Twilight moaned softly as she rolled over in her bed, streching her hooves out. Lifting herself from her bed, she looked around, almost nervously, then spotted the book that had caused her nightmares. She considered throwing it, then shook her head and levitated it, pitching it down the stairs.
Gee, Twi. D'ya really thing we're imaginary? asked Applejack, her voice taking on a cruel tone.
Of course not! panicked Twilight, waving her hooves as if to stave off Applejack.
Good, Applejack thought, and Twilight winced again.
~*~
Celestia sighed quietly as she stood, stretching her hooves and wings.
"Princess, it is time for your flight," commanded one of her guards gently.
"Thank you," she muttered, her mane hanging low. She took to the skies, flapping her wings only occasionally as she soared over Canterlot. Ponies below her looked up in wonder, and she merely ignored them. This was her time.
~*~
Girls, my place. Now, thought Twilight commandingly, then closed her eyes. Teleporting herself to to the nearby armchair, she couldn't help but snicker as the others fell around her, looking around in awe. Now girls. I want you to tell me something. Pinkie, how did you grow up?
I lived on a rock farm with my two sisters and my mom and dad. One day, I saw a rainbow in the sky, and I realized I wanted to party, so I did. Pinkie's voice was monotonous, repetitive. Twilight simply nodded.
What about you, Dash?
I was at flight camp— she began, just to be cut off by Twilight.
I mean before flight camp.
I... uh... um... Dash stuttered.
Thank you. Fluttershy?
I really can't remember, squeaked the pegasus.
Then I rest my case. Girls, what is the earliest you remember?
The rainbow, they all chorused.
"The rainbow," muttered Twilight.
~*~
Celestia landed outside her sister's window, magically throwing it open and pulling herself in.
"Dear sister? What doth, er, what brings you here?"
"Just... just missing you," murmured Celestia through a choked throat. She embraced Luna in a tight, magical hug broken only by a knock at the door.
"Who doth go there?" cried Luna, and it was silent for a moment.
"Princess Luna, there is another family to see you in Court," declared a guard, and Luna shot an apologetic look towards Celestia.
"We must be off," she sighed, and Celestia nodded, then took off again.
The wind under her wings was one of Celestia's favorite feelings. The euphoria of being near weightless, the only thing fighting her being her own weight. If Celestia could, she knew she would take for the skies and never land. Unfortunately, her flight was cut short as a cross wind caught her. Gritting her teeth, she flew through it, landing roughly against the window of Twilight's room. Hovering back, she magically opened the window and entered the room. Settling into her chair, she looked back at her student.
~*~
Girls, began Twilight, just in time to be interrupted by Spike.
"Hey, does anyone want tea?" he asked, and Twilight gritted her teeth as the sound resounded through her skull.
"Sure," whispered Twilight. "We'll all have some." She kept her voice low, hoping it would keep the noise down a bit. Unfortunately, it still echoed wildly. She felt the others winch, and sighed. "Spike, I need to talk to you, but writing is easiest on my ears. Just get the tea for now," she added, as she saw his eyes widen in concern.
"Wha—" he began, then grabbed a pad of paper and a quill. What's happening?
You see, Spike, the Elements can now all speak to each other telepathically.
WHAT? he wrote, abusing the caps-lock button Twilight had magically added to her quills.
I can't explain more. Yet, she added, then turned to the others, who all sat sipping the slightly steaming tea.
Twilight? asked Pinkie nervously. Does this have to do with imaginary friends?
Well... started Twilight, then stopped. I'm going to be straight. No, not like that, she added to a confused Fluttershy. I believe I may have reason to possibly consider the hypothesis that you may all potentially be... imaginary friends.
That's more words than Pinkie can say in one breath! exclaimed Dash.
Now Twi. Y'know wha' we tho't 'bout. D'ya rilly think we're imaginary?
Applejack, you are not going to intimidate me. Yes, I believe it is possible. However, I'll need to run some tests. As Twilight stated she thought it was possible, all her friends faded a bit more. Twilight nodded, scribbling down something on a scroll, then looked around.
Don't even try to leave, she commanded, then sat down. I can get you back here anyways.
~*~
I remember the one time I tried to talk to Twilight's parents. I can remember it so clearly, it could have been yesterday. Perhaps it has, with the days bleeding together to form one long, white roomed blur.
"You can't give up on her," I pleaded Twilight Velvet.
"I can and I will. She is gone, and I am not going back."
"MOM!" yelled Shining Armor, and I winced at the sheer force in his voice.
"We are not going back!" she yelled at him, and I watched as his face changed. First full of anger, it became simply indifferent.
"Fine. Then she is gone. She may as well be dead to me," he muttered, then turned on hoof and walked away.
"Look at what you've done," I harshly scowled. "You have destroyed him."
"And you have destroyed my daughter!" yelled the mare, finally loosing it. I watched in awe as she performed the same trick Twilight did when she became angry—catching on fire. Her usually white body became black, her mane fiery.
"I have done nothing! You let your near-foal child go to boarding school, and expect her to what? Be under my permanent guard? You destroyed her! You never visited! You never cared! And now you've given up!"
Twilight Velvet stared numbly at me, then turned around, slamming the door to her small home behind her. As I entered my chariot, I heard heart-wracking sobs behind me. And I couldn't care any more.