CH4
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AN: Hasbro can have them, I only write about them
(This is going to be expanding upon a few elements of the story, such as comedy and DAWWWW, I needed that. The CMC will be playing a more prominent role in the next chapter, or so I hope if not they’ll make their appearance soon enough. For now we have Fluttershy with Rainbow Dash left to go. And who the hell can do Zecora? I don’t know a thing about Zecora’s speech, rhymes really annoy me.)
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A reprieve and an enervation…
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The week passed rather quickly for Starswirl who had remained as secluded in the library with Spike, the library had a few visitors, all of whom had been the mail mare Ditzy Doo. Starswirl appreciated the company of the grey coat blonde mane Pegasus; she said a few things before departing, but she was at least a welcome sight for Starswirl.
It was now a week since she had received the letter from her grandparents, they had been receptive about what they wanted to do when they met. The organising for the visit had already been completed and Starswirl had done everything in advance, she wanted to make the best impression on her grandparents, even if she knew the truth and they didn’t.
Starswirl worked tirelessly to plan out her meeting that she fell tired from the process of going through everything constantly, Spike began to worry and asked her if she wanted to go outside for a bit of air. She was hesitant in doing so and needed encouragement from her assistant to leave the library, it was a bit of a struggle, but Spike managed it.
Starswirl now draped in her cloak walked through the streets and to Carousel Boutique, she needed to get her barding from her fashionable friend. Starswirl trotted through the streets, the night seemed livelier than what it had been about a week before, and ponies were now strolling around more often, they couldn’t remain locked in their homes with enchanted lamps and pray for the sun to comeback.
Ponies were playing in the night time usually for a short time before heading back in, the night air was constant, but at times it seemed to warm up as well, it was bearable for everypony. Starswirl travelled unnoticed by the residents of Ponyville; making her way through the busier streets she reached the shop in a few minutes.
Upon entering she was greeted by the smell of fresh tea and the sound of chatter. Rarity was having tea with a yellow coat pink maned Pegasus, Fluttershy enjoyed her tea with Rarity. The two mares noticed the bell chime and looked over to Starswirl who had entered, when Starswirl removed her cloak, Fluttershy jumped away and hid behind the chair she had been occupying moments before. Rarity looked at her shy friend and sighed; she walked over to Starswirl and greeted her.
“You made it just on the spot Starswirl; I have the barding you needed. It’s by its mannequin down over at the back.” She pointed a hoof at rear of the store.
Starswirl made her way to the rear as Rarity went off to go get some measuring tape and pins, she’d adjust the barding accordingly should Starswirl saw any need to adjust it, Fluttershy, who was being shy followed quietly behind Starswirl. The yellow Pegasus hadn't spoken since the announcement of Starswirl and it had been a very quiet period of time since then, Fluttershy admitted in her heart that she had no idea what to say to the daughter of a friend no more.
Starswirl noticed the uncertainty of her yellow Pegasus friend, she was troubled and in deep thought, she guessed that Twilight’s passing into servitude would have been different rather than this peculiar situation, she didn’t like it. Starswirl arrived at her barding; it was a 3 piece suit. It had the main section which would cover her body; the other 2 would overlap the main body suit and cover her hooves as well as her legs and around her neck.
Once she was fully dressed she stood in front of one of the dressing mirrors and looked at herself, she found that the barding looked rather nice the black leather seemed to suit the dark outside even though it stood obviously against her coat. She didn’t really care about her neck upwards, she could deal with that with her cloak, the hood would hide her face and no pony would be rude enough to look underneath.
Starswirl waited as Rarity went to go get some fabrics she suggested for the legs of the barding and left Starswirl with Fluttershy, the yellow butterscotch Pegasus threw glances at the unicorn at times and finally Starswirl asked.
“Fluttershy, I know that you’re trying to ask me something, but you won’t ask, so I will. Why are you looking at me like that?” She inquired.
The Pegasus tried to leave the room but Starswirl closed the door before she ever made it put and faced her former friend, the Pegasus crawled up into a ball and Starswirl asked again.
“Why can’t you ask me what’s the matter?”
She mumbled and Star asked again.
“Why can’t you face me?” She asked with annoyance.
The Pegasus snapped back finally with vigour, she was crying.
