//------------------------------// // Face to Face // Story: Lord Phantom // by GlassAlicorn //------------------------------// Chapter 9: Face to Face. How long she had been there, she hadn't even begun to ponder, but if there was one thing that slowly came to mind, it was why the surface she had been sleeping on was so soft. Something in the back of her mind told her that shouldn't make any sense. She slowly opened a single eye, the other snapping open as she stared at the room in surprise. This most certainly wasn't her room, but...it was what she would consider comfortable. Its white walls and yellow floor were bright, and it had plenty of space. There were even numerous paintings of the sun on the walls. “...Where am I...?” Celestia said to no one in particular, raising her eyebrow as she strained her memory trying to find an explanation, “How did I...” her eyes narrowed as the recent events replayed within her mind, “...That other Alicorn...” Hearing the clopping of hooves, she turned to the door, sitting upright on the bed as the stallion entered the room, 'Speak of the devil and he will come...' “Do you like the room?” he asked simply, as if they were good friends. She gave him an incredulous look, though he didn't seem bothered. “Yes, it is very nice,” she replied after a few seconds, her tone questioning, “...Am I to assume that I'm a prisoner?” “I suppose...it is only correct to say yes.” “...Then why do you bother with this? Why not a cell? ...Not that I mind, of course...” “Because I prefer to be hospitable, especially to an old friend.” “You're not him,” Celestia swiftly replied, glaring daggers at him, “And why am I even here? What could you possibly want that would motivate you to bring me here?” “There are many things I wish to speak with you about, you see,” he replied calmly, “But I haven't properly introduced myself, have I? I bring you here seeking peaceful relations, therefore you may call me Lord Amethyst. Those who invoke my wrath shall know me under a different name, my true name, as it happens... But I do prefer Amethyst for occasions like this. A name of beauty over a name of power.” “Well then, Amethyst, would you mind telling me what these things you wish to speak to me about are?” Amethyst then levitated a book out of the bag he was carrying, and Celestia's eyes narrowed as she recognized it. “Would you mind telling me what this is?” Amethyst inquired in a rather scolding tone, in response to her own question “...It's a book.” Celestia responded, her voice consumed by annoyance. “And what is in this book?” “All vicious lies and nothing more!” “And do you know what I have to say about that?” “Enlighten me.” Amethyst's expression became one of pure rage and the book was immediately burned to ashes by his magic. “I find it very disappointing,” he said darkly, levitating the ashes and dropping them into a nearby trash can, “...Most disappointing you would allow such things to be said. That your sister's pain was just her jealousy of you when that was only a piece to the puzzle. That your niece was little more than an abomination created by Nightmare Moon, and not a truly living pony like she really is. And then you allowed her to be forgotten entirely, thus placing all blame for every atrocity on Luna's shoulders. And you let me be forgotten.” “Do you really think I wanted it to be allowed?” Celestia argued, “I tried to stop it, but if I went too far...” Amethyst didn't give her a chance to finish, saying, “...You would be seen as a tyrant? That isn't an excuse to lie.” “But I didn't lie. And there is-” “You allowed lies to become truth in the eyes of many.” “I do indeed regret these actions, but I can't change what's been done. And I-” “But it is a crime to let things continue as they are.” Celestia sighed in annoyance, not wanting this conversation to continue, as it was going nowhere. “But I don't intend on letting it remain this way forever,” she replied, giving up on trying to explain the whole story, “I have planned on slowly returning things to how they should be. Slow enough that the young ones won't notice a difference, and few elders would care. Just as these truths were silently removed, they will be silently returned.” “But do you intend on letting what is inside this book be seen again?” Amethyst asked, holding up another book, which made her inhale sharply, “...I suppose not, if only because of your reaction... But I also suppose I should confirm if what is said here is even true. So tell me, are you, or are you not, Solar Inferno?” “...Yes, I was that Alicorn,” Celestia answered after a lengthy silence, “But I