Chapters "I'll never forget you," she said before stepping through the portal back home. And yet, she found herself leaving a place that felt too much like home already.
It was a cold winter evening, with a half foot of snow on the ground and no end in sight. It was a pleasant snowfall, completely silent with the flakes passing through the light given off by various lanterns and lights. It was a quiet time, with the only sound heard being the slow crackling of the fire. It was at times like this that Twilight, in the glow of the fire, allowed her normally organized mind to wander wherever it may, for there was no harm in doing so really. So she, in doing so, found herself thinking of that other world for some reason. It intrigued her, it did.
"I wonder if the snow looks as good over there as it does here," she said quietly to herself as she looked out the window. Again, the mention of snow helped to surface a thought. There was something about the current date and season that rung a faint bell in the back of her mind, like when one knows they know something but can't remember what it is. Either way, it was keeping her awake. She had the notion to look at the calender. "Time," she thought to herself, "something about time." She paused her pondering and slowly lifted her head to levitate over some old calenders from their set place in the corner. She then started to flip through them with half-closed eyelids as she scanned them for anything pertinent. She got to about two and a half years ago and was about to abandon the endeavor when something caught her eye. Between the folds of June and July were several stacked papers with writing on them. She carefully pulled one out and read the text:
An Analysis On the Human World: Part Two
I would like to note with curiosity the strange vehicles the "humans" of the Mirror World posses. They seem to move by some input by the humans through means that I didn't have the time to study...
It was all coming together. Twilight brought over the second calender and flipped between the date she was looking at and present time. Yes, two and a half years almost, the portal would be opening. So why did it concern her so? Did she forget something there? Was she simply obsessed? The more she thought about it, she realized it went much further than that. When she said goodbye, it wasn't enough. There was little final about it; it was more like a hasty departure as she went through the portal seconds before it closed. She still felt a connection to that place, and the connection only strengthened as the day of the portal opening got near. She had to go back, if only to say goodbye in more favorable circumstances. And more so, she would like to see how her friend's counterparts are doing. Yes, she decided that she would in fact ask for Celestia's permission to do so. Her thoughts set, she finally was able to get herself into a restful sleep.
She went over her list again, making sure nothing was wrong. She told herself with surety that everything was in order, that she had to do this. She had compensated for her wrongdoings, was taught in the manner of friendship, had a boyfriend, even. She was happy.
But there was some unfinished business that she needed to complete, once and for all, one person that she hasn't been able to apologize to. She needed to tell her how sorry she was for her past actions, and ask for her forgiveness. She couldn't live with herself if she simply left it at that terrible day where she–
She looked out the window to where the snow was falling. "Good," she said quietly to herself, if the weather was like this for the next couple of weeks, she would have no problem taking care of what she needed to do.
"Spike take a letter." Twilight said the next morning.
"On it," he said as he took a piece of paper and a quill, holding both expectantly.
Twilight smiled softly, "Now, could you give those to me?"
Spike raised an eyebrow, "But I need these to wri– oh," he said, taking the hint that this was going to be private. He then obediently handed the writing materials over. Twilight thanked him and walked upstairs to her room as he continued looking expectantly. He knew that this letter must be very personal considering the trust that the two shared.
"Dear Princess Celestia,
It has come to my attention that the portal at the Crystal Empire will open in a few days. I would ask for your permission to take this opportunity to once again travel to the Mirror World and, for lack of a better phrase, see how everyone is doing. I trust your judgement and hope that you will answer expeditiously. "
Celestia read over the letter a few more times and gave a sigh that wasn't frustration, but wasn't quite accepting either, she knew that everypony should forget about the mirror world; she didn't like the danger of upsetting the balance of reality here or there. And yet, she kept it there in that dark room for some reason either unknown or, more likely, denied by her. She also knew that she couldn't say no. "Very well," she thought, Twilight would be allowed to go, and then she would get rid of the mirror.
"My Dearest Student,
You will be glad to hear that I hereby grant you the permission to once again explore the human world under more favorable conditions. I would like you to take a few notes about this world as well, the small amount of information you have provided our scholars here are of great interest. Now, you should know that the portal will only stay open for ten days, though I imagine that will be plenty of time for you to do as you like. I will not be able to see you off, but I wish you safe travels.
Twilight scrutinized the space below the last line, not only did the letter end abruptly, but it seemed that Celestia attempted to remove some lettering at the end. She put that at the back of her mind; she had to prepare for the trip.
"Spike," she called, "I'm going to be out for about nine or ten days."
"Come again?"
Twilight checked over her things one more time as she waited for the train to arrive. Satisfied with her inventory she looked down the railway and could not see anything beyond five feet due to the snowfall. The station was empty and completely silent, save for the almost unnoticeable rustle of thousands of snowflakes joining the others on the endless white blanket that lay over the landscape. Soon, another rustling joined the rest, and Twilight turned around to see her friends trudging through the snow, kicking up dunes of white powder that were quickly smoothed over by the elements.
Applejack was the first to speak, "Hey Twilight," she said quietly.
“Hi Applejack," Twilight responded in like manner.
"Dear, Spike tells us that you are going to revisit the mirror world, is that right?" Rarity asked.
"Yes," said Twilight. The faint rumble of the train could be heard in the distance.
"And you are sure this is something you need to do?" Rarity asked.
Twilight nodded. After a few seconds she then said, "Don't worry, I'll be back in about ten days." Her friends slowly nodded one after the other. There was an unsurity about them and a slight coldness that was separate from the snow. "Is something the matter?" She asked.
