//------------------------------// // Chapter 101 SEQUEL-ITUS // Story: The Sun and the Stars: A Twilestia Prompt Collab // by Fuzzyfurvert //------------------------------// Sequel-itus Or Prompt 2: Prompt Harder Duty 2 originally by Goldenarbiter by Misago "Honestly", huffed Twilight, after having been successfully calmed down to coherent conversational level by Celestia's strategic application of nuzzles and kisses. "Is every last stallion around here after my rightful property?" Celestia frowned. She had managed to hold her murder-and-gelding-screaming  lover back long enough for Golden Sword to drag his unconscious subordinate (and himself) to safety , and now watched her trotting up and down in front of her, muttering about "measures to be taken". Apparently, the g-word was not off the table just yet. "Twilight, as happy as it makes me that you... care for me so much", she began quietly, blushing, "Maybe you shouldn't have told them. I mean, now they are going to be even more..." "No!" With a gaze burning with an intensity even Nightmare Moon could not match, Twilight froze Celestia mid-sentence. "In fact, we should do the opposite! Obviously, I have to reinforce my claim!" She grinned evilly. "From now on, you must have at least one of your wings around me at all times!" "Uh, Twilight..." "Whenever we see each other, you have to call me 'my sexy and most beloved Twily'!" "Twilight, listen," Celestia tried, gesturing desperately for Twilight to look behind her. "If a guard comes within ten paces of you, call me to your side and we will make out immediately!" "Twilight!" "If your sister joins us for breakfast, I will take that sauciere with strawberry frosting that you like so much, pour it all over myself and you will lick it off!" "Twilight!" Thud. Thud. "And Celestia as my witness, if my parents ever come to visit and there are any peaches around..." "Twilight! The guard replacement is here!" Twilight managed to stop her rant just long enough to look at the two unconscious armor-clad figures. She smirked. "See? There's a start." Excerpt from the "Basic Information for the Royal Canterlot Palace Guard", Chapter 1 : "...In the pursuit of duty, every member of the Royal Canterlot Palace Guard must be prepared to face adversitites: injuries, shock and psychological trauma occur on a daily basis. Sometimes, the castle might even get attacked." Breakdown 2 originally by Pearple Prose by Silver Scrolls A pristine garden full of more beauty than any place in Equestria, it drew visitors from every corner of the world. They simply wanted to bask in the beauty of the garden and the marble statue it houses. The statue was simple, no gems adorned it nor was there a plaque to mar its surface anywhere. It depicted a small unicorn with a face turned skyward. Somehow the sculptor had carved a look of strength and love into its stone features. The only mark to let one know who this unicorn had been was the cutie mark of a six pointed star surrounded by five smaller stars. Ages ago the unicorn had been the most important one to ever walk amongst the citizens of her nation but time had washed away her name and only her deeds remained. Many scholars looked at her with adoration and students of those scholars walked their academic halls trying to retrace the hoofsteps she had left behind. Of all those who knew of her only three remained who knew her name, one ruled over an empire of crystals and the other two ruled over the nights and days of Equestria. Those three remembered her fondly but they also mourned her. They mourned her in a way no other could because no other had been there when she had left the world. One blamed herself and the others only wished they could have seen her final days approaching. Long ago there had been a fourth who remembered her but he had left shortly after her, he had left to find answers and had never returned. Today the garden had been closed and an alabaster goddess roamed it’s depths. Tracing her hoof along the purple flowers that made up much of the gardens, alongside the white rose bushes and the pomegranate trees that often fed those who came by to visit the tranquil garden. The goddess was alone in her visit and stopped to look up at the mare who had once held her heart with a gentle smile and a loving look in her eyes. “I still miss you so my Twilight. If only I had been there for you in the end, if only I had been faster.” She approached slowly and stood on her back hooves to trace the cheek of the statue. “How did I not see the pain there passing caused? How did I not see how much pain you were in? Why did I let my nation get in the way of us?” The statue remained silent and a breeze blew through the garden as the grieving alicorn dropped back to all four hooves. She sat back and stared at the statue as tears flooded her eyes. “Why, why didn’t you let me save you?” A dark blue alicorn matching the white one glided down beside her and wrapped a wing over her back. “Tia, it’s almost time.” The white alicorn nodded to the newcomer and leaned against her. Silence filled the garden for a while as the two sat in the shadow of the statue together.As the sun neared the horizon the Celestia lifted her head and began to sing. The sun reacted and paused on the horizon. Luna joined her sister as the sun paused and her moon rose till it sat on the horizon and the sky was cast in twilight. As the song ended the two goddesses leaned into each other and looked at the statue that now glowed with a gentle purple light. Celestia rose to her back hooves again and placed a gentle kiss on the statue’s lips. “Happy birthday Twilight.” Honor 2 originally by Goldenarbiter by Fuzzyfurvert Celestia lowered her head, her own hooves far more interesting than the bloody mess cooling on the ground just a few yards away.  