//------------------------------// // Chapter Twenty Two: Secrets Exposed // Story: Heart of Magic // by TheCrimsonDM //------------------------------// Heart of Magic Chapter Twenty Two: Secrets Exposed Written by TheCrimsonDM Twilight found herself staring into the mirror in the bathroom. Her heart and mind were still stuck on the life she left behind. It seemed like just yesterday she was going out to Pinkie’s for slumber parties, Fluttershy’s for tea, Rarity’s for makeovers, Applejack’s for the best apple pie in the multiverse, and avoiding Rainbow’s home because unicorns and clouds don’t go so well together. She caught herself thinking of herself as a unicorn again. It was odd. She didn’t think of herself as the alicorn she used to be. It just didn’t feel right. Did she somehow get rid of her alicornhood while in that blackout drunk state? How drunk did she have to be in order to lose her alicornhood? Twilight could use a drink right then to forget the memory of her loss. Still she chose to try and focus on something else. Her eye patch for example. She’d replaced the old one with a simple down to earth white one. There was still a faint glow hiding behind it from her alicorn magic, what was left of it. She feared this would be the last of her alicorn magic, something to be used as the last possible resort. There was something scratching at the back of her mind. It wasn’t the constant nag to drink some adult beverage, it was something else. Like she was forgetting something important. She ran a brush through her mane and sorted her thoughts out at the same time. The life she used to have was long gone. It had been over a week now, and she was sure that returning to her old home was no longer possible. Spike was an adult with a family now so he wouldn’t be with her anymore either. Then there was the Pony of Shadows, most of the memories she had involving it or the threat it possessed were more like dreams then memories now. Thinking of how Pinkie had lost her family… it killed Twilight to know that she hadn’t been there for her friend when she needed her most. She really didn’t deserve to have ever had friends like Pinkie Pie. A knock at the bathroom door startled Twilight. Starlight’s voice came out from behind it. “Good morning, Twilight. You almost done.” Twilight’s horn lit up and the door opened revealing the giant alicorn form of Starlight. “I’m just brushing my mane.” “Okay, well breakfast is almost ready. Hashbrowns and waffles.” Twilight bit her lower lip and forced herself to ask yet again, “Did you get any messages for me?” Starlight looked away and out into the hall. “I’m sorry, Twilight.” Twilight felt her entire body sag. “It’s… alright.” Starlight looked back at her. “Well… we did get something for you. A letter from Princess-.” Twilight dropped the brush midstroke, leaving it hanging from her mane. “LUNA!” Starlight shook her head slowly. “Celestia.” Twilight swallowed. “Oh… oh… kay…” A letter floated through the air and landed on the bathroom counter next to Twilight. “Just to warn you, I doubt it’s a personal message. It looks pretty official.” The letter was covered in gold markings with a gold colored wax seal. This was indeed an official letter. Celestia’s personal messages always came as scrolls. It was probably a summons for Twilight’s crimes. Twilight let out a sigh. “Thank you.” Starlight backed out of the door. “Join us whenever you’re ready.” She shut the door behind her. Twilight opened up the letter, not even bothering to read the label. Inside she found an official summons though it wasn’t for her crimes it was an official royal council for her and Celestia. A one on one discussion where she would be, at the very least, lectured for what she had done. Of course Twilight wasn’t sure if she could ever go to the meeting. That close to where Luna lived… When she had absolutely zero right to see Luna ever again. The dam holding back Twilight’s emotions crumbled and let loose the river of tears. She tossed the letter to the floor along with the brush with a clatter. She leaned forward and laid her head onto the counter. It took every ounce of power she had left to not wail or sob, instead she just cried in silence. Hardly a cry escaped her lips as she sat there letting all the silent pain fall from her cheeks. What had she done? *** Trixie walked through the nearly empty halls of the oak castle. The servants worked on cleaning the halls none the wiser to the drama leading to Twilight’s exodus and although they were still growing used to Trixie’s presence they seemed to welcome it. As for Trixie herself she could really only think of how quiet this place was. How had Twilight ever managed to live here in this silence? It was no wonder she regrew her tree house. She wondered what Luna had once thought of the castle. Knowing her she probably enjoyed the silence and the distance from other ponies. Trixie couldn’t help but to wonder what Luna was up to now? Heartbroken, alone, and back in Canterlot Castle, what was going through her mind? Even Celestia was coming and leaving frequently. Leaving Luna to be in control of Canterlot while she visited. It was odd having Celestia down here so often, it had been many years since her presence was this active in Ponyville. Speaking of which… Trixie came across Celestia standing just outside of a locked metal door. Upon her approach Celestia nodded with a small smile. Trixie nodded back and with a flick of her magic began dispelling the metal door of its many wards. Celestia’s voice was filled with warmth as she spoke. “So why did you ask me to meet you here?” Trixie focused on the door as she spoke. “After what Twilight did I realized that it was best for me to be completely and openly honest with you. The last thing I want is to have any mistrust or doubt between us.” Celestia’s smile faded. “What do you mean?” The door opened and inside the two could see rows of magic books, each one giving off a dark ominous energy. A few wands, staves, and magical orbs sat on one side of the room. A few swords with glowing runes as well as armor menacing with spikes and jagged edges stood here and there. Trixie walked in leading Celestia to a small safe in the corner. The very safe that had once sat in Trixie’s office. Celestia looked around. “All of these items are filled with dark magic…” Trixie nodded. “Yes, it would seem that Twilight had found and locked away many terrible things over the years. From personal experience I know that it can be almost impossible to destroy such items.” Trixie pointed at the safe. “This one is my contribution to the safe.” Celestia examined it. “I can its dark energy through the safe. What could possibly be in there.” Trixie stroked the safe with a hoof but refused to open it. “It’s the last shard of the Alicorn Amulet.” Celestia’s eyes widened. “But, how?” “I don’t know.” Trixie shook her head. “It took transforming me into an alicorn before the amulet could break, looks like one single shard remained.” “But why do you have it?” “It came to me,” Trixie said. “I’ve tried to destroy it, I’ve tried to throw it away, the deepest oceans, the most confusing jungles, nor even an active volcano could destroy or get rid of the shard. It continued to come back to me. So I locked it away. Put it somewhere safe that nopony would ever have to worry about it again.” Celestia nodded, her expression grave. “Just a single shard still gives off that much energy?” “Yes, it does. Though I fear soon we may have a way to destroy it.” Trixie let out a sigh. “Twilight was working on a spell, one that would require so much magical energy that it would take every alicorn alive to effectively use it. I fear this… Ultimate Magic, was designed for the sole purpose of killing the Pony of Shadows once and for all.” Celestia glanced toward the open door. “Are you saying that the threat we currently face is truly that great? Can’t we just dump the other two monsters into an active volcano like Luna did?” Trixie met Celestia’s eyes. “They are not the pony of shadow. They are merely its puppets.” Celestia swallowed. “I’ve had dreams…” “Dreams of a massive darkness consuming the world in ash, you and Luna fighting an eternal war against such a monster?” Celestia’s eyes widened. “How did you know?” “Amber had the same dream. Luna had the same dream. I had the same dream… and Twilight has seen it in person.” Celestia closed her eyes and let out a sign. “I see… so we truly are facing the end of all things.” Trixie shook her head. “Twilight might have crapped out on us, but she left a legacy for us to follow. She left us the tools, the knowledge, and the ability to save our world, this world from the darkness that has taken so many others. This might be the greatest threat the world ever faces, but it will not be our end.” Celestia smiled and looked down at Trixie with soft eyes. “You know, you and her used to have a lot in common.” Trixie smirked. “Why do you think I used to hate her so much?”