Chapter 9
“No seriously. How?” Nyx said to herself. Nyx looked all around the branches. No obvious fruit anywhere. “Where’s the stupid fruit? It has to be here! It’s not like there’s a ‘Bush of Harmony’ anywhere near!”
Nyx scurried around the tree randomly giving it a kick to see if a fruit of some sort would fall out. None did. Nyx fell back onto her haunches in stress rubbing her temples with her hooves.
“Come on Nyx! Think! A ‘Fruit of Harmony’. A fruit. Fruits of labor? No that’s stupid. Fruits. Fruits. Fruits. Pears are fruits. Don’t like Pears. A tree makes Fruits. They store the tree’s energy. They provide the tree with what it needs to fight off…” Nyx stood up, a hoof on her chin. Hers eyes moved till they reached the star pattern at the center of the tree.
The answer then dawned on her.
“Thats it! Eureka!” She said in a high pitched manner. “The Elements of Harmony! Those are the Fruits! The Tree uses the energy from them to fight off invaders like the plunder vines! Just like a real tree!”
Nyx hopped around the tree’s trunk in excitement. She then came to a screeching halt and looked up at the large tree. A low vibration resonated through her, almost like a low humming.
“It’s like it’s coming from the tree.” She said slowly walking up to the tree. She stopped right in front of it and placed her hooves against the crystalline bark. “You're not giving up the Elements that easily? Are you?”
An intense feeling rippled through Nyx. As if the tree responded. Nyx nodded and stepped back. She stopped and sat on her back legs; this might take a while. “I won’t lie to you tree. My mom told me not to lie. I really don’t think I can force the Elements from you.”
The tree didn’t respond.
“So I guess I’m going to have to convince you.” She said. Nyx breathed in deeply. “Alright. My name is Nyx Sparkle. I’m the daughter of Princess Twilight Sparkle. You remember her, right?”
The tree again did not respond.
“I am also Nightmare Moon, kinda. You probably remember her.”
The wind passed, shaking the tree lightly. Nyx breathed in deeply, readying herself for the next part.
“A couple of days ago I met a pony. She was about my age, with light blue fur and swirly blue hair. She’s also blind but deals with it pretty well. Her name is Snowdrop.”
The wind picked up again and the tree began to move more violently.
“Snowdrop’s been lost. She’s stuck in this… Limbo place. For over a thousand years she just floated in this big vast void. When I came along I gave her hope I could save her. I visited her, made friends with her, and tried to help, and before I knew I… I fell in love with her. But now I’m here to set things right.” Nyx stood up and faced the tree proudly.
“I need the Elements, so I can save her. Even if it means letting her go. Even if it means I… I’ll never see her again...”
As Nyx finished those words the tree began to sway and move as the wind picked up one last time. Dust and sand began to blow causing Nyx to shut her eyes. Bright lights soon shined through her eyelids, reds and blues and greens were present, but most of all a very strong opal. After the wind subsided Nyx opened her eyes. The Tree of Harmony was covered in a vibrant opal aura that skipped and danced like the aurora. The tree was solid, resolute, no longer swaying in the wind. Nyx looked down to see her Cutie Mark once again glowly. But this time it glowed in a rainbow aura, one that usually only appeared when the elements were used.
The opal aura soon began to converge towards the center of the tree. The energy siphoning into the six points of the center star. When all the energy was finally absorbed, cracks of light formed in the large center crystal.
“Whoa…” Nyx said in awe.
The center crystal then began to divide revealing the element that resided inside. The Element of Magic. The small crystal floated from the its position, enveloped in an opal aura, towards Nyx. As the crystal finally neared Nyx it began to morph. Each point folding down to form a single shape. A small magenta colored shield.
Nyx placed her hoof out, ready to accept the gift the tree had given. Just as soon as the crystal floated above Nyx’s hoof, the process stopped. The aura left the tree and the crystal. Without magical support the element tumbled into Nyx’s hooves. The Tree’s compartment shut and the tree returned to its silent state. Nyx stood in awe at what had just happened. Silent moments passed, and what had occurred soon started to connect in Nyx’s mind.
“I got the Element!” She cheered. “Sombra’s book says I only need one fruit so I’m good!”
Nyx jumped around ecstatically, all the while using her magic to place her things in her saddle bag. Nyx came to a stop and levitated her bag on. “Come on! One last teleport!” Nyx began to charge up her horn, as she did a light began to leak out of her bag.
“Huh?” Nyx reached in and pulled out the Element and watched as glowed brightly. “You wanna help?” She said. The element flew out of Nyx’s hoof and positioned itself above her head so it would reside where Twilight’s tiara would hold it. “Alright! Let’s GO!”
Nyx’s aura engulfed her in a flash and in seconds the small canyon lit up as Nyx’s teleportation had moved her to her destination. Home.
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Ponyville sat in silence. Absolute silence. Not a peep could be heard. Nopony stirred, Nopony moved. It was utter silence. That was until a large flash of light in the center of town occurred, followed by the scream of a falling black filly. Nyx wasn’t always the bravest type. She vowed to protect others and had dealt with monsters and very bad ponies, but when you go from your hooves being solid on the ground to about twenty feet above a tree, you lose a bit of that bravery. Nyx crashed down onto the tree, albeit her wings cushioned her fall. Nyx then tumbled through the leaves and branches until she landed on upper floor balcony. Nyx’s head spinned and she could see stars all around her, though that was probably because it was night out. Steadying herself, Nyx stood up and slowly began to tip hoof towards the door.
