You feel the floor vibrating beneath you, the gentle clacking and whir of metal gears moving at high speeds ringing in your ears. As you open your eyes, you find yourself once more on the train car with Igor, Agatha, and Agero. They look to you with smiles on their faces as Igor beckons you forward.

“Welcome, to the Velvet Room.” the long nosed man says as you walk forward to take your seat. “Do not be alarmed, you are fast asleep in your own world, where your ordeals have caused you to become weary. I have called you here from your dreams, but rest assured, you are safe.”

“Congratulations.” Agatha exclaims. “You have awakened to your power, and as promised, we will now explain to you our role in your journey. First however, we’d like you to have this.”

A small point of light appears above the table and descends. By the time it touches the surface of the table, it has turned into a small silver key.

“This, is the Contractor's Key,” Igor explains “And it will allow you to return here, to the Velvet Room, at your own discretion.”

“From this point on,” Agatha says, “you are officially our guest here in the Velvet Room. We exist here for the purpose of insuring that you reach your greatest potential, by helping you, our guest, foster control over your new powers.”

“The power we speak of,” Agero says. “Is that of Persona. And your Persona, is that of the Wildcard. It’s ability is like that of no other. Just like the number zero, it is empty, yet filled with infinite potential.”

“The Persona,” Igor continued. “Is a side of you that you may call forth in times of need. Think of it as a mask that you wear as a sign of your determination to face the various difficulties of your life. Persona is the ability to control one’s own heart, and the heart is strengthened through bonds with others. These bonds must be nurtured by becoming involved with the lives of those around you, developing your Social Links with them. And it is the power of these Social Links shall determine your Persona’s abilities.”

You still feel a bit confused by all this, but Igor simply smiles at you and nods knowingly.

“I can see that this is a lot to take in.” He says as you once again feel yourself being pulled away. “When you form a bond with someone, you will know. And when you do, return here, and we shall further explain to you this power you’ve been granted.”

Wayfarer blinked several times as he attempted to ascertain his whereabouts. He remembered the fight in the castle, and making it out into the courtyard, but beyond that was a blank. He sat up and found that he had somehow made it back to his bed in Twilight’s house. He turned his head to look out the window and guessed it must have been early in the morning. Tossing the covers off himself, Wayfarer slipped out of bed and went to the door, only to find it locked from the outside. He knocked a few times, yelling for Twilight to come let him out, and after a few minutes he heard the rattle of keys and the clunk of a lock.

The door opened to reveal Twilight, looking very tired and worn out. “Sorry Wayfarer.”

“What was that about?” Wayfarer asked as he looked from her to the door handle and back.

Twilight fidgeted a bit before answering. “I umm... Last night, after I teleported us back here when you collapsed, I sent a letter to Princess Celestia about what happened. She wrote back saying we needed to stay put and not tell anypony about what happened.”

Wayfarer raised an eye at that and just continued to stare at her. That didn't answer his question about the locked door on his room, and judging by her nervous aversion to looking in his eye, the reason was not something she was proud of.

Twilight looked a little worried as she added, “She also said she’d be arriving this morning after she checked the castle.” She then started to pace back and forth in the hallway, mumbling to herself. “Oh what if those monsters got her! Why didn’t she want me to tell anyone that I was attacked?” She turned to Wayfarer with confused eyes. “Why did she tell me to keep you from going anywhere?”

That got Wayfarer's attention. He could understand staying put until someone could explain the situation, but locking him up? As for Twilight's other muttered questions, he couldn’t say anything, because the same questions were going through his head. ‘What WAS all that last night?’

A knock came at the door and Twilight rushed away to answer it, Wayfarer following behind her at a slower trot. Twilight almost tore the door off its hinges in her rush, which would have made her flush even more as Princess Celestia walked through the threshold. Wayfarer gulped when he saw her, this was the closest he'd ever been to the Solar Matriarch. He'd only ever seen her at a distance when she passed through Baltimare for the annual Summer Sun Celebration, or the odd casual visit to the city. He'd known she was beautiful, no pony in their right mind could claim otherwise, but standing in the same room with her had an almost overwhelming effect on him. Her presence, her stature, the mass of magical energy that even he could feel as she entered, he could barely restrain himself from dipping into a bow and was slightly appalled with himself that he did.

However, as the door closed, leaving several guards and curious onlookers outside, her radiance seemed to dull dramatically. Wayfarer could still see her as his Princess, but he no longer felt compelled to simply drop to the floor before her.

“Twilight.” the white alicorn said simply.

“Princess Celestia, what’s going on?”

Celestia held up a hoof, then started to look expectantly around the room. “Is anypony else around? Spike perhaps?”

“No, he’s with Rarity,” Twilight said quickly. “He tried to get me to tell him what happened and I bribed him with a trip to Rarity’s if he stopped asking.”

Celestia nodded and turned her gaze to Wayfarer. “I take it you are the pony Twilight has been housing?” Wayfarer nodded once. “And you were also there last night when Twilight was attacked?” He nodded again. Celestia walked forward and leaned down to look Wayfarer straight in the eye as she asked another question, “And to protect her and yourself, you summoned some sort of creature to fight for you?” Wayfarer swallowed a knot in his throat and nodded again. “I see. What is the creature’s name?”

Wayfarer thought it would have been hard to remember, but the name came to him as quick as if it was his own. “Ekchuah.”

Celestia stared at him for a moment before turning back to Twilight. “What did this thing look like?”

Twilight closed her eyes for a moment as she remembered the scene. “It walked on two legs, it had a spear and wore some sort of mask. It also had a backpack and a scorpion’s tail.”

Celestia let out a breath and began to pace around the room. Wayfarer and Twilight shared a look, not sure what to say, or if they should even say anything. Celestia looked to be in deep thought, just as at a loss for words as they did. Every so often she would toss a glance at Wayfarer, as if expecting something from him, though for the life of him he couldn't imagine what. Finally, she looked as if she’d found the words to say, just before there was another knock at the door. Twilight went and answered it, revealing a tall... thing... that looked like a mismatch of ten different animals. Even his eyes looked like they were two different sizes.

“Have we discovered the guilty party behind last night’s incident?” The creature asked. “Have we decided whether or not we’re all doomed yet?”

“Discord,” Celestia said with a hint of distaste. “You’re late.”

