"Morning Applejack. How are you doing this morning?" Twilight says as Spike checks under the cover of the wagon they brought over. Satisfied that nothing has been disturbed, he comes over to Twilight.
"Good morning Twilight, morning Spike, you're just in time for breakfast. Come on in." She stood aside allowing the both of them entry into her home. "As for how I'm doing? I'm doing quite well, but you should ask me again after breakfast. I told Granny you would be coming over and she made an extra big breakfast with the help of yours truly." She passed a grin over to an amused Twilight.
"Great! I'm looking forward to it. Though I feel sorry Granny won't see her goal of making me fat anytime soon."
"If'n I wanted to make you fat I woulda hooked you up with Big Mac, Celestia knows I want to see some great grand foals before my time." Granny Smith, the matriarch of the Apple family and resident demander of great grand foals was standing at the stove slowly stirring in milk to what appeared to be some mashed potatoes. "Course the big lug will make a fuss but he'll come around eventually."
The last two Apple siblings were sitting at the table, waiting for their grandmother to sit with them before starting. Big Mac stoically weathered through Granny's newest attempt at getting him a wife while Applebloom just chuckled.
"Come now Granny, can't it wait til after breakfast. Besides, Twilight said shes hungry." Applejack said as she, an embarrassed Twilight, and Spike took a seat at the table with the other two.
"Oh fine, but we're continuing this discussion later." She turned carrying the potatoes to the table giving her best smile at the Princess. Then sat herself. "Well what are ya waiting for? Dig in."
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When everypony had their fill, and Winona found under the table next to Big Macs chair, Twilight and Applejack left to the cornfield. Rainbow was flying around the area making sure there was no wind to be found. The rest of her friends weren't there yet. They still had some time before 10.
Setting her cart next her her work space, Twilight got started, asking Spike to bring over the small plates and ingredients as each runic section became ready for them. A process that took most of her time left before the scheduled time. While she was quadruple checking everything, a carriage landed nearby. Everyone else moved towards the departing occupants.
"Good morning my little ponies. I see Twilight is checking over her work, so how have you all been? Are you all excited?" Said Celestia standing in front of the five ponies and dragon. Next to her was her sister Luna, the Princess of the Night looking like she'd rather make friends with her pillow. The spot on the other side of Celestia was taken up by a surprising guest. Discord, Lord of Chaos and positively bored out of his mind. Literally, his mind was out of his head sawing logs. If somepony had to guess, it was because he had to promise to be on his best behavior. Though he was secretly curious since he never personally witnessed a summoning.
"Why good morning Princesses, I've been wonderful. Though I will admit I didn't expect to see either of you today. And how can I not be excited, one of my friends is performing a once in a lifetime feat. Oh, Twilight mentioned that I may be able to do a summon of my own?" Rarity, looking up to Celestia with hopeful eyes waited with bated breath.
"Oui, what am I? Chopped cauliflower?" Discord said after his mind went back to his head.
"Morning Dissy!" "Morning Discord." Discord walked away from the Princesses bringing Pinkie and Fluttershy with him to have their own conversation.
Celestia gave a polite chuckled. "Well Rarity, I wasn't going to leave the Castle until my sister told me Twilight was going to perform her spell. I just had to take a holiday and bring her along. Discord tagged along mid-flight. For having your own familiar, normally a unicorn must be deemed ready for the responsibility of having a familiar, though for you I'm sure I can make some allowances." Rarity hearing this gave an unladylike bounce. "Though not today. Today belongs to Twilight, we'll discuss your request later."
"I understand Princess. Til then can we-"
"I'm ready! Oh Princess, I wasn't expecting to see you here." Twilight said, heading for her fellow Princess and ex-mentor.
Celestia gave her her best smile. "Twilight, how many times must I tell you to call me Celestia? Also, today is a big day, why wouldn't I be here for you? But I'm sorry to say I couldn't get your brother or Cadence away from the Empire or your parents from their jobs."
"I understand Pri- Celestia. I would have loved to have the here. I'll visit them later if my familiar isn't too big to fit in the train." Though she was sad at the news she pushed forward. "So is there anything you can tell me about the summoning? Any backlash or explosions or the such?"
"No Twilight, the summoning itself will go smoothly, no one will interfere." She said giving a glance towards Discord and his friends. Twilight followed her gaze and cringed.
"Well that's good to know." She perked up. "Well there's no time like the present. Everypony! And Discord, please get in a group and back up a bit. Little more. Good, I don't want to leave anything to chance. Now lets begin!"
