> The Legend of Alicorns
>  by Amereep
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Chapter 1
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------



Misteria 01

I've just finished setting up camp and now currently writing within the safety of my tent.  All of my equipment is ready, but the only thing missing now is the subject itself, the Misteria flower.  Researchers before me have noted that it only blooms late in the night within the forest near Canterlot, estimated around 5am, thus seems like a perfect job for Owlowiscious to assist me with.  The flower is said to glow a light blue during that time, so finding the flower can't be that hard for an owl to spot.

It's early in the night so I'll be turning in for now.



I release my magical hold on the quill and review my log entry.  Feeling confident, I smile at how well things were starting before re-adjusting my nightcap for the nap I'm about to embark on.  It came with the blanket that I bought for this occasion, but couldn't they have at least given me something that wasn't the color green?  I feel like I'll sink into the grass when I fall asleep.

Still, I shouldn't focus on my appearance and just take this opportunity to get some sleep; even if I'm excited enough to stay up all night.

With the stretch of my legs, I begin to get comfy and lower the light of the 'illumination' spell that I cast from my horn.  Owlowiscious will get me if he finds anything.

"Whooo! WHO!"

Pausing, I question my hearing.

"WHOOOOO!"

Calling me?  So soon???

"Who WHOOO!"

Taking my blanket and wrapping it around me, I exit my tent into the cold dark air.  I light up my horn brighter to see what the agitated owl wants.  He was flapping his wings in the air, looking at me with expectancy.

"Who who WHO!"

No way.  He couldn't have found the Misteria flower already?  He flew off for me to follow him before I could ask.  Lighting up my horn for my vision to see, I follow in anticipation at what he may have found.  I gallop through the forest, my night cap and blanket is flapping in the air with the chase.

My eyes never left from Owlowiscious, but they begin to drift to the soft glow forming in the distance.  It's a light blue glow that illuminates the destination my assistant is taking me.  My skin tingles with excitement at finding the flower, slowing down as I approach it, I'm baffled at what I'm seeing.  The current subject I'm viewing isn't organic at all; it's a glowing mineral, or to be more precise, a giant illuminating rock about the size of a house.  It has a flat surface with various symbols glowing that depicts an unknown language as well among a few images to boot.  In fact, taking a few steps back from it, the markings appear to be made within an image of a gear.

Was this here before?  A glowing boulder?  I studied up on this forest before camping here and didn't read anything about this.  This isn't the Everfree Forest I'm in, many ponies have camped here before and never stated something like this being here.

I walk up to it cautiously, beginning to analyse this new test subject.  I begin with trying to decipher the chiseled language and place a hoof under the character.  A reaction occurs with the flat surface vanishing and leaving me to fall forward.  I quickly paced back and found myself staring into a white tunnel that has gears turning along the path into nothingness.

My eyes must be playing tricks on me.  A room that's bigger than the space it's encased in is not possible, unless...... this is a portal!!!  Possibilities of what lies beyond this gateway begin to thrill me with questions.  What are ponies like there?  What discoveries have they made?  What technology have they advanced in?  What kinds of magic have they mastered?

"Who?"

Owlowiscious broke my train of thought with a concerning tone.  He was right about being cautious, but this sudden discovery has gotten me quite excited.  This isn't the Misteria flower I was hoping to find, but a completely new discovery for ponies to study.  It might be the spur of the moment, but I'm starting to feel a bit bolder at finding out what's on the other side.  "Stay here," I replied back to him, "I'm just going to check what's on the other side."  The flower will take awhile before it blooms, I'll investigate this till then.  I start treading through the portal with caution.





Time went by for what seemed like minutes. but my efforts to reach the other end of the tunnel is met.  Viewing the surroundings though, the reward that's there is really underwhelming.  I was hoping for something a bit more extravagant like bizarre vehicles or even unrecognizable environments; sadly, its shortcomings are anywhere but.

Standing on some warm grass, I'm in a forest no different from the one I just left from.  Trees are standing strong, a soft breeze can be heard, but the only difference between the last forest and this one is that the sun is out.  I channel down the illumination spell, wondering maybe that gateway didn't take me anywhere at all?  But that does raise the question why the sun is out.  Walking through there didn't take that lo-

My train-of-thought suddenly crashes as I look back at the way I came from and see something unsettling.

The stone isn't glowing and the portal is gone.

I begin feeling hysterical at the sudden change and start pushing on the stone to try and squeeze into the tunnel again, but it didn't work.  The surface of the mineral is solid just like any other rock should be.  I'm starting to feel like I've just made a big mistake, but I quickly push that thought aside; I must be back home, nothing tells me I'm in another world, and the proof of my nocturnal assistant will confirm that.

"Owlowiscious?" I called up to the trees, but he didn't appear.

"Ow-lo-wi-scious?" He should be waiting for me up there.... right?

"Owlo-" I pause as something caught my eye, something that shouldn't be out right now.  My eyes widen at the moon floating in the sky.  My vision shifts between the two spheres with concern.  Why are both of them out again?  Did something happen to the princesses?  Perhaps they need my help?

Now isn't the time for studying a flower or a roundabout wormhole rock.  My princess duties must be resolved.

I gallop yelling back to Owlowiscious about returning home, hopefully he heard it.  Feelings of guilt arose in me for leaving without finding Owlowiscious, but I know he could take care of himself.  My main concern now should be seeing to it that the ponies in Canterlot are not panicking.





There's a first time for everything though.

When arriving into town, everypony was trotting around town and doing their business like they naturally would.  They don't seem worried about the sun and moon being out; they aren't even charging at me with questions like they did last time.

Everypony's tolerant about the sun and moon?  Did that portal really take me nowhere?  Maybe this really is another dimension?  Reviewing the area does seem to make that question true, as the town seems to be lacking in luster since the last I remember.  The paved streets have stones in them that made up for a flat surface, you can see the bricks of the buildings along the road, but the biggest difference has to be its inhabitants.  Many, if not all, are wearing vials, baggy pants, and dresses that fully cover their hind legs.  I know trends are very popular here in Canterlot, but those attires are so..... démodé.

Was there a sudden change in popular trends as of late?  Fashion was never one of my strong suits, but I can't help to think of what Rarity would have to say about this.

"Remember, the difference between style and fashion is quality."

My ears perk up to a familiar voice that reads my mind aloud.  Comfort soon begins to overcome me as I spot a welcoming face of the pony I was just thinking about at the doorway to a store.  There's Rarity, wearing one of her dresses and waving good-by to another satisfied customer leaving from what must be her store.

"So if you want quality work, you'll know where to find me!" she said before returning back inside.

It's refreshing to see a familiar face.  Not only does it leave a sense that I'm not far from home, but also a reliable source at finding out on what's happening around here.  With a relieving breath, I walk up to the store.

Pushing the door open, a jingle is heard coming from a bell and Rarity chimes in singing "I'll be with you in a minute."  The interior of the store seems old fashion, really unfitting for a pony staying on the latest trend.  The floor is made of wooden boards, the walls are pale white and the clothing on display are either on hooks or hangers, leaving no dummy models to display them.  As for the dresses themselves, they're definitely unique from what the ponies are wearing outside, but they seem like something my grandma would wear.

Rarity enters in from the back room "Thank you for choosing Glory's Passion for all of your fashion needs.  How may I... BY WINDIGOS' CHILL!!!"  She zips up to me and begins looking over my apparel, "How can you think of walking around like this?  It makes you look like you're ready for bed."

Way to win your customers Rarity.

Clopping her hoofs, "Come, I'll find a dress worthy for a young Unicorn such as yourself." she begins pushing me deeper into her shop.

"Wait, Rari- wha!"  I couldn't even get two words in before she pulled me behind dressing shades.

"Oh you don't need to worry how rare the dress is." she says while evaluating my size with a measuring tape.  "All of these dresses are originally made to be unique by, moi." she pulls off my blanket, "You can find the start of a new fashion sta...." and stops speaking and measuring it all together.  She's contemplating on something and, judging by her gaze, it's something to do with my wings  "Wha..." she begins before locking her eyes on mine in a confused expression, "What are you?"

I begin taking a few steps back, it feels as though she's about to kick me out of the store.

"Forgive me dear," she apologizes looking ashamed, "That was awfully rude of me.  I just..." her eyes are back on my unique feature, "never seen a unicorn with wings before."

Never seen one?  Rarity has seen my wings a bunch of time.  Unless... "Are you Rarity?"

She shakes her head, "My name is Glory."

You're kidding me!  She's a dead ringer to Rarity in every way.  She has white fur, purple curls, even the blue eyes; but now that I look at her closer, she does seem a bit taller, a little thinner and her ears are longer and narrower.  "That can't be right, what about the Princess?  She has wings."

Glory looks at me with that same expression she showed moments ago, "Princess Platinum doesn't have wings."

"Platinum?  The same Platinum that united the pony tribes into one nation?"

"Yes the same one that wrote the treaty a few months ago."

What...

"And to correct you, she only agreed to share the land, nothing about joining nations."

My blood suddenly turns to ice from the realization.  I'm not back in my world nor did I go to another dimension.

I traveled back in time.
> Chapter 2
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Since becoming an alicorn, I've had my share of hassles with owning wings.  I've had trouble controlling them, flying with them, and even preening them.  Throughout all of the troubles I've had with them, I never considered them to be a curse.  Over the course of the last hour though, I began to think differently about my wings.  Not only does it seem that society views a unicorn having wings to be a deformed outcast, but having to keep your wings underneath your clothing can give you really terrible itches. 

"Are you sure I have to wear this?"

"I really think you should, deary." Glory answers who I'm more than certain is Rarity's ancestor.  "Unicorns around here have a deep dislike towards other ponies and I doubt a charming......... Unipeg such as yourself will be accepted so easily.  They're hostility is restrained enough that they won't act upon their emotions, but they do have a cold stare towards others."  I gave an uneasy look at her, and she reads my thoughts, "I'm a business mare, dear.  A customer is a customer no matter the appearance.  Besides, this meeting has been quite beneficial for me.  An up-close model of a pony with wings can help me get the upper-hoof on my competition.  I could sell Pegasi dresses that no Unicorn could make.  Although, I doubt any Pegasi would buy a dress from a Unicorn.  Maybe an alias?" she wonders aloud.

I scratch my wings again through my new clothes, or perhaps I should say my restitched clothes.  An hour ago, Glory insisted that I needed to hide my wings and suggested on making a tunic.  Being short on material, I let her use my green blanket to make a green tunic for me to wear, really wish she did something about my night cap though.  She definitely never made clothing for a Pegasus as she had to rework on the wings a few times; ultimately, leaving some patches that blends in with the suit.  It was free, but my wings are pinned against me from this garment and it just won't stop bothering me.  "Going back to what you said earlier about Princess Platinum," I try getting my mind off the irritation in my wings with a question, "you said she's sharing the land?"

"Yes, her, Chancellor Puddinghead, and Commander Hurricane all signed a treaty declaring that they will all share this land together in order to stop the fighting that kept the Windigos around."

"Then what's with all this unfriendly talk about each race?"

"Old habits die hard, dear.  Many ponies still have their grudges that keep them from accepting one another.  With the treaty signed, ponies have to hold back on their regular tendency so they won't get in trouble with the monarchs"

So not only am I in the past, but the past is different from what's been told to everypony for thousands of years?

I.... I gotta get outta here.  I shouldn't be in the past, it'll only change the present, er, future.  Whatever is happening now will be solved over the years that will follow.

I need to return to my own time.  Let's see, I got here by walking through a portal in a giant stone and with luck, I should be able to return by using it again.  Unfortunately, the stone seems to react in a unique way that won't allow just anypony to use it.  Which means that I'll need to find out what conditions need to be met before it'll allow me to use it.

"Say, Glory," I should start by getting as much information I can about the stone, and sense technology is limited here for me to get a hooves-on approach at studying the mineral, I should try the next best thing, "is there a library nearby?"





Standing at the only source I had at getting information about rocks, I silently cursed myself for not listening to Maud more often than I did.

It's the Unicornia Library, later to be known as the Canterlot Library.  The light on the building cast by the sun gave me comfort that it was a library I knew, but the rays on the structure cast by the moon gave me displeasure that it wasn't the size I remember, and when stepping into the young library, I knew I was in trouble.  Instead of the large rooms with hundreds of stocked shelves with a few dozen amounts of ponies reading, it was just one small room with about fifteen or so amounts of semi-occupied bookshelves guarded by the only pony in the place, the librarian.

Well, if I'm going to find anything, I better ask the expert.  Trotting up to the mare, I begin examining her.  I couldn't get a good look at her face, but she was wearing a tan cloak with her snout buried in a book and had on a saddle brown colored hood separated from her cloak, using rope as laces for it.

"Excuse me," I tried to interrupt her reading, "is there a book on petrology?"

She points a white hoof towards an aisle, not so much as lifting her eyes off the book she was reading.

She could've been a little bit more friendlier, but I march to the pointed aisle anyways.  The passage has quite a selection of the books I was looking for.  Finding a specific mineral will definitely be a challenge to find, so I better get started.

I pick up the first book that looks promising.  Opening it up, I begin reading about one of the aggregates.  'Sirloin.  This delicacy is a tasty treat that many recommend eating at a hot spring' ......did I just pick up a book about food?  I move onto the next book, 'Stone Head.  A rock shaped like a head that is uncommonly found in nature at many obscure places.  Unlike the Spectacle Rock formation, this giant boulder was not made naturally and was sculpted by somepony.  The name of the sculpture that made these is still unknown to this day.'  Artists, never could understand them, but I'm looking for rocks, not sculptures.  I press on and continue searching through the books, there must be something about that rock.





Nothing.  After reading information about Howling Stones, I've reached the end of what I can look through and the only unnatural rock I could find about was one that gossips.  Perhaps there's another way.  Maybe I could travel through time with a spell?  I doubt there will be any though, but it's at least worth a look.

I return to the entrance to find that mare from before.  I begin speaking to her "Sorry to bother you again," she didn't seem to mind though, her eyes were still in that book she had, "but where could I find magic spells?"

She points a hoof in another direction for me to follow, and I question how she gets any visitors with that assistance.

Arriving at an assortment of scrolls, I begin feeling very distraught from finding out that none of the scrolls were labeled for easy convenience.  I pick up the closest one with my magic and begin reading it.  'Chant the following words to make balloons and confetti appear' .........this looks like it doesn't belong here.  I take another scroll, this spell makes it rain by performing some actions?  'A ▼ ▲ A ▼ ▲'!?  What does that mean!?!?  There's one that makes an electric barrier, another that turns you into a fairy.  I cup my face into my hooves, none of these were remotely helpful.  I give another look at the pile of coiled papers in front of me and something stood out.  Brushing the papers aside reveals it to be a book called 'Magic of the Gods'.

Why not, I could really use a miracle right about now.

...........

This book isn't quite that bad.  There's no spells in it, but some solid theories on some unreachable magic.  Controlling colossal masses. Millennium sealing.  Many of these spells do seem possible given that the pony was strong enough.  .....who made this?

I scan the cover and my eyes practically pop out of my head when I read the author's name.

Star Swirl!  He made this!!!  Hmm... maybe there's something on time traveling in here.

I speed-read through the pages, but only resulted with it barely skimming upon the subject by stating that 'they can create time'.  Still, seeing the name Star Swirl does give me another idea.

Returning once more to the entrance with the book in aura, I walk up to 'little miss chatterbox' with another question.  "I hate to interrupt you again," she responds the same as before with keeping her eyes pinned to the book.  Just what was she reading anyways?  .....'Koridai'?  Sounds like a pretty bad book, "but are there any more books made by Star Swirl?"

"No." she sways her head, "He said that he wants to study the world more before writing any more books."

So this is another dead en......... "HE'S ALIVE!!!"

The mare finally looks at me, brushing her flowing pink mane aside revealing a young mare with annoyed magenta eyes, "I know he's old, but that doesn't mean he's going to kick the bucket any time soon."

I can't believe my luck.  Thee Star Swirl.  The most important conjurer of the pre-classical era, is alive!  This is no spell, but a pony that can make the most incredible of feats possible.  If there was anypony that could possibly help me get back to the future, it's him.

The chance of meeting him simply enthralls me.  "Where is he?  May I meet him?  How's my mane look?"

"Away.  Doubt it.  Lose the hat, then you'll be fine."

"Is he going to be back soon?"

She gives me a 'peh' sound, "Knowing his busy schedule, it'll take days or even months before he returns."

"Where can I find him?"

"If you want to see him, it'll be better if you wait for him.  When he's onto something, his inquisitive nature never lets him get sidetrack for anything else," she then returns to her book, "Not even for his students." spoken under her breath.

So I'll have to wait for possibly a few months?  Nuh-uh!  "Please," placing my forehooves together, "I must see him."  She peers over her book, "I need his help on something very important that only he can solve."

The mare raises an eyebrow in a questionable look.  She gazed at me like that for some time until it slowly began to shift.  I couldn't quite grasp her thoughts solely by her eyes, but I'm sensing some mischief coming from that sly look.  "Alright," she finally replies along with the snapping of her book closing, "I'll take you to him."

"You'll.... take me?"

"Yes, I believe you'll be the perfect excu-" she covers her mouth and gives a pathetic sounding cough, "reason for me to see him."

"Why can't you go see him yourself?"

"Because he punished me the last time I neglected my studies without a cause."

"Wait, wait, wait.  We're getting ahead of ourselves.  How do you know him?"

"He's my teacher."

"And he assigned you to study while he's gone?"

"Just like study hall."

"But you're deciding to 'take me to him' as an excuse to avoid studying?"

"A 'reason'."

I'm dealing with one of those students, aren't I?  "I couldn't ask you to do that.  You'd be disobeying your teacher and wouldn't heading toward your teacher be like diving into the lion's den?"

"I've read all of these books from cover to synopsis at least four times," she over exaggerated her frustration by sliding her hooves down her face, "I'm bored and I'll do anything to get outta here.  Besides," she looks away, crossing her forelegs, "I have my reasons."

That doesn't really explain much, and judging by that defensive posture, that will be the only answer I'll get from her.  Just what kind of career is she hoping to get if she skips her studies?  I hate to be the excuse for her, but meeting Star Swirl seems like the only chance I've got at returning to my own time.  "Alright," I  begin saying resentfully.  "Will you please show me to him."

She lit up, "I knew you wouldn't have any problems with this."

Is that how she sees it, or is she trying to push my buttons?  She gathers her stuff and we head outside for her to lock-up.  I might as well get acquainted with the pony I'll be following for awhile, "My name is Twilight Sparkle."

She turns around smiling after locking up the library, "Call me Cici."

Cici?  Was she initializing her name?  I take another look at her overall appearance while reviewing the name.

I wonder.
> Chapter 3
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Keeping secrets is not one of my strong suits.  I guess this comes from having a thirst for knowledge and a helping attitude.  I like to boast about what I've learned to others in order to help them gain some knowledge as well.  This time however, I feel like I need to keep my mouth shut.  Being the only pony here from the future, I know a lot more than any other pony does.  Giving too much information could alter the events of my timeline, and having a mare asking me about my life is really thinning that line.

"What school did you go to?"

A school dedicated to a yet-to-be-crowned princess, so instead I said "I'm home schooled."

"What do you need Master Star Swirl to help you with?"

To help me travel to the future, however, I replied with "A spell formula."

"So what do you do for a living?"

Being a princess, but I decided to pick one of my friends' occupation, "I'm a fashion designer."

She views over my attire, "You don't sell very many designs, do you."

Despite the bombardment of questions about me, I was able to get a bit of information about my guide.  Cici is a unicorn that seems to have quite a sunny personality.  She doesn't seem to take her studies seriously, but guessing off of how she properly titles Star Swirl, she shows a lot of respect for him.

Speaking about Star Swirl, Cici is taking me to the town 'Earth', obviously residing with the Earth pony nation, to meet up with Star Swirl.

"So what kind of name is Twilight?"  She continues with her questions.

"It's my mother's name."

"Doesn't that make it really confusing at home?"

"Not really, the majority of the time she would be called 'mom' or 'dear'."

"You know what, you should probably have a nickname to avoid the issue altogether."

My mother is about two thousand years away from me.  I think we're safe from confusing me with her.

"Oh, I got it!  How about we call you 'Twinkle'."

"I'd prefer to be called Twilight." 

"Would you consider 'Grasshopper'?"

"I'd prefer Twinkle over that."

"Then Twinkle it is."

I'm not going to keep my name with this pony, am I?





