A Hermit With A Heart
Chapter 5: A Princess, The Ponies, And Plants
The morning light shined through Nightshade’s bedroom window, stirring him from his sleep. His chest felt heavy after the realization he came to last night that he may very well like Twilight. He had to push those thoughts out of his head, for he knew that there could never be a relationship between himself and that unicorn. He tiredly crawled out of bed, put his cloak on and made his way downstairs to his living room.
He made his way into the kitchen and went to a door on the right side and opened it to reveal a pantry full of fruits and vegetables lining some shelves. He walked to a basket nearby with some pears in it. He levitated four of them and made his way out. He then went to another door on the left side of the kitchen and opened it to reveal a staircase leading into his basement.
At the bottom of the stairs against a wall was a large wooden cabinet filled with bottles of different colored liquids, jars filled with some kind of goop, and a few medical supplies. Nightshade then levitated a small silver tray and placed a small vile of red liquid, one of the jars with a sickly green colored goop, sciscors, and a roll of bandages on it.
He made his way back upstairs and to the room where Twilight was staying in. He poked his head in to see if she was awake yet, only to find that she was looking through the shelves, admiring his collection of books. He got her attention by clearing his throat. “AHEM!”
Twilight turned her head to see Nightshade standing there with four pears and the tray with the stuff he collected earlier floating around him. “What’s all that for?” She asked.
“It’s about time to change out your bandages.” Nightshade responded. He met Twilight in the middle of the room and floated the small vile of red liquid in front of her. “But first, drink this, it’ll help your body fight off any infections you might have gotten from your cuts. You won’t like the taste though, It’s very bitter.”
Twilight only eyed the strange concoction as she took hold of it with her own magic. She removed the cork from the vile and gulped it down. Nightshade was right, it was awful. It tasted very bitter, and it showed on her face as she could only scrunch up her nose in disgust with one eye closed.
Nightshade then took the vile from her, placed it on the tray and presented her with two of the pears he brought. “Here, this will help get rid of the taste, and its breakfast.”
Twilight took the pears and after the first bite, the nasty taste of the potion was gone, replaced by a sweet taste of the funny shaped fruit. Nightshade ate his pears as well. Once they were done eating, it was time to change out the bandages.
The first thing Nightshade checked on we’re the bandages on her head. “Turn your head to the left please.” Twilight did as she was instructed. Nightshade then took hold of the bandages on her head with his magic and carefully removed them. He then proceeded to look at where Twilight had bumped her head to see if it still needed to be wrapped up. “Your head’s fine. It healed up good, so that won’t need to be rewrapped.”
It felt good to have the fresh air on Twilight's head again after being covered for so long. It was then time to take care of the midsection where the worst of her injuries were. Twilight turned so her left side was facing Nightshade and he began to remove the bandages. “Your cuts seem to be healing nicely, but I’m going to go ahead and put this green salve on them. You won’t like this either, it’s going to feel cold and slimy, but it’ll get rid of the soreness you’ve been feeling and protect your wounds from anymore infections. Just try to concentrate on something else while I do this.”
Twilight could only nod as she prepared for the uncomfortable feeling. As soon as the first bit of the goo touched her side, she was really grossed out. “Grossgrossgrossgrossgross!”
Nightshade just looked at her and shook his head. “Just try to think of something else.”
Twilight let her mind wander to ignore the gross goop being applied to her side. The first thing that came to her head was the time when she hugged Nightshade and kissed him on the nose. When she thought of that, her heart actually fluttered a little. She couldn’t believe she had such feelings for someone she just met yesterday, even though he did save her life. She tried to think of something else but her mind kept wandering back to that moment. The more she tried, the more she began to realize that she did indeed have a crush on him, even though she has yet to see his face. But she knew she wouldn’t care what he looked like.
Nightshade finished applying the goo and rewrapping Twilights wounds. She noticed this and had what she thought was a good idea to show her thanks. “Thanks Nightshade.” She quickly leaned forward and gave him a quick peck on the nose.
