The Princess sat before me, her presence like a warm calming breeze. I was bowing my head deeply to Luna, motionless and quiet, and then I felt her horn alight with magic. I could hear a drawer slide open, and then close after a moment.
"Rise, Azure, for we giveth this jewel as wouldst a friend, not simply as thine Princess," Princess Luna said softly. I slowly looked up at her, my gaze lingering on a small ornate box, which floated in her celestial magic. Princess Luna opened the box slowly, and then floated it down for me to see inside. A small blue pearl sat nestled into the center, puffs of purple and shimmering white passing across its surface.
"As you asked, We hast placed a small amount of our energy, each night for many moons, unto this stone. Doing this was of no major burden, but We would also thank thee, for it was also a reminder of thou," she said, smiling at me while I stood transfixed.
"I apologize, my dearest Princess Luna, for my lengthy absence. It was an unfortunate outcome, spurred by my childish temper. I would like to make it up to ye, would ye allow it." I said, affecting the olden tongue that Princess Luna preferred. Luna smiled softly, maybe remembering the last days we had spent together.
"We fain to know, from thine own mouth; what had transpired that morn, so many moons ago," Luna said, a small smirk crossing her face.
"I shalt indeed recall the story for ye, but would first ask to enjoy a moment, like we once did," I said, looking to her hopefully. Princess Luna smiled widely at this, before levitating the pearl to me.
"We would hope thou hasn't grown complacent in thine studies over these many moons," Luna stepped down from her bed, "for thou shalt be most embarrassed to challenge us, after all this time."
I bowed deeply to her, before taking a small chain necklace from my pack into my hoof. I opened the small clasps and fit the dream pearl into the opening, smiling at its luminosity. I slipped the chain over my neck, it clinking against my collar, before turning to Princess Luna.
She had walked into the wide area of her chamber, towards the exit, giving me an expectant smile. I nodded, and then moved forward, holding her gaze during my approach. Confidence is always a must with her majesty of the night. I stopped in front of her, and then offered my right hoof to her, and bowing my head at the same time.
"May I have this dance, oh wonderful Princess of the Night?" I took a peek up at her, and was rewarded with a smile and a nod. I reached my hoof to hers, and then tapped my new adornment. A pulse of magenta magic pushed past us. It formed a dome around us, its shell becoming completely opaque. This was dream magic, that would allow us to move into the unconscious realm of the mind, whilst still remaining aware.
Luna looked into the dark surface above her, and then gave a small nod of her head. Millions of lights swirled around, the ground seeming to shift underneath us. The sky had become filled with magnificent shapes and patterns, all dancing around the glorious, vibrant moon. The ground beneath us had shifted into a sleek icy surface, and after looking around, I saw a snowy landscape emerging before my eyes. The dream could be anything either of us wanted, and right now, Luna was in full control.
We stood up onto our hind legs, and then I took her hoof into mine. We spun across the ice, turning back and forth, mirroring each other's movement. The stars themselves seemed to twinkle a melody as snowflakes gently fell across the frozen lake. We skidded across the ice, taking turns spinning one another, before lifting into the air. We flew through the sky, our movements perfectly in tune, while we laughed without a care.
"It has been far too long, Azure, since We hast felt this relaxed," she said, still keeping in time with the stars lullaby. "Promise us thou wouldst not remain absent for long again?"
I smiled, and then frowned at her, "I always took great enjoyment from our past times together, Princess, but there art still matters with which I must attend."
"What is it thou speakest of, Azure," Princess Luna said.
"Well, now that my escort hast returned, everything shalt be explained," I said, gesturing down to a wide-eyes blushing purple princess.
"Aww, you two look so cute together, I'm sorry for interrupting," Twilight said, smiling up at us.
"We are not cute, We are wise and mysterious, and thou wouldst do well to remember, Twilight Sparkle," Luna snapped at her. "And we we art simply old friends, thou best not get the wrong impression."
I let out an easy laugh, smiling at the powerful princess pair. "We must make more time for each other, during my next visit, Dearest Luna," I said, before floating back to the ice. Princess Luna followed me down, giving me a sigh, and then a smile.
