-One Week Later-
Twilight glared at her never-changing reflection in the mirror. She half expected it to change the moment she tore her eyes from it, so she blinked...nope still the same. Twilight's eyes had returned back to their usual round pupils, rather than the creepy dragon eyes the day Twilight attacked the Changeling Queen. The problem was, Twilight had no memory of ever assaulting Chrysalis, but she was well aware of her current physical appearence. Her once blue with purple and pink high-lighted mane, was now black with a flowing purple streak down the middle, the same could be said about her tail.
The dark maned mare, asked her friends about what had had happened a week ago but they refused to say anything. Princess Celestia was much the same, the only difference was that Celestia hugged Twilight tightly every time Twilight brought it up...
Sighing, Twilight ran a hoof through her mane, it felt strangely...right, like it was meant to be this way. That's something she couldn't explain. Twilight had attempted to dye her mane back to being blue, but the dye harmlessly dripped to the floor much to her chagrin.
Her magick also has seemed to have changed, whenever Twilight used it the glow was a near black colour. Yesterday, Twilight levitated a book on hair dye, nothing happened at first but after about five minutes of taking in the information, the book abruptly and literally melted in Twilight's magical grasp. That made Twilight yelp in fright and caused Celestia to once again hug Twilight.
Twilight at first loved the attention, but after being squeezed for the fifteenth time, she calmly declined any further embraces.
That wasn't the end of the odd changes to Twilight. Her temper had become more vocal and even the littlest of things irritated Twilight to no end. Such as the maid who came in yesterday to bring Twilight's dinner, retreated sharply when Twilight barked at her for being a few minutes late, despite the fact that Twilight's private tower had a very long staircase. Twilight had also picked up a strange hobby for armour design and crafting, she went down to the smithy in Canterlot Palace and asked to use various metals the smithy wasn't using. A gorgeous but intimidating silver-grey helmet currently sat on Twilight's bed, shaped to fit her head comfortably. The helm's design wasn't something Twilight had read from a book or learned from the smithy, it just came to her naturally, once one part was finished something in the back of her mind gave her another design part for the helmet.
The voice within Twilight's mind was also confused about where all of this information was coming from, but it had it's own suspicions.
Twilight turned and stared at the intricate piece of armour, looking over it's finished form. A hole on top for a Unicorn's horn with even a horn-guard protecting the front, two open spots for the ears of a pony, chain-mail with movable neck braces attached to the base and top of the neck section which wrapped all around the throat. The only odd (even though the whole idea of making her own armour was odd in and of itself) part of the helm was the portion that would cover the snout and muzzle, which was much too long for Twilight's face, it had strange looking runes along it's sides and two long protrusions of metal facing downward. The dual metal protrusions themselves looked like over-sized, flat fangs.
Nopony else had seen the helmet yet besides Spike, who was currently downstairs in the throne room with Celestia.
“What is happening to me? This cannot be normal development for a Unicorn of my age. Randomly picking up hobbies I didn't even have a week ago, being nasty to the maids and guards for being even a little late? I mean what the buck!” Twilight rubbed the bridge of her muzzle feeling a headache coming on.
She did not understand anything of what was going on, Twilight had Celestia ask the Archmage is they could do a magick scan, but something was interrupting the flow of magick around Twilight's body. The Archmage gave up after an hour or so trying to regulate Twilight's magick flow, she stomped of cursing her incapability. That scene made Twilight giggle despite the current situation.
She heard the door open and in came Princess Celestia with Spike in tow, trotting up to Twilight with a motherly smile. “How are you doing Twilight?” Celestia asked.
Twilight slipped the helmet under her pillows before Celestia could see it. “Fine. Just fine. Why do you ask?” Twilight knew they were worried, but she didn't want to add anymore of it to the pile.
“I'm just making sure you're okay. Your friends were wondering if you would come see them today.” Celestia sat on her haunches in front of Twilight, while Spike made himself scarce by entering the library portion of the tower.
“Would that be okay even with my-” Twilight used a hoof to gaze at her new black mane. “-new looks?” She sighed.
Celestia looked over her student/daughter and nodded cheerfully. “Of course my faithful student. You have just been cooped up in this tower hiding from prying eyes.” She petted Twilight's mane softly.