Nightshade was surprised by this and, once again, started to blush so fiercely it almost showed from the darkness of his hood. “Would you stop that!” He cried out, clearly more embarrassed than upset. Twilight simply let out a chuckle.
Nightshade practically stumbled over his next words. “L-Look, I’ve got potions to make, so-so why don’t you just stay here and find a book to read or something until it’s time for me to get your friends.”
Twilight was curious about the potion making, so she thought to ask if she could see him work, really more wanting to get to know him better. “Nightshade, would it be alright if I watched?” She had seen Zecora make potions before, but she was curious as to how Nightshade did it.
He thought for a moment not seeing anything wrong with it. “I suppose, but don’t touch anything unless I say so.”
She happily followed Nightshade down to the basement that was lit up with more candles and torches that seem to spring to life at their presence. Nightshade figured she would ask about those as well so he explained them to her. “Magic candles, they light up when somepony is near, they last longer than ordinary candles too. I made them myself with the knowledge I acquired over the years.”
Twilight took in the rest of the basement. She saw a long wooden table along the back of the basement wall with bottles, beakers, funny shaped glass containers suspended over other candles, wooden bowls, and small stone mashers on the table.
Nightshade pulled his black saddle bags he had with him yesterday from underneath the table, opened it, and began to levitate some of the plants in it on to the table to begin his work.
Twilight decide to try and strike up a conversation with him. “You have quite an impressive collection of books, Nightshade. Where did you get them?”
Nightshade simply continued his work as he answered. “It’s just a collection I managed to get together over the years. Some of the books in there are very rare and hard to find.”
This really peaked Twilight's interest, since she loved books and all. “WOW, where did you find such rare books?”
Once again he kept working and answered. “Let’s just say I did some traveling before I settled down here.”
Now Twilight was really curious. Why would he travel if he didn’t like being around others? “But, I thought you didn’t like being around others, why would you travel if you-“
She was cut off by Nightshade. “Look it’s just something about my past that I don’t like to talk about.”
Twilight took on a sad expression on her face as she was unable to get him to open up more. Then she heard a kind of metallic rumbling to her side. She turned to see the source, and, in the back of the basement, saw two large metal tanks with pipes coming out that seemed to go through the wall of the basement and valves on the side. “Nightshade, what is that?”
Nightshade turned to see what she was talking about. “That’s my water filtration system. The pipes lead to a nearby lake. The first tank cleans and purifies the water and distributes It throughout the house. The second tank takes the used water and sends it back out into the forest. It was a pain to set up.”
Twilight was impressed. “Clever.”
As nightshade levitated another plant out of his bag, he stopped. It was the iron root flower. The very plant that was pretty much responsible for everything that happened so far. If it wasn’t for this flower, he probably never would have met Twilight in the first place. As he stared at the plant, that same small feeling came back, only it seemed a little stronger this time.
Twilight saw Nightshade just standing there and got worried. “Nightshade, are you alright?”
This snapped him out of his trance when he heard Twilight call him. “HUH, oh, yeah, I’m ok. I think maybe I’ll hold on to this one.”
Twilight saw what plant it was and understood, but she thought she would try and have some fun with this. “Didn’t you want to make a potion out of it?”
Nightshade thought she might know the real reason he wanted to keep it, so he tried to cover it up. “I just thought that since this plant is so hard to come by, I’d hold on to it and get the seeds it makes so I can grow some of my own.”
She could tell he was lying but she let it go, not wanting to press her luck. Nightshade then took out a pot from under the table with dirt already in it. He planted the flower in the pot and set it on the table. Then used his shadow flight technique and made the plant disappear. This got Twilight confused. “What happened, where did you send it?”
Nightshade simply answered, “To my greenhouse, maybe later I’ll show it to you.”
