Rainbow could hear the cheering and excitement from the balcony. Down below, the Crystal Ponies, along with everypony else who had visited the Crystal Empire for the Crystal Faire, were gathering at the base of the Palace. She could practically feel the magic in the air, it was so strong and almost corporeal that her wings bristled in anticipation. It wouldn't be long before the Crystal Ponies channeled their radiant hope, love, joy, and happiness into the Crystal Heart and set off the last day of celebration.
She smiled to herself, then turned around and slowly trotted back inside her room. No sooner had she passed the doorway than she looked over at the bed and the alicorn sleeping peacefully. She stopped and lingered in the doorway, just watching her. It was a precious sight, the way she looked so calm and unworried. Her mane was a frayed mess, with individual strands of hair sticking up at awkward angles, and her highlights mixed in with the rest of her indigo mane to the point that if her mane was ethereal, she might have been able to pass for Luna. Almost. The pink and purple highlights probably would have been a significant difference between the two, and her coat color would be a sure sign that it wasn't Luna.
Rainbow just smiled at the way Twilight looked. It was a sight she treasured, and even if she did get to see it almost every morning, depending on how they slept, she'd never get tired of seeing it. Especially the sheepish, almost annoyed look Twilight would have when she saw the state of her mane and tail in a mirror. It was somehow worse than her own mane and tail, but that may have just been because Twilight put so much more effort into keeping her mane the way she liked it- organized, clean, and straight. Rainbow, on the other hoof, always had a bit of a messy mane.
Even with her messy mane, Twilight slept peacefully, and even better than that was the fact that she slept peacefully while Rainbow wasn't there to hold her. Rainbow wasn't entirely sure how she felt about that. She knew it was a good thing- Twilight was getting better: she wasn't clinging onto her quite as much as she had been. But, at the same time, she missed the closeness she felt from Twilight wanting and needing her to be there every second.
She pushed the thought aside and walked on into the room. She slowly approached the bed, then climbed up onto it and laid down beside Twilight. The mare slept with her back to her from where she laid, not that she minded. She leaned down and gently pressed her muzzle against Twilight's cheek, then slowly brushed her head back and forth. A smile formed on Twilight's lips as her friend's gentle nuzzle stirred her. She shifted a bit, then cooed and lifted her head slightly, pressing herself up into Rainbow's nuzzle. After several seconds, Rainbow lifted her head a few inches away from Twilight. "Hey, Twi," she whispered.
Twilight begrudgingly cracked open her eyes and looked at her. She took a deep breath, then closed her eyes and rolled over onto her back. "Mmm... hey Rainbow..." she greeted.
Rainbow leaned down and gave Twilight a quick kiss on the lips. Twilight just looked up at her, nearly glowing from the pleasant feeling lingering on her lips. "We should have time to get ready for the... uh... the Crystal Ponies to... whatever it is they do to power up the Crystal Heart," she said.
"For the Crystal Ponies to channel their magic to power up the Crystal Heart," Twilight corrected.
"Uh, right," Rainbow replied lamely.
Twilight took another deep breath, then slowly pushed herself up into a sitting position. She wobbled back and forth as she sat up. Rainbow once again used her wing to keep her from tumbling off the bed. Once she was sitting up, she laid down on her stomach passively, then crawled forward enough to free herself from the bedsheets.
Rainbow let herself fall forward onto Twilight. Twilight grunted a bit and looked at Rainbow, who just smiled smugly at her. Rainbow kissed her cheek and then nuzzled her. She wrapped her forelegs around Twilight's neck and hugged her. Twilight sighed as she rolled her eyes and leaned her head against Rainbow's. "How are you feeling today?"
"A little better now that I've slept longer... but still tired," Twilight answered. "Thanks for not making me get up earlier..." she whispered.
"Hey, it's okay... I'm just glad that you were able to sleep without me being there," Rainbow replied.
Twilight nodded idly. "I still missed you," she countered.
Rainbow snorted and smiled. "Well, I'm sort of glad to hear that. 'Cause I'm not going anywhere," she said.
Twilight's lips lifted further up and leaned against Rainbow's body. She studied the wall idly as she felt Rainbow's warm, silken coat against her barren side. It still felt so foreign and unfamiliar, but her warmth and softness were comforting; it didn't hurt her side like the pack she wore to walk.
"So uh, you want to take a bath before we head out... uh, you do still want to head out, right?" Rainbow asked.
Twilight nodded. "Yeah... I'm not missing this," she answered.
"So... bath, then?" Rainbow asked.
"Well, considering that I'm a princess I probably should," Twilight noted.
"Alright," Rainbow said, "I'll get one started and I'll get the brush and start on your mane so that it'll be easier to finish after your bath." She pulled away from Twilight and jumped over her and then glided to the bathroom.
Twilight watched her as she disappeared. She fluffed her wing apprehensively as she heard the water start. Before even a minute had passed, Rainbow flew back out of the bathroom, carrying the brush in her forehooves. She landed on the bed beside Twilight. She laid her head down on the bed straight out so that it'd be easier on Rainbow. "I... do you... could you," Twilight started, glancing at Rainbow as the pegasus started to slowly slide the brush through her mane. She closed her eyes and smiled. She let out a soft sigh as the brush's bristles rubbed her head and neck and straightened her mane. It was relaxing, and her eyelids drifted halfway closed, threatening to fall and force her back to sleep.
"Twi?" Rainbow asked softly.
