Elements of Harmony
Chapter 23: A Late Wedding Gift
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CORONA, AESTAS
"What…the…okay, where am I?"
Returning to consciousness, already miffed, Mozenrath found himself tied to a chair before a table that functioned as a chessboard. The brightly lit room, white-walled with a few decorative tapestries, was small, so much that it gave off the impression of being little more than a cheery prison, especially with the door closed. Then there was the matter of the chair on the other side of the table. There was seated the only woman that Mozenrath could have tolerated being in a small room with at that moment: Twilight Sparkle.
"I'm sorry about the restraints," she said sincerely. "I didn't want them, but everypony else insisted. And I did have to admit that you made a mess out of the wedding, to put it lightly."
"I don't hold it against you." There was that smirk again. "After all, it's not like these restraints are going to hold me for long."
Sensing what Mozenrath was about to do, Twilight cried, "No, DON'T!"
His right hand pulsed with energy, but as he tried to feed it to the ropes, Mozenrath found himself wracked with the destructive pain of the magic he'd summoned. He gave a cry of anguish. Twilight reached out, stopping before her hand could touch him and transfer the pain into her own body as well.
The blue aura subsided. "I'm so sorry," Twilight said softly. "I helped them make more of the magic-resistant ropes."
"I kind of figured that out," Mozenrath growled.
"I don't understand why you're here," Twilight stated plainly. "When we left you, you didn't have any way of traveling away from your world. I have to know. How did you do it?"
"I'd rather have that be my little secret." The smirk returned.
Twilight groaned. "Listen, I'm trying to figure out how all this works. If I'm going to really understand, I need your help. Obviously, the Starlight isn't the only craft moving through space. I told you all about how it worked. Remember?"
"I remember," Mozenrath replied. "As I said, I would prefer that it stayed a secret. But then again, you always did have a talent for dragging my secrets out of me. I suppose it wouldn't hurt for you to know."
"Before that…"
"Well?"
"It's stupid." Twilight looked down at the chessboard before asking, "Why did you spare my friends this time?"
"Look," Mozenrath sighed. "We've been through this. You're useless without them. As much as they annoy me, I have something to lose if they're destroyed. Besides that, I see trying to work around you as a challenge. It's one thing to be known as the sorcerer that destroyed the Elements of Harmony. It's another thing entirely to be known as the sorcerer that managed to conquer everything he wanted despite the Elements always being in the way. Don't you think?"
"We're obligated to stop you from doing that."
"That only makes a better challenge."
Twilight couldn't hold back a smile. "Are you ever not an overachiever?"
"I do my best. And I'll take that as a compliment."
"Now. About how you got here."
"Well, it's a bit of a funny story. It seems the Overtakers have actually taken an interest in me. Or at least their leader Maleficent has."
"Maleficent?" Twilight did a double take.
"You've met her?"
"She showed up right after Rapunzel knocked you out—"
"That PRINCESS!" Mozenrath snarled. "How? HOW did she overpower me TWICE with only a frying pan? She'll regret making a fool out of me. I didn't think it was possible, but she's just become the one person in all of existence that I HATE more than my brother." Twilight's words finally sank in with him. "But…you said Maleficent was in the castle?"
"She cursed all of Corona to waste away and die," Twilight explained. "She's the Angel of Darkness. She's the one trying to bring about the age of chaos and hate! She almost killed everyone in the entire kingdom! We were lucky that Rapunzel had enough power within her to counteract the curse. In fact, Rapunzel had more power…than we did. We…tried to use the Elements to undo it. It didn't work."
"Well, that seems inconsistent," Mozenrath pointed out. "From what I've seen, your little powers should have been able to counteract—"
"Don't flatter me. We failed against Jafar, and Maleficent was the one who made him that powerful. If that's what's out there waiting for us…we haven't got a chance."
"Sounds like you're giving up." Mozenrath rolled his eyes. "Twilight, Twilight. Where's YOUR ambition? Maleficent made a fool out of you, didn't she?"
"It's not like that. More like…she pointed out how powerless we are. How much of a difference we actually can't make."
"So find a way to get revenge! Don't just sit there and take it."
