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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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183.
>"What a thing to say, Sister!"
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184.
>"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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316.
>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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320.
>victory scrawled across her perfect face.
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321.
>"Sorry it had to be this way,"
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>a smirking salute
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323.
>"princess."
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324.
>My jaw drops, and she's gone.
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325.
>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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328.
>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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338.
>I gesture with my horn and all eyes fall on the Grand Door.
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339.
>As it opens my orchestra begins to play.
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340.
>A grand tune, full of triumph and honor!
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341.
>A lone unicorn stands tall, aged though he is,
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342.
>and proudly marches down the carpet toward us.
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343.
>All eyes follow him
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344.
>Not a trace of contempt or loathing on any of their faces.
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345.
>Stallions belong in the bedroom or the fields.
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346.
>That's the way it has been for as long as I could remember.
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347.
>They had said it to his face at first,
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348.
>when as a foal his magical talents began to outshine those of any mare.
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349.
>Then quietly, behind his back,
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350.
>when I decided to teach him.
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351.
>Now, they don't say it at all.
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352.
>Some of the other stallions even seek educations of their own.
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353.
>He stops before us, kneels, and smiles.
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354.
>Awed by us, of course, but also,
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>by the sun and moon visible through the windows.
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356.
>Sharing the sky.
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357.
>Luna's idea.
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358.
>An appropriate display for one who has saved Equestria!
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359.
>The music fades, and Luna speaks again:
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360.
>"Know Ye, that reposing special trust and confidence in the fidelity and abilities of"
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361.
>"Starswirl the Bearded,"
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362.
>We do appoint him a Hero of Equestria!"
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363.
>"To be known as such from this day forth,"
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364.
>"and I do strictly direct and require all ponies"
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365.
>"to render appropriate respect thereunto."
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366.
>Her echos slowly die.
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367.
>My turn to speak
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368.
>"Starswirl the Bearded, Hero of Equestria."
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369.
>"For recognizing and defeating the Three Beasts of Song,"
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370.
>"receive this medal!"
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371.
>He rises to all fours and I place a Royal Seal around his neck,
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372.
>borne on a chain of solid gold.
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373.
>"Stand and be recognized!"
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374.
>he turns, and as one they all bow to him.
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375.
>I let him savor his moment.
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376.
>"Now, Hero of Equestria, speak!"
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377.
>"Name your reward. If it is within my power, you shall have it."
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378.
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379.
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380.
Post 10
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381.
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382.
>Canterlot Meadow
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383.
>that night
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384.
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385.
>Luna and I lie together, looking over our kingdom.
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386.
>"Why did you do it Celestia?"
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387.
>"Sister, please..."
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388.
>"We are not really sisters. Answer us."
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389.
>My dear sister is angry and embarrassed that the ponies still revere my days more than her nights.
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390.
>She has been for some time.
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391.
>But since the ceremony, she's turned frigid as ice, and now she says this?
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392.
>Luna; petulent and puerile even after all these years.
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393.
>But I will not rise to it.
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394.
>I will be an example to her, as I am to every pony.
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395.
>Eventually, she will realize how base her behavior is.
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396.
>I sigh
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397.
>"It was what he asked for."
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398.
>"But another, like us?"
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399.
>"He isn't an Alicorn yet, Sister."
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400.
>"He has a great deal to learn before the seed sprouts, if it does at all."
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401.
>A roll of her eyes
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402.
>"We know that, Celestia. We worked long and hard before our own took root."
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403.
>She lets out an incredulous laugh
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404.
>"But, Celestia, what will you do if it does? Send him to rule one of our protectorates?"
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405.
>I consider for a moment. "He isn't a mare..."
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406.
>"That's right Celestia, he isn't a mare. They won't accept him."
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407.
>"They'll play along. To his face, and ours, but nowhere else."
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408.
>My sister's words are sharp, and flung with annoyance.
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409.
>Why does she behave so?
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410.
>"He is not a mare, but I believe the job would suit him."
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411.
>Luna's expression changed to disbelief.
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412.
>"They will mock him, and maybe you too. It is no fault of his own,"
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413.
>"but his appointment will undermine our legitmacy in their eyes."
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414.
>Her expression darkens, and she glares at me.
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415.
>"But you know this, Celestia, don't you?
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416.
>I raise my nose and let my gaze ooze down upon her.
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417.
>"Meaning what, Sister?
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418.
>"You are no fool Celestia."
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419.
>A strange look flits across her face
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420.
>"But neither are we!"
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421.
>Her voice cracks
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422.
>"You think we have failed. You think us delinquent in our duty of the night."
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423.
>"You seek to replace us! To make him steward of moon and stars in our stead!"
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424.
>That's it?
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425.
>Oh how she is truly, my *little* sister.
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426.
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427.
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428.
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429.
Post 11
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430.
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431.
>I soften my gaze
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432.
>"Sister, I..."
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433.
>"Do not deny it! How strange that you would choose a male,"
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434.
>"but his name is so convenient, isn't it? 'Starswirl'."
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435.
>She spat it out like a rotten apple.
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436.
>Her eyes narrow.
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437.
>Then, she whispers so quietly no pony but myself would have been able to hear her:
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438.
>"It's to humiliate us, isn't it? That's why you chose a stallion."
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439.
>"Fields, bedroom, or replacing Luna... that's what they'll say."
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440.
>I lower my head and nuzzle her chin
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441.
>"Sister! I will never replace you."
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442.
>She looks at me, tears welling in her gorgeous eyes.
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443.
>"Look."
-
444.
>I gesture with my snout
-
445.
>"The land, the sky, everything in between."
-
446.
>"Every rock, every plant, every creature, every pony."
-
447.
>"I created this world to find you. You are my sister."
-
448.
>"Immortal, powerful, and one day, when you have learned and grown enough,"
-
449.
>"you will attain divinity every bit as splendid as my own."
-
450.
>"If Starswirl ascends, he too will become immortal, and he will not be accepted right away."
-
451.
>"But we can wait, dear sister."
-
452.
>"We will hold the kingdom, the world itself together, as long as it takes to change."
-
453.
>"Experience tells me, it will not be so long as you think."
-
454.
>"But what will not change, is my love for you, or your place at my side."
-
455.
>"You are my sister, forever and always, and I love you, forever and always."
-
456.
>She looks away, and silently gazes at the horizon
-
457.
>I lay my head on her shoulder
-
458.
>"Is it time, sister?" she asks.
-
459.
>I smile and nuzzle again
-
460.
>"It's close enough if you're ready."
-
461.
>I keep my head on her shoulder as she lowers the moon
-
462.
>There's a soft dripping noise
-
463.
>We linger
-
464.
>Everything's going to be OK. I know it.
-
465.
>At last I raise my head, and the sun.
-
466.
>Now, in the light of dawn, I see Luna is crying.
-
467.
>She looks over and smiles
-
468.
>"We do love you, sister. We just wish they loved us too."
-
469.
>"They do."
-
470.
>A moment goes by, and she smiles sadly.
-
471.
-
472.
-
473.
Post 12
-
474.
-
475.
>"We made something for you, Sister"
-
476.
>"Oh?"
-
477.
>"Yes, we have noticed something that all the ponies seem to love: an ornament for the day itself."
-
478.
>"An ornament for the day?"
-
479.
>Her smile is genuine now, despite her lingering tears.
-
480.
>"mmm!" She enthusiastically nods.
-
481.
>"Close your eyes, my sister."
-
482.
>I smile back at her, and do as she asks.
-
483.
>Her horn lightly touches my mane, and a brief tingle passes through me.
-
484.
>"Open them, sister, and follow me to the pond."
-
485.
>Among the rocks, shielded from the ripples of the waterfall it's clear and placid.
-
486.
>In its surfce our faces look back at us;
-
487.
>Luna's smile is as bright as the sun itself, and my own is awestruck.
-
488.
>"My hair..." I whisper
-
489.
>My pink tresses are transformed!
-
490.
>A rainbow, dancing on a gentle wind that isn't there!
-
491.
>Now it's my turn to smile.
-
492.
>My sister, My dearest Luna! So thoughtful even now!
-
493.
>"Thou can suppress it, when thy want to."
-
494.
>"Why would I ever want to do that?"
-
495.
>"Well..." Her tail swishes sheepishly
-
496.
>"it takes a bit of magic to keep it going."
-
497.
>"We gave thee a little of our own so thou could see how it looks,"
-
498.
>"but If it's not kept charged the spell will falter."
-
499.
>I shake my head
-
500.
>"I don't want to suppress it! I don't want it to falter! I'll wear it with love for you, forever!"
-
501.
>She giggles like a little filly and rubs her neck against mine.
-
502.
>"We'll teach you the spell, but first..."
-
503.
>"first?"
-
504.
>"Come and play with us!"
-
505.
>She leaps from the edge of the promontory at full gallop, then soars through the calm dawn sky.
-
506.
>I am not far behind
-
507.
-
508.
-
509.
Post 13
-
510.
-
511.
>Canterlot
-
512.
>Present day
-
513.
-
514.
>I haven't heard from Sunset for a very long time.
-
515.
>Twilight returned and told me what happened.
-
516.
>My dear little Sunset actually used the crown.
-
517.
>But of course, her seed failed to sprout, as I knew it would.
-
518.
>Sunset may have been able to fight Unicorn Twilight,
-
519.
>but, she was no match for an Alicorn.
-
520.
>Twilight said she left Sunset in the hands of some humans.
-
521.
>The very ones whom she had terrorized for so long.
-
522.
>It seemed an odd thing to do, cruel, even.
