Escaping the past: The student and the slave

It was deep in the night, those who were not of nocturnal nature were all vast asleep. At least all should be asleep. But like many other days candlelight could still be seen burning through one of the windows of a ancient oak at the edge of the Ponyville marketplace. A tree which doubled as the towns library and home to a studious unicorn.

Still, tonight she was not awake because of her studies or astronomy. No, a simple sheet of parchment arrived by means of the flames of her draconian assistant was occupying her mind. It was not unusual for the lavender mare to receive a letter from her mentor this way, but this one was different from the many others. Unlike the others before it there were no pleasantries in it. No comments on previous letters. Nothing, just a few lines of words. Simple words which constantly replayed within the scholars mind, never giving her peace.

From the desk of H.R.M. Princess Celestia, regent of the sun and day.

To my faithful student, Twilight Sparkle,

In light of recently uncovered events I would like to request your presence in the castle.

A chariot will arrive for you at noon tomorrow.

With regards,

H.R.M.

Princess Celestia

It had been just past dinner time when the letter arrived. At first she thought it was the response to a question she asked relating to the lay-energie resonance she had found in a crystal. But surely such a simple thing would not be enough to be called back to the castle? Right?

But if it wasn’t this, then what could it be?

Her assistant had tried several times to calm the panicking mare. Unfortunately for him he had chosen his comforting words rather poorly. “If you had done something wrong she would have sought you out here, not asking you to join her in the castle.” And “Please calm down Twilight. Remember the last time you started freaking out on us. I doubt the town can handle a second smarty pants incident”

It was at the memory of that incident a month or 3 ago that she really started getting worked up.   'What if she just said those things back then? What if she just needed time to think up my punishment? Or maybe now that Shining is on his honeymoon he cant persuade her to leave it be'

And with those thoughts she started to slip into even more ridiculous idea's and concepts on why exactly she had been summoned.

Her tea levitating behind her as she paced about the wooden floor. A few sips of the now cold beverage, she started the feel a bit dizzy and sleepy. Not even noticing it much due her frantic state of mind she started to feel more drowsy with every sip she took of her herbal based brew. After just a few more sips a loud tud combined with the sound of breaking porcelain could be heard echoing through the libraryhome.

From above the staircase a small purple and green scaled figure arose from the shadows, armed to the teeth with blankets and a pillow. Softly he muttered to himself as he saw the mare peacefully sleeping “I should really thank Zecora, the sleeping potion worked just as she said.” Looking at the mare gently sleeping on the floor in front of him he could not help but sigh 'She`s going to hate me for spiking her tea with it, but it was for the best.'

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The trip towards the castle was rather uneventful. As usual the stallions pulling the chariot through the open sky were less then talkative. It took little over an hour to get to her destination. Long enough for Twilight to think about how she got the banging headache she woke up with. Aswell why she had woken on the floor under a few blankets and a pillow under her head. At the end of the ride the only remaining explanation was to give Spike a scolding when she got back. All evidence was pointed at the baby dragon. Therefore the logical conclusion was that he was somehow involved or knew what exactly had happened last night before she fell asleep.

Moments after landing she had been led towards the throne room. But something about the atmosphere was off. There was no servant in sight along the corridors she was let through. Only a very few guards, all of them wore the insignia of Celestia's personal guard. What was going on, it felt like the entire castle was on high alert. The entire feel of the situation had put Twilight on a edge. Did Discord break out again? Were there more changeling sightings? She hoped all would be explained after she saw her mentor.

As the massive doors opened and the regal form of Celestia showed, the lavender mare knew something was off. But before she could ask or even say anything the alicorn looked at her student with tears forming in her eyes. Horn slowly starting to glow as the room filled with raw magic. Thoughts raced through Twilight’s mind  'Why? Have I disappointed her so much? Did I do something wrong?'

Slowly as the lay-energy around the princess' horn reached a peak she spoke. “I am sorry my student. But to ensure my survival and thus that of all of the land, your live must cease so its lifefoce can strengthen my own.” With the last word spoken the energy was unleashed in a ray of pure solar energy directed straight at the now softly crying mare.

As she saw the focused light from the princess' horn coming towards her in a painstakingly slow pace she closed her eyes in anticipation to what was bound to happen. Although closed by her eyelids teardrops could still be seen softly flowing over her cheeks accompanied by her soft sobbing which pierced the otherwise dead silent room.

She could now only feel the heat of the concentrated solar energy coming ever closer. Within moments a burning sensation filled her body. The odor of her scorching furcoat and mane filled the air. Allowing herself a final breath before conceding to her fate she could smell the awful scent. The tang of her burning fur reminded her a lot of crispy hashbrows and fresh coffee.

The moment the scents were processed by her overactive mind something clicked. 'Wait a second, burned fur does not smell at ALL like hasbrows and coffee, what in Celestia's name is going on here?' Fearfully she opened a single eye. Only to stare right in the rays of the sun, blurring her sight. A detached voice that seemed to come from far away as she felt gently nudging, a familiar voice one she thought never to hear again.

“Gee Twilight, are you going to lay there all day or are you getting up for some breakfast. You do remember that your transportation to the castle will be here within the hour right? Because I highly doubt the princess would like a Sparkle-centered swiss roll to go with her tea.”

2 groggy eyes strained themselves open as Twilight attempted to wake up fully, trying to dispel the strange dream. With her mind not asleep but yet not fully awake she tried standing up. Only to crash back to the floor almost instantly. It seemed that her dream had caused her to twist and turn like crazy throughout the night. Effectively rolling her up in a cocoon of blankets.