Morning was the birth of day; the rise of the sun and its princess. Celestia was a friend to the kingdom she ruled, with an honest hoof, she reached towards her subjects. Every day, every night, for over a thousand years she had ruled alone, and for another thousand years she would do the same.
Luna, the once princess of the night, had set her throne aside for now. In her own words the world had sped so far away from her knowledge, the gap between her and her modern subjects was far too great to understand. She made her choice and retired as a princess of Equestria. Now her task was to guide the moon over the night as regent of the moon, so the ponies still have a light in the night.
But she never left the royal castle; at the side of her sister is her place. That will never change, no matter what may happen. It was surprising how open the ponies were in these times. Ponykind had accepted the new alicorn with happiness; they were even excited about a night princess, so it saddened Luna to see they showed disappointment when she announced not to take her place on the throne. Many of this age loved her night and none of them even remembers the nightmare. Even if their love was in ignorance, Luna was happy.
They are different, just like the day and night they represent but Twilight couldn’t live without either of them.
Celestia was a compassionate princess, always caring for her subjects over anything else. Her approach towards them was open and kind, rules and etiquette often forgotten when she dealt with ponies. She is kind and fun, she is no ruler but a mother and all the ponies are her children. Luna was something else; she openly rejected the ways her sister acted towards their subjects. Her vision of ruling was very old fashioned and strict. It’s not like she is a heartless pony but she doesn’t see small talk and jokes as a part of ruling. A princess is chosen for her leadership so she can guide the land to a better future. To her subject she is powerful and righteous but far away, like the moon in the sky watching over the land.
Unless you know the right way to approach her, you will never get to know her truly. She is a like a complicated lock that doesn’t just open to any key, but a very special one. Twilight had found the key to the princess inner heart with the magic of friendship. Luna quickly showed to be more then she looked on the outside; there was another Luna besides the regent of the moon. Luna was very aware of her different sides but she thought it was necessary. She knows her position and is very successful in keeping her duty and private matters separate unlike her sister who likes to waver over the boundaries.
To Twilight Luna proved to be the strict big sister she never had. After the night princess had returned they quickly found a friend in each other. Before long, Twilight was adopted as the littlest sister of the royal family. Twilight was happy she got accepted in the family but Luna had said she is the one happy to be accepted.
Kindness and white, justice and dark, Twilight loved the two Sisters. Her Princess, like a mother guiding her through her filly-hood turned into a friend as she became older. Luna, her protective sister taking care of her and making sure she goes on the right path. To say they are merely her princesses was a shame to the bonds they share. Never had a pony been so close with the princesses of Equestria.
Three year it has been, since the longest day on the thousandth year.
On the same very day this year, the purple unicorn walked through the hallway leading towards the greater feast hall of the castles. It was magnificent; its beauty would never cease to impress Twilight. Huge stained windows depicting various points in history let in the sun, basking the room in a multihued array of light. Most feasts held at the Royal castle were old traditions and celebrations in honour of long gone by times. The windows made it certain no pony would forget their kin’s history.
The royal feasts were known across the entire land, spoken of even outside the borders of Equestria. But around this time of the year it was empty. The Summer Sun Celebration was the main Celebration right now and it was organized in a different spot every year. The reason behind this was to bring the ponies closer to their princess.
Now that the hall of feasts is empty the tables and cushions are collecting dust till the new round big feasts are held here again.
Nothing is completely empty; where there is light there is the sun princess. Just now, she was there more than anywhere else. Twilight sighed happily as she cantered through the open doors, her hoof steps echoing through the empty hall. The princess often wandered into places to be alone. But those times were mostly when being alone was the problem. Beneath the princess’s royal being, there was a mare that Twilight knew very well.
Celestia did not move when she walked through the door. With a clang she closed it behind her, the loud sound making Twilight cringe in embarrassment. “Oops.” The noise hadn’t disturbed the princess and Twilight sighed happily. Celestia sat in front of the biggest of the windows. It was a piece of art showing her raising the sun on the longest day of the thousandth year, an act that is now a tradition of the Summer Sun Celebration. Pink, red, yellow and orange sunrays surrounded the princess as she reached up to the sky guiding the sun.
“Good morning princess.” Even after the long years of friendship, Twilight still preferred to call her princess most of the times. The white alicorn smiled at her as she took place next to her. “Mhm, good morning indeed my little pony.” Twilight waited patiently for a nuzzle or a hug from her princess. When she did not receive any of the usual affection they always shared she looked up.
“Princess?” The white alicorn turned towards her, surprise showing in her face. It wasn’t often you would find the princess surprised, even for Twilight. The princess always looked like she was aware of everything around her. Twilight’s mind immediately started to overwork and her mind was quickly filled with worry.
“Is there something wrong?”
“Oh, I apologize, my little pony. I was just lost in thought for a moment.” She showed her a sincere smile. But the face of the purple unicorn only went from worry to confusion. The sun princess raised her eyebrows at her, not understanding what was expected of her. “I’m sorry my dear, but I am always so busy I sometimes forget things.” She said with a clearly embarrassed smile. “Is there something I can do for you, were we supposed to meet?”
Twilight’s bottom lip started to shiver, tears welling up in her eyes. “Celestia, it’s me, Twilight!” She whispered, but the white Alicorn sighed.
“I’m sorry, I meet so many ponies every day, and you must have slipped my mind. Was there…” But the princess couldn’t finish her sentence. Twilight bolted out of the room tears flowing freely from her eyes.
The white regal alicorn looked after her, sympathizing with the little pony, even if she wondered what just had happened. She closed her eyes for a moment, recollecting her thoughts before gazing back at the huge stained glass window.
