The sun had risen a little more now, peeking over the hills in the distant horizon. Its radiant light was more prevalent in the still mostly darkened sky. Dawn had arrived in Equestria.
Twilight Sparkle awoke to the sound of a harsh voice.
“Get up! It’s time to go!” it barked, with a certain coldness.
The mare’s eyes jerked open, startled. Before her was a common unicorn royal guard. He had been sent by the Captain to awaken the Twilight.
The lavender unicorn slowly rose to her hooves, a little groggy from her rude awakening. She let out a yawn as she brought a hoof up to her mouth, closing her eyes as it happened. The unicorn guard was impatiently tapping a hoof.
“It’s time to go? Already?” Twilight asked.
“Yes. It is dawn. The Captain is waiting for you,” he said, his voice calmer than it was before. Twilight figured his harsh, loud voice was simply a fast wake up call. It had worked like a charm on the tired mare.
The guard motioned with his head for Twilight to follow as he turned around and exited the tent. The lavender mare promptly followed in his wake, the tent door flapping open.
As she trotted behind her escort, Twilight gazed up at the early morning sky. Towards the east, she could see the sun peering over the horizon, its radiant light struggling to climb all the way over. Towards the west, the sky was still dark. Some of stars dotting the sky were still visible.
The mare had been getting lost in a train of though before a voice shook her to her senses. “We’re here,” he spoke. The unicorn guard motioned his head at Captain Strong Wing, who could be seen issuing orders to his second in command. Near him was a chariot, with two pegasus guards mounted up, ready for take off at a moments notice. He was also adorned with new armor.
The second in command gave a salute to the Captain before trotting off to give orders to the base to pack up. Strong Wing himself glanced at the onlooking Twilight Sparkle and her escort.
“Ah, I see you’re awake now,” he observed. The Captain gave a simple nod towards the armored unicorn, prompting him to take his leave. “Now, Miss Sparkle, we are to leave immediately,” he said, climbing into the chariot.
She reluctantly trotted over to the chariot before climbing in herself. Twilight was nervous, despite keeping up a stoic facade.
With the Captain and Twilight Sparkle in the chariot, the pair of armored pegasi at the front of the chariot dashed forward, flapping their wings. Within moments, the golden chariot was lifted into the air. Twilight leaned her head out the side, observing as the base camp below was shrinking in size as they made their ascent into the skies above.
Spike and the Mane 5, after making great haste, finally reached the outskirts of Ponyville. They were tired, exhausted from the hasty travel through the Everfree Forest. It was miracle in itself how they managed to avoid dangerous encounters. Although, the last time they travelled that deep into the forest, Nightmare Moon had directly instigated their dangerous encounters.
Regardless, without giving it a second though, the group rushed over to the sight of the base camp that was set up by the Royal Guard. Normally, one could see it fairly well from a distance, especially since the sun had risen ever further into the sky. The stars were no longer visible in the sky, and the dark void of the night sky had further diminished.
Instead, what the group saw as the approached the sight was an empty lot. Holes in the ground were present where the stakes that held the tents down once laid. Many hoof prints littered the ground where guards had trotted.
Rainbow Dash looked up into the sky to see what looked like air wagons, hauled by armored pegasi. The last of the base camp had been packed, and had just departed back for Canterlot.
“Ah, shoot! We missed them!” shouted Rainbow Dash in frustration, throwing her hooves into the air.
“Twilight must already be on her way to Canterlot to be sacrificed!” Rarity remarked, frantic. “This is the WORST! POSSIBLE! THING!”
Her friends all gave her unamused glares. Rarity smiled sheepishly. “Well it’s true...” she retorted. Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes.
“Well, that’s why we gotta hurry!” said Applejack. “Ah ain’t wastin’ anymore time.” The orange mare took off towards Canterlot full gallop, leaving a trail of dust in her wake.
The rest of the group all looked at one another for a moment before follow her example. Time was of the essence, and they couldn’t afford to waste any of it.
