//------------------------------// // Chapter 23 - Getting ready for Canterlot // Story: Wherever the Light Shines: Part 3 // by MLPSolarDash1907 //------------------------------// Twilight sat on her castle’s balcony with a downcast expression. She barely noticed it was around mid-morning or around lunch time. She couldn’t take her eyes off the water-damaged school and the yellow tape marking down all the windows and doors. It was such a wonderful school... she thought, Only for it to be taken away again... and I don’t think I’ll ever get it back... To make things worse, because there were additional creatures from all the kingdoms, their relationship with her, mostly the griffons and yaks, have been strained. How in Equestria did things get so out of control? Twilight thought as tears threatened to spill out. The school was such a monument to her and her friends and how far they’d come. She was thankful that the creatures were still going to the Convocation along with their students. The alicorn felt a presence behind her but she didn’t need to turn around to see Sunset had arrived. “I thought I might catch you up here again,” Sunset said in a sympathetic tone. Twilight didn’t reply, she just looked back onto her precious school. She didn’t react when Sunset placed a comforting hoof on her withers. “You’ve been up here most of the past couple of days,” said Sunset. “Everypony’s worried about you.” “I know...” Twilight sniffed. “I... just hadn’t been able to think about much of anything else...” Sunset sat next to Twilight and gave her a side hug. “I know this is a huge blow, but you shouldn’t let this stop you from being you and taking time away from your friends.” “Well, being me and trying my best did nothing to fix the situation,” Twilight grumbled. Both ponies sat there. In the midst of her sadness, Twilight inwardly gritted her teeth and a fire began rising in her chest. A small, selfish part wanted to blame Mystic for entering in their lives, but she knew it was a lie. “Am I bad at my job?” Twilight suddenly asked. “What?” Sunset asked, surprised. “Am I bad at my job? Am I a failure? Undeserving of her Princess role?” Twilight asked. “Twilight, you’re not a failure,” Sunset said in an assuring tone, “Look at me, you helped me on a better path. You helped save Equestria many times with your friends and you...” “Well, I feel like a failure!” Twilight cried, looking at Sunset as tears streamed down her face. “I failed to see Starlight suffering! I failed to save the school! I failed to get Bullion and his sons to change their ways! I failed Cozy--!” Twilight cut herself off and turned away again. She sobbed, thinking of all her misdeeds that happened within the past six months. Sunset wrapped her hooves around Twilight’s barrel again as the alicorn cried. Twilight returned the hug and let her tears fall onto Sunset’s shoulder. Soon, both ponies pulled away and Sunset wiped Twilight’s tears away. “Twilight, you’re the one who’s done more for other ponies and creatures than anypony I know,” said Sunset, “Friendship and bad seasons can and will come up to test us and you taught me that true friendship will never, ever, be broken.” She placed a hoof on Twilight’s cheek, “All you can do during these trying times, is keep the bond strong and find ways to deal with what’s happened. No matter how long it might take.” At this, Twilight smiled a little. “I taught you well.” “As did the girls back in the other world,” replied Sunset, “They say hello as well and are wishing you the best of luck.” “Thanks for all your efforts... but... I still don’t feel completely encouraged as I ought to be...” Twilight frowned again. “One step at a time for every day until it’s over,” said Sunset. “I mean... what if something else happens? What if...” “We’ll deal with it,” Sunset assured her, cupping the alicorn’s face. “Don’t let yourself get worked up now. Please.” Twilight hugged Sunset again and the mare returned it. As she did so, Twilight couldn’t help but realize how much of a role reversal this was of when they first met. She smiled at the sweet irony. After a couple of minutes, Twilight pulled back. “Thanks, Sunset,” she said. “Even the Princess of Friendship needs assurance from her friends.” “Indeed,” replied Sunset. “Well...” Twilight stood up, “I can’t stay and mope forever.” Sunset also stood up. “I also came to get you because the train will be here in an hour, and that Rarity along with some of your other friends have already departed for Canterlot,” said Sunset. “Shoot!” Twilight began pacing in place, “I need to get packed and all my papers together!” “Why do you think I came an hour before the train arrived?” Sunset said with a teasing smirk. “I packed what you needed for you.” “But I still need to get the papers!” Twilight flew off, leaving Sunset behind. Mystic could see Ponyville’s train station in the distance. Looking down at her body, she had her outfit on, continuing down