am not her anymore, and I don't intend to ever become her again,” she paused for a moment, “But I am afraid...I cannot let Equestria, or the Crystal Empire, or any place for that matter, know about her, at least not-” Amethyst chose to cut her off again, “So you would allow the darkness of your sister to be readily known, even have an annual 'celebration' of it, but your own darkness must remain hidden? You can't allow even the smallest drop of shadow to tarnish your golden image? Are you afraid your people will hate you?” “...While I must confess I do not want to be seen as a destroyer in any way, that isn't the whole-” “Enough.” Celestia glared at him, wanting nothing more than to smack him for his unwillingness to let her finish explaining what she felt was necessary, but she deemed such an action unwise. “So, is this it, then?” she decided to say in an irritable tone, “You brought me here, causing Equestria panic, just so you could tell me what a dreadful pony I am?” Amethyst sighed, his eyes showing a hint of annoyance. “There are other things, if you're that bothered,” he replied, “In fact, there is something that I wish for you to see.” “...And what would that be?” “This land which I rule.” Celestia didn't have much time to protest before Amethyst promptly teleported them to the top of a building, which loomed over the city like a mountain. She looked up to see a cloudy sky, and a gentle breeze blew through her mane. Amethyst walked over to some railing and rested his front legs on it, looking at her expectantly. She sighed and cautiously walked over to where he was, putting as much distance between herself and him as she could, resting her own front legs on the railing. “Behold, one great city of this world, the Shadow Realm,” Amethyst said, “It is a strange and at times unforgiving world, but we made it our home. In order to survive, we became what you see now. We bonded with the moving metal, destroyed our oppressor, and opened our eyes to a new age.” Looking below the railing, Celestia could see equines of some kind. She could barely make out any details beyond that, as she was simply too high up. She also noticed 'moving metal' of all shapes and sizes walking throughout the city in perfect harmony with the strange equines. “They were once Equestrians, you know,” Amethyst commented, eyes on the equines, “But we've been here a long time...and time has a way of changing things, and in such a strange land, change is inevitable. So behold, the Shadow Ponies... Once normal Earth Ponies, Unicorns, and Pegasi, now altered by an ever changing environment and an increased dependency on magic.” Amethyst then levitated three pieces of paper out of his bag, showing them to Celestia. The first image depicted two normal Earth Ponies, male and female, along with their Shadow counterparts. The Shadow counterparts had considerably darker coats which seemed to have a glow to them, perhaps comparable to the Crystal Ponies' shine. The Shadow Ponies appeared to be taller and much weaker physically, with dragonish eyes and unusually large ears. The second image compared two Equestrian Unicorns with their Shadow counterparts. The differences were basically the same as the previous, with the addition of the Shadow Unicorns' horns being longer and sharper. And finally, the third image compared Equestrian Pegasi to their Shadow counterparts, the Shadow Pegasi adding a larger wingspan. “How fascinating...” Celestia said only to satisfy the desire for a response that she could see in Amethyst's eyes. She then noticed his expression darkened ever so slightly, and moved even further away from him. He remained where he was for the moment, but his eyes were firmly on her as he put the pictures back in his bag. “It's really quite amusing in a sad way...” Amethyst spoke, his voice suddenly shaky as if his sanity was slipping, “You and your sister tell me I simply wasn't ready. That I was just too focused on my little creations to ever have the proper care and leadership required. And look at me now. I am a prince, and this land I rule is greater than your precious Equestria in every possible way! Just look at me now! Look at me now and realize how blind you were! Gaze in awe at what I've accomplished without you both holding me back!” “...What is it you really want?” Celestia dared to ask, standing on all fours and backing away as Amethyst started to slowly walk towards her, his eyes suggesting a complete personality shift. “Oh, I want many things, Celestia...” he replied darkly, his tone trying to reclaim the calmness it once had but failing as his growing madness consumed