Rainbow smiled warmly.
Twilight sat in a separate chair beside her, and there was enough distance between them that their coats didn't touch for the first time in months when they had sat down to eat. Even though not feeling Twilight against her side nor feeling her warm body protected under her wing felt unfamiliar and left her longing for Twilight's presence, Rainbow could smile about it. Even just days ago, she wouldn't have sat so far away from her, and Twilight was smiling as she held her niece against her left side with her wing.
Talking a week ago had really made a difference.
Sure, the warmth of her smile flickered whenever Celestia used her magic to levitate a precisely cut piece of fish to her mouth for her to eat, but her smile would recover and she would snicker softly because Flurry would try to steal the fork away for herself. Fortunately for Twilight, this time Celestia managed to keep it away from Flurry.
Rainbow shifted her weight a little in her seat as she watched Twilight greedily eat the meat given to her. If Celestia hadn't been feeding her, Rainbow was certain Twilight would have been scarfing it down like a wolf: ravenously. She took a deep breath, then exhaled calmly. It still bothered her that Twilight had to eat meat, but it didn't bother her as much as it used to. What she found more disturbing was that Flurry Heart seemed really interested in getting more for herself.
She licked her lips and smiled as the taste of the broccoli and pasta reminded her of her own meal. She glanced down at her empty plate, then stretched her wings out and arched her back slightly. She let out a content sigh, then looked over at Cadance. The mother was watching Twilight and Flurry, giggling mirthfully each time Celestia lost her grip on the fork and Flurry sent the fork towards her own mouth rather than Twilight's. Even Luna held an almost mischievous or playful smirk as she watched her sister being bested by an alicorn filly. Even she had to admit it was funny watching Princess Celestia, the mare who moved the sun, lose control of a fork to a foal that couldn't even speak yet. Celestia, for her part, didn't mind all that much but continued to do her best to help Twilight.
"So uh... Flurry likes meat too?" Rainbow asked, drawing Cadance's attention away from her daughter and sister-in-law. "Well... uh... needs it?" Rainbow corrected, fluttering her wings.
Cadance gave a simple nod. "Yes. She has ever since I stopped nursing her, although she doesn't need all that much. She does adore eating it, though," she answered in a calm, thoughtful voice.
Twilight gave an indignant huff and squinted at Cadance. "You don't say," she muttered as Flurry stole the fork away from her right before she took a bite yet again. She went to scowl at Flurry, but the adorable, happy and loving expression Flurry of far too much, and her scowl faded before it could even form. She couldn't help but give the sweet thing a nuzzle and coo in delight. Flurry all too happily returned her aunt's loving nuzzle.
Celestia chuckled softly. "Perhaps you should give Flurry back to Cadance, then? That way you can eat."
Twilight closed her mouth and nibbled on her lips. She glanced around a bit apprehensively, then slowly leaned her head down and tilted it to her left so she could look at her niece. The young filly looked up at her so sweetly and innocently as she opened her mouth and stole another bite of Twilight's salmon. She vigorously chewed it and then swallowed it and beamed up at her aunt. Twilight smiled, then leaned down and nuzzled her again, rubbing her chin back and forth across Flurry's mane. "I just don't want to let her go..." Twilight sighed. After a few more seconds, she lifted her head up. She squeezed Flurry gently with her wing, then slowly turned her head to face Cadance. Her eyes lingered on Flurry until her head was pointed at Cadance.
Cadance lifted Flurry up with her magic, then levitated her over the table and reached out with an arm to take Flurry, then pulled her into a hug before cradling her against her chest. The filly giggled sweetly, then wrapped her forelegs around her mom and hugged her before nuzzling into her chest.
Out of the corner of her eye, Rainbow saw Twilight's ears twitch back and stay there. The change was almost unnoticeable, but it lingered. Twilight's head gradually drifted away from Cadance and Flurry and looked down at her plate. Her eyes glanced over at Celestia, and she used her magic to cut another bite for Twilight. Celestia lifted the fork up to Twilight's mouth, and Twilight lurched forward to catch the chunk of meat, then pulled back and started eagerly chewing the succulent salmon. She licked her lips after she finished and swallowed.
"It seems like it will be another beautiful night tonight," Luna commented idly. A pleased smile crossed her lips. "I must say, I am looking forward to tonight."
Cadance nodded with a smile of her own. "With the Crystal Faire starting tonight, I'd hope it would be a beautiful night," she replied.
Luna nodded. "But I suppose most of the thanks goes to the pegasi and the Crystal Ponies for that, rather than myself."
"Mostly the Crystal Ponies," Twilight answered. "The Crystal Heart is responsible for keeping the frigid elements away from the Crystal City and making it as nice as it is, and with all of the hope, love, and joy they feel, it empowers the Crystal Heart even more, so that is not only further ensuring good weather, but it should also help everypony in Equestria," she lectured.
Luna ignored the accidental insult.
Rainbow tilted her head and looked at Twilight to study her features. Celestia lifted another bite up to her mouth, and Twilight opened her mouth. "I wonder if that will help you any," she mused.
Twilight blinked and closed her mouth, then turned to face Rainbow. For a few seconds, her expression was absent, then her brow creased in thought. Her eyes drifted down from Rainbow and rolled across the surface of the table and drifted across Rainbow's side. "I suppose it could," she relented. "I... suppose I do feel a little better, but... I thought that was probably because of-" her eyes jumped up to meet Rainbow's eyes, "-talking."
For a moment, Rainbow's expression went blank as she thought back to what she had said and what she remembered of her nightmares following that. She swallowed, then smiled again. "See! I knew talking would help make you feel better!"
Twilight smiled, then leaned over to her. She slowly nosed her muzzle up against Rainbow's neck, then nuzzled her and cooed softly. Rainbow smiled and laid her head on Twilight's muzzle to return her nuzzle with a tender one of her own. Their shared nuzzle sent little tingles of pleasure through them as their coats intertwined. Eventually, they parted and looked back at their company. Twilight blushed but Rainbow just smiled a bold, almost smug smile.
"You two are cute together," Cadance complimented.
"T-thanks," Twilight replied in a small, soft voice.
"You two should join us for a walk tonight," Cadance offered with a sincere, hopeful smile. "The first and last nights of the Crystal Faire are always the best nights of the whole fair. You can just see how happy everypony is, especially the foals. They absolutely adore the festival! What do you think?"
Twilight glanced at Rainbow. "Up to you," Rainbow said nonchalantly. "I don't mind."
Twilight nodded slowly, then looked back at Cadance. "Alright... I think a walk would be nice tonight," she answered. A slight smile pulled at her lips, then her brow furrowed and her lips pulled down into a quick frown. "Provided I don't pass out," she stated flatly.
Rainbow snorted and rolled her eyes. "Yeah, don't worry, Twi. I'll carry you if you fall asleep. But come on, you'd be insulting us if you did! How could you possibly fall asleep when you're walking around somepony as awesome as me!?"
Twilight's smile returned in full force as she rolled her eyes.
Luna smiled slyly. "I concur with Rainbow, Twilight. She doesn't exactly have the most calming presence," she noted.
Rainbow looked at Luna. "I can't tell if that's a compliment or an insult."
Luna scoffed and batted a hoof in the air towards her. "'Tis but an observation, Rainbow. Although such an observation is outdated now that Twilight has rubbed off on you so much."
Rainbow frowned. "What's that supposed to mean, Luna?" she asked.
Luna tilted her head. "You're not as..." she trailed off, searching for the right thing to say. "Back when I first encountered you as Nightmare Moon, you were quite brash compared to what you are now. Perhaps I would go so far as to say arrogant-"
"Hey, I'm not arrogant!" Rainbow defended, her lips pulled down. "I can back up what I say!"
"She does have a point there, Luna," Celestia said with an amused smile.
Luna practically rolled her head around to face Celestia, and for several seconds, she looked at her with an indifferent, flat look. Once she was sure she got her message across, she turned back to face Rainbow. "What I mean is what happened to Twilight, or perhaps how much time you have spent with her, seems to have calmed you down some."
"That's confusing," Rainbow replied.
"I think what Aunt Luna is trying to say," Cadance started with an all-too-pleasant smile directed entirely at Rainbow. Rainbow looked over at her and squinted. "Is that you love Twilight so much that you've become a different pony compared to what you were back then. I may not know you all that well, but last year I doubt you would have nuzzled Twilight- or anypony- like that," she said in a sweet, delicate voice.
Shining Armor seemed conflicted about how to feel regarding his wife's observations.
Rainbow thought about it for a few seconds, bobbing her head, then nodding. "Yeah... I guess. I mean, other than Twilight, I'm really not okay with that. But it's awesome to be able to do that with Twilight. A year ago I wouldn't have been okay with any of this," she answered.
