//------------------------------// // Tension // Story: Road to Twilight // by ShadowBrony //------------------------------// Twilight sighed as she stepped out of the portal. “So many questions…” The room was dark, there was very little light shining through the nearby window. Luna was standing nearby but the dark made it hard to see her. Twilight glanced up at Luna, and noticed, despite the darkness, Luna looked rather stressed. “Luna? Are you alright?” Luna took a deep breath and lit her horn. She had bangs under her eyes and her mane looked somewhat out of place. “Fine, just a little weary as of late.” “What’s going on?” “Nothing I can’t handle. Just go onto the next world. I’ll be fine.”’ Twilight shook her head, “Sorry, but I can’t go to the next world yet. For some reason, my connection with my new Keyblade has yet to really, well… connect.” Twilight’s ears flattened as she rotated her hoof on the floor a bit. “I’m afraid that I am nearly useless without it.” Twilight stopped rotating her hoof and took a step towards Luna, “Therefore, until I can figure out how to use my Keyblade properly again, I’m not going anywhere.” Twilight put a hoof against Luna’s fore-leg, “So how about you tell me what’s going on around here.” Luna sighed and motioned for Twilight to follow her into the nearby study. Luna quickly made her way inside, her mane no longer shimmering like it normally does. Luna fell back onto the couch while Twilight casually sat on the chair across from her. They sat in silence for a moment, Luna rubbing her eyes with her hooves. Taking a deep breath, Luna was about to speak but Twilight interrupted her, “It’s about Celestia, isn’t it?” Luna appeared surprised for a moment but her face quickly changed to that of a mare on the end of her rope. “That is correct.” Luna glanced away at the book shelf, her eyes staring off into nothing in particular. “She’s been talking to herself a lot. Every time I try to talk to her she pushes me away. I feel like the past has come back to haunt me. It is exactly like the time before I lost myself to the darkness. I am afraid I may lose her too… and despite the fact that I am willing to listen and try to understand her, she continues to fall down a path I cannot follow.” Luna stared back at Twilight, her eyes gave way to sadness, “Twilight, I am afraid I may have to confront my sister soon.” Twilight looked away, unsure what to say; her feelings mixed on the whole deal. “She was my teacher, and my mentor. I used to care and adore her more than anypony…” Twilight turned and locked eyes with Luna, “I can’t say that I really can feel much anything towards her anymore. But for some reason, I still care about her.” Luna smiled, “That’s the light in your heart. Even when those around slowly slip into the darkness, your light still burns strong.” Twilight smiled for second but frowned, her thoughts now turning to what the Doctor had said. Twilight was silent for a moment. Luna’s eyes wandered around the room, unsure of what to say. Eventually Twilight broke the silence. “Luna?” The princess turned to Twilight who was looking troubled. Twilight took a deep breath before starting, “When I was in that other Equestria, I met someone who said the exact same thing you said to me. I am both. He then later told me that I am both Light and Darkness. What did he mean by that?” Luna smiled, “I suppose it was wrong of me not to tell you sooner. With our enemies at our door and my sister being the way she is now, I would only be hurting myself if I didn’t think I could trust you. Alright Twilight, I tell you all that you need to know.” Twilight nodded, “Thank you.” Luna gave a small nod and continued, “Ever since you came back from the world where you lost your new friend, I can tell something awakened deep within you. While your light always burned strong, it seemed that darkness within you is just as strong. Yet both seem to exist within you in harmony. You have both the powers of light and darkness, yet one does banish the other. When I saw your eyes a few days ago, I realized right then that you were using both in a way I never thought possible. You seem to have the ability to transform and increase your magic to the point that rivals both me and my sister.” Twilight’s eyes widened at that but kept her mouth shut as Luna continued, “But the most interesting thing of all is that your transformation is tied to two feelings, anger and love. The love for your friends and the anger in wanting to protect them at all cost. I saw it in your eyes. Twilight, your name means more now than ever. Your literally are a twilight of dark and light.” Twilight took a deep breath and let it out