open Ambition for Ascension

[ExplosionMare 18,007]

@Loud Opinion

It seemed that Octavia was finally in agreement with Starlight. She had come to realize, like many others, that a Cutie Markless world was the only perfect world. Octavia had considered the ideology to be brave, which was not entirely wrong. To accept and live with the truth was one of the bravest things a pony could do. However, this bravery was merely another step towards the equalization process, not a special achievement.

“It makes me so happy that you are finally understanding what I am trying to teach. I do agree that it is brave to accept the truth about friendship, but of course, this bravery does not mean your character is greater because of it. Everypony will accept the truth in time, which will make all of us possess the same amount of courage,” she spoke passionately, her eyes lighting up excitedly.

She glanced down at Octavia’s Cutie Mark, a pink treble. Starlight didn’t know much about musical talent, but she assumed it must come with a lot of pressure to perform well. She shuddered at the thought of ponies judging Octavia if she were to miss a couple of notes. Ponies could be cruel even to those who are better than them because they are envious of them. In Starlight’s village, Octavia would never have to worry about criticism or envy.

“Forgive my assumption, but I take it you have been criticized for your talent before? I know that sometimes ponies criticize those they believe are better than them in order to feel better themselves. What we all must learn is that creating a ‘social ladder’ is not only unnecessary, it is harmful. We are all ponies, therefore we are all naturally equals,” she continued. Starlight knew she was getting closer and closer to reforming Octavia. If she was convinced enough, she might fully accept her philosophy before they leave.

As they entered the temple, Starlight couldn’t help but revel internally over the pews. She could imagine herself preaching to a crowd of Cutie Marked ponies and watching them beam as they realized there was a way to live in complete happiness. She closed her eyes and pictured herself levitating a book over the crowd, their smiles expanding more each second. She spread the wings she was destined to earn proudly, proving that even a princess could be happy without a Cutie Mark. The crowd cheered and shouted and some shed a few tears as their burdens were finally lifted. Starlight bowed gracefully and thanked the audience for listening.

Edited December 28, 2020 by ExplosionMare

[Props Valroa 26,040]

@Loud Opinion

A flowing mass of darkness, almost like a liquid flowed through the shadow of the trees of the night. The darkness dripping and oozing with viscosity as it surged forth from shadow to shadow. From shadow to shadow, it slowly shifted and changed form. Upon noticing the humble V shape standing above the treeline, the flowing mass stopped. It studied the structure in almost every detail. From then forth, the flowing mass puddled onto the ground and seemed to rise up and take a three dimensional of that of a pony. Magnolia stepped forth from the darkness which seemed to form into her shadow.

Magnolia had arrived, currently unknowingly to the other characters as of this moment. Her gaze was that of pure emotionlessness and that of the void. She walked straight ahead, occasionally glancing to either side. The shadows of the forest seemed to welcome her as she proceeded towards the building. Once close enough to see the building she proceeded to observe it. Her form turning that to shadow once again.

The shadow moved along the dark forest floor surrounding the building. Surveying it. Sensing it, to see if this was a physical or magical construct. It moved from shadow to shadow yet again before looking for an entrance. She was sure that there would be others here and would be careful enough to observe anyone that would be here, should she prove to be correct in her assumption that there would be others here. She would study them, look for weaknesses in what they say and how they conduct themselves. 

Magnolia couldn't stand for anyone outwitting her or out-doing her. That would be such a travesty, wouldn't it?

[Loud Opinion 602]

@ExplosionMare

Octavia was not very well versed in ideology or philosophy. She never bothered with the political games as it seemed too similar to the aristocratic pleasantries she was already familiar with to bother studying.

However, she did have her own experience. An experience that directly contradicted Starlight's message. She painted disparity as a curse, but Octavia only ever knew it to be a blessing. She's always been gifted for her age, but that didn't mean she hadn't made great strides in her craft. Going from ceremonial side-show to orchestra lead to main-event soloist was the most rewarding life she could have wanted.

However, putting that feeling into words would have been challenging for Octavia. Besides, she was certain that the rabbit hole of Starlight's ideals extended much further. She knew very well how out of her element she would be to challenge Starlight directly. It ultimately felt easier to agree and not risk burning the bridge.

Octavia continued her canter to the note and read it aloud, oblivious to Starlight's episode of indulgence. "Please be patient. Our hosts are not very nimble. They will be with you when they descend the tower stairs". Only now, the sound of hooves hitting hard stone from above and beyond the tower door. The sound only got more pronounced as their source approached. A pony or two? The steps had no rhythm, making it difficult to tell.

@Califorum

Meanwhile, outside the temple, a thrashing beast the size of a bear was prowling the forest, scratching at trees to vent an unknowable feeling. Or was there any feeling at all? Magnolia certainly couldn't tell when it crossed her path.

