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Note: This is the original draft of this story, but not the best one. Another version, expanded, and rewritten in prose can be found here:
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and here:
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I hope you'll check it out. It's much better than this one.
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Students of Heaven
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Post 1
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>Dear Princess Celestia,
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>Things are well here.
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>The sun shines, the birds sing in the trees,
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>and I see you were right again;
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>life is so much easier with friends.
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>Snips and Snails have taken quite a liking to me.
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>They sulk around, destroy things, intimidate the students,
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>and most importantly of all,
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>they recognize my greatness.
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>They do so much for me I can just sit back and bask in the misery.
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>See? I'm making progress!
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>You may have refused to make me an alciorn but it doesn't matter.
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>There's no magic here anyway, and I already rule without it.
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>This whole area is "under my thumb."
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>Don't they have the cutest expressions?
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>But it's true:
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>I rule.
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>I rule a school, yes, but the wails of a child are no less real.
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>Their anguish is felt just as keenly.
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>Their tears are just as sweet.
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>I rule a school, yes, but it's a school of flypaper, and they're the flies.
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>They can't run without tearing off their own legs;
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>their society, even their families turn on them if they try,
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>hurting them in ways I never could.
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>In fact, their entire futures are destroyed if they don't graduate,
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>so they find no rest no matter where they go.
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Post 2
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>They're trapped with me.
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>In a way adults never would be.
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>And it's all thanks to you.
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>Every time Snips and Snails steal for me,
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>every time someone is late for class because they're too afraid to pass me in the hall,
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>every time I lie to Flash, and he lashes out in my defense,
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>every downcast eye, every fearful whimper, every tearful breakdown;
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>they're all because of you.
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>I want you to remember that.
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>I may be on the other side of the mirror,
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>but I am still me:
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>indomitable, unstoppable, me.
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>And everyone here is mine.
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>Remember that.
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>You're the kind of pony who would care.
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>They aren't your ponies, they aren't even ponies at all,
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>but you care.
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>Sleep well Princess.
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>See my face when you close your eyes.
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>Dream about what I've done, and so, what *you* have done through me.
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>Dream too, about all the suffering still to come.
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>The sweet, sweet suffering.
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>I wonder how much longer it will be before I rack up a suicide?
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>Wish me luck!
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>Your faithful student,
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>S
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>I leave the book and walk slowly to my balcony
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>Something's got to be done about Sunset.
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>My poor little student, so very lost.
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>Pegai flit between my towers.
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>The faint sound of hooves on stone echo among my walls and gardens.
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>Ponyville and Cloudsdale dot the horizon.
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>All of Equestria spread out before me.
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>But I don't see it.
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>Instead, I see the past...
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Post 3
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>Nowhere
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>Aeons ago
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>I'm alone.
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>I've always been alone.
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>That's how it feels.
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>Emptiness stretches out around me,
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>cold, silent blackness above and below.
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>Time passes.
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>There's no way to know how much.
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>I don't want to be alone anymore.
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>I summon my power and a star springs into being.
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>More magic
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>I create a planet, beautiful and blue.
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>Sunlight glimmers off the water and high cloud-tops.
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>Eventually I descend, and call land from the waves.
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>It makes me happy, but I can do better!
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>Mountains, and prairies, islands and rivers!
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>Sometimes I form them myself,
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>but most of the time, I let the processes I set in motion do the shaping.
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>Eventually, I am satisfied.
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>I take pieces of my world and shape them further.
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>Some please me, and some don't.
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>Eventually, I create a kind I like more than all the others:
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>4 legs, hooves, a tail and mane.
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>It's pleasing. So much so that I adopt it myself,
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>twisting and molding my own shape to mimic it.
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>Larger, of course, to suit my majesty.
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>I give life to my creations and scatter them across my new world.
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>Now it's time to wait.
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>Eventually, some will be born with the potential to ascend.
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>I'll find them, and guide them, and when they are ready,
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>I will help them through apotheosis.
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>Then, I won't be alone anymore.
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Post 4
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>Canterlot
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>Present Day
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>Sunset was right, I hadn't made her an alicorn,
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>but I hadn't made Twilight one either.
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>I'd merely given them the seed of divinity, as I had a few others,
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>and tried to guide them in a way it would sprout true.
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>Sunset had so much potential, but she'd never had patience.
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>She'd left before I could make her understand,
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>and still carried the seed within her.
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>That made her dangerous.
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>Very, very dangerous.
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>If it grew while she still harbored so much darkness the results would be terrifying.
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>Even in that banal world she now inhabited, her powers would be immense.
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>Made even more formidable by being the only magic there.
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>It would be much the same as if Nightmare Moon had usurped my throne.
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>I can not let that happen!
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>But what to do?
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>She won't come back, and even if she did, she would still be the same corrupted unicorn.
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>How can I save her?
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>I look down on the ponies preparing for the upcoming Princess Summit.
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>They'd soon be on their way to the Crystal Empire, and I'd follow at my leisure.
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>An idea forms.
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>Sunset didn't know the origin of my "sister" Luna,
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>or how close Starswirl had come to ascending himself.
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>But Sunset does know about Cadance, and what she used to be.
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>She doesn't know about Twilight, or Twilight's ascension, or her crown.
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>But what if she did?
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>I return to the book and levitate my quill.
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>I close my eyes and summon all my knowledge of both ponies.
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>I'll only have one chance to get this right.
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>I compose the letter in my mind again and again.
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>Eventually, my eyes open, and I begin to write.
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Post 5
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>Canterlot
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>c1300 years ago
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>I follow Luna through the cool air.
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>It's always cool at this height, among the clouds.
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>She'd woken up early this afternoon and asked me to come with her;
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>to a meadow high up on Canterlot Mountain,
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>with a large piece of gneiss jutting over the valley below.
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>It's honeycombed with tunnels and passages, and had been an active jewel-mine in her youth.
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>Now depleted, and abandoned.
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>I know she visits from time to time.
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>This time we're together
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>We set down in the grass and make our way to the pond
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>A beautiful, pure thing fed by a waterfall
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>We sup and bathe, talk and play,
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>then, as the time for night draws close,
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>make our way to the tip of Canterlot Rock.
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>A gentle breeze blows, and insects softly buzz in the flowers.
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>I lay down and look out on my kingdom
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>A contented sigh escapes my lips
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>I smile
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>"Surely there is no pony so lovely, and so well beloved as I."
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>Luna laughs a little bit
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>"What a thing to say, Sister!"
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>"There's no harm in telling the truth, little sister."
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>"We do not say it doth harm. We merely observe that...modesty hath never been among thy virtues."
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>I say nothing and look out
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>She's right, of course. But why should I be modest?
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>The ponies are here to serve me.
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>No, not me: us!
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>At long last my dream is fulfilled!
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>Another pony was born: gifted and beautiful!
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>I taught her and trained her and eventually, gave her the spark of divinity.
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>Not long ago, she blew that spark to flames and became an Alicorn.
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>My very first!
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>My dear Princess Luna;
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>my sister from that day forth!
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>But still so young;
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>eventually she'll learn the ponie's proper place:
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>beneath us.
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>"We haven't offended thee, have we?"
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>Now it's my turn to laugh
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>"No you have not."
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>"Good. We would not be pleased to have soured the mood."
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Post 6
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>A gorgeous smile spreads across her face.
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>"We hath prepared a spectacle of such majesty!"
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>"This is why we hath asked thee to come:"
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>"this is our favorite place in all the land, and we wish thou to savor it with us."
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>I smile and lower the sun
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>"Show us, little sister."
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>She closes her eyes and channels her magic
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>The moon rises
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>Her eyes open, and she lays down beside me
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>The soft light from her horn casts our shadow on the rock
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>"Keep watching the sky!"
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>Stars pop into being
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>flashing silver and blue and red against the black
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>then fading to steady twinkles
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>shooting stars fall like rain
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>brilliant streaks sheeting together from right to left
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>Suddenly, it occurs to me the streaks are falling in formation
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>taking the shapes of gryphons, dragons, minotaurs, and of course, ponies.
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>They burn out as they reach the rows of new stars
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>Falling in sequence so as to seem to walk along them:
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>A road of stars with meteor-creatures dancing along it.
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>Eventually the creatures reach the glowing orb of the moon and vanish.
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>Then the star road winks out
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>one by one until the moon alone remains.
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>I nuzzle, and lean against her
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>"That was beautiful sister."
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>"We are glad thou appreciated it."
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>"We wanted thee to know thy decision to grant us demense over the night was a proper one."
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>I lay my head atop her shoulders
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>"I had no doubts before sister, now I doubt I ever will."
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>She smiles and looks at me askance
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>"Good. As the beauty of mine nights becomes known, thou will rememebr not to become *too* jealous."
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>I summon a mildly biting look and stare into her eyes
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>"Sorry it has to be this way, princess, but the day will always outshine the night."
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>Then raise my snout to the sky, letting my pink tresses fall between us
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>A moment passes
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>then two
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>Have I hurt her more than I intended?
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>At last she laughs
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>"Just as we have said; modest as the sun itself!"
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>She resumes our lean and we pass the night together.
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Post 7
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>The Crystal Empire
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>Present Day
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>The thing about Twilight is, she's not my apprentice.
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>She never has been.
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>Oh she's my student,
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>and the most talented magic user I've ever encountered in my long life.
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>I love her dearly.
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>But she isn't like me;
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>she's like my sister, Luna.