A few minutes went by, might be half an hour. Time was hard to tell in a room where only the sun was an indication of time. And the silence didn’t add up to that, the only sound being the muffled sounds of the busyness outside in the city. While time passed the white alicorn fretted, left behind in what she seemed to find a very uneasy atmosphere. She felt sad for not knowing the unicorn. The purple mare was clearly very touched by it, but she just couldn’t remember the little pony.
“Sister, it seems that you aren’t yourself today.” The white Alicorn turned towards the new voice. Luna was smaller than her; she always was. Her dark coat stood in a very unusual contrast with the light and colors of the room.
“So beautiful…”
“What is, my sister?” The white alicorn thought for a moment. It seemed like she didn’t know she was the one being called sister, even if there wasn’t anypony else in the room. She tapped her chin with her hoof, imitating a little filly that was trying to figure something out. Once figured out, she smiled and stood up to approach the night princess. She showed her an apologetic smile.
“Sorry my dear Luna, I was just a tad of lost in thought. It must be this time of the year.” She leaned in to give her sister a nuzzle, but Luna stepped back earning herself a confused look from the white mare. Luna thought her sister was lying but quickly set aside the thought for the more important matter.
“Why was Twilight crying?” She asked, worry in her demanding voice. Luna wasn’t here for pleasantries or sisterly affection. It wasn’t a common occurrence to see the purple mare crying her eyes out. She only got a confused look for a reply. Luna clacked her tongue in annoyance. Her sister could sometimes be so childish. “It’s not nice to play pranks on Twilight.”
Celestia quizzically blinked with her eyes making Luna slightly angry. “What is this Twilight to me? She seems to be more important then I understand.” Luna gritted her teeth in anger, not believing what her sister was saying. This was going too far, even for Celestia.
“She is your personal protégé sister. Even more, the filly you thought of as your own daughter when she was a filly? The young filly you saw growing up into a mare becoming your best friend. THE PONY THAT IS CLOSER TO YOU THEN ANY PONY EVER WAS?!”
Her use of the royal Canterlot voice threw of Celestia completely off. The white mare processed the words for a moment. Without notice, she turned her back on her sister refusing to look at her. “Leave me be sister, I have been lost in thoughts for a long time already. I don’t need the problems of a filly adding any more up to this. I have no knowledge of this.” Her voice changed, anger dripping from her words.
“Where is Celestia?” Luna demanded. “What have you done with my sister?” The white mare did not give her another glance and sat back down to look at the window. Luna followed her eyes and saw the answer right in front of her, the glass stained window with her sister on it. Her anger cooled immediately, the emotion making place for understanding and sadness.
“I see. My deepest apologies, I did not wish to offend you. I will attend to Twilight myself.” The white mare didn’t answer, but Luna was sure she heard her and continued. “Meet me tonight; I might be able to help clear up your mind.” Luna waited till she was sure a reply wasn’t coming anymore before leaving the room. After the door closed the white mare sighed and shook her head.
Luna knocked on her bedroom door and waited, when she got no answer she sighed in relieve. She had feared Twilight was still awake. Luna transformed herself into a puffy purple cloud and slipped through the doors. In the room she was welcomed by the darkness. It was unsettling to have her room so dark, for the night princess total darkness wasn’t a welcome atmosphere. All the curtains were closed even when it was the mid of the day and no candles burned to provide light.
Luna lighted up her horn, just enough to see without a risk of waking Twilight. She looked around to discover some rolls of papyrus lying on her desk. Twilight must’ve tried against her words to send a letter to Celestia, trying to contact her in vain. Luna had said her that it was possible that dragonfire wouldn’t reach Celestia. To be honest, she knew it wasn’t possible but if she said it with that kind of certainty twilight would’ve suspected something.
Luna hated keeping secrets from her adopted little sister. When she just returned from the nightmare, Twilight was the first to actually try and get to know her. She didn’t only see a princess but also a pony that needed someone, a pony that was lonely. Luna hated to do this to her after all the purple mare had done for her.
The night princess yawned, her hoof covering her mouth as the tiredness suddenly catches up after the whole day. She lazily took out her garments and regalia to lay them aside. Her hair fell down her neck when the magic inside of it went out. It was a total mess but Luna didn’t care for it as she crawled in the bed and lied down besides Twilight. She reached out with her hoof, taking the little form into her embrace. Twilight snuggled closer into it silently and kept snoring away in her dreamland. Luna gave her a kiss on the back of her head and let her head sink in the pillows hoping to catch some sleep, tomorrow was going to be a long day.
A clock ticked away the hours as Luna tried to sleep but it didn’t come. She had been awake all day, which wasn’t a habit of hers but it didn’t matter how tired she was, sleep was not about to come this close to the night. It was unnatural for Luna, her body was fighting the irregular sleeping pattern. After half an hour she gave up and sat back up when a voice spoke up ‘Luna?’
To Luna surprise spike was lying at the end of the bed, curled up in the covers. Even when he was as big as pony now she still had missed him lying there. She expected she must have woken him when she entered the room. She sat up and looked at the dragon; she blew away a straying lock of hair that waved in her face before speaking to the dragon.
“What’s wrong?” she asked. She positioned herself so she could look straight him. She noticed when looking at him that he was nervous as he was fumbling with his claws. The dragon was trying to find the right words to say something what he probably was not allowed to. She knew spike, he was still young and couldn’t always completely hide his emotions. She was patient and waited for him to find the words he wanted to say.