I tapped the dream pearl with a hoof, and then the magical shroud faded from view, restoring the sight of Luna's royal chamber. "Please have a seat, Twilight, I've got a story to tell, and it might take a moment," I said, gesturing back to the cushions in front of Luna's bed. "After I'm done, you can tell me what that grouchy old stallion had to say." Twilight opened her mouth to reply, but stopped herself. She sighed and walked over to sit next to me—giving me no argument. After we had all settled down comfortably, I took a breath and then said, "This whole situation started going downhill—all because of my request to see Princess Celestia."
-----
I had walked miles into the woods, heading uphill towards a cliff I had spotted. The tall oaks I passed shaded me on my journey upwards, while I listened to the many animals that had become my only company. The sun beat down around me, like Celestia wanted me to know that she was watching. I crossed the top of the slope, passing some rather large oaks, when I happened upon a small grove. Over to my right, I could see the tops of Canterlot's towers, preceded by miles of forest, just past a cliff drop.
A small stream flowed out of the ground in front of me, cascading down the rocks and tree roots to my left. How is the stream fighting gravity like that? I walked over to the water, and after giving it a sniff, drank heavily from it. I smacked my lips, and then sighed—having become quite thirsty on my journey up here.
I looked around, taking in the sights of the forest, before turning to find a tree to rest under. I found a suitable spot only a short distance from the stream, and then removed my saddlebags to use as a headrest. I snuggled down the best I could, already accustomed to the outdoors. I rested my eyes, listening to the birds and the stream flowing down the mountain. I felt like there was something special about this place, I just couldn't put my hoof on it.
This will do just fine for a while. I had initially came out here to clear my mind of stress, and also to practice some magical theories I had concocted. Now that I was here, the refreshing mountain air cleansing my lungs, I didn't regret my choice. I drifted off to sleep, falling into the deep dark that is my subconscious.
---
Something was very wrong. I awoke with a start, looking around wildly. I couldn't place it, but something had changed while I slept. I sat there, still as a statue, listening for anything to clue me in on the mystery. I waited with my ears perked, and then nothing. Nothing..not even the wind rustling the trees, or any animals scurrying.
I got up slowly, and then looked around. Things seemed normal, regardless of the hairs on my mane standing on end. I walked towards the stream, my mouth having gone dry while I had slept. The water was still there, gushing up from a small rocky opening, before trickling downwards. The sounds that the water made alleviated the tension, which had built up since I awoke. I bent down and drank, the cool water dripping down my neck, before raising my head to up to look at the moon.
The shape of a mare tattooed on its surface stared down back at me. I had heard the tales of Nightmare Moon while growing up, like any foal. But I had never given it much thought, it was just another story for children after all—like the Tooth Pony.
I trotted back to my makeshift bed, intending to settle back in for the night. Again, I stopped in place, gripped by a sensation of wrongness.
I I must be going crazy or something. I continued forward—before the realization hit me in the face like a rock. I couldn't hear my hoof steps, or feel the grass under my hooves. This caused me to start hyperventilating—my vision suddenly spinning like a top.
After a few minutes passed and I realized I wasn't going to die, I managed to calm down enough to think. Let's approach this rationally. It had only been about a week since I had left Canterlot. Since then, I hadn't eaten anything besides food from my own supplies, nor had I interacted with any strange wildlife. The only thing that had changed in the last few nights was...
The stream! I rushed back over to it, coming to a stop a foot from it. It looked perfectly normal, and it had tasted fine, but there was nothing else on which I could place the blame. I stepped forward and cautiously gave it another sniff. This time, the water smelt of raspberries for some reason, so then I raised a hoof, and then dipped it into the shallow stream. It felt cool to my touch, it felt cool. I could still feel the water of the stream , but then, when I put my hoof back on the ground, I felt like I was standing on clouds. I stomped my hoof into the grass, and still couldn't feeling anything. I couldn't feel or hear anything at all, except the stream evidently.
I stood there, staring as the water ran down the hill, trying to understand my situation. The water was doing something to me, but I didn't understand what. I had read a few books on magical ailments, I couldn't recall anything with which my symptoms could be classified. So I did the logical thing—I took another long drink of water. It did taste like raspberries, in fact this time, it tasted even more like the fruit. It was such an odd sensation, and perhaps drinking more was a bad idea, but I was intrigued by the effects it had on me.