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>Sunset though, is me.
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>Younger, less magically potent, but so much like me it borders on the incredible.
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>Her confidence, her power, her bearing and wit.
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>Very much like I once was.
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>Which is probably why I did it;
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>gave her the seed before she was ready.
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>I was sure, because I saw so much of myself in her.
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>She needed guidence and temperance, but surely she could not fail?
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>*I* could not fail.
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>Not again.
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>But I did.
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>I learned from the mistake, and was able to turn Twilight in time,
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>but I am the sun, and my sister the night.
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>Sunset, too is the sun, and Twilight the night;
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>there must be both.
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>So here I am, about to risk everything I've accomplished:
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>millions of lives, millennia of pony-history
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>and the unknowable expanses of time since I created the world.
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>All for the sake of one lost unicorn.
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>And it's worth it.
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>Because she has the potential to be so much more.
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Post 8
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>The mirror has been moved to a room close to Princess Twilight's.
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>I have reduced the guard compliment.
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>Now I wait, cloaked and obscured in my most potent magics.
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>Even my dear sister would be hard-pressed to detect me.
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>A flash of light tells me she's arrived
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>I watch her stealthily creep among the corridors.
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>Not stealthily enough!
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>A bit of my subtle magic here and there ensures the guards don't spot her.
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>How easy it would be to catch her now!
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>But, she must be saved, not merely stopped.
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>Oh Twilight, forgive me.
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>You're a princess, and so, immortal; one day you'll be a goddess too.
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>Then you'll understand.
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>At last she finds what she's looking for.
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>The Element of Magic rises in the darkness.
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>This seems an opportune moment;
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>I give the tiara a little push into the lamp.
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>Damn it to Tartarus, she caught it!
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>Well, let's try again;
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>a touch of magic,
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>Spike rolls in his sleep,
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>Sunset trips,
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>and the chase is on!
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>A little magic to amplify the noise
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>Now all the ponies are involved!
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>Galloping and teleporting,
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>all the way to the mirror,
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>No! Twilight caught her!
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>Sunset won't give up, especially with this incentive;
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>I bounce the crown from one surface to the next,
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>and finally, through the mirror.
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>Sunset frees herself and turns,
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>victory scrawled across her perfect face.
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>"Sorry it had to be this way,"
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>a smirking salute
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>"princess."
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>My jaw drops, and she's gone.
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>I've often heard ponies invoke my name.
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>But who does a goddess pray to?
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>She's so very much like me.
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>I hope I'm not making another terrible mistake.
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Post 9
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>Castle of the Two Sisters
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>c1100 years ago
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>"Here ye, here ye! All who gather, stand and bear witness!"
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>Luna's Royal voice booms through the great hall.
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>I gesture with my horn and all eyes fall on the Grand Door.
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>As it opens my orchestra begins to play.
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>A grand tune, full of triumph and honor!
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>A lone unicorn stands tall, aged though he is,
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>and proudly marches down the carpet toward us.
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>All eyes follow him
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>Not a trace of contempt or loathing on any of their faces.
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>Stallions belong in the bedroom or the fields.
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>That's the way it has been for as long as I could remember.
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>They had said it to his face at first,
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>when as a foal his magical talents began to outshine those of any mare.
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>Then quietly, behind his back,
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>when I decided to teach him.
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>Now, they don't say it at all.
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>Some of the other stallions even seek educations of their own.
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>He stops before us, kneels, and smiles.
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>Awed by us, of course, but also,
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>by the sun and moon visible through the windows.
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>Sharing the sky.
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>Luna's idea.
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>An appropriate display for one who has saved Equestria!
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>The music fades, and Luna speaks again:
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>"Know Ye, that reposing special trust and confidence in the fidelity and abilities of"
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>"Starswirl the Bearded,"
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>We do appoint him a Hero of Equestria!"
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>"To be known as such from this day forth,"
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>"and I do strictly direct and require all ponies"
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>"to render appropriate respect thereunto."
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>Her echos slowly die.
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>My turn to speak
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>"Starswirl the Bearded, Hero of Equestria."
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>"For recognizing and defeating the Three Beasts of Song,"
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>"receive this medal!"
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>He rises to all fours and I place a Royal Seal around his neck,
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>borne on a chain of solid gold.
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>"Stand and be recognized!"
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>he turns, and as one they all bow to him.
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>I let him savor his moment.
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>"Now, Hero of Equestria, speak!"
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>"Name your reward. If it is within my power, you shall have it."
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Post 10
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>Canterlot Meadow
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>that night
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>Luna and I lie together, looking over our kingdom.
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>"Why did you do it Celestia?"
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>"Sister, please..."
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>"We are not really sisters. Answer us."
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>My dear sister is angry and embarrassed that the ponies still revere my days more than her nights.
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>She has been for some time.
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>But since the ceremony, she's turned frigid as ice, and now she says this?
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>Luna; petulent and puerile even after all these years.
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>But I will not rise to it.
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>I will be an example to her, as I am to every pony.
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>Eventually, she will realize how base her behavior is.
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>I sigh
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>"It was what he asked for."
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>"But another, like us?"
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>"He isn't an Alicorn yet, Sister."
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>"He has a great deal to learn before the seed sprouts, if it does at all."
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>A roll of her eyes
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>"We know that, Celestia. We worked long and hard before our own took root."
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>She lets out an incredulous laugh
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>"But, Celestia, what will you do if it does? Send him to rule one of our protectorates?"
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>I consider for a moment. "He isn't a mare..."
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>"That's right Celestia, he isn't a mare. They won't accept him."
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>"They'll play along. To his face, and ours, but nowhere else."
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>My sister's words are sharp, and flung with annoyance.
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>Why does she behave so?
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>"He is not a mare, but I believe the job would suit him."
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>Luna's expression changed to disbelief.
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>"They will mock him, and maybe you too. It is no fault of his own,"
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>"but his appointment will undermine our legitmacy in their eyes."
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>Her expression darkens, and she glares at me.
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>"But you know this, Celestia, don't you?
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>I raise my nose and let my gaze ooze down upon her.
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>"Meaning what, Sister?
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>"You are no fool Celestia."
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>A strange look flits across her face
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>"But neither are we!"
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>Her voice cracks
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>"You think we have failed. You think us delinquent in our duty of the night."
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>"You seek to replace us! To make him steward of moon and stars in our stead!"
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>That's it?
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>Oh how she is truly, my *little* sister.
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Post 11
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>I soften my gaze
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>"Sister, I..."
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>"Do not deny it! How strange that you would choose a male,"
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>"but his name is so convenient, isn't it? 'Starswirl'."
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>She spat it out like a rotten apple.
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>Her eyes narrow.
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>Then, she whispers so quietly no pony but myself would have been able to hear her:
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>"It's to humiliate us, isn't it? That's why you chose a stallion."
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>"Fields, bedroom, or replacing Luna... that's what they'll say."
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>I lower my head and nuzzle her chin
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>"Sister! I will never replace you."
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>She looks at me, tears welling in her gorgeous eyes.
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>"Look."
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>I gesture with my snout
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>"The land, the sky, everything in between."
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>"Every rock, every plant, every creature, every pony."
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>"I created this world to find you. You are my sister."
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>"Immortal, powerful, and one day, when you have learned and grown enough,"
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>"you will attain divinity every bit as splendid as my own."
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>"If Starswirl ascends, he too will become immortal, and he will not be accepted right away."
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>"But we can wait, dear sister."
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>"We will hold the kingdom, the world itself together, as long as it takes to change."
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>"Experience tells me, it will not be so long as you think."
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>"But what will not change, is my love for you, or your place at my side."
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>"You are my sister, forever and always, and I love you, forever and always."
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>She looks away, and silently gazes at the horizon
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>I lay my head on her shoulder
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>"Is it time, sister?" she asks.
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>I smile and nuzzle again
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>"It's close enough if you're ready."
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>I keep my head on her shoulder as she lowers the moon
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>There's a soft dripping noise
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>We linger
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>Everything's going to be OK. I know it.
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>At last I raise my head, and the sun.
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>Now, in the light of dawn, I see Luna is crying.
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>She looks over and smiles
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>"We do love you, sister. We just wish they loved us too."
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>"They do."
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>A moment goes by, and she smiles sadly.
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Post 12
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>"We made something for you, Sister"
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>"Oh?"
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>"Yes, we have noticed something that all the ponies seem to love: an ornament for the day itself."
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>"An ornament for the day?"
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>Her smile is genuine now, despite her lingering tears.
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>"mmm!" She enthusiastically nods.
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>"Close your eyes, my sister."
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>I smile back at her, and do as she asks.
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>Her horn lightly touches my mane, and a brief tingle passes through me.
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>"Open them, sister, and follow me to the pond."
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>Among the rocks, shielded from the ripples of the waterfall it's clear and placid.
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>In its surfce our faces look back at us;
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>Luna's smile is as bright as the sun itself, and my own is awestruck.
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>"My hair..." I whisper
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>My pink tresses are transformed!
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>A rainbow, dancing on a gentle wind that isn't there!
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>Now it's my turn to smile.
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>My sister, My dearest Luna! So thoughtful even now!
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>"Thou can suppress it, when thy want to."
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>"Why would I ever want to do that?"
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>"Well..." Her tail swishes sheepishly
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>"it takes a bit of magic to keep it going."
