The years passed quickly, and soon both Mystic Quartz and Aurora Dawn were old enough to wonder what their cutie marks would be. Mystic had become quite proficient in magic, and was one of the most advanced Unicorns for her age. Aurora was quiet. She was very self-conscious of her wings. She felt they made her different, more susceptible to bullies. Therefore, she kept them folded at all times- at least in public. When she was with only Mystic or her parents, she flew like a fully trained Pegsus warrior.
Truth be told, Mystic was a little jealous. She knew Aurora didn't think she was better than Mystic, but in all honesty, she was better than Mystic. Sure, Mystic was an amazing magician, but Aurora was a great magician and an amazing flier.
Aurora hated that Mystic was never allowed to come to her house since the first day they really met. Mystic's father forbade it. Aurora didn't know why, but Mystic knew all too well. Aurora's adoptive parents were Earth ponies, the lowest of the low, in Obsidian's mind. Mystic was wary, but so far she hadn't noticed anything lowly about Rosemary and Spark. They were kind, intelligent, middle-aged ponies who only wanted to love Aurora Dawn. They raised the filly to be kind and selfless, worried more about others than herself. The Three apparently saw nothing wrong with them either, as they continually praised the Earth ponies for raising a true queen.
Mystic decided to go against her father one day. She went home with Aurora. Obsidian found out.
"WHAT HAVE I TOLD YOU?" He screamed. "THEY ARE SCUM! THE DIRT UNDER OUR HOOVES!"
"They good ponies! They're just as good as us!" Mystic shouted back, unaware that Aurora had come over to see if Mystic wanted to get ice cream sundaes at the local parlor.
"THEY ARE NO SUCH THING!" Obsidian roared. He regained some of his dignified composure and said angrily, "They are not worthy of raising Equestria's queen!"
"Yes, they are!" Mystic argued. "What did they ever do to you?"
"Apparently, they've corrupted my daughter!" Obsidian shouted.
"We haven't corrupted her..." Aurora squeaked from behind Mystic, her ears laid back, and her eyes wide and sad. Steam appeared to blast from Obsidian's ears.
"There's nothing wrong with them," Mystic growled.
"GET OUT," Obsidian burst out. "GET OUT OF MY SIGHT, YOU- YOU USELESS BLANK FLANK."
Mystic's horn flared with a deep blue aura. In an instant, the kitchen of Mystic's house disappeared around Mystic and Aurora, and was replaced by an endless blanket of stars spread over a midnight blue backdrop. Mystic's aura flickered, and was gone.
"Mystic.. Where are we?" Aurora asked in awe.
"This is where I imagine myself when Father's yelling at me... It keeps me calm," Mystic answered. In all honesty, she was completely shocked. "I guess I sent us here in a fit of rage. It's like.. my safe haven or something."
"It's beautiful," Aurora said, smiling at Mystic. "Oh, Mystic! Look at your flank!" Mystic whipped her head around. There on her flank, were four white stars.
"Oh my gosh!" Mystic gasped. "My- My cutie mark!" The Unicorn jumped up and down happily, beaming with pride at the cutie mark.
"What does it mean?" Aurora asked.
"I think it has something to do with magic," Mystic answered. "I mean, it appeared right after I magicked us to... Wherever we are."
"That would make sense," Aurora pondered.
"I don't know of anypony who's ever done a spell like this," Mystic said to herself.
"Does that mean you invented a spell?" Aurora asked her friend.
"I think so," Mystic said, a smile breaking out on her face.
"Then you should name it!" Aurora said excitedly.
"Yeah, I should... But, what should I name it?" Mystic said, looking around at the starry backdrop.
"Hmm... Safety Blanket?" Aurora suggested.
"I like it!" Mystic grinned.
As the two fillies stared in wonder at the little world that Mystic Quartz had created, Aurora Dawn's mind wandered. When would she get her own cutie mark? She wasn't that much younger than Mystic. Aurora watch Mystic gaze happily into the fabricated stars, then shook herself from her thoughts. This was her best friend. Aurora's time would come.
The little queen couldn't help but hope it would be soon.
*****************************
"Mystic Quartz, could you tell me what the answer to number three is, please?" Miss Novella asked.
Mystic snapped out of her daydream. "Uhh..."
"Mystic, were you even paying attention?" The teacher asked.
"Could you repeat the question?" Mystic asked hopelessly. Several other foals giggled.
Miss Novella sighed. "Aurora Dawn, which pony tribe was responsible for food production?"
"Earth Ponies," Aurora answered immediately. Mystic scowled. Aurora was, essentially, a teacher's pet. She always knew the answer, and always helped Miss Novella in any way she could. The school day dragged on, with many colt stopping to chat with the future queen of Equestria.