Time passed as Nightshade continued his work while telling Twilight about each of the plants he got and what their properties were. Soon Twilight’s stomach rumbled, telling them it was lunch time. Nightshade had just finished making another potion when he heard the rumbling. He stopped his work and they proceeded back upstairs for lunch. Nightshade made them both a daffodil and daisy sandwhich, Twilight’s favorite.
Finally, it was time for Nightshade to go and get everyone for their visit with Twilight. He was definitely not looking forward to meeting the princess. “I’ll be back shortly with your friends.” Nightshade said. And before Twilight could say anything, he was gone. Nightshade had teleported himself just on the edge of Ponyville, wanting to delay this meeting as much as possible.
The five ponies and Spike worked extra hard today so they could have the afternoon off to visit their friends Twilight and Nightshade. Applejack, who worked on her family’s apple orchard, worked hard to finish her chores early. Rarity worked fast on a dress that she was to finish while still keeping it looking beautiful. Pinkie had worked extra hard for Mr. and Mrs. Cake who ran Sugar Cube Corner. Rainbow Dash didn’t have much to do. She was on the town’s weather management team and all she had to do was clear the clouds. Fluttershy left extra food out for all her animals so she wouldn’t have to worry about them while she was gone for the afternoon. And Spike cleaned and organized the library quickly.
Once they were all together, they waited patiently at the library for Nightshade and Princess Celestia. The Princess soon showed up in her royal golden carriage pulled by four pegasai. She graciously stepped off her carriage to greet her subjects. “Greetings my little ponies, it’s good to see you.” They all bowed respectively before their beloved princess. All that was left to do now was wait for Nightshade to come.
Nightshade nervously made his way through town, trying not to draw attention to himself. Soon, the library came into view and he saw everypony gathered together waiting for him. The sight he saw left him in awe. There, standing in front of the ponies and dragon was Princess Celestia herself, towering over everypony. He could only stare and take in what he saw. The princess had a white coat and wore a gold crown atop her head adorned with a violet colored jewl just above a long unicorn horn coming out of her forehead, she had large white wings that matched her coat. She also had on a gold harness around her neck, also adorned with a violet gem in the center, and golden shoes on her hooves. Her cutie mark was of the very sun itself to signify her control of the rising of the sun. Her mane and tail were colored with a light blue, green, another light blue, and pink streaks. Both mane and tail appeared ethereal as they moved in an invisible wind.
No pony had noticed Nightshade yet as he cautiously drew closer to the group. Rainbow Dash was the first to call out to him. “Hey Nightshade, good ta see ya again.” She quickly flew over to greet him and the others followed quickly behind. As soon as rainbow dash aknowleged his presence, the princess turned her head with a smile on her face and watched as they all rushed to greet Nightshade. He was a bit taken back that they all showed such enthusiasm for his arrival, but he figured they were just eager to see Twilight again.
Once they all said their hellos, it was time for the sun goddess to make her introductions. The group stepped aside to let Celestia greet Nightshade. “Greetings Nightshade, I am Princess Celestia of Equestria. I want to thank you personally for saving my beloved student from danger. The girls here told me everything that happened yesterday while we waited for you.” As Nightshade looked upon her, he was nervous, but at the same time, couldn’t help but feel at peace with the way she spoke. It was the kindest voice he had ever heard.
He soon shook his head to regain himself to speak with the princess to lay down some rules for her, but at the same time tried to be polite for he didn’t want to anger her. “It’s nice to meet you. Before we go, there is something I should inform you of. First off, I don’t live within Equestria, so I’m not one of your subjects to be ordered around.” This confused everypony, they had no idea that Nightshade lived outside Equestria. The princess merely nodded her head in understanding still with a smile on her face. “Second, if you should figure out where exactly my house is, I would thank you to keep that information to yourself.”
The princess nodded in understanding again. “The girls have told me that you live in a very vast forest that could be very dangerous. I will respect your wishes.”
Nightshade was pleased that she would abide by his rules. He then decided to warn the princess about his way of getting around. “Just so you know, my method of teleport is different than from what you’re used to, so brace yourself.”
