Revelatory Filly Skydance

by Gabriel LaVedier

Act Three: The Violet Witch Saga

The curtain came up again, the lights muted and slightly tinted with green filters, giving the stage a wash of verdant lushness. The background was one of a forest, inside of a hut decorated with large masks, hanging gourds and other little natural bits. Vines hung down from the top of the stage. A small fire burned under a metal pot, creating a pleasant bubbling and small wisp of steam to cloud the setting some. From the right side of the stage emerged a panting Skydance, Daisy Dreams and Country Roads, followed by the floating violet mass.
The patch of floating violet materialized with a flash into the figure of a zebra, dressed in a hooded violet cloak decorated with flowery embroidery. She pushed the hood away from her face and looked down at the three panting fillies. “You three may rest, and never fear, that blustering monster cannot hurt you here.”
“Th-thank ya kindly…” Country Roads trotted up slowly to press her head against the zebra’s legs.
“Yea, thanks a lot. I don't know what was up with that guy. How did he..? He got Ace and all the other ponies. And he... he said he was our friend, everywhere all the time.” Skydance turned to Daisy Dreams. “Did you know who he was or what he was talking about?”
“I... I don't know. I knew Ace and the others took orders from somepony else. They got letters in the Student Council from somepony called “The Spaces Between” but that's all. He never showed up or did anything but tell them when to have the duels. I didn't know about that stallion.” Daisy slid up to Skydance and pressed against her. “I'm sorry about Ace. I didn't know...”
“It's... fine.” Skydance pulled closer up against Daisy, head hanging, wings drooping slightly. “I didn't even remember she... she sacrificed herself to save me. I can't believe it. I'm the worst pony ever.”
“No, you're not. You didn't remember a lot of things. I don't remember most of my life. That stallion has some kind of power that makes us forget. It's scary but we can't let that stop us. We escaped. And now we can be safe.” Daisy stroked along Skydance's side and rubbed her snout against the other filly's neck.
“He cares not for any memory/ And cares not that you forget./ He only cares only for his own phantasmagory/ However it may make you regret.” The zebra mare slowly and lovingly stroked Country Roads, while speaking in a loud, clear voice designed to reach all three fillies.
Country looked up at the zebra, eyes shining with delight at her presence. “Y'all have been so nice ta me. An' now ya saved us all. Ah don't even know what ta say; ah don' even know yer name.”
A smile spread over the enigmatic mare's face, head coming down to slowly rub against the blushing, shyly-smiling Country. “Your store of knowledge I will enrich;/ You fillies may call me the Violet Witch.”
Country dropped down in a proper curtsey, the scripted action performed with a casual naturalness meant to demonstrate her proper country upbringing, as influenced by her family. “Ah'm very pleased ta make yer acquaintance miss Witch ma'am. Ah'm Country Roads and that there is Daisy Dreams th' unicorn and mah friend Skydance the pegasus.” A light blush colored Country's cheeks. “Oh, sorry if'n ya knew already. Jes bein' polite.”
“I knew of them, and I indeed knew of you/ But I like to see your kindness shine through.” The Witch smiled and ruffled Country's mop of a mane.
“I heard some of what that guy was saying when we were running a- I mean, when we were bravely retreating to regroup. What was he talking about with all that stuff? That you're an old relic? Just who are you and what do you know about him?”
The Witch heaved a sigh and shook her head. “The subject is not an easy one/ For I must explain what has been done;/ The malevolent machinations/ Of greedy folk that plague the nations./ When colts to stallions finally grow/ There are many things they do not know;/ Fillies, likewise, when they grow to mares./ It once was my like that removed such cares./ A welcome and traditional presence/ The midwife through the land of adolescence.”
“'Adolescence'? You mean when we start growing up? What's so hard about that? We all grow up and no one ever needs to get instructions.” Skydance tilted her head curiously.
“Yea, on th' farm we jes have a talk 'bout yer foal-makin' place, and askin' if'n ya liked mares 'r stallions more so they could get ya courtin' right.” Country had started looking around the stage, moving the set-pieces around to bring them more in line with Zecora's actual hut, to the chagrin of the set designers.
“Close to the way it was you draw/ But nothing compared to what these eyes saw.” Zecora nodded to Country's comment, moving to help her rearrange the items. She set a few aside, moving them to the space around the large cauldron.
“I remember something about something. That ponies used to talk about it more with granddams and grandsires, or just older folks. I heard them say something about “the old ways” in the Student Council. But like... they were making fun of it. And that it really wasn't that old.” Daisy tapped her horn softly, a thoughtful look crossing her face.
The Witch was at her cauldron, mixing the ingredients she had set aside while nodding a bit. “Indeed, it is as you say./ There used to be a different way./ It was not so long ago/ My like would teach what you had to know.” A thick, green smoke began to pour out of the cauldron, rolling out to obscure the stage while the lights dimmed, reminding all present of Zecora's magic show during Nightmare Night.
A message flashed into the smoke, projected by the special effects team. 'Current effects provided by Zecora; the following poetic interlude, “The Mentors' Lament” written by Zecora.'
Zecora's voice rang out, amplified by a spell, washing a rich and slightly eerie tone over the audience.
“In times before it was the way it went,
To have a guide on the path of life;
A guide to stave away an accident
And free the foal from any senseless strife:
Secure and guard the winding path of growth
And take the care of foals as our sole oath.