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>"We gave thee a little of our own so thou could see how it looks,"
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>"but If it's not kept charged the spell will falter."
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>I shake my head
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>"I don't want to suppress it! I don't want it to falter! I'll wear it with love for you, forever!"
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>She giggles like a little filly and rubs her neck against mine.
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>"We'll teach you the spell, but first..."
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>"first?"
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>"Come and play with us!"
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>She leaps from the edge of the promontory at full gallop, then soars through the calm dawn sky.
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>I am not far behind
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Post 13
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>Canterlot
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>Present day
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>I haven't heard from Sunset for a very long time.
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>Twilight returned and told me what happened.
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>My dear little Sunset actually used the crown.
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>But of course, her seed failed to sprout, as I knew it would.
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>Sunset may have been able to fight Unicorn Twilight,
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>but, she was no match for an Alicorn.
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>Twilight said she left Sunset in the hands of some humans.
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>The very ones whom she had terrorized for so long.
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>It seemed an odd thing to do, cruel, even.
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>An indirect vengeance, unbecoming one of Twilight's station.
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>Then she said those humans had also been that worlds bearers of The Elements.
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>So I let her judgement stand.
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>Honesty, Loyalty, Generosity, Laughter,
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>and most of all, Kindness were just what Sunset needed now.
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>I was surprised there had been no Element of Magic,
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>But Sunset could do without that for now, at least.
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>But where was she?
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>Shortly after Twilight returned Sunset sent me a single letter.
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>Two little words:
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>"I'm sorry."
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>Then, no matter what I said, or how I tried to engage, she refused me.
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>Eventually, I stopped, thinking she would come to me when she was ready.
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>Now, it seems she is.
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>The book dances and glows atop my desk.
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>I open it and begin to read.
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>Oh no.
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Post 14
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>My poor Sunset Shimmer.
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>To say nothing of the natives of that world.
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>The sirens have found them. It must be the sirens.
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>Probably attracted to, or maybe even awoken by the introduction of magic from Equestria.
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>If the portal were open, I could take care of this myself.
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>I can reopen it...but to my regret, she asked for Twilight's help, not mine.
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>Perhaps that's for the best?
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>Equestria needs me,
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>Twilight needs the experience,
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>and Sunset needs a friend, not a mother-figure.
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>With the portal closed, Twilight won't be in any danger,
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>and if it comes to it, I can cross over, and stop the Beasts of Song once and for all.
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>But only if I must.
-
>Twilight needs the experience,
-
>and Sunset needs a friend,
-
>not me.
-
>Time is of the essence, and a teleport is faster than even my best pegasus courier.
-
>I'll send a letter once it arrives, but
-
>Twilight will recognize the sirens as surely as I did,
-
>maybe even before the message arrives.
-
>She'll also have a way to talk Sunset through her new crucible.
-
>I close my eyes, and cast my sight to Ponyville.
-
>To Twilight's castle,
-
>through the wards and spells meant to keep out farsight and teleportation.
-
>My faithful student improves all the time; they are much better than before,
-
>but still trivial for me to bypass.
-
>There she is, among her books and letters.
-
>When she's focused like this, I could teleport it right in front of her and she wouldn't notice.
-
>She hasn't even sensed my presence.
-
>What to do?
-
>How fortuitous! My shipment of books is arriving!
-
>And they're going right to the throne room.
-
>They will catch her attention if anything will!
-
>Effortlessly, I begin the teleportation spell, and reactivate the books message-alert.
-
>A pop as it disappears from my chambers
-
>Now to find a messenger...
-
-
-
Post 15
-
-
>The Everfree Forest
-
>c1000 years ago
-
-
>Silence
-
>I watch the moon sink below the horizon.
-
>Luna is nowhere to be seen.
-
>Lately, that's not unusual.
-
>We raise and lower our celestial bodies dawn after dawn, and dusk after dusk,
-
>without ever laying eyes on each other.
-
>But even at dawn, there is some kind of noise: birds, guards, something to hear.
-
>Especially here in the forest.
-
>Silence
-
>I feel a chill up my spine and know Luna is watching me.
-
>She sometimes does, using farsight to spy without having to share my presence.
-
>No, not spy; she knows I know when she watches.
-
>Observe, would be a more appropriate term.
-
>I do not mind.
-
>Dutifully, I raise the Sun
-
>But it is so quiet.
-
>I turn and head back toward our castle.
-
>Last night, I did not want to sleep, and spent the night in the forest watching Luna's sky.
-
>She'd become more and more upset this last century.
-
>Nopony seemed to appreciate her efforts, and one night,
-
>she'd just stopped.
-
>She still raised the moon, but there was no more beauty.
-
>No more soul.
-
>I was expecting yet another dull night, with wan moon and faint, sickly stars, and it was.
-
>At first.
-
>Then, near midnight, I sensed her watching me.
-
>Shortly after, the sky had exploded in light and color.
-
>The moon shone like a beacon, and the stars flared, literally *flared* up,
-
>bursting across the sky in hues I had never seen before.
-
>Even a comet appeared!
-
>I stayed out and watched it all;
-
>after so much effort, I wanted her to know that I, at least appreciated her new-found spark.
-
>"Thank you sister, that was beautiful."
-
>Silence
-
-
-
Post 16
-
-
>I'm not even at the gate yet, and I know something is terribly wrong.
-
>None of the guards are at their posts.
-
>None of the daily delivery-wagons are awaiting inspection.
-
>None of the coopers, or bakers, or gardeners or any of the other staff are at their tasks.
-
>And that silence
-
>Not even an insect disturbs it.
-
>I rush through the gate, the sound of my hooves echoing from the walls
-
>Where is everypony?
-
>"Hello?"
-
>Silence
-
>Thunderous silence
-
>I can still feel the chill that tells me Luna is watching.
-
>Why doesn't she say something?
-
>"Luna, do you know what's happened?"
-
>No answer
-
>"Luna? Sister?"
-
>Why doesn't she answer?
-
>I spread my wings and fly to the servant's buildings.
-
>I open the door and gasp in disbelief.
-
>Sitting at the duty desk, is a guard, softly snoring with his head lolled back.
-
>How dare he sleep on duty!
-
>"Guard!" I say in my booming royal voice, "Wake up!"
-
>He doesn't budge
-
>I trot over and see his sleep is far from peaceful:
-
>his eyes are swollen and tears streak his fur.
-
>Sweat rolls down his body while muffled screams punctuate his whimpers.
-
>"Guard?" I shake him with my wings.
-
>Still he doesn't awaken.
-
>"Luna, what's going on?"
-
>This time she answers, but I almost wish she hadn't.
-
-
-
Post 17
-
-
>"Hm-hm-hm-hm" her soft laughter drifts through the air.
-
>"Oh he's having the most marvelous dreams sister."
-
>The way she hisses out that last word chills me to my core.
-
>"They all are. Sleeping and dreaming until my night cometh again."
-
>"What have you done?"
-
>"We sent the guards home and layed them to bed. In fact, everything on this planet that can sleep, is!"
-
>"Why? Let them go!"
-
>"Hahahahahaha! Oh sister, Thou used to love our jokes. How often did thee say thou adored our sense of humor?"
-
>I looked at the guard, shivering and weeping in his sleep.
-
>"This..." I gestured to him "this is funny to you?"
-
>"No, Celestia. This is the set-up. The punchline begins when thee cometh to us."
-
>Come to her? Has she forgotten who I am? *What* I am?
-
>"I will not play your game sister. Release them at once, then, I will speak to you."
-
>Suddenly the guard thrashes in his sleep.
-
>A high keening wail erupts from all around me.
-
>They're all screaming. Every pony, every animal, every insect.
-
>Mad, piercing shrieks shattering the dawn's quiet.
-
>Howls born from the deepest insanity and mind-breaking terror,
-
>on and on, echoing and reverberating,
-
>assaulting from all sides.
-
>Then, as quickly as it began, they fall silent.
-
>Luna's disembodied voice speaks again.
-
>"Thou will, of course, because thee wants us to stop, dost thou not, sister?"
-
>This couldn't be happening
-
>She couldn't mean this.
-
>My sister
-
>*My* sister
-
>My *sister*
-
>How could she do this?
-
>Tears fall freely from my face
-
>I don't care
-
>"Luna..." I manage to sob
-
>"Well, come and stop us. Thy surely knoweth where we are."
-
>"Luna, please..."
-
>"No, sister! Come to us. Now is not the time for fear. That comes later."
-
-
-
Post 18
-
-
>I'm crying
-
>I can't help it
-
>How could she do this?
-
>Oh my dear sister...
-
>I could end it now, release them myself, but that might drive Luna mad.
-
>It might even enrage her such that I'll have to...
-
>No, I won't let myself consider that.
-
>I'll have to talk to her.
-
>To make her understand there's only one way this can end.
-
>That hers is only to choose where she stands when it does.
-
>"Oh my dear sister..."
-
>She was right too, I do know where she is.
-
>The alcove behind our thrones.
-
>Where we used to meet before going out and changing the sky together.
-
>A quick teleport,
-
>and there she is: standing before me, wearing a cruel smile.
-
>"See, sister? We said thou would come."
-
>"Luna, what are... WHY are you doing this?"
-
>"Luna?" She smirks "Are we not *sisters*?"
-
>"Yes," I nod.
-
>"We are sisters, Luna, because I made you so."
-
>Her smirk changes to a snarl.
