//------------------------------// // 7: Newcomer // Story: Death of a Queen, V2. // by Arkane12 //------------------------------// Twilight repeated the passage aloud for the fourth time. She could read it just fine. It made sense. Yet, she still struggled to make sense of it. She squeezed her eyes shut and pressed a hoof to her forehead. She slipped a bookmark onto the page before snapping it shut. The motion nearly extinguished her candle, the flickering flame sending shadows dancing over the bricks.  With a noise that echoed through the endless shelves of the library, Twilight slid her chair away from the desk. The book lifted from the desk behind her and nestled between two others on the bottom shelf. “You look tired.”  Twilight unleashed an involuntary squeal. She whipped around to see Luna trotting over to a nearby table, depositing a silver tray of various fruits and vegetables beside the pile of books. Twilight’s stomach grumbled at the sight.  “Luna,” Twilight put a hoof over her heart as she took a deep breath. “You scared me.”  “Apologies.” Luna nodded toward the tray. “The kitchen staff told me you missed dinner.” “Oh? Sorry. I got a little . . .” “Carried away?” Luna suggested. “Carried away.” Twilight agreed, scratching the back of her neck. “What were you reading?” Luna leaned into a nearby chair.  Twilight joined beside her at the table, taking a carrot from her meal. “An old spellbook.” She bit the vegetable in two. “Ancient healing magic. It’s mostly outdated, but I’m running out of options.” “I see.” “I’ve already made my way through most modern medical texts we have here. There’s a pretty good chance I could find the cure for just about anything somewhere on these shelves. That is, except for the one we need.” Twilight yawned. “When was the last time you slept?” Luna motioned toward a pile of scrolls nearby. Each of them had been blanketed in notes, their script hasty, but skilled. “I know. I tried.” She laughed softly. “You know, before Celestia’s tests, I would spend the night before in this library, studying. She found me here one night, asleep, drooling all over one of my textbooks. When I woke up, she’d had breakfast prepared and waiting for me, right here at this table.” She smiled through misty eyes, imagining Celestia beside her, a gentle wing at her side. Luna didn’t speak. Instead, she held out a hoof toward Twilight, wrapping it around her shoulder and pulling her into an embrace. Dark violet wings wrapped around Twilight, shielding her from the outside world. She buried her head in Luna’s fur, letting herself break down in her arms. “I can’t do this, Luna.” “Twilight . . . ” Luna stared off into the night. She seemed to be at a loss for words. Celestia had always been the optimistic one. “I’m not ready to let go.” Twilight took a shaky breath. “Neither am I, Twilight.” Luna squeezed tighter. “Can I tell you something?” “Hmm?” Twilight twisted around until she was looking up at Luna.  “Before my exile,” Luna began, “I’d witnessed my sister teach scores of different students. Unicorns from every corner of Equestria passed through that golden palace gate just as you did, all those years ago. Many of them possessed magic far beyond any normal pony. A rare few might have even given me a run for my money.” “Really?” Twilight frowned inwardly. She had never seen Luna’s true power, but imagined that it far surpassed her own.  “Really. But I don’t think they ever fully understood what Celestia expected of them. They were only interested in uncovering the secrets of magic. They cared little for the magic of friendship.” Luna pursed her lips. “But then I met you. When I returned to Equestria, I could scarcely believe how much everything had changed. It only remotely resembled the home I had left behind. Everywhere I went, ponies watched me with fear, ready to run for the hills. Except for one little purple unicorn.” “Nightmare Night.” The memory conjured a warm glow. “I was dressed as Star Swirl the Bearded.”  