The Heir (Part 2)

>You are now Dawn.
>The morning sun rises early in the east as it always has.
>Soon it will be your responsibility to bring it up. Such is the task of being the child to an alicorn mother.
>You oft wonder if father would have you partake in such a duty by yourself. Mother seemed more than confident in your abilities despite still being young.
>Through the hallways you walk quietly, nary a soul in sight.
>It was not even a week after your tenth birthday and already you were bored with the presents you received.
>Not that you didn’t appreciate the thought behind them, but toys did not interest you that much.
>Walking down the empty corridor of the palace, you carry the toys in your arms to Selena’s room.
>She will probably enjoy them more than you.
>From the collection of toys, one slips and falls to the floor.
>In a split second before it hits the ground, you close your eyes and focus with all your might to grab it.
>Your arms did not move an inch, and the toy that fell from your grasp slowly levitates in front of you and back onto the top of the small pile.
>You giggle that you were able to catch it this time without letting your magic rip it asunder.
>The magic within you is rather peculiar, mother once said.
>It needed to be tamed and focused with her guidance. And thankfully, you’ve been showing a lot of improvement.
>A royal guard walks around the corner, his eyes focus sternly ahead.
>With a smile you look to him.
“Hello!”
>”Good afternoon, your royal Highness.” He replies. “Do you require assistance with that?” He motions to your heap of toys.
“No thank you, I’m going to take these to my sister now.”
>”Of course.” He bows his head.
>You break into a skip as you make your way to find Selena.
>Turning to another long hallway, you notice how the light becomes dimmer as you approach the bedroom doors.
>Carefully you tap the door with your hoof.
“Selena? I got some toys if you want to play.”
>Behind the door you hear your sister moving about, the door latch creaks and it begins to open slowly.
>Peering through the crack is your little sister.

http://imgur.com/nXFv9kO

>Her room is pitch black.
>Selena looks at your pile of toys but it does not seem to cheer up. “Stuff you don’t want?” She replies in a gloomy tone.
“I know you haven’t been feeling good, so I thought maybe we could play together.”
>Her eyes stare into yours. You try to meet them in earnest.
>The door opens wider as she stands aside for you to walk in.
>You smile to her as you walk inside.
“Thank you. It’s a bit dark in here, don’t you think?”
>Placing the toys onto the bed, you walk over to the window and pull the curtains apart.
>The warm sun shines onto your skin and face. You feel the feathers in your wings quiver slightly at the sensation.
>You push the window open and feel a cool breeze waft past you.
>Looking back, you see your little sister standing there with a glum look on her face. Her porcelain skin was a contrast to your own slightly tan skin.
>Selena continues to stand by the door as she closes it. It was as if she did not want to go near the light.
“Come play with me, Selena.”
>You cheerfully walk back to her large bed and begin to sort through the playthings.
>Selena shuffles over to the other side of the bed and slips back under the covers. “I wish you wouldn’t open my windows, Dawn.” She moans.
>It’s true she’s been sick as of late, but you were trying your best to make her feel better.
“Look, this doll is so cute!”
>You take one of the many china pony dolls and place it next to Selena’s head as she rests.
>She stares at the doll momentarily then back to you. “It’s neat, I guess.”
“And this is the fold up house they go in.”
>You pull out a flat sheet and with a few pushes and adjustments, it folds out into an open box with many rooms and compartments.
>Even you thought this was impressive and waited for her to respond in kind.
>Selena eyes it carefully and leans up from the bed. “A doll house?”
>You push it across the bed sheet closer to her. She carefully takes it to look at the little rooms within.
“That’s right, but someday I want to make you the best doll house; one that will be the greatest in all of Equestria for years to come!”
>A small smile creeps across her face. “Really? You would do that for me?”
“That’s what sisters do, Selena.”
>You pick up one of the many dolls and hold it up for her to grab.
>Selena gently takes the doll from your grasp. “You really don’t have to do that...”
>Your sister was always so modest, as if she didn’t deserve nice things.
“I feel like starting on it today, but I should probably read a book on where to start.”
