Holy Acrimony

Bitterness

“I tried to be good. I really did. But if that's not good enough, fine! Let's get back to basics!”
—Harley Quinn, from Batman: The Animated Series

“You who I called ‘Loved Ones,’ how could you all come to hate me so?”

“Is this what you wanted?”

“Sorry Twi, we should’ve listened to you” Applejack apologized to Twilight Sparkle as the Changeling Queen glances out to the Canterlot Streets.

The unicorn was about to say that it wasn’t their fault since the Changeling Queen tricked them all. But then she also remembered that they abandoned her during the rehearsal, and that they’ve shown no concern for her during the actual wedding. Then she began to remember how they treated her in the past. Twilight should’ve known from the start. It all started from their greedy demands for the tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala.

Soon, their abuse towards her flooded her mind. From the minor insults and named they’ve called her like “Egghead” and to them outright abandoning her from the rehearsal. The latter got to her the most; she remembered what the imposter Cadence said to her when Twilight was in the Canterlot caves:

“And no one would ever think to look for you, either.”

Her sadness and despair suddenly transformed into burning anger and deep resentment. No one bothered to check on her, they were all too busy comforting the imposter instead, and too busy with the damn wedding to care about her!

Since they no longer consider her their friend, she thought to herself, why should she consider them friends as well? Twilight Sparkle finally shot a glare so cold to the cowpony, that it sends a chill in Applejack’s spine.

"Yeah, you should have,” She said coldly towards Applejack who stepped back with her eyes widening, “Equestria is doomed now, thanks to all of you.”

Her friends were all shocked at Twilight for saying such a thing to them. Applejack winced at what the unicorn had said, and buried her face in her Stetson in shame. Rarity let out an audible gasp, and Rainbow Dash’s jaw dropped. Fluttershy begins to cry quietly, and Pinkie Pie’s hair starts to deflate as her own tears start to form as well.

Twilight glared at their expressions, and arched an eyebrow. Was their remorse sincere or was it just all an act? The unicorn’s eyes flared up as she continued.

“But the real question is, ‘are you?’” Twilight snorted, “Otherwise, save your fake remorse, because deep down, none of you are truly sorry at all.”

“But we really mean it, we swear we’re sorry!” Applejack defended. “Yer being too harsh on us Twi!”

“Oh, I’m being too harsh?” Twilight retorted. “If I recalled, you shunned me like a rain rotter when we were at the rehearsal, at least the princess and my brother had the decency to call me out.”

Even though Twilight Sparkle had the right to be furious, this was the first time the librarian had shown such aggression and hostility towards anypony.

Everypony was silent, save for Pinkie’s and Fluttershy who were weeping. The Changeling Queen’s let out a cackling laugh as she was spectating.

“But that’s not fair, she tricked us all,” Rainbow Dash suddenly protested by pointing out a hoof to the Changeling Queen, “We all thought you were jealous.”

“Now, you dare to insult me by showing guilt and remorse?” The purple mare snarled, at the blue Pegasus who landed as if she was suddenly petrified, “That’s cowardly hypocrisy in my book.”

“We also thought that you were trying to ruin the wedding for the rest of us,” Rarity defended as she walks towards her. “Darling, we were just upset, that's all.”

“And that justifies the way you walked out on me?” She sneered at the fashionista, causing her to stagger back. “It doesn’t matter anyway, she won, and we’ve lost!”

“But Twilight…” Fluttershy said between sobs but she wasn’t able to finish since Twilight furiously interrupted her.

“Quit your blubbering!” She snapped at her, as Fluttershy recoiled in fear. “I thought you were better than the rest of them, but you can be the cruelest one of all.”

"She is correct, and even from somepony like me, it was quite cold on how you left her.” the Changeling Queen said in a mock-appalled tone. “With friends like that, who needs enemies?”

Fluttershy’s crying grew more audible as Pinkie Pie comforted her, with the others head dropped down in shame. Even though she was mocking them, she was right.

“Stay out of this!” Pinkie Pie cried as well. “Aren’t we feeling bad enough as it is?”

“You are all aren’t you?” Chrysalis smiled smugly as she returns looking out the window. She begins singing:

“This day has just been perfect, the kind of day which I dreamed since I was small

Everypony I’ll soon control, every stallion, mare, and foal.

Who says a girl can’t really have it all?”

Despite her feelings of defeat, Twilight Sparkle walked up to Princess Cadence and freed her from the green slime. Her anger settled down for a little bit when she spoke to Princess Cadence.

“Quick, go to him while you have the chance,” Twilight Sparkle said to her foalsitter glumly. “Might as well enjoy this last moment together.”

Although Princess Cadence was saddened by Twilight’s state and wished to comfort her, the bride decides it wasn’t the right time and complies by heading over to the hypnotized groom.

Cadence walked up to her husband and hugged him. Her horn shined brightly and a small heart flew out of it. The heart floats by and lands on the stallion’s face.

The groom blinked his eyes rapidly and shook his head, getting him to think clearly.

“Wha…what happened? Is the wedding over?”

“It’s all over!” The changeling queen cackled over her victory.

“The spell my love! Cast the spell!” She urged.

The queen cackled even more as she walked back to the balcony.

“What good would that do? My changeling already roam free,” she said, showing everyone her handiwork

Lowering his head slightly, Shining Armor concentrated with all his might on the single task of getting his horn to light up. But all he got for his trouble was a weak glow at the tip and he head drops in defeat.

“No! My power is useless now. I don’t have the strength to repel them.” He said hopelessly.

Princess Cadence trotted close to her husband and nuzzled him.

“My love will give you strength.” Cadence said while she touched his horn with hers.

The queen however, laughs at their words and rolls her eyes.

“What a lovely but absolutely ridiculous sentiment,” She said while watching her subjects lying waste on the city streets.

Despite being at the edge of defeat, the bride and groom-to-be traded a look . The resolve in his eyes, the desperate pleading in hers, and Shining Armor concentrated again. Only this time, it emitted a stronger glow, and Princess Cadence brought her own horn close enough for an electric discharge to arc between the horns’ tips.

Their horns created a spark in purple and white glow as the glow steadily grows in size, and this same, flowing energy forms around the couple in a circle. Next, air currents circulated around them, causing Cadence’s mane to billow and sparkle like the manes of her aunts. She and Shining Armor both traded a smile before concentrating again.

The spell lifted them off the floor in a stronger glowing aura. The five element bearers smiled and averted their eyes of such beautiful brilliance. Twilight Sparkle on the other hoof was the only one not smiling, but she did give a relieved look as if having nearly escaped danger.

When Queen Chrysalis discovered what was happening, her jaw dropped in total disbelief. She becomes too dumbfounded to think clearly, let alone act as the reception hall begins to shake from the sheer amount of magical energy coursing through. Then the couple opened their eyes in a glow of pure white, similar to Twilight Sparkle with the Elements of Harmony.

Finally, the power gathered into them for a moment before exploding outward as a white, heart-shaped shock wave.

The said wave rocketed toward the queen, the only thing she could do was let out a strangled yelp of surprise before she was flung out in a crash of breaking glass. Sending her flying out of the horizon.

The wave’s blast freed Princess Celestia from her cocoon prison, and cleared away the remaining changelings around all over Canterlot. Outside the city’s landscape, the cataclysmic burst that hurled both the screaming queen and every last one of her minions toward the distant horizon in all directions.

Back at the reception, the victorious couple floated gently back down to the dais. After their hooves gently touched the ground, Princess Cadence’s mane went back from its normal appearance as they shares a joyous embrace.

Everypony cheered at their sudden victory over the invaders…all except one.

Twilight Sparkle walked towards her mentor whom manages to stand, Princess Celestia saw her student glaring at her. It was the same disappointing glare that she herself gave her before. Princess Celestia dropped her head in guilt, earlier she had heard what Twilight said to the others when she was trapped in her cocoon, and she couldn’t blame her for being bitter towards everypony.

The lavender unicorn saw her mentor’s guilty expression, just like the others, she thought. Twilight snorted in disgust to think that even someone like Princess Celestia would believe that a mere apology would make everything go back to normal.

“Now this is over, find someone else to be the Wielder of Magic.” Twilight said to Princess Celestia. “Because now, I wish to relinquish my position of the Elements of so-called Harmony.”

Silence erupted throughout the reception hall. They forgot about their joyous victory upon remembering Twilight’s resentment from earlier.

“But, b-but why?” Fluttershy managed to ask in stammers.

"Because deep down, you are all nothing but selfish ponies that will abandon each other when one’s no longer useful to another anymore.” The unicorn snapped. “And unlike the rest of you, I completely mean it.”

“What happened?” Shining Armor asked in a confused tone.

“Twilight…is upset that you, my aunt, and her friends left her at the reception.” Princess Cadence replied in a sad tone. “I think it was when the Changeling Queen impersonated me, but what did Twilight do that got you and the rest so furious at her?”

The stallion thought for a while, and remembered what he said. His head and ears both dropped low from what happened that night.

“I…thought that you were under stress and not by some imposter,” Shining Armor spoke, with his eyes becoming moist. “I got furious when Twilight accused you of being evil since all of us thought Twilight was jealous. I was so mad that I forbid Twilight to show up in the wedding. After that, the Princess and her friends left her.”

Princess Cadence simply gasped and dropped her jaw. Her tired eyes filled with emotions such as anger and disgust.

“I thought you loved her!” She exclaimed in a shocked and disappointed tone.

“It’s not like any of us liked it,” He protested. “How was I supposed to know that there was an imposter or that I was under her spell?”

“And that justifies the way you treated her?”

“Do you enjoy watching me suffer Princess? Or is it some cruel joke that you had planned from the very beginning?” She asked bitterly, “I looked up to you, I was faithful to you from the very day when you accepted me as your student, and this is how you repay me?

Princess Celestia said nothing but expresses a deep sense of guilt. The alicorn simply stared at the ground as if she was a foal being scolded. After the Princess gathered enough courage to look at Twilight, she saw tears of betrayal and anger coming from her student’s eyes.

Finally, Princess Celestia said, “I just wanted you to make some friends.”

Twilight scoffed with her lips scrunched, “By befriending those ungrateful nags?”

Her words became the last straw for Applejack, causing her to throw her hat in frustration.

“Now that was just uncalled fer!” Applejack stamped angrily towards her. “Now, we get it, we get that yer sore at us, and we shouldn’t done left you all alone, but now it’s time to move on!”

“Oh, I’m moving on alright,” Twilight, replied with snort. “I’m moving away from all of you.”

“That’s not what I meant!” The Cowpony growled and stomped her front hoof angrily. “Why are you acting like this?”

“Well, why not? It’s what everypony wants, isn’t it?” Twilight asked in a disgruntled tone, as she glares back at the apple farmer. “Everyone thinks I’m a jealous nag, so let me be the jealous little nag.”

Although Applejack’s simmered down a bit, her anger towards the griping unicorn didn’t exactly go away. Still, she thought she knew why Twilight was acting like that.

“Well, if only if yah used more tact and gathered glues instead hollering that she’s evil, we would’ve believed you!” She declared. “Then, this wouldn’t all happen! What are yah getting all antsy about anyway?”

Twilight responded with a sharp exhale, she thought for a few seconds until she continued. Her tail flickered as if it was her cue to speak as she said:

“I know that I should’ve brought proof as evidence,” Twilight admitted grudgingly, “But even if I did that and my brother would still defend the imposter, and the real question is: Would you and the rest take my side?”

“Well, what do you expect us to do?” She asked irritably as she confronts Twilight so close, the two were now facing muzzle to muzzle. “Of course we would’ve taken yer side! We’ve done made stupid mistakes before but we trust yah now, what so wrong about that?”

But Twilight wasn’t at all persuaded and in fact, her resentment only grew.

“But you expect to destroy my trust in all of you and then think we're going to shake hooves?” Twilight snarled. “I refuse to be lectured by someone like you!”

Applejack was usually the second voice of reason behind Twilight, but nothing seemed to snap her out of it. Before long, she sighed, “Fine, what do you want to expect me to do?”

“Can’t you face the truth that you hate me, ‘Miss Honesty’?” Twilight replied, her words causing the Cowpony to stagger back, “You seem to care more about your own stubborn, pride and the wedding than your own friend!

The highly opinionated Applejack for once was just left completely speechless. She dropped her head in shame..

“Twilight, what do you want me to do then?” the cowgirl asked, now too ashamed to look at her, let alone confront her. Sure, she was mad at Twilight before, but never thought that of actually hating her.

“Why don’t you check on the imposter?” She simply replied. “Or are you still too stubborn to admit it?”

Applejack was at a loss, neither she nor the rest of the group thought about Twilight.

“Twilight, please it’s not like that,” Her mentor pleaded as she walks towards her. “We never knew that there was an imposter. I made a mistake that I now regret deeply.”

She tried to put her hoof on her student’s shoulder, but the latter flinched back as if she was going to harm her.

“Oh, it’s not like that eh?” Twilight scoffed bitterly. “You’ve ruled Equestria for a thousand years and that mistake nearly cost the lives of everypony. She was your own niece, your own flesh and blood, and you couldn’t tell the difference?”

Princess Celestia was about to say that she assumed that Cadence was under a lot of stress, but remained silent. For Twilight would not accept the sun ruler’s excuse.

“We swear we’re not going to doubt you again Twilight!” Pinkie Pie said to her. “We all Pinkie Promise! Once we go back, I’ll pull a big apology party just for you.”

“Oh no, you all claimed that you will not to doubt me again,” Twilight Sparkle denied.

