Fear and Trembling

by shortskirtsandexplosions

three

"You've written her a letter?" Spike asked, holding the scroll tentatively in a pair of scaled hands.

"Yes, Spike," Twilight said. The morning sunlight cast shadows over the bags beneath her eyes. Stifling a yawn, she paced to a bookshelf and put up the last of several manuscripts back into place. "And now that you're awake, I'd appreciate it if you sent it to the Princess without delay."

"What I mean to say is"—Spike scratched the spines on his head and squinted quizzically at her—"you wrote a letter to the Princess without me?" He looked hurt as he hugged the scroll to his chest and bit his lip. "What... what if there are spelling errors or grammar mistakes?"

"I wrote it just fine, Spike. I checked." Twilight dusted off a few more books as she said, "I need your help with making many letters, just not this one."

"But what if the letter's creased along the edges? I know how much you hate it when there are wrinkles in the scrolls you have me send to the Princess!" Daringly, he poked a claw at the red ribbon. "Lemme just open it up and take a look—"

"No!" Twilight shouted.

Spike hopped back, juggling the scroll a few times before clutching it and shivering. "Okay! Jeez! I'm sorry! I didn't realize it was that private!"

"It's a letter that I wrote—me—to the Princess!" Twilight snapped. "What did you think, Spike?"

"I..." He gulped and stared guiltily down at his feet. His voice shook as he managed, "I-I dunno, Twilight. Please forgive me..."

Twilight blinked at him. She sighed, ran a hoof over her face, then trotted over. Bearing a gentle smile, she held his shoulders and said, "Spike, thank you for offering to help. I expect no less from my favorite assistant. But this is a matter of importance..."

"Isn't it always?"

She frowned briefly. "Extreme importance." Her face stretched as she softly added, "I can't explain it, Spike, but only the Princess and I can see this..." She fidgeted. "Th-this conversation that we're having. There's... uh... a lot at stake."

"You mean..." Spike gulped, his eyes twitching in momentary fear. "Like 'Discord-is-back-and-ticked-off' at stake?"

"I..." Twilight chewed on the end of her lip, then smiled. "Trust me, Spike. If it was something truly that severe, I w-would let you know first and foremost."

He gazed at her for several seconds. Eventually, his expression softened and his spines stopped drooping. "Okay, Twilight. I'm sorry for being so nosy."

"Nothing to be sorry for, Spike. As a matter of fact, I'm glad that you're always looking after me..." Her voice trailed off. She couldn't look at him straight anymore.

It mattered little. He was already holding the scroll high up, opening his mouth, and launching a breath of fiery green magic. Licking his lips as if to clean the embers off his face, he pivoted and smiled proudly at her. "There! Sent!"

Twilight breathed easily, as though a massive weight had been taken off her shoulders. Whether her letter was a good idea or not, it made no difference; it had been delivered. It was out of her hooves. "Thank you, Spike," she muttered in a breathy voice as she turned around, teetered slightly, and made for the stairs. "You can go back to your morning business."

"Yeah, but what about your morning?" Spike's voice remarked in a concerned tone. "Did you get any sleep at all last night?"

"Well, no, not really." Twilight fidgeted at the base of the stairs. "I've just been... busy..."

"Well, that much is obvious." Spike folded his arms and nodded. "Would it kill ya to try relaxing today? I mean, you sent that letter to the Princess; maybe an early morning nap or a walk would do?"

"I can't go to sleep, Spike," Twilight muttered. Her eyes blinked lethargically, and a thin smile crossed her lips. "But a walk sounds really, really nice..."

"It's a lot better than pacing!" he exclaimed with a fanged grin. "And you get plenty of summer sights to enjoy! I can't think of a better way for Twilight Sparkle, Ponyville's most powerful magician, to put her mind at ease!"

"Hmmm..." Twilight chuckled breathily. "Somehow, Spike, you always know how to turn advice into flattery."

"Hey, what else do you pay me for?"

"But I don't pay you anything."

"Yeah, well, someday we'll fix that," he stated with a mock snort.

Twilight chuckled again, then fidgeted where she stood. A cold breath overcame her as she turned and murmured toward her assistant, "Spike, do you remember our trip to the Crystal Kingdom?"

