Twilight found herself in a darkened room. It had the patina of a bygone era as munton grills covered the tall windows and sent starlit dapples in the shapes of moons, suns, and diamonds streaming across the floor. The last glow of moonlight illuminated little. A small stone table decorated with a curious jade rune lay below the window, a brass wash basin rested upon a chipped stone dais, and a low bed was covered in a grey duvet and draped in yellow down blankets. It was mostly quiet, but something twisted and turned beneath those soft sheets.

The Alicorn crept towards an agitated murmur, “... Mmm, I to become Job? … under the yoke of corruption, then claim it’s sacrosanct? Have I kept something covetously?” The Alicorn’s quiet hoofsteps didn’t disturb the tossing figure. “... Mmmph, give the cloak off my back if needed. Have I plotted malice and cruelty? Whose soul have I crushed under oppression? Have I not stayed true? Gimme a sign, any sign… any sign!” The last note died with a loud gasp as the figure’s head snapped upright.

It was a Unicorn stallion only slightly older than herself, which fit the rough depiction of the woodcut she’d seen of Clover the Clever. His mauve coat was covered in a thin sheen of sweat and his bright green eyes rolled wildly. A burst of fuchsia magic pulled the blankets up and around his shoulders like a rudimentary cloak.

Twilight looked around, but all she could see was the stallion’s cutie mark carved into the headboard of his bed:

“It is you...” She stood in stark amazement; it was one thing to read the works of a writer long since remembered only as a woodcut, or paraphrased in the footnotes of aged books and plays, but to see them and their idiosyncrasies was something else.

The Unicorn started at the sudden sound and burst of white sparks near the window, leaving a small roll of bleached papyrus scintillating on the table. A pale haze of magic encased the scroll, prompting Twilight to lean forward as the note was unfurled.

Clover, I'm sorry to disturb you, as you must be busy with the other members of the Unicorn delegation, but I need to speak with you. It’s urgent.

Clover leapt from his bed and narrowly avoided stumbling over the trailing sheets. “This had better be important, otherwise Star Swirl will have my cutie mark.” The unicorn fetched a deep blue cloak from a small heap of clothing, swung a satchel around his shoulders, and was out the door in moments. Twilight squeezed behind him as he shut the door but was shocked by the world that unfolded before her.

Down a narrow bluff, nestled against the starlit waters, was a large encampment of bell tents, marquees, and pavilion structures surmounted in pennants. Yet, framed by the full moon, an incomplete spire jutted into the sky. Countless workshops nestled against a crowded river bend, shaping tons of hewn marble while teams dragged the monolithic blocks to the nascent city. Canterlot, or what would be Canterlot, rose from the rugged slopes of the mountainside.

Twilight’s vision blurred before a jarring staccato crackle engulfed her in a flurry of white noise.

♣

Twilight picked herself up from the ground but her legs felt like jelly. he saw part of a small alpine clearing near a small group of Unicorns, two of them stallions and three were mares. A stream flowed down the rocky shale from the towering heights above and stands of pine surrounded them on every side.

The center of attention wasn’t the scenery, but the steadfast figure atop the outcropping overlooking the snow-capped peaks. Crisp alpine breeze tussled her vivid auburn locks around a long twist of ivory and rustled her ashen wing pinions. “I… what?” Twilight mentally reconciled the figure with what she knew. It wasn’t Celestia, but there was some vague similarities. Of course, there were a number of Equestrian Princesses but Twilight didn’t recognize her. Whatever words of wonder Twilight spoke were lost as she looked at self-sure and determined smile on the pale Alicorn's muzzle. An intrepid spark glowed within those virescent eyes. Somehow, she looked beyond the rugged mountains and saw more than just landscapes. Twilight circled around to see the alabaster features more clearly while the small knot of Unicorns mumbled amongst themselves.

“When is she not when it came to making plans? This is not good, not good at all.” A stallion shook his head and cast a sidelong glance up the rocky spur.

“You’re unhappy about it? Why? Sounds right up your alley, trying to snub your nose at uncle Swirly and all that.” A tawny effervescent mare quipped, unafraid of how far her voice would carry.