It had no face to gauge and no posture to measure. Only a torso and several clawed limbs, all covered in a wolfish layer of fur. The limb's total was difficult to count as they kept overlapping each other as the beast perpetually stumbled over itself. There had to be ten at least; More than enough to shred a pony to ribbons if the deep cuts in the trees were any indication. It cut through bark like it was paper and grass like it was nothing. It stopped and turned. It would be facing Magnolia if there was any difference between the beast's back and its front. What was clear was that the perplexing ball of hurt was headed straight for her.

[Props Valroa 26,040]

@Loud Opinion

Magnolia turned towards the beast with a soul-less glare. She was not one bit threatened by such a thing, as she had dealt with monsters in the past. For a second she just stood there, blinking slightly as she looked at, her glare piercing the beast's soul, if it had one at all. She stepped back a little bit, her horn lighting up in an iridescent brilliant blue hue that lit up the nearby area. From thenceforth, darkness would seem to swarm towards her. Then it started to circle her silently.

The darkness swirled and swirled, before it lurched forth into the beast's path as it ran towards her and solidified into solid black crystal blades that seemed to rise up from the cracks in the ground, in which the moon's light created shadows within. She had intended to split the beast in half as it ran towards her, the crystal blades being extremely sharp as they reflected the moon's glint. The beast's velocity towards her would let the beast do the work for her, so to speak. She had hoped. As this all happened she stood there, un-phased and with that soul-less glare as she watched what was about to happen with a vague degree of carelessness. 

[Loud Opinion 602]

@Califorum

The beast never, never raising its pace, unceremoniously lumbered onto the crystal blade in its path. The magic didn't cut, but it didn't drain either. It burned. Smoke rose from the yellow and black as it continued to thrash into the blade. Instead of continuing its advance, it flailed violently in place until the magic was exhausted.

Such a fundamental disregard for what was possible had never been seen by Equestrians since Discord's rule. And the resilience! Magnolia's spell was the definition of perfection, yet the thing was still at full height. If the beast were allowed to continue its rampage, Magnolia wouldn't be unreasonable to expect the forest to transform into a graveyard within the month.

It was not untouched, though. Its fur had changed to dark gray on bright yellow as if the concept of pale injected itself into the thing. Its wicked dance seemed a touch slower but no less threatening. Magnolia could tell: this beast was, perhaps, a smidge closer to the grave.

Worse still, the shadows felt unsafe. Magnolia knew that something was waiting for her in the flat world. Like a crocodile waiting to snap at its prey. A lesser mage would have blindly teleported into certain doom. No living mage had ever seen a beast that could follow them through the opaque path, but it has been written. The thing that stalked the already engaged Magnolia was known as a Hint. Perhaps Magnolia would know more, but the text describing them was written in a dead language. All she knows is that the older books on dark magic mention them. "Beware the Hint when going flat! It is their world that we intrude. Not the other way around."

Edited December 30, 2020 by Loud Opinion

[ExplosionMare 18,007]

@Loud Opinion

Starlight half-listened to what Octavia read aloud on the note, still enthralled by her own speeches. All she could recall is that others would be joining them in the temple soon. It turns out she was right before in assuming others would be joining them here. A huge, ornate building like this wouldn’t just be abandoned. Starlight sighed happily, daydreaming once again about all the new friends she take back home with her.

Wait, could these ‘hosts’ be the ponies that have the power to give me wings? I certainly can’t remove their Cutie Marks until I have the power of an Alicorn Starlight reasoned with herself.

Well, it was not like she couldn’t share her message with them later. Once they see how she will sacrifice power and status for a humble friendship, the hosts will see how much more freeing it is to live in simplicity and give up their powers. They will be recognized for their contribution to her, of course, but only in the most basic sense. Starlight is the leader of her village, but she has no more power than the rest of her villagers. As soon as they arrive, Starlight will teach the hosts everything they need to know about equality, acceptance, and friendship.

Edited December 30, 2020 by ExplosionMare

[Props Valroa 26,040]

@Loud Opinion

Magnolia deep down felt uneasy about this situation, she hadn't encountered this place before and what it had contained, although she was sure that her ability would prove to triumph over any challenge she encountered, she wasn't stupid.. She turns towards the beast with an absent gaze devoid of all emotion and mercy. Magnolia watched the beast as she proceeded to avoid any potential strikes from it. Yet still, she hadn't spoke to it. Perhaps she considered that a fruitless endeavor. Then with the brilliant blue hue of her horn that illuminated the area, she worked up another spell. Around her various circles of blackness formed before black crystalline spikes surged forth from them. Making 'zoop! zoop!' noises as they flew through the air at a surging pace. Their target? The beast. She had intended upon distracting the beast with the pain of the dark crystalline spikes.

