Twilight passed through the mouth of the cave and walked inside. A layer of dust covered the floor, and little chunks of rock fell from the ceiling, hinting at an imminent collapse, but she needed to see more. Where brightly colored tapestries were once hanged on the cave walls, only tattered pieces of ruined cloth remained. The remnants of ornate furniture and a fire pit occupied the center of the room, and the memories of a particularly enlightening conversation began to resurface in Twilight’s mind.
She had been here, sitting by that very fire that once burned brightly and gave off warmth, now cold and dark. A proud princess once spoke to her about the mystical grove and shared her life-saving medicine, and act that ultimately brought Twilight back from the brink of death. Now, she understood why the flower had begun to glow.
It glowed brightly like it was full of life because it was home. Somehow, she had made it back to the island.
“Twilight Sparkle... You’ve come back for me...”
The purple princess turned on her hooves and faced the mouth of the cave, locking eyes with Demise. The tall, black Alicorn took a step towards her, causing Twilight to step back in reaction.
Demise stopped and frowned at the floor. “You’re disappointed with me...”
Twilight’s chest swelled with frustration and her nostrils flared. “I’m disappointed with what you’ve done. This isn’t you, Demise. The princess I met wouldn’t have acted so selfishly and put the world in danger so she could get what she wanted.” The dark princess winced at every word like it was a blow to the chest. “She would care for those who needed her most, and...” Twilight swallowed hard as she tried to get the words out. “... and her love for the world was unmatched.”
She stepped forward, inching closer to Demise. “She was bright and wise, and her conviction could overcome mountains. When she set her heart to something, nothing could stop her.” All the while she spoke, Twilight’s thoughts turned to Dulcet.
Demise’s eyes began to water, and a tear trickled down her cheek. “I’m broken, Twilight... I’ll never be whole again...”
Twilight raised a hoof, turning the princess of time’s cheek so their eyes connected. “You can still fix this. I know you can, for me...”
That really got her attention.
Demise opened her mouth as though she were about to speak, but an unexpected interruption arose from behind her.
“Step. Away. From. Her.”
Both Twilight and Demise turned to find Dulcet standing under the mouth of the cave, her horn glowing and pointed at Demise. “I’m so sorry I lost you, Twilight. I didn’t think she was capable of something so devious as bringing you here...”
Twilight looked back and forth between the two of them. Seeing them together made it painfully clear how close they were, two sides of the same troubled princess. “Dulcet, wait... I’m not in any danger.” Demise and her locked eyes. “We’ve come to an understanding, and she’s going to do the right thing...”
Dulcet’s scowl narrowed, and she didn’t raise her horn. “If you lay one hoof on her...”
Demise lowered her head. “I would never harm Twilight...”
The white princess rolled her eyes. “That isn’t at all what I meant, you lustful matriarch.”
Demise snorted and rose to her full height. “You don’t know anything about me!”
Dulcet scoffed at her response. “Ha! I know everything about you. I am you!” Twilight watched with a mortified expression as the two princesses fired verbally back and forth at each other like a tennis match. “You can believe all you want that you’re some all-powerful, independent mare, but you’re not. You’re me, and I’m you. You made me, Demise, and now, I’m going to fix the mess you created!”
Demise looked like she was having none of it. “Oh, how noble of you! You claim to be better than me, Dulcet, so selfless, so virtuous, but you’re living a lie. You’re just as in love with Twilight Sparkle as I am. You might be better at surpressing your feelings, but where has that gotten you? You’ve pursued her halfway across Equestria and put yourself between her and danger time and time again, but she’ll never love you. She’ll never love us!”
The white princess’ eyes widened and tears began to form in the corners. She opened her quivering mouth, preparing to retaliate, but something caught her gaze. It came fast, but she was too slow to react. The white mare had no time to brace herself as something reached out of the clearing behind her, grabbed her by the legs, and pulled her to the ground before dragging her out of the cave. Dulcet kicked like a mule and broke free of her attacker.
Demise and Twilight were out of the cave and in the clearing in seconds. “Cascade, stand down!”
The water princess stood by the broken pool, tenticals protruding from her body like before. Under the light of the moon, she seemed to be more wavy than normal, like the tide was having an affect on her. “Do you know what you’re asking, Lord Demise? These traitors are here to stop us, to stop you from achieving your goal. I think it would be best to stop them before they can do the same to us.”
Demise glared at her. “You do not think, Princess Cascade, you obey me. Stand down and leave.”
Cascade looked at the mud beneath her, then her head rose again and she stared at Demise. “My Lord, you have promised us our birthright, to be worshiped by the lesser ponies.”
Demise stepped forward, putting herself between Dulcet and Cascade. Twilight watched in awe at the power and authority her voice wielded. “I made a mistake. Now, do as I tell you and leave this place.”
The princess of water shook her head. “I don’t think so. We are not leaving until we can be assured that no pony stands in our way.”
Dulcet cocked her head to the side. “Our?”
Cascade nodded to the ground, and the earth began to rumble beneath their hooves. Next to her, the ground shifted and churned before rising up, taking the shape of a pony. Made from dirt and rocks, the prince took his place by Cascade’s side.
Then, the wind began to pick up tromendously. Grey clouds rolled in, covering up the night sky and blotting out the moon. Above, the clouds swirled and circled before a bolt of lightning arched from the darkness, hitting the ground and burning it into glass. What remained was another Alicorn, dark grey and with a aura of stormy clouds surounding her. “Loam, the prince of earth... Cyclone, the princess of storms... Both have pledge themselves to your cause but now see that our faith was misplaced.”
Demise’s tail swished back and forth. “Twilight, stay behind us...”
Dulcet stood by Demise and pointed her horn at Cascade.
The water princess chuckled at the sight before her. “Well, who’s first?”
***Up Next: Battle for the Island***