Chapter 9: Stargazing
Their approach towards the castle meant that it had grown to the point that it overwhelmed the surrounding scenery and it loomed over them ominously. Even from within the ball of darkness, its presence was crushing.
Within the courtyard, a large three-headed dog lay whimpering and curled in a ball. Patches of red speckled its black fur. Within the ball of shadows provided by her pyrrippus escort, Fluttershy’s eyes widened and she let her jaw drop as she took in the scene. Fluttershy gasped and froze momentarily.
“Cerberus!” she cried in anguish. She galloped towards him and gently stroked his side with her hoof. At her touch he perked up, lifting a head. He twisted to give her mane a few sniffs and a lick. His fur was dishevelled and matted with the blood from his wounds, but his shivers died down as Fluttershy tended to him despite the cold. Fluttershy’s heart, which had steadily began to beat faster as she looked at his wounds, finally began to slow again and she gave a small smile.
The pyrrippus darted after her. “You might wanna be more careful!” he hissed. “We dunno who’s watchin’!”
Fluttershy lowered her head, causing her mane to cover her eyes. “I’m sorry ... But I just had to get to Cerberus when I saw how hurt he was!”
The pyrrippus darted his eyes from side to side, looking at the other guards, who stared at the scene before them with wide eyes, blinking slowly. “Well, it seems that you didn’t do too much damage. Emprir Whatsisface isn’t coming out and using his freaky mind-control magic on us, so I guess he didn’t hear anythin’. What are you gonna do after taking care of the giant, three-headed dog?”
“I need to get into the castle ... if you don’t mind, that is ...”
The pyrrippus smiled. “That can be arranged.”
(/)
There was a knock on the library door.
“Coming!” called Spike. He rushed to the door and swung it open, revealing a familiar vision of loveliness. Her alabaster coat shone and her purple mane was expertly coiffed.
She smiled, lifted a hoof and stopped, frowning at the threshold. She dropped the frown and raised her head again. “Greetings, small Tartarus-abomination!” she rasped before coughing twice.
“Rarity?” asked Spike as he raised an eyebrow. “Are you okay?”
“I’m actually feeling a bit sick,” said Rarity. “That’s why I was still outside when the Sun went down. And now I’m scared, like the Sun heathen I am.”
“What are you talking about, Rarity?” asked Spike. “Didn’t you go to Canterlot?”
“I had to change my plans because I was sick,” said Rarity. “May I come inside? It’s not good for us Sun heathens to be out at night. Especially when we’re sick.”
“Wha ... Of course you can come in, Rarity,” said Spike. “But why are you talking so weird?”
Rarity stepped into the library. “Finally. What kind of library has a threshold which requires permission to cross?”
“Um ...I don’t know what you’re talking about, but do you want some soup, Rarity?” asked Spike. “I can make some.”
“I’ll be fine now that I’m out of the cold,” said Rarity. She sniffed. “There’s nopony else here?”
“Well, I think Owlowiscious is out hunting, but he might be back already. I’m not sure. Why do you ask?”
Rarity’s eyes widened. “Hunting?” she asked in a strained voice.
“Yeah. He eats mice … and … stuff…” he trailed off. “Kind of like Opal. But … he does it outside. I thought you knew that already.”
Rarity’s eyes bulged. “Okay,” she squeaked.
“Well, I suppose it’s normal for him.” Spike shrugged.
“Moving away from such topics,” said Rarity. “I wanted to check upon the Elements, seeing as though I’m here. I just want to make sure they’re safe.”
“Sure, Rarity.” He moved over to the display case. “As I promised, I’ve been guarding them really well. Look! They’re right here where they should be!” He waved a claw at the case.
Rarity’s eyes quickly darted around the case. “There are only five here!” she squealed. “Where’s the other one?!”
“Fluttershy took the Element of Kindness on the train.” He narrowed his eyes. “But you know—“
“Sleep!” said Rarity as she gazed into his eyes.
Spike swayed and fell to the floor.
Rarity’s shape and colour shifted as Star Swirl resumed his real form.
