> The Magic Smith
>  by Arceaion
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> The Magic Smith
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Princess, can you tell me a story?" A little purple filly asked as she looked up at the alicorn.

"Celestia smiled as she lay down and draped a wing around the filly. "And what story do you want?" Celestia asked.

"I Dunno, a story." The Filly said as she thought.

Celestia chucked. "I know a story." She said with a smile. "It's called the Magic Smith." The filly gasped in excitement. Celestias smile turned sad and she began her story. "Once upon a time there lived a pony that could forge magic, not magic items or magic trinkets but actual magic. They lived deep in the mountains of the frozen north where the cold was so great that few came that far out. But one could not simply find the magic Smith with a map, no, for only those who truly needed help could find their way to them..."




A ding went off as a pony slowly entered the shop causing a mare with a dull white coat and pink mane behind the counter to turn and smile. "Greeting sir, how can I help you?" She asked with a smile.

The pony, a unicorn stallion with a light blue coat, shuffled uncertainly. "Um... is this where I can find the Magic Smith?" He asked hesitantly. 

"Eup." the mare chirped happily. "How can we help you?" she asked.

The stallion hesitated before sighing. "I need help with my magic, I can no longer cast any spell." The stallion said sadly.

The mare nodded. "I see, can you light your horn for me, If you do I will take a reading and see what the problem is." She said.

The stallion hesitate. "I-I can't." He said sadly.

The mare tilted her head. "You can't?" She asked confused.

The stallion nodded. "I can't even light my horn anymore."

The mare looked at him for a moment before motioning for him to follow her as she entered the back room. The stallion followed slowly confused but he followed the mare deeper into the shop. The back room was simple with many magic tools laying around discarded and several benches with some lab equipment on it. The mare lead him deeper and deeper till he hear the sound of a ringing hammer. 

The mare turned a corner and the stallion followed only to stop and gasp at what he saw. With in the room stood a unicorn mare with a lavender coat, purple mane with magenta stripe through it however what caused him to stop was what the mare was working on. Held in her hoof was a massive hammer that glowed with thousands of purple glowing runes that created spiral like patterns, the mare lifted the hammer as if it were a feather and struck it against what appeared to be a star however his senses told him it was magic, pure magic. 

"Magic Smith, I have someone for you." The mare said. The Smith jumped in surprise and turned to see the mare and stallion standing their. 

"Are you the Magic Smith?" The stallion asked concerned.

"Yes, that's what they call me. It's a pleasure to meet you." The Smith said happily as she set down her hammer and turned to them. 

"What is the problem?" She asked.

"This one can't even light their horn." The mare said as the Smith approached her. 

"I see..." The Smith trailed off as she lit her horn and something was pulled from the Stallion. The stallion gasped as a glowing orb of magic as pulled from his chest. It was cracked almost in half and smaller cracks spider-webbed out across the two halves. "Oh, dear, this one looks pretty damaged."

"What is that?" The stallion asked confused.

"This is your Magic Core, it where all your magic comes from. Normally they look like a glowing sphere but when they are damaged the crack. Normally the cracks heal over time but sometimes they can get so damaged that there is no way to repair them.

"So you can't repair it?" The stallion asked sadly.

"I didn't say that." The Smith said before looking at it. "However it may take a while."

"Oh, I see." The stallion said sadly.

"Listen, why don't you leave it here for a while?" The smith asked with a sighed.

"You mean you'll help me?" The stallion asked as his eyes widened and hope flashed behind them. 

The Smith nodded. "I can't make any promises but I'll do my best."

"Thank you." The stallion said. The Smith nodded and slowly the near shattered orb pulled away from the stallion. As it did the stallion grew weaker and his coat and mane dulled in color. "What's happening?" He asked concerned.

"The Magic Smith took your Magic core to work on it. When a pony has no magic core their coats dull and they grow weaker, you wont' die but it does limit what you can do."

"Oh, I see..." The stallion trained off.

"I wish I could I have you more information but I don't know when it'll be ready so just drop by whenever you feel the need." The Magic Smith said.

"I'm staying in a village not to far from here, I'll come by as often as I can." The stallion said happily. The Smith nodded and took the Magic Core over to her forge, calmly she gripped her hammer and began to work.

"If you wish I will lead you out.' The mare said happily. The stallion nodded and followed the mare back to the front of the shop, he smiled and waved one last time before exiting the shop and disappearing into the snow.

The days passed and each day the Stallion returned to watch as the Magic Smith worked on his Core, days turned to week and soon it had almost been a month. On this day the stallion entered however upon his back was a small box. "Hello, Sorry to bother you again today."

The mare looked up and smiled at the stallion. "Oh, it's you!" She said happily. 

The stallion waved and smiled. "I brought some of the towns famous Bread pudding and hot chocolate for you all." The stallion said warmly.

The Mare smiled and turned to the door. "I'll lead you back to the Smith." She said happily. The two exited the front of the shop and walked back, again the sound of a hammer meeting some unknown force was heard as the entered the forge and the Smith turned to them. After some time they three sat around a table happily leaning back against the chairs they sat in. "Well that was delicious." The mare said happily. 

"indeed, I don't think anyone's ever brought me anything." The Smith said with a smile.

"It's the least I could do for someone who is fixing my magic." The stallion said happily. 

The Smith's smile faltered and she hesitated before sighing. "About that..." She said trailing off.

"Is something wrong?' The stallion asked concern creeping into his voice.

"Well, no not really. Your magic core was severely damaged and some of the vital part that allow a unicorn to use their magic are missing or beyond repair." She said as she lowered her head.

"I...see, so I will never cast magic again?" He ashed as he looked down sadly. "Well I guess it was too much to hope for." He sighed sadly.

The Magic Smith looked down sadly before her eyes hardened and she looked at the stallion with determination. "I will fix it for you." She said. "There is still some thing I can do."

The stallion stared confused "You will? But  you said-"

"I'll fix it." She said determined. "Come back tomorrow, I'll have it fixed." She said as she turned to her forge with a grimace and began to work.

The next day the Stallion returned, when he entered the shop he saw the Magic Smith sitting in the front of the shop waiting. Slowly he approached a she reached under the counter and pulled out a glowing orb with faint purple lines stitched into it. As he reached her she placed the orb in his chest and magic flowed through him. "you did It?" He asked shocked.

"Of course I did, I told you I would didn't I?" She asked with a smile. 

The stallion nodded to the Smith but something was off, she seemed different that she had before like something was missing. "Are you alright he asked.

The Magic Smith waved her hoof happily. "I'm fine, was up late finishing it so I just need some rest." She said as he turned to the door that lead to the back room. "Can you take care of the money part?" She asked the mare. The mare nodded and the Magic Smith exited the room, after a moment the door was heard opening and the stallion left. 

The mare turned and entered the back only to find the Magic Smith laying on the ground, her breathing shallow, her eyes unfocused. "Why Magic Smith? Why do you always share pieces of your own magic core with others?" She asked as he knelt down and nuzzled the Smith.

The Smith chuckled softly. "Look who's talking, why do you sell magic cores when you don't even have one? She asked softly.

"Because none of them fit me, There either too much or to little and the ones that fit aren't compatible with me." The mare said.

"Then perhaps this one will." The Magic Smith said as she brought out her core. "Would what's left of this one fit you?" She asked.

"Y-You're giving me your core?" The mare asked in surprise.

"If you wish it I shall." The Magic Smith said before she was pulled into a hug.

"Thank you, thank you so much." The mare said.





"What happened next?" The Filly asked excitedly. 

"The Magic Smith Gave her core to the mare in a last act of Kindness, the stress she had suffered was to great and she passed." Celestia said.

The filly frowned but thought for a moment. "Was this a lesson Princess?" She asked.

Celestia smiled sadly. "No, it was a story." She said as she looked up to see a window. 

"Princess, why does no one talk of the Magic Smith, I've never read any books about her. Wouldn't someone like her be remembered and loved?" The Filly asked.

"The reason is because Ponies don't remember her, even those who she helped forgot who she was." Celestia said sadly. Reflected in the window she saw herself laying next to a unicorn mare with a lavender coat, purple mane with a magenta stripe through it. "But I will always remember her, I will never forget."
> The Magicless Filly
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

She had no name nor did her world, she was a rough, a sketch, an attempt. 
A failed one and so was her world. 
Her creator gave up, after trying again they grew tired of them and she was forced to watch powerless as she was thrown away, screaming and pleading, into the void of oblivion. 
It was a Prison, her unfinished home of nothing.
The Ponies around her were the same. All failed attempts, either emotionless or having given into their fate. They were all attempts sent to wander the realms of nothing, unappreciated concepts of nothing. 

No matter her attempts to make this blank world she lived in better she was the only one who had feelings. No matter her attempt she never got any answer, she was alone, and the pain was unbearable. The feeling of loneliness grew on her more and more as the white void consumed her. She was desperate and in her desperation she called out for help, but nobody came. Over time she grew to hate of those other characters, they couldn't care, they couldn't feel, they didn't even have emotion! So why, why was she forced to suffer these things that they didn't have? Slowly, even with the quiet call of the people who cared, she grew insane. 

In a final attempt she cried out her voice begging, pleading. "I don’t want to be forgotten. I don’t want to be left alone! I JUST WANT TO BE SOMEONE!" And in that moment when she was at the brink, too deep in her sadness to remain, someone heard and she was broke free.

They gave her a new start, a new purpose, they completed what their creator did not and so they were given a name. It was a simple name but one that suited her and her task; they were called The Magic Smith. For a time she was happy as she did what she was created to do, she made magic and shaped the Magic Cores of those who came to her. Each task was a mighty undertaking and at times she had to give up what she was to help. But that was ok, she had a purpose, a reason, she was no longer a nothing she was a something! 

One day she found a young filly, they had no magic for they were like her, a failed attempt. The Magic Smith took them in and gave them purpose and when the time came she gave them what they deserved, she made them a something from nothing. But in doing so The Magic Smith once again became nothing. This time she was taken away forever, the oblivion from which she came didn't want her anymore and so it ripped her apart in an attempt to destroy her. But this was not what fate had in mind for her, she still had a part to play and so once again she was given a brand new start, a brand new chance. Once again she appeared in the world of somethings though this time she was a simple monochrome filly in a meadow of black and white but she had no memory of her actions; she didn’t remember what she’d done, or even who she was. She was simply there without soul, magic, or purpose and so she sat there and didn’t do a thing as time, if it even existed to the filly, went on. 