"I'm just afraid we'll never be able to counteract her," Twilight lamented. "Not ever. Celestia says we can get stronger…but we're just going to fail." She shook her head. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't be talking about this—"
"Does that really matter? I'm only going to say this once, Twilight. If you want it badly enough, you can find a way to beat her. Give her exactly what you think she deserves. Me, on the other hand…I'm trying to get on her good side. But having diametrically opposed goals never stopped either of us before, now, did it?"
"You're right," Twilight said, a new hope arising within her. "About all of it. You keep finding ways to do the impossible. Well, so can I! And just because you're trying to impress her and I want to defeat her doesn't mean we can't be…well…I REALLY wish we didn't have to tie you to a chair."
"Your precious princess is safer this way," Mozenrath pointed out. "Much to my disappointment, of course, but that's probably a silver lining to you."
"So tell me more about Maleficent," Twilight said, steering the subject back where she wanted it.
"There isn't much more to tell," Mozenrath admitted. "I only met her briefly. She's a faerie who specializes in dark powers, and she's found a way to move from world to world without using a vessel. Lucky her. She seemed to think I had potential, so she gave me dark matter to work with. If I impress her, I could be on my way to becoming one of the Overtakers. And before you ask, no, I don't know anything else about them besides their desire to conquer the cosmos in this 'new age.'"
"Dark matter?" Twilight raised an eyebrow. "I've only ever read about it, and all the books said was that it was an unknown force."
"It's a lot more convenient for traveling than your mists," Mozenrath told her. "It actually takes you where you want to go. Perhaps you'd consider switching?"
"We'd have to know where we wanted to go," Twilight admitted. "How'd you know you wanted to go here?"
"I didn't. I could have made something out of anywhere I landed. You know that."
"Where did you land? I mean…where's the vessel you used?"
"Out back of the castle. I think I did pretty well, under the circumstances. All Maleficent did was give me the raw material, and I managed to make a ship for two." He stopped in realization. "What DID you do with Xerxes, anyway?"
"He flew in after Rapunzel healed the kingdom. The king and queen caged him when we told them he was your accomplice. They were kinda grossed out. Eugene's probably still trying to poke him with a stick, and Fluttershy's probably still trying to tell Eugene that's cruel. Don't worry. You'll get him back when we let you go."
"And the royal family is okay with you letting me go?"
"Well, think about it," Twilight clarified. "We know that the Elements of Harmony are stronger than you. Rapunzel's defeated you twice. The entire royal guard is braced for an attack, and they have those swords you gave the Stabbingtons. I hate to say it, but…you're outgunned."
"I'll have to be better prepared when I come back for this place," Mozenrath muttered. "And I will come back. I need to show that princess who holds REAL power." He looked Twilight dead in the eye. "You are expecting me to leave this world entirely, aren't you?"
"That was the one thing I managed to argue for and win," Twilight said proudly. "You go your way, we go ours, this kingdom goes its for at least a while, and if we ever meet up again…well, the usual."
"We duel. Somehow you and I end up trapped in a room together. I could get used to that. So, when Maleficent showed her face, did she say anything about me? I did put work into trying to take this kingdom, you know."
"She said you had potential," Twilight answered, "but she took someone else with her as an Overtaker. She left you behind. I don't think you made her angry, but you sure didn't impress her. Sorry. She did spare you from the curse. I don't think she spared Xerxes, though."
"I will be having words with her about that."
"You really think that's safe? I mean…you do know how powerful she is, right? You don't want to mess with her. Especially if you want to be on her side."
"True, very true…so. Did that answer all your questions?"
"Actually, yes," Twilight affirmed. "We'll have to do some formalities…but then we can go our separate ways again."
"It's almost disappointing. You and I did only have so much time together, and I've been tied to a chair for most of it."
"That's…disappointing?" Twilight asked hopefully.
"And who else am I supposed to tell about my plans and expect to understand?" Mozenrath asked, bordering on condescension.
"Point taken. And there was all that business after the Crystal—"
"We don't speak of that."
"Right. Never happened." Twilight shook her head. "You know, you really should be at least a little grateful to Rapunzel. She argued the guards out of outright killing you. Or, you know, trying to. I'm not sure they would have actually been able to do it."
"They wouldn't…unless someone gave them magic-resistant restraints." Mozenrath eyed Twilight with what she interpreted as slight suspicion, raising a brow.