slowly as she took it all in. “Do you think, that perhaps my new Keyblade is tied to my light and darkness?” “It could very well be. Perhaps you should focus on that. Try to see if your Keyblade will come when you have a better understanding of the power you now possess.” Twilight smiled again and got of her chair. “Alright, looks like I have some training to do.” Luna got up as well and both ponies made their way to the door. Twilight was about to open it when Luna stopped her with a hoof, “Oh and one more thing Twilight, be sure to join us for lunch in a little while, I am sure you must be starving.” Twilight felt her stomach grumble at the thought of food. “Thanks, but first I need to spend some time alone with my thoughts.” Luna nodded her head, “Use whatever room or resources you need.” Twilight thanked her and quickly made her way down the stairs. While her memory of the castle was still fuzzy, there was one room that she could never forget. Once at the bottom, Twilight sprinted to her destination, quickly turning from one hallway into another. Until at last she reached a set off double doors with a sign above that read: Library. Twilight’s smile grew bigger as she stepped into the room. While the air was stale, and dust was everywhere she looked, it was the closest to home that she had felt in a long time. Everywhere she looked, shelves and shelves of books surrounded her. Making her way to the back of the library, she could see a large desk with a fire place nearby. Two tall windows sat on both sides of the fire place. A small chandelier above her turned on by magic as she approached the desk and the room lit up, quickly filling the room with a nice feeling of belonging. Twilight had spent hours in here as a filly. It was one of the castle’s oldest libraries, and had many books that Twilight could never have dreamed to exist. Every day in there was like an adventure for her. Celestia would even tell her some of the books to look for which had Twilight coming down here more than any other pony had in years. Twilight sighed as good memories of her younger years flowed through her. But just as soon as they came, so did the pain of what was going on now. Her memories spent with Celestia were actually starting to make her heart ache. Shaking her head, Twilight decided it was best to focus on getting her Keyblade back. Reminiscing and hurt feelings would have to wait. Taking a seat on the carpet in front of the desk, Twilight closed her eyes and looked back into her heart. The Keyblade lay just out of reach just like before. Twilight sat the darkness, a hoof to her chin. She silently stared at the Keyblade for several minutes. Until after a while, she stood up and began pacing around back and forth. “Ugh, I just don’t get it. What is it about me that you don’t like? You're right here and I have used you before. Granted, you only come out when I transform... But here I am, not transformed and you are as far away from me as you can get.” Twilight stopped and sighed, “Luna said you might be connected to my friends, light and my darkness. But that doesn’t tell me how can get you to come when I call you. I almost always have to force you out. But you’re clearly my Keyblade.” Twilight gestured her hoof at the Keyblade, “I mean look at you! You have my cutie mark at the end of your chain and that color can’t be a coincidence.” Twilight flopped down onto her back and stared up at the darkness surrounding her, “I just don’t understand what I have to do to make you like me. Is there something I can do, to prove to you I am completely worthy, is that it?” The Keyblade hovered silently while Twilight lay there. Occasionally, she would look up and glare at it. Almost expecting to get an answer. After a moment of nothing happening, Twilight groaned and fell back unto her back. Staring up at the darkness around her, Twilight felt her mind begin to wonder. “Ugh, what am I supposed to do?" Twilight's eye's widened as a sudden thought shot through her mind. What would my friends do?” Twilight closed her eyes as she tried to imagine her friends standing around the Keyblade. “Let’s see, Apple Jack would probably try to lasso it or yell at it to come towards her.” The image of Apple Jack trying to lasso a Keyblade flashed into her mind. Twilight smiled. “Rarity would try to coax it with her generosity or try to play hard to get.” Twilight felt her spirits slightly rise. “Fluttershy would stand there, asking it to come or guilt trip it for not listening to her.” Twilight felt her smile widen. “Pinkie would jump around with streamers trying to cheer it up so it would come to her, or throw it a party.” Twilight slightly giggled to