“BECAUSE YOU LOOK LIKE HER!” Fluttershy shouted with a furious look.
The mare broke down and sobbed.
“…You look like her, and I think back that when she was here, and I never got to properly get to know her and she was nice, and I was kind, she was my friend, and then I see her and I think I failed!” She cried in streams.
The room was deathly quiet with only the sounds of the two mares breathing and Fluttershy’s crying, Rarity only then returned to the room and found herself with her two friends in such a state, she stood there in shock; she had heard the shouting and decided to see what might have happened. Rarity was mutely shocked by the sight of them, the unicorn mare didn’t dare to ask what might have happened, she could already guess about what it might have been.
Starswirl looked at her former friend, with guilt and sorrow, she missed Twilight and with Starswirl it was conflicting because she was reminded by Starswirl that she had lost her friend and that was tearing her inside. Starswirl felt horrible about the whole thing. She said to Fluttershy, and in the most sombre tone.
“Mother, misses you more than you know, and she’d never leave you like this, I’m sorry Fluttershy.”
Starswirl left the boutique with Rarity attending the upset Pegasus, she knew that this was a breaking point of their emotions, and it was obvious that all Starswirl did was make her feel the guilt. Fluttershy would get over it one day, but not today. Starswirl headed home, she felt as though she didn’t belong with them, her friends, what right did she have to take the place of Twilight Sparkle her dead life?
When she returned home she found herself tired from the confrontation with Fluttershy, she headed up to her bed with Spike asking.
“What’s up Star?”
“Nothing Spike, just leave me alone for now.” She replied and headed to bed.
Spike knew when he shouldn’t pry into the personal affairs of Starswirl, and today was blatantly obvious that his sister wasn’t feeling as good with herself; he decided to leave it for another day and hope that the mare got through it with his help, maybe tomorrow. Starswirl crawled into bed and lay there, taking off her barding and her cape in a neat bundle; she jumped into bed and began to slowly sob to herself. Why did everything have to be so difficult?
The sobbing mare drifted to sleep, her dreams slowly pouring into the night time, they were about her life and her love for all those she had left, and from her mind they drifted to the mind of only one who could perceive them.
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Queen Luna slept on her bed, she had Twilight next to her, her mind felt the flow of every sentient being dreams go through her own, she could feel them in many bands, they came either slowly and ever gracefully or through rough flashes, but amongst the sea of thoughts, she found one of all of the dreams, the one she was looking for.
Like oil against the water she felt it’s sorrow and pain, it was Starswirl’s, her memories faded in and out, but it encompassed her day’s event, she could see what was wrong, her former existence had countered against her new life, she was drawn out between her friend’s happiness with Twilight and it was tearing her apart.
Luna felt a little bit of guilt about the situation she had caused, but that was a part of growing up wasn’t it? Being able to feel the pain of life changing around you, even if you didn’t want it to, but that was all part of being able to live your life, Starswirl would either have to find some way on her own to accomplish this or she’d have to accept the fact that her former friend wouldn’t want to be with her for a while.
It all depended on how she approached this, she either left it alone or she tried to bridge them together again. Luna while unsuspectingly did not noticed that someone else was looking into the dreams of their daughter, Twilight Evenfall felt her mind just gently nudging itself in the blind spot where Luna wouldn’t noticed, she latched herself and saw the same things.
Regret flowed through the recesses of Twilight’s mind, but she pushed it away, she knew that one day she’d return and have to face the same problems; her daughter was handling herself well enough. She just hoped that she wouldn’t be too late with her plans, Celestia revealed the key to her and she needed to make it fit, and then all would be ended.
The dreams passed on and the two slept through the night, troubled slightly by the dreams of their loved one. It would be another day and Starswirl would be alright, she still had her friends to rely on, and they knew that there would always be other to help her on the way.
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Next morning was punctuated by the sounds of knocking instead of the usual ring of the alarm or the calls of ponies outside, the dim lighting wasn’t helping the unicorn as she stumbled from bed to the level below, she hurried to the door and replied annoyed with the knocking.
“I’m coming; I’m coming, hold your horses.”
Starswirl opened the door expecting probably Ditzy with some mail. Her mane was still ruffled and messy from her slightly troubled dreams, she was knocked head over hooves as a blue blur suddenly pushed on her, and she lay on her back as the eyes of a certain rainbow maned Pegasus looked into hers with fury.