Arriving in the farming fields of Earth was something to be considered.  Not a place to visit, but someplace to donate to.  The fields seem to have seen better days as divots can be found everywhere.  Crops are ruined as many of them have been ripped apart and displayed on the ground.  Did a twister come by here recently?  Trailing off the fields, I notice some of the farm ponies.  I began to recall what Glory said to me and I could see what she meant by 'cold stares'.  A lot of Earth ponies are glaring at me and they're not trying to hide their aggression in those gazes.  I'm in their neighborhood now.

"Why would Star Swirl come here?" I whisper to Cici.

"I don't really know," she responds just as quite "He seemed quite settled earlier with his geology book, but he was panicking later stating that he had to get to the Earth kingdom."

"How are we going to find him?"

"I know somepony who might know where he is."

When I look back at the town's ponies, I begin to notice some subtle differences between the Earth ponies of my time and the Earth ponies I'm seeing right now.  They seem more chisel than modern Earth ponies.  They have less fur, seem a bit bulkier, and... are those rocks embedded into their backs?

"Cookie!  Hey Cookie!"  Cici called out.

I broke my concentration to view the pony she was heading to.  She seems no different from the other ponies around here except for that oversized hat, but I can't help but feel that I've met the descended to this mare.  Maybe it's the orange fur, maybe it's the blond mane.

"Well howdy there, Cici." 

Or maybe it's the accent.

"What brings you around here?"  She says with a friendly smile.  She doesn't seem to be viewing us as all of the other ponies are doing, frankly, I don't think she can view anything from inside that hat.  But judging from that eye peering out of that small hole in the fabric, I think she seems to be a very trustworthy pony.

"We're looking for Master Star Swirl.  Have you seen him?"

"Star Swirl did come by here, but he left some time ago."

"Do you know where?"

"I'm afraid I don't," she tugs at her hat "but I'm cert'n that big sister, Pudding, knows."

Big sister, Pudding?

"Oop?"  No more than two seconds did I hear a sound coming from the ground between us.  The dirt begins to rise and suddenly bursts apart to reveal a pony's head from underground, "You called, sister?"

As I'm getting a better look of her as she digs herself out of the ground, I become absolutely certain that I know whose ancestor this is.  That poofy mane, those various tones on the color pink, that bizarre entrance.  No doubt that this is Pinkie Pie's ancestor.  This 'sister' has her eyes focused on Cookie, who now seems to be in a panic state judging by the sudden vigilant jolt she just made.

Cookie gives a sheepish little nudge towards us.  Pudding turns towards me and Cici with a curious look, but that look soon turns into a peevish one.  "Unicorns?" she returns her sites back on the orange mare, "You called me out of my meetings to meet Unicorns?"  She now looks like she's about to take a bite out of Cookie!!!  "I have the right mind to send you to harvest Bomb Flowers for a week, sister!!"

Are we really that big of a deal?  "We just want to know where Star Swirl is." I spoke on Cookie's behalf, uncertain if that would even calm down to this angry tyrant.

"He went that way," she points towards a gigantic cumulonimbus cloud.  She then proceeds by getting closer toward my face "Now beat it, filly." then begins treading away.

"What's got her so grouchy?" Cici gives a comment whisper between me and Cookie.

"What's got me so grouchy?" Pudding stops and turns her gaze towards Cici "WHAT'S GOT ME SO GROUCHY?  Our fields have been destroyed, hungry ponies are starving, and our only source of mineral nourishment is being housed by a gigantic bug-lizard!" she states each problem with a step towards the unicorn till their noses touch, "But...  These are all Earth pony problems and I don't want to add the hassle of dealing with Unicorns to the list, either!" the white mare literally zips backwards from the counselor.

The pink pony straightens up "Sister!" Cookie stands at attention, "I need to get back and see how the crops are doing.  Tend to these mares needs and send them on their way back to their own kind."  She then takes her leave by curling into a ball and begins to roll away.  She may not have that friendly charm that her descendant has, but she certainly has the quirkiness.

I hate to admit it, but after meeting her and the majority of Earth ponies here, there really was nothing learned from Hearth's Warming.  Ponies hating one another simply based upon race.  At least there's some hope with Cookie.  She seems to be relaxing now that Pudding is gone "It's probably best for you guys to leave anyways.  Things could get ugly if somepony decides to take charge."

"Sorry for causing you trouble."  Cici says with sympathy.  "Come on, Twink."

I began turning around, but was slowly coming to a halt.  'I should leave.  Things will be resolved eventually if I don't interfere with the past.'  That's what I keep telling myself, but I feel like I should do something to help them out.  Leaving them like this will only be haunting me for the rest of my journey, but helping them might screw up the timeline.

.........curse my sympathy.

I return my face back to Cookie "Where is that lizard that Pudding mentioned hiding?"

"Over there," she points a hoof to a distant mountain, "why do you ask?"

"I'll get rid of that monstrous creature for you."  I said against my better judgement.

Both Cookie and Cici seem to be taken aback by my offer, "You really going to try and stop that thing?" I gave a brave nod to the earth pony.  "I see, well....." she views me over ".....hold on a sec." she turns her head around and returns it back to my view to see that she has something in her mouth "Ish aneroush oo ho awone!  Ake ish."

I couldn't quite get at what she said, but I think she wants me to take that.  I cast my aura around it and pull it towards me.  Getting a better view of it, it turns out to be a wooden sword.

"You best be careful in there.  Varmints inside wouldn't think twice about striking at ya.  Use that if they give ya any trouble."

It was considerate of her to care about my well being, but why would I need to wield around a stick when I can use magic?  I place it inside the back of my tunic, accidentally tapping my wing against it which resulted with another scratch at it.

"Be rational, Twinkle." Cici tries to dissuade me  "Helping them is nice and all, but whatever is in there is a big threat.  If it's giving a group of farming ponies a problem, what chance would one unicorn have?"

"That's Twilight," I correct her "and I'll be alright."  After all, this isn't the first time this princess protected her ponies.  "Just stay here.  I'll be back in a flash." and I did just that by flashing a teleportation spell to travel to the entrance of the mountain.

Staring into the dark corridors of the cave, I was hearing nothing but echoes of the threat that lies ahead.  They were small sounds like the earth settling and the occasional falling of a rock, but the fact that I could hear practically everything, no less in the dark, is going to be pretty overwhelming.  Viewing the circumference of the entrance, I can only guess how big this monster is.  It gives more than enough room for at least ten ponies to walk side by side.  Taking a nerve settling breath, I lit up my horn to see in the darkness of this cavern and begin my exploration.

The illumination spell was created to allow the individual a small view of vision in small dark places, like walking through your house in the middle of the night.  This cavern, however, is anything but small, so my vision is basically the gravel I tread upon, and when you can hardly see anything, your imagination begins to wonder.  Just what will be the first thing I'll find in here?  A bat, a miner, or maybe that bug-lizard?  Whatever my first obstacle may be, I hope it won't cause too much trouble.  

 



After a few minutes of pacing, I come across the worst possible problem to ever come across.

Choosing to go left or right.

On the left side, there's more tunnels with a smaller corridor than the one I've been walking in, from ten ponies to about three, a standard size for ponies to walk through.  On the right, the tunnel is the same size I've been traveling, but there's a boulder blocking the path.  It seems like an obvious choice, but a simple blast of magic keeps the possibility open.

I keep shaking my head back and forth between my options until it dawned on me that I should take the right.  Pudding did say that it was gigantic, so if it hidden itself in here, it would take the path it could fit in.  Even though it seems unlikely with this rock blocking both my path and common sense.

Summoning my aura together, I shoot a magical bullet to hit the rock..... then the floor.... then the ceiling.... then the walls.... then the rock again.... then nearly my head.  My magic shot had ricocheted off all over the place.  Apparently, these rocks seem to have some kind of property that allow them to repel magic.

How am I going to get by this now?  There's no way I'll be able to push this thing, and I can't really teleport to the other side of the boulder, either.  The teleporting spell I know needs to have an image for me to concentrate on if I want to teleport to that location.  Basically, if I seen it once, then I can return there.  It really pays off to have a photographic memory, but that isn't going to help me out here.

I shake my head in defeat and go down the only other path I can take.

Traveling down the left side was a lot easier on me though.  The smaller passage gave me plenty to see, which is really calming on my nerves.  It allowed me to see everything around me and focus purely on listening for anything to come, and I believe I am indeed hearing something a bit off.  I've been hearing a constant sound that is being made in a rhythmic pattern.  It sounds like something is bashing on the wall, and it appears to be getting louder as I proceed further.  I slowed my pace and proceed lightly towards the sound.

As I approach this sound, an image begins to form from the darkness.  A fur-like biped was bashing the cavern walls with an instrument that I couldn't get a good look at.  The creature stops his attack on the wall and curiously looks behind him for me to see his face, revealing to me that this individual is a Diamond Dog!

This dog seems to have characteristics that resemble that of a Bulldog's, from the drooping flaps of his face, to the teeth showing of his underbite.  He's wearing gauntlets and boots that appear to be made out of leather.  He also has a bit of armor plates on him as there are shoulder guards, a collar, and a cap, all of them bearing spikes to them.

The Diamond Dog turns his bulky body towards me, dragging the hammer he holds along the ground.  "Cave.  Mine.  Leave!!"  It snarls at me.  It seems that the Diamond Dogs of my time have learned a few new words than their ancestors did, which brings up an obvious question that's been unseen from me up till now.  If this is the past, then why isn't everypony speaking in an older dialect?

The dog begins stalking closer to me.  If it's not the glaring eyes he's intimidating me with, then it's the mallet he's holding up.  I take out my wooden sword to point it at him and try my own intimidating tactics "Stop!  Don't make me use this!"  Although, I can't decide if I should use the stick to defend with or to play fetch with.  He charges at me and I grip my magic tighter around the sword.  I take a swing at him and a beam comes shooting out, hitting the dog back.  Frozen at what I did, I'm wondering at what just transpired.  I decide to swing my sword again and another magical energy bullet launches itself at the dog, resulting in him yelping.  I don't know why, but it seems that a bit of my magic gets sent forward every time I swing my sword.

This.  Is.  AMAZING!!!

I have no idea what type of wood they used to make this with, but I feel like I'm unstoppable now that I have an advantage of shooting magic from practically anywhere.

The Diamond Dog didn't seem like he was out just yet, as he continues his approach towards me.  I throw another shot at him, but he blocks it with his hammer.  He's learning from my attacks just as much as I am.  He's holding the hammer in front of him like a shield as he gets closer.

A hammer.... that could be useful, but I need to get it away from him first.

The dog approaches me and I wait for the moment to counter while moving backwards.  Now only a few hooves away, he swings the hammer at me and I keep pulling myself back from every swing.  Swings from above, swings at angles, he just aims wildly.  He swings the mallet at me horizontally towards his center and then I made my move.  I quickly teleport myself back from his attack and shot a bullet at his wrist.  He loses the grip on the hammer and it goes flying left of him.

Realizing he's unarmed, he runs to go pick it back up.  I hastily shot at his path, reacting in him halting his pursuit.  He stares at me, realizing that I've got him at a loss.  I shoot at the ground near his feet until he scampers away yipping.

Now that he's out of the way, I return the sword back into my tunic and went over to take the hammer for my own.  I pick it up with my magic to view at the basic form it has.  It had a silver handle with leather straps at the base and a golden metal head.  With this, I think I'll be able to break through that bolder.

I teleport back to the intersection with the hammer in aura and view the giant boulder that stopped me before.  I take up the mallet and begin bashing at the oversized rock.





I replaced the hammer with my sword and viewed my work.  It took dozens of amounts of swinging, but the boulder finally crumbled apart to reveal a path for me to see on the other side.  I wipe the sweat from my forehead, this hassle took a lot out of me.  I plant myself down on the floor, deciding to rest for a while.

Sitting in silence wasn't that bad as it was before.  It actually felt like a nice place to reflect and think about your actions, which I brooded on.  Is helping these ponies really the right thing to do?  It's definitely the moral thing to do, but is it going to change anything drastic?

I mulled over the idea and started to see a light from the corner of my eye.  This light seemed to have a tint of gold and was a little higher from my eye level.  It seemed to get brighter, looking like it was getting closer to me.  I was about to get up, but I soon saw that this light was coming from a familiar white mare.  She quickly gallops over here and I say "What are you doing here?" to Cici.

She has a panicked expression as she scans me over, "Forget me, why are you on the ground.  Are you hurt?"

"No no," I said, getting back up with sword it aura, "I just needed to rest for a moment."

"That's good," she had a look of relief on her, "so are you done here?"

"No," I began walking towards the once blocked path "I haven't found that bug-lizard yet." 

"Then, I'm coming along."  I froze my steps, startled by her offer.  I looked back and she just responded with a "What?"

"Well to be honest," I continued walking while she followed, "I really thought you would just want to wait outside."

"I just..." she acted a bit hesitant at continuing, "I just don't like the idea of you stopping this thing by yourself."  She looked like she was ashamed at admitting it, "I guess it's a trait you pick up from being an older sister."

"Oh, you have siblings?"

"Yes," she nods with her answer "She's a strong young mare, but I guess I can be a little overprotective of her."

"Well, don't let it bother you.  I have an older brother myself and he can be a little overprotective as well."

"Really?!" She sounded a bit too interested in that info.

There was silence between us for a while before Cici spoke up again.

"So....." she tries to sound casual, "What's you brother like?"

"He's married." I said bluntly, and judging by the cursing that followed, I was right on the mark at what her hidden intentions were. 

Cici suddenly stops her pacing, "Wait."  I look back at her, she seems to have an uncertain look on her face as stares past me.  "There's something there."

I look back, and couldn't see anything.  I tried squinting my eyes to see what's there, but all I could see was just shadows.  Suddenly, something shoots out from down there and it bashes the ceiling between me and Cici.  Whatever that was launched at us suddenly pulled itself back, leaving the roof to collapse.  To avoid being crushed under the debris, I jumped deeper into the cave while Cici jumped back.  Rocks fell between the two of us as I watch my way out slowly closing in a pile of dust and stones.

Did Cici make it?  I ran towards the crumbled path, but a low growl coming from behind me sounded like it didn't want to be ignored.  I quickly turn around and see two red glowing eyes glaring at me.  A blue face was beginning to form as it approaches closer to my illuminating horn.  The beast stomps closer, scraping the ground with its sharp claws as it does.  Red scales were starting to appear, making that blue face to appear more like a mask.  Its entire body seems to be nearly revealed to me, showing a body that is fitting to a horned lizard.  The last part that it reveals is the tail hanging over its back just like a scorpion's, with a spike-ball shape sphere at the end.  It was practically taking up the entire space of the tunnel.  It takes a step forward and I a step back, bumping into the fallen rocks.  It pulls back and lunges its tail forward, nearly hitting me by mere inches before pulling it back.

It has me trapped and I barely have any room to avoid being hit by this thing.  I need to widen the gap!

I swing my sword at it, sending beams towards the giant.  It hits the mask and it bounces off just like the rocks in here.  If that's the case...

Replacing my sword with the hammer and try to hit its mask, but it responded by spewing up fire balls at me before I could.  I form a barrier around me and the flames slide along my shield, disintegrating as it does.  When the flames fizzled, I swung the mallet as hard as I could at the blue surface of the creature's mask.  A loud crumble could be heard, as well as the creature reacting upon my impact.

Now's my chance.  I began repeatedly striking at the mask and cracks are starting to form.  It tries to swipe at my mallet, but it only stops me momentarily before I continue my assault.

With one more strike, the mask breaks apart to reveal its face along with a giant green boil on its forehead.  That mask wasn't being worn just to protect that, was it?  I switched back to my sword and shot a bullet at the spot.  Upon impact, it acted in extreme discomfort and swung its tail at me again.  I dropped to the floor as it flew over and continued swinging at the lizard.  It suddenly began to raise its claws up over its head.  Call me crazy, but I think it's trying to tell me it gives up.  I stopped my assault on it, relieved to see things not turning for the worst for either of us.

The beast winces a smirk and suddenly slaps the claws over the weak spot and spews fire balls for me to shield against.  Why that stinker!

I began resuming striking as before, but my magic shots don't seem to disturb him.  I switched back to the hammer and try striking at his paws, it just keeps on flicking it away with its claws.  It takes another pull back and hurls its tail at me again for me to dive to the side.

Darn that tail!  How I would love to use that to.... hmm.

I thought about it and got back up.  I turned to the side and tapped the mallet on my hind hoof.  I rotated my neck and firmly plant a wide stance.  I tapped the ground with the hammer then wind it behind me.

The beast gives a growling glare at me.  It pulls back and pitches its tail at me.

I swing the hammer just before the tail hit me, sending it screaming up at the ceiling above the monster.  The beast gave its own scream as rocks began falling on top of it, entombing the monster under the debris and dust flying everywhere.

When it began settling, the fading dust revealed a pile of stones where the monster was standing.  Only his claw could be seen under the amount of rock, trying to push itself out, only to unsettle the debris some more for it to cover up the claw that it missed.

Taking a few steps back, I lay against the wall of the cavern to catch my breath from the intense experience.  I never saw such a thing before.  This may be the past and things may look a little bit different from they do from my time, but that thing looked like it came from another world.

When I finally settled down enough, I began to hear something.  It sounded like muffles..... CICI!!!

I focused on listening to the sound, but it's hard to make out.  It's not weak, it's quite lively actually, so I don't think she suffered the same fate as that lizard did.  She must have made it out of the way of the fallen ceiling!

I teleport to the other side to see Cici desperately digging at the fallen debris.  "Twinkle!  What's happening in there?  Why is everything quiet?  Answer me, Twink!!!" Her voice echoes through the cavern.

I was right, I'm not going to keep my name with this pony.

"Twink?  Twink!?  TWIIIIINK!!!"

"TWILIGHT!" I sternly reminded her of my name and making her give a frantic neigh of shock.

Cici kept shifting her head back between me and the fallen rocks  "How did... when did you..."

"I teleported"

"Teleported!" She said in surprise "So outside when you said 'I'll be back in a flash', you also..." I nodded "How did you ever learn such an amazing spell like that?"

"Oh that's nothing special.  Sure it may be a bit advance for novices, but-"

"But nothing!" she interrupted me "This is the first time I've ever heard of a pony being able to teleport."

"I'm sure at least a few ponies know how."

"No, they don't.  Not even Master Star Swirl knows how to teleport."

Really!  I would think a pony of Star Swirl's status would be able to accomplish such a semi-advance spell.  I guess the discovery for teleportation has yet to be found.  "Well..." I try to break the awkward situation "...would you like to experience it?"





We teleported to the entrance of the cave, covering our eyes from the sudden change in lighting.  I guess we've been in there for too long.

Rubbing my eyes to refocus, a sudden thump sound was heard next to me.  Blinking a few times helped me form an image of a pony standing before me, "So you got rid of the bug-lizard for us, huh?  Kinda ironic to make a cave dweller to be buried by the cave itself, don't ya think?"

"Who are..." my vision finally readjust to see a grumpy pink pony finally showing me a friendly smile.

"It's me, Puddinghead!  Well done!" she gives me a pat on my back strong enough to dislocate a shoulder.

"How did you know I stopped it by a cave-in?"

"I know everything that happens on this land," she gives a serious look, "I can sense it."

I have a hard time believing that, but then again, this is Pinkie's ancestor.  I think this is her Pudding sense.

"I'll be honest, I never would've thought unicorns would help us out.  Especially sense, we didn't listen to you in the first place."

"What do you mean?" spoke Cici.

"When Star Swirl came by, he told us we should stop digging at the mountain.  His precise words were 'that mountain holds nothing but death.'  We refused to accept his word and scared him out of here.  Our pride got the better of us for not listening to him."

"So Star Swirl left Unicornia to warn you about this mountain." I spoke aloud.

"Not this mountain," Pudding informed and she motions us to follow her.  We walked behind her for about five minutes before she stops in the middle of the land, "This one."

Cici and I both look at each other with uncertainty.  "Where is the mountain?" Cici spoke on behalf of us.

I focused on Pudding's face.  She has a grim look as she stares at the floor.  I followed her gaze and startled back at the sheer size of the crater before me.

"This is all that's left of the mountain when those things appeared," Pudding said with an uneasy tone.

My eyes traced the rim of the crater, it must be two-hundred hooves in diameter.  I can only imagine just how high this mountain must've been.  Wait!  Did I hear her right?  "Those things?!  You mean there's more!!!"  She nods.

"How did this happen?" asked Cici.

