Chapter XV: The Shattered Perception
Chapter 14 Recap: Both Moondancer and Twilight Sparkle have infiltrated a makeshift base of the Nightmare Guards. As they race to understand a way to bring an end to the conflict in Canterlot, Tantabus has engaged Lieutenant Dust in a fight for superiority.
Making her way down a vividly beautiful courtyard leading up to a pristine mansion was Captain Jack, trotting upon a neatly constructed cobblestone path. She seemed deeply conflicted, lost in thought, as she drew closer to her supposed home. Her eyes were halfway closed, as the entire time she trotted, her gaze was focused on the stones beneath her, giving sign to the series of thoughts that constantly streamed through her head. In the background of the courtyard, one could see she had to make her way through a large black gate at first, acting as a means of keeping intruders out. Though the black gate wasn't menacing in any way, shape, or form, it did look quite expensive. And behind the mansion, more off in the distance still enclosed within the gated area was a barn, also appearing quite lavish and extravagant. Captain Jack soon enough trotted past a fountain even, where tiny birds frolicked in crystal clear water, as her eyes were still set upon the cobblestone path. She herself didn't appear to notice these things, having grown used to the class and status which surrounded her.
"Applejack!" A soft fragile voice called out to her, breaking the silence.
Captain Jack's eyes widened as she looked ahead, stunned by what was waiting for her momentarily. She saw that standing in front of polished wooden doors leading into the mansion was a tiny red maned filly in a lovely pink dress, with white lacing threaded throughout. There was an instant recognition on Captain Jack's face as she smiled softly at the little filly afterwards. "Apple Bloom, come here darlin."
The tiny red maned filly raced down some steps leading onto the cobblestone path as she made her way towards Applejack. Eventually reaching her, she leaped into the air as the two embraced in a tight affectionate hug. She leaned her head back and chuckled, "How was work? Do anything excitin today!? I heard the sirens!" She blinked a little in curious innocence, smiling wide as she did so.
Applejack, yes, that's who she was in this precious place. That's who she was at home. She chuckled a little as well, running a free hoof through her mane as she stood on her hind legs, holding Apple Bloom up with both her forehooves then. "Ya could say that. Excitin and scary at the same time. Lot uh changes comin in. But thankfully nothin that'll affect us too much." She tilted her head to the right, "But I don't really feel like talkin about work right now. How bout we head on inside and you can tell me about your day at school, okay?"
Apple Bloom closed her eyes with a snicker. "Okay!" She pushed herself out of Applejack's hold before landing back on the ground gracefully, soon racing back towards the mansion with a glance back. "Hurry on inside! We also got some pies waitin for ya!" As she attempted to race through the front door however, she bumped into another larger figure. She looked up, catching sight of a large red stallion, adorned in a kitchen apron, smiling down at her. Apple Bloom gasped, "Big Mac! Applejack's home! Are the pies still warm!?"
Big Mac nodded promptly. "Yep!"
Apple Bloom raced in tiny little circles before facing Applejack again. "Yay! Come on, hurry on inside Applejack!" She herself raced past Big Mac then, disappearing from sight as she turned a corner to head further inside the large pristine mansion, and to the kitchen.
Applejack nodded to her little sister, smirking softly in amusement before focusing on Big Mac with a gentle, yet almost sad smile. "Aye big brother, thanks for holdin down the fort all the time." There was a subtle pause, "We've got a lot ta talk about as well."
Big Mac gave Applejack a neutral stare, before closing his eyes and smiling with a sigh, then muttering. "Yep."
Both Applejack and Big Mac made their way into the kitchen, where a gleeful Apple Bloom was already attempting to prepare some plates on a marble counter. The kitchen spoke of class just as much as the rest of the home, and outside the mansion. But as Applejack watched her little sister so eagerly prepare dinner, she frowned some. "Hey, Apple Bloom darlin, did ya take your shower yet?"
Apple Bloom's eyes widened as she paused, turning from the stove and looking at Applejack with a mitten in her muzzle. She let it drop, before shaking her head in surprise and realization. "Ah no I haven't! I probably should huh?" She raised a hoof to her muzzle.
Applejack closed her eyes, chuckling a little. "Yes, now go get out of that dress and get cleaned up. We'll prepare the table."
Apple Bloom nodded hurriedly, "Okay! See you soon you two!" She raced for the kitchen exit, glancing back with a playful squint. "Don't ya have too much fun without me!" She then raced off even further, running up a spiral staircase, "And don't eat without me!"
Applejack took a moment to adore her sister even as she departed, but once she was surely gone, a sad look overcame her. Applejack trotted her way through the large kitchen, still in her nightmare armor as she glanced back and forth between the various kitchen wares and even eyed some of the pies that were on the counter. There was a solemn silence in her mellow trotting, as she came to a stop near a picture frame of Apple Bloom, Big Mac, and an older more elderly mare with a pale green coat and white mane. Applejack eyed that picture for some time, before taking hold of it with a hoof. "Looks like the princess has started this whole lockdown in the larger parts of Equestria Big Mac, even Manehattan. Can't say I blame her, even if I don't agree with it. But who am I ta talk bad judgement, ain't that right?"
Big Mac looked at her with a stern glare, and distinct frown. "Nope."
Applejack turned towards him slightly, smiling in amusement, still with sad eyes. "Yer just bein kind." She looked back down at the picture, lost in memory. "I wasn't here enough when everythin was rough. I wasn't here when ya'll needed me most. I was over there, getting lost with myself in Manehattan. I wasn't here, till it was too late." She ran a hoof over the elderly mare in the photo, "Perhaps if I'd came earlier, helped convince the princess earlier so ya didn't have to work through those conditions, granny might still be around. Ya don't have ta be kind ta me Big Brother." She looked back to him, "I deserve ta know my mistakes. And that's why I'm here now."
Big Mac didn't say anything, as he only gave a pitied look to his younger sister, frowning at her still.
Applejack placed the photo back on the counter. "But enough about the past, ya heard enough of my complainin." She turned back to face him completely, leaning up onto the counter. "I feel the princess knows somethin she ain't tellin the rest of us Big Mac. Somethin that doesn't bode well for Equestria. I want ta use what bits and reputation I've earned in Manehattan to prepare us for whatever that is." Her expression became serious, "I don't know know how this will all end but, ya two mean too much ta me ta risk at a time like this." A soft smile returned to her face as she eased up, chuckling a bit. "So we'll keep our heads low for now, till the right moment, alright?"
Big Mac nodded to her as he smiled back, bearing a look of determination. "Yep."
After a brief pause, the two then went about helping setup for dinner, not stating another word on personal or political matters.
The clashing and distinct sounds of various magics now echoed across the area of the city where Tantabus confronted the citizens and the recently arrived Lieutenant Dust. Tantabus remained distant from the conflict, attempting only to control his summoned nightmarish creations, who were all linked back to his conscience. But Tantabus' main target, Lieutenant Dust, only continued to masterfully elude him, causing him to lack attention as she did so. The colt watched as Lieutenant Dust moved like a graceful dancer, yet blitzed like a spark of lightning, all the while laughing in enjoyment. With little to no effort she would disappear and reappear in his eyes, zipping between various units with slight turns and subtle movements which only made his attempts to catch her more pathetic. Tantabus tried not to give face to his concerns, but as he hid within his sphere watching events unfold, his doubts only continued to become more concrete. H-How is she so fast? Is... Is Dummy Dash even faster than this? Was it only cause I caught her off guard? T-This is impossible.