Everypony gathered around Nightshade for the trip to his home. Futtershy couldn’t help but try to ask something. “Uhm, Nightshade, Isn’t there a less scary way to get to your house?” Fluttershy did not like his method of travel.
“Sorry, but it’s the only way.” Nightshade then began the spell and created a large shadow hole underneath everypony.
Pinkie couldn’t help but voice her opinion. “I like this part. WEEEEEEE!” She cried as they all fell into the hole. Celestia was indeed surprised at this mode of travel as it caught her off guard.
They all reappeared back at Nightshade’s home. Applejack decided to take the lead to show Celestia where Twilight was. “Right this way yer majesty.” She lead the way to the double doors that lead to the room Twilight would be in as Pinkie happily hopped along. As usual, once the doors were open, Twilight seemed to be looking through the shelves, clearly still in awe at the collection.
Everypony couldn’t help but laugh at this, even Celestia let out a giggle at her student’s apparent thirst for knowledge. Twilight heard the laughing and turned to see her friends and the princess in the room. “Girls! Spike! It’s good to see you again.” The five mares embraced Twilight in a group hug. Once they broke the embrace, Spike then ran forward to give Twilight a hug. Celestia merely stayed back a moment to let her subjects greet their friend, knowing she would be next.
Twilight then made her way over to her beloved mentor. “It’s good to see you again princess.” She and Celestia nuzzled against each other’s necks.
“Twilight, my most faithful student, I can’t tell you how glad I am to see you safe.”
Twilight was so happy to see Celestia again it brought her back to the day when her life was in danger. “Oh princess, when those manticore’s had me cornered, I was afraid I’d never see you or my friends again.”
Celestia spoke to ease her troubled mind. “It’s ok Twilight, all that matters is that your safe now, and we all owe it to nightshade.” Celestia looked behind her to aknowledge Nightshade, but when she did, he wasn’t there.
Rarity asked what everypony was wondering. “That’s odd, where is he.”
Pinkie had the answer. “I KNOW, I saw him go through the living room through a glass door on the other side.”
Rainbow dash spoke with confusion in her voice. “A glass door?”
Pinkie responded back. “Yeah, c’mon, I’ll show ya!” Pinkie led the way through the house to the other side of the living room with princess in tow and, sure enough, there was a large glass door leading to what looked like the outside.
Pinkie opened the door and everyone filed on through into what looked like a very spacious glass house.
There were white tables filled with plants lining the walls of the place and a large whit table at the center also with plants on it. In the middle of the table was the biggest plant in the room. It had five large pedals that were a deep purple color.
Fluttershy just had to ask. “What is this place.”
A voice from the side responded. “This is my greenhouse where I grow my plants.”
Everypony turned their heads to the left to see Nightshade wearing his black saddle bags in front of a pot with three odd looking plants growing in them. They were a dark red color and seemed to have only two petals that connected halfway down to where they were connected to the stem.
Applejack was impressed that Nightshade was able to grow so many plants. “This here’s a fine garden ya got here, but what kind of plants are those?”
Nightshade decided to have a little fun at their expense. Clearly, they’ve never seen these plants before. He then moved a bag from underneath the plants and opened it up to reveal the bag was full of what looked like…….bugs. the girls, except the princess, all gave a collective ‘EEEWWWW’ at the sight. Celestia just looked on with curiosity.
“Watch this.” Nightshade caused a small group of the dead insects to levitate and hover around in front of the plants. For a while nothing happened as everypony watched. Then, suddenly, one of the plants opened up and ‘SNAP’ snapped at the group buzzing in front of it, but missed. Soon the other two started doing the same thing, each one failing to get their prey. After a couple more tries, Nightshade thought that was enough for now and let the plants have their food.
Spike was impressed. “COOL! What kind of plants are those.”
Twilight just had to get a closer look. So she moved to the plants. “I’ve never seen plants like these before.”
