Chapter 19 The Road to Redemption
Princess Celestia was normally a beacon of happiness, but not lately. Nearly a week had passed since the almost wedding and a rift was made between Twilight and Celestia. The latter of whom was trying to sleep but was tossing and turning.
“Twilight,” she said in her sleep. “Please come back, I’m sorry.” In her dream she was chasing after Twilight but no matter how fast she went, she couldn’t get to her. “Please Twilight come back.” When she was about to finally reach her she vanished.
“How could you do that to me, I thought you were my friend?” Celestia tried to reach her but Twilight started to fall and once again, she couldn’t reach her. “Why didn’t you help me?” Twilight continued to fall until she disappeared again. As Celestia looked up she saw a yellow coated unicorn with a fiery mane and tail appeared.
“Why didn’t you help me, Princess Celestia?” She asked.
“I-I’m sorry.” Celestia tried to get to her student when suddenly her legs were stuck in some sort of sticky substance. Suddenly she noticed the rest of the mane 6 were stuck there as well, all of them were looking up pleading for help.
But Twilight looked down and whispered. "No." Celestia was tearing up. "Next time you'll all think twice before ignoring me, or wait, there won't be a next time."
“Too bad for you sunbutt,” Discord said from above. Celestia looked up to see Discord with Twilight.
“Twilight, get away from him.”
“You had your chance, she’s my student now,” Discord said.
“No Twilight you can’t,” Celestia pleaded.
“I can, if he really wants me to be his,” Twilight said.
“Certainly,” Discord replied as he rubbed her mane. Discord then surrounded Twilight in a pink bubble. Celestia broke free of the sticky substance and tried to reach Twilight but Discord wrapped himself around her to stop her. “You’re too late,” he taunted. “Now I’m gonna make you watch. As you lose her forever.”
Suddenly Celestia was forced to watch Twilight as she slowly transformed into a draconequus. When fully transformed she broke free and laughed wickedly at Celestia and readied to attack.
Princess Celestia awoke from her nightmare and breathed heavily to calm down. “I’m so sorry Twilight. Oh Twilight, I am so sorry,” she said as tears poured down her muzzle. After a while Celestia finally got out of bed and tried to pull herself together. “Come on now Celestia, feeling sorry for yourself won’t solve this. Maybe if I can just stop thinking about it for just a minute.”
Suddenly a knock came at the door and Princess Celestia opened it to find Swift Sweep. “Oh, hello Swift Sweep.” Swift Sweep didn’t respond, but simply entered the chambers and started sweeping. “Um, I said hello Swift Sweep,” Princess Celestia said confused.
Swift Sweep then turned to face Princess Celestia. “I’m not talking to you,” he said. “But if I was talking to you, I’d tell you that I’m not talking to you because you acted like a jerk at the almost wedding. To me, to Squeaky, and especially to sweet little Twilight. That’s why I’m not talking to you.”
“Oh, I see,” Princess Celestia answered. “I’m very sorry Swift Sweep.”
"Well, if I was talking to you I'd say I'm still a little mad at you. But I forgive you. After all, compared to Twilight I got off easy." Swift Sweep then finished cleaning and made his way out. Afterwards Celestia put yourself in the corner as the reason why flashed through her mind.
"How could you treat your own sister like that?" Star Swirl the Bearded from many moons ago asked a young and rather bratty Celestia. "Luna is in her room crying her eyes out because of what you said to her."
"I didn't mean to make her cry," Celestia said many moons ago. "I was just angry."
"Oh you were angry, well then I guess that makes it okay," Star Swirl said sarcastically.
"Don't you think you're taking this too far. It's not like I punched or kicked her."
"Words can hurt more than any physical injury, so you need to be careful how you use them. Until then." Star Swirl then used magic to place a stool in the corner of the room and pointed to it.
"You have got to be kidding me," Celestia said.
"Kidding. A rather fitting choice of words. Because if your gonna act like a brat, you're gonna get punished like one. Now move your rump."
"I am not, going, to sit there. And there's nothing you can-" Celestia's throat went dry when Star Swirl starting giving her a hard stare. To make it stop she sat on the stool. "You know one of these days, that stare isn't going to work anymore."
"Yeah, that'll be the day."
***
Morning came, and Princess Celestia was walking through the castle and found Squeaky Clean. He immediately turned around to walk in the other direction. "Squeaky wait, please don't go, I want to talk."
Squeaky then turned around and reluctantly approached the princess. "May I be of some service, your highness?"
"I just wanted to say that I'm very sorry for the way I treated you, and I hope you forgive me." Squeaky waited a minute before responding.
"I appreciate that, and in the long run you really weren't all that rude to me, so I forgive you."
"Thank you Squeaky."
"It's no big deal compared to Twilight. I got off easy.” Squeaky then saw the look on Celestia’s face and realized he may have put his hoof in his mouth. “So how is Twilight?"
"I wrote her several letters but she never responded. I've tried to give her some space, but maybe it's time for me to see her in equine."
***
In Ponyville Twilight was by a local restaurant sitting by a table and eating a daffodil and daisy sandwich. It suddenly started to rain, but not around Twilight. "Huh?"
"Hi there, the greatest best friend forever in the world I’ve ever, ever had," Rainbow Dash said. Twilight however paid her no mind and continued to eat her sandwich. "Uh, Twilight did you hear me? I said that you're my best ever friend in the, no, the greatest world friend, no you're the greatest friend ever in the ever uh ever. Okay I can't remember what I said you were but you are whatever it was. Twilight aren't you going to say thank you?"
Twilight said nothing.