“W-well I didn't want scare anypony.” Twilight said.
“Hmm. Has your cutie mark turned back Twilight?” Celestia moved her head to the side to look at Twilight's mark.
Twilight nodded. “Yes, but the white star in the middle hasn't, it's still black.” She pointedly avoided looking at her tainted cutie mark.
Celestia felt that icy chill going down her spine again. 'Again? That feeling seems familiar, but from where and when?' The princess had been having a sense of euphoria ever since the day Twilight blasted those Dark Knights and their cult fellows out of Canterlot, which still scared Celestia to this day. A week ago, Celestia met that crystallized Alicorn beneath Canterlot after Chrysalis trapped Celestia down there. The pearl-white mare knew the crystal Alicorn, but her name escaped Celestia's memory.
Celestia shook that thought process away, and noticed Twilight had a far-away look on her face. “Twilight?”
“Uh? Wha?” Twilight's eyes regained their focus. “Sorry princess , I was thinking about something.” Twilight said as she stood up. “Can we go now? I think I've kept the girls waiting long enough.”
Celestia also stood and smiled brightly. “Of course Twilight.” She made her way to the door.
'Mistress, I think Celestia is aware of me.' The voice whimpered.
Twilight wished she could nuzzle the voice in her head, if just to sooth her fear of Celestia. Twilight still had no clue why the voice was scared of the beloved Princess of the Sun. 'Relax Echo, Princess Celestia is the most kind and caring pony in all of Equestria. She would never harm you, even if she found out about you.' Twilight reassured the voice she fondly named 'Echo'.
Echo smiled despite not being seen. 'You named me? Even though I have not yet told you my name?' She asked.
'If you don't like it, I could always-'
'No, no Mistress I love it! Echo sounds perfect, thank you.'
Twilight trotted alongside Celestia and smiled again. 'You're welcome Echo, and please just call me Twilight.'
'Alright Mist-ehm I mean Twilight.' Echo laid down mentally and fell asleep.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
-Somewhere in the Everfree Forest-
Two figures stood across from each other, one dressed in a white robe with a crystal trim along the edges, while the other wore a hooded black cloak, encrusted with the Cult of the Dark Arts emblem upon the back. “So, have you found your estranged Goddess yet?” Asked the white robed stallion.
“That we have, we have known who she was ever since that first raid at Canterlot.” The cloaked one laughed in a elderly female voice.
The stallion chanted something in a quiet voice as he held up a hoof prayer. “Your blasphemous deeds stain this green land known as Equestria.” He snort in discontempt.
Growling the mare stomped a hoof. “Well your holy order isn't so clean as it claims. What, with that massacre across the ocean in the Minotaur lands.” She smirked as he clenched his teeth together.
“Hmph...they deserved such a sacred ritual since they stole our Goddess's most sacred relic. Our pure hearts cleansed them of their sins.” He put up the same hoof again in prayer.
The mare backed away as if she was slapped. “Relic you say? Which one exactly?” She asked.
“One that should never be touched by mortal hooves or hands alike.” The stallion lit his horn and summoned hoof-sized crystal. He carefully carved the delicate stone into a thin almond shape. “We are also aware of Penumbra's inevitable return to this world. But-” He stopped when the mare glared at him.
“Do not speak of our dark Goddess, in such a tone usurper. The Great Alicorn of Tartarus is the only true Goddess of Equestria.” The cloaked mare growled.
He continued regardless. “But, our Order has grown strong over the years cultist. So our Queen will return to her throne before Penumbra revives.”
Armoured hoof-steps could be heard by both ponies, and a black armoured, bat-winged Unicorn calmly trotted in. “Evening gents.” The armour clad pony greeted.
“Nocte, Good to see you.” The mare smiled.
Nocte lowered a graceful bat wing and bowed low. “Why thank you Golden Mural.”
“A Dark Knight? Here?” The white robed stallion demanded.
“Heh.” Dark Knights were the elite group amongst the Cult of the Dark Arts. They were specially trained with dark magick and combat, there were five knights currently; a Griffon, an Earth Pony, two bat-winged Unicorns, and a Pegasus. Nocte Wing-Nocte for short-was one of the two bat Unicorns, he was also the shortest of the Dark Knights. He did not let such a fact get in his way of being a deadly combatant against the Cult's foes though.
