morion87

In the Main Library of the Friendship Castle, Twilight Sparkle was busy setting up the World Mirror. She had already sent word to Sunset and her friends she was coming over for awhile.

Spike decided to stay in Equestria this time. With no threat needing attention, he didn't feel like being stuck as a dog for however Twilight was staying.

For the rest of the Mane 5, this was becoming normal now. But for Starlight Glimmer, this was her first time to actually see the mirror in action. Twilight had explained to her of course.

But seeing it work was a totally different thing. She had already promised Twilight in her reasearch on the portal when they had the chance. Now she couldn't wait.

The portal was soon open. Giving everypony a final glance and a "I'll be back in a few days", Twilight stepped through.

Even as she did though, everyone saw a wave of some kind come out of the mirror. As it passed through them, they all saw something that would stay with them for a long time.

A city in ruins. Under attack by something they couldn't see. But they all felt it. Vast, powerful and, something else they couldn't put a hoof on.

Spike and Starlight shared an uneasy look. It reminded them of the so called Ashlands Timeline they had seen during their misadventures through time. But this felt like, more than that.

Applejack was the first to break the silence. "Y'all saw that. Right?"

Everyone nodded. "What. What was it?" Fluttershy asked.

"I'm, not sure." Rarity said. "It felt like a wave of magic. But it wasn't any magic I've ever heard of."

Starlight nodded. "That, was a kind of magic. I'm all for new magic. But this isn't anything like I thought was even possible."

"So what are we supposed to do?" Rainbow Dash asked. "Twilight went through at the same time that did."

"Not much we can do." Spike said. "Unless you guys wanna go too?" No one volunteered. "Then I say we wait. Maybe it was nothing and Twilight's fine."

He gave the mirror another look. "Besides. If anything did happen, she has friends over there that can help her."

Figuring he had a point, having done it several times, the girls decided to wait it out.

None of them knew it then, but that would be the last time any of them saw Twilight Sparkle for a long time.

***

Twilight felt something was wrong the moment she entered the portal. What it was she couldn't tell. She just hoped it was nothing.

When she finally stopped spinning and noticed where she was, three things immediately came to mind.

"Wait. This isn't Canterlot Hight."

"Why am I still a pony?"

And last but not least.

"Huh. I'm floated in mid air."

Right before gravity reasserted itself.

"Gahh!" Was all she could say before she hit the ground with resounding tump and splash. Picking herself up, she took stock of where exactly she was. Whever it was, it was in rough shape.

Huge piles of rubble littered the ground. Farther up the walls windows let in a steady stream of water. Several doors led off into rooms or corridors that led to who knew where.

The ceiling looked like it had intricate reliefs carved into it but from down here Twilight couldn't be sure. Looking up, Twilight saw the portal shimmer before it vanished.

Seeing that made her new reality crash home: she was in a strange world, who knows where, and her only way home had just closed on her. How long before it opened again, or if it ever would...

Twilight wiped away the tears that threatned to fall. "No. Crying won't get me anywhere." She said aloud. It helped her calm down a little. But not by much.

At this point though she finally noticed how cold the room around her was. Looking into the middle of the room, she found a bonfire that still put out smoke. With how wet it was, it was a miracle it even lit.

Nothing a little Heat Spell could fix. Next to the smouldering remains was a small stack of firewood. Perfect.

Within a few short minutes, Twilight had a nice little blaze going and she began to warm up immediately. Sighing, she sat down next to it and let it warm her.

For a time she just sat there, watching the flames dance and letting her mind wander. Occassionaly she would look around the room, taking in more and more of it. 

She admited that whoever or whatever had created this place knew their craft well. It reminded her of Canterlot in a way.

But way more wet. 

She chuckled at the thought as she again turned to the fire and lost herself in it. Right now she needed a plan. Assuming she could find a way out of here, then what?

This was a world she had no knowledge of. Unlike the Human World though, she doubted she'd find local versions of her friends. If the fact that she was still a pony was any inication. So then what?

For a time she lost track of the world outside her immediate vision. How long she was like this she didn't know. At some point, Twilight nodded off.

When she came too the fire had gone out, and the cold had returned with a vengeance. Groaning at her own inability to pay attention she ignited her horn to add another log and restart the blaze.

Before she had a chance to though, an almighty boom rocked the chamber. Yelping and juming a good five feet in the air in shock Twilight looked around the room, waiting to see if it came again.

A few minutes later another boom resounded around the chamber followed soon after by the sound of falling rubble not too far away.

Coming back to the ground, Twilight waited, hoping that whatever had caused that was gone now. After a few minutes of nothing happening, she relaxed and turned back to the fire.

Just before she could apply the spell, she heard the rubble in front of the doors behind begin to move. Looking around, she could see that something was trying to move it out of the way.

As she watched, the last thing she expected to see pushed their way into view. But he wasn't like the ones she knew. His skin was lighter in tone and his clcothes looked like nothing she had ever seen.

When he saw her though, his eyes grew larger in suprise as he pulled what seemed like a red hued sword from his back.

Twilight threw her hooves up, hoping to show she was harmless. "Wait! I'm not a threat."

He blinked in surprise. "You. You can talk?"

Twilight huffed. "Of course I can talk. Why? Can't ponies here?"

"I don't even know what a 'pony' is." He replied.

Twilight gulped a little, but stored that little bit away for later. One look at how he carried his blade showed he knew how to use it. "Look. Can you please put that down? I think we got off on the wrong hoof here. I'm Twilight Sparkle."

Still looking somewhat unconvinced, the youth put the sword down nonetheless. "Tidus. Don't suppose you know where we are?"

Twilight smiled sheepishly. "Sorry. I don't even know how I got here. Wherever here is."

Tidus did smile a little at that. "That makes two of us." Walking further into the room he soon spotted the wood pile. "Don't suppose you have a way to get this started?"

Twilight smiled. Igniting her horn she added a few more logs and lit them ablaze. Immediately the room began to warm up. Sitting down she took Tidus's look as he had never seen magic before.

His question proved it. "How did you do that?"

Twilight grinned. "Magic."

Tidus just shook his head in surprise as he sat down with her. "Well, however you did it, thanks. This place is freezing."

For awhile two sat there in silence, deep in their own thoughts. Twilight was still trying to digest all she now knew of this world. While not much yet, it was still enough to get her mind working.

Tidus meanwhile was trying to make heads or tails of his new companion. She was definitely strange. But the longer they sat, the more he began to think otherwise.

He was a stranger in this world too. No thanks to Auron and Sin. Eventually he nodded off into a strange dream.

Twilight watched him ddze off. Shaking her head she turned back to the fire and her own swirling thoughts. Eventually she too dozed off again.

Never noticing the pair of eyes that watched them both from an upper story balcony.

***

Some time later she woke with a start. Looking around she noticed the fire had gone out on them. Tidus though wasn't looking at it, but something above them.

Before she could ask what was wrong, he looked over at her and whispered "We're not alone." And pointed up.

Looking in that direction, Twilight felt her stomach drop. What it was she didn't know. Vaguely though it resembled a stick insect, but much larger. Other details were lost with distance. It's eyes seemed to glow.

Before either of them had a chance to react, it began skittering around the balcony before launching itself directly at them. Just in time they jumped out of the way as it landed between them before rising in an obvious attack posture.

At this range Twilight could tell for sure it was a predator. It radiated an aura of malevelonce few others had. Which also made reasoning with it seem out of the question. With that she took stock of what they had.

Good news was that the two of them had it surrounded front and back. The bad news was that she didn't know if any of her spells would work on it. None were designed for combat, on top of being in a nww world.

Levitation and teleportation was all that she could think of that might be able to do something as she ducked a swipe from one of its pincers. There was alos that lazer attack she used at the wedding too.

Any other thoughts were put on hold as the thing attacked them both in hernest now. Tidus managed to doge most of the swipes while getting in a few swipes of his own. But the thing just shrugged them off.


Twilight finally aimed with a spell blast to the back of its head. That got its attention at least while giving Tidus time to recover and land another blow.

This went on for what felt like hours, but was only a few minutes, the two of them alternating between Twilight's magic and Tidus's sword skills.

Eventually Twilight felt her magic begin to run low and this thing was still going. "This isn't working." She said as she doged another pincer swipe. "We need a new plan."

Before Tidus could respond, another set of doors was blown off its hinges. Looking back, Twilight saw five or six figures enter the room, all of them pointing weapons of some kind at all three of them.

One stepped foward, gesturing with her hand. Twilight didn't know what she meant, but she seemed willing to help. And they could use all the help they could get.

"You're on our side? Cool." Tidus said before turning back to their problem. The newcomer nodded before taking something from their belt and tossing it at the thing. The resulting explosion rocked the room.

When the smoke cleared, the thing was still standing. But barely now. Charging her horn, Twilight put all of her magic into one last shot. This time the attack worked.

The thing let out a screach as it collapsed, finally dead, before breaking into a light show that quickly disapered.

Letting out a breath she hadn't known she was holding, Twilight looked up in time to see Tidus grabbed and held at knife point by one of the figures.

"Fryd ec drec?" One said in a strange language.

"Y fiend! Eh rishy tekieca! Oac! Ed ec cu!" The other said in the same thounge.

"Fa gem ed?" The first asked.

"Fyed. Frydev ec rishy?" The one who helped them finally stepped in.

"Dra yna dra cysa eh tadyr." One replied.

"E vunpet ed! Fa pnehk ed fedr ic." Their friend replied while she walked over to Tidus. Leaning over, she whispered something to him before punching him in the stomach.

He was out before he hit the ground. 

Twilight was annoyed now. "Hey!" She shouted as she ran over. She was stopped when they turned their weapons on her.

They turned to what she assumed was their leader. "Fryd ypuid drec?"

By now Twilight was shaking in her hooves, all that had happened to her coming back with a vengeance she looked down those barrels.

It must have shown because her gaze softned a little as she replied in perfect Equish "She comes too."

They only nodded as they gestured for Twilight to follow them. Twilight could only nod as she fell in line with them.

Just what had she got herself into now?

***

Some time later Twilight found herself on the deck of some kind of ship. Tidus had been dumped next to her, still out cold.

For the next while all she could do was sit there and try and admire the view of the sea as it passed by. Her thoughts were still a jumble over everything, and the ship was not helping.

She did know one thing though. Twilight Sparkle and the sea did not mix as her stomach was doing flip flops.

Eventually Tidus began to stir. The guards must have heard him for both turned around and shoved him back down.

"Ced lybedja!"

"Hey that hurts!"

"Hu sujhek rayn?"

"Whoa... okay."

Just as Twilight was about to step in, a door opened behind the guards. Out stepped two figures. One she recognized from earlier. The other was new, but by the others defered to him, he was most likely their leader.