Nightshade finally decided to reveal his secret. “Their called snapper plants, their insectivore plants, meaning plants that eat bugs. You want to try?” He asked Twilight. She figured it would be fun, so she agreed. “Just do what I did and make them work for it.” Twilight then levitated a small group of the insects out of the bag and made them hover and move in front of the plants. And, just like before, the plants started to snap at the bugs. She was definitely finding this fun.
She then let the plants have their food. “That was interesting.”
Pinkie wanted to get a closer look too, as she thought they looked pretty. She hopped over and moved her face close to the plants. Nightshade tried to warn her. “Careful, don’t get too close.” Too late. ‘SNAP’. One of the plants snapped down on Pinkies nose and held on tight.
She screamed in pain. “OWOWOWOWO! Let go stupid plant.” Rarity practically fainted at the sight. Fluttershy simply gasped and hid behind Applejack.
Rainbow called out in fear for her friend. “PINKIE!”
Nightshade had to step in. “Everypony calm down! Pinkie! Stop moving.” Pinkie looked over at Nightshade and did as she was told.
Nightshade used his magic to pry open the plants mouth to free the pink pony’s nose. Poor Pinkie's nose was throbbing in pain as she sat back on her rump and held her nose with her hooves. “OOOOWWWWW! That really hurt!” Everypony but Rarity, who was still passed out from the shock with spike tending to her, and Celestia, who watched the scene with concern, moved to their injured friend.
Applejack asked in worry, “You all right there sugar cube?”
Pinkie didn't seem to hear her as she looked at her nose. “OH, my poor nose.”
Nightshade had a solution to this. “Everypony, please stand aside, I’ll take care of this.” Nightshade levitated a jar with the same green goo that he put on Twilight’s cuts earlier and a small band aid out of his saddlebag. “Now hold still, this might feel a little unpleasant.”
Rainbow Dash saw the green slop and got curious. “What’s that stuff for?”
“It’ll protect the wound from getting infected. It’s not pleasant, but it works.” Nightshade responded. He then levitated a small amount of the salve onto where pinkies nose was bit, and covered it with the band aid. “Just leave that on until tomorrow and your nose should be ok.”
Just like that, Pinkie was back to her usual peppy self. “Okie dokie lokie,thanks Nightshade, that feels much better. LALaLAlaLA LA LA LA.” She sang as she hopped around.
He was confused at her sudden mood change. “Is she?”
Before he could finish, Twilight cut him off. “Yes, she’s always like that.”
He then remembered Rarity. “And what about her?”
Spike answered this one. “She’s fine, just passed out from the shock.”
No sooner as he said that, she woke up. “What happened?”
Fluttershy finally found it was safe now. “You fainted when Pinkie got bit on the nose by that plant.” Celestia just looked at Nightshade with admiration for how much he seemed to care, even though he didn’t admit it. But there was something about him that was nagging her.
Celestia then wanted to know about that big plant at the center of the room. “Nightshade, what is that big plant there?” Everypony turned to Nightshade for an explanation.
“That is a giant version of the rarest plant in the world. The smaller version is called a lunar lily.” Celestia really grew curious then. She had no idea there were plants named after the moon that her younger sister, Princess Luna, raised every night.
Celestia asked, “Why is it called a lunar lily?”
Nightshade felt pride for his centerpiece, but he never showed it, as usual. “Their called lunar lily’s because they only bloom at night when the moon is out and give off a white glow similar to the moon. This particular giant lunar lily only blooms on the Night of a full moon, and gives off a glow so bright, it’s like your right next to the moon. In fact I believe there’s going to be a full moon tomorrow night.”
Everypony was left in wonder at such a beautiful sight and Applejack just had to say what everypony was thinking. “Well tarnation! I’ll bet that’s one heck of a sight ta see!”
Rarity was next to compliment. “MY word darling, it sounds absolutely MAGNIFICENT!”
Pinkie was next to say her peace. “I’ll say, HEY, I just got a great idea. Nightshade, could we sleep over tomorrow to see it? We could have a SLUMBERPARTY!”