"A year ago you would have been too busy flying around to slow down and enjoy this," Luna commented.
Rainbow shifted her weight uncomfortably. Luna was right about that. Even just a few months ago, before Twilight lost her horn, she wouldn't have enjoyed this like she did now. She wouldn't have taken the time to enjoy it- or even try it. And she hadn't. After all, when Twilight first made her offer, she had declined. The idea had been off-putting.
She was glad she rethought that answer.
Twilight scooted to her right on her chair, then leaned over on Rainbow's side, smiling contently. Her mouth opened wide as she yawned. Rainbow grinned at Twilight and pulled her wing out from between them. She slowly slid a feather along Twilight's backbone, drawing a shiver from Twilight, then enveloped Twilight's body and held her close. When the yawn finally left, Twilight slowly nuzzled Rainbow in long, gentle strokes- almost instinctively- as her eyelids fluttered shut. Twilight's body relaxed and both her breathing and pulse slowed down.
Rainbow smiled at Twilight, but it was strained, and the strain grew more visible with each passing second. Eventually, she looked away from Twilight to face Luna.
Luna nodded in affirmation. "I assure you, she is sleeping peacefully, and it will remain that way. You have my word, Rainbow."
"Thanks..." Rainbow said softly.
The cool evening air was broken by loud jubilant giggles of foals, pops from fireworks exploding overhead and momentarily outshining the stars, and a cacophony of assorted shouts and musics playing as the Crystal Faire's first night played out. Foals ran along the road as fast as they could, laughing without a care in the world as their friends chased them around. Adults calmly strolled along the streets, smiling happily and watching the sky as the bright, colorful fireworks burst to life, sparkling and then disappearing.
Twilight tilted her head thoughtfully as she looked out at the scene taking place across the streets of the Crystal Empire. Rainbow sat on her haunches beside her, her wing sheltering Twilight and holding her close. From their balcony in the Crystal Palace, they had a perfect view of all of the excitement. Parks were filled with assorted carnival rides the likes of which the Crystal Ponies were just getting acquainted with, along with colorful tents housing an innumerable quantity of wonderful treats and toys.
Rainbow glanced at Twilight and watched her for a few seconds. Twilight's eyes reflected the light of a few fireworks, and the light gave them a little twinkle that warmed Rainbow's heart. Rainbow waited a few more seconds as the twinkle dimmed, then left her eyes, before turning her head to face Twilight and speaking. "Uh... Twilight?" she asked.
Twilight turned to face her, bringing their muzzles to within an inch from each other. In an instant, Twilight's eyes shot down to Rainbow's muzzle and she shifted her weight a bit.
Rainbow smiled, then leaned in and gave Twilight a quick kiss on the lips. Twilight blushed and shied back bashfully, quickly turning her head away from Rainbow. Rainbow's smile grew into a grin. "Hey," she started.
After a few seconds, Twilight's eyes turned back to face her, then she slowly turned her head back. This time, Twilight leaned forward and gave Rainbow a quick peck on the lips. "Yes, Rainbow?" she asked softly.
Rainbow leaned over to Twilight, rubbing her muzzle along Twilight's muzzle. She leaned down, then lifted her muzzle back up, brushing her coat against Twilight's cheek. She slid her muzzle back and gave Twilight a quick kiss under her eye. For a few seconds, they just smiled at each other. Rainbow's smile eventually faded. "Are you sure you want to get out in that?" she asked seriously.
Twilight's smile lingered for a few seconds, but the edges of her lips gradually dropped until a neutral, expressionless line rested on her lips. Twilight turned away from Rainbow and looked out across the Crystal Empire again. Rainbow continued to watch Twilight as her eyes jumped around. "Yeah..." she finally said.
"You don't sound convinced..." Rainbow spoke, her voice raspy with worry.
Twilight nodded her head and took a deep breath. "Well..." she trailed off and sighed. She hung her head and then laid her head on the railing. Her eyes gazed down towards the base of the massive crystal spire. "I want to. I want to at least go for a walk with my brother and Cadance," she said.
"But you don't want to do anything else?" Rainbow surmised.
Twilight pursed her lips. "I'm... not sure. I would like to do something, maybe... I'm just not sure what, nor how I'll feel..." she trailed off.
"We don't have to do anything other than just... take a walk if you want, Twi," Rainbow said seriously.
Twilight lifted her head up and looked at Rainbow with a halfhearted, disappointed smile. "I know, but..." she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "This would be good for us. I... could use something like this, and I know that you'd love to do something like this with me." She opened her eyes.
Rainbow looked at her seriously and unsurely. "I would but... I don't want to do anything you're not comfortable with."
"Okay..." Twilight said quietly. She looked back out across the Crystal Empire. "We'll... just see how it goes, then?" she asked.
Rainbow snorted and smiled. "You're not actually planning it?" she asked.
Twilight stayed silent. Her eyes once more jumped down to look at the street. Rainbow's smile withered. "I want to do something nice for you..." she whispered.
Rainbow turned her body to face Twilight. "Hey... Twi, it's okay. Really. I know that it's bothering you that..." she trailed off and exhaled sharply. "Twilight?"
The alicorn reluctantly looked back at her. "Yes, Rainbow?"
"I know that... it bothers you that I'm not in the Wonderbolts right now." Once again, Twilight immediately looked away from her. "Or doing something like that," Rainbow stated. "But it's okay. Really. I know that you think you're just in my way... And that because you're... hurting, you're making things hard on me and you're preventing me from doing things I want to do, but..." she trailed off and smiled, snorting softly. "Twilight, come on. I love you. I'd give up my wings for you," she said.
Twilight looked back at her but stayed silent.
Rainbow briefly wondered if that had been a poor choice of words. She winced internally, but needed to continue, "You know that we came and rescued you from Chrysalis," she stated. She frowned; as soon as she spoke the name, Twilight's entire body tensed up beneath her wing. She lifted a forehoof and gently rested it on Twilight's shoulder. She slowly tilted her forehoof, then brushed it up Twilight's neck. Twilight's eyes drifted closed and her muscles slowly relaxed. "We did that for you, Twilight." Rainbow smiled brashly and put her hoof back down. "I did that for you. You're not worthless. You mean the world to me, Twilight. You mean so much more than that, and... you don't realize that do you?" she asked quietly.
Twilight opened her eyes, let her muzzle hang towards the balcony, and looked at Rainbow's chest.
"Did Celestia and Luna ever tell you how worried they were?" Rainbow asked. "I don't know how Celestia would have handled it if..." she trailed off and licked her lips. "And Luna?" she asked. "Twilight, you're so much more valuable than you know. So please, stop thinking you're not. You mean so much to all of us..." she trailed off. "You matter. You're a princess! You matter to Equestria. But forget that for a minute. You matter to every one of our friends- to everypony who knows you. You matter to me. So... please... don't think that you're worthless or that you're not valuable, because you are."
Twilight nudged her head up and down in a small, timid nod.
Rainbow tried to reassure Twilight with her smile. "I mean, I faced down Queen Chrysalis by myself to keep her away from you," she said with a soft laugh.
Twilight closed her eyes. "I w-would have died to protect you, Rainbow..." she whispered.
Rainbow's smile faltered. For a few seconds, she stared at Twilight. Hearing her say that nearly brought her to tears. She was strong, and it took all of that strength to keep herself together. She extended her right wing, then coaxed Twilight into facing her. She pulled Twilight close with her wings and held her there. She reached up and wrapped her forelegs around Twilight's withers and placed a forehoof on the back of her head to coax her down onto her neck. "Yeah... I... know..." she replied at length, not sure what to say. "But... it's okay now, Twilight," she whispered. "You believe that don't you?" she asked softly.
Twilight nodded from where her head laid. "Y-yes, but... it-it's hard..." she cried.
Rainbow quickly nuzzled into Twilight's mane. "But it's okay... I'm here for you, Twilight, and I'm not going anywhere," she promised.
Her resolute voice made Twilight's lips twitch up into a smile. "Th-thank you, Rainbow..." Twilight whispered.
Rainbow squeezed Twilight, then held her there for several minutes until Twilight lifted her head up. For the first time in a very long time, Rainbow found herself looking up ever so slightly; Twilight actually sat up as tall as she could, and her head was just barely higher than her own. Rainbow grinned.
Twilight took a deep breath, then slowly turned in Rainbow's grip to look out across the Crystal Empire again. "I... I'm sorry that I get in your way of... what you want to do."
Rainbow slumped down and hugged, groaning in exasperation. "Twilight, I swear to Celestia, we just talked about that. Stop... please..." she groaned in desperation.
Twilight slowly nodded, then tilted her head. "I just... I feel like you could be doing so much more if you weren't with me. You're probably the fastest pegasus alive and-"
Rainbow lifted her head up, her prior annoyance replaced with a sharp squint directed at Twilight. "Probably the fastest pegasus alive?" she scoffed.
