Twilight Sparkle is now immortal and has to live with the fact that her friends are not. How will she cope with losing the ponies who are the most important to her, one after the other, much sooner than any of them ever thought they'd have to worry..
Twilight Sparkle is now immortal and very nearly impregnable to damage and injury after becoming a princess. Outliving her friends had always been a worry for her, but now it's a reality that she has to live with. Being mortal, and far too susceptible to injury, Twilight's friends all end up putting Twilight through her worst nightmares. How will the Princess of Friendship cope with losing her friends one after the other?
Twilight stared at the scroll sitting on her desk, blinking away the tears that seemed to come far too easily to her these days. It had arrived earlier that day by means of Ditzy Doo, delivering the daily mail from the Mayor. Sitting next to the scroll was the chipped and cracked necklace, the gemstone horribly dulled, just like how Twilight felt at this moment.
“From the Desk of Mayor Mare of Ponyville.
“Dear Twilight Sparkle. In light of the horrible news regarding one Miss Rainbow Dash of the Ponyville Weather Team, Posthumous Wonderbolt, and Barer of the Element of Loyalty, I am happy to announce the successful adoption of one Scootaloo by one Rainbow Dash. Enclosed is Rainbow Dash’s final will and testament. We hope to hear from you in regards to the terms set forth by Rainbow Dash of Ponyville.”
“Ink Well, Secretary of the Mayor.”
Twilight sucked in a breath and moved the letter to the side and looked at the will.
“I’m not very good at these things, but Twilight said I should probably do this, just in case something happens to me. I’ve enclosed a letter of all of the reasons I should adopt Scootaloo, the most obvious of which being that I am awesome. I’ve also set aside some savings from my time with the weather team. By the time anypony reads this, hopefully it’ll have probably, maybe, approximately 5,000 bits in savings. All of which will go to Scootaloo in the event of my death. I have also included a letter to Spitfire of the Wonderbolts, both apologizing for not arriving at practice, should there be a practice missed, and thanking her for taking the time out of her busy schedule to help me improve my flying skills so I could move from the Wonderbolts Reserves into the Wonderbolts. Hopefully it’ll be taken to her. On to the main point, now that Twilight’s left the room. You have been my best friend here in Ponyville, besides Applejack. You helped me prepare for my exam to get into the Wonderbolts Reserves. You kept me loyal when Discord messed with my brain. You’ve always been there since we became friends, keeping my head on straight and making sure I didn’t get it to far up my own ass.
“Needless to say, Twilight, I owe you a lot more than I’ve let on over the few years we’ve known each other. And, to be honest, along with the other girls, we’ve all become the best of friends. As much as it sucks to say this, but I probably won’t outlive any of you. Heck, I’ve got a visit to Doctor Stable set for tomorrow at the latest to see if there are any medical issues keeping me from being able to adopt Scootaloo. I’m not sending one of these to the other girls, because I think hearing it from you will soften the blow quite a bit. Um… ok, here goes.
“To my best bronco buckin’ cowgirl, I leave the rope I got tangled up in when I first made my way to your barn. I held onto it, since it was what introduced us and helped me meet my best friend. Applejack, thanks for being awesome. To the best pie baker in all of Ponyville and the best party pony in all of Equestria, I’m leavin’ you a book of pranks that I have yet to pull on anypony. Make sure everyone knows it was Rainbow Dash prankin’ ‘em. Thanks for being a great gal pal Pinkie. To the most generous mare I’ve ever met in my entire life, I leave the rainbow ribbon you made for me for my birthday. All of it. I never found a use for it, but I’m sure you can. I’ve got faith in your skills as a designer Rarity.
“To my best friend from Cloudsdale, I leave my home on Cloud Nine. I know you probably won’t live there, since you have your animals to care for and not all of them can fly. I hope you’ll keep it clean for me at least, especially for the last person on the list. Keep your chin up Fluttershy, ‘cause I’ll always be watchin’ out for you. To the best mare I know, who came down from Canterlot, showed me what it was to really have a group of friends instead of just one or two, and even showed me what it was to be in love, even if I never told ya, I leave my entire collection of signed, first edition Daring Do books, my entire collection of Wonderbolts memorabilia, and my Wonderbolts outfit and badge. Spitfire might get mad, but I don’t care. You were the best thing that ever happened to me, even above getting into the Wonderbolts.
“I never told you, at least not face to face, but I sure did tell myself a lot and practiced telling you in the mirror, but I came to love you Twilight. Not just as a friend, or as an honorary sister. I really did love you, with all my heart. That’s why, if there’s anypony I would trust to take care of Scootaloo in my stead, it’s you. Other than the Wonderbolt’s memorabilia, I know I can’t really do this, but I’m leaving the Element of Loyalty to you. If anyone has been anymore loyal to their friends than me, it’s you.
“In closing, silly phrase that I didn’t really understand until now, I love you gals and I really hope nothing ever happens that you need to get this. I only wrote this one and left specific instructions for Mayor Mare to not replicate this to give to our other friends, cause I know Fluttershy would be crushed to hear about this without anyone around her. Make sure she takes care of herself, ok? And, make sure no one picks on her for me. She’s always been a bit of a wall flower. Tank’s yours too, but I think we can both leave him with Fluttershy for now.
“With love, my heart will always be yours Twilight, Rainbow Angel Dash.”
Sniffling, Twilight dabbed at her eyes and set the scroll down next to the folded Wonderbolt’s uniform. Sitting on top of the uniform was her golden wing badge, marking her as a lead pony. Next to the badge was the cracked Element of Loyalty gem. Next to the uniform, between it and the scroll, was the key to Rainbow Dash’s cloud home of Cloud Nine. On the other side of the scroll was a letter, sealed with a wax seal in the shape of two crossed Pegasus wings.
“To the desk of Twilight Sparkle, Princess of Friendship, Element of Magic.” Was the address, but there was no return address. Levitating it over, she removed the seal and pulled the letter out, unfolding it and scanning through it, her eyes widening as she read. “Princess Twilight Sparkle of Ponyville, this is Bow Hothoof. I’m Rainbow Dash’s dad. My wife and I just want to say that we are very glad you could help take care of our little girl. If there is ever anything you need from us, for any reason at all, just come by. Don’t bother knocking. As far as we’re concerned, you’re our daughter too.”
Sniffling, Twilight pushed the letter to the side and laid her head on her desk, doing her best to stifle the tears. Turning her head to the side, she looked at the adoption papers that Rainbow Dash had yet to sign. It was an unneeded formality, since Mayor Mare had already accepted Rainbow’s adoption of Scootaloo, but to make it official, Twilight levitated over a quill and dipped it in the ink. Before she could put it to the paper, however, there was a burst of magic behind her. Setting the quill down, she turned around to see her mother and father, as well as Shining Armor, Cadence, and a school age Flurry Heart standing behind her.
“Spitfire told us.” Twilight Velvet said, trotting over and pulling her daughter into an embrace, letting her daughter bury her face against her chest. She’d been holding it in relatively well up to that point, but the moment she couldn’t see anything but her mom anymore, the flood gates opened and Twilight fell out of her seat, tumbling into her mother and father’s embrace. Shining and Cadence weren’t far behind, and a moment later, Flurry Heart interposed herself onto her aunt’s lap.
It took them only a few minutes, but Twilight eventually managed to calm herself down. “Guess I should go get Scootaloo, huh?” Twilight said and Cadence shook her head.
“No need Twilight. I saw Applejack and Apple Bloom heading to the orphanage to pick up Scootaloo.”
“I should go anyways. So that I can let Scoots know that Rainbow won’t make it today.” Nodding, Cadence picked up Flurry Heart and the three of them walked out the door, Twilight right behind her. As soon as she was outside, she took to the air and flew towards the orphanage. As they flew over Ponyville, Twilight used Rainbow’s ideal study method and scanned the ground as they flew, marveling in how much information she picked up. It seemed the entire town knew about Rainbow’s passing, because the streets were lined with rainbow colored streamers hanging limply from lamp posts, the lamps were lit with magical, rainbow colored flames.
Giant ice sculptures of Rainbow Dash littered the streets, and the Mayor’s Office held a banner across the front with a very well done painting of Rainbow Dash in a Wonderbolt’s uniform. Around Rainbow, painted in bright, vibrant red, was “The Honorary Wonderbolt, Rainbow Dash. Fly with the Greats.” Wiping a tear from her eye, Twilight and Cadence flew towards the orphanage. As expected, as she always did, Scootaloo was standing at the gate of the orphanage, scanning the skies for any sign of Rainbow Dash, and thinking that the decorations were a celebration of some huge achievement of Rainbow Dash’s. Seeing Twilight and her sister-in-law, Scootaloo stood up, her tail wiping back and forth excitedly.
When they landed and started towards her, Scootaloo ran up, skidding to a stop before looking around. “Where’s Rainbow Dash?”
“Scootaloo… she’s… well…” Twilight stopped and looked down at Scootaloo’s hopeful, adoring eyes and sucked in a breath. “She’s not coming.”
Applebloom curled up on her bed, her bedroom door locked, her windows locked, her bow thrown across the room. She didn’t want to see anyone, not even her brother or Granny Smith. The letter from the mayor’s office clutched in her grip. She’d always known it could happen. Always dreaded it happening after her mother and father had died. Granny Smith sat completely still in her rocking chair, leaning forward, eyes pressed into her palms. Big Macintosh rubbed her back, but Applebloom had decided against staying in the living room.
She’d never seen Granny Smith cry. Even her ever stoic big brother rarely cried. He’d hardly cried when she’d gotten her cutie mark. But today, his eyes were stained with tears. Sitting across from them was Twilight. She’d left Scootaloo with Pinkie Pie. She didn’t need to be here for this. Twilight was silent, the second letter in her grasp. She wanted Big Mac to finish crying first before giving it to him. Behind her sat the small crate housing the items Applejack left to her family. When Big Mac dried his tears, he looked up at Twilight. “Ah’m gonna go git Applebloom… she needs t’ be here fer this…” he said and Twilight nodded as he rose and trudged up the stairs.
She sat silently, Granny Smith sitting in the chair across from her, dabbing at her eyes with tissues. Upstairs, Big Mac reached Applebloom’s bedroom door. “Applebloom. C’mon… Ah know yer hurtin’, we all are… but Twi’s got ‘nother letter fer us.”
“Ah don’ wanna… muh sister’s gone… yer sister’s gone… ah don’ want anythin’ but muh sister back…” She said, her voice muffled by distance from the door and the closed door itself.
“Applebloom, yer sister would want ya t’ be strong… we gotta be strong fer Granny.” He heard some muffled sniffing then the padding of bare feet on the other side of the door before it swung open. Applebloom stood there, her ribbon out of her mane, tears streaming down her cheeks as she stared up at him. “Ah know it’s tough… but we gotta be strong fer Granny… and fer Applejack. Ya know she’ll be watchin’ over us.” She sniffled and nodded, walking out of her bedroom and following her brother downstairs. Twilight was still sitting in the living room.
“I’m so sorry Applebloom. I didn’t want to be the one to deliver this news… I didn’t want to ever have to get this letter…” She said as she unrolled it. As soon as it was unrolled, a sack appeared, as well as Applejack’s hat, lightly scuffed from the ordeal. Swallowing and wiping the back of her hoof against her eyes, she took a deep breath and commenced reading.