After slowly opening the creaky door, Nyx quickly ran through Twilight’s room, not checking to see if anyone was in bed. Nyx was intent on getting through as fast as possible. Quickly shutting the door behind herself Nyx stopped to hear if her running had woken up her mother. When the sound of hoof steps did not come, Nyx breathed a sigh of relief.
“That was a close one.” She whispered. Nyx looked down the long winding steps, she could have sworn they were never this long. Beginning her slow descent to the bottom, Nyx was careful to not set off each creaky step. Once she reached the ground floor Nyx scanned the area, checking for anything that could set off Twilight of what she was doing. Finally Nyx’s eyes landed on the mirror in the center of the room. The artifact seemed to give off a dim aura, though that could easily be just a trick of the moon light. Nyx slowly approached the tall mirror watching as the light seemed to just pour from it. She didn’t question the mirror’s new position, she had more important things to deal with. Nyx’s eyes looked up to the Element adorning her head and watched as it seemed to shine in coordination with the mirror. Nyx nodded to herself before looking back at the tall mirror, “Alright. Let’s do this.”
As Nyx’s horn began to charge up, she noticed that her aura was a bit off, rather than its standard blue, it seemed to be blue with hints of opal splashed in and mixed with it. Nyx shrugged at the change. After several seconds of charging, a beam of energy shot out hitting the engraving. The skull engraving however did not began to fill with her magic.
“What?” Nyx said. Nyx sent more energy into the mirror. As she did however the jewel on her head soon began to glow. A new beam of energy, this time magenta, shot from the jewel and began to intertwine with Nyx’s magic. When the new beam hit the engraving, it began to seep into the etching until the skull was filled with the combination of blue and magenta light. Nyx powered down her horn and watched as her reflection swirled away with the portal. The portal churned and spun quietly. It gave off a slightly creepy ambiance, filling the center of the room of light.
“Alright. This is it I guess. All I have to do is go through, get Snowdrop, and come out. This’ll be easy.” Nyx said to herself. Nyx knew better. “This should be easy, at least.”
Nyx raised a hoof and watched as trembled erratically. “Why isn’t this easy? Just one quick action. Go in, grab her, get out. Yet why am I trembling?”
Nyx looked back up to the swirling portal, “Because I’m scared. I’m so so scared. More scared then when I was in the Everfree forest, more scared than when I faced that Ursa. I’m so scared because… Because even if I succeed… I’m going to lose someone I love.”
A small tear fell off Nyx’s eyes to the floor, its fall seeming to echo throughout the library. “But I’ve got to remember one thing” Nyx said, looking towards to skull. “No matter what happens, no matter how bad, I’ve got to let go. No matter how bad it hurts”
Nyx looked up to the swirling portal, preparing herself for the jump. “In three! Two! One!”
She threw herself towards the portal.
“NYX!”
Nyx collided with something midair, causing her to fall the ground just short of the portal. Looking up Nyx saw a small shield dissipating. A force began to pull at Nyx’s back legs, as she was being dragged back from the portal. Nyx turned to see her mother, Twilight pulling her away with her magic. A look of absolute terror and paternal instinct present on her face.
“Get away from that! It’s too dangerous!” She yelled.
Nyx began to fight her mother’s magic dragging her hooves in an effort to escape. “Leave me alone! I need to go!” Nyx yelled.
“NO! There’s no telling what’s on the other side! It could lead to Tartarus for all we know!”
Nyx at that moment managed to break away from her mother’s magic and began to run back to the portal. Twilight retaliated by grabbing Nyx left hoof with her magic.
“Let go! I know what’s on the other side! There’s someone who needs help!” Nyx yelled trying to reason with her mother.
Twilight shook her head, “You don’t know what you're doing! Who are you trying to save? Where that portal is leading, no one can be saved!”
“No! I have to save her! If I don’t she’ll be lost forever!” Nyx said slowly getting closer to the portal.
“I can’t let you go! You’ll die in there! Please Nyx, I don’t want to lose you. Not again.” Twilight said, her voice lowering. Despite not knowing a single curse word, Nyx managed to curse her Mother’s maternal instincts, mentally.
Nyx looked back to her mother, “I have to! I promised to save her! I won’t back down!”
“What pony do you care so much for? Why would you risk so much for her!”
“Because, I love her!” Nyx finally yelled, looking back at her mother. Twilight stopped yelling. She didn’t pull anymore, though she kept a tight hold on her daughter. A long silent moment was exchanged between the two of them. Twilight stared straight in Nyx’s eyes observing every emotion her daughter projected.
“I can’t— I can’t lose her again.” Twilight thought. Gazing into her daughter’s eyes, Twilight noticed something else. Something that she blinded herself from earlier, a fierce determination. A determination so full of friendship and love that Twilight finally understood. Nyx wasn’t doing this for herself, she was was putting herself in danger to help somepony else. Like she had done before by saving Ponyville from the Everfree monsters or like when Twilight sacrificed herself to Tirek for the safety of her friends.
After everything set in Twilight dropped her magic and released Nyx.
“Go. Save her. Just please, be safe.” Twilight finally pleaded.
Nyx nodded before turning back to the mirror. Not waiting any longer Nyx leaped into the portal, leaving a large flash of light to fill the room. Twilight just stood there, waiting for her return.
