Take Seven: Truth
Twilight awoke and rubbed her eyes. A strong headache came over her and she looked around her side of the bed.
"W-what happened?" Twilight asked. Moving her hoof, she noticed somepony else was in the bed with her. Gulping she turned slowly. The silk blanket covered the body, but Twilight noticed a horn. The rising sun broke light into the room, giving Twilight a glimpse at the color. It was pink.
Oh Celestia. This couldn't be…Cadence? I…I slept with her? I…I don't recall anything about last night! All I remember is…
"Morning, Twily," Cadence used her magic to lift the blanket down, revealing her face. Twilight noticed an unusual glint in her eyes, like…like she was a different pony. But…she was the same. And Twilight could tell she wasn't a changeling. Speechless, Twilight only gaped at her sister-in-law, who gazed at her with seductive eyes.
"That's okay if you don't want to speak, but…you don't have to call me your sister anymore. Not after what I did anyways," Cadence said with a sigh. Twilight kept her gape, but could feel her heart beat faster.
I thought I just slept with her like we used to when I was scared! This…this can't be possible. Celestia, this is so wrong!
"C-Cadence, listen, I…I don't know what happened last night, but-"
"Hush, Twily," Cadence said as she put her hoof to Twilight's mouth. The pink alicorn moved to Twilight's ear. The lavender mare could feel her warm breath settling through the coat and onto her skin. "This little thing that happened last night…is our dirty little secret. Tell Celestia or Luna, and I'll tell Rarity you cheated," Cadence said slowly. It made Twilight's heart beat faster.
"You…you wouldn't dare! I'm not even with her! I don't even know what happened last night!"
"That's weird. I remember everything. Well, I guess your my dirty little secret, then," Cadence giggled softly. Twilight looked at Cadence.
"You can't be Cadence. She would never have made me…Mmf!" Twilight was interrupted by a kiss to the lips. Cadence gently kissed her, and made it feel like an eternity. Twilight struggled to get away, but failed. The princess of love overpowered her with a kiss. How…original.
Cadence…I told you I liked you…that you were the reason I liked mares. Did you act upon me last night only to make me happy? Or was it for a reason of your own?
Cadence broke the kiss and smiled.
"I'm not lesbian, but…I liked everything. It was new, and fun. If only you remembered some of it. Then I wouldn't have been your first kiss,"
Twilight covered her mouth with two hooves and blushed a bright red.
"Is there something wrong, Twily?"
Twilight turned a pink, and lowered her hooves, and swung herself off the bed. She used her magic to pick up a brush and fixed her messy mane. Twilight put the brush down with a sad sigh.
"You…you knew I liked Rarity, and that I didn't have my first kiss yet," The lavender mare said sorrowfully. Cadence looked away from Twilight, to the stained glass windows on Twilight's side of the bed.
"I…"
"No!" Twilight shouted angrily. "You…you caused enough damage,"
"She doesn't know a thing. And you liked it!"
"Why would I like whatever you did to me last night?"
"Because you said it!"
"Said what?"
"That at a time you liked me, that I was the cause of your feel-" Cadence lost her breath and began coughing, bringing Twilight's immediate attention.
"Cadence?" Twilight asked as she turned around. "Oh my-" Twilight gasped when she saw blood on the pillows from Cadence's coughing. Cadence was shuddering, eyes half-opened. "Guards! Guards!" Twilight yelled. Twilight moved her attention back to Cadence, who shakily moved her hoof to Twilight's mane. She gently smiled.
"Thank you…Twilight…last night…was one of the best in my life…I love you…"
"No, Cadence!" Twilight shouted.
***
Rarity awoke with a yawn. The rays of the sun broke into the room, bringing bright color to everything they touched. Before she could get off her bed, the white unicorn heard hoofsteps scatter past her door. It sounded like the whole town had come in.
"Can't a pony have some peace and quiet?!" Rarity shouted. Her door was swung open by magic, and two guards stepped in.
"Lady Rarity, we apologize," The dark-coated colt said. Guards continued to pass by the room and Rarity gasped.
They're heading to Twilight's room! That can't be good!
"It's Cadence. It appears she…passed out, but she coughed up blood. We reckon its some sort of spell, but…it might be a sickness too,"
Rarity gave a sigh of relief when she heard it wasn't Twilight, but swung herself quickly out of bed. Her mane was in perfect condition, regardless of sleeping on her bed.
