I just look over to Crystal who’s talking with Buttercup. I can’t even hear what they’re saying… my mind isn’t even here right now. I just can’t believe everything that I just saw… Crystal… Rebecca… And why did Celestia just leave you there if she knew how much pain you were in!? I thought to myself looking down in aggravation.
“Twilight…?” Sunset asked snapping me back into reality. “Are you alright…?”
I look over to Sunset and sigh. “Can we talk in private…?”
Sunset just stood there staring at me for a moment. “You did see something, didn’t you?” she whispered. “Where should we go?” I just place a hoof on Sunset Shimmer and teleport the both of us to a hill away from anypony. Sunset just looked around in confusion. “Well…?”
I just look down at the hill, directly at the library and sigh. “I did… I saw something awful…”
Sunset just came over to me and sat with me. “How bad was it…?”
I look over at Sunset with tears in my eyes. “Promise you won’t say a word to Crystal… please Sunset… she can’t know about this…” I said begging her.
“I won’t say anything… now what’s going on…?” I just look down again and take a deep breath before telling Sunset Shimmer everything I saw… The hallway, the doors, and even her life before I found her… Then when I started talking about her name and her parents, Sunset went into absolute shock. “T-That’s…”
I started crying more while explaining everything to Sunset. “Her own father killed her mother!!” I shouted crying. “She got so angry that she…” I started before choking on my own tears.
“I think I’m starting to get the picture… But there’s one thing I don’t get… How come… she’s never mentioned any of this…?” Sunset asked before placing a hoof on me to try comforting me. “Talking to her… it’s as if she’s never had parents from the start…”
“Because her memory of that moment was erased…” I paused before continuing. “... by Princess Celestia.”
“Wait what??” Sunset asked in shock. “Princess Celestia where there!?”
“Yeah… which is why I need to have a word with her…” I say before getting up.
“Wait a second, Twilight…” Sunset said placing a hoof on me. “Maybe it’s… for the best that she did it…”
“Then why didn’t she just take her away from that world!?” I snapped. “Why would she let Crystal see all those horrible things!?”
“Well… think of it in Crystal’s perspective… Your memories had just been erased, and then suddenly you wake up in a world with zero humans but yourself? She’d probably think that none of it was even real or that she was just dreaming…” Sunset said looking down for a moment. “And Maybe Princess Celestia wanted you to be the one to find her… Maybe she thought you’d be a better pony to take care of her.”
“She could’ve at least helped her more…”
Sunset looked down for a moment. “Maybe she was…”
“Huh?...”
“Twilight… do you really think she’d just throw her into a world like that alone?” Sunset started. “I get the feeling that she wasn’t really alone… That Celestia actually was watching over her.”
I just stopped to think for a moment. “I need to hear it from her myself… Do me a favor: Can you bring Buttercup back home for me?”
“Of course I can.”
“And… one more thing… can you watch over Crystal while I’m in Canterlot?” Sunset just nodded. “Thank you… just watch over her in Equestria though, okay?”
“I promise, I won’t take her to Canterlot High…” Sunset huffed before going over to hug me gently. “You really do care a lot for Crystal… Celestia definitely made the right choice having you take care of her.”
I just pushed Sunset off lightly when she said that. “I have to go… I’ll see you later Sunset.” and with that I just used my magic to teleport me in front of Celestia’s gates.
“Princess Twilight.” One of the guards said getting my attention. “Is something the matter?”
“I just need to have a word with Princess Celestia.” I said flatly before walking inside.
“You do know the Summer Sun Celebration is not that far away, right…?” He asked making me stop in place. “She and her sister may be getting prepared for it…” With everything that’s been going on, I completely forgot about the celebration… “Princess?”
“I know. There’s a celebration.” I said in a tone of aggravation. “But this is sort of an emergency. So if you don’t mind.” I say before continuing to Celestia’s throne room. Guard ponies just saluted me as I walked through the halls going to the room… It honestly still felt strange.
After a bit of walking, I eventually make my way to the throne room… greeted by both Celestia and Luna. “Oh. Twilight.” Luna started. “I was informed you had some important matters to discuss with me?”