"Okay fine Twilight, if that's how you want to be!" Rainbow Dash then closed up the hole causing Twilight to get rained on, but she paid it no mind. Rainbow Dash then felt like an idiot and wanted to open it up again and apologize, but the rain was letting up anyway. She then decided to fly off before she did something else that was stupid.
"Twilight darling, whatever are you doing sitting there in the rain?" Rarity asked as she was passing by with an umbrella. "Well it's not really anymore, I believe that's known as a squall. Come with me before you catch a cold." Rarity was about to take Twilight to Carousel Boutique but Twilight pulled her hoof away when Rarity grabbed it. After finishing her sandwich and leaving some bits on the table Twilight left, but she was cut off by Applejack who was pulling a wagon full of apple baked treats.
"Howdy there best friend. I'm just on my way to drop these off at the library. I got all sorts of sweets for ya." Twilight then teleported to the other side of her friend and continued walking. Applejack tried getting back in front to talk to Twilight but she just kept teleporting. Before long Applejack quickly got the idea despite her stubborn nature.
"It was a nice gesture darling."
"Thanks Rarity. When is she going to get over this?”
“We really hurt her feelings, Applejack." When Twilight finally got to the library she was surprised to find that Fluttershy and a large group of animals were cleaning. Spike was even helping out a bit as well.
"Oh hello Twilight we were all just doing a little spring cleaning for you. Because you know you're my very best friend." Twilight once again didn't say anything to her friend but simply shot her a very unpleasant glare. "You'd like me to leave, wouldn't you?" Twilight then pointed to the door and Fluttershy quickly walked to the door and had all her animal friends follow her.
"Surprise!" Pinkie Pie almost yelled out shocking Twilight and startling Fluttershy. Suddenly Twilight was lifted up into the air by half a dozen other ponies that Pinkie brought. "Twilight is my best friend whoopie whoopie, the smartest kindest sweetest all around greatest pony pony, but I broke her heart and I very sorry sorry, so I figured if I threw a super deluxe party party, she'd find it in her heart to forgive me." Twilight then teleported back onto the ground then entered the library and closed the door after making sure Fluttershy and her friends were outside.
"I thought it was a nice gesture Pinkie." Back in the library Twilight had walked past Spike and went upstairs to get on her bed. The sheet was used a bit as a towel since Twilight was still quite wet from the rain but then suddenly a burst of hot wind shot from a giant blow dryer that vanished as quickly as it came.
"Wouldn't want you to get a cold now do we?"
"Discord?!"
"The one and only, in this universe anyway."
"What are you doing here?"
"I wanted to see how you were doing and by the looks of things the answer is not so good."
"She's doing just fine and doesn't need you bugging her!" Spike said as he sped up the staircase and got between Twilight and the spirit of chaos with his arms spread out.
"Spike what did I tell you when I teleported your bed downstairs?" Hearing that Spike turned around shocked and very confused.
"What? But Twilight it's Discord, he's the-"
"What did I tell you?" Twilight asked again but with a more strict tone. Spike then lowered his arms as well as his head.
"Until further notice I stay downstairs." Spike then slowly made his way back down the stairs.
"As I was saying, you could really use a friend."
"What is it with every…creature today? I'm not in the mood for "friends" today."
"Oh come now don't be like that. Tell you what, do you like pie?"
"I guess." Discord then snapped his fingers and a rather large chocolate pie appeared right in front of her. Twilight then decided to take a bite. "Wow this is actually really good."
"I knew you’d love it, I always knew you were the understanding one. Not like those nasty friends of yours.”
“My friends aren’t nasty,” Twilight replied with her mouth full.
“Well of course you’d say that, it just goes to show how understanding you are. I’m just glad none of them showed up. I mean except Pinkie and Fluttershy, but you pushed them away.”
“There aren’t so bad, Discord.”
“Not so bad, please, there a bunch of losers.”
“Come on now,” Twilight said as she finished the pie. “I get they screwed up but losers might be a bit strong.”
“After the way they treated you, I’d say losers isn’t strong enough.”
"Well, it was pretty rude."
"Pretty rude," Discord said. "It was down right despicable."
Twilight paused but part of her couldn’t help but agree. “It was, wasn't it?!”
“If I were you, I wouldn’t speak to them ever again.”
"Don't listen to him Twilight he's-" Spike was cut off when he suddenly disappeared at the snap of Discord's finger yet again. Twilight gasped.
"Don't worry he's fine, I just teleported him to the other side of town."
"What exactly do you want Discord?" Discord then got up and started to walk around Twilight a bit.
"Suppose I should get to the point, don't want the plot to drag on too long now do we? I can't help but feel sorry for you after what happened. You know what you need, you need a friend. A real friend."
"And you think you can be that real friend?"
"But of course," Discord said as music came out of nowhere.
"Should have seen this coming," Twilight said.
"I'm the friend that you need. When you're lost and don't know what to do. I'm your pal, your amigo, creative and very resourceful too." Before Discord could continue, there was a knock at the door. "He's back already, wow he moves fast on those little legs doesn't he?" Discord then used his magic to open the door but to his and Twilight's surprise it wasn't Spike, it was Princess Celestia.
"Twilight? Where are you?" Suddenly she saw Discord next to Twilight. "What are you doing here!?"
"I could ask you the exact same question. At least I could, if I cared at all, which I don’t."
“I came to talk things out with Twilight and put this whole thing behind us.”
“Maybe later,” Discord said. “She’s spending time with her real friend.”
“What?”
“Yes, she doesn’t need to talk things out with you. You said enough when you chewed her out in the last chapter. Or 5 days ago, depending on how you see things.”
