Twilight Sparkle
Once I’m sure that Shining is gone, I seal the door shut behind him and drop the cheerful façade from my expression. Ok, it wasn’t entirely faked, but honestly I don’t think even Pinkie Pie could be that lighthearted in a situation as serious as this. I just thought my BBBFF could use a bit of a pick me up, and one lesson I’ve learned well is that laughter is contagious.
I won’t lie: I feel kind of bad for doing this. I know it’s for a good cause, but violating tombs is never an entirely pleasant idea for me. Poking at the bodies of unwilling ponies is even worse. But two ponies that have been there for me since I was a filly are counting on me (even if one of them doesn’t know it yet).
I peer into the open coffin and remove the skeleton inside as delicately as I can, placing it on a long table I’ve set up for this procedure. I don’t expect this to be easy – examining traces of magic for useful information after the spells have expired is a tricky business at the best of times; still more so when two decades have passed. And I have to hope the spell was cast on some biological component of the late mare, rather than on her soul, which is well beyond my reach.
I wish my brother had come to me sooner, but suppose he just didn’t want to worry me. Well, that, or it’s those issues he has with feeling useless (I don’t know why he would, objectively he’s achieved far more than most) that made him hold off. Probably some combination of the two, I decide.
The first step of the process is to figure out what part of Rose Quartz, if any, the spell was focused on. This will let me zoom in better on whatever’s left of the magic after so many years of rotting underground. I close my eyes and fold my ears down over my head to shut out physical distractions. Taking a deep breath and concentrating, I open myself up to the Aether, the realm of all magic that overlaps the material world. Through my eyelids, I can see the flowing currents and patterns of magic all around me, from that attached to the souls of living ponies to the pure white gleam of the nearby Crystal Heart.
I look down at the body with my alternate vision. There’s little left of the inherent magic of earth ponies about this cadaver, with just the slightest streaks of brown still nestling in the bones to identify her species. I sweep over the body again and again, carefully checking each nook and cranny. Nothing… Nothing… Nothing… Nothing…
Wait, what’s that?
As I do a fourth examination of the skull, I spy something. It’s very faint, but where the eyes used to be… there’s just the slightest sheen of gold mixed in with the flowing brown of earth pony magicks. Not much to go on, and I can’t tell anything about whether this is even the spell I’m seeking, but it’s a start. With no better leads to go on, I’ll start my examination on the eyes.
You know, this would have been much easier if she had been looked at while alive, but I guess Cadence and Celestia were in too much of a rage to bother to think of it. It’s alicorn nature to be extremely wrathful when our loved ones are hurt. Ask Tirek if you don’t believe me – if he hadn’t been so tremendously supercharged with stolen magic after he destroyed my library and almost killed Owlowiscious, my attacks would have vaporized him on the spot, and I wouldn’t have regretted it for a nanosecond. So I suppose I can’t blame them.
Plucking the thin strand of gold from the flowing weave of brown without disrupting it is rather like attempting to dissect an ant under a microscope with just a pair of tweezers. I lose track of real time as I immerse myself in the effort, carefully unwinding the threads of magic so I can get a better look. This could be taking minutes, or hours. I’m fairly certain that I’d notice if it were longer than that.
Eventually, the magicks are separate enough that I can examine at least part of the hair-thin string of gold on its own. Yes… this is definitely a spell for manipulating minds. A potent one, at that. I’ve found my target. Now to analyze it.
A growl in my stomach tells me that I’ve been standing here for some time, and I have only begun.
This could take a while.
Cadence
Did you know that I’ve seriously considered abdicating?
No, really, I have. Don’t get me wrong, I love the Crystal Empire and its ponies… most of them, at any rate. It’s just that the politicking that goes on manages to be just the right combination of sycophantic, time-consuming, and inane to really put me off. Ponies go through elaborate routines to make trivial changes to our laws, and I have to put up with it or else they’ll make life more difficult and eat up even more of my time. Sycophants who don’t honestly give a buck about me constantly shower me with meaningless flattery, which is a walking insult to my domain. I get it, some ponies don’t like me and never will; I don’t enjoy that, but I accept it. But what truly makes me sick to my stomach is seeing the purity of love mocked by feigning affection for selfish gain. If you dislike me, fine, that’s your prerogative, but come out and say as much. Don’t insult me with servile fawning intended to butter me up. I’ll respect you more for your honesty.