"You have to believe I would never do that to you!" Twilight cried, worried. "I'd never just hand you over to die! That goes against everything I stand for! And I—"
"Calm down, I know all that. It probably wasn't the best time to attempt humor, was it?"
Now Twilight detected the sincerity in his smile, and it spread to her own face.
"We're past the point of trying to kill each other off," Mozenrath reiterated.
"There was an alternate punishment, though," Twilight informed him. "Since we're letting you go entirely, the royal family wanted us to do something at least. Our collective idea was…public humiliation. Um…you might want to look at your left hand."
"What?" Mozenrath angrily turned his gaze downward to see that his left hand was painted dark blue with black swirls on it. His sleeve was rolled up, and his arm was painted bright pink with rainbow flecks.
"Rapunzel's a painter," Twilight explained. "She thought we could have a little…fun."
"Why PINK?"
"Pinkie Pie did that arm. Don't worry, we didn't touch your right arm. I did the work on your hand, actually."
"I actually do like that part."
"That's what I was hoping. It seemed very…you. But the others took everywhere else. You'll find most of it when you take off your shoes or roll that sleeve up all the way, or look at either of your ankles. And then there's…your face. Rainbow Dash called dibs on your face."
"WHAT DID SHE DO TO MY FACE?"
"Well…" Twilight laughed nervously. She brought out a hand mirror that had been sitting on her lap. "She did what she does best."
Mozenrath caught the first sight of his own reflection since the assault on the wedding in the glass. "No…NO!" His entire face was painted in a rainbow pattern of rings that rippled outward, as though a sonic rainboom had taken place on his skin. "NO! She…will…PAY FOR THIS! Twilight…are you LAUGHING?"
"I'm sorry!" Twilight cried as she burst into a giggle fit. "But…the look on your face when you saw that rainbow!" She tried to hold back her laughter, but failed.
Mozenrath rolled his eyes. "Great. Because this is EXACTLY how I envisioned this mission ending. Tied to a chair with a rainbow on my face. Well, there's always the next world." He looked to Twilight with curiosity. "Care to meet me there for another standoff?"
"I'm not sure that where you go is where we need to be," Twilight admitted. "We need to go somewhere we can become stronger. The Elements have failed twice. This can't keep happening. But I'm sure this isn't goodbye forever. There will be plenty of opportunities for us to have a battle of fate."
"If you're sure. Then again, searching for more power sounds more than reasonable. In fact, it sounds very…me."
"I thought you'd see it that way. Is it…a bad thing that I was happy to see you break down that wall?"
"Your friends might say so," Mozenrath replied. "I'm biased to say no. As long as we're being honest, you're the opponent I've been the happiest to see."
"I should go," Twilight said, realizing the time. "My friends and I have plans with Rapunzel. We do kind of owe her another wedding. Don't worry, you'll be out of here in no time." She rose, moving toward the door.
"Just one more thing first," Mozenrath said plainly.
"Yeah?"
"You look different with your hair down. It's a good look on you."
"Oh…" Twilight realized that Mozenrath's entry to the hall had been the first time he'd seen her without her hair covered. "Thanks…I…I really have to go now!"
Blushing fiercely, she rushed from the room.
The royal guard of Corona stood at attention on the grassy lawn before the spherical ship, Maximus at their head. Zal, Barbara, Rapunzel, and Eugene lined up across from them, glaring anxiously at the castle. Pascal hopped up on Rapunzel's shoulder to get a better view. Twilight, Fluttershy, Rarity, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie Pie stood next to the royal family. Twilight tried her best to hide her anxieties.
Another host of guards marched toward the crystalline sphere from the castle, Mozenrath at their center with his wrists bound behind his back by a length of magic-resistant cord.
"You'd think they didn't trust me," the sorcerer sighed as he passed the two lines of spectators.
When the group reached the sphere, one of the guards announced gruffly, "You get in and take off, and there won't be any trouble."
"Yet," Mozenrath replied with a grin.
The guard reluctantly slashed the cord holding Mozenrath's wrists with a dagger. Under everyone's disapproving glare, Mozenrath laid his right hand upon the surface of the sphere. It cracked in half, the upper half levitating away, and everyone gasped. Mozenrath took his place on the thronelike seat within the sphere's lower half.
