//------------------------------// // Return // Story: If There Was No Magic // by Just Reading //------------------------------// “Why don’t we just get the Canterlot guard to go in there and beat him up?” “I’d rather keep this between the seven of us Rainbow Dash.” “Well what else are we going to do then?” “All we can do is wait for Twilight to wake, then maybe we can try that fancy friendship magic.” The muffled voices rousing her, Twilight cracks open her eyes, her vision filled with pink. Rolling onto her back, she circles her pupils, stretching the sleep from her face with a yawn. “Is there anything to eat, I’m so hungry.” Rainbow Dash. Twilight recognises her friend’s voice. The words lighting a fuse in her mind, memories exploding to the forefront of her thoughts. The broken palace, astounding structure, and terrifying dragon. Curious, she springs to her hooves, tiredness forgotten. Bouncing from the thin mattress Twilight bursts from the tent’s entrance, her sudden appearance turning heads. “Good morning Twilight,” Celestia addresses Twilight first, her face calm, hiding her joy. “I trust you had a refreshing sleep.” Nodding impatiently, Twilight takes in each of her friend’s face, glad to see them still with her. “What happened after I fell asleep?” “Nothing much really,” Dash responds, faking a yawn. “We just came back to camp and slept. It’s been pretty boring around here while we’ve been waiting for you. Why’d you have to sleep so long?” “How long did I sleep for,” Panicking, Twilight’s mind goes through the possible situations, not having enough time to continue their venture one possibility. “We still have enough time to help Luna return to Equestria don’t we?” Celestia’s lips spread into a small smile, breaking the stillness of her face. “Don’t worry Twilight, you only slept for half a day,” She assures. “We’ve still got five days to rescue my sister.” Relief escaping her lungs, Twilight searches for somewhere sit. Choosing a place beside Celestia she collapses, the exhaustion of her recent magical feat still affecting her body. “So what’s the plan?” Twilight asks, curious as to what her friends have been doing the last few hours. “Well the plan was actually to wait for you dear,” Rarity explains, her hooves toying with Fluttershy’s pink mane, the long locks twisted into a bun. “We were hoping with you we’d be able to awaken the magic of friendship.” “I don’t think it’s something that can be harnessed like that.” Bringing a hoof to her chin, Twilight settles in her thinking pose, eyes following the cloud’s flow in the sky above. “I always understood it as something that only came forth to save groups of good friends from dire situations, not something that can be channeled on will.” “Then what are we going to do about that dragon?” Applejack questions. “And didn’t you say we needed that magic to get Luna back?” “I truly don’t know Applejack,” Twilight admits, returning her gaze to the circle of friendly faces around her. “What I do know is that with all of you with me, I feel like I can do anything.” “Aww that’s so sweet Twilight,” Bouncing from her seat opposite Twilight, Pinkie wraps the surprised purple filly in a hug. “And I think I have an idea about how to get rid of that scary dragon.” “I, um, what?” Twilight asks, unsure if she heard Pinkie correctly. “Did you say you have an idea?” “Of course I did silly,” Pinkie bops Twilight on the snout, giggling as she does. “I mean what sounds like idea my dear?” Twilight stares into Pinkie’s blinking, blue eyes, waiting for her to voice the idea. “So what was your idea Pinkie?” She asks, realising the filly’s mind had drifted on. “Oh. I was thinking that we could use the dragon to scare us,” Pinkie explains, her tone as cheerful as always. “And then when we’re scared enough we’ll be able to use the magic.” Shaking her head, Dash can’t help but laugh at the suggestion. “Pinkie, you’re one crazy pony.” “I must agree with her Pinkie,” Rarity says. “It sounds like your plan could get us killed if something went wrong.” “It seems plausible.” Hoof on her chin, Twilight simulates the situation in her mind. Most possibilities ending with survival. “There is a slight chance that the magic of friendship hasn’t returned. If that is true then Pinkie’s plan will be fatal.” Fluttershy squeaks at the final word, pulling away from Rarity’s slow stroking to cower behind a log. “Well the Princess said the magic has come back,” Applejack mentions, watching Rarity coax the quivering Fluttershy from her wooden defence, comforting her with a hoof against cheek. “And I know I can trust her to tell the truth, so I’m with you.” Celestia giggles at the farm pony’s compliment, a sigh breaking the burst of joy. “It is true I said the magic of friendship had returned with unicorn magic, I can feel it.” She casts her eyes round, as if looking for the mysterious force. “But there is always the chance I could be wrong, so I would still exercise caution in this venture, a backup plan perhaps?” The fillies glance at one another, all waiting for the others to speak up. “We’ve always got me as a backup is everything goes wrong,” Twilight speaks up, unable to bear the silence any longer. “But I would rather not use it, another day asleep is another day wasted.” Quiet falls over the group once