herself. “Rainbow Dash would fly right at it and try to chase it down until she or it got tired.” Twilight felt herself give a small laugh as she could see herself yelling at Rainbow Dash to stop as she continued to fly around without getting any closer to catching it. Twilight felt her heart glow as she laughed and jokingly yelled, “Rainbow Dash!” "Twilight?" Twilight bolted upwards and quickly glanced around at the darkness surrounding her. Seeing nothing, Twilight quickly returned to the outside world and quickly looked around the library. Not a soul could be seen. But Twilight was sure she had heard her name called and more importantly, it sounded like it had come from someone she knew. It had sounded like Rainbow Dash. “Did I just imagine that?” Twilight wondered out loud. “But, I swear I heard her…” Twilight shook her head, “No that’s impossible…” Twilight stared at the ground, her stomach groaned, reminding Twilight of her hunger. “Maybe I should go get something to eat. My empty stomach must be affecting my mind.” Twilight looked back within herself one last time, just to make sure. Again she was met with darkness. Twilight sighed, glancing back at her Keyblade. “Wait… Is it just me, or did it just move closer?” Twilight shook her head and retreated back to the outside world. Rubbing her eyes with her hoof, Twilight let out a small groan. “Come on Twilight, you need to stay focused. Get some food in you. You’re going to go crazy if you don’t.” Twilight felt her ears droop as her eyes shifted across the room, her head lowering towards the ground. “Said the pony talking to herself.” Twilight shook her head again and quickly made her way out of the room. The chandelier quickly dimmed behind her. Walking down towards where she guessed the dining room was, Twilight glanced around her as the hallways seemed to feel darker than before. The windows seemed to do little in helping the light in. Not that it mattered; it was either cloudy or night time every time Twilight had been here. The smell of food told Twilight she was close to the dining room. Upon entering, Twilight was greeted with a large table filled with all sorts of food that would make any vegetarian drool. Twilight could see Luna, Nyx and Dinky sitting at the end, currently chowing down. Twilight took a deep breath and smiled as she made her way over to them. The room had a light hearted vibe to it that made Twilight feel almost at home. The fact that Dinky practically waved her over made her feel all the more welcome. “Good afternoon Twilight,” said Dinky as she took an apple off of a big fruit plate in front of her, “Glad to see you back. Nyx has wanted to talk to you for quite some time.” Twilight sat down next to Dinky and retrieved a small salad bowl nearby. Nyx quickly ran from her seat and sat on the opposite side of Twilight. Her eyes big and bright and smile that radiated cuteness covered her face. “Twilight,” She began… “No.” Twilight interrupted without missing a beat. Nyx seemed to freeze for a moment as Twilight casually began to eat her salad. Quickly recovering, Nyx asked, “What?” Twilight continued to much on her salad. Before taking her next bite, Twilight answered, “I know what you are going to ask Nyx, we have been over this before. It’s not going to happen.” Nyx stared back at Twilight, her ears dropped as she stared back at Twilight looking defeated, “What do I have to do to prove to you that I can help?” Twilight paused, realizing that she just asked her Keyblade that very same question not too long ago. Shaking her head, Twilight took another bite out of her salad before answering, “Sorry Nyx, but I told you before, I just feel like I can’t take that risk. I can’t even use my Keyblade properly right now. How am I supposed to protect you?” Nyx stared at Twilight, her voice raising just a bit as she slammed her hooves into the table, the table barely shook however due to her small size. “That’s what I am trying to tell you. I DON’T NEED PROTECTING! I WILL BE THERE PROTECTING YOU!” Twilight put down her fork, surprised at the outburst. Nyx, realizing that her voice was a little too loud, sat back down. “Sorry, I don’t want to see you get all red eyed again. But I want to you listen to me and understand. I’m not just some filly who can’t do anything. I have been training every day you have been gone. Luna has taught me how to defend myself without magic. Twilight, you can be the sword,” Nyx reached behind her, clutching something with her mouth and produced a large shield that was as big as her head, “ahd I cah bah yah shald.” Twilight frowned and rubbed the bridge of her nose with her hoof. “Just because you have a shield and