Twilight inhaled and opened her eyes. She licked her lips. "Right... sorry," she said. "Um... I... was wondering if you think you could help me walk today without the pack..."
The brush came to a stop as Rainbow frowned. "Uh... Twi, I didn't think you could walk without the pack."
Twilight looked down at the bedsheets. "I can't," she answered. "But... you'll be there beside me to make sure I don't fall... if... you would..."
Rainbow leaned down close to Twilight and smiled softly. "Hey, of course I'll help you. I just didn't think you'd want to take your chances, and I know that you struggle to even move your legs without that... I don't want you to feel put on the spot or anything."
Twilight nodded slowly. "I just... I kind of want to feel your coat against my side instead of the pack. You feel... so much better than that..." she whispered.
"Well, I'd hope so!" Rainbow said mirthfully.
Twilight giggled and smiled at that. After a few seconds, her smile faded. "Well... I mean it, Rainbow... I want to try..." she trailed off.
Rainbow nibbled on her lip and looked at Twilight's features, searching for the uncertainty she knew was present. It was there. She knew it was a good thing that Twilight wanted to try, but it felt like such a massive step for her to take. She'd be out in public, without the pack to keep her balanced. A hundred horrible thoughts about what could happen ran through her mind. She couldn't just let Twilight go through any of that, she was supposed to protect her! But at the same time, Twilight needed to make an effort to improve. Twilight looked at her pleadingly. Her unease gradually faded and she gave Twilight a serious nod. "Okay... if you're sure," she relented. "But... I'll bring it with me just in case, alright?"
Twilight shook her head. "We can come back after the ceremony and I'll put it on," she countered.
She didn't like that, but nonetheless, she nodded. She wouldn't really have anywhere to put it anyway, but it still meant it was far out of reach if something did happen. "Okay..." For a few seconds after that, Rainbow just watched Twilight, who eventually went back to watching the bedsheets. She started to slowly brush Twilight's mane again, and Twilight's eyes fluttered closed in delight.
Rainbow was right. Twilight could hardly stand, let alone walk without the pack. Even with her left wing draped over Twilight's back, pinning her to her side, Twilight's body constantly leaned to the left, threatening to pull them both over, forcing Rainbow to have to keep her weight to the right to counteract it. Twilight, however, looked and felt more relaxed since she wasn't wearing the pack, even with the threat of falling over. The threat didn't really seem to bother her; Rainbow couldn't feel her tense up when she wobbled. Twilight trusted her pegasus to protect her, and Rainbow wasn't going to let her fall. That was enough to make Rainbow feel more confident about the idea, but barely, and at the same time, it further reinforced her need to protect Twilight from falling.
"Maybe you should try leaning your weight against me?" Rainbow suggested in a hushed voice. As she looked around, she felt very, very out of place. She stood beside Twilight, Cadance, Shining Armor, Princess Luna, Princess Celestia, Spike, Starlight, and Sunburst, who held Flurry Heart against his chest. All nine of them were standing off to the side, watching the Crystal Heart. Droves of Crystal Ponies had gathered, and the crowd watched them and the Crystal Heart. The excitement and anticipation were palpable, even ignoring the smiles every single Crystal Pony wore- the smiles reminded her of Starlight's old village, but they weren't twisted and wrong- since it was simply a display of how excited they were. She felt like her sonic rainboom would have to cut through excitement and anticipation rather than air.
And mixed in with the Crystal Ponies were earth ponies, unicorns, and pegasi. While most of the crowd were adults, there were foals all throughout the sea of ponies, both fillies, and colts of every kind, coat color, and mane style. Most of the movement coming from the crowd was a result of the excited foals- some participating in their first Crystal Faire, while others were just excited because it came around once a year, or perhaps because all five Equestrian Princesses were gathered together for the occasion.
"Maybe..." Twilight replied in a whisper.
Rainbow glanced at Twilight as she felt her muscles tense up. She could feel her shuffle, painfully slowly away from her, but not enough to break contact or put any strain on her wing, then Twilight shifted her weight to lean on her side, pressing up against her. Rainbow smiled happily at Twilight. Feeling Twilight's weight laying on her side was comforting. Twilight looked at her and returned the smile, then went back to watching the crowd. Her smile lingered, a little smaller, but it stayed. Her attention drifted between the foals and the Crystal Heart that slowly spun in between the two Crystals that served to hold it in place and direct its magic. Rainbow glanced at the clock.
The second hand slowly jerked clockwise, gradually rotating around as the seconds counted down. With each passing second, the anticipation seemed to build up to even greater levels than before.
"I wish the girls were here," Twilight whispered.
Rainbow glanced aside at Twilight. Her smile had faded. "Yeah... me too. But I'm here, and so are Celestia and Luna and Cadance and your brother," she comforted.
Twilight's eyes dropped to the crystal street beneath their hooves. "But the girls aren't... my parents didn't make it either," she mused. She took a deep breath, then lifted her gaze back up and watched the Crystal Heart. "At least... you're here and I have you," she said.
Rainbow flashed her a smile. "See? It's not all bad," she comforted.
Twilight slowly nodded. "I guess you're right," she agreed. Her eyes drifted closed and a yawn overwhelmed her mouth. She groaned softly, then opened her eyes lazily. Were she any closer to Rainbow, she would have nuzzled her instinctively. As it was, her head idly drifted to the right and laid on Rainbow's shoulder and neck. Twilight smiled happily as soon as her head came to rest on Rainbow's warm, soft coat; it was the best pillow she could ever have.