She pulled from Luna’s grasp. “You were the only one who even knew who I was.” “It was the first thing I had seen since my return that felt familiar.” Luna chuckled. “And even when I nearly ruined the night, you tried your best to comfort me. I have not forgotten the kindness you showed me that night, Twilight.” Luna inched closer, comforting Twilight. “For the first time, I found myself in awe of the student my sister had chosen. While your skill in magic certainly left me impressed, your kind and gentle nature eclipsed anything I had ever seen.” “Why are you telling me this?” Twilight asked, her tear-stained cheeks growing red. “Since that night, I watched you perform feats even I never dreamed possible. When my sister and I were lost, you were there. You saved Celestia. You saved me. You saved Equestria.” Twilight blushed, causing Luna to pause. “Twilight, in all my years, I have never met a pony quite like you.” “That’s kind of you, Princess.” “And I know that no matter what obstacle you face, you will find a way to overcome it. You always have. You always will.” The two of them allowed silence to overtake the library again. Wiping the tears from her face, Twilight saw to her dinner, all the while Luna sat nearby, her head tilted upward to gaze toward her stars. Occasionally, they would discuss something of note found within the various tomes filling the library. Nothing that would make their present situation any easier, but enough to occupy Twilight’s thoughts. “Luna, I . . .” Twilight turned toward the darker pony. The words felt stuck in her chest, but she eventually forced them out. “I spoke with Chrysalis today.” Luna’s demeanor darkened slightly. “I am sure that was an enlightening conversation.”  “I asked her to help.” “And?” One of Luna’s eyebrows tilted upward. “She wasn’t thrilled with the idea. But she said she’d consider it.” Luna leaned back in her seat. “She did?” “There was . . .” Twilight bit her lip. “Something was different about her, Luna.”             Luna shifted a buckle on her royal uniform. “She is a changeling, Twilight. They are quite different.” “No, I mean different from the way she used to be. Sort of. I don’t know.” “And just what is different about her?” Luna asked.  Twilight rested her head against the table. She couldn’t find the right words to explain it. “She seemed . . . lost? Lonely, maybe?” “That is to be expected,” Luna reasoned. “She is alone.” “I guess. Maybe I’m just projecting. You may think I’m impressive, but social graces are still a concept I’ve yet to fully grasp,” Twilight admitted. “I have faith in you and your plans. Keep this in mind, though: weak as she may be, Chrysalis’ true strength lies in deception and manipulation. It is possible she may wish to help, but it is more likely she is hatching some sort of scheme. Promise me you will be careful around her.” Luna cast a pleading look at Twilight.  “I promise.” Twilight nodded. The two of them were interrupted by the sound of armored steps. A lunar guard appeared from around the furthest shelf. “Princess Twilight. Princess Luna.” Luna sat up straight. “Is something the matter, soldier?”  “Princess Twilight’s guest has arrived.” “She’s here?” Twilight bounced from her seat. “She’s waiting outside.” He explained, motioning to the library door. “Tell her that I’ll be right out. I just need to gather my things real quick.” The guard saluted and left.  “Your guest?” Luna retrieved a stack of notes from the desk where they lay. “I invited Fluttershy.” “Oh.” “That’s alright, isn’t it? I thought we talked about this.” Twilight’s eyes widened. “Did I forget to talk to you about this?”  “It is quite alright. I am just a little surprised.” The two of them finished packing Twilight’s saddlebags. “Why Fluttershy?” Twilight adjusted the weight of her pack. “Her skill with animals is extraordinary. I thought she might know something useful to my research. She also has a certain chaotic friend that might know something, too.” Luna groaned. “Please tell me you did not invite Discord here, too.”  “I don’t know.” Twilight giggled. “She didn’t say whether she brought him or not.” Princess Luna’s face tightened, forgetting the dry humor of the situation. “Twilight, how much does she know about what happened?” Twilight’s smile faded.  “Not much. I was planning to let her sleep tonight, then I’d take her to see Celestia in the morning and explain everything. As far as she knows, this is just research I think she can help me with.” Twilight shrugged. “Have you told anyone else about this?” “I’ve put out a few letters here and there to track down some leads. None of them are too specific. Starlight, Trixie, and Sunburst know and are helping track down new routes to check. Spike knows, too. He’s still in Ponyville. I asked him to check in with Zecora. I think that’s it.” “Good.” Luna breathed a sigh of relief. “I want to try and keep a lid on this whole ordeal. If it gets out that Celestia is hurt and Chrysalis is here in the palace, things might get a little hectic.” “Right.” Twilight waved goodbye as she made her way to the door. “And Luna?” “Yes?”  