"Twilight, did you see that?" Nolux turned to the unicorn, only to find her friends head bowed in thought. For the first time since they had met, Twilight didn't answer. Somehow, that struck the zebra. Even when she was angry, direct, even nearly cruel, Twilight had never once failed to respond when Nolux spoke. This... stillness, like she was withdrawn from the world, it was far more alarming than anything the stone edifice could contain.
"Twilight!" Panic edged the voice of the mare, the sharp tang of fear lending it an edge that it would never have otherwise contained. Yet still, the mare didn't react, she didn't even seem to have heard Nolux's plea. Her brow furrowed, as if in an attempt to drag some lone memory from the depths of the path, a memory which feared the light of day.
Then her eyes opened and her head lifted. Her gaze passed over Nolux, focusing on the castle. And suddenly, she was glad that the unicorn had no attention to spare for her. Even that glance, looking past her at the castle beyond, had been terrifying. There was nothing on the mare's face, only that same calm mask. But within the eyes, something stirred, almost like some deep emotion struggled with the unicorn, only to be held firmly in place.
Then Twilight's horn flared with a brilliant light. The normally violet hue of the magic was lost in the outpouring of energy, lost into a silvery white luminescence as brilliant as the noon sun. There was a similar light, this time a globe of blinding energy, which appeared several inches above the ground, heat pulsing out from the sphere in time with the throbbing light. There was the sharp cloying scent of ozone, and the light, and heat, vanished. In their place, a pink pony with a fluffy, curly mane and tail was held suspended. Then, just as the brilliance faded, she fell.
Pinkie landed on the ground before Twilight with a grunt, the air knocked from her lungs as she impacted. The soft grass kept her from any real damage, but at least for the moment, Pinkie couldn't say anything. Neither could Twilight. She just stared at the Party Pony in shock, violet eyes wide and mouth slightly agape.
Nolux was however under no such constraints. "Twilight. If you would be so kind, who is this, why are they here, and what in the name of the Holy Ancestors did you just do?"
"Yeah Twilight, what did you do? I knew you could do some super duper cool magic stuff, but that was even cooler than I remember!" Pinkie had regained her breath, and bounced from the ground as if nothing had happened. Still hopping, she turned to Nolux, smiling with white teeth the apparent size and shape of tombstones. "Who are you? Oh, I thought I knew the only zebra around her. Guess not though. Do you rhyme too? Oh! Can you make a rhyme with orange? I tried that with Zecora once, but she gave up. I think she cheated, she added a word and then rhymed boat with coat. Oh, but maybe you're one of Twilight's new friends? I'm Pinkie Pie, and I love to see you smile. Come on, show your Auntie Pinkie those pearly whites."
For a moment, Nolux stared at the mare, still bouncing in place before her, the white smile drawing her eyes with it. Her head bounced in time with Pinkie, and after another long second, Nolux let out a fillyish giggle which swiftly became a choked laugh. Below Pinkie, Twilight's face showed a clear annoyance, only making Nolux laugh harder.
"Pinkie. Get. Off." Purple light, now returned to its usual half murk, enveloped the mare, and her hooves paused a moment before they would have once more landed on the unicorn's back. "Now, why are you here? How did you find me?"
"Find you?" Pinkie asked, suspended upside down in the air by Twilight's spell. "I didn't find you. I didn't have to. I just waited for you. I was going to throw you a Super-Awesome-Welcome-Back-Twilight/Clean-And-Fix-Your-Scary-Castle-In-The-Woods Party, but I ran out of banner to write on. So instead, I just made it a Super-Awesome-Welcome-To-Your-New-Scary-Castle Party. I have all the cakes and cupcakes and punch and balloons laid out and a bunch of other stuff too. You want to come and see?"
"Twilight, is she always like this?" Nolux strode forward a step, cocking her head to the side as she stared at the Earth Pony. There was something funny about her. Something... different, but Nolux couldn't quiet put her hoof on it.
The annoyed unicorn sighed, ending the spell and letting Pinkie drop once more to the ground, albeit much more softly this time. "Yes. Now Pinkie, what are you doing here. Where are the others? Is, the Princess with you?"
Nolux looked over at Twilight, catching the stutter in her voice. That's what she's afraid of, isn't it? This Princess. She was afraid, she was here.
"I simply do not see why it is appropriate for you to approve of Red Gala's irrigation proposal, while denying my bid for shipping lanes." Luna hung her head, closing her eyes and breathing slowly. Once more, a pony from the seemingly unending line before her had an issue with her policies.
"As I told you Carnation, there is a definitive need for irrigation, with the erratic weather. A shipping right to you simply to send flowers about is of far less importance than ensuring that everypony can eat." The golden mane scythed through the air as the pony flipped her head to the side, the long straight hair the same color as ripe grain whipping about. An annoyed huff came from the mare as she paced away from the throne, an expression bridging the gap between a snarl and a pout clearing a path before her. As she watched yet another tantrum, Luna sighed heavily.
