'The Key'. Of what I have studied, it seems to be an object or maybe a weapon that holds endless potential. I believe it to be an object that can change the very nature of the darkness. Even now, I still don't fully understand the darkness but I do know this: 'The Key' will show itself when the darkness appears. That and one more feature, 'The Key' seems to be connected to one certain thing. The heart. If I am correct, the heart is 'The Key's' true source of power. Perhaps it is the heart that allows 'The Key' to be wielded in the first place.
-Starswirl, Report 37
"The heart..." Celestia said to herself as she rubbed her eyes. "Hmm...so Twilight will need to use her heart to summon 'The Key'." Celestia put the scroll down with a yawn. "Okay, enough studying for now Celestia. I need a stiff triple chocolate fudge cake...and some blasted coffee."
Celestia stormed out of her private study, bags sagging from her eyes. It had been a week since she had accepted Twilight as her student and she had barely seen her protégé since then. She was happy that her new student was enthusiastic about going to the School of Gifted Unicorns but she also wanted to begin her training to summon and wield 'The Key'. She also wished that there was another name for it.
"Good morning your highness." her secretary remarked as Celestia entered the throne room.
"Good morning..." Celestia yawned, her hoof almost touching her mouth. "What is today's schedule?"
"Well..." a small magic aura surrounded a pile of papers that flew in front of Celestia's face. "For starters, these need to be signed and-"
"Not happening. I'm not signing a single thing today." Celestia interrupted. "Today is my first day with my new protégé secretary. I told you yesterday that these papers need to be signed later."
"But your majesty-"
"No. Tell me secretary, is there anything truly important in those papers? Are they all petitions for random projects created by the nobles? Or maybe some request over some ridiculous holiday celebrating the rich?"
"Well..." the secretary dug her hoof into the floor, "No...maybe one or two important things though."
"That's more than enough incentive for me to NOT do those papers today secretary. I need to start my protégé's training and that takes priority."
"Okay...I'll tell them no today." the secretary said while hanging her head. Celestia walked up and placed her hoof on her shoulder.
"It will be fine. They need to understand that I'm not always there to wipe their whiny flanks." Celestia chuckled. "Everything will work out, you'll see. In fact, I want you to rearrange the papers in terms of priority. If there is something that truly needs looking at today, I will look at it later, okay?"
Seeing Celestia's shining smile, her secretary soon returned a grin. "Okay your majesty. I'll get right on it."
"Good. Now..." Celestia began to yawn as she started to leave the throne room. "Time for breakfast. My stomach and sweet tooth need to be fed."
Her secretary chuckled at the comment, "Understood your majesty. Shall I have the guards summon Twilight Sparkle to the dining room?"
"Yes." Celestia nodded. "Thank you."
"Of course your highness."
A certain little filly began to stretch her hooves as her head popped out of the covers. "Aaaahhhh! What a good night's sleep!" exclaimed Twilight as her hooves cricked in response. "Mmm...there we go."
Her hoof waved in front of her mouth as a yawn escaped from within. Her tiny filly body rolled off the bed as her eyelids blinked several times. She then walked up to the small crib in her room and looked inside. "Spike, are you there?"
The small moogle was sound asleep, his little pom-pom waving back and forth. "Ah...still asleep." A big goofy grin plastered itself on Twilight's face. "Hee hee, he's so cute when he's asleep. He looks like a little fuzzy doll I could just hug!" She looked back at her saddlebag sitting by her bed, knowing what was inside it. Just like Smartypants...
"Ku...po..." Spike said in his sleep, his minuscule mouth barely opening. "Ku...po..."
"Hee hee, I guess I should let you sleep a little more then." Twilight said as she got down from the crib. "Now, what was the schedule today? Did I make sure to make a to-do list for it? And the list to check that list?"