“I’m never late my dear Celestia," Discord smirked as Twilight closed the door behind him, her expression mimicking Celestia's. "Everypony else is just early.”

“Hmph, as you say," Celestia grumbled. "We’ve barely started anyway.”

“See! No harm done!” Discord cried as he took a seat in the corner.

Celestia scowled at him before looking to Twilight again. “Twilight, I’m afraid I’m going to have to postpone any further work on your castle until further notice.”

“I figured as much Princess,” Twilight responded with a look of fear and confusion on her face. “But what WERE those creatures? Why didn’t my magic work on them? Should we be evacuating Ponyville?”

Celestia hesitated for a moment, before attempting to answer Twilight’s questions. “When it comes to the creatures that attacked you, I have only guesses as to what exactly they are. However, I can tell you that evacuation is not necessary, I’ve sealed the grounds with a powerful spell, much like the one placed on Canterlot Tower.”

“You mean the one you used to protect the Elements of Harmony?” Discord smugly asked. “The one that failed to keep me out?”

Ignoring him, Celestia continued. “Rest assured, nothing is getting in or out of that castle without my say so.”

“But how did they get in there in the first place?” Twilight asked, adding another question to the list.

“That, my dear Twilight, I can answer." Celestia tapped the floor with her hoof, garnering Twilight and Wayfarer's attention to the wooden surface. "The earthquake last night does not appear to have been a natural occurrence. The creatures have worked their way through the bottom of the castle, creating a large crevasse beneath it.”

Twilight’s expression was not getting any calmer with any of this news, in fact she started pacing. “Oh this can’t be happening! Monsters burrowing into the castle! What do I do? What do I DO?!”

“We,” Celestia said calmly. “Will remain calm. We will figure this out, together.”

Twilight froze and looked to the elder alicorn, then slowly took in and released a breath to relax herself. “Okay, calming down now. What do we do?”

“First,” Celestia said “I want to see these creatures first hand. For that, it appears that I will have to go to the castle at night.”

“W-why at night?”

“Because when I went to examine the castle this morning, I didn’t find a trace of these creatures you described Twilight.”

Twilight's ears flattened against her head. “Then why do you believe me?” She asked.

Celestia smiled. “Because I trust you Twilight. You wouldn’t lie about something like this, or about the way Wayfarer was able to fend off your assailants.”

“You mean with that thing he summoned? What do you know about it?”

“It will be easier for me to explain tonight when we arrive at the castle.” Celestia looked around at the three others. “I expect you all to be there at around Ten O’Clock. We will enter into the castle at about that time. Until then, please go about your day as normal, and don’t tell anypony what has happened. Discord?” She turned to look directly at the patchwork creature, who was absentmindedly blowing multi coloured smoke rings into the air. “Come with me.”

“Ugghh, fine," Discord whined before getting up and following Celestia to the door. "Not like I have a choice do I?”

Celestia and Discord left the library, letting Twilight and Wayfarer stand in silence for a while before Wayfarer remembered he had someplace to be.

“AAUUGGGHHH!!” He screamed, startling Twilight so bad she jumped into the air. “I’m late! It’s only my second day and I’m late!”

“What are you,” Twilight started to say in annoyance before she caught on and started to panic as well. “OH SHOOT! YOU’VE GOT WORK!”

Twilight quickly shut her eyes and started to focus magic through her horn. Wayfarer was about to ask what she was doing when there was a sudden flash. A moment later, Wayfarer blinked a few times and realized that somehow the two had made it all the way to the Ponyville Schoolhouse in the blink of an eye.

“Warn me next time you do that!” Wayfarer yelled as he shook his head and tried to regain his balance. Then he heard a few shrieks from around him and, looking about, he saw that he and Twilight had appeared amongst a group of foals heading inside the building.

“I’m sorry!” Twilight said, to both Wayfarer and the foals she’d scared.

“What’s going on out h-” came a stern voice as the front of the school opened to reveal Cheerilee, who stopped dead in her tracks when she saw Wayfarer and Twilight. “Oh, Wayfarer! And Twilight! Good Morning!”

Wayfarer shook himself once more and looked to Cheerilee with apologetic eyes. “Good morning to you as well Miss Cheerilee. I’m terribly sorry about being late. I had business with the Princess that needed to be taken care of.”

“That, and he took a bit of a bad fall last night!” Twilight interjected, smiling very unconvincingly. “We went to the Castle in the dead of night, couldn’t see where he was going and took a tumble! It's my fault he's late, Cheerilee.”

Wayfarer restrained himself and didn’t give any signs that what Twilight was saying was false, not that Cheerilee needed any as she raised an eye at Twilight.

“Well, alright then,” She said, turning to Wayfarer. “I had half a mind to fire you after being late this morning, but if you had business with Twilight I guess I could let it slide this one time.” She then turned back to Twilight and gave her a very annoyed look. “Please give me forewarning whenever you intend to keep my help captive.”

“Oh, umm, yes of course!” Twilight said “Well, now that he’s here I guess I could go now. See you two around.” With that she turned and galloped away, leaving a group of very confused foals in her wake.