"It happened quite some time ago," she begins telling us.  "We were digging for Rock Mushrooms.  They were in season, so we were frantically digging through the mountains to find them, when suddenly, the mountain began to shake.  We imagined that a cave-in was about to occur, so we high-tailed it out of there.  Some of us weren't so fortunate, but the ones that were, saw the mountain collapse upon itself.  The dust it made was so thick that you couldn't see your own snout, but the only thing that could be seen... were those eyes."

"Red ones?"

"Green ones," she corrects me, "pure pale green eyes as bright as torches were beaming at us through the dust.  I couldn't get a better look at it, but judging from the placement of the eyes, I'd say it was as tall as all three of us put together.  That was all I saw of it before that bug-lizard came screaming out of the dust cloud.  All of us were so preoccupied by it destroying our fields that by the time we looked back for that other creature, it was long gone." 

I looked back at the hole, just what kind of creature can survive a mountain falling on top of them?

"Mares, I like you!"  Pudding broke the foreboding atmosphere, "From now on, you two are my sworn sisters.  It's not much, but please take these as an apology for my earlier outburst and as a token of our friendship."  She pulls out a leather bag for me to take.  I grab it with my magic and open to see the content.  It appears to be silver.  Sharp mineral pieces of silver.

"Thank you," I try to be considerate for the gift.  I say 'try' because caring around all of this stuff is starting to become a hassle for me.  The sword on my back, the bag in my magic, and the hammer in my mouth.  Perhaps I could find something for me to carry all of them in.  I scratch the back of my head as I wondered for a solution and found it right in my hoof.  I removed my hat and placed the silvers and hammer into it.  Of course, it looked like I wouldn't be able to wear it; however, I know a spell that might solve this.  I'll chant a spell created from a pony named Marvin that will shrink the items until they're small enough.  How did that spell go again?  ......ah yes, 'Hockety pockety wockety wack.'  The mallet and silvers begin to shrink smaller and smaller until they would deem suitable for a doll house.  I place them in my cap, then return the cap to my head.

"You're looking for Star Swirl, right sisters?" Pudding addresses both me and Cici, "He went towards the Pegasi kingdom," and points to the gigantic cumulonimbus cloud again.

Judging by this place and the last, that must be called Pegasopolis.

Viewing the large mass of water vapor, I scratch my wings and begin to wonder.  If I'm not allowed to reveal my wings, then how will I get up there?
> Chapter 4
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

When traveling to faraway places, ponies tend to get a bit bored by the lack of entertainment on the road.  They remedy this by doing something to spend the time with.  Some may talk about their lives with other traveling companions, others may decide to play games like 'Who am I' or 'I spy', but as me and Cici walk through a forest brimming with gigantic plants, she decided she would spend the time by singing.

"♪Twenty-six piles of hay in the barn.  Twenty-six piles of hay.♫"

And I want to strangle her.

Is she doing this just to annoy me?  I hate to imagine what Star Swirl has to go through.  Come to think of it, "Hey Cici," she stops her song, turning her head towards me "how did you get to be Star Swirl's pupil?"

"He asked me to."  She simply states.

"That's it?"

"Mm-hmm, he said that he saw something special in me."

Well, it certainly wasn't your singing.

"He has a funny way of showing it though." Her eyes trail off as she remembers, "He never really teaches me very much of anything.  He's always too busy for me and tells me to study until he returns.  Whenever he does return, he has to get going again for another reason.  I ask him if I could come along, but he says stuff like 'You'll learn more if you stay here' or 'It's too dangerous to come along'.  He even said it the last time he left me in that library.  I never get to spend any time with him."

I stare at her as we walk, feeling an empathetic and familiar emotion.

I never would've thought she would actually make a relatable connection to me.  The relationship with her teacher really reminds me of the relationship with my own.  Being a princess, she always was on the move and never really spent much time with me either.  I always did what I was told and studied until she returned, but at times, I wished I could've been with her more.  I think I see why Cici is willing to help me now.  She's hoping to use me as an excuse to get out of her studying and by showing me to him a reason for her to be with her teacher.  I kinda feel as though we're both kindred spirits in this way.

"Now where was I...... oh yes.  ♫Ninety-nine piles of hay in the barn.  Ninety-nine pile o-♪"

"YOU REALLY ARE DOING THIS JUST TO ANNOY ME!!!!!"





After about seventy-eight piles later, we finally passed the edge of the forest and found ourselves standing under the floating city itself, Pegasopolis.  I wish I could say that it was a sight to behold, but looking at the bottom of it from a mile away didn't leave any impression on me.  "So how are we going to get up there?" I asked Cici, giving another scratch at my wings.

"We'll use the 'Treading Lightly' spell," I'm guessing that's the cloud walking spell, "and that."  She points to a hole dug into the ground the size of an elephant.

.....what?  Is something supposed to fly us up there?

I peered inside and there was nothing but a cavern hole that seemed like nature created it, not an animal's doing.  "I'm not follo-" a strong gust of wind suddenly blasts right into my face, launching me a couple of hooves back on the ground.

While I was getting up in a shock-surprised state, Cici was in a laughing-teasing state.  "You really are the type that would stick her nose into things." she says between laughs.

Pushing her mocking aside, it appears that this hole is a geyser that spurts out gusts of wind.  "So you're suggesting that we use this air geyser to reach Pegasopolis."

"Yep," She begins to untie the string around her hood, "we'll parachute ourselves up there." and removes the fabric from her head.

The sunlight on her pink mane kinda makes it look like it's shining now that I look at it more clearly.

Cici grabs onto her hood with her teeth "Shee yo ats ta toph."  The air geyser gives off another blow of air and she runs at it to be flung high into the sky through the clouds in a manner of seconds.
 
I have to do that?  Dear Princess, that looked intense.  

I gulped nervously at this challenge and slowly took my hat off. 

Hmm... I can't use this.  Connecting both ends of the cap would be too small at catching any air into it.  I need to find a different solution.

I planted my hat back on while looking around and found something that might work.  Tracing back, I plucked a giant leaf from the forest I just passed and clamped my teeth on the tip and petiole.  I took a deep breath and when the geyser sends out another gust, I ran into it.  Catching the air in the leaf practically shot me at speeds that made me feel like my teeth would be pulled out.  I couldn't see where I was going, but I did know I was inside a cloud.  My vision became clear once more as I made it out and saw I was in the middle of a colony.  The leaf slowly began to stop elevating and I gently landed on the cushy surface.

Upon touchdown, I collapse upon my temporary new ground and let the leaf blow away.

That sudden rush really made me feel light-headed.

"What took ya so long?" I weakly turned to see Cici, "Come on, let's start looking."  She pushes me up and we begin our search.

The village, if you can call it that, hardly had any structures.  Instead, there are tents scattered everywhere for a couple of ponies to take shelter in.  I would've thought that giving the freedom of flying and the easy working material of clouds would give them an advantage at making a vibrant colony faster than the other nations.  This place looks more like a training camp and the Pegasi help prove that point with their appearance.  All of them seem to be wearing the colors of sienna and tan on their bodies, giving them the impression that they're all in uniform.  My thoughts of this place are further proven by the Pegasi flying by us and giving scrolls to one another followed by solutes.

Just like the earth ponies, the Pegasi also have a strong difference in physical appearance than the ones I'm used to seeing.  Their feathers seem to be untamed as they're not restricted to the wings alone, but their entire body.  The muzzles they have were more smoother and rounder than their descendants, kinda making them look like they have beaks.

"Wait." Cici places a hoof on me, "Watch, you'll love this." and begins to slowly walk towards a direction.  Viewing her approach, she seems to be heading for a yellow mare with a very long pink mane tied up to match her tail.  She wears a simple grayish-black dress with a white scarf and a red caparison across her back.  The mare seems to be focused on a light blue bird with a white belly and face on her hoof, she's not even noticing Cici sneaking up behind her.  The unicorn halts her advance and stands firm.  She take in a big silent breath and-

"Hi, Cici."

Lets out the air she just inhaled with frustration at the pegasi's amused 'nice try' tone.  "How'd you know?"

The pegasus turns holding a perch bird out "Zeffa told me."

The little bird flitters over and lands on the tip of Cici's horn "Killjoy"

A yellow pegasus that can talk to animals.  Hmm...

The unicorn shakes Zeffa off her horn "Anyways, we heard that Master Star Swirl came to Pegasopolis.  Do you know where he is, Pan?"

"I didn't know he came by." Pan said, sounding surprised.

"Really?  But I'm certain a pony such as Master Star Swirl coming by here would've at least made some form of ruckus amongst everypony."

She shyly looks away twirling her mane "Well, I could ask the commander if any reports on Star Swirl came by.  If that's okay with you."





Pan took us to a large cube-like tent with a pointed top and a small porch that led inside.  Entering the dome showed a few pots in the back, some rugs on the floor, and a seated armored pony looking over a desk.  The pony seems to be purely focused on the piece of parchment displayed on the table.  It appeared to be a map of a structure with rooms holding words like supply, cafeteria, and quarters in them, along with a bunch of 'O's pointing to an 'X'.

"E-excuse me, Commander Hurricane." the timid mare said quite enough that it would make a pin drop sound like a blow horn. 

The armored soldier tilts its head up at us, "........care to explain why there are unicorns in my presence, Private."  The commander is wearing full body armor, complete with a helmet that fully covers the face.  The armor has a color scheme that is based around copper, from the bottom of the hooves to the tip of the two horns on the helm.  It kinda made Hurricane appear to be made fully out of metal.

Pan lifts a hoof at us, "This is Cici and... um..."

I never gave her my name before, did I?  "Twi-"

"Twinkle!"  Cici burst in saying.  I gave her an annoyed expression and she replied with a victorious smile.

"They're here asking if there have been any reports about Star Swirl recently."  Pan continued her explanation to the commander.

Hurricane was just staring at the private.

"....the bearded."  Pan added.

Hurricane was still silent.

"....the unicorn." Pan expanded upon.

"You do realize they all look the same, right?" the commander finally responded.

It appears that the books I've read were right about Hurricane being very cold and blunt.  They also seemed to be right on that other issue of Cane's.  Throughout all the books I've read, some have called him a stallion, but others have called her a mare.  Staring at the pony in question, I'm having a hard time deciding one or the other.  The voice sounds a bit raspy that could fit either gender and the armor makes it hard to determine the features.

"I know," Cici whispers to me, "With all of that armor on, the commander looks kinda like a goht."

I take a double take at her and she begins coughing.

"Sorry.  High altitude, little air.  I meant goat, like a goat."

The sound of clanking armor gets our attention as we see Hurricane getting up "As far as I'm aware, I have not heard or received any reports about a Star Swirl, let alone a Unicorn, entering our base."  Cane looks at us "You got your answer, now leave our skies."

Pan leads us out as Cane returns looking at the parchment.  I have a hard time believing that a famous pony like Star Swirl would just be overlooked as if he wasn't here.  Come to think of it, none of the Pegasi have really made any form of acknowledgment towards us outside of Pan.  I guess it's nice that I'm not getting any hated looks at me like the Earth ponies were doing, but it feels like I'm purposely being ignored by Pegasi out of simple disrespect.

......are they acting like this because I'm a Unicorn?

"Please excuse Hurricane's rudeness," Pan bows her head, "the commander has been under alot of stress and hasn't really gotten any sleep lately."

"Paperwork can't be that stressful." said Cici.

It's obvious that you're not a princess.

"It's because we've been invaded by a giant bird some time ago.  None of us have really gotten very much sleep because of it."

"It won't stop squawking, right?" the white mare guessed.

She shakes her head "Because it took over our headquarters.  It's using our headquarters as a nest, keeping us away from our weapons, armory and beds.  All of us are in a tussle because we're unprepared on how to handle the situation."

"A trained army can't even take down a large bird?" I asked.

"That's the thing, we don't have the type of training for combat."

Pan begins explaining, "This is a new land and many of our trained soldiers are back home.  We scouts gain intel and deliver massages while maintaining things here as an outsourced headquarter."

So they're basically a bunch of Mailmares.

"They don't have any units back home they can spare, so we have to try and handle things on our own.  I've tried myself and talked to it about reconsidering on leaving, but it has a vicious temper and wont listen to anything I say.  I don't even think Levias the whale can talk any sense into him."

I began to have that tearing feeling again.  That feeling of wanting to help and the ripple I would cause upon history if I did.  Should I help them this time as well?

"I have a deal for you, Pan."  Cici offered, "You go get what information you can find about where Master Star Swirl is heading," she then wraps a hoof around me and pulls me closer, nearly making me fall over, "and we'll get rid of that bird for you."

Pan looked terrified at the offer, "You'll be teared you to shreds if you go!"

"We'll be fine, right Twink?"

"Twilight." I remind her, struggling to get free from her grip.

"See!  She said she's delighted!"

Pan's expression seems to be that of an uneasy one "I'll go see what info I can gather, but if you want to help, then please be careful."  She takes a bow, "May the Wind Fish be at your back." then flies off to gather info.

The what fish?





As Cici and I arrived at the Pegasopolis' headquarters, I had a sense of nostalgia when staring at the structure.  It didn't feel like I was about to go into a military base, but it felt like I was going back to school.  A flagpole, a bell, and windows showing the many different rooms inside, all within a yard surrounded by a fence.  The layout just rang academy.  Too bad they don't train knights, otherwise we wouldn't be here.

"So why did you volunteer at helping out?" I questioned Cici, "In Earth, you only decided to help when I went it alone.  But this time, you offered to help and dragged me along.  So why the change?"

"Because you were going to help anyway." she said surprising me.  "Agitated, uneasy.  You were making the same expression as you did back in Earth.  I just decided that it would help if Pan would do something for us in the meantime."

She certainly has a sharp eye for noticing habits.  I began reaching behind me, but withdrew my hoof back.  I better not scratch my wings anymore when she's present.

Crossing underneath the arches, we enter the front door into HQ.  The main hall consists of two hallways on the left and right side going around to form a courtyard in front of us.  The interior didn't put much effort into this place as there were rugs laying on the floor and banners hanging to the walls in a quite spacious corridor in both width and height, leaving the impression that flying was optional and giving freedom for a giant bird to fly through with ease.

"Well, let's start searching the rooms for it."  I suggested, apathetically pushing open a cloud door to my left.

Walking inside, the room displayed beds in rows along the walls with trunks close by each one of them.  A few of the cots were messy, sheets ruffled, blankets tossed and..... eww, does that one have boxer shorts?

"I guess we found the Quarters." said Cici, stating the obvious.

Quarters.... hmm. 

"You should really be more cautious entering a room, Twink."  she continued "You never know if Wall Master is in one."

"Wall Master?" I said nonchalantly.

"It's a creature that hangs from the ceiling, taking it's time positioning itself above you." She says, trying to make it sound spooky.  "When it's ready, it drops down and grabs you with its grotesque claw and takes you away."

She's toying with me, there's no such thing....... right?  "Wh-where does it take you?"

"Nopony can really say for sure," giving an ominous feel to the sentence. "Some say it wishes to be left alone, so it throws you out of its room," telling it in a threatening tone.  "Others say that it takes you to a giant shelf to keep you there, only removing you when it decides it wants to brush your mane," saying it with a disturbing chill in the air.  "But I think it takes you back home to its little Floor Masters to latch onto you forever, draining you for all the life you have left to live," her statement gave off a terrible vibe!

N-n-no, she's pulling a fast one one me.  Th-there's nothing specifying such a creature ever existing in any study of animals I've read about.  In my time or the past.

But this past is very different from what I've read.  I-it's incorrect on many issues like pony appearances, acceptance of others, and incorrect reasons for celebrating holidays.  Wh-wh-which means that a creature like a Wall Master could be possible!!!

Cici suddenly looks past me in shock.  "Look out!" her horn lights up.

I quickly turn around grasping my sword with magic.  I jolt my eyes to find any monsters but nothing looked out of the norm.

I suddenly felt a heavy weight fall upon me and it felt like time froze for me.  Whatever it was, it was wrapped around my entire back and waist.  I could feel it having prickly hair all over its body as it gripped my tighter.

I bolt forward screaming and manage to slip right through its clutches.  Spinning around taking my sword out, I view the beast before me.

The horrifying beast was a really itchy looking blanket being held by a golden aura coming from a chuckling white unicorn.  "Careful," she says between laughs, waving the carpet around "Wall Master can take you to a whole new world!"

Urgh, that mare!!  Leading me on like that only to practically make me jump out of my fur, that was a real mean trick.  I began taking deep breaths to calm my heart and frustration down.  Easy, Twilight, don't let her get to you.  She's the best connection you've got at meeting Star Swirl, just tolerate her company till then.

"Well, it looks like that bird isn't here." spoke Cici, "Let's head to the next room before the Wall Master grabs another victim."

PATIENCE, TWILIGHT!  PATIENCE!!!





Pushing open a soft cloud door, we walked into another room.  This time it's a large cold room presenting aisles of random assortment of items, from boots with wings on them to empty bottles and back to full body armor are being housed here.

It's the supply room.... I swear these rooms are trying to tell me something.

"Alright," the white unicorn announced, "Go check the aisles to the left, Twink.  I'll see what's on the right."

We went our separate ways and I searched through the rows I was assigned.  I might as well indulge her.  Judging by the perfectly arranged selves, I doubt a giant bird would've gone through these narrow aisles without causing some kind of mess.   

As I walk through this crispy cold room, something catches my attention.  A giant brown chest with gold metal rims on it was sitting in the back of one of the rows.  I gaze at the large container, causing my curious nature to get the better of me.

Just what could they possibly put in there?  No, I shouldn't be getting into other pony's stuff.  .....but, maybe .......maybe just a peek.

Walking up to it, I cautiously grabbed hold of the lid with my magic and cracked it open just slightly.  I peered inside and questioned what this object was.  I push open the chest to get a better look.  I gently grab this thing with my magic and slowly, but carefully, lift it out of the che-

"WHATCHA GOT?" Cici suddenly surprised my concentration and caused me to involuntarily lob the item into the air,

I quickly looked up to see the object reaching the peak of its toss.  Thinking fast, I stand on my hind legs to extend my forelegs up to catch it and I began to panic as it fell towards me.  I'm terrible at catching things and too afraid to see if I would be successful or not.  I closed my eyes and waited for the result.

.....

I'm not hearing a crash..... I'm also not feeling an object in my hooves.  Slowly opening my eyes, I see a white jar with two handles spinning in the air above my hooves with a light golden aura around it.

"Are you going to take it or are you just going to keep standing there praising it?"  I look over at Cici to see she was the one holding the jar in her magic.

Grabbing the jug with my magic, I took a moment to review it.  Pots usually may have interesting designs on them, but this pot is simple with one row of spirals symbols going horizontally around the base and light blue stripes above and below this pattern.  The only thing that stands out as unique for this jar is that it has two bizarre looking hooks at the rim of the opening.

Why would somepony put a pottery jar in the supply room meant for soldiers?

I shake my head wondering and hear a noise.  It sounded like it was a jingle.  I turned my head and heard it again, where is it coming from?  I spin around to find it and it sounds off once more.  It sounds like it’s close to me, but the only thing close to me is Cici.  It seems like she was holding in something while she had her head turned with a hoof over her mouth.  She was giggling.

Giving a deadpan look, I reach behind myself and feel something round.  Pulling it towards my face revealed it to be a jingle bell attached to the tip of my cap.  I look back at her, "What?  I just added a little enhancement for you.  You are going for the fairy look, right?"

"Will you cut it out already!"  I snapped at her, ripping the bell off my hat.  "Ever since we met, you've been intentionally trying to get under my fur through attempts of calling me 'Twinkle', pulling pranks on me, and purposely singing off key."  I sternly approached her through my scolding "Will you grow up and start acting your own age already?"

I'm keeping my eyes locked on Cici's face, hoping to see her take in my words.  However, she didn't seem sorry for her actions, she actually seemed pretty proud at watching my frustrations "Got everything off your chest, Twinkle Bell?"

I'm really starting to hate her.  She'll just keep on enjoying the tantrum I'm giving caused by her teasing.  My best option is to just ignore her attempts at her goading, "Come on," I return the jar back into the chest, "let's go.  I'm starting to get cold in here."

We went back to the door and I grabbed the handle with my magic and tried to open it, but the door was apparently stuck.  Pulling harder, it didn't even budge.  I laid on the cold solid door, coping with another bothering component that makes up my day, "For Pete's sake!  Why isn't this door opening?"

"Here, let me try." Cici volunteered and began trying to open the door 

Somethings wrong, this door is made up of clouds, so why is it cold and solid as ice?