again, each pony unable to decide “I think we may just have to take the risk,” Rarity concludes reluctantly, breaking the barrier of indecision. “Unless anypony has something still unspoken.” Her eyes flick across the group one last time, none of the fillies showing any signs of speaking. “I, um, I still th-think we should try t-talking to him,” Fluttershy mumbles, every pony straining their ears to hear her soft words. “I-I’m sure he’s j-just a little cranky aftter napping for s-so long.” Rarity grimaces at the suggestion, worried for the filly but unable to crush her idea. “I think you’re onto something Fluttershy,” Twilight exclaims, much to the surprise of Rarity and Rainbow Dash. “It’s like a refined version of Pinkie’s plan. We use the dragon to create a sense of danger then the magic of friendship will interfere, allowing us to rescue Luna.” “Twilight I don’t think we can put Fluttershy in danger like that,” Words spill from Dash’s mouth as soon as Twilight finishes speaking. The torrent driven by love and fear. “You know how Shy is, she’ll be so, so, so scared.” “I’ll be fine Dash,” Fluttershy affirms, her confidence a shocking the blue pegasus. “It’s for Luna, we can’t just leave her st-stuck on the moon.” “But Fluttershy,” Rainbow Dash’s voice and eyes convey her desperation. Leaning closer to Fluttershy she pleads with her friend. “We don’t even know Luna, we don’t even know if this thing will work. I know you though, and I know I, I just couldn’t let you do this.” Twilight’s hoof against Dash’s arm interrupts her begging. “I promise she’ll be completely safe Dash,” Her voice calm, assuring. “If anything happens we’ll all be right there with her.” Twilight sureness sways Dash, her frown twisting, thought lining her brow. “I, I guess if you’re okay with it Shy,” Dash concedes. “But don’t get too brave though, I don’t want you getting your head bitten off.” “I’ll be fine Dash,” Fluttershy’s smile easing the tightness in Dash’s chest. “I-I’m just glad I can finally help, and you’ll be right behind me right.” Dash feels her lips spreading, the smile on Fluttershy’s face contagious. “When do we leave?” “As soon as we eat,” Twilight answers. “Do you have anything prepared for us Pinkie?” The pink filly springs from her seat at the mention of her name. Diving into her tent she rustles around. “Today I’ve got cupcakes,” Pinkie exclaims. A tray of the treats between her teeth, iced in a rainbow of colors and dressed in sprinkles. The rainbow array catches the attention of all “Dig in.” ★★★ “Where could he have gone?” Standing atop the pile of jewels and gold, Twilight casts the light of her horn around, searching for the dragon. “Maybe he knew we were coming,” Dash suggests, confidence overflowing in her tone. “And he was so scared he just ran.” “I don’t think that’s it.” Stepping from the bed of valuables, Twilight forms her light into a cone, allowing her to direct the light, pushing it further. She searches the room, covering every wall, lighting each corner. “This room is completely sealed, so how could he escape?” Twilight looks to Celestia for guidance. Noticing her student’s wanting gaze, Celestia sighs, knowing Twilight will be disappointed in her answer. “I’m sorry Twilight. I’ve never been in this room before, so I don’t know. The room could have a another exit we haven’t spotted.” Twilight breathes deeply, her mind failing to produce any reasonable solution. The cloud of failure threatening creep in, the guilt of failing Luna a spark wanting to light in the back of her thoughts. Not wanting to leave the room without the Princess of the Night, Twilight bounds off. Out of the cover of the summoning focus and away from her friends, hoping to find any sign of another escape on the walls. Crash! The stone shatters before Twilight beneath the weight of black scales. “I was wondering when you ponies were going to get out from underneath that thing,” He exclaims, the other ponies rushing to Twilight’s aid. “Now I can finally have my snack.” Glued in place by fright, Twilight watches the charcoal claw surround her. Voices distant in the background. The scales cold and hard against her coat, squeezing her legs together uncomfortably. “Twilight!” Celestia, desperate. Her voice full of fear, longing, helplessness. “The magic Twilight,” Rarity calls, her mind clear in the straining situation. White lights her own horn as she gallops, attempting to touch the surrounding fillies with her spark, unable to fulfil her desires. The cries break through, bringing Twilight out the her shocked-induced daze. The ground falling away too quickly, she lets her spark flow. The memories of the recent weeks flooding her mind as the gaping mouth nears. Rank, hot breath erupting from the dark, pink cave. Even unable to see her friends, Twilight senses them. Their emotions, their thoughts, their combined desire to free her. The magic comes to her like an old friend, so obvious, so simple, so familiar. Weaving the thread of her magic through the core of each pony, she interconnects the fillies, alighting the spark hidden deep inside every one. The process complete, she calls on her friends, their response powerful, their combined spark forming at the command of their conjoint will. Released, Twilight feels herself falling, the moist heat