"Caynir res!" He said. Both pulled Tidus hup, and Twilight followed suit. The man began making an odd series of gestures with his hands. Ones Twilight didn't understadn.

"Right, whatever." Tidus summed it up best for them both.

"Tu oui hud cybayg?" The replied with an obvious confusion as he pulled out a necklace of sum kind and repeated the gestures.

"I said I don't understand." Tidus shot back.

"Ehcumala!" One of the guards replied as he pointed his weapon at Tidus's chest.

The girls stepped in at this point. "Fyed!" Before she turned back to them. "He said you guys can stay if you make yourselves useful."

Tidus gave her an incredulus look. "You, you understand us?" One of the guards then hit him in the back of the head. "Alright, I'll work!"

Twilight took a few seconds longer to decide. "Me too."

That seemed to calm them down as the girl began to explain what exactly they were going for.

"We found some ancient ruins right beneath us. It's not active now, but there should still be some power left. We're gonna go ddwn there and activate it... and then we should be able to salvage the big prize!"

Twilight and Tidus could only murmur in agreement. Twilight though was interested. Ancient or not, any chance to study more of this world was something she wouldn't pass up.

"Okay, let's get to work!"

Tidus smiled. "Roger!" and ran over to the side of the boat. Giving a thumbs up, he jumped in. Everyone gave him a dead pan look.

The girl turned back to Twilight. "You can swim right?"

Twilight nodded. Igniting her horn, she cast a Water Breathing Spell on herself before joining her at the side and jumping in alongside Tidus.

Together they began the long swim down to the ruins. Even from this distance though, Twilight could see they had been down here a long time. Centuries for sure. Up close she could see whole sections were gone.

Swimming inside, they found the way blocked by some kind of door. Not for long as Tidus swam over and began pounding on what looked like the control panel. It soon opened into a circular chamber with another corridor on the other side.

This one had no blockage as they swam through it. In the center was what looked like some kind of generator that the girl pointed to.

Seeing this as her chance to prove she could pull her weight, Twilight shot a bolt of electricity into it. Sure enough, after a few shakes, lights began to activate all over the structure.

Getting a nod of thanks as they returned the way they came, Twilight was beginning to wonder what was next when something massive entered the room with them.

Up close it looked like some kind of squid or octopuse, but on a much larger scale than she had ever seen. It too had that same glow to its eyes, showing it wasn't natural in some way, and it was blocking the exit.

This one concerned her. She had no idea how effective her spells would be underwater. The one bit of good news, as she doged a tentacle, was that they had it outnumbered 3 to 1.


Figuring they were getting nowhere just floating there, Twilight chaged her horn and fired. The beam hit it dead center, but seemed to have no effect other than to annoy it.

Tidus followed up with a slash from his sword and the girl hit it with one of her explosives. Both also seemed to have no effect. It did however cause the thing to swim to the other side of the room.

While this did give them some breathing space, Twilight didn't think it would be that easy. Sure enough a moment or so later it charged back at them. None were hit, but it sent them spinning wildly.

This gave it enought time to launch another round of tentacle attacks. This time one hit Twilight on her side and sent her spinning into the wall with a thud. Hard enought to make her see stars.

The girls saw this, and pulled what looked like a capsule out of her pack and tossed it to Twilight, motioning that she should drink it.

Twilight obliged as the girls turned back with another explosive. It wasn't the most plesant thing Twilight had ever drunk, but the effect was amazing. She hadn't felt this good in a long time and the pain was gone from her side. Mad now, she fired another beam at the creature when there was an opening.

Thsi time she saw that they were doing damage, as it again retreated to the other side of the room. Figuring it wouldn't hurt to try, Tidus began indicating a pincer movement with his hands. Both she and the girl nodded as he swam around to the front and they went to the rear, confising the creature.

A few more minutes, and the thing again disolved into the same light show as the earlier thing had. Twilight finally let out a breath she hadn't know she was holding. Neither of her companions were hurt too bad, and another round of the same drink had them all back to normal.

Swimming out a hole in one wall, a series of light activated all along the structure, giving some much needed brightness to this underwater world. 

Swimming down with the others, Twilight finally saw what they had, presumably, been after. From up here it looked like an airship. But not like one she'd ever seen in Equestria. Much larger for one and with a different design. But she chalked that up to being in a different world.

***

Some time later, they all returned to the ship. A few of the others had arrived before them and were talking rather excitedly about something in their own language.

"Fa vuiht dra airship!" One said.

"Dra naluntic fana nejrd!" Another said as Tidus and Twilight followed them to the door.

"Huf, ruf du tynyk ed ib?" The first said again as the door opened. As it did, one turned and pushed Tidus back out.

"Oui, uidecta!"

"Hey!" Tidus replied in annoyance as the door began to close. "Hey we helped out didn't we?"

No one seemed to be listening as the door closed on them, locking them both out.

***

Again, the two of them lay on the deck not really doing anything. Twilight tried to admire the view of the sky passing by. It was a beautiful sight to be sure.

But nothing was the same. The stars, the constellations. Everything. It just didn't have the same effect as Equestria.

"Uhh... hungry." Tidus grumbled again. It was starting to drive Twilight crazy everytime he said that. She was hungry too, but you didn't hear her complaining about it.

She was just about to say something about it when the door opened again and the girl from before returned carrying what looked like a tray of food. She gave Tidus a good kick to get his attention.

When he did, his eyes lit up. "Whoa! Right on!" He said as he began to dig in. Pretty soon though he began to choke on it. Luckilly the girl noticed and handed him a jug of water. One he happily drank with a sigh.

"It's cause you eat to fast." She said kneeling down next to them. Tidus nodded, stood and walked a bit stretching before he turned back to her.

"Helloe there. What is your name?"

"Rikku." She replied.

"Whoa, you really do understand me!" Tidus replied before doing a little victory dance and chuckling. He reminded Twilight of Pinkie Pie in a way. "Why didn't you say so earlier?" She asked.

"I didn't get a chance to. Everyone thought oui were a fiend." Rikku replied.

"Uh "We"?" Tidus asked.

"Oh. Oui means you." Rkuu replied.

That didn't clear much up. But it was a start. "Who are you guys anyway?" Tidus asked.

"We're Al Bhed, can't you tell?" Rikkus replied, before turning in surprise. "Wait. You're not an Al Bhed hater are you?"

"I don't even know what an Al Bhed is." Tidus said, and Twilight couldn't agree more. She knew about different ethnicities from her time at Canterlot High. Maybe this was one.

"We're you from?" Rikkus asked.

"Zanarkand. I'm a Blitzball player. Star player for the Zanarkand Abes." Tidus replied with obvious pride.

Rikku looked confused. "Did you, hit your head or something?"

Now Tidus was annoyed. "Um ypu guys hit me."

Rikkus has the sense to look sheepish at that. "Oh right. Do you remember anything before that?"

So Tidus told them both his life story up to now: life in Zanarkand, Blitzball, and an attack by something called Sin. He ended by saying how he and a friend had been enguled by a light before he woke up outside of where Twilight had entered this world.

Part way through though, Rikku had gained a solemn expression. Tidus saw it as soon as he finished. "Did I, say something funny?" He asked.

"You were near Sin." Rikku replied with some shock. This set all kinds of alarm bells off in Twilight's head. Something was up. Tidus nodded though. "Don't worry, you'll be better in no time. They say your head gets funny when Sin is near. Maybe you had some kind of dream?"

Tidus was confused now. "You mean I'm sick?"

"Because of Sin's toxin, yeah."

"You sure?"

"Yeah. There is no Zanarkand anymore. Sin destroyed it a thousand years ago. So no plays Blitzball there." Rikku replied.

Tidus was visibly shocked. "Wha, what dd you a thousand years ago? But I saw Sin attavk Zanarkand! You're saying that happened a thousand years ago? No way!"

***

No one said anything for a time after that. Rikku looked thoughtful while Tidus was more annoyed than he could remember for some time.

Twilight though was deep in thought. Something about this didn't feel right. She didn't believe either one was lying, but something wasn't adding up. Whatever it was, she had a feeling this, Sin, had something more to it.

"You said, you play Blitzball?" Rikku asked suddenly. Tidus nodded. "You know, you should go to Luca. Someone might know who you are, or you find someone you recognzie."

Tidus looked unconvinced. "Luca?" Rikku groaned in exasperation before tapping him on the shoulder after a moment.

"Okay. Leave it to me. I'll get you to Luca promise!" He gave her a surprised look. "You'd rather stay here?" He shook his head. "Okay. I'll go tell the others. Wait right here." Before turning and leaving.

Part way to the door though, she turned around with a serious expression. "Oh, and one thing. Don't tell anyone you're from Zanarkand okay? Yevon says it's a holy place. You might upset someone."

Both he and Twilight nodded as she left. For awhile afterwards, neither spoke, both trying to digest all they had been told. Twilight was worried about what the reaction to her would be. Tidus could fit in fine. But she stuck out like a sore hoof.

And assuming this, Yevon, was as powerful as Rikku made it sound, she didn't know what that might mean for her. She could only hope that they might be reasonable.

Tidus though looked even more annoyed now about something. "No way!" He finally yelled before kicking something.

Whatever he kicked seemed to rock the whole ship and sent them both falling to the deck with a thud. Off in the distance, something blasted out of the water as two guards came on deck, as now whatever it was rapidly approached the ship.

"Sin!" One shouted.

"Sin ec lusa!" The other replied.

"Ihtan ic! Ihtan ic!"

Whatever it was, it sent a wave of water over the deck. Twilight had no time to react before she was washed overboard.

The last thing she saw was Tidus jumping in after her before everything went black.

And Twilight knew no more.

"Just concentrate on that feeling of change." Amber explained. "It'll do the rest." She hugged Crystal close and stepped back.

Crystal didn't know what she meant. But trusted her to know what she was talking about. She had been doing this longer of course.

Closing her eyes, she concentrated on what Amber had told her. For a moment, nothing happened. and she wondered if she was doing it wrong.

And then her body began to change. How and what she couldn't see or feel, but the rush was amazing. Crystal didn't want it to stop. And then it stopped.

Crystal felt her head jolt back and forth several times as her mane fell into her eyes. "Ow." She moaned.

"Watch that first step. It's a doozy!" Amber called out. Crystal heard the laughter in her voice. But why did she sound so far away? "You can look now Crystal. Your new friend wants to meet you."

Crystal opened her eyes, and let out a delighted squeak at what she saw. Her filly head was emerging right above a massive Red Dragon snout, her head coming out between the eyes.

Her dragon head's eyes looked up at his filly head. There was love in them. The kind shared between two lovers. Crystal felt the same for him as well, and then smiled gently, as her lover did as well.

Crystal was now sharing a body with a male dragon. And something else too. They were two souls, two minds sharing a body, but Crystal found she had full control of their body.

Her love didn't fight her as she looked around and he followed with her. As they did, Crystal felt something building in her throat. Her filly head smiled wider as her dragon head smiled gently.

