The Lost
Chapter 1 – An Urgent Message
Twilight galloped through the castle gates, her face locked in a determined look. The guards she passed by made no objection to the unicorn passing through. She was, after all Princess Celestia’s personal student. Although her face was focused, deep down there was a growing sense of worry bubbling up from within the mare.
She remembered the past morning at her home in Ponyville. Everything was calm and peaceful, a perfect time to catch up on some of her neglected studies. Just when she was about to dive into the first book, she heard the telltale belch from her assistant, Spike. This meant that a letter had arrived. She didn’t expect a letter today, which gave her the first worry.
Spike entered the room holding the sealed scroll. Twilight in her anticipation yanked the scroll away, almost taking the poor dragon with it if he didn’t have the presence of mind to let go. She opened the scroll and read the note. It was simple, direct, and full of mystery.
“To My Faithful Student, Twilight Sparkle,
Please come to the castle in Canterlot this afternoon. There is an important matter that I wish to discuss with you.
Sincerely,
Princess Celestia”
“What did the letter stay, Twilight,” Spike asked as he saw the look of concern on her fact.
“No time to talk, Spike,” Twilight said as she gathered her saddlebags, “Princess Celestia asked me to got to the castle. I have to get to the train for Canterlot. Can you watch the library for me while I’m gone?”
“I’m not called the Number one Assistant for nothing,” Spike said with a salute.
“Thanks, Spike,” Twilight said as she gave the dragon a hug before galloping off to the train station.
Now as Twilight entered the castle, her mind was fixated on the letter. She wondered what was so important that Princess Celestia couldn’t put into a latter. A multitude of scenarios flashed through her head, and many weren’t good.
She then entered the throne room where she saw Princess Celestia sitting, waiting patiently for her. What made matters even more interesting was that Luna was there as well with a solemn look. Usually the Princess of the Night was asleep during the day and awake at night. With her awake now, it must be important.
“Princess Luna. Princess Celestia,” Twilight said, stopping and giving a little bow as a sign of respect, “Is Ponyville in danger? Is Equestria in danger? Do I need to get the other Elements of Harmony?”
Princess Celestia held up a hoof to calm the worried unicorn.
“Twilight, there is no threat to Equestria, otherwise I would tell you to bring all your friends. I summoned… actually both Luna and I summoned you here because we wanted to share with you something.”
“What is it,” Twilight said, her knowledge craving mind yearning to know.
“Follow us,” the Princess on the Sun said as she left the throne room with her sister.
The three weaved their way through several hallways in the castle. Some of the areas Twilight saw were familiar to her, especially when she was a filly. But other places were very new. It was no wonder as the castle was a massive maze like structure.
Finally the group came to a stop at a door and with a burst of magic Princess Celestia opened it. The room was cozy and was lined with bookshelves. There was a small desk in the center with writing materials and a few comfy chairs.
“Princess, I’ve never been in this room. What are all these books for?”
“These are Books of Memories,” Princess Celestia said as she walked to a shelf and began scanning it for a particular tome, “each contain information about the students I have taught during me reign.”
She then levitated off the shelf a book and placed it on the desk. She then began to leaf through the book, words and pictures moving past her.
“That is the reason why I summoned you here, Twilight. There is a certain student that I want to tell you about, although you have met him before. He was not like what you have seen. He was a pony just like you, full of energy and promise. But then something happened.”
The pages stopped fluttering and Twilight gazed at the open page. There was a picture of a grey unicorn stallion about her age.
“Twist,” Twilight said as she read the name under the picture.
“Yes, but you know him by another name: Discord.”
Twilight’s eyes went wide as her mind reflected back to the time when she and her friends were tortured into splitting up through the creature’s power.
“You taught this pony who would soon be Discord, Princess Celestia?”
“No Twilight,” Princess Luna’s voice was heard, “It was I. I was his teacher.”
“But what happened? How did you teach him? How did he become Discord?”
“My sister and I knew that after your encounter with him that you would have questions,” Princess Celestia said, “You were always the inquisitive pony. We felt that now was the right time to tell you about this.”
“Sister, I wish to tell Twilight Sparkle this story,” Princess Luna said.
“Are you sure? I can tell her?”
“No, I had just as much a part in this as you, even greater. I wish to tell this tale.”
Celestia gave her younger sister a nod and directed Twilight to the center of the room.
“Now at first I thought that telling you what happened would suffice. However I feel that in this case a mere story will not do justice. So, instead I am going to show you what happened.”
“How,” Twilight asked.
“By using a Memory Reflection Spell.”
“I never heard of this spell.”
“I didn’t think you would,” Luna said, “it’s a very powerful spell, one that no ordinary unicorn has learned. It allows a pony or ponies to see into the past memories of the caster, making them actually there as the event was taking place. It is merely an illusion, so nothing can harm you.”
“I’d like to learn that one day,” the unicorn said.
“Twilight,” Princess Celestia said, “While it’s fine to occasionally reflect on one’s past memories, you should not dwell on them. What matters is what happens in the present and the near future.”
“I understand,” Twilight said, remembering when her “future self” visited her, making her upset that something was going to happen.
“Now if we are all ready,” Luna said, “please gather close.”
The two princesses and the unicorn grouped close together. Luna then activated her magic, forming a blue dome of energy around the three. Twilight watched as the room they were in slowly started to fade away until there was nothing but blackness all around them.