“From the Desk of Mayor Mare of Ponyville.
“Dear Granny Smith, Big Macintosh, and Applebloom, in light of recent events, I offer my condolences regarding the passing of Applejack. In accordance with her final will and testament, all of her winnings from past Rodeos, which were saved at her request, will go to Sweet Apple Acres in order to hire more help, should the need arise. Her winnings will also go towards repairing the farm whenever it is needed, and helping Applebloom further her education at any academy she may wish to attend. The accumulated interest added on to Applejack’s Rodeo winnings amounts to five hundred and fifteen thousand, two hundred and twenty bits. Half of which will go into the Sweet Apple Acres account, to be used by Granny Smith, Big Macintosh, and Applebloom as they see fit.
“Personal Note: If it is not wrong of me, I enclosed an extra seven hundred bits towards my purchase of Apple Cider next apple season which I wish to share with Ponyville, in honor of Apple Jack.
“Ink Well, Secretary of the Mayor.”
Granny sniffled a little as the sack of bits magically enclosed in the scroll levitated out and landed on the table next to her. She didn’t need to count it, Ink Well had always been good about paying her purchase of Cider forward. “There’s a second letter, Twilight… go ‘head an’ read it.” Granny said and Twilight nodded as she floated the first letter onto the table and levitated out a second letter, as well as Applejack’s hat, the special one she was wearing on the west field when they’d discovered the Apple Pear Tree their parents had left.
“Sorry if I don’t read this as well as Applejack wrote it… it’s hard to read it. Her hoof-writing is atrocious.” She said and Applebloom held out a hoof for it. “No… let me…” Clearing her throat as best she could, she levitated the letter in front of her and slightly to the side.
“Dear Granny Smith, Big Macintosh, and Applebloom,
“Sorry ya’ll’re havin’ to hear this from somepony else. Sorry somethin’ like this ever came up. Ya’ll know I ain’t one fer long goodbyes, but, as usual, Twilight’s the voice o’ reason when it comes to matters like this. I expect she’ll make some ‘justments to this here letter eventually, but that’s just how she is. So… here goes.
“Ah’m sorry Ah won’t be there fer yer graduation, Applebloom. Whatever might happen t’ me that’d keep me from it, just know that Ah’d never want to miss somethin’ like that fer the world. So, since Ah ain’t one hundred percent sure Ah’m gonna see it, congratulations. Ah knew you could do it. Ma and Pa would be so proud of you. Incase Ah am there, just know that Ah’ll always be proud of ya Applebloom. Whatever ya’ll decide to do from here out is ok by me. You’ll always be an Apple, no matter who ya get married t’. Whoever the lucky colt or filly is, they’ll just have to take yer name instead. Yer an Apple, no matter what, little sis. That’s why I’m leavin’ you mah hat. And Dad’s hat, hangin’ up in mah room on mah closet door. He’d want ya t’ have it.
“Big Mac, yer gonna have t’ tend the farm alone now, ‘least till Applebloom’s big ‘nough t’ help out. And don’t think fer a second Ah’d want ya quiet all yer life. Yer mah big brother, and ya gotta be there fer Granny and Applebloom and the rest o’ the Family. Gotta be th’ voice o’ reason sometimes durin’ family get t’gethers. Ah don’t got much t’ leave behind fer you, big brother, but the least Ah c’n do is leave b’hind mom’s diary. There’s nothin’ bad in it, promise. Mostly recipes, love notes t’ dad, and a few things she’d’ve wanted us t’ know.
“Granny… Ah know ya’ll were probably hopin’ somethin’ like this would never come up… and it breaks mah heart t’ be the one to shatter that hope… if this letter ever needs t’ be delivered anyway. Ah don’t got anythin’ to leave t’ you, cause ya’ll already gave me yer entire life when Ma and Pa passed away. Ya’ll always told me ya had a chance t’ go away from Ponyville for a while, go off to get a better education to come back and run the farm like a business, and ya gave that up fer us. Ah suppose sayin’ Ah don’t have anythin’ is a lie. Ah do have somethin’, if Mayor Mare’s taken care of it like Ah asked ‘er to. The day after ya’ll get this, Ah hope, the Mayor will come over with a contract fer ya t’ sign. It’ll give ya’ll access to the savin’s account Ah’ve been workin’ on from my winnin’s with the rodeos.
“If we’re lucky, there should be enough in it to keep Sweet Apple Acres goin’ with a few hired hooves to help out around the orchard and with the animals. Have Twilight show ‘em how Ah do things, so they know how it’s s’posed t’ be done. Ah think Ah’m runnin’ long now, Twilight’s givin’ me the stink eye, so Ah guess Ah’d better write up a closin’ statement. Funny that Ah never really appreciated that till now.
“Ah’ll always be watchin’ over ya’ll, no matter what. Whenever ya look up at the sky, remember that I’ll be lookin’ down on ya, always.
“With Love, Jaqueline ‘Applejack’ Apple.”
Twilight finished reading the letter, setting it down and looking up at the family. All of them were attempting not to snicker despite the tears running down their cheeks. “I… wanted to read it the way Applejack would have…” She said and Granny climbed off of her chair and walked over to Twilight, hugging the subdued princess.
“It’s alright dear. Ya did what she’d’ve done. Thank ya fer bein’ the one to bring these to us…” she said as Applebloom picked up Applejack’s hat. Twilight didn’t look at the filly as she hugged the hat to her chest, sniffling against the brim. Big Macintosh was unusually stoic, even for him. Looking over at him, his face was impassive, despite the tears rolling down his cheeks. She knew the letter affected him, just as any letter regarding a younger siblings’ death would. But he was trying to be strong. For Applebloom and Granny Smith. When he looked at her, she realized he was trying to be strong for her, too. Granny and Applebloom were crying, but Big Mac, even with tears running down his face, didn’t even sniffle.
Anyone who didn’t know him would see that as cold acceptance. Twilight knew better. Inside, he was screaming, beating down walls, tearing up rugs, raging that Applejack would leave them behind. But he was staying strong. For his grandmother and his littlest sister. Looking to her right, at the newest acquisition from Princess Celestia, her guard nodded and walked over to Big Mac, touching the other stallions shoulder.
“C’mon. Let’s go get a drink. You can even hit me if you want.” The armored guard said and Big Mac nodded and silently followed the equally large stallion out the door. Another guard trotted out after them as two other filed in. Celestia had insisted that she have guards. At least until the Elements discovered their new barers. Until such a time, even the Element of Loyalty remained in a glass case in the castle. Twilight watched her guards escort Big Mac out of the house and wondered when her newest additions would arrive. One of the things that bothered her about losing her friends was the constant influx of guards from Celestia. As if something was going to happen now that the Elements no longer had their barers.
She already knew two more were on their way now that Applejack had passed. Stonewall and Barricade had told her as much. Glancing at the door, she half expected the two guards to return black and blue after giving Big Mac “Fight Therapy” as they called it. Sighing a little, she felt Applebloom touch her leg and looked at the filly.
“Ya alright Twilight?” She asked, wiping a tear from her eye. Twilight couldn’t help but smile and swept her best friends sister into her legs and hugged her.
“Yeah, I’m ok. I’ll miss Applejack… just like you will. She was like a sister to me.”
“Well, you come by whenever you want sugar cube.” Granny said and Twilight looked over at her. “Yer like a part o’ the family anyways. Our door’s always open t’ ya.” She said and Twilight smiled.
“Thanks Granny Smith.” She said as Granny came to her side and embraced her as well. Hearing the door open, all three looked towards it and saw Big Mac limping in, supporting one of the guards on his uninjured side while the other sat outside, nursing a black eye and a bruise on his side.
“I think he’ll be ok now. As for your new guards, Princess Twilight, they won’t be coming. And Stonewall and I are being relieved. Princess Celestia has relegated your new “guard” to one. Chosen by Princess Luna, in fact, from the Secret Police. You’ll be well guarded.” Barricade said as Stonewall limped in, keeping pressure from his left foreleg.
“Miss Smith, your grandson packs quite the whallop. It’s a wonder he’s not in the guard. As for who’s coming, Princess Twilight, we aren’t sure. None of the normal guards get to know who the Secret Police are. All we know is they’re more specially trained than we are.” Stonewall said and Twilight blinked and looked up at him. He was almost as tall as Big Mac but not quite as stocky. More along the lines of the appearance of her brother. Looking at the two of them, Twilight could understand why Princess Celestia had chosen them.
Stonewall and Barricade were both as stocky as any of the guards, but they had hints of muscle that were just subtle enough to all but keep them hidden. The two of them shared the dark grey coats, topped with black mane and tail. Stonewall had blue eyes while Barricade sported one green eye and one blue. Heterochromia. Twilight couldn’t help but admire Barricade’s eyes. Despite their training as guards, which Shining Armor had once told her “drilled sentimentality out of the would-be guards”, she could see kindness in his two colored eyes.
“When will your replacement be here?”
“Tomorrow, at the latest.” Stonewall said and Twilight nodded, staring at Applejack’s hat, still clutched tight to Applebloom’s chest. Nothing more needed to be said. If the new guard was from the Secret Police, he was effectively classified as an Alicorn. Her brother had told her that the Secret Police were trained by Princess Luna herself to fight against magic, since the vast majority of them didn’t have magic. Their armor wouldn’t allow for its use. Closing her eyes, she let Applebloom hold Applejack’s hat while the family huddled around, crying silently. Applejack's official funeral was set for tomorrow, to lay her to rest beside Rainbow Dash.
Everypony assumed the worst when Fluttershy didn’t come out of her cottage for three days. Through sheer dumb luck, Twilight had been the one to find her friend’s body. She wasn’t exactly sure what had happened. The house wasn’t very disheveled, leading her to believe Fluttershy knew the creature that had done the deed. Granted that didn’t mean much. Discord could pop in whenever he pleased, and he’d never said he was the only creature with abilities such as his. Everypony was just left to believe Discord was the only draconeques.
Sitting to the side, on a bench near Fluttershy’s front door, Twilight stared at the ground. The medical ponies had already carried Fluttershy away. Guards from Canterlot were sifting through Fluttershy’s house, narrowly avoiding Angel Bunny. The little rabbit clearly didn’t want anyone in his owners home, even though he clearly saw what had happened. Passing guards and medics who saw her assumed she was just sitting silently, having just lost her third friend of six. Any who looked closely would see her eyes flicking around, looking for any possible paw or hoof print leading to or from Fluttershy’s cottage.
“I can’t just look at this as coincidence now…” she thought to herself. “First Rainbow Dash, then Applejack, now Fluttershy. By all rights, physically, mentally and emotionally healthy ponies. Something is targeting my friends. Something dangerous. I looked at the bodies. Rainbow Dash didn’t die on impact with the ground because she was too tired or her wings were sore. Applejack’s neck didn’t look like she’d been crushed. She looked like her neck had been broken. Could someone really be targeting us?” she thought to herself as Fluttershy’s parents and brother trotted up from town.
