NaNo2014: Shadows of Friendship: Part 28

Twilight slipped away to the Golden Oak Library when her brother was distracted by the arrival of the Wonderbolts and as she reached the door of the great tree, she could hear the party become even livelier. She looked back the way that she had come to find that Rainbow Dash had been unable to resist joining the impressive flying squad in the skies.

“Sorry everyone.” Twilight whispered as she slipped inside and put Spike to bed before she started packing up her things. She knew her brother and while he would let them rest for a little, if he had his way they would be headed back to Canterlot not long after sunrise tomorrow, if not at some point this afternoon. She fully planned on going back to enjoy the party for a little bit. After all she wanted to try and get permission to send everyone letters, but she did not want to end up rushing around at the last minute before they left and find out halfway home that she had forgotten something.

She was halfway done when the windows to the balcony opened with aid of a golden yellow light and Princess Celestia poked her head into the bedroom. “Twilight? May I come in?”

The unicorn in question jumped a mile, having been engrossed in making sure all the books she was packing were actually her own and not ones that had been pulled off of the library shelves in their desperate search for answers. She wheeled around and stared at the Princess, her mind blank for a moment or two before she nodded, “Y…Yes, of course.”

The Princess stepped into the room cautiously, as if she wasn’t certain that Twilight would really want her there, “You’re packing already? Are you so keen to leave Ponyville?”

“No.” Twilight sighed, “But I…” She trailed off, having never told the Princess about the bullying after the first few times and wondering how best to phrase it. Instead she changed the subject. “How’s Luna?”

“She’s much better, thanks to you. I left her with your friend, Pinkie Pie. She was saying something about Pin the Tail on the Donkey.” Celestia smiled when Twilight chuckled. The unicorn could just imagine her friend doing that, “She told me what happened and that the Shadows spoke to you. Do you want to talk about it?”

“I…” Twilight frowned slightly, “I don’t know how much to believe and how much was them trying to demoralise me.” She admitted as Celestia watched her pace back and forth. “You know then? About my other form?”

“I do, yes. I always knew you were something special, my dear student.” The Princess nodded, watching the agitated unicorn who was still wearing her crown as she walked around and around. “Now you know it too.”

“I don’t know anything.” Twilight objected, turning around to stare at her mentor, frustration clear, “Only what you told me in your letter and what the Shadows told me. How could I possibly have been an alicorn in the past when I’m not that old? I’m just…”

“Twilight, may I tell you a tale? It’s one you’ve never heard before.” The Princess asked in reply. “And it may help clear up a few things.” When Twilight nodded, Celestia trotted over to the bed, got settled and invited her student to join her in getting comfortable. Once she had followed directions, Celestia cast a spell that coated the floor in a mirror like surface that started showing images.

“A long time ago, back around the time that Equestria was founded, Luna and I were travelling, trying to make alliances with other Kingdoms. We went to many different countries to find new friends and eventually we went to Saddle Arabia.” Princess Celestia told her, the mirror surface flicking between images as she spoke, showing the Griffin Kingdoms, the Dragonlands and many more before finally settling on the sandy plains of Saddle Arabia.

“This was long before Luna first ran into the Shadows,” Celestia reassured her, “But while we were there, I asked about the former royal family of Equigypt, hoping that someone survived that I could offer asylum to. After all at the time we had many enemies and I thought that…well, it does not matter what I thought because we were taught that there were none left and more importantly, Luna and I were taught why.”

Twilight stared at Celestia for a moment, surprised, then she turned back to the mirrored surface, which was showing a unicorn dressed in Saddle Arabian silks, showing Celestia and Luna scrolls and artefacts.

The images continued to shift and change before her as they revealed a unicorn of pure white, surrounded by an insane inferno of Shadows, facing down a alicorn who looked a lot like her in shape and form and was wearing the puzzle, but whose wings were not damaged at all. Their surroundings were ruined, much like the Castle of the Two Sisters had been and when they could see through the gaps, they could see that the rest of the country was much the same way.

As the pictured warped, the Shadows around the unicorn became the demonic dragon like creature that had been revealed when Twilight had been fighting Nightmare Moon. Then there was a flash of magic from the alicorn and the demon and unicorn were sucked into something on the ground, while the alicorn’s image ripped into two. An alicorn and a unicorn who looked exactly like her. The alicorn was sucked into the puzzle while the unicorn collapsed and a stallion rushed to her side and started sobbing.

“According to the legends, the Princess killed herself to save what was left of her people, but she ripped her soul in two when she did so. It was believed that she was gone forever. By her own people’s traditions she had given up her rights to the afterlife and would either walk the path that some would call purgatory forever, or fade away to nothing. There was a chance, one slim chance that she might return one day, when the world needed her to face the darkness again and apparently,” Celestia said, turning away from the images, which faded away, and looking at Twilight, “That was what happened and I got very lucky.”

