Princess Twilight Sparkle
I smiled as the beam of magic lurched forth from my horn and impacted a large boulder, sundering it completely. The dust cloud that exploded forth from the remains of the rock were a testament to the sheer amount of magic put into my attack. The dust slowly blew away in the wind, revealing what remained of the rock, which had been split into two large pieces. I inhaled deeply and exhaled.
I never knew how much relief you could get from stress by just destroying something.
"Your technique is lacking, Princess." Sergeant Bolt spoke with no sense of hesitancy. My smile faltered.
I turned to look at him, his golden armor shone brightly in the light of day, "What am I doing wrong?" I shifted my weight on my hooves.
"Your combat magic is average at best, while you have power, you lack form, control, and experience."
'No duh, I try to make it a habit of not getting into fights.' I thought, "What would I do to improve then?"
"For one, living bodies have a high resistance to that particular spell, thankfully... I wouldn't want to see a pony body experience what happened to that rocks..." I shuddered at that thought. "You can more effectively use the magic in that attack. You could have thrown the rock up, and it would have shattered upon impact, you could have teleported part of it away..."
I shuddered again at that mental picture, ponies suddenly finding themselves with missing organs... It started to bring back images from the nightmares I've been having for the past few days. "Surely there are less..." I trailed off to think of a good word to use, "violent... ways to do this..."
"In battle, it's good to have a lot of knowledge at your disposal... It helps to keep your options open. But yes, you could overcharge stun spells with the same amount of magic as that and you bring down an Ursa Minor. And if you can wield dark magic, you could sap or nullify a pony's life force." he shook his head, "But still, there are some spells that just should not be used... It's not right. Nopony would use them or teach you to use them. You'd have to learn them from a book."
"I've read some of those books already..." I shook my head, "Let's not go there."
"Agreed," he quickly answered.
"So, overcharging stun spells and nullifying the life energy of a pony, and what else should I keep in my arsenal?"
"Kinetic spells work great too, a well-placed force wave can stun your opponents, or scatter enemy ranks." He then pointed his horn towards a group of smaller rocks that had been placed around resembling an army formation. He charged his horn and shot out a force wave, the rocks closest to him cracked and crumbled some, the rocks farther away fared better. He panted slightly after that, "You try."
"Okay." I lit my horn and lowered my head, locking my eyes on the legion of rocks before me. I charged my spell and released it. The amount of magic put into it caused a visible distortion of the air as it shot towards the formation, the rocks hit by it shattered into millions of small shards and were carried off with the force wave. I turned towards him, he nodded in approval.
"As an alicorn, you have massive magic reserves, along with the magic of all three pony races. You can be a force to reckon with on the battlefield, even if you're not trained but If you are well trained and prepared, you could take on small armies alone."
I nodded, "I'm not ready, though." I lowered my head slightly. "And, to be honest, my alicorn magic isn't that strong yet."
"Indeed." He curtly responded.
"Where were you going with that anyway?"
He smiled, "You have more magic than any unicorn as an alicorn, even if it isn't that strong yet. You possess the flight abilities of a pegasus, and you possess the strength of an earth pony." He paused to make a point, "Plus, alicorns are much more resilient than normal ponies, and they heal faster. You could easily take on several ponies in hoof to hoof combat, if properly trained, otherwise, while you would have the advantage in terms of strength, they would have numbers and training." He pointed a hoof towards a rock to my left, "Why don't you try to crack that with a hoof?" He asked with a smile.
I gulped, "Alright, I'll try..." I trotted over to the rock and looked at it, it was a jagged, half oval-shaped boulder, not quite as large as a filly or colt when they would get their cutie mark. I raised my right front hoof and paused, contemplating how much this would hurt. I closed my eyes and threw my hoof forwards. It hurt. A lot. I winced in pain and opened my eyes as I shook my hoof from the pain. Soon, my mouth fell open I had managed to crack the rock, and my hoof wasn't damaged. I turned to look him in the eye, "That hurt."
"I imagine it would. I've never personally tried." He smirked, "Let's move on to defense and maneuverability spells now, we can go over combat spells in more detail in another lesson."
I nodded, "Okay." I felt the wind shift, my mane blew to the other side of my neck. I smiled as I deeply inhaled the fresh spring air.
"Stay focused, Princess. If you were in a battle, that could have cost you your life." The smile left my face. "I know your brother's barrier spell is stronger than Princess Celestia's, which is why she gave him some of her magic to protect Canterlot rather than do it herself. How does yours compare?"
"I can't protect entire towns if that's what you're asking... When I fought Tirek, and had the power of all four alicorns, my barrier was able to block his attack. That was when he had all the magic in Equestria other than the alicorn magic, but I'm still quite the expert on them" I answered calmly.