“No, I don't like it. And would you stop calling him that, Sugarwoods? You’re not even related. Besides, we don't even know if Star Swirl's theory is right. I mean, you know I'm not above lending a hoof to somepony in need, but we're not talking some-pony.” The same stallion twisted to look at the others present.

The first mare interjected with a snort, “Pffft, please. You've had the same dreams and the same nightmares. If what Star Swirl said was true, then she might be right. What if that displacement thingy really is something we can use and understand-”

“Do you honestly believe that fears and pleas can make it across some veil where, and I quote, 'the mind converts these things, both good and bad, into something we can understand in our reality. Wherein the best and worst of another possible world becomes the echoes we hear in the night'? Is that what you are honestly, truly, and seriously suggesting?!” The stallion’s echo trailed off through the copse and up the screen slope.

The other stallion blustered for a moment then snorted, “Well... okay, so long as we're on the same page.”

Sugarwoods hummed, “She has other friends, why did she just call us? I was reaaaaally hoping that Smart Cookie was going to be here.”

Clover spoke with a bit of a sigh, “Why is it that can Pegasi walk on clouds? Because it's their special talent. This teleportation needs to work flawlessly and then, then we can call our other friends. What good is a compass if you have no reference with which to use it?” He lent her a hoof and patted her withers. “Understand?”

“Yeah. It’s still not all that fun. Like I rosined up the bow ‘n got no place ta’ go.”

“Clover,” the last mare piped up, “where do you stand on it? I mean, you are her oldest friend-” it got a bit of a snort from Sugarwoods who mumbled 'oldest' with a suppressed giggle. Ignoring it with a cough, the older mare flicked her tail and regarded Clover again as if scanning words on a page to find her lost spot. “As I was saying, you are her oldest friend and she trusts you. So what do you really think about this? Oh, and be honest, or I'll know.” she punctuated the last word with a poke of her hoof.

Clover looked over the expectant faces of ponies around him. “What do I think? You’re honestly asking me what I think of ‘finding the font of dreams and nightmares to give them the gifts we have’? Well, I think that it's ostensibly overly-optimistic, practically packed with plenty of perils, and doubtlessly doomed to disastrous dismay. Aside from that, I see no problems with it.” He sighed and looked up at the Alicorn, “But it's for her, so I'm in. Besides, how often do we get to test Star Swirl's more insane theories?”

“Well, more often than is probably safe.” Sugarwoods laughed but her voice crackled and seemed to disintegrate.

“Wait-wait-wait, how?!" Twilight’s voice was stolen away as her stomach churned and the static flakes consumed the world around her.

♣♣

The sun's setting glow cast long fingers across the still crowded alleyways and stretched across the awnings which dappled the streets in gaudy shades of red, green, and blue. The sound of the busy human world was nothing new as merchants hocked wares from crowded wooden stalls. The wafting aromas of wood smoke and cooked meats was carried on the dry southern wind from amongst the many taverns lining the great road. Those same smells mingled with the sounds of bawdy bands. Pipe and lyre players sat in the shade just inside the open aired shops and taverns while people, both noble and common alike, listened on the streets outside. Others seemed content to purchase the freshest grapes, measures of barley, or strings of fat fish, then rejoin the faceless masses.

“They did it. They actually did it.” Twilight just squinted against the last rays of sunshine that lanced down upon the alien world.

Lords held the folds of their flowing robes while their retainers stood about them with ledgers, purses, and other accoutrements. Amidst them and amongst them seethed the multitudes of commoners which thronged like a colony of ants and choked the dusty causeway.

It was amongst those same people that a solitary brown habit-clad form walked and the masses parted for him. The figure held a shepherd’s crook in hand and a plain goatskin satchel swung under his arm. From swarthy sweat stained labourers to fair-skinned nobles, all showed him a respect and many bowed in his presence saying “Good day, archdeacon”.

“Good evening.” The archdeacon replied each time, his voice barely matching his lips.