The three celestial defenders remained as coordinated as ever, their tactical advantage only bolstered due to the support they now had. The orange stallion continued to give commands. "Protect the citizens! Shield them to the best of your ability if you can!"
Flake, the blue unicorn mare of the three, nodded yet again to the orange stallion. "Yes!" She raised a small circular ice barrier around a group of citizens drained from fighting, primarily consisting of fillies and colts, all huddled together as their parents surrounded them. A large group of nightmarish bug bears all halted, looking at the ice barrier in confusion and surprise, showing that their thoughts were certainly less cohesive with Tantabus who even with his strange magic, couldn't concentrate on everything at once while buckling under pressure. It was during that moment of hesitation Flake noticed an opening, sending out spikes of ice from the barrier which penetrated a significant portion of the nightmare bug bears, who all evaporated once they'd been damaged enough. The tides at this point, seemed easily in their favor.
Lieutenant Dust paused momentarily to glance over at that unicorn. "Did you happen to go through combat training?"
Flake shook her head from a distance, catching her breath. "Only bettered myself in the hopes of one day stopping the princess!"
Lieutenant Dust smirked as she absently cut down another nightmare unit. "Oh, can always use a little competition." She then focused on Tantabus, still hiding in his sphere in the distance as she glanced down at her pair of prisoner cuffs she kept strapped to the side of her armor, before looking back at Tantabus with a squint, though speaking to Flake in particular. "You keep doing what you're doing, pretty soon here I'm going to close the distance between us. This'll never end if we don't confront him directly, eventually, he'll end up tiring us out even with all you guys assisting. But he's still just a runt in close quarters with no real combat experience." She smiled softly, "And I've got a couple of ideas."
Tantabus' gaze drifted towards another chunk of citizens, who were also combating with his nightmare creations.
Night Light called out to some of them, "Careful everypony! We're not fighters, but they're not real either!"
Tantabus looked at Night Light in annoyance, for how he read into his disadvantages. He remained tucked away in the sphere, now thinking to himself. Why're they trying so hard? I just don't get it. Tantabus squinted at Lieutenant Dust, still watching as she continued to masterfully elude him. Why can't they get that I'm their only hope for real change? Why're normal ponies like this? Where does their hope come from? A sweat drop coursed down the side of the colt's head as he stood there. He looked down at his own hoof in both confusion, as well as slight bewilderment. I'm not supposed to lose, so why am I losing? None of this is making any sense. Nothing is like it should be. It's playing out just like they said, l-like I'm some villain in this story.
Lieutenant Dust, now standing on her hind legs, used her lance for support as she placed one of her free forehooves on her side with a sigh. "Tanta Tanta Tanta!" She looked at him with a tired, almost expectant smirk. "What could you possibly have been thinking?"
Tantabus flinched, only gritting his chops as he glared angrily at Lieutenant Dust in frustration.
She continued, leaning forward some. "You used an opportune moment to run off, and now I come to find out for whatever reason you've betrayed the princess. At this point Tanta, I'm only disappointed that I never saw your true character. You seemed like a pretty good kid, once, but you're no soldier. You're just some punk way in over his head. A shame it's come down to this. But it's too late to go back now, you've gotta face the consequences."
Tantabus remained silent, still choosing not to voice his annoyances with the pegasus.
Lieutenant Dust sighed. "You've made your decision." She then positioned herself again offensively.
Tantabus frowned at Lieutenant Dust, finally speaking out from within his sphere. "You act like you already beat me. But what can you do? You're just a normal pony too. You're not as great as you think Dust!" He glared at her. "You're too late! I no longer feel weaker than you, and this negative energy on this night has only fed me more magic! I can actually make a real difference unlike you Dust. I'm the pony of dreams, one of a kind." He fastened his hooves, positioning himself as if getting ready to strike as well. "All you know how to do is run fast, like a big chicken."
Lieutenant Dust lowered her head a bit, blinking at Tantabus in surprise. "Wait, is that what you really think?"
Tantabus from within his sphere cocked a brow, looking at Lieutenant Dust perplexed. "What?"
Lieutenant Dust tilted her head back and sighed again. "Did you really think the Princess would rely solely on you?" She glanced back down while her head was still tilted back, looking at Tantabus. "You aren't the only pony who's got a knack for dream magic Tanta. To be honest, you were actually meant to help us defeat the North Shadow primarily. This whole dream gig you've got going, that was a side duty." She smirked, "No idea why the Princess let you out of your cage, but regardless, I'm sure at this point even I'm missing pieces to this puzzle that I'll never find. I'll admit, you even had me worried." She then snickered, "But now knowing how clueless you are makes me feel much better. You're not even that tough as is." She took a couple trots forward, "Also you misinterpreted another thing." A slow smirk formed upon her muzzle, "I'm not just fast ya know."
A shiver ran down the colt's spine as he simply stared at Lieutenant Dust, taken aback. But as a look of shock overcame him, it slowly dissipated as he ran a hoof through his ethereal mane as well, chuckling in smug confidence and soon smirking. "Pft! You almost had me there, but, you're just a big liar. I'm the dream pony, I would know if there was another. You're just trying to scare me, but it won't work. You're just mad you got duped! Like Loser Dash!"
Lieutenant Dust only rubbed at the back of her mane with her free hoof. "Is that so?"
But Tantabus immediately snapped furiously then. "You're just a liar! An arrogant loser!"
Lieutenant Dust rolled her eyes before giving Tantabus that tired look again. "What does it matter, I'm an ordinary pony anyway right Tanta? You're stronger now right Tanta? You're going to stop the Princess right Tanta?" She smirked, "You're the best now, right, Tanta?" She spun her lance in her hoof a few times casually.
Tantabus gritted his teeth again, lowering his head as that steady trembling only worsened. His eyes were wide, he couldn't focus, and his gaze was set upon the pavement. Why is she so sure of herself!? Why're they always so annoying!? I hate Dust! I hate Dash! I hate them all! I'm a prince! But somehow they're different! He paused focusing on his adversaries before him, desperately trying to understand the group's will to resist. Somehow, normal ponies are also able to become better like I did. Stronger than my magic, without any at all.
Lieutenant Dust glanced at her lance, still with that smirk. "Or maaaybe, now that you actually felt the pain of getting hit, now that you know you're still not untouchable. Maybe, now that I'm actually standing here," she looked back at him, "You're starting to realize that you might not be as great as you believed. Tell me Tantabus, are you nervous?" She chuckled, "Why're you hiding in that sphere?" She paused again, "You said your magic was more powerful now right? Maybe we should test that theory."
Tantabus' rage became more apparent as he let off a high pitched scream of frustration while upon his rearhooves, throwing his forehooves up in the air, as instantaneously, a swarm of sharpened violet spikes shot out from his sphere, straight towards Lieutenant Dust.
The orange stallion swiped a hoof in a sudden panic, "We need some protective magic now!"
The opposing celestial defender, the hooded stallion, threw up his best attempt at a small telekinetic barrier to protect them.
Flake nodded, as she cast a spell, shielding more citizens with small ice barriers to block oncoming spikes.
Many of the citizens backed away in fear, also shielding themselves instinctively if they had the magic to do so.
Night Light looked to Lieutenant Dust in slight irritation. "Hey! Are you trying to put us all in harm's way!?"
