//------------------------------// // Chaos Ignites // Story: Chaos Returns // by Pinkamena_FP_Pie //------------------------------// Hours after some rudimentary processes to get Scrutiny prepared for work, it was well into sunset when they were finally ready to go inside the tree house. Twilight leaped about the place as if she received a wonderful gift. To her, she did: She finally has an assistant that will help her get all the unfinished work under control. "Alright, so what I need you to help me with is--" started Twilight before being interrupted by Scrutiny. "Oh, I know, Princess Twilight. I'm supposed to assist you with your research, paperwork, research, lunchbreak, research, cleaning, research, research, RESEARCH!!" Cried Scrutiny Spectacle with a pleasurable smile as if the word itself gave her indescribable happiness as she fell to the floor sprawled like a elated child. Twilight gave a nervous smile. "It seems like you're really into research." Twilight said with a tinge of sarcasm. Scrutiny leaped up and readjusted her glasses. She looked over at the book and over again at the many tubes and flasks neatly placed in what could be considered a small lab. She looked back over to her with a huge smile on her face. "Of course! Experiments, research, I love all of it!" She said proudly, "You know back where I come from, people always come to me when they need information on something, anything really. I'm a well known magic engineer." Scrutiny said boastfully. "I've never heard of a..'magic engineer'''. Twilight said suspiciously. Scrutiny winced slightly. "Okay, well that's because I made that title up, haha. But when It comes to magic, I've learned everything there is to know about it. I may not have magical powers, but if I did, I'd be awesomeee~" Twilight gave a sigh of relief, "I'm glad I chose you to help me." Scrutiny blushed slightly before responding. "So where'd you want me to start?" Twilight motioned as if she was thinking heavily about the question before pointing at the paperwork in piles. "The research will have to wait for now, unfortunately. I have so many papers to fill in that I cannot read through the books on my responsibilities and authority as a princess. I'll need you to finish those first." Scrutiny humorously gestured a salute before trotting over to read over the papers Twilight assigned her. Twilight looked over at the books and motioned over towards them. She looked over and saw Spike napping. Well, it is his nap time, after all.. Twilight thought to herself Twilight's horn glowed and levitated one of the books in the miss-mash and opened it in mid-air. She began reading, and momentarily stopped to look over at Scrutiny. She moved through the papers as if they were water, finishing what took Twilight forever in well over half the time. Twilight couldn't help but be impressed. she knew that with Scrutiny's assistance, they'll easily finish the work before long. She smiled tranquilly as the day passed. ------------------------------------------------------- "YOUR HIGHNESS, YOUR HIGHNESS!!" Cried the royal guard as he slowed is pace before entering the room, trying to be mindful of his presence before the princess. Celestia only had to look at the fear so deeply etched within his eyes to know that he saw what she also feared. "It's here.." Celestia said with fear in her voice slightly breaking it. Celestia rushed to the palace entrance and saw...that it was....another Alicorn? It had a sinister aura surrounding it. It was very eerie, very powerful. Celestia backed slowly with every second it stood motionless. The only thing moving was it's burgundy mane, moving elegantly but baseless and see-through as it flowed in the wind like a lifeless cloth. As she peered into it's eyes trying to find this pitch black pony's purpose, it started moving. Celestia, reacting, jumped back, trying her best to keep her stance. Celestia's horn began to shine a brilliant gold as she began flapping her wings, ascending to get leverage over her. She gathered up a small portion of her energy and released a shot of magic with the velocity of a bullet. Almost as if within a second, the soot pony flared her wings. Before she could hear the sound of her attack connect with anything, she was face to face with her, her crimson eyes burning in her own. Celestia reared back violently, but regained her senses and used the momentum to turn it into a feint tackle. As she attempted to do so, she passed right through her body. "What..?!" Celestia yelled dumbfounded. Celestia quickly turned around, glided back to the entrance, and lowered herself to the ground, standing brave before the mysterious Alicorn, as to not allow her permission to enter. The pitch-black mare lowered her eyes to see Celestia standing defiantly before the castle doors. She, without a budge of movement, quickly descended to the ground as if she instantly did so. So.......this is really the ability of Equestria's strongest pony...my how times have changed in deed.. Said the mysterious black pony as she spoke without actually moving her mouth. Celestia's fear of it finally got her to stand motionless. Celestia could feel tears welling up in her eyes as she tried desperately to move, but all she can see was red. Red as red and crimson as this nefarious