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The vortex returned this time. Rather than being a light blue with many oddities or a dark red with thousands of the those creatures, this one was a golden yellow. The light was warm and homey. As Nyx flew through the tunnel, she looked in a state of awe, watching the swirling colors mix and swim. Light blues and purples leaked through occasionally, giving the illusion of small boats sailing across a sea of yellow. The end of tunnel fast approached and Nyx braced herself for re-entry. When she reached the end an explosion of colors filled her eyes. Every color in the light spectrum and then some seemed to flash through. When the colors subsided Nyx found herself in the void, again. Looking around she saw the form of Snowdrop waving towards her, most likely alerted from the sound that emanated from the portal.
“Nyx! Nyx over here!” She yelled.
Nyx smiled deeply before she began gliding towards Snowdrop. This time in a speed that was much faster from her previous attempts.
“Snowdrop!” Nyx called coming closer. Soon Nyx was right next to Snowdrop.
“Nyx, can you do it? Can you get me-” Snowdrop was interrupted mid sentence.
At that moment Nyx placed a kiss directly onto Snowdrop’s lips. The initial shock from Snowdrop soon died away as she greeted the kiss happily. Their long tender embrace continued on until Nyx broke it, forcing her lips from Snowdrop’s. The two slipped away and looked at the other, breathing heavily from their kiss. Nyx started speaking first.
“I love you…” Nyx said. Snowdrop looked at Nyx for several seconds before nodding happily, tears visible on her face.
“Let’s get out of here.”
Nyx grabbed onto Snowdrop’s body and pulled her closely before flapping her wings pushing them in the direction of the portal. A deep smile was evident on both of their faces.
After reaching the portal, Nyx stopped slowly before bringing Snowdrop to the churning vortex. Snowdrop raised her hoof to tap the portal. The portal rippled rather than making the sound glass would make, like last time. Snowdrop smiled before jumping head first into the portal, with Nyx following right behind her.
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No vortex came this time. The portal simply gave off a large flash of light as it transported Nyx and Snowdrop to their destination, the library. Nyx’s home was filled with a blinding light that seemed to pierce the few windows that were present in the home. Twilight covered her face with her hooves trying not to go blind. When the light died down Twilight turned to view an amazing spectacle. A large burn mark was spread out from the front of the portal, rolls of steam emanated from the ground and rose towards the ceiling. And in the center of these damages was her daughter, with a small blue filly. Nyx had ended up thrown to the ground with Snowdrop sprawled on top of her.
The two were looking at each other in complete silence. The silence was soon broken as Snowdrop began breaking into laughter. Nyx soon following her. Twilight simply stood back watching the debacle unfold. Snowdrop got off Nyx, still giggling. Nyx’s laughter died out naturally. The two looked at each other for a few moments before Nyx brought up her hoof to Snowdrop. Snowdrop didn’t react.
Nyx looked at Snowdrop before a realization hit her, “Uh, Snowdrop? I’m sticking my hoof out.”
“Oh!”, Snowdrop said, before sticking out her own hoof. The two hooves did not meet however, as Nyx’s hoof simply passed through Snowdrop’s.
Nyx’s faced filled with shock. “Oh no…”
“Nyx? Where’s your hoof? I can’t find it.” Snowdrop said, oblivious of what had just occurred.
“I-it’s t-there.” Nyx stuttered. She turned towards Twilight, “Mom! Help!”
Twilight shook her head as she broke out from her shock, “What’s going on? Nyx, who is this?”
Nyx turned her head back to the now scared Snowdrop. “Her name is Snowdrop. I just saved her from tesertil… teseralli… No, it’s um?”
“Tesertillio?” Snowdrop said.
“Yeah that. But now she’s becoming intangible!” Nyx said.
Twilight shook her head, “This is what happens when you pull a soul out of the afterlife, Nyx! She has no body to cement her in this world. And you and I both know, that Snowdrop’s body isn’t useable.”
Nyx took a long look at Snowdrop, “What’ll happen if... she doesn’t have a body?” she said weakly.
Twilight sighed, “She’ll pass on. To where ever she was meant to go.”
“No! I don’t want to go!” Snowdrop yelled. Twilight turned to the teary Snowdrop, “I just came back! I won’t go back!”
Snowdrop turned to Nyx, “Nyx. Please help me. What about us?” She said weakly.
Nyx shook her head weakly, “I-I’m sorry. I’m so-so-so sorry, Snowdrop. All the books said the same, when you’re released, you’ll pass on.” Nyx tried to put on a sad smile though she failed.
“Please Nyx! I don’t want to go.” She said, “Please! I’ll… I’ll never see you again”
Nyx looked deep into Snowdrop’s eyes, she watched as they trembled in fear. “Snowdrop… Sometimes… Sometimes we need to let go. You-you’ll be happier where you’re going.” Nyx put on a smile, though tears were present on her face.
Snowdrop opened her mouth to respond but she stopped. A small, sad smile formed on her face, “T-Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Nyx took a step back and watched as Snowdrop began to fade away.
Twilight stood back towards the back of the room watching in a state of curiosity and at the same time fear. Snowdrop’s receding body was giving off a moderate ambience, a noise that sounded like celestial white noise. The process ticked by in a slow pace, not so slow it seemed to intrude or be annoying but not too fast that it seemed pass by too quickly. A small tear dripped down Nyx’s faced, flowing from her eye down her cheek until it dripped off her chin to the ground. Despite the noise that filled the room, Nyx could hear the crack of the drop clearly as it collided with the ground.
With that noise passed the Element on Nyx’s head began to glow. A mixture of opal and light blue seemed to begin to radiate from the jewel, though Nyx ignored it, choosing to pay attention to what was occurring. This light however was soon going to be the center of attention as small streams of it diverged from Nyx’s Element and began to flow towards the form of Snowdrop.