What was she supposed to do? Why was she here? What was she? Despair, fear, without soul, without color or even magic she felt…nothing. She waited and waited and waited, but she had yet to know that her life was going to finally be given its turn. She was finally being given her chance. When the light finally reached her eyes she was suddenly flooded color. Before her stood a creature far taller than her, it felt warm, reassuring… no more than that. It was powerful, light, but overwhelming all at once and then it became something else the colors on the creature changed disgust, rage, pain, but mostly the creature felt sadness, overwhelming sadness.

The Creature picked her up and took her to a mountain that reached as tall as the heavens, atop it sat a castle surrounded by a city. The city had many creatures in it all the same as the Rainbow one, each creature had their own color and feel, quickly she realized that each of the colors represented the life of the creature she saw. Time moved forward and the filly learned, she learned that she was what many called a pony, that the big creatures were ponies too and that one day she might be like the big ponies but the biggest of the big ponies was always the Rainbow. 

Soon the Rainbow gave her a name, something she felt she had never had before, Twilight Sparkle. It was a lovely name and the she loved it. The Rainbow also had a name; she was Celestia or as others called her Princess Celestia. Twilight wondered if Princess was the Rainbows name too. Twilight didn’t truly care either way, Celestia would always be the Rainbow to her no matter what others called her.

One day the Rainbow brought six strange stones to Twilight. The first was red; it felt unyielding and strong as if it was ready to protect what it saw as a friend. 
The second was Green, it felt as if it was a hammer blunt and powerful, but no matter what it struck it would always stay true. 
The third was pink and it felt like the Rainbow did, happy but always with a hint of sadness as if it were looking at a lost friend.
Forth was a blue stone that felt jittery and excited, as if all the joy in the world was bottled up in it. 
Fifth was indigo and it felt as if it was overflowing, as if it wanted to give all it had to those who needed it.
The last one was violet and shaped differently. This stone looked like a star and from it she felt something she never had. 

Carefully Twilight reached out and poked the stones that the Rainbow had set on the floor in front to her. As her hoof touched stone the world exploded around her, a light shot out of each stone and surrounded her in a full rainbow that filled her, suddenly she felt happy, suddenly she felt! This was the first time Twilight had ever experienced emotion, she had heard of them and seen the effect they had on ponies but never had she ever felt any of these things. Now however she felt it, it was a sensation that one could not put into words simply because no pony had ever had reason to create such words. 

With these new found emotions and feelings she began to created and built, she loved to draw and read, to learn and experiment, along with emotion came what Celestia called Magic and with such a powerful tool in her hooves her abilities soared. She loved to paint and draw but with this desire and love also came a hate, she started to avoid places that were empty or were there was a lot of white that she couldn't draw on. This didn't cause any real problems but neither Celestia nor Twilight could come up with an explanation.

After several years Celestia enlisted her into a school to learn about things and interact with other ponies however first she needed to pass an entrance exam. When the day came Celest-Princess Celestia hired two ponies to take her with them. She explained that she couldn't be there and Twilight felt an emotion she had yet to experience, Sadness. However experiencing something new only caused her to return to joy and she went with the ponies that she learned were named Nightlight and Twilight Velvet. 

Nightlight and Twilight Velvet were nice but as the day wore on Twilight began to feel odd, as if she had a hole in her and she was being drained. When her turn came she went before several other ponies, Twilight Velvet and Nightlight standing behind her as she tried the test. The instructor told her to hatch a dragon egg and so Twilight did or at least she tried. She tried and tried but no matter what she couldn't, it was as if she was drained of her magic and soon her emotions began to fade as well. Twilight sighed and apologized to the instructors who were looking at her confused, suddenly an explosion went off and she turned to see a rainbow come at her. As the rainbow hit her Twilight felt her emotions and magic return and then the world went white. 

As Twilight floated in this white void she began to feel afraid, there was nothing around and this nothing made Twilight afraid. She didn't like this nothing ,it hurt, it was wrong. Twilight curled up in to a ball and closed her eyes as she began to shake in fear. When Twilight reopened her eyes Celestia was standing over her holding her. Her face showed an emotion, one that she had never shown before, concern or perhaps fears? Twilight couldn't exactly tell what it was but she didn’t care she quickly latched onto Celestia and hugged her fear slowly fading and after a moment Celestia pulled her away and went to talk to the instructors. 

The instructors and Celestia talked for a while as Twilight tried to understand what she had done, with a shudder she thought back to the void and the emptiness. Twilight decided she didn't like nothing, she didn't like blank things or white spaces either but mostly she didn't like nothing. It was then that a white glow covered her and everypony in the room turned and gasped at her. Twilight looked around in confusion at what they were looking at until she looked at herself, she had wings like the Rainbow however some of the feathers seemed as if they had been colored differently almost as if paint was spattered on her. The splatters were also on her hooves and on her flank was an odd picture. 

Twilight remembered that Celestia had called the little pictures on pony’s flanks Cutie-Marks and that they were very important to a pony. Her Mark was of a star in front of many different paint splatters. Twilight was happy, she had gotten her cutie mark and she jumped around excitedly. Shortly after she got her cutie mark she and Celestia left and returned to the palace that they lived in. Celestia carried her all the way back and Twilight being exhausted from the day fell asleep on her back.

After the entrance exam day Celestia trained Twilight herself, she learned that she was a type of pony called an Alicorn and that she was extremely powerful, she learned to fly and about magic but after a while she began to feel drained. When she did Celestia brought her the stones and each time she was flooded with a new wave of color and magic, each time she was flooded she took the opportunity to create her own and experiment But over time a problem began to form, the colors never stayed for very long and without them she always found himself fading, becoming monochrome once again.

When this happened she lost all the personality she had built and simply lost her will to do anything but sit and wait till she was given the stones where everything would came back. To keep this from happening Twilight began to experiment and after many tries came up with a solution, each time the stones flooded her with color she would direct some of it to her mouth as a liquid. Once the flow ended she took the liquid and filled a bottle so that she could keep feeding on the emotions they held whenever she needed. With this she no longer needed the gems as she now had a source always on her. She did this so that she could feel normal, so she could feel on her own, so that she could at least pretend to have a soul. 

Once she learned how to control her colors she was finally able to access her Alicorn powers. Twilight learned that she could create anything she wanted, even living creatures, from paint. She could make anything and while they were still paint they were alive, with this new found power she began to push herself with a passion. Of course she had her ups and downs, her experiments, failings, successes, but she found herself enjoying every moment of it.

But she wasn’t done with her discoveries, not at all! Twilight knew that being gifted with this ability was useless as long as she remained alone and perhaps… she would have to think bigger. And it seemed as though she was willing to open her eyes a second time. 





Far away in a relm of white dot sat two creatures. One was a Alicorn with a white coat and red main and tail, the other was a man dresses in blue flannel pants and a red flannel long sleeve shirt. The two sat at a table and the smiled as he took a sip of the tea set before him. "Now that we we've gotten all the particulars out of the way, allow me to begin this story properly." The man said with a smile as he set down the cup and cleared his throat. "Once upon a time in the Magical Land of Equestria..."
> Welcome to Ponyville
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Twilight smiled as she closed the book she had been reading and carefully placed it in her saddlebags so as not to get any Ink on it. In one day Celestia's sister Luna would be returning from her banishment and she needed to prepare to meet her. When Celestia had told her of Luna and how she became Nightmare Moon Twilight had done everything in her power to find a way to free her, she hated the sadness in Celestia's eyes when she spoke of her sister and for some reason she felt as if she had a duty to help Celestia.

As she rose and walked down the road to the castle she waved to the many ponies that were out and slowly her mind began to think about the many oddities and differences that separated her from the normal pony. The first and most obvious was that ever since she had become Alicorn the ink and paint splotches on her body had not only become permanent but were a part of her, she was literally made of ink and paint. Of course the first days were the hardest, and weirdest, there would be times when she would turn into a literal blob of ink or paint for no reason explainable reason, and of course there was that one time she woke up as a puddle of ink. That had been weird and left quite a mess. 

Then there was the fact that over time she would lose her emotions and magic, of course this had been fixed somewhat with her keeping vials of Color on her at all times. As she thought of this she looked down at the sash that crossed her chest and the twelve vials of Colored Ink that were strapped to it, each vile contained a single emotion and when combined made what she was. Oddly enough Celestia and Twilight had quickly discovered that whatever the stuff in the vials was made of it was toxic to any creature that feed on emotion as it poisoned them. They had discovered this when a Changeling had tried to steal some of the liquid in them shortly after they found the changeling almost dead from ink poisoning. The doctors said it appeared as if she had drunk an entire inkwell. This lead Twilight to investigate the makeup of the liquid and what she found was that whatever the liquid was it had the same properties as ink. Because of this Twilight had taken to calling the substance Colored Ink.

However these were only the physical differences, the mental differences were the oddest of them. The first difference could easily be observed, He was extremely hyperactive and her mind was a chaotic mess that made her jump from subject to subject at random. Another that could be identified was that she did not like blank things or white spaces. Over the years Celestia had tried to get twilight to approach them but every time the results were the same, she would either try to get as far away from it or paint it. The first time this happened was what many of the castle staff called 'The Ink Wave of Doom'. Twilight chucked as the memory of the day came back and she stopped for a moment to remember.  


-Flashback 10 Years Ago-

Celestia sighed as she watched Twilight paint yet another white wall. The Fillies eyes were narrowed and she muttered under her breath a manner of dark things mostly consisting of what she would to the decorator and how they wouldn't even be seen as repair stallion when she was done with them. Celestia approached the filly as she finished the painting which depicted Celestia as she had been lying while she watched Twilight. 





"Twilight I think you have a problem." Celestia said as she approached the filly who looked up confused. 

"What?" Twilight tilted her head in confusion as her eyes changed to question marks. 

The older Alicorn sighed. "Twilight I want to try something if you will allow it." Celestia said. 

The filly thought for a moment before nodding. "What is it?" She asked.

"I want you to walk into a white room without any of your paint or ink." She said. 

Twilight froze before she took a deep breath. "Ok."

"And no crayons or chalk either." Celestia said as she narrowed her eyes while Twilight's widened and she began to hyperventilate. Celestia watched in concern as the little Alicorn began to shake before she stopped and took sever deep breathes and nodded. 

Three days later the two Alicorn stood before a door to a room that had been freshly painted white, as Celestia opened the door Twilight froze and reached for where she normally kept a paint brush but stopped when she remembered that there wasn't one. 

"Why do I have to do this?" Twilight asked.

"We can't have you drawing on every white surface in Equestria Twilight. Normally I'd suggest we start small but I need to know just how bad this is and to do that I need to see the worst of it before I can make this better." Celestia said with a sigh.