"I believe you still have something of mine," he practically growled.
Another guard held up a gilded cage in which Xerxes floated. He unlocked the cage, letting the eel fly free to join his master in the sphere.
"Hey," Twilight suddenly called out. "You wanna know the good thing?"
"Enlighten me," Mozenrath replied.
"When I see you next time, I'll be stronger. We all will. The better the challenge, right?"
In response, Mozenrath took a loose crystal of dark matter from a receptacle within the sphere. He levitated it in an aura of blue, moving it toward Twilight. Everyone around gasped, moving away from Twilight and the crystal, but she accepted it, taking it in her hands.
"Let's see what you can do with that," Mozenrath told her. "That oughta make things more interesting, don't you think?"
Twilight had no choice but to smile. "Thanks."
Mozenrath snapped the fingers of his right hand. The sphere slammed closed. It glowed brilliantly, nearly blinding everyone, then took off like a cannonball, straight up into the sky and out of sight.
"Did that really just happen?" Eugene asked.
"Yeah," Twilight answered. "That just happened."
"Okay…you ready?"
Rapunzel nodded. She sat on a chair in the dressing room where Chrysalis had selected bridesmaids' dresses. Twilight stood behind her, looking down upon her head.
"Are you sure you can actually do this?" Eugene asked. "I'm just saying I don't want you to mess up and turn her into a lizard or anything."
Pascal chattered angrily.
"Not that there's anything wrong with lizards," Eugene amended.
"I've done the hair growth spell tons of times," Twilight assured him. "Usually it's just been temporary mustaches for fun, but I can do a pretty good permanent version. I can also undo it if I mess up. The worst that could happen is that I accidentally give Rapunzel a mustache that will be gone in five minutes."
"That would actually be pretty funny," Rapunzel admitted.
"You know," Twilight realized, "if you wanted your seventy feet of gold back, I could swing it. Or just seven feet."
"Actually, the short brown hair suits me," Rapunzel told Twilight. "I want to be more than just my hair. Unless Eugene would rather me be bald…"
"Brunette isn't without its charms." Eugene winked.
"Now, it's going to be like the old hair you had," Twilight explained. "It won't grow on its own. Only if I say so. Just so you know. You cut it, you lose it. Okay…enough stalling." Twilight waved her hands over Rapunzel's head, her palms glowing with pink energy.
Rapunzel nearly burst out laughing from the tickling that happened in her scalp as a crop of brunette hair burst from her head, settling in to look exactly as it had been before Chrysalis had cut it.
"There you go!" Twilight announced. "Like it never happened."
"Well…I don't want to pretend it never happened," said Rapunzel. "I think we all learned a few things, don't you?"
The royal wedding had to be re-planned. The six Equestrians were more than happy to help out, and the castle staff was more than happy to accommodate them. Pinkie Pie and Franz coordinated music for the reception. Fluttershy helped to care for the doves that were to be released. Rarity stitched and adjusted a set of bridesmaids' dresses that were purple rather than green. Twilight wrote up seating charts and distributed invitations throughout the kingdom, promising that no disasters would happen this time. Rainbow Dash, whose contribution to parties was usually a Sonic Rainboom, contented herself with reading the rest of the Flynnigan Rider books instead and chatting with Eugene about the best parts.
As for Applejack, she ended up in the kitchen, helping to coordinate the menu for the reception. Rapunzel entered to find her working away at things that could be frozen the night before.
"How's it going?" Rapunzel asked.
"Purty darn good," Applejack replied. "You sure do have a lotta recipes I've never seen before. Say, what were ya thinkin' for the main course at the reception? We've got the cake under control, but ain't nopony mentioned an entrée yet."
"Oh!" Rapunzel realized that Applejack was right. "Actually, it would be great if we could have a little something that used to be my favorite when I lived in the tower. It's a little weird, but what do you think about hazelnut soup?"
"That sounds like it could work," Applejack said, intrigued. "Question. Is there any meat or anything in your hazelnut soup?"
"No. It's just hazelnuts and vegetables."
"And it's nutritious?"
"Very."
"Rapunzel," Applejack said, "you have GOT to get me that recipe to take with us. I've been lookin' for some good vegetarian recipes to take along with us. Fluttershy is just gonna love this!"