It had the desired effect. Twilight snorted and smiled. "Sorry... you're the fastest pegasus alive," she corrected.
"Thank you," Rainbow replied.
For a few seconds, silence passed between them. More cheerful giggles of foals and the cracks of fireworks filled the silence. "I just... Rainbow, you could accomplish so much if you weren't with me," Twilight stated. She turned her head to face Rainbow. "You know that, don't you?" she implored.
Rainbow looked at her seriously. "Twi... I'd be giving you up for that. Do you really think I, Rainbow Dash, the bearer Element of Loyalty, would willingly give up my best friend, my favorite pony in the whole world, my princess, my love, for fame from being a good flyer?" she asked.
Twilight frowned a bit. "When... did you get so..." she trailed off. Rainbow blinked and thought back on what she said.
A faint blush crossed Rainbow's cheeks. "D-don't tell anypony I said that," she said hastily.
Twilight smiled and giggled. She leaned over and rubbed her head against Rainbow's. "I would never," she promised. She pulled back and looked over Rainbow's stunning visage. An almost longing look filled Twilight's features. "But... why? You could have so much more, but... you don't because you spend your time with me..." she said softly.
Rainbow nodded. "Because you're worth it. Twi, you won't always be... hurting. I know you won't," she stated firmly. "But I still want to be there for you when you are hurting, so I can make you feel better, and when you aren't hurting, so we can be together."
Twilight slowly tilted her head and her lips twitched up in the corners. A soft, vulnerable smile grew on her lips. The light from fireworks twinkled in her eyes. "Thank you, Rainbow..." she whispered.
Rainbow just smiled. For a few seconds, they looked at each other, then Twilight went back to watching the sky. In the distance, she could make out faint smoke trails from four fireworks. The first one exploded into a brilliant visage of Celestia's solar cutie mark, completely with the rays and warm golden glow. The second one exploded into a silvery crescent moon that glistened as it fluttered back towards the ground.
A beautiful six-pointed magenta starburst erupted from the fourth, followed by a secondary detonation which sent six silvery points out from in between the magenta arms, and then a series of five silvery-white starbursts surrounding her cutie mark. The sparkles twinkled and gradually faded.
"Heh, they certainly have good tastes," Rainbow commented. Twilight giggled.
And last, a firework of Cadance's cutie mark erupted in the sky high above the rest, as if to signal her place at the head of the Crystal Empire. The firework's display looked so much more intricate and detailed than the last three, but even so, it flickered and eventually faded. Twilight continued to stare up at the sky. "...I hope Cadance saw that," she whispered.
Rainbow nodded. "Yeah... somepony put a lot of work into those," she said. "But I think my favorite was the one of your cutie mark."
Twilight snorted a little, then her mouth widened in a yawn. Her eyelids drooped and her body wobbled slightly. A soft groan escaped her lips.
Rainbow frowned and pulled Twilight back against her. "Twi, you doing okay?"
Twilight closed her eyes and nodded. "Yeah, I'm just... you know." After a few seconds, she wearily opened her eyes.
"Well... we can just stay here since you're tired if you want," Rainbow replied.
Twilight shook her head. "No... I want to go out," she replied.
"Okay," Rainbow replied. "Uh... you want to head out now or wait a little while longer?"
"Well, everypony is probably already out," Twilight noted. "So I suppose we should probably join them before everypony packs up for the night."
Rainbow snickered softly. "Yeah, after all, they have to be up all day tomorrow and then stay up late tomorrow night."
Twilight lazily bobbed her head to the side. "It is a big celebration," she noted casually. "A full week, and on the last day..." she trailed off and sighed.
"I still wonder if the Crystal Heart will help you any, Twi," Rainbow mused.
Twilight was silent for a moment. "I don't know. Theoretically, yes, it should. It radiates hope and joy, and I suppose I am feeling a little better..." she trailed off, grimacing. "Although I don't know if I think this will last," she muttered under her breath. "But there's no reason to think it would have any effect other than normal," she noted. She turned back to Rainbow and nibbled on her lip. "Rainbow? Thank you for... helping me, and staying with me, and... choosing to be with me," she said in a soft voice.
Rainbow smiled at Twilight. "If anything, I should be thanking you. I had no idea what I was missing out on," she stated. "Until, you know..." she trailed off.
Twilight mulled it over and went back to watching the sky. For a few seconds, she was silent, then she hesitantly looked over at Rainbow. "What would you... think of being a princess?" she asked at length.
Rainbow frowned for a moment. "What do you mean?"
"Just..." Twilight trailed off, then laid her head down on the crystal railing. "I... talked to Celestia... I wanted to thank you for all you've done for me somehow, and... I just had the idea of seeing if I could convince her to coronate you," she explained. She sighed tiredly.
"You... wanted to have me coronated as a princess?" Rainbow asked, squinting at Twilight a bit. "I uh..." she trailed off.
Twilight inhaled and looked around a few of the nearby buildings below. "But, I guess it is a bad idea." She grimaced and slowly bobbed her head side to side, "You... wouldn't want that, would you?" she asked hesitantly. "Since you... didn't do anything to earn it..." she muttered.
Rainbow lamely scratched her mane with a hoof. "Well uh... yeah..." she answered. "I mean... I'm not-" she squinted "-that opposed to being a princess... but uh..." she trailed off, fluffing her wing at her side and rubbing her wing against Twilight's body.
Twilight nodded very slowly. "If... we got married, you know that would make you a princess, right?" she asked without looking back at her.
Rainbow nodded. "Yeah, I know that," she answered. "I haven't really thought about... that."
"I wasn't asking or anything, I just... wanted to know if you realized that," Twilight replied.
"R-right," Rainbow stuttered. She shifted her weight awkwardly. "I'd... be okay with that, I guess. I mean I'm not really into the whole fru-fru thing like Rarity is..."
Twilight snorted and her lips lifted up into a smile. "Yeah," she said. Her smile faded. "So... I guess you wouldn't be okay with me having Celestia just coronate you as a princess, then?" A second passed before Twilight lifted her head and turned back to face Rainbow.
"I'd rather you not," Rainbow said quietly. "I know you want to thank me, but really, you don't have to. If I wanted something, Twi, I'd ask. And all I want is to be with you, for you to be happy, and you to love me back."
Twilight's soft, vulnerable smile returned as she looked at Rainbow fondly. Through the combination of Twilight's misty eyes and the moonlight, her eyes glistened and almost sparkled.
Rainbow leaned over and pulled Twilight into a hug. She lifted her forehoof up and gently coaxed Twilight's head down onto her shoulder. Twilight closed her eyes and nuzzled into Rainbow once her muzzle rested on Rainbow's warm shoulder. Rainbow smiled and nuzzled Twilight, then slowly ran her forehoof down through Twilight's mane. "I mean it, Twi."
"I know..." Twilight replied meekly. A few seconds passed before Twilight lifted her head up. Rainbow's forehoof gently pressed against the back of her head and kept her from lifting it. Twilight relented and leaned her had on Rainbow's neck, letting Rainbow simply hug and hold her there.
"You know I'd give up anything to be with you, right?" Rainbow asked softly. "I mean that. You mean more to me than a trophy or being a Wonderbolt," she stated. Her firm, yet gentle voice comforted Twilight, and the alicorn slowly rubbed her chin back and forth against Rainbow's shoulder. "If you need anything... just ask, okay?"
"You really sacrifice too much for me, Rainbow," Twilight whispered.
Rainbow frowned. For a moment, her hoof ceased running through Twilight's mane. "That's because I want to see you happy," she replied. She slowly traced her hoof down Twilight's neck, then lifted it back up and resumed slowly stroking Twilight's mane.
"I want to see you happy, too, and... I just... I feel like I'm the reason you're not happy. I'm... you know... and... I know it hurts you, but..." Twilight trailed off as Rainbow squeezed her.
"Hey, I am happy," Rainbow said. Despite her attempted reassurance, both of them knew it wasn't really true. It wasn't a lie, and they both knew it, but both of them could remember how different things had been before Twilight had been hurt.
"You're hurting because I'm hurting," Twilight surmised quietly. She nudged Rainbow's neck a bit and looked over at her.
Rainbow reluctantly nodded. "Yeah..." she relented. "I am... I still wouldn't trade being with you to feel better. If anything, that would hurt more," she stated.
"I still want to make it up to you..." Twilight sighed, turning her gaze back out across the Crystal City.
For a few seconds, Rainbow stayed silent, then she swallowed and licked her lips. "Okay... maybe. You don't have to, but... if you really want to, I'll... try to think of something." She leaned over, sliding her forehoof down to Twilight's withers, and nuzzled Twilight's mane. A faint smile pulled on Twilight's lips. After a few seconds, she lifted her head back up. "Well... you ready to head down there? I'm sure Cadance and your brother are waiting on us by now."