“From the first experience of a drop
To dreams so strange at night that make things grow;
Before they cry for all of it to stop
And stave off any kind of overflow
A stallion comes to teach the struggling colt
Then wisdom comes down like a thunderbolt.

“A filly finds that she has much to learn
About the strange feelings that lie within.
And all for knowledge do the young ones burn
And every month emotions start to spin.
A mare would bring to bear a sore of words
To bring the facts that lie inside, outwards.

“The strange, new hair that grows both thick and wild
And cracking voice that says they are no foal.
We were mentors, guardians to each child
And our grand wisdom of life would dole.
Thus were the mentors in the recent past
And well did we assume it would last.

“Now personal attention is not there,
Only cold repetition of of the facts.
While it is true that teachers ought to care
They may deliver nothing but abstracts.
The foals wander without a guiding light
And do not know how to trot the path right.

“When knowledge is replaced with every fad
And makers of money choose what you know
You will be told what is good and is bad,
And your fellows will learn to bring you woe:
They snipe and bite and trample on your dreams,
To shatter your heart and self-esteems.

“The monster you fled is made of pure ire,
But a cunning creature deep down at heart.
He may manipulate your desire
And shutter your mind before it can start.
For HE will tell you what you care about
And to his lies make you all too devout.

“And we old mentors could only stand by
When the puppetmasters came to conquer.
They brought their power to jaundice the eye
And to seek out our advice the deter.
We ceded the right to be a presence
When we lost our hold on adolescence.”
The mist faded from the scene, the lights came back up, bathing the stage in the verdant green once again. The three fillies were standing around the cauldron, looking awed. “Ah never knew. Ah guess mah granny was supposed ta be like one'a them mentors. She taught us 'bout all that kinda stuff an' tried ta keep us away from them ads an' such.”
“I mean... I knew about some of that, especially about mares losing their cool once a month. But not about how to get through it. But hay, that's why they invented sports stars. How else are you gonna learn how to be cool? Like... Ace...” Skydance put up an initial front of bravado, but it drained quickly at the end.
“Skydance...” Daisy came in to softly hug Skydance's head. “It's okay. It really is. You remembered her so strongly that that big bully managed to make her real. That means she made a difference. And that's what matters.” Daisy planted a kiss on Skydance's forehead.
“Ain't there nothin' we can do about that big ol' monster an' free ourselves from wherever the heck we are?”
The Witch lightly tapped the rim of her cauldron and considered the question for a moment before finally saying, “The only way you may be free/ Is to find the confidence to flee./ You thought you had the needed nerve/ But you had still a role to serve./ Face the foe and do not fear/ And purpose will send you away from here.”
Skydance was looking at her bare flank, while rubbing at her chin. “Wait a minute... purpose. A role. That's it! We really do need a Cutie Mark! All of us! If we can get one then we'll have the ability to face down that big lug. We already have the need and desire, we just need a direction. That must have been one of his tricks.”
“Yea! You saw all that stuff he was showing! Ads and movies and songs are always making folks feel bad or distract us from things.” Daisy turned to the Witch with a hopeful look. “Can you give us our Cutie Marks? Have you got any powers like that?”
“Sadly little dear I have no such thing/ My powers are only to inform/ I can say only how you must live/ To move within your changing form.” The Witch slowly stirred the cauldron, illusory images coming up of limbs stretching and teeth straightening in braces.
“That means... we'd have to do it one more time...” Skydance mused.
“Huh? Do what one more time?” Country looked at the pegasus with a tilt of her head.
“Fight a duel.”
“What?” Daisy's voice cracked sharply with her exclamation. “Are you crazy? You can't fight a duel! All the Council members are controlled by that evil guy. And you might have to fight him.”
“But remember? I'll have the Sword of Celestia. It leads me to what I need. Now that I know what I need I can win! We can kick his sorry flank and get out of here.” Skydance wrapped a leg around Daisy and struck an heroic pose. “Together!”
“W-well... I guess that might work. I suppose if just one of us gets a mark we can lead the others out...” Daisy looked completely unsure but still pressed herself against Skydance.
“Do ya think it's a good idea, ma'am?” Country looked up to the Witch with an uncertain expression.
“You never know until you try.../ I am only sad we will say 'goodbye.'” The zebra stroked over the filly's mane and gave a sad smile to her.
“Oh, wait... yea... We'd haveta...” Country's expression fell into a giant frown that almost seemed to distort her features.
“It is fine, my little dear/ The greatest gift was being here./ And though it hurts to see you go/ At least I got a chance to know. Remember this is always true:/ Little one, I love you.”