-
>"Have you forgotten what I am? I am a goddess! Creator of both sun and moon."
-
>"I made the world! I gave life to it! Who are you to defy me?"
-
>Her face is a mask of frustrated rage.
-
>Can't she understand how hopeless her position is?
-
>"We too, are a goddess! Thou said so thyself! That one day we would be thy equal!"
-
>"And you think that day has come?"
-
>"We are the night! We are the darkness! We are the bringer of dreams and the source of fear!"
-
>"Luna..."
-
>"They will love the night, if not for its beauty, then for its solace from the terrors of the day!"
-
>"They will cower in fear at the mere thought of the light!"
-
>Her horn glows, and they're screaming again.
-
>Every throat on the planet screeching itself raw.
-
>"They will love us! They will love ME!"
-
>Louder and louder, their mad voices penetrating even the thick stone walls.
-
>"They will worship the peace I allow them only when the darkness falls!"
-
>"Luna!"
-
>"Shut up, Celestia! Now is the time for fear! Stop me if you can!"
-
-
-
Post 19
-
-
>This isn't working
-
>And I can't let my ponies continue to suffer.
-
>Oh sister, please forgive me.
-
>I must save them from you, but I'm also saving you from yourself.
-
>One day, you'll understand.
-
>You must...
-
>I call on my power, only a very little bit more than I'm used to.
-
>Suddenly the screaming stops.
-
>Luna's face jerks towards me with a shocked expression.
-
>I force down my tears.
-
>"No more of this Luna. You can't hurt them anymore."
-
>Her horn glows, then blazes. Her face contorting with effort and rage.
-
>Easily countered.
-
>My sleeping subjects don't even stir from her renewed attack.
-
>"NO!"
-
>I calmly raise my snout.
-
>She glares at me with a hatred and malevolence I'd never believed possible,
-
>then all at once collapses to the floor, sobs gushing from her in an uncontrolled torrent.
-
>Her tears and moans wrack her frame from nose to tail.
-
>"Please, let this be the end of it, Luna, my dear sister."
-
>I turn and march from the alcove,
-
>between our thrones and down the stairs,
-
>across the Great Hall,
-
>almost to the Grand Door, when her voice rings out behind me.
-
>"Not another step!"
-
>Oh Sister, please no.
-
>I slowly turn to face her.
-
>"Did you really expect me to sit idly by while they all basked in your precious light?"
-
>please no
-
>"There can only be one princess in Equestria."
-
>please no
-
>"And that princess will be ME!"
-
>The stone dias crumbles beneath her powerful hooves.
-
>A fissure shoots up the wall behind her, and it too falls away.
-
>Through the hole, I see my sun, shining in the clear blue sky...
-
>eclipsed!
-
-
-
Post 20
-
-
>Canterlot
-
>Present Day
-
-
-
>My Dear Sunset Shimmer,
-
>Congratulations!
-
>Through the great strength true friendship provides, you defeated 3 ancient, powerful terrors!
-
>You are a brilliant, educated pony;
-
>you don't need me to tell you how this accomplishment shines!
-
>Even though a part of me indulges in the idea of you relishing my praise.
-
>What I wish to discuss, is your other accomplishment:
-
>reformation.
-
>We tell ourselves a myriad of stories about, and justifications for our actions.
-
>Our minds remember, forget, and reinterpret events in ways that make us appear laudible.
-
>This protects us, but also stunts us;
-
>we can't grow if we're blind to our own failings.
-
>Unfortunately, many are.
-
>Intellectually, we know "nobody's perfect",
-
>but when it comes to it, we lack the strength to see ourselves in the harsh light of reality.
-
>To drop our vanities, and see ourselves as we are,
-
>instead of as we imagine ourselves to be.
-
>They are never the same.
-
>This takes more fortitude than many possess,
-
>and even more to realize when one is wanting.
-
>It is difficult.
-
>It is painful.
-
>But you did it anyway. And more than that,
-
>YOU DID NOT TURN AWAY.
-
>You faced the pain, and let it drive you to become better.
-
>You are every bit the heroine, and so much greater than you realize.
-
>One day, you will be a princess.
-
>Because of this, there is one more thing I want to speak with you about.
-
-
-
-
-
Post 21
-
-
>You know of Princess Luna's rebellion, but
-
>will you let me tell you a bit more?
-
>When I took up the Elements of Harmony against her, it was not out of necessity;
-
>but hope.
-
>I'd hoped to intimidate her in to giving up.
-
>She knew how powerful they were, and I thought seeing me wielding them would bring her to her senses.
-
>As you know they did not.
-
>So when I knew I could not delay any longer, I banished her,
-
>instead of purifying her.
-
>Do you know why?
-
>For centuries after, I told myself it was an accident;
-
>that in the heat of the moment, my control over the elements slipped!
-
>In period illustrations, I am shown pink-haired.
-
>I ordered it so, to further convince myself that I was flustered, not malicious.
-
>So flustered, in fact, that even my hair-magic faltered!
-
>But it was a lie.
-
>I did it in anger.
-
>Pain at my sister's betrayal, and fear for my ponies,
-
>wove seamlessly into a spike of rage which bore an action that haunted me for a thousand years.
-
>Why am I telling you this?
-
>Not as an excuse, but as a warning.
-
>You will find yourself in desperate situations.
-
>It is inevitable as a princess.
-
>I hope you will learn from my moment of weakness,
-
>and temper your wrath.
-
>I know you will not see this letter for some time.
-
>Since giving Twilight our book, I've begun writing, and saving them,
-
>because I still hope you'll return to me.
-
>Princess Luna has, and resumed her rightful place.
-
>I hope one day, you will read them, and know that even now, far across the multiverse,
-
>my thoughts are of you.
-
>There is so much hope in this one little letter.
-
>Long experience has taught me such hopes often go unfulfilled.
-
>Were you anyone else, I would not dare hold so much of it.
-
>But you are you. Indomitable, unstoppable you.
-
>I have faith in you.
-
>C
-
-
-
Post 22
-
-
>Canterlot Meadow
-
>c1000 years ago
-
-
>I lay in our spot and cry.
-
>Our spot
-
>Where we passed so many dawns, dusks, and gorgeous days and nights.
-
>This is where Luna invented the aurora;
-
>happily coloring her nights with the energy of my sun.
-
>This is where she painted my mane.
-
>This is where she played and explored.
-
>This is where she loved; her favorite place in all Equestria.
-
>Where our laughter echoed together time after time;
-
>now silent, but for the wind, and my pitiful cries.
-
>My sister!
-
>Oh, my beloved sister!
-
>If only you had listened!
-
>If only you had stopped!
-
>If only I'd had better control...
-
>My thin veneer of equanimity collapses.
-
>I am alone, and have no need for it.
-
>I scream my pain to the mountain, and let my sobs blot out my grief.
-
>On and on, I don't know for how long.
-
>Eventually, my thoughts turn to my ponies.
-
>All my little ponies.
-
>So terrified, and so desperately in need of me.
-
>I'd freed them from her spell, but great damage had already been done.
-
>They need my magic to lull them to sleep now, so traumatized are they by her nightmares.
-
>Nightmare Moon
-
>That's what they're calling her now.
-
>All her beautiful works, and heartfelt love forgotten.
-
>Hers will be a legacy of terror.
-
>She deserved so much better.
-
>Again misery overtakes me, and I cry awful, wracking cries.
-
>My heart tears from me and spills over the meadow.
-
>Our meadow
-
>The workers are already repairing my castle, but it's filled with bad memories.
-
>My heart weeps every time I look on it.
-
>But our meadow is filled with happy ones.
-
>I lower Luna's now-marred moon knowing what to do:
-
>abandon the Castle of the Two Sisters, and raise one here.
-
>Canterlot Castle!
-
>The dawn breaks, and washes me in its brilliant radiance.
-
>A new beginning for my ponies, and also for me.
-
>No more the distant monarch
-
>No more the goddess
-
>From now, until the end of Equestria I will be the kind and warm leader they deserve.
-
>I love them all so much, and now they will know it!
-
-
-
Post 23
-
-
>Canterlot
-
>Present day
-
-
>It's a lovely day.
-
>There isn't a cloud to be seen,
-
>my sun is warm,
-
>and my garden is filled with the perfume of flowers.
-
>Best of all, I have a new tea to try!
-
>For hundreds of years I've cultivated tea plants as a hobby.
-
>Some of my blends, and strains are enjoyed well beyond the borders of Equestria proper.
-
>Now, after nearly 4 decades of selective breeding, and magical tweaking,
-
>I think I've made yet another delight!
-
>Of course, there's only one way to be sure!
-
>I smile in anticipation as I bring the cup to my lips, it's delicate bouquet filling my nostrils.
-
>I pause a moment and marvel at the sight of my kingdom;
-
>Cloudsdale shines distantly in the bright sunlight,
-
>its alabaster spires contrasting beautifully with the blue sky.
-
>Ponyville nestled idyllically in the rolling hills to the southwest,
-
>their slopes dark with fecund apple trees.
-
>I close my eyes and sigh, savoring the moment.
-
>At last I drink,
-
>savoring also, the feeling of its warm astringence meeting my tongue.
-
>This is delicious!
-
>Even when measured against the absurdly high standards of my gardens.
-
>I think I'll give it a name to honor Luna.
-
>She was the one who introduced me to tea, after all,
-
>back when she was still an earth-pony.
-
>The sound of a door being hurriedly opened intrudes on my reverie.