They’d all gone to get Mayor Mare, who had instead sent her secretary. Twilight understood. The Mayor was buried in paperwork lately, with the deaths of Rainbow Dash and Applejack. She hadn’t been able to hear Twilight out about her suspicions. When they reached her, Mr. and Mrs. Shy sat beside her, their wings drooping. Breeze Chaser sat straight up, looking just as cocky as Twilight remembered him, despite the 5 o’clock shadow on his face being slightly more scraggly and his mane unkempt. Thankfully, he kept his mouth shut. After what Rainbow had told her about him, she didn’t much want him to talk. Ink Well walked over to Twilight and sat down in front of her, reaching behind her with a wing and pulling out a letter. “This was addressed to you… should anything happen to Fluttershy.” She said and Twilight looked up, sniffling as she took the letter.
Before Zephyr could say anything, his usually highly pacifistic father escorted him away. Fluttershy’s mom stayed with Twilight for a moment before following her husband and son to the carriage Fluttershy’s body was covered in. They would ride it to the hospital, where, maybe, Nurse Redheart could find out exactly how Fluttershy had died. Hearing someone coming up behind her, she turned and looked up into the bright red eyes of her newest guard. He remained in the shadows, as he was trained to do, but he was just close enough to bring her some comfort by his presence alone. Just knowing she wasn’t alone made her feel slightly better.
Shadow Stream was a black cloak with dark fur and dark energy flowing from below it. She knew he wasn’t just dark magic, because she could see his eyes. Ponies in town had called him “edgy”, but it didn’t seem to bother him. A soldier from Princess Luna’s personal guard, Shadow was trained with the Lunar Guard. A unicorn. At least in public. Shadow Stream was just the name used in public. No one, except for Luna, Cadance, and now Twilight knew what his real name was, as well as his real appearance. She’d assumed he was a changeling when Luna told her that.
The truth was much different. He had magic that allowed him to see different places in time. His special brand of magic made him important to the Lunar guard. He’d revealed himself to her two hours after becoming her new guard. Looking up at Shadow, she waited for him to indicate that he wasn’t listening in on her thoughts. A twitch of his ear gave her the go ahead and she opened Fluttershy’s last letter to read it.
“Dear Twilight,
“I really did hope to never have to do this. I didn’t write one for my parents because I know what it would do to them. I wrote one for Rainbow Dash, so I hope she’ll be there for them if anything happens to me. This is already hard to write, but you did tell me it would be a good idea. Incase anything happens, I only have a few things to leave behind. I’m confident Angel Bunny can take care of himself without me, but please help him get situated at the sanctuary. He needs to take care of the nurse that’s working there now. She doesn’t have the kind of touch I do with animals.”
Twilight smiled as Angel hopped up on the bench beside her, sitting silently beside her. She could only guess that Fluttershy had told him to go to Twilight if something happened to her. Looking back at the letter, she blinked, seeing small drops of blood at the bottom of it. Gesturing her guard over, he came over and looked over her shoulder as she read.
“I’m trying to hurry now… not sure how much damage that creature did to me but I can already tell one of my lungs has collapsed. It hurts to breath. Angel looks understandably worried, but I don’t want him getting hurt. Twilight, I saw what it is that’s targeting us… it’s a Chimera”Twilight trailed off, her eyes going wide as the word was blurred out, the entire rest of the letter smeared with blood. She couldn’t make it out, and even her guard couldn’t see it. Shaking his head, he padded over to Nurse Redheart, who shied away from him just slightly until he gestured to a golden badge on his chest. Lunar Guard still got golden guard badges on their street clothes when they were still on duty but not in armor. Twilight watched him for a moment before looking at the letter again.
Focusing her magic, she slowly lifted the blood off of the letter. “… a Chimera.” Twilight’s eyes widened and she looked towards the Everfree forest. She knew a Chimera, Katrina. The sisters who were also one. She was sure Fluttershy didn’t mean that Chimera. Katrina in the Everfree Forest was, of course, a predator, but even she wouldn’t do this to Fluttershy. Looking back up at the guard, she noticed him looking around the door of Fluttershy’s cottage. His nose was to the ground and he was sniffing around at the base of the door.
“What is he expecting to smell…? It’s Fluttershy’s house… she and other critters and ponies have been in and out of there a lot…” she thought to herself as she turned back to the letter. Looking it over, she hoped that maybe Fluttershy did actually know the name of the Chimera that killed her. It ended after the mention of a Chimera. Flipping it over, Twilight amended her statement. The back had more. Possibly the previous attempt.
“Dear Twilight,
“I hope you don’t have to get this, because it’s not something I ever want to put any of my friends through. I never want any of you to worry about me
“Dear Twilight,
“I’m writing this in the event
“Dear Twilight,
“I hate doing this. I hate writing this letter just in case something happens. I don’t want anything to happen. I want to stay with you and the girls until we’re all old and grey. I want to live a happy life, have fillies and colts, watch them raise their fillies and colts, and eventually end my days at my home, content in my old age. I shouldn’t need to write something like this at my age, without any children to my name. I shouldn’t need to leave my friends behind… I’m terrified. I guess that’s not surprising, I’m always scared. But ever since Rainbow died, I’ve been on edge. I know it was an accident, but something didn’t feel right.
“When Applejack died in a rock slide on the farm, where she was always safe, I almost knew that something was targeting us. Something that Discord couldn’t sense. If he could, he’d have gotten us all to safety. I think…” It ended there, with droplets of blood wiping out the rest of it. Whatever had attacked her, she hadn’t been able to finish her letter. Looking up, she saw her guard returning. Meeting his eyes, she stood and followed him off to the side, Nurse Redheart’s eyes following her for a moment before she went back to assisting Doctor Tenderhoof.
“What is it?” She asked and he looked around before drawing up to his full height, forcing her to look up at him.
“What do you know about Chimeras?” he asked and she shrugged.
“Not much. Applejack usually dealt with Catrina when she made deliveries to the swamp folk. She was… manageable. Why?” She asked and he looked over at a paw print near Fluttershy’s cabin window.
“Chimera’s are tough to deal with because they have virtually no blind spots. Nearly all of them have three heads. The main head, typically a big cat like a lion or a tiger. The second head, usually a goat or a ram. And the third head on the tail, always a snake. But that seems to be reserved for the ones that live in the Everfree forest or here in Equestria. In Saddle Arabia, Chineigh, and even Neighpon, there are other types of Chimera. Saddle Arabian Chimera are part lion, part ram, and part viper, so they’re venomous. Chineighse Chimera are panther, goat and scorpion. Neighponese chimera are the most dangerous of the four kinds. Wolf, Ape, and serpent.” He said and she looked up at him again.
“The wolf head has the ferocity, the ape has the intelligence, and the serpent head is venomous. Those three combined are more dangerous than any chimera here or anywhere else.”
“I’m guessing you’ve faced at least one of each of them.” She said and he nodded.
“I don’t much care to share the tale. But we should go. They’re transporting the body.”
“Fluttershy.” She snapped and he looked at her.
“It helps if you don’t call her by name. Makes it hurt a little less. Trust me.” He said and she stared at him for a moment before standing and walking with him towards the hospital. The morgue was in the basement, and according to Fluttershy’s will, she would be cremated. Her ashes spread at the base of a tree in town square to help it grow. They followed the cart carrying Fluttershy’s body, Twilight’s head hung low. Feeling a wing drape over her shoulder, she looked up and smiled a little. Despite how cold he seemed, he really did seem to care. Leaning against him, she walked with him to the hospital.
It paid to keep up the appearance that they were together. She didn’t feel ready to accept the advances of any stallions after what had happened. He never made a move on her either. Despite her telling him, twice, that she likely wouldn’t stop him if he tried. He did kiss her cheek on occasion, but it was a chaste sort of kiss. Something a brother would give his sister. When they reached the hospital, he peeled off to speak with one of the guards he personally had ordered to watch Fluttershy. She just hoped he wasn’t too hard on them.
“Princess Twilight. Welcome. I wish this were under better circumstances.” Nurse Redheart said and Twilight smiled a little.
“I’m just here to help her final wishes be met.”
“Cremation so her ashes could be used to fertilize a tree. Something for the critters she cared so much about.” Twilight nodded as Nurse Redheart lead Twilight and Shadow down the hallway to the room Fluttershy was located in. As soon as they walked in, Twilight froze in the doorway. Laying peacefully on the bed, eyes closed, as if she were asleep, was Fluttershy. Her injuries had been expertly stitched closed, and a black choker around her neck hid the jagged slash that had ended her life.
Shadow stayed at her side as she stared at Fluttershy. “She looks like she’s sleeping…” She said and he nodded.
“That’s what they do. They make it look like the deceased is merely sleeping. My family calls death ‘taking the long sleep’. Unfortunately, she won’t wake up, no matter how hard you try.” He said and Twilight walked over to her friend slowly. Seeing her like this made losing Rainbow Dash and Applejack seem like a dream. Rainbow wasn’t in very bad shape, but Applejack’s funeral had been closed casket. There wasn’t much left after her body was crushed under the boulder after all.
Taking a shuddering breath, she just stared for a moment as Shadow draped a wing over her shoulders. She didn’t even listen as Nurse Redheart and Doctor Horse went over details. Shadow answered for her as she looked at her friend. She didn’t even listen. She couldn’t hear anything. This was the first time seeing one of her friends in the morgue. When Doctor Horse finally got her attention, she looked up at him and wiped a tear from her eye.
“I know this is hard, Princess. But I need you to sign for the effects she had on herself at the time of her death.” He said and Twilight nodded as he levitated over a clip board coated in his light brown magic. Lifting a pen, she signed her name and passed the clip board back to him. He nodded as he took the clip board aside, handing it to a nurse. “Thank you Princess. We will contact you before we comply with her wishes, so you may be there.” Twilight nodded and she and Shadow turned to walk out of the hospital. Standing outside was a highly subdued Pinkie Pie, supported on Rarity’s left side.
“Thank you for staying with her darling…” Rarity said as she leaned up and kissed Shadow’s cheek. “She will need you” She said as she hugged Twilight before walking into the hospital with Pinkie. So the two of them could see Fluttershy.
Later that Night.
“I’m sure…” Twilight said as she sat on the edge of her bed, staring at the floor. Shadow closed his eyes as he sat on the floor in front of her. Her horn glowed dimly in the darkened room. Leaning forward and touching his forehead with her glowing horn, she dispelled the illusion spell Princess Celestia had cast over him so he would appear to be a unicorn stallion to others around them. As the spell faded away, she watched as the unicorn stallion disappeared, replaced with a wolf. He and his people were on the other side of the Frozen North, across the water in a land very similar to Equestria.
He had come to Equestria on a pilgrimage. To find a new home for his people as the land he was in was slowly dying. A scourge had come to his homeland, poisoning the water and chasing the animals his people hunted and fed on away, diminishing their provisions drastically. He had already reported back to them that Equestria, though it had ample provisions, was not that safe of a place. Tirek, Discord, Changelings, and the vast variety of inhabitants that Twilight and her friends had stopped were only a few of the threats Equestria itself faced. He had also informed them of his intention to remain, despite the lack of safety.
