>BLINDING LIGHT
>You furiously rub at the little spots in your vision.
>Spike teeters against your leg, eyes whirling.
>"I hate teleporting." He mumbles.
>You lower your hands and blink through the spots to look around your new destination.
>The Canterlot Library.
>Celestia wastes no time getting down to business, you muse.
>It sure was nice of her to inform you of your now 'most important being' status.
>It sure as fuck was not nice of her to then declare you would undertake 'training', refusing to answer any questions.
>"It is vital that you take the first steps in understanding and mastering yourself, Anonymous."
>And then she flared her wings and let loose with MAEEEJA SUUON FLARU.
>For some reason she brought Spike along too. You look down and pat out a flame dancing on the end of his headspike.
>Another flash occurs and Celestia stands before you, folding her wings.
>"Welcome to the Canterlot library."
"That's great. Real neato. Now can you please explain-"
>"Patience, Anon. Your first step in your training is to search for a book."
>You look at her blankly.
"A book?"
>She flashes a slow smile at you. "All will become clear."
>You grind your teeth. Normally you are pretty cool with this goddess, but today she is testing your nerves.
"Celestia, look-"
>"It is quite a thick book, with circular designs on the cover. It will closely mimic the book that dear Twilight found."
"Uh huh. And could you give me a rough estimate of where it is?"
>You fling your arms wide to indicate the vastness of the library.
>And of course, she only smiles. "Why don't you ask young Spike here where to start?"
>Spike, who had been scuffing his feet, looks up. "Huh? Me?"
>The princess tilts her head at him with a knowing smile. "Do you not recall when you and Twilight came to this Library before?"
>The dragon taps his chin for a moment, until his eyes widen. "Starswirl's section?"
>She nods. "An excellent suggestion, young dragon."
>Before you know it, Spike is leading you down the isles.
>"C'mon Anon! It's just this way."
 
~~~~~~
 
>So here you stand, looking at the dusty shelves of identical book after identical book.
>Frustration curls in your gut.
>You've been here for at least half an hour and have found zilch.
>"Hey, what do you think about this one, Anon?"
>You glance over at the book Spike holds up to you.
"Sensible Sequences for Sewing Sessions?"
>The dragon's eyes peer over the top of the book. "For Rarity, you know?"
>You somehow stop yourself rolling your eyes.
"Yeah, sure buddy. Keep looking for the other book though, would you?"
>"You got it!"
>You turn back to scanning the bookshelf before you.
>Books books and more fucking books.
>How you could concentrate enough to find a specific book is beyond your understanding.
>You are tired. You are sore. Your throat has been subjected to all sorts of crap.
>Plus, you have no idea when you're going to start pining for gems again.
>And what would happen if you did not consume a gem? You don't know! Because nobody will tell you! WOW!
>You huff out a sigh and deepen your frown at the books.
>You've no right to bitch, really. At least you're alive. Twilight is alive.
>Celestia better start explaining things soon, though.
>The moment you find the stupid book, it's going right up her fat-
>"Anon! I found it!"
>You turn as Spike comes waddling up, carrying a book much larger than himself.
>Sure enough, the circular patterned cover reads 'Magic, Meteorology and Mining, An In Depth Look from Starswirl the Bearded'.
"Alright, let's take it back to Sunbutt and get this party started."
>Tittering at the nickname, Spike leads the way down the isles towards the central plinth.
>You find Celestia has settled herself on the raised step, casually leafing through some books.
>She looks up as Spike teeters to a stop and drops the book. A gentle nod confirms your quest was a success.
>The book is engulfed in twinkling magic as Celestia manipulates the pages.
>"Your situation, Anonymous, is not unheard of. Starswirl himself studied the phenonemon whilst he was a major professor here at Canterlot."
>You supress the urge to yawn. You sense exposition incoming.
>Spike however sits down eagerly. Too much exposure to Twilight, you guess.
>Celestia continues to flip through the book.
>"His notes are not particularly detailed, but it will give you an idea of how old this magic is. I will highlight the major parts for you."
>The flittering of pages finally stops as the book lays open.
>Realising she won't lift the book up to you, you sigh and crouch down to read.
>...most intriguing scenario. The subject's mouth upon examination showed no abnormality or extraordinary feature. And yet I was witness to the events prior; the gemstone parting as if it were mere papyrus when masticated...