Twilight walked over to a small desk that was already filled with papers despite it still being her first week staying there. Her tiny body hopped into a small chair as she stretched one last time. An aura quickly covered the pile of papers as they flew through the area, slowly shuffling themselves like cards. Her eyes shifted left and right as the papers levitated before her. Hmm...no. This is my list for yesterday. This is my list for two days from now. This is...no, this is a list to check tomorrow's list by checking this list yesterday. Hmm...did I forget to make one? Her eyes widened at the very thought. Her body shook in her chair, slowly making a small rattling noise. Oh no! I couldn't have! I must have made a list somewhere! I mean, what if Princess Celestia finds out that I'm not always that prepared?! What if not finding that list means I can no longer be her student?! What if I have to go back to-wait a minute, here it is! A sigh of relief soon followed as she picked up the next paper. And here's today's to-do list...good. Now let's see here...WHAT?! My first day of training with Princess Celestia is today?!
Twilight began to bite at her hooves as she put the paper down. "Oh no! What if I'm not ready?! What if I fail on something today?! What if-"
"Kupo?" said a little voice, interrupting Twilight's thoughts.
"Huh?" she said as she looked up. There, she found her small little friend staring at her with barely opened eyes. "Oh! Did I wake you up Spike? I'm sorry."
"Kupo kupo."
"I still don't know what that means."
"Kupo?"
"Uh...don't worry about it." Twilight replied, now realizing that she had calmed down. "Okay, what was I doing again?"
"Kupo."
"Yeah. I need to-"
Before Twilight could finish, a series of knocks tapped at her door. Twilight blinked and looked at the door with a twinge of confusion. "Yes? Who is it?"
"Twilight Sparkle?" said a stallion's very stotic voice.
"That's me." Twilight said as her magic aura surrounded the doorknob, slowly tilting it. As the door opened, her voice trembled at the serious voice. "Is something wrong?"
"Good morning. Princess Celestia has asked for you to meet her for breakfast. Please gather your things."
"Um...okay." Twilight squeaked. "Just uh...give me a minute."
"Take your time."
Twilight scurried through the room, grabbing her saddlebags and filled them with her favorite books. As she began to head to the door, her ears picked up a certain sound.
"Kupo!"
It wasn't long till Celestia found herself in the dining room, her body placed in her usual chair. A small bib covered her neck as she licked her lips at the sight the chef brought before her. Today's special was a double sized Red Velvet Cake with a side of dark roasted coffee. Drool flooded from her mouth as she readied herself to dig in. That is, before a certain white creature appeared beside the cake.
"Kupo!"
"Hmm? Oh! Good morning Spike." Celestia chimed in as she sucked in her drool. "Are you eyeing my morning cake? I suggest you don't try it little one. I suspect your little body won't get along very well with this much sugar."
"Kupo?"
"Sorry Princess Celestia!" Twilight said as an aura covered Spike and lifted him away. "Spike's full of energy this morning and I was trying to get here early and-"
"It's fine Twilight. Would you like some breakfast?"
"Um, er uh...." Twilight's eyes darted around the room as she tried to respond. "Yes?"
"Then take a seat." Celestia said as she watched the filly slowly approach a chair with Spike on her back. She blinked as she saw Twilight sit there, her whole body trembling in fear. "Twilight, I don't know why you are afraid but...you don't need to be."
"But Spike interrupted your breakfast and-"
"It's fine Twilight. I hadn't even started and I called for you." Celestia took the first bite as she continued. "There is no need to be afraid Twilight."
"Oh...right. Sorry." Twilight hung her head.
"Don't apologize. I understand you're nervous, this being our first day of training and all." Another bite happened as Twilight's nerves calmed down. She could only sit there as she watched Celestia dig into the cake, her face filled with joy as the sugary treat quickly disappeared. Her head slightly shifted as another pony came up to the table. "Ah, you're here! Twilight, he will take your order."
"Oh. Uh...er..." Twilight fiddled with her hooves as the stallion stood there, waiting for an answer. She looked back at the princess with puppy dog eyes. "Um...could you tell me what I should order princess?"
