The sequel to the MAybe series, part 48-50. Follow our main character thought his newest trails as he tries to better understand the consequences of his influences on Equestria; and how it affects the ones he loves.
Part 48-50 in the MAybe series. It's been three long, exciting and strange years since your life as you knew it was altered completely. However as much as three years change life and the world there's somethings even time doesn't wither away. Love, loss, fear, revenge. Three years have pasted by, and now it's somepony else's turn to travel down the path of her parents...However, how much of yours and Twilight's past has lingered on this path?
Chapters updated daily or every two days. About 3 parts to the story so don't get scared at "End part I."
The air in the room, now much like the lavender mare's nose is hard to breath through, mixed in it are sweat, tears and fears...Not for just fear for herself but fear for the unborn foal that's curled up oblivious to the world outside of the heavily pregnant mare's womb.
Beneath the lavender coated and stress combed jagged excuse for a mane the bright multicolored stones of the room have cradled a few drops of salty tears as she continues to hold her shaking head from the beast of a creature that walks closer towards where she kneels. Each hoof sound or sloppy clawed click from the mismatched demon of a being sends chills aching through her spine as she just focuses on her breath for the foal's sake.
The sounds of the foot steps stop and the smell and heat of his breath beamed down to her ears as she slightly turns her gaze to scared to look him in the eyes, "Twilight?..." His voice has a faint giddy giggle to it as he waits for a response.
But the lavender mare doesn't give one as her body just trembles with every hard breath expelling or inhaling from her mouth.
"Twilight...I need you to listen to me...." His words end as a smile cracks across his face, protruding his one shaped and curved tooth, “Can you do that Twilight?”
Agian no answer comes from the mare as her ears stay pinned to the voice coming down to her, "...I need something from you, and you will bring it to me..." The voice stops as the tongue from his goat mouth comes to lap at his slightly dried lips, "...Do you understand me?"
Twilight's soft purple eyes flutter as she reluctantly nods her head.
To the gesture the newly wetted lips part again a smile as the cocky and sure voice continues, "Good, then listen to me very carefully Twilight-..."
- - -
(About two weeks earlier.)
"...Ugh! Why do we have to lay in the mud?" The young light blue unicorn stallion's voice rings up and over the chiming crickets being cloaked in the dark almost moonless night around him as he tries to rub a little mud from his face. which only brings a new blob of wet dirt to stain his snout.
The stallion's pointless complaint comes to an end as he feels a cold muddy hoof nudge to his side, "Shhh quiet Bell, you're going to get us caught..."
"OH yuck! You pushed it into my furrr!" Bell's hoof comes to knock the orange pegasus's hoof away as his raised whisper continues to chime above the crickets sitting in the jagged uncut Everfree forest bushes around them."...Great now i'm never going to get this stuff out!"
From the words the orange pegasus’s slightly stuffy nosed voice comes back up, "Why do you care so much Bell? You wanted to do this?"
"Hey! Don't tell me I complain a lot, you should have heard yourself when we told you to move that rain cloud---mhf-fffmp..." The blue unicorn’s rushed voice is silenced by a rim of blue magic that has come around his snout, making his lips protrude a little in a almost pout like face.
The two young stallions turn their heads to the light purple mare laying in front of them as the mare's left hoof comes up in a quick and expert motion followed by a flick of her left ear that slaps against the bush the three lay under.
As her motions end the light blue hold around Bell's snout comes undone and he again speaks up, this time in a much more whisper based tone, "Why didn't you tell Sparky to shut up, he started it?"
The mare rolls her eyes as she turns back to the opening of the plant to again survey their awaiting plan.
From the young mare's averted eyes Bell jabs his muddy hoof to the orange stallion's side, "Cry baby."
The orange stallion copies the jab a little lighter as he speaks up, "Filly." A smile quickly breaks over his face as his stuffy nosed voice sparks the result he was looking for.
"Filly?!"
"SHH!" Sparky's voice quickly comes to the blue stallion's ears but it goes unnoticed to the blue furred stallion as his head is plunged to the mud by the light blue magic that sparked above his head.
Bell gives a groan as he brings his now coated face from the ground to the light purple mare that taps her hoof to her mouth with an annoyed expression.
"HEY! I got the--..SHHH!!!" A tan coated and slightly thicker built stallion plops his flank to the ground as his panted voice comes back up from the other three ponies hush, "*pant* Sorry *pant* -Sorry....But I got it." The tired out stallion nods his head to the jar as a little tap-tap is heard from inside the darkened glass container.
"Finally!..." The blue stallion's voice comes up as he wipes some of the wet dirt from his face, "...Now lets hurry up and do this before they find us....Are we still good?"
The word's spark the mare's head as she turns back to the scene outside of the bush. From her hidden position her blue eyes trace over the few nicely dressed ponies as they trot in and towards the brightly and festively lit red barn that sits a short gallop away from her spot. Her eyes come back to the impatiently waiting stallion as she nods.
"Good, now come on lets get ready." Bell's voice stays a whisper as he brings himself to a low stance behind the row of thick bushes that line the area between the Everfree forest and the low cut grass of the south farm's field barn.
The other two ponies that were in the bush follow his lead as they stand, but the tan coated stallion just hooves the jar up as he continues to catch his breath, "I-I am not standing...*pant* next time something needs to be caught, don't send the earth pony!"
His low voice causes the muddy blue unicorn's horn to spark up in a pink glow taking the jar into the air next to him as he snaps back, "You better be able to run when we need to."
"RUN!?"
"SHHH!!!" The two standing stallion's rush there response back as the light purple mare's horn sparks up quick wrapping a line of blue magic around the seated stallion's mouth.
To the new insured silence Bell's eyes dart over the bush, "Ok, lets do this..."
"Um...are you sure?" The pale orange pegasus's voice comes up as he starts to rub his left hoof over his right, "...I mean its not like they really deserve it? Right?"
"Don't deserve it? You think it's fair how Pearl Tiara can just manipulate every school year? You think its right how she can get everypony to do what she wants just because her dad is Filthy Rich?" Bell holds a sharp eye to the pegasus's dropped ears as he waits for a response.
Sparky hesitates for a moment but luckily a response comes up in a laugh as the tan seated stallion speaks up, "What? Ha-ha-ha, B-Bell you act like Pearl Tiara is a demented ruler or something? Lets face it, we're just doing this because she always excludes us from all her parties."
Bell blows to the comment as he shakes his head, "Exactly, she always acts like a mare in heat and never invites us."
"Um...Well actually this party is the Running of the Leaves dance that Ponyville school host, we were invited if we brought a date." Sparky's stuffy nosed voice comes up as Bell's fast past rant ends.
But Sparky's sensible words only spark another laugh from the still seated tan stallion as he nods his head, "Ya but come on Sparky, i'm too big, you're a wimp, Bell don't like mares and Violet can't talk...Not really the best dates."
Bell's eyes spark up a little wide to the stallion's comment as he speaks up in protest, but it's the sprawled out winged pegasus’s contestion that is heard...However neither of the two stallion’s words hit the tan stallion's ears as Violet's horn sparks up and a small bolt is sent to the seated stallion's back.
"WHOA!" As the blue bolt strikes against his back his tan coat becomes a frosted bluish white color that sends the tired out stallion into a quick almost jumped up stance.
Violet gives a quite wheezing laugh as she flips the few strains of mane that have fallen into her gaze back away from her eyes.
As Futty slightly trots around trying to ease the chill the jar still being held in Bell's hold comes in front of him, "Alright no more waiting lets do this, Sparky make sure it doesn't get away...." The orange pegasus nods his head as he holds his sprawled out wings. "...Violet you know the spell that will make this thing only want to eat food right?" The light purple mare nods her head with a smile as her horn sparks up.
"Alright, one, two, three..." The cap of the jar comes open to a quick moving Parasprite, "Quick hit it, hit it!" Bell backs up from the spooked bright yellow flying bug as it quickly darts around the new free air around it.
Violet's blue eyes squint to the bug as her tongue pokes a little from her mouth, but her pause doesn't last long as a small bolt of blue magic comes to hit against the darting bug.
The Parasprite pauses it's bug like fluttering as it just blinks its big shining eyes to the night. From the bug's confusion Bell trots beside it as he points his hoof towards the brightly lit barn and screams up almost in a feminine squeal, "Your foods in there you dumb bug! GO!"
Without another moment of hesitation the Parasprite zips towards the festive area with its hungry eyes pinned to the barn. Violet, Sparky and Futty come near Bell's position as they watch their plan coming to action.
Theres a moment of silence before a few feminine screams are heard from the barn as the Parasprite, that now is almost unseeable flies in through the open door. Futty and Bell start up in a laugh as they lean to each other. Sparky and Violet just hold a silent smile to the few gussied up ponies that quickly dart from the now fully open doors.
However Violet and Sparky's silent smiles get a little bigger as they watch a red punch drenched pale pink mare wearing a bright white and gold dress with wet mane that hangs to one side stepping out of the barn doors with a high pitched squeal of a voice, "WHERE ARE YOU LOSERS I KNOW YOU DID THIS!!"
Bell's eyes hold to the mare as he watches her squinting towards the dark area of the Everfree forest they reside in. Their moment of fun is brought to an end as her squinted stare widens a little and her hoof comes up, "Just wait until school starts there won't be any where to hide!!"
"Run for it!" Bell darts away from his spot as the three ponies behind him start up there trots with their own respected playful laughing.
The ground of the Everfree forest is uneven, cluttered with untamed plants and fallen leaves and branches all blended perfectly to the slick wet dirt from the previous rain that must have fallen in the forest.
But the dark forest's uncertain terrain doesn't slow the four young ponies as they continue to quickly dash further into it. Instead there gallops are slowly coming to an end because of their own will, not because of the unknown world around them that they still foolishly ignore.
"T-that was great!" Bell's slightly out of breath voice rings around the forest no longer worried about alerting anypony and ruining their plan.
The tan stallion leans to a mossy tree trunk as he wiggles his hoof a little up in a weak cheer, "Yay...can we go now?"
His comment sparks the orange stallion next to the lavender mare as he nods, "Ya, what if Pearl tells on us?"
"HA! That pony tell on us?! She knows we have caught her doing somethings she don't want anypony finding out about...Besides you heard her, she'll get us back at school." Bell gives another little laugh as the stallion begins to steady his breathing, "...And that's like two months from now, so we're good."
Sparky gives a little nod to the comment as the pegasus stretches his wings out a little, "Should we get back? That parasprite should have scared everypony off by now."
"OH come on Sparky, live a little...Besides we're only a few short gallops away from the farm." As Bell's confident words end a tree branch snapping sends a cold reality bringing chill through the four ponies spines.
Violet's ears perk up to the sound as her horn takes on a bright blue glow, but she hesitates on a spell not knowing where to look.
"H-hey maybe Sparky's right *pant* we should head back..." The tan stallion moves from the tree as he turns back towards the way they came, "You know, that way we don't become timber wolf food or something? Ha-ha?"
The blue unicorn's lapsing confident tone comes back as he nods his head, "Ya lets get moving."
As he moves his way back to the group Violet and Sparky start to follow after their friends as they still hold a keen eye and ear to the world around them. But the light purple mare's horn starts to drop its glow to more of a simple path lighting dimness as Bell's voice comes back to the group as he tries to lighten their moods.
"So how is this for a send off huh Sparky?"
The almost pointless conversation is snatched up by the pale orange pegasus as he speaks up, still holding his stuffy nosed voice down to a low as to not stir the world around him, "Ya it was great..."
A faint laugh comes over Bell as he nods to the young mare that now has moved to the middle of the group to better light the uneven forest path, "How come you're going to Canterlot again? I mean come on Violet is a filly prodigy so we know why she's going, but you, you can't even get past the clouds when you fly."
The light purple mare picks her head up a little proud to the stallion's words as she trots more towards the front of the small group.
Sparky on the other hoof just blows his friend's comment off as he speaks up, "You know i'm going there cause my dad wants me to attend the Wonder Bolts academy."
Futty and Bell both let out a low chuckle as the tan stallion speaks up, "Really? Come on Sparky you're not going to be the next Soarin or Visk Bolt, heck you couldn't even hold a feather to Fleet Foot?"
The orange pegasus just rolls his eyes to the two young stallion's laughs as he speaks up, "Ya I know that...I want to be a cloud shaper, you know create all the sculpted clouds you always see at a Wonder Bolt track."
Bell nods to the comment as he still holds his light chuckle, "Ya ya, you get a cutie mark from carving yourself into a cloud and suddenly you think your the best cloud sculpture."
Sparky's ears flop down a little as he shrugs the comment off, "So...I like it."
The blue stallion turns his head to the mare in front of him as he changes his tone up, "What about you Violet? We know you're going for that unicorn school but what do you want to be?"
Violet's ear flicks to the comment knowing she can't just stop her trot to bring her hooves up, luckily her response is not needed as the tan stallion speaks up through the slight smacking of his lips, "Mhmmm I want to be a baker....oh ya...just make pies all day long..."
The blue unicorn squints to the tan stallion's far off gaze as he just roll his eyes, "Right?"
As Bell's words end the tree line to the forest gets a little more sparse and the light from the half moon shines in a bit brighter. Without a word all four of the young ponies start up in quick gallop that brings them to the end of the forest's hold and back into the low bushes in front of the farm's outskirts.
But there gallop halts as they bring their eyes to scoop out the world around the barn, there is no pony in sight but they still all hesitate to move.
"Hey...Violet, time to see if that spell worked huh?"
From Bell's words the light purple mare's horn starts up in a dim blue glow, that flickers on and off like a beacon. With each flicker the light chime of her magic rings around the group as Sparky comes up beside her to finish the last bit of t their plan.
Violet's magical beacon comes to an end as she smiles to the yellow ball of bug wings that zigs and zags towards her. But the blue glow doesn't stay gone for long as she lowers her horn and brings it to spark up in a quick firing bolt.
The snap of light from Violet's horn hits the bug and brings it to the ground as it's bug like wings become a frosted and stopped mass.
Bell and Futty start up in a laugh as they trot pass the readied pegasus, "Looks like we didn't need you chasing that thing down after all."
Sparky just gives a nod with a slight bit of disappointment that he didn't really get a chance to chase the bug down.
The blue stallion's horn sparks up in a low pink glow as the jar that was left from there gallop comes to the parospite and scoops it in, "Don't worry about this thing, we can let it out you two should just head on home."
Violet holds a happy smile as her hooves and ears start up through a motion as the blue unicorn tries to follow the fast paced sentence. But the young mare stops her motions as he speaks up, "Whoa whoa whoa, you're going like a gallop a second..."
The mare rolls her eyes to the words as she start up the motions again. Over the years the three stallion's have learned Violet's hoofing and the light purple mare knows to usually keep her speed down for their sake. But still repeating even a simple hoof motion has always kind of annoyed the young mare, as she gets through her motion the blue stallion again just cocks his head, "What about Apples?"
Sparky speaks up as the mare rolls her eyes again, "She wants to know if you two know were to take it?"
Futty and Bell both blow to the comment as the tan stallion speaks up, "Ya, don't worry."
"Alright." Sparky turns towards the quiet mare as he speaks up, "Um...I can walk you home if you wan to go?"
Violet blinks to the stallion's unsure tone for a moment, but she doesn't give it a second thought as she starts her trot pass the orange stallion.
But there trot doesn't get too far before Bell's voice comes back to their ears, "Hey..." Violet and Sparky turn their heads to the muddy blue stallion as he nods his head, "...Good luck."
They return the nod as there trot comes back to them.
- - -
The trip back from the edge of the Sweet Apple acres has been quite, partly because both Violet and Sparky are a little exhausted from there night but mainly because the orange pegasus knows he can't really hold a conversation with the mare beside him. However the lack of a distracting conversations has made the two ponies's bodies a little more susceptible to the cool night's nip as it runs past the wet mud that still slightly clings to their bodies.
But the quite stallion's stuffy nosed voice comes back to him as the lights of the library tree house starts to mold the building just down the road, "So uh Violet...Are you looking forward to the train ride tomorrow?"
The light purple mare turns her head to the stallion's pointless small talk as she shakes her head.
Her gesture turns the orange stallion's head into a copying nod as he tries to hold the conversation, "Ya, me neither..."
As his words end a quiet and slightly awkward silence falls over the pegasus as he looks over the house that has rapidly approached them, "Well i'll see you tomorrow Violet." A friendly smile comes over the stallions face as he stops his trot a little ways away from the library as he brings himself to his wings, "Night Violet."
Violet just nods her head to the words as she continues her trot towards the house.
- - - (Inside the house)
You've moved one of the chairs to sit right in front of the red painted oak tree door; from your seated position you have cut off all access to the upstairs unless you decide to move.
The thought brings a smile over your face as you continue to hold your eyes just begging the door to come open, that's right Violet...Your shape shifting father has taken on the form of a stair blocker. Your dumb smile widens as you hold that thought and continue to run through the speech you have prepared for the young mare that is currently pass the time she said she would be out.
Although the moment of strange badassery that you currently have is cut short as the sound of Twilight's voice from the main library hits your ears, "Are you going to help me in here or not?!"
From the mare's slightly moody sounding tone you quickly stand up from your seat as you trot to the threshold of the library, but as you do you halt your legs as you just blink to the cluster of books that fill the floor of the library.
You hold your confused stare as you drift your eyes to the puffed sided lavender mare with slightly curled mane that bears a resemblance to her mother's style. You bring your eyes to her slightly impatient stare as you speak up, "What?"
"What? Do you mean what? You said you would help me put the books away after I packed Violet's school stuff." Twilight's heavy body keeps her from lifting her hoof as she nods her head to the over stuffed satchel that sits to the table in the middle of the room.
You just blink to the stuffed bag as you trot more into the room with a faint laugh, "You said a few things? I didn't know we were breaking her back?"
Twilight rolls her eyes to your words as the sound of her heavy carrying hooves clap to the library, "No, why would I say that? It's Violet's first year, of course she's going to have a lot to do."
The mare's moody tone holds as you bring to float the books from the ground with your own magic, one thing that you have learned over Twilight's magically forced extended almost two year pregnancy is that when she's in a mood the best thing is to just do what she says...It's better for her and much better for you.
As you focus to reshelving what looks like half the library the sound of the front door closing turns your head.
"Oh Violet you're bac-...what happened?" Twilight's voice turns your head as you slightly drop the books in your hold as you turn your head to the young light purple mare that looks to have been rolling around in mud.
You know Violet's gotten bigger over the years but you always have to do a double take when Twilight stands next to her. Sure she's still not as tall as her but the filly has matured into an almost spitting image of her mother...at least when she styles her mane like her of course. Although this time there's no double take as you look over the dirty young mare; your mind blanks your pre-planned speech as you trot over towards her, "Are you alright?"
To the words Violet's eyes drift down to herself as she starts to realize running around in the forest after it's been raining may not have been the best idea. A sheepish smile and nod come over the young mare as she responds.
Before you can speak up again Twilight's voice has come back over the house as she trots back towards the crammed satchel, "Well you need to take a quick bath and get a good night sleep, you can't be tired on your first day."
Violet gives a confused stare to the overstuffed bag but she gives a respectful nod of the head as she floats it towards her with a little effort.
As the bag floats next to the young mare your mind starts to bring your slightly faded speech back to the front of your mind. You straighten up your stance as you attempt to hold the same confidence you had before, you even bring your hoof up a little as you speak out, "Violet do you know what ti-..."
"Oh and don't forget to pack your winter boots, Canterlot may have different weather then Ponyville but it still is going to get a little chilly." Your voice is cut off as Twilight moves back towards the light purple mare, "Come on what are you waiting for sweetie? You still need a good night sleep?"
Violet nods her head as Twilight's words don't end but continue with an even more excited tone, "How did it go? Did you find your way to Applejack's ok?"
The light purple mare gives a concealing smile as she nods her head and hoofs out her reply, of course to the response you speak up, "What dance? You went to a dance? I thought you needed Stony's Parasprite for something?"
The words spark Twilight's eyes a little wider to the young mare as she speaks up, "Parasprite? You had a Parasprite?"
Violet gives a little smile as she quickly shakes her head and gives a fake yawn. Her left hoof comes up as she taps it to her mouth and closes her eyes for a second, as her motions end she starts her trot to the stairs.
Twilight just blinks to the response as she holds her confusion to the conversation, "A-alright good night, and be ready to get up early."
You follow after the light purple mare as she quickly makes her way up the stairs with the magically floating satchel beside her. Your voice comes up as you take your first steps to the stairs after her, "Hey, you don't think you're getting off that easy do you?"
Your words halt the mare as she waits for you to trot up behind her, as you come next to her you cock your head as you try to hold some authority over her, "You still were out later then you said you would be and now-..."
Your words are cut off as you feel a quick hugging embrace come around you, the hug ends as Violet just shoots you a little smile. You ignore the dirt that now has been pressed onto you as you squint your eyes to her as you speak back up, "And you think making me dirty with a hug will stop me?"
Violet quickly nods her head with a wider smile as her soft blue eyed gaze begins to work over you much like the way Twilight does when she doesn't want to admit defeat. You tighten your stare to her as you try to hold some kind of parenting anger, but you're unable to hold it for long as the sound Twilight's voice comes up from down stairs, "So I guess i'm just supposed to clean theses books up by myself?"
You turn your body back to the stairs as you begin to trot down them, "Coming..." To your words Violet's trot rekindles, but it stops as your head swings back to her as your trot halts to the stairs, "...Get a good night sleep sweetie..."
The early morning light of the sun has come up and now holds its glow to the world under it, unchanged like it has for the last few years. But today even though the world has brought it to come with a normal sun rise it’s anything but normal. Today is something special, both for the young lavender unicorn still trying to pack the few things you and Twilight tried to tell her to pack yesterday; and also for what today will bring. Because today as Twilight has put it is the day Violet takes her first hooves into the world of Equestria, with no mom or dad for the duration of her time in Canterlot.
You blink your eyes to the stairs you stand in front of as you hold that thought a little disheartened still waiting for your last long stare you will be able to give the light purple mare for a while. Time flies too fast, and each time you blink your eyes it feels like you've already missed something you shouldn't have...Naturally you attempt to hold your eyes open even as they beg to blink, not wanting to ruin the moment Violet comes back to the stairs.
Of course though your desires don't get to come to fruition as a sharp claw to your side quickly turns your eyes into a blinking frenzy as you turn to the still shorter purple dragon, "Aw, cheer up. At least dragon's age differently." Spike holds a smile as he pokes his head up proud to you with a smile.
How does he know what I’m thinking? Your mind is cut short as you hear a pop of magic coming from beside you. With a quick turn of the head you notice the light purple pony you've been waiting for has bypassed the stairs for a flashier and slightly unnecessary spell. Sure the two satchels she has on look a little stuffed but come on...it's just a few steps.
"OH good you're finally down." The fading magic moves the lavender mare that was seated to her chair as Twilight trots over towards Violet still holding her voice dominant to the room, "...You packed your boots right?"
Violet begins to instinctively nod as the mare continues down her minds list, "...And all of your quills and ink right? And all of your books and your toothbrush and your mane brush...You did remember to pack the bits we gave you right? AND you have your train tickets and you remembered to-..."
Twilight's words become a faded blur of almost never ending ands as you just listen to them like the nodding young mare close to you.
But the lavender mare's words don't get to trial on all day as she stops them to a silent stare held over the pony in front of her, "...Oh..." Twilight moves her body close to Violet as she nuzzles her unable to really give a proper hug as she balances her weight to her four hooves.
Her voice comes back in a slightly more sniffly tone as she takes a hoof back, "Y-you will tell us everything you do right? Celestia has told me a few things have been changed for a unicorn's first year and I want to know everything."
A faint chuckle comes over you as you start to cut the lavender mare off, "I think Violet should worry about getting to Canterlot right now, instead of having to write us a detail essay."
Violet capitalizes on the lavender mare's cut short voice as she nods her head and shoots a smile to her as she wraps her hooves around again her with another hug. But Twilight's hold over the mare doesn't stop with the end of Violet’s embrace as she sparks her horn up in a very faint purple glow that brings the mane brush up from its rest on the table, "I told you not to pack in the morning, look now your mane is all messed up."
You hold your eyes to the mare's low magic for a moment but you keep your mouth shut to it as you instead give a little grin to the light purple mare's slightly annoyed expression as the bristles runs through her normal ruffled and relaxed tomboyish style.
"There you go..." Twilight holds a wide smile as she admires her quick work that has turned the young purple mare into Twilight's old uncurled mane style. A weak smile comes over you as the almost Twilight look alike tries to boast her acting skills with a faint smile to Twilight’s checking eyes.
Luckily Twilight doesn't notice the faked smile as she quickly brings a little spring to her step, "OH! I almost forgot you should take the dictionary on spells for school." Spike follows after the heavy hoof clapping mare as you quickly move to the spot Twilight left, "Alright Violet you got about five minutes before she ask you to take the library with you."
The comment sparks a true to life smile as Violet catches your drift and begins to move towards the door, but the young pony’s trot comes to an end as she quickly darts her snout to an open slit in her saddle.
You blink to the motion but as you watch her mouth return with a dull pinkish ribbon you give a little smile.
Violet's horn sparks up as the untied bow floats over towards you. But you don't grab to it as you just stare to it with your hearts building emotions to the pony in front of you, your voice comes up in a slight laughing shake as you look between the bow and the pony, "Y-your old bow huh? Leave all the other new and nice ones here and take this old thing with you huh?"
A happy grin comes over the mare as she shakes her head and pats her hoof to her bag. You swallow back your voice as your own purple magic comes over the bow, "You haven't needed me to tie a bow in years..."
Violet's horn drops as she nods her head with a soft smile.
You just nod back as you slowly float the bow to her tail and begin to tie it, the old ribbon is too short in length to wrap around the young mare's tail base but you manage to tie it all the same a little further down. As your magic ‘s hold over the mare comes to an end you feel the same loving embrace you saw Violet give Twilight now coming over you...But unlike the heavy pregnant mare you move your right hoof up and around the mare's neck as you close your eyes and whisper a little, "Be safe alright?"
The hug comes to an end as Violet moves her hoof back to the ground, but she continues to listen to your voice as you push your heavy emotions back and move your hoof to raise, "No I’m serious, if you see a book glowing you run if you see a door with weird crystal things you keep it closed and if you see a dark bug thing you kick it hard ok?"
A faint wheezing laugh comes from the young mare's open mouth as she nods her head again. You hold your eyes to her as she turns back to the door and opens it.
But your gaze doesn't come to an end as fast as you thought it would be as you notice a light orange pegasus with his hoof raised in a knocking position.
"O-oh you're ready to go?"
Sparky moves aside from the door as the light purple mare steps outside, from her motion you start your trot up as you look over the young orange stallion, "Hi Sparky."
Your words spark a quick response from him as he speaks up, "Hi Mr.Sparkle."
You think over the response as you just blink to the stallion, is my name really that hard to just say? With a faint shrug you nod your head and bring your voice up, "You two have fun in Canterlot..."
The young stallion quickly nods his head as he cuts you off, "Ok."
"...Just remember though Sparky, I’ve killed a few things in my time." With a smile you slowly close the door as you look over Violet's rolled eyed expression as she starts her trot up. You know the orange pegasus is just a friend but the fact that you can say something like that is something you've wanted to say to some stallion next to Violet.
As the door closes you nod to your comment a little proud of yourself. But you're cocky trot back to the house is cut short as Twilight and Spike come back to the room, "Wait did Violet leave? She didn't even get the book?"
You shift your eyes to the small dragon struggling to hold a brown hardcover book that looks to be about as heavy as him as you speak up, "Ya, she already left."
Twilight sighs as she looks back to Spike, "Well I guess she won't really need it...Besides everypony gets one on the first week."
You squint to her words as you think to yourself, then why give her an extra?
Your silent thinking doesn't stop the mare as she turns back to Spike, "Oh, you can put it up now Spike."
An annoyed groan comes over the smallish dragon as he starts out of the room.
As he does you give a little sigh and turn your eyes to the lavender mare beside you as you smile, "Now what?"
Twilight blows to the comment as she acts unfazed to the event that only just ended, "What do you mean now what? I thought a certain somepony was going to learn a fix it spell for the crib that..." She clears her throat as she continues, "...That somepony broke."
You squint to her smile as you roll your eyes, and start your trot up to help the struggling dragon in the other room with the heavy book Twilight's voice softens, "You know, I was only a few months older when I started Celestia's school away from my parents."
You nod to the comment as you halt your trot, "Ya but your parents were not a train ride away."
A little giggle comes from the lavender mare as she slightly tilts her head back, "Oh nothing’s going to happen on her first year, it’s all in the school she'll never even leave it for the four weeks-.." Her word stops as her ears perk up a little and her hoof rises to her pregnant hanging stomach, another giggle starts up as she tilts her head down, "....I think a certain filly is already missing her big sister."
You smile to the words as you begin to play along in her game, "Oh ya? Filly huh?"
Twilight turns her eyes to you as she smiles, "I was right before."
"Pff, ya and you said that spell works on every stallion." You hold your smile as you start your tort up from the mare's quick voice.
"Hey, it's not my fault you're not normal." Twilight cocks her head as she follows after you awaiting a response.
But you don't give into her as you just hold a silent smile, ha! Who wants to be normal?
Violet's blue eyes dart up to her combed mane as she starts her trot away from the door and into the warm fall day.
To the mare's movement Sparky trails after her as he adjust his wings to the two much less heavier satchels around his body, despite what the stallion already knows about the mare he now trots next to her as he brings his voice up, "S-so what's Canterlot like huh? I've never been there with you- I mean I've never been there you know." A nervous laugh comes over the slightly slicked back maned stallion as he continues through his worsening rambling, "N-not saying I wouldn't go there with you cause we are...right now you know but I just-..."
Sparky's words come to an abrupt end as the unicorn mare next to him sparks her horn up, wrapping the fumbling stallion's mouth closed with her magical binding. To the magic he turns his head towards her as he just barely talks through his wrapped mouth, which brings back the slight lisp he's mostly grown out of, "Too w’loud Viowit?"
The stallion's W infringed words bring a smile over the mare's face as she nods and releases her hold.
Sparky opens and closes his mouth just tying to adjust it from it's abrupt stopping mid-word.
For a minutes the two ponies hold the silent trot down Ponyville main street towards the train station in the distance, Violet every so often shakes her head still trying to flip the combed down mane into its normal loose style. But as another failed attempt brings a few confused staring eyes from the ponies that pass her she quits her attempts, leaving the now messed up Twilight like mane to sit.
However the short time of silence is brought to an end as Sparky again speaks up, "Do you think there's going to be a lot of ponies on the train?"
Violet rolls her eyes to the stallion's words unable to just tell him to shut up as she enviably just listens to her friend's trailing comment.
Sparky notices her expression as he gives a little smile, "Sorry..."
She copies the smile knowing that it's only going to quell the stallion's voice for a few moments. But her luck might be able to hold out a few more moment as the two young ponies trots bring them within a few hooves from the steam rendering stationary train.
Violet's horn sparks open one of her pouches as the pegasus next to her begins to fumble with his three hoofed trot as he digs to a side pocket of his satchel.
A slightly older looking chocolate coated stallion with a blue hat and a grayish blue vest stands in front of the doors of the train's cars as Violet trots over towards him, "Tickets please." The older stallion holds a smile to Violet as he brings his right hoof to extend towards her.
Violet returns the smile as she floats a golden ticket from her pouch and to the stallion's hoof.
"AH..." He hoofs it back as Violet's magic comes to bring it from his hoof, "...You are heading to Celestia's unicorn school huh?"
Violet nods to the words as the stallion continues, "Very nice, um the ponies for that destination are the car up here on your left...if you please." The stallion steps aside for a moment as Violet trots into the train, but she doesn't continue her trot as she waits for the still fumbling stallion.
"Uh...Here you go." Sparky's hoof extends his ticket to the older stallion as he looks it over. From the ticket still held in Sparky's hoof the chocolate coated stallion gives an almost amused smile as he beckons the stallion on board, "Wonderbolts huh? Good luck to you sonny, uh I believe you ponies are in the car to the right."
Sparky gives a nod as he comes into the train next to Violet, as he comes to stand next to her they both look to the slightly more cramped seating on there right. Most of the ponies sitting down are stallion's but a few are mares, the thing the slightly rowdy ponies all have in common though is that there fit, lean and very agile looking Pegasus .
The timid and slightly smaller looking stallion next to Violet gives a little smile as he turns his head to her, "Uh it looks packed on this side."
Violet shrugs the comment off as she starts her trot to the left side of the train's long car, Sparky follows after her as they push past the primarily unicorn side as they set their sights to the empty rows in the back of the train.
There trots quickly bring them to her eyes goal as they begin to move their bags to the train's seats, the light purple mare moves to the window as she sets her bags to the floor.
Sparky does the same as he takes the seat across from her.
The train still gives a few low hisses as they wait for it to start back up, but the hiss of the train is cut off as a feminine voice rings in from the seats across the walkway, "A unicorn from Ponyville going to Celestia's school? That's a first."
From the voice Violet and Sparky turn there heads, but both ponies give a slight double-take to the grayish crystally unicorn mare with dark green mane being held up in a ponytail with a few what looks like blue crystal clips.
Violet nods her head to the mare's comment as the stallion across from her speaks up with the same question she wants to ask, "What's so special about that?"
The mare gives a little smile as she shrugs the comment off, "Well Ponyville...from what I understand is predominantly an earth pony town, I have never heard of a known unicorn coming from there." The mare's words hold a well spoken chime to them as she waits for a response.
But the response doesn't come from the mare she has in her crystal eyed gaze, instead it comes from the stallion again as he laughs, "Well obviously you've never heard of Twilight Sparkle."
The mare blinks to the comment as she speaks up, "Well I would think that every pony has heard of Twilight Sparkle, if it wasn't for her and her friends efforts the crystal empire may not have been allowed back into Equestria."
The comment brings a spark to Violet's eyes as she gives a faint smile to the comment, but she's unable to continue the conversation she wants as Sparky starts up again, "Well you're looking at her daughter, Violet Sparkle."
Sparky's slightly excited words and happy face bring Violet's ears down as she just gives a smile to the crystal mare across the train's walk way.
However the crystal mare doesn't give a simple smile, instead she bows her head a little as she adjust the few bags beside her, "Well I am pleased to meet such a pony...I am Starlight Bright." A new found smirk comes over the mares face as she keeps her respectful head bow, "And much like you Violet Sparkle, I am the first unicorn of my fair city to attend Celestia's school." Her tone hardens a little to a more sophisticated banter as she continues, "But unlike you, I have waited a lot longer for this opportunity."
The mare's words bring Violet's hooves into motion as she feeds back her own response, but the short lapse in thinking comes to an end as she realizes the mare would have no idea what she said.
"You were saying?"
Violet blinks to the crystal pony's stare, from the motionless hooves the crystal mare speaks up, "Every pony in the crystal empire knows hoofing, now go on."
A new found confidence comes to her smile as it runs across Violet's face as she hooves out her response, and as her last expert motion ends it's course the crystal mare gives a little smirk, "You claimed to be a very determined pony Violet, and I can sense that you are not just doing this for the sake of your mother's name, you intend to prove something of yourself while you attend Celestia's school am I right?"
The light purple mare just holds a smile to the crystal mare as her ears stay pinned awaiting the mare's next response.
Bright shares the same sure faced smile as she nods, "Good luck then Violet Sparkle, because you're not the only pony out to prove something of herself."
The two mare's stares are broken as the train conductor from outside speaks up, "All aboard!"
Within a few moments the train beneath the seated ponies hooves begins to come alive as they start their journey down the rails.
Violet shifts her attention out the window to the white castle embedded in the far away mountain side as the train begins to pull from the station.
The sound of Twilight's hooves clap to the walls of the library with a faint echo preceding them like a chorus as the mare continues to aimlessly trot around the library's bookshelves. You stand at the threshold of the main library just continuing to trace your eyes to the mare.
You've never really been able to understand why everyday is so different with Twilight, somedays she actually plays the role of a pregnant mare quite well; either being lazy which you have no problem with or with a certain craving that she won't stop talking about until she gets it.
"AH here it is!"
...Other days however, she's her normal independent self.
Her words spark a sigh to you as you watch the mare struggling to withhold using her magic and instead pull the slightly high up book down to her hoof as she balances to her three hooves."I don't know why Spike put this back so high..."
You immediately trot over to her before her words can even come to an end as you float the book out, and begin your trot towards the table in the other room.
Twilight follows behind you as she brings her voice up a little sheepishly, "Thank you..."
You just nod to her comment as you set the book to the table, but as it sets down you turn your head back to the lavender mare, "Twilight, I can look over the book you should just go and lay down for a little."
Your words spark the mare to quickly laugh to the comment as she trots past you and over towards the table, "Oh I lay down all the time, and besides what if you mess up the spell?"
"Then the book burst into flames and I have a headache for a few minutes." You give a little smile as Twilight rolls her eyes, "See and that's why I need to help you. Learning a new spell is never easy, and this will be the first time you ever really tried it."
Another sigh comes over you as you give into the mare's demand. The last time you and Twilight went to the doctor for her check up you were both told Twilight's pregnancy looked to be nearing its end, and because of that Twilight has been a little too careful with her own magic use and with what she does. Most days now you can't even get her to even take a trot to Rarity's or even Pinkies when she wants something.
You come over to the lavender mare's puffed out sides as you wait for her voice to come back up, although your saved from a magical practice as a knock to the door comes chiming into the house.
But before you can even go to open it the door springs open to a pink and cyan flash of fur as the sound of a loud party popper runs through the house. Sure enough you feel the multicolored confetti hit your face as it embeds your mane and lays over your snout.
"SURPRISE!!!" Pinkie's voice ends as she holds a bright smile for a moment, "We'reheretosendVioletoffinstyle!!" Her slight jump to her words ends as she looks around the room, "Hey..."
The fading smile of the cyan pegasus next to her comes to an end as she speaks up, "What gives? Where's Violet?"
You give a little smile as you take the colored paper from your face, "You missed her, we got up early so that she wouldn't be late."
"Ahhhh." Pinkie's voice comes up as she slumps her head, "Oh well, at least this trip wasn't a waste." Her comment stops for a moment as she takes a box from the pink satchel around her that slightly blends into her coat's color, "Here's those brownies you wanted Twilight..." She gives you a little smile as she continues, "I figured you wouldn't have time to stop by, not with the party you sent Violet off with."
Twilight's horn sparks up with no trouble as it's faint purple glow comes over the enclosed box, "I'll put these up...Thank you Pinkie-...Hey these don't have that sleep bark do they?"
"Of course not silly." Pinkie rolls her hoof as she holds her smile to the lavender mare that trots away.
As Twilight moves from the room she leans her head to you as she whispers, "They do." She winks her eye as you nod.
To Pinkie's moment of silence Rainbow speaks up, "So where's Spike? You send him off to?"
You trace your eyes up the stairs as you bring your voice back, "Mmm, he probably went back to bed."
Twilight's hooves come back to the room as she looks over her two friends, but her voice doesn't get to chime in as the cyan mare's comes up over hers, "Hey Twilight is Violet going to stay at your parents or something?"
"OH no, first your ponies all stay in Canterlot castle’s guest wing, seeing as how any pony can attend the school the Princess doesn't want to have to worry about first year ponies getting lost around the city." Twilight's answer comes back quick as her slight smarty pants tone holds.
"Pff, lucky." Rainbow rolls her hoof as she continues, "Heck that's a lot better then when I went to the wonder Bolts stuff, you have dorms kinda." The cyan mare flexes her wings a little as her tone becomes a little more tomboyish, "Ya, I was in the best one though, top flyers get first picks and I got the one closest to the track."
Twilight nods to the comment as she looks between her two friends, "So will you two be staying for a little?"
Pinkie shrugs to the words as she smiles, "Welllllll, Mr.Cake said that we were going to make some muffins for some special order so I don't think I can."
"I can't, on the way over we ran into Miss.Cheerilee and she said a few ponies from last night's dance saw a parasprite. I figure I better go and see if that thing is still around Aj's farm."
You and Twilight give each other a look as the lavender mare speaks up, "O-oh a parasprite huh? Are you sure? I can't imagine one coming back into Ponyville."
The cyan mare shrugs to the comment as she flips a few strains of mane from her face, "I don't know, but better safe than sorry in case there is one close to Ponyville..." She smiles as she hoofs to the lavender mare, "Not like we can just get Twilight to round those things up."
You blow to her words as you puff your chest out, "I could get them."
The room goes a little quiet as the three mares turn an eye to you, but you don't pay their look any mind as you hold your proud stance.
Rainbow gives you a cocky smile as she speaks up, "Oh ya? You would probably just burn the little things."
You nod to the comment as you speak up, "Still would get it before you would."
"Pff, tell ya what if there is one of those things around Aj's i'll bring it back...Just to prove you wrong." Rainbow cocks an eyebrow as she waits for your response.
But you don't continue her game of one ups as you just nod. To your nod Rainbow turns to Twilight, "Alright well I should get going, c-ya later Twilight."
Pinkie follows the cyan pegasus words as she pokes her head a little closer to her friend, "Bye Twilight..." The pink mare's voice goes a little high pitched as her gaze sets to the mare's puffed out sides, "...And bye little fillyorcoltthatwedon'tknowthenametoyet."
Twilight gives a little giggle to the mare's fast words as her two friends move to the door. It only takes a moment for the two mares to leave as the door comes to close again, and as it does the lavender mare next to you starts up, "Alright well lets start on this spell again."
You think over her words as you move towards the kitchen, "How about a brownie Twilight?"
The mare's ear flicks to your words as her stare goes a little long, but her voice comes up almost like she doesn't care as she just tilts her head, "Oh no-no...well...just one er-two, but small ones! Not big ones!"
You nod your head with a smile as you think over the mare's response, yep you played that craving off well Twilight...hardly even noticed it.
- - - (Elsewhere in Equestria)
The grey and deep brown stones of the mountains outside run fast past Violet's eyes as the slight rumbling howl of the trains wheels yell to one of the last bends before the sight of the white marble castling city; that is her destination.
Without another moment the bleak stone scene outside her window opens to the blue canvas of a sky that only has a few wispy white painted clouds outlined on it. But the young mare's eyes latch onto the white marble city as a brief smile comes over her face, knowing her journey is close to over.
As her stare holds her personal space its altered as the stallion across from her leans into to get a better view of the world outside the mare has unintentionally hid from his eyes, "Whoa...We're really high up."
Sparky's voice sparks Violet's head to move back as she adjust herself to her seat. The light orange pegasus turns his gaze to her as he follows her motions, "Hey I don't really have to be at the Wonder Bolts academy until a little after midday...You think I could tag along with you for a bit?"
Violet blinks to the stallion's words, they both kind of knew they would be hanging out a lot more anyways. Both because they really don't know anypony in the city and because without Violet's help Sparky most likely won't be passing any math. But Violet's response is short as she just nods to the words with a smile knowing that her nerves will be a little bit calmed with a friend near her.
Her thoughts are brought to an end as the sound of a familiar flame scorching paper hits her ears. To the homey sounding noise she turns her head, halfheartedly expecting to see the familiar purple dragon she's known her whole life.
Instead the mare's blue eyes link to the crystal mare still sitting across from the train's walking path. But it's not just the crystal pony she notices this time; as her eyes look over a small iguana looking crystal lizard that's sitting on the satchel bag draped across the mare's bottom legs that are still pinned to the trains floor.
To Violet's less than ninja like confused stare the crystal mare turns and speaks up, "This is Sparky...He's a wheezing Iguana of the Bison desert."
The name turns the pegasus's head as he looks over the lizard that mindlessly traces its two eyes around the train car, "Sparky?"
Violet holds a giggly smile as she slightly turns her eyes to her friend, but the crystal mare is unfazed to it as she speaks up, "Yes, I named him that because of the magic these little guys have..." The mare straightens up her posture a little as she continues, unlike Violet the crystal mare hasn't had anypony to talk to and her need for conversation slightly shows, "All wheezing Iguana have dragon's breath, meaning that they can send anything to a designated area...If it's small and burn able."
Sparky just nods his head still too hung to the name as Violet's hooves come up.
To the light purple mare's motions the crystal mare speaks up again almost with a laugh, "Of course you can bring a pet, a student of the Celestia's school is allowed one assistant...And I would much rather have something that doesn't complain, and is magic proof."
The mare squints to the stallion across from Violet as she rolls her hoof, "I take it you're Violet's assistant correct?"
Sparky blinks to the comment as he and Violet both just exchange a look, "Uh n-no i'm here for the wonder Bolts academy, but I mean we're friends so of course I would help out." A smile comes over his face as he looks to the light purple mare.
But it's the crystal pony again who speaks up as she looks over the pegasus, "Oh Wonder Bolts...Well good luck Sparky."
A light chuckle comes over the stallion as he squints to her words, "How did you know my name was Sparky?"
The train's wheels screech to a halt as it pulls into Canterlot’s station, but the sound only stops the crystal mare for a moment as she begins to ease the crystally scaled lizard into her bag again, "I have a heightened sense, I learn a lot from ponies...Even when they're not talking." A nonchalant smile comes over the crystal mare as she floats the other bag sitting next to her around her body, "Well goodbye for now."
Violet and Sparky both just stare to the mare still trying to understand her comment as they watch her leave. But they don't stare for too long as they begin to move there own set down things back around them as they ready themselves to trot out and into the new city awaiting outside.
The constant and mundane chatter of the ponies in the city have hit Violet and Sparky's ears almost like a roar, Ponyville compared to Canterlot is a ghost town; even the main street on the busiest of days doesn't compare to the city street around them.
Violet's idea about trailing away from the main stone path of Canterlot to avoid the clusters of ponies Twilight and you warned her about hasn't really turned out so well. By no means are the two young ponies lost, seeing as how the castle's tall white stone and gold towers stand above the normal sky light of the buildings; but as there trots continue to abruptly stop for other faster rushing ponies the light purple mare has started to worry about the time.
The stallion next to her seems to share her concern as he tries to slender himself through the squeezing ponies around him to better keep pace with the young mare, "They don't expect everypony right after the train arrives do they?"
His comment goes on answered for a moment as Violet focuses her mind to her trot, but as the crowds around her start to thin out she turns her head and gives a nodding yes.
"Oh..."
Violet's pace again quickens as she takes advantage of the mainly clear path laid in front of her, the pegasus stallion trailing her holds to her speed as the castle's lowered drawbridge comes to sight.
Along with the rapidly approaching castle a sigh of relief expels from the young mare as her eyes drift to a few other unicorns she saw on the train.
The two young ponies legs carry them well as they meet up with another unicorn that has been halted by a white mare in goldish armor, "...You must show your pass if you are truly a guest at the castle."
Violet's ear flicks to the words as she starts her horns glow to the pocket she placed her train ticket in.
But the guard ponies words don't spark a response in the caramel unicorn stallion with blond mane combed neatly to one side standing in front of her, "My pass? I didn't get a pass?" The stallion's voice has a slight preppy tone to it as he just stares to the mare with a little annoyance.
As the stallion's words end Violet pushes herself in front of him as she flashes the gold ticket to the guard mare, "Thank you, and welcome."
With a smile and a nod the light purple mare returns the ticket to her pouch as she begins her trot under the castle's archway, the faint sound of the other unicorns magic comes up as Sparky tries to follow after his friend. However his walk is halted as the guard mare extends her hoof, "I'm sorry, no unauthorized guest."
Sparky shoots a smile as he lifts his hoof to the purple mare that's paused in front of him, "Uh...I'm with her."
To the words the guard mare turns her head to Violet, as the armored ponies eyes come to Violet she gives a nod.
"Oh, then welcome to the castle sir." The guard mare's hoof comes back down as the preppy unicorn beside Sparky brings his ticket out, "I believe I should be allowed in finally."
Sparky rejoins Violet as the unicorn stallion behind him gets a wave on in, "Ugh, can you believe I almost wasn't let in?" The caramel stallion's words come directed to the young mare in front of him as he takes a step in between her and the pegasus she walks near. "I mean honestly, a pony such as me should have been recognized."
To the stallion's new position next to her Violet just gives a simple nod hoping he'll just get bored of lack of conversation.
But it doesn't stop him as the preppy tone trails on, "I knooow..." The stallion shakes his head in agreement to his own words as he pokes his head up a little higher, "I am Sir Jules, and who might you be?"
Violet doesn't stop her trot to waste her attempt at hoofing as she just focuses to the slightly larger group of young unicorns that have gathered in the middle of the castle courtyard.
To her silence the stallion halfens his gaze and picks his speed up, "Well, obviously you must be a pony that never learned proper greeting etiquette."
The words sharpen Violets eyes as she squints annoyed to the stallion's held up head as he begins to move to the center of the group of other unicorns.
Violet doesn't start her trot up towards the group though as she turns her head to the orange pegasus that now returns to her side, as her eyes focus on him she brings her right hoof up as she gives a few flicks to her ears.
The motions quickly spark a reply from the orange stallion as he holds his voice down just to her as he mocks the moved away stallion's preppy voice, "Oh really? You've never heard of me? The most rude and annoying stallion ever?"
A faint smile comes over the mare's face as she listens to her friend's mocking tone, but her next hoofing motion is cut short as a feminine voice comes over the group from the stairs leading up to the regal carved arches of the white stone and gold shimmering castle, "Welcome everypony."
The calm and regal sounding tone pauses as everypony turns their attention to the tall white and multicolored maned mare that now stands in front of them. Celestia's magenta pink eyes hold a smile all there own as she looks over the group of no more than about ten ponies in front of her, "Today is a special day, both in your lives and mine. Today marks the start of a new chapter for each and everyone of you, a chapter in your life to learn and experience."