But she could waste her time on the beast no longer and her form turned from that of a pony to a shadowy mist and surged forth past the beast towards the temple. She was curious about this temple now. It was strange. In her mind she questioned why such a structure would be in an unhospitable place, unless whoever created it wanted to hide something here. Although still, she looks back at the beast to make sure it wasn't pursuing her further. If it was, then she would intend on putting it in the grave once and for all time. It wasn't an act of mercy, rather a distracting move to give way to her real goal. 

"If this is a waste of my time there will be heads rolling..." she spoke mentally to herself. As far she was concerned she was the only one here. 

[Loud Opinion 602]

@Califorum

As the protrusions converged on the beat, it proved to be fruitless. Like an octopus, the beast disguised its center of mass. The spikes were easily dodged as it moved all of its limbs at once. Like an octopus, it griped them to rise in tandem.

The beat flailed at the dark mist enveloping him. With Magnolia in her divided state, the burning of the magic maintaining her spell permeated throughout the caster. It was as though Magnolia drunk a gallon of oil and charged into an open flame. If she had spent half a second longer getting past the beast, she would not have had the strength to go on. Getting into a fight at this point would be the last mistake she'd ever make.

Thankfully, the best had not given chase. The forest showed mercy and allowed Magnolia to reach the temple unchallenged. A small stone fence indicated the end of the forest and the beginning of the clear hillside. It was more like a perimeter than a barrier and offered no resistance; Bearly a foot-note on Magnolia's path. Beyond that, the door to the temple proper was closed. Even so, the long, stained-glass windows shined with a warm glow, betraying the inhabitants. A shadow could be seen in the front-most window, closest to the door.

[Props Valroa 26,040]

@Loud Opinion

Magnolia was quite surprised with the burning sensation that had coursed through her. It enraged her, to think that something let alone a beast! She was lucky that she had the strength to go onward. She let her transformation spell down, the darkness slowly resuming the form of her pony self in order to let her magic recharge for a little while. She trotted towards the temple at a decent pace. For the first time in a long long time, she felt fear. Although her expression and body language didn't portray that emotion. More so of a cold stoic character instead. She looked back to the forest upon reaching the temple. A slow but simple head-nod as if thanking the forest for its mercy. She didn't need to make more enemies than she needed, however she was certain that she wouldn't walk back into that forest. Whenever she would leave, she would simply fly over the tree tops.

She proceeded up to the door and stopped. She leaned against the temple and felt it with her hooves. The stone structure of the building calming as she touched it in almost circular motions however she quickly snapped out of that and stepped back. She peeked in the window to the right and looked in before taking a step back. 

Then she took upon a more stoic and emotionless expression on her face and knocked.

3 times, she knocked. She knocked with an even difference between 3 of the knocks, they were quite hard and they echoed throughout the door and whatever rooms lay inside. She stood there, ready for whoever would come through. She prepared herself for a fight, as if expecting one. This could be a trap.
 

[ExplosionMare 18,007]

@Califorum

Despite how loud Starlight’s thoughts were, she was somehow able to hear the loud knocking against the temple door. Before she answered it, she did her best to compose herself in order not to intimidate the newcomer. She took a deep breath, fluffed her mane a bit, and put on a small but friendly smile. If a new friend was behind that door, that friend deserved a proper welcome. It was Starlight’s obligation to show kindness and support, especially if this friend was unfamiliar with the area.

What if this new friend is here for the same purpose I am? she pondered for a moment. That would make sense given that this is no ordinary temple, but that may pose a little problem. Silver is still struggling to forget her old ways. This new  friend could remind Silver of how painful her old life was

Starlight was worried for her friend, but she also knew that she could teach the friend behind the door all about friendship as well. As long as she remained true to what she knew was right, she knew she could handle any challenge that came her way. After all, she was already doing well conforming two friends, so she could definitely handle three.

She finally made her way towards the door and opened it with her hoof, refraining from magic as to not be rude. When she opened it enough, Starlight saw  a unicorn with a stone faced expression. She had a white, almost grey coat and a violet mane and odd, piercing magenta eyes. From Starlight’s perspective, it seemed that this pony has experienced the most pain out of all of her friends so far. Starlight wanted to fix all of her problems right away, but for now, a greeting was a good place to start.

“Welcome! My name is Starlight Glimmer. I come from a village where the only unique thing about us is that we are all the same. Someday, I hope you can join me and see just how wonderful it is to live there. What is your name, friend?” she greeted.

[Props Valroa 26,040]

@ExplosionMare

Magnolia stood there with the same cold expression on her face. Her cold eyes looked into Starlight's soul and then overlooked her body. Noticing the mare's features and completion she simply stepped forward boldly as if in defiance. She was silent for some more moments. Starlight could see that some of the shadows at Magnolia's hooves seemed to move and swirl slightly as Magnolia processed what Starlight had just said. 

