New Wings

"Starswirl, tell me. What do we do now while my sister is away?"

"We wait."

Luna stood there with a book beside her, spread open on the table. She simply stared out into the space in the library, not sure how long Starswirl's wait idea was supposed to take. The room was perfectly still that one would be forgiven for thinking it simply a hyper - realistic life - sized sculpture made by the best workers in the world. Even the skies outside were clear, and unmoving. No birds passed, no clouds drifted, and no ponies stepped across the grounds. Apparently Starswirl did not thrive in silence, having been sealed in a book alone for countless years.

"So, how have the past few centuries for you, Luna?"

"I sincerely hope for your sake that that question was out of ignorance and not an attempt to insult me."

"Why would I want to insult you?" The book's pages folded slightly inward, as though shrugging. "Why? What happened while I was gone?"

Luna turned her head away. "I was put on the moon for a thousand years by my sister when I let my inner darkness consume me... I think that about sums it up."

"Sorry... I didn't know. That must have been hard." Starswirl's pages bent inward in a motion reminiscent of a standard facehoof. Luna answered dryly, "No, it was fun."

Starswirl laughed a bit. "Oh, Luna, your humor's still as bad as ever. It's a shame I'm just a book now. I miss laughing with my whole body."

"Really? It's kind of nice to know that someone appreciates my type of silliness." It was very minor, but Luna's face was tinged with a slight pink hue barely visible on her dark blue coat.

"It is one of the things I've missed the most since I put myself to sleep here. Somewhere higher up on that list, of course, was you yourself."

"Still quite the charmer, aren't you, Starswirl, even as a book?"

"Well, I couldn't exactly change myself, could I? These pages are written in indelible ink after all."

The two chuckled and kept on waiting for whatever it was that Starswirl said to wait for. The massive hourglass at the center of the library room drained a little bit, and the doors swung open, revealing a slender pegasus with a white coat and a pink mane. She was regal and graceful even in royal presence, and moments later she became royalty herself, her pink turning into a flowing aurora, her form becoming more pronounced and graceful.

"Tia! How has the past been? Is it over? Is Twilight Sparkle no longer dead?"

"No. Far from it."

"What happened?"

Celestia drew up cushions for her and Luna to sit on, and a stand to prop Starswirl up on. Her horn glowed a golden glow and the book rose into the air, landing neatly on the stand. She sat down on the cushion in front of the book, and Luna took her seat on the other one, beside Starswirl. Once they were all seated, Celestia simply stayed put, not speaking. Luna asked, "Sister, why are you silent?"

Celestia grinned a bit. She needed a bit of a break from the stress she'd encountered and she wanted to relax, even if it was just for a minute. "I know you still have some things to discuss with Starswirl... You always did like speaking with him, right, Luna?" She nudged him, poking fun at her embarrassment.

"Those things can wait, Sister."

"For when I'm not around?"

"Tia!" Luna threw her cushion at Celestia, who simply dodged it and laughed. "Oh, how I needed that. Ahem. Excuse me. I'll be serious now." She then adopted a serious tone as she fixed her seat and began to recount her story. "I haven't fixed anything yet. This visit into the past, I simply observed, trying to figure out what exactly drove my most faithful student to murder... It was a horrible experience, watching her like that and not doing anything, but it was effective. I have found out something very unsettling."

"What is it?"

"Later, sister. I must tell the story first."

Celestia emerged from a shaded alleyway near the palace grounds. The sun was very near its azimuth and it drifted slowly through the sky, casting its golden glow on her pink mane and graceful form. She examined herself first - the sun told her that her jump was accurate, putting her back in Canterlot ten minutes before Twilight emerged from the palace, leaving her some time to adjust to any changes the jump might have brought.

Inspecting her body to see if anything had gone wrong, Celestia noticed her lack of a horn. She guessed that that was what Starswirl spoke of when he said that she would be weakened while in the past. It wasn't much of a hindrance, after all, getting spotted in her normal appearance while she was supposed to be in the castle would prove more negative than positive.

She walked to the fountain, inspecting her reflection. She saw that her mane was no longer flowing in an imaginary breeze, instead, it was behaving according to the laws of normal physics, flowing down her back. It wasn't multicolored anymore either; it was now just a plain pink. Her mark had also toned down to a more simplified version of the sun, and her eyes were less vibrant. She found her appearance suitable, and she stretched her wings for a bit, finding them fully functional.

Looking at the skies once more, and at the sun, she judged that it was about time for Twilight to come back out broken - hearted. Walking slowly, so as to not draw any unwanted attention - she was failing in this regard as she was still very beautiful and graceful even as a normal pegasus - she proceeded to the castle grounds. Sure enough, Twilight came walking out very sluggishly, weighed down by her heavy heart. It took Celestia all she had to resist the urge to run forward and comfort her most faithful student and admirer, and to tell her why she couldn't accept her feelings or return them. Biting her lip, she stepped back and simply looked.