Crystal felt her breath weapon building within her. Not only that, but she felt it in her filly head as well. Maybe not as strong as her mate's, but it was still potent.

She watched as Amber flew up and landed on her dragon snout. Crystal felt her land as much as if she had touched her as a pony. Amber smiled as she walked up to where Crystal's filly head emerged from her mate.

"So how does it feel the first time?" She asked. "It's a rush isn't it?"

Crystal chuckled. "I'll say. You mean we can all do this?"

Amber's smile grew. "Oh yeah. Guess the only difference is that we all don't have the same dragon form. I know mine's different from yours." She said, tapping Crystal's snout.

She watched as her dragon's eyes narrowed. She wasn't worried though. Unless Crystal let it, it wouldn't hurt her. Unless she attacked Crystal herself.

And then all bets were off. Amber remembered when it had happened to her. Someone had somehow got past all her dragon's defenses, and had attacked her filly head directly.

It hadn't worked of course, but the attack had driven her into berserker rage, one only made worse because she had stayed in her dragon form the whole time.

It had ended eventually of course. But the memory still haunted her.

Amber and her mate had fled before anyone could stop them. In shame, they fled to the furthest corner of Equus they could find.

For a time she couldn't remember, Amber had stayed in hiding. She hadn't felt she deserved to go back and face her family after that. She hadn't felt she deserved to be an Exarch.

She had stayed in her dragon form the whole time. Her filly head only drank while her mate ate enough for the both of them.

Eventually the others had found her, and after a long talk, had convinced her to come back with them and face their Empress and her judgement.

Crystal must have seen something in her face because her own expression became worried. "What's wrong?"

Amber shook her head. "Sorry. Bad memories." She replied. 

Crystal didn't push it. Something told her she probably didn't want too know. She settled her filly head back on her dragon head. "If we can all do this, can I see yours?"

To add to the effect, she put on her best pout face. One her mate tried to do as well. The effect was somewhat wasted with his size.

Amber snickered. Crystal's filly head giving her the puppy dog eyes, while merged with a dragon was something just too funny. Now she knew how the others felt when she had done the same.

"Alright, alright. I'll show you mine." She said as she walked up and threw a hoof around Crystal's head. A hug Crystal snuggled into. "Fair is fair I guess."

She ruffled Crystal's mane. It was one surprise off her list. She didn't know if Crystal would keep her mane after her transformation.

But it only made her beautiful Amber thought. A great contrast as Crystal again settled her filly head back onto her dragon.

Spreading her wings she took flight and floated in front of them. "Been awhile since I've done this. Time to get back in the groove."

Concentrating, she began to glow and grow. Crystal watched in awe as Amber's size grew larger and larger, and assumed a familiar form.

After a moment the glow faded and Amber was revealed in her new form.

Opening her eyes, Amber looked down as her own love looked up at her filly head. Stretching her wings for all they were worth, Amber smiled. "Oh yeah. Feels good to do this again."

Crystal blinked as she took in what Amber looked like now. Her own dragon form seemed much like hers. Or so she thought, Her filly head couldn't see much from where she was located.

The only real difference she could see was that Amber had a Green Dragon body compared to her own Red. And more than likely a different breath weapon too.

"So what do you breath?" Crystal asked. "I think I got fire."

Amber smirked, as did her dragon head. "Chlorine Gas. It's something we both share." She said as she looked down at her dragon head, while her mate looked up to her filly head.

Crystal had no idea what that was. Something her mate shared as he looked up to her with a confused look. One Crystal could only shrug to. Or as best she could with just her head.

"So what does that do?" She asked.

Amber's smirk grew as her filly head stuck her tongue out. "Sorry. It's too dangerous to use here. I'd show you otherwise." Her look grew more loving as she looked down and her mate looked up, winking.

Crystal snorted, as did her dragon half. Unlike normally though, when Crystal did it, flame came out of her nose instead. She blinked in surprise at what had just happened.

Amber just smiled wider. "Guess that answers that then? Welcome to the club." She said as she wrapped a leg around Crystal.

Though it shouldn't have surprised her, Crystal was still amazed when she felt the hug like she was still a pony. Not that she thought that was a bad thing though.

Her dragon on the other hoof gave Amber's a sour look. One she returned with an eye roll. Crystal was confused at the reaction, as she turned to Amber. "Where did that come from? 

Amber chuckled. "We're the pilots, and we may control our whole body, but our friends have a mind of their own. We can't control everything they do."

Crystal gulped as she looked down at her own, who was still giving Amber's a pointed look. "Isn't that dangerous?"

"Only if you let it be." Came a new voice. One they both recognized, and cringed at as Cosmos appeared between them in a pop of teleportation. With a sigh she gave them both a pointed look. Crystal gulped and looked away while Amber rolled her eyes. "You two couldn't wait could you?" She asked.

Amber shrugged her entire body. "Hey it's not my fault Crystal wanted to see this."

Cosmos just gave her an even more pointed look. "Did you tell her what happens if you loose yourself? Did you tell her what you did, what I almost had to do?"

Amber actually flinched. Crystal was surprised. "Tell me what?"

Cosmos looked back at her and her gaze softned somewhat. "There's a reason we don't use these forms all the time. Aside from scaring ponies half to death, there's a state we risk entering if we do."

Crystal just blinked. "What's that?"

Cosmos sighed as she landed on her snout. "It's called Blood Frenzy." She walked up and put a hoof on Crystal's filly head. "If someone ever lands a blow on your pony head, hard enough to draw blood, then you loose all control of your self and give in to your worst instincts."

She looked over at Amber, who couldn't look her in the eye. Her gaze softned some more. "It's happened before. Only one thing stopped it." Her gaze fell as tears gathered as old memories returned. "I won't risk it again."

Now Crystal knew for sure she didn't want to know. "Is there anything else? You know, that isn't bad?"

Cosmos smiled as she wiped away the tears. "Several actually. But one requires all of us. And I'm not even sure if we can all at once now."

Crystal shared a look with her other head. "And the other?"

Cosmos tapped her dragon snout. "It actually has more to do with him than you. You might notice how much you stick out?"

They both nodded. It was odd. But it felt right all the same.

"In proportion to each other, you're both the same age." Cosmos explained. "Dragons age differently but you are. You know you'll never age right?" Crystal nodded. "He will. As the years pass, he will get bigger and bigger as you stay the same size."

Crystal gulped as the implications of that came to mind. "Isn't dangerous? I don't even know how I'll fit all this in me when I'm a pony."

Cosmos and Amber chuckled. "It actually doesn't make a difference as a pony." Amber explained. "I've been this size for a long time and it's never been a problem."

Cosmos nodded. "And you might want to rephrase that. Someone doesn't seem to like it."

Crystal looked to where she was pointing. Her dragon head was giving her a somehat cross look. She could only smile sheepishly.

As the mist cleared Lilith found herself back in her Private Chambers of the Infernal Citadel. This was one of those rare times they were glad that the Cauldron of Blood only connected to here.

She did not want to have to explain to others some of what it was used for. Like what even now stired in her arms.

Looking down she found Twilight giving both of her heads a wide eyed look of confusion, soon followed by a look of love. Even as young as she was, she seemed to know who they were.

Her chest head smiled. "Welcome home Twilight."

Twilight giggled back as her eyes looked over the room, taking in as much detail as possible. Both of them could see her demonic blood already beginning to work.

Not yet visible to those without the right sight, but the changes had begun.

Lilith's primary head smiled. "That was faster than I thought it would be."

Her companion smiled up at her. "It was the chance we took when we agreed to do this with Velvet." Her smile grew more predatory. "We should do it more often."

Her companion smiled as well. "Careful. Remember who's body you are a part of. I let you have this much freedom, but I can just as well take it back."

That put her companion down. It was true though. Lilith had merged her body to her own many years before. Why she had never said.

Qinona liked to think she had been one of the stronger demons at the time, but she kept that thought to herself.

And it was true that Lilith let her have as much freedom as she did by choice. There had been times when she had taken that away from her.

"Fine. But then what do we do now?" She asked.

Lilith though about that for a moment. Before she could say anything though. both of them heard Twilight's belly rumble.

Both her and Qinnona smiled down at her. "Someone sounds hungry." Lilith said. Twilight just giggled as her belly rumbled again.

Smiling Qinnona lowered their bodice and brought Twilight up to breast feed. As the filly began to suckle, their minds wandered on what would come next.

At some point, Twilight would be ready for meat. Which was a problem. Very little existed down here in Tartarus. Once in a long while, someone would make it past the guards at the Heart of Darkness.

But that had not happened in many years. And demon meat was not worth the trouble, nor was it good enough to feast on regularly.

And then there was her ability to merge with anything she set her mind too. Twilight may have been a pony now, but that part of her heritage was still there.

The danger was that she might end up doing so with something or someone when she didn't mean to. It had happened before.

Neither Lilith or Qinnona wanted to think about some of the abominations things like that had given birth to.

Even demons had a limit on what they considered sane.

Of course there was the posibility Twilight would take after them in how she merged with others. Very few had been able to merge like they had.

Zennon was a notable example of course. As was Wagreb. But out of all those that existed, only these three had. There had been another, but Falress was long dead.

And hers was more from the top than like them.

Maybe one day, Twilight would be as well. The question would be what would happen when a pony did it with a demon.

It had never been done quite like that before.

It was times like this, Star thought, that she wished she could change into Twilight without Cobalt by her side.

It wasn't that she didn't like Rarity, or that the fashionista didn't like her. They got along great with Star making sure to bite down on anything she shouldn't know.

It was just that she tended to leave Carousel Boutique winded and her organs just a bit smaller than when she went in. Today was proving to be no exception.

"Rarity. Why do you have to make them so tight?" She wheezed as she was squeezed into a dress she had asked for for some up coming dance in Canterlot.

Technically the invitation was for Twilight. But Princess Celestia had made sure to invite both her and Cobalt to it as well.

Rarity smiled as she made several adjustments. "Darling. If you got out more then maybe it wouldn't be as tight hmm?"

Star rolled her eyes. "I'm a bookworm. What can I say?" Her smile softened. "Cobalt usually finds a way to get me out."

Rarity hummed to herself as she continued to work. It wasn't exactly a secret that Star and Cobalt were a couple. Surprised to some maybe.

But Ponyville was known for being one of the most open towns in Equestria when it came to same sex couples. Lyra and Bon Bon were another example.

It was far more open than Canterlot was that was for certain Rarity thought as her mind went to her unique relationship. Or more precisely.

The relationship between Baguette Glim and Amethyst Glow. Her 'mothers' as it were. Not everyone in Ponyville was a fusion of course. But several were.

Rarity herself was still trying to figure out if Star or Cobalt were. She met them regularly it seemed. But both tended to be mum on some things.