Nightshade did not like where this was going. But once again, no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t say no, so he just went ahead and agreed. “Fine, but you do realize that that will use up two days worth of visits, right.” Everypony gave out a loud cheer in excitement at the impending sleepover at their new friends house to see a beautiful sight. “For now, you can look around the green house, but be careful.”
The girls, Spike, and even Celestia decided to look at the collection of flowers and plants Nightshade had. There was one plant in particular that seemed to catch Fluttershy’s eye. There were five vines with green leaves growing out of a large pot that curled in at the top. She thought the plant was very pretty and decided to ask Nightshade about it. “Nightshade, what’s this plant here?”
Nightshade turned to Fluttershy to see what plant she was talking about. When he did, he saw Fluttershy raise a hoof to touch it. Nightshade cried out to try to warn her. “FLUTTERSHY, DON’T!” Too late again. The vines sprang to life and wrapped themselves around the timid Pegasus.
Fluttershy screamed in fear. “AAHHH, HELP!” Everypony turned to see the sight of Fluttershy being lifted by these vines and all cried out in unison. “FLUTTERSHY!” Celestia charged her horn with magic ready to do something to help one of her subjects.
But, once again, Nightshade to the rescue. “Everypony, stop!” Nightshade ran to the plants holding the terrified pony. Celestia saw this and figured Nightshade knew what to do, since these plants were his. So she let the magic in her horn die down and watched. “Fluttershy, look at me! You need to calm down!”
Fluttershy cried out, “I can’t, I’m too scared.”
Nightshade tried to get her attention. “Yes you can! Look at me!” Fluttershy look down at Nightshade to hear him. “Take a deep breath, calm down, and stop moving. If you stop moving, the vines will let you go.” Fluttershy simply nodded in understanding and did as she was told. She took a deep breath in, exhaled, relaxed, and stopped moving. The vines did just what Nightshade said they would do.
They placed Fluttershy gently back down on the floor and let her go. Once the vines let her go she ran and hid behind…….Nightshade? He was surprised that she would try to find comfort with him, then again, he did help her get out of that predicament. The girls, Spike, and Celestia made their way over to check on their traumatized friend.
Rainbow Dash was the first to check on Fluttershy as she still shuddered behind Nightshade. “Fluttershy, are you ok?”
Fluttershy looked up at Rainbow Dash from behind Nightshade. “I think so.” She responded still shaken up from her experience. “Thank you Nightshade, for helping me get out of that.”
Rarity spoke next. “Good heavens deer, what sort of plant IS that!”
Nightshade began yet another plant lesson. “This is another very rare plant, also the smartest plant in the world, it’s called a snake vine. The vines are connected to a mass under the dirt where the brain is. It was just curious about Fluttershy when it sensed she was close. Bad plant, bad. I know we’ve never had guests before but you scared the poor mare. Now you apologize to her right now.”
They couldn’t believe he was scolding the plant like it was a pet who misbehaved. But what really surprised them was that the plant seemed to respond. The green leaves seemed to shrink down and turn into buds that then reopened to make beautiful white flowers. Fluttershy saw this and got back up to admire the flowers. Nightshade seemed to urge her to get closer, but she was hesitant because of what just happened. Still she moved closer and one of the vines actually reached out and rubbed against her cheek, soliciting a giggle out of her, as it tickled her. “Hee, hee, aaaawwww, you’re not a bad plant after all, are you?”
Even though Nightshade had shown such caring to her subjects and helped them with their predicaments, there was still something she needed to know about him and now was the time. “Girls, Spike, I’d like to speak with Nightshade alone please.”
Twilight became concerned about this. “What’s this about princess?”
Celestia didn’t want to worry her student. “Don’t worry Twilight, I would just like to speak with him alone about the events that have occurred and hear it from him directly.”
The girls and spike made their way out and to the Library. Nightshade was worried. What could this princess have to talk to him about? Celestia made sure that it was just her and Nightshade now. She didn’t like what she was about to do, but she had to make sure of something.
