//------------------------------// // Better // Story: Meltdown // by Fabulosity Personified //------------------------------// Dear Princess Celestia I don’t really know where to begin. The first thing is that I’m sorry. I learned a valuable lesson this week, about life as well as friendship. I’ll start with the practical aspects I suppose. Ponyville has been repaired and looks no worse for wear from its experiences. After all the disasters that have occurred in this place, it’s no surprise that most of the locals have homeowner’s insurance, which thankfully covered destruction by evil beings and paid for most of the work. I helped out as much as I could, of course, even if it was just holding a bucket or hammer here, or lifting some lumber there. In my spare time I’ve been researching more into the Elements in order to work out what happened. When she confronted me, Pinkie hadn’t really known what would happen or if her plan would even work, but she’s got as much in the brain department as anypony and she was more familiar with the legend than I realised. What she said at the time was true; the Elements keep each other in check just as much as anything else. It turns out the Elements just needed to be correctly configured and in the correct scenario they’d act on their own. Apparently they have a flair for the dramatic too, letting Pinkie have her moment in the spotlight the way they did. Which is odd, thinking of them as almost being sentient. As for myself, I’m much the same as I was before the whole incident. I feel emptier, if that’s the best way of putting it. It’s not an experience I’ll get over quickly. I’m not happier either, but I’m not sad in the same way anymore. Empty probably does sum it up best; empty as well as remorseful and guilty of course. Things are different now though. I learnt that my friends truly are what make me whole. They are my rocks and my support. When I need them I must trust them and lean on them, as I would want them to lean on me. This whole crisis could have been averted if I just asked for help and made an effort to go out and spend time with them, even at my lowest point. I got scared though; scared of being with them, scared that they didn’t truly want me as a friend. Instead I just wallowed in my depression. Which reminds me, I must tell Rarity that ponies can definitely wallow. Anyway, my friends will be there for me, even when I’m not there for myself. In many ways, that is the magic of friendship. When I apologised to them all for the things I said and the things I did they forgave me, even after how I treated them. Other ponies haven’t been as accepting. I know that I have to make it up to everyone though, whatever my friends say. And I will, no matter what it takes. I will be a different pony from now on. Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle Twilight gently levitated the quill down, onto the desk and sighed. The Unicorn massaged her forehead and prepared herself for what she had to do. When had this become so difficult? When had the very idea of stepping out the door become so terrifying? Twilight knew it was illogical, but she’d known that before everything went wrong and it hadn’t changed anything. She’d promised though; both to Celestia in her letter and to her friends. She was going to be a different pony. She took a deep, calming, breath, steeling her resolve before standing and heading for the door. The first time was going to be the hardest. Behind her, Spike picked up and blew green flame onto the letter and watched as the magical essence of the message floated towards the window, towards Canterlot. Twilight, purposefully not looking back at the safety of her books and the library, closed the door behind her and trotted down the street. It was a beautiful day; Celestia’s sun high in the clear blue sky. No wind today though. Ponies were out in force, enjoying the weather, shopping at the market, or working on repairing their houses and shops. The only sign that the damage hadn’t been caused by a freak hurricane that was left of the entire incident was the charred earth where the shadow had finally fallen, obliterated by the light. Twilight did her best not to look at it as she moved past. She’d already tried repairing it with magic, but whatever damage her alter-ego's defeat had done appeared to be permanent. Perhaps that was best, although Twilight hoped that she’d never need a reminder. Besides, the residents of Ponyville had decided that a small statue should be erected there. Twilight was unsure how she felt about that. As she approached her destination an inquisitive meow caught her attention, and she looked down to see Mittens prancing delicately alongside her, mimicking her step. She looked none the worse for her experience, her fluffy white tail waving like a flag behind her. With a genuine smile, Twilight stopped and petted the animal, who purred, before catching sight of a bird and stalking off. Twilight shook her head, but grinned; the cat was heading straight for the tree again. It’d be Twilight who had to fetch her down again, most likely, but for some reason that didn’t bother her as much as it once did. The Unicorn continued towards Sugarcube Corner and arrived before the brightly painted door. It was the first party that Pinkie had thrown since the event, as she celebrated the completion of the final repairs to the shop. Twilight stopped and drew in a nervous breath. This was her last chance to let all that fear and doubt get the better of her once again. She wasn't going to let it happen; she was going to be a different pony from now on. Twilight knocked on the door. She was going to be better.