It was no surprise that Rarity was the first to catch on to Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy's new relationship. It wasn't that the others didn't notice the two hugging more often or standing closer than was usual. It was just that, well, they were ALL being a bit more touchy-feely at the time; using physical contact as a reassurance that they were all still there, safe and sound.
Of course they were all very happy for the two, but Twilight couldn't help but wonder at their reactions. If presented with this scenario before and asked how her two friends would have reacted, Twilight would have guessed a mixture of forced casualness and embarrassment. Rainbow Dash would have tried to seem unconcerned to maintain her image. Fluttershy would have been reduced to stuttering mumbles as she tried to hide behind Rainbow.
At least, that would have been her educated guess. She didn't expect for them to simply acknowledge the fact and accept the congratulations of their friends with nothing but unrestrained happiness. It wasn't an unwelcome surprise, just a strange one from Twilight's perspective.
"I can hear your brain ticking."
Twilight started at the amused voice in her ear. Turning her head brought her face to face with Pinkie's knowing grin.
"Sorry," Twilight replied with a soft chuckle. "I was a bit lost in thought."
"Well, with thoughts like yours, it's probably easy to get lost in them."
Twilight was used to the others teasing her about her tendency to over analyze things. It was all in good fun and she couldn't deny the truth in it. But Pinkie always seemed to make it sound like a compliment.
"So, what's gotcha all thinky this time?" The pink party planner leaned against Twilight's back, draping an arm over one shoulder and resting her chin on the other.
Twilight allowed herself to tilt back a bit into her friend's hold. Despite being so erratic and hyper, Pinkie had always felt so.... sturdy? Safe? Twilight could never quite describe it.
"Oh, Rainbow and Fluttershy," the alicorn princess answered. "They seem so comfortable with everything."
"You mean the dying thing? Or that now they're all..." Pinke trailed off in favor of making exaggerated kissing noises.
Twilight couldn't help breaking into a fit of giggles, eventually slapping at Pinkie's hand to get her to stop.
"Both, actually," she replied after catching her breath. "I mean, I just wouldn't have predicted the old Rainbow and Fluttershy to be so collected."
"Yeah, but they're not, are they?" Pinkie said, thoughtfully. "Not the old Rainbow and Flutters, I mean."
Twilight nodded in understanding. That thought HAD occurred to her.
"You mean because of their connection to Gaea."
"Sure," Pinkie nodded back. "Gee willikers, I know what it felt like only being connected for a few minutes. Can't imagine what having that as a permanent part of your brain must feel like."
"Makes sense," Twilight agreed. "I'd love to ask them about it."
"Oh, well why didn't you say so? Leave it to me."
Twilight turned to look at her friend, only to find Pinkie already skipping away from her. The alicorn's stomach dropped into her boots. She watched in silent horror as Pinkie walked right up to Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy and started talking to them.
Surely she wouldn't be so blunt as to straight up tell the two what Twilight had been saying. Pinkie could be a bit impulsive, but she was also surprisingly perceptive at times.
Rainbow shared a laugh with Pinkie before turning and heading toward Twilight.
No, Twilight was worrying over nothing. Pinkie would know to approach the topic delicately. The party planner could be subtle if needed. Twilight was positive she hadn't just waltzed over and blurted everything out.
"So, egghead," Rainbow grinned as she walked up. "Pinkie says you think we're acting weird?"
Pinkie had just waltzed over and blurted everything out.
Twilight could feel the blood drain from her face. Her eyes met Pinkie's over Rainbow Dash's shoulder. The party planner gave her a wide smile and two thumbs up before turning back to Fluttershy.
Betrayed and abandoned, the princess of friendship fell into a fit of flustered stammering as she tried to explain, distract, and apologize all at the same time. Rainbow Dash let her friend flounder for a minute or two before finally showing mercy.
"Twilight, it's fine. I get it," the pegasus laughed, patting the other's shoulder. "I know we're acting a bit differently. I FEEL different. And from what Pinkie said, you already understand why. You just need to ask some questions to settle your mind. So ask away."
The purple alicorn took a minute to settle her nerves and give thanks to whatever had led her to such amazing friends. After which, she took a deep breath and dove right in.
Their conversation went for the rest of the night and meandered about Twilight's office. She started off by asking Rainbow if she remembered anything between the explosion of the cyclone and her resurrection in the node. The pegasus said that she was sure there was something, but she couldn't say what.
"It's kinda like when you know you had a dream last night, but can't remember what it was about."
