//------------------------------// // Witness Interview - Twilight Sparkle - May 7th // Story: They're Never Coming Back // by Flashgen //------------------------------// Transcription of Witness Interview: Twilight Sparkle Date: May 7th Time: 8:22 a.m. Interviewer: Princess Celestia There was no further writing from Twilight since our last discussion. Twilight, are you there? It’s a new day for us. We’re ready to begin when you are. Twilight, I’m here whenever you’re ready. (It was some time before a reply finally came.) They came I I had to fight push back resist revolt repel revise Are you alright, Twilight? Are we in danger? no passed routed weakened They did not expect wanted prey scurrying withering found HOPE LIGHT They will come back stronger They will come back braver They will come back with Her Is there any help that we can offer? Anything at all that I could do? no Princess it has to be Me it has to cannot lose more cannot threaten cannot obstruct Very well, Twilight. If we can do anything beyond collecting the ponies you send back, please let me know. Ponies are already combing the town this morning. They are ready whenever you are. soon trails hard to track winding wandering wasting away the strongest HOPE are far And Her, Twilight? Is it really your friend, Fluttershy? was is will be but not as well if I cannot recover She cannot if I can She still may not broken shattered cracked beyond mending They are coming again may be less longer lost However many you can bring back is enough, Twilight. Please be safe. (There was no further reply from Twilight for hours. I took the time to discuss things with her brother, Shining Armor. I had still not told him the truth of why his sister was considered a suspect, worthy of note and detention. In my experience, painful, personal truths are better spoken by those who committed them. If Twilight will not say it by the end, it will be my burden to undertake, but until then I would rather she speak for herself.) Princess Yes, Twilight? it is changing morphing resisting harder to find harder to lead harder to HOPE draining daunting deliberate She must be obscuring it Are They hunting the survivors as well? impossible to say impossible to stop like finding a pebble in an unfathomable ocean Are those in town in danger? Are you? I can still hide places They have not They do not go LIGHT HOPE They will try to bridge the gap when safe if you are not there at night in dark in shadow They will not come (I took stock of Twilight’s words and decided to alert Verdant Vines and White Clover. Shining Armor left me for some time to fetch them.) I hope that you are right, Twilight. I will still make sure the guards are careful, and we may stop our patrols early today. I will be as well I promise Princess winding ways twisting trails another path opens rises I will talk again soon I will wait, Twilight. (When Shining Armor returned, he informed me that Vines and Clover had decided to end efforts an hour before sundown. I relayed the information to Twilight and waited.) Twilight, the guards will be pulled back from Ponyville early today. They have three or four hours left at the most. Please keep it in mind, and let me know when you are finished and safe. (I received no reply immediately, biding my time by asking Shining Armor about the number of survivors recovered. At that time, the number was thirty-five. Such a small number of the ponies that lived here, made their lives here, felt safe here. Everyone Twilight helps return is, as I have told her, a miracle, but I shiver with dread when I think about if Luna or I could have done anything to prevent this. These dreams, nightmares, visions that ponies have mentioned, Luna never saw them. These creatures, my ponies, may have taken so many in the past. Could we have ever known? Could we have seen the signs? Could I, alone all those years? It is a worrying spiral I have to pull my thoughts away from. The past is just that. I must focus on the now and the future. Whatever we learn here, we will be sure to note. We will prepare for the future, if at all possible. With any luck, there will be no need, but what little optimism I can muster shrinks with every passing moment. It was hours later when Twilight finally responded.) I could not reply Princess focused frenzied frantic I had to keep moving working saving It’s alright, Twilight. There isn’t much time left in their shifts today. I know I’ve done what I can for now I will find a place to hide for the nights I will be here again, if you want to talk. So is your brother. may I can I talk to him Of course, Twilight. I would not try to keep you from him. (I called Shining Armor in and asked him not to look through the journal as he waited for Twilight’s words.) Twily? yes Shining Armor brother I I am sorry I cannot be there It’s alright, Twily. I’m just glad you’re safe. Princess Celestia and the investigators have told me a little, that you’re close. Close to coming home, helping other ponies get home. I’m so proud of you. I know I know you mom dad you were are so worried concerned afraid I know what you’re capable of, Twilight. I know that if anypony can get out of this and help fix things, it’s you. fix yes fix I do not know if I can will come back if I do not please tell mom and dad I miss them I love them so much I know you’ll come home, Twily. I believe in you. thank you do they know yet No, just me, but they’re worried sick. They always are, ever since you moved to Ponyville. Ever since you became Celestia’s student, really. I HOPE they will not worry much longer I am still Me I will be Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I know, Twily. I need to go again to speak to Celestia the Princess once more Okay. I love you, Twily. Stay safe. Yes, Twilight? I mean it I will try to come back I will tell him all then I miss you I miss them so much I miss you too, Twilight. Stay safe. I’ll stay awake as long as I can, if you need to talk at all. need rest always more rest energy will HOPE LIGHT warmth Princess it’s so cold here Rest well, Twilight. Do not push yourself on my account. just want need something somepony else besides whispers besides thoughts besides suffering pain anguish screams I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me The lines continued for some time. On Doctor Blue Sky’s recommendation, I left Twilight to her devices with her “mantra.” Eventually, they stopped, halfway through a line. Nothing else came for the rest of the night.