“The most what in history now?” Dyson inquired as he looked around. “And where are you? If you are a b-burglar… Know that I am a royal guard!” He added with his legs shaking.
“How did you even join them? Anyway, as I said; I am the most powerful unicorn in history, Celestia,” The voice answered in annoyance.
“I-I’ve never heard of that name before! S-Show yourself!” Dyson shouted as he grabbed his spear into a magic hold before the blade started glowing blue.
“You’re still not getting it? I am in your head, you imbecile! I am the statue that you saw in the dungeon,” Celestia explained as Dyson started rubbing his head.
“In my head? How did you get in here?! How can you even fit? Get out!” He panicked as Celestia let out an audible sigh.
“This is going to take a long time…” She muttered before making a stomping sound, which halted Dyson’s movement. “Now listen carefully. My body isn’t in your head, only my spirit is. And honestly, I am surprised that I managed to enter your mind while I was so weakened. However, now that I am here, I realize it is simply because you are as slow as a rock and as weak-willed as an ant that I was able to do this,” She explained as Dyson rubbed his head.
“Wait… DId you just call me an idiot?”
“Yes, but you should feel honored that I decided to inhabit your empty skull. And even if you are a fool, you still have valuable information. Looking at it, I realize the world has changed a lot since my imprisonement,”
“What? You looked through my mind? You are violating my privacy, lady!”
“Relax, would you? I don’t care what you do every night, disgusting pig,” Celestia replied, causing Dyson to be a blushing mess.
“W-What do you mean? I don’t do anything at night! G-Get out of my head, would you?” Dyson screamed before realizing something. “Wait a second… since you were in the dungeon, you are a bad guy, right?”
“Pri- Urg I mean, Queen Twilight imprisoned me simply because she was afraid of my potential. She refused to give me what was rightfully mine and she decided to trap me in this dungeon because I didn’t accept that. However, it’s time for you to do something smart for once. Help me free myself, then when I dethrone this fraud, you will be one of the first members of my great army,” Celestia explained as Dyson scoffed.
“That’s some villain talk alright! No deal, criminal! I’ll talk to Her Majesty so she gets rid of you, then I’ll enjoy a well-deserved promotion!” Dyson exclaimed in excitment before his head suddenly heated up as if it was ready to burst. “AAAH!”
“Try it and I'll fry your brain, maggot. Now that my spirit left that dungeon, I can easily find another body to inhabit!” Celestia threathened him as he held his head in pain.
“Alright! Alright! I get it! Please, stop! I-I won’t say anything!” He screamed as he started rolling on the floor when the pain suddenly stopped.
“Good. You know your place, now. You will learn quickly that it is better to serve me than Twilight. The promotion you want will never come true, be realistic. It’s quite obvious that you have no value or talent in the eyes of your superiors. I looked through your memories after all. However, with me, you will finally feel accomplished! Your dreams will be fulfilled. If you are loyal to me… of course,” Celestia explained as Dyson slowly nodded.
Even if her deal sounded sweet; he still wasn’t convinced. But it wasn’t like he could do anything right now. One wrong move and he was a goner! When he became a royal guard, what he wanted was prestige and an easy life! Not whatever he is living through right now!
“O-Ok, but I-I want you to be straight forward first! You’re talking about fulfilling dreams, and… I don’t even know what you’re really planning for me!” Dyson stuttered as Celestia hummed.
“I guess it wouldn’t hurt telling you. When I become queen -no- empress, you will become my right hand pony, the one who will execute my orders the most, and naturally, the pony who will have more privilege than anyone else in Equestria. Money would never be a problem for you anymore, and… you will probably have a lot of success with the ladies,” Celestia replied as Dyson’s smirk grew more and more while he already imagined himself swimming in a pile of gold, surrounded by the most gorgeous mares of Equestria.
“Alright… This is acceptable,” He said, trying not to sound too excited while Celestia rolled her eyes.
She was appaled by the trusting nature of this guard. Although she wasn’t sure if he was trusting or just an idiot. He had no way of knowing she would even keep her end of the deal. But it didn’t matter in the end as long as he followed her orders.
“Good, the first thing you’ll need to do is grow more powerful, then we’ll try to dispell the Queen’s spell imprisoning me,” Celestia explained as Dyson raised an eyebrow.
“How am I supposed to do that?” He asked before receving a pang of pain for not adressing her with enough respect.
“All you need to do is go where I tell you to go. I will cast the spells myself and your body will do the rest,” She replied as Dyson nodded.