mare's eyes. It was clouding her vision, confusing her greatly. "W-what d-do you want of my p-people..? Why are you here, and who are you?!" Celestia said trying her best to not stutter her words from the sheer fear she felt of it. What I want now doesn't matter to you, because I know I'm strong enough to take it. Said the soot mare with a cynical chuckle. Celestia continued fighting her fear in an attempt to charge her. She was bucking violently trying to go against her senses that inhibited her from moving. Oh, no need to try that anymore, Celestia, She said mockingly, What I'm using now is merely a projection of my true form. Whatever you do will not hurt me. Celestia fought for seconds more before giving up her will to fight it. She began receding like a frightened child. "I could feel your animosity from here, and now that you're in front of me...." Celestia tried her best to raise head to look eye to eye with the intimidating mare, "My sister will surely be here to stop you. Together, we'll go find where you are...AND STOP YOU!" She yelled with all her strength. The soot mare reared back her head in laughter, and Celestia's face flushed uncontrollably with rage. Oh, my poor little Alicorn~, where is your sister? Do you know how long you and me have had this little meeting? She patronized. Her eyes became a light crimson and an image of a sun dial replaced her pupils. Celestia's expression changed into one of helplessness as she realized: We've been fighting for three hours?! Celestia thought to herself The soot mare's eyes returned to their usual appearance and she smiled in a condescending manner as Celestia couldn't feign bravery any longer upon the realization. "What have you done to her.." Celestia tried to fight back uncontrollable tears as she couldn't help but feel completely outclassed, and feared the worst for her sister, "What did you do to my sister..!!" She whimpered. The mare laughed maniacally at her sadness. "No!" Celestia screamed. "NO!" "Celestia!!" A familiar voice could be heard through all the confusion, but Celestia was too distraught to listen. "NOO!" Celestia felt like she was losing her mind , she couldn't bare anymore of this torture. "CELESTIAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!" Screamed the voice. Celestia's vision burned white and she could see nothing..there was nothing here anymore....no one...and then... --------------------------------------------------------- Twilight yawned loudly as she finally finished her last assigned book as the day was breaking from their night of work. "Finally finished!" she exclaimed with much enthusiasm. Scrutiny peered over the piles, that were significantly smaller than earlier in the day. "WOOHOO! I'm almost done over here myself!" Scrutiny shouted following Twilight's energy. Twilight looked over at the piles and chuckled slightly. "Well, you may have gotten allot done, but almost is definitely an overstatement." "Haha, well yeah, But you sounded so happy, I wanted to join in on that enthusiasm a little, haha." Scrutiny said as a pile fell over her head as she finished speaking. Twilight closed her eyes and took a deep breath to revitalize herself. Scrutiny made her way out of the mess and walked over to Twilight with an accomplished smile on her face. "Well you have to admit 67 percent of the paperwork is quite an accomplishment." Scrutiny said boastfully. Twilight was taken aback. "S-sixty seven percent?!" Exclaimed Twilight, shocked. Scrutiny simply nodded her head pridefully. Twilight looked at each other like comrades as they 'hoofed' for a job well done. "Twilight, are you tired?" Scrutiny asked. Twilight shook her head. "Actually, I'm feeling like I had more energy than when we started." Scrutiny smiled brightly. "That's how I'm feel, too!" Scrutiny looked as if a dirty idea came in her head, "Then do you want to...?" She asked invitingly. Twilight shared the expression. "Oh, I think I know what you mean..." They both closed in on each other face to face, and yelled: "RESEARCH!!" They both yelled simultaneously. It didn't take long before they ran over to the lab and began reading over Twilight's opening question. Twilight Sparkle Pony-ville About three days ago, I became an Alicorn once I achieved the right to be one of Equestria's princesses. Although this is a great honor, I find it very hard to understand why I was able to gain fully functional wings. No magic should be this strong, and even if it were, there's no way it could be permanent. What magic is used in this ceremonial right that changed me? Celestia, and I'm assuming Luna knows of this method, however, upon asking them, they weren't exactly sure why they could do it. It's a very strange type of magic that can probably only be achieved being an Alicorn. Since I am now one, I will make it my duty to find this method, as it may be something more complex and available. So without too much needless dabber, I want to know this: How are Unicorns able to become Alicorns, and is it possible with Pegasi as well? Scrutiny looked up at Twilight who was beginning to work. "Princess Twilight, wow.." Scrutiny said admirably. Twilight blushed slightly. "Well, it's nothing really. I just really want to know." She said, being modest. Scrutiny shook her head. "No, no, this is a