“Twilight asked me to send a letter…” As Luna had expected, she nodded for him to go on. “And, well, it didn’t work just as you said. But I heard her.” Luna blinked at what Spike had said, the words slowly seeping in her mind. It took a while to process what he had actually said. It didn’t make sense. “What do you mean?” she asked confused, the little dragon sat up and started to scratch his head.
“Exactly what I said, when I send the letter I felt hot, like really flaring hot, and Celestia asked me ‘to forgive her’. I think it was meant for twilight, but she didn’t hear it and I’m afraid to tell her.”
Luna rustled her wings, unease in her body. This meant her sister was not only somewhere alive but she was also aware of the situation. This was good news Luna thought, but the content of the message meant that Celestia would probably not return. She feared that if twilight knew this she would keep trying to communicate with her, to beg her to come back. Luna knew the mare too well, wouldn’t give up before reaching her goal. But this one was as unreachable as the sun itself.
“It’s better not to tell her spike. Now go back to sleep, it was a long and tiresome day for the three of us” Spike just nodded and curled back in the blankets. He was quickly asleep, snoring away. Luna turned back to twilight; with her horn she touched her head and a faint grey glow emitted from it. The mare was still fast asleep. With a relieved sigh she lay down again to sleep. She wouldn’t be able to face it if twilight would’ve heard this little conversation.
The hours had past as Luna finally was able to get to sleep. The three were snoring away in their dreamlands. There was no sound in the room except the little tapping of the rain against the windows. Not enough to hold them from their sleep. But the new evening was being disturbed by a slight louder and regular tapping right outside the room.
A gentle knock on the door announced a guest. The sound awoke Luna from her sleep. She yawned as she called for the guest to wait. She needed time to make herself presentable. It wasn’t something a princess would normally say, but she was very much aware who was on the other side of the door. The night princess looked at herself in the mirror, trying to figure out how she would tame the dark mess that was supposed to be her mane. She washed her face and started to comb her hair that slumped down all around her face. Behind her twilight stirred and yawned, it was only a matter of time before she would wake up from the noise.
“What time is it?” The pony asked. Her mane mirrored Luna’s and she couldn’t help but giggle at it. “It’s still too soon; I have an appointment at the moment. You better rest some more, we have a long day tomorrow.”
Luna watched her from the mirror, and for a moment their eyes met. In this moment, she could see the pain in the ponies’ eyes, and Luna felt guilt for her coming actions. She had to lie to her. She quickly finished her hair and walked towards the door. She looked back a last time to Twilight who had followed her with her gaze. Luna wanted to say she was sorry, but it was impossible. So she turned and closed the door.
...
The next morning Twilight awoke to the rays of the sun touching her skin, she felt warm and for a moment she felt bliss lying in the rays of the sun. The warmth felt nice on her body, she basked in it like it was a bath of light, warm and cleansing. But the rays of the sun meant it was the beginning of a new day.
She quickly got out of bed and ran to the vanity mirror to get ready. She fought with her mane and quickly washed her face. The sun was already high; it must be around noon Twilight guessed meaning she overslept, this had never happened before. She would miss her lesson with the princess!
The moment that word passed through her mind she calmed down, the grasp on her brush weakened and the thing fell to the ground. The memories of yesterday came back, what had happened, and she couldn’t help but let the tears fall silently. She stopped doing what she was doing; her mane still a mess when she left the bedroom.
She walked around the castle aimlessly until a rumble in her stomach warned her for upcoming hunger. She went to the kitchen for a quick snack and went on. The very next moment she had the chance the hay sandwich was thrown out of a window with only one bite out of it. Eating made her feel sicker then she already was.
Trying to find a distraction she went on to the great mages hall, where she will have a lesson with Luna this night.
The mages hall was huge, a dome made out of pure white stone, lined with blue lines all over it, like wires of an electrical system. Off course this was magic, but it served the same purpose, power a device. The floors was of marble and all around it stuff was scattered, books and quills, paper for notes and a very wide variety of magical tools. They were all unique and expensive, yet they were often thrown on the ground.
She sighed at the mess and started to clean up the place, organizing was one of her favorite distractions. After an hour of cleaning, organizing and a lot of swearing at ‘disrespectful ponies’ she was interrupted by the grand door opening. She turned round to see Luna entering the room. The night princess didn’t wear any of her royal regalia.
“Good morning twilight” She stifled a yawn as she went on. “I’m sorry for leaving so abruptly yesterday but I had important business that needed to be attended too.” Twilight only nodded as she was dusting an old magical tool, it was a globe of copper with a grid and a various array of symbols scratched into its surface. Somewhere on it she could distinct a crude pencil drawing of a door with the word ‘dumble’ in it.
“I’m afraid tonight will be the same, as the princess of the night I have to attend nightcourt and now things are getting busier then ever I have no time for our lessons. But perhaps we can do it now?” Luna showed her a half smile. Twilight could easily guess why Luna was busy, the other mare. Twilight studied the tool; its copper surface seemed a thousand times more interesting than a moment ago.
“I guess we can.” Luna set all the objects aside, undoing all of twilights tidying but she wasn’t as annoyed by that as she expected. She watched as Luna summoned some books with a whisk of her shadow magic. A big tome fell on the ground in front of her, a large cloud of dusk escaped from between the old pages. Twilight looked with mild interest as Luna picked it back up again and dusted it off with a grin even if it was a useless effort.
The lessons so far were all theoretically and mostly consisted of Luna reading from the book. Sometimes she would give an example with her magic but twilight’s concentration kept fleeting away, to nearby windows or doors where she looked to the sunbeams. Not a word was penetrating her skull; it was just a mindless buzzing in the background. This wasn’t going to work she decided.