“Alright… That seems easy enough,”
“Good. Then I’ll hope you are hungry, because you have a lot of magic power to consume,”
“Yeah! I’m ready! Wait, consume what?”
The next day, the five friends were having lunch together at the Bannered Mare, with Azure surprisingly eating a lot less than usual while Blueberry was drinking cofee. Unfortunately, the drink didn’t seem to reduce the size of her eyebags.
“You don’t have to be worried so much, Snowy!” Mirage smiled as she looked at the alicorn’s downed expression.
“Queen Twilight herserlf let you take a break, you can lay off the work for a bit. Besides, even Blueberry got to take a break for a day,” Rune reassured her while Blueberry looked ready to pass out.
“I-I know, but I feel like something bad is taking place somewhere and I’m not doing anything to stop it…” Snowy muttered as Rune put a foreleg over her shoulder.
“Hey, you can’t be everywhere at once. Plus, arresting ponies is kinda my job, let me worry about that for you, okay?” Rune retorted, which seemed to be enough to make Snowy smile.
“I guess you’re right… I’ll try to think about something else…”
As if suddenly waking up, Blueberry noticed Azure just finished her plate of food.
“Are you alright, Azure? You only ate… five cakes…” Blueberry noted as Azure smirked.
“I know, it’s impressive, right? I’m on a diet now ‘cause I’m hoping it’ll get me my flying license,” The pegasus answered while flexing her wings.
“I’m sure you’ll succeed this time,” Mirage encouraged her as Blueberry widened her eyes.
“Did someone say promotion? Is my break over already?” She gasped as Azure managed to make her sit back down right before she could run away.
“You know, I’m starting to think your work isn’t healthy, Berry,” Snowy stated worriedly while Blueberry shook her head.
“Don’t worry… I’m fine… Besides, I’m pretty sure my boss will give me a promotion soon,” The earth pony replied with a genuine smile.
The other girls were never sure whether she genuinely thought that or was simply saying it so they wouldn’t worry about her too much. Sometimes, Snowy felt really bad when complaining about her responsibilities since the others had their fair share of problems.
“Oh! Would you look at this! If it isn’t Snowy and her… less than intelligent friends!” Someone exclaimed in a mocking tone. Rune immediately recognized the voice and frowned, grumbling to herself before turning around while the others looked in the same direction.
The speaker was a blue unicorn, as old as Snowy and Rune, and wore a white cape bearing the crest of Twilight’s school for gifted unicorns. It was Midnight Candy, someone well known to Snowy and Rune.
“Leave before I break your snout! Now isn’t the time to bother us,” Rune grumbled as she stood in her face.
“Yes, yes, I’m happy to see you too, Runey. Still more muscle than brain,” Midnight smirked, not threatened or worried at all as the orange unicorn lit her horn.
Azure slightly moved her chair aside while Blueberry kept drinking her coffee as if nothing was happening. Snowy and Mirage, on the other hand, were quite worried. No one used that nickname except Rune’s mother, and even her closest friends wouldn’t try to.
“Alright, don’t blame me if you end up crying!” Rune shouted before getting restrained by white wings.
“Don’t let her get to you, Rune. It’s probably what she wants, anyway,” Snowy whispered while holding her friend. It looked like it was enough to calm her a little.
“Keep your guard dog on a leash next time, Snowy. Besides, I came to talk to you,” Midnight said as she turned her attention to the white alicorn as Rune started pacing around to avoid jumping on her. Her hostility towards her was no secret. “I would congratulate you for your… tranformation… But I don’t respect you enough for that,”
“You made it pretty clear already,” She muttered while looking down.
“We should leave,” Azure suggested, only to be completely ignored.
“I won’t take too much of your time. Seeing you here is a good opportunity. Queen Twilight, even in her deep wisdom, has made a mistake. Not just because she chose you as her student, but especially because she made you an alicorn,” Midnight stated as Snowy frowned, not liking one bit that she doubted the Queen’s decisions.
“I worked for this, Midnight,” She argued as the mare scoffed.
“Worked? Please. You were lucky and everypony knows it. You’re spineless and worthless. That’s why I decided to challe-” Started Midnight as Rune opened her mouth to interrupt her, only for someone else to do it.
“Hey! Don’t you have enough of hurting her already? Don’t you have anything better to do?” Mirage intervened as she stepped in front of Snowy, glaring at the blue unicorn.
