Tyrant Twilight X Anon


                                            I am not the author I am just archiving this and posting this story. As of now, the writer has stopped writing this work, I personally hope that it will continue but it looks unlikely. Well, it has the RGRE tag There was a lot of debate if it was or was not RGRG enough. Well, I think it was a lot of others do not, so well I have given it the tag it may not be RGRE enough for you. If this work is updated I will try and update this post as well.


                                            >Anon married Twilight before her ascension, and though it took some getting used to, he really didn't change that much.

                                            "You might have wings now, but you're still the same nerd that would read every book I rented from the library just so you'd have an excuse to talk to me about it."

                                            >He kept her grounded, and she loved him for it.

                                            >The great man behind the mare.

                                            >Then he got sent hurtling into the future via magical mishap, and arrived to an Equestria altogether worse than the one he left.

                                            >Twilight had become a tyrant over the thousands of years he had been gone, and the things he'd seen done by her rule...

                                            >He truly wondered if the mare he loved was even still in the monster that sat on the throne.

                                            >Then he got caught trying to sneak into the castle, and brought before her.

                                            >She was as tall as Celestia, with the feintest wisps of smoke leaking from her eyes as she stared coldly down at him, and atop her head, the crown of the now deceased Queen Chrysalis, worn as a reminder of what happens to those who dare cross her path.

                                            >She ordered everyone out, and Anon worried for a moment just what she intended to do to him.

                                            >The doors slam, and she rises slowly from her seat.

                                            >Then comes running down the steps with all the grace of a baby giraffe with big tears rolling down her face as she tackles him and nuzzles into his neck.

                                            >"N-nonny! Y-you're back! Oh Goddess above, you're finally back!"

                                            >She snorts wetly as Anon hestitantly at first hugs her, but gains conviction as she cries into his shoulder.

                                            "Yeah, Twiggy, I'm back," he mumbles, crying himself.

                                            >"Things changed when you disappeared, Anon," she whispers. "I changed. I didn't know what to do without you, and things just kept getting worse."

                                            "But I'm here now, and we can fix things. Fix everything," he assures.

                                            >"I don't know if we can, Anon. I... I don't think it can be fixed."

                                            "We can try," he says, sitting up. "And if we fail, well, we could always just run away. You didn't blow up the Baa-hamas, have you?"

                                            >She snorts and gives his shoulder a little shove. "Stupid colt."

                                            "Says the stupid mare."

                                            >She blinks at him a moment in shock.

                                            >"Wow, I don't think I can remember the last time someone talked back to me. After a few public lashings and crushed rebellions, ponies tend to clam up when I talk to them."

                                            >Your wince goes unnoticed as she beams and hugs you again.

                                            >"It's so refreshing! Oh, Anon, I think this is the second best day in my life next to marrying you."

                                            >Anon can't help but smile.

                                            >To see Twilight still act this way with him, and only him, despite her drastic change into who she is today.

                                            >It fills Anon with some weird sense of satisfaction.

                                            >A selfish little feeling of pride and possessiveness that rises up and thrums pleasantly in his veins.

                                            >This is his wife, and only he'll know the mare behind the monster.

                                            >At least until they figure out how to set things right.

                                            >... Man, he has his work cut out for him, doesn't he?

                                            >While there was much work to be done, the newly reunited couple wanted to spend some time just relaxing and Anon wanted to get a better grasp of the kind of mare Twilight was now.

                                            >As far as he can tell, much the same, albeit more clingy, but that just might be that she hasn't seen him in so long.

                                            >Even so, demanding that he ride on her back while they tour the castle was a bit odd, yet she insisted he be in the safest spot in the world.

                                            >When you can level mountains and rain solar fire down on your enemies with a wave of your horn, no one tends to get within ten feet of you, after all.

                                            >Anon is noticing something of an indicator though, of Twilight's usual behavior.

                                            >though she's acting much the same as he remembers her, all the guards and servants they pass stare with open mouths and wide-eyes.

                                            >One pony accidentally walked into a table and knocked over a vase, as they passed, and when she looked at Twilight with utter despair in her eyes, it looked as if she was resigned to her death.