>You look up with a raised eyebrow.
"There was something, somepony, that had this problem?"
>Celestia nodded. The book flutters once more and you read.
>...no explanation as to why the ability was not duplicable. One volunteer underwent the procedure, but upon testing was unable to fully absorb the mineral and suffered acute bowel problems...
>Ouch.
>You motion to the princess to flick the page, and she does.
>...perhaps the ability is rare for it requires primordial influx of Equestrian magic and phenonemae. My subject was unable to explain the events surrounding both her concievement and development of this brand of magic, but then Celly was ever one for mystery...
>You look up to face the alicorn.
"Celly?"
>The princess closes her eyes as a field of magic generates in front of her.
>In a small shower of sparks and magic dust, a tiny ruby appears.
>At the sight of the gem, your stomach lurches and you feel your pusle begin to beat in your eardrums.
>Fuck, not now.
>You watch as she levitates the ruby up and, not missing a beat, eats it.
>Just closes her mouth around it and chews.
>You feel yourself hold your breath as time passes. The hunger in your stomach slowly recedes, the promise of gem fading.
>Finally, Celestia swallows daintily, and hums.
>Minutes pass. You tap your thigh absently.
>Suddenly the goddess hiccups, and a small flame blooms from her mouth.
>Well fuck.
>"Wow!" Spike says. He then suddenly frowns. "Wait. You can make gems with magic?" I could've been getting free snacks all this time!?"
>As Celestia quietly laughs at the dragon, you fold your arms as you ponder things.
"So you were Starswirl's subject?
>"I was his first, and only, subject." She says with a tired smile. "He was desperate to find others with the same ability, but as Luna was banished and-"
"Wait, wait, Luna can do this too?"
>The goddess pauses before slightly shaking her head. "I'm ahead of myself, excuse me."
>The book of exposition is levitated away as Celestia settles herself.
>You decide to park your butt on a nearby stack of wide books.
>"Anonymous, what do you know about gemstones?"
>You ignore the pang in your gut at the mention of the cursed rocks.
"Uhm, they're solidified crystals...from the ground, and uh..."
>Celestia simply shakes her head. "I understand that your place of origin lacks any conceivable form of magic?"
>You nod.
"It's considered superstition, makebelieve."
>"Then I'm afraid that you lack the...insight into what a gemstone truly is."
>Celestia's horn revs up and a magical pattern is drawn on the floor in front of you.
>Looking closer, you see the sparkling lines form a crude map of Equestria, surrounded by pictures of fire, water, lightning, waves and...more waves.
>You assume these represent the 'elements' as you knew them on earth.
>"Magic is the most powerful force in Equestria, Anonymous. It is an energy that surrounds all things. It exists not as air, but as a flowing stream that those with the knowledge and skills can tap into."
>You nod. Twilight had said a similar thing at one point.
>"Like all energy, magic is never destroyed. It only changes, from one state to another."
>Next to the map on the floor, a small flame appears.
>"When I cast a spell, the magic I draw in takes on a specific state. If I wish to create fire, for example, the magic would have the fire attribute."
>A gentle flame appears on the floor in front of you, as mild as a candlelight.
>"And, when I have no further use for the spell, the magic will leave my control but retain that attribute."
>The light from Celestia's horn dies, and the fire quickly putters out.
"So what if you wanted to create a sundae? Or a lawnmower? Or a book? Or-"
>The goddess raises a hoof. "Please Anonymous. While I am a princess of many years, I do not have all the answers. What I tell you is theory from Equestrian greatest scholars."
"So basically 'please don't read too much into this'."
>She gives you a wan smile, which you fail to return. Your silence, however, allows Celestia to continue.
>"Magic with an assigned attribute is unable to return the collective of Equestria. However, it must go somewhere. Where do you think it goes?"
>You roll your eyes, wondering how much more convoluted this can get.
>Luckily, Spike is falling for the whole thing.
>"Uh, the gemstones?" He ventures.
>The goddess nods. "Exactly. The magic collects in the earth, draws itself together, and becomes a gemstone. A solid form of magic."
>You whistle.
"Saying I believe this. The reason there's so many gems underground is because it's magic?"