She eyed her features, but she had to hide behind a statue to do it in case someone were to think her a pony with malicious intent of any nature. Looking intently, Celestia noticed how Twilight's steps were very light, and how her mane was ever so slightly made shinier with what possibly was Rarity's hoofwork. Her coat was also slightly more well - kept and glossy, most likely another example of what her white, dainty unicorn friend would do if left unchecked and with free rein. And those eyes of hers! The sadness was evident in them, with those small tears and the little sparks playing across the surface.

Celestia followed her a bit, wanting to see if she would do anything more before going home. Watching her pupil's very slow progress across the streets, she soon came to the conclusion that Twilight had nothing else to do, as her path went straight towards her home. It took a little more time until Twilight finally arrived at the doorstep of her family's home, at which point Celestia had arrived at another conclusion: her lack of alicorn power meant that she needed to eat. Glancing over her shoulder as she left to look for food she could get with what little money she had on her, she saw Twilight enter the door, and for a fraction of a second, the sparks grew more intense.

"Sister, what do you mean by... sparks? Surely Twilight Sparkle's eyes were not dripping lightning?"  Luna asked, skeptical, as any sane mind would be when told that someone was crying electricity, and that someone was not an electric eel.

"Sparks, indeed. I saw them with my own eyes."

Starswirl said nothing, his pages held up to his spine, as though in contemplation. He had no face, but had he one, it would be scrunched deep in thought. Celestia noticed his concentration and guessed that the had come to the same conclusion as she had.

"Pray continue, sister."

Night had fallen over Canterlot already as Celestia stood on vigil outside Twilight's room window, hidden in the one cloud that was still in existence. She made it herself earlier and hollowed out a space from where she could watch and stay unseen. Twilight was still somber, as far as Celestia could see in the dim candlelight of her room. She was no longer crying, instead looking full of thoughts. She obviously was contemplating her next actions.

Celestia noticed something strange as she watched on. Twilight seemed to be very hesitant about the idea of setting her house on fire, and was indeed going about resolving her thoughts in a weird way. Instead of the usual quill and parchment pro - and - con list, she was talking it over with her parchment. Or at least whatever it was on her table that she was talking to. Definitely not Spike - he was elsewhere for some royal business.

It could simply have been the candle fading, or the night getting dimmer, but Celestia could have sworn that for an instant Twilight's eyes turned black. She nodded, and the candle's flame grew stronger, urged on and fed by her magical power. Strange... Her horn's glow was a little murkier.

Once the flame was three times as intense, she went to bed and slept, doubt still visible upon her face. Once more, Celestia resisted the urge to go in and stop everything from happening, but she held herself in place. If she acted without knowing everything - even if her guesses were most probably right - she would end up causing more harm than good. So she watched, as the flames licked the ceiling and the walls, and as Twilight slept soundly Celestia had to bite and hit herself to stop her wings from taking flight and saving the two adults unconscious and dying upstairs. She kept her eyes pried open and fought the tears from flowing.

The flames crept towards Twilight's sleeping form, and Celestia's wings reared themselves even as she tried to restrain her. Staying in place only by slamming her wings into the cloud and getting them temporarily stuck, she watched as the fire grew bigger and bigger. She was however surprised greatly by the orange glow suddenly darkening into a monochromatic grey, and the fire crept away from Twilight as it took up its hue once more.

"This whole thing... It sounds familiar, Sister... Unpleasantly so." Luna frowned, trying to remember what it was that the situation bore a resemblance to; failing to do so, she simply looked at Starswirl, trying to see if he'd figured out anything, which was proving hard as he had no facial cues to read.

Starswirl still sat there - he had no choice, after all, not having any legs - thinking. He came upon a conclusion, which he knew was the same as the one Celestia had come to. Celestia noticed his thinking somehow, and asked him, "Starswirl, what do you think?"

"I think we have the same ideas," he said, and Celestia nodded. "I'm not going to say anything yet though, as I'd really rather not live with that being true. Go on with the story, Princess."

Celestia gulped a bit. "I think... I made a mistake... Do you think minor details will change the present?"

"We can't say unless we know the details, Tia. Please continue."

Celestia stalked Twilight as she stalked the pegasus through the empty street. She had seen the previous murders, and they were gruesome even for her eyes that already saw more than a thousand years. Her white form shivered as she remembered how her student carved up the pegasi with all the precision of a surgeon and all the rage of a mad mare. She never even saw that a pony held so much blood inside in person before Twilight unknowingly showed her all the parts of the equine's anatomy.

Silently, she flew above the scene, once again hiding herself in a cloud. She could see clearly Twilight's advance, and her spell rooting her victim to the ground. She could hear her maniacal laughter amid broken pleas for mercy, and the swinging of her blade, and the muffled screams of pain as wings fell off the pony, and the sound of muscle being split apart as he was slowly carved into an unmoving heap of dead flesh.