"How can I not? It was, like, four weeks ago!"

"I guess what I'm trying to ask is: did you enjoy it there?" She turned and looked steadily at him. "The place? The ponies? The weather?"

Spike scratched his head, shrugging. "Well, it was kind of chilly, but nothing that a dragon can't handle. And the Crystal ponies turned out to be really fun and interesting once they got the depression of King Sombra out of them." He looked up at Twilight, his slitted eyes squinting. "Why do you ask?" His face lit up with a grin. "Are you thinking of taking us back there on vacation sometime?"

Twilight slowly nodded. "Something like that, yes..."

"Well, lemme know in advance before we go! I wanna pack properly this time!" He waddled off towards the far side of the library. "Such a nice place with so many juicy rocks around, and I can't even eat a single one? Brrrrr... I'd better bring some dragon snacks or else I might offend the locals."

Twilight smiled to herself. She trotted up the stairs and entered her room. She noticed how brightly the sunlight was pouring in through her window. The sounds of Ponyville wafted in, complete with birds and chuckling ponies and bustling activity. She had spent the last twenty-four hours under a virtual cloud; she had forgotten the beauty in everyday details. It amazed Twilight just how easily she could have given into despondency. Surely the Princess just needed a fellow mind of rationality to convince her that her missive was misguided. The world was so bright and lively that Twilight couldn't rightly imagine any amount of darkness consuming it. Some way or another, everything was going to be alright.

Yes, a walk would do her good. She had to see more of that brightness—had to fill her eyes with color and life. She grabbed a saddlebag, filled it with a few cherished books, and set out for the town park in north Ponyville.

Just as she was stepping out of her room, however, she bumped into Spike. The breathless whelpling had a scroll in his claws. "Twilight! This... This came for you, just now!"

"I'll check the mail later, Spike," Twilight said. "I'll remember to thank Derpy next time I see her—"

"No, not that kind of mail!" He coughed up a few ashen green fumes, wiped his chin dry, and held the scroll out further. "The Princess—"

"Already?!" Twilight's exclamation was higher pitched than she had intended. She fell back on her haunches, trembling visibly. "But...but... are you sure?"

"Of course I am! I belched it up just a minute ago!"

"It... it..." Twilight snatched the letter out of his grasp with lavender telekinesis, turning it over before a pair of twitching eyes. "Is it my letter, and she just returned it to me?"

"No way! The seal is different. Besides..." He rubbed his throat, wincing. "There was something heavy inside it this time, like a thick pebble or something."

Twilight stared breathlessly at the parchment. She gulped and glanced forlornly at Spike.

Spike saw the look in her eyes. Without protesting, he stepped backwards and made for the bottom of the stairs. "Right. Well, uhm, hope everything turns out alright." He gave her one last, worried glance before disappearing towards the lower end of the library.

Twilight trotted numbly back into her room, shutting the door behind her. She stopped beside her bed and ripped the seal off with one flick of her magic. Immediately, a jagged purple crystal fell out. She caught it in her telekinesis before it could hit the floor. She stared at it intently, unsure as to the sharp prism's purpose. Reluctantly, she turned her attention to the unrolled manuscript. As she read more and more, her jaw dropped and the saddlebag slumped off her spine.

Dear Twilight Sparkle,

Though I had anticipated doubt and uncertainty to vex your spirit upon reading my letter, I had not expected you to respond directly to it, especially without having acted out the command which I had expressly given you.

Yes, I know that the task is grim, even incredibly heart-breaking, but I thought that I had made it clear in the first letter that all of Equestria is at risk and our time is of the essence. Every moment that you and I waste in this secret communication over the leylines of Spike's breath, we risk losing any and all control of the Elements of Harmony. Once the Elements have been consumed by the spreading evil, all hope for Equestria is lost. I cannot pronounce the form of this evil or else malevolent forces may intercept our messages, and then we would lose all chance of restoring balance to this world. Perhaps I was not emphatic enough about this in the original missive, and for that I can only blame myself.

No, Twilight, there is no other solution to cleansing this abominable taint. I had thoroughly considered all options and explored all magical possibilities long before giving you the unsavory command in the first place. If there was a peaceful solution to this, an answer that would not involve the elimination of those whom you've allowed to become so dear to you, I would not have even given you the order in the first place. Alas, too much has been compromised already, and I fear that you—in tarrying to fulfill your necessary task—have come close to risking the security of this entire kingdom.