>You pick up another doll and playfully walk it across the bed sheets.
“It will have wooden furniture, a functioning kitchen powered by magic and everything else.”
>Already you can envision the perfect dollhouse for your sister. She will be so happy that nothing will make her sad again.
>Selena takes one of the dolls and places it inside the miniature house. “That sounds pretty neat.” Her tone still sounding unsure.
>You see her stare at the pile of dolls at the other side of the bed. Already you can sense her magic trying to manipulate something.
>Her eyes slightly squint as a faint glow grows around her head.
>One of the dolls begins to float up and towards her.
>It was just within her reach, but you let your excitement get the best of you.
“Your magic is improving alrea-“
>The doll violently contorts as Selena’s loses focus on her task.
>Instantly the toy is pulled limb from limb and falls into many pieces onto the bed sheet below.
>You both stare at the ruined doll.
>Anxiously you look back to her, but you fear the damage was already done.
“I’m sure we can fix this, I can go-“
>”...leave....” Selena mutters through gritting teeth.
>You take a step back, yet you persist in showing her that you only want to help.
“Selena, it’s okay. I just thought we cou-“
>”I don’t want you here distracting me! Get out!” Selena’s voice bellows, almost filling the entire room with noise.
>You quickly back away and close the door behind you, all the while Selena buries her head in her arms and sobs quietly.
>Already you feel your heart flutter about in your chest, like a trapped bird inside a cage.
>It pains you to see her get upset like this.
>More and more she’s become emotionally charged.
>You knew it had to be Duke BlueBlood. That little snot has been picking on her for the longest time now.
>For now you’ll let mother know how Selena is doing, and if you see Duke BlueBlood, you’ll have a very nice long chat with him.
>Granted you don’t smack him first for bullying your sister.
>The hallway was dead silent as you made your way back, albeit for the soft sound of your own two hooves clopping against the stone floors.
>Your ears pick up a sound of somepony approaching you around the corner.
>There was no mistaking that distinct sound of clothing dragging across the floor. A figure lurches from the shadow of the corridor. A ghastly white beard protrudes from within the hood; attached is a thin and weary face.

http://imgur.com/zJPXYx2

>It was the court wizard Mastera, or at least that’s what he likes the others to call him.
>He was more of a potion master as far as you knew. His work was a mishmash of ingredients and magic you’ve never seen before.
>Mastera could brew a potion to cure what ailed anypony, and therefore found himself in the service of your mother.
>His pale eyes flash briefly from below the edge of his cloak as he bears a smirk across his face. “Ah, young Princess Dawn has come from visiting her beloved sister?”
>You simply nod but were curious to know how he knew where you had been. The hallways here can lead one anywhere they desire.
“How did you know?”
>His warm chuckle felt contagious to you. His voice resonated with age and wisdom, but spoke in a peculiar manner as if he was putting a spell on someone. “My dear child, you are nothing short of kind and caring, much like your mother. Does young Selena require more of my special brew?”
“I don’t think so. She probably wants to be left alone for now.”
>You see one of his eyes flash as he cocks an eyebrow. “Does it trouble young Princess Dawn?”
>It was no big secret around the castle that your sister was acting up. It was never this bad when you two were young, but as she grew older, she has come to grieve and pity herself more so.
>It didn’t help with the relentless teasing she had to endure.
>But it wasn’t her fault as to what happened to her mother...
>”Perhaps I am too privy in the matter.” He continues. “These things take time to heal.” Mastera smiles with affection at you.
>It was hard not to smile as well. He was right about a lot of things. Patience with your sister is what you need.
“You’re right, I will do well to keep that in mind.”
>Without another word, you go about your business as does he.
>He was usually a quiet pony. Rarely did he talk to anyone else aside from your mother.
>From time to time you asked her what they talked about. As far as you knew, it was mostly politics about the kingdom.
>Mastera would offer some advice should Celestia choose to listen, but more often than not, she turned down his suggestions.
>There was no more time to dawdle. Mother was expecting you any minute now.
>Picking up the pace, you hurry along to the royal hall. The two guards watching the door open it with their magic to grant you passage.
