Twilight stirred awake and a throbbing pain assaulted her head as a tingle traveled from the tip of her horn to her hooves. She sat up and the feeling slowly returned to her limbs as she moved them about. She attempted to rise, but being unable to steady her aching legs, she fell back to the ground with a soft thud and a weak groan.
I feel like I was thrown off a mountain. What exactly just happened? Did the Crystal Heart do a pulse while I was drawing its energy?
Twilight shivered as she lay sprawled out on the cold, hard floor. She rubbed her eyes, and gasped as the world around her eased into focus. She beheld a windowless, circular room that was identical in shape to the one she was in before she had been knocked unconscious, but every inch of the floor, walls, and ceiling were solid black.
After what felt an eternity, Twilight's strength found its way back to her body and she managed to lift herself off of the floor. She gently shifted her hooves for a moment to make sure she had a firm footing before glancing around. She saw no sign of her friends, her brother, her sister-in-law, or the Crystal Heart; she was completely alone.
Where is everypony? For that matter... where am I?
Twilight's mind began to race as she stood in the darkened chamber, surrounded by a silence that was deep enough she could hear the beating of her heart. She strained her ears and listened for any sign of life, but as the minutes dragged on with no other sounds reaching her, the rhythm of her heart slowly quickened and the force of her breaths became deeper.
She turned her gaze to the large closed door that stood on the opposite side of the room, noticing a bright white line running along its outer edge that sat in contrast to the darkness dominating the remainder of the door's surface. Twilight slowly approached the looming gate until she was mere inches from it. As she looked a little closer, she saw that the surface of the white line appeared to be translucent and was giving off a faint ghostly glow.
Twilight stepped back and looked at the door handle. Taking a deep breath, she shut her eyes tight and lit her horn. A lavender glow formed around the door and it opened without making a single sound. Twilight opened her eyes and beheld a long empty hallway.
The structural shape of the hall appeared identical to the one Twilight had passed through in the Crystal Palace, but similar to the chamber she was standing in, the walls, floor, and ceiling were solid black.
A deep tension gripped Twilight. She rubbed her foreleg and swallowed hard, feeling a curiosity poke at her thoughts the longer she stared down the hall. Eventually, the urge became too much to resist, and she walked through the doorway.
Every step Twilight took broke the silence around her. With her head held slightly down, Twilight scanned every inch of the dark corridor as she eased forward, keeping her ears scanning for oncoming danger. To her left, she spotted a line of windows just below the ceiling that stretched the full span of the wall. Pausing and turning her head to glance at them, she saw that they were giving off the same eerie white glow she had seen on the edges of the chamber door. She returned her attention to her front and continued her slow trek forward.
Looks like there's an exit up ahead.
Twilight finally reached the end of the hall. Passing through another archway, she gasped.
Before her was an entire world bathed in shadow. On the ground not far below the balcony upon which Twilight stood, she saw a grand city that spread farther than could be seen through the darkness and nestled underneath a sky as white as a ghost. Although the sky gave off a strong illumination, the light did not pierce the abyssal veil that shrouded the land below it. The only light that shone within the city was the spectral white glow coming from the windows of several buildings scattered across the metropolis and from the streetlamps lining the roads. Dominating the center of the ghostly sky was a large cloud in the shape of a sinister four-pronged claw that was as dark as the city.
Twilight stood frozen as she took in the sight. Words failed to come to her, and what little breeze she could feel seemed to creep through her coat as if it were alive.
What is this place?
Conflicting thoughts stirred within her as she swapped her gaze between the sky, the city, and the corridor she'd emerged from. After what seemed an eternity, her horn lit up. In a quick flash of light and a loud crack that rolled through the air, she vanished and immediately reappeared on the ground directly below the balcony. Her horn stopped glowing and she shook herself before walking out from under the balcony.
I hope nothing saw or heard that.
Twilight began to creep toward the closest road she could see, keeping her eyes fixated on the pair of streetlamps that stood at the city's ingress like a gate. When she reached her destination, she stood up on her hind legs and planted her hooves on the lamp's smooth, crystalline base. She looked up, and beneath the white light emanating from the lamp's pinnacle, she saw the lamp head was in the shape of a gem.
Twilight took a few steps back, examining the streetlamp for a moment longer before turning to face the building she'd awoken in.
The massive structure towered high above the other buildings in the city and was as dark as the world that surrounded it. Its base met with the ground in four separate places like legs, creating a tunnel-like opening that had a domed ceiling. Several towers rose up along the structure's outer circle with the balcony sitting between them, and its central spire loomed above everything as it ascended toward the sky.
I was right...
Twilight stared at the looming monolith with her mouth slightly agape.