“Lucky?” Twilight asked, confused and still absorbing everything that Celestia had shown her, “What do you mean?”

“Luna heard what the Shadows said to you, she was aware for all of it. She just couldn’t do anything about it and if they’re Shadows are to be believed, I didn’t just get a very impressive student when you came to my school that morning, but I found my Equigyptian Princess.” Celestia sighed, “I thought I might have done when I saw you and saw your puzzle, but after Sunset Shimmer and my sister, I was so frightened that…”

“I understand.” Twilight offered, daring to nuzzle her teacher gently, able to see that the alicorn was just as tired as she was, and surprised and pleased that Celestia reciprocated, nuzzling her back in much the same way the Princess had nudged Luna earlier, “If I had not had my friends, it’s possible I would have fallen the same way.” She admitted, “You were right to keep it from me until I was old enough to understand the power I held.”

She felt the ruler of Equestria relax a little at that. “So you forgive me for keeping this from you for so long?”

“Of course.” Twilight nodded, a thoughtful expression taking over as she mulled over things, “Though I have to ask…what happens now? Now I know the truth about my puzzle, my past and my role as the Guardian of Shadows?”

“What do you want to happen, my faithful student?” Celestia asked her frankly, “For that’s the most important thing. Not what I want, or what you think is expected of you, but what you want for yourself.”

“I…I promised Luna that I would be there for her. I want to keep that promise.” Twilight told her, “But being lonely hurts. All the time, like there’s a hole in my chest that nothing can fill…” She trailed off, looking embarrassed. “Sorry, I shouldn’t…”

“No, please, tell me.” Celestia sounded pained, as if knowing that she had been failing Twilight much the same way that she had failed her sister, “I want to know.”

“I…I’ve been so alone. The other unicorns in school don’t like me, I’m too different.” Twilight told her bluntly, unable to stop herself now the dam had opened, “And I’ve had fun here, I’ve made friends here and now…I don’t want to give them up but I can’t expect you to come here to teach me or Luna to want to fly all of this way to visit so…I don’t have a choice, do I?”

“Sometime the hardest part about being a Princess is making the difficult choices.” Celestia told her student, “But, if you’ll trust me, I think I have a solution, but I need to speak to the mayor first.” Twilight blinked at her, wondering what she could possibly mean. “Shall we return to the party?”

“But don’t I need to pack?” Twilight asked, confused.

“I will send someone to assist you later, but I think Spike could probably do with some unbroken sleep.” The Princess told her, “Come on, we’ll walk back together.” She paused to consider Twilight properly, “You know, I believe that crown suits you.”

Twilight tried to ignore the blush that spread across her face at Celestia’s compliment and the Princess’s chuckle as they headed down and out, picking up a couple of cupcakes from the party that had been held in the library on their way out.

“So hungry.” Celestia admitted as she ate the slightly stale cupcake, “And this is still delicious.”

“Pinkie Pie does make great cupcakes.” Twilight agreed, still confused over what her tutor was up to and just as hungry as the alicorn next to her. “Just watch out if she sets out any drinks. She likes hot sauce and she got me with it the other day.”

The Princess let out a bright laugh at that, “I might have caught a couple of the servants doing something rather similar not that long ago. I think it might be a prank most ponies try at some point.”

“I wish I’d had some warning.” Twilight grumbled, remembering her horrendous overreaction, which had at least, resulted in her completing the puzzle. “I chugged the whole bottle before I realised what it was.” Celestia started laughing at that, embarrassing the unicorn further. Luckily she had stopped giggling before they reached the party and the Sun Goddess slipped away to talk to the mayor while Twilight was grabbed by Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie and dragged onto the dance floor.

NaNo2014: Shadows of Friendship: Part 6

“Seriously?” Shining asked with a wince, knowing how much their dam-sire’s gift meant to his sister and how hard she had worked on trying to complete it for the last few years around her studies, “You sure you haven’t just misplaced it?”

“We turned the entire place upside down.” Spike answered for her, feeling almost as depressed as the unicorn he was riding. “We couldn’t find it anywhere.”

“I’m sure you’ll find it while you’re not looking for it.” Shining sounded hopeful which perked Twilight up a little, though she knew it was a fool’s hope. The puzzle was thousands and thousands of years old. It was highly likely that it had been lost long before Treasure Trove had ever gotten his hooves on it.

“Never mind that,” The filly was not really in the mood to discuss tests she had quite clearly failed, “Are you okay? How’s Cadence? Are you coming too?”

