Yeah, it's been a while, but I hope I'll be able to update more frequently now.
MLP FiM doesn't belong to me.
R&R please.
"Twilight thank you! Thank you again, so much!"
Twilight smirked slightly while Sweetie Bell bounced around her, her eyes alight. "Now, what did you do to make this young filly so happy?", asked Discord's voice and the Spirit of chaos landed next to her on the floating ball of fluff he'd conjured up. After another hour of discussion, Discord had agreed to try to use his magic for good. He'd always have to be under supervision, but him and Twilight training together had brought both of them far. Twilight had gained a better understanding and control of his Chaos Magic, while the Draconequus himself had learned how he could use his magic for good. For now he mostly helped Pinkie and Dash with their pranks or helped Fluttershy. How the timid Pegasus and the Spirit of Chaos had gotten close enough for Discord to be allowed close to Fluttershy's critters, Twilight would never now, but she did know that Discord seemed to enjoy Fluttershy's personality.
"Last night was Hearts Warming Eve, remember?", asked the Unicorn back while she looked down at Sweetie Bell. Discord nodded and Twilight continued: "My friends and I acted out the rise of Equestria. Afterwards there's always a certain song and…
Flashback
"I can't do that Twilight!", cried a nervous Sweetie Bell.
"Of course you can", argued Twilight back.
"Twiligh's righ' Sweetie Bell. Ya' have a great voice", agreed Applejack. Sweetie Bell stared up at the Unicorn and the Earth Pony, then asked: "But why me? Why should I be the lead-voice?" Twilight smiled and nuzzled Sweetie Bell.
"Because I think you would do great Sweetie. You have an amazing voice and a real talent for singing." Sweetie Bell hesitated, then gave a slow nod. Applejack and Twilight shared a smile, then walked back onto the stage to finish up the last scene. It was over quite soon and the curtain fell. Rarity rushed from the stage and pushed her sister out in front of the actors. Sweetie was rigid and looked back at the Elements of Harmony.
"Do you think that maybe…", asked Rarity.
"It's worth a try", whispered Twilight back. "Sweetie Bell has great talent." Rarity nodded, then the curtain opened again already and the music came. Twilight watched how Sweetie Bell took a deep breath, then began singing.
The fire of friendship lives in our hearts
As long as it burns we cannot drift apart
Though quarrels arise, their numbers are few
Laughter and singing will see us through (will see us through)
We are a circle of pony friends
A circle of friends we'll be to the very end
"Twilight look", gasped Dash. Twilight followed her gesture and smiled. Three pale-violet eighth notes surrounded by some green glitter had appeared on Sweetie Bell's flank.
End of Flashback
"So you knew this would happen?"
"Know would be too much", said Twilight and looked up at the Spirit of Chaos. "I had a hunch. I knew Sweetie Bell is a wonderful singer…although it is curious that the Cutie-Mark-Crusaders never got any idea to try something like singing."
Discord shrugged, then stretched and stated: "Well, I'm off. Celly expects me to make an appearance." He rolled his eyes and grunted: "As if I'd dare to go against our deal. I really don't wanna be a statue again."
"That's the only reason you stay with our terms?", joked Twilight with a raised eyebrow.
"Of course", answered Discord and winked back at her. He snapped his fingers twice and was gone. Only a second later grape-juice poured over Twilight's form and the Unicorn burst out laughing.
Sweetie Bell froze in her bouncing and watched confused how the juice-soaked Unicorn laughed loudly. Finally Twilight had herself together again and with a quick flash of Magic she was dry and the floating ball of fluff was gone as well. "Really Sweetie Bell, I didn't do much", said the Unicorn and smiled down at the filly. "You always had that talent, you just never realised it. I only wanted to give you a chance. Even if your Cutie Mark hadn't appeared, it would've been a wonderful Hearts Warming Eve. You are a talent when it comes to singing."
Sweetie Bell grinned a bit, abashed, then said: "Well…okay…but still Twilight thanks."
Twilight nodded and then Sweetie Bell was already off. Snow burst up while she raced for Sweet Apple Acres to meet Apple Bloom and Scootaloo. With a chuckled Twilight turned away to head back to the tribe. She looked around. Equestria sure did look beautiful in winter.
"Destiny!" Twilight looked up, to find Justice gallop up to her.
"Yes Justice?"
The brown mare smirked and answered: "It's time for your little demonstration with Spirit."
Twilight felt a smirk crawl over her own features and laughed. "Everyone enjoys watching that, don't they."
