//------------------------------// // Chapter Eight // Story: Who Is Twilight Sparkle? // by Running From Time //------------------------------// I dipped my feather pen in the ink with my magic as soon as I began writing the letter. Spike at my side, looking at the letter with interest, I started furiously writing the letter with excitement and anxiety. Dear Princess Celestia, I have made an astounding discovery! You see, while studying the usual magic of friendship, I came upon a small hole in the logic. However, when I examined this tiny obstacle, I realized it was not a problem, but a whole new plane of existence! This undiscovered area is not bound by logic or physics! It is linked only to magic, which can lead to discovering so much more than I already know! This new spell links to the power of powerful beings, such as yourself and Discord, and channels it into a single pony! A pony can become as powerful as you are yourself! A pony can have the abilities of Discord! So many things could be done at the very hooves of ponies with this spell! The more I study this spell, the more I become intrigued! I am only steps away from completing this mystifying spell! Sincerely, Your Student, Twilight Sparkle Spike titled his head to the side in confusion after reading the letter. "What exactly is the 'discovery' you're talking about? I'm kinda confused," he asked quizzically. I beamed, glad that Spike was curious. "Well-" I started. "You know what? Never mind, forget I asked," Spike deadpanned. "I'll just send this to the Princess now," he added just before he blew green flames upon the letter, which then disappeared. He began to head up the stairs, but before he was even halfway up, he belched loudly, and green fire escaped from his mouth, followed by a letter. "Well, that was a quick response!" I announced, gleefully prancing over to Spike, excited to see Princess Celestia's response to my new discovery. He walked slowly back down the stairs while reading the letter. "Spike, what did she say?" He stopped reading and looked up at me with an "I told you so" expression. "Twilight, you really need to read this," he told me in an exasperated tone. I stared at him for a moment before levitating the letter and reading it. Dear Twilight Sparkle, You are dealing with an illusion caused by the lack of sleep. Twilight, rest for a while, and forget your studies for a bit. Once you feel fully relaxed and calm, check once again and you will not find this "new plane of existence". Your Beloved Ruler, Princess Celestia Spike and I stood in silence for a moment. An illusion? "She thinks... it's just... and illusion?" Spike looked up at me. "Twilight, you DO need some sleep. You've been studying way too hard for something that Princess says is fine if you put off! Relax for a while, alright?" Relax? RELAX? Anger seeped through my veins like venom. "I do NOT need to relax! I am in a PERFECTLY fine state of mind! I found this, and she has no right to tell me it is an ILLUSION!" I roared, causing Spike to flinch and back away. "Tw-Twi? Maybe you DO need to relax..." Spike muttered nervously. "I need to RELAX?!" I shouted, pausing a moment to catch my breath. "I NEED TO RELAX?! YOU DON'T TELL ME WHAT I NEED AND WHAT I DON'T NEED! YOU KNOW NOTHING! NOTHING!" I saw the terrified expression of Spike, and began to falter. "Spike...?" Oh, what in Equestria drove me to yell at him like that? "Spike, I'm so sorry, I really didn't mean it..." Spike said nothing, but instead ran up the stairs, leaving me in the library, alone. I sat on the ground and put my hooves to my face in shock. What... what is happening to me? Dirt. Forest. Darkness. Noises. Animal noises. My eyes groggily watched the ground that lay under me, which now was beginning to turn my lavender coat a light brownish purple from laying in it so long. I found it incredible that I was able to sleep at all, considering how uncomfortable the ground is and how shaky my mental state is. I had another dream last night, one of those that seem as if they are past memories. I have abandoned all past hopes of memories and learning. All I wish for now is loss. Perhaps life, or maybe just memories. I understand now why I jumped off that cliff. It was to free myself. With this new memory, I realize now what has been the reason for this curse I have is my own foolish curiosity. I have created a monster within myself. However, Princess Celestia, in her desperate attempt to cease my progression, has only fed the flames. I closed my eyes. Images ran through my head, images of Princess Celestia, then my friends, the expressions I have seen them show; regret, fake happiness, urgency, hurt... It has been only about two days since I left them. I am truly surprised that I have not been found yet. I suppose it is because Princess Celestia wishes to give me time to recover on my own. She knows by this point that any interference on her part will only make things worse. However, there is little left for me. I have had an entire day to myself to reflect upon everything. Twice have I almost went to Canterlot to confront Princess Celestia, before realizing how futile it was. What has not been corrupted or affected by the spell is very minimal. Everything important to me has been frightened by my curse I brought upon myself. The very me inside that was not corrupted has lost all hope. My memories are nothing to me now. I know only what has happened to me was brought on by myself. Now that I have possibly permanently affected others, I cannot forgive myself.