//------------------------------// // Chapter 4 (Prompt: Forgiveness) // Story: Resurrection // by Magicman7997 //------------------------------// “Fluttershy, get away from there,” Twilight cried out as she watched the yellow pegasus attempt to dodge another round of spell fire from the demon. The lavender alicorn attempted to get to her hooves and rejoin the fight, only to find her strength quickly dwindling. They had managed to free Celestia, Luna, and Cadance from their prison, but now, ever so close to the portal that would take them home, they had been intercepted by the demon's minions. Their progress halted, the most they could do was stand their ground and hope for a miracle. “I can't keep flying, I'm too eeeeeep,” Fluttershy was cut off as a large crimson hand snatched her from mid air. Despite the sounds of battle, the five remaining ponies could hear the gentle pegasus' ribs crunch as the hand squeezed around her barrel. Shy collapsed against the great force and pain and hung limply in the demon's hand. “You put her down this INSTANT! You uncouth brute!' Rarity charged forward to assist her dearest friend. As minion after minion was singed from the blasts from her horn, she reached the demon's feet. Bearing down with all her concentration and might, she charged her horn with as much energy as she could. The resulting blast was by far the best display of offensive magic the group had ever seen from the fashionista. Unfortunately, it was little more than a pin prick to the eldritch demon. Annoyed by the pest at his feet, he swept Rarity up into a crushing grasp as well. “HMM,” he bellowed. “YOU TWO SHALL BE FIRST!” Slowly, the demon drew his grip around Rarity and she cried out in a mix of terror and pain. The howls echoed off the cavern walls and brought the four ponies attention to the scene playing out in front of them. Twilight could only look on in horror as she saw the soul stealing spell begin to charge from the demon's horns. “NO! PLEASE, NO!” The violent spell settled over the two ponies in the demons clutches and slowly drained their life energy away. The last thing Twilight ever saw of Fluttershy and Rarity was the look of pain in their eyes as the spark of their existence was snuffed out. Finished with the task of draining them, the demon discarded the corpses into a nearby lava bed. Laughing maniacally, he called out, “WHO'S NEXT!” “NO, PLEASE, NO” cried a fitful Twilight in her sleep. The pain and torment she was suffering at the hands of her dreams was more than enough to wake Chrysalis. She quickly wrapped her hooves around the now shaking alicorn and attempted to soothe her awake. “Twilight. TWILIGHT! Wake up! Please!” The changeling queen, quickly harnessed her magic and began to siphon off the fear and terror from her marefriend, hoping that it would wake her. The pain of such emotion was strong, especially since it was so very real to Twilight. After taking as much as she could stand, Chryssy canceled the transfer and looked down at her lover. With relief, she saw that Twi's breathing was slowing and she was beginning to wake. “Oh no, not again,” Twilight cried burying her muzzle into Chrysalis as deeply as she could. “I can't go on like this. This is the fourth straight night! We're so close to AppleJack being brought back and Pinkie and Rainbow need me now more than ever! I can't keep losing sleep like this. I just can't!” Twilight lost it then. The weight of everything spilled out in the tears that Chrysalis now tried to wipe away. Stroking her lover's mane, she whispered soft words of encouragement and soothing into her ear. When the worst of the sobbing stopped, she raised Twilight's gaze to meet her own. With a look that spoke not only of determination, but of the deep love and concern she had for the alicorn, she simply spoke. “We must go see Luna. Today.” The pair arrived at the castle shortly after dusk. The foals were left in the care of the hive's matrons and AJ's spawning pool was ensorcelled to instantly alert Twilight or Chrysalis if levels went to far out of normal. As they entered the main throne room, ponies all around began whispering in hushed tones as the alicorn and the changeling strode side by side with their tails entwined. Twilight seemed oblivious to the attention they were drawing. Chryssy, on the other hoof, was very certain that she wished she could cause physical pain with the glares she was shooting the other nobles. They approached a small wooden desk at the head of the throne room. Behind it sat a studious looking unicorn mare. With a slick sliver coat and a unfurled scroll and crescent moon cutie mark, one could only assume this pony was perfect for the job she had. Stepping forward, they were not immediately recognized. A gentle clearing of the throat got the mare's attention quickly enough. “Can I help you?” “Good evening to you as well Moondancer,” said Twilight sweetly. “I know we don't have an appointment, but we need to speak with Princess Luna. It's a very serious situation.” Twilight scuffed her hoof across the floor as she spoke. Normally, she'd have to wait until all the other petitioners were seen since she wasn't on the docket for the night. She hoped that by explaining her situation this way, she might bypass the hassle. Worst case scenario, she'd just pull rank as a Princess of Equestria and use her title. She hated the thought, but in this case, she'd make an exception. Moondancer looked up from her desk at the sound of Twilight's voice. She bowed her head instantly as she spoke. “Oh, forgive me Princess Twilight. I didn't realize it was you. I'm sure her highness will make some time for you. Please wait here and I'll announce you to her.” Quickly, the silver mare walked towards the dais that the thrones sat upon. As she moved, more eyes turned and glared at Twilight and Chrysalis. It was easy to tell their jealousy and disdain, both from the looks on their faces and their body language. Sensing the situation tensing up a bit, Chryssy found her sense of humor. “Wow, didn't realize how much it helped being romantically involved with someone in high political circles,” she giggled. Twilight's only response was a deepening blush and a look that said, “you-are-so-going-to-pay-for-that-when-we-get-home.” Moondancer returned to the pair and spoke softly to them, “She's finishing up with a petitioner now. Once she's done, she will receive you in the south conference room. If