Twilight walked the halls towards her mentor's room. She of course knew the route; she had walked it dozens of times as a young filly whenever she had nightmares, hundreds of times to show Celestia a new spell she had learned, and thousands of times just to see her mentor, either for lessons or just to spend time together.
This time, though, she was making this trip with something entirely different on her mind: Revenge.
Revenge for all those times as a filly when she thought her mentor cared.
Revenge for all the memories of her time with the solar princess now cast in the revealing lens of retrospect.
Did her life ever have meaning? Had Celestia ever truly cared whether her "student" succeeded or not?
Putting all the work on Twilight's shoulders and then reaping all the rewards?
In retrospect, Twilight could not think of a single time Celestia had actually helped her. Nothing that the monarch had ever done had been to Twilight's benefit. At best she had only helped her student when it was to her own benefit.
Even when she had almost been discorded and Celestia sent her letters back to her, what had her motive been? To save her? Or to simply repair the tool that would save Equestria? Was her entire life just a construct to shape her into Celestia's weapon?
The past ten years seems like a long time to one so young, but to Celestia? Ten years would seem like nothing! A hundred years would be the mere blink of an eye to an immortal alicorn!
The thoughts brought pain to her heart, was she really the princesses student, or just a weapon to keep close at hand? Was Celestia actually trying to raise Twilight to fulfill her potential, or was her potential now only to be Celestia's weapon?
Everything boiled down to one question in Twilight's mind: had Celestia only raised her because she was the element of magic?
Twilight needed to know and she needed to know now.
-------------------------------------
Celestia was sitting on her throne when she was approached by what appeared to be a petitioner.
"Princess," the petitioner gave a bow.
"Stand, my little pony, and tell me what your concern is."
The petitioner raised her head to look at the monarch. "Princess, far be it from me to question royalty, but I have a concern that has been raised for some time among the houses of nobility."
"It has been brought to my attention that there is a unicorn currently studying under your tutelage, is that correct?"
"Indeed it is. My personal student Twilight Sparkle. What is your inquiry about her?"
"I desire to know why she was chosen over the many children of nobility that applied. Surely there are more well-bred candidates for your personal instruction."
Celestia could feel the slightest hint of annoyance at being, once again asked this question. At least she had a good cover story that kept most nobles from coming back.
"As I have told the last hundred noble families who have inquired, My personal student was not chosen to express favor, it was merely a necessary step for finding the Element of Magic. Twilight Sparkle was chosen exclusively for her magical potential."
The petitioner grew stiff, but then calmed to look at her as if that was what she had expected to hear.
"Yes, I realize she had a... an eventful time taking up the element of magic, but why is she still your student? She has recovered Luna and saved the kingdom on several occasions, but why keep her as your student? It appears she has realized her potential and served her usefulness, so to speak. Do you have any further reason to have her as a student?"
Celestia hadn't thought about it before, there was no real reason to keep the title of 'student' anymore since Twilight now rivaled any professor in magic theory, and had proven herself the strongest unicorn since... likely ever actually.
"You raise a good point, a old mare knows when she's no longer needed" she chuckled at her own self-deprecating joke, "and I see no reason to continue to call her my student."
-------------------------------------
Twilight's mind shut down.
This had been the wrong path to take.
Asking Celestia up front was a bad idea.
She was "no longer needed."
She couldn't be the Princess’s student anymore.
That was all she had left. That one claim to anything.
Gone.
-AND CELESTIA HAD THE NERVE TO LAUGH ABOUT IT!!!
...
-------------------------------------
After the princess's joke the petitioner froze for a second before her face began to contort in anger.
"You!" the petitioner screamed as her eyes turned white, glowing with unrivaled magic.
"I- I- I trusted you!" the cry was agonized but no less powerful.
The guard leapt into action as the throne room exploded.
More soon?
2189476 Depends, You like?
2189482 very much so. I'm on the edge on my seat waiting to see how this showdown is handled and the aftermath. I've always liked a showdown between Celstia and Twilight due to Celestia screwing up. It kinda makes me thing that age doesn't necessarily bring wisdom. Could just be me of course.
2189482 Oh yes, we like.
More please.
Celestia you just bucked up.
SWHTF
2189482 I'm scared Twilight'll do something she'll regret. but yeah, for now I'll continue to bite...
Just wish I could take the hook out of my mouth... It kinda stings.
Celestia is very inconsiderate...
Let's see... next, Celestia takes a slightly stern tone with angry Twilight and she instantly collapses and apologizes, then locks herself in the dungeon?
2189736 not quite
Uh
Well crap
Twilight and Celestia BOTH put themselves in a corner there. Twilight by asking at a time Celestia had no choice but to give a neutral answer, and Celestia by giving an answer that will be hard to explain now that the wrong idea has been given
I assume Celestia was planning on promoting Twilight or something? Oh dear, I can't see this NOT ending badly
Is this story still canon with Titles and Value? This story focuses on the failing relationship between Celestia and Twilight, while the synopsys of TaV indicates an adventure in the Griffon territories. Are these two related anymore, or did they split off into seperate canons?
2189838 Yeah, they are different canons now, (They really always were, the idea just transformed) I still hope to have TaV leave Equestria, buuuuut~ it looks like i'm going to have to pull a mild Deus Ex Machina to get them there... Unless i am hit by inspiration about that soon TaV might not leave Equestria for a while...
Twilight = Anakin Skywalker?
2189896 Maybe the death of Twi's father triggers it. As Duke of all southern Equestria, he would have had tremendous political influence inside Equestria, and who is to say that some of that influence didn't extend to outside Equestria? The Dragons are to the southeast on the official map. Maybe something comes up with them. Then the mane 6 are forced to go east across the sea to see the griffons to negociate for aid, but things get out of hoof, starting the adventure.
Remember, Gilda was in Junior Speedsters camp with Rainbow. Clearly there is some level of trust between the Ponies and Griffons.
The dragons didn't care about Celestia. They might try to start a war if they thought that Duke Light's death had destabilized southern Equestria enough.
Feel free to use or ignore my comment as you see fit. I just like playing as a sounding board for ideas.
BTW: love both this and TaV
copy this link to find the official map:
http://mlp.wikia.com/wiki/Equestria
2189979 I appreciate both the comments and the love. I am feeling re-invigorated about getting TaV moving again, expect updates soon!
That was kinda contrived. It seems to me there should be a better way to introduce conflict.
I like the premise, because that really should have been resolved, but the thought of Celestia doing nothing seems out of character to me.
It seems to me you know where the story should go, but aren't really sure how to get there.
MOAR?please?
PLEASEPLEASEPLEASEPLEASEPLEASE tell me you're writing the next chapter of this right now? Because at this point its already 6/5 stars
Twilight, she said you no longer need her. Context. Oh well, I suppose it's perfectly in character to misinterpret things in the worst light after becoming understandably distraught over something.
she's gonna change, she's gonna change!
5040665 Context is everything. But Twilight is looking at it from the context that Celestia only keeps her around as a tool. She heard what she thought she would hear, not what Celestia said.
Celestia
__________
Capitalize bolded words.
_____________
delete end " mark.
____________
Wow, way to break it Celestia.
Wasn't Twilight's father a DUKE? Nothing more well-bred other than royalty.
Celly, did you accidentally slather your hoof with cake batter, or did you mean to put it in your mouth in front of the whole court?
5405756 Your twilight has evolved into a Rapidash.
I'll be honest. I cant like The Story we are presented with. But I do so damn like A Story.
twilight, celestia said 'this old mare is no longer needed'
are you old?
It’s getting good.
Ah....well.....what the actual heck.