it, “But for now, I mainly want to watch my world of shadow swallow your world of light, and hear your sister's agonized cries as I destroy the monster she created!” “...You're the one who removed the seal placed upon Twilight Despair, aren't you?” He gave her a toothy grin, “Oh, you do catch on fast...” “Why would you do such a thing?” “A monster is still a monster no matter how you try to hide it!” Amethyst shrieked, slamming his hoof down on the floor, creating cracks where that hoof rested, “And I will not rest until she pays for what she's done to my people and myself!” “But she was banished for nearly a thousand years, trapped in a world of pure loneliness... Has she-” “It's not good enough. She is a danger to everything that dares to exist, can't you see that?” “She wouldn't be if you hadn't decided to break the seal that was-” “It would've broken anyway, with or without my help. It was really no use delaying the inevitable. I'd like to think I did you all a favour.” “You're mad...” Celestia said, backing up until she touched some of the railing, as raindrops began falling from the clouds, “Absolutely mad. I know exactly who you are now...” Her eyes darted around the area, her wings twitching, as she tried to find some way to escape the mad prince, but the rain and the now dreadfully strong wind would not allow a safe flight, if it allowed a flight at all. And she knew it wasn't just him she would have to deal with. “But I'm not mad, Tia!” Amethyst declared in a tone far too happy, “A bit angry, maybe, and quite anxious to carry on with my fun ideas, but certainly not mad in the manner you would suggest!” At this point, he may as well have started prancing with joy, the energy within him was so clear, but he continued to walk slowly, his body shaking as a result. A flash of lightning did nothing to make his crazed grin any better. “...If it's Twilight you want to hurt so badly...” Celestia dared to ask as she started to move towards a nearby door, seeing it as the least insane chance of escape, “And myself as well as my sister... Why attack Equestria? What do you have to gain from it?” She promptly ran towards the door, but Amethyst quickly got in front, looking ready to explode from laughter. “It's simple, Tia,” he said, his voice dripping with the malice only one Alicorn was capable of, as he pulled a necklace with a blood red jewel in its center out of his bag, “Because I can. And because Equestria made me regret ever existing.” ------------- “Why did you dare come back?” Twilight felt her blood freeze at the hateful tone in Rainbow's voice, as she stood in front of the damaged town hall of Ponyville. She felt as if she became much smaller under the distrustful gaze every single pony was giving her. Even Spike offered no relief, his eyes narrow and filled with rage. “Yeah!” Pinkie was quick to shout, holding a small piece of wood with both front hooves, “You're just a Mean Meanie Pants who doesn't belong anywhere! So you can just leave! We don't want or need your help!” To prove her point, she promptly threw the piece at Twilight, hitting her in the face before she could respond. “I can't believe I was ever friends with such a terrible, terrible thing!” Rarity noted in disgust, motioning for Twilight to leave the area immediately, but the small Alicorn seemed unwilling to comply, “Hmph, go on! Get out of here! So I never have to see your absolutely dreadful face again!” “We don't need ponies like you,” Apple Jack said firmly, Twilight wishing her mind wasn't so frozen, as she desperately wanted to respond, but nonetheless nothing left her mouth and the Earth Pony continued, “Like Pinkie said, there ain't no place for ya 'ere!” “Just let me explain...” Twilight finally managed, backing away as other ponies started to walk towards her with their hateful glares, “I didn't come here to hurt anypony! I just wanted to...to...” “Apologize?” Fluttershy asked in a dull tone, unfitting for her. “I...yes...” “...You can forget it.” Twilight then decided it was a good time to run when everyone started finding things to throw at her whereas others chose to simply chase her out of the area. She found herself wincing as a well-aimed rock hit her right wing, but kept running anyway. She let out a cry of surprise when Rainbow promptly jumped in front of her and tried kicking her, but she avoided it and ran in another direction. 'Poor, poor Twilight Sparkle. Now everypony hates you...' She clenched her teeth at the sound of Twilight Despair's voice, her horrible voice...a complete mockery of her own. She was too distracted to realize she had effectively been forced backwards by the angry mob, now running in a different direction. A well-aimed strike to her side sent her tumbling down another direction, and she saw Apple Jack lying on the ground, having kicked her. 