Time passed by uneventfully, minutes seeming to take hours. The only sound that the two chariot passengers heard was rushing wind and the flapping of the armored pegasi’s wings. Twilight nonchalantly gazed at the scenery below, lost once more in a train of thought.
Thinking.
Thinking.
Thinking.
Coupled with her thoughts, were memories. Once more, much like during her despair in her prison cell, memories of the best times of her life flashed in her mind. Her best friends were present within all of the.
She remembered the time spent at the Grand Galloping Gala. She recalled the heart warming moment after she and Owloysius rescued Spike after he ran away. The mare was brought back to the joy she had with her slumber party with Applejack and Rarity, and many more warm memories.
A tear slowly crept its way down her cheek. She quickly swept the tear away with a hoof, attempting to maintain her stoic facade. On top of that, she couldn’t help but feel absolutely livid with how the Princesses tried to have her closest friends murdered. All just to keep the element bearers quiet about their dark secret.
Strong Wing gave a brief side glance towards Twilight. He could easily see through her facade. He turned his head entirely and looked directly at the mare.
“I know you’re nervous. It’s understandable,” he commented calmly.
Twilight perked up and returned his glance with one of her own. Then, her head dropped a little, dropping her poker face.
“Yeah...” she replied quietly. “I am.”
“Just remember, Miss Sparkle. You will be doing Equestria a great service,” said Captain Strong Wing, reassuring Twilight Sparkle about her sacrifice. She gave a reluctant nod in response to statement.
A beat of silence ensued between the two. Twilight did not feel like verbally responding to his reassurance. Instead, she had resumed her train of thought as her stoic gaze returned to the scenery around them.
She gave a sweeping glance at the landscape before something in front of them caught her attention. Canterlot had come into view. The majestic castle was slowly but surely getting bigger. She could see torchlight coming from various windows scattered along the sides of the castle.
Twilight took a deep breath and exhaled. Captain Strong Wing gave another nonchalant side glance towards Twilight. He kept his words to himself.
Very soon, would the lavender unicorn, Twilight Sparkle, meet her fate.
The large, regal double doors creaked open, leading into the Canterlot Castle throne room. Twilight Sparkle, following Captain Strong Wing, followed the red carpet through the large chamber. It did not take long before the pair reached the flight of steps that led up to the grand throne.
Perched atop the throne was none other than Princess Celestia herself, sipping from a glass of wine. The glass hovered before her, encased in golden aura. The alicorn lowered the glass of wine as her eyes seemed to pierce Twilight’s soul; a warm smile adorning her features, yet somehow eerie. Twilight cringed a little as beads of cold sweat ran down her face, averting her own gaze as to not make eye contact.
The Captain gave Princess Celestia a bow before he spoke up. “As promised, Princess Celestia. I have captured Twilight Sparkle,” he reportedvcalmly.
The majestic alicorn shifted her gaze to meet the Captain.”Well done, Captain. You never fail to complete your objective, as always,” she replied. The sound of voice implied she was indeed greatly pleased.
“Thank you, your majesty,” he said, giving another quick, yet respectful bow.
“Now, Twilight Sparkle. I would like to ask you to leave the room for a moment while I have a word with the Captain,” she said to the lavender mare.
Without hesitating, the Captain escorted Twilight outside of the throne room, ordering the pair of guards on the other side of the door the stand and watch her. They gave him a salute as the large double doors closed, leaving Twilight Sparkle outside the throne room with a pair of unicorn guards.
The Captain promptly made his way back over to Celestia, who wished to speak with him privately.
“So, if I may ask, Captain. How did you do it?” inquired Celestia.
There was a beat of silence. Strong Wing was always honest with Princess Celestia, since she could tell if he was lying. There would be no point in hiding details. He knew deep down that she wouldn’t be pleased to hear how Spike and the Mane 5 still lived.
