//------------------------------// // Chapter1- The Fateful Meeting // Story: The Alicorn of the Stars // by mushrumluver //------------------------------// The Alicorn of the Stars Chapter 1 - The Fateful Meeting “ A Catalyst is a medium that can amplify a spell if used correctly. There are several kinds of catalyst discovered that can produce various effects. For example, a simple fireball spell can become a flame blast spell when a fire catalyst is used or a unicorn can either have more precise control or more power to lift objects when a force catalyst is used. There are some catalysts that are more powerful than the other despite having similar properties. Two fire catalyst maybe for amplifying fire spells but the result may vary. For example, both unicorns cast a fireball spell however Unicorn A uses a simple Fire stone while Unicorn B uses a Fire Gem. The results will be as follow, for Unicorn A the resulting spell will simply be a bigger fireball; however for Unicorn B, the resulting spell will be a flame blast spell. Using catalysts may help improve the state of how magic is done presently, however there are some backlashes in using catalyst especially if used recklessly and may result in fatal accidents. Below are the steps to follow when one is using a catalyst as a safety precaution: Step One: Understand the properties of the catalyst and the spell that is going to be used. Step Two: After acquiring the catalyst (See appendix for geography of catalysts), the caster must first allocate a portion for testing purposes. Step Three: After knowing the capabilities of the catalyst, know the intensity and level of the spell that is going to be used and check if the power of the spell is less than the capacity of the catalyst otherwise the catalyst may be damage and cause abnormal magical surges. Step Four: Test the first run in the smaller portion allocated to know the compatibility of the catalyst and the spell and also if the catalyst’s properties can match or handle the intensity of the spell used. Step Five: If the first test was a success, repeat until you have achieved your desired result. If not then refer to the appendix for the list of known catalysts and find a more capable catalyst than the previously used and Repeat the steps one to five until successful” After reading the last step, Twilight quickly flipped the pages of the book towards the Appendix section and starts looking at the geography map in hopes to find a nearby source of catalyst in Ponyville. Immediately going to the geography for Ponyville, she quickly skims through the page and scans the nearby area for Ponyville. “Please oh please...” Twilight repeatedly mumbles hoping to find a source of catalyst nearby Ponyville. “AHA! Spike! Get my things ready we’re heading out.” Twilight with her eyes widened with excitement and glee. “Zzz… Zzz..” Spike peacefully snores while lying down on the floor while still holding a mop. “Gems… My sweet sweet Gems…” Spike mumbling in his sleep after doing his daily chores in the Library. “Spike!” and with that one shout Spike woke up and snapped back into reality. “Wh-What?” Spike looking left and right and still feeling drowsy after suddenly waking up “Where are you, Twilight?” “Right here behind you?” Twilight in a sarcastic tone approached Spike from behind. “Now hurry up and get my things ready. Can’t wait to test out this new spell” Twilight rushing Spike and seem to be not able to contain her excitement after reading “New Age of Magic”. “What all with the rush?” Spike asking Twilight while returning the book Twilight just read on the shelf. “Aren’t you also excited? I mean a new breakthrough discovery in magic. What can be more exciting?” Twilight replies while walking back and forth around the Library like some excited little filly going out on her first sleepover. “I can think of a few, Pinkie Pie’s party, Rainbow Dash passing for the Wonderbolts, Oh! And especially Gems on my plate for dinner. Now that’s exciting” Spike replies oblivious that it was a rhetorical question. “Spike!” Twilight reminding Spike who is in charge around.. “Okay okay.” Spike had no choice seeing Twilight so excited like that. Twilight then brought out a map showing Ponyville, Canterlot , The Everfree Forest and some geographical landmark. “According to the book, that location is about right here.” Twilight marked the map using a nearby quill which she had levitated by her magic. “But isn’t that near—that place? “ Spike gulped. “Nothing to worry about, there’s no dragon up there now.” Twilight continued while she was mapping out their path. “There!” After a few minutes, Twilight was done with the mapping. “Come on Spike!” Twilight prompts Spike to also hurry up as she heads towards the door. It was a sunny day in Ponyville and Twilight relieved that the weather also agreed with her in finding these