Luna had just arrived the chapter of white giants when she was suddenly interrupted by twilight speaking. ‘I want to go home.” She simply said. Luna stopped reading and quizzically looked at her, the statement slowly sinking in. When she finally seemed to grasp what the unicorn said she closed the tome and made it vanish.
“Very well, I’ll arrange the transportation. But you’ll have to stay this night.” The purple mare nodded and made her way to the door while Luna was writing a letter. “I’ll send notes to your friends so they know you’re coming back; I think they will be happy to see you again.” Luna gave her a small smile but twilight shook her head. “No, I mean my real home. I want to go to my parents.”
Luna wanted to interject and tell her that being with her friends would do her good, but she trusted that twilight knew what was best for her. She sighed and dismissed the letter and quill. “If that is what you think is best.”
...
That evening twilight didn’t show up for breakfast, and Luna was more than concerned about that. With a plate full of food she marched towards her room where she was sure to find twilight. She was just climbing the stairs to the royal suite level when she heard a screaming from above.
“Get out!”
Luna panicked and immediately dropped the plate when she turned herself in shadows. As a small cloud she rushed upstairs to the suite hall where the doors to the royal chamber were. When she arrived could see the mare that probably had screamed the entire castle awake. Twilight was standing in front of the grand white doors of Celestia’s room. The white alicorn Anor stood in front of her, giving the small unicorn a look of sympathy and concern.
It was easy to guess knew what was happening here and Luna felt a gut wrenching feeling in her stomach.
“Please Twilight; I just want to go to my bed.” The white mare said, but twilight violently shook her head gritting her teeth in anger and she stomped her hoof on the marble floor.
“No, this not your room, you are not her! I won’t let you sleep in her bed.” Twilight was angry, her emotions taking over and that was dangerous. In rage she flared her horn, letting the whole room light up a deep purple. She was just about to pounce when Luna decided to interfere.
“ENOUGH Twilight Sparkle!” Her royal Canterlot voice immediately silenced Twilight, she went from a loud rage to a quiet weeping and she started to cry. “But she can’t, she isn’t her…” she sniffed, her sobbing and hiccupping made it hard for her to speak. “She is an imposter.”
The purple mare started fully crying, Luna quickly went to her and took her in her arms. Twilight pressed herself in her body, crying on her coat.
“I’m sorry, I…” the white alicorn wanted to say something, but decided against it. She scrapped her hoof on the floor; her face showed she was struggling to find the right words to say. “I’ll just sleep on a cloud for now.” The white mare eventually said. She exited the hall and left the two ponies alone. Luna shushed twilight and led her to her own room, where she laid her on the bed.
She wanted to tuck her in beneath the white blankets but the violet mare turned her back at the moon princess.
“I know you miss Celestia but you can’t go and yell in the castle at her. I won’t allow you behaving yourself like a foal!” Twilight didn’t respond, so Luna jumped on the bed and laid herself next to her. She embraced the unicorn and took her close.
“Twilight, it’s not fair to blame her.” Twilight snorted, she fought herself from the embrace and sat down at the edge of the bed looking away from Luna. “I’m not blaming her.” Her voice betrayed that she was lying, anger dripped from her words. “And if I was, she deserves it. What does she think pretending to be her?”
Luna decided this is was enough; she grabbed Twilight by her shoulders and pulled her backwards onto the bed, pushing her against the mattress. She placed herself over so Twilight couldn’t escape and had to look in her eyes.
“Whatever is going on must involve my sister; she would never do something like this without a good reason. Have faith in her!”
Twilight finally calmed down at those words faster than Luna expected and looked up to her. Luna sighed and looked her in the eyes as tears to form in her own eyes.
“I will find out what is going on Twilight, I swear.”
Luna lowered her face and her lips met Twilight’s. She softly kissed her and the purple mare let herself drown in the affection as she answered it. They closed their eyes in the moment and for now the world around them faded away. But as Twilight drowned more in the bliss of a tender kiss she shared with her big sister, Luna damned herself for touching Twilight with the lips that had just spoken terrible lies.
Twilight and Luna watched as the guards and Spike dragged the heavy load of luggage into a carriage. They had to use an extra carriage for her stuff alone, most of that pile consisted of books. The sun was almost rising, the sky coloring a pink hue. Twilight sighed and Luna gave here quick nuzzle to ease her mind.
“Don’t worry Twilight, I’ll come and check up on you every time I can. And your parents are there for you as well. You’ll be in good hooves.”
Twilight nodded, thankful for Luna’s good care. “Thanks sis.”
Luna smiled at her, it’s been a while that she had called her that. She was sure it was a first sign of Twilight becoming better, a very small one, but it was a start.
By now guards were almost finished and as they were making the last adjustments to the cart Luna and Twilight were joined by a white alicorn. From the sky she descended and with the graze of a swan she landed next to them on the great stone landing strip. She immediately directed her attention to Twilight who looked up at her. The purple was trying to keep her expression neutral.
“I hope you find what you need with your friends. I don’t know you, and you don’t like me but I still care for you. I don’t want to see anypony sad. I’m sorry for what I have done to you.” Twilight shook her head. Not because she didn’t agree but she didn’t want to hear this at the moment. She wanted to get away from this place and from her.
“Don’t, I… It’s not your fault, I see that now. I have been behaving like little filly. It was wrong for me to blame you.” She looked at the white alicorn, who smiled at her words. It looked like she didn’t notice the obvious lies.
“I’m happy to hear that, but still, get better.” She came closer to Twilight give her a nuzzle but the purple pony flinched at her movement. The white alicorn noticed and pretended to just walk past her towards Luna. The white mare looked to Luna, straight in to her eyes and Luna glared back at her. The little exchange of silent words went unnoticed by Twilight and Luna was happy for that.