"Take me to the room,"
"I'm sorry, but you must stay in your room for the time being,"
"I said take me. NOW!" Rarity demanded with a stomp of her hoof. The two guards sheepishly looked at each other and gulped, The dark coat took in a deep breath and swallowed the sudden fear of Rarity.
"V-very well, Lady Rarity. This way,"
The two colt guards galloped with Rarity through the beautifully sculpted hallways of Canterlot Palace. Each stained glass window told a story like they usually did, whilst some were just stained iridescently, giving an array of rainbow color to the hallway.
Oh, Twilight. Why was Cadence even in your room?
Rarity and the guards finally reached the hallway where everypony had gathered in a huge crowd around. Each hung their heads as Cadence's body was magically placed on a rolling bed.
"Take her to the doctor immediately!" Celestia's voice shouted. Rarity moved to the side and felt time slow as she gazed upon Princess Cadence's face. Shining was right by her side. Rarity could see fear and pain in his eyes.
"Don't worry, sweetheart. Hang in there! I'll be with you all the way!"
Rarity quickly turned from the situation and made her way past the guards to the next center of attention. Celestia was looking down at Twilight with blank emotions. Rarity could not tell if the goddess princess was upset or sad. Her eyes told nothing. And usually anypony could tell how another pony was feeling through the eyes. After all, it was the gateway to the soul.
"Celestia, I swear I don't know what happened. I'm telling the honest truth," Twilight was looking down, tears at her eyes. Rarity continued to push her way through the guards and finally got a front row seat.
"There's something you're not telling me, Twilight. It's something Cadence told you. I want to know," Celestia said blankly. Rarity gasped.
What could Twilight have done? She couldn't have been the cause of Cadence's sickness or curse…could she? No…I know Twilight would never do such a thing. She's smart, beautiful, and very kind. She would never do anything to harm her sister-in-law.
"I…I don't know anything. Please…I'm being serious. I really don't know,"
"Then I guess your days of studying are over. You are not permitted in any library wing until you tell the truth. I am disappointed in you, Twilight," Celestia walked away, and Twilight fell apart on her words.
"I…I'm just…" Twilight sighed and went back into her room. She used her magic to close the double doors and went back to the blood-stained bed. Twilight let out a tear and curled up on the floor.
"Cadence…why did you do what you did last night? I…I remember everything now, and I had to lie to Celestia just to keep it a secret, but…"
Rarity closed her eyes and took in a deep breath.
This is it. Regardless of the situation at hoof, I need to confess. This is the only opportunity I have where both of us can reveal what we feel.
Rarity used her magic to open the doors slightly. She bit her lip nervously and stepped hoof inside the room. Slowly she closed the door, and Twilight raised her ears in response. Twilight wiped the tears off her cheeks and smiled softly.
"R-Rarity," Twilight said. "Why are you here?"
"I saw what happened, and well, I'm so sorry," Rarity said with a concerned smile. Twilight looked back at the blood stained pillows and used her magic to turn them around.
"Yeah. Listen, Rarity. Now's not the time for us to talk,"
"But I…"
"I saw you with Blueblood. It's obvious that you agreed to come to Canterlot for two reasons,"
"What?! How dare you? You know I gave up on Blueblood after the Grand Galloping Gala!"
"Yeah, says the one that was all over him like a filly and her dolls!"
Rarity gasped. "That's a…strange simile to use, but I was trying to tell you I wasn't with him like that! We were like that, and well…I…I kind of…liked it," Rarity muttered. Twilight dropped her anger and looked at Rarity curiously.
"What was that?" She asked. Rarity blushed.
"Prince Blueblood is gay, darling. He doesn't like mares," Rarity said with a smile. "In fact, his character can be quite fabulous when you get to know him. He knows fashion as good as me! He even made a design for a few dresses, but…sadly living in this palace, castle, whatever ponies want to call it, he hasn't been able to go out much,"
"W-wha?"
"It was a misunderstanding, darling, and well…I've been wanting to tell you something for a long time…something nopony would ever understand or appreciate, but…I'm the only pony who can tell you this, and be direct about it,"
"Oh, my gosh, what's happening?" Twilight asked nervously. She blushed a bright red and gulped. Rarity moved closer t Twilight and closed her eyes.
"You…you have a piece of broccoli in your teeth. I've been wanting to tell you, but I never got the chance. Here, let me get it out for you!" Rarity hesitated. She used her magic to get a toothbrush and toothpaste and quickly scrubbed Twilight's teeth. After Rarity finished, she gave Twilight a mirror.