“But sooner or later, you’ll go back to your old ways at best, or never change at all at worse.”

“But Twilight, we mean it,” the party maker sobbed, “There will be a bigger party than the wedding just for you!”

“Did you think a mere apology and a bribe is going to change this all back?” She growled at the baker as the latter flinched, “Parties doesn’t solve everything you annoying brat!”

Pinkie Pie simply gallops away crying towards Fluttershy to sob together, Rainbow Dash took Pinkie’s place as she hovers in front of Twilight.

“What will you take to forgive us?” Rainbow Dash asked. “What do we have to prove that we’re sorry?”

“Nothing, don’t you get it?” Snarled the furious unicorn. “I thought you will vouch for me ever since I almost gone crazy over the lack of Friendship Reports.”

The rest remembered the day they dubbed, “Lesson Zero”. Although they promised on that day to take their friend’s concerns seriously, they did not practice what they preached.

“Okay, so we’ve forgotten about that day!” The Pegasus admitted, “Give us another chance!”

“You all had your chance to defend me,” Twilight muttered to Rainbow, “BUT YOU ALL BLEW IT!”

“But what about our friendship?” Applejack pleaded. “Yer telling us that yah forgot about that as well?”

Twilight simply shook her head profusely like a foal refusing to take medicine.

"It seems you all forgot about friendship but in reality it is nothing more but a damn joke." Twilight Sparkle cursed, gathering gasps from the room. It was the first time anyone heard Twilight say such foul language.

“All those so-called ‘Friendship Reports’ I’ve written were all for nothing.” She continued. “It seems all of you have forgotten my friendship, but in reality you were all only using me. I should’ve known that from the very beginning when I’ve gotten the tickets to the Gala.”

“Twilight, we said we’re sorry but why are you still mad at us?” Fluttershy sniffled.

“I said shut it!” The unicorn snapped, “It’s because of that fickle attitude of all of yours.”

“Wh-what do you mean?” Fluttershy asked, hurt and confused. “Are you getting mad because of our apology?

“Finally, somepony who gets it!” Twilight declared, throwing her hooves up in the air. “None of you seemed to care about me before, but now you do, and that’s what’s wrong with all of you!”

“Please Cadence, use your spell.” Spike suddenly said to the bride. “Twilight’s too mad to believe us or care.”

The younger alicorn tried to cast her spell, but her horn only came out in weak sparks.

“I can’t, Twilight’s too heartbroken to be fixed by my spell.” Her foalsitter sadly said. “I can only restore her hearts when she wants to be loved by all of you again. I’m afraid at this state, she wants nothing to do with us.”

“Twiley, what have I done?” Shining Armor asked under his breath.”

“You all secretly hate me do you?” Twilight continues as she wept. “Admit it, you all want me gone even before the reception. All that just to impress that nag of an imposter.”

“No, we never hated you!” Rarity gasped in a shocked tone. “We love you, we’ve always loved you.”

The white unicorn tried to approach her but Twilight backed off as if Rarity was going to harm her.

“You’re only using me!” Twilight snapped her tail flared up, “I know now that you only want me because I’m useful to you, but I’m not going to be tricked like you anymore!”

Rarity put her hoof over her mouth, trying to hold back her tears. It seemed that nothing was going to change Twilight’s mind. She tried again, determined as ever.

“Now see here, we said we were all going to talk to you after the wedding to say how disappointed we were.” Rarity said drawing closer to her. “But now we’re all here for you and it won’t happen again.”

“YOU LIE!” Twilight shrieked loud, the reception hall appeared to be shaking.

Rarity was the most unfortunate as she was standing the closest to her; her mane actually got disheveled at the result.

“Stop feeling sorry for yourselves because you’re not!” She screamed towards everyone. “Did you all realize how much you all insulted me by showing false guilt and pity? I thought I hate you all before, but now I hate you all more than ever!”

The whole room was silent, save for Fluttershy’s sobbing.

“Why are you getting so mad us for apologizing?” Rainbow Dash asked in a tone that’s both confused and hurt. “Are you saying we shouldn’t feel sorry?”

“Yes, because I said it before that it’s cowardly hypocrisy, it a sign of weakness,” Twilight declared. “First you turn your backs on me then you want to help me again? Make up your minds will you?”

“C’mon! It’s like your brother said, it’s not like anyone of us liked it.” Rainbow protested.

“But yet, something tells me you should’ve liked it.” Twilight spat. “I bet that griffon friend of yours would be laughing her head off if she sees this.”

Infuriated at that remark, Rainbow zoomed in front of Twilight’s muzzle. She grabbed her by the shoulders as she does her best not to slam her front hooves into the unicorn’s face. The others were too afraid or too shocked to stop them, lest they get caught as well. The Pegasus barely controls her rage, as she spoke to her.

“So your pride got damaged, and you were right all along, but what makes you so special from the rest of us?” She demanded, “You didn’t see me griping about the time you all dressed like Mare-Do-Well, what else you could’ve lost!?”

“My life!” Twilight choked out as streams of tears ran to her face.

Rainbow Dash released Twilight once she heard her answer. The weather manager couldn’t believe that she was moments away from hitting Twilight if she hadn't answered on time, and she looked at her own front hooves with shrunken eyes. That moment everyone realized that Twilight’s life was in danger brought regret in everypony’s hearts. None of them wanted Twilight gone, but Twilight thinks they do.

“Was it worth it everyone?” Twilight asked between sobs, “Did my punishment fit the crime?”

“I…I didn’t want you to die…” Shining Armor said regrettably with his ears dropped. “How did it happen?”

“After all of you abandoned me, the Changeling Queen teleported me deep underground” She replied. “There were deep caverns, underneath Canterlot, and forgotten by everyone”

“I heard of rumors of there being caves underneath the palace, but I never expected it to be true.” Princess Celestia said guilt-ridden. “Yes, we were all furious at you but we didn’t want you dead because of it.”

Twilight stopped crying and breathed heavily to calm herself down. Her tone of resentment has returned as she asks, “Well you know what the Changeling queen said to me? That no one will ever look for me! I tried to ignore her as she taunted me to get out, if I didn’t find the real Cadence on time, who knows what will happen to me?”

The ruler of Equestria’s lowers her head in shame, and it even appears her billowing mane has done the same as well. Soon, the others followed suit.

“Let me ask you then, what if I was wrong?” Twilight bitterly demanded everyone. “What if that WAS really Cadence just having a bad time? What if that really WAS her pushing all of my so called 'friends' around, talking trash to them and making them feel bad just because she was under a lot of stress? Would you all have STILL allowed me to come?! Because from what I saw, you had no problem going ahead without me!"

“Twilight Sparkle please stop,” Princess Celestia pleaded. “This is exactly what Discord wanted you to do.”

Princess Celestia just has to remind her about Discord, she remembers how she and her friends faced off alone while the Princess resides safely in her palace. How she was the only one not affected by his brainwashing powers.

“You know it would be funny to see a teacher groveling for mercy at her own student,” Twilight scoffed bitterly. “If I was in the mood that is.”

“I am not groveling Twilight,” Princess Celestia said defensively, “I am asking you to cease because that’s exactly what Discord wanted.”

“But at least Discord admits it instead of denying everything.” Twilight spitefully declared, gaining audible gasps from around them. “You should just embrace your selfishness and enjoy it.”

“Then what about me Twilight?” Spike asked regretfully, “I was afraid your friends are going to leave me as well, and that I was going to be kicked out of the wedding too.”

When she turned her attention to the baby dragon, the unicorn’s expression changed from resentment to disappointment.

She sighed, “Think for yourself next time Spike,”

She turned to her former BBBFF; with tears in her glaring eyes. Ever since they were foals, they were inseparable as siblings. Her brother was always the first one to defend her, but no longer as Shining Armor can see the hurt feeling of betrayal within her face.

"Enjoy your wedding without me, Shining Armor,” The younger sibling said turning her head towards the hall’s door. “I also recalled that I shouldn’t bother to come to the wedding at all, lest I make another spectacle.”

“Twiley, I take it all back.” Shining Armor called to her. “I want you to come to the wedding again as to make it all up, and in fact, I want you to become my Mare of Honor again.”

The unicorn turned to her brother and glared at him. She saw the guilt and sorrow mixed on his face, but thought they could only be crocodile tears since he was able to casually cast her from his important day, the day she helped to carve with her so-called friends.s. It disgusted her that he also would cry and was about to storm off in a huff.

“You’re sorry? And by bribing me, you think this will all be over?” She declared bitterly. “I’m not a filly anymore.”

“I’m not bribing you,” The older sibling defended. “I just want to see my sister happy again.”

“Just what kind of a stallion are you?” Twilight angrily hissed. “Groveling before a younger sibling? I don’t want to be in your wedding.”

She departs to the door but Shining Armor gallops towards her in order to stop her.

“Twiley, why can’t you accept our apologies? Especially from your brother?” He sadly asked.

“Because you didn’t believe me, so why should I believe you?” She replied without looking.

“Twiley,” He begged, putting his hoof on his sister’s flank to stop her.

“GET YOUR HOOVES OFF OF ME YOU PATHETIC GELDING!”

Twilight reared her hind legs and was moments away from bucking her brother in the face until Princess Cadence’s voice beckoned her.

“Twilight, please forgive them…” She pleaded. “It was an accident.”

The unicorn froze like a statue for a while but finally plants her hind legs on the floor. With her ears drooped; her head sinks low, and lets out a heavy sigh.

“I…I seem to remember that I have lot to think about.” She said dejectedly. “For now, I need to be alone for awhile…”

She turns her back on them and begins to walk.

“I want you to forget about me and leave me alone, until I say otherwise.” She called out to them. “But I’ll never forgive anyone tries to apologize to me one more time. Have fun at the wedding everypony and enjoy your friendship while it still lasts. I know mine did.”

Twilight teleports away and left the rest alone. Princess Cadence walks up to her husband to comfort him.

“Shiny, are you okay?” She asked.

“I deserve it…”

“We all do Shining Armor,” Princess Celestia said. “We all do.”

“Then let my heart be hardened, and never mind how high the cost may grow …”

“This will still be so…I will never let my anger go…”

Regrets

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The streets of Canterlot were cleared of the Changelings, but the city was on a lookout for any stragglers. In mere hours, roads and structures were being repaired almost immediately, and medical staff was treating any injured ponies they came across. Equestria’s capital nearly fell and it would’ve been a victory for the Changelings, if not for Twilight Sparkle. However, the mare still felt betrayed by her friends, her mentor, and her brother For them, losing Twilight Sparkle’s trust to them was a total defeat.

Back at the palace, the group were at Shining Armor’s room where Princess Cadence was being treated by the medical staff. Lucky for the bride, she was only underground for two days, and only need rest. After the staff left, the crowd was silent. Twilight’s grudge towards them was still in their minds, and they still regretted for abandoning her to her near death.

Finally, Spike was the first to break the silence. “Were we that harsh to her?” He asked everyone despondently. “If only the wedding wasn’t held at the same day.”

“I would have hold off the wedding if I knew the threat was at that scale,” Princess Celestia muttered sadly at the hindsight. “Until then, the wedding will be postponed.”

Suddenly, Rainbow Dash took off in the air and angrily spat. “We already said we’re sorry, what’s her problem?”

“Not you too…” Fluttershy whimpered. “Can’t we stop the fighting already?”

“Well why not? If Twilight wants us to hate her, then fine! Let’s hate her!” Declared Rainbow Dash, she was then silent for a few seconds before she continued. “If we all knew she’s going to act up like that, then we should’ve left her!”

At that moment, Fluttershy flew towards Rainbow and gave her a slap. Everyone else was shocked; even Rainbow Dash’s rage disappeared from the sudden strike.

“Rainbow, how could you?!” The yellow Pegasus said sternly to her cyan counterpart. “We made Twilight miserable, and the only thing hating her will do is make things worse.”

“Fluttershy…”

Princess Cadence was the first to regain her composure, and got out of Shining’s bed to confront them.

“If we hate her, then we’ll be no different from her.” Princess Cadence finally said, calming the Pegasus down. “It’s the Changeling Queen we should be furious at, she’s the one that made you all turn on her”

The two landed on the floor after the real fiancé spoke to them, then they both looked at each other in the face.

“There are times where even I need to be assertive,” Fluttershy said, calming down. “Sometimes, you have be cruel to be kind, like I’m doing to you.”

Fluttershy then remembers about Twilight, and her head and ears dropped in shame.

“But I think we were all too cruel to Twilight.” She finished sadly.

Then Rarity walked up to Rainbow Dash and puts her hoof on her shoulder.

“Rainbow dear, she wasn’t furious at us because she was right, she was mad because we left her.” Rarity corrected her. “Perhaps, our apologies were only adding salt to her wounds, no matter how sincere we were.”

“Well, she could’ve at least told us, that still doesn’t excuse her for being so sullen and yell at us.” Dash muttered, with her front hooves crossed. “I still don’t like it”

“None of us do, Dash.” Fluttershy said, putting her hoof where she slapped Rainbow. “But neither did the way we treated her”

“But she just had to bring up Gilda,” Dash muttered, thinking about her former friend “Comparing me to her, it just made my blood boil.”

“It wasn’t right for Twilight to say that,” Fluttershy agreed, “But you’re not like Gilda, she never had any remorse on what she’s done,”

“Hey Fluttershy,” Rainbow Dash called to her counterpart. “Thanks for knocking some sense into me.”

“Twilight mentioned how we were ignoring her at first but then suddenly caring for her.” Applejack spoke, “She thinks we’re only using her.”