Cheerilee just rolled her eyes and shook her head before replacing her cheery disposition that she always wore around her students. “Alright my little ponies, and Mister Wayfarer, let’s all get to work!”

~~~~~

Today proceeded much like yesterday. Wayfarer cleaned whatever needed cleaning, entertained the foals during recess, etcetera. After classes were over and Cheerilee dismissed her students, she then requested that Wayfarer deliver an order to a supply store as well pick up a few things for tomorrow, and sent him on his way as well.

After running errands, Wayfarer didn’t really know what he ought to do while he waited for his meeting with Twilight, Celestia, and Discord later that night. He guessed that Twilight would be preparing herself, physically and mentally, and he had no idea where the other two would have gone. He settled for wandering about the town until nightfall, taking in the sights now that the festival was officially in full swing.

Many ponies seemed to have last night’s earthquake on their minds, as Wayfarer heard many accounts of ponies being shook from their beds or of flower pots having a rushed encounter with the ground. Wayfarer kept his mouth shut, like Celestia requested of he and Twilight, but at the same time he felt like wondering why exactly they had to keep this a secret. “Avoiding a panic perhaps? Ponies will eventually get curious as to why work on the castle has stopped and we have to tell them something.”

Wayfarer’s wonderings had him wander right into something very soft with a lot of give. Backing up, he realized that he’d just walked into a wall of fabric, suspended in the air by a blue aura.

“Oh do excuse me Darling!” Came a familiar voice as the fabric was moved to the side to reveal Rarity. “Oh hello Wayfarer. So sorry about bumping into you like that.”

“It’s not a problem Rarity. I should have been watching where I was going.” Wayfarer started berating himself for not noticing the towering stack of multicoloured fabrics.

“And where, may I ask, are you going without your handsome get up?” She asked looking up and down at Wayfarer, who just now realized that he hadn’t had time to put on his button up that morning.

“Oh, well, I was in a bit of a rush and didn’t have time to put it on”

“Didn’t have time? My dear Wayfarer, there is ALWAYS time to look your best.”

“Well if that’s the case, think you could help me out? If I’m going to be wearing something nice every day, I’m going to need a few more outfits.”

Rarity almost flipped with excitement at that. “Then let us waste time no longer! To the Boutique!” She then started to make haste to her shop, carrying the tower of fabric all the way.

Following after her, Wayfarer couldn’t help but notice how the tower seemed to teeter back and forth, and thought it best to lend the mare a hoof before she dropped some of the expensive looking fabrics.

“Miss Rarity? Would you like some help with that?”

“Oh what a gentlecolt you are!” She sighed as she dropped the whole stack on his back. “now be careful with them, they’re VERY expensive.”

Wayfarer’s knees started to buckle as the weight pressed down on his back. This wasn’t exactly what he had in mind, and he almost told that to Rarity before she gave him a VERY thankful look. He sighed heavily as he started walking behind her. How he managed to get the tower to the shop without dropping a single bolt of fabric, he had no idea.

She showed him where to drop the fabrics and then began to usher him into her studio. “Now, what exactly were you looking for? A nice suit? Something like your other attire? I can’t imagine those long sleeves are terribly comfortable during the summer. Ooh, speaking of which, would you like a smart coat for when fall arrives?”

“Actually Miss Rarity, I’m having second thoughts.” Wayfarer said as she listed off some of the outfits she could make for him. He feared she might be a little over enthusiastic about all this, and he only had the money for a few extra sets of clothes. The last thing he wanted was to take up another job, as the fabric mule for this seamstress.

“Oh no no no I insist you stay and let me fix you up a few ensembles! It would be my pleasure!”

Wayfarer sighed and dropped his head, figuring he could at least let her contemplate the design of his outfits.

She pulled out a measuring tape and began taking Wayfarer’s measurements, all the while asking him all sorts of tiring questions, like what the stallions and mares in Baltimare wore this time of year. It felt so monotonous that he didn’t even realize she’d stopped taking measurements and had moved to a drawing table, still asking questions.

After almost an hour, Rarity finally stopped pestering him and asked Wayfarer to join her so that she could show him what she came up with. There was a get up that looked like the one he already had, only in addition to the button up there was also a jacket with an absurdly large collar. There was also a very sharp looking suit, a winter jacket, a cloak, and... “a Nightmare Night costume?” All told there looked to be almost a dozen different outfits, and Wayfarer certainly wasn’t going to be able to afford all of them.

“Umm, Miss Rarity? I don’t know how I’m going to be able to pay for all of this. Could you just give me that one?” He pointed to the button up and jacket combo. “I should be able to give you pay for that.”

“Pay?” Rarity said, looking at Wayfarer with a bit of confusion. “Whatever do you mean darling? You carried all that fabric for me and you’ve been such a delight to talk to! First one is on the house, and I won’t hear another word against it!” Wayfarer opened his mouth to argue but Rarity just waved her hoof dismissively. “I’ll expect compensation for the others if you so choose to receive them, but I simply cannot allow you to walk about without the look that so obviously defines you!”

Wayfarer sighed. He wasn’t one to turn down free stuff, but still. “Okay then. If you’re sure. Thank you Miss Rarity.”

“Think nothing of it darling! Now out! I have work to do if I plan to get this to you by tonight!” And with a smile Rarity shooed Wayfarer out of her shop. As he walked away he could have sworn she’d started singing.

With the promise of fresh clothes for tonight’s expedition into the castle, Wayfarer walked back into town, looking about at all the ponies going about their daily routine. He never really understood the appeal for some ponies to do the same thing day in and day out, but he supposed that it must have a sort of charm to it, especially in a small town like this.

“Hey Wayfarer!” came a shout from above him. Looking up he saw a single cloud hovering over him, with Rainbow Dash hanging over the edge. “Heard you almost got fired this morning!”

“Who told you that?” Wayfarer asked as Rainbow Dash zoomed off of her cloud and landed right in front of him.

“Scootaloo. I promised her a flying session after school today, and she said Cheerilee was going to fire you for being late, except apparently you had business with ‘The Princess.’” She turned her head to the side and glared at him. “What sort of business?”

“We had an accident at the castle last night.” Wayfarer said simply. “The princess wanted to make sure I was okay.” “Partly true,’” Wayfarer thought “Celestia probably wanted to know if I was okay to be around.”

“You know she hates being called ‘The Princess’ right?”

“Wrong princess.” Wayfarer thought to himself. He didn’t think Celestia would like it if he started telling everypony that she was in town on royal business.

“So if you were in the castle last night,” Rainbow Dash inquired further “Would you know why there some sort of force field around it?”

“Oh boy” Wayfarer’s expression of surprise must have gave Rainbow Dash the impression that he didn’t know because she kept going.

“Yeah! So I’m doing my morning exercises, and I pass over the castle and spot one of Twilight’s telescopes on the highest tower! I thought it was weird for her to just leave that there so I tried to fly down and check it out. Next thing I know I fly into some sort of invisible wall! What’s with that? Are they really that mad about me flying too close to the castle that they put a bubble around the place?”

“She thinks it’s to keep her out.” Wayfarer realized “Well if I were the guards I don’t think I’d be too happy about unauthorized ponies flying about. That’s a bit of a security breach isn’t it?”

“Security?” Rainbow Dash scoffed. “There’s nothing in there yet! What would anypony take from inside?” She rolled her eyes and jumped back into the air. “Whatever, guess I’ll just have to find a new flight schedule if they insist on keeping that thing up. Later Wayfarer!”

“Later.” Wayfarer gave a half hearted wave at Dash before he turned and almost ran into another pony. “Oh, excuse me.” “I’ve really got to start paying better attention”

“It’s fine.” The mare said in a way that made it sound like it wasn’t fine. She was a rather tall pegasus with locks of green hair and a turquoise coat. Her wings were larger than average, and there seemed to be a smaller secondary set just behind the main wings, giving them an almost butterfly esk look.

She stared at Wayfarer with a look of disdain before casting a gaze after Rainbow Dash and then back to him again.

“I couldn’t help but overhear what that loudmouth was saying though,” she said sternly. “What was that about the Castle being in a bubble?”

“Thanks Dash,” Wayfarer thought to himself “Now all of Ponyville will probably find out about it” “Extra security.” Wayfarer said simply.

“From?” The pegasus pressed.

“One rouge pegasus.”

“Security that tight sounds more like protection from a Changeling attack rather than one simple minded pegasus." The mare put a hoof to her cheek and gave Wayfarer a surprisingly sultry stare. "What is our Princess up to in there?”

“Nothing.” Wayfarer was starting to wonder about this pegasus’s line of questioning. “She’s probably in her library studying.”

“Studying what?”

“Heck if I know. Anything. Everything.” Wayfarer decided it was time to stop talking to this pony before she asked any more questions about Twilight and the castle. “I have to go now. Sorry for running into you.”

“Where is Twilight Sparkle’s library?” The mare asked, again giving Wayfarer a provocative look, as if trying to seduce the information out of him.

“Why do you want to know?” Wayfarer turned and started to walk away, in a different direction then the library.

“It’s not everyday you get to meet a princess. And I’d certainly like to meet her.”

Wayfarer did not like the tone of voice she said that in. This mare was definitely laying on the vixen act way too thick, probably believing Wayfarer to be some week willed stallion. He turned down an alley way, and tried not to look back to see if she was following him. Honestly he didn't need to, she was so close that he could almost feel the heat coming off of her.

“Rather rude of you to walk away from me like that,” She said as she matched his pace. “Are you a friend of Twilight Sparkle’s?”

Wayfarer remained silent. The unnerving air of this pegasus was starting to make his skin crawl. They walked out of the other end of the alley way, and Wayfarer shot his eyes around, looking for a means of escape. He saw Sugarcube Corner and made a beeline for it. “If Pinkie Pie can’t get her off my tail then nothing will.”

“I’ve heard many things about Twilight, and her friend’s as well. Have you met her friends?”

“Yes,” Wayfarer said “And you’re about to meet one right now.”

The mare almost looked excited before she looked up and saw where they were headed into. She stopped and glared at the gingerbread house like the very design offended her.

“What’s the matter?” Wayfarer asked. “I thought you wanted to meet Twilight’s friends?”

She turned her gaze at Wayfarer and gave him the same look of disgust before giving a humph and spreading her wings. She leapt up into the sky and bolted off to the east, away from Twilight’s Library.

Wayfarer watched her go, shaking his head. “This town just keeps getting weirder and weirder.”

“I think that’s why I like it here so much.” Pinkie Pie said as she poked her head out of the front door. “Hey there Wayfarer! Can I get you anything?”

Wayfarer shook his head. “No thank you Pinkie. I’m just going to head home now.”

“Oki Doki! I’ll see you later Wayfarer!” The door closed up again and Wayfarer headed straight back to the Library, watching the skies for any sign of that creepy pegasus.

