//------------------------------// // Magic // Story: A New Chance // by Dreagknight-LostWriter //------------------------------// Twilight looked at Sunset with a confused expression before putting a smile on her face. "Of course she wants to see you. She said so herself!" Twilight said before going back to reading the book. "She did!" Sunset said with a calm smile on her face, "you know, we’ve got a couple of hours to kill before night. Do you want to go anywhere?" Twilight looked up from her book and thought to herself for a bit. Was there really any place she wanted to go? "No, although I would like to visit the school again, even though it’s closed now." Twilight said, going back to reading her book. "I'm amazed how similar ponies and humans are, and yet there are still such vast differences." Twilight said, more to herself than to Sunset as she flipped to the glossary in the back of the book. "Well, I guess I could order some pizza for us tonight." Sunset said, going into her room. Sunset returned with her laptop and sat down on the couch. "Hey Sunset, you said you were able to use your magic. How did you learn to use it?" Twilight asked, not taking her eyes off the book. Sunset thought back to when she started to learn to use her magic after she came to this world. "Well, when I first came here, the first thing I did was try to use my magic, but it didn't work and I was confused. I realized that I didn't have my horn and I had no way of using any magic, so I gave up. I spent a few nights wandering around, not knowing what to do until I came across a magician doing magic tricks. I know now that it was all fake, but back then I thought it was real magic. What surprised me was that he didn't have a horn, but was instead using his hands to manipulate the cards." Sunset stopped and looked at her right hand, opening and closing it slowly. "How did that alone help you?" Twilight asked, now more intrigued with the story then her book. "Well, I was surprised that he could do magic without a horn. Every time he did one of his tricks, he would always use his hands to control it. Like when I was watching him do one of his tricks, he was moving his hand over a newspaper and wiggling his fingers, then out of nowhere there was water pouring out of it. That was when I begin to think maybe—just maybe—I could channel my magic into my hand. I spent a full day practicing, and once I was able to channel my magic into my hand I began to test out all the spells I could. I was limited to the spells I could use, and I could only use one of my hands, but it was enough to help me through." As Sunset finished, she had a sad expression on her face as she remembered what all she did with her magic. "Wow, when I first came to this world, I tried to use my magic too, but I when I failed I just gave up, believing that it was impossible without my horn. But how did you lose your ability to use your magic?" Twilight asked. "It was after you girls defeated me that my magic was drained completely. I tried to cast a simple spell two days later, but I had no magic left in me. I couldn't even channel my magic, so I knew it was gone." Sunset said in a pained voice. "But you were able to help us defeat the sirens without being a element of harmony; you were able to combine your own magic with ours." Twilight said as she begin to put the pieces together in her mind. "I did feel some magic run through me when I went into my anthro-pony form." Sunset said, thinking back to the Battle of the Bands. "Sunset, I think you can still use your magic. You must have just been drained from all the high level magic that was cast. Using my crown, turning into a raging she-demon, and casting those fireballs, plus getting blasted by the Elements of Harmony must have drained you dry. I think that while in the human world it just takes much longer for you to regenerate your magic than normal." Twilight said with a smile beaming on her face. "You think so?" Sunset asked, skeptical. "Only one way to find out." Twilight said as she placed one of the biology books on the floor. "Since telekinesis is a basic unicorn spell, you should be able to cast it, right?" "Yeah, it’s one of the few spells I can still cast..." Sunset said, looking at the book. Twilight came to Sunset’s side with a confident smile on her face that seemed to be saying you can do it. Sunset sighed, looked at the book, and slowly raised her arm just enough to aim it at the book. With some concentration, Sunset was able to channel her magic into her hand, which was now glowing light blue. Okay. that's good. I can at least channel my magic, but it feels weaker than before. Sunset thought. Sunset then focused her telekinesis spell on the book, and the book was covered in the same light-blue aura as her hand. The book wobbled slightly as she tried to lift it, but failed to leave the floor. Sunset tried again but with no luck. "At least you're still able to channel your magic, heh heh..." Twilight said sheepishly. What’s the weakest spell I know, one that requires no effort at all...I know! A light spell! Sunset thought. Sunset channeled her spell into her hand again, this time trying to conjure up a simple light spell. As she recalled the light spell, a small orb no bigger than a volleyball appeared above her hand, glowing brightly. "A light spell?" "Yeah. I just wanted to see if I could at least cast that.” Sunset said, dispelling the ball of light, “So Twilight, do you want to try?" "Sure!" Twilight said eagerly. "Okay. Let me order a pizza first, and then I’ll show you. Just know that it feels…a bit weird." Sunset said, heading back over to her laptop. After ordering pizza, Sunset spent the next half an hour showing Twilight how to redirect her magic and channel it through her hand. Once Twilight got used to the feeling of channeling her magic through her hand instead of her horn, she then began to practice casting actual spells. As it wasn't hard for Twilight to cast spells, she was even able to cast a little bit more then what Sunset was able to. After the pizza arrived and Twilight and Sunset had their share, they both practiced their magic until late at night before deciding it was time to turn in for the night. *** "Sunset, are you ready?" Twilight asked as she waited by the door with her bag. "Just a second!" Sunset yelled back. Sunset was wondering what she should take with her. She knew she wouldn't need any clothing, since she would be back in her pony form. So Sunset just grabbed her book that she used to send messages between Twilight and herself, some notes from school so she could study, and her phone, although she