-
523.
>An indirect vengeance, unbecoming one of Twilight's station.
-
524.
>Then she said those humans had also been that worlds bearers of The Elements.
-
525.
>So I let her judgement stand.
-
526.
>Honesty, Loyalty, Generosity, Laughter,
-
527.
>and most of all, Kindness were just what Sunset needed now.
-
528.
>I was surprised there had been no Element of Magic,
-
529.
>But Sunset could do without that for now, at least.
-
530.
>But where was she?
-
531.
>Shortly after Twilight returned Sunset sent me a single letter.
-
532.
>Two little words:
-
533.
>"I'm sorry."
-
534.
>Then, no matter what I said, or how I tried to engage, she refused me.
-
535.
>Eventually, I stopped, thinking she would come to me when she was ready.
-
536.
>Now, it seems she is.
-
537.
>The book dances and glows atop my desk.
-
538.
>I open it and begin to read.
-
539.
>Oh no.
-
540.
-
541.
-
542.
Post 14
-
543.
-
544.
>My poor Sunset Shimmer.
-
545.
>To say nothing of the natives of that world.
-
546.
>The sirens have found them. It must be the sirens.
-
547.
>Probably attracted to, or maybe even awoken by the introduction of magic from Equestria.
-
548.
>If the portal were open, I could take care of this myself.
-
549.
>I can reopen it...but to my regret, she asked for Twilight's help, not mine.
-
550.
>Perhaps that's for the best?
-
551.
>Equestria needs me,
-
552.
>Twilight needs the experience,
-
553.
>and Sunset needs a friend, not a mother-figure.
-
554.
>With the portal closed, Twilight won't be in any danger,
-
555.
>and if it comes to it, I can cross over, and stop the Beasts of Song once and for all.
-
556.
>But only if I must.
-
557.
>Twilight needs the experience,
-
558.
>and Sunset needs a friend,
-
559.
>not me.
-
560.
>Time is of the essence, and a teleport is faster than even my best pegasus courier.
-
561.
>I'll send a letter once it arrives, but
-
562.
>Twilight will recognize the sirens as surely as I did,
-
563.
>maybe even before the message arrives.
-
564.
>She'll also have a way to talk Sunset through her new crucible.
-
565.
>I close my eyes, and cast my sight to Ponyville.
-
566.
>To Twilight's castle,
-
567.
>through the wards and spells meant to keep out farsight and teleportation.
-
568.
>My faithful student improves all the time; they are much better than before,
-
569.
>but still trivial for me to bypass.
-
570.
>There she is, among her books and letters.
-
571.
>When she's focused like this, I could teleport it right in front of her and she wouldn't notice.
-
572.
>She hasn't even sensed my presence.
-
573.
>What to do?
-
574.
>How fortuitous! My shipment of books is arriving!
-
575.
>And they're going right to the throne room.
-
576.
>They will catch her attention if anything will!
-
577.
>Effortlessly, I begin the teleportation spell, and reactivate the books message-alert.
-
578.
>A pop as it disappears from my chambers
-
579.
>Now to find a messenger...
-
580.
-
581.
-
582.
Post 15
-
583.
-
584.
>The Everfree Forest
-
585.
>c1000 years ago
-
586.
-
587.
>Silence
-
588.
>I watch the moon sink below the horizon.
-
589.
>Luna is nowhere to be seen.
-
590.
>Lately, that's not unusual.
-
591.
>We raise and lower our celestial bodies dawn after dawn, and dusk after dusk,
-
592.
>without ever laying eyes on each other.
-
593.
>But even at dawn, there is some kind of noise: birds, guards, something to hear.
-
594.
>Especially here in the forest.
-
595.
>Silence
-
596.
>I feel a chill up my spine and know Luna is watching me.
-
597.
>She sometimes does, using farsight to spy without having to share my presence.
-
598.
>No, not spy; she knows I know when she watches.
-
599.
>Observe, would be a more appropriate term.
-
600.
>I do not mind.
-
601.
>Dutifully, I raise the Sun
-
602.
>But it is so quiet.
-
603.
>I turn and head back toward our castle.
-
604.
>Last night, I did not want to sleep, and spent the night in the forest watching Luna's sky.
-
605.
>She'd become more and more upset this last century.
-
606.
>Nopony seemed to appreciate her efforts, and one night,
-
607.
>she'd just stopped.
-
608.
>She still raised the moon, but there was no more beauty.
-
609.
>No more soul.
-
610.
>I was expecting yet another dull night, with wan moon and faint, sickly stars, and it was.
-
611.
>At first.
-
612.
>Then, near midnight, I sensed her watching me.
-
613.
>Shortly after, the sky had exploded in light and color.
-
614.
>The moon shone like a beacon, and the stars flared, literally *flared* up,
-
615.
>bursting across the sky in hues I had never seen before.
-
616.
>Even a comet appeared!
-
617.
>I stayed out and watched it all;
-
618.
>after so much effort, I wanted her to know that I, at least appreciated her new-found spark.
-
619.
>"Thank you sister, that was beautiful."
-
620.
>Silence
-
621.
-
622.
-
623.
Post 16
-
624.
-
625.
>I'm not even at the gate yet, and I know something is terribly wrong.
-
626.
>None of the guards are at their posts.
-
627.
>None of the daily delivery-wagons are awaiting inspection.
-
628.
>None of the coopers, or bakers, or gardeners or any of the other staff are at their tasks.
-
629.
>And that silence
-
630.
>Not even an insect disturbs it.
-
631.
>I rush through the gate, the sound of my hooves echoing from the walls
-
632.
>Where is everypony?
-
633.
>"Hello?"
-
634.
>Silence
-
635.
>Thunderous silence
-
636.
>I can still feel the chill that tells me Luna is watching.
-
637.
>Why doesn't she say something?
-
638.
>"Luna, do you know what's happened?"
-
639.
>No answer
-
640.
>"Luna? Sister?"
-
641.
>Why doesn't she answer?
-
642.
>I spread my wings and fly to the servant's buildings.
-
643.
>I open the door and gasp in disbelief.
-
644.
>Sitting at the duty desk, is a guard, softly snoring with his head lolled back.
-
645.
>How dare he sleep on duty!
-
646.
>"Guard!" I say in my booming royal voice, "Wake up!"
-
647.
>He doesn't budge
-
648.
>I trot over and see his sleep is far from peaceful:
-
649.
>his eyes are swollen and tears streak his fur.
-
650.
>Sweat rolls down his body while muffled screams punctuate his whimpers.
-
651.
>"Guard?" I shake him with my wings.
-
652.
>Still he doesn't awaken.
-
653.
>"Luna, what's going on?"
-
654.
>This time she answers, but I almost wish she hadn't.
-
655.
-
656.
-
657.
Post 17
-
658.
-
659.
>"Hm-hm-hm-hm" her soft laughter drifts through the air.
-
660.
>"Oh he's having the most marvelous dreams sister."
-
661.
>The way she hisses out that last word chills me to my core.
-
662.
>"They all are. Sleeping and dreaming until my night cometh again."
-
663.
>"What have you done?"
-
664.
>"We sent the guards home and layed them to bed. In fact, everything on this planet that can sleep, is!"
-
665.
>"Why? Let them go!"
-
666.
>"Hahahahahaha! Oh sister, Thou used to love our jokes. How often did thee say thou adored our sense of humor?"
-
667.
>I looked at the guard, shivering and weeping in his sleep.
-
668.
>"This..." I gestured to him "this is funny to you?"
-
669.
>"No, Celestia. This is the set-up. The punchline begins when thee cometh to us."
-
670.
>Come to her? Has she forgotten who I am? *What* I am?
-
671.
>"I will not play your game sister. Release them at once, then, I will speak to you."
-
672.
>Suddenly the guard thrashes in his sleep.
-
673.
>A high keening wail erupts from all around me.
-
674.
>They're all screaming. Every pony, every animal, every insect.
-
675.
>Mad, piercing shrieks shattering the dawn's quiet.
-
676.
>Howls born from the deepest insanity and mind-breaking terror,
-
677.
>on and on, echoing and reverberating,
-
678.
>assaulting from all sides.
-
679.
>Then, as quickly as it began, they fall silent.
-
680.
>Luna's disembodied voice speaks again.
-
681.
>"Thou will, of course, because thee wants us to stop, dost thou not, sister?"
-
682.
>This couldn't be happening
-
683.
>She couldn't mean this.
-
684.
>My sister
-
685.
>*My* sister
-
686.
>My *sister*
-
687.
>How could she do this?
-
688.
>Tears fall freely from my face
-
689.
>I don't care
-
690.
>"Luna..." I manage to sob
-
691.
>"Well, come and stop us. Thy surely knoweth where we are."
-
692.
>"Luna, please..."
-
693.
>"No, sister! Come to us. Now is not the time for fear. That comes later."
-
694.
-
695.
-
696.
Post 18
-
697.
-
698.
>I'm crying
-
699.
>I can't help it
-
700.
>How could she do this?
-
701.
>Oh my dear sister...
-
702.
>I could end it now, release them myself, but that might drive Luna mad.
-
703.
>It might even enrage her such that I'll have to...
-
704.
>No, I won't let myself consider that.
-
705.
>I'll have to talk to her.
-
706.
>To make her understand there's only one way this can end.
-
707.
>That hers is only to choose where she stands when it does.
-
708.
>"Oh my dear sister..."
-
709.
>She was right too, I do know where she is.
-
710.
>The alcove behind our thrones.
-
711.
>Where we used to meet before going out and changing the sky together.
