anypony could react, something took hold of them in a magic aura. "You've gathered them all?" Tirek asked as he walked up. Applejack though didn't hear the rest. She had caught sight of Crystal, Emerald, Celestial, Orchid, and Water Lilly behind a nearby building watching what was happening with horrified looks. Luckily no one heard when she called out "Go! Find Twilight. Keep her safe." "But-" Crystal tried. "No buts youngin!" Applejack interrupted. "You find Twilight. You keep her safe. Don't let her go." Something in her voice got through to them. They nodded before disappearing back behind the building. She smiled as she felt her magic begin to be drained. "Don't you ever let her go girls."