Turning the Glass Chapter 27: The Test, a my little pony fanfic

I do not own MLP or Norse Mythology

Chapter Twenty Six: The Test

"Where are we going?" asked Twilight taking note as Rainbow Dash flew up. Hades merely touched his horn against a wall at the end of the hall. A swirling black portal opened up and he held out his hoof saying. "Helheim."

Twilight was about to ask where that was but decided to just see for herself. She knew that there were a lot of things that she didn't know. Even as the newest princess. The group walked through the portal into another cavernous area made from ice. All around the ponies as far as the eye can see there was ice and stone. Though there were some plants growing the place felt very unwelcoming.

"More visitors Hades?" cooed a female voice as something brushed past the newest princess causing her to yelp. "And not your dear sisters."

"They are not my sisters Hela." Hades growled back his eyes narrowing. "They are here to take the test."

"And why aren't Celestia and Luna?" questioned the voice with a slight laughter before pausing. "There are two who can take the first test. The others will return when Urd summons them."

The girls headed out with Hades and Rainbow Dash followed slowly. Her eyes glanced around looking at the ice caverns they were in. She closed her eyes an image came to mind of the Sky Diamond. When she opened her eyes and looked forward she found herself staring at a large wall. Screeching to a stop the rainbow maned pony looked around for her friends.

"Is this... the test?" questioned the weather pony walking up to the wall seeing the focus point, the Sky Diamond. "But how?"

Pressing a hoof against the wall, the sky blue pegasus stood back watching it crumble. Rainbow watched the hallway change from normal stone to clouds. Taking a deep breath the rainbow maned pony entered the test watching as the entrance close behind her. Taking a step forward Rainbow Dash managed to find her way to the first room where a large white tree wrapped around a stone stood in front of three walls. There was writing on the stone so the athlete moved to read it.

"One brings chaos but never lies
One brings harmony but hides the truth
One protects but never chooses.
Pick the one you will follow."

R.D.'s ears went against her head as images appeared, this wasn't like the test she took where there was a right answer. Looking up at the images of Discord, the Tree of Harmony, and the Crystal Heart.

"I would never be able to choose between my friends!" she spoke looking around putting her foot down. "YOU CAN NEVER MAKE ME CHOSE BETWEEN THEM AND I WILL PROTECT THEM WITH MY LIFE!"

A light shown from the wall with the Crystal Heart before it shattered. Huffing Rainbow moved forward down the hall watching as a rainbow wall took its place. Walking down the hall the magenta eyed pony kept her eyes forward. Right now she needed to find out why she was here.

The next room looked like the main room in her house with just a stone resting before three walls where her doors used to be. Moving to the stone the athlete read.

"Which do you value more?
Courage?
Power?
Wisdom?"

Three drawings appeared, one of a sword, the other of a hoof holding a hammer, and the last of a book.

"That's easy! Courage!" spoke Rainbow as the wall with the sword shattered. "So wait, I don't have to touch the wall in order to go through this? I'll only do that when I can't figure out which one is which."

Moving forward the pegasus actually took a little of time to examine her surroundings. It seemed like any other place in Cloudsdale but there was something different. Pausing for a second Rainbow Dash placed a hoof against the wall it sunk for a bit before she touched something solid.

"Stone?" she asked out loud before taking a step back and shot out a burst of wind causing all the clouds to fly away revealing a stone hallway with vines growing up the wall. Looking out the window again the mare noticed that she was on a floating city hovering all by itself. Taking a deep breath the weather pony move forward. The next area had large archways each facing a wall. In the middle of the archways was a tombstone. Rainbow had to wonder why it was always a large stone. The pony sighed before reading the next question.

"What do you utilize more often?
Your heart?
Your mind?
Or your strength?"

The images appeared on the walls after the arches glowed. The first was of a heart, the second of a brain, the last a hoof with flames around it.

"My strength." she spoke before heading to the wall with the hoof with the red flames surrounding it. The wall shattered allowing Rainbow to continue. It returned as a red waterfall. Rainbow Dash felt like she had travelled for hours when she finally got outside. An obelisk stood next to a broken bridge. There were three islands off in the distance: One holding a castle, the second a tall mountain that went higher than before, the third of a serene rainbow lake. R.D. walked over to the obelisk choosing to read the inscription out loud. "Oh weary traveller choose one to rest your head. One leads to great adventure. Another leads to vast knowledge. The last to peace and serenity. That's easy, adventure!"