>You thank them and continue down the corridor.
>There sitting in the throne is your mother talking to one of her attendants and looking through paperwork.
>Many of the guards that line the side of the hall bow their heads to greet you as you address each of them back in kind.
>Just as you approach mother, she finishes the last of her business before standing. “Good morning Dawn. I trust you are ready for your lesson today.”
>You bow before your mother out of respect and admiration.
“I am.”
>Her long mane flows gently off to the side. “You seem troubled. Is everything alright?”
>That was another thing about her; she always knew if you were upset about something. Try as you might, you couldn’t hide your feelings from her.
>All you could think about now was your sister and Duke BlueBlood.
“Yes, may I tell you about it in private?”
>She slowly descends from the throne towards you. “Of course, dear. Let us be on our way.”
>Other retinues assume their place to continue business while Celestia was away.
>The two of you exit out a side door and down a hallway that will take you to the observatory. “I trust you have been practicing your magic?”
>You only nod sullenly as you walk along side her. Instantly you recall seeing that doll being pulled to shreds before your eyes.
>The doll being ripped up wasn’t why you were hurt. It was how Selena reacted when it happened.
>You muster the courage to speak up about your sister.
“I saw Selena this morning to play with her.”
>”And how is she feeling?” Celestia asks.
>Things wouldn’t get better unless you tell her.
“I think Duke BlueBlood is teasing her again.”
>”And what makes you say that, my child?”
>Breaching through a pair of large doors, you make your way inside a large observatory filled with all kinds of equipment and lined with shelves of all kinds of books.
>Books that have been supposedly read and some written by StarSwirl the Bearded himself.
>The large rotunda structure reverberates your voices, creating a distinct echo effect no matter how quiet one speaks.
>You didn’t believe there was any reason that she had to know the exact details.
“She got angry with me again. You know she is only like that when being bullied.”
>Mother stops walking for a moment to look down at you. “Why would she become upset at you?”
>This is what you didn’t want to tell her.
“I don’t know, she just yelled at me and... I’m worried about her.”
>Her gaze turns away from you as she continues over to a bookshelf. “Dawn, I understand your need to protect Selena. But I have a feeling this has something to do with her as well.”
>You nervously fidget with your fingers. That all too familiar sick feeling churns in your stomach.
>Her horn glows as it pulls out several books off a shelf. “I am not upset at you, Dawn. But I would like you to be honest and candid with me. If you are to be an exemplar of a righteous ruler one day, then you must not be afraid to be forthright.”
>It was hard to tell if you should be scared or relieved, but you couldn’t disappoint mother.
“I brought her some dolls to play with, but when she tried to pick one up I distracted her by accident. It... it was ripped to pieces before my eyes. Selena got angry with me and asked me to leave.”
>Several more books hover in the air as Celestia listens attentively. Placing them onto a nearby table, she smiles warmly at you.
>”You have done nothing wrong, Dawn. I have also been watching after her and observing her magic. It takes time to focus and tame magical powers such as yours.”
>She opens up one of the books and points to an illustration describing how magic is augmented through a unicorn’s horn. “You and Selena are different. Although you can manifest your magic through your mind, similar to a unicorn, you can also use your hands to create incantations.”
>You look down to your hands briefly before walking over to the table to look at the books.
>”Do not worry about Selena. She is going through a lot right now and I will look into the matter. For now, let us go over your lesson.”
>Skimming through the old book, you come across a section that was seemingly older than dirt.
>On the pages were inscriptions of old words and drawings.
>”I want us to practice your incantation, Dawn.”
“But it feels too weird, and it’s hard to remember them.”
>”I understand, but I believe you can do it. One day, I will teach you something very important and you cannot afford to forget. I had taught once who was very studious about these things.” Your mother remarks.
>One of the few times she has mentioned this student of hers.
>Twilight Sparkle.
>In fact, this observatory was named after her.
>Mother told you about the tales and adventures of Twilight and her friends.
>The lessons they learned about friendship and the dangers they fought to save Equestria and how they saved your mother’s life on numerous occasions.
