Opaline puffed and panted as she stood at the door to her castle. Yet another attempt at breaking the spell trapping her had failed. Eyes wide, she took a deep breath and thrust her head to the sky, letting out a cry of sheer anguish.
“Why? Why?” she panted. “My powers are back, I’m stronger than ever. Why can’t I break free?”
She turned around and re-entered the castle, still panting from the effort she’d expended.
Suddenly, a flash of green caught her eye. A vein of green shot through the tree growing through the castle from its roots to the very tip of its branches.
Excitedly, Opaline hurried to her caldron pool and cast the spell to bring up the map of Equestria. She waited with bated breath as her heart continued to pound. Finally, the map appeared and there was a flash as a whole new set of lines appeared around Zephyr Heights. Those around Maretime Bay also becoming more defined.
“Yes! Yes!” she cried with elation. “You beautiful Together Tree, you’ve made another new friend haven’t you? If only you’d make amends with that spiteful one in Bridlewood.”
She studied the map further and grinned with elation.
“Just you wait Sunny Starscout, Starlight Glimmer, Sunset Shimmer,” Opaline beamed. “As you make your own steps forward you progress my plans without even realising it. All I need is more power, then I’ll be free from this castle and free to take my rightful place at last.”
With that, Opaline let out a maniacal cackling laugh before promptly lying down, panting for breath.
“Just maybe after I’ve had a nap.”