Twilight's Transmutation
Chapter 2
"Run that past me again Twi'," Applejack said, rubbing her hoof across her face. "What the hay made you go crazier than Rainbow Dash durin' Cider Season."
Twilight blushed shyly as she covered herself with her blanket and took a deep breath. "I'm sorry you had to see that girls," she smiled at her friends. "So . . . how much did you guys see?"
Applejack smiled softly at her lavender friend "Well, we saw you roughin' up your brother an' you were yellin' and such, so we decided to come in and check on ya. Shinin' began to yell at ya about some books that the Princess doesn't want you to have and then you gave him the books and ran up here. She gazed back at Spike and Rarity. "We were worried about ya is all," Applejack looked towards Spike and Rarity "Where did Fluttershy and Rainbow run off to?"
Rarity looked back, just realizing the missing duo. "I don't think they came up with us darling," Rarity shrugged."I wonder what those two are up to down there." Rarity blushed as her imagination went crazy thinking about what they could possibly be doing downstairs alone. "N-never mind that now. Twilight are you okay now darling, do you want to talk about what happened?"
Twilight shook her head " I'm fine Rarity, thanks, I think I just need to get some rest. It's been a pretty crazy evening." Twilight got comfy in her bed as Spike walked up to her and gave her a piece of paper. "Thank you Spike." Twilight smirked as her horn glowed, her smile twinged in focus for a second as three books appeared on her lap. "Take that Shining Armor." She smirked as she opened the first book and got to reading.
Princess Celestia was sitting in her throne at Canterlot castle, as one of her guard trotted up to her."Shining Armor has returned Princess." said the guard bowing down on his knees. Nodding, Princess Celestia dismissed him and awaited Shining Armor to enter.
Shining Armor trotted into the Princess's chamber with the three books in his magical grasp. Shining Armor bowed and sat in front of the Princess. "Mission complete Princess." Princess Celestia nodded gratefully and grasped the books. The three books were written by Starswirl the Bearded's great-great-great grandfather himself. Even then he could vaguely remember the history of which it happened. Equines at the time were enslaved at this point in time, just watching as humans drove themselves to extinction.
Princess Celestia opened the book and gasped at what she saw.
"Dear Princess Celestia,
I'm sorry but I can't give up on this yet. Just give me a few more hours with them please.
Your Student,
Twilight Sparkle (^.^)
Princess Celestia looked back up at Shining Armor and sighed. "These aren't the right books."
Shining armor sighed. Buck it Twiley. He bowed and trotted out of the chamber
Twilight set the books down and yawned. I suppose I should go down and ask Spike for something to eat. . . Twilight stretched and thought over what she just read. The books talked a lot about how people in an old country called Amestria and how people used alchemy as a source of power. The books also described the war between them for a rock. Why would these Ancients misuse their power like that? This rock must have been really special if so many Ancients died. . . The Ancients also enslaved equestrian beings into wars and labor. So depressing . . .Twilight's thoughts halted as she splashed some cold water onto her face.
Trotting downstairs, she began to hear noises. What was that? Her mind slowly caught up and she was able to decipher yelling, crying, and hoof stomping. "G-girls, what's going on down there!" she trotted down to see Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash locked in some type of verbal combat. Rainbow Dash yelling and stomping over an nonexistent voice trying to top hers. Fluttershy was half curled in a ball, tears in her eyes, conversing with a nonexistent voice that was trying to have a peaceful conversation. The fact that Fluttershy wasn't cringing now, Twilight knew, that she really had to get something off her chest.
Twilight trotted over to Rarity and Applejack, who were at the furthest distance possible from the confrontation, it was obvious that what was happening now needed to be resolved by Fluttershy and Rainbow only.
"I already triedthat 'Shy! The fact is that I can't do it anymore!" Rainbow Dash's fur bristled along her spine in frustration, waves of anger oozing off of her. " I need to do this and at this point I can't wait any longer! You held me back once and I can't let it happen twice!" Rainbow Dash sighed. "If this is a mistake then I need to make it." Fluttershy just stared as Rainbow Dash turned and flew out of the room.