“When did it happen?” Shining Armor asked since he was under Chrysalis’ trance at that time.

“It all happens when Ah started to apologize on behalf of Everypony,” Applejack began to think back, “Twi had this look on her face as if she was thinking way back, and then she just went all at us.”

“I don’t get it, was it because none of us bothered to say sorry?” Pinkie Pie finally spoke, gaining attention from everyone. “The mean and nasty Changeling Queen was with us, and none of us had time for saying sorry.”

The rest of the group didn’t exactly know either, until Princess Cadence asked the Cowpony, “Even then, why were you the only who bothered to apologize?”

“Ah was the one who said to check on the imposter you,” Applejack assumed with a shrug. “Ah thought it was more appropriate if Ah apologize for everypony’s behalf, but Ah realized that they should clean their own messes instead of me doing for them.”

A thought occurred to Princess Cadence as her eyes widen like a hungry dragon. She turned towards them, signaling her turn to talk.

“I thought you were her friends,” Princess Cadence said, “Why did you side with the imposter who’s been rude to you instead of her?”

But silence was all she got for a reply.

“I asked you all a question,” She said, sternly this time. “Why on earth did you leave her?”

“B-because…because we all thought she could handle it!” Applejack finally answered with tears forming out of her green eyes. “All of us thought about that, since Twilight could handle something like this before.”

The girls followed as well, holding back their tears.

“It’s pretty clear she refuses to listen to us,” Rarity added, “Let alone wanting to make peace with us.”

“But we were wrong!” Pinkie wept, “Twilight doesn’t want to be friends with us anymore!”

“STOP CRYING!” A voice shouted out, and everyone did exactly so. The room turned around to see where the command comes from.

When everyone discovered the source, it was Spike that called them to gain his attention. He stood upwards and gained confidence, as everyone looked at him.

“Instead of having self pity and beating ourselves up for it, we need to find a way for Twilight to forgive us.” Spike said with determination, “She only listened to me and Princess Cadence earlier, maybe the two can talk some sense to her.”

“But how? Twilight thinks we all hate her,” Shining moped, before looking towards Cadence, ashamed at being fooled so easily. “I should’ve known the imposter from the very start, even with the wedding stress excuse, the real you would never act like that, and then I wouldn’t fall for her spell.”

“I suppose you are upset at all of us as well?” Princess Celestia asked to her niece, “Just like Twilight?”

The room went silent as the other ponies whom waited for Princess Cadence’s answer.

“No, but I am disappointed in all of you but what’s done is done,” Princess Cadence suddenly replied, with a sigh. “We’ve all been fooled by the Changelings and Twilight was the scapegoat”

“Cadence is right!” Spike declared, “It’s them we should be beating them, not ourselves.”

A thought has appeared in Shining Armor’s head, as he lifted from his slump. He walked towards the bed where Cadence is standing at and puts his front hoof in her shoulder.

“Is there anything you know about the Changelings?” Shining Armor asked her hopefully, “When were you abducted?”

Princess Cadence thought for a while before she lifts her head as if it was her cue to speak.

“All I know besides feeding on love is that the queen’s name is Chrysalis.” She informs them, “But other than that, I was abducted by her when I was looking in the mirror, and thrown in the Canterlot caves for a few days. I don’t know why Chrysalis kept me alive though, perhaps watching me wither away even after the Changelings invaded.”

After her niece’s answer, Princess Celestia walks up to the window where everyone can see the palace, and after gazing it for a few seconds; she closed her eyes in shame.

“I knew Twilight for years and she’s never been the type who holds a grudge.” Princess Celestia said, she then turns towards the group before continuing, “I don’t understand how or why she became so spiteful, so cynical all of the sudden.”

“Could she have been bottling up her anger after all this time?” Rarity wondered, putting her hoof under her chin. “She could have been hiding her past feelings of anger.”

“Well, I remember she went all firey and burning one time,” Pinkie Pie recalled, remembering about her Pinkie Sense incident. “Remember when me, Spike, her, Fluttershy, and Applejack were chased by that hydra in the Foggy Bottom Bog?”

“Yeah, I do now,” Applejack remembered, “It’s when you told her that it wasn’t a doozy.”

“Then, she could be repressing her anger again,” Fluttershy assumed.

“That still doesn’t excuse her by acting like that.” Rainbow Dash muttered, “We seen her mad before, but not like what happened earlier.”

“None of us like what happened but Twilight also reminded us on how rude the imposter was to all of us,” Rarity said, “Yet, we all thought that she was just being jealous and ignored her warnings while put up with the Changeling queen’s demands.”

“Is that why Twilight wanted to be hated?” The groom wondered, “Because we all bit the hoof that fed us?”

“Not to mention my idea of holding a wedding on the same day despite there being an outside threat,” Princess Celestia added, ashamed from that hindsight. “It was a terrible mistake that nearly cost the lives of my subjects.”

Suddenly, Shining Armor saw his parents entered, both of them looked upset. As they approached, he could see tears forming from his mother’s eyes. Although Shining was physically larger than his father, the glare from Night Light’s eyes made the young stallion shrink.

After gathering enough courage to speak, he asked them. “I take it that both of you found out?”

“Yes, we did,” Night Light snorted as he drew closer to his son, “We were on our way, scared witless from the invasion when we heard your sister crying in her room. She wouldn’t let anyone in, not even us thanks to her shield spell.”

“Not even you two?” His son repeated, “Didn’t she undo her spell at anytime?”

“That’s right, the only time that she undid her spell was to throw out a ripped dress,”

The others quietly turned to Rarity, whom became rather silent over the news.

“I’m so sorry about the dress Rarity,” Fluttershy whispered, “I know how much it matters to you”

“It’s not about the dress for once,” Rarity answered, sadly “I can always fix it, it’s Twilight’s I’m not sure about.”

The rest of the ponies then continue spectating Shining’s parents scolding their son.

“When we tried calling her, she went ballistic and babbled on how you’ve kicked her out of the wedding,” His mother said, “After she calmed down, we managed to hear the whole story about you being under a trance, the invasion, and how you all left her.”

Before the eldest child can answer, his father furiously grabbed his colt by the shoulders, and the two stallions were staring each other muzzle to muzzle.

“What in Tartarus were you thinking?!” Night Light yelled at his son, “If this wasn’t your wedding, I ought to knock some sense into you!”

“She was your sister!” Twilight Velvet wept, “How could you?!”

“You would’ve done the same thing!” Shining yelled at them, both from the frustration and shame of everything that happened “She was acting possessive from the beginning and none of us know about the imposter!”

But all of the sudden, Twilight Velvet slapped him so hard; there was a red mark on his cheek. The room went silent, save for quiet gasps from the girls, and Velvet’s weeping.

“Not by leaving her to her own death!” His mother cried, “Did none of you bothered to check on her?”

No one in the room answered, Princess Cadence looked at them, and joined her in-laws, wondering what they did the night before. Even her aunt, the ruler of Equestria was in the ranks.

“My wife asked you all a question,” Night Light called out like a drill instructor, “Didn’t anyone bothered to check on my daughter?”

“No,” Princess Celestia finally said, as she bows her head in remorse, “When the Changeling Queen masqueraded as my niece, she told us that she took care of Twilight and needn’t worry about her, and like gullible fools we were, we believed her.”

Both Twilight Velvet and Night Light gasped, but before any of the parents speak, Princess Celestia continued.

“It’s how the Changeling Queen acted when she impersonated as my niece.” Princess Celestia said. “If anything, blame me not your son.”

Neither parent could believe that Princess Celestia would be capable to make such a mistake, but on the bright side, the group could see both parent settling down.

“Look, I agree what your sister did wasn’t right, but neither did you abandoning her” Night Light sighed as he was calming down “Regardless of you under a mind control spell.”

“That’s why we’re making amends,” Princess Celestia said,

She then turned her attention to both Spike and Princess Cadence. The latter felt rejuvenated and managed to get out of bed as she walks towards her aunt. Without any words, both the assistant and the foalsitter know what to do.

“Well, it’s up the two of us,” Spike said. “Twilight will sure to listen.”

“Speak of the devil,” Rainbow Dash called out after peeking out of her window. “There she is…”

Dreams

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Inner Thoughts

Earlier in Twilight’s room…

Moments after teleporting out of the hall, Twilight was back in her room, thinking about what just occurred over the past few hours before weeping quietly.

“Was it all just a joke?” She wondered to herself, “Did no one bothered looking for me?”

She then collapsed to her bed, which was more comfortable than the cold rocks of the caves. But even a soft, warm bed did little to soothe her pain. Nonetheless, the unicorn just wanted to fall asleep after such a grueling even happening to her.
Lying in her bed, she thought about all the things what she has said to her former friends, to her former mentor, and her once loved brother. Twilight’s emotions, from hurt and confused, to cynical and resentful, were waging an intense battle inside her head.

Twilight’s thoughts are then i mixed up in a swarm of three in a trio of voices haunting her: One thought is that she had "spoken to them” earlier, the second is clouding her mind with doubt, and finally her own spoken words from the aftermath of what had happened earlier:

“Let me ask you then, what if I was wrong? What if that WAS really Cadence just having a bad time? What if that really WAS her pushing all of my so called 'friends' around, talking trash to them and making them feel bad just because she was under a lot of stress? Would you all have STILL allowed me to come?! Because from what I saw, you had no problem going ahead without me!"
They’ve never did cared about you did they?

“No, no they didn’t even seem to noticed that I was gone.” She muttered to herself.

“Sorry Twi, we should’ve listened to you.”
It’s always Applejack to clean up everypony’s messes, while the others are too spineless to admit it.

“Yeah, and besides, she was the one who said that they should go check on the imposter.”

“I just wanted you to make some friends.”
You never even wanted to make friends with them to begin with.

"I all wanted is to make Princess Celestia proud and looked what I got as a reward…"

“Otherwise, save your fake remorse, because deep down, none of you are truly sorry at all.”
Look how everyone pretended to be sorry, it’s pathetic! Even if they were sincere, it’s too late! They’ve never believed you so why should you believe them?

“How could they treat me this way? All I was trying to do was to help them.”

“If I recalled, you shunned me like a rain rotter when we were at the rehearsal.At least the princess and my brother had the decency to call me out.”
Yes, even when the Changeling Queen treated them like dirt but decided to abandon you instead, being tricked is no excuse.

“I was right about being used by them, maybe I picked the wrong friends.”

“Yes, because I said it before that it’s cowardly hypocrisy, it a sign of weakness,”
Their regret is only rubbing salt on your wounds isn’t it? It is like domestic abusers begging for forgiveness even after their partners are battered beyond recognition.

“They only want me to use me as their scapegoat and they actually had the gall to bribe me, that it’ll all be over in the end.”

“But even if I did that and my brother would still defend the imposter, and the real question is: Would you and the rest take my side?”
Of course, even if you did gathered evidence, they still wouldn’t side with you…

“They were all eager to take on her side, instead of mine…except Spike, at least he admits that he was scared of being left out.”

“But you expect to destroy my trust in all of you and then think we're going to shake hooves?”
It’s only fair for you to shun them, spite them, and hate them like they’ve hated you!

“Yeah, how could I forgive them after what they’ve done to me?”

“I thought you will vouch for me ever since I almost gone crazy over the lack of Friendship Reports.”
Let’s face the facts; if you were wrong after all, the others would never forgiven you.

“They all blew it! They all had their chances…”

“We never knew that there was an imposter. I made a mistake that I now regret deeply.”
She ruled over a millennium and thought having a wedding on same day is a great idea? Hate to say it but Princess Celestia’s mind had been addled over the years…

“And she couldn’t tell her own niece from that faker.”

“I thought you will vouch for me ever since I almost gone crazy over the lack of Friendship Reports.”
But they never did vouch for you did they?!

“It seems they want noting to do with me, well then, let me be that hated mare. The one who ruined it all…”

She closed her eyes before saying to herself,

“I wonder what the others did when I was gone?”

Before Twilight knew it, her mind clears before drifting into a slumber.

In her dream, the unicorn was outside the bride’s-or rather the changeling queen’s bedroom with the sound of her fake crying. Surrounding the door, were Princess Celestia, her former BBBFF, and her so-called friends. Confused and wondering why nopony is paying attention to her, she trotted closely to them. Until a thought of realization come to her head.

“This must be where they went after they left me,” Twilight thought to herself, “But they still couldn’t just shun me when I’m right behind them.”

She reached her hoof to touch Princess Celestia, until her said hoof went passed through her. Twilight was intangible like a ghost to them, like how she felt after they left her. The broken mare turned around to see them with all angry faces, all except Spike that is.

“What on earth are we going to do?” Princess Celestia wondered, “Cadence refuses to come out of her room, and then we have Twilight to deal with. I’ve never been so disappointed with her in all my life!”

“Well, he’s no sister of mine,” Shining coldly declared. “Wait until I spoke to my parents about this, what we did to her is a slap on a hoof compare to what they'll do.”

“You said it partner!” Applejack agreed, “Listen, we regret ever making friends with her, if she’s going to be like that! You did the right thing by kicking her flank out.”

“The only reason we’re bothering with her is because she’s the wielder of the Element of Magic.” Rarity huffed, “I never expected her to act such a shrew but I suppose we have all seen her true colors!”

“Perhaps Fate had chosen the wrong pony,” Fluttershy said outloud, “Like how we had chosen that awful Twilight.”

“There’s always wrong with that party-pooping buzzkill,” Pinkie Pie said. “She thinks she’s better than us!”