"Oh weary traveller choose one to rest your head.
One leads to great adventure.
Another leads to vast knowledge.
The last to peace and serenity."

The rainbow maned pony took off as fast as she could towards the mountain. She couldn't fly up all the way so she landed on the ledge closest to where she was. A cave was near by and Rainbow decided to enter it. Red crystals lined the walls giving off light so Rainbow could see in front of her. That was when the fast flier noticed a room up ahead. Inside were three walls in a large cavernous room. In the middle was a table with a tablet on it and lining the walls were cases. On the left wall were swords: A short sword, a long sword, and a claymore. The middle wall contained three tomes: A white one with gold, a black one with gems, and a brown one with vines. On the right wall were shields: A small wooden shield, a medium sized iron shield, and a large steel shield. Moving up to the tablet Rainbow read.

"Choose one of the nine to continue on.
The sword to prepare yourself against unknown foes.
The tome to learn and use.
The shield to protect and defend."

The rainbow maned pony walked up to the sword case and looked at the long sword. Pressing her hoof over it the case vanished and the sword appeared on her back. The weather pony moved on through the tunnel that appeared. The next area she came to had three doors each had their own gems set into the door. The left door held a rising sun with a sunstone, the colors were the colors of the sky when the sun rose. The middle door held a pearl represent the fully risen sun the wall and door were blue and white like the sky. The last door and wall were dark with stars lighting the darkness. A crescent moon shaped moonstone rested on the door. Writing appeared over the doors.

"Which do you prefer?
Morning?
Midday?
Night?"

"That's easy." Rainbow said before heading to the middle door and entered it. Walking down the hallway the rainbow maned pony wondered why she was able to take the test. Before she could continue with that line of thought she came to another cave. This one had three doors as well but this time it had words engraved into the surface. The first door had 'past', the second door had 'present', the last door had 'future'. In the middle of the room was a sun dial but instead of the normal time keeping device there was writing.

"Choose wisely friend for you will find
This question is about time.
Will you go to the past to discover secrets lost?
Continue your journey in the present?
Or find out what your life is like in years to come?"

Rainbow tapped a hoof to her face before heading to the future door. She was curious about what it was like. Plus there was an adventure in the unknown. Walking through the door and down the hallway she soon found herself in a large circular room with stain glass windows on the wall. There were three with suns: A midday sun over a vast plain, a sun on a cloudy day overlooking a mountain, and an eclipsed sun over Canterlot. Three windows with moons as the main design: A full moon over a forest, a full red moon over the sea, and a golden moon settling in over a large field. The last three windows that held a common theme were stars: A red star, a white star, and a blue star. The red star was over a mountain, the white star over a forest, and the blue star over a lake. A tablet on a table sat in the middle of the room. Walking over to it the rainbow maned pony read.

"What do you find yourself taking a liking to more?
The sun and its all encompassing warmth?
The moon and the light it brings to the night?
Or the stars and their cold beauty that guides weary travelers?
Though be careful, each light has its own choices."

Biting her lip Rainbow looked at the the windows, she stepped to the glass holding the normal sun. As she stared at it something caught her eye, walking through the plain was herself and a deer. In front of them was a white butterfly, pressing her hoof against the glass to get a closer look only for it to shatter. The pony sighed walking forward before finding herself in a large white room. In the middle was a large obelisk with white writing on it.

"What is your greatest desire?
To find love?
To gain power?
To find peace?"

Rainbow watched as three images appeared. One was of her with a familiar looking stallion. They were flying together in the sky with happy looks on their faces. The second image was over her taking down a horde of enemies by herself. The last was of her just relaxing on a cloud a look of content on her face. The rainbow maned pony began to head towards the middle image before pausing. 'Is it my greatest desire? My dream above all else is to join the Wonderbolts. If I gain power and don't join them what use is my dream?' thought the pony looking at them again. Her ears went flat against her head before looking back to the image of her with the stallion then to the image of her relaxing. She didn't know which to choose closing her eyes she listened to her heart for once instead of instinct and brash decisions. Walking to the left Rainbow knew that the one thing she wanted most is love. She wanted to be loved and adored by everyone so she didn't have to feel alone again. Touching the face of her older self she noticed that she smiled back at her before waving as they vanished.