"Please Twilight, I just came to say, that I'm sorry."
"Is that all?" Twilight asked.
"Um, yes."
"I see, well thank you for that."
"Your welcome," Celestia said with a smile. "So you forgive me and we can put this all behind us?"
"No," Twilight bluntly answered.
"Huh?"
"I don't forgive you," Twilight said, shocking Celestia.
"Twilight," Princess Celestia said. "When somepony says they're sorry, you have to forgive them."
"What that's a law now?"
"As a real friend, I have to agree with Twilight. She can't just say she's sorry and think that should be enough. Especially after what she did to you."
"Twilight, don't listen to him. Whatever he said to get on your good side, he can't be trusted. He’s a deceitful creature, you can't listen to a word he says."
"So you didn't ignore me when I came to you for help?" Twilight asked. Celestia didn’t know how to respond yet again. "So you didn't treat me like garbage? How could you do that to me, I thought you were my friend?"
“Yeah, you’d think you’d learn your lesson after you screw up with the last one,” Discord asked.
“How do you know about…That’s none of your business. I made a mistake, Twilight. We've known each other for a long time and I've done a lot of things right. It's not fair for you to be so harsh on me when I do 1 thing wrong."
"So it's only fair when you do that to me?" Celestia once again didn't know what to say. "Why didn't you help me?"
"Okay, that's a fair point but-"
"Whatever it is, I don't want to hear it and I'm tired, so just leave me alone."
“But Twilight-”
“Discord, do you really want to be a true friend?”
“Of course,” he answered.
“Would you mind showing the princess the door?”
“I’d be happy to.” Discord then appeared right in front of the princess. “You heard my friend beat it.” Princess Celestia then reluctantly turned around and walked to the door.
"Do you want to know something funny?" Twilight asked.
"Yes Twilight, I would love to!" Celestia answered as she turned away from the door excited that maybe she could end her visit on a good note.
"When you made me your student, it was a dream come true. I knew it wouldn’t be easy, but I worked hard to prove myself and make you proud of me. I pushed myself but to see you smile at my accomplishments made it all worth it. The last thing I ever wanted was to disappoint you, I never would have imagined that you would disappoint me." Hearing that Discord couldn't help but laugh his head off.
"You're right," Discord said while still laughing. "That actually is, pretty funny."
***
Back at the castle Celestia was once again up in the royal chambers and once again depressed. She looked at her bed and another memory flashed before her eyes. A rather young Celestia was in bed ready to go to sleep with Star Swirl sitting on the side of the bed.
"I don't understand Star Swirl," Celestia said. "I told Luna I was sorry but she's still mad at me."
"Well I'm glad that you shallowed your pride and said you were sorry. But sometimes saying sorry isn't enough, sometimes we need to say we're sorry with our actions, not just our words."
"But how do I do that?"
"Well maybe an answer will come to you in your sleep." Star Swirl then gave Celestia a gentle kiss on the cheek and tucked her into bed. Squeaky after a while made his way to her chambers to see if she was feeling better. "I'm guessing the visit didn't go so well."
“No." Squeaky then sat on the bed and started to lightly stroke Princess Celestia's mane.
"Twilight's just angry, she'll calm down."
"I-I'm scared Squeaky."
"Scared?"
"1000 years ago I was forced to banish my own sister to the moon because she was all but consumed by her jealousy. What if Twilight goes through something similar she runs away like Sun-"
"Hey hey calm down, that's not going to happen, I know it won't. Twilight has some of the best character I've ever seen." Princess Celestia smiled and then wrapped her wing around Squeaky and pulled him right next to her.
"Thank you Squeaky, I really needed to hear that. Twilight does have amazing character. She's smart, kind, hardworking, organized, and a true, true friend. I'm so lucky to have her in my life. And I'm lucky to have you in my life too."
"Thank you princess, I feel the exact same way." Squeaky then rolled on top of Princess Celestia as he gave her a passionate kiss that the princess enjoyed very very much. After getting back to cleaning Squeaky came across Swift Sweep.
"Hi there Squeaky."
"Hello there Swift Sweep, didn't know it was one of your day shifts today." Suddenly several rather loud crashes were heard outside followed by screams.
"What's all that noise?"
"I don't suppose it's a harmless parade."
"Oh you really think so? I love parades, especially the ones that toss candy to the crowds. And the ones that have balloons. Red ones." Squeaky then made his way to the windows and saw that Canterlot was suddenly overrun with a rather small army of giant cockatrice.
"No wonder there's screaming."
"So not a parade."
"No, unfortunately not dear Swift Sweep." Swift Sweep and Squeaky Clean turned and saw none other than the spirit of chaos.
"Finally something exciting is happening in this chapter and we only had to wait a little over 2500 words and 100 paragraphs for it."
"Discord! Are you the one behind this?" Squeaky asked ready to make a quick change into Super Stallion if he needed too.
"It definitely looks like something I'd do, doesn't it? But nope, didn't have a paw, or a claw in this."
"No? Then what are you doing here?"
"Well other than trying to move the plot forward and 4th wall jokes not much."
"I gotta tell the princess!" And make sure she gets some super backup. Squeaky then ran out to do just that while Discord noticed Swift seemed a little sad.
"I really wanted a red balloon." Discord then snapped his fingers giving him just that and Swift jumped for joy. "I think this is going to be a really good day."
***
After informing Princess Celestia about the major infestation, Squeaky quickly became Super Stallion to help out. It was rather tricky because 1 wrong look and he'd be a super statue. But he dealt with them with a lot of long range spells. Plus, he wasn't alone in fighting them: the royal pony sisters, the royal guard, and even Spike helped out.