That’s what I’ve had to endure for centuries – the price of rulership. To tell the truth, I’d probably be happier foalsitting again, basking in the sincere and innocent love that oozes from fillies and colts. Leaving the halls of power behind me and finding some homey little village to settle down in is a recurring fantasy of mine.
But I can’t do that. I’m an alicorn, and whatever else she may be, Celestia was right when she told me that it is the unavoidable destiny of our kind to rule. If Shining and I ever did settle down in some village somewhere, I would inevitably be beset by ponies asking for advice, instructions, and blessing. Even the most isolated backwater would eventually notice my ageless nature and feel the magic within me. Whether I held formal power or not, in a few short years, or decades at most, ponies would hang on my every word again. And so, power and the politicking that comes with it would follow me wherever I went.
Besides that, I can’t just leave the innocent of the Crystal Empire to their fates. It may sound egotistical of me, but I can guarantee that the next ruler of the empire, whoever he or she was, wouldn’t care for them quite the way I do. They’re mine, and I’m theirs, bound together by generations of trust and love. It’s my duty to keep them safe and happy, and ruling is a burden I bear for their sakes.
But none of that makes enduring the day-to-day tedium and false flattery any less irritating.
Why am I telling you this? Why whine about how hard the pretty pink ageless love goddess has it with her adoring subjects, beautiful kingdom, loving husband, and vast riches? I know I must sound like some griping drama queen, but I only want to give context to why I’m in a bit of a sour mood right now.
It’s presently seven o’clock in evening, and for the last five hours I’ve done nothing but listen to a crowd of shameless upper-class sycophants tell me how great I am while “humbly” asking me to grant this or that. Honestly, the requests are interchangeable, and so utterly predictable, that even with a magically augmented memory I’ve already forgotten who asked for what. If I didn’t have scribes writing it down, I wouldn’t remember what I’ve even decreed today. Which only adds that lovely slice of guilt to my simmering pot of irritation – my duty demands that I remember things like that, and I don’t because I’m selfish and bored. Some goddess.
So, to sum up, I’m busy getting ready for my date with Shining Armor while radiating a mixture of negative emotions, and feeling bad about that, too. I’m reapplying my makeup, going a bit heavy on the primer to hide the dark circles from lack of sleep. This whole thing is to try and make him a bit happier, and nothing spoils my husband’s mood more than knowing I’m in a bad mood. He’s already dealing with repressed depression because of me, I don’t need to add anything more to it.
I finish dolling myself up, then smile and strike a pose for the mirror, looking over myself with a critical eye. I’m going for chaste beauty, not the sexy look that comes a bit too easily when I’m preparing for a night out. I try a couple more poses before deciding on a demure, almost submissive posture virtually guaranteed to inspire warm, protective feelings in a stallion. Shining’s always been happiest when protecting others, and a lot of his issues are related to his perceived failures to do so. If I can make him feel just a bit more useful tonight, I’ll call this idea a success.
Once I’ve finished applying just a tad more blush, chosen my jewelry (simple earrings and necklace, no crown or golden horseshoes tonight), and preened my feathers until they’re just right, I decide that I’m ready. I’m sure Shiny is already all dressed up – stallions have it so easy – and waiting for me in our chambers.
I walk down the stairs and through the doorway and… yep! Called it.
“My, oh my,” I announce my entrance in a tone of faux surprise. “Whatever is yon roguishly handsome stallion doing in the fair princess’s tower? Not here to steal me away, I hope?”
Shining, dressed in a smart-looking blue and gold uniform jacket, can’t restrain a small chuckle. Then he gives me his best “handsome rogue” grin. It’s adorable. “I’m afraid you’re out of luck, princess, for that is exactly what I’ve come here to do.” His crystal horn turns a soft pink, and I’m gently lifted off my hooves and floated over to him.
“Oh, woe is me,” I intone dramatically, a hoof over my forehead in a completely stereotypical wilting maiden pose. “For I have been captured.” Shining sets me down beside him. “Will nopony help the poor damsel in distress?”