Star allowed himself a moment to relax before he rushed over to the door, cracked it open and whispered, “Get inside! I’ve got bad news!”
The bushes rustled and Right, Solemn and First crept out and into the library. Solemn closed the door behind them.
“We have a lot more work to do,” said Star.
(/)
Cadance fastened crystal barding around her body as she walked down the halls of the Crystal Palace beside Shining Armour. It had an intricate design of many pieces and seemed more delicate than the solid orichalchum plate she was used to. The pieces were shades of light blue, purple and pink and contained floral imagery, with a particularly large bloom at the front and pauldrons with an upward curve that tapered to a point.
“It suits you,” he said.
“I’m just glad that the former Crystal Queen’s old barding was still around. My orichulchum set would be a bit heavy for me to use well, now that I’m down to standard earth pony strength.”
“It just takes training. But maybe it’s only right that the Crystal Princess wears the Crystal Queen’s old barding,” said Shining.
“Maybe,” said Cadance as the palace doors swung open.
As they marched down the street, Cadance watched as her subjects turned their heads to watch her in the middle of their scramble to get ready. Several were carrying baskets of crystal corn, crystal berries and straw for hats. She was pleased to see that some a few of the civilians had become brave enough to pick up lances to join the guards in jousting, but less pleased that the flugelhorn players had lowered their instruments for a better look. She said, “Keep celebrating!”
A pink mare and a sky blue stallion stopped whispering and gesturing wildly to each other and quickly cantered up to Cadance. “Princess Cadance! What’s going to happen to us!?”asked the stallion.
“Don’t worry,” said Cadance. “We will deal with the threat! Keep up the celebrations.”
They bowed in response and hurried off back to the stalls.
Through the barrier, they could see Discord floating next to an alicorn stallion, juggling playing cards which were spontaneously building themselves into a house. When they reached the barrier, they paused. Cadance looked at Shining. “All right. Let’s do this.” Shining gave her a nod as his jaw set as they stepped through the barrier. As they did, the alicorn’s image seemed to change before their eyes.
Cadance blinked at the image of Shining before her. Wasn’t he … ? She turned to her right and saw that he was still next to her as well. He couldn’t be in two places at once. So, what was happening? She turned back and the illusion shattered into pieces like silent glass, falling to the floor and disappearing to reveal the alicorn underneath. It was not Shining. Her eyebrows rose and then she frowned. What a cheap trick! She turned back to her real husband and saw that he was still staring at Morning. She would not let him be stolen from her again. “Look at me,” she whispered.
Shining blinked and turned to face her. He blinked again and faced forward once more as the illusion of Cadance was shattered in his own mind.
They scowled at Morning. “If you’re here to conquer, Morning, you’ll find that we’re well defended,” Cadance said.
Morning raised an eyebrow and Discord blinked as his cards went up in flames. “Morning?” he said. “You--?”
Morning’s horn shone brightly and his aura surrounded Discord’s head. Discord stiffened and his eyes enlarged before swirling with pink spirals. He returned to his docile expression as pineapples danced the hula in front of him.
“We have some important business to discuss, Discord,” said Morning. “Remove your ears for the duration of the discussion! Do not listen to our conversation!”
“If you insist, Fluttershy,” said Discord. He plucked his ears from his head and they joined in on the pineapples’ dance.
Cadance and Shining blinked and shared a quick look.
“So,” said Morning, “You’ve seen through my illusion. I suppose that’s because of your company!” He grinned and his eyes glowed. “Maybe I should search deeper for a disguise. Perhaps his sister?” The glow shut off. “Then again, perhaps this is best. I wished to speak with you.”
“What do you want to say?” Cadance scowled. “That the world isn’t big enough for the two of us?”
Morning’s eyebrows rose. “Why would I want to say that? The world is my treasure chest. The fuller it is, the better. No. I just wanted to learn more about you.”
Cadance raised her eyebrow. “Why?” Her voice rose an octave with the question.
“I wished to see my successor, godling,” replied Morning. “We are one. I would naturally wish to see my latest incarnation.”
