For a time, Twilight felt like she was suspended above the air. She couldn't feel anything but a mild sense of motion. She smiled inwardly wondering if this was how the Dashes felt when the slept on the clouds. But no sun shone on her – the darkness was absolute. Then the sensation seemed to waver, and it felt more like she imagined a ship tossed by a storm might feel, then there was warmth and softness, and peace. Slowly, light seemed to seep into the edges of her awareness, and whispering, but no other images. Finally, something inside her spoke with urgency, and she bolted upright.
The tent she was in was made of white cloth, thin enough that the light of the sun penetrated and lit everything. The bed she was in was quite large and made of the same translucent cloth. That was as much as she could observe before the dizziness from sitting up suddenly caught up with her, and her head sunk back to the pillow quickly. She faced outward into the room.
Fluttershy was in a peaceful slumber near the entrance. Just as well she was asleep, I would have startled her horribly if she'd been awake when I did that. She closed her eyes briefly, and the memory of the past day's events replayed in a flash through her mind, and she bolted upright again, knocking the sheet off of her. She looked at her strange new hourglass cutie mark, and it seemed like some of the sand had definitely shifted to the bottom. How much time had passed? Then, she closed her eyes and tentatively set her horn aglow, letting the magic flow through her. There was a minor tingling at first, but it cleared up almost instantly. No permanent damage, anyway.
“Ah, the young wizard returns to us,” Starswirl noted. Twilight startled, teleported behind him reflexively. The combination of his voice and that motion startled Fluttershy off the bed by the door.
“Oh, Twilight, you're awake!” she noted as she smiled at Twilight upside down. Then, she turned to Starswirl. “I-I'm so sorry, I was supposed to let you know...”
“All is forgiven,” Starswirl said, smiling reassuringly. “Perhaps thou could beseech thine other friends to conjure our young wizard some breakfast. She will be famished.”
“I don't know...” Fluttershy looked to Twilight.
“It's all right, Fluttershy,” she said reassuringly. “I'm feeling quite a bit better.” Her stomach added its own commentary, and she chuckled lightly, adding, “and breakfast would be nice.” Fluttershy nodded, but then gave a meaningful glare at Starswirl before exiting.
“Why does the full intensity of her gaze make me feel so uneasy,” Starswirl muttered after she left.
“It's... a special talent of hers,” Twilight said vaguely. She looked directly at him for the first time since she awoke. I would have recognized him like this. He had washed the dust and mud from his fur and mane and cloak. His fur was a pale tan, like in the legends. He had a long, brown, wavy mane and tail - not white, but that made sense, just like the lack of the beard. The cloak was just what she imagined. Luna was right, I even had the bells right. No hat, though. Maybe that comes later, like the beard.
“It's actually the first time I've managed to get all of them to leave thee alone in two days. After the scuffle, I'm not sure they were ever fully convinced that the captain wouldn't clap thee in chains.”
“We're very close.... two days.” Twilight blinked.
“Indeed, well, more or less, since the sun and moon are not currently reliable. I honestly expected a magic coma would last longer, but thou art young and resilient, and thou had the fortune of being tended to by extraordinary nursemaids.”
“My friends and I have endured many trials together.”
“I do not doubt it from their behavior, but it was not to them I referred. The Royal Sisters, in their gratitude, have graciously tended to thee in person. They even insisted on knowing the mending spells I wove about you. It's Celestia's personal quarters you currently occupy.”
“I... I don't know what to say.” She blushed deeply.
“Thou needn't say anything, Twilight Sparkle. For showing me the curse's weakness, I, too, owe you a debt I cannot repay.” He bowed his head, and his voice grew tender and less formal as he spoke. “Beyond just being the ones I've sworn to serve and protect, they are also my close friends. I feel the urge to protect them in much the same way the one with whom thou travel protected thee... and my studies were incapable of penetrating Discord's spell. He left me unaffected because I knew I would never leave them, and he found it droll to torment me with their state.”