They moved on to their transformations, even getting in some light experimentation with Rainbow's new powers. As the gathering started to break up and the others headed home, they were joined by Fluttershy who chimed in with her own answers as well.
Twilight was having the time of her life, fascinated by Rainbow and Fluttershy's perspectives on such a new and unique situation. Still, she could feel fatigue nipping at her heels and blurring the edges of her vision.
"Finally talked yourself out, brainiac?" Rainbow teased when a massive yawn cut the princess off mid-sentence.
"I suppose it is rather late," Twilight conceded, glancing at the grandfather clock in the corner. "One more question?"
Rainbow and Fluttershy nodded.
"Rainbow, you mentioned that you feel different. And both of you have alluded to how your priorities have changed. Do you feel like that's natural or forced?"
"You mean, do we think it's because of our new responsibilities or a direct altering of our personalities?" Fluttershy asked.
"Exactly," Twilight nodded. "For example, Rainbow. Your desire to become a professional flyer with the Wonderbolts seems further away now than ever before. Does that bother you? Do you resent it?"
Rainbow took a moment to consider the question.
"I definitely don't resent it," she answered. "It's still an appealing idea, but I can't say it's a serious consideration. I mean, it's like when you get older. When I was little, I loved collecting Cloudsdale Racing cards. I bought pack after pack until I had the complete lineup of all the pro flyers."
"You had half a bookshelf full of card binders," Fluttershy giggled.
"Yeah, it was super important to me," Rainbow smiled. "And I still have a few of my favorite ones and have bought one or two recently that I was interested in. But it's taken a backseat to things I find more important now."
"So, it's like you've grown out of it?" Twilight clarified.
"Sort of," Rainbow nodded. "I mean, I've got to meet the Wonderbolts and even flew with them a couple times. But that's just not where I am anymore. To be honest, I kinda felt that way even before all this. Being a part of the Elements and working in the Bureau; I'd already decided that this was where I belong."
This actually caused Twilight to tear up and pull her friend into a hug.
"Thank you, Rainbow."
"For sticking with the Bureau?" Rainbow Dash chuckled, returning Twilight's embrace.
"For staying with the Bureau, for answering my questions, for being so understanding, for... just being you," the alicorn answered, her voice rough with emotion.
"Always, Twilight," Rainbow said, taking Fluttershy's hand and pulling her into the hug. "Always."
The three friends held each other until their emotions cooled. The two pegasi said their goodbyes, leaving the alicorn to collapse into bed. She was more exhausted than she ever remembered feeling, but she fell asleep with a smile. Her mind had been set at ease. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy were still themselves. There had been a shift in priorities, a change of perspective, but it was still them in every way that mattered. And that was enough for Twilight.
==========================================================================
Changes in perspective became a theme for Twilight and her friends in their adult lives. Though they were slower and more subtle than what happened with Dash and Fluttershy. Celestia had explained it thusly, when Twilight brought up the subject.
"It's in the nature of living things to adapt to their surroundings," the Sun Princess had said. "Ponies who spend their lives in rural areas naturally become more knowledgeable of the land and nature. City ponies know the ends and outs of the different societies and where their borders are."
"A pony's environment affects their nature and perspective," Celestia continued. "You and your friends have been knee-deep in the strange and unusual for nearly two decades now. It's hardly surprising that such an environment would have an effect on you all."
It had sounded a bit ominous, but Twilight knew firsthand that not all such consequences were upsetting. One of her more cherished memories was the day that Rarity had asked her to tea. This wasn't out of the ordinary in itself. But on this occasion the white unicorn had asked Twilight to also invite her sister-in-law. Ending the invitation with the weighty statement; "There's something I'd like to get both of your thoughts on".
So, on a sunny afternoon, Twilight and Cadence arrived at the Carousel Boutique and sat down to tea with its proprietor. Everything had begun ordinarily enough, with Rarity making small talk in that easy, calming way of hers. As it went on, though, Twilight began to notice that it was a bit more strained than usual. Her friend clearly had something on her mind.
"I would like to thank you both for coming," Rarity finally said with a sigh, setting aside her cup and saucer. "And I would like to apologize. I've been beating around the bush, as it were. I have been having some... unexpected experiences for the past few months that I need to get some outside advice on. I asked you to come, Twilight, because I'd like your rational viewpoint on the matter. And Princess Cadence, I asked you because you are the closest thing I think there is to what might be called an 'expert' on... love."
This shocked Twilight a bit. Rarity had never been in a long-term relationship. But she also never had any difficulty in expressing her attraction to any stallion that happened to catch her eye.
"Rarity, are you... in love?"
