//------------------------------// // Chapter 2: The Dark Queen // Story: Remnant // by Ebonyglow //------------------------------// The land outside Equestria was one that held the unknown, reeking with mystery and worry. To say few ponies ventured beyond the known reaches of the land was an understatement—virtually nopony ever dared tread off the known regions. Exploring the unknown within the country was one thing, but beyond it… They feared that was only where evil lay. Fables, tales, and myths—all telling stories of what and who may be outside the homeland of ponies. Most passed them off as tall tales, but none dared try and prove the claim. A wicked, evil queen, one who wrought havoc and despair in her wake. A common tale, but one that held truth within its words. Traveling up a gnarled, beaten path, Misty took a deep breath. Nearly being caught in her recent attempt to acquire Opaline dragon fire was one thing, but actually dealing with the alicorn’s unrelenting anger was another beast in of itself. Yet, with her tail tucked between her legs and worry running through her thoughts, the unicorn had no choice but to relay her blunder to the queen. She was desperate for her cutie mark, willing to do anything and everything to acquire it. Assisting Opaline in her attempts to restore her magic seemed like her only option, and though she deeply loathed the gruesome mare, she had nopony else to turn to. Reaching the towering doors that made up the entrance to the wicked castle that acted as the banished alicorn’s home, she pushed them open and slinked inside. The atmosphere of the castle was anything but welcoming. Dark, jagged crystals lined the walls, aged, decaying furniture was strewn about, and piles of old books, journals and more littered the ground. Organization wasn’t much of a concern to Opaline. Living in what was implied to be eternal isolation meant she had no concern for guests, and she didn’t value Misty’s opinion in the slightest—thus, she only cared for her throne room and nothing more. Said throne room was Misty’s target, stepping over a pile of books that had been laid onto the ground. The castle was typically unkempt, but the ancient, aged books tossed around were a new one. She stopped mid trot, pausing as her eyes caught a glint of a colorful cover. Reaching down to pick up the literature, her eyes widened as she read its cover. It was aged, faded, and barely legible, but she managed to understand it. How to Make Your Mark An All You Need Guide to Finding Your Cutie Mark She squinted as she read over the cover, unable to make out the author, or rather authors’ names. She could make out an A and two S’s, but beyond that there wasn’t an easy way to tell who was behind it. Beaming with excitement, she thought to herself for a moment. She could only wonder why Opaline had never mentioned the book to her, but she could only imagine the alicorn simply forgot. Sure, she may be a touch despicable, but she did promise to give her a cutie mark. Her anxiety was partially quelled by the discovery. Carefully levitating it before her, she held it close as she made her way into the throne room. A set of bejeweled doors laid before her, engraved with designs and runes she had no real understanding of. Gulping, hoping she’d avoid any harsh words, she pushed the doors open and made her way in. At the edge of the room, leaning back in an encrusted throne, was Opaline. She was unbothered by Misty’s sudden entrance, chuckling to herself as she flipped through a book, but soon slammed it shut as she watched her minion creep forward. “H-hi, Opaline,” Misty stammered, already recoiling as she watched the alicorn’s gaze narrow. The queen set the book she was reading to her side, glowering down at Misty. “I assume you’ve failed once again in acquiring that dragon’s fire, haven’t you?” “Well…you see…I…” “I see no dragon,” Opaline interrupted, leaning forward and staring daggers into Misty, “and I see no fire.” Misty backpedaled, her magic faltering with her nerves. “It’s just…the sheriff was there and…well…he’s - uh - really…you know…protective of that dragon and…” “What is that you have there?” Opaline inquired, shifting her attention to the book in Misty’s faltering arcane grasp. Taking the opportunity to shift the topic, Misty was quick to reply. “Oh! It’s a book I found when I walked in!” Opting to not reply, Opaline reached forward and snatched the book away from Misty. Holding it up, she read over the cover, chuckling to herself. She opened its bindings, flipping through the pages and shaking her head. “Did you think this would help you?” she asked, her tone menacing as ever. Misty rubbed the back of her mane, giving a half-hearted, awkward laugh. “Well, maybe? I mean, you said you’d help me find my cutie mark and -“ “Only I can solve your pathetic issue,” Opaline seethed. “And with your continued failures,” she tossed the book to her side, crashing it into a torch and knocking it to the ground, “you will never receive my gift to you.” Misty’s expression dropped, watching as the torch’s flames met the dried, aged papers of the book, easily igniting them and setting the entire thing ablaze. Her ears