She could see Twilight laughing madly and hacking away, and she could see the blood painting the scene. She trembled, for none of the previous murders were as violent. She saw how her smile stretched across her entire bloodied face, and how her ears twitched in anticipation, and how her eyes sparked in her mad delight. She also heard clearly the other unseen companion speak from nowhere, unaware of her vigil above.

Upon hearing the voice, Celestia shook slightly, and the cloud she was on released some water. Knowing that it would lead to her detection, Celestia flew as fast as she could to another nearby cloud. The drops of water fell upon the floor, and the moment she noticed it, Twilight turned to the cloud, her glee transformed into mad rage, as she shot it with a bolt of discolored lightning. Celestia quickly fled, but Twilight didn't notice her, and she went on with her happy carving work.

"I see now why this situation is so familiar... Tia, can it be?" Luna's eyes were wide as she asked, out of a mix of apprehension, concern and fear.

"It can, and it is. The events are familiar to us as we had witnessed it long ago... The very events preceding your fall to darkness." Celestia nodded gravely.

"It appears my guess was right then. Sombra is returning soon." The book flipped its pages and folded itself, trying to give a grim expression, once again foiled by its lack of a face.

"Yes, indeed... But there is hope... If we do not let him take root in any powerful heart, the Crystal Empire which returns with him can cast him out once more."

"He is what is behind Twilight Sparkle's descent into darkness then, Sister? How can we prevent his return then, if he has already taken hold of her in the past?"

"I have a few plans... Starswirl, can I return to the past more than once?"

"Of course, but each time you do, you will have to avoid not only the public, and you from the time, but also any instances of you that have gone to the past... Unless..."

"Unless what?"

"There is a trickier version of the spell, which allows you to visit the past as it was in its time, unchanged by any other time - traveling versions of yourself. This means that you can return to the same point as much as you'd like. But the price to pay for this is that the more frequently you go back, the closer you get to being stuck in your weakened form."

"Can that be reversed?"

"Possibly, but it will require immense amounts of magical power. If Luna were to use her reserves for reverting you, you would be returned to your normal state but neither of you would be able to do anything much for some time."

"If a magical battery is all that I need for that, I think I have a solution... What else do we need for this advanced version of the spell?"

"I'll need a physical form, for one. This book's comfy and all, but it's hard to do magic using pages. And if you're going to be staying in the past for a long time, I'd rather I had a real body so I can spend time with Luna without needing her to carry me around."

"Let's see what can be done about that."

Celestia stood with Luna and Starswirl in the palace's grand hall. She had arranged for a banquet to introduce Starswirl, whose preserved essence they temporarily put in a very realistic mannequin, as Luna's coltfriend, in order for his activity around the palace to go unquestioned. He would be needing to take care of her work with Luna while she was gone, and he would also need to make sure that the spell was always ready. Naturally, the media hounds lapped up the story, but Luna's more intimidating presence kept them away and kept Celestia's secret hidden. The story also drew attention away from Celestia's constant diplomatic missions with the giraffes.

Currently, the guests had all left and the only ponies in the hall were Celestia, Luna, Starswirl, and Cadence. Cadence was still somewhat disgruntled, having been called without prior notification. She didn't mind the travel or the feasting, or the news that Luna had male company, but she still held that some earlier warning would have been nice.

"Cadence. I think you are aware that there is more to my call than a mere invitation for festivities," began Celestia. "There is some other purpose I had in mind when I called for both you and Shining Armor, and I am sorry to impose, as I know you two have earned a well - deserved break and yet you have continued in your duties, but I must call upon the two of you once more for another matter."

"Your Highness? What are you talking about?"

"I believe you know what happened to Twilight, my most faithful student, yes?"

"Yes..." Cadence's voice was extremely bitter, and it was obvious that she in part blamed herself.

"I have investigated her circumstances, and consequently discovered something unsettling that you and your husband stand the best chance against. I have discovered what drove her to insanity, and that is what you must fight. I'm sending the two of you north to rule the Crystal Empire and protect it, for Sombra is returning, and your presence is sorely needed there."

Cadence only stood dumbfounded. Not only was she told that a being practically hatred incarnate was about to come back and make another scene, she also was told that the same being was the reason for her favorite filly going insane. Unsure how to handle things, she simply nodded and left.

"Now that that's taken care of... I'll be off again. Starswirl?"

"Spell's ready, Princess."

"Take care of Luna for me, will you?"

"Always."

Starswirl's horn glowed, resonating with Celestia's, and the room grew brighter and brighter until with an audible pop and a blinding flash of light, Celestia was gone.

Staring at the blank space, Starswirl and Luna simply stood in place, not doing anything. Finally, Starswirl put a hoof around Luna and slowly led her out into the yard for the Night Court. "Come on, Luna, we have to keep up appearances." He smiled and the two walked into the yard and faced the crowd, wishing Celestia luck silently.

She would most likely need it.