Slowly Twilight stepped forward and Celestia followed closing the door behind them, as the door closed many of the staff waited with trepidation. The first minute went well and them something that sounded faintly like an explosion was heard before Celestia ran out of the room her pristine coat covered in black ink. As soon as she was out of the room she slammed the door closed and cast a shield around it while looking at the staff that was watching. "RUN!" She screamed before the door burst open and the shield buckled and broke as a tidal wave of black ink ripped through the hall. 

On that day many tales were told by the castle staff of their princess, some told of how she used one of the maids as a surf board and road the wave to its end surfing nearly the whole castle before stopping at a perfectly placed chair, others told of how she used her mighty magic to simply shield herself and the staff. The truth was that everything in the west wing was flooded in black ink for the next three days as Twilight exploded into a tidal wave of ink that the guard was forced to fight all the way back to the room where Twilight was promptly retrieved and the flow cut off at its source. 

-End Flashback-


As the memory ended twilight shook her head and continued to the tower that Celestia gave her for her 13th birthday. Quickly she ran up the tower a smile on her face as she threw the door open and promptly crashed in to Spike.

Spike flew through the air and landed in a heap on the floor, as he rose he groaned and looked around to see a massive Inksplotion covering the walls. "Twilight why?" The baby drake groaned as he walked over to a corner and grabbed a mop and bucket before setting to work on cleaning up the mess. "Honestly sometimes I think you do this on purpose." He said as he wrung out the mop.

As the ink was dropped into the bucket it condensed into a tiny pony. "Sorry Spike!" Twilight yelled. "Were you going somewhere or just napping by the door again?" 

"That was one time!" Spike grumbled as he dumped anther mop full of the ink into the bucket. "And don't tell me you forgot about Moon Dancers party." He said.

Twilight chucked. "I sent her both our gifts with Minuette, as well as an apology for not making it." Twilight replied. "I'd love to be there but Nightmares return is more important." 

Spike sighed. "Yeah, I know." He said before dumping another mop full of ink. "So what exactly is the plan that you and Celestia came up with?"

Twilight sighed. "If we can get through the Nightmare and actually talk to Luna than we can force the parasite off of her and I can destroy it by having it latch on to me." She said.

Spike nodded in thought. "Okay but if that doesn't work?"

Twilight looked Spike straight in the eyes. "If it fails we go to Plan B." She said.

"As in get the six most powerful artifacts to willingly cooperate and free Luna." Spike summarized with a sigh. "Twilight The Elements have only ever listened to you and I doubt they will work for anyone else."

"They worked for Celestia and Luna." Twilight rebutted and spike dumped the last of the in on her. 

"And each time it drained them of both their magic and energy for a week." Spike said as the ink condensed and jumped out if the bucket and condensed back into a pony. 

As Twilight reformed she pulled Spike into a hug. "I know you’re worried, Celestia is too but when it comes down to it the lives of many outweigh the lives of few." She said. "Remember Spike my story is but one of many thousands in the universe and the world won't grieve if it ends too soon. I'm just a single ink drop in the multiverse and we both know that there will always be another to rise."



Spike hugged twilight tightly and closed his eyes. "I don't want to lose you mom." He said. 

Twilight smiled sadly and hugged him tighter. "Don’t worry about me spike, I'm a lot tougher than I look."





The next day Twilight and Spike rose bright and early, after they had breakfast Spike went to pack and Twilight calmly walked over to a set of doors that had a gold six pointed star on it. Calmly she inserted her horn into a hole set at the center and channeled her magic through it and into the lock in the center. With a click the doors lit up and opened to reveal several special items. The first was a long brown scarf that she carefully wrapped around her neck the second was her sash and rows of vials containing the Colored Ink that was her emotions and magic. Twilight carefully selected the vials she would need before look at a special one that glowed brighter than the others and was white. Hesitantly she reached out and grabbed it. "Just in case it all goes wrong." She whispered as she took the vial and placed it in a hidden slot behind the sash. The last item was a very special one that she rarely took out, a massive paintbrush as tall as princess Celestia.



Each Alicorn had a special tool that allowed them control over their domain. For Celestia it was a massive halberd that channeled the power of Solar Energy and Luna had a great sword that could channel the power of Lunar Energy. However unlike the sisters Twilight's domain was creation and weapons were not for creation, as such Twilight's tool was a Paintbrush. Twilight smiled as her hoof caressed the wood of the brush lovingly and with practiced ease she spun it around and placed it on her back.

Once the two finished packing they made their way to the chariots and left for a small town called Ponyville, it was here that Celestia had chosen for the Summer Sun Celebration to take place however that was simply a cover. The true reason it was picked to be held here was because it was the closest location to where Luna was imprisoned and it would be here that Twilight would face Nightmare Moon and save Luna.

Twilight sighed as she watched the clouds and land below her and smiled, no matter what when she was in the sky her mind cleared, slowly time lost meaning as the Alicorn simply watched the world go by in a sort of trance. When the finally descended the bump of the chariot pulled her out if her thoughts and she exited it as Spike jumped out after her. "I wonder if we can meet any interesting ponies her." She said and Spike sighed. 

"Twilight, you shouldn't talk to strangers." He said. "Or at least not as many as you talk to."

Twilight shook her head. "It's called making friends Spike and talking to ponies and being friendly comes with the job description of 'princess'." She retorted as a pink pony approached her. "Hi, I'm Twilight, wha-" The pink Pony gasped as she jumped into the air and shot off leaving a blurry after image. Twilight's mouth fell in shock before her eyes burst into stars. "OH MY GOSH SHE FOLLOWS CARTOON PHYSICS!!" Twilight screamed in joy.

Spike groaned and face palmed. "Great now there are two of them." He groaned. After meeting the pink pony Twilight and Spike walked through the town and spike quickly pulled out a scroll "Summer Sun Celebration official overseers Checklist" He said aloud and Twilight groaned. 

"Of course she would send a checklist." Twilight said.

Spike chucked. "The last time Celestia sent you to do a job and didn't give you a checklist was Saddle Arabia." 

"What did I do?" Twilight asked innocently. "She sent me to lower the trade agreement and I did." 

"You lowered the trade agreement but also bought a palace, gambled away 4000 bits and then won 146000 bits, was given the title Goddess of Art and Gambling and drank three bars dry before ripping open a portal to what you called the Doodle Sphere and unleashed a tentacle monster that got you the title of Goddess of Sex." 

Twilight thought for a moment before shrugging. "I still lowered the trade agreement." She said.

Spike shook his head. "Number one, banquet preparations: Sweet Apple Acres." He said as they entered to gates to the ranch as soon as they entered they heard somepony yell and the two watched as a Earth Pony with an orange coat and yellow main slam into a tree knocking the apples off.

=======================================================================================
Twilight sighed. "Fine let's get this over with, so we can go have some fun." She said a she approached the pony. "Hello, I'm Twilight Sparkle and I-"

"Well howdy Twilight!" The pony said as she reached out a hoof and froze. "I'm Applejack and it's a plea-Oh, Princess!" The farm mare gasped in shock before quickly bowing. 

Twilight sighed. "Just once I wish ponies would shake my hoof like a normal pony rather than stop and kiss the ground I walked like I'm blessing it." She sighed.

Applejack blushed and rubbed the back of her head. "Sorry Princess." She said sheepishly. "So what brings ya out here?" She asked.

"I'm here to supervise the Summer Sun preparations and you’re in charge of the food." She said though she sounded a little down. 

"That would be correct princess, is there a problem or are you here to sample some?" Applejack asked 

"Sorry if I sound a bit down." Twilight said. "Celestia wrote me a freaking checklist so I have to follow it."

"I'm sure she just wants you to make sure you do it right." Applejack said reassuringly. "I'm sure Princess Celestia meant nothin personal by it."

"Last time she went without a checklist she became the Goddess of Art, Gambling and Sex in Saddle Arabia"

"I still lowered the trade agreement." Twilight grumbled.

"Well maybe it is personal." Applejack said with a chuckled. "Now how bout you sample some of the food." She said as she rang a bell and the ground rumbled.





Several hours later Twilight happily trotted down the road while spike groaned and looked at the checklist. "There's supposed to be a Pegasus pony named Rainbow Dash clearing the clouds.

Twilight looked up and chuckled. "Well seeing as there are a bunch of clouds around I think they probably fell asleep on the job." She said before stopping and thinking. "Wouldn't blame them either, clouds are soooo soft." She said with a sigh, Spike sighed as well though for a different reason.

Suddenly a rainbow maned pony flew past him and slammed into Twilight who promptly burst into an ink puddle. "Oh, did I hit something?" The rainbow pony groaned as she looked down at the ink that covered her. "What the hay is this stuff!?" She asked before screaming as a purple eye blinked up at her. After a second Twilight shot out of the ink and leaned over the terrified pony looking at her closely.

"Rainbow but not Rainbow." Twilight said as she examined the Pegasus mare. "Your mini Rainbow!" Twilight decided with a nod. 

"Hey whoa, I'm Rainbow Dash and anypony who says there me is obviously an impostor!" The Pony said indignantly. 

Twilight shook her head. "Ok, you’re still not Rainbow though." Twilight said definitively.

Rainbow Dash moved to argue but Spike interrupted. "She means Princess Celestia." He said with a sigh.

Rainbow frowned. "How do you...wait either those wings are fake or that horn because there are only... two... Alicorn..." Rainbow trailed off and gulped. "Ah, hehe... sorry princess Twilight."

Twilight waved her hoof. "It's fine, glad someponies don't bow and kiss my hooves." Twilight said with a smile. "It's so annoying." 

Rainbow nodded. "I always figured you princesses just got use to it." She said. 

Twilight shook her head. "Eventually you learn to tune it out so, ya I guess you would be right but wrong at the same time." 

Rainbow laughed and smiled. "So are those wings just for show or can you fly with them?"

Twilight smiled and Spike gulped. "Ya know I heard you were supposed to be clearing the sky, maybe if you'd of done that I'd show you." 

"Oh that? Yeah I'll do once I'm done practicing." Rainbow said dismissively.

"Practicing for what slowest job in Equestria award? I'm pretty sure you chose the wrong job path if that's what you're going for." Twilight said with a smirk. "The nearest DMV at least a hundred miles away from Ponyville."

Rainbow glared at her. "No, I plan to join the Wonderbolts!" She exclaimed as she pointed to a poster of the Wonderbolts flying. "They're going to perform at the celebration tomorrow and I'm going to show them my stuff." She said proudly.

Twilight smile turned predatory thought Rainbow couldn’t see. "The Wonderbolts, fastest fliers in Equestria?" Twilight asked.