Gem lamps... The shape of these buildings and this tower... Aside from the obvious differences, this place looks exactly like the Crystal Empire. But how can this be? Am I dreaming, or did the Crystal Heart zap me into some alternate dimension while I was doing the energy draw?
She stared down at the ground while the questions surged through her mind.
This has to be a dream. Sure feels pretty real, though...
Without any warning, a high-pitched cry came from deep within the shadowed city, resounding through the air before slowly fading back into the darkness from whence it came.
Twilight jumped and turned away from the palace. With the fur on her back standing, she gazed into the depths of the acropolis.
What...
She waited there in the silence for several moments before taking a slow step forward.
The cry came again.
Twilight grimaced and covered her ears as she sat down. The cry faded away, but immediately after, another one roared through the city, and Twilight winced as her hooves seemed to do nothing to protect her ears from the harrowing wail.
Finally, the last cry subsided. Shaking her head and allowing the ringing in her ears to stop, Twilight slowly lowered her hooves to the ground and listened, but the city had fallen silent once more.
That sounded like the cry we heard in the Everfree Forest, but something's not right, it almost sounded like whatever is making it is in pain.
With determination mixed with unease etched upon her face, Twilight peered through the darkness into the city's depths. Her thoughts raced, she gulped slightly, and she took a deep breath before walking past the streetlamps and onto the road. Reaching the first set of buildings, Twilight glanced to the side at the small alley that snaked between them. Seeing nothing to catch her curiosity, she proceeded along the stone ground. Her gaze occasionally turned toward the ghostly white sky and the dark, claw-shaped cloud looming above, but she brought it back down to the city that surrounded her. As her eyes darted from one side of the street to the other, from building to building, from streetlamp to streetlamp, the nagging dread swelled within her.
The light from the streetlamps and those windows... it almost feels like they're alive and watching me.
Off in the distance, she spotted a raised, mountainous section of land. The lower portion of the raised land was as dark as the city, but the pillars that rose high up had the same spectral whiteness of the sky, and clouds of pitch-black mist appeared to be swirling around and rising from them.
Twilight looked around before glancing back to the new sight with strong but cautious scrutiny.
So, if the area I'm currently in is supposed to be the Crystal Empire, then that over there must be the Crystal Mountains. Or at least some twisted version of them, and still no sign of whatever was making those shrieks earlier.
The terrible cry shattered the silence once again, louder than before.
Twilight let out a pained whimper and covered her ears, but like before, it did nothing to lessen the intense cadence and it seemed to pierce through Twilight's entire body like a spear.
As the wail vanished, the sound of hooves running along hard stone crept up from the darkness of the city.
Unable to find the strength to move her legs, Twilight trembled as she stood frozen in place, glancing all around herself as the rapid tapping of the hooves grew louder. She lit her horn and stood ready to defend herself.
“Whatever you are!” she shouted, “you stay away from me!”
The hoof steps suddenly stopped, and silence returned to the area.
Beads of sweat poured down Twilight's face. Her heart pounded in her chest like a drum. Every breath she took felt like the crushing weight of the deepest ocean had overtaken her lungs. Keeping her horn aglow, she glanced over every inch of the abyssal land as she started to take steps back. A shadow passed over her, and turning her gaze to the sky, she spotted a large bird-like creature soaring overhead.
A most terrible shriek rang out, one far louder than any before it.
Twilight forced her eyes shut, and she let out a scream of her own as the ghastly wail completely engulfed her and continued to ring in her ears. Her vision went blurry, her hooves seemed to leave the ground, and it suddenly felt like she was falling.
Twilight groaned and rolled side to side as she lay in the soft bed. A nearby gasp reached her ears, followed by the scuffling of hooves along a hard floor and the shifting of the mattress.
“She's waking up!” cried a cheerful, high-pitched voice.
A quick moment later, there was a loud creaking as the door swung open. The room became alive with the cadence of ponies chattering excitedly, but which immediately turned into fearful mumbling before stopping altogether.
“Twilight?” asked Fluttershy.
Shining Armor dipped his head down and nudged Twilight's cheek. “Twily...”
Twilight let out another soft groan and rubbed her eyes before cracking them open. The bright light in the room came rushing in and she winced, shielding her eyes until the light had finally lessened enough that her surroundings came into focus. All around her, she beheld the faces of her friends, her brother, and her sister-in-law. A great smile crept onto her countenance as she gazed into their loving eyes. “Hey, everypony.”
Spike leaped up onto the bed and threw his arms around her. “You're okay!”
“Land sakes, sugarcube,” said Applejack as she reached forward and gave Twilight a gentle hug. “You gave us a mite good scare there. We were worried somethin' dreadful.”
Twilight beamed and returned the embrace, holding it for several moments and allowing the warmth to swell deep within her. She wrapped her foreleg around Spike and held him close. “It's good to be back. I'm so sorry, everypony.”