“Magic?” Twilight pondered to herself and redoubled her pace so she wouldn’t be lost in the crowd. She trailed another figure stalking the man. Clover lingered on the edges using every trick he could muster. His own robe trailed wisps of black and grey and he looked like little more than a fleeting shadow cast by errant clouds. Twilight, on the other hoof, slunk around unseen and unwatched amidst the crowd. It took her a conscious effort to recall that these were simply memories, no matter how clear or real, and were mere echoes of what had been.

The forgotten souls huddled in hidden corners didn’t lift their hands up for offerings when the man passed. Rather, each figure merely bowed their head. The man drew two golden coins from his satchel then shuffled across the street to a merchant stall. Twilight and Clover both watched as the archdeacon silently purchased a measure of barley, handed over both coins, and returned with the sack to the crowded masses before placing it before them. He held up a hand, placing thumb to his pinkie in some sort of blessing then departed.

“That’s him…” Clover mumbled to himself, while Twilight just cocked her head to the side, hoping the shadow-cloaked Unicorn would explain more. Clover darted past the mass of commoners that descended on the grain sack, moving as silently as a wraith while Twilight took wing to follow.

The bells of a nearby church began to peel. The sound should have brought with it feelings of joy, but the weathered face of the aged archdeacon were creased with regret and worry. His bare feet trod the dusty stone, faltering now and then as if burdened as greatly as the mason slaves who carted blocks of hewn stone. He steadied himself against the staff and pressed a hand into his small satchel.

His fingers clutched a single piece of parchment but kept it in his palm. Starting ahead again, he crossed the open yards of the merchant bazaar and stared at the steps of the church. A palanquin was tended to by a dozen red robed bearers and four purple clad soldiers in copper scale armour, their shields bore the symbol others seemed to respect:

☧

A willowy man emerged from the church, clad in stark white robes, a mitre upon his brow. The coffle of clergy followed behind him in solemn reverence. A portly robed figure heffed a satchel that audibly clinked with purloined gold. The leading figure lifted up the bejeweled staff of authority and, with a great show of regal presence, stepped into his awaiting palanquin.

The archdeacon was one of the many to bow, his hand still fixed on his staff and other clutching the simple note. His scowl deepened and eyes dimmed as the palanquin was born away. The man finally looked down at the broken wax emblem and read the opening lines again, lips moving as he went:

“‘Brother Theophilus, archdeacon of Adana, my most trusted servant. Your application of the bishopric has been met with my personal enthusiasm as I can think of no one more suited for it. It is, thus, with great surprise and sadness, that I must inform you of the cardinals’ decision’...” The archdeacon crumpled the letter and held it to his brow with a long rattled sigh.

♣♣♣

Theophilus remained in his room within the cloister, closely watched by the Unicorn concealed behind the crenelated roof of the commoners’ tenements a stone’s throw away. Clover would have been alone except for the spectral Twilight who haunted his hoofsteps. “Let’s see what they’re saying... ah.” There was a quiet chime of magic and a faint thrum before the air shimmered like a mirage. The enchantment was woven and Twilight hesitantly swooped across the street into the open window.

Theophilus knelt down, a revered tome lay open beside him in front of a dull, dented, and aged copper mirror. There was a knock at the door, which made both Theophilus and Twilight start. The Alicorn looked back over her shoulder. A muffled voice called from the other side, “Good morrow… Father Theophilus?”

“The bishop will be making visitations to the local churches and will be preaching about the importance of unity, as well as the need for volunteers and tithes.” The hesitant neophyte spoke with increasing confidence.

“Importance of unity, for volunteers, and more tithes… why is that.” it didn’t really sound like a question, which might have contributed to the momentary hesitation.

“He believes you would be the best to energize the people. After all, they look up to you, they respect you, they listen to you. Surely you know this?”

“I do. Lord help me, I do. He wants someone popular to make them turn out their satchels to pay for a new glorious war halfway across the world. With an administrative fee tacked on, no doubt.” Theophilus rubbed his brow and hissed before closing his eyes.

“‘No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other.’” Theophilus’ sigh deepened as the other individual fell silent, leaving only the quiet breath of the nocturnal breeze and hiss of burning tallow. “Never mind me, thank you and good morrow, my son.” The footsteps that left were somewhat hurried but soon the man was left alone.