The fashionista tutted at the slight smirk on the purple alicorn's face.
"No need to be childish, darling. I requested your company because I was sure you would take the matter seriously."
Twilight schooled her expression and apologized. Promising to give Rarity any help she could provide.
"Of course, we will both help in any way we can," Cadence added. "But IS that what you want advice on? Are you in love?"
"I... believe so," Rarity answered after a slight pause.
"That is usually something to be celebrated," the Princess of the Chrystal Kingdom replied. "But it seems you are uneasy about the idea."
"Not uneasy," Rarity said, fidgeting with the sugar bowl. "Unsure? Certainly surprised. You see, these feelings... it is not for someone I would have expected. And I find it could lead to a delicate situation. I need to know how real this is or if I'm misinterpreting something."
"So, you want our advice on whether your feelings for this stallion are real?" Twilight asked. Her unicorn friend was silent, looking around the room to avoid eye contact. An idea suddenly popped into Twilight's head which made everything fall into place.
"Or is it... NOT a stallion."
Rarity looked sheepishly at the purple alicorn, letting Twilight know that she'd hit the nail on the head.
"You know I've never been uncomfortable with that, Twilight," Rarity said. And indeed, it was true. The unicorn seamstress was currently on a one-mare campaign to have Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy let her organize a wedding for them. She'd put high profile orders on the back burner to help Lyra make a dress as a gift to Bon Bon for their anniversary. Rarity had always been love's number one fan, whatever form it took.
"But up until now, all my romantic feelings have been engendered by males. I just don't want to...."
Rarity trailed off, a catch in her throat making Twilight worried her friend was on the verge of tears. But the white unicorn kept her composure. Though she did slump forward, resting her elbows on the table and leaning her forehead against her clasped hands. Both alicorns could see how worried their friend was.
"Twilight, I'm scared," Rarity said softly after a moment's silence. "Her friendship means so much to me. If I were to mess that up without even knowing..."
Again she trailed off, at a loss for words. Twilight reached over, taking her friend's clasped hands in her own. The seamstress looked up at the contact, but almost immediately smiled and grasped the offered hands in return.
"Don't worry Rarity," the purple alicorn said reassuringly. "We'll figure this out."
"Indeed we will," Cadence added, laying her own hand on Rarity's shoulder. "But first, can you tell us who it is you think you're in love with?"
The fashionista nodded, taking a couple deep breaths before continuing.
"I imagine Twilight already has some idea," Rarity said with a sigh. "But to be clear... it's Applejack."
If asked, Twilight would have to admit that she wasn't too surprised. Rarity and Applejack had always been close and had only grown more so over the years. The two seemed to share a love of poking at each other with snarky comments. So much so, that when Twilight was first getting to know her new friends, she was afraid that the farmer and seamstress actually didn't like each other very much.
However, once she'd gotten past the surface, she saw that it was a form of affection for them. Partly a way to deal with their opposing lifestyles. Partly a way of challenging each other. And partly because they both simply enjoyed it.
"I suppose if it were anyone, it would have to be her," the purple alicorn chuckled. "And I can understand you wanting to be sure your feelings are genuine before acting on them. That is, if you DO plan to act on them."
"If they are real, then I would be open to it," Rarity replied, turning to Cadence. "That's why I asked Twilight to invite you, Princess. I was hoping you could tell me."
"I can't tell you how you feel, Rarity," the princess of love answered. "But I can help you find that answer yourself. Take my hands and tell me about Applejack. What you think of her, how she makes you feel, anything that comes into your mind when you focus on her."
Rarity nodded and followed Cadence's instructions. She talked about first meeting Applejack. How she was both annoyed by the farmer's dismissal of her fashionable lifestyle and impressed by her strength of character and tireless work ethic. She described all the times that Applejack had come to her aid. Offering moral support, additional labor, or a sympathetic ear. She smiled as she remembered all the times AJ had made her laugh and lifted her spirits. Even knocking her back down to earth when her own dramatic nature got the better of her.
"I've thought so highly of her for as long as I've known her," the unicorn said as she wound down. "But this past year or so, it seems to have changed. I didn't even notice at first, but soon all my thoughts of her were taking on a romantic nature."
Cadence nodded, giving Rarity's hands a squeeze before releasing them.
"Well, I sensed no confusion in your thoughts," she said. "I can at least tell you that your admiration isn't coming from anywhere other than an honest place. So, I guess the final question is now yours to answer. Are you in love with Applejack?"
Rarity paused for a moment to consider. She'd gone over and over it in her mind so many times that everything had seemed so muddled. Now though, after talking honestly about Applejack and her feelings toward her, she found only one solution.