“There's nothing to apologize for, darling,” stated Rarity.
“None of us could have predicted this would happen.” Cadance stepped closer to Twilight as Applejack backed away and nuzzled her. “We're just so glad to have you back with us where we want you.”
Twilight turned her attention to Cadance and Shining Armor. “Were either of you knocked out too?”
“No,” said Shining Armor, shaking his head. “We both felt a jolt that left our horns feeling tingly for a day or so, but other than that we're both fine.”
“A day?” Twilight gave them an inquisitive look. “How long was I out for?”
“Too long!” cried Pinkie, taking her turn to give Twilight a hug. “Every second you laid there in bed unconscious was like eating a million stale cupcakes topped with old, yucky frosting!”
Rarity let out a sigh. “Five days, to be precise, and I don't think that's really an appropriate analogy, Pinkie Pie.”
“Well, she knows what I mean.”
Twilight's eyes widened. “Five days?”
As feelings of lethargy ran through her, Twilight let out a weak groan and lay back down, resting her head on the soft pillow. She glanced around the room, admiring the warm sunlight that was pouring into the room from the windows and made the crystalline walls and floor shimmer. Upon the nightstand to the right side of the bed, she spotted a plate, a large pot of pearly-white flowers, and propped up against the pot was a piece of parchment that read Get well soon, Twilight!
“Those are from the finest flower shop in the Crystal Empire,” said Fluttershy. “Do you like them?”
“They're beautiful!” Twilight smiled and eased herself closer to the pot, gently lifting her head and taking in a whiff of the flowers' heavenly aroma. “Thank you so much!”
Rainbow smirked and ruffled Twilight's mane. “Yeah, yeah. Worried sick, welcome back, and all that sappy stuff. I knew you'd be okay.”
Twilight chuckled. “I still feel pretty weak, but with friends like you guys, I know I'll be back on my hooves in no time.”
“What doesn't kill you makes you tougher,” Rainbow said encouragingly.
“And in the meantime, have lots of cookies!” beamed Pinkie. She pulled several chocolate chip cookies from a small bag, placed them on the plate, then moved the plate from the nightstand to the bed. “That will help you get your strength back!”
“Thanks, Pinkie. I do feel pretty hungry.” Twilight's horn began to glow, but a second later, she winced as a painful tingle shot through her horn and the glow dissipated. “What the?”
Cadance frowned. “I wouldn't recommend trying to use magic for a while. At least not until you've fully recovered. You've only just woken up from a coma, and there's no telling exactly how deeply the energy from the Crystal Heart burned into you.”
Everypony turned their attentions to Cadance.
“'Burned' into me?'” asked Twilight, raising an eyebrow and giving Cadance a nervous glance. When she opened her mouth to speak again, a tremble could be heard in her voice. “What do you mean?”
“You probably suspect as such,” Cadance continued with a fearful tone, “but the Crystal Heart surged while you were attempting to draw its excess energy. As he mentioned earlier, Shining Armor's and my own horn tingled for a full day after that happened, but you were connected directly to the epicenter...”
She paused for a moment. “The surge was so strong... Even with our magic shielding you, I was afraid you wouldn't survive.”
“Don't say that!” Rainbow called out. “It'll take more than some malfunctioning hunk of crystal to keep our egghead down.”
Twilight felt a brief respite at Rainbow's enthusiasm, but then frowned at Cadance, wishing she had the strength to get out of the bed and give her sister-in-law a hug.
“And there's something else...” Maintaining her solemn demeanor, Cadance glanced away at an empty spot on the floor and a light-blue aura formed over her horn. The same glow appeared around a small mirror on the nearby dresser, and it rose into the air. Cadance returned her attention to Twilight as she levitated the mirror across the room and held it up to her.
With a rippling unease poking at her, Twilight gazed into her reflection, and she let out a startled gasp that echoed in the room.
Two sets of three parallel, pitch-black lines were apparent on Twilight's face. The lines for each set started at opposite sides of her head just below her ears then running down and crossing over both of her eyes, meeting slightly apart above the ridge of her snout. She leaned closer to the mirror, touching one hoof to her left cheek and her other hoof to the bottom of the mark over her left eye. Gently pulling the fur apart, she noticed that the marks went all the way down to her skin. The darkened flesh and fur appeared to be heavily burnt, but the edges of the markings were perfectly smooth.
There was silence in the room as the ponies exchanged glances.
“She is going to be okay, isn’t she?” inquired Spike as he tightened his embrace on Twilight.
“They appeared several hours after we had our little mishap with the Crystal Heart.” Cadance pulled the mirror away after a few minutes and set it back down on the dresser. “I am sad to say I have no explanation for this.”
Twilight pondered briefly. “I might... Let me see that mirror again.”
