//------------------------------// // Chapter 11 // Story: My Faithful Student // by FadFreaky //------------------------------//         “Hard work and dedication really go a long way! This stuff is amazing!” Said the White Sun Filly. With no less grandeur than one would have when they see their hypothetical tree bear fruit. The castle, especially the ballroom, is currently full of ponies. All of which are working hard at putting up everything necessary for a party. Everything is to be perfect, while Twilight could easily return home, the effects on the timeline are completely unpredictable at this point and considering that she could easily be labeled as a criminal she wouldn’t be able to escape it by going forward. Nevertheless, the purple alicorn is hard at work with diagrams and measurements, micromanaging harder than she ever has had to. Sometimes, she wonders how Pinkie is able to plan such large parties without help. “This is exhausting.” Said Twilight as she sits in a chair. Resting from the constant work that she has had to do since dawn. “We not only have to plan the party, but your dad really wants the castle set up so he can approve the design by seeing it in practice.” Twilight spoke out as she levitates a cup of water to herself. Taking a sip. “Well at least you’ll be able to go home soon!” Says Celestia with a squee. “After this my daddy won’t have a reason to keep you here… I’ll miss you Miss Twilight. Er. Princess. Er… uh.”         Twilight giggles softly “Just Twilight. I’m no princess in this time period. Eventually though. Keep your eyes out for me. I’ll be kinda hard to miss.”         The filly tilts her head looking confused “Hard to miss?”         Twilight simply responds with a simple, “Let’s just say I tore the roof off of the place. Literally.”         Of course Celestia couldn’t be much more than confused by the statement, shrugging awkwardly after a moment and sitting in her chair. Thinking to herself, ‘Only a week left… I’m gonna miss her. Sneaking out won’t be as easy as it was with her.’ The filly giggles happily, which gets her a small confused smile from Twilight.         “Funny thought?” asked Twilight         “Uh huh! But enough about that! We have work to do!” Celestia says happily before trotting off to help out.         Meanwhile, in another part of the castle, a blue filly is slowly going through her daily chores and studies.         “And the tax document c…” A small silence goes over the room. Her teacher perking up slightly.         “Well. I’m done with this.” Luna proceeds to close her book and hops down from the desk chair.         “Princess you aren’t done with you-” The door slams shut         “I’m done! So done! I get to go out of the castle for the first time in literally forever and then immediately get confined back! Sureee I got to spend one day with them helping them plan. But that was over three weeks ago! I’m going to help my sister whether my daddy likes it or- oof” The black filly, in the middle of her rant has run into a large sea of white.         “Hi… mommy… uh… thou coat is extra comfy today?” The lunar filly of course squees. Trying to sell it as much as she can.         Of course it fails. Terribly. Getting nuzzled and picked up by her mom. “Where did thou think thou were going sweetie? Thou still have another hour of studying to do.”         Luna squirms. Trying to escape the loving embrace. “We just wanna go help sisterrrr. It was fun to help them plan. But we wanna see the ponies working. Pleaseee mommy, can we go watch?”         Solace smiles and nuzzles Luna “Okay… you can go. But on one condition. No seeing daddy today. He’s a little sick and we know how you like to pop in on him sometimes. Alright?”         Luna nods happily. “Okay! Give him a flower for us as a get well soon present!” The filly quickly scampers off. Watching the working through a window. Solace smiling… the smile breaking quickly as Luna is out of view.         The large alicorn slowly makes her way out of the hallway to her room. Staying quiet inside of it. Just thinking to herself. ‘I knew something terrible would happen the moment we’d leave the safety of the castle.’ Silently moving to the window. She looks outside and watches the small town’s hustle and bustle. Everypony excited for the party, even those that can’t attend it for one reason or another are still eagerly preparing for festivities. Easily seen hopping around was Cinnabar Pie. The bronze colored pony hopping around town, helping them prepare for any festivities they need.         ‘That is very odd. I thought she was supposed to be helping Twilight and Celestia with the preparations…’ Solace thought to herself. Attempting to keep aware of as much as she possibly could.         ‘It’s almost time… Hopefully we’ve taught them well enough. Although I do wish this day would never come. Luckily both of them have friends in the staff and… Twilight of course. I know Eclipse will hate me for what I’m planning. But we are almost out of options… Soon then.’         Solace sits down on her bed. Casting a simple spell on her wall. Watching Celestia and Twilight work, Luna of course quickly volunteers to help after a short time. Everypony in the room seems to brighten up from the two young princesses playing and working. Even some of the more stoic guards crack a smile from the adorable nature of the fillies. Twilight all this time smiling and giggling. Before looking straight at Solace through the one way spell and waving to the queen.         Twilight mouths out “Should be done in a few more hours queen. Get ready to get your crown blown off by how awesome it is!” Twilight then hops up and walks out of view, assisting with the finishing touches for the decorations and getting back to micromanaging. Her mane taking to the wavy and magical form perfectly and already showing signs of becoming more ethereal like Luna’s future mane.         Solace simply smiles and says to herself. “Perfect.”