catalysts. While walking towards the outskirts of Ponyville, she is reminded on how they fought to protect their home from Nightmare Moon and Discord. She can’t imagine what Ponyville would look like if they hadn’t defeated Discord. Building and houses that were floating around, ponies running around in circles and on rooftops, and would still continue to rain chocolate, although Pinkie Pie would be happy about it but still, it would really be chaotic to have that happening. As they were near the exit of Ponyville they were greeted by a familiar white mare with a neatly styled purple mane. “Good morning Rarity!” Twilight greeted her fashionable friend. “Uhm… Twilight, It’s already afternoon.” Rarity correcting her friend. “What?!” Twilight embarrassed and surprised that it was already afternoon. She tends to get lost in time especially when studying something that interests her. “So where are you going?” Rarity curiously asked the two after seeing them prepared and with a map. “We’re going to find some gems!” Spike answers the mane’s question quickly. “Gems?” Rarity asks with a questioned look on her face “Twilight darling, I never thought that you, of all ponies, are interested in gems.” “Oh it’s not that” Twilight slightly embarrassed replied “It’s for research!” “Research?” Rarity was puzzled over Twilight’s answer, “How can gems be used for research?” She thought to herself. “What kind of gems are we talking about here?” Rarity asked Twilight in hopes to give light to her friend’s claim. “Oh oh! Twilight said that we are going to find some Icy Sapphires!” Spike, wanting to be recognized by the mare he really likes quickly replies instead of Twilight. “Ehehehe…” Twilight scratches her head with her hoof and slightly embarrassed by Spike’s usual behavior when in front of Rarity, while she nudges Spike to stop talking. “Icy—Sapphires? Did you say Icy Sapphires?” Rarity shocked upon hearing the word Icy Sapphires. “Uhm…Rarity?” Twilight asked, with a concerned look in her face towards her friend’s expression. “Are you uhh… okay?” “Do you know what Icy Sapphires are?” Rarity exclaimed as she grabs Twilight’s shoulders with her hooves. “They are one of the most exquisite gems. Why they even rival the beauty of the Fire Ruby.” Rarity’s raises her right hoof and waves it in the air. “But I’m just going to use them for magic. You see, I have read this book about certain gemstones used as---“Twilight trying to explain to her friend that she is not after their luster or aesthetical value but more of their magical value. “Just—for—magic?” Rarity interrupts Twilight. “Is there something wrong?” Twilight asked. “No offense Twilight, but this is a travesty against fashion, gems to be used like some expendable material.” Rarity explains “Gems should be treasured, kept, and maintained so that they will always shine brightly like the gem they should be.” “I understand where you are coming from, but no worries my book told me that there is a mining site nearby Ponyville that generates these gems with no difficulty.” Twilight explains and tries to put her friend’s concern to rest so that they can leave get that gem and finally start with her research. “A mine?! Here in Ponyville?” Rarity was shocked to hear that there is a nearby mining sit for Icy Sapphire, especially which it is near Ponyville. “Twilight dear, you must take me you.” “But Rarity, the site is kind of far and it’s going to be somewhat dirty and we all know how much you hate dirt.” Twilight knows that Rarity isn’t used to long walks and dirty areas and she tends to complains about it midway and she definitely doesn’t want to be the receiver of those. “No journey is far or dirty for Fashion!” Rarity sternly defends her desire to join Twilight to the mining site. “Rarity…” Twilight losing her will to persuade Rarity to not come. “But you must simply take me with you… You must!” Rarity begs with a desperate smile on her face. “Okay you can come but you have to bare with the trip, okay?” Twilight finally agreed, knowing that she cannot deny Rarity especially after seeing her friend so stern and persistent about joining her. “Of course, I will” Rarity ensuring Twilight that she won’t drag them behind “What kind of a pony do you think I am?” Rarity pulls out a big smile on her face. The group finally left off with two members happy; one was Spike since he never expected that in this day he get to accompany Rarity on a trip, while the other one was of course Rarity since she gets to get a few Icy Sapphires to complete her new fashion line. The three are then headed into the direction of a familiar mountainous area. The mountain area was then named “Smokey Dragon Mountain” courtesy of the incident that happened two years ago. A red dragon was found to be sleeping in one of the caves and generated huge amounts of smoke thus earning the name. Luckily