“Actually, I have something important I want to talk to both of you about.” I answered.
Celestia just looked at Luna with some concern before turning back to me. “Is there something the matter, Twilight?” Celestia asked walking over to me.
I look at Celestia straight into her eyes. “I need to talk to you about Rebecca.”
Celestia just blinked in shock as soon as I said that name, Luna just looked down and sighed. “I told you she would figure it out eventually, sister…” Luna said not even looking at me directly.
“You both knew…??” I asked started to get angry. “Why didn’t either of you tell me!?”
“Guards… I need to be alone with my sister and Princess Twilight…” Celestia said letting out a heavy sigh. The guards saluted her and stepped out of the room, shutting the door behind them. “You didn’t tell her any of this, did you…?” Celestia asked turning to me slowly.
“Of course I didn’t!” I shouted. “She’s actually happy here; why would I ruin that for her!?”
Celestia just lowered her head. “Look… I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want any of those memories to resurface… She needs a loving mother to keep her happy and calm.”
“Why would telling me cause her memories to come back?”
“Would you honestly look at her the same way if I told you from the start?” Celestia asked bluntly. “Be honest.”
“Wha--... I…” I stammered caught off guard by the question.
“You love Crystal… don’t you?”
“Of course I do!”
“Then please… for her sake, don’t tell her anything that you figured out.” Celestia said walking over to me, before placing a hoof on my head. “There will be a time when she has to be told but only when she’s ready to know the truth. Hearing the truth now might damage her psychologically…”
“But Princess Celestia, she’s been having nightmares about her past! Those memories are still there!” I shouted.
Celestia looked over to Luna. “I need you to watch over her dreams thoroughly from now on, sister…” She said before turning back to me. “As for you, Twilight… Just give Crystal a normal life like when you met her… let her enjoy her life here in Equestria.”
I just sighed looking down. “At least tell me you kept her protected while she was still in that world…”
“Of course I did, Twilight… She was never truly alone.”
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“What do you mean she had an emergency?” I asked Sunset. “What kind of emergency was it?”
“Twilight said she had some personal stuff to take care of… She’ll be back soon.” Sunset said rubbing the back of her head. “For now I just have to bring Buttercup back home to my world… do you think you could wait here for me while I head to the train station?”
“Uhhh… actually Sunset…”
“What is it?”
“Do you think you could teleport her instead?” I ask nervously. “It was honestly a mistake taking her with me in public…”
“What? Why’s that?”
“Well…” Buttercup started. “Apparently in this world, for whatever reason, me and Bright Mac ain’t exactly… around anymore.”
“Not around…?” Sunset asked. “What do you mean by--” She stopped herself realizing what Buttercup meant. Suddenly the color from her face slowly went white. “O-oh…” she squeaked slightly. “Okay yeah we should get the heck out of here now.” she said before quickly teleporting herself and Buttercup back to the Crystal Empire.
I just looked around at all the books “I wonder if there’s any spells that I could learn on my own…” I go over to look at some of the books to see if there were any spells I could do. “A lot of these are pretty complicated…” I say to myself pulling one of the books out. I open it to read it. “Jeez, I can’t even read this!” I say to myself looking at the different language in front of me. “I don’t think I’ve even seen a language like this before…” I shrug before closing the book again. Suddenly the door opened at the entrance. I look over to see Spike carrying a pretty heavy looking bag of dog food with Cocoa following him. “Do you need any help with that?”
“I… got it…” Spike groaned before tossing the dog food on the ground. “Whew…” Cocoa just went up to Spike and licked his face. “Mmmh…” he groaned again while I just laughed. “She’s been doing that all the way over here…”
“Well why don’t you lay down for a bit?” I say trying to rip open the bag of dog food.
“Nah… and besides, Twilight’s trying to make me sleep less anyways.” He says while I struggle to open the bag. “Speaking of which… where is Twilight anyways?”
“Sunset Shimmer said that she had to go to Canterlot for something important…” I grunt pulling on the bag. “Stupid bag…!”
