//------------------------------// // The Vacation: Day 2 Part 2 // Story: The Overworked Alicorn // by BreakDown //------------------------------// The Vacation Day 2: Memories… -- The Tower was silent and cold without Faust. It was dormant, alone, but when a presence began to form in its walls, it seemed almost as if the Tower came alive. Fires were lit in every hall, torches blazed and burned. The wind stirred within the ancient structure and a haunting noise echoed about its ancient halls and corridors. The Tower was not like normal buildings, for it was made with magic, and like all objects created with magic, it had taken a life of its own… There was a sudden Pop and Discord appeared in the center of the Tower’s Entry Hall, Celestia and Luna in arm. The fact that the tower was somewhat alive was why a smile crossed his lips and he glanced around. “Huh, seems like it likes you two.” He noted as a sour frown worked its way across his face. The Tower wasn’t fond of him, not in the least; and he suspected it was mainly due to how Faust disliked him. Unfortunately, neither did the two alicorns he’d just foal-napped from their castle. “Discord what is the meaning of this!?” Luna demanded as the Draconequus released her and Celestia from his grasp. The ancient spirit of chaos then snickered as he vanished, his mouth left hovering in the air above them. “Oh, nothing much? I’m just making absolutely certain that no stupid unicorns come around and invade the Tower for my dear old friend, Faust.” Discord replied while his mouth turned upside down and formed a frown. “Well, at least until I can find her that is.” He amended and Celestia blinked and looked at the Draconequus strangely. Luna however was clearly not amused in the slightest, as she had taken to glaring at Discord with enough venom to poison a basilisk. “Discord this is not a game, you cannot simply pull us from Canterlot and our subjects, then expect us to look after one of your ‘friends’ home for you!” Luna shouted at the Chaotic Spirit while Celestia’s eyes widened and she looked to the Draconequus seriously. “Wait, did you say Faust?” Celestia inquired and yet Discord ignored her in favor of playing with Luna a bit. Celestia just wasn’t any fun when she was being serious, and Luna was so amusing when she was mad. “Actually I can, and I just did, little Lulu.” Discord replied and snickered into his claw as the Princess of the night stomped towards the door of the tower. Luna narrowed her eyes onto the door and charged some magic into her horn, the spirit of Chaos appearing above her as she did. “Discord I’m trying to ask you a question, did you say that your friend is named Faust?” Celestia tried to ask the mod-spirit of chaos once more, only to be promptly ignored as Discord turned upside down and shook his head while watching Luna. “I really wouldn’t do that if I were you.” Discord noted while buffing his paw against his chest then glanced at his claws while Celestia dragged a hoof across her face. The Princess of the Sun honestly had to wonder why it seemed like Discord only ignored her when she actually wanted his attention. Then decided it was because he was the spirit of Chaos, which seemed to preclude to a great deal of randomness on his part… “Be silent Discord! I will not be held at bay by simple walls, and you shall not have your way!” Luna growled at Discord, the spirit of chaos rolling his eyes and tsking. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” Discord said in a sing-song tone, which piqued Celestia’s interest as Luna snorted and narrowed her eyes on the door. The magic gathered at her horn for a few more moments before Luna spread her hooves and aimed at the door, the magic gathering to the tip of her horn as she did. “Have at thee!” She exclaimed and fired a bolt of magic at the door… only for it to fizzle on contact with it. “Wha… what is this! How did a mere door withstand my magic?” Luna demanded and Discord let out a breath and vanished. “Discord?” Luna questioned looking for the mad draconequus, and soon found him tapping on the door which gave a might metallic ring. “This is not just a “mere door” little Lulu.” Discord stated flatly, and then waved to the massive door with a sudden flourish. “This right here is one solid foot of wrought iron. A material which just so happens to nullify any magic that it comes into contact with.” Discord explained and then snapped his fingers to appear behind Celestia. “Even I can’t get through that door… well… if I wasn’t able to bend space to my whims at least.” Discord admitted with a chuckle and Luna let out a snort and glared at the walls. “Very well, as we cannot leave through yon door, then we shall make an exit through the walls!” Luna snarled while forming into a mist of shadowy magic and shot toward the wall, only for Discord to roll his eyes as she was held at bay once more. “What sorcery is this!?” Luna demanded as she tried to pass through the wall, only for it to hold just as firm as the door. “No sorcery actually, the walls are just lined with another foot of iron Lulu.” Discord stated as he formed in front of the princess of the night, Luna snarling as he then clicked his tongue with a thoughtful frowned. “In fact, the chances of any magical creature actually escaping this tower are slim to none.” He explained and Luna lunged at the mad draconequus, only for him to snap his fingers and appear out of harm’s way. “Enough foolishness Discord, we have had more than we can take of thy antics! Release us this instant and we might not return thee to thy stone prison!” Luna declared and yet Discord merely grinned, Celestia letting out a breath. “Hey now! I’m actually doing something for the good of Equestia and you’re threatening me for it!” Discord growled at the princess of the night, while Celestia decided that Luna had been riled enough and trotted to Discord and glared at him herself. “What do you mean for the good of Equestia? What does guarding this place have to…” She started only to be cut short as Luna collapsed. “Luna!” Celestia cried and was by her sisters side a moment later, the lunar diarch groaning as her coat paled to a midnight blue, she shrank to a far smaller size, and her mane and tail both shrank and turned powder blue. “Well it looks like you two are being effected by this place a lot sooner than I thought… go figure.” Discord noted to himself with a smirk while rubbing his chin with a grin. Celestia narrowed her eyes on the mad draconequus, and tried to think of what he could mean and why Luna had shrunk. “What are you talking about Discord?” Celestia demanded only to stop and sway in place, barely bracing herself as she began to change as well. Her body shrank down significantly, her mane fell flat in a long straight pink that cascaded partially over her face, and her tail followed after. Panting and barely managing to stand on her hooves, her shoes, torc, and crown far too large for her smaller frame, Celestia gave Discord a weak glare as he snickered. “Oh Celly, I forgot how cute you used to look!” Discord cried and started to laugh uproariously at the weakened Solar diarch. Celestia on the other hand groaned and concentrated