The two unicorns sat in the middle of the dimly lit room. It hadn't been too long since they had seen one another, but it felt like ages. At first, they tried to resist embracing each other to avoid awkwardness, but it seemed impossible. After a slight pause, they gave in at the same time and wrapped their arms around one another.
"Where were you? I had no idea what had happened to you," Twilight asked.
"I didn't mean to leave. I mean... at first I did, but then I just collapsed, and... I heard everyone yelling at me to stay awake. I tried to keep my eyes open, but it felt so good and so easy to just give in. So I did. But then I dreamed of all of you, and I realized exactly what we were fighting for. And what we needed to KEEP fighting for. I couldn't leave Sarah all alone, or force my friends to fight alone. So I hung onto those thoughts until I awoke."
Twilight just kept listening without saying a word, so the small pony continued, "I woke up in a strange home. It was comfortable, but small. I could tell I was underground, so I looked around. That's when I met an old pony who somehow knew my name."
"Everypony in Equestria knows your name," Twilight added. "The unicorn who traveled from another world to save us."
"Heh, well, he said he didn't have much time left. He was very old and obviously wouldn't be around much longer. So he insisted that he teach me everything he knew, which was mostly magic. Turns out, he had trained under Stormcloud himself before he realized the evil intentions he had. He tried to warn about the road the dark horse was traveling, but to no avail. With no other choice, he met his master in combat... and lost.
Stormcloud let him live--he was much more sane then--and offered him the chance to come back and join him whenever he wanted. So the pony left and built a shelter under the ground where he practiced day and night to strengthen himself. He swore to one day go back and defeat Stormcloud, but he soon realized that he had waited too long. He was too old to fight. When he heard that we were battling Stormcloud, he knew that this was his chance to pass on his knowledge to one of us. Whether by chance or some destiny, he found me. He nursed me back to health, cured my sleeping problem temporarily, and taught me powerful spells."
"And you learned all that and became that strong in two days?" Twilight had to ask.
"I didn't really have a choice. I had to get back before you did something stupid."
"Ha ha, very funny. How did he fix your sleep problem?"
"It's only temporary, but he sent the pony of who's body I was sharing to earth. There's a pull trying to bring him back and it will succeed after a while, but for now he's wandering the earth doing who knows what."
"In your body?"
"I'm not sure. I hope not for his sake. My parents would be a little too happy to see me, if you know what I mean."
Twilight nodded, trying to take it all in. "So what's Stormcloud up to? What is this?"
"I have no idea," James replied with a sigh. "But we're ready! This is Twilight Sparkle we're talking about!"
"Well, thanks, but without the others we can't use the elements... we're all alone in this one."
James lifted her chin with a hoof, "You're never alone. You have me. You have your friends cheering for you. And besides, good always triumphs over evil, right?"
You know I'm writing all of this down, right?"
The two ponies jumped to their feet. "Stormcloud?"
Oh, please stop calling me that childish name!
"Well, what's your real name?"
I think you know.
"What's that supposed to mean? Don't you ever just come out with what you want to say?!"
This first challenge I made especially for you, Twilight. I'm sorry, James, you won't be of much help here. You claim intelligence, do you? Well, through that door is a quiz. One suited for a mind like yours. It's been made especially to challenge you.
"So it's a test?" Twilight was somewhat relieved and afraid at the same time.
One question. One answer.
"A test!" James smiled, "You're the best at tests! You know everything about everything," he said with a nudge.
"Thanks. I've been studying for something like this all my life. I know every abstract fact you could throw at me, Stormcloud. I'm ready!"
At that, the door opened and the two ponies approached the stairs it led to. After a quick climb, the tower opened into a big room. At the far end stood a door with words above it,
Two Princesses, white and black, sisters by birth, day and night
One to raise the sun
One to shadow the land
The eldest is Celestia
I'm the younger, tell me who I am.
Post #2
The purple unicorn just stood there and reread the question. "Is this a joke?"
Whatever do you mean?
"It's so obvious! You said this was made especially to challenge me... are you mocking me?"
Of course not! I took into account how smart you are and made a question accordingly.
"I am waaay smarter than this! You could have asked me anything about the history of Equestria and I would have been able to tell you. Ask me to solve any equation, and I'll do it in record time."
Well, I thought about making it difficult, but I decided to give you a fighting chance.
"But... this is an insult to my intelligence!"
"Twilight..." James warned, "This may be what he wants. Just tread carefully."
"I'm not answering this! I demand a harder question. Give me a proper test so I can pass with dignity."
The purple unicorn was obviously upset, but Stormcloud only found this amusing. You must answer the question or you can not pass. Come on now, I'm sure if you think really hard, you might be able to find the answer. I believe in you! he said, mockingly.
"Twilight, calm down. You know he's just trying to make you upset," James tried to be reasonable.
"I know... group conference."
The two unicorns huddled together, "It's Luna, obviously," James began.
"No, it's not," Twilight interrupted him.
"What? Two sisters, the oldest, who's the youngest... it has to be Luna."
"It's a trick question. You don't even need the middle of the riddle to figure it out. It asks who the youngest princess is, not the younger sister."
"So..."
"So it's me."
"Ohhhh... okay. So say it."
"But this proves nothing about my intelligence! He put together a child's riddle to "test" me."
"The point isn't to show off your intelligence, Twilight. We all know how smart you are already."
"Well, thanks, but it would be nice to be remembered for--"
"Twilight, you'll be remembered as the smartest pony that ever walked the face of Equestria, who defeated an evil against all odds, and lead her friends to victory. Isn't that enough to be remembered for?"
Twilight pondered this before realizing how selfish she had been. How could she be looking for recognition when her friends were in danger? Stormcloud was right about the test, but it wasn't the question. It was how she answered it.
With renewed vigor, she turned around and faced the door. "It's me!" she shouted. There was silence for a moment before the giant door lazily swung open to reveal yet another staircase. The two ponies cheered and began to move toward it when James suddenly vanished.
He's gone to help the next pony. You may move on now or wait, it makes no difference to me.
Hmm... I need to step up my game. How about... oh yes! Haha, this should be amusing!