six mares were sent by Princess Celestia and were successful in persuading the dragon to take his nap someplace else. As they were walking towards the mining site, Twilight still wonders on why Rarity persisted to come. In fact Rarity can just order the gems in Canterlot with lesser effort, although it would cost her more but still a long walk for a probability for finding gems and what if they didn’t found one and the mine is already drained since Icy Sapphires is one of the exquisite and sought after gems in Equestria and of all ponies, Rarity would get her hooves dirty for these gems. Finally, Twilight cannot stand the questions going through her head. “So what are you going to do with the Sapphires?” Twilight curiously asked Rarity, since there must be a good reason for Rarity, of all ponies, to travel far just for some gems. “Oh I thought you’re never going to ask.” Rarity in delight to see Twilight finally broke out of silence after noticing her wondering and thinking the whole trip. “I also know about the magical properties of these gems but unlike you, I’m going to use them for my new fashion line-up” “While I was meditating and thinking about what to do for my new set of dresses in my inspiration room, I was thinking of making dresses fit for the season. But it would be just commonplace to design dresses with colors matching the season so I need something more...” Rarity narrates the origin of her idea. “More, meaning?” Twilight interrupted in curiosity. “More pizzazz, something more… and while I was looking for that certain pizzazz, I noticed the Fire Ruby Spike gave me.” Rarity continues to narrate her inspiration “as I was staring at its beauty, it radiated a warm aura.” “I’m really glad that the ruby helped. Rarity” Spike inside was really happy that not only his ruby made Rarity happy it also gave her an inspiration for her work. “Then I was like, IIDEAaaa!” Rarity seems really into it while she was narrating “Then I took out my book of “Exquisite Gems” and looked for similar gems as the Fire Ruby. Afterwards I made a list of gems that I need and one of them happens to be Icy Sapphire. And after I have completed all of the gems I need, I will name them “The Elements of Fashion”! One for each Fire Ruby, Icy Sapphire, Breezy Emerald and Natural Amber” “Wait, aren’t those gemstones also listed in the book that you were reading earlier Twi?” Spike asked Twilight remembering what Twilight read hours ago, since she tends to read out loud and Spike overheard her reading since he was still cleaning the Library at that time. Before they know it, they soon reached the foot of the mountain range. Rarity was surprised in seeing the familiar mountains again especially being part of the expedition to expel the dragon. The memories were still fresh in their minds since it was nearly a life-threatening moment for all of them if it were not for Fluttershy. “Here?!” Rarity was shocked upon seeing the familiar mountains. “Not really it’s across this place and a mile and a half walk from the foot of the other side of this mountain range.”Twilight corrects Rarity into thinking that the mountains themselves where the mining site. “Rarity, Icy Sapphires are very important not to mention quite rarer than your usual Sapphires. It would be a waste if they are just going to be fitted-in in a brooch.”Twilight explains to Rarity the difference of their views. “Come now, Twilight darling. Just a one or two will surely suffice, then you can use the rest for your magic thingy” Rarity smiles in hopes to lighten up Twilight. “Well it depends on how much we will be getting, but I suppose one or two will be fine.” Twilight finally agreeing on how Rarity will use the gems for her new line-up. While the two mares were busy talking, Twilight accidentally stepped on one of her greatest fears, Snakes. “WAAAAAAHH!!” Twilight screams and her voice echoed throughout the mountain range “Snakes!” The snake hissed at Twilight after she stepped on it, but before the snake could get back at her, they all heard an ominous crack. Twilight tries to cover her mouth with both of her front hoofs hoping that there won’t be an avalanche. Twilight, Spike and Rarity suddenly felt the earth shaking. Dusts were forming up in the mountains and small rocks were already falling. Animals in the mountain quickly fled their houses in order to save themselves. Seeing the animals, were already ahead of them, the group also decides to do the same. But before they were able to flee, the avalanche has already started. “AVALANCHE!!” The group in chorus shouted. Twilight, Rarity and Spike ran for their lives as one boulder crashes down to one another and fall on the group. “Twilight dear, Next time, remember to cast a silence spell whenever we go here.” Rarity pants while running, at the ends of her breath, towards the end of the avalanche