I suddenly felt a cold chill go down my spine as if the room suddenly got colder.  I wrapped my forelegs around myself for warmth and sat down to keep support of my balance, but quickly jumped up from the cold floor.

The clouds on the floor are made of ice too?  So this entire room of water vapor is turning into ice and getting colder.  This is definitely unnatural, it's as if this is someponies doing.

I watch the white mare beginning to rub forelegs together before trying to open the door again.

It's not Cici's doing, judging by how she's getting cold as well.

Pondering over the cause, I kept on hearing a clanking sound coming from somewhere.  I scan the room for the sound, and upon looking up, I saw a ghastly spirit swirling above us.

"A WINDIGO!" I yelled which made the ghost stare soullessly into my eyes.  Staring back at the creature, it looks on at me with those glowing pale cyan eyes shining from within the hood it was wearing.  Rattling in its jaw was a swaying lantern it held by the rim of its handle as it flew through the air.

"Don't panic." Cici reassures me, tightening her hood, "I know how to get rid of it.  Just keep it busy for a while." she then runs back into the aisles.

Is she really going to help, or is she just going to pull another fast one on me?  ......I won't hold my breath.

"Hey, get out of here!"  I yelled at it, taking my sword out and swinging a few warning shots at it, but it just went faster around me and made the room colder.

The sound of my chattering teeth informed me to do something more drastic.  I focused on the specter's path, and with all my might, I swing a magical bullet from my sword.  My shot is heading towards the Windigo's path for a collision, and just when it makes contact, it goes right through the spirit.

.....just what did I think was going to happen?

My horn was starting to go numb and I began to lose the grip on my sword.  Curling up to keep as much body heat as possible, I began thinking of a way out of this jeopardizing situation.

I wasn't able to think of anything before I started to hear hoofsteps galloping towards me.  I look up to see Cici sliding around the corner repeating the word 'Okay' while holding in her aura the jar I found a few minutes ago.

The pot?  She went back to get that harden-clay decoration AT A TIME LIKE THIS?!?!?

I began to reflect over the terrible fate I've met (better known as Cici) as she points the opening of the jar up at the Windigo.

The hooks on the rim of the jug suddenly begin to spin.  It starts to make a humming sound and I feel a little tug.  Small chunks of clouds began spinning in the air around the equine wraith.  It seems like the spirit is trying to go the opposite direction the clouds are going, but it's slowly being pulled along with the tiny dust particles to the final destination.... the jar!  I can't explain it, but that jar seems to be some kind of vacuum and it has the Windigo inside it's vortex.

The struggle continued on until the inedible outcome finally happened when the specter lost it's holdings and fell into the pot.

Wind begins to settle within the room and the temperature starts warming up.  Cici gives out a sigh of relief, "You okay Twink?"

She helps and pulls me back up on my hooves as I nodded, surprised at how quickly she took control of the situation.  Despite her teasing, she's a pony you can really count on during critical moments.  I rub the back of my head, feeling guilty for doubting her.

"We should really take this along," the white unicorn lifts up the jar.  "We might find another one of those things here."

"....alright," I guess I can be a little bit lenient on her despite the toying she's been doing to me, "but be careful with it."

I turn around, proceeding back to the door and suddenly feel a gust of wind hit the back of my head, flipping the flap of my hat over my face.  I gave her a peeve look and she was trying to act innocent despite her smile, "My magic slipped."

At least, for a little while.





Creaking the door open, we peer into the next room.  It held long rectangle tables that formed alleyways in a criss-cross pattern.  On the far left side, there's a wide hole in the wall showing what appears to be a kitchen.

"Pretty dull for a cafeteria." commented the white unicorn who I agree with.

Cafeteria.  Now I know I'm seeing a pattern here.  The names of these rooms, I came across these recently.....

....I conk my head "Now I remember!"  Cici looked at me and I began explaining my discovery.  "The quarters, supply room, cafeteria.  All of these rooms were on the map Hurricane had on the desk, Cane was viewing the layout of this building."

She gave me a confused look, the type of look that said 'You are error.'

"Don't you get it?  Hurricane was planning an assault on that bird."

"That still doesn't explain why it's important."

"It's important because it tells us where we can find him!"  I gesture her to follow me and gallop down the halls.

If I remember correctly, taking this right followed by the next left should take us to where all those 'O's were pointing to.

"Around the corner and we'll meet the bird... here!"  We both stop in front of the door that should have this canary inside, and I find it ironic that the room is the 'conference room.'

"Okay," I whisper to Cici, "If it is in there, it might strike at us the moment we enter.  Are you ready?" I take out my sword and she lifts up the gust jar.  We slowly open the door to the conference room.

The first thing I saw was that there was debris everywhere, like it was pushed or thrown on the floor.  Pushing the door further open shows that there's a giant straw nest, seems like the bird made itself at home here.  I gave Cici one more look, she nods, and I swung open the door for us to find... an empty nest in an open-air room.  The entire ceiling is missing and the majority of the back wall is gone, showing a field made out of a cloud.

We both look at each other, questioning the bird's absences, then slowly venture in.  I walk around the gigantic aerie and look around with Cici beyond the broken wall.  Outside felt eerie, nothing but the flat plain of clouds with the sun and moon leering down at us. 

"Hey," Cici utters, "listen."

I flap my ears around and start to hear something.  It sounds like a pulse, a beating of some sort.  The rhythm was coming from somewhere, but I can't find it anywhere in the sky.  I began to feel the cushy floor of the clouds shake beneath my hoof as a hill starts to form in front of us.  The floor of clouds suddenly burst upwards with a dark gray blur shooting out.  It was spinning around in a dazzling fashion, looking like it was a frilly dress with a golden trimmed end.  It stops it's spiraling and reveals its appearance in a hefty amount of scattered feathers and a piercing screech.  It floats there with heavy flaps of its wings and with every flap, we could see more and more of it through the storm of feathers in the sky.

Four long golden tail feathers with a lime green pattern going along them were waving in sync with the flaps.  Going up shows talon feet, large enough to carry both of us, and a dark gray, feathered bird with a wingspan of about thirty-three hooves wide.  Its head is made up of dark scarlet feathers with a helmet covering whatever's left above the beak.  The headgear looks like a crown, but it also gives the impression that it's a visor given by the fact that solid yellow eyes were focusing on us.

I thought we were looking for some kind of condor, but this is much bigger than I imagined, no wonder this thing was a problem for the Pegasi.  Just how are we supposed to get rid of this thing?  "Mr. Bird." I gulp as I try the subtle approach, "The place you decided to nest at belongs to the Pegasi nation and they wish to have it back.  I don't want to be rude, but..." I really hope this persuades it, "Would you kindly find another place to nest?"

It gives out a loud screech and heavily flaps its wings, causing a strong current to hit us.  The clouds beneath our hooves begin to throw us all over, it felt like I was in an earthquake.  It dives at us and I lit up my horn, ready to teleport, when it decides to glide right over us.  A strong gust of wind hit me, nearly blowing my hat off as I watched the feather tails flapping over my head.

Why does the calm approach never seem to work?

It begins to take a U-turn back towards us.  I try to shoot at it with my sword, hopefully trying to scare it away.  The gigantic buzzard closes its wings and spirals at us like a drill.  I quickly teleport Cici and I out of the way as it skims the cloud floor before going back up.  My magic shots didn't seem to irritate it at all.

I watch as the giant bird begins to fly around overhead, biding its time when it's ready to strike.  "Have any ideas, Cici?"

"How about," she lifts up the jar, "we blow it off course."

Well, it's worth a shot.

I get behind Cici as she aims the jar.  The bird begins to dive towards us.

She shoots at it and it didn't seem fazed.

She takes another shot and it extends its legs!

She hits it once more and it flexes its talons at us!!!

I quickly teleport both of us from another close call.  We watch from afar as it ascends up again, and I notice another hazard starting to arise.  The impacts the bird makes on the cloud is making holes in them.  If we don't stop it soon, the holes it keeps making increases the chances of either of us accidentally falling through one of them.  Just what will it take to keep this bird out of the skies?

I stare as it circles us, watching the golden tail feathers moving with the turns it makes. 

"I got it!" I bring Cici in closer and begin to tell her my plan.

My eyes kept darting between her and the bird as I told her.

"Okay?" she nods at my suggestion and we went to set it in motion by splitting up.

She gallops to the right while I run to the left and shoot magic shots at the overgrown pigeon.

The bullets hit the bird, but it only jerks its head to see me throwing them.  Stiffening its wings, the dark grey bird takes a sharp turn and begins gliding towards me.

The size of it starts giving me second thoughts of volunteering to be the bait.  My instincts alone is probably the toughest conflict I'm dealing with as I slowly begin to walk backwards from fear.  My mind blanked out as the beak that's heading towards me begins to open.  The bird begins to slow its course towards me.  It started flapping its large wings, but it only kept slowing down.  The wings flapped faster as it began to fly backwards.

I completely forgot to breathe from that experience and deeply took in fresh air, relieved to see Cici pulling the bird back by the feather tails with the gust jar.  The wind of the jar is perfect for catching those long wavy feathers and I watch it struggle from becoming a prisoner to the vortex.

The avian flaps harder but it just achieves nothing other than lost feathers.... uh oh.

I gulp at the sight of molting, realizing that trouble was about to bite back.  Feathers were being plucked from various places on the bird's body; the wings, the torso, and now a tail feather.

With a snap, the tail feather flies into the jar and the buzzard begins to slowly escape the vacuum.  Another tail feather follows, then another, and finally the last one.  The bird escapes the cyclone and starts flapping its wings at a steady pace, but it falls onto the clouded-field chest first.

I think it lost so many feathers that now it can't fly anymore.

I guard myself with my sword as it scrambles to its feet.  Cici starts to capture it again with the gust jar, but the bird only jerks its head to various tilts then scratches its neck with its foot.  It rises its wings, giving out a war cry, and begins stepping towards me.

Swinging my sword, I send out beams of my magic at it to no avail.  The fowl towers over me and leans back.  It jolts its beak at me, piercing the floor and nearly me along with it.  It immediately lifts its head back up and tries another stab at me.  I teleport away, now knowing how it plans to deal with me, and see it break open another hole in the cloud.

Now what do I do?  My magic doesn't seem to bother it, it has no problems with strong winds, and now it's making openings in the floor for us to plummet through.

The grounded bird jumps over the large hole it made and stands before me.  Spreading its wings wide open, it pulls its head back.

I'm all out of ideas!

I light up my horn, anticipating its strike.  It just stands there, jerking its head forward, as if it was stuck on something.  The pulls its wings back and I take into account that it has a golden aura around them.

There's no way she could...

I whip my head around and see a pink-mane unicorn using her magic to pull back the bird's wings.  It looks like her entire forehead is shining gold.

She can hold back such a large creature like that!  I would have trouble pinning just one of its wings. 

Her horn starts flickering, she won't be able to hold it for long.  I need to do something now!

The bird's leg sifts at the struggle and I notice a convenient part missing behind it.  It's a silly idea, but I quickly take out my hammer and give the fowl a quick tap on the knee.  The leg reflexes with a kick and the bird loses its balance, falling backward through the hole it jumped over moments ago.  Cici and I watch as it plummets towards the ground, flapping its wings in desperation, losing feathers along the way and shouting a long screech loud enough for the entire camp to hear.  There's a deep booming sound when it hits the ground and the sight only shows a large black cloud bursting from the impact.  I fall on my rear to catch my breath from that experience.  Looking over to see how Cici is doing, she seems completely exhausted.

I think I'm starting to understand what she meant when Star Swirl said 'he saw something special in her'.  Cici seems to have a lot of potential in magic, but lacks the discipline of using it.  I wonder just what kind of spells she could pull off if she masters them.

I gave it some thought, and regretted the idea when I took into account her mischievous nature.





Cici and I appear at the doors to the headquarters through teleportation.  Now that the bird is gone, we can get some info on Star Swirl's location.  We gallop across the yard and through the front gate.  My hooves screech to a halt as we turn the corner to find not only Pan sitting there for us but also Hurricane resting on the wall.

"I take it that your mission was successful." said Cane, getting up to stand at attention.

"What are you doing here?" I curiously asked.

"I'm here to tell you about what we've learned about Star Swirl."

I look over to the yellow pegasus who mimics her commander's stance "I thought Pan was going to do that."

"I got word about her attempts at getting info on Star Swirl.  Upon hearing her reasons, I demanded taking this investigation upon myself."

"What made you decide to do that?  I honestly thought you wouldn't want anything to do with us."

"As commander, it is my duty to protect these skies.  I despise the idea of owing others any favors for something that is my responsibility and refuse to allow the pride of the Pegasi to be tarnished for the dependence of others, but considering the state we're all in, this trade of each other's services seems to be the best option we had.  Given the influence I have due to my rank, I decided to lead the investigation believing that giving the best results from our side would keep some form of our reputation intact, if not a little sullen.  But in any case," Cane grabs onto its helmet and lifts it up to let out a prismatic mane fall from her head.  She reveals her cyan face having a daze look in her rosy eyes with dark rings under them.  It didn't look like she had any sleep in days.  "Thank you for keeping up your end of the deal." she bows her head with the helmet at her side.  "As for our end, we have gathered that Star Swirl is currently back in Unicornia."

He's back there, ugh.  For such an old pony, he can certainly get around.

"When you see Star Swirl, please give him this as well as our apologies."  She hands me a small wooden box with a single feather imprinted on the side with a unique border around it.  I take a look inside to see a pile of white feathers, there must be a hundred of them.

"Feathers?"

"They're quills." Cane corrects me, "Unicorns use up a lot of quills, right?" 

.......I can't decide if that was insulting or true if you consider in my habits.

"My stallions were very aware of a unicorn entering camp.   He was trying to deliver a message but my stallions decided not to report it, claiming that the appearance was unimportant and the message came from a," she gives a cough and shows a sign of disappointment in her expression, "useless source."

That actually stung a little, "What was the message?"

"From the information I've gathered, Star Swirl was trying to warn us about a mistake the Earth ponies were making.  He was asking us for military support from a possible threat heading our way.  We didn't have the ponypower or the evidence that a threat was coming, so we... may have been... we sorta were...."

"Insolent." I pitch in to help her along with the foreign mannerisms she's trying to express.

"......I later got reports from everypony about how a gigantic bird suddenly appeared out of nowhere and was attacking headquarters.  We bravely fought against it, but ultimately lost in the end."

Something doesn't sound right "Everypony here are scouts, they're the first to know about what's coming or not.  How can that colossal bird get the drop on you from nowhere?"

"A few ponies did mention how it appeared, but it seemed very far-fetched to even be considered as accurate."

"What were they?"

She scratches the back of her head while she recalls "Well they said it came from a black cloud.  Some reports stated that the cloud was on fire, a few said it moved unnaturally, and there was even one that-" she's giving off an awkward expression, "Well..... it said... that it snorted."

This story really does sound strange, it doesn't sound like any description of that other creature we heard from the Earth tribe.  Are the two incidents even connected at all?

I shrink the box of quills down and place them in my hat.  "Unicornia, huh?  At this rate, we'll be one step behind.  We better hurry before we miss him again."

"We'll accommodate you with this issue." stated Cane, "Private."

Pan jolts at being called and scrambles around.  She cups her hooves around her mouth and sings out a soothing melody.

Cane puts on her helmet, "They'll be escorting you to Unicornia."

"Really, who?"

I squint to see two images in the sky getting closer.

"Who?"

I ask again. but still didn't get an answer.  It was pointless to ask again, because now I can clearly see these giant creatures landing in front of us are.  The impact of the fall vibrates all of us to unintentionally jump.  This creature stares at me with big round eyes and tilts its neck.

"WHO."
> Chapter 5
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

I can't explain what it feels like to fly.  It isn't like riding a balloon or falling with a parachute, it just can't be explained through words.  The freedom from being land-bound, the feeling of owning the sky.  I'll never forget the moment when I first took to the air, and I'm sure that Cici will treasure this moment in the air as well.

"GET ME DOWN FROM THIS THING!"

"WHO?"

"ME, YOU NECK BROKEN BUZZARD!!!"

"WHO?"

She'll remember this for the rest of her life.

Cici whimpers while she dangles from the clutches of the owl that carries us both to Unicornia.  She had her chance to ride on the Shoebill provided to her, but she was just too afraid of flying.  In the end, my ride (an owl) decided to use force and grabbed her in his talons to carry her to Unicornia.  She's been screaming since then.

"Why are we tilting!?  We're going to crash into the mountain!!!  Thank goodness, that nearly took my hea- YOU'RE GOING TO HIT THAT TREE!!!!!!!!"

At times she can really lighten up my day.





With a wave of a hoof and a flap of some wings, I see our ride off after it drops us at the town's laundry pool.  "Bye Kaepora," I look over to the nerve-wrecked Cici who's hugging the ground from the enjoyment of a solid surface underneath her hooves, "Star Swirl is somewhere in Unicornia.  We don't have to deal with other ponies being prejudiced towards us here so they'll be more helpful for us at getting information of his whereabouts, this'll be easy.  So where should we start looking?"

"Actually," Cici starts to recompose herself, "I think we should split up.  Unicornia is the largest town out of all the three tribes.  We're familiar with the town so splitting up would help speed up the search."  Well to be honest, I don't really know this town as much as I do in my time, but splitting up may not be such a bad idea.  "I'll search towards the moon and you search to the sun."  She departs towards her direction,  "We'll meet back here after awhile."  I wave her goodbye as she leaves out of my sight.

.............FINALLY!

I begin attacking my wings with a series of scratches.  It's been bugging me for hours, they're so itchy.  Oh.... almost...... ah that's much better.  I'm starting to notice that I'm starting to get some looks from ponies.  Realizing at how ridiculous I must look right now, I slow the assault on my wing.  I give a sheepish grin and begin to walk in the sun's direction.





Now that I explore the town a bit, I take in much more detail at my surroundings than I did prior.  Unicornia can be best described as Manehattan meeting Ponyville.  The buildings are crammed in close proximity to one another and have busy streets, but the buildings only go about two stories high and are modeled like it's meant for residences.

Speaking about residence, out of the three tribes, the Unicorns have the closest resemblance to the ones in my time.  They look as if they too were in the past along with me, but I notice that the ears seem to be a bit longer than those of my era.  They do seem more lively and there certainly are a lot of them.  A pony with a turban trying to sell stuff on his carpet.  A stallion with an untrustworthy face prancing around.  A little filly in a green dress chasing a butterfly.  It's basically a sea of ponies going about their business.

Finding one single pony amongst them is going to be difficult, but as long as nopony finds out that I'm not a unicorn, then they most likely will be willing to assist me at finding him.

I walk up to a mare wearing a witch's hat and ask if she saw Star Swirl, she shakes her head.  I went over and ask a stallion with an organ grinder, he shakes his head as well.  I ask a mare with a compass around her neck, she nods!  She points to a corner and I gallop towards it, turn the corner and see an alleyway that leads to a dead end.

This isn't working.  Perhaps I should ask a pony that's been in the area for awhile.  Scanning the area, I notice a tent among the row of buildings.  It looks like a shop, complete with a counter, pots on display, and a stallion in a green pointed hood and yellow checkered sleeves looking pretty bored.  He must've been there for a while, maybe he saw Star Swirl walk by.  "Excuse me," he looks over to me, "I'm trying to find Star Swirl and heard that he's somewhere in town.  Have you seen him?"

"I'm afraid not," He shakes his head down low emphasizing the disappointment.  "But fear not dear mare, for you are in the land of hopes and fondest dreams."

".......come again?"

"Here you can taste the thrill of playing ball in the house AND get your hooves on some fabulous prizes.  It is our EARNEST hope that you find delight playing the POT game."

.........I think I found a coltfriend for Cici.

"The rules are exceedingly simple." He levitates a ball, "Take this bountiful sphere," followed by a gesture to a row of clay vases, "and try to smash a pot behind me."

"Yeeeaahh, I'm going to pass on this."  I start walking away and then suddenly feel his magical aura pulling on my tail along with me back towards him.

"But dear mare, this is a chance of a lifetime."

He lets go and I try to escape once more, "Thanks, but I'm kinda busy." He grabs me once more and it dawns on me that I'm going to be repeating this pattern for a while.

"♪You don't know what you're missing.♫"

"♫Oh yes I do.♪"

"Don't let timidness control you."

"It's not, it's irritation."

"The display of your bravado will undoubtedly grab the attention of any gentlecolt."

"A gentlecolt would never pull on the tail of a mare's and yet I've gotten your attention.  So what does that make you."

