//------------------------------// // Chapter Two – Council // Story: A Study on Alicorns: Cause and Effect // by Jaelommiss //------------------------------// Chapter Two – Council Twilight Sparkle disembarked from the train at the Canterlot Central Station. Just a few hours previously she had sent her letter to her mentor. It took only a minute to receive a response. She recounted the message in her mind while scanning the ponies in the station.                     My dearest student Twilight,                     I am glad that you are enjoying the book that I sent you. I would like to meet with you at your earliest convenience to further discuss the matter with you. If you can make it here tonight, then I will send someone to meet you at the Canterlot Central Station. I have enclosed a ticket.                     Your loving friend,                     Celestia After quickly sending her reply, in the affirmative, of course, she had packed the ancient tome in her saddlebags and galloped to the Ponyville train station. She had left Spike behind to manage (and clean) the library. She trusted the spell hanging over him would keep him safe. The train didn’t leave for almost an hour, indeed it was close to fifty minutes before it even arrived, but she didn’t care. Her anticipation earlier that morning was nothing compared to this. “TWILIGHT SPARKLE?” a voice behind her left ear deafened her. “Um. Yes?” She turned while gently massaging her ear. Princess Luna stood there, emotionless and alone. “Oh… Your Highness, how can I help you?” “THOU SHALT FOLLOW ME” The night Princess turned and started walking briskly to the exit. Or so it seemed to Twilight as she struggled to keep up with the larger pony’s long legs. Outside was a spacious carriage with a pair of Luna’s guards at the bit. One of them opened the door and assisted both alicorn and unicorn inside. Twilight sat opposite the Princess on a lacquered oak bench. Ornate trim adorned the interior of the carriage. “I assume Celestia told you why I am here, Princess?” Luna stared at the unicorn for a while. It made her uncomfortable, as if she was being judged but knew not why. Just as Twilight was about to look away, Luna spoke softly, “You will do.” She looked out one of the oval windows and tapped the roof twice. The carriage lurched forward and into the glorious city. Nothing more was said by either party as they gradually wound through the city. Sunlight spewed through a window into Twilight’s eyes most of the way to the castle. She fought to keep them fully open, worried by Luna’s statement. It seemed like she was being tested for something and she didn’t want to falter anywhere. A heavy portcullis slid into place behind them as they entered the marble courtyard in front of the Princesses’ home. The carriage eased to a stop in front of Princess Celestia at the stairs to the large double doors into the castle proper. “Go, child,” Luna urged. Twilight did so, leaving the door behind her open for Luna. Celestia’s horn shone briefly and the carriage closed. A moment later it was pulled away. Twilight gulped nervously then walked over to the Sun Princess. The white alicorn turned and walked away, leaving Twilight no choice but to again follow. They walked into the main hall. It was completely deserted. Then it was a small door on the left, leading to a cramped corridor, likely for servants. It twisted and turned throughout the castle with doors leading off at regular intervals. Burning torches lit the way. At least, they did where they hadn’t sputtered out. They took a door, seemingly at random, and continued through corridors no different than the last. This happened multiple times until a half hour later Twilight was thoroughly lost. She dearly hoped that she wasn’t tasked with finding her way out. She was about to speak on her concerns when they stopped in front of a wooden door no different than the last dozen and Celestia spoke, “We’re here, Twilight.” Her serious tone was reflected well by the flickering torchlight on her pale face. The large alicorn stood aside as best she could in the tight space to allow her student room to enter. Twilight gingerly opened the door with her magic and entered the blackness on the other side. Celestia followed and shut the door behind them. A solid click was heard as she locked them in. Darkness closed in for a moment before Celestia illuminated the room with her magic. It was a grey stone chamber, complete with green slime growing down the walls and a steady drip-drip-dripping of water. A golden chandelier filled with white candles burst to light as Twilight gathered her bearings. The chamber measured no more than a half dozen pony lengths wide and perhaps twice as many long. It was bare other than a wooden table with five like seats at the far end. The middle chair was larger, but no fancier. Three of them were occupied; two on the Twilight’s left hoof side, one on her right. She instantly recognized her