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// Life's Story 
// Story: Twilight's Dismay 
// by Ractrin 
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“I don’t agree with how you’re handling this, Aunt Tia” stated Cadence as she walked through the doors across the room from the two thrones. Spike spun around to see her walking up, a mild scowl on her face.
“Cadence?” Celestia said in surprise.
“Yes Aunt Tia. Spike sent me a letter this morning telling me about Twilight’s condition.” she stopped at the base of the throne and did a subtle bow. When she stood she did an acknowledging nod to Spike.
“What of your duties to the Crystal Empire?” Celestia inquired almost in a demanding tone.
“The Empire is self efficient and can last a week without my care. Besides, Prince Glistening Armor is keeping watch over my throne.” Cadence’s scowl returned at Celestia’s brash welcome. Unable to deter her niece Celestia sighed and let a subtle smile cross her lips.
“I apologize, Cadence. I am as worried about Twilight as you are. However, I believe it might be for a reason none of you are aware.”
“What do you mean sister?” Luna asked, looking at her sibling’s closed eyes with great curiosity. Celestia opened her eyes and looked straight at Spike once more.
“The power within Twilight Sparkle is so immense, that I’m afraid that even the Elements of Harmony could not stop her should they have to be turned on her.”
“WHAT?” Spike said.
“She possesses  so much magic, that she could destroy our world should she choose to.”
“But Celestia, “ Luna stated, taking a step forward, “Twilight is the only pony bound to the elements anymore.” Celestia looked at her sister and studied the worried look donned on her face. 

With a light giggle Celestia spoke, “Not entirely. The Bearers of Harmony passed down more than just their blood lines.”
“What do you mean?” Cadence asked, now completely curious as to what her aunt was implying.
“They also passed along the ability to control the Elements as well. However, right now the Elements lay bound to Twilight. Should we have the descendants of the Bearers come into contact with the necklaces, then they themselves are to be bound.”
“Then why do you want to remove all the things that reminds Twilight of her friends?” Cadence asked as she put a hoof to her chin in thought.
“Because, I fear that she may be aware of her ability to solely control the elements, and as the old saying states ‘Power corrupts’” Celestia lowered her head in regret at voicing those words. She never wanted to imagine that Twilight could even possibly be corrupted, but even the strongest is susceptible of falling.
“Twilight would never be like that.” Spike said glaring at the princess of the sun.
“I agree.” Cadence said, walking up to her Aunt. She leaned into her in a sort of hug and then stepped back. “Let me talk to her. I‘ve experienced loss in the same way as her. Maybe I can give her some advice…or at least cheer her up.”
“Please Cadence” Celestia looked up to her niece, tears rolling down her white cheeks “The last thing I would ever want to do to her, is remove her from the very things maintaining her sanity.”
“I will make sure that it never comes to that.” She opened her wings and flew out of the room in a hurry. Luna walked over and embraced her sister in order to comfort her. Spike looked at the sisters for a moment and then left to join Cadence and Twilight.

Twilight flapped a wing, shuffled a hoof, then flapped her other wing. For some reason she could not get comfortable on the pillow she was laying on. It was her favorite pillow bed on the floor, near a candle in the back corner of the Starswirled the Bearded wing. This is where she always came to study. To think. To be alone. However Sky Blitz sat on her own pillow only a few meters away, reading one of Rainbow Dash’s Daring Do books. Her presence didn’t bother Twilight, if anything it comforted her. She stole a glance up from the pages of her book to see the white pegasus mare’s mane glistening softly in candle light. The way it twisted and turned looked so much like rainbow Dash’s it was scary, and Twilight found it really cute. With a blink, Twilight could see an image in her mind from over one hundred and twenty years prior. Rainbow Dash sat in that very spot, reading that very book.

“Twilight. Do you think you’ll out live us all?” Rainbow Dash asked as she shuffled on her bed. The violet mare looked up from her studies to look at the pony who had asked the question. She took a moment to look Rainbow over. The usually sleek cyan form had now was swollen as her stomach bulged from the presence of a foal.
“What kind of question is that, Rainbow?” she finally responded.
With a shrug the pregnant pony responded, “I was just thinking…” she put her book down and with the most serious look on her face she stared deep into Twilight’s eyes. “…could you keep an eye on my family?”
“Huh?” Twilight was taken aback by Rainbow’s request. The cyan mare rubbed her abdomen with a hoof and continued.
“You will live for a really long time…so who better to make sure my kids have a good life.”
“Are you okay Rainbow?”
“I’m dying Twilight.” the mare of super sonic speed looked away, letting tears roll down her cheek.
“WHAT?! How?!” Twilight jumped up and galloped to her friend. Once there she began looking her over.
“I…I have some disease…it only attacks pregnant ponies. The foal will be fine, but the mother never survives child birth. At least that’s what Redheart says.”
“No. No! we…we can use the Elements! They coul—” Rainbow Dash planted her lips on Twilight’s; she knew it was the number one way to shut the egg head up. Tears ran down Twilight’s eyes and began to drip off of Rainbow’s snout. When they separated, Rainbow picked her book back up and continued reading, tears running down her cheeks as well.

sniffle jerked Sky Blitz’s attention from her book. She looked across the room to see Twilight with her snout buried under both of her hooves and muffled snobs emminated from her. Surprised, Sky stood and walked over to the mourning Alicorn. She lifted a hoof and then lightly placed it on Twilight’s shoulder. The violet pony jerked and looked up, her blood shot eyes raising up to Sky’s yellow spheres. Without a word, Twilight jumped up and hugged her. The embrace was such a shock to Sky, that she didn’t even move, she just stood there, and let Twilight weep. After a moment or so she could feel the tears of dispair running down her wings. She took a step back, forcing Twilight to loosen her hug. With a smile, Sky buried her vision in Twilight’s. “Feel better?” she said softly and in an attempt at comfort.
“Yes…thank you Rainb—…Sky…” at first Sky found herself offended, but upon remembering her mane style was now that of Rainbow Dash’s, she just let a small grin crease her cheeks. “I’m sorry.” Twilight said apologetically.
“Don’t be, I understand.”
“Twilight?” said a familiar voice from the doorway. The Alicorn in question perked up her ears upon hearing her name.
“Cadence?” she mumbled as she pushed past Sky. The white Pegasus followed closely as they hurried into the area in the middle of the eminse library. Looking around Twilight found her long time friend walking slowly into the room. Once their eyes met, they ran to each other. 
Twilight wrapped her fore arms around her friends neck and gave her the biggest hug she could. With that, they bounced into their rhythmic greeting. “Sun shine, sun shine, lady bugs awake! Clap your hooves and do a little shake!” they chanted together; giggling the whole time. Sky was surprised by the sight flaunted before her, but amused simultaneously.
“What are you doing here?” Twilight asked excitedly. Cadence’s smile faded into a look of sincerity.
“Twilight…we need to talk.”