//------------------------------// // 48: A Little Crazy // Story: Death of a Queen, V2. // by Arkane12 //------------------------------// Twilight closed Luna’s door with a soft tug. The two Justicars waiting outside turned to her as she passed. “So,” the mare said. “Did you find what you were looking for?”  “I think so,” she answered. “You two will watch over her for me, won’t you?”  The stallion chuckled. “That’s why we’re here. We’ve been watching over Luna for a long time, Princess. You don’t need to worry about her when we’re around.”  “Thank you. Oh!” Twilight fished into her bag and pulled out her notes from her time studying on the airship. “I was also told to leave this with you two. It’s a list of the ingredients I need for my research into Celestia’s condition.”  “I’ll take that.” The Lunar mare reached out, took the list from Twilight’s magic and studied it. “We’ll put in a word with our contacts. I’ll let you know when we hear back.” Twilight offered them a bow as she departed. The thestral duo returned the gesture in kind. These two seemed different, and not just because of their looks and armor. They didn’t act like guards. They joked around and spoke so informally to her, while simultaneously hanging on every one of Luna’s words. They seemed less like legitimate guards, and more like the lunar princess’ close friends.  As she started toward her room, Twilight couldn’t help but look toward Chrysalis’ room. It seemed locked up tight. A fresh coat of paint on the door hid the identifying mark.  Deciding it best to leave Chrysalis to her rest for now, Twilight instead returned to her own room. The handle turned, creaking as the door opened inward. She stopped just long enough to stare at her own symbol inscribed onto the wood. She felt a nudge of hesitant pride when she looked at it.  Shaking that thought from her mind, she stepped inside. With a kick of her back hoof, she shut the door behind her. Using her magic, she tossed her bags onto her writing desk and trudged over to her bed. Taking a deep breath, she plunged into the sheets She rolled around, swaddling herself in the silk sheets and down pillows.  Then, her revelry was interrupted by a soft knock at the door.  “Who is it?” Twilight called.  “It’s Rarity, darling,” came the response.  Twilight rolled over onto her stomach and fluffed her mane back into place. “Come on in.” Rarity opened the door, took two steps inside, and closed the latch behind her. “Is something wrong?” Twilight asked, raising a brow.  “Yes, there is something wrong!” Rarity huffed. “What were you thinking, disappearing like that? I was worried sick about you, darling.” She unraveled the scarf from around her neck and laid it gently across the back of a nearby chair.  “I didn’t disappear without a trace.” Twilight waved her hoof in small circles. “I just . . . left quickly . . . and didn’t have time to say goodbye to you and the girls . . .” She bit her lip, trying to avoid looking at Rarity. “Okay, so maybe I did leave rather abruptly. But it was for a good reason.”  “Yes. Princess Luna told us.” Rarity magicked a chair from near the fireplace and reclined into it. “I have to say, the girls and I were shocked. Rainbow even considered trying to chase down your ship. Really, what were you thinking?”  “It was important, but it was also a last-second thing.” Twilight offered the most pitiful quivering lip she could manage. “You and the girls know that I would never leave without saying goodbye unless it was absolutely necessary, right?”  “Yes, I suppose.” The fashionista rolled her eyes. “Regardless, I’m glad to see you made it back safely. And that you’re alright. I take it you saw the crowd gathering in the castle entryway?”  Her answer began with a long sigh. “I don’t think I could have missed them if I tried.”  “I’m sorry, Twilight.” Rarity tucked a strand of her mane behind her ear. “I know how you feel about Chrysalis. It must have been difficult for you to see that.” Twilight rolled back onto her side and stared at her pillow. “A bit.” She wrinkled her muzzle. “It’s odd. I knew it would happen sooner or later. I was just hoping it would be . . .”  “Later?” Rarity suggested.  “Later,” Twilight confirmed. She craned her neck to get a better look at Rarity. “So, where is everyone else? Are they out on the town or something?” Rarity adjusted herself in her seat. “Ahh . . . not quite. While you were gone, and after . . . after what happened downtown . . . Cadance thought she should send some of us home.”  “What?” Twilight jumped up.  Rarity polished the edge of her hoof on her fur. “It wasn’t exactly a well thought-out decision. Not long after we heard about the attack, we learned that some ponies were putting the blame on you as well.”  “Really?” Twilight felt a sting in her chest. She had sacrificed so much for these ponies. She never thought they would turn on her so quickly.  “I’m afraid so. Cadance grew worried. She figured that if the rumor spread to Ponyville--” “That the ponies there would turn against me too.” Twilight closed her eyes. “And by extension, against all of you, too.”  “Don’t worry, Twilight. It was just a precaution. The ponies of Ponyville wouldn’t be so blind as to turn their backs on you like that.” Rarity turned her chin upward. “More than anything, I think Cadance just wanted us to stay safely away from Canterlot. This town has grown quite . . . unseemly over the last few days.”  “So, why are you still here?” It took a moment to dawn on her just how rude that sounded. Even so, Rarity didn’t seem to notice.  “We drew straws, of course.” She almost sounded like she was bragging.  “And you drew the short straw?” Twilight asked.  Rarity scoffed. “We drew straws to see which one of us would be allowed to stay with you.” The edge in her voice faded with a giggle. “We argued with Cadance for a few hours before she finally decided to let one of us stay. Did you really think we would willingly leave you during all this craziness?”  Is that what she thought? Did she believe her friends would turn on her so easily? Then again, why wouldn’t they? She never thought she’d oppose Shining, Cadence, or Luna, either. And yet, in the last few days, she’d ended up butting heads with all three of them. Were her friends any different? “Can I be honest, Rarity?” “Well, darling, honestly is the best policy, right?”  Twilight’s eyes grew dim and unfocused. “I don’t know what to think anymore.”  Rarity shifted her weight and crossed her legs. “Well, that isn’t the Twilight I know at all. Are you sure you’re not a changeling?” The twinkle in her eye was meant to mark her words as a jest. “Would I even know if I was?” Twilight muttered.  “I didn’t . . . that’s not . . .” Rarity sighed. “Talk to me, Twilight. I’m here to help you.”  “Have I gone crazy, Rarity?” Twilight threw herself onto her back, her eyes scanning the painted marks on the ceiling. “Are you implying there was a point where you weren’t?” Rarity asked.  “I’m serious.” With a groan of effort, Twilight pulled herself upright. Her gaze drifted to the window, where the first few snowflakes were drifting by. “Shining. Cadance. You and the girls. And now, every pony in Canterlot thinks I’m insane or corrupted. All because I stood up for Chrysalis. Am I wrong? Or is everypony else wrong?”  “I think you’re being a bit too harsh.” The chair creaked as Rarity stood. She walked around the edge of Twilight’s bed to sit beside her. “They’re scared. We’re scared. That has nothing to do with you or how you feel.”  “That’s what I thought at first, too.” “But not anymore?” Rarity asked.  “No? Maybe? I don’t know.” Twilight ran a hoof up her cheek. “Shining Armor and I got into a fight. He told me that ‘one of us should remain loyal to Equestria’ or something like that.” She turned to Rarity, her vision blurring behind tears. “Is he right? Did I betray Equestria when I chose to side with Chrysalis?”  “There’s a deeper question you’re not asking me, Twilight.”  Even if Twilight didn’t realize it at first, Rarity was right. There was a single burning question Twilight had been longing to get off her chest, she’d just never been quite sure how to say it.  “Did I . . .” Twilight stumbled over her thoughts. “Did I make the wrong choice?”  Rarity kept quiet for a long time. Long enough for the flurry outside to evolve into a snowstorm. Long enough that the sky turned dark behind the storm clouds. “Do you think you made the wrong choice, Twilight?”  “That doesn’t answer my question.”  “Well, what do you want me to say?” Rarity asked. “I can’t say anything you haven’t heard before. But that doesn’t matter. It isn’t my choice to make. Nor is it Shining’s. Nor Cadance’s. It’s your choice, Twilight. So, what do you think? Did you make the wrong choice?”  “I don’t know. I don’t think so.” “Then you should spend some time thinking about that.” Rarity put a hoof on Twilight’s shoulder. The two shared a bittersweet smile. When that was finished, the unicorn stood and stretched. “Anyway, I suppose I should be going. I’m sure you have other things to get done today.”  “You still didn’t answer my question.”  “Oh?” Rarity asked.  “Am I crazy?”  “You’ve always been a little crazy, Twilight.” Rarity flipped her mane. “But without that little bit of crazy, you wouldn’t be a Princess now, would you?” As she left, she stopped in the doorway. “You care too much what we think, Twilight. We’ve all doubted you before. But that never stopped you. So why does it matter now? Just something to think about.” WIth that, Rarity left.  Twilight sat on her bed for a long few minutes. The snowstorm outside grew heavier. A few carriages were still rolling down the streets. Several ponies were still marching down the sidewalks, wrapped in their heaviest winter clothes. A draft blew in through the windows, causing Twilight to shiver.  As she lay there, she thought of Rarity’s words. Her friend had a point. This wasn’t the first time Twilight had been forced to go against the grain for what she believed in. Ironically, that was how she uncovered Chrysalis’ first plot back during Shining and Cadance’s wedding. Maybe she was putting too much stock in what everypony else was saying. Maybe it should be time for her to make a decision and stick to it. If she did that, then everypony else would eventually come around and see that Chrysalis wasn’t so bad.  Right? Shaking away that thought, she stood and crossed over to the empty fireplace. A small collection of firewood floated over from the stack and piled themselves into the hearth. She tried a dozen times to summon her magic, to will the flames to rise and warm her body. But her magic wouldn’t heed her command. Annoyed, she reached for the matchbook on the mantle. A quick strike lit the end of it, and she lowered it into the firewood. It took a few tries, but the flame eventually caught. After a bit of nursing, the flame was finally healthy enough to survive on its own. She turned, intent on burying herself beneath her sheets, but froze in place when she saw the sight on her couch.  “How long have you been here?” Twilight asked, her throat dry.  “Long enough,” Chrysalis said, burying her head in her hooves. “I told you they would hate you. I told you I was nothing but trouble. But you insisted.”  “I’m sorry.” Twilight settled for collapsing into the nearby chair. It wasn’t quite as warm and toasty as her bed, but it worked better for conversation.  “Don’t be.” Chrysalis stretched her neck back and forth. Twilight could see the fire reflected in her eyes. “It’s actually a bit of relief for you to understand the cost now. If you’re going to abandon me, I would prefer you let me know sooner, rather than later.”  “I . . . I didn’t mean--” “Just say the words, Twilight, and I’ll go.” Chrysalis and Twilight locked eyes.  To Twilight’s mounting frustration, the words sounded like a challenge. She bit her tongue, fighting the urge to scream. But when she opened her eyes, when she really looked at the changeling huddled on her couch, she couldn’t see anger. The unfocused eye, the lowered head. She could only see genuine pain on Chrysalis’ face.  “No.”  “Hmm?”  “You’re waiting for me to tell you to leave?” Twilight shook her head. “Then you’re going to be waiting a long time.” She jumped from her chair, sliding it backwards in the process. She marched up to Chrysalis, getting in close, muzzle-to-muzzle with her. “What are you doing?” Chrysalis demanded, trying to lean back.  But Twilight gave no quarter. She leaned in closer. “I don’t want you to leave. Do you understand me?” She had tears in her eyes. “I don’t want you to leave. No matter how difficult it gets. I promised you that. Didn’t I?”  “I . . . I mean--” “Shut up,” Twilight whispered. She lowered her body to the floor and brushed her cheek against Chrysalis’. “I told you that I would bear the consequences of my choice. Didn’t I?” She could feel the changeling’s breath hitch. “And that wasn’t a promise I made lightly. Understand?”  “Twilight, I’m serious. If you’re having second thoughts--” “I’m not,” Twilight promised. She put her head on Chrysalis’ chest. “You wouldn’t be the first to leave, you know--” “I’m not leaving you!” Twilight declared. Her voice bordered on threatening. “You might be used to those around you abandoning you, but not me. I made you a promise. And no force in Equestria will keep me from staying by your side.”  Chrysalis tried to turn away, but Twilight caught her chin. She wiped away the tear forming the corner of the changeling’s lone eye. “I don’t want you to be miserable. If that’s the life you’re going to have with me—”  “Of course I’m miserable,” Twilight muttered. “My subjects are morons, my mentor is dying, and my family hates me. It seems like all anypony wants to do is make me miserable. But . . .” she smiled. “There’s at least one pony who’s looking out for me. Who’s doing whatever she can to make sure she doesn’t make me miserable.”  “Luna?” Chrysalis asked.  “No.” Twilight laughed. “Not Luna. A certain changeling queen that, the more I think about it, may have actually put me under her spell.”  “You’re not under any spell of mine,” Chrysalis said, mimicking Twilight’s laugh. “Nor are you a changeling. At least, not one of my changelings, anyway.” She put a hoof around Twilight’s head and held her close. “You’re just a crazy pony.”  Twilight nuzzled a cheek against Chrysalis’ shell, smiling. “Yeah, but that’s nothing new.”  Cradled in the warmth radiating from the hearth and lulled by the rhythm of Chrysalis’ heartbeat, Twilight closed her eyes. Only for them to snap back open a few seconds later.  “Chrysalis?”  “Yeah?” The changeling had her own eyes closed. The light of the flame cast warm colors across her shell.  “Why are you in my room?”  “Hmm?” She opened her eye. “Oh, right. My door was locked. Apparently, I don’t have a room here anymore.” Twilight’s head bounced as her pillow shrugged. “It’s not like I have a lot of places in this castle I can go to.”  “Actually, Luna wanted me to pass along a message.”  “Oh, joy.”  Twilight swatted playfully at the other mare, but she leaned out of range.  “She told me that you and I are not to leave the upper levels of the castle. That all the guards will be replaced by completely loyal members of the Princess’ personal guard.”  “Oh, good, now at least the guards who hate me will be loyal.”  “And,” Twilight continued, raising her voice over Chrysalis’ “She told me that she’s offering you a new room. The abandoned tower at the edge of the wing.”  Chrysalis’ ears perked up. “Really?”  “Really.” Twilight nodded. “It’s a bit of a fixer-upper, but I think you’ll like it.”  “Well, then what am I doing sitting around here? I’ve got a new room to explore.” She tried to get up, but Twilight wouldn’t let her. “What’s the matter? Afraid I’ll like it more than your room?”  “You know what?” Twilight rolled her eyes. “Maybe we’re both a little crazy.”  “Maybe we are,” Chrysalis agreed.  Chrysalis stood and offered a hoof to Twilight, who took it gratefully. As Twilight was pulled to her hooves, she stumbled forward, planting a kiss on Chrysalis’ cheek as she did so. “Even if I lose my mind, I’ll still have one mare on my side.” The two of them burst into laughter as they left Twilight’s room.