Celestia could only giggle at the shaking filly. "Why don't you just order some pancakes? Does that sound good?"
"Um...okay." Twilight looked back at the chef and gulped. "Some pancakes please. Plenty of maple syrup and whip cream."
"Right away!" the chef said with a salute. Twilight and Spike watched the chef quickly shuffle back into kitchen, a smile shining on his face.
"See Twilight, that wasn't so hard, was it?"
"No...maybe. I don't know." Twilight squeaked, her eyes shifting, trying to not look at Princess Celestia. "Sorry."
"You don't need to apologize Twilight, it's just you choosing what to have for breakfast." Celestia said with one last cake-filled gulp. "Now...as you are probably wondering, today is the day your training with me starts. Make no mistake, you will still attend the school. However, as I said before, you will also be training once a week with me."
"Um...okay. But are sure I should be doing that?"
"Yes. You are my personal protégé Twilight." Celestia said with a nod. "That fact alone makes this situation possible."
"Okay...but-"
"No buts Twilight. You are-ah! Your pancakes are here!" Celestia exclaimed as the chef returned. A small aura surrounded a plate filled with fluffy brown saucers. Twilight's mouth began to salivate from the very sight of the food. Celestia began to chuckle as Twilight just stared at the delicious platter in front of her. That is, until Spike suddenly jumped at the plate at blinding speed. What followed was a story for another day.
Some time later in Celestia's personal study...
"First off Twilight," Celestia said as she sat down in one of the chairs, signaling Twilight to sit as well. Spike was in a small crib in the room, his eyes already closed for a nap. "As I've said before, you are now my protégé. Because of this, certain things will now be expected of you and I will want you to fulfill those goals."
"Okay..." Twilight replied with a gulp. "But, are you really sure I can do that?"
"I do." Celestia nodded. "I have been around for a very long time Twilight and I know what I see. What I see within you Twilight is true hidden talent." Twilight began to blush as Celestia continued. "I can tell that you are a pony who loves to seek knowledge and I can definitely tell you are a pony that will always put every bit of effort you can muster into everything you do."
"Well I..."
Celestia raised her hoof, commanding Twilight to stop. "Hold on little one, I am merely stating the facts. Don't think for a second that I've made a mistake here, I know what I see within you Twilight."
"What...what do you see?"
"I see a pony with endless potential. A pony...that can understand what magic truly means in this world."
"What magic...truly means?" Twilight asked, her head tilted in confusion.
"It is something that will be explained later." Celestia said as she patted Twilight's shoulder. "Now, I don't want what I just said to you to go to your head. I know that you are not perfect and you will make mistakes. I'm the exact same way. However, when there are times where you fail, I will help you until you succeed. I will work with you just like you will work with me. I do not expect perfection from you, Twilight Sparkle. Rather, I seek perseverance from you."
"I...I..." Twilight stuttered, her mouth trying to find the words. Her eyes widened as her ears continued to hear what Celestia was saying.
Celestia on the other hoof could only chuckle at Twilight's expressions. "Now Twilight, we are going to go over your first lesson."
"Um..." Twilight's brain tried to put itself back together as she watched Celestia levitate several scrolls in front of her. "What are those?"
Celestia grunted, wanting to say: 'The most infuriating, most vaguest scrolls I have ever read.'. Instead, she said, "These are special scrolls written by Starswirl the Bearded."
"Starswirl the Bearded?!" Twilight exclaimed, her eyes lightening up at the thought. "You mean..."
"Yes." Celestia nodded. "The Starswirl and everything. Tell me, have you read his works Twilight?"
"Uh-huh!" Twilight nodded enthusiastically. "I've read them all! I've read Starswirl the Bearded's 100 Basic Spells, Starswirl's Medium Spells for Learning Unicorns, Starswirl's Advanced Magical Teachings, Starswirl's Special Party Spells, Starswirl's 301 Alchemy Tricks...oh! And I've read Starswirl's Special Cake Recipes: 101 Ways to Feed Celes-" Twilight said before her mouth was shut off due to Celestia's hoof.