The walk to the next area was short. It was a large room where equally large statues of her friends stood. Each had a word at the bottom of them. Loyal, honest, brave, strong, laughter, kind, generous, friendly, patient. There was a pedestal resting in the middle of the room that read:

"Which trait do you value in a friend above all else?
A loyal friend who will never leave your side above all else?
An honest friend who would always tell you the truth?
A brave friend who will always have the courage to tell you when you are mean?
A strong friend who will protect you no matter what?
A friend who will always make you laugh?
A kind friend who is always there for you?
A generous friend who will always give you what you need?
A friend who is a friendly pony?
A patient friend who will put up with you even when you hurt them accidentely?"

Rainbow sighed knowing which one she knew she valued more. Walking up to the pedestal of Spitfire. She pressed a hoof against the word watching the statue move away allowing her to continue. Walking down the hall she soon found herself in the white room again with the black obelisk. This time red words appeared revealing the next question.

"When your time has come and you could choose
How would your life end?
Being at peace with yourself?
Fighting against the enemy?
Protecting the ones you love?"

The rainbow maned pegasus looked at the images appearing. One was of her old and grey sleeping on the only cloud in a clear sky. She was wearing the uniform of a Wonderbolts instructor. Next to her was Scootaloo brushing a hoof through her hair. The squirt was wearing a Wonderbolts uniform with a sad smile on her face.

The next image was of Rainbow fighting against large swarms of demons a sword made of a rainbow in hoof and armor that shined brightly equipped. She was heavily wound and had the look that she was not going down without a fight.

The last image was of herself protecting Twilight and Pinkie from a hit from an unknown source. The armor was in the midst of shattering and Twilight had a look of panic on her face. Pinkie had tears running down her face but never letting go of the purple alicorn's hooves as a light shown in between them. Rainbow touched the last image a tear streaming down her face as she closed her eyes. The image faded allowing her to continue forward. The next room was dark except for the lights coming from the doors and the wording above them.

"Which do you find yourself looking at more?
A full moon?
A half moon?
A new moon?"

The moonstones were cut in the shape of a full and half moon. The last stone was an onyx. Moving forward the fast flier touched the door with the full moon pushing it open. There at the end of the hall was the Sky Diamond etched into the stone. The wall slowly lowered revealing a cove with the Sky Diamond. Entering the area Rainbow felt the sword lift of her back entering the focus point. A light shot out as a pegasus flew up into the hair before morphing into a sword in front of a helm.

"Congratulations Rainbow Dash, Bearer of Loyalty." a voice resounded from all around the sky blue pegasus causing her to look around her. "You have proven that you are ready to receive my gift. Come focus on my voice."

Rainbow closed her eyes. When she opened them she found herself standing in a dark area where a tree stood.

"Welcome Rainbow Dash." a voice spoke out and the crystal tree stood. Rainbow turned to look at it and was surprised to see it was the Tree of Harmony.

"Yes I am the Tree of Harmony and please refrain from asking questions we do not have the time." said the tree causing the weather pony's mouth to snap shut. "Apologies. Ahem. Rainbow Dash, you have proven yourself to your element. By choosing to remain with your friends instead of leaving them once again you have proven yourself a true bearer of loyalty. I here by give you the Gift of Loyalty. With this gift I give you have the power to see the flow of the wind and can bend it to your will. Magical abilities can be deflected and reflected back towards the user. You bring out the true loyalties in ponies whether it be money, the princess, even Sombra. Stay true to your friends Rainbow Dash but also don't forget you have to be loyal to your own beliefs. Now go, your friends are waiting."

Rainbow Dash closed her eyes thinking about her friends and feeling herself return to reality.

Pinkie Pie knew something was up when Rainbow slowed down. She turned around to say something as she caught a glimpse of an oval shaped sapphire. When she fully turned around the pink pony found herself staring at all wall.

"About time!" she said with a grin on her face looking up into the sky before heading over to the symbol of the entrance. Pressing her hoof against the symbol the door opened and the party pony bounced in. The walls were ever changing not landing on a specific form or style. One moment it was the rock farm she grew up in the next it was Ponyville market square. When she got to the first room she immediately read the stone:

"One brings chaos but never lies
One brings harmony but hides the truth
One protects but never chooses.
Pick the one you will follow."

"That's silly, Discord has lied before... well just when he was trying to get out of reformation." Pinkie stated before bouncing over to the picture of Discord on the wall pressing her hoof against it. "Doesn't mean I don't trust him now."

With that said the party planner bounced through the now pink and white checkered hallway. She giggled as chocolate rain poured down enjoying it thoroughly. The next room was the landscape of the Capital of Chaos. The large stone in the middle was floating in the air. Pinkie Pie bounced over to it as stones began to appear and she leaped on top of them. Reading the stone carefully as the entire world turned upside down.