"The one and only." Rainbow confirmed proudly.

Twilight scoffed. "Please, they wouldn't look twice at a Pegasus who can't even keep the sky clear for a day." Twilight said as she waved her hoof. 

"Oh no." Spike said with a gulp.

"Hey I can clear this sky in ten seconds flat." Rainbow said as she turned to Twilight who had narrowed her eyes her smile more suited for a demon. 

"Then prove it." She said. 

As soon as Twilight said that she Rainbow flared her wings and shot into the sky clearing the clouds as Twilight smiled and counted. As soon as Rainbow landed she smirked. "See I told you, ten seconds flat." She said proudly "I'd never leave Ponyville hanging." She said happily. 

Twilight smirked. "Well done." she said happily. "You just cleared the clouds." She said as Rainbow froze and looked at her. 

"Oh, you’re good." She said with a smirk. "Ya know I had fun, let's hang out later." She said as she took off. 

Twilight smiled and walked off Spike running to catch up. "Well she was amazing. Next is decoration sin the town hall." He said following Twilight





As Twilight entered the town hall she smiled and nodded her head. "Perfect!" She said happily "The colors contrast, each other, the banners are not only cleaned but on display and the hall is decorated to perfection!" She said happily. "Whoever did the decor knows what they are doing unlike that castle decorator." She said while Spike froze.

"Beautiful..." Spike said as he was mesmerized. 

Twilight nodded. "Yes, it is beautiful." She said in agreement.

"Not the decor Twilight!" Spike said as he pointed at a unicorn with a white coat and purple mane. "Her..." 

Twilight sighed. "Come on lover boy." She said as he dragged him forward. 

"Hey, I'm not in love, I just think she's pretty!" Spike retorted

"The minute you saw her, your color changed to pink." Twilight said with a smirk. "And we both know that pink means either lust or love so which is it?" Spike sighed as Twilight stepped forward. "Excuse me." She said only for the unicorn to raise a hoof.

"Just a moment, I'm focusing." She said as she cycled through several ribbons before selecting. "Ah, sparkle always does the wor..." She gasped and trailed off as she saw the pony before her. "Oh my, Princess Twilight!" She gasped out before looking over her. "Oh dear you’re in a terrible state, come we must get you cleaned up!" She said as she turned to push they young Alicorn away however Twilight simply turned into ink and shoot away from the unicorn before resolidifying away and shocking the Unicorn who stood with her mouth open.

"Sorry miss but I don't need to be all dressed up and for your information I am clean!" Twilight said indignantly.

"But princess, you have paint all over you!" Rarity said. 

Twilight growled. "I'm made out paint little unicorn." She said angrily as her eyes turned into red diamonds, Twilight closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "I'm the Alicorn of Creation, the paint and ink on me is part of my body." She said after calming down. 

"I see, my deepest apologies your majesty." The unicorn said with an apologetic look.

"You’re not the first and this won't be the last time this happens, it just irritates me." Twilight said with a sigh. "If you'll excuse me I still have much to do."

"Of course princess." The pony said with a bow.

As Twilight walked away she stopped and turned to the Unicorn. "Ya know, I don't think I got your name." She said as she turned.

"Rarity, your majesty." Rarity said. "My name is Rarity Belle." Twilight nodded and left the town hall.





Twilight sighed as she walked down the road. "So what's next on our list?" She asked.

"Music and guess what Twilight, it's the last one." He said while Twilight smiled happily.

"Thank Faust, once we're done her we can check into the place we're staying and them party!" Twilight said happily. As they walked they heard the sound of birds singing and the two looked at each other before turning to investigate. Once they found where the music was coming from they saw a butter yellow Pegasus with a pink mane conducting the birds before asking them to stop and spoke with one of them. Twilight quietly approached and listened to the rehearsal.

Spike poked her and she looked down. "I thought you wanted to get this done." He said before Twilight shushed him.

"Be quiet and listen Spike." She said in a hushed voice. Spike crossed his arms and sat down grumbling. 

After several minutes of listening the rehearsal ended and the Pegasus turned and froze when she saw Twilight. "Hello, I'm Twilight Sparkle. I came to oversee the preparations of the Celebration." Twilight said calmly. "The music is excellent, I apologize for startling you but I didn't want to interrupt." 

The Mare shook slightly and whimpered before taking a breath. "It's okay princess." She said vary quietly. 

Twilight smiled warmly and nodded. "What is your name?" 

"Fluttershy." She said afraid. 

Twilight smiled. "Fluttershy, what a nice name." She said before turning g to leave. "It was a pleasure to meet you Fluttershy." She said as she began to walk away. 

"Huh, I thought for sure something would go weird." Spike said as he crepted out of a bushed causing Fluttershy to gasp.

"A Baby dragon!" She gasped ask she shot forward and Twilight quickly sidestepped her. "I've never seen a baby dragon before, he's so cute!" 

Spike chuckled and backed. "Uh... Twilight, a little help?" He asked as he looked her only to see her snickering. "Twilight!" He groaned.

"Oh, he talk, I didn't know dragons could talk!" Fluttershy said shocked.

"Well... that's great but we need to go and uh... do things" Spike said as he jumped on Twilights back and looked at her. 

"What, what's his name." Fluttershy asked.

"My names Spike, you know I'm right here you could just ask." He said grumpily.

"Oh, I'm so sorry." Fluttershy said sadly. "Could you tell me about you?"

"What do you want to know?" Spike asked.

Fluttershy smiled sheepishly. "Everything, if that's not too much trouble." Spike sighed and reluctantly began to tell Fluttershy about himself and Twilight smiled. 

As they walked through town Spike and Fluttershy talked till they reached the library where he jumped off. "Well this is where we are staying so I'm going g to have to say good bye." Spike said quickly before running into the library. 

Twilight sighed. "Despite his friendliness he has a bit of a habit in preferring to not meet many ponies." Twilight said apologetically. "It was nice to meet you." She says as she follows Spike into the library and closes the door before turning to Spike. "You know you don't need to be rude."

Spike sighed. "No pony is that friendly without wanting something, take that Unicorn for example. She acted like a noble and was probably trying to get your attention for something to brag about, she sure was pretty though, we it not for her personality I'd defiantly chase her."

Twilight chuckled. "Alright Casanova, help me find the lights and then we ca-" Suddenly the light switched on and hundreds of ponies stood in the library shouting surprise.

"SURPRISE!" A pink pony shouted excitedly. "Hi I'm Pinkie Pie, and I threw this party just for you!" She said as she bounced around. "Were you surprised, were you? Huh?" She asked quickly and Twilight smiled.

"Very surprised!" Twilight said just as fast and smiled. "Hey you’re that Cartoon pony I met earlier!" She said as she bounced around as well. 

Pinkie giggled and nodded. "Yeppers, I saw you when you got her and I was all like GASP, because I've never seen you before and If I've never seen you before then it means that you're new because I know everypony and I mean every pony in Ponyville, and of your new you haven’t met anypony yet and if you haven’t met anypony yet, and if your new you don’t' have any friends and if you don’t have any friends you'd be lonely then I saw you're a princess I  and then I had an Idea and that was why I went GASP and I decided to throw you a party and invite all of Ponyville!" 

Twilight smiled as Pinkie grabbed the five she had met that day who looked confused at what she was saying but waved to Twilight anyway. Twilight smiled as her eyes changed to stars. "Oh thank you!" Twilight said happily. "Today’s been so boring, I mean that's ok but I haven’t been able to actually been able to cut loose or party at all today!" 

Pinkie gasped. "NO PARTY!" She cried as if someone had said a thousand puppies had just died. 

Twilight groaned. "I know, Celestia put gave me a checklist and if I didn't do she would be mad again." She said sadly.

Pinkie tilted her head. "Why would she do that and why was there no party on the list!"

"Because last time she partied or went without a checklist she became the Goddess of Art, Gambling and Sex in Saddle Arabia"

"I still lowered the trade agreement!" Twilight yelled in exasperation.

Pinkie gasped. "You’re the goddess of sex in Saddle Arabia?" Pinkie asked as Rarity fainted. "How did that happen?"

Twilight smiled. "If we ever throw a more mature party I'll show you but for now just know it involves a portal, ten pounds of butter, a tentacle monster, and three eggs."

Pinkie smiled and put a hoof around Twilights shoulders. "This is the start of a beautiful friendship." She said with an ear splitting grin that Twilight shared. Somewhere among the party spike shuddered as he felt his job get a lot more difficult.
> The Nightmare and the Dreamer
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------



 All the Elements talking at once is this color.
Individual Element are talk will be separate colors.




Twilight smiled as she stood among the crowds in the town hall waiting for the start of the Celebration. After several minutes Fluttershy rose up and the birds began to sing as the Mayor of Ponyville walked onto the stage. "Fillies and Gentlecolts, it is my great pleasure to announce the beginning of the Summer Sun Celebration!" She said as ponies cheered however as the mayor began to continue Spike quietly burped and a letter appeared. After a second he opened it before his eyes widened and he poked Twilight who tuned to look at the letter and froze. On it were six simple words: Plan failed, move to Plan B. Twilight looked up at the sky and saw the silhouette vanish and her eyes narrowed. 
"... and now it is my great honor to introduce to you the ruler of our land, Princess Celestia!" With a flourish the curtains rose but Celestia wasn't standing there. Everypony gasped and Twilight grit her teeth as she saw the smoke gathering. 

The white pony, Rarity, quickly ran and looked over the railing. "She’s gone!" as Pinkie muttered something about the princess being good. Suddenly the mist gathered more and a laugh echoed around the room. Twilight took a deep breath and prepared as the corrupted form of Luna appeared and eyed the crowed.

"Oh by beloved subjects, it’s been so long since I've seen your sun loving faces." She said in a condescending voice. 

"What did you do with our princess?" Rainbow yelled and shot forward only for her tail to be grabbed by Applejack.

The Mare chuckled. "Why, am I not royal enough for you?" She asked. "Does my crown no longer count now that I've been gone for thousand years?" She spit. "Do you even know who I am?" She asked and Pinkie gasped. 

"Oh, guessing games!" She said Let me guess, your Queen Meanie, no your hokie smokes, no that's not it either... oh I know black snooty!" 

Pinkie moved to continue but Applejack shoved several apples in her mouth. "Try not to chock on your hoof Pinkie and don't make the situation worse!"

The Alicorn frowned. "Did you not recall the legend, see the signs?" She asked angrily.

"No they didn't." Twilight said calmly as she stepped forward. "Celestia all but erased any mention of you, Nightmare Moon." She said causing everypony to gasp. "She didn't want her sister to be feared so she erased everything involving you abomination!" She said as she spread her wings and pulled the massive paint brush off her back. 