for a moment, her magic quickly resizing her regalia to a manageable size for her altered frame. “What… what just happened… to me?” Celestia panted out and noted how much higher her voice sounded. The mismatched mad-pony snickered at the voice coming from the “mighty” celestia and grinned cheekily. “The walls, ceiling, and floors are all lined with Wrought Iron, which nullifies magic. So not only can’t you get out, but neither can the magic of the sun and moon reach either of you, which also means you get to go back to looking like the normal little alicorns you used to be.” Discord replied calmly, idly buffing his claw on his chest while Celestia’s pupils dilated and the scope of what had happened made itself known. “Discord this is madness! Without Luna and I connected to them no pony will be able to raise and lower the sun and moon!” The solar mare cried and Discord scoffed and gave Celestia a flat look. “I know of at least one pony that is still linked to the sun and moon.” Discord replied cryptically, much to the solar diarch’s confusion. “But in any case I’ll take over the sun and moon cycle, it’s not like I can’t keep them spinning you know.” Discord reminded the mare and Celestia narrowed her eyes on him dangerously. “I swear Discord, if you harm any of my ponies I’ll…” Celestia started only for Discord to mock her voice and appear in her face. “You’ll what, turn me to stone? Can’t, Fluttershy won’t help you. Banish me to the moon? Again, you can’t, because you need the elements for that too.” The mismatched mad-pony reminded the white mare who merely glared at him. “Oh I know, you’ll probably just nag me to death for the rest of eternity…” Discord mused to himself and Celestia let out a snort and tried to look as intimidating as she could… which wasn’t much considering her drastically reduced size. “Ugh… thou wouldst be wise to silence thy tongue; lest we see thee suffer for thy foalosh actions once our power is restored…” Luna mumbled from the floor and Discord rolled his eyes, then watched as the lunar mare was helped up by Celestia. “Thank thee sister…” Luna mumbled and then noticed she’d reverted back to her archaic speech patterns. “I really must stop that.” She grumbled and Discord shrugged with a grin across his face. “If you ask me it’s a lot more fun when you talk like that!” The mismatched mad-pony noted aloud and both royal pony sisters merely gave him a look. “Ugh, what is it with Alicorns! I swear it’s like you’re all just a bunch of uptight no fun spoil-sports!” Discord declared and crossed his forelimbs over his chest, and Celestia rolled her eyes and silently approached him. “Well maybe if you explained what is so important about this place we’d actually be more inclined to believe you’re doing this for a good reason…” Celestia reminded only a moment before Discord grabbed her and Luna and then snap his fingers. The three formed within the tower’s library, Celestia’s eyes bolting open upon seeing a library that was over five stories tall with hundreds of rows of books… “Oh my…” The solar diarch whispered with wide eyes as she tried to take in the sight of so many books. “Allow me to welcome you both, to The Grand Archives! The single greatest collection of knowledge in all of Equestria!” Discord exclaimed as he threw his arms wide, and then stroked his goatee and glanced at two stunned princesses. Luna looked all around, barely able to imagine such a massive collection of books; it made the entirety of the royal library look like a mere foal’s book case by comparison! “Whe-where did all of this come from?” Luna inquired of the mismatched mad pony and Discord clicked his tongue and flew into the air. “The resident Archivist has been alive for the past ten, not one nor two or even three, but ten thousand years.” Discord declared and then crossed his forelimbs with a nod of his head. “And in that vast amount of time she has collected and copied every piece of history and literature in its entirety. Even personal books, such as your diaries, are copied via a spell and stored in here.” Discord explained while pulling an exact copy of Celestia’s diary, though it had far less wear and tear, from one of the shelves. The mismatched mad-pony then grinned and spun up into the air to stand on one of the many shelves. “And that’s not all! For the tower holds secrets far more ancient than even that! For instance, maybe you want to learn a little magic?” Discord asked while leaning down from his perch and grinned at a wide eyed Celestia as he caused four very old books to start floating around both her and Luna as well. “Then take your pick of the litter! Perhaps you’d enjoy reading from the personal notes of Star-Swirl The Bearded?” Discord mused while taking hold of the book and cupping his chin with a thoughtful nod. “No? Then how about Clover the Clever’s research into ancient Pony rituals designed to move the sun and moon…” Discord offered, much to Luna and Celestia’s shock as those notes had been lost for centuries. “You don’t need those you say?” Discord asked mockingly and suddenly vanished and appeared as a tiny version of himself sitting on a large black / red leather book. “Then if you’re looking to the dark arts, why not take a gander at some of King Sombra’s old spells then; I guarantee that you won’t be disappointed.” Discord urged as he waggled his eyebrows, Luna hissing and backing away from the book as if it were a venomous snake. Not even batting a lash at Luna’s extreme reaction Discord suddenly reappeared over a glass case and tapped on it with a grin. “Sombra’s level of dark magics a bit too much for you to handle, then why not try the personal notes of Nightmare Moon herself, every twisted little spell or potion she ever came up with!” Discord offered with a grand wave while Luna looked to the book with clear distress. “B-But that book was destroyed! We personally threw it into the sun!” Luna exclaimed while Celestia frowned and made a note to look through that book later on. There had to be a reason that Luna was so distressed from spells and potions she came up with as Nightmare… though whether or not she’d like or despise those spells, that was quite another question, but she wouldn’t blame Luna for what happened under The Nightmare’s influence. “Too true and good work with that, this book has some seriously nasty spells in it. But like I said, Faust records every book, even ones she would honestly rather hurl into the sun herself…” Discord replied with a nod of his head, then spun on his goat leg and jumped into the air, landing on yet another case. “Take for instance this baby right here!” He declared and motioned down to a new case that gave Celestia pause. For within a strange glass case was a disturbing looking book. The book seemed to be sewn together from animal hide, with dragon bones made into the spine, a paw from a lion used as a clasp, and a griffon’s eye glared from the center of the book. A lock on the case was equally strange as it seemed to have FANGS and was somehow glaring at Discord and letting out a low growl as he motioned down to its contents. “For this little number here is the real coup-de-gra, the utter pinnacle of all