>That was over a hundred years ago.
>Twilight Sparkle was a prodigy in her field of magic. She was up there in the ranks of such great unicorns like StarSwirl the Bearded in her later years.
>But this talk of an important lesson intrigued you.
“What lesson is that?”
>With a warm smile she nuzzles her face against yours. “I will teach you once the time has come, but for now we must exercise your incantation spells.”
>She was right, practice makes perfect.
>But with Selena, you hope she will come to realize her potential.
>Lest it destroys her.

>You are now Selena.
>It’s been a couple of days since Dawn came to visit you in your room.
>Celestia came to talk to you yesterday, but it did not amount to much. She told you to just ignore Duke BlueBlood if possible.
>”It’s not your fault.” She said time and time again.
>If it wasn’t, then why does it hurt inside your chest whenever you try to tell yourself such things?
>The late evening sun casts a fiery red into the late sky.
>Sitting outside in the cool evening air gives you a sense of.... calm. As if the night will hide you from those that wish you harm.
>While you sit content in the shadows, your sister was basking in the honor of becoming the new ruler of Equestria.
>She was perfect.
>Dawn was smart, pretty and everyone that looked at her thought ‘what a good girl’.
>Where did that leave you?
>Wringing the edge of your dress on your small hands, you decide to visit another part of the gardens.
>A sound causes you to freeze dead in your tracks.
>You hear hoof steps approaching.
>From around the hedge you see a young white colt with a long blonde mane, it was Duke BlueBlood.
>”So this is where you hang out now?” He smirks at you.
>You didn’t answer him.
>From behind him you see another colt and filly walk up, no doubt his friends that he brings along to feel better about himself.
>”Why so glum, Selena?” Duke asks with a snarky tone.
>It’s hard to explain why you couldn’t speak up.
>Maybe it was the hard lump you can feel building up in your throat.
>Or perhaps a fear of blurting out and crying in front of them.
>Either way, you stand there motionless and feeling your cheeks burn red hot.
>The other two ponies giggle as Duke continues to tease you, “Uh oh, I think I made her mad. Better watch out guys, she just might go crazy like her mom.”
>You feel something inside snap.
>Like a hose under pressure, you yell at Duke as you feel anger wash over you.
“Don’t you ever say that about her!”
>”Look, now she’s turning all red.” Duke continues to taunt you.
>The other colt joins in, “I think you’re gonna make her cry, Duke.” He laughs haughtily.
>You know Celestia said to ignore them, but how could they just insult your mom like this?
“Shut up! You don’t know anything.”
>Duke grins all the while pretending to be fearful. “Please Selena, have mercy!” They all burst into laughter once more.
>Deep inside you feel something burn.
>A dark craving.
>A desire to lash out and hurt them.
>Wishing you can silence them forever and make them sorry for ever talking to you this way.
>A magic spell to make them disappear.
>But...
>What would mom think of you then?
>And yet you want to get even with them so bad. Your brain feels like it will tear itself to pieces if you don’t do something.
>By now the sun has finished setting past the horizon, but now all feelings of tranquility have passed.
>”What are you going to do? Kill us? It’s not like you haven’t done it before.” He says mockingly.
>Maybe your magic isn’t focused.
>It might not be perfect.
>But it would easily make them sorry.
>Like a wild and untamed windstorm, it rips and tears without any discrimination.
>Gritting your teeth, you stare them down as you feel something stir inside your mind.
>But it wasn’t the desire to hurt them.
>Duke and the others begin to back up with their eyes wide open.
>”What’s wrong with her eyes? Why are they glowing?” The filly asks.
>Before anyone else could speak you yell at them one last time.
“Leave. Me. ALONE!”
>A bright flash of light is quickly followed by silence.
>You open your eyes to find yourself in another part of the royal garden.
>Once again you were alone and exactly where you wanted to be.
>Behind you loomed a giant statue of your mother.
>Instantly you feel tears well up in your eyes.
>All you want is for your mom to be here with you.
>Why did she leave you?
>The answer was quite simple.
>Because you killed her.