Silent Storms
Sunset Shimmer
Luckily enough for me, the tea party didn’t last for much longer than that. The rest of it did contain idle chatters that were infrequently directed at me. I was prepared either way.
“Yes, I have been doing fine. Thank you for your concern, Princess Celestia. While I appreciate your concern I am capable of taking care of myself.” I responded while wondering how once more the supposed fragility of my health came up on the talking list. I had been ensuring my proper health for years at this point. I was no longer the filly that needed Princess Celestia’s constant watch. She knew this so why would the celestial goddess ask? Perhaps the parasite had a frail constitution despite being an Alicorn.
No that would be unlikely, everything that I have so far read that Alicorns receive a rather large boost to their constitution. Then why would she ask the parasite? Princess Celestia does nothing for no reason. Then why would Princess Celestia keep questioning the parasite's health? There had to be something I was missing. Alright. What had I missed?
Princess Celestia had made small talk after the rather blunt beginnings of this tea party. Even reading between the lines there was little of real note. There would be an envoy from the griffons in two weeks. Cadance was expected to sit in on it to gain experience for the future. Perhaps she was being trained to be an envoy? It didn’t matter in the short term and I wouldn't be around in the long term. Even if Cadance truly did have a frail constitution I knew that Celestia and her ponies would be able to cure any sort of ailments for the newest Alicorn.
Ah, it looked like this all too annoying tea party was concluding. Good. I could return to my work on the damnable array. Even if Princess Celestia was too busy at the moment it wouldn't complete itself. And given my progress on it, I estimated another three days of concentrated effort. Afterward, I would be free to continue my studies. I would need to acquire some materials to begin once more with the practical portions of my work. Ah, I can't forget my responsibilities with the parasite as well. Issues for later. I concluded as Princess Celestia straightened and began to speak.
“Thank you both for indulging me in my little tea party. I would hope that we could have another soon.” The celestial monarch exclaimed as the tea cups dissipated into motes of light. Looks like she is going to be checking into the progress the parasite will be making. On one hoof this would be an opportunity to prove that even without being able to make friends I can still work with any pony. I soon lost my train of thought as Princess Celestia continued “Cadance if you wouldn't mind, I do need to speak with Sunset alone. You two can meet later to discuss the finer details of your sessions.”
I could immediately think of 13 different ways to escape this room without causing any potential damage to Princess Celestia. I wouldn't cause any lasting harm to her even at my worst. I would start by teleporting to my room grabbing my prearranged bag and then fleeing the castle. Using any of eight different routes or my magic. Then grabbing the stash of bits I had in Canterlot all the while charming different ponies to look like myself. In the ensuing chaos, I should be able to escape the city before beginning my trek into the wilderness to a hidden cave that had been prepared years ago. From there I could assess what needed to be done. However, if she was determined to imprison me I wouldn't go down without a fight.
Not letting any of my thoughts show to the two Alicorns I ensured that my face remained passive, for all my skills at reading ponies, I knew that Princess Celestia had written the rules of this game. I simply at best was a skilled player. The parasite nodded its head, its multicolored mane bobbing with it before the parasite left. Taking with it all pretenses of civility as Princess Celestia shifted her entire attention towards me.
‘Let the next bout begin Princess Celestia’ I mentally whispered as her gaze caught mine. I then spoke, “What can I do for you, Princess Celestia.” Come now, if you had any proof you wouldn't have invited me in for tea. I would have been long ago dragged in chains to your throne. You have nothing but your suspicions. and we both know that you won't imprison me for those alone. I have played my part as best I could.
Princess Celestia didn’t frown but her ever-present smile dropped an inch. Had I not lived with her for my entire life I would have been unable to see the difference. The first point is mine. I had given the initiative to her, but to do otherwise would have tipped her off that something was different. I may not have made the game, but after living with the master for all these years I had certainly picked up her tricks.
“Sunset I can understand your desire to seem unfettered by what happened, but it isn’t healthy to bottle it up like you are doing. I have given you a week and you are either unable or unwilling to help yourself. Let me help you.” The largest hypocrite in Equestria spoke as if she could still help me. That she was on my side. I almost smiled at the thought. However past experiences had proven that showing anything other than a calm indifference would end in my loss. Seeing that I wasn't planning to respond, the solar goddess sighed before continuing. “If you won’t take my help I would suggest talking to Cadance about it. She may be able to help even more than I could.”