things dark and malevolent. Ladies I give to you, The Necronomicon itself!” Dicord declared and both princesses leaped back with wide eyes. Luna whimpered and backed into a wall farthest from the book, every fiber of her being screamed at her to run away from the thing. Not because of what it held, but because of the things that book could do on its own. At Luna’s side, although Celestia was able to stand somewhat against the book she still shook as she looked at the book. She actually shook in fear as she gazed at the most fabled and feared book in all Equestrian history. Its contents were perhaps the most forbidden magic in Equestria, and with good reason. It was written by the single most twisted unicorn in the history of ponies, it was blight on the land, and she had desperately hoped that it was only legend… Clearly, her hopes were in vain, for now she was staring at a thing of true nightmares. “Yes you heard me right, The Necronomicon, its contents known far and wide as perhaps the only true BLACK magic in Equestria. Bring the dead to life as an army against your enemies, damn the souls of those who wronged you, or just turn yourself into an undead creature of the night, it’s all right here!” Discord declared while waving to the evil book which both princesses were trying their hardest to keep as far away from the book as physically possible. “That’s right folks, it’s all yours. All you have to do is crack this baby open and the most forbidden and dangerous spells in Equestrian history could be yours…” Discord declared while reaching down, then yelped and jumped back as the lock actually bit him. Celestia and Luna, who had been keeping their attention on the book, suddenly looked to the strange look with confused expressions as Discord grunted. “That is, if you can figure out how to get that lock to let you have it!” Discord admitted while glaring at the lock, which glared and growled right back at the mismatched mad-pony. “I tried everything but it’s made of iron and yet somehow Faust managed to enchant the blasted thing to keep every pony out!” Discord exclaimed and then chuckled. “Admittedly I liked the idea of this lock so much that I used it on some ponies… but it wasn’t that effective. Hooves are a bit too hard to bite…” Discord noted with a shake of his head and then snickered to himself. “But put it on a couple of Griffon’s things! Now that’s funny! They kept getting their claws bitten whenever they try to open these babies! I have to admit it’s an ingenious idea and I positively love how Faust came up with it! She’s got all the knowledge in the world and what does she do to protect the single most evil thing here? She puts a living lock on it that bites you!” Discord cried with a wide grin and roaring laughter, and was it any wonder why he seemed to like Faust so much? “Discord!” Celestia and Luna shouted at the mismatched mad-pony and Discord shook his head and wiped a stray tear from his eye. He realized he was getting a bit off track, not without good reason in his opinion, but that was debatable. The mismatched mad-pony then grinned at Celestia and Luna for a moment, snapped his fingers, and the three vanished once more. They reappeared in another section of the library, closer to the ground and with Discord leaning into a book case. “In any case, if it’s not raw magical power you’re interested in, then how about a little blackmail material instead.” Discord offered and pointed one of his fingers to a large case that bore a royal emblem upon it. “Celestia, Luna, Cadence, Blueblood, Twilight Sparkle, or any pony else, we’ve got every diary and journal ever written right here all of them ready and ripe for the taking! Every dirty deed and dark secret they’ve ever hidden could be yours if you just reach out and take it!” Discord exclaimed while clenching his claw shut and then cleared his throat and calmed down, arms crossed behind his back. “But I digress; within these walls every book that has ever been written is stored! It has both fiction and nonfiction alike. From the rare to the mundane to the forbidden and even the childish, so many books and tomes are held here… but there’s still more.” Discord continued and snapped his fingers, vanishing in a sudden flash with the two alicorn princesses. This time the three appeared in a sitting room, a nearby fireplace alight and crackling softly, the mad-draconequus resting in a comfortable chair dressed in a comfortable robe and fez, a pipe held in one hand. Luna and Celestia on the other hand glanced around quickly, and couldn’t shake the feeling of familiarity that the comfortable sitting room had for them. Idly taking a puff of his pipe the mismatched mad-pony looked to Celestia and Luna and turned stone serious. “For you see, beneath the tower and currently locked tight as a drum, are the true archives. These Archives hold perhaps the most damning and sensitive of information. Records, surveys, legal documents, birth certificates, and even genealogical trees, everything a pony would want desperately to hide, all copied and stored in the deepest part of the tower, all known to one mare, Faust the Archivist.” Discord declared and then snapped his fingers once more, all three appearing back in the entranceway. The mad mismatched draconequus then gave a surprisingly stern look to Luna and Celestia as he crossed his arms behind his back. Neither Princess had ever seen such a serious expression on the draconequus face before, nor did it help to put either of them at ease as they finally realized the true gravity of the situation. “And as you well know if knowledge is power, then the one who controls the tower…” Discord began and Celestia’s eyes narrowed. “… is a god.” The solar diarch replied and Discord gave a curt nod of his head. “By the sun, this place is a disaster waiting to happen! Why has no pony told us of its existence! It needs more than mere guards or iron laden walls; it needs an army to insure nothing gets in here!” Luna declared while looking around and then suddenly stopped and trotted over to one of the pictures on the wall, while Discord scoffed. “The tower is far from prying eyes Little Lulu, it’s hidden in what was once “Dream Valley” and other than myself and a few griffons, no pony has every managed to find it.” Discord assured and then looked around nervously as he thought of the sheer volume of knowledge in the tower. Things even he didn’t want loose were held within its walls. Ancient and terrible things that had been long since trapped within the walls of the tower never to be released… “But then again, Faust is gone and I really don’t want to take any chances with this place falling into the wrong hooves.” Discord admitted and Celestia scowled at the mismatched mad pony. “Or paws. Or claws. Or hands. Or whatever the case might be for whatever different species could potentially stumble upon this place while Faust is away.” The mismatched mad-pony added more as an afterthought and Celestia silently nodded in agreement. “Then why bring us here? Why not get Faust to…” She started only for Discord to pop up in her face. And as he did he glanced behind Celestia to see Luna staring at one of the pictures