//------------------------------// // Back Home // Story: Bitterness // by PLCTheCd //------------------------------// Back Home Twilight’s eyes became wide as saucers when she thought to be her friends, well, former friends outside at the library’s entrance. All of them were staring blankly towards the lavender unicorn whom is only meters away from where they stood. A mix of confusion and shock filled Twilight’s brain as Twilight herself stood frozen like a statue. Soon, her emotions were replaced with hate filled rage. But before she can trot and confront them, she rubs her eyes for a second, and see that her friends are… … …nowhere to be seen. No one but the library itself stood in front of Twilight’s vision. Her rage then subsided and her confusion begins. “I must be imagining things.” Twilight muttered to herself, “I mean it felt like all this wait was for nothing.” Well, imagine if that was really them, what will you do? Twilight stood there, thinking, before replying. “Well, I was going to confront them if they really were there.” She said, “By first demanding how they arrived earlier than I have. It could be the Princesses’ doing “That could be,” The lavender unicorn shrugged, “Princess Luna might have known by now, but I would have felt some magical presence at the very least.” At least you are using reason, unlike the others Twilight nodded gently, before she looked around for anyone who might be eavesdropping. “I should go inside, lest somepony else think I’m crazy again.” Oh right, let’s go As Twilight opened the library’s door, she felt a sense of belonging and happiness that she hasn’t felt in a long time. After closing the door, Twilight gazed at her precious books and belongings, before she sighed of relief. Then, as if on cue, Owlowiscious swooped down and landed on her back. The mare turned her head to nuzzle her pet owl as she smiles. “It’s great to see you again, Owlowiscious.” Twilight said, “I’m glad to feel appreciated again.” The owl flew off of his owner’s back and landed in the floor, a mere foot away from him to Twilight’s face. “I hope the library is nice and tidy while we were away.” She said to the bird. Owlowiscious hooted in a positive, proud tone in response. Leading Twilight to chuckle, but just before the young mare can make herself home, she pauses. What’s wrong? The owl joined in as well, as he gave out a quizzical tilt of his head and a questioning hoot. “I might have imagined my friends outside of the library, but what’s to say that they’re inside?” Good thinking, better safe than sorry Twilight immediately begins snooping around the library floor, as her pet owl flew away from his owner’s path. Owlowiscious landed on top of one of the ladders and he gazed curiously at Twilight’s activity. Knowing Pinkie Pie, she is known for surprises. The mare thought to herself and starts searching star with the shelves and the cubbies, anywhere that a pony can hide. So far, nothing. She trots upstairs to her bedroom expect somepony out hiding. So far, other than her pet owl, and herself, Twilight is all alone. “Oh, I’m being paranoid for no reason again,” Twilight scolded herself, after peeking under her bed as if a foal searches under their bed for the boogey mare. “If they really are here, I would’ve known the library’s door is broken into.” How about the basement? Can’t be too paranoid about that “Yeah, you’re right, I haven’t checked the basement since…” The unicorn paused in mid-sentence. What’s wrong? “Well, ever since I performed measurements on Pinkie Pie.” She finished her sentence. The one with the Parasprites? What about it? “The thing is I didn’t believe her about her so-called “Pinkie Sense” as well.” Twilight said, “I called them all hypocrites back in Canterlot, but now, it’s the pot calling the kettle black who in return is calling black…if you understand what I am saying.” Err, I think I do but that was different. You were using logic at that time. Besides, Pinkie could have explained better to you all. “Perhaps,” She simply nodded slowly, “Or maybe I’m just a bad friend.” You did what you have to back in Canterlot. Do not be so hard on yourself, you think it would have made any difference even when you were tactful? Twilight lifted her head to think, as much as she hates repeating herself, the whole event isn’t exactly be forgotten in an instant. “You’re right,” She said to the Voice, “All of them did left me all alone after all.” So how will you think Princess Luna will react? “Well remember what we said before back at the train station?” Twilight said, “My parents, Princess Cadance and Spike can back me out.” Speaking of them, do you still trust them? Will you let them be with you? “Well, of course,” She replied in a rather, incredulous tone. “This is different.” What about Princess Celestia, Shining Armor, and your former friends? “I…I just wanted to be left alone,” The mare stammered, “I won’t forgive them if they keep barging in like this.” For how long? “As long as I wanted to.” She replied, before descending down the stairs. Owlowiscious peers at Twilight as the latter reaches the ground floor. The owl let out a concerned hoot towards the unicorn. “I don’t know what to do, Owlowiscious,” She said lifting her head to see her pet owl, “All I want is to be the way things were, the way before I even visited Ponyville.” Twilight then lifts her hoof next to her mouth before letting out a yawn. Tired already? But you just took a nap from the train ride and the nap before “Yeah, yeah, I know.” She admitted grudgingly, “But everything that is happening is simply draining me both emotionally and mentally.” Why don’t you fix something to drink? Or read a book? There is still the basement you need to check out after all. “I guess I could read a book,” The unicorn shrugged, before looking around for the nearest book to read. With her magic, she levitated the nearest book as she looks at the cover. The title reads: Grudges: How it is detrimental towards everypony and to oneself “Err, maybe not this one.” Twilight said to herself before setting the book down. “I think I should brew some coffee or tea to keep myself awake, then I will look down at the basement.” That is until she heard a knock coming outside of her door. Who could that be? Twilight did not answer as Owlowiscious flew down from his previous roost as he landed on the pony head mantle. The mare is frozen like a statue, she doesn’t know if it’s a changeling straggler, her friends, or perhaps a combination of the two. All she can do is breathe heavily, hoping nopony outside could hear it. Will you open the door? With a gulp, Twilight trudged carefully as if the floor was filled mud and branches, any misstep can alert the enemy. She begins to sweat, wondering who could it be at the door. She thought of looking out of the window but backed out the thought in fear that the outsider will see her inside. Twilight cursed herself silently for not having any peepholes. When she finally reached a good distance away, she braced the best she can muster to prepare herself, as she opened the door to reveal who the visitor is. And it turns out to be the old mare from Canterlot. “Oh it’s you again!” The mare replied, “I didn’t know you work here!”