Prologue
The Alice Foreboding
The Mage, The Singer, The Queen
Day 0-1040
“Very good, Sweetie Belle! I think you're ready for the next lesson!”
The little white filly squealed in excitement as Twilight withdrew a case from her saddlebag. However, Sweetie quickly became less enthusiastic when Twilight revealed what was within the case: a series of spheres of various sizes and colors, each apparently made from a different material. “What are those?” she asked, her snout wrinkling.
“These are the test spheres I was telling you about,” said Twilight. “They're made of a variety of materials, so we'll see how well you can interact with them. The easiest is this,” she said, gesturing to a purplish sphere about the size of an orange, “the arcanium, while the hardest is--”
“Twilight! What are you still doing here?” said Rarity. She had descended down the stairs while Twilight was talking. “Aren't you supposed to be catching a train?”
“Oh, you're completely right!” Twilight said. “The 9:55 is leaving soon, right?”
“No, dear,” Rarity said with a laugh. “Your lesson went long. Very long, as a matter of fact. If you hurry, you can catch the 10:45 in 5 minutes”
“It's that late?! But then I won't be getting into Canterlot until 9:00!”
“Don't worry, Twilight. I'm sure Princess Celestia will still be up by then. Run along. You don't want it to leave without you.”
“Right.” Twilight picked up her things and hurried out the door. However, before she left, she turned around and added, “Sweetie Belle, if you'd like, you can hold onto the test spheres for me. I'm sure Rarity can help you work with those. You've really been making a lot of progress, and--”
“Twilight, the train!”
“Right, sorry,” she said with a smile. “See you in a couple days, Sweetie Belle!”
“Bye, Twilight!” Sweetie Belle waved to the purple unicorn as she rushed out the door. She began playing with the test spheres, lifting each one up at random with her wavery magic. Rarity, however, began to pack them up before Sweetie could do too much damage to them. Sweetie indignantly cried out, “Hey! I was using those! Twilight told me to!”
“I know, but they're cluttering up my Boutique.” Rarity picked up the rest of the spheres in one quick telekinetic grasp and placed them all delicately in the correct divot. “Honestly,” Rarity muttered, “why couldn't you have your lessons at Mom and Dad's place?”
“'Cuz they want us to have 'sisterly bonding!'”
“Right.” She shook her head and continued with her sweep of the room. “So, how was your lesson?”
“It was awesome! Twilight is such a good teacher! And she's so talented, too!”
“Well!” said Rarity, a bit miffed. “I'm talented too, you know. I'll have you know, I won our school's Magical Talent Show three years running.”
“Yeah, but Twilight wasn't in any of those, was she?”
“That's quite besides the point,” said Rarity. “Either way, who do you prefer, your own sister, or Twilight?”
“Hmm...” Sweetie said, giving it some thought.
“Sweetie!”
“I'm just kidding, sis!” she said. “You know I think you're the best.”
“Aw, thank you, Sweetie Belle,” Rarity replied. “I think you're pretty great as well.”
They couldn't help but laugh at that. It was just so ridiculously sappy, and yet... they secretly loved it.
“So, Sweetie... tell me about your lesson.”
“It was so much fun! Twilight says I'm a natural! She says I picked up the basics twice as fast as she did.”
“Knowing Twilight, that must be quite the compliment. But don't overexert yourself, Sweetie. I remember when I worked too hard to get my magic, and I nearly knocked myself out trying to pick up an entire box of Mom's best china.”
“Oh, I won't.” Sweetie checked the clock. “What time did you say it was, big sis?”
“Ten to eleven, dear.”
“Oh, no! Apple Bloom and Scootaloo are waiting for me!”
“Ah, and how are the Cutie Mark Crusaders?”
“Rarity! We don't call ourselves that anymore!” Sweetie said with a huff.
“Of course. After you all got your cutie marks. Now you're the Trio of Terror, naturally.”
“Nuh-uh, we picked up Dinky Doo and Ruby Pinch, so now we're the... uhh, err..”
“Quintet.”
“Right! The Quintet of... Hey!”
Rarity chuckled to herself. “Get going, Sweetie Belle. I'm sure your friends won't want to wait up for you.”
“You're right! I don't want to be late! Bye, big sis!”
“See you, Sweetie.” The door closed behind Sweetie, a bit too... loudly for Rarity's taste. She sighed. She had thought that, when Sweetie had gotten her cutie mark, she'd be less prone to running about like a crazy pony. And yet, even with a talent for singing clearly determined, she was still as rambunctious as ever. She chalked it up to Scootaloo being a bad influence.
Before she began her work for the day, she took one last look at the test spheres she had taken from Sweetie Belle. One by one, she attempted to lift them up, testing their weight and magical resistance carefully. Naturally, most were of no difficulty to her, but even she, with her precise, well-honed skill, had trouble picking up the largest of all, the green adamantium sphere. But as she tried to remember if Sweetie had picked it up or not, she couldn't recall. There was definitely a green one in her magic, but was it this one, or... no, that was impossible.
Which spheres had Sweetie picked up?
The Whisperer
Day 0-1420
Most ponies ignored Ditzy, the cheery mailmare pegasus of Ponyville. She was clumsy and slow, but ultimately harmless. She delivered the mail faithfully and without delay, so most were content to let her be.
Most, that is.
Today, however, it seemed a gang of unruly teenagers saw fit to taunt the poor pegasus. As Ditzy had landed at one house, they had gathered around her. When she turned and saw them, her face lit up with a naïve smile. “Hello, boys and girls! How are you?”
“Oh, just great!” said Red, the earth pony ringleader.
Ditzy smiled, unaware of the sarcasm. She tried to lift off, but the pegasus teenager pushed her back to earth. “Um, excuse me,” she muttered, “but I think you're in my way.”
“No, I think you're in our way!” replied the earth pony.
“You're always in the way, Derpy!” said the unicorn mare snidely.
“Uh, it's Ditzy,” she said helpfully.
“Nopony cares!” said the pegasus.
“Yeah, no pony cares what you've gotta say, Derpy!”
“Maybe you should go somewhere somepony would love you!”
“Yeah, like the Everfree Forest!”
“Haha, nice one, Red!”
“Yeah, I'm sure you and a cockatrice could be best friends!”
“No way! She can't even keep her eyes straight.”
At that, Ditzy started crying. She could take a lot of insults, but the eyes... that just wasn't fair. “Just... leave me alone...”
“Hmm... how about no?” said Red with a toothy smile. He beckoned to his friends, and they drew even closer.
“Leave her alone!”
“Who said that?” Red asked, whipping his head around. There, by an alley, was a little unicorn filly.
“I said, leave Mommy alone!”
“This ain't your mom, kid,” said the pegasus. “You're smart. You're a unicorn, she's a pegasus. Do the math.”
“She is so my mommy!” cried the little foal. “She loves me more than anything!”
“Dinky, dear,” said Ditzy worriedly, “go on home. I'm sure these kids and I can sort this out.”
“You heard her squirt,” said the unicorn. “Run along.”
Dinky bit her lip. “...No. I want you to go away and let her be!”
“You're not worth our time,” said Red. “Violet, you know what to do.”
Violet nodded. With a wave of her horn, she lifted Dinky bodily in a purple glow. Dinky screamed and struggled against the magic, but to no avail. Violet trotted slowly towards the floating filly. Eye to eye, she murmured, “You see? You may be just a kid, but you'll learn. Power is everything, and magic, especially unicorn magic like ours, is power. You and your mom are weak, and we are strong. The strong hurt the weak; that's just how it is.”
