Bookends 2 or Making Dreams Come True

CHAPTER EIGHT

Voices In The Dark

Twilight didn’t know how much time had passed.  She knew that something bad had happened to her, something she didn’t know if she could ever come to terms with.  A horrible, horrible ordeal because she protected the love of her life and her mother.  A rampaging  monster abused and violated her.  She remembered wishing to whatever god, goddess or kindly spirit might be out there that she’d die and be free of the pain and shame.

Twilight was not sure if her request was fulfilled.  Everything went blank, when she was able to open her eyes for the last time (so she thought), she was being held and caressed by Princess Celesta.   As far as Twilight was concerned, her prayers were answered and she was resting in the bosom of her goddess where all her earthly pain and concerns would be soothed away.

Blackness came welcomed.

But now she was starting to realize that she had not died, that she was in some kind of coma.  She remembered reading how ponies in comas had reported remembering voices of those around them.

She found that she couldn’t move, open her eyes, speak or do any voluntary movements.  Her mind was free to wander, she thought of her childhood, her schooling, her coming to Ponyville and making wonderful friends.  But the one event that made all the past pain worth it all was a rose colored mare with a cutie mark of three smiling flowers.  A pony that made her realize that love and loving was not what she had assumed in the past.

To love, be loved and make love to a mare was not as preposterous as she had once assumed.  A pony that taught her more about life in about six months than what she had learned in the rest of her twenty-something years.

She was out for almost two months, but time meant nothing to Twilight.  She was just glad she was not dead.  There was now a chance of being back with her beloved.  That gave her more strength to ‘hold on’.

She had read that ponies who had ‘given up’ often died when their injuries that wouldn’t normally be fatal.  And Ponies who ‘fought on’ survived injuries that would’ve taken a stronger pony.

There were also other reasons that helped her to keep going.  They were voices, voices in the dark.

She could also feel contact that ponies would make with her.  Some ponies would hold her hoof and say nothing.  Some would stroke her mane and speak low and soothing.  There were even kisses on the cheek and fore head.  Yes, even some on the lips, she was sure that most were from Cheerilee and her family but she could tell some were princesses Celesta and Luna as well.

Later, she’d remember some of the conversations that her visitors would have with her;

“Twi?  It’s me Rainbow Dash.  I don’t know if you can hear me, but I just wanted you to know how much I miss my best friend.  I’m so glad that you and Cheerilee convinced Big Mac to ask me out.  I now understand the love you spoke of when you first started going out with Cheerilee.  I want to let you know that Big Mac is as broken up over you as I am.  But we’ve each other to support each other and give each other strength.  We’ve tried to be there for Cheerilee, making her dinner and making sure she is okay.  Her mother has been staying with her at the library.  I think that’s helping her as well.

We were going to postpone the wedding next month, but Cheerilee said that you wouldn’t want to be the reason for that.  I really wanted you to be my Best Mare, but knowing that you’ll be okay eventually will keep me going.

I know it flies against tradition, but when has that ever bothered me, but I’m not going to have a Best Mare in honor of you.

I bet I never told you just how much you’ve meant to me.  I want you to know that the day you flew into Ponyville was the best day of my life.  I got a friend that opened my closed mind to wonders that were out there.  Ones that I hadn’t noticed because I had my head so far up my flanks, trying to be a pony that I wasn’t.

Thank you Twi.  I really miss and love you.”

There was a kiss on the cheek and her hoof was held for some time thereafter.

Somepony had their hoof resting on her foreleg, a small hoof.

“Twilight?  I want you to know that Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo and I miss ya.  Of all ponies who’ve talked to us about our silly chasing after cutie marks, you’ve always been the most caring and supportive.  The only other pony that even comes close, other than our sisters, strangely enough is Miss Cheerilee.  Maybe that’s why you’ve made her so happy.  The two of ya are so alike.

Ever since the accident, we’ve had a substitute teacher.  Miss Cheerilee has not wanted to be away from ya.  We can tell that she loves ya so much.  Our substitute teacher says that you’re here because you loved Miss Cheerilee so much you were willing to risk your life for her.  I hope somepony will love me that much in the future.