She breathed gently through her mouth, fighting a slight wave of nausea as she mentally collected herself to face the duel winner. The sound of a pony clearing its throat came from her right and drew Celestia’s attention.  She smiled wanly at the stallion.  He looked disappointed, his eyes seemed haunted by the actions of his own hoof and the deadly power of the pistola in his grip. “Congratulations, Lord Boomington of Headshot.”  Celestia intoned emotionlessly.  “By right of honorable combat, your victory has ensured you my hoof in marriage.” “But not your heart.”  It wasn’t a question. Celestia answered it anyway.  “No.  My heart lies bleeding and stopped on the ground.” “If it is any consolation, your Highness, I expected to lose.”  Lord Boomington sighed and placed his weapon on the dueling table beside him.  “I expected her to raise a shield, or bend gravity.  I mistook her loyalty and love for you to mean she would win at all cost and I would finally have my own rest.  Forgive this old pony for not seeing her faith in you and our system such that she would rather risk her life than soil it with dishonor.” Celestia was silent, looking at nothing in some middle distance.  She stood after a moment and looked back at her soon to be husband, her voice soft.  “Perhaps in time, it will be of some consolation to me.  Her strength of faith is nothing to guilt yourself over.  You do not need forgiveness for winning, Lord Boomington.  However, if you will pardon my frankness, go fuck yourself.”  Celestia turned, her horn glow surrounded the remains of her student and lifted her body to float alongside her.  “I will see you at the wedding.” Luna  ran her tongue slowly over upper lip as she read over the intricacies of the spell for what seemed the millionth time. “Can you cast it?” Luna nodded slowly.  “Yes sister, We can.  It will not be easy, clean, or quick.  There were very good reasons why Necromancy was outlawed when even we both were young.” “I know.”  Celestia sighed.  “Will it work?  Can you bring her back to me?” “We believe so, sister.  Are you absolutely certain about this?  The cost…” “Is my own immortality.”  Celestia hung her head and forced herself to remember the details of that day.  The sound of the gunfire.  The smell of blood.  The feeling of Twilight’s cold flesh in her magic.  Her own heart threatening to stop. “I will pay the cost.”  Celestia looked back up at her sister across the covered form of a pony on the altar between them.  “Do it.” King Boomington lifted the crown off his head and placed it on the table next to him, his magic picked up the dueling pistola next to it.  He slowly loaded in the wad and charge of blackpowder.  He held the bullet up, letting the sunlight catch it and make it glimmer and then set the bullet back on the table. “I realize you owe me nothing, but promise me that you will take care of her, won’t you?” His opponent said nothing.  He didn’t expect an answer from her, honestly.  He knew she would care for Celestia.  She would keep the princess safe.  She would bring back the smile Celestia had lost in the intervening years since their last match. King Boomington of Canterlot leveled his pistola, sighting along the barrel.  “To think that the only duel I should ever lose would be a rematch…” If he had any more to say, his words were lost in the sound of gunfire. Breakdown 2(2) originally by Pearple Prose by Knight of Cerebus Twilight felt peaceful. For the first time in months, she was smiling. The pain was going to end today. The nightmares of being back on that disastrous expedition into the Everfree. Applejack's screams and the sounds of manticore roars still echoing through her head. The memories of the funerals. The newspapers with pictures of her face and headlines screaming criminal negligence. Nopony would be able to hate her or demand their daughters back from her once she was dead. She was free. Except... She felt a rush of air across the side of her face, and watched in muted horror as Princess Celestia overtook her on her plummet. She tried to scream, but the rush of air took her voice from her. Thinking quickly, she lit her horn and closed her eyes, projecting her thoughts at her mentor. "Celestia?! Wh-what are you doing?" "Joining you, of course. I've always trusted your judgement, and if you feel the best response to this situation is suicide, that is the course Equestria will take." "But you can't! Think of all the ponies who depend on you! You can't leave them, or Equestria, just because of me! You have ponies who need you!" The voice that came back to her was the same tone that had greeted her after her episode of mass-hypnotism. Firm, and hurt, but loving all the same. "Don't you?" Twilight's eyes softened, then crushed themselves shut, and suddenly her eyes were not running with tears simply because of gravity. A pair of silky white hooves wrapped around her, and a pair of white wings spread, pulling the falling unicorn up towards salvation. Slavery 2 originally