Violet's ears perk up to the almost expertly rehearsed speech as she holds her gaze to the white mare continuing to speak, "...All of you are here today not just because of the skill you showed as a foal but instead you are all here because you all took that first hoof forward for yourself, you alone took that test years ago and you alone proved to yourselves that you were able. I now ask for everyone of you to take another step, you all have a special talent or gift, but without a proper understanding of your magic you will never be able to use it the way it should be....I...We hope to guide you all on this journey into self advancement. I hope to see everyone of you better yourselves and Equestria with what you learn in your next few years."
Celestia's speech comes to an end as the group in front of Violet starts up in a cheer, the light purple mare holds her own energized smile as she claps her front hooves to the ground to contribute to the noise.
A little giggle runs from Celestia as she brings her hoof up to quite the young ponies, "Oh thank you..." The regalness of her tone shifts a little as she continues, "...Now that formalities are aside I believe it's my duty to make sure you all feel comfortable with what you need to do on your first year. As most of you should already know it's not a full year, but one month in which you will be tested on your skills to better point out what you excel at, so that you can better it....I have always believed the best way to understand magic is by letting it come naturally, this is why your first year is only one month, because it is up to you if you can push yourself to achieve what you want." A giggle comes over Celestia as she finishes her lengthy comment, "I would think you all are eager to show your own magical abilities right now, so if you would all please take a few steps back we shall begin."
As Celestia's words ends the group all begins to space out as everypony moves a little away from each other.
"Perfect, now is there anypony who would wish to go first?" Celestia's head swings a little around the group as she looks them over.
Violet hesitates for a moment as a pinkish mare in the front of the group speaks up, "I'll go."
Celestia smiles to the young mare as she nods her head, "Excellent. Now after everypony has shown a spell we shall point you to your rooms." Her long hoof points to the center of the spaced out ponies as she speaks up, "Just try any spell you wish."
To the words the other ponies back away more unknowing as to what the cherry maned and pink coated mare will do.
Her horn sparks up in a pink glow for a moment as the two satchels around her come to seat next to her. As the bags drop down onto the castle courtyards stone her horn's glow and chime picks up in intensity. The mare closes her eyes as she focuses on a spell.
But the moment of concentration is cut short as the sound of her magic rings around the castle's area, in the blink of an eye the mare's magic has run it's course and her spell comes to an end. Violet like the other young unicorns just stare to the now cloned mare standing beside the other cherry maned and pink coated unicorn.
The mare's face shows an excited smiling glee as she looks around her peers, but the spell holding the copied mare comes to an end as it fades from the world with a loud pop and shimmer of pink magical sparkles.
Celestia nods her head to the mare as she trots back into the group, "Well done, a clone spell must have been hard for a young unicorn such as yourself...Who's next?"
Violet's hoof rises high to the air in front of her as she quickly springs her horn up and teleports her bags to the unexpecting orange stallion next to her; Sparky's mind quickly comes up to the newly teleported heavy bags that drape over his back, but he doesn't have a chance to complain as Violet's horn again sparks up now teleporting the mare to where the cherry mane pony once stood.
Celestia holds a sweet smile to the light purple mare as she waits for Violet's horn to spark back up again, but the young mare hesitates for a moment as her eyes pin to a dark blue coated and night shaded mane pony coming out from the castle's entrance.
The pony is no stranger to Violet though as Luna takes her steps next to Celestia with a slightly embarrassed tone, "We hope we are not too late. Welcome everypony." The sheepish dark mare stands next to her sister as the group of ponies return her hello.
But as their voices come to an end Violet takes up her stance as she begins to glow her horn a bright blue. Her eyes take on her inner determination as she continues to build her swirling magic to her horn, the few moments turn to long seconds as her horn continues to burn with her approaching spell. The light purple mare holds a smile to her own now loud chiming horn as she clears her mind, the chiming of her blue magic rings around the courtyard as it begins to shift to a slightly greener tint. However the excited mare doesn't hold her built up spell for long as she jerks her head up and her eyes slam shut to the loud cracking bolt of blueish green magic that's fired to the wispy clouds above the courtyard.
For a moment nothing happens and everypony just seems to have turned their heads to the sky for no reason...But as there eyes hold to the sky a few bright white shimmering pieces of frozen water start to seep from the dissipating clouds above the castle grounds.
The young unicorns just blink to the now falling snow that has started to trickle down only to their area of the court yard.
Violet lets out a few pants as she steadied herself and waits for the white mare to speak up.
To the young mare's stare Celestia nods her head with a smile as she brings her expected tone out, "Thank you Violet." The white mare's eyes turn to the other young ponies still staring a little confused to the sky as she speaks up, "As most unicorns know, weather magic is not abundantly common outside of pegasus's own wings, but with training even uncommon magic can become learned and used with ease."
Violet holds her head up a little high to the comment about her 'uncommon magic' as she brings her slightly panted trot back towards her awaiting friend.
"Who would like to go ne-..."
"I will."
Celestia's words are cut short as the only crystal mare in the group steps forward and begins to gently settle her bags to the ground. The two princesses hold their eyes with an encouraging stare as the grayish shining mare takes up her stance.
Violet's snowfall begins to dwindle down a little as the small clouds above the area start to become a distant memory to the warm day's sun.
The crystal mare takes a deep breath as she presses her hooves to the ground a little more firmly. As her breath ends her eyes tightly shut as she starts her gold glowing horn to a very vivid bright cracking magic tone.
Celestia still holds her calmed face as she looks over the mare, but the group around the crystal pony now blink a little confused to the intense magic, the crystal mare's coat slightly takes on the goldish glow faintly to her grey fur.
The spell of the mare's horn holds without a falter for a few seconds, but as her seconds turn close to a minute everypony begins to mutter to themselves.
But as the ponies’s mouths start up in a chatter they feel the warmth on there faces cool as a shadow comes over the courtyard. From the new shady feel they look up to the sky in a silent and baffled expression.
Celestia turns her head to the sky as she loses a little bit of her usually calmed expression. The giant orange and yellow burning orb in the sky has moved behind one of the castle's towers now bringing a shadow to the court yard.
The crystal mare's spell breaks as her front legs slightly buckle and fall flat, but she brings her heavily panting self back up as she waits for a response.
However a response from either tall mare standing on the stairs in front of her takes a moment, but Celestia's voice comes back to her as she holds her calmed tone to her now slightly surprised expression, "What is your name my student?"
The grey shimmering mare is silent for a moment as she regains her breath, but she puffs her chest out as her well spoken voice comes up, "My name is Starlight Bright..." Her voice is too tired to say more as she just nods to Celestia and picks her bags up to return to the group.
"Thank you Starlight..." Celestia's more cheerful tone comes back up as she turns back to the other ponies, "Who's next?"
No pony moves for a second, but a stallion finally moves to the center as he begins to roll through a spell. But the young ponies including Violet don't pay it much mind as they continue to think over the spell they just witnessed.
Sparky leans over to Violet as he hooves her one of her bags, his voice holds a slight whisper as he speaks up, "I thought no pony but Celestia and Luna could do that kind of spell?"
Violet just shrugs to his words as she turns back to watch the other ponies spells.
The air hangs thick with a dense and slightly heavier feeling as the last unicorn of the eleven pony group begins to quell his magical screaming horn. Despite their initial test taking a better part of the early day none of the young ponies have even batted an eye or considered how long they must have been standing with their heavy school prepared bags around them, instead everypony has hung to each spell performed. Half because of the majesty that comes from the feel of magic that runs through every knowledge seeking pony in the courtyard, but also because its the best way to size up their fellow classmates...Everypony here is here for there own reasons, but everypony here still wants the glory and prestige that top of the class brings; and being known to Celestia and Luna is never a bad thing.
However the young ponies dazzled and distracted minds come back to reality as Celestia brings her voice up when the last new student takes his place in the rounded circle they mostly stand in, "Thank you everypony, performing in front of others for some may be no feat but for others this was a great accomplishment; and your first test."
Violet's ear flicks to the words, it's become abundantly clear that this was more than just a simple show off of magic but to actually finally hear the words first test, the light purple mare begins to doubt her own spell's performance. Truthfully no other pony was able to push through a spell with such ease but that doesn't mean her's was the most memorable.
Her blue eyes slightly drift to the crystal mare on the far side of the group as Celestia's words continue on without the mare's mind really tracking them as she just looks over the mare. Starlight Bright was the only pony that Celestia asked the name for, sure Violet was called by name but its no secret that she's met the white alicorn more than just once.
The light purple mare's stare is cut short as Celistia's voice comes back to a more heightened tone, "...Now, in regards to your next test you have two and a half weeks to prepare...In which this time you shall hopefully be able to better understand your own magical abilities." Celestia pauses as she straightened her posture a little more, "You will not be able to change your spell for the next test..."
Violet like every other student blinks to the comment as they perk their ears up a little to the white mares trailing words, "...This way you and we will be able to see improvements and where improvements can be made, which will lead to your third and final test of the year; in which you will pick a new spell you believe will be able to perform better than your first two."
A slight bit of tense silence holds to the young ponies as they try to pre-plan the next weeks that are almost out of there hooves. To the hard stares of the ponies in front of her Celestia's calm tone starts up in a faint giggle, "But that is still weeks away...Today is something new for all of you as I have said and you should enjoy it."
The white mare along with her sister beside her take a step aside as Celestia brings her hoof up to point to the golden and white carved doors to the castle as she speaks up, "If you would all please come inside we will personally show you to where you will be staying."
There's a moment of hesitation as the young students look to the space in between the two princesses that lead up the stairs to their destination. But with a wide and giddy smile the first pony starts there hooves up to trot proudly forward, which causes the floodgate of other ponies to follow.
Sparky stays to Violet's side as the two ponies hold the same smiles as the other ponies, there young hooves bring them through the castle's threshold as they stop to the elegant white marble entrance way of the castle.
Celestia and Luna come in behind them but do not stop there trots as they lead the way down a hallway with Celestia's voice breaking the stalled ponies, "Follow us everypony..."
- - -
The inner workings of Canterlot‘s castle are as elegant and well crafted and placed as the formal throne room, every detail to the decorative castle have been painstakingly hoof crafted giving this old monument of a building its own unique and unmatched personality.
With each slow clap of Violet's hooves to the floor her mother has traveled so many times, this thought has hung over the young mare's mind since she started into the castle. Both palpable pride and a tangible fear of messing up; but her smile and bright blue sparkled eyes only show her burning desire of confidence as her trot like the ponies around her stop.
Celestia turns back to her following flock as she speaks up, "This is the mare side, your rooms have been marked. I hope you all leave this place with both knowledge and enjoyment." A smile holds to her face as she continues, "And do not worry about being lost in the city, I have arranged a few upper class ponies to escort you to the school tomorrow with the morning's sun."
The few stallions in the group drift to one side of the hall as the mares of the group start there trots to the hall and start to drift into the open doors around the hall. Sparky freezes for a moment not knowing if to follow or not, but Celestia and Luna's trots come up without really noticing the sheathed winged pegasus as they trot back down the hallways, "Would the stallions please follow."
Even though her friend no longer is by her side Violet's trot holds as she swings her eyes to the names that must have magically been put to the doors. But her trot takes her to the last few doors before she finally finds her name, 'Violet Sparkle', the slightly goldish glow reassures her of the magical naming as she takes her first steps into the room.
As Sparky stealthily drops away from the unicorn stallions he quickens his trot to the room the light purple mare went into, and as he rounds the corner of it with only a few looks from the other mares he pauses.
The room is nicely furnished obviously intended for a royal guest and not a magical student, but the large dark bluish desk with a stool in front of it could possibly pass for a study area.
Violet waste no time with her horn as she floats the two heavy bags to the dark red covers of the neatly made bed that extends from the left side of the room out a little to the middle. As she rolls her neck a little bit just enjoying the absent weight she turns her gaze back to the stallion still at the threshold of the door as she notices him still admiring the room.
A faint smile comes up as she hooves out a comment.
Sparky's eyes catch the mare's motions as he nods his head, "Nice? Ya i'd say that, heck you even got your own bathroom in here."
Violet rolls her eyes as her magic closes the open bathroom door that sits towards the back of the room, as she does this she moves over towards the window of the room as she looks out it.
The view from her room of the castle that's nestled onto it's secluded mountain peak is nothing less than spectacular as her eyes take in the lush green, orange and red of the fall world of Equestria that sits from her window. Her side of the castle doesn't have the Canterlot skyline and nor does it have Ponville in the distance but the lay of the land still looks amazing all the same.
"We are sorry but there are no stallion's allowed in this wing of the castle."
The slightly lispy but regal sounding voice turns Violet's head from the world as she looks back to the door that now holds the familiar dark mare.
Violet's hooves spark up quick to Luna's sight.
A nod comes from Luna as she returns Violet's comment, "And we are pleased to see Violet Sparkle as well." Luna turns her head back to the stallion still in the room as she speaks up, "Now we must ask you to leave-..."
Sparky's voice comes up a little as he nods to Violet, "I'm Violet's friend from Ponyville..."
The dark mare turns back to Violet as the light purple mare gives a nod, "Oh..." Luna looks over the stallion as she cocks her head a little, "...We were not aware of Violet's assistant."
Violet doesn't contest the mare's words as she continues to talk, "Even so, you may not stay in these quarters overnight."
Sparky nods his head as he speaks up, "Y-yes Princess Luna."
The dark mare gives a faint smile to the comment as she holds her hoof up a little, "Thank you Violet's friend." Her blue night colored eyes turn back to Violet for a moment as she starts to drift them a little around the room, "This was your mother's room when she attended our sisters school..." Luna squints to her own words as she trails on, "As we understand it she preferred to not attract other ponies attention...I perhaps thought you would enjoy this room as well."
Violet smiles to the comment as she nods her head thankfully.
As the light purple mare's nod comes to an end Luna tilts her head back to the hallway as she takes a step in and closes the door behind her, "Our sister has told us how we affect the unicorn school...And she has made clear that no pony will be receiving special help from us first year, because our sister wishes to put more of the studies to the will of the pony...But I feel as though you..." Luna's slightly lowered tone pauses for a moment as she thinks for the words, "-Are not as fairly equipped for the regular teachings of first year, and we would wish to extend a spell that would help you."
Violet blinks to the words as she holds her mouth open a little surprised, but she nods her head as she waits for Luna to continue.
The dark mare gets a slightly happier smile as she sparks her horn up, "Excellent, Twilight has stated you have the ability to learn a spell after being shown...An ability most ponies do not have."
Her voice again goes low as she holds her low blue glowing horn, "This spell is a very uncommon spell and you will not be able to truly use it the way I am able...But we are sure you will find use of it."
Luna's eyes turn to the stallion next to her as she speaks up, "This spell requires another if you please."
Sparky's eyes go to an almost oh crap stare as he looks over the mare's magic filled horn, "um...ok?"
Luna nods as she motions her hoof towards the floor, "Please seat yourself Violet's friend." Her eyes drift to Violet as she beckons her to do the same.
To the mare's motions Violet brings her trot in front of Luna as she sits her flank to the ground in front of where Sparky sits.
"If you would, please close your eyes..."
Violet follows the mares voice as the sound of Luna's magic starts up a little louder.
Around the cooled polished white stone room Luna's magical chime ricochets and dances around Violet's ears as she retains her eyes shut lids to the world as the dark princess had asked for her to do. But the young mare's curiosity comes up right as the chime of the magic ends , Violet's blue eyes slowly open to the room before her as she just blinks to the still closed eyelid stallion sitting in front of her, who waits for an instruction.
Violets eyes turn to the dark blue mare as she continues to try and understand what's happened.
Princess Luna's horn has stopped glowing but nothing in the room seemed to have changed, and there feels to be no magical effect over Violet. However the tall standing mare's mane has taken on a slightly flowing look with a faint glimmer to it almost as low and sweet as her smile.
The mare's expression cocks Violet's head as she brings her hooves up...But the young mare's motions don't end as her question rings from her mouth sending the still closed eyelid stallion's eyes flying open in astonishment as a low but laced tomboyish tone is sent from the light purple mare's a gasp mouth, "What..." Violet's question doesn't continue from her hooves that have frozen nor from her own new voice as her emotion to its sound sparks heavily to her horn.
Around the room the white polished stone walls, the red neatly folded bed and all of the rooms dark whitish wood or slightly light brown furniture turns a smudged almost blurry eyesight. The room's sight is not the only thing that becomes impaired to the light purple mare as she blinks her eyes trying to regain her vision, but also her hearing is lost only to a deafening ring as she stands from her spot on the ground and attempts to quell the magical chime bouncing from the walls with her hoof to her head.
...Both the rooms sight and her own hearing comes back to Violet as she finds herself opening her eyes now laying sideways on the floor in front of where Sparky was sitting. Her reactions come fast as she brings herself again up to her four hooves seemingly the same way she had just did. The young mare's heart beats fast as her mind races with questions as she turns her wide eyed gaze to the dark mare.
Luna's right hoof comes up as her lispy tone comes to the room, "It is alright Violet Sparkle, our dream spell just was broken too fast..."
Violet brings her hoof to her throat as she struggles to understand the mare's words and the reality she just left. Her mouth opens as her breath comes out desperately trying to mimic the voice that she heard for the first time. However as her breath escapes her nothing but a faint unable wheezing sound comes up, "HHHAAAHH"
A deeply pounding sorrow comes over the mare as she begins to tremble, and she turns her eyes away from her friend's gaze and Luna's stare as she holds back her own desperate need to cry.
Luna's once happy face turns sour as she lowers her raised hoof, "We....-I am sorry Violet..." Princess Luna forces her lipsy tone down a little as her own slight regret starts to aim to the turn light purple unicorn's head, "...I only wished to help you, with our dream spell your mind can become your own tool and you would be able to bring others into it...We believed it would have benefited you if you could more easily speak with your friends here."
Violet's mind doesn't calm as she thinks over the mare's words...Violet has always known she has been unable to speak, at least not like any other pony she has met. And hearing her own voice has only caused all her pent up feelings to resurface.
As they do she pushes her sorrow back as she turns her slightly watery eyes to the dark mare as she hooves out a burning question.
Luna's head falls a little as she speaks up, "Our spell can only be casted by the pony using it...Our sister had asked us to keep it from Twilight, she did not want her to stress over this spell; because only you would have been able to cast it for yourself...And now that you have grown we have felt you should know of it..." The dark mare brings her head up as she continues, "We hope you do not resent us for following our sister's ideas, but it was for the best to wait until you would be ready."
Violet's eyes slightly tighten to the words as she holds her stance just running her slightly water eyes over the mare's face, but she nods her head to her comment.
"If you would wish to try the spell again you may..."
To the words Violet comes back in front of the still seated stallion as she brings her flank to the ground.
Luna's voice starts up as she talks, "Our dream spell can only be used if we allow it..We will show you how to start it and then you will be able to perform this spell on whomever you wish..."Her voice picks up a little as she continues, "But be aware this spell is only to be used on ponies that allow you to use it..."
Violet nods to her words as she waits for Luna's instructions. The dark mare straightens her stance as she speak up, "Our spell is much easier on a pony whom has fallen asleep, but it can still be performed if both ponies can clear their minds and rest...When we did this spell before I coasted you both to your slumber but now it is your turn Violet Sparkle."
The dark mare's words turns Sparky's head as he speaks up, "I-I want to help but I am supposed to be at the wonderbolts academy soon...I don't think I can stay?" Sparky holds his eyes away from Violet's stare not wanting to see if his worried words have turn his friend's expression back to her sorrow.
"Yes...We Suppose we could inform them that you are needed in the castle for now." Luna cocks her head as she awaits for the pegasus's response.
Without a hesitation Sparky nods his head as he speaks up, "Y-yes, yes that would be great, uh...t-thank you." A laugh comes up from the stallion as he's able to bring himself back to face the mare across from him.
"Then proceed Violet, clear your mind and extend your own thoughts."
Violet nods to the dark mare's words as she and Sparky close their eyes as her horn sparks to Violet's magic starting up. The room's chime comes back now held to Violet's slightly lower sounding magic as Luna watches over the light purple mare's rising blue horn. But as the spell holds to Violet's horn the mare's eyes struggle to hold to the dark outline of her closed eyelids as her mind is unable to clear; Violet's mind can't come to rest as she knows that just after the spell the strange and foreign voice that is her own will come back to her...And she will be able to once again hear it for the second time now.
Luna's stare tightens a little as she watches the mare's horn turning a light blue green, but the new color doesn't stop as it turns to a louder chime and a deeper now more brightening green shimmer. - - -
Before Luna's words can stop the spell the room goes quiet around Violet as she brings her eyes open .
Sparky follows suit as her gaze almost burns a whole to his closed lids, and as they open he stares to her bright blue eyes as he speaks up, "HI..."
Violet instinctively brings her hooves up, but she pauses as her breath becomes a little panted...The moment of silence is cut short though as the standing mare beside them starts to swing her head around the blank and empty stone room, "We see that your mind is not as creative of the world..." A smile comes over her as her flowing night colored mane stays to one side, "...But with practice your spell should become better Violet Sparkle."
Her own words stop as she looks over the mare's nervous shaking, "Go on now Violet...Speak."
The light purple mare's lips quiver as she turns back to the orange pegasus in front of her, "H...i..." A quivering smile comes over her as she says it again now more excited, "HI! HI!"
Sparky's own chuckle comes up as the excited young mare in front of him continues to speak up through her slightly tomboyish tone, "H-how....do...I break this spell?" Her eyes turn to Luna as the dark mare nods, "Any emotion or spell will break your hold over the spell, and any movement from the outside world will end the spell as well."
Violet nods to the dark mare's comment as Luna begins to turn towards the simple door that looks nothing like the one out of Violet's spell, "We must be leaving you Violet, we hope you enjoy this spell-..."
"Thank you..." Violet's slightly watery looking eyes return, but no tear form as she just stares to the mare.
Luna nods her head as she opens the door and becomes a faded blob of color. As the door comes to close Violet turns back to Sparky as she holds her hoof in front of her a little embarrassed, "H-how do I sound?"
Sparky swallows hard as he thinks for the right words, "You sound fine."
A little giggle comes from Violet's mouth, but the sound of a real laugh and not her normal wheezing only sends her further into her enjoyment as Sparky starts to become intoxicated by the giddy mare's laugh....
- - -
(In Ponyville)
The sun outside has taken on a low glow over the world as it creeps in through the window as you push your quickly eaten dinner aside to better pay attention to the lavender mare's words as she continues to claim that you're not really listening.
Really you weren't even hungry and you have a strange feeling that the day went by abnormally fast...But living in Equestria the idea of years and time has been something you've kind of just thrown out, seeing as how the sun and moon are at the will of two Princess's moods.
Your thoughts are cut off as Twilight's voice hits you, "...are you listening?"
You quickly dart your eye to the mare standing beside the table as you speak up, "Yes."
Twilight squints her eyes to you as she straightens her stance, "Oh ya? Then what did I just say?" A sly smile comes over the lavender mare as she pokes her face a little closer to where you sit.
You take a deep breath as you start to just chime back her words, "You said that the best way to control magic is to understand were a ponies magic is coming out from..." You shift your eyes as you start to stand up and begin to take her and your finished plates into your magical hold to carry them to the kitchen, "...And you said seeing as how I don't have a horn that that means I have to focus my mind a lot more... Not like I didn't already know that."
Your own smile comes over you as you set your trot towards the kitchen. But before you can move past the lavender mare her voice comes up, "Good you did hear me...Then lets st-...." Her voice is cut off as her mouth takes on a heavy yawn.
Finally...You hold your stare to the mare as her deep yawn continues to pause her, you really can't believe how long those things take to kick in; but you are glad they finally have.
As Twilight's mouth comes to close, her eyes take on a surprisingly tired half shut look, "M-maybe we should just do this tomorrow."
To the words you set the two plates back to the table as you turn your eyes to the still seated purple dragon, "Hey Spike could you put these up..."
Spike does not contest your words as he just nods and continues to eat his dinner, but you slowly bring the rest of your plan that you had earlier into action now as you hold your hoof to Twilight's side, "Come on Twilight, you should rest."
The lavender mare fights it for a moment but as another uncontrolled yawn comes from her she nods her head and starts her trot up with you beside her.
The stairs come quick beneath your hooves as you just focus on making sure the heavy mare is stable up the stairs.
Twilight's eyes continue to blink trying to stay open as her head goes a little low and her voice becomes directed to her sides, "I guess somepony is tired of hearing mommy's voice huh?"
You cock your eyes to her words but you just smile to it as you continue to trot beside the pregnant mare towards the room.
The giddy and almost filly joyied tomboyish laugh continues to ring around Violet's make believe world as her and the stallion continues to just talk about things past with a new found enjoyment.
"...I remember that!" The light purple mare holds her head up high as she stops her words for a moment, "But we would have never had gotten that sled down that hill if I didn't use that spell."
Sparky blows to the comment as he holds his smile, "Ya sure but I had to pick icy crystals out of my wings for hours when I got home." The stallion brings his hoof up as he points to the mare in front of him, "And don't let anypony tell you that is an easy thing to do."
Violet's eyes drift to her friends wings as she lets out another so desperately wanted laugh.
The joyish tone holds for a few moments as the two young ponies just end up staring to the other laughing pony in front of them...But as the tone starts to fade a little Violet's voice drops a bit, "Do you think this spell could be used easier?"
The light orange pegasus just blinks to the unicorn's words as he tries to bring some knowledge about unicorn magic to his mind, "Uh...what do you mean?"
Violet looks around the simple white stoned room with an almost similar flooring as she moves her hoof to point around her, "This is a dream spell...Well don't you think it could be used from a daydream?" The mare's words start to get a little excited as she sits her flank back to the ground and out of pure instinct brings her hoof and ears to match the same words expelling from her mouth, "I mean I-I could finally say MOM or DAD!? I-I could finally speak-..." Her eyes catch her hoof's motion as her voice stops and brings her talking hooves to a standstill, "I...I could finally not have something wrong with me..."
Her mouth closes as she turns her eyes to the make believe ground she sits on.
The young stallion who still stands unmoved where he has for the duration of the spell swallows hard trying to figure out what to say, "W-who said you had something wrong with you?"
Violet gets a slight smile to the comment as a faint giggle comes from the words, "That's what my dad always said when I asked..." The light purple mare nods her head to her own words as she tilts her eyes back to the pegasus, "Thanks Sparky...You're a good friend."
"Ya..." A slight laugh comes over Sparky as he waits for the mare to continue.
Violet takes a deep breath as she stands from the ground with a slightly heightened voice, "Alright...Enough talk, we both still have something very important to get back to." As her words come to an end her horn sparks up in a blue glow. With in a moment the white stone room turns into nothing more than a smear of white color.
- - -
The chiming magic to Violet's horn finally comes to a rest as she brings her eyes back open to the room, but the young mare's eyes only come to a forced half shut as she's left feeling completely drained.
Sparky stands from his spot on the ground as he moves a hoof to rub to his flank, "Maybe next time we should sit on something softer?" A little smile comes over him as he stretches his legs a little, but as he rolls his neck he notices something that shoots his wings up, "It's night!"
The stallion quickly picks his bags from the ground as he looks to the mare still sitting down, "I need to get going!-...You ok?" His voice comes to an abrupt halt as Violet struggles to stand herself up, but she manages to put on a smile as she opens her mouth to answer him. But she quickly blinks back to the world around her as she leans to the bed and starts her hooves up.
Her motions cock the pegasus's head as he looks her over, "Are you sure that spell was easy? Cause you look like you just got done running from Pearl?"
Violet rolls her hoof to his words as her horn sparks up and begins to push him out the door.
Sparky's hooves screech a little to the floor as the magic to his flank quickly scoots him to the close threshold, "Alright alright...bye Violet." His hoof comes to the door as he takes his first hoof out of the room, trying to be as quiet as he can for the other mare's closed rooms around the hall.
It takes the stallion a few seconds to build his courage up but he moves into the hallway as he closes the door behind him.
To her new sealed off little world Violet turns back to the two bags she carried in earlier as she quickly unpacks. Her sleepy eyes still hold open though as the overstuffed satchels burst open to books, quills, papers, winter garments and other clothing.
Violet squints to the new mess growing over her desired bed as she sighs and sparks her horn up. The books, quills, papers and ink wells float over to the desk on the right side of the room as they are neatly stacked and positioned.
Her eyes come back to the still cluttered bed as her need to sleep continues to build, Violet looks around the room for a few moments as the bulk of her winter things come up into the air and float of the bed to the white wood dresser in the room, next to follow after them are her untied ribbons as her magic continues to bounce around her room.
With only the empty satchel left to the bed her horn's glow wraps over them as there floated to the opposite side of the bed as they drop to the floor with a light, plop, sound. To the successful noise her eyes and hooves dart towards the desk.
Again her horn comes up in a low blue glow as a quill comes up and a dark grayish inkwell becomes uncapped. A loose piece of paper comes over to sit in the middle of the desk as her neat horn controlled motions spark up.
Violet may be tired but the burning curse that her mother has passed onto her keeps her from her much needed rest as the page takes on a few written words, Tomorrow's to do list...
- - -
Sparky's slight pause to being pushed out of the room has ended as the stallion starts his trot quietly down the nighttime halls. But as he passes by the open door on his left a low female voice freezes his trot, "Hey, theres no stallion's on this side of the castle."
The sound of the mare's hooves coming towards the hallway turn Sparky's head as he looks over the crystal mare leaving her room. Starlight's mane that earlier in the day was neatly pinned up has now turned to a more loose lay, but her well spoken voice makes up for her relaxed look as she looks over the stallion and then to the only other room past her own, "Why were you here so late...Sparky was it?"
A nervous laugh comes from him as he speaks up, "Uh just helping Violet with a spell."
Starlight pauses for a moment as she cocks her head, "A spell?" Her voice comes up a little surprised as she blinks her eyes towards the closed room at the end of the hall, "Did Princess Luna tell her something about what we should be practicing?" Her eyes turn back to the stallion as her slightly rushed voice comes out, "What is it?"
With a faint laugh Sparky attempts to change the topic, "Oh it's nothing really...And I can't even imagine a pony like you being worried about practicing spells, not after the spell you did earlier."
The crystal mare blinks to the words as she speaks up, "T-that was just a simple movement spell..."
Sparky's mind clicks to his successful changing of subject as he gives an almost shocked smile to the mare's coy words, "Simple? You moved the sun?" A laugh rings a little louder to the room as the two young ponies come into the main entrance way of Canterlot castle.
Starlight gives a sheepish smile as she stops her trot, "Well I feel as though I should thank you...Since I did that spell no pony really wants to talk to me-." Her slightly downed tone ends fast as she brings her head up, "I'm sorry, you must need to get going, after all I never saw either of you leave that room the whole day..." A faint laugh comes from her as she continues, "Um...Good night Sparky."
The light orange stallion gives a nod as he moves towards the doors of the castle, "Good night." As his words come to an end he starts out of the castle and into the night's chilled air.
- - - (About an hour later)
The sky over Canterlot is dark with the half moon presiding as the main source of light to the mostly sleeping city; the night world and the very prominent fall chill that runs through the pegasus's coat with every flap of his wings have made his trip through the city decently quick.
Of course the stallion would have made it there sooner if he only had to focus on his flight path, but as he brings his eyes up from the flapping loose paper map in his hooves grasp for what seems like the hundredth time he looks over a large building in front of him.
Sparky's night flight has brought him to the edge of the city, but his exhausting mind; racked from reading the map is over as he brings himself to land to the dirt path beneath him. The bluish sky stoned building in front of him is not the size of Canterlot castle but it definitely shows it's own presence well. But the word's spelled out on the front of the buildings arches bring a smile to the stallions face as he places the map back to a side pouch of his satchel as he starts his trot up.
The stallion halfheartedly expected to see some fancy and elite looking track to be located near the building, but instead there's just a simple ground track that looks almost no different than Ponyville’s; it's no Wonderbolt's stadium but it does have it's own unique prestige.
But Sparky's locked eyed gaze is broken as a voice comes to him, "Hey, no Dodos out past curfew!"
To the authority commanding male tone Sparky stops his trot and swings his eyes up in and into the sky as three pegasus wearing sky blue outfits with yellowish gold bolts stitched into them start to land.
Sparky is quite as a very pale sky blue stallion with slicked back blue mane takes a hoof forward and speaks up, still holding the authority commanding tone as before, "Wait...You're not a Dodo? Who are you?"
"Um...What's a Dodo?" Sparky's voice is low as the stallion in front of him continues just to look him over.
"A Dodo is any first year flyer for the Wonderbolts..." The stallion squints his eyes as he raises his hoof, "Now who are you?"
Sparky straightens his stance up as he tries to hold confidence running through his own name, "My name is Sparky Wave...And uh I i'm here for the Wonderbolts."
"You're Sparky Wave?!" A younger vibrant yellow mare speaks up in surprise as she and the other younger looking white stallion next to her start to mutter to themselves.
But the almost shocked tone of the two ponies brings a quick reaction from Sparky as he speaks up, "Ya i'm Sparky...You know me?"
The stallion in front of the other two younger pegasus traces his eyes over Sparky's build as his voice comes back with a slightly friendlier tone, "Well I was told a Sparky Wave would be arriving a little late from the castle..."
"Ya that's me." Sparky nods his head to the words as the stallion in front of him just goes into a slightly confused stare.
"Oh well then welcome Sparky, I am Sorin of the Wonderbolts...I'm the stallion's head master for the first year academy." The stallion's right hoof comes up from the dirt ground as he waits for the light orange pegasus's hoof to meet him.
But the name has brought an almost fanboy smile to the young stallion's face as he struggles to bring his mind into action, after a few awkward moments though Sparky's hoof meets the stallion's as he speaks up, "It's an honor to meet you..."
Sorin nods to the comment as he turns back to the dark black maned white stallion behind him, "Streak could you show Sparky here to his room?"
The white stallion blinks to the statement but he nods his head as he takes a step forward, "Yes sir." His deep voice turns now to Sparky as he beckons him on with his hoof, "Come on Dodo follow me."
Sorin and the younger mare take a step aside as Sparky follows after the stallion. The leading pegasus's trot has made short work from their position to the building's entrance as he takes his first hoof inside.
The stone floor is a mixture of white and blue tile that's shines bright from the lights of the tall room's roof that's decorated to the brim with gold, silver and brass statues of wings, trophies and other cloud or sky crafted decorations.
Sparky's young and excited voice comes up as he looks over the wonderbolt outfit wearing stallion in front of him, "Are you a new Wonderbolt?"
"Ha! Am I a wonderbolt..." The stallion's voice has lost the respectful tone it held outside as he turns his deep gold eyes to Sparky's gaze, "Alright listen up Dodo..." His trot stops as he turns around to the light orange stallion, "I am a Strix, which is the last rank before your considered a Wonderbolt in training...There's only two of this rank and our job is to manage our house. For me that means any two bit pegasus that thinks they can be a Wonderbolt because there parents sent them to the academy or just got lucky on an application letter." His hoof comes up as he squints his eyes to Sparky, "You've already got me in a bad mood Dodo, you arrived late. That means that tomorrow's team relay is going to have to be changed up." A light chuckle comes from Streak as he shakes his head, "When I heard that a pegasus was going to be late because they were coming from the castle I thought, hey i'm going to get some important stallion, some excellent flyer...But NO I get this."
Sparky blinks to the stallion's words as he keeps his mouth shut.
"...I get a colt that looks like he has a hard time moving a thunder cloud on weather duty." Streak perks his head up as he widens his stare, "So do you see why I don't want to answer dumb question right now?"
"I...I just wanted to know if you were a Wonderbolt in training..." Sparky's ears flop down a little as he shoots a faint smile to the annoyed stallion.
Streak shakes his head as he starts his trot back up, "And that's how I know you're not ready Dodo...Everypony knows only a Strix can wear a Wonderbolt outfit, and you only become a Strix when you are selected." He turns an eyes to him as he starts down a hallway from the main entrance hall, "...No pegasus should come into the Wonderbolt's academy not knowing what a Strix is...It just shows you don't have what it takes."
Sparky's building annoyance to the cocky stallion's words starts to show as he pokes his head up, "I don't want to be a Wonderbolt, I want to be a cloud shaper for the Wonderbolt's shows."
The white pegasus's trot comes to an end at the last door in the hall as he turns around with a little chuckle, "Well then you got nothing to worry about Dodo, all you have to do is be a smart chicken and you get what you want." Streak holds his hoof to the doorless room as he cocks his head to Sparky, "Now help me with what I want, because the last test for a Strix is to help mold first year flyers...So for the next four weeks when it comes time for flying or racing you fly faster or run harder than you ever have."
The light orange pegasus nods to the comment as he starts into the simple dull colored room with nothing more than a simple light switch a window a bed on one side and a military like locker on the other.
Streaks voice comes back as he nods his head down the hall, "Bathrooms and showers are at the end of the hall Dodo, get some sleep because after tomorrow's orientation we hit the track..." The stallion shakes his head as he turns to start his trot, "After track you can bury yourself in your class books Cloud-shaper Dodo."
The sound of Streaks hooves start to fade as he disappears to the hallway hidden behind Sparky's doorless room.
As the sounds start to become a distant memory the young stallion moves his bags to sit in front of the locker as he just instead sits to the bed pushed up against the wall. But his ear flicks to the sound of the raging squawking springs as his flank comes to sit just barely on the bed.
A faint sigh comes over the stallion as he looks to the overly sized window that sits to the room, in the near distance the white stone buildings of Canterlot’s city are visible with the tall Castle that the stallion left only an hour ago sitting high above the pleasantly sleeping city. Sparky flops his head to the two pillows of the bed as he brings the blanket over his still fall chilled fur coat as he gets ready for his first night in his four week stay.
The morning sun has creeped into the world almost like a foreign entity to the light purple mare as she squints her eyes tight from the slightly blinding light extending its reach through her window.
Back at home the birds outside would have stirred her awake before the sun's rays ever really got a chance to; but there's no soft morning noise today and there won't be for awhile.
Violet's ability to hold her sleep comes to an end as she stretches her front hooves from the bed's covers, as her stretch comes to an end she moves her hooves to the ground as she begins her day.
- - -
It only really takes a few minutes for the young mare to ready herself, seeing as how her unbrushed mane really only needs a little flick of her head to turn it back to her normal style; and even though she can feel that the morning's air has a slight nip to it even inside the castle she doesn't think about putting anything warm on. The cold has never bothered her so with a bright blue bow tied to her tail and her teeth brushed the mare is left just staring to herself in the bathroom's mirror.
But her slow started morning doesn't hold for long as a hoof to the door comes up.
"Mrs.Sparkle, are you awake?"
Knowing she can't just call back an answer the young mare moves from the bed as she opens the door to a slightly older blue and light sky cyan maned pale blue unicorn mare.
"Ah hello, my name is Sapphire Gems, and I have been tasked with escorting the first year students to the school after breakfast..." The faked chipper voice of the mare is pleasant but not needed as Violet just nods her head and turns her eyes to the other mare's already standing in the hallway. Most of them still have the same dull sleepy eyed gaze to them but they like her have accepted the early morning start.
Violet brings her hoof up to the chipper mare's tone as she turns her head back to the room, a satchel quickly comes up from the opposite side of the bed as a quil, an inkwell and paper float into it and then float back to her.
The mare still standing at the door cocks her head to the motions as she speaks up, "Are you not ready Mrs.Sparkle?"
Her words spark up the crystal mare in the hallway as she takes a hoof forward, "Sapphire, she has Sombrauism, she can't talk."
Violet's ear flicks to the comment as the mare in the doorway nods her head, "Oh...Well then I guess you still need some time." Her head comes back to Violet as she gives a simple smile, "We shall be in the dining hall, please join us soon and we shall leave after."
Without another word the mare starts her trot up as she leads away the readied mares; but Violet has nothing more she needs to do as she closes the door behind her and begins to follow after the group.
The crystal mare towards the end of the group notices Violet's trailing after them as she drifts back to her side and begins to speak, "I admire your willingness to start the day...But don't you think you should have gotten ready? A combed mane and fresh breath could go a long way in Canterlot...So I have heard." The crystal mare gives a simple smile as she holds to her intentionally good comment.
But Violet just blinks to the words as she darts her eyes to the mane that slightly lays to her forehead, with another flick of her head it's sight is lost as she cocks her eye to the neatly brushed and combed crystal mare.
Starlight doesn't give another thought to the mare's actions as the two mares continue their trot after the majority of the group in front of them. However as they turn into another hallway the mare's voice comes back up, "So Violet, could you tell me about the spell Princess Luna taught you last night?"
Violet's ear flicks to the mare's slightly hushed voice as she turns a questioning eye to the mare.
A smile comes over Starlight's face as she gives a faint laugh, "I can sense from you that it must have been a very emotionally straining spell...I would be very interested in helping you, after all it must be hard not being able to just ask ponies for assistance."
Violet's eyes slightly tighten to the annoying comment as she looks away from the crystal mare.
"Ok everypony...Lets be quick if you don't mind, Canterlot's Unicorn school teaches more than just spells it teaches you how to be a mature pony...And that means not to be late." Sapphire's voice breaks Violet and Starlight's stare as they take their first steps to the great dining hall of Canterlot's castle.
The light purple mare takes advantage of the break in conversation as she trots to one of the empty well carved and red cushioned seats of the room.
- - - (Across Canterlot)
The unexpected and very unwelcomed morning trumpets have ceased, but it's effects have still lingered in the slightly shivering light orange pegasus as he struggles to listen to the blue stallion that trots down the military straight line he and the other ponies have formed.
Sorin's voice is not a yell but it's strong and deep tone comes over everypony's ears without even the slightest possibility of missing a word as it trails on, "...And that is why I am the first year judge this year and not Spitfire. Now taking a hoof away from that it's time for your agendas...In your four weeks here you will be expected to fly,eat,and sleep the Wonderbolts code. Which is Courage,Strength,Respect and Knowledge!"
The last word sparks a slight chuckle from the two stallion to each side of Sparky as the dark brown stallion with chocolate colored mane starts to whisper to the light cream colored stallion on Sparky's left, "Hey Flaps, what do you think, any mare going to pass the course today?"
A snickering laugh comes to the cream coated stallion as he pokes his head a little towards the stallion's words as his unbrushed mouth's odor runs past Sparky's snout, "I don't know, but I tell you what if that pink mare with the curly tail is flying today I don't think i'll be passing her today if you know what I mean."
From the stallion's hushed comment the dark brown pegasus starts up in another laugh.
But both of their laughs come to an end as Sorin's trot brings him in front of Sparky's position, "...Your schedules for today are this, stallions have sky track for the morning and then will return to the ground track after class. Mare's will have ground track first and then end the day after class with the sky track." The blue stallion's tone changes to a more excited tone as he parts his wings out, "Strix take your first year Dodos to their tracks."
To the words Streak and the yellow mare that Sparky saw the night before take to the sky as their voices come up, "Alright Dodo's spread those wings!"
Sparky flaps his wings out with the other ponies around him as they wait for the two lead ponies next command, Streak goes a little high in the air as he brings his voice up, "Stallions follow me to the start of your cloud relay."
Without a moment of hesitation the group of about ten or so young pegasus stallion's take to the air as they follow after the white stallion leading them. It takes a few extra moments for Sparky to bring himself into the air as the stallion to his right bumps into his extended wings, "Oh my bad bro!"
A slight laugh comes from the stallion as he pairs up with the pegasus to the left of him. As the two annoying stallions move from beside him, Sparky quickly brings his wings to a beat as he picks himself from the ground and follows them to the large cloud layer above the field.
With in a second he pops through the white cloud of fluff, as each pony passes through the white layer they lower their wings to their sides as they set themselves to the cloud. The fall chill is a little bit more prominent but Sparky no longer shakes a little as he sets his wings to his back and moves to the group of pegasus that have formed around the talking white stallion.
"...Alright we're going to have a simple five on five relay race, winning team gets to skip ground track after class if you want, losing team has to do extra laps." The white stallion points his hoof to the crudely shaped hoops in a few clouds that sit above the white surface they all stand on, "There will be one pony at each hoop,when your teammate passes through it that pony will go. Three laps to win, I will be timing."
The stallion's hoof comes to point at the group of eager young pegasus as he speaks up, "Yesterday's team of four now has five, split up in your group now."
As his words come to an end Sparky swings his head around as he tries to pinpoint the smaller group from the dispersing stallions, but he feels a hoof to his side as he stops his swaying head, "You're with us FillyFlank."
Sparky blinks to the light blue maned and cream coated stallion in front of him as he speaks up, "What?"
The light cream stallion in front of him nods his head as he blows his smelly breath unintentionally to Sparky's face, "pfff, I don't know your name. And you got a mare's flank so your name is FillyFlank-..."
His words are cut off as a dark chocolate coated pegasus trots past him to the other forming group, "Checking out stallion again huh Flaps?"
"Ya you wish Chase, you just make sure you keep your eyes off me when i'm zipping past ya!" A cocky laugh comes over the cream stallion's tone as he nudges Sparky to follow after him.
Sparky doesn't fight the cream stallion's lead as they start to a group of three other stallions, but Flap's voice comes up again as he looks over the other ponies, "Alright, Jiffy and Half Wind you two take the first post."
As the words end two pegasus take to the sky leaving only a slightly kicked up cloud piece left from where they were standing, but Flap's voice continues as he moves his hoof to the other pony, "Whiplash you start the race."
The dark yellow stallion with blond and white streaked mane sparks his wings up fast as he goes to the track's cloud start.
Flap's pink eyes turn now to Sparky as he speaks up, "Alright FillyFlank, you and me got the next clouds..." As his words end he comes up from the cloud as he waves his hoof for Sparky to follow, "Come on!"
The cloud surface below the light orange stallion turns to a few wispy remnants as he starts his wings up and follows after the leading pony to the suspended cloud towards the bend of the makeshift cloud track that shifts with every slight fall chilled breeze.
But as he sits to the cloud behind the cloud shaped hoop the cream stallion's voice comes up, "Whoa, what are you doing FillyFlank, you got the cloud ahead of me."
Sparky turns his head to the other hoop as he starts his wings up again as he soars over to the other cloud, the distance is a decent amount of flaps and as the light pegasus takes his hooves to the cloud next to the cloud hoop he starts to stretch his wings out.
As he continues to stretch his wings the stallion from the other team comes next to him, "Hey, FillyFlank, I see Flaps has me against you."
The chocolate coated stallion gives a cocky smile as he looks over Sparky's slender build. The light orange pegasus holds his gaze to the stallion next to him as he continues his wing stretches, Sparky may not be the most fit looking stallion on the track but he definitely has an advantage over the slightly buffer looking pegasus next to him...Or at least thats the idea his mind feeds to him as he sizes up his competition.
His attempt at bringing a steady confidence is cut short as Streak calls up from where he stands at the large cloud's surface, "GO!!"
Sparky turns his eyes to the start of the track that lays three hoops from him as he watches the race start up with the first two ponies. His heart's beat starts to rise as he notices the next hoop's ponies coming up and into the sky; and as they near the next hoop Sparky turns his gaze to his goal at the end of the cloud's stretch as he just waits for the sound of somepony's wings.
From the corner of his eye he sees his teammate burst through the cloud hoop quickly followed by the other pony. But Sparky's mind has already clicked his wings into gear as the cold air runs past his ears like a screaming storm; leaving the much more athletic looking stallion behind him...But only by the length of his tail.
Sparky's quick flight comes to an end as he burst through the hoop in a slight pant, his wings hold him in the air for a moment as he take in the cool air with a new found respect. But he sets himself back to the empty cloud as the stallion next to him speaks up, "Ha...Not bad FillyFlank."
A slight smile comes over Sparky as he turns his attention back to the race. From the look of which pony is starting out first his team is winning...This fact turns the light orange stallion's face to a slight smile as he watches the rounding ponies nearing his hoop again.
Like before he turns his head to his next goal as he holds his eyes to the two ponies rapidly nearing his position.
Like before his heart and wings start up in a quick rush as his teammate burst to the hoop behind him, this time the stallion next to him is only barely behind him. But Sparky stretches his hooves out as far as they can go as his squinted eyes bring the cloud hoop quickly to his face.
Again he beats the pony next to him as he sets himself to the cloud under the hoop with a new slightly louder pant.
The stallion next to him holds his own rushed breath down a little as he takes in the crisp high up air, "Alright FillyFlank i'm not doing ground track today..."
Sparky gives a light chuckle as he just holds his eyes to the track.
With in the moment Sparky's cloud becomes the focus as he readies himself to the ponies rapidly approaching.
But right before he leaps from the cloud like he's done the other two times the stallion next to him knocks into him, as Sparky stumbles his footing to the cloud's slick surface the two other ponies burst through the hoop.
The stallion next to Sparky shoots his voice back as he takes the definite lead, "Sorry Filly!!"
Sparky's eyes go wide to what just happened as he holds his mouth slightly a gasped, but his dumb stare is cut short as the pony on the cloud turns to him and speaks up, "GO! This is the last lap!"
To the words Sparky's wings flap hard and fast as they propel him through the air as he pushes himself to catch up with the other stallion, but as he just starts to near the hoop the other team's pegasus already darts towards the finish line.
Sparky burst through the hoop turning the shifty cloud creation to a mess of fading fluff as he holds his eyes to the finishing of the race. But there's no contest as he watches the other team's stallion take the close race by a pony and a half.
The chocolate coated stallion turns his head back to Sparky with a faked awww face as he speaks up, "Whoa...Tough break, you should really watch your hoof on these clouds...They get a little slick you know."
Sparky's tone comes up as he blinks to the words, "Slick! You pushed me?!"
The smaller pegasus's words turn the stallion's face a little surprised as he lowers his voice, "Oh ya? You want to prove that FillyFlank?"
