Our Inner Ponies 4: The Final Chapter

Reaching the train station was bad enough, the girls' intent staring was even worse, but the hour-long ride to Canterlot from Ponyville had to have been torture. Not only was it silent inside the train, but it was awkward and uncomfortable as well! And I don't mean uncomfortable as in "these seats are too hard;" I mean the silence was just uncomfortable. Deafening, almost. And, let's not forget awkward! No one said a single word, nor did they produce a sound ranging from a sneeze to a clear of the throat. The only sound that was thrown my way was the arrhythmic rhythm of the train's wheels against the track. Just when I thought the silence would surely swallow me up, the tall, well built exteriors of buildings reflected on my window.

It was quite a long walk to Princess Celestia's—and, like the train, silent, uncomfortable, and awkward—but the nine of us finally stepped foot in the gleaming castle belonging to Celestia. I gazed around at the spotless purple walls, the many white columns supporting the ceiling, and finally at the maroon carpet that slightly tickled my hooves. In a matter of minutes, the princess came into view. She seemed to be sorting through a cluster of papers, but managed to make frantic movements look elegant. I will never question Princess Logic. Ever.

"Why, hello girls," Princess Celestia greeted, looking up from the mess of papers near her throne. "And Lucky," she added with a smile. Everyone bowed respectfully. "So, what brings you all here to Canterlot?"

"We came seeking for advice, Princess," Twilight began, stepping forward. "It's about Zaria." When the princess looked my way, I ducked my head and adjusted my wing to cover my stomach.

"Now I don't want to alarm you, Princess," I heard Twilight say, "but..." I heard her sigh and slowly blushed as she began to explain to Celestia the discovery at the library. It took three to four minutes to fill the princess in on our newly discovered information, and I made the fatal mistake of peeking up at Celestia. To my surprise (and horror), she was staring right at me. I had a feeling she'd been doing that while Twilight had talked.

"And we're really not sure what to do," Twilight finished, taking a step back. "We want to make sure Zaria's safe, but we really need a prodigious plan that'll defeat Discord and Kayleigh."

There was a moment of silence before the princess said, "Zaria...come here, please." I swallowed back the nerves that had grown in my throat and fluttered up to the princess's thrown, making sure to give her a bow before I looked at her. Her stern gaze made my head hang down again, making the floor seem more interesting than her.

I felt a gentle yet strong hoof push my chin up. "Is this true?"

I swallowed again and nodded, darting my eyes back to the floor. "See for yourself," I heard myself mutter as my wing shifted from hiding my stomach to exposing it. I stole a glance at Celestia, then put my attention back to the floor.

"I see." The princess cleared her throat and spoke in a louder tone. "Thank you, Twilight, for alerting me of the possible reappearance of Ponyville's two most loathsome villains.

"You're welcome, Princess—"

"However, and this is a shock for me too, but..." The princess took in a deep breath. "I am at a loss of words for this certain predicament. Zaria mustn't be harmed, but Discord and Kayleigh have to be seized once and for all." Another wave of silence filled the room.

"We could always time travel again," Pinkie announced cheerfully. "Discord and Kayleigh could be hiding in the girls' world. Plus," she added with a laugh, "time traveling's fun!"

"No, Pinkie," Princess Celestia declared, and Pinkie's smile vanished. "Ponyville is still healing itself from the last three time warps. One more warp—even a small one—will put a hurt on Ponyville all over again."

"But, you're a princess!" Rainbow argued. "Can't you just use your magic to prevent Ponyville from getting harmed?"

"Even if I could—and believe you me, I can—it just wouldn't be enough magic to support Ponyville," the princess explained. "Or Zaria and Maya's world, for that matter. In fact, if I were to send these to back to their world right now, they would possibly travel in their pony forms. Or if they were humans, there wouldn't be enough magic to send both back."

I bit my lip on that one. I remembered the first time our time travels began, and Maya and I had to be sent back to our world together. And how my decision whether or not to have our memories erased or take on a new form would affect both of us.

"So, if they can't travel back to their world...," Applejack slowly began.

"And if they could, they'd be at risk of never returning to Equestria...," Rarity picked up.

"What are we gonna do?" Maya and I finished. Here we go with the together stuff!

"That is a question I will ponder incessantly on," the princess answered. "As for now—" Celestia's horn began to glow, and I could hear a small creak. I turned my head and saw the double doors wide open—"I think it would be wise if all of you stayed overnight at the palace. If I have not thought of a plan by then, then your stay will be indefinite."

I heard Rarity squeal happily—presumably about the indefinite stay in Canterlot—then she cleared her throat and said in some professional tone, "I think that decision is just fine, Princess." I shook my head lightly, smiling a bit. Typical Rarity.

Celestia told us which chambers we would all be staying in, and before I could join the others to leave Celestia's presence, she asked me to "stay for a moment." While I watched the others disappear from the room, I hesitantly stepped closer to the princess, curious and nervous to know the reason of why she'd asked me to stay.

Celestia placed her hoof on my shoulder (Oh my GOD) and looked at me with an expression mixed with compassion, seriousness, and...was it fear? Anxiety? "My dear," she said, "I hope you know that I will do whatever it takes to assist your dilemma, and that I will not rest until a plan has come to mind."

I nodded, smiling gratefully. Celestia smiled back and gave me a soothing hug. After that, I made my way to the hall, part of Lucky and Princess Celestia's words echoing in my ears:

We will get through this...

I will do whatever it takes...

And I had to believe them. Had to.