Magnolia's gaze peered deeper as she took a step forward. Her eyes meeting Starlight's even closer. Magnolia was the most emotionless one Starlight had seen in a very long time, perhaps ever. Everything about her was stoic and dark. Her facial expression didn't change one tiny bit at what Starlight had said. 

Finally Magnolia spoke. Darkness dripped from her words, a good deal of synergy was in Magnolia's words as she spoke. Her words were oozing and characterized by a low unamused tone combined with her slightly annoyed tone, yet her face never displayed one hint of emotion.

"Friendship is for cowards and fools. No-one is the same, truly...the only similarity between anyone else is that they will all die. You deny reality." her tone displayed an extreme amount of cruelty and unamusement with Starlight's statement. She boldly stepped inside the hallway, instantly her eyes darting over and examining the layout of the place.

As she walked in, Starlight saw Magnolia's cutie mark. A black upside down black star within a purple upright one, at the points of each of the two stars were smaller stars matching the colors of the corresponding points. "Spare me your pedantic greetings." Magnolia adds, not stating her name as she looked away in carelessness. Starlight meant absolutely nothing to her.

[Loud Opinion 602]

@Califorum @ExplosionMare

Octavia had let Starlight get the door. If it was another of those things then she certainly wouldn't be the first mare to meet it. She swallowed hard when the mare entered with an expression that reminded Octavia of her foal-hood instructor. The creeping miasma that followed the mare only further put the mare on edge. 'Oh no, this has to be some monster in disguise. I'm going to die here aren't I?' Octavia thought in resignation.

After the mare spoke, Octavia could only look on, mouth agape. The presence and unabashed cruelty. Everything she knew about polite society told her to fear the grim mare.

All that came to mind, though, was a relief. Someone to stand up to Starlight. How could she not feel relieved? If she played her cards right, she might even get to speak her mind. Octavia might have even smiled if the newcomer hadn't reminded her of her instructor so vividly. The way she spoke to Starlight was enough to spark a profound sympathy.

She let a hoof rest on Starlight's shoulder, perhaps against her better judgment, and offered her a concerned look. A faint, supernatural reassurance flowed out of Octavia and into Starlight. Starlight could feel her heart beating stronger as if Octavia, whether she realized it or not, had awakened an unknown vigor deep within her.

Just then, the tower door creaked open. Swiftly, a candle on a metal dish floated in with yellow magic encircling it. The levitation made the handle redundant. Instead of a unicorn following after, a lanky mare slowly staggered out with her eyes closed. The warm candlelight revealed a snow-white coat and two horns jutting straight out from below her ears before curving down and in on themselves. Each horn extended a little over half a foot out from the sides of her head. Beyond that, her grayish mane was unkempt and her cutie mark was a slightly cracked egg, both told an uneasy story.

She gave a week wave to the room before continuing in. Behind her was the unicorn holding the candle. His gray mane and the bags under his eyes betrayed his age despite him being shorter than average. His coat was light green and his darker green hooves stepped a little heavier than his companion. He wore a disarming smile but his eyes were unceasingly focused with fully constricted green irises below his relaxed eyelids. It was Octavia's nightmare. This stallion had haunted her dreams for weeks. She didn't know which was worse, the memories flooding back to her all at once, or the pain in each individual dream. Octavia held her tongue though. The last thing she wanted was to sound like a mad-mare.

“Please,” The green stallion started in a low voice, both in pitch and volume. Thankfully, the echo of the room carried his voice a lot further, “forgive us for the delay. We are not so sprightly and our work is taxing.”

[Props Valroa 26,040]

@Loud Opinion

Magnolia stood back. She slowly and almost soldier like shut the door with a slam. She stood there observing the ponies in the room with a soul piercing glare before looking to Octavia. Octavia seemed to be comforting that in no doubt delusional mare...Starlight Glimmer. She didn't know what to think of this situation. She was slightly un-nerved by this. It had been a long time since she had been around ponies in a setting different from what she was used to. However her emotionless glare didn't soften one bit as she looked to Octavia and the two other ponies who had just walked in.

She stood in the middle of the room, at a vantage point that allowed her to keep her eyes on all of the ponies in the room. As she walked the shadows moved with her as if respecting her, bowing to her and submitting to her. Magnolia was prepared for anything. She was on edge and her mind was percolating with ideas should this prove to be a trap. It is better to be prepared than not to be. Paranoia is the best tool of all. It allows you to be prepared. She inhaled the air through her nose with a deep breathe as if getting a 'taste' of what was to come.

