//------------------------------//
// Even the Best Laid Plans... 
// Story: Per Speculum in Aenigmate 
// by Shrouded Lunes 
//------------------------------//

'She replaced me...'

For nearly four years, I've been serving my self-imposed exile in this Celestia-forsaken magicless realm. When I first came through, I was so certain that I would be able to find something that would let me return and take my rightful place as Celestia's better. But, outside of the student body of this school, nothing more than a paltry offering to the glue factory if I were to march them through the portal, I had found nothing.

'And my replacement is an ALICORN?!'

I was livid. Three months ago, the last time the portal had opened up, I discovered that Celestia had seen fit to replace me. ME! With some supposed 'magical prodigy'. Not only that, she apparently saw fit to give that sun-worshiping foal wings. Wings that should have been mine!

If I was going to have my revenge, then I would need to find a way to bring some sort of Equestrian magic over to this world. If my studies were right, there was a massive untapped potential here. It just needed a seed to start the process... some object with more thaumaturgical density than a mere unicorn's horn, even one as powerful as myself.

The other students in the auditorium must have been able to sense my hostility, as they were giving me an even wider berth that normal. But that wouldn't matter, I didn't need them. Not for what I had planned. Now, I just needed to make the proper excuses...

The scowl dropped off of my face the instant I noticed Vice Principal Luna standing in the lunch room. Quickly grabbing Snips and Snails by the collar, I marched the three of us over to her.

"Ms. Shimmer? How can I help you?"

I smiled, lacing my voice with more sugar than one of Donut Joe's triple-frosted donuts. "Vice Principal Luna, it's just... Snips, Snails, and I were talking earlier and couldn't help but think that some of the preparations for this year's Fall Formal seem to be lagging behind a bit."

"We were?" Snips mumbled, earning him a discrete elbow to the ribs.

"Since we don't want the student body to miss out on such a wonderful opportunity..."

"To see you crowned Princess for the third year in a row," Snails said softly. His foot was quickly graced with the weight of my heel.

"We were hoping to get permission to stay after school today to do some additional prep work. Would that be alright?"

Luna seemed to think for a moment, thankfully either not seeing, or deciding to just ignore, my rather ignorant stooges. "That should not be an issue, Ms. Shimmer. My sister was already planning to remain to handle some additional paperwork, so you need only report to her when you leave."

It took every ounce of self control I had learned over the years not to scowl at the mention of Principal Celestia. I had done everything I could to avoid the human counterpart of my mentor. When I first came over, I hated the idea of being under the tutelage of any Celestia once more. But, as I started to realize she had no really part in my day to day school life, I started to notice something else. There was just something about the way she looked at me in the few instances in which she passed me in the corridors, like she was seeing a ghost or something. 

"Thank you very much, Vice Principal," I said through closed teeth. "Have a good day."

"You as well, Ms. Shimmer. And thank you for your assistance."





Night was finally starting to fall by the time I went to see Principal Celestia. I had spent the afternoon bossing Snips and Snails around, making sure that it at least looked like we had bothered to do what we had promised. In reality, it was mostly just a mix of changing streamer colors, repositioning lights, and making sure that the various design committees were aware of the fact that this was the way their Fall Princess wanted the auditorium. Thankfully, everyone knew better than to question my decisions, so there shouldn't be any problems going forward.

Having sent the stooges away, I took a second to swallow and knocked on the Principal's door. It was all about appearances, after all.

"Come in."

I slowly opened the door and poked my head inside. "Principal Celestia? I just wanted to let you know we finished working on the auditorium. So, Snips, Snails, and I are all going to head home now."

For a moment, I saw that look in her eyes again as she looked up from her paperwork. But, it quickly vanished as apparent exhaustion set in. "Very well, Ms. Shimmer. Please, be safe on your way home."

"I will. Thank you." I smiled as I closed the door. 'Home' was exactly the place I was headed to, after all. It only took me a few moments to reach the front door to the school. In front of me, glinting under the rising moon, was the Wondercolt statue and its mirrored base. As I made my way down the steps, I could just make out the sheen that indicated the portal's magic activating on the first night.

"Let's see just what sort of trinket I can find..." With a quick look over my shoulders to make sure that no one was around, I leaned forward slightly and pressed my hand into the portal. As always, the magic grabbed hold and I found myself tumbling through the void on my way to Equestria. However, as my body morphed to its more natural form, I felt the faintest of shivers, like the ones that run up your spine when you drive over a speed bump.





Tucked away in a lost corner of her loft's tiny closet, underneath a layer of dust and clothing, a long forgotten journal shook and flickered with magical energy.  The light gold of the aura surrounding it momentarily flashing behind gold and red, before it began to darken into a deep, cobalt blue. At the same time, the cutie mark on the front began to morph, shifting between a stylized sun into a white crescent moon on a black starscape.