that lined the entry hall, namely, one of Faust herself. “Maybe because I don’t have any clue where Faust is, or perhaps because I didn’t want to stay here, or even because I knew you two could take better care of it than I can.” Discord stated and then clicked his tongue for a moment. Truth was he just didn’t want to end up bored in the tower; cause then he’d start messing with the records again. Faust was angry enough with him and he was honestly trying to get on her good side. The fact Faust was the personal student and archivist to Princess Majesty, who had to be the single most frightening pony to ever live, had absolutely nothing to do with it. No, none at all! “At least until I find Faust that is… no matter how long it takes. Even if I have to search every cave in the mountains or stone in the sea, I will find her!” Discord declared with a fist held high before a sudden grin crossed his features. “Speaking of, I think I’ll start my search in The Bahamares, I hear they’re just lovely this time of year.” Discord stated with a snap of his fingers, a straw hat and a pair of sunglasses materializing on his person. “Wait, Discord! She’s…” Celestia started to say only to groan and drag a hoof down her face as the mismatched mad-pony snapped his fingers and vanished once more. “… in Ponyville.” Celestia grumbled and then looked back to her sister to see her staring at a portrait. “What did you find that’s so interesting Luna?” The solar diarch questioned with a sigh and Luna silently raised a hoof to point at the portrait. Celestia followed her sister’s instructions and found her own eyes widening as she saw a portrait of an off-white alicorn mare with a red mane and tale, the name “Faust” on a copper plate at its base. “T-Tia, is that, was she… is she…” Luna tried to ask, her mind a jumble as she saw who the archivist was. Celestia on the other hand blinked and then let out a soft sigh. “Well at least that explains why her name is so familiar.” Celestia noted even as a smile crossed her lips, old memories that were half forgotten bubbling to the surface. Giggling lightly she then looked to Luna who continued to stare at the portrait with wide eyes. “Come on Luna, Discord will probably be gone for a while and I honestly have no idea how to get out of here. We should at least look around and familiarize ourselves with the building until she returns.” Celestia stated before trotting away and Luna quickly shook her head and followed after her. “W-wait for me Tia!” Luna cried as she galloped after the older mare, the portrait of Faust with an open book in front of her, and two fillies under her right wing, one white with a pink mane, the other dark blue with a powder blue mane, left behind them… -- (??) A flash of light was the only forewarning the ponies had as a sphere of light ripped its way to freedom from their castle home. Five frightened mares hurried to their princess as she gazed at the spectacle silently. “Princess Majesty what the heck is going on!?” A magenta blue maned Pegasus demanded of the ruler while the said tall white violet maned mare glanced at her from the corner of her eye. “Something amazing.” Majesty replied cryptically, a mysterious smile gracing her lips as the light suddenly broke apart. Now six swirling lights spun around a seventh much larger light and slowly lowered toward the ground. Mere moments later, a soft familiar voice echoed on the wind as the swirling lights began to change from pure white, to all the colors of the rainbow. “In order to establish order one must first understand Harmony, for harmony and order are one and the same. And in order for Harmony to exist there must be certain Elements to sustain it... I have found these elements in every pony, but they are strongest in six special ponies that I have come to know as my friends.” The voice of their friend echoed softly on the wind, a soft pink mare with white / purple mane raising a brow. “Is that…” She started to question only for one of the six spinning lights to turn the same shade of purple as her star shaped cutie-mark. “When offered one wish of her own, she gave it up so that every pony else could have their own chance to make their dreams come true. She is a mare whose heart is without greed and whose Charity has inspired every pony she’s ever met. Twilight…” The voice whispered as the light shot down spinning around the mare for a moment before latching itself around her neck. The light then formed into a golden necklace with a star shaped purple gem in its center. The pink mare brought a hoof to her neck and lightly touched the gem, the star shaped jewel giving a pulse. “Charity? I’ve never seen it as charity; I’m just a little generous at best.” Twilight murmured under her breath before another light began to change and the voice returned. “Compassion is a trait that is sadly rare in the world, but she has it in spades, both friend and foe alike have known this compassion, for she offers it willingly to all things. Posey…” The voice continued in a soft whisper as a butter yellow earth pony with a pink mane blushed. A second later a pink light like the petals of her flower cutie mark shot down and spun around her neck for a moment, before latching onto her as the other had. And a golden necklace with a pink flower shaped gem was left in its wake… “Oh… um, I’m flattered really, but honestly, I was just showing them all a little Kindness.” The yellow mare stated with a bashful smile. Moments later another light changed, turning bright red and spiraling down. “I’ve seen monsters and beasts and yet she never abandoned me nor any of our friends, she’s stood by us through thick and thin. Devotion is an element worthy of praise, but so too is the one who bares it. Firefly…” The whisper continued as the red light spun around the neck of the magenta mare for a moment before forming another necklace. Gold like the others this one bore a red lightning bolt in its center. “Heh, I don’t know about “Devotion”, but I do know I’m pretty loyal.” The magenta mare declared with a smile and Twilight rolled her eyes. “That’s what being devoted means.” She stated pointedly and Firefly blinked and scratched her head. “Then why didn’t she just call me loyal in the first place?” The magenta mare questioned with a confused frown but before Twilight could explain another light lowered and began to change. “She knows who she is and who other ponies are, and bears the Integrity needed to always be true to herself and others. Applejack…” The whisper continued as an orange light spun around an orange blonde maned Earth pony for a moment before latching to her neck. A golden necklace with an orange apple shaped gem was thus left in its wake. “Well gosh, I mean I don’t know what to say, honestly I never thought I was that special.” The orange mare mumbled while idly running a hoof over the apple shaped gem of her necklace. “Dear, being clumsy and accident prone doesn’t detract from who you are or make you any less special.” Twilight suddenly noted with a kind smile directed to the apple mare. “It’s being true to yourself despite what other ponies say that makes you special.” Twilight told her and the orange freckled