“Huh?” Nyx said weakly looking up at the crown on her head. The streams, at that point, flowed into the disappearing form of Snowdrop.
Snowdrop gasped as a new feeling entered her senses, her eyes widening at the sudden change. Her body began shaking slightly as Nyx ran up to Snowdrop’s side.
“What’s wrong!” Nyx said. Snowdrop’s ethereal form stumbled slightly and was gasping for air.
“I—don’t—know” Snowdrop said through her pants. Snowdrop tried lifting her head but failed spectacularly, instead falling to the ground below. “My—chest—feels—heavy.” She panted.
Nyx tried placing a hoof onto Snowdrop’s back but failed as it passed though. “Don’t worry Snowdrop. You’re going to be okay. Just hold on.” Nyx looked at her Element and saw the energy flowing from it was entering Snowdrop’s body. “This must be it!” She said taking the element off her head.
“Nyx!” Called Twilight. Nyx looked over to see her mother approaching, finally out of her daze of awe and confusion, “Put the element of magic back on. If it’s doing this, then there has to be a reason.”
Nyx nodded before returning the element to its floating position on her head. She looked down to the see Snowdrop slowly panting in exhaustion. “What going on, Mom? What’s happening to her?”
Twilight shook her head, “I don’t know, Nyx. I’ve never dealt with this type of magic. Not even I have access the archives on life and death spells. All we can do is wait.”
Nyx nodded before scooting closer to the form of Snowdrop. Twilight looked at the scene before slowly trotting backwards towards the stairs. “I’m, uh… going to leave you two alone. To, uh. Say goodbye.”
Nyx’s eyes followed her mother until she passed out of sight. Looking down, Nyx sighed deeply at the panting Snowdrop. After several tense seconds Nyx spoke, though it was in whispers. “Hey, Snowdrop. Can you hear me?...”
Snowdrop shifted slightly, before weakly nodding. Nyx was conflicted inside. She knew for a while now that she’d have to come to this, letting Snowdrop go. But now the time came and she just couldn’t. There was something, at the back of her mind, which told her to hold onto Snowdrop and to not let go. But Nyx knew the pain Snowdrop was feeling; Nyx had already crossed paths with the slow, creeping hand of death that was slowly reaching for Snowdrop. And though Nyx never fully experienced the full embrace of death, she intended to help Snowdrop deal with it.
After more tense moments passed, an idea came to Nyx, “Okay then. That’s what I’ll do. I’ll tell her a story.”
“Snowdrop? Remember the first day we met? When I surprised you, by coming up from behind. Though I probably would have surprised you if I came from the front.” Nyx said. A small grumble and release of oxygen sounded from Snowdrop. A feeble attempt at a chuckle? Maybe.
“I brought you to the portal where we tried to escape but…” Nyx purposely trailed off at that last part, trying to not bring up bad memories. “After I got home, I tried my best to figure out a way to help you. I even got the help of some of my friends. You’ll love to meet them, they call themselves the Cutie Mark Crusaders.”
Snowdrop managed to let out recognizable noise this time, a barely audible giggle.
“One of them helped me figure out how to get you out, her name is Sweetie Belle.” Nyx weak smile faded as Snowdrop didn’t respond this time. “When I came back to give you the news, I started to feel weird. Like a little knot was in my stomach. My face felt hot, and I even jittered a bit. I figured out pretty soon why. When you asked me to stay with you for the night my face felt hotter, and my stomach was in tangles. I wanted to figure out what it was, so I went to ask my aunt, Rarity. I was hoping she would tell me I had caught some weird bug, or it just some random stomach pains, but…”
Nyx trailed off, trying to give Snowdrop time to let it sink it. “Before I knew it, she was spouting all this talk about crushes and love. Love! I didn’t believe her at first, but soon I started to realize. Deep down, I loved you. I love the way you talk, the way you look. The way you were so cheery and bright, despite all the darkness around. Despite the fact you could only see darkness. But when I finally came to grips that I loved you I realized something. That when this was all over, this would happen. I would help you escape and you would pass on.”
Nyx paused again.
“And even then. With me being immortal I would… I would never see you again. Not in this life or the next. Because for me, there is no next. Part of me wanted to keep you. Here, never to leave, but I knew I couldn’t. I cared for your happiness more than my crush. So I set out to figure out how to save you. I searched through every book I could find, went through the forests, I even had to convince a magic tree to help me. So we could get this far, so despite everything, what ever happened to me, you could still be happy. So from me to you, Snowdrop. A gift.”
After finishing her long monologue, Nyx fell silent. The Element of Magic, at that point chose to fall from its levitation and splatter onto the floor. Nyx listened to Snowdrop’s steady breathing as it began to drift away quietly. Like a snowflake in the wind.
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Far far away. Farther than anyone could walk, farther than anyone could fly, farther than anyone could ever reach was a field. This field stretched on for eternity, always growing, always full of life and warmth, except when the cold was ever needed. The field consisted of lush green pastures that seemed to teem with life and tall stretches of barley that was so golden that only the sun’s heavenly glow rivaled it. The stars seemed to always be up in this realm, yet the sun’s golden rays flowed down in perfect harmony. A harmony of night and day. The sky was a deep mixture of purples and blues that seemed to skip and dance with a beautiful aurora of the whole spectrum. The auroras all lead to a single source, a single marble tower. This tower sat on the top of a large marble building that seemed to go on for miles. The tower itself reaching so far up that it was impossible to see how the aurora flowed out the very top, it was as if someone at the very top was continuously sewing a psychedelic scarf that was throw across the heavens.
