//------------------------------// // An Old Mentor Returns // Story: Renew // by lorettafox //------------------------------// At an old house hidden among some trees and playfully wrapped with an everlasting fog, the mysterious stallion's house stood, far from the buildings that made up Canterlot. The house itself was quite a sight, it looked quite old and paint was peeling from it's walls, but it looked like it was built to last. Apple Sweet and Bookworm followed the stallion into the house and looked around. There were plenty of books lying about, all of them seem to be covering a certain type of magic from what Bookworm could see from the titles. After a long period of silence, Bookworm finally decided to break the silence. “Now, what do you mean by the Alicorn Amulet? You know where to find it?” “I do indeed.” spoke the mysterious pony as he grabbed a book from off of the floor and flipped it to a page that contained the Amulet. “I have seen it resting in a small shop, unseen by most pony eyes, kept away under a glass vase. We can obtain it quite easily, but we need may bits in order to acquire it. The shopkeeper will not part with it easily.” “So, how do you expect us to get those bits, huh? Overpower somepony or convince the shopkeeper?” suggested Apple Sweet. “That won't be necessary. I have many links here in Canterlot that will help us with my needs.” the mysterious pony laughed. “Sir, I still don't understand why you are willing to help us. I'm sure that Apple Sweet here can restore your youth, but do you really know a charm that will prevent her from becoming corrupted by the amulet?” asked Bookworm. “Let's just say that I have old ties with the one you are seeking to get rid of. I have studied much magic in my day and have also studied many charms that can do many things, like preventing the little unicorn here from getting corrupted by the amulet. It is a very powerful charm that very few know and those who do know it dare not use it for if used improperly, the results could be devastating.” The last sentence was enough to make Apple Sweet cower. “But I assure you both, that I know this charm quite well.” “What did Discord do to you?” Apple Sweet asked bluntly, causing Bookworm to give her a glare. “That is none of your business!” Bookworm hissed at Apple Sweet, only causing the mysterious pony to laugh. “It is perfectly all right. He cursed me long ago when he last ruled over Equestria. He put my under an immortal spell that prevented me from dying. For the princesses, being immortal is much easier then it is for me as I have seen many members of my family being born and then die. I've tried many times to die, but all attempts fail as I am instantly revived by the magic that he cursed me with. I have been trying to get my revenge on him for as long as I remember from that day.” explained the old unicorn. “But, he was trapped in stone during that time. Didn't you know?” asked Bookworm. “I did but he was the only one who could take the dreaded curse off of me. Princess Celestia and her sister barely understand how life magic works on ponies and thus, have no information that I could ever use to get rid of the spell that has been placed upon me.” “You came from the same time period I'm from! Have I ever met you?” asked Apple Sweet, looking the pony in the eyes. “You look familiar now that I think about it. You remind of this wizard I knew, he use to teach me magic.” The mysterious pony let out a laugh. “I have a familiar face to most ponies for I have been around for so long, but young Apple Sweet, I am that wizard who taught you.” Apple Sweet instantly blunk her eyes in surprise. “Star Mage? Star Mage, is that really you?” “Yes, young Apple Sweet, it is I, Star Mage. Discord has put me under a powerful spell and I had heard he had done something to you as well. As soon as I saw you in the Canterlot bar, I knew it has been true, but you somehow broke through your sleeping spell and no doubt were trying to find revenge on Discord.” explained Star Mage. “As soon as I saw you and our accomplish here, I remembered the old Alicorn Amulet. Discord's presence in the bar as well also informed that it was time for you to use it. I would use it myself if I could, but the charm can only be done by another unicorn as the amulet doesn't take long to corrupt the user.” “I'm just so happy to see you again, Star Mage!” Apple Sweet said happily. “Now, about those links in acquiring the Alicorn Amulet...” Star Mage let out a laugh. “Not to worry, my old student. We can get right on it immediately.” A few hours after the whole acceptance spell crisis, Twilight was sitting in her bedroom, reading an old book about different magic spells. Discord and screwball were both somewhere else in the palace, doing who knows what to the guards. Most likely making them disortiented or playing some pranks on them. As Twilight flipped through the pages in her book, she felt a small kick on the side of her stomach. Twilight smiled as she glanced over at the side of her stomach, in which she saw another quick movement, usually too fast for a normal pony to notice, but not fast enough for a mother-to-be to notice. “Easy now, little one.” Twilight spoke to her stomach. “You will one day be born into this world and be able to see it for what it is. I hope that those two mares won't be running around trying to harm your father. Perhaps the Elements of Harmony can help them in some way.” Twilight was met with a series of small kicks, as if the foal was agreeing with what she had just said. “I know you don't know what the Elements are, little one, but they can bring great good, but they sometimes can also bring great pain. They once imprisoned your father in stone for a thousand years, but then he was imprisoned again when he escaped. Luckily for me, Princess Celestia taught me a very powerful spell that allowed me to free him using the power of my voice. After having those recurring dreams with your father and seeing him reappear at the Summer Sun Celebration a while ago, I knew that I loved him, despite the fact that he tried to turn Equestria into his own private wonderland just a while before that. Funny how circumstance can change the way you see somepony.” The baby kicked Twilight again, making her simply laugh again. “We can't tell your father that I said all of these things now, he'll think that I've lost my marbles. I do feel this way about him, even if he put that stupid spell on me. Now that I've cooled down, I know he did to protect himself, in fear something might happen to him. We all know I would never hurt him for I care about him too much. He may be an annoying plain in the flank sometimes, but I really do care