"I am," she breathed out at last. She immediately felt lighter and less troubled. There was ONE thing still nagging at her though.
"But why now," Rarity asked the two alicorns. "I've been close to Applejack for years. Why would I only be attracted to her now? Why have I never found another mare attractive before this?"
Rarity's desperation had subsided. Her acceptance of her feelings had calmed her down. Her questions where now pure curiosity rather than confused nervousness.
"Actually, I think I can answer that," Twilight said. She folded her hands in front of her as her expression fell into what Rainbow Dash called her 'Lecture Face'. "I believe it is because of the Elements of Harmony."
"The Elements made me fall in love with Applejack?" Rarity sounded skeptical.
"No," the purple alicorn answered immediately. "They didn't make you, but they may have allowed you to. You said your admiration of Applejack was always there. It was only the romantic aspect that changed."
Rarity nodded.
"As mortal beings, our perception of the world is limited," Twilight began. "More simply, our knowledge of the world is limited without outside interference. A unicorn can't describe exactly what it's like to feel magical auras to a pegasus. A pegasus can't describe exactly how they manipulate weather patterns to a unicorn. An earth pony can't describe how they know the best spot to plant crops or the perfect place to split a boulder."
"I think I understand," Rarity nodded. "Our perceptions are dictated by our biological limits."
"Yes," Twilight nodded. "I knew academically how pegasus and earth pony magic worked. But it wasn't until I became an alicorn that I could truly understand it. And I think the Elements have had a similar effect on us."
Rarity nodded again. She still didn't quite get it, but she knew her friend was building to something.
"When we became the Elements of Harmony, we opened ourselves up to the magic of the elements. Over the years we've become suffused by it. It's how Gaea was able to use us to fix the planetary imbalance. The magic is now as much a part of us as our own skin."
"And that magic has broadened our perceptions," Rarity stated. She was starting to see where Twilight was going with this.
"Exactly," the princess of friendship continued. "Slowly, though. So slowly that you probably wouldn't have noticed if you weren't looking for it. But Harmony is about seeing through the surface. Finding the truth within; and through that truth, to find balance."
"But why would it only become apparent in relation to Applejack?" Rarity asked. "Shouldn't I have noticed something else as well."
"Not necessarily," Twilight shook her head. "Remember, Harmony magic is all about balance. A subtle increase in perception would feel so natural, that I doubt you'd be aware of it unless it affected something major. Like your feelings for AJ. I think I can prove it to you, if you'd like."
Rarity nodded.
"Okay," the purple alicorn said, sitting up straighter. "What do you see when you look at me?"
"Umm... an alicorn," the seamstress answered hesitantly. "My friend? A royal of Equestria? I'm not sure what answer you're looking for."
"Now, close your eyes," Twilight instructed, ignoring Rarity's confusion. "And then tell me what you see."
Rarity followed her friend's instructions but was clearly baffled.
"I don't see anything, Twilight," the unicorn answered almost immediately.
Twilight chuckled and shook her head.
"No, Rarity. Concentrate. Reach out with your magic. Focus it on me."
The fashionista sighed but did as she was told. Her brow furrowed as she focused her magic outward.
"I see..."
Her head tilted in concentration as something began to drift into her consciousness. It was a bit like becoming aware of a smell that you hadn't noticed until someone called your attention to it. Or one of those pictures that you had to stare at a certain way before you saw the image hidden within.
"I see... you."
Rarity's eyes snapped open. Her voice was filled with a dumbfounded wonder as she stared at her friend.
"I see YOU, Twilight."
It was like she was focusing past the purple alicorn in front of her. Instead seeing all the hopes, dreams, and feelings that made Twilight, Twilight. It was one of the most breathtaking sights she'd ever witnessed.
"You're... beautiful." Rarity's hands seemed to move on their own, reaching up to cup her friends face. Twilight smiled in understanding, knowing just what her friend was seeing for the first time.
"And are you attracted to me?" the alicorn asked.
Rarity was knocked out of her awestruck state by the sudden question. She blinked a few times and looked at Twilight again for a moment before retracting her hands.
"No," she answered. "I always thought you were beautiful, Twilight. And even more now than before. But not like that, no."
"And that's what I meant," Twilight smiled. "The Elements didn't MAKE you fall in love with AJ. They just opened up the possibility."
Rarity nodded. She did get it now. Her questions surrounding her feelings for Applejack had been addressed. Now she felt only anticipation for what the future might hold.
"Have any of the others noticed this?" Rarity asked.