She then finally spoke. Her words once again, dripping with grim darkness that complimented her physical appearance perfectly. "This better not be a trick. Nobody has sent me letters in a very long time, So why would you? So tell me, what is this about? And prey it is not a trick or a trap...I have had ENOUGH of that in my time..." Magnolia spoke, the shadows taking upon more sharply angled shapes around her as she felt a rising anger within her. She HATED being betrayed and being lied to...as that is what lead her down the path to who she has become now. A faint expression of pain crossed her face when she remembered the day she lost everything she cared about.

She then glared to Octavia, who could see that pain across her face. Such pain, even a mare like Magnolia couldn't hide.

[ExplosionMare 18,007]

@Califorum

Starlight stood in shock for a moment. To have somepony be utterly rude to her was something she had not experienced in a long time. The unicorn completely brushed Starlight off and had told her that friendship was useless, useless of all things! She had to keep her composure, however, because she knew challenging anything the unicorn said would only make the situation worse.

Starlight would have to keep a very close eye on the unicorn. If she was not watched over carefully, she could become dangerous. Starlight had noticed swirls of dark shadows surrounding her hooves while she was yelling. The unicorn was in possession of dark magic, which could be the reason she had acted so hostile. Starlight was tempted to snatch her black and purple star Cutie Mark right then and there, but she held herself back. She couldn’t take any pony’s Cutie Marks until the timing was right. As much as she wanted to remove the dark magic from the unicorn, she had to be patient if she wanted to conform her correctly.

@Loud Opinion

Octavia had trotted over to console her. Starlight smiled, appreciative of the gesture. She was becoming so much more friendly already. The joy she felt was strong, almost overwhelmingly so. All of a sudden, her heart began to beat powerfully, its rhythm increasing each second. Though she didn’t understand why, Starlight could tell there was an unfamiliar power emerging from within her.

This must be a sign! she thought. My friendships are more powerful than I realized! This must mean that I will become the true Alicorn! It must be true, my heart has never beaten like this before

Before she could think on this matter any further, a floating candle emerged from the shadows. The candle confused Starlight until she saw that a unicorn’s magic was attached to it. Here stood two more ponies, one with two long horns and one with a smile not too distant from the ones worn in Starlight’s village. Admittedly, the pair was quite odd, but to judge them or anypony else would be rude and cruel. Like she did with the others, Starlight offered them both a warm greeting.

“Hello, my name is Starlight Glimmer! I have come here to spread my message of true friendship to ponies across all of Equestria. I believe you two can assist me with that, correct? By helping me, I can help you erase the pain of your past lives and show you the wonderful future you deserve!” she introduced. As she spoke, she took a quick glance at one of the ponies’ Cutie Marks, which was a cracked egg. Starlight is certain that was an unpleasant Cutie Mark and that the pony bearing it would be more than glad to have it removed.

Edited December 31, 2020 by ExplosionMare

[Props Valroa 26,040]

@ExplosionMare

Magnolia observes Starlight Glimmer's personality. This mare was obviously some sort of cult leader or something of that nature. She was also sure that Starlight was also quite delusional. Keeping her true motives locked behind a veil of smiles and kindness. She was sure that there was a very dark interior to Starlight's motives. She was sure that eventually, she could break Starlight's lies into a million pieces and see for herself what lies within. Maybe somepony that went through a similar pain as she did but regardless, the repetition of greetings was getting on Magnolia's nerves.

Magnolia watched Starlight speak there even more before she stood up and looked Starlight directly in the eye. She wanted to know more about this and to question it, and wanted to know who Starlight truly was beyond the veil of some sort of cult leader esque personality. At least that is what Magnolia assumes. Then Magnolia spoke, in a more direct defiance of the events so far. 

"Now tell me Starlight, how is it that you will ease the pain of...'past lives'? You can't do that in one go. Pain is not something that goes away so easily. Do us all a favor and drop the act." Magnolia asked coldly before adding. "I already have suspicions as to what you really are." Magnolia said, her words seeming to pierce Starlight's soul even more than the other words. Magnolia was not one to be trifled with, and she wasn't really one to back down either. The way Starlight didn't back to Magnolia earlier made her think that Starlight was weak, although one she wouldn't underestimate for sure.
 

[ExplosionMare 18,007]

@Califorum

Starlight stood her ground as the unicorn challenged her. She wanted to expose Starlight, but for what she was unsure. There was nothing to expose because her village was built on a solid foundation of trust, community, and togetherness. Starlight would not allow the unicorn to believe anything other than that, for that was the truth. Perhaps, however, maybe Starlight had been unclear about her purpose. She supposed she owed it to the unicorn to elaborate.