“Who are you again?” Midnight inquired as she looked over.
“Mirage Dreamer, and I am her friend!” She said proudly while Midnight simply looked unimpressed.
“Good for you, but I don’t talk to low class unicorns. Now if you would-”
“Aren’t you the one that failed Queen Twilight’s test?” Mirage asked as Midnight widened her eyes.
“What?”
“What I can see is that Snowy is the Queen’s student and you aren’t. And I guess you found nothing better to do than belittle somepony that succeeded where you didn’t. And unlike Rune, I don’t hate you. And I am sure Snowy doesn’t either,” Mirage said as Midnight stopped scowling, gztting curious while Snowy raised her eyebrows in surprise.
“Oh? And why is that?”
“Because she actually sees good in you, and probably pity because you probably go to sleep every night hating yourself because of your failures and jealousy. And that wouldn’t happen if you actually had friends you could talk to. Something you don’t have since you keep being an ass- I mean… rude to everyone you meet. And I’m sure we could be friends if you would just let us show you,” Mirage said as all her friends were staring at her in surprise since she wasn’t known to swear, which she almost did. Midnight, on the other hand, was fuming.
“You finished your fourth grader speech already? I was planning this for Snowy at first, but I guess I can teach you a lesson first. I demand a Veneficia Twila! And I challenge you… Mirage, is that it?” Midnight didn’t wait for her response as all the unicorns around them turned around in surprise, staring at the commotion in shock.
This was enough to make Mirage shut down, unable to reply while Midnight left. Azure and Blueberry looked at one another with eyebrows raised.
“Hm… What did she just do?” The pegasus inquired as Snowy sighed.
“A Veneficia Twila… It’s a challenge between two unicorns. At first it was a simple magic duel, but it changed into a challenge made of three different events by the unicorn that issued the challenge. Only a noble can issue it, though…” Snowy explained as Rune grumbled in annoyance.
“I guess since her father was the captain of the royal guard, then she has the right to do it… Dammit, you should have let me kick her face in, Snowy!” Rune complained as she was doing her best not to grab her helbard and run after Midnight.
“I-I’m sorry… I wasn’t expecting she would do this…” The white alicorn said, downcast as Rune’s eyes immediately softened at the sight.
“I didn’t mean it that way…” Rune started only for Mirage to inteerupt her by nearly fainting, only to catch herself on a chair.
“W-What am I going to do?” She asked, ready to hyperventilate at any second now.
“I don’t understand… The worst that can happen is… that Mirage would lose, right? Midnight probably… wouldn’t stop bragging… But that’s about it,” Blueberry said in confusion before yawning.
Snowy and Rune looked at one another while Mirage was catching her breath.
“There is a reason no unicorn called for a Veneficia Twila in years… It’s because the winner gets to decide the loser’s fate. It can be anything. Ranging from making them do a humiliating dance in front of everypony to… death,” Snowy revealed, which quickly made Azure and Blueberry gasp. “I-I know Midnight… She always hated me, and would probably not hesitate to hurt one of you to get to me… I don’t want to believe she would request such a fate because I truly think she can do good, but on the other hand… I really don’t know… Either way, it’s not going to be good,”
“What! We can’t let her do that!” Blueverry exclaimed as if she suddenly woke up from a nightmare.
“Once the challenge has been issued, it can’t be refused… That’s the law,” Mirage muttered under her breath loud enough for them to hear. “I have to win at least two of the three events, and one of them is already an automatic loss…”
“Don’t be so pessimistic! You’re gonna destroy her!” Azure encouraged her only for Rune to shake her head.
“Mirage is right. There is always a magic duel as one of the events. Unfortunately, she doesn’t have much of a chance against Midnight. Although, I would easily kick her ass. Believe me, she’s stronger than she looks. You have to rely on winning the other two events,” Rune said as Mirage nodded in agreement.
“We can only hope they will be something I am good at,” Mirage said as she sighed.
“It’s alright. The moment we learn about what the events are, we’ll help you get ready!” Snowy assured her. “Right, girls?”
“Of course!”
“I’ll even ask for some advice from Her Majesty! She must have seen a lot of Veneficia Twila,” She added as Mirage smiled.
“I don’t know what I would do without you, girls,” She said as she couldn’t help but hug the alicorn, suddenly giving the need for everyone else to join in a group hug.