“Okay you, I couldn’t believe it when I heard about yesterday!”
“What?” Starswirl said in confusion.
“You upset Fluttershy, I heard about it from Rarity and Applejack this morning; they were passing by and talking about how you were to Fluttershy!” She shouted angrily.
Starswirl’s heart froze, Rainbow was had heard that from Rarity and Applejack? This was the last thing that she wanted to happen. She tried to respond, but her brain was still a bit shocked. Rainbow was lifted from Starswirl suddenly. Applejack stood behind her pulling her tail all the way out of the door she grunted and then let go.
“Darn it girl cool yer head!” She shouted.
“Why should I, she upset Fluttershy!” She shouted back.
Rarity interjected. “Dear, listen to reason; what happened yesterday was because of a misunderstanding, Fluttershy hasn’t spoken to Starswirl for very personal reasons that she never voiced to Starswirl until just yesterday. She’s been upset for the whole ordeal since we returned from confronting Nightmare. It’s understandable that she’s upset.” Rarity defended.
“Well that doesn’t make it any better, who’s she to go sizing up to Fluttershy like that?” Rainbow asked angrily.
“Because she’s Twilight’s Lil one. Why doesn’t she have that right?” AJ answered.
It was then that the group was interrupted by Starswirl.
“Rainbow, that’s enough, they’re trying to tell you that it wasn’t Fluttershy’s fault, but mine, I let myself get too curious, and Fluttershy wouldn’t answer me. So I got over expressive and then she got upset… and that I’m sorry she’s upset.”
Another voice interrupted.
“But now I want to apologise…”
They turned their attention to the sound of the voice. The yellow Pegasus mare stood there with a sorrowful expression, she was however contempt that she needed to correct this.
“Rainbow please don’t go off like that, I came to explain myself about yesterday.” She said slightly sorrowfully.
“But, she…” Rainbow was suddenly pulled down by a pink blur.
Pinkie Pie was holding her down by her tail, her hair was completely limp, and she had a grave expression and said.
“NOT ANOTHER WORD.” Pinkie gritted through her teeth.
Rainbow shut up immediately and allowed for Fluttershy to begin. Her expression was thankful for the reprieve from the shouting; she faced Starswirl and then said.
“I’m sorry Starswirl.”
“For what? I attacked you with that question back at Rarity’s boutique. And I was over expressive…” She began.
“But it was for the right reasons, I should have told you, but it was afraid, I was afraid that you’d hate me, and now that I think about it. It wasn’t right, you were trying to be my friend, you were trying to understand, but I never let you have that chance. I’m sorry Starswirl, you didn’t deserve that.” Fluttershy explained.
“Then are we able to be friends?” Starswirl asked.
Fluttershy smiled a bit and then replied.
“Yes, we can be friends, but I think I would like to take my time. That’s if you don’t mind of course…” She said shyly poking at the ground.
Starswirl felt relief flow through her.
“Yes, take your time Fluttershy; I think we can all wait.” Starswirl replied.
The Pegasus nodded and then headed off, trotting off towards her home. She was going to take her time to get back to Starswirl. The others watched her with then let go of a breath that they hadn't realised that they had been holding in. Pinkie let Rainbow go and let her hair puff back up, she was relieved, not as entirely happy, but relieved nonetheless.
Rainbow was about to leave, but she hovered, she was feeling guilty about what she had said.
“I guess I owe you an apology Starswirl.”
“No that’s not necessary Rainbow; it’s understandable that you want to be a friend who looks out for her, but you might just want to confer with everyone else before jumping into anything.” Starswirl advised.
The rainbow mane Pegasus nodded and then headed off to the clouds, she’d probably have to think about her overreaction with Starswirl. Applejack and Rarity went over to Starswirl.
“Thank goodness that was resolved as it was without any more shouting.” Rarity commented.
“You and Fluttershy are going to need to work on your friendship, but at least you two are better off now… how do ya feel?” Applejack asked.
“Fine, a little worried there, but I think Fluttershy and I can understand each other better, I think I’ll just give her the space she needs to think about it though. I really didn’t want a confrontation like that to happen again.” Starswirl replied.