                                            >But Twilight merely giggles, waves her horn to repair the vase, and tells the mare to be more careful.

                                            >As they walk by, Anon spots the mare pass out and some others drag her frantically away.

                                            >"And here's the garden," Twilight announces as they step outside.

                                            "Wow... It looks like a tropical jungle," Anon notes, pulling at the color of his shirt. "Feels like one too."

                                            >"Biome spells to simulate their proper environment." Twilight says proudly.

                                            "Who's?"

                                            >"The primates."

                                            "Pri-"

                                            >Just then, he sees a troop of chimps ascends and surround Twilight with grasping hands, which are quickly filled with treats Twilight conjures from thin-air.

                                            "... Twilight. Do you have pet chimps?"

                                            >"No, this is a primate sanctuary," she says matter-of-factly. "There's also apes, monkeys, and lemurs, to name a few others."

                                            "Ah, of course... but why?"

                                            >She shrugs.

                                            >"I just thought they were amazing creatures," she says, glancing over her shoulder at Anon with a embarrassed blush. "And they reminded me of you."

                                            "I'm flattered," he says dryly, getting her to roll her eyes.

                                            >"Oh, don't be like that. I could never replace you."

                                            >Anon starts to smile, until she adds.

                                            >"Their penises are way too tiny, after all."

                                            "What?!"

                                            >Twilight, who had been barely containing a smirk, bursts into laughter, causing the chimps to scatter.

                                            >"Got'cha!"

                                            "I see you're sense of humor hasn't improved," Anon says with a tired sigh. "Only you would think making me think you tried to sex up some monkeys would be funny."

                                            >"It IS funny! Your expression was priceless."

                                            >Anon shakes his head and tries to repress a smile.

                                            "You tire me, Twi, you know that? Take me to our bedroom," he says, tapping his heels into her sides. "Come on, giddyup, girl."

                                            >She snorts, but does what he says, much to the surprise of more staff and guards.

                                            >In the coming weeks, news of the strange creature with mind control powers having enthralled the queen will have spread across the empire, and ponies would wonder if this was good or bad

                                            >The day had been long for her husband, and as much as she wished to make love to him, she would wait a little longer.

                                            >Though Anon best be prepared for a week long, nonstop sex session soon.

                                            >As he had explained, to him, it'd only been a couple of days since they last saw each other, but she has a lot of pent up sexual energy to work through and the spells to make sure they can both keep up.

                                            >Before then, though, there's work to do.

                                            >She lays in bed and listens to Anon's breathing level out, then she kisses him gently on the forehead and teleports from bed.

                                            >It's old hat to her now, and she's the truest master of the art, no air being displaced as she winks away with nary a lux generated.

                                            >The sheets simple fall to the bed with her absence and Twilight walks away.

                                            >A sound-dampening spell on her hooves ensures she doesn't disturb her love's sleep as she reaches the door.

                                            >There, she pauses and turns around.

                                            >After a moment, her horn begins to glow and ghostly runes begin to flow throughout the room.

                                            >Then they're gone, and she steps outside.

                                            >Many more runes weave themselves into the door as it closes behind her, and after a moment of thought, her horn flashes.

                                            >In a blink, a mare with a half-eaten sandwich about to enter her mouth freezes and slowly looks up.

                                            >"Your majesty!" The mare squeaks. "What's going on?!"

                                            "Captain," she says coolly. "I hope I'm not interrupting."

                                            >"Of course not! I was just eating a quick lunch, but if there's an emergency-"

                                            "I need guards posted outside of my bedchambers."

                                            >"Er, your majesty?"

                                            "Is that a problem," her cold eyes flicker, and the mare gulps.

                                            >"No! It's just, you've never had guards posted outside of your room before."

                                            "That's because any creature foolish enough to think me vulnerable while asleep wouldn't be alive long enough to realize their mistake. However, there's someone inside whom must be protected at all costs. That's why I need you to find the most trustworthy guards you have, and give them new orders."