sister-in-law, Cadence, and Princess Luna. The third, however, stumped her. She looked like the changeling queen, Chrysalis, but without her insectoid traits. Her hooves, hair and wings were filled, and her green armour no longer resembled a carapace. Whoever this alicorn was, for alicorn she was, she had a black coat and solid cerulean mane, tail and wings. Her cutie mark was a plain, white mask. In the time it took for Twilight to take in the room and its inhabitants, Celestia had slipped to the front and into the central seat. Her authoritative voice roused Twilight from her observations. “Twilight, come forward.” She did so, stopping when Celestia waved a hoof. She was in the center of the room, two pony lengths from the table and under the chandelier. Twilight’s attention was drawn to the unknown alicorn. “Definitely Chrysalis. Even if she’s not a changeling anymore,” she concluded in her mind. “Twilight, you know why you are here, correct?” Celestia paused for Twilight to hesitantly nod before continuing, “I am sure you already know Luna, Cadence and I. May I introduce you to the real Chrysalis.” The black alicorn lowered her head slightly in greeting. “She isn’t here for conquest this time. You can trust me on this one.” Again Twilight nodded, this time with more confidence. “She was transformed back when she was defeated,” she hypothesized. “Much like Nightmare Moon turned back into Princess Luna,” she added with a brief glance to the left end of the table before looking back to her teacher. “Correct, youngling,” Chrysalis spoke. There was no trace of her changeling past in her voice. She sounded like a regular, if bold and slightly arrogant, pony. Celestia continued as if the interruption had not occurred. “You have the book, Twilight?” The student levitated it out and placed it gently on the table. “I trust you have read and understand the spell you wrote to me about?” “Of course, Princess. I read the soul magic section and re-read the spell itself on the ride here.” When Celestia did not talk, Twilight continued, “The body is a physical representation of the soul. When the soul dies, the body likewise dies, and vice versa. The Spell of Souls grants the caster endless life and power by enhancing the soul. This will in turn transform the caster into an alicorn,” she concluded. “Mostly correct,” Luna spoke this time, “You skipped the source of the spell’s power and method by which it is cast.” “Hush, sister. The book has been edited since last you read it,” Celestia addressed Luna. Twilight wondered if they were sisters by blood or it was merely a title from one alicorn to another. “What happens now, Twilight, is up to you. Did you contact me just for information or do you have a desire to try this spell yourself?” Twilight’s mouth went dry. She had been dreading this very question from when she first got her summons. Did she dare leap into the unknown and forever, literally forever, change her future? Or should she remain mortal in Ponyville. What would happen to her friends of she changed? Or what would happen to Spike if she didn’t? Luna said she was not fully correct. Was it wise to make such a major decision without knowing all the details? After a few seconds of panicking, Twilight was saved by Cadence speaking up, “Relax Twilight.” Twilight didn’t relax in the slightest. “You would not be here if we had not thought you capable of this. Either decision is fine by us.” Her words reassured Twilight enough to lower her panic to a manageable level. Or at least low enough to come to a logical decision. “Princess Celestia, I would ask to know more of the Spell of Souls. I cannot make an informed decision without all the facts.” The white alicorn smiled at her student. “Of course, Twilight. Know that had you demanded this power we would have wiped your memory and sent you away, never again to have this choice. Being able to make a rational decision under pressure is necessary when one wields enormous power. Equestria doesn’t need another Discord abusing their power.” Twilight slumped to the cold floor in relief. She had had come precariously close to failing her mentor, but seemed to have pulled away. She looked gratefully to her sister-in-law, knowing that she had given the reassurance to pass this test. Celestia wasn’t finished yet, “It is for this reason that we, the alicorns, have enacted strict rules regarding those who are eligible to attempt the spell. A minimum of four members must council with the applicant and unanimously vote in favour of him or her. That is why I summoned you are here today.” Still on the floor, Twilight dared to ask a question, “A minimum of four? So, there are more alicorns that I haven’t met yet?” “Yes, youngling,” Chrysalis’ voice echoed off the stone walls, “They are away for now and do not yet know of you. Should you proceed, they shall be notified of your success… or failure.” Twilight pulled her eyes off the stone floor and stared straight into Celestia’s face. “I am ready.”