"Like it's our business anyway." Amethyst said. 

"Doesn't mean I want to know anyway." Baguette added with a smirk.

She smiled at the two. But it did bring up a point. "Speaking of bookworms. Have you seen Twilight lately? One of her dresses is ready and I don't want to keep her waiting."

Star tried not to stiffen as she felt her half of Twilight gulp. This was one thing she hoped to avoid. It was only a matter of time before they would have to tell the girls the truth.

What kept them from doing so was the fact that it never seemed the right time to do so. But they couldn't keep it up forever.

For herself, Twilight had kept quiet to her friends about her own self as well. Maybe the fact that she was an alicorn helped. Few asked about Princess Celestia or Luna's past.

Cadance was even more of a mystery to Equestria. None knew for sure where she had come from or who her parents were.

Celestia had only announced her as the Princess of Love and her niece. Which only added to the rumors about her.

Star for a fact knew that a lot of those rumors were not true. But she kept that to herself for now. Only Twilight was meant to know that. It wouldn't be fair for her to blab them.

She smiled. "Oh I think Princess Celestia asked her to go to Canterlot for some reason. She didn't really say why though."

Rarity caught the slight hesitation in that response. Star knew something she wasn't telling that much was for sure. But she could wait.

It was more fun this way anyway. A though Baguette and Amethyst both could agree on. It surely hadn't escaped their notice about something today.

Star Twinkle shared a lot in common with Twilight Sparkle. Both were proficient in magic, and both loved to read.

That wasn't all though either. Call it a hunch, but Star's mane resembled the color stripes Twilight had in her mane and tail.

Which, if the three of them were being honest, they were envious of. Rarity could not get her mane like that. No matter how hard she tried.

And now that they thought about it, Cobalt's own mane and tail were the same color as Twilight's own midnight blue portions.

Maybe it was nothing. But they doubted it, and stored it away for later.

In hindsight, calling it the Festival of Friendship was not the smartest thing she had done in a long time. But it was too late now.

Oh sure, the whole point of the festival was friendship. But Cosmos was sure she could have come up with a more original name.

As she moved through the city wide party, nodding to those she knew and offering what encouragement she could, she was glad of one thing at least.

One of her first decrees on officially taking her throne was to move the seat of the capitol to Ponyville. Whether the nobility liked it or not. But she made it perfectly clear what she thought of their opinions.

Canterlot did have one thing though that made it ideal for this. Ponyville was still a small town in the realm, and having invited all of Equus to attend if they wanted, there was no way it could host it.

Of course, there was one she was expecting to crash the party. But part of the reason for the festival was to draw them out and attack Equestria.

She was going to enjoy that.

Her giddy feeling must have shown for Orchid gave her an odd look. "You're expecting something aren't you?"

Cosmos nodded. "Oh yes. I'm expecting them any minute. And then the fun will really get going." She smiled. "Or at least it will for us."

Ocean Breeze tilted her head. "Does anyone else know about it?"

Cosmos shook her head. "No. I don't want to cause a panic by letting it be known. If word did get out, it would cause chaos." 

She gestured around to all the ponies and other creatures around them. "Look around. Ponies are still not used to me. I'm not going to have my first month back be known for causing a stampede."

Amber put a hoof on hers. "You're doing fine so far. I mean, look at what you did with Cozy Glow."

Cosmos shook her head. "That was a small time incident that I prevented from becoming a major issue. This is different."

"Don't worry Cosmy!" Pinkie said as she suddenly appeared next to the group. "You've got this no problem."

Everyone chuckled as the rest of the Mane 6 walked up. "Pinkie. Do I need to make it a royal command for you stop calling me that?"

Pinkie's smile only got bigger. "Maybe."

Rarity rolled her eyes. "Honestly Pinkie Pie. Show some respect. This is our supreme ruler you are talking about."

Pinkie was unrepentant as Applejack chuckled. "Gotta say. This came together pretty well." She gave Cosmos a look."Ya sure they can't make it?"

Cosmos shook her head. "I talked to Sunset. They won't be back from Camp Everfree until the end of the week."

"Are you sure they're gonna be alright?" Fluttershy asked. "Twilight seemed scared of something."

She rolled her eyes. "I can't keep Twilight under my wing forever. At some point she needs to not worry if I approve or am looking over her haunches all the time."

"Sound familiar?" Celestia asked as she, Luna and Cadance also joined the group. "I seem to remember you being much the same once."

Cosmos rolled her eyes. "Maybe. But she does have one thing on me from them. I didn't have a crush on you."

"And what do you plan to do about that?" Cadance asked. "She has it bad for you. You don't need to be the Princess of Love to see it."

Cosmos sighed. "I don't know. I know she means it and I'm more than willing to try. But." Her mind returned to the night of the Fall Formal. "I feel like that's cheating on Crystal."

Crystal shuffled her hooves. She still wasn't sure what to make of that. Not that she had an alternate or that she was older than she was.

But that she and her Empress had feelings for each other was just so out there for her. It wasn't like she did as well. Or so she hoped.

Rainbow Dash though wasn't listening to any of this. Mushy stuff just wasn't her thing. What she was more interested in though was seemingly getting bigger.

"Um. Am I going crazy or are those storm clouds getting bigger?" She asked, pointing to the south.

Looking where she was pointing, everypony could see indeed a large bank of black clouds. Maybe it was a trick of the light, but they did seem to be getting bigger.

No one saw Cosmos smile as she looked at them. "Good. I was beginning to think they were not going to show up." She thought.

The advent of the storm clouds over the city brought everything to a halt. Everyone looked up as the was blotted out.

From within the clouds, several, what could only be described as airships descended. None matched those of Equestria or any known nation of Equus.

"Ooh! I bet those are the clowns I ordered!" Pinkie exclaimed. 

Everyone watched as the airships descended till they began to crush several of the city towers with pieces of rubble flying everywhere. Cosmos ignited her horn, erecting a shield so that no one was hit but several of the balloons were hit and deflated with a sad wheeze.

"... Or definitely not the clowns I ordered." Pinkie said with a whimper.

One of the airships landed directly in front of the group, crushing another balloon in the process. With a deafening clang, a gangplank extended from the side as a hatch opened.

Down the ramp came what could only be described as the ugliest hedgehog anypony had ever seen. He looked rather proud of himself too as he came to bottom and pulled a megaphone from somewhere.

Clearing his throat, he began. "Ponieth of Equethtria, we come on behalf of the fearsome, the powerful, the almighty... Thtorm King!"

"Who?" Rainbow asked.

"I think he said the Storm King." Emerald said. "Whoever that is."

"And now, to deliver the evil, evil methage, put your hhoveth together for Commander Tempeeeeth!" The hedgehog continued as sparking sounds came from the top of the ramp.

From the smoke emerged a unicorn. She was at least as tall as Cadance, dark red in color with a nasty scar over one eye. But it was her horn that held their attention.

"What happened to her horn?" Spike asked.

No one could answer as Tempest came to the bottom and stood before them with what could only be described as a vile smirk.

Celestia was the first to approach her. "Tempest is it? How may we help you."

Tempest's smirk grew. "Oh, I'm so glad you asked. How about we start with your complete and total surrender?"

Everyone shared a shocked and confused look. "I think you have the wrong idea, commander." Luna said. "We are no longer the ones you should be asking for."

Tempest's brow rose as she looked at the ponies in front of her. "Oh? Then who should I be asking then?"

"Me." Cosmos said as she moved to the front of the group, Celestia and Luna letting her by with a bow.

Tempest took in the new pony, fighting off an irritating urge to fall to her hooves and worship her. "And who, are you?"

Cosmos smiled. "The name's Cosmos. Supreme ruler of all Equestria, and one day all of Equus. But that can wait." She smirked. "Why? Didn't you get the memo?"

Tempest only growled in annoyance. "Whoever you are, you have something I need so here's the deal. I need your magic. Give it up nicely, please, or we make it difficult for everyone."

Cosmos smiled as her Exarchs took up a defense around her. "You and what army?" Celestial asked. "There's only one of you and eleven of us."

Tempest smirked as the airships hovered closer. "I was hoping you'd choose "difficult."

With that, doors opened on all of them and creatures in armor dropped to the ground, each brandishing a staff of some kind as ponies began to panic and flee.

Moon Petal looked back at Cosmos. "So what part of this do you want?"

She smirked. "I'll take care of Commander Tempest. You girls have fun playing with the lackeys."

The girls smiled widely before zipping off while her friends, Celestia, Luna and Cadance stepped back. 

Tempest meanwhile looked bored. "You're sending fillies to die? That's a new low for this land."

Cosmos chuckled. "You'd be surprised what Amber and Crystal can do. I'd be more worried about your troops."

Tempest didn't look convinced as Crystal walked right up to one of the creatures. "Oi! Tall, dark and fuzzy!"

The creature looked around in confusion. "Down here furball." Crystal said again. That got its attention as it looked down to the filly at its feet. "Come here." She gestured him closer. "You've got something on your face."

He leaned down as she looked back. "Do we need them alive?"

Cosmos smirked. "Nope. In fact, they're too ugly to look at as it is."

Crystal smiled as she turned back and placed her hoof over the creature's head. "It's called pain!" And brought her hoof down.

Tempest heard it's skull be crushed with a sickening crunch and its lifeless body flop to the ground. She looked at the filly in shock as other sounds began to filter back to her mind. The sounds of the same or something close happening to all.

She ground her teeth as she dug at her armor. She would not fail. Not to this. Not now. Not when she was close. Puling out her trump card, she threw all she had at Cosmos. That would end this.

Cosmos didn't even blink as she watched them stop in front of her. She enjoyed the look of surprise on Tempest and Grubber's faces as she plucked on from the air and examined it. "Gorgon Grenades. I haven't seen these in a long time. Credit to the Storm King then for finding them or making them."

Tempest was mad now. Charging her horn, she unleashed all her magic on the pony in front of her. Let the Storm King take the magic from her lifeless corpse, she didn't care. Just that she paid for this.

Cosmos didn't even flinch as the magic hit her. Tempest smirked proudly. One that dropped as the magic faded to show her not hurt at all. Not even a scratch on her armor.

"That almost tickled." Cosmos said. "Are you done playing yet?

"What. What are you?" Grubber asked, not able to hide the terror from his voice.

Cosmos smiled as she walked up to them. "I could tell you. But I'd be wasting my breath." Coming to a stop in front of Tempest, she raised a hoof, and before Tempest could react, placed it on her broken horn.

Instantly Tempest fell to the ground with a cry of agony as her body was wracked with pain that went beyond anything that could be described. And then it ended  Panting she looked up at her tormentor.

Cosmos smiled down at her in a way that made her flinch. "Tell me, Fizzlepop Berrytwist. How much do you like pain?" And placed her hoof over the broken stump of her horn.