Yes, let the parasite sink her teeth into me. That sounds like a glorious plan, oh dear leader of Equestria. I would sooner go into Tartarus voluntarily. That parasite has nothing to offer to me and I refuse for it to take any more than it already has.
“I will consider what you have said, Princess Celestia.” I calmly respond, watching as her smile once more falters. Princess Celestia doesn’t respond instead. She just stares at me while I pretend not to notice. Instead, while I am ignoring her I re-heat the remnants of tea in my cup before bringing it to my lips.
“Sunset I don’t know why you accepted teaching Cadance so easily. I was prepared for a multitude of outcomes to this question. Most of them didn’t even have you at this tea party. None of them however had you accepting this arrangement without something in return.” Princess Celestia states breaking the silence. “I know we have had our differences in the past, but I would like you to give Cadance a chance. You need-”
“Let me guess a friend? My most sincere apologies Princess Celestia but we have had differing opinions on what I have needed for some time.” I cut her off my tone dropping. The air in the room slowly became heated. This was her point. Tirek damns it. I was so close to winning. “If you will excuse me, Princess Celestia I have an array to get back to,” I say, winding up the cooling charm, before letting it activate as I trot towards the door.
“Sunset,” my teacher whispers in a soft voice that almost convinced me to turn around. I put one hoof in front of the other before opening the door, stepping through, and slamming it behind me. Foalish I realized after the fact, but it was better than burning through the door in my rage. Taking a second to take a breath that I hadn't realized that I was missing. Then with not a second glance towards the door, I teleported away.
Re-appearing in my room once more I contemplated just calling it a day already. There wasn't much more that could go wrong at this point. Might as well get a jump start on tomorrow. Only one thought prevented me from doing so. I would miss the sunset, something I hadn't done in years. Just like its counterpart, it provided me with something that I could still say was perfect. Even through all the misery and failures. Celestia still raised and brought down the sun.
Taking a long look at my bed, I trotted towards my desk putting aside such thoughts, and pulled out my current book once more. Ripping my bookmark out from the book, I dove into eagerly losing myself within its blackened pages. The words rippled across the page as were they, black snakes struggling against their brethren.
I once more was immersed in the inner workings of the madman and his attempt to bring his enemies down with magic most foul. After the failure of his newest creation, he turned his efforts to rework one of his older works. Standard had begun work to amplify his curse of confusion. From what he had recorded the curse was a rather tame one often only disorientating those impacted by its effect. From what I was currently reading, he was attempting to overcharge the current effect in an attempt to instead of confusing, cause madness. Such that those cursed would be forever lost within the terrors of their minds.
As I studied the process of what he had written, I could only compare the process to working on more complicated arrays. Could that be what curses are? A simple application of will, power, and understanding? Focused towards causing harm? That was almost disappointing. I had hoped for more. Something that would prove that they deserved to be burned, and hidden away from the average pony. Instead, I got this.
Sighing I continued reading, hopefully, Standard Baird would have something worth more than what he had so far written about. If this was to be the entirety of his understanding of curses I would need to find some way else to learn about them. The madness curse depending on its applications could be useful if it was a temporary ailment. Were it to be permanent it would remain unused. Sequestered within my head along with it, countless others.
Only when the rays of golden light started to peter out hours later did I return to the world of Equestria once more. Swiftly stashing away “Deliverance of Doom” in its resting place, I made it towards my window. Where I watched the sun, once more be swallowed by the darkness it once held at bay. My nightly ritual complete I turned towards my cot, and the tortures that it would soon provide. I covered myself once more with a quilt and cover as I waited for the nightly ritual once more to commence.
Upon entering the dreaming world once more I awaited the arrival of my tormentors. I could see for one singular moment the sun. Blazing in its ethereal glory keeping the darkness away for but one moment more. How I wished that it would stay its course. Yet as had been done since the beginning, soon the sun flickered out. The shadows grew before swallowing all. When I regained my vision I saw before me a burned cottage. The scorched door closed. Keeping the demons within contained.
Hearing the crunching of snow, I looked down and saw my hooves moving. I knew pleading wouldn't work. Much like in the waking world they fell upon deaf ears. Here however I couldn’t see my tormentor. I held my head high waiting for the door to open. Feeling the chill intensified as white sprites began to dance before me. Instinctively I burned. My flames lashed out, seeking to scour the ones who would once more make me helpless. Yet for all the fuel I provided, my flames quickly sputtered out. Doused by both cold and snow.