Lieutenant Dust smirked again, "Looks like I struck a nerve." She then called out to the rest of them, "I'll work on exposing him now. You all keep cutting down those puppets of his! He can't maintain them well if he's flustered, even more so if he's completely distracted." She snickered, "Something I'm pretty good at." And in a near instant, the pegasus disappeared in a cloud of kicked up debris. Lieutenant Dust blitzed past the units and straight towards the spikes. Elegantly she maneuvered between each one while knocking them off trajectory with subtle swipes of her lance, soon fastening that lance on Tantabus' little sphere. In the following second, she tossed her lance in the air and went into a spin, catching it on her wing before gripping it with that same wing, and with utmost momentum, hurling it straight at the sphere itself, and Tantabus. The lance let off a startling crackle, as if lightning roared across the sky.
Many of the onlookers were in awe, as they heard the lance but didn't even see it leave Lieutenant Dust's hooves. Flake looked on in nervousness as her thoughts raced. S-So fast... what happened?
Tantabus' immediately realized the direness of his situation, simply just hearing the momentum at which Dust hurled her lance at him. He disappeared from the sphere immediately as the lance pierced into it, going through it completely and causing it to shatter. Tantabus reappeared outside it, glancing over at his now shattered sphere he created and giving it a look of utter disbelief. That momentum, no ordinary pegasus is capable of that. H-How!? He grimaced in fury and frustration. Why is the distance between her and I so big!? Even with my magic!? But he said nothing, and soon looked ahead to concentrate again. Where did she-
But having already made her way behind him in that opportune moment, Lieutenant Dust waited. "Still playing games, Tanta?"
Tantabus' eyes widened as he swiftly turned with a gasp, attempting to leap away from the now closed in pegasus. I need to turn into something else!
But Lieutenant Dust wasn't having it, as she wrapped her hooves around the colt, embracing him in a bear hug. She grinned, trembling a bit as the colt initially writhed and squirmed to get free. "I ain't letting you go!" She glanced over at Flake, in particular, giving her an eager smirk. "H-Hey! You with the ice magic! How about you bring some of that cold air over here!? Right here actually!"
Flake watched from a distance, as she took a moment to pause in helping deal with the lessened nightmare units to focus on Lieutenant Dust and Tantabus not far off. As she heard the pegasus' request, she nodded, her horn glowing as she aimed to raise a body of ice right at their position. But she hesitated, seeing as Lieutenant Dust was still there, but ultimately still went forth with preparing her spell.
Tantabus' stopped writhing for a moment, creating a long abnormal pause. "I'm tired of it just being in games."
Lieutenant Dust raised a brow at Tantabus as she continued to hold him in that bear hug.
Tantabus muttered, "I'll fix this world." He snarled, "Even with dumb ponies like you getting in my way."
Lieutenant Dust's eyes widened as she didn't understand where his confidence was coming from, until suddenly she felt a sudden jerk at her rear hooves, causing her to look down and see Tantabus' tail was wrapped around one. His tail!? But before she could respond, she was jerked further and soon pulled with greater momentum, slamming her back onto the ground and then flipped into the air in front of Tantabus. Her eyes were closed due to the initial slam, and as she was up in the air, she opened them slowly to catch sight of the colt.
Tantabus was turned slightly, his tail now having morphed into a large claw, aimed to shred Lieutenant Dust to ribbons.
Lieutenant Dust flinched, gritting her teeth as she glared at Tantabus, initially reacting by guarding herself. Shoot!
Tantabus gave her a cold stare, soon smirking and then grinning with satisfaction. She's fast! But still in the end, she's just a normal pony when she's caught! But just as he was about to attack Lieutenant Dust, he to felt a sudden jerk as his movements came to a halt. "H-Huh!?" There was a naive innocence to his shock and proclamation of it, a hint of fair bewilderment in his high pitched voice. The colt stood on his hind legs, still slightly turned with his clawed tail reached outwards towards Lieutenant Dust, but outlining the colt and holding him still, was a light blue magical aura from another.
Lieutenant Dust in those following seconds, fell back onto the ground, landing on her back. "Oof!"
Tantabus' shock only worsened as he turned his gaze back towards the large group of ponies in the distance.
Standing there, struggling to hold the colt still was Night Light, his horn glowing as he focused on the colt with telekinetic magic. H-He's way too powerful... but, all she needs is one second.
Tantabus' nose wrinkled in disbelief, as his hoof twitched and he responded with a heavy grunt. "Rrrrrrr!" One of his risen nightmare units closer to Night Light's position, then focused solely on subduing the blue unicorn stallion, racing towards him hastily.
Night Light glanced to his left, seeing the oncoming nightmare pony with a gasp.
But the orange stallion came from the side, bucking that nightmare pony in the face and causing it to dissipate.
Though that moment of distraction was all Tantabus needed, as he felt the telekinetic grasp on his body disappear. He growled, huffing and looking down at the ground, now in a rage. "Enough!" He positioned himself, beginning to go into another morphing change.
"Not so fast!" Lieutenant Dust snapped from beside him, already having swiftly recovered, hopping back into the fray. She gave him an immediate leg sweep, buying them another second to keep him from morphing and running.
Tantabus was knocked off his hooves, when in the following second she jabbed his throat. Tantabus gacked but then swatted her away with his still transformed tail. However, the momentum of the sudden attack caused Tantabus to fly back and tumble a few feet in an opposing direction as well.
As Lieutenant Dust was swatted, she to tumbled back a few feet, but landed with more grace, smirking afterwords.
Tantabus huffed, catching his breath before feeling a sudden weight around his neck. He even felt himself lean forward some because of it, as he glanced down. "Wha, What?" He raised his forehooves to his neck, feeling a metal shackle like object wrapped around it, with an empty shackle hanging from the one already around his neck. He attempted to get it off to no avail, "What!? What is this stupid thing!?"
Lieutenant Dust stood, running a hoof through her mane in satisfaction. "They're actually meant to be cuffs, but seeing as you're so small I felt it'd be possible to abuse them as a collar." She looked at Tantabus with a cold stare, "They're meant to be used on adults Tantabus, but for this instance, I'll make an exception. The princess has us issued those cuffs due to their magical depletion capabilities once they're locked. They're rumored to be the reputable creations from a prisoner within Tartarus itself, a renown anti-magic user. A place far worse than anything you can cook up, even with your abnormal shape-shifting dream magic. So with all that, it leads me to wonder..." She sighed a bit, cocking her head to the right as she stared plainly at him while placing a forehoof on her hip. "What will those cuffs do to some runt like you?"
Tantabus stood there for a moment, soon glancing down at the cuffs again in ominous silence. There was a brief pause, before suddenly, a wave of evaporation came from Tantabus and a misty purple essence departed from him. He stood in place, still with the cuffs around his neck but the colt's ethereal mane had now become a natural, curly purple mane. The color faded from his pink eyes as his long purple lashes were exposed. The colt trembled as he had no words, looking down at his hooves in both horror and shock. "Wha? W-Wha?" Impossible! W-What absorption magic is this !?
Lieutenant Dust even looked surprised as she stood there for a moment, perplexed, but soon enough, smiled smugly.