"Yeah suck on that you chicken lizard things!" Spike called as he continued fighting, breathing rather heavy doses of fire. Before long every single giant cockatrice was forced out of Canterlot and the ponies and 1 dragon gathered together to see if they were all okay and to help one another fix the messes that were recently made. Super Stallion volunteered to clean up everything and the guards helped ponies that were hiding when the cocktrices attacked and Princess Celestia saw to Spike's injuries who got roughed a bit.
"You are a very brave baby dragon, you know that?"
"I'm not a baby anymore," Spike responded with pride. "After today, I am a stallion, so to speak." Celestia then chuckled as she placed her hoof on Spike's head and rubbed it just a little bit.
"Yes I do, and you'll be getting a metal for your particular bravery. Did Twilight come here with you?"
"No, she isn't here, she went to stop the changelings."
"Excuse me?"
"Long story short, the changelings were pretending to be just about everypony in Ponyville. Twilight and the gang took them down.
***
After the changelings were defeated they were properly restrained. "Yeah, how do you like being restrained?" Rainbow Dash asked the changelings after she and her friends freed all of the ponies that were stuck in pods. "How does it feel to be taken down twice by us, totally awesome ponies? One of which in particular is particularly awesome."
"Excuse me miss particularly awesome, do you think you can free the others stuck in slime?"
"Right, sorry Twilight." As Rainbow Dash did that, a crystal sphere appeared showing Queen Chrysalis. She explained she was holding the real CMC and where she was holding them. On top of that she told Twilight to arrive there in 3 days or something bad would happen to them.
"Wait why 3 days, is there a specific reason or do you just like the number 3?" Before Chrysalis could answer Pinkie's question, she vanished from the crystal ball leaving a map on it. "Does anypony feel like she could have answered my question but just didn't want to? I mean she went through the trouble of talking to us through her own version of the mystical orb of fate and destinies but she can't answer a simple-"
"Pinkie! Will you please be quiet so I can think for 2 seconds?"
"Oops, sorry Twilight, you go right ahead and think. It's what you do best, I know sometimes you're called an egghead, but when you think about it it's a compliment because you-"
"PINKIE PIE!"
"Sorry, I'll just do something not here." Pinkie then gave Twilight some space so she could study the map. After that Twilight got a few supplies for the journey to rescue the CMC and if necessary fight Chrysalis, but just as she was about to head off the rest of the mane 6 as well as Spike caught up to her.
"Darling you can't honestly think that going to rescue my sister and her friends all alone is a good idea."
"Yeah why didn't you come to us for help?" Fluttershy asked.
"The last time I asked you for help you all ignored me."
"Well we won't ignore you ya now sugar cube we're ready to help out, kick flank and save the day once again."
"All right, get whatever you think you'll need for a 3 day mission and get back here asap."
"Twilight, why don't you send a letter to the princess so she can help us out too?" Spike asked as the others ran off.
"We tried that, remember? Something is interfering.”
"I could try going to Canterlot myself and tell the princesses myself."
"Okay Spike, do whatever you think is best," Twilight told him. “But wait until tomorrow to head to Canterlot. The sun is about to set and it can be dangerous to head there by yourself at night."
***
"So after that I went to bed early and came here first thing in the morning. Well I meant to, but I slept in somehow but I did come here right when I woke up, after breakfast."
"Wow, that is a lot to take in," Princess Celestia said.
"Sorry I tried to keep it short but there was a lot to go over.” Eventually the guards, Super Stallion, and Princess Luna arrived. Celestia had a bit of explaining to do.
***
Twilight was wandering around a maze and couldn't find the way out and just got more and more frustrated along the way. Suddenly she saw a bright light above her and it descended and took the form of the princess of the night. "Princess Luna? What are you doing here?”
“Spike told my sister what you were doing and she told me. So I came to visit you.”
“Well I’m doing alright.”
“I’m worried about you, Twilight. We all are.”
Now isn’t really the time, I have a lot on my mind.”
"Twilight, I probably know better than anypony about how bad it is to bottle up your emotions and I understand being angry at my sister for 1 reason or another. Talking about these things may seem unpleasant but-"
"Okay stop all right just stop I don't want to talk about this anymore," Twilight interrupted started to get annoyed but mostly mad.
"Twilight-
"I don't want to hear it okay. I'm sick of everypony, dragon, and draconequus telling me what to feel and how to act. I don't want to argue with you okay, so will you please just leave me alone." Twilight asked Princess Luna.
"Very well Twilight, but 1 other thing Super Stallion is trying to find you so you should lend a hoof. I suggest using a flare spell."
“Okay, thank you.”
“You're welcome,” Princess Luna said. “When you’re ready to talk, I’ll be ready.”
***
After waking up Twilight used her new device allowing Super Stallion to get to her right away "We meet again Twilight, maybe it's time I made you my sidekick."
"Thanks but no thanks, I think Spike would be far more interested in that role."
"Well that fire breath of his would be quite useful in a couple situations. But for now I need to tell Princess Celestia where you are."
"No!" Twilight said somewhat surprising Super Stallion. "If she really wants to come, tell her to wait until a bit after the sun rises so that the others will be awake."
"Okay that's understandable, back in a flash." Super Stallion made his way to Canterlot and went to Princess Celestia’s chambers and found her sleeping peacefully in her bed. "Oh she looks so adorable. Do I really have to wake her up? What am I talking about? Of course I do, but she's so pretty I just can't." Super Stallion then repeatedly but lightly smacked himself on his head.