“Forgive me if I was unclear before. You see, my village supports living in complete equality. We do that by giving up our Cutie Marks so that nopony feels better or worse than the other. You may not understand right now, but your Cutie Mark has caused you more pain than you realize,” she said, pointing at the unicorn’s purple and black star on her flank. “This is, of course, not to embarrass or to expose, but I did notice strange shadows surrounding you when we first met. It seems you have been overtaken by dark magic, so I want to help you take that away. Please, allow me to show you the light and a better future filled with lots of friendship,”

Starlight was growing anxious, her horn buzzing with excitement. She was even more tempted than ever now to take the unicorn’s Cutie Mark away. She felt like she had to before the unicorn decided to use some strange magic on her. However, she was held back once again by another strange feeling in her heart. This time, it pulsed slower rather than quicker. Sighing, Starlight shook off the buzz she felt and accepted that she would still have to wait before she could take any further steps. Composing herself, she instead decided to ask the unicorn a simple question.

“I don’t recall you sharing your name. What is your name?”

Edited December 31, 2020 by ExplosionMare

[Props Valroa 26,040]

@ExplosionMare

Magnolia thought about that response for a few moments. She had never heard any pony say anything like that. She was surprised but still wore her expression of coldness and carelessness. After Starlight spoke her eyes narrowed as she pieced Starlight's soul with a glare of her magenta eyes. Those eyes had seen a lot and were unlike most ponies she has met. Devoid of emotion. Devoid of mercy. Devoid of anything...but their magenta color that was beautiful in its own way.

She intended to shatter Starlight's perception, or at least let Starlight know that she was no ordinary pawn. She was the Queen! And Magnolia would never submit to anyone or anything. "Equality..." Magnolia then laughed darkly. "That is humorous...if not pathetic." she smiled with a dark but coy smile. One that conveyed genuine entertainment but also a hint of amusement. "Nobody is equal...we all have our own talents whether we like it or not. If we are the same...there is no drive to progress and better ourselves. My cutie mark isn't the source of my pain...as a matter of fact it is what I GOT from my pain after all..." she said with a huff before taking a step forward.

The darkness seemed to swirl around her legs in various shapes, geometric ones, smooth ones before fading away. As if that was a warning to Starlight. "Feeling better or feeling worse...you feel that regardless. It is the nature of things to have a hierarchy...the weak obey the strong, followers...leaders..." Magnolia said in a slight pacing around Starlight, noticing her cutie mark.

"If Equality is so important to you...then why don't you give up your own cutie mark? It seems...your whole thing is about making yourself feel superior than others..." her voice said trailing off slightly. "Justice is what the world needs...not a shim sham of Equality...it needs order, respect...authority to take away the bad so nobody suffers...By my name...I am Magnolia." she stopped in front of Starlight, her cold gaze returning as her eyes locked with Starlight's.

[ExplosionMare 18,007]

@Califorum

Starlight met Magnolia with an even harder gaze. She wasn’t going to let this mare win, no matter what she said. She was too blinded by the cruelty of the world to realize she could live a better life. Starlight knew these types of ponies, the ponies who actually believed they needed to trample over anypony in their way. She had a friend like that once.

“Equality is more real than anything you may ever experience!” Starlight cried “Special talents are what drive us apart! Giving them up will benefit everypony and teach them there is a much more simple way to live. You can see now that your own talent is filling you with hatred. If you learn to let go of everything you are holding on to, you will feel at peace,”

She had to take a deep breath in order to prevent herself from starting a shouting match. She had to approach Magnolia as calmly as possible to prove to her that hostility gets a pony nowhere in life. She was about to say that aloud, but she was stopped when Magnolia took notice of her Cutie Mark. Starlight was puzzled when she said her Cutie Mark had not been given up. Her Cutie Mark was an equal sign, just like the villagers’. Now that she realized it, her lack of a Cutie Mark still looked like a Cutie Mark to an outsider. Patiently, she explained herself.

“I did give up my Cutie Mark. The equal symbol on my flank replaced the mark I used to have. Everypony in my village has the same marking. The equal sign prevents ponies from performing their special talents or anything that would make other ponies jealous. I will show you now,” she explained. When she finished, she backed up and lit up her horn in preparation for a spell.

As convincingly as she could, she began a teleportation spell then pretended to fail at it. She tried a lifting spell on herself, then pretended to fail at that too. She tried out a couple more spells until she felt she got her point across.

“Any spell I could perform with my old Cutie Mark is now lost. All I have left is basic levitation, but that is expected out of any unicorn. It is similar to how my pegasus villagers can hover, but they cannot fly very fast,” she elucidated.

[Loud Opinion 602]

@ExplosionMare @Califorum @ReverieRiver

Through the heated discussion, the horned mare was whispering into the stallion's ear. The stallion would nod, shake, or quietly mutter reassurance to the mare, like a farmer comforting his chattel. Then the conversation seemed to reach an impasse. Both ideologies were in full display and irreconcilably opposed. Yet, they still did not intervene.