Tantabus flinched, his eyes swelling with tears before he roared. "I haaaaaaate yoooou!!!!!" The colt immediately went into a charge towards the pegasus, but found himself coming to an immediate slow. He looked down at himself, to see that ice was slowly wrapping around his rear hooves, to where he looked back towards the group of citizens. His nightmare creations were no more. Leaving everypony now focused on him, the entirety of them with expectant and judgmental glares. Every one of the unicorn's horns started to glow, one by one, as Tantabus' movements soon became steady jerks and pitiful attempts to push forward to Lieutenant Dust. "I hate hate hate you! You're rotten! All of you are rotten!" In his pitiful vain attempt to reach her, the colt whined like a petulant child. Tears were all but expectant in his loss, as within his belligerent rage he didn't even seem to notice how pathetic he was being while crying and complaining. "I don't deserve this! I deserve to win!" The colt began to crumble down towards the ground, as the ice didn't cease. "It's not fair!"
All the unicorn citizens continued to hold the colt still with their telekinetic magic, remaining silent with firm stares.
Many of the other children watched hesitantly with fear, while clutching their parents for protection.
Lieutenant Dust kept her eyes upon him, now eyeing him with a cold stare herself, lacking any form of sympathy.
Tantabus wheezed, shivering as he felt his movements slowing even further while the ice didn't cease to encase him. He began to crawl towards Lieutenant Dust, still trying to reach her in his rage, sobbing as he glared at her. "How dare you! Look at what you've done to me! I'm no normal pony! I'm a dream pony! I'm the prince!" He shouted, "You cheated! And you had friends!" Tantabus, now only a mere foot from Lieutenant Dust, looked up at her as his expression distorted into one of bitter contempt, and grief. The colt sniffled, "I-I could've won one v one!" In his spite, he struggled to reach out to her in anger, to touch her. "You're nothing but a chicken! A loser!"
Lieutenant Dust rolled her eyes at him, before giving him a now tired and impatient stare. "Just shutup already."
Tantabus flinched yet again before roaring in frustration, screaming at Lieutenant Dust even in his last seconds of freedom, as his entire body froze over with a bright blast of blue magic. The colt's enraged expression remained captured within his cold prison.
The atmosphere felt surreal for the citizens briefly, as there was only the sounds of cold winds followed by silence for a moment.
Lieutenant Dust eyed him in a bored manner. "Guess that's a wrap then. Good thing we decided to deal with him before things got any worse." She glanced back at the group of citizens.
All of Tantabus' nightmare creations had disappeared, all melting down into purple sludge which then evaporated.
The group of three celestial defenders each glanced back and forth to one another, before sighing with relief.
Night Light to stuck close to some citizens, keeping his eyes on Tantabus' frozen body in question and curiosity. "I've never seen a pony that could do strange things like that. What is it he said, dream magic?" Night light frowned a little, "Well, at least this mess is over."
Lieutenant Dust turned, making her way back towards her lance as she picked it back up. She smirked softly down at it, before glancing casually over towards the three celestial defenders in interest, then back down at her lance. "Well, of course not entirely."
"Rarity?" Trixie commented in impatience. The three were still back at Nightmare Moon's castle, standing in the throne room as Rarity was already preparing a particular spell. Upon the ground was a pulsing runic circle, though in Rarity's magical hue. Trixie eyed that circle with unease, and raised a brow at it in eventual curiosity. "What is this spell you're preparing? Trixie's never seen this form of magic."
While Rarity was busy preparing the spell, her eyes focused on the circle as she commented in absence. "That's because it's not a school of magic commonly known Darling. Contrary to belief, time magic is not the sole school of magic shrouded in mystery. There is another, far more elusive, ponies have forgotten to acknowledge." She glanced back with a slight squint, "The magic found within dreams." She stomped her hoof, as the pulsing runic circle ignited with a bright blue glow, soon creating a portal to an unknown location. It was a simple process for Rarity, as she stepped inside the circle, but not yet entering the portal. "Come Trixie, Diane, it is time we spoke with the Princess." Rarity looked ahead with utmost seriousness. "She is calling for our presence. Something must be wrong, of that I'm certain."
Trixie flinched, as she raised a hoof in front of herself in nervousness. "Dream Magic? The Princess? What're you talking about!?"
Diane stood beside Trixie and smiled reassuringly up at her. "Silly, the princess gets really scary if her plans don't go well. We're going to make sure she knows we're here. Rarity is one of those ponies who the princess has trusted." She lowered her head, "She was given dream magic, to help communicate with the princess when she needs her. We have to make sure to answer her calls." She closed her eyes as she continued to smile up at Trixie. "But don't be scared Trixie, I'm right here. I will protect you, just like the princess wants me to do."
Trixie looked over at Diane, and although she didn't want to admit it, the pink earth pony did give her comfort. She looked to Rarity however, gulping a bit as she was still concerned. "What weird stuff will happen to us in there? W-Where exactly are we going?"
Rarity nudged her head towards the portal. "Enter, and you will see. It is best we don't waste time Darling."
Trixie groaned, as she trotted forward onto the circle, while Diane stuck close by her. Upon stepping into the circle, she felt as weightless as a feather, empty, which sent shivers down her spine. "What is this?" She glanced again at Rarity hesitantly for an answer.
Rarity faced the portal, "Your true self Darling, now, let us proceed." She then made her way into the portal, vanishing.
Trixie gulped, as she glanced over at Diane worriedly, in complete seriousness. "Y-You best stick close by Trixie!"
Diane chuckled quietly, giving Trixie a subtle smile. "Don't worry. As said, I will protect you silly willy."
Trixie looked at Diane thankfully, though still worried as she pushed against her side, and Diane guided them through the portal. The two immediately disappeared as well, while their very forms broke down into a misty ethereal state, and the portal shut behind them. Trixie shut her eyes tight, as she was enveloped by a frightening darkness. But as she was pushed through this black void temporarily, Rarity's voice echoed in her mind, clear and distinct, like a guardian watching over her still. Do not panic Darling, we are only beginning.
Elsewhere, Twilight Velvet was lost in a dream of her own, or perhaps, a happening far more meaningful than that.
The year was past, and Twilight Velvet's memories were as vivid as any storybook. It was the time of Twilight's attempt at entering Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns. She could remember Twilight's sweet little face as she studied hard to enter along with some of her other quite talented peers. But even Twilight Velvet could see her daughter's nervousness the day of the exam, as she became a mirage looking back on a time long gone, she wondered if perhaps she weren't supportive enough. Twilight Velvet stood in the room of the test, in the background watching herself standing beside Night Light, while Twilight had already attempted to open the dragon's egg at that point. It caused Twilight Velvet's heart to ache, as she saw the obvious hurt in her daughter's eyes. Despite it just being her looking back on a memory, it still hurt just as much. Seeing Twilight so disappointed, after all, this was her little filly. Her precious Twilight Sparkle.
Twilight was slumped as she eyed the examiners, then lowered her head with a mutter. "I'm sorry I wasted your time."
The exam judges all sighed, before scribbling on their clipboards as they eyed one another, casually glancing down at Twilight and her parents every now and then despite their answer already being determined. But sadly, this was protocol, and they were forced to tire themselves with an explanation and relay of information. One examiner in particular, a white maned stallion, lowered his board first to eye the slumped filly. "Well we're at least glad you're able to interpret our result. A fairly disappointing display Twilight Sparkle, fairly disappointing indeed. A shame you felt the need to waste our time with such an attempt. You obviously were nowhere near ready."
Another judge, a yellow coated, puffy purple maned mare with glasses also eyed Twilight, but more specifically, her parents. "You do realize this is Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns yes? Why would you send your daughter who obviously isn't prepared for a test of this caliber to publicly humiliate herself in front of the judges? Should she attempt again, I suggest actually having her prepare next time."