“Cadence is fine,” Shining smiled at the thought of his girlfriend, “And sorry Twily, but the Princess wants me here to guard the palace and look after Canterlot while she’s away. I’m the only one who can cast a big enough shield spell to protect the entire city after all.” Shining nuzzled his sister and gave her an apologetic look. “And we’ve heard rumblings from the north and if you’re right, Nightmare Moon could be on her way back. Summer Sun or not, we can’t leave the capital undefended.”

“You don’t believe me?” Twilight asked, hurt at the ‘if you’re right.’ It was not like she was often wrong when she managed to put the facts together. Normally she only got things wrong if she was given the wrong facts to assemble or did not know the whole image.

“It’s…a bit farfetched.” Shining admitted hesitantly, knowing that his sister was not going to like his answer, “I mean Nightmare Moon was defeated a thousand years ago. Why would she come back now?”

“Because she swore she would and because it would have taken her some time to break down the seal.” Twilight tried to explain, her tone one of a teacher trying to explain something to a particularly dense foal and realising her mistake when Shining frowned at her. “Sorry.”

“No you’re not, you never are.” He harrumphed. “I’m not an idiot, Twily. I’m getting the guards ready in case and I’m sure you heard my conversation with the Princess, but I’m just saying that it’s highly unlikely and there are more modern matters for me to deal with that should probably hold the bulk of my attention.”

Twilight just huffed. She was no used to her judgement being questioned. Most people just assumed she was right nowadays and accepted what she was saying even if they did not like it. Still she could her brother’s point. He was in charge of protecting Canterlot after all and if Nightmare Moon was going to strike, she would go after the Princess first and she would be in Ponyville with Twilight, not here in the capital city.

“Cheer up, Twily.” Shining barged her gently, just enough to make her step sideways but not enough to dislodge Spike, “If you are right and Nightmare Moon shows up, you’ll have the chance to say ‘I told you so’ after the Princess and whoever her mysterious helper is sends her packing back to the moon.”

Twilight smiled slightly at that, though she could not help but ask, “So you were being serious when you asked who the other pony the Princess is relying on was?”

Shining nodded , “Though I think I’ve figured it out.”

“Oh?”

“Oh no, if you haven’t realised who she was talking about yet, I’m not going to tell you.” Shining looked smug at having realised something before she had, irritating Twilight no end. She did not have time to press however as they arrived in the courtyard to find that the chariot was ready and waiting for her. Two pegasi were hitched up to it and her bags were already packed. “You’ll work it out soon enough.” Shining told her as he escorted her to the chariot and she carefully packed the Princess’s letter in the box with the almost finished puzzle.

“Stay safe?” Twilight asked her brother rubbing up against him and nuzzling him, worried.

“I’ll do my best.” Shining promised as Spike scrambled down and checked their bags before he clambered into the chariot, “Go have fun in Ponyville and try not to worry too much about what’s happening here, you have a test to pass after all.”

Twilight cringed slightly as he reminded her of the test that she still had no real idea of the way it was going to be marked or how she was going to even attempt passing.

“You’ll do fine.” Shining reassured her, “You always do. Don’t think about it too hard, just go with what feels natural, they’ll love you.”

“I hope so.” Twilight sighed as she followed the baby dragon and got comfortable, assuming that it was going to be a long trip. She did manage a watery smile for her concerned brother though, “Love you Shiney.”

“Love you too, Twily.” Shining smiled back at her and then they were gone, taking off quickly and heading up into the skies. Spike was delighted as they shot further and further up and he watched over the sides as Canterlot soon looked like a toy town far below them.

Twilight normally enjoyed flying just as much. As a unicorn pony, flight was beyond her and she only ever got a chance to see Equestria from the skies when she travelled by chariot. When she had been a lot smaller, she had occasionally had rides from her older brother’s pegasi friends, but nowadays she did not get airborne as much as she liked.

Craving the skies was odd for a unicorn, she had been told, but it was a problem she had. Whenever she flew she felt like she belonged up there, like being in the skies was as natural as breathing. She did not understand why, but that was how she felt.

Right now, however, she was too busy being confused and sulking about how little she understood her test criteria to really enjoy being up high.

Make friends? How was she expected to make friends in less than twenty four hours? It was late into the evening now, by the time that she got to Ponyville she expected that everyone would be in bed already and the Princess was due in the town before dawn the following day. Twilight did not think she really had time to get to know anyone well enough to consider them friends, yet alone any idea of how to start making any.

And why was it so important now of all times? Surely it would have been better to give her this test after the Summer Sun Celebration was over, especially if Nightmare Moon was returning.

“You want to relax, Twilight.” Spike informed her with a yawn, the young dragon beginning to get sleepy as they skirted the edge of the Everfree Forest on their way into town. “Making friends isn’t so hard. You’ll see and we get to check on the preparations so we’ll meet lots of ponies that way. Maybe you’ll get lucky.”