Nocte began as a low ranking guard for the cult leader, he personally hated Kirin but did what he was told. The reason for his hatred, was due to an earlier confrontation in his life,when a gang of Kirin ambushed Nocte's father wanting his bits. Nocte was only twelve at the time, so he could only watch as his father was brutally beaten until the Kirin grew bored of it and left. They crawled home at a slow pace, until his father collapse outside of an abandoned factory. They rested and waited until Nocte's mother suddenly showed up exiting the building. She was wearing a cloak of the Cult of the Dark Arts, to say Nocte was shocked was an understatement. She saved his father's life and converted her son and husband into the Cult. The rest is history.
The white robed unicorn gulped nervously. “Care to elaborate about our Great Goddess some more?” Nocte asked with a fanged smile.
“N-No that's enough for today.” He prayed silently as he left.
Both cultists stood there for a while as they watched the robed stallion disappear into the underbrush...until they broke into laughter. “D-Did you see his face?! Priceless!” Nocte guffawed.
Mural merely chuckled the best she could in her old age. “Yes. I agree, the poor young colt wouldn't dare insult Empress Penumbra in the presence of one her Dark Knights eh?”
Nocte nodded. “Indeed, now shall we do what we came here to do, before we were so rudely interrupted?”
The two left the clearing, and made their way into the ruined castle across the gorge. The castle was in a sorry state of decay, the crumbling stone walls had seen better days, vines ran through the crevices of the stone masonry barely holding the structure together. Moonlight from Luna's moon shone down on them as each of the dark ponies trotted down a hallway and into the castle proper.
Golden Mural's wrinkled hooves clacked quietly on the cobblestone floor, her long black cloak dragged behind her as she admired the unbroken stone walls. She flicked her greying tail as she gazed at Nocte, the dark armoured stallion was silent, keeping a stoic gaze ahead in case of predators. “This place is as quiet as it normally is.” Mural pointed out.
Nodding, Nocte said. “Ever since The Nightmare was destroyed, the animals and various other wildlife have avoided this place.” He momentarily looked out of the broken window beside and into the distance. “Well, except for the plants of course, they thrive in most of the nooks and crannies.” Nocte chuckled.
“Plants eh, deary?” Mural kept her pace, slow and steady.
“What? Plants are good are great for the ecosystem. I even heard Empress Penumbra herself made the very plants we eat in Tartarus when she was younger.” Nocte defended himself playfully.
The old mare rolled her eyes as the pair entered ruined throne room. “Truly? Oh, these old ears never can quite hear such wondrous rumors correctly.” She rubbed her left ear in a mocking motion.
Nocte sighed, he never quite understood Golden Mural, old as they both were. “Back to the topic at hoof. Avec wanted us to find a crystal in the depths of this castle. You have our directions?” He asked, turning to his companion.
“Hmph.” Mural huffed and pulled a scroll out of her cloak. “Yes, yes I have it right here...there should be a hidden switch near the solar throne that opens a secret door somewhere.” She read each written passage of writing with gusto, and to make sure she did not misread anything.
Nocte flew up to the mentioned throne, and used a hoof to feel anything that resembled a switch mechanism. “No. Nope. That's not it...aha!” He felt a loose brick behind the throne and pushed forward. A loud grinding sound filled as the lunar throne on the dias came forward a foot than slid to right, revealing a hidden stairway.
Mural came up to the open stairway and looked down into it's dreary abyss, which seemed to absorb the light entering it. “Hmm, guess this would be it, Nocte deary.” She stated making her way into the dark.
Nocte just followed her lead, not wanting to be left behind. The staircase was dark, very dark. No light could be seen at the bottom. If there was a bottom, that is. Nocte wasn't afraid of the dark by any means, but rather liked being able to see where he was going, he silently cursed himself for not learning a night vision spell like his fellow Dark Knights did. At the time all he wanted to learn was combat spells and illusion magic, so he skipped the spells such as Night Vision and Mage Sight, which was one Princess Luna herself created.
Mural giggled when Nocte blindly smacked his armoured muzzle into the wall. “Careful.” Mural herself already knew the night vision spell by heart, so she had no trouble traversing the darkness around them.