“We are nothing alike!” growled Cadance.
Morning cocked an eyebrow. “We are two of Venus’s faces. We are of one essence. I may be the superior part of her body, but the other parts are still attached. Still, I need to make sure that you are living up to my glory! Who’s the eye-candy?” He pointed at Shining.
“He is my husband!” Cadance growled.
“And Commander of these defences!” added Shining. He stomped his hoof in emphasis.
“That would explain why you were seeing each other when you looked at me. So, this one’s your favourite. Where are the rest?”
Shining frowned. “The rest of what?”
“The spouses.”
“Spouses?” asked Shining as he raised an eyebrow.
“The rest of the harem.” Morning rolled his eyes. “Where is it?”
“Harem?” asked Cadance as she raised an eyebrow. Then she lowered it again. “I don’t have a harem!” She stomped a hoof in emphasis.
Shining cocked his head. “Why would Cadance have a harem?”
Morning tilted his head, opened his mouth and raised an eyebrow. “You ... You don’t ... You don’t have a harem!? How incompetent are you!? What kind of alicorn of Venus are you trying to be!?”
“A good one,” replied Shining. He gave a satisfied smirk at being on top of the conversation again.
Morning snorted. “Cute. Such naïveté. One shouldn’t advise the divine when one is a mere mortal with a mere mortal’s experience!” He turned back towards Cadance. “How are you supposed to attend to your needs without a harem? Your body should be adequate enough to acquire one. This behaviour is disgraceful in my successor!”
“I don’t need a harem! Shining is all I need,” said Cadance, lifting her snout and shutting her eyes.
Shining’s smile became more gentle.
“Ridiculous!” snorted Morning. “You are a GODDESS! The goddess of Venus, no less! No mortal could survive properly satisfying you by themselves!”
Shining blinked and his eyes widened. His mouth opened and he rapidly turned his head between Cadance and Morning.
“You’re being ridiculous!” said Cadance as her face reddened dramatically and her cheeks puffed out.
“Am I?” asked Morning. “You apparently support ‘monogamy’.” He spat the word as if it tasted like rancid manure. “And yet you married so young. You are a whelp of a godling! Your mane does not even flow with divine power yet!
“What’s your point?” asked Shining.
“We’re getting there!” said Morning. “When I was an adolescent, the hormones were torture! They always are for those of us chosen by Venus. The idea of spending decades in such a state was repulsive to me. I aged myself with my magic, so that my adolescence lasted mere years. You did the same, didn’t you?”
Cadance frowned. “And what if I did?”
“Do you remember what it was like to have to wait for a chance to take a lover? You couldn’t bear it, could you? You grabbed the first stallion you could in order to fulfil your needs!”
“That’s not true at all!” cried Cadance as she leaned forward. “There were other stallions who tried to woo me! I chose Shining instead!”
“And she hasn’t shown any regret,” added Shining with a nod.
Morning raised an eyebrow. “Oh? They really must’ve been of poor quality. I’ve had to learn to deal with the fact that mortals are so disappointingly inferior and have had to make up for quality with quantity. You neglect the rich bounty available in this time period that’s there for your enjoyment. What sort of ruler does not enjoy the riches of her domain?”
“Shining is all I need,” said Cadance as her eyes narrowed and her nostrils flared.
Shining shuffled over until their sides were touching.
“Who settles for what they need?” asked Morning. “One who doesn’t strive for ever greater heights is an inept leader. And you are deluding yourself. You’re still young. As you grow, your power and your need to truly represent Venus will grow with you. You will grow bored with your current consort quickly.”
Cadance stamped her hoof. “I’ll never grow bored with Shining! If you couldn’t find somepony like that, I guess that you’re not qualified to choose a good partner, because you put too much effort into chasing any tails that came into your line of sight. That’s pretty unimpressive for a representative of Venus.”
“Hah! She’s got you there!” Shining grinned.
Morning didn’t bother turning towards Shining. “You say that now because you’re uneducated. Something that requires correction. Besides, what about when your current piece of stallion candy dies?”