At the bottom of the tower was a workshop. This workshop had many things spurred throughout it. Crumpled parchment were spewed all across the floor before being swept away by a red aura which resembled a broom. Snapped Quills flew around before the same aura retrieved them, fixed them and placed them back where they came from. At the center of this perfect example of harmonious chaos was a single mare. This mare was very tall and thin with crimson hair that flowed down her shoulders. Two large wing decorated her side and a long horn orientated her forehead. The mark of a quill and ink well was plastered on her flank. This was indeed the one known as Faust, The Mother. Faust was frustrated with herself, crumbling pieces of papers in which bad ideas had landed upon. The quills continued to break under the stress of her magic as she harshly applied them against the parchment.
“Oh! That’s just unoriginal!” she yelled tossing a piece of parchment that showed a brown earth pony with a neck tie. Sighing, Faust dropped both the parchment and quill onto a desk. She rubbed her temples with her hooves, “I’m just having writer’s block. Just that.”
Faust sat there, tapping her hoof onto the desk trying to gain some creative insight. After finding none Faust flicked her hoof causing a little display to form, a look into one of the many worlds which existed in Faust’s designs. Faust would often look at they different worlds and… critic them, like a reviewer would do with a story, as a way to pass the time or to gain some insight. This scene showed a purple unicorn arguing with a tall white alicorn over the fate of a small cobalt blue filly.
“Nicely written, but the filly is a bit overpowered,”
Faust flicked her hoof. The display now showed a crystal pony colt riding on the shoulder of a tall dragon.
“It’s ok. a little too much politics, but still nice.”
Another flick. Now it was the purple unicorn from earlier facing down a dark blue alicorn in a duel.
“Very actiony. Too short.”
Another flick. This one showed a cyan pegasus hugging what looked like a tall hairless ape in sadness.
“Too sappy.”
One last flick sent the display on cycle mode, quickly running passed many different scenes. The screen slowed to a halt revealing a particularly sad scene. A black filly was standing back and watching as a light blue filly seemed to be disappear. Faust looked, confused, at the what was going on.
“Snowdrop? What’s she doing there?” Faust said looking at the strange sight. At that moment a thought came to Faust. A small smile appeared on her face. “Ooh… I’ve got an idea!”
A new parchment and quill appeared in front of Faust. Taking hold of the quill she quickly began drawing on the parchment. When she was done, she looked over her work. The drawing showed a light blue filly smiling and hugging the black filly. The smile on Faust’s face grew, “Snowdrop, Take II?”
Faust tapped the drawing causing it to give off a golden light.
“Let’s do it.”
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The breathing never died out. After nearly fifteen minutes Nyx noticed that Snowdrop’s breathing continued to get slower and slower, but then it stopped. Not like Snowdrop stopped breathing, her breathing stopped lowering. Nyx also noticed quite quickly that Snowdrop’s body began to emit heat, a trait it didn’t have before. Raising one hoof Nyx lightly tapped Snowdrop’s side. What had happened wasn’t particularly exciting, it’s what didn’t happen. Nyx’s hoof didn’t pass through Snowdrop’s body.
Realizing Snowdrop’s body was becoming more tangible, Nyx stood up quickly. After looking around frantically Nyx shouted up the stairs.
“Mom! I need you, hurry!” Nyx yelled. Panicking and stuttering, Nyx circled Snowdrop’s body like a vulture, wondering what to do. This was the exact opposite thing that was supposed to happen. Snowdrop was actually coming back! Whether it be a story book ending like the power of love or the intervention of some god, Nyx didn’t care. All she wanted to do was get Snowdrop to a soft bed quickly. Twilight rounded the corner of the stairs and halted at the sight of the now fully tangible Snowdrop. Twilight’s eyes grew are wide as dinner plates as she began to stutter like her daughter.
“Wha? But? How! This—” Twilight shook her head as she tried to steady herself.
“Mom, we need to get her to somewhere to rest!” Nyx shouted, worried. Twilight eyed her daughter before picking up Snowdrop gently by magic. Nyx quickly pooled her own magic into the mix and soon the two were carrying Snowdrop up the stairs and onto Nyx’s bed. After making her comfortable, Nyx fell onto her haunches, panting slightly from the stress of it all. This certainly was a roller coaster of an evening.
Twilight resisted the urge to begin questioning Nyx, wanting answers herself. But after seeing the stress her daughter was going through, Twilight did what felt natural. She gave Nyx a hug. After all that Nyx had been through that night, fighting the forest, dispersing the Parasprites, even battling a Ursa Major, she accepted the hug eagerly.
“Please… Please never do that again…” Twilight whimpered, long streams of tears rolling down her eyes. “I-I thought I was going to lose you, again. Please, not again.”
“I’m sorry.” Nyx whispered, due to her fatigue. Nyx’s eyes began to droop as she slipped into the sweet embrace of sleep. Twilight smiled slightly, as Nyx was soon asleep in her arms. Twilight lifted Nyx up with her back rather than her magic and slowly trotted up to her own bedroom. Twilight carefully laid the black filly under the sheets and took the space next to her. With little time the two were asleep, side by side, that way they were the night they met.
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The Kinda Epilogue.
The next morning, or afternoon as that’s when Nyx actually woke up, while Snowdrop was still recovering, Twilight sat down with Nyx and had a talk. A very long boring talk in which Nyx described everything that had happened in the past few day. Everything from meeting Snowdrop, to finding Sombra’s book, to the incident with Rarity, to the adventure in the Everfree. Nyx spilled her guts.