Sparky's lip quivers to the bigger stallion as he holds his fight wanting body back, to the light orange pegasus's lack of motion the stallion starts to flap his wings, "Ha, like I said FillyFlank, you should watch where your hooves go...You wouldn't want to take the wrong step." Sparky's hard gaze is slightly altered to the stallion as Streaks voice shouts up, "Alright Dodos, its time to get to class. Come on down."
With a calming sigh Sparky brings his wings up as he starts to drift himself down to the large cloud, but his descent back to Equestria's world is halted as Streak's voice stops him, "Hey Sparky..."
The light orange stallion holds his hoover as the white stallion trots over to him, "You did good Dodo, you actually flew straight."
Sparky blinks to the comment as he stays silent, but Streaks voice doesn't stop as he continues, "Just make sure you watch your hooves from now on, it looked like you slipped off there."
The slight astonished look that came over Sparky's face fades as he nods his head, "Ya..."
"Alright Dodo, get to class."
As Streaks words end Sparky begins his flight down back out of the white fluffy cloud world.
Chapter 10 – Snail's crawl faster than your morning
The air being held above the warm encloser of your bed is a slight annoyance you can live with as it drys out your well rested and snoring a gasped mouth. But with one last loudish intake of air you close your mouth and begin to crack your eyes open to the world as you think, theres no way that snore was mine....
You shift your eyes to the lavender mare that still rest in your front hooves hold, you never start your sleep with bringing your hooves around the mare. Half because you don't want to put pressure on her swollen belly bulge and half because you don't want to wake up with a basically dead right leg...But as you feel her content breathing you push the thought about your soon to be needle feeling right leg aside.
From where your left hoof is draped over the mare you can feel her stomachs warmth dancing into your body, a faint smile comes over your face as you sigh a little and turn your eyes to the late morning sun...Oh today she sleeps in.
You turn your eyes back to the tangled mess of her two tone purple mane and highlights as you start to rub your hoof over her belly. However you don't even get halfway through a circular motion as her voice comes up in its normal groggy tone, "...I have to go to the bathroom...But its cold..."
A faint chuckle runs from your mouth as you speak up, "Thats what you get for staying cozy for so long."
Her head shifts a little to the pillow as she speaks up with a slightly annoyed tone, "Mmmm and your breath smells..."
You continue your rubbing of the mare's stomach as you think over her complaint, "I told you to let me cook." Another light chuckle comes from you as you direct it's chime to the mare's ear that flicks to every word.
A deep sleepy sigh comes from the lavender mare as she starts to stretch her hooves out, but her motions end quick as she starts to bring her heavy hooves towards the ground.
You watch the half closed eyed mare leaving the bed for a moment as you roll over onto your back and just listen to her fading hooves leaving the room.
A slight yawn comes from you as you just shift your eyes around the room as you try to plan your new day...But as you do this you notice a slight challenge to it, with Violet gone and Twilight not wanting to do anything from her pregnancy nearing its end there really is nothing to do...You blink to your mind's thoughts as you start to realize something to yourself...How long have I been a stay at home dad?
The sound of Twilight's heavy hoofs slightly dragging to the floor breaks your mind's hold, but Twilight doesn't get to hold her trot for long as the sound of a loud magical flaming belch runs through the house.
With in a moment the sound of Spike's claws tapping to the wood hit your ears, you sigh to the slightly annoying chatter.
Twilight snaps from her sleepy haze as she turns to the little dragon coming into the room, "Is it a letter from Violet?" Spike unrolls the blueish scroll of paper as he speak up, "Uhh...It didn't taste like Canterlot paper."
You squint to the comment as you think to yourself, paper has taste? Since when?
"...Oh, it's from the crystal empire?" Spike turns the paper towards Twilight but she doesn't take it up into her magical hold nor does she bring one of her heavy hooves up.
Instead you take hold over the paper as your purple magic brings it to you as you sit up in the bed, you look over the slightly shining paper as you start to read from it, "Twilight, we were wondering if you could tell us what you felt like when you used magic when carrying Violet. Cadence hasn't really been feeling too good after the last Crystal heart celebration and we are wondering if you could tell us how magic affects the early stages of a pregnancy. Sincerely your loving brother Shining."
Twilight blinks to your words as she gets a wide smile, "Cadence might be pregnant?" But the smile doesn't hold as she takes a hoof forward, "Oh no...What kind of spell did they use?"
To her stare you just shrug not knowing if she really needed or wanted an answer from you.
"Ooooh I hope she's alright...Come on Spike lets start on that letter." Twilight's newfound goal starts her trot up as she moves towards the door with Spike following after her.
You fold the letter as you move it to the nightstand next to you, as you start to move from the bed. As you picture the way you want it to look with your building magic, as the light chime of your purple magic comes to the covers you start to think to yourself about how Violet's own magic stuff is going.
- - -
(Back at Canterlot)
The late morning sun beats with a nice warming feel to the light purple mare's coat as she and the other group of unicorns near the large two story weathered looking white stone building. Above the arches of the entrance theres a few gold sun colored words that slightly glissen with a magical aura as the morning rays strike against them.
But Violet's admiring of the older looking building is brought to an end as the mare leading the group speaks up, "Year one students go to the lecture room to the right when we get in..."
Violet's horn sparks up as she adjusts the light satchel around her side, but as she passes through the doors of the stone school her magical chime pops to a finish.
From the sound the slightly older mare pauses her leading of the group as she speaks up, "The flooring of Celestia's school are lined with sun stone. Which will cause all normal magic to cease and keeps the building to a studiable quite." A faint smile comes over the mare as she turns her eyes to the light purple mare near the end of the group, "The building is made like this so no first year pony can accidentally set off a spell out of the classroom." Her hoof comes up to the first hallway as she speaks up, "Your classroom is on the right."
Violet gets a slight smirk to her face as she follows after her classmates and as she passes by the older looking mare she sparks her horn up in a low green glow as she continues to adjust the strap of the bag she put on so fast.
The mare just blinks to Violet's magic as the light purple mare continues into the classroom, as her pointless showing off comes to its end her blue eyes trace around the large room.
The room Violet has takes her first steps into easily trumps Ponyville's small school house, and as she looks around the room's carved stone walls and large bright shining windows that are being lit from the outside sun, the impact of where she is really starts to sink in.
"Well don't just stand there gawking everypony...Theres much to do with your time here." The strange stallion's voice turns everypony's heads as they look over an old white maned and dull pale red coated stallion. A smile comes from the stallion's face as he speaks up, "I am Professor Strokes." His hoof comes up as he nods to the vast amount of large empty desk seats that sit around the room, "Please do take a seat."
Violet like the other ponies around her starts her trot up as she singles out a seat towards the front of the class. As she moves her satchel to place on the desk she looks to the older stallion standing in front of a large blank chalkboard, half heartedly expecting him to say the same good morning she's so use to hearing Mrs. Cheerilee say...But instead as everypony sits down the stallion trots back to the large dark wood desk at the from of the classroom, "Alright everypony, when I call your name please stand up and come to the front."
The stallion's horn sparks up in a gold glow as a pair of glasses comes to sit on his lower snout and a piece of paper comes up in front of him, "Ah...Cherry Blossom."
To the name a cherry maned mare with pink coated fur trots towards the stallion's desk, a smile comes over the stallion as he nods his head, "Splendid." His horn's magic pops as a large book, and a gold card appear on the top right of his desk, "That is your card showing you are a student of Celestia, it will pay for anything you need while you attend this school...And the book is your spell dictionary."
The stallion clears his throat as he turns his attention to the rest, "Ok...Next is Starlight Bright." To the name the cherry maned mare starts her trot back up as the crystal mare brings herself to the front of the classroom, the same two items pop to the desk as she floats them to herself.
As the same motions begin to roll on with the stallion's next name Violet moves her attention to the bag next to her as she floats out a quil and inkwell.
- - -
It takes a few good minutes for the stallion's expertly pronounced words to reach Violet's name but as it does the light purple mare starts her trot up like every other pony did before her. And as she nears the older stallion he cocks his eyes to her as the sound of his magically popping items appear to the table.
As she floats the two items from the table the stallion moves from his chair, "Alright and last but not least, I need Sir Jules."
The stallion sitting behind Violet stands up as he gives a little huff, "Whyyyy do we have to stand, I think it would have been easier just to have the things teleported to us."
Violet takes her seat as the whining stallion trots up to the front of the class, the older stallion smiles to the stallion's gaze as he speaks up, "Well yes but then I wouldn't have as good of an understanding of all of my students." The younger stallion rolls his eyes as he takes his items to his magic and begins to trot back to his seat.
"Good now everypony has there things...And now I believe it's time to get down to business that way we can set the pace for the time you are here. Celestia and Luna will be testing your skills with magic, but I will be testing your understanding of magic..." The stallion's horn sparks up as he turns his attention to the board and begins to write what he says, "Your first assignment will be a ten page report on how magic affects and alters a pony and the world around them...Due in two days any questions?" The stallion's smiling face is turned back to the silent and shocked ponies around the room, but to the silence he nods his head, "Ah good, now you can find what you need at Canterlot's library, you will need to use at least ten books I would say."
Violet adjust herself to her seat as she takes a deep breath and moves a piece of paper from her satchel as she brings her quill to her hoof and begins to write, note to self, find Canterlot library.
But her writing is cut short as Professor Strokes's voice comes back up, "But for now you all will be doing a simple magic survey test, that will help show you as to what form of magic you are most suited."
His horn sparks up as a loud pop comes to the room, on everypony's desk a piece of paper poofs in the center of the desk.
Violet looks over the paper with a few multiple choice questions as the stallion speaks up with another smile, "The most truthful answer about one's self are ones where you do not think, so you are required to turn this paper into me in the next thirty minutes, oh and you must write with your hoof, no magic." He holds his smile as he takes his seat in his desk and brings a book to his hooves and begins to read.
To the stallion's quick ending words Violet turns her eyes to the weird color mixed looking page as she looks over the questions, luckily though theres nothing on the back and she starts her already inked quill to the paper without another moment's hesitation.
Q1: Magic is what to you? A:Enjoyment B:A challenge C:Passion
Violet gets a faint smile to the foal like question as she's quick to answer and moves to the next one. Q2: In ten words describe you.
The light purple mare still holds her thoughts about the easy first test as she begins to make quick work of her ten word list as she moves to the next question.
Q3:You come to a fork in the road, which way do you go? A:Left B:Right C:Turn around D:Straight
Her quick hoof's motion makes short work of the next few simple questions as in no time she brings her eyes to the last question as she reads it aloud to her mind.
Q10: There is a rock in your way, what do? A: Smash B:Walk around C:Write your own responses
Violet squints to the question as she brings her hoof next to the third option and begins to write, the constant motions she uses to talk have brought an added benefit to her hoof writing as every word she writes comes out with a unique curve to it, making her writing more of an art work rather than simple text as she continues to put her thoughts onto the paper. I would use my magic to clear the rock from the path, this way when I travel back I will not have to step off the path,; nor will I have to worry about the sharp rocks that may be created from smashing it.
Her blue eyes trace over the paper for a moment as she moves her quill to the desk and starts her trot towards the older pony's table.
As she nears the pony her hoof extends with the paper still being held to it, "Ah, Mrs.Sparkle...I had assumed you would be done fast." The stallion takes the paper from her hoof as he gives a smile, "I was your mothers second year teacher when she came here..." A quiet chuckle comes over him as his magic wraps to the paper, "This test is to help determine what kind of magic a pony is suited for...I would think your mother's knack for Spell Understanding and Spell Use would have been passed to you."
The paper in his magical hold turns a bright blueish gold as the light chime begins to ring down. "Lets see..." The stallion looks over the paper as he nods his head, "Oh, well it says you would be better with Conjuring, or perhaps creation spells would be better..." Another faint laugh comes from the stallion as he squints to the mare, "That trait is a little uncommon in mares, perhaps you owe your father a bit of gratitude." The stallion's words become long as the sound of another pony trots towards the front of class , but it doesn't stop his voice as he continues, "You know Star Swirl the Bearded was a famous conjurer, you should look into his work...Ah hello Mrs.Bright, lets see what we have here."
Violet takes a step aside as the crystal mare hooves her paper to the older stallion, but the light purple mare hesitates for a moment as she slowly starts her trot up still holding her ear to the conversation she's leaving, "Ah, you should try looking into Spell Understanding..."
Violet's ability to hold to the words of the low conversation fails as she comes back to sit at her desk. But as she sits down and she watches the crystal mare trot past her, the older stallion in front of the classroom picks his voice up, "Oh, if you are done you should look through the spell dictionary, it's quite fun."
The words flick the young mare's ear as she brings the large and heavy book in front of her, but as she opens it the book’s potent and abrupt smell of dried ink and old paper hits her snout. As she blinks her eyes and tilts her head a little away from the large book she regains her slightly lost sense of smell as she looks back to the very small text book on her desk as she gives a little sigh to the stallion's obvious misunderstanding of the word fun.
The sun above Canterlot's sky has dropped well from its after midday height, Violet's first day of school was a little longer than she thought it would be, and the young mare never thought she would enjoy her hour break for lunch so much. The outside world’s crisp fall air is something more than just a pleasant feel to the light purple mare. It now has become a feeling of freedom, a freedom the mare only has for a little seeing as how the book report that's due in the next two days weighs heavy to her mind. Of course her mind's weight is nothing compared to the large spell dictionary she's crammed into her satchel.
But as her trot continues down the dirt path that's outlined to the outer slightly rolling grass hills that sit a little ways from Canterlot's city; her mind shifts from her physical and mental burdens as she instead focuses on the colored ponies that round the outside track, next to the large sky blue building marked as 'The Wonderbolts academy'.
Violet doesn't really know where her friend is, but as she nears the track a little more she notices that all the ponies running or holding their flapping wings close to the ground are stallions, so the idea that Sparky is out here pauses the mare as she looks around the ponies that pass by her eyes.
However the light purple mare's presence starts to turn a few heads as a cream colored stallion starts to slow his trot, and instead turns his attention away from his hooves and to the mare he trots towards. "Well hellooo..." A confident smile comes over the sweat drenched pegasus as he nears Violet, "We don't usually get such cute looking unicorns around our side of Canterlot...What's your name?"
Violet blinks to the bold words coming from the unknown stallion, but she doesn't immediately take offense to it as she just gives a friendly smile knowing that the stallion won't really be able to hold a conversation with her...The thought is slightly saddening but her nose takes the idea of the smelly pony leaving most likely soon as a god send.
"Oh...You're one of those shy mares huh?" The cream stallion flexes his wings out as he puffs his chest out a little, "My name is Flaps." He holds his confident smile as he looks over the mare in front of him again.
The stallion's continuing stare turns Violet's stance a little shifty as she brings her hoof up in an attempt. But as its motion comes to an end the stallion in front of her just gives a confused blink as he pauses for a moment, "Oh..." A newfound wider smile comes up over his face as he speaks up, "Your one of those dancing mares huh? I've never been to Canterlot before but I have heard Club Luna is pretty cool..."
His words are cut off as another voice comes up from behind the stallion, "Violet?"
To the familiar young stallion's voice Violet shifts her eyes to the light orange pegasus that now trots over towards her. Sparky's usual spiked back mane has lost its shape and now lays to one side drenched in a little bit of sweat, but his voice is not panted as he comes to stand near the other pegasus, "What are you doing here? I would have came to the-..."
"FillyFlank, you know this mare?" Flaps turns his head to the stallion next to him as he waits for a response, but as Sparky gives a simple nod Flaps wraps his sweat furred right hoof around the stallion as he brings him close to him, "Hey! Alright, so what's the dancing mare's name?"
Sparky breaks away from the stallion's slight hug hold as he speaks up a little confused, "A what?"
"Ha, no really come on FillyFlank spill it." Flaps hold his own voice to his amusing laugh as he waits for Sparky to speak up.
But the name the stallion used again brings Violet's hooves up as she turns a questioning eye to her friend.
Sparky looks over her motions as he rubs his hoof a little to his other, "Ya...That’s kind of my nickname."
"What..." Flaps cocks his eyebrow to Violet as he shifts his gaze between Sparky and her and takes a hoof back, "Hey are you two doing some unicorn mine trick or something?"
Violet rolls her eyes to the stallions annoying confusion as she starts her hooves up and points to the cream stallion.
Sparky nods to her comment as he speaks up for her, "Oh, this is my friend Violet...She can't talk so-..."
Flaps turns his head back to Violet as he looks her over, "Can't talk huh?" A slightly creepy smile comes over the cream stallion as he speaks up, "I bet I could get you to say a name..."
"Flaps!"
The cream stallion's relaxed tone and slightly loose flared out wings straightens up as a white stallion with dark black mane comes over to where he, Violet and Sparky stand, "I don't think you did all your laps yet Dodo. Hows about we get back to it huh?"
Violet blinks to the stallion's commanding voice as she watches the cream stallion give an annoyed sigh as he pokes his hoof towards Sparky, "Oh come on Streak, why you yelling at me...This pony lost us the race."
The white stallion's hard stare doesn't shift as he looks over the cream coated stallion, "Oh ya? Then why is it Dodo Cloud-Shaper has finished his laps when you haven't...Now stop bothering this poor young mare and get back to it Dodo."
Without another moment of hesitation Flaps starts his trot up as he mumbles something to himself and starts back to the track. As he leaves Streak's tone shifts a little more to a normal deep tone as he looks back to the mare standing near the track, "Tell Celestia or Luna the next time they send a message pony make sure it’s not a mare...Now if there’s anything that doesn't need to be signed I can take it, if not you need to-..."
"Um...She's not a messenger pony."
Streak cocks his eye to Sparky's comment as he speaks up a little lower and slightly embarrassed, "Oh...my apologies ma am." His eyes shift between Sparky and the light purple mare for a moment as he speaks up, "Well then carry on." As his words end his trot is sent back to the track as he looks over the still running or low flying pegasus.
Violet cocks her head to her friend as she moves her hoof up again, but Sparky brings his own voice up as he wave to her comment, "No you don't want to hear what happened...It’s not really that important..." Sparky's voice comes back up a little more as he continues, "So how was your first day?"
A sigh comes over Violet as she taps her hoof to her bag and runs through a few simple ear flicks and other motions.
A faint smile comes up from Sparky as he speaks up, "Oh a writing thing huh? I don't have any class work." He straightens his posture up a little as he folds his wings to his back, "I'm like the smartest pony in my class."
Violet rolls her eyes to the comment as a smile comes over her face, but her smile ends as she brings her hooves up again and then starts to trot back down the dirt path.
"Now?..." Sparky looks back to the track as he hesitates to follow, "Well, I don't have anything else to do, but I think I should get cleaned up before we-..." The stallion's words are cut off as a very cold bolt of air hits his body leaving his fur with a slight frosted coat and his mane blown back.
Violet looks over her quick spell as she gives a friendly smile and speaks up her hooves.
Sparky's teeth chatter a little as he nods, Y-ya, but how long does it take to melt?"
A faint wheezing laugh comes over Violet as she brings her trot back up.
- - -
The journey back into Canterlot has been quiet with only a few teeth chatters from the thawing orange pegasus, but their trip begins to come to its end as the big marble building comes into view. There are two flights of stairs leading up to a large glass door opening; to each side of the walk way up there are four sets of large columns that reach up to the overhang of the building. On the second flight of stairs there sits a large stone figure of a unicorn reading a book.
There's really no doubt to Violet it's the Canterlot's library that Twilight always talked about, but the fact that above the door there's the marble words does kind of reassure her that she's not walking into some place she shouldn't be.
Around the inside of the library there's a few colorful ponies either dropping off or checking out a book at the counter to Violet's right. But what's really struck the mare's face into a giggly smile is the vast amount of books that are visible to the bookshelves of the two story high building. Her face almost shines like the polished marble floor that's under her hooves that reflects the sun shining in from the dome sun roof above her.
"Whoa...that’s a lot of books." Sparky's words speak for Violet's own thoughts, but his tone is a little bit less excited than the mare that tugs on his still damp mane with her magic. Sparky starts his hooves up quick as he follows after the slightly tugging mare, "Alright alright..."
Violet's trot stops as she turns to the stallion and brings her hooves up in a few quick motions.
But her fast pace only leaves the stallion in confusion as he squints to her, "Get books about magic right?"
A nodding yes comes over Violet as she points to the tables that sit off to the side of the library.
Sparky's mind slowly follows what she wants as he speaks up, "...And meet back there right?"
Violet gives another nod as she starts her trot up and into the large library. Sparky on the other hoof pauses for the moment as he just swings his head around the large building's insides, but he doesn't waste any more time as he starts his trot towards the first long hallway of tall bookshelves. There is a slidable ladder on the far side of the bookshelves but it's not like the pegasus would really need it...And from his slow start of the mainly bottom and middle rows of books he most likely won't even be looking up anytime soon.
Sparky mumbles the titles to himself as he continues to trot slowly down the aisle as he holds his head to the right side. As he nears the end of the long row without seeing a book with the word magic in it he starts to turn his head to the opposite side; but the stallions mind begins to focus on the titles as he continues his trot and instead of turning he ends up crashing into a fur coated obstacle.
As Sparky's quick and embarrassed turn to the pony he's knocked into he rushes his voice, "Sorry...Sorry I didn't see you there." His rushed mind doesn't get to get a clear look over the pony he's knocked into as he immediately turns his eyes to the few books that now lay upturned to the ground.
But they only sit to the ground for a moment as he quickly brings his hooves up, as he brings his eyes back to the familiar crystal mare in front of him a more embarrassed smile comes over him, as he hoofs the books forward, "Um...I didn't hurt you did I?"
The crystal mare's horn sparks up in a faint gold chime as the few books come from Sparky's hoof, "Oh no...Crystal ponies are not really made out of crystals." A light smile comes from the mare as she gives a simple giggle.
Sparky just blinks to her words as he sways a little on his hooves, "Oh...Then how come you're all...um." His confident tone shatters as he tries to think of a way to speak his mind that won't end up insulting the mare.
But his stutter is cut off as the mare cocks her head, "Shinny?"
"Ya."
Starlight rolls her hoof to the comment as she takes to the conversation in her normal well spoken tone, "Honestly I don't quite understand it either...But I have always believed it's because of our bonding to the Crystal Heart's magic."
Sparky nods his head to the comment as the mare's voice starts to become a little excited, "One reason I wanted so desperately to come to Canterlot's magic school was to better understand my own magic..." A laugh comes from her as she pokes her head up, "I kind of have always wanted to study the Heart myself...But only ponies in the castle or of grave importance can do that.-...Oh." Her words stop as she waves her hoof, "I must apologize, I sometimes get carried away on magic talk. So what brings you by the library...um, Sparky?"
The mare's trot starts to come from the row of books as she holds her eyes to Sparky who begins to follow after her, "I'm here trying to find some books for Viol-..."
As Sparky's comment ends the light purple mare comes out from her own row of the library as she floats a few books to her blue hold.
"Ah, Mrs.Sparkle."
The crystal mare's voice flicks the mare's ear as Violet turns her attention away from the next isle and instead back to where her friend stands.
"I see you are still looking for a few books to study...Here take mine, I don't have a need for them anymore." Starlight's books float over to Violet as the purple mare blinks to the words and brings her left hoof and right ear into a motion.
Starlight nods to the mare's question as she speaks up, "Well yes...I am done. Well...I haven't wrote anything yet, I simply just used a quick text suck spell."
Violet again blinks to the words as she just stares a little astonished.
Starlight notices the mare's expression as she cocks her head, "D-do you not know that spell?"
The comment sparks a sheepish smile as she shakes her head.
"Oh, I could teach it to you if you want." Starlight gives a friendly smile as she waits for Violet's response. But the crystal mare's tone brings a different reaction from the light purple mare as she replies with a shaking no.
Starlight blinks to the comment as Violet floats her books to the other side of her and brings her hooves up in a quick motion.
"Um...You're welcome but are you sure you don't-..." Starlight's words are cut off as Violet's motions quickly turn the mare's eyes, "...Well yes I guess you're right, the spell is rather new so I guess they wouldn't have had it when your mother was here. But I don't see how you believe reading everything would give you a better understanding.
Violet holds her head up high as her stubborn mind replays her own thoughts to her, if my mom didn't need a spell for studies...Then I don't need a spell.
The light purple mare's trot comes up as she sets her eyes to the tables at the end of the library, as she starts to trot away Sparky nods his head to the crystal mare, "Goodbye Starlight."
The crystal mare nods to the comment as she brings her own trot up, "Yes...Goodbye."
As her words end Sparky starts to follow after the fast paced mare that already starts to set her books to the table.
Violet's face holds an almost annoyed tone as she looks to her friend and sparks her hooves up. Sparky blinks to the mare's slightly faster pace motions as he moves to the seat across from her, "I don't think she was showing off...She just wanted to help you with a spell."
Violet swings her head up in a sarcastic fashion as she sits her flank to the chair and moves her bag to the table and her hooves over top her book as she starts up her hooves and ears to her words.
But the mare's motions only bring a smile to the light orange pegasus's face as he speaks up with laugh, "You're acting like you're jealous of her."
The stallion's laugh turns Violet's blue eyes to a hard squint as she looks over her friend. To the mare's look Sparky leans forward with a low whisper, "Oh Celestia, you are! Violet Sparkle is jealous she is not the best-est young unicorn in town anymore!"
Violet rolls her eyes as she sits her flank to the chair and immediately corrects the stallion's word.
Sparky just rolls his hoof to the comment as he blows to her, "Pfff, best-est is a word; and besides you're too jealous to think straight."
The light purple mare rolls her eyes as she floats a book towards the stallion.
"What's this?' Sparky blinks to the slightly large book as he reads the title out loud, "Math for foals?"
A faint wheezing laugh comes from Violet as she wiggles her hoof to him.
Sparky cocks his eye to the mare's enjoyment as he speaks up, "You saying, i'm bad at math?"
Violet proudly shakes her head as she takes her hoof to open the book in front of her. As the mare's hooves go silent to the pages Sparky speaks up again, "So is this where we're going to meet after our schooling?"
The mare turns her eyes back to the stallion as she gives him a little smile, Sparky returns the smile as he sits a little more comfortable in his chair, "Alright, at least its closer to the academy then the castle." Sparky's words trail on as he starts to look mindlessly look over the book Violet floated to him, "So did you tell your parents about your new spell or are you just going to surprise them?"
Again Violet hooves quickly spark up but this time she brings her hooves quickly to her satchel instead of just into a hoofing motion.
"...Now remember this spell is all about picturing the object being whole again. Once you’re able to get through this spell we should be able to try it on the crib you broke-..."
You stare unamused to the perfectly broken plate that floats over the table you've been trapped at for most of the late afternoon as you think, I didn't break the crib...it was like that already.
You give a little sight as you continue to listen to Twilight’s speech about how to do the spell... It's not that you don't like magic, truthfully your magic has gotten a lot easier to use over the years, but Twilight's normal explanation of spells have become a lot more lengthy with Violet out of the house...You drift your eyes back to the lavender mare as you speak up, "So like a teleportation spell right?"
Twilight blows to the comment as she tilts her head up, "Of course not, every spell is different."
Her words spark a response from the purple dragon next to her with the open book still in his claw's grasp as he continues to stand in for a living book pedestal, "Ya, if every kind of magic was the same then every pony could have dragon's breath."
You squint to his comment as you look over his proud face, dragon's breath? Please...I burn things with my mind.
"Now, picture the plate as a whole and clear your mind to just focus on it." Twilight's voice holds her low wise tone as she keeps her eyes to the purple shrouded two pieces of plate as she waits for you to spark the spell up.
You turn your gaze back to the plate as you just look over the crack that has split the two pieces as your purple magic starts to come a little deeper. The warm magic runs under your coat as you give another low breath and begin to just picture the plate coming together.
For a moment your magic just bounces around the room with it's steady chime, but after a few moments you start to notice the crack in the ceramic plate starting to glow a little brighter. As you noticed the glow you slowly start to move the two pieces towards each other.
FFFFHHHH!!!
Only a few inches from your face the rush of greenish fire belches from the purple dragon on your right. The heat of the flame and pure shock of it breaks your concentration as a loud plate shattering sound rings from your purple hold as it turns bright green and snaps the two pieces into four that then drop to the table.
"Spike?!" Twilight's voice comes up as the purple dragon bends down to scoop the book he dropped, "Sorry, sorry, I guess Celestia is using a different magic or something." His face turns a little sour as he squints his eyes, "...And it taste like old socks."
Sock? You blink to the words as you turn your eyes up from the destroyed plate and to the dragon.
Twilight doesn't pay attention to Spike's words as she squints to the rolled up letter, "Why would Celestia send a letter so late-...OH no! What if it's about Violet?" Her horn sparks up in a purple glow as the rolled up letter quickly springs from the table and towards her face.
You hold your ears to the mare as her slightly rushed words come out, "Dear, mom and dad..." A sigh of relief comes from the mare as she gets a wide smile, "It's from Violet."
Spike sighs from the words as he speaks up, "Great...She must want to send her letters from the old library's magic paper..."
You shake your head to his words as you bring your ears back to Twilight's voice.
The heavy mare starts to turn more to the room as she trots aimlessly around it with her voice ringing out, "...I can't really write to long of a letter because i'm working on a paper for school due in two days..." She pauses for a moment as she trails her eyes over the letter,"I also learned a spell I can't wait to show you..."
You stand from your seat as Twilight's voice starts to lower more to her smiling face, "What else does it say?"
No answer comes from the lavender mare as she continues to trace her eyes down the paper, but there motions stop quick as she speak up, "Awww, she's already got her first book report."
Her wide smile slightly confuses you as you shake your head, "Yay?"
Twilight starts her trot towards the library as the paper in her magical hold trails after her through the air, "I wonder if I could help her from here! I mean sure I still have Star Swirl's book I want to finish for Celestia, but I could have Violet send her things to me and I could do a few tweaks for her."
You blink to the words as you speak up, "Come on Twilight, I don't think you should worry yourself with Violet's stuff...You should, you know rest?"
The lavender mare ignores your words as she turns her eyes to the main part of the library, you follow after her as you listen to the heavy mare's hooves clap to the circular room. As her stare comes to the shelves you take the letter from her magical hold with ease as you read it for yourself.
But you stop your eyes on one of the lines as you read out the rest of the sentence Twilight just so happened to stop at, "...but don't worry, i've already found the library...." You tilt your eyes up from the slightly lengthy letter as your words come to an end, "You hear that Twilight, she's already started..." You give a little laugh to your words as you bring the paper back to your eyes...She already started, you think the words over as you shake your head. Two days? Heck I would have started tomorrow.
Your eyes come back to the lavender mare as she tries to free a book from the shelves as she balances her self to her three hooves. To her motions you float the paper to Spike as you trot next to Twilight and place your hoof to her extended front leg, "Come on Twilight, I think she's got this..."
Twilight turns her head back to you with an almost annoyed face as she speaks up, "She could still use some help, it is her first report for the school after all."
You look over the mare's face for a moment as you hold an unfazed smile and bring your hooves up with a thought, Twilight follow's your motion's as you run through Violet's favorite saying.
The simple motions end fast as Twilight's soft purple eyes flutter and she turns away from you, "Oh..." Her voice comes back with a slight sniffling as she speaks up almost angry to your hoove's comment, "No, she's not a BIG filly until I say she can be...."
A light chuckle comes from you as you move your side to her puffed out body, "Aww, is somepony finally feeling an empty nest?"
From your close stand next to the lavender mare you feel a kick resonate from within her swollen stomach.
A sniffy giggle comes from her as she shakes her head, "N-no..." Her voice stops as she turns her soft purple eyes to you, from your stare her tone drops a little, "Well...Maybe."
You nod your head to the mare's words as you speak up, "Good, now i'm not the only one." You take a deep breath as you tilt your head up, "You know...I think we want a brownie."
Twilight moves from your side as she shakes her head, "Pfff, what are you trying to fatten me up?"
You look over the pregnant mare as you smile and start your trot towards the kitchen, "Might be."
The elegant stone hallway maintains a slight chatter to it, both hooves and voices that stem from the young unicorns that travel down it's length, to their destination in the courtyard of the castle. There voice's are not particularly excited, but they all hold there own confidence to the idea that there previous two and a half weeks where hopefully not for nothing.
As the groups of ponies starts to leave the hallway the light orange pegasus brings his paused trot up again as he moves towards the mare's hallway. Under the stallion's folded down wings the heavy satchel, weighed down by the various math, and cloud-shaping books the young stallion still needs to study over on his one day break from school.
But for right now his own studies are pushed to the back of his mind as he drifts into the hallway in search of the light purple mare that has yet to travel down it like her peers before her.
Sparky's trot holds but only for another moment as the gray crystal mare coming down the hall catches his eye, a friendly smile comes over the pegasus as he slows his walk a little. Over the last two and a half weeks Sparky and Violet have continued to meet up for their own study session, or for more of Violet's practice with her dream spell which she's been improving on. But their friendship has not been the only thing that has grown, seeing as how Sparky nine out of ten times is left to talk with the crystal mare while he waits for his friend.
Of course Sparky doesn't mind it, it turns out being a decently smart pegasus out to become a famous pony known for shaping clouds doesn't really scream for attention from the ponies he attends his primarily athletic based school with.
"Good day to you Sparky..." Starlight brings a warming smile over her face as she pauses her trot in the hallway as her well spoken tone holds.
Sparky nods his head as he stops his own trot, "Hi Starlight."
Starlight looks over the crammed satchel around Sparky's body as she speaks up, "I see you have your work cut out for you this day?" She cocks her head a little as she continues, "Might I ask what it's for?"
"Its just some studying things for the wonderbolts midterm test." The comment about the heavy bag around the stallion flare his wings out a little as he attempts to adjust them to their uncomfortable lay.
The gray crystal mare nods her head as she continues, "Um...I could help you-After my own exam of course." She waves her hoof a little as she quickly finishes her words, "I have always found pegasus learning interesting."
Sparky shrugs to the comment as he speaks up, "Well...Me and Violet were most likely going to the li-..."
His words get a little cut off as the light purple mare takes her figure to the hallway from her room, around the young mare's body lays her own light purple satchel with an emblem of her cutie mark, but it definitely looks lighter than Sparky's bag. Her mane holds her normal tomboyish lay and her tail is held at the base by a bright blue bow that matches her slightly sparkling blue eyes that almost burn with the goal she's striving to complete today.
Violet's smile that crossed her face from the sight of her friend fades a little as she notices the crystal mare turning her head to hers. Over the last few weeks the crystal mare has become a rival, both magically and academically...And it's started to take it's toll a little on Violet, by no means does the light purple mare hate her, and it's kind of a good thing Violet has found somepony to continuously drive her. But Starlight and Violet both want the same thing, something that only one of them will be able to have...Top of the class, and lately the crystal mare has taken the lead. Not because her spells or work are much better but mainly it's because of her ability to finish the work first, something Violet can't do if she wants to continue practicing her dream spell just about every night.
However the light purple mare holds her friendly smile as she nears the two ponies.
"Good day Violet." A warm smile comes to Starlight's face as she takes a little sigh, "I wish you luck today."
Violet nods to the comment as the mare continues, "...I'm actually a little nervous right now, I didn't get a good sleep last night." Starlight shakes her head a little as her voice picks up, "And I think my lack of sleep messed with Sparky's breakfast time..."
Sparky blinks to her words as Starlight is quick to speak up, "But I think that lizard is just feeling a little homesick."
The three ponies start their trot as Sparky continues the small talk conversation, "You guys get a break in a few days don't you?"
"Oh yes, we get a break soon..." Starlight sighs as she swings her head around the castle's hallway, "I have enjoyed Canterlot, but I am missing the Crystal city."
Sparky nods to the words as he speaks up, "What's it like?" A faint laugh comes from the stallion as he straightens his posture, "Ponyville is all dirt and grass, I can't even imagine a city of crystals."
Starlight holds her smile as she turns her gaze from her path to the young stallion, "It's wonderful...You should see it sometime."
Violet's ear flicks to her tone as she lowers a little with a sigh as she just listens to the two ponies to either side of her continuing there so easily held conversation.
"Well...I have kinda wondered about it." Faint chuckle comes from Sparky as he lowers his head, "You always make it sound so nice there."
The two ponies that have slightly squished the light purple mare between them finally break away as there trots bring them to the main entrance of the castle.
Starlight pauses her trot for a moment as she just stares to the double doors, but her voice comes up a little as her grey crystal coat takes on a reddish pink tint, "It's exciting isn't it? That today has come so fast, there's only one more test before we're done"
Her words bring a nod to Violet's head as she and the dull orange pegasus trot out of the two doors with the crystal mare following close behind.
The midday sun has taken it's high and now sits in the sky behind the castle's towers, leaving a fall chilled shadow over the courtyard were the young unicorns have gathered. Over the last few weeks a few ponies have left the school, due to the slightly strenuous studies but the group of ponies still make a decent size.
With the thought in mind Violet's posture turns a little more proper as the tomboyish uncombed maned mare starts to walk between the two tall princesses that stand on the last stair above the courtyard. She's made it this far, and she intends to show it was well earned with her spell today...Even if she is bound to the same kind of spell she did when she had her first test.
Neither of them directly give a smile to Violet as she and the two ponies next to her begin to move towards the rest of the class, but their eyes hold is felt to Violet's mind as she takes her stance towards the edge of the group. Starlight heads to the other side without another word as everypony holds there gaze to the two tall mares.
"Hello again everypony..." Celestia's voice comes up as every pony returns the welcome.
The white mare's calmed tone holds as her magenta pink eyes run their course down the makeshift row of young unicorns, "Today marks your halfway mark for your first year, and the day you will be able to show your new understanding of your individual magical potentials." She pauses for a moment as she tilts her head a little, "Now lets get to it, is there anypony who wishes to start?"
Celestia's words end quick to Violet's ears as her horn sparks up in blue glow that zaps her satchel from her body and to the stallion next to her. Sparky halfheartedly expected the actions as he balances the new weight to his back as Violet's figure poofs to the front of the group with the fading blue sparkle of her magic.
"You may proceed when you are ready."
As the claimed words end Violet straightened her posture as she tilts her head a little higher and briefly looks over the sky above her. The cold weather has made the sky above Canterlot a bit more cloudy, and right now a large abstract strip of dark whitish puff runs over head; it's sight brings a confident spark to the young mare's horn as she starts her spell up. Her horn's fluorescent blue glow holds as the sound of her building magic runs around the courtyard.
Violet's never had a problem with this spell and the last few weeks have only strengthened her ability to do it. Magic is thoughts and emotions, and right now her mind's goal is clear and her confidence is strong.
Without another moment's hesitation Violet's now bluish green horn fires a bolt of cracking magic to the clouds above her.
The puffy and white strips instantly react to the expert like spell as the cloud starts to flex and pulse outwards from the bolt's impact, almost like a rock that's just been tossed into calm and still water.
Violet holds her head high and her eyes pinned to the two tall mares in front of her, as the cloud above her sends out an almost low thundering sound as if it were going to rain. The white cloud has now turned an organically moving grayish puff as a few dancing snowflakes start to fall down from it, but unlike her first test the chill of the frozen water starts to burrow itself into everypony; leaving them a little more sensitive to the cold chill in the fall air.
A happy giggle comes from Celestia as she bows her head a little, "Thank you Violet...I see you're two weeks have served you well."
Celestia's words bring a pride filled feel to Violet's mind, but it's Luna's true to life smile that brings Violet's head to nod thankfully as she turns back to the smiling pegasus that now has a few bright white snowflakes stuck to his mane like the rest of the slightly shivering ponies around him.
As Violet brings herself back to his side she floats her satchel around her as Celestia's voice comes back up, "Who's next?"
The light purple mare doesn't even second guess her thoughts as she immediately turns her gaze to the crystal mare that starts to step a little unsure towards the front of the group...Violet has her own respect for the crystal mare and her magic, but that doesn't change her smile as the light purple mare just takes in the fact that her dark cloud now blocks the mare's sun from sight.
Starlight turns her gaze to the cloud cover as she squints her eyes to the still falling snow, as she begins to question her ability to even attempt her spell. Her stare turns into half a minute as she sighs and closes her eyes while her horn sparks up in a hard gold glow. The mare's hooves dig hard to the ground that now has been littered from Violet's spell as Starlight tries to find a stable posture to push herself further into her magic.
The grayish mare's coat has come back, but only for a moment as her crystal body starts to glow a little brighter now with a goldish tint to it.
Starlight's magical building brings an almost screaming chime around the courtyard as her eyes clenched shut to her pulsing horn.
No bolt of magic shoots through Violet's cloud though as the cooled feeling of her snow starts to turn into a damp wetness as the cloud above the courtyard begins to dissipate.
Violet's jaw like the ponies around her all drop as they notice the sun's light starting to shine through a few cracks into the evaporating cloud.
But Starlight's spell ends as the crystal mare falls to her front hooves in a painted heap, her once neatly combed mane now has turned to a ruffled frizz from the magic that was pulsing to her horn.
Celestia's voice immediately comes up as she takes a hoof forward from her steps, "Are you ok?"
Starlight quickly brings herself up as she nods, "Y-...yes...I am fine."
There's a pause for a moment as everypony just holds her ears to Celestia's silence, but it's broken as the tall white mare speaks up, "That was a very excellent attempt at the spell Starlight, you picked something that hasn't been done by a normal ponie for over a thousand years...You should feel proud knowing you improved on it."
The crystal mare nods her head as she continues to catch her breath.
Celestia's eyes shift between Violet and Starlight as her voice directs to the group, "Once you have completed your spell you may go and enjoy the rest of your day."
Starlight slowly brings her trot up towards the group again as another pony steps forward. Violet holds her gaze to the steadying mare for a moment before she turns to the stallion next to her and taps him on the chest to follow.
Not wanting to disturb the new pony at the front they drift towards the back of the group as Violet leads there trot to the crystal mare. Starlight's eyes turn to the two ponies as Violet's right hoof starts up with a friendly smile.
Starlight's voice holds a low whisper as she speaks up, half because of her slight pant and the other out of respect of the testing pony, "Thank you Violet...But I don't believe completing a spell only halfway is a big accomplishment."
"Are you kidding?" Sparky's voice holds his excitement down as best he can as he speaks up through his smile, "I'm pretty sure just doing that spell is an accomplishment."
Starlight nods her head as she speaks up, "Well I thank you...But I feel as though my last test will be something I can consider an accomplishment, I want to make sure Celestia and Luna see my improvements."
Violet is a little taken back at the words as she looks over the mare, trying to figure out if the mare has something already planned...And if so how good of a spell could it really be? The more Violet holds her smile the more her mind starts to doubt her own ability, other than the dream spell and the few frost and weather spells she knows her magic is nothing different than any other ponies.
As Violet holds her expression, Sparky speaks up with a new found astonishment as he nods. But before he can speak up Violet brings her hooves up as she says a quick goodbye to the crystal mare. Starlight acknowledges her goodbye as the light purple mare starts to tug the dull orange pegasus behind her with a new goal in mind.
Violet holds her intense searching eyes to the bookshelves for a moment as she scans them for anything that catches her eyes. It feels like forever since she and Sparky left the castle; and although it's a little strange that no pony from her class has shown up to get an early jump on the next spell for their third test its not uncommon. For the past few weeks Violet has really dove herself into her studies, not being able to so easily talk to other ponies has kept the young mare from distractions and having Sparky around and Starlight as a competition has kept her from wearing herself out.
The sound of her magic sparks up fast as she pins her eyes with a filly like glee to a dusty book at the edge of the shelve, as it floats out bringing a slight trail of dust behind it her eyes move over the cover, Advanced Conjuring. At the bottom of the light brown and dusty caked cover there reads a few words that the young mare just so happens to avoid reading as she starts her trot up, for experienced summoner only.
The library around Violet as she trots back to her table is quite and the very low sun's light coming from the top dome glass window of the building has started to lose it's hold over the building, instead giving way to the artificial lights of the library.
Violet's blue magical hold brings the book quickly to rest on the table as she moves the letter home she wrote a few minutes ago to one side. Across from where she now takes her seat, sits the dull orange pegasus as he continues to pull his mane with his right hoof as he just stares to the few papers he pulled from his bag when the two got situated.
To the stallion's frustrated stare Violet's horn sparks up as she jiggles the paper that he's focusing on, the movement slightly crosses his heavily focused eyes for a split second which brings a slight wheezing laugh to Violet's mouth as she starts her hooves up.
Sparky blinks to her comment as he tries to flatten the mane that has now been pulled straight up from his frustration, "I can't do this!" His hoof comes to sit atop of the slightly smudged ink and crossed out numbered paper as he continues, "Really, when am I ever going to need all this math? I know how to shape cloud without knowing how much a cloud weights when its a rain or snow cloud!-..."
The stallion's complaining doesn't stop as he starts to point to the two scratch work papers that sit next to him, "I did this like a hundred times, I feel like my hoof is going to come off...."
Violet just starts to nod her head to his continuing rant as she floats the paper over to her, through her nods she looks over the twenty question long study paper as she brings his pencil to her magical hold...Of course Sparky doesn't take notice of it as he continues to jab his hoof a little to the two meaningless work papers, "...Look I did everything, how much a piece of cloud weighs VS a full cloud, heck I even-..."
His words start to become a slight blur as Violet's horn makes short work of the eraser shaving covered paper, and before the stallion's voice can run back up again she's scooted the paper back to him.
As the light blue magic around the paper fades Sparky stops his voice as he takes it into his hooves, "...H-how did you do it so fast?"
Violet ignores his comment as she flops the book she pulled from the shelve into Sparky's hooves's grasp, which causes the paper in his hold to be trapped under the heavy book as the stallion reads the title out loud, "Advanced Conjuring?" He turns his eyes to the smiling mare as he cocks his head, "What's conjuring? Like potions and Zebra brews or something?"
Violet rolls her eyes to the comment as her hooves speak up.
Sparky blinks to her for a moment as he shrugs, "Y-ya I guess it's a good idea...But can you even do these spells? It says advanced."
A silent HA comes from Violet as she wiggles her hoof to him and floats the book back to her with a smile as she begins to flip through the pages for a spell.
But to the mare's lack of motions Sparky speaks up again, "Wait...You're not just picking some old spell book because of Starlight right?"
Violet nods her head as she holds her gaze to the pages she flips through, but before he can speak back up the light purple mare turns the book to him as she taps her hoof to a page.
Sparky looks over the text as he speaks up, "...What?"
A faint sigh comes from the impatient mare as she floats the book up to free her hooves to talk.
Sparky's voice goes a little sheepish as he thinks over her motions, "Um...I don't really know too much about magic, I don't know if that seems like a good spell to try or not."
Violet turns the book back to herself as she taps her hoof to her mouth and squints to the page, but Sparky's voice continues as he gives a little laugh, "How come you just don't ask Starlight."
The name flicks the light purple mare's ear as she throws her head up in a sarcastic fashion and begins to jet her hooves and ears into a few fast motions.
To her fast and obviously heated words Sparky shrinks his ears a little as he shakes his head, "Oh come on Violet, she's not trying to kick you out...Starlight is just after the same thing you ar-..."
Violet blinks to his words as she cocks an eye to him and brings her hooves up fast in protest.
Sparky's eyes go wide as he quickly shakes his head, "No I don't...I mean sure she's cool, but I don't like her."
The light purple mare blows to the comment as she rolls her eyes and continues to trial her hooves on. By now the few ponies walking into the library have turned a squinting eye to the rapid mare's front legs motions but most just mind their own business and don't hold a glance for longer than a moment.
However neither Sparky or Violet notice the few stares as the dull orange pegasus starts to stutter a little, "W-well so what if I like talking to her, I like talking to you, i've always liked you-..." Sparky's slightly rushed words come to a halt as he trips to his own tongue, "I mean I just...uh."
Sparky's words don't register to the mare, as how her focusing on when she will be able to bring her hooves up keeps her from really listening to his voice. But the stallion's heavy and nervous stumble brings Violet’s mind back to something more than just watching his lips as she cocks her head to him.
From her stare Sparky swallows hard as he just hoofs to the book in her hold, "W-what was another spell Viowit-Violet." He clears his throat trying to cover up his slight lisp as he gives an embarrassed smile.
But the stallion's struggling smile brings a faint grin over Violet's face as she holds her hoof up and looks back to the book as she starts to flip the pages.
Her eyes trace over the pages for a moment before she stops and looks over one with a smile. Without a moment's hesitation she turns the book towards Sparky as she taps her hoof to the book.
Sparky immediately jumps on something that might get his mind over the previous argument as he reads the text, "W-Windigo summoning?"
Violet nods her head as she taps her hoof to her horn and brings her hooves up.
"Perfect?" A faint chuckle comes from Sparky as he shakes his head, "I may not have been the best-tis pony in history, but i'm pretty sure Windigo are better left NOT messed with...Besides what makes you think you could even do this spell?"
Violet turns the book back to her for a moment as she pinpoints her hoof to the text she wants him to read, it only takes a second for her quick reading to find it as she turns it back to Sparky.
The light orange pegasus squints to the words as he reads them aloud, mainly for his own slow reading benefit, "...A Windigo is a icy pony like creature that feeds off of intolerance and hate, the greater Windigos were one of the many reasons Equestria was sought after by the Three. However lesser Windigos can be magically created through the knowledge of an advanced caster or through the use of snow weather spells. Which make them considered one of the less known spells in Equestria for Unicorns..." Sparky looks up to Violet as he speaks, "How would you create this thing?"
A faint smile comes over his face as his voice goes a little low, "You're smart and amazing with magic but I don't think you have ever done any kind of spell like this."
Violet nods her head as she brings her hooves up confidently.