Shining frowned. “Stop calling me ‘candy’!”
“Or are you so naive that you didn’t think about that?” Morning continued. “What will you do as a lonely widow, further in Venus’s power, with no one to see to your needs? Do you really think you’ll be able to endure it? You who were not born with Venus’s blessing, but had it gifted upon you? No. You delude yourself.”
“I’ve coped before.” Cadance swished her mane dismissively.
Morning snorted. “Coped well enough that you brute-forced your way to adulthood before you’d even tasted the fruit of flesh that Venus gifted us with. The mortals of this world exist solely for us to enjoy. That is their purpose and the full extent of their meaning. We are their god and ruler, and it is the nature of those below us to serve our whims. The bounty of the pony race, and any other we wish to conquer, is ours to take. You deny who you really are and what your needs are. You’re only going to end up hurting yourself. This flirtation with ... monogamy -” he winced. “- is just that. Something without any real commitment or basis in reality. You use it to tease yourself with fantasies that will only lead to frustration as you realise that you can’t act it out. Gods and mortals are not equal, and to treat them as such is foalishness. We are the gods. We shouldn’t worry if our toys are jealous of the time we spend with other toys, if they feel upset when we outgrow them or if we have to throw them away when we break them.”
“You disgust me,” spat Cadance.
The corner of Morning’s mouth lifted. “Then you disgust yourself. I am you. Not just any you, but the you you are meant to grow up into. To one day become. Any deviation is fighting against your true nature. You are Venus’s avatar. Act like it!”
“I’ll act like the kind of alicorn I think I should be,” Cadance responded. She slammed a hoof into the ground. She then exhaled, raised her head and closed her eyes.
Morning smiled slowly. “Well, now that the catching up is done, let’s discuss business. The Crystal Empire and all within it belong to me by right of conquest. I want it back.”
“I’ll never hoof the Empire over to you!” said Cadance as she lowered her head, arched her back and scowled. She stomped a hoof in emphasis.
“You say that now,” said Morning, “because you think that it’s what you want. But I don’t believe that to be true, considering the fact that the alternative is that I’ll simply take it. The former option has significant advantages over the latter.”
“You’ll never conquer this empire!” Shining insisted. He shook his head. “We’ll defend it! You can’t even get through the barrier!”
“I’ll confess that it is interesting that you have a barrier that not even the most powerful draconequus I have ever owned can get through,” said Morning as he lowered his head and slowly blinked. “But I am not Discord. I can be persistent. I have many ideas that I will try in order to get through. And I will be doing something else in the meantime, which will make the eventual breaking of the barrier more unpleasant for you.”
“And what is that!?” spat Shining.
“In my boundless generosity, I grant wishes for my subjects. I actually find that my abilities are heightened when doing this. I believe that this phenomenon is based on my connection to Venus. And if I can take advantage of this to get more of what I want, so much the better! In exchange, I demand some small token, such as their eternal servitude. As they are practically worthless, I can’t demand too much from them. Another benefit is the amusement I feel when they realise that they worded their wish badly. I’m currently in the process of granting a wish: To make the night last forever.”
Shining’s eyes widened. “You’re going to prevent the Sun from rising or block it’s light with the Moon?”
“NO!” replied Morning. “I’ve thought of a better way. Let me tell you a bit about Venus. She is sometimes called Earth’s sister or twin, due to their similar sizes. However, Venus is a bed of volcanic activity. It has created a cloud which blocks out the Sun, creating an eternal night. That said, the heat still gets through and can’t escape, creating an environment hot enough to melt lead. In addition, the pressure can crush metal and it rains acid. It also has that wonderful brimstone scent. Therefore, I will grant this request for eternal night by tearing open the landscape and pumping the atmosphere full of volcanic material.”
Shining and Cadance’s mouths slowly opened and their eyes widened as they listened.