To make things more expedient, I have provided within this letter a crystal carved from the heart of the Canterlot Mountains, from the oldest and most purified rocks that form the foundation of Equestria's capital. The substance is a pure conductor of magical energy, and it will give your powers a buffer that will multiply your spells by tenfold. If you use this in conjunction with a high level transmogrification spell, you should be able to reduce any matter within a small radius to pure steam, living or otherwise. The evaporation would be purely instantaneous, not to mention painless. I trust you know the purpose of this, Twilight; it is the means to do that which needs to be done as swiftly and mercifully as possible.

I do not expect you to appreciate the nature of this task. I won't be surprised if you come to disrespect me, or even hate me. I do, however, expect you to trust me, my good and faithful student. I knew from the days when you were a little filly that you would grow to accomplish great and mighty things. I did not state that they would all be pleasant things. For the good of the many, the sacrifice of the few is something that must not be disputed, for that is what this is: a sacrifice. Harmony must stay harmonious; our world depends on it.

Take this crystal, and then take your friends someplace quiet, someplace peaceful, someplace where the knowledge of their passing will not spread to other ponies. When they are gone, and the Elements are restored, we can work together on vanquishing the rest of the evil from this land, and then I will take it upon myself to explain to the kingdom what has been done and the sacred reason behind it. Again, you must trust me, Twilight, as I love and trust you.

Earnestly,

Princess Celestia of Equestria

Twilight held a hoof over her face. There was no point to re-reading the letter; the message given to her was clear, concrete. The Canterlot crystal weighed heavily in her magical grip, like a violet dagger waiting to plunge into weak flesh. Every time a gust of wind blew in through the window, the crystalline object resonated with an unearthly ringing noise, piercing Twilight's ears, wringing the shivers out of her soul.

She trotted over and sat on the bed, positioning the crystal beside herself on the covers. She stared out the window into the bright vistas of Ponyville. All of the colors were gone; all joy was drained from the landscape. Just as warmly as the day began, it had been sapped of all hope, so that what remained was a gray, threadbare frame of that which had so briefly blossomed before her desperate senses.

Twilight had contested the Princess' royal authority. She had, for the first time, taken the expressively written words of her mentor and treated them like garbage. There simply was no other way to look at it; her respect for the ruler of Equestria had dwindled to such a low point that she had challenged her integrity by suggesting an alternative to her plan.

But what of Twilight's friends? What of her life in Ponyville, the companions she had made, or the memories that they had formed together? Was all of that nothing? Did the Princess have the right to take all of that away, regardless of the ends that justified it?

Twilight shuddered. Her ears drooped and she lowered her face to her folded legs, trembling.

Of course the Princess was right. She was always right. Her knowledge was infinite; her wisdom knew no bounds. She had asked Twilight to do confusing, alarming, and even painful things before, and they were all worth obeying through acts of absolute faith and trust, for Celestia always had a plan in action that would profit Twilight in the long run. Even if Twilight's friends had to perish overnight, it would only mean a promising future and the opportunity for better learning, better growing, better being.

But what had Twilight done now? She had doubted Celestia, questioned her, even insulted her with her letter of response. She shuddered to imagine the degree to which Celestia had withheld her anger and disappointment, choosing instead to focus her reply on the problem at hand. She even had to resort to hoof-holding Twilight like a foal, delivering her a crystal buffer through which Twilight's necessary task could be made all the easier.

Twilight held the violet prism in her hooves, gently toying with the jagged edges as it reflected her jaded eyes in the noonday sunlight. The piece of Canterlot rock was like a poison pellet, an end to the lives of those she had come to love and cherish.

And, yet, it was also a key to a new chapter in her life. Celestia had always been opening doors for Twilight, ushering her into daunting yet rewarding experiences, evolving her into a masterful sorceress destined to help the ponies of Equestria. Now, just as Celestia was giving her yet another opportunity, Twilight was dragging her hooves, and for what? Sentimentality?