"Come on Squeaky, get it together you're acting like you did when you first met her, wait a minute, Squeaky needs to get back to his job." Super Stallion then decided to wake the princess up and Squeaky. "All right just look away from the adorable sexy princess and that will help you wake her up." Squeaky then began to rub Princess Celestia's neck until she woke up.
"Huh?"
"Good morning sweetheart, well eventually anyway."
"I'm going to assume that there's a very good reason that you woke me up so early. Wait a minute you aren't due back to the castle yet why are you even-"
"Super Stallion found Twilight," Squeaky interrupted, hoping to get the princess to forget what she was just asking and it did.
"He did!" Princess Celestia was so excited that she jumped right out of bed but she was also rather worried. "Is she all right?"
"He wanted to tell you that she's okay but she'd like you to wait until daybreak for you to go help her. You know, no sense waking them all up in the middle of the night."
"I suppose that makes sense but why didn't Super Stallion tell me this in equine?"
Crud think fast Squeaky! "Oh you know superheroes always flying off from 1 spot to another." Please buy it please buy it please buy it!
"Well I suppose that's understandable.”
Whew. Celestia postponed her duties and talked with Shining Armor to send a group of royal guards if she didn't return within a specific amount of time.
"Wouldn't it make more sense for us to come with you right at the start?" Shining Armor asked.
"No, too many ponies would get the changeling's attention. Taking them by surprise could really help us win. But I want to have you and a big team of guards on standby just in case."
"Uh princess," Squeaky said, getting the attention of Princess Celestia and Shining Armor. "I made 2 dozen sandwiches for you and the other ponies. Since who knows how long you’ll be gone."
"Oh Squeaky that's so thoughtful thank you so much." Princess Celestia then kissed Squeaky on his cheek and flew off into the night leaving Squeaky Clean and Shining Armor confused.
"Uh should I get a Pegasus guard-"
"Give her a minute." Squeaky and Shining then continued to stand by wait but after a few seconds the quiet got awkward. "So how's the whole captain of the royal guard going?"
"Fine, I've made a couple mistakes along the way but all in all I gotta say I'm doing a pretty good job. A lot better than Stone Wall anyway."
"Well that might be taking it a bit too far." Suddenly Princess Celestia used her magic to raise the sun. “Oh there we go.”
***
As the mane 6 woke up they wasted no time heading out. Suddenly Princess Celestia arrived to everypony's surprise.
"Why Princess Celestia, what in Equestria are you doing in this dangerous part of the woods?" Rarity asked.
"I came to help you, my little ponies."
"But how did you get here so fast?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"With a little super help," Super Stallion said as he flew down to join the others. "I quickly caught up to her and got her here in no time at all."
"Super Stallion too. Ah yeah, now we're cooking," Rainbow Dash.
"Twilight, why in the world would you come here without telling me?" Princess Celestia asked with a surprisingly angry tone.
"There was some sort of interference. I couldn't send a letter at all and we really needed to get going as soon as possible."
"Well where are the Elements of Harmony? Did you bring them at least?"
"They're still in Canterlot, remember?"
"Well you've had almost a week to come and get them, why didn't you?"
"Well I guess I didn't feel like visiting you!"
"That's no excuse Twilight you should have gotten them in case there was some sort of emergency! You just didn't think, did you? You're old enough to know you shouldn't let your emotions cloud your judgment!"
"That's enough!" Super Stallion said getting between the princess and her student. "Princess Celestia, I need to talk to you right now."
"But-"
"Right now!" Super Stallion then grabbed the princess's leg and pulled her up until she used her wings to fly up with him. "That was no way to talk to Twilight." Celestia wanted to respond but Super Stallion stopped her. "You wait around for days on end trying to figure out what's the best way to talk to Twilight and when you finally do, you lecture her."
"I suppose you are right, I've just been so stressed- Wait, how did you know I've been trying to-"
"Don't change the subject!" Super Stallion cut her off. "She may be a full grown mare but she's still your student. If all you do is lecture her whenever she makes a mistake, she's just going to be too frightened to come to you when she needs your help."
"You're right, you're absolutely right, Super Stallion. I acted like a fool, I'm sorry."
"I'm not the one you need to tell that to." The 2 ponies then went back down to the ground and Princess Celestia approached Twilight.
"Twilight, I'm sorry for talking to you like that."
"Again," Twilight added.
"Yes again, I was very worried about you and I just didn't think straight."
"So I'm too old to let my emotions cloud my judgment, but you aren't? How does that work?"
"I'm sorry Twilight."
"Well whatever, we can talk about it later. Just give us the Elements of Harmony so we can use them to stop the changelings."
"I beg your pardon Twilight."
"You did bring the elements didn't you?"
"Well, no."
"Are you kidding me!? After all that stuff you said to me." Twilight then took a breath to calm down. "Well what did you bring?"
"Sandwiches," Princess Celestia answered.
A short but highly awkward pause passed.
"Unbelievable." Twilight then turned away from her teacher and began to head out. "Let's just go."
"Would you like some Twilight?" Celestia asked as she caught up to her student. "Squeaky made them himself."
"I'm not hungry."
"Yeah, she's probably still full from the pie I gave her earlier," Discord said and then appeared out of thin air yet again.
"Discord?" Super Stallion said. "What are you doing here?"
"Why I'm here to help my friend of course," Discord answered.
"We don't need your help," Super Stallion said ready for a fight. Princess Celestia then pulled him back a little, even though she was thinking the same thing.
"I wasn't talking about you," Discord replied right before wrapping himself Twilight.
"What can I do to help you my dear Twilight?"
"You can wrap around me a little less tightly for one." Discord did as she asked and she was able to breathe better. "Thank you."