“Here, let me help.” Spike said walking over to me before using his claws to tear open the bag. “There you go.”
“Thanks…” I huff putting the bag down. “I’m going to get a bowl to put the food in.”
“Make sure it’s two bowls.” Spike added. “One for food and the other for water.”
“Right.” I sigh going into the kitchen, grabbing two bowls, filling one of them up with water. I bring both bowls over placing the one with water down first, filling the other bowl with dog food. “There you go Cocoa.” I smile putting the food bowl down.
Spike just looked at me before tilting his head. “You okay Crystal? You’re not as energetic as you usually are.”
“I don’t know… I guess I’m just wondering why Mom left without even saying anything.”
“I’m sure it’ll be fine Crystal…”
I just look down for a moment in thought. “Hey… I’m gonna go for a walk.”
“Oh… where are you going?”
“I don’t know.” I say before walking out the door. I just look around at everypony walking around and I just start heading through town by myself. I don’t get it… Mom always likes taking me with her… but suddenly she just runs off without saying a word? Something’s definitely going on…
-------------------------------------
Near the Everfree Forest…
I stop by the entrance to the Everfree Forest and gulp nervously. Literally the last time I was here I was tricked into going there… But it has been a while since I Saw Zecora. “Crystal!” A voice called out. I turn to the voice and see it came from Fluttershy. “Where are you going…??”
“I was just going to visit Zecora!”
“Not by yourself!” Fluttershy exclaimed running over to me. “Whew… I’m glad I caught you.” I just stop and stare at her for a moment. “What?”
“You’re okay with going in the Everfree Forest, Fluttershy…?”
“W-well… normally I’m not completely okay with it… but if you want to visit Zecora, then I won’t let you go alone.”
“Well… alright then I guess.” I say walking into the forest with Fluttershy following close behind… as it got darker, I used my magic to make a ball of light like Mom showed me. “There’s a lot of different plants around here… and Zecora just lives in this all the time?”
“Well… it’s not the safest place to live, but believe it or not, there are a lot of remedies made from these plants.”
“So you’re saying any of these plants could be used as medicine?”
“Most of them.”
I just stop and look at a plant moving behind her. “Uhh… what about that one?” I ask pointing behind her.
“Huh?” Fluttershy asked turning to the black vine… wait is that a mouth!? Fluttershy just screamed while the vine hissed at her before lunging at her… But before it did, I was able to shoot a beam at it, making it explode. Fluttershy shook a bit before slowly turning back to me. “A-are you okay??”
I was panting a bit nervously. “I should be asking you that!” I shout. “What kind of plant was that!?”
“I don’t know but that was definitely not one of the good ones!” Fluttershy shouted back.
I just calm down trying to catch my breath… until I see more vines coming this way. “There’s more of them!” I exclaim running back out.
“W-wait! Don’t run off on your own…!” Fluttershy exclaimed trying to keep up. “...and without me!”
While running, I accidentally trip over an outward tree root and fall over into a bed of blue flowers. “Ugh… glad these flowers broke my fall…”
Fluttershy stopped in place when she saw where I was. “Crystal! Get out of there!!”
“H-huh??”
“Those flowers are bad! Get out of there right now!”
“Okay! Okay!” I exclaim getting up, heading for the exit with Fluttershy. Eventually after our running we finally reach the cottage. I just pant hard falling to the ground. “What kind of plants… were those!?”
“I don’t know…” Fluttershy said still shaking. “I’ve never seen vines like that before in my life…”
“What about Zecora?? Is she going to be okay in there??”
“Zecora?? What about you??”
“Huh?”
“Those flowers you fell in… they aren’t normal flowers.”
“What do you mean…?”
“They’re called Poison Joke…”
My eyes quickly shot open when she said the word ‘poison’. “Poison!?”
“Yes… a very bad plant that causes different effects on everypony.”
“Wait… different effects?”
“Well… For example; when I touched the poison joke, my voice got really really deep… it was basically a male voice… and when applejack touched it, she turned really really small.”
“Oh… so it’s not the same kind of poison I was thinking about…” I sigh in relief. “But wait a second; What’s going to happen to me??”