mare blushed and started to kick dirt when another light began to change. “Looking to the brighter side of things when everything is dark is hard, but she’s always been there to help me. She’s hopelessly optimistic in even the worst of times, and I’m proud to call her my friend. Surprise…” The voice whispered and a white Pegasus grinned widely before practically bouncing on her hooves as the blue light lowered and spun around her neck. “Woohoo! My turn!” She cried out and her friends rolled their eyes as the light spun around her neck. A second later it latched onto her, and a golden necklace with a blue party balloon was left in its wake. “But yeah, I guess I am kind of optimistic, but c’mon, a little Laughter is all you need to make the day look brighter!” The white mare declared with a grin before they watched as the final light lowered itself. “Individually these elements are special, but it takes something more to make them amazing. For the final elements one must have the Leadership to inspire those around her to use their gifts. She is the one who has led me for years, and who ignited the Spark which helped me meet my wonderful friends. Princess Majesty…” The voice finished as the last light flowed down to hover over the princesses head for a moment, before exploding into a shower of light. The lights faded and the other ponies gasped upon seeing an ornate golden tiara with a Spark shaped gem at its apex. Glancing up, the unicorn Princess rolled her eyes and smiled with a shake of her head. “I suppose Sparkler will be pleased; now I actually have a crown...” The white mare noted more to herself than anyone. “Although, I think it should be noted that that spark and the bonds it forms are just a bit… magical.” The princess noted mysteriously while the final light began to lower. “And thanks to my friendship with these six wonderful mares, I have also come to understand myself and my own talents. At first I thought all I could do was write, a talent that was useless in helping my friends. To write is fine, but that is not the end of my talent. For I have discovered the Creativity within myself, and with it, I’ll bring about a new age for every pony!” The whispered voice continued as the final light touched down. The six mares watched with barely contained anticipation, a smile crossing Princess Majesty’s face. “Okay, what’s happening now?” Applejack questioned even as her necklace began to glow brightly. “I don’t know but I really hope she’s alright…” Posey replied worriedly, her own necklace giving off a brilliant glow. “She’ll be fine, she’s got us with her remember!” Firefly reminded the butter yellow mare and her own necklace gave off a brilliant glow. “Of course she has us with her! And when she gets out I’m gonna throw her the biggest surprise party ever!” Surprise declared with a grin, her necklace giving off its own brilliant glow. “It’s not much of a surprise if you announce that you’ll throw it to the world.” Twilight noted with a sly smirk, and the white Pegasus stopped to ponder her statement for a moment. At the same time, Twilight’s necklace also began to glow. Smiling as she looked from her little ponies glowing necklaces to the swirling mass of light, Princess Majesty let out a happy sigh. “Good work, my most faithful student, you’ve certainly come such a long long way… and I couldn’t possibly be any more proud of you.” The princess whispered then closed her eyes as the gem on her tiara began to glow brightly. A moment later the princess opened her now brightly glowing eyes as a beam of energy shot from her tiara. At the same time, power was sent flying from the necklaces worn by the other mares, combining into a brilliant rainbow before it began to spin around the last orb. The rainbow of light twirled around the orb of light, and the orb itself between the colors of the rainbow. The wind began to pick up around the rainbow colored sphere as it landed on the ground. It distorted for a second and then began to expand. A moment later, the orb simply vanished and where it had been a pony now stood. The off-white pony slowly rose up, before a pair of wings flew open and her eyes opened, a spark shining within the depths of her eyes. “H-Holy bucking mother of Tartarus!” Firefly exclaimed with wide eyes upon seeing her friend, the now tired mare looking up and swooning. She was stopped from hitting the ground by Majesty, the white unicorn moving to her side before she could fall. “Easy now, you’ve been through quite the ordeal.” Majesty stated kindly as she allowed the mare to lean into her side. A second later Surprise zipped to Faust’s side and tapped on her horn before pulling one of her wings open with wide eyes. “Whoa, you have wings and a horn now!” The white Pegasus exclaimed and the off-white mare gave her a look. “What are you talking about; it’s not possible for a pony to just spontaneously…” The mare started to say before bringing a hoof to her head, and then glanced to her sides, her eyes widening at what she saw. “Oh… I do, never mind then…” Faust noted with a great deal of calm, and then began to twitch and look to her friends. “I think I’m going to freak out now.” The mare stated with a nod of her head, Majesty merely giggling as she nuzzled her neck. “Be at peace my faithful student, all is well and you have no reason to “Freak out” as you so eloquently put it.” The older mare stated with a smile, the younger mare blinking and then fidgeting in place. “But Princess, I’ve never in all my studies encountered any kind of reference to some pony suddenly growing new limbs! I mean for pony’s sake what just happened to me!?” Faust demanded while trying desperately to calm herself down, which was quite easy as Majesty nuzzled her lightly. “Please now dear, try to calm down.” Twilight urged and trotted next to the off-white mare. “I mean really, we’ve fought dark gods and monsters made of lava. I grant wishes and have talked to the moon; Firefly chases rainbows on a daily basis…” Twilight started and the said magenta mare huffed and crossed her forelimbs. “Hey! Say what you want, but Rainbows are fast! I swear, if a pony could channel a rainbow’s speed, she’d totally be the fastest ever!” Firefly declared quite loudly, only to be promptly ignored by her friends. “Yes well, and we’re all friends with Princess Majesty who not only leads every pony but also turns our enemies to stone… or to trees, like that time she turned an army of trolls into a forest. Or just makes them bubble away into nothing like she did to that one dragon.” Twilight finished before they all glanced to their princess, who merely smiled and waved a hoof happily. “In my defense they all had it coming.” She stated with a nod, still smiling even as an ominous dark aura formed around the normally gentle mare. “Nothing tries to harm my little ponies without answering to me.” She stated ominously and her friends chuckled nervously, and Twilight quickly looked back to Faust. Said mare shivered as her mind conjured the images of her princess angry... there was a reason she tried her hardest to never make Majesty angry. “Yes well, compared to all of that, I honestly think that you growing an extra