I finally decide to face him head on with a stern look and he in return with his own.  "Tell ya what," he began suggesting, "I'll let you have a free throw.  Just a sample of what you're passing up.  Win or lose, I won't ask you for another game."  He levitates me with a ball within his goldenrod aura.  I have doubts about that, but if it means that he'll stop, then I'll play ball.  I grab the sphere in my aura and took note of its heavy weight.  Breathing deeply, I concentrate on my target and hurled it at the pot.  The ball hits it dead on...

*clink*

...but it bounces off of it.  For a brief moment, I saw the pot giving off a goldenrod wisp.  "Shabby luck, you almost cracked it," the owner said in a tone that sounded like he was mocking.  "You could always try again if you like."

Fat chance!  I noticed the spell you put on it.  It's a spell called 'Magic Armor'.  It acts like a magic barrier, but instead of a sphere, it covers the target's form (kinda like a second skin).  Furthermore, once the spell is cast, it stays activated until it is canceled by the caster.  You don't need to keep a constant focus on the spell, but it does drain your magic.

I glare at him as he aims his attention towards a little colt wearing a red bandanna and a white shirt with the number one his back approaching the counter.  "Hey there, little guy.  Wanna give it a try?  It'll only cost a gemstone."

"You'd be better off saving it, kid." I warned the little one.

"Don't listen to her, she just can't muster up the strength.  But YOU!  You on the other hoof can break those pots apart no doubt."

The little colt levitates a slingshot towards the swindler.

"Um... sure.  You can use that if you wish."

He then places a green hexagonal gemstone on the table and focuses his shot.  He takes out some seeds from his pocket and places one of them on the band.  He pulls back and I look back at the conning stallion.  I hear a fling and see him performing the spell.

*CRACK*

Both of us look at the boy's work, shock at the sight of a shattered pot.  Did the colt hit it before he could cast the spell?  I look over to the con artist to see him looking pretty peeved, "Er... Oh, what a joy this is!  The debut of a new markspony!  Showers of applause all around!  To the colt...I shall give THIS!"  He levitates a small stuffed pink pig towards the colt's opened hooves.

"But..." he pulls it back ,"A mere toy like this isn't suitable for such a great sharp shooter like you.  What would really be worthy of your prowess is one of the bigger prizes."  I can see what his intentions are, but the colt seems more enthralled by the offer.  "Unfortunately, I just can't give these to just anypony.  Only to a pony that can prove his worth by shattering all of the pots deserves such a glorious trophy."

The colt gives an expression that he's up for the challenge and pulls back his slingshot.  I watch the pot, it lights up for a brief second with goldenrod wisp around it and is immediately shattered by a seed.  The next pot repeats with the same condition and result.  The owner is showing signs of aggravation while the colt is focused purely on his targets.  I'm quite baffled at how this is happening.  It doesn't look like the colt is using any magic on the seeds, but even something small and basic like a seed shouldn't be able to break through a barrier.  It's just a guess, but I can only assume that the seeds can break through the barrier because of the strong force the seeds have behind them.

"Here.  Take it."  The con artist said handing over the largest prize he had.  I step back as a happy colt walks away with the biggest black stuffed pig I've ever seen.  "Thief."

That was very..... didactic, but I need to get back at searching for Star Swirl.  Okay Twilight think, you're the most powerful pony of your time.  You've been going from place to place telling ponies about a threat coming and made it to Unicornia.  Where would you go?  I look at each building, questioning the possibility.

Blacksmiths, no.

Fortune teller, as if.

Portrait studio, it's not worth the shot.

Milk bar, well maybe.

I suddenly notice out in the distance a structure peering over the buildings.  I walk over to the corner of the street and see that this structure just so happens to be Canterlot Castle.  Star Swirl did have connections with the princess, I bet he would most likely be there.





Canterlot Castles holds many years to its name.  It's enriched with history that depicts the life of ancestors and stands tall for years protecting their descendants from harm.  However, the castle seems to be struggling at starting this legacy.  True that this is the past and it's freshly new, but the castle seems to be in the middle of construction.  It's stone made and most of the mid and lower levels are complete, but the higher areas like the towers only have beams that outline the areas that still need to be made.

There appears to be a group of civilians at the main gate as I approach the structure.  They're being halted by a guard wearing a helmet that looks more like a hat with a red ostrich plume on top and a spear is by his side.  He's showing signs of stress as he's dealing with the group, "I said 'no.'"

"What part of 'carpenters' don't you understand?" the bald stallion with the white mustache and blue jacket of the group said. "We're here to finish construction on the castle."

"And it seems that you don't understand the phrase, 'No unauthorized ponies may enter by order of the princess.'"

"Well your little princess just so happened to give authorization for us!"

"All the same, I can't let you in."

"I have authorization and I can't go in?  Has the moon fallen in that little world of yours a well?  I'm going in!"

"You're aware that I can throw you into the dungeon, right?"

"Go right ahead!  No dungeon can hold me!"  Everypony looks over the middle-age stallion, clearly aware that his stubbornness has gotten the better of him.  His workers start to pull the headstrong pony away from the guard, not wanting to cause any more trouble.  "You lazy cowards!  Do you actually believe he means any of it?"

He does have a point though.  The princess keeping carpenters from finishing her castle does seem a little strange.  But anyway, now's my chance to talk with the guard.  "Excuse me," he didn't look thrilled at seeing me, "I was wondering if Star Swirl came by here."

His expression changes to a relief look, "Star Swirl did arrive here, but I'm afraid he left quite some time ago."

Well at least I'm on the right track, "Do you know where he went?" the guard shook his head.  Hmm..... maybe I can figure out his next location by asking, "What did he want here?"

"He wished to speak with the princess on a matter.  He delivered his message, but I can't help you with what he said to her."

That's still not very helpful.  Maybe I can get a better explanation from the princess.  "Can it be possible for me to meet the prin-"

"NO!!!" he snapped at me.  I assume he's heard that question all day and he's tired of repeating himself.  He seems to suddenly realize his outburst and starts to collect himself "I mean.... no, she's busy at the moment."  I don't think asking him to reconsider would be a good idea.  I walk off to formulate a plan on what to do next.

Okay Twilight, you have two choices.  You can continue asking ponies in town who have been of no help to you so far, or you can sneak by the guards and meet the princess to ask her what Star Swirl had to say to her.

I study the castle, thinking about the idea.  Getting inside would be easy since it's not fully built yet, but it's too high up for me to see the inside clearly, teleporting is out of the question.  I need to find another way.

My eyes glaze down along the wall, searching for any holes that I can teleport or even crawl through.  Hey, I know this type of rock.  I should know this after all the searching on rocks I did at the library earlier.  This is sedimentary.  It's a type of rock that consists of many minerals, including magnetite.

......this could be my way in, but I'm going to need some iron first.  I rub the back of my neck while wondering where I can find some, all I'm seeing is wood, dirt, and grass.  The flap of my hat brushes over my hoof as I search.  Wait, don't I have something that's iron?  I search my cap and pull out a small pouch with small silver pieces inside.  Silver won't work, it's not ferromagnetic.  I look again and push quills aside and found something that could work.

I take out my hammer and review it, this will do nicely.  Removing the handle, I levitate up the iron hammer head and equivalently exchange it into four iron slabs.  Next, I reconstruct the molecular structure of each iron slab, turning them into iron horseshoes.  I put them on and gave a few stomps to make sure they stay on before finally casting Jikerdor to electrically charge the protons of each shoe. 

Facing the castle, I stared up at the incomplete tower, I should be ready now.  I take a deep breath, lift a hoof at the wall, and my hoof hurls me forward, slamming me into the wall.  I think I put too much charge into the magnet spell.  As I take a step, my hoof slams on the stone surface.  I continue this process with each hoof as I make my ascent up the castle and eventually leave the ground.

I don't have to worry about falling, but I'm still affected by gravity.  I push myself higher with my hind legs, I pull myself up with my forelegs, and every step taken I have a fight against the magnetic force that keeps me suspended.  This is much harder than what I anticipated.  I start to feel the sweat dripping from my face, trying to cool down my body from overheating.  It's to be expected, but the chilly wind up here only makes things harder for me.  Staring up, I notice the end to my struggling is nearly over.  I stretch out my hoof as far as I can and grip onto the edge of the tower.  Sluggishly, pulled myself up and roll onto the floor.

Wooden beams are stacked in the corner.  Stone bricks are piled next to the unfinished wall.  This is where the carpenters would most likely be if they got past the guard.  I spot the door leading down the tower next to the worktable, but something on the bench catches my eye.  Amongst the quills and tools is a blue scroll.  It's the blueprints to the castle, but it shows a completely different layout to the castle in my time.  It might not be a bad idea to bring this along, I could use this as a map to get around.

I transcend down the stairs reviewing the scroll.  Its layout is pretty straight forward and understandable.  Solar, Casemate, Mezzanine, rooms that I think everypony knows, but this one room.  There's a room on the map that doesn't have a name, only a symbol.  It looks like an eye with three arrows pointing out along the top of the rim and curls on each side.  It also appears that it's crying with a single tear hanging from the bottom.  I haven't the slightest clue at what it could possibly mean.

I put the scroll away as I reach the bottom of the steps and look around the room.  The floor has tiles, the walls have candles, and there are carpets paving the way, yet something seems off.  I listen closely for anything to hear, but all I'm hearing is the light of the candles flicker.  Where are the guards?  Shouldn't they be patrolling?

I begin searching for the princess, feeling uneasy at the solitude.





After six rooms, I arrive at the door I'm 100% certain the princess will be in.  I put my ear against the door, but I'm hearing nothing.  I knock on the door and I'm getting silence.

......okay, maybe 14.8% certain.

Slowly, I open the door and see a lavender pony on the other side of the room.  She stands there in a green tunic and seems to be imitating my expression.  I notice that she is in a frame and I realize how much of an idiot I am for not noticing it sooner.

I'm looking at my own reflection.

That's an odd place to put a mirror.  I walk in and take a look around this large room.  I’m in a Boudoir chamber, a private room for mares to relax in.  It could be considered a bedroom, but some know it as the ‘pouting room’.  I can only assume by the sheer size of the place that Princess Platinum is a big pouter.

There's nothing really noteworthy here.  It has a bed, dresser, couch, everyday mare stuff.  I pass the mirror and take a moment to review myself, I look like a mess.  I straighten my tunic, brush my mane, and adjust my cap.  Cici was right, this hat does make me look silly.  Along the golden frame, a purple decoration on top catches my eye.  it looks like a miniature magnifying glass.  Along the top of it are three triangles and the handle appears to get thicker as it goes down.  The lens itself is dark blue with a diamond in the center, it kinda looks like a pupil...... wait, did I recently see something that looks similar to the design?

I pull out the blueprints and take a look at that strange room, it looks just like the symbol.  Does this mirror have some unique connection to that room?  I look around the furniture and see nothing suspicious.  I tap the glass, it's solid, and doesn't appear to be a portal.  Maybe I'm just overthinking things, perhaps this symbol is scattered across the castle to impose as an insignia for the princess.

For whatever reason it may be, I consider that it has no major purpose, so I return with my search by heading for the next room.  Come on Twilight, your a princess, where would you be in your castle?  As I ponder that thought, I begin slowing down my pacing, having the strangest feeling.  A feeling.... that tells me....... that I'm not alone in here.  Slowly I turn around, reviewing my surroundings very carefully.  The bed rested against the wall, the dresser is planted to the floor, the mirror shows my reflection's bangs covering her eyes, on the desk rests a tiny cow bobblehe-.  I jolt my neck back towards the mirror, something is very wrong with it.  The image I'm seeing is not of a pony copying my actions, but that of a pony standing in a way that could make anypony feel disquiet.  I cautiously approach the reflective frame, but my mirror self keeps standing there.  She starts raising her head towards me, showing an expressionless face.  Her eyes are closed but her face is locked onto me.  I freeze, uncertain on how to proceed with this.  We both stay still, just staring at each other, and suddenly her eyelids shoot open to reveal red glowing eyes.

I practically jump back what feels like ten hooves with a shriek.

My reflection begins to walk towards me at a steady pace.  Her face stays on me, never changing, and when she reaches her side of the mirror, she begins to walk out of it.  Her fur, her clothes, everything about her starts to get darker into various tones of black, all except those eyes, the eyes that told me that she wasn't going to let me leave this room alive.

She's approaching me and slowly pulls out her sword with her magic.  I walk backwards running a thousand possible theories that might explain what I'm seeing, but I'm too shook up at seeing just how menacing I can look to think straight.  I stumble with my sword as I bring it out and point it at my doppelganger's approach.  She doesn't yield so I swing a magic bullet at her as she does the same.  Both shots collide and cancel each other out.  Taking it as a fluke, I throw a few more shots at her.  She hits each one of them without breaking her gaze on me.

Relentlessly striking isn't working, so I'll try a different approach.  I slow my movement down to a minimum and give her a look that I was going to swing.  I give a sudden jerk and intentionally pause for a brief moment to psych her out before throwing another magic bullet.  She doesn't even flinch at my method and teleports out of the way.  A flash bursts in front of me and my look-a-like appears swinging her sword down at me.

I recoil my sword in shock and lock into a shove match with her.  We push against one another with our faces near inches away and I got a good look at her as we struggle.  Her expression is a straight look that refuse to emote for anything, not even for a blink.  Those eyes shine in solid red and hold nothing in them.  It felt like I was fighting my dark-side.

The doppelganger pulls her head back.  She bends her head down and suddenly thrust her horn at me.  I barely dodge it, feeling her horn graze across the fur on my neck.  She pulls back and continues to try and stab me.

I'm pinned in this situation, so I'll try something else.  I quickly teleport behind her to shoot a bullet.  She teleports away before I even got a chance to launch it.  I suddenly felt an impact of some magic hitting my left back leg and felt a numbing pain pinching on my nerves.  I look behind and see my copy across the room twirling her sword after the bullet she shot at me.

I take a few deep breaths and guard myself with my sword, it'll take a few seconds before I can regain feeling in my leg.  She saunters towards me, floating her sword around with subtle grace.  I strengthen my aura, anticipating her to teleport at me any moment like last time.  She steadies her sword and suddenly swings a magic bullet at me.  Pulling one over my expectations, I hastily stop the shot by bunting it with my sword.  The magic dissipates into the air and I see through the mana my doppelganger charging at me with her horn pointed right at me.  I roll to the side, skidding on my right wing across the floor and feel myself sweating from the sudden near impalement.

She slows her pace to a halt and for the first time since this fight started, she isn't staring at me.  I begin to hear a whooshing sound and shift my gaze at her sword twirling.  It starts getting faster and faster and faster until it looks like a floating disk.  The sword begins to make hissing noises as it starts lighting up.  I get back up, having a feeling in my leg once more, and her sword starts glowing with a buzzing hum.  It flies at me vertically, but I jump to the side and dodge it.  The sword makes an awful fizzing sound and cuts through the floor.  It flies up after making a deep gash into the stone floor.  I begin to pant as it flies around and heads at me horizontally.  I drop to the floor and it cuts off a few strands of hair from my tail.

I keep dodging from this flying buzz-saw so much that I hardly have time to think on how to stop this thing.  I'm noticing that I've been breathing heavily for a while during this conflict.  I dodge the flying sword again and it returns back to my copy.  I collapse on my right hind knee as the sword begins to slow down next to her.  My doppelganger finally returns her gaze back at me, standing there strong with that stone face of hers.

I can't keep this up.  I'm completely exhausted, but that.... thing looks like it can go for another twenty more rounds.  She begins to march towards me again and I shimmy myself backwards.  For every tactic I pull, she immediately avoids and counters it.  Whenever I got her figured, she pulls something different and unexpected.  My rear bumps into a cold surface.  Taking a quick look behind me, I'm laying up against the mirror my copy came from.  There's no place for me to run, I'm just having the worst luck right now.

I look back at her to see her eyes glowing at me then return my vision to the mirror.  But maybe....

I look back at her to see her sword raised up then return my sight towards the mirror.  ......I don't......

I look back at her to see her galloping towards me then return my gaze at the mirror.  ........have enough of it!

I stand up feeling very weary, gathering what little strength I have left.  She leaps forward while I balance on my front hooves and pull in my hind-legs as tight as I can.  She brings down her sword over my head and I use every last ounce of energy to give a mighty bucking strike.  I hear a loud shatter behind me and see my doppelganger shatter into tiny pieces in front of me.

The shards crumble all over me and I begin to crumble myself, collapsing from the intense experience.  I will never enter into somepony's bedroom without their permission, ever again!

I rest for a while before getting back up and shaking the mirror fragments off me, I'd rather have seven years of bad luck if it meant I can live for seven more years.  The sound of glass shimmers as they hit the ground and I suddenly hear the clicking sound of plastic.  Searching the ground, I find the magnifying glass ornament from the mirror.  I examine it and the lens is see through, but it doesn't really change the scale of what I'm seeing.  

I think...... I think I'll take this.  Outside from the map, I've only seen this symbol on the mirror, a mirror that tried to attack me.  There's something important about this symbol, I just can't figure out why it's important.

I shrink it down and place it in my hat when I might need it later.  Trespassing, destruction of property and now stealing.  Oh Twilight, are you this desperate to get back to the future?

I have another need to scratch the wings I must keep hidden from the world.

Yes, I'm that desperate.





As I walk through these halls, I see many decorations along the wall; plants, armor, shields, and swords.  I pass by another decoration and stop to take a moment to look at this one as it allures my attention.  It's a portrait that shows a mare sitting on a cushion prestige manner, believing that I'm looking at a portrait of Princess Platinum.  Her attire proclaims her class with a color pattern of 'Royal Purple' making up the majority of it.  Her collar around her neck, the robe over her brilliant azure fur, even the gems on her platinum crown are made up of this color.  She gives a subtle smile at the viewer while she hides behind a mane of two different tones of pale blue over one of her dark violet eyes.

She looks like somepony I've met before, but I can't quite place my hoof on it.  Perhaps I'll figure it out when I meet her.

I continue my pace as I enter into the next room.  It's the Foyer, a big room that's meant to hold many ponies inside, but the sound of my hoofsteps is the only thing I'm hearing through these corridors.  I feel so isolated, It's very unsettling.  I hate to admit it, but I'm starting to miss Cici's company.  She may be the most annoying pony I've met, but she could brighten up the atmosphere around here.

Okay, the next room I should be coming upon is that one room with the strange symbol right about.... here.  I turn and see a solid wall in front of me.  I look along the left and right of the wall, but I'm not seeing any passageway or door to go through.  This must be the place, I'm certain of it......... 8.36% certain.

I concentrate on the symbol on the blueprint.  ........................maybe .......maybe I should use the magnifying glass.  I take out the little trinket and look through it right at the blueprints.

...........................I'm not noticing anything.  I continue to think of something else as I begin to fidget with the magnifying glass out of a force of habit; tapping myself with it, nibbling on it, spinning the handle.  I feel like I'm on the right track, but I'm just not seeing it.  Hmm....

I look back at the wall as I spin the trinket.  ..............huh!?!  I hold the piece of plastic still and begin to judge my vision.  For a brief moment, I think I saw the door through the lens.  I raise the magnifying glass closer and I see a hallway with a door at the end.  I lower it back down and I see the wall.  Is it even there?

Slowly, I lay a hoof on the wall, it falls right through it!  I walked forward and passed through the wall like it wasn't even there.  I think I know what's happening.  This must be the result of an Illusion spell.

I've only read about this spell. It distorts the light refraction around an object or location into a sight that can fool anypony, believing whatever they see is truly there.  I heard that it's an exceedingly difficult spell to perform, but the formula for casting it has been lost for centuries.  Seeing it being used makes sense considering that I'm in the past, but what's more interesting is that the spell can't fool the magnifying glass.  It's like the lens was meant to only show the truth of what's really there.

I begin to hear voices coming from the door ahead, so I quietly approach it.  I push the door open slightly and see inside, it's a group of soldiers gathered around a table. The amethyst mane unicorn appears to be talking about some kind of strategy to the others, "-ing to be taking it from its right side.  Meanwhile, Nightshade will sneak by and grab the princess.  That's when Dream Weaver grabs its attention and keeps it distracted for the two of them to make it back here.  Once she's safe, everypony falls back here.  Got it?"

"This is ridiculous, Knightingale!"  a pony with steel blue fur complained, "You saw how fast it can strike, it'll take us down bit by bit if we split up.  What we need to do is for all of us to just charge at it."