Cadance held the mirror up once more.
Twilight leaned toward the mirror and began to examine the dark marks over her eyes again as her friends watched.
After several minutes of tense silence, Applejack let out a sigh. “Twi, y'all got that ominous thing goin' on again. Mind spillin' the beans?”
“These marks...” muttered Twilight. “They almost look like...”
“Like what?” asked Spike.
A few more moments passed before Twilight spoke. “They almost look like claw marks...”
Shining Armor's ears fell flat against his head and he drooped his head as he sat down. “We've spent the past few days digging through every tome and magic journal in the Crystal Empire, but we couldn't find anything.”
“I would be very surprised if you had. This is yet one more thing to add to our list. Nonetheless, we must inform Princess Celestia.”
Spike raised his claw and patted Twilight's shoulder. “We already have. We sent her a letter right after we got you into bed.”
A wave of weariness passed through Twilight, she felt a slight burning around her eyes, and she let out a pained groan. “So, what are we going to do about the Faire, and what about the Crystal Heart? Is it still pulsing?”
“Leave the Faire to us, darling,” beamed Rarity. She fluffed Twilight's pillow, helped her lay down, straightened out the blankets, and rubbed her forehead. “You just worry about getting better.”
Cadance gave Twilight a gentle smile and returned the mirror to the top of the dresser. “Despite a certain, unexpected complication, it seems the draw spell worked. The Crystal Heart's energy has returned to its normal level and we've been able to move it freely. So, some good news at least.”
“I'm glad to hear,” replied Twilight, returning the warm gaze.
“Don't you worry about a thing, Twilight,” said Pinkie. “Doctor Pinkie Pie will be here to keep you smiling and to make sure you eat plenty of delicious noms to get your strength back!”
“Well, we'll let you rest now,” said Fluttershy.
Twilight chuckled as she watched Pinkie set a plate of the chocolate chip cookies out for her on the nightstand. She let out a deep yawn, and curled up underneath the warmth of the blankets. “Thank you, all of you.”
“Pleasant dreams, little sis,” said Shining Armor as he nuzzled Twilight's cheek.
Applejack glanced to the others and gave them a firm nod. “Come on, ponies, we got a Faire to get ready for.”
Twilight watched as her friends exited the room one by one, catching sight of the two royal guards taking post in the hall outside. The door closed, and slowly, the tapping of her friends' hooves on the palace floor faded into total calmness. She sighed and turned toward the window, looking through it at the bight blue, cloudless sky that dominated the world outside her chambers.
The warmth of the bed; the serenity of the room's encompassing quiet; the love of her friends. Twilight maintained a smile and shut her eyes.
“Dreams...” she mumbled, and the soothing darkness of sleep overcame her.
“Are you sure you're up for this, Twilight?” asked Rarity with a concerned stare. “It's only been a couple days since you woke. Your body likely hasn't recovered its strength yet.”
Sitting up in her bed and gazing out the window at the bright, afternoon sky, Twilight turned her attention to Rarity and gave her the gentlest smile she could. “It's not like I have any broken bones or pulled muscles or anything. I've got to move around a bit. It might even help me feel a bit better. Besides, I'm curious to see how the preparations for the Faire are coming.”
“I still don't think you're quite well enough to be walking around town.”
“You girls will be right here to help me along. As soon as I feel the tiredness coming, you can bring me straight back here.”
“Told you she'd be up in no time,” Rainbow said with a triumphant grin. “She's tough... for an egghead.”
Rarity let out a deep sigh and shook her head. “Very well, Twilight, but I am holding you utterly to your word, darling. As soon as I feel it's been long enough, it's right back to bed where you should be.”
Twilight nodded, all the while maintaining her warm countenance. “I promise.”
“Let's go then,” Rainbow stated. “Daylight's burning.”
Rarity levitated their saddlebags off the floor and fastened them around their waists.
Slowly, Twilight pushed the sheets off herself and slid her legs over the edge of the bed. Easing her hooves to the floor, she waited for a moment as her legs trembled a little. She took a small step forward, and beamed as Rarity and Rainbow moved to her sides, each of them keeping close to help her maintain her balance. They began to step forward, and the guards bowed to them as they passed through the doorway.
“Okay, Twilight,” said Rarity as they made their way down the shimmering, crystalline hall. “One hoof in front of the other.”
Rainbow scoffed. “She knows how to walk, Rarity.”
“It's okay, Rainbow,” stated Twilight calmly. “She's just concerned, and beneath your tough exterior, I know you are too.”
“Yeah, yeah, let's not get all mushy again," Rainbow muttered as she rolled her eyes. "I've had enough of those moments this past week to last the rest of my life.”
Rarity chuckled. “What's this? Rainbow, darling, are you actually not trying to deny it for once?”