"I see and just who are you?" The Nightmare asked with a hiss. 

"Twilight Sparkle, Alicorn of Creation." She said as she leapt at the Nightmare and slashed her paintbrush. As she slashed it paint shot out of the tip in a wave and the nightmare leapt to dodge it. Before launching lightning at the purple Alicorn however as it hit Twilight smiled and simply took the hit unaffected. "Listen and listen well Nightmare, before the end of this conflict I will tear Luna free from you and show you the true meaning of Nonexistence." she said as she narrowed her eyes.

Nightmare hissed at the Alicorn before lighting her horn. "You think you can best me?" she asked with a snarl as she fired a barrage at the mare who simply dodged the attacks.

Twilight shot into the sky and dove at the corrupted princess who dodged the attack only to be splattered with paint that transformed into chains. "Forgive me Luna for this will hurt you more than it will me.” She said as she swung the brush into the Nightmare and knocked her out of the town hall. 

"And it's going, going and it's gone!" Pinkie yelled as she wore a baseball cap and jersey with the words 'Team Twilight' on it. A massive dust cloud emanated from the forest. 

Twilight flew down and turned to the crowds. "Go to your homes, and remain safe." She said as she picked up Spike and exited the building heading for the forest.

As she walked five mares followed her looks of concern on their face. "Spike I need you to stay here, this is a family matter and I should have done something about this sooner." She said however her voice was different. 

"Uh, Twilight, are you ok?" Spike asked. 

"I'll be fine I just... feel as if I failed somehow." The Alicorn said with a growl. "I'm not sure how to explain it." She said with a sighed. 

"Um, Twi... what in tarnation is going on?" Applejack asked. 

Twilight sighed. "A thousand years ago Celestia was forced to banish her sister when she was corrupted." SHe replied with a wince. 'Why do I feel like it's my fault?' She thought.

The Ponies gasped. "No way, how could our princess do something so cruel?" Rainbow asked.

Twilight shook her head. "The plan was to free her but she wasn't powerful enough so rather than save her the spell banished her." Twilight said as she stopped in front of the Everfree Forest and turned to the five. "I have job to do, I'd ask you five to protect the town." She said as she bowed and turned back to the forest. 

"We're coming with ya partner." Applejack said. 

"Ya, we ain't leaving a friend to fight a mad Alicorn alone!" Rainbow agreed.

"If you get hurt who will I have a totally for adults party later with!?" Pinkie asked. 

"I would never forgive myself if something were to happen to a princess and I could have helped." Rarity said with a smiled.

"Um... I'll help too, princess." Fluttershy whispered.

Twilight sighed. "Very well but stay close. The title of princess was placed on Alicorns not to protect us but to protect ponies from us." Twilight said as she turned and entered the forest.





As the group carefully walked through the forest Nightmare watched them carefully and chuckled. "Oh little Luna I hope you are watching." 

"Of course I'm watching monster, I don't have a choice." Replied a voice. 

"Then watch as the Mare of Magic dies." Nightmare said. 

The Voice chuckled. "A Mare of Nothing can't die Nightmare they always return."

Nightmare growled. "We’ll see." She said as she transformed into their smoke form and plunged in to the ground.

Twilight froze and looked around before the ground rumbled and gave under them, she smiled and leapt into the air as Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash grabbed Applejack and Rarity and Pinkie laughed as she simply jumped down. Twilight scanned the area and spotted the smoky form of Nightmare. "Got ya." She said as she shot forward and launched a wave of paint at the smoke. Nightmare dodged and slammed into Twilight before plummeting to the ground however Twilight smiled and shifted into her ink form as they slammed into the ground sending ink splattering everywhere before she leapt out of the splat and swung the paintbrush again launching several blobs that scattered around the ground. 

The Nightmare laughed. "You missed." She said with a smirk.

"Oh, did I?" She asked as something heaved out of the new puddles of ink. "Meet the Doodle Inklings." Twilight said as the ink creatures ran at the Nightmare. Nightmare growled and a magic sword appeared and slashed them apart however they simply reformed only this time they held sword and other weapons. The Nightmare growled as the blades of the Inklings clashed with her Magic construct swords and quickly she began to hack at them before screaming in anger and disappearing. 

"We need to hurry." Twilight said as he turned and continued deeper into the forest.

"Princess, what were those?" Rarity asked. 

"Doodle Inklings, creatures I can make from ink." She said calmly. "Luna's Domain is Dreams, Celestia is the Light, Princess Cadence's domain is Love, and my domain is creation. I can create anything I want, the Inklings are golem constructs from ink." She said. 

The rest of the trip through the forest was just as eventful with Fluttershy helping a Manticore, Pinkie laughing at the scary trees, Rarity helping a serpent; eventually they reached the heart of the forest and the ruins of an ancient palace. "What is this place?" Rainbow asked confused.

"This is the Castle of the Royal Sister." The former capital of Equestria before it was moved to Canterlot a thousand years ago." Twilight said.

"Well that sounds like a big hint." Applejack said.

Twilight chuckled. "There we will find the Elements of Harmony, the keys to the Nightmares defeated." She said with a smile.

"Well let's go!" Rainbow said as she shot forward and the others ran to catch up. As they reached the ledge where a bridge once was they saw Rainbow fly down and return with the other half and landed on the opposite ledge with a smile and a wave but before she could tie the end off a fog closed in and she vanished. The other ponies panicked and began to call out to Rainbow however Twilight simply frowned and waited, either she passed the test or failed it, either way it was not her place to judge. After waiting for a moment the fog cleared and Rainbow stood proud. Quickly the group crossed and Twilight followed them into the castle.

As the group entered castle the five paused and looked in shock at the pedestal of the elements however Twilight simply smiled as she saw the six elements and approached. "So this is your home." She said as the elements glowed happily and floated over to her. "It's good to see you again too." she said with a faint smile. 

"Um, have you been here Twilight?" Fluttershy asked confused. 

Twilight shook her head. "No, but the elements and I are old friends." She said as the smile turned sad and she looked down at the elements. "I need your help, Luna has returned and she's still corrupted." The elements stopped and floated in front of her as if listening. "We know that in the hooves of one pony you aren't at full strength so we hoped that there was someone worthy to bear your power."

The Elements floated for a moment before six voices spoke as one emanating from them. "Only two have proven worthy. Many have shown potential but their fates are all the same, betrayal of each other. The past shall not repeat again, the breaking of Harmony will not pass again." They answered. 

"When the first bearers turned allying with darkness we forgave." Kindness Spoke.

"When Starswirl was slain by his fellow bearers we warned." Loyalty said.

"When we chose sisters we hoped that in doing so and by choosing only two the bond would last, as such we granted immortality but we were wrong." Honesty said sounding a mix of disappointment and anger.

"We will not follow any but one any longer." The six said as one.

Twilight sighed. "Please, we need your help!" She begged however before they could respond the Nightmare swooped down and grabbed them before laughing and disappearing deeper into the castle. Twilight screamed in manic and flew after her.





As Twilight landed she stood in the throne room where she saw Nightmare Moon standing where the thrones once stood. "Give me your power or I will destroy you!" Nightmare screamed.

"Only one will wield our power!" The six said and Nightmare growled.

"Wrong answer, if I cannot wield your power then none shall!" She said as they smashed against the floor silencing them as they turned to dust. 

"NO!" Twilight screamed as the light from the shards faded and she fell to her knees. 

"Oh, I'm so sorry." Nightmare said before busting out laughing. 

"Nightmare Moon, I'm going to tear you apart." She said growled, as her left eye  gloved red and she reached behind her sash pulling out a white vile. "I didn't want to use this,l not now or ever but you left me no choice." she said as the cork was pulled off and Twilight drank its contents. 

As soon as it was empty she slammed the vile to the ground and gasped in pain, she grit her teeth in pain as her form began to glow and grow before a wave of color shot out from her the Nightmare to look away, when the light died she  turned and gasped.

The mare before her looked nothing like what she did moment ago, now she stood as tall as Celestia and her fur was a pure white with splatters of ink on her face, one of her eyes was a glowing blue circle while the other was a star, her mane was a literal rainbow of color that flowed like Celestias but appeared as if it was made of ink, the scarf she wore was floating in a nonexistent breeze and the vials on her sash glowed brightly, in her magic was the paint brush which was ornately carved. 

"This end now Nightmare." She growled and charged forward slamming into the corrupted Alicorn. Quickly she spun around and from her brush followed a trail of paint she launched at her opponent. Nightmare leapt and dodged the attack however as soon as she did she was face to face with the enraged Alicorn and was slammed into the ground. Nightmare growled and fired a beam of magic however Twilight simply spun her brush deflecting the attack back as she dove strait at her. The Nightmare barely dodged the impact Twilight gave and the marble floor under her hooves cracked. 

"How are you so powerful?!" She screamed as she summoned several swords and flung them at the Alicorn only for Twilight to raise a wall of ink to intercept them. Quickly the Nightmare charged the wall intent to break through it only for the wall to collapse and Twilight slammed into her.

"That Vial contained a special concoction that I created with the help of the Elements." Twilight said as she slammed into the Nightmare and sent her flying. "You see, I don't have a Soul, or Emotions, or even magic." She explained as she approached the downed Nightmare. "Thanks to the Elements I can have them for a small time but it never lasted so I bottled each emotion and placed them in a vial that I kept on me at all times." The Nightmare narrowed her eyes and looked at the sash across her chest. "That's correct Nightmare, these vials on my sash." She said.

"If what you say is true what's so special about that one you drank?" Nightmare asked.

Twilight smiled. "That was an experimental power I and the Elements created. In theory it would give me a soul but what actually happened was I simply got a boost to my powers and my form changed to what you see. The down side was a few... side effects, the magic inside me drain completely and if I don't have any vials with me I return to my Emotionless, soulless state" Twilight explained with a sigh as the Nightmare charged at her and she batted her away with little effort.

Nightmare screamed in anger as she charged again only this time she was hit by a massive blast of rainbow magic. As she was thrown away from Twilight six gems appeared around her protectively. "No more, we shall let you hurt our friend no more!" They said angrily.

"We have stood by long enough!" Magic said angrily.

"If she so chose she could have easily slays you but we would not have chosen her if she threw her values away so willingly." Laughter said proudly.

"She wishes you destroyed and Luna freed." Generosity said.