Princess Celestia raised her wine glass, taking another sip as she arched a brow, curious as to the Captain’s odd lack of response. Then, he decided to speak up.
“We cornered Miss Sparkle and her friends at the old castle ruins. However, they somehow managed to kill all of my soldiers that accompanied me in combat,” he began. His voice remained calm and gruff.
“I was outnumbered by then, of course. Instead, I managed to convince Twilight Sparkle to willingly allow herself to be sacrificed.” he said. Princess Celestia arched a brow.
“And, what was it that you told her?” the alicorn asked.
“I explained to her and her friends that maintaining your immortality would be for the greater good of Equestria,” he explained, gesturing with a hoof. “She decided to allow herself to be sacrificed, and hasn’t seemed to question it since.”
Celestia thought for a moment, twirling her wine glass with her magic slowly, watching as the red liquid sloshed in a circle. “There is one thing that still bothers me, Captain.” she said, averting her gaze back meet his eyes. Strong Wing already knew what she was going to ask, but decided not to interrupt.
“You said your soldiers were killed. Does this mean her friends are still alive?” she asked, narrowing her eyes a little. Strong Wing, of all stallions, was now nervous. This was the something Celestia would not be happy to hear.
“I’m afraid so, Princess Celestia,” he said calmly, maintaining a poker face. Another beat of silence ensued for a few seconds before it was broken.
“I see,” Celestia deadpanned, bringing her wine glass to meet her lips, finishing off the last of the wine with a silent gulp. The magic aura simply set the empty glass down next to her.
Despite no noticeable change in Princess Celestia’s demeanor, the air in the room became cold. Strong Wing could see severe disappointment in the alicorn’s eyes. He stood his ground silently, awaiting Celestia’s next statement.
“You are dismissed. Send Twilight Sparkle in,” she ordered.
“Yes, your highness.” replied Strong Wing, giving one last bow before turning to exit the throne room. The double doors opened, revealing Twilight Sparkle to be waiting patiently outside. The Captain gestured with his head for the mare to enter the throne room. Another nervous look crossed her visage.
Twilight reluctantly entered the throne room, the doors creaking shut behind her. The mare slowly trotted down the red carpet to meet with Princess Celestia.
“Welcome back, Twilight Sparkle,” said the regal alicorn. Her voice had an odd and eerie warmth to it in stark contrast with how she spoke back in the dungeon, or even when she was first caught snooping. Accompanying her eerily warm voice, was an equally creepy warm smile.
Twilight wanted to look away, but found herself unable to. The unicorn was visibly nervous, being face to face once more with Princess Celestia. Their eyes met, gazing into one another from their respective spots. There was a sudden, very brief gleam in Celestia’s eyes as they narrowed ever so slightly. But Twilight did not give it much thought.
“I am pleased that you came to your senses, my little pony.” commented Princess Celestia.
Twilight Sparkle opened her mouth to say something, but found herself unable to speak out of nervousness. Celestia chuckled lightly at this.
“Please, follow me,” she calmly instructed, stepping off of her throne. She strolled towards the double doors, passing by Twilight. The Princess turned her head back, motioning for Twilight to follow. “We have work to do.” Twilight decided it was best to stay on her good side, and promptly trailed behind Celestia.
Once they passed through the doors, they took an immediate right turn , entering a corridor. For a moment, neither of them spoke. The pair idly passed by torches that lit the hallways, as well as the many tapestries that decorated the walls. After a few moments, Twilight finally said something.
“I want to ask you something,” stated Twilight.
Princess Celestia’s ears perked up as she turned her head to look directly at the lavender mare. “And what would that be?” she inquired softly.
“Before, in the dungeon... You said Princess Luna had nothing to do with this,” Twilight pointed out, her face and voice stoic. "And yet, Princess Luna showed her full support for you."
Princess Celestia stopped in her tracks and spoke up before Twilight asked the official question, already knowing what it would be. “I partially spoke the truth.” she said, before Twilight could ask her question. The Princess then resumed her stroll through the corridors.