“I need to be more used to your natural body.” She said as she climbed off of her bed and moved towards him. He sat perfectly still as she approached. After they had finalized Fluttershy’s wishes, Twilight and Shadow had gone drinking. He’d been against it, but she had forced him, pulling rank. “I am your princess, you are here to guard me. You are required to guard me from making a stupid decision if I get drunk.”
He sat completely still as she moved closer to him. She was drunk. Very drunk. But he couldn’t fight. She had ordered him to stay still. Keeping his eyes straight ahead, he flinched a little as she rubbed herself against him, nuzzling into his neck, her horn dangerously close to his eye at a couple of points. When he swallowed nervously, she kissed his throat, nuzzling into him. “Princess, you’re drunk…”
“And if you try to stop me… I’ll shut your mouth with my magic and ship you back to Luna…” She said then hiccupped and stared up at him. He just nodded as she nuzzled into him, practically pushing him over. He held himself straight until she really pushed into him, finally managing to get him on his side. He looked up at her as she crawled over him, nuzzling against him as she fell onto her side. Instinctively, he threw his forelegs around her and she collapsed against him, breaking down into tears. “Why is this happening… if something is targeting my friends… why is it doing this…?” He didn’t answer. He held her as she cried against his chest.
Twilight stared at the door of the boutique, her magic holding Sweetie Belle back. A crowd was slowly gathering, but the layer of over-glow on her horn maintained the barrier well enough that no one could get in. Or out. They’d gotten here before it could escape. This time the Chimera would answer for its crimes. Even if it was too late for another of Twilight’s friends. Sweetie Belle’s screams had confirmed it even before Shadow had gone inside. Rarity was gone. This time, Shadow had forgone subtlety. The second they’d arrived, his guise had vanished, a wolf replacing the stallion that stayed by her side.
The door had been blown off its hinges from the impact with his front paws. Even though no one else could hear through Twilight’s barrier, her magic allowed her to hear what was happening inside. Shadow and the Chimera were fighting, but the fight hadn’t moved beyond the front parlor, where she could hear labored breathing. Rarity was still alive. That realization struck home, hard, as Twilight started to move forward, only to see the window get blown out, Shadow’s side slamming into it.
Everyone jumped back, even as Shadow vanished again. Looking around, Twilight sought out someone she knew would keep Sweetie Belle from trying to follow her. Spotting Big Mac and Applebloom, the latter clasping her hooves together as they watched, she ushered Sweetie over to them. “Watch her.” Was all she said to Big Mac as she ran towards the barrier, a small opening appearing and disappearing as she raced through. Ducking as she passed the window, she went to the door and peeked inside.
The Chimera that Shadow was fighting with wasn’t the variety he’d mentioned. Something about it was off. The snake head was far to scaled, more like a dragon than a snake. And the other two heads were creatures she barely recognized. A bull with horns that curved backwards before jutting forward and a wolf with glowing red eyes. This wasn’t a Neighponese Chimera. Seeing Shadow slam into its side as it lunged for Rarity, she realized why he wasn’t really fighting it. He was protecting Rarity. They could save her.
Swallowing her fear, Twilight watched for an opening when they weren’t rolling around near Rarity. Two other sets of eyes could, at any minute, focus on her instead of Shadow. Her moment came when Shadow and the Chimera rolled into the kitchen. Racing in, Twilight threw herself over Rarity and immediately erected a triple layered barrier as well as making the barrier outside thrum with a signal she knew Princess Celestia would immediately recognize. The same signal she’d used once before, when she was a filly.
Almost immediately, the room exploded with a burst of Solar energy as Princess Celestia, her own magical barrier erected around Twilight and Rarity as she stared down the Chimera, who had frozen mid step as it attempted to run out of the kitchen. Now it had three options. Stay and attempt to get passed the Princess of the Sun at the target it had nearly succeeded in dropping. Stay and fight the wolf, which was winning despite being two heads less vigilant. Or run and fight another time, banking on the Princess not wanting to shed further blood in one of her fiefdoms.
Shadow stalked up behind it, his hackles raised, blood dripping from his jaws from the chunk of the Chimera’s side he had ripped out. The bull head whispered something to the wolf, causing it to spit on the floor before turning and racing for the back. Twilight’s barriers around the house immediately dropped as the Chimera raced off. Shadow started to go after it until Celestia ordered him back. It would take his strength to get Rarity to the hospital in time to save her.
He nodded as he limped over to Twilight, nuzzling at her gently as she pressed back against him, checking his injured leg. “I’m glad we got here in time to do some good.” He said and she smiled up at him, tears in her eyes. Sweetie Belle ran in a second later and immediately went to her sister. Right behind her were two guards and a medical team. As soon as the medical team stopped to load Rarity on a stretcher, Shadow growled at them and shook his head. “Load that thing on a cart and have it waiting outside. We need speed, and you two aren’t fast enough.” He said and the two medics looked at Celestia who just nodded. One of them went outside, carrying the stretcher with him while the second remained by Twilight’s side. Nurse Redheart.
“I’ll do what I can to stop the bleeding.” She said and Twilight nodded, stepping aside just a little while the nurse went to work. Shadow stayed by Twilight’s side as Celestia pulled Sweetie Belle to her, shielding her from the sight while talking to her in gentle, soothing tones. Seeing her mentor act this way made Twilight’s heart swell with joy. She’d heard many a pony in cities like Cloudsdale and Manehatten say that Celestia was just a ruler who cared little for her subjects. This was proof of the opposite. As soon as the other medic returned with a cart, the stretcher and a few layers of blankets lining the sides and bottom of it, Twilight helped load Rarity onto the stretcher.
Celestia lifted Sweetie Belle into the back with Rarity while Shadow got strapped in. “Nurse Redheart, ride with Sweetie Belle and Rarity. With my speed, we’ll need you to tend her wounds and keep them from getting worse. Twilight, ride with them and help however you can.” He said and she nodded as she and Redheart climbed into the cart.
“I will meet you at Ponyville General so you have a clear path.” Celestia said before taking off a moment later, flying straight towards the hospital.
“Alright, hold on you three.” Shadow said before taking off down the street. It wasn’t exactly a straight shot to the hospital, but there weren’t many sharp curves. Twilight almost wanted to peek up over the edge of the cart to see how quickly they were moving, but she had to focus. Redheart wasn’t a unicorn. Her skills were needed to guide Twilight’s magic, which was focused on the most pressing injuries. A gash in Rarity’s side and two puncture wounds on her shoulder. Fang marks. The snake head, or whatever it had been, may have been venomous. While Twilight and Redheart worked, Sweetie Belle clung to her sister’s hoof, silent tears falling from her cheeks.
Two hours later saw Twilight, Celestia and Shadow in the waiting room at the hospital. Several other guests, as well as two other soon to be patients, had migrated to the other side of the waiting room. Shadow still looked angry, and had yet to wipe the blood from his wounds or his lips. And his pacing didn’t help either. Celestia sat on the floor, none of the chairs were large enough to accommodate a fully grown Alicorn, one of her wings draped over Twilight’s shoulders. The light to the intensive care wing hummed statically, the only indication that they were still trying. Sweetie Belle had been pulled out by Big Mac, the little filly having worn herself out worrying about her sister.
Twilight watched Shadow pace, her heart thundering in her chest. The second he’d burst through the door into the boutique, her heart had nearly stopped. This thing had killed Applejack by dropping a boulder on her. If it was strong enough to do that, what would she have done if it was strong enough to get him? As the scenarios raced through her mind, her heart rate steadily increased as her pupils narrowed to pinpricks, her breathing become rapid and ragged. She barely registered Celestia calling her name, but her mind was so focused on what could have been she couldn’t even hear her teacher.
“Twilight!” Shadow shouted, inches from her face. She jerked back with a yelp, looking up at him only to immediately fall against him, his forelegs going around her. “It’s alright. I’m right here.”
“Is... is Rarity...?”
“We don’t know yet.” He said, looking up at the light. Intensive Care still glowed brilliantly. “You were panicking. Celestia went to get you some water.” He said and Twilight nodded, pressing her head against his chest, her horn resting on his shoulder. They sat in silence for a moment longer, only separating when Celestia returned with a couple of glasses of ice cool spring water. One of them she gave to Twilight, the other she sat on the chair she’d have been sitting on, had she been a normal sized pony.
“Shadow, I’d like to speak with you in private. If that’s alright.” She said and he nodded as he stood up, Twilight’s wing remaining on his side until he was out of her reach, following Celestia into the hallway. Twilight watched as Celestia sent two guards to stand beside her student and make sure she was ok while she and Shadow disappeared around a corner. As much privacy as the hospital waiting room would allow. When Celestia’s two guards sat down on either side of Twilight, the young alicorn leaned against the one she’d known the longest. Sergeant Bulwark, now Captain of the Canterlot Guard. Her brother’s former lieutenant.
“Everything’s gonna be alright Twili. Celestia called some doctors down from Canterlot. They’ll be here within a few minutes. If they can’t help your friend, I dunno who can.” He said and Twilight nodded.
“I don’t want to come off as insubordinate...”
“Then don’t speak, Private.” Bulwark said and the soldier that had been about to talk clammed up and stared at the wall across from him. “I contacted Shining Armor. He, Flurry and Cadance will be here tomorrow to help with shielding spells to keep Miss Pie safe.” He said and Twilight nodded.
“Thank you Bul...” she said and he nodded before walking off to chat with Doctor Stable.
That night found Twilight asleep against Celestia’s side, the Princess of the Sun as awake as her student’s guardian. “You should sleep, Princess. You’ve got to raise the sun tomorrow.” He said, his tail flipping in annoyance behind him. They hadn’t heard anything about Rarity in six hours. Captain Bulwark had left for the day, confident that Shadow could protect both princesses as well as the entirety of the Canterlot Guard. One of the nurses had brought a blanket to cover Twilight with as the Princess of Friendship snored gently, her head resting on her teacher’s legs.
“I will be fine, Captain. His will not be the first time I have spent all night awake.” She said and he nodded, closing his eyes as his ears swiveled around. She smiled as she draped a wing over Twilight, taking some small comfort in the knowledge that her student, and one of her dearest friends, was by her side. Even with his eyes closed, Shadow was listening to everything. His ears were focused on every door and window in the hospital. If anything happened, he’d be on his feet and alert, ready for any kind of danger.
Celestia looked up at the light above the operating room door. Surgery in Progress. Even if they tried, they couldn’t go in. The doors were locked and sealed magically. It would take Celestia or Twilight to break through the magic on those doors, and then Shadow would likely be forced to injure himself breaking the door down if anything happened. Looking over at Shadow again, she saw the steady rise and fall of his chest. He was asleep. Smiling a little, she glanced at his head and saw that his ears were still moving. Sentry Sleep. He was alert, partially awake, even though his body was resting. He could be on his paws and ready to fight at a moment’s notice.
Hearing a ding, Celestia and Shadow both turned toward the door. The light was off. Gently rousing Twilight, the two princesses and the wolf stood as the doors pushed open, Doctor Stable walking out with his mask off. When he looked up, Twilight sucked in a pained breath. It was no secret that Doctor Stable had adored Rarity. She’d never been sick a day in her life, and her designs had replaced the drab hospital garb months prior, saving the hospital itself hundreds of dollars in bits for new uniforms.