"As such we shall aid her." They all said. "But be warned Luna, fall to darkness again and we shall not grant mercy. This is the final warning to all of pony kind, the patience of Harmony has thinned and we will not show mercy to the undeserving any longer!" As the Elements spoke the other five mares ran into the throne room and gasped as the six elements glowed with magic and fired upon the Alicorn who screamed as she was consumed. 

As the magic ended the Elements settled down and Twilight groaned as her form shifted and she returned to her normal form and collapsing. "I feel like I got hit by a train." She said with a groan. 

As Twilight lay there the sun began to rise and with a flash Celestia appeared and looked around confused. "What?" She said before seeing Twilight and panicking. "Twilight, are you alright?" she asked as she ran over to Twilight. 

"She will be fine Glory Seeker." Magic said calmly.

"Oh hello Magic, I see you're awake." Celestia said before looking around and spotting the other mares. "I assume these are your new bearers but why are you not with them?" She asked.

"Only one will wield our power!" The six Elements said and Celestia looked at them confused.

"Twilight, can you please explain this?" Celestia asked as she turned to the Twilight. 

"They're tired of being betrayed so they'll only listen to one." She said before yawning. "Did we do it, is Luna free?" She asked.

Celestia turned and smiled as she approached an Alicorn with a light blue coat. "Sister, it's been a thousand years since I've seen you like this." She said as he knelt down and embraced Luna. "I'm so sorry for failing you." She said as Luna froze before slowly returning the hug. 

"The fault lies with me as well sister, I'm sorry to." Luna said after a moment.

Celestia chuckles. "You never could let others burden themselves with their crimes could you?" 

Twilight smiled and looked down at the Elements. "Judge me for my choices if you wish but I believe it's better to mend and heal than tear and break." She said.

"Perhaps..." The Elements replied slowly. "It has been too long that our power was used for a righteous action. The years have made us callus and cold: we have lost touch with those we were created to protect."

"Maybe with time that bridge can be mended." Twilight said as she watched the reunion between the sisters. "For now though I need to comfort the one whose destinies you denied." She said as she rose and turned to the five ponies. "Thank you for your help on this journey." She said as she approached them.

The five ponies slowly turned and looked to Twilight before smiling. "It was our pleasure Princess." Applejack said.

"So what are you going to do now?" Rainbow asked as Pinkie gasped and smiled. 

"Well, we just got back a princess, and we have to celebrate a family reunion so do you know what this calls for?" She asked as Pinkie began to vibrate.

"A PARTY!" Pinkie screamed as she jumped in the air excitedly.

"Indeed it does my little ponies," Celestia said as she approached them with Luna walking next to her. "And I think I know just the town for such a party." She said with a smile.

Twilight smiled and turned to Pinkie. "Time to see who can do better, since the nobles wont' be here I can actually go all out." She said with a smile. As she said this Celestias mask broke and her face flashed with horror before the mask returned and she smiled though it seemed more forced. 

"Something wrong sister?" Luna asked. 

"The last time she went all out an entire city had a hangover that lasted a week and she out drank an army of dragons." She whispered to her sister. 

Luna grinned. "The fun has been doubled!" She cried happily and Celestia gulped in fear.
> Party, Party, Party!
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter renamed due to rating



It was often seen as a Universal Constant that no pony could out party Pinkie Pie, she is the undisputed party pony of Equestria, however if one were to ask the residence of this world they would not only break that universal constant but they would turn it on its head and tell that it is in fact Twilight that was the party animal. As soon as the group of ponies and princesses exited the Everfree Forest Pinkie and Twilight set to work preparing a party that would go down in history as the most terrifying event to happen on Equestria. 

Pinkie became a pink blur as she prepared the baked goods and decorations while Twilight became a prismatic blur as she dashed around sending out invitations and preparing the entertainment. After only an hour the party had begun but every pony saw that this was more than a simple party, it was a showdown between Pinkie and Twilight; pranks were pulled, jokes both appropriate and lewd were made and a show down began. At the center of it all was Celestia and Luna, one watched in terror while the other laughed at the madness. 





Twilight smiled as she bounced around the party playing games and dancing however the joy soon came to an end when Pinkie Pie stood at the center of the party, took a deep breath and called her out. "Princess Twilight Sparkle, I challenge you to a Party Off!" As soon as she yelled this the party froze even the music stopped. Everypony in the party looked at Pinkie in shock as the hyper princess froze in the air, defying physics for a minute before slowly turning while still in the air and walked to the center. 

Every pony watched in shock as she calmly broke physics by simply walking on air till she stood before the pink earth pony, their eyes narrowed as the stared each other down and slowly a smile crossed Twilight face. "Are you sure you want to do this Pinkie?" she asked her voice dark. "You know the price of losing a Party Off right?" She asked.

Pinkie smile matched the same darkness of the Princess as she stared her down. "I do." She said in a serious voice that made every pony shudder. "The Loser pays the winners tab." She said causing a shiver to rundown every ponies back even though they didn't understand what it meant. 

"Very well, let the games begin." Twilight said as a bell sounded, it was at this minute that reality shattered, the Party off had begun.

Everypony watched in anticipation as the two stared at each other before they fell to their stomachs, locked forearms and began to arm wrestle, their smiled turning deranged. For a moment they didn't move as they fought against each other however slowly they began to grunt and their eyes narrowed, the ground under them began to crack as a shock wave erupted from them and their smiled widened. The cracks in the ground grew bigger as the pressure on the ground grew till with an explosion the ground began to give way, Pinkie grunted as she began to loose and Twilight smiled however with a grunt Pinkie returned the battle to a stalemate and the earth gave further. With a roar Pinkie closed her eyes and put all her strength into her forearm and slowly forced Twilight arm down. Twilight grunted and grit her teeth but couldn't gain back the advantage and with a final last fight Twilight managed to stop her advance before her arm gave out and was slammed into the ground. 

"Round one Winner: Pinkie Pie!" an announcer screamed form somewhere. 

Pinkie smiled confidently as she held out her hoof. "Good match, I've never been able to go all out on anypony, not even Applejack." She said with a smile.

Twilight smiled as well. "Same to you Pinkie and I've wrestled dragons." She said with a smile.

Calmly the two leaped out of the 30 ft. hole that they had created, as they returned to the surface the saw the party goers watching in shock however they simply shrugged their shoulders. "I'll grab the ball, you get the cups." Pinkie said with a smirk, Twilight nodded and walked into Sugercube Corner and came back out with a ten cups that she set up into two triangle formation, quickly she pulled out a pencil and drew a ruler that she then picked up to measure the spacing between the cups, as she did this Pinkie returned with a bag of ping pong balls and a scale. Pinkie carefully sat the items down and began to measure the weight of the balls.

All the other ponies around watched in confusion at the turn of events and Rainbow looked at the other four in confusion. "You guys have any idea what's going on?" She asked causing the others to shake their heads.

"Friend Pinkie has challenged Twilight to a Party off, tis a sacred tradition among those who party consisting of five rounds, the first is the honored tradition of strength testing by Arm Wrestling. Next is the challenge of precision performed through the traditional pass time of Beer Pong with evenly spaced cups and a 2.7 gram pong ball. Next is the karaoke showdown, the songs can be anything and any genre, this also is what composes the fourth round however the song must be a different genre than the previous round. Finally is the most sacred of all party acts, the Drink Off." Luna explained as she sat and watched excitedly.

Celestia groaned. "Twilight's going to overdo it again." She said with a groan. "She takes parties and the sacred traditions of partying far too serious." 

Applejack chuckled. "Take it from us Princess, Pinkie is the exact same. It was only a matter of time till these two had their showdown." She said with some sympathy. "Better they just get it out'a their system now." 

As the conversation ended the returned to watching Pinkie and Twilight who had just shaken hooves and how stood at opposite ends of the table, Pinkie smiled as she threw the ball and it landed in a cup on the back row, Twilight slid the cup over to pinkie who drank the alcohol inside and threw the cup over her shoulder a smirk on her face. Twilight watched her calmly before she threw the ball however it shot past the pink pony before rotating as if caught in a gravitational pull and orbited around Pinkie before landing in the front cup. Pinkie frowned as she slid the cup to Twilight who smirked as she took a shot. 

"Looks like the gloves are off." Pinkie said darkly as she threw the ball however as it spun it slowed and floated in  the air for a minute as if hovering before dropping into the center cup, Twilight  passed her the shot and narrowed her eyes as she threw the ball with a smirk over her shoulder. Every ponies eyes widened as the ball shot backwards and ricocheted off the wall shooting up to the roof and bounced into a cup.

Pinkie frowned as she passed the shot to Twilight who drank it. Pinkie took the ball and pulled back before firing the ball which bounced of several angles around the town square before slamming into a pink filly with a tiara cutie-mark knocking her into the punch bowl before landing in a cup. Twilight chuckled as she passed the shot to Pinkie. "The Cheater Seeker, that's a hard one to pull off." She said calmly.

Pinkie smiled. "It’s all in the wrist. She said with a smile.

Twilight nodded as she picked the ball up and spun it however as it left her hoof it began to look causing everypony to watch in shock as it began to loop in the air like a Pegasus before landing in a cup. Pinkie smiled. "The Barrel Role, impressive." She said with a smirk as she pushed the shot to Twilight.

Pinkie smiled as her hoof glowing and she spun around as she threw it; with a flash the ball exploded from her hoof, a pink aura around it as it shot away from them. The ponies watching looked confused however Twilight smiled as she stood there waiting, after a few seconds a high pitch squeal was heard and Twilight calmly tilted her head to the side as a pink streak shot past her and a plop was heard as one of the cups began to steam. Twilight calmly reached into the cup and pulled out the ball before passing the shot to Pinkie. "Round the world Party, you are a worthy foe." Twilight said with a smirk as she picked up the ball. "Now I can’t exactly beat that but I'm still going to call heads." She said with a smirk as threw it, the ball flew off before bouncing off something and returned, dropped something into her hoof before bouncing away again and dropping into a cup. Twilight smiled and showed it was a gold bit before setting it down. "Landed on heads." She said with a smirk.

Pinkie gulped. "The Fetcher." She said her eyes wide however she quickly shook her head and picked up the ball. There was only one cup left for either side and pinkie narrowed her eyes and threw the ball. Every pony watched in anticipation as the ball shot through the air doing several spins before hitting the rim of the cup, for a moment it seemed as if time froze as the ball wobbled on the rim before falling and landing on the table Everyone gasped as the ball bounced where it handed for a second and Pinkie looked at it in total shock. Twilight smiled as she slowly picked up the ball and calmly tossed it into Pinkies last cup "Good game Pinkie, good game." She said with a smile. The crowd was silent and Pinkie simply stared at the cup where the ball floated idly in the beer.