Far from here, Midnight teleported herself in front of Twilight’s school for gifted unicorns, surprising a few students that have been walking near her. She ignored their gasps of surprise, already knowing most of them wouldn’t even talk to her the moment they would see the scowl on her face. She slammed the school’s door open before walking through the corridor, easily making a path in the sea of young unicorns.
“H-Headmistress Midnight!” Someone yelled out behind her.
Midnight knew it wasn’t a student, but one of the teachers. Even so, she didn’t stop moving forward.
“Wait for me!” The teacher said as she finally managed to catch up to her. She was a unicorn, much older than Midnights. But even if the headmistress was younger than her, she looked at her with respect. “I am glad you are back. Some students have been disrupting my class for an entire hour! Do you want me to send them to your office?” She asked as Midnight shook her head.
“I will see them later, but I need to be alone for now. Tell your other colleagues the same, please,” She replied as the teacher stopped in her tracks, watching Midnight’s back while she was walking away. She was smart enough not to question her.
Midnight should be proud of what she accomplished. Being the headmistress of Twilight’s school for gifted unicorns was an honor and a testament of a unicorn’s talent in magic. Ever since she got this job, she only improved the school, it was bigger than ever and had more and more students as years passed. The walls were as clean as the first day it was built, no stains or scratch could be found anywhere.
Even though there were some troublemakers, discipline was one of the most respected aspects of the school. She truly believed she changed this place for the better. However, she couldn’t help but feel hollow as she entered her office. She didn’t just make a building better, ponies here actually respected her… or even feared her. Everyone knew how much of an honor and how good of a position it was to have this job. She had nothing to envy from anyone. And yet…
She looked downcast while looking at her desk, on which was a picture of her late father. She suddenly lit her horn, before lighting the few candles in her office, only illuminating it a little. She always prefferred the atmosphere of candles over a light bulb after all. And this still wasn’t enough to put her mind at peace.
“I let my pride get the better of me again, father. It is only a minor setback… I will teach a lesson to Snowy’s friend first, then…” Midnight sighed before she decided to pace around. “If you were there, would you be proud of me? What I hate the most about this question is how much I’m afraid of the answer”
I’ve always been the perfect foal
Never failing to reach my goal
Always made my parents proud
To me, everyone should have bowed
She sang proudly, holding her head high with filled with determination.
Then she came…
Driving me away from my destiny !
Bringing shame to my name !
And ruining what could have been my legacy !
She continued, stomping the floor in anger as she sneered and lit her horn.
I will be in second place no more
And take what should have been mine
From now on, I will shine !
And have a God as my mentor
Finally, Father
I will be worthy of being your daugther
She suddenly tore a piece of her office’s wall, revealing a secret hole behind it, in which there were various pictures of the white alicorn.
I have reached the epitome of my power
No alicorn will stop me from taking what’s mine
This pipsqueak shall fall from atop her high tower
She gritted her teeth, before staring arrogantly at the pictures and quickly turning them to ashes as magic flowed around her.
I’ve always been the perfect foal
Never failing to reach my goal
Always made my parents proud
To me, everyone should have bowed
And yet… Snowy
The perfect little unicorn
Student to The Supreme Queen
Overshadowing everything
Some of her mane fell over her eyes before she glanced back at her father’s photo.
Watch, Father
As I finally accomplish
What I was meant to do
Soon, the little alicorn will be gone !
It’s time to say goodbye, Snowy !
While I take what’s rightfully mine
For I am the Great and Powerful Midnight !
She laughed in bliss as her cape flailed behind her back, her magical power surging out of her body, threatening to burn everything it touched.
“Snowy will know fear when I destroy her little friend, and her turn comes… The Queen will finally see my worth… They all will. So watch your sweet little daughter,” She said as the magic flowing around her settled down while she regained her calm.
Midnight sat at her desk before taking out a piece of paper and writing something on it. This would serve to formalize the Veneficia Twila. It would be read directly by the Queen herself, and she would approve of the events Midnight chose, then inform her opponent of them. The headmistress would have loved for it to be a complete surprise, so Mirage would have no time to prepare something against her, but it didn’t really matter. In the end, she would still win.
She took one last look at the events she wrote down, before glancing at her father’s picture. Then, she put the piece of paper in an envelope, and finally shot a blue beam of magic at it, directly sending it to the Royal Palace. She would have to wait a week before the first event begins, and by the time it does, all of Canterlot will know about it. All eyes will be on her… including the Queen’s. When she beats Mirage and any other unicorns Snowy might be close with one by one, she will finally get her due after all these years.