And the crowd most certainly noticed. More than a few gazes shifted from the Crystal Heart and lingered on the two. If anything, the sight only made the Faire that much more wonderful for everypony present, regardless of whether they thought something more of the act than just friendship or not. The Crystal Heart pulsed faintly with power, whether from the crowd or from Twilight and Rainbow, nopony knew.
Cadance and Shining joined in with Twilight and Rainbow in leaning their heads together, almost as if the pair had spontaneously made a new tradition. Starlight tilted her head and rested on Sunburst, drawing a nervous glance from the stallion while Flurry simply cooed at the sparkly, shining Crystal Heart she had destroyed once before.
The two sisters stood there for a moment before Celestia smiled and grabbed Luna with her wing, pulling her into a side hug. After Luna's momentary confusion wore off, she smiled back and they shared a quick, sisterly nuzzle. After they parted, Luna stepped closer to her big sister, who held her wing protectively in place over her back.
Rainbow couldn't help but smile. Now, not only were the excitement and anticipation palpable, but she could also feel another emotion present in the air- love. And she wasn't the only one, either. Princess Cadance, the Princess of Love, could feel it just as much, if not more, than her. It didn't take the Princess of Love to know it either, as couples and friends in the crowd stood closer together.
The second hand struck true. The wave of ponies bowing before the Crystal Heart was almost mesmerizing to watch- each and everyone joyously bowed down low, before the Crystal Heart. The Crystal Ponies channeled their inner magic through the city's crystal streets, and the magic lit the crystal below them, giving it a soft, warm white glow. The magic flowed throughout the Crystal Empire and Crystal City, flowing into the Crystal Heart. While the ponies who weren't Crystal Ponies couldn't channel their magic for the same purpose as the Crystal Ponies, they still bowed, partaking in the tradition.
In pairs, Cadance and Shining Armor, Celestia and Luna, Twilight and Rainbow, and Starlight, Sunburst, and Spike all fell into the same bow. Twilight wobbled as she bowed, almost toppling over, only for Rainbow's wing to secure her in place. Despite her insecurity, Twilight managed to return Rainbow's smile.
They shared a quick nuzzle from their bow as they watched the Crystal Heart absorb the magic. The Heart spun faster and faster until it was a brightly glowing blur, and an audible hum of magic filled the air. The excitement and anticipation ballooned with each passing second as more and more magic filled the Heart and the Heart spun even faster.
As quickly as the streets started glowing white, the glow all drained from the outside in as the Heart took in all of the magic.
There was a brilliant flash of polychromatic light emanating from the Heart and the Palace. A beam of magic jumped to the Crystal Palace, then raced towards the sky and exploded outward, creating an aurora that would last for days if not weeks. A wave of magic raced outward from the Crystal Heart, washing over everypony in the Crystal City, giving them a slight tingling feeling before it passed over them, leaving them literally sparkling and glowing from the radiant release of magic.
The ponies all stood up and cheered loudly. Rainbow looked at Twilight, and Twilight looked at her. For a few seconds, they just watched each other, smiling brightly. Twilight's eyes ran over Rainbow's shimmering body, then went to her lips. Rainbow likewise looked over Twilight's pristine, regal form, then looked at Twilight's lips. Their eyes slowly met. Without saying anything, both of them started to lean towards each other.
Twilight stopped. A faint groan escaped her lips, and then she let out an exhausted yawn. Her legs suddenly wobbled weakly. Rainbow could feel Twilight's heart rate suddenly slow down. "Twi?" Rainbow asked, frowning as her stomach twisted into a knot. Twilight didn't say anything. She continued to wobble and her head drooped. She groaned softly; it was the sort of groan somepony would let out if they were awakened too early in the morning, followed by her saying something she couldn't understand. Her legs trembled. Her eyelids fluttered shut as her head and neck went limp. Her wing quivered, then her legs gave out. "Twilight!" Rainbow shouted. She just barely managed to use her forehooves to stop Twilight's head from hitting the crystal beneath them as her alicorn's body went limp and collapsed.
In hardly a second, Cadance, Celestia, and Luna had all gathered around Twilight, their horns aglow. The jubilant cries of the crowd turned to hushed, worried whispered.
Twilight was out cold. Even Rainbow's prodding with her forehooves and shaking her didn't do anything except make her limp body rock back and forth. A magenta glow emanated from her side and forehead. The light coalesced and grew brighter and brighter, turning white. Rainbow squeezed her. "W-what's happening!?"
"I don't know," Celestia answered quietly. She glanced at Cadance and Luna, then looked back at Twilight. "Get her to a hospital," she said calmly.
"Sister, is that..." Luna trailed off.
The glow grew brighter and enveloped Twilight's entire body. Twilight was silent, but there was a gentle chime of magic in the air. Tendrils of magic flowed out of her chest and coalesced at her side and forehead. Ever so slowly, the magenta magic took shape, turning white as more magic was added to the mass in the shape of a horn and alicorn wing. Rainbow stayed silent as she watched.
"It's like her ascension..?" Luna mused.
Celestia bit her lip, then glanced at the Crystal Heart before looking back at Twilight. "Similar, yes, but... her ascension... The magic is gathering where her horn and wing would be."
"S-so sh-she's h-healing?" Rainbow stuttered.
"It seems that way, yes," Luna stated. "Perhaps the Crystal Heart had something to do with triggering this," she mused.