"None of them have talked to ME about it," Twilight answered. "But I can't say I'm surprised. Applejack has always been one to go with the flow, so I doubt she'd have questioned it enough to notice any changes. Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash have had a much more sudden and jarring shift in perspective with their transformation into elementals. So anything else probably didn't seem worth mentioning. And Pinkie is... well... "
"Pinkie is Pinkie," Rarity finished for her with a grin.
The three of them laughed, their spirits high in the aftermath of the heavy topic they'd just worked through. The conversation lapsed back into lighter topics. It wrapped up with Rarity excitedly showing the two alicorns her design sketches for a new line of formal wear focusing on asymmetrical stitching. After which, the guests expressed thanks for the tea while the hostess walked them to the door.
"So," Twilight added, pausing at the door. "How do you think you'll approach AJ?"
Rarity sighed.
"How else would I approach someone like Applejack? I believe the term is 'take the bull by the horns'."
"I suppose the direct approach would be the best," Twilight agreed.
"Well," Rarity scoffed. "Any attempt on my part for some grand display would most likely only draw her particular brand of amused scorn. Dull, unromantic lump that she is."
Twilight grinned at her friend's feigned indignation. The fondness underlying the jibes was plainly detectable to anyone who knew the pair. Wishing the fashionista luck, the Princess of Friendship and her sister-in-law took their leave.
==============================================================================
The courtship between Rarity and Applejack turned out to be a heartwarming, yet anticlimactic affair. There were no grand announcements or dramatic displays. In fact, the first verbal acknowledgement of their new relationship was an offhanded comment by AJ when Pinkie invited them to an overnight party. (Her friends wouldn't let her call them sleepovers anymore after they started turning 30.)
"Sorry, Pinks. Me 'n Rarity are stayin' in tonight. Applebloom and Sweetie Belle are on a camping trip with their class. And with Big Mac and Granny visiting the cousins, we got the house to ourselves, so we're makin' an evening of it."
This piece of information left Pinkie vibrating while a soft but high pitched squee escaped through her teeth. All in all, she looked like she was about to explode from joy.
"Ease up, Pie," Applejack warned, poking her friend on the forehead.
With herculean effort, Pinkie controlled her emotions. Nodding, she left with nothing but an ear to ear smile as she practically frolicked out the door.
The couple were together for a little over two years before they announced their engagement. True to form, Applejack treated it as a down-to-earth, logical affair. Something that insulted Rarity's sense of romance.
"We're going to build another house on the edge of the east field," Rarity said, recounting their conversation to Twilight and Fluttershy the next day over tea. "It'll give us our own space and allow Sweetie Belle to stay in the main house with Apple Bloom whenever she wishes to."
"That's a good idea," Twilight nodded. "Though you don't seem too enthused about it."
"I suspect Rarity was looking for more of a heartfelt proposal and less of a business meeting," Fluttershy said, hiding her smile behind her teacup.
"Quite," Rarity replied in a dour tone. "Though technically she's proposing tomorrow night. She swears it'll make up for the rather lackluster beginning."
The unicorn's expression made it clear that this idea was skeptical at best. Yet two days hence, when Fluttershy inquired as to the outcome, Rarity could only stammer that it was 'satisfactory', all while blushing furiously.
"AJ knocked it out of the park," Fluttershy later told Rainbow Dash.
============================================================================
The wedding took place on Sweet Apple Acres, timed to when the apple trees were in full bloom. Applejack had spent the preceding weeks tormenting her fiancé with threats of holding the service in the barn, wearing her flannel and overalls instead of a dress, and other such atrocities. In the end though, she did her future wife proud.
It took place outside among the trees. A main aisle had been created with a bed of flower petals and lined with simple, but elegant white ribbons and lace. Celestia herself had agreed to officiate. A white platform and arched trellis with wisteria draped over it had been constructed for her and the wedding party. Applejack HAD skipped on wearing a dress, but instead wore a white suit that Rarity had helped her pick out.
"She even left her hat in her room," Apple Bloom said as she and Sweetie Belle helped Rarity finish up her hair and makeup.
"She's not wearing her hat?" Rarity asked, nonchalantly.
"Eeyup. Reckon she thought it wouldn't look right with 'er finery."
Rarity only nodded to this. She waited until Apple Bloom was preoccupied before pulling Sweetie Belle aside and whispering to her quickly. Rarity's younger sister only grinned and nodded, waiting until an opportune moment before slipping out of the room.