~~~~~

“You sure we’ve got enough supplies Twilight?” Wayfarer asked sarcastically as the two left the Library, him wearing the new outfit Rarity had brought over, and Twilight with saddlebags strapped over her wings. It was almost time to meet Celestia and Discord at the castle, the sun had set and the comets were starting to make their appearance again.

"Why? Do you think we should bring more first aid kits?” Twilight asked, her saddlebags bulging under the strain of all the medical supplies and scrolls for note taking.

“No I just... nevermind.”

They left just as everypony’s attention was fixated on the stars.Twilight’s other friends were hanging out on the hill again tonight, along with Spike, Scootaloo, Apple Bloom, and Sweetie Belle, so they wouldn’t have to worry about them. They made their way through town, Wayfarer looking this way and that to make sure nopony followed them as they made it to the outskirts.

He hadn’t told Twilight about that creepy Pegasus from earlier today, mostly because she was too busy preparing for tonight to listen to anything he said, but partially because he didn’t want her to worry about one stalkerish pegasus.

They arrived at the front gates to find Celestia and Discord waiting for them. Celestia had a long wooden case with her, and Discord was looking around at the comets with bored indifference.

“Ahh, there you two are.” Celestia said as they approached. “Are you ready?”

“As ready as we can be Princess.” Twilight said, nudging her saddle bags. “I hope”

“There’s only so much preparation you can do for something like this Twilight. Sometimes you just have to trust yourself to think on your hooves.”

“Can we get on with this?” Discord said.

Celestia turned and walked over to the gate guards. “Could you open the gates for us please?”

“OPEN THE GATES!” the Guard yelled. The portcullis began to lift, and as soon as it had raised high enough Celestia ducked under it and stepped into the castle grounds, her horn glowing slightly to open a hole in the protective spell. The others walked through as well, and as soon as they were through, Celestia’s horn stopped glowing, and the gate closed behind them.

“Now then,” Celestia said as they walked to the front doors. “I believe you have more questions Twilight? I think I might be able to answer the ones you have concerning our friend here.” She gestured a hoof to Wayfarer.

“Well, Princess, I’m still a little confused about what he did.” They started up the stairs to the front door. “What sort of summoning spell did he use? And how did he do it when he’s not a unicorn?”

“It wasn’t a spell Twilight. At least, it wasn’t a spell in the way that we are familiar with.” Celestia pushed the doors open with her magic and they all stepped inside before she closed them back again. “The power he wields is called ‘Persona’. It is a very ancient, very powerful ability, that even I thought had been lost forever.” She stopped in the middle of the foyer and turned to Wayfarer. “Show us your Persona, if you’d be so kind.”

Wayfarer stepped forward and faced Celestia. He didn’t really know what he was supposed to do, but he closed his eyes and tried to search for that same feeling he had last night when he summoned the thing that had protected him and Twilight. He took a few deep breaths, then opened his eyes to find that same tarot card floating before him, only now it was no longer blank. With a determined look, he swatted at the card with his right hoof, shattering it like glass as he shouted out “Persona!”