"We shouldn't move her until this finishes. I don't know what would happen," Celestia said.
Rainbow bit her lip. Slowly the white magic turned corporeal. Out of Twilight's head, her horn slowly regrew, as if it was being rebuilt by her magic, and yet it still split her skin, making her bleed for a moment before her magic healed her while continuing to regrow her horn. And the same thing was happening with her wing, although it grew back faster. It wasn't long before her velvety, rich lavender feathers sprang out of her spread wing.
The glow from her wing died down, but the glow on her horn remained. While Twilight's horn had grown when she ascended, it wasn't much larger than it had been when she was a unicorn. Her new horn looked even bigger than her horn had been, but it was hard to tell. Eventually, the glow stopped as Twilight's horn fully grew in. Rainbow hesitantly unwrapped her forelegs from Twilight's neck. She carefully touched Twilight's wing. Her wing was just as soft as always, and it was most certainly, undeniably, her wing. She slowly slid her forehoof through her feathers, just enjoying the feeling and making sure everything was okay. Twilight still didn't react, but she looked calm and peaceful as she slept.
She touched the base of Twilight's wing and felt it, making sure everything was right, and it was. Celestia examined Twilight's horn, then her entire body with her magic and smiled. "I believe she will be quite happy when she wakes up," she commented. "But we should still take her to the hospital," she noted. Celestia's golden aura enveloped Twilight, but for a few seconds, Rainbow didn't let her go. Eventually, however, Rainbow looked up at Celestia and stepped back.
A flash of golden magic signaled the trio's departure.
Twilight jerked awake and grunted. Her eyes shot open and she stared up at the light blue crystal ceiling. The room was quiet and barely lit. It was cool, but not too cool, and she felt comfortable beneath the silken blankets. She smelled the air and relaxed a bit as she inhaled Rainbow's comforting scent. She let her head lay back down on the pillow and she blinked. She tilted her head to the left and looked around. It was definitely the same room that Rainbow and her had been staying in, but she didn't remember coming back after the ceremony. In fact, prior to waking up, the last thing she could remember was the feeling of the magic of the Crystal Heart washing over her.
She rolled her head over to the right. The balcony door was open, and it was night. Soft moonlight streamed in through the door. 'Did... I miss... the ceremony..?' Her lip curled down at that thought. She looked down at the bed for a moment, letting out an unhappy sigh. For a few seconds, she debated calling out or getting up. Eventually, she settled on waiting for a little bit longer since she couldn't feel anything except exhaustion.
It almost felt like her body didn't exist. She stretched her hind legs out and groaned softly. She knew her body was moving, but she couldn't feel anything. She let her eyes drift closed and fidgeted a bit, making sure her legs still worked. From what she could tell, they did. There wasn't any pain associated with it, although she couldn't really feel much of anything. Eventually, the exhaustion started to fade, and as it faded, her ability to feel her body returned, starting with her core and working outward.
Her eyes shot open as enough of her feeling returned to feel the soft, feathery limb keeping her right side warm. Her breathing quickened to shallow breaths. She shot up in bed and threw the blanket off of herself, nearly ripping them in her haste. The room was chilly without the blankets to protect her body, but her attention was immediately drawn elsewhere. Her mind raced as she stared down at her right side in awe, her mouth parted ever so slightly. The lavender wing tucked against her side looked so pristine and perfect, as if it had never left her. As if Chrysalis had never stolen it. Her wing was completely identical to how she remembered it. The fur covering the front of her wing, the long, delicate feathers extending from her wing, the shape, and the weight. Everything felt right.
She clenched her eyes shut and fidgeted her muscles, half expecting pain to race through her body. Instead, she shivered and relaxed as she felt her silken feathers brush across her side. She cracked open her eyes and slowly extended her wing, then gave it an experimental flap. Relaxing further as no pain shot out through her body, she found that her wing felt as strong as it had been before she had been poisoned. She looked at her left wing and gave her left wing an experimental flap. It felt just as strong as her right wing. A smile slowly grew on her face. She could fly with Rainbow again!
And she could walk again. She let out a soft sigh of relief. For a few seconds, she sat there, letting her mind and body calm down. Although it wasn't easy- a bubbly giddiness welled up inside her. She wanted to laugh, to giggle happily. Her wing was back! 'But how?' she wondered. As she thought about it, no answers immediately dawned on her, and the bubbly giddiness faded.
Eventually, she licked her lips, then slid out of bed and stood on the floor. She took a few steps towards the door. Her hooves softly clicked on the crystal as she walked, perfectly balanced now that her wing had regrown. She felt like she melted in relief. She would never have to see that accursed pack again! She could walk, she could fly! She could run again without tripping over herself!
She sat down on her haunches and closed her eyes, smiling. She bowed her head for a moment, then took a deep breath and stood up. She slowly took a few steps away from the bed and peeked out onto the balcony.
A single pony stood propped up against the railing, looking out across the night sky. The crystalizing magic of the Crystal Heart had long since faded, which left Twilight feeling a deep sense of disappointment, but even without the magic of the Crystal Heart, her inherent beauty remained. Her rainbow mane was on the left side of her neck; an occasional breeze lifted several strands off her body, suspending it in the air and making it ripple for a brief moment. For several seconds, she just watched the pegasus.