Eventually the staircase ended into a wide open room. Mural lit a torch on the wall next to her with a purple flame, Nocte came up behind her and breathed a sigh of relief at finally being able to see again.
“You rely on your vision a bit too much deary.” Mural pointed out.
“What's the point of not seeing where one's enemy is, if you can't tell where the fool is?” Nocte grumbled.
“Sight isn't everything in a fight you know.” Mural sighed, than looked around the room, wanting to find a door, Nocte followed suit. Both ponies checked the walls for any sign of door or anything resembling one, Mural tapped the floor, and wall finding unfortunately finding nothing of interest. Nocte merely rounded the room, turning his head to and fro, with his ears standing erect.
...
...
...
He heard a noise that sounded like distant lightning, emanating from the longest point in the chamber. “Hey, do you hear that Mural?” He asked while nimbly gliding across the room.
Mural came up beside him and pointed her ears toward the sound. “Mhmhm, yes I do. Sounds like thunder.”
Nocte lit his horn and felt around the wall with his magick. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary at first, until he felt a portion of wall glow with a dark blue hue and slide to side revealing another hidden room. He grinned. 'Clever.' He stayed put as Mural went forward and into the room.
On a pedestal in center of the circular chamber, hovered a glowing translucent angular crystal, electric bolts zapped the walls and wrapped themselves around the five-foot tall gem. “What a beautiful crystal.” Mural turned around and kicked the pedestal causing it to tilt side to side. She kicked it harder and it toppled right over, and the crystal fell down right in front of Mural's hooves. She dodged a few scattered bolts that flew at her, the earth mare may have been over three-hundred years old, but that didn't mean she couldn't be nimble like a seven year old filly. 'Three-hundred or not, thanks to this Dark Magick that flows through my veins I'll probably last another century or so.' Chuckling she swiftly grabbed the crystal and jumped over another large bolt that threatened to fry her like a french fry.
Nocte sat there, just watching the old mare nimbly avoiding the electric bolts of energy with slight sense of envy. 'Jeez, even without my armour, even I can't move like that.' He sharply turned his head away in slight disgust. He couldn't hold it for long, as Mural already past him by, crystal in tow.
“Now that we have it, why do you think Avec wants it anyway?” Mural curious asked.
Nocte shrugged off his negative feelings and whipped out a short sword. “Dunno, I'll ask him when we deliver this strange crystal.” He swung the blade downward which opened a rift portal to Tartarus. “Ladies first.” Nocte gracefully bowed with a playful smile.
Mural shook her head with a glint of mirth in her eye as she crossed the thresh hold. “Thank you kind sir.”
Nocte stood up and gazed at the now empty room than tossed in an oddly shaped rock. “Good riddance, to any souls who enter here.” He chuckled darkly as he stepped into the portal than proceeded to close it.
The rock glowed a bright red as wisps of dark magick engulfed the chamber. Several pentagram shaped ritual circles appeared on the walls, the floor and in midair, as a constant hum filled the air. A grunting growl came from nowhere as huge black beast prowled into the room, ready to tear apart any unfortunate creature who stumbled upon the hidden stair.
________________________________________________________________________________________
-Ponyville, The Next Day-
A knock came to the Golden Oaks Library door, which in turn caught Spike's attention. He looked up from the comic book he was reading and looked at calender pinned into the nearby wall. 'Huh? Who could that be, the library is closed today.' Spike placed the comic on the center coffee table and jogged over to the door. Opening it, his eyes caught the visage of a white robed unicorn before him. “Um, the library is closed today...” He cautiously started, something about this pony did not sit well with him.
“Good evening sir.” The unicorn was a mare Spike noticed. “I'm a preacher for the Holy Church of Crystal. And would like to extend an offer for the owner of this establishment.” She flipped her gold-rimmed hood down and smiled benevolently.
Spike felt an unnatural calmness overtake his senses as the white coated mare looked upon him. “U-um Twilight isn't here today she's in Canterlot.” He automatically responded.