The wedding went off without a hitch. Everyone in Corona attended, unafraid of any more attacks, and Eugene and Rapunzel were finally united as husband and wife.
Pinkie Pie cried.
The reception lasted a week. Eugene couldn't tell you what had happened during most of it, and it would be a falsehood to say that it hadn't been in part because of his overindulgence in Apple-family-style cider. Applejack also pocketed the recipe for hazelnut soup, which Fluttershy thoroughly enjoyed.
The townspeople, the castle staff, the warriors from the borderlands, the royal family, and the six Equestrians sang and danced for a week straight, and they didn't allow any worries about the future to impede upon their happiness.
Eventually, however, the time came to leave.
The six Equestrians were allowed to stay in Eugene's old manor until they had everything arranged to take off. They sent a message up to the castle asking Rapunzel, Eugene, Maximus, and Pascal to meet them in the town square where they'd first met Rapunzel and drawn murals on the street with her.
They waited, and sure enough, the prince, princess, and captain of the guard came striding in, Pascal hitching a ride on Maximus' head.
"So this is goodbye," Rapunzel said, already wistful.
"Yeah," Twilight replied.
"I'm glad we met," Rapunzel said wholeheartedly. "You've all been wonderful friends to me. And I have to say thanks for helping me save my kingdom."
"I'm sure y'all are gonna be the best king and queen Corona's ever had," Applejack stated.
"Well…Rapunzel will be the best queen anyway," Eugene replied, half teasing.
"Don't sell yourself short!" Rainbow Dash begged Eugene. "Corona needs somebody adventurous like you at the wheel!"
"This is getting too sad!" Pinkie burst into a fit of tears. "I can't take it anymore! I'm just going to miss you soooooooo much!"
"There's something we want you to have," Twilight told the four Coronans before her. "We talked it over, and…well, consider it a late wedding present." She held out an object covered by a purple cloth embroidered with the sun symbol of Corona.
Rapunzel took it in her hands, removing the cloth. "The dark matter crystal," she said hushedly.
"We don't have any use for it," Twilight told her. "We can travel wherever we want with our engine, and I don't really know how we can experiment on it. I'd know more about it if I could read about it."
"But we figured you two would know exactly what to do with it," Rainbow Dash said with a wink.
"You're not saying…" Eugene posed.
"We're simply saying that you'll know the best use for it," Rarity said vaguely.
"That sounds like it's against the rules," Eugene argued.
"What rules?" Pinkie asked.
"Twilight was worried about the same thing," Applejack admitted, "but like Pinkie said, we never heard any rules sayin' it wasn't allowed to…well, it's up to you what you wanna do with it. We don't even know how far it can take ya."
"Are you sure?" Rapunzel asked Twilight. "I mean…the sorcerer did give it to you."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Twilight asked defensively.
"I get the feeling he's special to you," Rapunzel prodded.
"It's complicated," Twilight said softly, shuffling her feet. "Really complicated. For now, it's best if that thing goes where it's practical."
"Hang on." Eugene put up his hands. "So…the great heroine of the universe…has a crush on the guy that almost destroyed our kingdom?"
"We'll talk about it later, Eugene," Rapunzel quickly interjected.
"HER?" Eugene reiterated. "And HIM?"
"Later…" Rapunzel whispered.
"We're really going to miss you so so so so so so so so much!" Pinkie wailed.
"Thanks for letting us be your friends," Fluttershy said softly.
"And hey!" Pinkie realized. "Maybe we'll see you again!"
"I hope so," Rapunzel replied. "In fact…let's count on it."
The Starlight drifted out from the dock, moving out across the sea. A sudden mist rolled in over the ocean, and as Rapunzel and Flynn watched, the ship vanished in the mist. Then the mist cleared, and there was no sign that a ship had ever been there.
THE SPACE BETWEEN
"Dear Princess Celestia," Twilight began, sitting down with her friends to write the letter. She sighed.
"What's wrong, Twilight?" Applejack asked.
"We're still not strong enough," Twilight moaned. "I thought we were. Why were we given this mission if we couldn't even scratch Maleficent's magic?"
"Celestia said it would all work out," Fluttershy reminded Twilight.
"I want to ask her again," Twilight said sternly. "I want to ask her…if she's sure. If we don't get stronger, we can't keep going. Not like this."