When the wedding started, some of those attending wondered why the unicorn bride walked down the aisle with one hand behind her back. When Rarity reached AJ, she smiled at the confused look on the farmer's face. Finally, she brought her hand around and deftly dropped a battered stetson onto her fiancé's head.
"There," Rarity grinned. "That's much better."
Applejack's shocked expression broke into a huge smile that stayed plastered to her face for the rest of the ceremony. And when Celestia finished and declared the two wed, the farmer scooped her wife up with a loud whoop and twirled her around with joy.
It was one of the days in her life that Twilight would consider almost perfect. And she would treasure the memory of it forever.
==================================================================================
Twilight didn't know it at the time, but AJ and Rarity's marriage was the start of a major turning point in her life. While they'd never been official, full-time agents of the Bureau, Twilight's friends had been involved almost enough to be considered such.
But with their new life together starting, Rarity and Applejack became less and less present as time went on. Their friendship remained as strong as ever, but they couldn't devote as much time to the Bureau as they used to. Nor would Twilight have wanted them to. The Bureau was the life Twilight had chosen for herself. She wanted her friends to be free to choose their lives as well.
The same happened with Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy, though for different reasons. The duo had been making trips here and there weighing in on agricultural practices, energy production, and other programs that were a concern to Gaea. Equestrian technology had always been pretty careful about the environment, but long-term effects were not always easy to predict.
It was mainly small stuff, but it eventually piled up enough that Celestia decided to appoint a special council to completely overhaul all programs that needed to be brought into symbiotic harmony with the planet's guardian. All in all, the project was expected to take around 30 to 40 years to be fully integrated.
Of course, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy were integral to the reformation. The two never complained, but it was clear to their friends that between the council and the Bureau, they had little to no time for themselves. Twilight ended up insisting that the couple take an indefinite hiatus from Bureau operations.
"Alright," Dash finally agreed after much convincing. "But if you need us... for anything at all..."
"You'll be the first person I call," Twilight assured her, pulling her friend into a hug.
"And we'll always be ready to answer."
========================================================================
To say Twilight didn't miss working with her friends would be untrue. She felt their absence immensely, but their happiness was more important. And besides, the Bureau had only grown and improved over the years. Twilight was now in command of the most skilled, knowledgeable, and best equipped force on the face of the planet. The Bureau of Harmony not only handled ponykind's problems, but was now regularly called in by most other nations as well. Most of the time the public never even knew about a situation simply because the Bureau resolved it before it was necessary.
Though while Twilight may not have missed their elbow grease, she did miss their council. As the Bureau's reach expanded, Twilight found herself faced with tougher decisions. Compromises and morally gray areas abounded, forcing her to choose between what she thought was right and what she thought was best for Equestria.
"It's a burden of leadership," Celestia had stated sympathetically. "The more responsibility one takes on, the more difficult choices they will have to make. And with the Bureau, you've taken on a great deal of responsibility."
"It's just.... I know I'm making the right choice," Twilight said as they stood on Celestia's balcony, watching Luna's moon rise into the sky. "It's logical, it has the best outcome, it reduces risk.... it's the obvious answer. But somehow... I always feel like a failure."
The Sun Princess smiled sadly. She wrapped an arm around her former pupil's shoulders, pulling her comfortingly into her side.
"I know, Twilight. And honestly, I'm thankful that you do." She chuckled a little at the younger alicorn's confused look. "Please don't misunderstand me, you are in no way a failure. I couldn't be any prouder of you as a teacher or a mo..."
Celestia cut herself off, looking away awkwardly. Her young companion understood. It had always been an unspoken thing between them. Twilight loved her parents unconditionally. But there was no denying that Celestia held an equal or greater position in regards to her upbringing. Even now, neither of them could voice it properly.
Still, Twilight reached over with her hand, lacing her fingers with the Sun Princess'. A soft squeeze and a heartfelt look was enough to convey her understanding and gratitude. Celestia smiled back, taking a moment to collect herself before continuing.
"As hard as that feeling of failure is; it is also just as important," she went on, absently rubbing Twilight's knuckles with her thumb. "The day that a leader feels nothing for sacrificing their morals for the sake of their people, is the day that they no longer deserve to lead. Don't shy away from that feeling, Twilight. Embrace it. It can keep you from becoming complacent. Keep you always looking for every possibility; for another way. You can't let it overwhelm you, but you can use it to inspire you."
Twilight didn't answer, but nodded as the two royals stood together in the coming night. Celestia said no more, knowing that the silence was her young protégé absorbing and analyzing everything she'd said. The Sun Princess was certain that Twilight would be fine. Despite her insecurities and flaws, the Princess of Friendship was strong. Perhaps the strongest pony Celestia had ever known. The ancient alicorn truly believed that there was nothing her young friend couldn't do if she put her mind to it.