'But this 'everypony' isn't just every citizen in this sickeningly sweet little town. Oh no...' Upon 'escaping' Apple Jack and the rest of Ponyville for the time being, Twilight took the time to rest for a brief moment, leaning on the side of a house, then frowned when she found various things such as rocks and even acorns were being thrown at her. She looked up to find Fluttershy sitting near the edge of the roof, with group of squirrels and other small animals with her, all of them harassing Twilight with whatever they could find. 'Can you guess what 'everypony' means?' Twilight chose to run forward to get away from Fluttershy's harassment, but was stopped when Pinkie came out of nowhere to swing a baseball bat at her, and force her to once again change course. Avoiding traps placed in plain sight by Rarity and real fire breath from Spike, Twilight realized too late what her relentless pursuers were doing and found herself running into the awaiting maw of Everfree. When she realized how far inside it she had run, Twilight stopped and turned around to see the angry ponies, but most of all her friends, standing outside the entrance to the dreaded forest, all of them showing in their eyes they would not let her come back. 'That's right...' Eventually, her vision began to blur from the terror she was feeling, and all she could see was the hateful faces of her would-be friends, and their hurtful words continued to assault her hearing as she became consumed by the forest itself, her vision soon turning dark as her body lost all will to function. 'EVERYPONY THAT YOU LOVE!' “STOP IT!” Twilight screamed, then promptly covered her mouth with her front hooves, wincing at the loudness of her scream as she sat upright in the bed. She turned her head as she heard Luna groaning and saw her sitting up from the fortress of pillows and blankets she had created a 'bed' from. The Moon Princess held her front hooves to both sides of her head as if rubbing her temples. After that, she swiftly walked to the door, right as one of the night guards was about to force his way in. “There is no need for that,” Luna insisted, slowly closing the door on the bat-winged pony, “I just had a bad dream. That's all. But thank you for checking... Now good night!” The guard uttered words of protest, but was unable to keep Luna from closing the door. She rolled her eyes as she heard him grumble in disapproval, then walk back to his position. “Uh....sorry......” Twilight managed, blushing from embarrassment as Luna passed her 'fortress' and instead went to Twilight herself. Assuming the older Alicorn was wanting to reclaim her bed, Twilight went to leave, but was stopped by Luna putting a front hoof in her way. The look in Luna's eyes suggested she wanted Twilight to stay as she got herself comfortable in the large bed. Before Twilight could protest, she soon found herself being held close. “You don't have to tell me what happened,” Luna informed her, refusing to loosen her grip, “I saw your dream... And if you're considering having a breakdown, please, I would greatly appreciate it if you did not. You know your friends better than anypony. Do you really think they would act that way?” “Well, not really, but-” “Then they will not. There is no reason to think otherwise...” “I suppose you're right...” Twilight sighed, “But why the so...straight and to the point manner of telling me this?” Luna looked at her in confusion, her grip loosening enough for Twilight to back away just a bit and get a better look into her eyes. “What do you mean?” Luna inquired, sounding worried, as if she had offended Twilight, “Am I not doing it right?” Twilight felt herself smile weakly at Luna's confusion over the subject, if only for the fact that it reminded her of many a time when she asked Celestia the same question, but for vastly different reasons. “Oh, what you said is fine...” Twilight managed, trying hard to answer without lecturing someone she felt she really shouldn't be lecturing, “It's just...uh...how do I put this...? You sound kind of...bored? No, that's not right. Too serious? Uh, maybe...oh! The tone you're using makes me think I'm still one of your subjects...or maybe I am and this whole thing didn't change that, in which case, it's totally okay and I totally understand-” “I get it,” Luna said firmly, sighing once again, her tone softening, “It's still...habit. I am afraid that this is