>"Magic that is yearning to be free, Anonymous. Remember that. It is trapped magic, wishing to return to the collective flow that surrounds us. It is a scenario that has existed for generations."
"Generations?"
>"From the dawn of Equestria. And, as always with magic, it will find a way."
"What does this have to do with me, with you?"
>Celestia waves a hoof, ducking her head a little.
>"I won't trouble to tell you my age, but I can assure you that I have lived long enough to know that me, my sister and...select others, are only capable of doing what you can do now."
>The goddess magicks another small ruby out of thin air, this time levitating it towards you.
>Your saliva kicks into overdrive and you find yourself involuntarily reaching out.
>You grasp and shove the ruby into your mouth, chewing fast.
>Delicious delicious red things. Apples. Tomatoes. Beets. Meat.
>Oh my fucking god there is MEAT in here.
>When was the last time you had some juicy meat?
>You cannot stop yourself grinning as you enjoy yourself.
>It all seems over too quickly as you swallow the last piece. Your good feelings slowly peeter off.
>Now for the horrible heartburn and fire belching.
>"What do you feel, Anon?" Celestia asks quietly.
>You grimace even as the bubbling begins.
"I don't know. When I see the gem I'm all 'I want that'. And then, when I eat it, it tastes like so many things. And then-"
>You grunt as the heartburn builds and the flame bellows from your mouth.
>You wince as the last of the fire disappears
"Then that happens, which hurts like crap."
>"Is Anon going to be alright?" Spike asks.
>"Anonymous will be fine. The magic will not harm him, not intentionally."
>Intentionally??
>"what you have just experienced Anonymous, is how the magic returns to the collective. It draws us to it, gives us simple pleasures, and uses us to escape its prison."
>You cough as a wisp of flame forces itself out of your mouth.
"Wait, the magic I vomit back up is the gem? Magic is using me as a...a recycling plant?"
>"In essence, yes. You are now part of the select group of beings who are vital pieces of the magic cycle of Equestria."
>You lean back on your hands as you try to control your breathing. The last thing you want is hiccups.
"But that makes no sense. If the magic was returning to its neutral state, wouldn't it be something invisible and not fire?"
>"But it does, Anon. Don't you feel it?"
>You think back. It did feel like you were expelling a shitload of air when you belched fire, but it was a mediocre ball of flame.
"Alright, let's say I believe that too. Why does it taste like food?"
>The alicorn inclines her head. "As I said, it gives us simple pleasures. The promise and reward it gives is built from your own memories."
>Well that would explain the meat.
>"The magic, once released from its solid form, will quickly try to escape your body via the quickest route." Celestia manages to say without breaking a smile. "Of course, the process can be tiring and distressing at first. However, it can be controlled."
>"Like fireballs?" Spike pipes up.
>Now you're intrigued.
"Is there a way to control the magic I release?"
>As the goddess nods in agreement, you mentally fistpump.
>"It can be given many applications. It is still, after all, magic. For example, fire can be used to heat your body, heat an object, or yes create a fireball."
>Spike is chuckling, no doubt imagining some sort of fireball game him and you could play.
>You, however, are suddenly struck with a dark thought.
"And...what happens if I refuse? What if I don't eat the gems?"
>The goddess gives you a sad look. "I do not think that is possible. The magic will always find a way. I have been absorbing and releasing magic from gemstones for many years, Anonymous. I have never been able to ignore the..."
"The hunger?"
>She nods to your ventured word, and you slump.
"Great. So I'm stuck eating gems and being a slave to magic for the rest of my life."
>"It could be worse Anon!" Spike blurts out.
>"Agreed, Spike." Celestia speaks with sympathy. "Anonymous, you are now a very important piece of Equestria. Such a gift has only been bestowed upon-"
"Gift?"
>You practically hiss at her choice of words.
"How is this a gift? I can barely control myself, and my throat is being subjected to the worst treatment I ever thought possible. In what way is this a gift?"
>There is a hush as you realise you were raising your voice. Spike is desperately avoiding your look, and Celesta simply look at you.
>You notice a sadness in her eyes as she looks at you.
>"Anonymous, I understand your frustration. This is not a destiny I would grant to anyone. It is a gift-" She raises a hoof as you frown, "but it is also a burden. A terrible responsibility to the land. Your feelings are well placed on this."
>You nod sullenly.