Then, she took a step forward, followed by another. She slowly, quietly walked towards the balcony, doing her absolute best to keep her approach a surprise. While the air inside of the room was chilly, outside, the air was almost cold. After all, it was night and they were much farther north than Canterlot. But the chill went mostly unnoticed. Her wings protected her sides, after all. The cool breeze ran through her mane and tail, and the sensation made her want to spread her wings out and fly. Something she hadn't done in far, far too long for her liking- and she was certain Rainbow felt the same way. They could fly together again.
She fought off the urge to spread her wings as she approached Rainbow. Somehow, she avoided alerting Rainbow to her presence until she was right behind her. All Rainbow would have to do was flick her tail, and she'd know Twilight was there. But instead, she was still, silently watching the sky. Not so long ago, Rainbow would have been unable to sit still like she was, but it was lost on both of them. Twilight propped herself up on her hind legs, grinning, then extended her wings and fell forward onto Rainbow's back.
Rainbow tensed up and grunted. Her head whipped around to see Twilight. In an instant, Twilight's wings wrapped around her body, and she could feel Twilight's feathers intertwining over her stomach. Twilight smiled. She smiled. Twilight leaned in and kissed her on the lips. She moaned softly and returned the kiss. After a few seconds, they parted from the kiss, but they instinctively laid their heads against one another. "Hey, Twi..." she said softly.
Twilight nuzzled Rainbow, then laid her head down on her shoulder. She slowly slid her wings up, then back down over Rainbow's body. Oh, how she missed being able to feel Rainbow's coat with her right wing and feathers. It sent little shivers of delight throughout her body. She nuzzled Rainbow even more, tenderly and affectionately rubbing her muzzle and cheek into Rainbow's neck.
Rainbow chuckled softly. "I take if you're happy?" she asked.
"Yeah," Twilight answered, her voice genuinely warm. After a few minutes of silently nuzzling her, she stopped. She lifted her head up and watched Rainbow seriously, but continued to embrace her with her wings. "I... what happened? I don't remember anything after the Crystal Heart's magic..." she trailed off.
"You uh... passed out, I guess. You almost hit your head on the street," Rainbow answered quietly. "Then your magic just sort of... made your side and forehead glow and... I was really worried, but... yeah. Now you're back to normal. I guess."
Twilight blinked. "My forehead?" she asked. Her eyes jumped up, then widened. Right atop her head was her horn. She gawked at it, having no idea how she had managed to miss seeing it or not feel it.
Rainbow chuckled a little. "You just now noticing?"
Twilight continued to stare at her horn as she nodded.
Rainbow smiled, then nudged her jaw with her nose. Twilight blinked a few times, then looked at Rainbow. After a moment, she looked back up at her horn. With barely any effort, her magenta aura glowed around her horn.
Twilight's face lit up in excitement, and Rainbow could feel the sudden spike in Twilight's heartbeat. The alicorn squeed in delight.
She held Rainbow tighter as adrenaline flooded her body from excitement. Her lips pulled up into a big, bright smile. She turned her head to the side, then with hardly any effort, teleported a book to the balcony from her library- it didn't matter what one, all that mattered was that she could use her magic again! She held the book in her magic, levitating it over the floor. Twilight squeed again and released Rainbow to all but pounce on the book. She caught the book in her forehooves and pulled it close to her chest, smothering it with nuzzles. Rainbow laughed and walked over to her.
Twilight swiveled around to face her, grabbed Rainbow in her magic and pulled her close. She lifted her forehoof up and placed it behind her head, then forced Rainbow into a kiss with her. Rainbow moaned again as they kissed for several seconds. Eventually, Twilight slid her forehoof down and pulled back from the kiss. She stepped forward and embraced Rainbow in a hug.
"Really good mood," Rainbow noted. She returned the hug and nuzzled Twilight.
Twilight pulled away from Rainbow, blushing in embarrassment. She shyly looked at the floor and avoided looking at Rainbow.
Rainbow just chuckled mirthfully and used a forehoof to coax Twilight's muzzle back up to face her. She smiled at Twilight enthusiastically.
Twilight hesitantly embraced Rainbow again and laid her horn on Rainbow's mane as she pressed herself into Rainbow's neck. After a few seconds, she just sat down on her haunches and cried. Rainbow sat down with her and held her as her tears flowed out.
"I-I never... I... I-I didn't..." she stuttered.
Rainbow squeezed her and nuzzled her, silently reassuring and comforting her alicorn princess. She unfolded her wings and laid them on Twilight's back, holding her in place. She nudged Twilight's mane with her muzzle and inhaled deeply, then exhaled in a soft, happy sigh.
"H-How..?" Twilight asked.
"I was hoping you could tell me," Rainbow replied. "Celestia said she thought that the Crystal Heart... uh... cata... cata... uh..." she trailed off.
"Catalyzed..?" Twilight asked.
"Yeah! That," Rainbow agreed. "Celestia said that she thought the Crystal Heart catalyzed your magic or something and triggered... that. Luna said it looked like your ascension. It was weird..." she trailed off, her voice growing quiet. "I-I was scared."
Twilight slid her foreleg up and wrapped it around Rainbow's neck, squeezing her. Rainbow squeaked from the force behind it. "T-Too t-tight!"
Twilight quickly let up. "S-sorry!" she apologized frantically. "I-I..."
"It's okay," Rainbow preempted, letting out a nervous laugh. "Uh... Celestia said that you seem to have uh... recovered. Physically, anyway. She said she couldn't find anything wrong with your wing or horn or magic when she checked. So... you uh... you're strong. I... don't think I realized you were that strong."