“I know... have heard of his capacity for cruelty for his own amusement. And I am certain that we will encounter more troubles in which your magic will outmatch mine, and thou wilt earn the opportunity to repay the debt.” She smiled with such certainty, that he too raised his head again and nodded confidently. If only he knew how many times he had already... would already... have saved us with what I've learned from him? Her attempts to phrase the thought in the correct tense were interrupted by an approaching stampede. If she hadn't seen the smile and eye rolling from Starswirl, she may have suspected that the captain did change his mind, and she was to be escorted to holding.
“Oh Twilight!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed loudly. “We were so worried! I mean, I was worried, weren't you worried?” She darted glances to the rest of them.
“Me?” Rainbow Dash said, waving a hoof dismissively. “Nah, I've seen this unicorn do some pretty radical things in her day. You know, for an egghead.”
“We all took turns watchin' over ya', sugarcube,” Applejack smiled, a tray on her back piled with an assortment of baked goods. “Pinkie and I have been makin' what we could out of their supplies, so I hope this to your likin'.”
“It certainly has helped endear us to the Captain and his men after our little faux pas,” Rarity said.
“Is that what they call it when a Lady bucks three teeth from the Captain of the Guard's mouth?” Iris countered. “I call that priceless.”
“I call it a lesson in manners,” Rarity retorted, tossing her hair. “One he shan't soon forget.”
“Indeed, I expect whatever he didn't lose to the concussion will be etched in his mind,” Starswirl added, bowing deeply. “I will take my leave now. Rest, Twilight Sparkle, and when thou art ready, the princesses will desire an audience with thee.”
Twilight was quickly engulfed in an embrace by all of her friends, and she closed her eyes, enjoying the moment. After a short time, Fluttershy said, “You're sure you're all right, then?”
“Yes.” Twilight could sense a stillness in the group, as if none of them was breathing, or willing to speak next. She sighed and said, “Let's get this over with, shall we?”
“Pinkie?” Applejack prompted, an irritated expression on her face.
The pink pony inhaled deeply, then began all at once, one word tumbling over another. “We knew if we came here that we couldn't change anything here or we might change things there” - Here' and 'There' were punctuated by Pinkie moving a single hoof back and forth, Twilight's eyes blankly following the hoof's motion - “except the thing we were trying to change here so that things would there, but that anything else might not be so good and you said to be careful but you changed something really really big here so that things there might be really really different!”
“I mean, really, Twilight, I know how you feel about her, but changing Celestia's past?” Rarity asked. “Doesn't she affect our history directly in so many ways?”
“I know,” Twilight said simply. “I couldn't bear to see her that way. I'm sorry.” After an empty moment she added, “well, we know they weren't like that when they sealed Discord away. The elements wouldn't work if they were. Probably Starswirl would have figured it out. The end results will be the same, so maybe it doesn't change too much...”
“It'll be all right, sugarcube,” Applejack said with a sigh. “We all knew there were risks, but it's best ya don't go off without at least warnin' us first next time.” She winked as she added, “not that we didn't have a hoof up on those guards anyway. Take a far sight more than twenty of them against us, right, girls?”
As they regaled Twilight Sparkle with tales of the scuffles that had taken place while she was casting the memory spell, she was grateful that they were willing to drop it so easily. Twilight still had reservations. Oh well, you can't change the past, she reassured herself, trying not to suddenly laugh at the irony of her thought. For a time, she relaxed with her friends as they shared breakfast.
Suddenly, the light coming through the tent walls faded and disappeared. Both unicorns had just set their horns aglow when suddenly the light returned.
“That's still unnerving,” Rarity shuddered.. “Why does he do that anyway?”
“'Cause he can,” Applejack said, her eyes narrowing.
“More specifically,” Twilight added, “to rub in that he can to the princesses.”
“Well, then,” Rarity turned to Twilight Sparkle. The reminder of where and when they were had broken the mood. “It's probably time we let you get to your audience with them. You heard Starswirl, they wish to speak to you.”