"Impressive. Sadly, you don't have that power now." He sighed and paused, appearing to contemplate a question, "Perhaps it's not my place to ask, but how does your magic compare to the other princesses?"
I winced at that question, "I can't match either of them in terms of sheer power, not yet anyway... Maybe in a few years, but I doubt we have that kind of time." I sighed.
"Most likely we don't." He answered firmly. "So we really are at a disadvantage then." He somehow managed to maintain a stoic expression, it even held in his voice, but how he said it sounded disheartened to me.
"We're outnumbered, outmatched, and outclassed. You don't have to help me if you don't feel like it." I smiled solemnly.
"N-No, Princess. I believe in you, I will fight for you, and if need be, die for you."
My eyes looked over his face. It was a face of determination, one which you would wear in the face of overwhelming odds. One you would wear when fighting a losing battle, but refused to give up. I smiled, "Thank you, but I hope it doesn't come to that..." I shook my head.
"Princess... This is war, ponies will die. You know and understand this, right? If you don't, it could be very bad for everypony."
"Knowing, and realizing are two different things... I know ponies will die, despite my best efforts. Ponies will die on all sides, I can't change that, but I can try to minimize casualties... I do realize, however, that this won't be real for me until I've been there..." I exhaled, "Is there anything I can do to prepare myself for this anymore?"
"Nothing ever truly prepares you for the horrors of war, Princess." He paused and trotted over to me. "But we all have faith in you. I can speak for the rest of my group, captain included, when I say we fully believe in you. The potential is there, just untapped."
I smiled, "Thank... Thank you, Sergeant." I levitated two glasses of water over to us. I offered him a glass and he gladly accepted. I took a long drink of water, letting the fluid fill my mouth, and then swallowed. I felt the cool liquid run down my throat, soothing my thirst.
We both sat down on our haunches and rested in silence for a few minutes, I replayed the day's lessons over in my mind.
Sergeant Bolt stood up, "Shall we get back to it?" I smiled as I rose to my hooves. "Good. So you're good at barriers... What about teleportation?"
"It's practically second nature to me."
"It's a lot harder to do in the chaos of battle than it is in a one on one match." He answered a question I had not asked. He paused and frowned, "Don't you have a meeting with... Rarity today?"
My eyes widened in the realization that Rarity had wanted to see me today about a fitting for my armor. "Oh shoot. I'm sorry, I have to go..." I started to take off, jumping into the air then I paused, "Uh... Go... Um... Do whatever you needed to do after this," I started flying away, "We'll do this again sometime soon, I'll have to check my schedule!" I yelled as I increased my altitude and started flying towards the outskirts of Ponyville. The flight would only take me a few minutes, but Rarity would not be happy. 'Maybe I could tell her I was being... Fashionably late?'
Princess Cadance
The crystal door burst open, I looked up from the form I was going over. I levitated it aside as the crystal guard came running up to me and quickly bowed, I noticed he was panting, and grew worried. "What's wrong?" I asked in a gravely quiet voice.
"Your highness, I am afraid I am the bearer of bad news from Equestria." He paused and pulled a letter from out of his armor, and handed it to me.
I took the letter in my magic, it was sealed with the Princess Celestia's emblem. I unsealed it and began to read, "Princess Cadance, I am sorry I have not been able to inform you sooner, or that I have to keep this letter short, but recent events have me preoccupied. As I'm writing this, I find myself wondering if you have heard anything of what has transpired in Equestria in the past week. I am afraid I don't have good news to bring you, I would ask you to get Shining Armor for this, but knowing you, he's already there." I smiled and looked over at my husband, he smiled and I started to read again, "I had another argument with my sister a few days ago, it would have ended in an exchange of spells..." I trailed off with a grim expression starting to take hold of my face, I swallowed and continued reading, "...if Twilight had not intervened. Sadly, however, I chose my words poorly, causing my sister grief." I frowned, "She left with half the Royal Guard-"
"What?" Shining Armor interjected as he jumped to his feet, "Cadance, this has to be some kind of joke."
"Princess Celestia wouldn't joke about something like this, Shiny..." I swallowed back the growing fear of where this was leading.
He sighed, "I... I guess you're right. But that can't be the whole story..." he looked off with determination plastered on his muzzle.
I looked back to the letter and searched for where I had left off, "She left with half the Royal Guard and caused a brief eclipse. She is preparing for war against me." I shook my head, as if the gesture would make it not real, "Twilight declared her secession shortly-"
"Wait, what?" Shining Armor shouted once more as he took the letter from my magical grasp. His face had changed from determination to pure concern for the well being of his younger sister, I had a growing knot of worry in my stomach over this. I was glad he took the letter, I didn't know if I could finish reading it. "Why would she do that..." Shining asked nobody in particular as his eyes skimmed over the letter. His expression slowly shifted between concern, pain, and pride. "She's set up her own kingdom in Ponyville... Even if she shouldn't have done that, I'm proud she has kept it running smoothly..." his expression shifted into anger, "She should have told us."