"What are real friends for?"
"You know Discord," Princess Celestia said. "Maybe it would be best if you went to Canterlot to make sure another attack won't happen."
"No princess, Discord should stay and help us out," Applejack said. "It's the least he can do since what happened at the wedding is all his fault."
"Oh I can't wait to hear this," Discord said as he made a chair appear that he sat in which hovered over Applejack.
"You knew what was going on but didn't do anything about it," Applejack said with the rest of the mane 6 except Twilight supporting her.
"I got news for you apple smack. I didn't make you ignore your friend when she asked for your help. I didn't drag any of you out of the room when Twilight got yelled at. And I'm not making you ignore how you really feel."
"I-I don't know what you're talking about."
"Leave her alone," Princess Celestia ordered. "She was doing the best she could."
“She did the bare minimum,” Discord taunted.
“That’s still more than you can say!” Princess Celestia as she tried to get in Discord’s face. At least until Super Stallion stopped her. “You didn’t get what you wanted so you stood by and let the invasion happen.”
Get what I wanted?” Discord asked, annoyed. “All I wanted was to help you,” Discord said as he approached the princess. “I ONLY WANTED TO HELP! And what did you say to me?” Discord then made a phantom of past Celestia.
“I forbid you to interfere in this wedding whatsoever. If you do so help me I’ll have you turned back to stone! I am fully capable of protecting this wedding from anything that might happen and you can ask Princess Mi Amore Cadenza about it herself. Got it!?"
“But the sad thing is that’s still nothing compared to how you all treated Twilight,” Discord said when he turned to Twilight’s friends.
“We weren’t that bad,” Applejack said.
Discord then appeared next to Twilight as she snapped his fingers again showing how Twilight’s friends walked out on her. “Element of Loyalty, first one out of the room. Element of Generosity, only thought about herself and how great she’d look in a dress. Element of Laughter, didn’t do anything to cheer you up. Element of Kindness, gave you the meanest look of the bunch on the way out. And the Element of Honesty-” Discord appeared in front of Applejack and tapped her muzzle. “Couldn’t see the truth right in front of her face.”
“Oh that’s it!” Fluttershy said as she flew over to Discord. “You think you can mess with our hearts and minds and get away with it?”
“Yeah,” Discord bluntly answered.
“You better watch yourself mister or I’ll give you, the stare!”
“The stare? Oh no not that, anything but your disapproving eyeballs.” Discord then bursted into laughter so Fluttershy did indeed give Discord the stare and he started to chock up. “Oh no stop, I can’t take anymore.” Fluttershy’s stare intensified. “I’ll do whatever you say because,” Discord suddenly bursted into laughter. “You’re hilarious.”
“That hard stare didn’t even bother him?” Princess Celestia said shocked.
“You peabrain,” Discord said to the princess. “You think a stare is going to bother me?” Suddenly Princess Celestia shrunk to the size of a Breezey and Discord hovered over to her and grabbed her by her wings. “There now, your body matches your brain.”
“Hey! Make her her normal size-” Super Stallion was cut off when Discord wrapped his tail around his neck.
“Stay out of this!”
"Heads up everypony!" Pinkie Pie called out as a swarm of changelings appeared and were on the verge of attacking.
"Here something you can do," Discord said as he threw Super Stallion at the changelings then started to make short work of them.
"Hey why should he have all the fun?" Rainbow Dash said as she joined in with the fighting. Just as the other ponies were about to join in, the ground below started to crack and glow a green aura and it shattered into pieces.
"Oh no," Rarity said as most of the group fell.
"Looks like those changelings thought ahead and made a trap," Discord said as he was hovering above the trap while holding Twilight with his tail.
"Thank you Discord," Twilight said as Discord place right on the edge of the sunken ground.
"Of course," Discord said as he patted her head. "I'm not like those fair-weather friends of yours, you can believe in me."
"No you can't," Celestia who was still super small said as she flew over. "Don't listen to him Twilight, he's just trying to drive a rift between you and your friends."
"Seems to me they already made a rift," Discord said. "Besides why would I do a thing like that?"
"So they can't unite and use the Elements of Harmony against you."
"I never thought of that."
"You big liar."
"Now whose the liar, anypony can clearly see I'm not big at all," Discord said as he shrunk to Celestia's size and was resting on Twilight's shoulder.
"Uh Fluttershy, why didn't you just use your wings?" Pinkie Pie asked as she and her Pegasus friend where stuck in some green goo.
"I was so scared that I forgot." After fighting off the changelings with Super Stallion's help Rainbow Dash flew down to help Applejack get free. However she just got stuck with her.
"Twilight your friends are stuck down there, you should help them," Princess Celestia said.
"Right like how they helped you at the almost wedding," Discord retorted.
"Just because they ignored your pleads for help doesn't mean you should ignore theirs."
"They didn't care about you, how should you care about them?"
"Twilight help us," Applejack called us. "Rainbow is stuck to my body, it's really awkward." Twilight stood and did nothing. "I said hussle over here and help us!"
"How can you just selfishly stand there?" Rainbow asked as the others joined in supporting her.
"I'm selfish!?" Twilight said. "I'M SELFISH!?" Twilight yelled shocking everypony and draconequus there. "Where do you get off calling me selfish after the way you all treated me at the almost wedding?! I came to you for help but you all ignored me, then when I agreed to talk out my feelings you still only cared about the wedding.
Twilight's friends didn't know what to say.
"Twilight I know how you feel," Princess Celestia said.