Theophilus rested his hand on the aged tome by his side then planted his palm on the mirror. Slowly his head lolled down to his chest and his voice passed in a whisper, “Am I to become Job? Shall I be forced under the yoke to testify to the corrupt and claim it sacrosanct?” Twilight recalled those exact words, spoken in fits by the dreaming Unicorn. “Have I kept something cov-” a pair of sharp arcane hisses disrupted his lamentation.

Clover and Sugarwoods stood in the doorway, surrounded in a cloud of fading sparks. The mare just smiled and cleared her throat, “Peace. Not once hath thee withheld from others, thou would give the cloak off thy back. Not once hath thee stole mirth from a heart; loyal to goodness and true to thyself, thou art. From thy lips spews not malice nor cruelty, thine is not a sigh of contempt; all the lands ring with thy praises, wherever thou art or thou went.”

Theophilus just blinked as a light ‘tap’ emanated from the railing behind him. As he looked back again, Twilight did the same. A large figure stood perched on the rails, cloaked in aged sackcloth, with wide feathered wings outstretched. A single spire protruded from her brow and dark red locks coursed down her neck. Twilight recognized the other Alicorn as a nimbus of unadulterated white light radiated outward. Theophilus took a ragged breath and crossed himself.

A feminine voice broke the stillness, “Peace, we bring assurance and good tidings.” The Alicorn’s astral pitch was otherworldly. “We have heard your plea and seen what you give to others: kindness, generosity, honesty, loyalty, and joy. For it, we bring you a gift of knowledge to cement what you already know...”

♣♣♣
♣

Billowing yellow clouds choked out the lights and coiled up in thermal tendrils. Twilight blinked as she was dropped into the raging inferno, feeling the dulled sensation of suffocating heat. She looked left and right through the crowded inferno licking through the hallway. “Clover?!” There was a rattling crackle and a burst of sparks as the Unicorn slammed through the door of one of the cloistered rooms. Fiery tongues scorched his blue cloak as he wildly tried to shake them free with a panicked whinny.

Twilight noticed the flames rolling along the ceiling before extinguishing into a sulphurous fog. “Dear Celestia. It’s a backdraft!” She recognized the danger as Clover stumbled through the hallway, one hoof over the other, and careened off either wall. The cacophony of alarm bells tolled only a few hundred feet away.

Raised voices could be heard amongst the clamour of falling timber and the licking flames that howled like encroaching wolves. Twilight saw Clover reach for the door, “Clover, Clover, watch the smoke, watch what it’s doing!” She pleaded with the panicked Unicorn who shied away from the flames as yellow and brown bands rolled across the ceiling. The Unicorn pawed at the wood and pushed but the door held firm.

Locked, who... who would lock this?!” Clover slammed his forehooves against it.

Twilight listened to the rough crack of the door as the Unicorn threw his physical bulk against it and whinnied in fear as the heat grew even more oppressive in that smoke choked hallway. She inspected the latch for a moment, “You’re not thinking clearly. It pulls open. It’s only hot here, it’s not burning, there’s not enough air for complete combustion. Don’t open that door!” But her fervent cries wouldn’t affect the shadows of the past. The Unicorn slammed his shoulder against the portal again, causing the wood to crack as a whistling scream emanated from the small gap. “Don’t!” The Unicorn closed his eyes and threw himself at the barrier. The door exploded outwards into kindling before a torturous geyser of fire raced through the now opened doorway in roiling torrents like water from a burst dam.

Bouncing and tumbling down the stairs in an awkward jumble, tongues of flames burst from the second floor and flared out the tall arched windows into the night sky. Twilight took each stair at a time, impervious to the flames and searing heat that swept around her like a wave. She reached the bottom where the Unicorn lay in a senseless heap.

Twilight stood protectively over the fallen Unicorn as if urging him to rise but the strangled shouts from down the darkened corridor distracted her. Clover slowly got to his hooves, eyes closed tightly and breath ragged as he meandered back and forth like a drunk. His fur coat had been scorched in places and his cloak hung in sloughs that smouldered on his skin leaving red burns and weeping flesh.

