//------------------------------// // Chapter Two // Story: Planeswalkers // by CoastBrumby //------------------------------// Princess Twilight Sparkle was dreaming. It was an ordinary dream and she was enjoying it. Twilight was dreaming that she was on Bridleway in a tap dancing show with Princess Celestia, Princess Cadence, and, her sister-in-law, Princess Cadence. The four Alicorns were tapping away in perfect synchronicity. The audience was watching them with rapture in their eyes until they dissolved away to become, the frozen north, the great expanse of tundra that surrounded The Crystal Empire. Twilight watched from the stage as a large black demon used black magic to revive an enemy she had long since vanquished. The enemy was the wicked unicorn king Sombra. King Sombra’s horn glowed blood red as the demon gifted him with new and terrifying spells. “This is a terrible nightmare. I’m glad it’s not real.” Twilight said. Princess Luna turned to Twilight Sparkle. The black alicorn’s maned flowed like the night sky. “Nay, Princess Twilight, what you see before you is a vision from my sister’s mind. Celestia has the gift of foresight.” “Are you telling me that you are the real Luna, and the real Celestia, and the real Cadence, and we have been sharing this dream together?” Twilight asked. “I thought you knew. Have we not been having fun?” Luna said. “Yes, but I clearly have a lot more to learn about dreaming. That’s not what is important now. What are we to do about this demon, and King Sombra?” Twilight said. Cadence spoke first. “I will awaken and put The Crystal Empire on high alert. Scouts will be sent to see what is happening in the frozen lands. I will report to all of you what they learn.” She vanished from sight. Princess Celestia spoke next. “I will continue to sleep. I will need my energy come tomorrow. Luna will give all needed orders to our royal guard this night.” Princess Luna nodded graciously at this statement. “What am I to do?” Twilight Sparkle asked. Celestia smiled at Twilight Sparkle. “You are the Princess of Friendship. You will find your role in this crisis with the aid your friends I am sure. I have faith in your abilities.” She said. “I guess I will keep sleeping too then. There’s nothing I can really do now. The first train to the Crystal Empire doesn’t leave until tomorrow morning, and I am certain my friends will want to come with me.” Twilight said. Luna put her hoof on Twilight’s shoulder. “I would love to wish you a good night’s rest, but you are not alone. You must awaken.” Luna began gently rocking Twilight. “Wake up. You gotta wake up.” She said using the voice of Spike the Dragon. Twilight woke up. Her baby dragon assistant, Spike, was shaking her and telling her to wake up. “What is it, Spike?” Twilight asked. “It’s Zecora. She’s in the map room. She says it has something to do with the tree of harmony. She says Discord gave her this letter, and I should send it Princess Celestia right away.” Spike said. He held up a folded piece of paper. “Send the letter to Princess Luna. Celestia is sleeping now.” Twilight said. “Right.” Spike said. He burned the letter up with his magic fire breath instantly sending it to a magical mail shoot in Canterlot castle. Twilight rolled out of bed, and went to wash her face. Feeling refreshed, she trotted down to the map room. “Good evening, Zecora. What can I do for you?” “To the Tree of Harmony, we must go. On the way, I will tell what little I know.” The Zebra said. “This isn’t about a demon. Is it?” Twilight asked. Zecora’s eyes grew wide. “I take it this is more than a guess for you possess the power of a princess. I saw a demon this very night. His black magic filled me with fright. Discord protects the tree now. You must learn why and how.” “Uh huh.” Twilight said. She climbed on the table in the map room. “Get on up here you two. Since the Tree of Harmony is magically linked to this table, I should be able to teleport all three of us directly to the tree.” Zecora and Spike climbed up and stood next to Twilight. Zecora voiced concerns. “Twilight, I do not think it is good that you use magic and should.” “I am certain this will work without difficulties. I already mastered it in theory.” Twilight said. The two equines and one dragon disappeared in a flash of purple magic. Twilight Sparkle, Spike and Zecora appeared before Discord. Twilight and Zecora wobbled with vertigo. “On the other hoof, perhaps the spell could use a little work.” Twilight said. “Oh, your spell is just fine. It is my presence that is the issue.” Discord face said from the tee. Twilight rubbed her head. “Should I ask why you are wrapped around the tree of harmony, or is this more of your random chaos?” The alicorn enquired. “Yes, you should ask. The answer is important.” Discord replied. Twilight looked into Discord’s eyes seeking more information, but Discord remained silent. Twilight forced a smile. “Why are