"Except we've used our wits and the help of our friends to get through," Applejack reminded Twilight.
"Dear, you simply must stop being such a worrywart," Rarity added.
"And what'll that make us if we don't even try?" Rainbow Dash concluded.
"You're right," Twilight said, "but I still want to ask."
CORONA, AESTAS
"Apparently this crystal will allow us to move through time and space if we find a way to use it," Rapunzel told Eugene as the two lay together in their newly shared bed after a long day. Rapunzel held the crystal up, and it shimmered in the light of the bedside candle. "After seeing their ship, I think I might have an idea. It probably won't work, but then again…it just might. You know, Eugene…we don't have to take the throne right away. Mom and Dad still have a lot of good years. We could leave for a while. See what's out there. After what we've seen so far…I just know there's so much more, and I want to know about it. The thing is, I'm not going anywhere you won't go. I would want to use this crystal and travel to the end of everything…but not if it meant leaving you behind. So, I'll need you to tell me now: should we risk everything and try and go…or should we stay here where it's safe?"
"You should know the answer to that," Eugene replied with a smile. "It would be the biggest adventure yet. Flynnigan Rider wouldn't turn it down, and as long as I have you with me, neither will I."
"Then let's see what we can do tomorrow," Rapunzel resolved, setting the crystal on her nightstand and dousing the candle.
THE FORBIDDEN MOUNTAINS, THE ENCHANTED DOMINION
"NO!" Maleficent roared, striking her staff against the stone floor as she paced back and forth. "How could this BE? If the Elements of Harmony could not overpower me, why such a weak little whelp?"
"Might I attempt to answer that?" Jafar replied, entering the room where Maleficent paced. "The girl is, after all, one of the Princesses. Perhaps not one of the seven, but powerful indeed."
"And that, with her connection to the kingdom, was what thwarted me," Maleficent muttered. "It will not happen again."
"Yes, but do you know how to prevent such a thing from occurring?"
"I shall find out," Maleficent vowed.
"Interesting news, by the way," Jafar reported. "Rapunzel and Eugene are now in the possession of dark matter. Given their natures, it shan't be long before they attempt to use it. And once they are separated from their kingdom, it should be nothing short of child's play to eliminate them and destroy Corona."
At that, Maleficent paused. "The princess…was given dark matter?" She began to laugh. "And she is TRAVELING?" She threw back her head, laughing harder and harder. When at last she settled down, she said, "The Elements know not what they have done! If much more of this traveling is allowed…things shall fall into our hands faster and faster."
"There is one problem," Jafar pointed out. "How they received dark matter in the first place."
"That much, I saw," Maleficent stated. "The young sorcerer."
"I beg of you, Maleficent…forget him."
"He still has a chance. His soul is the sort that is easily corrupted. I know that he is currently not ready. That is why he currently is not welcomed into our ranks."
"Is that why I'm here and he's not?" a voice emitted from the corner. Gothel sat in a chair, flipping through one of Maleficent's eldritch tomes.
"Mozenrath is powerful, but despite all his successes, his heart is not completely free of the chains of emotion and, dare I say, love," Maleficent confirmed. "You may have failed to keep Rapunzel in check, but at the same time, your heart is practically stone, Gothel. You shall serve us well, and you will be rewarded."
"Just so long as I get my immortality," Gothel sighed. When Maleficent had welcomed her into the ranks of the Overtakers, her dark magic had provided Gothel with a daily rejuvenation spell that had the same effect as Rapunzel's healing, at least as far as one woman's aging was concerned. "So how many Overtakers are there that we need to find, anyway?"
"You know what they say," a fourth voice announced from the opposite door. "Speak of the devil."
Maleficent and Jafar turned to regard the newcomer with delight. Gothel was simply confused. This one looked even stranger than Discord—unhumanly tall, with blue skin and a rush of blue flame instead of hair, clothed in a gray toga that offset all that blue.
"So a little birdie told me you're getting the band back together," Hades greeted.
CANTERLOT, FOURTH EQUESTRIA
This time, Cadance and Shining Armor had gone home to their permanent residence in the Crystal Empire, so Celestia and Luna deliberated over the newest letter themselves.