Twilight slumped even further as her eyes swelled with tears, and her obvious disappointment only worsened.
Twilight Velvet snarled, snapping at them. "Shut your muzzles! She's just nervous! But if this is how examiners of Celestia's School conduct themselves with fillies pursuing their dreams! Then I'd rather not have my daughter here to begin with! Come on Twilight!" She rushed towards Twilight, gathering the filly to her hooves and wrapping her own hoof around her as she guided her to the door.
The four judges glared in bitterment at the departing mother, as Night Light also gave them a look of scorn before making way for the door as well, and the three made their way out. The yellow coated mare looked to the blue coated stallion as she pushed her glasses up. "Tch! Another mother believing her filly or colt is the next magical prodigy am I right? This isn't a handout, this is the most elite magical school in all of Equestria. If that filly truly desired to get in, she should've prepared herself properly. Also," she eyed the dragon's egg below. "Let us move on to a different sort of test, I grow tired of seeing failed attempts at opening this dragon egg. It's become quite dull."
One of the other examiners, a butter coat brown maned mare glanced over at her fellow. "What of the egg then?"
The yellow coated mare pushed her glasses up again as she eyed her clipboard. "Who cares? Give it back to the dragons."
The pony who'd carted the dragon egg then raised his eye at that particular examiner.
The yellow coated mare looked down at the cart pony with a squint. "Well? Get on with it then!"
The cart pony groaned, before carting the dragon egg back out of the exam room.
The four examiners looked back towards the entryway door, as the yellow coated mare called out. "Next!"
Twilight Velvet now watched on the outside of the exam room; still as an all too familiar scene for her played out.
Twilight kept her head lowered, as both her mother and father remained at her side.
There was a group of numerous fillies and colts also applying, all sitting in seats along the wall, neatly setup. Some could already read into Twilight's demeanor, and interpret her entry exam result. Whereas some children looked at her curiously, though it wasn't hard for them to assume either. Three fillies in particular sat close to one another, them being Twinkleshine, Minuette as well as Lemon Hearts.
Twinkleshine sighed, looking at Twilight before glancing over at Lemon Hearts. "Looks like another didn't make it huh?"
Minuette frowned at Twinkleshine in both anger and annoyance. "D-Don't be a jerk Twinkleshine!"
Twinkleshine frowned right back at Minuette. "Jerk? I'm not being a jerk!"
Lemon Hearts glanced back and forth between the two of them before sulking slightly, not wanting any part of their argument.
Meanwhile, Twilight kept her head lowered, as she was slightly red due to embarrassment. She didn't even make eye contact with her parents. "I'm sorry Momma, Papa, I-I, I know you both wanted me to pass." She began naturally tearing up simply from the thought.
But both Night Light and Twilight Velvet were comforting, as Twilight Velvet in particular wrapped a hoof around Twilight as they trotted down the hall. She soon made her way in front of her daughter, lowering her frame to be eye level with her. "Twilight, Sweetie, you have nothing to apologize about. We are proud of you regardless. All this means is we need to find something else you're good at."
Twilight sniffled, looking at her mother, still distraught. "But, but I love magic Momma."
Twilight Velvet wrapped a hoof around Twilight again, embracing her. "I know Sweetie I know. That's not what I meant."
As Twilight Velvet in present time watched the scene play out, a wave of regret coursed through her. Why were these memories resurfacing now of all times? Was it some sort of omen? Nonsense, she didn't belief in such things. But still, it was upsetting. For she knew how she became, how hypocritical she sounded now that she looked back on these memories. For her support only faded with time.
That memory faded into a more recent one, as Twilight Velvet still stood in the background, watching.
Twilight was in her room, back at their house as she was already in her late teens at this point. The mare looked disheveled as she sat on the floor, a book wide open with a tired smile, while coffee cups, magazines, snack wrappers and other old books laid strewn about her room. As usual, she also had that stupid doll close by, as if it were a living sentient being. But as Twilight Velvet witnessed the scene, she felt a spark of disgust for herself. For looking upon her daughter in such a distasteful manner. Did Twilight know the entire time? Twilight Velvet continued to watch Twilight sit there in her room, already knowing what to expect. She felt the urge to cringe from knowing as well.
Suddenly bursting into Twilight's room was she herself, of course from the past. Her demeanor was far worse back then. She watched as her past self cringed with disgust at the sight of Twilight's messy room, even refusing to trot inside at first. She instead poofed past the junk into a more cleanly area on the floor, before snapping at Twilight. "Twilight! I told you to clean up all this junk! Why isn't it done yet!?"
Twilight flinched, as she rose hastily to her hooves, holding Smarty Pants as she did so. "M-Mom! Sorry I, I've been meaning to get to it." She chuckled nervously, lowering her head in a pitiful manner as she began gradually picking stuff up, not making eye contact with her mother. She flushed red, embarrassed again. "Just, um, g-got distracted again I guess. Books, you know?" She chuckled, as she gulped, before hesitantly glancing over at her mother whom of which glared at her in passive annoyance. Still, even if she could read well into her demeanor, she attempted to communicate with her. "B-By the way? Mom, have you heard of the discovery of particle elevation? There's been a recent study released by the Magical Academy of Pristine Arts. It's very interesting!" Twilight continued to casually pick up the junk around her room, while also trying to lower the awkward tension, and make rare conversation with her mother. "I know you're-"
But Twilight Velvet interrupted, irritated. "Don't try to deter me Twilight, you know why I came up here to begin with. We need to discuss what you're planning to do with your future." She glanced around the room again in slight disgust, though trying not to make it so blatantly obvious as she leered at her daughter. "You've wasted so much time as is, and instead of pursuing a proper goal and pushing yourself in a way that might actually help you figure out what you're meant to do, you've remained stuck in the past." She squinted at her, "It's time for you to realize you're becoming a full fledged adult Twilight, and I won't tolerate you living like some pitiful child any longer." She huffed, giving Twilight a tired look. "Look into some actual ways to better yourself, and then maybe you can have my undivided intention about your interests." She growled "Also, clean this mess." She turned back towards the door, using her telekinetic magic to shove stuff out of her way. She glanced back one more time, "It's disgusting." Then slammed the door shut behind her as she made her way out.
Twilight slumped down onto the floor into a seated position, exhaling as she sat, before closing her eyes in shame.
The memory faded yet again, on towards another. But this time, the scene in place was already intense, too much for Twilight Velvet's liking. It was raining outside their house, and there was a distinct murky gloom about the atmosphere. It felt gray, empty and hollow. Twilight was rushing downstairs, while her mother was close in suit. But Night Light was attempting to intervene between the two.
Twilight Velvet snapped at her daughter. "Where do you think you're going Twilight!? You get back here now!"
Twilight turned, huffing and teary eyed as she was an obvious emotional wreck at that current time. She made her way to the front door, glancing back at her mother, shaking her head. "I just want to head out for a little Mom! So will you just go!?" She opened the door with her magic, attempting to slow her breathing in a less pathetic manner as she sniffled. "I just need to get away for awhile, from all this."
Twilight Velvet trotted down the stairs casually, rolling her eyes. "Waaah waaah waaah! When will you stop victimizing yourself!? Learn to be strong like your brother! Stop taking everything so personally! If you can't handle a little critique, how do you expect to make it through life Twilight!?" She huffed, glaring at her in a desperation. "Do you just want to be coddled forever!? Have everything easy!?"