"A list? What list?" Sparky looks back to the page as he notices a column on the right, "...The spell can be made easier with a few items mixed into a drinkable potion as seen on page one twenty seven..." Sparky squints to the list as he speaks up, "A pegasus feather, A few strains of mane from a powerful mage, and a wild cloud."
A nod comes from Sparky as he speaks up, "Ok but where are you going to get those things?"
Violet gives a sweet smile as she looks over the pegasus, from her stare Sparky curls his wings up a little more to his back, "Um...wings are kind of sensitive...Could I just give you a feather tomorrow?"
To the words Violet nods her head as she brings her hooves up with a giggly smile.
"Ya, I was hoping you weren't going to do everything today." Sparky's words come to an end As Violet floats the book back to her.
But as she starts to trace her eyes over the text Sparky brings his voice up a little sheepish, "Um...Do you think you could help me with a few problems before you start reading?"
With a little smile Violet nods as she moves her book aside.
- - -
It's been a few hours since Violet found the book that she has now submerged herself in, not because she's still looking for a spell, but because the oldish text is for some reason interesting.
Sparky sits across from her with his head now leaning over another worksheet paper as he again starts to looks like he's struggling with it.
But his silent struggle is brought to an end as Violet turns her head to the dome window a little surprised, the low light she saw when she sat down has now been replaced with the faint glow of the moon that has started to come over the room. Sure it was lateish before but she still finds the sun already being set a suprise.
Her body quickly kicks into gear as she floats the book up from the table as her satchel comes around her and the letter she wrote earlier today comes to float next to her book.
Sparky looks over her with a slightly confused stare as he speaks up, "You're leaving?"
A nod comes from her as she gets ready to start her trot up, but it's halted as Sparky stands from his chair, "Wait, I...I still need a little help on my math."
Violet again nods her head as she beckons him to follow after her. As the stallion starts to grab at the things on the table Violet starts her trot to the book checkout counter as she walks over to the familiar yellow coated and dull blonde maned mare.
As the librarian notices the light purple mare's trot she gives a little smile, "Checking out a book?"
Violet gives a friendly smile as she floats the book and the letter to the mare, but her horn's glow doesn't stop as a gold card floats from a side pocket on her pouch.
She and Sparky have been to the library enough for the librarian mare to know Violet can't talk, but really Violet doesn't need to say anything seeing as how she already knows what's needed.
"Alright Mrs.Sparkles, you're all set, and we will send this letter off tonight." The mare hoofs back her student I.D. And the book as Violet turns her head to the stallion that just now makes it over to her.
With Sparky behind her the two ponies start out into the bright night's light as they turn towards the main street. However their trot doesn't stay as they look over the clogged street in front of them, even at night Canterlot seems to be busy...Instead they turn their eyes to another direction as they start to walk towards the side street adjacent to the library.
The street is nothing new to either seeing as how they usually end up eating lunch at Donut Joe's which is just up the corner. But they only recently found that they could make it to the castle this way, which definitely beats bumping into everypony on the main streets.
But their fast past walk that has brought them a decent ways away from the library comes to a halt as Sparky's voice comes up, "Oh darn it..."He brings his hoof to his barren side, "I forgot my satchel."
Violet turns around as she looks to the building thats slightly down the road they just came from, but she doesn't get to even move a few hooves before Sparky speaks up, "I'll just meet you at the castle."
Violet nods to his words as she continues her trot to the castle that only sits a few streets over, the sound of Sparky's quick flapping wings starts to fade behind her as she just continues to trot down one of Canterlot's many side street alleyways.
As she dips into the building shadowed and slightly colder and tighter path Violet's horn sparks up as the large book comes to her face a little as she bends a page at the top to mark where she left off. But her trot is brought to an end as the sound of two very laughy voices start to bounce around the alleyway.
Her horn quickly moves the book aside as she blinks to the two familiar pegasus that have taken their first hooves to the alleyway’s other entrance.
Violet doesn't personally know the two stallions, but after going to the wonderbolts academy a few times to meet up with Sparky the light purple mare has learned the cream colored stallions name at least.
As the two stallions near Violet's position their conversation starts to ring around the walls, but it comes to an end as the two stallion's stop their laughs and look over the light purple mare whose path they slightly block.
"H-hey...I know you?" The cream stallion squints his eyes to Violet as the chocolate coated stallion sways a little with a half eyed gaze.
Again the cream stallion's voice runs around the alley with no height control as he laughs, "You're that stuck up mare that won't talk..." A dumb laugh comes from the two obviously drunk young stallions as they take a step forward.
Violet blinks to their jokey attitude as she slowly moves the book back to her pouch as she just tries to give a friendly smile.
The two pegasus stop there inching forward as the cream stallion speaks up, "Hey...Y-you know what, there's a celebration go-going on for all the wonderbolts academy do~dos, how come FillyFlank wasn't there?"
A faint laugh comes from the chocolate coated stallion as he leans a little to his friend, "What's ya say about coming to a celebration? It's fun?" A dopey smile comes over the slightly hic-upy young stallion as he waits for a reply.
But Violet doesn't acknowledge the offer as she just tries to turn back and head towards the other street.
"Oh, where y-a going?" A chuckle comes from the cream stallion as he flaps his wings up and comes a little above the ground as he sets his sight to the mare now trotting away. His low flight is sparked up a little fast as he darts his hooves to Violet's sides as he tries to turn her from his position above her, his foul smelling breath burns her snout as he talks directly to her ear, "Come on, its fun."
Violet quickly and easily jerks herself from the stallion's hold as she sparks her horn up with an annoyed and now slightly afraid magic building in her.
"OHHHH, look out Flaps, I don't think she likes you!" A laugh comes from the chocolate coated stallion as he watches in a drunken amusement to Violet's stance.
Flaps holds his own smile to the mare's horn as he shakes his head and smiles, "Come on, if you don't want to come just say no." A laugh comes from him as he again extends his front hooves towards her from his above ground flight.
Violet bats his hoof away with her own as she takes a step back, her magic now chimes a little louder as she tightens her eyes to his not stopping approach.
"Hey we just trying to-*hic*" The stallion's wings freezes for a moment as he drops from his slightly higher up position, but his over compensation to the sudden lose of flight only sparked his wings up to knock into Violet as the large stallion now pins her under him.
The chocolate coated stallion down the alley still holds a laughing tone to the sight of his friend falling from his flight.
But the dead weight drunken stallion that now has her pinned under him sends a slight shock to her as her magic pops unable to start back up.
Instead her broken voice starts up in a slight yell as she tries to push the stallion off of her, "Hhhhhzzzzz!!"
However the mare's unusual sound only turns the stallion's slightly embarrassed face to a now drunken smile as he continues to hold his weight over her as he bends his face a little too close to hers, "W-what's that? You don't want me off?"
Agian the chocolate stallion still a little ways down the alley holds his laugh as he speaks up, "I think I heard that too Flaps!"
Violet's horn sparks back up this time in a bright green glow as she closes her eyes tight to focus her shocked and scared screaming mind.
Although her building spell doesn't knock the stallion's weight from her. Violet's eyes quickly shoot up as the sound of a loudish thump hits the ground in front of where she lays.
"OWW!" Flap's voice has lost a little bit of it's drunken stupor and the chocolate coated stallion at the middle of the ally has abandoned his laugh.
The now slightly dirty light purple mare brings herself from the ground as she looks to the dull orange stallion in front of her.
Flap's voice continues to speak up as he holds a slightly raised tone to Sparky as he flares his wings out from where he landed, "What's your problem FillyFlank?!"
Sparky is silent as he just holds his gaze to this stallion in front of him.
But his silence brings the chocolate stallion that now trots next to his friend up in a laugh, "Hey look Flaps, FillyFlank is mad..."
Flaps looks over Sparky's stance as he shoots a cocky smile, "Hey, don't worry FillyFlank, we were just talking to your friend, thats all."
The words don't change Sparky's hard stare as he speaks up, "Well you're done now." The smaller stallion's voice is not the biggest threat but his stare has definitely gotten the two stallion's attention. However his words only last so long as the chocolate stallion shakes his head, "Oh please...Flaps, it's FillyFlank...The same pony that wants to be a cloud-shaper!"
A laugh comes between the two stallion's as they look over Sparky, but Flaps nods his head as he starts to flex his wings out, "Ya, you're not worth it...Have fun with your broken mare by the way."
Sparky's eyes harden as his wings quickly flare up as he sends himself charging into the two larger stallions. But his hopes about knocking them down don't really happen as only Flaps staggers and eventually falls due to his own off balance. The darker coated stallion however now retaliates with a quick front hoof grab that ends with Sparky being slightly tossed to the wall, but it's the next motion that brings the pain as the bigger stallion rams his body into Sparky's flared out winged side as he presses the light orange pegasus to the wall with his bodies force.
But before another motion could come up the stallion is hit with a low green bolt that pops on impact with a loud ear pounding chime. The bigger stallion is sent to his back a little ways down the alley as he groans a little. However Sparky wasn't spared from Violet's spell either as the jolt of screaming magic made him slightly bash his head into the stone building behind him, leaving the stallion to close his eye and rub his head as he slumps a little to the wall.
Although Violet's attention doesn't go to him as her horn sparks up in a low faint blue glow that comes to Flaps as he stands. The cream stallion's eyes go wide as the feel of a sobering hold comes up from where Violet has placed her magic that now shines to under the stallion's coat.
There's no words that need to be spoken from Violet's mouth as she just holds a cold stare to the stallion that is now in her control.
Flaps nods his head as his voice comes out with a filly light pitch, "S-sorry!"
Violet's horn stops it's glow as she nods with a smile and trots over to where Sparky stands, her friend's slightly pained expression sparks her horn up as it's blue glow slightly wraps around both of them. But their figures are only seen for a moment before they disappear with a faint chiming pop.
The sound of Violet's magic poofs to the closed stone room, leaving a slight echo as the swirls of blue light start to fall to the ground.
Violet stumbles a little to the quick teleportation spell, she never really does spells like that and never that large and it shows as her body is left feeling a little weak.
Now sitting on the edge of the bed is the light orange pegasus, his right wing is flared out a little and his hoof still rubs to his head but he doesn't really look as drained as the young mare.
Violet's eyes trace to her friend as she takes a step over to him and then embraces him in a quick hug, the hoof that goes around Sparky's right wing sends a little shot of pain through him as he clutches his teeth, "Sssshhhaahh..."
She quickly pulls herself back as she rubs her right hoof over her chest and gives a little bow of the head.
"Thank me? Pff, you saved my flank...All I did was stand there." Sparky just gives a little laugh as he shakes his head, "I couldn't even stop shaking when I was just standing there..."
Violet's left ear and left hoof go through a quick motion as she jabs them a little to the stallion's chest.
Sparky just blinks to them as he speaks up in his less than hero sounding voice, "How am I dumb? It's true."
The light purple mare whose coat still has a little dirt on it doesn't bring her hooves back up as she rubs her hoof to the pegasus's extended wing.
Again Sparky clenches his teeth as he mindlessly expels his voice, "Ahhhow..."
Violet taps her hoof to her mouth as she points to the door, Sparky nods to her comment as he tries to quiet his breathing down Violet's horn starts to glow. With in a moment the stallion's wing has taken on her blue glow as it's cooling magic starts to come over Sparky...although the tingling feeling over his sensitive wings brings out another response, it still holds it's own slightly pained tone but it sounds more like a moan as Sparky moves both of his front hooves to cover his lap from where he sits.
The light purple mare doesn't notice his motions though as she just focuses her magic to his wings, she doesn't really know any healing spell but the cooling feel around his wing starts to allow Sparky to put it back to rest on his back.
"T-thanks...At least I don't have a flying test any time soon." A faint smile comes over Sparky as he tries to lighten Violet's determined stare.
Violet's hold over her friend's wing stops as she nods her head and then quickly darts towards the bathroom.
To the absent mare in the room Sparky again brings his hoof up to his head as he feels the welt that's starting to form, although his checking of himself comes to an end as Violet comes back to the room floating two wet towels.
She stops her trot as the one on her right comes more into her face, her blue magic comes over it as if flashes to the room turning it into a makeshift ice pack as she floats it towards Sparky.
Again the stallion can only say thanks as he takes the cold towel into his hoof and then to his head.
Violet runs the other towel over her coat as she turns her eyes to the spots of dirt that she cleans off.
"Um...You should just go and take a bath, I have to get going anyways." Sparky stands from the bed on three hooves as he turns his gaze to the door.
But the words spark a response from Violet as she bolts the wet and now slightly dirty towel to him trying to get his attention, her mission is achieved as Sparky turns to her hooves motions a little confused.
"Well ya I guess they would be a little ticked at me...But I can't stay here for the next two weeks, I only have today off." Sparky only pauses his trot towards the door for a moment as Violet again brings her hooves up, this time with a little more authority that the young mare thinks she has.
Sparky shakes his head which sends a slight jolt of pain through it, but he continues his words almost unfazed, "...You could get in trouble for having me in here?"
Violet gives a silent blow to the comment as she shakes her head, the rules right now don't even matter to her as she looks over her friend and as her hooves comes to an end she takes a step towards the bed as she floats her still damp towel towards the open bathroom door.
The dull orange pegasus just watches as he looks over the mare, "W-where would I sleep the floor?"
Violet drops her magical hold she put over the pillow for a moment as she chases that idea out of her head, and instead nods to the bed.
Her nod brings Sparky's eyes a little wider as he stutters, "Y-you want me to sleep with you...Like in the same bed?"
Violet squints to his tone as she just gives a little nod.
"What if somepony opens the door?"
The light purple mare pauses for a moment as she taps her hoof to her mouth, but she starts her trot up again as she brings herself over towards him and then sparks her hooves up with a smile.
Sparky now blinks to her confident words as he takes his right hoof from his head and tosses the iced towel to the bed, what do you mean "You would just push me off the bed?"
Violet nods her head as her horn sparks up to the still slightly neatly made bed as she pulls it back and then walks around Sparky.
But the stallion doesn't move to the other side of the bed as he just watches the tired mare take her first hoof to it.
Instead a light laugh comes over him as he moves again towards the door, "W-what if your dad finds out tha-..." His voice is cut off as Violet's magic wraps to his snout cutting his mouth's movements off.
Violet now gives a sigh as she nods to the large space next to where she sits in the bed.
Her magical hold ends to his snout as it instead turns to the towel that now floats from the bottom of the bed and towards the open bathroom.
But as her eyes come back to her still stationary friend she crosses her front hooves as she gives him an annoyed stare.
To the tired mare's stare Sparky swallows hard as he starts to trot towards the other side of the bed. The young stallion's heart pounds a little as he looks over the light purple mare's blue eyed gaze that now stares to him, but without another moment of hesitation Sparky slowly starts to ease himself into the comfortable bed.
As the pegasus turns himself away from her sight Violet brings her eyes over the wings that now face her, it turns out the large spot beside her doesn't really hold wings all too well as she ends up having to turn to her side to get the feathers from her face.
Sparky is silent as he just stares to the window and tries to hold his spot to the bed.
Violet's horn sparks up as the lights to the room turn off leaving only the brightest white moon's glow over the room.
To the new low room's light Violet like Sparky just holds her eyes open, this is the first time they have ever done something like this...And the slight bit of awkwardness starts to keep the young mare from the sleep her body needs. In an attempt at easing her mind's slight racing she brings her front hooves from the bed's covers as she looks over the two wings that are sprawled out in front of where she lays.
Her hoof comes to rub to the right wing as she checks to see if the magic's cooling effects still hold over. But as her hoof rubs to it it twitches as it flares a bit more up, and surprisingly instead of feeling the cool magic to her touch her hoof now just feels the hot blooded circulating wing's warmth.
Sparky's eyes go a little wide to the mare's touch as he just stares to the window he faces on his side, the sensitive wings bring an unwanted feeling to the young stallion's body as he just listens to his heart pounding now in his wings and his chest.
Violet on the other hoof has no idea of the pegasus's mind as she just thinks it's flared out because it's hurting again, and now her horn sparks up as her magic wraps to the wing in an attempt to quell it's raising.
The sensation causes Sparky to close his eyes as he just feels the cool magic of her spell teasing at his wing. But as it's hold doesn't end a faint whimpering moan comes from the stallion as he quickly turns his wings away from Violet as he tries to scoot himself even further from the mare's body.
Their eyes now lock in the moonlit room as the stallion's slightly flustered face expresses his words, "I-I didn't want you to roll on my wing you know..." A laugh comes over him as he swallows hard, just hoping the mare doesn't take his sudden change in position a little weird...And also hoping that his friend doesn't lift the covers that have now been placed between them.
But Violet nods as she just stares to her friend’s close face, although it becomes abundantly apparent from his tone that he's not really feeling too well and Violet brings her hooves up in a question as she looks to her friend.
"N-no, i'm fine Viowit--wViolet." The nervous stallion's face turns a little more blushed as they both just continue to stare to each other.
Violet nods to his words, but is still unable to bring herself to close her eyes as a few strange minutes start to roll by in the deathly quiet room as the two young ponies are left just staring to their friend that now sleeps only two or so hoofs away.
Now Violet's own opinions of the stallion start to make her a little uneasy, and with a hooves out good night the young mare turns her body away from her friend’s as she now stares toward the door.
"...Goodnight." Sparky's voice holds it's own low as he now just stares to the mare's mane that has taken the place of where her soft blue slightly sparkling eyes once laid.
Violet's heart that started to race a little now slowly starts to calm down as she is able to close her eyes and begins to drift into a much needed sleep.
The stone room has taken to the morning's sun as it creeps in through the window, both by making it's light bounce around the room lighting it up and by running off some of the night's chill.
From where Violet usually sleeps the first light of the day would have stirred the mare awake, but for right now the light purple mare holds her content sleep. Just like the stallion that has yet to even shift an eye under his closed lids.
Knock Knock Knock
The sound runs around the room and shoots the mare's sleepy eyes open as she runs through the events of last night quickly , and as they complete she almost jumps to her other side as she pushes the only half awake stallion to the floor. Which brings the bed covers and sheets with him, leaving nothing to the naked bed.
"Violet Sparkles...Are you awake?"
The unknown mare's voice strikes a fear to the young purple mare as she quickly darts her head between the door and Sparky who slowing brings his head up from where he now sits on the floor. To his eyes Violet jets her hoof down as her hoove's motions screams, hide!
With nowhere to go and the voice at the door starting back up Sparky brings his head down behind the bed as he just listens to the door opening to Violet's hoof.
At the door a grayish mare with blond mane stands at the door dressed in gold guard armor, "Ah, good morning, your presence is needed for a few words from Princess Luna." As the mare's words come to an end she looks over the bed that lays behind the young mare with a questioning eye, but before she can speak up Violet has nodded her head and closed the door.
Sparky pokes his head up as he speaks up in a low voice, "Maybe I should just go out through the window..."
Violet looks over the stallion's wings as she sparks her hooves up, to the mare's words Sparky shakes his head, "My wings feel ok right now...And I don't want to risk getting you in trouble." He flares his wings out slowly as he moves towards the window, "I'll see you tonight ok?"
Before he pushes the large window open Violet's horn sparks up as she floats Sparky's satchel towards him, "Oh thanks..." Sparky wraps the bag around him as he clutches his teeth a little to the strap running over his right wing, but it gets over him as he pushes the window open.
As the pegasus takes his first hoof out of the window Violet watches just hoping he's right about his wings, but before she can make him second guess he has jumped from the room and into the world. His hoover is a little wobbly but as his left wing focuses on compensating for his slightly sprained right he maintains his flight, "Alright bye Violet." He closes the glass window behind him as he starts to drift away from it's view.
As her friend moves from her room's sight Violet turns back to the door as she starts out it, her bow that she never took off is a little lopsided from where she was sleeping and her mane has a slightly more messed up look to it from not going through her normal bathroom routine; but she holds her unbrushed mouth shut as she travels down the hall. All the while telling herself that she'll just come back to the room before leaving for school.
Violet's quick hooves bring her down the length of the hallway as she sets her mind to the outside courtyard where most of Luna and Celestia’s speeches have been heard...Although she slows her trot down as the group of young unicorns come into sight at the entrance of the castle.
The tall dark mare stands over them with a bright morning face as she looks over the ponies that start to move in front of where she stands, "I know it's a little early for a speech, but it is a quick one..." Luna's regular and slightly lispy voice comes up as she continues, "Our sister has been called away for an undisclosed period of time...And as a result we will be presiding over the last few weeks of your time here."
The few ponies start to mutter to each other as Luna's voice pauses, even Violet's own confusion makes her hang to Luna's next words, "...Do not worry yourself, when you return from your break and start the last few weeks nothing will have changed...we like our sister have seen all of you progress through your magic training, so you should have no worries about the next few weeks."
Luna's words come to an end as she gives a friendly smile to the young unicorns in front of her, "You all should understand today is your last day before your break, so we wish you all safe travels for tomorrow's departure."
Everypony nods their heads to Luna's words as they start to drift back to their hallways in order to start the day.
- - - (Across Canterlot)
Sparky's wings may not be flapping as hard or fast as the young pegasus should, but his trip to the edge of Canterlot's city has come to it's end as he lowers his flight and sets his eyes to the group of stallion's that have gathered outside..For what Sparky has no idea but he brings his wings to a halt as he sets himself a decent distance away, in hopes that he will be able to just blend into the group without anypony noticing he's late.
Truly though there's no hope for his plan as he nears the group, "Dodo, Cloud-Shaper...Why are you late!" The commanding voice from the white pegasus that hovers above the group beams his eyes to the light orange pony as he waits for a response.
But Sparky just puts his head down as he speak up, "I don't have an excus-..."
Before his words can come to an end another voice comes up, "Hey Streak, Sparky never made it in for curfew last night either."
Sparky has no trouble placing Flaps's voice as he brings his head up and towards the two stallion's from last night that stand at attention towards the end of the line. The two ponies both hold their gaze away from Sparky, but he can still see the slight burn mark from where Violet's spell struck against the chocolate stallion's left side.
Streak blinks to the words as he nods his head, "That's right...Where were you last night Dodo?" The stallion's voice is not mad but theres a hint of annoyance, with good reason to; seeing as how Sparky not being in on curfew affects a Strix's report.
Again though Sparky speaks up with a slightly lower voice, "I'm sorry...I don't have an excuse." Streak tightens his eyes to Sparky as he speaks up, "Oh? No excuse huh?" He shakes his head as he sighs, "Then you get to join Flaps and Chase, the other two ponies that don't have a reason for being late to curfew.." His voice gets a little more stern as he speaks up, "I want twenty laps on the sky track, and when you're done you three can report to your class for your midterm exam that you all should be ready for....Alright Dodo's go to class."
The group of stallion's quickly start their trots up as Sparky gives a defeated sigh and starts to spread his wings.
Streak brings his hoover back down to the ground as he holds his right hoof up, "Do not try to tell me you all finished your laps...because I will know if you did or didn't."
His word's spark a quick reaction from Sparky as he speaks up, "Y-you're not going to watch us?"
The young stallion's tone turns a questioning eye from Streak as he blinks to him, "No...I can't, because I HAVE to write a report on why I let three Dodos miss curfew." Streak turns his gaze to the two other stallions that just now start to come over to where Sparky and Streak are as he speaks up, "You two, this is your last warning...If you both don't get in before curfew i'll put you two up for expulsion..."
Streak's stare comes back to Sparky as he slightly lowers his tone, "And you...Cloud-shaper Dodo, don't let it happen again."
As his words end his trot starts back up, "Don't forget you three, i'll know If you skip out."
Flaps gives a smile as he calls out, "Don't worry Streak...We'll get our workout!" He holds his smile as the white stallion trots away...And as he gets a decent distance away he turns his attention back to Sparky, "Well hey FillyFlank...How you been? Did you have a nice night with your broken mare?"
To Flaps's words the stallion next to him nods his head, "Ya...You gotta be tired from all the activities you two did...Here why don't you let me hold your bag." The chocolate stallion's hoof extends towards Sparky's bag as the light orange pegasus is quick to bat it away.
The smirk that they both hold ends as they both take a quick step forward, Flap's hoof comes to slam at Sparky's right wing as Chase comes up a little from the ground and forcefully rips the satchel from Sparky's body and begins to open it's contents to the slight breeze that carries them away, "Aww...Look at that your papers fell out."
Flaps again slams his hoof to Sparky's hurt wing as he laughs and pretends to pat him like a friend, "You want some help picking them up? Huh?"
Sparky pushes back as he quickly takes a step back, but before he could run or fight back the chocolate stallion drops the satchel to the ground as he kicks his front hooves to the welt on Sparky's head.
A high pitched yelp comes from Sparky as he falls to his front legs in pain.
"Oh Chase! I think that hurt FillyFlank..." Flaps presses his hoof to Sparky's right wing as he bends down, and whisper to him, "Listen up FillyFlank...When you're able to stop by the castle you should get your balls out of that mare's mouth...When you do, hows about you comes and finishes the rest of your twenty laps in the clouds." Flaps smiles as he pause and taps his hoof to Chase, "Or...You can sit down here like the wimp you are and we'll tell Streak you did your laps."
Chase quickly darts up to the cloud layer above them as he bites his mouth to a piece of cloud and brings it back down to where Flaps stands over Sparky.
Flaps holds his hoof to the stallion for a second as he waits for Sparky's answer...But the young orange pegasus can't really think through his ringing ears as Flaps shakes his head, "Smart choice FillyFlank..."
The cloud in Chase's hold comes to his hooves as the pegasus flaps his wings hard to it, the white cloud starts to shrink as a very light mist comes over Sparky's body, taking on the appearance of a light sweat.
Again Flaps taps his hoof to Sparky's wing as he speaks up, "C-ya around FillyFlank..." He like his friend spreads their wings out as they start to take themselves up into the air.
To the sound of their flapping wings Sparky unclenches his slightly teared up eyes as he sniffles his nose and starts to push himself up...The young stallion so desperately wants to fly up into the clouds above him, even though he knows the fight he would be flying into would be one sided...But at the same time the slightly shaking stallion is too afraid to do it as he puts his head to the ground and walks over to the empty bag the two ponies took from him.
His nose is sniffly as he turns his attention to collecting the few pieces of paper that haven't scattered away.
A faint sigh comes from the light purple mare as she floats her two bags to the bed, the day has moved a little faster then most...But it's common for days to be a little more short when Luna has to control them.
Although the idea of today coming to an end soon doesn't really affect Violet, sure it means that her new book report is due sooner but it also means she can go back to Ponyville over the break if she wants to...Which she has already started packing for as she turns her head to the desk she now wraps her magic to.
She's not really sure if she will get the same room or not so out of precaution she's decided to just pack everything...Even though she can only stay in Ponyville for one day.
The blue magical hold brings her papers, quills, various ink wells she's had to buy and a few books up from the desk. Her eyes trace the magically lofting items to the first bag as she starts to fill it whole with only just these items.
To the already stuffed bag she squints her eyes and taps her hoof to her mouth, but her thoughts end fast as she just scoots the bag closer to her and begins to cram the stuff down a little bit. Her horn sparks back up as she moves the items that she won't need in the morning into the side pockets of the bag.
As her horn's motion continues a knock to the door flicks her ear, but she doesn't even turn around to open it as her magic just brings the door to the room ajar. As Violet finishes cramming everything she could into her bags she turns around with a smile as she watches the orange stallion close the door behind him.
But the friendly smile she held only last a few moments as she takes a hoof forward and begins to stare to the light bruising that has formed over his wing. Her hooves come up as she stares to him.
"Oh..." Sparky shrugs her fast comment off as he waves his hoof, "It's no big deal, I just got my wing caught on a door today."
Violet blinks unamused to the words as she sparks her hooves up.
But her contestation of his comment brings a slightly annoyed response from Sparky as he speaks up, "What you don't believe me? It happens all the time."
Violet's a little taken back by the stallion's tone as she squints to him, and brings her hooves up again.
The stallion's slightly tightened face loosens to her as he nods his head and takes to the change in conversation, "Ya...That's it...I have to retake my test."
Sparky's response rolls Violet’s eyes as she taps her hoof to her now smiling mouth and then points it to him. A faint grin comes over Sparky as he nods, "Ya...You told me I should have studied more."
A faint wheezing laugh comes from Violet as she turns back to the empty bag still on her bed as she sparks her horn to open the drawers where her unused winter stuff starts to float out of.
Sparky holds his wing to his side a little more as he trots over to the part of the bed that's free of Violet's things, "So...Are we going to practice that dream spell again? I know you want to make it perfect for your parents."
Violet gives a silent laugh to the comment as she waves her hoof to him and then taps her hoof to her mouth as she gives a faked yawn.
"You don't want to be tired for what?" Sparky holds a slight bit of confusion as he waits for the mare's response.
The low chime of her magic stops as she moves the two bags off the bed and then speaks her hooves up.
It's at this point Sparky remembers what tomorrow is, "Oh...Ya, I forgot you're leaving tomorrow." His tone holds a slightly sadder feel as he lowers his head.
Which Violet picks up on as she squints her eyes to him and glows her horn to bring her friends chin up to face her.
Sparky immediately waves his hoof to her as he gives a smile, "I guess i'm just a little jealous that you get to go home on your break."
The words puff Violet's chest out as she trots over towards the one book she didn't put away, as she nears it she moves her hoof over it as she smiles to the stallion.
But he doesn't immediately pick up on the book as he just stares to it, "What?"
Violet rolls her eyes as she sparks her hooves and ears up to trace out her words.
"So what if Celestia is gone?" Sparky squints to the mare as he tries to follow along to her words. Violet's hooves comes a little slower as she takes on a more sheepish smile as the last part of her request ends.
The mare's words turn Sparky's eyes a little more wide as he speaks up, "You want me to break into Celestia's room for a piece of mane?!"
Violet holds a smile as she sets the book back down to the desk.
A new found laugh comes up from Sparky as he rolls his hoof to her, "Come on Violet, How would I even get to her part of the castle? I'm not even really supposed to be here..." He nods to his wings as he speaks up, "Pegasus in the Unicorn student's makeshift dorm?"
Violet nods her head as she trots over towards the window, but as Sparky watches her trot he loses his laughey tone as his wings tighten a little, "I-I can't really fly to good right now Violet."
The words turn Violet's smile to more of a smirk as she just wiggles her hoof at her friend as she continues a short motion.
Sparky nods his head as he speaks up, "No I was telling the truth this morning, my wings did feel ok-..."
Violet loses her smile as she takes a better look to his right wing, but as she stares to it her expression turns a little more serious as she looks to her friend and quickly sparks her hooves up.
The light orange stallion's ability to hold the truth back starts to fumble like his now stuttering voice as he tries to puff his chest out, "What! N-no, I didn't even see those guys today."
Violet's eyes tighten to her friend as she takes a step towards him for a better look of his wing, as she nears the bed she sparks her horn up as she turns Sparky's head. A quiet gasp comes up from Violet as she looks over the now heavily swollen area that now pushes his mane up to define the knot.
Sparky jerks his head away from her magic as he steps from the bed, "I'm fine Violet really."
His words don't turn the mare's face as she moves her gaze to the door and starts to trot towards it, from her expression Sparky steps in front of her.
"Violet, i'm fine." Sparky's hoof comes up to the light purple mare's chest as he tries to give a smile, but the embarrassment that a mare was going to go and finish his fight starts to set in along with the regret he's held all day for not doing anything about it himself.
The stallion's words only pause the mare for a moment as she steps aside from him and continues her trot towards the door, however again Sparky steps in front of her as he speaks up, "I'm telling the truth, nothing happened today."
Violet holds her blue eyes to her friend for a moment as she tries to pick his words apart for a weakness. But before she can Sparky starts up in a light laugh, "Come on, why would I lie to you?"
Her stare holds for a few more moments before she gives a simple nod and begins to lighten her eyes.
To his slight victory Sparky trots over towards the book she set down, "So Celestia is gone right?"
Violet doesn't jump back to the conversation as she brings her hooves up in a slightly unsure motion.
Sparky swallows to the question as he just blinks to her, "N-no I can't stay again tonight...I would get in trouble and so would you."
It takes a moment for Violet to nod her head as she gives another silent sigh...But with the sigh she brings her trot back up as she brings her hooves up to answer Sparky's earlier question.
"Alright good so Celestia's out...How do I get her mane then? Am I picking it from her brush?" A light chuckle comes over Sparky as he waits for Violet to join in.
However Violet doesn't as she just nods her head.
"Oh...ya, that makes sense." A dumb smile comes over his face as Violet starts her trot to the table next to the window, on the small white wood table sit three small clear jars that Violet got from breakfast this morning.
Sparky follows after her as he speaks up, "I guess you need a feather also right?"
Violet replies fast as she shakes her head and points her hoof to the to table Sparky stands in front of.
The stallion looks over the slightly bent dull orange feather as he tries to figure out when she could have pulled it off from him. But his mind is cut from it's thought as he now tries to follow after the mare's hoof motions.
But to her motions Sparky arrogantly puffs his chest out as he tries to impress her, "What no...I said I couldn't fly earlier because I was uh...A little tired that's all." A false smile comes over him as he spreads his wings slowly.
Violet looks over her friend as she opens the window to the cool fall breeze that comes from the sun setting world.
Sparky holds his mind steady as he brings himself outside of the window as he calls back to Violet, "Alright...Where is Celestia's room."
The light purple mare sparks her hooves up fast as she floats a jar to his hoof. As he takes the jar in hoof he turns his gaze to the tall white tower that stands above the castle, "A-are you sure it's the highest one?" Violet nods to his words as she starts to close the window, "...W-wait, how do I know I won't be caught?"
A smile comes over Violet's face as she hooves out her answer.
Sparky blinks to her words as he adjust the jar in his hoof, "So my job is to break into Princess Celestia's bedroom and all you have to do is stand in front of it and distract a pony or two?"
The comment rolls Violet's eyes as she hooves out another motion, but Sparky is quick to laugh to it as he speaks up, "If you're allowed to do it why don't we just ask Luna for some mane?"
Violet blows to the comment as she speaks her hooves up.
With a faint sigh Sparky nods his head, "Ya...I guess it wouldn't be a surprise...Wish me luck." As his words end he flaps his hurt wing a little hard to bring him up more to the air.
To her friend's absent figure Violet starts her trot towards the door as she goes to bring her part of the elaborate and unnecessary plan into action.
- - -
Violet's trot has brought her through the corridors of the castle as she sets her mind to the throne room. The students of the school were never told they weren't allowed to wander the castle, but it does kind of feel wrong too the young mare as she finds herself avoiding eye contact with anypony she passes.
However her trot comes to an end as the large double doors of the throne room come in to view. The throne room has taken on a low orangey red with a hint of green from the vast stained glass windows that sit to each side of the room.
Luna does not sit in the throne room and from what Violet sees there is no pony in the area as she takes her first steps inside as she quickens her trot to the spiral staircase that sits to the small hallway indent behind the large and elegant throne.
Violet stops her trot as she just waits in front of the opening ready to stop anypony that might come towards it.
- - -
Sparky's flight has already brought him to the highest point of the castle as he takes his three hooves to the large outdoor balcony of Celestia's room all the while still balancing the glass jar in his hold. He was a little surprised no pony actually saw his flight path, but it's understandable seeing as how he hugged the towers wall for the most part. Also the fact that Celestia's side of the castle is towards the castle's garden is good, no guard pony regularly walks the garden so there really was no chance of anypony seeing him.
Sparky brings his trot up a little faster as he quietly opens one of the double arch shaped glass doors to the room. Celestia's room is filled with white and gold furniture that match the large bed's color scheme of silk white, bright gold and deep silver pillows. To one side of the room sits what looks like some kind of study fully outfitted with a collection of unique looking books and a elegant fireplace placed behind a large couch like seat that's next to a hoof wood crafted end table that holds a few capped inkwells to it.
However Sparky's interest in that side of the room's furnishing is cut for a moment as he looks over a large golden birdcage...His eyes widen as he thinks any moment the sound of a bird's squawking is going to rub through the castle. But as the silent moment trails on he notices there's nothing in the cage, and a faint sigh of relief comes over him as he turns his eyes back to the room.
This time his eyes turn and hold to the large vanity mirror that sits by a white elegantly carved table and stool. Sparky's three hoof trot comes up as he looks to the items on the table's surface.
Sure enough sitting on the counter on the right side there's a silver brush with the bristles facing up to the ceiling. Sparky quietly moves his hooves towards it's sight, as he nears it he places the jar to the table and slowly brings his hoof over the brush.
As he rubs his hoof over the brush a few strands of multicolored mane flares up from it, a slightly disgusted face comes over him as he pulls a few strands from the brush and then moves it to the jar, "Alright Violet...I hope this mane helps you impress them." His low voice ends as he recaps the jar and takes it to his hoof.
The room's orange glow from the windows around it hold as he starts to trot towards the balcony doors...
However a very uneasy feeling comes over the stallion as he finds his trot stopped as he stares to Celestia's study, as he looks over the shelves that line the cove of the corner of the room he finds his eyes locked to a few what looks like display cases that sit in the bookshelves.
His trot starts to shift from the doors and instead towards where his eyes have locked as he finds himself being slightly pulled towards something.
With in only a few hooves his ear's bring a very familiar sound...But the noise only peaks his interest as he listens to the low chiming magic.
On the second to last shelf of the study there sits a standing display, and with every hoof closer Sparky's eyes stare to the low green glowing shimmer that now has come over the glass of it.
It only takes a few moments for the stallion's pace to bring him to the display case as he looks inside of it, there sits a long regal red cloth that has been folded neatly inside, however it's not the simple colorful cloth that has stolen the young stallion's gaze it's a long curved reddish horn that looks to be shattered at the base.
Around the horn's long length a faint shimmer of greenish black magic has formed, and it's now that the low chiming magic has a slightly different more organic like ring to it.
Sparky's mind screams for the stallion to just leave the room, but his right hoof betrays his mind as he extends it towards the glass top. As his hoof comes to rest on it the horn's magic goes silent and the stallion is left just blinking to the dull horn as he starts to question if he heard and saw anything at all.
He takes his hoof from the glass as he shakes his head with a little laugh, "Well Violet I think this has made m-..." His voice is cut off as a spark of magic zaps the length of the disembodied horn and shoots towards where Sparky stands.
The bright flash of light causes Sparky to lose his grip in the jar as it falls to the ground, it doesn't break but the sound still rings through the room. But the jar is the least of his worries as his coat takes on a bright green glow that slightly burns around his body. Sparky's wings spark up in a quick flare as he darts towards the door in an attempt at fleeing from the magic that has burrowed itself to his coat. The bright magic to his coat still rings with a bubbly magical chime as Sparky darts from the balcony and into the air.
Which was a decision the stallion quickly regrets as his wings lock up and he starts to fall from the sky with a dead weight feel...The stomach churning fear of hitting the ground sparks his wings up for a moment as the garden of Canterlot's castle rapidly approaches him, but the feeble attempt at starting his wings up only acts as a parachute as he still falls to the ground with a heavy and hard thud.
Violet's ear flicks too a very low and fading chime that rings down from the spiral staircase she stands near, but as she turns back towards the slightly indented hallway of the staircase a voice halts her.
"Violet Sparkle?"
The regular and slightly lispy voice freezes the light purple mare as she turns back around to face the dark night blue coated mare that trots through the low sun drenched throne room, "What brings you here?"
Violet's mind quickly kicks back into gear as she moves a little in front of the staircase and tries to think of something to say...But her mind runs out of ideas as she just hooves out the first thing that comes to mind.
Luna's teal eyes trace over the mare's unsure motions as she repeats them, "You wished to talk with our sister?"
A quick nod comes from Violet as she tries to drag on the conversation, just hoping that Sparky will be able to leave the room before Violet's stalling runs its course.
"You may ask me any question...I would be much interested in helping any student." Luna holds her head to a slight tilt as she awaits Violet's next motion.
But the tall mare's stare brings Violet's ears down as she just blinks to the mare and gives a simple reply.
Luna takes her head up as she nods a little disappointed, "Oh...Well if you remember your question you may seek me out. But for now I need to raise our moon."
Violet wiggles her hoof to the words as she brings her hooves up quick.
The light purple mare's comment brings a new smile to Luna's face as she nods, "Y-yes, if you would like to witness the setting of the sun you may." The dark mare's quicker pace brings a result Violet was fearing as the princess of the night trots past Violet, "Come Violet Sparkles."
Violet's ear's go down a little as she follows after her, all the while just hoping that she's not going to see her friend still in the room.
Luna's quick trot makes short work of the rounding stone white staircase as Celestia's room comes into view from the ending of the staircase.
The sight of the princess of the sun's elegant room stops the young mare as she just looks around, but her search of the majestic room doesn't show the light orange pegasus; and a faint sigh of relief comes from her as she lets her mind cool a little.
Although for Luna the room is nothing more than a room as she trots herself towards the ajar open balcony of it, she doesn't really notice the door slightly open as she turns back to the paused mare, "Y-you did wish to see this spell correct?"
Violet blinks to the mare's words as she realizes the rare spell she's just been offered to see, her trot now comes up a little more excited as she follows after the dark mare to the stone balcony outside.
The deep orange and yellow orb in the sky looks almost to be begging to be put down as it's low hold over the world continues to linger over Equestria.
Luna's horn sparks up in a bright high chiming blue as she holds her voice almost unfazed to her powerful spell, "I enjoy coming to my sister's chambers to lower the sun...It doesn't make our spell easier, but it does allow us to look over Equestria as we usher in the night."
The tall mare's horn holds it's glow as the warm sun on Violet's face starts to turn to a cooling feel, as the bright light starts to creep away from the world Violet turns her eyes to the city that the castle's balcony looks over.
Luna's horn slowly starts to fade as she holds her teal eyes over the darkening world, "...I have always enjoyed the night's feel its look and its freedom..." Luna turns to the young mare beside her as she gives a warm smile, "The night is when everypony can dream about anything they wish..." The words tilt her head a little as she looks over the mare, "How has your spell been coming along Violet?"
Violet's hooves come up as she expresses her gratitude with every slow and expert motion.
"We are glad you enjoy it...Everypony should have their own freedoms, and it pleases us that we could help you achieve one." Luna's eyes turn back over the city as she stops her voice.
The light purple mare nods her head to the words as she looks over the same scene Luna has turned back to, but her stare doesn't last long as Luna speaks up, "The next part of this spell will take a few hours...You may head back to your room if you wish."she gives a smile as Luna looks back to Violet.
To the tall mare's words Violet nods her head as she turns back to the room, but as she moves her eyes back to the room they pause to a glass jar that lays to it's side near one side of the room. It doesn't take Violet long to place the jar as she moves a little over towards it.
But before she sparks her horn to it she looks back to the tall mare still outside, Luna's back is turned to the room and her mane has taken on a slightly night sky like sparkle as she continues to hold her gaze to the world.
Violet's horn quickly sparks up in a low blue glow as the slightly cracked jar comes to her side and she starts her hooves up quickly towards the winding staircase entrance of the room.
The young mare's trot comes to an end as she squints to the jar that now is slightly illuminated from her blue magics glow, the crack to the glass brings a questioning stare to Violet's face...But she pushes it aside as she starts her trot down the stairs to go and wait in her room for her friend.
- - - (An hour later)
The world outside has now been taken over by the night as Luna’s moon slowly starts to poke up from the crust of the world.
However the world's air does little to the pegasus stallion who continues to just lay on the ground from where he crash landed, but Sparky's hazed mind that was brought on when the unforgiving ground's hard hit has now started to fade.
Sparky's body starts to tremble a little as he slowly starts to open his eyes as he looks around the grassy ground he lays on, his head pounds as he stirs a little trying to push himself up with a groan. But as he blinks to the new night held world the young stallion's mind starts to bring a new sensation to his body...One that stings a little more than the cold air.
Another groan comes from the stallion as he starts to move to sit on his flank, as he does this a voice starts to echo a little to his head, "...Tell me thief, where have I awoken?"
Sparky's body shakes to the voice as a low strange green glow comes to his body, the shiver of the magic stops the young stallion's voice as he tilts his head to a figure in front of him.
As his eyes lock to the shadowy figure in front of him his heart starts to race, the large red horned stallion that stands in front of him has a dark grayish black coat that slightly looks to be faded around his body. The stallion's mane is a pitch black color that runs down to a long elegant red cape. However the young stallion's eyes stay pinned to the sharp teeth that slightly poke from the strong postured stallion.
The dark stallion's echoey voice again runs through Sparky's head as the stallion's mouth remains closed, "I asked you a question pegasus..."
Sparky's body trembles as the voice rings to his ears, but still his ability to speak is halted as he just stares to the stallion.
To the lack of voice the unmoved shadowy stallion tightens his green and reddish eyes, "...Do you know who I am pegasus?"
The light glow that holds over Sparky's body sends a shiver under his coat as he brings his head to shake, still unable to just bring his voice up.
"I am King Sombra, first ruler of Equestria-..." The dark stallion's mouth opens as he lowers his head and gives a grin, "...You know of me do you not?"
Sparky's heart has become rapid as the name sinks into his mind.
The grin over Sombra's face holds as the shadow that stems around him starts to grow a little wider, "Tell me thief, what do you know of me?"
The low green hold of magic over the light orange pegasus's body starts to fade as Sparky's shaky voice comes up, "Y-you destroyed the Crystal Empire and tried to-..."
Sombra cocks his head as the echo of his voice comes ringing to Sparky's head, "Believe lies if you wish...But tell me your truth...Pegasus do you fear me?" The dark and red horn atop the stallion's head glows a little with a black and green bubble of magic as he waits for Sparky's words.
But the young stallion doesn't speak up as he just stares to the unicorn in front of him.
To the absent voice Sombra's grin falls from his face as his horn sparks up, "Do you fear me?!" The ringing of his echoey voice that booms in Sparky's head heightens as the area around him turns a smokey black as it encases just them and the small patch of grass that stands between them; even the dark night's sky goes absent to the dark smokey area as Sombra's eyes get a faint purple line that extends from them.
"You should fear me pegasus...Tell me, do you feel that swirling under your coat?" No answer needs to come from the orange pegasus as the building fear and confusion to his current surroundings starts to show to his face. Sombra continues as he smiles his toothy grin, "...That swirling is my magic...For years I have waited, unable to exact my revenge! Unable to have my peace for there injustice acts! BUT now my wait is over..." The rush of the smoky cloud around them starts to grow louder as it booms with it's puppet master's echoey voice, "...That swirling under your coat is my magic, and it will stay under your coat...FEEDING from your fears, your thoughts and your own magic. I will feed until your body becomes my own...Until my strength has returned." Sombra holds his head up high as his motionless mouth continues to expel his words, "You will die...And I shall be reborn." A devilish smile comes from the dark stallion as he looks over Sparky's face, "...I shall then turn my attention to all those you care about, and I shall do the same to them...And once they all have felt my wrath I shall finally get my justice from the two you all so admire, there lies will be broken."
Sombra pause as he just stares to the shaking stallion, "Do you understand me pegasus?"
The emotions building to the stallion's body start to become too much as he shakes his head, "D-don't..." His words flutter his eyes as he just looks to the dark stallion in front of him, "P...please."
Sombra's grin fades a little as he continues to hold his strong stance, "You understand me then?"
Sparky just blinks his eyes a little confused to the words, however no tears fall from his eyes as he speaks up, "W-what?"
"You understand that my will is unfaltering...and that I shall do whatever it takes to get what I desire." His voice rises a little more as the shadowy cloud around him rages again, "...Now, Where has the white one kept me, where have I awoken!"
"Y-you're in Canterlot..." Sparky just shivers as his voice comes feebly out.
The purple lines that extend from Sombra's eyes fades as he nods his head, "Thank you...Now tell me pegasus, what would you do to keep yourself and those you care about safe?"
Sparky's mouth quivers as he tries to understand the stallion's mind testing words, but the lack of an immediate answer brings Sombra's voice back up as the echo of his deep tone rings to Sparky's head, "What would you do!?"
"Anything!" Sparky's voice comes out with a pained tone as he tries to quell the ringing in his head.
The tooth smile comes over Sombra as his echo comes back a little lower, "...Then accept my demands, because I promise you thief I will not be trifled with...And I will not be stalled again."
Sparky nods his head as he waits for Sombra's words to continue.
"You will tell no one of what's happened...for as long as it takes my magic to feed...Once I have recovered you will be rewarded for your endeavors..." Sombra loses the smile as he bends his head down a little, "Fail me, and you fail those you care for."
Sparky reluctantly nods as he turns his head to the ground.
The echo comes down a little to his head as the shadowy cloud starts to fade, "Good...Then I will have my peace with the two, and they shall finally know what it's like to lose everything..."
The world around Sparky starts to become a smeared color blob as Sombra's magical hold over the young pegasus starts to fade.
- - -
Sparky's eyes open to the world, but he stops for a moment as he realizes he still lays on the ground...The same ground he pushed himself from a few minutes ago, his coat is sweaty and his heart's rapid pace holds for a moment as he just looks around the outside world or the castle's garden.
However as the stallion moves his front hooves to push himself up his mind starts to clear, "W-was that a dream?"
(No)
The echoey voice comes to Sparky's head as Sombra's figure appears next to him, although unlike before the dark stallion has an almost ghostly look to him. His mouth doesn't move as the echo runs through Sparky's head again, (I am within you peagasus...and I will be making sure you follow my command...)
As Sombra's echoey tone ends the shadowy figure trots more in front of where Sparky stands, (Now, walk pegasus) Sombra's horn sparks up as the feeling of his weakening magic comes over Sparky's body, as the magic runs to the pegasus's legs the light orange stallion's eyes flicker a little green as he tries to fight it.
However his struggling spark's Sombra's purple wisp to return to his eyes as a tooth grin comes up, (What's wrong pegasus, do you not want me to control you?!)
