Chapter 10
"Whoever called this sword 'Deathbringer' had the right idea," said Twilight Sparkle, after pulling her sword from the corpse of a Zuu. The huge bird had perished within seconds of being struck by the blade, despite how light the blow was.
The two fillies with her shuddered. "Remind me not to get on your bad side," Scootaloo said. Her wings quit buzzing as she released the magic charge she'd been building up.
"I'd have thought that was self-explanatory," Twilight replied, sheathing her sword. She continued onward, and the fillies followed.
Twilight had at first been dubious of the fillies' ability to keep up with her. Scootaloo, however, put her worries to rest when she unveiled how she and Sweetie Belle would be traveling. She'd taken an old wagon, hooked it to a scooter, and used the wagon to pull Sweetie Belle around. She herself propelled both the scooter and wagon via rapid flaps of her underdeveloped wings. The end result was a method of travel that allowed the fillies to keep pace with the adult unicorn easily.
Sweetie Belle spoke up. "It's been, what, a day and a half since we left Maresidia?"
Twilight nodded. "Now, from what the Elder said, Mt. Ordeals is about half a day away. Which makes that mountain the most likely candidate." She nodded at a peak that loomed ever closer as they continued onward.
Scootaloo smirked. "Yep, that's Mt. Ordeals alright. I've seen it a couple of times in passing, but I never thought I'd be helping some half-wit Dark Knight climb those slopes."
"Scootaloo!" Sweetie Belle admonished. "Why don't you ever let up on her?"
Scootaloo rolled her eyes. "Even with our help, it's not that likely that she'll actually become a Paladin. I mean, you can count the number of Paladins in history on your hooves!"
Twilight interrupted them. "Regardless, I have to try. Nightmare Moon holds somepony very close to me captive, and I need to try to free her. If climbing Mt. Ordeals to try to become a Paladin is the only way to do so, then so be it."
The two fillies were silent. Eventually, Scootaloo mumbled, "She has spirit, I'll give her that."
The trio made good time, and soon found themselves at the base of the mountain. After spending the night in a tent on the plains, they made their way to the path leading up the mountain. It was there that they encountered their first obstacle: a wall of flames that blocked the path.
The three stared at it for a moment. Then Sweetie Belle looked at Scootaloo. "Well? What are you waiting for, genius? An invitation?"
Scootaloo rolled her eyes. "Yeah, yeah, give me a second." She walked forward, and her wings began to buzz as she charged her spell.
This fascinated Twilight to no end. She'd met only one other pegasus that could use magic, Fluttershy. But the two pegasi had different methods of casting their spells. Fluttershy allowed the magic to build along her wings, gathering at the tips, before flinging the spell in the desired direction. Scootaloo, on the other hoof, buzzed her wings rapidly to build power in her whole body, then forced the spell out with a sharp gesture (usually throwing her forehooves forward). Twilight resolved to ask Scootaloo about it later.
When Scootaloo's spell finished charging, she threw her forehooves forward, and a shower of ice shards descended on the wall of flame. The flames held for a moment, but were snuffed out by the extreme cold. The filly smirked. "Oh, yeah. Who's the best?"
WHACK!
Sweetie Belle lowered her foreleg and stepped away from Scootaloo, as the pegasus massaged her head. Sweetie Belle looked at Twilight. "So, are we ready to climb the mountain?"
Twilight nodded. "Ready as I'll ever be. I'm counting on you two to get me up this mountain in one piece, okay?"
The two fillies nodded. Scootaloo managed a smirk, though. "Don't you worry. Even if I think this is a wild goose chase, I'll make sure you get to the top."
Twilight smiled at the rambunctious filly's confidence. As she turned to start climbing the mountain, however, a voice derailed her train of thought.
"Twilight?" Looking for the voice's owner, the lavender unicorn's eyes widened as she saw a white unicorn mare emerge from the rocks. "Twilight, it is you!"
"Rarity!" Twilight exclaimed, running forward. She hugged the other unicorn close, and the gesture was returned. "I don't… how did you escape from Nightmare Moon?"
Rarity pulled away and smiled. "Well, I managed to sweet-talk the guards into loosening my bonds, and waited until they fell asleep. Then I filched the keys from the guards, got rid of the anti-magic brace on my horn, and used a Teleport spell to get out of there. I set the destination to 'anywhere but here'."