The area around him flashed again, and the same figure from before, Ekchuah, appeared behind him. It stood completely still, not even its eyes moved as it stared straight ahead.

Looking from the Persona to Wayfarer, Twilight mumbled a question. “Is there something wrong with it? Why isn’t it moving?”

“Wayfarer has yet to give it directions,” Celestia said as she stared in awe. “He called it only to call it. Nothing more.”

“Not bad,” Discord said with an air of amusement. “Not great, but I suppose it will have to do.”

“How do you know all about this?” Twilight asked, looking around at everyone.

“Because Twilight,” Celestia said. “I had this ability once as well.”

Twilight just gaped at Celestia at this. Wayfarer was more than a bit surprised as well, but quickly zeroed in on one particular word she used. “You said you had this ability, you don’t anymore?”

“No. That’s why Discord and I came back here this morning, we spent the day trying to summon our Personas. To no avail it seems.”

“Ahh who needs those specters anyway?” Discord said, waving his eagle talon around dismissively. “You’ve got all the powers of chaos on your side!”

“Are you saying you’ll actually bother helping us then?” Celestia said in an accusative tone.

“Eeeeeehhhhhhhhhhmmmmmmmmmmeeeeerrrrrrrrrrraaaaaaahhhhhggggg maybe.” Discord shrugged uncommittedly.

Celestia’s eye seemed to twitch a bit as she shook her head. She looked as though she was at the end of her rope with Discord. Looking to Twilight, she brought out the long case and presented it to the younger pony. “Twilight, I will not have you go in there without some form of protection, so I would like you to carry this with you.” The case snapped open and Twilight leaned forward to examine the glistening rapier inside.

“A… sword?” Twilight asked, looking up to Celestia. “But, I’ve never even used a sword! Much less even held one!”

“And hopefully you won’t need to.” Celestia said as she levitated the sword and scabbard, attaching the later to Twilight’s back and letting Twilight take hold of the blade itself. “But I would rather you have something rather than nothing. However, I still implore you not to go wandering off and to stay near the rest of us.”

Twilight continued to stare at the blade as she slowly began to move it around. Sighing, she sheathed the sword and looked over to Wayfarer. “My magic, it didn’t do anything to them last night. What good is a rapier going to do?”