Sparky's breath goes rapid as he closes his eyes and forces a step forward, the green magical hold over his leg clears as he stumbles a little from the abrupt break of the spell's hold.
Sombra's smile fades a little as his shadowy figure trots over to where the panting stallion kneels on his front legs, (You are no longer in the safety of your mind...stand yourself up and walk normally, or I will take control of you again.) As the low echo of Sombra's voice ends the shadowy figure fades from the spot next to Sparky the stallion starts to bring his hooves back up as he looks around where he stands.
Sparky has never walked through the garden before and the slight maze of tall bushes makes the young stallion swing his head around a little as he tries to place himself. The stallion would bring his wings up, but his body has been left drained and his head pounds where the bump on the back of his head throbs.
Instead the young stallion whose coat has been stained from the grassy and dirty ground he once laid on just stumbled down the cobblestone path that sits between the hedges of the garden.
However the staggering stallion's trot is slow and tired as he just swings his head down the paths of the garden he just swings his head around the maze of hedges he's walked into.
(WAIT!)
The sound of Sombra's echo stops Sparky's trot as he clenches his teeth to his pounding head that resonates from the bump on his head.
Sombra's shadowy figure comes next to the smaller stallion as he holds his eyes to the stone statue in front of where he stands, (Pegasus...Tell me what this is...).
Sparky's head turns to the strange gray slender broken stone statue as he speaks up, "I-I don't know what you mean?"
The tall dark undefined shadow next to Sparky takes a step forward as he looks over the mismatched statute, as his dark green eyes look over the stone his echo gets a little louder, (I know this creature...) His eyes turn to Sparky as the echo speaks up, (Why do I feel a presence from this stone pegasus?!)
Sparky again clenches his teeth as he just puts his head closer towards the cobblestone ground.
Sombra's horn sparks up in bubbly green color as he turns his stance towards the statue, as his magic gets a little brighter Sparky's wings start to glow with a new deep heat that runs through the young stallion's body.
But the young stallion's uneasy feeling ends fast as a low green bolt burst from his wings and towards the stone. Sparky falls to the ground as he kneels to the ground with his front hooves, as he tries to hold his eyes open.
The small bolt of magic hits the gray stone as it starts to glow a faint orange color and a happy laugh starts to expel from it.
Sparky tilts his head up the statue as he just stares to glowing stone helplessly.
Violet's pacing around the small room continues as she just waits. The young mare's mind has stayed to her thoughts as she drifts her eyes to the cracked jar that sits on the still made bed, the stallion has taken more than enough time to come back to the room...And Violet’s thoughts have started to betray her a little, firstly why was the jar left on the ground and secondly if Sparky did leave the room because he heard her and Luna going up the stairs, then why hasn't he at least stopped by to say goodbye.
Her questions continue to bounce in her mind as she holds her pace around the foot of the bed, however her trot stops as her eyes turn to the slightly bent orange feather that sits in the other jar on the table next to the window.
Violet's mind pauses for a moment as she looks it over, but the sight of it only brings a grim idea to her head as she thinks it over, what if he fell?
The mare's trot comes up a little faster as she turns towards the door of the room, her mind slightly fights the idea but it's been to late for the stallion to still be just taking his sweet time.
- - - (A few minutes earlier)
The light orange stallion's eyes hold to the statute for a moment as a few cracks start to break into the gray stone.
A faint orange light comes to the top of the broken stone as Sparky squints his eyes to it as his fear and confusion to the last few events his mind has still not been able to comprehend.
However the time for thought ends fast as the stone cracks and falls to the ground, from where the stone stood a new large serpent long bodied figure now stands with a stretching motion.
"AHHH!!! That was quite the unwanted rest-..." The bright orange eyes of the strange creature turn down to the slightly shaking pony in front of him as he smiles, "Well hello..." One curved tooth pokes from the strange creatures mouth as he waits for a response.
But no response comes from Sparky as the shadowy figures voice rings through his head, (Discord!).
Discord just blinks to the young stallion's pained expression as he looks around the empty area around him, a faint laugh comes from him as he speaks up with a little confused joy, "Tell me...um...Pegasus, you don't have a horn soooo how did you do magic hmmm?" Discord's smile fades as his eyes flicker a black tint, "You are from Equestria my little pony are you not?"
Sombra's echoey voice rings to Sparky's head as he grinds his teeth unable to speak his own voice up, (Does our agreement still stand!)
Agian the young stallion's pained expression cocks Discord's head as his eyes start to turn back to their happy orange color, he rubs his clawed hand to his short goatee as he moves his lion paw towards Sparky's head, "You look to be in som-..." A spark of green magic flicks to his hand sending an unpleasant jolt through Discord's body as he takes his paw back.
From the magical jolt Discord's face turns a little more questioning as he straightens his stance, "Are you a human! Speak up pony, I need to figure out if i’m turning you into a tadpole or not."
The commanding voice Sparky rushes through his words as his pounding head stops for a moment, "Sombra-..." Sparky's eyes flicker a dark green as Sombra's echoey voice expels from his mouth, "Discord! Does our agreement still stand?!"
Discord blinks to the echoey voice that expels from the shaky stallion as he lets out a light laugh, "Sombra?" A slightly louder laugh comes up from him as he turns his goat like head completely upside down, "D-did you get eaten?!" His body starts to float from the ground a little as his laughter gets a bit louder, "T-the King? HAha! I-I’ve heard of have it your way, but come on King...That's a little too far!"
His claw figure snaps as a bottle of ketchup poofs into his grasp, as his much wanted and over zealous laugh trails on Discord extends the bottle towards the green eyed stallion as he speaks up, "Here you go pony...You need some ketchup."
Sparky's green glowing eyes squint to the bottle as his hoof comes up to bat the bottle to the ground, "Our agreement?"
Discord rolls his eyes as he snaps his fingers and teleports himself right side up as he crosses his legs and sits where his statue once stood, a steaming tea cup now sits in his clawed hand as he holds his unamused eyes to the small stallion in front of him, "You know Sombra, if you're going to live in somepony you should pick a better suited pony-.." His words stop as he takes a sip of his tea, "The voice really doesn't look good from this petty pegasus."
The green color that has come over Sparky's eyes has started to glow a little brighter as Sombra's voice comes out, (The crystal heart, Discord...Does your promise still stand?)
The words bring Discord's smile to a wider grin as he speaks up, "The crystal heart?" He lets go of the tea cup as it poofs away in an orange glow as he rubs to his goatee, "How long have I been gone?"
Sombra's voice comes up again as it takes a more annoyed tone, (I grow impatient...)
"HA-ha-ha, of course!" Discord nozzles Sparky's mane as he speaks up, "I will meet you in the Crystal Empire...As long as it's in the same spot that is." Another laugh comes over Discord as he rolls his clawed hand.
However his voice stops it's happy tone as his eyes flicker a little black, "However...There is a certain pony I need to pay a visit to first..." Discord turns a devilish smile to Sparky's green eyes as he continues, "I will meet you at the Crystal Empire in the next two days...After I finish a little fun time of my own. Until then Sombra, goodbye." Discord's claws snap as he gives a little laugh and poofs away.
Where the broken statue once stood a new statue of Disord stands, but instead of it being broken it has a bright and happy smile on it.
As Discord’s laugh fades into the cricket chiming night Sparky's green eyes turn to the hedge maze opening at the end of the path as he starts his trot up.
The stallions quick pace brings him out of the garden as he swings his head to the castle courtyard, there's no pony in direct sight around despite it only being still early in the night. However he doesn't start his trot up again as Sparky's eyes turn to a light purple mare that quickly runs down the castle's entrance stairs.
Sparky's green eyed tint starts to fade as he quickly blinks his eyes back to their normal color as he stumbles a little.
Violet's trot quickens to an almost gallop as her eyes look over the dirty stallion's coat. As the mare's trot brings her closer Sombra's voice starts to ring in Sparky's head, (Your thoughts betray you pegasus...Who is this mare?) Sombra's shadowy figure that only Sparky can see appears in front of Violet's trot as a devious smile comes over the dark stallion's face.
To the echoy voice's words Sparky flaps his wings out as he readies himself to fly away from his approaching friend.
Sombra's voice continues in a slight laugh as it rings through Sparky's head, (Leaving? Should I take care of her?)
The heat of the green magic starts to build under Sparky's coat as his ability to fly away fades, "D-don't...Please..."
His under breath words don't hit Violet's ears as she nears her friend and brings her hooves up.
The heat to Sparky's wings fade along with the shadowy Sombra's smile as the dark unicorn's eyes pin to the mare's moving hooves almost with a surprised expression.
To Sparky's lack of response Violet moves closer to her friend, however her steps closer are matched as Sparky takes a few steps back just swinging his eyes between the dark stallion trapped in his mind and the mare in front of him, "I-I can't stay Violet..."
Sparky's shaky tone only makes Violet take a few steps forward as she holds a concerned stare as she sparks her hooves up still trying to ask the stallion what's wrong.
To the hooves motions Sombra's shadowy figure fades as Sparky speaks up with an almost sad tone, "I have to go...Violet."
Sparky's still soar wings flare out as he quickly brings himself into the air, to his quick motions Violet extends her hoof a little but she can't bring her thoughts out as Sparky's eyes turn from her body.
Violet holds her stare to the stallion for a few moments before she turns back towards the castle.
Chapter 20 – Long days never end simple, thats just too simple
Sparky's exhausting flight only lasted for a few minutes, and only brought him halfway through the city as he was left to trot the rest of the way.
The voice in his mind has not started back up since he left Violet's sight...But that doesn't mean his mind's heavy thoughts have stopped. Instead the cold fall night has added to the already slightly shivering stallion as the unwanted and forced magic runs under his coat with a slight tingling to every hoof he takes down the dirt path on the edge of the city.
Sparky's thoughts that have been building betray him though as he stops his path and just stares to the large sky blue stone building at the end of the path.
As the young stallion stands in his spot for another short moment the low echo of Sombra's voice comes to his mind, (Your feelings are running thief, tell me...why do you disgrace your race? A pegasus never is lacking in pride, and your race is known for combat...So why do you hold such fear to your heart and mind?)
Sparky shakes his head trying to stop the ringing of the voice in his head as he starts to give into the fast events that have been thrust upon him.
Without remorse Sombra's voice comes up as it drives the young stallion's head shake a little faster, (Your anguish is understandable, thief...) "I'm not a thief!" Sparky's tone comes back in a sharp denial as he stomps his hoof to the ground. (Ah...Then tell me, WHY did you venture into a unicorn castle? Surely a pegasus would have been killed for trespassing on Unicorn territory...I felt your fear in that room...So do not LIE).
Sparky shakes his head again as his voice comes out a little defeated, "I-...I was in there for my friend." (The mare, yes...What shame have you brought onto your family for surviving a unicorn...)
"I-it's no disgrace for helping a friend..." The magic under Sparky's coat churns a little as Sombra's voice goes quiet for a moment, but it comes back up as a echoey laugh comes up and ricochets around the stallion's mind, (You would have me believe unicorns and pegasus are not at war?)
"Yes..." Sparky's words quite the magic under his coat for a moment as the cool air of the world around him starts to tap against his coat. The silence to Sparky's head only last for a moment as Sombra's voice comes back, (Walk pegasus, your body needs to rest...And I can feel your desire for it has brought you here).
Sparky hesitates for a moment before he starts his trot up towards the sky blue building.
It only takes a few moments for the stallion to take his hoof to the door and then into the building, and as he does he freezes just waiting for somepony to scold him for coming in late.
However the entrance way is quiet and there's no pony waiting for him as he swings his head around, to the pony free area Sparky's trot comes up towards the hallway as he darts into it. His hooves move quietly to the hall as he passes by the doorless rooms of the bedrooms.
Sparky's pace brings him to his room quick, but he doesn't go inside as his heart drops to the two ponies sitting in his room.
The cream stallion sitting on his bed turns his head to the door with a smile as he speaks up, "Oh look who it is..." His tone is held to a low as he holds his smile to Sparky, "...Hey FillyFlank you missed curfew again..."
Sparky looks over the two stallion as he just stands in the hallway.
To his lack of voice Flaps speaks up again as he beckons him to step inside the room, "So tell me FillyFlank...Do you think your some special pony or something? Do you think you can just come and go anytime you want?"
Flaps holds his smile as he cocks his head to the chocolate stallion waiting at the window, "What ya-think Chase, think we should get this stallion another twenty laps for tomorrow?"
Sparky's voice comes up as he takes a step into the room, "Go on, go and tell on me...I don't care, so get out."
The words break Flaps's smile as he looks over the stallion, a little surprised that the petty threat didn't turn the stallion into a begging colt, "Oh is that so?" Flaps stands from the bed as he pokes his hoof to Sparky's chest, "What, you think your better then everypony or something? Huh? You think cause your mare is some fancy unicorn student you can just trot in here whenever?"
Sparky's eyes tighten to the stallion's words as he speaks up, "Why do you care so much Flaps?!"
Flaps blows his foul breath to Sparky's snout as he speaks up, "Why do I care? Because! You're not a Wonder Bolt and you're never going to be a Wonderbolt...You shouldn't even be here, and the fact that you don't care ticks me off." His hoof bangs a little hard to Sparky's chest as he finishes his words.
The creams stallion's hoof comes to Sparky's side as he pulls him a little more to the room, "Sit down FillyFlank, you should just rest...You have a big day of running tomorrow..."
A laugh comes from the chocolate stallion that moves from his spot as he jabs his hoof to Sparky's right wing, "Or flying, would you like that better FillyFlank?"
A jolt of pain runs through Sparky's body as the stallion grins his hoof to his feathers, the warm feeling of Sombra's magic comes up as Sparky's eyes flicker a little green and the stallion quickly jerks away from the stallion as he flared his now slightly green glowing wings out.
But the green glow only holds for a moment as a sound of a faint electrical static starts to ring from Sparky's wings, the green glow fades as a few very small lightening like zaps flap from Sparky's wings and towards the cream stallion in the doorway.
Flaps's eyes go wide as the jolt of what looked like a small lightning bolt sticks against his coat, a loud yelp calls from his mouth as he jumps in his spot and rubs to the shock mark on his coat.
The chocolate stallion blinks in confusion to the lightning like bolt as he just stares stupidly between his friend and the light orange pegasus.
Although Flaps quickly reacts as he lunges towards Sparky and tackles him to the ground, the green glow to his eyes fades quick as the sensation of falling comes over him, but it ends fast as his head bangs against the floor and sends the already pounding welt into a frenzy of pain as he calls out, "AH!!!"
Flaps jabs his front hooves to Sparky's chest with a few quick kicks, but the rage filled hits are pulled from Sparky as a loud voice comes into the room, "Hey! HEY!"
Sparky squints his eyes open to the white pegasus stallion that has pulled Flaps off of him as the stallion regains his breath.
"What are you two doing!?" Streaks hard eyes stare between the two stallions as he waits for a response, but Sparky doesn't bring his voice up as Flaps shouts out, "We were just telling Sparky about why it's bad to be late for curfew, and then he hit me, so I fought him off."
Streak holds his hard stare still as he looks to the cream stallion, "Oh ya? Then why were you over him?" Flaps is silent for a moment as Streak takes advantage of the stallion's quilted voice, "You two are coming with me...Get up Sparky..." Streaks right hoof guides the cream stallion out of the room as Sparky starts to bring himself up.
But as he follows after the white stallion into the hallway his trot stops as he looks over the stallion's who now poke themselves out of their rooms.
"Streak, what's going on?" The older voice turns Sparky's ears as he looks to the light sky blue pegasus that quickly moves down the hallway.
Streak takes his hoof from Flaps side as he swings it between Flaps and Sparky, "I caught these two fighting Sorin...."
The sky blue pegasus blinks to the words as he stares between the two stallion, "Fighting?" Sorin takes a deep breath as he speaks up, "Is this true?"
Flaps immediately speaks up as he holds his hoof to Sparky, "Ya, he started it!"
Sorin's eyes turn to Sparky as he waits for a response, but the burned out stallion is too tired and hurt to speak up as he just nods his head.
Streak blinks almost astonished to the nod as Sorin's voice comes up, "Then i'm sorry, fighting is one hundred percent prohibited in this school...You both will be suspended for the next two weeks."
"WHAT!?" Flaps speaks up as Sparky just goes wide eyed to the comment, the cream stallion's voice continues as he shakes his head, "Bu-but that's the rest of our first year? H-how do we complete it?"
"You both will need to resubmit to the school for next year..." Sorin's words end fast as Flaps points his hoof to Sparky, "This is all your fault!"
"That's enough Flaps, get back to your room." Streak holds his hoof up as he waits for the cream stallion to bring his trot up.
Reluctantly he does as the chocolate stallion follows after his friend, to the two stallion trotting past him Sorin turns his eyes to Sparky as he speaks up, "Tonight is your last day...I will have a train ticket ready for you in the morning."
Sparky nods his head as he pins his eyes to the ground and turns back to his room.
Streak watches Sparky's trot for a moment as Sorin speaks up now directed to him, "Streak, I would like a report on what you saw by tomorrow, ok?"
"Yes sir..." Streak nods his head as the sky blue stallion starts to trot back down the hallway, as Sorin moves a little more down the hall Streak turns his attention back to Sparky's room as he trots over into it, "Hey..."
Sparky's trot has brought him to the edge of the bed as he just sits with sad eyes staring to the lock in front of him, but the stallion's voice turns his gaze as he listens..."...Listen, this is your first Academy offence, you should be ok for next year."
The words don't turn Sparky's head as he just holds his stare.
To the silent stallion Streak nods as he moves from the room and starts to trot back down the hall as his voice directs to the other ponies that have poked their heads to the hallway.
The hallway and the room goes quiet as Sparky's eyes just hold to the simple room around him...But the silence doesn't last long as Sombra's shadowy figure comes to his field of vision, (...You should rest pegasus, every morning brings different winds.) The dark stallion's motionless mouth gets a grin as his sharp teeth poke from his mouth, (...I am a pony of my word, serve me wel-...)
A pillow from the bed sends the shadowy vision into a fuzzy and broken picture as Sparky's eyes start to blink from a few tears as his quiet voice runs just to his mind, "I'm not helping you for myself..."
Sombra's shadow fades from the room as his echo rings through Sparky's head, (Ha-ha-ha, ease your mind Sparky...Your task will be done come the day after tomorrow...Now sleep.) A flash of green magic comes over Sparky's eyes as he struggles to keep them open as he slowly starts to move his head towards the remaining pillow on the bed.
A slight yawn comes from your still sleepy mouth as you listen to Twilight's voice continuing to control you from her lazy spot on the bed.
"Hmm...Do you think the blue one or the pink one?"
You traces your eyes over the two small blankets that Twilight has neatly folded in front of her, you find it kind of funny that the past two and a half weeks have really changed the mare's attitude so much. You never really thought you would see the day where Celestia's star student would just decide to spend half of the day lounging around in bed...But you've now seen it for about half a week now, although it is understandable seeing as how the heavy mare's teats have started to fill and from their position under her back legs you could see how they would be an unpleasant nuisance.
"What do you think?" Her tone gets a little more impatient as you snap from your thoughts and speak up, "Uh...Why not both?"
Twilight shakes her head as she looks between the two crib’s blankets that sit in front of her, "Oh, don't be silly...We can't put a pink blanket with a colt and we can't put a blue blanket with a filly."
You just blink your eyes as you hold back your simple question that would be sure to spark the mare's already jittery hormones, "We could always just take the other one out when we get back." A smile comes over your face as you wait for the lavender mare to see the logic in your sentence.
"No."
You nod your head as you sigh, "Ok..."
However her voice doesn't stop to your surrender as she cocks her head up a little with a slightly know it all tone, "My mom said that she did this with Shining, and he picked a pink blanket and thats why I was a filly."
You squint to her comment as you speak up, "Then shouldn't we have Violet pick?"
Twilight shakes her head with a smile as she speaks up, "Violet won't be back for another two weeks...I want you to pick."
To the words you take a step forward as you look over the two colored blankets.
But your stare pokes Twilight's head closer to where you stand from the bed as she speaks up in a lower tone, "What would you want? A colt or a filly?"
You wave your hoof to her as you continue to think, "Hold on Professor Oak, i'll tell you along with the name." A dumb smile comes over your face as you wait for a response but Twilight instead gets a wide smile as she speaks up, "OH you want to go over names again too?"
"W-what no no, we already picked the two we lik-..." Your voice is cut off as Twilight cuts you off, "I know, but we could make a NEW list and then go over new names."
You blink to her words as you float up the pink and blue blankets, as you do that Twilight's eyes go a little wide, "B-both?"
You shake your head as you turn back to the crib and float the blue blanket to neatly sit inside, "Nope, just one...I needed to move the other before you started thinking about filly names."
A slight giggle comes from Twilight as she cocks her head, "What makes you so sure it's a colt?"
You look over the crib for a moment before you turn back to the sprawled out and comfortable mare, "Because...I picked the blanket."
Another giggle comes from Twilight as she just looks you over.
However the light tone of the room is broken as the sound of Spike's claws starts up outside of the door, with in a moment the little purple dragon appears in the doorway with a gold embroidered letter in claw, "Hey Twilight!"
The lavender mare turns her head to Spike's body as she speaks up, "Yes?"
"You got a letter from Celestia." Twilight's horn sparks up in a low glow as she floats the rolled up paper towards herself, "Celestia? I wonder-...."
Her voice goes quiet as she looks over the paper, to her silence you turn back to the crib as you set the pink blanket to drape over the edge of it, not really knowing where else to put it...However you quickly turn back around as you hear Twilight's body moving from the bed.
"What was it?" You squint to her sudden movement as she takes her hooves to the ground and speaks up, "Celestia needs my assistance with something urgently..."
"What?!" You look over the heavy mare as you take a hoof closer, "Well Princess Do-Nothing can try it herself, you're not going anywhere."
Twilight's low glowing magic brings the letter to rest up against your chest as she trots past you, "You're coming to, theres two tickets..."
You bring your hoof to the letter as you hold your eyes to the mare that trots out of the room, "But Twilight?"
"Lets get packed..."
Your voice is cut off as you turn a slightly annoyed face to Spike, his eyes meet yours as he gives a little laugh, "Hey, I don't make these letters you know."
A faint sigh comes from you as you call back to the door, "Where are we going, Canterlot?"
- - - (Back at Canterlot)
The early morning sun has come over the bright gleaming city as Violet holds her trot to the train station, she knew she wouldn't have been able to say goodbye to her friend today...But now that fact has weighed a little more to her mind after she saw how he acted last night.
But there's nothing she can do if she wants to make it to Ponyville before midday.
Her horn sparks up in a faint blue glow as she unclips one of the side pockets on her two bags, the gold ticket comes out of her pouch as she nears the steam rendering train that sits in the station.
The older chocolate coated stallion with gray vest and blue cap on his head gives a little smile as he looks over the ticket, "Ah, just on time...We're about to leave." He gives one more glance to the ticket before he beckons Violet onto too the train.
As she takes her first hoof to the train's car she swings her head around, there's a few ponies on the train, most seem to be family groups so the single mare's trot turns towards the back of the car as she slowly starts to wrap her magic to the bags to ease their burden.
However her soft eyed stare to everypony else is brought to a halt as a familiar dull orange pegasus comes to her field of vision sitting with his back to the door.
Violet's hooves starts up fast as she holds her head a little straight just incase the stallion turns out to be somepony else...But as she passes the stallion she swings herself back to the train car seat in front of him as she floats her bags to the bench beside where she sits.
The light purple mare that now sits her flank to the seat in front of him brings Sparky's tired eyed gaze to her as he shivers a little just hoping that the echoey voice won't start up again.
Violet's slightly confused gaze turns soft as she looks over the stallion's beat expression and her hooves come up with a question as she extends her lean a little more towards where he sits.
As she gets closer Sparky leans back a little more to the seat as he speaks up in a tired voice, "H-hi Violet."..(The mare asked why are you here pegasus...A stallion should not be rude to a mare.) Before Sparky's voice can even finish the sound of Sombra's echo runs through Sparky's head as he brings his hoof up to his head.
To her friend's pained expression Violet starts her hooves up a little fast.
"N-no...I'm fine." Sparky is quick to give a broken smile as he speaks up to answer her previous question, "I got kicked out of the Wonder Bolt's last night."
The words spark a quick reaction to Violet as she shakes her head and gives a simple left ear flick as she darts herself towards her friend with a hug.
The warm embrace shocks Sparky's magical shivering body as it stops a little, but he quickly moves his friend's hooves from him as he shakes his head, "No no, Violet it's not because I was late...It has nothing to do with you."
Violet's hooves spark up again as she points to the window.
Sparky again is quick to deny her comment as he speaks up, "No, it didn't have anything to do with those stallions either...I just wasn't cut out to be a Wonder Bolt." (Your lying ability is remarkable pegasus...HA-ah, you even believe your own lie.)
The echo in his head doesn't change Sparky's tone as he just looks over the light purple mare in front of him, "S-so you're going home today right?"
Violet nods her head as she holds her own compassionate face to Sparky's previous words, however she replies with her own comment as she hooves out a question.
(Wild Cloud? What use does a cloud have to a unicorn?) Sparky shakes his head to Violet's words as he speaks up, "M-maybe some other time, I think I should just rest my wing for now."
(You petty liar, you're going to get yourself sent to a healer if you act like that..And any unicorn healer would sense MY magic under you...Say yes to the mare's quest.) The lengthy echo to Sparky's head clenches his teeth as he speaks up, "Well...I could stop by later if you want?"
Violet holds a questioning eye to her friend's attitude but she pushes it out of mind as she nods.
The train under their hooves starts to come alive as the older stallion in the vest takes his hoof to the train car, "First stop Ponyville."
To the moving train Violet moves her head to the window as she starts to look out to the world that starts to pass her by. But her stare doesn't stay too long as she looks back to her friend, Sparky notices the stare as he just gives a simple smile and then moves to look out the window.
The train ride from Canterlot to Ponyville has started to come to it's end as the low rolling hills of the outskirts of town starts to dance past the fast moving train.
Within a few more minutes the screech of the wheels starts to run through the train's cars as it slows into the station. As the train's speed drains into the tracks Violet sparks her horn up to the bags she laid on the seat next to her as she stands and starts to float them around her.
Sparky takes a deep breath as he just stares to the wooden floor of the train, but he eventually darts his hooves to the seat next to him as he takes the two bags around his body.
As he stands Violet presses her hoof to his chest as she squints her eyes to his face. Sparky's eyes go shifty and uneasy as her blue eyed gaze pierces into his mind, but Violet breaks the hard stare as she smiles and starts her hooves up in another i'm sorry motion.
Sparky nods to her hooves as he waits for her to trot into the train's walkway, the voice in his head has been quite the length of the train ride and the shivering of magic has stopped, which has allowed the young stallion's tired expression to change back to it's normal cheerful look.
The older chocolate stallion at the door opens it as he notices the few ponies getting ready to get off, he takes his first few hooves down the stairs as he speaks up, "Welcome home...To most ponies, cider and rest awaits all those who are not from here." A slight chuckle expels from him as he watches the few ponies getting off of the train.
As Violet makes her way from the train she turns and waits for her friend, Sparky's decently fast trot brings him from the train as he looks around the station. However his home longing stare is cut short as Violet's hooves come up with a reminder.
Sparky nods his head as his low tone comes out, "I won't forget..." A faint chuckle comes from him as he just enjoys his mind's silence, "At least I won't have to tell my dad anything...No pony is here in Ponyville right now."
Violet shares the light tone as she nods her head and starts to trot away.
As the light purple mare trots further away the echo to Sparky's head comes , but this time a little lower, (You should rest now pegasus...I shall awaken you when I see fit).
The words make Sparky close his eyes for a moment as he reluctantly accepts the command and starts his trot up.
- - -
Violet's quick and happy almost gallop has come back to her the nearer and nearer she gets to the large tree library at the end of her stretch. It's been two and a half weeks since she left the house and as her eyes look over it the undeniable home sickness in her starts to blossom as she no longer can hold herself back and begins to gallop the last few hooves to the red door.
Her heavy bags bash against her fast moving legs but she pays it no mind as she takes her hoof to the unlocked door and then quickly inside. The initial scan of the room brings no familiar face as she sparks her horn up and slams the door behind her.
An innocent smile comes over her face as she waits for your or Twilight's face to come and investigate the loud house thundering sound.
However her smile is slightly lost as she watches the little purple dragon take a step to the top of the staircase, Spike's eyes look almost as if the loud sound had made him jump from his bed, and his slightly yawning voice reassures her of that thought, "Violet? What are you doing here?"
The light purple mare sparks her hooves up as she holds her smile to the dragon.
"A surprise?...OH..." Spike rubs his claw to his head as he starts to walk down the stairs, "You should have sent a letter."
Violet blinks to the words for a moment, but a newfound smile comes up as she thinks over the possibility of a little brother or sister awaiting her at Ponyville's hospital. Without another moment her hooves spark up with her question.
Spike squints hard to her motions as he gives a little laugh, "S-sorry Violet...I'm not really good at remembering hoofing."
The light purple mare rolls her eyes as she points to the top of the stairs.
To her extended hoof Spike speaks again, "Twilight and your dad left about thirty minutes ago..." Violet's extended hoof and smile comes down a little as she blinks to his word, "...Ya, Celestia called them away for something important."
Violet nods her head to the words as her smile fades from her face.
Spike notices her saddened expression as he nudges her, "Hey cheer up...At least i'm here." He starts his walk towards the kitchen as he speaks up, "Tell you what, i'll make you your favorite lunch."
A slight smile comes up from Violet's face as she nods thankfully, but she doesn't move to sit at the table as she starts her trot up the stairs.
The sound of Spike accidentally banging a few things around down stairs rings around the upstairs hallway as Violet floats the bags from her body and trots herself towards her room. As she brings herself to her threshold she stops, her room has been left the way she left it...There's even a bow out of place on her dresser from when she packed so fast.
Her horn's glow holds as she moves her bags to the neatly kept bed as a quiet sigh runs through her. Not being able to show the spell to you and Twilight has put a damper to the visit she wanted to surprise you both with...But as one of the bags starts to open and three jars come to float out and move to her dresser her mind's slightly disheartened thoughts change as she looks over the empty jar.
Violet's surprise for you and Twilight may not have gone as she planned but at least another hoof closer to the spell she wants to baffle Celestia and Luna with is within reach.
- - - (Elsewhere in Equestria)
You continue to fiddle with the satchel bag you placed next to you as you bite your tongue, just calm down...Celestia probably just needed Twilight to pick out a blanket or something. A faint chuckle comes from you as you shake your head. "What's so funny?"
You turn your gaze to the uncomfortable sitting mare as you speak up, "Oh nothing nothing...Hows that hard train car seat feel?"
Twilight adjust herself to the barely cushioned seat as she puts her head up a little, "It's fine, and besides Vanhoover is only about an hour's ride from Ponyville."
You shake your head to her comment as you allow a comment you've been holding back to spring forward, "Wouldn't have to even be sitting for an hour if you just said no."
A slight huff comes from the lavender mare as she speaks up, "Celestia hasn't asked for me in the last five months...I can't just blow off an urgent letter."
"Urgent, pfff." You roll your hoof to her comment as you cross your front legs over your chest.
Twilight gives a little smile as she speaks up, "Well at least we're going somewhere before the foal arrives." A light smile comes over her face a she turns her head to the window.
You cock your eyes to her words as you speak up, "We could have gone somewhere before...It's just somepony wanted to lay around wanting nothing but belly rubs-..."
"SHHH!" Twilight's right hoof wiggles to you as a slight blush comes over her face.
A new chuckle comes from you as you look around the vastly empty train car of the train that you've never road before, ya Twilight there's soooo many ponies listening to us...
You hold your grin as you look over the train, really you thought there was only one train in all of Equestria, but Twilight did say that's because this is the northbound train. Your stare around the room stops as you turn your eyes to the old grayish pony sitting at the door, the stallion's eyes have pined to the wall in front of him almost as if he fell asleep staring to the train's dark wood frame. He wasn't really as cheerful as the other train stallion you're so use to showing tickets to...But your guess is that the north train may go around Equestria a lot more.
"...I've never been to Vanhoover before."
Twilight's voice breaks your stare of the tired pony as you look back to her continuing speech, "...I did read that it looks amazing in the fall though."
You nod your head to her words as you just look over your hoof that you've brought to your face. You're about ninety nine percent sure she's going to continue so you just ready yourself to nod and smile.
"Oooh, if we have enough time we should go and visit the Vanhoover Falls...They are supposed to be the clearest waters in all of Equestria."
You nod your head with a smile as you take your hoof from your face and stare to the lavender mare whose eyes have pinned to the world outside of the window.
Your head has started to feel a little soar as your result to your fail-safe to knowledge Twilight's continued rambling, "Mhmm."
Luckily though your voice doesn't need to come back up as the feel of the train starts to slow, "Oh where here..."
Twilight's voice turns your head as you look to the bright and colorful world outside, Ponyville has rolling hills of nothing more than grass and a few wild flowers...And Canterlot is pretty much the same but with a more mountainy feel. Neither of these compare to the scene outside though.
The train station you slowly ease into is almost cut into a forest of rich orange, yellow and red fall colored trees that stand abnormally high over where the dark stone train station sits.
You blink to the colorful world outside as you speak up, "What is the city cut into a forest or something?"
"Yes..."
a stallion's voice hits against your ears as you turn around to the vest wearing pony that was sitting next to the door that now stands in the train's walkway, "Vanhoover has been cut out of Tall Tail forest which sits around it..."
You nod to the words as you move your hoof to the bag as you bring it around you.
The stallion takes a step aside as he speaks up, "We've arrived now." A warm smile comes over the stallion's face as he holds his hoof to the door that's now open.
Twilight moves to her hooves as she nods her head, you follow after her as she gets a few hooves closer to the train's door.
It takes a few moments for the heavy mare's slow trot to bring her down the stairs but you follow after her all the same as another voice hits to your ears, "Twilight Sparkle?"
Your ear flicks to the young sounding mare's voice as you turn your head to a tan coated mare with curly mane that slightly matches the yellow color of the fall leaves that surround the train station. The only thing that comes to your mind as you look over the young mare is, whoa...she could be my daughter.
Twilight nods her head to the name as she speaks up, "Yes, that’s me."
The young mare gives a little smile as she takes to her hooves, "Hello Mrs.Sparkle, I am Maple, I have been tasked with escorting you to the castle." As her words end her trot starts up.
Twilight's heavy hooves try to match the young mare's pace but she ends up still behind the young mare, you hold your trot as you trail beside her and start to take in the sights around you.
The ground of the path you travel on is a slightly uneven cobblestone walkway, but as you swing your head up a little you start to understand why the ground beneath your feet is a little uneven. The bright fall trees that stand above you are actually all around the city from what you can see, and if these trees are able to reach that high then it makes sense that there roots would mess with the forest city's roads.
Your trot from the train station has brought you to what you would guess is the main street, the buildings around you are not as simple as Ponyville's hay covered house...But there definitely no clean stoned Canterlot or bright clear crystal buildings. Instead the mostly two story buildings look to be made with the same dark cobblestone as the road you travel on.
"...Vanhoover was one of the first cities settled in Equestria once Princess Celestia took power. Most of the building in the city still have some of the original stone."
The young mare's words nod your head as you move your gaze to the few ponies that trot around the city's leaf covered streets. From what you're guess is this city is more like Ponyville then Canterlot, no fancy dressed ponies and a main street you can actually trot through. A faint smile comes over your face as you think that over, the Applejack of this town must make Maple Cider or something...
- - -
You and Twilight's following of the mare has brought you through the city's length, it’s probably a little slower than the young mare wanted seeing as how she ended up slowing her pace for Twilight's shake.
But you're trailing after her is brought to a halt as you look over a long dark stone almost vertical staircase that the young mare has stopped at, "Only ponies who have been summoned to the castle may travel it's stairs...This is where I must leave you both."
Twilight gives a little laugh as she looks over the hard stone stairs, "Oh...ok..."
The young mare nods her head as she takes a step aside. You move yourself a little closer to Twilight as you wait for her to take her first step to the stairs, "Still glad you wanted to help Celestia?"
Twilight shoots you a cold stare, but being under the shade of the large trees above you keeps you from feeling it as you allow the heavy mare to lean on you a little as your trot starts up the stairs.
- - -
It takes about ten minutes to go up the most likely five story high staircase, but your endeavors pay off as you both take your last step to the now platform like courtyard of the large old and majestic looking castle that lays about a gallop and half away from you.
You halfheartedly expected to find that you and Twilight went higher than the tree cover, but thats not the case as you tilt your head a little higher to the trees that only part to allow more of the warm fall sun in.
Twilight gives a little sigh as she starts her trot up towards the castle doors, "Well at least Celestia is already here."
You follow her eye's gaze as you look over the large regal white chariot that sits off to one side of the courtyard.
However your eyes are not able to stay to the familiar chariot for long as a pony wearing a fancy long greenish orange cape starts to emerge from the castle's opening doors.
The sign of the fancy dressed pony rolls your eyes as you think to yourself, well so much for this place being like Ponyville.
"Ah...Twilight Sparkle." The stallion's deep voice trails on as he nears you and Twilight's containing trot, "Please follow me and I will show you to your room."
Twilight stops her trot for a moment as she cocks her head, "Um...Celestia's letter said that I was needed immediately, should I not-..."
Her words are cut off as the stallion waves his hoof, "Oh yes yes yes, but Countess is busy at the moment with the ruler...We will bring you to the throne room when they have finished talking."
You squint to the pony's words as you think them over, Ruler? Come on, lets just call Princess Do-Nothing Princess. You hold a dumb but friendly smile as you follow Twilight's starting up trot.
There's about three steps leading into the castle but Twilight makes short work of them as you follow the cloaked stallion inside.
As you pass through the doors two ponies to either side of them start to close them, but you don't notice them as you look around the elegant room you've stepped into. Sure you've been to Canterlot and the Crystal empire, but they both hold to one theme either stone white or bluish crystal...Vanhoover's castle has a much brighter feel.
It's walls are a dark cobblestone that only brings out the unique mismatch coloring of the fall orange and yellow stone that tiles the flooring.
However your intake of the room is cut off as the stallion's pace quickens a little, "The guest rooms are here..." His trot turns to a long side hall as he lead you and Twilight down the red rugged room, there's a few lit torches around the hall that have burned away the chill of the fall weather.
Your guess is that the young mare was right, this city was very old and apparently they like fire not lights.
The stallion stops his trot as he holds his hoof to a closed dark oak door, "You may wait in here until you're summoned."
You and Twilight nod your heads as the stallion trots away down the hall.
Without hesitation Twilight's hoof comes to the door as she takes her steps inside, the multicolored stone tile of the castle is not present in the room instead a solid lime green sits to the room. Which goes pretty well with the dark reddish brown wooden furniture of the room, of course Twilight doesn't really notice the room as she quickly takes her hooves to the large bed on the left of the room, "Those stairs were a little hard..."
The heavy mare crawls herself to the bed as you close the door behind you, "Good."
A slight giggle comes from Twilight as she rolls herself to her back and stretches her front hooves to the top of her chest.
You float the bag to the dresser on the side of the room as you continue to just look around the room that's being lit from the large window that sits in front of where you stand. You hold your gaze to the window as you trot over to look outside of it...Of course theres really nothing to see as the tall trees block the view of the city you trotted through.
"Care to join me?"
Your ear flicks to the words as you cock your eye back to the large bellied mare that has rolled herself to face you, a smile crosses your face as you look over the bed, "For what?"
Twilight's head is taken a little back to her chest as she just holds her big soft purple eyes to you, "...I wouldn't mind my hooves rubbed...or my belly..." An innocent smile comes over her sheepish face as you trot over to the small spot on the bed.
You place your hoof to the bed as you bend your head down as you hold your smile to Twilight's face, "Oh ya?" You move your hoof over the warm bulge of her stomach as you wait for a response from her.
But only a little giggle comes from her as she scoots herself a bit more to the other side of the bed.
The slightly after midday sun pours in through the large window as it bakes your coat facing it.
Your eyes are closed but you're not sleeping, nor do you even feel remotely tired. However you and Twilight's light hearted fooling around has come to it's end as you both just rest in the sun warmed bed just waiting for somepony to summon you for whatever Celestia needs done. It became apparent to you and Twilight that obviously nothing was really majorly wrong, seeing as how it's been a little over an hour and a half since you two set hoof to the castle with no pony bothering you two yet.
But the time of not being needed makes the longer train ride and the unwanted trip a nice little vacation, as you continue to just lay up against the lavender mare with your slow circular hoof motions that every once in awhile intently caress over one of the swollen and sensitive milk filled teats that protrude a little from the mare's lower stomach.
You take a deep sigh as you blink your eyes open to a half open stare as you look pass Twilight's no longer flipped up mane that resembled her mother's style, as you look to the closed dark wood door of the room.
"Hmm...How does your hoof not get tired?"
To Twilight's low and relaxed words you cock your snout to her ear as you speak up through your smile, "My hoof can be tired if it's my turn for a belly rub..." You can't really hold your seriousness to the soft words as you listen to a faint giggle stem from the lavender mare's mouth.
You continue your hoof's motion but now a little more conscious to the speed that has almost been held out of instinct. Really it come as no surprise to you that you've stopped paying attention to when you do this, not because it's not enjoyable but mainly because when you have to do something so often you tend to get use to it.
However you do start to slow your motions as you just settle your draped over hoof to her heat resonating stomach as you slowly start to just gaze to the door as you enjoy the quiet of the unfamiliar room.
Of course like most things in your life somepony ruins as a stallion's voice calls into the room, "Twilight Sparkle...She is ready for you now."
You take another deep breath but this time it's not because you're just relaxed as you stretch your hooves out from where they sat under and over Twilight's heavy body.
Your stretches however don't affect the lavender mare as she sits her self up and calls back to the door, "We'll be out in a moment."
A slight chuckle comes from you as you move to stand on your four hooves, "Alright...Lets go see what Princess Do-Nothing wants this time."
Twilight shoots you a slightly annoyed glare as she speaks up in a low whispering tone just for your ears, "Shhh, what if she's outside of the door? She's still my teacher and my friend."
You nod your head to her as you give a little smirk, "Teacher huh?" You poke your head a little more towards her as she stands herself from the ruffled covers of the bed, "...When was the last time she taught you anything...If I remember correctly that last few things Celestia has wanted you to do is send her reports on YOUR new magic finds...not her's."
Twilight rolls her eyes to the comment as she ignores it and changes the subject, "How does my mane look? It looks ok right?"
A brief pause comes over your voice as you look over her flattened mane that now only barely flips in the front, Twilight looks a lot more like she use to with the mane style...Sure a little longer but you're surprised how much just a flip can make her look different, "You look fine...Rarity." The last little bit you toss in brings a smile as Twilight again just rolls her eyes.
"I should still look formal for Princess Celestia." Twilight's trot comes up towards the door as her low whisper runs back to you.
You nod your head as you follow after her thought the door you open with your own magic, you're not really to worried about freaking out the stallion outside in the hallway seeing as how you only opened it for a brief moment.
As you and Twilight leave the room the regal coated stallion from earlier holds his hoof back to the main entrance way as he speaks up, "Follow me."
- - -
Your following of the stallion has brought you back to the large entrance way of the castle, but his trot doesn't end as he turns to the large dark wood oval doors that sit across from the castle's own doors. As you three near the doors they open to a bright dark red rug with gold trim that extends all the way from the door's threshold to the large elegant gold and royal purple throne that sits on it's own platform three dark cobblestone lays up.
As you and Twilight trot after the stallion that has led you to the room he breaks away and the doors shut behind you, but your mind doesn't really pick up on the world around you as they set to the normal size mare that sits with a formal posture pressed into the back of the chair. The mare's coat is a bright white that stands out from the dark room's cobblestone and wood feel, and her mane is a vibrant pink that's combed neatly to one side. However it's the mare's vivid green eyes that have stolen your gaze.
The mare can't be much older than you or Twilight, but there she sits atop this throne with eyes that seem to have seen everything...You break your locked stare for a moment with a little bit of force as Twilight's voice comes up, "Hello...Are you the Countess of Vanhoover?"
To Twilight's words the mare nods her head as she gives a little smile, "Yes, I am the presiding ruler over this city."
As the mare's voice runs around the room you turn your gaze to the large curved pillars of the walls that extend and mess up in an arch form on the ceiling, however you don't admire the room for long as your eyes set to the motionless ponies around the room. All of the ponies are stallions, and smart thinking would say they're the guard, however unlike Canterlot’s guards that seem to be all unicorn these all white coated stallion with blond mane are a mixture of unicorns, pegasus and earth ponies.
"...Where is Celestia? Her letter expressed that we needed to come here as soon as we got the letter." Twilight holds her own respectful tone as she awaits an answer from the mare.
The Countess nods her head as she speaks up, "Yes, you were both to come as soon as you got that letter..."
There's a moment of silence as you and Twilight both look around the room again in search of the tall familiar white princess.
However your eyes are brought back to the mare in the throne as she speaks up, "Tell me Twilight Sparkle, what do you know of Vanhoover?"
You squint to the words as Twilight speaks up, "Um...That Vanhoover was one of the first cites ever settled after unicorns, pegasus and earth ponies came together."
"Correct..." The Countess's tone gets a little more prodding as she speaks up, "...Then tell me Twilight Sparkle, why is it fair that we have been pushed back to squander in the old lands when all ponies are supposed to be equal now hmm?"
The mare's tone starts to perk your ears up as Twilight's own confusion starts up, "W-what?"
"For over three years now we have waited, forced our remnants to the edges of Equestria, forced to blend...In fear, fear of the destroyer!" The mare's green eyes flicker, which send a cold shock up your spine...A chill that you haven't felt in far too long...And sure enough your mind's thoughts are brought to fertilization as the mare's eyes turn to you, "...But our fear of the destroyer's power was misplaced." The mare's body starts to gain a low green shimmer as a grin comes over her, "For if one can return then surely your powers are not strong enough to take the mother away."
The ponies around the room all simultaneously turn their eyes to where you and Twilight stand as you both quickly swing your eyes around the room. It's now that you feel the realism of where you stand sink in as you move yourself in front of Twilight as you hold your strengthening gaze to the mare.
A smile creeps over her face, with the same fear that Chrysalis’s struck as she speaks up, "Oooohhh...Your love is great Destroyer...But you are out matched." The mare's head nods as the few pegasus to either side of you spring up there wings and lunge for you and Twilight.
Their white coat and blond maned designs fall around them in a quick magical field as there bug wings and bright lifeless blue eyes now shine with you insight.
Your magic that bubbled just under your coat quickly sparks up as you send a hard and quick green bolt to a pegasus on your left. The moment you felt the warm magic leave your body you jumped forwards as you allow the other two pegasus changelings to crash into each other; with in the moment the two pegasus crash to the ground as another bolt of quick raised magic blast the last flying pegasus to the dark wood wall with a hard thud like the other magically pushed away changeling.
Before you can turn your attention to the two now scrambling changelings there struck with vibrant purple bolts as they are sent towards where The Countess now stands from her throne.
Although Twilight's magic sends the mare's legs into a buckle as she wobbles her stance a little.
Twilight's fear like your own is not only to her but to the foal she carries as you take advantage of the other changelings stunned pauses with a few quick and rage filled burst of bright lime green bolts.
The changelings that are not struck by the bolts are sent into a quick scattering as they dash there sleek black bodies around the room. But your magic that pounds to your head takes it's toll as your raging heart starts to wither your stamina down from the spells you haven't regularly been practicing.
But your tired body only brings your mind up as you scream out one more bolt of magic that directs itself to the stunned standing mare, "AAHHHH!"The bolt of magic comes from your body more as a green flaming wall as it magically screams towards the mare.
It's target is met as a loud rush of a raging fire rings around the room, but as the vail of your magic comes down the mare's own magical shield fades...However she's not left completely unscathed as her coat now holds burnt color, her panted voice rings out as she screams to the closed doors, "Guards!"
Your mane has fallen to your eyes as your heart now pounds to your chest, but you turn your eyes around as you look to the double doors that now open to a labyrinth of toothy smiling sleek black figures.
With your panting breath you bring your body back to face the door as you take a step in front of where Twilight stands.
"WHOA WHOA WHOA!" A slight laugh comes around the throne room as you hear a magical pop coming from behind you.
"Come now everypony...We need both of them for our plans."
The voice turns your head around as your heart skips a beat and you stare to the mismatched creature that now sits in the throne with his legs dangling over one side of the arm rest as he sits his back to the other.
"D-Discord!?!" The name is the only thing Twilight can muster as he just waves his clawed hand, "Miss me??" Another laugh comes from him as he snaps his claw and teleports right side up as he strokes his goatee, "What's it been Twilight? Two...Three?-..."
A bolt of your magic shut his mouth, but the low screaming bolt doesn't strike him as his quick teleporting has brought him to float into the air as he kicks his mismatched legs out a little as he laughs, "HA-ah-hA! I-I see you still have a temper human..." His joy filled eyes change a dark black coal shine as his serpent tongue flicks, "I love that about you..."
As his laugh words end he cocks his tan lion paw like arm back as it takes on a bright orange glow, with a laugh he sends it like a slap in front of him as a fast bolt of magic is sent to you.
You feel your breath knocked from you as you're sent far back to the room as you slide and skid to the floor in a pained groan as the burn of the magic ripples through your body.
Twilight yells your name as she jerks her heavy body back towards where you now lay.
"Now now now...Twilight, calm down...Calm down, think of that lovely foal-Ah-ha-haA!!" Discord's coal black eyes holds as he lowers his above ground float.