I was at a loss for words.
Princess Twilight Sparkle
The bell to Carousel Boutique dinged as I calmly opened the door. I had waited for two minutes just outside to calm down and prepare an apology. I closed the door behind me as I trotted in.
"Ah, there you are, Twilight. I see you're being fashionably late, I'm glad you're taking my advice." Rarity chirped at my presence.
I hadn't processed what she had said yet, "Sorry I'm late Rarity, I- wait what?" I stuttered as my mind processed what she said.
"Oh, nonsense, Twilight. It's quite alright." Rarity trotted over to me, "Please follow me."
I obliged her and followed her across the room. I soon found myself facing a tall, light pink curtain. I blinked. "I don-" I stopped as Rarity pulled the curtains back with her magic.
"Well, what do you think?" Rarity asked as she levitated the mannequin adorned with armor over to me. She sat it down right in front of me.
My eyes began analyzing the mannequin, it was taller than a normal pony, and appeared to match my height. I soon found my eyes being drawn to the deep purple armor it was adorned with. The metal was tinted a deep purple color, with golden edging. The sleek edges gracefully flowed into the body of the armor. In the chestplate, sat a beautiful pink gem, it was star shaped, resembling my cutie mark. I could tell from just how it looked that it must have cost a small fortune. My eyes soon fell upon the helmet, it was elegant, yet simple in design. The curved edges seemed to flow like a river, while still managing to cover most of my face and muzzle. I frowned when I thought about how one weak point in the armor was the lack of frontal neck protection. The helmet had a hole in the top for my horn, and holes for my ears. I smiled.
I trotted to the side of the armor, noting the holes in the side for my wings to go through. The metal for the body of the armor somehow managed to look like it was one single piece, which surprised me. The armor was adorned with my cutie mark on it where it would be protecting my flanks. I smiled, "It's beautiful, Rarity..."
"Oh, it's just something I managed to bring together on short notice, it's nothing too fancy..." Rarity shied away from my praise. I shook my head. "I used the measurements you provided me, but I would like to make sure the armor fits properly. I should be able to adjust it easily enough."
I nodded as Rarity levitated the armor off the mannequin and onto me, starting with the helmet. The sensation of putting the armor on sent minuscule shivers down my spine. The helmet felt cold and strong. It was heavy but didn't weigh me down thanks to my alicorn status. She levitated the body armor onto me next, I slid my wings through the holes for my wings and noted the weight. Rarity next put the chestplate on me, fastening it to the body armor with her magic. The leggings came next.
"How does it feel, darling?" Rarity asked while her eyes darted around.
"It's perfect, just a little heavy is all." The weight would take me some time to get used to.
"Ah... Sorry about that." Rarity apologized, "It's not too heavy right?"
"No, it'll just take some getting used to," I admitted. I lifted my bare hoof up and touched the gem set in my armor, "Rarity, how much did this gem cost?" I trailed off, analyzing the gem more closely, it looked familiar somehow.
"Nothing I made a replica of the element of magic. Spike helped me find the right kind of gem, and I molded it to the dimensions I had written down about the gem itself."
"Huh... That explains why it looks familiar." I paused, "So it's the same dimensions as the Element of Magic?" I inquired. 'That's interesting...'
"Yes, why?" Rarity answered with curiosity.
"Just wondering," I answered. I looked at the clock, "Well I should probably get out of your mane..." I paused, "You can take a receipt for how much it cost you for materials for this and take it to the treasury, I'll have them repay you for it."
"You don't have to repay me, Twilight..."
"I insist." I put my hoof down in a finalizing manor. The metal shoe protecting my hoof made a clanging sound as it impacted the floor.
Rarity sighed, "Thank you, Twilight. It's very generous of you." I smiled.
I lit my horn to teleport back to the castle but decided against it. 'Troting would help me get used to the weight.' I nodded to myself, "Thanks again for the armor, Rarity," I opened the door with my magic, "You really outdid yourself." Rarity smiled and waved as I trotted out the door, I returned the wave.
I started trotting back towards the castle, thankful that I had an earth pony's strength. "Twilight? Is that you?" I stopped as I recognize the voice, I turned around and smiled at Applejack who was staring mouth agape at me.
"Oh, hi Applejack. I didn't expect to run into you in town today." I trotted closer to her. She had yet to respond. "Applejack? Are you okay?"
Applejack shook her head, "Yeah, I'm fine. I just... Wow. Rarity outdid herself this time." Applejack paused, "The armor looks good on you."
I felt a small amount of heat rising in my cheeks, "Thanks, Applejack." I paused, "Is there something you needed?"