“You’d be surprised how far a very pointy object can go.” Discord said, almost sadistically.

~~~~~

The group began its expedition into the castle. For a while, there was nothing but the soft hum of Twilight and Celestia’s magic as it they lit the way. Wayfarer looked around at the walls as they went, noting that the castle was completely dark, and there was no sign of the erie purple glow that illuminated the castle during last night’s attack.

“Twilight, do you know what time it is?” Wayfarer asked.

Twilight gave him a look of confusion before shaking her head. “I don’t have a pocket watch or anything on me.”

“It’s almost a minute to Eleven O’clock.” Celestia said without diverting her attention from what was in front of her as she led the way into the west corridor.

The corridor had a row of windows that gave a good view of the valley. Not as good as the tower, but still enough for the group to see that the Comets were already starting to disappear. The moon itself was barely a sliver now, and it wouldn’t really provide any more light than it did last night.

The four began looking through room after room, searching for some sign of the inky black monsters, only to find darkness in every single one and nothing more. Wayfarer was almost reminded of the Snipe hunts he participated in with his friends back in Baltimare, and how the thrill of the hunt had made him forget that what he and his friends had been searching for was nothing but a myth. Now, however, the thrill was tinged with the fear that at any moment one of those things would rise out of the corner’s to grab at him.

It was almost an hour later when something finally happened. The castle got noticeably brighter, and the light cast by Celestia and Twilight no longer seemed needed.

“Curious,” Celestia said as she and Twilight turned off their magic. She looked around the empty hallway, paying attention to the dark corners. “Wayfarer.”

“Yes, Princess?” Wayfarer said, stepping forward.

“Be ready to call him.”

The hall was completely silent, their eyes darted every which way in an attempt to catch the first glimpse of any shadow with ill wishes. The minutes rolled by and nothing happened, until Discord yawned loudly, freaking all of them out.

“Not that this isn’t fun or anything, but could we get a move on?”

The other three looked at each other and agreed that standing around like this wasn’t getting them anywhere.

“Keep your eyes peeled.” Celestia said as she stepped forward.

Twilight’s eyes continued to bolt around. She seemed visibly spooked by all of this. Eventually her eyes looked into Wayfarer’s, who she stared hard at before jogging forward to catch up with Celestia.

“Princess,” she said as she fell in stride with Celestia. “I have another question.”

“Yes Twilight?”

“What does it take to get a Persona?”

“Hmm… well there are several ways of getting one, none of them pleasant, but they require that you have the potential to do so in the first place.”

“And Wayfarer has that Potential?” Twilight asked, looking back at the pony in question. “And you and Discord as well?”

Celestia nodded in confirmation.

“Would… I have the potential?”

Celestia stopped and sighed as she turned to Twilight. “Even if you do have the Potential Twilight, unlocking this power would be a very challenging ordeal. You may come out of it a changed pony, or worse you’d be full of doubt about who you are. I do not want you to have to face that if you don’t have to.”

“Princess, please.” Twilight said with a hint of a smile. “Wayfarer was able to summon his Persona without some harrowing ordeal. I’m sure I could handle it!”

“Well aren’t we full of ourselves?” Discord bemused as he floated over Twilight. “Our little Princess thinks she can face anything!”

Twilight’s mouth twitched slightly as she looked up at Discord “Don’t call me 'Princess' please. And I’m not so overconfident that I don’t know my limits.”

“Yes, overconfidence would be more of Rainbow Dash’s thing wouldn’t it? I’m warning you Twilight.” Discord put on his best serious face as he looked Twilight in the eye. “Your friend here got off easy. It makes me wonder if that was really the first time he ever summoned his Persona.“ He leered over at Wayfarer with a smirk before eyeing Twilight again. “You are not prepared, Princess Sparkle Twilight.”

Twilight twitched again “Princess Celestia said there are some things you just can’t prepare for. I just have to trust myself and think on my hooves. And please, don’t call me Princess.”

Discord snorted at that. “Is that a sore spot for you? Being called by your title? You think you’d have gotten used to it by now.”

“Discord,” Celestia said, stepping forward. “If she doesn’t wish to be addressed as ‘Princess’ then she doesn’t have to be. She asked you to stop, now stop.”

“Ha! Why’d you bother giving her that title if she doesn’t want to use it?” Discord’s eyes lit up at that. “Tell me Celestia. Did you even bother asking dear Twilight if she WANTED a pair of wings strapped onto her back?”

“SHUT UP!” Twilight yelled, her horn glowing brightly as she prepared to shoot a blast of magic at Discord.

The Draconequus froze for a moment before dropping to the floor and backing away with his hands in the air. “My apologies Miss Sparkle. That was rather low, even for me.”

Twilight took a few deep breaths before turning away from Discord and walking away. Celestia, her face suddenly filled with fear and worry, started to follow after her, and that's when voices started echoing down the hall.

“Princess Twilight is so much more beautiful and regal with her new wings.”

“How lucky this town is to have a Princess who know’s the ponies of Ponyville personally!”

“She’ll make a fine ruler of Equestria, maybe even greater then Princess Celestia!”

Twilight’s eyes shot all around her, trying to discern where the voices were coming from. “Who’s there?” she yelled, “Who’s saying this?” Then the voices were suddenly recognizable as Twilight’s other friends

“Twilight really is such a beautiful pony now with those gorgeous wings of hers. Now if only she’d let me do something with her mane.”

“Twilight’s wings are AWESOME! She’s a natural flier too! Getting her out of that Library from time to time to learn some new tricks will do her some good!”

“Rarity? Rainbow Dash?” Twilight whimpered.

The dark corners of the hallway began to stir around Twilight, drawing the attention of Wayfarer and Celestia.

“Ooh! Now that Twilight’s moving into that big old castle, I wonder if she’ll let me throw parties there! Not like those stuffy Canterlot Parties, REAL Parties with cake and confetti and balloons and everything!”

“The castle grounds are going to look beautiful when they’re done. Maybe Twilight will get some rare exotic birds to stay in the gardens! She’s so lucky to have such a wonderful place to live.”

“Pinkie… Fluttershy… I… I...”

The shadow’s began to rise up, their arms and masks growing out of the walls and floors.

“Twilight!” Celestia shouted as she tried to rush forward, only to be blocked by a group of Shadow’s rising up before her.

“Twilight becoming a princess is the best thing that ever happened to her. Boy howdy, I can’t wait to see Ponyville in a few years, she’s going to make us all so proud.”

“Applejack…” Twilight looked like she was about to burst into tears as her legs trembled beneath her “You all think this was what’s right for me… but I’m… I don’t...”

“Sniff sniff… Oh, these wretched ponies! What do THEY know about me?”

Everyone looked up at the new voice, it sounded close. Standing in the middle of the hall was what looked like another Twilight, dressed in a beautiful gown with her mane all done up under an intricate crown. She looked about at her dress with some level of disgust “Making me a Royal! What the hay was Celestia thinking?” The other Twilight spat in a way that sent a cold shiver down Wayfarer’s spine. “Why would anyone want ME as their Princess? Especially after all the trouble I’ve caused Ponyville!”

“Who… Who are you?” Twilight cried as she stared at her dopleganger.

“Why, I’m you!” The other Twilight said with a smirk and started to trot away down the hall.

“Wait!” Twilight yelled as she lept through a gap in the shadows to follow her other self.

“Twilight, NO!” Celestia called as she tried to follow as well. But the Shadow’s wouldn’t let her pass as hands started to grab at her mane. “Get OFF!”