"No you don't," Twilight said back. "You don't know what it feels like to be ignored, that your thoughts and feelings don’t matter. You don’t know what it feels like to run off and cry. Because ponies you think are your friends really aren’t.” Twilight started crying again. “You got yourself into that mess, you can get yourself out!”
“No Twilight, don’t be like that,” Celestia pleaded. “Discord, you said you know what ponies think. Maybe you can talk some sense into her.”
“Yeah, now you respect me, because you need my help again. That’s what friendship is to her, a means to control or get you to do what they want.” Discord then became his normal size again.
“Well, you aren’t like that,” Twilight said as she kept crying. “Discord, will…will you help me fight the changelings?”
“Certainly,” Discord said as he wiped Twilight’s tears. “Let’s get going.” With that Twilight ran off with Discord to Celestia’s despair. But not before Twilight whispered something in Discord's ear. Suddenly Celestia returned to her normal size and a set of stairs which would allow Twilight’s friends to get back up.
"Thank you Twilight," Celestia said. Princess Celestia and Super Stallion help the others up and out.
“How could she run off with Discord, he didn't do anything to help us, this is all his fault," Applejack said as she ran up the stairs but tripped and fell when she got to the top. As she picked herself up Applejack who usually cries on the inside, had tears pouring down. "No, it wasn’t Discord’s fault, it was mine. Twilight needed me and I wasn’t there for her. This is all my fault.”
“We’re all responsible for what happened darling,” Rarity said.
“Yeah,” Fluttershy said. “We’re a team.”
“No we ain’t, not without Twi. And after today, she may never come back.
Suddenly Celestia was overwhelmed with fear. Hearing what Applejack said made her realize a horrible dream she recently had, while not entirely how it happened in the dream, was coming true.
Now I’m gonna make you watch, as you lose her forever.
"I won’t let that happen, I won’t lose you Twilight. I can’t lose you Twilight."
***
Elsewhere not too far away Twilight was brought face to face with Queen Chrysalis thanks to Discord.
"Discord, make sure that the other changelings don't get involve. I'll handle Chrysalis."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, she's mine." Discord then disappeared then Twilight and Chrysalis alone.
"Big mistake Twilight Sparkle, especially since my power boost arrived." The changeling queen then turned her head above and Twilight saw in the sky a bright comet soaring through the sky.
"Of course the Secretariat Comet, that's why you wanted us here in 3 days, that comet has been known to boost magical properties."
"Correct and with it providing a boost to my already powerful magic, I'm going to be using that said boost to make you pay for costing me my victory at Canterlot."
"Well guess what? On our way here we've dealt with a cave troll, a giant spider, pony eating plants, vampiric jackalopes, and a chupacabra. So right now I'm not too terrified of an overgrown stink bug."
"Is that a fact?" Chrysalis said. She then fired a blast that hit Twilight dead on. "That was for your stink bug comment." Chrysalis then hit Twilight with several more spells. "This is for not staying in the mines, this is for bringing that princess out with you, and this is for never knowing when to give up."
"Super Stallion, keep the other changelings away. Twilight needs help!" Princess Celestia said as they caught up with Twilight. Super Stallion flew off and would end up helping Discord while Princess Celestia and company got to Twilight and forced Chrysalis back.
"You meddlesome ponies!" Chrysalis then blasted all 6 of them at once before they could even attack again. Chrysalis was ready to let them have it but suddenly, a large magic blast hit Chrysalis and nearly forced her through a stone wall.
"If you hurt my friends, I'll kill you!" Twilight said shooting a death glare that actually scared Chrysalis. "You aren't the only one that gets a boost from that comet," Twilight said as she teleported to where she blasted Chrysalis.
"Lucky shot!" Chrysalis then fired again at Twilight but she blocked it with a barrier that surrounded her.
"Do you remember what I said to you in the mines beneath Canterlot? It may take me an hour, it may take me a week, it may take me 20 years, but when I get out of here I'm going to make you suffer for everything you put me through! And that's a promise!" Twilight then delivered a series of counter attacks on the changeling queen.
"This is for almost ruining my brother's wedding, this is for hurting Princess Celestia, this is for letting your minions tear up Canterlot!" After the spells Twilight punched Chrysalis several times on both cheeks and followed up with grabbing her by the neck to pull her in while she charged a spell.
"Let go of me or so help me I'll impale you with-"
"And this is for making my friends think less of me!" Chrysalis was then blasted so hard, she was forced through a stone wall. Chrysalis was knocked out cold but Twilight jumped on her and continued to punch her. "Oh no you don't wake up I'm not done."
"Twilight it's okay you can stop now," Princess Celestia said but Twilight continued. "Twilight stop! That's enough Twilight, that's enough!" Princess Celestia then had to pull Twilight off Chrysalis and brought her into a hug, wings included as she started crying. "Ssh, It's okay Twilight, it's okay."
Chrysalis, while originally knocked out, woke up because of Twilight's beatings and aimed a magic beam right at Twilight. When Twilight saw this she broke out of the hug and pushed Princess Celestia out of the way. Twilight was hit dead on and was forced off a nearby ledge.
Chrysalis was bonked on the head with a large mallet and once again was knocked out. “That’ll put an end to that,” Discord said with Super Stallion beside him.
“I hate to admit it, but we made a good team,” Super Stallion said.
“Yeah, wanna work together to take over Equestria?”
An awkward silence passed between them.
“You just had to ruin it did you?”
“Yeah.”
Princess Celestia made her way down to where Twilight fell and the others fell. When they got to Twilight they saw her on the ground, quiet and still. “No,” Celestia whispered. Princess Celestia walked over to Twilight until she was standing over her.
Now I’m gonna make you watch, as you lose her forever.