“...ereby stripped of your station by edicts of the Bishop of Cilicia. You have one last chance, repent and you may still find salvation.” The stilted voice brimmed with anxious anticipation.

“I’ve nothing to repent for.” Theophilus retorted in a flat confidence. Twilight watched the bobbing firelight of swinging torches down the long hallway.

“We have the chance to do something universally good: there are five fundamental elements that we know of, all we have to do is find the sixth to benefit every living soul!” Theophilus pleaded.

There was a scuffed noise as if the man had recoiled, “‘Benefit every living soul’? The proof of corruption stands before you! Do you deny-”

“You heard 'em, drop it and back off!” The raspy mare’s voice was astonishingly similarity to one Twilight knew well.

Twilight charged full speed past the alcoves and empty rooms, past the vaulted icons of splendid gold shrouding the sanctuary, and finally skidded to a stop in the nave. She peeked out from behind the low wall encrusted with gilded paintings, portraits, and figures. A group of two dozen armoured guards, bearing shields marked with that revered glyph, surrounded four individuals. Two Unicorns stood behind the robes of Theophilus with their backs to the altar, while the aggressive Unicorn mare stood directly in front of the older man, snorting and pawing the ground.

Theophilus cast worried glimpses Twilight’s way, fearful but insistent. Twilight wondered if he somehow saw her, but then realized he was looking at that shrouded room behind her. Before the altar and its low dividing wall was a narrow aisle separating dozens of pews stretching to the obscured corners of the hall. Tapestries hung from the wall and others were suspended from the wooden rafters as the group stood beneath a golden dome.

Despite the horrid swelter of heat and choking coils of smoke, a cold sweat swept over the Alicorn as she looked at the ring of faceless figures behind torches and tall imposing shields. Each of them passively watched their leader. The one in charge didn’t look any different from the others; no crown of darkness, or filed teeth, not even a grand symbol of command. He was just one of many. “Time is short. You say you’re looking for six things. Well, there are six things God dislikes, and seven he abhors. You’re here, and we know there’s five of them which makes six, but where is our seventh? Where is that demon, ‘That-who-loathes-light’? Where is Mephistopheles?”

“You, praetor, will you take the Stone to Vatican hill? Or merely cast it in the presence of righteous Saul?” Theophilus kept his crooked staff near the aggressive mare's shoulder to say 'stop', which she did with a reluctant snarl.

The leader hurled his torch to the foot of the tall tapestries. The flames took hold of the fabric and raced up towards the roof, turning into roiling sheets and sending cinders raining down upon those below. “You can keep your lives and maybe your soul. I’m not unreasonable; in honour of Balaam, I'll even let you keep those talking mules. That is, if you tell me where it is. I see four of you here, that’s at least four for one. It’s a good deal.” the tapestries lower half sagged as the flames licked at the wooden spars supporting the roof.

Theophilus closed his eyes tightly in concentration. Something crossed his mind and his mouth trembled for a moment. After that silence he let go a single long breath as a glitter in his eyes spoke of a devotion that was assured. “Do you twist words from His mouth, or is this from the bishop?”

Incised by the rebuke, the band’s leader cried out and lunged forward, throwing the room into confusion. The armoured group raced forward as the Unicorn mare turned and kicked. A hoof connected with a loud bang as it struck the lower corner of the shield, biting into the man's shins and dropping him to one knee. A second straight kick slammed into his helmet and snapped his neck back before he collapsed in a heap.

Clover meandered out from the halls and glanced up. A horrified gasp ripped from Twilight’s chest as she saw the seared fur and flesh leaving clear red tissue and glassy white eyes. “Clover!” Sugarwoods scrambled out from under the pew where she’d been hiding.

“Stop!” Theophilus waved his crook, trying to ward off hesitant warriors who faltered at fighting a priest. Theophilus didn't lash out, but he had to deflect a pair of half-hearted sweeps before a single plunging stab tore into the man’s hip as effortlessly as a pin thrust into a cotton bail. A cold sweat sprang to his face and his knees shook as a slow red stain oozed across his side.

