//------------------------------// // Part 14: Azure // Story: Amazing Alicorns // by Cardinal Dan Productions //------------------------------// “Twilight Sparkle, it’s time for you to awaken.” A cool breeze blanketed the purple mare as her eyes fluttered open. She could hardly move, feeling stiff as a board and sore to boot. A gentle groan escaped her lips as she tried to sit up. Something about her situation felt eerily familiar. Taking in her surroundings, Twilight saw that there were in fact no surroundings. She was on a cloud, white and soft, and all around her were the night sky and stars. “You really are everything this world needs, aren’t you?” Twilight spun around and saw a mare looking back at her. Of course she was an Alicorn, tall and beautiful, sporting giant wings and long horn. Her coat was as white as the cloud they were standing on, and she had a sky-blue mane and tail to match. To put it simply, she looked stunningly beautiful. The princess of friendship swallowed and addressed the mare. “Thank you... I don’t believe I caught your name.” The mare smiled kindly and stepped closer. “Your politeness is appreciated, but I didn’t throw it. You may call me Azure.” Twilight’s eyes widened. “You... You’re Demise’s mother?” Azure smiled again and nodded her head. “Not only mother to Demise, but you are correct. I am the mother of all Alicorns, even you, my little princess.” Twilight’s cheeks felt hot. “I... I’m... How is that possible? I wasn’t born an Alicorn. I was made a princess by proving myself, like Celestia, Luna, and Cadence.” The Alicorn queen chuckled sweetly. “All Alicorns, regardless of how they came to be, contain the seeds of my essence. The gift of wings doesn’t make you a princess, Twilight Sparkle. It’s your heart and courage, and I am proud to call you my daughter.” Again, Twilight’s cheeks burned, and she bowed her head before Azure. “Th-Thank you, your majesty...” Azure’s hoof caressed her chin, lifting it up so their eyes could meet. “It is I who should be thanking you, Twilight. Your actions have saved this world and ponykind from destruction at the hooves of my husband. He will think twice before attempting such a fool hearty task as challenging the brave ponies of Equestria again.” The memories came flooding back into her mind. “What happened to the others?” She needed to see her friends, to know that they were safe. She needed to see Dulcet. There was so much to tell her. “The water’s have receded, and the sea is calm again. Demise and your friends are waiting for you on the island. As for Cascade, I can assure you that her actions will not go unpunished. Loam and Cyclone too...” Twilight managed a smile, and she took a deep breath. After all that, it was over, and the bad Alicorns would be receiving some much needed discipline from their mother. The thought was enough to satisfy her, but she still thought she might never swim again. It just wouldn’t be the same knowing the princess of water hated her guts. “You should go, Twilight. The others are expecting you, and there is much to be done.” Azure embraced her. Twilight sighed into her neck as feelings of warmth and comfort overwhelmed her and returned the hug. When they pulled away, Azure beamed at her. “I can see why Demise fancies you...” Then, her smile faded. “... but you know what has to be done, don’t you?” Twilight knew. There had to be a princess of time to govern the universe, and that meant leaving somepony behind. She nodded her head, and Azure leaned forward, planting a kiss below her horn. Twilight closed her eyes and allowed the queen’s lips to press against her. “Go, my daughter, and know that wherever the wind blows, I will be there, watching you grow...” *** When her eyes opened again, Twilight was standing just outside of the hidden grove. She let out a sigh before stepping through the trees and entering the clearing. Everypony was there. Celestia, Luna, and Cadence were talking amungst themselves, Blaze and Everfree were in the middle of a heated discussion about forest fires and ‘who’s fault the were’, and Dulcet stood quietly with Demise. When Dulcet saw her coming, her eyes lit up. “Twilight!” The white princess ran to meet her, leaping into her hooves at the last second, and the two mares went to the ground. They rolled in the dirt until Dulcet ended up on top, staring deeply into her eyes as her mane fell around them. For a few moments, neither of them said anything, but Demise cleared her throat, prompting Dulcet to get off of her. Twilight rose to her hooves as Dulcet did, and they joined everypony else in the center of the grove. The talking quieted down as Demise stepped forward. “I... I would like to begin by thanking you all. My selfish actions would have meant the end of Equestria and more, and I and glad you were here to help me right my wrongs.” Then, Demise’s gaze fell directly on her. “Twilight Sparkle, your heart is kind and pure, but I understand now that it was never