“You done, Vi?” asked the pegasus.
“Sure, sure,” she said.
“Great. Let's teach this dopey pegasus a lesson.”
Dinky watched in horror as Red lifted a hoof. As though in slow motion, she watched it fall through the air towards her mother. She felt something then, deep within her mind. It was something she hadn't dared to reach, something she hadn't know was there. She felt it, drew from it, and made it her own.
It was power.
Red's hoof bounced off of a golden shield. He turned around to see Dinky, safe on the ground, her eyes glowing with an angry fire. Dinky spoke, and the air seemed to rumble as she spoke each word, as though the words fell from heaven itself.
“You will NOT HURT HER!”
She turned her head, and Violet was sent flying. Another, and Red went skittering across the road. Without moving her body, she cast her magic against them and threw them from their victim.
And as she set her enemies to rout, a symbol appeared on her flank. It was a single candle, a light standing against the darkness.
The Mage, The Lost
Day 0-1735
“So, do you live in Ponyville?” Twilight asked. She was sitting in the dining car, talking to a new friend. It was nice to have someone to talk to on these long trips, even complete strangers.
“No, Canterlot.” The blue unicorn across from her cut her food disinterestedly. “I was in Ponyville for some research.”
“Ah, I see.” As the other unicorn worked, Twilight signaled one of the waiters to refill her water cup. She returned her gaze to her temporary companion. “What were you studying?”
“Pre-Equestrian artifacts. I had thought I might make some progress.”
“Well, did you?”
“Some. One document suggests the object I'm looking for is in the Everfree Forest. But it's more likely it is somewhere back in Canterlot. Perhaps the Vault.”
“Well, I've been to the Vault,” said Twilight. “Unless you're looking for the Elements of Harmony, you're out of luck.”
“You've been to the Vault?” the unicorn asked. Her voice was calm, but it betrayed her eagerness. “What honor gives you such license?”
“I'm Twilight Sparkle, Princess Celestia's protegée!”
“Ah, of course. Charmed to meet you.”
“Thank you.”
“Is that what brings you to Canterlot, then?”
“Well, I have some books to pick up. I'm also visiting my parents. But yes, the Princess is on my to-do list.”
“Naturally.” She laughed softly, composedly. As she finished the last of her food, she wiped her mouth with a napkin and sat up from her cushion. “You are very lucky, Twilight,” she said suddenly.
“Hmm?”
“You are quite skilled in magic. If what I think will happen occurs tomorrow, I think you will survive. Do not waste your good fortune.”
“Wait--” said Twilight, but the strange mare was already gone. She sat alone, the rest of her food slowly cooling. “I didn't even catch your name...”
The Believer, The Follower, The Listener
Day 0-0830
“...Something's wrong.”
“What's up, Colgate?” Lyra asked. “You don't look too good.”
“I'm getting a bad vibe, that's all.”
Lyra was alarmed. “And your vibes are never wrong, right?”
“If it is, it'll be the first,” she confirmed.
“What else are you getting?” asked Lyra. “C'mon, be specific!”
“Sigh... I don't know. It'll happen at midnight tonight. It's going to be bad. And you, me, and Vinyl will be a part of it.”
“Not Bon Bon, though?”
“...Not Bon Bon. She's fine.”
“Did someone mention me?” came a raucous voice from behind Colgate. She turned around; it was Vinyl Scratch, Ponyville's crazy DJ.
“Colgate's got a vibe!” said Lyra.
“Y'know I don't believe in your mumbo-jumbo, 'Gate,” said the white unicorn. “'Sides, the only vibes you should be worried about'll be the sick ones tonight at my club! It's gonna be wub-tastic!”
“Vinyl, stop trying to start wub-tastic. It's never going to catch on,” said Colgate.
“How else can I describe our epic dance-a-thon tonight? Anyway, you guys are gonna come, right?”
“Ooh! Ooh! I'll come! Sounds like fun!” said Lyra.
“I don't know... it's all night, right?”
“Dusk til dawn, baby!”
“Then I'm gonna pass. Something bad is going to happen tonight, and I don't wanna be out and about when it does.”
“Oh, well. Your loss,” Vinyl said, sliding her glasses into place. “C'mon, Lyra, let's go get some supplies for tonight. We're gonna need a ton of everything if we're gonna make it to sunrise! Let's roll!”
“See ya, Colgate!” said Lyra.
Colgate didn't reply. As she watched them go, she prayed quietly, “Celestia, keep them safe. If my vibe is right, no one's gonna know what hit them.”
The Fighter, The Whisperer
Day 0-1430
Rose Hip was a simple mare. When she was little, she had discovered her great-grandmother's tea set and learned the fine art of tea serving. A match made in heaven, as they say. Soon after, she had started her own shop and became the chief tea salespony in all of Ponyville. It was a fine business, and she loved doing it. But perhaps what she loved more was listening to the gossip and chatting of the patrons. They loved to tell her about their days, their troubles, anything on their minds. Why, just today she'd had all manner of ponies stopping by. One happened to be worried about her marriage; Rose Hip gave her a smile and a cup of chamomile. A scientist stopped by, warning her about the influx of magic he was measuring. She smiled for him, a fresh pot of tea with his name on it whistling in the background. Applejack, a good friend of hers, talked to her about her worries about raising Apple Bloom. A piping hot mint tea soothed Applejack's worrying heart. It was a quiet service, but she loved it all the same.
As she was waving away the remaining few of the late lunch crowd, she heard a faint sobbing nearby. Curious, she followed the sound to a nearby alley, where a little foal lay weeping. Rose Hip vaguely recognized her; Dinky or Inky or something of that nature. “What's wrong?” Rose asked.
Dinky sniffed, wiping away her tears. “I... got my cutie mark,” she answered.
“And that's bad?” said Rose, stifling a laugh.
“But I got it by doing something bad,” she lamented.
“No pony has ever gotten their cutie mark from something bad,” said Rose Hip. “Tell me, what exactly did you do?”
“Well, there were some mean ponies making fun of my mommy, and I... pushed them away.”
“How was that bad? You were protecting your mom. That's a good thing.”
“But that's just it!” she cried. “I've never used my magic before. And to, to suddenly use it, like that... I hurt them. My magic was too strong! Doesn't that make me bad?”
“No. No, of course not,” Rose Hip replied. “Why would you think that?”
“Violet was telling me about power. That the strong, the strong hurt the weak. And I was strong, and I hurt the weak!”
“That's not what power's about at all!” said Rose Hip. She gestured to the horn atop her own head. “Power's not about hurting others. It's about helping your friends. You can protect the weak, like you did with your mom.”
“You're right!” said Dinky. “Thanks, Miss Hip! You're really nice!”
“I guess you could say that's my own power,” she said with a chuckle. “Now, don't you feel better?”
“Yeah, a whole bunch.”
“How would you like some tea? I think I've got a berry tea waiting just for you.”
“That would be really nice. Thank you, Miss Hip.”
“Any time.”
The Dancer, The Mage
Day 0-2115
“Closed?!”
North Star was walking by the castle as usual when she saw the purple unicorn standing there, practically begging the guards to let her in. The poor dear. The guards were far too smart to give her any leverage, really.