I could see the shadows dancing in the snow. Fleeting between the flakes. Whenever I attempted to focus my gaze on one, it would slip away, replaced by another in the corner of my vision. Spinning together various spells that would provide light was attempted time and time again. Each time my magic first faltered, then shattered. I could faintly hear the wind howling as the deluge of snow increased its pace. Daggers of frost stabbed into me from all angles. My shields snapped ineffectively, after being pierced.
It took but a moment for the shades to change to the new tune. Their spectral claws sharpened, as they advanced upon me with cruel intent. Waiting to once more rend my flesh from my form. Before stitching me back together. Blasting the shades with torrents of magic proved useless. As they reformed a moment later.
One of the shades stepped forth from the horde. Its form is made of harsh angles. I saw the gap where a ponies mouth would be split open, revealing a maw filled with angled fangs.
“I see that you have failed once more, my student.” A screaming mockery of Celestia tore through the air. I felt my muzzle wet as my vision was no longer filled with ice, but water. “Was this task too much for you Sunset? Is this one thing you can’t learn?” The screeching mimicry continued as the horde followed in tune. Each takes the voice of another pony. From those, I had only heard once, to those that I conversed with infrequently. All joined this howling chorus. Advancing toward the object of their torment. Me.
I glared at the horde of shadows before me. I would not fall alone. Seeking to take them with me my magic boiled, before flooding out. Flames licking at the horde before me.
“I am sorry Celestia,” I whispered as my final words. Before my vision was crowded once more with emerald flames.
I blinked my eyes rapidly, flushing the tears from them. Taking in the sight before me with manic glee. The sun was rising once more. Quickly smothering the firestorm that was accompanying me. Throwing myself off my bed struggling towards my window. I untangled myself from my prison of silk after feeling the warmth suffuse me. Watching through the window as the sun continued its journey chasing away the shadows.
I smiled, embraced by the sun’s warmth. Letting my hooves slow their twitching, as I took deep breaths. I felt two warm wings wrap around me, protecting me from the horrors both real and imagined. I embraced them. Shattering the illusion as the warmth faded, along with it my smile dissipated.
Immediately I stood up, threw my blanket back onto my bed, and marched out of my room. Ignoring the lingering cold as I stepped into the darkened hallways. Hooves mechanically click against the polished stone floor. Reaching the library I went immediately toward the sections about various magics. Trotting the same trail I had for the last few years of my life I began to search for what I was looking for.
First pulling the “Faithful Battle Tome” , a collection of earth pony techniques and training. I had initially ignored this book as I was a Unicorn. Only skimming over it to ensure that there were no particular tricks that I would have to deal with from an overzealous earth pony. The various authors over a few centuries had added all sorts of ways to further improve an earth ponies' strength and constitution. It also came with a multitude of lessons already made which would hopefully prove useful.
I spent another few hours looking for a similar-styled book on Pegasus. Unfortunately, my memories had served me well as I couldn’t recall ever coming across one such tome in my youth. Princess Celestia knows that I have overlooked important details before so it was still prudent that I checked. It was only after the librarians began to make their way into their domain once more that I fled back to my room. Clutching the one tome that I had managed to acquire to my side. I would need to expand my search to find an appropriate way to further teach the parasite. Perhaps it knew of some knowledge that would point me in the correct direction. Unlikely, but still a possibility that I would dutifully check.
It would not do well to fail a test that I knew I could pass. Teaching a young colt or filly? Easy. Teaching a manipulative parasite that managed to ascend? Harder, but still within the realms of my skills. I had never taught before but I knew that it couldn’t be too difficult. After all, I knew that a third of the material already, was going to learn up on another third, and that final third I would soon figure out a plan to deal with. I would not fail. This was not a test designed for me to fail. It was in those thoughts that I saw my door and the parasite that was laying on the ground in front of it.
Immediately I stilled. How did it know where my room was? No, the more important question is, why was it here? It was in front of my door asleep judging by the soft neighing coming from its still form. This had to be a trap or some form of trick. I would not fall for it, I first needed to figure out what the parasites plan was. Immediately I spun an illusion over myself before I began to run through every single spell that allowed me to collect information. From disillusionment spells to medical spells, I was not leaving anything to chance, and by the end of my rather long list of spells, I came to two conclusions. The first was that the parasite was in good health with what appeared to be nothing hidden on her body. The second was that she was still asleep in front of my door for a reason that still eluded me.