"And end up like Sun Ray?"  He points to a pony who looks as if his entire fur was caught on fire, leaving a badly burnt unicorn.  "I know taking it down is an issue we need to address, but our first priority is to save the princess."

"She's fine.  You saw her enter the panic room, so why rescue her if she's safe."

"Because she's trapped in there.  She's no different than a pony behind bars."  He pats him on the back, "Trust me, everything will go a lot more smoothly if we get her first.  She'll have the guidance necessary to handle the situation."

Princesses don't have the answer to everything, guys.  However, I think I do have an answer to what's going on.  Apparently, there's a creature in the next room and it has the princess captive.  This could explain why nopony is allowed in the castle, they don't want the public to panic knowing the princess is in danger.

If I want any hope at meeting Princess Platinum, then I have to get rid of this creature first.  .....I'm starting to believe the timeline wants me to mess it up.  First though, I need to get by these soldiers.  I look at the door to the next room, teleporting there would bring too much notice, I'll need to get there by hoof.  I crouch low to the ground and slowly walk forward, listening to their argument drag on.

"Here's an idea!  Why don't we just sneak by without causing any notice to ourselves.  We won't need to fight it that way."

"It won't work." said a unicorn with a chartreuse streak in his mane.

"I swear Emerald Coast, if you keep on belittling my ideas....."

"No seriously, in an open area like that, we're bound to get caught."

"Oh you're just not thinking positive."

"You're right I'm not, I'm thinking rationally.  I'm telling you there is no way you can sneak by somepony without getting ca-HEY!"  I cement myself to the floor and look over at the guards, they're all staring at me.  "How'd you get in here?"

"Um........."

I'm suddenly being pushed back by one of the guards, "I don't care how you came, you're leaving."

"But I can help you guys ou-"

"We got everything under control, just leave this castle, now!"  It's no use.  They don't see me as a powerful princess, they only see me as a common peasant.  I'm going to have to be a little forceful if I want to get to that door.  I teleport, "Wha!  Where she?" and appear at the door.

"How'd she do that?" one of the guards said as I push open the door.

"WAIT!!!" I zip inside, "NO, DON'T GO I-" and shut the door during his sentence.  I slam down the door's bar lock, making sure they won't interfere.

I lay up against the door, that could've gone better.  Looking back, it just dawned on me, why is the bar lock undamaged?  Those soldiers were talking about something that I assume broke into this room, so why isn't this broken?  Speaking of which, just what am I going up against in here?

I turn back and take in the disassembled room I'm in.  The room is long, wide, and tall like any throne room would be, but many of the decorations have been damaged, broken, or destroyed.  I proceed further in, surveying the ripped banners and fallen balconies.  I hear a clink sound underneath my hoof, I've stepped on an iron sword.  The entire floor is scattered with cracks, gravel, piles of debris, broken columns, and various weapons.

On the other side of the room, I see the throne's chair tossed on its side along with a few potted plants and piles of curtains ripped asunder on the floor.  There also appears to be a door that would be hiding behind curtains if there were any hanging.  I suddenly feel a warm heat hitting me from behind like steam.  I pivot around and see two giant orange elliptical eyes contracting their pupils on me.  Tracing down along a muzzle, a snout breaths only a few hooves away from me.  A cloud of sulfur blows out of the nostrils, making me cough at the horrible smell.

It pulls back, giving me a better look at a face hanging from a balcony right above the room I came out of.  It looks forward and a colossal green figure jumps over my head.  It lands with its back turn against me, giving me a good look at the large wings it has.  A large scaly lime green tail slides across the floor as it turns.  Large sharp claws dig into the cement and crumbles in its paw as if it were paper.  It slams a foot on the floor and gives out a thunderous roar that vibrates the room, declaring that I just entered into the territory of a dragon.

You gotta be kidding me!  How did this thing get in here?  

More importantly, how am I going to get rid of it?  If I start a fight with it, there's a good chance I'll be swallowed whole.  I need to approach this gently and as respectfully as possible. "Pardon me Mr. Drag-" I screech and fall to the floor as a stream of fire soars over me: I didn't even get five words in!  The scorching heat was stinging my fur, it feels like it could even combust my wooden sword at any moment.

The flames begin to die down, and I get up beating what's left of the fire off my cap.  I'm a dead mare.

The dragon shakes its shoulders and pounces at me.  I teleport to where it was as it lands.  It looks around, to I assume, for me, so I expose my location by swinging a magic bullet at it.  It recoils upon impact and looks over at me with a surprised look.  It appears that my magic shots can actually faze it.

.....Perhaps I can give it some shock therapy so it'll obey.

It glares at me and scurries closer.  As it's about to trample me, I teleport behind and hit it with another bullet.  It turns blowing fireballs and I teleport, giving another strike.  It sweeps its tail, I swing my sword.  The pattern keeps continuing and it begins to worry me.  A group of trained  guards were having trouble at getting rid of this thing, so why is it going so easy for me?

The dragon falls on its belly, showing signs of exhaustion.  I shake my sword at it, trying to appear like a stern mother, "Now are you going to be good or do you need another spanking?"  It growls its teeth at me and gets back up.  The dragon takes a deep breath and I prepare to dodge its flames.  It keeps taking in air, this is going to be a big one.  The drake ends its inhale, lifts its head up high and lets out smoke towards the ceiling.

What's it doing?

A large black cloud floats above the room, I can't even see the ceiling anymore.  The dragon starts glowing an iris wisp around itself.

Th-there's no way...

The dragon looks at me and its eyes begin to glow.  I start to feel frizzle, like I'm being charged up with energy.

I mean, it's a dragon, it can't possibly know....

My mane is starting to feel staticy and I have a sneaking suspicion at the cause.  I look up into the smoke clouds and see lights flashing inside it.

IT DOES!!!

I dive forward in panic and hear a loud clashing sound behind me.  I take a quick glance back and see a burn mark in the spot I was just standing at.  Whipping my head back at the beast, I see it looking at me with glowing eyes.  I quickly teleport behind the throne chair, just in time to see a lightning bolt striking the area I was just at.

It knows magic.

It bellows a loud roar that shakes the walls and begins stalking for me.  I lay against the seat, trying to settle myself down.  My heart is beating so fast, that I feel like it's going to burst out of my chest.

This is just great, now I'm a patient in its shock therapy.  How is it doing this?  There's no way a dragon can use magic.  Is there something I'm not seeing?  ......not seeing.

I take out the magnifying glass and look at the dragon with it.  The drake's figure stays solid through the lens as it walks away from me.  It turns it's body and I pull back at what I'm witnessing.  There, right there, piercing out of its forehead, is a large horn!  A Unicorn's horn!!!

My heart only got faster from this new information.  This isn't an illusion, this is real magic, and this isn't like any unicorn's, it's on a completely different level.  Dragon's are known for their brute strength, boundless stamina, and ruthless rage.  If I don't keep myself hidden, if I screw up, or if I even linger for more than a second in its sight.

I look over at the black blotch still smoking on the floor.

I'll be looking even worse than Sun Ray.

I begin biting my lip in hope of compressing my nerve a little.  Holding my breath, I peek from behind the chair, the drake is searching through a pile of debris.  I jump out and swing my sword around like a madbull.  My shots hit the dragon's iris wisp that cover its body, the shots don't even irritate it, but it does get its attention.  I dive back whimpering and teleport to a fallen pillar in another corner of the room.  Lightning strikes the throne and the dragon runs towards it and begins searching the throne for me.

I begin sinking to the floor as the stress gets heavier on me.  That iris wisp it has around itself is indeed the spell 'magic armor', there's no way I can break through that.  I keep watching it tear apart the throne as it searches for me.  Debris flies across the room from its claws, curtains soaring through the air.

*foop*

The candelabra bounces on the ground getting dents. 

*ding*

Pots shatter as they hit the ground.

*CRACK*

.....that's it!!!  That colt from earlier could get through the barrier.  He got through with a fast velocity in his shots, right?  No wait, that's just a theory of mine.  It could quite possibly fail.

The throne chair flies over me and shatters to pieces when it hits the wall.

Then again...

I tighten the aura on my sword.  Taking a deep breath, I jump out and swing a bullet as hard as I can.  It hits the dragon, but it only turns its neck looking peeved.  It shoots three fireballs that spin around clockwise towards me and I teleport to the collapse balcony on the right.  The orbs of fire collide on the floor and disperse into the air.  All three of their angles are arching towards me unnaturally, as if they're being controlled through magic!  I quickly teleport behind the fallen balcony on the other side of the room, making sure that I'm out of the dragon's sight.

The fireball starts flying in a circle in the air and I begin to hear heavy footsteps coming closer.  I shrink down my sword into my cap, I'll need something with more velocity.

My eyes scan around for something to use.  The fallen rubble wouldn't result with much difference, the ripped fabric will just be worse, but I am seeing various weapons on the ground.  I notice the spear and levitate it to me.  It could be used like a javelin, and by the sheer size of the dragon, it'll probably be no different than a bee sting to it.  I'll take that option.

I teleport to the center of the room and throw the spear with all my might.  It collides with the dragon and bounces off of it, but that didn't stop it from retaliating with another fireball.  The other three start falling towards me from above and I quickly form a barrier around me.  The flaming orbs bash and begin pushing and sliding all over my magic shield.  The heat and pressure is too fierce for me and I teleport behind a column.

The fireballs hit the floor and spread out.  The dragon lowers its head and sniffs the spot where I stood.  It slams its claw on the ground and its eyes begin to glow while it roars loud enough to cause the floor to tremble.  Lightning bolts begin to drop down from the cloud above one after another, striking randomly everywhere.  It shoots fireballs about and they bounce off every surface.  The room is starting to look like the inside of an oven now; stifling heat, red lighting, and fire everywhere.  The thunderstorm above only adds to this state of turmoil.

It's in a state of rage now, if I don't stop it soon.

A lightning bolt strikes in front of me, nearly turning my mane white from the shock.  I look down and see that the bolt hit so hard, that it shattered the floor into a small crater.  I look back up at the dragon whipping its head around and casting spells from its invisible horn.  .....................................I like that idea.

I survey the floor's many weapons and pull an iron sword closer.  I inspect many of the wall's burning fabric and levitate a curtain tether towards me.  I reviewed my hat and grab the magnifying glass.  Looking through the lens, I bid my time until I can get a good shot.

..........NOW!

I teleport with all three items onto the dragon's head.  The drake jerks its head, then begins shaking in every direction, trying to throw me off.  I hold on and start to wrap the tether around its horn.  The dragon whips its head and I lose my hold on the magnifying glass.  I watch it fall into a passing fireball and be destroyed.  I return my attention to the horn and lay the iron sword on it before I tie the tether, locking it in place.  I put all of my magic on the sword with a Jikerdor spell as I desperately hold on.  The dragon rises its head and whips it down.

I lose my hold and I'm thrown across the room.  I land, sliding on the floor for some distance and slam into the bar lock door.  The dragon charges at me like a train and yells out a savage roar.  Fury shines in its eyes as they start to glow.  I look up to see the lightning forming overhead shoot down towards me.  It then makes a sharp turn and strikes the magnetized sword on the dragon's horn.

The dragon gives a deafening roar while it lurches up by the electric current.  All the flames suddenly turn blue and stop in place as the electricity traveling across the dragon's body starts displaying a silhouette of its horn.  I touch my own horn wincing, sympathizing at what this dragon must be feeling during this shocking experience.

The current breaks and the dragon is frozen in place with a few static bursts appearing across its body.  It moans as it flops to the ground, the head lands near hooves away from me.  Blue flames start to appear across its body until it was nothing but a large bonfire.  The fireballs in the air slowly descend and they start to shrink smaller and smaller along with the big one until it fizzles out, leaving nothing left in the aftermath.

I slowly get up off the floor.  Just what was that thing?  There's no way it was a dragon if it can use magic like a unicorn and can combust like a phoenix.  I take a look around the room and stagger to the door in the back.  I should probably get the princess before I find out just how much of a phoenix it really is.

I make it to the door and grab the handle with my magic.  It's locked, no matter, I pull out my sword and begin casting a spell on it.  I spin the piece of wood in the air, tap the door handle and the door unlocks.  I have the keys to the kingdom as long as I put enough heart into this spell.

Opening the door reveals a supply room of sorts.  It contains wooden crates stacked on top of each other with a few clay pots around.  "HALT," A platinum scepter with a purple glass orb levitates and points at me under the control of a magenta aura.  "STAY BACK YOU OVERGROWN LEATHER BAG," A voice yells at me from behind the crate and I see an azure horn controlling the scepter with magic, "OR YOU WILL HAVE TO FACE 'THE ROYAL AND MAJESTIC PRINCESS PLATINUM!'"

Well the good news is that I finally figured out who she reminds me of.  The bad news is that I finally figured out who she reminds me of.  "The dragon is gone, princess."

"It....... it is?"  A mare peeks over the box, revealing her dark violet eyes at me.  She looks around with an uncertain look on her face, although honestly, I give an uncertain look of my own, I believe she's wearing her crown upside down.  "Yes, well..." she coughs. "Princess Platinum thanks you for your valiant rescue," she straightens herself up to reclaim whatever dignity she had before, "But she could've handled it herself."

Well excuse me, princess.

Platinum stares at me for a moment with judging eyes, "You don't look like one of Platinum's soldiers, you look more like a messenger.  Are you here on that creature's behalf?"

"Who? The dragon's?"

"No, the one who summoned the dragon."

"Summoned!  That thing?!?  I've never heard a pony that was able to successfully execute a summoning spell.  I can only imagine just how powerful that pony must've been if they can summon a full grown dragon."

She looks at me, giving a grim look, "It wasn't a pony.  Platinum doesn't really know what it was when she first saw it and is still baffled by its appearance.  It looked like a minotaur, but I've never seen one wield magic before."

"Now there's a minotaur that can use magic!  Just what transpired here?"

She clears her throat looking very pleased, it looks like she's going to enjoy this.  "It starts before Platinum first met this behemoth, it was when it was storming the castle.  Precaution was made prier but it was storming with haste through the halls.  My guards were trying to halt its pursuit, but reports kept arriving of the creature breaching every blockade.  Platinum's personal guards took it upon themselves to lock the door to the throne and insisted on their majesty to take refuge, but the Royal and Majestic Princess Platinum insisted on confronting this trespasser herself."

"It was then a black cloud began to seep through the cracks of the door and enter into the throne room.  It gathered together and formed a heinous entity with malicious intent.  It stood on hind legs and viewed down at us from up high.  It resembled traits of a Minotaur with it's hooved feet, bloated muscles, and menacing horns.  But, it swung around a reptilian tail, gritted its tusks on its lower jaw, and blew steam out of its flat nose."

"What happened next?" I said, completely captivated by her story.

"Now that the creature had succeeded in infiltrating the castle and finding her majesty, it responded by........ doing nothing."

"Huh?!"

"It merely stood there analyzing the Royal and Majestic Princess Platinum.  Eventually, the creature regards its right paw with uncertainty in its eyes.  The paw slowly clenches as its eyes begin to inflame into rage.  It pierces a mighty roar into the sky and swings its fist down to the terra firma for which we tread upon.  Dark aura shines on the surface in the shape of a pentagram as the beast stands up and rips the fabric off the banner on the wall.  It conceals its appearance within the cloak and raises its paw to snap and vanish within luminescence light, leaving a drake to arise from the magical symbol below."

Okay this is getting scary.  Everywhere I go, there's been a creature that has caused some kind of havoc to the place.

It appeared from smoke, summoned a dragon, and vanished in a flash.  I wonder......... if I take into account the creature with the green eyes from Puddinghead's story to be a magic user.......................... then it starts making a story!

The monster standing in a dust cloud summons a second monster to come running out, giving the first monster enough time to vanish literally into a puff of smoke.  The now cloud-form monster has a run-in with the Pegasi and summons another monster for whatever its reasons are before finally arriving here in the castle.

It fits in with Platinum's description of its magic capability to form a connected story between the three incidents, indicating that the green eyed monster, black cloud, and Minotaur-like creature to be the same individual.

Why is that creature doing this?  What does this thing want?  

"So why did you come here if not because of that creature?" the princess broke me from my thoughts, "Did you slay the dragon just so you could get a glimpse at the Stunning and Graceful Princess Platinum like a brave knight from a fairy tale?"  she huffs her hoof and rubs it on her chest looking very boastful.

She's pretty egotistical despite the fact she just demeaned herself to 'damsel in distress'.  "Ah no, I've been searching for Star Swirl the Bearded for quite awhile and found that he stopped by here to deliver a message.  I'm wondering if you could possibly tell me what it was, perhaps it could lead me to where he'll be going next."

"What he said is pretty irrelevant now.  He came to warn about the possibility of that creature approaching Unicornia, stating that he doesn't know what its intentions are, but he's certain that it is powerful and malicious.  I told him that he had nothing to fear, for the Royal and Majestic Princess Platinum would protect this kingdom, and if necessary, destroy this beast.  Star Swirl responded stating that we wouldn't be able to halt the creature's progress, but he believes there might be a way.  He told me to prepare for anything and left stating 'I'm going to find out what more I can learn about it.'  As from where or how he'll gain this knowledge, he didn't say."

So I don't have a destination, just the events that occurred here.  Star Swirl's statement though....

"Take this," Platinum levitates me with a necklace with a crystal tide to it.  The crystal itself shines a bright golden light from it.

"What's this?"

"Just some old junk that Platinum doesn't need anymore.  It's an aura crystal that has portions of the purest and most sacred form of magic inside.  Platinum wants you to throw it away for her."

"This thing?  It sounds more like a powerful ancient relic and not something to throw in the garbage."

She looks embarrassed, "It's been past down through the family for generations, but it's just a useless trinket.  Feel honored that you're given the chance at throwing away the Royal and Majestic Princess Platinum's trash."

Judging by your personality and the fact that you're doing a terrible job at trying to make this gem sound useless, I believe you're giving me this as a reward because you're too proud to just come out and say 'thank you for rescuing me.'

I shrink down the necklaces into my hat and give a bow to her, "Thank you for your time, Princess Platinum.  This has been very helpful, but I need to get going."  I rise and head for the door, Cici is probably waiting for me.  Not to mention, the soldiers must be panicking by now with the amount of silence in the throne room.

"You're not a unicorn, are you."

My body froze in place, surprised by what I just heard.  I feel like a little filly and I was just caught at stealing a cookie.  I manage to slowly turn my head towards her, too afraid to turn around completely.  "The magic you just displayed didn't look like the magic of a unicorn's, it acts.... different.  Almost like ours, but also powerful and... how can I say it........... beatific."  The princess puts a hoof to her mouth and scans her eyes over me.  "You look like us, but Platinum thinks you're hiding something from her."

I have the most strongest urge to scratch my wings right now.

She continues to stare at me for what felt like an eternity as she wonders at my secret.  "Forget it," she shakes her head, "whether you're a unicorn or not is no concern of Platinum's.  Be on your way," she waves her hoof at me, showing little concern of my presence.

I gawk at her a few moments more, feeling the pressure lifting off me and question how I should take this awkward experience.  She was practically on top of me and suddenly gives up?  I continue my way to the door with an odd suspicion that I've started something.





I return to the laundry pool with the hope that Cici would be there with something to go on, but she hasn't returned.  I take this opportunity to relax, listen to the water flow, and start questioning a few things, like Star Swirl for example.  Ever since the beginning, he's always been one step ahead, not just of me and Cici, but of everypony.  He's been warning ponies about a creature that's going to cause trouble for everypony if actions aren't met.  Not only that, he's been able successfully pinpoint its origin as well as its capabilities.  It's obvious that he knew about this creature from the very start, but the question remains, how did he know?   Platinum said that he's going to find out what more he can learn about it, leading to believe that he got intel from somewhere.

What was it that Cici said back at the Earth kingdom?

 "He seemed quite settled earlier with his geology book, but he was panicking later stating that he had to get to the Earth kingdom."

........that doesn't really explain much, and I doubt a geology book could tell him all this, but that's the only information I got that sheds light on how this all got started.

"Twink!  Twinkle!"  my ear flaps at that annoying nickname and I look to see Cici galloping down the street.  She reaches me and is completely out of breath "I... me.... o-over....,"

She's gasping between words, making it hard for me to understand any of what she just said.  "Settle down.  Take a few breaths," her breathing begins to get softer.  "Now take a deep breath," she does as I instruct "and tell me what you want to say."

"I found Master Star Swirl!"
> Chapter 6
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Magic is one of the basic building blocks of life.  Everything creates, emits, and absorbs magic on a molecular level, from a single blade of grass to the clouds that fly over us.  The majority of creatures (including ponies) have a more unique relationship with magic in this way as it’s integrated into our DNA.  This means that depending on the magic we absorb, our genetic structure could possibly be altered.

