A Distant Star

by Dr Atom Discharge

Chapter Eleven: The Wait

Last Time: The Nest Mother tried to swipe at Soarin but he was able to swerve out of the way. Twilight looked back to see the Hatchlings get closer and closer to Atom, but just before it seemed they would over run him Soarin and Twilight burst out into the full glare of the sunlight. They raced off at full speed away from the cavern over the rolling chaotic forest towards Canterlot. Twilight could barely see through the tears flooding her eyes and falling into the forest below…

Twilight sat in her Library on her bed, it was early in the morning. It was still dark, though the first hints of the orange sunrise were starting to creep across the horizon. Twilight hadn’t slept at all that night; she couldn't get thoughts of Atom or of what had happened out of her head. What her friends had said when she had gotten back… how badly she had wanted to protest as they called Atom all kinds of things… but she couldn’t. She had to keep up the lie that she had been forced to tell… she felt as though she was betraying Atom by letting them say such things… and the last she had seen of Atom… it was all tearing her up… she was a mes

She sighed and pulled herself off the bed. If she was up she may as well do something. She got up and started to make some coffee, trying to take her mind off things, but failing completely. No matter what her thoughts kept returning to Atom. She thought back to the last thing he said to her.
“I love you Twilight… I have since the moment I met you.” She broke down in quiet tears as she remembered his words. She wanted to hear him say them again. She would give anything if he could just walk through that door unharmed and lovingly embrace her, but as she kept looking at the door, her vision slowly blurring from the tears, it remained despairingly motionless.

When the crying had finally subsided she got back to her hooves and finished the cup of coffee. She sipped it, though not really tasting it. She went through to the main room of the library, pulling out a random book, and starting to read, though she didn’t pay much attention to it, often having to reread lines because she simply hadn’t taken in the information. She felt numb, she felt cold, but worst of all… she felt alone.

Twilight was slowly walking around the town, still hoping to lose the sadness and dread that filled her. She wasn’t heading anywhere in particular, just wandering aimlessly. She sighed heavily, she couldn’t fight the feeling, she couldn’t take her mind off it. She changed direction and slowly started to walk towards the Observatory. If she couldn’t fight it, she may as we embrace it… maybe this feeling would go away sooner if she did.

Twilight kept going, feeling the dread building inside her. She had known she would have to go to the Observatory sooner or later, but she had been trying to put it off, knowing that what she would find there would not be easy to take. Unfortunately she knew she had to do it.

When she finally arrived she could barely hold back tears. What was left of the Observatory was little more than a burnt out husk of its former self. Little more than a steel cage of the main structure filled with rubble. The enormous telescope, once such an immense, almost intimidating structure now lay in two halves over the rubble.

Seeing the Telescope… the very reason she had met Atom… it brought back memories of that first night. Tears brimmed at the edge of her eyes, but with an immense force of will she managed to push back the emotions, and continue into the ruins. She followed along what had once been a corridor.

When she reached the end she froze in the doorway. Before her she saw her five friends sifting through the rubble. They hadn’t noticed her yet.
“.. If I get my hands on that bastard I’ll-“ Rainbow Dash said in an increasingly aggressive tone before being cut off by Rarity.
“Please Rainbow Dash, there is no need to be so uncivil. We-“ She stopped as she spotted Twilight.

After that last comment Twilight’s anger started to raise. She knew it wasn’t fair to her friends, but her emotions were so raw she couldn’t help it. Fluttershy, her usual timid and nervous self, approached slowly.
“Oh Twilight, you really should be resting, you’ve been through a lot.” She said nervously in a worried tone. Rarity, always her direct and confident self, had a follow up.
“She’s right dear, you go home and rest. Don’t worry, we’ll catch that brute.” She put a gentle hoof on Twilight’s shoulder.