Twilight had, at that point, begun to ask questions. Questions about Nyx’s glowing Cutie Mark, questions about the different vortex’s between Equestria and Tesertillio, questions on how Nyx knew rune magic that was specifically hidden by Twilight so Nyx couldn’t get to them. Nyx couldn’t answer any of these questions, except for the rune one. Chalking it up to her knowledge from Nightmare Moon was easy enough. But as for the other questions, nothing. Twilight would spend the next few months trying to fully understand what happened, searching high and low through countless Canterlot books and libraries.
After Twilight gave Nyx the proper punishment for her actions, they had another long talk, this one however was far more interesting.
Twilight had hoped she wouldn’t have to give talk about colts to Nyx for a few years, so she was a bit stuttery when she had to give it so early and about fillies rather than colts. None the less, the age old “Birds and the Bees” talk, which had been passed down from parent to child for centuries was now transferred to the first in the next generation of children. At least children in Ponyville that is.
All in all the past few days of uncertainty, adventure, and craziness had finally come to a close, and things were calming down.
Until Snowdrop woke up.
It was four days after the night Snowdrop escaped. Twilight had decided it was time to return the Element of Magic to the Tree of Harmony, so she left Rarity to keep an eye on Nyx while she went out to forest to return it. Twilight had already told Rarity what had happened with Nyx and Snowdrop, so when Rarity arrived it was nothing more than love advice for a whole three hours. Nyx was thoroughly embarrassed at what Rarity was doing so she shut most of it out. Thankfully she could still hear enough to notice the quiet calls of Snowdrop. Calls which Rarity would have not heard due to her being on a rave of love advice.
After rushing up the stairs and throwing open the door, Nyx quickly managed her way to her bed, where Snowdrop had been resting the past few days. Stopping just short of jumping on top of the bed, Nyx stood silently by Snowdrop, as if a small piece of her told her to wait. Snowdrop, being blind and all, only heard the rushed footsteps of Nyx. This off course caused her to feel frightened.
“H-Hello?” Snowdrop whispered. Nyx saw the fear on Snowdrop’s face, and quickly responded.
“Snowdrop?” she nearly yelled. Nyx stopped herself for a moment so she wouldn’t scare Snowdrop. “Snowdrop, it’s me, Nyx.” Nyx said placing her front hooves on the bedside. Snowdrop shifted slightly before turning to the direction she heard Nyx’s voice.
“N-Nyx?” She smiled. Snowdrop’s face began to scrunch up as a small stream of tears began to flow down her face. These tears, however were tears of happiness rather than tears of sadness. The two didn’t say another word as embraced tightly, letting their emotions run free. Snowdrop broke down slightly and Nyx felt tears well up again. “T-Thank you.” Snowdrop sputtered.
Nyx smiled brightly, “You’re welcome.”
Nyx separated herself from Snowdrop and smiled at her foggy light blue eyes. “S-Snowdrop?”
“Yes?”
Nyx pressed her face forward, connected her lips to Snowdrop. Snowdrop quickly melted into the kiss but disconnected soon after, not wanting to be caught in such a compromising position.
Nyx smiled deeply as she swam through Snowdrop’s deep light blue eyes. The world could very much end and she wouldn’t care, as long as this moment could go on forever. She was so distracted that she didn’t notice Rarity scurrying up the stairs and rounding the corner into the room that the two were in.
“Nyx! Nyx, Twilight said— oh!” Rarity quickly dodged behind the door frame, somehow not alerting the two fillies. Peaking around the corner, Rarity watched as the two started having a conversation. Nyx had jumped on top of the bed and was answering the dozens of questions Snowdrop seemed to spew. Nyx was sitting with her back straight and with eyes locked onto Snowdrop’s. Rarity smiled at this, as these were were bits of advice that she had given Nyx. Rarity’s observations were cut off however as she was suddenly pulled from doorway.
Holding in a yelp, Rarity whipped around to see the slightly surprised and confused face of Twilight.
“Twilight!” Rarity whispered, “Darling, what are you doing here so early?”
Twilight raised an eyebrow “The Tree of Harmony is only a quick trip if you fly, you didn’t expect me to be out all night did you? Anyways, why are you peeking into Nyx’s room?”
Rarity smiled as she began to giggle and hop giddily like a school filly.
“Oh Twilight, darling. A wonderful sight! The buds of romance are blooming in our midst!” Rarity nearly squealed. Twilight sighed at Rarity’s indirect answer and poetic way of describing love. Pushing Rarity to the side, Twilight peeked her head through the doorway. Her eyes quickly laid onto the forms of her daughter and Snowdrop lying in the bed talking. Maternal instinct urged her to to jump into the room and to break up the proceeding. However Rarity, knowing how Twilight would react, forcefully tugged at her rump in order to stop her from doing so.
“Rarity, let me go!” Twilight whispered.
Rarity shook her head, “I can’t let you do that, darling. Please just watch. Trust me on this.”
Twilight huffed slightly before again peeking out the doorway. Rarity, not wanting to miss what was happening, climbed over Twilight’s back and began spying as well.
Back with Snowdrop and Nyx, the two had shifted positions. Nyx was now lying on the bed , face up, while Snowdrop lied next to her. The two stared up onto the ceiling as they talked.
“So this is where you live?” Snowdrop asked, getting a feel for the cushions she was lying on. “The bed feels nice.”