She smiled. “That's alright young drake, would you kindly give her this when she comes back?” The mare reached into robes and pulled out a small gem. Spike gave a nod, than slowly reached for the gem. He licked his lips absentmindedly as he held the shiny gem. The giggled, her voice sounding like hearths warming bells to Spike's ears. “No, no young one, that is not something a dragon of your age would find very tasty I'm afraid.” She gently ruffled his head spines.
Spike melted at her touch, he couldn't help himself. Something about this mare gave off an air of gentleness and comfort only a mother would. Spike looked at her features a little more closely; she had a vibrant pearl-white coat, a white mane with light-pink highlights, her cutie mark was concealed underneath her white and gold robe, her eyes were also golden yellow. What really caught Spike's attention though, was the fact that the mare was about as tall as Princess Cadence.
Spike shook his head to clear his thoughts. “Heheh.” He chuckled nervously to the smiling mare, her gorgeous appearance rivaling that of Rarity's. “So, anything else I could do for you? Some tea perhaps or...” Spike trailed off.
“Hmm? Oh, ha ha. That's alright. I-” The kind mare was cut off as a rainbow blur landed in front of her.
“Hold on there! Who are you Miss Prissy?” Rainbow Dash raised an suspicious eyebrow at her.
The mare smiled again. “Oh hello there, Miss Rainbow Dash yes?” She asked.
Rainbow gawked at her. “That's me alright. Who's asking?” She kept her tone somewhat accusing.
“I have just heard about many of your accomplishments Miss Dash.” She continued smiling while reaching out a hoof.
Rainbow Dash waited a moment, before shaking the mare's hoof hesitantly. The Pegasus instantly felt an overwhelming calmness overtake her, that freaked Rainbow out, so she pulled her hoof away sharply. 'The buck was that!?' She shreaked mentally backing away from the other mare.
“Sorry, is something wrong?” The mare was genuinely confused as to why Rainbow Dash acted like she did, so she put her hoof back down and gazed sadly at the chromatic mare.
Rainbow coughed awkwardly and forced a smile. “N-nothing, just thought I saw another Changeling behind you.” She pointed at something, for which the preacher turned to see what she meant. While she was distracted Rainbow leaned down to Spike. “Psst, did she touch you at all? I got a really creepy feeling when we shook hooves.” She shivered.
“Y-yeah, I got this sense of...of, well I dunno some kind of feeling of motherly comfort, I guess you could call it.” Spike replied, rubbing his head spines from where the preacher pet him.
“Same here.” Rainbow glanced at the mare, who was smiling at them again.
“Well I didn't see any Changelings but I met a nice Owl who flew into the library, Miss Dash. I haven't quite introduced myself have I?” At Rainbow's nod she greeted them again. “Hello, I'm Crysta Feather. A wandering preacher for the Holy Church of Crystal. Also known across Equestria as the Holy Order of the Goddesses.” She raised a hoof in prayer. “I've come to bring our good faith to the citizens of Ponyville.”
Rainbow scuffed a hoof in impatience. “Oh really?” Rainbow Dash refused to believe that this mare was in Ponyville for any type of “good faith” since she had never seen or heard of the church Crysta spoke of. And mostly because she was still a little spooked due to the feeling she had when she shook hooves with the taller mare.
Crysta frowned, she still couldn't understand why Rainbow Dash was being so apprehensive and cautious around her. 'Nopony has ever acted like this before, especially after I've given them a small blessing of mine.' She took a step closer to Spike and Rainbow and gave them a gentle smile. “Please, don't be alarmed Miss Dash and young Spike. I have no sinful agenda that would cause any misfortune to befall either of you.” Crysta reached over to rub Spike's head spines again.
Spike caught her hoof with his claw, and shook his head. “Look, since you were here initially for Twilight, and since you already gave me this letter to her.” Crysta lowered her head. “Uh...d-don't worry, I'll make sure Twilight gets this as soon as possible.” Spike brushed her hoof which brought a small smile to Crysta.
“You're very kind.”
“Hey you're embarrassing me.” They shared a laugh, which made Rainbow groan.
“Look, if you're done here would ya kindly get going?” Rainbow asked.