Unlike before though, there was no pain racking her body. Cosmos began to grind back and forth on her horn, scraping even more of it off. She bit back a cry. This was nothing compared to that first time.

Cosmos's smile grew. "Oh look. Somepony's trying to be tough. Maybe I should take it up another notch." And she did, now putting pressure behind it, enough that Tempest couldn't help but grunt.

Cosmos's smile only grew. "Beg me. Beg me for your life. Beg me like the lowly dog you are. I might even let you keep what horn you do have."

Tempest didn't comment. Cosmos could feel the horrified looks she was getting. But she didn't care. This was a lesson for them as well. She hoped they got the message.

Pushing down now, she stopped grinding, and put all her weight on that one hoof. She could feel the broken edges of the horn begin to give. Her smile became a smirk as she pushed harder.

Until she heard the crack and the horn give way. Tempest couldn't hold it any longer and gave an agonized shriek of pain. Cosmos took her hoof away and looked down with disdain at the pony before her.

Tempest could only look at her with tear filled eyes. "Why? I thought Equestria was known for mercy?"

Cosmos spat as she lifted her in her magic. "And what would you know of mercy? Where was the mercy when you betrayed Queen Novo and the Hippogryphs? When you helped subjugate all those lands?" She floated her close. "When you betrayed Equestria for your own selfish ends?"

She shook her head. "No Fizzlepop. You will get no mercy from me. I see it in your eyes. You want death now. But I will not give it to you. You do not deserve it."

Cosmos put her back down on the ground. "You will watch as I destroy everything you worked for. Everything you fought for will burn at my hooves. The Storm King? He is less than nothing to me. A mortal with delusions far beyond his station."

She left it at that as she turned away from the broken mare at her hooves. Her friends and family were all giving her horrified looks. Even Celestia and Luna looked green in the face.

Cosmos let out a breath and visibly relaxed. "Find her a doctor. I want her well enough for when the Storm King arrives."

Rainbow Dash was more than happy enough to do so as she took off as her Exarchs trotted up. "Well that was fun." Crystal said. "What's next?"

Cosmos smiled as she looked at Grubber, who could only gulp. "Now we wait." Walking over, she bent down so she was eye to eye with the hedgehog. "Do you have a way to contact the Storm King?"

Grubber could only nod. "What do I tell him?"

Cosmos smiled. "Tell him Equestria is ready to accept his surrender now. Or after his head is on a spike. His choice." Her tone softened. "And you need not fear me. I have no reason to go after you."

Something in her voice told him that she meant it and that he would be fine. At least for now as he ran off back to the airship.

Twilight let out a yelp as the door closed with a boom behind her. Turning around, she watched in shock as the door itself vanished, leaving nothing but a solid wall behind.

Twilight could only stare at it for a moment. Now she really was stuck in here until whatever arbitrary amount of time had passed.

How long would that be anyway?

Sighing, Twilight turned away from the door. Glaring at it wasn't getting her anywhere. Princess Celestia had said that this was supposed to help her become her full alicorn self.

Which sounded like a test. And Twilight loved tests. She loved passing tests even more. This one would be no different.

For the moment, exploration was the order of the day. If she was going to be here for however long she was, knowing the place would be a good place to start.

The building it turned out could either be described as a well off hotel, or as spartan as the Royal Guard Barracks in Canterlot.

A long central hallway led out onto a portico. Along the walls doors led off into various rooms. On one side was a small but comfortable sleeping quarters. A bed and nightstand were the only furnishings.

Next to that was a spacious bath and spa. If Twilight had to guess, it could fit all of Ponyville and the Crystal Empire's spas within it and still have room left over.

On the other side was the kitchen. Small compared to what Twilight was used to by now, it reminded her of the one her parents had back home.

Oddly, the other door was locked. In fact, not even her magic could get it to open. Something though was telling her that she would get in eventually. Whenever that might be.

But it was the view outside that held most her attention.

In every direction, for as far as the eye could see, was nothing but white. Pure and absolute. Nothing was even on the horizon. If there was one. Twilight couldn't be sure.

Walking out into it, she felt the air pressure go up in a way that reminded her of the few times she had done a deep sea dive. It was suffocating in a way.

"Okay. I'm here." She said, but her voice didn't carry far. It was swallowed up by the vastness around her. "Now what?"

The next second Twilight wished she had kept her big mouth shut.

Without warning, everything became a thousand times heavier. Her body was pushed to the ground as a weight like nothing she had ever felt before was dropped on her.

Grunting, Twilight tried to move her legs. They barely twitched under the weight. Her wings weren't an option if she couldn't use her legs. Igniting her horn, she instead tried to teleport back where she came.

To her horror, nothing happened. Not a spark, fizzle or pop. In fact, she couldn't even feel her magic at all. A moment later, Twilight's eyes grew large. Her magic wasn't being blocked.

It was gone. Like it had never existed at all. A void existed now where it had once been. Unlike when Tirek had stolen her magic though, there was no pain or discomfort in the void.

But it was still not an experience Twilight wanted to continue if she had a choice. She was only maybe five or six feet from the portico. Maybe this would end once she got back to it.

That five or six feet though may have been on the moon for all Twilight could move at the moment. "Me and my big mouth." She grumbled as she began looking for a way out of this.

***

She wasn't sure how long she had been like this. With no way to find the time, and time seemed to indeed be flowing differently now that Twilight thought about it, it could have hours or days.

She didn't think it had been that long. Her body didn't feel any different from too long without food or rest. But this place was having an odd effect on her mental faculties.

The weight that was holding her down wasn't helping either. And it was strange. It wasn't magical that was for sure. But what was it?

It felt like the gravity in this area had been turned up as high as it could go and then some. But how was that even possible.

If she was being honest, it reminded her of something that would happen in one of those manga stories Spike seemed to like along with his comics. Too far fetched for her to be honest.

But let it never be said Twilight Sparkle would ever tell someone what and what not to read. Spike didn't seem to mind, even if he was kinda sad that the two couldn't bond over that. She'd at least tried one.

But that was beside the point. Here she was, unable to move, no magic, and no bucking idea of how to get herself out of it.

Twilight at least knew for sure her legs could still move. Even if only slightly. Her wings were no good. If the gravity had been turned up, then there was little they could do.

And why did her back feel so light all of a sudden? For that matter why did her forehead feel so light?

Shaking her head, Twilight focused on the immediate problem. Unicorn magic was out, so was Pegasus magic. But that still left one type. She hoped.

Twilight had never really used her Earth Pony magic before. Applejack of course had been more than happy to help her learn some of the basics back right after her ascension. Mostly how not to hurt ot break anything if she didn't want to. As it turned out, it was easy too if she felt like it.

Past that it was, as AJ put it, up to her to learn how her magic developed. Even Granny Smith hadn't been sure how it would for Twilight, seeing as she was only 1/3 Earth Pony.

So now, having never really used it since, Twilight had no idea if it had developed at all or she was stuck. "One step at a time." she mumbled.

First things first? Just seeing if she could turn herself around. If Twilight could turn around the way she came, then she had an objective in sight, something to work toward. Out here, there was nothing.

Nothing but the all encompassing white.

Closing her eyes, she focused on a magic she barely heeded. For a moment there was nothing and she feared she was now stuck here for good. But then there it was, a feint trail of green mana.

Twilight frowned. It was faint, barely there as it was, but it was still something she could hopefully use to get out of this. Now having something to focus on, she turned her attention to the next step.

Refocusing her mana, she turned it inward to her organs. Applejack had warned her of doing this. Very few had tried what she was doing, and even fewer had lived through it. But now Twilight didn't have a choice.

She opened the flood gates and let her mana infuse her every cell and molecule of her being.

Her heart began to beat faster and faster, her lungs trying to keep up. Within a few seconds, Twilight felt the changes to her body. She couldn't keep this up more than a few minutes. Longer, and she risked her organs bursting under the strain.

But it began to make a difference. Slowly, her legs began to move, looking for purchase. It wasn't the most graceful way to move, but inch by inch Twilight began to turn herself around.

Each passing second she knew this was going to cost her in the long run. But she'd take it. Finally though, after what felt like hours, Twilight again faced the way she had come. Now came the hard part.

She was now down to the last minute or so and she was still too far away. Grunting, Twilight put all her effort into her back legs and pushed with all her might.

This time it went faster. Keeping track of how much time she had, Twilight pushed faster and faster. Until finally she got her front hooves on the portico.

Instantly she felt the weight drop away from her. Now with a solid purchase, she scrambled the last few feet up and over the lip. Just in time too as she cut off the mana flow she was using.

For a long time, Twilight just stood there leaning against the column. Every part of her hurt as her body came down from the rush and her magic was once again restrained.

"Great." She mumbled. "If it's always like that, then how am I supposed to get out? Am I supposed to stay here the whole time?"

No answer was forthcoming. Groaning again she checked her magic. Still nothing. But now she felt something else. Or rather, a lack of something.

With a mounting suspicion, Twilight felt around her horn. Her eyes widened in horror at what she felt there. Or didn't feel.

Her horn was gone. But not like it had been yanked out. It felt like it had never been there in the first place.

"That doesn't make any sense. How did I loose my horn?" She said in a panic. "Why did I loose it?"

But that wasn't the only thing she felt. Now that she thought about it, her back felt lighter than it had in a long time. Looking back over her shoulder, she saw why.

Her wings too were gone. Just like her horn, it appeared like they had never existed at all. Checking her hips, Twilight was glad at least to see her cutie mark was still there.

This didn't make any sense. Why would she loose parts of herself? Sure the wings were still new to her, but they had still felt like they had always been there.

And her horn. She'd had that since the day she had been born. It was a natural part of who she was. 

Feeling sore still, but not getting anywhere like this, Twilight begrudgingly pushed away from the column and turned back inside and made straight for the kitchen.

Maybe a snack and something to eat would help her thoughts.

Cosmos could only give a small smile to the pony in front of her and the decent size hoard of young ponies behind her. Beside her, her Exarchs only looked bored with the whole situation.

"So let me get your plan right." Cosmos began. "You plan to steal all the most powerful artifacts in Equestria, take their magic and the world's, and declare yourself 'Empress of Friendship'?"

Cozy Glow only nodded. "If there's one thing I've learned in my time in Ponyville, it's that your wrong. Friendship isn't magic. Friendship is power! And as you can see." She pointed to all those behind her. "I have a lot of friends. Making me the most powerful pony in Equestria!"

She tapped her chin. "Granted. I had planned this with Lord Tirek in mind as someone that could help me. But I've readjusted to account for him being gone."

She smiled up at Cosmos. "All that remains is for you to give me what is rightfully mine, and nopony has to get hurt."

Crystal sighed. "Can I beat her up now?"

Cosmos chuckled. "Hold that thought." She leaned down to Cozy's eye level. "Cozy Glow. I just have one thing to say before we continue."

