Chapter 11 (Part Two): Fallout
(Twilight)
***
Twilight was falling.
Falling.
The air was unusually thin, which told her she must have been astronomically high in this alien atmosphere. The wind was chilling as it passed over her white coat and ruffled her feathers. Her body was slowly tumbling while she struggled to right herself. Each time she attempted to open her wings, she was sent spiraling in a different direction. The black dot that was her entry into this foreign realm was growing smaller by the second. She could imagine the triumphant look of the general peering down at her.
What do I do? What do I do? What do I do?! The biting wind tore the tears from her eyes.
I’ll be letting down the Princess...Equestria...my friends.
She recalled all the friends she had made. She blinked through the tears as she realized something. While the situation wasn't something she was familiar with, it was to a certain cyan mare she knew. Her loyal friend had come close to fatal accidents dozens of times, but Rainbow Dash always seemed to come out okay. Twilight wiped her wet eyes. If only she could recall the vital parts of information.
‘...Sometimes, I free fall on purpose, for dramatic effect.’
‘...out of control tumbling is still one of the leading causes of pegasus death.’
Twilight shook her head of the stray thoughts and concentrated on her friend’s words.
‘...It’s so easy. All you have to do is pull in your wings and relax. It’s as easy as blowing off weather duty.’
Panic had caused her muscles to tighten, which only fed her growing doubt.
“Yeah, so easy...for a pegasus.” Twilight found herself saying as if the daredevil were right beside her.
‘You have to make your muscles limp. I usually just think of things that make me relaxed, like taking naps, or the time I bummed a massage off of Soarin by pretending to be hurt.’
“Okay, I think I can do this,” Twilight assured herself out loud. Think about the smell of the library, fresh paper, re-shelving day, reading Celestia’s reviews of my friendship reports... Spike all curled up in his little bed...
She was no longer fighting herself. The spinning slowed as Twilight let her worries fly away in the wind.
‘You would find all that egghead junk relaxing. Now, project your chest outward. Put your front and back legs out.’ Rainbow’s hoarse voice instructed.
Hey, this is my subconscious; you’re the subconscious version of Rainbow. Only the real Rainbow Dash can call me nerdy names.
The alicorn started into a controlled freefall after taking a super-pony like pose.
‘Fine whatever, just spread your wings and pull out of your dive.'
Twilight followed suite and immediately slowed down. Her wings ached as she held them out like mini chutes. Fortunately for her, she was no ordinary pegasus, or they might have been torn from the sockets. Unfortunately however, she just now noticed a roaring sound quickly growing louder. Twilight slowly turned about in the air.
She squinted at the closing object. What the hay is that? “Oof!”
***
A little asian girl, probably around six or seven, was on a flight from Tokyo to SeaTac Airport. She noticed a flash of white outside followed by a loud thump.
“Mommy, Daddy, I see a flying horsie!” She yelled and pointed, but her mom and pop had left to go to the lavatory, and nobody else paid any attention. There was a brief moment where the girl and the strange creature locked eyes. The flying horse with gold shoes peeled herself from the dented wing and disappeared.
The pilot and copilot locked eyes. “Did you just see...” the copilot trailed off.
The pilot was reclined in his seat. “Yeap,” he said lazily.
“It looked like a...” the copilot trailed off.
“Yeap.”
“Do you think we should tell the passengers what I think that was?”
Fixing the rookie with a flat stare, the pilot slowly leaned further back in his chair. He slid his hat over his eyes and shook his head.
“Uh, passengers, this is the copilot speaking. Please stay seated. I think we may have just hit a very large bird. A very, very large bird.”
***
The room was still dim, lit only by the glowing portal by which the princess was unceremoniously expunged and a few magical flames in the chandelier above.
General Double Edge turned to the ponies that were looking down the portal with him. They had recently emerged from hiding behind the pillars and bleachers. “Alright, help me close this up and reset the rune for Celestia’s return.”
One of his soldiers looked at the general with a questioning glance as the portal was slowly shrinking. “With all due respect, sir, you just sent her plummeting into another dimension with less than a quarter of her magical power. Do you really expect her to return?”
“Normally, I would agree, but when you choose to fight gods, you can never be too careful.”
General Double looked down once more. The opening was only a few feet wide at this point. HIs eyes narrowed. “Though it would have been nice to be wrong in this case.”
A flurry of hooves and wings clambered out of the portal, and Twilight scrambled to her hooves. The soldiers jumped back and flared their horns, causing the trap to glow once more.
The alicorn was bruised and panting hard. “You’re, you’re not getting rid of me that easily.”
“It would have been disappointing if it had, though it seems that we are right back where we started.” Six armored unicorns shifted into a more aggressive stance, aiming their horns at her..
This time I have a plan. I just need to get him distracted. “Except this time you’ve made two mistakes. The second of which is making me angry.” Twilight wasn’t struggling this time. She just stared down her adversary with her purple eyes.
“And what would the first be?”
“Your use of a rune was rather clever. It must have taken you quite some time and resources to prepare all this, but it’s over. You could have never faced me in real combat, and you failed to keep me wherever that portal had sent me. Now that I know it was you, I can just tell my...The Captain of the Guard to arrest you when I get out of this.” Come on. Just turn away for a second. I’m running out of time.
The general started pacing back and forth, his quick, military turns leaving her no time to execute her plan. “You know, if we drain enough of your power, we can still hurt you. Sending you away was just...less risky.”
A chill ran down Twilight’s back.