Oh! You’ll never guess who the sub is!  It’s Princess Luna!  It’s so cool!  The first day she had us all make crowns and tiaras from cardboard and aluminum foil.  Then she swore us all in as honorary princes and princesses.  That way we could call her just Miss Luna.  She can be so funny!

But don’t get caught talking during a lecture or passing notes.  She turns into Nightmare Moon and scares the horse-apples out of us.  I think she has fun doing that.  And nopony is really that scared of her.  And everypony, including her, laughs afterwards.

Well I got to go, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo and I’ll be coming back in here to see you and we’re going to try to get our cutie marks in brain surgery!

No! Only kidding!

But I promise I’ll come back again and talk.”

“Twilight? Am I bothering you?  I hope not, I’ll go if you say I am.  But I just wanted to let you know how much Angel Bunny and I are thinking about you.  I really think it’s hit him hard,  he hardly ever acts up.  I know that he does act the way he does because he is so full of energy and mischief.  But in a good way.  Now we sit around the cottage worrying about you.

Even Mr. Bear came by and brought flowers to give to you.  They are on the table in a vase.

Ever since you found me practicing with the birds for the Summer Sun Celebration, I’ve found the ability to be more open to new things.  I’m ever so grateful for that.

Well I won’t bother you anymore for now.  Get better soon!

And I hope you won’t mind…”

There was a kiss on the forehead.

She felt her hoof being held on both sides.

“Darling?  I hope you can hear me.  Applejack and I wanted to come by and check on you.  You and Cheerilee opened our hearts to how much we meant to each other.  A love that helps sustain.  And now to see you like this, and to see how much Cheerilee is affected by this.  Well, we only wish we could so more.  Right Darling?”

“We’ve been so concerned, Sugar Cube.  The whole Apple Family ask about ya from Manehatten to Appleloosa.  You don’t realize just how much ya’ve touched pony’s lives.”

“We’ve or the rest of the Apples are making sure Cheerilee and her mother are fed and not left alone.  We feel so responsible to ya for our happiness, we wanted to make sure your happiness is taken care of also.”

There was a double hug, as gentle as possible from both sides.  Along with a kiss on both cheeks.

“Hi Twilight, it’s Sweetie Belle.  I remember how you were disappointed when you found out that I wasn’t singing at the talent show.  And thinking back, you were probably right that I should have.

Thank you for having faith in me and my friends.  And thank you for being a good friend to my sister.  I don’t know if she’s ever told you, but she is so glad to have you as a friend.  She talks about you all the time.

Well I won’t talk your ear off, so if you don’t mind, I’ll sing you a song.  Just for you!”

There was a kiss on the cheek and a beautiful little voice sang a comforting lullaby.

“Twilight, it’s Pinkie Pie!  How’re you doing?  I know that you can hear me, my Pinkie Sense tells me you can.  Don’t worry about us ponies out here.  We’re all taking care of each other and watching after Cheerilee.  I’ve had my sister, Octavia, drop by the library and play for Cheerilee, I think Octavia enjoyed it as much.  Cheerilee is such a big fan of her kind of music.

The Cakes have made sure that Cheerilee is getting treats from time to time.  We’ve had to make sure Spike leaves some cookies for her!

Ha!

Well I know that I can be annoying.  And don’t tell anypony that I admitted to it, but most of the time, I do it just to have fun with ponies!  So for now, I’m just going to sit here with you and hold your hoof.  If you need anything just let me know.

Oh and Twi?

I love you!”

A clawed hand held her hoof.

“Twi, it’s Spike.  You got to pull through this!  I miss you so bad.

You’re like my mother, big sister and best friend.  I try not to let Cheerilee or Rain Shadow hear me, but most nights I cry myself to sleep.

You’ve been there all my life.  Yours was the first face I ever saw.  Your face is the last thing that I see when I close my eyes at night.

I know that dragons are suppose to live almost forever, but if something happens that you can’t come back to us, I don’t think I could live!”

There was heavy crying, she could hear sniffing as Spike tried to get control of himself.

“I’m sorry Twi, you’ve enough to worry with, without me coming and crying to you.  Get well soon and come home.  I love you so much!”

