6000 years

Ch2

Twilight flew down the small decline, landing safely beside the pond. The water reflected Celestia's sunset, it shone through the thick layer of branches and foliage above. Picking up some one of the flat stones, Twilight spent the last few minutes of daylight simply enjoying herself in skipping stones, getting away from the world. Philomena on her shoulder, a silent chirp every now and then as words of encouragement or congrats. The sun had set far below the horizon once Twilight had begun to fly back to castle, the crisp night air chilling her feathers.

Landing on the Lower balcony, the lavender alicorn took a moment to admire the vast strip of universe Luna had revealed that evening. It suddenly made her feel very small, like a molecule taking part in a bigger plan. She had often felt this way before, sometimes she felt scared, overwhelmed, maybe even broken a few times around. Sighing, Twilight turned, leading herself by muscle memory to her bed. Possibly bumping into a guard or two along the way. Wrapping the blankets around her, she curled up, closing her eyes, ready for another day. But was disturbed at the familiar sound of hoofsteps across the marble floor. Not turning around, for she knew pain would overwhelm her, just sitting still, in fear of the emotions about to run ramped inside her head.

Celestia saw the lavender tail of Twilight Sparkle swoosh through the door into her room.  Waiting a moment, Celestia slowly opened the door, a purple lump resided on the bed, one of her wing tips sticking out under the covers. Smiling, she walked over, pretending not to notice her student wasn't asleep. Laying down next to Twilight, putting a wing over the other mare in a protective manner. Celestia took a moment to look inside her students mind, not too intrusive, but just enough too see if the one she cared about most was ok.

What she saw was overwhelming, the mix of emotions crashing through her students head. Fear and curiosity combined together. Anxiety and a feeling of betrayal swooshed overhead,and a dozen others fought like cobras. With a simple calming spell, it was over.

Sighing, Celestia recollected her thoughts, reminding herself, even though it was painful, it was normal. Roaming back into her students mind, she meandered silently through thoughts the thoughts. A certain vision caught her eye, examining it more carefully, it was a barren wasteland, Twilight was looking around, everything was flattened, no signs of life, looking down, the image showed a certain gravestone, simple, though finely crafted.

Princess Celestia

A leader, Teacher, Mentor,

let her sun shine upon every pony for an eternity to come.

The vision changed to the Canterlot palace up in flames, rioting had taken place in the courtyard, hundreds upon thousands of ponies yelled the same thing:

"Unfit to rule! "

"Unfit to rule! "

"Unfit to rule! "

Celestia was taken aghast at the future world Twilight had built inside her head, was this the fears her student felt within her head? Not to intrude anymore than she had, the great princess left her students mind and hugged her close. You could feel Twilight's breathing slow into a state sleep, now temporarily relieved from her current emotions.

Taking her time not to wake Twilight, Celestia stood up, and silently walked out of the room, face a mixture of grief and thoughtfulness, questioning herself why she never took Twilight's worries so seriously.