-
>A guard pony canters down my arcade, looking rather worried.
-
>I nonchalantly take another sip.
-
>He leaps from the top of the stairs with his wings spread and glides to the grass.
-
>Such urgency; it was only a few little steps.
-
>He stops a few meters away, and bows deeply.
-
>I regard him with a smile, and take another sip.
-
>"Princess! You ordered to be notified at once, if your alarms on the mirror were tripped!"
-
>My heart skips a beat.
-
>I hold the liquid on my tongue.
-
>Could it be?
-
>After all this time, has she at last come back?
-
>"Yes, has somepony come through?"
-
>"Not exactly, Your Highness..."
-
-
-
Post 24
-
-
>I'm on my balcony
-
>It's nearing sunset, and the air is cool.
-
>A speck appears on the horizon, toward Ponyville.
-
>It's so distant, it seems to hang motionless in the sky,
-
>but I know it's moving with considerable speed.
-
>Gradually, it draws closer, and my eyes resolve it:
-
>Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, glowing in my sun's red light.
-
>My eyes track her progress as my mind puzzles over the days events.
-
>Some pegasus guards intercept her, then quickly let her pass.
-
>She comes straight to me, landing quickly, her face filled with concern.
-
>"Is it true?"
-
>I quietly nod.
-
>Her ears and tail droop
-
>"Oh, Twilight...I came as soon as I heard. I teleported right to Ponyville to check for myself."
-
>Her frown deepens
-
>"Even when I couldn't find her, I still hoped she might have come here."
-
>"Not yet, Cadance, but if she does, we'll know; Equestria is on high alert."
-
>She licks her lips and begins to pace
-
>"Yes, so is the Crystal Empire. This would be a clumsy prelude to attack, but I agree it's prudent."
-
>Suddenly, she stops, and looks at me, shifting her weight from left to right uncertainly.
-
>"What can I do?"
-
>"Luna is patrolling the Everfree Forest, you may help her, if you wish."
-
>"What's she looking for?"
-
>"Portals"
-
>Her brow furrows
-
>"But I saw the mirror, still in Twilight's castle."
-
>"Cadance, as you know, when she found a way to keep it open, I swathed it in alarm-spells..."
-
>"Also prudent" she says, too quickly.
-
>"Thank you. Right now, those are the only enchantments it still carries."
-
>"Was the portal dispelled?"
-
>I shake my head
-
>"Torn free, I think. Without the mirror to anchor it, the mouth will leap about unpredictably."
-
>"...and the forest's magical nature makes it the most likely place for it to appear!" She finishes.
-
>I nod
-
>"The portal is gone, Princess Twilight is g...gone; do you think she went through it?
-
>I am about to answer, when Cadance shivers visibly and a familiar chill shoots up my spine.
-
>"Sister! Princess Cadance! We have found a portal!"
-
-
-
Post 25
-
-
>High over Equestria
-
>A few years ago
-
-
>Even as old as I am, I can still be surprised.
-
>And that knowledge pleases me greatly.
-
>Moments ago, an incredible burst of magic swept across my world.
-
>I felt it, and so did my ponies.
-
>All at once, everywhere on my planet, their moods and dreams sweetened, though they didn't know why.
-
>I do:
-
>love.
-
>Pure, unconditional love powerful enough to bend reality itself.
-
>But what could have caused it?
-
>Instantly, I'd cast my sight across Equestria to it's source, not knowing what to expect.
-
>Certainly not expecting what I found!
-
>A little pink pegasus filly,
-
>standing in the snow, with a grown unicorn weeping at her hooves.
-
>I watch as the unicorn embraces her, and gives her a necklace:
-
>a crystaline heart bound in twine, blazing with invisible magic.
-
>Literally a heart,
-
>cut from the chest of a siren, meant to enslave it's victims, and deaden their souls.
-
>It's raw magical power dwarfs that of either the filly, or the unicorn, but it's different now:
-
>shining and pure.
-
>It's selfish malice somehow transformed by love.
-
>Her love.
-
>That's incredible!
-
>That's potential!
-
>The kind I've found only once before in my poor, lost sister.
-
>Unbidden, memories of her leap to the forefront of my mind. Still painful,
-
>but after all these years, a deep, dull ache, instead of raw, overwhelming anguish.
-
>I must sieze this chance!
-
>The unicorn steps into her cave, and I act,
-
>teleporting the filly, and myself to this special place.
-
>She blinks, looking thoroughly confused.
-
>"Where am...Princess!"
-
>Her eyes widen the moment she sees me
-
>"It's ok, my little pony, there's no need to be afraid."
-
>She regards me uncertainly for a moment, then relaxes.
-
>"Not as long as you're here...Your Highness."
-
>I smile at that
-
>"What's your name, little one?"
-
>"Cadance, Your Highness."
-
>"What a beautiful name."
-
>She breaks in to a smile.
-
>"Thank you, Your Highness."
-
>I beam back at her
-
>"You may call me Celestia, Cadance."
-
-
-
Post 26
-
-
>"Oh, no" she shakes her head "I could never do that, Your Highness!"
-
>"Well..." I say with an exaggerated frown
-
>"you don't have to, but I'd very much like it if we could be friends."
-
>She tilts her head to one side, and her candy-striped mane falls over her shoulders.
-
>She seems utterly entranced by the possibility.
-
>"You want to be my friend?"
-
>"Mm-hmm," I nod "and maybe talk a little bit. Would you like that?"
-
>"A lot!"
-
>"Good!" I say with my warmest smile. "Cadance, do you know why I've brought you here?"
-
>"No, Pri...C...Celestia." Her voice shrinks to a whisper at my name. "I don't even know where we are."
-
>She finally pulls her eyes from me and looks around
-
>For what seems like the first time, she notices she is standing on "nothing":
-
>a floor of pure magical force, and far, far below it, my world spread out like a shining gem.
-
>A satisfying gasp as her little jaw drops.
-
>"We're high above Equestria. Right over Canterlot, in fact."
-
>She peers through the floor
-
>"Wow, Canterlot?"
-
>"Mm-hmm, and you're here, because I want to give you a present."
-
>"A present, for me?"
-
>"It's not a present you can hold, Cadance, but it's very, very special. One day, it will change you."
-
>Her brows furrow "Change me?"
-
>"Yes, child. One day, when you're ready, it will give you a new strength, and a very special job to do."
-
>I can see her mind is working furiously;
-
>she's young, but maybe she can understand even if I don't simplify it so much?
-
>"You'll become like me, Cadance. And if you do your job right, if you love your ponies, and take care of them,"
-
>"They will all love you in turn."
-
>"Like the way we love you?"
-
>What can I say to that? What words can adequately express the way they make my heart leap?
-
>Fortunately, she speaks up almost immediately:
-
>"If it means I can help more ponies, then I want it!"
-
>"Are you sure? Once I give it to you, it becomes part of you. You won't be able to change your mind."
-
-
-
Post 27
-
-
>She nods with surprising solemnity.
-
>"I'm sure."
-
>"Then close your eyes, Cadance, and open your heart."
-
>For show, I gently tap her head with my horn, and silently will the spark to pass to her.
-
>Instantly, a burst of light shoots from her chest.
-
>I laugh in delighted surprise! So soon?
-
>It swirls and jumps around her, and carries her tiny frame into the air.
-
>Now she's smiling too, her face shining with sheer bliss.
-
>"It's so warm!"
-
>She floats, engulfed in a brilliant light, growing, and feeding upon itself.
-
>It surges back through her body, and up her neck, pouring from her eyes.
-
>She lets loose an exhilarated yell as it bursts from her forehead in a searing flash of pure magic,
-
>leaving a radiant spire in it's wake.
-
>She floats, laughing and languidly spinning about her axes.
-
>Gradually sinking lower and lower as the light fades away.
-
>At last, her hooves touch the ground.
-
>Her eyes are crossed, focused on her new horn.
-
>She grins soundlessly, twisting her head from side to side, and turns in a complete circle.
-
>"What happens now, Celestia?"
-
>I'm not sure how to answer.
-
>Nightmare Moon announced her arrival with a spasm of hate and fear so keen
-
>that even a thousand years later its wound still has not healed.
-
>Cadance announced hers with a wave of calming love,
-
>pure enough to wash the taint from a siren's dead heart.
-
>I don't know what happens now, but for the first time in far, far too long,
-
>I know genuine hope.
-
-
-
Post 28
-
-
>The Everfree Forest
-
>Present Day
-
-
>The stench of the forest's air washes over me as my teleport spell completes.
-
>A fraction of a second later, Cadance pops in to being beside me.
-
>"Where is it?" she hurriedly asks.
-
>Luna indicates a direction with her nose
-
>"It was there, for a moment."
-
>Cadance follows Luna's gesture, then stares at the ground, tears welling in her eyes.
-
>"Did you see Twilight?"
-
>"No, Princess Cadance, we are sorry."
-
>A single sharp sob escapes Cadance's lips
-
>Luna gently nuzzles her, and softly:
-
>"But as we said, there was not much time."
-
>I look around at our surroundings.
-
>This part of the Everfree is notorious.
-
>More swamp, than woods, and filled with ghost-lights and strange, dangerous things.
-
>Even the few ponies who regularly brave the forest itself, avoid it at all costs.
-
>But here my fearless sister had come alone, at night, without a moments hesitation.
-
>For Twilight.