“My most beloved student, I’ve never cared for any pony like I’ve found that I do you.  You’re so special, you’re like the daughter that I wish I could’ve had or more.

Being immortal has advantages.  But as the centuries go by, I find more and more disadvantages.  Like finding a pony that’s in spirit an equal to Luna and myself.  One that would be a perfect companion and friend for the ages but one that I’ll lose one day.

You cannot imagine the pain I went through when I discovered what that monster had done and was doing to you.

I almost killed it.

I’ve never talked to you about that.  But it’s my choice to never take a life unless it cannot be helped.  And yes, killing it would’ve come under that.  But I didn’t want to kill to protect,

I wanted to kill out of vengeance, out of hate.

Twilight, I’m ashamed to say but I’m still tempted to have your brother to go down into the dungeon and end the life of the wretch that tried to take you from me.  I know he’d do it without question!

And I would watch with satisfaction.

That’s why I can’t let that happen.

I’m sure that this sounds odd to you, and I know you can hear me.  But if you didn’t have Cheerilee for a lover, I’d want you for mine.  Together we’d explore forbidden magic and find a way for you to obtain immortality with me.  But this is something that I should never ever give voice to again.  You’re happy with Cheerilee and I don’t think that you could ever be as happy with me.

But the invitation for you and Cheerilee to share love with Luna and me will always stand.  And I think that you don’t understand what it is I am offering.  But perhaps we will be able to talk about that.

Please know there are many ponies out here that love you my darling, but very, very few as much as I do.”

There was a very passionate kiss that followed, no tongue but there could’ve been, there was also a hoof that stroked her abdomen, her nipples and almost to her marehood.  The hoof stopped, but Twilight felt that it was hard for her to stop.  Twilight was not sure if it would’ve disturbed her or if she was actually craving Celesta…..

No, Tia to continue.

A hoof took hers, she felt it lifted to a pony’s face and then kiss it.

“Twilight, it’s mommy and daddy.

Shining and Cadence are here too.  When we heard what happened we came as quick as we could.

It’s a good thing that Princess Celesta gave an order barring Shining from seeing the fiend.  Especially after he heard exactly what he did to you.  I think he would’ve tore him apart with his bare hooves.

But it’s better that he didn’t.  We know that you’d not have your brother sink to his level.”

“Twily, Cadence and I are beside ourselves.  You’ve meant so much to each of us and to us together.  Without you, there’d have been no us!  And despite what mom was saying, I wouldn’t have killed him.  I’d have hurt him so he’d remember that no pony hurts a Sparkle and lives comfortably after.”

“Twilight, don’t listen to my husband.  You know that Aunt Celesta did the right thing by imprisoning him in the darkness for life.

We’ve visited with Cheerilee and she appears to be holding up alright, at least she is putting on a brave face.

Your mother and her mother talked for a long time.  It was so good to hear that the pony does care for her daughter and cares for you.”

“Twilight sweetie, it’s daddy.  We’re all pulling for you and we’re keeping faith that we’ll be talking together real soon.  As you know, Cadence, Shining and I have important jobs.  So your mother is going to stay with Cheerilee and her mother for a while to help and just be near you.  She can’t stay too long, but she does want to help.

We love you sweetheart and we’ll be by a lot.”

There were two kisses on the lips and two on the cheek, then a hoof that held hers for several hours.

There was no physical contact this time.  She was not sure if she was hearing the voice with her ears, or was it directly in her mind.

“Twilight Sparkle, this is Loki.

I know that you know who I really am.  The only ponies that know this is just you and Fluttershy.  Thank you for not interfering, I also want to thank you for what you have done for Fluttershy.  She speaks of how when you first came to Ponyville, you helped her on a path to be more outgoing and thus open to relationships.

I know when Celesta had you and the other ponies release me, you didn’t trust me.  Don’t feel bad about that, you were right not to trust me.  I had no intention of ‘being reformed’.

But something happened that nopony expected.  Fluttershy opened her heart to me in friendship.  It’s been eons since anyone trusted me that much, not since I really did go by the name of Loki.  Even then I really didn’t have any friends.

