Seconds dragged by in her high vantage point as she looked around nervously, quartering the sky as well as looking for any movement on the ground just in case any unwelcome visitors should come looking or her. She was more acutely aware now than at any other time, that being caught meant a lifetime sentence of merciless living death. She had enjoyed a few brief seconds of intimacy with the mare of her dreams and if she were to be caught, she would at least have that one fleeting memory to carry her through eternity, but she prayed that the fates would smile on her and allow them a full and happy life together, now she knew Rainbow felt the same way.
She became aware of movement on the ground; an orange pony with tail and mane tied in red ribbon racing towards the castle in the lengthening evening shadows like she was leading the annual Running of the Leaves. Suddenly she didn’t feel quite so alone and removed the barricades at the door before running down to meet the apple farmer, dear, dependable, honest Applejack.
AJ was looking around, trying to locate what it was that had got Rainbow in such a tizzy when she had demanded they meet up here immediately, but nothing seemed amiss.
Twilight stood in the doorway and checked the sky again quickly before softly calling out her name.
The earth pony stiffened. She knew the voice, but its owner was dead; Princess Celestia had told her so herself, and she of all ponies wouldn’t tell a lie, certainly not one like that.
She turned, her green eyes widening as they fell on the lilac figure stood in the doorway.
“Twilight?” she asked tentatively, “Is that you Sugarcube?”
“You have no idea how nice it is to see you again Applejack” she replied, “But I suggest you come up into the castle, so you’re not seen.”
“Why?” she asked, trotting over as she had been requested, “What the hay is going on?”
Just then, Rarity emerged, panting. She could just make out AJ in the doorway but nothing or nopony in the darkness beyond.
“Applejack darling” she enquired between gasps, “What is all the commotion? I was just completing a very complex appliqué that’s going to form the centrepiece of my latest collection.”
“Ah suggest you might want to come over here Sugarcube” drawled AJ, moving to one side only once the fashionista had set hoof on the castle steps.
“T … Twilight?” she stammered, “Darling, you’re alive? We all thought you had been killed by an Ursa Major. I had even designed a range of matching mourning wear for us all, but thank Celestia, it looks like we won’t be needing it now!”
She rushed forward and gave both of her friends a heartfelt hug, tears of happiness smudging her immaculate mascara, but for once she didn’t mind in the slightest.
Rarity’s mood skipped uncharacteristically past the usual drama queen phase; something was wrong here, seriously wrong, and she could feel a strong sense of urgency from her friends; now was not the time, she told herself. Later, perhaps, she promised inwardly, if I can find a fainting couch.
Soon the six friends were reunited in the castle’s library, a room that had survived the worst ravages of time and had multiple exits should a quick escape be needed.
Twilight removed Celestia’s magical items and placed her own crown on her head, noticing that all the others were already wearing their Elements of Harmony. She rushed over what had happened as quickly as she could, fearful that they would be discovered at any minute. Celestia’s crown would certainly be acting as a beacon to its owner, drawing her in, but up until now, Twilight had nothing else that she could use to channel her magic, so had reluctantly kept it on, even knowing that it would reduce the time before she would be caught.
Mouths were agape as the friends processed what Twilight was telling them. It was almost like Shining and Cadence’s wedding all over again, when Twilight alone had realised the truth and the others had all failed to believe her. This time, it was Twilight’s word against Princess Celestia’s. She knew it would be a tough sell, to get them all to believe that their benevolent leader, the Sun Princess herself who had such a dark secret and had cruelly imprisoned Twilight and then had the bare faced audacity to lie about it.
She could see scepticism, and understood entirely, but she had a few trump cards up her sleeve; firstly she had been right about Chrysalis using the wedding to cover a changeling invasion and secondly why had Celestia told them all that she had seen Twilight die, when she clearly hadn’t?
It took less time than she thought to convince them, but unless they came up with a plan fast, all six of them would be destined for Tartarus and they knew it, Fluttershy already trembling at the prospect.