Twilight turned, now seething with rage, something she rarely did as she snapped at her mom from the bottom of the stairs. "I never saw it that way and you know it mom!" She swiped a hoof at her, eyes wide as she didn't even put thought into holding back any form of tears anymore. "'But I'm sorry that I'm not Shining! That I'm not as strong or confident! B-But not everypony's the same okay!?"
Night Light's eyes went back and forth between the two, as he looked particularly up at his wife. "Honey...."
Twilight Velvet immediately snapped at him, furiously. "Don't Honey me!" She pointed a hoof at Twilight, "We've taken care of her her entire life and now she has the gall to talk back to me in such a manner!? Not only that all I want is for her to further her own goals! To actually progress herself! And I'm the bad pony!?" Twilight Velvet shook her head, "All I'm doing is trying to be a good mother to my daughter!" She rolled her eyes, soon using her telekinetic magic to pull out and toss down the stairs Smarty Pants. "But no, instead I get called the bad one here. Oh! But maybe this doll agrees with me!? Go on Twilight! Ask it!" It was a moment of bitter spite towards her daughter and she knew it, and she didn't intend to come off so arrogantly but it was too late to take back the action now, far too late.
Twilight flushed red completely, in both shame and embarrassment. She looked down at Smarty Pants for a long while in silence, as her eyes were wide and that silence carried on to both her parents. They all just stood there for some time, not saying anything. Twilight eventually, and sluggishly, picked up the doll with telekinetic magic and turned back towards the door like a hobbling corpse. In a drained manner she made her way outside, simply leaving the house and not looking back. She trotted slowly, keeping her head lowered.
Twilight Velvet's nose wrinkled, and she did feel as if Twilight's silence threw her off. She looked hesitant, and even conflicted due to her actions. But still in her own bitterness she refused to accept the idea that she may be wrong. No, her daughter was just being horribly selfish and stubborn. This was tough love. Wasn't it? But the sense of uncertainty only continued to worsen in Twilight Velvet as she looked to her husband, who looked back up at her in uncertainty himself. Twilight Velvet growled softly as she made her way down the stairs towards the front door, peering out towards the drenched distance of Canterlot. Twilight was still trotting away as she called out to her, "Twilight! Where're you going!? Do you think this will accomplish anything!? Don't be so sensitive! It's pouring out there!"
But then, Twilight glanced back at her with both a cold and tired stare, one that even caused Twilight Velvet to flinch. Afterwords she continued to look ahead again, as she trotted off down the cobblestone path leading further into the city, away from home.
Twilight Velvet continued to remain submerged in the memory, looking back on it in both regret and wonder. Was she in the wrong back then? She still had trouble believing so, but, it pained her to see her daughter so hurt now. A pain she refused to notice before.
"Mrs.Velvet." A familiar, yet unfamiliar female voice echoed.
Twilight Velvet glanced around, as her eyes went wide in surprise.
"Mrs.Velvet?" The voice inquired, coming out of nowhere again yet booming in her head.
Twilight Velvet stood straight, wondering where it was coming from when her world suddenly faded to black.
Soon after that black world dissipated, as Twilight Velvet found herself looking up towards the large crimson dome, while a light purple pegasus was leaned over her, eyeing her with a raised brow in concern. Twilight Velvet looked at her in a daze for some time.
Specialist Flitters was leaned over her, prodding her with a hoof. "Are you alright?"
Twilight Velvet leaned up, rubbing the back of her mane. Did she accidentally fall asleep? She glanced around, finding that she was still in an established military quarter of Canterlot. She was upon the makeshift stage, and sighed as she frowned. "Yes. Are they back yet?"
Specialist Flitters shook her head, "Not yet." She paused, before hesitantly glancing away. "Hey um, wanna take a trot with me?"
Twilight Velvet glanced over at Specialist Flitters, a little thrown off by the sudden question.
Specialist Flitters shrugged at her, as she stood up to all fours. "What?"
Twilight Velvet looked back down at the stage with a blank and tired expression. "It's nothing. I'm just surprised by such an ordinary request. At this point, I was beginning to wonder if you nightmare guards were capable of such things." She closed her eyes.
Specialist Flitters snickered with an eager smile. "So is that a yes?" She tilted her head to the right.
Twilight Velvet sighed as she rose to all fours, patting herself off. "Fine fine." She closed her eyes, giving Specialist Flitters an honest and kind smile. "I guess I can entertain the kids for a bit." She paused, "But I'll have you know, I'm not the most popular of mothers."
Specialist Flitters made her way beside her with a smirk and another brow raise. "Can't be worse than my parents. They left us alone a long time ago," she paused, glancing down in a nostalgic manner. "My sister is the only family that matters now." She shrugged.
Twilight Velvet frowned at Specialist Flitters. "I'm sorry to hear that Sweetie. How a parent can abandon their child, I can't imagine."
Specialist Flitters tossed her a casual wave, "It's fine. We got over it years ago." With that, she gestured towards Twilight Velvet, as the two made their way off the stage, now taking the time to trot around the established area. All around them, both ordinary citizens were being tended to. while prisoners were subjugated with special collars and shackles each nightmare guard had. But both Twilight Velvet and Specialist Flitters blocked out the noise of the happenings around them, to just enjoy a casual trot for a moment. Specialist Flitters glanced over at Twilight Velvet again. "So, how is your relationship with your daughter? You seem genuinely worried about her to me."
Twilight Velvet sighed, frowning again as she closed her eyes as they trotted around the perimeter. She looked ahead tiredly, deep in thought. "I'm not so sure anymore. My daughter, I always felt she was just stubborn, but looking back, perhaps I was just impatient."
Specialist Flitters smiled in amusement at her. "I can definitely see that. But what's she like? Tell me about her."
Twilight Velvet gave her a brow raise. "You seem awfully interested all of a sudden."
Specialist Flitters rolled her eyes. "Well forgive me ma'am if I like to take breaks every now and then too." She closed her eyes with a huff, "Captain Dash is always so by the book, sometimes I'm actually a little thankful for the playful antics form Lieutenant Dust."
Twilight Velvet gave Specialist Flitters a look of understanding and slight pity. "Wait, you actually know how to have fun?"
The two suddenly started chuckling together, having a moment of genuine laughter and amusement.
Meanwhile, both Marble Pie and Fleetfoot were now back to back, slumped as they sat while Fleetfoot kept her eyes on the ground deep in thought. She said nothing, only frowning in worry. She drifted back to a memory, to an image in her mind where she stood alongside Captain Dash and Lieutenant Dust, then as a friend, and mentor. But based on her expression, such a memory was in the distant past now. She sighed, soon raising her cuffed forehooves and looking over the design of them. They were strange, for even now she felt as if her energy were slowly being drained simply by wearing them. What sort of technology was this? She soon tossed a glance back at Marble, who was also lost in her own thoughts and concerns. Fleetfoot turned her gaze back towards the ground with a now heavy frown. Jeez, this sucks.
"Fellow guards ponies!"
Fleetfoot' eyes widened as she glanced over and up at two sudden guards ponies who approached their group. But it was their appearances that threw her in for a loop, when she immediately cocked a brow. Beneath their open face helmets, she clearly saw who the two were, as the purple unicorn from earlier who'd been knocked off the roof, Twilight was it? She was also there. She cringed heavily in both shock and concern, staring plainly at Twilight who gave her a subtle and deeply nervous wink. Fleetfoot leaned forward some, opening her muzzle as if she were about to say something, before retracting and then just sitting as to not draw attention to them but still, she gave them a look that plainly said 'You two!? What do you think you're doing!? W-What are you even doing here!? Are you both idiots!?'