Twilight half turned at the sound of clattering hooves behind her. Three of the armoured guards roared and mantled the dividing wall. The bright mare, Sugarwoods, slid to a stop next to Clover before a glowing white figure thundered by like a comet. A pale nimbus enveloped the guards, causing the scaled armour to almost float for a moment before the men were wrenched from their feet and thrown like rag-dolls. They crashed into pews, weapons and shields ricocheted like stones before they were lost in the penumbral gloom.

The auburn-maned Alicorn spoke once, “My little ponies!” getting their attention as all but the priest’s protective mare flocked to her. The Alicorn kept her head down and protectively spread her wings. Shimmering pools of green turned to purest white as spears of light streaked down like sunlight through water. The light from her eyes started to blaze and build like the fires of a furnace as an eldritch whorl of energy spiraled around her. A slow yellow crackle erupted from the horn in electric arcs. Several of the soldiers made a distinct sign of the cross, others fled towards the door casting aside shields and torches in their mad flight.

Theophilus was dragged several paces by the protective mare as his crook fell from numbed fingers. A sanguine trail wept down his side to the floor, smearing across the ground in front of the altar. “Go, I got 'em!” the mare bayed.

Twilight hesitated between the two groups, unable to help either. Her breath was rasping and choked, watching as a torch was thrown at her. It merely whisked through her like a cold chill as she flinched. Twilight finally slipped towards the protective aura of the fellow Alicorn. Nevertheless, her eyes didn’t leave the guardian mare hovering over the priest.

Clover dropped to his knees and started to roll over as the slighter mare tried to prop him up. The stallion was going into shock. They both seemed unaware of the fire that raced from tapestry to tapestry like wind through a wheatfield.

Not all the arresting guards had fled. Even as the static hum continued to build into a bending arch surrounding the equines, several broke ranks with a ragged cry. As quick as lightning, the protective mare snatched up the priest's crook in her mouth and tripped one of the onrushing figures. Soon enough, she was pushed back a full pace and could barely avoid the buzzing snips and strokes of the probing scimitars. Four of the human warriors stormed through the breach as the protective mare tensed against the onslaught.

It was sudden, Theophilus pushed himself up and pulled the Unicorn down. Pushing his back out and covering her completely he cried out, “Lord have mercy,” though it was muffled by the Unicorn's mane. He shielded her from the wickedly curved blade even as the wielder tried to turn its lethal edge aside. It descended wide but it still caught the man's back and parted flesh with unerring ease. There was no ragged gasp, just the opening and closing his mouth for a moment before he whispered something inaudible meant for his equine protector who merely shut her eyes.

Amidst the last death-rattle of a gasp, Clover and Sugarwoods were almost bowled over by another warrior. It charged from their blind side and thundered towards the Alicorn with blade held high. “God be with us!” It bellowed and swept its scimitar down in a glittering arc.

The metal blade pulsated once and rattled as if slowed for an instant before it crashed down with the sound of shattered crystal. That building wave of energy throbbed once as the world plunged into silence and, for a moment, time stood still.

Twilight watched in horror as that single length of ivory bounced across the floor. Her own breath left her lungs in a shriek as images flashed before her: memories and thoughts of Celestia, Luna, Cadence, even herself, as well as images of that nameless mare in front of her seemed to fade and waste away in front of her eyes. A blackened shade crept over her with a vicious laugh that grew until it deafened her.

The eldritch ribbons around the ashen Alicorn deteriorated and flickered. Within the blink of an eye there was a cascading bloom of light accompanied a cataclysmic wail of agony. It burst into a wall of searing white and tore Twilight’s reality to pieces leaving only a static hiss.

♣♣♣
♣♣

A snow-like static haze still surrounded Twilight. Fear, discomfort, and apprehension surged through the Alicorn's disembodied form. “No-no-no-no! Oh Celestia please say I'm okay. I'm not, I didn't-”

“She's... she's gone, they took-” Clover's voice in the indeterminable expanse made Twilight sigh in relief. But there was no warmth and no comfort forthcoming, she was still engulfed in an ocean of black and white static flakes.