by Davesknd by SHL Dear Spike Dear Son: Before your letter, your sister and I didn't really realize how much we were troubling you. So, after reading it, Twilight and I decided to take-mmmmm Twi, stop. Not now- to take measurements to avoid that kind of things for you, my dear. You are too young but we were lost in our love and didn't think about yo-Not the eeeaaaaaaaaar- about you. The both of us are sorry so please, forgive us. You will understand better when you have a marefriend. We also want to tell you th-St-stop the teasing, please-that if you need to talk with us about everything, including, eeeer, some "adult" topics, we're here to help you as your mother and sister-Twiliiiiight... Your loving mother, Princess Celes-Ok, Twilight, you asked for it! Prepare yourself! Spike blinked after reading the letter before sighed, shaking his head. "Dr Alt will make a fortune with my therapy." Sunset 2 originally by Goldenarbiter by Knight of Cerebus Sunset broke over the alien beach, radiating technicolour shadows of fire over the shimmering ocean. The light touched itself lightly against a house, where two creatures were folding fishing nets and rolling them under an overturned boat. The water sparkled in the twilight, the first stars beginning to reveal themselves in the darker corners of the sky. The first of the creatures looked up its beak at its elder, slit like eyes squinting against the harsh glow. His hands, not yet as old and calloused as the other, more experienced of the pair, were growing tired. Of course, distracting the old man with a story was always a perfect way to rest young and tired hands."Why does the sun get so bright when it sets, father?" He sat on his haunches, ears open and clawed fists firmly shut against the rough sand. The older of the two sighed and shook his head, throwing down the net and giving an indulging smile. He gave a private chuckle as his eyes closed, and the younger knew he was beginning to explore the recesses of his memories, thoughts of time spent on the beach with the younger's grandmother not twenty years ago, and the stories she told. "You remember the dream world, yes? The place before our own." The boy sat more at attention, turning to face away from the harsh glare of the sun and towards his father's animated face. "Long ago the sun loved a mighty hero, whose name was Friendship. She was a mighty wizard who lived like a goddess, fighting monsters to protect the land the sun shone over and ruling from a castle called Ponyville on high. There she lived with a powerful dragon, and so much did she love the sun, that she sent the dragon with messages to it to tell it all her secrets and the things private to her heart. And the sun saw this goodness in the wizard's heart and felt proud of all she had done in her name, and gave the sorceress some of her magic spirit, and made her a sort of half-spirit of her own called Twilight. And Friendship, as Twilight, ruled over the land with wisdom and justice for many years. But every day she would send a letter back to the sun on her dragon, and tell her what greatness there was in the others who lived with her in her kingdom, and how much she loved her and her light. "One day, as every creature who is not a dream spirit does, the wizard began to die, and the sun felt very sad. Because the sun had seen the wizard live so long, she had forgotten the pain she felt when others died. And the wizard said to her "do not be afraid. I will see you again in time, and you and I shall live together for all of our lives when we do." But the sun wept, and said. "But Twilight, you will go to the land of dreams, and I will shine ever on in the land of awakeness as a dream world gift." But the wizard only laughed and said. "I know, and I will want to go, too. And maybe when I get there the dragon and the friends I made will be there waiting. But I won't forget you, wherever I go. And you will meet me, I promise. "And as Friendship breathed her last breath, she showed her bare chest and the light of spirit magic that sat in her heart, the gift of the sun goddess. "My final spell," she said, "is to make this part of you a part of us. It will be a door between the world of life and the world of death, and when you go to sleep each day, I will visit you, and we will laugh together again." And then the sun's greatest friend died, and the world was pushed to darkness for a day, because the sun went away to weep and mourn. But when the sun went back home to sleep in the dreamland, she saw her old friend standing there, shaped like stars, and she burst up with happiness. And she shone with colours and lights and danced and laughed along the edge of the dreaming. And every day, at the end of the day, the sun dances and laughs across the horizon, because she knows that she is coming to see her love again, and that she will be just as bright and happy the next day as she was the last." Rejection 2 originally by Knight of Cerebus by Knight of Lycaeus It had been years since she had seen her despite all this she held out hope that one day she would see her again. She hoped for a second chance; a chance to rekindle their relationship perhaps not as lovers but maybe friends or at the very least enough for them to be able to hold a civil conversation. The day began like all others had since she left, Twilight rose before the dawn so she could sit at her balcony and watch the