                                            >The mare's eyes flicker to the door.

                                            >"Who-"

                                            Suddenly her words are cut off, along with her airway as the queen lifts her and slams her into the wall with her magic.

                                            "Someone who, if a single hair on his head is harmed, I'll have the head of everyone even remotely involved. And if you and your guards fail to protect him adequately, you all will be among the damned. Do you understand?"

                                            >The mare can only nod, but is dropped, left in a coughing fit.

                                            "Good. See it done, Captain. I have work to do and I can't be standing here all day."

                                            >As much as she'd prefer to, but she takes a seat as the mare scurries off, picking up the sandwich left behind and incinerating it.

                                            >As she waits, her mind goes to work.

                                            >Anon, bless his heart, will no doubt want to start peace talks as soon as possible.

                                            >That means she's going to have to accelerate several war efforts if she wishes to further strengthen Equestria in time.

                                            >It has been quiet a while since she's stepped hoof on a battlefield herself.

                                            >When Anon awoke the next day, it was without his wife, which was curios, and he poked his head out of the door to spot a couple of mares standing their in black and purple themed armor.

                                            "Um, excuse me," he starts, causing the mares to jolt, one spinning and the spear in her hoof nearly nicking his nose.

                                            "Wow, watch it there, miss. You're going to poke an out with that thing."

                                            >"Ah! S-sir! I'm so sorry, I was just-"

                                            >"Being reckless, Twilight's cool voice says from behind Anon, cuasing him to mimic the mares from a moment ago. "I asked for the best, and yet someone so undisplined was posted here... I'll have a talk with the captain."

                                            >Anon spins around to see Twilight standing there, her eyes a reflection of what he first saw in the throne room, though they soften upon meeting his own and a smile pulls at her lips.

                                            "Twi! Where'd you come from?" Anon asks.

                                            >"The balcony. I was just stepping in," she answers. "Did you just wake up?"

                                            "Yeah, hey, what's that on your cheek?"

                                            >Twilight blinks innocently, unaware of the red smear across her left cheek, which she pulls up with her magic.

                                            >"Oh, it seems I had some strawberry jam on my face, how embarrassing!" She says with a forced giggle that immediately worried Anon. "Anyway, would you like some breakfast? I'm famished, myself."

                                            "But you were just eating strawberry jam," Anon points out. "Didn't you already have breakfast?"

                                            >She blinks a few times, then blurts, "Second breakfast! Yes, ah, you might not have been aware, but since my, shall we say, growth spurt, my appetite has similarly grown. There was a reason Celestia ate so much cake."

                                            "Sure..." Anon says. "Let's just get some breakfast."

                                            >"Yes, let's!" she agrees, quickly walking beside Anon and looking towards her back in askance.

                                            Anon chuckles and pats her withers, "Thanks, but I'll walk. I want to stretch my legs."

                                            >"Alright, but do stay close," she concedes.

                                            >As they move passed the guards, Anon notices the one looking about ready to cry, and Anon leans into Twilight's ear.

                                            "Hey Twi, can you do me a favor?"

                                            >"Of course, what is it?"

                                            "Don't do anything to that guard back there, or that captain you mentioned. it was just a harmless accident."

                                            >"But she nearly hurt you!" Twilight says back in a harsh whisper. "I can't let something like that go, or else everyone will think they can act recklessly around you!"

                                            "Come on, for me?"

                                            >"Fine! I let it slide this time, for you!"

                                            >The mare breathes a sigh of relief, which quickly gets Twilight to whip her head around and glare.

                                            >Anon puts his hand on her cheek and guides her eyes forward.

                                            >Anon is reminded that, even if she's still the lovable mare he married, she's also the Tyrant Queen who was feared for a reason.

                                            >He really hoped he wouldn't accidentally get someone killed on his behalf, because he doesn't think he can handle that guilt.

                                            >The couple sit awkwardly at the breakfast table a few minutes later, waiting for the food to arrive.

                                            >Anon expects another terrified pony to deliver the food, yet, surprisingly, the pony that arrives is a chipper stallion humming a happy tune as he rolls in the food cart.