something I haven't exactly gotten the chance to fully adjust to.” “I'm still getting used to it... Oh! That reminds me of a few questions I wanted to ask...or should they wait until morning?” “...Ask them now. I beg of you. I do not desire you sleeping on the possible answers to whatever these questions are, and then creating a dream that will likely make me question your sanity.” “O-okay, if you insist...” Twilight chuckled nervously, well aware of how strange her imagination had the tendency to be, “Uh, first one... If... Twilight Despair...was banished along with Nightmare Moon, why was I here before Nightmare Moon came back?” “That...is a good question, and sadly while I have no answer for sure, I have a theory,” Luna replied, shifting in the bed slightly, “Celestia told me that Twilight Despair had absorbed the Element of Magic into herself, and ultimately, you. The Elements of Harmony are special. They only answer the call when all are in unison, and they will actively seek each other out. It also seems they possess the ability to 'choose' particularly gifted ponies to represent them. It seems that the Element of Magic 'sensed' the revival of its 'siblings' and brought you back to Equestria with it...” “But the other Elements were sitting in the ruins for centuries. Why did it wait so long?” “It was waiting for your friends, Twilight. The ones who could awaken the other Elements. Before your friends were born, the Elements were mere useless rocks. But for ponies to come and represent them as if they were bonded... It brought them back to life. Your friendship brought them back to life.” “Oh... That's...interesting... Thanks.” “And you have at least one other question?” “If I was born an Alicorn, why did I grow up as a Unicorn?” Twilight inquired, holding a single hoof to her mouth as she yawned. She was considering just going back to sleep, but another part of her dreaded doing so after the nightmare and wanted to prolong this. “Celestia was responsible for that,” Luna answered quietly, “A highly advanced spell which hid your wings from all senses, and held back enough of your magic. She did it to protect you.” “Protect me? From what?” “And with that, I must ask you a question. What would you have done upon my return as Nightmare Moon if you had grown up knowing who I really was to you? Would you have been able to face me, then?” “Uh... I...I think...probably not...” “Things do change when the Alicorn threatening to plunge an entire country into unending darkness happens to be quite close, doesn't it?” “Uh-huh... But what about my...parents...?” “Night Light and Twilight Velvet were close to Celestia, you see,” Luna replied, wincing a bit about how Twilight worded the question, “Since she knew she wouldn't have the time to care for you properly, she entrusted you to them. She was quite thorough about it, really, even going as far as to fabricate birth records. And it could be considered destiny that your adoptive mother shared a similar name... I must say, Celestia did choose wisely... You are a very remarkable young mare.” “Thank you...” Twilight said, allowing herself a small, but nonetheless genuine smile, “I think that should be it...oh! Wait a minute... You sleep during the night? But I thought-” “I can honestly sleep whenever I want...usually. But to properly answer your question, of course I do. How else can I enter the dreams of ponies every night? My physical body needs to be doing something after all...” “Oh, okay, I think I get it now...” “Will that be all?” “Yes...for now at least. I'm probably going to find other things to ask, but...not right now.” “That is fine...” “But I do worry about Celestia...” Twilight said, “I just hope she's okay...” Luna merely nodded in response, but chose not to say anything. After Twilight closed her eyes, Luna allowed a frightened expression to creep upon her face as she mentally tried to reach Celestia through their bond, but was met with no emotion. She had sensed her sister's fear before, but now she felt nothing, as if the bond had been broken. Luna resisted the urge to shiver as she felt a void within her heart. That other Alicorn had done something to Celestia, she was sure of it... She continued trying to feel something from their bond, but to no avail. It was as if the Sun Princess was dead...a thought which made Luna feel frozen. It was a thought she refused to even entertain, but the longer she went on without sensing anything, the more she began to give in. Then Celestia's side of their bond finally sent something back. An overwhelming feeling of hatred for the sister at the receiving end.