the dirt path. As she did so, she couldn’t help but wonder about Starlight. She recalled seeing the unicorn sleeping on the couch in the castle library earlier that day when she had given her final school report to Spike. Bummer about it being lost like that... she thought. But her mind quickly went back to Starlight. Where the hay did her friend turn up? Mystic thought, Don’t those impalas have magic that can make them zoom all across the land? She sighed. I don’t understand why they hadn’t found him yet... She hoped that they’d find him soon after Nightfall’s defeat but it’s been nearly two weeks since that day. I hope he isn’t seriously injured or even deceased... she thought. It was a horrid thought, and would make the poor mare’s suffering that much worse. She felt pity for the unicorn and hoped things would turn out all right. Why do I connect with her so well? Why do I care? She thought, long tired of those questions repeating in her mind. Is it because I see myself in her? That thought made her mind pause. Did she truly see that mare in herself? A troubled pony with a horrible past and suffering from what she could tell was some form of P.T.S.D. The days after the Liberators were destroyed and the loss of her best friend gave her plenty of P.T.S.D. even some days within it. She recalled stuttering, being unable to move on until she found her way by traveling the globe. Or did she? Everything I’ve learned... everything I thought I knew... is being seriously challenged and... what exactly made my past relationships special? she thought, climbing onto the station platform. Her sense of security was broken. Her secret of being unable to swim was out and yet, fillies helped her swim. Normally, she would have to figure out how to do it on her own but they went out of their comfort zone to help. Even Sunset who didn’t know her, became friends with her, as well as Starlight and Twilight. I don’t think I’ve ever had such affection in the Liberators... Mystic suddenly thought. The Apple family treated her, a stranger, like family, but the Liberators helped strangers too. But... there was something different about the Apples as well as the ponies they knew. The closest she could compare them with was... Sunshine... Mystic nearly choked as memories of the Oogundaan adventure resurfaced. The Mane Six went out of their way to stop Clawdius and they managed to do so. “When I look at all of the times my friends and I had together, you can say it was all one big adventure,” she remembered Twilight had said. This adventure is... Mystic thought. It’s changing my ways of thinking... Despite some of the time when ponies were really shoving it down her throat. What was up with that? “Y’all are here already?” said Applejack from nearby. Mystic looked to her left to see Applejack had stepped onto a platform with a suitcase on her back and Apple Bloom was standing next to her. “Oh, yeah,” Mystic cleared her throat. “I didn’t have anything better to do.” “Ah see,” replied Applejack. “Well, everypony should be here soon and we’ll be on our way.” “Ah can’t wait to see all those creatures!” Apple Bloom hopped for joy. Applejack chuckled and rubbed her sister’s mane. “Oh, and Mystic, Rarity will probably have ya fittin’ yer dress a couple of times while we’re up there.” “Really?” Mystic asked incredulously. “It’s not like my size has changed.” “Yeah, but when ya get to know’er more, you come to expect’em more often.” “Dah, fine.” “Hey, we’re here!” said Sunset as she joined the others along with Twilight. “Good,” said Applejack. “I’ve arrived,” said Fluttershy, stepping from a corner. “Fluttershy, are the birds on the way to Canterlot?” Twilight asked. “Yes,” replied Fluttershy, “We’ll do some last minute practicing before the Convocation.” “Good.” Mystic looked around and noticed they were lacking Pinkie, Rarity and Rainbow Dash. “Is this everypony?” Mystic asked. “It looks like,” said Applejack. “Twilight asked the others to go ahead and make sure things are ready.” Mystic was relieved she didn’t have to share a train with Rainbow. At least she had the decency to leave me alone. Soon, everypony was on the train. Mystic sat next to Twilight and stretched her hind legs. “How’re you holding up?” Mystic asked. “How do you think?” Twilight asked with a frown. “About how you look.” “Yeah,” said Twilight, pausing for a moment. “Starlight will be staying here. I hate to say it, but with how she’s been acting, it’ll be best if we just let her take it easy.” Mystic sighed, feeling a little disappointed. “Okay. It’s probably for the best.” “I hear you had success with your magic lessons,” Twilight smiled a little. “I did. I know how to teleport now,” Mystic returned the smile, feeling proud of herself. “Excellent,” said Twilight. “Just know that teleportation can be tricky in some situations.” “I’ll try to bear that in mind,” replied Mystic. “All aboard!” the conductor announced. “Next stop, Canterlot!”