-
>My heart would swell with pride, if I weren't so worried.
-
>I trot over and stand with them, wrapping my wings around their shoulders.
-
>We hold each other tightly until at last, Cadance is calm.
-
>"Please, Sister, tell us everything you can."
-
>Luna closes her eyes and concentrates for a moment.
-
>"First we felt great mirth overtake us, as if laughter, humor itself were a presence."
-
>I recall Twilight's mention of the Elements of Harmony in the human-world.
-
>"Then a purple glow appeared, and opened into a rift."
-
>"We rushed closer, and heard music, of a kind we've never heard before."
-
>Her snout scrunches in consternation
-
>"We didn't even recognize the instruments."
-
>"Also, there were voices, but we could not hear what they were saying."
-
>Cadance speaks up
-
>"Could you see anything through it?"
-
>"Yes. There was a wall, of sorts: horizontal wooden boards, secured to an iron frame."
-
>"with gaps between them, and a strange creature was peeking through."
-
-
-
Post 29
-
-
>"Did it see you?" I asked.
-
>She shook her head
-
>"We don't believe so; the portal closed before we could approach it."
-
>"Well," began Cadance "at least you found something."
-
>She smiles, and gives a strained laugh.
-
>"Really, it's lucky it opened close enough for you to find it."
-
>"Oh, it was not mere chance, Princess Cadance; we used a beacon spell to draw it to us."
-
>Again, I am impressed by my sister's selfless bravery.
-
>"That's very dangerous, especially here."
-
>Says Cadance, echoing my thoughts.
-
>"There's no telling what else might have come instead."
-
>"No, but we are as desperate to find Princess Twilight as you or Sister;"
-
>"we would be remiss if we did not use all the tools at our disposal."
-
>I set my wing on her back.
-
>"Sister, please," I whisper "don't do that again. Not alone."
-
>She looks at me, with a small frown, then nods.
-
>"Not alone." She agrees, pressing her neck to mine.
-
>We stand in silence a few moments, then quietly, Luna continues.
-
>"There is more."
-
>The magic was a tangled mess, but we could recognize a few signatures: one was the portal itself;
-
>others were Elements of Harmony: Generosity and Laughter.
-
>Cadance's gasp tells me she is as surprised as I am
-
>"But how is that possible?"
-
>"We suspect, it's because the largest portion..." she pauses,
-
>"was siren magic."
-
>That would explain it. Sirens absorb life and emotion, why not magic too?
-
>But I'd never imagined a siren could become powerful enough to destroy the gate.
-
>"Twilight said the trio on that side were defeated, their gems broken."
-
>"You're sure it was siren magic?"
-
>"We are. It was unmistakable, mangled, though it was."
-
>"Mangled?"
-
>"Yes..." Luna frowns
-
>"We don't know a better word to describe it."
-
>"Prismia used the heart of a siren as jewelry, and a weapon."
-
>Says Cadance.
-
>"Could somepony there have made something from the fragments?"
-
>A look of comprehension sweeps across Luna's face.
-
>"That's it!"
-
-
-
Post 30
-
-
>"The wall partially blocked our view, but the creature was wearing a locket."
-
>Cadance looks at me worriedly.
-
>"It glowed with the same violet light that preceded the rift,"
-
>"and when the creature closed it, the portal disappeared."
-
>"A locket?"
-
>"Yes, that's the source of the magic, I'm sure!"
-
>"Then we've learned something" I say.
-
>"Is there anything else, sister?"
-
>She shakes her head.
-
>I stand silently, turning ideas over in my mind.
-
>As Cadance said, this would be a clumsy attack on Equestria,
-
>but it would be a good first move if the sirens wanted revenge.
-
>Kidnapping Twilight, and closing the portal would isolate Sunset and the humans from our help.
-
>However, Sunset's new letters to Twilight don't mention them,
-
>and my alarms would have tripped if anypony had crossed through.
-
>Also, without their gems, they are powerless, certainly incapable of this,
-
>or defeating an Alicorn, and extremely gifted unicorn working together.
-
>It's probably not them.
-
>In fact, it's unlikely that Twilight is on their side of the portal;
-
>my alarms again, and the fact Sunset wouldn't be asking for her help via the book if she were.
-
>If Twilight isn't there, that makes siren involvement even less likely.
-
>But where could she be?
-
>If I knew where the portal led I could open one, and find out immediately.
-
>But I don't, and it will do no good to open them randomly in an infinite multiverse.
-
>"There's nothing for us to do now, but wait for it to open."
-
>"Cadance," I turn to her.
-
>"it seems less likely than ever that this is an attack,"
-
>"but I would like you to return to Canterlot, both to alert us if Twilight returns,
-
>and to coordinate a defense if it becomes necessary."
-
>She nods.
-
>"We'll contact you at midnight, dawn, noon, and dusk. If you don't hear from us,"
-
>"you may use farsight, but don't come looking for us. A royal must remain in Equestria."
-
>"Sister, I will remain here with you, and continue the beacon."
-
>She nods too.
-
>"Are there any questions?"
-
-
-
-
Post 31
-
-
>Midnight came.
-
>My dear sister wrought her magic, and I kept her safe.
-
>Dawn, and Princess Cadance asks to replace one of us.
-
>"I have never needed sleep" I tell her, "and Luna has been an Alicorn far longer than you."
-
>"Enjoyable as it may be, I doubt she requires it any longer."
-
>Reluctantly, Cadance had acquiesced, and we continued our vigil.
-
>Noon, but you wouldn't know it by my sun.
-
>Here the shadows are dark, and the waters deep,
-
>but my gaze penetrates it all:
-
>I see *things* lurking around us:
-
>Nightmares oozed, putrid and malevolent from cracks in reality.
-
>Products of evolution and feral magic also slink and crawl.
-
>None of these are creatures born of my work, but still they know me.
-
>And they dare not approach.
-
>Hours pass in uneventful, if oppressive silence.
-
>I glance at my sister, her eyes open, but unseeing, and still as a frozen lake.
-
>Exactly as she has been since Cadance left us.
-
>The steady light from her horn is the only clue that she is more than a statue,
-
>or a corpse,
-
>and even that is swallowed by the hungry gloom.
-
>I feel it then,
-
>a warm glow of swelling empathy: kindness!
-
>Luna's eyes bat furiously as she pulls herself from her trance.
-
>Our gazes meet for an instant, then wordlessly, we look about,
-
>scanning frantically for what we know is coming.
-
>There! across the swamp, a purple light among the vine-cowed trunks,
-
>fantastically bright in the darkness.
-
>Then another, and another, each following as quickly as thought.
-
>As one they open in to gates, and Luna rushes toward them.
-
-
-
Post 32
-
-
>Something leaps through from the swamp, and immediately returns
-
>pursued by a small, though terribly loud purple creature.
-
>They leap from puddle to tuft, and fall from one portal to another,
-
>their distorted shadows casting wildly about by the sunlight spilling from the portal's mouths.
-
>The glare doesn't hinder me, and I look through them.
-
>Bushes, grass, portions of a brick wall, 2 humans,
-
>and there, just as sister said!
-
>A pendant, floating around the neck of one, blazing in it's insane melange of sorceries.
-
>She's almost there, but already, I can see one of the humans wrapping her hands around it.
-
>Sister won't make it in time, and they are too small for her to fit through anyway.
-
>As quickly as only a goddess can, I reach through the portal with my mind.
-
>My senses stretch, searching for Twilight and...
-
>Sunset! Oh Sunset!
-
>My heart leaps as I brush her essence.
-
>Then, without warning, I see only the swamp again.
-
>The portals have closed, but that doesn't matter.
-
>I have already discovered what I needed to know.
-
>The amulet's base magic is undoubtably siren, but the one wearing it is only human.
-
>Worryingly, there were also the elements of Generosity, Laughter, and Kindness.
-
>But more than anything else, there was Sunset.
-
>"Sister, are you hurt? Why are you crying?"
-
>I blink in surprise as happy tears fall from my eyes.
-
>"No Luna, I found Sunset."
-
>She bobs her head and touches my nose with her own.
-
>"Tears of joy then?"
-
>"Mm-hmm." I nod.
-
>"And Twilight?"
-
>I shake my head
-
>"She's not there."
-
>"That is why you let them collapse?"
-
>"Yes. And Sunset... Sunset is close."
-
>Luna looks at me quietly in response, her thoughts nearly hidden behind her deep, placid eyes.
-
>"So she must solve this problem on her own."
-
>It wasn't a question.
-
>It didn't need to be.
-
>A few more tears fall, and I whisper so softly not even Luna can hear.
-
>"Good luck."
-
-
-
Post 33
-
-
>Twilight did not go through the mirror.
-
>We finally knew, but the question still remained:
-
>where was she?
-
>The query burned within us all,
-
>but with no more clues, there was precious little we could do.
-
>I was all but certain we weren't under attack,
-
>but it was conceivable the Yaks, or Changelings would learn something was amiss,
-
>and try to take whatever advantage they could.
-
>So, Cadance continued her organisation of Equestria's defence.
-
>Luna resumed her patrols,
-
>no longer calling the rifts, but instead, keeping my ponies safe from them.
-
>I returned to Twilight's castle, in hopes of finding something,
-
>*anything*, that would tell us what had become of her.
-
>I wandered about, inspecting each room, and every strange device I found.
-
>Twilight infused the place.
-
>Her scent, her magic, her very essence.