Cozy sighed. They always chose the hard way out. Oh well.

Cosmos's smile grew as she extended a hoof. "Hoof bump,"

And just like that, Cozy's face morphed into a look of utter confusion. As did everypony else. Cosmos for herself just kept smiling.

"Seriously?" Diamond asked.

Cosmos shrugged unapologetically. "What? That was the most competent take over the world scheme I've heard in a long time."

Cozy couldn't help but beam at that for some reason. Maybe it was hearing someone compliment her when she wasn't trying to manipulate them. She obliged Cosmos and bumped a hoof off hers.

"So you'll be giving me what's mine then?" She asked.

Cosmos's smile dropped. "Ah. See, there is just one major hole in your plan Cozy." She stood back up. "In case you forgot, Equestria already has its Empress." Her face morphed into a frown. "And I'm not inclined to share."

Cozy had anticipated this. "That means you've got to go. And I don't really care how you get removed. Just that you do."

Cosmos smiled again as the girls took up spots around her. "And how do you plan to do that, when you will have to survive first to get to me?" She asked.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Sandbar asked from a few rows back.

Amber stretched her wings. "One of us is more than a match for the entire Royal Guard and Crystal Guard, with one hoof tied behind our back."

"And there's ten of us." Emerald added. "You haven't seen us when we cut loose."

Cosmos's smile grew as she took a step forward. "And then, assuming you could somehow survive all that my Exarchs could do to you, you would still have to face me."

She leaned down again in Cozy's face. "Tell me. How much of what happened to Tirek do you know?"

She shrugged. "Only that you did it, and with all kinds of weird magic." Her face became a smirk. "Ones that will soon be mine."

Cosmos chuckled darkly. "Oh you poor, misinformed fool. Let me enlighten you." She rose again. "Let me tell you all the truth."

She spread her wings. "Yes. I did defeat Tirek and banished him to a place he can never escape. But let me make this clear." Her smile darkened. "I did it with no magic at all. None. I had given Tirek all of mine."

"Wait. Does that mean?" Someone asked.

Cosmos nodded. "That was my power that did the deed. And I tell you now." Her wings folded. "That was barely a tenth of one percent of what I am capable of."

She lifted Cozy Glow in her magic and floated her close. "You speak of power Cozy Glow. I have destroyed entire universes for fun. Snuffed out trillions of lives with nothing more than a thought. And I would do so again if needed."

She brought Cozy close until they were snout to snout. "So no Cozy Glow. Do not speak to me of power. You know nothing of power."

Nothing on Equus scared Cozy Glow. She hadn't gotten this far by being scared of anything. But something in her tone made her gulp.

Cosmos smiled. "Fortunately for you. I'm feeling in a good mood at the moment. So I'm giving you what you want."

She could hear everypony's jaws drop. "You're what?!" Celestial asked. "Is that even a good idea?"

Cosmos chuckled as she ignited her horn. "Hold that thought." She gave Cozy a good look. "I hope you don't mind heights."

Before she could answer, the two of them vanished in a flash of light.

***

When the light faded, the two of them were no longer in Ponyville. In fact, they weren't even on Equus now.

"Where did you take us?" Cozy asked as she looked around. All around them was blackness. Far off, tiny points of light blinked and flickered.

"In between universes." Cosmos replied. "Usually I don't do this in my mortal form. But today I'm making an exception."

"An exception for what?" Cozy asked. Much as she hated to admit it, she was confused and had no idea of what was going on.

Cosmos smiled as she ignited her horn in a rainbow of colors that should, and not exist in any sane universe. Just looking at them made Cozy's eyes hurt.

When the rainbow had faded, a new light stood before them. Unlike the others, it was right in front of them.

"I'm giving you your own universe to do with whatever you want." Cosmos explained. "Here your plan will work and you will get all you wanted. What happens after that is up to you."

She gave the filly a look. "I assume you had some kind of plan for when you took over?"

Now that Cozy thought of it, she didn't have a plan for that in fact. She'd been so caught up on getting to this point, that she never thought of the after in detail. She could only smile sheepishly in response.

Cosmos chuckled and rolled her eyes. "No one ever thinks that far ahead it seems." She picked her up in her magic. "A bit of advice. From me to you. Call it some friendly ideas from someone who does this a lot."

"What?" Cozy asked. She wasn't sure this was a good idea. But it couldn't hurt to at least hear her out.

Cosmos smiled. "If you're going to be the Empress of Friendship, then start planning for what comes after you come to power. Winging it will get you kicked down a notch faster than you can say 'Chimi, chery, chonga.'"

Cozy blinked. "That's it?"

Cosmos shook her head. "Not quite. This is the most important bit though so listen closely." She floated the filly closer. "Make some real friends. Not just ones you've talked into helping you. Real friends will stick by you no matter what, and they will help you when you ask for it."

She let go of her magic, but Cozy had enough time to catch herself with her wings. "And who knows. You may even end up becoming the bearers of the Elements of Harmony."

"Can I just have yours?" Cozy asked.

Cosmos chuckled. "Sorry. I can't give this one away. It's connected to me in a way that goes beyond the normal way." She looked back at the new universe. "I will send you far enough back in time that you will have plenty of time to make your plan out to where it was today."

She smiled as her horn glowed, as did Cozy. "After that, you're on your own." She looked one last time at the filly. "Good luck."

And for the first time in a long time, Cozy Glow smiled a smile that wasn't fake. She didn't know why, but she felt Cosmos was telling the truth. "Thanks." Closed her eyes, and felt her body dissolve into light that shot into the universe before them.

***

Cosmos watched the light fade away with a contented look. It felt nice actually to let a pony villain win for once. No other universe did.

And despite what some thought, Cozy Glow was a pony. How and why she had turned out like she was, she didn't know. For her age though, she was remarkably smart.

She'd heard the theories of course to the opposite. All sounded like a poorly thought out fan fiction, or done by people who thought themselves experts in something they had no foundation in.

Whatever. It was done now. Cozy had a place where she could do whatever she wanted to her heart's content.

Now she had a mess back on her Equus to clean up. Again.

Looking around her home for the last time, Mellinia couldn't help but feel sad at all she was leaving behind. But she knew it was for the right reason.

How many other could say they were being given this honor? Only three in the long history of Xanadu had been chosen for this.

To protect one who bore the blood of the Great Mare herself. The last time had been nigh on twenty years ago, when she had only been a newborn.

Giggling, she shook her head. She was not the only one that had been chosen for this. Something that was unprecedented in their long history. What made it more special for Mellinia was who would travel with her.

Her sister and her oldest friends had all been chosen as well. None were sure what it meant. But some said it was a sign of ancient prophecies coming true.

That the Mare who Mounts the World would soon return and lead her people into a new golden age.

Turning to the image that stood above the family weapon rack, she went to one knee and crossed her hands over her heart and said a silent prayer for the journey ahead and for those they were leaving.

The image showed their savior in one of her infinite forms, the Wartrotter, casting down Drakix, the demon who had bound her people into slavery until she had led them to freedom.

Of course it wasn't the full story, for no image or story could tell all the tale of that day. And each family in the Hidden Realm interpreted it differently. But something were consistent across all.

Namely the end result, and Great Migration she had led to the place were they now lived. For a time she had lived among them, helping them forge a new destiny and teaching them the ways of battle.

For in that age Equus had been a barbaric place. The Three Tribes Era was at its height and the other races were little better than mindless barbarians.

Mellinia shook her head she stood up. She was letting her mind wander again. Something her sister Sophile had warned against again and again. It could get her killed if she wasn't careful.

Especially now as she walked up and took hold of her most precious possession. Something that made her stand out even among-st the most gifted Battle Mage.

A bow, carved from solid dragonbone. The first crafted in over a thousand years. Not only that, but Mellenia was the youngest to ever claim the honor of felling a wyrm. A mere 12 years of age.

It was a nice contrast to her tan equine body as she strapped it comfortably to her lower back and slipped the quiver over her shoulder. 

As she did, she wondered how the others were coming along. It was almost time.

***

Her sister Sophile, at that moment, was in the Temple of the First Mare, kneeling before the crown said to have been worn by her as she led them from Draxis's fallen realm.

Religion was something they did not practice. Memories of the false gods of old were as fresh now as they were then, and the persecution other races had heaped on them as 'abominations against the will of the gods' had soured what chance there was they might have changed in time.

The temple was not a place of worship, and her crown was not a religious relic in the traditional sense. Rather it represented a beacon of hope for the future and the struggle it had taken to free their people from tyranny.

Many had come here before starting on a long or difficult journey or task to reflect at the crown. Whether it did do anything for those who did none knew. Only its bearer knew for sure and she was gone.

At the moment, Sophile would take whatever it could give. None would ever know it, but she was more nervous now than she had ever been in her life.

In all her years, she had never thought she would be chosen for this. Let alone that her little sister would be chosen as well. She had nothing but respect for Mellinia.

But the fact remained she still had barely been beyond the Watching Mountains in her life. And now they were being called far from their home. To a land that, no matter what was said, still had not fully outgrown some of the darker practices of the past.

Looking up, Sophile took in the image above the dais that held the crown. An image that was in constant shift, moving from one form to another of the one who had worn the crown.

It was still a question of what exactly their savior was. Powerful beyond comprehension was beyond doubt, and that she was no normal being was for sure.

But that was about all they could say for sure. She'd made it clear that she wanted no worship from them and vehemently denied she was a goddess.

Standing, Sophile turned her gaze away from the image. It didn't pay to look at it for long. Only a Chrono Mage could for any length of time. 

Readjusting her bow, she turned and made her way to the exit. All she needed she carried with her now. All that remained was to meet the others and be on their way.

Never noticing the crown beginning to glow slightly.

***

Outside, she found Mellinnia waiting for her. Sophile couldn't help but smile. "Are you sure you're ready? It's a long road ahead of us."

Mellinnia's smile grew. "Sis. I've been ready for awhile. Just waiting for you. Klymeris and Eudiera are waiting for us at the gates." She looked back the way her sister had come. "Anything?"

Sophile shook her head. "No. But I didn't really expect anything." 

Mellinnia put a hand on her shoulder as they walked. "You expect something to happen?" It was something she too felt.

She shook herr head. "I don't know. This many of us being called? For one pony. Why? I feel there's something we're not seeing."

"You don't think she is the right one for us?"

"No. I am not going to judge her before we have met. That she is one of them means she has deserved this. Whatever else may come."

"A fair point." Came a new voice. One they both knew as they saw Klymeris and Eudiera ahead of them. Both of them also bore a smile, though one could see they too were thinking the same thing.

Eudiera's pale skin stood out nicely to her pink equine body and hair. She was one of the few who's human and equine bodies didn't match in color.

Klymeris was just a little older than Mellinnia herself. It was something that helped them bond. Flowers were interwoven into her tail. 