Twilight's smile twisted into a grimace as she lifted her head up off of Rainbow's shoulder. "Yeah," she half-groaned. She slowly withdrew from Rainbow's embrace, but her eyes lingered on her pegasus.
Rainbow gave Twilight a reassuring smile and turned around so her back was to Twilight. "Hop on. I'll fly us down to save us some time."
Twilight slid forward and looked over Rainbow's back to figure out how to get on. She pressed her belly up against Rainbow's back and wrapped her forelegs around Rainbow's neck, then pushed herself up a bit and wrapped her hind legs around Rainbow's stomach, gripping her firmly, but not enough to injur her.
Rainbow leaned forward to stand up and grunted. She rested for a moment, then took a deep breath and stood up. She looked back at Twilight and smiled, then gave her wings a testing flap. "Hey, you ready?" she asked. Twilight nodded silently.
Rainbow turned her head back around and looked down at the Crystal City. She beat her wings against the air and slowly lifted off of the balcony. She carefully ascended over the railing, then started gliding down towards the ground. She was cautious as she glided- after all, her cargo was precious. She carefully paid attention to how the cold air wrapped around her body and slid between her feathers. In the back of her mind, she knew that the slightest mistake could spiral out of control if she was reckless. And with Twilight on her back, missing a wing, she knew she couldn't take any risks. Even though she would catch Twilight if something happened, she couldn't let Twilight endure that feeling of helplessness and panic.
Eventually, she neared the ground, and her hooves clicked as they met the crystal road below. She took a few steps forward as she landed to help bleed her speed, then she stopped. After a cursory glance around, she gave Cadance and Shining Armor a smile; the two were sitting on their haunches near the Crystal Heart, simply watching the stars and the occasional firework. Both of them looked back to acknowledge her. Rainbow looked back at Twilight and sat down on her haunches.
Twilight shifted on Rainbow's back, then unwrapped her hind legs to touch the ground before letting go of Rainbow's neck. She took a few steps back, then walked around to Rainbow's left side. Rainbow stood up and immediately wrapped her wing around Twilight. Rainbow leaned over and gave Twilight a quick, affectionate nuzzle, trying to bring a smile to the mare's lips. She succeeded, and that made her smile.
Rainbow took the lead and started walking over to Cadance and Shining Armor. Twilight walked right beside her, leaning against her slightly despite the pack helping to stabilize her. With every step, Rainbow could feel Twilight's body lurch as she limped. It wasn't long before her smile was strained.
"Enjoying your evening?" Cadance asked. Her happy tone was a stark contrast with what Rainbow felt, but she appreciated the change, hoping it would lighten their moods.
"Yeah," Rainbow answered casually.
Twilight nodded almost timidly. "Yes... We were talking and enjoying the fireworks..." she trailed off and looked away from Cadance. "I'm sorry we took so long..." she said as her ears pinned back.
Cadance's smile fell immediately, but her gentle, reassuring smile refused to leave completely. She walked over to Twilight and used a wing to coax her muzzle back up. "It's okay, Twilight. Really. The fireworks were very nice, and if we had been walking, we might not have seen them. Although I must say, I'm a little jealous of you and Rainbow. You two had a better view than us," she said mirthfully.
It seemed to help, since Twilight's ears slowly lifted back up. She took a deep breath, then nodded. "Yeah... they did a really good job with our cutie marks."
A soft, musical giggle escaped Cadance's lips. "I think Shiny is a bit jealous and suspicious of whoever made the firework of my cutie mark."
Shining gave an indignant huff at that. "I don't trust anypony who can make something that looks exactly like your cutie mark."
The corners of Twilight's lips lifted up. "And trust me,-" Cadance's lips pulled into a devious smirk, "-he spends a lot of time looking at it..." she said sweetly.
Shining shifted his weight uncomfortably and blushed.
Ignoring that as best she could, Twilight looked over both Cadance and her brother, then she looked back at Cadance. "Sooo... where's Flurry?" she asked.
"She's with Sunburst and Starlight," Cadance answered. "We're supposed to take her back after we finish our walk, and then we'll enjoy some of rides and games with her."
"Oh... okay," Twilight replied.
"Miss her?" Shining asked.
Twilight smiled warily. "A little," she admitted with a grimace.
"I thought it might be best for them to take her," Cadance replied in an unassuming voice. She turned around and walked back towards Shining. "That way we could talk."
Twilight shifted her weight a bit, then took the lead and walked forward. Rainbow stayed there right beside her to help, shelter, and shield her as they walked.
Cadance lifted her right wing, then draped it over Shining's back.
"I never realized your wings were so big," Rainbow commented casually.
Cadance looked back at her and lifted her wing up, then extended the other, showing off her majestic pink wings. She smiled gently. Rainbow nodded to herself as she looked over Cadance's wingspan. It wasn't that much bigger than Twilight's, but it was still definitely bigger than Twilight's. Although Celestia and Luna's wings still put hers to shame. After Rainbow finished, Cadance tucked her left wing back against her side and laid her right wing over Shining's back like a blanket.
"So uh, do you think Twilight will get bigger or something?" Rainbow asked.
Cadance hummed softly, then gave a nod. She looked at Twilight and looked her over. "I would be surprised if she didn't outgrow me, to be honest," she said thoughtfully. "I'm fairly certain that Twilight is..." she trailed off, her smile fading completely. After a moment, she recovered and shook her head. "I'm convinced Twilight will end up outgrowing Luna," she said, her smile returning. "And I can't wait to see that day. Can you imagine the look on Luna's face?" She giggled a little at the thought.
"Uh... no?" Rainbow asked.
"Yeah, I have to agree with Rainbow. I don't think Luna would mind," Twilight said casually.
Cadance frowned poutingly as the pair ruined her fun, but her cheerful, innocent smile returned soon enough. "I guess you're probably right," she relented.
"Well, we're supposed to be taking a walk, aren't we?" Shining asked.
"Oh yes, of course," Cadance said as she started down the street. "I guess I got a little caught up in the moment," she said sweetly.
Shining took off after her while Twilight and Rainbow sped up to catch up and then walk beside them. The chorus of foalish laughter was more prominent now that they were actually amidst the streets. Foals- pegasi, earth ponies, unicorns, and crystal ponies- all darted about, giggling joyously, although when they saw Cadance and Twilight, they'd suddenly stop and look at them with a sense of wonder, awe, and amazement. A few foals even dropped recently earned toys onto the street or ran into their friends who had stopped to gawk at them.
And then when Cadance smiled at them, the foals all lit up in excitement. Some of them squeaked, some of them jumped up and down as if they had just finished eating all of the cotton candy from a concession stand, and others blushed at the attention. Both Cadance and Shining could smile genuinely at the foals reactions. Rainbow found it a little amusing, and even she'd admit she smiled from their reactions.
And the foals on the left of the group, rather than looking at Cadance in awe, had their gazes directed at the lavender alicorn sheltered under Rainbow's sky-blue wing. Their gazes were just as awe-struck as those who looked at Cadance, maybe even more so. They looked up at her like they couldn't believe their luck; Not only did they get to see Princess Cadance, but Princess Twilight Sparkle was there too! Twilight glanced aside at them and watched them. She smiled at them, and they all had the same reaction that the foals Cadance had smiled at had. They were jubilant and excited; It was like a princess smiling at them was the best thing to happen to them. They acted like Twilight's smile made the Crystal Faire pale in comparison.
And that made her smile more. Even if the foals ranged in age from too young to really understand what had happened to her to old enough that for a brief moment, they recognized her missing horn and it showed, they still loved her as their princess; She mattered to them, horn or no horn. A few colts even blushed and hastily retreated as she smiled at them, making Twilight giggle a little at their shy reactions.
They walked, eventually leaving the busier sections closer to the palace. The giggles and laughter grew distant, and the stillness served as a sharp contrast to the excitement deeper in the city. The peacefulness made Twilight yawn and weakly lay her head against Rainbow's neck.
Rainbow brushed her wing up and down Twilight's wing, earning a soft coo from the alicorn, along with making her smile and nuzzle her neck. "You doing alright?" she asked.
Twilight yawned again but nodded, intentionally nuzzling Rainbow's neck more. "Yeah... I'm just a little tired."
"We can head back if you'd like," Cadance offered.
"No, it's okay. I think I'll be fine. Besides, I'm enjoying this," Twilight answered. After a few seconds, she pulled her head away from Rainbow. While her eyelids felt heavy, she managed to hold them up as she walked along.
"We should probably head back anyway. Expensive Faire food sounds pretty good about right now," Shining commented almost begrudgingly.