* * *
Luna's tent, appropriately less translucent, had two of her own bat-winged guards, as well as two of Celestia's personal guards stationed outside. Clearly, they had been expecting Twilight Sparkle, as they moved wordlessly aside, bowing as she approached. Her eyes quickly adjusted to the lighting as she entered, and at other end of the room, Celestia sat upon a cushioned dais speaking to Starswirl, a serious expression on her face. Starswirl in comparison, Twilight noted, looked far more animated and energetic than he had two days prior. She turned to find Luna only just in time to see the young filly at close range, a smile of joy on her face as she darted through the air directly at Twilight, knocking her to the ground.
“Twilight Sparkle!” she yelled joyfully, her voice ringing in Twilight's ears. “We've waited for thee to awaken! Tia, look!” She glanced up at her sister, pointing a hoof at Twilight so close that Twilight tried to move back, an act made impossible by the young filly still sitting on her. “We owe thee so much. Tia,” she looked to her sister again, and Twilight looked as well, to see the reserved expression had softened to gentle amusement, “I didn't get to bring anything from Canterlot, has thou something with which we can reward her?” Celestia opened her mouth, but Luna continued, “The egg! Oh, let her have the egg Tia! Starswirl can find thee another.”
“I'll just wrestle another dragon for one, then, shall I?” he muttered. He rolled his eyes, but he was still smiling.
“Thou might start by letting her stand, Luna dear,” Celestia said gently, her horn glowing radiantly as she lifted Luna placed her on the dais beside her. Luna stuck her tongue out at Celestia unceremoniously, but if Celestia noticed, she didn't react. “Forgive my sister's dithering, Twilight Sparkle. Discord's curse upon her started with him taking her voice as punishment for defying him and raising the moon against his design, and I fear she shall never be silent again.”
“That's how I got this!” Luna yelled in interruption, shaking her flank, pointing her horn at her crescent moon cutie mark. Celestia winced at the volume of the interruption, but her smile remained unshaken.
“It's quite lovely,” Twilight commented. “Thou must be quite a powerful filly for thy magic to be able to override his.” So, Luna earned her cutie mark in an act of defiance. It made sense, and as Luna beamed gratefully at the praise, Twilight pushed down her sorrow that the sisters had no idea what that foreshadowed.
“Indeed,” said Celestia, “and proud though I was of my sister, had he guessed how she had accomplished the feat, all our scheming would have been for naught.”
Starswirl, who had moved to the side during their conversation, stepped forward again, looking to Celestia, who gave a single nod. He turned to Twilight began solemnly. “What we are about to tell thee is a well guarded secret, known only to those in this room.” He lifted a tome from a nearby table, and Twilight carefully suppressed her reaction as she saw the brown leather cover embossed with six golden diamonds surrounding a golden unicorn head with a green gemstone eye. “This one, I couldn't leave behind. In thy studies, did thou come across the Elements of Harmony?”
You could say that, Twilight thought wryly as she answered, “I am familiar with their legend. Art thou saying that they are real?” She feigned surprise poorly, but it went unnoticed.
“Three of them are in the room with thee at this moment,” Starswirl whispered. “Princess Luna holds Generosity and Honesty, as they are truest to her nature.”
“Indeed, Discord was withholding the moon that night,” Celestia explained. “Luna's generous nature compelled her to fulfill our subject's need for a light in the darkness.” She smiled proudly at her sister before adding, “alas, her true, honest nature has made discretion... problematic.”
“Princess Celestia holds kindness,” Starswirl continued. “a natural trait for her for as long as I've known her.” He bowed respectfully to her.
“Of that I have no doubt,” Twilight Sparkle said so earnestly that Celestia blushed slightly at the praise. “What of laughter and loyalty?”
“See for thyself,” Starswirl said, pushing the book towards her. “This tome is ancient and seems to be an enchanted one. It alters its description to reveal the most recent history of the elements.”