While the group made themselves comfortable with Discords help (he's such a nice guy), Twilight went back to her circle. Making sure everything was still in place, she lit her horn and began.
Slowly she let her magic flow into the runes surrounding her, changing from white to her pink hue. When all the runes had changed she put her magic towards the ingredients, starting with those of the Body. Each one became consumed in a non-burning pink magic fire. When Body was completed she moved onto Mind. The same happened and she moved onto Spirit. Here is where she feared it would go wrong since it had the Voidstone, which she saved for last. When her magic attempted to connect, it would get close but not connect. Putting more power into her spell she saw the outer edge of the plate the shavings were on catch fire but still not get close. It was an improvement. She added even more power to her magic hoping it would make a bigger difference. She put all her concentration into it as she added even more when-
"Come on Twilight! You can do it!" Said a cheery voice from behind her. This wasn't encouraging. Not in the least for she lost her focus on her magic, allowing it to surge. Knowing what happens when magic isn't controlled she attempted to regain her control while closing her eyes and crouching down, expecting a large explosion.
Nothing happened.
She waited another moment. Still nothing happened. Reopening her eyes she looked around. In the back of her mind she was taking note of everything, from the fur on her body to her friends still being where they were. Though Celestia and Luna had their horns glowing while Rarity silently berated Pinkie. Giving the two sisters a nod and grateful smile she turned back to her work. Everything was still as it was, and the Voidstone was LIT. Yes I did it! I'm going to thank Pinkie after this. She took a deep breathe. She was ready for the final part. She recited the incantation she learned in the book, voice thrumming with power.
"I AM TWILIGHT SPARKLE, PRINCESS OF FRIENDSHIP CALLING OUT TO THE REALMS. I SUMMON THEE CREATURE TO BE MY SERVANT AND RIGHT HOOF IN TIMES OF WAR AND PEACE. TO BE MY SWORD AND SHIELD I CALL THEE, COME FORTH AND BE BONDED TO ME."
Nothing happened until the last syllable finished echoing in the distance. The plates burst into flame, taking what was in them as well. Higher and higher the flame grew and curved to a center point just above and in front of the young alicorn. A burst of power emanated from the now forming globe of fire.
Outside the circle the burst caused a short lived mighty wind, pushing the ponies back until a shield covered them. The small ponies righted themselves as the two Princesses and Draconequus looked on.
"Princess, is that suppose to happen?" A nervous looking Pinkie Pie ask, also looking towards the source of wind.
"No, no it's not." Celestia, not taking her eyes off of Twilight responded.
"My apple trees! What's it doing to them?" Now normally fruit trees were bare of any leaves during winter, but where the wind touched leaves grew and flowers bloomed, even the grass grew straight and healthy. There were even a few cornstalks coming up where seeds had fallen.
Luna ignited her horn and felt the land around her. "It seems, dear Applejack, that you will have a second harvest next year. The wind had much magic in it, allowing the plants to be revitalized and strong. I do not believe even our harshest winter will stop them from producing. Least not til the magic runs out."
Another wave of wind came, making those who weren't watching have renewed interest. Inside the circle Twilight did not feel any wind. There was none. She did not feel the thrum of power. It came from her. She concentrated, still putting magic into her spell. The fire grew, the runes that were on the ground lifted themselves up to start circling the globe. When the last one did the flames too left the ground. All that was left of the summoning circle was Twilight and a runed globe of pink fire. It suddenly glowed brighter, then dimmed. A few seconds later it repeated. Again and again, faster and faster until it brightened considerably forcing all but Celestia and Discord, who put on some fabulous shades, to look away. Twilight never noticed the brightness, she was looking at the fire, no, into the fire and she saw.
A final blast came, stronger then those before it. It tore at the ground outside the smothered circle and shield. The fire came apart, flames heading out to land harmlessly on ground and trees before dissipating. Twilight, magic spent, collapsed on the ground, breathing hard but still staring at the mass before her.When her friends recovered and saw her, they rushed through Celestia's shield without thinking. Thankfully the shield was one way and only meant to keep things out.
Celestia, being the first to see the creature, quickly and quite strong wrapped her magic around the muzzles of Luna and Discord. They looked at Celestia pondering why she was doing this, but understood when they looked towards Twilight. "Stay calm, let me handle this." Trusting they heard she let go and the three of them headed towards the others.
"OH MY GOSH! I SUMMONED A HUMAN! OH MY GOSH OH MY GOSH OH MY GOSH!" Twilight, still breathing hard, managed to right herself with her friends help but still couldn't stand, looked upon her new familiar. A human! Though it didn't look like one she was familiar with. "Rarity, Applejack, could you turn it onto its back?"