I walked back over to my saddlebag, and then settled myself back down for the night. I would give the matter more thought after I was thinking more clearly.
---
I came back to consciousness slowly—not even bothering to open my eyes. My brain started up like a heavy rock, resting atop a steep hill, before hurtling down towards reality. I listened for sounds around me, and then still only heard the sound of water trickling. I gave the air a sniff, but couldn't detect anything. I dragged my hoof to rub my face, and couldn't even tell if my brain had processed the request.
I opened my eyes. What I saw definitely wasn't what I had expected, or even could have imagined. The world itself was a giant spectrum of color. The ground was a red-brown tint, spreading all around me. The trees created a glowing wall of orange, moving and swaying with the wind. I looked up into the sky, devoid of color—except for the red tinted clouds.
I studied the area around me again, a flash of green catching my eyes. I walked over to it, and was surprised to see a green stream of water. I didn't understand what I was seeing, or what had happened to me. I walked over to the cliff edge, and then gazed out towards Canterlot. The city I grew up in looked completely alien. The towers orange instead of white, and I could make out a blueish tint on one side.
I turned away from the city, and then walked back to my saddlebags—when I tripped over a tree root. I flipped over and landed in a very undignified position near a tree trunk. I had scraped my legs pretty bad, and felt the beginning of a migraine.
"Bucking trees!" I said as I slammed my hoof into the trunk. My eyes widened as I saw a wave of yellow emit from my hoof and spreading upwards into the tree. I pulled my hoof back to see a sizable hole in the orange trunk. I hit the tree again, in a different spot, but saw only a small yellow vibration. So I yelled out, and then hit it as hard as I could. And then the tree came crashing down.
The wood crumpled on impact, waves of green emitting from my hoof strike, and then it tilted forward to crash to the ground. I couldn't believe I had just done that, knowing I wasn't that strong. My gaze shifted back over to the green stream, before all of it clicked together. What I was seeing, and what I had been drinking—was raw magical energy.
---
I had spent the many passing moons upon that hilltop, experimenting with magic in a way I had never read about. I had learned many things, through trial and error, before I mastered the ability to draw in raw natural magic. The air itself carried small amounts of magic, and through a process that mimicked the effects the water had on me—I learned to harness its energy. By closing off my senses to the physical world, I could enter a state capable of perceiving the natural magic around me.
I also learned that raw magic had physical tolls on my body, causing me to become violently ill. After testing the limits of the energy I could draw in, I rapidly became dizzy, and then promptly vomited a rainbow, or close enough to it. I passed out afterwards, and have since become more careful in my experiments.
After creating holes in various trees and rocks, it seemed evident that the force of magic was contingent on my emotions. Anger was the most destructive, and often the most unstable. But I found if I was calm and gentle instead, I could produce different effects with my magic. I had found that I could push magic into objects, opposite to my previous exercises.
I had found a small piece of quartz, glinting from the ray of the sun, in the dirt by the trees. I brought it back to the stream, and then set it next to the water. I closed my eyes, breathing deeply, and then took in the magic around me. I could achieve this attuned state if I drank from the stream, but I learned to not rely on it. I opened my eyes, the world of magic greeting me, before I reached back down. I picked up the now orange-hued quartz, and then placed it into the green water. I gently pushed at the stream's magic, my heart calm and gentle, to guide the green energy into the stone. It was a long process, but eventually the quartz changed, from an orange rock to a green gem.
I released the energy I was holding in a breath, the world righting itself, and took the quartz in my hoof. The color had changed to a strange blue, and also seemed to hum with energy. After a moment, the hum faded, the magic having settled inside. I struck it with a tiny bit of magic, and then felt it vibrate in response, before getting blasted in the face with water. Sputtering, I smiled nonetheless at my accomplishments, and then continued my work with enthusiasm.
---
The day had finally come, I had returned home earlier to shower and dress myself properly, prior to heading for the royal castle. Before walking down the halls, I stopped to draw in some energy. It wasn't that I planned on needing it, but I had become accustomed to the its presence. I trotted down the grand hall towards the entrance to the day court assembly. A very familiar looking unicorn stood next to the head assistant. And now that I looked closer, they looked very similar—too similar.
