//------------------------------// // Reunions In the Crystal Empire pt. 2 // Story: Tartarus Forged Friendship // by Mystic Sunrise //------------------------------// Twilight swore that one day, she would retire from this saving Equestria business. Seriously, she felt like there was a minotaur in a china shop. And the china shop was her head. "Did anypony get the number of the train that ran me over?" She grumbled as she came back to wakefulness. Wherever she was, it was the most comfortable she could remember ever being on. A musical chuckle answered her. "The Crystal Heart always did have that effect on Penny's magic. But then, she never handled it." Though she didn't know the voice, something told Twilight she should know it as she finally opened her eyes and looked around. Her friends, Spike, Shining, and Cadance all surrounded her bed with worried expressions, ones that fell away as she woke up. Behind them though was a mare she didn't know. If she had to guess, she was the same height as Princess Celestia. Her bright white coat stood out against the crystal walls, while her mane and tail were several shades darker. Her friends saw where she was looking, but it was Fluttershy who spoke up first. "She's rarely left your side Twilight. She was the one who helped us bring you up here." Rainbow Dash gave the mystery mare a sideways look. "We still don't know who she is, but the Crystal Empire seems to. They keep saying things." Twilight looked again at her. It couldn't be, could it? Not after so long. "Who are you? I mean, I'm glad for all the help, but." The mare only smiled wider. "Come now Twilight. You must have some idea. You are rather tied to my sister in a way few alicorns ever have been." Twilight's eyes widened in shock as she slumped back on her pillows. "Queen Diamanda. I am so unprepared for this." Diamanda's own smile fell. "A queen no more. I have not held that title for over a thousand years. I have no right to be." "What do you mean?" Spike asked. Twilight's ears drooped. "If you asked, I'm sure the crystal ponies would take you back. After what Sombra did..." Diamanda shook her head. "I relinquished my title long ago. My daughter died defending it. And my granddaughter," she paused as her tears fell. "I don't know where she is." For a moment, Cadance felt something pass between her and this mare. The next it was gone. She still felt horrible for her though. "So what does that mean?" Applejack asked. Diamanda smiled as she looked at Cadance. "From what I have heard, you have done a fine job these past few days defending the empire." Cadance blushed at the praise. "Thanks. But it wasn't just me. We all helped. If you really want to thank somepony, Twilight is the one." Now it was Twilight's turn to blush. "I was just doing what anypony would. I'm nothing special." Shining chuckled. "That's not what the crystal ponies think. You're now the official savior of the Crystal Empire and the greatest thing ever in most eyes." Pinkie nodded. "They're even building a statue in your honor outside. Looks pretty good to me." Now Twilight wished she could melt into the floor, the embarrassment was too much for her. Dia giggled at the sight. "I see what Penny sees in you Twilight." "What is that?" Rarity asked. "Everything she needs in a friend. She's been too long in Tartarus. I hope you treat her well. No place in Equestria or Equus will be safe if you break her heart," Dia replied. Twilight regained some of her composure as her head fell. "Penumbra can do better than me. I won't risk our friendship on a crush." Diamanda smirked. "Keep telling yourself that if it helps. But I feel you don't give Penny enough credit. She said much the same thing when she and Luna first started." Twilight threw up her hooves as she looked up. "And look how that ended. I won't do that to her," she replied, her head falling again before she felt a hoof lift it up and she looked right into Diamanda's eyes. "Twilight Sparkle. I know that isn't true. You are a better mare than to break Penny's heart. I know she feels the same," she said with a smile. Twilight wanted to believe her, but her doubts remained. "But what if she says no? What would that do to what we have?" Dia shook her head. "I can't say how she would react. Only Penny can tell you that. But I know she knows you are a wonderful pony. Anyone can see that." Twilight's friends nodded enthusiastically. That helped her nerves a bit, but not fully. "But how do I even tell her? I'm here, and Tartarus is a long way away. Even for me." Everyone shared a knowing look but it was Fluttershy who finally broke the silence. "Didn't you find it the time you took Cerberus back to the Gates?" Twilight nodded. After a moment she saw where her friend was going with this. "I could probably find the Gates again. But it was a long trip last time, and the Walls of Night are a long mountain range. It could take me ages just to find it again." "It's not like you're running out of time," Rainbow mumbled, earning a glare from Applejack and Rarity. Twilight chuckled. "Point. But I'm still too tired to do anything about it now. I just want to rest and enjoy the peace for a while if it's all the same to you guys." Dia chuckled. "You would have a hard time leaving anyway I believe. You're a national hero now, and almost everypony in the empire wants to meet you before you do go." Twilight's face turned bright red from embarrassment as everyone laughed.