“I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to at least tell you my motivations, seeing as your time is short. As you may have guessed already, my intentions go farther than a few tunnels of gems some Diamond Dogs are hoarding. No matter how much power my followers and I gather, you and your pesky sister will be there to keep everything at the status quo. Peace, love, and friendship are getting old-fashioned.”
“Corruption through power isn't anything new, General.” He’s no different than Discord or Nightmare Moon. All they want is control. On the other hoof, could he be right? The princesses do hold all the power, just by their mere existence.
Double stomped loudly. “You don’t get it! We are tired of the stagnation. What about the future? Do you really think all this can last forever? If I don’t make the change, then somepony much less merciful will. It’s a shame, really. With your power, you could have done so much. We still could, you know.”
Double Edge continued on while Twilight kept a meticulous eye over every movement, waiting to strike. “I have the vision, and you have the raw power to conquer everything under your sun.” He turned gesture out the towering window.
“Never!” Twilight lunged and fired a bolt of magic. Double Edge whipped around, and his unicorns fed a stream of magic into the rune. Twilight grunted as she was yanked back down to the ground by vines of arcane energy. This time the power of her prison was too strong to even stand.
“Oh, you sly Princess, you caught me monologuing. It’s a shame you figured out who I was, but I wouldn’t have started a fight with the Princess of the Sun if didn’t have a backup plan.” The general unsheathed one of his swords and ran the flat side under Twilight’s chin. “Too bad you missed.”
Twilight just smiled back. “Did I?”
Twilight smiled when Double Edge didn’t respond, instead watching a shaft of light grow rapidly behind them. as a shaft of light grew behind the general. from across the chamber. Celestia’s student smiled at the trace of worry growing on Double Edge’s face. As it enveloped them, the sunlight warmed the Princess’s coat, and she could feel her magic returning swiftly.
“I may not be able to move yet, but I can still use magic!”
By the time he had turned to notice the burning window curtain in the back of the room, it was already too late. Twilight’s golden aura ripped the general off his hooves and hurled him through the stained glass. One of his swords went flying, its strap severed by the glass.
“It’s taking me lots of energy to pull off this simple telekinesis, but now I have the sun!”
Twilight yanked him back through the jagged hole and tossed him against the Council chamber table.The armored pony slid of the other end with a clank of metal on stone. He backpedaled to lean against a set of bleachers. “Stop her now, before it’s too late!” He wheezed.
Six more armored unicorns appeared from behind columns around the room. Even though she couldn’t see the sun directly, she smiled at the sheer power of the rays entering the room.
She was growing stronger by the moment, and forced her body to stand up. Double’s attack squad closed in quickly. Two of the soldiers charged from her front with long swords in their magical grasp. The pair were thrown to the side and slapped against the marble walls. While she had been dealing with them, she felt three new unicorns sapping her magic directly into themselves.
I need line of sight...or at least to see where they are. She swiftly grabbed hold of some shards of glass from across the room. One of the ponies in front of her dove to avoid the flying bits of colored glass.
Twilight manipulated the fragments to see behind her. “There you are.” She fired three precise shots off of the glass. The trio of unicorns were sent shooting across the Council Chamber, where they were buried amongst the wood bleachers around the room.
Having literally gotten a taste of Celestia’s magic, the traitors smiled at their newfound power and began firing powerful concussive bolts. Their aim still suffered from their recent beating, but their magical attacks were strong enough to blow chunks of marble from the columns and walls.
Marble dust was filling up the room from the raging battle. Twilight grunted as blind shots connected with her sides. Note to self. Don’t let unicorns drain magic from the Princesses.
As she soaked in more power from the sun, Twilight did her best to avoid the attacks, but she was still pinned to the spot. A lucky shot slammed into the side of her head and, something inside Celestia’s body snapped. Twilight blinked, and her purple eyes were replaced with white orbs. “YOU WILL NOT HARM THE INNOCENT!” More pieces of glass and loose stone moved in to block the incoming barrage of magic bolts and flying chunks of stone. Anything solid that made it close to the princess was added to the mass of debris.
Four pegasi came down from the high ceiling, but were kept at bay by a whirlwind of broken objects. Twilight felt pangs of guilt in the back of her mind as each was hit by a stun spell or thrown to the floor at her will. The guilt was overpowered by frustration and anger.
With each of Twilight’s spells, the lines of the rune shone brighter. General Double cringed, as the last of his soldiers flew from the cloud of dust and toppled over Luna’s chair towards the middle of the room. There was a deafening clatter as the glass and other objects fell from Twilight’s hold. With one last surge of solar energy, the ground around the Sun Godess ruptured.
Twilight flew out from the cloud of dust and walked up to Major General Double Edge. After she finished literally wiping the floor with him, his helm had been ripped off and the fine polish on his full plate had been marred by deep scratches. She peered at Double’s bruised and battered face. “I believe that’s checkmate.”
“But...but how?”
Now, with all her opponents unconscious or unwilling to fight, the Celestia’s student began her lecture while she held Double Edge against the nearest intact column. “As for how I gained enough power for the first bolt that set the curtain on fire, it turns out that place you sent me has a sun. It wasn’t as full of magic as Equestria’s sun, but it was sufficient. Even though your little trap was holding me to that spot, I was able to use telekinesis with the solar power that isn’t constantly being absorbed. If I know my rune magic, which I do, the spells can only last as long as the surface remains undamaged. All I had to do is pour enough magic into it until the integrity of the stone gave out.”