really ambitious project you have on," Scrutiny began walking over to the window with the morning sun shining brightly, "This could change how ponies live their lives!" Scrutiny proposed. Twilgiht smiled, "Well, we should get started then." Scrutiny nodded and rushed back to the small lab and began assessing the right tools. Twilight prepared a saddle for holding books while Scrutiny was looking over the check list. Spike awoke to all the rustle in the house and got up. "Oh, morning--What are you doing?" Spiked asked lazily. "We're going to find some documents for research on Alicorns." Twilight said as she was grabbing up different thing she felt like she'll find necessary. Spike rushed to Twilight's side. Scrutiny handed Spike Twilight's checklist to use once they left. Twilight, Spike and Scrutiny all gave each other supporting gestures as they made their way out the door. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "What's wrong with Celestia?!" Luna exclaimed as she rushed into the room where Celestia was unconscious. Luna rushed over to Zecora, standing over Celestia carefully as she writhe in her sleep. "Zecora, what happened?" Luna asked with an even amount of concern and anger. Zecora slightly teared before speaking: "I was not aware you see She says the mare she feared came recently But the royal guards were there the whole time They said she suddenly lost her mind." Zecora rhymed melancholy. "What do you mean by, 'lost her mind'? " Luna asked, slightly offended at her words. Zecora sighed slightly, "No one saw the mare she fought Long and hard form what they saw They heard a voice, but no one there Gave the guards quite a scare I just just came as you can see 10 minutes ago promptly I tried to call her form her sleep But all she did was yell and weep." Luna began to cry for her sister. "This must be the work of the danger she's been sensing since last week," Luna said talking normally through her tears, "It is getting stronger at a faster rate an than Tia must've imagined." Celestia started shaking violently in her bed, and Luna and Zecora quickly surrounded her hoping she'd speak. "Give them back! Give me back my sister, and my zebra friend, you vile mare!" Celestia angrily yelled. "But I am here, sister! No one has harmed me!" Luna desperately yelled trying to awaken her. "Luna, it is of no use." Zecora said solemnly. Luna now knew how serious it was. She began crying in Zecora's hooves. "No one's hurt me....but they've hurt Celestia, and she can't help us this time.." Luna said with helplessness obviously audible in her voice. "Luna, I know how you feel is strong But you must not give in If we stop fighting and let our feelings take over Then this monster surely wins." Zecora said reassuringly as she continued, "The danger's power has grown Even stronger than scaring me from my home If it can come to Canterlot and reduce Celestia to this It is far stronger than we can simply dismiss." --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Twilight and Scrutiny fell exhausted from the hours of working. "Ughhhh...I think it was a little too ambitious to do as soon as we finished the rest of that work.." Twilight said with the last of her strength. "Here here to that.." Scrutiny replied jokingly. "Better luck after we wake up later?" Twilight suggested. Scrutiny lazily nodded as both of them instantly passed out. "Girls, I prepared that lunch you guys wanted." Spike announced, completely unaware that they fell asleep. "Hmph, well I guess I'll eat this...even though I'm not a vegetarian.." Muttered Spike annoyed as he chomped down their sandwiches. Hours after, they were hard at work. Twilight and Scrutiny had checked every book closest to the subject of Alicorns, but they didn't find anything. Twilight collapsed and let out a deep sigh. "This is getting hopeless, it's like we'll never find anything on Alicorns." Twilight shut her eyes for a few moments before looking back at Scrutiny. She was looking at her with a determined face, and it gave Twilight hope to keep going, "But we can't give up yet, right?!" Scrutiny nodded. Twilight picked up a couple of books and was about to begin reading them once more. Scrutiny pretended to do that same, but she instead began writing in one of the empty pages of a book. After she finished writing, she called out to Twilight. "Twilight, I found something!" Scrutiny shouted. Twilight immediately dropped her book and trotted over to see what she found. "Ohhh, what a find, Scrutiny! And it look really recent...hmm...that's strange." Twilight looked at it suspiciously for a second. Scrutiny began getting nervous, but Twilight didn't notice and just dropped it. "It seems like out next goal lies in a deep part of the Everfree Forest." Twilight looked over to Scrutiny, "It seems like your always helping me just when I need it. Thank you, Scrutiny for all you've been helping me with." Twilight expressed. "Well, that's me. Always helping out whenever I can, haha." Spike walked in between the two. "I hope I'm not ruining another special moment between you two, but if there's somewhere else we need to go, we should do that post haste so we can get back to work." Spike said with an annoyed tone. "You're right spike. It's time we got on to our next destination. Central Mareston."