“She’s stabilized and awake, but we don’t know how much longer she’s got. I’m sorry Princess. There’s nothing more I can do.” He said and Twilight stared at him, tears in her eyes. “She asked to see you. You may take one of them in with you, but two is all I can allow. I’m sorry.” Twilight nodded and looked to Celestia.
“Take Shadow with you. I need to speak with the doctor.” The princess said and Twilight nodded to her teacher before walking in with Shadow. The entire operating room was cleared, save for Rarity’s bed in the middle of the room. Monitors and tables of tools lay around the bed, a single light on an end table next to her illuminated her skin with a sickly yellow tint.
“Twilight? Darling, you look dreadful.” She said as the two of them approached. Twilight sat beside the bed, reaching up and taking Rarity’s hoof between her own. “I know... I don’t look much better, do I?” she asked and Twilight shook her head, sniffling a little. “Is Sweetie Belle safe?”
“She’s with your parents at the hotel. I’m going to ask Shining Armor if he can take Applebloom, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle to the crystal empire for now. They’ll be safer there.” Shadow said and Rarity smiled at him.
“Thank you darling.” She said before turning to Twilight. “Please don’t cry. Not yet... save your tears until after you’ve stopped the chimera.” She said before turning away from the two of them and coughing violently, clutching at the bandages across her chest. Twilight started to rise to go for the doctor until she felt Rarity’s hoof on hers. “There’s nothing they could do... I just... I wanted to tell you, Twilight, ever since we’ve met, you made me believe I could really be somepony. When I first moved here to Ponyville from Manehatten... I didn’t...” coughing interrupted her until she felt a cool glass of water pressed against her lips. Taking a sip, she watched a dull black glow place it on the table next to her bed. Shadow’s magic. “Thank you. I didn’t think I’d make it as a fashionista. My designs were drab compared with Canterlot fashion.
“And then you came from Canterlot and I got the chance to meet Fancy Pants and Fleur dis Lis, Prim Hemline, Sapphire Shores, Hoity Toity, and all manner of other fashionable ponies from the upper reaches of society. They gave me the chance to see my designs in a new light. More fashion, less...”
“Drab?” Shadow offered and she smiled and nodded.
“Yes, exactly. I know what the Mayor will say, but I left the boutique in your name. I want you to hire somepony you trust to run it, Twilight.” Rarity said and Twilight nodded. “Thank you. I hope... I hope you find this thing before it hurts Pinkie Pie...” She said before laying her head on the pillow and closing her eyes. Twilight held onto her hoof for a moment longer until she felt it go slack. Looking up at the heart monitor, she realized why it wasn’t making any noise. Shadow had opened the side panel and removed the speaker.
“I’ll be outside.” He said as he leaned down and nuzzled Twilight’s cheek gently. The speaker remained hanging against the side of the heart monitor as he turned and walked to the door. As soon as he was out, Celestia flowed into the room and went directly to Twilight, wrapping her student in her wings and immediately casting a sound proof barrier. No one outside needed to hear their princess break own into a sobbing mess.
Twilight buried her head against Starlight’s side. Her student and friend, one of the few ponies who were always at her side. The only one left. Shadow was gone, chasing the Chimera that had done this. They’d gotten to the rock farm in time to witness its handiwork. Beside Twilight, straining to fight back tears of her own, was Limestone Pie. Her little sister, Marble, wasn’t as strong, bawling against her sister’s side while Igneous Rock Pie tried to keep Cloudy Quartz from breaking down into a puddle.
Pinkie Pie’s entire chest was shredded, her heart and lungs torn to ribbons. Both of her front legs had been torn off and lay on the porch, where the Chimera had thrown them. But despite how painful it must have been, Pinkie was still smiling. Despite being gone, despite having thrown her last party ever in an attempt to cheer up Twilight, she was still smiling. “I hope your wolf kills that thing...” Limestone said, shaking with the effort of holding back her tears. Cloudy looked over at her with shock, her eyes falling on her oldest daughter.
She started to say something before closing her mouth. She felt the same way. That thing had taken her daughter from her. It needed to pay. “We don’t need to see this.” Maud said, her voice cracking from its usual stoic-ness, before walking into the house. Twilight heard crashing and shattering before Maud walked back out, the table cloth from their kitchen in her teeth. Ever so carefully, she placed it over Pinkie. A death shroud. Hearing rocks tumbling, the seven ponies turned towards the rock quarry only to see Shadow come limping up over the ridge.
Forgetting her heartbreak at having just lost Pinkie, Twilight raced over to him, practically skidding to a stop when she saw the gashes on his leg. “I’m fine, just a scratch.” He said as she helped him over to the others. When they reached him, Maud leaned down and examined his injury.
“There are small shards of extrusive igneous rhyolite in your wound. We need to clean it before it gets infected.” She said and he shook his head.
“Don’t worry about me. Twilight...”
“Will be fine while you get your wound cleaned...” Twilight said, pushing her weight up under his wing. “Come on.” She said as she herded him into the house, the Pie’s following sedately. All of them save for Limestone. “Is she going to be ok out there alone?”
“Limestone will be fine. He may not unless we clean his wound.” Igneous Rock said and Twilight nodded as they went into the kitchen, where Shadow pushed two chairs together and climbed up onto them. Cloudy Quartz boiled some water, sitting by the stove in silence, while Twilight and Maud went outside to bring Pinkie Pie back into the house, where she’d be safe from the weather.
“What you did was stupid.” Cloudy said and he nodded. “But I thank you for doing it. If you hadn’t, I would have...”
“If it’s not to forward of me to ask, Miss Quartz, what is your story? I have a record of nearly everyone I’ve ever met memorized, but most of your file is redacted or erased. I’d like to fill in the blanks.” Shadow said as she cleaned his wound, using small tweezers in her hoof as if it were a paw to extract the slightly larger shards of stone. Sighing, she wiped his injury clean with the water, staring at it to make sure it remained clean.
“Before I was a Pie, I was Special Agent Quartz, head of Canterlot’s Secret Task Force, a group created to assist with the capture and containment of creatures like this Chimera. I met Igneous during a field op one evening many years ago and he told me the Choosing Stone had chosen me to be his bride. I thought he was full of nonsense, but came back to his farm to see this Choosing Stone for myself.”
“A stone that shows the cutie mark of the one you are destined for. I’ve heard of it. My people have something similar, though ours is replaced after every use. We call it the Destiny Stone. It’s given to our pups at their tenth name day to show them the Mark of the one they are chosen for. Mine is still blank.” He said and she glanced at him. “I carry it with me wherever I go.” Shifting just slightly, he nudged the necklace around his neck to show them the stone hanging there. Just as he said, it was just a blank chunk of obsidian.
“It seems your stone has yet to decide a destiny for you.” She said and he nodded. “Perhaps you should see our Choosing Stone. It may hold the answer you seek.” He just smiled a little as she bandaged his wound. “There. You should be safe to move around, but don’t exert yourself too much.” He nodded again as he stood up slowly, gingerly putting weight on the leg and wincing slightly.
“No high speed travel for me for a while.”
“And no activities besides walking either. Princess.” Cloudy said as Twilight entered the room again, a small smirk on her face.
“What? But... I... we... I don’t... um...” Twilight stuttered as her face flushed a brilliant shade of red.
“That was cruel, Miss Pie.” Shadow said and she just smiled.
“If you wish to know more about my past before I met my beloved, ask Princess Celestia when this is all over. I give you permission to view my past records.” He nodded as Twilight walked over to him, pressing her side against his to support him a little.
“Come on, we should go out there and help bring Pinkie inside.” He said and she glanced at him.
“What happened to not naming the corpses?”
“She’s one of the last of your friends. I’m not going to dishonor her by not calling her by name.” He said and she smiled a little.
Three days later, Twilight lay awake in her bedroom in the Friendship Castle, Shadow asleep by her side. As she’d expected, he’d healed quickly, but Twilight was careful with him. As careful as he’d let her be anyway. The last three days had gone by with him “helping her recover”. Princess Celestia was none too pleased with Twilight, for making him exert himself rather than heal so he could protect her, but lately Twilight didn’t really care.
The pleasant throbbing between her thighs, the sated ache in her loins. The only possible way this could be better was if it somehow awakened a magic within her that let her travel back in time with a passenger. She’d take Shadow back to the cloud Rainbow was on before the incident and he could stop the Chimera, saving her friends. Without any consequences. As she lay snuggled against him, thoroughly sated, her mind raced. If Shining Armor knew about this, what would he say? What would her parents think? What would the Princesses think?
A small voice in the back of Twilight’s mind was screaming at her to beg for forgiveness from Princess Celestia for being a bad student and letting her emotions get the better of her. But the throbbing between her thighs was louder. “Celestia won’t care. She’s like a mother to you. As long as Shadow keeps you safe and happy, Celestia will be happy. She might be cross with him, but she wouldn’t be angry with him.” Her mental self said, clearly berating her conscience for being stupid.
“I want to do it again... maybe use the excuse that last night felt like a dream and I wanted to experience it for real... No... he’d never buy that... he’s too smart. He’s a guard, a warrior, maybe the love of my life. Wait... is he? We had sex, does that mean he loves me... or was I just using him so I could forget?” she thought to herself. She was so lost in her own mind that she didn’t even notice when the bedroom door swung open her two students, Sunset and Starlight, snuck into the room. She didn’t notice either of them until they’d pounced on the two intertwined lovers. Twilight shrieked and Shadow just groaned.
“I’m so glad you’re safe Twilight.” Sunset said as she wrapped her hooves around Twilight’s neck, almost squeezing the life out of her.
“I told her you were. Like Shadow would let anything bad happen to you.” Starlight said, despite also being wrapped around Twilight’s middle.
“Girls... can you please get off... at least let me get up...” Twilight groaned and the two girls climbed off of the bed, staring sheepishly at Twilight. Twilight just sighed as she gently dislodged herself from Shadow and rolled off of the bed. Sunset immediately took notice of what was going on and smiled.
“So, how was he?” she asked and Twilight blushed, walking passed the two of them to the door.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She said, despite the fact that with the angle they were at, they could easily make out exactly what had happened the previous night. Stopping at the door, she glanced behind her to see that Shadow was still “asleep” but one of his ears had swiveled her way. He made no moves to get up, and she couldn’t help but smile. With Starlight and Sunset there, Twilight was safe.
Knowing Starlight, Trixie wouldn’t be far behind and though Twilight found the showmare’s bragging to be grating on the nerves, there was strength in numbers. And, though she’d never admit it out loud, she did see Trixie as somewhat of a rival. Walking down the hall to the bathroom so she could clean up a bit, she heard Sunset snickering and stopped her tail from swaying by sheer force of will. “Sorry Twilight, it’s just, after all of this, you are the last person I expected to... well... get laid.” She said and Starlight swatted her friend with her tail.
“It’s alright. I know what you mean Sunset. I didn’t really think a relationship was in the cards for me after all of this, but... he was here and offered to help me forget.” Twilight said, smiling slightly. “And he did, most of it. I’ll never forget them. Ever. But he helps fill in some of the holes in my heart. And having you two here helps too.”
“So what’s next?” Starlight asked and Twilight sucked in a breath.