“Yes, ma'am. As we've explained, Celestia is asleep, and as such, her wing of the castle is closed to all visitors.”
“But she's expecting me! Just... wake her up. I'm sure she won't mind.”
“Unfortunately, the Princess has been having trouble sleeping recently. Her doctor prescribed her a special sleeping pill that'll keep her completely asleep for the rest of the night. I'm sorry, but it's completely impossible. Please be on your way.”
“You can't do this to me! I'm Twilight Sparkle! She's waiting for me! Just let me in!”
Twilight Sparkle? Could it be?
“What's wrong, Twilight?” North Star heard herself say. Twilight turned around.
“It's nothing. These guards,” she said acerbically, glaring in their direction, “are getting in my way.”
“I think that's their job, silly,” said North Star. “To guard things.”
Twilight sighed. “I guess you're right. The Princess usually lets me stay in my old quarters, but without her explicit permission... well, I haven't got a place to stay anymore. Maybe that's why I'm acting so irrationally.”
“That's not a problem!” she replied happily. “I have a friend of mine who runs a hotel nearby. You could stay there!”
“Well, thank you, miss...”
“North Star, Twilight.” She squealed happily. “Eeee! Twilight Sparkle knows my name!”
“...Oookay. So, Miss Star, would you lead the way?”
“Of course!” she said. She did a snappy 180 (rather hard to do with four hooves) and led Twilight through the castle gardens. As they walked, she added, “Twilight, I am so glad to meet you! I read your latest thesis on the thaumotropic growth of Toxicodendron facetia. It was a page-turner, let me tell you!”
“...Really? No one's ever described a 60-page scientific essay of mine as being 'page-turning' before.”
“Oh, yes, it was fascinating! And your other paper, the one about the tertiary effects of pseudo-illusionary enchantments, that one blew my socks off!”
“Well, I'm flattered, really, but--”
“Oh, and did you know that your research in quasi-phasal nocturnal ley lines was cited by Dr. Hoofbeats in his most revelatory paper--”
“North Star! We've been going in circles!”
“Oh.” True enough, they were standing next to the statues that she had passed about two or three times already. “Well... don't you think these statues are interesting?”
“Not exactly. I've fought one of them, as a matter of fact,” said Twilight, pointing to the twisting statue of Discord.
“You've fought a statue?” said North Star. “Could you fight this one? She's my favorite!”
“Victory? Why is she your favorite?”
“Probably because I've never been victoriful myself, and I want to be like her.”
Victoriful? Is that even a word? Twilight thought to herself. She let the question go, instead asking, “Anyway, I'm glad we got to look around a bit. But could you please find the hotel you were talking about?”
“Sure!” she said with a smile. As they walked back, North Star looked one last time at the statue. It was a gentle thing, and it bore a warm smile. Or was it sly? Anywho, she had purchased a miniature version of it that was now sitting in her bedroom at home. She laughed one last time, (Fighting statues. How ridiculous!) and led Twilight on.
The Wanderer, the Servant
Day 0-1950
“Hey, Sea Swirl!”
“Good evening, Berry! Where's your little girl?”
“Here I am, auntie Swirl!” said a tiny voice from the back room. In a flash, she jumped out and tackled Sea Swirl in a tight hug.
“Hey, Pinchy! How've you been, kiddo?”
“Good. I got my cutie mark!” she said proudly.
“That's awesome! Let me see.” Ruby Pinch twisted about, revealing her cutie mark: three jewels floating in a triangle. “Sweet! Where'd you get that?”
“Dinky and I were in the jewel valley this morning, and it just came to me. She didn't get hers, though.”
“I wouldn't worry about it. Word on the street is, she got hers too today.”
“Really? That's so cool! Now we both have ours. Do you know what it is?”
“Nah, gossip ain't that helpful, kiddo. I do know that she got it by helping her mom fend off some bullies.”
“Wow! Dinky? I never would have guessed,” said Ruby.
“I'd love to stay and listen to you chat, but I've got a party to get to,” said Berry, putting on her hat and coat. “Vinyl always brings the best food!”
“All right. You go have fun, Berry, you hear?”
“No doubt. Night, you two. Take good care of her for me, Swirl.”
“Will do.” As Berry left, Sea Swirl turned to Ruby conspiratorially. “So, which do you want to see first?”
“Which is your best?”
“Well, that's an easy one.” Sea Swirl activated her horn, masking herself in a purple glow. Before too long, the glow vanished, revealing Berry Punch beneath it. “Hey, all! I love to go to parties! Whoo, Spring Break! Bring the house down!”
“Teehee, that's a perfect imitation of Mommy!” Ruby clapped her forehooves together.
“Glad you like it, kiddo.” She let out a breath, dispelling the illusion.
“How about... Fluttershy?”
“Ooh, a pegasus. Those are tougher.” She drew on her power, turning slowly into the meek pegasus. “Umm...” she muttered, “is this good? I mean... eep!”
“You've gotta fly, too, or it doesn't count!”
“You drive a hard bargain, Pinchy.” Just above her forehead, a glow appeared where her horn would be, and the wing illusions began to flap. Her whole body began to glow, and she lifted slowly from the ground. “I'm just glad you didn't pick Rainbow Dash! Couldn't get me to do a Sonic Rainboom like this if you paid me.”
“Aunt Swirl, can I ask a question?”
“Shoot,” she replied. She removed the illusion once more, returning to her natural unicorn self.
“Why don't you ever do your tricks in front of Mommy?”
“Oh.” Sea Swirl looked much more downcast. “You sure we can't just stick to impersonations? I'll do Pinkie Pie next, she's your favorite, right?”
“No, why won't you do them in front of Mommy?”
“It's kind of a long story. You've met our Mom and Dad, right?”
“Grandma and Grandpa?”
“Right. Grandpa Brush is a unicorn, and Grandma Sylph is a pegasus. They live in Manehattan now, but we used to live in Canterlot. There are a lot of unicorns there, and I mean a lot. They don't see very many pegasi, and even fewer earth ponies up there. So a lot of them are kind of... well... you know.”
“Tribalist?”
“Your mom taught you that word, huh? You'd think a thousand plus years of harmony would have gotten rid of that. But no, a lot of the Canterlot elite still look down on non-magical ponies. Grandma Sylph was pretty well liked, though, since, when she was younger, she was supposed to be really beautiful.”
“Grandma? Eww!”
“Be nice to your elders, Ruby. Anyway, when she had me, I fit right in. But a year later, when Berry was born, they weren't quite as happy. Dad never said anything, but I think he was disappointed. Off-tribe children are supposed to be really rare, and... anyway. Did you know Canterlot has a semester in 4th grade just for magical studies? Berry had to get special permission not to go to class. If her classmates hadn't already been making fun of her, they would have started then.
“So I think she was jealous of me. She kept it a secret for a really long time. But one night, while I was showing off some of my impressions, she just snapped. 'Just cuz you're a unicorn doesn't mean you get to show off!' That's when I stopped doing them in front of her. I feel bad for her, because she has talents. She's nice to everypony, she takes care of anypony who comes her way, and she may be the greatest drink connoisseur I've ever met. But she'll always see herself as that filly who was supposed to have magic but didn't.”
“Aww, that's so sad.” Ruby thought for a moment, then added, “Is that why she's so protective of me?”