“Hey,” Rainbow replied, “I didn't deny it after Applejack fessed up about the Equestrian Rodeo Competition. You just weren't there.”
Turning a corner, Twilight gave Rarity a nod of confirmation. “It's true.”
“I always knew you had a soft side.”
“Can we please talk about something else?” Rainbow inquired, giving off a small snort. “Like the task ahead of us?”
Twilight occasionally glanced down at the floor as her friends talked, but with every notice of the dark scars over her eyes in her reflection, she quickly pulled her gaze up and took a quick breath. The lethargy continued to gnaw at her legs, making them feel as heavy as iron, but she maintained a focused demeanor and pushed the thoughts to the back of her mind. “Yes. Let's talk about the Faire. How's everything coming along? We have events planned? Entertainment? Catering? The thing with the Crystal Heart?”
“Coming along as well as we could hope given recent events.” Rarity pulled a small, white cloth from her saddlebag and gently rubbed Twilight's eyes as several little droplets fell from them. “You okay, dear? Your eyes are watering.”
Twilight held still as the cloth wiped her eyes dry. “I'm fine. My eyes hurt, but that's just a side effect of my little accident.”
Rarity returned the cloth to her saddlebag.
“It took a while,” Rainbow said, “but I was able to convince Fluttershy to joust with me again. We've also talked about turning it into a full-fledged, old-timey tournament. Jousting, archery, the whole shebang, and everypony is invited to participate. It's gonna be awesome!”
The ponies exited the corridor and stepped into the grand hall.
“That sounds a bit like a miniature Equestria Games.” Twilight smiled. “That sounds really fun. I hope I'm all better in time to join.”
Rarity chuckled nervously. “There's even going to be a fireworks show this year...”
Twilight turned her attention to Rarity and tilted her head. “Really? I never even thought of doing one of those for the Faire. Who's doing it?”
Rarity and Rainbow exchanged glances, and Rainbow gave Twilight an uneasy grin.
“Uh...” she began with a hint of hesitation in her voice. “We'll let that one be a surprise for now.”
Passing through the large archway at the end of the grand hall, Twilight maintained a look of confusion and the ponies fell silent as they descended the winding staircase. Exiting the palace, a gentle breeze greeted them as they stepped out the structure's domed underside. The air became alive with the sounds of ponies chattering and large groups of royal guards patrolling the streets.
“And what about security?” asked Twilight, glancing at Rarity and Rainbow's Elements. “I'm concerned about that more than anything. The Animus appeared in Canterlot without any forewarning, who's to say they won't do the same here? Also, given my condition, I doubt I would be strong enough to use my Element in the event of an attack.”
“We've all had those same thoughts,” replied Rarity. “Shining Armor and Cadance will stay in the palace and take turns shielding the city. If that fails, the guards are patrolling night and day, so we'll at least have some warning.”
Frowning, Twilight stared down at the ground.
They were patrolling night and day in Canterlot, too...
“We can talk about this later,” Rainbow said. “Come on, Twilight, we still need to show you that little surprise.”
Twilight looked up. “The fireworks?”
“The others are at the stadium watching. Come on, while we're young.”
Without saying anything more, the ponies turned northeast. Only a dozen meters away, was a white, circular, roofless building with a tunnel connecting it to the back of the palace. Tall poles bearing orange flags stood on the sides of the path, and a large, orange star was carved into the building above the arches leading into the structure.
The ponies' steps echoed as they passed through the short hall. Entering the stadium itself, Twilight glanced around at the empty stands before looking to the large patch of grass that sat in the middle of the arena. She spotted a traveling cart at the edge of the grass, as well as numerous crates set in several rows that spanned the length of the grass. She leaned closer to try and get a better look.
“Twilight!” called the all-too-familiar voice of Pinkie Pie.
Twilight glanced to the side, spotting Cadance, Shining Armor, and the rest of her friends all seated in the middle row of the stands with Pinkie gleefully waving to her. The sight caused a great warmth to ignite within her, and her earlier solemness quickly diminished as she smiled and waved back.
The ponies rose up and made their way over to Twilight, each one returning her smile and giving her a gentle nuzzle, while Pinkie looked like she was fighting the urge to throw her forelegs around her in a humungous hug.
“Afternoon, hon,” beamed Applejack. “It's right heartenin' to see y'all back on your hooves.”
“How are you feeling, little sis?” asked Shining Armor.
“I'm glad to be out of that bed.”
Rarity held up her hoof as if to put a pause on the conversation. “She's not all recovered yet. She's out here only at Rainbow's and my own assistance, and once we're done here it's right back to bed where she should be.”
“I know that may sound harsh, girls,” said Twilight, “but she is right. I just had to get out for a little bit and see how things were proceeding.”