"Certainly. Whenever you fight, we barely see it."
"Well, come then Justice. We wouldn't want to keep anyone waiting too long."
The two mares ran off and soon were back in their improvised village. Most of the tribe had already gathered and, to Twilight's surprise, quite some inhabitants of Ponyville, including her friends. She smiled at them and walked into the middle of the battle-field on the trainings-ground they'd created and took position. Spirit appeared from within the crowd and took position across her.
"What is this about again?", asked Dash Dream.
Hope's mother chuckled and answered: "Destiny and Spirit are our best fighters. Every now and then the two of them face off in a direct battle for training. It's always quite the event."
"Are you ready?!" Faith's voice, made louder by his magic, echoed over the hills. Twilight gave a frim nod, her horn glowing in preparation of the magic. Spirit did the same, his horn glowing as well. "BEGIN!"
In unison both Unicorns rushed forward and their blades met in the middle of the battle-field, a wave of magical energy rushing from the collision. The two sprang apart and advanced again. In raw physical strength Spirit overpowered Twilight easily, but Twilight was smaller and swifter and could easily evade attacks she wouldn't be able to hold.
Both used everything their magic had in this battle. From beams of raw energy, over conjured things and levitation, to their horn-blades. The blades were what both used the most though. It was the tribe's speciality when it came to battling with magic after all.
Spirit definitely got better, thought Twilight while she dodged a few snow-balls Spirit shot at her with levitation. They'd been going at it for about twenty minutes now when…
"Now? What is this?"
Everyone looked up, to find Discord coming towards them, followed by the Princesses. Twilight returned her attention to Spirit quickly and smirked. He was distracted. With a great burst of magic she created a snowball twice Spirit's size and flung it at him.
"Spirit!", cried Grace in warning. He spun back to Twilight, to get buried under the snow. Twilight allowed herself a short breath to relax a bit, then was ready again. The snow blasted away from Spirit, who stood under a white energy-shield. Then he rushed forward, his horn forming a blade once again. Twilight mimicked him and rushed forward once more.
Again their blades collided and Spirit pushed. Twilight staggered when she lost ground, but he pushed too strong. She couldn't dodge the blade if she moved out of the way now. "Give up?", grunted the grey stallion. Sweat had gathered on his brow and he panted for air, not that Twilight was in a much better state. With a growl Twilight wheezed: "You…wish."
She allowed some of her magic to leave the blade, making it smaller. Spirit pushed farther, but Twilight had what she needed. Gathering her magic, she sent it through her whole body and, in a flash of purple, she teleported to the other end of the field.
Spirit staggered forward, then spun around, to meet Twilight's blade.
The purple Unicorn smirked and allowed Spirit to catapult her into the air when he pushed her back again. Clenching her eyes shut, she channelled her magic once again and had purple light surrounding her. A strange sensation crept over her flank, but then it was over and Twilight flapped her new wings to stay in the air. Spirit scowled up at him and Twilight grinned at him.
She dived down, once again calling for her blade, and they collided again. Yet now that Twilight had the burst of speed from the dive and her wings, she was the one who had the upper hand. Spirit grunted when he lost ground, his eyes narrowed. Suddenly his blade disappeared and a blast of magic shot Twilight back into the air. She flipped upside down per accident, but steadied herself quickly and scanned 0hte ground for the grey stallion.
He was gone.
Scowling she called for some wind and had it brushing her bangs away. Now she scanned her surroundings with everything her second sight gave. The problem was, through their extensive moving around during the battle, her magic and Spirit's were spread far around the field, it was hard to locate anything. Suddenly she felt it. It came from above.
Twilight swerved to the side, barely avoiding being hit by a blast of pure magical energy. She looked up, but Spirit was nowhere to be found. That makes no sense, thought the lavender Unicorn. He can't move that fast unless… He thoughts trailed away when she heard it. Maniacal laughter she was so familiar with by now.
"DISCORD QUIT INTERFERING!", bellowed Twilight and glared down at the Draconequus. Discord simply grinned up at her, then collapsed mid-air and laughed louder. Celestia watched the Spirit of Chaos disdainfully, but Luna obviously fought a grin. Some of the other ponies on the ground laughed as well, while some were confused. Twilight scowled and dived down, tackling Discord to the ground. Discord gave a startled cry, before he started to laugh tears. Twilight, using chaos magic, had conjured up quite some feathers and tickled the pinned Draconequus mercilessly.