“That’s understandable dear, Rainbow is too much of a hot head, she’s not as perceptive, but her heart is in the right place. But sometimes that temper of hers gets in the way of her thinking; she’s prone to these sorts of things, if it concerns Fluttershy.” Rarity explained.
“At least it didn’t get any worse.” Starswirl commented.
It was then that Spike appeared at the door rubbing his eyes.
“Hey what’s going on, did I miss something?”
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Twilight flicked through the archives looking for something, the last records of someone she had heard about from the recollections of Luna and Celestia, the prime component in all of this. The one being who could challenge Luna and possibly bring Equestria back to stability, or cause its destruction. She flicked through all the ancient copies of the old archives, at least the ones which had been copied by the Lunar Knights from ancient times.
She went further back from the pre-classical era, the end of the old Equestrian and then to the dawn of the New Millennia, it was here that she found the records of the lost one, the knights of the Arcadian Empire who served the sisters of Equestria, the mentors of the sisters, their brothers. She followed through the books, but when she found the section, the book wasn’t there.
She paused and stared into the gaping space, this should be it, the correct number the right section, everything, this was the last known records of the celestial brothers. Where had it gone? It was then that a dangerously calm voice asked.
“Looking for this?”
Twilight turned about and was faced by Luna herself. She held the book in her magical grasp and looked back at Twilight with some interest. The book encased with the royal Arcadian seal, black as obsidian and protected by the many magical spells to keep it from damage, it was the last record of the old Arcadian brothers and the records detailing the events that followed Arcadia’s fall.
Twilight replied.
“That is what I seek.”
“Well now, getting bold are we? The old records of my brothers, and their fateful demise…” Luna grimaced at the statement.
“You know, I need that now.” Twilight said carefully eyeing the book.
“And you know what I want to know, why?” Luna asked.
“That’s not for you to know Luna, Celestia had been very cautious about the details of what I had to do.” Twilight replied.
“So this is sister’s plan, activate your emotions, and turn you into a living being to do her dirty work? And then what? She’ll betray you like she did me, and then she’ll have you killed or banished, then what? Live as a forsaken stone entity living a false existence in pitiful hopes to return to her supposed daughter, or is there more to this?” Luna asked.
The words hit harder than Luna could see on the outside, Twilight knew that her existence had been falsified by Luna; she knew she couldn’t be the pony that the true Twilight was. But that was beauty of it, she wasn’t Twilight, she was someone else, and she wanted her freedom, but she had a promise to keep, one that she wouldn’t ever break.
“There’s more than you know Luna, I intend to be what I want, and you can try to stop me.” She challenged.
Twilight’s horn glowed dangerously bright; Luna remained staring into those defiant eyes. One person one said that the eyes were the doors to the soul, and Luna could see the fire that burned within her eyes, those eyes which differed from the sacrifice of Twilight. True defiance, in the best interests, she found that so ironic.
Luna looked down and back up and sighed. She then used her magic and tossed the book of old Arcadia to Twilight. Twilight was surprised and didn’t understand, wasn’t Luna here to challenge her? To confront her about what she planned? The Luna princess then answered the questions swirling in her mind.
“You defy me, and I won’t stop you from what you plan. But remember this Twilight; the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Don’t make my mistake. Or you’ll forever regret it.”
Luna walked off from the confused Twilight; she had the book, but that statement, why did she warn her? This didn’t make sense, what was it that Luna saw in her eyes? Twilight stared absently in thought and then looked to the book, ‘Arcadia: Fall of the Brothers’. She opened up the volume and began to flick through.
What Twilight found in the book was shocking; it seemed that someone had magically erased the contents of the book that she needed to look for. She used her magic but nothing came of it, the book remained blank. This wasn’t the work of Luna, obviously because Luna had given her the book in the first place, this was the work of ancient magic, probably done by a high or arch-mage of Arcadia. They always had advanced magic, not to mention they possessed enchantments and runes needed to access certain books, this was probably no exception.
She sighed, all that work for nothing, but it wasn’t entirely nothing, she had found the book, she just needed a key to read the contents. That wasn’t going to be easy, few ponies ever read about the ancient Arcadians, not to mention that their empire vanished 1500 years ago. The many Arcadian cities and ruins would have long vanished, mostly in part of Equestrians building over their remains and other countries taking control of other remaining remanets. She’d never find anything of use, unless she went right to the source. But looking for ancient civilisations wasn’t in Twilight’s forte.