Cadance giggled. "Yes, the food is a bit overpriced..." she agreed. She leaned over and nuzzled Shining, who returned it just as eagerly. "But I suppose I have a valiant prince to pay for me, don't I?"
Shining gave a little laugh. "Anything for you, my Princess," he said, bowing his head as if to show fealty.
Cadance smirked and then looked over at Twilight and Rainbow. The pair looked inseparable. "What about you two?" she asked.
"I always liked cheap carnival food," Rainbow commented. "It kinda hits a spot that normal food just can't."
"Yeah, in the bank," Shining muttered.
Twilight smiled and hummed. "I don't know if I really should, given my... condition. But I suppose something cheap-"
"Expensive," Shining corrected.
"-would hit the spot," Twilight finished. "And I imagine Rainbow probably wants to ride some rides," she commented casually.
Rainbow fluffed her wings. "W-well, I mean I wouldn't say no to that..." she admitted. "But... really, we don't have to if you're feeling tired."
Twilight's jaw muscles tensed up. For a few seconds, they walked in silence. "Please... at least let me do this for you," she said softly.
Rainbow watched Twilight, then reluctantly nodded. "Okay..." she agreed.
Twilight's jaw relaxed and she smiled. She looked at Rainbow. "Thank you," she said gratefully.
"If you don't mind me asking, is something wrong?" Cadance asked softly.
Both Rainbow and Twilight turned to look at Cadance. "Uh... sort of I guess," Rainbow said. She hesitantly looked back at Twilight as if asking for permission to proceed. Twilight's eyes looked down at the ground. Rainbow frowned, then looked back at Cadance. The group slowed to a stop. "Twilight's..." Rainbow trailed off, bobbing her head as she struggled to figure out how to start.
Twilight took a deep breath, then lifted her head up and looked at Cadance. "I just... I feel like I'm standing in Rainbow's way. I... she's sacrificed so much for me and she doesn't let me do anything to repay her... and... it hurts her that I'm hurting," she said quietly.
Cadance listened calmly, then nodded slowly. "Twilight... I can tell you two love each other very much. She wouldn't lie to you about that, and I wouldn't either. But... I can see that you're struggling with that." Twilight watched her silently. "I don't know whether you just don't realize it or can't accept it, but... Rainbow loves you, Twilight. Very much," she added.
Twilight opened her mouth to say something but ended up closing it and looking away from both of them. "I... know," she said at length in a strained voice. "I just... I feel like-"
"You're not preventing her from doing what she wants, Twilight. If she wanted to, Rainbow could just choose to go and do something else. But she hasn't, has she?" Cadance asked with a sweet smile. Twilight glanced at her, clenching her jaw, and nodded. "That should show you how much she loves you, Twilight."
"Yeah," Rainbow agreed. "I don't want to be a Wonderbolt if you're hurting and it's my fault. I don't want to be a Wonderbolt if it hurts you and means I can't be with you," she said firmly.
"But-"
"No buts, Twi," Rainbow countered. "We've talked about this a hundred times," she said softly.
Twilight nodded slowly, her ears falling back to her head.
"Twilight," Cadance said softly. She stepped forward and turned, then sat down on her haunches in front of Twilight. "You don't have to be so hard on yourself. Nopony expects you to be perfect. We all have our own faults," she said. She glanced over at Shining Armor, who smiled back at her. Sure, Shining Armor was a bit of a nerd, but he was her nerd. She looked back at Twilight with a reassuring smile. "You've been through a lot, and we all know that. Twilight, what you went through hurt all of us. Maybe not as much as it hurt you, but it hurts us too. We're your friends and family, so of course, seeing you hurting is going to hurt us."
Twilight closed her eyes and hung her head limply.
"Twilight," Cadance whispered. She used a wing to coax her muzzle back up. Despite being a grown mare, Twilight was still so much like the young innocent filly she had foalsat. The memory made her smile even brighter. Twilight reluctantly opened her eyes and watched Cadance. "I do things for Shining all the time, and he does things for me all the time too. He's done some of the paperwork that I was supposed to do, and I've actually helped him with finding comics he's missing... We never ask each other for anything in return- we don't hold things over each other. We love each other," she said. She looked over at Shining. "What would you do if something happened to me like what happened to Twilight?" she asked.
Shining frowned. "I'd buck whoever did that to you in the face," he stated.
Cadance giggled softly and rolled her eyes. "How knightly," she quipped.
Shining walked over to her. "I'd make sure you were safe first, then I'd buck them in the face. After that, I'd be there to help you get better. Even if it was hard," he stated.
Cadance reached over to him and kissed him on the lips, then nuzzled him. She looked back at Twilight thoughtfully. "And isn't that what Rainbow's doing?" she asked. Twilight reluctantly nodded. "From what Shiny told me, she carried you to safety."
"I did," Rainbow said proudly.
"Rainbow, I could be like this for the rest of my life," Twilight cut in quietly. "I lost my horn, I lost my wing... I'm supposed to be the Bearer of the Element of Magic, and I can't even use my magic. And it feels s-so, so strong now... I-I miss it..." she whimpered.
Rainbow turned and embraced Twilight.
"Twilight, you remember the way those foals looked at you, don't you?" Cadance asked. "They look up to you. They want to be just like you when they grow up. And they've only seen you like this."
Twilight swallowed and looked over at Cadance.
"You're an inspiration for them to look up to, Twilight. You and your friends have sacrificed so much to protect ponies. You remind me so much of Celestia in that way, Twilight." Cadance took a deep breath. "Celestia had to banish her sister to protect everypony and to save Luna. And she had to wait a thousand years to save Luna, but she didn't give up..."
Twilight nodded reluctantly. "I just..." she trailed off and closed her eyes. "Rainbow, is it... is this really what you want? Is it really okay that... you're doing so much for me and I can't give anything back to you?"
Rainbow lifted her head up, then used a forehoof to bring Twilight's muzzle up to face her. Rainbow smiled brashly at Twilight, then pressed her lips against Twilight's. Twilight's heart sped up and her cheeks felt warm as Rainbow's slick, wet lips met hers. A jittery energy welled up inside of her chest. She closed her eyes and shivered in delight. Rainbow's forehooves gently touched her sides, then slowly slid up her body. Her coat tingled as Rainbow's hooves parter her fur. She mewled into the kiss.
Yet, all too soon, Rainbow broke it off. She looked at Twilight with the same eager smile as before. "Does that answer your question?" she asked brashly.
Twilight shyly looked down at Rainbow's chest. She nudged her head up and down to nod.
"Good," Rainbow stated. "Cause you know we're in public right now," she stated.
A faint blush crossed Twilight's cheeks as she looked around nervously. While they were in public, it seemed that the only ponies watching were her sister-in-law and brother. The street was practically deserted, in fact. She closed her eyes, then leaned her head down and pressed the spot where her horn would have been right against Rainbow's chest. She smiled as she felt Rainbow's pulse throb against her head.
"Besides, you do things for me all the time," Rainbow said. "We get to sleep together and cuddle and all that!" Rainbow offered hopefully.
"That doesn't count," Twilight groaned.
"Yeah, Twi, it does because I said it does," Rainbow retorted.
Twilight just sighed. "Fine..."
"We'll head back and give you two some time alone," Cadance offered as she stood back up. She coaxed Shining over to her and then headed back the way they came.
"Take care of her," Shining said to Rainbow as he walked passed her.
"I will," Rainbow promised.
For a few seconds, Twilight and Rainbow sat there facing each other as they listened to Cadance and Shining's hoofsteps click against the crystal, slowly growing softer and softer until it completely faded. Twilight yawned and her eyes watered. She rubbed her muzzle into Rainbow's body. "You want to head back?" Rainbow asked softly.
"Kinda..." Twilight admitted. "I'm sorry, I wanted to do something with you but-"
"It's fine," Rainbow replied. "We can do something tomorrow."
"Okay..." Twilight said weakly.
Rainbow stood back up and help Twilight up onto her shaky hooves. "Do you want me to carry you back? I can fly if you want."
"No... I'm tired, but I still want to walk..." Twilight replied softly. "It's a nice night, after all."
Rainbow nodded, then stepped up beside her. She pulled Twilight against her side with her wing, then started walking back towards the Crystal Palace. It was impossible to miss. "Can we take a different route?" Twilight asked.
Rainbow paused, then nodded and resumed walking. "Sure..." she agreed. She looked around, then turned left and headed down another street. The crystal walls of houses lined the streets, glimmering slightly as fireworks popped in the sky far above them. The laughter of foals sounded so far away and seemed to grow quieter as they continued. The stillness had a lulling effect on Twilight, making her head droop and her eyelids flutter, forcing her to lean against Rainbow for support once more. Her limping gradually turned into a stumble. "Twi?" Rainbow asked.
