Mind Over Magic

by Thunder Quill


Chapter 3

Downstairs, Twilight was looking through one of the many bookshelves lining the main room of the library, looking over each title with fondness. “Hey, Twilight?” Spike’s voice said from behind her, causing her to turn around. “Do you think he looked a bit familiar?” He asked, “Not him personally, but whatever he is, I can’t shake the feeling that I’ve seen it before.”

Twilight’s face scrunched up as she thought on Spike’s question, ‘Let’s see… Two arms, two legs, hair only on his head, wears clothes out of necessity, small nose...’ Her eyes widened as she remembered her adventure from the year previous, when Sunset Shimmer had stolen the Element of Magic and escaped through the mirror portal. “That’s because we have seen his species before…” She said, “When we went through the mirror portal into the human universe!”

Spike’s eyes widened, before he let out an almighty belch, a sealed scroll materializing from the mystical flames. Grabbing the scroll within her lavender magic aura, Twilight untied the seal and read the letter aloud.

Dear Twilight Sparkle,

I commend you on your willingness to take care of the injured creature that appeared in your library, but I must insist on taking him back to Canterlot to make sure that he is not a threat to Equestria or its ponies. If he is found to be harmless he shall stay in the castle for the foreseeable future, as to not cause a panic amongst the populace with the appearance of a strange creature. I shall be teleporting to the library post haste.

Sincerely,
Princess Celestia

P.S. Stand back please

Twilight hurriedly moved back towards the wall of the library, Spike following her. A few moments later, a bright flash of light and a slight surge of heat reached them, along with a slight bang. When Twilight’s and Spike’s eyes finally adjusted from the sudden change of lighting, a pure white Alicorn with golden regalia with purple gems embedded in them stood before them, a stoic expression on her face, which quickly changed into a friendly smile. "How are you Twilight?" She asked.

Twilight smiled in response, "I'm excellent Princess."

The Princess let out a short laugh, "Please Twilight, we are both equals and there is no reason for these formalities when we are in private. Please, call me Celestia."

Twilight looked abashed as she responded, "Of course, Celestia." The name rolled off her tongue as if it was strange to hear it said in a common way.

Celestia’s smile never faded, “Where is the creature you described in your letter?”

Twilight was slightly startled by the sudden change in topic, but she took it in stride, “He’s asleep upstairs.” She paused, “Celestia, I know what he is.” Celestia motioned for her to continue, “He’s a human, the same species from the other side of the mirror portal, albeit different than what I saw on the other side.”

Celestia took a moment to process this new information, “Did he say how he came here other than the mirror portal?”

Twilight shook her head, but before she could open her mouth to respond, another voice cut in, “No, I don’t know.”

Both of them turned sharply to see Blank Canvas standing in the doorway to the stairs, an angry expression on his face.


I was sleeping peacefully before I heard a bang, awakening me. Groaning, I swung my legs over the side of the bed, my legs less shaky than before as I put my weight on them. Moving over to the entrance, I heard two voices from down below. One of them was Twilight, that was for certain, but the other was new. “Where is the creature that you described in your letter?” The unknown voice said, easily female.

“He’s asleep upstairs,” Twilight responded to the voice, before taking a pause. I began to slowly move down the stairs as she said something that made me freeze. “Celestia, I know what he is.”

I was confused, and pretty angry when she said that. 'She told me she didn’t know what I was!' I thought to myself, 'Why wouldn’t she tell me!?' I kept walking down the stairs as the other voice, Celestia, asked Twilight, “Did he say how he came here other than the mirror portal?”

I finished walking down the stairs, the sight of Twilight, Spike, and a female Alicorn, who I assumed was Celestia, talking in what appeared to be a central room, “No, I don’t know.” I said, trying to keep the anger out of my voice.

Each of their heads whipped around to face me, Twilight appearing the most surprised, “C-canvas?!” She exclaimed, “Why aren’t you sleeping?!”

I snorted, “Someone made a bang,” Celestia looked slightly sheepish as I said this, so I took that as she did it. “More importantly, why didn’t you tell me you knew what I am!?” My voice raised to a shout.