Twilight angrily swatted the hoof away, startling Rarity.
“HE’S NOT EVIL!” Twilight bellowed before turning around and galloping away. Tears streamed from her eyes as she galloped all the way back to her library, through the door, past a rather confused Spike and into her room. She slammed the door before falling onto her bed and breaking down into uncontrollable tears. To many emotions were ripping their way through her for her to maintain her composure. She cried and cried, ignoring everything outside of her shell of misery until, eventually, she cried herself to sleep.

Twilight woke with a start to a light knock at her bedroom door. She slowly got up, her body stiff and tired. She walked to the door and opened it to see Spike shuffling nervously.
“T-Twilight… I-I hope you aren’t mad with me… I-I was worried… you haven’t seemed yourself… so I… I sent The Princess a letter… please don’t be mad at me…”

Twilight frowned. She knew he was only looking out for her... but she still didn't want the Princess knowing about this.
“What did she say?” Spike shrank back.
“Sh-she.. wants you to go to Canterlot… she’s worried… we all are… “ Spike said his voice slowly shrinking. At first Twilight was angry, but then realized if she were with the Princess, she’d find out more information about Atom quicker.

She smiled down at spike and nuzzled him.
“Thank you Spike, I think that may be a good idea… I think that I need to get out of here for a little while anyway. Did she say when she would send the carriage?” Twilight feigned happiness. Spike shuffled again.
“A-actually, they’re here now… that’s why I woke you up.” Twilight rolled her eyes and went to pack.

In a few minutes Twilight was packed. She quickly hugged Spike and got onto the carriage, the guard pegasi evidently impatient. As it took off she allowed the fake smile to drop off her face as she watched what she had come to consider her home shrink away. Again she pushed back tears as her emotions started showing through again.

Twilight woke up, feeling a little more stable after a good night’s sleep. She slipped out of the large bed and stretched, looking around the ornate and almost regal room she had been given in Canterlot palace. She then noticed breakfast had been left on a table just inside the door, with a small note next to it. Twilight walked over and read the note as she started to eat.

My Faithful Student

I hope that you have slept well, I am sorry I was not there to greet you yesterday. As you can imagine my schedule is rather busy right now. If you are feeling up to it, I would very much enjoy your company in the main throne room today. If not, I have organized things so that you can have access Canterlot Library again, although, please do not disrupt the new Librarian. I hope to see you in my throne room, but if you are not feeling up to it I shall come and see you this evening.

Your loving Mentor,
Princess Celestia of Equestria

Twilight read back over the letter. it seemed to be a mess of caring feelings and masked anxiety. Twilight had known her Mentor for long enough to be able to judge her emotion, but this letter seemed muddled. It was obvious the Princess had conflicting emotions. Twilight sighed and finished her breakfast, trying to decide whether to go to the library or to the throne room. In the end she decided on the throne room. At least that way she could catch up on what was happening.

After Twilight was finished her breakfast she trotted down the long stairs that lead to her room and through the corridors of the palace. There were more guards patrolling the palace, and they all seemed completely focused. Where they were usually rather sociable with visitors, now they seemed… almost… scared.

When Twilight reached the throne room she came in via one of the smaller doors to the side of the room and slowly approached the two thrones. A second had recently been added for the return of Princess Luna, though at this moment it was empty. As she approached Celestia, the Princess turned from the pony she had been talking to and gave Twilight a smile. Though warm in appearance it was obvious to Twilight it was fake, since she returned one exactly the same.

Celestia gestured with her hoof at her guest, a brilliant white earth pony dressed in what appeared to be guards armor, though it had a more ornate design to it. He had a hard but kind face with a small scar down one eye. His cutie mark was visible on his flank-a pair of crossed swords.

“Twilight, this is Captain Blade. He is the head of the Equestrian Royal Guard, and a veteran of the Equestrian Military.” Celestia said in an official tone. Blade simply turned to Twilight and offered her a hoof.
“You can just call me Blade ma’am.” He bore a much more casual tone, shaking hooves with Twilight.
“I’m Twilight, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Blade nodded “Likewise.”