“Wow, you sure are smart, kid,” said Sea Swirl, tousling Ruby's mane. “Yeah, I guess it is. She sees you as the magic user she was supposed to be. Maybe she's living what she wanted to be through you.”
“Hmm...” She hesitated for a moment. “Would you, maybe, teach me your impersonations?”
“Sure! It's not something I can teach in one night, though. Maybe we can start tomorrow. What do you think of that?”
“Sounds great!”
The Mage
Day 0-2125
The hotel definitely wasn't next to the castle, no matter what North Star said. The bizarre unicorn had led Twilight through nearly the entire town before stopping next to a beautiful gold-trimmed building. “Here's our stop!” she'd said.
“Ugh, my hooves are killing me,” Twilight had said.
“But we're here now, aren't we?”
“I guess.”
“...So, what are you doing tomorrow?” North Star had asked. She had apparently been trying to be subtle. Twilight didn't think North Star knew what the word “subtle” meant.
“I need to see Princess Celestia, as you know. I'm going to surprise my parents by stopping by. Then I have to go get my books and take them back to Ponyville.”
“Oh.” North Star had looked at the ground, downcast.
“...Well, if you stop by the bookstore, you can hang out with me while I load the books on a cart.”
“Ooh! Thank you thank you thank you!” North Star had shouted. She had nearly begun bouncing down the street, chanting, “I've got a date with Twilight!”
“That's not what I--! Ugh, nevermind.” She had rolled her eyes, and turned to the hotel. Now, here she was. Thankfully, even if North Star had no idea of the concept of distance, her friend at least kept a good hotel. She entered the door, listening to the faint jingle of the doorbell.
“Welcome to the Golden Grace Hotel,” said a voice from the office. “I am Fleur de Lis, may I help you?”
“Fleur?”
“Twilight? Is that you?” said the voice. She stepped outside. It really was Fleur. “Why, what a surprise! How long has it been?”
“Not since graduation. You're as trim as ever.”
“Oh, I know. My beau Fancy Pants is always afraid for me. 'My dear, I won't object if you gain a few pounds. I wouldn't want you to fade away!' He doesn't understand that I always look like this.”
“Everyone at the Academy wanted to look like you, you know.”
“Oh, but you always looked fine, Twilight. Why weren't we better friends back then?”
“I hadn't really learned what friendship was yet,” she said meekly.
“Ah,” said Fleur. She returned to her side of the counter and asked, “So, to business. What brings you here?”
“Your friend North Star told me you could take me in for the night.”
“Ah, North Star,” said Fleur with a delicate laugh. “She's rather impressed by you. Thinks you're the next Celestia.”
“Celestia forbid,” Twilight said with a chuckle. “Do you have a room vacant, Fleur?”
“For you, Twilight, of course! You can have the suite, no charge.”
“Oh, I couldn't.”
“Please, I insist.”
“Well, could I pay you the regular rate for it, at least?”
“Half.”
“Deal.” Twilight passed over a small stack of bits. “It's not very often I have to haggle to pay more for a hotel room,” she said with a grin.
“And it's not very often I try to give away rooms for free. But you, Twilight,” Fleur said, passing Twilight the key, “you're special.”
“Oh, please don't say that. I'm no more special than you.”
“Humble, too,” said Fleur. “No wonder you're going places. Will you be okay for the night?”
“Should be,” said Twilight. “No wait,” she added quickly, “can you bring me a fresh pot of tea in the morning?”
“Not a problem.”
“7:55, if you can do it.”
“Trust me, I'll be up by then. I'll have it ready for you right on schedule.”
“Thanks, Fleur. You're the best.”
“Not at all. You have a good night, Twilight.” With that, she disappeared back into her office.
Twilight sighed. It was nice to see Fleur, but she wished they were closer. Fleur had always been kind to everypony at the Academy, even if she could have rejected them all with her popularity. Twilight had assumed she would be a model, but apparently she'd chosen a more down-to-earth occupation. Very unusual for a unicorn like her, but it was exactly like Fleur.
She found her way up to the second floor and opened up her door. It nearly shocked her how beautiful her suite was. It seemed worthy for Celestia to stay there. Crystal adorned the walls, sending the light reflecting everywhere in a dazzling display. Right there, in the middle of the room, was the massive bed. It probably could've eaten her little bed back at home for breakfast. She looked for the bathroom, but all she could see was... a connecting spa? No, that was her bathroom! It was huge! The bath alone was big enough for six ponies, easy. She marveled at the whole thing. And she'd paid a pittance for it. She shook her head; Fleur was far too kind.
She flung herself onto the bed, and it seemed to absorb her. A cloud bed, no less! Compared to this, her bed at home was a cinderblock and a pile of rags. Her mind had been filled with all sorts of worries and plans, but they all vanished when she hit that plush bed. Whatever problems were on her mind, they could wait until tomorrow.
The Believer
Day 0-2355
It was coming. Colgate could feel it to the very marrow. She had talked to every magical doctor in Equestria, and they'd been utterly stumped by her strange, prophetic ability. She knew about Pinkie's own prescient Sense, but where Pinkie's could describe the exact nature of an upcoming event, Colgate's vibes were less clear, but she could see things farther out. But now, with midnight swiftly approaching, she began to get a far more painful sense. The unicorns... all of the unicorn mares... something was happening. She held one hoof to her forehead, in a vain attempt to stave off the migraine. She could feel it: war, bloodshed, discord, enmity, all rising so soon. She felt bitter tears falling down her cheek as the sense of oncoming doom fell on her.
At the stroke of midnight, she heard a voice echoing through her head, piercing high above the sound of the tolling of the belltower.
It is time.
Chapter 1
The Alice Cataclysm
The Mage
Day 1-0750
Twilight was never a fan of the unfamiliar. Give her the library, with its books and rooms she had perfectly memorized, and she could blend in with the impassive walls. But she never liked sleeping in new places. That was why, whenever she stayed in a hotel, she always did the same thing: at precisely 7:55, she would have tea delivered to her room. Rooibos red tea, her favorite. After that, she would find the nearest grocer and purchase an apple, a small loaf of bread, and some jelly, to eat breakfast. Such a simple, familiar ritual kept her centered and secure, made her feel as though she wasn't far from home. Thankfully, Fleur had seemed willing to assist in the pattern last night. But as the minutes passed and Fleur failed to show up, Twilight began to worry. The tea was critical. It was the pick-me-up, the boost of caffeine to get her started. Without it, her whole morning was in shambles!
She shook herself from that. No need to jump off the deep end. Fleur was just late. Maybe the kettle had taken too long to boil, or she'd run out of tea and needed to get more. Twilight herself may have always been infallibly punctual, but she knew others were not so precise. She forced herself to focus on the tasks for the day: food, Celestia, parents, bookstore, train station. It was no more difficult than that.
There came four short raps against the door. “Room service!” It sounded like Fleur, yet... not. Twilight hardly noticed, though. She opened the door, revealing the pot of tea resting on a small cart and nothing else in the strangely abandoned hallway. Twilight looked both ways down the hall, then shrugged and reached for the cart containing her precious tea.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the cloaking spell disengage. Fleur stood, her eyes burning with fire and her horn glowing virulently with her peach-colored magic. With one swift, lithe movement, she pounced upon the exposed student. Twilight just barely moved out of the way. “Fleur, what are you doing?” she asked.
The only response came in the form of a pink blast of pure magic, grazing Twilight's chest. She reeled back in shock. “What's gotten into you?”