"Not another word." Celestia groaned. Blasted Starswirl! I thought I got rid of all the copies of that accursed book!
Celestia removed her hoof and patted her chest. "Sorry about that. Now, as I was saying, these are very special scrolls written by Starswirl. They contain...very different information from the usual Starswirl writings."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, since you told me that you've read most of his works, do you know his history?"
"His history? You mean, his life and accomplishments?"
"Yes." another nod. "Have you read about it?"
"Oh yes! I've read everything I could find!" Twilight said with a hop. "I've read about his adventures in Griffonstone, his times at Canterlot as a teaching wizard, that time where he fought two hydras at once and uh...um...I know I-oh! And that time where he figured out teleportation spells! I also read his times when he was Clover the Clever's student and-" she then began to ramble on, causing Celestia to just giggle at Twilight's glee.
After a few seconds, Celestia clapped her hooves, signaling Twilight to stop. "Now, what do you know about his last journey Twilight?"
"Last journey?" Twilight asked, her head tilted in confusion. "Wait, I thought he spent his last years as a teacher at your school? Before that...he went to Yakyakastan, right?"
"Not quite. His last journey was...something very different." Celestia patted the floor, telling Twilight to sit down. "As you said before, Starswirl spent his last few years at the school as a teacher but...he actually went on one last adventure."
"Really?! I've never read anything about it."
"That's because unlike all of the other endeavors Starswirl has done...this one is not known to the public."
"Not known? Why?"
"Well..." Celestia tapped the scrolls. "Even though Starswirl recorded all of his ventures and spells he created...not everything was published."
"But...I read that you had all of his stuff published to help every unicorn in Equestria. Why is some of his works not published?" Twilight asked before looking at the closed scrolls. "And are these scrolls the works you're talking about?"
"Yes." Celestia slightly opened one of the scrolls. "I originally had all of his works published due to his advancements in spell making. As you know, he was quite the mage."
"Yeah! Legend has it, he created over a thousand new spells for unicorns!"
"That...is close to the truth Twilight. In reality, he created a little over eight hundred."
"Really? Why only that many?"
Only that many?! Really?! Celestia did a slight cough. "Well, let's just say his last few years were invested into something...different."
"Different? You mean...those scrolls?"
"These scrolls chronicle his 'research' per say. In actuality, they are records of his thoughts and feelings in terms of what he called: 'The One True Origin of Magic'."
"Origin of magic? He was trying to find out where magic originally came from?"
"Not quite. At the start he was...well, something similar to researching the origin but..." Celestia let out a long sigh, she knew this would be hard to explain. "His research...changed. Instead, he believed he had found the origins of the world instead."
"Origins of...wow! Really?!" Twilight exclaimed, her jaw slightly dropped.
"Yes." Celestia nodded. Thank the sun. Looks like she's really interested even though it isn't about magic.
"So...he found out the beginning of the world?!"
"No. It was more of...he found something more along the lines of traveling to other worlds." Twilight's ears perked up at the statement. Celestia chuckled and gave another shining smile. "But he came close Twilight. That's what I'm going to start teaching you about."
"About the history of...you're gonna be my history teacher?"
"No." Celestia chuckled as she levitated the first scroll in front of Twilight. "I'm going to teach you about 'The Key'."
"The Key?"
"Yes." Celestia nodded. "First, could you give me a small summary of Starswirl's history? I need to know how much you know about him."
"Sure!" Twilight exclaimed, a goofy grin covering her face as she began to speak, "Starswirl was born in Canterlot over a thousand years ago! The books I've read said that he began as a magic prodigy when he was just a small colt. There, he was found by the legendary Clover the Clever, who taught him the basic spells which Starswirl then recorded. It is said that Starswirl began the original concept of recording magic spells for unicorns for the masses."
"That is correct Twilight. Please continue." Celestia said as she smiled at her happy student, surprised at the amount of joy Twilight was getting from just explaining her old friend's life.