Twilight was beyond hurt, was it really how they all felt when she acted up in the rehearsal? She refused to accept that they would go that far, until she remembered what she’d said to them earlier.

“Oh, I’m being too harsh?” Twilight retorted. “If I recalled, you shunned me like a rain rotter when we were at the reception, at least the princess and my brother had the decency to call me out.”

Suddenly, the same, doubtful voice whispered to her.

Have no shame on what you’ve said to them after the Changeling Queen captured you, by all accounts, you did the right thing on what they’ve done to you. It’s only fair for you to treat them like what they really thought of you. An eye for an eye, after all.

Before she can answer herself, Twilight turned and see Rainbow Dash rising up to the ceiling to get everypony’s attention.

“Well it’s a long shot, but we may know someone who can replace Twlight,” The Pegasus mare called out to everyone, “But she’s sure better than that worthless egghead!”

“Who is it?” Princes Celestia asked, “We may not even know if anyone can replace her, as much as we all know what Twilight has done.”

“All of us are willing to take that risk, your highness,” Applejack assured her, “You see, back then, there was a traveling showmare who claims to be the best magician in all of Equestria.”

“I remember her too,” Rarity nodded, remember also, “Her name is Trixie and she could be Twilight’s replacement!”

“Hold on, didn’t you all forget how she humiliated all of you and her boasting got Snips and Snails got an Ursa Minor into Ponyville?” Spike protested, “She saved the town while Trixie ran away like the coward she is”!

“You also forgot that Twilight could’ve stood up for us when she challenged her,” Dash said to him. “I’d say that’s cowardly for her, and besides, we can manage!”

“You’re either with us or against us!” Applejack warned him.

Shining Armor nodded, “Perhaps she might be of use after all, but after Trixie is proven to be a better friend, Twilight’s gotta go!"

"So what will it be Spike?” Rarity asked “Either you can be with us or be with that nag!”

Spike looked around with their eyes focusing on him, outnumbered and outmatched, he sighed before stepping forward.

“Glad you decided to party with us!” Pinkie Pie finally smiled, “I knew you picked the right choice!”

“Yeah…I did…” Spike said sadly.

“Now this is over, find someone else to be the Wielder of Magic. Because, I now wish to relinquish my position of the Elements of so-called Harmony.”
Look at how easily they’ve turned on you Twilight, makes you glad that you got to them first?

B-but I’m not sure if they’ll actually do such a thing,” Twilight asked skeptically, “Would they’ve done it when I was at the underground caverns?”

It’s how you’ve felt what matters, even if they didn’t replace you in real life, none of them bothered to go looking for you.

“Then it’s settled then,” Princess Celestia decreed, “Not only is Twilight forbidden to attend the wedding but our relationship with her ends.”

Waking Up

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Waking Up

Twilight woke up in cold sweat, she felt like her head is spinning as she struggles to get up on her bed. She felt groggy, as if she’s been asleep for a whole year. Then, she remembered her dream.

“Could they’ve simply abandon me so easily?” She pondered, the young mare turned to her left and stared at her dress Rarity had made. It was meant to be worn with her at the wedding as the maid of honor, emphasis on was.

She remembered how Rarity went back, trying to gather the dresses even though the invasion took place. Did her friend actually cared more about the clothes than the lives of nearly everypony?

In a tearful rage, Twilight levitated her dress and with some effort, ripped the fabric in half before collapsing again in tears.

Then, not wanting anyone to enter her room, she casted a barrier outside of her door before resuming to wallow in her misery. It only lasted for about a minute when she heard a voice outside of her door.

“Twilight, baby?” Her mother’s voice called through the barrier. “Please, lower the barrier and open the door!”

“It’s us sweetie,” Her father added, “We just came to check on you!”

“I’m fine, just leave me alone.” Twilight yelled, “I just want some alone time.”

“It doesn’t sound like you’re fine,” Twilight Velvet countered, “We just want to check on you after the Changeling attack.”

“What about the others?” Night Light asked, “Did anyone else checked on you?”

At first, Twilight didn’t say anything, before she answered through a choking sob.

“N-no…”

“What do you mean, ‘no?’” Night Light asked, rightfully confused. “What on earth are you talking about? What did you mean, they didn’t check on you?”

“I guess you didn’t asked Princess Celestia or Shining Armor then.” Twilight muttered.

“No, we haven’t,” Her mother replied, “We arrived at the palace and immediately looked for you.”

Twilight Sparkle leaned her back against the magical barrier that was blocking the door, before sitting on the floor. She begins pondering if she should explain or not; after a few good seconds, she decide to go with the former.

“I will explain what happened as long as I can keep the door closed,”

“That’s fine Twilight honey,” her mother said, “We just want to know what happened,”

The unicorn, took a deep breath and begins:

“It all started out when my friends and I arrived in Canterlot, at first I was mad that Shining Armor announced the wedding under such short notice until I found out his bride is my old baby sitter, Princess Cadence or rather the Changeling Queen disguised as her. I was then overjoyed seeing her again, but she acted like a completely new pony. Princess Cadence didn’t remember our old hoofshake and acted rude towards my friends. I confronted my friends about it, but they’ve shrugged it off. Then, I saw her casting a strange spell on my brother, I galloped to the reception and called the fake Princess Cadence evil. Suffice to say, Shining Armor defended her saying it was all just the stress and kicked me out of the wedding and my friends and Princess Celestia left me.”

After finishing her tale, neither one of the parents said anything at first. She could imagine their eyes widening and their jaws dropping as both of them seemed shocked from Twilight’s story. Her father was the first to find his voice back.

“They simply left you?” Night Light said, completely shocked, “No one ever checked on you?”

“Judging by the way they left me, no,” She replied, “I was left alone, suffer for my dumb mistake, and that’s when the fake Cadence arrived. I tried apologizing to her, and sent me to the caverns while taunting me that no one will look for me.”

She then heard her mother gasping.

“What on earth were they doing then?” Twilight Velvet demanded, “Friends and family fight all the time, but for no one bother to check on you?”

Despite neither of her parents seeing it, Twilight shrugged out of instinct, and replied:

“They were probably too busy with the wedding I guess, if I haven’t found the real Cadence, I wouldn’t be here.”

She then heard her mother gasping and her father snorting in anger.

“Well that settles it!” Night Light exclaimed, “I will give the others pieces of our minds! Shining Armor maybe a grown stallion, but he’s still getting disciplined like a colt!”

“Wait, there’s one more thing I should tell both of you!”

“What is it?”

“During the invasion, when we were captured by the Changelings, the Queen gloated that if only they’ve listened to me, this wouldn’t happened. Applejack apologized to me, but it was too little, too late and yelled at them that Equestria is doomed thanks to all of them. If it wasn’t for the real Cadence waking up Shining Armor and casted their spell, sending the Changelings flying to Creator knows where. If Cadence didn't snapped Shining out of it, then the Changeling Queen would've won, and we wouldn't be here with me telling this. Afterwards, I told everypony that I wanted to sever ties with everyone. Everyone tried to apologize and take it back, but I said that it was too late and that each and every one of them is selfish that only wanted to use me. Then, Shining Armor went after me then I called him a ‘Gelding!’”

Twilight Velvet turned to Night Light and whispered to him.

“Honey, I thought you agreed not to swear around Twilight!”

“Well, what am I supposed to say whenever I stubbed my hoof or see the bill?!”

“Then how did Twilight learned that language?”

The two then heard their daughter calling out on them:

“But what if I was wrong? That the Changeling Queen never existed and it really was Cadence into stress? You must be so disappointed in me right now, both of you.”

“Calm down dear,” Twilight Velvet said her daughter, “We’re not disappointed at you.”

“Even after what I did?”

“Well, we’re still on your side either way,” Night Light said, “We may not agree on what you did, nor do we agree with the others, still you suffered enough, and we’re here for you.”

“We’re going to talk to them but before we, can you at least give us proof that you’re okay?” Her mother asked.

She looked around and saw the dress she ripped before, the young unicorn picked the pieces up with her teeth, and opened her door to see her parents’ faces for the first time since their visit.

Both her mother and father saw the bloodshot eyes on their daughter. Twilight Velvet gasped and put a hoof on her muzzle before her own eyes starting to shed tears. She shushed and hugged her to calm her daughter down.

“Twilight, we’re here for you.”

“Get some rest, Twilight,” Her father said patting her on the shoulder. “This will be over in a minute.”

Twilight watched them depart before going back to bed. As she closed her eyes again, the voice beckoned her again.

Can you really trust them?

“They’re my own parents after all, of course I can trust them.”

Just like how you trusted your friends, the princess, and your brother?

“It’s different this time, they told me they’re with me.”

Even Spike?

Twilight was quiet for a moment then said, “Spike didn’t have a choice,”

He always had a choice, just like the rest of them. Even if your parents sided with you, what makes you so sure that they’ll respect your wish of never wanting to see them again?

“I, never thought about that,” Twilight hesitantly replied to herself, “I did said to them that I want end everything here and there.”

Your parents may still love you, but would they still defend you even if you were wrong?

“My parents said they’ll take care of it, and so what if they want me to reconcile to all of those I once called friends, mentor, and brother?”

Run away…

Later…

“Speak of the devil,” Rainbow Dash called out after peeking out her window, “There she is.”

“What should we do then?” Fluttershy asked, “We don’t want the same thing to happen like last time.”

“I’ll do the talking first,” Princess Cadence said to them, “Then her parents can speak to her,”

“What about the rest of us?” Spike asked popping out in the middle, “I should be with her!”

Princess Cadence stopped to think for a moment, then sighed and turned towards him.

“You can follow with us then,” The pink Alicorn replied much to the baby dragon’s joy. “I believe Twilight can forgive you.”

“What makes it for the rest of us?” Her groom asked dejectedly. “I should be with her too, begging.”

“And what, get called a ‘gelding’ again?” Princess Cadence bitterly joked, as Shining Armor cringed. “This goes for the rest of you as well, Auntie.”

“But we can’t simply stand there, my dear niece,” Princess Celestia said, “I only want to make things right, not just Twilight but for Equestria as well.”

“We shouldn’t rush at her all at once then, your highness,” Rarity suggested, “Perhaps Princess Cadence is onto something, and knows a more about it than the rest of us.”

Princess Celestia turned to her niece and said to her, “We will follow your lead, Cadence.”

As both Princess Cadence and Twilight’s parents went outside, Princess Celestia turned to speak with the others.

“We must choose out words carefully, lest we suffer the same response.”

Outside, Twilight saw Princess Cadence, her parents, and Spike, all coming out of the door of Shining Armor’s room in the castle and heading towards her.

“Twilight, why are you here outside?” Princess Cadence called out, “Shouldn’t you be at your room?”

“I’m fine, Princess Cadence,” Twilight replied starring at her front hooves, “I just want to be alone in Ponyville.”

After hearing Twilight Sparkle’s response, the group’s eyes widened and said nothing. No one expected to hear Twilight to leave so soon, especially to what happened to her. Everyone was silent until her mother manage to say.

“P-ponyville?” Twilight Velvet stammered, “F-for how long and what about the wedding?”

“I just want some alone time, at my home,” She replied, gesturing to her saddlebags, “I’m already packed up and besides, I don’t feel like being around Canterlot any longer.”

Spike stepped forward, getting the purple unicorn’s attention.

“What about me Twilight? Am I no longer welcome with you?” Spike asked, “I realized that I should’ve stayed with you but will you yell at me like the others?”

She simply stared at the baby dragon before sighing and sadly smiling.

“No, you’re fine with me Spike,” The mare replied, hugging him, “I just want some alone time and left your stuff at our room. You understand right?”

The baby dragon nodded sadly, “I don’t blame you at all, Twilight, but are you sure you will be fine alone?”

“I was stuck at the caverns for a bit,” She bitterly joked, “But I hope so too,”

Both Twilight Velvet and Night Light looked at each other as if they were communicating each other telepathically, then Night Light sighed and spoke to her daughter.

“We shall respect your decision then,” Her father said, “We will be taking care of Spike on your behalf while you’re away.”

“Thank you mom and dad,” Twilight Sparkle hugged her parents again, “I’m really glad that I’m on your side.”

“What are you talking about?” Twilight Velvet laughed, “We should be glad that you’re on our side instead!”

“We won’t stop you Twilight, but I’m not sure what the others think.” Princess Cadence said, “I’m going to miss you as my maid of honor.”

“I’m sure you will manage like when you were the Changeling Queen’s hostage,” She said, nuzzling her foal sitter. “I must be going now, I need to get to the train station.”

“Twilight?”

The young mare turned around and sees her brother and her friends. Twilight begins to glare again.

“Well, look what the cat dragged in.” Twilight muttered to them, “If I didn’t accept your apology before, what makes you think I will accept yours now?”

“Twilight, we just want to tell you that none of us wanted this to happen!” Applejack pleaded, “We’ve done goofed, we get it, but would you really be sore at us for the rest of yer life?”

“Then what did you wanted?” Twilight bitterly asked, “And as for me being sore at you for the rest of my life, we should wait and see…”

“All we wanted to have is a super-duper great time is all.” Pinkie Pie added, “Not being all sad and mopey like we are right now.”

“Well you can all have a great time without me…”

Before anypony can protest or say anything, Twilight galloped away before teleporting in front of their eyes.

Returning Home

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Returning home

Twilight galloped away from them as fast as her hooves can carry. She wanted to get away from Canterlot, from her friends, her brother, and her mentor. The unicorn bopped and weaved away the passing ponies in the streets. At the same time, the voice beckons her inside her mind.