“I’m sorry to say that you’re on your own this time, my lady,” Shiny answers, wrapping a freshly-polished hoof around my neck. It’s heavy, but I like the feeling all the same.
“Alas,” I bend my neck down so that I’m looking meekly up at him. “Then it seems I am your helpless prisoner, oh villain most foul.” I’m barely managing not to giggle at the sheer cheesiness of it all. “You may do with me as you will, but I beg of you to be gentle to this poor princess.”
He smirks. “Not a chance, my lovely.”
“Oh no! Truly is my doom sealed! Woe is me!” I put a foreleg over my forehead again and, in a ridiculously overdone performance, fall over backwards in a mock faint, letting out my hammiest sigh as I do.
It’s too much for Shining Armor. He bursts out laughing, trying at first to conceal it behind a hoof but rapidly giving in to the urge and rolling over onto his sides. I try to resist, but the sheer corniness of the whole performance and the contagious nature of my husband’s laughter soon gets to me, and I’m in stitches too.
An over-the-top performance with plenty of ham and cheese always works on him. He tries to be Mr. Super Serious all the time, but it always has. After almost five hundred years of marriage, I know his weaknesses as well as he knows mine.
When we finally manage to stop giggling like foals, Shining puts his hoof around me again. I feel a lot better already.
“So,” he asks. “Where are we going? Your chariot drivers out there won’t tell me.”
He found them? Oh poo, I had hoped he wouldn’t go out on the balcony before I was ready. Good to know that I picked a pair of trustworthy ponies at least.
“You weren’t supposed to see them.” I pout girlishly, then give him a light shove on the shoulder. “And it wouldn’t be much of a surprise if I told you, now would it?”
“Aw, not even a hint?”
I giggle and push him softly again. “Nope, sorry, you’re out of luck.” I stick my tongue out at him.
“Fine, have it your way,” Shiny says with faux indignation. He crosses his forelegs and sticks his own tongue right back at me.
“Hmph!” I stick my nose in the air and do my best imitation of cousin Blueblood, strutting towards the balcony door like I own the world. Shining chuckles again before following me. Right as he’s about to pass through the door, I notice him give a backwards glance out of the corner of my eye. Odd. Did he forget something?
I brush it off and lead us out to our well-appointed balcony, where two pegasi are waiting to pull us in our chariot. It’s a little less private than I’d like, but Shining dislikes being carried by me and these two have already proved their discretion. Shiny, ever the gentlecolt, helps me on first, before climbing into his own space. I nod at the two pegasi, and they take off. I’ve already discussed our destination and timetable with them during a bit of downtime this afternoon, so nothing really needs to be said.
This far north, at this time of year, the sun has already set and Auntie Luna’s moon and stars shine brightly above us. The sky is crisp and clear, without a cloud in sight, a fact with which I had nothing at all to do with. Well, maybe a little… Anyway, we rise high into the sky above the Imperial City before leaving its bounds altogether. Shining raises an eyebrow at that and takes another backwards glance, but doesn’t say anything.
The always-cold north wind whips by us, its biting chill made even worse by the season and altitude. I snuggle up to Shining, bending down to lay my head against his shoulder. He smiles softly and rests his own head gently on top of mine, just like I like it. He wraps a hoof around my neck, while I put a wing over his back. His crystal body is as cold as the wind, but as mare capable of literally opening up her own chest and digging samples of her heart tissue out, I think I can tank it pretty well. Besides, it’s not about me, not now.
We soar over towns and villages, pine forests and tundra. The wind continues to be strong, cold, and very, very loud. It would be pretty hard to talk here if we were trying to, but thankfully we’re content just to enjoy a little time to just relax in each other’s company. During that time, I notice Shiny take one or two more glances back towards the Imperial City. Odd… what is he worried about? Regardless, our journey takes about twenty minutes or so, but at long last I see the destination I picked for us.
Our drivers take us down slowly over a particularly isolated forest of pine trees, circling I clearing I informed them of before landing softly. The silence of the place is broken by the sound of hooves and chariot wheels crushing pine needles and stick underhoof. Shining looks around, obviously puzzled, and then gives me a questioning gaze. I just giggle teasingly and hop out, beckoning him to do the same. With a grin of cautious optimism, he does so, and our drivers fly away.