=============================================================================
Twilight liked to consider herself primarily a realist. She didn't like to be seen as bragging, but she also didn't want to understate her abilities. And for the most part, she achieved this quite well. She could extoll her strengths while admitting to her flaws. While the latter used to embarrass her when she was younger, maturity and her friends had made her more comfortable being humble when appropriate.
In her 52nd year, however, Princess Twilight received a permanent, physical reminder of her own shortcomings.
Over the last decade or so, one of the Bureau's ongoing projects was the study of dimensional mapping. With some help from Sunset Shimmer and the elements of her adopted home-dimension, the Bureau had successfully managed to first control the mirror-portal between their worlds and then build their own.
Next was being able to "dial into" other dimensions. They'd had limited if steady success so far, but in the process they'd discovered what the team referred to as the Void. It was a realm of almost literally nothing that seemed to exist "in-between" dimensional worlds.
(Twilight had some reservations about that description since it oversimplified the idea, but it got the basic concept across, so she overlooked it.)
Like with anything new, Twilight was eager to study this discovery. It wasn't immediately exciting since it seemed the Void was very much as empty as it seemed. But at least that meant it was a safe and uneventful process. Or it was, right up until one of their magical probes actually found something.
Twilight was first made aware of the discovery when the Bureau's alarms started blaring one morning. Complex-wide alerts were reserved for major emergencies. And indeed, when the alicorn checked she found the portal research laboratories had been locked down and the time dilation fields activated.
Each area of the Bureau's facility had a small section outside the entrance outfitted for occasions like this. Video and audio surveillance, communications, data collection, and even some remote access to safety protocols within the area. Basically a mini HQ in case a section became inaccessible or too dangerous to enter.
It was in this area that Twilight met with Briar Root, the portal division's lead researcher, and Opal Keen, one of Twilight's top scientists. Luckily almost the entire division's staff had been evacuated and the time dilation was holding. Though not as well as she would have liked.
Briar filled Twilight in quickly, his voice breathless and shaking. The team had been exploring the Void as usual when the magical probe came across an object. At first they thought it was just debris, but closer inspection revealed it to be more like some kind of growth. Vaguely fungal in nature, but seemingly inert and well within the safety parameters for collection.
So they collected it.
As soon as the probe touched it, the thing sprung to life. It absorbed the probe and actually started traveling up the magical tether connecting it to their dimension. It happened so fast that by the time they knew what was happening, it was already out of the portal and all over the probe control station. The unicorn running the probe was gone in an instant; absorbed before he even had time to call out.
The research team immediately evacuated, trapping the strange fungus in the lab with the time dilation field. Though Opal soon discovered that the organism was absorbing even that. The field was holding and feeding it at the same time. Opal estimated that they had about four hours before the field would fail.
A whirlwind of activity filled the next four hours. All other activities were put on hold and everything was directed toward neutralizing the fungus. Switching off the portal wouldn't work. Scans of the organism showed that any part of it could survive autonomously. Any kind of magical attack was useless since it absorbed energy just as readily as physical matter. If it got out of the labs, there was a good chance that it's growth would be unstoppable and endless. There was a real possibility that it could swallow up everything.
It was in hour three that a solution was finally found. The fungus grew by absorbing energy and matter and converting it into biomass, but traces of its 'meals' still remained. A calcifying agent in a flask, the flask inscribed with runes of protection, and the whole thing charged with an acceleration spell. The runes made sure the calcifying agent remained intact enough to stay active and the acceleration spell made it work at a much faster rate. Basically, the fungus' own nature would absorb and spread the agent almost immediately, and the enhancements made sure it stayed effective enough to outpace the organism's conversion rate.
Normally, this would be a proud moment for Twilight. Her team identified and neutralized a threat in record time. But the countless scans had revealed something else. The fungus was emitting rudimentary thought patterns. Nothing complex, about on par with something like a mollusk. 'Grow. Survive.' Just basic stuff really, but it was enough that Twilight had to acknowledge the fact that they'd be outright killing it.
Work began on the calcifying plan while a brief effort to find an alternative solution was made. But it was clear that there was no time. The runes and spells had to be woven together carefully and charged to as powerful as they could be made. It was finished with about half an hour left before the time dilation field would fail.
The plan went off without a hitch. The flask was deployed and, just as predicted, the fungus absorbed it and almost instantly calcified. It went hard and turned a dark purple color, ceasing all activity. The portal was closed and once the fungus was proven truly dead, the lab was reopened.