"Round Two Winner: Twilight Sparkle!" The announcer yelled. 

Pinkie nodded and pushed the last cup to Twilight who threw the shot back with a smile. 

"Looks like it's time for round three, karaoke." Luna whispered to her sister who nodded. 

"I wonder what Twilight will choose." Celestia said muttered as she watched the Alicorn and pink mare walk up to the stage. As the stepped on the stage the magic around them grew and the stage slowly stretched and rose up. Twilight and Pinkie nodded as a coin appeared before them. 

"Call your side." The Announcer yelled.

"Heads." Twilight yelled as Pinkie frowned.

"I'll call tails." She said as the coin flipped into the air.

The coin sailed high into the air before falling to the stage and showing the face. "Tails wins!" The Announcer yelled. Pinkie nodded to the DJ who began to play song as she turned to the crowd and smiled. 



As the song ended many ponies cheered and Twilight nodded. "Well done." She said quietly as she pulled a record of from under her scarf and threw it to the DJ who caught it and began to play it as she stepped forward.



As the song ended Twilight received a standing ovation and she smiled as she bowed. "Round Three Winner: Twilight Sparkle!" The announcer yelled as the crowed appeared. "Will those with children please leave; this show's about to get a bit more adult!" The announcer yelled casing several ponies to look confused however many parents quickly began to gather their children. As the parents began to leave with their children the Announcer began to yell one more. "With all the little ears out of the way it's time for the fourth round! Pinkie Pie, you next song genre will be Alternative rock! Twilight Sparkle your next song will be Blues, now call!" They yelled as the coin was once more flipped in to the air

"I call Tails" Pinkie yelled as Twilight frowned. 

"Heads." She countered as the coin hit the stage and showed Tails once more.

"Tails wins again!" The Announcer yelled, Pinkie walked forward and pulled a record from her main before throwing it to the DJ who began to play song as she turned to the crowd and smiled. 



As Pinkie sang Twilight began to frown as the ink inside her seemed to dislike this song for some reason, it was as if she was poking at an old scar. When the song ended many ponies cheered however and they seemed to enjoy it so she let it go however she promised herself to ask Pinkie where she heard that song. Twilight nodded to Pinkie as she took the stage and motioned for the DJ to flop her record as the song began to play many ponies looked confused as she began to sing. 



Many of the ponies cheered as the song went on however Celestia frowned as she listened; unlike most of the ponies she understood the underlying message in the song. The song was appropriate for the most ironic of reasons or as Twilight would put it, the best reasons. As the song wound down Twilight received some cheers however they were not as loud as Pinkies and that meant Pinkie won.

"Well that match was close however the round four winner's, Pinkie Pie!" The Announcer yelled as the stage lowered and Twilight and Pinkie took a bow before stepping down and walked back to the table they played the beer pong on. "The Scores are all tied up with both players with two points to their name; this is the tie breaker, the Drink off!" The Announcer yelled. "This is the final match as per tradition the loser shall pay the winners tab, begin!" They yelled as a bottle appeared before both participants.

Celestia groaned. "I hoped that Twilight would win the last round so it didn’t come to the Tie breaker." She said as she rubbed her forehead.

Luna looked curious at her sister. "Is Twilight that bad when drunk?" She asked as Celestia looked at her hesitantly.

"There have only been four occasions when Twilight has been drunk and each one of them has led to more questions than a book can hold." Celestia said. "The first time she used her magic to raise seven cemeteries, raided eight music stores and marched an undead marching band through Canterlot for a week, the second time she became the Goddess of Art, Gambling and Sex in Saddle Arabia the third time she opened a portal to a plain she calls the Doodle Sphere and spawned an army of creatures made of ink, marched on Griffon Stone and stole all their alcohol before going on a global pantie raid that ended with her stealing the Empress of Neighpan's undergarments. She was returned via portal a week later and had a letter attached saying if she ever wanted to have another 'good time' she was free to return." Celestia said getting an amused look for the ponies around her.

"What about last time?" Rainbow asked as she tried to hold in her laughter.

Celestia sighed tiredly. "Last time she was drunk was when an army of dragons moving to invade Equestria, I sent her to deal with them as a form of test. Instead of fighting them she challenged the entire army to a drinking contest and not only out drank every one of them but drank three times more than the entire army combined, the dragon Empire is still paying off the debt they owe Twilight and will be doing so for the next four centuries."

As Celestia finished her explanation Rainbow burst out laughing, Applejack looked at Pinkie in concern while Fluttershy looked on in pity, Rarity was a mix of horror and respect, while Spike sighed and watched the action as his mother slowly began to get drink for the fifth time in his life. 

"You know... I've never actually seen Twilight drink before." He said causing the four girls and Luna to look at him in surprise. "I guess you were right Celestia, it's actually something to behold because you can’t believe it till you see it." He said as Twilight downed her second keg/bottle while pinkie was just finishing her first.
> Returning to Canterlot and Celestial Secrets
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Twilight groaned as she sat in the carriage, her eyes were bloodshot and she leaned heavily against the side of it; meanwhile Celestia stood talking with the five mares that had joined Twilight to free Luna. "Thank you all for your assistance with freeing my sister." She said with a bow causing the mares to nod and smile. "Also how is Ms. Pie doing?" She asked with some slight concern.

Applejack frowned. "She'll be fine, but fer now she's sleeping off 'er hangover." She said as Rainbow snorted. 

"I don't know how she drank that much but the next time Twilight comes down here I'll show her what real drinking looks like." She boasted as he puffed out her chest however everypony froze as they heard what sounded like drunken laughing coming from the carriage. Slowly everyone turned to see Twilight looking at Rainbow with a mix of amusement and disappointment.

"You would die after your first gulp of what we were drinking." She said as she slowly stood and staggered over to the group. "I'm an Alicorn so drink fine and the only reason Pinkie not dead is because she has Chaos Magic." Twilight said causing Celestia to freeze.

"Did you say Chaos magic?" She asked as her eyes narrowed however Twilight simply walked over to her and booped her nose causing Celestia eyes to cross and her wings to shoot out.

"No, Bad Celestia!" She said in as serious tone she could muster before booping her again with the same result. "No killing ponies simply because they have weird magic, what did I tell you the last time you tried to destroy dark magic?" She asked.

Celestia frowned as she looked away from Twilight. "That magic is simply a tool and its how one uses it that matters." She said grumpily as she deflated a bit.

Twilight smiled and nodded. "Pinkie uses her magic reasonably and to help, she's not a threat." Twilight continued as she glared at Celestia. Celestia sighed and nodded as she walked toward the chariot. 

As she left Twilight sighed and looked at the group. "Sorry bout that." She said as her demeanor changed back to happy though still drunk. "Celestia has a bit of history with Chaos magic users... let's just say they didn't leave a good impression." She said in a loud whisper voice.

"Will she be alright?" Fluttershy asked quietly causing Twilight to smile.

"She'll be fine, she's just a very old mare with a lot of scars that haven't healed. Sometimes you got to boop the snoot reset button a few." She said as he waved a hoof. "In any case I gotta go before the nobles overthrow princess Cadence and I have to crack some skills... or was it skulls?" She asked before shrugging. "When the Pink One wakes tell her to remember the lime is in the coconut, the alligator is in the tub and not to take the blue pill." She said as she staggered back to the chariot and as soon as she got on passed out.

Celestia sighed and nodded to guards who began to pull the carriage into the air. As they rose Celestia looked down at the village. "What an odd town." She muttered as she stroked Twilight mane.

"I wonder when Pinkie will pay the tab?" Spike said as he sat in the back of the carriage. 

Celestia looked over at Spike. "If she truly has chaos magic then I’d imagine she'll have already paid... somehow." She said as he rubbed her forehead.

"So what do we do for young Twilights soon to come hangover?" Luna asked with a yawn.

Celestia sighed. "I'm sure she'll stumble down to the kitchen and make one of those damn prairie oysters." She said with a groan.

Luna looked confused. "Aren't oysters aquatic?" She asked. "And how does young Twilight make them?"

Celestia groaned. “It’s a drink that helps with hangovers, from what I hear they're disgusting but Twilight swears by them." Celestia said with a groan.

"Oh, I see." Luna said before looking at her sister. "What's it made of?" She asked.

"Raw egg, Worcestershire sauce, vinegar, hot sauce, table salt, and ground black pepper." Celestia said calmly as he watched the scenery pass by.

Luna raised a hoof to her mouth as Spike made retching noises. "Oh god, I'm gonna be sick." He said as Luna nodded.

Celestia sighed. "From experience it's honestly the best cure but it is gross." She said as she turned to her sister. "Luna... there's something we need to talk about when we get to the castle. Something that Twilight can’t find out about." She said in a quiet voice. 

Luna looked at her sister confused but nodded. "Very well sister, we may speak this evening."





Several hours later a knock was heard at Celestia's door causing her to look out the window and sigh before sitting down her tea. "Come in Luna." She said loudly as the door opened. "I suppose you want to have that conversation now?" She asked.

"If you don’t want to we don’t have to sister." Luna said as she joined her sister and sat across from her.

Celestia said nothing as she poured anther cup and filled it with tea and pored some sugar in to it before passing it to Luna. "Do you remember the stories I use to tell you when we were younger?" She asked.

Luna frowned. "Yes, I remember the stories." She said a she took a sip of the tea. "You always seemed so sad about them but you never told me why."

Celestia nodded. "You were too young at the time, and I didn’t want to burden you with... the truth." She said sadly. "Luna what would you do If I told you that I'm not exactly your sister?" 

Luna paused and looked at Celestia. "Tia, family is what we make of it." She said calmly. "Blood is but only a small part."

Celestia smiled sadly. "Remember the story of the Magic Smith?" She asked.

"Of course, I remember she was somewhat of an idol to me when I was young." She said happily before frowning and looking to Celestia. "It was also the story that always made you so sad."

Celestia nodded. "Luna, she wasn’t a story but real." Celestia said calmly. "I knew her well; she was like my mother in many ways. She took me in, raised me and cared for me." Luna set the cup down and looked out the window as she quietly listened to her sister. "Where I am from, nothing is ever truly... finished. We were all incomplete things born from the failures of our creators, shadows of what could have been but never was meant to be in the end." Celestia took a sip of her tea and looked down at the table. "Like the Magic Smith I was more complete then the others, I felt and in so doing was in constant emotional pain. Then one day I was not in that empty world but this one. It was cold, and for the first time I felt something other than emptiness. She found me in the snow and seemed to immediately know what I was but... instead of throwing me away she took me in. I lived with her for what felt like years, I was so happy but the she had to go..." Celestia trailed off.