There was another pause as they looked down at the ground, not quite sure what to say. Applejack spoke again, "We're sorry Twilight, it's just that we've been the best of friends for the past few years, and the thought of you leaving for a few days for some other friends that are similar to us but not quite us is a little- unsettlin'. Ah suppose we're a little jealous you could say." Twilight looked around to her friends; all were wearing tight smiles but couldn't quite meet her eyes.
"Oh girls," Twilight smiled at another sign of how close they'd become. She then pulled them into a hug, "don't worry, this will be the last time I go." Though she felt a certain sadness as she said so.
"Well, I hope you have fun!" Said Pinkie Pie brightly but not too loud in respect to the tranquility around them. They then stood there under the station overhang as they waited for the train to arrive, doing nothing more than enjoying each other's company and happy to have resolved the short lived problem.
When the train did arrive, the conductor stepped out and was about to shout "all aboard" out of force of habit, but stopped when he saw the lone ticket holder. Instead, he simply held the door open and waited. Twilight walked towards the train, looked back, exchanged one last smile with her friends, and stepped on the train. With one shattering whistle, it set off into the flurry.
The wait was unbearable, the portal would open in one day, but the last three days she spent preparing were occupied with said preparing. Now that everything was together, she could only sit around at home. She hadn't allowed much communication with her friends. Despite knowing of the mirror world, they knew nothing about it; they wouldn't understand. She looked out the window and could see a mother and her daughter walking through the snow, kicking up short-lived dunes as they did so. She felt a pang of guilt as she watched them, and so became more resolute of her task. She stared out the window.
The snow continued to fall.
Twilight stepped off the train and looked around. The Crystal Kingdom's station was nearly as empty as the one back home, save for a lone couple that was boarding for Canterlot. She thanked the conductor and headed off for the palace. As she walked through the residential area of the kingdom, she couldn't help but notice that the weather made the area look a lot like Ponyville. She could see the glow of windows and some laughter emit from one; it gave her a comforting familiar feeling, and she stood there watching for a few minutes. Finally, a chilly gust of wind prompted her to continue walking.
She smiled, "Hello Flash."
"How are you?"
"Good."
"..."
"Um, could you open the door?"
"Oh, right!"
"Thank you."
They walked side by side through the empty halls, their hoofsteps echoing through the empty air. "So," Twilight finally said, "how is Spinning Loom?"
"She's doing fine."
"That's nice."
They repeatedly looked at each other sideways, as those who were in a previous relationship that didn't end badly would do.
"So I heard what you're here to do," he said as they approached her quarters.
"And?"
"Nothing," he said when they stopped in front of the door. He sighed and put a hoof on her shoulder, "Just... take care of yourself." Twilight nodded before exchanging a smile with him and going inside to her bedroom to get ready for tomorrow.
Later, Twilight was reading a book when Shining Armor came in with a cart of food. "Dinner!" he said.
Twilight raised an eyebrow and smiled, "Demoted much?"
Shining laughed and walked over with the cart, "What? I can't deliver foods to my BLSF?" His voice lost just a little of its humor, "but honestly, sometimes it gets boring to be catered to every minute of the day. I mean really, I can't get up to relieve myself without servants asking me if I need anything."
Twilight nodded and took some food, "And how's my niece?"
Shining straightened up a little, "Little Comet Gazer is doing great," he said with no small amount of pride.
"Took you long enough to find her name," Twilight teased. "Her name sounds like a magic or astronomy related one."
"Maybe Auntie Twilight could teach her a thing or two." Shining drifted off a bit, "and babysit a little, and give me and Candace a break..."
Twilight raised an eyebrow, "You only have one child, how much time do you–" she noticed Shining's wry smile and it dawned on her. "You have another on the way, don’t you?"
His face turned a little red, "What can I say? Being married to the princess of love has its benefits..." There was a brief pause, then they both burst into suppressed laughter. After calming down, with now both their faces a bright red, Shining said, “So, has my little sister found herself a nice stallion to settle down with?”
“Well,” Twilight started, “I've been sort of looking… sometimes”
Shining chuckled, “Come on Twilight, you’re bound to find one now that all the guards are returning home. I could introduce you to a couple of them that I know well.”
“I’ll find my own special somepony thank you very much,” she said, “I don’t want a repeat of what happened last time my friends tried playing matchmaker with me.”
“Do tell.”
Applejack stood at the doorway to the house, her fist hovering by the wood. "What are you waiting for?" Rarity whispered, "we need to see what has had our friend avoiding us for so long."
"Ah know, Ah know, but she must have a reason for doing so." Applejack replied.
"But really, avoiding our calls, our letters, us even. I just don't see why– what is it, Applejack?"
Applejack was bending down, intently looking at something sticking out from underneath the door. Her hand hovered for a second, then snatched up a piece of paper. She spread out the paper and held it up to the ambient moonlight. It read:
Dear friends,
I apologize for my absence and avoidance for the past few days. I have been preparing for a trip of very personal nature and could not afford any distractions until then. If you are reading this, I will have already left. I'll tell you all about it when I return. Until then, –S.S.
She watched from inside her darkened room as Applejack and Rarity read the letter. She saw them exchange a few words, both wearing an expression of resignation. Finally, they left and went their separate ways back to their homes and families. It was a bitter jealousy that she held for that which her friends had. But she did not resent them for it, not at all. They had only been so kind for the past two and a half years: bringing her treats, teaching her how to have friends, expressing the utmost patience with her. While she could never pay them back in full, nor would they want it, there was one else she could pay back, and she would.