Where will you go?

“Back to Ponyville,” Twilight replied, “To the library, where nopony will ever bother me again! I will only go outside for shopping or whatever’s necessary for me to leave, but certainly not for them!”

And then what? Suppose you do stay cooped in the library, the other will return eventually.

“I will figure out the way,” She said, “And besides, I was the only one who bothered to check what was going on at the wedding.”

Do you think the others will give up that easily? Or will they actually honor your wish to leave you alone?

She then stopped dead in her tracks, before treading to a nearby alleyway as to not get hit by the pedestrians, and thought for a moment. Twilight made sure that no one was around within earshot, lest someone see her as going insane.

“Well, I didn’t thought about that until now,” She quietly admitted, after checking that the coast is clear. “But will I do if that ever happens?”

Do whatever you decide is best for you first and for Equestria second.

Before Twilight thought of a reply, she was interrupted by somepony calling her.

“Excuse me, miss,” The voice said, sounding female and mature. “But are you in a need of any assistance?”

Twilight Sparkle turned around and saw a unicorn mare. The said mare was around Twilight’s Velvet’s age, with faint blue coat with eyes matching the same color. Her mane was straight and unkempt in a sickly blueish gray.

“Oh, nothing,” The younger unicorn replied, “I’m just, well, shaken up on what just happened in Canterlot.”

“I do not blame you,” the older mare replied, nodding sympathetically. “I was fortunate enough to be out of town, and never witnessed those horrid changelings. Could not imagine, how hard it is for a young filly such as yourself witnessing such an incident.”

How will you reply?

Twilight thought for a moment, before answering to the unicorn:

“Well, you can say that. Though I’ve faced some personal experiences that are just as traumatic.” she said, “Thank you for your concern, but the train to Ponyville is leaving soon, and I must be going.”

Before the older unicorn got a chance to react, Twilight galloped off.

“TAKE CARE AND PLEASE BE SAFE!” The older mare called out from the distance. But the younger mare was too busy to reply back.

“I hope she heard me,” The older unicorn replied, before trotting off.

Twilight managed to reach the train station on time, but as she went to the ticket booth only to see there is a long line. As she approached the line, she heard the chattering becoming clearer, and angrier.

“Everypony, please calm down!” The ticket booth cashier called through the intercom, “If you all just line up in an orderly fashion, you will have your chance!”

“How can we calm down?!” One agitated voice in the line called back, “I need to go back to Manehattan to see my family is safe!”

“I’ve been waiting for an hour myself!” a second voice yelled, “Who knows when those bugs return?!”

“We just don’t have time to wait any longer then!” the third voice screamed angrily. “My family’s in danger!”

“Your family’s not the only one who’s in danger pal!” the fourth voice shouted, “What makes yours so special?!”

“ENOUGH OF THIS SQUABBLING AT ONCE!”

the fifth voice bellowed, echoing across the station, as the ground underneath their hooves shook like a tremor. The sounds continued to ring everypony’s ears as they turned their heads at the source.

“Princess Luna, thank the creator you are here,” The cashier said relieved, “All of us were doing our best for everyone.”

“At ease, my subject,” Princess Luna said, this time not in the Royal Canterlot voice as she gained the line’s attention. “Here I am, returning from my diplomatic trip in Griffonstone, and what do I see? Canterlot invaded, my niece replaced by the Changeling Queen, and fully grown ponies fighting like foals.”

The crowd lowered their heads in shame, ever since panic and anarchy spread like wildfire in the city. Emotions taken over their judgement, before the alicorn of the moon continued.

“However, I do understand your concerns, and thus, I shall pay for everypony’s trip as compensation for what happened earlier.” she said, much to the growing cheer of the crowd, including the lavender unicorn.

Princess Luna turned her head to the conductor and asked, “Where is the next train heading off to?”

“To Ponyville, your highness,” The conductor replied, “But I’m not sure if there’s room for everypony.”

She then turned to the crowd and called out in her Royal Canterlot Voice.

“RAISE YOUR HOOVES FOR THOSE WHO ARE HEADING TO PONYVILLE!”

Twilight Sparkle is the one of the 12 who raised their hooves in the air. Finally, she can get some peace and quiet after all. That is until, the voice calls to her.

This is great and all, but what if Princess Luna sees you? How do you think she will react?

Twilight’s joy suddenly turned to concern, what will she react if she sees me? I’ve said so many horrible things to Princess Celestia, my brother, and my friends. Does she know what happened?

Suddenly, Twilight raised her head when she heard the conductor’s voice.

“Everypony heading to Ponyville, please enter the gate carefully, one step at a time!”

All of the passengers who are heading to the said destination, followed the conductor’s instructions, with the conductor himself happy that order is at least restored in the train station. One by one, the ponies lined up at the gates with Princess Luna herself escorting them to the train. When the line to Ponyville is dying down, it was Twilight’s turn. She lowered her head, and hid her cutie mark with her saddlebags in hopes not to gain Luna’s attention.

Finally, Twilight felt Princess Luna’s presence coming close to her. Her heart pounded rapidly as she quietly cursed to herself as to think such rushed and weak attempts will be enough hide from Princess Luna. Then her heart finally stopped as she heard…
“Wait, there is something familiar with this pony…”

Interrogation

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Interrogation

Twilight froze in fear as Princess Luna draws closer towards her. Despite wanting to flee she feel her hooves stuck to the floor. Anxiety and panic strikes her in the heart, as all she can do is lower her head, hoping in vain, that the lunar alicorn will not notice her. At that very moment, the voice spoke to her, in a concerned tone.

What will you say to her once she sees you?

“I-I don’t know…” She quietly replied to the voice, as she breathes frantically.

How do you think she’ll react once she discovers what you’ve said to her sister?

Twilight did not reply this time, her heart beats rapidly as she can feel Luna’s hoofsteps growing louder and louder. Beads of sweat drip form from her face, Twilight waited anxiously as she feel Luna’s presence draw closer to her.

Time to face the music, whether you want to or not.

“I…I guess so…” she muttered, “I’m might as well make another enemy.”

Get ready, here she comes!

Finally, with every ounce of her courage and strength, she raised her head up and saw Princess Luna…

…confront a pony in FRONT of her

“This stallion in front of me, I saw him before,” Princess Luna said to a nearby guard, “He was the first one to enter the booth.”

The guard simply nodded, and followed the princess of the night as they both surround the guilty pony.

“T-t-that was my twin brother,” the stallion stuttered, backing away in Twilight’s direction. “I was late in line and he simply got in first.”

Twilight herself felt a sense of dread as the withdrawing pony will inadvertently alert her own presence. But to her fortunate luck, neither Luna nor the guardspony seem to notice or believe the pony’s excuse.

“If that stallion was your twin brother, then why haven’t he called for you?” Luna questioned, raising an eyebrow.

The pony simply stared at her nervously, as if she spoke a foreign language to him. Suddenly, the royal guard member cast a telekinesis spell on the guilty stallion. The stallion is lifted a few inches off the ground while kicking the air in vain with his hoofs, like an invisible hand picking up an ornery pet. A chorus of gasps erupted across the line whom witness the act, before a mutter of concerned, curious voices filled the air. Without a word, Luna casted a spell on the pony.

The levitating stallion became engulfed in a flash of green light, revealing only his shadow. Twilight got front row view on what was going on, as she witness this act many times during the invasion. Then the pony’s shadow begin to mold into a different shape, something less equine, and more bug-like. In the pony’s place, is a changeling, smack dab in the middle of the train station. Princess Luna glares at the Changeling as the latter fruitlessly continues to struggle.

“I should have known that you are a changeling,” She snorted as whipped her tail. “How foolish that you could’ve flown away.”

“So, you caught me, ‘your highness,’” The changeling cackled, gaining the screams of terrified ponies. “I must admit, I am impressed that you noticed me, unlike your gullible sister.”

Livid by that remark, Princess Luna responds by hitting the bug in the face. The sight silenced the onlookers, both out of fear and relief that the invader is caught. The strike from Luna’s hoof has left a noticeable bruise in the changeling’s cheek. She only glares at the changeling before she continues.

“You better show respect to the princesses, grub!” The guard finally spoke, who also snarled with restrained fury. “How dare you insult Princess Celestia?”

The princess of the night nodded in gratitude towards the guard before she glares at the imposter pony.

“But it’s true,” The changeling said smugly, with a hiss. “All of you were too busy about the wedding to find out about our plans!”

Before the guard could say or do anything, then turn his attention to the alicorn princess.

“Where were you when we’ve attacked your precious city and your citizens hmm?” He questioned, “When your sister was captured and your niece captured by my queen?”

“As I have told you when you were in disguise,” She snarled, barely containing her ire. “I was at a diplomatic mission with the griffons, or were you too arrogant to listen?”

She then levitated the changeling closer to her muzzle, glaring at the bug.

“How were not caught by Cadence and Shining Armor’s spell?” Princess Luna demanded, “I thought the rest of you vermin were blown away.”

The changeling spy only replied by laughing, “That is for me and my comrades to know and you to find out. This is only the beginning of Equestria’s downfall!”

His laugh attracted fear from the onlookers as if a horrible earthquake occurred after a recovering from a tremendous aftershock.

“We will see about that,” Princess Luna said undauntedly, before pushing the changeling away, and switching to her Canterlot voice. “TAKE HIM AWAY FOR QUESTIONING!”

“At once, your highness!” Saluted the guard before cuffing the changeling’s legs and bounding his wings.

“FOR QUEEN CHRYSALIS!” Cried the Changeling defiantly, before the guard bucked him in the chest, knocking the wind out of the bug-like creature.

As the guard escorted the unconscious spy away, Princess Luna turned her attention towards the rest of the crowd.

“Many apologies to all of you for witnessing this,” She said, “The trip to Ponyville will continue at once, hopefully without any interruptions.”

For Twilight to witness such an act, was a tremendous feat. She just witnessed Princess Luna’s wrath, something that she does not want to be part of, especially on what had happened during her outburst towards Celestia and the others when she reached her breaking point. But then again, the changeling unintentionally averted her presence, she might sneak into the train without Luna knowing any wiser…

“Greetings, Twilight Sparkle.”

…spoke to soon…the unicorn only gulped as if she was a foal who is caught with her hooves in the cookie jar. The voice then beckons to her.

What will you do?

For her, the effort to lift her head was a tremendous effort similar to that of participating in the Iron Pony Competition. When she finally gathered every ounce of courage to look Princess Luna in the eye, she saw her expression changed from fury to confusion and concern.

“Leaving so soon?” Princess Luna asked, raising the eyebrow. “Are you not participating in the wedding?”

The lavender mare gulped before searching the right words to explain.

“They’re…postponing the wedding,” Twilight said, “I am going back to Ponyville for a while.”

“Well, if that was the case, then why aren’t your friends here with you?”

Twilight answering Luna’s questions only brought up more questions.

“They have something to do here at the palace,” She half-fibbed, “My friends decided, that they’re going to stay there for a while before they leave.”

“Huh, that’s strange,” Princess Luna said, “And what about you?”

She tensed from the alicorn’s question, Luna seems to grow more suspicious, the more Twilight replies. Twilight’s ears tensed as she rubs her front hooves together, the unicorn felt trapped until the voice beckons her.

Luna won’t ask you forever, just keep answering with half-truths.

Twilight begins to think as hard as she could to come up with a good answer to rid Luna’s suspicion and leave Canterlot. She thought long since the day she and her friends entered the city and the night she was kicked out. It was then, she remember what Applejack said to the rest before they abandoned her.

“C’mon let’s go check on the princess”

Twilight’s feeling of insecurity and fear now burned away with resentment and outrage. The same outrage she had during her outburst.

“They said they didn’t need me,” Twilight said, barely containing her venom, before flicking her ears up. “My friends think I’m safer back at home.”

After replying, Twilight’s ire begins to fade away and brought back her unease as Princess Luna simply gazes at her for a moment. It was until then Princess Luna backed away and shown her the train’s entrance.

“Very well then, I wish you a safe journey home,” She said, “I hope for the same to your friends.”

Twilight simply nodded and smiled before she entered the locomotive, leaving Luna and to the extent, Canterlot behind. After finding her seat, she finally plopped down before staring out the window.

Dodge the bullet there with Luna, but how do you think she will react once she finds out?

“She got my parents, Spike, and Cadence to listen to my side of the story.”

Do you think Luna can be trusted as well?

“I don’t know, and quite frankly, I no longer care anymore. I just want to be alone”

Very well then.

The train to Ponville finally moved, heading for its destination. Twilight sighed a relief that she can now leave her woes behind. As the train gains speed, the unicorn ponders on what she will do next. Normally, she usually talks to her former friends or at least read a book she usually carries. The latter at first, Twilight thought of reading a book from her saddlebag as she turned to look at the bag. But even books are giving her no joy right now. Not helping is that the books she brought are the ones she already read. With nothing else to do, she lie down and cuddle her seat like a cat, and closed her eyes.

***

“LAST STOP, PONYVILLE!”

Twilight suddenly opened her eyes, and looked out of her window. The trip felt like it has only been a few seconds, but lo and behold, the train reached its destination of Ponyville. She concluded that there wasn’t enough time for her to dream, and that she just slept at the palace prior to leaving. So, she got out of seat and exited out of the train. As Twilight trotted home, the town looks like the same when she and others left, a thought came to Twilight that the news of the Changeling invasion didn’t reached Ponyville yet. All around the lavender mare, she sees the streets are busy with ponies of all shapes, colors, and sizes are minding their business with their daily activities. Some even waved at her while she politely waves back.