Even Marble looked at the two of them in bewilderment and shock, as she remained quiet and sitting.
Moondancer was too focused on playing her role to pay attention to the two. She simply peered ahead, towards the current guards assigned to the group, as she addressed on in particular, a fellow mare. "You guys are the ones who brought this group in right?"
A couple of nightmare guards who were already watching this bundle of prisoners, approached both Moondancer and Twilight in suspicion, as the mare at the head of the group eyed Moondancer in particular. "And who are you two supposed to be huh!?"
Twilight remained silent, as she nervously glanced to the lower left, not uttering a word for the time being.
Moondancer spoke promptly, raising her head with confidence. "Specialist Moon Shooter. Here to give you guys a break."
The mare at the head of other nightmare guards swiftly eyed Twilight, "And what about her!?"
Twilight flinched, as she raised her head high, avoiding eye contact with the mare. "Specialist Twi Might! Ready for duty!"
The mare eyed Twilight still in suspicion, blinking as she looked back to Moondancer. "She's quite the energetic one."
Moondancer nodded with her eyes closed. "Yes she is, and very passionate to. This was actually her idea."
The mare suddenly eased up a little, "Ah is that so? Well then." She smirked, looking at Twilight, "Thanks Twi Might." She slammed a hoof on her breastplate twice in a sign of respect. "Ain't often ponies come up to relieve us. We were actually waiting for one of our fellow group members to get back, but we're thinking she ran into some trouble. So if you see her, come and find us. Her name's Ebonblitz."
Moondancer nodded to the mare. "Will do, also if you don't mind." She tossed a glance towards the prisoners. "We'll also take hold of the keys to all these prisoners here." She looked back towards the group of other nightmare guards. "We ended up losing track of which keys belonged to which cuffs in one of our old groups, so we like to make sure now we keep all the keys close to their respected cuffs."
The nightmare guard mare tilted her head to the right, rubbing her muzzle some. "W-Well um, sure. Just uh, make sure you guys watch these prisoners. They're pretty obedient, but they're still traitors. Anything is possible." She glanced back at the rest of her group with a nod, as they all handed the mare their keys to their cuffs, as Moondancer took hold of them. In that moment, it was like an instant relief came over the nightmare guard mare as she exhaled and smiled. "Whew, thanks a lot Specialist Moon Shooter. To be honest, I totally wasn't expecting anypony kind enough to give us a break tonight. Now we're gonna go take a well deserved nap." The mare removed her helmet, as the others also did the same and they held them to their sides, as they all steadily made their way away from the two. "Catch you two later."
As they trotted off, Twilight eyed them now in slight confusion herself before commenting. "This is um, pretty easy so far."
Moondancer looked down at the many keys on her hoof. "A common reward among the bold Twilight." She turned towards the group of prisoners, many of which were all quiet, appearing drained and out of it. "Amidst all this chaos, the last thing any of them actually want to do is suspect traitors among themselves. That opens up an entirely different can of worms, one that puts their entire operation in jeopardy. They'd rather go with the more preferable outcome, makes their lives easier and less complicated." She paused, looking particularly at Fleetfoot and Marble, "A common happening I've seen is even if one knows something is wrong or strange, they'd still rather not pursue that train of thought. They'd rather ignore it or just accept the idea they're likely wrong and move on. Ponies don't enjoy bringing drama on themselves if they can." She paused, "Fortunately, this is not the case with everypony." She glanced back at Twilight with a smile.
Twilight's eyes widened a little, as it took her a couple of seconds to get the hint and compliment, which caused her to smile back.
Moondancer closed her eyes, turning to face Twilight before opening them again. "Here, you find out which keys belong to which cuffs Twilight." Her gaze turned towards a distant building with the sphere of magic atop of it. "If I get in trouble, don't intervene. Okay?"
Twilight flinched, obviously angered by Moondancer's words, as she spoke in a whisper. "W-What!? No. I'm not going to ever let you think you're in this alone Moondancer." She frowned, "W-We're in this together. If you get in trouble, I'm helping you, no matter what."
Moondancer's eyes widened a little, as she responded at first with a subtle gentle smile. She placed a hoof on Twilight's cheek, before closing her eyes and leaning forward to rub her own cheek with Twilight's opposing cheek. "Twilight, I don't think you understand."
Twilight, still thrown off by such reactions by Moondancer flushed red as she glanced to the lower right and said nothing.
Moondancer retracted her head again, to look Twilight in the eyes even if she avoided eye contact with her. "This isn't a request."
Twilight hesitantly made eye contact with Moondancer, who continued to peer at her, still remaining silent.
Moondancer continued, still with a gentle smile. "Now do as I say this time." With that, she disappeared with a poof.
Twilight frowned, as she glanced down, still uncertain. But as she remained lost briefly in those worries, she felt as if there were some gazes upon her, which caused her eyes to widen as she looked down towards the prisoners in curiosity, seeing if she were right.
Both Fleetfoot, Marble, and the rest of the prisoners close enough to hear their conversation all eyed Twilight with a slightly perplexed, yet interested look. Whereas Marble immediately looked away from Twilight as Fleetfoot just raised a brow, "Um. Okay?"
Twilight continued to look at all of them, still confused by their expressions. "W-What?"
There was a long drawn on silence, as all the prisoners began looking away, some were coughing.
Twilight shrugged at them, still not getting it as she tilted her head to the right. "What?"
As Moondancer reached the top of the roof, there was a loud whirling noise which emitted from the sphere of magic. It sounded as if she were standing beside a whirlpool, as the unicorn casually trotted up towards it while two other nightmare guards stood by it.
One of the nightmare guards noticed her approach, immediately demanding an explanation. "Hey, what do you think you're!-"
But Moondancer wasn't having it, as a telekinetic grip immediately flung them over to the left further out of sight from the rest of the established area before their heads were slammed onto the concrete roof, knocking them clean out effortlessly. Moondancer had no reaction as she just continued to approach the sphere, eyeing it with deep concern. Looks like I have some time, I need to know how this thing works.
Specialist Flitters and Twilight Velvet continued to trot, as Twilight Velvet didn't hesitate to start talking about her daughter. She looked up towards the barrier casually, lost in thought. "My Twilight, she's a sweet girl, though a bit on the sensitive side, I'm glad her heart is in the right place." She began to get lost in her own words, "She's got an astounding love for magic, and the pursuit of knowledge. She has all the qualities a mother should love." Twilight Velvet glanced back down in wonder, "Funny, how I'm only realizing that now."
Specialist Flitters shook her head. "You can't be expected to be perfect. Don't beat yourself up about it."
Twilight Velvet closed her eyes with a chuckle, "Thank you for your kind words. They do mean a lot." She opened her eyes halfway. Yet I expected my daughter to be perfect for everypony else. When all that should've mattered is if she were perfect to me. I'm sorry Twilight, that it takes a catastrophe for me to realize how I've mistreated you. I'm sorry, everything's ended up like this with us.