A soothing voice silenced Clover in that endless mist. “They took her, I know. I know.”

There was a long silence before Clover took a rattled breath, “Sugarwoods, I don't know what to do, I mean I, she was... she was there and when it wasn't her it was Sta-”

“A last memento. Keep it hidden, keep it safe. Clover, please promise me, if they come for you, give them what they want and leave as quick as you can.” There was a few moments of stony silence interspersed with sniffing gasps. “Hey-hey, it’s okay. Buck up and smile! I got you some of that kon-kod, uhh, the weird wine that you like.”

“Welcome! Oh, I made a few changes. Added a bit of art, few nice wall hangings, just kinda tidied up down here... ” there was an artificial crackle and hiss which distorted her voice. “It might be best if we were all away from each other for a while.”

“Pretty much the farthest corner of that map. Oh, and I made a bumpy map with cutie marks so you know where we all are. If you move, just carve in a spot so we know where you went. Just keep hidden, you were always good at that. I promise, I'll see you again Clover. Maybe her dream is still alive, after all. We all just need to keep looking...” Sugarwood’s voice waned as the white flakes began to fade, leaving inky blotches of abyssal darkness.

♣♣♣
♣♣♣

You sit there and try to piece together what Twilight had told you. She had spoken of humans but not by any particular name and neither had she mentioned Earth. While the others might not understand much of what was said, you aren’t entirely sure what you can glean from it either.

Twilight still isn't looking at you or talking to you, not directly anyway. She recited her tale but closed her eyes several minutes into it while the others watched in fascination. They had crowded around though, embracing their friend while you linger in stony silence.

Even Rainbow, who was still having trouble standing, hangs on to Twilight's right side. The Pegasus’s close embrace allows her to slip onto the edge of Twilight's cushion.

The thought dies almost as soon as it emerges. Rainbow gingerly nuzzles her friend's shoulder to kept her supported despite her own unsteady breath and shaking hooves.

Every other glance keeps going back to Twilight: her dark scraggly hair, hollow cheeks, and deep sockets mar her face. You don’t notice it, not until seeing her next to her friends for longer than a glance anyway, but Twilight had lost weight. She had been healthy and even a little plump when you first met her. Now, some of her ribs are showing through a dull coat that looks as if it’s nothing more than a canvas stretched over a carpenter's frame. That torturous movement draws your eyes to hers. Twilight’s cracked lips tremble as she reaches a hoof out to you.

The proffered gesture surprises you and it takes a moment to respond. In that time, Applejack and Fluttershy shunt aside to give you room to sit as well. You crawl over and feel the princess’s hooves wrap around your neck before her chin rests on your shoulder blade. You feel the gentle tremors pulse through you as you return the embrace. Her fur is dull, but still soft, though her bony shoulder blades jut out above her wing joints. The little puffs of breath have to be from something else. She quietly sobs. Even her quickened heart rate and uncoordinated breath on your back feel like she is in physical pain. “If that's how it still is where you’re from, then I'm sorry.” Twilight’s breathy apology is barely audible, “ I'm so-so sorry.”

Why is she sorry? She saw what those people did, she should be frightened or terrified, why is she sorry and comforting me? Should I be the embarrassed and apologetic one?

Twilight doesn’t let go for five agonizing minutes. She finally sighs and separates from you, patting your shoulder as you look her over. Tears carve a channel in the fur of her cheeks and there is an inelegant wetness around her nose. “Id’s okay… I’b fine. Bud, righd now, I don’d feel very good. Could we jus’, jus’, “ the congested mare noisily sniffs, “ged packed ub and head back to Ponyville?”

Twilight's plea lingers before the dependable cowpony steps in, “Alright. We ain't done yet everypony. All y'all heard what the mare said, let's get this 'ere waggon a' rollin'.”

Pinkie’s happy nod and chipper tone clears some of the gloom, “Good thinking, Applejack. It looks like we're going to need a wagon for two ponies and about a kabillion books.”

Icon: Remnants of the North

by Vixavior

Act 2- Chapter 11: Only the Blind