Twilight felt little triumph, however. Her safety protocols had failed, a Bureau member was dead, and they'd been forced to kill a creature whose only crime was following its natural instincts. She didn't regret killing it; there'd been no choice. She did regret not being able to prevent it though.
"You can't plan for everything," Rainbow Dash had said the next time they'd all gotten together. The others all chimed in to agree. Twilight couldn't help but smile. Dash and Fluttershy were spending most of their time in griffon territory at the moment, negotiating on behalf of Celestia's environmental reform initiatives. Applejack and Rarity were currently in the middle of adopting their first child. Yet here they all were, love and concern in their eyes as they tried to console her.
"You can't obsess over this, sugarcube," Applejack added. "You do all you can."
"I appreciate it AJ," Twilight answered. "I'm not obsessing over it, but I can't forget it either. It's a lesson to keep trying harder. And you shouldn't forget a lesson."
The others immediately began to object, but Pinkie stepped in between Twilight and the others.
"Guys, guys," she spoke up, waving the others into silence. "Twilight said she's not obsessing and you know how she is about lessons and learning."
The party planner turned to Twilight, taking her by the shoulders as she looked her in the eye.
"If you say you need this to be better, then I trust you, Twilight. Just as long as it's a lesson and not a punishment."
Funnily enough, Pinkie had ended up being one of the major constants in Twilight's life. The earth pony didn't do much work for the Bureau and was still as busy as ever with parties and Sugarcube Corner. She even took a month-long trip to help Cheese Sandwich with what they had described as "The Partiest Party to Ever Exist". But she always seemed to be around. Stopping by Twilight's office to gossip about something or other. Bringing Twilight a snack when she was working late. Even just laying around while Twilight used her as a sounding board for new ideas.
Now Twilight looked into her friend's face and smiled. Her mortal friends were approaching middle age and Twilight could see the first hints of wrinkles on the pink pony's face. But her eyes were as bright as ever and her expression radiated concern, but also a trust so solid that it almost made Twilight's breath catch in her throat.
"Not a punishment," she agreed, taking Pinkie's hands from her shoulders so she could hold them in her own.
"I promise."
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The final chapter of the event occurred two months later. Opal Keen asked Twilight to come down to her personal laboratory. Opal was a stoic, mostly unemotional pony. Logical almost to a fault, but also one of the smartest people Twilight had ever met. Unfortunately, her superior intellect often led her to not asking for or outright ignoring the requests of her colleagues and superiors.
Twilight had suggested (she rarely ordered her scientists) that the remains of the Void organism be disposed of back to whence it came. The dark purple sword sitting in the middle of Opal's lab told her that at least some of it had remained.
Twilight listened to Opal's full rundown about what her studies had revealed. About the now inert material and how she'd forged it into the blade that was before them. The peculiar molecular structure allowed the edge to be sharpened to an extreme degree and tests had so far shown a complete immunity to dulling. More interesting though was that the material had an exceptional ability to absorb and hold magical energy. Opal theorized that when charged with magic, the blade could cut through nearly anything.
It was a good weapon. It would probably end up being one of the Bureau's most powerful assets. Yet looking at it, Twilight had a hard time seeing anything but a corpse.
"We should name it," one of her agents had said after the project became common knowledge. "Something like 'Blade of Harmony'? To match Bureau of Harmony?"
Twilight shook her head.
"Weapons are often needed to defend harmony," she said. "But at their core, they are tools of destruction. Even its protection is based on how much destruction it can cause. We will use them to protect ourselves, but we will not glorify them or pretend they're any more than what they are."
That was how the Blade of Regret came to be. Twilight sat alone in her office for the rest of that day.
"A lesson," she quietly reminded herself. "Not a punishment."
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Excerpt from Bureau of Harmony file #592: Void Clusters
Discovered in the buffer area between dimensions known as the Void [see file #548], these organisms appear to be a combination of biological and mineral components. They exhibit behavior similar to some mosses or fungi; growing by spreading in area rather than just by size. They produce new biomass by absorbing any physical object or energy field they come in contact with.
Void Clusters are rare and seem to naturally grow no bigger than palm-sized orbs. Presumably this is due to the Void being almost bereft of matter or energy. While the Clusters seem to need very little actual sustenance to survive, the rare absorbable material that leaks through appears to be just enough to maintain their status quo.
Important Note:
Void Clusters have been designated as extremely dangerous. Because of the First Contact Disaster [see file #591] Clusters are to be avoided at all costs and are never to be removed from the Void.