Double Edge could feel his body being pressed harder against the cold marble pillar. He was forced to stare at Celestia's ageless face. His ruler’s white eyes shone with such rage and malice that he could not help but shake. There was a pause before he could hear the sound of his remaining sword sliding from its sheath just out of view. To Twilight’s surprise, a smile slowly formed across the General’s face before he spat out a tooth.
“If you finish me, you finish this city.”
Twilight’s eyes immediately returned to normal. All she had wanted to do before was end him, but now she began to feel the chill of doubt mixed with growing fear. What...what just came over me?
Trying to remain calm, she set the general down on his unsteady hooves. Twilight her hooves were shaky as well. What was that feeling? I...I would never... The alicorn shook her head to focus on the matter at hoof. “What are you talking about? What do you mean I would finish the city? What are you up to, really?”
“I’m glad you have come to see reason. You see, I have planted a spell bomb in the city, or rather, many bombs. If I don’t give updated orders to my ponies, then they will set them off. You’re not going to tell anypony I ever made a move. If you talk to anypony, we...I will know, so no funny business.” The general got up and stumbled to the broken table for balance.
Who is ‘we’? “Is that it? I just pretend you didn’t commit high treason?” I need...I need to rest. She felt like throwing up.
“What kind of idiot reveals their whole plan? Let’s just say that when the time comes, I need you to do nothing. If you try to stop me, I will activate the spell bombs.”
“Spell bombs aren't necessarily lethal, so what keeps me from just dispelling the effects? What do they do, disorient, teleport, remove everypony’s ears?” Or something worse, she gulped.
“Ha, even if the effects were that simple, I couldn’t tell you for sure. They are filled with chaos magic gathered during the return of Discord. Judging by the look on your face, you know what that means.”
Twilight paused for a moment. “Wait a minute, that doesn’t make any sense. You can't control chaos magic! You must be bluffing.”
“How would you know? One would think you couldn’t control chaos magic, because that would make sense, but that in itself would mean it wasn’t chaotic, would it not?”
“I think you're full of horse apples. You’re just a liar and a traitor.” Twilight’s white horn started to glow once more.
“If I were full of horse apples, I wouldn’t be talking to you. Are you really willing to risk the safety of your ponies for a little fight like this?”
The General’s condescending speech begged her to throw him from the tower, but she stood down. I can’t risk Celestia’s subjects. “Why are you doing this?” How do I stop you? “Luna! Luna will stop you and...and Cadence!” Her voice echoed off the walls. She smirked. He came close, but against three alicorns, he doesn't stand a chance.
“The Princess of Love, ha! Besides, Luna is already on my side. Now, you had better figure out a good excuse for this mess before we open those doors or somepony spots the broken window from outside.” Twilight gawked when she finally laid eyes the destruction she had wrought.
That poor window and all this antique furniture are ruined.
***
Twilight grudgingly supported the general while they walked out of the main Council Chamber. Standing in the large hall were two unicorns. One had a blue grey-coat and white mane with a fine tea set cutie mark, and the other had a light grey coat and an unfurled scroll as her mark.
Twilight tried to block the view of the Council Chambers. “Hello, Bright Herald and Porcelain Pot. Would you excuse me? I’m very busy.” The doors slowly closed behind her.
Apparently, they had already seen inside. “What the hay happened in there? Do we need to get more guards?” one of them asked.
“Uhhhh...no. No! Everything is fine. Yeap, it’s all fine. We were just, well...” Twilight looked at the General for an alibi, but he looked as though he were going unconscious. His eyes were rolling back and having a hard time focusing. “We were just...sparring. He, the General here, insisted that he test his new squad’s combat effectiveness.” Her ear twitched as a groan from one of the fallen ponies escaped the council chamber. I hope they didn’t hear that. Twilight smiled widely.
The court announcer was not convinced. “Riiiight, because fighting a goddess is totally fair.”
...and I couldn’t just send you to the moon for talking like that. Actually, I don’t know how to do that. Better add it to my list just in case.
“He also said he wanted to test me to make sure I would be ready for an attack. This way we could complete both tasks at once.” She kept her toothy grin and tried to sidestep the pair. Bright Herald stepped in the way. I wonder if royalty in other parts of Equestria is this weird? Maybe I should work for them. “Whatever. I just need help planning this huge party. There is a lot more to planning this sort of event than I thought. Porcelain Pot reminded me that there are allergy concerns, seating for the feast, musicians to hire, the list goes on and on...Is he going to be okay?”
Twilight looked over just in time to see the general collapse on his face and quickly picked him off the floor. While the two unicorns were still staring at their princess, she flew over their heads to land near the doors. Before she left she yelled back, “Right, the party. Just get Pinkie Pie to help you. She’s really good at this sort of thing.” Twilight fled to the hospital wing.
Porcelain Pot scratched her chin. “Pinkie Pie, Pinkie Pie...oh! She’s the Element of Laughter. I’m sure she will be a great help. What could go wrong?”
“Uh, miss serving mare, were you even here during the Gala?”
“True, miss snooty court announcer, but Celestia apparently liked that disaster.”
“Royalty is weird. Let’s send a letter to Pinkie then,” Bright Herald said in exasperation.
***
After explaining the situation to the guards outside the door, Twilight briskly made her way to the hospital wing. The guards followed her, despite her insistence that she would be fine. Double Edge lay across one of the guard’s back, unconscious.
Her mind was rushing with thoughts as fast as her hooves clacked across the polished floors.