-
712.
>A quick teleport,
-
713.
>and there she is: standing before me, wearing a cruel smile.
-
714.
>"See, sister? We said thou would come."
-
715.
>"Luna, what are... WHY are you doing this?"
-
716.
>"Luna?" She smirks "Are we not *sisters*?"
-
717.
>"Yes," I nod.
-
718.
>"We are sisters, Luna, because I made you so."
-
719.
>Her smirk changes to a snarl.
-
720.
>"Have you forgotten what I am? I am a goddess! Creator of both sun and moon."
-
721.
>"I made the world! I gave life to it! Who are you to defy me?"
-
722.
>Her face is a mask of frustrated rage.
-
723.
>Can't she understand how hopeless her position is?
-
724.
>"We too, are a goddess! Thou said so thyself! That one day we would be thy equal!"
-
725.
>"And you think that day has come?"
-
726.
>"We are the night! We are the darkness! We are the bringer of dreams and the source of fear!"
-
727.
>"Luna..."
-
728.
>"They will love the night, if not for its beauty, then for its solace from the terrors of the day!"
-
729.
>"They will cower in fear at the mere thought of the light!"
-
730.
>Her horn glows, and they're screaming again.
-
731.
>Every throat on the planet screeching itself raw.
-
732.
>"They will love us! They will love ME!"
-
733.
>Louder and louder, their mad voices penetrating even the thick stone walls.
-
734.
>"They will worship the peace I allow them only when the darkness falls!"
-
735.
>"Luna!"
-
736.
>"Shut up, Celestia! Now is the time for fear! Stop me if you can!"
-
737.
-
738.
-
739.
Post 19
-
740.
-
741.
>This isn't working
-
742.
>And I can't let my ponies continue to suffer.
-
743.
>Oh sister, please forgive me.
-
744.
>I must save them from you, but I'm also saving you from yourself.
-
745.
>One day, you'll understand.
-
746.
>You must...
-
747.
>I call on my power, only a very little bit more than I'm used to.
-
748.
>Suddenly the screaming stops.
-
749.
>Luna's face jerks towards me with a shocked expression.
-
750.
>I force down my tears.
-
751.
>"No more of this Luna. You can't hurt them anymore."
-
752.
>Her horn glows, then blazes. Her face contorting with effort and rage.
-
753.
>Easily countered.
-
754.
>My sleeping subjects don't even stir from her renewed attack.
-
755.
>"NO!"
-
756.
>I calmly raise my snout.
-
757.
>She glares at me with a hatred and malevolence I'd never believed possible,
-
758.
>then all at once collapses to the floor, sobs gushing from her in an uncontrolled torrent.
-
759.
>Her tears and moans wrack her frame from nose to tail.
-
760.
>"Please, let this be the end of it, Luna, my dear sister."
-
761.
>I turn and march from the alcove,
-
762.
>between our thrones and down the stairs,
-
763.
>across the Great Hall,
-
764.
>almost to the Grand Door, when her voice rings out behind me.
-
765.
>"Not another step!"
-
766.
>Oh Sister, please no.
-
767.
>I slowly turn to face her.
-
768.
>"Did you really expect me to sit idly by while they all basked in your precious light?"
-
769.
>please no
-
770.
>"There can only be one princess in Equestria."
-
771.
>please no
-
772.
>"And that princess will be ME!"
-
773.
>The stone dias crumbles beneath her powerful hooves.
-
774.
>A fissure shoots up the wall behind her, and it too falls away.
-
775.
>Through the hole, I see my sun, shining in the clear blue sky...
-
776.
>eclipsed!
-
777.
-
778.
-
779.
Post 20
-
780.
-
781.
>Canterlot
-
782.
>Present Day
-
783.
-
784.
-
785.
>My Dear Sunset Shimmer,
-
786.
>Congratulations!
-
787.
>Through the great strength true friendship provides, you defeated 3 ancient, powerful terrors!
-
788.
>You are a brilliant, educated pony;
-
789.
>you don't need me to tell you how this accomplishment shines!
-
790.
>Even though a part of me indulges in the idea of you relishing my praise.
-
791.
>What I wish to discuss, is your other accomplishment:
-
792.
>reformation.
-
793.
>We tell ourselves a myriad of stories about, and justifications for our actions.
-
794.
>Our minds remember, forget, and reinterpret events in ways that make us appear laudible.
-
795.
>This protects us, but also stunts us;
-
796.
>we can't grow if we're blind to our own failings.
-
797.
>Unfortunately, many are.
-
798.
>Intellectually, we know "nobody's perfect",
-
799.
>but when it comes to it, we lack the strength to see ourselves in the harsh light of reality.
-
800.
>To drop our vanities, and see ourselves as we are,
-
801.
>instead of as we imagine ourselves to be.
-
802.
>They are never the same.
-
803.
>This takes more fortitude than many possess,
-
804.
>and even more to realize when one is wanting.
-
805.
>It is difficult.
-
806.
>It is painful.
-
807.
>But you did it anyway. And more than that,
-
808.
>YOU DID NOT TURN AWAY.
-
809.
>You faced the pain, and let it drive you to become better.
-
810.
>You are every bit the heroine, and so much greater than you realize.
-
811.
>One day, you will be a princess.
-
812.
>Because of this, there is one more thing I want to speak with you about.
-
813.
-
814.
-
815.
-
816.
-
817.
Post 21
-
818.
-
819.
>You know of Princess Luna's rebellion, but
-
820.
>will you let me tell you a bit more?
-
821.
>When I took up the Elements of Harmony against her, it was not out of necessity;
-
822.
>but hope.
-
823.
>I'd hoped to intimidate her in to giving up.
-
824.
>She knew how powerful they were, and I thought seeing me wielding them would bring her to her senses.
-
825.
>As you know they did not.
-
826.
>So when I knew I could not delay any longer, I banished her,
-
827.
>instead of purifying her.
-
828.
>Do you know why?
-
829.
>For centuries after, I told myself it was an accident;
-
830.
>that in the heat of the moment, my control over the elements slipped!
-
831.
>In period illustrations, I am shown pink-haired.
-
832.
>I ordered it so, to further convince myself that I was flustered, not malicious.
-
833.
>So flustered, in fact, that even my hair-magic faltered!
-
834.
>But it was a lie.
-
835.
>I did it in anger.
-
836.
>Pain at my sister's betrayal, and fear for my ponies,
-
837.
>wove seamlessly into a spike of rage which bore an action that haunted me for a thousand years.
-
838.
>Why am I telling you this?
-
839.
>Not as an excuse, but as a warning.
-
840.
>You will find yourself in desperate situations.
-
841.
>It is inevitable as a princess.
-
842.
>I hope you will learn from my moment of weakness,
-
843.
>and temper your wrath.
-
844.
>I know you will not see this letter for some time.
-
845.
>Since giving Twilight our book, I've begun writing, and saving them,
-
846.
>because I still hope you'll return to me.
-
847.
>Princess Luna has, and resumed her rightful place.
-
848.
>I hope one day, you will read them, and know that even now, far across the multiverse,
-
849.
>my thoughts are of you.
-
850.
>There is so much hope in this one little letter.
-
851.
>Long experience has taught me such hopes often go unfulfilled.
-
852.
>Were you anyone else, I would not dare hold so much of it.
-
853.
>But you are you. Indomitable, unstoppable you.
-
854.
>I have faith in you.
-
855.
>C
-
856.
-
857.
-
858.
Post 22
-
859.
-
860.
>Canterlot Meadow
-
861.
>c1000 years ago
-
862.
-
863.
>I lay in our spot and cry.
-
864.
>Our spot
-
865.
>Where we passed so many dawns, dusks, and gorgeous days and nights.
-
866.
>This is where Luna invented the aurora;
-
867.
>happily coloring her nights with the energy of my sun.
-
868.
>This is where she painted my mane.
-
869.
>This is where she played and explored.
-
870.
>This is where she loved; her favorite place in all Equestria.
-
871.
>Where our laughter echoed together time after time;
-
872.
>now silent, but for the wind, and my pitiful cries.
-
873.
>My sister!
-
874.
>Oh, my beloved sister!
-
875.
>If only you had listened!
-
876.
>If only you had stopped!
-
877.
>If only I'd had better control...
-
878.
>My thin veneer of equanimity collapses.
-
879.
>I am alone, and have no need for it.
-
880.
>I scream my pain to the mountain, and let my sobs blot out my grief.
-
881.
>On and on, I don't know for how long.
-
882.
>Eventually, my thoughts turn to my ponies.
-
883.
>All my little ponies.
-
884.
>So terrified, and so desperately in need of me.
-
885.
>I'd freed them from her spell, but great damage had already been done.
-
886.
>They need my magic to lull them to sleep now, so traumatized are they by her nightmares.
-
887.
>Nightmare Moon
-
888.
>That's what they're calling her now.
-
889.
>All her beautiful works, and heartfelt love forgotten.
-
890.
>Hers will be a legacy of terror.
-
891.
>She deserved so much better.
-
892.
>Again misery overtakes me, and I cry awful, wracking cries.
-
893.
>My heart tears from me and spills over the meadow.
-
894.
>Our meadow
-
895.
>The workers are already repairing my castle, but it's filled with bad memories.
-
896.
>My heart weeps every time I look on it.
-
897.
>But our meadow is filled with happy ones.
-
898.
>I lower Luna's now-marred moon knowing what to do:
-
899.
>abandon the Castle of the Two Sisters, and raise one here.
-
900.
>Canterlot Castle!
-
901.
