The familiar cold of the Hyperborean mountains kissed Twilight's face and hooves as she landed in the snowy bank in front of the cabin. It's cozy frame would normally comfort Twilight, but she had a mission that was much too urgent.
"Welcome home, your... majesty," a gurgling voice spoke.
"Hey Twilice. It's nice to hear your voice again," Twilight sighed.
Twilice chuckled a snake-like laugh. "The feeling is mutual my dear. Are you ready to practice your aether magic?"
"... As ready as I'll ever be... I think."
"Don't worry, Princess, I'll be here for you when your friends turn their backs. I am your friend," Twilice comforted her.
Twilight shook her head, trying disregard the voice's words. "Well we can't do it now, everypony would be suspicious of me if I just walked into the forest for no reason."
"As intuitive as ever, Princess. In that case, take some time to relax and research if you must, but remember that top priority is learning aether magic."
"Of course Twilice. I won't forget," Twilice assured.
"Oh I know you won't forget. I'll make sure of that."
Twilight huffed in exhaustion. She creaked open the door to see the rest of her group gathered around the living room. The griffons were playing a card game along with Pinkie, who appeared to be winning by a mile. Applejack watched the game from the couch, and Spike sat neatly on the table in the corner, munching on a cupcake of sorts.
Gilda eyed Twilight as she walked in. "Hey princess, Find anything helpful?
Twilight shook her head somberly, which made Gilda frown. "Well that really sucks." She brushed her talons through her hair feathers. "Guess we've gotta figure out another way to fix this, huh?"
"Don't worry Ma'am," Gillian suddenly blurted out, startling Twilight, "We brought someone who might be able to help us with out!"
Gilda, as well as the other girffons, immediately stood to attention as Cadance strode into the room.
"Your majesty, I didn't expect they'd convince you to fly all the way out here," Gilda bowed deeply, her beak nearly touching the floor.
"Well this problem turned out to be much bigger than any of us expected, and please, you can just call me Cadance," the crystal princess spoke sweetly.
Gillian nodded, and motioned towards her companions, who raised from their own bows.
The Princess offered a quick smile, but her face returned to a somber state a moment later. "I'm afraid I didn't come here for pleasantries though. We've something important that we all need to discuss... about the Wall."
Twilice hissed "What does this conniving crystal muncher even know about the Wall? I would bet that scrawny griffon told her."
"How do you know about that?" Twilight asked.
"Please, Twilight. I can see your memories, it wasn't hard to figure out which ones were new. Although, that old study at the Crystal Castle does interest me."
"Twilight, why dont'cha write that letter to Celestia while th'princess catches everyone up?" Gillian recommended.
Twilight stared at the griffon, holding back a look of suspicion as best she could. With nothing more than a subtle nod, she walked up the stairs towards her room.
"Should we listen in?"
Twilice released another long, hissing chuckle. "As much as I admire your drive, I have a better idea."
Twilight was about to ask, but as she opened the door to her room, the cool breeze of the outside swept around her. The window was wide open.
Twilice smiled slightly. "Am I thinking what you're thinking?"
She could practically hear Twilice's wide grin. "Undoubtedly, your majesty."
Twilight grabbed the pillows that lay on her bed and stuffed them under her sheets. "There, now they won't bother me."
"Good, now we have all the time in the world to practice."
"I dunno, Twilice. If I haven't gotten aether magic yet, how am I gonna get it now?"
"Do you think I would be pressing it so hard if I believed you hadn't the capability to use aether magic? I see it within you, we just need to unlock it."
The snow below Twilight made a loud crunch as she leapt out of the window. She looked around quickly. Fortunately, both the cabin and the outside kept their peaceful silence, so she began walking towards the river.
"So how do we trigger it then?" Twilight spoke, free to speak her mind out loud now that she was properly isolated.
"I couldn't tell you. I was born with my connection to the Aether, but you... I don't think your kind has seen much aether magic for thousands of years."
"what makes you say that?"
"When I sensed Gelgen's presence, and your own as well, I could see the faintest shimmer of the Aether within you, but it was so... dim, as if it had been snuffed out slowly over eons."
"Oh..." Twilight's head lowered.
"Don't despair, Princess. Your flicker may be dim, but once we activate it, the entire Aether will be at your disposal. Power untold and incomprehensible, all at the tip of your horn!"
"And the ability to fix the Wall?"
"With the Aether in your grasp, you could turn the Wall, and everyone within it, to dust."
"That seems excessive. How do we know there aren't innocent creatures trapped in there with... everything else..."
"Your doubt is present, and I can understand why. All those within the Wall are nothing but verminous monsters whose only wants are to feed and destroy."
"well when you put it like that, you make it sound like the Wall is just a hotbed of evil."
"That it is, which is why it's important that you destroy it as soon as possible."
"What, is the Wall just an obstacle at this point?"
"A nuisance for the likes of me, but an obstacle you must overcome on your own if you want my continued assistance."
"But you'll still teach me, right?"
"Of course my dear, but this must be done by your hand. How else will I know if you're worthy of being under my tutelage?"
"...Ok, yeah. I'll do it. I'll stop the Wall."
"Good, because this will only be your first obstacle. We will have much to do afterwards..."