Shattered
“So…” Rainbow Dash spoke up. “What next?” She asked Twilight as the group walked back into the castle from the balcony overlooking Canterlot. Twilight’s thoughts began making a list of all the things that would need to be done in the next month. The ponies will likely want an official coronation, I’ll probably have to rearrange the government I’m tired of the nobles running thi- her thoughts were interrupted by a yawn escaping her throat.
“I think next I need some sleep.”
“Darling before you do I suggest you get bandaged up, you’re still terribly scuffed up and you're still limping.” Rarity pointed out. Looking down over myself it was clear she was correct. Looking up to her friends who all looked back with concerned and worried looks. I nodded in agreement. Celestia’s voice entered her mind, but it was much weaker than she remembered.
We will talk with you again once you fall asleep, there is something important we must discuss. You can use my bed chambers I do not think your bed in the tower will be comfortable with your new form.
Okay I’ll see you then.
Turning to one of the maids in the hall Twilight spoke. “Please set up rooms for my friends while I get my wounds taken care of.”
“Of course your majesty.” The maid said. Twilight hid a cring. I don’t think I can really request to not be called that anymore, not with them revering me so much. Pushing that thought aside, the alicorn turned to her friends.
“I’ll see you girls tomorrow okay?” She inquired. They all gave various responses to their understanding.
“If you would all kindly follow me.” The maid said before she led the five ponies away to find rooms. After watching them walk away and turn a corner Twilight carried on her way to the royal infirmary to have her injuries taken care of. It didn’t take long before she stepped into a white room, and her nostrils were greeted with the smell of sterilization.
“Your Highness!” A voice exclaimed from the other side of the room, followed by the sound of hooves rapidly clicking on the white floors of the room. Looking up Twilight saw a cherry red mare wearing a nurse’s cap. “You’re injured come with me I’ll get the doctor to look at you.” The mare worriedly began leading her queen to one of the examination rooms. Twilight didn’t bother to resist. Once inside one of the room, the alicorn sat down on the examination table. Almost immediately upon sitting down, a stallion walked in wearing a lab coat.
“Greetings your majesty!” The chestnut brown earth pony stallion said cheerfully. “What can I do for you today.” Twilight blinked at the strange stallion a few moments before speaking.
“I need a few bandages as you can probably already tell, and my left leg may need to be looked at.” She explained. The stallion nodded before walking over to a cabinet and opening it up and pulling out some cause and ointment. As the stallion got to work Twilight found herself back in her thoughts despite her exhaustion.
What did they want to talk to me about? Did they come up with a way to get back there physical forms? Is there a new threat they fear may be coming? Maybe they want to share their millennia of experiences with me! … what if they are leaving me…
Before she could begin worrying more, the doctor spoke, “All done!” he announced. Twilight blinked at that.
“Already?” She question.
“Yep!” He exclaimed cheerfully. “Your hoof has a minor sprain so try to stay off it, and it appears your healing factor has been slowed by large amounts of Tirek’s magic interfering with your alicorn healing abilities. You should be fine in a day or two, and I bandaged up your cuts and burns.” He finished with another cheery smile.
“Thank you, doctor…”
“Just the Doctor is fine, though I always liked the name, John Smith.”
“Um… thank you… Doctor..” She gave him a quizzical look which he returned with the same cheery smile. I’m too tired to think about it. Getting up from the examination table Twilight made her way out of the infirmary and to the royal quarters. It didn’t take long to reach Celestia’s room. Once she closed the door behind herself she practically flopped onto the bed and fell asleep instantly.
The world was blurry… soft blues and yellows began to form… soon small lights begin to fill her vision. Finally, the world around her came fully into focus to reveal the dreamscape. Three figures also came into focus as they grew closer. Soon Twilight knew who they were and couldn’t resist the urge to run up to them, so she did.
“I’m so proud of you Twilight!” Celestia exclaimed as she and the other alicorns pulled the youngest among them to a hug. “You will do wonderful things in the future.” She said with sadness in her voice. Twilight noticed the somber tone and pulled away a little too see the faces of her fellow demigoddesses.
“You say that like you won’t be there…” Twilight stated. In response the other two alicorns gave their own sad looks. No… no… no, no, NO! “NO!” She screamed. “Don’t say it! You can't! You said I wouldn’t be alone! You said you would always stay with me!” Tears began to pour down her cheeks like a broken damn. “You can't leave me! I can’t lose you! Your like family to me! NO! You are family!” She screamed. Her breathing became ragged and her crying became sobs and her breathing became ragged. “You… can't… Celestia...your... like a mother to me… you are a mother to me! Luna your an aunt to me and Cadance your my sister!” She wailed, her grief causing the dreamscape to grow dark. “P-please,,, don’t leave me…” She was now laying down, not having the will to right herself. Hoof touched her shoulder drawing her attention up to the tear stricken face of her mother.
“Twilight…” Celestia began. “I’m sorry… if I could stay I would without hesitation… but I can't… Our souls are not long for this world. We can't stay, we are not among the living anymore.” Celestia pulled her daughter into a hug. Twilight returned it, not wanting to let go.
“You are the greatest friend I have ever had, Twilight Sparkle,” Luna spoke as she sat next to her sister. “You freed me from my madness and welcomed me when no one else would. You showed me true friendship and for that, I will always be grateful. I am honored that you think of me as your family. I too think of you as a niece, much like how I think of Cadance as one.” Luna said with a sad, but reassuring smile.
“Twily…” Cadance spoke up. “If it weren't for you I wouldn’t have meet shining armor, or would ever have gotten my kingdom. You have faced and come out on top of every challenge that has ever been put in front of you. You have done more for pony kind than any of us have ever done. Sometimes I don’t feel like I deserve to be called your sister, you are more a princess than I have ever been. I am forever grateful that you would do so much for me. I love you Twilight, forever and always. Your the greatest sister anyone could ever have.” She finished while pulling her sister into a deep hug as tears also streaked her cheeks.
Tear that had begun to dry were replaced by new fresh ones as she returned the hug. “Thank you…” she said weekly.
“Twilight... No, my daughter.” Celestia began.” Before you, I wallowed in my grief every night. When you became my student it filled a void in my heart left by my sister’s banishment, it hurt me to know that I was practically training you to be a weapon against my sister. You touched me and gave me purpose again. I am honored to have a pony as great and wonderful as you to think of me as a mother. You were like the daughter I never had, for that, I will always be grateful...” She wiped away her daughter's tears. “... and even though we may not be with you physically or spiritually, we will always be with you in here.” She placed her hoof on Twilight’s chest. Her hoof then began to grow transparent. Looking up Twilight could see the others were the same, slowly fading away.
Stay strong my friend.
We will always love you.
You will make us proud like you always have, my faithful student
Then, they were no more.
Her eyes shot open and she quickly sat up in the bed. Celestia’s bed. Celestia is gone. Tears once more welled up in the eyes, she tried to hold them back, but it was no use as a wail of grief ripped its way from her throat. She cried. Her cry turned into a sob, and her sob turned into a wail of despair. Gone, their gone. I’ll never see or hear them again. She thrashed and screamed as her sadness and grief turned to rage, then her rage turned back to sadness and grief. Back and forth her emotions flew. Her chest hurt, her eyes stung, mucus ran from her nose, she felt like she was going to vomit, and she did. Her throat stung, but she cried no more. She had no more tears to give. All emotion became muddled and stagnant for her heart, was Shattered.