appendage or two is probably the tamest thing to ever happen to us.” Twilight finished with a nod of her head, Faust silently looking to the ground as she thought it over. It was true that they had been on quite a bit of adventures, even a few without Majesty there to protect them… “But then… what does this make me now? I’m not any kind of Pony I know of, and I know Sea Ponies and Flutter Ponies for crying out loud!” The mare exclaimed frantically while physically leaning into the princess to try and keep herself calm. Said mare merely smiled and looked to the mares friends for any ideas, only to shake her head upon seeing them looking to her. “Well then, I suppose it makes you a new kind of pony.” Majesty replied before tapping a hoof against her chin. A moment later she smiled as an idea presented itself in her mind. “So, how about we just call you, an Alicorn?” Majesty questioned of the younger smaller pony and she took a breath and then released it. “Well, I suppose that works…” Faust decided then grunted as Applejack tumbled into her. The two ended up in a jumbled pile, Applejack quickly trying to untangle herself before helping Faust back to her hooves as well. Looking more than a little sheepish, the clumsy apple mare quickly tried to apologize to her friend. “I’m so sorry! I really didn’t mean to do that!” Applejack’s hasty apology was silenced as the other mare rolled her eyes and wrapped her forelimbs around the apple mare’s neck. The clumsy apple mare blinked for a moment before hugging her back with a smile. “Never change Jackie…” She whispered before Surprise pounced on them with a hug of her own, the two mares smiling despite how tight it was. The three then felt Posy wrap her forelimbs around them unsurely, the butter yellow mare smiling softly as they looked to her. “Well I’m just happy that you’re alright, I can’t imagine how frightening it must’ve been to be all alone in that ball of light.” Posey whispered while hugging Faust from behind, Firefly gagging at the side. “Ugh… this is way too much mushy stuff for my tastes…” The Pegasus began only to help as Twilight pushed her into the hug before joining in at her side. “You did that on purpose!” Firefly shouted and glared at the pink mare, Twilight smiling in response. “Maybe. But then again, all you needed was a little push.” Twilight replied and a slight blush spread across the Pegasus face before she muttered something under her breath and hugged her friend. Smiling in the back ground, Princess Majesty trotted forward and rested behind the mass of ponies, who then looked up to her. A moment later the princess wrapped her own forelimbs around them all, a smile across her face… And as she was surrounded by her friends, Faust troubles seemed to melt away. The questions about what had happened didn’t echo in her mind. And she didn’t worry about what was yet to come. All that mattered was that she was with her friends, and she felt happy and safe with them at her side… However a haze seemed to come over her mind a moment later a sudden voice cried out from all around her. “Faust!” -- Faust was startled from her slumber and quickly tried to figure out where she was. It took a moment for her mind to catch up and remind her that she was in the Ponyville Day Spa. She idly remembered that she’d gone there with Rarity and Pinkie-Pie, and met their friend Fluttershy on arrival. She also remembered that Rarity insisted on paying for her spa day, no matter how she tried to insist she didn’t need too, and that she’d fallen asleep during her massage. Her mind caught up, Faust tried to calm her rapid breathing, before she looked to her side. There she saw that Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy were staring at her with concern. Taking another calming breath the off-white mare tilted her head and managed a weak smile. “Is something wrong?” The red maned mare questioned and mentally groaned at how soft and weak her voice sounded. Pinkie looked to the off-white mare nervously before slowly motioning to the mares eyes. “Um… Faustie, we were just wondering…” Faust was treated to a sight of Pinkie looking unsure of herself as she struggled for the words. “Why are you crying?” The pink party pony finally questioned and Faust quickly brought a hoof up to her eyes. The wetness she felt beneath them was a reminder of her dream, which was a reminder of old friends. As much as it pained her to admit it, she really missed her old friends. Pinkie, Fluttershy, and Rarity reminded her of some of them. Rarity was a bit more like Sparkler than Twilight, Pinkie of Cotton Candy as well as Surprise, and Fluttershy was a bit like Posey. Her time with the three had probably dragged her memories of her friends to the surface, and of course, that day. That day she changed, and after which where everything changed. Inhaling a breath the off-white mare sighed tiredly and looked to Pinkie Pie. She wasn’t smiling or even trying to fake one at this point, it would be pointless given how she felt. She knew Pinkie wouldn’t want fake smiles any more than she wanted frowns, so decided on neither. “It’s nothing you need to worry about, Pinkie.” Faust assured though her voice was quiet as she released a breath from her nose. “Just some old memories.” Faust whispered while staring at the ground, and closed her eyes as more memories pricked at her mind. Pinkie frowned seeing the downcast look on the mare’s face and quickly decided it was best to get the mare out of her memories. “So Faustie, what do you think you’ll do when we leave the spa?” Pinkie questioned and Faust blinked and frowned in thought. Rubbing her chin the off-white mare gave it more than a little thought before Rarity suddenly spoke up. “Well if you don’t have anything to do, you could come to my shop. I’m certain I’ll be able to find something that looks good on you… besides that old sweater that is.” Rarity offered while looking at the green sweater strangely. Rolling her eyes and yet smiling to Rarity all the same the off-white mare idly nodded her head. “Sure Rarity, that’d be fine.” Faust decided while stretching her forelimbs out until they gave a sudden pop. She’d honestly never known just how much stress she’d worked up over the years, but then again, as sad as it was she was pretty used to being stressed. “Personally, I’m just happy to finally relax. I haven’t had a break in forever.” Faust stated only for Pinkie to somehow pop into existence at her side. “I think you mean foooreeeveeerrr.” Pinkie stated with a grin before zipping back to her place and leaving Faust more than a little confused. Even knowing beforehand that Pinkie could be somewhat Random, she was found the reality to be far more than even she had anticipated. Even on her worst days, Surprise had never managed to really break the laws of space… well at least not too horribly. “Err, right. Anyways, I think it’d be nice to try out a few new styles Rarity.” Faust replied and then thought back to her wardrobe… or lack thereof. “I have to admit my own wardrobe is a bit… dated.” Faust admitted nervously, the truth being all she had in the ways of clothing was winter clothes and a few ribbons given to her by her friend