Celestia had lived for countless centuries; surely she knew both the preciousness and frivolity of existence. Was this something she was attempting to impart upon Twilight? Did Twilight have to learn for herself that there were unfathomable sacrifices that needed to be made for the good of the kingdom?

The only thing she was certain of was this: Celestia had given Twilight so much, and Twilight had given back so little. A master was supposed to grant wisdom to a pupil, but the apprentice was also bound to adapt and grow from the knowledge bequeathed her. Right now, there was no growing, there was no evolving. There was only doubting.

And Twilight had delayed enough as it was.

Gripping the crystal hard, Twilight clenched her eyes shut, took several breaths, and steeled herself for what she was about to do.

Comments

[Dozy Dreamer]

Really?
I mean, sure, it isn't too beleivable that Celestia would order this, but that's not what I am complaining about.
You have just dedicated an entire chapter to berating Twilight for her lack of faith in her teacher.
I'm sorry, but when a person orders you to do something that contradicts everything they've ever taught you, it is only right to question them.
When it is something so horrible and permanent as _murdering your friends who she ordered you to make_, it can only make sense to request confirmation (at the very least) before you kill your own battle-brethren.
It is not that her respect for Celestia has diminished, it is that her confusion and sentiment _match_ that respect - which should tell Celestia how close to her limit she is pushing poor Twilight. Of course, such qualities are unwanted in a living weapon, which can only be how the princess views her at this point, to even make that request.

[Alondro]

Chapter 3: >>> Of course the Princess was right. She was always right. Her knowledge was infinite; her wisdom knew no bounds.>>>

Oh, except her NOT KNOWING ABOUT CHANGELINGS AND BEING UTTERLY WRONG ABOUT THAT!! And NOT KNOWING HOW DISCORD GOT THE ELEMENTS FROM HER SEALED ROOM.

Yeah... Twi, use yer damn brain for once.

[EonMaster]

I'm going to assume either:

1. It's a false Celestia sending these messages, or
2. This is some weird test and her friends aren't in actual danger or being killed.

Onward to chapter 4!

[Silvernis]

I call shenanigans. "Celestia" is an impostor, or she herself has been corrupted, or...something.

[Matthais Unidostres]

1738812
OR NOT KNOWING WHAT PARASPRITES ARE!!!

[Tibbles]

I'll bet this is some sick game. Somehow, the Bearers will be innocent, but Twilight is the one who must go, as at the beginning she was weirdly depressed.

[Snowybee]

Twilight is a complete zealot. I feel bad for her and all, but there are limits, man. She almost sounds like Legato from Trigun (which may or may not be a good thing).

[CommanderX5]

I do not buy it, Celestia screw up alot, she alwais send mane 6 to do her dirty work, never give tham any support or information, she risk they lives when she would let her guards to do it, keeping mane 6 behind the line, if one of elements would die in dealing again Nightmare Moon or Discord ( Discord was not a type to kill, but mane 6 survived only because Nightmare Moon decided to scare tham off instead of killing tham, because Alicorn who can ryvalize Celestia power should have no problem to anihilate group of uninformed and unequipted ponies ), Celestia failed to listen to her student on the wedding, failed in 15 secound battle ( instead of having epic battle ) and not even appologice to Twilight for hurting her, and do I need to mention that she not noticed Luna turning into Nightmre Moon 1000 years ago, and again Sobra she send mane 6 without elements to deal with problem and not alowed Luna to assist tham.
Her reason was to make ponies to not rely on her solving they problems, but in reality she relly on mane 6, on Twilight to solve all ponies problems, no wonder that guards were so useless again changeling invasion, since they did not had any threat to fight again for who know how long.

So yea, I do not like how Celestia risk her kingdom and her student life alot when she would help it by simply assisting or apointing some escort for tham, and so in this fanfic her winsdom is worth nothink, Twilight make better decysions alown, and why would eliminating 5 elements of charmony help if she is not planing to eliminate half of her kingdom if she can not trust anyone anymore, and Twilight killing her friends would be far more corupting, so yea, Celestia is terrible in this fanfic and her order is worth nothink, and if it is some sort of test to test do Twilight would blindly listen to her and kill her friends, than she deserve a solid smack in the face and one incredible great student resignation and 10 hours of Luna lecturing her with Royal Canterlot Voice.