>"And that is why your training is vitally important. You must understand the beauty, the wonder behind your new abilities."
>As you open your mouth to reply, a deep voice echoes around you.
>"Oh please. If you launch into the 'with great power' speech, I'll seal myself in stone."
>Celestia shoots to her hooves, magic primed.
>Spike ducks his head in fear.
>You simply groan in frustration.
"Fan-fugging-tastic. Now he shows up."
>"Langua-well, I guess you watched it there, Anon. Kudos."
>A green poof erupts on a nearby pile of books. It clears to reveal your least favourite diety Discord, eyeing you and your company with lazy eyes.
>"Celestia, dearest, whenever will you start inviting me to these little get-toge-"
>Celestia fires a laser at him.
>The stack of books explodes just as the spirit of chaos vanishes. All that remains is a smoking crater and fluttering pages.
>You flinch and look at the sun goddess, who is visibly stressed.
>"You are not welcome here, Discord. Leave. Now."
>"But Cellllyyy~" Discord's mockingly whimpers. His wide eyes appear atop a bookshelf.
>Another laser flies his way, but he nimbly dodges it by launching himself into the air.
>You can't help but admire the guy's gall as you watch him slowly descend to the floor in a relaxed pose.
>"Honestly, if you'd just spend as much time getting to know me as much as you try turning me into cheese, I think we would both be a little better off, hmm?"
"How did you find us?"
>You get to the point as Discord lands on the floor. The dragonnequus rolls his eyes at you.
>"Please Anon. You make it sound like I don't know what's going on."
>There is a pause as the two of you exchange frowns.
"Do you know what's going on?"
>"Maaaaybe." He says with a smirk.
>You turn to Spike and Celestia, putting on an astonished face.
"Is this guy for real?"
>"This meeting is private." Celestia grates out.
>"Oh, well I was never one for privacy." Discord drawls as he cocks one leg over the other. "Why not lay secrets bare with each other? As friiiieeeeends? I'm sure Miss Sparkle would approve very much."
>"Discord-" Celestia bites out the words.
"Wouldn't you agree, Princess? Nothing like airing a bit of dirty laundry in front of poor naive Anon here, right?"
>You push away the dirty laundry that flutters in front of your face.
>Wait. Flutter. You smirk.
"What about Fluttershy?"
>As planned, the spirit winces and gives you a glare. He wags a lion finger in your direction.
>"Oh no. You're not pulling that one again, Nonny boy."
>You nod as if in agreement, before turning to Celestia.
"Would you do the honors, Princess?"
>Luckily Celestia catches on quick, donning a smirk herself as her horn lights up.
>"Of course Anonymous. What an excellent suggestion, inviting Fluttershy here to see-"
>"Okay! Okay! I surrender!" Discord lurches to his feet and waves his arms. "Honestly, though, do I have to leave? I'd hate to miss out on all the fun."
>Celestia is about to give a retort, but you hold up your hand.
"Maybe. First, spill the beans. Why are you here?"
>Discord slams his butt onto a small chair with a pout and points at you with his lion claw.
>"Obviously I'm here for you, Anon. I picked up on your presence as soon as you got here."
"Presence?"
>He blinks and leers at you. "You don't even know what you are, do you?"
"Hey-"
>Celestia coughs. "Anonymous, as a part of the magic cycle, you will have a certain signature that others can detect."
>You and Discord stare at the sun princess.
>"Really? Are my ears deceiving me, or are you being honest, Celly!?" the spirit says with exaggerated awe.
"So I'm basically a walking beacon?"
>"Only to those who know what to look for." Celestia quickly says.
>You frown some more and point at the spirit of chaos.
"That's what you meant when you felt something at the Library."
>He rolls his eyes. "Duh. The whole Library was the epicenter, so it was hard to find the source. But once you were a fair distance away, I easily pinpointed you."
>You decide to ask the big question.
"What else can sense me?"
>Celestia is obviously uneasy with the question. "Many...many things. Old, ancient things."
>"Angry monster things mostly." Discord adds.
>You slump again.
"Wonderful."
>Discord smirks at you and drums his fingers together. "Oh, it won't be so bad my little Anon. Most of them will just want to rip you apart and devour your soul. But I have SOOO much more planned for you."
>You edge away a little, the distinct bad-touch feel running through you.