you wrapped around the Tree of Harmony?” Twilight asked. “I am wrapped around the Tree of Harmony to prevent the spell of demonic planeswalker from taking effect. If the spell were to take effect, the planeswalker would immediately possess the elements of Harmony. The planeswalker’s is called Ob Nixilix, and Ob would no doubt use the Elements to cause harm to those on this world and others. I believe he wants them for a revenge scheme. Right now, Ob is out there in Equestria. He is stirring up trouble, so I give him the Elements to prevent the Ponies of Equestria from suffering. Ob overestimates my sense of compassion, and he underestimates my determination. You, Twilight, will help me dispel this enchantment, and I will go teach an upstart Planeswalker he is ten thousand years too young to be tangling with the big boys.” Discord said. “I don’t take orders from you, but for the good of Equestria, I will get right on removing this snatch spell.” Twilight said. Her horn began to glow. Discord laughed. “You’ll be at it for a year with your level of skill. This is alien magic of a kind you have never dealt with before tonight. You need help.” Twilight looked at Zecora. Zecora shrugged. “I don’t have the knowledge to change a black spell that is deeply strange.” She said. A piece of parchment with a complex pictogram floated in front of Twilight. Twilight seized it with her magic. She began to study the pictogram. “This looks like the equations needed for dimensional travel, but there is this giant algorithm where the locational matrix should be.” Twilight said. “Well spotted. Five points for the House of Sparkle. You need to place this on top of your portal generating mirror. This spell will direct you to a planeswalker who is both capable and willing to aid us. This planeswalker will most likely be an enemy of Ob Nixlix, so remember that name.” “Why can’t I and the others defeat this Planeswalker ourselves?” Twilight said. “You won’t be able to find him. You lack my refined senses, and as you seek him, Ob will sow ever more sorrow into this world. No, my way is better. Once the spell is gone, Ob will know I am free. He will leave this world, but I am past the point of easy forgiveness. I will follow him to whatever plane he travels and make sure he knows Equestria is off limits forever. You are suited for this mission. You’ve traveled the planes before tonight. This experience will aide you I am sure.” Discord said. A determined look came over Twilight’s face. “I’ve made up my mind. I accept your mission. I am teleporting back to the tree. Are you coming Zecora?” The Zebra shook her head. “On this mission, there is no need for three; I will stay and keep Discord company.” Spike stood closer to Twilight and once more the two vanished in a flash. Twilight and Spike raced to the portal room. Twilight picked up a quill and scroll using her magic. She scribbled a letter. “Spike send the letter to Princess Luna. It apprises her of the situation.” Twilight said hastily. Spike took the letter and used his magic fire breath. The paper incinerated, but it would reform in the presence of, Luna, The Princess of The Night. “What about our friends? Won’t they wonder about where we went? With all this trouble happening, I am sure they will come looking for us.” He asked. Twilight’s horn glowed brightly as she cast a spell. “A hologram of me will activate and explain the situation when one of them enters the castle. With that done, let’s set up this portal.” She said. Twilight placed the scroll Discord had given her in a holder above her magic mirror that allowed her to travel between worlds. The mirror sparked to life and shined with an eldritch light. “The connection is locked in and stable. We have success. Are you ready to go off on another interdimensional adventure with me, Spike?” Twilight said. Spike put his claws to his mouth. “The scroll came from Discord. That portal could lead anywhere. What if it sent us to a world with no air we could breathe?” He asked. Twilight winked. “That’s the wonder of this mirror. It will change us into any form that will allow us to survive in the world we visit. That’s why I became a human and you became a dog last time we used the mirror.” She said. “That’s hardly comforting. Being a dog was alright. I’ve always liked dogs, but I don’t want to become some weird thing that doesn’t even breathe ordinary air.” Spike said. “It’s not like you to be so squeamish. Even as a weird thing, you’ll still be my faithful assistant. The mirror will change our bodies, but our hearts will remain true.” Twilight said. Spike stood proudly. “You’re right, Twilight. I’m ready when you are. Let’s do this thing.” He said. Spike and Twilight crouched like runners before a race at the starting block. “On the count of three. One! Two! Three!” Twilight yelled. Spike and Twilight sprinted into the portal that swallowed them with only the slightest of fizzles.