The friendship awakened lost and hidden feelings.  The longing for companionship, so long buried, came to the surface.  Soon there was desire, not the type of desire for shallow and meaningless self-gratification.  No, desire to be truly loved, and I think as I started to be open to Fluttershy’s wants and needs, the same feelings woke up in her.

I want to swear to you now that my feelings for her are genuine, so much so that in taking this form, I am bound to it until the body dies.  Most of my power is suppressed until that time.  If it wasn’t, I would’ve healed you and sent that despicable worm to the fires of Tartarus!

That aside, I’m now Loki for decades to come, and I’m also Fluttershy’s protector, mate, and yes, lover.

And I hope, your friend as well.

Get better soon Twilight.”

Then the presence was gone.

A small hoof took hers;

“Twilight?  It’s Scootaloo.  I know that we’ve not talked a lot in the past.  But you’ve been such a friend to Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom’s sisters and I guess to them too.  I feel like we’re friends because of them.  I’ve seen how you’ve taken care of your friends and have been there for everypony.  I didn’t realize how much until this happened.  I want you to know that I’m proud of the pony you are and I know that I wish I can be the same when I grow up.

I told Rainbow Dash that I’d like it if she was my big sister, but I’d be just as proud if I had you as a big sister too!

Get better Twilight.”

There was a kiss to her hoof.

This time the kiss came first, a respectable kiss.

“Twilight Sparkle!  This is Lu, don’t get up!”

There was a short snickering.

“Don’t tell Tia that I used that joke.  She doesn’t get my humor.  Truthfully, sometimes I think my sister is so straight that she has a stick up her flanks!

But knowing her, she’d probably enjoy it!”

More snickering;

“I wanted to let you know just how much we need you to come back to us.  How much I need you to come back you me.  You freed me from my self-made hell of Nightmare Moon.  You showed me that there’s more to being a princess than being a hard-flanks.  You taught me humor, humility and whether you realize it, by your example, love.

My sister and I’ve talked and if you were free, there’d be a fight over you now.  Especially now with the two of us almost loosing you and causing both of us to examine out feelings.

The last time we felt anything even close to this was a little over a thousand years ago,  It was over a sharp and quite good looking stallion.  I think you may have heard of him.  His name was Star Swirl the Bearded.  And he was one heck of a lover.  I bet the history books don’t tell how he was able to keep two princesses going ALL NIGHT!  I still get wet thinking about him!

But all that aside, you taught me the same thing that you were sent to Ponyville to learn.  I’m happy to have you, your partner and your friends to be my friends.”

Then came a more subdued kiss.

“I love you Twilight Sparkle.”

There were other visits from the ponies of the community.  Mayor Mare, Bon-Bon, Bubbles, Lyra  Heartstrings, the Cakes and others.

However there was one visit that meant the most.

“Twi my love? it’s me.  Honey I have to believe that you can hear me.  I need you to come back to me.  Everypony; our friends, the princesses, the Apples, your family and my mother all are doing all they can to help me.  But sweetheart, there’s nothing that they can do to ease the pain that I feel when I see you like this.  You freed me to be me, you’ve showed me love without reserve, judgment or condition.  You’ve taken me into your home, your family and your heart.  Not that you intended, but you freed my mother and me from the threat of that pony whom I will never name again.

You were willing to sacrifice yourself to be abused, violated and even face death to save my mother and me, and at a horrible price.  A price that if you were able to talk to me right now, I’m sure you would tell me you would do it all over again for me.

My darling, I know you can hear me.  I want you to come home to me.  They send me home to rest, but every time I do I fear that you will not be here when I return.  They tell me that you’re getting stronger, but I still fear.  When at home, I sleep in that bed, OUR bed and no matter how many blankets I put on, it’s still cold without you there.  I’m lonelier now than I ever was before you came to me.

I know that sex isn’t the cornerstone of our relationship, but it’s so special.  I told you at first that I didn’t have any experience with sex.  That was not quiet true. Not long after I told my parents that I liked mares, my father came home drunk.  My mother was out for some reason.  He started in on a tirade about mare-lovers, and that he had half a mind to teach me what stallions were for.  It turned out he had half a mind.  After chasing me through the house, he cornered me in the hall.  I was just a young teen, I had no chance.  He kept talking like he was going to do me a favor.  Luckily my mother came home in time and he stopped before he could rape me!

