//------------------------------// // II-A False Funeral // Story: Rise From Betrayal // by Diokno44 //------------------------------// Rain fell hard on the "funeral" of Princess Twilight Sparkle, as if the heavens themselves were mourning. The parents of Twilight, Night Light and Twilight Velvet, as well as the Bearers of the Elements, Spike, Twilight's adopted little brother.Shining, Cadence, as well as a few others were garbed in black, a dark velvet band wrapped around their right forelegs. Though each wore an expression of sorrow as they gazed at the glass encased body of "Princess Twilight Sparkle", every so often they would shoot a small smile at the forest green "adviser" of Celestia, for they knew the truth. Celestia cast a knowing look at Twilight, or as the world knew her now as, Forest Scribe, before trotting up to the podium, on which a small microphone rested. She cleared her throat, her face a mask of mourning, as she took a small sip from her glass of water, which sat near her. "My dear citizens, last night, a group entered the bedroom of Princess Twilight Sparkle, and murdered her in her sleep." A few ponies sniffled at this. "From what I am told, they sought not her demise, but the demise of her dreams of harmony with the other nations, and allowing non-nobility say in the government" She felt warm tears run down her face, the salt licking against her lips. "Today, on this dreary day, we commemorate her, here, in the Garden of Remembrance, where all my previous students that have passed on have been laid to rest. May the Maker watch over her." She stepped off the platform, her hooves clopping against wood and stone. "May the Maker watch over her." The attendants repeated, saying a silent prayer. A few of them left, trotting back to their jobs or homes, leaving only the family of Twilight Sparkle, and her close circle of friends left. Twilight stared at "her" body, the illusion a permanent one, well, it would run out in a few years, but still. Twilight Velvet trotted up to her disguised daughter, a small smile on her face. "This must be so surreal Twily, attending your own funeral?" She chuckled lightly, happy her daughter was alive and well, as she hugged her now green furred body. Twilight nodded, "It is mom" She ran a hoof down the glass casket, inches away from the simulicrum's slightly cracked horn. "You know, maybe, if you and the others ever wanna hang out in the palace, maybe I can drop this disguise, just then." She winked, as her mother nuzzled her. "Thanks sweetie, and, I have good news!" She patted her belly, which caused a smile to break out on Twilight's face, and her eyes to glow with excitement. "Yup, I'm pregnant Twily, you can thank your father for that." she smirked at her husband, who had a look of pride on her face. "Well, we have to get going, remember to write." She linked hooves with her husband, and began to trot back to their home. Shining and Cadence likewise bid their farewells, because they had duties in the Empire, and Cadence was pretty tired from the teleport over. Quickly hugging the disguised Princess Sparkle, they began making their way to the train station, their tails and hooves intertwined, Cadence's head resting on her husband's shoulder. Her friends had chatted for a short time with the disguised Alicorn, then quickly left. Fluttershy and Rainbow's wings her interlocked in a wing embrace, as they departed for their shared home, Fluttershy's forest cottage. This left Twilight and Celestia, standing under a rain splattered tarp, where before them lay the dead doppelganger of Twilight Sparkle, her hooves crossed over her chest as if in prayer. Alternating flowers of different colors ringed the glass. ¨Well, I guess we better go. I am supposed to be dead after all, and we have work to do.¨ Twilight said, tapping the glass. ¨Of course sweetie.¨ Celestia gently pecked her marefriend on the cheek. As the rain fell around them, Twilight cast a thin shield spell around them, as a sort of magical umbrella. The rain dripped on and down the nigh invisible barrier of magical energy, leaving thin trails, which quickly dissipated against the field. Together, hoof in hoof, the duo left the garden. Twilight Sparkle may be dead to all save a close few, but Forest Scribe lived. Under this persona, Twilight could only pray to bring her hopes and dreams of peace to fruition. It had been a little over two weeks since "Twilight's" funeral. Alongside being an adviser to Celestia, Twilight had taken on the role of being Celestia's personal hoofmaiden, so that she could stay close to her marefriend. Flash and Sunset, being the closest in proximity to her, would often stop by. Celestia, keeping up the guise of a lover and Princess in mourning, often refused to speak about Twilight when she was brought up, or deflected the question entirely. Whenever her Council sent a new law for her to look over, Celestia would have Twilight, or as the world knew her as, Forest Scribe, check it over with her, and give her advice. Thankfully, Twilight had read up on legal terminology and the like when she was still learning on how to be the Princess of Friendship. Such an occurrence had found the two in Celestia's room. A crackling fire blazed in the chiseled stone hearth. The door was locked, twin guards stationed outside. The guard's armor had been set to "Defense Mode". In place of their normal, often ceremonial mode, their armor now covered the entirety of their bodies. The normally thin magical protection barrier around their armor was now strengthened significantly. Their mana-spears were freshly sharpened, the stun lasers they could fire had their efficiency boosted by at least ten percent. Slung across their backs were mana-launchers, polished steel crossbow like devices, that when cocked, would fire bolts of magical energy. The type could be changed at the flick of a switch. The two were alert, gazing at each and every point of entry into the hallway. "So, what law are we going over now Celly?" Twilight asked, sipping a cup of warm cocoa, marshmallows bobbing in the liquid. Celestia smiled slightly, and levitated a rather large parchment infront of her. Twilight quickly grabbed a quill, and a fresh pot of ink, and set them next to the bill. That was when she noticed the name of the requester. "Hmm, what could Blueblood want?"