>Celestia quickly steps in front of you, flaring her wings.
>"He is under my protection, Discord. I won't have you twist him into your little puppet."
>At this, the spirit throws his head back in laughter.
>"Oh, oh that is just rich, Celly. Absolutely hysterical. You, of all ponies, accusing me of puppeteering."
>You notice Celestia's wings twitch and stiffen, but her poise does not falter.
>"Your humour is meaningless to me, fiend. I'm giving you one last chance to-"
>"To do what? Slink away and let you have all the fun? Perish the idea."
>"This is not fun! This is serious!"
>"Oh poo to your seriousness!"
>"You are not having Anonymous!"
>"And neither are you, if I have anything to do with it!"
>"Anon..."
>You look around, seeing Spike standing before you.
>"I...I really wanna go home." He whimpers.
>Oh god, your heart. The poor guy must be terrified.
>You grab the baby dragon in a hug.
"Hang in there buddy. We can go home soon. Say, this might take a while, why don't you try finding more books for Rarity? I bet she'll love that."
>The dragon's face brightens a little at the idea, and he quickly wipes his nose with his arm. "Thanks Anon. Call me when you're ready, okay?"
"You got it pal."
>You watch Spike waddle away, and turn to see goddess and spirit giving you a curious look.
"What? You seriously want him to watch you two fighting? Jeez."
>Celestia sighs and folds her wings. "I apologise Anonymous. Discord and I have never seen eye to eye."
>"Maybe it's because you're so stupidly tall." He mutters from his chair.
"Hey. Baby in front. Bad words to yourself."
>Your attempt at being the adult is met with a raspberry.
>You're getting real tired of all these cosmic dieties being up in your grill.
"Look, how about we let Discunt say his piece and leave."
>Celestia's eyes dart from you to the spirit in question before they finally close.
>"Very well."
>You barely have time to react before you Discord launches himself from the chair at you.
>Even as you back away, the embodiment of chaos winds his long body around you, leaving his long and irritating face on your shoulder.
>"Relax my little gem-muncher," He cooes as you stiffen, "Just lie back and think of diamonds."
>You grit your teeth as he flashes you a fanged smile.
"You know I can hit you from here, right?"
>"You can, but you won't." The spirit drawls. "Not once you realise how MY training is much more interesting. Unlike some prissy pony we know."
>You see Celestia snort in dismissal, yet her hooves are firmly placed on the library floor.
>You realise she's expecting trouble. With Discord wound around you, she probably can't get a clear shot at him.
>"Now, watch and learn my faithful student." The draconequus purrs as he holds out his eagle hand.
>He snaps his talons, and your eyes widen.
>In his claw is a gem. A bright red ruby. Much larger than the one Celestia fed you. Roughly the size of your palm.
>Saliva falls begins in your mouth, as expected.
>The spirit chuckles and visibly licks his lips.
>"Tasty looking, isn't it?"
>You nod dumbly.
>"Now, I want you to take it. But DON'T eat it."
>You frown, feeling some part of you instantly rebelling against the words.
>Not eat this beautiful tasty gem? Impossible. Unheard of.
>Your fingers tremble as you slowly raise your hand, letting Discord drop the ruby into your open palm.
>As your fingers glide along the cool faceted surface, your mind reels from the hunger pulling at you.
>Now recognising it for what it is, you feel the hunger is different.
>It's separate from you. The magic inside of you is creeling and writhing for the gem.
>Wave upon wave of persuasion and sensation hit you constantly.
>You want this. You need this. You will do everything you can to eat this colored rock.
>"Fight it." Discord urges you. "Don't listen. It's not you. It doesn't control you. You control it, hear me?"
>You grimace as you feel sweat break out over your body.
>You need it.
>Eat it.
>Do it.
>You need to eat it.
>Eat it.
>EAT IT
"F-Fuck!"
>You taste blood as you bite the inside of your cheek.
>The need is unbearable. It feels as if your stomach is turning inside out.
>You hear Celestia call your voice, as if from far away. You can barely hear anything over the blood pounding in your ears.
>You blink back tears as your legs shake and your body struggles underneath the war raging within.
>Through your swimming vision you see Discord's face.
>He's absolutely enjoying himself. Asshole.
>"Now, crush the gem."
>His words register through the cotton wool in your head.