Mystic Quartz leaned moodily against her locker, waiting for Aurora to finish her conversation with several fillies.
"You gonna move, filly?" An older Unicorn colt snarled, stepping in front of her. With a glare, Mystic begrudgingly moved to the side so he could get to his own locker.
"Saying 'Excuse me' would have been a bit more polite," She muttered. The orange colt fixed her with a cool stare.
"Why are you even here, filly?" He asked.
"I go to school here, obviously," Mystic retorted. "And my name is not 'filly'."
"Hmph. Fillies don't belong in schools. The only reason they are is because our leaders are all mares," The colt scoffed.
"Don't tell me you still believe in the old ways," Mystic laughed sarcastically. "You do realize that this is a new age, right?"
"This would have never happened if the tribes hadn't merged," The colt pressed. "King Sterling would have never allowed it."
"Yeah, well, King Sterling is dead, isn't he?" Mystic snapped.
"Because the Earth Ponies stopped feeding the rest of us!" He shouted.
"They aren't our slaves!" Mystic countered. She was growing increasingly sick of this same argument, over and over again.
"Well, they certainly aren't our equals!" The colt yelled. Mystic's horn sparked with fury, and she lowered herself into a fighting stance.
"Mystic!" A voice said. Mystic and the colt turned. Aurora Dawn was galloping towards them, looking concerned.
"Aurora, go away," Mystic said, turning her attention back to the colt.
"Mystic, calm down!" Aurora pleaded.
"He needs to get what's coming to him," Mystic growled, powering up her magic. The colt mimicked her.
"No! You have to stop fighting!" Aurora said, moving to stand between them.
"Give me one good reason I shouldn't blast you into the next millennium," The colt said dangerously.
"Mystic, there's going to be ponies like him and like your father who just don't understand!" Aurora shouted. "You can't use violence to change their minds!"
"Then what can I use?" Mystic asked, not taking her eyes off her opponent.
"They're not going to change their minds," Aurora said calmly. "But that doesn't mean they're right, or you're wrong."
Mystic glanced at her friend, who looked powerful, yet nervous. Sighing, Mystic let her magic fade and stood up straight.
"You're right. Come on, let's go," Mystic said, turning her back on the colt.
"That's right, suck up to the little queen," The colt snarked behind them.
Feeling Mystic tense beside her, Aurora said: "Just keep walking."
"What took you so long?" Mystic asked, trying to relax.
"Oh, I was just talking to some ponies," Aurora said cheerily.
"You realize they just want to be friends with you because you're the future queen?" Mystic said gloomily.
"Would you stop thinking so negatively?" Aurora asked. "I just got my cutie mark, let me be happy for a little while."
"You- Huh?" Mystic stopped, looking at Aurora's flank. There was now an image of a yin-yang symbol, where the spots black and white circles were moons, and rays like the sun's swirled around the outside of the main circle.
"I think it has something to do with keeping the peace," Aurora said quietly. "I mean, I got it when I intervened in that fight."
"I guess that makes sense, yeah," Mystic murmured.
"You know what this means, right?" Aurora said, looking up at her friend. Mystic cocked her head sideways. "They'll think I'm mature enough to take over," The Alicorn whispered.
"They can't force you," Mystic said.
"They made me for this one purpose," Aurora said sadly. "They'll make me take the throne as soon as they can."
Mystic said nothing. The silence continued until they were in Aurora's front yard, then Aurora spoke again. "I don't think I'm ready to be queen." The small white filly's ears fell back, and her head hung low.
"Aurora?" Rosemary said, stepping onto the porch. "Sweetie, is everything all right?"
Silently, Aurora turned her flank towards her adopted mother. With a squeal of pride, Rosemary enveloped her daughter in a hug while Mystic inched awkwardly sideways.
"Aurora, this is wonderful! Why are you so upset?" Rosemary said lovingly.
"I'll have to be queen now, Mama," Aurora whispered almost inaudibly. "I don't want to be queen yet." Aurora burst into tears.
"Oh, sweetie, no," Rosemary soothed, holding Aurora tightly. "No, no, no. You don't have to take the throne until we're all sure you're ready, and that won't be until you're sure you're ready."
Mystic left then, walking home bitterly.
I could be the queen. Mystic thought to herself. I'm ready to be a leader. She's too nice, too emotional. I'd be a better leader than some wishy-washy filly.
With a sudden hatred for her friend, Mystic fired a beam of energy at a nearby tree. The acrid smell of burning wood filled the air, and Mystic watched as the tree went up in flames, a vessel for her own burning anger.