"Okay, um...then he went on several journeys all over Equestria. It was said that he visited almost every known place and recorded all of his findings. He created teleportation spells, alchemy spells, transmogrifying spells...just about every type of spell! Then after several journeys, he came back to Canterlot and taught at your school, right?"
"Indeed he did. Clover the Clever also taught there for some time before Starswirl."
"Really?! I didn't know that..."
"Yes. You summed up most of what the basic public knows Twilight. That's quite good because I wanted you to at least have that much knowledge going into this training." Celestia said as she levitated a scroll in front of Twilight. "Now...about 'The Key' I mentioned earlier."
"Do you want me to read that?"
"Yes. Read that scroll Twilight, it'll start to make sense after you begin reading it."
"Um...okay." Twilight said as she opened the scroll, her hooves holding the paper. "Let's see..."
'The Key'. Of what I have studied, it seems to be an object or maybe a weapon that holds endless potential. I believe it to be an object that can change the very nature of the darkness. Even now, I still don't fully understand the darkness but I do know this: 'The Key' will show itself when the darkness appears. That and one more feature, 'The Key' seems to be connected to one certain thing. The heart. If I am correct, the heart is 'The Key's' true source of power. Perhaps it is the heart that allows 'The Key' to be wielded in the first place.
Twilight could blink after she finished the first paragraph. As the filly read another report, Celestia could swear she saw question marks begin to float above Twilight's head as she watched her protégé read. Definitely not alone on this. Way to go Starswirl. You just love being vague, don't you? Celestia thought as she sat for another few minutes, watching her new student's head turn sideways as confusion reared it's ugly head into the room. Time slowly drifted by as Twilight just sat there, pondering at the paper.
"Um...princess?" Twilight squeaked, trying to find her voice after reading such vague words.
"Yes my student?"
"I'm confused. I don't get any of this." Twilight said as she looked back up at Celestia with big puppy dog eyes. "Sorry."
"It's fine. Most of his...'special' works confuse me too."
"They do?" Twilight gasped.
"Yep. Let's just say...it's annoying how vague these works are. As I said before, these are very different writings compared to his usual spell making."
"Yeah...I can definitely see that." Twilight said as she rolled up the scroll. "So, what does this have to do with me?"
"Simple. As you read there, Starswirl was talking about 'The Key'. He believed it to be an object that could manipulate the very essence of magic itself."
"Uh-huh, I got that. It said 'The Key' was powered by the heart and...it sounds really powerful with magic and everything." Twilight said with slight hesitation. "Though I don't understand the light and darkness stuff..."
Celestia ignored her and continued. "And I believe you have the power to wield it."
Twilight didn't respond to that last statement. Her mind just sat there with her body, unresponsive. A blank stare drifted out of her eyes as she just sat there, staring at Celestia. After a few moments, Celestia slightly poked Twilight's forehead. "Twilight? Are you okay?"
"WHAT?!" Twilight suddenly yelped, causing Celestia to slightly leap back. "You want me to-what the...huh?!"
"Yes." Celestia said with a kind smile. "I believe you have the potential to wield that power Twilight."
"But but but...um, er...uh..." Twilight kept stuttering, trying to form some sentence. "I don't...I...I've never wielded this um...uh..."
Celestia's hoof tapped Twilight's mouth, stopping the young filly's confusion. Her eyes lit up as she watched Celestia shine a grin, causing all of Twilight's worries to melt away. "Listen Twilight, I know what I just said is...overwhelming. And kind of confusing. But it's true." Celestia put her hoof on Twilight's shoulder. "Twilight...when I saw you that day at the academy when you unleashed your magic and hatched Spike's egg...I saw something more. I saw a pillar of light shining all around you. I knew what I saw in that moment."
"You saw...light? I don't understand."