"Which do you value more?
Courage?
Power?
Wisdom?"

Pinkie giggled as the symbols appeared in the air. Bouncing over to the sword which vanished and let her to the hallway. It had changed again to the spookiest cave in Equestria. The monsters roared as the fun loving pony skipped through giggling and making faces at them. When she got to the room with arches she just hopped right up to the stone to read.

"What do you utilize more often?
Your heart?
Your mind?
Or your strength?"

"That's easy." laughed the pink maned pony as she bounced over to the wall with the brain. It glowed blue and vanished allowing her to continue on. Now walking through the hallway lined with file cabinets Pinkie stopped to read what was in them. It was everything she knew about everypony. She stopped when she thought about Ire and her ears drooped for a moment. She had wanted to spend time with her other self. Without her inside Pinkie didn't feel complete. Moving onwards the pink earth pony found herself outside where scraps of info flew away in the wind. There was a path in front of her that split and led to three different areas. One was the castle of the two sisters, the second was the mountain where they met the dragon, and the third to the lake where she and Dash nearly pranked Fluttershy. The obelisk shone in the sun and Pinkie walked over to it and read:

"Oh weary traveller choose one to rest your head.
One leads to great adventure.
Another leads to vast knowledge.
The last to peace and serenity."

The party planner just bounced off towards the castle. She was always curious about other ponies and knowledge would help her learn more about them. When Pinkie entered the castle she decided to explore. 'Maybe I can find the room with the organ!' the party pony thought happily before pausing as she looked towards a room. Walking inside she found herself looking at all kinds of weapons. One case contained: A short sword, a long sword, and a claymore. Pinkie Pie hummed to herself as she moved past it, she wasn't really the type to slay her enemies with a sword. The next case contained tomes: A white tome, a black tome, and a brown tome. The last one held shields: a small wooden shield, a medium sized iron shield, and the last a large steel shield. A voice sung out behind the blue eyed earth pony.

"Choose one of the nine to continue on.
The sword to prepare yourself against unknown foes.
The tome learn and use.
The shield to protect and defend."

Tapping a hoof to the face the party planner looked at the tomes again before placing a hoof over the black one. She knew now not to judge a book by its cover.

"Or a tome by the cover." she laughed as the tome vanished and appeared on her back inside a saddle bag. Moving onwards down a dark hallway lit only by floating balloons with a light inside of them. The pink pony soon came to a room with three doors. A door with a sunstone representing the rising sun. The door and wall were the colors of the sun rise. The next door and walls were blue and white. The colors of the sky during midday and the pearl in the door glowed brightly like the sun. The last door and wall were dark blues with stars all around them. The moonstone cut into a crescent shape rested on that door. Writing appeared over the doors.

"Which do you prefer?
Morning?
Midday?
Night?"

"I love it when parties last all night!" she laughed bouncing to the last door and it opened at her touch. Walking through the darkened hallway lit by the stars Pinkie actually took in the sight. When she got to the next room with three doors and a sundial that said.

Pinkie just went through the middle door bouncing along humming a song that she had heard.

"Yeah! From you, I mean you do have it stuck in your head." giggled the party pony as she continued on. She stopped when she walked up to nine stain glass windows. Each having their own theme: sun, moon, and stars. The tablet on the wall read:

Pinkie smiled before hopping over to the full moon hovering over the forest watching a fox dance around a fire with a tiger sleeping in the background. The pink pony giggled as she placed a hoof on the glass watching as it faded.

Walking down a forested hallway the bubbly pony found herself in a large white room with a tall black obelisk standing in the middle. The pink party planner went up and read:

"What is your greatest desire?
To find love?
To gain power?
To find peace?"

Pinkie looked at the images appeared and went straight towards the one where she was partying with her friends. She bounced down the bouncy house hall that was there and soon found herself staring at statues of her friends and her sisters. She walked up quickly to the tablet on the table and read it:

"Which trait do you value in a friend above all else?
A loyal friend who will never leave your side above all else?
An honest friend who would always tell you the truth?
A brave friend who will always have the courage to tell you when you are being mean?
A strong friend who will protect you no matter what?
A friend who will alway make you laugh?
A kind friend who is always there for you?
A generous friend who will always give you what you need?
A friend who is a friendly pony?
A patient friend who will put up with you even when you hurt them accidently?"