>The dawn breaks, and washes me in its brilliant radiance.
-
902.
>A new beginning for my ponies, and also for me.
-
903.
>No more the distant monarch
-
904.
>No more the goddess
-
905.
>From now, until the end of Equestria I will be the kind and warm leader they deserve.
-
906.
>I love them all so much, and now they will know it!
-
907.
-
908.
-
909.
Post 23
-
910.
-
911.
>Canterlot
-
912.
>Present day
-
913.
-
914.
>It's a lovely day.
-
915.
>There isn't a cloud to be seen,
-
916.
>my sun is warm,
-
917.
>and my garden is filled with the perfume of flowers.
-
918.
>Best of all, I have a new tea to try!
-
919.
>For hundreds of years I've cultivated tea plants as a hobby.
-
920.
>Some of my blends, and strains are enjoyed well beyond the borders of Equestria proper.
-
921.
>Now, after nearly 4 decades of selective breeding, and magical tweaking,
-
922.
>I think I've made yet another delight!
-
923.
>Of course, there's only one way to be sure!
-
924.
>I smile in anticipation as I bring the cup to my lips, it's delicate bouquet filling my nostrils.
-
925.
>I pause a moment and marvel at the sight of my kingdom;
-
926.
>Cloudsdale shines distantly in the bright sunlight,
-
927.
>its alabaster spires contrasting beautifully with the blue sky.
-
928.
>Ponyville nestled idyllically in the rolling hills to the southwest,
-
929.
>their slopes dark with fecund apple trees.
-
930.
>I close my eyes and sigh, savoring the moment.
-
931.
>At last I drink,
-
932.
>savoring also, the feeling of its warm astringence meeting my tongue.
-
933.
>This is delicious!
-
934.
>Even when measured against the absurdly high standards of my gardens.
-
935.
>I think I'll give it a name to honor Luna.
-
936.
>She was the one who introduced me to tea, after all,
-
937.
>back when she was still an earth-pony.
-
938.
>The sound of a door being hurriedly opened intrudes on my reverie.
-
939.
>A guard pony canters down my arcade, looking rather worried.
-
940.
>I nonchalantly take another sip.
-
941.
>He leaps from the top of the stairs with his wings spread and glides to the grass.
-
942.
>Such urgency; it was only a few little steps.
-
943.
>He stops a few meters away, and bows deeply.
-
944.
>I regard him with a smile, and take another sip.
-
945.
>"Princess! You ordered to be notified at once, if your alarms on the mirror were tripped!"
-
946.
>My heart skips a beat.
-
947.
>I hold the liquid on my tongue.
-
948.
>Could it be?
-
949.
>After all this time, has she at last come back?
-
950.
>"Yes, has somepony come through?"
-
951.
>"Not exactly, Your Highness..."
-
952.
-
953.
-
954.
Post 24
-
955.
-
956.
>I'm on my balcony
-
957.
>It's nearing sunset, and the air is cool.
-
958.
>A speck appears on the horizon, toward Ponyville.
-
959.
>It's so distant, it seems to hang motionless in the sky,
-
960.
>but I know it's moving with considerable speed.
-
961.
>Gradually, it draws closer, and my eyes resolve it:
-
962.
>Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, glowing in my sun's red light.
-
963.
>My eyes track her progress as my mind puzzles over the days events.
-
964.
>Some pegasus guards intercept her, then quickly let her pass.
-
965.
>She comes straight to me, landing quickly, her face filled with concern.
-
966.
>"Is it true?"
-
967.
>I quietly nod.
-
968.
>Her ears and tail droop
-
969.
>"Oh, Twilight...I came as soon as I heard. I teleported right to Ponyville to check for myself."
-
970.
>Her frown deepens
-
971.
>"Even when I couldn't find her, I still hoped she might have come here."
-
972.
>"Not yet, Cadance, but if she does, we'll know; Equestria is on high alert."
-
973.
>She licks her lips and begins to pace
-
974.
>"Yes, so is the Crystal Empire. This would be a clumsy prelude to attack, but I agree it's prudent."
-
975.
>Suddenly, she stops, and looks at me, shifting her weight from left to right uncertainly.
-
976.
>"What can I do?"
-
977.
>"Luna is patrolling the Everfree Forest, you may help her, if you wish."
-
978.
>"What's she looking for?"
-
979.
>"Portals"
-
980.
>Her brow furrows
-
981.
>"But I saw the mirror, still in Twilight's castle."
-
982.
>"Cadance, as you know, when she found a way to keep it open, I swathed it in alarm-spells..."
-
983.
>"Also prudent" she says, too quickly.
-
984.
>"Thank you. Right now, those are the only enchantments it still carries."
-
985.
>"Was the portal dispelled?"
-
986.
>I shake my head
-
987.
>"Torn free, I think. Without the mirror to anchor it, the mouth will leap about unpredictably."
-
988.
>"...and the forest's magical nature makes it the most likely place for it to appear!" She finishes.
-
989.
>I nod
-
990.
>"The portal is gone, Princess Twilight is g...gone; do you think she went through it?
-
991.
>I am about to answer, when Cadance shivers visibly and a familiar chill shoots up my spine.
-
992.
>"Sister! Princess Cadance! We have found a portal!"
-
993.
-
994.
-
995.
Post 25
-
996.
-
997.
>High over Equestria
-
998.
>A few years ago
-
999.
-
1000.
>Even as old as I am, I can still be surprised.
-
1001.
>And that knowledge pleases me greatly.
-
1002.
>Moments ago, an incredible burst of magic swept across my world.
-
1003.
>I felt it, and so did my ponies.
-
1004.
>All at once, everywhere on my planet, their moods and dreams sweetened, though they didn't know why.
-
1005.
>I do:
-
1006.
>love.
-
1007.
>Pure, unconditional love powerful enough to bend reality itself.
-
1008.
>But what could have caused it?
-
1009.
>Instantly, I'd cast my sight across Equestria to it's source, not knowing what to expect.
-
1010.
>Certainly not expecting what I found!
-
1011.
>A little pink pegasus filly,
-
1012.
>standing in the snow, with a grown unicorn weeping at her hooves.
-
1013.
>I watch as the unicorn embraces her, and gives her a necklace:
-
1014.
>a crystaline heart bound in twine, blazing with invisible magic.
-
1015.
>Literally a heart,
-
1016.
>cut from the chest of a siren, meant to enslave it's victims, and deaden their souls.
-
1017.
>It's raw magical power dwarfs that of either the filly, or the unicorn, but it's different now:
-
1018.
>shining and pure.
-
1019.
>It's selfish malice somehow transformed by love.
-
1020.
>Her love.
-
1021.
>That's incredible!
-
1022.
>That's potential!
-
1023.
>The kind I've found only once before in my poor, lost sister.
-
1024.
>Unbidden, memories of her leap to the forefront of my mind. Still painful,
-
1025.
>but after all these years, a deep, dull ache, instead of raw, overwhelming anguish.
-
1026.
>I must sieze this chance!
-
1027.
>The unicorn steps into her cave, and I act,
-
1028.
>teleporting the filly, and myself to this special place.
-
1029.
>She blinks, looking thoroughly confused.
-
1030.
>"Where am...Princess!"
-
1031.
>Her eyes widen the moment she sees me
-
1032.
>"It's ok, my little pony, there's no need to be afraid."
-
1033.
>She regards me uncertainly for a moment, then relaxes.
-
1034.
>"Not as long as you're here...Your Highness."
-
1035.
>I smile at that
-
1036.
>"What's your name, little one?"
-
1037.
>"Cadance, Your Highness."
-
1038.
>"What a beautiful name."
-
1039.
>She breaks in to a smile.
-
1040.
>"Thank you, Your Highness."
-
1041.
>I beam back at her
-
1042.
>"You may call me Celestia, Cadance."
-
1043.
-
1044.
-
1045.
Post 26
-
1046.
-
1047.
>"Oh, no" she shakes her head "I could never do that, Your Highness!"
-
1048.
>"Well..." I say with an exaggerated frown
-
1049.
>"you don't have to, but I'd very much like it if we could be friends."
-
1050.
>She tilts her head to one side, and her candy-striped mane falls over her shoulders.
-
1051.
>She seems utterly entranced by the possibility.
-
1052.
>"You want to be my friend?"
-
1053.
>"Mm-hmm," I nod "and maybe talk a little bit. Would you like that?"
-
1054.
>"A lot!"
-
1055.
>"Good!" I say with my warmest smile. "Cadance, do you know why I've brought you here?"
-
1056.
>"No, Pri...C...Celestia." Her voice shrinks to a whisper at my name. "I don't even know where we are."
-
1057.
>She finally pulls her eyes from me and looks around
-
1058.
>For what seems like the first time, she notices she is standing on "nothing":
-
1059.
>a floor of pure magical force, and far, far below it, my world spread out like a shining gem.
-
1060.
>A satisfying gasp as her little jaw drops.
-
1061.
>"We're high above Equestria. Right over Canterlot, in fact."
-
1062.
>She peers through the floor
-
1063.
>"Wow, Canterlot?"
-
1064.
>"Mm-hmm, and you're here, because I want to give you a present."
-
1065.
>"A present, for me?"
-
1066.
>"It's not a present you can hold, Cadance, but it's very, very special. One day, it will change you."
-
1067.
>Her brows furrow "Change me?"
-
1068.
>"Yes, child. One day, when you're ready, it will give you a new strength, and a very special job to do."
-
1069.
>I can see her mind is working furiously;
-
1070.
>she's young, but maybe she can understand even if I don't simplify it so much?
