A hand wave of the princess Twilight Sparkle, wearing her royal robes that cascaded down into purple and pink and with a tome of magic under the motionless arm, made the marketplace draw to a standstill.
Specifically, the Princess had been turned to another woman that wore heavier, dark-red robes and a cloak over her head, hiding most of her hair but still giving way to piercing green eyes. Her huge sleeves were almost concealing a black tome held in her right hand.
“I see your weapon. Can you tell me why you haven’t answered the call to arms earlier?” The Princess continued, in a less regal and more friendly tone, which was snapped back at.
“The business of the kingdom aren’t my own. I’ve been banished and will have nothing to do with official business. You should know that, ‘Your Highness’.”
“What...? But I didn’t do it!” Twilight claimed, defensively. “... Did you have a dispute with Princess Celestia?”
“Hah hah. You could say that. She used to be my mentor, you see. We had a dispute over power and its meaning, and suddenly I had no place in her court anymore.”
“... This is news to me. I used to be her pupil myself. Sorry, I didn’t know-”
“I don’t need your pity. With that established, if you’re allied with her, consider us enemies. Now leave me be.”
She turned with a sharp motion, but Twilight stretched her arm to hold her shoulder.
“Wait! ... I’m making my way to confront the gryphon riders up north before they become a threat. It’s just me and my friends. If we had someone as capable as someone who served under Celestia before, it’d be an easier journey.”
“You’d take a banished woman into your ranks? Doesn’t that sound even a bit dangerous to you and your troops?”
“It’s my call, not Celestia’s. You don’t strike me as such a horrible type, anyway. I rather give way to a possible friend than leave behind any bad blood.”
The proposition was considered. The cloaked woman stood in place for a moment, and then raised her tome to chest level.
“Nowadays, I can only use my magic on bandits and thieves. Your journey sounds like a dangerous one. I wouldn’t mind some more practice under my belt.”
“Thank you!” Twilight Sparkle sighed in relief, and raised a hand for a shake, which was properly granted. “Now, you know my name, but you have the advantage on me.”
“My name’s Sunset Shimmer. My magic is darker than most, but I assure you I am in full control of it.”
“Welcome aboard, Sunset.” Twilight smiled, and turned the way from which she came. “Follow me. My friends are battling outside. We’ll be the reinforcements.”
With that, the two ran off the village, and to the battleground.