I thought that that was the worst thing that could ever happen.  But seeing him rape you, in the condition you were in, made me ashamed to even feel bad about what he tried to do to me.

Truthfully, I know that all the stallions out there that are not like that.  I’ve seen what a good father is in your dad.  What a loving partner a stallion can be with your brother and Cadence or Big Mac and Rainbow Dash.

Don’t give up on ponies.  You’re so special, and I believe that you would sacrifice yourself for ponies even it they weren’t your lover.  A pony that special needs to be in the world.  Equestria needs more ponies like you.

I need you.”

Twilight felt Cheerilee’s face on her chest, she was crying harder than she had ever heard a pony cry.

“Please come back Twilight!  Come back!  I don’t want to live without you!”

The sobs continued, then Cheerilee thought she felt somepony stroking her mane.  She assumed that another of Twilight’s family/friends had come in the room and were attempting to comfort her.

Then she heard;

“Don’t cry Cheeri, I haven’t gone anywhere.” It was Twilight’s voice, low and harsh.

“TWILIGHT?” called Cheerilee.

She looked and saw that it was Twilight stroking her mane, her eyes were half open, she appeared to be trying to smile.

“Twilight!” said Cheerilee again.  She was kissing all over Twilight’s face.

“Darling, I love you, but it still hurts some!” said Twilight with a gleam in her eyes.

Cheerilee was laughing and crying at the same time.  She pulled the nurse call rope.  Then ran to the door.  She saw a passing nurse.

“Go get Princesses Celestia and Luna from the waiting area, NOW!”

Cheerilee went back to Twilight and held her hoof and just looked into her eyes.

“I love you Cheeri,” said Twilight still a little hoarse (no pun intended).

A doctor came into the room but was quickly run over by the two ruling princesses.

There was much excitement.  It was hard for them to leave Twilight alone enough to let the doctor check her over.

The word got out and soon the waiting room was full to capacity of ponies waiting to see Twilight.  But for now, only Cheerilee, the two mothers and the princesses were allowed in.  Normally it was only three visitors at a time, but just try to tell the princesses to leave.

Unless you like extended camping trips in the Everfree Forest!

There were so many visitors that it was put out by Princess Celesta that anypony that wanted to visit should be at the hospital in two days at one o’clock, right after lunch and she’d make sure that everypony would get to visit with Twilight at once.

The princesses convinced the hospital staff to allow them to use the dinning room to gather the family friends and visitors from the community.  Convinced as in all but making it a Royal Command.They moved the tables and kept the cushions and chairs in place.  They had ponies sit where they could.  Luckily all Twilight’s family were there that day.  Everypony made room for the family and friends of Twilight to sit at the front.

Twilight’s bed was wheeled in.  Twilight’s bed was elevated where Twilight was almost in a sitting position.  Cheerilee stuck to Twilight’s side, holding her hoof.  There was a smile on her face and tears of joy in her eyes.  As they came in the room, all the ponies stomped and cheered.  Twilight was taken aback.

She was wheeled to the front of the gathering, the two princesses stood behind them and Celestia addressed the crowd;

“My faithful subjects.  I want to let you know how touched I am at the outpouring of concern and affection for our friend Twilight Sparkle and for her partner Cheerilee.”

Applauds and cheers;

“I doubt that there’s a pony here that doesn’t know the sacrifice that Twilight made and was willing to make to save ponies she loved.  It’s just one more action by a pony close to all of us, that would’ve made the heroes of old blush!”

Chuckling;

“I don’t think that there’s a pony in Ponyville, nay, in Equestria that isn’t proud of the pony before us!”

Applauds and cheers;

“That’s why it makes me sad to know that despite all she’s done and for all the ponies she’s helped.  There are no ponies that can legally take care of Twilight.”

Mumbles;

“Twilight has a loving family.  A mother, father, brother and even my niece, her sister-in-law.  But Twilight is an adult so they no longer have any type of guardianship over her unless she is committed as a helpless cripple.  Which she isn’t!