Twilight groaned softly. "Really... tired..." she muttered.
"Okay, hop on and-"
"No... I want to keep walking... maybe... maybe find somewhere I can take a break and..." she trailed off, yawning.
"Okay," Rainbow said quietly. She looked around as they continued to shuffle down the street. Eventually, they passed another house and found a small plaza with a fountain in the middle. There were four benches surrounding the base of the fountain, and the mostly-still water in the basin shimmered from the moonlight
Twilight lifted her head up and smiled. "This... looks nice," she commented.
"Yeah..." Rainbow agreed. She turned and brought Twilight over to a bench, then helped her up in it before sitting down beside Twilight. Twilight limply rested her head on Rainbow, and the pair sat there in silence as they listened to the trickling of the water fountain. Rainbow looked up at the sky and watched the brightly colored flashes of fireworks. "I wonder how much longer the fireworks will last..." she mused.
Twilight twitched her head as if to bob it. "I would... imagine that there will be some every night. The first and...-" a yawn broke her sentence; she nuzzled into Rainbow's neck, "-last nights are probably the best, though."
Rainbow nodded idly. Her stomach churned a bit, then growled. Twilight snickered slightly, and Rainbow smiled sheepishly. "Hehe... I guess I'm kinda hungry," she apologized.
"That's... okay," Twilight replied. "I'm a bit hungry too... I wouldn't mind some of that cheap food you and Shining talked about, but I really don't want to move from here..."
Rainbow frowned a bit. "Well... um... I... I suppose I could go and get some for us. Uh... if... you don't mind being left alone here..." she trailed off, wincing immediately. "N-no, nevermind... sorry, that's a stupid idea... I shouldn't just leave you like this."
For a few seconds, Twilight was silent, then she lifted her head up. She looked at Rainbow with a tired expression, then she slowly swiveled her head around, taking in the plaza. She scooted a bit closer to Rainbow and pressed up against her. "I... I don't know..." she trailed off, closed her eyes and bit her lip. "Rainbow... you... can do it quickly, right?" she asked quietly.
Rainbow nodded. "Yeah... I can get there and come back inside of two minutes," she replied. "Probably."
Twilight nodded. Her heart started to beat a little harder in her chest, and her muscles tensed up. "I... can you please help me?" she asked. She opened her eyes and looked at Rainbow.
"What do you mean?"
Twilight looked down at the ground. A little of her exhaustion seemed to fade. "I... think I need this to happen. I think I need you to go and leave me here while you get that... it... it should be good for me," she said. "But... I-I'm scared," she admitted.
Rainbow hugged Twilight with her wing. "Hey, it's okay... I don't have to. I can stay here with you," she offered.
Twilight shook her head, slowly at first, but then hastily. "N-no... I... I want to try..."
"Twi, it's... quite a ways away. I wouldn't be able to get back to you if you needed me for at least a minute..." Rainbow cautioned quietly. Twilight nodded. "And... if... something happened..." she said at length. Twilight tensed up.
Twilight looked around again and sighed. "No... just... go. Please hurry," she replied. "I'll... just wait here. I mean... I have to face my fears sooner or later, don't I?" she asked with a wry grimace.
Rainbow stayed silent. "Are you sure? I know that you've been able to be with Celestia and Luna when I'm not there, but you've not been alone for more than a few seconds for the last few months..."
Twilight slowly nodded.
Rainbow waited, then slid out of the bench and stood up. She turned around to face Twilight. "Okay... what do you want?"
Twilight watched Rainbow as she thought about it. Her tense muscles started to relax as she came to terms with her idea. "I... don't know. Just... you decide for me, please," she said.
Rainbow nodded. "Okay," she said. She slowly extended her wings. "I'll uh... I'll be back as soon as I can," she said. Twilight watched her quietly and nodded. She shifted on her hooves, then leaned over to Twilight and kissed her cheek. When she pulled back, Twilight smiled at her. She slowly beat her wings, then ascended into the sky and flew away.
Twilight watched her leave, and her heart once more started hammering in her chest. She nibbled on her lip and tensed up as she started sweeping her eyes left and right to make sure nothing snuck up on her, and it seemed to vanquish her earlier exhaustion, probably because of adrenaline caused by fear. She shrank back into the bench as she waited. Seconds passed. A young filly, probably not even as old as she had been when Celestia took her on as her student, walked by the street. She watched the filly for a few seconds, then looked away when she realized the filly didn't notice or pay her any mind.
As she continued to sweep the plaza with her eyes, her ears swiveled about constantly, listening in for any faint sounds, especially the rapid chittering that would make her heart rate soar and send her into a frenzied panic. Instead, the only sounds came from the clipping of the filly's hooves against the crystal, along with a stallion walking in the same general direction. She glanced at the stallion. A sound akin to a pebble striking the side of one of the houses came from her left, which drew her immediate, complete focus towards the house. She stared in the general direction and her eyes darted about as she searched for the disturbance. Her ears flicked, hearing what sounded like a high-pitched, yet soft squeak that was cut short.
She frowned and listened intently, eventually pulling her eyes away from her left to look back across the street. Nothing looked out of place. The filly and stallion had both passed. Except she could hear the hushed, almost frantic voice of a stallion, along with a scuffle of hooves against crystal.
She bit her lip and slowly leaned forward. She put a forehoof on the ground, then stood up from the bench. She shook a little as she stood there, alone in the moon-lit plaza. Curiosity got the best of her. Her ears pinned back as she nervously limped towards the source of the sound. Her ears continued to swivel about.
"...ra will say when he finds about this?"
"N-no! I-"
"Quiet! If somepony hears you-"
Twilight felt her blood turn cold as she listened. The threatening voice of the stallion, the scared voice of the filly. Her heart twisted and she felt her abdomen tense up with a knot of distress. She just barely managed to take a few steps towards the alleyway. As the corner gave way to let her see, the stallion, a unicorn, stood there with his back to Twilight, facing the scared filly who was backed up against a wall. The stallion had a burlap sack which she hadn't noticed before, and on top of that, with him was another stallion- a pegasus.
The pegasus looked right at her and tapped the unicorn on the shoulder, then jerked a hoof towards her. The unicorn looked back at her. Twilight stood as still as possible.
"Witnesses?" the pegasus asked.
"Doesn't matter," the unicorn retorted. "She's just a pegasus anyway," he muttered. "Nothing she can do."
"Looks like she's missing a wing, too," the pegasus said, wincing uncomfortably. His wings ruffled at his sides.
Twilight took a step back and fluffed her left wing.
Both stallions went back to watching the filly.
Twilight clenched her eyes shut, then bit her lip. Her jaw quivered, and she could taste her blood. It was enough to make her let up on her lip. She reluctantly opened her eyes, then took a deep breath. She lifted a forehoof, which shook violently, then stepped forward. "T-that's enough. Leave her alone," she said.
Both stallions looked back at her dismissively. "Get lost, mare," the unicorn quipped. His horn glowed brighter for a moment. "This doesn't concern you."
"I can't help but notice that you seem to be threatening a filly," Twilight retorted. A little bit of calmness replaced her fear. She took another step towards them. "Leave. Now," she ordered.
"H-help me!" The filly pleaded.
The unicorn shot her a look. "Be silent! Or I'll tell him myself."
"N-no!" she whimpered.
"That's enough," Twilight said as she took another step towards the alley. A mere six steps lingered between her and the alleyway. "Leave now and we won't have any problems."
The unicorn looked back at her and laughed. "Are you threatening us?" he mocked. "You're a pegasus whose missing a wing. Get lost before I decide that you are worth our time."
Twilight's lip quivered. She could just barely see the filly. She was backed up against a wall, crying, and looking at her for help. Nopony else was around to help her, or Twilight. Twilight grit her teeth, then slowly extended her left wing outward.
The pegasus stallion raised an eyebrow in surprise, then pushed himself away from the wall. "If you want trouble, you've come to the right place," he said casually. He looked back at the unicorn. "Just grab her with your magic and go," he growled.
He huffed in response. "Not quite as fun that way," he muttered. His blue aura grabbed the filly and lifted her up.
"Let me go! Please let me go!" the filly pleaded.
"I said stop," Twilight threatened.
The unicorn actually paused and looked back at her. For a moment, he smirked.
"Wait a second... isn't that... Princess Twilight Sparkle?" the pegasus muttered.
Twilight shot him a glare.
The unicorn grinned and laughed. "You're right! It is! Oh, this is priceless!" he bellowed. "And what are you going to do?" he asked, still grinning. He turned around and walked towards her. "You can't stop us." He levitated the filly up and stuffed her into the sack.
"Perhaps not, but I believe I can," said a new voice.