“Come on Twilight” Luna spoke to break the silence and averted her eyes from the white alicorn. “It’s time to leave.” Twilight picked up a last piece of luggage, a purple bag with her cutie mark sewn in both sides. One of the guards wanted to take it from her but she resisted. Instead she gave it to spike who carefully handled the bag as if his life depended on it. Together they stepped in the carriage, spike sat down at the front and looked on as Twilight and Luna shared a last hug. “Don’t worry Twilight, things will come around, I promise.” Luna was happy she was hugging the little pony because her eyes couldn’t hide the feelings she felt with these lies. But Spike saw them very clearly, and Luna mouthed him the words “Please don’t tell” and Spike gave a nod.
“Fly guards, as fast but safe as you can!” Luna commanded the guards and they gave a loud salute before galloping to the edge of the landing strip and flying in the early morning horizon. Luna watched her little sister leave and with every second her regrets seemed to grow.
“You are a bad liar Luna of the night.”
The white Alicorn stopped to sit down next to Luna and grinned at her but Luna only gave her a scowl. “And you are a very good one, which is worse?” The white mare rustled her wings in unease that her cover was blown but at heart she was not really surprised that Luna had found out.
“Well, does it matter? They both hurt the same.”
Luna didn’t answer even if Anor was right; she just left her in silence. Together they watched on after the carriage until minutes after it had disappeared in the visible sky. Luna had lied for Twilight’s sake, saying that she would find out what happened but also because she had too. But what did she expect to happen? That Twilight would eventually come over her sadness and forget her lies, forget about Celestia.
“No.” Luna decided, she would tell her the truth when the time is right and until that time Luna will do everything to make Twilight feel happy again. And she won’t be doing it alone. Without warning Luna rose from the ground and dived into the depths from Canterlot Mountain. Anor didn’t do anything and just watched her; she trusted that the night princess would make the right decision even if they aren’t always the best.
The white mare sighed.
“They are something Celestia, but still, I won’t rethink my decision.”
…
“It was almost evening when the royal carriage arrived at their destination. In the east the sun was lowering beneath the horizon to make place for the night. Twilight knew that somewhere an alicorn was lowering the sun, an alicorn that was not meant to. The sun didn’t seem to share her opinion; it descended as it did every day, no hesitation and no questions. Why is it betraying her and why did Celestia let it?
Twilight didn’t have much to time to think as the cart landed on the soft earth of the world below, panicked by the sudden movements she fumbled for the edge of the cart when they bounced on the ground to a standstill. The young mare sighed when she seemed to have survived the crash-landing. She stepped out of the cart and stretched her body; sitting down for such a long time was hurtful even if the carriage had expensive cushioning on the inside.
Spike didn’t have that problem, he had been sleeping during the entire ride but the landing had him wake up in a scare. He ruffled his scales as a bump formed on the back of his head. He cursed the guards silently, grumbling the words rather than speaking them. He jumped from the cart and took Twilight personal bag with him.
Knowing that her most important things were with spike she let the rest of her luggage in the hands of the guards. Together with spike she walked towards the tree that was her Library and home. The ride had taken much longer then she had expected.
“Uh Twilight, weren’t we going to your parents”? Spike asked. “Yes.” “Then why are we in Ponyville?” It suddenly dawned on Twilight; the tree right in front of her, sugarcube corner and Rarity’s boutique in the distance and not to mention the long flight. She looked around and saw everything familiar of her hometown just to confirm it. The unicorn was about to ask what the hay was going on when the front door of her house exploded in a rainbow explosion of streamers, confetti and cakes.
“Welcome home!”
The force of the party explosion made her fall down on her haunches with a loud gasp. Inside her door were all of her friends and to her surprise even her mother and father! Her friends ran up to her and picked her up before suffocating her in the love of a group hug.
“What is happening, what are you doing here? What am I doing here? I thought I told Luna that I wanted to go home at my parents?” Her friends just laughed and made way for Twilight parents.
“Well, here they are!” Twilight jumped up and took them in a big hug for a very long time. She didn’t know why holding her mother and father felt so good. She had missed them so much; it’s been a long time since they had seen each other. “I thought it would be nice if you could at least spend one night with your friends, to say goodbye.” Said a voice from above, everyone looked up and looked how Luna slowly landed next to the group with a smile.
“I had made the guards change their directions and messaged everyone with the plan.”
Twilight looked at each of her friends, her parents and her sister. Their faces showed happiness because she was here and their eyes filled with sadness for what she going through. How could she forget about her friends, even think that she didn’t need them. They would always be there for her. Honest and loyal, kind and generous just make her happy, to make her laugh.
“Come here girls.” Twilight said and they jumped at the purple mare and tackled her to the ground in a huge hug startling Twilight’s and made them jump to the side. After the scare they laughed as the friend rolled on the ground laughing and giggling.
“So, who is brave enough to trespass the darkest roads ponykind has ever seen?” Pinkie sang with an eerie voice, mimicking a ghost or ghoul. She had a blanket over head and used a flashlight to give her face a grim look. Only the timid Fluttershy cowered from the act and tried to hide herself behind her own hair.
“Darkest roads *gulp* ever seen?” she whimpered from behind her hairy hideout.
“Yes, the dark road of secrets!” Pinkie yelled jumping from beneath her sheet laughing like a maniac, but the terrifying effect quickly disappeared because of her laughter that quickly catched up. “It’s time for truth or dare!”