Twilight stared. "That was incredibly dangerous, Rarity," she reprimanded. "You could have landed in all manner of nasty places. You're lucky you landed here."
Rarity nodded. "Lucky indeed. I'd tried to get off the mountain, but that wall of flames barred my progress." She glanced at the two fillies. "But, I see you accounted for that."
Twilight blinked, then looked back at the two. "Ah, right, let me introduce you. These are Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle, a pair of mages from Maresidia. They've been assigned to escort me up Mt. Ordeals. Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, this is Rarity, that somepony I mentioned that Nightmare Moon had taken hostage."
Sweetie Belle trotted up to Rarity. "Nice to meet you, Miss Rarity!"
The older mare smiled back. "The pleasure is mine, Sweetie Belle." She then glanced at Twilight. "But, why do you need to climb this mountain, Twilight?"
Twilight sighed. "I need to give up the dark sword, and a way to do so lies on the summit. At least, so I've heard. I can't defeat Nightmare Moon with the dark sword, so I need to get a different blade."
Rarity nodded. "Well, if it's so important, I believe I'll help you. What are friends for?"
Twilight nodded back, smiling. "Thanks, Rarity."
As the lavender mare turned to start climbing the mountain, and the fillies followed, none of them noticed 'Rarity's' eyes briefly flash green.
*****
The climb up Mt. Ordeals was surprisingly smooth. Between the two white mages keeping everypony healthy (and disintigrating undead), Scootaloo immolating enemies that tried to keep their distance, and Twilight body-checking those that got too close, the group made good time up the mountain. As they ascended, though, Twilight noticed Scootaloo beginning to flag a little. She slowed down to walk next to the orange filly.
"Are you alright?" she asked.
"I'm fine," Scootaloo replied, despite panting a little. "Just not used to going up mountains, that's all."
Twilight frowned, since Sweetie Belle wasn't flagging yet, and the two were roughly the same age. Before she could comment, though, a flaming skeleton flew past the group, smashing against the mountainside.
"What in the world?!" Rarity exclaimed.
Twilight galloped forward, looking for the source of the immolated pile of bones. She didn't have to look long.
A unicorn stallion faced off against a quintet of skeletons. The walking bones didn't seem to care that one of their number had been dealt with in a rather brutal fashion. Still, that was secondary on Twilight's mind, as she recognized the stallion in question. She charged forward, body-checking one of the skeletons as it was about to swing at the unicorn. It was sent sprawling off the path, tumbling down the mountain.
Twilight looked up at the startled stallion. "It's been a while, eh, Starswirl?" she asked with a smile.
Starswirl the Bearded looked down at her, and grinned. "Indeed it has, Twilight! Good to see you again!" He looked at the remaining four skeletons, and narrowed his eyes. "I just wish it were under better circumstances."
Before Twilight could comment, the remaining skeletons were destroyed in a burst of white light. She smirked. "That's why I have friends," she said, as Rarity, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo came forward. "Everypony, meet Starswirl the Bearded. Starswirl, this is Rarity, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo."
Looking them over, Starswirl arched an eyebrow. "Rarity is that young lady that you wanted the sand pearl for, yes? It seems you were successful in getting it to her." Rarity nodded with a smile, as Starswirl looked at the two fillies. "And a pair of Maresidian acolytes, from their looks."
Sweetie Belle nodded, offering a short bow. "I'm Sweetie Belle, Sir Starswirl. This is Scootaloo, my close friend."
Scootaloo simply nodded. "Nice to meet you!"
Starswirl smiled a bit, then turned back to Twilight. "But what happened to Fluttershy? I can't imagine you'd leave her behind anywhere."
Twilight sighed. "That is a long story. A lot's happened since we parted ways in Clydecyan." She then looked at him quizzically. "Speaking of which, I'm surprised your here on Mt. Ordeals rather than trying to take down Nightmare Moon single-hoovedly."
Starswirl coughed, turning away. "Yes, well, soon after we parted ways, I realized that, as I am, I simply don't have the power needed to stop Nightmare Moon. So I came here, seeking the sealed spell, Meteor."