Instantly recognizing the voice, Twilight felt a calm reassurance overtake her. The unicorn looked up to the sky. She had never seen somepony go from smiling to looking horrified in such a short time. Twilight let out a sigh of relief as Celestia landed beside her.
"They're trying to ponynap a filly," Twilight said in a hushed voice.
"Uh... n-no!" the unicorn back peddled. "W-we uh..." he trailed off as Celestia raised an eyebrow at him.
Celestia hummed and lit her horn. At the sight of her golden aura, the unicorn took off galloping away. The pegasus bolted into the air. Celestia waited for just a second, then teleported both of them in front of her. Both stallions grunted as Celestia held them there in her magic. She levitated the sack down and opened it. The opening was barely large enough for a cat to crawl out of before the filly bolted from it, trembling in fear as she looked around. The moment she saw Twilight, she all but tackled her.
Twilight recoiled ever so slightly from the filly's sudden approach. The filly was terrified, and Twilight didn't blame her one bit. She curled up against Twilight's forehooves and kept pressing against Twilight's hooves more and more. Twilight hesitantly lifted her foreleg up, and the filly ducked under her and curled up against her stomach for protection and comfort- like how a foal would go to their mother. Twilight blinked a bit and nibbled on her lip. "It's okay..." she comforted. She slowly put her forehoof back down. While she had the filly protected behind her forelegs, it seemed to reassure her.
"Th-thank you, P-Princess..." the filly stuttered out.
Twilight gave her a smile, then looked at Celestia. The white alicorn, for her part, looked at the two stallions evenly. "Celestia?" she asked quietly.
Celestia took a deep breath, then teleported the two stallions away. Whether to a dungeon, or to banishment, or to a dungeon in the place where she had banished them to, Twilight wasn't sure. But she was sure that the filly would never see them again.
Twilight closed her eyes and let out a sigh of relief. For a few seconds, she just sat there quietly, replaying what had happened in her mind. She turned her head and looked over at Celestia. "How did you..?"
Celestia smiled softly as if immediately forgetting about the incident. "Rainbow found me and asked me to come keep you company. She said that the line was longer than she expected," she answered.
Twilight nodded slowly, then went back to staring at the alley.
"Are you okay, Twilight?" Celestia asked.
Twilight nodded slowly. "Yeah... I-I think so..."
Celestia leaned down and then looked in between Twilight's forehooves at the shivering filly curled up against Twilight. "Hello, my little pony," she said in the softest, sweetest voice Twilight had ever heard. It was almost enough to bring tears to her eyes, and it brought back untold memories from when she was a foal spending time with Celestia. It made her want to cry and curl up with Celestia, but she resisted the urge. The filly's trembling calmed at the sound of Celestia's voice and she peeked out from in between Twilight's hooves. "Are you alright?" Celestia asked.
The filly timidly nodded. "Y-yes, Princess... T-thank you f-for sa-saving me," she stuttered.
Celestia gave a good-natured giggle. "It's quite alright, my little pony. It's my job to make sure all of my little ponies are safe," she said sweetly. The filly nodded in understanding. "What is your name?" she asked.
"A-Azure Gem," the filly answered.
"Azure Gem?" Celestia repeated. "That's a very pretty name," she said.
The filly smiled. "T-thank you, Princess." For a few seconds, she fidgeted under Twilight. "T-they s-said that... K-King S-Sombra w-was going t-to..." she trailed off.
"Did they now?" Celestia asked softly. She laid down on her stomach and laid her muzzle on the street close to Twilight's hooves. The filly watched her and nodded timidly. "It's okay, I promise you that King Sombra won't hurt you," she said softly. "And a princess always keeps her promises," she added with a smile as warm as the sun.
The filly nodded, then tentatively nosed Twilight's forehooves. Twilight shifted her weight a bit, then lifted her right forehoof and held it limply by her chest. The filly slowly crawled out from under her and sat down in between her and Celestia.
"Now... why don't we take you home, Azure?" Celestia asked. "Can you show us?" she asked.
The filly nodded obediently, then stood up and turned to her right. "Um... it's... not too far," she said.
"We'll be right there with you," Celestia promised. She slowly pushed herself up and stood up, then followed behind the filly.
For a moment, Twilight lingered, then stood up and caught up with Celestia. They walked in silence for a few minutes before hastily catching up with Celestia.
A quick flash of golden light broke the otherwise still night. True to her word, Azure's home hadn't been but a few blocks away. Even still, Celestia wasted no time in teleporting Twilight and herself back once they had talked to her parents. Needless to say, the parents had been shocked that two princesses had shown up at their door to bring their filly home. After they had talked, they were grateful and thanked them profusely, even offering them refreshments, which both alicorns declined as politely as possible, not wanting to impose, even if they seemed capable of hosting them. Eventually, Celestia had suggested that they spend some time with their daughter to make sure she was alright. Before they finally parted and the door closed, Azure had looked right at Twilight and given her a thankful smile.
The smile still lingered in her mind as she idly looked around the plaza, searching for Rainbow. Unfortunately, the pegasus was nowhere to be seen. A soft sigh escaped her lips from the disappointment that realization brought. She turned around, then climbed back up onto the bench she had been sitting on before.
After a moment, Celestia hopped up onto the bench and sat down beside Twilight. "Are you alright?" she asked.
Twilight was silent for a few seconds. Celestia unfolded her wing, then slowly brushed her long feathers across Twilight's back, making Twilight shiver from the feeling, before enveloping her whole body with her majestic wing. Twilight hesitantly leaned against Celestia's side. In the back of her mind, despite knowing Celestia was akin to family, and her friend, her mentor, and her confidant, she still knew that Celestia was a princess, the pony responsible for moving the sun, and the sole ruler of Equestria for one thousand years. And yet despite all of that, Celestia still took time to comfort her and be there for her.
Twilight closed her eyes and let herself relax under Celestia's sheltering wing. "Yeah... I think so," she answered.
For a few seconds, Celestia quietly watched Twilight. The alicorn's muzzle pointed down towards the crystal street, hiding her lips from sight, while her eyes jumped back and forth across the plaza. "Twilight?" Celestia coaxed. Twilight's eyes came to rest on her, and she lifted her head up to look up at her. "If you're worried about what happened, don't," Celestia comforted.
Twilight stayed silent as her head slowly drifted away from Celestia. She tilted her head to the side and took a quick breath. For a few seconds, she hesitated with her mouth open. "Do you think I could have stopped them on my own?" she asked.
Celestia reached out with her right wing and used her feathers to coax Twilight into looking back at her. "I know you would have tried," she answered.
Twilight avoided her gaze. "Yes, and... I did, but... it didn't stop them."
"Twilight, that doesn't matter. You delayed them. You had no way of knowing that I would come to keep you company and help you, but you still went out of your way to help Azure," Celestia replied. "You took a risk in order to protect her. But... yes, I think you could have stopped them," she said.
Twilight's ears folded back and her brow creased. "I... don't," she answered quietly.
"You still tried," Celestia replied.
Twilight looked back down at the street, nodding slowly.
"Twilight, I think the fact that you did that was very brave," Celestia stated.
Twilight's lips twitched up and she snorted. "You sound like you're still talking to Azure..." she said under her breath.
"It's the truth, Twilight. You stood up to them at your own risk to protect a filly you didn't know," Celestia comforted. "Even in the state you're in, you made an effort to help her. Twilight, that's something that is very noble."
Twilight sighed softly. "I couldn't do nothing," she said. "I was the only pony who could have helped her, so... I had to try."
Celestia nodded slowly. After a few seconds of watching Twilight, she looked up at the sky. The occasional firework still cracked high above, but they were dwindling, becoming less common and less brilliant.
Eventually, Twilight lifted her head up and swept her gaze around the plaza. "You know, I would have thought Rainbow would be back by now..." she muttered.
Celestia giggled. "She was not joking when she said there was a long line, Twilight," she said mirthfully.
Twilight looked aside at her, half grinning, half grimacing. Celestia watched the stars overhead, but her gaze eventually fell onto the moon. Twilight could almost see it in her eyes; Celestia could still see the Mare in The Moon. How could she not? She was responsible for its creation, and she had moved the moon for one thousand years- the same thousand years during which time the Mare in The Moon existed. Twilight licked her lips. "Um... Celestia?" she asked softly.
Celestia blinked, then broke her gaze away from the moon. She looked at Twilight and smiled at her, until she realized that Twilight looked at her almost afraid, she looked so insecure and vulnerable. Celestia pulled Twilight closer with her wing. "Yes, Twilight?"
Twilight looked down at her shoulder to avoid her gaze. She visibly bit and chewed on her lip. While Celestia didn't know what conflict raged on in her mind, she could see it written on her features. Even her muscles were tense.