I paused once more at this point contemplating turning around and heading back toward the library. After all, it was unlikely I would have been able to search every book to look for ways to teach a Pegasus their innate magic. I could also get back to work on the arcane array, as I hadn’t made any progress after the disaster of a tea party yesterday. I would have to get into my room to grab my saddle bag, however. Stepping back from the silent form of the… Wait it had stopped neighing in its sleep. Backing up further from the parasite's form I focused on a simple spell to check if the target was asleep or not.
I watched as my spell impacted the parasite's form as it kept still. Yet it couldn’t fool me, my spell had reported as I had feared. The parasite was only pretending to be asleep still. I forced the scowl from my face as I disillusioned myself.
“I know you are awake,” I called out, keeping my voice steady. Watching as the pink form of the parasite flinched. Before it tilted its head towards me, its eyes blinked as it yawned.
“You know I never have had the pleasure to wake up from what can only be considered a rather in-depth medical scan. I mean even the medical ponies Princess Celestia took me to weren’t nearly as invasive as you. I could maybe recognize one out of four spells you used on me.” The parasite said with a bright smile, its mane bobbing all the while. Its pink orbs glittered at me with an unknown emotion. “So what is the verdict doctor? Will I survive?” Continued the parasite with an odd tilt to its voice.
What? Is the parasite dying? Does Celestia know? This has to be confirmation that the newest Alicorn truly has a frail constitution. But all my scans showed nothing. Reviewing everything that I got from my spells I saw nothing that would kill the pony in front of me. She was as hearty as… well as an Alicorn. Was there something that my scans didn’t pick up? They should be able to detect most things even were the ailments clouded by magics. Perhaps she was afflicted by a...
“Sunset?” The parasite said, shattering my train of thought. “That was a joke.” I stared at the foulest of all parasites, as I ran through the last four words the creature had spoken before. Oh, it was just a joke. I laughed and the parasite flinched back.
“A very funny joke indeed,” I replied with obvious steel in my voice. I watched as the parasite winced. Breaking its gaze from mine the parasite continued to get up as it glanced toward me and then to my door. “Not that I don’t enjoy a good joke but is there anything you need?” I asked, keeping an eye on the temperature around me.
“Well, I didn’t see you yesterday after the tea party so I was wondering if you wanted to have breakfast together? You know since you are going to be teaching me magic…” The parasite trailed off. I didn’t blink as I continued to stare at the parasite. Before I responded.
“I have already eaten” I lied as easily as the parasite in front of me did “If you are worried about your future curriculum don't. I assure you that it will be done within the next few days at the latest.” I said with finality in my voice. Willing the parasite to leave me to my designs until I was forced to deal with it.
“Don’t you need to know what I have already learned?” asked the parasite as it tilted its head once more, causing its mane to once more bounce wildly. I could imagine that the parasite had it charmed to do so on command. Stray thoughts aside, the parasite brought up an unfortunate point. It would make my life easier to have a starting point for the parasite. Without one I could go over topics it had already mastered, causing the two of us to spend more time than needed together.
“That would be helpful towards your future lesson plans.” I conceded to the parasite before I struck “Why don’t you grab something to eat then meet me at the training room.” It was unlikely that the parasite knew where it was, and going by the rate of travel from yesterday I would have a few hours alone before it showed up.
“Sure.” the parasite chirped flashing a smile before heading in the wrong direction if it was heading towards the kitchens. Perhaps I wouldn't have to deal with the parasite at all today if its sense of direction was this bad. Shaking my head to rid myself of the parasite’s foolishness. I entered my room. Upon seeing the mess I had left this morning I tidied up before grabbing my satchel bag and leaving for the training room. Ignoring the growing void in my stomach as I trotted. I didn’t eat anything last night or this morning. I would survive until tonight, I had gone longer without food in the past.
Upon reaching my destination I glanced at the doors that once held all manner of memories of a dutiful student and her celestial teacher. Now only holding regrets. I lost myself in the pleasant memories for but a moment. Steeling my resolve and entering the training room. I with but a thought activated the lock on the door. Even if the parasite was to somehow show up it couldn't enter this room uninvited.
Covered with all manner of runes, Princess Celestia herself had a hoof in the protection of this room. Even three years ago I could barely singe the walls. Now I wondered if I would be able to shatter something as powerful as this. Deciding to think about the topic later I pulled my most recent acquisition from the library and proceeded to get lost within its pages. Upon hearing the tearing of metal I glanced toward the entrance.
