//------------------------------// // Fall From Grace // Story: Dawn of the Harmony Corps // by MarkOfKhorne //------------------------------// The daylight broke in through the thin blinds of the window, brightening up Twilight's face. Her face crinkled from the slight discomfort as she woke up. She slowly opened her eyes but could barely make out shapes with her blurred vision. As her mind began to warm up after a long night of sleep, she rested her head on the incredibly soft pillow. She listened to the beeps to her left. Heart monitor... thought Twilight. Though her mind was foggy, she realized she was in the hospital. She lifted herself up from the hospital bed, but pain immediately surged through her head. Twilight yelped as she fell back onto the bed. "Guys! She's up!" said a familiar voice. An entire palette of colors rushed to her side. "Twi." said an orange blur, "You okay, Sugarcube? You awake?" Twilight recognized the southern accent. "Applejack? Is that you?" The farmer mare sighed with a small smile. "Yeah, Twi. How you feelin'?" "I have a headache, but other than that, I'm fine." Twilight groggily responded. She looked around to see all of her friends around her. "What happened?" "You passed out, Twilight!" Pinkie Pie said, "They said your mind went KABLOOEY! and you fell down. We were so worried!" "Really?" asked Twilight. "Yes," responded Fluttershy. "The doctors said you underwent an overwhelming mental trauma and you fainted." "We were so glad that Princess Luna was there, dear," Rarity interjected, "She caught you and took it upon herself to bring you here." "Princess Luna?" Twilight asked. Almost instantly, the memory of the previous night struck her like a lightning bolt, causing her to jolt from her bed into the air. "PRINCESS LUNA! PRINCESS CELESTIA! WHERE IS SHE?!" The surge of pain came back with a vengeance, and she collapsed onto the bed once more. Her friends tried holding her in place. "Calm down, Twilight!" said Applejack. "The doctor told us to make sure that you don't move much. It might ruin your recovery." Twilight continued fighting against their restraints, her face red with rage and her eyes full of fear. "How can you tell me to calm down?! I need to see Princess Celestia immediately!" She thrashed her legs, and her horn lit up as the furniture flew around the room. Rainbow Dash tackled Fluttershy as a flower vase flew towards her and shattered against the wall. She grabbed Twilight's head and made her look at her, her facial expression clearly showing she was angry out of concern. Rainbow Dash lashed out at the purple unicorn. "Twilight! Shut the hell up!" "Rainbow Dash!" Fluttershy said. The yell had brought Twilight back from her panicked state. Everything stood still in mid-air and then fell to the ground. Tears welled up in the mare's eyes as she recognized what she was doing. Fluttershy approached the unicorn and brought her into a hug. Rainbow Dash looked back at her friends, all of them (especially Fluttershy) reprimanding her with their eyes. Dash sighed, recomposed herself, and said "Listen, Twilight. I'm sorry for yelling. I got scared, but you need to calm down for your own good, as well as ours." She handed Twilight a tissue to wipe her tears. Twilight sat there in quiet along with her friends. "I'm sorry," responded Twilight. "I'm just too nervous right now." "We can see that," Rainbow Dash said with a small chuckle. Twilight shared a small smile at this. "Now listen Twi," Applejack said as she picked up her stetson off the ground. "I don't know why you need to see the Princess, but Princess Luna said she was going to have a press conference about the Screech soon." The Screech? Twilight thought. Is that what last night was? Almost as if on cue, the hospital room suddenly opened, and Princess Luna walked in. "Good morning," the blue alicorn said. Acknowledging her presence, everyone in the room bowed down to the Royal. "No need for the formalities, my friends," said Luna. The humble ponies stood up, but their faces reflected their confusion at such an unceremonious appearance of the Princess of the Night. She simply nodded at the ponies and turned to Twilight. "I am glad to see that you've somewhat recovered from your injuries, Twilight. I hope that you and your friends have received the best hospitality during your admission," Luna said as she smile. "However, I am not here to only offer my sympathies. I have urgent news that I need to discuss with you in private." She looked at the rest of the ponies and asked "May we please be left alone?" "Of course, Princess," Applejack said. The ponies got their belongings and shuffled out the door. "We'll be outside," Applejack said, "Just holler if you need us." As an awkward silence droned between Twilight and Luna, Luna made sure she closed the door. A blue