Blade turned back to Celestia.
“We tracked him to a cave, it seems to have been infested with Wild Dragons. He seems to have escaped, but judging from the blood, he won’t have gotten far.” At that, Twilight’s heart sank. Though she tried to hide it, her thoughts raced. She snapped out of it as she felt the gaze of the Princess and Captain on her.

“Miss Twilight… are you feeling okay?” Blade asked, concern evident in his voice and eyes.
“I… I am feeling a little light headed actually… perhaps I should have taken a day off…” Twilight said slowly, trying to make herself seem disorientated. She could process what she had heard once she was alone. “I think maybe I’ll get some food and just stay in my room for today… get some rest.” She said again trying to seem slightly ill.

Celestia nodded.
“Okay my student, I’ll let you rest in peace then. I hope you are feeling better tomorrow, I’d like your company here if possible.” There was that fake smile again. Twilight simply nodded.
“Okay Princess, I’ll make sure to get plenty of rest."

Twilight then headed to the kitchen, getting some lunch. She made her way to her room where she slowly started to eat, thinking over what she had heard. After a few minutes of thought she heard a knock at her door, making her jump a little.
“Er.. C-come in.” she said a little worried as to who it was.

Captain Blade slowly walked into the room.
“How are you feeling M’lady?” He asked kindly with a smile, to which Twilight answered, more reassured.
“Oh, hello Blade, I wasn’t expecting you to come up here. I am feeling a little better.” She gave a little smile, to which Blade nodded.
“Ah… good…” He said slowly. He looked out of the door, then closed it and locked it from the inside. He turned around and started to walk towards Twilight, his expression hard, and all signs of kindness gone.

“Listen to me young mare. You may fool the Princess with your story, but you don’t fool me! I know that you went with Atom of your own free will, I knew the moment you heard what I said, I saw it in your eyes!” Blade almost shouted. Twilight backed up against the back of the bed, Blade climbed up onto the bed and stood oppressively above her. “Tell me EVERYTHING you know about Atom and his movements. NOW!”

Twilight was terrified, and barely managed to sputter out a reply.
“I-I don’t know what you a-are talking about… I d-don’t remember anything ab-bout it…” Blade swung his head down so their faces were no more than an inch apart.
“Do NOT lie to me, tell me what you know NOW!” Blade was forceful, making sure she knew he wasn't playing any games.

Twilight gained a little courage and stared back into Blade’s eyes, almost challenging him with her gaze.
“I said I don’t remember!” she shouted back, just as forcefully. For a few moments, though if felt like an eternity to Twilight, their gazes were locked. Blade snorted and pulled away.
“So be it, but I will have my eyes on you little miss.” It seemed that venom was in his voice.

Blade slowly walked back to the door and opened it, turning to look back over his shoulder.
“Get better soon. Ma’am.” He said in his kind voice, his expression returning to normal. He walked out an closed the door. Twilight let out the breath she realized she must have been holding in. She ran to the door and locked it, and then climbed back into bed and huddled up, shaking slightly.

Over the next few days Twilight spent most of her time in the throne room, latching onto any information on Atom she could get. Slowly but surely the last of her hope was whittled away was she heard tales of bloody trails and unsteady tracks they were following. Every time that Blade entered the throne room he never took his eyes off Twilight when no one could see. Until eventually, three days later…

Twilight was wandering around throne room studying the stained glass windows. It was a slow day with very little information being delivered. But then Twilight was startled as the massive double door swung inwards and Blade marched in triumphantly. “Princess Celestia! We have found him! Though… I’m afraid the Timber wolves did as well… “ He spoke solemnly, and gestured to two guards outside, who slowly marched in.

Between the guards, stretched across the bloodied stretcher, was the twisted and broken body of Dr Atom Discharge. Twilight’s vision narrowed in on the still lifeless body, as she felt not only her heart, but her whole world shatter into a thousand pieces. No amount of will power could have held back her emotions. A single silent tear rolled down her cheek and fell; The small perfectly smooth droplet fell through the air for a few seconds. It burst as it impacted against the hard, cold stone floor…