“I will create Venus on Earth and then we will truly be sister planets. During this time, I will continue with my project to break through this barrier, assuming that it hasn’t collapsed from dealing with the stresses of an environment it wasn’t designed for. And the further along I will have gotten with Venusforming the planet, the more unsuitable for life the environment that your subjects will suddenly be exposed to will be. Assuming that I have made significant progress, the entire populace of your ‘empire’, as you call this little city, will die messily. Join me early, and I can spare you, your populous and even your little colt-toy there of that fate.” He waved a hoof at Shining.
Cadance held a hoof to her mouth in an attempt to fight the nausea.
Shining scowled. “If you’re going to change the environment anyway, surely everypony would be killed anyway.”
“We never said that their LIVES would be spared! Just that they’d be spared the fate of dying THAT way! Instead, they’ll be subject to far cleaner ritual sacrifice to the glory of my eternal reign.” Morning smiled.
Candance stopped shuddering and scowled. “Who are you going to rule over if everypony is dead?”
“There was a time where that would have been something I’d see as a flaw in this plan,” Morning acknowledged as he inclined his head. “But I’ve since discovered that being dead has advantages. I am even hardier than I was last time I walked the Earth. The undead have a lot of stamina. I believe that you’ll find your little trophy-husband more satisfying after I am done with him.”
Shining flushed. “I do just fine! I don’t need any help! Especially not in such a disgusting way!” He stomped his hoof and snorted.
Cadance shuffled closer to Shining. “I am very satisfied with him and don’t want him ‘augmented’. I love him the way he is.”
Morning shrugged. “You won’t even have to worry about him getting old and decrepit, before dying of old age, leaving you alone, because he’ll be dead already. This is really a wonderful present I’m offering you. And I myself see no problem with ruling a planet of the dead for all eternity. I can even make one such as you a favoured servant. I can grant you the gift of pleasant, meaningful deaths and convenient transformations. Alternatively, should you resist, I could make a mess and neglect to leave him with his fleshy bits.” He pointed at Shining.
“Are you done?” growled Shining as he spread his forelegs, lowered his head and lit his horn.
“Just about. Are you ready to accept my generous offer yet?”
“No,” replied Cadance.
“And we’ll ensure that you never get through this barrier!” added Shining.
“Oh, this is precious,” laughed Morning. “Your godling has practically none of her divine power left and you believe that the two of you will hinder me? It is true that the occasional mortal prodigy acquires power rivalling that of the gods, and some of them have even slain gods before, though We sincerely doubt that YOU are one of them! Even if you are, We are the perfect being! One of the most powerful alicorns of history and We control one of the most powerful draconequii to have ever lived! We subjugated the pantheon when We were comparatively weak and inexperienced, and now We are better and have disposed of our former, relative, fragility! Against Us, you can—“
Shining fired a beam at Morning’s face, which fizzled as it hit the barrier that Morning had just erected.
Discord scowled and a fireball formed in his talon, but Morning raised a wing and he calmed down again.
Morning frowned. “Attacking while We’re speaking!? Nice try, but it’s not going to make a difference! We’ll refrain from torturing you to death for that for now, as We are a kind ruler and are still interested in having you as a subject! But while I’m willing to give you time to consider my generosity before accepting, but don’t think the fact that you are my successor will stop me from killing both of you for defying me. My parents made that mistake when they believed that I wouldn’t kill them for the throne. Defy me and you will achieve nothing but failure and the demise of yourself and many of your subjects.”
“Even if we can’t stop you, Princess Celestia will!” Cadance insisted.
Morning smiled. “Princess Celestia, you say? It’s funny that you should mention her. The wish included a desire for me to defeat her. Even assuming that she is superior in combat to myself, Venus will grant my further power to make it easier for me to grant the wish of defeating her. I doubt that she will be a problem. That reminds me though, I have other things I need to do. So long. We’ll be seeing each other again soon.” He turned towards Discord and nodded.
Discord’s ears stopped flying around his head like birds and reattached themselves.
“It’s time to go back, Discord.”
Discord snapped his talon and they were gone in a flash of light.
(/)
The Four crowded around the display case containing a mere five elements. “Where is it!?” cried First as he pressed his skull against the glass.