“I’m not sure… I’ve never seen it happen to a human before… I suggest going home as soon as possible.”
“But wouldn’t Zecora have medicine for this or something…?”
“Well normally yes but you saw how dangerous it was in there! We’ll have to come back when those vines are gone…”
“Will I be okay until then…?”
Fluttershy just looked down not really sure what to say. “I’m… sure you’ll be okay Crystal…”
“That didn’t sound so sure…” I sigh just heading home.
“Be safe!” Fluttershy says while I head on my way.
I just sigh looking down. “So much for visiting Zecora…” I say to myself heading back home. “And… what the heck is gonna happen to me? Ugh… I hope Mom gets back soon…...hic!” I jump a bit. “Great… I always hate getting hiccups…” I say before trying to hold my breath.
…
…
“Whew… that was eas-- hic!” with that last hiccup… suddenly I was teleported inside of the water fountain in Ponyville. “What in the--! Hic!” I hiccup again… this time being teleported into a random empty looking village. “Stop!!” I try holding my breath covering my mouth… I look over to see a pink unicorn with purple hair just staring at me with a surprised expression on her face. “Uh… he-- hic!” I hiccup again teleporting into the library back home.
“What the--” Sunset said looking at me. “Crystal!? Did you just teleport!?”
“I don’t know what’s going on--! Hic!” I hiccup teleporting again.
Sunset just stared at the spot where I just was. “Twilight is literally going to kill me…”
With that last hiccup, I found myself teleported in Celestia’s castle. “Mmmmph!!” I exclaimed covering my mouth, trying to hold my breath trying to run through the hall. I frantically look around for Princess Celestia to see if she could help me. Unable to hold my breath for too long I just gasp taking a deep breath. “No don’t--! Hic!” I hiccup again… thankfully teleporting inside Celestia’s throne room where she and Mom already were.”
“What the!?” Mom exclaimed turning to me. “Crystal!? How did you teleport!?... and why are you soaking wet??”
“Mmmmh!!” I shake my head trying to hold my breath.
“What is it!? Spit it out!”
“Mmmmh….” I let go of my mouth for a second. “Poison Joke--! Hic!” I hiccup teleporting in the air… about to fall and hit the ground!... at least I would have if Celestia didn’t catch me.
“Poison Joke!? How did you get into contact with Poison Joke!?” Mom exclaimed.
“I was just going to see Zecora in the Everfree Forest with Fluttershy, but then these plants attacked us and-- hic!” I hiccup crashing into Princess Luna. “We were trying to run away but then I tripped and fell into a bunch of blue flowers…” I groan looking at Luna. “...Sorry…”
“There might be some of the Poison Joke cure left back at the Spa in Ponyville…” Mom said picking me up off of Princess Luna. “But there’s no way you could hold your breath until you get back there!”
“If I may suggest something…” Celestia spoke up helping her sister off the ground. “You could take this opportunity to teach her how to teleport properly.”
Mom just looked up at her quietly putting me down and placing a hoof. “Okay Crystal… before you hiccup again, try to concentrate… visualize in your mind where you want to be before you cast the--”
“Hic!” I hiccup teleporting me and Mom out of the castle; crashing into the fountain again.
“Ugh… forget spell for now! Hang on!” Mom exclaimed running out of the fountain, passing Sunset Shimmer and Spike, carrying me to the spa as quickly as she could. I just tried my best to hold my breath for as long as I could. Eventually, Mom just burst through the doors at the spa. “We need a Poison Joke bath, now!” She exclaimed while carrying me to a bath. Two ponies: a pink one and a light blue one, looked like they were both getting a bath ready.
I can’t hold it…! I think to myself flailing a bit. I then take another deep breath and-- “Hic!” I hiccup again… only to find myself under warm water. I just get on my feet taking another breath. I rub my eyes before looking around… finding myself in the bath at the Ponyville Spa. “Oh thank Celestia…”
Mom just stared at me for a second after saying that while mumbling to herself.
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“Oh thank Celestia…” Crystal said after teleporting into the bath.
“You have no idea…” I mumble to myself.