"Yes. I saw true light. Something that no ordinary pony could ever summon." Celestia said as her wing covered Twilight's back. "The light within that magic aura you cast was like no other. I believed it to be a sign of your destiny Twilight, just as I believe your cutie mark is a mark of your talent with magic."
"Wow, I-I don't know what to say." Twilight gasped. "Just...just what do I do?"
"Well..." Celestia's hoof descended and gently tapped Twilight's chest. "I think this will do the talking for you."
"My heart?" Twilight replied as she rubbed her belly. "Is that what you mean?"
"Yes." Celestia nodded. "Tell me Twilight, I believe you wield a power like no other. A power no other pony could possibly match or even understand. I know I have only known you for a week...but I know what I saw. Do you believe what I am saying?"
"I-I...I um..." Twilight stuttered, her mouth trembling in response. She gulped as her mind began to race. Wow. I don't know what to say. Princess Celestia has this much confidence in me?! But...me? Could I really do that? Could I...am I able to summon this 'Key'? How do I...what do I... Twilight began to hyperventilate, trying to figure out what to say. Celestia blinked as she watched her student try to have a nervous breakdown. Before Twilight could fall over from the pressure, Celestia's wing hugged her back.
"Calm down my student. You don't have to answer me now."
"But I...I uh...I don't-"
Celestia's hoof covered Twilight's mouth again. "It's okay. Calm down."
"But-"
"No buts Twilight." Celestia's hoof slowly ascended back. "Besides, I don't expect you to summon it now. Just when you know you're ready. You can take all the time you want."
"But...I uh..."
"Twilight. Stop worrying." A calm sigh released itself from the alicorn. "To be honest, I don't expect you to summon it right now. In fact, I plan to have you be able to summon it around a year from now."
"I..." Twilight's ears drooped as her face slowly shrank from Celestia's gesture. The alicorn's statement made Twilight's mind fall into a whirlwind of thoughts. She stared at her idol as she felt like she was melting from just being looked upon by Celestia. The calm, embracing smile Celestia gave off made her feel amazing. She has so much faith in me...in me. Little old me. she thought as she saw the hoof move farther away. Wow. Twilight thought as she tapped her chest again. She believes in me and...my heart. But could I really do it?
Twilight rubbed her chest as she continued to think over all the information she had just learned. The hidden tales of Starswirl, the talk of the Light and the Darkness. But the biggest one was 'The Key'. She bore a deep stare at her belly as she thought about everything. I don't get any of this. I wish I could just read a good book with all the facts in one go. Twilight's eyes closed as she tapped her head in a rhythmic tone. The heart...is the heart really all I need to summon this 'Key'? Sounds kinda goofy, like maybe I have to just open my heart and accept it. Twilight chuckled at the thought as she looked at the crib in the room, Spike still sleeping soundly. She giggled again as she watched her new companion just nap peacefully. I wish I could be like that. Completely carefree and loving the world.
Twilight felt a small tap on her shoulder, quickly knocking her out of her trance. "Huh?" Twilight gasped as she looked at her shoulder, a graceful tip of a wing tapping it. She then looked at the wing's owner. Another warm radiant smile greeted her.
"Don't think about it so hard my student." Celestia said as she rubbed Twilight's head. "Don't think you have to do this because I told you I think you can wield 'The Key'. Just...what do you want?"
"What I want?"
Celestia nodded. "Yes. What do you want?"
"What...do I...want?" Twilight said to herself as her eyes stared into the alicorn's bright smile. What do I want? What do I...I... At that moment, Twilight felt a surge of emotions, her mind reeled back as a certain memory clicked in her head.
The Past...
"And then what happened mommy?" An even smaller filly Twilight asked as she clutched her blanket. Her mother sat in front of her, casually looking at a filly's storybook over a certain holiday, Hearth's Warming. The tiny Twilight squeaked as she gave her mom puppy do eyes. "What happened after the three tribes united?"