Another blast, this time just missing Twilight's neck. Twilight did the only thing she could think of: she ran. As she pushed for the stairs, she heard the furious shrieks from Fleur and the explosive contacts of the spells behind her. Her panicking mind analyzed the spells that were attempting to kill her: #18-C, Evocation, Pure Force, well-controlled. Extremely painful if allowed to contact flesh. She jumped towards the stairwell, a spell singeing the very edge of her tail as she half-bounded, half-stumbled down the stairs.
Fleur was still following, if that was who it really was. In a fit of inspiration, Twilight remembered another spell: #4-L, Alteration, Changeling Identification. Effective on held opponents. As Fleur came quickly down the stairs, Twilight tackled her and began the spell. It bounced harmlessly off of her.
Kill her. Consume her magic.
“What?!” Seeing an opening in Twilight's response, Fleur pushed her off and began another spell. Twilight only stared deep into Fleur's eyes, looking desperately for some sign of the mare she really knew.
Play the game, Mage.
Purely instinctively, she pulled a shield in front of her. Fleur's spell bounced off, ricocheted off of the ceiling, and impacted Fleur's face. She screamed and reeled back, clutching at her face.
Good work, Mage.
“Who are you?” she cried out. “What did you do to Fleur?”
I will explain later. Go, dispatch the Keeper.
Twilight watched the burned mare staggering about, her face scorched nearly beyond recognition. As she prepared a healing spell, the voice stopped her once again.
Finish her first. If you heal her now, she will only continue her attack.
Twilight sighed. She changed her spell to a set of bindings, which looped themselves to Fleur's hooves, pulling her to the ground. She stepped forward, looking deep into Fleur's burned visage. There was anger, bloodlust there, but Twilight also saw pain, fear, and suffering. “I can't kill her,” said Twilight. “I won't!” The voice sighed.
You are weak, Mage. I had hoped for more from you. Place your hoof against her heart, and the fight will end.
She had little choice. She placed one hoof close to Fleur's chest. At once, it seemed the world exploded. A glow like a rainbow erupted from Fleur's horn and descended like lightning into Twilight's own. She felt power rushing into her, quickening her pulse and kickstarting her emotions. It felt powerful. It felt intense.
It felt good.
At last, it ended. Twilight fell to the ground, gasping for breath. She looked to Fleur, who lay deathly still. “Fleur! Fleur!” she called out. She turned her head, addressing the voice. “What did you do to Fleur?”
Nothing. What did you do to her, Mage?
“What's wrong with her? What's going on? Who are you?!”
She lost the game. You'll understand soon enough. And I am Alice.
The Wanderer, the Servant
Day 1-0830
“Please, everypony! Do not panic!”
The Mayor had called an emergency meeting, and nearly all of the town had packed into the main hall. Pegasi, earth ponies, and unicorns alike jostled each other in the tight space. As Sea Swirl focused intently, she heard somepony trot up to her.
“Hey, Sea. How are you?” It was Colgate, her dentist.
Sea Swirl chuckled lightly. “Trying really hard not to kill you.”
“Same here. Have you seen Lyra or Vinyl around?”
“No, sorry. I just got here myself.”
“Thanks. I'll keep looking.” Colgate turned around and began to walk away.
Now's your chance. She's completely exposed.
“I'm not attacking my dentist, you stupid voice.” Sea Swirl had been hearing the voice intermittently all morning. Apparently, it was called “Alice,” whatever that meant. And if she'd been hearing the gossip correctly, she wasn't the only one with Alice in her brain. All of the unicorns in the room were acting jittery. Some of them were snapping, throwing spells about without any sense of control. Then the rest of the crowd would try to hold them down until they'd behave. It was a rather pitiful sight.
The Mayor finally seemed to have enough control over the crowd, so she began her speech. “Everypony, I understand you are worried. Something awful has happened to Ponyville... maybe even to Equestria. Some of you have heard about the tragedy at the all-night party last night...” At this, some of the ponies gasped. The Mayor hushed them placatingly. “Rest assured, we are doing our best to recover ponies from the wreckage. So far, they're haven't been many casualties, apart from the few in comas. Nurse Redheart and her team are working extra hard to ensure things like this won't happen again.
“Ever since we got up, we've been searching for answers. So far, we've determined that every female unicorn in Ponyville is a possible threat—” The ponies began to bicker and argue amongst themselves again. One unicorn ran out the door, screaming. “But we won't be throwing anypony into prison just yet. Many of you have been showing admirable self-control, and we think that, as long as we promote a sense of harmony and order, there won't be many more outbreaks.”
“That's where you're wrong!” A voice boomed out from the crowd. Everypony turned to look. Apparently, it was... Lyra? But Lyra sounded nothing like that! Sea Swirl started signing towards Colgate to try and point out one of her missing friends. Colgate didn't seem to be noticing. However, another pony had seen her waving.
“Oh Celestia, not now...” Sea Swirl muttered. As Lyra moved to the front of the crowd, Sea Swirl began weaving her way to the back. However, she'd underestimated her sister's speed. Before she knew it, Berry Punch had pounced onto her.
“What are you doing here?” she cried, her eyes glowing in anger.
“I, I, I...” Sea Swirl stammered.
“Where is my daughter?!” Sea Swirl's face paled, and Berry Punch saw it. Her face turned a vitriolic purple. “WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!?”
The Servant
Day 1-0815
Ruby could only run. Her hooves pounded against the dirt, and every muscle in her ached to stop their straining. But she couldn't stop. She could hardly even allow herself to look back.
She found herself in town square. It was mostly quiet, as early as it was in the morning, but she could hear fighting off in the distance. Ruby Pinch looked all around and, not seeing her pursuer, finally fell to the ground and just sobbed. Everything was wrong, and nothing seemed safe anymore.
She saw an adult walk towards her. She screamed and fled backwards, foolishly getting herself cornered in an alley. However, she could hear the mare calling out to her. “I ain't gonna hurt you, Ruby! I'm not even a unicorn. Please calm down.”
“A-A-Applejack?” Ruby said. As she relaxed, she felt a magic spell she didn't know she had cast power down.
“Yeah, sugarcube. It's only me. What's wrong?”
“My Aunt Sea Swirl... it was horrible!” Ruby sobbed.
“I think I know what you mean. She attacked you, right? Totally out of her mind?” Ruby nodded. “Trust me, I've been hearing an awful lot of that this mornin'. I'd expect you'd be scared, a little filly like you. Tell you what. Why don't you come back home with me? I'll keep you safe.”
Ruby nodded again. Applejack turned around and led them through the town, avoiding the more open areas where they might be spotted. As they walked, Ruby asked, “So... have you been attacked, Applejack?”
“...Yeah, I have.” Ruby couldn't tell if Applejack was angry or sympathetic. “I was helpin' with the rescue up at Vinyl's place. Half the ponies we'd uncover were still itchin' for fights. I took a fireball to the mane, actually.” She lifted her hat to reveal a burned segment of her blonde hair. “But other than that, nothin' too dangerous so far. But one of them mentioned that Alice was only gonna make things worse as time goes on.”
“Alice?”
“Yeah, we're not quite sure who that is, but apparently, she's the one runnin' this whole crazy mind thingy. Whether she's a pony, griffon, changeling, or some other monster, she's powerful, make no mistake.”
“Is she in my mind?”
Yes I am.