area. While nearing the end of the avalanche area, their pathway was suddenly cut off by a boulder that fell right in front of them. As soon as they decided to go around they blocked off of several falling boulders. Trapped in the middle, groups of boulders came crashing down where they are trapped. “AAAAAaaaaa!!” Rarity with her eyes closed not wanting to see their fate. After a few seconds in silence, Rarity decides to open her eyes and meets her fate. With one eye opened, she saw Twilight gritting her teeth with her horn glowing intensely. Upon looking up, Rarity’s jaw drop and eyes widened as she saw the tons of boulder floating up above them landing on Twilight’s barrier. “This… is… too… much…” Twilight feels her energy fading away as she helplessly clings on to whatever magic is left inside of her. “Twilight…” Rarity also understanding the situation tries to find Spike so that they might be able to dig their way out of the predicament. She immediately found Spike but unfortunately, Spike was knocked out with one of the medium sized rocks that fell along with the big ones. Was it a mistake to join this trip, this was the first thing that popped in Rarity’s head but she shook it off knowing that Twilight is desperately trying to keep them alive and it is her role to find a way out given the limited time. Out of desperation, Rarity thought of pushing the boulder in front of them with her magic since it is definitely lighter than the one Twilight is carrying right now. Rarity, with her resolve renewed, focused with all of her magic and energy to push the boulder. “Move you stupid rock!” Rarity gritted her teeth to give more power to her magic “I don’t want to be done in by some rocks, I have dresses to make!” Hoping that self encouraging her would make her magic more powerful, but alas to no avail the boulder only moved a few inches after all that effort. Why now, why can’t she have at least Twilight’s magical strength at this moment, to save herself more importantly her friends, despair was finally kicking in within Rarity. “Rarity?!” Twilight notices that Rarity’s will was fading away. “Come on, you can’t give up now just a few more then you can make an opening for us to escape.” encouraging her friend was the only thing she could do for now since she was occupied at the moment and have to give her full power to the boulders above them. “But it took my all just to move this big rock a few inches forward.” Rarity huffed. “No excuses! You can do it!” Twilight is in desperate attempts to motivate of her friend. Rarity stood up once more after realizing again that Twilight is pushing herself past her limits. “If she can do it so can I” Rarity thought to herself. She again braced herself and with all her might and focus, she again tried to push the boulder forward. Although the boulder was moving slowly, the effort to make it move an inch was really taking a toll out of Rarity’s magic. Seeing Rarity finally regained her composure, Twilight breathed heavily in attempt to pull out her reserves just to give her friend time to push the boulder to the point that she, Spike and Rarity can escape. “We can do this!” Twilight, with her morale also boosted, ensured her friend that they can go past this predicament. After a few minutes of constantly pushing the boulder forward, Rarity finally budged the boulder out to give them space to move across the entrapment. “Wahahaha!” Rarity laughs out in delight to see the exit “I did it, Twilight we can finally get out”. “Good” Twilight grasping for air “Now hurry… I don’t have much strength left.” Twilight is struggling just to keep the boulders up afloat. “Right…”Rarity grabbed Spike. “We’ll go ahead first, be sure to get out.” Rarity said as she squeezed her way out of the boulders. After walking a few yards to rest Spike on a safer place, she then put Spike down and goes back to Twilight. Before she can go back, she can see that Twilight’s spell is weakening to the point of the boulders are constantly pushing her down. “Twilight!” Rarity rushing over in hopes of saving her friend by taking a few boulders out one by one to lighten the load on Twilight “Hang in there dear, I’m coming”. Rarity in desperate rush to go aid her friend didn’t notice there was a small rock on ground along her path as a result, she tripped over the rock. Rarity tried to make her spell reach the pile of boulders but she was also drained and can barely even make her horn glow steadily. She tried to reach out, but it wasn’t also going to do much “Twilight!” she screamed. “Duck and cover!” a stallion’s voice out of nowhere suddenly prompted Rarity to do as he said. In split seconds, a huge fire ball was tossed to the pile of boulders attempting to crush Twilight. Instantly the rocks blew up and were turned into small bits of rocks enough for Twilight to relax and release her barrier spell.