A blinding light radiated from her horn, causing the Shadows to retreat back slightly, though still blocking Celestia from chasing down the two Twilights. She reared up on her hind legs, bringing her front two down on the nearest shadow, smashing it in an explosion of black dust. Another group of Shadows seemed to have sprung up behind them as, when Wayfarer turned to look at him, Discord was swatting left and right at the Shadows with a golf club.

“Wayfarer! Go after them!” Celestia yelled as she bucked another Shadow before it could recover from her flash of light. “Please!”

With no further insistence needed, Wayfarer called out, “PERSONA!” Ekchuah appeared in front of him and swiped his spear in a wide arch, summoning a gust of wind that caused all the Shadow’s to fly backwards, slamming into walls or the floor. Wayfarer began to charge forward, Ekchuah following beside him or leading the way, stabbing or kicking through the shadows as they struggled to recover. Wayfarer continued to run for what seemed like forever, until he finally came to a large door that stood ajar. Cautiously, he slipped through the opening. He found himself in what looked like the throne room. Twilight was standing at the foot of the stairs that led up to the throne itself, where the other Twilight was sitting.

“Well look who decided to show up! One of our loving subjects!” The other Twilight put as much venom into those last two words as she possibly could.

“Stop that!” Twilight yelled, stomping her hooves. “Who do you think you are? Using my face and voice like that!”

“I told you, I’m you!" The false Twilight laughed as she spun around, showing off her attire and flapping her large wings. "See the flowing dress befitting my ROYAL stature? See the wings forcibly sewn onto my ROYAL back?”

“Celestia didn’t force them on me!”

The other Twilight laughed coldly at that and smirked down at her opposite “You and I both know that’s a load of horse apples. But I guess it’s my destiny as a princess to have things forced on me, isn’t it?”

“It’s not my destiny to be a Princess!”

“Ahh, but it IS! Remember? Celestia sang a whole song about it! And Celestia is ALWAYS right!” The other Twilight’s smile quickly turned into an ugly scowl that made the real Twilight step back a bit. “And she is such a PAIN about it! Why did she have to act so happy when she was defiling my body? Did she think she was doing me a favour or something?”

“She was making me a Princess! Who are you to say if it was right or wrong?”

“Right or wrong for who? Equestria? Who cares about Equestria? I’m the one who had some tripe about destiny forced onto me! I didn’t want to be a princess! I just wanted to be with my friends!” Other Twilight lifted the crown off her head and tossed it down the stairs, spitting after it. “But I guess even my friends think it’s better for everyone if I just go along with my so called destiny. So much for the Magic of Friendship!”

The real Twilight screamed as she charged up the stairs, drawing out the sword as she went. “How DARE you! I don’t care if you DO have my face and my voice! YOU ARE NOT ME!”

The blade came down in a wide arch towards the other Twilight’s head, only for it to stop short. Other Twilight smirked and, with a flick of her head, sent Twilight flying back down to the foot of the stairs, where she landed with a dull thud.

“Twilight!” Wayfarer yelled, rushing forward to Twilight’s prone body. Skidding to a halt, he picked up her head in his hooves. "Are you alright? Say something!"

“No…” She moaned through tear filled eyes. “Not me…”

The other Twilight began to laugh hysterically, calling Wayfarer's attention to her as a shroud of darkness seemed to envelop her. “You’re right! There’s no way I could possibly be an obedient little sheep like you! I’m my own self, and I’m going to carve my own destiny!”

The darkness seemed to explode out from the center, revealing a large multicoloured wheel like structure with a distinctly female creature, wearing a darker version of other Twilight’s dress, hanging by its neck by a chain from the center.

“I am a Shadow! The true self!” The creature proclaimed, it’s eyes covered with a blindfold, which it seemed to stare right through and at Twilight and Wayfarer. “ And the Wheel of Fortune is MINE to control!”

The wheel behind Shadow Twilight began to spin, picking up speed until the colours blurred together. She raised her right arm, which Wayfarer noticed ended in some sort of arrow, sharpened down to a blade. Pointing it up into the air, the wheel stopped suddenly so that the arrow was pointing at a lightning bolt shape with a black background. The wheel then began to glow as the Shadow pointed its sword arm at Twilight and Wayfarer.

With little time to spare, Wayfarer lept over Twilight and commanded Ekchuah in front of them, blocking the brunt of the electrical shock wave that shot forth from the Shadow’s arm. The Persona twitched and spasmed as the bolt of lightning ravaged through it, the pain transferring to Wayfarer, who felt as though every fiber of his being was being set on fire.

“GRRAAAAHHHHHH!!” He screamed as he was forced to the floor. Ekchuah fell to one of his knees, bracing himself with his spear.

“Hmph, Pathetic!” The shadow taunted as the wheel began to spin again. “Why are you even bothering to protect her anyway? She’s passed her peak, what more does she have to live for other than to be Celestia’s slave?”

“No you’re wrong!” Twilight yelled, violently shaking her head as she tried to rise up from the floor. “Celestia is my mentor! And I'm her faithful student! You’re wrong! You’re wrong! YOU’RE WRONG!”

This only made the Shadow laugh harder, Twilight's distress only spurring her on to higher levels of cruelty. "And if her friends want a Princess so badly, I'll give them a Queen! I'll show them how great a ruler I can be, when I carve a new destiny for THEM!" The wheel stopped, again on a thunderbolt, and the Shadow aimed to fire once more.

Wayfarer quickly got back to his hooves, looking up to the Shadow before calling to his Persona. “EKCHUAH!”

Ekchuah stood back up, stabbing his spear into the ground before clapping his hands together. Light seemed to radiate around them as a second bolt collided with an invisible barrier inches from Ekchuah’s face… before shattering the barrier and sending both the Persona and it’s wielder flying. Wayfarer landed next to Twilight, while Ekchuah slammed into the back wall.

“But you," the Shadow said, pointing directly at Twilight now. "You're so afraid of what the future might bring that you'd willingly be lead along by a leash! Honestly, if you think about it, I’m probably doing you a kindness by ending your miserable existence!”

“STOP IT!” Twilight cried as Wayfarer once again rose and started to slowly walk towards the Shadow. “This can’t be real… this isn’t happening. I… I can’t do this!”

“Twilight” Wayfarer said to her, calling her attention “We can do this, just remain calm.”

The Shadow laughed and began to spin the wheel again, preparing yet another lightning strike. On the far wall, Ekchuah pried himself off the vertical surface and limped over to join Wayfarer in staring down their adversary.

“You don’t seem to get it! Her life was over the moment she discovered her special talent all those years ago. Celestia molded her to be her puppet, and then when Twilight was ripe for the picking, Celestia took a perfectly good life away from her and bound her in servitude to Equestria!”

“EKCHUAH!”

Wayfarer’s Persona hefted his spear up and tossed it at the wheel, clearing right through it and pinning the structure so that the Shadow was pointing at a picture of an explosion backed with green.

“What the…” the Shadow looked up in surprise, just before half the wheel seemed to explode, dropping the Shadow to the floor “AAUUGHHHH!!! IDIOT! LOOK WHAT YOU’VE DONE!”

“Now!" Wayfarer yelled, his confidence surging. "Give it to her Ekchuah!”

With a sudden burst of strength, Ekchuah sprinted up the stairs, closing the gap between him and the Shadow, and delivering a mighty punch to the beast’s face. The Shadow stumbled as Ekchuah withdrew his spear from the wrecked wheel and swinging it in the direction of his stunned opponent. A mighty burst of wind tore through the throne room, ripping apart the shadow. As it fell, it seemed to disintegrate until their was nothing left but a Twilight look alike laying motionless on the floor.

Silence rang through the now still throne room. Ekchuah faded away as Wayfarer turned to look at the real Twilight. She was still huddled on the floor, but her sobbing had stopped. Wayfarer approached slowly.

“Twilight?”