“We're just about ready,” stated Cadance. “Starting tomorrow, Shining and I will begin our alternating shielding spells. So we will unfortunately be unable to participate in the Faire.”
Twilight gave an affirmative nod. “Rarity did mention that. Security is our top priority, but right now I think I'd rather talk about something uplifting. I hear there will be a fireworks show this year?”
Before anypony could reply, a call came from the patch of grass. There was a loud whistling, followed by a boom that shot through the air like weak thunder. At the sound, the ponies all turned in its direction as the sound began to repeat in quick succession.
“We really shouldn't be standing so close without proper safety gear,” said Rarity.
Fluttershy covered her ears. “It doesn't look like she's shooting off any of the big ones, but it's still really loud.”
“That's what fireworks are, Fluttershy,” Rainbow said with a smirk. “This is just a small practice. Of course she's not firing the cool ones yet, those are for the real show at the end of the Faire.”
“Fly, my pretties!” exclaimed a boisterous voice. “Fly! Fly!”
The whistling and cracking of the fireworks beat against Twilight. She winced, shrinking back as the whistling and cracking of the fireworks made the pain in her head worsen. A minute later, the noises ceased. Twilight re-opened her eyes, and she spotted a blue unicorn with a blue and white striped mane and tail examining the crates that were placed on the grass.
“Wait a second,” she said cautiously, turning to glance at her friends. “Is that...?”
Without a word, the ponies nodded.
Twilight turned her attention back to the blue unicorn and stared stone-faced at her. “Trixie...”
“I'm told that you ponies have a bit of a history with her,” said Cadance.
“You could say that.”
Rarity let out a disapproving huff. “She's been nothing but trouble for us and for Ponyville. I still don't see why you couldn't find somepony else to do the show.”
“Twilight,” said Spike inquisitively, “didn't she apologize after last time?”
“More or less,” she replied. “I didn't think I'd be seeing her again this soon, but she did seem sincere about the whole humbled and apologetic thing.”
A playful grin appeared on Twilight's face, and she chuckled as she recalled her previous encounters with Trixie. “I'll never forget the way she tripped during both of her 'grand exits' from Ponyville.”
“Brace yourselves,” Rainbow whispered. “The Great and Powerful Blowhard seems to have spotted us.”
“Everypony act natural,” mumbled Rarity.
A slight scowl appeared on Rainbow's demeanor. “That won't be hard.”
As best as she could, Twilight maintained her emotionless stare. She took quick breaths, and the beat of her heart hastened as she watched Trixie make her approach.
Wearing a sly smile upon her countenance, Trixie stopped several yards from Twilight and her friends, peering at them with her amethyst eyes. She waited several moments before speaking in her usual exuberant tone. “Well, well, hello once again, ponies. Didn't think we'd be meeting again so soon.”
“You and me both,” Rainbow said with a slight grunt.
Twilight gave Trixie a slight nod. “Hello again, Trixie. How have you been?”
She beamed. “Trixie has been wonderful, and it's all thanks to you and your friends for showing her the light. Thank you so much for asking. And what about you?”
“We're doing fine,” mumbled Twilight.
“That was quite a show you put on there,” Pinkie said with a touch of excitement. “Even if it was just practice. I can't wait to see the mega-big show at the Faire.”
Trixie let out a low chuckle and grinned, striking a confident pose. “Oh, Pinkie Pie, ever the party animal. You don't have to worry about a thing. Remember, this is the The Great and Powerful Trixie you're talking to.”
Rainbow grimaced and let out a snort.
“Kidding.” Trixie's demeanor softened and she gave the ponies a warm smile. “Trixie is not that kind of show-mare anymore. You have her guarantee and eternal thanks.”
“Uh huh,” said Applejack with a raised eyebrow. “Still talkin' as if you're somepony else, I see. Anyway, y'all are welcome.”
“Trixie hopes you do not mind her asking, but what happened to your eyes, Twilight?”
Twilight went silent and lowered her gaze to the ground as the memories of the accident with the flashed through her mind. Gently, she swayed her hoof side to side.
“Nothing you really need to concern yourself with,” Rainbow said.
Rarity nudged Rainbow's side. “There's no call to be rude, Rainbow Dash.”
“Well, it's true. Twilight's fine and that's what matters.”
Cadance walked up alongside Twilight and gave her a gentle nuzzle before turning her attention back to Trixie. "We had a little accident during a recent magical experiment."
After a moment, Twilight let out a sigh. “It was foolish of me to try something like that. It's just that this whole thing with Nightmare Moon returning, kidnapping Princess Luna, the Alicorn Amulet, those shadowy creatures The Animus, it has me questioning everything I thought I knew.”
Trixie maintained an inscrutable look, but she did not turn her gaze away from Twilight as she listened.