meant for me to have. There is another who is far more deserving of your love than I.” The black mare’s eyes moved to Dulcet, and Twilight’s heart pounded in her chest. “Dulcet...” Her breath grew short. “... What is she talking about?” With her back against the perverbial wall and her face flustered, Dulcet swallowed hard and looked Twilight directly in the eyes. “Well, Twilight... I... I love you.” Feeling emboldened by speaking her mind, Dulcet took a step closer towards her. “I really love you, and... and I want to go with you, to Equestria, I mean. Time isn’t endless, so I want to spend all I can with you, every moment of every day and night...” Everypony in the grove held their breath, waiting for a response from Twilight. After a few moments of deafening silence looking into Dulcet’s pleading eyes, Twilight nodded her head. “Yes...” Overjoyed, the white princess threw her hooves around Twilight and pulled her close, earning cheers and laughter from their friends. A gentle gust of wind blew threw the grove, brushing past her mane. Somehow, Twilight knew that was Azure giving them her approval. Dulcet pulled away, not having noticed her mother’s presence. “Well, Twilight? What’s our next move?” Twilight raised an eyebrow at her. “Our?” Dulcet beamed at her, grinning wildly. “Of course... Whatever you do, I’ll be with you.” Twilight managed a soft chuckle and drew her mane to the side. “You know, I think I’ve had enough adventuring for a while. I’d like to go home.” The time princess’ smile vanished, and her gaze fell. “Oh, I see...” Twilight noticed this sudden shift in tone and put a firm hoof on her shoulder. “That means you’re coming with me. We’re going home, Dulcet.” The other Alicorns had already gathered around the broken pool. Blaze waved a cautious hoof through the mist. “So, how does this thing work? We just walk through to go back to Equestria?” Demise nodded. “That’s right.” He let out an excited ‘whoop’ and made a dash for the mist. “See ya’, Demise! Everypony’s welcome at my place for dinner!” In a flash of light, he was gone. Everfree was next, offering everypony a kind smile. “If his feasts are as flavorful as his personality, I’ll be there.” Then, she too dissapeared. One by one, all of the Alicorns left the island until only Twilight, Dulcet, and Demise remained. Dulcet approached the mist before looking back at her. Twilight nodded silently, prompting her to go. “I’ll be waiting for you, princess...” Then, she vanished into the mist. All alone now, Twilight and Demise stood in silence, in the very place where everything began. They locked eyes. “This is the last time I’m going to see you, isn’t it?” Demise shrugged and smiled meekly. “Not necessarily. As long as you’re with Dulcet, you’re with me. Apparently I didn’t lose all of my senses when we broke apart, nor did Dulcet lose her attraction to you.” Twilight’s cheeks burned bright red. “I guess that makes two of us... I’ll miss you, Demise.” The two mares shared a strong embrace. “We’ll see each other again. Time flows and is always changing.” They pulled away and shared a brief moment of silence. “You should go, Twilight. She’s looking for you now.” Then, she raised a hoof to caress the purple mare’s cheek and straighten the flower in her mane. “Besides, there’s something else you have to do, a promise to fulfill.” Twilight understood, amazed that the gift Demise gave her so long ago had survived, persevering through everything they encountered. “Goodbye, Twilight Sparkle.” Twilight turned her back to Demise and walked towards the mist. “Goodbye, Demise...” *** She didn’t know what to expect when passing through the mist. A tingling sensation came over her, and Twilight suddenly felt as though she were walking on nothing, floating in a black void. Then, her hooves hit the hard ground, and she was running through trees and brush along the forest floor. There was a bright light ahead, and Twilight continued to run towards it. At long last, she broke free from the Everfree Forest and ran out onto the rolling hills that buffered between it and Ponyville. Standing at the top of the hill was Dulcet with her back to Twilight. “It’s beautiful...” The purple mare grinned and approached her from behind. “Huh? What is?” Dulcet didn’t look away from the town in the distance. “All of it... Only until now have I been allowed mere glimpses of Equestria.” Twilight stood next to her and bumped her flank against Dulcet’s, getting her attention at last. “Hey, home is this way.” She took off towards the crystal palace that towered over Ponyville. Dulcet sighed and smiled. “Home...” Then, she too took off running. With the wind at their backs and and a blue sky lit by a bright sun, neither mare looked back once. ***The End*** There are more Amazing Alicorns to find, some kind and benevolent, others with malicious intentions. If y’all liked this story and want to see it continue, show some support and leave comments/messages saying so!