Ruby recoiled as she heard a voice echoing around her. It sounded unlike anypony she had ever heard, but it also sounded like her own thoughts. Applejack noticed Ruby's reaction, and she noted, “I reckon you just heard her. Try not to listen to anything she says.”
Everything I say will be incredibly important as time goes on. Only one mare can win this game. I don't expect you to win on your own instincts.
“Please, Applejack. I'm scared. She's saying things, telling me I have to win something. What's going on? Why do I have to play? Am I going to have to attack other ponies, too?”
“...I'm sorry, sugarcube. I reckon I don't know.”
The Mage
Day 1-0800
“So, let's start right at the beginning. Why did Fleur attack me?” Twilight was hurrying to the castle as quickly as she could manage. If anypony could figure out a solution to all this, it was Celestia.
There are two answers to that question. The first is simple. This is a game. A game which has been played for eons upon eons, since the dawn of time.
Twilight tried to contain her impatience. “And that is?”
The survival of the fittest. There are thousands, myriads of unicorn mares here, and only one of them is truly the most powerful.
“And so... we have to prove that we're the most fit?”
Indeed. Killing the others would be the best proof, but in truth, draining their magic will be sufficient.
“What is the other answer, then?” asked Twilight.
There is another question, hiding within the one you asked. I will only explain if you can ask that question.
“Ugh!” Twilight groaned. Talking with Alice was like pulling teeth. From a crocodile, she thought to herself. She stopped her running and began to ponder just what Alice meant. “...Do you mean, why did Fleur attack me, but I didn't attack her?”
Precisely. You must have noticed that the Keeper was much more driven to attack you than the other way around.
“Exactly! I'm not exactly clamoring to kill the other unicorns around here.” She gestured towards the ponies nearby, who were currently chasing each other back and forth, spells flying in all directions.
Did you ever read about the pre-Equestrian societies? In some cultures, it was believed that eating the heart of another pony would allow you to gain their strength. The weak could consume the strong, and so become strong themselves. The endless circle of life.
“So you're saying... Fleur attacked me because I'm stronger than she is, and she wanted my power?”
You are smart, Mage.
“Must you call me that?”
Yes. Alice seemed to give no other response.
“All right then, if you don't want to be helpful.”
Tell me, Mage. How much stronger are you than the other ponies here?
Twilight's pulse skipped a beat. “Significantly. 99.9th percentile. Canterlot is above average, but...”
Like moths to a flame.
And it seemed a few moths had begun to see her even now. Two—no, three, four—a huge group of ponies had snapped their heads in her direction. They stood stock still, their eyes looking straight at her. She looked another way. A unicorn in a fine dress slowed her conversation as her gaze locked on Twilight. Her friend asked, “What's wrong, Andromeda?” and turned to look. She, too, fell under the trance. Then, one by one, the unicorns began to charge spells. Their horns glowed red, yellow, green, white, purple. And they were all pointed at her.
Good luck.
Twilight ran.
The Follower, The Believer
Day 1-0833
“That's where you're wrong!” Lyra could hardly believe her own voice. She had escaped from Vinyl's party after everything had started going wrong, but now, she wondered how well she had actually made it out. With a strength she didn't recognize, she walked briskly to the front of the room, where everyone was looking at her. She coughed awkwardly and tried again. “Ahem... I'm sorry. I'm not sure what I just said, really.”
I apologize. I have a flair for the dramatic. My name is Alice.
The Mayor asked her, “What exactly did you mean by that? That I was wrong?”
“I don't know. I know it sounds weird, but I don't think I said it.”
I did. If you will allow me to take over again, I will explain.
Before the Mayor could speak again, Lyra continued, “I hear this voice in my head. She says she can explain everything. Is that all right with you, Mayor?”
“I... suppose. I don't really understand, though.”
“Don't worry, all will make sense in time.” Her voice had changed again. It carried a weight to it that seemed to fill the room, even if it wasn't loud. “Hello, everyone. I am Alice. Some of you have already heard my voice, but the rest of you are hearing me for the first time.”
“What have you done to Lyra?” a voice called out from the crowd. Colgate walked up to the front and addressed the voice. “I swear, if you've hurt her...”
“The Follower is an acceptable conduit for my voice. Rest assured, I have done nothing permanent to her, nor do I control her in any way other than the same way I control you, besides this ability to speak.”
“Control her? What do you mean?” Another voice, this time by one less confident.
“I know this is a strange time for all of you. Your friends are turning on you, and you fear for your life. But rest assured, I have done all this for a higher Goal. I come bearing a Gift.”
“We don't want your Gift, you monster!” Colgate spat.
“Ah, but this is a Prize beyond all imagining. Power, fame, glory, money. All this and more to the victor, the one who triumphs over all. I recognize that you ponies of today are not competitive anymore. You believe in Harmony and Love.”
“This isn't competitiveness... this is murder!”
“You see? You do not understand. That is why I have readjusted your way of thinking. I have implanted a Drive, deep within you, to fight for your betterment. That is all I mean by my control over you. I have made you more than you were.”
“But we will fight it!” Colgate twinged as her magic welled up inside her. Just looking at Lyra... “We are Equestrians, and we will fight for friendship!”
“Ah, so idealistic.” Alice's voice hardened. “The Drive will grow stronger with each passing day. For now, depending on who you see and how powerful they are, you may be able to control it. But as the crowd grows thinner and the days pass, you will find it more and more difficult. Ere too long, the streets of Ponyville will become a bloodbath, a warzone. And there is nothing you can do to stop it.”
“But why here? Why now?” asked the Mayor.
“I love a good competition. I was waiting for just the right moment, when the combined power of all the unicorns in Equestria would be... interesting enough.
“But I tire of this conversation. I think I've explained enough. The unicorn mares of Equestria will fight for my Prize. There can be only one. May the games begin.”
Lyra shook her head. “So... what now?”
The Mayor jumped to the podium. “Everypony, please! Don't be alarmed!”
There was a short silence. Then chaos began. While the earth ponies and pegasi fled through the doors and windows, the unicorn mares began to fire spell after spell at each other.
Colgate sighed. “Listen, Mayor. What I said back there, I meant it. We'll pull this together somehow. Right, Lyra?”
“Uh-huh...” Lyra said. But she wasn't fully thinking about what she'd said. She was staring at Colgate's horn. She felt... odd. How would she describe it... hungry?
The Dancer, The Mage
Day 1-0845
North Star woke up with a migraine in her head and a smile on her face. Today was a big day. Well, most of it would be normal: going to work, filing papers, organizing money. But at lunchtime, she'd get to hang with Twilight Sparkle, her idol! This was like a dream come true! She'd go to the bookstore, meet up with Twilight, kill her, take her magic, and... Wait, that doesn't sound right, North Star thought. Ah, well. She could worry about more complicated stuff later.
She put on one of her work dresses and her favorite cap, tipped to a jaunty angle. With that, she skipped out the door, whistling a merry tune. She went to her favorite coffee shop, which was right across the street from her house, which made it super convenient. “One double espresso mocha, please!” she said cheerily.
“Are you insane?” said the stallion behind the bar. “Canterlot is falling down, and you're trying to get a mocha?!”
“Hey! I get a mocha here every weekday. You'd think I would get better service than this!”
“Look, I'm not serving anything. I'm closing down the shop right now and getting on the next train outta here.”
“But... my mocha...” North Star said with a pout.