Twilight nuzzled Rainbow. "Sorry, it's... well... yes." After a few seconds, she lifted her head back up. Rainbow reluctantly brought her head up and looked at Twilight. They watched each other, smiling. Twilight looked so happy. Her eyes were filled with joy and life; they sparkled from tears in the moonlight. Rainbow lifted her right wing from Twilight's side, then carefully used a feather to wipe away tears just below Twilight's eyes. Twilight let out a soft giggle and looked down at Rainbow's chest.
"How do you feel?" Rainbow asked softly.
Twilight looked back up at her. For a few seconds, her eyes wandered over the mare's beautiful face. "I... feel... giddy," she answered. "It's... I feel warm inside and... happy. I feel complete..." she trailed off, then cast her gaze to the left. "I feel like... a weight is just... gone." Twilight's horn glowed again and there was a quick pop and a raspberry colored flash of magic. Rainbow looked over and watched as Twilight teleported book after book from her library in Ponyville all the way to the balcony.
Rainbow smiled and rolled her eyes at how excited Twilight was. Despite her reaction, she treasured seeing Twilight so happy again. But, after the tenth book, she sighed. "Twi..."
Twilight stopped and looked back at her. "Oh, sorry..." she apologized. Her attention was split; as much as she wanted to look at Rainbow, she still wanted to watch the books and use her magic. Her eyes lingered on Rainbow, ber her muzzle gradually turned to point towards the books. As soon as her muzzle pointed at the books, her eyes jumped away from Rainbow to observe them as the hovered in her telekinetic grip.
Twilight smiled fondly. She took a deep breath, turned to face Rainbow, and teleported all of the books abck to where they belonged.
"So..." Rainbow ventured.
After a few seconds, the corners of Twilight's lips fell as her smile faded. "I..." she trailed off, sighing as she looked away from Rainbow. Her ears pinned back. "I guess... I'm fine now, and... that..."
"Twilight, I swear, if you're about to suggest that since you're better, I'm going to leave you, I will go tell Celestia to use the Elements of Harmony to turn us into stone while we're cuddling," Rainbow quipped.
Twilight winced. "S-sorry," she stuttered. She hesitantly looked back at Rainbow, still visibly distressed from Rainbow's half threat. Rainbow sighed, then leaned forward and nuzzled Twilight, forcing her worry away. Twilight cooed and leaned into the affection. Before pulling back, Rainbow gave her a quick kiss on her cheek. "Sorry, I just..."
"I'm not going to leave you. We've been over this like a bajillion times," Rainbow groaned.
Twilight closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and nodded. She opened her eyes and studied Rainbow's wary expression. "I... can... can you forgive me for... d-doubting you?"
Rainbow smiled sweetly and nodded. "Yeah," she answered. "You're forgiven. Now stop thinking I'm going to leave you," she chuckled.
Twilight leaned forward and gave Rainbow a quick nuzzle. After pulling back, she saw that Rainbow was smirking at her.
"I'm really glad to see you like this," Rainbow said. "I've... missed you being so... I dunno, lively?"
Twilight's eyes shot down to stare at Rainbow's hooves. "I... suppose that I wasn't very..." she trailed off. After a few seconds, she hesitantly leaned away, then slowly rose to her hooves. Rainbow's wings slid off of her, then folded at the pegasus's side. She stood up, then stepped towards the door. "I... we should probably tell everypony that I'm awake, shouldn't we?" she asked. She took another step towards the door.
Rainbow was silent as she sat there. Twilight still limped. The way her body lurched slightly like she was afraid to put any weight on her right foreleg made her heart ache, yet Twilight didn't seem to notice the change. She didn't look in pain; she was still practically beaming. Twilight took another step forward, limping towards the door. Rainbow wanted to cry. After another second passed, Twilight realized that Rainbow wasn't following her. She paused and turned around. "Rainbow?"
Rainbow blinked and licked her lips. "Uh, y-yeah... right," she said.
Twilight frowned and turned around as Rainbow stood up. "What's wrong?" she asked as Rainbow approached her.
Rainbow put on a smile and shook her head. "Nothing, I'm just... it-it's good to see you happy," she said. Her eyes teared up a bit. Twilight's smile returned as she limped to close the gap, then hugged her. Rainbow laid her head on Twilight's shoulder and returned the hug. "I-I love you, Twi."
"I love you too, Rainbow," Twilight whispered back. She nuzzled her cheek, then pulled back. Rainbow's grip on her slowly weakened until she pulled away. "Do... would you mind... going for a flight with me, after we tell everypony I'm awake?" she asked softly.
Rainbow smiled. "Yeah, of course, I will!" she agreed without hesitation. "But uh... don't you want to use your magic more or something? Haven't you missed that."
Twilight nodded solemnly. "Yeah... I really have, but... I want to go flying with you. I've missed it a lot..." she admitted. A smirk pulled at her lips. "Plus I can do magic while flying, since, you know, I'm an alicorn."
Rainbow snickered through her misty eyes. "Yeah."
Twilight turned around and walked on into the Palace. Rainbow lingered behind, her smile fading as she watched the alicorn limp inside. After Twilight had passed through the door, she broke herself from her stupor, then put on a smile and walked inside behind her.
Twilight couldn't help but sigh. It was a content sigh, but it was also a disappointed sigh. 'What had I expected?' she wondered. Looking up at the starry night sky, she found herself focusing on the dark void between stars, rather than the stars themselves. There were so many stars speckling the sky, but they didn't truly fill the sky. The sky was still so vast and empty. The stars themselves were all so far away from each other. They looked lonely, and she felt she could relate to that.