“Why…”

Wayfarer spun around quickly to see the other Twilight standing there, looking as if the world itself had come to an end.

“This isn’t what I wanted. Everypony’s going to either look at me with respect I don’t deserve, or hatred that I was given so much without even trying.” Tears began to roll down her face as she began to sob. “No one will look at me as ‘Twilight’ anymore, just ‘Princess’ or ‘Her Majesty.’ Celestia… she ruined everything…”

Wayfarer turned to see Twilight getting to her hooves. She looked at her Shadow with a mixture of fear and confusion. “You… you’re not…”

From the open door behind her, Wayfarer saw Celestia and Discord staring at the three of them. Celestia looked horrified, Discord just shrugged and walked off.

“Twilight.” Wayfarer said. “Even if what this thing says is true, so what? You’re still you right?”

“I… but…”

“Are you upset with Celestia for what she did?” Wayfarer could see the pain on her face as she struggled out her answer.

“Deep down… I guess am.”

Wayfarer saw Celestia’s head tilt down out of the corner of his eye. “And are you willing to forgive her?”

“Of… course I am!” Twilight shouted. Celestia looked up in shock at this. “She’s… she’s been like a second mother to me. She’s a great mentor… and a great friend…”

“Twilight…” Celestia moaned, making her presence known to the young alicorn as tears began to stream from her tired eyes “I’m so sorry…” Twilight whirled around to look at Celestia, and looked as though she was going to charge forward and embrace her, but Celestia raised a hoof to stop her. “Please… Take care of her first…” Celestia said as she pointed to Twilight’s other self.

Twilight stared at her for a moment before nodding and turning back. The Shadow was waiting for her, a look of sad desperation on its face.

“You were right.” Twilight said to the Shadow. “I feel chained down by the weight of this ‘destiny’. I wasn’t given the time to consider it before it was given to me, and I allowed myself to believe it was what I wanted, when it really wasn’t. But I realize now that I can’t go on thinking that all my life is just me being dragged around by fate, because if I believe that for even a moment, then it might as well be true. My destiny is what I make of it. It’s mine to change or follow as I see fit.” After a moment of hesitation, Twilight stepped forward and embraced her other self. “Or maybe, it’s for both of us to change or follow as we see fit. After all, you’re me, and I’m you.”

The Shadow nodded into Twilight’s shoulder before it closed its eyes and faded into light. The light rose and rematerialized into a tall, bipedal creature, wearing a robe similar to the Shadow’s dress. In her left hand she carried a large, spiked circlet that she gripped from the center. In her right hand she carried a cornucopia filled with all manner of treasures and fruit. Atop her head she wore a crown engraved with runes, and across her eyes was a ribbon that wrapped around her head and trailed down her back.

Twilight looked up at the figure and smiled. “This… is my Persona?”

The figure nodded as she faded back into light, leaving behind a card that floated down to Twilight before it turned to light as well and disappeared into her chest. She held a hoof to herself as the light dissipated.

Twilight began to laugh to herself, even as her eyes began to water again. She turned with a smile to face Celestia, only to find she wasn’t there anymore.

“Princess?” She called out. “Where’d you go?”

Twilight and Wayfarer started to walk towards the door when Discord popped his head around the corner.

“We’re sorry.” He said. “But your princess is in another castle. Or whatever… point is she’s not here anymore.”

“She left?" Twilight asked. "Why?”

“Probably feeling sorry for her self. If anypony needs to face their other self it ought to be her.” He looked around expectantly. “But it seems as though the party’s over and the shadows have all crawled back under their beds. C'est la vie.”

“But, how do we get out?”

“Are you doubting my powers again Miss Sparkle? Celestia’s little plastic bubble couldn’t keep me out before and it sure won’t keep me in!”

“Then lets get… get out…” Twilight took a few steps into the hall and collapsed almost immediately.

“Ughhh.” Discord sighed, rolling his eyes as he picked up Twilight by her saddlebags, then snapped his fingers.

A flash of light temporarily blinded Wayfarer. He blinked a few times and found himself back in Twilight’s library. Spike was there, looking at Discord with a great amount of fear as he deposited Twilight unceremoniously onto the nearby couch.

“Twilight!” The little dragon shouted as he rushed to Twilight’s side. “What did you do to her Discord?!”

“Now that’s rather rude of you Scales! Thinking that it was me who made Twilight tucker her self out gazing at space junk all night.”

“My name is Spike.”

“Whatever Spot.” Discord waved dismissively as he walked to the door. “Just let Purple Smart sleep if off, she’ll be fine in the morning. In the meantime, I’ve got to go see a rabbit about a pocket watch.” Discord opened and slammed the door shut before Spike could even form a response.

“Augghhh, I HATE him! He’s gone from a total menace to being a total annoyance!”

“So, just a different type of menace?” Wayfarer asked as he walked forward to take a seat opposite of Twilight.

“Yeah, that sounds about right.” Spike mumbled as he unbuckled Twilight’s saddlebags and set them next to the couch. “So what REALLY happened to Twilight?”

“She got tired, just like Discord said.”

“Mmhmm.” Spike looked from the door, to Wayfarer, to Twilight before shaking his head and sighing. “Did she remember to grab her telescope? Rainbow Dash said she left it on the tower.”

“Oh, uhh, no we forgot it again.”

“And what’s with the invisible force field over the castle? Rainbow Dash was complaining about that at one point.”

“Security from Ponies who fly too close.”

“Rainbow Dash?”

“Rainbow Dash.”

Spike rolled his eyes again and then gave a loud yawn. “Well, I’m going to go back to sleep again. Night Wayfarer.”

“Good night Spike.”

The dragon climbed the stairs and Wayfarer heard a door shut a few moments later. Wayfarer leaned back in the couch, exhaustion creeping up his back as he too gave a big yawn.

“Wayfarer?”

Wayfarer looked over to Twilight, who seemed to have pulled herself back to consciousness, even though her tired eyes made it clear that she needed to go back to sleep.

“Are we home?” She asked as she tried to lift her head and failed. Wayfarer nodded once. “Oh, okay… hey Wayfarer?”

“Yeah?”

“Thanks for protecting me.” She smiled and laughed to herself. “How embarrassing, I had a sword and everything and I… oh, I dropped the sword” She didn’t seem too worried about that as her eyes fell closed again.

“Don’t worry about it Twilight, you don’t need it any more. Remember?”

“Heh, yeah, you’re right. I can fight like you now.” She paused and frowned a bit. “I can right?”

“Not just like me, WITH me.” Wayfarer stood and walked over to Twilight. “You’re going to be great. Just you wait and see.”

Twilight’s smile came back as she gave her last comprehensive words. “Thank you.”

The sound of careful breathing filled the room as Wayfarer walked to the hallway, dimming the lights as he left. As he returned to his room, he couldn’t help but feel the sense of gratitude Twilight had towards him. Until this point he didn’t really see her as a friend, but he felt that, after tonight, there really wasn’t another word to describe her now. He couldn’t help but smile as words rang through his head when he clambered into bed.

“Persona is the ability to control one’s own heart, and the heart is strengthened through bonds with others. These bonds must be nurtured by becoming involved with the lives of those around you, developing your Social Links with them. And it is the power of these Social Links shall determine your Persona’s abilities.”

Author's Notes:

I'm going to be honest with you. Something about this chapter doesn't sit right with me. It's like a portrait that I KNOW is off center, but no matter how many times I try to fix it, nothing seems to work. It's at this point that I think that I need to get an editor or a prereader or something.

So once again I look to you guys to be brutally honest with me. What's working? What isn't working? Am I drawing too much from the Persona series? Not enough? Am I going to fast? Too slow? Please give me your honest analysis, because Celestia knows I can't seem to give one to myself.