"Something for the road?" Sophile asked, pointing at them with a smile.

Klymeris rolled her eyes. "Mementoes to remember home. I doubt Equestria has them."

"Home is no longer here." Eudiera said. She was the oldest of the group. But few would know that as she didn't look any older than Sophile, and she was in her early 20's. "It is wherever we may go with her."

She was also the strictest of them. Some might call it being a stick in the mud, but the girls knew that for all her outward coldness, Eudiera had a kind heart and cared deeply for all of them.

By this time they had come to the Inner Gates. No guards stood by it for none were needed. No outsider had ever seen them nor been allowed to progress this far.

Only one thing would open them to allow them to progress further. Reaching up. Mellinia, Sophile, Klymeris and Eudiera each took a flower from the garlands that encircled their chests. As one, they placed them on a slot on the gates.

As the last was slid into place, the gates unfolded before them and slid into the ground, revealing a narrow path beyond. This they followed for some time before they came again to another set of gates.

This time they waited, for no force they possessed could open the Forbidden Portal. Only one could. And soon it made itself clear.

"Travelers. Why do you come here? Where do you go?"

The voice of the Way Warden was less said aloud and more said in their minds. One they all heard. And as one they responded.


"We go now to seek the one who bears Her blood. To offer our blades and our lives to her. Now and for all time. In the name of the First Mare and the Fallen Kingdom, we ask for passage."

For a moment nothing happened, and they began to fear they had made a mistake, that they were not worthy of going forward. But then the voice answered.

"Go then little sisters, and may the Great Mare always guide your steps."

As the last word was said the portal shimmered, before dissolving away, leaving another passage beyond. As they took a step forward, the Way Warden spoke again.

"Know this also. Once you step beyond this wall, the way will be shut to you for all time and you will never be able to return. Do you still intend to go forward?"

For the first time, Mellinnia hesitated. She had known what it meant of course. But only now was it coming home what she was doing.

Fighting back tears, she closed her eyes and bit her lip. Could she do this? With a start, she felt someone take her hands. Looking up, she found Eudiera and Sophile giving her a loving look and a nod.

It was all the strength she needed for she turned and addressed the warden. "We mean it."

The voice smiled. They could feel it. "Then go forward. And know you will always be loved here. No matter how far you go."

The girls nodded and walked forward, the portal closing behind them.

For a time they said nothing as they followed the tunnel. Finally, the saw daylight at the end. Coming to the opening, they took in the sight before them.

All around was desolation. Behind them lay the mountains that ringed their old home, and what hid it from the outside world.

Raising her hands, Eudiera made a series of gestures in the air. "Stay close to me. This will take us to where we need to be."

Gathering as close as they could, the girls watched as the air hummed with power they grew louder and louder. When it reached a level that they had to cover their ears, a light filled the sky, and them.

When the light faded, Mellinnia, Sophile, Klymeris and Eudiera were gone.

Of the many mysteries in the land of Equestria, it those who protect the lives of the princesses that are maybe the greatest. I do not speak of the Royal Guard though.

I speak of course of the Centaurides that guard Celestia and Luna day and night.

While the Royal Guard does protect the princesses, they only guard their residences and places where they are to appear, and are the first line of defense.

But the Centaurides, they do more. They guard the princesses lives with their own. They are their personal gaurds. Only Celestia and Luna can command them and they stand outside all command echelons.

Few know much about them. That they are fiersome warriors none doubt, as those few follhardy to try and kill them have learned to their untimely ends.

Versed well in the arts of blade and bow, they can come across as scary and frightening to those who first meet them.

But having known them for some years now, I can see that underneath that warrior mask, they can be as friendly and outgoing as any.

It is not just their skills and demanour that leave many questions, but also their pysical appearences. For while they have the bodies of ponies, it is their upper halves that none can make sense of.

Having asked them myself, they would not speak of it. It is obvious they know what they are. But if they've told more, only they know.

Even the name centaurides is at best a guess for they do not speak of it. The name itself is also a mystery. Some say it comes from another world, but none know for sure.

There are also the rumors that they and Celestia and Luna are more than just princess and guard. But when I asked, all Celestia would give was a wink.

Luna was even less of a help. All I got was a roaring blush followed by a quick teleport away. So make of that what you will.

Regardless of any truth to the rumors, it is obvious both have the highest regard for the ones who stand by their side.

I believe that is all that matters. With them by the side of the princesses, I look foward to whatever future they make for Equestria.

From the Diary of Clover the Clever.

***

Princess Twilight Sparkle wasn't quite sure what to make of what she had just read. It was an interesting read for sure and it was an honor to read something from so well known a pony.

But it raised more questions than it answered.

She of course knew the ones who protected Princess Celestia and her old foalsitter Cadance. Luna's was more of a mystery, but she hoped that could be fixed.

Cadance's, Appitrite, was much like her. Kind, loving, and beautiful in a way that had many stallions wooeing over her. But she remained dedicated to Cadance alone.

Twilight could say for sure her young age did not detract from it. During the Changeling Invasion a year ago, she had lost track of how many she had claimed with her bow.

When it had come to close quaters, her blades had claimed even more. Twilight had never seen anything so beautiful and yet so deadly at the same time.

And then there was her who stood beside Princess Celestia. Twilight couldn't help but gulp a little at the thought.

Hippoethea was much like her mentor. Regal, majestic, and not a little mysterious. She had a more rugged beauty to her than Appitrite, but even Twilight could admire it.

But that was not what stood out about her. Hippothea fought with the largest bow Twilight had ever seen. So large in fact that she carried it on her equine back unlike Appitrite who carried it on her upper.

It was her work with the greatsword though that truly stood out. How she could carry it was a mystery for the thing looked as heavy as she was, and yet she swung it with practiced ease.

Which was even more surprising seeing as her upper body was no more muscular than her companion's. Maybe Twilight would have a chance to ask her about it.

And that led her back to the present. Her Coronation After Party was still going on outside, but she had returned to her Guest Bedroom some time ago, exhausted from the day long celebration.

As she was giving her good nights to her friends and family, Princess Celestia had quietly given her the book, saying it might be a good bedtime read. 

As usual, she was right. But it left Twilight with many questions. It was interesting to hear some more about them, even if it hadn't been much. Now though, it left her confused.

Now that Twilight was an alicorn, would that mean she too would soon have somone like them watching over her? She wasn't sure what to think about that. She was still getting used to her new status.

And everything that came with it.

If she did, then how would she choose them? The book was mum on how Celestia and Luna had, and she'd never thought to ask Cadance.

For that matter, where did they even come from? And how did they know when to come to Equestria? How did the come to Equestria? So many questions. No answers.

Twilight could only hope that would change in the future as she switched off the light and soon passed into a dreamless slumber.

***

Across the sea, in a land only six knew of but only three would ever see, another jounrey was about to begin.

Whether Twilight knew so or not, she had called out to those who would stand beside her for all time. And they had answered.

Ponyville would never quite be the same again.

***

Hippothea and Appitrite watched the light go out in Twilight's window with interest. They too had heard the call she had unconsciously sent out, even though it was not meant for them.

What surprised them though was how many had answered it back in their homeland. Never before had so many felt it and answered.

"This is unexpected." Hippothea said after a moment. "I did not think so many could ever hear it at once."

Appitrite smiled. "Twilight is a special pony. Maybe that's why. Nopony expected Cadance to ascend either, and now look at her."

Hippothea smiled as well. It was true. "You hope one might be as young as you don't you?"

Appitrite couldn't help but frown as she crossed her arms and stomped a hoof. "Is that too much to ask? No matter how much you try, I still don't feel like I belong with you two."

Hppothea's smile dropped. It was a feeling Appitrite had shared before. One she and Dianathe had tried again and again to asuage. But they could only do so much.

The three of them came from different times. Hippothea and Dianathe came from a time when the world was still recovering from the Three Tribes Era, or the Age of Fools as their kind called it.

Appitrite had grown up in the Age of Enlightenment, as the new age was called. Neither of the two eldest could say what might have changed in their old home.

Once one passed the Forbidden Portal, none were ever allowed to return. It was the price they paid for their service.

Hippothea wrapped an arm around her younger companion and pulled her close. "Never think that you are not good enough. You have proven that time and time again. And I am proud to call you sister."

"As am I." Came a new voice as Dianathe joined them and placed her own arm around Apppitrite's shoulder. "Though you are young, that does not take away all you've done."

Appitrite herself couldn't help but blush as her tail flicked back and forth. No matter how many times she heard it, the praise of her elders was something she could never forget.

Together the three of them stood there, sisters in all but blood, as their thoughts turned to the future and what it might mean.

In hindsight, expecting a thousand years plus abandoned ruin to still have any food was a long shot. But to Twilight, it did have something she needed.

A place to stay and a roof over her head.

Well. Most of a roof anyway. And with some of the improvements Princess Twilight and her friends had done to the place, for some strange reason that eluded her for the moment, it was as good as she could get.

For the moment she was in what had once been the Castle Library. While many of the books had been taken back to Ponyville by the resident princess, many still remained.

Enough to keep her occupied for a time at least she thought as she flipped a page on her current read. Some old text on magic.

Which was now woefully out of date she snorted as she read. It had been for several centuries now. But it kept her mind occupied from its other thoughts.

Namely, what she did from here on out.

The plan to steal the Elements of Harmony was no longer an option. Not only was she not sure she could wield all six but, as much she hated to admit it, she had another reason to avoid them.

She had no idea of what they would do to her.

Though that strange mare had seemingly made her as much a real pony as any in Equestria, the fact remained that she had been born from dark magic.

And the Elements were not known to be kind to those with it or born from it. Nightmare Moon being a perfect example.

Which led to her next problem, and what scared her the most, no matter how much she wanted to deny it.

What would happen when she and Princess Twilight finally met? As much as she would wish it, she could not deny the fact that the two of them would one day meet.

What would she and her friends do then? She had nothing but her word that she was her own mare now, not some slave or drone for Chrysalis out to get them.

She would more than likely be seen as an abomination of magic, one that had no right to exist. They would more than likely 'Harmonizing' her as they had so many.

And that would be the end of her. If not that, then the princess would do the same to her as she had the Pinkie Pie clones from the Mirror Pool.

End her existance by sending her back to that accursed pool.

There was always the slim chance of course that they would let her live, maybe even try to make friends with her.

But that was so slim that Twilight couldn't even muster up the heart to even half heatedly believe it herself.

No. She was on her own now. There was no other way around it. She was alone now, and she would always be.

That was fine by her, she thought, as she turned another page and continued to read. She didn't need anyone else.

Ignoring the tears that had gathered in her eyes during that moment.

***

Princess Celestia kept a careful mask up, but all who knew her could see she was concerned with what she had just heard. "You are sure?"