Twilight winced, “I didn’t remember!” She hastily responded, “You didn’t look the same exactly, so it didn’t register to me!” She seemed to almost wither under my glare.

I snorted once more, “And how hard is it to remember a creature so radically different from yourself like me!?” I yelled, causing her to shrink down more.

I turned away from her, and towards Celestia, “Now who are you? And what do you want with me?”

Celestia looked a bit shocked by my rudeness, but composed herself with a stoic expression as she regarded me, “I am Princess Celestia, Solar Monarch and Co-ruler of Equestria.”

My anger instantly vanished, replaced by panic at insulting someone who could probably destroy me in a half-dozen ways off the top of her head. “M-my apologies your highness…” I stammered out, “I-I didn’t know-”

She put a hoof on my lips, ceasing my attempts to excuse my actions, “It is quite alright.” She said in a motherly tone, greatly contrasting her previous look, “You’re in a strange land without any idea of how you got here, I would believe you would be allowed a small bit of anger.” She took her hoof off of my lips, “But I think you should apologize to Twilight because of your outburst.”

I looked over at the lavender Alicorn, who still seemed nervous that I might burst out in anger again. Instantly I was filled with regret for snapping at her, “Oh crap, Twilight I’m sorry!” I rubbed the back of my neck, my head facing the floor, “I just couldn’t help myself… Cause before you said that you didn’t know what I was and then I just woke up and I heard you say you knew what I was and I wasn’t fully thinking straight and I got angry and yelled-“ I stopped short as I realized I was rambling. “A-any way, I’m sorry for yelling at you.”

I looked up, expecting to see Twilight with at least an annoyed expression, not one of compassion. “Oh it’s alright Canvas.” She smiled, “I understand.”

I smiled back, happy to know she wasn’t mad at me. “Canvas.” Celestia said from next to us, causing us to turn, “I know this seems rude of me to ask, but I must request that you return with me to the capital of Equestria, Canterlot.”

I couldn’t help but snigger for some reason after I heard that, but I instantly became serious after the rest of the sentence registered in my mind, “Why would I have to do that?”

Celestia looked back at me with an equally serious expression, “To assess your threat level to Equestria.”

I blinked, “Th-threat?!” I exclaimed, “You’re bloody royalty for Christ sakes, what threat could I possibly pose to you or your nation?!”

The solar Alicorn kept her natural countenance as she regarded me, “You are a mostly unknown species, to which we hold only the most basic of information. I need to know more about you. Will you come willingly?” Her expression never changed, but her tone told me damn clearly that there was no other option.

I glanced over at Twilight, who gave me a comforting smile. “You’ll be alright.” She told me with absolute certainty.

I said nothing for a long moment, thinking it over. 'It makes sense what she’s saying…' I mused, 'At least… I think it does…'

Another voice began to speak, one that sounded very familiar, though I couldn’t place it. 'Go along with what she’s saying, and don’t mention me.' She said to me, for the voice was feminine, 'Trust me on this.'

I had a feeling that if anyone else had heard the voice, they would think themselves crazy… But for some reason the voice gave me comfort. Something told me to trust whoever spoke. 'Who are you?' I asked the voice, only to hear a light giggle.

The voice spoke with slight humor as she replied, 'You shall see soon. But for now you should reply to Celestia.' The voice faded, and gave no further response, no matter how much I pestered.

Sighing, I focused back in on Celestia, who was regarding me intently, “Alright… I’ll go.”

Celestia’s intent gaze relaxed as I responded, “Thank you Canvas.” She said softly, “Say your farewells.”

I nodded, turning to Twilight. “Thanks Twilight.” I said, “For everything.”

Twilight smiled back, “It was no trouble.”

A small smile grew upon my face, “I guess this is goodbye then.”

Twilight’s smile grew slightly sad, “For now. Canterlot is only a train ride away after all.”

I nodded, moving over to Twilight for a hug. The purple Alicorn stood on her hind legs to hug me more efficiently. “Goodbye Twilight…” I said softly, before releasing Twilight from the hug. I turned back to Celestia, “I’m ready.”

Celestia nodded, “Alright then. Farewell Twilight, Spike.” She said, her horn lighting up in a golden glow. Suddenly, the world around me turned white, and the the library vanished.