Bow-Tie. And those ribbons had only ever been tied around the base of her tail and occasionally her in mane… “Um, Miss Faust?” Fluttershy questioned timidly and the off-white mare glanced in her direction and raised a brow. She knew that the butter yellow Pegasus had severe confidence issues, and because of that it was hard for her to be comfortable around new or strange ponies. The fact that Fluttershy was so at ease around her was impressive, and likely a testament to how relaxing the Ponyville Day Spa really was. “Well if it’s not too much trouble, would you maybe have some stories you could tell us?” Fluttershy questioned, and inwardly hoped her idea would get Faust off of whatever was making her so sad. While it was true that she wasn’t Pinkie Pie, she didn’t like to see ponies sad any more than the pink mare did. The only difference was that Fluttershy was a bit gentler with other ponies, especially ones she didn’t really know too well. “I do… but what kind of story do you want to hear?” Faust questioned honestly, and mentally thought back to the stories she knew. Of course she knew practically every story ever written, and had made up more than a fair amount of the oldest of them herself. But then again every Pony had a certain kind of story they liked, Celestia for instance liked stories that were laid back and silly, a contrast to herself, while Luna loved action and even violence in her stories… “Oh well, any story would do, but um… if it’s not too much trouble, could you maybe tell one without any scary parts?” Fluttershy questioned with a timid smile and Faust hummed for a moment and tried to think of a story for the butter yellow mare. After a few moments she remembered a story with no conflict that would be perfect for the kindly Pegasus. “Alright, then have any of you heard the tale of, Twilight the Wish Granter?” Faust questioned with a slight smile as memories of her old friend ran through her mind. She also snickered seeing her new friends look more than a little surprise. “There’s a story about a pony named Twilight?” Pinkie questioned and Faust nodded her head. “Umm-hmm, back in ancient times it was sort of a fairy tale told to foals. But over the years the story has been… well, it’s sort of a myth now and most ponies don’t remember it.” Faust replied and a sad frown crossed her face, and wished that the story had lived on longer, if for nothing else than so ponies could remember her friend as she did. “Well color me surprised Miss Faust; you know we actually have our own friend named Twilight. Though I think she’d see the idea of wishes as a bit silly, and of a wish granter as ludicrous. No offense.” Rarity replied and a mysterious smile crossed the off-white mare’s face, and couldn’t help a snicker at the rather drastic differences between the like named mares. Her Twilight had been a bit of a dreamer, she would always gaze at the stars when it was late and besides granting a pony’s wishes was rather inept at magic. Not only that but she was very calm, cool, and collected, having a good level head and years of worldly experience from traveling. She was also very friendly to every pony she met, even when she didn’t know them, offering a wish to any pony she met, and granting them without ever asking anything in return. “Oh I have no doubt; I’d say they’re probably as different as night and day.” Faust replied with an amused smirk, and then looked to Fluttershy. “But would you like to hear the tale?” Faust questioned and Fluttershy started to fiddle with her hooves again. “Um, is this a sad story? Cause, I don’t really like sad stories either…” Fluttershy admitted and Faust shook her head. “Oh okay then, please start… if that’s okay.” Fluttershy replied timidly and a grin slipped across Faust’s face before she tapped her chin. The old story was well known to her of course, having been the pony who first told it to foals, but it was somewhat difficult to remember how to tell it outside of the old language. Inwardly translating it, Faust took a deep breath and closed her eyes, her horn giving a soft red light as the lights around them dimmed… As it did the water of the heat baths began to bubble and boil, creating a soft hazy mist within the room. “Oooh, great atmosphere Faustie.” Pinkie praised and Faust inclined her head in the party pony’s direction before opening her eyes and beginning the story in earnest. “A long time ago, long before Equestria or even Discord, on a warm misty night, a lone unicorn filly with no cutie mark of her own wandered out onto a lonely hill in order to make a wish. Looking to the heavens her keen eyes roamed the night sky, but it was for naught. ‘I don’t see a single star tonight.’ She said as she reared and pointed her horn to the moon. ‘Oh, dear Moon, please bring out a star for me tonight.’ The little filly pleaded and suddenly the sky was ablaze with light.” Faust began and then closed her eyes as the memories flowed. “Then every single star that existed suddenly began to shine down on Twilight and bathe her in their pale glow. And from the moon, a voice echoed softly on the wind. ‘Make your wish quickly, Twilight.’ The moon whispered and the little mare closed her eyes. And, with a whispered ‘I wish, I wish, I wish.’ The little filly made her wish.” Faust continued to tell the tale and then smiled brightly. She remembered the next part quite well, as it was a true show of how generous her friend could be. “‘I wish that all the stars would shine so bright on this night every year.’ She declared and smiled to the moon kindly. ‘So every pony can come out to make their own special wishes on these starry, starry nights.’ She cried and so the little mare gave away her one wish to every pony else, so that their own dreams might come true. Twilight would thank the moon for her wish and wander into the mists, nine stars shining on her flank as she disappeared.” Faust continued and remembered how the fillies of dream valley loved the story, and especially Twilight herself. “They say that Twilight would travel through the mists always, encountering many ponies and granting many wishes to all who asked, never once asking anything in return. The greatest wish she ever granted though was the wish of a little filly who only wanted a home. For Twilight took in and raised that filly, as if she were her own.” Faust finished and Pinkie clapped her hooves. “Aw that’s so sweet! She sounds like such a nice pony.” Pinkie noted with a bright smile then frowned and tapped her chin for a moment. “Hey wait… how does a pony talk to the moon?” Pinkie questioned and scratched her head in confusion. She could understand talking to the pony who moved the moon, but had never heard of the moon talking to some pony before. And if it could talk then it was probably so lonely given how long it’d been since any pony talked to it! “Well actually, several historical records suggest that early Ponies in Twilight’s time had rituals to bind them to the sun or moon. The rituals had no other purpose until the time of the warring tribes when Unicorns used them to absorb magic from the sun and moon and move them around the sky.” Faust explained and then tapped her chin. “Supposedly