Pinkie could be scary sometimes but her bubbly, cheerful attitude never allowed it to last longer than 3.14 seconds maximum. Twilight timed it.
“Now, who wants to go first? Wait! Spin the bottle!” Pinkie ranted on, answering her own questions before the other could do. She grabbed towards one of the potted plants in the room and got an empty bottle from it. Nobody even cared what it was doing there and how the pink party pony knew it, they just watched as she set on the ground and spun it.
“Truth or dare? That’s for girls.” Dash complained, she put her hoofs in front of her chest in disinterest. She would rather play something exciting, like Dungeons and dragons or some Daring Do roleplaying game. Applejack raised an eyebrow at the rainbow pony.
“Rainbow, we are girls.” she said, but Rainbow just rolled her eyes at applejacks silly statement.
“I mean prissy girls, like Rare.” The white mare scoffed at her friend and decided to ignore her as the bottle spun on and stopped at Rainbow Dash herself.
“Okay rainbow, choose someone!” pinkie instructed, and rainbow looked at their friends one at a time. She could better play along, Pinkie would eventually drag her into this when she said no, so she decided she would skip that step this time and just play. And who knows this might turn out to be fun. Which of her friends could have a secret, or from whom did she want to know something. She knew they would pick truth, they always did because clearly they aren’t as awesome as her to choose dare. They made things easy.
She thought for a second before grinning so evilly it made Fluttershy cringe and for a good reason because she would be the first victim of the game this evening.
...
It was well after sleeping time when the game had already passed its supposedly end. Most of the girls weren’t really playing anymore and just decided to skip their turns. The only one really playing was Rainbow; she just wanted to know as much as she could about the others but also wanted to do a lot of dares, the stupider, the better. It was her turn once again and this time she took the purple mare as her victim.
“So Twilight. Truth or dare?” She asked with the mean voice she had been acting up on all evening but it effect long gone. Twilight just sighed and answered with a dull truth. She was too tired and bored to actually do something; she just wanted to go to her bed and sleep.
“Okay Dash” continued, ignoring her obviously disinterested friend’s attitude. She was going to stretch this as long as she could. “You’re and egghead right? I bet you never kissed someone or don’t even know how to do it.” The room went silent as everyone attention suddenly shifted to the purple mare, things suddenly got a lot more interesting. Pinkie let out a small ‘ooh’ at the playful jab from Rainbow Dash.
Truth or dare is a game about friendly challenging or jabbing, and this was right in the face. The others watched intently as twilight just raised her eyebrow.
“Yes, I’m an egghead. But what does that have to do with it? And, for your information, I have kissed somepony.” At those words the others just inched closer for details, sappy details Rarity thought. Rainbow just laughed. “Yes, and I have to believe that? Tell me then, who is it?”
“Well, it was Cheerilee.” Twilight said as it was the most normal thing in the world, but even if she was so straightforward about it, she couldn’t help but blush. Luckily Rainbow was too surprised to even notice.
“Wait, wait, and wait. Cheerilee, the teacher?” Rainbow asked and Twilight confirmed with a nod. Rainbow just fell silent, not only had Twilight in fact kissed someone, it was also a mare, a much older and experienced mare. Her brain was about to be blown out of a working state when Rarity interrupted the silence.
“How scandalous of you Twilight! To share your first kiss with an older and more experienced mare. How did that happen dear? Give us the details.” Rarity looked like she was in heaven, she absolutely loved romance. She was a vided reader in the genre and clichés weren’t a thing she was afraid of. The more the better she thought because real life was often so dull but here she had what her novels often described as a fantasy in real life.
Twilight gulped, happy she didn’t tell them about the goodnight kisses she often shared with Luna. Her friends were very aware of the bond they shared as sisters.
Twilight thought a long time as she tried to collect her words, not even wondering why she was going to tell them this without question. It’s because she trusted them Twilight thought and she was comfortable with them knowing. So she started the story.
“Well, once every month Cheerilee visits the library with her class so her students can pick a book to read. Every time she visited we talked while the students looked for a book. We seemed to have a lot in common. Our conversation became more friendly and open, telling about our personal lives besides our work like our hobbies or about friends and family. It was fun and I felt like we were becoming friends.” The others all nodded eager for het to go on; rarity was listening intense holding in her breath in the fear of missing some of the details.
“Then, one day, she asked me to come to the school so I could help with an assignment she needed to prepare. I helped her all day, and as it was nearing the evening and we were almost done I complimented her on the work she did. I told her how I liked that she was a teacher and that she did it with so much passion. She just looked at me in surprise and I suddenly noticed how beautiful she was.” Twilight blushed in silence for a moment, but the curious faces of her friends waiting in excite she quickly spilled it.
“And then it happened, I kissed her right there and then and she kissed me back.”
The other looked silently at her and Twilight gave them a sheepish grin. Nobody moved until Rainbow raised her hoof towards her. “Nice.”
The others bombarded her with questions as twilight gave her friend a highhoof.
“What happened afterwards? Did you go on date?” Rarity asked her, she was in her prime here. She knew everything there was to know about romance and was very happy to share it with a friend.
“No, we didn’t talk about it afterwards. But I plan to do it eventually, I really like her and maybe a date isn’t such a bad idea.” Rarity nodded approved. “Well, that’s the least you can do, I’m so happy for you.” She clapped her hoof together with a smile and Twilight gave her friend a hug.
“Wow Twilight.” Rainbow spoke out of the blue. “You really have a thing for teachers don’t you. First Celestia and now Cheerilee.”