“Bait.” She said and her two students and last remaining friends shared a look before looking to their teacher, concern evident in their eyes.
Starlight stared straight ahead at her teacher’s back. Twilight’s wings were spread, her horn was lit with three layers of over glow, and her eyes were nearly unrecognizable. On the ground below her was Shadow, barely breathing, his side gored badly. In front of her was the Chimera that had been killing her friends. Starlight and Trixie had been the next targets. Shadow had gotten in the way, taking the brunt of the Chimera’s attack. Her magical overglow was because of three different spells she was casting. A shield spell to protect herself and Shadow from the Chimera, a healing spell to heal Shadow, and a Temporal Freeze spell to lock the Chimera in its place.
It still amazed Trixie that her rival was so powerful. Despite being the element of Magic and an Alicorn, Twilight Sparkle still improved over and over again. Looking away from her teacher, Trixie took in the Chimera. Just as Shadow had said, it looked like a real monster. A dragon like head on the end of its tail, a bull head with wickedly curved horns and a wolf. But the one thing he hadn’t said was exactly how terrifying it looked. The wolf’s eyes were jet black, she couldn’t even see pupils. The bull’s horns gave off smoke, like they were on fire. The snake’s scales were cracked and looked like they were splitting, or the snake itself was a living volcano. It looked like a real monster.
Starlight remained next to Shadow, a shield produced from her horn around her two friends. Twilight herself remained outside the shield, her magic clearly out of control as she squared off against the chimera. Trixie, though not as powerful as either of her friends, shook of her surprise and focused on Shadow, her magic slowly mending his injuries. “Healing magic is not Trixie’s strong suit, but Trixie will do what she can.”
“Thank you Trixie.” Starlight said, never taking her eyes off of Twilight. “If anything happened to him, I think we’d lose her...” Starlight said and Trixie nodded as her magic slowly worked on healing Shadow’s injuries. Turning back to Twilight, Starlight watched as she nimbly evaded the Chimera’s claws, teeth and fangs. The serpent tail may not have been venomous, but one bite could sever bone. Not to mention the size difference. This Chimera could swallow Twilight whole, if it could catch her. Her teacher remained well out of the creatures reach, despite it being able to fly.
Hearing a groan from behind her, Starlight turned around and saw Shadow’s wounds knitting closed. But it wasn’t her magic or Trixie’s. Black smoke, like the stories she’d heard of King Sombra, was knitting his injuries together. A shout caught her attention and Starlight looked to Twilight. The Chimera had broken through her shield, the Dragon head with its jaws clamped around her foreleg, her leg hidden in its throat. Eyes widening, she turned to alert Shadow and froze. The smoke was slowly vanishing, but his eyes were open. Pure black. Hearing a yelp, Starlight looked back and saw Twilight tumble to the ground, one of her wings badly twisted.
She was about to drop her shield when her mind was hammered by inexplicable pain as her shield shattered. “Starlight, Shadow’s...” Trixie’s alert was cut off as the Chimera was slammed into the ground, a roiling mass of black magic tumbling into the bushes with it.
“Shadow!” Twilight shouted, struggling to stand even as the pain in her wing forced her to her knees. Trixie couldn’t see anything but she could hear them. Shadow’s growls, the Chimera’s roars, moos and hisses. Teeth clacking together. Yelps from both sides. Before Twilight could go running after Shadow, Starlight clamped onto her tail.
“No. If you follow him, he’ll be too busy protecting you to fight well. You’d get in the way.” She said and Twilight stared back at her, shaking, tears flowing down her cheeks. “He’ll be ok. He promised, remember.” Twilight blinked then looked back towards Shadow
“Nothing will happen to you as long as I breath, Twilight. You have my word of honor. And to a wolf, our honor is our law.” The memory gave her some comfort. Starlight jolted and Twilight glanced at her horn before turning to look at the shield wall. Shadow was pinning the Chimera against the shield, the snake tail writhing on the other side of the room, the bull head hanging limp, his fangs buried in the shoulder near the wolf’s nape.
“Wait.” Twilight said, stepping forward and staring at the wolf’s eyes. “Why? Why kill my friends?”
“Why? What reason do I need to kill for the pure joy of shedding blood?” The wolf growled, a grin on its face and Twilight sniffed then turned to Shadow and nodded. He nodded back before his teeth sank in deeper and he twisted his head. A sickening snap sounded, like a bamboo rod cracking across a hollow tree trunk, and the Chimera dropped. Twilight watched it for a moment as Shadow kicked its head. Not even a twitch. When he was sure, Shadow kicked the Chimera away with enough force that the corpse slid into a wall, sending cracks spidering along the crystalline structure.
The moment it stopped moving, Twilight raced to Shadow’s side and buried her muzzle against his neck. “Thank you for protecting them...” she said and he nodded, nuzzling against her.
“We may have a solution to the issue of the Element Barers untimely demises.” A voice said from the window and Twilight looked up as Celestia and Luna flew in through the same window the Chimera had come in from.
“As we said before, the deaths being unnatural is a boon of sorts. Had they been of natural causes; old age, disease or the like, we could not do anything. It would have been in fate’s hooves. As they were murdered, there is something we can do.” Celestia said and Luna nodded.
“We must all go to Canterlot. That includes your students, Twilight Sparkle.” Luna said, looking at Starlight and Trixie.
“Trixie is not Twilight Sparkle’s student.” The silver maned unicorn snarked and Luna smiled.
“Be that as it may, this will require five magical beings of sufficient power, and are you not the... how did you put it... greatest and most powerful?” Luna asked and Trixie puffed up.
“Yes, yes I... er... yes Trixie is.” She said and Luna nodded.
“Twilight Sparkle, meet us at Canterlot Castle before nightfall. Enough time has passed, the elements must be ready by now.” Luna said and Celestia nodded before she and her sister flew back to Canterlot. Twilight’s ear twitched before she looked at the Chimera’s corpse.
“Shadow could you...”
“I’ll dispose of it. Spike, think you can handle mop duty while I handle the disposal of the rest of it?” He asked and Spike saluted him before racing off to get a mop and bucket. Twilight smiled at her assistants antics. Ever since he’d met Shadow, Shadow’s real shape at least, he’d been more than eager to please. As if he looked to Shadow like a big brother. Or a father figure. “In the meantime, Twilight, you and the girls go get cleaned up. You aren’t injured, but you are pretty dusty.” He said and Twilight nodded and leaned up, kissing him.
“We’ll be ready to go by the time you’re done.” She said, leading Trixie and Starlight upstairs to her personal quarters. The bathroom attached was much larger than the ones the two other mares had.
One hour before sunset found Twilight, Trixie, Starlight and Shadow in Canterlot Castle’s throne room. At the bottom of the stairs were five statues, each one a perfect likeness of Twilight’s friends. Embedded in their chests were five very recognizable stones. Their Elements of Harmony. “This spell is not one we take lightly, Twilight. It normally requires a large sacrifice on the part of the one casting it.” Celestia said as she approached from Twilight’s right. Luna did the same from her left, her eyes scanning the statues as she walked.
“Normally?”
“As there are six magic users present, the sacrifice will not be so great. We will be slightly drained, possibly unable to do even the most basic of spells for quite some time, but the strain will not be so great as to rob us of our individual lives.”
“Whoa, hold on. You mean if we attempted this one for five, we’d die?” Starlight asked and Luna nodded.
“Even we Alicorns are not immortal. We discovered this many centuries ago.” Luna said and Celestia sighed and stared at the floor.
“When we were younger, Luna and I were... rebellious and impetuous. It... happened with me first. I got into a fight. A stupid little fight, but things were very different back then.” Celestia said, sitting down on the floor. “The fight... slowly escalated. As two sovereign rulers of Equestria, we had our own military forces, our own followers. It developed into a stupid war. My side versus Luna’s. One of my... overzealous followers... got it into his head to assassinate the leader of the opposing army. Luna. And he succeeded. I found out the next morning that the General of the Enemy Forces died in her sleep. Poison.”
“Mother and Father took it upon themselves to punish the offender and right his wrong. By resurrecting me. It cost Father his life, leaving me in charge of the moon in his place.”
“Not to long after that, we had another petty squabble. I don’t even remember what it was over, but one of my followers set an improvised magical explosive on the undercarriage of Celestia’s chariot. Two Pegasi guards were lost that day, and Mother gave her life to resurrect Celestia, leaving her in control of the sun. After that, we settled most of our arguments with games. Fun little games that never cost lives, merely some dignity. I am sure you remember the time we wagered our purities, sister.” Luna said, a small smirk playing at the corners of her mouth.
“Yes... I remember. I also remember you lost and couldn’t walk straight for a month and reeked of stallion for a week after the event.” Celestia said, smiling. Luna’s smirk vanished, replaced with a resolute frown and a blush on her cheeks. “You did get me back, however. Ten mares, sister? Even I have my limits.”
Clearing his throat, Shadow glanced at Twilight. Following his gaze, Celestia blushed and coughed. “I apologize, Twilight. The point is... a lone Alicorn cannot reverse death without facing death themselves. But four Alicorns, two unicorns, and a Wolf with magic equaling the unicorns should be able to suffice.” She said and Twilight nodded.
“What do we have to do?” She asked and Celestia smiled and lead her student, her student’s student and rival, as well as her own sister and her sister’s former guard to a door emblazoned with her the old King and Queen’s cutie marks.
“Beyond these doors, you will meet the one responsible for the Afterlife. I am certain she is eager to meet you. You must strike a bargain with her that will lure her here, where we may enlist her aid in reviving your friends.” Celestia said and Twilight looked up at her teacher. “You must go alone, Twilight Sparkle. You cannot even take Shadow with you, as She would see it as an insult. She governs Death, my dearest student. An insult to her would surely result in your own demise.”
Twilight nodded and Celestia looked to her sister, who merely nodded once before the two turned their gaze on the door. Their horns lit, but the magic was different. Luna’s magic was almost pitch black, as black as the night sky, and Celestia’s was pure white. Twilight turned back to the door as the cutie marks emblazoned on them rotated completely, turning upside down from their original positions. As the door swung open, Twilight stared inside at the pearly white room. No shadows, not even a speck of shade, save for in the middle of the room, where a table with two seats sat. One of the seats contained a mare possibly more beautiful than any Twilight had ever seen before.
Swallowing her nerves, Twilight walked into the room. As soon as her tail passed the threshold, the doors swung shut and she was alone in a room that didn’t seem to have a beginning or an end with Death herself. Or the very closest thing to it. “Approach, Twilight Sparkle. I have been expecting you.” She said, lifting a cup of tea to her lips. Twilight watched as her magic seemed to be the only thing shaded just slightly less white than the rest of the room. “Well?” Jumping slightly, Twilight walked forward, taking the seat opposite the other mare.
“You were expecting me?”
“Yes, of course. When last we met, you were becoming an Alicorn. It was merely for an instant, so you would not remember it, but I was there to sever your Chord of Life. Alicorns, you see, are...”
“Immortal.” Twilight interrupted, immediately clapping her hooves over her mouth. “I am so sorry... I didn’t mean to interrupt I just...” she stopped as Death raised a hoof.
“It is fine. Now, as to why you are here. Five lives have recently come into my possession. You wish to bargain for them?” Twilight nodded. “What do you have in exchange?”