“Kindness has been taken,” said Star. “We’ll have to grab the others while we have the opportunity and get Kindness later.” His horn glowed and his eyes widened. “These security spells are amazing! Was it an alicorn youth that did this?! Perhaps the one we fought?”
“Can you get through them safely?” asked Solemn.
Star frowned. “With some help. I’ve disabled enough of the spells that you should be able to rot away the platform.”
“Understood,” said Solemn. She crawled under the desk and pressed a bandaged hoof against the wood. It disintegrated at her touch and Star’s aura pulled the Elements out through the hole.
He lifted them into the air and the group stared at them. They allowed their mouths to open as they basked in the Elements’ glory.
Right gulped. “So, it’s finally happening,” she said. “We’re going to be reunited with the Elements again. It almost feels like their should be a ceremony with a speech.”
“While I understand how you feel,” said Solemn, “Luna’s been waiting for us long enough. We need to go ahead and do this.”
Yet even she closed her eyes in anticipation of the rush of returning power as Star placed the necklaces around the necks of their respective bearers and the tiara on his head. They trembled in excitement as their Elements once again returned to their rightful owners. Right was lost in nostalgia and could already imagine the rush of returning power that came from the connection that linked an Element to its Bearer. Once again they would be linked to the mightiest weapons known to ponydom and would be able to retake their places as Equestria’s loyal and greatest defenders.
However, the connection never came. They suddenly opened their eyes and rapidly glanced at each other and their own bodies. The power had never come.
Solemn frowned as she looked down at the Element of Honesty. “Something’s wrong.”
“I can see that,” said Star. “We never fully understood the Elements. We must be overlooking something. Perhaps the problem is that we’re dead?”
“Possibly,” said Solemn as she inclined her head. “We shouldn’t jump to conclusions though. There is so much about them we don’t know.”
“Well, what else could it be? We know that we’re the rightful bearers of the Elements,” said Star. “We need to recruit living ponies to act in our stead.” He shifted and began to sniff. “Two of my descendants were here earlier. I can smell the same blood that runs through my veins. One of them must be the current Bearer of Magic.”
Solemn stepped forward. “Are you sure?”
“Yes. It seems like a rather large coincidence and you’ve jumped to conclusions before,” added Right.
“I’m positive. I’m a vampire. I know blood. Besides, it’s probably less of a coincidence than you think. I probably have many descendents by now and it makes sense for the Element of Magic to want to stick to descendants of its creators. Plus, the scent of one of them is quite strong. This is probably her home and it would make sense for the Elements to be kept by the Bearer of Magic.”
“While you have a point, we can’t rule other explanations out,” said First.
Star nodded. “Understood, but this is the explanation that makes the most sense and is the most likely. And it gives me an idea for what to try next.”
“I don’t want us to waste time on a wild goose chase when we can’t be sure of what’s going on,” Solemn protested.
“Well, what are our other options?” asked Right. “We can’t wait around forever. Now;’s the time for action!” She thrust a hoof into the air. “If Star has an idea, let’s give it a try! Maybe we’ll be lucky.”
First shrugged. “Let’s at least give it a try. What’s your idea, Star?”
Star smiled. “We will have to find my other descendant. She will be my replacement.”
(/)
Back in Canterlot, the wave of darkness, which disguised Fluttershy’s approach, reached the doors of the palace.
“Who’s there?” demanded a unicorn night guard.
Within the darkness, Fluttershy suddenly crouched to the ground and stepped back while her ears pressed against the sides of her head.
“It’s Safe House,” replied the pyrippus who had been guarding Fluttershy.
“What’s with the special effects?” asked another pyrrippus who was guarding the door alongside the unicorn.
“I’m sneaking somepony in,” replied Safe.
“And are you sure it’s who you think it is?” asked the unicorn with a scowl.
“See for yourself,” replied Safe. He flicked a wing and the darkness dispelled. “Do you see a yellow pegasus?”
Fluttershy slowly lifted her head and looked up towards the unicorn’s face.
The unicorn leaned forward and frowned. “Yes.”
