From Scratch

by Silent_Witness

Episode 1: Shattered

The sun had already begun its slow descent toward the western horizon.

All across Equestria, shops were closing, friends were bidding each other farewell, and ponies were returning to their homes, to rest and begin the cycle anew the next morning.

And six friends in particular were no exception.

In the small town of Ponyville, near the Mayor’s office, there was a brilliant flash of light. As the light faded, it revealed six ponies standing in a circle, facing towards one another: a lavender unicorn with wings, another, regular unicorn, two pegasi, and two earth ponies. The lavender pony lifted a foreleg to wipe her brow and said, “Phew! That really took a lot out of me.”

One of her companions, the white unicorn with a carefully coiffed mane and tail, replied, “But we made it all the way to Ponyville, at least. And, none of use we’re left behind this time.”

Another of the lavender pony’s companions, a blue pegasus with short rainbow-colored hair, shot into the air and said aloud, “Big whoop. With all the preparations Twilight had to do, I could’ve flown here myself and still got here before the rest of you.”

One of the earth ponies- orange and wearing a Stetson hat- waved the pegasus off, replying, “Yeah, yeah. Ah’m sure ya could, Rainbow Dash.”

The rainbow-haired pegasus swooped down to bring herself to eye level with the earth pony. “What, you want me to prove it?”

But before either of the two could say anything else, the white pony interrupted, saying, “Applejack, Rainbow Dash, please. It’s been a long day, and I’m tired and want to go to bed. You can have a boasting contest some other time.”

“I still can’t believe the negotiations were interrupted by those giant spiders,” the other pegasus said. This pegasus had a pale yellow coat, with a light pink mane and tail.

“It definitely made things move along faster!” the other earth pony said excitedly, bouncing up and down- this one had a curly pink mane and tail, and a pink coat.

The rainbow-haired pegasus took to the air once again. “Definitely.” She then looked down at the group, noticing one of its members was absent. “Where’s Spike?”

“I teleported him to Canterlot, remember?” the lavender pony replied. “I thought Princess Celestia would want a report about what happened at the negotiations today. He’ll have to spend the night at the palace, but the Princess should be able to send him back here tomorrow morning.”

There was silence for a moment, before the orange earth pony said, “Well, Ah gotta be headin’ back ta the farm. Ah’m sure Apple Bloom’ll wanna know all about the Zebra Kingdom.” With that, the earth pony turned, and headed home.

“I’m heading out too,” the rainbow-haired pegasus said as well. “I’m beat. Who knew listening to a bunch of old zebras talk in rhymes at each other for four hours could take so much out of you?” She sped off.

One by one, the other ponies said their goodbyes and headed home, leaving the lavender pony alone. With no other business to attend to, she turned, and began to head home as well.

The castle that was the lavender pony’s new home was the tallest building in Ponyville, and could be seen from nearly anywhere in the small town. It’s location at the outer edge of town made for quite a walk, but the pony didn’t mind- she could probably do with the extra exercise. Unfortunately, the path she presently walked on took her past…

She looked to her left. There, set apart from the other buildings, was the crater where the Golden Oaks Library once stood. It had been her and Spike’s home ever since they had first come to Ponyville. But just a few short weeks before, the library had been completely and utterly destroyed in the battle with Lord Tirek. Sure, the rainbow power she now carried with in her had created a caster for her and her friends, but a fancy new home could ever replace the possessions and mementos that had been lost along with the library. Plans to rebuild the library were being discussed, but-

“Princess Twilight Sparkle,” a voice suddenly said. “I’ve been waiting for you.”

Twilight turned to the source of the voice- from an alleyway across the street, a pony wearing a hooded grey cloak emerged. From his height and voice, she could tell the stranger was a stallion, but little else- the cloak obscured his features.

Wary, Twilight braced herself and began to focus, saying, “I’m sorry, but I’m not taking any visitors today. But I’ll be available tomorrow.”

The stranger began to stride toward her. “I’m afraid this is something that can’t wait.”

Twilight’s horn began to glow brightly. “Don’t take another step!”

The stranger stopped. “Only using your power to protect yourself. How typical.”

Suddenly, a green flash shot out from under the stranger’s hood and struck Twilight- she tried to spread her wings and take flight… but she suddenly realized that she couldn’t move. “What did you just do!?”

He stopped, right in front of her. “You’re supposed to be the magic expert. You tell me.”

“A paralysis spell?” She strained, to no avail. “What’re you planning to do!?”

Another green glow lit up from under the stranger’s hood. “I’m going to take back what you never earned.”

From within the stranger’s cloak emerged a black crystal, surrounded by a green glow. He held it up in front of Twilight.