light shone from Luna's horn as a magical aura crept onto the walls, surrounding the room in a cerulean hue. "Soundproofing spell," Luna said. "I trust your friends, Twilight, but what I'm about to say cannot leave this room. Not yet, at least. I have a lot to say, so I need you to listen whilst I brief you on the occurrings. We can talk after we're done." Twilight nodded, fearing the worst to come. "I'm sure that everything that happened last night clearly overwhelmed you. And I-" Luna said, holding back tears "-regret to inform you that what happened is true. The flare in the sky, my sister on her bedroom floor, the Courtyard of soldiers crippled in fear. All of it is true." Oh no... "The press have already dubbed the incident 'The Screech'. Not in my years have I seen anything like this. Obviously, I have not disclosed any information to the people of Equestria. Such devastating news would descend us into anarchy in one night, but the nation wants answers. To give them the slightest sense of hope, I've merely said that Princess Celestia cannot assume her duties today, but I cannot hold them off for long. My sister is alive, thankfully, but she has not awoken since. I have assembled a medical team of the best doctors across the nation to diagnose my sister, having them swear under oath to not disclose any information." Thank Harmony she's alive, but she hasn't woken up? Woken up from what? A coma? Is that even possible? "I intend to brief Equestria about the situation tomorrow evening, Twilight. I cannot withhold the truth from them any longer. That is why I am mobilizing the Royal Guard across Equestria as policing forces to maintain order after panic ensues." Martial law. This can't be good. "The reason I tell you all of this is because I am terrified of what this nation will become if just one of us sparks fear among the community. I've never told this to anyone, not even Tia. But for the first time in my life, I am frightened to the bone. Not even during my time on the moon have I felt so much dread, and being a Princess, I can't let the public know that I am afraid." You and me, both, Princess Luna... "My sister trusted in you greatly. I could see that every time I saw her face beam up after she read one of your letters. She had--has great plans for you. As my friend, I trust you, and I know that you trust me. However, I fear that Equestria might not. I fear that after I assume the great responsibility from my sister, people will rebel. I cannot have the ponies lose their faith in Harmony, so I have to do everything in my power to hold together what my sister has created." I can't let that happen either. Luna paused, giving Twilight time to comprehend everything the Princess said. The two sat in silence for awhile, fully knowing that tomorrow, the might of Equestria will be tested. Gripped by the same fear that clutched Luna tightly, Twilight turned her head towards the window. It was a bright afternoon outside. She looked down below, and she saw a mare and her foal playing in the park. The foal pranced around his mother, and their happiness in the sun left her with a bittersweet feeling. Such a happy family. I wonder if things will be the same tomorrow. As Twilight looked out of the window, Luna continued. "I need you to help me, Twilight. I am assembling a network of informants across the nation, ordered to listen among the people so that I know the sentiment of my subjects. I only want the best for them, so if my actions hurt them in any way, I need to know. I need you to be one of them, my most trusted one, in Ponyville. Since the village is settled right on the edge of the Everfree Forest, I fear that whatever sentient creatures that lurk within it may attack Equestria, so I need you to inform me if anything changes in Ponyville that might compromise the rest of Equestria." "What about my friends?" Twilight asked, not turning away. "You can continue to live your life, Twilight. However, you can never tell them about this task. Like I said, I trust them, but what I've said can never leave this room." Twilight continued looking out the window with her solemn expression saying everything she needed to say. "You do not need to do this if you don't want to," Luna reluctantly said. After her drawn-out pause, Twilight turned away from the window. Luna looked at her and witnessed the bold look in her eyes. The mare pushed her covers off and disconnected the several wires attached to her body. And she saw as her friend rolled out of bed onto her feet. She winced in pain as her legs wobbled from weakness. Luna moved to help her up, but Twilight held up a hoof, making her stop. Twilight slowly pushed up on her legs, grimacing from the surprisingly strenuous activity, but she stood her ground. As she lifted her head dauntlessly, she sighed and asked "I