"Hello, Azure," Golden Quill said to me, his lips curling up in a smile, "what business could you possibly have here today."
"I have no business with you," I paused for a moment, "yet," I finished, before turning my head to the other pony.
"You will not speak to my son that way, earth pony, and you would do well to remember your place," the assistant said.
I recoiled at this, looking from one to the other in disdain, before gritting my teeth. "I apologize if I spoke out of turn, head assistant, can you please tell the court I have arrived for my hearing?"
Golden Quill leaned over to whisper to his father, and then they both looked down from his podium.
"It seems you forgot to pay the fee for the registration of your request," the head assistant told me.
"Fee? I wasn't informed of any fee when I made the request a year ago," I said, completely baffled.
He smiled widely at me, and then said, "That's because the fee was instituted a week afterwards, and we were unable to contact you about the issue. So your appointment was canceled one month later."
"You can't be serious, you grumpy horn head, I've waited a year for this!"
The head assistant scowled at me, and then said, "My name is Iron Quill or lord Iron Quill to you, and yes, I'm quite serious."
I couldn't take it anymore, I simply reacted—long before my brain sorted out his words. I smashed my hoof into the marble podium, causing it to shatter into pieces. Some of the chunks smacked the quill ponies into the wall, all of which made a lot of noise.
I was still breathing hard, and was about to start yelling at the pair—when I found myself in a worse situation.
"Guards!" Golden Quill called, even as they were already galloping towards us. "Arrest that earth pony, he's just assaulted us and destroyed Canterlot property."
The guards started to surround me, before I decided on a gamble, and then leaped towards the exit. I ran as fast as my legs would carry me, getting as far as the bridge before some pony stopped me.
I saw a blue pony walking towards the castle, recognizing my brother, Night Light, and had stopped to stare at him. The guards caught up to me, just as he came within talking range.
"What is this about, Azure, what's going on?" Night Light spoke, eyeing the guards behind me.
"Night Light, I can explain"—I was interrupted by yelling behind me.
"Azure, you are under arrest for assaulting a member of the royal court, his son, and also the destruction of public property," boomed an authoritative voice behind me.
Night Light's eyes narrowed at me, before he said, "You're always causing trouble, Azure, can't you just behave like the rest of your kind."
That cut me deep. I didn't want to believe that he meant what he'd said, but his eyes told me of his sincerity. I stiffened, and then looked him straight in the eye.
"Get out of my way, Night Light," I said, my voice low and dangerous.
"Don't worry, members of the guard, I will deal with my brother's recklessness myself—his disgrace falls on my family after all," he said, lighting his horn.
I charged at him, moving to the side as he fired a stunning bolt. The magic sparked past me as I tapped the blue gem I carried around my neck. I landed next to my brother, and turned to face him, his eyes blinking in surprise.
"Gotcha," I said, before my brother was pounded by a water geyser, which had erupted from my magical quartz. He coughed, gasping for breath, before standing to glare at me. I walked toward him, and then tapped my stone again, pushing my own magic into it. Night Light's horn glowed again, and then we both released our magic simultaneously.
"Gotcha!" I heard him yell just as our spells were released, before seeing lighting fly from his horn. The electrical surge crackled through my aqua jet, and then struck me in the chest. The gem around my neck exploded, sending me flying backwards, slamming hard into a brick wall.
My body was in an indescribable amount of pain, my muscles were twitching, and the world seemed to spin. My back and head ached from the impact, and my skin burned as if it were aflame—despite being drenched from head to hoof.
Night Light walked over towards me, his smile waning only slightly upon seeing my condition, before he shouted, "Guards, he's all yours."
The guards had already been running towards us, after getting over the sight of what they had witnessed. I looked up, trying to get control over the spinning in my head. I was about to be arrested, thrown in jail and probably left there to rot. The ponies I attacked would probably make sure of that, so I did the only thing I had left.
I cleared my thoughts, and shut my eyes, beckoning large amounts of energy to enter my being, until I lost all feeling of pain. I stood up, my hooves completely numb, and then stared at the mix of green and yellow figures.