She shifted her weight on the cloud. Rainbow pulled her a little closer. She smiled, if only for a moment. Looking over at Rainbow, she studied the mare's features. Her disarrayed rainbow-mane, her gentle smile, her soft eyes. Rainbow's love for her. But behind it, she could still see the concern and hurt she had caused. She tilted her head back and gazed up at the sky.
Between the peaceful calm of night and the feeling of Rainbow's warmth, her mind wandered, replaying how telling everypony that she was awake went. Nothing wrong had happened, nor anything bad. It was a happy moment.
Celestia- her mother- had beamed at her, so happily. Her smile had been so warm and welcoming, serving as an attempt to banish her doubts, fears, and insecurities. It was a comforting, motherly smile, but yet it still meant so much more to her than the average pony. She was proud of her, and she shared in the joy from her healing. The smile left her feeling okay. Happy, even. Joyful.
Luna wasn't quite as joyful as Celestia had been. It just wasn't in her nature, but even still, she smiled, sharing in the general feeling of accomplishment. She had offered several words of encouragement. She even went so far as to comment on her magic and offer to spar with her sometime. Though she didn't admit it, that was a prospect that intrigued her. She said she'd consider it, and she would have sworn that made Luna smirk.
Spike had been overjoyed, of course. The way his eyes lit up in excitement, the way he looked so much more lively than she had seen in months. It warmed her heart. He had given her such a big hug, too. Although it might have been an attempt to strangle her to death for putting them through everything. She wasn't sure. But still, she welcomed his embrace, returning it and giving him a nuzzle. He had said he was more than looking forward to things going back to normal, now.
Next, there was Starlight. She still wasn't quite the most sociable pony, and she still struggled with her emotions at times. This seemed to be one of those times. She was certainly happy, but it came out awkwardly. She really didn't know how to act, what to do, or what to say. In the end, she simply hugged Twilight and reaffirmed that she was proud, honored, and thankful to be her student. Twilight had smiled at that, and she smiled again as she thought about it.
Sunburst was just sort of there. He smiled and noted that it was a good thing, but they weren't that close; they were just acquaintances, after all. He was awkward like Starlight, too, but not quite as bad as she was. He fumbled with his glasses while he started in on discussing all of the possible research opportunities this opened up. At the time, the prospect had excited her. Research. Oh, it had been so, so long- far too long- since she had been able to enjoy that. Plus, it would give her an excuse and an opportunity to learn more about her alicorn nature, and of course, the Crystal Heart. But right now, that prospect didn't hold any sway over her.
Cadance and Shining Armor both gave her big, warm hugs. She was half afraid her brother was never going to let her go, and she wondered if he was trying to finish what Spike had started. In the end, he pulled away, trying to hide his tears and failing. Him rubbing his eyes was a big giveaway. Nevertheless, she felt so happy again, so excited. There were so many opportunities now! She had her wing back. She had her horn back. And her own preliminary tests with her magic suggested that she hadn't been imagining it: her magic not only felt stronger but seemed to actually be more potent than before. She wasn't sure to what extent, but it left a pleasant, giddy feeling in her chest. That feeling wasn't there, now.
Flurry just giggled and hugged her, rubbing her muzzle into her neck. She happily returned both the hug and the nuzzle.
But that feeling, the warmth, the happiness? As she left the room, it had stayed there in the room, refusing to come with her. In a way, she felt betrayed. She was healed! She was better! Excluding a few things she needed to check on, she was physically fine.
But not mentally, nor emotionally.
She had tried to hold her smile as she trotted back to their room, but she just couldn't. She couldn't even keep trotting, and she eventually slowed. Sure, she was physically fine. Her magic was back. She felt better physically. She was happy that her magic was back. But she still felt a numb emptiness. A hollowness in her core. It just felt empty.
She wasn't okay. She could take care of herself now, but she wasn't okay. And she realized that. Her mind wandered over her experiences in the past few months. How could she feel okay, given what she had put her friends through? How could she feel okay, given what she had gone through? Sure, her magic was back, but what did that really matter? She had let everypony down. She had been a burden on her friends. She was supposed to be the Princess of Friendship, but it felt meaningless.
She didn't feel like she had overcome anything. She didn't feel like she had accomplished anything. Her recovery? It felt so hollow. One minute, she was a broken pegasus, the next, she was an alicorn again. She was joyful. It was joyful. It was worthy of celebration, although maybe not to the extent of her ascension. But what did that matter? She hadn't done anything to deserve that. The Crystal Heart and or her own magic had healed her. She was happy and grateful for that, but it still felt meaningless. Even knowing that she shouldn't have had to deserve being healed didn't make her feel any better. Even if her healing was, theoretically, natural, only catalyzed by the magic of the Crystal Heart, she still felt like it didn't matter. She wouldn't give up being better, but it still felt like something was missing. It felt incomplete.
Her left forehoof drifted down to her stomach. Though her stomach wasn't queasy, holding her hoof there felt comforting. A few thoughts crossed her mind, but they were like a vapor in the light of day, fading away just as quickly as they came.
Her mind wandered without aim, jumping between barely related events. One thing in common that each memory had was just how much she owed Rainbow. She licked her lips, feeling her eyes starting to burn around the edges.