"How 'bout I just pick you up sugar." With Pinkies help, Twilight found herself upon Applejack's back, while Fluttershy and Rarity turned the human over. Underneath was a burnt but still whole bag which Rarity moved away. With all looking down they saw a creature with burnt clothing all over, whereas the back still had most of its covering, the front was missing quite a bit. The chest and stomach were exposed, as was the left leg up to the hip and the right leg up to the knee. The feet looked to have had covering due to what was on the end of the feet. The creature had a short amount of dark brown, almost black hair on the top of its head and a short cropped beard around its jaw. It was easily twice as tall as a pony was long.
"Wow, I never expected a human." Said Spike next to the head.
"Pardon, but what's a human?" Applejack, turning her head to see her charge said. The other five young mares looked at them and back to the now named human, listening in.
"Well they are like my friends on the other side of the mirror, but this one looks a bit different." She answered studying the human. Comparing differences. "The body shape is the same but take the eyes, they are much smaller then theirs, as is the head in general, except the nose and ears are comparatively larger." Her eyes roamed downwards. She started talking like she was making a note to herself. "He has a bit of a belly but the chest and arms look right. Fingers seem shorter but keep range of motion. Hip is placed lower on the body causing legs to shorten. Not a good runner then. Feet are longer and wider, maybe use to carrying heavy loads. Hmm."
"How do you know its a feller, Twi?"
"Hmm? Oh! Hes got a beard. Only males can have that, same as ponies." Twilight looked around at her friends. When her gaze found the Princesses she didn't see happy expressions. "Princess, is something wrong?" Both gave a small jolt before plastering smiles on their faces.
"Not at all my Student. I never expected a human to make it here. I am quite curious how since the mirror is the only means to interact with them."
"Oh well I'm sure there's a reasonable explanation." Twilight said. A little bit of Rainbow Dash rubbed off on her. She puffed out her chest when she understood it as doing something that was suppose to be impossible. Coming back to her senses she asked Spike to bring the cart over. With an "On it," he walked off. They needed to bring him back to her home since she knew humans preferred to be warn in winter. Only now did she realize she will need to order another Princess sized bed, as well as cloths. "Oh Rarity, do you think you could make him some new cloths, his are kinda burnt at the moment."
"I'd love to darling. But may I take a few shreds with me, I don't believe I'm familiar with this material. I might be able to recreate it."
"Sure Rarity. Here." Twilight, using as little magic as she could, cut off the pieces left on the back of the legs and removed what was left of the shirt entirely, forcing her to move him onto his side to get it.
"Hey Twilight! Look!" Spike pointed his finger at his lower back, where a blotch of white skin was. Within it was Twilight's cutie mark. She smiled.
"Thank you Spike. Job well done." She reached out and gave her little brother/assistant/son/it's complicated a hug. "Do you think you could put me in the cart Applejack? Then get him in here as well?"
"Sure thing, now just hold on a bit." The apple farmer put the tired princess where she asked then went to get the human. "Oh nelly, he's a big one. Pinkie, help me out here." Even with two earth ponies they barely got him off the ground. "RD! Help!" She prismatic mare wrapped her legs around the torso and flapped for all she was worth. By the time they got him to the cart, Fluttershy was helping guide him in gentle. Rarity just looked confused.
A break was well deserved when it was done. As they were all getting their breath, Celestia spoke up. "I'm sorry, but I can't stay any longer." This brought a pout from Twilight. "But I will be in touch. Twilight, you have new responsibility now, please take care of him."
"I will Princess. Take care." A short bow from all of them and the Princesses, with Discord, left in the chariot. When they disappeared into the sky, Fluttershy turned to Twilight.
"So Twilight, what are you going to name him?"
"I'll wait til he wakes up and he could tell me his name." She smiled down onto her human. Still asleep.
"Well I'm ready to head back, let's saddle up and bring this fella to the castle." Though Applejack hoped Twilight recovered her magic by then. He was heavy.
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On the flight to Canterlot, alone chariot flew.
"Sister, that was-"
"I know Luna."
"We can't let-"
"I know Luna."
"We must-"
"I know Luna!" Taking a deep breath to calm herself, she wrapped a wing around her sister. "I know Luna, I know." She looked at the Draconequus flying next to the chariot. He has been silent since the summoning. But it wasn't his silence that bothered her. It was his eyes. There was nothing in them.
"I know."