Empire of Mercy
Copyright© 2025 by Daelyx Len Auphydas
Chapter 8: The Braggart and the Egghead
By the time that the group has reached its destination, the somber mood has largely dissipated as Twilight and Rainbow take a look around. It seems like the high mountainside platform behind the palace serves as some kind of garden or nature reserve, as while there is still some traditional Canterlot architecture and the landscape still seems carefully cultivated for artistic purposes, it is overall mostly covered in flora that more resembles the mountain slopes below than the grass, flowers, and planted trees that line the main causeways of Canterlot proper.
“What are we gonna do first, Princess?” Rainbow Dash asks, waggling her body side to side like she was getting ready to leap. “You said you were gonna teach me flying tricks, right? Ooh! Or maybe some fighting tips?”
Twilight furrows her brow, looking ruefully over at Rainbow Dash. “I feel I should point out some of us don’t have wings. We should really start with something more practical. Like ... Calculus!” Twilight suggests, equally as eagerly as Rainbow Dash.
“Please, my little ponies, there is no need for fighting. You will both have your chances to learn what it is you seek.” Celestia chides. “But for today, I thought it would be best to get a handle on what you are both capable of. Though you have both already proven yourselves tremendously talented, I have yet to see much of what you can do under less strenuous circumstances.”
At this, a flicker of doubt crosses Rainbow Dash’s face, a slight recoil from Celestia’s words. The change goes unnoticed by Twilight, but Celestia picks up on it right away. “Do not worry Rainbow Dash, I am aware you are not yet at full strength again. I would not ask you to strain yourself, I simply wish to have a chance to see your techniques in motion.”
Rainbow Dash puffs out her chest indignantly. “H-ha, who said anything about being worried? I could beat anypony in a race hooves down, even now!” She sputters with bravado so painfully obvious even Twilight notices it, triggering Celestia to roll her eyes in response.
“Be that as it may, I must request that you take it easy, Rainbow Dash.” Celestia chides. “I would not see you injured again, and I do not believe it is necessary for you to exert yourself overtly for me to get an idea of your techniques and form. We can always test the limits of your endurance later.”
Rainbow Dash looks relieved, but keeps the face of false confidence up, waving Celestia off. “I mean, I guess I can take it easy. Wouldn’t wanna embarrass my teachers by out-flying them on the first day, after all.” Twilight winces at the obnoxious brashness of the pegasus, while Celestia merely giggles lightly in amusement.
“Twilight, why don’t you go first?” Celestia asks. “I had some chance to see Rainbow Dash perform at Cloudsdale, but I only caught sight of you performing magic while under the effects of the Rainboom. I should dearly like to witness your talents at work under more idyllic circumstances.” Celestia lays down on her barrel, looking awfully relaxed as she stretches out her wings under the sun. “Feel free to show me whatever you are most proud of.”
“Of course, Princess.” Twilight bows her head.
Rainbow Dash groans and rolls over onto her back. “Really? You’re gonna let her go first? Why do I even need to be here for this? Can I just go back to sleep and have you wake me up when she’s done?”
Celestia frowns, transfixing Rainbow Dash in a disapproving gaze. “Rainbow Dash, show some respect and pay attention. You may learn something as well.”
Rainbow Dash stares blankly up at Celestia. “ ... Eh? Exactly how would I learn anything? She’s a unicorn, I’m a pegasus.” As if to demonstrate this point, Rainbow Dash flares out her wings beneath her. “I don’t exactly think I’m gonna be learning any new flying tricks from her, if you catch my drift.”
“You would be surprised how much you can learn from studying how other ponies perform their unique talents, my young pegasus.” Celestia states in a reserved and level tone. “Even pegasus and unicorn magic have much in common. And should you ever find yourself locked in battle with a unicorn, it would serve you well to have an understanding of their capabilities.”
Rainbow Dash grumbles, but reluctantly flops back over onto her front. “Alright, fine.” She puffs out one cheek while watching Twilight.
What a stuck-up brat. Twilight thinks to herself indignantly. Why would the princess bring somepony like that here? At any rate, now Twilight has double the motivation to perform well here. But what can she do without the help of the rainboom that will impress all present? It’s a bit of a long shot, and she isn’t entirely certain she can do it, but... “I’ll need a little help for this demonstration.” Twilight announces after a moment. Celestia raises a brow, while Rainbow Dash scoffs.
“Seriously? You can’t even do magic on your own?” Rainbow Dash asks derisively.
Setting her jaw stoically, Twilight shakes her head. “I can do it just fine on my own, thank you very much! I just need somepony to help show its effects.” Giving a sly smile, Twilight looks over at Rainbow Dash and beckons her with a jerk of her neck. “Here, why don’t you help me? All I need is for somepony to try and attack me.”
Rainbow Dash gives Twilight a skeptical look, then looks up at Celestia uncertainly. Celestia just leans over to whisper something in Rainbow’s ear. Whatever she says, it seems enough for Rainbow Dash, as she crosses out in front of Twilight. “Alright, tell me when you’re ready.” Rainbow Dash actually sounds somewhat interested now. Probably just because she’s involved now. Twilight thinks dismissively.
Sparks of magic blaze out into the air as Twilight feels her horn conducting the reservoir of magic held deep down inside of her. “Alright, Rainbow, I’m ready!” Twilight announces, her eyes flickering open again as she looks up at the pegasus before her. Under her breathe, Twilight breathes out the words of a simple spell, giving shape and focus to the magic she wields. “Light within me, protect me without!”
Just as Rainbow Dash dives down at her, swooping with one wing at her, a flickering barrier of magical light pulses into existance where Rainbow Dash’s wing contacts it. The barrier fades just as quickly as it appeared, but Rainbow Dash has already been repulsed, hissing as a smidge of magical energy stings the leading edge of her wing where it impacted the shield.
“Ouch! So maybe you can fight, huh? Where’d you learn how to do that?” Rainbow Dash asks. That’s impressive, right? Or is that something any unicorn can do? Rainbow doesn’t actually know, glancing between Twilight and Celestia to try and ascertain what her reaction should be. Based on Celestia’s expression, she guesses she should be at least a bit impressed...? But maybe not too much. But ... Alright, that’s too much thinking for her, that spell is pretty awesome as far as she is concerned!
Twilight looks taken aback by the enthused response. “Uh, my brother taught me that spell! Shield spells are his specialty.” She finds herself explaining. What gives? She was completely checked out just a moment ago.
“Why did you tense up so much when casting it? Does it take physical effort, or were you just flinching in case I hit you?” Rainbow Dash asks, circling around Twilight with a curious gaze.
Twilight shifts, suddenly self conscious. “Um, the former. Casting spells is tiring work. It’s because a ponies magic is tied to their physical form, so exhausting one exhausts the other in turn.”
Rainbow Dash looks surprisingly interested given the previous attitude the pegasus had shown. “Huh. I guess your unicorn magic does have something in common with pegasi after all.”
Celestia chuckles. “I believe I said as much, Rainbow. I believe you and Twilight stand to learn much from each other as well as me.”
“Pfft, yeah, whatever. Let’s not get carried away, now.” Rainbow Dash replies. “So, what else can ya do?”
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