                                            >He's a dainty looking pegasus with a white coat, curly blonde and light pink mane, and green eyes.

                                            >"Bon appetit, Twilight!" he says in a sing song voice as he begins laying out the food. "It was short order, but I was able to make those chicken and egg burritos for your hubby, too, just like you asked."

                                            >Twilight gives the stallion a genuine smile and thanks, and then he's on his way, leaving Anon with some questions.

                                            "Who was that?" he decides first.

                                            >"Fruit Pie," Twilight answers. "He's an excellent chef and good friend. I'm sure later he'd be happy to get to know you."

                                            "Pie? Is he related to Pinkie?"

                                            >"Yes, and Applejack, and Rarity, and Fluttershy, and even Rainbow Dash."

                                            "How?" Anon asks incredulously, earning a humoring look from his wife.

                                            >"It's been a very long time, Anon, and though my friends might be gone, they did have children, who in turn had children of their own, and so on and so forth. With how close our friends were, is it so surprising that their foals were friends, and in some cases, more? As a matter of fact, Rainbow's son formed a herd with Applejack's daughter as well as Fluttershy's. Then, their foals ending up with the grandfoals of Rarity and Pinkie Pie."

                                            "Jeez, sounds complicated," Anon says as he eyes the plate of burritos before grabbing two.

                                            >Things tend to get that way as time goes on," Twilight agrees with a sad smile. "I've tried to keep track of their decedents myself, but it starts to become difficult once the numbers surpass a thousand."

                                            "Seriously?"

                                            >"The Pie family propensity for twins carried down the line, and the Apple family desire for big families. A productive combination to be sure."

                                            "I bet," Anon said around a mouthful of burrito. "That Fruit Pie cooks a mean chicken... He's not squeamish about that, is he?"

                                            >"No, but his brother, who I believe has a bit more Rarity in him, is. You'll probably meet him later."

                                            "Why's that?"

                                            >"He's a tailor, and I'm sorry to say you only have the clothes on your back, right now."

                                            >Suddenly Twilight's expression becomes tight, and the spoon in her magical grasp begins to warp.

                                            >"I tried my best to keep everything you owned, for mementos if nothing else, but their was a bombing of the castle a few hundred years ago carried out by some gryphon assassins. I came out of it unscathed, but your belongings..."

                                            "Hey, hey, it's fine," Anon quickly assures, reaching across the table to place a hand on the hoof currently splintering the wood of the table. "They were just things, right? They can be replaced."

                                            >She closes her eyes, takes a deep breath, then releases it.

                                            >"Right," she mumbles, bending the spoon back into place and repairing the table with a quick flash of her horn. "Just things."

                                            >Twilight sneaked out again that night.

                                            >There was simply too much to do no matter how much she wanted to lay with Anon.

                                            >Luckily she didn't need much sleep at all to stay functional, only an hour or two thanks to her alicorn constitution and a few stimulant spells.

                                            >It made these nighttime excursions easier to hide.

                                            >Taking a deep breath, Twilight closes her eyes and ignites her horn, a lavender star quickly splitting into dozens.

                                            >Sphere's of volatile mana spiraled around her, and she heard voices from below shouting as it was noticed.

                                            "Too late," she says in a quiet voice as she goes into a dive, her invisibility dissipating as she rocketed down towards the encampment, the spheres following like meteors behind her.

                                            >She aims her sleek form towards the command tent, and crashes into the ground like an equine missile, earth pony magic surging through the ground and turning the very land into shrapnel to tear apart the gryphons inside.

                                            >Before a move can be made against her, the purple comets come crashing down in brilliant explosions, screams rising up and going quiet just as quickly.

                                            >Off in the distance, she hears the rallying cry as her troops storm the enemy, taking advantage of the chaos to set upon the gryphons, turning the hunters into the hunted.

                                            >These overgrown kittens with wings had been harrying her soldiers for months, but no more.

                                            >As she steps from the crater created by her landing, she conjures six magical blades, and starts bisecting any foolish enough to charge her.