Sure enough, Twilight Sparkle flipped to the page that would send her to the ancient castle of the alicorn sisters, and found - “Discord has Laughter?” she exclaimed, her jaw dropping. This can't be right, either...
“Indeed, 'twas in our uncle's possession,” Celestia explained. “He hoped that laughter would tame Discord's dour cruelty, and gave it to him willingly. Alas, it merely changed the nature of his cruelty. If only we'd been able to tell my uncle that we had begun to gather the Elements against Discord, but there was never an opportunity...”
“But... if he has laughter-” Twilight stammered.
“It's a concern, but moot if we cannot locate the others,” Starswirl said. Luna had grown bored of sitting and was batting at the bells on the back of his cloak idly. When he took half a step forward, she fell forward, levitating herself. He turned the page. “This mission assigned to us by Discord could not have been more fortuitous. Loyalty was last known to be in the possession of the royal family of Aurelia, before it mysteriously disappeared.”
“Too fortuitous,” Celestia added. “I believe Discord is just trying to extend the reach of his tyranny, but part of me wonders if he suspects us.” Her eyes bore an expression that Twilight had only seen briefly twice before - once when discord escaped his prison, and again when Chrysalis stood over her, temporarily triumphant - an expression of fear.
“Regardless, we don't have any choice but to act,” Starswirl seemed to say more to Celestia than to Twilight. “Which is why, after what thou hast already done for us, we so soon beseech thee for aid. The book is not more specific, and a unicorn of thy talent would be quite a boon for our search.”
“It would be my honor to aid Equestria and their true royal family in this,” Twilight Sparkle replied, bowing formally to Celestia. She turned to bow to Luna, who was now flapping her wings to keep herself airborne upside down, and couldn't help but smile. “I only ask this – the trust you have placed in me must be extended to my friends.” Starswirl opened his mouth, but Twilight continued. “There are some among them who know much of loyalty, and would further my ability to assist. I swear their discretion is unmatched.”
“Would thou not be more apt to misjudge them, since they are so close?” Celestia asked.
“No, princess, hast thou no close friends that thou knowest beyond thine ability to explain it?” Twilight appealed to her. Celestia's eyes changed subtly, her expression growing cold as she looked slightly away. Twilight was confused briefly, then her eyes widened suddenly. “Princess, I'm sorry, I didn't mean...” She trailed off for a moment, then added, “I know that a royal position is probably sometimes a lonely one, but at the risk of further putting my hoof in my mouth, thou art currently deposed, art thou not? Princess,” she extended her hoof, “would thou grant me the opportunity to fill the role I described, to be thy friend?”
The princess stood, her expression still cold as she advanced. Well, good job Twilight Sparkle. You've just met your future mentor, and you've already offended her. Her future mentor. She just had to remember that same pony was right here in front of her. Twilight Sparkle searched through her own mind, pulling up memories of how warm and supportive Celestia could be, and did her best to project that feeling towards the Celestia in front of her.
Celestia's expression slowly softened, and she went to reach out a hoof to Twilight Sparkle, then drew it back briefly, taking the time to remove her fancy hoofwear. She reached forward again. “The honor would be mine,” she said, “but thou must call me Tia.”
“No fair,” Luna said with a pout, hovering nearby, “only I can call you that!”
“I'll make a deal with thee,” Twilight offered the young filly, “Wilt thou allow it if I be thy friend as well?” She smiled warmly. Luna crossed her front legs, attempting to be so serious in her consideration that Twilight laughed and added, “I'll even let thee call me Twily, and only my brother does that.” She winked at Luna.
Luna considered only a few more seconds, before smiling and nodding. “Yes!”
Twilight moved her hoof to rest firmly against Celestia's, Luna quickly grabbing her other front hoof and shaking it vigorously, so that her front end was suspended between the Royal sisters. She looked briefly beyond where Starswirl watched, his expression unreadable.