"Easy! A friendly pony!" giggled Pinkie as the statue of Twilight moved to the side and she walked down the halls of the Golden Oak Library. She hummed to herself knowing Twilight had been avoiding the castle more often now. Perhaps she could find a way to get her to confess. Soon she found herself in another large white room with the tall black obelisk that read"

"When your time has come and you could choose
How would your life end?
Being at peace with yourself?
Fighting against the enemy?
Protecting the ones you love?"

Three images appeared, one where Pinkie was in bed surrounded by friends and family. She was old and wrinkly but still looked at peace. The second image was of her shooting her confetti canon at some demonic looking creatures. The last image was of her protecting Ire from an attack from a dragon. Pinkie stopped before heading for the image of her protecting her other self quickly. The image vanished and she ran straight into a hallway. Looking behind her Pinkie noticed that the other two images were still in the room. Soon the night sky over took the hallway as the pink pony found herself in a large field with three doors standing before her. One with a circular shaped moonstone, the second with a half circle moon stone, and the last with an onyx. White lettering appeared in the air.

"Which do you find yourself looking at more?
A full moon?
A half moon?
A new moon?"

The party planner bounced towards the door with the full moon watching it open before her. The night sky loomed over head as she bounced towards the exit as the wall slid down for her. The tome flew off her back and into the Seed of Beginning. A bud crept out of the seed and flowers grew. The petals fell into a vial which glowed. The wind kicked up around the pink pony before she found herself standing in front of the Tree of Harmony.

"I welcome you Pinkie Pie, bearer of Laughter." spoke the tree the crystals glowing, Pinkie Pie was about to squeal. "I do not have a gift to give to you than the one I have already given. The Pinkie Sense as you have called it. You were the first to be chosen, I had searched long and hard to find the right pony to bear the Element of Laughter. When I had found you it was with your family at your party. So instead of waiting I bestowed a part of the gift upon you. Now I have come to give you the rest."

The Tree of Harmony glowed and a blue light surrounded the pink pony for a second.

"You are now able to sense when a creature is in need of laughter and of a good time. You will be able to tell their likes, dislikes, and what they treasure the most." explained the Spirit of Harmony. "But most of all you are able to see into the future. Not the events that is set in stone but as ponies make a decisions you can see the result of those acts. These are the events that you can change."

"Thanks!" said the party planner before looking around and then vanishing. "See you next time!"

When she came back to reality, Pinkie glanced towards Rainbow Dash who looked at her. The pink pony smiled as she held out a hoof and the light blue pegasus took it. Off they went back to Ponyville.

Twilight followed the cat for some time before realizing that Hela was the cat. The black cat turned to look at her and smirked. Then they were led to a single room where an old pony once stood. Her mane and tail were long and white, her coat a faded gold, her eyes were blue and filled with wisdom.

"Greetings ponies, you are here to take my test. Hmm but you are not yet ready." spoke the old pony walking up to them. Her hooves slammed against the ground as she called out. "Lord Discord I require your mirrors!"

There was a sigh from all around them before the mirrors appeared. Twilight had to wonder just who this pony was that could tell request something from Discord without getting teased.

"Stare into the mirrors." instructed the old pony and the two ponies did so. Soon the two found themselves in a dark area.

Twilight looked around tense before seeing herself standing there. The other alicorn turned around saying. "Go away I'm trying to study!"

"Who are you?" asked the Princess of Friendship causing the other to roll her eyes as she shut her book.

"I am you, to be more specific the you that you push away, your dark side as it were." the Other Twilight explained with a huff. "Now leave me alone!"

"No pony wants to be alone." the princess told her other self walking over only for a barrier to be erected. "Why do you?"

"There is no need for friends." mumbled the other alicorn as she turned her page. "I don't need friends when I have my books."

Rarity walked around in the darkness looking for any sign of what her test was. Suddenly she found herself in an area filled with gems and gold. The white unicorn squealed as she looked around.

"Get away from my jewels." her own voice screeched causing the fashionista turn whip around. There was her other self standing there a crown on her head.

"I wasn't going to touch them, I was going to ask if I could have one from the owner." huffed the dressmaker causing the other Rarity to glare at her.

"No! They are mine, I'm not letting anypony lay a hoof on them!" hissed the greyscale unicorn her stance tense as if ready to defend her precious gems.

"Isn't it better to share?" Rarity asked looking at herself causing the other to huff. "No! They are mine! MINE!"