“So,” Shiny says once they’re gone. “A mare lures a stallion out into the woods by himself in the dead of night. Should he be concerned?”
I smirk and flick my flowing tail at him. “You tell me. Are you?”
“Maaaaaybe…” he smirks right back.
“Shiny!” I tease, playfully batting at his hooves.
He laughs. I love to hear that sound. “Alright, I’m not. As long as it’s you.”
“I’m pretty sure I’m me.”
“Then I guess I have nothing to worry about.”
“I guess you don’t. Now follow me, Mr. Suspicion. I have something to show you.”
I lead Shining out of the clearing and into the trees, taking the time to enjoy the relaxing sounds of a quiet woodland at night. Moonbeams filter through the branches to light our path, and from time to time I see little creatures scurry past at our approach. This forest in pony-tended, but the Crystal Empire’s animals still tend to be a bit shyer than those of Equestria proper. Shining follows me closely, but I still catch glimpses of a worried expression on his face and homeward looks from time to time. What’s eating him?
“Shining?” I ask as we emerge from the trees to find a crystal clear stream running through the woods, feed year-round by northern ice and snow.
“Hmmm? Yes?” he hurriedly switches his attention away from whatever he was thinking about back to me.
“Is everything alright?” I ask, a note of worry I didn’t intend entering my voice. “You’ve been awfully quiet and you keep looking back. Is there something wrong?”
He hesitates. “…No.” He’s never been a very good liar.
I walk over to him and put a hoof on his check, stroking it softly. “Are you sure? If there’s anything going on, you know can tell me anything, right?” The hypocrisy of that statement makes me feel guilty, but I suppress the twinge of conscience.
“Of course I know that.”
“So you’re sure there’s nothing wrong?”
“Positive,” he replies in a firmer, more commanding tone.
I don’t believe him, but I decide to back down for now. I still want this to be pleasant, and if he doesn’t want to talk about something I won’t force him.
“Alright,” I remove my hoof. “Just let me know if something comes up, ok?”
“Of course,” he nods, and I sense guilt coming off him. He doesn’t like lying to me any more than I do to him.
“Anyway,” I go on, forcing my voice into a brighter tone. “We’re here.”
Shining looks around. “Interesting choice,” he remarks. He looks me in the eye and his face perks up a bit. “You have something planned.”
“You bet I do,” I answer in a genuinely more cheerful voice. A quick spell conjures a soft red mat by the stream. I gesture at it. “Take a seat. We’re a little behind schedule, but luckily for us I packed a bit of extra time in.”
He smirks. “Behind schedule? On a date in the woods? Are you sure you aren’t Twily in disguise?”
I giggle. “Pretty sure.”
“Well, alright then,” he says, sitting down on all fours on the mat.
I snuggle up beside him, wrapping my wing around his midsection and putting my head against his neck.
“Now what?” he asks.
“Shhhh…” I put a hoof over his lips, then point to a gap in the tree cover running alongside the stream. The stars are clearly visible in the cloudless night sky. “Just watch and you’ll see. Trust me.”
“Alright.”
We sit there in silence for some time. A minute ticks by. Two. Three. Now I’m starting to get worried. What if the charts I consulted were incorrect? What if the view from here is bad? What if Shining gets bored sitting around here? Come, hurry it up, world! Hurry it-
“There!” I can’t resist the urge to give a little yelp and point when I finally see what I’ve been waiting for.
A dazzling emerald green streak of color lights up the night sky around where I’ve pointed. It grows, rapidly, flying across the black void of night to shine on all the ponies beneath it. It curves, twists, and flows like some vast river of liquid jewel in the sky. It continues to grow closer and closer until the streak soars directly above our head, painting the forest and all within it a vivid green. This beautiful display is the Crystal Empire’s famous aurora, better known as the Northern Lights.
I nuzzle up to my husband, looking at his expression. He smiles and puts his head on mine, and I can sense that he’s feeling happy. I smile widely as the feeling spreads to me.
Shining Armor and I sit alone together in the forest, watching the light show go by.