                                            >After the first dozen, the rest flee from the casually strolling monarch, only to fly into the waiting spears and canon fire of her own army.

                                            >With this, they could make a push further into the gryphon homelands and one step closer to their capital.

                                            >She would be willing to negotiate peace with the gryphons, when the time comes, but it will be from a position of power.

                                            >Perhaps if she's lucky, she'll be able to capture their young prince and educate him on what will be expected from a proper territory of Equestria.

                                            >It's always so much easier to teach children than adults, after all, and the old king was known to have quiet the stubborn streak.

                                            >Best just to be rid of him and-

                                            >Twilight freezes as she feels the wards around her bedchambers be disturbed.

                                            >Someone has pressed their face against the window.

                                            >Instantly her mind is filled with terrible thoughts as she teleports away, the wild burst of magic left in her wake toppling several enemy soldiers who were frankly just too happy to be alive than to worry about a few broken bones.

                                            >Several more violent teleportation and fifteen minutes too slow, and Twilight can see the tower in which her most precious husband was resting, as well as two small figures at the window.

                                            >The next blink is more controlled, but still loud enough to cause the two intruders to spin around.

                                            >Twilight is about to send her blades through them before the window opens.

                                            >"Hey, what are you foals doing here?"

                                            >Anon rubs at his eyes As he pears out the window.

                                            >The sounds of muffled talking had woken him up, and he had squinted at the source, only to have a mini heart attack.

                                            >Twilight's mention of a bombing of her castle, no doubt an attempt to kill her, had him a little on edge, though he kept it to himself.

                                            >He wasn't a super powered alicorn, after all, and he doubted he could walk away from such an attack unscathed.

                                            >So seeing to shadowy figures at the window instantly brought to mind assassins in the night.

                                            >Once he bolted upright, and their was a high-pitched shout from outside, he began to take in more details.

                                            >Either these were some very small assassins, or he had some very young voyeurs to deal with.

                                            >Stumbling his way to the window, he opened it as the larger of the pair struggled to maintain their hold on the younger.

                                            >He blinks as he notes that, while the pair were hovering in the air, neither were pegasi.

                                            >Instead, the older one, a filly, was surrounding the both of them in a dark blue aura while the smaller colt nervously waved.

                                            "Hey, what are you foals doing here?" he asks, looking down and feeling a sudden spike of worry at the height the pair were hovering at. "And get in here, already before you end up falling."

                                            >"Y-yes, sir," the filly squeaks, bobbing towards the open window clumsily as Anon steps back, dropping the colt with a sigh as soon as they were safely indoors.

                                            >Dropping down herself, she wipes some sweat from her forehead as the colt merely bounces up and down.

                                            >"Wow! I've never met a whatever you are, before! And I heard Auntie Twilight does anything you say? Is that really true? Are you really mind controlling Aunty? Can you teach me how to mind control ponies, too?!"

                                            >"He obviously can't control Twilight," the filly says with a roll of her eyes. "Like some a stallion could ever control a mare as great and powerful as the queen."

                                            >Suddenly, as if remembering who she's talking too, she backpedals. "Er, not to say stallions can't be great and powerful too, and, like, I know stallions can control lesser mares with their masculine wilds. Goddess knows enough of my friends can't control themselves when a colt flutters their eyelashes at them, but Aunt Twilight's above such things, you know, and-"

                                            >"If you're done putting your hoof in your mouth, Beatrix, would you care to explain what you and your cousin were doing outside of my bedroom window in the middle of the night, or how you bypassed the guards who should have been keeping watch for such things?"

                                            >All eyes turn to spot the Queen herself stepping over the windowsill, the sight causing the filly to quickly bow, the colt to beam, and Anon to chuckle as the menacing entrance is abruptly halted as Twilight's backside catches against the edges of the frame.

                                            "I take it you still love heyburgers, huh, honey?" Anon jokes, earning a slight glare from his wife as she gives a few futile tugs.

                                            >Anon nods his head towards the balcony as the colt bursts into laughter.