"Twilight, you can ask me anything," Celestia said softly. "Remember what I told you last week?"
Twilight seemed to tense up further, then relax. Ever so slowly, she lifted her gaze back up to meet Celestia's. "Actually... yes. It's about that... Something you said," she said tentatively. Celestia inclined her head and waited patiently for her to continue. Twilight grimaced and bobbed her head left, then right, then back to the left again. "Did... you really mean what you said? About... you thinking of me as your... daughter?"
Celestia smiled and nodded her head. "Of course, Twilight..." she answered.
Twilight just stared at her, almost blankly as she tried to come to terms with that. "But... how? Why?" she asked.
"I could simply answer that because I ascended you, you are my daughter as an alicorn, which would be true, but you also know that I ascended Cadance, and she is more of a niece to me than a daughter," Celestia answered. Twilight nodded. "Twilight, you're very close to me," she said. "I may not have given birth to you or raised you from when you were a newborn, but those years I spent as your mentor and helping you learn and grow up were wonderful. I was afraid to let you go. I knew that I had to send you away so you could meet other ponies and make some friends, but... that hurt, Twilight. And I'm still afraid to lose you," she said. "Seeing you... waste away in the hospital after you were poisoned... that was one of the hardest things I have had to deal with in my life, Twilight."
Twilight took a deep breath. Her body shook slightly as she inhaled. "D-do you... r-really mean that?" she asked. Celestia just smiled and calmly nodded. Twilight licked her trembling lips. "I-I don't... know what to say..."
"You don't have to say anything," Celestia answered. "And... I do not want to take the spot of your biological mother or make you think any less of her. Velvet is a good mare," she answered. She looked away from Twilight and chuckled softly. "I'm probably being silly, aren't I? But it's true, I do... think of you as my own..." she trailed off.
"Y-you're... not being silly..." Twilight chewed on her lip again, despite the fact that it was starting to hurt. "I... can... can I call you... mom?" she asked.
For a moment, Celestia was silent. Twilight's body started tensing up again as the seconds passed away, but then she nodded. "If you want to, yes," she answered cautiously. Her smile softened and she tilted her head, looking at Twilight fondly. "I... am honored that you would think of me that way, Twilight..." she said softly. "I... would like that," she added
Twilight nodded, then looked away, her mind still processing Celestia's answer "I... I'm sorry for..." she trailed off. Her eyes shot about the plaza as she tried to think of something, anything to apologize for doing.
"I don't think there's anything you need to apologize for, Twilight," Celestia countered.
Twilight's lips wobbled slightly as she smiled. After a few seconds, she shifted and turned to face Celestia, then wrapped her forelegs around her and hugged her.
Celestia unfolded her right wing and wrapped it around Twilight's back as she leaned down and rested her head against Twilight's neck. She lifted a foreleg and wrapped it around Twilight's withers and held her there. Twilight pressed her forehead into Celestia's coat and sniffled softly. Celestia stayed silent and continued to hug her back, even as Twilight's tears rolled into her pristine fur; She wouldn't have had it any other way.
For a few minutes, the two of them hugged. Not as student and teacher, nor as friends, but as mother and daughter, sharing a much-needed expression of their bond. Eventually, Twilight's sniffles quieted, and her shaky body calmed down. Her mother's warmth and protection gave her a sense of security that nearly rivaled that which Rainbow brought her, and her eyelids fluttered with the onset of exhaustion. She yawned and rubbed her head into Celestia's damp coat, drawing a soft, amused giggle from Celestia.
Twilight slowly lifted her head up and smiled at Celestia. She swallowed and licked her lips, then lifted her forelegs away from her and set them back down on the bench. She turned and went back to leaning on her side.
Celestia reluctantly folded her right wing back to her side. "I am very proud of you, Twilight," she said. Twilight looked up at her and watched for a few seconds, just taking in her bright, sunny smile. "You've accomplished so much," she added.
Twilight took a deep breath and nodded. "Yeah... I guess. I owe my friends a lot for that, don't I?" she asked.
Celestia nodded and hummed. "Yes... as hard as it was for me to send you to Ponyville, I knew that it would help you accomplish so much more..." she trailed off. "Twilight?" Twilight looked back at her. "I've... not really talked to you about this, but... You remember when Luna and I were captured by the Plundervines?" she asked. Twilight nodded in response. "Well... you had to lead Equestria during that time. It wasn't long, and you didn't do much, but... I had always intended for you to lead Equestria if anything happened to Luna and myself. Well, after I had ascended you," she said. "And... if anything happens to me, you're to succeed me," she stated.
Twilight's jaw tightened. "Celestia... I... I can't do that, I'm not-"
"You are more than capable of filling my place, Twilight," Celestia replied softly. "And if something happens to me, you won't be alone. You'll have Luna... provided nothing happens to her, and Cadance, and most importantly, your friends. And I'm fairly certain Rainbow will be there for you too."
Twilight smiled, but it wavered and fell. "Without my horn, I can't... take care of the sun," she said hesitantly.
Celestia's lips pressed together. "I... know," she answered. "But, Luna should be able to take care of that if your horn hasn't grown back by then."
Twilight pursed her lips and scanned the sky and plaza again for her missing marefriend. "But what if something happens to both of you? I don't think Cadance would be able to move the sun and the moon!"
Celestia hummed faintly in thought. "Perhaps you could ask Discord to help you, then."
Twilight squinted and stared at Celestia with an almost horrified expression. "T-that's- I... what? You can't be serious."
"I know that you two don't get along very well and that he can get under your skin, but I think if you asked him, he would help you," Celestia replied. "Besides, I don't expect any problems to arise before your horn regrows," she added. "And I'm sure that by the time you would need to rule Equestria, you could handle both the sun and the moon on your own."
Twilight closed her eyes. "My horn might not-"
"Hey, Twilight!" Rainbow called.
Twilight opened her eyes, then turned and looked up towards the source of the sound. Rainbow quickly swooped down and hovered in front of her. She wore a sheepish smile; she probably would have rubbed the back of her mane were her hooves not occupied carrying two caramel covered apples and apple tarts. "Uh... sorry it took so long. The lines were huge!"
Twilight smiled. "It's okay," she replied softly.
Rainbow landed on the bench beside Twilight. Celestia folded her left wing back to her side. "I suppose I shall leave you two, then. Enjoy the rest of your evening, Twilight, Rainbow," she said as she stood up and spread her wings wide.
"Thanks for keeping Twilight company!" Rainbow said. Celestia smiled at Rainbow, then flew off. Twilight watched her for a few seconds, but an outstretched hoof holding a caramel apple blocked Celestia from her sight. Twilight smiled at Rainbow and took it in her hoof. "So uh... really, I'm sorry I took so long. I didn't think that..."
"It's fine, really," Twilight replied. She sniffed the apple and looked over it. Her mouth started watering as she looked over the glossy coating of caramel. She leaned forward and sank her teeth into it. It was just as good as it smelt, and she moaned and closed her eyes as she chewed it up. "Doctor Manner is going to hate me for this."
Rainbow snorted. "Yeah, right. It's just one night," she countered.
"The Faire lasts a whole week," Twilight replied.
"Then you should enjoy it while it lasts," Rainbow offered.
Twilight mulled it over. "Yeah, I guess you're right..." she agreed.
Rainbow scooted closer to Twilight and pressed their sides together. She slid her wing out from in between their bodies and draped it over Twilight's back. Twilight sighed and leaned against her. "So... uh, anything interesting happen while I was gone?" she asked quietly.
Twilight thought back to the filly and her conversation with Celestia and debated talking to Rainbow about it. "Well... yeah, sort of." She took another big bite of the apple and crunched it up before swallowing and continuing. "Celestia and I sort of stopped a couple of stallions from foalnapping a filly, and then we took her home. After that, we came back here and just... talked."
Rainbow just watched her. "I... I shouldn't have left you, should I?" she asked quietly.
Twilight's lips pulled down. "Rainbow, really... it's fine. I asked you to get this- and it's really good, by the way- so really, it's fine."
"If you're sure..." Rainbow said quietly.
"Yeah, I am," Twilight replied. She leaned over and nuzzled Rainbow's cheek, then lifted her head back up. She fought off a yawn but still slouched forward.
"Maybe we should head back and go to bed," Rainbow suggested.
"Probably," Twilight agreed. "But why don't we finish this first?" she suggested. To punctuate her sentence, she took another bite of her caramel apple.
They ate in silence, enjoying the company and their shared body warmth in the chilly night. By the time they finished eating their meal, the sky had fallen silent as the stockpile of that night's fireworks had been exhausted. They discarded their scraps in a wastebasket beside the bench, then Rainbow hopped off the bench and sat down in front of Twilight. Twilight casually slid onto her back and held onto her as she stood up and flew up into the sky.