After Princess Luna’s revolt, Equestrian was plunged into a mini civil war. Princess Celestia had attempted to attack Luna's fortress head-on, however, the force field proved to be defiant. Meanwhile, Luna had sent Scootaloo into nearby towns and cities, planting propaganda posters as well as attempting to recruit more ponies to the cause. This was proven difficult as Celestia had labelled her as an enemy of the state, not to mention most ponies were still loyal to Celestia. Despite this Scootaloo had found several ponies unhappy with Celestia's rule.
Scootaloo entered the castle, pulling the mask and goggles off her face she exclaimed "It's no use, everypony is still supporting Celestia"
"Don't give up my little pony, anyway I believe I know where I can get an army," Luna reassured Scootaloo, who looked surprised at hearing this.
“Wait you do but I thought that nopony was willing to join.” Scootaloo's said astonished.
“I managed to find a large group of ponies to help us, but enough about that it's time that we continued with your training,” Luna said, taking Scootaloo's into a large courtyard.
She then said “I believe that you are now fully capable of flight and you know how to at least defend yourself. I think it is time that I teach you magic.”
“Really! But I’m only a Pegasus how can I use magic?” she asked uncertainly.
“Everypony can use magic as long as you have something to channel your magic through, for example, unicorns have their horns and pegasi can use their wings,” she explained.
“So can I even do unicorn magic?”
“Yes as long as you have the willpower and the,” mental strength she told the filly. Before the filly could get her hopes up Luna quickly added “However for our first lesson I want to focus on channelling your Pegasus magic as that will be easier.”
“Aww but that's boring” Scootaloo pouted.
“That's only because you have a very different view on Pegasus magic, now enough questions, I need you to concentrate. Close your eyes and breathe in and out.” Luna commanded softly.
Scootaloo nodded and sat down, closing her eyes, she heard Luna whisper, “Flair your wings out and imagine a thunderstorm.”
Scootaloo complied, flaring her wings out making her appear more aggressive, which was helped by the skin-tight Shadowbolt suit, she then imagined herself, sitting in a field with the sound of thunder in her ears.
Luna then instructed, “Now think of the one pony that you hate the most and aim all of your rage towards that pony.”
Scootaloo's nodded imagining both Diamond Tiara, her former class bully along with Rainbow Dash, who she felt had betrayed her. She felt her wings feel static and felt something warm creep through them, she felt her feathers stand on end. Suddenly without warning, she heard a loud crackling sound right in front of her, opening her eyes, she was surprised to see two very large scorch marks on the ground.
Scootaloo sat there in shock as Luna congratulated “Congrats you have officially performed a simple lightning spell, a spell that is commonly used when a pony is on the offensive against an opponent. I must say, I am impressed you managed to perform two at once.”
Scootaloo’s mouth gaped open as it slowly transformed into a smile “I did it, I actually did magic!” Scootaloo's shouted jumping into the air.
Luna couldn't help but smile as she watched the ecstatic filly, unbeknownst to them, a rainbow-maned pegasus, wearing a Wonderbolt suit was sat watching the duo, just outside of the force field. She frowned before zooming off, leaving a rainbow trail in her wake, which went unnoticed.
***
Celestial was sat in the war room staring down at a hologram of the Everfree Forest as she strategised on how to bring the force field down.
Rainbow Dash joined her, still wearing her wonderbolt attire, she told the princess “You're gonna wanna hear this princess”
Celestial got up and followed Rainbow to the briefing room where the rest of the mane six was waiting for her. Once they were all seated Rainbow Dash announced “Scootaloo can do magic.”
This led to gasps of disbelief as Twilight blurted out “But that's impossible, she’s only a pegasus”
“Trust me Twilight I saw it with my own eyes, she caused several lightning bolts to appear by themselves, similar to the ones that Nightmare Moon used against the guards during the summer sun celebration,” she explained.
“Well, then she has to have had a cloud.” Twilight stammered trying to use her overused brain to figure it out.
“She didn't, there wasn't a cloud in sight”
Twilight gripped the side of her head as she repeated “But that's impossible.”
Celestial sighed before speaking up “My sister must have taught her how to use magic with her wings.”
Everypony looked at her confused at what she just said with Applejack exclaimed “Ah’m sorry, come again?”
Celestial explained “Pegasi can channel magic through their wings similar to how unicorns use their horns”
Rainbow asked, “If pegasi can do that then why haven't we been using it against her?”
“Because it is incredibly dangerous, so dangerous in fact that I outlawed it”
Twilight didn't know what to believe, her mentor seemed so cold and distant.
***
Princess Luna and Scootaloo both arrived in Hollow Shades under the cover of darkness, Luna was disguising herself through her cloak, whereas Scootaloo was wearing her full Shadowbolt suit, her golden goggles, enchanted to see in the dark.
They walked into the local town hall to find a dark grey, thestral with a deep purple mane. “Scootaloo's this is Dusk Shade, he is the mayor of Hollow Shades and he comes from a long line of fellow supporters. He has promised me to provide us an army using his own citizens.” Luna explained, she couldn't read Scootaloo’s expressions because of the suit but she felt that she was confused.
Scootaloo's asked “Is he a vampony?”
Dusk answered for Luna “No, I am a thestral, while we look similar to vampony we do not drink the blood of ponies although we aren't against eating meat.”
Scootaloo made a disgusted face, hidden by the mask but Luna reassured “The thestrals are often misunderstood and interpreted as monsters but I assure you that they are no more dangerous than you or me”
She then further explained, “Thestrals keep to themselves, preferring the darkness of the White Tail Woods, Thestrals are also very loyal to the night which in turn means that they are very loyal to me.”
Dusk added “Celestia, kept us shunned away and promoted the rumours that we feed on pony flesh, forcing us to stay in hiding. That is why we want our revenge and are willing to help Princess Luna in every way possible.” He stomped his hoof on the floor making the room shake.
Scootaloo sensed that the thestral wanted more than revenge “What's the catch?”
“There is no Catch all I want is for the thestrals to be able to live and roam freely from discrimination and fear.” He explained, however, Scootaloo wasn't all too convinced, however, she decided to give him the benefit of the doubt.
***
Princess Celestial was outraged, she had found out that Hollow Shades along with the thestral population had risen up against her and publicly announced their support for Princess Luna. “I should have slaughtered them all when I had the chance! It doesn't matter now, they will be dealt with soon, I just need to bring that force field down along with my sister and that stupid filly. Once that force field is down, Luna will be begging to be sent to the moon as for the filly, well accidents happen and accidents can be tragic…”