                                            >A couple of minutes later, and Twilight is standing proudly before the group as if she hadn't just got stuck in the window as Beatrix sat on the bed a foot away from Anon, and the colt, Concorde, sat on Anon's lap and played with one of his hands in fascination.

                                            >"So, Beatrix, you were saying?"

                                            >W-well, your majesty, It's just, there have been rumors about a strange creature having moved into your castle, and, um, speculation that you, were, well, under some sort of spell," she explains as Twilight raises a brow.

                                            >Suddenly the filly stood straighter and spoke with more fire, "Which is preposterous! No creature could ever compare to your magical might, let alone dominate you! I told them the other's as much and even said I'd prove it! Which I have! Mister Anon is a stallion, after all, so obviously he's not dominating you!"

                                            >Anon smirks as he can see from Twilight's blush that her mind has gone to the same place.

                                            >Oh if only her subjects knew what they used to get up to behind closed doors.

                                            >"While I appreciate your concern, and am interested to know about these rumors, you still trespassed onto palace grounds, broke curfew, and used who knows what kind of spells to surpass the guards. Not to mention dragging your cousin into all of this for reasons I can't even guess. I could and should have you removed from my school for gifted unicorns after such transgressions."

                                            >A gasp escapes the filly's lips as her eyes go wide in terror, and just as Anon is about to step in, the colt shouts, "Hey! Don't pick on Trixie like that! She just missed you because you haven't taught at the school like you usually do AND you missed Mom's birthday, so when I heard her talking about coming to see why, I made her take me."

                                            >"And I only used a wallflower charm, I swear! I didn't hurt any of the guards!" Beatrix butts in, throwing herself to the monarch's hooves. "Please don't expel me, my Queen, I'll do anything!"

                                            "She's not going to expel you," Anon says reassuringly as he reaches down to pick the filly up. "Twilight's probably just upset that you put yourself in danger like you did. A guard could have turned you into a pin cushion if they caught you, and you could have fallen while levitating yourself. isn't that right, Twi?"

                                            >Twilight opens her mouth to refute the claim, but one stern look from her husband had her sigh quietly and nod.

                                            >"That's... correct. You just worried me and that made me upset. I won't expel you... this time! But I better not catch wind of you pulling another stunt like this, alright?"

                                            >After Beatrix swears a dozen times she won't,Twilight and Anon proceed to explain the bare bones of his presence, that he is her husband who got sent to the future, and that they've been busy getting him settled in.

                                            >She would make sure to visit with Concorde's family soon, and would be returning to give her weekly lectures in a few more weeks.

                                            >Then they had a couple of guards escort the colt back to his family and Beatrix back to her dorm.

                                            Once the sound of hoofsteps faded, Anon wondered allowed, "So... they related to any of our old friends, too?"

                                            >Twilight sighs, "Yes, in a manner of speaking. Beatrix's side of the family, though, is a bit more indirect, at least when referring to the other Elements."

                                            "What? Like a distant cousin?"

                                            >"Big Macintosh and Trixie's direct decedent," Twilight answers flatly, causing Anon to look at her incredulously. "Yes, we were all as surprised as you were when Trixie got pregnant and Big Mac admitted that it was his. Apparently they had been seeing each other in secret for some time up to that point."

                                            "I never would have guessed," Anon says. "I can't imagine Applejack took that well."

                                            >A smile tugs at the mare's lips as she says, "She certainly didn't. That was the day I found out the Apple family had an heirloom spiked mace, and witnessed Applejack threaten Trixie with it to take responsibility. The wedding was a surprisingly pleasant affair, even considering Applejack glaring menacingly from the back while leaning on her mace."

                                            >Anon laughs out loud at that.

                                            "Are you serious? Was the mace apple-themed?"

                                            >Twilight rolls her eyes.

                                            >"What a silly question. Of course it was."

                                            >Anon shakes his head, still chuckling.

                                            "I wish I could have been there to see that."

                                            >Twilight's expression sobers.

                                            >"Yes... I wish you could have been there, too."