The room fell silent as everyone aimed their glare at Rainbow. Twilight didn’t say anything as the tears formed in her eyes. Rainbow Dash immediately regretted her words, how could she be so stupid. She stepped in to apologize but before she could do anything she was blinded by a purple flash and she flew through the room and into a poor wall that did not survive the clash. Rainbow found herself in a sea of branches and leaves outside of the tree house. She was dizzy and the whole world turned around her before it all went black.
...
“Nice move there Rainbow, not only have you hurt twilight real bad but you have also got thrown out of the house in the middle of the night!” Applejack said towards the guilty mare in question, she just avoided her eyes from her friend and rubbed the back of her head. The crash through the wall had hurt her pretty badly even if she was used to crashing into things. It was more of an emotional pain she felt, of regrets, lots of them.
“I’m sorry; it slipped out before I knew it. It was just a joke.”
“Yeah, that’s what it always is.” Applejack said like she was talking to a little that had just done something wrong. “A joke is not always funny and you need to think before you speak. But enough of that, let’s just go home. We can deal with this tomorrow; there is no talking sense into Twilight when she has set her mind onto something. And tonight that’s not letting us in.” She finished with a glare at Rainbow.
The others nodded but didn’t say anything; they were all shocked by the sudden outburst their friend had shown them. Mostly Fluttershy, she was still trembling from the fear she felt that moment. To see Twilight so angry and hurting Rainbow like that on purpose was just too much for her. It was enough to make her cry. Rarity had walked by her side the entire time, whispering to her that everything would be alright.
“Well, we better say goodbye here. We’ll all come in and check on Twilight tomorrow okay?” The others nodded and went their own way. Rarity took Fluttershy with her to her shop; she didn’t want to leave the poor pegasus alone right now. Applejack turned and left for the farm, She supected that the next days were going to very hard.
The sweet aroma of freshly baked pancakes washed through the many rooms the library. A pan softly sizzled on the fire; its buttery contains slowly becoming deliciousness. The counter was cluttered with ingredients, various pots and pans and a half burned cooking book was hidden beneath all the chaos. Hopefully it met a tragic end in the washing machine as it was another one of Spike’s experimental cooking victims.
Various splatters of dough still stained the kitchen ceiling when Spike was carrying a plate of the freshly baked goods to the table. It was almost ten so time for a sweet and not so healthy breakfast.
He was the first one to wake up this morning which never happened and even now it was this late Twilight hadn’t woken up. If he ever dared to sleep this late Twilight would fry his scaly ass off. He didn’t mind this change at all. It was a nice pace after the hectic week, it had been nuts. After the completely ruined sleepover Twilight had Spike slaving around while the pony was reading and studying. What she exactly did she didn’t tell but Spike had an easy guess, he was made to fetch books from Canterlot sometimes and the titles revealed enough.
After reading her latest order last night, a book about the royal sisters, she had shut herself in her room. Spike didn’t know why but he was glad that he had some rest. Selfishly he wished it would stay that way but he also honestly thought Twilight needed to rest and relax. That’s why she was here with her friends and not in Canterlot or home at her parents. Twilight had eventually decided against going home, even after the sleepover.
Spike looked at the clock above the fridge to see if he still had time; the library wouldn’t open for another hour so there was no pressure. Although Twilight always wanted to be on time and it was bad idea for her to sleep out, Spike couldn’t help but think that her reaction would be funny. And who knows, her rushing to do her job might even be good for her.
He whistled a tune as he prepared another pancake. With a quick whip of the wrist the pancake flew in the air, made a flip and landed perfectly back in the pan. “Skills.”
He was just about to turn it again when somepony knocked on the front door. He shrieked in surprise and his throw went completely off track. The still wet dough flipped in the air and splattered on his face. The heat was painful and Spike screamed as he flailed his arms running the through room. After a few seconds of pain he finally found a towel to wipe his face as he walked towards the door.
He opened the door to see Cheerilee standing there with a crowd of young ponies standing behind her.
“Good morning Spike.” The teacher said cheerfully. “Isn’t Twilight here? She would open up early today for the monthly reading assignment.” Some of foals in the back gave a silent yell of approval, happy they didn’t need to read a stupid book.
Spike thought for a moment, he seemed to remember that Twilight said something about this probably a month ago or so. If Cheerilee would be here it must be today obviously. No harm in opening up early if that is what Twilight promised.
“She is here, but overslept. Just come in, she’ll be down in few minutes.” He opened the door for the class to enter. A loud sound of disapproval could be heard from the foals. With their heads held low they entered in defeat. .
He followed the pack inside and closed the door behind. It didn’t take long for the little foals to excitedly run around the bookcases showing books they found to others. In the back Cheerilee gave a warning to a little colt that had shown a picture in a Sexual education book to his giggling friends.
Spike quickly left them behind; even those little pesks couldn’t break down the library in a few minutes alone. He walked up the landing to the private area and knocked on the door. There was no answer; he figured Twilight must still be asleep. He turned the handle to only notice the door didn’t budge.
“Weird, I didn’t lock it did I?” He scratched his head and he knocked hoping Twilight would wake up. “Twilight, Miss Cheerilee is here!” He yelled through the wood.
“Then what are you doing upstairs? Go and do your job!” Twilight answered surprising the little dragon for a moment. “My job?” Spike raised his eyebrow.
“yes, you are my assistant. When I don’t want to do my job it is your job.” She yelled back. Spike became angry at the way she was talking, what was Twilight thinking.
“Don’t want to do your job? What is your problem Twilight? You have t-“ A loud bang on the door interrupted him. Twilight must’ve used a her magic to fling a book at the door. “Fine, be like this!” He yelled back, not having any interest in this childish argument.
