Misty walked in front of the castle that was home to both her and Opaline. She hesitantly opened the front door, seeing the large winding stairs to the throne room. She held the book in her hoof. The cover shone in the moonlight of the windows. It was quite a beautiful night. She has always wondered about those empty halls as a filly, wondering what ponies used to live and work there. Sometimes she found relics of previous staff like decorated cutie mark blankets or small bracelets or various trinkets. She had once asked Opaline about them, wondering what could have happened to them, but Opaline was never pleased with the comments, but never as cruel as she was now.
Misty had quite the outing in the town. She had only just arrived back at the castle hours afterward. She had taken her sweet time as well, facing Opaline was always such an ordeal that Misty could hardly stand it. The guilt, the disappointment, the shame. It was all so uncomfortably horrible. No doubt she would love for Opaline to be proud of her, show her in the sweetest affections and compliments, but that was a hollow pipe dream. One that Misty knew all too well to be impossible in nature.
She finally reached the top. Seeing the magnificently decorated door, one that held the most interesting craftsmanship, only fueling Misty’s curiosity over the years as to who had done it, she creeped into the room, seeing no sign of Opaline. But like always, there was a good chance she would appear soon. Misty closed her eyes. Taking deep breaths. Remembering calming moments other than with her maniacal caretaker.
"It won't surprise me this time" She whispered. Pressing the book tightly to her chest.
She could hear the faint sound of hooves touching the ground.
"MISTY!" Opaline yelled from behind.
She wasn't surprised, she slowly turned around, facing Opaline. "Hi Opaline…" Misty stammered, looking away and to the side, not bearing the impact of Opalines eye contact.
Opaline quickly took notice of Misty's sudden changes.
"Hm." Opaline smirked. "What's that you have there Misty?" She asked, smiling. Obviously curious as to what she had in her possession.
"It's a book on magic I got from the library" She said, clutching it to her chest like a newborn foal.
"Hand it here" Opaline demanded, holding out her hoof.
Misty obliged, handing it over.
Opaline eyed the book, looking dubiously at the cover and title. "Starswirl, Magic and Destiny? Well, certainly not the worst thing you've brought me." She said rolling her eyes and flipping through the pages with ease. "Spells, beginner to master, potential of unicorn abilities and manifestation of greater power."
Opaline stopped. Staring at Misty questingly. She handed back the book. Starting off towards her throne once more.
"Read the whole thing, if you find nothing, read all the magic books in the town, I don't care, find something useful" Opaline remarked as she laid down lazily on her throne.
Misty slowly stepped towards the door to her room, she opened it and carefully shut it closed. She was quiet and Dumbfounded. The alicorn was much less judgemental than usual.
Misty sighed as the moonlight spilled into her bedroom window. The tension in her body released into the cool air coming in, revealing Misty's eagerness to actually read the book that Opaline had so quickly skimmed through, almost like she already read it.
She put the book down on the ground, laying on the cold floor, she flipped to the first page.
"Page 1.
Magic has always been an enigma, coded in many layers of both talent and dedication. Unicorns have long debated the difference between the two, but to me, Starswirl the Bearded, both of these and one more are required to be great spellcaster"
Misty cocked her head. She was confused, what more was needed for magic? You needed more power. Power and strength were the root of all magical abilities that Misty knew of. She found herself enamored instantly, she quickly read more.
"Yes, one more is required for becoming a great spellcaster. You need to be able to make your thoughts become reality"
Misty's eyes were glued to the book, she found the whole thing fascinating. She had never known books could be so interesting.
"Learning to make your own imagination a spell is much harder than casting someone else's spell. This myth that you need someone else's spell persists. This innate suspicion that your spell will not work is the very core of failed spells.
We perceive that others' spells will work better than our own, because of doubt! Doubt in our abilities and all else. But If you eliminate doubt, you can eliminate failed spells!"
Misty was taken aback, unicorn abilities couldn't be contained AT ALL?? How was that possible! This was utterly preposterous.
"My first advice to any unicorns learning spells, don't rely on others too heavily. Your magical ability Is much more powerful than you will ever know."
Misty began reading with her utmost attention. It was strange for her to feel passion for something. Never did she have hobbies or even an interest in books. Now all her concentration was on reading.
Spells, magic, cutie marks symbolizing magic ability. She read it all. It sucked her in, numbing all her senses except her own imagination. The bright moonlight greeted her with open arms, shining bright enough for her to read.
It brought her back to even before Opaline. She didn't remember much before then, but she did know that it reminded her of something more than the old, rickety, and cold tower.
"Page 125
The most important part of utilizing your magical power, is using your own being as a conduit. Emotion is the center of all beings, including ponies.
Unicorn magic is much more powerful when paired with great emotion. That is the reason newborn foals possess great strength, and how desperate ponies will obliterate all in their path, no matter how strong."
She gasped at the revelation. Could she learn this as well? Not likely…. She didn't even know if she was connected with magic, let alone spells.
"When doing basic spells like levitation, small fillies should practice putting their whole self to that spell. Every emotion, everything that upset them that day, or made them laugh. Should go straight to that spell. It will make the process of learning much easier."
Misty stared silently at the book. She was still laying on the ground in her room. She hadn't even remembered. But suddenly she was broken from her trance of reading.
These new words were intoxicating to Misty. She had always wanted a cutie mark, but she was never good at anything, other than sneaking. But that didn't quite count. She had never cast a real spell, let alone one that was above her skill level. But others had done it, so why couldn't she?
She suddenly stood up, overcome by awe and curiosity. She closed her eyes, thinking of everything that had happened to her that day. The shame of lying, the guilt of abusing kindness, the happiness of her new appearance, and of course the passion of her reading. She directed it all to her spell.
Only one thought was on her mind. Just like the book had suggested.
Levitate
Misty felt a chill in her spine, it went all the way through her body and her horn. It startled her, being that it was a cold and unfamiliar feeling.
She opened her eyes, the book she once read was floating above the floor.
Pink and red aura covered her entire body.
She looked to the ground, she herself was floating as well. Along with her bed and phone. She waved her legs frantically, trying to find a floor where there was none.
"EEP!!!" She yelped.
Suddenly everything, including her body, fell to the ground. Causing a hard slam to the floor. She closed her eyes and reached for the book when she heard loud footsteps at her door. It slammed open, revealing a very angry Opaline.
"MISTY, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!?" She yelled, stomping her hooves in the doorframe.
"Uuuggghhh" Misty groaned. "I think I'm going to be sick" She covered her mouth. Pulling her ears to the sides of her head in shame.
"MISTY!! Have you been up all night!" Opaline yelled, still stomping and fuming.
"Yes…" Misty mumbled.
"Did you EVEN find out anything useful?" Opaline asked through her seering anger.
"......" Misty fell silent. She felt that same drop in her gut. She couldn't possibly lie to Opaline? Could she?
"N-no.. bu-t I-I just wanted t-to do what you told me…" Misty said, burying her head between her hooves.
"Misty, JUST BE QUIET! DON'T WAKE ME AGAIN!" Opaline yelled. Slamming the door closed once again.
Misty didn't understand why she lied to Opaline about the spell she just performed. She didn't take lying to Opaline lightly either, the alicorn had a nasty temper. One that Misty knew all too well over the years.
Misty quietly sat on the cool floor. She was quite tired. Bags were under her eyes. She sighed, climbing onto her bed which was now slightly crooked. She remembered her spell. It almost didn't seem real, like a fairytale that Misty had stumbled her way into by accident.
Closing her eyes, she wondered what else she could do if she put her mind to it?