“I... um... I don’t... I’m not sure.” Twilight said and Death quirked an eyebrow at her as she sipped her tea. “That is... I don’t have anything...”
“You wish for me to do something for you with nothing in return?” Death asked, her robes flailing in an invisible breeze.
“No! I mean... no, ma’am. Celestia wishes to bargain with you in the living world...”
“Does she now? Well then, we must not keep your Princess of the Sun waiting. Finish your tea before it gets cold.” Death said as she stood up, standing just as tall as Celestia. Twilight swallowed and sipped at her tea, finishing it off just quickly enough so as not to make her wait any longer but also to savor the taste. Honeysuckle and vanilla. A wonderful blend that didn’t exist in Equestria. Standing up, she walked with Death to the doors leading back into the living world.
As they swung open, Twilight blinked to see Celestia pacing, bags under her eyes as if she hadn’t slept in days. “Hello, little sister.” Death said and Twilight froze. Celestia froze mid step and looked up at the mare standing before her.
“Hello... sister.” The Princess of the Sun said, staring Death in the face. Twilight looked back and forth between the two of them for a moment as it dawned on her. This was a family reunion, one for the history books.
Twilight sat on the edge of her bed staring at the floor. Shadow was positioned outside, guarding the door. Even with the Chimera gone, there could still be threats against Twilight’s life. Now that the Elements of Harmony had been silenced, Twilight wasn’t exactly safe. Thus far, the only thing keeping Discord from turning on them had been his friendship with Fluttershy. Now it was the promise of her resurrection. As well as the knowledge that Shadow had killed something that was supposed to be unkillable.
Downstairs in the throne room, Celestia pouted only a little. She’d been expelled from her own throne by her big sister, Thanatos. It was better her big sister than some insurgence. Not that it made the delegates any more comfortable to have Celestia nearby. Thanatos was an unknown. An Alicorn as white as bone with a mane that looked ethereal but sat solid. Clearing her throat, Thanatos gestured the first delegate forward. A mare from the Crystal Empire, her mane caught up in a bun atop her head. Her coat shimmered in the light coming from outside. She shuffled forward, as if afraid to approach the strange princess.
“State your business, peasant.” Thanatos ordered, her voice barely above a whisper even though it rumbled through the room. Celestia had informed her that the Royal Canterlot Voice wasn’t used in the throne room anymore, and her sister had compromised by saying she would not speak to peasants loudly in the Royal Canterlot Voice.
“My lady... I am from the Crystal Empire, on behalf of the librarian. She could not leave due to the busy season, school starting up and books being needed for classes. She wishes for additional funding that the Crystal Empire itself cannot provide in order to expand the library to include more subjects.” The delegate said and Thanatos tapped her chin.
“And why does she not ask her own rulers? You say the Crystal Empire cannot provide funds to expand the library. Why is that?”
“Sister... Princess Cadance and Prince Shining Armor need all the help they can get. King Sombra, before his fall, used all of the Crystal Empire’s treasury to expand his collection of crystals in order to make himself stronger.” Celestia said and Thanatos nodded.
“I see. Then your request is heard and we shall consider it. You will receive word in three days-time.” Thanatos said and the delegate bowed. “In the mean-time, might I recommend remaining in Canterlot to visit the library here? As the librarian for the Crystal Empire, you may feel free to request books from our library to take home with you.” The older princess said and the librarian’s assistant bowed lower before backing out of the throne room. As the guards went to fetch the next delegate, Thanatos turned to Celestia. “Tell me sister, if Sombra was such a threat, why did you not vanquish him?”
“I... have been trying another way... sister. Defeating but not destroying our enemies... make them see that we are too powerful to attack.” Celestia said and Thanatos pursed her lips and nodded.
“Humiliation for the sake of peace. A worthy goal. And yet this Storm King that came through my kingdom not too long ago said that your own student was the cause of his demise.”
“In part. The Storm King threatened the safety of Equestria by turning Cadance, Luna and myself to crystal in order to drain our magic. He planned to create a storm that would destroy all of Equestria by using all of our magic, including Twilight’s. It was thanks to his former servant, Tempest Shadow, that we stopped him. In the Storm King’s anger at Twilight for defeating him, he attempted to turn Twilight and her friends into Crystal, but Tempest got in the way. He tumbled from the tower to the ground below while Twilight saved Tempest from suffering a similar fate.”
“I see. Understandable then, and you and your ponies got to keep your hooves clean in the process. Unintentional assisted suicide. I’ll be sure to add that to his file when I return.” Thanatos said. “And where is this... Tempest... now?”
“Wandering Equestria. For saving Twilight and her friends, as well as the rest of us, I granted her a full pardon for her crimes against Canterlot. The Storm King had lied to her in order to gain her cooperation, betraying her trust.” Celestia said and Thanatos nodded.
“And what had he promised her?”
“Her horn is broken, he promised he could restore it if she assisted him in gathering all of our magic.”
“No magic can do that.” Thanatos said, her eyes slightly hardening. Celestia knew the broken promise would be added to the Storm King’s file as well. Looking up, she saw another delegate approaching. A pony she knew all too well. Big Macintosh.
“Welcome Big Mac.” Celestia said and Thanatos turned her gaze on the farmer. “Sister, do not be offended if he doesn’t speak too much. Big Macintosh is not a pony known for many words.”
“Eyup.” Big Mac agreed and Thanatos nodded.
“Very well, shall I try and guess what you want to ask of me?” Thanatos asked and Big Mac shook his head.
“No ma’am. Ah may not talk much, but when Ah choose t’ open mah mouth, Ah speak mah mind.” Thanatos blinked, her wings ruffling.
“Sister, when you said he was not known for many words, I assumed he was dumb. Was that your intention? To surprise me?” Thanatos asked and Celestia shook her head.
“No, dear sister. All of the times I’ve spoken with Big Mac, he hasn’t said many words to me.”
“Eyup. Mah sister, Applejack, taught me th’ value of keepin’ quiet on some issues. But Ah gotta speak mah mind, Princess... uh...”
“Thanatos, sir Big Macintosh.” Thanatos said and Big Mac smiled.
“Sir. Ah wouldn’t go so far as t’ call me a sir, ma’am. Ah’m just a humble apple farmer. And that’s sorta what Ah’m here about. See, th’ farm isn’t all that big, but it’s mighty hard bein’ th’ only one out in the field, given what’s happened. Bein’ that yer the Princess of Death an’ all, Ah’m guessin’ you know what Ah mean?” Thanatos nodded. “Well... Ah was wonderin’... all of Ponyville was really... since they weren’t s’posed t’ die, if we could have our girls back?” Thanatos smiled and looked him over.
“Big Macintosh, you are the first pony I have met today to come forward and ask so boldly for me to reverse the deaths of five mares simply because they weren’t supposed to die. Most would not have the bravery to approach me thusly, but I can see that you are not a coward, nor are you an imbecile.” Thanatos said. “However, you are merely the only pony to approach me and ask this request. So, I must ask further... why are these five mares so special other than their connection to the Elements of Harmony?”
“Well, other than one o’ them bein’ mah sister, they’re all mah friends. Sure Ah can’t stand Rainbow Dash some times, but if ya brought Applejack back but not her, mah sister would never be th’ same. And Pinkie Pie’s... well, Pinkie Pie. Somethin’ about her makes everypony else smile, no matter how gloomy their day is. She does everythin’ she can to bring everypony’s spirits up. And Fluttershy helps keep us safe from th’ Everfree Forest. Some o’ them critters have been wandering out ever since she passed.” He said before pausing for a moment. “And bringin’ Rarity back would make Applejack happy too. They’ve been friends fer a long time. Not t’ mention some o’ the bardin’ at the farm needs patchin’ up and we just don’t have th’ talent.”
“Hm, a valid argument. I have seen Twilight Sparkle’s mind and see that you are correct. But again, you are the only pony to approach me and ask so bluntly. I will take your petition into consideration. I have many other voices to hear before I make my decision. Thank you for your time, Big Macintosh.” She said and he bowed low, remaining down for a moment longer than necessary, seemingly lost in thought. “There is more you wish to add?”
“Yes ma’am. Ah just don’t know how t’ go about sayin’ it.”
“Speak what is on your mind. I am sure it will come out exactly as you wish it to.” She said and he nodded, stood up and sucked in a breath.
“Princess Thanatos, if it will influence your decision any, Ah will devote seven hours a day o’ mah life t’ you.” He said and she blinked before throwing her head back and laughing. The guards all looked at one another, then up at Celestia, whose gaze they followed to Thanatos. A few moments later, Thanatos bent over, still giggling but trying to compose herself.
“Oh... my dear Big Macintosh... you are the first pony to proposition me like that.” She said between giggles. “But what would your mare friend, Miss Sugar Belle, think if a Goddess claimed you for seven hours each day?” She asked and Big Mac opened his mouth to answer. She cut him off by raising a hoof. “I do appreciate the sentiment, Big Macintosh. Perhaps one day I will take you up on your offer. I will consider your request, as well as your proposition. And might I recommend not telling Miss Sugar Belle about what we just discussed here?” She suggested and Big Mac nodded, turned, and walked out of the throne room. As soon as he was gone, Thanatos bent over, shaking with giggles as she stared at the floor.
“Sister?”
“Oh Celestia, your ponies are full of surprises. First Twilight offers to devote herself to me in order to return her friends to life, and now Big Macintosh offers something like that, his time and dedication each and every day, for the same purpose. I’m beginning to like these ponies.” She said as she sat back, wiping a tear from her eye. “Send in the next petitioner.” She said, still smiling as she waved one of the guards to retrieve the next pony.
Five hours later, Thanatos, Celestia, Luna, Big Macintosh, and eight other ponies stood in front of a massive door. They were still waiting on two others who should be along shortly. “So, you really propositioned Big Sister Thanatos that way, Big Macintosh?” Luna asked and he nodded.
“He did indeed sister. I was quite surprised, and very honored.” Thanatos said and Big Mac smiled a little. “As I said, I will consider your request, Big Macintosh. My decision here, however, is not based on that. After I heard from you, several ponies approached me with similar requests, though only one other was so brave as to offer me her body.” She said and Celestia blinked and turned to her sister.
“I don’t remember that, sister.”
“You were away at the time getting water for the two of us. Captain of the Wonderbolts. Spitfire. She definitely does her name service. Where Big Macintosh was more polite and asked, Spitfire acted. Though she did first request I not get angry with her and order the guards to not act on instinct.” Thanatos said and the mare in question flushed and turned her gaze to the floor. “I don’t think I’ve ever been so pleasantly assaulted in my long existence.”
Luna turned to Spitfire, shocked. “What did you do exactly?”
“I... um...”
“She rushed the throne, plastered her lips to mine and forced her hoof between my hind legs, vowing to allow me to do whatever I wished to her for five years if I brought Rainbow Dash back.” Thanatos said and Spitfire’s blush grew worse as ten pairs of eyes turned to her. “Though she did quickly remember where she was and stepped back. After all, bringing just Rainbow Dash back wouldn’t be fair to the others, now would it miss Spitfire?” Spitfire shook her head, still staring at the floor as most of the eyes went back to the door in front of them. The only remaining eyes on her were Soarin and Fleetfoot.