Scootaloo's eyes bugged out of her head. "Meteor?! The legendary spell of unmatched power?!"
Sweetie Belle was equally shocked. "Sir Starswirl, casting such a spell would drain you of your vitality! It's too dangerous at your age!"
Starswirl smiled grimly at the two fillies. "I'd consider it worth it, if it means I can defeat Nightmare Moon and avenge my daughter's death!"
Rarity spoke up. "So, you believe that the seal on Meteor is somewhere on this mountain?"
Starswirl nodded. "I'm certain of it. But, on my own, I have little chance of obtaining it." He looked a bit contrite. "Twilight, I said some rather rude things when we parted ways. But, will you let me travel with you again?"
Twilight smiled, nodding. "I happen to be in search of new power myself. From what the Elder of Maresidia told me, at the summit of this mountain I can throw away the dark blade, and pick up the holy sword of a Paladin."
Starswirl nodded in understanding. "Ah, yes, that old tale. A bit far-fetched, in my opinion, but it's something. Very well, I shall accompany you. Hopefully, at least one of us will find what we seek."
Unseen by the others, 'Rarity' frowned. The dark knight and the two foals would have been easy prey for me. But this sage… he might be trouble. I'd best be on my guard.
*****
Climbing the mountain proved even easier with Starswirl at their side. Soon, though, night was falling. Twilight spotted an arcane circle off the path slightly. "Hey, we can rest up over there!" she said, turning off the path to head to it. The others followed, in various states of fatigue.
Soon, a campfire was crackling merrily in the center of the circle, while a large tent had been set up, easily large enough for all five travelers. The fillies and Rarity were introduced to Starswirl's Behemoth Stew, and it was met with great enthusiasm.
During the meal, Twilight decided to ask something. "Say, Scootaloo, I was curious about your magic."
Sweetie Belle rolled her eyes as Scootaloo smirked. "You mean how I can use magic like a unicorn?" asked the pegasus. "Well, I'm the only pegasus ever to learn how to do it. It's hard work being unique, you know." Her smirk turned into a scowl as both Twilight and Starswirl began laughing. "What's so funny?!"
Twilight got her laughter under control. "I hate to burst your bubble, Scootaloo, but you aren't the only pegasus I've met who could use magic." As Scootaloo nearly fell over in shock, the lavender unicorn continued. "Starswirl, Rarity, and I all know about another one, Fluttershy. Real sweetheart, comes from Mist."
Sweetie Belle blinked. "The summoner village of Mist? Wow! How powerful is she?"
Starswirl chuckled. "Oh, she's still a filly, much like Scootaloo, and so her power is limited."
Scootaloo appeared to be relieved at this. "Okay, that's cool. So another pegasus filly learned how to use magic. I can live with that."
Twilight nodded. "What I actually wanted to ask about was your means of casting spells. You and Fluttershy have completely different methods. You buzz your wings, gathering power in your whole body, and then fling it at the enemy. Fluttershy, on the other hoof, just lets the magic gather in her wings, and launches the spell with a quick flap."
Scootaloo blinked. "That… that sounds way easier than what I do! What gives?"
Starswirl coughed. "If I may offer my expertise?" When the others nodded, he continued. "Both pegasi have the right idea, in that their wings are essential to their own magic. All ponies are magical, to one degree or another. But learning to access that magic actively… that's a rare feat for non-unicorns." He pointed at Scootaloo with a hoof. "You, Scootaloo, use your wings as a sort of pump for your magic, forcibly drawing it out of your magic 'core'. While this method is fast, it also leaves you exhausted after a few castings. Meanwhile, Fluttershy uses her wings as a conduit, letting her magic flow through it like a pipe. It's slower, but produces less strain on the body, at least from what I've noticed."
Rarity spoke up. "Fascinating… I wonder, then, if earth ponies are capable of learning magic?"
Starswirl nodded. "It's entirely possible. However, most earth ponies are more inclined to physical strength rather than magical."
Twilight snorted. "And most unicorns don't become Dark Knights."
"Ah, touché, Twilight!" Starswirl said, tipping his hat to Twilight.
Scootaloo nodded. "Well, I think I'm going to practice that method of casting. Don't wait up for me!" She picked a rock outside the magic circle, and began attempting to cast her spells in an unfamiliar way.