I could send a letter to Celestia, but then she would want to leave Ponyville, and that would leave the town defenseless. Not to mention my friends would get suspicious of her. If I tell Shining right now, he might freak out and get attention from the General, but not telling him now could be bad too. He may know the best way to deal with this sort of threat. No, it looks like I can’t risk telling them until I know exactly what’s going on. I have to handle this for now. I’ll start with a mental checklist of what I do-- Her thoughts were interrupted as she collided horn-first with the wooden door of the medical wing. One of the guards following beside her suppressed a chuckle while checking if she was alright.
A nurse answered the door, prying at it with her magic to get it to budge. It opened slowly with a scuffling of hooves. The nurse stared at the alicorn with her horn embedded into the door. “Nice to see you, Your Highness. Have you finally decided not to skip your yearly checkup?”
Twilight waved off the guard and the nurse. “What? No, General Double needs attention,” she said as she flailed a foreleg toward the guard carrying the knocked out stallion. Why would Celestia avoid checkups? She’s ruining this poor hospital’s schedule.
The nurse looked from the alicorn to the beaten stallion. “How exactly did this--”
“I’ll explain. Just give me a second here,” Twilight said as she tried to pull her horn from the door. She had to brace both of her front hooves on the door. Eventually, Twilight weaseled her way free, at the expense of face planting on the marble floor.
“Never mind, it's my job to heal ponies, not stick my horn in other pony's business.” The nurse directed the guard carrying Double Edge to a room. He was set on a bed, and she began a magical scan for injuries. After a few moments she spoke. “Judging by his wounds, he should be up and about in a few days. Does anypony else need medical attention, Your Highness?”
“Um, there are nine or so injured guards in the main Council Chamber,” Twilight said with her ears slightly back and a light blush.
The head nurse organized some staff and sent them off to pick up the others. After roaming around preparing the rooms, the nurse noticed Twilight following her around. “Your Highness, if you would be so kind as to leave and give us space to work. If you mean to speak to the General, you should come back tonight.”
“Right, sorry Miss.” Twilight left the General’s room and took a seat in the lobby. She gripped the edge of the red seat cushion and rocked slowly forward and back. So if I can’t tell anypony just yet, how can I get the city prepared? I could start by upgrading security, but I don’t know which guards are with the general and which ones I can trust. At least I can trust Shiny. That’s a start!
Twilight bolted up and left to find the Captain. If I can change him back and get Cadence off of his back, then he can do a better job protecting everypony. He is doing his own investigation on the General after all.
***
Due to the immensity of knowledge held in the Canterlot archives, it only made sense that large portions of its writings were placed in chambers below ground. Sections A-J took up the surface wings, while K-Z took up a catacomb of underground cavities. These original tunnels of the lower levels were said to have been burrowed out by the Princess of the Night herself. It is said that she teleported the rock out of the mountain to build parts of the city of Canterlot itself. That is at least what the ponies who work to construct the new caverns in order to accommodate the ever expanding knowledge of Equestria have been known to say.
The chandeliers high above flickered with their magic flames. The silvery magelight reflected off of the yellow cream colored marble of the arched ceiling and walls. By the time the lighting reached the ground, it was just bright enough to make out the titles of texts. The only good reading light was provided by the lamps on the small tables and desks spread throughout the archives. Two voices could be heard in the ‘T’ section of the magical tombs.
“I still can’t believe Celestia has read all the books in the archives. I mean, imagine how long that would take me.” Twilight said while carefully floating a book back to its place. She didn’t even give a second thought to seeing a golden glow instead of a light red around the book's cover. Books were really what she needed to distract herself from her earlier ‘meeting’.
“Have you found something yet?” an anxious feminine voice echoed off of the surrounding bookshelves. The words were quickly lost in the long dark halls.
“If you haven’t noticed, there are a lot of books in here,” Twilight said biting tone while indicating the wall of scripts on the shelf beside her. “Besides, why are you so antsy...besides looking like that? Heh heh.”
“I think I’m actually sorta getting used to looking like this.”
“Really?” Twilight dropped a book on the floor. “Also, who are you borrowing those clothes from?”
“What these? Well, after you left me to go to that meeting and I was hit on by some guards, I actually went to work, well sort of.” Shining hesitated a bit. “After accidently trying to go into the colt’s room at the barracks for the second time, Morning Star and some of her friends thought I was trying to make a statement or something. Next thing I know, we're all on a shopping spree together. Do you think I look good in this yellow?” Shining wore a set of yellow dyed leather armor. “What? She thought it could boost my confidence as a female leader.”
Twilight just stared. “We really need to find a book to change you back.” She returned to the search. “What has you so worried?”
“I’m worried about the imminent threat of my angry mare friend who happens to be one of the three most powerful beings I know of.”
“Oh, right,” Twilight frowned a little, but a small smile formed on her white muzzle. “At least I happen to be one of those powerful beings. Besides, down here is one of the most secure places in the castle. Celestia and I even hid from you down here on a couple occasions.” She continued to pull out more books then carried them to a nearby table. Twilight looked over to Shining and gave a reassuring smile. "Don't worry so much." Because Celestia doesn’t know how much I’m worrying already.
“Maybe you’re right. It does seem pretty safe...and my super smart sister can handle anything, especially with Her Majesty’s abilities. Speaking of handling things, I can’t believe the General challenged you to a sparring match with his squad.” Shining said.
Twilight swallowed hard. Oh no, he can’t figure out the truth! “What...what do you mean?”
“He always brags about how good his personal troops are becoming. Boy, I wish I had been there to laugh in his bruised face. From what I hear, you kicked his flank pretty bad.”