"Sister, I need you."
"Beg pardon, Majesty?"
"Oh, hello Fancy Pants. I apologize, I was thinking." Before her, the stallion stood, seeming almost to be missing a part of himself without the elegant Fluer draped over his back. Now though, he wore only the black suit he had tailored for court, the golden chain of a watch looping perfectly into a pocket. He stood the very picture of aloof arrogance, as if none of the proceedings could possibly be of interest. He was, without a doubt, the greatest ally the Princesses had among the nobles.
"Well, if you are quite finished woolgathering, I have a proposition before we close for the evening." He was a very clever pony, Luna could almost hug him for that. Now she only had to listen to him and then she would be free.
And then I will have several very harsh, very direct words with my dear sister. The blue eyes flashed and darkened, the hue nearing black as Luna once more fought back the tide of anger, frustration, and fear.
Now, why bother fighting it? You know that you are correct, and that your sister has unleashed evil. Why not stop her? Unless... maybe there is still a part of you that wants her to come to harm?
Be quiet, you senile crone. I do not have time to argue with you while talking to the nobles. The soft touch of that creature's mind departed, like a feather falling from her back, only noticeable when it was gone. Luna was the Princess of the Night, and the Mistress of Dreams. By her very nature, she was a past master of the mind, both her own, and others. She could invade any mind she chose to, up to and including spying on her sister's deepest thoughts. Acshina though, she was something else. She was too old, too powerful, too different. Luna had tried, tried so many times she had literally lost count, to break the mind of that vile thing, but not once had she even been able to locate the mind.
But crones are wise dear child. Though I suppose I shall depart. Your sister is far more entertaining at the moment.
"And so, Princess, I petition the crown for a sum of no less than ten thousand bits, to match my own contribution to the education system. As I stated, both I and the crown can easily afford the cost, while our future may not be able to account for the massive damage such rampant under-funding is causing our foals."
"I shall need time to consider. Perhaps you would care to join me for luncheon and tell me more of this plan?"
Steam curled from the cup before Luna. Within the cup, swirling herbs, their scarlet hue a striking contrast to the midnight black of the tea. Even in the warm afternoon, the fireweed sent curls of heat radiating from the cup. Across the blackened iron table, Fancy Pants placed a cube of sugar in his coffee. Luna remembered the vile brew, she had tasted it soon after her return. Apparently, in her absence, it had become very popular, though the bitter tang and caffeine combined on her pallet in a horrendous fashion.
"Please Majesty, how may I help you?" Fancy Pants leaned in closer to the Princess, lowering his voice. There was little chance that their voices would carry in the hedgerows, but the overgrown foliage could also hide ponies virtually next to them, and they would have never known. White marble statues dotted the Garden, hidden artfully within the overgrowth, just enough to hide the full splendor from view, not enough to lose yourself within. "I simply ask that you tell me what ails you. And Princess Celestia."
"Please, I... My sister has not given me leave to speak of her difficulties. I am not allowed to tell you, though I do wish a favor from you."
"Anything Majesty." The haughty, bored look left his face, and Fancy Pants sat there, calm calculation evident. She was grateful that the stallion was an ally of the crown, without his aid the political camps within court would have attacked her long ago.
"I need you to incite more fighting. I need them to be distracted, at least for several days."
"There are those who enjoy the game of deceit, and betrayal of course. However, some may find it to their mutual advantage to ally themselves, in an effort to overcome a greater foe." His tone was casual, and he glanced at his coffee as he took a sip from the china cup. But before that, his eyes had flashed like singing steel, anger lighting them with a pale sheen.
"White Mane, Jade Helm, and Bountiful Harvest?'
"Quite, Majesty. They seem to have scented blood, and like beasts, they are seeking it out." The three ponies were as close to evil as a pony could become. They were rude, selfish, hedonistic, spiteful, and corrupt, but they were also filthy rich, influential, and had the support of fully more than half of Court between them. They were horrific, their only redeeming factor was that they spent more time bickering than accomplishing anything. they could cooperate though, Luna had seen them do so twice since her return. Once, they sought to divert a tax which would have penalized all ponies, including the crown, above a certain income level, while the second time, they had forced through a petition which effectively let them line their pockets from any stipend the crown issued, such as those to schools. And young unicorn librarians without any family.
"Will you be able to disrupt whatever they are planning? I need to adjourn session for the next week, but I would like at least some time before they know. And if you are able to occupy them for the duration, I would be most grateful."
"My command is but your desire, Majesty." Fancy Pants bowed slightly over the table, drank the last of his coffee, and departed. As he did, Luna leaned forward, resting her head on the cool metal table. She sighed, and a tear fell onto the iron, easily lost on the polished surface.
I cant understand anything anymore
No, wait! What happened to Fluttershy!?
Mwahahaha I saw it on the featured bar, does a little dance. Oh and I don't think I have said recently how much I enjoy this story, so I here goes I love this story.