-
1071.
>"You'll become like me, Cadance. And if you do your job right, if you love your ponies, and take care of them,"
-
1072.
>"They will all love you in turn."
-
1073.
>"Like the way we love you?"
-
1074.
>What can I say to that? What words can adequately express the way they make my heart leap?
-
1075.
>Fortunately, she speaks up almost immediately:
-
1076.
>"If it means I can help more ponies, then I want it!"
-
1077.
>"Are you sure? Once I give it to you, it becomes part of you. You won't be able to change your mind."
-
1078.
-
1079.
-
1080.
Post 27
-
1081.
-
1082.
>She nods with surprising solemnity.
-
1083.
>"I'm sure."
-
1084.
>"Then close your eyes, Cadance, and open your heart."
-
1085.
>For show, I gently tap her head with my horn, and silently will the spark to pass to her.
-
1086.
>Instantly, a burst of light shoots from her chest.
-
1087.
>I laugh in delighted surprise! So soon?
-
1088.
>It swirls and jumps around her, and carries her tiny frame into the air.
-
1089.
>Now she's smiling too, her face shining with sheer bliss.
-
1090.
>"It's so warm!"
-
1091.
>She floats, engulfed in a brilliant light, growing, and feeding upon itself.
-
1092.
>It surges back through her body, and up her neck, pouring from her eyes.
-
1093.
>She lets loose an exhilarated yell as it bursts from her forehead in a searing flash of pure magic,
-
1094.
>leaving a radiant spire in it's wake.
-
1095.
>She floats, laughing and languidly spinning about her axes.
-
1096.
>Gradually sinking lower and lower as the light fades away.
-
1097.
>At last, her hooves touch the ground.
-
1098.
>Her eyes are crossed, focused on her new horn.
-
1099.
>She grins soundlessly, twisting her head from side to side, and turns in a complete circle.
-
1100.
>"What happens now, Celestia?"
-
1101.
>I'm not sure how to answer.
-
1102.
>Nightmare Moon announced her arrival with a spasm of hate and fear so keen
-
1103.
>that even a thousand years later its wound still has not healed.
-
1104.
>Cadance announced hers with a wave of calming love,
-
1105.
>pure enough to wash the taint from a siren's dead heart.
-
1106.
>I don't know what happens now, but for the first time in far, far too long,
-
1107.
>I know genuine hope.
-
1108.
-
1109.
-
1110.
Post 28
-
1111.
-
1112.
>The Everfree Forest
-
1113.
>Present Day
-
1114.
-
1115.
>The stench of the forest's air washes over me as my teleport spell completes.
-
1116.
>A fraction of a second later, Cadance pops in to being beside me.
-
1117.
>"Where is it?" she hurriedly asks.
-
1118.
>Luna indicates a direction with her nose
-
1119.
>"It was there, for a moment."
-
1120.
>Cadance follows Luna's gesture, then stares at the ground, tears welling in her eyes.
-
1121.
>"Did you see Twilight?"
-
1122.
>"No, Princess Cadance, we are sorry."
-
1123.
>A single sharp sob escapes Cadance's lips
-
1124.
>Luna gently nuzzles her, and softly:
-
1125.
>"But as we said, there was not much time."
-
1126.
>I look around at our surroundings.
-
1127.
>This part of the Everfree is notorious.
-
1128.
>More swamp, than woods, and filled with ghost-lights and strange, dangerous things.
-
1129.
>Even the few ponies who regularly brave the forest itself, avoid it at all costs.
-
1130.
>But here my fearless sister had come alone, at night, without a moments hesitation.
-
1131.
>For Twilight.
-
1132.
>My heart would swell with pride, if I weren't so worried.
-
1133.
>I trot over and stand with them, wrapping my wings around their shoulders.
-
1134.
>We hold each other tightly until at last, Cadance is calm.
-
1135.
>"Please, Sister, tell us everything you can."
-
1136.
>Luna closes her eyes and concentrates for a moment.
-
1137.
>"First we felt great mirth overtake us, as if laughter, humor itself were a presence."
-
1138.
>I recall Twilight's mention of the Elements of Harmony in the human-world.
-
1139.
>"Then a purple glow appeared, and opened into a rift."
-
1140.
>"We rushed closer, and heard music, of a kind we've never heard before."
-
1141.
>Her snout scrunches in consternation
-
1142.
>"We didn't even recognize the instruments."
-
1143.
>"Also, there were voices, but we could not hear what they were saying."
-
1144.
>Cadance speaks up
-
1145.
>"Could you see anything through it?"
-
1146.
>"Yes. There was a wall, of sorts: horizontal wooden boards, secured to an iron frame."
-
1147.
>"with gaps between them, and a strange creature was peeking through."
-
1148.
-
1149.
-
1150.
Post 29
-
1151.
-
1152.
>"Did it see you?" I asked.
-
1153.
>She shook her head
-
1154.
>"We don't believe so; the portal closed before we could approach it."
-
1155.
>"Well," began Cadance "at least you found something."
-
1156.
>She smiles, and gives a strained laugh.
-
1157.
>"Really, it's lucky it opened close enough for you to find it."
-
1158.
>"Oh, it was not mere chance, Princess Cadance; we used a beacon spell to draw it to us."
-
1159.
>Again, I am impressed by my sister's selfless bravery.
-
1160.
>"That's very dangerous, especially here."
-
1161.
>Says Cadance, echoing my thoughts.
-
1162.
>"There's no telling what else might have come instead."
-
1163.
>"No, but we are as desperate to find Princess Twilight as you or Sister;"
-
1164.
>"we would be remiss if we did not use all the tools at our disposal."
-
1165.
>I set my wing on her back.
-
1166.
>"Sister, please," I whisper "don't do that again. Not alone."
-
1167.
>She looks at me, with a small frown, then nods.
-
1168.
>"Not alone." She agrees, pressing her neck to mine.
-
1169.
>We stand in silence a few moments, then quietly, Luna continues.
-
1170.
>"There is more."
-
1171.
>The magic was a tangled mess, but we could recognize a few signatures: one was the portal itself;
-
1172.
>others were Elements of Harmony: Generosity and Laughter.
-
1173.
>Cadance's gasp tells me she is as surprised as I am
-
1174.
>"But how is that possible?"
-
1175.
>"We suspect, it's because the largest portion..." she pauses,
-
1176.
>"was siren magic."
-
1177.
>That would explain it. Sirens absorb life and emotion, why not magic too?
-
1178.
>But I'd never imagined a siren could become powerful enough to destroy the gate.
-
1179.
>"Twilight said the trio on that side were defeated, their gems broken."
-
1180.
>"You're sure it was siren magic?"
-
1181.
>"We are. It was unmistakable, mangled, though it was."
-
1182.
>"Mangled?"
-
1183.
>"Yes..." Luna frowns
-
1184.
>"We don't know a better word to describe it."
-
1185.
>"Prismia used the heart of a siren as jewelry, and a weapon."
-
1186.
>Says Cadance.
-
1187.
>"Could somepony there have made something from the fragments?"
-
1188.
>A look of comprehension sweeps across Luna's face.
-
1189.
>"That's it!"
-
1190.
-
1191.
-
1192.
Post 30
-
1193.
-
1194.
>"The wall partially blocked our view, but the creature was wearing a locket."
-
1195.
>Cadance looks at me worriedly.
-
1196.
>"It glowed with the same violet light that preceded the rift,"
-
1197.
>"and when the creature closed it, the portal disappeared."
-
1198.
>"A locket?"
-
1199.
>"Yes, that's the source of the magic, I'm sure!"
-
1200.
>"Then we've learned something" I say.
-
1201.
>"Is there anything else, sister?"
-
1202.
>She shakes her head.
-
1203.
>I stand silently, turning ideas over in my mind.
-
1204.
>As Cadance said, this would be a clumsy attack on Equestria,
-
1205.
>but it would be a good first move if the sirens wanted revenge.
-
1206.
>Kidnapping Twilight, and closing the portal would isolate Sunset and the humans from our help.
-
1207.
>However, Sunset's new letters to Twilight don't mention them,
-
1208.
>and my alarms would have tripped if anypony had crossed through.
-
1209.
>Also, without their gems, they are powerless, certainly incapable of this,
-
1210.
>or defeating an Alicorn, and extremely gifted unicorn working together.
-
1211.
>It's probably not them.
-
1212.
>In fact, it's unlikely that Twilight is on their side of the portal;
-
1213.
>my alarms again, and the fact Sunset wouldn't be asking for her help via the book if she were.
-
1214.
>If Twilight isn't there, that makes siren involvement even less likely.
-
1215.
>But where could she be?
-
1216.
>If I knew where the portal led I could open one, and find out immediately.
-
1217.
>But I don't, and it will do no good to open them randomly in an infinite multiverse.
-
1218.
>"There's nothing for us to do now, but wait for it to open."
-
1219.
>"Cadance," I turn to her.
-
1220.
>"it seems less likely than ever that this is an attack,"
-
1221.
>"but I would like you to return to Canterlot, both to alert us if Twilight returns,
-
1222.
>and to coordinate a defense if it becomes necessary."
-
1223.
>She nods.
-
1224.
>"We'll contact you at midnight, dawn, noon, and dusk. If you don't hear from us,"
-
1225.
>"you may use farsight, but don't come looking for us. A royal must remain in Equestria."
-
1226.
>"Sister, I will remain here with you, and continue the beacon."
-
1227.
>She nods too.
-
1228.
>"Are there any questions?"
-
1229.
-
1230.
-
1231.
-
1232.