sunrise hoping that perhaps today was the day for another chance; it had began like all other but something changed about her regular routine. There on the balcony was her, the one who had left Twilight so long ago; how long it had been since she left Twilight wasn't quite sure anymore the days and years past had seem like a blurred mess. Sitting there waiting on the balcony was the one she had wanted to see for so long, though she was joyful to see her again Twilight still hesitated to approach. The years apart had been long and Twilight did not know what to expect but as she turned placing her back to the rising sun and towards the doorway leading to the bed chambers, turned to see Twilight she motioned for her to come closer. Crossing the distance wasn't easy, so much to say yet where to begin she had no idea although she knew one thing, seeing her in the light of dawn was what brought Twilight to her all those years ago and perhaps this time would be a chance to start anew. Fights 2 originally by Dianwei32 by Silver Scrolls A red mare sat across the table from a lavender blue mare, their hooves clasped at the tables center and eyes half closed as they stared at each other. After a moment the red mare pulled her hoof back and sighed, her ears drooping a little. “I’m not sure Kicker. I mean you're great and all but...” Cloud Kicker rolled her eyes and huffed. “Look I know you liked her and all but you told me you wanted more and she just wasn’t gonna give it. It’s not your fault, Twilight’s a big girl, she’ll get over it.” Cloud Kicker motioned to the waiter and turned back to her marefriend. “It’ll be fine Cherilee.” She turned and motioned to the waiter again. “What’s with the shitty service today.” Cherilee looked up at Kicker and shrugged. “I don’t know, whenever I came here with Twilight the service was fine.” Cherilee looked over towards a nearby waiter. “Excuse me, Silver Platter, can we get some help over here.” The waiter glanced over with an icy stare and motioned to another waiter. The waiter, a tan earth pony trotted over. “Can I take your orders.” Under his breath. “You rotten piece....” He turned back and smiled coldly. “Our special today is a truffle burger marinated in a white wine sauce and a side of parmesan hay fires.” Cloud Kicker raised an eyebrow. “What was that other part?” “What other part?” He smiled innocently. Cloud Kicker went to say something and stopped as Cherilee’s hoof found hers. “I think the special sounds lovely, and then just some simple sodas to drink.” She smiled warmly and the waiter nodded. Cloud Kicker snorted and watched the waiter leave. “You know you don’t have to take that.” “I know but Twilight is loved around here and we did break her heart.” Cherilee looked around at all the other ponies who were smiling and laughing together. Cloud pulled her hoof away from Cherilee. “I don’t know about that.” She leaned over the table and pushed Cherilee’s head to an approaching pair of ponies. One a tall alabaster alicorn and the other a purple unicorn. Cherilee’s jaw dropped and she stuttered as her mind tried to comprehend what she saw. Twilight and Celestia approached and took two chairs at the same table. As they sat a trio of waiters ran up and placed food and drink in front of them. Celestia fixed her gaze on Cloud while Twilight turned to her ex marefriend. “Good afternoon cheater. I hope you don’t mind me bringing Celestia along.” She paused and took a sip of her drink. “I know this might seem weird but I justed wanted to thank you.” Cherilee sat silent for a moment before closing her mouth and tilting her head. “Thank me?” Twilight swallowed her bite. “Yea. If you hadn’t broken my heart I never would have tried what I did and then I never would have known about my other options. Don’t get me wrong, what you did was terrible and I hope Cloud realizes what she’s in for but if it wasn’t for you I wouldn’t be feeling so happy right now.” Cherillee sat silent and watched Twilight eat, her eyes drifting back and forth between her ex and her princess. Celestia sat with a stone smile on her lips staring at Cloud while Twilight talked to Cherilee. Cloud found herself sweating and would have sworn the temperature around them was below freezing. Ever so slowly Celestia lifted her truffle burger and took a slow dainty bite, her eyes never leaving Cloud. cloud gulped and fidgeted. “So, um, hi.” Celestia paused briefly before extending a wing and wrapping it around Twilight and pulling her close. Twilight giggled and leaned into Celestia as Cloud and Cherilee looked at each other unsure of what to do. Cherilee spoke up first. “Um, congratulations. I’m glad your okay Twilight.” Twilight laughed and shook her head before leaning and giving Celestia a peck on the lips causing the entire restaurant to gasp. “I wouldn’t say I’m ok, what you did hurt Cherilee. What I am though is happier.” Twilight and Celestia stood together. “And learning things you and Cloud would kill to know.” The two turned in unison and Celestia said just loud enough to be heard by Cherilee and Cloud. “Are you ready for another lesson Twilgiht.” She leaned down and nibbled Twilight’s ear causing her to sway and bump into Celestia’s side. “I’ll take that as a yes.” Cherilee turned to Cloud as Cloud turned to Cherilee. “Looks like you might have been wrong about her Cherilee. It’s like they say, watch out for the quiet ones.”