"It seems that we have a difference of opinions." growled the Element of Generosity.

"YOU ARE AS SELFISH AS I AM!" shouted the opposite element before leaping towards her other self who yelled. "STOP! Our hooves!"

"You're right." said the other mare looking at her hoof before sighing. "If we can't fight with our hooves perhaps magic?"

"Our mane." Rarity whined causing both to look to the side. "Besides, I know what its like to want to horde all of my things. But it isn't a nice feeling."

"What about Spike?" asked Twilight sitting outside of the barrier causing the other princess to look at her saying. "What about him? He doesn't need me. No one needs anyone. Being alone is the best feeling."

"But do you care about him?" questioned the alicorn causing the grey scale Twilight to startle before answering. "I... I... Yes, I still care about him. But I don't like it! I want to be alone! I don't need friends, or family, or other people around me. Yet when you bring him up I... I always want to be with him..."

"Even when I was always alone in my studies, Spike is always with me." the Princess of Friendship told her and the other Twilight lowered the shield allowing the other to walk in. "Even when you are all alone you still want someone there. I don't push you away because I want to be surrounded by friends. I just don't want to go back to being the pony I once was. Without my friends I would have never stopped Nightmare Moon."

"What do you mean that it isn't a nice feeling to horde?" snapped the dark Rarity as she looked at her jewels. "I have never felt more satisfied!"

"Well the more you horde, the more you push your friends away." Rarity explained moving away from the gems. "And when you stop for a moment to think about it you've lost what is most important to you."

"Well I should just horde my friends." huffed the Element of Greed looking away causing Rarity to chortle. "WHAT?"

"You can't horde both your friends and your jewels. It doesn't work like that." the white mare told the other. "When you let your greed effect you it makes you bitter, suspect your friends, and push them away. When you aren't generous you find it difficult to keep your friendships alive."

"But you are more like me then you think!" snapped the other Rarity causing the fashionista to say. "True, but I don't hide it. In fact there are times when I have to be a bit selfish. Because there is a balance, just like when there are days where you have to be upset there are days where I have to be greedy. However I know that whenever I want to be selfish I also have to be generous."

"You know you are the first one to not pick a fight with the darkness lingering in her mind." the Princess of Loneliness pointed out causing Twilight to laugh. "What?"

"It's because you told me to go away!" giggled the Princess of Friendship looking at her double. "Why would I attack someone who would want that?"

"I guess we wouldn't." the Element of Isolation mumbled before looking at her other self. "Sombra will be using us to fight his battles for him. He can't see what goes on inside the mirrors, only Discord can do that. He is the one who created the mirrors. I will go to Sombra when you leave. Just like what happened with Celestia and Luna, we both know that they had to face their dark selves before they could move on to the test. Which means Sombra both has Nightmare Moon and her sister. You need somepony on the inside, somepony who would probably be listening to his plans closely. Mind you Twilight that I will keep away from everyone else. I am not a pony who wants friends and the others will just get on my nerves."

"I still just want to horde." sighed the dark Rarity before looking at the other. "However I don't want someone bossing me around and telling me what I can and cannot do and using my greed against me. Sombra is going to get another thing coming."

"What does that mean?" asked the white mare causing the other to snort before explaining. "I want what I want and he will try to control me. I don't need liars and jerks trying to steal my jewels!"

"There we go." Rarity muttered before feeling a tingle. "OOOH! What was that?"

"You have passed your test." spoke Urd's voice and the fashionista startled. "You can now return."

The darkness faded but Rarity found herself not in the room they were in before she found herself standing in an area full of mist. Huffing to herself she walked around until coming face first into a wall. There was the Crystal of Arcane, or an etching on it. The area of the wall was cracked all over, when she put a hoof on it she watched it crumble beneath it. She jerked her hoof back not wanting it to get dirty, a light shown from the tunnel before vanishing. It revealed a beautifully decorated hallway, like one she would see in Canterlot Castle. Moving forward the seamstress ran down the hall trying to find her way out of this strange place.

The first area she came to was a room very similar to the throne room in the Castle of Friendship but no thrones or table stood there. Instead was a white tree wrapped around a stone and three gold doors laid within the walls. Green magic began to etch words on the stone. Rarity moved to read as images appeared on the doors.

"One brings chaos but never lies
One brings harmony but hides the truth
One protects but never chooses.
Pick the one you will follow."