knew she wouldn't be able to use it once she was back in Equestria. "I'm just going to send a quick text to the girls and let them know I'll be in Equestria for the weekend." Sunset said, walking out of the room and pulling out her cellphone. "Okay Twilight, ready." Sunset said, putting her phone away. "Sunset, could you write a message for me telling Spike to get the portal ready? I left my book with him for safe keeping." Twilight said. "Sure thing." Sunset said, pulling out a book and a pen to write a quick message to Spike. The two girls then proceeded to the statue at the school where the portal was located. Sunset was a little nervous, but happy that she would be able to see her home again, and maybe even see her parents again. Although Sunset wasn't quite sure if she was ready to face her parents just yet. Sunset and Twilight finally made it to the statue where the portal awaited them. Sunset stared at the portal, putting a finger on the mirror and letting it slip through. Sunset took a deep breath in and dove in with Twilight at tow, a bit nauseated by the feeling of going through the portal. Sunset landed on the ground with her eyes closed. She was afraid to open them, afraid to see the princesses in front of her. "Sunset, are you okay? Can you open your eyes?" Twilight asked, a little concerned. "Y-yeah." Sunset said, slowly opening her eyes to take in her surroundings. "This isn't the princesses’ Palace. Where are we? Are we in Canterlot?" Sunset asked as she looked around. "No, we are in my Castle in Ponyville. I forgot to tell you that Celestia allowed me to move the mirror into my Castle." Twilight said, looking at Sunset with a smile. Sunset looked around at the inside of the Crystal Castle. The Castle itself had a mixture of royal-purple crystal and tinted-green glass. Sunset followed Twilight to the main hall room, where six crystal thrones plus a small one sat in a circle. The floor was made of either a smooth magenta marble or some sort of crystal, Sunset couldn't tell which. As Sunset walked towards one of the thrones, she noticed a note hanging on it, and used her magic to pull the note before realizing how good it felt to use her magic with ease and comfort. "Spike! Spike! Spike, where are you?" Twilight called out. "Umm, Twilight, Spike left a note saying he was heading over to Rarity’s." Sunset said, looking at the note. "He did? Of course he did." Twilight chuckled, "Come on, let's go find him. I need him to send a message to Celestia." "Umm, Twilight, do you mind if we stay in Ponyville a bit? I want to meet the girls’ pony counterparts." "You sure?" Twilight questioned. "Ok, so I’m still a little nervous about meeting Princess Celestia and Princess Luna." Sunset admitted. Twilight looked at Sunset before nodding with understanding, and then they both trotted out of the Crystal Castle and into Ponyville town square. Sunset was looking forward to meeting her friends’ pony counterparts to see how different or the same they were. Just as Twilight and Sunset were heading into Sugarcube Corner, a cyan pegasus mare swooped down past them, leaving behind a rainbow trail. "Was that Rainbow Dash?" Sunset asked as the pegasus made a U-turn and landed right in front of Twilight and Sunset. The mare then proceeded to give a little bow. "Yeah, it is," Twilight said a little annoyed. "Rainbow Dash, how many times do I have to tell you, you don't need to bow in front of me.” "My bad, Princess." Rainbow joked, making twilight even more annoyed. "Lighten up, Twilight, you know I'm just messing with you." Rainbow said before looking at Sunset. "Who's your friend?" Rainbow asked. "Rainbow Dash, this is Sunset Shimmer, Sunset Shimmer, Rainbow Dash." Twilight said without missing a beat. Rainbow Dash eyed Sunset for a second or two before shrugging. "Well, I'm sure you two are busy. Later." Rainbow Dash said before taking off. "That was weird." Sunset said to herself. As Twilight and Sunset entered the café, Sunset saw a pink mare bouncing around the shop. Sunset look at the mare, confused. "How is she bouncing?" Sunset asked, watching the mare go from table to table. "I don't know. I’ve given up questioning the things Pinkie does." Twilight said, finding a table to sit at. Sunset asked Twilight some things about Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie as Pinkie brought them some smoothies, occasionally throwing in a question of her own. Sunset was surprised to hear that Pinkie didn't live with her family but instead lived with the Cakes, and that Rainbow was the fastest pony in Ponyville and was signed up as a Wonderbolt. As they left the café, Twilight decided to go visit Fluttershy and then Applejack. Fluttershy lived in a large grotto surrounded by natural plants and animals, even a bear that was surprisingly nice. Sunset felt like she could stay in such a peaceful area and let all her worries go. Fluttershy was just as timid, if not more, than her human counterpart. Next they went to visit Applejack, who was working hard on bucking some apple trees. Sunset figured Applejack was very different than her human counterpart. After a small chat with Applejack—and even the Cutie Mark Crusaders—Twilight was ready to head to Rarity’s. "So this is where Rarity lives." Sunset said, looking at the Carousel Boutique. "Yes, it is. This serves as both Rarity’s shop and home. Rarity is the best fashion designer in Ponyville, and even a top designer in Canterlot." Twilight said as she came to the door and knocked on it. "I'm not sure whether Rarity in the human world would be happy or jealous to hear that." Sunset joked as she came to the door. "Spike, would you be a dear and get the door for me?" Sunset heard Rarity call to Spike. "Sure thing, Rarity." Spike answered back. When Spike opened the door he saw Twilight standing there next to Sunset. "Hey Twilight, hey Sunset. Come on in." Spike said as he moved out the way to let the mares in. "Hey." Twilight said, giving him a warm smile, "Spike, I need you to deliver this message to the Princess." Twilight took a scroll out of her saddlebag and handed it to Spike. "No problem, Twi." Spike said. He then blew his magical green fire onto the scroll, burning it until not even the ashes were left. "Okay Sunset, my Royal Chariot should be here in a few minutes." Twilight said, looking back at Sunset. Sunset took in a deep breath and breathed,"I'm still a little nervous though." "There’s nothing to worry about. The Chariot should be going to my Castle, so let’s head back there." Twilight said, turning toward the door. "Okay." Sunset said nervously, then followed right behind Twilight.