You groan hard as you push through your bodies pain as you push yourself up from your front legs.
"See, that's what I like about you...You never know what's good for you." Discord cocks his head as he shoots a cold smile to you, "Allow me to help you..." Another bright bolt is sent towards you as you bring your front legs up and start to stand, but before you can level yourself completely you're struck again...However it doesn't send you into the awaiting changelings, instead you feel your coat become cool as your sight of the room around you is cut with a sharp last intake of air.
Twilight's eyes flutter as she screams your name again, but no reply comes from the stone statue that has taken your place.
"Come now Twilight you know he's fine...for now."
Twilight shakes her head to the ground as she turns her head back to Discord unable to bring a spell from her deep and still building emotions.
The air in the room, now much like the lavender mare's nose is hard to breath in, mixed in it are sweat, tears and fears...Not for just fear for herself but fear for the unborn foal that's curled up oblivious to the world in the heavily pregnant mare's womb.
Beneath the lavender coated and stressed combed jagged excuse for a mane, the bright multicolored stones of the room have cradled a few drops of salty tears as she continues to hold her shaking head to the beast of a creature that walks closer towards where she kneels. Each hoof sound or sloppy clawed click from the mismatched demon of a being sends chills aching through her spine as she just focuses on her breath for the foal's sake.
The sounds of the foot steps stop and the smell and heat of his breath beamed down to her ears as she slightly turns her gaze to scared to look him in the eyes, "Twilight?..." His voice has a faint giddy giggle to it as it waits for a response.
But the lavender mare doesn't give one as her body just trembles with every hard breath expelling or inhaling from her mouth.
"Twilight...I need you to listen to me...." His words end as a smile cracks across his face protruding his one shaped and curved tooth, “Can you do that Twilight?”
Again no answer comes from the mare as her ears stay pinned to the voice coming down to her, "...I need something from you, and you will bring it to me..." The voice stops as the tongue from his goat mouth comes to lap at his slightly dried lips, "...Do you understand me?"
Twilight's soft purple eyes flutter as she reluctantly nods her head.
To the gesture the newly wetted lips part to a smile as the cocky and sure voice continues, "Good, then listen to me very carefully Twilight...Tomorrow you will bring the Element of Harmony crown to me...ok?"
Twilight again nods her head as Discord starts to tug on his goatee a little, "...I will be ensuing of your fast travel, you will tell no pony of what you are doing or of why you are doing it...Once I have what I want you will get what you want." Discord gives a little laugh as he holds a cheerful smile, "Fail me and...Well lets just say I still need to meet the rest of the family right? What was your first foal hmmm?"
To the words Twilight shoots her head up as she holds her tears back, "I-I'll do it...Discord."
"Splendid...Dinner is at seven, ta-ta Twilight..." Discord waves his claw to the changelings at the door as a faint green glow comes over Twilight's body and she gives into their pull as she is forced to trot pass where your stone stands.
"Oh Twilight..." Discord's words stop the changelings pull of the lavender mare as she stops near your stone, "...Do try and be calm, stress is never good for the foal." A devious smile comes over Discords face as Twilight is moved from the room and the doors close.
"Discord!" The mare straightens her posture as she speaks up, "You told us we would have our revenge how are we to do this if you promise no harm to the hu-..."
"I know what I said!!" Discord's eyes flutter a cold black as he happily skips where you stand, "You all were too afraid to do what you wanted, so afraid that it took you this long to even summon these two...HA! You can wait one more day my new little changeling queen..."
His claw comes to sit on your head as he leans to you, but his stance is altered as a faint snap comes around the room. Discord's eyes spark back to a orange glee as he looks over the slightly chipped piece of stone he's broke from the top your left ear, "Oh, ha-haA-ha...At least you look more battled hmmm human?"
Discord tosses the small stone bit to the ground as he lets out another little laugh.
The sky over Ponyville has turned into a blueish white canvas with only a few trace hints of thin clouds that still shift a little from every cool fall breeze. However the calm sky has no effect on the young orange pegasus as his flight across town starts to near its end, it's a little later in the day then he had hoped to stop by his friend's. But the almost all day nap the stallion took was no ordinary rest, the unwanted wrath of Sombra's magic swirled under his coat for most of the time spent trying to recollect the sleep the young stallion didn't receive from his overloaded mind of yesterday. And by the time sleep finally came he fell deep into it without a budging, at least until the echoing ring in his mind came back to him.
The sleep may not have brought the escape from the world nor did it bring the rest his baggy eyes needed, but it did strangely cause his wings to feel as good as new.
Which the stallion now uses to his advantage as he quickly speeds himself to the oak library's red door.
Sparky's flight comes down as he sets himself to the doorstep as he knocks his hoof to the door and waits.
With in the moment the door comes open as the small light purple dragon stares to the door, "Oh...Great another one." Spike takes a step aside as he holds the broom in his right claw away from the now entering stallion.
But Sparky doesn't get to answer back to Spike's strange and less than friendly greeting as Sombra's echo comes out, (A dragon?) The echoing rings on a little from it's slight pause as Sparky just mussels through a nodding hello, (...I see nothing has changed, Unicorns are still commanding that all things are under their rule...Even that of dragons.)
"Finally!"
The slightly feminine high pitched stallion's voice runs through the room as Sparky turns his eyes to the three familiar ponies that have gathered in the room to his left.
"How-ya been Sparky? We've been waiting like all day for you." The blue coated unicorn holds his smile as he trots over towards his friend with the tan earth pony quickly trailing behind him as his own voice comes up, "Ya, how was the WonderBolts? Violet hasn't really talked about."
Sparky's gaze turns the the light purple mare that sits at the table with a large open book sprawled out in front of her, but their eyes meet she gives a little smile.
"Ya...it was fun."
Bell cocks his eyes to the tone as he nudges his hoof to him, "Come on, that's it?-.."
"Ya, you didn't meet some mare as afraid of heights as you?" A quick laugh comes from the rounder tan stallion as he sways his head a little awaiting Sparky's response.
Sparky gives his own smile, but it's not to the comment as he speaks up, "No-..."
Before he can finish his words the stallion's voice comes up as he wiggles his hoof to him, "That's because I haven't taught you my secret to getting a mare's attention." He puffs his chest out a little as he holds his head up.
But the stallion's self induced high is brought down as Bell knocks into him a little, "Oh ya Futty, what's that?.." Bell's voice gets a little lower in pitch to match his friends as he speaks up, "Hey...You want to share an extra-extra large milkshake with me?" A quick laugh and over the top laugh comes from the stallion as he leans himself to his friend and continues to repeat himself.
Futty just shakes his head to the joke as he adjust his body to his friend's weight that now leans to him, "Does anypony else think that's funny?" He swings his head between Sparky and Violet as he waits for a response, Violet quickly hides the faint grin brought on by Bell's reaction as she shakes her head.
"Oh, whatever..." Bell adjust his stance as he rolls his eyes, "I thought it was funny."
"No..." Futty turns his attention back to the pegasus in front of him as he speaks up, "Anyways, i'll teach you my secret for when you go back tomorrow."
"I'm not going back." Sparky's voice stops the room's slight joy as the two confused stallions just blink to him, "...I got kicked out for the rest of my first year."
Bell and Futty both just continue their stare as they slowly start to speak up, "W-why? You're not that afraid of heights are you?"
(A Pegasus, afraid of heights...I now understand why you have such guilt on your mind. Tell me, what shame does that bring to your-...) Sparky speaks up a little annoyed to the ringing in his head as he tries to shell out his comment, "I just wasn't ready for it ok?!"
The slightly sharper words turn everypony and Spike's ears as they look to the light orange pegasus, but Bell quickly brings his voice up as he lightly taps his hoof to Sparky's chest, "No sweat Sparky...You can always apply again right?"
Sparky swallows hard as he nods his head, "Ya..."
A moment of silence comes over the room for a moment, but it only last for a moment as Bell again speaks up as he turns his head between Violet and Sparky, "Well...We should get going." He cocks a smile to Sparky as he continues, "Turns out Pearl actually told on us, and me and Futty have to help her with the preschool foals now...You two lucked out leaving when you did."
Futty nods his head as he speaks up, "Ya, but don't worry about it we got Miss. Cheerilee to believe it was just us two." He stops his words as he turns a smile to the light purple dragon who continues to sweep around the library, "Hey! Can we take some of those brownies, there's only like six foals this year."
Spike's eyes shrink to the words as he points his claw to the tan stallion, "No, and I told you just because Pinkie brought a new box for Twilight today, doesn't mean that you get to have them."
"Ah...Mrs.Sparkle wouldn't mind would she?"
Spike crosses his arm as he shakes his head, "I don't know, which means no."
Futty and Bell both start towards the door as Spike's words come to an end, but they don't get to even get halfway out before Spike speaks up again, "And the next time you two come by, hows about you not track in so much mud?" No response comes from the two young stallions as they close the door behind them with a slight laugh.
To the absent stallions Spike turns an eye to Sparky as he looks him over, "You better not have anything on your hooves...It's like impossible to get stuff out of this library."
Sparky gives a little smile as he shakes his head, to the gesture Spike turns his slightly waddly walk to the main part of the library.
(Library? This is what passes for a library in your town pegasus?...Knowledge has been wasted while I have slept hasn't it...)
The ringing echo comes to an end as Sparky starts his trot to where Violet sits, S-so...I'm not too late am I?"
Violet holds her gaze to his slightly off tone, but she can't place it as she instead turns her stare into a more friendly play. She cocks her head as she looks to the window, the sun has started to come close to the mountains that sit off in the distance of Ponyville but the daylight still has a few hours. Of of course the mare's expression only brings Sparky's voice up as he gives a little smile, "Sorry, i'm late...Maybe we could get it before you leave tomorrow?"
To the words Violet shakes her head as she rolls her hoof and sparks her horn up, the light purple satchel that must had been laying in the chair next to her now comes up as she stands from her seat and closes the book on the table.
"We're going now?"
A nod comes from the light purple mare as she floats the bag around her and starts to trot towards the door.
However Sparky's words turn Spike's head as he quickly comes back into the room, "Wait, you two are leaving?"
Sparky nods his head as he speaks up, "Ya, Violet wants to get something for school."
Spike blinks to the words as he taps his claws to the broom that now has been clutched in his two claws, "I-I don't think you two should go out alone...T-that's something your dad said not to do right?"
Violet taps her hoof to her mouth as she thinks over the words, but a silent laugh comes up as she hooves out a reply.
It goes unregistered to the little dragon though as he just stares to her.
"Um...Her dad said not to go out with strange ponies..." Sparky squint to the rest of Violet's strange sentence as he just pushes through it, "...And also not to go out with any green glowing eyed pony."
(Who is this mare's father? Pegasus? And why does he not come to speak with a stallion that have entered his domicile?)
Without even a thought Sombra;s question bolts out of Sparky's mouth as he turns to Violet, "We're are your parents?"
No answer is able to be hooved out as Spike quickly speaks up, "Twilight got a letter from Celestia earlier today, so they left just a little before you two got to Ponyville."
Sparky nods his head to the comment as he feels his coat take on a slightly more heated feel at the mention of Celestia. But he covers it up as he turns to Violet, "A-alright you ready?"
Violet nods her head as she brings her trot back up towards the door, but as she and the light orange pegasus leave the room Spike speaks up, "Don't stay out all night! I know that one goes for me and you!" The rushed voice of the little dragon is cut off as the door closes behind her.
The trip from the library has drained away most of the now lowering sun's light, but anything less than a brisk gallop has always made traveling from the library to Applejack's or better yet the Everfree forest a decently lengthy journey.
Truthfully Violet knows she's not supposed to go into the forest, but having mostly stallion's for friends means that everything somepony does has to be topped. If somepony takes a hoof into the forest, then somepony else has to take two hooves into the forest, and after what happened a few weeks ago the dark mangled and untamed treeline and wild bushes don't really scare anypony. Well at least not the purple mare that now starts to pick her trot up.
Sparky on the hoof starts to slow down as he veers a little more to stay on the faded dirt path that sits a few gallops from the edge of the Everfree forest.
(Ahh...I can feel a twinge of fear, pegasus...Ha-ha, what kind of stallion especially a pegasus pauses on a trek that even a mare can lead?)
To the ear throbbing echo Sparky speaks up, "Uh Violet...Are you sure we have to go into the forest for the best clouds? I could just get one from here?"
Violet stops her trot into the thicket as she turns her head back to the still stalled stallion, but her hooves come up fast as she gives a little tease and beckons him to follow.
With a little hesitation the light orange pegasus brings a quick gallop to catch up with her. Really it would be faster for Sparky to just fly up and drag a cloud back, sure a wild cloud is a little harder to move especially for a young pegasus but it's still just a cloud. However that idea falls flat not because Sparky can't do it, but because the light purple mare that continues to lead insist that it can't count as her spell if she doesn't at least do something other than cap a piece of cloud in a jar.
The low glow of the sun barely reaches into the forest as the two ponies continue to go further and further into it, all the while just holding their heads to the clear blue sky above them.
Wild clouds don't really get to make it out of the forest to far, seeing as how the weather patrol will stop any unwanted rain; however the thick humidity expelling from the plant growth should hopefully have created some kind of cloud before their journey into the unknown world goes too far.
Violet and Sparky's ears stay pinned to every sound of the area as their hooves continue to snap twigs breathe and rustle the bushes around them as they travel through the stuffy forest.
But their quick legs bring them to a promising spot as they set their eyes to a slight clearing in the trees, Violet springs her hooves up in a gallop as her satchel claps to her side to bring her under the canopy opening. Sparky follows suit as they both hold their eyes to the sky now decently seen through the scraggly leaves.
A smile comes over the mare's face as her blue gaze sets to a large puffy grayish and white lofting surface sitting just above the treeline, a few wisp of smaller clouds part around it as they break off from the light fall breeze but that's not the mare's interest as she taps her hoof to the stallion beside her.
Sparky's wings flare out as he looks over the cloud, but he turns back to the mare as the sound of her horn's glow comes up. The pouch to her satchel comes undone as an empty clear jar comes up next to her in a blue aura.
"Alright...It should only take a few seconds." Sparky takes the jar into hoof as he lifts himself from the forest floor and starts to loft upwards. But he doesn't get even a few flaps up before the slightly paralyzing echo comes back, which quickly brings him to a halt.
Violet blinks to the sudden stop but she holds a more guilty stare to her friends wing as she just thinks over what she's asked him to do.
However Sparky doesn't notice the mare's stare as he listens to the echo, (You would leave a mare in a forest alone? When you, a stallion fear for yourself...) A banging laugh comes up as Sombra's voice continues, (I do hope you get to watch a beast tear her to shreds, while you hover safely above...Ha-ahh, your anguish would truly help my regeneration pegasus.)
The echo ends as Sparky's eyes flicker a little green and he turns his head back to the ground beneath him, but he stares in horror as he looks over the light purple mare that's now been surrounded by three large dark brownish green beast that circle the mare.
(Your thoughts betray you...And my powers have been growing Sparky...)
Sparky's voice is silent as he just looks over the wood like wolves starting to move closer to where Violet cowers unable to bring a spell up in defense. Sombra's echoy laugh just comes up and in a bang around Sparky's head as he blinks his eyes hard.
As the echo ends Sparky's eyes shift around the dark forest treeline, no longer with the faint green haze the sun's fading orange and red light only barely comes through this area and that's only because of the canopy's parting...Sparky quickly turns his eyes back to the lavender mare as he brings his flight back down.
To the descending stallion Violet brings her hooves up as she gives a little smile.
Sparky quickly rejects the comment as he speaks up, "No-no, I can fly...I just, uh-why don't you come with me? Y-you know that way you can take the piece of the cloud yourself."
Violet cocks her head to the words as she gives a giggly smile, her hooves pokes to her wingless back as she shakes her head to her friend.
But Sparky doesn't take her answer as he places the jar back in Violet's open pocket and begins to move his front hooves around the mare from his hoovering position, all the while making sure his hoof doesn't rub to the mare lower body or flank.
The feel of the slightly dirty hooves of her friend only turns Violet’s confusion more as she slightly pushes from his hold.
Sparky backs his hooves from her as he speaks up, "You know that cloud walking spell right? I know your mom always talked about how she was one of the few ponies that could do it...Have you tried it out?"
Violet shakes her head as she just blinks to his words.
"Alright!" The stallion tries to hold a simple smile as he extends his hoof towards her, "Then try it out...I-I promise I won't let anything bad happen to you."
There's a long silence from Violet's hooves and Sparky's mouth as the sound of the pegasus’s wings just faintly flap to the world. But the curiosity to Violet's mind starts to take over as the young unicorn swallows hard and sparks her horn up in a blue glow.
Sparky just waits as the mare starts to push through the spell she only barely knows, but the loudish ringing of her magic comes to a low pop, as her coat takes on a slightly more shimmer in coloring.
The sound of the echo comes back to Sparky's head, but this time a little less menacing as it calls out, (What spell is this pegasus?)
Sombra's comment goes unanswered as Violet's hooves start up, but the lacking confidence in the mare has turned her face a little more stern. However the tomboyish and relaxed mane of the young mare's hard face doesn't show much authority as Sparky slowly eases his hooves around her upper body, "I'm not going to drop you Violet..."
Her coat has taken on a slightly warm feel this time as Sparky moves a little closer over her and begins to flap his wings hard. But sadly the young stallion's mind is not strong enough to lift a real pony like he thought he could have done.
The hard tug to Violet's upper body is uncomfortable and she closes her eyes as she sparks her horn up in a bright blue glow, her lower body begins to become encased in her own magic as she brings herself to just barely float above the ground. But the slightly absent weight allows the stallion to lift her as he forces his wings into high gear.
Within moments the decent sized gray cloud comes beside them as Sparky struggles to speak through the strain on his wings, "Y-you ready Violet?"
To the struggling words Violet opens her eyes, but it's now that she realizes what she's gotten herself into as she looks to the ground that's absent from her hooves.
Her heart pounds fast even into Sparky's hold as she bites her lip and looks to the clouds, with a heavy moment she moves her hoof to touch it.
The cool damp feeling is nothing pleasant but as she pokes her hoof to it a little more a smile creeps over her face as the mare's stupidity and confidence in herself quickly wiggles her free from her friend's hold.
Violet's eyes wide and happy eyes sparkle to the deep orange fading sun as she just shivers a little with excitement to what she's doing.
A laugh comes from Sparky as he slows his wings speed and looks over the filly like mare's face. Violet copies the laugh as she gives her own wheezing reply.
The cloud is not really as big as it looked from below but Sparky brings himself to stand on it as he folds his wings under himself, the magic under his coat fades for the moment and a real joy comes over the stallion as his mind allows him to push his stress aside for his comment, "How do you like it Violet?"
The light purple mare just holds her smile as she looks over the world she now stands over, sure it's not the highest of points in Equestria but who else right now can say they're a unicorn on a cloud.
Sparky sits his flank to the cloud as he just smile to Violet's searching eyes, "Sit down..." Violet's ear flicks as she slowly turns her eyes to the cloud she still shakes on, but she doesn't risk a hoof motion as she slowly eases her flank to the cloud, which brings a slightly unwanted dampness to her rump but she doesn't mind it as she continues to hold her giddy expression.
To the now sitting mare Sparky starts to speak up a little bit more confidently, "Y-you know I could turn this into something a little more comfortable?"
A faint wheezing laugh comes up from the light purple mare as she drifts her eyes to the stallion's cutie mark. But she nods her head as she waits for her friend's response.
A new found smile comes over Sparky as he looks to the cloud beneath himself, "Alright wild cloud...Time to flatten you out a little." He brings himself to stand up as he spreads his wings out and begins to flap them a little hard to the cloud's surface, the slight breeze is a little annoying but Violet just holds her eyes to the stallion's motions as the cloud's puffy area starts to get a little larger and flatter.
It only takes a few moments for the cloud to almost double in size as the now smoother looking white cloud holds to it's spot.
Violet stretches herself out a little more as she just looks over the cloud surface trying to make sure she hasn't started sinking yet.
Sparky holds his head up high to the simple cloud shaping as he moves back to sit next to his friend, unlike her though he doesn't take to the sprawled out and relaxed position as he speaks up, "You ok?"
A quick nod comes as a response as Violet just holds her eyes to the sun that's started to set over the world. Sparky follow's the mare's stare as he slowly starts to give into the lounging feel, he folds his wings to his back as he extends his front hooves like Violet as they both lay their stomachs to the damp surface beneath them as the two ponies just look over the sun setting world.
- - -
The cloud that Violet and Sparky have laid on has drifted a little from it's original spot, mainly from the heat expelling currents that have pushed the cloud higher than where it was. But the open area of the forest still holds beneath them as the cool now darker night air lofts past them.
Over the last maybe hour or two the two ponies have inched themselves a little closer, half because the warm body next to them is appealing but also because the quiet world around them has brought on a strange feeling to the two friends still above the ground. Even the echo to Sparky's head has quelled for the duration.
However as another chilly fall breeze rolls through them Sparky turns his head to the mare next to him as he speaks up, "So...You ready to head back yet?"
Violet's ear flicks to the comment as her face takes on a slight pout...but she nods her head as she moves to sit on her flank.
Sparky follows the motion as he watches the mare take the jar from her bag, nothing needs to be said as he takes it from her hoof and scoops a little bit of the cloud into it. "Alright...There you go, a piece of wild cloud."
A new smile comes over the light purple mare as she shoots her hooves to the jar as she studies the small wispy cloud piece the hangs to the top of the jar. But her stare doesn't last long as she turns her smile to her friend, the jar is quickly placed back into her bag as she starts her hooves up.
"Naw...It was nothing Violet." A faint chuckle comes from Sparky as he rubs his hoof to his other, "I mean, heck you were the one that knew the spell...I couldn't even lift you from the ground."
Violet cocks her eye to the comment as she hooves out a quick reply.
To the motion Sparky shakes his head as he rushes his words, "W-what no-no, you're not big I just-..."
His words are cut off as a faint wheezing laugh comes from Violet.
The noise squints the stallion's eyes as he looks her over, "Ooooh...A joke huh?" He spreads his wings a little as he starts to mock her, "Well good luck getting down."
Violet rolls her hoof to the comment as she hooves out a reply.
"Oh ya? And how do you know that a teleportation spell will work up here?" Sparky cocks his eyes to Violet as he shoots a little smile. But no real answer comes from the mare as she just simply taps her hoof to her horn.
The lighthearted moment holds for a second before Violet brings her hooves up with a different comment.
However the motions only bring a slight chuckle from Sparky as he blinks to her, "You want to try that dream spell here? What if you like over do your magic and fall out of the cloud?"
Violet rolls her hoof to the comment as she moves a little closer and closes her eyes.
The sound of her low horn comes to Violet's horn as Sparky just waits for the spell to kick in, but his quiet sitting is brought to an end as Sombra's voice rings heavy to his head, (NO! A mind walking spell would reveal my magic, stop her or I will!)
Without hesitation Sparky extends his hoof to Violet's chest as he taps her a little, "Violet I don't think-..."
A loud POP comes from Violet's horn as her spell breaks, but the working spell isn't the only thing that fades as the shimmer to her coat starts to dull and the magical warmth starts to flicker.
Sparky's eyes go wide to the mare now sinking into the cloud as he stands up with his wings out far, "Hold on I ca-..."
Without warning the spell breaks loose and Violet is sent into a free fall down to the forest floor, Sparky's hard flapping wings and extended front hooves dart through the cloud they sat on turning it into nothing more than a wispy remnant as he flies harder than he ever has before.
The split second reaction brings his hooves around the mare's body as he grabs hold of her, but there's no moment for talk as his speed becomes irreplaceable. Sparky can't stop his pace and is left with only one choice but the crash landing or letting Violet free fall.
With a quick flip of his body Sparky's wing now faces the rapidly approaching ground as he just braces for impact.
With a loud and hard thud, the stallion slides across the dirt and twig infested ground until his upper body is bashed up against a tree. A heavy groan comes over Sparky as his wings fall flat too the curved up dirt they now lay slightly under.
Violet's impact was softened by landing on Sparky but she still has a few scrapes and cuts from the slide across the forest floor. Although she doesn't pay attention to her own body as she quickly moves from the stallion her weight has pinned under her.
As she moves from Sparky's hold she holds her hoof to his head as she checks him out, but Sparky waves his hoof to her with a slightly pained voice as he speaks up, "I'm fine...I'm fine...I think my wings broke my fall." The slight jokey comment brings a laugh from the stallion as his body just twigs from the burn of the forest floor he slid on.
(Do not act like a colt...Your body can not be harmed if I am to regenerate from it.) As the echo ends Sparky's body takes on a heavy heart that flushes the stallion's cheeks as the intense magic starts to run under his coat.
Although no green glow comes from his light orange coloring as he just starts to pant to the intense heat.
Violet notices his breathing as she blinks to him not knowing what to do, however her mind is snapped back to reality as the sound of a tree branch snapping is heard near by.
The commotion the two ponies have made causes echoes through the forest, and now the sounds of it's inhabitants starts to ring around the area Violet and Sparky reside in.
(Ah...Pegasus, do you hear that?)
Sparky focuses hard to the mare standing beside him as he watches her horn spark up in a bright blue magic.
(...My vision for your mare may come to fruition).
A few hooves around the brushy area of the thick forest the rustling of the leaves gets a little louder, Sparky's heart now pounds hard not just from his body's heat but now from his own fear that's building.
The fear the stallion was holding is multiplied as a foul smell runs past his nose and a low growl runs to his ears.
(Tell me stallion...What will you do? Hmm?)
As Sombra's voice ends three pairs of green eyes poke from the darkness as the wolf like growl gets louder.
Violet tightens her eyes to the glow as she brings her stance up, ready for anything.
But her concentration has focused her mind in one place, unlike the stallion next to her that looks around the area. Which brings an unwanted discovery as Sparky's eyes widen to the four pair of eyes that sit to the further side of their open area. The magic under Sparky's coat builds to his fear as he brings himself to stand up quick, his wings, still cloaked in dirt spread out as he takes himself from the ground with a fast flap. Sparky's does not take on the magical color, but his wings start to flap hard to a thought that was not placed in his mind by himself, the hard flaps of his wings bring a strange sound as the pegasus just pushes through the motions that's being planted into his mind.
Without a moment more a loud thunderous sound cracks from the stallion's wings a smallish bolt of what looks like lightning is shot towards the four pair of green eyes.
A loud high pitched dog like whimper is heard from the brush as the bright light bolt rocks the bush.
From the painted animal's call a new wolf like howl comes up from the three still glowed eyed beast in front of where the awestruck light purple mare stands. The sound quickly snaps Violet's mind back into play, but her original spell is quickly substituted as a magical pop comes from where she and the light orange pegasus stands.
As Violet's teleportation spell ends she collapsed to the ground in a tired heap, the quick unbuilt up spell has taken the two ponies to the faded dirt road they arrived on...But at a cost.
Sparky fairs no better though as his body still reels from the magic that coursed through his body, the spell itself even left a surge of uncomfortable electricity to the stallion's now jittery wings.
However despite both ponies drained expressions Violet brings herself to stand as she quickly hooves out a burning question.
(Why does this mare act so shocked? I merely showed you a pegasus combat spell that all pegasus stallions are trained to learn?)
Sparky's lack of a reply causes Violet's hooves up again as she hooves the question out a little faster.
To the speed Sparky's pant stops and his eyes flicker a little green, "No Vio-let, I merely learned that from the Wonder Bolt's Academy." As the forced sentence ends Sparky's eyes comes back to their normal color and he's left now only feeling more exhausted and now with a raging headache.
Violet didn't pick up on the stallion's slight eye color change as she tries to understand what kind of...SPELL the pegasus just did. However the idea of it being learned from the Wonder Bolts slightly quells her question - for now - as she drifts back to the world still around her.
Her hooves come up as she quickly moves her tired hooves away from the forest's edge, it takes a few more moments for Sparky to follow but he does as the two ponies start the long trek back to the library.
The cool night air brings a slightly welcomed push to the two tired young ponies as their trot towards the library starts to near it's end.
However the approaching oak tree library only makes the pegasus stallion ache even more as he realizes he still has to either trot or fly across Ponyville.
Despite the stallion's lack of joy Violet on the other hoof picks her speedup as she comes to stand at the door, but she stop as she turns to the dirtied stallion behind her.
Sparky just nods his head as he speaks up, "Night Violet..."
The light purple mare blinks to the comment for a moment as she brings her hooves up.
To the motions Sparky's voice comes up a little more, "Well ya, I guess I do have a far trip..." A slight laugh comes up from him as he smiles, "Any chance you could teleport me across town?"
A smile comes over Violet as she shakes her head.
Sparky pretty much already knew her answer but his mind comes back down as he nods to her comment, "I didn't think so."
But before the pegasus has to turn back to the dirt path he just traveled down Violet quickly sparks her hooves up.
There's a slight moment of hesitation but Sparky halts his trot all the same as he speaks up, "Stay here?...Your parents wouldn't mind?"
Violet gives a little smile as she shakes her head, her hoof comes up to the door as she opens it and takes a hoof inside.
The light orange pegasus follows after her with a new spring to his step at the idea of not having to wait about an hour to trot back across town.
However as the door comes to close Violet and Sparky both stop as they stare to the sleepy eyed dragon sitting at the table, to the two ponies Spike loses his tired stare and speaks up, "Where have you two been? You said it was stuff for school?" The little dragon raises his childish tone as his eyes get a little wider, "And great you're bringing in dirt, come on! I told Twilight I wouldn't mess up the library."
Violet rolls her eyes to the comment as she floats her dirty bag to the table, but as the bag comes to sit on the table a smile comes up as she sparks her hooves up to the little dragon.
Spike squints his eyes to the comment as he speaks up, "You promise to clean this up before you leave tomorrow?"
The light purple mare nods her head as she starts her trot up the stairs, Sparky hesitates for a moment but he eventually brings his trot up behind her. But he only gets up a few stairs before Spike speaks up again, "Hey...Where are you going?"
Sparky stops his trot as he turns to the childish voice, "Uh...Violet said I could stay for the night." Spike blinks to the words for a few moments as he looks over the young stallion, but his eyes turn to Violet as she gives a simple nod. But the nod doesn't bring up Spike's voice as he just blinks to the two ponies not knowing what to say, with a tired sigh he just rolls his claw, "Just make sure you two clean up this library before you leave...I'm NOT cleaning up the mess you guys brought in."
Another light smile comes over Violet's face as she again brings her trot up as she leads her friend behind her. Her trot comes to an end as she points her hoof to the large room on the left towards the end of the hallway.
It doesn't take but a few seconds for Sparky to place the room as he speaks up, "You want me to sleep in your parent's room?"
A simple nod comes from Violet as she looks over the stallion and brings her hooves up.
"Y-ya, i'll get cleaned up before I lay down."
Violet looks over the stallion for a moment as she brings her hooves up once more. To the comment Sparky gives a little smile as he speaks up, "It was nothing Violet..."
To the nonchalant words Violet nudges her friend's chest as she shakes her head with a laughy smile. Sparky takes on his own chuckle as he speaks up, "No really...I think we could have taken those Timber Wolves."
A strange confident laugh comes up from the usually more timid stallion as he returns his friend's playful nudge.
Violet holds her smile to the stallion's unusual tone as she stares to him, but she quickly blinks her eyes from him as the dirtied mare gives a simple good night and then starts her trot towards the bathroom to get cleaned up.
"Good night.." As Sparky's words end he takes his first step to the bedroom as he holds his eyes to the large balcony window-door, his trot is quick from his own desire to sleep as he plans a quick and easy way to get clean.
His hoof comes to the door to the outside night as he takes his step to the small oak wood balcony. To the outside world he turns his head up to the mostly cloudless sky as he searches for a cloud with a decent size.
The search only last for a few moment as he spreads his tired wings, theres no pain despite sliding across the forest's uneven floor as he starts to flaps his wings from the balcony.
Sparky's flight goes fast as he darts towards the cloud a few fast flaps away from the library's upper floor. The cool watery mist of the cloud comes to rush past his coat as he darts through it, his wings turn the puff of it's insides into quick drops as it starts to run through his coat like a shower. His motions continue until the decent sized cloud has turned to a few wispy remnants, leaving his coat damp but not longer dirtied.
As he notices the absent cloud he starts his descent towards the library's balcony again, this time making his flaps a little hard to hopefully dry most of the water droplets.
A tired out sigh comes from Sparky as he folds his wings to his back and takes another trot back inside. But his sleep wanting eyes don't get to hold to the bed without a reminder as to what's made him so tired, (Sleep now pegasus..)
Sparky's eyes twinge to the echo in his head as his trot slows to a more tired speed, his hoof comes to the bed as he slowly starts to ease himself into it's covered warmth that burns off the fall cooled water on his coat.
(Wait!)
His eyes spark open as he sits up in the bed, but his stare to the room starts to turn more towards the side of the bed as he blinks to the dark stallion's faded outline starting to form.
Sombra's figure shifts into view as his stare pins to the nightstand beside the bed, (Stallion, pick this book up.) Sparky turns his gaze to the worn down looking book with a few loose sheets of paper under it, "I-I don't think-(Stallion! Pick this book up!) Sombra's eyes spark up with a bright purple wisp that steam from the corner of his eyes.
Sparky's head pounds to the words as he extends his hoof to the book, as his hoof comes to drape over the book Sombra's ghostly figure fades as his echo gets a little louder, (Never hesitate when you are spoken to...Now open this book.)
The echo comes to an end as the tired stallion moves his hoof to the book and brings it open, the room is dark but from the cloudless sky allows the moon's light to creep over the book's worn down text, (I know this book...)
Sparky's eyes widen a little as he swallows to a building thought, (Ah...I feel your fear pegasus, but you it is misguided...) The light orange pegasus blinks to the echo as it's chiming to his head starts to come down a little, (...There is nothing bound to this parchment, but there is a force placed over it...Turn the pages stallion.)
Without hesitation Sparky obeys the command as he starts to flip through the faded pages, some of the text on the pages look to be restored to a perfect color almost like new, but others look to be nothing but crumpled up wordless pages weathered by time.
(He, has put a charm on this text...But why?) As Sombra's comment ends the feel of his magic runs and pulses to Sparky's wings as the young stallion clenches his teeth and closes his eyes not to scream out to the powerful and burning feel in his body.
But the feeling of Sombra's magic ends quick as a low chime comes to the now slightly glowing book, (Stallion you will take this book with you tomorrow.)
Sparky's mouth quivers to the words as he looks over the seemingly meaningless old book, (Bite your tongue stallion...You have served me well so far, do not make me cross my judgement.)
A nod comes to Sparky's head as he just pins his eyes to the book in his hold. (Now rest stallion. My powers you have drained this day.)
As the words end Sparky's eyelids go heavy as he flops back to the pillows of the bed.
- - -
Sparky's eyes open to the same room he has just closed his eyes to, but the room has taken on a brighter feel, not day and not night but the room still holds an indescribable light to it as the stallion's eyes trace around it.
"I have a plan for you stallion." As the echoy voice comes to an end Sombra's shape comes in front of where Sparky still sits in the bed, but the covers are not over the stallion as he just sits to the side of the bed.
Sparky is silent as he stares to the dark grayish black stallion.
"I asked you once already, now I ask again...What do you know of me pegasus?" Sombra cocks his head up as he holds his mouth closed only allowing the tips of his two long sharp teeth to poke through his upper lips.
To the words Sparky swallows hard, "A-all foals were taught about you in history...With the Crystal Empire back it was kind of a big thing.."
The dark stallion holds his green and red eyes to the pegasus as Sparky pauses for a moment expecting the stallion to speak over his voice. But Sombra's echo doesn't start up as Sparky continues, "You took over the Crystal empire, you enslaved the crystal ponies after you took the Crystal Heart from them."
Sombra's stare holds unchanged as the deep echo expels from his unmoving mouth, "What of the Empire's Queen...What did I do to her?"
From the dark stallion's emotionless face Sparky pauses, "Y-...you killed her."
The words straighten Sombra's posture as he tightens his eyes, the deep echo again comes up as it rings out, "I killed my Queen? I killed MY Queen!" Sombra's echo sparks up a little more as Sparky's head shrinks down from the tone, "They have slandered my name, my life and all that I strived to achieve..." Sombra holds his head up high as he looks over the stallion with a devious grin, "They were correct of one thing stallion...I did seek to take the Heart from the crystal ponies, I seek to take it again. To finally destroy that cursed item once and for all! To finally get my revenge on what it took from me!"
Sombra's stance hardens as he stares to the stallion in front of him, "You all have been lied to...The Crystal Empire was not lost, it was saved. The heart is unstable and can only be charged with the most powerful magic of all...Life."
Sparky blinks to the words as he just quivers his mouth, "B-but all the Crystal Ponies-..."
"The Crystal Heart's magic has been allowed to spread across Equestria, my last attempt was thwarted by the White one's champion. the magic balance will be...altered...once the Heart's power is taken from the land. But it must be done, the Heart has taken my Queen...And I can not rest until it's destructive nature is striped from this land!"
A sick smile crosses Sombra's face as he looks over Sparky's face, "Oh do not worry stallion, the crystal ponies would not be harmed...I just need to teach the deceitful ones a lesson...A lesson that will be remembered."
Sombra's long dark reddish horn sparks up in a bright green as his echo rings out, "You are no longer needing to listen stallion...My spell over you for this night has run it's course."
As the chime of Sombra’s horn ends Sparky again closes his eye, but this time the dream spell that has ended has left the stallion to a deep sleep that he will not be stirred from until the sun's first light.
The early morning sun has creeped in through the window and now rest over Sparky's closed eyes as they begin to crack a little to the room around him.
Over the course of the night he did not move or even slightly turn an inch, his body has stayed on his sprawled out wings all night and as the light orange stallion starts to sit up a little in the bed his body reminds him of that fact.
A slight groan comes from his mouth as he folds his stiff wings back to his back with a little effort, as he brings his lower legs to run from the bed's covers. However as he does this the book that was resting on his chest falls to the ground with a low *PLOP*, sound. (Stallion! Don't ruin this book, it has survived to long to be destroyed by carelessness.)
The echo paralyzes Sparky's still sleepy hazed mind as he flops back to the bed and runs his hooves quickly start up to his head as he tries to almost peel the echoey voice from his head.
Sombra's tone comes back a little lower as it chimes around his head, (Do not harm yourself stallion.)
Sparky's voice pants hard as he just holds his hooves over his eyes for a moment, but he slowly moves them from his face as he forces his body through to just start the day.
The magic has a stronger feel to the stallion's coat in the morning, and it's now almost unbearable. But Sparky puts on a slight smile as he just bends down and takes the book up, he stares to the book he's about to steal for a moment as he spreads his right wing out a little and starts to tuck the book under it.
As the wing's feathers cover the journal he starts his trot up, vowing to come back and make the bed after he gets a chance to just calm his mind.
The trot to the end of the hall brings the sound of a still groggy boyish tone through the house as Sparky's trot starts him down the stairs. The dirt that he and Violet brought in has been cleaned up and the satchel that Violet just plopped to the table has been cleaned.
He holds his stare to the table as he looks over the light purple mare that examines the cracked jar in her hoof, really the small crack wouldn't be noticeable from where Sparky trots but the darkish cloud still in the jar makes the crack's glass sparkle a little.
Spike's voice comes back up now more audible as he just stares across the table to the jar, "So how long do you need that thing for? I doubt that cloud will stay in there for long."
Violet wiggles her hoof to him as she continues to just study the object, although the hoof motion cocks Spike's head as he tries to understand whether or not she just said something, "Oh that long huh?" A faint smile comes over him as he waits for a comment.
To the mare's distracted eyes Sparky turns his right wing away from Violet, but his trot has turned her eyes as she gives a little smile and sets the jar down. Her tomboyish mane never usually looks combed but after the free fall of yesterday the relaxed style definitely looks more formal.
Sparky gives a little smile as he speaks up, "So when are you going to be leaving?"
Violet taps her hoof to her mouth for a moment as she thinks over the words, but her hooves come up as she speaks up.
But her comment even though her smile still brings a sad thought to his mind as he answers her, "Ya...I can't go back to the Wonder Bolts this year."
The light purple mare nods her head as she straightens her posture up as she starts her hooves.
Sparky blinks to the words for a moment as he gives a slight chuckle, "You want me to come back with you as an assistant?"
A quick nod comes up as she points to the jar and continues a short ear flick and left hoof motion.
"Well ya I guess you couldn't really move the cloud-... "(Stallion, reject this offer. I have need of you.) Sparky's words come to a sudden end as he just blinks to the mare who now turns a questioning eye to him.
However as he brings his voice back up the door to the house comes open.
Everypony and Spike quickly turn their heads as they stare to the heavy lavender mare that has just swiftly closed the door. But they all take a slight double take to the mare's face, the fur under Twilight's eyes looks matted like she's been crying for what looks like hours and her mane looks completely loose and almost uncombed. The thing that still holds everyone quite though is the mare's slightly tearing up eyes as she quickly rushes her voice to the room before anypony else, "Violet! W-what are you doing here!?"
Violet snaps from her stare as she just holds a smile to the sight of her mother and begins to stand from the table, but before Violet can even bring a hoof forward Twilight rushes over to her and embraces her in a tight hug.
The heavy weight that Twilight has just left only to be held with three hooves now comes to Violet's neck as the lavender mare embraces the mare hard with a slightly siffly nosed cry.
Violet balances her mother's weight but she slowly moves from her as she stares to Twilight's face with a quick hooves out question.
Twilight's response comes quick as she shakes her head, "N-no nothing is wrong! I-I just didn't think I would see you..." Her voice gets a little more rushed as she cautiously looks back to the closed door and begins to lower her voice, "Spike could you bring me the Element's of Harmony box please?"
The little dragon blinks to the request as he slowly starts to move from his seat, "What for?"
Slowly Twilight regains control to her emotional spilling voice as she speaks up, 'O-oh nothing Celestia just needs me to bring them that's all."
To the words Sparky speaks up trying to lighten the mood of the room, "Oh well that explains where Celestia went-.."
"What do you mean! Celestia's not at Canterlot?" Again Twilight's voice comes up more rushed as she takes a step towards the light orange pegasus.
To the confusing change of tone Violet holds her hoof to her mother's side as she comes back to Twilight's gaze and sparks up her hooves.
Again Twilight shakes her head as Spike starts to bring his walk up the stairs, "No-no, of course I knew Celestia wasn't in Canterlot I was with her...I-I just though she made it back already."
Violet holds a strong questioning eye to the lavender mare's tone but she doesn't get to question it as Twilight holds a loving and slightly tear filled stare to her, "Sweetie...I-I need you to do something ok?" Violet's ears stay to the mare's words as she continues, "...I need you to go stay with Uncle Shining ok? Promise me you will go ok?"
To the words Violet cocks her head as she brings her hooves up with a quick question.
Twilight quickly starts up a lie as she nods her head, "Y-you must not have heard, Celestia wants every pony student to go to the Crystal Empire..To-to study more about magic with the Crystal Heart ya.." A fake but believable smile comes over the lavender mare as she looks to Violet's face just hoping the young mare doesn't call her lie.
(Stallion you will be joining your mare after all...For my resurrection will now also bring me the satisfaction of revenge over the white one) Sparky slowly starts to trot over to the bag on the table as a thought comes to his mind from Sombra’s laughy tone. His almost zombie like trot comes to an end as he uses Violet's distraction to his advantage as he quickly slips the book to her bag.
Violet's suspicion to the mare's words she nods her head to her mother's request as the sound of Spike's claws come back to the room.
Twilight quickly turns her eyes to the box that Spike carries as a light purple glow comes over the box and it floats to her.
The sight of Twilight's magic quickly springs Violet forward as she tries to take the heavy box from her mother's magical hold. But Twilight quickly shakes her head as she speak up, "Celestia sent me here on a chariot...I won't be carrying it for long."
Twilight's eyes flutter a little more as she stares to the young mare in front of her, "Me and your father love you Violet...And-and we are so proud of you..." Her eyes come to Spike as she speaks up, "Spike I want you to go with Violet to the Crystal Empire."
The box floats more to her side as Twilight slowly backs up to the door as she continues to hold her eyes to Violet, "W-we'll meet you at the Crystal Empire ok?" Another faked smile comes up as she add-libs, "Celestia is allowing visits to the school on it's trip...I promise me and your father will be there...Just make sure you get to Uncle Shining's soon ok it's safer-I MEAN that's where Celestia's last few school weeks will be held."
Violet again nods her head not really knowing what else to do to her mother's strange words.
With one last long look Twilight opens the door as she steps outside and quickly closes it. As the door closes Spike and Violet share a look of confusion, but Sparky moves his trot towards the window as he looks over the scene outside.
Twilight's head has draped down almost like she's trying to hide her teary eyes from the two white coated and blonde haired pegasus that stare straight on with almost no emotion to their faces. But the white and gold regular looking chariot doesn't strike Sparky's mind as off. (Stallion, take the mare's previous offer.) Sparky's thoughts about the scene outside fades as he turns back to Violet with a question, "C-can I come Violet?"
The confusion Spike and Violet had is brought to an end as the light purple mare nods her head and floats her satchel to the table as the few jars come to sit inside of the open flap, she doesn't check the bag as she gets ready to trot back upstairs to get ready to leave.
Spike's voice comes up as he watches her trot, "I wonder what Celestia wanted with the Element's of Harmony?" No answer comes to the small dragon as he watches the light purple mare trotting up stairs, he again brings his voice up as he follows after her, "Oh ya, I need to get packed."
The words bring the same idea to Sparky's mind but it's cut off as Sombra's echo comes up, (Do not halt this trip any further stallion...You will have no need for petty items when we arrive at the crystal empire.)
Sparky's eyes drift down to the ground as the thought of what's to come hangs heavy in his mind, but again Sombra's echoing comes banging around his head to answer it, (The mare will be spared as long as you continue to do what I say pegasus.)
It took a little longer for the two ponies and small dragon to get ready, but after a decent paced trot has brought them within sight of the train station and the ideally hissing train. It comes as no surprise that the train is not the normal bright colored train that the two young ponies road before, seeing as how the trains run all day its common to have the northbound train sometimes run south.
Although the idea of a different train conductor might pose a problem.
"Tickets please."
Violet's horn sparks up as she floats the gold train ticket that she's used every time she has road the train, the Celestia issued ticket allows you to ride the train as much as you want and it does not technically have a set destination...But as the train stallion looks over the ticket he turns his eyes to the dragon and stallion standing next to the light purple mare.
Sparky just gives a smile now slightly regretting listening to Sombra's voice, he told Violet that he didn't want to bring anything just incase he had to go; saying he could always just head back to Ponyville and get his stuff...But the stallion's stare does bring an uneasy feeling.
"Ok...Come on." With the stallion's voice he moves aside from the door.
Violet, Spike and Sparky all start to trot inside as they turn their attention to the last few train seats on the left, there's really no difference to the train other than a slightly different color to the seats and train.
There walk comes to an end as Violet float the two heavy school readied satchels to the ground and begins to take a seat; Spike follows her lead as he comes to sit next to her.
Sparky moves to the seat across from them as he moves to sit near the window, as the train's steady hiss continues to run around the room he speaks up, "So what's the Crystal Empire like?"
Violet pauses to the comment as she tries to think of the hoof motions to describe something so different, it's not really hard seeing as how she's gone there a few times because of her uncle but she still takes a moment.
The motionless hooves of the mare spark Sombra's voice as it echos to Sparky’s head, (My Empire was left with it's beauty...Or at least I know it as such, your Princess may have changed or altered my fair kingdom. OR told lies of how I ruled.)
As the echo ends Violet's hooves come up with a smile as her own explanation of the wondrous city there supposedly going to comes out.
Sombra's noise doesn't come back up as Sparky just starts to drift to the conversation Violet has started to bring up.
However it doesn't get to trial on for long as Spike speaks up, "Awww...Those crystals looks so good." The small dragon points his claws to Sparky as he speaks up, "Just wait, you'll see them." He holds a cocky smile as he continues, "I'll have you know if it wasn't for me getting the Crystal Heart that Sombra might have taken back the whole kingdom." Spike closes his eyes as he folds his claws behind his head trying to act cool, "Ya, Celestia even gave me a stained glass window in my honor."
(BHA! The dragon fell from the castle with the Heart. I shall remind this creature of it's place when I have returned...) The tone of the voice brings a new heat of magic under Sparky's coat but the young stallion holds a very simple smile over the feeling as he just tries to nod to the dragon's comment.
- - - (Elsewhere in Equestria)
The cool wind runs past Twilight's ears as the lavender mare just holds her gaze to the happy and bright colorful leaves of the trees the two changeling pegasus pull the chariot over.
Twilight has never been one to succumb to her emotions, at least to where she is not able to quickly overcome them with a planed out strategy. But this time is different, the cold hard reality is simple; you are not by her side this time and none of the mare's friends are here so the idea of using the Element's of Harmony has just been tossed...The frazzled mare's mind was held from it's sleep yesterday, forced to listen to the voices that echoed down the hallway and forced to continue to relive the events that have put her in this current situation.
The chariot starts to drop from it's high up position over the happy world, Twilight closes her eyes hard just hoping that in some way if she clenches them hard enough that she can break this nightmare's hold...But no such thing happens as the flapping wings of the pegasus stop.
There's no words from the two pegasus as their dull eyes turn to the lavender mare. The two ponies gaze as they burn a whole to her closed lids, Twilight opens her eyes as she looks to the two stallions.
But to her gaze they hold their hooves up to the box as they just continue to stare to the lavender mare. Twilight's horn sparks up as the box moves to where they stand, without hesitation one of the pegasus stallion's brings his body up from the ground a little as he wraps his front hooves around the box.
