//------------------------------// // Chapter 8 // Story: Fracturing Reality // by FaelaArts //------------------------------// Twilight followed the three out of the home, promised by Dapplejack that Smartie Pants would be fine. As they walked out she noticed a large building with a word on it and her face broke into a smile. “The Library, of course my answers are in there” all three glanced to her. Stuttershy quickly glanced away, Dapplejack gave a small smile, and Rosé giggled at her enthusiasm but it all faded into the background as she entered the building and was struck by awe. “Welcome to the biggest library in our land.” Rosé giggled as Dapplejack spoke, and bounced off to look at some books. Stuttershy seemed content to follow Twilight as Dapplejack led them toward the ‘fiction’ part of the library and toward a small row of books marked as children’s books. “All yer answers are in here Twilight. We’re gunna go and check out the other books, call us if yer need us.” Dapplejack then dragged Stuttershy away, who squeaked and then said nothing. Twilight pulled one of the books out and read the title aloud. “The tale of the two princesses, that sounds a little too familiar” her suspicions were rising as she opened the book and began to skim it, her memory of reading it beginning to come back. ’The magic of friendship had always flown through the two sisters, more so then anyone simply blessed with one form of magic. They were tasked with the rule for a very simple reason, they represented all three races. However something special was about these two princesses, their magic could reach the very heavens and push about a miracle the ponies of the land had wished for… During their last and final moments after defeating the monster that lurked inside of each of them, they began to cast a final spell for their people. As their bodies fell into a deep slumber in an unknown cavern of darkness, the people of their land would no longer fear that the sun and moon would cease to move. Their final spell had given life to the clouds and the land indirectly, signalling the end of Pegasi’s ability to control clouds. And with that, the last two princess of the land fell. There was of course, one other princess who had fallen earlier [See: Sec 24.1.92 or ‘The knight in shining armour’s final stand.’ Twilight put the book away, blinking as her mind began to fill the hole in facts that had plagued her since her arrival. She gently put the book away, and turned to the book she had been referenced too. ’…The princess of love had to rebuild an entire civilisation on just her unique brand of magic. However, she was not alone as her Knight stood beside her, forever comforting her even when he was powerless to help. Their fate, and the fate of their new kingdom, rested on the bearers of the Magical elements… …It was thanks to those six, that the world had been saved once again. But like the heroes they were, they shrugged it off and headed off into the sunset.’ Twilight felt dread filling her heart as she gently put the book back and looked for another book, which she quickly found simply titled ‘Elements.’ ’…The elements represented the good in the world. All they wanted was to help the ponies of the land; however their magic had been sealed so only one who completely resounded with what they stood for could harness their amazing potential. Only one other pair of sisters had managed to harness their power and only for the slightest moments before they lost that connection permanently… The elements had found their destiny in the form of five ponies that represented their element so well. There are tales of a sixth element, however it is unknown how that element was found, nor what it stood for…The elements are as follows-“ Twilight closed the book and heaved a depressed sigh. She knew what these books were telling her. The flower she had eaten had sent her to a land where her dreams had come true. And even she had to admit it would be so like her to dream to be in the middle of a fairy tale. Maybe it was time to move on, accept she was never going back to that land. Opening to the first page, she noticed there was a small batch of names, including her own. Each one of them was the name of one of the new mares she had met in her time since awaking. “So Twilight, have you read enough?” Turning to face Dapplejack, who was quickly followed by the other two, her ears fell back and her face turned its gaze toward the ground. “Yes…I think I have.” “Goodnight Twilight” spoke Dapplejack as she made her way toward her room, passing Twilight’s open door to see said pony gazing at the sky as the moon began to rise into the sky. She turned and gave a small smile and Dapplejack nodded once before walking away. Twilight returned to her gazing at the sky, and sighed again. “So it was all in my head?” Twilight spoke to herself, asking the sky above her for answers. It stayed silent, answer enough for Twilight. Turning her gaze downward, she tried to stop the emotion from welling up and sliding down her face. “All my friends, all my family, just made up?” She felt a sob rake through her body, and opened her eyes and gazed toward the sky through their watery lens. “Celestia and Luna too, are they not real either?” Twilight looked down again, racked with a sob as she fought to regain control even though she knew it was a futile effort. Even as she cried there alone, a small part of her was reaching for a pendant that wasn’t here and pretending to hug it into her chest. “I-If there was ever a time I needed you, it was right now” she felt the pain wrenching through her body, friends she would never see again. And then something broke through and brought a sudden clarity that surprised her more than the fact of the familiarity of the voice. “Hello, who is calling me even though eons have passed since I last awoke?” Twilight felt her tears instantly dry up, both in shock and hope. “W-Who are you” she asked, hopefully. The voice inside her head gave a small sigh. “I was hoping you would know. I can’t remember now that I think of it.” Twilight wiped the remaining tears from her face, and suddenly remembered why she couldn’t just believe those story books. “Spike was around eons ago…Th-That means” she couldn’t help but finish her train of thought aloud, a smile and fresh tears of joy breaking out on her face. “There’s still a chance! Every tall tale has a shred of truth!” The voice seemed to frown, how Twilight could tell she had no clue but there was definitely a frown vibe coming through the link. “You intrigue me, and yet seem to be as confused as I am. I have just awoken and will need some time to fully awaken, but once I do I will figure out my location so you may come and find me if you wish of it.” Twilight felt herself nod rapidly. “Of course Princess, I’ll come as soon as you are ready.” She felt a chuckle rattle through the line, and a small feeling of warmth reach into her confused mind and ease some of the frustration. “Princess, no one has called me that in a very long time. But how do I know that?”