From this angle, Twilight could see the moon framed against the night sky, bathing its mistress in its pale glow. The scene could’ve been a work of art.  “Thank you for the food,” Twilight said. “And for the vote of confidence.” Luna flashed a loving smile as Twilight left. Out in the hallway, the pale yellow pegasus trembled beneath the gaze of a nearby sentry. She shifted her weight constantly, running her pink mane ragged as she tried to hide behind it. “Fluttershy!” Twilight called her friend over to her with a wave of her hoof. Fluttershy mumbled an apology to the guard as she passed, which he didn’t seem to notice. “I’m sorry I didn’t meet you at the station. I got caught up and lost track of time.” “It’s all right, Twilight.” Fluttershy approached, pulling in the princess for a hug.  “And thank you for coming on such short notice.” Fluttershy gave her usual timid smile. “I wasn’t going to ignore one of my friends. Especially not if it’s an emergency. What happened?” “Can you walk and talk?” Twilight asked, nodding toward a spiral staircase nearby. “I can show you to my room. You can stay there for the night, if that’s okay?” When Twilight learned how many guest rooms the castle held, she hadn’t believed it until she counted for herself. Still, those were meant for guests. Twilight’s friends weren’t guests. They were family. She’d made sure a small cot had been set up in her room for the mare close enough to be her sister. “That’s just fine.” Fluttershy sighed as the weight lifted from her shoulders.  The two of them started up the stairs. “As for the emergency, we can deal with that in the morning. After a good night’s sleep.” Fluttershy cocked her brow. “I don’t think that’s how emergencies work. What happened?” Twilight bit her lip, thankful Fluttershy couldn’t see her face from behind her. “A pony was hurt. It’s some sort of magic that I can’t identify.” She felt a knot form in her stomach. She didn’t like keeping it a secret. But at this point, all a revelation would do is make it harder for them to sleep. After all, Celestia would still be waiting for them in the morning, wouldn’t she? Fluttershy tilted her head quizzically. “I don’t really know if I can take care of a pony. I mean, I’m more than happy to help if you think I can, but wasn’t there someone else that would be more helpful?” “Well, it’s that whatever attacked her wasn’t a pony.” Twilight tried to argue with herself that it wasn’t technically a lie. That reasoning didn’t make her feel any better. “An animal? Take me to them, I’ll talk to them.” The two of them finally reached the final few steps. Twilight led her guest to the lodgings marked with a purple star. “It’s a little too late to get anything done tonight. We’ll talk more about it in the morning.” Twilight held the door, offering Fluttershy to enter first. “I have a bed set up for you.”  Sure enough, the serving staff had constructed a small nest of blankets and pillows near the fireplace. Fluttershy obliged, settling into the cushioning. “Where’s Spike?” “He’s back in Ponyville.” Twilight climbed into her own bed. “I really should check in on him. Or at least ask Rarity to.” After a long pause, Fluttershy sat up in her bed. “Are you okay, Twilight?” Fluttershy asked. Her soft-spoken voice sounded like a beautiful lullaby to the exhausted alicorn. “I mean, I don’t want to be rude, but you seem a little on edge.”  “I’m alright. It’s just been a crazy few days. I feel like I haven’t been home in years.” “You could always invite the girls here for a while. They’d make you feel better, I’m sure.” Fluttershy stretched her wings and rolled onto her side. “Maybe. It would be nice to see them.” Twilight’s eyes blurred. “I’m sure they’d come running. It’s not every day you’re invited to stay in a royal palace like this.” Twilight sat up, glaring at the other pony. “I’ve told you guys hundreds of times that you can stay in my castle whenever you want.” Fluttershy shrugged. “Yes, but that’s your castle. We hang out there all the time. This is different. The princesses live here. I mean, it doesn’t feel like home, does it?” She stifled a yawn. “It’s more like we’re on vacation.” Twilight fell backwards onto her pillow. Sometimes, it really didn’t feel like home. “Fluttershy, I’m glad you’re here.” “I’m happy to be here, Twilight,” Fluttershy whispered, resting her head against a small mountain of fluff.  The two were asleep in minutes.