drooped, hearing Opaline’s wicked cackle, yet she never pulled her attention off the slowly growing pile of ash a few feet away from her. “That book, and all the rest, are even more useless than you are,” Opaline stated, picking up the one she had been reading earlier. Sighing to herself, knowing her excitement was long gone, Misty returned her attention to the queen. “Sorry…” She glanced back, seeing the piles of literature near the castle’s entrance. “Um…why do you have them then?” A solemn expression split Opaline’s countenance, an inkling of sorrow in her gaze. “Today is the anniversary of when I was banished to this castle by Twilight Sparkle and her dreadful friends.” Her look quickly shifted to a scowl, as she flipped open her book. “Those idiotic, misguided ponies thought providing me an abundance of stories would be a sufficient way to ‘reform me’.” She spat to her side, disgust washing over her. “I was right. I knew the true balance of power in Equestria. All those pathetic ponies should bow down to their alicorn rulers. That is the proper way of things.” Misty glanced down at the book Opaline was holding, squinting to try and read its cover. “This one is the only one I somewhat enjoy,” Opaline continued, flicking Misty’s muzzle with a hoof and earning a yelp from the unicorn. “And it has no title—at least a written one. Stop trying to find it.” Rubbing her snout, wiping away a tear in her eye, Misty sheepishly replied. “W-why not?” Opaline presented the book before her, allowing Misty to see its cover clear as day. A golden horseshoe was plastered over the cover, several uniquely shaped gems lining the inside of it, with a massive, purple star in the center. Its bindings looked aged, as all the others did, but the cover itself looked to be in good condition. The only part seemingly damaged being the purple shape in the center, its parts scorched from fire. “Because this is a journal, Twilight Sparkle and her friends’ one to be specific,” Opaline scoffed, flipping through the pages. “Detailing all their ‘friendship missions’, adventures, feats, and more.” Misty tilted her head, curious. “Is…is that why you like it?” The question earned a hearty laugh from the alicorn, with her soon shaking her head. “Of course not!” She wiped away a tear in her eye, still chuckling lightly. “I love this book because it’s a firm reminder that in the end they failed.” “Huh? But I thought they-“ “Sealed me away?” Opaline interrupted, making Misty recoil. “It didn’t matter. They may have stopped me temporarily, but I undid their ‘harmony’. They did what they could to repair it, but magic still wasted away.” She caressed a page with her hoof, smiling. “The damage had been done, friendship began to wither away gradually. Decades passed, they met their ends, and magic went with them.” She slammed it shut, setting it down beside her once more. “That is why I enjoy this book. Everything inside of it was for nothing. Everything they built to achieve, destroyed. Everything they stood for was for naught. Once I’m free, Equestria will be finally restored to its proper place—its permanent place.” Misty tilted her head, curious. “What about Sunny Starscout and her friends? They brought back magic and…well…harmony too.” “That false alicorn has no grasp on the magic held within those crystals,” Opaline retorted, smacking the book off the arm of her throne and to the ground. “She’ll just end up like Twilight and her friends—forgotten. Dead to the world the same as their legacy.” She paused, an eerie silence filling the air. Misty squirmed in place, unsure and uneasy in the alicorn's presence. The aura Opaline provided was one of malice and evil intent—a feeling that made Misty’s chest feel like there was a knot within it. It was clear she had no intention to ever change her ways, and the sheer determination she had to undo any remnants of the former generations was horrifyingly intense. “Misty.” The unicorn perked up, finding that Opaline had slipped out of her chair and now loomed over her. “U-uh…yes, Opaline?” “If that sheriff is going to be on top of that dreadful dragon for sometime, then I have another assignment for you,” she replied. “Oh? S-sure! I won’t mess up this time, promise!” Misty quickly followed. She blinked, pausing for a moment, before tilting her head. “Um…what is it?” The alicorn bent down and picked up the friendship journal, tossing it to Misty. “I want you to gather more information on Sunny and her - ugh - friends.” She gestured towards the journal as Misty picked it up. “That book should be more than enough to get her attention—and more importantly trust you. I want you to come back to me with information of use, understood? Oh, and, I suppose at least try and capture the dragon if you can, but don’t waste too much time on your own incompetence. Your priority is them.” “O-of course!” Misty stuttered, looking the book over. “I’ll…I’ll head to Maretime Bay first thing in the morning!” “Very well,” Opaline replied, walking off towards the hall that led to her dining room. “One last thing~” Already having begun scurrying towards her room, Misty paused. “Y-yeah?” “Fail me again and you will regret it.”