Back when Snowdrop was still alive, the princesses had invited her and her mother to Canterlot for a few days, wanting to know as much as possible about her snowflakes before they were made a permanent addition to Equestria’s weather cycles, so Snowdrop had experience with fancy beds and furniture. Twilight’s home, with her being a princess and all, was outfitted with several new features, Cloudsdale style Cloud Mats™ being one of them.
“Yeah, it pays to be related to a princess.” Nyx responded, almost sarcastically.
Snowdrop giggled at Nyx’s tone. “So you live here with your family?”
“Just my mom and brother, Spike. I have friends that come over pretty often, though.”
“Yeah, you said one of them was named Sweetie Belle right?” Snowdrop said waving her arm slightly.
“Yeah! You remembered?” Nyx said lifting her head slightly. She was smiling deeply that Snowdrop remembered what Nyx had said to her when she was incapacitated.
“Yeah…” The two soon fell silent, choosing to simply wait for the other to continue the conversations. Soon enough, however, an awkward silence grew and grew until the both parties began to feel like they were back at Limbo, with a comfy bed.
“Say something you dolt!” Nyx mentally yelled at herself, trying to remember one of Rarity’s bits of advice. “Ask her something. Tell her how you feel about her. Say something.”
Suddenly realizing something she wanted to say, Nyx turned her head to Snowdrop’s “Snowdrop?” Nyx said cracking the silence.
“Hm?” Snowdrop said turning her head as well. The two were now in a compromisingly close position, where their noses were just close of touching. Nyx’s face flushed a deep red.
“I. Uh. Um…” Nyx stuttered and stopped, tripping over her words. After pausing for a moment and taking in a deep breath (a trick from Twilight) Nyx managed to calm herself down to say what she wanted to say. “I want to thank you.”
Snowdrop abruptly sat up and stared at Nyx. “You want to thank me? It’s me who should be thanking you! I didn’t do anything, I just waited for you—”
Snowdrop was cut off from her sentence as Nyx had stood up and placed a well time kiss on Snowdrop’s lips. After separating, Nyx began.
“When I was out there, in the Everfree forest, trying to find the thing that would help me let you escape, I kept running into things. Monsters, killer vines, swarms of bugs, it didn’t matter, what ever the forest wanted to throw at me. And every time I wanted to give up, and just turn back, or even to just give up and die, I always remembered why I was there. Why I kept going. I wasn’t there for adventure or some treasure. I kept moving forward because of you. Because I knew if I gave up or even Celestia forbid it die, I wouldn’t just be letting myself down. I would be letting you down. And in the end that’s why I’m still standing here. Because of you. So thank you, Snowdrop, for saving my life.”
When Nyx finished from her speech, a stiff silence grew. Like a wall which was hastily put together. But like said wall it crumbled quickly, as quiet sound of Snowdrop’s tears of happiness quickly filled the room. Small streams of joyful tears flowed down her face which was decorated with a rich smile.
“N-Nyx.” —Snowdrop sniffled.— “Y-You really mean that?” Snowdrop asked, though she practically knew the answer already.
Nyx wasted no time. “Yes, I mean every word of it.”
Snowdrop proceeded to quickly jump from underneath the covers and jump onto Nyx, throwing a tight hug around her neck. “T-Thank you. Thank you for everything.”
Nyx wrapped her hooves around Snowdrop’s neck and returned the hug. “You’re welcome.”
Silent moments passed, though they did not grow stale nor awkward. They were rich and memorable moments.
“Snowdrop?” Nyx said quietly.
“Yes?” Snowdrop sputtered.
“I love you.”
Snowdrop further tighten her hug in response. More fresh tears pouring down her face. “I love you, too.”
Twilight and Rarity watched the whole proceeding, and though at times they were tempted to jump in a break up the proceeding they were glad they didn’t. The love and pure emotion that emanated from the room pushed through the door like a warm draft bathing everypony and thing that was within its range in a warm fuzzy feeling.
“Twilight…” Rarity whispered.
“Yes?” Twilight looked up to see Rarity smiling a genuine small smile. Not out of overexcited joy or eagerness, but out of pure clean happiness.
“You’ve raised your daughter well.”
Twilight paused, thinking of a response. The warm feeling at the pit of her gut told her there was only one answer.
“Yeah. Yeah we have.”
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i don't mean to be rude but what does luna have to do with this story? or did i miss that conclusion?
4623309 that's actually what the epilogue and sequel will deal with
4623370 oh? in that case i look forward to that coming out.
Aw man! That was so sweet! I loved it
And a hint of RariTwi? Ooooooooo.
But very good story man, it was a fun ride while it lasted. Hopefully we'll meet again when the sequel starts.
4623459
funnily enough I didn't notice the RariTwi till after I read it again for the first time, I'm not trying to imply anything as I don't actually ship any of the mane six.
Sequel! Sequel! Sequel!
I love you
Seriously, tho, excellent work
WHAT? Who hates both Nyx and Snowdrop
?
Oh, and;
*Was
Also, great story, has given me a lot of inspiration for my own story on Snowdrop. Check it out if you have the time, it's called, Elsa's Snowdrop.
4623576 you're the guy who wrote that? I have it saved to read later.
The way you wrote your summary I thought you were another author who wrote better then me. So I'm glad that I've actually inspired someone
4623785 Ee'yup, just got the rough draft of the new chapter finished, should be ready for my pre-readers on Wednesday, and out by Friday. But I must say, you did a fine job on your story as well. It was actually one of the first stories on this site I added to my watch later.