It was only when the horned mare saw a pony lying unconscious did she spring into action. Well, she didn't spring, so much as she gently cantered to the mare with concern on her face. She went right between Magnolia and Starlight, which got the stallion's attention and whipped the smile off his face.

Octavia flinched from the mare and took several steps back, still on edge.

The stallion, much quicker than the mare, got between the argument and spoke, "We have much to discuss. Please, have a seat. I promise you'll get an answer that'll satisfy you all."

He then looked to the mare, about ready to scold her, when he saw her pressing her head against  Silver Tongue's unconscious form. He looked at her, expecting an answer. All she said was "Grail" the way a nurse might mention a horrible condition.

The stallion closed the distance with a sterner expression. "Well, don't say it like that! She can still hear us you know!"

The stallion then spoke to Silver Tongue directly, "Listen, 'Grail' isn't the condition; it's the treatment. You just got hit by a nasty ward. Luckily, you have Grail. So, we'll use your Grail to fix you. You'll understand after the meeting."

As the stallion was speaking, the mare's horns glowed like molten iron. A warm cloud enveloped Silver Tongue, lifting her off the ground, and the stallion changed his candle into a chalice filled with a red substance. The substance was thick, but it tasted and flowed like honey as Silver Tongue was fed. It warmed her from the inside out and inspired something within Silver Tongue. She returned to the world as if she had just come home from vacation. Coxed back to life by its pleasures.

Edited January 1, 2021 by Loud Opinion
Good reason

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 @ExplosionMare@Loud Opinion

Magnolia was just about to retort what Starlight had replied back to her and proceeded to listen to and observe the actions of the two strange ponies that had walked in just before the argument started. She looks at them. She put her plans for Starlight on hold. Nopony had an Equals sign as a cutie mark...that was very strange. It warranted further investigation.

Magnolia hadn't noticed the unconscious pony in the room. Her gaze turns towards the pony. Her gaze resumes its normal features as she looks on at the pony there being carried off with passing interest. It wasn't her place to intervene in such things, even considering a mare of her character - Magnolia knew things she wasn't supposed to intervene in. Magnolia watches the mare with the two horns heal the other seemingly ill pony. She had power that Magnolia had not really seen. A mage, or some enlightened mare perhaps?

Then she shot a glare to Starlight, "I am perfectly fine as I am now...but there is something missing from me...That is why I am here..."  she turns towards the stallion. "To gain something of which I don't have...perhaps? It is beginning to come together..." she said seeming eerily calm all of a sudden. But her mind hadn't calmed down. It was just a mask. She was going to force Starlight to her point of view one way or another or at least snap her out of her mindset...sometime or another.

Provided there was a table, Magnolia sat at the most high strung / regal spot of the table as possible and put both of her hooves on the table, looking to them all as if they were already lesser beings than her. Then, she grinned. 

[ExplosionMare 18,007]

@Califorum @Loud Opinion

“What you are missing is friendship. Friendship where there is complete common ground,” Starlight offered.

She knew Magnolia was very stuck in her ways and she knew exactly what she was trying to do. This isn’t the first time somepony had tried to undermine her before. However, she knew that the more she convinced Magnolia, the more likely she would become persuaded. She just had to get to her level of thinking like she attempted with Silver.

Starlight’s head turned to the mare as she decidedly walked over towards Silver. Starlight’s curiosity towards the situation momentarily distracted her from her little quarrel. Or, as she would call it, a misinformed discussion. The mare bent down to the unconscious unicorn, creating what looked to be a magical elixir.

It seemed that she, and possibly the stallion as well, had quite a bit of power as well, but that was expected. Still, now that Starlight was surrounded by so many powerful ponies, she would have to be extra delicate with each reformation. Words alone could not save ponies so consumed by worldly magical desires. That is why she needed to become an Alicorn. She needed to show these ponies where real power came from and how it should be used.

It seemed she would be able to prove herself sooner rather than later. The stallion and Magnolia had made their way over to a table in preparation for a meeting. Calmly, she strutted over towards the table and took a seat next to Magnolia. She wanted to face the stallion since he was and charge and be able to watch her defensive friend at the same time. Patiently, she waited for the meeting to begin, sitting upright with an interested expression on her face.

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@ExplosionMare @Loud Opinion

Magnolia then glared over into Starlight's eyes. Her piercing magenta eyes were not ones to be trifled with, while they were extremely intimidating they also had a degree of beauty within them. She seemed uncomfortable with Starlight sitting near her and inched to the right in her seat but her gaze told a different story. "I can obviously tell that you are a cult leader of sorts...everyone has their reasons for becoming what they are...I wouldn't want to have 'friendship' with anyone...especially not you." Magnolia snorted in disgust. 