For example, when I was given Alicorn magic, my body sprouted wings in order to compensate with this new magic.  Of course the magic I was given was in its purest form and at a large amount.  It usually takes generations to make a more permanent and physical change.  This could explain why so many ponies here look so different from the ones in my time.  They've been living in a foreign land before they came to Equestria, which means different environments and magic.

I still can't believe how the tribes are still so prejudiced towards one another, but each leader did seem like they were trying to make an effort to change that before I left.  They even gave me a bag of silver chunks, a box of feathers, and a crystal that houses a form of light magic as a sign of good faith.

I've learned many things here in the past; certain rocks can repel magic, breaking magic armor requires a strong force, how a tunic could be considered a torture device for winged creatures, but soon I'll be back in my own time period...... I hope.

"It's this way, Twinkle."

"You said that sixty-four times already.  Why don't we ask for direction from those foals with the flutes?"

"We're not going to ask for their help.  They're nothing but mischief makers."

"Like you're any better."

According to what Cici said, there was a note left by Star Swirl at the library.  It stated that he wants her to study on transfiguration, but he also said he was going to be at 'the walls'.  Cici says that she knows what he's talking about and is leading me through the forest to get there.  It goes without saying that we're currently lost in these woods.

Cici has got to be one of the most difficult ponies I've ever had to deal with.  She teases, plays pranks and has a way of getting under your fur.  She's a pain, but you know, I think I'm going to miss her the most.  She's been watchful, dependable, and helpful all along the way.

I'm not sure if I'd call her a friend, but she's definitely grown on me.

"Just admit it, Cici.  We're lost."

"We're not lost.  I know where I'm going."

"No you don't, we've past this tree five times already."

"Are you kidding?  That's a completely different tree."

"HOW MANY TREES HAVE A MUSTACHE?"

The white unicorn ignores me, looking where to go next, "It's just over there."

I roll my eyes as she leads us through a large hollow log.  As we get closer to the other side, I see a grove basking in the sunlight.  The padding sounds my hooves made on the dirt turn to sounds of clacking as I walk on the stone floor.  On the few crumbled walls that still stand, there's moss that covers up a majority of the murals imprinted of the fragile structure.  Flowers that blow silently with the wind are being praised like a princess from the sunlight that shines over the roofless ceiling.  Trees have started to claim this vacant lot as a few have already taken over this resident.

I spin around, looking at the big area I'm in.  The moon light keeps this place hidden, but the sunlight reveals that I've stumbled upon an ancient ruin.

"Master Star Swirl should be somewhere around here," announced Cici, "I'll search over here."

"Y-yeah, I'll look........ there." I state, not even looking where 'there' was.  My attention is more focused on these walls, there's something strange about this.  This land has only recently been inhabited, but these ruins are at least a few thousand years old, so why are they here?

My ears twitch, hearing something that sounds like a small bell being rung in a rhythm.  I start tracing the source as it takes me to the more darker side of these ruins.  It was light enough for me to see where I'm going, but it made the walls harder for me to see.  There is however an orb floating in the air, illuminating a small aqua-blue light against one of the walls.

I scan down along the surface and see that there's a stallion casting the glowing orb from their light grey horn.  He sits there looking up while he flicks one of the bells on his wizard hat and robe combo with a stitched pattern of stars and moons in a blue night sky.  As I walk around him, the first thing I see is his long white beard that dangles down to his chest.  He stares up with an intense gaze from his wrinkled face at the wall in front of him.

Can it really be!  The father of the amniomorphic spell himself!!!  "St-st-Star Swirl?" I ask, trying to hold back the excitement of meeting a legend.

He doesn't respond to me, doesn't seem aware of my presence at all.

"Star Swirl?" I ask again with more concern this time.  

I step in front of him and wave a hoof, but he's not responding.

I begin to walk backwards in panic, "CICI!"  The sound of her galloping hoofsteps begins approaching, "He's not replying!"

The mare brushes her pink flowing mane out of her eyes.  "He's in a deep thought," she replies like it's nothing, "He usually likes to ring one of his bells when he's in one.  I told you before," her magenta eyes peer back at me, "'his inquisitive nature never lets him get sidetrack for anything else.' You'll have to know how to break him out of it."  She approaches her teacher from behind one of his shoulders.

"This news has just filled my heart with rainbows!"

He immediately jumps up looking pale as a ghost and scans the area with a panic expression on his face.  What was it about those words that didn't agree with him?  They don't seem that threatening, it sounded like something a feminist would say.

He eventually starts to settle down and finally notices his pupil standing there, "Cici, what are you doing here?" he spoke in an old and wise voice, "You should be reading up on transfiguration, young mare."

"I know Master and I'm sorry," she bows towards her teacher.  Her entire demeanor changes to one that's respectful and polite.  Something about this scene kinda looks familiar, it reminds me of my own relationship with my own teacher.  .....have I always been such a teacher's pet?  "A friend of mine has been wanting to see you for awhile, Master." 

"This isn't a good time for meeting new faces."

"Please Master, she came all this way to ask for your help."

His stern gaze stares at Cici's pleading face, "...this better not be another one of your attempts at getting out of your assignment."  His face turns towards me, "Yes, what may I help you with?".

My mind is completely blank and I'm holding back from making the highest pitched squee of my life.  "Hi.... St-star Swirl, my.... my name... name is.... is....."

Cici leans up next to me and whispers something, "Twinkle."

"Y-yeah..... I-I'm.. Twinkle........ wait, no, NO!" I take a moment to suppress my fangirling for another time.  I take a deep breath and start again, "My name is Twilight Sparkle and I... um... how can I say this...." If I don't convince him, he would never help me then, all of the searching for him will be in vain, "You see I accidentally got myself stuck...... 'here' and I um.... need your help on possibly... making a spell to get me back... 'there'."

Cici begins to sink with regret from ever helping me and Star Swirl looks at me unamused, "You came all this way just to have me send you someplace?"

"Well that's just it; it's not someplace, it's more....... sometime." I begin tapping my hooves together, nervous at how this may sound,  "I need your help at getting me back to..... ahem...... the future."

He stares at Cici and she pulls over her hood, trying to avoid any eye contact from her strict teacher.  "Your punishment is an essay on the concept of levitation.  I want it no less than one thousand words, have neat penmanship, and be in my hooves b-"

My chances are slipping away!!! "No, I'm serious, I am from the future."

"I'm sorry Ms... Sparkle was it?  But, I'm not amused by this joke of yours.  The achievement at successfully fabricating with time is strictly impossible."

"Says the pony who has time spells in his own wing!"  I instinctively respond in a sore tone.  I slap my mouth after my outburst.

He gives me a stern look, "What's this about a wing?"

"Nothing." I say sheepishly.  Telling somepony too much detail about themselves specifically might alter their future. 

"Hmm..." his gaze keeps analyzing me, ".....well if you really are from the future, then you should have no problem proving it."

That might be a little difficult to do since I didn't bring anything with me to the past other than these clothes.  "Well..... oh!" I flash out of his sight and the old stallion looks stunned by my absence.  "In this time period," I call out and they both turn to see me up in a tree, "nopony has ever heard of a pony that could use magic to teleport, but in my time," I flash back to where I previously stood, "A hoofful of ponies have pretty much mastered it."

"Remarkable," the old stallion said, stroking his beard, "That's quite a unique spell, but I'm still not convinced that you're from the future."  My jaw drops as I give a disappointing look, "I'll admit that I can't rap my brain around that spell and the fact that you appear to have knowledge of my future, but for all I know you could be a talented pony that's making up fake fortunes about me."

"What more proof do you need?" I'm starting to become desperate,  "Ah!  The world!  I can tell you about the world and it won't jeopardize the future!  Ponies aren't prejudiced against each other, they're very accepting of one another.  Earth ponies don't look like rock creatures and Pegasi are more equine than birds.  The princess isn't a Unicorn, they're ponies that consist traits of all three nations."

"An Alicorn!" Star Swirl says in astonishment.

"That's right.  There's two of them, they control the sun and moon respectively, they've been ruling for..... hey, how'd you know what Alicorns are?"

He looks back at the wall again with an uncertain and amazed look, "Is it possible?"

"Master?" Cici says with concern.

".......I believe you're aware of where we stand.  These are the ruins of an ancient civilization that lived here long before us.  All the walls here depict various tales, tales of strength, knowledge, and valor the natives had to endure to protect this land.  Their efforts couldn't have been achieved alone though, they constantly relied on the help of that."  He illuminates an aura sphere up to the top of the wall to reveal a carving.  A carving that displays what looks like a creature with wings and a triangle made up of three smaller triangles above it.  "An omnipotent sacred relic called, The Triforce.  Supposedly, it's something given by the gods for the natives to use in times of crises.  It's said that one piece can grant the holder an immense amount of magic that's limitless, and if you have all three of them, you could get any wish granted and reshape the world to how you see fit."

"There's an old metaphor that unicorn conjurers would use to define this form of enlightenment , they'd call it 'Alicorn'."

That didn't quite answer my question, "Well that explains how you know the word, but it doesn't explain how you associate it with a pony possessing traits from the three tribes."

"It was when I noticed a similarity we have with this culture," he continues.

"Look up there, the triangle on the top, that represents Power.  The one on the bottom right, Courage.  The last one on the bottom left is Wisdom.  They're just like the three tribes; the strength of the Earth ponies that farm the land, the valor of the Pegasi flying into battle, the knowledge of Unicorns casting magical spells.  It was then I considered the possibility of a pony that contains all of these traits to exist, much like how all three Triforce pieces come together to form something more powerful.  All of us are not that different from one another, which suggests we have a common ancestor, so why can't there be one.  I named them Alicorns because I thought it would be befitting, but I never told anypony that or given the hypothesis of one ever existing."

"I'm starting to believe you really are from the future, Twilight." he says turning towards me, "You know, I've been considering the possibilities of how an Alicorn would come into existence.  I've considered that they could be born one, or become one with a certain type of magic they're exposed to.  They both seem possible, so I can't settle on one.  Tell me, how did your princesses come to be?"

I open my mouth and pause as I realize something, I don't have an answer.

Two powerful entities that have watched over the land, protecting everypony before I was born, but I never stopped to consider how the two sisters have come to be.  I've been living off the idea that they have and will be for all of time, but now.... I don't know why I've never stopped and questioned my own beliefs.

"You're probably right," Star Swirl spoke up, "Maybe it's better if I don't know about their origins."

"We should focus more on the matter at hoof," the conjurer changes the subject, "How did you arrive in this era?"

I begin telling him about the events that led me up to arriving at the past.  About my prior intentions, the discovery of finding a giant glowing rock with chiseled text carved into it, and the rash decision of entering the portal it formed.  "And I've been traveling all across the land to find you, because your skills and knowledge with magic might help me return back to the future."

The wizard rubs a hoof to his chin, thinking my words over.

"Please, you're my only chance at returning me back to my own time."

".........I believe I may have an idea on how to return you to your own time."

"You... YOU DO!!!!"

He nods, "Could you show me the rock you came out from, we could find something out by stu-................"  Star Swirl is taking an awfully long time finishing that sentence.  He seems to be distracted from something behind me.

I turn to see what he's staring at.  There's fresh green plants blooming with life in the sun and a large being covered in tattered red cloth is standing silently under the tree shades.  At first, I thought it was wearing a robe, but it looks more like it wrapped itself in a large piece of cloth. The hood it made for itself is covering up the majority of its face, but two bone-like structures are coming out in a curl upwards.  One last thing to note is that I can see hooves underneath the robe, however, I'm only seeing two hooves.

A cold breeze blows by, "Stay behind me," the old unicorn says as he steps up front to shield me and Cici.

"What's wrong?"

The wind softly shakes the bells on the conjurer's hat, "Remember what I said about the Triforce granting wishes?  Well there were those with wicked intentions that wanted this power for their own.  The last tale on these walls told of a creature that was such a threat that it forced the natives to leave their land after they sealed it within a mountain of rocks that could repel magic."

A mountain that repels magic!  Then this thing must be....

"I didn't believe in such a mineral, but after reading a few geology books, I found that it indeed existed.  After a little bit more investigation, I realized the location of where you could find this mineral, the Earth kingdom.  I believe the creature in front of us is the very same creature that caused the natives to leave this land."

"My reputation perceives me."

The creature startled us as it spoke in a deep strong tone suited for a male.  "I'm also aware of who you are as well, Star Swirl."  He begins circling us like a predator, swinging behind him a lizard tail, "The creatures of this land have been acknowledging your name.  Declaring that you were right and should've been listened to.  It was never my intention at seeing you, but now that I've met you, I must admit that you spike my interest." a glowing green sphere shines for a brief moment from inside his hood.

"You show promise while all others have been showing nothing but disappointment.  The Cobs are all bark that waste their strength at toiling the land, the Pegasi's tactics are childish and laughable, and Unicorns have such commendable magic that could easily conquer over the other nations you callous so much, but what do you use your skills for?  You squander it for luxury, It's downright pitiful, not even your princess has what is needed to rule."

"A land should not be divided, it should be ruled under one iron fist." he expresses by making a tight fist with his hand.

"And I suppose you think you're suited for that role," the bearded unicorn indulges him.

"That's what I find amusing about you Star Swirl, that keen intellect of yours.  You understood these ruins, found my prison, informed all of these mounts on my return, and can even identify me without ever seeing me prior.  You're always one step ahead, why I even believe you have the foresight of what's about to transpire here."  Star Swirl simply stands there glaring at the beast, refusing to acknowledge with a response.

I'm not liking this.  This creature is bent on power and has a wicked way of going about it as it sounds like he'll do it through conflict and war.  His use of words gives the impression that he's been in more than enough fights, so he knows what it takes to win.  But the fact that he's so calm and collective is what's really making me feel nervous.  He's a strategist, judging by the fact that he went to each tribe and tested out our strengths with the creatures he summons.  I wouldn't put it past him that he would even care at the losses on either side of the fight.

"Master Star Swirl," Cici whispers, "What does it want?"

"Yes, tell us Master Star Swirl," the beast mocks, "after all, you're the one with all the wisdom."

The conjuring unicorn looks at us, "Get out of here!"

Cici takes a few steps back, hesitant on following her teachers orders, but I stand firm.

"Not satisfied until you get an answer?  Then allow me."  The creature lifts up his hand, "I came here," and points a claw right at the old unicorn, "To take what is mine."

He begins marching towards Star Swirl and the conjurer looks at us, "Do as I say!"  You mean you want me to leave an old pony like you, the only pony that could possibly get me home, alone to face a sinisterly strong monster that's been causing nothing but havoc everywhere in this land?

NO!  I've come too far to just let some hot shot bully take the only chance I have away from me!

I kick off the ground and run in front of the wizard, pulling out my sword out to imply that I'm staying put.  The creature continues to approach, not even acknowledging my threat.  I swing a shot at him and it hits a dark purple wisp armor covering him magically, dispersing the bullet and continues to proceed like nothing happened.

The monster gets closer, pulling back a huge muscled arm and swinging a fist at my side.

It feels like time is slowing down for me as my brain takes in this intense moment.  I recoil my wooden sword to the side and block his fist.  A cracking sound is heard and then I only hear the sound of my beating heart as I watch my sword shattering into pieces.

His fist bursts right through and slugs me aside.  I go flying and slam into a tree, causing my vision to go black as I fall to the ground.

Oooh.....  that wasn't very smart of me.

"Go back to the shadow!"

I'm...... hearing them fighting. 

"Is this the extent of 'The Great Star Swirl?'"

My body........ feels so sore.

"Leave him alone, you dork!"

I..... need to get up!  I need to help!

*THUMP*

I open my eyes and my world spins before me.  I can make out my fallen hat to the right and a blurry image up ahead.  My vision slowly recovers and witnesses the beast's hoof pinning Cici to the ground while his hand holds Star Swirl in the air by his torso.  "You're feeble age is showing."  He snorts to Star Swirl, "I was expecting more of a fight from you."  He looks at the back of his hand and I believe I'm seeing something there.  He gives a snicker and starts looking over the old unicorn within his grip.

I lean up against the tree, holding onto my sides in pain from the wind that was knocked out of me.  Glancing over to my hat, I see the gifts the three tribe leaders had given me; silver, feathers, and light magic.  These are no good, I need something that's fast and strong if I want to get through that armor.  I grab on a nearby branch for support as I get back up.  It breaks and I fall back to the floor.  I hazily look at the branch laying next to the contents in my hat.

............Wait!  I might just pull something off with all of these.  I begin to stand up again and magically break apart the branch into a straight narrow cylinder.  I pull out the three items in my hat and jam a sharp piece of silver at one end of the stick, three feathers on the other end, and transfer a little bit of light magic into the now constructed arrow.

I wobble as I finally make it to my hooves, I just need to get something to shoot this with.  I see plenty of sticks that could work, but I'm going to need a string to tie it together.

"Where is it?" the monster said in a pretty irked tone. "WHERE ARE YOU HIDING IT?" he roars at the grey unicorn that's writhing in his grip.

"Leave him alone!"  Cici cries out as she tries to push his hoof off her.

The monster looks down at her outburst and his eyes begin to widen.  I follow his gaze and my eyes start to get bigger at what I'm seeing.  "So.... it's been you."  He tosses Star Swirl aside and grips onto Cici, lifting her up high for the whole world to see that right at the base of her horn, shining bright as the sun, is a golden triangle.

"You have the Triforce of Wisdom!"

My jaw suddenly becomes heavy from hearing this news.  That ancient relic that's supposed to enhance magic, she has one of them!?!?! 

"Let... go!" the pink maned unicorn struggles and shoots a magic bullet.

It disperses as it hits the monster's armor.  "How pathetic," he snorts, "You can't even wield it.  This toy is wasted on you," he lifts his other hand towards the white mare, "I'll put it to much better use."  An electric current leaves his hand towards the triangle on Cici's head and she screams in pain.

This is bad, I need to stop this and save her!  I frantically look around for something to use for a string, but all I'm seeing are leaves, trees, and stones.  I need to hurry, I need to think, and concentrating would be so much easier if my wings  weren't  SO.  DARN.  ITCHY!!!!!  Just what did Glory use when she sewed this sadistic garment together, barb wires?  ...............THAT'S IT!!!!!!

I whip my neck and spot the patches that Glory was having a hard time with.  I pull out the thread that binds my wings inside and the patch flies off giving my feathers a cool breeze to the outside world.  I tie the bow up and as I pull the arrow back, my wings flare out to embrace the fresh air to its fullest.  

I line my shot up at the beast that's slowly pulling the Triforce piece out of Cici, struggling to gain dominance over it.  I squint and let go, it flies leaving a trail of pure light and pierces into the monster's wrist, making it give a mighty cry that could shatter glass into fragments.  He loses his hold on the Triforce and Cici, dropping her and the holy relic into her.

The beast vibrates in stasis, it appears that the magic in the arrow has paralyzed it.  I take this opportunity to levitate Cici over to the sidelines and quickly begin to make as many arrows as possible.

The monster kneels down with his hand over the arrow, trying to cope with this pain.  The magic from my aura crystal begins to fade as I transfer the last bit of it into the final arrow.  The beast glares at me as I pull one of three arrows back.  He studies my appearance, and he's not the only one.  I notice that Star Swirl looks thrilled that his hypothesis is true and Cici is second guessing herself by rubbing her eyes. 

"You're pretty audacious for striking me, girl." the monster grunts, "If you value your life, you best stay out of this matter."

I pull the arrow back further to prove my point.

He gives a deep slow chuckle as he stands up, "That conviction blinds you from reality.  It masks the severe strength between the both of us."  The breeze suddenly feels like it's pulling me closer to him.  The dirt around his hooves begin to dance with the wind as it circles around the beast.

"Just because you've been blessed by a god..." the red cloth of his is caught by the wind and I see the creatures true form.  A bulky looking creature with cyprus color skin that transitions to fur and scales across its body.  It wears sandy grey fabric with a pattern of sharp straight lines over his hips, shoulders, and wrist, revealing the rest of his body as pure muscle, befitting for his minotaur figure.  He begins to straighten his back and continues to get taller.  He's gripping two humongous swords in each hand like they weighed no heavier than feathers.  My chance to see his face is gone as his head eclipses the sun, leaving me a silhouette of a creature with large piercing horns.  The only thing I can make of his face are green tapetum lucidum eyes, burning like lanterns inside a dark cavern.   I walk back a few steps in response to the frightening height he has over me, he must be fifteen hooves tall.  He holds his right hand towards me and I see imprinted on the back the symbol of the Triforce with the top triangle glowing, "...doesn't mean you possess the source of one."