“Well, it’s not really fair when you wield my kind of power,” and you lose control of your rage and are supplied by the magic of two suns... and are nearly indestructible... Twilight started to drift off into one of her tangents, not noticing she had removed and replaced the same book three times already.
“Hey!” Twilight yelped with surprise.
Shining had pounced on Twilight’s back and started rubbing her ethereal mane with a hoof. Shining had to put some effort into the leap, considering Celestia's back stood a lot taller than the average pony.
“You may have Celestia’s body and magic, but she would have seen that a mile away.” Shining laughed as he continued to mess up her mane and tickle her sides.
"I’m not in the mood! Hee hee ha...don't...stop!" she gasped.
“What was that? ‘Don’t stop’? Okay.”
Twilight couldn't stand anymore and collapsed to the stone floor in a laughing fit. The royal tiara slid off her forehead and bounced along the floor. The metal clinking sound grew quieter as it bounced out of sight. How does Celestia keep that thing on her head without gluing it there?
“I’ll get that, your highness,” Shining said as he darted between some shelves.
Twilight was left on the ground with a stomach ache and panting with exhaustion while the pink pony pranced after the tiara.
Maybe she's right. I have nothing to worry about, but why do I get this feeling something is wrong? Shining pushed the thoughts away and chuckled quietly to himself. Wow, this thing really rolled a long way.
Having caught her breath, Twilight caught up to her temporary sister. "Did you find it?"
"No, I thought it would be somewhere around here...Is it just me, or is it kinda dark here?" Shining asked, noticing the chandeliers above them were out.
Twilight and Shining proceeded into the darkness with caution. Shining lit his horn and took point. Once or twice, Shining could have sworn she heard the swish of wings above them.
"Dark and creepy if you ask me. Let's just get the stupid thing and get out of here."
The pair heard a snort from the darkness followed by a sinister voice. "Looking for this?" the voice bellowed before Celestia's tiara slid into the light, skidding to a halt at the sun goddess's hooves.
Shining took a defensive stance before the princess. "Who goes there? I demand that you show yourself!"
"Oh, how cute. How the mighty have fallen. He really does make a cute mare, doesn't he?" The stranger pounced into the light, revealing a dark alicorn with a celestial mane and tail.
"It can't be..." Twilight fell speechless.
"That's right. Nightmare Moon is back to get revenge on you." The wicked mare gave a toothy grin and slashed out with a dark blade of magic.
“Run!” Shining screamed, and the two galloped deeper into the depository of knowledge.
They took turn after turn, never looking back.
“Why is everypony out to get me today?”
“Now you know how I feel,” said Shining. They rushed by more shelves, but Shining risked a glance at his sister. “What do you mean ‘everypony?’”
Twilight cringed, but her brother couldn’t see her face in the low light. “Never mind, just keep running!” How could Nightmare Moon be back? Why would Luna betray her sister again? How would Double Edge have done it?
The pair of fleeing ponies chanced a look back and noticed wherever their pursuer passed the lights went dark. A cackling yell rolled out over them.
“I’LL TEAR APART THIS WHOLE LIBRARY IF I HAVE TO, CELESTIA!”
Twilight stopped in an open reading area with many chairs and tables blocking a quick escape.
“Twily, we have to go!” Shining feebly tried to pull the Princess along, but Celestia’s petrified body was too strong.
“I can’t let her destroy a single book! COME AND GET ME!”
The dark alicorn appeared in a blur and tackled Twilight to the floor. Before Shining could raise a hoof, he was whisked up in Nightmare’s magic and held down next to his sister.
“Any last words before I destroy you?” The mare of darkness said as she pointed her horn at Celestia's face.
None of this makes any sense! Luna was just fine yesterday. Now that I think about it...
Twilight cocked her head. “Cadence, is that you?”
“What? No, of course I’m not that little, pink alicorn.”
Twilight narrowed her gaze. “Luna always speaks in old Equestrian, the lights were being put out by a basic extinguishing spell, not dark magic, and why didn’t you use your incorporeal form to chase us?”
“Fine, you just had to ruin my fun, didn’t you?” The dark pony pulled down a well-hidden zipper to reveal the head of a pink alicorn with a pink, purple, and yellow mane. “The real question is; who are you, really?” Cadence pressed down on Celestia’s shoulders. “If you are Celestia, then why are you trying to take my Shiny away? Don’t tell me you’re just playing some cruel game!”
“I already told you I’m not interested in him. He’s my brother for pony’s sake!” Twilight huffed and then covered her mouth.
Cadence let go of the pair and held her head in her hooves. She pulled up a chair with her magic and laid over it on her back. “I’m, getting a headache. If that were true, which I’m not saying it is, that would make you Twilight Sparkle.” A warm smile appeared on her face as she turned away. Could this really be Twilight Sparkle, my favorite little filly? That would explain your recent concern for the well-being of literature.
“If I were to believe you, how do explain why you two were so close together at the hospital or your shoe on the messy floors of your chamber.”
Shining whispered to Twilight. “Are you sure it is a good idea to tell her the truth? You could just say it was a joke or something.”
“Yes. It’s the only way to get her off your case. Celestia never said I couldn’t tell Cadence.”
“Well, Auntie Sparkle, I’m waiting.” Cadence turned back towards them and tapped her hoof impatiently.
A new set of hoofsteps signaled a visitor was coming. The two alicorns and pink unicorn turned their heads in anticipation.