Post 31
-
1233.
-
1234.
>Midnight came.
-
1235.
>My dear sister wrought her magic, and I kept her safe.
-
1236.
>Dawn, and Princess Cadance asks to replace one of us.
-
1237.
>"I have never needed sleep" I tell her, "and Luna has been an Alicorn far longer than you."
-
1238.
>"Enjoyable as it may be, I doubt she requires it any longer."
-
1239.
>Reluctantly, Cadance had acquiesced, and we continued our vigil.
-
1240.
>Noon, but you wouldn't know it by my sun.
-
1241.
>Here the shadows are dark, and the waters deep,
-
1242.
>but my gaze penetrates it all:
-
1243.
>I see *things* lurking around us:
-
1244.
>Nightmares oozed, putrid and malevolent from cracks in reality.
-
1245.
>Products of evolution and feral magic also slink and crawl.
-
1246.
>None of these are creatures born of my work, but still they know me.
-
1247.
>And they dare not approach.
-
1248.
>Hours pass in uneventful, if oppressive silence.
-
1249.
>I glance at my sister, her eyes open, but unseeing, and still as a frozen lake.
-
1250.
>Exactly as she has been since Cadance left us.
-
1251.
>The steady light from her horn is the only clue that she is more than a statue,
-
1252.
>or a corpse,
-
1253.
>and even that is swallowed by the hungry gloom.
-
1254.
>I feel it then,
-
1255.
>a warm glow of swelling empathy: kindness!
-
1256.
>Luna's eyes bat furiously as she pulls herself from her trance.
-
1257.
>Our gazes meet for an instant, then wordlessly, we look about,
-
1258.
>scanning frantically for what we know is coming.
-
1259.
>There! across the swamp, a purple light among the vine-cowed trunks,
-
1260.
>fantastically bright in the darkness.
-
1261.
>Then another, and another, each following as quickly as thought.
-
1262.
>As one they open in to gates, and Luna rushes toward them.
-
1263.
-
1264.
-
1265.
Post 32
-
1266.
-
1267.
>Something leaps through from the swamp, and immediately returns
-
1268.
>pursued by a small, though terribly loud purple creature.
-
1269.
>They leap from puddle to tuft, and fall from one portal to another,
-
1270.
>their distorted shadows casting wildly about by the sunlight spilling from the portal's mouths.
-
1271.
>The glare doesn't hinder me, and I look through them.
-
1272.
>Bushes, grass, portions of a brick wall, 2 humans,
-
1273.
>and there, just as sister said!
-
1274.
>A pendant, floating around the neck of one, blazing in it's insane melange of sorceries.
-
1275.
>She's almost there, but already, I can see one of the humans wrapping her hands around it.
-
1276.
>Sister won't make it in time, and they are too small for her to fit through anyway.
-
1277.
>As quickly as only a goddess can, I reach through the portal with my mind.
-
1278.
>My senses stretch, searching for Twilight and...
-
1279.
>Sunset! Oh Sunset!
-
1280.
>My heart leaps as I brush her essence.
-
1281.
>Then, without warning, I see only the swamp again.
-
1282.
>The portals have closed, but that doesn't matter.
-
1283.
>I have already discovered what I needed to know.
-
1284.
>The amulet's base magic is undoubtably siren, but the one wearing it is only human.
-
1285.
>Worryingly, there were also the elements of Generosity, Laughter, and Kindness.
-
1286.
>But more than anything else, there was Sunset.
-
1287.
>"Sister, are you hurt? Why are you crying?"
-
1288.
>I blink in surprise as happy tears fall from my eyes.
-
1289.
>"No Luna, I found Sunset."
-
1290.
>She bobs her head and touches my nose with her own.
-
1291.
>"Tears of joy then?"
-
1292.
>"Mm-hmm." I nod.
-
1293.
>"And Twilight?"
-
1294.
>I shake my head
-
1295.
>"She's not there."
-
1296.
>"That is why you let them collapse?"
-
1297.
>"Yes. And Sunset... Sunset is close."
-
1298.
>Luna looks at me quietly in response, her thoughts nearly hidden behind her deep, placid eyes.
-
1299.
>"So she must solve this problem on her own."
-
1300.
>It wasn't a question.
-
1301.
>It didn't need to be.
-
1302.
>A few more tears fall, and I whisper so softly not even Luna can hear.
-
1303.
>"Good luck."
-
1304.
-
1305.
-
1306.
Post 33
-
1307.
-
1308.
>Twilight did not go through the mirror.
-
1309.
>We finally knew, but the question still remained:
-
1310.
>where was she?
-
1311.
>The query burned within us all,
-
1312.
>but with no more clues, there was precious little we could do.
-
1313.
>I was all but certain we weren't under attack,
-
1314.
>but it was conceivable the Yaks, or Changelings would learn something was amiss,
-
1315.
>and try to take whatever advantage they could.
-
1316.
>So, Cadance continued her organisation of Equestria's defence.
-
1317.
>Luna resumed her patrols,
-
1318.
>no longer calling the rifts, but instead, keeping my ponies safe from them.
-
1319.
>I returned to Twilight's castle, in hopes of finding something,
-
1320.
>*anything*, that would tell us what had become of her.
-
1321.
>I wandered about, inspecting each room, and every strange device I found.
-
1322.
>Twilight infused the place.
-
1323.
>Her scent, her magic, her very essence.
-
1324.
>The hard crystal walls glimmered and shone and reflected images of her from my mind.
-
1325.
>But my search was fruitless.
-
1326.
>Sister called me some time later,
-
1327.
>her disembodied voice breaking the silence of the dark halls to tell me of another portal.
-
1328.
>I felt it then, too; Honesty.
-
1329.
>But it didn't close.
-
1330.
>It grew, and grew, and I knew it would be trouble.
-
1331.
>Luna told me later that the swamp's carnivorous plants pushed their tendrils through the portals.
-
1332.
>Some of them even fit their entire heads through.
-
1333.
>But they were far from Ponyville, and no longer held the promise of Twilight's delivery.
-
1334.
>She was content to watch from afar until they winked out of existence,
-
1335.
>and I was content to let her.
-
1336.
>Moments after it closed, another opened.
-
1337.
>Loyalty, that time,
-
1338.
>and worse, it wasn't in the forest.
-
1339.
>But it too, was short-lived, and vanished.
-
1340.
>The siren-magic was getting out of hoof, but I remained at my task;
-
1341.
>Luna and Cadance would protect my ponies, and I would find Twilight.
-
1342.
-
1343.
-
1344.
Post 34
-
1345.
-
1346.
>Eventually, I make my way to her grand hall.
-
1347.
>The roots of the Golden Oak hang in the gloom like some tentacled horror from the Immaterium.
-
1348.
>This isn't working, and I must not fail.
-
1349.
>I have to go deeper.
-
1350.
>I expand my awareness, and in an instant know everything there is to know about the palace.
-
1351.
>Every facet, every groove,
-
1352.
>every mote of dust and every atom.
-
1353.
>All the forces and energies binding them together,
-
1354.
>and each tiny measure of the time which stops everything from happening all at once.
-
1355.
>Here, far below the threshold at which I normally leave my senses:
-
1356.
>the lingering scent of an unfamilliar pony, and a faint frisson of magic.
-
1357.
>Time magic.
-
1358.
>I recoil in horrified surprise.
-
1359.
>Could their shared presence really be a coincidence?
-
1360.
>Unlikely, but of course,
-
1361.
>I wouldn't have believed that Twilight's and the portal's disappearances were either.
-
1362.
>Even though they seem to be just that, there's more here.
-
1363.
>Fear. Twilight's fear,
-
1364.
>and the other pony's scent stinks of anger.
-
1365.
>For the thousandth time, I cast my sight across Ponyville,
-
1366.
>but there were none I didn't recognize.
-
1367.
>I search more broadly, sending my awareness down roads and rivers,
-
1368.
>Through woods, fields, and buildings.
-
1369.
>All throughout my land I search,
-
1370.
>but find not a trace of Twilight, or this other pony.
-
1371.
>If Twilight entered a portal through time, this pony probably went with her.
-
1372.
>I loathe time magic, but Twilight must be found,
-
1373.
>and I'm the only one who can do it.
-
1374.
>So I gather my strength, ponder how best to use it,
-
1375.
>and beg the multiverse itself to give her back to me.
-
1376.
>That's when the screaming started.
-
1377.
-
1378.
-
1379.
Post 35
-
1380.
-
1381.
>Normally, the walls and distance between us would have prevented me from hearing them,
-
1382.
>but now, with my senses honed, they roared like thunderclaps,
-
1383.
>rising and falling with the tidal wave of siren-magic crashing over me.
-
1384.
>Another portal,
-
1385.
>spewing it's noxious stew of eldritch energies like debris in a flash flood.
-
1386.
>At once, my sight is beyond her castle, and I see it:
-
1387.
>yawning beneath a tree, right in front of the Town Hall!
-
1388.
>A half-dozen ponies are in panicked flight;
-
1389.
>it must have been them I heard.
-
1390.
>Beyond it's mouth floats a creature of terror:
-
1391.
>a human mare, bewinged, crowned with a single, malformed horn,
-
1392.
>whose mad glinting eyes are limned in cold fire.
-
1393.
>With easy waves of her hands, she tears hole after hole between our worlds;
-
1394.
>I can see Manehattan, Appeloosa, Rainbow Falls, and many others.
-
1395.
>Too many,
-
1396.
>and all of them echoing with the fearful screams of my ponies.
-
1397.
>This has to be stopped!
-
1398.