Nightshade then asked. “So what did you want to talk about Princess?”
Celestia then charged her horn and cast a time freezing spell on Nightshade, freezing him in place. “I’m sorry Nightshade, but no ordinary unicorn can take on three manticors. Not to mention move through shadows like you do." The princess then charged her horn with magic again and proceeded to read Nightshade’s mind.
She pushed her way into his head. When she was in, the sight she saw was odd. She found herself in a village surrounded by trees with the night sky over head. But something was wrong, the village soon caught on fire. Every building was burning. But what really horrified the princess was the fact that the place was being set ablaze by ponies, her ponies. The very ponies she ruled over and loved. They weren’t just burning, but they were killing, killing these strange creatures shrouded in black, running for their lives.
The area was surrounded by angry yelling from the ponies, and fear induced screams from the shadowy creatures. Celestia could only watch in horror as earth ponies, unicorns, and pegasai, all committed such horrible atrocities. Then she turned behind her and saw something equally horrible. A tall, massive shadowy beast with red glowing eyes stood over the scene and laughed maniacally. Celestia backed away in fear at what she was seeing. What horrible despicable creature could be responsible for leading her ponies to commit such heinous acts?
Soon, the laughing, shouting and screaming died down, only to be replaced by a faint echoing crying. It sounded like some poor filly or foal. Celestia tried to find the source as she gallpoped through the burning village in desperation but found nothing, until another shadowy figure appeared before her. It looked like Nightshade, but he was all black, even his cloak was black, and there was a pair of red glowing eyes glaring at her from under the hood.
“Nightshade?” She asked in fear.
It responded, “You shouldn’t be here!”
“Nightshade, what is this? Please, tell me.” She asked in desperation.
“GEEEEEEEEEEET OOOOOOOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUT!!!!” As the shadowy figure shouted, Celestia could feel herself being violently forced out of Nightshade’s head.
When she was back in her own mind, her body reeled back from the force. She couldn’t believe what happened, what she saw, and how she was so easily forced out of his head. What was that figure that pushed her out? It looked like Nightshade but there was something else about it. She realized that what she saw was a memory, which means that whatever happened in that village she saw, Nightshade was there. She realized she wouldn’t get anymore answers from Nightshade. She would just have to hope that Nightshade really was trustworthy as he had been showing so far. She was afraid to try and take Twilight back with her as she realized this hermit may very well be as powerful as her, maybe more so, and wasn't sure how he would react if she did.
So she released him from the time freezing spell she put on him. Remembering the question he asked before she froze him, she spoke. “I just wanted to give you my utmost gratitude for everything you’ve done for my student and her friends.”
Since Nightshade was frozen in time he had no idea that Celestia had just invaded his mind. “Um,….Your welcome?” He responded with a little confusion in his voice.
Prncess Celestia had seen enough for today and decided it was time to go home. “Nightshade thank you for your hospitality, but I believe it’s time for me to get back to the palace. I will go say my farewells to my subjects and would appreciate your assistance in getting back to Ponyville.”
Nightshade responded again, still with a bit of confusion in his voice. “Sure, no problem.”
Celestia made her way to the library where everypony was sitting and chatting up a storm. “Well everypony, I’m afraid I must take my leave. I am confident that Twilight is in very capable hooves for her recovery.”
Rainbow Dash then spoke up for everypony. “Actually Princess, I think we’ll be joining you on the return trip home.”
Rarity agreed. “Quit right your highness, after all, we do need to get ready for the slumber party tomorrow night.” So every pony said their good byes to Twilight and gathered around Nightshade to go back to Ponyville. Once back, Celestia waved goodbye to the ponies as she teleported herself back to Canterlot in a blinding flash of light. Then the ponies said their goodbyes to Nightshade as he disappeared once again back home. The ponies then made their own way back home with spike following Pinkie to get ready for the party tomorrow to see the beautiful lunar lily bloom.