“That makes sense,” said Safe. “’Cause that’s what I see too! And I don’t know ‘er, so I don’t know why the pretty stallion would disguise hisself as somepony I don’t know, e’en if I’d seen that pony a’fore.”
“Then why’re you bringing her here?” asked the unicorn.
“She’s from the windows,” replied Safe as he lifted his head and pointed upwards. “One of them Element Bearers.”
“Right,” said the other pyrrippus as he glanced in the same direction. “Thought she looked familiar.”
“Seems like she’d be the one to save our rumps,” said Safe.
“Is that why you’re here?” asked the unicorn.
“I’m on ... a mission from the Princesses,” said Fluttershy, before crouching back down and curling her ears.
“Then come on in!” said the second pyrrippus with a wave of his hoof.
Fluttershy glanced from guard to guard. “Aren’t ... you coming with me?”
“We can’t,” replied the second pyrrippus. “We might betray each other the second we see our new emperor. Stay away from everypony and you might stand a chance.”
“You’ll betray each other?” Fluttershy squeaked.
“His Highness does funny stuff to our heads,” said Safe as he twirled his hoof around his ear. “You’ll be safer without us.”
Fluttershy nodded. “I understand.” She walked through the door, shaking as she went.
(/)
Star led his friends though the darkened streets of Ponyville by his nostrils and the light of his horn. He paused in front of a door to an apartment block. “This is strange,” he said as he lifted an eyebrow.
“What is it?” asked Solemn.
“This stable seems rather public,” replied Star.
“You can cross the threshold?” asked Solemn, the bandages above her eyes lifting.
“Let’s find out,” said Star. The door opened under Star’s telekinetic power and he stepped over the threshold.
“Wha-!?” came a grunt. “Who’s there!?”
Star Swirl turned to face the sleepy earth stallion in a security uniform yawning as he lifted his head from his desk. Star looked into his eyes. “You don’t see anything.”
The guard’s eyes went blank and he nodded slowly.
“Come in!” Star flicked his head to beckon his companions.
The guard stared blankly as a procession of undead walked through the atrium. They climbed the stairs while Star continued to sniff. They walked along the passageway on the second floor until Star froze and held up a hoof.
“This is it,” he said, pointing at the door. His horn glowed as a hemisphere of pink light surrounded them, blocking them off from everything but the door and the section of floor they were standing upon. First knocked on the door.
The Four tensed up in anticipation and they gritted their teeth as they waited. A jingle soon approached the door which then opened. Star Swirl the Truthseeker glanced through the door, her eyes wide under her hat.
Right’s barding dropped down and grabbed her, yanking into the midst of the group while the barrier sealed around her. Star telekinetically took her from Right who reassembled herself.
Star exhaled in relief.
Star Swirl squealed and flailed her legs. “Heeeeelp!” she called out.
“Hold her more firmly,” First hissed as he examined her. “Don’t let her hurt herself.”
The wriggling stopped, yet her limbs remained under strain. “Let me go!” she growled.
“No,” replied Right. “You have been conscripted for an important service to Equestria.” She tilted her head and stared at the younger Star Swirl. “You can tell that she’s your descendant, Star, even without a horn. Somepony skips leg day.”
“I’ll scream!” Star Swirl warned.
“Try,” replied Star.
“Aaaaaaaaah! …” She stopped, closed her eyes and sighed. “The barrier is soundproof, isn’t it?”
“You didn’t think I wouldn’t have prepared for that, did you?” Star Swirl raised an eyebrow.
“It’s very impressive,” Star Swirl admitted. “Please put me down.” She stopped struggling.
“Sorry,” said Solemn. “We can’t risk that.” She lowered her head and closed her eyes.
“Why not?”
“We don’t want to have to recapture you,” replied Solemn.
“Isn’t the fact that you need me captured an indication that there’s something wrong with this arrangement?” asked Star Swirl.
“Only because you have yet to be educated on the importance of this mission.” Right lifted a hoof and pointed it back down the corridor. “Onward! There is more we need to achieve!”
They walked while Star Swirl hung limply in her ancestor’s aura. She waved her hooves rapidly and cried. “This is very undignified!”