“Oh, you're right. My friends will be expecting me.” Crysta raised a hoof in prayer. “May the Crystal Goddess watch over you both this day.” Nodding, Crysta left the duo to their own devices. She paused mid-step and looked over her shoulder. “If you ever wish to speak to me or my fellow preachers, you can find us at the hotel we're staying in over the course of the week. I believe it was called the Harmony Inn or something.” She giggled. “Well, see you.” Crysta resumed her walk, and disappeared into a crowd of ponies traversing the road.
Rainbow Dash and Spike watched the Unicorn leave, wondering the same thing. “Twilight has to know about this.” Spike whispered.
______________________________________________________________________________________
-Canterlot-
“Echo, why do I look like this still? I already checked my body several times for signs of magickal contamination...and still nothing out of the ordinary.” Twilight placed a hoof on a pony-sized mirror that sat on the floor.
Echo mentally wilted at Twilight's confused frown, not sure exactly what to say. 'Twilight...' She began catching Twilight's attention. 'Do you really wish to know the truth behind this transformation?' Echo asked, the reason for Twilight's new form was something Echo previously withheld from her and wished to keep it that way. Unless her host ordered it out of her.
Twilight let out an exhausted sigh. “I...I don't know, something within me wants to know the truth immediately, but the other wishes to keep it hidden and out of thought.” She tore her gaze away from the mirror. “It's giving me a headache Echo. I have had these episodes five times already since that cult attacked Canterlot a few years back, and it's only getting worse.” Twilight let out another deep sigh.
Echo was quiet for a moment as she contemplated the thoughts going through Twilight's mind. Fifteen minutes passed by, until she spoke up again. 'To be truthful Twilight, I know exactly what's happening within you but I'll only say anything if you really wish to know.' Echo let her proclamation set into Twilight's mind.
The lavender mare sat on her haunches. “Ye-” She stopped herself. “Should I ask? Is it really that important?” Twilight looked upon the purple portion of her tail, the flowing strands of hair waved without moving an inch. The strange hairs captured Twilight's scientific curiously at first, but when she went to lop off a bit of the purple strands, the scissors failed to even cut the hairs. Twilight grit her teeth in frustration than took her tail in her mouth and proceeded to chew it.
Echo laughed softly at the amusing sight of her Mistress acting like a filly again. 'It's alright Twilight. Take your time, we have plenty of it.'
Soothed by Echo's words, Twilight placed a hoof on her chest and practiced a breathing technique Cadence taught her when she was a filly. 'In and out, In and out' She recited mentally while taking a couple relaxing breathes. “Okay...Echo please tell me what's going on with me.” Twilight pleaded anxiously but with a steady voice.
'...As you wish Mistress Twilight. There is a power deep within the depths of your soul, so to speak.' Echo began.
Twilight tilted her head in question. “Power? What kind of power?”
'A dark-but not evil-power that has been asleep for most of your life, has begun to awaken. It started when I first spoke to you Twilight and had grown over time. The black mane and tail you have right now are a sign that your true power will soon reveal itself.' Echo gave Twilight the short version of what she knew not wanting to go into detail unless Twilight asked. 'It's your magic through and through Mistress, it's always been yours even from the day you were born...that includes your previous...' She softly said.
Twilight couldn't hear what Echo said after her pause but shrugged in disinterest. “Is it dangerous at all? Because I remember last week during the Changeling attack, that I had an episode and blacked out. When I awoke I was in the med-wing of the palace with Princess Celestia at my bedside. She looked relieved that I was okay but when I asked about Chrysalis, her eyes widened and merely hugged me back to sleep. I was so tired that day.” Twilight rubbed her right foreleg in content remembering Celestia's warm embrace despite the situation they were previously in. “And my eyes, once I finally saw them in a mirror...” She shivered as a mental image of her creepy reptilian pupils appeared in the forefront of her mind.
'Were they really that bad?' Echo asked with worry in her voice.
“Well...they seemed to radiate a deep well of power, that very much reminded me of the eyes of Nightmare Moon.” Twilight pinched the bridge of her nose in slight disgust.
'Mistress, the Nightmare was merely a deranged Princess Luna filled with jealousy and hatred.' Echo reminded.
“Yes yes, I know that but...Echo I'm curious. Do you remember anything about where this magick came from exactly?” Twilight made her way over to her bed and pulled the helmet out from under the pillow she hid earlier that day.