"Wow, thanks, Rarity. They're shinier than before," Twilight said with a smile.
"Yes, darling. Clean and serene, I always say, ha, ha," Rarity said nervously. Twilight looked over Rarity, who was redder than Cadence was when a fever came over her.
"Are you feeling okay?" Twilight asked. She used her magic to put the mirror back in the bathroom. Rarity giggled nervously.
I messed up! I really messed up! I need her to feel strong about me before the Gala! If not…all my chances will be broken! Come on, Rarity! But…I already missed my chance. I'm too scared to say it. Her enchanting eyes…her beautiful personality. Even her being an egghead makes her cute to me.
"I'm just fine, dear. Thank you for being concerned,"
"Is there something else you wanted to tell me?"
"Well, I know I'm not supposed to nudge into other pony's businesses, but…I am one of your best friends. What happened with Cadence? Is she sick? Please don't tell me it was you that caused it,"
"You…you think it was my fault?" Twilight asked. Rarity could feel an edge on Twilight's voice. It was anger.
"No, no, dear. I know you didn't do it. I just feel like you're bottling something in, that's all," Rarity said with a nervous bite to her lip. Twilight shook her head.
"I…I can't tell anypony,"
"Not even one of your best friends?"
"N-no. I'm sorry,"
If Rarity finds out about what I did with Cadence, her heart will shatter. Why did I even agree to…to sleep with her? She told me to kiss her neck, and I didn't feel the same after that…like I lost myself. But I do remember everything else…I did everything like a pro…like I did it before. I even told Cadence I loved her. If I never had an innocent crush on her when I was younger…innocent crush…Spike! Where was he? I hadn't seen him for so long! Great. I'm a failure as a princess, a mother…maybe even a mare. I love Cadence…I love Rarity. Who should I pick? Cadence told me she loved me, but I could never be with her. Decisions, decisions! I hate making decisions!
"Okay, then. Want to head to my room so you can fancy some designs I brought from home?"
"Sure! Why not?"
"Oh, but…again, I'm sorry about Cadence," Rarity said, flopping her ears down with sorrow. Twilight walked with Rarity the door and looked back. She flopped her ears too and smiled.
"Cadence will be perfectly fine. I just gotta believe she will,"
***
"We're losing her!"
"No! You are not going to just let her die! She's my one and only! Surely there has to be a spell to stop this virus from spreading!"
"I'm sorry, Sir Armor, but…there's nothing else we can do,"
"Grr! Fine, then I'll do something!" Shining Armor put his horn to Cadence's and took in a deep breath. The beeping of the heart monitor began to slow, and Shining Armor moved his hoof to Cadence's. "I'll give you half my life…so that you can live yours," Suddenly Shining began to age as his magic flowed into Cadence's horn. She woke up coughing, and the monitor began to beep at a normal pace.
"You fool! That's a forbidden spell that nopony should use! It defies the laws of death and life!"
"So what…" Shining Armor steadily said. His form had aged and he was an old colt, and fell to his knees. "As long as my loving, loyal wife is alive and well…I could care less about my own. Cadence deserves to live more than I," Armor gasped when he felt Cadence move her hoof across his head.
"You gave me half of your life…but this disease still lies in me. I'm not as loyal as you…think…I'm sorry," Cadence passed out, but her monitor indicated she was still alive.
"What exactly did I…do, then?"
"You're a fool…you should have done your studies. You may have revived her heart, but until this virus strikes again…you would have wasted half your life for nothing,"
"She said she wasn't loyal…that's impossible. Cadence loves me, and is devoted. Nopony else is a candy for her eye but me,"
"Has she ever…steered you wrong?"
"No…then…I'm going to kill whoever did this to you, Cadence,"
"Nopony did this to her, Sir Armor," The doctor said as he magically went through the files of Cadence's medical history. "She was born with it. None of us were sure when it would strike. It must have been stimulated by her actions. She said she wasn't loyal to you. That, through my five experiences, is cheating,"
"So how come when we…she never got it?"
"Maybe its 'cause you're real lovers. I don't know yet, so I'll have to examine it more. Be back to me in about say…nine weeks. By then I should have the results,"
"Yes doctor," Armor got up slowly and gritted his teeth. Tears left his wrinkled eyes and fell onto Cadence's body.
Cadence…how could you?