accept..." Luna gave a small smile, amazed at the unicorn's resolve. "But." Twilight added. Luna's smile disappeared, wondering what Twilight would like. "Yes?" "I need one thing from you, Princess Luna." Her pleading eyes betrayed her intrepid stance. "I need to see her... please." Luna's eyes widened. She had a troubled look, but reluctantly obliged. "Of course." She walked to Twilight's side, and held her close. After a bright flash, the two were gone. Twilight blinked as the two ponies reached their destination. They stood in a white chamber, and Twilight almost felt that they had escaped reality. A loud alarm went off as the room went red. A hissing sound emanated from the walls, and the ponies were sprayed with a clear substance. "Princess... what is this place?" Twilight said, puzzled. "This is a sterilization chamber, Twilight. Since my sister's ailment is so rare, we do not want to bring contaminants into the ICU." "But Princess," Twilight asked, "I've been in the medical wing several times and I've never seen anything like this." "That is because this is an underground restricted section. Apparently, my sister installed this area during my banishment in case that a Nightmare Relapse may ever fall upon me. I was baffled as you when I discovered this place, but I completely understand--and now thank--its use." The spraying stopped on cue, and the light in the room turned green as the bell dinged. After a long pause, Twilight jumped back as the giant wall in front of them opened to reveal a large facility with transparent walls. In the far distance, she could see groups of doctors performing tests in giant machines. Twilight was astounded by the science around her. She fell in a trance-like state, and Luna waved her hoof in front of her to bring her back. "I can see your enthusiasm with this place," Luna said, "but we are here with urgent matters. Follow me." Twilight walked closely behind the Princess. She felt both exhilarated and intimidated by the advanced technology. One doctor flashed different lights across a room onto a small glass slide. Another observed how a plasma-like substance vibrated within a glass box. Mesmerized by the equipment, she almost ran into Princess Luna as they reached a large vault door. She walked to Princess Luna's side, and the Royal gestured at two unicorns in hazmat suits on each side of the door. They both aimed their horns at two metal prongs at the top of the vault. As their magical aura shifted in color, a metallic clang sounded with each change. The vault slowly opened up to reveal a crowd of doctors surrounding a hospital bed. The two ponies entered the room, and the group of ponies bowed before the princess. She waved them off, and the doctors got back up. She walked to an old white mare in a lab coat. "Dr. Evergreen," Luna said, "has there been any news about my sister's condition?" "No news, Princess," said the mare. "We've tried several forms of stimuli to get the smallest of responses, but she is in a suspended state of reality. Her vitals are fine, but the activity in her brain are extremely active." "I see. May we see her in private?" asked Luna, motioning to Twilight. "Certainly," Dr. Evergreen said as she smiled at the purple unicorn. The doctors took their reports and left the room. As the vault closed behind them, Luna motioned to Twilight for her to get closer to the bed. Princess Celestia laid on the bed in a hospital gown. Her head was covered in an electrode net, and a heart monitor beeped beside her. Twilight sat at her side. Tears began welling up in her, and she rested her head on Celestia's hoof. Her sobs were muffled by the Princess. Luna stood behind, holding back her own tears as she saw her sister in that state. I never thought I'd see you like this, Princess, thought Twilight. I promise I'll do my best to make sure everything will be okay when you return. I do. The ponies stood silent in the room for a long time. This time, it was Luna's turn to break the cold silence. "I didn't want to tell you before, but I have had the guards notify your friends to leave Canterlot immediately. I hope I do not sound rude, but after tomorrow evening, no one will enter or leave Canterlot. I'm sure your friends have strong ties in Ponyville, and staying away would distress them." "I understand," whimpered Twilight. She didn't part from Celestia, but she nodded her head in understanding. Luna felt a lump in her throat. With soft sobs, she said, "Twilight. I believe we need to leave." Twilight wrapped her hooves around Celestia. Luna approached the mare and rested her hoof on her shoulder, but Twilight shook it off. Sighing, Luna continued, "Twilight. We're both going through this together: the pain, the sorrow, the regrets." Twilight turned around and looked at the blue princess with her bloodshot eyes. "I