[Whitty]

Dear Princess Celestia,

Do it yourself.

Sincerely, Your ashamed and repulsed student Twilight Sparkle.

See, that is the appropriate response.

[Mike the Red]

Snatch the pebble from my hand, grasshopper.

[Duck_Armada]

Strike them down and your training will be complete, my apprentice.

[Hay Omelette]

1738669 It sems more to me like Twilight berating herself, which is a pretty Twilight thing to do.

[Critical Threat]

personally, i see it - at this point at least- having something to do with the dark magic she used in the crystal kingdom. im only two chapters in, but given the depression she was in before she was given the order, I could see the darkness lying to her through her own eyes. this is further backed by the lack of anyone else being able to confirm what she is seeing.

[Luminary]

I have to say, I don't get into the position often where meta factors really enhance a story for me.

Normally, there's a little voice in your head saying 'There's no way that the author will kill everyone', and that pretty much ends the suspense. But given the author of this piece, I can't actually be entirely sure in this case.

I'm still pretty convinced that there's some angle in play. Either it's a test, or false letters, or Celestia's gone bad. However, I can't entirely say for certain that evil currently isn't chewing up all the souls in Equestria.

That's actually a pretty cool position to be in.
Kudos, shortskirts, for leveraging your reputation for heart-wrenching tragedy. Even if you might not have meant to.

And now to continue reading to see if everyone dies this time.

[JacenCaedus]

WATWATWATWATWATWATWATWATWATWATWATWATWATWATWATWATWAT
yeah yeah I know
cdn.memegenerator.net/instances/400x/23595464.jpg
anyway, DAMNIT TWILIGHT, go to canterlot for all you know celestia could have been compromised, or the letters are forged

I also have a niggling suspicion that Twilight IS the one that is tainted, but the darkness is filtering the letter to say that she should kill her friends
or that is just me being paranoid cdn.broni.es/images/emotes/mlp-tsquint.png

[MellowMabari]

Um, I think Twilight's a little too... distanced? Is that the word I'm looking for? Not evolving? Really? How is it evolving by killing the very catalysts that allowed you to change, for the better, in the first place? I'm calling it - Twilight is actually the one possessed by evil, and by agreeing to carry out the task she's proving it to Celestia. If there is an evil force - which Celestia is being awful vague about (what does she mean, her and Twilight will eradicate the rest of it? The rest of it where?) - then what is it? Every other evil has had a source, at least. Twilight has proven to be pretty darn sentimental about her friends (as most people are) and her detachment here is off. Either she's evil, or Celestia is an imposter, or somehow the order shocked Twilight so much that she's been turned into a robot. Anywho, this is intriguing - Onward!

Edit: Oh yeah - and what does Celestia mean by "take them somewhere so no one finds out"? Is she planning on mind-wiping the whole town MIB style after its done or something? Another reason I find this whole thing suspicious. Ok, so now I'm really going to the next chapter.

[Ignaltus]

This stone piece is corruptable, it is a trap, Twilight! Also, how you know that the princess write the scrools yet?

[Sketchy Markks]

1785881

I also have a niggling suspicion that Twilight IS the one that is tainted, but the darkness is filtering the letter to say that she should kill her friends

That... Would be heart-wrenching. I sincerley hope, for the sake of Twilight's poor shattered soul, that that is not the case.

It is one thing to feel absolutely destroyed by the fact that you killed your own friends.

It is another thing entirely to have killed them for no reason whatsoever.

[Richard Delachord]

It is awesome so far, I'm such an egghead

[MustacheMerlin]

Celestia you moron, the ends never justify the means! If killing innocents is what it takes to save your kingdom, your kingdom isn't worth saving.

[DrEggnog]

And, yet, it was also a key to a new chapter in her life. Celestia had always been opening doors for Twilight, ushering her into daunting yet rewarding experiences, evolving her into a masterful sorceress destined to help the ponies of Equestria. Now, just as Celestia was giving her yet another opportunity, Twilight was dragging her hooves, and for what? Sentimentality?

The darkness must be getting to Twilight for her to think of killing her friends as an opportunity.

[Piecemeal Pony]

That is all.

[AisheyruFox]

Oh....Twilight. *hugs*