that was what allowed Twilight to talk to the moon, she and it were linked.” Faust finished and Pinkie made an oh with her mouth. “That’s kind of neat, how come they stopped doing that?” Pinkie questioned and Faust winced. “Mostly because when Celestia and Luna took charge ponies used the links to try and drain them of their magic in order to usurp the throne…” Faust replied and the three other ponies gasped. “Somepony actually tried to usurp the throne?” Rarity questioned in interest and Faust nodded her head. “The most notorious try was actually by an Earth Pony, he thought by absorbing their magic he could ascend and become like them. Instead his own body was torn apart and his spirit bound to an enchanted suit of armor. He then started laying waste to the land before vanishing under mysterious circumstances.” Faust replied while omitting the part where she was the pony who captured and then trapped that psycho knight… “Whoa, I wonder what happened to him…” Pinkie wondered while rubbing her chin and Faust inwardly smirked. The “Black Pony Knight” was now trapped in her tower, locked in the deepest level, chained up, and trapped by a mass of runes and magic absorbing seals. He was so well trapped that the only possible way he could escape was if he was released by some foal stupid enough to mess with his chains. “Who knows.” Faust replied with a shrug, idly wondering if that idiot had finally learned his lesson about attacking her ponies or not. “But then when is the night that the stars shine bright?” Pinkie suddenly questioned and Faust sighed tiredly and laid her head down. She hated this part more than losing her friends, the fact that they were forgotten by every pony besides her hurt. No matter how good they had been or how wonderful, time still managed to bury their memory… “No pony remembers, it was some time in the summer and originally a holiday called “Star-Shine Night” but it fell out of practice when Discord ruled. Every pony just stopped believing in wishes and making their dreams come true thanks to him.” Faust explained sadly, another loss for what had been, and another reason she really hated Discord. But as the off-white mare inwardly planned several painful ways to hurt Discord, a deep frown crossed Rarity’s face. “Well that simple won’t do! I can’t imagine such generosity going unrewarded, a chance to have anything at all, fame, fortune, or anything her heart desired and instead she gave it up for every pony else! I say we find out when that night is and petition Princess Celestia to reinstate it!” The white unicorn declared with a nod of her head as if that was that. A slight smile crossed Faust’s lips at Rarity’s declaration, and she raised her head to look at her.. “Technically Luna would be the pony you’d have to petition, since she runs the night and all.” Faust responded and Rarity blinked and chuckled lightly. “Oh yes, of course.” Rarity sheepishly replied and then started to run a hoof along her mane. “Sometimes I forget that Princess Luna rules the night now, we honestly don’t see her as often as Princess Celestia after all.” Rarity mused aloud and Faust nodded her head in understanding. The Dark Alicorn sister was often holed up after all, she seemed shy and reserved now that she was free, but given the sheer amount of culture shock she was going through it was understandable. “Um, you know…” Fluttershy’s voice quietly rose to gain their attention and Faust looked to the little mare. “I think Luna might like to see it reinstated even if she doesn’t remember it herself.” Fluttershy noted aloud and her friends suddenly looked at her. “O-or maybe not… j-just forget I said anything.” The butter yellow Pegasus pleaded while trying to hide her face behind her mane. Rarity rolled her eyes, and patted the mare on her wither, a soft smile on her face. “Come now dear, no need to be shy among friends. Please speak your mind.” Rarity urged and both Faust and Pinkie nodded their heads in agreement. The nervous Pegasus merely scraped her hooves for a moment and looked down for a moment, before sighing and explaining her idea. “W-well, um, since Luna w-wants ponies to like the night, wouldn’t a night of wishing on stars make it more popular?” Fluttershy questioned of her friends and Pinkie hummed and rubbed at her chin thoughtfully. “Well no pony hates wishes, and even if they don’t come true, just imagining that they might would be awesome!” Pinkie declared with a wide grin and Rarity rolled her eyes at the party pony’s enthusiasm. “Ooh! And we could totally have star and night time decorations that are all festive without looking creepy, maybe turn out all the lights and go outside to see the stars, Faustie could tell stories to foals, and…” Pinkie listed only fro Faust to intercept her tirade. “W-w-what!? Me? No no no no no no! Absolutely not! Get Z… some pony else to tell stories!” Faust insisted, her days as a story teller having long since passed, and her job wouldn’t really allow her to just come and go as she pleased. “But you’re the only pony who knows the stories of Star-Shine Night darling, and I’m certain that Luna could speak with your superiors to get you off for at least one night.” Rarity replied and then frowned as a thought occurred to her. “Of course you’d probably have to go from one city to the next yearly, sort of like Celestia does for the Summer Sun Celebration.” Rarity idly noted to herself and Faust fought the sudden urge to scream. Faust knew that she couldn’t explain just how much work she had to do to the other mare, not without explaining other sensitive topics at least. But she did wish she could think of a way to weasel out of telling stories for foals, colts, and fillies. Not to say she wouldn’t enjoy such a thing, just that she… well… honestly, she was mostly worried about Luna being involved, and how clingy she was to her. Luna had always thought of her as her real mother, she wasn’t by blood or birth, but she had raised her and Celestia. That was back during the reign of Discord, where he did something to their real parents, she didn’t really have any details since she didn’t record the nonsense portion of Discord’s rule. And she had only ever considered the two as good friends and students, not as her daughters. She’d honestly gone out her way to keep distant from the two, if for no other reason than because she thought she’d outlive them. When they became Alicorns she really hadn’t known what to think or do, but hadn’t felt she needed to keep an eye on them afterwards all the same. They were full grown mares at the time, although it was true that Luna had been a bit young at the time she was still a mare, so why would they need her looking over their withers? “No! I am not telling stories; I’ll write them down or something, I’ve raised two fillies, I am so not getting involved with more!” Faust declared with a resolute nod, only to blink when she realized what she had just said. Looking to see interested stares from her company, the mare brought a hoof to her face and groaned. “Oh Pony Feathers…” She muttered, inwardly thanking Fire Fly for that particular curse for what felt like the millionth time in her long life… -- TBC…