>Effortlessly, I begin casting all the spells I'll need at the same time:
-
1399.
>teleports to take me there,
-
1400.
>and to move any ponies or humans on the wrong sides of the gates;
-
1401.
>masking spells, so she won't sense my arrival;
-
1402.
>shielding spells to protect me from attack, in case she does;
-
1403.
>numerous closure spells, for the portals themselves;
-
1404.
>and a variety of attacks to annihilate her,
-
1405.
>before she can bring harm to any of my dear, dear ponies.
-
1406.
>Everything will happen in an instant,
-
1407.
>and it will be over before anypony knows anything is happening at all.
-
1408.
>Suddenly, my heart stops.
-
1409.
>Sunset Shimmer.
-
1410.
>Straight-backed and stern-faced,
-
1411.
>resolute, even beneath this monster's unhinged glare.
-
1412.
>"Twilight, you can't do this!"
-
1413.
-
1414.
-
1415.
Post 36
-
1416.
-
1417.
>An image flashes to my mind:
-
1418.
>Sunset, still a filly, in Canterlot with me.
-
1419.
>We'd spent the day learning about Starswirl's victory over the sirens.
-
1420.
>"Celestia," she'd asked, "how could he be so brave if he was afraid?"
-
1421.
>"Oh Sunset," I'd replied, "that's the only time you can be."
-
1422.
>Pride and love swell within me.
-
1423.
>Oh Sunset...
-
1424.
>Magic hums and races along my horn, fighting powerfully to manifest,
-
1425.
>but I hold it in check, and watch; can she really handle this?
-
1426.
>"Why not!?"
-
1427.
>"There's a whole other world right there, and it's just filled with magic!"
-
1428.
>A flash of light, an extended limb,
-
1429.
>and she gleefully blasts another hole through the multiverse.
-
1430.
>Twilight told me there were human versions of her friends over there.
-
1431.
>Uncannily exact right down to their names.
-
1432.
>Knowing that, it makes sense that "Twilight" would be the one to make the locket.
-
1433.
>And seeing what she's doing with it
-
1434.
>is a sobering reminder of what my Twilight almost became.
-
1435.
>Of what Sunset *did* become.
-
1436.
>Until Twilight pulled her back.
-
1437.
>"But you're destroying this world to get it!"
-
1438.
>"So what? There's more magic there, and I want to understand it all!"
-
1439.
>I see it coming before Sunset does.
-
1440.
>The glimmer in the monster's eyes, the curl of her lips,
-
1441.
>and a thousand and one other clues that tell me an attack is imminent.
-
1442.
>But at the last moment, Sunset begins to dodge, and I know she'll be ok.
-
1443.
>The beam slams to the ground,
-
1444.
>sending clumps of dirt erupting from the gaping maw of another portal.
-
1445.
-
1446.
-
1447.
Post 37
-
1448.
-
1449.
>Another one.
-
1450.
>This isn't the way!"
-
1451.
>The largest one yet.
-
1452.
>"I know you feel powerful right now. Like you can have everything you want."
-
1453.
>Another portal to crack my world, and endanger my ponies.
-
1454.
>"I've been where you are. I've made the same mistake you're making."
-
1455.
>I'm sorry Sunset.
-
1456.
>"I put on a crown and just like you, I was overwhelmed by the magic it contained."
-
1457.
>This is far too dangerous to let go on.
-
1458.
>"I thought it could get me everything I wanted."
-
1459.
>With images of Nightmare Moon's banishment flitting before my eyes,
-
1460.
>I tally the gates, take note of where each pony and human is,
-
1461.
>and begin to unleash my blitz.
-
1462.
>Dimly, I'm aware of my sister approaching.
-
1463.
>She must have come all the way from the Everfree.
-
1464.
>It doesn't matter now though, this will be over before she arrives.
-
1465.
>I loosen my hold, and feel the bottled energies begin to slip...
-
1466.
>and my heart stops again!
-
1467.
>Another power touches me.
-
1468.
>Familliar, potent and wholly unexpected.
-
1469.
>The Elements!
-
1470.
>Passing in brilliant, colored streamers to the locket held defiantly over Sunset's head.
-
1471.
>There's something else too.
-
1472.
>I focus my attention on her,
-
1473.
>and start as Something else stirs.
-
1474.
>Not in the locket, but inside her.
-
1475.
>Suddenly, I'm laughing like a mad-mare among Twilight's dark, vacant halls,
-
1476.
>This is it! It must be!
-
1477.
>Instantly, I drop the other spells, and teleport to my sister's side.
-
1478.
>She must not interfere!
-
1479.
-
1480.
-
1481.
>Post 38
-
1482.
-
1483.
>Here, above and away from Ponyville, I watch Sunset slam the locket to the ground.
-
1484.
>It's pilfered magic bursts from the fragments,
-
1485.
>then quickly reforms and engulfs her.
-
1486.
>A shiver runs down my spine, and I know Cadance is watching, too.
-
1487.
>Luna says something to her eidolon, but I don't care to hear.
-
1488.
>I'm laughing and whooping and gliding to the surface.
-
1489.
>Out of the corner of my eye, I see Cadance materialize beside her.
-
1490.
>They trail me to the ground, regarding me with uneasy concern.
-
1491.
>They must think I'm mad.
-
1492.
>"Watch!" I flick my nose to the portal. "Can't you feel it?"
-
1493.
>Probably not, but I can!
-
1494.
>The seed inside Sunset is cracking open!
-
1495.
>It's roots are sprouting and setting her soul aflame!
-
1496.
>Divine fire burning away her mortality and forging her anew!
-
1497.
>My Sunset! My Sunset!
-
1498.
>My student turned protege,
-
1499.
>my protege turned devil,
-
1500.
>my devil reformed, and now, at long, long last:
-
1501.
>my demi-goddess!
-
1502.
>And I can FEEL it all!
-
1503.
>My sister and niece gasp as the radiance fades,
-
1504.
>I simply lay down in the soft grass.
-
1505.
>Sunset raises her arms,
-
1506.
>and in a flash the portal is closed.
-
1507.
>Two by two, all over my planet, I sense the rifts slamming shut,
-
1508.
>until only one remains.
-
1509.
>Cadance and Luna settle to the ground beside me in silence.
-
1510.
>I know they're watching me intently,
-
1511.
>but I am focused elsewhere.
-
1512.
>Long ago, when I was put to the test,
-
1513.
>my wrath bested me, and my sister paid the price.
-
1514.
>Now, across the multiverse,
-
1515.
>Sunset faces her own crucible.
-
1516.
>With furious eyes and terrible power she lashes out,
-
1517.
>the human wailing desperately as she's overwhelmed.
-
1518.
>Overwhelmed, but not destroyed.
-
1519.
>Sunset's visage is hard, and the girl cowers,
-
1520.
>but I can already read her intention.
-
1521.
>Closer she floats, in a column of light.
-
1522.
>"Take my hand Twilight. Let me show you there's another way."
-
1523.
>"Just like someone once did for me."
-
1524.
>I watch her take Sunset's hand.
-
1525.
>I watch the light of friendship burn away her bitter callousness,
-
1526.
>and sigh euphorically as the last portal is seared closed.
-
1527.
-
1528.
-
1529.
Post 39
-
1530.
-
1531.
>My song birds are singing again.
-
1532.
>Their high melodies perfectly suit my mood;
-
1533.
>Twilight has returned!
-
1534.
>I can't keep the smile from my face as I set out a table in my gardens.
-
1535.
>With my own 2 hooves, no less.
-
1536.
>And horn.
-
1537.
>Cups and saucers here, sugar and cream there.
-
1538.
>Leaves of my newest prize strain steeping in the kettle,
-
1539.
>and an assortment of cakes and treats laid out just so.
-
1540.
>I'm partial to the banana cake myself, but there are plenty of others.
-
1541.
>Twilight is coming for a visit,
-
1542.
>and she's bringing a new friend with her.
-
1543.
>It turns out, the pony I'd smelled earlier, was just as guilty as I'd thought.
-
1544.
>Starlight Glimmer, quondam leader of Our Town, had hunted my student down,
-
1545.
>and tried to take her revenge by taking Twilight's past.
-
1546.
>Of course, the multiverse being what it is,
-
1547.
>such a plan would never have worked anyway.
-
1548.
>Nevertheless, incredibly, Princess Twilight not only thwarted her vengeance,
-
1549.
>but actually turned her in to a friend.
-
1550.
>Ostensibly.
-
1551.
>Although she'd used Starswirl's magic, instead of her own to create the time-bridge,
-
1552.
>it was still a remarkable feat,
-
1553.
>so I am VERY eager to meet her.
-
1554.
>I trust Twilight's judgement here, but I also trust my own experience,
-
1555.
>and would much prefer to have a pony who is both so gifted,
-
1556.
>and so recently adversarial, somewhere she can be watched.
-
1557.
>Just in case.
-
1558.
>But, my ulterior motive does not counter my putative one.
-
1559.
>I truly hope her penitence is genuine, and until I know otherwise,
-
1560.
>will treat her as a friend of Twilight's deserves to be treated.
-
1561.
>So I prance about the table, humming to myself,
-
1562.
>and match my voice to those of the birds.
-
1563.
-
1564.
-
1565.
Post 40
-
1566.
-
1567.
>I hear a pony approaching.
-
1568.
>I don't need to look to know who it is.
-
1569.
>"Aunt Celestia!"
-
1570.
>"Hello, Cadance" I smile. "Are you here for the party?"
-
1571.
>Her ears perk up as she surveys the table.
-
1572.