Princess Twilight nodded. "Something big did happen at the Tree of Harmony. I'm not sure what exactly, but a lot of magic was being thrown around."

"And what of the third?" Celestia asked.

Twilight gulped. "If I'm being honest princess, I've never felt anything like it before. Whatever magic they used, it doesn't exist in Equestria at all."

Twilight paused a moment before she shook her head. "No. More than that. By all the Laws of Magic, it should be impossible for it to exist. And all I felt was the echo left behind."

Celestia sighed. "That is what I was afraid of. But what of the others?"

Twilight thought a moment. "I'm not sure. Only two left the cave, but there were three in it. The third just, vanished."

Celestia was troubled by this. As she saw it, something new had been thrown into the mix by this, mysterious third party. And it concerned her deeply.

Not only that, but they were wielding unknown magic that defied all the laws ponies had known for as long as they had used magic.

Question then became, why did they do whatever they had done? And why had they seemingly vanished into thin air?

There was something else going on, and Celestia didn't like it. There were still too many things they did not know about this.

Twilight herself didn't like it either. But there was something more that she wasn't telling Princess Celestia. She had recognized one of the magic signatures that had left the cave. But that couldn't make sense.

It was her own. But angrier, darker, and more violent than she had ever been. Underneath that though had been something that had shocked her.

But for now she kept all of this to herself. No point in saying more until she had more to work with.

When asked what she thought of her life since moving to Ponyville all those years ago. Princess Twilight Sparkle would always say her life had been perfect.

Former student of Princess Celestia, former Element of Magic, proud aunt to the first born alicorn in millennia, and she had the best friends anyone could ever ask for.

Even if they were getting up there in age now. Ramming home to Twilight the truth of what it meant to be an alicorn. No matter how many times she told herself it was coming.

A nuzzel to her cheek brought a broad smile to her face as she turned to the pony who had been her constant companion now for decades.

And Twilight had maybe the closest relaiontship with another pony in the entire history of Equus. She'd have to check.

As far as she knew no one else had ever been like this before.

Twilight's own smile was mirroed by her friend and, still to Twilight's surprise, marefriend. Then again it was the only expression she knew.

No matter how hard they had tried to get it to change. But even then she could still speak as clearly as anyone.

Which was an improvement to the early days when only Twilight had been able to hear her at all. More for the fact that she was always so close to her.

But it wasn't the fact that only Twilight could hear her at first, or the fact of how close the two of them were.

It was who and what she had been before she and Twilight had come together like they had.

After the incident with Discord's Plundervines all those years ago, Twilight had never given much thought to the gaudy regalia he had given her at one point.

At least not until one piece of it had come back into her life in a way that had shocked even the Spirit of Chaos himself. Which was saying something.

To this day no one knew for sure how and why it had happened. Not even Twilight had been able to get it out of her.

There was also her tendancies to get dark and disturbing thoughts into her head. And it took Twilight all of her willpower to not succumb to them herself.

No matter how much sometimes Twilight wanted to give into them and just cut loose and Celestia damn what came after.

It had worked for Rainbow Dash suprisingly well. Why couldn't the same be said for Twilight and Golden Rod as well?

Thinking of the name made Twilight's smile grow just a little more. It hadn't been her idea for her name, but Golden Rod didn't seem to mind.

In fact, she loved it. It made even more sense seeing as where she had come from and what she had been at one time.

And yes. She knew all that very well. Call it a holdover from Discord's magic that had first brought her into being.

The fact that Twilight seemed to like it as well only made it better in her eyes. Seeing as how intertwined the two of them were.

The memory of the day when they had come together for the rest of time was still one they both cherished as their tail swished.

And that day had started out so boring as well.

Most mornings, Twilight Sparkle liked to wake with the sun. If she didn't get herself up, then Spike was more than happy to get her flank moving for the day.

But since he had joined the Dragon Migration some weeks earlier, Twilight was now left to get herself up each morning. Or someone else would for her.

This morning she awoke to something tickling her noze. Opening her eyes to see what it was, she was greeted with the sight of her marefriend Cadance snuggling her, the sensation coming from a stramd of mane.

That brought a smile to her face. The fact that she and Cadance were an official couple still suprised her. Years earlier, she would've called it a dream.

Having grown up an only child, though her parents had sometimes talked of having another, Cadance hadn't only been her foalsitter, but the closest thing to a sister Twilight had.

Having grown up never knowing her birth parents and raised by an eath pony family, Cadance had returned the feeling. Sometimes she still wondered why she had been abandoned as a filly.

But let it never be said that Cadance did not love love the couple that had raised her. They had loved her as much as if she was their own daughter.

Over time, the feelings between Twilight and Cadance had changed from just friends, to something more romantic.

Several years ago, a year or so before their move to Ponyville, Twilight had finally confessed her love, and so had Cadance. Giddy, the both of them had gone to Princess Celestia that same day.

To say she had been surprised would be an undertstatement, but after getting over the shock, she had given them both her blessing. She had even arragned their first date at Canterlot's finist restaraunt.

Things had changed a bit after Princess Luna's return. To this day, none of them knew what exactly had happened, but even as Luna had been cleansed of the Nightmare, Twilight too had changed.

Not only did she have five awesome new friends, but she now sported a pair of wings. Her Element of Harmony even worked perfectly as her crown.

That may have been the very first time Princess Celestia had been lost for words, but not for long. Upon returning to Ponyville, and her announcement of Twilight staying to learn friendship, she had pulled her aside to explain a few things.

Yes, Twilight was now an alicorn and everything that came with that, but she wouldn't be a princess for some decades yet. But she would ask for her to sit on meetings in between friendship reports.

Stressing to send one only when she had learned something and not according to any kind of schedule.

Cadance had also suprised everyone by saying she would be moving in with Twilight and Spike, whether anyone in Canterlot liked it or not.

Between her and Rainbow Dash, Twilight was now the second best flyer in Ponyville. Not that she minded being second to Rainbow. And with Fluttershy's help, preening was becoming second nature.

Tedious yes. But Cadance had shown the fun side of it: it was very arousing. And when your marefriend is the Goddess of Love, Twilight was enjoying it more and more every time.

Heck they spent every morning preening each other's wings. Speaking of which, having poked Cadance awake, the two of them spent the next while doing.

Having finally extracated themselves from that, the next hour was breakfest and morning coffee for Twilight and tea for Cadance.

As they finished their meal, Twilight suddenly remembered something from the day before. "Cadance. Remember what you said yesterday? About a 'special surprise' for me. You know I hate waiting. So?"

Cadance giggled at the puppy dog eyes she was getting. "Oh yes I remember little miss impatatient." Twilight just stuck her tounge out. "Alirght follow me."

Following her into the Main Reading Room of the library, Twilight was confused. Just what was Cadance going to show her?

Cadance turned back to her as she came to the center. "Now. What I'm about to do and show is something I should've done sooner. Only two others know about this."

Igniting her horn Cadance was engulfed in a sphere of white. Soon the sphere began to crack like an agg even as the light grew more and more intense. To the point Twilight had to close her eyes.

A few seconds later, there came almight shattering sound like glass. When her ears had recovered, Twilight heard a voice. "You can look now Twilight."

The voice was definetly Cadance's. But something sounded different. Why did she sound so young? When she looked, her moth dropped.

Cadance was still there. But now looking like she hadn't had since her foalsitting days. Her old mane and tail ties were even back in place. She was giving Twilight that smile thst she loved so much.

"Cadance. You. You're younger? But how?" Twilight asked.

Cadance giggled. "Oh Twilight. I've been like this for years. It's something all alicorns do. My ageing stopped about the same time I started foalsitting you. My body was just adapting to it by ageing."

She stretched her wings for all they were worth. It felt good to finally drop that old look and assume how she was meant to be. "What just happened was my final transformation."

Twilight was still confused. "What do you mean?"

Cadance's smile grew. "I'm now wearing the look I'll wear for all eternity. I can't change it. So." Her voice dropped into its most sensual and seductive while she batted her eyeleashes sugjestfully. "How do you like my new look."

Twilight could only squee happily and pull her into a kiss. One Cadance happily returned. "I love it."

In the world today, there are many places people consider forbidden or too dangerous to enter. Why this is so changes from place to place.

Some say they're the places of the gods, where mortals have no right to enter. All those who do do not return.

Others consider them cursed for one reason or another. Unexplained occurences or mysterious disaperences are said to happen in these places.

This location, located far from any human activity had never really been considered ill omened or dangerous. In fact, many people had come here to camp or hike in the past.

But no more.

None could say why now no one came here. Some said a monster lived in the nearby mountains. It was said to have three heads and a taste for flesh.

No one took this all that seriously. But nonetheless something was keeping people from entering this area now. And it seemed like it would become permanent.

What none knew, was that there was truth to the stories of something living in the mountains. But it was more complex than any could know.

***

Hannah watched the deer heard hungrily, It had been some time since she had had eaten venison, and the waiting was almost too much.

At her sides, her companions too watched the heard with hungry eyes. Both were itching to go and trying to force Hannah to let them go.

But she held them back. They would only go when she was sure the moment was right. At one time she would have already given in to the temptation.

But those days were long past now. Cyanah and Indianah though had never really grown out of it though. No matter what Hannah tried to teach them.

The clearing before them was a perfect place for an ambush. It was small with a wall of tree of all sides. Two trails lead into it. One down from the mountains, and another up from the nearby river.

It had worked wonders for the three of them before. And it seemed it would do so again.

Deciding now that the time was right, Hannah let a smile cross her lips as Cyanah and Indianah also smiled and gave into their other form.

What burst from the trees was not a human teenager as one might have thought, but a beast from myth. One thought to be only a myth.

Quick as lightning, the hydra's three heads shot out. Just as fast three deer fell at their feet. The rest of the heard had scattered in all direction, but not before their tail had knocked several more down.

Hannah let out a breath once she was sure nothing more would happen. Her companions were already hungrily eyeing the fallen deer. One look she too shared.

It was easier this way, this they all shared in common. None of them wanted to waste their venom on small fry like this if they didn't need to.

Best to save it for anything bigger they might find.

Hannah's was highly toxic and killed their victm quickly. Cyanah's was slow acting and killed slowely while causing great pain. Indianah's paralyized them while shutting down the organs.

None were a nice way to die. But if it meant brining ddwn something that would keep them fed, then it was something none of them thought about.

It hadn't always been like this of course. When they had first started, none of them knew how and what to do when it came time to feed.

And as big as they were and with three heads to feed, they needed a lot to kee them going. Even in their human form.

Hannah didn't mind though as the three of them brought their kills together in the center of the clearing. She was slowely loosing whatever inhibitions she might have had when she was till fully human.

Those days were long past now. And as much as she liked to think otherwise, she didn't mind now all that had happened to her.

Of course it had been different in the beginning, she thought, as her mind wandered back to those long ago days now.

And what days they had been too.