"She gave you her soul and you became Celestia." Luna said calmly.

Celestia shook her head. "More like I was able to actually live, she completed me." She explained before shaking her head. "You would- no... You can't understand, despite everything you've lived a normal life. Being such as I are incomplete and we could never hope to be completed."

Luna frowned. "Sister, what brought this up? You never needed or at least felt the need to tell me this before."

"The Celestia that was meant to be here never was born; I took her place in this world and was adopted by our parents." Celestia explained. "I have always done what I could to make ponies like me, because if I didn’t then I always feared I would disappear once more but in doing I hurt you." She said sadly. "When you needed me I was never around, always away or lost in my search." She said as she stood and walked over to Luna before draping a wing over the smaller Alicorn. "I'm so sorry, I know I was wrong and it’s a poor excuse but I want you to know the truth; I’ve hid it for so long and I never should have hid it for you." She whispered.

Luna shifted uncomfortably before sighing and pulling Celestia i to a hug. "You're my sister; nothing will change that no matter what." She said before pulling away and looking at Celestia. "Of course that doesn’t explain why you haven't told Twilight, from what I can tell she is like you."

Celestia bit her lip and looked away. "She's... not exactly herself right now." Celestia said slowly. "Something that escapes that endless nothing can't be returned, so when the Magic Smith 'died' she couldn’t return to that nothing but instead was forced back here in a broken form."

Luna's eyes widened. "So that means that young Twilight is the Magic Smith!" She said in a gasp.

Celestia nodded. "She has no recollection of who she was but she still seems to have the memories even though she can't access them." Celestia explained. "There are times she seems to unconsciously act in a way the Smith would and there are even times I feel like she's still there but other time she's like you saw in Ponyville."

Luna frowned. "I've never heard of such a phenomenon but then again we’re not exactly a pony but something else even if you all were meant to be ponies."

Celestia nodded. "I call our kind the Perdidit et contrivit." 

Luna nodded. "I see, well it stand to reason that if giving her soul up reduced her to a state such as this then perhaps returning the soul would fix it." She said as he looked at Celestia before frowning. "But then we would be back to the same problem as you would not have a soul." She countered before looking at Celestia "Tia, you told me that the Smith used her soul to fix ponies that lost their magic if she couldn't do it by normal repair means. Could we perhaps use those fragments to restore her?"

Celestia sighed. "As you saw she already has a soul thanks to the Elements." She countered. "The problem’s that even the Elements can’t fix is that whatever constitutes a soul seems to be only temporary for her." 

Luna nodded. "So we need a powerful source of whatever makes up a soul, combined with a way to insure it never runs out... what’s the state of her magic core?"

Celestia frowned. "From what I've learned over my studies the Magic Core, emotions of a creature and soul are all one single thing. It goes by different names and can be described in different ways but in the end they are all the same. The Modern Pony calls it a Soul but in the past they were called Magic Cores."

Luna nodded. "I'll start looking into a way to restore souls."

Celestia shook her head. "No, you’ve been gone for over a thousand years. You need to study up on what’s happened since... the incident. Also you should get acquainted with the ponies of this age; I promise they won't fear you, I may have fudged the history books a bit on what happened." She said with a small smile. "While you get reacquainted with this new more modern age I will start the research." She said as she pulled Luna in to a hug. "But for now I simply wish to be with my sister." She said quietly receiving a nuzzle from Luna.
> The Truth of the Alicorn of Creation
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Twilight watched as Celestia paced back and forth in a panicked way. "I mean she just returned from banishment, why would the council wish to see her!" Celestia asked as she turned to Twilight who sighed as she tapped the pepper shaker over the cup she had before slamming the contents back and shuddering. 

"Celestia, I am just now mentally capable of understanding what is going on so please repeat what the problem is and for the love of all that is color please stop pacing, the floor can't take much more." She said as she looked at the taller Alicorn, her blood shot eyes showing her irritation.

Celestia sighed as she moved over and sat next to Twilight. "The other members of the Counsel of Rulers have called a gathering and requested Luna come." Celestia said as Twilight nodded. "Given that Luna just returned and is unaware of what has occurred the last thousand years I do not want her involved with any politics till she is caught up." She explained.

Twilight nodded and closed her eyes in thought. "I agree that Luna is not ready to retake the responsibilities of ruling yet, she needs time to recover and as you said, catch up on the current world." She said with a nod. "As such I think I'll come along and do as I always do during those meetings." She said as she looked at Celestia who paled. "I'll play the fool." She said with a smile.

"Twilight, as much as I wish you to be your overly enthusiastic self who derails all topics, this is one of the few moments I need the serious, calm and collected Twilight!" She said in a panic. "You're now the bearer of all six elements of harmony and they will pull every trick they have to restrain you!" She said in fear however Twilight smiled as her eyes, which had been normal ponies eyes, suddenly changed; the left pupil turning into a Diamond while the right was a spade.

"Oh silly Celly, you can't restrain me~" She replied in a sing-song tone. "They can try whatever tricks they have but most of them seem to forget that I'm a lot older than I look." She said as she stood up and walked off.

Celestia sighed. "Maybe if you ever acted your age then they would remember." She said as she looked up at the ceiling. "Help us all if they push her." Celestia muttered as she stood up and followed Twilight out of the kitchen.

The following hours were filled with preparations on Celestia's part as they prepared to depart for the Counsel meeting, Luna was sitting next to a stack of law books that dated back to when she was banished a thousand years ago and panickly reading through the most modern law book she could find as fast as possible. Twilight had seemed to find great interest in painting the tiled floor in a checkerboard pattern, not the most helpful thing to be doing  but it kept her out of the way so Celestia let her be till the chariot pulled up and the three princesses boarded allowing it to take off. 

As Twilight got situated in the chariot she seemed to ignore everything else to watch the scenery around them. "She seems to be much calmer than I've seen her since I was freed." Luna said to Celestia as she watched Twilight simply sit in silence watching the scenery.

"She gets like this whenever she is in the sky, it makes her calm down and go in a trance of sorts." Celestia said as she took a sip of tea causing Luna to look at her in confusion . "Of course the real question you should ask is, how I got a cup of tea when we're 200 feet in the air?" She asked as she took another sip.

Luna sighed. "I know you're trying to make me feel better sister but please let me focus." She asked as she pulled out the law book she had been reading. 

Celestias' smile wavered as she sipped her tea. "Don't worry about it Luna, everything will work out." She said in a mysterious way causing Luna to look at Celestia who was looking at Twilight. "After all it always does in the end." She said with a sigh. "Most of the council sees Twilight as a child but they forget that she is far older than even me in some aspects and if they push her then those aspects will rise to the surface. I've never seen it personally but the rumors about her are... enough proof." She finished.

Luna tilted her head in confusion. "What do you mean sister? From what I've seen Twilight is far from the being you claim her to be, in fact she is more of a child than anything else."

Celestia chuckled as this and looked at Luna her eyes dark. "Oh dear sister, you know nothing of Twilight." She said darkly. "Believe it or not she actually didn't always look like this, when I found her she was... broken. She appeared like those we found that were under Discords influence but that was her natural state. In that form she had to be contained as her very presence drained the world of color, emotion and even creativity from around her. Once, after I found her, she was kidnapped as a means to try and get to me however they did not know what her aura did; as a result, by the time I was able to locate them and send in a team her aura had infected the area around them and drained it of all color and emotion. The kidnappers were nothing but brain dead husks and the surrounding area became unlivable to any living being, those that enter the area are consumed by the lingering aura and are forever trapped inside." Celestia explained as she sipped her tea casually causing Luna to look at the unaware Alicorn who was watching the scenery outside. 

"To say that Twilight is creation made manifest is no small understatement as she seems to be bound the her domain of influence far more than either of us." Celestia continued to explain. "However I feel that might be the only thing that makes sense about her." She said, earning a confused look from her sister. 
"Twilight is hollow, her current state with a soul is but a temporary existence bestowed by the Elements but like all temporary things it fades. Her domain, creation, had more room to latch onto and grow within her; like a tree it set its roots deep into her and ingrained itself in her soul. Where the sun and moon are parts of us they are not bound to us in the way that creation is bound to Twilight, if we so chose we could relinquish our power but the same can't be said for Twilight for she and creation are one and the same. 

However such a deep connection is not a blessing any more than a curse as while it's why she is so powerful it's also why when she returns to a soulless being she is so dangerous. Imagine the very manifestation of creation, art and life being turned on itself, that is what Twilight becomes when she is soulless. When in this form she is like an orb of infinite magical energy, excitable and always moving, full of joy and emotion; but when she enters her soulless state then she becomes lethargic and unmoving, she grows apathetic and cares for nothing preferring to simply sit and wait rather than move and act." Celestia said and lna nodded.

"BUt sister, she bears the elements now and they reside within her so does that not mean she is free of this curse?" She asked, receiving a sigh and shake of the head from Celestia. "Like I said her current state with a soul is but a temporary existence bestowed by the Elements but all temporary things fades, it is the way it must be. I've been searching for centuries for a means to free her of this burden but I've not found any way to save her yet. Ponies and all other races have a finite amount of magic in their souls and as time goes on they age because that magic, that power,  runs out till eventually they will pass away. However the problem for Twilight is that normal pony containers ware out too much due to her being a Nothing. She requires a source of infinite power and such a thing does not exist any longer-if any existed at all." Celestia explained.

"Returning to the subject that started this discussion, sister." Luna said as she tried to divert the conversation. "But what does this have to do with Twilight and the rumors you heard about from the Council?"

Celestia sighed. "The way Magic Smith performed her craft was in essence the first form of Creativity, it even became known as the Art of Soul Forging. Because it is an art, and an ancient one then it holds greater influence than one might think. Art holds the fragment of the past, of cultures lost and of beings forgotten and these leave an impression. Normally these impressions are just that, impressions but we aren't talking about some random pony who was inspired by another's art or some abstract or lost means of art but rather the creator of an art that only they could do reborn. Fragments of the magic smith linger inside of Twilight and when in the presence of certain artifacts these fragments can rise to the surface, their presence merging with who Twilight is to create the Magic Smith once more. 

"What artifacts could bring forth the Magic smith then and why do you not keep it close?" Luna asked.

Celestia looked out the window to show a snow covered vista. "The Council found itself at the ruins of where the Magic Smiths' Workshop stood. Her anvil and hammer are enshrined there and it is only in their presence does nshe awaken and step forward and even then it is rare she chooses to come forward." Celestia replied as the chariot began to descend and a massive stone building with the appearance of a fortress came into view. "The Council awaits Luna, and we are not prepared.