I'm starting to feel very timid as my legs begin to tremble at seeing this Goliath.

He pulls back an arm and the blade starts to glow.  I duck screaming as a giant magic bullet rockets out of his sword from a swing.  The sound of timber cracking comes from behind and I look to see a tree falling.  Taking him head on would be suicidal, I need to approach this another way.  I run into the green forest on the moon side and sneak around to find a good opening, my green tunic and lavender fur will help camouflage me in the moonlit fauna.

"What's wrong girl?" the horned monster taunts, "Where did that fire in your eyes go?"

Without notice, the beast suddenly glows yellow with auras shaped like chains coming out from him.  He's frozen, I look for the cause and see Star Swirl struggling with a glowing horn.  He loosens the connection from exhaustion and the creature moves again, he eyes the wizard.  I get my arrow ready and the monster raises a sword at him.  Quickly, I shoot the powerfully magic arrow at the sword and it shatters.

The growling beast looks at his blade and tosses it to the ground, peering towards my direction.  I take for the air, he raises his other sword at me and begins to shoot red orbs in my path that explode at various distances.  I speed up and down doing various acrobatic moves like a fly refusing to be swatted.  My next arrow is ready, I just need a moment to aim.  Almost on cue, Cici tries to shoot bullets at him, he doesn't even notice.  "Come'on," she tries provoking him, "It's me that you want, right?"  The beast glances over and flicks his wrist, Cici suddenly becomes imprisoned in a pink crystal.  The little distraction gave me time to discipline his actions by shooting the arrow and hitting his tail.

The minotaur bellows in pain from the impact and becomes paralyzed once more, giving me time to go save Cici.  I land and begin to channel mana through the clear mineral in order to shatter it.  It starts to crack, but it takes almost all of my magic just to do it.  The crystal breaks and the white unicorn could move once more, the minotaur soon follows.

I fly back to the sky, and notice him just staring at me.  He flashes and disappears, I hover in place to look for him.  Spotting something that big should be easy, but I'm seeing nothing that might depict him, just a giant looking shadow following a straight path towards mine.  I gasp and look above to see a gigantic minotaur fall at me with an open hand.  He snatches me and tightens his grip as we both plummet towards the ground.  His fist is extended to impact the land first, which would impale me into the dirt floor that awaits us.  I give the beast with a little surprise of my own and do a teleporting spell as well.  I appear back in the air and watch him drive his fist deep into the earth.

The horned beast stands up shaking his hand like it was nothing and looks at me, roaring loud enough to shake the trees around him.  Suddenly, black clouds begin to form with the sound of rumbling coming from them.  I know better from his last summoned monster and fly back to the ground, the place he intended me to go.   The minotaur drives his sword deep into the floor and a magical glow begins to form around his arm.  With a loud grunt, he turns his body, dragging the sword in the dirt.  His turn gets faster and the sword flies out with a giant tidal wave of earth heading towards me.  I form a barrier and the dirt glides around me with his broken sword from earlier bouncing off the barrier.

It growls, lifting his sword up to the storm and I get my last arrow ready.  Lightning strikes his sword and gives it an electric current flowing through it.  I feel a deep pit in my gut and look at the broken sword next to me.  He swings his sword and lightning comes out, while I levitate the broken one and magnetize it.  The lightning strikes the broken blade and I shoot the last arrow at the one he holds to make it a matching set.

The impact pushes the minotaur back and he begins to kick his feet wildly as he slips on a ice covered surface, falling flat on his back.  On the sidelines, the white unicorn is laughing up a storm, "Ha-ha-ha that was priceless." while the grey unicorn turns down his magic while stroking his beard, "Well it was your idea."

The monster rolls over with his eyes glowing topaz yellow at the two unicorns and each of them become encased within their own crystal prison.  Both of them shifted their eyes at each other as the minotaur walks over laughing.  "Oh no you don't," I reach for another arrow....... but I'm all out!

The beast takes the imprisoned unicorns in each hand and displays his trophies to me, lowering down his magic armor.  "This appears to be quite a troublesome situation for you, time traveler." How does he.... he listened to the conversation earlier!  "If I heard correctly, you said to Star Swirl that he's your only chance at returning you to your own time."

The minotaur gives a small chuckle.

"A nightmare, isn't it?" he said sounding surprisingly solemn, "Stuck forever in a land that has fragments of home, but never truly is.  A place that looks so familiar, yet it's nothing more than a mirage.  The reality you lived with forever, is now just a memory found only in dreams.  Being stuck in a different time period, is utter torment."

"It can only be called fate, that our paths should cross.  Though I hail from the past while you come from the future, and yet we share the same purgatory that is the present."  It makes me feel uncomfortable, but I can really sympathize with him.  I feel like we're two sides of the same coin on this matter, struggling to adapt with this new way of life, alone in this world where everypony you've known is now gone.

"......we would do anything to return from where we came from."   My gaze looks away, admitting that it's true.

".............then choose."

I look back at him and he shows that wicked glare of his.  He throws Star Swirl far to his right, and does the same with Cici to his left.  "Go and save one of your friends.  Make it count, because the one you don't pick..." he gives me a repulsive grin, "...is the one I'll dispose of."

You monster....... you CRUEL HEARTLESS MONSTER!!!

The minotaur crosses his arms, chuckling at his own offer.

He's won, and he knows it.  He's doing this to see just how low I'll go to get back to my time.  If I save Star Swirl, then I can return to the future, but he'll get Cici along with the Triforce piece.  If I save Cici, then my chances of returning home are gone and he'll definitely try to capture her again.

The beast banters out a horrific laugh from the hold he has over me.

He wants me to pick Star Swirl, he knows I'm going to pick Star Swirl.  That's the only scenario where I'll win something out of it, where I can finally return home, but.... at the cost of............

My teeth began to clench tighter, my eyes became watery, my body shakes erratically, all because of the sacrifice I'll have to make.  I teleport to the pony of my choice and the minotaur patiently watches me use my magic on the crystal.  I begin to struggle with the spell, trying to crack this quartz apart.  I put all the magic I can muster and the captive falls to the ground from their shattering prison, they look up at me with astonishment, "Why did you save me?  Why didn't you save-"

I'm completely spent, but I stop them and extend a hoof, "Because, I know you would do the same for me, Cici."

The minotaur watches me pull Cici to her hooves,  "You're either shrewd or loyal for making that choice.  Nevertheless, that act of sacrifice took courage to perform, girl."  He gently raised his hand and Star Swirl's prison carries him up into the air,  "It's a shame that it'll go to waste."

We watch with fear as the wizard continues to go up, "Rest assure, he'll be safe for the time being.  It's only fitting for a master to be present for their student's conflicts, no matter how short they may be." his assent slows down to a halt to give him an overview of the battlefield.

I return my sights on the minotaur, panting from exhaustion, "You're in no condition to continue, girl.  Yield, while you still hold breath."  I plant my hooves in the ground, my legs shaking just to keep me up.  The beast shakes his head, disappointed from just how stubborn I am, "Very well, then allow me to have the honor of tucking you in..."

"...for your eternal slumber."

He starts levitating and begins to form a sphere that's glowing like a sun.

I walk backwards, breathing heavily.  "Get out of here!" I ordered Cici.

The magical orb he's making is starting to form static when it becomes twice his size.

My hind right leg gives way and I struggle on my front left one.

The sphere is now quintuple his size.  He floats over it and gives out an ear-splitting cry as he spikes it at me.

I lift my bow to block it, knowing full well that it wasn't even going to slow it down.

The ground tremors with the orb heading at me like a meteor.  I stare into the glowing light of destruction and a white and pink blur blocks my image.

My pupils dilate at the sight of Cici standing with her back towards me.  Her horn glows a golden aura and the sphere hits her.  Her body is pushed back, but her hooves stay planted while she begins to slow down the ball.  She halts it and stands there struggling with it.  Her horn starts to shine brighter...... no, her Triforce begins to shine brighter!  Her pink mane begins to sparkle as it gets brighter.  I block her from my sight, she's shining so bright that it's hurting my eyes.  I'm hearing her grunt from the pressure the sphere is putting on her.  She yells and the ball bounces back at the minotaur with blistering speeds.

The monster eyes widen in disbelief as the destructive sphere approaches.  He pulls back an arm as if he's going to hit it back.  The ball engulfs him before he could swing and a thunderous roar comes from him as the molecules from his body is blown apart until there wasn't a trace of the minotaur anywhere.

Cici begins to dim down and she pants from that tiring event.  She looks over to me, "You okay?"

"............."

"Twinkle?"

"..............those colors........"

She stares at me confused and looks over her body, soon spotting at what I'm talking about.  Her wavy pink mane has changed colors; the mane changed to a light cerulean, light turquoise, very light cobalt blue, and a pale heliotrope streaks.

Cici seems amazed and spins around looking at her new appearance, and I notice something inside her cloak that also looks new.  "What.... are those?" I point to her side.

The white mare looks inside and flips her cloak.  It suddenly springs out from one side of her as well as another jumping from the other side.  They display themselves proudly for the both of us looking in astonishment.  I can't explain why, but she's showing off to me a pair of white feathery wings.

"Oh..... my......." Cici says, trying to find the words on this new change to her.

This new appearance of hers, she looks..... almost like.......

"AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!!!" the mare screams, "GETTHEMOFFGETTHEMOFFGETTHEMOFFGETTHEMOFFGETTHEMOFF!!!!" 

No, there's no way she could possibly be....

"Oh sweet voltfruit, THEY'RE ATTACHED!!!!!!!"

As she's running around in a panic, I see Star Swirl slowly descend down to the ground within his crystal prison.  It taps on the ground and shatters, freeing the unicorn.  "MASTER!" Cici yells, "What's going on?  Why has my mane changed?  Where did these wings come from?"

The wizard examines his student; viewing her wings, watching her multi-colored mane wave in the air, and he brushes it aside to see the Triforce mark on her forehead.  "This must be the result of the Triforce's magic.  When you were stopping that sphere, you must've succeeded at activating its powers and it bestowed you with its magic, altering your appearance into an Alicorn to compensate with this new form of magic."

He steps back, "That's what I can arrive at for you, but the real question we should be asking," the stallion looks at me, "Why are you an Alicorn."

I give a sheepish laugh, wondering how I should answer that.  I looked around for an answer and something caught my eye. "Hey, what's that?" I point at a hovering object.

We walk up to a golden triangle spinning in the air as it slowly bops in place,  "It's the Triforce of Power!"

All of us stare at it having the same thought, "We can't leave it here."

"I agree, somepony could use it just like that minotaur did.  But the question is, what should we do with it."

"Somepony should be the bearer of it, but it should go to somepony who shares the trait of Power."

"I know somepony." spoke the new Alicorn, "She's sweet, kind, and the strongest pony I know."

I suddenly start blushing from her words.

She grabs the relic with her aura and turns towards us, "This'll be perfect for my sister."

I nearly fall over.  O-of course I knew she was talking about her sister.

"Perhaps in time she'll earn the right to wield it," Star Swirl said as he took it into his aura, "but for now, why don't we keep this as well as the events of what transpired here a secret to everypony." He pulls out a pouch from his hat to place the relic in before he puts the bag back.

I look back at the contents in my own hat.  Great minds think alike, I guess.

"Now then," he looks at me, "about that rock you were going to show me."





I lead the both of them through the forest with Star Swirl next to me and Cici trailing behind, trying to learn how to fly as she follows.  For a pony who's afraid of flying, she's certainly trying hard to learn how.

"While we were searching for you," I said to Star Swirl, "Cici told me that you took her as your pupil because as she states it 'you saw something special in her.'  It wouldn't have been the Triforce you saw, was it?"

"When I first met Cici, I never heard about the Triforce.  I wanted her as my student because I've never came across a unicorn with such raw abilities like hers at the early age she was in.  She showed a lot of potential with her usage in magic, I was completely unaware that it was the cause of an ancient relic.  Over time, I saw her pull some incredible feats and each time that she was pushed far enough, she would have a brighter horn then usual.  I later noticed that her forehead glowed a golden triangle from those experiences.  When I asked her about the glowing shape, she didn't realize she even had it.  I didn't know she had a Triforce at that time either and thought maybe it was a birthmark, but after I found out about the ancient culture in this land, I started to believe she must've had one."

"Any idea how she came about it?"

"Coming across an ancient relic like that by normal means is unfathomable, I can only speculate that she must've inherited it somehow."

I look back at the mare as she crashes to the ground.  Her appearance just keeps haunting me at the thought that maybe......

"So is this the place?"  I look back to what Star Swirl was talking about and the giant boulder that caused all this mess is there.  Nodding, he walks up to it and views the carvings on it. "........these are the same symbols the old culture used back at the ruins."

The wizard silently reads the carvings as I wait for what he's learned, ".......................................... this is called 'The Gate of Time.'  It doesn't state anything else other than a passage."

"The sea of time shines clear in the light of the gods."

The old stallion brushes his beard as he stares at the giant mineral.  He cast an 'illumination' spell for some reason, the rock didn't respond, "You said that you were following your nocturnal assistant through the forest at night when you met this rock?"  I confirmed and the wizard starts flicking a bell on his hat as he thought it over.  He suddenly chuckles, "Care to give a reenactment for me?"

Well, I suppose, "Like I said, I was following my owl assistant through the forest at night." I walk while looking up at an imaginary owl, "It was dark so I was casting an illumination spell." I lit my horn up to emphasize and the boulder lit up.  I shake my head in disbelief and cancel the spell, the rock dims down.

"Apparently," Star Swirl begins stating, "the gate only opens when an alicorn is using the 'illumination' spell."

You mean I could've returned home anytime I wanted to?  .............................for a brief moment, I lost control of my lower left eyelid.

I slam a hoof into my face, "I feel like such an idiot for not realizing that."

"Twilight," Star Swirl pulls me out of my self-deprecation, "I want to ask you for a favor when you get back."  I agree and he tells me.  
........................................................................ my face becomes pale.

"Promise me, you'll do that for me."

I look away, regretfully nodding to his wish.

"So all this time I've been helping an alicorn from the future."  Cici grabs my attention with a bittersweet smile, "I always knew you were weird, but this takes the cake."

"Thank you, Cici."  I give her a nod, "I probably would never have found a way back home if you didn't help me.  Our trip together has been quiet.... unforgettable.  It's been fun having you as a guide through this land, even if at times you weren't the most tolerable traveling companion."

"Well you're no better," she retorts, "Constantly getting yourself into dangerous situations, making others frantically worried about your safety, pulling out surprises to make others constantly stay on guard, you're enough to give anypony a heart attack.  Your brother must be a knight just to keep you protected from yourself.

"Captain of a royal guard, actually."

"Captain!  Why are all the good ones already taken?"

"There was one back in Unicornia that runs a game stand that might be up your alley."

"A game stand owner, just what kind of mare do you take me for?"

"The mischievous kind."

"How dare you insinuate that."

"Would you consider impish?"

"I'd prefer mischievous over that."

"Then mischievous it is."

We both laugh at our bantering, trying to avoid the inedible, but it eventually dies down and we have to face the truth.

"................So this is where you and I part ways, isn't it?"

"...........I guess so."  She then gives me a soft smile, "Always remember," Her hooves suddenly wrap around me and she pulls me in for a tight hug, "You're my most faithful friend."

"I.... I am?"

"Mm-hmm.  I've never had a friend more gullible than you before."

.........I hate it when she's right.

"Drop by and see me when you get back to the future, Twilight."  I suddenly feel an emotional thread pulled.  She properly addressed me by my name for the first time.  My tear ducts start to loosen up from this small act of courtesy.

She lets me go and I stare at her, uncertain of what I should do next.  I thought this was going to be easy, just thanking her and head back home, but I just can't turn away from her.

"Shouldn't you be getting home now?"  she suggests, "When we met in the library, we were bound to part at some point.  It may be forever for me and it's just a short while for you... but we'll meet again."

But... my time is far in the future.... by then you'd be......

She gently pushes me to the rock, I light up my horn and the boulder shines like before.  Placing a hoof on the wall forms the tunnel of gears that led me here.  I step inside and take another look back at Star Swirl and Cici looking at me.  It feels like an eternity has passed over these few seconds.  Every second I stand here just keeps getting harder and harder for me to support the tears forming in my eyes.  I want to engrave as much detail on this situation in my mind, never wanting the moment here in this time period to end.

........................I gallop into the portal, restraining myself from looking back anymore.





I make it to the other side of the portal and I relish at my surroundings.  The forest may not look that different from the forest I was in a few moments ago, but the sky was different with the sun hanging above me and only the sun.

The environment looks the same way I remember but I still have to ask myself, "Did I make it back?"

"Who?"

I look up and see Owlowiscious perched right where I told him to wait.  "It feels like ages since I last met you." I smile at him as he swoops down onto my back.  "Thanks for waiting," I scratch his feathery head, "There's a few things I need to take care of.  Why don't you head back to the castle."  Owlowiscious flies up into the sunny sky and I watch him head back home.

My smile quickly fades as I turn back towards the Gate of Time.  Star Swirl asked me to do something for him, and frankly, I agree completely.  I begin to feel regret as I light up my horn.  The pain of guilt begins to get heavier for the act I'm about to commit.  Tears begin to swell as I plant my stance.  I close my eyes and shoot a magic shot at the gateway and the sound of shattering rubble confirms my success.

It had to be done, the gateway had to be destroyed.  Ponies shouldn't be able to travel through time and change history to their benefit.  We can't use it for good intentions, evil schemes, or even just to see...........

I fall back and tears begin to drop from my face.  I feel miserable, I feel like I just executed a friend by destroying the time portal.

..............I'm never going to see her again...............

I stare up at the sun as I wipe away my tears.

..................There's still one more thing I need to do.





*Knock knock*

"Come In."

I open the door to the Boudoir in Canterlot.  There, I see laying on a rug with a pillow and a book, the one pony I look up to, my role-model and teacher, Princess Celestia.

"Twilight Sparkle what a surprise." She greets me warmly, "Did you just come back from an olden time fair?"

"You could say that." I look at the green tunic I have on, "That's part of the reason I came here."

"Princess," I begin calmly, "For a while now, I've been asking myself questions about our history.  Questions that surround 'Hearth's Warming'.  The three nations were fought amongst each other for years prior to Equeastria.  When the nation decided to form it....... they still didn't get along, did they?"  She nods to confirm my question.  "Then why do we even celebrate it?  What's the purpose of coming together and strengthening the bonds if the day in question never learned anything from it.  They worked together to fend off the windigos and started a nation.  Why didn't they get along?"

"Twilight, you of all ponies should know the answer to that." she shakes her head smiling, "It's not the sharing of a common threat that forms friendship, it's the first act of sympathy that does."

"We celebrate the day because it's a day of acceptance.  A day where we are given a chance at making a lasting friendship with somepony.  The nations may have accepted each other to share the land together, but this course of action made it possible for one pony to give up a bit of herself for another, starting a chain of friendships to follow."

I look away from her feeling embarrassed.  All those times where I was worried about messing up the future were nothing more than fears.  I helped Puddinghead and Hurricane as a unicorn and Platinum was aware that I wasn't a unicorn at all.  Each time I was a pony that wasn't part of their tribe, which helped form a friendship with other races.  I guess I didn't really change history at all, but more likely started it.

I suppose even Cici accomplished at gaining my friendship as well when she decided to help me find Star Swirl during my lowest moment.  "................Princess........may I ask a personal question?" She agrees and I take a deep breath before I ask, "How did you become an Alicorn?"

She looks surprised by that question.  She puts a hoof to her chin and begins taping it as she tilts her head up.  Her eyes dart about as she searches her memories.  A small smile begins to form on her as she reminisces on an event in her life.  "You know," she finally responds, "It's been such a long time.  I can't even remember how it happened."

"I... I see." it was ridiculous to think it was possible anyways.  I look at my tattered clothing that desperately needs to be washed, "Well, I should be going now."  I bow towards her, "Thank you for your time, Princess Celestia."

"Feel free to come back anytime, Twinkle."

I tread towards the door and she returns to her book.  The very first thing I'm going to do when I get back is to take a nice long hot ba-

My pacing stops as I notice something.  I look back at her, did...... did she just call me?  She looks up from her book and gives me a soft smile that reminds me of a friend I once had, a long long time ago.

"Is there anything else you need, my most faithful student?"