never knew that in merely two years, I'd lose my sister. Now I regret the time that I wasted away from her. I only wish she will return soon. Truth be told, I've never done anything without her help. She taught me how to raise the moon, she taught me how to lead, and she taught me how to trust. I hope that together, we can learn from her example and hold up what she held dear to her heart-" "Princess," Twilight interrupted. "I completely understand. In all my years as Princess Celestia's student, I've felt like I've stood upon her shoulders, and now that she's gone, I have to start from zero, but I just need to get my bearings. I hope with all my heart that Princess Celestia makes a fast recovery, but until then, I'll do whatever you ask of me as long as it is what is best for Equestria." "And trust me, Twilight, I will. With your help, we'll make sure that Equestria prevails." The two mares looked back at Celestia's lifeless body. Fighting the overwhelming sadness, they both bowed their heads in respect of their mentor, sister and friend. Doctor Evergreen and her team of doctors returned into the room. Evergreen looked at Twilight's red-tinted eyes. "Don't worry, Ms. Sparkle," she said with a warm smile. "We swear on our lives that the Princess will be treated with the best medical attention in the country." Twilight looked up at her and smiled weakly. Evergreen frowned, but she brought her in for a hug. Twilight sobbed briefly into her shoulder, but she mustered the courage to let go. While Princess Luna said her goodbyes to the doctors, Twilight continued walking past all of them towards the sanitation chamber. When she reached the giant door, Princess Luna flew to her side as the walls began closing. With one last gaze towards Celestia, the room went back to its white emptiness, and the flash took them away once more. They reappeared in the main station of the Canterlot Express with three ponies holding several large duffel bags. "I've set up for the train to take you to Ponyville on the double. These ponies have all of your luggage prepared and will accompany you on your travel back to Ponyville." Twilight looked at them, and their nervous, cheesy smiles. "Thank you, Princess," she said solemnly. "But if you'll allow me, I'd rather return to Ponyville by myself." "Oh," Luna said. "Very well, then. If you truly want to." She then gestured at the ponies, and they moved Twilight's bags onto the train. Luna walked beside Twilight and brought her close. "Once again, Twilight. I thank you for understanding our predicament. As I said, this might be overwhelming, but I know that you will be able to overcome anything thrown at you. Please take these," she said as she handed her a saddlebag. Twilight looked inside and found only a pen, a log, and a crystal. "These three objects have been enchanted so that anything written in the log will disappear and reappear in my personal journal. I don't exactly trust that our conversations exactly be covert if we rely on Spike." Twilight closed the bag, looking down, but Luna pushed her chin back up. "Please remember, Twilight. I am only a pen's stroke away from you at all times. If anything happens to you or anyone, do not hesitate to write." Twilight nodded, and for the first time that day, smiled genuinely. She hugged Princess Luna one last time and left for the train. Princess Luna waved her off, and her and her three servants disappeared in a beam of light. “All aboard the night train!” yelled out the old conductor of the last train back to Ponyville. Twilight sat motionless in her seat, her head against the glass of the window. The mare sat in absolute silence, deep in thought... Twilight woke up from her trance-like state. She looked back outside and hadn't realized that Luna's moon had been covered by a sheet of dark clouds. Now, she could barely see a thing through the window. She sighed. I wonder how long it will be until we get to Ponyville She looked at the bag beside her again. Talk about discrete. Twilight was seated in the back of the train, per request, and she walked to the caboose for some fresh air. Through the small window opening on the door, she saw nothing. Stepping outside, she leaned on the railing, barely able to see the trees on the side of the tracks. She closed her eyes as the cool air of the night brushed against her coat. All she could hear was the sounds of the train with the ambiance of the mountain woodlands around her. Fresh air, she thought. The softness of the air temporarily soothed her worries as a lethargic sensation coursed through her body. "Calm", she slurred, as she rested her head on the railing, fighting to keep her eyes open. Sleep began to drag Twilight into dormancy, and she did not recognize the sparks of light surrounding the train as it became engulfed by a black portal.