The stallion spluttered. “But, I, you... you know what, fine. Here, have the keys. I'm not comin' back here anyways.” He tossed her a ring of keys, which she caught deftly with her mouth. “If you want a mocha, make it yourself.”
“Wow! Thank you! I'll be sure to give you an extra tip for that!” North Star said. “How much should you tip on an entire store? 15%?”
“Forget it!” He packed his things and dashed off. North Star shrugged and moved to the back of the store. She hummed another tune, which sounded strangely like, “Canterlot is falling down, falling down, falling down.” By the time she got to the, “my fair filly,” part, she'd finished the mocha, although it looked a bit darker than she usually had it. She sipped it idly as she watched the ponies run back and forth just outside the door. One flash of purple seemed oddly familiar...
“WaitNorthStaristhatyouthankgoodnesscanIhideinherekaythanks!” Twilight teleported through the door and landed gracelessly near the bar.
“Hey, Twilight!” North Star said. “We weren't supposed to meet up until later!”
“Well, plans have changed,” she replied, dusting herself off.
“Oh, okay.” North Star showed Twilight her cup. “Would you like some?”
Twilight sniffed it warily. “Uh... no thanks. So, uh, have you seen that insanity out there?”
“Yeah, I bet it'll triple my traffic time.”
“Traffic time?” Twilight asked. Suddenly, she had a thought. “North Star, have you heard anything about Alice in your head?”
“Alice? No, I haven't. Is that some kind of fruit?”
“Phew,” Twilight breathed a sigh of relief. Apparently, Alice hadn't managed to—
“I mean, sometimes I get this weird desire to kill you, but everypony has that sometimes, right?”
Nevermind. Trying to be nice, Twilight asked, “So, North Star, what's the fastest way to the castle?”
“Thataway!” she said, pointing to the east. “Ooh, I could take you there, if you'd—”
“No!”cried Twilight. That would be a bad idea for at least three reasons. “I mean, I think I can find it. Enjoy your, uh, hot chocolate.”
“It's a mocha. Oh, that's what I did wrong!” she said, slapping a forehoof to her head. “I mixed up the espresso and the chocolate. Silly me!”
And while North Star remade her drink, Twilight quietly tiptoed out the door.
The Servant, The Whisperer
Day 1-0915
Ruby lay amid the straw of the Sweet Apple Acres barn, her face wet with tears. All she could think about were those moments, fragmented and turbulent. The flash of light as the door opened. Her aunt, silhouetted against the flickering lamp. The wicked, sharp smile painted across her face. After that, flashes of magic, sparking and ricocheting in the little room. Everything else was a blur; she could barely even remember how she had gotten out of that alive.
She could hear Applejack's voice echoing from the front of the farm's property. "I'm sorry, Dinky, but I cain't have no more unicorns on the property. I ain't gonna have fighting here on my land, no sir."
Ruby's face lit up with a smile. She called out as loud as she could muster, "Dinky! I'm coming!"
She could hear Dinky's, "Ruby, is that you?" as she raced towards their voices. She galloped on her four spindly legs, her joy practically exploding out of her chest. But just as Dinky seemed within reach, she felt Applejack suddenly push her back.
"Please, Applejack!" cried Ruby. "I want to see her!"
"That's a bad idea, Ruby," said Applejack. "Who knows what could happen?"
"We won't fight, I promise!" said Ruby. "Dinky's my best friend!"
"I want to believe you, Ruby," said Applejack, "but this is a situation you can't control. You can't keep that promise." Applejack turned around and pointed to Dinky. "I'm sorry, Dinky, but I'll only have one unicorn on this property at a time. I wish I could protect you both, but... I just can't."
"Our friends, Ruby!" cried Dinky. "We've got to find our friends! You go talk to Applebloom, I'll find Scootaloo and... Sweetie Belle." She paused as she considered the third unicorn filly in their group. When she spoke again, her voice had fallen. "Ruby?"
"Yeah?"
"Whatever happens... we'll always be friends, right?"
"Always."
The Believer, The Follower, The Listener
Day 1-0840
"...Lyra? Lyra! Snap out of it!"
Lyra shook her head. She'd dazed out again. "Oh... sorry, 'Gate." Her own voice sounded... dead, like she'd lost the will to live.
Colgate turned around. "Lyra, what's going on? This isn't like you at all. Is it Alice? I swear, as soon as we find her, I'm kicking her into next Tuesday!"
"Th-that's not it!" Lyra stammered. "I'm just... worried about Vinyl." Ah, good. A valid excuse. Only partially true, but it seemed to make Colgate feel better. Truth be told, it probably was Alice, really. Compared to Alice's strong, emphatic tone, Lyra just felt... nonexistent.
"Do you think she's okay?" asked Colgate. "What happened at the party last night?"
"All I remember from the party is right at midnight. Vinyl and I were in the DJ booth together, so we were actually fairly safe from the fighting. As soon as we could, we ducked out the back, then we went our separate ways. Unfortunately, I don't know what happened after that."
"Well, that's good. Maybe she's back at home and just missed the notification about the meeting." Colgate tried to nod at this, but something in her gut told her she was only fooling herself. She was getting a distinct vibe that Vinyl wasn't as well-off as Lyra claimed. But why wouldn't Lyra tell the truth?
"I-if Vinyl's okay, then I'll just be g-going home," said Lyra. "See ya, Colgate." With that, she dashed off through town. Completely the wrong way, but that was Lyra for you. Colgate chuckled and headed to her own home.
A pony in a lab coat came up to her. An earth pony, and male, so Colgate had nothing to fear. The pony held out a card with her picture and said, "Are you Colgate, the mare depicted here?"
"Yes?"
"Then I need you to come with us immediately. There's a pony in our intensive care ward who gave us this picture. She said you were the only one she would talk to."
Colgate's heart sank. "White coat, blue hair?"
"Yes, ma'am. Now please, hurry up. The clinic is just around the corner."
She followed his quick pace as he led her to the site. It was no more than a ramshackle tent, set up near the ruins of Vinyl's once-illustrious dance hall. The pony opened a curtain, and there was Vinyl.
Colgate was a dentist, not a physician, but it didn't take a genius to see that Vinyl was in a bad way. She was hooked up to tubes and drips and meters and just about every piece of medical equipment she recognized. Her breathing was weak, and her heart rate had fallen. However, it was her eyes that really seemed to reveal the truth to Colgate. Vinyl liked her goggles, but beneath them were a pair of brilliant violet eyes. But now, in this state, Vinyl's eyes were cold and weary.
Vinyl's head tipped ever slightly as Colgate and the doctor approached the bed. When Vinyl finally recognized her, she gave a weak smile. "Hey, 'Gate. Guess I should stop badmouthing your vibes, huh?"
"Look, none of that matters right now," said Colgate. "I've been worried about you."
"Don't be," said Vinyl. She tried to laugh, but it only seemed to cause her to half-cough, half-choke. "I've been worse."
"How could you possibly have been worse?!" asked Colgate.
"Remember that night back in college when I drank 30 cups of cider? Yeah, I don't either, but it was bad. Trust me."
"Vinyl, please stop joking around!" Colgate said. She could feel herself getting misty-eyed. "I've been so worried! You could have been killed!"
"Oh, that reminds me." Vinyl pulled herself up, resting herself on one hoof. She winced as she put too much pressure on it, sending pain rippling through her. The doctor tried to ease her back down, but she shooed him away. "I have something really important to tell you, Colgate. Something, ow, you've got to know."