The newcomer studied the scene carefully. There was Celestia, which was normal. Then there was a pink unicorn next to her that looked very nervous. In front of them, the head of Cadence stuck out of a dark-haired costume that closely resembled the wicked mare of darkness. Cadence sure doesn’t seem happy about something. “What exactly is going on around here?” All eyes turned to the little purple unicorn in the room. “Why is everypony looking at me like that, and why is Cadence dressed like Nightmare Moon?”
Twilight was the first to speak. “What are you doing here? I thought you were in Ponyville.”
“What, your most faithful student can’t come on a surprise visit?” She said with her ears tilted back.
“I suppose if Celestia is really Twilight then...this Twilight is actually Celestia, and you two were switched in some freaky accident.” Cadence chuckled in disbelief.
The Sun Princess and new guest shared a look. Twilight said “yes,” while the purple pony said “no.”
“Oh ho ho, Cadence laughed. “It looks like Twilight isn’t going to play along in your little prank, Celestia.”
“I can prove I’m Twilight.” She cleared her throat. “Sunshine, sunshine, ladybugs awake. Clap your hooves and do a little shake.” Twilight finished with shaking Celestia’s rear in the air. Shining couldn’t help letting out a chuckle at seeing the princess do her little shake.
Cadence huffed “Celestia could know that. You’re going to have to do better than that.” She closed in on Twilight, only to be cut off by a purple unicorn.
“Let me put this in a way that Twilight, at least, will understand. I am what she called project 352.”
Wait that would mean... “I broke Celestia’s law.” She backed up a few steps, before falling to her haunches with a blank stare.
The copy approached its creator. “Actually, it was Celestia’s fault that I exist, so technically, Celestia broke her own law. You are Celestia, so you can just pardon yourself. You didn’t intend to create a sapient being anyway.”
“This is too strange.” Twilight backed up slowly as if this pony before her were a menacing beast.
“How do you think I feel about all this?”
Twilight said nothing and backed further away, but her double didn’t halt her advance.
“When I saw you, or rather, Celestia in Ponyville, I thought I was Twilight.” She said as she pointed a hoof to her chest. Twilight Sparkle...Celestia’s best student, Element of Magic, Friend of Applejack and the girls, but no!” she nearly shouted.
Twilight glanced behind her when her back hit one of the large shelves. Her mouth opened and closed, unable to say anything. Her only choice was to hope they would finish what they wanted to say and go. The copy did no such thing and was now standing right before the cowering alicorn.
“None of this is really mine. My memories are just a copy of yours.” The duplicate slammed a hoof above her collapsed creator, but immediately regretted it. Twilight lay scrunched up to the base of the shelf with her eyes shut tight.
Her voice dramatically dropped in volume and anger. “I’m...I’m just a copy of you. I’m nopony.” The artificial mare sank to her rump and started weeping.
Twilight still had her eyes shut expecting some attack, but it never came. All she heard were strangely familiar sobs. Twilight couldn’t just stand there and watch her cry. She rushed up and hugged her look alike. “You’re not just a copy. You can choose to do whatever you want. I’ll make sure of that. I can draw up new laws and everything.” Twilight scratched her chin. “I’ll need to make a checklist of the supplies I need. I'll need a lot of paper and ink!”
Cadence joined in on the embrace. This must really be Twilight, always seizing the chance to make a new list. “She’s right. I don’t quite understand what’s happening, but if you are half as determined as the Twilight I know, you can become your own mare.”
Shining joined into the strange embrace. He broke the silence first. “Hey, she stopped crying. Are you feeling better now, because this is really weirding me out?”
“I feel a little better, but I mostly stopped because my saline tank just ran out.”
The Goddess of Love dressed as Nightmare, the student in her teacher’s body, the magical mishap, and the stallion turned mare, all broke into fits of laughter in the dark recesses of the archives. The construct broke in. “I don’t mean to be rude, but who is this mare anyhow?”
Twilight settled out of her laughter. “I, uh, was trying to hide Shining from Cadence, so I did this. The problem is, I don’t know a counter spell.”
She gave her a second more critical look. “That just raised many more questions. You mean this is Shiny?” Twilight nodded in embarrassment. The copy pointed and laughed at the pink mare and was soon joined by the others.
“Ha, ha, everypony laugh at poor old Shiny. So, let me get this straight so far. Twilight created a magical robot--”
“Magical construct.” The two bookworms corrected at once.
“--construct, whatever.” I thought one Twilight was a hooffull. “So, Twilight created...you, and it was somehow Celestia’s fault that you became a ‘sapient being,’ which means...?”
“Basically, it means the ability to think abstractly about things, instead of having animal instincts,” both Twilights said simultaneously.
“Right. I just get sapient and sentient mixed up all the time.” Shining let out a large sigh. “Okay, and you somehow figured out that Celestia and Twilight switched minds and came here to ask some questions? By the way, we need something better to call you than ‘project 352’.”
“That does about sum it up. As for a name...” The experiment scratched her chin. “I got it! You can call me Sparks.”
Twilight tapped the side of her head for a few moments then clapped her hooves together. “I get it! That stands for Sapient Pony Automaton Replica of Knowledge Seeking right?!”
Sparks shook her head. “No, I just liked the sound of it. You must be the more eggheaded version of the two of us.”
“Great, you must be the more snarky one,” Twilight said sarcastically.
Shining and Cadence watched the two go from fighting with each other to trading theories about how Sparks came to be, and then they lost interest or hope of understanding what the magical prodigies were talking about. Cadence finally came up to the two. “Could I please get an explanation of what has been going on and why my little plum is running the country?”