From her hooves seem to form a spherical shape of darkness. She throws it up into the air and it falls back down and disintegrates into a cloud of mist that seems to fade away. She carelessly created more of these spheres and did similar actions. If Starlight were to look at Magnolia's cutie mark, it was gone. What was there instead was just darkness that seemed to cloud up around Magnolia's body and legs. Only her head and shoulders seemed to be 'normal'. Everything else was just a slowly moving black fog. Magnolia's horn glowed a soft blue hue. 

She felt that Starlight was quite misguided and needed to learn the truth of what reality is. A constant struggle between many conscious minds over all else. Self interest is the only true context of those that are conscious. And Magnolia was no exception to that. She never lied about that, though. "If you want a true friendship with someone...you respect their differences...you don't take away who someone really is...your nothing but a liar." Magnolia frowned. It was something that was true after all, although considering Magnolia's character that was an odd thing to say for sure. Magnolia never had a friend. And she was sure she never would. Deep down though, it was the one thing that she wanted most...yet she'd never admit such a thing. As far as the was concerned, the darkness was her only friend. It was the only thing that accepted her.

[ExplosionMare 18,007]

@Califorum

“I am not a cult leader, I am a village leader,” Starlight stated, speaking as if that were the most obvious thing in the world.

She looked into Magnolia’s piercing gaze with pity. This delusional mare believed that differences were what brought friendships together. Differences only led to fighting, which may be what these two mares are doing now. With a heavy sigh, Starlight explained this conclusion to Magnolia.

“You may not understand now, but our own differences are causing us to fight with one another. We have to be the same to agree, it is the only way!” she explained.

Starlight was about to go on, but she was completely caught off guard by what Magnolia was doing. She appeared to be playing with shadows and surrounding herself with them. Starlight was horrified by the sight upon seeing that Magnolia’s hooves and legs were completely gone. What was more horrifying is her sudden lack of a Cutie Mark. Fear began to envelope Starlight as she continued to watch the shadows. If she didn’t do something soon, her friend could get completely consumed! Loudly, she pleaded,

“M-Magnolia, you have to get away from the shadows! Don’t you see what they are doing to you? You’re being consumed by the darkness and you don’t even realize it! Please, let me help you, I can show you the light! Just take my hoof...if you can,”

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 @ExplosionMare

Magnolia looked to Starlight with an absent stare as she pleaded to her. Magnolia slipped away into the darkness and then there was just a vague mist of black fog sitting next to Starlight. From within the fog a set of eyes opened. Like Magnolia's normal eyes but they were different looking, darker looking.

"You talk big game about wanting to destroy differences between others, then when you see something you are unfamiliar with...you get frightened." Magnolia mused. Her voice was more wispy, echoy, but still there. She had merely transformed her form into something else. Magnolia then went silent, looking into Starlight's eyes with the same piercing gaze. She had never heard a mare so delusional in her entire life. Oddly enough, Magnolia wanted to change that. Or at least try to.

The darkness swirled around the legs of the chair for a little while. "Why do you think this way? Tell me...." Magnolia's voice was cold and devoid of emotion. It was a demand. Starlight had never heard someone demand something like that, at least, in a very long time. She wanted to know. "We have to be the same... and for what? To be your slave, hmmm? Thats probably what you do to others...you lie and make them scared...you pull at their pains and suffering...twisting it in their minds...then you steal their cutie marks and then they realize they have nothing left and then...you make them theirs..." she says in a rather cold fashion. As if disgusted by that. Even Magnolia wouldn't do such a thing. Although in her mind, everyone was below her.

 

[ExplosionMare 18,007]

@Califorum

Starlight began to shake but was holding a hoof to her side to prevent Magnolia from seeing it. Magnolia’s pony form had dissipated, leaving nothing but a shadowy form with menacing eyes. Now she had revealed her true self, and this was what Starlight was afraid of. By revealing a pony’s true self, that pony subjected everyone around them to their darkest selves. It was for this reason that self identity had to be taken away.

“Differences are frightening!” Starlight exclaimed. “Even the smallest difference between friends can ruin everything! Magnolia, by encasing yourself in your hatred and dark magic, you are pushing everypony away. I ask of you again to please consider what I am saying. I only want to help you,”

At this point, Starlight began to feel pity—genuine pity—for Magnolia. She so desperately wanted to help her break her habits, but she knew her efforts would be futile if she continued with the same methods. What Magnolia said next gave her some pointers.

“I do not enslave my villagers. We work together willingly and promote harmony to everypony. If anypony had wanted to leave, they would have done so a long time ago,” she began. She had to approach what she was going to say next with a great level of care. Starlight sat up in her seat, focused her eyes intently on Magnolia, and breathed out softly. Staring at Magnolia like a mother towards her disobedient child, she laid out her little compromise.

“I understand that you want to hear my side of the story, but before I do that, I must hear your side first. You must tell me why you allow so much hatred into your heart,” she demanded.