(/)
Star Swirl struggled in her ancestor’s aura as they passed the security guard’s oblivious gaze. “Unhoof me!” she cried. “Ponies shouldn’t be treated this way!”
The door opened under Star’s aura and as they walked through, he said, “I am your ancestor. You should listen to me. It is appropriate.”
“This isn’t an appropriate way to treat your descendant!” She waved her forelegs as she spoke.
Right looked up at her. “This is a matter of national security. You have been conscripted to Princess Luna’s guard. It is your duty to Equestria and a service you need to perform.”
“I saw Princess Luna this morning! She doesn’t need me to join her guard! She. Is. Fine!” She folded her hooves and puffed out her cheeks.
Star shook his head. “The ponies of this time are so naïve. Even my own descendant believes Celestia’s deceptions.”
Star Swirl scowled and puffed her cheeks in a pout. “Princess Celestia isn’t doing anything like that! Besides, I’m not a guard.”
“I noticed,” said Right as she pointed at Star Swirl’s legs. She turned to the older Star Swirl. “She has those in common with you.”
Star rolled his eyes. “We can’t all be jocks.”
“We need you to fill a very specific void,” said Solemn.
“Equestria is in danger and we need your help to save it,” added Right. “You’re filling in for Star and wielding the Element of Magic!”
Star Swirl’s eyes widened. “No! It wouldn’t be my place to replace Bearer Twilight Sparkle! Besides, I wouldn’t make a good Bearer of Magic.”
“Don’t be ridiculous!” scoffed Star. “You’re my descendant! How could you not make a great Bearer of Magic!?”
Star Swirl went limp to the point that her head flopped from lack of neck support while her eyes lowered and her lips drooped.
Star cocked an eyebrow. “This isn’t about the fact that you’re not a unicorn, is it? Because the idea that only unicorns can wield the Element of Magic is completely ridiculous! All life has magic! I’ve seen what Right can do!”
“What!?” asked Star Swirl as she lifted her head and frowned. “Of course not! I meant that it didn’t suit me specifically! There are better earth pony candidates out there.”
“Oh? Well, then you’re simply wrong,” said Star.
Star Swirl drooped again and she let out an exaggerated sigh. Star slowly lowered her to the ground and placed the Element of Magic on her head.
The Four leaned forward with widened eyes and bit their lips. Then they slumped.
Star tilted his head. “No reaction.”
Star Swirl looked up. “That’s what I’ve been trying to say!”
“Could we have overlooked something?” asked Solemn.
Star lowered his head. “Of course! ‘When the five are gathered, a spark will cause the sixth element to appear’! The bearer after me cracked that part. We need to gather the other bearers first.”
“That isn’t going to help,” said Star Swirl as she closed her eyes and shook her head.
“We’ll see,” said Star.
“This still leaves the matter of finding five other bearers for her to make friends with,” said Solemn.
“True,” said Star, frowning. “We’ll need to look for some clues to who else will be compatible.”
Right snorted. “A mere scavenger hunt! We’ve overcome far worse!”
“Follow me,” First said. He flicked his skull and walked around the building.
The others raised their eyebrows and looked at each other before they followed, Star Swirl floating behind them.
“Here it is!” said First before he lifted the lid off a bin.
“What are you doing!?” asked Right.
“You can learn a lot from what ponies think is junk,” replied First as he began to rummage. “Aha!” He pulled out a newspaper. “What’s this?” He looked at Star Swirl and tilted his skull.
“It’s a newspaper,” she sighed. “The Foal Free Press.”
“And what’s a newspaper?” asked Solemn as she turned to face Star Swirl.
“It reports events that have occurred to the public,” replied Star Swirl with a shrug. “You read it to find out what’s going on. Maybe you should read it to find out how insane you are.”
“Like a street crier. I see. And who is in charge of this ‘newspaper’?” asked First.
“I suppose that would be the editor,” replied Star Swirl.
First returned his gaze to the newspaper and leaned in close. “I see. They sound like exactly the sort of pony we need to meet.”