Twilight Velvet patted her daughter's head as she read the last lines of the storybook. "Then, Smart Cookie the steadfast Earth Pony, Private Pansy the kindhearted pegasus and the powerful Clover the Clever, teacher of the mystical Starswirl the Bearded, were able to unite the tribes. The fire of friendship appeared within their hearts, instantly melting the ice of the windigos." Twilight Velvet closed the book with a small clap.
"Wow...that's amazing."
"Yes, it is my little Sparkle." Velvet said as she bent over and kissed the filly's forehead. "Just like you."
"Just like me?"
"Mmhmm." Velvet said with a nod. "You are an amazing filly, my beautiful little daughter."
"Thank you mommy!" Twilight said with a goofy little grin. "I love you!"
"I love you too." Twilight Velvet patted her daughter's head as she put the book up. "Now, it's time for you to go to bed."
"Okay..." Twilight said as she pulled out a small doll and hugged it tightly. She looked back at her parent as she was just about to leave the room. "Hey mom?"
"Yes?"
"Why was their friendship able to do that? Why did it save the day?"
The mother gave a small calm smile. "I'm not sure. I think...I think it means that friendship can change anypony's heart."
"Really?"
"I don't know. It's just a story." Twilight Velvet walked back up to her daughter one last time. "But I think it's wonderful and anypony can be just like those ponies in that story."
"Even me?"
Twilight Velvet kissed the filly one last time. "Even you, my cute and lovable little bookworm. After all, you have the biggest brightest heart that I know."
"Thank you mommy..."
The Present...
Twilight wasn't sure why she suddenly remembered that moment. Maybe it was because of the lesson of the story. Or maybe it was just something important and she couldn't remember why. Whatever it was, she knew it was important. Friendship, ponies that defied everything to just be together, even in their hearts. She knew she always loved that story. That fact she knew.
"What I want princess Celestia is..." Twilight stared straight ahead, her mind made up. Her eyes shined like diamonds as she looked back at her mentor. "I wanna learn everything!"
"Everything?"
"Everything! I wanna know everything! Especially about magic!" Twilight said as a large grin plastered itself on her face. "I want to know everything a pony can know and help ponies with that knowledge! I wanna make everypony happy with that knowledge!"
Celestia could only chuckle at her pupil, admiring her student's dream. What an innocent thing to dream about. You truly have a pure heart Twilight. I was right about you, you have to be the one.
But Celestia's thoughts would be truer that she thought as her eyes saw a small glimmer of light. The alicorn eye's quickly glared at her student as she saw the aura she had once saw when Twilight hatched Spike. That's...the Light!
Twilight stopped her rant for a second as she felt a certain tingle in her body. Huh? her mind said as she rubbed her chest again. What is...this feeling? Twilight put her hoof over her mouth as she felt a certain numbness fill her body. It feels...warm. Just what is-
The Light.
Huh? Twilight thought as her ears twitched from a sudden voice. What was-
Keyblade.
Before Twilight's thought could finish, a shining light surrounded the room. Twilight's horn began to blast out magic as her eyes shined like they had done so a week ago. Celestia's right wing folded in, shielding her from the sudden blinding light. Great Suns! Don't tell me-
A pillar of light surrounded Twilight, engulfing her body. Celestia could only squint as she watched her student begin to float in the air, light still revolving around the filly. "Twilight! Can you hear me?!" she yelled as the light show continued.
But her yelling fell on deaf ears. Instead, the light continued to shine. For what seemed to be hours to Celestia, the blinding vision continued as her student stayed in air. She just stood there, unflinching.
Then...the light disappeared. As if it was never there.
"Twilight!" Celestia exclaimed as she quickly rushed over to her student. "Are you okay?"
"Ooooohhhh..." the filly stuttered as her tiny body shook. "Mmmph."
"Huh?" Celestia replied, unable to understand what Twilight said. Then, the alicorn's eyes widened as she saw a certain sight in Twilight's mouth. No way...is that?!