“How did you come to be here, Trixie?” asked Fluttershy.
“After Trixie's escapades in Ponyville the last time,” she replied with a brief pause, “she has been thinking about what you ponies showed her about how actions speak louder than words and how it is important to be humble.”
Rainbow muttered under her breath.
A look of irritation flashed across Trixie's face but she did not reply to Rainbow's gesturing. She took a quick breath, and continued on. “Trixie heard about this Crystal Faire, and she thought it could be a way to show everypony that she can do better. To use an industry phrase, 'show, don't tell.'”
“Hm,” said Applejack. “That's one way of lookin' at it.”
Cadance gave a little smile. “She arrived here about a month ago and offered to put on a fireworks show for the Faire, free of charge.”
A look of surprise formed upon Rainbow's previously hardened outlook, and she stared at Trixie with eyes slightly widened. “Is that so?”
“It is,” said Shining Armor.
Rarity's expression changed to match Rainbow's. “We'll, I must say I am pleasantly surprised.”
Twilight was not listening to the conversation. She stared at the ground, head tilted forward a little, and there was a look of deep contemplation within her scarred eyes.
The ponies stared at her in confusion.
“Twilight?” asked Spike.
“Ugh! She's at it again!” Pinkie gently shook her. “Wakey-wakey, Twilight!”
Rarity's horn lit up and a blue blow formed around Pinkie's forelegs, holding them back. “Pinkie, be gentle! Have you forgotten that Twilight's still recovering?”
“Why didn't I think of it before?” muttered Twilight.
“What is it now, darling?” inquired Rarity.
The memories of Trixie's last appearance in Ponyville replayed in Twilight's mind. She mumbled beneath her breath and lifted her head, planting her focus squarely on Trixie and giving her a hopeful gaze. “Trixie, you have first-hoof experience with the Alicorn Amulet!”
Everypony was silent as the words escaped Twilight.
“Recorded information on it is extremely minimal,” Twilight continued with increasing vigor. “You could tell us more about it and how it functions, which might help us figure out a way to defeat it, to stop Nightmare Moon and rescue Princess Luna.”
Applejack's eyes widened. “Now wait just a gol-darn minute. Twilight, you're right!”
“Trixie,” pleaded Twilight. “Please. Tell us everything you know.”
“The... the Amulet...?” Suddenly, all eyes were on Trixie. The mare's smile changed into a frown and her ears fell flat against her head. “I...”
The ponies waited in heavy silence, and the tension in the air became worse with each passing second.
After what seemed an eternity, Trixie turned away from Twilight and the others and eyed the crates of fireworks that waited on the grass in the center of the stadium. When she finally broke her stillness, a trembling could be heard which betrayed her regular poise.
“I should get back to work...”
Twilight's smile diminished, but she kept herself composed and spoke with as gentle and encouraging a tone as she could muster. “But, Trixie, without you, we may never find the information we need before it's too late. We need you. Princess Luna needs you. Equestria needs you.”
“Trixie,” said Rarity soothingly, “dear, if you really have changed, this could be your chance to really prove yourself, to restore harmony. Won't you please help us?”
Trixie did not turn back around to face Twilight and the others, her ears remaining flat.
“The Faire is only a few days away...” Her voice cracked again, with an audible hint that she was fighting back tears. “P-please, just leave me be...”
All the hope that had found its way into Twilight seemed to disappear. Her ears fell and a wetness began to form in her eyes. With a heavy heart, she watched as Trixie walked away from the group without a single glance back at them and vanished into her wagon.
“Could y'all hear that?” asked Applejack dejectedly. “She was strugglin' just to hold herself together.”
“Whatever that dreadful Amulet did to her,” said Rarity, “it seems to have gone deeper than we knew. I never thought I'd say this, but, I actually feel bad for her.”
“Know what I think?” inquired Pinkie. “I think she really needs a shoulder to cry on.”
Rainbow let out a sigh. “Well, it was a nice idea, Twilight. Lasted almost twenty seconds. What do we do now?”
“We give her some space and let her come to us when she feels ready,” said Twilight.
“You heard her, Twilight,” said Spike. “She doesn't want to help.”
Twilight shook her head and looked down at Spike. “No, she does. I can feel it. She's just scared and needs time to build up her courage.”
“Normally, I'd be reserved to believe that about her,” stated Applejack. “But I felt it, too.”
“Well, Twilight, I think that's enough excitement for you for one day.” Rarity gave Twilight a stern glance. “It's past time that you be getting back to bed.”
A look of resistance appeared on Twilight, but the feelings of fatigue eating at her coupled with Rarity's unrelenting stare quickly overpowered her and she dipped her head. “Okay."
There was silence once again, and an uneasiness lingered about the ponies as they turned to make their way out of the stadium.