some so-called training, doesn’t mean you are ready to handle what’s out there.” Nyx set her shield on the table, “But I am ready. Just ask Dinky!” Twilight glanced over at Dinky who was currently reading some kind of magazine. “I thought we agreed we would not tell Twilight,” she said without looking up. “Ah come on Dinky…” Dinky put down her magazine and eyed Nyx, “Sorry, while I admit that you were very awesome, we made a promised to Luna not to tell Twilight until she was ready.” Twilight leaned back into her chair looking perplexed. She glanced over at Luna who appeared to not be paying an attention. Twilight eyed Dinky. “Exactly what are you two talking about?” Dinky lifted back up her magazine and began reading it one again, “Don’t worry Twilight, you will learn soon enough.” Twilight leaned forward to protest but stopped when the title caught her eye: “Survivalist Guide to the Wasteland.” Twilight felt her blood run cold as she slowly leaned back into her chair. “You’re right; I don’t think I want to know…” Twilight eventually went back to meal, doing her best to archive the conversation for later. Nyx sunk back into her seat, nibbling on a carrot and mumbling to herself. The table grew quiet again as everypony ate in silence. Luna however, soon broke at silence. “So Twilight, any progress on you Keyblade?” Twilight opened her mouth and was about to answer when the doors to the dining room flew open. The whole room went silent as Celestia casually strolled into the dining area. Nopony moved as Celestia made her way down alongside the table. Nyx grabbed her shield, disappeared underneath and reappeared next to Dinky. Celestia strolled right up to where Nyx had been sitting and quickly sat down. Despite being the princess of the sun, her presence made the whole room seem 20 degrees colder. Celestia sat there for a moment without saying a word. Twilight gulped, wishing her Keyblade could be with her now more than ever. Luna was the first to speak. Slightly stuttering, she asked, “Sister… Wha-what brings you here?” Luna was trying to sound as casual as possible, despite feeling as tense as everypony else. Celestia poured herself cup of tea then slowly turned her head toward towards Luna, “Good afternoon sister, I come in need of some urgent business involving my ex-student.” Celestia’s voice was calm yet every word made Twilight’s fur stand up on end. Twilight knew she was probably go to regret this but her curiosity side always did have a way of beating her brain to the punch. “And what might that be?” Celestia turned and casually sipped her tea before answering, “It has come to my attention that you have a weapon, capable of many feats, including destroying the darkness.” Celestia took another sip out of her tea while Twilight shifted uncomfortably. “You have done well with this weapon but I am afraid a problem has now arisen.” Celestia gestured her horn at Twilight, “You see Twilight, you were once my true hero of light. The one I could always trust and count on. But lately, I feel that a rift has formed between us. It is unfortunate but that is not the true problem.” Luna leaned forward in her chair, her expression growing with worry. “Celestia, where are you going with this?” Celestia smiled, “Oh sister, how could you be so blind?” Twilight felt her skin crawl as Celestia locked eyes with Twilight, “You are no longer a hero of light. Your problem, Twilight, is your darkness…” Luna slammed her hoof into the table, "Now wait just a minute...” Celestia horn glowed and Luna felt her sister’s magic push against her. “Settle down Luna… No need to make a scene.” Twilight growled, “So what if I now have darkness within me? I also have light as well. Both are inside me and last I checked, my darkness is doing just fine within me.” “Oh Twilight, you may be right but I am afraid I can no longer take any chances with you.” Twilight felt the air begin to change around her but she ignored it. “Why should it matter to you? I have the Keyblade. (Sorta.) And as long as I have it, I shall continue to fight the darkness no matter what.” Celestia gave a fake smile that would make any pony's fur crawl and clapped her hooves together, “Oh Twilight, if only the darkness hadn't taken you…” Celestia lowered her head, her demeanor starting to change. “Listen Twilight, I am a being of pure light. It is a wonder as to why your weapon did not choose me. But luckily I have a way to remedy this.” Celestia stood up, “Twilight, Equestria thanks you for your services but it is time for a true pony of light to take over.” Celestia took a deep breath, her eyes seeming to lose their natural shine, “Twilight, hand over your Keyblade.”