“Get up Twilight, get up.” Twilight didn’t move and so Princess Celesita in tears yet again gently placed her head on Twilight’s stomach.
“This is all my fault, if I just listened to you when you came to me for help none of this would have happened. How could I have been so selfish? You’re my best friend and how did I repay you? By ignoring you and kicking you when you were down. You always had faith in me no matter what task I asked you to do, but the 1 time you needed me to faith in you I did nothing. I’m so sorry Twilight, oh Twilight I am so sorry.”
Everypony gathered around and the second she saw Discord, Princess Celestia stood up. “Discord, please help Twilight! You can do that, can you?! Please, I'm begging you!”
“You’re…begging me?” Discord asked.
Princess Celestia then got in a begging position. “Please,” she continued. “I’ll do anything. I’ll give you the Elements of Harmony, I’ll make you king of Equestria, I’ll bake you a cake. PLEASE! I DON’T WANT TO LOSE HER!”
Another awkward silence passed.
“I don’t want to lose you either,” a faint voice called out. Princess Celestia got up and turned around to see Twilight trying to stand but failing to do so.
“Twilight?” Celestia said with a smile but still crying a little. “But I thought you-”
“Doesn’t anypony know how to check a pulse?” Twilight tried harder to stand but fell. “Princess.”
“I’m here, I’m here,” Princess Celestia said as everypony gathered around her.
“Why didn’t you say anything before?” Applejack asked.
“That attack and the fall took a lot out of me.” Princess Celestia then gently picked up Twilight and after a pause gave her to Discord.
“Discord, please take her to my chambers. I know I’ve been asking a lot of you lately-”
“If it’s for Twilight I suppose I can do it,” Discord answered.
Discord then suddenly disappeared and Princess Celestia turned when she heard Pinkie Pie laughing. “I know it’s probably not the right time but.” Pinkie Pie then got into a pleading position. “I’m Princess Celestia. Please Discord, help me. I mean, overreact much your majesty?”
Princess Celestia tried to hide her blush but was failing to do so.
***
After helping Super Stallion get everypony home, Princess Celestia returned to her castle. There Twilight was placed in her bed who would spend the next few days nursing her back to health. She drew a bath for her and treated to the best cheesecake the royal chefs could offer.
“No,” Twilight said with her mouthful. “Please, I couldn’t eat another bite.”
“Are you sure?” Celestia asked as she was sitting by her bed that Twilight in.
“If I have 1 more piece of cheesecake, I’m gonna puke.”
“Alright, I just want to show how grateful I am. As well as how sorry I am for everything that happened. Not just with my words, but my actions.”
“You kind of did that when you begged Discord to help me.”
“Oh.” Celestia blushed again. “You heard that?”
“Yes.” Twilight then looked at Princess Celestia very seriously. “That stuff you said, about me being your best friend. Did you mean that?”
“Yes, I meant every word. And Twilight, I know I already said this, but I am so sorry.”
Twilight paused “It’s okay,” Twilight said and suddenly Celestia placed her hoof on Twilight cheek.
“No Twilight, it’s not okay. I almost lost you today. I nearly never got the chance to tell you how proud I was of you at the almost wedding."
"You were?"
"Yes, you persisted in the face of doubt and your actions lead to bringing the real Princess Cadance back to us. Learning to trust your instincts is a valuable lesson to learn. On top of that, you were so angry with me and your friends. But time and time again you put that anger away to help us. But we can talk about this later, you need rest."
“Princess," Twilight said. "Would you, sing me a lullaby? I know that sounds silly but I’ve had trouble sleeping and-” Twilight was cut off when her mentor placed another blanket on her.
“Fate has been cruel and order unkind, how could I have pushed you away. The blame was my own, the punishment yours. And now I will your company keep,” Celestia said as the surprisingly somber melody helped Twilight fall asleep. As Twilight fell asleep Celestia continued. “Twilight you’re loved so much more than you know. May trouble be far from your mind, and forgive me for being so blind,” Celestia continued to sing as she gently stroked Twilight’s mane who drifted off to sleep and found herself with Princess Luna within the dream realm once again.
"Princess Luna, I'm so glad I ran into you."
"Oh."
"Yes I wanted to say that I was sorry for the way I acted."
"It's quite alright Twilight, I forgive you. I understand how hard it can be to let your feelings out or release them. However, are there any other things troubling you?"
"Well a couple."
"I thought as much."
***
The next day Squeaky Clean was once again hard at work cleaning and also found the time to surprise Princess Celestia with a bouquet and saw Twilight off at the train. "I appreciate you coming just to say bye Squeaky. I know we don't talk all that much, but you're a good friend."
"Thanks Twilight, I feel the same way.” Twilight then hopped aboard the train and to Squeaky's surprise, he found Princess Celestia was seeing her off as well.
"My my Squeaky, you are quite diligent today. Cleaning, my flowers, and talking to Twilight. You're doing your job and extra, I think somepony is getting a raise soon."
"But I just got a raise."
"Your point being?"
Stats
Page generated in 0.017 seconds
Total duration
962 users online
304,944 hits today, 2,782,760 yesterday
FIMFiction
My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Fanfiction
Designed and coded by knighty & Xaquseg - © 2011-2024
Follow & Support Us
Support us
SubStar
Chat!
Discord
Follow us
Twitter
MLP: Friendship is Magic® - © 2024 Hasbro Inc.®
Fimfiction is in no way affiliated with or endorsed by Hasbro Inc.®
Why is this on hiatus?
9925266
Oops forgot to change that thanks for bringing that to my attention. Did you like the new chapter?