"A-ha-ha-alright…qui-hi-hit it! I-I-I I'll stop…Haha-have mercy", cried Discord and squirmed.
Twilight took off again and Discord snapped his fingers while he tried to return his breathing to normal. Spirit's magical energies reappeared behind Twilight and she turned to face the grey stallion. Spirit smirked at her and Twilight thought; Oh you smirk alright, while you still can.
She shot forward now, but Spirit deflected her attack with a shield. Twilight backed off and allowed the wings to disappear before she shot a few dozen snowballs at him. Spirit once again pulled up a barrier, to have Twilight tackling him the second it fell. He staggered back, slipped on some ice and fell. Twilight pinned him down immediately and held her blade to his throat. Both Unicorns gasped for air, their flanks rising and falling fast, but grins were on their faces.
For one more second everyone remained silent, then the watching Tribe-Members cheered, congratulating both for the great battle.
"What…was that now?", asked Fluttershy. Twilight, her friends, the Princesses and Discord had retreated to Ponyville's library so they could talk uninterrupted. "That? That was a trainings-battle between Spirit and myself. We do that every now and then", answered Twilight with a shrug, then threw a quick scowl at Discord, who still looked pretty smug.
"Sorry everypony", they all looked at Spike, who just came out of the kitchen. "We've got nothing to eat right now."
Discord grinned at this and Celestia sighed, when Twilight raised her hoof at the Spirit of Chaos and asked: "May I?" That had Discord grinning even more and he nodded. The Spirit of Chaos crossed his arms and leaned back, ready to see how well Twilight did.
"Twilight Sparkle?", asked Luna confused.
Twilight smiled that the Night-Princess and closed her eyes. She took a deep breath and dived into the Chaos stream nearby. It appeared that everywhere where Discord was, a chaos stream appeared as well. She focused her mind on what she wanted, then unleashed the magic. "Impressive!", complimented Discord and Twilight opened her eyes, to smile. On the table in the library stood a variety of different pies. Although which one, Twilight didn't have the slightest clue. "You have any idea what kind of pies those are?", asked Discord.
Twilight shook her head and stated: "I'm surprised I managed to conjure up pies in the first place. Last time I tried I accidently created a five foot candy cane after all."
Discord burst out laughing and wiped a tear from his eyes. "Oh yes, that was genius!" Twilight blushed at the incredulous looks she got from her friends, when suddenly…
"Apple, apple, Strawberry, Cherry…uh rhubarb, yummy." Twilight raised an eyebrow and stated: "And I'm not even surprised Pinkie can tell what kind of pies I conjured up by just looking at them." "UH! BANANA!", exclaimed the pink pony and turned to Twilight: "Can I have that one?!"
"Uh…sure", answered Twilight. Pinkie grinned and picked it up, before swallowing it whole.
"And ah'm not even s'prised", chuckled Applejack.
Twilight chuckled as well, then looked out the window. It had started snowing again, yet lately the days seemed brighter for the lavender Unicorn. Then again, maybe it was just because she finally allowed herself to hope everything would turn out right.
Tribe-Unicorns:
Spirit – dark-grey fur and a black mane and tail, cutie-mark the full moon
Hope – light-sapphire fur and a blonde mane and tail with bright-sapphire streaks, cutie-mark green Chickweed
Dream – beautiful dark blue unicorn with black mane and tail, sapphire streaks and a golden sickle-moon as cutie mark
Faith – pure white stallion with fiery-red mane and tail and green Chickweed as cutie-mark
Risk – dark-blue colt with yellow mane and a blue Hurricane as cutie-mark
Joy – dark-purple unicorn mare with green mane and tail and raindrops as cutie-mark
Justice – brown unicorn mare with yellow mane and an arrow as cutie-mark
Moral – black colt with red main, tail and eyes and a white cloud as cutie-mark
Grace – yellow unicorn mare with blonde mane and three orange-red leaves as cutie-mark
Wing - pale green unicorn colt with dark-green hair and a white quill as cutie-mark
Bliss - caramel-coloured unicorn colt with violet, spiky, mane and tail and black notes as cutie-mark
Trust – teal-coloured unicorn-filly with blue eyes and mane and an orange bird as cutie-mark
Astral – purple-coloured filly with a dark brown mane and tail and a silver star as cutie-mark
Chant – young orange-coloured colt with short and spiky olive mane and tail, no cutie-mark yet
Outcasts:
Skull – dark-green unicorn with brown mane and a grey skull as cutie-mark
Wish – red unicorn mare with grey mane and tail and a sword as cutie-mark