//------------------------------//
// L52 
// Story: A little loopy. 
// by FaelaArts 
//------------------------------//

Sweetie stepped off the train to Canterlot, and turned her gaze toward the castle.Watching ponies go by, she began to make her way up to it, having told Celestia not to bother with an escort. As she walked up, her thoughts turned to Twilight, whom she had not told the reason behind her visit to Canterlot.

Sweetie walked up to a guard, and explained her reason for being here. As another guard left to confirm this, she also thought to her sister. Sweetie had waited until Rarity had left for Manehattan. It meant she wouldn’t have to drag either one along. Sure, Twilight might be fine with it, but Rarity wasn’t going to miss the chance.

“Hello Sweetie Belle. Ah, sorry. You prefer Sweetie, correct?” Celestia bowed her head as Luna teleported some papers away. As Sweetie approached, she gave a nod, and motioned toward a balcony overlooking Canterlot. Sweetie leaned on the railing, looking down as everypony went about their daily lives.

“I know I was vague in my letter, but it’s something I really want to talk about in person. And, well, as the longest lived ponies I know, you are the best to go with this question.” Sweetie turned her head toward them. Celestia and Luna both looked to the other for a moment, and motioned for Sweetie to continue.

“I’m losing my ability to care.” Sweetie leaned her head on the cool, marble railing, and sighed. Celestia and Luna frowned for a moment. After their minds caught up, they quickly surrounded the filly, embracing her in a hug. Celestia glanced to Luna, and she bowed her head.

“Sweetie, you must be more detailed in your explanation, for it is hard for us to entirely understand the situation. Therefore, we cannot help until that is solved.” Luna waited as Sweetie raised her head, looking toward Canterlot again.

“All those ponies, their faces, their lives. I know they don’t know it, but every action they do is meaningless. Even if they knew, nothing would change the next week. I know I should see them as ponies, but they feel like...Puppets, going through the motions without knowing I could be the one pulling their strings, changing their show. I know that’s not true, but the fact of the matter is I-” Sweetie lowered her head to the railing again.

“I just don’t care anymore.” Sweetie knew it was wrong, but she couldn’t change her feelings. Ditzy losing her job, Dinky starving. What was the point? Sweetie was so tired of it. Sometimes, she almost forgot to do it, it had become a routine by now.

“In that case, we must implore you to reconsider our offer.” Celestia stepped back, and Luna did the same. Sweetie slapped her head to one side, watching them wearily.

“Please allow us to try and come through the loop with you. If we die, it is not like we will be gone forever. If you really are starting to lose empathy, then time is slowly running out for you.” Celestia did not go into further detail. If Sweetie wasn’t ready for it, then she would not push it. If she did not push it, to be honest, Celestia would actually be relieved.

“I’ll,” started Sweetie, pausing and turning her head to look at Canterlot. Sweetie desperately wanted something new to do. As she considered Celestia’s proposal again, part of her mind brought a suggestion to go spend time with Babs. Sweetie liked the idea, she could go to the Zoo or something this time.

“I’ll consider it.” Sweetie didn’t want to make a hasty decision based on her current emotional state. While she knew they would not remember it, she still cared about the Princesses. Sure, even that was starting to ebb, and Sweetie knew she was in a position where their plan was looking more and more appealing. But if there was one thing she had plenty of, it was time.

“Thank you for the talk, I’ll take the train back home now.” Sweetie turned, dismissing their offers for a carriage, and walked out of the Castle. Heading toward the train station, she used her magic to pick the pocket of an Earth Pony. Using the money, she bought herself a ticket, and waited for the train.

It wasn’t like the stallion would notice he was missing five bits.