you will, I can show you the way.” The two lovers followed the silver mare down a side hallway towards a conference room. As they entered the door Luna's voice echoed through the throne room halls, “We announce that court shall recess for 30 minutes.” Twilight and Chryssy made themselves comfy on several large cushions in the room. The room was more private lounge than conference room. Memories of many a day with Celestia while she held meetings in similar rooms came to Twilight. The fondness of which made her smile for the first time since the nightmares began. Seeing her marefriend smile but happiness to Chrysalis as well. For it not only meant that Twilight had found a little peace, but that she could finally get some decent nourishment. The Lunar Diarch strode confidently into the room flanked by two of her Night Guard. Moondancer, Twilight, and Chrysalis all bowed their heads in respect as she entered. “My friends! You do not have to be so formal. We would request that you rise and speak to us as equals.” With a glance, Luna dismissed the guards and her senchal. Once they were safely outside the room, Luna strode forward and nuzzled Twilight affectionately. She then did the same with Chrysalis as she made her way to her own cushion. “So, what can we do for our friends? Moondancer said that it was a serious situation. Has there been a problem between the pony villagers and the hive?” Clearing her throat, Twilight began to shake, as the prospect of having to reveal the horrid dreams she'd been having became oh so very real. Sensing her marefriend's apprehension, Chrysalis took the initiative. “She's been haunted by some very vivid nightmares as of late. Although, the way she tells it, they aren't really dreams. More like, memories trying to resurface. She wakes up terrified. I've tried to help as much as I'm capable, but even I can't siphon off enough of the negative energy to lessen their impact on her. I fear for her Luna, not just her mental health, but her physical state as well. Our project is just beginning to bear fruit, but we cannot risk any mistakes. And the lack of restful sleep is only increasing the chances of an error.” The lunar alicorn sat back on her haunches slightly as she listened to the changeling queen. She levitated a small tea service over to the three of them as Chryssy finished her narrative. Pouring three cups of a strong Jasmine brew she offered the drinks to her guests. Gratefully, the two mares took their cups and settled back against one another. Luna sipped carefully as she knitted her brow in thought. “You are reliving our fight with Ba'hal in the dream realm? My dear Twilight, that thou art still sane is a miracle. No one should ever have to relive those horrors again. But what could be causing the visions to appear? Perhaps some lingering dark magic from the encounter?” Finally, Twilight found her voice. “No Princess, I'm certain I know what is causing them. It's my conscience. It's punishing me for leaving my friends to their death. It's punishing me for allowing Rarity and Fluttershy to be taken so easily.” Her voice began to quiver and tears rapidly formed in her eyes. “It's punishing me for being alive when they are gone!” Twilight began to wail uncontrollably. Quickly Chrysalis began to hold her love and stroke her mane. A quick glance over at Luna spoke volumes as to how often this very scene occurred. Gently, Luna took her place on the other side of Twilight and joined in the hug. “You seek forgiveness when none is needed,” Luna said softly. “Thine friends are surely at peace in the fields of Elysium. Could they see you, we are certain they wouldst hold no malice towards you. We...I know I am most grateful for everything the six of you did for me. More so, I owe my very return to you and the other bearers. I have a debt that I can never repay to you. You are not the monster you make yourself to be Twilight Sparkle. You are a hero, warrior, lover to thine consort, but most of all, now a mother. Never, EVER, let anypony especially yourself ever tell you that you are anything less.” Twilight's sobbing abated as Luna finished. Finally, with a soft sniffle, she croaked, “Thank you Luna. I will try. But what about my visions, er, dreams? What can we do about them?” Luna charged her slender ebony horn with a soft white light. Slowly, Luna lowered her horn until it ever so gently touched Twilight's own. The spell pulsed between the two alicorns for not more than a second. Twilight breathed a sigh of relief as the energy washed over her body. “This spell will place a sentinel ward on your dreams. Should the nightmare attempt to come again, it will trigger itself to return you to the dreamscape. If for some reason it fails, it's last effort will be to summon me to thine dreams. It won't be permanent, but perhaps it will give you sometime to catch up on your rest and resolve the memories that haunt you,” Luna rose to her hooves as the Moondancer re-entered the room. “I must return to Night Court. Please, come and visit again soon my friends.” The lunar diarch bowed her head slightly as she took her leave of the mares. “One more thing,” Luna said as she was heading out of the door. “My sister and I would love to see the 'progress' you two have made. It has been far too many years since the sound of young foals has filled this castle.” “I'm certain we can bring the girls by soon. After all, who are we to deprive them from their favorite aunts,” Twilight said as a grin spread across her face. Helping Chrysalis to her hooves Twilight and her lover followed Luna and her senchal out of the door. Leaving the castle, she felt more at peace with her memories than she had in years. “Thank you.” Twilight's gratitude took Chryssy by surprise, “What for?” “For being the greatest marefriend I could ever ask for.” Twilight nuzzled into the crook of Chrysalis' neck as they walked down the streets of the capital “I think it's time we go home, I'm sure the girls have driven the matron caretakers to their wits end. Besides, we need to check on AJ's progress.” “I have the greatest marefriend ever,” Chryssy responded. “But, if you like, we could hold a contest tonight and see just how satisfied with our respective mates we are.” The sultry look on the hive queen's face nearly made Twilight ravish her right there. She scooped Chrysalis in a tight embrace and whispered into her ear as the teleport spell took hold. “You, me, bedroom, NOW.”