"Uh, yeah. I was looking for you, I wanted to tell you that I'm going to head over to Appleoosa. I'm gonna try to convince them to follow you."
I paused mid-stride. I had mixed feelings about this. "That... That could be dangerous, Applejack. You know you don't have to do that right?" I asked with concern for the safety of my friend.
"Oh don't you worry about me, Twilight. I have family there, once they know I support you the town's sure to follow." Applejack gave me a reassuring smile.
"Be careful, Applejack. I'll tell the rest of the girls when I see them." I solemnly smiled.
"Thanks, Twilight." Applejack nodded and started trotting off towards the train station.
The rest of the trotted back to my castle was uneventful. When I arrived back at my castle, the guards greeted me with a salute and opened the door for me. I nodded my thanks to them as I trotted inside.
"Wow... Twilight, you look awesome." Rainbow Dash's eyes widened as she saw me wearing my armor.
My wings still hadn't recovered from the last session with Rainbow, and with the added weight... I was feeling it. I landed on the cloud beside Rainbow, "Thanks. So what're we doing today?"
Rainbow smiled devilishly, my smile fled at the sight in horror of what she would put me through today. "Change of plans, for today..." Rainbow looked around like she was searching for something, "FLUTTERSHY? WHERE ARE YOU?" Rainbow suddenly shouted. I nearly fell off the cloud in shock, and my wings flared out in surprise.
I heard an 'eep' and saw something yellow fall off a nearby cloud. Rainbow quickly shot over and caught the startled pegasus. "Sorry, Fluttershy..." Rainbow sat Fluttershy down on the cloud next to me, "So here's the plan. Twilight, you have to protect Fluttershy from me. Fluttershy will be flying all across town, and I will be trying to stop her. Rules are simple: no magic."
I huffed at that, Rainbow rolled her eyes. "So I just need to keep you away from Fluttershy then?" I asked.
Rainbow smiled, "Yep. Simple, right?"
"If you say so..." I mumbled.
"What's that?" Rainbow raised an eyebrow.
"Nothing!" I quickly replied.
"Right... I'll give you two a thirty-second head start..." Rainbow stretched out her wings, eliciting Fluttershy to start flying off. I took off following Fluttershy.
"So what's the catch about this anyway? It can't be as simple as keeping her away from you."
"Oh, um... It really is that simple, just... I'm not that good of a flyer," Fluttershy softly spoke.
I chose not to respond to that, and instead keep my eye out for Rainbow Dash. A few moments later I caught a rainbow blur coming from my left, I turned my head to get a better look. I smiled as I banked into a dive towards her. Rainbow rolled out of my way when I approached her, I flapped my wings hard to slow myself down, the added weight caused my momentum to be higher.
I looked back up to see Rainbow Dash smirking at me from beside Fluttershy. I flapped my wings harder and flew back up to them.
"You need to work on that more."
"The added weight of the armor... And you're not even listening to me are you?" I frowned.
"Huh?" Rainbow asked.
I decisively raised my hoof to my forehead. "Again?"
"Again."
I sighed, Fluttershy started off again, I trailed behind her slightly. Half a minute later I was surprised when I was hit by something and started to lose control. A quick glance behind me confirmed Rainbow had directly engaged me this time. I pulled up and matched her attitude. She shot off towards me, I flew to the left, but she still intercepted me. She held onto me, I struggled to get free, she only smirked as I was unable to free myself.
Rainbow flapped her wings hard and started flying straight up. It gave me a sinking feeling. Once we were several hundred hooves above our previous altitude, she arched her back and started flying straight down. Gravity aided our acceleration and she soon let go of me and zoomed towards Fluttershy. I stopped flapping my wings and just held them out, catching air, and slowing my descent into a glide.
I flapped them fast and hard in order to catch up to Rainbow before she intercepted Fluttershy, it took a lot of effort, but I managed to grab hold of her. She hadn't been paying attention, the shocked expression on her face gave that away. I smiled, but then she threw me off and shot off towards Fluttershy even faster. I spun in the air for a few seconds before correcting myself and then started flying towards the pair. My wings were starting to hurt from the maneuvering and the added weight of my armor.
"You're gonna have to try harder if you want to beat me." Rainbow smiled smugly.
I shook my head, "I'm getting tired, and my wings are sore."
Rainbow sighed, "You need to keep pushing yourself harder. The harder you push yourself, the quicker you'll get better."
"If I don't injure myself," I added. Even hovering was hurting now. I looked around for a cloud and landed on the first one I saw.
"Alright, fine. Go do whatever it is you do in the evenings then." Rainbow took off.
"Thanks for being here, Fluttershy."
"No problem, Twilight."
I lit my horn and teleported myself to the ground to begin the trotted back to my castle.