I never would have though Snowdrop and Nyx would make a cute couple, but it make scene if you think about it.
A shame to see it end, but I'm glad you pulled off the ending well,
you had me believing that Snowdrop would pass on, and you 'I forget what it's called when you pull something out of midair to save the day' wasn't that bad since I really wanted to see these two get a happy ending
May the rain fall from eyes at this story. Loved both Past Sins and Snowdrop and you did a wonderful job bringing them together. Thank you.
P.S. I only got three of the four stories you referenced, they were Past Sins, My Little Dashie, and Nyx's Family. Do not know what the last one is.
4624453
The first one isn't past sins, re-read that part and you'll see it's different
The one you didn't get was Power Surge
I have been following this story for months, after the last chapter i checked back every day to see if there was an update. Now that there has been, I can truthfully say that this is one of the best stories i have ever read. It seems to me that many other readers, myself included are hoping for a sequel, if you would feel inclined to do so me and the other readers whom want to see one would be very grateful. \
Give yourself a pat on the back, you've earned it.
img4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20130405221911/mlp/images/e/e1/FANMADE_Luna_I_see_what_you_did_there.jpg
4623515
Ah I see. I was just thinking of RariTwi when i saw the ending line.
Still good tho! ouo
I Was sort of expecting Nyx to write to Celestia about how she learned that the thought of letting others down by failing one's mission can be the most powerful motivation.
4624897 you know the idea of whenever possible, ending a past sins sequel with a dear princess letter is hugely appealing. I remember that being one of the things I loved about Past Sins. the official sequel ( winter bells) does it too... and that one is written by Spell Nexus!.
Then again it is not necessarily possible ( or plausible) for every story situation.
first sad Tears.
Then Happy Tears.
Then Daww.
All is good.
4/5 stars. Would read again.
Proceeding with recommendation to forum friends
So... you wrote yourself into a corner where you had to write a sad ending and instead you made crap up until it had a happy ending....
meh I dislike sad endings to.
4625043
yup! I just couldn't kill off little old Snowdrop. i didn't want it to end as depressingly as that one fic where all of twlight's friend die so hundreds of years later she kills herself to see them. I wanted light and cheery, depressing can be saved for the sequel
4624469 Oh, I see that now, dang I was tired last night. Now I do not know what that one is now, may the digging commence.
This is looking wonderful keep it up
This could've been a great ending to the story, but you blew it. Let me explain.
At first, I thought it would be a bittersweet ending, what with Snowdrop fading away. That would've been pretty good. Nice and emotional, but not too sad. We would've walked away full of "the feels", which would've been nice. Unfortunately, it seems you don't like anything but the happiest of endings, so you felt the need to pull a deus ex machina out of your plot, and then make us trudge through over half a chapter's worth of cheesy romance.
A deus ex machina like this is one of the Big 3 tropes of bad storytelling, the other two being bad grammar and Mary Sues.
If you wanted a happy ending, you shouldn't have set it up for Snowdrop to fade away. Then the immersion-breaking Faust scene wouldn't have been necessary. Also, is she still blind or not? You don't seem to be very consistent with that.
I'm not downvoting, since the rest of the story is okay, but with a scene like that, it does not deserve an upvote, either, at this time.
4627120 I glad that someone brought this up as it is something I questions myself, do I want a happy or bittersweet ending?
I knew I was walking into a no win situation, If I killed off Snowdrop then I'd have tons of people bagging on me for it. If I didn't, people would say I just pulled a good ending out of my arse.
In the end I did what I wanted with the characters. Besides, the bittersweet ending is there, just stop reading after the huge space, that's why it's there to separate where the story ends happily and sadly. Maybe I should put up a chapter where I cut that ending bit out.
EDIT: I've decided to do just that
Also could you point out where I'm inconsistent in Snowdrop's blindness? It's an important part of her character and I prefer to make obvious she is still blind.
4624453 I have the last one in my following list, let me go check.
EDIT: perhaps this? My Little Civil Activist: Equality is magic?
Huh. A literal deus ex machina.
You know, I actually kinda expected the Fruit of Harmony to be metaphor or kenning or something. Like, turns out it's actually the power of love or friendship or whatever.
Oh well. I'd be lying it I said this was the best fanfic I've read, but at least it was easily digestible and a nice idea over-all. Didn't like the Everfree part very much - I recognize there was some worthwhile characterization in there, but it still felt like filler.
Also, Twilight seems less smart than normal in this. By that I mean she was exceptionally dumb. She was so dumb, they were giving out awards for the dumbest ponies, and she was the only one dumb enough to show up!
So you bring home a dangerous artifact that serves as a gateway to the afterlife, then your daughter disappears and won't say where she went, and then said daughter starts doing intense research regarding the metaphysical cosmology. How did you not figure this out, Twilight?
Oh, and if you weren't going to have Luna get involved in the plot, I honestly don't see the point of her scenes in the first place.
That said... yeah, I've read worse.
I wonder how long its gonna take Snowdrop to realize that its actually been a thousand years, not ten. And what's Luna gonna do? She's definitely involved somehow, though I still don't know. It's a good thing there's a sequel, there are just so many loose ends left over!
This one showed a cyan pegasus hugging what looked like a tall hairless ape in sadness.
My little Dashie reference
6217620 OH!! I didn't notice that!
That's awesome, good mind good sir! 
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEE I WANT A SEQUEL SO BAD!!! I know it probably won't, but still, the ending was so freaking adorable! I squee'd loudly in class, getting weird looks.
A quote that will never die