Twilight smiled to herself that she finally got her wish to be at Ponyville all by herself. But when she reached the Golden Oak Library, she saw a peculiar sight, something that Twilight doesn't want to see.

Her friends are standing there…outside of the library’s entrance.

Meanwhile

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Meanwhile

As they watched Twilight disappear in a flash of lavender light in front of their eyes. Everypony simply stood where they are until Princess Celestia got their attention.

“Everyone back to the palace,” she called, “There are the nobles who might have many questions for me to answer.”

This brought some of the ponies in disbelief.

“With all due respect your highness but are we really going to leave her again?” Shining Armor protested. “Twilight might be in danger again, and I can’t let her down anymore.”

“We must respect her wish to be left alone,” Princess Cadence said, placing her hoof on his shoulder. “If we chase her to the train station, it will only upset her even more.”

“Your bride is correct,” Twilight Velvet added, stepping forward, “If you wish Twilight to speak to you again, you must give her breathing space.”

The stallion simply lowered his head in defeat and sighed, “I guess the two of you are right.”

“Of course, they are right,” Night Light interjected, walking next to his wife before turning to Twilight’s friends, “And that goes for the rest of you as well.”

The mares simply nodded silently, even the boisterous Rainbow Dash and rambunctious Pinkie made a sound.

“What about you two?” Spiked asked the couple, “You told me that you’re going to watch over me for the time being.”

“Well yes that is true,” Night Light said to the baby dragon. “In the meantime, I will be heading to our room to think on what just happened.”

The Patriarch then turns his attention to his wife, “What about you honey?”

“I think that’s a good idea dear,” Twilight Velvet agreed to her husband before turning her attention towards Spike, “I too am exhausted from what has happened to our dear daughter,”

“Yeah, I hope Twilight is fine wherever she is.” Spike said sadly.

“Us too Spike,” She said, “Would you like some gems along the way?”

“Yeah…” He accepted after a brief pause, “That might cheer me up.”

“Well let’s go you two,” Night Light called before he turned to his son and her daughter’s friends. “Good luck to all of you, earn her trust again, and you will earn ours.”

The remaining group watches as the three walks away from their sight.

“Let’s go Aunt Celestia,” Princess Cadence reminded, “We might have to plan to earn Twilight’s trust again.”

The Alicorn of the sun nodded, “Very well, the nobles might be there already.”

As the group entered the palace, painful memories brought to the attention to everypony’s minds. While it was true that Twilight was acting irrational during the reception and during their captivity by Queen Chrysalis and her Changelings. Their own actions were no better, while they have every right to be angry at her, they could have done something different at their time. Shining Armor at least had an excuse since he was under Chrysalis’ spell, but that’s what it is...an excuse… As for the Mane Five and Princess Celestia? They could have expressed how disappointed and hurt they are from her actions, instead of leaving her all alone with simply “Let’s go check on the princess” and “You have a lot to think about”

No one spoke for the entire time until they’ve entered the throne room where they came across a surprising visitor.

“Greetings Sister,” Princess Luna called upon them, “I just returned from the train station, dissolving a squabble between our subjects, and I captured a Changeling spy along the way.”

“That is indeed good news to hear,” Princess Celestia smiled before nuzzling her counterpart. “We must not make the same mistake again.”

“What about the nobles?” Princess Cadence asked her aunt of the night, “They must be some word from them by now, and not good words either I bet”

“No, my dear niece,” Luna shook her head as her mane waved gracefully like leaf in a wind. “But I doubt they will be staging any coups, or at least for the time being.”

Twilight’s friends winced at Luna’s statement, as they thought to themselves. They could not have messed up that, badly did they?

Princess Luna then spotted Twilight’s friends, the Alicorn of the moon remembered what Twilight had said to her.

“Greetings friends of Twilight,” she beckons to them, “I met her at the train station, and she told me everything about you not needing her presence.”

None of the Mane Five replied. Instead, Applejack lowered the brim of her Stetson, hiding her glancing eyes, Rarity stares at her hooves as if she needs a manicure, Fluttershy kicks the floor similar to the time she met Twilight for the first time, Pinkie Pie fidgets arounds like an impatient foal, and Rainbow Dash begins looking in every direction other than Luna’s.

Princess Luna raised an eyebrow as she approaches Fluttershy.

“I apologize if my actions during Nightmare Night frightened you.” She said to her. “The modern traditions and appliances are still foreign to me.”

“N-n-no need for apologies…” Fluttershy stammered, finally gathering enough courage to see the Alicorn eye to eye. “I-I’m glad to see you again.”

“Yes, but you all seem agitated when I mentioned Twilight by her name,” The Princess of the Night noticed, “Did all of you have a sudden change of heart after she left?”

But before any of the mares could reply, Shining Armor replied in their behalf.

“You…you might say that your highness,” He said with uneasiness in his tone, “Is...is this what she said to you?”

Princess Luna did not reply but simply stares suspiciously, she recalls during the train station, Twilight Sparkle was acting suspicious as well. Particularly how Twilight is avoiding eye contact to her and the way she spoke. Now, everyone except her sister and niece is acting the same as the bearer of Friendship.

“I should have known how suspicious Twilight was behaving when I encountered her in the train station.” She finally spoke, “At first, I assumed that she was a Changeling spy, but something else happened to Twilight before the invasion was it not?”

“Yes sister,” Princess Celestia sighed, as everypony turned their attention towards her “Before the invasion, there was an incident during the reception.”

“Ahh yes, now I remember that night,” Princess Luna nodded, “Before I departed Equestria for Griffonstone, I recalled Twilight galloping to the reception but I assumed that she was only late.”

“Yes Luna,” Her sister said, walking close to her. “But that is not the reason why Twilight was galloping, and in fact, all of us have made a grave mistake that is responsible for the invasion.”

Before Luna can reply or act, there was a knock at the door…

A sense of dread flooded the room with anxiety followed suit. No one knew who was at the door. Angry nobles demanding the Princesses’ abdication? Changeling Assassins that somehow got through the security? Just where are the guards?

“What’s this here about some darn Changeling Varmints attacking the weddin’?” Granny Smith clamored, “Now I have to get my old flank here to check on my own grandkids.”

The door finally opens revealing, the matriarch of the Apple Family, along with Big Macintosh, and the Cutie Mark Crusaders. Then following after them are more familiar faces…

“Hey there Dash,” Said a male voice, “Gotta see if a potential recruit is in good shape.”

“S-Soarin’?” Rainbow Dash sputtered, seeing a member of the Wonderbolts again.

“Hello sister,” Maud greeted in her monotone voice. “Mother and father asked me to visit you in Canterlot”

As the new visitors came to see their loved ones, there were three that are already familiar.

“We met them all along the way to our room,” Twilight Velvet said to them. “They were all looking for our daughter’s friends.”

“Just what happened?” Luna asked her sister.

“It…is a long story…” Celestia replied briefly, overwhelmed with the presence of new faces.

“I believe they have time to listen.”

Back Home

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Back Home

Twilight’s eyes became wide as saucers when she thought to be her friends, well, former friends outside at the library’s entrance. All of them were staring blankly towards the lavender unicorn whom is only meters away from where they stood. A mix of confusion and shock filled Twilight’s brain as Twilight herself stood frozen like a statue. Soon, her emotions were replaced with hate filled rage.

But before she can trot and confront them, she rubs her eyes for a second, and see that her friends are…

…

…nowhere to be seen. No one but the library itself stood in front of Twilight’s vision. Her rage then subsided and her confusion begins.

“I must be imagining things.” Twilight muttered to herself, “I mean it felt like all this wait was for nothing.”

Well, imagine if that was really them, what will you do?

Twilight stood there, thinking, before replying.

“Well, I was going to confront them if they really were there.” She said, “By first demanding how they arrived earlier than I have.

It could be the Princesses’ doing

“That could be,” The lavender unicorn shrugged, “Princess Luna might have known by now, but I would have felt some magical presence at the very least.”

At least you are using reason, unlike the others

Twilight nodded gently, before she looked around for anyone who might be eavesdropping.

“I should go inside, lest somepony else think I’m crazy again.”

Oh right, let’s go

As Twilight opened the library’s door, she felt a sense of belonging and happiness that she hasn’t felt in a long time. After closing the door, Twilight gazed at her precious books and belongings, before she sighed of relief. Then, as if on cue, Owlowiscious swooped down and landed on her back. The mare turned her head to nuzzle her pet owl as she smiles.

“It’s great to see you again, Owlowiscious.” Twilight said, “I’m glad to feel appreciated again.”

The owl flew off of his owner’s back and landed in the floor, a mere foot away from him to Twilight’s face.

“I hope the library is nice and tidy while we were away.” She said to the bird.

Owlowiscious hooted in a positive, proud tone in response. Leading Twilight to chuckle, but just before the young mare can make herself home, she pauses.

What’s wrong?

The owl joined in as well, as he gave out a quizzical tilt of his head and a questioning hoot.

“I might have imagined my friends outside of the library, but what’s to say that they’re inside?”

Good thinking, better safe than sorry

Twilight immediately begins snooping around the library floor, as her pet owl flew away from his owner’s path. Owlowiscious landed on top of one of the ladders and he gazed curiously at Twilight’s activity.

Knowing Pinkie Pie, she is known for surprises. The mare thought to herself and starts searching star with the shelves and the cubbies, anywhere that a pony can hide. So far, nothing. She trots upstairs to her bedroom expect somepony out hiding. So far, other than her pet owl, and herself, Twilight is all alone.

“Oh, I’m being paranoid for no reason again,” Twilight scolded herself, after peeking under her bed as if a foal searches under their bed for the boogey mare. “If they really are here, I would’ve known the library’s door is broken into.”

How about the basement? Can’t be too paranoid about that

“Yeah, you’re right, I haven’t checked the basement since…” The unicorn paused in mid-sentence.

What’s wrong?

“Well, ever since I performed measurements on Pinkie Pie.” She finished her sentence.

The one with the Parasprites? What about it?

“The thing is I didn’t believe her about her so-called “Pinkie Sense” as well.” Twilight said, “I called them all hypocrites back in Canterlot, but now, it’s the pot calling the kettle black who in return is calling black…if you understand what I am saying.”

Err, I think I do but that was different. You were using logic at that time. Besides, Pinkie could have explained better to you all.

“Perhaps,” She simply nodded slowly, “Or maybe I’m just a bad friend.”

You did what you have to back in Canterlot. Do not be so hard on yourself, you think it would have made any difference even when you were tactful?

Twilight lifted her head to think, as much as she hates repeating herself, the whole event isn’t exactly be forgotten in an instant.

“You’re right,” She said to the Voice, “All of them did left me all alone after all.”

So how will you think Princess Luna will react?

“Well remember what we said before back at the train station?” Twilight said, “My parents, Princess Cadance and Spike can back me out.”

Speaking of them, do you still trust them? Will you let them be with you?

“Well, of course,” She replied in a rather, incredulous tone. “This is different.”

What about Princess Celestia, Shining Armor, and your former friends?

“I…I just wanted to be left alone,” The mare stammered, “I won’t forgive them if they keep barging in like this.”

For how long?

“As long as I wanted to.” She replied, before descending down the stairs.

Owlowiscious peers at Twilight as the latter reaches the ground floor. The owl let out a concerned hoot towards the unicorn.

“I don’t know what to do, Owlowiscious,” She said lifting her head to see her pet owl, “All I want is to be the way things were, the way before I even visited Ponyville.”

Twilight then lifts her hoof next to her mouth before letting out a yawn.

Tired already? But you just took a nap from the train ride and the nap before

“Yeah, yeah, I know.” She admitted grudgingly, “But everything that is happening is simply draining me both emotionally and mentally.”

Why don’t you fix something to drink? Or read a book? There is still the basement you need to check out after all.

“I guess I could read a book,” The unicorn shrugged, before looking around for the nearest book to read. With her magic, she levitated the nearest book as she looks at the cover.

The title reads: Grudges: How it is detrimental towards everypony and to oneself

“Err, maybe not this one.” Twilight said to herself before setting the book down. “I think I should brew some coffee or tea to keep myself awake, then I will look down at the basement.”

That is until she heard a knock coming outside of her door.

Who could that be?

Twilight did not answer as Owlowiscious flew down from his previous roost as he landed on the pony head mantle. The mare is frozen like a statue, she doesn’t know if it’s a changeling straggler, her friends, or perhaps a combination of the two. All she can do is breathe heavily, hoping nopony outside could hear it.

Will you open the door?

With a gulp, Twilight trudged carefully as if the floor was filled mud and branches, any misstep can alert the enemy. She begins to sweat, wondering who could it be at the door. She thought of looking out of the window but backed out the thought in fear that the outsider will see her inside. Twilight cursed herself silently for not having any peepholes. When she finally reached a good distance away, she braced the best she can muster to prepare herself, as she opened the door to reveal who the visitor is.

And it turns out to be the old mare from Canterlot.

“Oh it’s you again!” The mare replied, “I didn’t know you work here!”

Announcement

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The Announcement

Rainbow Dash couldn't help but stare at the Wonderbolts stallion coming closer towards her as the Apple Family, Luna, Maud, and others coming to meet their respective hosts.

"Sister, what exactly what is going on?" Luna asked, "Our subjects are equally confused from this."

Before Princess Celestia could reply, Night Light and Twilight Velvet stepped in.

"It is a long story your highness, because it's best for Princess Celestia explain this to you." Night Light replied to Luna before turning to Celestia. "You might want everypony know what's been going on."