Rarity excused herself to the tent, while Sweetie Belle stayed up to make sure Scootaloo didn't hurt herself. Starswirl and Twilight remained by the fire.
"This brings back memories, doesn't it?" asked the elder unicorn in a low voice.
"It sure does. It wasn't that long ago that the two of us were around another fire, sharing a similar goal," Twilight said with a nod.
"Speaking loosely of which," Starswirl began, looking at Twilight, "what happened to Fluttershy? You haven't told me yet."
Twilight sighed, and related everything that had happened since the two had parted ways at Clydecyan. When she was finished, Starswirl rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"Leviathan… I never would have thought the Lord of the Oceans would attack an innocent vessel," he murmured. "And you haven't seen Lyra, Fluttershy, or this Applejack since?"
"I haven't," Twilight sighed. "I'm really worried, especially for Fluttershy. She's just a filly, and Leviathan's waves knocked her into the water."
Starswirl placed a reassuring hoof on her shoulder. "Don't worry. I have a feeling we haven't seen the last of that filly. She struck me as surprisingly tough during the time I traveled with you all."
Twilight smiled. "I hope you're right."
Starswirl nodded, then frowned, lowering his voice. "By the by, I don't mean to alarm you, but Rarity's explanation for how she escaped Nightmare Moon is a bit fishy, don't you think?"
Twilight frowned too. "I thought it seemed too easy, especially since Nightmare Moon took her personally." Her eyes narrowed. "What's more, she hasn't quite been acting like herself during this climb."
"Oh? How so?" asked the elder unicorn.
"Well, Rarity is, to put it kindly, frequently worried about her appearance. The slightest amount of dirt on her coat, and she goes into a panic. Yet, she looks like she hasn't bathed in two days, and she's perfectly fine," Twilight explained.
Starswirl's frown deepened. "I see…" he muttered. "Let me tell you a tale of something that happened to me once…"
As Twilight blinked in confusion, Starswirl related his story. Near the end, Twilight's eyes were narrowed to slits. "I see. That was most enlightening, Starswirl." Looking around, she sighed. "Looks like Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo have gone to bed. We should join them."
Nodding, the elder unicorn made his way to the tent, Twilight right behind him. The lavender mare cast a look at the sleeping Rarity, frowning in suspicion.
*****
Dawn came, and the group broke camp, making their way further up the mountain. A short time later, Scootaloo cheered. "Hey, that's it! Over there, across the bridge!" She pointed at a circle of stone pillars, encompassing a larger stone monolith.
Sweetie Belle grinned. "If Meteor or the ability to become a Paladin is anywhere, it'd be there!"
'Rarity' frowned. If I'm ever going to make my move, it's got to be now. She began creeping up on Twilight, trying not to draw attention as she slowly slid an arrow out of her quiver.
Twilight nodded at Sweetie Belle. "Most likely. Still, there's one thing I need to do before we cross."
Both fillies blinked. "What could be more important than getting what you came here for?" asked Scootaloo.
"This." With that, Twilight whirled, ripping her sword from its sheath and laying it against 'Rarity's' throat. The white mare froze, eyes widening. "You may look the part, but you sure can't act it."
'Rarity' sputtered. "What… how? My disguise was flawless!"
Twilight smiled grimly. "One, Rarity is extremely obsessive over her appearance. She absolutely loathes getting dirt or anything else on her pristine white coat. She always carries supplies on her to make sure she looks her best."
"Two," Starswirl continued, as the fillies slid behind him, "you carry a bow and arrows, yet you've hardly used them during the entire climb, much preferring to crush enemies with white magic, if not underhoof. Which, by the way, a true white mage would never do."
"And three, you just admitted you were a fake," Twilight finished. "So how about you drop the charade?"
'Rarity' scowled, stepping back. "Fine, then! I wasn't getting what I needed from you anyway!" A pillar of green flame surrounded her, dispersing moments later into a grotesque figure. "You're so unsure of your own feelings, I was practically starving!"
Starswirl scowled. "Queen Chrysalis, isn't it? It's been some time since we last met. I'm surprised a proud Changeling like yourself is serving Nightmare Moon."