>"Party?"
-
1573.
>"Mm-hmm. For Twilight and her new friend. I've invited them to have tea with me."
-
1574.
>"Ummm..."
-
1575.
>She looks down and awkwardly scrapes the floor with her hoof.
-
1576.
>"Actually, I have a message from Twilight."
-
1577.
>"Oh?"
-
1578.
>"Yes...she asked me to wait a little before giving it to you, though."
-
1579.
>she pauses
-
1580.
>"I wouldn't have if I'd known you were having a party."
-
1581.
>"What was the message?"
-
1582.
>"Yeah, well...oh boy."
-
1583.
>"Cadance?"
-
1584.
>"She read the book you gave her. The one to communicate with Sunset?"
-
1585.
>"Mm-hmm."
-
1586.
>"You know how excitable she is."
-
1587.
>"Mm-hmm."
-
1588.
>"Well, she didn't let me explain what happened,"
-
1589.
>"and just rushed off through the portal as quickly as her hooves would take her."
-
1590.
>"Oh."
-
1591.
>Well, darn.
-
1592.
>"So she won't be coming. What about her friend?"
-
1593.
>"Twilight didn't mention her. I don't think she knows."
-
1594.
>I nod.
-
1595.
>"That sounds like something Twilight might do."
-
1596.
>Cadance nods, still looking sheepishly at the floor.
-
1597.
>"She does love pop quizes..."
-
1598.
>Her voice trails off and we look at each other for a few moments.
-
1599.
>"Well, my dear niece, there's no reason to let this all go to waste."
-
1600.
>She perks up again
-
1601.
>"Would you care to spend the afternoon with me?"
-
1602.
>"You bet!"
-
1603.
>Shortly after we begin, the sound of a door gently opening filters down to me.
-
1604.
>I ignore it, and the clip-clop of hooves on marble.
-
1605.
>"Twilight!" Cadance shouts through a mouthful of cake.
-
1606.
>"Hi Cadance, thanks for your help!"
-
1607.
>"Anything for my favorite filly."
-
1608.
>Twilight smiles somberly, then turns to me, her purple eyes heavy with import.
-
1609.
>"Princess Celestia, There's a vital matter we need to discuss."
-
1610.
-
1611.
-
1612.
-
1613.
Post 41
-
1614.
-
1615.
>I am calm.
-
1616.
>My breath is even and measured,
-
1617.
>my snout is level and my eyes are serene.
-
1618.
>Inside, I'm anything but;
-
1619.
>my stomach flutters,
-
1620.
>and I feel the room might drop out from under me at any moment.
-
1621.
>The feeling of my hair in it's etheral breeze adds to my discomfiture.
-
1622.
>"You're hiding it well, sister" Luna not-quite-whispers.
-
1623.
>I meet her smile with one of my own;
-
1624.
>her gentle voice and kind eyes give a much needed anchor for my emotions.
-
1625.
>"Not well enough, it seems."
-
1626.
>"Oh no, sister," she says with a light chuckle. "Not even we can pierce your facade."
-
1627.
>She winks at me
-
1628.
>"We simply know you better than you give us credit for."
-
1629.
>The feeling of Cadance's delicate nuzzle on my left cheek,
-
1630.
>then, as she presses her shoulder to mine:
-
1631.
>"That's right Aunt Cely, we're your family, and we're here for you."
-
1632.
>With a smile, I lean more firmly into her, and feel Luna's weight on my right side.
-
1633.
>They're nervous too, but not like me.
-
1634.
>I'd told Luna about Sunset, and Cadance even met her briefly, years ago.
-
1635.
>They were both delighted at the emergence of another alicorn,
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1636.
>and when Twilight said Sunset had asked her to seek my permission to return,
-
1637.
>they'd all but begged to be there when she did.
-
1638.
>Not that they needed to, of course,
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1639.
>but they don't share our history,
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1640.
>and so, don't share my doubts.
-
1641.
>Idea after unwanted, distracting, idea runs through my mind.
-
1642.
>Slowly, carefully I breathe in.
-
1643.
>I pause, focusing on the heartbeats of my sister and niece at my sides.
-
1644.
>Slowly, carefully, I let it go,
-
1645.
>and send my rampant thoughts with it.
-
1646.
>The mirror begins to glow;
-
1647.
>They are here, and I am ready.
-
1648.
-
1649.
-
1650.
Post 42
-
1651.
-
1652.
>Side by Side, so close their flanks are touching,
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1653.
>they step over the mirror's threshold.
-
1654.
>Sunset Shimmer, ice-blue eyes fixed intently on the floor, turns to me.
-
1655.
>She opens her mouth to speak, but only manages a soft gasp.
-
1656.
>Tears well in her gorgeous eyes, and she tries again,
-
1657.
>but no words come out.
-
1658.
>Trembling with effort she forces her face to meet mine,
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1659.
>opens her mouth a third time,
-
1660.
>and breaks in to uncontrollable tears.
-
1661.
>Her legs give out beneath her and she sinks to the cold floor.
-
1662.
>Luna and Cadance are silent; undoubtably wanting me to take the lead.
-
1663.
>Twilight drops back as I step forward,
-
1664.
>one measured pace after another.
-
1665.
>I can't run, I can't speak; if I do, I'll lose control.
-
1666.
>She moans softly as my hoofsteps come to a halt.
-
1667.
>I stand over her, emotions churning wildly, my eyes never leaving this one little pony:
-
1668.
>the very center of my world.
-
1669.
>"I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorryyyy"
-
1670.
>Her voice breaks as the last sound stretches out to a wail.
-
1671.
>Slowly, carefully, I lay down in front of her.
-
1672.
>Slowly, carefully, I wrap my wings around her.
-
1673.
>"I am too."
-
1674.
>And suddenly, we're crying together.
-
1675.
>She crawls closer and pushes my neck with her own.
-
1676.
>We nuzzle, and lean, and hold each other,
-
1677.
>sobbing away our pain, fears and regrets together.
-
1678.
>Our tears mingle hot and wet on the cold crystal floor,
-
1679.
>as our hearts finally begin to heal.
-
1680.
>At last, we are spent, and I look around to see my family smiling at us.
-
1681.
>My family.
-
1682.
>Cadance was right; they are my family.
-
1683.
>Luna, my sister;
-
1684.
>first to ascend, and show me my lonliness would not last forever.
-
1685.
>Cadance, my niece;
-
1686.
>whose unconditional love taught my heart to hope again.
-
1687.
>Twilight, also my niece, through marriage if nothing else;
-
1688.
>who returned my sister, and Sunset, and saved my ponies time and again.
-
1689.
>And Sunset...
-
1690.
>Poor orphaned Sunset.
-
1691.
>My adopted daughter,
-
1692.
>in whom I saw so much of myself I threw caution to the wind,
-
1693.
>and in so doing nearly doomed an entire world.
-
1694.
>Here we are, all together for the first time.
-
1695.
-
1696.
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1697.
Post 43
-
1698.
-
1699.
>A smile spreads across my face, waxing larger and brighter as my happiness grows.
-
1700.
>Luna is the first to speak:
-
1701.
>"Welcome home, Princess Sunset."
-
1702.
>She looks up at me, brow furrowed in confusion,
-
1703.
>before her gaze slides to my sister.
-
1704.
>"Thank you Princess Luna. Princess Twilight told my you'd come back."
-
1705.
>She looks back at me, then at Luna again.
-
1706.
>"If it's not too late, I'd like to say the same to you, Princess."
-
1707.
>"It is not, and we thank thee, as well..."
-
1708.
>A mischevous twinkle flashes in my sister's eye "...Princess."
-
1709.
>Sunset looks between us again.
-
1710.
>"Princess Luna why do you keep calling me that? I'm only a unicorn."
-
1711.
>Cadance lets out a little laugh.
-
1712.
>"I bet Twilight would have told you, but she didn't know either."
-
1713.
>She grins at Twilight, open-mouthed with disbelief.
-
1714.
>"Serves you right for taking off again before we could tell you anything!"
-
1715.
>Sunset's head swivels between my wings, looking at the four of us.
-
1716.
>"What do you mean, Princess Cadance? Twilight?"
-
1717.
>With a gentle nuzzle, I whisper "See for yourself" and let our hug go.
-
1718.
>"I have wings?" she gasps.
-
1719.
>Luna snorts facetiously
-
1720.
>"To think a pony could undergo apotheosis and not even know."
-
1721.
>"I have wings! When did...?"
-
1722.
>A look of shocked understanding shoots across her face.
-
1723.
>"The school? But how? You weren't even there!"
-
1724.
>"I've never really been as far away you think."
-
1725.
-
1726.
>Time passes in its slow, inexorable way.
-
1727.
>There is laughter and tears.
-
1728.
>More of each are sure to come, but we're mending;
-
1729.
>at long last, I have my family, and they have me.
-
1730.
>We'll live each day and each night in love,
-
1731.
>for our ponies, and for each other.
-
1732.
>Forever.
-
1733.
-
1734.
And that's more or less how it ends, dear reader.
-
1735.
I could keep picking at random ideas, but I've gotten out what I wanted to,
-
1736.
and think it's a fine place to bring it to a close.
-
1737.
I hope you enjoyed it.
-
1738.
-
1739.
-
1740.
-
1741.
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:
- 1742.
-
1743.
and here:
- 1744.
-
1745.
I hope you'll check it out. It's much better than this one.
12944 73.14 KB 1745
by LineOfFlowers
by LineOfFlowers
by LineOfFlowers
by LineOfFlowers
by LineOfFlowers