'No I'm afraid not, I can't recall anything from before. I spent my early years within the confines of your subconscious unable to speak a word to you. I attempted several times but it was a fruitless endeavor.' Echo grumbled.
“I thought it was weird how you suddenly just popped up that day the cultists attacked Canterlot. Any thought there?” Twilight turned the over-sized helm around lazily in her magical aura, inspecting it.
'From what I can speculate, I felt an overpowering sense fullness and purpose the moment you confronted those two knights. I could tell you were scared so I gave you a confidence boost to the best of my ability Mistress.' She silently prided herself with her devotion to Twilight.
“That's...comforting and all but I know for a fact that things and ponies don't just appear out thin air without some sort of reason.” The gears in Twilight's mind began to turn as she pictured various reasons for Echo's sudden appearance several years ago.
Since Echo resided in Twilight's subconscious she had a full view of every scenario her host came up with. Some scenarios were less than pleasant, especially the one which included Twilight being forcefully possessed by an outside force. That one made Echo cower a bit. 'M-Mistress...?'
“Oh! I'm sorry about that Echo!” Twilight shook her head to dispatch the images that frightened her companion. “I have a bad habit of over-thinking things.” She gave an apologetic smile reminding herself how sensitive Echo was.
'I-I really hope I'm n-not some sort of parasite.' Echo sniffled, wishing she could actually shed liquid tears.
Twilight hopped on the bed and lowered her head over her forelegs. “Don't you worry Echo, I know you're not a parasite you are a close friend of mine and nothing will change that.” Twilight smiled when she heard Echo stop sniffling.
'Th-thank you Twilight.'
...
...
...
Unbeknownst to the pair, Princess Celestia peeked through an opening in Twilight's doorway with a worried expression. Celestia left the throne room after settling a dispute between Blueblood and Fancy Pants, the latter accused Blueblood of conspiracy with the Cult of the Dark Arts. Blueblood was taken aback at the accusation, fuming he readily denied all contact with the shady cult.
Celestia couldn't keep her regal smile and motherly gaze over the entire court for very long, because she was shocked once Fancy Pants revealed a sealed contract that had Blueblood's signature along with the Cult's emblem upon the bottom of the parchment. The upstart prince fumed and gaped at the sight of the supposed contract that would spell doom for his reputation as a Prince. Even though the title was mostly self-entitled.
The contract promised massive political power for Blueblood if he secretly let in the Cultists and two Dark Knights. How they said he would gain such power over Equestria's government was after the resurrection of the Cult's dark goddess. Short story was; after she was brought back the Cult would attack Canterlot in full force and attempt to overthrow the Diarchy. Luna chose this time to step into the chamber and laughed at the idea of the Cult defeating either Celestia or herself in battle.
Princess Celestia agreed with her sister, but sternly reminded Luna to not underestimate the cult's Dark Knights and addressed the court about Twilight's involvement with the group. Luna shut her mouth, and quietly sworn nothing would harm the lavender mare since the two of them were friends after the incident of last Nightmare Night.
Blueblood ran, but before he could bolt through the doors, five guards jumped the traitor and pinned him to the marble floor. The room grew silent as Celestia steeped up to her nephew, her eyes glistening in the light. She couldn't believe what she seeing, somepony she called family. Her own nephew even! Betrayed her, Equestria, especially Twilight, for his own personal gain, sure he was a bit arrogant and uptight but the thought of him actually putting his fellow ponies in mortal danger broke Celestia's heart and made her blood boil to no end. “You...how could you do such a thing?” She questioned.
Blueblood merely growled at her and spat at her hooves. “That damn mare was always more important than me. I was only taking out the trash.” For the first time in ages, Celestia felt her anger blow over and she noisily smacked Blueblood across his muzzle. The ponies in the room gasped at the sight and Celestia left them to their own devices and set out to check on Twilight.
And now here she was seeing Twilight talking to herself. That icy chill went through her spine once again as she watched Twilight about to fall asleep, she decided to step in. “Twilight.”
Twilight's ears pricked up as she noticed Princess Celestia call out to her. “Oh, yes Princess? Need something?”
Taking a deep breath Celestia said. “Twilight, my Faithful Student we need to talk.”