"Yes, of course," Princess Celestia nodded glumly, "I must speak to you in private sister, in fact, I think it's for the best that I will let everypony speak to their loved ones in private."

Twilight Velvet nodded back, "In the meantime, we will go check on our son and hope-to-be daughter-in-law."

But before the couple walked towards Shining Armor and Princess Cadence, Twilight's mother turned back one more time. "We forgot to tell you this, but my husband and I haven't told them because we thought it would lead to a better outcome than what happened to the reception."

The alicorn of the night raised a brow as Twilight's parents walked away. Before she can question her sister or Twilight Velvet, Princess Celestia got everypony's attention by walking into the center of the roon.

"Attention subjects," the white alicorn announced, "I am glad you are all safe from the changeling invasion, and I understand you are all equally anxious and confused to see your loved ones and how transpired to the events respectively."

"Yer darn tootin' right your highness!" Granny Smith hollered out, but was grabbed by her grandson. "Whoops, pardon the excitement but go on ahead."

"Thank you, I believe it's best for your own loved ones to explain to all of you on what happened… in private." The alicorn continued, grabbing the attention of Twilight's friends. "I will give them all instructions privately before they can speak to you, your questions will soon be answered, and that includes you too dear Luna.

Their eyes widen in surprised and confusion, as they turned to look at her to confirm if they are hearing correctly. The five walked towards Princess Celestia as their loved ones waited.

"Beg yer pardon?" Applejack asked, "Are you sure about this?"

"Yeah, won't they be angry at us like Twilight did?" Pinkie Pie added.

"It's better than what happened with Twilight at the reception," Princess Celestia spoke quietly, while not a whisper, but quiet enough to not gain the attention of everyone in the room. "If not for ours' sake or our loved ones, then for Twilight."

Twilight's friends didn't say anything but looked at each other with unease, they weren't sure how the others would handle on what transpired the invasion of Canterlot in the first place.

"All of you, Shining Armor, and I do not wish to end up like Twilight but we must not copy her mistakes." Celestia added, "We must be tactful."

Rainbow Dash became the first to accept the challenge as she flew up.

"We may have let Twilight down, but we won't let the others this time!" The Pegasus mare said. "You can count on us!"

"I suppose we can be more delicate than how we treated Twilight." Rarity said with a shrug. "But how will we start?"

"Maybe we can start asking them what they wanted to know first?" Fluttershy suggested.

"Great idea!" Rainbow Dash enthusiastically cheered, "Maybe that will get them knowing before we can get to the tough part."

"Then it is settled," Princess Celestia said, "If not for Twilight, then for Equestria."

The group nodded to each other and went off on their separate ways to meet the ponies they came to see as Princess Celestia looked on. She saw Rarity meeting Fancy Pants in the group, no doubt the nobles of Canterlot are demanding to know what is going on and assumed the nobles are using him as an envoy for speak on the nobles' behalf. Princess Celestia turned around to see Fluttershy meekly walking towards another meek looking Pegasus, this time a lanky green stallion with a blonde mane tied into a messy bun.

Princess Celestia then turns towards Luna as walked towards her.

"It's now time to explain what lead to the events, sister." She finally said, "So, I will tell you what transpired everything."

"Do tell," The dark blue alicorn said, "It has to do with Twilight isn't it?"

The older alicorn nodded sadly.

"Yes," Princess Celestia sighed, "And now she thinks I hate her."

"Hating you?" Princess Luna repeated in a combined quizzical and surprised tone. "What have you done to believe that she hates you?"

"It all begun with the reception with the Changeling Queen disguised as our niece." The white alicorn started. "Things were all going to smoothly at first, aside from the queen fooling us all. We all assumed that it was simply the stress at the wedding."

"Well, I can understand that part," Princess Luna concluded, "It was when I saw Twilight Sparkle galloping towards the reception before I left to see the griffons."

"Here is the thing, you weren't there when she bursts through the door when she declared Cadence to be evil without any proof or subtly." Her older sister continued and grimaced. "Shining Armor and the rest of us thought she was being jealous, so we barred her from the wedding after the imposter ran away crying, all of us were furious at her, so we left her all alone to think for herself."

Luna gasps from what her older sister just said. Celestia expected Luna to unleash her Canterlot voice right in front of everypony. But instead, in much of Celestia's own surprise. Luna looked more disappointed than angry.

"What about her disappearance? Did you checked on her to at least demand an apology towards imposter niece?"

Celestia looked down in shame, something that she at least should've done before.

"No…" she replied, with a sigh. "All of us thought she was brooding and surly, so we left her alone."

"So…" Luna begins as she walks closer to Celestia, "Is that why she thinks you all hate her?"

"No Luna," Celestia said, unable to bare to see her sister's next reaction. "The Changeling Queen transported her to the underground caverns to die, but Twilight was fortunate to find the real Cadence."

"WHAT?" Princess Luna cried, thankfully not in her Canterlot voice, but loud enough for Celestia to wince. "Is that how the Changeling invasion started?"

"Yes sister," The white alicorn replied remorsefully, as she lowered her head in shame. "That action nearly costed the lives of my subjects and my student."

Expecting Princess Luna to yell at her, the Princess of the sun embraced herself for the worst. But instead of feeling the full force of the Canterlot voice, she instead heard the disappointed sigh from her sister.

"You would expect me to yell at you sister?" Princess Luna asked, shaking her head in shame. "Just like Twilight did as I assumed?"

Her older sister simply nodded in response as her billowing mane welters like a dying plant.

"I have expected that you already gotten an earful from your student and from Cadence, so no sister, I will not yell at you," The dark blue alicorn sighed, "I am however am still disappointed in you just like our niece and Twilight's parents."

"I believe you do, but I wanted to make things right again," Princess Celestia pleaded, "If not for Equestria, but at least to win back Twilight's trust."

"At least that it one step ahead sister," Luna nodded, acknowledging her sister's mistake and guilt as she puts her hoof onto her Celestia's shoulder. "I expected the better from you because you are the oldest, and I expected for you learn your lesson like I have but you didn't."

"Lesson?" Princess Celestia questioned; her mood changed from remorse to confusion. "What do you mean?"

"Why, the lessons your student sent you," Her younger sister replied as-of-matter-of-factly, "Plus, there was the time time before I transformed into Nightmare Moon."

Soarin' To Regrets

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Soarin’ to regrets

The Wonderbolt Soarin’ walks to Rainbow Dash and asks Rainbow Dash, “So can anypony tell me what’s been going on around here?”

“It's a long story,” Rainbow Dash said, staring down on the floor before she gathered enough courage to look up and asking back. “What are you doing here and where are the others?”

“I got plenty of time to hear and as for what I’m doing here and where the others are,” The male Pegasus said, “I was sent here from Cloudsdale first to see if the preparations are ready for the wedding reception before coming here.”

“Heh, as you can see, things are being delayed to say the least,” The rainbow maned mare chuckled nervously, “And as for what happened around here, I guess you already knew about the Changelings?”

“I’ve got some notion,” He simply replied, “But how did the Changelings got into Canterlot to begin with? I need to report this back to HQ so the others will know.”

Defeated, Rainbow Dash simply sighs before saying, “I think it’s because Princess Cadance was kidnapped by the Changeling Queen and started to masquerade as her.”

Soarin’ nearly did a double take as from what he just heard. “Come again? I thought Shining Armor got the city covered by the spell.”

“Yeah, I didn’t believe it either, including the others.” Rainbow Dash said with shame before continuing, “Well, all except Twilight Sparkle.”

“Oh, she’s Celestia’s student and that friend of yours?” Soarin’ innocently asked, “What about her?”

Rainbow Dash looked down again, nervous of what the Wonderbolt’s reaction will be when he hears from her. THe mare considers to lie or at the very least, give half-truths since she is the Element of Loyalty and not Honesty. But then again, she failed at her own element when she abandoned Twilight. Not wanting to keep Soarin’ waiting any longer, Dash swallowed air and saliva before blurting out in rapid succession.

“We didn’t believe her and she thinks we all hate her...”

“Wait what?” Soarin’ cried out in surprise and confusion, as he wings popped out of his back as if it gained sentience and became just as surprised and confused as its owner. The Wonderbolt manages to find his words before adding. “What could you have done that makes her think you all hate her?”

Rainbow Dash faces the bullets as she figures out that he and the others will find out eventually, she comes clean and continues. “We all thought she was being jealous and paranoid when she declared the imposter Cadance to be evil, and we all left her.”

“Well, that answers my question, and I don’t blame you for thinking that way.” The stallion said, nodding. “But is Twilight a type of pony to holds grudges?”

“No, in fact, it was the first time she starts to act like that. “Rainbow Dash answered before barely spitting out “Then again, none of us meant to leave her behind with the Changeling Queen and have Twilight left in the mines to die.”

Soarin’ closes his wings and tilted his head before giving a thinking look. Rainbow Dash at first is relieved that he did not explode in rage like Twilight, but on the other hoof, is also antsy and ponders what Soarin’ is thinking about. Will she be rejected out as a cadet? Or will he abandons her like she abandoned Twilight?

“You know, it takes courage to confess your mistakes.” Soarin’ finally said with a disappointed tone, “I don’t need to know anything further that while Twilight could and should have been more tactful, you also aren’t entirely innocent either.”

“Yeah, I know, I don’t need to know more how much all of us screwed up.” Rainbow Dash muttered.

“But you did, and you’re afraid that others won’t live it down of what you and the others did, do you?”
Rainbow Dash looked up in shock as if the Wonderbolt read her mind as her eyes became wide as dinner plates.

“H-how did you?” The mare sputtered out but Soarin’ raised his hoof to halt.

“Because the same thing happened to me before I became a Wonderbolt.” He said clearly. “It all started back before I became a cadet for the Academy.”

“I’m all ears,” The mare said, “Did you acted like me and left somepony?”

“Not really,” Soarin’ said shaking his head, “But I was more like how Twilight reacted.”

Rainbow Dash sat her flank on the floor and stares at Soarin’ which the latter deduces the former is listening. He then begins his own tale.

“I like many other Pegasai ponies wanted to be a Wonderbolt and at my old school, I was actually one of the worst fliers out there.”

The mare feels surprised that one of the Wonderbolt stallion admitted that he used to be one of the worst students at school. Her expression got Soarin’s attention as he raises a brow in amusement as he said.

“Got you surprised huh? Well, I was bullied mercilessly for it, and the worst one out there was named Dust Bowl.”

Dash hated bullies as thoughts of Fluttershy when they were fillies brought bad memories. The thought of what they’ve done to her made her scowl in anger.

“Dust Bowl bullied me in all the ways that bullies do,” The Wonderbolt continued. “You name it, he did it to me, oh I had help and I did everything what the adults told me to do, including ignoring him and telling the others. But nothing works, in fact, Dust Bowl just bullied me worse than ever. It was until one day, that Dust Bowl did the worst thing to me of all.”

Rainbow Dash peered closer, not liking what Soarin’ is going to tell her as she feels her blood boiling. Soarin’ takes a deep breath before saying.

“There was an announcement on my school one day, that there’s going to be a race judged by the Wonderbolts with the winner gets to be a cadet. I wanted to prove Dust Bowl and the others wrong by training my plot off to become a winner.”

“So what happened?” Rainbow Dash finally said, “Did you win and beat that jerk Dust Bowl?”

“Sorta,” The Pegasus stallion replied, “I actually did proved the others wrong by being second place, nearly neck to neck with Dust Bowl. But it was until Dust Bowl caught me off guard by bucking me in the face, and knocking me out.”

“WHAT?!” Rainbow Dash shouted, nearly getting the attention of everypony else in the room before noticing what she did and settling herself down but still fuming. “That nerve of that guy, when I get my hooves on that jerk!”

Soarin’ then raises his hoof in order to stop her mid-rant as he said, “Don’t sweat it, when I woke up in the infirmary, I was told that I won and Dust Bowl got disqualified and got expelled from the school. My only regret was never seeing him getting kicked out like he so deserved.”

The Pegasus mare’s expression went from rage to satisfaction upon hearing what happened to Dust Bowl.

“Well, it serves that bully right,” She said with a triumphant smirk, “It’s also pretty dumb of him to think he can get away with that many witnesses.”

Soarin’ smirked in return before saying, “That and my own parents threatened to sue the school for letting Dust Bowl get away with what he did to me. But it wasn’t the last time I saw Dust Bowl.”

Dash’s smirk immediately dropped and was replaced by concern and confusion, “He didn’t seek revenge on you or anything did he?”

“Nope, it was years later after I became a cadet and was about to gradate is when I visited my old hometown and I saw Dust Bowl again.” Soarin’ said, “He walked up to me in the cider bar one day and wanted to apologize on what he did to me.”

“So, did you forgive him and became friends with Dust Bowl?”

“Are you kidding me?! Like Tartarus I did!” The blue stallion snorted, as if the mare had asked him an insane request. “If anything, his apology made me hate him more than ever! He never once felt sorry before and NOW he decided to feel sorry just because he got expelled? I told him that it was ‘too little, too late’ and I bucked him in the face in retaliation after he did to me years ago, and stormed out.”

Rainbow Dash gasped out loud upon hearing what Soarin’ told her. While what Dust Bowl did was bad, she never thought

Soarin’ would be so vengeful to not let go after apologizing. It was until she looked at the stallion’s face, he looks down on the floor like she did previously and with his ears drooped down. As if it shows that Soarin’ feels shame and remorse on what he did.