"Now what does that mean?" asked Rarity loudly before looking at the golden walls. Three images were now etched into the walls. One of Discord, the second the Tree of Harmony, the third the Crystal Heart. The white unicorn walked over to the walls examining each closely wondering which one to choose. Her eyes landed on the Tree of Harmony, she knew that she brought harmony but she had some truths away from her friends. Moving forward she watched as the wall turned into blue gems before vanishing. The seamstress continued on down the hall.

The second area was designed like the throne room in the Crystal Palace, though like the other room it was missing the throne and the golden walls stood tall. A large crystal stood in the middle of the room. Writing began to appear in the same green flame at the same time as the images. Walking over Rarity read the next question.

"Which do you value more?
Courage?
Power?
Wisdom?"

Looking up there was another set of images. A sword, a hammer, and a book. The indigo maned mare frowned. She didn't know which one was power and which one was wisdom. The wall with the sword glowed once with a green light and the wall with the hammer glowed twice with a red light.

"I see, the hammer is power and the sword courage." muttered the pony before tapping a hoof to her chin. "I guess having power isn't a bad thing. But having the wisdom to use that power is a lot better."

Walking over to the stone with the drawing of the book Rarity pressed her hoof against it watching the wall break into blue gem pieces. The unicorn continued on to the next room.

It was the Canterlot throne room, the thrones were missing and large arch ways stood facing the golden walls. A tombstone stood in the middle of the triangle as the arches themselves turned gold. The runes on each were a different color. The archway facing the wall which soon had the drawing of a heart was green. The one facing the wall which had a hoof holding a sword had red runes. The last facing the wall with the brain had blue runes. The tombstone's writing held her next challenge so Rarity walked over to it to read.

"What do you utilize more often.
Your heart?
Your mind?
Or your strength?"

Rarity smiled before walking over to the wall with the heart watching it shatter into green gems. Moving down the hallway the seamstress soon found herself outside. In front of her was a path that soon split into three. One leading to a castle, the middle to a tall mountain, and the last to her right to what seemed like a serene lake. An obelisk stood next to the path containing the next inscription.

"Oh weary traveller choose one to rest your head.
One leads to great adventure.
Another leads to vast knowledge.
The last to peace and serenity."

Humming to herself, Rarity looked at each location carefully. She had to choose a place to rest her head. 'However each place grants something. The castle probably has vast knowledge, the lake is probably the peaceful place but there is no spa. That mountain has adventure all over it... and gems... and damaged hooves.' thought the proper pony before heading to the castle. It was the only place that sounded appealing. She headed left to the castle, when she got there she found that it wasn't as ruined as she thought. Heading inside the azure eyed unicorn before looking for a room to sleep in. That was when a gem caught her eye. Peering into the room Rarity found herself staring at weapons all behind glass. Three swords, three tomes, and three shields rested behind it. A tablet laid on the table saying.

"Choose one of the six to continue on.
The sword to prepare yourself against unknown foes.
The tome to learn and use.
The shield to protect and defend."

Rarity moved over to the tomes uninterested in the shields or swords, to her they were more likely to damage her then anything else. The white tome held a green gem in the middle with gold embroidery surrounding it. The black tome held a red gem with gold embroidery as well but in a different style. The brown tome held three blue gems with the gold embroidery crossing in between them. The seamstress tapped a hoof against her face again before moving to the white tome. Using her magic she watched as the glass turned green before shattering the book lifting up and going into a satchel that appeared on her back. The glass faded with the other two book appearing behind the table with the tablet. The entrance to a hallway appeared allowing her to continue onwards.

The next area was a three colored room lit by the gems on three doors. The door to the left held a rising sun with a sunstone as the sun. The door itself and the wall behind it was full of pinks, blues, and oranges. The middle door held a pearl representing the fully risen sun. The door and wall were sky blue with white tuffs of clouds. The last door was dark blue with the wall the same color but they were decorated with stars. A moonstone in the shape of a crescent moon sat in the middle of the door as words appeared over them.

"Which do you prefer?
Morning?
Midday?
Night?"

The white mare looked at the doors before heading to the door to the right. She loved the night, it was so peaceful and calm. Opening the door she continued down before coming to more doors. They were plain except for the wood and the writing. The door to the left was old and very ancient with the word 'past' written on it. The middle door looked like the one to her boutique with the word 'present' engraved into it. The door on the right was brand new with a look she had never seen before and the word 'future' appeared on it. Walking over to the tablet resting in the middle of the room on a table that looked like a sun dial she read her next challenge.