“Skydance...” Country looked over at her friend, lightly scraping her hoof on the stage. “We... we can't jes leave like this. Ah can't jes leave... she's been so nice ta me. An' she protected me when ah was attacked.”
A moment passed with Skydance looking down at the ground. She looked back up at country and smiled. “I guess... I guess we could stay a while longer. We probably need to hide out for a few days to make him think we've run away. Then we can come back and it would be a surprise. Besides... you might not have a magic spell that gives us Cutie Marks, but you probably have something that can help me train.”
A few ingredients were dumped into the cauldron, sending out a thick, violet mist that began to engulf the stage. It slowly hid all three fillies and then rose, while the Witch spoke. “No spell can make you great/Strength comes from the heart./ I will show you the proper way,/ To master the bladed art.” With that last statement the mist swallowed every last visible thing on the stage.
Scenes are projected onto the rolling mist, showing Skydance holding a wooden sword and attacking various large, stationary targets. She aims for particular, red-marked spots on the figures which resemble abstract depictions of ponies of many postures. Daisy is seen constantly, cheering and clapping her hooves whenever a target is hit.
The scenes change to show the large targets are moving, twisting in seemingly random ways and flailing around to almost intentionally dodge the strikes delivered. Skydance is having much less success and at one point drops the sword in frustration. Daisy is immediately by her side, rubbing gently at her wings and back, picking the sword up and letting Skydance take it in her teeth again. Just seen in the background of the training scenes, Country and the Violet Witch are having a conversation while dropping various ingredients into the cauldron.
The next aspect of training is shown to be a variation of the moving targets. The figures are not just moving, they have their own wooden swords, either arranged to protect the target spots or on the mobile portions that swept out at Skydance or strategically swept in to deflect target-hitting blows. A rash, hotheaded lunge results in a disarmament and a toss backwards into an ungainly heap. Daisy leaps up to help but is stopped by Skydance raising a hoof to her. She rises and takes up the sword, going at the challenge again. In the background, the Witch and Country are looking over various large tomes, heads placed very close together.
Another change happens in the practice targets. They have been reduced in material, being nothing but very thin frames holding the mobile and stationary swords and the old red target areas, with nothing around them. Even despite the reduced striking area Skydance is continually hitting them, using stabs and sweeps, deftly dodging the swords and moving past any blocks. Daisy is right there, hopping on her hooves and letting out cheers of delight. Country and the Witch are slightly off to the side, not really noticing, using two straws to drink what looks like an ice cream soda.
The violet mist slowly started to fade away from the scene, revealing the hut of the Violet Witch again. The cauldron is no longer bubbling, and the scene has taken on a much lighter tone, as if the sun were shining much more brightly. Skydance stands near the right side of the stage with Daisy. Both are looking up at the Witch, who has Country by her side. “That was tough...” Skydance noted, then grinned in a confident manner. “But worth it. It's been a hard few weeks. But I think I'm ready. I can take on whatever that thing is in the dueling field.”
“I do not doubt that this is so...” The Witch gently ruffled Country's made and smiled down at her, though she spoke to all three. “It is only a shame you must go.”
“Come with us, Miss Witch! Come with us! Y'all don't gotta fight 'r nothin'! Ya jes gotta watch Skydance whup that big ol' bully! Please? Fer me?” Country gave the Witch her biggest, softest, saddest eyes, blinking a few times to spread a few shining tears around.
The Witch tried to look stern and settled, but her facade eventually cracked and she gave a smile. “If you say it will be so,/ I obey without hesitation./ As you wish, my little dear/ I will join for observation.”
“Woo hoo! C'mon, Skydance! We gotta get back up ta that field and take on that big bully!” Country reared up and dashed her way offstage.
“Please do not be so rash!/ there is danger in so quick a dash!” The Witch dissolved into violet mist and flew off in pursuit of Country, leaving Skydance and Daisy on the stage.
“This is it... no matter what, it ends.” Skydance adjusted her academy uniform and huffed softly, looking offstage. “It's been a weird trip. But I'm glad I took it. With you.”
Daisy blushed up a storm, but continued to look somewhat fearful. “Are you sure... are you sure you can do it, even with all that training?”
“I don't know... I really don't know. But I know one thing for sure, I'm going to try. I have to. It's the only way to get you out of all this.”
“Skydance...” Daisy came up and kissed Skydance on the cheek, making both fillies blush a bit. “Thank you. No matter what anypony says... you're my Princess. You always were. You can do it!”
“Yea! Now let's get to it!” Skydance runs off the stage, followed closely by Daisy. With that action the lights dimmed and the curtain came down.

Entr’acte