of the dragon’s insides closing in, smothering her. Knowing it’s completion, She allows the spell free roam, it’s power surrounding all of them in bubbles safety before releasing the full force. Blinding light purges the room, vaporising the black beast from inside out, the underground experiencing the briefest feeling of day. Twilight opens her eyes into the wind, the ground still closing in rapidly beneath her. “Gotcha,” Dash grunt as Twilight’s weight pulls against her arms. “Thank you Dash.” The ground firmly against her hooves, Twilight feels safe enough to speak. “Actually I must thank all of you. You saved my life.” She gather the fillies around her in a hug, the overflow of joy wetting her eyes. “It was nothing,” Applejack brushes of the praise. “I don’t really know what happened, it just felt like a nice warm bath.” “It guess that’s one way to put it,” Rarity says, breaking away from the hug. “It definitely felt like magic, but of another degree to what I have performed. That was simply amazing.” “I don’t want to interrupt your moment,” A voice speaks from outside the circle, drawing the attention of the fillies back to the centre of the structure. “But I must thank you all as well for reuniting me with my sister,” Luna’s voice warm, she meets each filly’s eye, ending with Twilight. “You must introduce me to your new friends Twilight, I’ve been longing to meet them.” Eager to get in another princess’s good books, Twilight steps out of the group, her hoof starting on the left. ”That’s Pinkie Pie,” The pink filly greets Luna with a smile, the white of teeth filling half her face. “Then it’s Applejack, and I think you’ve met Rainbow Dash before.” Applejack bows, while Dash barely nods, unable to break her air of confidence. “And the last two are Fluttershy and Rarity.” The white pony curtseys, Fluttershy managing a weak smile. Locking the names away in memory, Luna makes a half turn, her side still facing the fillies. “I must thank you all again, I cannot express how much I owe each of you.” She gushes, Celestia behind her giggling at the overflow of emotion. “I think it would be best if I heard the rest of your recount elsewhere, I desire to feel the sun against my coat again.” ★★★ “It sounds as if you had quite some trouble returning me to Equestria,” Luna comments, having heard their story. “And I must once again tell you all how grateful I am for your aid.” Gathered around the dead fire, the ponies sit on logs and grass. The fillies sit in awe of the unfamiliar princess, Luna’s mane dead compared with Celestia’s. Her form barely larger than that of an adult pony, baby blue hair forming a curve behind her head. “Always happy to help Princess,” First to break silence, Applejack does so with a twang and the nod of her head. “I’m just glad we all made it out of there in one piece.” The other fillies sound their assent, Twilight feeling her friends press against her. Celestia’s lips form a smile at the bundle of fillies, her own heart relieved to see Twilight in one piece. “Now that we’ve accomplished what we came here to do, I think you fillies deserve a little time to relax,” Celestia says. “So if you’d all like to we can spend the rest of the week in the forest.” A murmur spreads through the fillies at the suggestion, agreement coming with the turn of heads. “I think we’d all like to head back to Ponyville,” Rainbow Dash speaks for the group, the other fillies nodding in agreement. “This forest is a bit too scary to relax in.” Understanding their concern, Celestia nods, organizing the fillies to pack up before joining them herself. The tents collapse rapidly, bedding rolled and stuffed into backpacks, the firepit smothered with a bedding of leaves. They manage to finish in under an hour, leaving just enough time for the journey back to Ponyville. Sweet Apple Acres peeks over the horizon as the setting sun disappears behind it. A grin spreading across Applejack’s face at the familiar sight of home. Her body moves with a rush of instinct and emotion, waving goodbye with her hat before eager legs carry her away. Ponyville appears before the sky dims to complete blackness, the first stars showing their faces as they part ways in the town square. Fluttershy trailing Dash, Rarity walking beside the bouncing Pinkie as they head back to their homes. The wooden door of the library opens with a slam, a book falling from a shelf at the force. “So this is where we reside tonight?” Luna questions, the concept of sleeping for the night unfamiliar after so many centuries. “I think I may have forgotten how to sleep.” “Did you not sleep on the moon?” Twilight’s brow creases at the thought of not being hindered by sleep, endless hours of reading filling her imagination. Luna nods, glad to share the experiences of eternity alone with somepony. “A celestial body never sleeps,” She answers. “I think I will busy myself with recent history, many things will have happened while I’ve been gone.” “Twilight and I will rest then,” Celestia says. “We will see you tomorrow Luna.” As the ponies turn to head up the stairs Luna stops them, holding up her hoof. “Before you go I must thank you once again Twilight.” The purple unicorn accepts the praise with a tilt of her head before following Celestia up the wooden stairs. “Good night my sisters.”