for him, little one. When you are finally born someday, sweetie, you'll see Mama's love for your father every single day.” “Oh, that was so sweet.” came a voice. Twilight instantly looked up to see Princess Cadence, smiling very happily. “No wonder I sensed a very powerful love between you two. It's most definitely there.” “Cadence!” Twilight shouted, clearly embarrassed. “H-How long have you been standing there for?” “When you got to the Elements of Harmony. But what you said was very sweet about Discord. No other pony would have been able to say that about Discord, only the one who finally saw good in him.” Cadence smiled. “But that was not why I'm here. Celestia asked my to get you, she wanted to talk to you about those two mares we encountered at the Flower Shop.” “Of course.” Twilight said as she followed Cadence out of the bedroom, making sure the doors were closed properly. As the two walked down the hall, a nagging feeling washed over Twilight. “Umm...Cadence. About the two mares we saw at the show today. You don't think Celestia is going to go to such measures as she did to 'protect' us from the rest of Equestria again, right?” “Oh, heavens no! Celestia vowed that she would never use that sleeping spell again. It broke her heart that you ran away with Discord in panic. She cried almost everyday, hoping that you were truly safe. She would never do such a thing ever again.” spoke Cadence when they came upon Celestia's bedchambers. “Here we are. Come on, we have important matters to discuss.” Using her magic, Cadence opened up the bedroom doors to see Celestia, Luna, Discord, and Screwball all waiting for the two. Everypony was perched on a pillow, as to be completely comfortable as the subject that they were going to discuss wasn't. The two walked into the room and immediately took seats as Celestia smiled at Twilight. “I'm glad you came, Twilight. I have something important to discuss with you, Discord, and Screwball. About those mares you saw earlier. I have placed an I.N on them but we need to get them back to this palace immediately so we can question them.” said Celestia. “It makes no sense why these two mares are after you Discord after we have not even revealed your existence to the rest of the populace yet for this exact fear happening. I'm afraid I don't understand how these two ponies are even aware how you have returned. Are you and your family still under that disguise charm of yours? To protect you all?” asked Princess Luna. “Yes we are under that spell, Lulu.” said Discord as he stuck out his tongue. “As much as I want the all of Canterlot to know of my return, I could use a break from the screams and panic I usually get when I'm around.” “With that at hoof, we need to bring those two mares back to the palace for some serious questioning. I'm afraid if they meet the wrong pony, they could be lead to something of power that could be a danger to all of you.” said Celestia. “How do you want the two mares to be found, Princess?” asked Twilight. “I will have my guards go out into the city and find them. They couldn't have gotten far. My guards already know who they're looking far and I have told them not to harm the mares.” “What about us, Princess? With your guards running around, it can't be safe for us to go into Canterlot.” said Twilight. “It isn't safe for you to be going into Canterlot at this very moment. As much as I know how Discord and Screwball will be resenting this, I want all three of you to stay within the palace walls for your own safety. And before you object, Discord, I know you can protect your family from those two mares, but you must remember that Twilight has a foal on the way and too much stress from all of them could have some serious complications on her and the baby as well.” “That means we're grounded?” asked Screwball. “Within the palace walls, yes. But I'm am doing this for the family's safety, Screwball. I know you can defend your mother with little ease, but I am concerned for the life that she is carrying with her. I don't want anything to happen that might the poor foal to lose it's life.” A chord was instantly struck with Twilight. Lose the foal? No, that can't happen. She can't lose her first ever foal. She had never been pregnant before or known what it would be like to become a mother. She can't lose her foal under any circumstance! Before she knew it, Twilight began to feel light headed. “P-Princess? I-I'm not f-feeling s-so g-good...” Twilight mumbled. “The world is spinning so quickly...” “Guards! We need somepony in here quickly!” Celestia shouted as several filed in immediately. “Take Twilight back to her room and make sure that she is ok. And Vice Captain, I want you to get your stallions into the city and find those two mares that tried to attack my student. I want them back here unharmed and to be ready for questioning ASAP!” “Yes, your highness!” said the Vice Captain as he darted out of the room with several of his guards following him, two staying behind to help Twilight, whom was a little uneasy now. “Twilight, can you walk? Are you going to be alright?” asked one of the guards to her as Twilight slowly stood up on her hooves, shaking slightly. “I think I-I'm gonna be ok. Just the thought of possibly losing my foal make me...me...me...” Twilight's eyes quickly teared up as she couldn't finish her sentence, “How can I even think of something like this?!” “Do not think about it, my student. Focus on your studies, for now. Everything will be ok.” said Celestia when she turned her attention to Discord. “Stay with her as much as you can, Discord. She mustn't go under a lot of stress. It has been a long time since I have known somepony who was pregnant, but I know stress can do some terrible things. You and your daughter must keep Twilight as calm as possible. That isn't an order though, do it as an act of love.” “I will protect my mommy and make her happy!” said Screwball as she saluted to Celestia. Discord simply nodded in Celestia's direction and followed Screwball out as the two guards took a teary eyed Twilight back to her bedchambers. The guards carried Twilight back to her bedroom as they carefully lead her to the bed, all while hysterical tears were now pouring down her face. “I can't lose my foal! I just can't lose it!” Twilight screamed out. Screwball immediately flew herself over to her mommy Twilight. “It'll be ok, Mommy! Just study all you need too! Don't think of those stupid mares! Just focus on your studies, like Celestia said.” “All right. All right.” Twilight breathed out heavily, trying to calm herself down. “That's what I did. I just have to focus on my studies. I just hope the guards are able to locate those two mares.”