"What is it?"
Vinyl began to pant as she felt the exertion of just staying up wearing on her. "Listen... close. Whatever... you do. Don't... trust... Lyra." With that, she fell back on the bed, utterly spent.
The Mage
Day 1-0845
As Twilight made her way to the castle, she had attracted the attention of a few of the Canterlot population. As she neared the gate, she called out to the guards, “Help! They're coming after me!”
The left guard, a white pegasus, swooped down behind Twilight and blocked them with his spear, crying, “Back! Back!” The other guard, a gray unicorn, constructed a barrier around the three of them. After a few fruitless attempts to break the shield, the crowd grudgingly went away.
“Thank you, sirs,” said Twilight.
“Our pleasure, Miss Sparkle,” said the unicorn.
“What exactly did you do to get them riled up like that?” asked the pegasus.
“Exist,” Twilight snorted. The guards didn't get the joke, so Twilight moved on. “Could I go see the princess, please?”
“I'm sorry, miss, but no,” said the pegasus.
“Not this again,” Twilight moaned. “The princess is definitely awake by now!”
The two guards looked at each other. “Well...”
“Actually, we were told via report that it was Luna who raised the sun this morning.”
Twilight gulped. “You mean Celestia is...”
“We don't know,” said the unicorn guard. “There's another reason we can't let you through.”
“The servants are fighting like mad in there!”
“Let me guess: only the unicorn mares,” said Twilight.
The guards stepped back in shock. “How did you know?”
“Alice! She's the reason I was being chased, too!”
“...Alice?” asked one of the guards.
“I'm sure you'll be getting another report, then. In any case, please let me through.”
“We just saved you from a crowd of killers; how in good faith could we throw you right in the middle of that?”
“What would your mother tell us if we let you in there?”
The words were like a slap in the face. “My mother...” Twilight could feel hot tears gathering in her eyes. She turned away from the guards so that they wouldn't see her if she started crying. Her mother wasn't a fighter; her magic was mostly based on astronomy and the stars. If anypony had gone to visit them... If anypony had fought her...
Twilight closed her eyes. Every evening, when she had studied under Celestia's tutelage, she had walked this path. With the sun behind her, she had followed her shadow home. As she stepped off the dias, she heard behind her one of the guards cry, “Wait, Twilight!”
But the other one stopped him. “Let her go. I have a feeling she'll be fine. This is something she has to do.”
The Listener, The Queen
Day 1-0925
Dinky reviewed her mental checklist again. She had gone to see Ruby and Applebloom, and while she hadn't seen Applebloom, Ruby was doing that for her. That left Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. Dinky had a theory that, as long as all five of them were together, they would never have to worry about anything. It was foolish, maybe, but it was her only hope.
The path from Sweet Apple Acres to Sweetie Belle's house went past Carousel Boutique. Dinky decided that she should find Rarity before talking to Sweetie Belle. It was a risk to talk to another unicorn mare, but Dinky wasn't afraid. She walked up to the door and gave it three quick knocks.
"Who's there?" came Rarity's voice echoing through the building. "I'm warning you, I'm well armed!"
"Rarity, it's just me! Dinky!"
"Dinky? Dinky Doo?" She heard a series of locks disengaging, then the door finally opened, and Rarity stepped forward. She looked completely frazzled; her mane was sticking out in every direction, her tail didn't look brushed, and she had deep bags under her eyes. Nevertheless, she smiled warmly when she saw Dinky standing on the front step. "My, my, it's so good to see you! Come in, come in!" As Dinky stepped in, she brushed up against Rarity's coat. The white unicorn recoiled in shock, as though she'd been hit with a weapon. "Dinky, my dear! When did you get so... strong?"
"What do you mean?" Dinky asked, suddenly very suspicious.
"I-i-it's nothing," said Rarity. "It's just that, when you touched me like that, I suddenly got this... incredibly strong desire to... well, I think you know."
"Oh, like what happened with my neighbor. After my mom left to deliver the mail, I went and said, 'Hi!' to her. But she just started firing spells at me!"
"Oh, my! What did you do?"
"I wasn't really sure. I was running away when suddenly Miss Rose Hip jumped behind me. She said, 'Run, Dinky! I'll hold her off.' So I did."
"I see," said Rarity. "I didn't know Miss Hip was into such histronics. But in any case, my question remains. I had no idea you were so powerful, Dinky!"
"Yeah, that was yesterday. I protected my mom from those bullies from school, and that's how I got my cutie mark."
"Well, I'm very glad for you. I'd love to host your cuteceañera, in better conditions. Unfortunately, I think we have more important things to worry about."
Dinky nodded. "I know. That's why I want to go talk to Sweetie Belle. Is she all right?"
Rarity shook her head. "I couldn't say. I went to the house this morning, after everything went down, but, well..."
"But what?"
"Something's not right. I knocked on the door, but Sweetie Belle just screamed at me. 'Get away! Don't come in here!' I tried to tell her it was just me, but that seemed to make it worse. She was completely panicking. I thought I'd just go in anyway, but that was when Sweetie created this huge barrier around the house. It pushed me back and threw me in a ditch. Needless to say, I wasn't very happy."
"So, Sweetie Belle is locked up in her house?" Dinky lowered her gaze.
"Unfortunately, yes," said Rarity. She saw the look on Dinky's face and said, "Maybe she just needs to figure this whole thing out on her own. I know I benefitted from a bit of time by myself. Maybe, when the time is right, she'll come out, and we'll be able to talk again."
"Maybe." Dinky thought for a moment, then asked, "Can you help me get to Scootaloo's house, then?"
"Of course, Dinky." As Dinky went for a hug, Rarity backed away, adding, "Although we can't have that. Just... follow along, and try not to stray too far, okay?"
The Mage
Day 1-0855
Twilight saw nopony else as she walked home. She had used paths no pony ever used. When she was a filly, she'd found disused alleys and empty houses, places that nopony even thought about. So Twilight was safe until she found her home. At the doorstep, a single unicorn stood nearby. Twilight pushed her telekinetically, all the way down the street, without even stopping. She opened the door and stepped inside.
Her father saw her come in. He looked happy to see her for a moment. “Twilight! I didn't know you were in the city.” But his face quickly fell. “It's dangerous here. It's good to see you, but you've got to go. Now.”
“Where is Mother.” Twilight's head was down, her face unreadable.
“Upstairs, in the bedroom.” Twilight winked out, appearing immediately in the room. Her father soon followed.
Her mother lay on the bed. Her normally white coat was spattered with the unmistakeable signs of magical damage. Her body was limp, although she appeared to be breathing. Twilight held her close and finally released the tears she had been holding in for so long. Her mother... one of the most important ponies in her life. She had introduced her to Cadance. She had recommended her for Magical Academy. In short, she had done everything for Twilight that a mother could. And now... she was gone.
When the tears were spent, there was only anger. She turned to her father, her body glowing with magic. “Who did this?”
“I don't know, Twily. I'm sorry. I was still asleep when it happened. She went down to cook breakfast, and when I woke up, she was like... this. I brought her up here to... to...”
“I know, Dad. I know.” She held her father close as his stolid demeanor broke before her. As she hugged him, she saw a motion out the window. There, just outside, was a pony she recognized. It was the blue mare from the train.