Before they entered the tunnel leading back out to the city, Twilight glanced behind herself. Planting her gaze on Trixie's traveling cart, she pictured the showmare huddling up inside of it and a gentle smile formed upon her face. "There's just one last thing I need to do really quick. I promise it will only take a second."
Before Rarity had a chance to protest, Twilight walked back down the steps and all eyes were fixed on her as she approached Trixie's cart. She stopped less than a meter away and leaned closer, pressing her ear to the wooden door. She waited, but didn’t hear anything. After a few moments, Twilight, pulled back a little and gently tapped on the door with her hoof several times. When she spoke, the voice that came out was the softest and most welcoming sound she had ever produced.
"I can't imagine the sort of things you experienced while you had the Amulet, Trixie. I just want you to know that I have faith in you. I sense you want to do the right thing, and we'll be here for you when you're ready."
No response came, but Twilight gave one last smile before limping her way back to her friends.
They watched her silently as she passed between them, glancing at Trixie's cart before resuming their walk back outside. Moments later, the ponies reached the domed underside of the palace.
“You guys go on ahead,” said Twilight. “I can have the guards escort me back to my room.”
Cadance gave Twilight a nuzzle. “No need. Shining Armor and I can walk you back.”
“We'll be back to check on our little patient later,” beamed Fluttershy.
"You know," stated Rarity warmly, "that was a really sweet thing you just did, Twilight, and I suppose you're right. If you can believe in her, I can too. Anyway, we'll see you later."
"Rest super duper well!" exclaimed Pinkie. "And don't forget, a cookie a day keeps the nightmares away!"
Twilight beamed and nodded, waving to her friends as they turned and began to walk away.
"'Keeps the nightmares away?'" Rainbow said with an unimpressed but playful tone. "That's the best you could come up with?"
"You know me! Random, random, random! Who cares so long as it makes her smile?"
Twilight chuckled, and once her friends had disappeared into the crowds of chattering ponies, she made her way back to her room in the palace while her brother and her sister-in-law stayed close by her side.
Twilight tossed and turned beneath the bedsheets as little beads of sweat ran down her brow. Several moments later, her eyes shot open and she sat up in her bed, holding her hoof to her chest while taking rapid breaths. She rubbed her tingling eyes, and began to glance around her room.
The chamber was as dark as the night sky outside. The only sound to be heard was the occasional quick rush of wind that streaked past the window.
She paused for a brief minute to stare at the flowerpot and the get-well-soon card rested against its base. The sight of it through the darkness made her smile, and the rapidity of her breaths and heartbeat slowly began to lessen. With a deep yawn, she lowered her head back down to the soft pillow, closed her eyes, and allowed the gales outside to sooth her ears.
Wonder if there's a storm coming down from the mountains. Wouldn’t surprise me. It’s not called the Frozen North for nothing, and it’ll be winter soon.
Nestled within the warmth of the blankets, the image of a gentle, falling snow formed in Twilight's mind and she let out a contented hum.
I always did like to watch the snow falling. Sitting next to a warm fire... Mug of hot chocolate... A big plate of Spike’s freshly-baked homemade vanilla-cream cookies...
As the minutes passed on, the wind began to grow stronger and more steady until it was pounding on the window endlessly like a tempest.
Ugh. Now I'll never get back to sleep. If only I was well enough to use my magic I'd put a forcefield on that window.
Without warning, a deafening, whip-like crack shot through the air and echoed for a few moments before fading away.
Twilight's eyes flew open and she shot upright. Turning to look out the window, her gaze was met by rapid flashes of bright light.
There was a loud crash outside, and the room shook violently for a moment.
Twilight yelped as the force made her tumble out of the bed and fall to the floor in a heap. With a groan, she weakly kicked the hanging blankets off her hindlegs and rose to her hooves. Struggling to remain standing, she leaned against the closet door and glanced back at the window.
The furious winds could still be heard, but the flashing light was now only visible along the outline of a massive, dark figure that seemed to be blocking the view from the window.
Twilight's heart sunk as a terrible dread washed over her. With no second thoughts, she wobbled over to her saddlebag as fast as she could, sitting down and began to sift through its contents. The sound of guard ponies clamoring in the hall outside the room reached her ears, and her breaths quickened with each passing second. Finally, she pulled a rolled up piece of parchment from the bag's depths. Unfurling the paper, she mumbled to herself as she read the letter.
There was a frantic knocking, and the sound of Applejack's voice came from behind the door.
“Twilight!”
She returned the letter to her saddlebag before making her way over to the door. Opening it, she beheld the worried faces of her friends and squads of royal guards racing toward the palace entrance. She stood in the doorway, struggling to catch her breath.
Nopony said a word as Twilight nodded.