“I've got my own questions as well,” said Sparks, now standing with a quill and paper.
The group took seats around one of the tables, and all shared their side of the past few days. Twilight told them everything, minus the real reason behind her fight with the general.
“Oh, so that explains where this came from.” Cadence unsheathed a long sword from under the table, and everypony backed up. “I guess I overreacted a little. I’m sorry I chased you around Canterlot with a sword. It’s funny how many of these I've handled lately.” She paused to swipe the blade through the air a few times. “Maybe I’ll hold onto this one,” Cadence said after sheathing the weapon and putting it back under the table.
Shining chuckled awkwardly. “I would say I’ve had worse, but it’s hard to top being chased by a goddess with a claymore. I think I see where Twily learned some of her more impulsive tendencies.”
“Does that mean you don’t forgive me?” Cadence frowned; her ears folded back slightly.
Shining nuzzled the Love Princess. “Of course I do honey. I am curious what you planned to do to us when you caught up with us though.”
“Well, I honestly hadn’t planned much farther than following my blind rage, but I was thinking along the lines of making Celestia fall madly in love with a toilet or some other inanimate object and cursing you to be stuck as a mare forever. Funny huh?” Cadence forced out a small laugh.
“Yeah, a barrel of laughs. Shining rolled his eyes. “Wait, if you know how to keep me stuck like this, then you must know a counter spell right? When did you learn that kind of magic?” Shining’s voice cracked in her excitement and she clasped her hooves over her mouth.
“Well, you know...being the Princess of Love brings up a lot of...interesting situations between ponies and--”
“Great! Then you can change me back, and I can finally be a normal stallion. Hit me with your best shot.” Shining closed his eyes and waited in anticipation.
“You seem pretty eager. Was being a mare that bad?
Shining opened her eyes when nothing was happening. “Well, there was one advantage. It was like being under cover. I learned that when I’m not around, half the guard slack off and act unprofessional. Other than that, I was getting tired of all the petty gossip and talking about stallions and clothes. Now, why don’t you change me back?” She closed her eyes again in anticipation.
Cadence gave Shining a stern look. “So, all you did while you were a mare was manipulate ponies, and you think that all girls are interested in is clothing, gossip, and colts?”
“Sure, a lot of them anyway.” The captain opened his eyes to an unamused Cadence. “I mean some of them--”
Cadence clasped a hoof over his pink muzzle. “The next words that come out of your mouth better be good. It just so happens that somepony checked out all the books that could have helped you. You better think carefully, honey bunch.”
Uh...uh...horse apples. I just had to open my big trap. “You look kinda hot in that Nightmare Moon costume?”
Cadence didn’t break eye contact for a few moments and just stared at Shining. “Well played, well played.” Shining Armor’s body and Cadence’s horn glowed with magic. Cadence grabbed the pink unicorn into a tight embrace, and when the light show was over, they were still locked in a kiss. The captain was finally his alabaster self.
Twilight and Sparks turned away at the same time. “Well!” Twilight said a bit too loudly, clearing her throat. “Now that you have a name and independence, what are you going to do?” Twilight’s eyes lit up. “We could be the best study buddies ever! You already know the library and everything.”
“As tempting as that is, ponies might find it weird. Besides, what would Spike think with two of us around? The two shared a knowing look. “I haven't seen much outside Equestria, so I was thinking I would take the next trade ship out to Zebrica.”
“Oh, I guess that makes sense.” Twilight looked a little disappointed. “You have to promise me you'll send me lots of reports about your travels.”
“Well, you know, that’s like a given. I assume you want those in standard twenty-five page scientific journal format, right? You will have to keep me updated on Ponyville as well.”
Twilight nodded with a smile. “The next trade ship to Zebrica is not due till the end of next week. You could at least stick around till after the big party.”
“Yeah, I was just down at the docks. Since I apparently don’t have to eat or sleep, I thought I’d stick down here a while and do some reading,” Sparks said with obvious excitement in her slightly artificial voice.
“Aww, that’s no fair. Hey, stupid body, why do you need food?” Twilight joked then her eyes went wide “Wait, does Celestia need to eat?”
“That’s a good question. I thought I’d also stick around to help solve some other ‘general’ issues around here." She looked at Twilight seriously. “If you know what I mean,” Sparks said quietly.
How does she know about Double Edge?
Before Twilight could answer, she was interrupted by Shining Armor’s hoof on her withers. “Twily, I don’t think the dance floor could handle that much horrible dancing, let alone Celestia’s public image.”
“What? Is Celestia some sort of dancing master?” Sparks asked.
“You'd be surprised,” he said.
“Miss Sparkle would be surprised of what?” Luna said as she appeared from behind some shelves. “We have been looking all over for you, sister. We were checking some of the tax records and were curious as to what a ‘night club’ was. We are pleased there are so many of these establishments dedicated to the night. Seeing as we are the Princess of the Night, we thought it appropriate to gain membership into some of these establishments. We welcome you and your student to the Eclipse club tonight. It shall be a most joyous time,” she said, wings flaring slightly in her excitement.
***
Obviously I have to do something, but if I do, then I risk the safety of everypony. Once I have figured out his exact plans, then I can gather help to stop him. He has his own small army, and who knows what that griffin Swift Claw is up to. The worst part is, Luna could be with him, but I can’t believe that just yet. Twilight sighed. I wish Celestia was here.