Rarity immediately headed for the door to the right, she had always wanted to know. The next hallway contained large stain glass windows like the one seen in Canterlot castle. There was three sets with the same images. Sun, moon, and stars. A tablet on the wall read.

Sighing the seamstress looked at the windows carefully before walking over to the gold moon over a field. Before she could touch it she saw an image of a battle taking place. There she saw Sombra standing over a wounded Spike grinning maliciously. Before she could see anymore the glass turned blue before shattering. Sighing the unicorn moved forward worried about what she had seen. Though when everything went white the indigo maned pony thought she died so she snapped back to reality before she walked into a black obelisk with gold writing on it.

"What is your greatest desire?
To find love?
To gain power?
To find peace?"

Rarity looked around as images appeared. One was of her with a mysterious lover though she did look very happy. The next was of her standing in front of an army though her demeanor was not cruel. The last was of her hugging her sister. Smiling to herself, the mare walked over to the image watching it glow with a green light before fading once again revealing a hallway. Walking down it she soon found herself in a large room with nine statues of her friends and Sweetie Belle all staring down at pedestal. Her element was on proud display as it was at the base of the next challenge.

Rarity smiled before walking over to the statue of Spike, the word 'Brave' written at the bottom of it. The statue glowed green before moving to the side and the unicorn continued on. The next area was another vast white room with a black obelisk. Walking up to the obelisk the seamstress read.

"When your time has come and you could choose
How would your life end
Being at peace with yourself?
Fighting against the enemy?
Protecting the ones you love?"

Rarity didn't even look at the images as she headed straight for the one where she was taking a hit for Spike and Sweetie Belle from Sombra. She would always protect her friends. The image glowed green before allowing her to pass. The newest room was pure dark lit only by the glowing stars on the wall, the white writing above the doors. There was a door with a circular black stone, a moonstone cut in half, and a circular moonstone. The writing asked.

"Which do you find yourself looking at more?
A full moon?
A half moon?
A new moon?"

The generous pony walked right up to the full white one and moved to open the door. It glowed blue before opening to reveal another hall. Traveling down it looking at the star gems she soon came to a wall with the symbol of the Crystal of the Arcane. The wall glowed green, red, the blue before vanishing revealing the crystal orb. Moving forward the tome lifted out of the saddle bag and shot towards the Arcane Crystal. When it entered a light shot into the air before turning into a black mist that encircled itself before taking the form of bats.

"I can't believe this." said Rarity before thinking of the room she was in. "I just want to go back."

"You shall." a voice spoke causing the unicorn to startle as she found herself standing in front of the Tree of Harmony. "I do not mean to startle you. I have come to give you a gift Rarity. The Gift of Generosity, you are able to sense what others needs even if they don't tell you. They do have to be near you in order for this to work. You are also being given the power of telepathy and your magical abilities that allow you to sense gems have been increased that you can manipulate gems to your will as well as communication through gems. Be safe Rarity."

Rarity felt herself get pulled back to reality.

Twilight found herself standing in front of the Tree of Harmony causing her to gasp. She was about to open her mouth when the tree spoke. "Greetings Twilight Sparkle, we do not have enough time to chat. I am here to give you two gifts. The Gift of Magic allows you to use magic without your horn. The Gift of Friendships allows you to see the strings of friendship and connections people have with each other. The thicker the strings are the stronger the bond."

"Will we meet again?" Twilight asked and the Tree just told her. "We will meet again but not in the way you expect."

The Princess of Friendship felt herself get swept out of the strange dimension.

"You have passed the first part of the test. You may return to your town until you have been summoned." spoke Urd and the two ponies realized that Hela was gone. "Lady Hela has a duty over the dead. I shall return you to your town."

The horn glowed and the ponies vanished, the unicorn's form shifted before changing into a shapeless being.

Twilight opened her eyes to find herself in her castle and Spike staring at her with a dumbfounded look.

"Spike? What happened?" asked the Princess of Friendship looking at her assistant and he just told her. "You appeared out of nowhere! What happened?"

"Well... I think we are going to have to train a lot more." answered the purple alicorn before sighing. "I'm going to see if Applejack needs help on the farm."

"Twilight?" questioned Spike feeling very worried about her. Twilight has been avoiding the castle a lot more often then not. The purple dragon headed down into the underground to see Aurora. The crystal dragon was reading a book when he went down there. Scootaloo was already present for their next lesson.

Please review and/or comment