"I remember you, sage," Chrysalis spat. "I remember how you and your daughter injured me with the power of your combined love. That was ten years ago. My one regret at this reunion is that I wasn't the one to kill that blasted mare."
Starswirl's eyes blazed. "Just for that, I'll make sure to make your end as painful as possible!" He looked at Twilight. "Get to the shrine! We'll hold her off here!"
Twilight blinked. "What? I – "
"Don't argue!" Scootaloo said, taking a stance between Chrysalis and Twilight. "We can handle her! Just go!"
Twilight hesitated, but then nodded. "I'll get back as soon as I can," she promised, and bolted across the bridge. The moment she was across, a green bubble appeared around the circle of stone. Twilight looked back, noting that Starswirl's horn was dimming from just casting a spell. Looking at the monolith in the center of the circle, she approached it.
Then a voice emanated from nowhere. Sister… the voice said, startling Twilight.
"Wha?" she muttered intelligently, before she found herself being drawn into the monolith. After a moment or two of blackness, she found herself in a room with a large mirror facing her. In the middle of the room hovered a blade shining with a pure light.
Gazing at the sword, she started when the voice sounded again. I've been waiting for you, sister, it said. The tragedy of your time is one I've anticipated.
"What do you mean?" Twilight asked. "Who are you? Why do you call me 'sister'?"
All shall be revealed in due time, Twilight Sparkle, the voice replied. I will grant you the holy blade before you, though in doing so, I place yet another burden on your soul. But no other choice remains.
Looking at the sword again, Twilight slowly removed her dark armor, piece by piece. Setting it all aside, she unstrapped the Deathbringer, and laid it down next to the armor. Trotting forward clad only in her jerkin, she reached out with her magic to grasp the blade. A flash of light surrounded her, temporarily blinding her. When it cleared, she looked at herself and gasped.
Her jerkin was now covered by a suit of white armor with blue trim. A flowing white cape hung from her shoulders. Feeling her head, she discovered it was bare, save for a tiara. Briefly removing it, she saw it was also colored white, with a ruby in the center. She still held the glimmering sword in her magical grasp.
But more than the physical changes, Twilight could feel the change in herself. All the uncertainty, the inner darkness she remembered from being a Dark Knight had vanished. Now, she was filled with confidence, and she could feel a radiance from within. An instinctual knowledge of basic white magic came with everything else. Twilight knew that she'd been successful. She'd become a Paladin.
All that remains is to cast aside your dark past entirely! The voice startled her, but not as much as what happened next. Seeing movement, she looked toward it only to gasp. Her reflection in the mirror was still a Dark Knight. What was more, it was now moving independent of her. Then it stepped through the mirror and stood before her, soullessly gazing at her as it drew its dark sword.
Twilight narrowed her eyes, and raised her blade. "If casting aside the past means I have to fight myself, so be it! I've come too far to back down now!"
The two looked at each other a moment longer. Then the Dark Knight charged, and the duel began.
*****
Outside, Chrysalis cursed as the shield popped up over her target. "Hmph," she said with a glare at the trio of mages. "No matter. That shield will come down when I break you, old fool."
Starswirl smirked. "I believe I have more than enough power to finish the likes of you," he retorted.
"You're not alone, Sir Starswirl," Sweetie Belle added, sidling up next to the elder unicorn.
"Yeah, we're here, and we're going to rock this witch's world!" Scootaloo exclaimed.
"Such confidence," Chrysalis said, narrowing her eyes. "Then allow me to bring you back to reality!" Her twisted horn began to glow a sickly green. "Come forth, my children!"
A hole opened in midair, and at least two dozen smaller Changelings emerged, surrounding the three mages. The trio went back-to-back, even as the Changelings changed their own forms to match them. Soon, they were facing a small army of themselves.
"Any bright ideas?" asked Starswirl, careful to keep the fillies near him.
"We've got one idea," Scootaloo said, "but we need you to keep them busy in the meantime. Think you can buy us thirty seconds?"
"Easily," Starswirl confirmed, charging his magic as he glared at their doppelgangers. "Now, let me show you whelps why I'm regarded as one of the greatest mages of all time!"
The three mages prepared for the fight against their doubles, even as Chrysalis's voice rang out. "Destroy them!"