Everypony had left the library. Even Sparks had gone off to some far-off portion of the towers of knowledge. Twilight was surrounded by stacks of books at a little desk, but for the first time in a while, it wasn’t bringing her happiness. Celestia’s form had her head laid on the desk in her hooves. She lifted her head at the sound of approaching hoofsteps, ready to defend herself if needed.
She relaxed as Cadence strode up next to her. The pink alicorn took a seat on the bench and scooted in close. She lay a hoof on Twilight’s shoulder. “What has you so worried?”
“Oh, nothing, really. I’m just doing more research to do a good job filling in for Celestia,” Twilight said as she leaned over a book on chaos magic.
“Looking over the country doesn't sound like nothing, but something tells me that still isn’t it. You may have grown a lot since I was your foal sitter, but I can still tell when you’re lying.” This drew a smile from Twilight, just as Cadence had hoped.
“Is that supposed to be some sort of joke now that I’m like this?” The librarian fluttered her wings a little.
“Something like that. You have grown a lot in many ways since I took care of you. Celestia often talks about you with me. Sometimes she wishes you were here to answer some of her own problems.”
Twilight’s white cheeks flushed red. She looked up at her old foal sitter. “She does?”
“We may be long-lived and powerful, but we aren't all-knowing. Celestia practically had to force herself to read many of these books, but she knows you would jump at the chance to do so. You’re a smart, little unicorn, but you don’t have to handle this on your own. Just because Celestia didn’t want you to tell Luna what happened, doesn’t mean you can’t let me help. Shining is here for you too.”
Twilight started to feel a little better. She’s right. I can’t do this alone, but I can’t risk telling them, can I? “Actually, I was wondering if you might know why Celestia would want to hide this from Luna in the first place.”
“I wondered that at first, but I think I understand. You see, when you live as long as an alicorn, memories of things tend to stay around for a very long time. Any mistake will be on our record. Of course the average pony will eventually forget or pass, but grudges between those sisters can go on for decades, centuries even.”
“You mean they fight with each other? I don’t want to be in the middle of that,” Twilight said, voice rising in pitch and volume.
“Well, of course they fight sometimes, but what I meant was more of a friendly competition sort of thing. For example, Luna is responsible for Celestia’s multicolored mane.”
“What, did she lose a bet or something?” Twilight asked. Cadence nodded. “I don’t think I fully understand. Are you saying Celestia would be embarrassed if Luna found out?”
“Exactly. After so years of existence, their little competition has turned into a complicated game of sorts. One that, even after all this time, I still have problems keeping track of the rules. The last time I asked, there were at least three thousand and fifty-two rules to the game.”
Twilight scrunched her face. “That sounds ridiculous.”
“That’s what I've been telling them for years, but, in a way, you have to respect it. I think Celestia actually doesn’t know how to switch you two back, and she thinks Luna would hold it over her head in one of their crazy rules.”
“Do you really think Luna would do something like that? You mean I’m stuck in some literal cosmic chess game here?” Celestia’s student cocked an eyebrow. “Playing a game that spans many centuries while balancing the responsibilities of the Kingdom seems like a bad idea.”
“There could be more to why Celestia wants it a secret. That was just my best guess. Just think of what her subjects would think of her. Think of how different they might treat you when this is all over. Don’t tell me you haven't had your competitive moments with Shining.”
“True.” If only my biggest worries were just games right now.
“Shining and I are going out to dinner soon. I’ll see you later, my little plum.” Cadence left after giving Twilight a peck on the forehead.
***
Dear Princess Celestia...
After a moment of holding the letter, the greeting changed.
Dearest Twilight,
I have had a very enlightening experience as the Element of Magic. Things are relatively calm in Ponyville right now. I think it is about time I made my way back to Canterlot to work on a solution to our little problem. I am so proud of what you have done so far. I am sure you have made Luna very happy. Maybe I will be able to get there in time for this little party I have heard about. Pinkie told me she was finally invited.
I look forward to seeing you, my most faithful student.
Princess Celestia
Twilight burned the letter at the sound of rustling in the hospital bed before her. General Double bolted awake, causing Twilight to flinch. “You’ll have to be much more sneaky to get the drop on me. I heard you were in the library with the Guard Captain, Cadence, Luna, and your dear student. You better not get any bright ideas.”
“No, no. We were just...planning for the big party tomorrow. How, how did you know I met with them?” Does he know who I really am? This is bad.
“One of my stallions saw them exit the library before you did a while later. You expect me to believe you still plan on throwing a party while my plans are unfolding? I guess it doesn’t matter if you were planning to stop me. You know what’s at stake if you do.”
Twilight breathed an internal sigh of relief that at least he didn’t know who she really was. “You said not to interfere and act as if all was normal. If I cancelled the party now, it would look suspicious. If you do succeed, I may as well have my fun.” You won't succeed. I won’t let you.
General Double smiled. “I’m glad to see you understand, but just in case, I’ll be having two of my soldiers watching you from now on. The only freedom you will get is in your dreams.”
“In my dreams you say?” Twilight muttered under her breath.
“What was that, esteemed princess, you were mumbling?”
“Oh, nothing. Get well soon.” Because this isn’t over yet, you big jerk.
“Farwell, Your Highness.”
Before she left, Twilight slipped the general a long scroll that spilled over the end of the bed. “By the way, General, this is for you.”
“What’s this?”
Twilight’s smile was sickeningly sweet. “It’s all the charges for repairing the main council chamber and the medical bills for all your guards. I told them you requested the sparring match between me and your forces, so the damages were charged to your name here. We all have our roles to play in this, General.”
***
To Be Continued