                                            >Anon realizes the damper he just put on Twilight's mood and quickly tries to change the subject, "And Concorde? Being Beatrix's cousin, that puts him on either Trixie's side of the family or the Apples, right?"

                                            >She clears her throat and nods.

                                            >"Apples, though more specifically, he's part of the Pear family. That's Big Mac's mother's side."

                                            "I see, and you have a school now, too. You didn't mention that."

                                            >"Yes, well, after Celestia... stepped down, I decided to claim her former school for my own."

                                            "And give lectures regularly there, too," Anon notes. "I don't recall Celestia doing that too often."

                                            >"Yes, well, I enjoy passing on my knowledge of the arcane arts," Twilight explains. "Plus it allows me to more closely observe the next generation of talent, and hopefully find a student."

                                            >Anon is actually surprised by that. "You take on students?"

                                            >"Yes, I've had a few over the years."

                                            "Do you have one now?"

                                            >"Mmm, yes and no. My most recent protege has moved on as my student, and now serves as a general in Equestria's military."

                                            >A wistful smile graces the alicorn's features as she adds. "Empyrean will always be a student to me, though, no matter how much she grows."

                                            "Well, I look forward to meeting her."

                                            >"Perhaps once she's back from the Northern front. I'll be happy to introduce the two of you."

                                            >Anon wants to comment that the war should be put a stop to soon, but decides to keep the topic light instead."

                                            >"So if's she all grownup and out in the world, I guess you must be looking for another student."

                                            >"I've been thinking about it."

                                            "What kind of criteria do you look for?"

                                            >She frowns as she answers.

                                            "Usually the prime candidate would obviously be the top student in both academic and practical exams, though this time, there's been quite the disparity in that regard."

                                            >She gestures her head towards the door.

                                            >"Beatrix is top of her class by practical measures, but..."

                                            "...But?"

                                            >"She's denser than pound cake. She barely scrapes by on written tests and homework assignments."

                                            "Ah, I see," Anon says. "But doesn't the practical matter more?"

                                            >"No!" she snaps, then reins herself in. "Practical skill only lasts a lifetime, Anon. It's important, yes, but it's through our academic mastery of the arcane arts that we are able to refine what we know and pass it on to the next generation. Every spell book out there is the result of mages understanding how to translate what they learned through practicing their crafts into a format that later generations could digest and utilize more easily."

                                            >Anon listens intensely as Twilight flicks her horn and manifests a spectral blade out of thin air.

                                            >"This, for instance, is a spell created by Empyrean herself as part of what she calls the Art of Armaments."

                                            "It looks like you made a sword out of magic, to me," Anon observes,"Couldn't you have done that before?"

                                            >She smiles at him as she hovers the blade over to him.

                                            >"It looks like that, doesn't it? Hold out your hand, Anon."

                                            >Doing as he's told, Twilight places the hilt of the long sword against his palm, then with a flick, a thin, lavender thread connecting the blade to her horn appears and snaps just as quickly.

                                            >In an instant, the phantasmal nature of the sword dissipates, leaving behind an exquisite, ornate blade that Anon barely manages to catch before it falls to the floor.

                                            "Surprised?" Twilight asks with laughter in her voice. "My student discovered a way to translate the physical makeup of an item into pure magical energy, and take it into one's own mana pool, thus allowing a mage to take with them and manifest that item at anytime with nary any effort after the initial absorption. In this case, when I manifest that sword with my magic, it's far sturdier than a similar construct that I could conjure in the same amount of time, yet can still be manipulated just as easily as it's still an extension of my magic."

                                            "Okay, I think I understand most of that," Anon says. "So a pony can just carry around anything without having to deal with the weight? Sounds like it could be more useful than just using it with weapons."

                                            >"Yes and no," Twilight says as she retrieves the sword. "While the spell can be used on technically anything, the mana the object in question becomes is unusable for anything else until you remove it from your pool. Effectively,the more things you take into your mana, the less mana you have for other spells, and even turning this sword into magic would take up about half of an average unicorn's capacity."

                                            >She smiles proudly as the sword slowly begins to return to its previous state.

                                            >"Empryean spent years developing this spell."