She put the book down on a stand and thought about what to do, she had to find a solution to dealing with Luna, but that was accessing the records of the brothers, and they were dead, but their knowledge wasn’t, she needed somepony who still had something that could access tomes of Arcadia. But who would be in possession of something that old?
Twilight pondered about what to do. She’d have to give up the chase for the ancients for now, she had time, and Luna wasn’t going to stop her. But she was more worried about Starswirl, she was busy, and that was for sure. When she heard about her parents going off to visit her daughter it really made her nervous. About a month to go and then she’d be meeting them in person. She really was anxious about having to face her parents, they were oblivious to the truth, and she hated deceiving them.
There was so much to do and so little time, Twilight was going to have to pay Ponyville a visit soon enough. She just hoped that Starswirl was ready for the meeting.
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Spike brought out a dozen pancakes and a few cups of apple juice; he had gone and made breakfast after Rarity suggested they eat something, it was just early enough in the morning that the moon glowed bright enough for everyone to be waking from their beds. The three friends sat at the table of the library enjoying their breakfast. The freshly cooked pancakes smelled wonderful to the friends.
Spike had also put some rather interesting decorations on Rarity’s pancakes, a love heart which was entirely constructed from rose petals. Rarity admired the decorations and ate away at the pancakes it her usual courteous manner, she hadn't noticed that Applejack and Starswirl were stifling laughs; their dear Spike put so much effort into getting Rarity’s attention.
Half way through their meal Starswirl asked Applejack.
“So AJ, I was thinking, you wouldn’t mind if I came along to help you today do you?”
“Not at all Starswirl, besides, I think ya need to get out of the library for a bit. It’s been about a week, and I’d hate to leave ya without anything to do.” She replied.
“Thanks, hey, I was just curious, but do you know about your sister, Applebloom was it?” She recalled from memory about the red maned filly.
“Yeah, what about her?” AJ asked.
“Well she and her friends formed a club called the Cutie Mark Crusaders; you think we should try to help them out some time?” She suggested.
“Well that depends, if I don’t have any delivers to make and it isn't busy at the market, then I’m game to help.” AJ replied.
It was then that there was a knock at the front door of the library; Spike went off to answer the door.
“I’ll get it.” He said before the others could offer.
The trio remained eating breakfast, up until there was a bit of talking and then closing of the door, Spike returned to the kitchen with 3 letters and a parcel. Starswirl asked.
“What are those?”
Spike dumped the contents onto the table and then picked the first one out.
“Here’s a passport for you Starswirl, it’s all your details, for the yearly census.”
Starswirl levitated the papers to her so she could examine them, Spike pulled out the second letter and then announced.
“This is from Twilight?”
The three mares responded by exclaiming.
“WHAT?”
Spike opened the letter and addressed it to Starswirl.
“My dear daughter, Starswirl, I do hope that you are feeling well, I’m sorry that I cannot attend the meeting with your grandparent’s but please tell them I miss them truly, and tell my mother that I wished I could have been there. However certain circumstances at the imperial fortress have me busy for the next couple of months. I will be unable to attend, but I would like to tell you that I shall be making a visit in person during the next Summer Sun Celebration, even though it will be more the Lunar Crest Celebration after the official name change. I do hope to see you soon, and I miss you my daughter, so very much. From Twilight Evenfall.
P.S. Do not give Spike any presents aside from books…”
“HEY!” Spike whined.
Starswirl levitated the letter to her face and read through again, she couldn’t believe this, was it really the clone that wrote this? But the clone hadn't said a thing, why is it acting like her mother now, why is it acting like her? This made no sense… Had Luna done it? Had Luna finally found the means to replace Twilight? Did this mean she’d have to remain as Starswirl forever? So many questions, but she dared not show the true face of her existence.
Spike pulled out the package and opened it up.
“There’s a package filled with muffins?”
“Oh that’s probably Ditzy sending in a gift for me.” Starswirl stated.
“Okay then, what’s this now?” Spike opened up the last letter.
“To Author: Please update.”
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(Well your wish has been granted, we continue on with the story, and don’t worry the pace is about to pick up soon enough. I’ll be getting into the main story of the first season from the next chapter so don’t worry. But a FYI, the season won’t be in order.)