One of the guards spoke up, "His eyes are glowing, um, is that supposed to happen?"
I gave them my best sneer, and then, after forcing magic into my hoofs, ran forward to jump clear over them. I continued running at high speeds, making my way over the wall and back into the forests. I kept running and running, and stopped only after the magic inside me had waned, which left me hobbling in pain.
-----
"And that's how Equestria was founded," I said, grinning sheepishly at Twilight. She had been struggling to not interrupt me during my story, but that last few minutes left her wide-eyed and terrified.
"That must have been quite an ordeal for you, Azure, I guess I know why my father never mentioned you," Twilight said, gaze shifting to the floor.
"Hey now, Night Light and I have moved past this, we were both reckless as younger ponies. We've come to terms and accepted our mistakes, so please don't hold it against him now," I said to her, raising her head up with a hoof.
Twilight nodded at me, and then Luna coughed into her hoof.
"We believe thou hadst something to tell Azure, Twilight Sparkle?" Luna said, purposely ruining our little family moment.
Twilight nodded to Princess Luna, before she turned back to me, "Iron Quill is ready to meet with you, assuming your ready to apologize to him." She studied me, gauging my reaction before continuing, "He's down in the throne room, preparing for the start of day court."
"Let's just get this over with, shall we?" I said before turning around. I bowed deeply to Princess Luna, and then spoke quietly, "If the fates would align properly, we shalt meet again soon, my dearest Princess of the Night."
Luna gave me a straight look, and then smiled broadly, "The ham has been doubled!"
We all stood there, gaping at each other, before bursting into fits of laughter. I felt tears well up in my eyes, and couldn't help but smile at her. Luna always did know how to knock me back down a peg.
"Let's go, Twilight, we shall let dearest Moonbutt get her beauty sleep," I said, before dashing out the door. This was followed by a yelp, and the sound of pillows hitting the wall. Then Twilight caught up to me, trying to laugh and catch her breath at the same time.
"You two must be good friends, if you speak to each other that way," she said as we descended the stairs.
I looked at her and nodded, "We spent the better part of a year together, and shared many of our hardships."
"I'd like to hear about how you two met, when we have the time," Twilight said, opening the door out into the Hall of the Moon. The bat-guards snapped to attention as we exited—one in particular trying to avoid eye contact.
"Gladly, dearest Twilight, but for now, I need to focus on the matter at hoof.
---
We entered the royal throne room, which doubled as day court, and glanced around for Iron Quill. Before we found him, Princess Celestia walked in from a side chamber, and then seated herself upon her cushy throne. I looked up at her, Celestia's gaze shifting around the room before meeting mine. We exchanged a look, and then nodded very slightly to one another.
I heard some pony trotting up from my side, so I turned to see the old grouch himself, was staring me down. Iron Quill's mane and tail had gone white with years, but he still held himself high, above everypony.
"Hello, Iron Quill, its been a few years hasn't it?" I said, giving him a small nod.
"Not long enough, if you ask me," he replied, Twilight scowling at him. "You continue to return where you're not wanted, always trying to stir up trouble."
Twilight looked back and forth between us, maybe considering what she could say to ease the tension.
"I've come to finally resolve the situation, Iron Quill, so I hope you hear me out," I said, trying to keep a neutral expression.
"We'll see, earth pony, you're still no magician," he said snidely.
"Is that a fact, Iron, that your willing to bet your bits on?" I said, trying to taunt him.
"What do you mean," he said, eyeing me carefully.
"I propose a contest, between myself and the strongest magician you can find," I said, gesturing around us. "If I win, you allow me any access that I request of the royal archives."
"And if I win?" he sneered at me.
"Then I'll give you the map to Starswirl's lost library," I said, pulling out the old scroll. Twilight's eyes opened widely, just as Iron Quill's did. He looked from the map to me, and then back again, before smiling confidently.
"Very well, Azure, you'll have your contest," he said, walking forward to the center of the room. "I'll even let you choose between the two opponents."
I walked forward, glad to finally have things go my way for a change. I looked at him and spoke, "Whom will I be fighting then, oh Lord Iron Quill."
"You may choose between either of these mighty magicians, should they choose to accept: Princess Twilight Sparkle, or Princess Celestia."