Then watching in horror as the doors slam open and then fly off their hinges into the walls. My jaw dropped as I saw the parasite holding two bundles in its mouth. Eyes the size of saucers as it gazed at the doors that it had embedded into the walls. Perhaps Standard Baird was onto something when he stated “When one seeks to upset the current balance, the balance seeks to upset.” I initially thought of the words as more of his mad ramblings, but now I was rather unsure.
“Sunset I’m sorry but the door wouldn't open. I thought it was stuck. So I pushed it a little. Please don’t tell the Princess.” the parasite pleaded as the bundles dropped from its mouth. I could only stare at the chaos that it had caused in a matter of seconds.
“I believe you are a Princess?” I questioned as I tried to register what just happened. No correction I knew what happened. I was hoping that the world started to make sense once more.
“I mean technically I haven't had my coronation yet?” The parasite paused its freak out to consider, before resuming “Oh horse apples I dropped the food.” I was now watching the parasite using its wings to lift the two bundles and failing to do so, as it was still staring at the damage it had caused to the castle.
So many things to question the parasite on. So many things didn’t make sense. So I started with one of the easier things to ask about the pony-sized calamity.
“I believe I recommended that you eat before you came here?” I intoned hoping that my voice showed none of my bewilderment. Fake it until you make it Sunset. The parasite grinned at me as it finally caught the smaller bundle and then proceeded to whip it at me. I caught it of course, as my magic slowed its descent until it floated between us. “And that was for?” Hoping for answers that didn’t make my head want to split open.
“Well, I went to the kitchens to get some food and got talking to Ramse about my plans with you, and guess what he mentioned that you hadn't been picking up your meals. That he hadn't seen you since yesterday morning. So being the kind, not quite a Princess pony that I am. I offered to bring you your food.” The parasite recounted with manic energy as a triumphant hoof was stamped forwards.
“I see.” That answered none of the questions I wanted. I wanted to grab the parasite and wring it until it started to spout the answers I wanted. How did it find this room so quickly? How did it break through the lock? How in the darkness of Tartarus did it manage to break the protections on this room that Princess Celestia had made?
Upon seeing that I had no intention to continue the parasite shrugged before sitting down, and proceeding to open its bundle. A set of sandwiches that had been cut in half.
“You know it's common courtesy to say thank you?” Said the parasite with that tilt to its voice once more.
“Thank you?” I said once more trying to piece together the plans that the creature in front of me had. Realizing that I was even more lost than I had initially thought.
“Your welcome Sunset.” The parasite nodded hopefully oblivious to my inner turmoils. Beginning to eat the prepared food it had brought all the while ignoring the devastation it had caused. My stomach growled once more and I contemplated my current situation. Deciding to unwrap my parcel, revealing my usual salad. Glancing at the parasite who seemed to be entirely enthused with decimating its platter of food. I ran a quick diagnostics spell on the salad after the spell reported that it was all clear I began to eat myself. However, unlike the parasite in front of me, I used my magic to support my utensils instead of using a combination of hooves and wings.
I considered staying silent but the opportunity would be wasted otherwise.
“Why don’t you try to levitate the sandwiches while you eat them? This would be a good start to gauge your use of non-innate magics.” It would also allow me to see far the parasite's control had come along. The parasite’s face puckered before relaxing. I then watched the sandwich half that it had picked up with its hooves be put back down. Then the sandwich half started to wobble as it floated off the plate. It took a good half a minute but the parasite managed to levitate it if not shakily to its mouth. The parasite proceeded to shoot me a large grin and took a hefty bite out of the floating food.
“How did I do?” The parasite said in between bites of the sandwich. Acting as if it was a small creature that had successfully performed a trick, and was now waiting for a treat. Unfortunately for the parasite, my natural reaction to small creatures is to set them aflame.
“You will need to work on your finer control but otherwise I am pleased to see we get to skip the step of you learning not to crush everything you levitate,” I say while picking up a piece of wall, moving it between the two of us, and then proceed to pulverize it. The parasite gulped down a piece of its food wrong and began to hack. I watched with feigned interest as it tried and failed to give itself the Heimlich. It was only when the pink started to turn red that I assisted with a good place magical shove to the parasite's chest, did the chunk of food get spat back up.
Watching the parasite begin to cough I summoned some water before offering it to the still-coughing creature. “Eighth day in the castle and this would be the second time you have nearly died?” I muttered under my breath. The parasite finished its sip shooting me, one of its looks I haven't categorized yet.