>Your fingers tighten around the ruby, but nothing happens. You feel so weak.
>"Crush it. Imagine it shattering into a million pieces. You control the magic, Anon."
>Deep inside yourself you think you hear a growl. Was it your stomach? Or your sanity?
>Your fingers tighten further. The edges of the gem begin to press painfully into your skin.
>Eat the gem.
>Break the gem.
>Eat it.
>Smash it.
>Eat.
>Smash.
>Who's in control here Anon? You or some dumb magic crap?
>ANON SMASH
>You force air into your lungs as your arm starts to shake. You keep trying to tighten your hand, ignoring the pain.
>With a blink, you register something. Your fingertips are sinking into the gem.
>It's like a ball of really hard silly putty. Slowly but surely the ruby molds to your hand.
>With a grunt, you squeeze harder. A large crack crawls along the gem's surface.
>More cracks form. You are fingers deep inside this ruby hot damn.
>SMASH
>It shatters.
>Shards and fragments fly out in all directions.
>And then they stop. The bits and pieces float in the air around your closed fist, halfway through their explosion.
>As quickly as it happens, the shards fly back towards your fist, as if someone hit the rewind button.
>They piece your skin and disappear, leaving no pain and no marks.
>Yet immediately you feel sated, as if you had just eaten.
>Slowly your hearing returns, and you register Discord's rolling laughter.
>You glare at the draconequus still coiled around you.
>He hiccups and wipes a tear from his eye.
>"Oh, it's so precious to see a first timer fight it!"
>You are seriously pissed off at this asshole.
>You hear the clop of hooves and look round to see Celestia approaching you.
>"Anon, are you...ok?" She asks with concern.
"Do I look ok!?"
>The goddess winces at your tone, and even you are surprised at the bite in your voice.
"Sorry. I just feel...I don't know."
>"What you feel, Anon my dear boy, is power." Discord unwinds himself from you and grins. "Raw magic power, free for you to use as you wish. How does it feel?"
>You flex your hand, expecting some sort of tingle or YOU GOT THE POWER feel.
"No different."
>Discord smirks and folds his arms.
>"Oh, I'm sure you feel something. And I just bet you're itching to smash another gem, aren't you?"
>You frown. All that effort over nothing.
"Nope. What a waste of time. And I didn't even get to taste stuff."
>The spirit snorts and waves his lion paw dismissively.
>"Yes, well, you probably just don't know how to handle it yet. But with my help, you could become great."
>He draws himself up to his full height, fully in 'maniacal crazy' mode.
>"Think about it Anon. You. Me. All the gems you could crush in your grip. Equestria would be ours! Chaos would finally rule! And I would stand victorious!"
>You hope he doesn't-
>Nope. There it is. A maniacal laugh. How predictable.
>Just as Discord takes in a breath to keep on laughing, a laser hits him square in the chest.
>The spirit of chaos disappears in a puff of acrid smoke.
>You blink, turning to see the fierce look in Celestia's eyes as her horn dims.
>"I always hated it when he did that." She huffs.
"Did...did you just kill him?"
>The princess merely flicks her ear. "Discord is not so easily beaten, Anonymous. He will return, though I hope your training will be complete before then."
>You roll your eyes at the thought of more training.
"To be honest, I'd rather go back home."
>Celestia looks at you sharply. "Anonymous! We don't have a lot of time. Your training-"
"I've had all the training I can stand for today. I'm exhausted."
>"We have so much to cover. You need to be versed in every gem, know every setback, be aware of every temptation."
"Can't it wait? Seriously?"
>"No!"
>You blink at Celestia's harsh tone. She's actually frowning at you.
>"I won't let you out of my sight! I won't fail you!"
>You flinch a little as she stamps a hoof in anger.
"Jesus."
>Your voice seems to register, and her glare loses all intensity.
>"My...my apologies, Anonymous. I guess, if you are truly tired, we...we can continue your training tomorrow."
>You nod, hoping scary Celly doesn't make a return appearence tomorrow.
"So...teleport?"
>The princess nods, and her horn lights up once again.
>In a flash, Spike appears in front of you, carrying a bunch of books.
"W-Whoa!" The dragon staggers for a second. "Are we done now?"
>You try to reply, but are hit by BLUINDINGA LIIIGHTU
>You need sunglasses.