She had friends the kind that most ponies wish that they had.  Ponies who’ve stuck together in the darkest of times and brightest.  Who’s actions have saved this town, country and it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say, the world!

They can support, care and watch after her.  But none can be responsible if hard decisions needed to be made!”

More mumbles;

“Twilight has been my student and friend since she was a filly.  She’s served the House of Celestia with distinction!  She’s saved myself and sister in the past.  And yes, I’m the ruler of all of the ponies of Equestria, but it isn’t my place to make decisions and judgements for the care of one pony, even one such as Twilight Sparkle.”

More mumbles;

“Twilight has the most wonderful of ponies as a lover and life-partner.  One who’s devotion to her marefriend is so great, I had to threaten her with having my guard escort her to get sleep or eat.

But even this dedicated pony can’t do the things for Twilight that might need be done.

This is because by the laws of Equestria, only a spouse can do the hard decisions and things required when Twilight can’t.

Is there a pony among you who believes that Cheerilee doesn’t love Twilight as much as a stallion would?”

No’s from the gathered;

“Has anypony seen evidence that Twilight loves Cheerilee any less than a stallion would love her?”

More no’s;

“To my shame, there’s been talk in the Canterlot Court about amending current laws that were written centuries ago, when the mindset of ponies was different.  I haven’t given much thought to these laws, thinking that I could do it later.

Now one of the greatest ponies to ever live, and I don’t exaggerate, has to suffer what is paramount to bigotry because of how ponies thought in the past.

Can we let that happen?”

“NO!” was the thunderous reply.

The princess smiled;

“Night Light, Rain Shadow, please come up here and stand by your daughters.”

There was questioning looks, and smiles from Twilight’s close friends and family who were figuring out what the princess was hinting at.

“Think carefully about what you say next, you’re about to make policy and history!”

The two parents came up and took their daughters by the hoof.

“As representatives of your families, do you consent to give these two in marriage?”

Night Light and Rain Shadow smiled and gave their daughters hoof a little shake saying that they were very happy hearing what they had just heard.  Twilight and Cheerilee’s faces lit up.  It hurt to smile so hard for Twilight, but she didn’t care.

Night Light and Rain Shadow looked at each other and nodded.

“We do, Your Highness,” was the reply in unison.

“Thank you,” said the princess with a smile. “You may be seated.

Twilight Sparkle and Cheerilee have by their actions proven the limitless depth of their love.  Even the narrowest of minds couldn’t deny this.

Twilight for her willingness to sacrifice herself for the pony she loves.  Cheerilee by her devotion to the one she loves.

And so I just have a few questions for you two.”

Looking at Cheerilee;

“Cheerilee, do you take Twilight Sparkle to be your wedded wife?  To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, to love and to cherish, until death do you part?”

“I do, your majesty!” Said Cheerilee, a tear streaming down her cheek.

Then turning to Twilight;

“Twilight Sparkle, my beloved student, do you take Cheerilee to be your wedded wife?  To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, to love and to cherish, until death do you part?”

“I do, your highness, more than anything!” said Twilight.

“Then if none object,” said Celestia.

Not a sound from the gathered.

“Hearing none, in the name of the Crown” said Celestia,  “and Our Regal Self.  I declare you the first wedded mare couple in Equestria!

What We join together,

Let no pony sunder!

You may now kiss the Brides.”

Cheerilee kissed Twilight as deeply as she dared considering her injuries.

“May I be the first to introduce Mrs. Twilight and Mrs. Cheerilee Sparkle.”  Said the Princess with a smile.

All the crowd jumped to their hooves, cheering and stomping.  The noise woke every foal in the nursery, but it could be forgiven considering that the medical staff cheered as loudly!

The princess asked that Twilight and Cheerilee be allowed to return to Twilight’s room to ‘come to terms’ with what just happened.

Most ponies filled by in a quick receiving line to congratulate the couple and then filled out.

Twilight and Cheerilee’s family and friends along with the princesses took Twilight and Cheerilee back to Twilight’s room.

Later, it was agreed that everypony should give Twilight and Cheerilee some privacy for the night.  Cheerilee let the medical staff know if there were any problems that she’d let them know, but that they should skip Twilight’s room when rounds were made that night.