At once, a substance resembling a brilliant white fog began to flow from Twilight’s horn, into the crystal. She strained, she tried to turn away, she did everything she could think of, but her body simply would not move. All she could do was stand, feeling as though her very life were being sucked out of her.

There was a flash. Twilight fell to her knees, the paralysis spell finally broken. She tried to stand… but again, her body would not obey. She was suddenly exhausted- simply staying awake was a struggle.

The stranger looked down at the crystal- a white glow now shone from within. “All this power, wasted on the likes of you,” he said. “But don’t despair, Princess.” He spat the last word. “Your power will be placed in much more capable hooves.” He then placed the crystal on the ground… and crushed it under his hoof.

There was another brilliant flash. Twilight struggled, and looked up just in time to see the stranger throw off his cloak- he was a unicorn with a light grey coat, with strange green and white streaks running through his black mane. But then, there was yet another flash as he flared a pair of wings out from his sides. Then, with a flap of his wings, he shot into the air, leaving a green-and-white streak in his wake.

Twilight tried to rise, to chase after him. But her body wouldn’t move. She tried to spread her wings to take flight, but they wouldn’t obey either. She couldn’t even feel them. And with that, the last of her energy was expended; she collapsed onto her side, unconscious.

The stranger stopped high above Ponyville, flapping his new wings to maintain his altitude. Even this high, the castle at the edge of town stuck out like a sore hoof. “The castle,” he said in disgust. “Yet another thing you don’t deserve. But I’ll correct that.” His horn began to glow brightly, and a brilliant beam shot out, slicing through the castle’s support column.

For a moment, all was still. Then, the castle began to slide off its base, along the line he had cut. And then, the air was filled with a deafening thunder as the crystal castle fell to the earth, and shattered into a million pieces.

He looked on at the ruined castle for a moment, before saying aloud, “Serves you right.”

The stranger then turned his back towards the sun and sped across the sky, to the east.

---

The edge of town was littered with wreckage from Twilight’s now-destroyed castle. Shards of crystal gleamed in the setting sun, and walls of brick and metal cast eerie shadows over the wreckage, making it resemble the surface of some strange, alien planet.

But then, a large piece of debris shifted aside, revealing a creature seemingly made up of numerous mismatched parts. He had a few cuts on his body, but was otherwise uninjured.

“Excuse me!” Discord shouted. “I was taking a nap! Twilight, I hope this isn’t your idea of a practical joke, because it isn’t very funny!”

There was no answer.

“Twilight?” he called.

Still, no answer.

“Twilight!” He snapped his fingers- at once, the castle’s wreckage flew into the air and spread out. There was lots of brick and crystal, some personal effects… but no Twilight.

Discord snapped his fingers again- the debris began to spiral through the air as though caught in a tornado, reassembling themselves piece-by-piece. “So, if you’re not here, then where are you, Twilight?” She couldn’t be too far - most likely she was just a few yards away, waiting to jump out and yell, “Gotcha!” He’d have to check every…

…Wait, what was he thinking? He snapped his fingers, and Twilight appeared at his feet. “Alright Twilight, be honest- was this whole trip just a ruse to play some kind of…”

Discord stopped when his eyes fell on Twilight. He picked up the unconscious pony and looked at her. “Oh,” he said, “this… this isn’t good, is it?”

Suddenly, the sound of galloping caught Discord’s attention. He looked- sure enough, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Fluttershy were galloping toward him, with Rainbow Dash flying above.

“What in the hay is goin’ on here?” Applejack demanded.

“I don’t know,” he replied earnestly. “I thought one of you might know.”

“Don’t give us that!” Rainbow shouted. “What did you do to the castle!?”

“Nothing! I was housesitting, just like Fluttershy asked me to! I decided to take a nap, and when I woke up, the castle was falling down on my head!”

The others, save Fluttershy, glared, less than willing to believe him.

“It’s true!” he continued. “I thought Twilight might’ve been playing a prank on me, but she wasn’t here. And when I summoned her to me… well, look.” He bent down, so the others could get a better look at Twilight.

They gasped at her condition.

“We need to get her to Canterlot,” Fluttershy said. She then looked to Discord. “Discord, can you take us there?”

“I can.” He lifted up his claw. “Everypony, get close.”

The others gathered around Discord. When they were in place, he snapped is fingers, and the group disappeared in a brilliant flash of white light.

From Scratch
By: Silent_Witness

Comments

[Metal Hoof]

Dude, good job. This story is getting me hooked, keep it up and give me more. Thumbs up and a fav

[Jet Lignite]

So Twilight and Spike's home has been destroyed yet again... I hope they got nation wide insurance this time.

[Fareseed]

After Tirek, an artifact like that is belivable.