Now this is where it will get tense for me, twilight is back, her friends are in trouble and they don't know it, I want to know what she is going to do. Will she help? But why, she has no emotions, so are they still important to her? What is Celestia doing, why is Luna handling court? What are lunas plans? Does pinkie get a plan?
IS Fluttershy going to be ok?
Grrrr now I am all worked up about this and I want more... And my internet connection back. But that has nothing to do with this stories awsomness.
764082
Oh, I was wondering where you went. Nice to know I didn't scare you off.
200 likes, does another dance. Just because that's awesome.
Hmmm...this is going to spiral so far out of control.
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Ya dead modem, so I have to use my phone.
764082 actually i believe that twi still has her emotions their just deeply locked down also i believe the creature in ponyville is basically something that was sent to take over twilights mind but failed because twi put it in a mirror now its just trying to destry the eoh befor its ally's or leader arrives. as for twilight she doesn't know the imposter is in ponyville and i bet celestia is grieving what she accidentally did to twilight and lunas probably going to figur it out by sneaking into celestias mind.
now onto the next chapter wohoo
the chapter was a little short, not much happened, but still; i can see you setting things up for the future there! looking forward to the next chapter! since i kind of know what you were aiming for before: where you brutally killed off fluttershy and thought no one would mind, yep, never gonna let that go...you also basically had celestia "pick" the fake twi as the real one. but i really doubt that you will do that; so im definitely interested to see how this turns out!
Who want to Live Forever(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5L8-FTvSVxs)
Dude you have a typo in your synopsis.
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Yeah, sorry about it being short. The next chapter is mostly done (and waiting for my darling editor (Who just graduated. Throw him a party)), and the first part of it is about as long as this one was. Oh well.
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NOOOOO. MUST FIND! Umm, what was it?
Are you writing anymore chapters? I am kinda interested to see how this story plays out
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Oh, its not done yet. getting there though, so shouldn't be that much longer. The next chapter is actually almost done.
"Equestria" is spelled "Equstria." Also, if you change the first part to "Twilight loves her. She is the Princess..." then the verb tenses will be correct throughout the rest of the synopsis.
Thumbs up and great avatar.
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Thank you sweetheart, and I know right? Tavi is so adorable. Still looking for a cuddling Chrysalis though,
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Graduated!?
You know what that means!
IT'S PARTY TIME!
Oh, and awesome story so far.
gotta say, i'm a bit lost right now
God I love this story...
Nolux laughing at Twilight's expense was great!
dang i saw this a while ago but never read it till today, took me about an hour or two to catch up but im glad i did.
763973 He did a rewrite, she's not dead anymore, if that's what you're wondering. She and Twilight have an odd relationship (more than friends). I don't remember exactly where things left off when we last saw them, though.
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I believe that fake Twi was harming her, but not killing her.
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you should be flattered, i guess, since you know it's a good story if it makes you upset to read it.
i'll continue reading it later today, have tons of appointments today.
also, im from Sweden.. so, close but no cigar :D
<3
I have no idea what's happening anymore.
but i love it.
Just picked this up today... How did you manage to hide it that long? This is awesome!
I see, so true Twilight it building a fellowship of ponies which can predict the future, evil Twilight is corrupting the crown and breaking the will of those who would see her plans coming, like poor kind pegasi (must...keep.....sharp...things..in draw....she'll be fine....right?), and the other half of the crown is raring for a full blown underground war with evil Twilight and corrupt Celestia. The question now is, will true Twilight see through evil Twilight and overcome her own damaged emotions long enough to join with Luna? If true Twilight can overcome the corruption she can take advantage of Celestia's new outlook on their situation to have what she originally wanted. Although she needs to save Fluttershy first.
I really enjoy that you treated the magic as a manipulation of energy instead of a new substance. It was very reminiscent of the Eragon series.
764082 Actually, I don't think it's that Twilight no longer has any emotions, but rather that she locked away all of the emotions she had up until the day she locked them in the mirror. So, initially we had an "emotionless" Twilight, but over time she slowly rediscovering what it is to "feel" again. That is to say, she wiped her emotional slate clean, and decided to start from scratch. The doppelganger Twilight is all of her emotions from the mirror incident and prior: all of the pain, sorrow, rage, and etc... Which is why she's "evil."
At least, that's what I think.
765868I had forgotten what happened in the last chapter. But I reread it just now, and that is what was happening the last time we saw her.
> Twilight hits Fluttershy
It's ok, I still have 2 chapters to read
> Reads those two
WHAT THE FUCK!? I NEED TO KNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Wow. That is... Just...
It's good. So good I'm lost for words. I mean, the subject of immortality, magic absorbtion, magic sight, clean magic (i.e no flash or heat from a teleport), etc. is stuff that I haven't even thought of yet. And I think a lot on how the whole worldframe works.
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Don't bother. They were poorly written, and everybrony HATED them, baring one or two. Basically, I tried to force myself to write, which is a flaw I will never again indulge. Which is why I am working on something entirely different right now, till whatever comes next pops into my skull.
assassinations are in order