“Dear god, this is my fault! I should have remembered to tell you to open a window. I didn’t think the flame would eat more air than what was casually flowing into the room via cracks.” Twilight was mortified, how could she had made such a stupid mistake? One simple oversight had almost cost Sweetie’s life, forever stuck in a death loop.
“It’s fine Twilight, you didn’t know.” Sweetie sighed and closed her eyes, leaning back on her chair. It really wasn’t that big a deal, everything turned out ok in the end. Twilight blinked, eyes slowly turning toward Sweetie.
“Are you...apathetic to your death?” Twilight bit her lip, concerned as the filly tilted her head.
“As in, you feel nothing about the fact you just died. Not only died, but died repeatedly by suffocation!” Twilight forced herself not to fly off the handle. There was nothing to be afraid of. A little apathy was not the signs of a mad pony, merely one of the steps toward it.
“Oh, yeah a little bit I guess. I mean, sure it was maddening while I was dying, but now I’m not I kinda feel it was one of the better ways to die. I mean, I wasn’t scratched all over by a cliff before splattering to piece-oops.” Sweetie remembered too late that this Twilight probably didn’t know too much about it. However, Twilight merely bit her lip and looked away. Sweetie supposed she had a whole section in Twilight’s notes dedicated to in depth details of her deaths.
“I don’t like it, but we should move onto the next bit of news. What happened to Philomena?” Twilight sighed, knowing that passing this might end badly in the future. Writing herself a note about it, Twilight returned her attention to Sweetie as she levitated the cage back up, including the live Phoenix inside.
“It’s weird. I remember during the last few times, at least when I was conscious enough to look over there, Philomena was just ash. However the moment the window and door opened she burst back to life.” Sweetie placed the cage down and scratched the back of her head. Twilight nodded, writing it down. Beside her was a spare piece of paper, a half written letter to Celestia.
“Speaking of which, how did the window and door open?” Twilight watched as Sweetie sighed, and shook her head sadly.
“I don’t know. All I know is if it wasn’t for them opening, I wouldn’t have escaped the death loop. What do you think it means?” Sweetie could tell the obvious, but maybe Twilight would figure something out she had missed. Twilight tapped the feather to her face as she sighed, folding her arms and musing.
“Well, there must have been outside interference. The question is by whom? How were they not resetting with each loop? This is based on the assumption if they weren’t then they would have gotten you out the very first death loop. I can only assume they’re in the same situation you are, able to keep a pocket around them from resetting each loop. The real question however, is why did they save you? Then there’s the possibility it was you somehow, but that answer doesn’t feel right.” Twilight closed her eyes, and bit her lip.
“Sorry Sweetie Belle, but I can only provide questions, not answers. I’ll send out findings to Princess Celestia, if you give me the looping letter, and we’ll see what she has to say.” Twilight took the letter, and carefully scribbled down their findings on a piece of paper. Calling for Spike, Twilight sent it off, and they both waited.
Sure enough, the letter arrived quickly.
Dear Sweetie Belle and Twilight
Enclosed is the loop letter, returned to Sweetie as requested. Moving on, this is indeed news both grave and hopeful. However, there is something I must discuss with Sweetie Belle in person, so I will be flying down with my sister, Luna, on Thursday. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask.
Sincerely, Princess Celestia
P.S. Feel free to release Philomena or take her with you though loops. I can confirm my version of her is not harmed in any way. Please do take care of her. Do not worry about feeding Philomena, as she will feed herself if you let her out. I have already instructed her to stay with you, so she will always return to you at sunset.
“Huh, I’ve got a pet Phoenix. Awesome.” Sweetie turned, opening the door to Philomena’s cage. Flying out of the cage, Philomena stretched her wings and came to land on Sweetie’s head, making a nest in her hair. Sweetie giggled, and Philomena chirped innocently.
“Anyway, that’s that. I’ll see you on Thursday Sweetie.” Twilight smiled warmly as Sweetie trotted away, heading toward school. As soon as the filly was out of sight, Twilight scribed a letter and sent it to Celestia once more.
“Dear Twilight, you worry too much. When death is no longer an option, you do gain a certain apathy to it.” Twilight growled, and scrunched up the letter, unconvinced.
“I’m sorry Sweetie, but no pets on the school grounds.” Cheerilee felt guilty to be forcing Sweetie to let her Phoenix go, mostly due to the sad look on everyfilly and everycolt’s face. Sweetie sighed, and opened the window.
“Alright Philomena, I’ll see you at home at sunset, ok?” Sweetie smiled, holding out a hoof near her head, which Philomena stepped onto. After a moment of nuzzling Sweetie, Philomena flared her wings and took off toward the Everfree. Sweetie sat down, and the class gave a sad sigh.
“Alright, now let’s begin today’s class on how diamonds and sand are formed.” Cheerilee began the class, and Sweetie glanced over to Diamond. There had to be a better way to get the five of them together without skipping a day. Sweetie glanced over toward Snips and Snails, and discarded her thoughts.
It would be nice to hang out with them today. Sweetie quickly checked she still had their loop notes. Nodding, she opened up her book and began to draw.