Twilight grimaced at that. Once she would have believed luck was something that happened to the prepared, but one too many games of Duel Monsters had taught her that luck was a force just as powerful as any magic spell. You could not prepare your deck for a duel so you knew what would come out every time you drew, at least not without cheating, which was something she refused point blank to do. So in the early stages of her training she had swiftly learned that if you poured your heart into the game, then most of the time the luck of the draw would come through for you.

However that did not mean that she liked completely relying on luck outside the duelling field. She would rather rely on her studies and the books that held the knowledge of almost anything she could ask for while preparing for a test.

It did not help that she was not entirely certain that trying to make friends was not a waste of time. Back when she had started at Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns, she had had a few friends but as they had seen her powers flourish at a rate beyond their capabilities and seen how hard she had driven herself into her studies they had pulled away from her. It did not help her situation either that on many an occasion she had heard the snide remarks of her classmates about her being ‘favoured’ or ‘the teachers going easy on her’ because she was Celestia’s protégé. They did not seem to realise how much work went into maintaining that position or how hard she tried to make herself useful to the Princess.

She never wanted to disappoint her teacher and be cast aside. She wanted to be able to help her teacher and learn everything she could. To that end she accepted the extra classes, the many various tests and everything else that was thrown at her. She even enjoyed it for studying was something that really seemed to help her unwind when she had had a rough day. That did not mean that she had an easy ride of it at all and she had had to learn to ignore the comments being thrown her way and the ponies it came from, forming an armour of aloofness that only ever fell around Spike, Shining Armour and Princess Celestia.

Maybe this was what she needed, she mused as they passed through the silent and slightly chilly night. A different start in a different place with different ponies who did not know who she was or what she could do. The idea actually appealed to her, though she felt guilty for even considering that a backwater, out of the way town could be better than Canterlot, especially when her brother was working so hard to protect the palace and the capital city that it resided in.

Spike dozed off as they flew and Twilight settled herself so he would not slip out of the back, pulling a blanket out of the nearest bag to put over him and keep him warm. Twilight herself was tired but she could not sleep, not with everything that was running through her mind. It was a good thing in a way, because it meant that she was awake when the dark and quiet town of Ponyville first came into view.

As she had expected, everyone had gone to bed already. The moon was high in the sky as the pegasi warned her that they were going to land just moments before she felt the chariot descending and the citizens of Ponyville had already tucked in for the night beyond one or two bright spots of light.

The chariot touched down by a huge oak tree that was dark within and had a sign hanging outside the door that said ‘Golden Oaks Library.’ Twilight guessed that this was where she was going to stay and she was actually quite grateful for it. It was rather comforting to be surrounded by books rather than people and she was glad the Princess had not expected her to stay in the local inn or hotel or arranged for her to stay with some pony she had never met in the interest of making friends.

She did not need to wake Spike. The jolt of the landing had done that for her and she aided the dragon in unpacking the chariot before retrieving the key from under the doormat and seeing the two pegasi off.

“Come on Spike.” Twilight sighed as she let them in the door and looked around for the candles. There were several available by the door and once she had lit the ones around the room, her mood picked up substantially. The entire downstairs, even the space under the stairs, had ceiling to floor bookcases that were packed to bursting with books, most of which it looked like she had not read. Even if she started now it would be weeks before she finished reading them.

Spike’s yawn stopped her as she reached for the first book, having decided to start from the door and work clockwise. “Twi?” Spike asked sleepily, “Where’s the bedroom?”

“I think it’s this way.” Twilight says softly, levitating the baby dragon onto her back before lifting the bags up the stairs. If she was honest with herself, she was just as tired as Spike was. It was late, very much so. The moon was just past its highest point, so it was probably midnight or later and she had been up before dawn. Spike had the right idea and she got him settled in before she dumped the bags to one side of the room and slumped onto the bed by the window, not even bothering to pull the curtain before she laid down.

“G’night Twi.” Spike mumbled at her before cuddling into his pillow and slipping into sleep.

“Night Spike.” Twilight answered back as she stared out of the window. Tomorrow would be a big day. She would have to check on all the preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration, try and make friends and she kind of hoped that she could find out more about the Elements of Harmony in the library below her. She knew the Castle of the Two Sisters was supposedly nearby in the Everfree Forest which practically backed onto town. The castle was the last place that Princess Celestia had ever used the Elements and if Nightmare Moon was coming back, it was possible that she would need them again.

Hopefully she would have time to do everything before the Princess arrived and she would have to report on her progress with both the festival and making friends. It was not going to be easy but then easy had never been her style. She had always worked her hardest and she would make time if she had any say in the matter.

As she drifted off it was on the happy thought that at least here she had a whole new library to read and she kind of hoped that the Princess would let her stay long enough to get through most of them.