“It turns out days later I found out why he apologized,” Soarin’ sighed sadly, “I just got word from his friends that one of the main reasons why Dust Bowl apologized is because he’s dying of cancer and wanted to make amends with me before he dies.”

The blue mare’s jaw dropped in horror as she let out a gasp like a fish out of water before she stammers. “Y-y-you didn’t know, so how c-can you blame yourself for hitting Dust Bowl?”

“Didn’t I?” Soarin’ repeated, “I visited the hospital to see if he really was telling the truth that day and maybe I can give my own apology until the nurse told me that Dust Bowl passed away the day before I visited.”

A New Friend?

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A New Friend?

Twilight stared in shock to see who the older mare from Canterlot again, the young mare rubbed her eyes with her one hoof to see if her mind was playing tricks on her. As Twilight opened her eyes again to see the old mare standing right in front of her.

“Something in your eye?” The Older Mare asked with a smile, “I too thought my mind is being addled from my old age.”

“H-how did you reach Ponyville on time?” Twilight sputtered out in confusion, “The long lines from the train station could’ve taken all day.”

“Princess Luna made things easier for us ponies to run things so smoothly,” The Canterlot mare replied, “I was most fortunate enough to reach the final seat to Ponyville.”

“Oh,” The younger unicorn mustered out, after some thinking, it makes sense to Twilight that the lines would go more smoothly with Princess Luna running the train station. But there is still another nagging question, well, two. The first question is that her visitor mentions to the librarian that old age is getting to her, but the mare from Canterlot is about the same age as her mother. The second question is her reason for visiting Ponyville. On what felt like over an hour of self-debating in Twilight’s mind, only seconds went by as she decided to ask the latter question with more tact. Anti-aging spells and ointments are all in a rage and considering how rude it is to ask a mare her age, Twilight believes this is a better choice.

“What brings you here to Ponyville?” Twilight asked, before adding, “If you don’t mind me asking that is.”

“Oh, not at all dear,” The older mare replied chucking, “My grandchildren are into Daring Do books, and I am looking for some new editions up for sale.”

“Oh, I believe I just got a new shipment but I’m afraid I only have one copy, and I don’t have any spares to sell.” Twilight said regretfully before another thought entered her mind, “Besides, this is only a library, not a bookstore. I'm fairly sure that Canterlot have many more bookstores than Ponyville.”

“They do, but they are sadly much out of my price range,” The mare from Canterlot explained, “I assumed a town like Ponyville would be more affordable.”

“That does seem reasonable to think that way.” Twilight nodded understandingly, “At first, I didn’t care about Ponyville first because I grew up in Canterlot myself, but the cheaper prices are one of the reasons that grew on to me.”

That sounds lovely dear, but I can’t just go back to Canterlot empty-hoofed,” The older mare said dejectedly, “Is there possibly a toy store nearby?”

“Hmmm,” The librarian thought aloud, “There is one nearby but if your grandfoal really wants the new edition, I can give it to you for about half the price the Canterlot bookstores are offering for you.”

The older mare’s ears perked up and her expression changed from disappointment to a pleasant surprise.

“For real?” The older mare asked excitedly, “I mean, I understand that this is a library, but what if the others wanted the book? Are you certain?”

Twilight shrugs before saying, “I can simply order a new shipment, saying that the package got damaged or something.”

“Thank you so much Miss” She pauses before asking, “I'm sorry my dear, but I never asked you your name,”

“My name is Twilight Sparkle,” Twilight introduced herself, “What about yours?”

“Oh, where are my manners?” The older mare said, before clearing her throat “You may call me Sagely Advice.”

“A pleasure to meet you Sagely Advice.” The young librarian said with a smile, a smile that she haven’t felt in a while. “Just how much are the books in Canterlot anyway to make a trip to Ponyville?”

“The last store I visited costed about twenty bits, plus the owner have the nerve to add fees.” Sagely Advice answered with a disgruntled snort. “Such greedy behavior nowadays.”

“Well, I hope only ten bits will be more of a fair price.” Twilight said empathetically, as she too thought to herself that twenty bits for a Daring Do book is exorbitant. A beginner’s spell book for school or a guidebook but certainly not for Daring Do.

“Ten bits is more than fair,” Sagely Advice said with a smile as she levitates ten coins out of her saddlebag and hands them to Twilight. “I now have enough money to rest before getting a trip back home. “

“Well, I wish you the safest trip home Sagely Advice,” Twilight said accepting the bits with her magic, “I hope that your grandfoal would love the new book, speaking of which, just wait for one minute.”

Twilight Sparkle went inside the library and gazed around her surroundings before finding the new Daring Do book that was just sitting on the table. The young unicorn set the coins down next to the book, picked up the said book with her magic and went out the door where she finds Sagely Advice still standing patiently.

“Here you go!” Twilight Sparkle said handing the book to her, “I hope this is the book your grandfoal is looking for.”

“Absolutely!” Sagely Advice cried out happily, accepting the book gratefully. “I appreciate this book and I hope my grandfoal would appreciate the same!”

The older mare turned around and waves Twilight Sparkle goodbye as she said, “I hope that everyone you know appreciates everything you do.”

Twilight’s smile nearly dropped but kept her composure, she almost forgot about her traumatic events back at Canterlot. How her brother, friends, and mentor left her, no doubt thanks to her own actions. The unicorn shook her thoughts out and hopes to see that Sagely Advice does not notice her change in attitude. Thankfully, not only is the older mare still there but she did not notice her sudden, albeit brief change in expression. She then waves back to Sagely Advice as she walks away from her sight into the crowd of ponies.

Twilight Sparkle closed the door with content and walked away to her table to count the bits which thankfully are still there. For it’s not unheard-of shady ponies who counterfeit coins with magic of illusion. But Twilight Sparkle doubts that a sweet unicorn like Sagely Advice could be devious, she has no reason to trick her nor want anything that valuable to steal. It is only a Daring Do book after all, and she got what she wanted for. Then again, nopony back at Canterlot has any reason to doubt the changeling queen when she masquerades as Princess Cadence. Shining Armor at least has an excuse to be mind controlled by her.

The unicorn shakes her head from side to side to escape the thoughts of doubt. She grabs the book about the dangers of grudges earlier then she hears the voice in her head.

Are you sure you can trust her?

“Yes, I am sure,” Twilight said, “I think I made a new friend.”

Noble Intentions

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Noble Intentions

Rarity looked at Rainbow Dash speaking to one of the Wonderbolts before turning to Applejack speaking to her family and the Cutie Mark Crusaders. She notices Sweetie Belle among the group and felt a sense of relief that her little sister is safe along with her friends, but before she could go check on her sister, the unicorn heard a familiar, male voice.

“My word, Rarity is that you?”

The seamstress turned her head to the source of the voice and sees Fancy Pants entering the room.

“Fancy Pants, why, what a delightful sight for sore eyes!” she exclaimed, trotting towards the stallion.

“The feeling is mutual Rarity,” the stallion said smiling, “It is pleasant to see someone that is not one of those awful changeling creatures.”

A thought then occurred to Rarity and asked, “How do you know it is really me?”

Fancy Pants simply smirked before replying, “Nopony else trots like you, and I still remember the time you bumped into me that day.”

Rarity couldn’t help but smile at Fancy Pants’ response, both from the compliment and the fact that it is really him.

“Besides,” Fancy Pants continued, “Princess Luna casted a spell in the palace to detect any hint of changeling presence.”

“Well, that is reassuring,” Rarity said nodding before a thought entered her mind to notice that Fancy Pants entered the room alone. “Say, where is that accompanying mare friend of yours?”

“Ahh, you mean Fleur-De-Lis,” The unicorn stallion replied, “She remains safe with the rest of the nobles, although the complaints from Jet Set and Upper Crust are beginning to aggravate everypony there.”

Then, his smile slowly changed to a serious frown, “Which reminds me, they asked me on to speak to Princess Celestia on the behalf of the nobles.”

“What?” Rarity gasped, putting her front hoof next to her mouth, “Are the nobles planning to rebel? Err, I mean, they can’t be that furious, are they?”

The stallion sighed, as he removed his monocle with levitation magic and wiped it with a handkerchief that he summoned from his coat pocket before placing it back to his eye and stuffing the handkerchief into his pocket again.

“To be frank with you Rarity,” Fancy Pants finally said, “I really do not know, all they told me was that we demand an explanation from Celestia and hopefully for not just for the Princess's sake, but for Equestria as well.”

“It has to do with the changelings, isn’t it?” Rarity asked a rhetorically, “Do you think there might be calls for a rebellion?”

“I do not know again,” replied Fancy Pants, “I hope nothing to that extreme measure, but Princess Celestia better quell the population soon.”

The seamstress felt her heart sink to her stomach, if Twilight furious at her, her friends, her brother, and the princess is bad enough already. But now, she is imagining all of Canterlot, no, everypony in Equestria livid at their poor choices. Rarity’s front hooves buckled suddenly from the emotional weight, struggling to stay awake.

“Rarity, what seems to be the matter?” the stallion gasped, kneeling closer to her, “Are you injured by those changelings.”

“No,” She answered, “I thankfully wasn’t injured, but I believe all of us are responsible for the changeling invasion.”

Fancy Pants’ eyes widened from her statement, enough to have his monocle fall from his face. However, he managed to catch it with his magic and levitate back to his eye. Confused, Fancy Pants raises an eyebrow from his monocle eye.

“Whatever do you mean by that?” He asked, “Does this have to do with the wedding?”

“I am afraid it is true,” Rarity confessed, then a thought occurred to her. “I don’t think I saw you in the crowd there during the ceremony.”

“No, I was not there when the changeling queen revealed herself, I was only to appear during the reception to speak important matters to my friends.” Explained the stallion, “I only heard about the imposter Cadance from the evacuated guests, but enough about me, I’m still curious about your relevance to the wedding.”

With a deep sigh, Rarity looks down at the floor before gathering up the courage to speak.

“Do you remember my friend, Twilight?” She began, “You met her during the party when we first met.”

“Celestia’s student, of course.” Fancy Pants said, nodding. “I remember her and was delighted I was to meet her and the rest of your friends for the first time, but what does she have to do with you?”

“Everything,” Rarity trembled, fighting back tears, “We ignored her suspicions about Princess Cadance due to her being Twilight’s foalsitter but we abandoned her after her brother kicked her out of the wedding.”

“What?!” Cried out the sophisticate, stepping back in shock and confusion. “But why?”

“Twilight was clamoring about the princess being evil, without any proof” Rarity painfully explained as if the memory is stabbing her in the chest, “She embarrassed us and all of us were disappointed in her, because we thought she ruined everything for us.”

“It is for one thing to be embarrassed and being disappointed at her but leaving her alone?!” Fancy Pants exclaimed in disbelief. “I have a reason to believe you and you don’t seem to be a mare to make stories up, but I still do not understand why you were so different from the pony I thought I knew.”

“Had she provided evidence to back her claims, we would have believed her instead of acting irrational and hysterical.” Protested Rarity, “You would have done the same thing if you were there during the reception, Twilight even admitted she should’ve done so.”

“Maybe so,” Snorted Fancy Pants, in a possible gentlecolt way of doing do. “I may have believed you, unlike you with her, but I would certainly have her listen to her side of the story. Was Twilight always liked this hysterical or was she voicing her suspicion before?”

A long pause filled the air, both from Rarity’s thoughts about what happened before and from the aftermath. Then a thought enters her mind, and she then remembers, before the reception. Before the reception, everyone was preparing for the wedding, Twilight has in fact, voiced her suspicions before. Granted, the lavender mare did not gather clues before unlike the time of the National Dessert Competition. However, Rarity then remembers Twilight going insane from the lack of lessons sent to Princess Celestia about taking a friend’s concerns seriously. The same accusation Twilight has delivered to everyone. What lasted only in mere seconds felt like hours in Rarity’s mind before snapping back and seeing Fancy Pants who looked both confused and disappointed, just like Princess Cadance.

“No, Twilight did voice her suspicion before, but we all dismissed her concerns.” She confessed and sniffled before continuing, “Because of this, Twilight thinks all of us hate her, including Princess Celestia and Shining Armor.”

“Well, I do not blame her for doing so,” The stallion said with a sigh, “If Twilight wants nothing to do with you and your friends anymore is one thing but the Princess and the groom too?”

“I suppose you want nothing to do with me anymore, do you?” Rarity bluntly asked, something that she wouldn’t normally do. But given the circumstances, she felt like she no longer had anything left to lose. “Then I do not blame you.”

“I may not be livid like your friend,” Fancy Pants answered, which got Rarity’s attention with her ears perked up, eyes widen, and finishing off with a small but still audible gasp. “But I am disappointed in all of you.”

“Princess Cadance and Twilight’s parents said the same thing to us,” The mare sniffled again, looking at the floor ashamed of her actions before stammering out. “You might now see me as some kind of a bad pony,” As her eyes became moist from the tears, she fought back the said tears before she saw a handkerchief floating in front of her. Rarity lifted her head and saw it was Fancy Pants offering his handkerchief to her.

“Please do not cry,” He simply says, “A bad pony does not feel remorse from their actions. But I can tell that you are not a bad pony, despite what you have done.”

Rarity lifts the handkerchief from her own magic and begins to dab her eyes with it.

“Thank you, Fancy Pants, for the handkerchief,” Thanked Rarity gratefully, as she regained her composure.” But there is the problem, Twilight forbids us from feeling remorse, let alone allowing us to make amends.”

“Well, there is a saying my father once said to me back when I was a colt,” Fancy Pants said to her. “A road to Tartarus is paved with good intentions.”