“We’ve gotta talk about that later, Spitfire.” Fleetfoot said and Spitfire nodded.
“Now then, shall we get underway? As I stated on the way down here, those of you that are present and had some attachment to the deceased will be the center point of this spell. Think of it as a tether. Or a life line. You will stand here, outside the door. My spell will take a tiny bit of your spirit and cast it into the Afterlife, where it will seek out the one intended. If they do not wish to come, they will not. I cannot force them to leave my realm, they must chose to do so of their own free will. You can, however, use any means you wish to attempt to convince them.” Thanatos said and the ponies all nodded.
“Firstly, tell me who you wish to bring back and why.” She said, looking to the first pony in line. “I know we already went through this, Big Mac, but the Gate needs to hear it too.”
“Applejack’s mah sister an’ the farm just ain’t the same without her. Ah want mah sister back cause Ah miss her and Ah need her help with Granny and Applebloom.” He said and Thanatos nodded, casting her spell. Her horn lit, the spirals running from her head to the tip lighting and a narrow string of light floated away and attached to Big Mac’s chest. Turning to the next one in line, Thanatos nodded. Spitfire sucked in a breath, looked at her two comrades, then stepped up.
“Rainbow Dash is one of the most promising Wonderbolts I’ve ever had the pleasure of training. She’s a strong flier, has a good heart, and will do anything for her friends or the team. And if that’s not enough reason...” She paused for a second before sucking in a breath again, as if steeling herself. “If that’s not enough reason, I want Rainbow Dash back for me. Other than these two, she’s the closest thing I have to family and... I just...” She forced herself to stop as tears formed in her eyes. Thanatos nodded and the thread of magic attached to her chest. Soarin and Fleetfoot were somewhat the same, though they didn’t break down into tears and Soarin’s reason was more because he liked staring at Rainbow’s flank when they flew.
Applebloom stepped up and opened her mouth to speak but Thanatos waved her off. “There is no need for her little sister to talk. Sweetie Belle, I already know what you and Applebloom mean to say.” She said as her horn lit and the threads of magic attached to their chests. “They are your sisters. There is no need.” Turning her eyes to Zephyr, she glared at him and stomped her hoof down. “Rather than attempt to flirt with a mare who clearly isn’t interested in you, perhaps you should focus on why you want your sister back.” She snapped and Zephyr jumped and looked around the room. Fleetfoot had been ignoring him anyway. “If you are not focused, the spell will not work and they will all be lost, Zephyr Breeze.”
“Then maybe it would be better to bring someone who really cared about Fluttershy, rather than the brother who saw her as a temporary home when he couldn’t hack it somewhere.” Twilight said as she approached the door, her wing thrown over Tree Hugger’s shoulders. The mare was subdued, her normally well-kept dreadlocks frayed and tangled.
“I do not recognize this mare. Was she a friend of Fluttershy’s?” Thanatos asked and Twilight nodded.
“This is Tree Hugger. She was meditating in the garden while you were holding court.”
“I see. A friend of nature as well as its care taker. Come forward, Tree Hugger, and state why you wish for Fluttershy’s return.” Thanatos said and Tree Hugger walked forward, Twilight remaining by her side.
“I want Fluttershy back because she was the nicest mare I’ve ever met. Understanding, gentle, kind... no other pony could have handled the Breezies the way she did. She even made friends with Discord... and if what Twilight said is true... he wasn’t much for friends before he met her.” Tree Hugger said and Thanatos nodded, her horn producing a thread that attached to Tree Hugger’s chest.
“You mention Discord. Why isn’t he here?”
“The better question is, why wasn’t he involved in bringing down the Chimera that killed Fluttershy?” Discord asked as he materialized, Shadow struggling under his arm.
“Let go of me you noodle horse thing.” Shadow snapped and Discord did just that, releasing Shadow, who floated for a moment before dropping to the floor. Twilight raced over to him and helped him up, glaring at Discord’s back as he approached Thanatos.
“My dear Thanatos, I’m hurt you didn’t think to contact me. Are we not friends? Pen pals? Amigos?” He asked, striking dramatic poses with each suggestion. Thanatos just sighed and pushed him away.
“Discord, you have a connection to Fluttershy. Why do you want her back?”
“She’s the first friend I ever really had. I claim to be above such things, that I don’t need friendship to be happy. It’s all a ruse. Fluttershy keeps me... well, less insane. And with her being gone... Twilight Sparkle is no fun to tease. She’s a shell of the pony I used to enjoy playfully tormenting.” He said and Thanatos sighed, a thread attaching to Discord’s chest.
“I’m going to throttle you one of these days Discord.” Shadow said and Discord just smiled.
“I look forward to it puppy.” He said and Thanatos threw the doors open, cast her magic into it and stood aside.
“Now, each of you grab onto the thread coming from your chest. It is their life line and tether to the mortal world. When they go taught, you need to pull and pull hard.” Thanatos said and each creature with a glowing thread coming from their chests grabbed hold. Almost immediately, the Wonderbolts threads went taught and the three Wonderbolts pulled as hard as they could. A mere moment later, Rainbow Dash spilled from the roiling mass of magic, landing on top of Spitfire.
While Spitfire rejoiced at having Rainbow Dash back, Sweetie Belle and Applebloom’s threads went taught, but Big Mac’s remained slack. “Big Macintosh, are you not focusing enough?”
“Ah am, Ah swear it. Somethin’ just don’t feel right.” He said, even as Soarin helped Sweetie Belle pull her thread, Rarity spilling elegantly from the magic and landing in Soarin’s outstretched forelegs like a princess.
“What do you mean?” She asked and Big Mac shook his head.
“Ah ain’t sure. It’s like mah threads bein’ pulled in three different directions.”
“Then your head is focused on Applejack, but your heart is seeing two other ponies you could bring back. Your parents. Big Macintosh, I must caution you... bringing them back could spell disaster for all of Equestria.” Thanatos said and Big Mac nodded. “However...” She said and he looked at her. “I will... look the other way. Just this once.” She said and Big Mac’s thread went taught as Thanatos grabbed it as well. “Now pull.” She said and the two of them pulled hard. The first tail to come into view was clearly Applejack’s. Hay colored fur with hints of red. The other two tails that came out beside it were only slightly strange. Pulling hard, Applebloom helped them pull the three ponies free. Thanatos caught the two extra with her magic while Applejack landed on Big Mac’s back. “I must acclimate these two to the living world again, but we can deal with that momentarily.”
As she said this, a pink tail bobbed into view before sinking back in and bobbing back up, as if she were in a pool. The mare attached to the other end of the line grabbed it with her teeth as if trying to reel in an unruly fish. Thanatos walked over and grabbed the thread as well, pulling hard and, with some success, Mrs. Cake and Thanatos managed to pull Pinkie out of the magic portal. Rather than catching her, however, Thanatos stopped as Pinkie lazily floated to the floor, fast asleep, as if she were a feather.
“I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again... I do not understand the logic that is Pinkie Pie.” Shadow said and Twilight laughed as she kissed his cheek. A moment later, Fluttershy popped free as if she’d been stuck in a pipe and finally greased up enough to suction free of it. Landing lightly in Discord’s outstretched arms he hugged her so tight Twilight was afraid he was going to squeeze the life out of her. As soon as the last of them was free, Thanatos cast a spell to seal the door closed, as well as sever the threads. Each thread flowed into the one they’d been attached too, Big Mac’s thread splitting into three.
Two months later, Twilight sat in the middle of her bedroom, a white gown gracing her body and a veil thrown over her face. “Wolf clan tradition” Shadow had said. She would be wearing white with a veil, he in black. They’d waited two months specifically so their big day would coincide with two other ponies’ big days. “So, ready to get married Twilight?” Rainbow asked her and she smiled and looked at her friend. Despite this being her wedding, Rainbow was dressed more as a groom than a bride. Her bride to be had suggested it. Across the room from them was Applejack, dressed to the nines in the finest dress Rarity had ever seen. Applejack’s mother’s wedding gown.
“I think Applejack’s looking more ready than you are, Dash.” Twilight said and Rainbow shrugged.
“I think we should get out there before our soon to be significant others ditch us at the altar.” Rainbow said and Twilight sighed.
“They wouldn’t do that Rainbow, yer just bein’ paranoid.” Applejack said as she finished fussing with her hat. The ever present hat. Rainbow wondered what AJ was going to do when that hat came off when her soon to be groom kissed her.
“Yeah yeah. Let’s get out there. I know at least one of us here doesn’t want to keep her future husband waiting any longer.” Rainbow said, bumping Twilight’s rump. Twilight blushed and waved her off before the three of them walked out of the room. The main hall fell silent as they entered, thousands of ponies standing up, as well as a couple hundred wolves. The wedding march began playing and the three mares walked up the middle of the aisle side by side, their grooms waiting next to Celestia. Spitfire, Rarity who had surprised everyone by dressing as a groom, and Shadow. “It’s gonna be weird, being married to my superior officer.”
“No more weird than it’s gonna be bein’ married t’ one of mah best friends.” Applejack said and Twilight sighed. They didn’t seem to get how strange it was to marry someone that all of Equestria’s lore said didn’t exist. As they reached the podium, their grooms took their places beside them, looking up at Celestia.
“Welcome, fillies and gentlecolts, to a glorious day of celebration.” Celestia said, her voice booming above the crowd. Still gentle on their ears, but loud enough to be heard across all of Canterlot. “Today, we celebrate not just the restoration of the Elements of Harmony, but the joining of Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Applejack, Spitfire, and Prince Knight Shadow. As this is a first for all of Equestria, the ceremony will not be dragged out, nor will it be as dramatic as most other weddings. Rather, our grooms may now turn to their brides.” She said and Spitfire, Rarity, and Shadow turned to their soon to be brides. The two magic users, Shadow and Rarity, lifted the rings in their magical aura while Spitfire raised hers with a wing.
“Upon their horns and forelegs, these rings signify a bond that cannot be severed. A bond that will last for a life time. Magic shared, life joined, harmony in balance. Place the rings upon your chosen.” Celestia said and Shadow placed his ring around Twilight’s horn while Rarity and Spitfire placed theirs around the forelegs of Applejack and Rainbow Dash. “In keeping with Wolf Clan culture, the brides may now decide what jewelry they wish to bestow upon their grooms.” Twilight smiled as she lit her horn, the now silver glow lifting a golden crown from the pillow at Celestia’s hooves. Shadow knelt in front of her, bowing his head, as Twilight placed the crown between his ears. Spitfire chose a silver necklace to place around Rainbow’s neck, the emblem being their cutie marks as one, a design she’d chosen. Rarity and Applejack chose theirs together. An ear ring with Applejack’s cutiemark in purple.
“With these jewels and the bonds formed of this ceremony, I now proclaim these three couples joined in marriage.” Celestia said and the room erupted in cheers, confetti cannons exploding and filling the room with streamers, confetti that showered the crowd, and sparkles, as if Twilight’s magic was covering the room. Shadow smiled as he bumped Twilight’s hip.
“That wasn’t so hard, now was it?” He asked and she smiled as she kissed him, sealing their wedding the traditional Canterlot way.