The other holds his hoof now to the castle's entrance as Twilight slowly starts to ease her heavy body from the step up, her mouth stays closed as the stallions follow behind her as they guide her to the castle.
As the three ponies near the large double doors they start to open, no time is wasted as Twilight takes her steps inside.
The elegant wood carvings and majestic stone work doesn't make up for what the mare trots through as her heart starts to race a little. Around the main entrance of the castle there stands or hovers just above the ground sleek black emotionless blue eyed changelings, all of the ponies of the castle now stand in every hall and all around the room as the doors to the castle close and the throne room's doors that lay in front of Twilight's trot come to open.
The red regal carpet with gold trim leads up to the throne as Twilight's eyes look over the relaxed sitting misshapen creature.
"Ah Twilight! You're back! fantastic..." Discord holds a smile as he nods his head to the changelings that stand to to the pillars of the room.
To their lack of emotion he turns his head to the Countess that stand next to her throne, "Awww, you should teach your changelings to enjoy simple victories."
The pink haired mare turns her green eyes to Discord's smile as she stays silent.
"Oooh, so serious...Very well." Discord snaps his claw as he teleports in front of Twilight's trot, his tall figure hangs over her as she stares up to him in defiance.
Twilight's strong stare brings a new found joy to Discord's face as he looks to the box the pegasus brings over to him, "You know Twilight...I wonder what Celestia will think of this. You turned the Element's of Harmony over! Y-you turned over Equestria’s defense hah-aha!!" He shakes his head as he rolls through his laugh, the box comes open to a orange glow as Discord looks over the gold necklaces and crown in the center, "Mhhmmm, simply amazing what love will make a-..."
"I did what you asked..."
Discord cocks his eyes to Twilight's raised voice as he wiggles his paw hand to Twilight's sides, "Shhh, Twilight Please...Your stress could hurt the foal. AHa-ah!"
Twilight's defeated face shows but she still holds her stare as Discord's laugh starts to come down, "Very well Twilight..." He turns his eyes to where your statue stands in the room as his claw starts to glow a bright orange, "-...Your prize Twilight."
The bolt of magic strikes against your stone as it starts to crack and shift, Twilight's trot comes up as she quickly moves to where you start to appear.
The darkness over your eyes comes undone and you rush a breath to your mouth as you fall to your front hooves in a coughing fit, your mind has a haze to it much like your eyes as you pant your breath. Your right ear rings as you blink your eyes around the room, but as you do your eyes meet the smiling faces of the sleek black ponies that stand around.
With a quick jolt up you stand yourself up as you try to build your magic but you just fall to your front legs again.
Twilight bends her head down to you as she quickly speaks up, "D-don't you might hurt yourself."
You rush your eyes around the room as you continue to pant hard, "T-Twilight!..."
"Oh yes Twilight, Twilight! HAhaah!" Discord shakes his head as he rolls his claw to you, "What you should be worried about is this." As his voice comes to an end the Element's of Harmony starts to glow a bright orange as the emblems on them start to fade in color, "Tell me Twilight...Did Celestia really have you recharge these with HUMAN magic?! I-I mean really that's like putting a rock in a blender..." His light happy orange and yellow eyes start to turn a coal black as he smiles to the glowing elements, "...That magic is so unstable, wouldn't it be a shame if they just happen to lose their Harmony?"
A loud chime of magic rings through the room as the box falls to the floor empty, as the sound of the box slamming to the ground hits Discord's ears he looks over the gold crown that floats next to him.
You blink to the scene you just saw as you just stare to the only remaining Element of Harmony.
Discord's eyes hold to the gold shining crown as he slowly starts to move it towards his horned head, "I may not be able to destroy these Elements...But I can have some fun with just making them one." He turns his grin to the Countess as he nods his head, "I've had my fun...At least smile when you have yours." As his words end he looks back to you, "Ta-ta!" He snaps his claws as a orange pop comes to the room leaving his figure absent to the area.
You turn your eyes around the room as the changeling's smile turn to a hungry stare, but you turn your eyes to Twilight as you speak up for her ears only, "Why didn't you just leave?"
A simple smile comes up from her as she nuzzles her head to you and through her sniffly voice answer you, "A-all those times you told me that Equestria wasn't as important...Did you really think I thought it was more important than you?"
The sound of her slightly sniffly voice brings a faint tear to your eye as you nuzzle your head to hers, "It's going to be ok Twilight." You clench your teeth as you stand your front hooves up.
Twilight nods her head as she swallows hard, "I know..."
To your words the white coated and pink maned mare next to the throne speaks up as she holds an almost sensual tone, "Ahh, you two care deeply for each other...Please hold that feeling when we feed from it."
Her words lower every changeling’s heads as they take on a lunging or horn sparking stance.
You look over the area around you just trying to ready your tired body for anything. However you don't get to act as you feel a warm magical hold come over as the room around you takes on a bright almost whitish purple glow.
The purple coloring of the world around you comes undone as you blink your eyes to the outside world that's shaded from the tall fall trees above you. Around your head the bright sparkles of magic from the strenuous spell slowly starts to fade, but before the pop noise that follows every teleportation spell could even leave your ears your voice has come up, "Twilight!"
Your eyes lay to the heavy lavender mare that pants a little as she holds a slightly pained expression as she bends her right hoof just a little from the ground to her stomach. You have to strong feelings and thoughts running into your mind, the first is an overwhelming joy of getting out of the castle but the other that has held your happiness at bay is the mare's face.
As you start to the mare you move your hoof to her as you bend your head closer to her with a very low voice, "Twilight...Are you ok?"
No answer comes from Twilight as a stallion's voice from behind you speaks up, "Well, that's one way to arrive on time for a train..."
You slightly turn your head as you notice that Twilight's spell didn't just teleport you two out of the castle, but it has teleported you across town and you now only stand a few hooves from your escape of this horrific place...But as your mind picks up on the steam rendering still train your apprehension too Twilight’s magic use and how it might affect the foal starts to run through your mind.
Despite all of your thoughts and her own weakness turns around towards the train as she speaks up almost completely devoid of what you two just went through, "We need to get on this train."
The older chocolate stallion slightly loses his smile as he looks you two over, "No tickets I guess?" You and Twilight both shake your head as you start to grow more aware of the fact that you both are still in the city, and every moment you two sit here is a moment more that the hive of changelings at the castle could find you.
Twilight's voice comes up as she turns her cutie mark a little towards the stallion, "I am Twilight Sparkle, air to the Crystal Empire..." She stumbles a little on the next part but she pushes through it all the same, "...And keeper of the element's of harmony, I am telling you to let us on the train."
The stallion waves his hoof to Twilight's rushed voice as he steps aside, "I know who you are ma'am...Now please get on board, we are already about a minute behind."
An almost tear comes over Twilight’s eyes as she nods her head and steps inside, "Thank you..." You immediately trot beside her as you turn one last watchful eye to the area behind you.
As you and Twilight come on board the chocolate stallion closes the door. The sound of the train's door sends a chill over your spine as you close your eyes for a moment just trying to push the thoughts of what could have happened out of your mind.
Around the train car there's only maybe one or two other ponies, but they don't even pay you and Twilight any mind as you two trot back towards the back of the train. You both take a seat away from the window's facing the train station as the sound of the wheels under your hooves start to pull.
A sigh comes over you as you look over Twilight's now tightly closed eyes, your voice comes up as you rub your hoof to her side, "Are you ok?"
Her eyes open a little as she holds her red and slightly puffy eyed gaze to you, theres no way you could possibly know how she feels. You still can't even believe what you've just been zapped from, and the slight shaking around your body shows that. Without a word you both just lean your heads together as a slight whimper escapes her mouth.
However your closed eyes don't stay closed for long as a voice brings them open, "Um...excuse me, but my I ask how long you two will be riding?"
Your voice comes up with a slight sniffle as you try to answer the chocolate stallion who looks between you two, however Twilight's voice comes up before you can stutter out an answer, "We need to get to the Crystal Empire."
The stallion nods his head as he brings his hoof up to the pocket on his vest, "Very well." He takes out two tickets as he speaks up, "Here are your tickets."
You take the two slips of paper from his hoof as you nod your head, "Thank you."
He nods to your words as he trots away.
As you turn back to Twilight you speak up in a hushed but rushed voice, "We need to get to Canterlot, we have to get Violet-..."
Twilight cuts you off as she nods and speaks up, "I told Violet to go to the Crystal Empire, she will be safe with shinning until we get there...Spike went with her, we can send a letter to Celestia when we get there-..." Her voice fades a little as she turns her head to the ground with a low cry, "I-if Discord didn't already get to Canterlot."
You bring your hoof to Twilight's side as you speak up, "Twilight...It's alright."
She shakes her head as she rest her hoof to her midsection, Twilight's eyes close hard as her mind starts to battle with the choices she's made; she doesn't regret them...But You know Twilight has always done everything for everypony, and you also know that she threw all of that aside just to save you...The weight of what might happen starts to bare down to the mare's shoulders and all you can do is sit there and comfort her.
You wrap your hooves around the mare as you move your head over hers, to the motion she turns her head more towards your chest as she sobs a little. A sigh comes from you as you look a little to the world running outside of the moving train, "It's alright Twilight..."
Her hoof gets a little more tighter around her stomach as an almost pained tone comes from her, but the words still hold a low tone as she speaks up, "I love you."
You kiss her head as you repeat her,words but as you hold your head to her you notice that she's starting to tremble a little.
Twilight's breath comes back with a stronger pant as she trembles a little more.
"Twilight?" You loosen your hold a little more as you look over her slightly pained expression.
Her soft purple eyes squint a little to you as she speak up, "I-I think i'm going into the early stages of l-labor..."
Your eyes widen to her words as your heart starts to race, "What!? H-how long do we have?"
Twilight shakes her head as she answers you, "I-I don't know, labor under stress is unpredictable."
To the words you spark your voice up to the seated stallion near to the door, "How close are we to Ponyville?"
You're rushed voice flicks the stallion's ear as the older chocolate stallion turns his head to you, "Um, I would say about twenty minutes?"
You rub your hoof to your mane as you just shake your head with a slight chuckle not knowing what to do, your eyes come back to Twilight. Your mind races and your body still shivers from the stone prison you were only freed from a little while ago as you feel a heated sweat coming over your body.
- - - (Across Equestria)
Violet's stare over the world outside has brought a wide child like smile to her face as she looks over the bright and colorful world of the Crystal Empire that approaches. The young mare's mind is completely oblivious to the agony her parents have gone through and also blissfully unaware of the mind tormented stallion whose head also holds out the window.
However unlike Violet's stare Sparky's is forced as the light green glow of his eyes stays to the world outside, unblinking like they have for the last few moments.
(My time nears stallion, soon I will have what I want and you...And you may get your freedom.)
As the echo ends Sombra's hold over Sparky's eyes runs it's course as the young stallion starts to rapidly blink his eyes as he tries to refocus them to the bright world.
The train begins to slow down as Sparky's eyes come back open. It only takes a few more moments for the train to come to a halt as the train stallion speaks his tired voice up for the room, "We have arrived at the Crystal Empire."
Violet's horn sparks up as the bag comes around her as she stands up, Spike brings his own single bag up as he cracks his claws and speaks up, "I know the way to the castle...I would guess that's where Celestia would be." A slight laugh comes over the small dragon as he shrugs to Violet, "If the classes are not being held in the castle at least she will tell us where to go."
Spike and Violet both start to walk towards the door like the other few ponies that now start to stand, but they stop for a moment as they turn back to the light orange pegasus that just now stands.
His coat has taken on a slight feverous heat as he starts to trot towards where Violet and Spike stand, but he doesn't allow his uneasiness to show as he puts on a weak smile and speaks up, "T-the Crystal Empire looks really different huh?"
"OH! You don't even know! Wait until we get more into the city." Spike's voice holds his excitement as he takes lead out of the train as the two young ponies follow after him.
The streets of the crystal empire have there own unique glow, each crystally building showers the path in front of Violet, Sparky and Spike with a different warming light as they continue to swing their heads around the strange new city. However their admiring of the crystal made buildings is only half of their eyes search as they start to look over the few crystally ponies that trot past them going about their day to day lives.
Unlike Canterlot the ponies here seem to have an almost relaxed feel, sure there's still a lot of ponies troting here and there like Canterlot but there's a vibrant joyous feel coming over the residents both from the color and the smiles they all have.
"Ah good we're almost there." Spike's voice turns Sparky's and Violet's heads as they now set their eyes to the large bluish pure crystally building that stands a little above the ground almost like a floating stalagmite.
(Lay your eyes upon my castle pegasus, for right now your eyes are set on the soon to be New Capital of Equestria...The rightful capital Equestria.)
The magic that's been building in the stallion sends an almost flame like bust of heat through the stallion's body as he now takes his first step under the crystal castle that floated over head. There's a few crystal armored ponies that trot around the castle but unlike the guard ponies in Canterlot they don't even turn an eye to where Violet's little group trots.
Spike turns his head towards Violet as he takes on a more proper stance, "The castle here is allowed to be visited all the time, so we should have no problem finding Shining." The small purple dragon starts up the whitish blue stares that steam from beneath the castle as the two young ponies follow after him.
With each step to the stairs Sombra's voice begins to ring around Sparky's head a little more, (Pegasus, do take me to my throne room...It's been too long since I have seen it, and I long to see what pathetic pony the White one has placed over this empire.)
"Hello...Can I help you?" As the three of them make their way into the entrance hallway there stopped as they pin their eyes to a green shaded crystal pony wearing a red and gold cloak trotting towards him.
Spike's boyish voice comes up as he takes a step forward, "Ya, we're here to see Shining Armor."
The crystal pony pauses for a moment as he looks over the group in front of him, however his voice is cut from Sparky's ears as Sombra's echo comes up, (AH! I see that the white one has not removed every pony from the past...Pegasus, this stallion is named Nimby. Speak up for the babbling scales.)
Sparky's voice comes up from the command as Sombra's voice ends, "Nimby, this is Violet Sparkles she is her for Celestia-..."
The crystal stallion's slightly shocked stare comes to an end as he repeated the same thing he said when Sombra's echo cuts Sparky from the world, "T-the king is not available at this moment..But I suppose if what you say is true you would be allowed to see Celestia."
As the stallion's voice comes to an end he turns back down the hall, "Follow me please."
Violet, Sparky and Spike follow after the crystal stallion as they bring to move deeper into the bright blueish white crystal colored hallway. But their tort only holds for a few hooves as they come to a large closed double door room.
"I ask that you are quite unless spoken to." The stallion's hoof comes up to the door as he opens it and starts to trot inside, "My king, you have visitors."
The sound of the door and the ponies voice turns the head of the two ponies in the crystal throne room, but their eyes do not rest on the crystal unicorn that has a few papers floating next to the other pony. Instead Violet's eyes much like Spike have a happy smile pinned to the white coated and multicolored blue maned stallion, there sits no crown atop his head and no regal cloak in fact the stallion stands from the empty elegant crystal throne.
Shining's eyes turn from the papers as he turns the same happy smile to the light purple mare as he brings his trot to meet Violet's halfway, "Violet!"
From the stallion's closer spot Violet notices the stressed out stallion's expression, but a quick embrace brought on by Shining ends her sigh over his face. The hug comes to an end as a little chuckle and breaks the hug, "How did you guys get here so fast? I just sent the letter?"
Violet blinks to the words as she turns her head to Spike, Shining maybe family but the young mare knows theres no way he would really know hoofing so well.
However Spike doesn't speak up for the moment as he puts his claw up to his mouth almost like he's about to throw up...But he quickly removes his claw as a loud belching sound comes resonating through the little dragon's figure, as the green flame of his magic ends he picks up the letter as he speaks up a little embarassed to the on looking ponies, "Um...sorry."
Shining stares to the bluish letter as he turns his tired eyes to Violet, "Did you not come here with Twilight?"
Sparky struggles to hold to the conversation as Sombra’s echo continues to rage in his head, (This is the stallion that has replaced me?!...)
Violet shakes her head as Spike takes a step forward, "Twilight told us that Celestia moved the school here to study the Crystal Heart?"
The white stallion pauses for a moment before he turns to the two crystal ponies in the room, "Could you give me few moments, I would like to catch up with my Niece."
Without hesitation the two crystal ponies nod their head as they trot out of the room.
Shining’s eyes turn to the light orange pegasus for a moment as he speaks up towards Spike and Violet, "I sent a letter asking Twilight to come by...Celestia has been here for a few days now and Luna just arrived today. They told me that they closed the Unicorn school while they were away."
To the word Spike and Violet both share a look, as Spike speaks up for their confusion, "But Twilight said she would meet us here for the duration of Violet's stay?"
Shining nods his head as he speaks up, "Of course you can stay, according to Celestia the Unicorn school is on hold..." He gives a sweet smile to the light purple mare as he speaks up, "I'm sure Celestia can help sort this out...Maybe Twilight knows something I don't but she and Luna are both out right now." As his words come to an end he turns his gaze to Sparky, "Um...I'm sorry, I don't believe we've met yet."
(HA! Now the white one's puppet notices the other stallion in the room...He will regret ever allowing himself to be controlled by the Princess...) Sparky pushes through the echo of his head as he defaults to a simple sentence, "My name is Sparky."
Shining nods to the comment as Violet brings her hooves up in an attempt to speak up, however her lapse in mind actually pays off as Shining nods, "Oh assistant huh?" He turns an eye to the stallion as he continues, "I assume Twilight knows about this then..." A smile crosses Shining’s face as he looks over Violet's expression, "Presiding over the Crystal Empire has some benefits Violet." He pauses his voice as his hoof comes up to playfully point to the young mare, "So don't think I won't know what you're saying about your uncle-..."
The sound of a door behind the large throne opening and closing, the pony that opened it comes into view with in a moment as Violet and Spike both give a slight double take.
The tall pink alicorn that has always adorns a smile that could brighten a room now has an almost sickly expression to her, her mane also that use to be shades of cream and pink now look to have dulled slightly.
However the silence to Sparky's mouth comes undone as his eyes spark up in a green and his normal slightly stuffy nosed tone turns a little more low and deep, "Apatite?!"
Cadence's ear flicks to the name but she blinks her tired eyes to the ponies in the room, "W-what?"
To the mare's tired voice Sparky blinks his eyes around the room as everypony starts to turn their attention to the light orange pegasus that still stands by the door, "I-I think I lost my appetite, you know from uh...Walking." A nervous smile comes over him as his voice ends, but the warmth to his coat has been cooled for the moment.
Shining's questioning eyes to the stallion that came with Violet hold their stare but his mind doesn't get to ask the stallion's name as he turns his attention back to the pink mare as he brings his hoof up in a low voice, "Honey, don't you think you should be resting like Celestia said?"
Cadence's mind finally starts to place the ponies around her as she speaks up and trots towards the light purple mare, "Violet, oh you've gotten so big..." The mare's voice has taken on some of it's normal cheerfulness but it's not the same.
Before Cadence can embrace the young mare in a hug Shining's voice and hoof come up to the mare, "Cadence?"
Her eyes turn to Shining's words as she stops her hooves from coming up, "Oh yes..." A faint giggle comes up as she speaks out, "I should be resting." Cadence turns an eye to Violet as she holds a smile, "Your brother or sister won't be the youngest pony in our little family you know."
Violet gives a friendly smile to the mare's words as she drifts her eyes to the mare's sides, there's no sign of what she's said but Violet hold the acknowledgement all the same.
"Here I'll help you back to the room..." A faint smile comes over Shining as he puts his hoof to the mare's side as he starts to guide her out of the room, but he stops as he turns back to Violet and Spike, "Nimby should still be outside of the room, he will show you three to your rooms...Celestia and Luna should be back soon, and hopefully Twilight will stop by like she said. We'll have to catch up later."
Violet and Spike both nod to the comment as Shining moves from sight in the room, with the absent stallion they turn towards the doors they came in from as they start to trot out of them.
- - - (Speeding down the southbound rails of Equestria)
The out rolling hills that you passed when you left Ponyville have now started to run past the window outside as the train continues to howl down it's tracks. But the small town still hasn't come into sight out of the window, and Twilight's initial thoughts have started to come true as the mare's contractions have started to become a little more prominent. However the worst part for you is not knowing how much longer you two really have, your mind has locked and you can't remember if pony's break their water and if so how long would you even have till then.
Your voice comes up with the same sentence you've shelled out for the last leg of your ride, "How are you feeling?"
Twilight doesn't answer you as she just glares her eyes to you, her front hooves have come to rest almost cradling her stomach and you can tell from her position in her seat that being on these seats have really started to take its toll on her.
You swing your eyes out of the train's window again as you start to notice the outskirts of Ponyville starting to come into view, "Ok, were almost there."
"G-great.." The lavender mare tries to give a smile as you notice her horn starting to flicker a dim purple.
However as Twilight notices your stare she speaks up, "D-don't worry about the magic, it's nothing."
"What do you mean it's nothing?" You squint your eyes to her words as you continue in a slightly rushed tone, "Are you-..."
"YES!" Twilight's voice raises over yours as she groan a little, "I'm fine..."
You shake your head as you try to keep your mouth shut.
The moment of silence to your words now runs your mind as you nervously start to watch the small outline of Ponyville coming into view.
You rub your hoof to your head as you speak just take a deep breath, but you're forced relaxed motion only holds for a few seconds as a voice comes up to the train, "Ponyville station."
Your eyes burst open as you turn to the slowing world outside of the window, before the train even comes to a slow crawl you stand up as you wobble a little still weak from what today has thrown at you so far.
Twilight notices your stance as she turns her head towards the window, the glow to her horn has started to get a little brighter and Twilight's expression has turned to a more pained look as the train finally comes to a halt.
No pony around the train's car stands as they just watch you and the heavy mare slowly moving towards the exit as you help Twilight to her hooves, but as her strength has withered as she pants hard. Within a few moments you have helped Twilight to the wood platform of Ponyville station, you start your hooves up fast as you start to rush your voice again, "Alright we need to get to the hospital right??"
Twilight's voice comes back as the shivering mare just holds her eyes to you with a more painful expression, "I-I don't think I can...I don't remember feeling like this with Violet."
You swallow hard to her comment as you look her over, but you strengthen your stance as you take a deep breath and start to build your magic to your coat.
To your stance Twilight speaks up, "You can't teleport there?! It's too far!"
You ignore the words as you try to picture the hospital around you, you don't want to use magic on Twilight but right now theres just no other option.
The burn under your coat rings to your head as you push through the spell.
- - -
The loud pop of magic from your spell rings hard to your ears as you feel a warmth running from your nose, you suck your nose back as you turn to Twilight.
However to the new ponies in the room a mare's voice comes up, "Mrs.Sparkle's?"
To the mare's voice you quickly swing your head back as you look over the white coated and pink maned mare that has a nurse cap atop her head, you bring your voice up as you clear your throat, "Twilight's going into labor."
The white mare nods her head as she trots over towards Twilight and speaks up, "A-Alright, follow me Mrs.Sparkles."
Twilight nods her head as she takes a step forward, to the lavender mare's motions the nurse pony starts to lead the way towards one of the rooms in the hallway. However as you follow after Twilight she speaks up, "No, you need to get Violet."
Your eyes widen to the words as you shake your head, "Wha- Twilight, I can't leave you here."
She shakes her head as she holds her voice down to you, "We have to warn Celestia...A-and I can't do this if Violet doesn't have us."
"No, Twilight-..."
"I'll be fine..." A hard cramp rolls over her as she clenches her eyes for a moment, but she quickly comes back to her voice as she continues, "Just make sure she’s safe.."
You quiver your lips for a moment but you nod your head as you stare to her hard, "I'll be back...Now promise me you'll be safe."
Twilight nods her head as she starts to bring her trot up, "We both will." She nods her eyes to her stomach as she turns away from you.
You hold your eyes to the lavender mare for a moment as your body shakes, but your thoughts are pushed aside as you just focus your mind to one thing...Violet.
You were not able to hold the gallop like you thought you would, and as a result your trip back through Ponyville has taken a lot longer than it should have. A few times the thought of just teleporting back to the train station crosses your mind, but there's no way you're tired out body could run through the spell.
As your fast slightly out of breath trot comes within a few hooves of the trainstation your thoughts drastically change as you relize what you're doing. A whole hive of Changelings are most likely tracking you and Twilight down, Discord has taken the only thing that can stop him and your leaving the mare of your life here in a town as she goes through a birth by herself...Why...Why does everything have to be so hard.
Your stressed out mind brings you to halt as you stop again to the older chocolate stallion that stands next to the train's door.
The stallion blinks to you for a moment as he speaks up, "Your leaving sonny?"
You nod your head as you bring your voice under control, "There's something I have to do." The words tumble in your mind for a moment as you think, it's been forever since you had to be the hero...You just hope this time your heroic act is just messanger pony.
The stallion nods his head as he beckons you on, "Well your ticket was left on the seat if you are coming aboard..."
Without a moment's hesitation you move yourself into the train as you set your eyes to the train seat that you left what felt like only moments ago. As you take your seat again you run your hoof to your head as you blow a quick and slightly shaky breath from your mouth as you just dread the split mind battle to leave or stay that continues to rage to your head.
As your breath runs from your body you move your left hoof over your left ear, you blink to the feel as a slight twinge of pain runs throughout, why does my ear hurt?-...Your mind quickly sends the answer to your question as you look out the window, come on train...
- - - (Crystal Empire)
The guest room of the Crystal castle seems to be carved right out of the castle's interior, which brings a unique color to it. There are no lights in the castle, instead the room glows with its own bluish white color that acts as a light, most likely that is because of the sun refracting inside the crystal or perhaps some kind of chemical effect of the light of the sun on the stone.
However the decent sized room the light orange pegasus resides in from his spot on the slightly ruffled bed has no importance to him. As his mind has been caught between the dark black figure that stands in front of the empty mirror and the light purple mare and small purple dragon that sits around the table that's pushed up against the wall as they continue to try and conjure the spell Violet has been collecting for the last few days.
Really though there's no contest as Sombra's voice echos to the warm bodied stallion sitting on the bed as Sombra continues to stare into the reflection void mirror. The stallion's body no longer has a rim of shadow around it which now has started to toy with Sparky's mind as the young pegasus just holds his stare to the realistic being in the room. (...How could Appetite be alive? I saw the crystal take her from me years ago..)
Despite the different names and not knowing what the stallion is truly talking about Sparky still gives a nod to the echo as he just rocks to it a little.
(And if she is back, how can she still have the same problem as before?) Sparky gives a slow blink to the warm magic under his coat as he begins to speak to the stallion in a low and emotionless voice, "She is pregnant my king."
His words go unnoticed to both him and the pony and dragon in the room as the young stallion's slightly green glowing eyes watch the dark stallion turn around. The purple wisp that steam from Sombra's eyes spark up as the stallion's voice booms to Sparky's head, (NO, my mare could not carry a foal...This is just another sign of The white one's lies and manipulation.)
Sparky nods his head to the words as Sombra's glowed eyes start to fade, (My powers are almost full stallion, Discord should feel my presence soon...) Sombra’s stare drifts towards the two bags that lay on the bed as the echo comes back, (But there is something that must be done first...To your hoof stallion, there is something from the land before the deceitful that must be returned. Both for my sake and for others.)
To the words Sparky moves his hoof into the open satchel Violet grabbed her spell book from, the light purple mare didn't pay the extra book any mind..In fact her and Spike both don't even notice the stallion's actions as the light purple mare's desire to impress the two princesses and now her mom have taken over, to Violet even if school has been called off this day could still be the day she's able to show of the spell she has worked on for the past few days...Even if this would be the first day of doing the spell with no practice.
However as Sparky stands his hooves to the ground and moves the old book under his wing to both hide and carry it Spike's eyes turn back to the room's disturbance as he speaks up, "Where are you going?"
Violet's ear flicks to Spike's words as she looks up from the book that sits on the table in front of the few jars, her eyes come to Sparky as she gives a little smile and sparks her hooves up.
To the mare's motions Sparky snaps back to reality as he starts to stutter, "Uh...I just need to step out for a bit."
Violet blinks to the comment as she rolls her hoof and tries to remind the stallion of where he is.
But Sparky's voice comes back as he gives a little laugh, "Y-ya I don't know anypony here but I thought I could uh..." (Stallion your words have dragged me behind long enough.) Sparky's shifty and unsure tone changes as his eyes get a little wider to the thoughts that begin to explore uncontrolled from his mouth, "I have a more important pony to find right now, and I can not waste any time here to watch your spell crafting mare."
Violet and Spike just stare to the light orange pegasus as his trot comes up a little fast and he exits the room.
As the door behind Sparky closes Sombra's hold over his mind ends and the stallion is hit with the reality of what he said, but his trot has not stopped as the echo rings on, (You will be free soon enough pegasus...For now you are mine to control.)
- - -
Violet's stare to the closed crystal door turns into a more annoyed and confused squint as she stands from her seat and begins to trot after her friend.
"Wait, you're leaving too?" Spike holds his eyes to the light purple mare as Violet stops her trot, but she only gives him a simple nod as she extends her hoof to the door.
"O-oh...Well I guess I could stop by the dining room for a bit. How long will you be *gone*...Ok bye?" Spike holds his eyes to the newly closed door for a moment as he sighs and moves from his seat, "Pff, and I thought you had Twilight's manners." Spike's boyish words ring around the empty room for a moment as he just stands there.
Violet's trot through the castle's hall has held a fast pace as she tries to think over where her friend could be going, but there's no guess to the mare as she notices the light orange pegasus just now starting down the stairs that lead to the crystal empire's entrance. The light purple mare picks her trot up as she tries to trail after the stallion without him being aware of it.
Sparky's trot has stayed under Sombra's control as the stallion is forced to just hold his head straight down the light crystal road he travels.
This however has benefited the light purple mare that has trailed after her friend, her initial annoyance has turned into a more of a curiosity as to where the stallion could actually be going. The light purple mare continues to hold her distance as she continues to weave through the on coming crystal ponies that trot that she slightly crosses every so often.
However the mare's slight stalking has run it's course as she watches the light orange stallion turn towards a house. Violet stops her trot to the other side of the street as she holds her gaze to the dark magenta colored two story house.
By the door stand two large potted plates that have a few rose red closed crystal buds, however the colored house and unique plants only bring Sparky's voice up as he blinks to the door, "Why am I here?" His whisper bounces from the door as the echo to his head rings back (Somethings stallion are better left unanswered).
Sparky's hoof comes up to the door as he knocks to it.
The sound of his hoof brings the door open after a few seconds as a grayish crystally unicorn mare with pinned up dark green mane comes to the door, the mare blinks to the stallion at the door as she speaks up, "Sparky?"
Sparky is silent for a moment before he speaks up with his own slight confusion, "Starlight?"
A smile comes over the mare as she cocks her head, the mare's well spoken tone turns a little more informal as she speaks up, "H-how did you find where I lived?" A giggle comes from her as she squints her eyes, "You are not following me are you Sparky?"
From the mare's stance a chuckle rolls from Sparky as he shakes his head, "N-no I-..." (Peruse the book)
To the young pegasus's quilted voice Starlight takes a step aside, "Would you like to come insi-..."
"Who's at the door Starlight?" The feminine voice comes up behind the crystal mare as a greenish blue crystal pegasus with cyan lime mane comes next to the unicorn.
"Oh mom...This is a friend from Canterlot." Starlight steps aside in the doorway as the pegasus mare gives a friendly smile, "Oh, hello please come inside."
Sparky hesitates for a moment for Sombra's voice but it doesn't spark up as he eventually takes a step inside. eyes blink to the mare as his wing uncurls and he extends his hoof and book towards the mare.
Violet still watches the scene from across the street but as Sparky steps inside her mind starts to replay what the stallion said before he left and as it does the light purple mare starts her trot up with a strange sadness that the young mare can't seem to understand.
As the door comes too close behind Sparky his wing uncurls and his hoof comes up to the book as he speaks up with a thought, "Um...I think this is yours."
His hoof extends towards the pegasus mare as the crystal pony stares to the book, but her friendly expression drastically changes as she looks over the old book, her tone almost drops to a more serious low as it breaks through her, "Where did you get this..."
Sparky holds his hoof out as the mare hesitates to take the book, but Sparky's unsure voice is quickly taken over as he speaks up, "I was told to bring this here..." Sparky's voice pauses as Sombra pauses for a name, "...Queen Appetite sent me."
The crystal pegasus slowly takes the book to hoof as a deep building emotion starts to crack over her face.
To her mother's expression Starlight speaks up, "What is it?"
No answer comes from the pegasus as she starts to trot from the entrance hallway, "I-..I need to sit down."
(My debt to those before us has been paid...It is time now for us to return stallion) To the echo Sparky swallows hard as he awkwardly tries to move back towards the door, "I have to go."
Starlight tightens her eyes as she swings her head between the mare that now sits to the couch in the living room and the stallion that has opened the door, the informal and friendly tone shifts as the mare speaks up, "Wait...Who did you say sent you?"
Sparky quickly dips back into the midday sun drenched world as his trot comes back up to Sombra’s control, but Starlight now follows after him as she speaks up, "You said Queen Appetite, my mother talked of this Queen, how do you know of her?"
"I-I can't talk right now." The trot doesn't halt for the mare that now walks beside him as she again speaks up, "Horse feathers, why did you say Queen Appetite, and how did you know where I lived?"
(This mare tries my patience, make quick of her.) Sombra's hold over the stallion's legs ends as Sparky slows his trot, "I meant to say Cadence, s-she sent me."
Starlight holds her eyes to the stallion for a moment as she speaks up, "OH? And what has you at the castle?"
Sparky swallows hard as he gives a little laugh, "Twilight told Violet and me that Celestia moved the school to the Crystal Empire for a little t-to study the Crystal Heart."
"What?" Starlight blinks to the words as she shakes her head, "No, we were told at Canterlot to go home, that the Unicorn school would be put on hold until Celestia or Luna came back-...Wait, is that why they are here? H-have I been kicked out?" The mare's tone only dips into sorrow for a moment as she speaks up, "You said that Violet was at the castle correct?"
Sparky nods his head as he picks his speed up trying just to break away from the mare before Sombra's tone changes, "Y-yes Violet is at the castle."
Starlight nods her head as she speaks up, "Then I shall arrive at the castle once I am prepared." Her trot shoots her head up as she holds her comment.
The words spark the stallion's head to nod as he speaks up, "Y-ya..."
The grayish mare's horn sparks up as she tugs to the stallion's mane, which causes him to stop his trot, "Hey..."
Sparky turns his eyes to the mare as she squints to her hard stare, but her voice comes up before his can come up, "You seem different...Are you ok Sparky?"
(Stallion leave this mare at once.) To the words Sparky gives a little chuckle as he starts to move from her magic until she's forced to break it, "No...I just am a little tired, Violet has been really practicing her spells um, on me."
The comment breaks Starlight's hold as she relaxes her posture and begins to speak up with a slightly shyer tone, "Oh...Of course, p-perhaps if you and Violet find time I could show you around-I,I mean you and her." A faint laugh comes from the mare as she straightens her posture, "The Crystal empire is very different from Canterlot...And I assume if what you said was true that Violet would love to find the library. There are some great pieces on the Crystal Heart in the library, that I am sure she could find interesting."
Sparky blinks to the words as he gives a simple nod, "Crystal Heart...ya." He pauses as he gives a nod, "I should get back Starlight."
The mare nods her head as she watches the light orange pegasus turn away, but her voice comes back up as she calls out one last response, "Sparky, perhaps you should tell Violet to not practice spells on you...That spell she must have did still has a strong aura to you."
Sparky's heart skips a beat as he quickly nods his head, "Ya, thanks." As his voice ends his trot comes back up with a quicker pace as he sets his eyes to the large crystal castle in the center of the city.
However the stallion's fast trot down the blue crystally street is brought to a halt as he takes his first step under the castle's under belly as a weak stallion's voice stops him, "Ah, hello again."
Sparky's ear flicks to the voice but his body stops from Sombra’s tug as he shifts his head to a old tan coated stallion, the older pony holds his bright orange eyes to Sparky as he smile, "I've been waiting for you my king, are you ready my...Friend." The smile holds as the old stallion waits for a response.
But the old stallion's stare is held to the young stallion for a little longer then he intend as Sparky just blinks not knowing how to answer the stallion.
To the silence the old stallion loses his smile as he taps his old hoof to Sparky's chest, "Can you hear me in there?" A faint old wheezing chuckle rings from the stallion as he waits for a response.
As the stallion's laugh holds Sombra’s figure starts to appear next to Sparky as the dark stallion's eyes look over the stallion...(Sparky, nod your head and repeat my words...)
The old stallions laugh ends as Sparky's sure fired words come out, "Wait out here until the heart is brought out...My Friend."
"As you wish, my king." The old stallion gives a little grin as he bows his head.
(Pegasus, find me your mare.) As the echo ends Sparky's hooves start up as he trots towards the crystal stairs.
Sparky's hooves have clapped down the crystal halls a little faster than the normal pony, but the stallions smaller build allows his speed to go slightly unnoticed by the few crystal guard ponies that trot past him ever so often.
But as the stallion's eyes meet to his destination he begins to slow his trot down. As the door comes to hoof reach he knocks to it, the echo of his hoof to the guest hall brings Sombra's figure next to him as the dark stallion's figure looms over him.
It only takes Violet a moment to come to the door but as she opens the door the friendly smile she had for who ever was at the door. The smile doesn't stay as friendly though as Violet looks over the stallion and begins her hooves up to her friend.
However the mare's motions don't get to roll through as Sombra's horn sparks up, (Stallion...I apologize for this, but I require something you do not have pegasus). Sparky's eyes turn a bright green as he pushes himself inside with his wings spread out with slight greenish dark mist under them that steam from his wings.
Violet's eyes go wide to the glowing stallion's wings as she watches the stallion quickly closing the door behind him as he holds his glowing eyes to the mare.
To the stallion's emotionless face Violet sparks her horn up, but doesn't know what to do to her friend.
The lapse in her thinking is quickly taken over as the bolt of Sombra’s magic that was building to him is sent to the light purple mare.
The bolt strikes against Violet but there's no pain as the mare's perked up ears go limp and she takes on a dazed stare.
Sparky guides the mare to sit on the bed as his still glowing wings start to flap a little, which send the greenish dark mist a little around them.
Violet's eyes become heavy as the room around her turns into a swirl of color.
- - -
The outside world holds it's glow to the lay of the land as the lavish green fields and colorful wild flowers almost sparkle to life in the sun's light.
You've forced your mind to ease a little as the bright blueish shine of the Crystal Empire's castle has started to come into view down the rails. You still have a decent amount of time before you arrive but the idea of the large bluish crystal castle not being orange or something has brought a little peace to your mind.
You repeat a slight mantra to yourself as you continue to ease your thoughts, get Violet and Spike, tell Princess Do-Nothing that Discord and a hive of changelings are most likely going to take over Equestria and then get back to Ponyville and Twilight....Ya...Just another Fucking day. You blow out again as you rub your hoof to your head as you think over the blueish castle in the distance, at least nothings happening in the Crystal Empire.
- - - (Miles away)
"Mare...Open your eyes, this spell was no different than that of your own."
The echoy voice shoots Violet's eyes open as she jerks her head up from where it hung towards the floor, however as she looks over the two stallions that stand in front of her she jumps up as she quickly sparks her horn up in a confused and slightly scared motion.
Sombra holds his eyes unamused to the mare's actions as the large dark stallion continues to hold his strong stance.
The light orange pegasus takes a hoof forward as he speaks up, "Are you-..."
"Don't come any closer." Violet's tomboyish voice comes as a slight shock to her but she holds her own as she looks between the two stallions.
However before she can bring her voice backup Sombra's echo runs around the room, "Do not hold your horn to me mare, your magic will have no affect on me and it will not break this hold." A smile comes over Sombra’s unmoving lips as he continues, "It would however cause massive pain to your friend."
Violet blinks hard to the words as she swings her head between Sombra and Sparky, "W-what's going on?"
"A few nights ago you tasked your friend with breaking into the white one's room..." Sombra cocks his head with a sly smile as his echo continues, "This stallion's fears about being caught and for the area he would be returning to later that night caused my remnants to awaken. I have leached myself onto your friend, and have been draining him of his magic, which a pegasus does not have a lot of. If I were to continue my current course of action your friend would die in my process of regeneration..." The dark stallion's smile fades as he continues, "...But he has fulfilled his duties to me well...And I now offer you a chance. There is an agreement I have made this day, an agreement which will not be halted. I now ask you a very simple question to which I already know the answer. You will take me into your body, I will use your magic and reconstruct myself into the plane of Equestria."
"Speak fast mare, for there is not much time. Now will you accept what you have caused and end it..." The purple wisp from the stallion's eyes trials out as he smiles, "Or not?"
Violet blinks to the words as the mare's blue horn slowly starts to fade from sight.
To her expression Sparky speaks up as he turns himself to Sombra, "You promised me that no pony would be hurt."
The insubordinate stallion's strong words turns Sombra’s head as he holds an emotionless face to the stallion, "There will be no harm, my magic from the mare when leaving her body will have the same reaction a higher level spell would bring..." Sombra turns his bright eyes to Violet as he nods, "...It is experience mare."
Violet shakes her head as her emotion starts to build to the stallion's question, but she keeps her cool as she speaks up, "What agreement!"
A new found smile comes over Sombra’s face as he looks over the light purple mare, "It feels good doesn't it...To voice your emotions, to not bottle them up or push them to the back of your mind."
Violet holds her head up high as the young mare shakes a little, "Ya, it does." Her horn starts to glow a bright green as she speaks up, "Now...Sombra answer my question."
"Your persistence is both annoying and intriguing, very well." Sombra cracks a smirk across his face as he speaks up, "I seek the Crystal Heart, for what I want to do with it is now my thoughts only. Trust me and your friend lives, reject me and your friend dies...And I may turn my attention to those you care for once I have-..."
Sombra’s words are cut off as a bolt of bright green magic shoots towards where he stands. His figure turns into a puff of smoke as his echoy laugh rings around the room, "AH! I thought your magic was familiar...I see you are nothing more than a puppet for the white one..." Sombra’s figure reappears in the same spot as his bright eyes hold to Violet, "Now...Violet, last offer help me?"
Violet holds her eyes tightly to the stallion even if her spells didn't affect him the shaking mare holds her own as she speaks up, "Why would I help you take over Equestria!?"
The tomboyish voice runs to Sombra’s ears as the stallion brings his strong stance back up, "Time waits for nopony, and the longer you with hold the closer your friend gets to his demise, now trust me Violet!"
Sparky swallows hard as he speaks up, "Violet...you don't have to-..."
"Shut up Sparky..." Violet's horn starts to fade for a moment as the young mare is finally forced to look to her friend.
The mare's mouth quivers to a silence as she looks the stallion over, "I-..How can I trust you?" Violet's voice takes on a low defeated tone as she turns her gaze back to Sombra's unflinching eyes.
Sombra’s unflinching eyes are still pinned to the light purple mare as he speaks up, "Words are cheap...I believe you would understand what I mean by this. To trust me is to not believed nothing of what you have been told."
"What does that even mean!" Violet's annoyance to the comment comes out as she holds a hard stare to the dark stallion.
The dark stallion nods his head as he smiles, "I knew you wouldn't have understood...And I thank you." Sombra's eyes lose their glow as he continues, "I'm sorry Violet, but your choice is irrelevant, because I will not let the actions of the deceitful run rampant...Prepare yourself Violet, for my magic is alluring and it will change you if you can not fight it."
Sombra's reddish horn sparks up in a black and green bubbly magic as he finishes his comment quickly before Violet can protest, "Sparky, watch after your mare."
The room around the three ponies starts to become a blur as Violet's focus her mind to a powerful bolt of magic, but it doesn't get to come from the mare's horn as her eyes quickly close.
As the room comes back to Violet the young light purple mare falls to the ground as she just barely catches herself with her front hooves. (Fight it Violet...Once you do, our minds will combine and my intentions will come clear). The hard echoing ring to her head causes the mare's front legs to go limp as she collapses to the ground, the rush of unknown magic that now swirls to her body brings an unwelcomed heat as she curled herself to the cool crystal tile in a fetal position.
Her body shakes and her mind yells in pain as her horn glows a bright green trying to expel Sombra's echo, (Good...Let my thoughts roll through you).
The shock to the absent weight in the young stallion's mind has faded as he now jumps to the light purple mare that has fallen to the floor, "Violet...i'm so sorry..." The stallion's eyes start to tear up a little as he holds his hoof to the mare's shaking side, but the stallion's emotions don't take over his voice as he speaks up, "Violet..."
As Sparky's words come to her ears the ringing in Violet's head and the rush of heat starts to come down, and the mare slowly starts to bring herself up as she pants hard. (Violet, the throne room...I promise you all will become clear once I have done what needs to be done).
The young pegasus quickly holds his hoof to the mare as he steadies her out, "A-are you ok?"
Violet's eyes are clear and her body slowly starts to stop it's shake as Sombra's influence starts to come over her, (I promise you Violet, you will not be lied to, we are going to save Equestria).
The mare takes a deep breath as she starts to trot out the door, Sparky follows after the mare as he speaks up, "Violet?"
(Listen to me, go to the throne room...If this Shinning does care for my Queen then he will not be at disposal, once you are in the throne room I will guide you).
Violet's trot starts to gain in speed as Sparky follows after her, but the two ponies don't even get halfway down the hall before their stopped by a boyish voice, "Oh there you are Violet..." Spike holds a smile to the two ponies as he walks down the hall towards them, in his claws he holds a few colorful crystals that he continues to pop into his mouth as he chews, "S-so where you two off to?"
No answer comes from the two ponies as they both ignore him and trot pass him, however the lack of conversation turns the little dragon's eyes as he starts to follow after them, "Violet?"
Sparky speaks up as he turns his head, "W-were just going to look around."
A bright smile comes over Spike as he cocks his head and holds his following of the two ponies, "Oh? Well where are you two going, incase Twilight gets here."
(Ah...Tell the dragon to bring the Princess to the throne room.)
To the voice Violet turns around as she gives a faked smile and brings her hooves up. Spike and Sparky both blink to the motions as the little dragon speaks up, "You want to show Celestia and Luna that spell? B-but when did you get the time to practice that spell?"
Violet waves her hoof to the comment as she motions for Spike to go. Spike blinks to the motion as he shrugs, "A-alright, I saw Celestia and Luna come in a little while ago. I think they went to Cadence's room to check on her, i'll go see if they can come. Oh were?"
"The throne room." Sparky speaks up as he smile, "That's were I think V-Violet wants to show them."
Violet nod to the comment as her trot comes back up.
Again the little purple dragon just watches as the two ponies leave him alone, "Ok...You can count on me." He sighs a little as he plops another crystal into his mouth as he starts bringing his walk back up, "Ya i'm the number one family assistant."
- - -
Violet's trot through the castle has brought her and Sparky to the entrance of the closed throne room. However the journey seems to have met an early end as the familiar crystal stallion they first meet comes up towards them, "Excuse me but can I help you?"
To the stallion's words Violet brings her hooves up as she comes up with an excuse.
The crystal pony blinks to the hoofing as he speaks up, "Y-yes, I suppose you can wait in here for Princess Celestia and Luna if they are coming."
The stallion moves to the throne room doors as he opens on one of them, "Please make sure you keep the throne room closed though, it's customary for them only to be open if the king or queen is in the throne.
Violet gives a smiling nod as she and Sparky quickly trot into the room that overlooks the crystal city that sits underneath it.
However as the large elegant door closes the echo to Violet's head rings to her, (Forgive me Violet, but our time is short).
Without a moment of hesitation Violet's horn sparks up with a dark green bubble glow as the mare's eyes turn to a dark greenish tint. The spell that builds to her mind comes back to start up fast as a bolt of magic is shot to the floor of the throne room, as her magic bunches to the room Violet quickly swings her head to the back of the door as a bolt comes to strike against the door leaving it in a shining green color. (This spell can only be broken by a powerful unicorn, but we should still hope that my Queen has the same ideas about the safety of the Crystal Heart when not on display under the castle.)
As Sombra's echo ends the floor of the throne room where the bolt of magic hit starts to what looks like dissolve the crystal floor as a dark stone staircase comes into view. (Make haste) Violet's green eyes start to blink back to their normal soft blue coloring as she looks over what the flooring has relived.
Sparky and Violet both move towards the top of the spiraling down staircase as they hold their own astonishment and slight confusion. However they push it aside as they begin to start down the stairs.
The area around them is cold and as the young ponies hooves make quick work of the stairs the light from the castle's windows starts to become a little more absent.
The quick spiral of the stairs and the rapid pace at which the young ponies are traveling has made their eyes slightly round the room bringing a slight nauseous feeling.
However after a few strenuous moments later the end of the staircase comes under their hooves as they now look around the circular area that surrounds them. As they stand in the underbelly of the castle the dark stairs start to clang as they begin to fold into the walls. Violet and Sparky both look up to the now distant hole as a slight bit of claustrophobia sets in. (Ah...I see they have reset my spell).
Violet turns her eyes to the simple wood looking door as Sparky speaks up, "What do we do?" The fact that the usually sheepish stallion's voice only has a slight tone difference to it flick's Violet's ear but the young mare doesn't react to it as Sombra’s magic start to run to her coat.
The strong heat of his magic is unsettling and Violet clenches her eyes tightly as she tries to force the spell out of her horn, [i(The room itself is not a room at all, it's a magically created area. Passing through it and then back out of it will take you back to the castle's throne room...My spell will allow us to change the room too a more simple design. Prepare yourself though, this is not normal magic you will feel again).