"Family," Luna reread, "true family, is those who care about you and your well-being. Those are the ones you should value." She looked up to her sister. "A lovely message, dear sister. And one quite relevant to us. I fear sometimes that I have been remiss in thanking you for your kindness in welcoming me back to Canterlot."
"It was no trouble," Celestia told her sister. "I always knew that somewhere within Nightmare Moon was the Luna I loved. I feared that you turned to that path because of my shortcomings, and I have tried to become a better pony for that. I couldn't be happier to share my life with you once again, Luna. And I never want you to forget that."
"Thank you, sister."
"What concerns me," Celestia said, returning to the letter, "is the doubt expressed about how powerful my faithful students have become and how powerful they need to be. Even though they have averted disaster on two worlds outside our own, they still do not feel strong enough. I am certain it was Twilight who expressed this doubt most strongly. I wish there was a way to reassure them that all will be well. After all, if they truly do need to become stronger…the mists will take them to the place."
"But that place has closed its doors," Luna pointed out. "The burden of being open to other worlds was too strong, especially after…You-Know-Who appeared."
"Things are changing, Luna. The doors will reopen."
Celestia summoned a roll of parchment, a quill, and ink. "Dearest students," she began as she wrote. "Fear not about your strength, for the mists of Avalon will guide you where you need to go…"
SOMEWHERE ON FOURTH EARTH
A banging came at the bedroom door. The old woman, her hair once black as night but now silver with age, stirred in her bed. It was nearly midnight; what could anyone want at this hour? She sat up, putting on her gold spectacles. She crossed the room to the door, opening it.
"Good heavens, Sybil!" she cried, observing a frizzy-haired blonde woman clothed in a glittering nightgown before her. "What could possibly be the trouble at this time of night?"
When the blonde spoke, it was with a deep voice that the silver-haired woman was unused to hearing from her. "THE DOORS THAT ONCE WERE OPEN TO THE SANCTUARY OF THE WORLDS ARE CLOSED," she boomed, "BUT THEY MUST REOPEN. SIX CHOSEN ONES WILL ARRIVE, AND WITH THEM OUR FATE. THEY MUST BE TAKEN IN. THEY MUST BE TAUGHT. DISCORD COMES AND BRINGS WITH HIM ANCIENT EVIL. DO NOT FORGET YOUR PREDECESSOR'S WORDS, THAT HELP WILL ALWAYS BE GIVEN HERE TO THOSE WHO DESERVE IT. SOON, THE ORDER WILL CHANGE…OUR WORLD WILL NOT BE SEPARATED…WE MUST…FACE…THE GREATER…ORDER…" She gasped raspily, then closed her eyes, letting out a deep breath. When next she spoke, it was with her usual voice. "Oh, dear…how did I come to be here?"
"You've prophesied," the silver-haired woman stated. "And quite a chilling prophecy it was…"
"Heavens, what did I say?" The blonde panicked.
"Sybil…you do know the history of this castle, do you not? That once, it was a sanctuary for all who needed it, no matter what world they were from? Before our time, creatures from other worlds separated themselves from our world. Or perhaps it was the other way around. You've said that soon others not of our world would arrive. Six heroes, and a villain who would bring discord."
"What must we do?" the blonde asked.
"If this is truly the case, then we must follow those words…that help will always be given at Hogwarts to those who deserve it," Minerva McGonagall concluded. "Funny thing. I was sure that Dumbledore's words were that help would be given to those who ASK for it…"
Chapter 23:
· I deliberated with keeping Zel's hair gone, but Twi CAN do the spell, so why not? I can get rid of it again later if I want. And I may want…
· After a long while of thinking, I decided that Ponyville apple cider actually IS alcoholic. There was some debate over that. Turns out that America's the only place where apple cider isn't. Also, this reinforces my new headcanon—which may or may not be mentioned—that Pinkie Pie can drink anypony under the table.
· A ton of fantasy stories that talk about traveling between worlds say it shouldn't be done. If you do it too much in His Dark Materials or The Pendragon Adventure, the universe dies a little bit. I may try and play with that…
· I was going to wait to introduce Hades…but then I thought, WHY THE HELL NOT INTRODUCE HIM? After all, he, Mal, and Jafar are the three I think would get on board soonest if the Overtakers were reuniting.