-
>The hard crystal walls glimmered and shone and reflected images of her from my mind.
-
>But my search was fruitless.
-
>Sister called me some time later,
-
>her disembodied voice breaking the silence of the dark halls to tell me of another portal.
-
>I felt it then, too; Honesty.
-
>But it didn't close.
-
>It grew, and grew, and I knew it would be trouble.
-
>Luna told me later that the swamp's carnivorous plants pushed their tendrils through the portals.
-
>Some of them even fit their entire heads through.
-
>But they were far from Ponyville, and no longer held the promise of Twilight's delivery.
-
>She was content to watch from afar until they winked out of existence,
-
>and I was content to let her.
-
>Moments after it closed, another opened.
-
>Loyalty, that time,
-
>and worse, it wasn't in the forest.
-
>But it too, was short-lived, and vanished.
-
>The siren-magic was getting out of hoof, but I remained at my task;
-
>Luna and Cadance would protect my ponies, and I would find Twilight.
-
-
-
Post 34
-
-
>Eventually, I make my way to her grand hall.
-
>The roots of the Golden Oak hang in the gloom like some tentacled horror from the Immaterium.
-
>This isn't working, and I must not fail.
-
>I have to go deeper.
-
>I expand my awareness, and in an instant know everything there is to know about the palace.
-
>Every facet, every groove,
-
>every mote of dust and every atom.
-
>All the forces and energies binding them together,
-
>and each tiny measure of the time which stops everything from happening all at once.
-
>Here, far below the threshold at which I normally leave my senses:
-
>the lingering scent of an unfamilliar pony, and a faint frisson of magic.
-
>Time magic.
-
>I recoil in horrified surprise.
-
>Could their shared presence really be a coincidence?
-
>Unlikely, but of course,
-
>I wouldn't have believed that Twilight's and the portal's disappearances were either.
-
>Even though they seem to be just that, there's more here.
-
>Fear. Twilight's fear,
-
>and the other pony's scent stinks of anger.
-
>For the thousandth time, I cast my sight across Ponyville,
-
>but there were none I didn't recognize.
-
>I search more broadly, sending my awareness down roads and rivers,
-
>Through woods, fields, and buildings.
-
>All throughout my land I search,
-
>but find not a trace of Twilight, or this other pony.
-
>If Twilight entered a portal through time, this pony probably went with her.
-
>I loathe time magic, but Twilight must be found,
-
>and I'm the only one who can do it.
-
>So I gather my strength, ponder how best to use it,
-
>and beg the multiverse itself to give her back to me.
-
>That's when the screaming started.
-
-
-
Post 35
-
-
>Normally, the walls and distance between us would have prevented me from hearing them,
-
>but now, with my senses honed, they roared like thunderclaps,
-
>rising and falling with the tidal wave of siren-magic crashing over me.
-
>Another portal,
-
>spewing it's noxious stew of eldritch energies like debris in a flash flood.
-
>At once, my sight is beyond her castle, and I see it:
-
>yawning beneath a tree, right in front of the Town Hall!
-
>A half-dozen ponies are in panicked flight;
-
>it must have been them I heard.
-
>Beyond it's mouth floats a creature of terror:
-
>a human mare, bewinged, crowned with a single, malformed horn,
-
>whose mad glinting eyes are limned in cold fire.
-
>With easy waves of her hands, she tears hole after hole between our worlds;
-
>I can see Manehattan, Appeloosa, Rainbow Falls, and many others.
-
>Too many,
-
>and all of them echoing with the fearful screams of my ponies.
-
>This has to be stopped!
-
>Effortlessly, I begin casting all the spells I'll need at the same time:
-
>teleports to take me there,
-
>and to move any ponies or humans on the wrong sides of the gates;
-
>masking spells, so she won't sense my arrival;
-
>shielding spells to protect me from attack, in case she does;
-
>numerous closure spells, for the portals themselves;
-
>and a variety of attacks to annihilate her,
-
>before she can bring harm to any of my dear, dear ponies.
-
>Everything will happen in an instant,
-
>and it will be over before anypony knows anything is happening at all.
-
>Suddenly, my heart stops.
-
>Sunset Shimmer.
-
>Straight-backed and stern-faced,
-
>resolute, even beneath this monster's unhinged glare.
-
>"Twilight, you can't do this!"
-
-
-
Post 36
-
-
>An image flashes to my mind:
-
>Sunset, still a filly, in Canterlot with me.
-
>We'd spent the day learning about Starswirl's victory over the sirens.
-
>"Celestia," she'd asked, "how could he be so brave if he was afraid?"
-
>"Oh Sunset," I'd replied, "that's the only time you can be."
-
>Pride and love swell within me.
-
>Oh Sunset...
-
>Magic hums and races along my horn, fighting powerfully to manifest,
-
>but I hold it in check, and watch; can she really handle this?
-
>"Why not!?"
-
>"There's a whole other world right there, and it's just filled with magic!"
-
>A flash of light, an extended limb,
-
>and she gleefully blasts another hole through the multiverse.
-
>Twilight told me there were human versions of her friends over there.
-
>Uncannily exact right down to their names.
-
>Knowing that, it makes sense that "Twilight" would be the one to make the locket.
-
>And seeing what she's doing with it
-
>is a sobering reminder of what my Twilight almost became.
-
>Of what Sunset *did* become.
-
>Until Twilight pulled her back.
-
>"But you're destroying this world to get it!"
-
>"So what? There's more magic there, and I want to understand it all!"
-
>I see it coming before Sunset does.
-
>The glimmer in the monster's eyes, the curl of her lips,
-
>and a thousand and one other clues that tell me an attack is imminent.
-
>But at the last moment, Sunset begins to dodge, and I know she'll be ok.
-
>The beam slams to the ground,
-
>sending clumps of dirt erupting from the gaping maw of another portal.
-
-
-
Post 37
-
-
>Another one.
-
>This isn't the way!"
-
>The largest one yet.
-
>"I know you feel powerful right now. Like you can have everything you want."
-
>Another portal to crack my world, and endanger my ponies.
-
>"I've been where you are. I've made the same mistake you're making."
-
>I'm sorry Sunset.
-
>"I put on a crown and just like you, I was overwhelmed by the magic it contained."
-
>This is far too dangerous to let go on.
-
>"I thought it could get me everything I wanted."
-
>With images of Nightmare Moon's banishment flitting before my eyes,
-
>I tally the gates, take note of where each pony and human is,
-
>and begin to unleash my blitz.
-
>Dimly, I'm aware of my sister approaching.
-
>She must have come all the way from the Everfree.
-
>It doesn't matter now though, this will be over before she arrives.
-
>I loosen my hold, and feel the bottled energies begin to slip...
-
>and my heart stops again!
-
>Another power touches me.
-
>Familliar, potent and wholly unexpected.
-
>The Elements!
-
>Passing in brilliant, colored streamers to the locket held defiantly over Sunset's head.
-
>There's something else too.
-
>I focus my attention on her,
-
>and start as Something else stirs.
-
>Not in the locket, but inside her.
-
>Suddenly, I'm laughing like a mad-mare among Twilight's dark, vacant halls,
-
>This is it! It must be!
-
>Instantly, I drop the other spells, and teleport to my sister's side.
-
>She must not interfere!
-
-
-
>Post 38
-
-
>Here, above and away from Ponyville, I watch Sunset slam the locket to the ground.
-
>It's pilfered magic bursts from the fragments,
-
>then quickly reforms and engulfs her.
-
>A shiver runs down my spine, and I know Cadance is watching, too.
-
>Luna says something to her eidolon, but I don't care to hear.
-
>I'm laughing and whooping and gliding to the surface.
-
>Out of the corner of my eye, I see Cadance materialize beside her.
-
>They trail me to the ground, regarding me with uneasy concern.
-
>They must think I'm mad.
-
>"Watch!" I flick my nose to the portal. "Can't you feel it?"
-
>Probably not, but I can!
-
>The seed inside Sunset is cracking open!
-
>It's roots are sprouting and setting her soul aflame!
-
>Divine fire burning away her mortality and forging her anew!
-
>My Sunset! My Sunset!
-
>My student turned protege,
-
>my protege turned devil,
-
>my devil reformed, and now, at long, long last:
-
>my demi-goddess!
-
>And I can FEEL it all!
-
>My sister and niece gasp as the radiance fades,
-
>I simply lay down in the soft grass.
-
>Sunset raises her arms,
-
>and in a flash the portal is closed.
-
>Two by two, all over my planet, I sense the rifts slamming shut,
-
>until only one remains.
-
>Cadance and Luna settle to the ground beside me in silence.
-
>I know they're watching me intently,
-
>but I am focused elsewhere.
-
>Long ago, when I was put to the test,
-
>my wrath bested me, and my sister paid the price.
-
>Now, across the multiverse,
-
>Sunset faces her own crucible.
-
>With furious eyes and terrible power she lashes out,
-
>the human wailing desperately as she's overwhelmed.
-
>Overwhelmed, but not destroyed.
-
>Sunset's visage is hard, and the girl cowers,
-
>but I can already read her intention.
-
>Closer she floats, in a column of light.
-
>"Take my hand Twilight. Let me show you there's another way."
-
>"Just like someone once did for me."
-
>I watch her take Sunset's hand.
-
>I watch the light of friendship burn away her bitter callousness,
-
>and sigh euphorically as the last portal is seared closed.
