//------------------------------// // Reconsidered // Story: The Result of Absolute Power // by SvenFoxx //------------------------------// "This makes no sense." Luna nodded in response to her sister's frustrated comment. Truthfully, she was beginning to get aggravated as well. "The name Cozy Glow is nowhere in any of the census data for Equestria," Celestia mumbled to herself, flipping through the final pages of a large book. After a moment she slammed it shut with a grunt. "We've combed every last book in the archive, but the closest name we've found is a stallion from two hundred years ago named Comfy Light." Celestia growled. "A Pony does not just appear from nowhere!" Luna glanced at Celestia with a raised eyebrow. Noticing, Celestia blushed in embarrassment. "Yes, well... we're an exception," she said. "Is it possible she used a fake name?" Luna asked. "Remember that her Cutie Mark is a Rook, a chess piece. Your vision informed us that Cozy Glow is quite manipulative, and certainly not unintelligent. In her position, I would have covered my tracks with a false identity. Especially since she had supposedly contacted a known criminal." Celestia sighed. "I'm afraid you may be right. The problem, however, is that we've got no way of knowing what to look for." Luna stood. "Then let us focus on another matter for the time being. If this is truly important enough to warrant a vision, the answers we seek will present themselves to us in time." She trotted towards the door, Celestia following as she placed the book back on the shelves with magic. "What of Miss Glimmer and her friend? Have you located young Sunburst yet?" Celestia frowned. "I received a report this morning that he appears to not be living at his registered address. The Guard have taken up stakeout positions and are waiting to see if he'll return. He may just be on vacation for all we know." "And Miss Glimmer?" Luna prompted. Celestia smiled here. "Happily teaching classes in my school about Cutie Marks and how they affect Ponies. I have tea with her every other day to discuss the happenings of the school and possible improvements. She asks about Sunburst every time, and I've remained as open and honest as I can with her. She knows we found his home but not him yet." Luna frowned. "Have you discussed her magic with her? Her ability to manipulate Cutie Marks?" Celestia glanced at her sister. "I haven't, no. I decided to let things be. She doesn't seem inclined to touch that spell after your... conversation." Grimacing, Luna sighed. "Yes, I lost my temper. I really should apologize to her." "Why do you ask?" Celestia asked curiously. Luna frowned in thought. "I was too angry to realize it at the time, but after some time to think I have come to the conclusion that the ponies she took the Cutie Marks from showed absolutely no signs of Blight. That was when I remembered the equal sign that appears on a Pony she takes the mark from. I have begun questioning if she actually removes Cutie Marks. If the opportunity arises, I wish to discuss this with her. She may have unknowingly created a brand new school of magic, or a sub-class of Ward magic." Celestia also frowned. "You think she's blocking the talents, rather than removing them? That..." Celestia perked up. "That may just be what we need to finish the prison!" She quickly made a note about it. Luna smirked. Twilight probably would not realize it for years to come, but she was very similar to Celestia herself. Celestia just hid her inner scientist better. It was good to see Celestia still had that love of learning and developing new things. "What of Neighsay?" Celestia asked. Luna frowned once more. "I patrolled his dreams for a few nights, as you asked, and have come to the conclusion that either we have the wrong pony, or his racism was a recent development by the time the Friendship School incident came about. I am keeping tabs on him however, just in case I missed something." Celestia sighed. "I hate it when visions give me insight into distant futures. It makes things so much more complicated than the usual "Oh, this is going to blow up if I don't defuse that now" stuff." Luna smiled. "We'll get this straightened out. Then we can toss Twilight and Cadence at the throne for a few centuries and go on vacation." Celestia chuckled at the mental image of Cadence screaming to the heavens at them and Twilight looking absolutely confused. Her sister knew just how to cheer her up. --- Celestia stepped from her chariot after it touched down in Ponyville and began making her way towards Twilight's castle. Tree. Library? Castle-tree-library? Twilight's home. Yes, her home. Slight mental derailment settled, Celestia resumed her journey. She entered the throne room to find exactly who she was hoping to see studying the Cutie Map. "Twilight," she called gently. The relatively new Alicorn spun around in her seat at the sound of her teacher's voice. "Princess Celestia!" she exclaimed with some surprise. Celestia shook her head with a smile as she went to join Twilight at the large table. "You no longer need to call me "Princess" Twilight. You are, after all, a Princess as well." Twilight seemed uncomfortable at this. "I... um... It just seems... disrespectful?" She rubbed her neck. "I grew up seeing you as summit no pony could hope to approach. Now, I'm standing next to you and your sister on that summit. Quite suddenly at that." Celestia nodded. "True. You were not exactly groomed for the position, but you have taken to it quite well. You and your friends." she waved a hoof to bring attention to the throne room. "I essentially dropped you into the deep end when I made you the ruler of Ponyville after you got your castle. And instead of flounder... much... you planted your hooves and proved you are a natural born leader, just like I knew you were." She smiled at Twilight. "I am very proud of you, Twilight." Twilight blushed, looking away. "A-anyways, how can I help you, Prin... C-Celestia." Celestia supposed that realistically that was probably the best she was going to get from Twilight for now. That was okay, she could be patient. "I wanted to visit and see how your development of the prison was going." Twilight motioned Celestia towards the table, revealing the map was active and Twilight had a few sheets of paper with notes on them scattered about. "I can't figure out how to create a relatively small magic-less environment, and had turned to my friends to see if they had an idea. It was Fluttershy who had the thought to ask Discord for help. Once it was explained to him, he readily agreed to see if his power can create and maintain a field of what he called Null-Magic. He's in the Badlands now blowing up chunks of desert with his experiments." She grimaced slightly. "The magical field of Equestria itself doesn't seem to like the idea of whatever Null-Magic is." Celestia hummed. "I'm not surprised. Null-Magic is magic that is designed to use itself to dissipate magical energy. Sort of a kamikaze kind of spell. The idea was discarded a long time ago as too dangerous for widespread use. But it may just be perfect for the prison if Discord gets it to work properly." Twilight nodded. "Other than that I've been studying the map to determine the ideal place to build the prison itself." Celestia also looked at the map, and realized that the papers she saw on the table acted as markers for potential locations. One in particular caught her attention. "The Crystal Empire?" she asked curiously, finding herself somewhat disquieted by how some parts of her vision seemed to be trying to come to pass regardless." Twilight nodded again. "It's honestly the best place. Build the prison a few good miles away from the empire itself and make sure the entire thing ran on electricity, and not many inmates would even consider braving the harsh conditions of the north if they escaped." Eventually Celestia nodded, seeing the logic. She decided to change the subject though and continue her discussion with Twilight regarding her responsibilities.