“Huh?” muttered the the unicorn in a fit of confusion.
“Luna had not previously known, nor been involved. I discovered the means to achieve immortality very shortly before she tried to usurp me as Nightmare Moon all those years ago,” she explained. Twilight merely looked at Celestia, listening intently.
“However, now that she has returned to her true self, I felt that I could let her in on my little secret,” she finished.
“Where is she now?” Twilight asked, arching a brow.
“She is sleeping in her quarters,” replied Celestia, glancing back at the curious mare with another eerily warm smile.
“Oh...” Twilight said in response, averting her eyes to avoid looking at the Princess. Twilight had trouble getting over how creepy it was when Celestia did that now.
But regardless, that was all she had to say for now. The lavender unicorn had the answers she wanted. Her thoughts raced within her mind as she continued to follow Princess Celestia through the twisting corridors.
She briefly shifted her eyes to look at Princess Celestia again, finding that the Princess was now looking ahead. Twilight’s eyes narrowed, staring daggers at Celestia behind her back. She had one more question for the Princess now.
“Will you spare my friends’ lives?” she asked the regal alicorn. Twilight knew that Celestia knew that her friends were still alive. In truth, Twilight could hear bits of the conversation she had with the Captain through the doors of the throne room.
At first, the majestic alicorn hesitated to answer. She inhaled, then exhaled audibly. “Yes, Twilight. I will,” she finally said in response.
The unicorn's eyes narrowed ever further. She could tell Princess Celestia was lying to her. It made her feel angry. The mare felt her blood boil within her veins. But Twilight did not let it show. “Thank you, Princess Celestia,” said Twilight, relaying a false sense of gratitude.
Eventually, the pair made one more turn before coming to an apparent dead end. Twilight Sparkle looked on as Celestia casually walked up to the wall at the end of this short corridor. As she did so, Twilight turned around and gave the surroundings one last look, finding nopony else in the area. With that, Twilight turned back to face the Princess.
The tip of Princess Celestia’s horn lit up, tapping the wall in front of her. A golden light suddenly flooded the crevices between the large cobblestone bricks. After a few moments of silently watching, the light faded away, taking the entire wall with it.
Behind this wall, was a staircase that led downwards a ways, the walls adorned with torches to light the way. It was far less regal than the rest of the castle, comparable to the dungeons in fact.
“Well then,” Celestia began to say, staring directly at Twilight. “Shall we go?”
Twilight Sparkle did not immediately respond to Celestia’s question. Instead, she turned around, facing away from Princess Celestia as her head drooped. “Well, actually,” she began. “There is one more thing that I want to say before we go.” Her voice was solemn.
The Princess of the Sun arched a brow, tilting her head a little. “What is it?” she asked, curious as to what Twilight had to say.
She observed as the mare before her lifted her head back up. Princess Celestia could not see it, but Twilight’s eyes were narrow with anger. Then, it happened.
Twilight’s horn suddenly lit up as she spun around rapidly to face the Princess, followed by a quick lunge.
The alicorn’s eyes widened with surprise, unable to react in time. The next thing she knew, there was a sharp, and very deep pain in her chest. Princess Celestia grunted in pain.
Slowly, her eyes moved down to see Twilight’s forehead resting against her chest with no sign of her horn, blood gushing down onto the mare’s head.
After a moment, Twilight Sparkle pulled away, revealing her unicorn horn at last. A purple aura surrounded it, but it was different than usual. The aura was refined in its shape; twice the length of the horn itself, and had a very sharp tip to it.
There was a hole in the alicorn’s chest, where blood continued to flow from. She shifted her gaze to meet Twilight’s face, which burned with rage.
With that, Princess Celestia felt strength leave her body, causing her to collapse onto the floor, coughing up blood. She could only mutter one thing.
“Sh-shit....”