And as both Twilight Velvet and Specialist Flitters continued to go about their stroll, unknown to the two, Twilight Sparkle stood close by, also unaware just how close she was to both danger, and to family, as she was leaned down in front of Fleetfoot, fiddling through keys. Whereas Moondancer continued to overlook the sphere on a nearby rooftop, eyeing it with deep concern and worry, and uncertainty.
Upon entering the portal, Trixie opened her eyes only to find herself within a vast pitch black world. She gasped, initially feeling weightless still, as she looked down only to notice she was upon a body of dark water, though she could still see her reflection. She looked at herself, and saw that she was transparent, almost like a ghost. "W-What? What is this place?" She was beginning to panic, as she took a couple of trots back upon the black sea. "Where are we!?" But as she looked ahead, her shock only worsened as she saw another pony standing not far off. The pony was pitch black like Nightmare Moon and had a purple ethereal mane, almost near similarity to the princess herself to where it confused Trixie. "P-Princess!?" She immediately bowed her head. "Princess Nightmare Moon! It's an honor!"
But the black pony turned around, only for her face to deeply resemble Rarity's. "What're you going on about Darling?"
Trixie's eyes widened, as she gasped yet again, backing away. "Y-You!? Rarity!? But, why? Just, what?"
The black pony revealed as Rarity only sighed, running a hoof through her mane. "You are surprised far too often." She peered at Trixie for some time. "The princess bestows many gifts. For those closest to her hierarchy of power, even more so." She turned back around, "Do not be surprised if she eventually bestows such gifts upon you. Though, I noticed you already have a source of strange magical power."
Trixie flinched, glancing back hesitantly as she instinctively placed a protective clutch over her alicorn pendant.
But soon a comforting hoof rested upon Trixie's shoulder, the hoof of somepony familiar. It was none other than Diane, who also looked more transparent, but still ultimately the same. She chuckled, "All secrets become clear here Silly. Don't worry, it's okay, really."
Trixie's eyes widened up at Diane, as she hesitantly looked back down at her reflection once again. "A-All secrets?"
"Hmhmhm, how amusing, the girl is scared. " She paused, "It is quite the pleasure to see you all. Especially you, Rarity."
The voice was familiar, and all too chilling as Trixie practically froze. She began trembling, as that voice that'd echoed across the entirety of this mysterious place, she recognized entirely. Her gaze drifted forward, and upwards, deep into the infinite black to where it seemed to originate from. But as she stared at that pitch black space, her heart only continued to race, as both Rarity and Diane looked in the same general direction with straight expressions, not worried or concerned. And as much as Trixie wanted to look away, she didn't.
Soon enough, as if it'd been watching them the entire time, a pair of large crystal blue sapphire eyes, with slits acting as pupils opened before the trio, focusing on them. "The time has come to make an example out of those who would dare betray me."
Rarity continued to look up at the ominous figure. "I no longer sense Tantabus' connection here Princess, which means-"
Nightmare Moon sighed, though one could not see her expression, it could be interpreted based on her eyes which closed halfway. "He has failed me, whether by his own treachery or another's, I care very little. Truly a shame it's come down to this, but I have grown impatient with taking such chances... "
Rarity looked to Nightmare Moon, fairly disturbed. "Princess, are you certain? These actions will never be forgiven by the citizens."
A burst of sudden and abrupt laughter echoed across the black sea, as the pair of eyes focused on Rarity once more. "Forgiven? Hmhmhm, oh Rarity, you never fail to amuse me my generous little maiden." She paused, "You speak as if such a thing was well within their rights to do. After all that has happened, they will learn that my mercy is a kindness, not an obligation. It is time an example has been made. And on this night all will become clear. You either stand with me, or against me. There is no middle ground, and all who disobey shall be put in their place."
Rarity nodded, closing her eyes as she began to activate a spell within this realm. "And Shining Armor and Princess Cadence?"
Nightmare Moon continued, "Allow me to worry about those two. For now, do as I say Rarity."
Rarity bared no expression as she continued to look ahead blankly, continuing to activate the spell. "Yes, Princess."
Trixie eyed Rarity in both concern and confusion. W-What sort of spell is she activating?
Nightmare Moon chuckled softly beneath her breath. "Show them who has always been in control. Shatter, their perception."
Moondancer continued to overlook the sphere, when suddenly the sphere itself began to crackle with disruptive magic. Black sparks began to appear around the sphere, as convulsive magic was apparent, and it began to distort and shimmer with negative energy. One such spark struck Moondancer swiftly as she immediately pulled herself back with a flinch, her eyes widening in shock, awe, and confusion as she desperately attempted to decipher what was happening. Her eyes remained focused on watching the sphere as the crimson color it bared before, had began to change into a pitch black ball of energy, as if the alicorn magic itself had become corrupt. A fail-safe? Moondancer didn't understand. Her gaze drifted towards the barrier, which in this area, had also began to shimmer and crackle. She carried her gaze on across the city, looking around at other opposing spheres where from a distance, all she could notice was their colors had also slowly started to change. As the sparks of white magic only became more violent, a stark and horrifying realization hit the unicorn mare in that moment.
Twilight Velvet and Specialist Flitters continued to trot, as Twilight Velvet herself remained lost in thought.
Twilight fiddled with the keys, before finally unlocking Fleetfoot's cuffs. She gasped with excitement, then rising. "I got it!"
Fleetfoot let the cuffs slip from her hooves as she smiled with satisfaction, glancing back at Marble. "Yes!"
Twilight Velvet flinched, as in such a dire time, she could never forget that voice, instantly recognizing it. "T-Twilight!?"
Twilight also paused, as she turned, looking across the distance, also recognizing her mother's voice. "Mom?"
The two remained lost in the moment, gazing around for one another as there finally came a time, when both mother and daughter drifted towards a central area. Both Twilight Velvet, and Twilight Sparkle, and had finally made eye contact, looking towards one another.
Whereas Specialist Flitters eyed Twilight in the distance, faintly recognizing her beneath her helmet, and raising a brow. "Huh?"
Both Twilight and Twilight Velvet, looked at one another for a long while. The moment was easily surreal for each of them, as they just stood for some time, each of them having both looks of hurt, recognition, and relief, all at the same time. Twilight didn't even care if she might've been exposed in that moment, as she only looked towards her mother. After a long pause, Both Twilight Velvet and Twilight finally felt the need to push themselves to move, racing towards one another, as Twilight Velvet's thoughts raced. I'm sorry I was always too late.
Moondancer suddenly shouted desperately from the rooftop. "Everypony! Get away from here now!"
Everypony froze, as they all looked towards Moondancer on the roof, confused about what was happening.
Specialist Flitters looked to the roof, immediately recognizing Moondancer. T-The Outcast!? What's she doing here!? She looked back towards Twilight. What's going on here!? Then back towards Moondancer. Something isn't right. Something- but she paused in her thoughts, as she caught sight of the now blackened sphere, which caused her to freeze again, and she too, came to a grim understanding.
Moondancer swiped a hoof, "You all need to go! Now! Before it's-" but as she was talking, a bright flash of white began to expand from the sphere, causing her to look towards it and freeze as well, as she only looked towards the sphere with a doe-eyed expression.
Twilight cried out to Moondancer in a panic. "Moondancer!" When she also looked on over towards her mother, in realization.
Twilight Velvet broke off into another trot, as their world came to a slow, as she tried to reach her daughter.
The expanding white light however drowned out the entire area, before erupting with explosive black magical energy. There was nothing but silence, as in a flash nopony could determine what happened, or what spell had been cast. Their world, had gone mute.