Grumbling he went back down the stairs. As he entered the library again the little ponies were still running around even when most of them had already chosen a book. The library was still in one piece. At the front desk Cheerilee was waiting, she had a concerned look on her face. Spike feared she might have heard their little discussion.
“So Twilight isn’t coming?” she asked. Spike wasn’t sure but he thought he heard a hint of disappointment in her voice. “No, she doesn’t feel so well I guess. But that’s no problem; I’m able to handle the checkouts.”
Cheerilee just nodded. “Well okay” She turned around and went to herd her students into a line for the checkout. As he was preparing the papers a yellow filly with red hair came up to him.
“Hey Applebloom.” He raised his claw and Applebloom bumped her hoof against it. “Something wrong with Twilight?” She asked. Most students didn’t know Twilight beyond as the local librarian. But Applebloom was one of Twi’s best friend’s little sister. “She is grumpy for some reason.” “I hope things get better. I heard AJ talking miss Rarity this morning. They seemed really concerned about Twilight.” Spike sighed. “They are, and so am I. I know what is going on but I can’t tell. But it still isn’t a reason to be like this.” He was getting agitated, but quickly had to put that aside as the foals came in with their chosen books.
He quickly worked throughout the checkouts. Most books were as thin as possible, except for one. Scootaloo had chosen herself the latest Daring Do. After ten minutes of work everything was done and the class went on its way. Spike quickly exchanged a high hoof with the cutiemark crusaders before they left.
He turned around to put the papers back in place when he heard Cheerilee tell her foals to wait for a minute. She came back in and walked up to him. “Spike, is something wrong with Twilight?” She sounded concerned. Spike knew Twilight and Cheerilee were friends so it was normal for her to ask.
He sighed. “No, not really. She is having some issues at the moment.” Cheerilee put her hoof on his claw, as a way of comfort. “Aww Spike, I’m sorry to hear. Please, tell her that if she wants to talk, she can come to me.” Spike smiled at this, it was good to hear Twilight had more friends she could turn to. “I will, thanks.”
Days had gone by since Cheerilee and her class came by, and every day since then Spike was in charge of the library. Twilight would just lock her door after Spike woke up, and appear half through the day if she needed something or if one of her friends came by. But even those moments seemed to grow thin.
“Sorry Rare, but Twilight just doesn’t want to leave her room. She keeps saying she is busy.” He crossed his arm in anger. “Busy with nothing.” This was getting ridiculous in his opinion. Twilight wasn’t only becoming lazy; she was also ignoring him and her friends. When he had told about what Cheerilee said, she just waved it away.
“This isn’t good at all. And she hasn’t talked to you as well?” Spike just shook his head. Rarity’s face fell. “I think we need some help with this. Can you send a letter to the princess?” “No problem.” He started picking a quill and paper when Rarity stopped him. “No Spike, I’m going to write it myself. And so will the others. We each have to show how much we are concerned about Twilight.” “Okay, Just bring it when it needs to be send.”
Rarity soon left the library to visit her friends after a quick goodbye. It was quiet now his friend had left. He decided to clean up the library again, to fill in the time. But that soon became just a petty distraction, as everything was perfectly in order. He had cleaned the entire library 7 times this week already. It was only Wednesday.
Another hour went past without any customers. It was almost four o’clock now; the library would still be open for two more hours. Spike knew well enough that there wouldn’t be coming anypony around this time. He decided to close the library up early today and read some to entertain himself. When you live in a library, it’s impossible to not pick up reading, even if you think books are stupid. He stomped up the stairs to get his book, but when he stood before the closed door he remembered he couldn’t get in. The last days he had even slept on the couch downstairs because Twilight simply refused to open the door.
But when he tried anyways, out of habit, the door went open. He blinked a few times before going in. Slowly he looked inside the room. It was dark, the curtains were closed. But that didn’t keep him from seeing all the stuff that was lying on the floor. The room was a total mess. He turned on the light and was surprised to see that the whole floor was covered in books, quills and scroll, clothing and to his great surprise, hairs. He rushed to the bed panicking and pulled the blankets away. Twilight was lying in her bed, her bloodshot eyes open, staring at him. Her coat and hair was unwashed; feathering had grown long and thick and almost completely covered her hooves.
“Twilight, what have you done to yourself? You’re filthy.” He breathed in and had to pinch his nose shut. “You smell filthy”. She looked at him and just shrugged like it didn’t even matter to her but her stare penetrated him, begging for help.
“Oh Twilight. Why have you done this?” He ran his claw trough her hair; it was greasy and stuck to his claws. Twilight pushed her head against the claw, closing her eyes. “I’ll prepare a bath.”
The bath filled with hot steamy water as he added all kinds of soaps to the water creating a thick foam layer. Once filled, he turned his attention back to Twilight. She still hadn’t moved from her spot on the bed, only turned around to watch out the door as Spike was preparing the bath. Spike gently picked her up from the bed, her coat stuck to his scales but he didn’t care. Twilight laid herself in his arms, trying to get deeper in the embrace.
Witch much effort he walked to the bathroom and laid her and himself in the big tub. With Twilight in front of him he started to scrub her coat with a brush. Filth streamed in the water and it didn’t take long for the water to take a brownish look. It took a full two hours and a few refills to wash her coat. At the moment Spike was washing the mare’s mane. He rinsed the long strands, finishing the long wash.
“And we are all done.” Twilight sighed a content sigh and let herself sink in the water and leaned against Spike’s body. He took her in her arms and pulled her against him. “I miss her.” She whispered, her eyes were getting heavy and it didn’t take for her to fall asleep under the caring strokes of Spike’s claws through her mane.