Fluttershy curled up in a ball and shook, almost as if she was having a seizure and sobbed. Applejack stood stunned, her mind reeling, trying to comprehend what just happened. Rarity trotted up to her and gave her a hug. "N-now darling, what was that about? Surely there must be some explanation to what happened. Now why would Rainbow yell at you like that?"
Fluttershy took a shaky breath and began speaking quietly."W-well R-Rainbow and . . ." her words were drowned out immediately by a harsh knocking on the door.
Twilight nodded at the door and opened it with her magic, only to see a tall stallion wearing purple and black armor trot into the library.
"Urgent summons for a Miss Twilight Sparkle!"
Twilight Sparkle shivered. The night air was cold, especially inside the Canterlot castle. She realized she never spent any time in the castle at night. Her first thoughts of the castle at night was one of shifting shadows, wondering eyes, and hidden secrets. The place definitely felt different under the watch of Princess Luna. Stepping out of the chariot and inside the castle, thoughts of secrets and fears were immediately crushed.
Wow . . . it's . . . beautiful . . .Twilight's eyes gazed around the hallway, the moonlight gently gleaming through the diamond patterned glass, creating spots of light that reminded her of stars. As they trotted into the princess's chamber her eyes shifted to the murals. The pictures glowed in the soft moonlight, drawing her near to bask in there beauty.
"Miss Twilight Sparkle, as you wished Princess." The guard bowed and backed out of the room. Princess Luna gazed down at Twilight curiously, studying her. Twilight shifted underneath her gaze, for what felt like hours Luna just gazed down at her, not a single noise in the room.
"Twilight Sparkle," Luna began, smiling as she noticed Twilight jump at the sudden noise. "Princess Celestia has told me about your most recent studies in a new form of magic.What you fail to understand Twilight Sparkle is that what you request to learn is not magic at all, but an art that is basked in bloodshed, and that if you want to proceed further into these studies it will involve death." Twilight cringed at her intensity. "But do not fret Twilight Sparkle. We can teach you the basics without harming any lives."
Twilight stared up at Princess Luna and gave a slight giggle. "S-surely you must be mistaken Princess. What kind of beings would use such an art which is used for purely death and destruction?" Surely this is just some kind of bad joke right?"Not to mention that in order to advance they had to kill their own kind! Who would do such a thing? Surely the Ancients could not be so cruel!" Twilight found herself trembling at the thought.
Princess Luna looked down at her with sympathy. "I understand your confusion Twilight Sparkle. You spent your entire life learning about friendship, love, and magic. But the Ancient's did not. They are violent, and cruel beings. Tartarus bent on their own morals and goals, but those are only the citizens. Their military is far more violent. Bent on expansion and purification of the surrounding land to be of their wills and theirs alone. They cannot coexist with others." Princess Luna walked off of her throne and to the center of the room.
"I was once a part of this violence. I was one of the Ancients that fought for the key to the art of alchemy." Princess Luna's horn flared and her wings spread wide. Twilight felt all of her warmth leave her body, she shivered and her teeth chattered. Her eyes went wide with fear as she recognized what she was looking at. A huge dark spire, encased Princess Luna. Her eye's and horn glowed much like Princess Celestia's did when she was given her test at the Crystal Kingdom, except this was much more malicious.
A wave of darkness crashed upon Twilight, and she stumbled backwards. When she looked up, she saw none other than Nightmare Moon staring back at her. "We were once a member of the Ancients!" Nightmare Moon stated in her Royal Canterlot Voice "We were not an Equine. Nore were we an Ancient being. We were once a follower of the Light, and I also was not able to use the art of alchemy. Until the final day when things changed. I was not known as Nightmare Moon, or Luna. I had a simple name, along with a simple urge. My name was Envy."