Violet's horn sparks up in a green and blackish bubble of magic like before, but this time the chime of the magic that runs around the room has a organic chime to it as the heavy spell begins to weigh itself to the young mare's horn.
However as the mare grinds her teeth she jerks her head forward as the bolt slams against the wooden door. The loosening of her magic leaves the mare trembling as she pants hard only to suck in the damp and hard to swallow thick air of the castle's hidden chamber.
Sparky holds his eyes to the mare as he stands beside her, but Sombra's voice is unrelenting as it chimes back to Violet's pounding mind, (The door Violet, open it).
Violet slowly starts to move her shaky trot towards the door as she starts to open the door, unlike the dark hidden world around her behind the door a bright and whitish crystal room awaits her, the area around her looks to be made of crystals that extend all to the same height above the room. Sparky follows after his friend as he looks around the room he's stepping into, (There Violet...Take it.)
Both Violet and Sparky stop freeze in their hooves as they stare to a bright blue heart shaped crystal that rest in the middle of the room on a solid white stone pillar. There's a low shimmer of what looks like rainbow coloring around the shaped crystal.
The door behind the two ponies slowly starts to close as they continue just to stare mesmerized to the stone, (The heart!)
Violet's trot slowly starts to come up as she bites to her bottom lip a little, her right hoof comes up to the crystal as she holds it just in front of the stone. However she takes it to her hoof as the rainbow shimmer around the low chiming stone ends and the stone just glows silently.
(Good...Now open the door that has closed, and you will be teleported back to the throne room).
Violet's horn sparks up in a low glow as the heart starts to float next to her in a faint magical hold, although despite the Heart's crystally appearance it's not heavy and takes almost no effort to lift. The light purple mare turns herself to the door and the stallion that followed after her as she swallows hard and begins to trot towards the door. Her mind still battles with what she's doing...But Sombra’s hold over her has pushed her thoughts to nothing more than a low whisper.
Violet's hoof comes to the wooden door as she pulls it open.
However the dark stoned and cold atmosphere of the castle's underbelly doesn't brush against her coat as she steps out of the bright Heart's chamber.
Sparky follows behind her as the two young ponies just stare to the top of a hidden staircase they just have been magically teleported too.
"Violet?"
Their eyes don't stay to the stone for long as the low confused boyish voice in front of them quickly snaps their heads up. In front of the newly opened entrance stands Spike, Shining and Cadence and the two Princesses, however it's the few guard ponies that stand behind them that bring the reality of what Violet has just stolen, and for the moment Sombra's control of the young mare breaks as her fear comes to pour to her now rapid heart.
The tall white princess holds an emotionless face as her eyes like the dark mare beside her just focus on the bright bluish stone that Violet still holds in her low magical glow.
"Violet...What are you doing?" Shining takes a step forward as he shifts his eyes between the staircase gap between him and the light purple mare, "W-why do you have the Crystal Heart?"
Violet's hooves as the mare's blue eyes flicker to a deep greenish red, the purple wisp that Sombra’s eyes usually have comes to whip in the air a little from Violet's eyes as his voice rings from Violet's motionless mouth, "Time is short, and words bear little to actions..."
As the ringing words bounce around the room Violet's horn sparks up in deep green glow as her figure is coated in her magic. Before one of the wide eye ponies could speak up the light purple mare's figure is teleported from the room with a slight pop.
The loud pop of Violet's magic comes to ring in the entrance of the castle just before the throne room, the few armored ponies around her are stunned for a moment as they just stare to the newly teleported mare. Celestia and Luna are the first to turn around to Violet as the light purple mare's eyes set to the exit of the castle.
No time is wasted though as Violet's hooves send her into a quick dash, Celestia and Luna both gallop after the mare as Shining's voice sparks up to the light orange pegasus left in the room, "What happened!" The white stallion takes up a stance as his horn comes to Sparky's coat locking his wings to his back.
Sparky gives a pained groan to the magic as he clenches his teeth.
To the stallion's pained face Cadence brings her hoof up to her husband's side, "Shinning, there has to be a reason for what Violet did..."
Shining squints his eyes to the stallion he has in his hold as he breaks his hold over him and instead brings his gallop up to follow after Violet. His voice comes to the few guard ponies still standing in the other room as he quickly passes by them, "Don't let this peagsus out of your sight."
As Shining's hooves leave the room Cadence follows after him, but her weak gallop is more of a brisk trot.
Spike just holds his claws to his head as he bites to his bottom lip not knowing what to do or how to handle what's going on as the few guard ponies come into the room and speak up, "Don't move peg-..."
Before their words can end Sparky's wings have flared out as he tries to bring the same mind set he had when Sombra did the few spells through the stallion's wings. A faint orangey static like electricity comes under the young pegasus's wings as he jumps himself to the air, the amateur spell to his wings comes to stick against the first armored pony that took an extra hoof inside the room.
The shocking magic causes the armored crystal stallion's eyes to widen but the actual effects of Sparky's amateur pegasus spell were really nothing...However the confusion to the pegasus's glowing wings did freeze the guard ponies as he quickens his flight.
He's able to dart just above them as he uses the high castle's halls to his advantage, the young stallion's breaths are hard and rushed but he still shouts to the ponies as they either try to grab at him or just barely miss their bolts of magic, "Sorry!!"
His adrenalin filled flaps make quick work as he dashes through the castle bringing him outside with Spike and the few guard ponies quick to follow after him.
However as Sparky brings himself outside his wing's are bound and he falls to the ground, just barely able to bring his hooves up to not fall flat on his face.
Sparky's eyes turn to the white stallion who has just ceased his flight path, Shining's voice turns to the guard ponies as he speaks up to one of the crystal unicorns, "Don't let him go." His voice ends as his horn's magic comes undone and the other stallion's magic comes over Sparky's wings.
Shining's attention is once again turned to the light purple mare that has been cornered in the under area of the Crystal Empire.
The magical influence of Sombra has stopped leaving Violet's mind to deal with the situation she now stands in.
To her left the Crystal Heart floats next to her with a low chime from the green magic that holds it. In front of her stands Shining, Cadence and now all around her gather armored crystal ponies awaiting orders from either of the two Princesses that hold their eyes to Violet. The dark Princess's eyes and expression show her confusion and worry as she looks over the young mare she and everypony else has cornered.
Celestia's stare though sends chills to Violet's figure, as the tall mare's cold emotionless face holds to the Crystal Heart in the young mare's hold.
Violet's breathing is heavy as she just turns her head around the area just looking for an escape, her mind screams to just give up the crystal heart but her magic is no longer in her control as her horn continues to hold it.
Cadence holds her hoof up as she holds a sweet tone, "Violet...Sweetie, we just want the crystal heart back."
Violet's hooves don't comes up and her horn's magic doesn't falter as she just takes a step back.
"Violet Sparkle, are you well?" Luna's words hold their confusion as she takes a step forward.
However as the dark mare's few steps forwards comes to an end a loud almost crazed laugh comes over the area as a dark orange bubble of magic pops around where Violet and Luna stand.
Everypony even Celestia takes a step back as the loud chime of magic bounces and rings to their ears.
"Really? The Heart is taken and you all just stand around the thief?" The laughy voice turns everyponies heads as they look to the misshapen creature that floats above the magical bubble of orange magic.
"Discord."
The name turns Discord's head as he waves to Celestia, "Yes, and hello to you...I see you've gotten a little bigger. Perhaps you should take a break from those cakes hmm?"
Celestia's horn sparks up in a deep gold glow as she holds a sharp eye to his words.
"No no no, Celestia..." Discord snaps his clawed hand as he smiles to her, the gold crown pops to his mismatched horned head as he just smiles down to the white mare.
To the new sigh of the crown Celestia's magic fades as her face turns to a shocked stare.
Discord rolls his paw to Celestia as he speaks up, "Oh don't be so sad, here let's make this feel a little more dramatic." A orange glow comes to Discord's claw and lion pawed hands as he starts to build his magic, but his spell doesn't come from a motion of a snap as the crown atop his head starts to ring.
The sound of lighting cracking overhead booms as the bright sky above the castle starts to take on a cloud look, "Ah much better...Everypony know's clouds are scary...You know Celestia, you shouldn't leave the Elements of Harmony with such a simple pon-.."
A bolt of purple magic is sent towards Discord but it only strikes the crystal castle's under belly as Discord's figure is teleported to the side in a quick flash of orange.
Shining's horn holds it's glow as his stunned stare from the sight of Discord is broken from his words, "What did you do with my siste-..." The deep stallion's voice is cut off as a bolt of orange magic slams against him shredding him in a vial of Discord's magic.
"Shining!" Cadence’s voice comes as she stares to where Shinings magical shrouded figure stands.
The crystal ponies hold their eyes to dumbfounded to do anything as the veil of magic comes away from Shining's body, the once large and deepened voice stallion has been changed into a crying baby eyed foal.
A few screams of terror ring from the crystal pony onlookers as some ponies start to gallop away to afraid to stay. The unicorn stallion that bound Sparky's wings losses his ability to continue the spell as he looks to the small white foal.
"Ha ha ha!" Discord's eyes flicker a little black as he cocks his head, "Awww...Look now it's cute when he interrupts those more important than himself!"
Cadence scoops Shining into her grasp as she holds her eyes to Discord's continued voice, "Well ta-ta Celestia...I believe somepony has something for me." With a snap of his clawed finger Discord's figure is flashed away.
No words come from Spike, Sparky or the few crystal ponies as Candace's stressed out almost crying tone comes to Celestia, "W-we have to do something!"
Celestia doesn't speak up as she just stares to the orange bubble that now stand under the Crystal Castle.
Your trot from the crystal trainstation has brought you about half way into the city, you may not visit the crystal empire a lot but you have a pretty good idea as to where you are. However as the slightly taller buildings of the inner city start to come to each side you pick your tired out pace up.
But the taller crystal buildings is not the only thing that now comes around you as you pass your trot to the what looks like waves of galloping ponies that are coming straight for you. There's no time to move as you just hope your not knocked down by the mob of ponies that now quickly dash past you.
"...He's back he's back!
"Run!"
"...I saw him I saw him!"
"...It has to be the king!! Run"
"...We're all going to be imprisoned again!"
You shoot your head around the scream talking mares and stallion that gallop past you as you try to understand their broken chatters, "Who? What are you talking about?"
No ponies stop for a moment as you continue to just swing your head around, however no answer needs to come from the ponies around you as the sound of a thunderous crack bounces from around the row of buildings to either side of you.
Your eyes turn up to the Crystal castle's seeable tip as you notice a thicket of darkening grayish clouds forming.
For a moment you can't believe it and you just stay dumbfounded to the growing span, but the moment is short lived as you start your gallop up as fast as you can weave your way through the mass of on coming ponies.
- - -
The low chime that holds the Crystal heart still chimes to Violet's ears as she looks around the orange shrouded world. Discord's dome of magic is able to be seen though on the inside, but the outside world is silent and has a deep orangey color.
"Do not fear Violet Sparkle..." Luna's horn sparks up in a bright teal glow as her and Violet's body becomes wrapped in her magic, a loud pop of magic comes to the chiming dome as they teleport only a few feet forward.
To the failed spell a laugh comes ringing around to the circular enclosure as Discord's figure starts to fade into color in a lavish red throne that he sits on, "Really? Teleporting?" his joking tone changing to a poor mocking lipsy feminine tone as he puts his paw and claw to his face in a dramatic fashion, "Oh...WE know, we shall use our sister's special teleportation spell! HA-ha ha!! Really Luna? That's your first idea?! Y-you couldn't even copy a teleportation spell in a thousand years! Why would you think my spell would be easy to break free from??"
Luna holds her head up high as she moves in front of Violet and stares to where Discord sits, "You are a fool Discord, our sister and I will not let you escape-..."
"Blah blah blah...yes yes, I understand. What will you be doing? Putting me in a stone prison!" Another laugh comes to Discord as he kicks his legs out with a child like glee.
The laughy words don't turn Luna's hard gaze as she sparks her horn up, "Do not mock our sister's actions."
Discord stops his laugh as he nods his head and turns a more questioning eye to the dark mare, "Yes..." A devious smile comes over Discord's face as he relaxes and folds his hands together, "Tell me Luna. Didn't it feel good to stand up to your sister all those years ago? Didn't it feel good to think your decision would be what Equestria followed and not your sisters?"
"Your trickery will not work on me Discord, now give up." Luna's voice has lost it's lipsy tone as the dark mare's mane starts to flow a little to her held magic.
"Oh Luna...No no no, I am not trying to trick you." Discord's voice raises a little as he points his claw to her, "I just want to know how it feels, how it feels to just give up on everything you wanted! I just want to know what it must feel like knowing that you must spend an eternity loney, how it feels to know that you may never love anypony because your sister believes it would be weakening! Tell me Luna TELL me!!" His joy loving eyes turn a coal black as he holds a tooth smile to the dark mare.
Discord's words again fall on deaf ears as Luna speaks up in a calmed tone, "It feels horrible...But my sister is right. Our jobs are to look after everypony...We can not be bound to somepony that is too important."
"Luna...Join me on my little endeavor and I promise you, you will have nothing to fear. You will have what you want without Celestia's scold." Discord cocks his head as he waits for an answer.
But there's not even a second thought as Luna speaks up, "Never."
"Very well..." Discord's eyes change back to their colorfull brightness as he leans a little to get a better look at Violet, "...I believe your name is Violet Sparkles yes?" A smile comes over his face as he nods, "Good choice Sombra..."
Luna's ear flicks to the name as she holds her building magic, but her voice or spell doesn't stop Discord's words as the serpent tongued beast continues, "Tell me Violet, did you know that Luna can't attack me?" A faint chuckle comes over Discord as he smiles, "Did you know that the Princess in front of you can't actually protect you??"
Violet's eyes slightly turn to the mare in front of her as she shifts her gaze between the mare and Discord.
He moves his clawed hand to the crown as he continues, "This little crown is more than just an element to maintain harmony...It's also a way to control ponies. Many ponies, all kinds of ponies. One of which is Luna." Discord tilts his head back and forth a little childish as he starts to bring a kiddy tone to his voice, "Back a looong time ago, your mommy and her friends used the Element's of Harmony on Luna...Turning her heart and mind back to the feeling of unity and joy. And if anypony were to strike me down right now, well then lets just say I would enjoy Equestria a lot more." Discord licks his lips for a moment as he pauses, "Now...Step aside Luna, I need something from that mare."
The words hit Luna but the dark mare doesn't move as she starts to lower her horns glow.
To the sight of the unmoving pony Discord nods his head, "Well...I guess I could have some fun." A devilish smile comes from Discord as he jumps from his seat and sends a dark orange bolt towards Luna.
With a flash of her horn she blocks the magic, Violet moves from the dark mare as Discord continues to hammer away bolt after bolt to Luna's defencive spell.
"COME ON LUNA HIT ME!!" A laugh comes from Discord as he starts to make a game out of his flicking wrist, almost as if he was trying to copy some kind of interpretive dance.
Luna's horn continues to halt Discord's spells but the process of his magic has started to buckle her stance as she's forced to back up further and further to the dome of magic.
Discord notices this as he sends the next bolt to the dome's wall, it ricochets back to Luna's figure as the mare lets out a pained yelp and falls to her front knees in a pant.
"WHOA! That was a work out." Discord snaps his claw as a sport bottle comes to pop in his claw, he squeezed the bottle as a little bit of water comes to shoot into his opened mouth. But he pops it away as he takes in a deep breath, "Now...We're where we?" His eyes turn to Violet as he holds a smile.
(...I have seen enough. Violet, what I must do I can not guarantee your safety...But I fear as though it is the only option. Take a deep breath Violet.) The echo ends to the lavender mare's mind as she closes her shifty eyes as she takes in a deep breath.
Discord losses his smile a little as he looks over the mare's glowing horn that starts to bring a light magic to her body.
- - - (Outside of the bubble)
The gallop you started on the outskirts of the city has now finally brought you to the city's center as you're now able to gaze to the orange bubble of magic that has formed under the castle. Your heart bounces to your chest as you look it over, but your eyes and hooves quickly start up as you gallop yourself towards the few familiar ponies that stand towards the staircase up to the castle.
Overhead the sky has darkened and the sound of thunder starts to ring around the city, however there's no rain yet.
Your tired and rushed voice comes from you as you near the small group, "W-what happened?! Where's Violet?"
Cadence is the first to turn to your voice as she just stares to you, however you start to slow your trot as you blink to the small crying white coated and two toned blue maned foal in her hold.
The pale pink mare's voice comes up as she takes a hoof towards you, "Y-you're here? Where is Twilight?"
You ignore the words as you speak up, "Violet, where's Violet, what's going on?" Cadence's words go silent as you hold your eyes to her, but you don't hold to the silent mare for long as you quickly change your stance towards the light orange pegasus that stands near Spike and a few dumbstruck armored ponies. You don't even bother to asked why the stallion is there, but you figure he has to know where his friend and your daughter is, "Violet?"
Sparky holds his hoof to the orange bubble of murky magic that you've been forcing yourself to ignore.
But the stallion's hoof send the world around you almost into slow motion as you turn to the tall white alicorn that still stands just staring to the anomaly in front of her.
"What are you waiting for..." Your voice takes on a deep and dangerously calm tone as you hold your eyes to the back of Celestia's head.
There's a moment of only the chiming orange magic and a few low thunderous cracks from above the castle you stand under. But the white mare's words find their way through her mouth as she turns to you with a sharp eye that you were not expecting that's held with a seriousness that's almost unheard from the calm mare, "Discord has the Element of Harmony...And some how he is able to use them."
Her tone sparks a deep anger in you as your face becomes flushed, "Oh ya! You want to know why he has that huh?! Because Twilight got a letter from you!" In the bottom of your heart and the back of your mind you've come to the conclusion that the letter was never from Celestia, but the white chariot you saw at the castle still makes you hold a doubt to your thoughts. You hold onto that thought as you continue, "...And you know where that letter told us to go, Vanhoover, and you know what's there Almighty Do-Nothing? A fucking changeling castle." Your intense words make you take a bold step towards Celestia as you raise your hoof to her, "Why is that Celestia?! And HOW did you not notice Discord's statue gone huh! How could you have missed that?"
Celestia is just silent as the multicolored maned mare just waits for your built up frustration and fear to run your energy to talk down.
...Of course her silence only fuels your anger towards her as you continue, "Maybe if you actually did something Discord would not have the Element's of Harmony-.."
"But he does." Celestia's tone breaks your words as she responds, "With the Elements in his control all ponies touched by it's magic could be killed if he is struck down before the bound between him and the crown has been severed...Until the crown is removed I can not do anything."
You nod your head with a smile as you stop your hoof to the ground, "Of course you can't-.."
"And neither can you." Celestia holds her head up high as she bares her hard stare down to you, "If you were to strike him down now, not only would you kill yourself but you would harm Twilight her friends and all ponies who the Element of Harmony's magic has touched and affected."
The words bring a silence to you as your heart skips a beat.
Celestia capitalizes on your lack of voice as she shells out her last comment, "I have to believe my sister can do something...O-or I have to believe your daughter can do something. And until this field of magic is put down I can not see when Discord has removed the crown."
To the words Cadence speaks up as she tries to quell the crying foal in her hold, "C-couldn't we overload the bubble's spell? All protection spells have a limit."
You swing your head between the two alicorns as Celestia blinks to the words, "It's possible that we might be able to overload it...At least then Discord would not be hidden...But." She turns to you as she continues, "I had thought of this but pushed it aside with the knowledge of you and Twilight still in Ponyville. But with you here you might be able to overload the crown for a moment."
The words bring a mixed emotion to you as you perk your head up, "Why me?" It's not that you are against the idea but your annoyance to Celestia's lack of action still holds your defiance to the mare's request.
"You were the last pony to charge the Elements, you should be able to break the spell...But..." Her head turns back to the dome of magic for a moment as she speaks up, "But there's no way of knowing how powerful Discord has made this spell...And if he recast the spell while you try to break it the extra magic from the crown could recognize your magic and intern drain you."
A slight chuckle rolls from your mouth as you shake your head, "S-so a suicide all or nothing?" You shake a little to the idea as you wait for Celestia's words.
But she only nods her head.
Your silent for a moment as you just listen to the sound of your breathing, but you turn to the light orange pegasus beside you as you speak up, "D-dose Discord know who Violet is?"
Sparky blinks to the words for a moment before he nods his head, "Ya."
You close your eyes to the thought as your mind races both with the desire to return to Ponyville and the cold hard reality of knowing that Violet is right now trapped with Discord. Your eyes open to a half closed stare as you take a step forward, note to self, try to think of something something badass say.
A dumb laugh comes to your mind as you bite to your bottom lip as the anxiety to your idea sinks in. It's been four years in this world, you can't even remember the life you left and the only family you know is the one you've made...A slight tear starts to build to your eyes as you take up a stance and begin to build up your magic. The only family you know is the one you've made, you lick your lips to the words about to leave your mouth as your mind runs through one last thought, I promised you I would always keep you safe...Your voice stays quite as your mind holds to your thoughts.
The swirl of magic that has built around Violet has encased her in an opaque field of dark green almost black bubbly magic; and for the last few minutes the light purple mare's figure has been completely absent from sight.
For the most part Discord's stare has been left with just a slight confusion to the magic. However his stare quickly changes as the chime of the magic begins to fade and the encasement of dark green turns to a smog cloud like look.
From the center of the growing cloud made figure two bright green and reddish orange eyes start to form.
For a moment the foreboding cloudy mist covers where Violet once stood, reaching almost all the way to the top of Discord's dome. But the cloud's rise doesn't continue for long, instead it quickly recedes with a rush of wind as a dark strong standing unicorn is left standing where Violet once stood.
Sombra's eyes stay pinned to where Discord is as the light purple wisp from his eyes gets a little darker. The stallion's horn still holds a dark greenish black glow to the tip of his long reddish horn as the Crystal Heart floats beside him.
The sound a paw on claw clasp comes ringing through the area as Discord nods his head excitedly, "Bravo, bravo...You really had a good sentence." He snaps his claw as a score card pops to his hold, "Ten out of ten."
Luna's teal eyes hold to the dark stallion that stands next to her as she slowly starts to bring herself up not knowing how to react to what she's just witnessed, "V-Violet Sparkles?"
The name doesn't turn Sombra's head as he just looks over the mismatched being in front of him that now speaks up to Luna's question.
"Yes, yes that is Violet...Somewhere in there." The sound of his claw comes back as the score card poofs from his hold and his claw goes up to stroke to his goatee, "Like I said before...You choose well Sombra." He gives another nod as he continues, "Alright...Time to get this rolling a lot of things we still need to do my kin-..."'
"Did you know she was alive?" The deep echo springs from Sombra's chiming horn as he stares to Discord.
"Hmm..." Discord pulls and twist to the strands of hair on his chin as he thinks, "Oh I know...Lets pick names out of a hat." A silly smile comes over Discord's head as his claw starts to glow, but before he can roll through a simple snap of his claw Sombra's voice rings around the room, halting any movement with it's intensely magical chime.
"I demand an answer to my question."
The loud chime of Sombra's voice breaks the smile over Discord's face as he cocks his head and changes his jokey tone to a more sincerely low banter, a perfectly faked feel of competition comes over Discord as he holds his mismatched hands to his chest, "Sombra, you know I would not lie to you...The mare that Celestia has put here in the Crystal empire is nopony special, your Queen can still be brought back." His claw extends as he holds a smile, "Just give me the Heart, and I shall reunite her with you, my king." His smile pokes his sharped curved tooth from his mouth as he waits for Sombra's response.
But before Sombra's echo can come back the dome around them starts to pulse as a wave of purple green magic comes to it.
Discord quickly looks around his encasement as he sets his eyes to the silent scene he's ignored outside of the dome, "Oh...It seems the changelings were not as effective as I thought." As his words end his eyes turn dark as a new found smile runs across his face, "Well if you want something done right."
The crown atop Discord's head starts to glow a bright orange as he stares out of the dome, but the build up of his magic is only for a moment as a bolt of magic runs past his face.
Discord's eyes turn to the dark blue mare who's horn now fades from the magic she's just expelled, "We will not allow you to harm-..."
A laugh rings from Discord's figure as he shakes his head, "Honestly, Princess come up with something better to say, it's repetitive....But I see you are ready for round tw-...AH!!" His words are cut off as another bolt bashes into his figure.
However it wasn't the dark blue mare's horn that sent this bolt as Discord cradles his arms around himself for a moment as he grunts with a little bit of pain, but the sounds of his pain turns to laughs as he looks up to Sombra's hard stance, "Ha-ha! Y-you just made a big mistake."
"NO, the only mistake I have made is allowing myself to bow to others. Allowing myself to believe in lies!" Sombra's face takes on no change in emotion as he tilts his head down a little.
The flexing of the dome of magic continues around Discord, but his mind has now changeed priorities as he speaks up, "You insolent mule! Give me the Heart!"
The purple that dances from Sombra's eyes turns dark and begins to wave as his voice goes to a calm low echo, "Your mind has betrayed you Discord...No longer do your lies constrict my abilities, tell me Discord. Why did you need me to bring you the Heart?"
Discord's arms move from where they held around his body as his ears stay pinned to Sombra's continued words, "...If you are so powerful why is it that you have not taken the Heart from me and destroyed it like you said you wished to?" A devious smile comes over Sombra's lips as he cocks an eye to Discord, "Did you ever actually have the power to destroy this item? Are you even able to use your magic on this? And if so why have you not taken it from me yet?" Sombra's mouth opens as his sharpened teeth smile to Discord, "You have no way of destroying this item, you can not even take it unless by hoof...You only wish to take this item and hide it from all those who oppose your word."
A laugh comes from Discord's defeated and angry face as he speaks up, "You have a little bit of dark magic Sombra, Congratulations, and you were able to realize something...Sure it took you over a thousand years to figure out..." His laugh ends as his claw glows, "...But it's going to take a lot more than words."
Sombra's smile holds as his horn's bubble reaches its apex, the bolt of magic that has been building to his body comes out in full as it races towards where Discord stands. The intense black and green magic that rings around the dome from where it made contact with Discord sends the already wobbly dome crashing down as the world's natural light comes pouring into where Discord's magic once was.
You're unable to break your spell from the sudden collapse of magic as your hit with the ricochet and sent a little back, which flings you hard to your back as the winds knocked out of you. However your eyes stay open to the crystal castle's underbelly that stand above, your breathing may be stressed and your head pounding but your alert all the same...Even if you are unable to move for the moment as your magic still runs around your body.
However everyponies eyes now pin to where Sombra's magic has struck as the look over the dark blue mare that now lays on the ground with a barely visible breathing.
Discord's spell has switched himself with Luna's spot as he now capitalizes on Sombra's confusion, sending a quick low bolt to the dark stallion's side. The bolt of magic from the Crystal Heart from Sombra's magical hold as it clangs to the ground. However before Discord can grab at the stone a pained gallop comes from Sombra as his figure starts to becomes nothing more than a shadowy dark cloud that quickly rushes over to where the Heart lays.
To the dense obscuring cloud of two bright eyes Discord grinds his teeth as he sends another bolt from his claw. No effect comes to Sombra as his cloud just shits to a different spot and parts to the magic, the two bright green eyes squint to Discord almost mocking him as the ground where the Heart once laid now shows to be devoid of Discord's desire.
"Give me the heart!!" The gold crown atop Discord's head now starts to glow as his quick cessation bolts, however as a new stream of magic runs through Sombra the last hole in the cloud begins to fill.
Sombra and Discord's battle continues to rage as the few ponies around where you lay start to take cover behind the nearest pillar that holds the castle above them. You however are not so quick to your hooves as you continue to just lay and pant, but you feel a hoof to your side as Sparky's voice comes to your ears, "You need to move."
You slowly start to bring your body up as you look over the intense magic dual that's going on in front of you, however you're mind blanks as you look over the dark shadow that Discord has his attention to. "Sombra?!"
Just as you make it to your hooves Sparky begins to pull you to the large pillar Spike, Cadence the foal and a few other ponies have taken refuge behind. The light purple dragon has his head buried to his knees from where he sits, but before you can move to comfort him your eyes lock onto the dark mare that still lays on the ground, "Where's Violet?"
Your words don't receive an answer from the ponies around you as their eyes continue to hold to the crown that sits atop Discord's head.
With another loud grunting and slight pant Discord's claw and paw jet another cracking bolt towards Sombra's wall of dark clouds, this time focusing on where the two eyes rest.
This time the bolt of bright orange magic slams to the cloud and it's pushed back as the two eyes close, but they come open again as a large open mostly abstract mouth fitted with sharp teeth comes into view under where the eyes now reappear.
A loud rush of air comes from Sombra's shadow as it begins to rise taller than Discord's figure, the large jagged tooth mouth has now taken up most of the dark fog's outline as it starts to move towards where Discord stands. His eyes pin to the relentless wall in front of him as he flinches his arms up to embrace for impact.
Without hesitation Sombra’s dark wall comes crashing down over Discord's body with the same sound and effects of a wave crashing to a beach as the foggy black smog starts to take up the area where you and everypony else stands.
The sound clanging sound of metal on stone runs to your ears as you watch the now dull crown fall to the ground and slide to where Celestia still stands, but the white mare doesn't flinch her head as she continues to look over where her sister still lays.
As the smoke from the encased Discord only moments ago starts to dissipate the tall mismatched being is left in a defensive curl with his arms covering over his head, from where he must have jet his arms up in instinct. However the moment of fear ends fast as his bright orange and yellow eyes burst open as he feels to his head, "The CROWN!!"
The dark stallion now stands in front of where Discord has jumped up, there's still no emotion to Sombra's face as his horn now glows with a low green hold to the Crystal stone that hovers just beside him.
Discord's breathing almost stops as he looks to the stallion in front of him, but his ears flick to the sound behind him as Celestia's horn takes on a bright gold glow, "It's over Discord."
The seriousness of Celestia's voice pounds to Discord's head as he turns towards her, "Ha ha...C-come on Celestia, you know it was all FUN!" His words heighten as he lunges into a dive towards the gold crown next to her hoof, his tongue hangs almost to the ground and his eyes burn with desire as he extends his arms.
But Discord's mostly unplanned last ditch attempt at regaining his fail safe falls flight as he hits the ground just a claw tip short of his goal, unable to move now as a power magic runs over and encases his body.
The Crystal Heart next to Sombra's body has come up in front of him, but his horn like the heart both hold a bright blue whiteish light as the stream of magic runs to Discords body.
A agonizing scream comes from Discord as he cries out from the magic that now rips to his body, there's no blood but around his figure cracks begin to form and a bright light shines out as he becomes consumed by the growing brightness.
You like everypony else have to avert your eyes and ears from the horrific sight of Discord basically imploding into himself.
But the boom of magic only last for a moment as you turn your eyes back to where Discord once was...Nothing remains.
Celestia's horn has lost it's glow and her mouth hangs a gasped to what she has just witnessed as she looks over the stone floor where Discord was last seen.
To your left the sound of a magical pop comes and you quickly turn your head, the foal in Cadence's hold has changed to a full grown stallion as Shining leans to the pink mare trying to regain his balance.
Celestia's awestruck expression changes as she turns her attention to the dark stallion who still continue to stare down to her.
The exchange of these two ponies only last a moment as Celestia's horn sparks back up. There are no words spoken from anypony as the remaining guard ponies move to the side of Sombra's escape, no pony blocks the exit behind Sombra. But it's not needed as the dark stallion's body continues to remain still, the only movement from the stallion is from the wisp of purple that steam from the corners of his eyes.
Your quick to regain some kind of real balance as you move to better face the remaining evil, Cadence and Shining follow your move as Shining's voice comes up, "Sombra, will you give up the Crystal Heart?" The stallion's words are strong but even you can see the uneasiness to Shining's face as he waits for the emotionless pony’s response.
Truthfully what you just saw has left you to confused to want to talk, but not seeing Violet anywhere still brings a burning thought to your mind to just send a bolt of magic at Sombra. With this thought in your mind you start to build whatever magic you still have left in you.
As your coat begins to glow however Sparky's voice comes up as he almost knocks you to the ground, "No, don't!" Your ability to hold your magic is lost but your saved from falling as the stallion holds you up. You blink to the pegasus's bold rush of you as you now just listen to Sombra's echo that's directed to Shining.
"I believe your mind has still not yet matured foal...Because of this I will not punish you for the folly of asking me a question you all to well know the answer to." Sombra's eyes don't lock to the white stallion for longer than a moment as he turns his gaze to Celestia's glowing horn, "For so long I have waited...Lost in my own mind you have left me." The echo pauses as he closes his eyes for a moment, "I have longed to do what you did to me...To make you feel the same anguish I felt as to what you have kept from me."
Sombra's voice again for a moment as he opens his eyes once more, "But...There is no fighting you. To strike you down now would bring no satisfaction, there would be no victory for me...And I have come to the idea that there never will. Lost in time is my life." An angry stare comes from Sombra as his echo rings up, "Lost in time is all that I have done, perfectly misconstrued by your desires and your belief..." The angry tone slowly comes down as he turns to you and Shining, "I do not expect you to have any idea as to what I am speaking of...The land before them was much different then from where you all stand now, strangely though without my ostracizing and my disparage nothing of what we stand on would be here."
The dark stallion nods his head to his words as he straightens his stance and floats the Crystal Heart directly in front of himself. However as his eyes move to the pink alicorn as he gives a little smile, " Weather it be my own fault or my own guilt, but I know I have placed myself in this place. And Weather my thoughts be correct or not I still must say this if I wish to put an end to my torment...I'm sorry Apatite ."
A deep sorrowful face comes to Sombra's face as his horn starts to glow, and you don't know why but you feel your own sadness to the stallion's words, despite not fully understanding what he's said.
Cadence's mouth hangs as she holds a strangely formed tear to her right eye as she just nods her head to Sombra's stare.
Without hesitation Sombra's magic is snatched up by the Crystal Heart as the same field of blueish white aura starts to overcome the dark stallion's figure, but unlike Discord no scream of pain comes from the stallion and no sticking expression of agony comes out. Instead his figure is just encased in a bright blueish white light, and as it's brightness reaches its apex you like everypony else turns away as you shield your eyes.
The moment of absent view comes to end quick as you turn back to the sound of the Crystal Heart clanging to the ground. However your hooves quickly start up in a gallop as your eyes meet the light purple mare that lays to were Sombra once stood, a few wisp of magic still fall to the ground as you dart your hooves to the young mare with a shaky voice, "Violet! Violet are you ok??"
For a moment there's no movement from her closed eyes, but after a few seconds the young mare's eyes open as a faint and tired out smile parts her lips. You tighten your hug as you sniffle your nose a little.
Celestia follows your trot forwards as she rushes to tend to the dark mare that you just barely can hear the voice to.
However the dark mare is not what you've come here for as you slowly help the young mare up, "Violet...we need to get back to Ponyville ok? We need to get going." You turn your gaze towards the pillar you once stood at as you continue to steady the mare, "Spike?"
The little purple dragon slowly reveals himself from where he stood, but his voice is cut off as the light orange pegasus speaks up, "I can go and get everything..."
You nod your head as you turn your attention back to Violet.
Sparky and Violet both lock eyes for a moment but from where you stand between them the light orange pegasus just is able to bring a soft gazed smile as he swallows his voice back and quickly turns to the castle.
Luna now comes to stand with Celestia's help as the white mare speaks up, "You informed me of Vanhoover correct?"
The name brings a quick nod to your head as you speaks up, not taking even the slightest moment to turn an eye from the light purple mare, "Yes...And you had better do something."
Even though your eyes don't face her Celestia nods her head as she speaks up to one of the guard ponies, "Please bring me the Element of Harmony crown."
"Yes Princess."
As the commotion around you starts to begin you slowly help to start up Violet's hooves as you wait for Sparky to return.
However Shinning comes to you now as he speaks up, "Where is Twilight? Is she safe?"
You nod your head as you speak up, "She's in Ponyville hospital, she went into labor on our way here."
The words bring a little of Violet's strength back as she now starts to move a bit quicker.
Cadence and Shining’s eyes both go wide as the white stallion speaks up, "S-she was alright when you left right?"
Again you just nod your head as you speak up,that's why we need to get back; as your words end Sparky comes back out from the castle with a few heavy bags around him. To the light orange stallion's sight you speak up as you begin to lead the trot, "Lets go home..."
The cold fall air has a nip of winter to it as it runs through your coat, chill of the world is both annoying and awaking as you continue to trot down the dirt path from the library.
The world is dark and the moon has not yet risen even slightly to the world, which only makes your tired mind crave sleep even more. You have no idea what time it is and you really do feel as though the train back was a longer ride.
Violet and Spike both hold to your sides as you all continue your journey that had left the library a little while ago. Really you didn't want to stop at the house before you got the the hospital but you could tell Violet was just as beat as you were, and there would had been no way for Spike to carry everything...Still the idea of having the pegasus that has continued to follow your little group carry everything did kind of cross your mind.
The thoughts to your mind seize for the moment as the outline of the hospital comes into sight through the murky dark world's light.
A deep breath comes up from you as you start your trot up a little more, your new set pace becomes the groups movements as you begin to near the building nearer and nearer.
"Violet, Spike...Don't tell Twilight about what happened." You give a little smile as you turn your head to her, "...We can tell her tomorrow or something ok?"
The light purple mare nods her head as her eyes continue to focus on the bright glass doors of the hospital that have come to hooves reach.
Your the first to take a hoof inside as the warm embrace of the building comes over to your body, however as the heavy smells of disinfectant and just all around doctor odors come to your nose you begin to become a little anxious and nervous.
Violet, Spike and Sparky move to one side as the young ponies and dragon wait for you to do most of the talking.
The waiting room is empty, which is no real surprise seeing as how Ponyville is such a small town and it being so late...You waste no time as you trot yourself over to the pink coated mare with light pink and white mane that cradles around the red cross nurse cap, "W-what room is Twilight Sparkle in?"
You take a deep breath again as the mare blinks to you and begins to think, "Mrs.Sparkles...OH." Her eyes widen again as a brief smile comes over her face. The simple grin sends a wave of relief to your body as you listen hard to her on coming words, "...That foal must have been waiting for you, please follow me...We took the foal to Twilight after she was better rested."
Without hesitation the mare moves from behind the desk as she starts to beckon you to follow after her, but you freeze to the mare's quick trot as you begin to think. Really you feel as though you should have been more prepared for this day, but all the events that have lead you to where you now stand today begin to weigh onto you...And the worst part about it is the regret you now feel.
Your trot slowly comes up as Violet, Sparky and Spike trail after you, your silent as your mind continues to race...Everything today has just been a cold hard reminder of how cruel and unpredictable this world really is, and now you and Twilight have just brought another little filly or a colt into it.
Each closed or open hospital room you pass continues to build to your mind as you follow after the mare to what looks like one of the last rooms on the left.
"Here we are." The mare stops as she holds her hoof to the door awaiting you to open it and go inside.
You nod to her words as a forced smile comes to your face...Your heart pounds and your body shakes as you put your hoof to the door and begin to crack it open.
As the door opens to the room your eyes lock to the purple mare that sits her upper body from the hospital bed's dull white covers. To the sound of the door her eyes have come up as she looks the few ponies standing in it over.
Twilight's soft purple eyes are a little teary, but there's no sorrow to her face as she gives a little smile to you.
You pause for a moment as you look over the purple blanket that the mare cradled in her front hooves. With a little bit of courage you trot closer.
However your trot closer brings Twilight's voice up as she watches you, "Y-...you should have heard your sons first cry.."
Your emotion builds to your voice as a chuckle rolls from your mouth, "Ya..."
Twilight slowly moves her front hooves with the small colt bundle up a little towards you as you take your first steps towards where Twilight sits up in the bed.
Your now watery eyes look over the beautiful hornless little colt as you just study him. His coat has just about the same color as yours only a little darker, and his mane has the same shade as your own. But the thing that strikes you a little off are the two pinkish button eyes that stare up to you.
Another light chuckle rolls from you as you poke your head a little closer to him, "...Hey..." The words that steam from your hot breathed mouth are so simple and dumbly executed that you can't help from laughing again as the little colt blinks his eyes to your words.
Twilight gives a little giggle to the colt's reaction as she turns her gaze to the light purple mare still at the doorway, "Violet...Would you like to meet your baby brother?"
To the words Violet nods her head as she comes to stand next to you.
The colt's eyes shift a little to the new pony as the colt's bright eyes stare to Violet.
"Aerolight, can you say hello to your big sister?" Another tired out giggle comes from Twilight as she just stares to the small dark creamish colored colt in her hold.
A faint and quite yawn comes from the tiny colt as it starts to close it's button eyes to the world.
You hold your smile to it as your previous thoughts just mix into one as you bend your head to kiss Twilight's head.
The nurse mare takes a step inside as she speaks up, "Now everything should be okay for tomorrow, but until then I think we should all just give these ponies a little rest."
She holds a smile to you and Violet as she waits for you two to move from the bedside, with a nod you take a step from Twilight as you speak up to her, "We'll be back in the morning Twilight."
A slight nod comes from her but her attention now comes full to the little colt as you and Violet slowly trot towards the door. You hold your trot to the young mare as you bump into her a little, your voice still has a little emotion to it but you're able to bring it out as you trot into the hall, "No longer the little filly huh?"
Violet gives you a sweet smile as you hold your loving stare to the young mare.
"It's a boy right?!" Spike's childish voice comes up as he and Sparky start to trot after you and Violet.
To his words you speak up as you nod your head with a little laugh, "Yes...yes he is."
A happy laugh comes from Spike as your little group starts to quickly near the exit of the hospital.
As the cool air comes to your coat you stop a little as you just take a deep breath. However to the paused trot the mostly silent pegasus speaks up as he starts to flex his wings out, "I uh...I should head home."
You turn your head to him as you nod your head, "Alright Sparky..."
The stallion's words bring Violet's hooves into a quick motion, however she doesn't say a word as she just turns to embrace her friend with a hug.
Sparky blinks a little to the sudden mare's motion as his gaze slightly turns to you with a faint sense of fear. But you just ignore the stallion's eyes as you begin to replay a little bit of your day to your mind, Violet's hug to her friend ends quick as she gives a little smile and hooves out her goodbye.
"Night Violet..." Sparky's wings come up as he gets ready to take himself into the cooled down air, but he halts his flaps as you move a little next to Violet as you speak up, "Thanks for knocking into me earlier."
A light smile comes to the pegasus's face as he nods his head to your comment.
Without another moment he takes himself from the ground as he starts to bring his flight up and into the air. As the young stallion's wings carry him away you turn your attention back to Violet as you start your trot up again, "So..." You shake your head to your question as you try to think it out, "...So what happened in Canterlot?"
The early morning sun has come up and slightly burnt off the cool air of last night, you were not truly able to get the best nights sleep and your body has a strange tightness to it. But you have woken up with a new found energy that carried you to and now from the hospital.
There was no real need for Spike or Violet to come with you, not really like you could have woken up the young mare anyways. But all and all you and Twilight's venture back home is a little bit more special, and you were able to clear your mind a little more from your solo trot to the hospital.
However it's end quickly comes into view as you start up a little bit of your magic to the door of the library as you hold it open for Twilight and the wrapped up foal she has in her hold.
You follow after her as you close the door behind you.
"Oh...I see you got everything ready." Twilight's trot turns towards the high chair you've moved to the table as you speak up with a little laugh, "Yep."
The lavender mare's tired out voice from yesterday does slightly hold over her, but her tone has a more prominent motherly feel of bosses as she speaks up, "The nurse said to try feeding when we got home...After that we'll see if we can get you a little nap hmm?" Her voice quickly changes to a baby like tone as her horn sparks up to a low purple that starts to unravel the purple blanket.
Twilight's slow setting of the little foal comes down to the high chair as his bottom legs come to poke just a little from the small table his front hooves no rest on.
You hold your eyes to the little colt as you watch his button eyes slowly looking around the new room Twilight has just placed him in.
However his curious eyes lock to Twilight's voice as an expertly executed baby like tone comes out, "Your home now..." A smile comes to Twilight's face as she just stares to the colt's button eyes.
To the mare's happy face Aerolight gives a wide baby like smile as a low baby like squeal runs from his open mouth, "Haa..."
The colt's word less happy sound brings a smile to your face as you just watch the little dark cream coated foal. But your ears bring a different sound as you turn to the young sleepy eyed mare that now comes down the stairs.
However your stare of the mare doesn't last long as you watch a quick scaly purple dragon dart and jump from stair to stair to get in front of her, "Oh your back, a few letters came this morning Twilight."
The lavender mare halts her trot into the kitchen for a moment as she turns to Spike, "What? Who from?"
Spike's quick pace brings him down the stairs with Violet trailing a little behind the purple dragon as he holds out a few folded letters towards Twilight.
The low chime of her magic comes over the few pieces of paper as she reads the first out loud. Really you don't pay too much attention to it though as you hold your eyes to the small foal, you know there's no likelihood of the less then one day old little colt jumping from the highchair...But no sense in taking a chance.
"Dear Twilight, please send a letter whenever you're free. Me and Cadence want to make sure your ok. I hope this letter reaches you soon, Shinning." Twilight nods her head as she floats it back to Spike, "I'll send Shining and Cadence a letter along with my parents after we get situated.
The next two letters don't have the blueish tint like the other as they come to float in front of Twilight with her low purple glow, she studies the letter for a moment as Twilight's tone takes on a more serious tone. "It's a letter from Celestia."
You move your eyes to Twilight for a moment as you speak up, "Oh ya?"
"It says they didn't find any changelings in Vanhoover, i-it says they didn't even find anypony there at all!" Twilight shakes her head to her own words as she continues, "How could she not have found anypony?"
The comment brings an uneasy feel to your mind but you hold it down as you wave your hoof to her, "I'm sure Celestia's not just going to stop looking after one day." You hold the thought as you think if over, or at least she had better not.
A sigh comes from Twilight as she turns her head back to the letter as she reads a little further, "...I've stationed one of my most trusted captain of the guards in Vanhoover's castle to continue the search and to provide a stable mind for the residents of the city until I can decide upon a permanent head for the city. I thank you both for what you've brought to my attention. And I stress that you need not worry about this..." Twilight squints to the rest of the letter as she looks up to you and then quickly to Violet, "What does she mean thank you for all you did in the Crystal Empire??"
You quickly move your magic to the letter as you float it from her and place it to the table, "No idea..." Twilight's hold over the other letter doesn't come undone though as she brings it up to her face and begins to read, "Dear students of the Unicorn school, because of recent events your first year has been cut short. We understand this is an inconvenience for you. But if you are reading this letter then we are pleased to say you have past your first year, and will be attending second year class when the school reconvenes. Sincerely Princess Luna, the new head of Canterlot’s Unicorn school."
Twilight's tone changes as she turns her eyes back to Violet, "T-that's great!"
Great? You hold a faked smile as you move a little closer to Twilight and begin to take the letter away from her, "Ya...Great." You hold the smile as you make a mental note to talk about what happened in the Crystal Empire.
However Twilight's embrace to the light purple mare doesn't come up as the low sound of a cry starts to run from the high chair you all stand near.
The sound quickly sparks a fatherly reaction as you look back to the little colt, but your hooves like Twilight have already started up towards the kitchen as you both simultaneously speak up, "I'll get the bottle."
Violet watches you two move from the room for a moment as she trots herself towards the letter Twilight just quickly floated to the table, her still sleepy eyes hold to the letter as she studies it for herself. But her stare doesn't hold for long as she turns her gaze to the now quite colt, who's button eyed gaze almost burns a hole to her turned head. A faint smile comes to Violet's face as she looks over the little foal, for a moment the little colt copies the smile but the bubble of baby drool kind of ruins the happy little colt's mouth slightly ruins his attempt.
Violet squints to the drool a little as her horn starts up to the blue towel you have set out on the table before you left. The light purple mare's magic slowly floats the towel to the foal's mouth as she gives it a quick wipe. As the towel floats from the colt's now closed baby confused mouth the sounds of Twilight and your hooves start to turn the quiet morning library into a bustling start as your new way of life begins to take hold to the house.
- - - (Somewhere in Equestria)
The sound of a crackling fire holds to the world outside as the white mare with a slight burnt scar on her left side continues to hold her eyes shut. The mare's combed pink mane lays to one side with a slight regal curl, however the perfectly set mane shifts a little as the sound of hooves comes to the mare's ears her eyes open and she looks to the area around her.
The dark stone walls that just barely dance to light from the few large flamed touches that sit to either side of the mare's throne give the the old castle's walls a desolate and cooled feel. There's no regal red carpet that the white stallion that continues to trot closer up towards the mare's throne and there's no carved wood arches that led up to a neatly kept room that sit above and around the old castle's room.
"Your majesty..." The strange voiced stallion takes a right front kneeling bow as he pauses for a moment, but his voice comes back as she looks to the pink maned mare, "Discord did not lie, we now know the location."
The Countess nods her head as she holds her green eyes to the stallion, "Good." The mare's words pause as she looks around the old castle's room, "...But I believe we deserve better accommodations."
Her hooves slowly come from the throne's cushion as they set to the barren and dusty stone floor as she begins to trot to the doors the stallion just came in thought. The stallion follows after her as his coat's bright whiteness and blonde maned color starts to become the normal sleek black and greenish blue mane, "Yes Queen."
The words bring a nod from the mare as she brings her trot to the door as she starts to look up towards the ceiling, "Equestria now knows that the Changelings remain...I think it's time we stop squandering in the shadows of Canterlot’s reach."
A nod comes from the changeling stallion as his new bug eyes turn to the green glowing roof, the thousands of slimy green slightly transparent pods that hang to the ceiling brings a unique glow to the large room that sits before them.
The deep green glow holds the mare's white face as a smile comes over her, "Rest well..."
