//------------------------------// // 62. Loss by Knight of Cerebus // Story: The Sun and the Stars: A Twilestia Prompt Collab // by Fuzzyfurvert //------------------------------// by Knight of Cerebus *** The stars were dim tonight. Twilight was sitting near her telescope, her Element of Magic cradled in her forearms. A knock on the door was not enough to snap Twilight out of her stupor. "It's open." Celestia walked towards Twilight, concern in her eyes. "I never really thought about what it meant. To be immortal, I mean. I could handle living past my friends, since they were okay with it, you know. I-I didn't imagine what the Elements would do to protect themselves, though." Celestia trotted to the anguished pony, a gentle hoof outstretched. "Twilight..." "I-I mean, their accepting looks and glares when I-I had to help them bury their kids, I was okay with that. A little. But this. I can't do it, Tia, I can't." She swallowed, a quivering sob racking her body. "I thought, you know, being just like you would be great. I thought that being the hero meant having a happy ending. I never wanted a title, or power or fame. I just wanted ponies to love me...you know, like I could never love myself? I guess I thought that would make up for it. Mostly you, once you showed up. It's funny, how you never bothered to corner me about my crush. Maybe you should have." Twilight gave a bitter laugh. "Maybe I should have just gotten counselling. Maybe then I wouldn't have ruined a bunch of lives for nothing." Twilight whipped her head around, tears streaming from her eyes. "I'm really stupid." The Element of Magic cracked, black shadows flowing forth from it. Black shades of magic enclosed Twilight, repelling Celestia to the edge of the balcony. The shadows closed their form, the Element shattered into inert rock, and a draconic, sneering eye opened. "Twilight!"