Twilight looked up at her teacher, her eyes twitching from the recent experience. As she saw her mentor's face turn from concern to surprise, she could only think about one thing. That felt really weird. It felt like I was in some kinda trance and then I kept hearing some weird voice. Just what happened to me there...and why does my mouth feel funny? The filly's eyes glanced down, only to see a large key in her mouth. It had a bright gold square guard, a blue rain guard and a long silver frame. The teeth of the blade were shaped like a crown and the hilt had a small chain with a symbol of the sun at the end. The weight of the sword made her mouth feel a tinge of pain as her chin slowly descended from the weight.
"AAAaaaahhhh!" Twilight yelped as she spat the key out of her mouth. "What in the-ah!"
"Twilight?!" Celestia said as she saw Twilight suddenly put her hooves to the sides of her head. "Is something wrong? Are you in pain?"
"Ugh...feels...funny. Head...voice...."
"Voice?"
"Yeah, there was a...voice. In my head." Twilight rubbed her head with her hooves. "Key. Key."
"Key? Yes Twilight, you summoned-"
"KEYBLADE!" she yelled, causing Celestia to step back. "It said...keyblade."
"Key...blade?" Celestia replied, unsure of what just happened. "Is that what it's called?"
"Yeah! It's called...it's called the keyblade."
"Really? Amazing." Celestia said as she tapped the lying sword. It then flashed a shining light, only to disappear and reappear in Twilight's mouth. "Oh wow..."
"Mmmph!" Twilight mumbled as she pulled the blade out of her mouth again. "Ugh, why does it keep doing that?!"
"Hee hee, I think it likes you Twilight. Well done." Celestia chuckled as Twilight stuck her tongue out in disgust.
"Yeah, I think it does too." Twilight replied as she rubbed her tongue. "So, what does this mean?"
"I think it means..." Celestia spread her wings and hugged Twilight with all her might. "You pass with flying colors my protégé!"
"Really?! YAY!" Twilight gasped, her eyes shining at the words. "Wait...what test did I take?"
Celestia's wings slowly let her go, only for the little filly to slowly flop to the ground. "Twilight! Are you..." Celestia grabbed her student again and shined a cheeky smile. "Ah, she fell asleep. I guess whatever magic it takes to summon the keyblade must be truly straining on the body. Though I must say, I didn't expect you to summon it this early. I was sure it would take-" Celestia looked at her sleeping student and decided to stop ranting. A small kiss to her student's forehead soon followed as she picked up her student. "Sleep well my faithful student. Tomorrow...we will talk about your new keyblade after your classes."
Meanwhile, in another part of Equestria...
A certain cloaked pony sat in a small, darkly cover chair. Around the pony were several looming shadows, their eyes shining a bright yet hollow yellow light. The shadows slowly walked up to the pony, their antennas wobbling as their awkward feet moved on the ground. The lone pony's body began to shake as it sat there, trying not to flinch.
"What...what is this?" the pony said to itself. "What...what am I feeling?"
"Master?" said another cloaked pony as it entered the room. The pony bowed before the other as the pony continued to talk. "Are you alright?"
"Servant, I don't know. I feel...warm."
"Warm?"
"Yes, this feeling...I know it from somewhere, yet it feels so foreign. The darkness...it's not the wonderful darkness. It's something else."
The servant could only arch it's eyebrow in response. "Well, what is the feeling?"
"The light. The accursed, foul, wretched light. It's returned." the master hissed. The shadows around the pony began to stir in response.
"You don't mean..." the servant said with a gulp. "But it's too early Master! I mean, I know there hasn't been a bearer in a thousand years but...there's no way that-"
"It's happened." the master said in a booming voice, the sound shaking the very foundation of the room. The servant slowly backed away in response. "There is a new keyblade bearer...and this bearer is with the disgusting light."
"Then..." The Servant bowed down as several shadows surrounded the pony. "What is thy command Master?"
The cloaked pony ascended from the chair, the cloak slightly swaying from the movement. The Master extended a hoof out and clinched it, the muscles tightening in response. "Our first step is simple. We must summon all the Heartless."