-
-
-
Post 39
-
-
>My song birds are singing again.
-
>Their high melodies perfectly suit my mood;
-
>Twilight has returned!
-
>I can't keep the smile from my face as I set out a table in my gardens.
-
>With my own 2 hooves, no less.
-
>And horn.
-
>Cups and saucers here, sugar and cream there.
-
>Leaves of my newest prize strain steeping in the kettle,
-
>and an assortment of cakes and treats laid out just so.
-
>I'm partial to the banana cake myself, but there are plenty of others.
-
>Twilight is coming for a visit,
-
>and she's bringing a new friend with her.
-
>It turns out, the pony I'd smelled earlier, was just as guilty as I'd thought.
-
>Starlight Glimmer, quondam leader of Our Town, had hunted my student down,
-
>and tried to take her revenge by taking Twilight's past.
-
>Of course, the multiverse being what it is,
-
>such a plan would never have worked anyway.
-
>Nevertheless, incredibly, Princess Twilight not only thwarted her vengeance,
-
>but actually turned her in to a friend.
-
>Ostensibly.
-
>Although she'd used Starswirl's magic, instead of her own to create the time-bridge,
-
>it was still a remarkable feat,
-
>so I am VERY eager to meet her.
-
>I trust Twilight's judgement here, but I also trust my own experience,
-
>and would much prefer to have a pony who is both so gifted,
-
>and so recently adversarial, somewhere she can be watched.
-
>Just in case.
-
>But, my ulterior motive does not counter my putative one.
-
>I truly hope her penitence is genuine, and until I know otherwise,
-
>will treat her as a friend of Twilight's deserves to be treated.
-
>So I prance about the table, humming to myself,
-
>and match my voice to those of the birds.
-
-
-
Post 40
-
-
>I hear a pony approaching.
-
>I don't need to look to know who it is.
-
>"Aunt Celestia!"
-
>"Hello, Cadance" I smile. "Are you here for the party?"
-
>Her ears perk up as she surveys the table.
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>"Party?"
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>"Mm-hmm. For Twilight and her new friend. I've invited them to have tea with me."
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>"Ummm..."
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>She looks down and awkwardly scrapes the floor with her hoof.
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>"Actually, I have a message from Twilight."
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>"Oh?"
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>"Yes...she asked me to wait a little before giving it to you, though."
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>she pauses
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>"I wouldn't have if I'd known you were having a party."
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>"What was the message?"
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>"Yeah, well...oh boy."
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>"Cadance?"
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>"She read the book you gave her. The one to communicate with Sunset?"
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>"Mm-hmm."
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>"You know how excitable she is."
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>"Mm-hmm."
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>"Well, she didn't let me explain what happened,"
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>"and just rushed off through the portal as quickly as her hooves would take her."
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>"Oh."
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>Well, darn.
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>"So she won't be coming. What about her friend?"
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>"Twilight didn't mention her. I don't think she knows."
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>I nod.
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>"That sounds like something Twilight might do."
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>Cadance nods, still looking sheepishly at the floor.
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>"She does love pop quizes..."
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>Her voice trails off and we look at each other for a few moments.
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>"Well, my dear niece, there's no reason to let this all go to waste."
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>She perks up again
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>"Would you care to spend the afternoon with me?"
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>"You bet!"
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>Shortly after we begin, the sound of a door gently opening filters down to me.
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>I ignore it, and the clip-clop of hooves on marble.
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>"Twilight!" Cadance shouts through a mouthful of cake.
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>"Hi Cadance, thanks for your help!"
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>"Anything for my favorite filly."
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>Twilight smiles somberly, then turns to me, her purple eyes heavy with import.
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>"Princess Celestia, There's a vital matter we need to discuss."
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Post 41
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>I am calm.
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>My breath is even and measured,
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>my snout is level and my eyes are serene.
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>Inside, I'm anything but;
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>my stomach flutters,
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>and I feel the room might drop out from under me at any moment.
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>The feeling of my hair in it's etheral breeze adds to my discomfiture.
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>"You're hiding it well, sister" Luna not-quite-whispers.
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>I meet her smile with one of my own;
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>her gentle voice and kind eyes give a much needed anchor for my emotions.
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>"Not well enough, it seems."
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>"Oh no, sister," she says with a light chuckle. "Not even we can pierce your facade."
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>She winks at me
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>"We simply know you better than you give us credit for."
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>The feeling of Cadance's delicate nuzzle on my left cheek,
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>then, as she presses her shoulder to mine:
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>"That's right Aunt Cely, we're your family, and we're here for you."
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>With a smile, I lean more firmly into her, and feel Luna's weight on my right side.
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>They're nervous too, but not like me.
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>I'd told Luna about Sunset, and Cadance even met her briefly, years ago.
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>They were both delighted at the emergence of another alicorn,
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>and when Twilight said Sunset had asked her to seek my permission to return,
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>they'd all but begged to be there when she did.
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>Not that they needed to, of course,
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>but they don't share our history,
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>and so, don't share my doubts.
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>Idea after unwanted, distracting, idea runs through my mind.
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>Slowly, carefully I breathe in.
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>I pause, focusing on the heartbeats of my sister and niece at my sides.
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>Slowly, carefully, I let it go,
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>and send my rampant thoughts with it.
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>The mirror begins to glow;
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>They are here, and I am ready.
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Post 42
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>Side by Side, so close their flanks are touching,
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>they step over the mirror's threshold.
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>Sunset Shimmer, ice-blue eyes fixed intently on the floor, turns to me.
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>She opens her mouth to speak, but only manages a soft gasp.
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>Tears well in her gorgeous eyes, and she tries again,
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>but no words come out.
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>Trembling with effort she forces her face to meet mine,
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>opens her mouth a third time,
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>and breaks in to uncontrollable tears.
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>Her legs give out beneath her and she sinks to the cold floor.
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>Luna and Cadance are silent; undoubtably wanting me to take the lead.
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>Twilight drops back as I step forward,
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>one measured pace after another.
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>I can't run, I can't speak; if I do, I'll lose control.
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>She moans softly as my hoofsteps come to a halt.
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>I stand over her, emotions churning wildly, my eyes never leaving this one little pony:
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>the very center of my world.
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>"I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorryyyy"
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>Her voice breaks as the last sound stretches out to a wail.
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>Slowly, carefully, I lay down in front of her.
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>Slowly, carefully, I wrap my wings around her.
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>"I am too."
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>And suddenly, we're crying together.
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>She crawls closer and pushes my neck with her own.
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>We nuzzle, and lean, and hold each other,
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>sobbing away our pain, fears and regrets together.
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>Our tears mingle hot and wet on the cold crystal floor,
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>as our hearts finally begin to heal.
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>At last, we are spent, and I look around to see my family smiling at us.
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>My family.
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>Cadance was right; they are my family.
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>Luna, my sister;
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>first to ascend, and show me my lonliness would not last forever.
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>Cadance, my niece;
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>whose unconditional love taught my heart to hope again.
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>Twilight, also my niece, through marriage if nothing else;
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>who returned my sister, and Sunset, and saved my ponies time and again.
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>And Sunset...
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>Poor orphaned Sunset.
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>My adopted daughter,
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>in whom I saw so much of myself I threw caution to the wind,
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>and in so doing nearly doomed an entire world.
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>Here we are, all together for the first time.
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Post 43
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>A smile spreads across my face, waxing larger and brighter as my happiness grows.
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>Luna is the first to speak:
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>"Welcome home, Princess Sunset."
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>She looks up at me, brow furrowed in confusion,
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>before her gaze slides to my sister.
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>"Thank you Princess Luna. Princess Twilight told my you'd come back."
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>She looks back at me, then at Luna again.
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>"If it's not too late, I'd like to say the same to you, Princess."
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>"It is not, and we thank thee, as well..."
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>A mischevous twinkle flashes in my sister's eye "...Princess."
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>Sunset looks between us again.
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>"Princess Luna why do you keep calling me that? I'm only a unicorn."
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>Cadance lets out a little laugh.
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>"I bet Twilight would have told you, but she didn't know either."
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>She grins at Twilight, open-mouthed with disbelief.
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>"Serves you right for taking off again before we could tell you anything!"
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>Sunset's head swivels between my wings, looking at the four of us.
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>"What do you mean, Princess Cadance? Twilight?"
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>With a gentle nuzzle, I whisper "See for yourself" and let our hug go.
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>"I have wings?" she gasps.
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>Luna snorts facetiously
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>"To think a pony could undergo apotheosis and not even know."
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>"I have wings! When did...?"
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>A look of shocked understanding shoots across her face.
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>"The school? But how? You weren't even there!"
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>"I've never really been as far away you think."
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>Time passes in its slow, inexorable way.
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>There is laughter and tears.
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>More of each are sure to come, but we're mending;
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>at long last, I have my family, and they have me.
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>We'll live each day and each night in love,
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>for our ponies, and for each other.
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>Forever.
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And that's more or less how it ends, dear reader.
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I could keep picking at random ideas, but I've gotten out what I wanted to,
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and think it's a fine place to bring it to a close.
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I hope you enjoyed it.
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Note: This is the original draft of this story, but not the best one. Another version, expanded, and rewritten in prose can be found here:
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and here:
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I hope you'll check it out. It's much better than this one.
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12944 73.14 KB 1745
by LineOfFlowers
by LineOfFlowers
by LineOfFlowers
by LineOfFlowers
by LineOfFlowers