How could she ever thank her? She owed Rainbow her life, literally. Had it not been for her, she very well could have died at Chrysalis's hooves. And thinking about Chrysalis brought so many emotions to bear: fear and hopelessness. Anger and bitterness. Resentment.
Chrysalis got what she deserved at Luna's hooves. Knowing that helped, but it only helped with her fear. Chrysalis wouldn't return to hurt her or threaten anypony ever again, but the anger was still there.
A memory of pain raced through her mind. For a brief moment, she fell into a panic, but then she remembered Rainbow was laying right there beside her. Her muscles relaxed, but she pressed herself closer to her guardian.
Her bitterness and resent morphed into fear once again. It made her want to cry. Here she was, physically better. She could defend herself and protect Rainbow. Even if Chrysalis was still around, she knew she could have fought her off, but instead, she still felt fear.
"Twi, are you okay?" Rainbow's voice asked softly. It was so quiet, not wanting to disrupt the peacefulness the two of them shared, but the question needed to be asked.
Twilight glanced at her and swallowed. She opened her mouth to reply, "Ye..." but the words of her reply died on her lips. She closed her mouth. She wanted to say yes. Physically she was fine, after all. She had healed. She was okay. But she wasn't okay. She would have been lying to Rainbow if she answered as she had planned but telling her the truth would only hurt her more. And how could she do that? How could she just complain? She had no reason to complain, but it felt so meaningless.
She rolled her head to the side, looking away from her. The pain in her eyes grew, and an all too familiar warmth flooded them. She pressed her eyes closed, but that only made the warmth run down her face.
When they returned to Ponyville, her friends would undoubtedly celebrate her recovery. She could already imagine Pinkie Pie throwing two parties- one for the entire town, and then one with just their close-knit group of friends. She had probably already planned both. But it was so meaningless. They wouldn't get anything out of it, and it would just waste their time.
Their precious, limited time. Sure, she could make things up to them- she could help Applejack around the farm, help Fluttershy with her animals, help Pinkie with her baking, help Rarity with her business, but it wouldn't really change anything.
She felt Rainbow shift, then she felt Rainbow's chest, stomach, and abdomen press up against her side. Rainbow's right hind leg came to rest on her abdomen, and Rainbow's right foreleg slid over her chest. Her right wing blanketed her, but even as Rainbow pulled her close, she refused to look back at her.
And her thoughts twisted further and further, turning into a vicious cycle. She was hurting, her hurting was hurting Rainbow, hurting Rainbow hurt her. Over and over again.
Rainbow's muzzle nudged her neck, then she felt Rainbow's soft, delicate lips come to rest on her jaw. She could feel Rainbow's warm lips against her fur, and the warmth slowly warmed her skin beneath her fur. It was pleasant, but it only made her cry more.
But, maybe that was exactly what she needed to do. Just cry. She had been through a lot. She was healed but scarred. 'Crying would be good for me,' she decided. Rather than fight it, she let the tears come in full force. She needed this. Even if she had cried earlier, she knew she needed this. She rolled her head over, then pressed her forehead into Rainbow's neck.
And that only made her cry more. It was so confusing. She had gotten used to being able to so easily press her forehead against Rainbow's soft coat, she was used to being able to feel Rainbow's rich, soft fur caressing her forehead where her missing horn had been. But now, her horn was back. That feeling was gone, likely forever. And she had cherished that feeling. Feeling so vulnerable, but knowing Rainbow was there to protect her. Rainbow was still there to protect her, but it just wasn't the same.
She laid her horn on Rainbow's neck, then rolled over and hugged Rainbow back, crying into her coat. Rainbow's hoof slid over her back, then ran up to her mane. Tenderly, Rainbow brushed her forehoof through Twilight's mane. The rhythmic motions were soothing and comforting, and each stroke left her wanting to shiver, but instead, she only cried.
She wasn't sure how long it took before her tears stopped, but she knew for certain she felt better, if only slightly. The numbness was still there, but she didn't feel quite so hollow as before. Still, Rainbow continued to stroke her mane. Each stroke was soothing, helping her to feel a sense of peace and calm. Each stroke was so tender and merciful, never ceasing, never slowing, never speeding up. It was a constant. It was a promise. Rainbow's hoof brushing her mane didn't chastize her, it didn't presume of her, it didn't ask anything in return, save that she accept the offer. She nestled into Rainbow's embrace and nuzzled her, not caring about how cold Rainbow's wet fur was as a result of her tears.
"Are you going to be okay?" was Rainbow's soft, unassuming question.
It was a hard question to answer, and so she found herself thinking about it, along with everything she had been through. She had survived, at the very least. She still had Rainbow, and Rainbow still had her. She had her friends, even if they were drifting. She had no reason to fear Chrysalis. Celestia was her mother. But it all still left her wanting something else that she couldn't place. It still felt meaningless. The crying had helped.
She knew she would be crying more in the near future. She'd probably still be crying over this in the distant future. She swallowed and licked her lips. Her body shook as she inhaled, then relaxed as she exhaled. Hesitantly, she nodded her head. "Yeah... maybe..." she replied unsurely. Rainbow squeezed her back, then kissed her forehead. Even if she didn't feel okay, that didn't mean there wouldn't come a time when she would. After all, she still had years ahead of her. Centuries, really. That was a long, long time. It was enough time for so much to change. Enough time for plans to be made and come to fruition, enough time for generations to come and pass. Enough time for countries to rise and fall.
Celestia had been right. Maybe she would be right again.
"Eventually..."