Rise of Dark Equestria: Return of Sombra

Rise of Dark Equestria: Return of Sombra

“What will you do when faced with the hate of the ones you love the most? That is the question one mare must answer if she is to find herself after being lost in a sea of Hate and Lies...”

By Dragon Feather and AlicornMistress

Chapter 2: The Fall of Harmony

Part Two: Twilight's Lament and Discord's Tears

In the days following the funeral services the remaining Elements of Harmony, save for the Princess of Friendship, began to go through some radical changes. Do the fact the harmony between them had been broken by the death of the Element of Generosity the magic that had held the others in an ageless state was now gone. So the 135 years they had not aged was now catching up with them rapidly.

It all started off slow with all of them reporting aches and pains, stiff joints and feeling tired more often than usual. Pinkie had found a few gray hairs in her mane and tail but thought nothing of them. The last two week or so had been very stressful for everypony. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy had lost a few feathers and found a few that had lost their color completely. After getting over the shock of the discovery and some much needed preening the whole thing was soon forgotten. Applejack was complaining about some minor pain and discomfort in her right hip but pushed it aside since she had been training with guards lately to pass the time.

None of the four mares had seen or spoken to Twilight since the funeral, they were all taking great care to avoid the Princess of Friendship right now. None of the other Elements wanted to say the wrong thing to Twilight or make the already bad situation worse. The last thing the Elements wanted to do was push an already stressed and guilt ridden Twilight over the edge. The last thing that anypony had heard or seen of Twilight she hadn't left her private study since the close of the Sir Spike the Great's Memorial Day parade a week ago. What the purple alicorn was doing in her study no pony knew but it did worry Fluttershy and the others.

The lives of the Elements of Harmony had now calmed down as the citizens of Equestria had opted to leave them be to deal with their grief over the deaths of two of their closest friends. In the wake of this all of the bad blood between Rainbow Dash and the Wonderbolts died out overnight. The pegasi of Cloudsdale became very sympathetic to her pain and stopped hounding her for attention. In the following weeks life went back to the way it had been fifty years ago for the cyan mare.

Fluttershy soon found that the ponies of Equestria had stopped seeking her out to train their exotic pets or for approval of pet choices. Fluttershy was once again able to leave her house and visit the city she loved without fear of being accosted by some pet owner unless it was an emergency.

Applejack in the passing days was approached by her family who seemed to show regret for the way they had treated her and thrown her off the family land. The whole of the Apple Family had gathered together for a family reunion to apologize to the pride of their family. All of the rumors about Applejack keeping her family on top of the produce trade faded into memory and soon it was if that it had never happened. Weeks after that Applejack moved back to the farm to live with her family once again. Her life had come full circle taking her back to were it began, back on the farm.

Unlike her friends who seemed to have grieved then move on with life Pinkie was more than suffering as time passed. The death of Rarity and Spike had crushed the pink mare's spirit far more than the others. With Twilight shut up in her castle Pinkie fell deeper into her depressed state. As time passed Pinkie lost the will to party even after everypony stopped hounding her to out do her last party. In the passing days the pink party pony slowly stopped throwing parties altogether and left party planning to the great granddaughter of Cheese Sandwich, Panini.

In her still depressed state Pinkie began to notice that it was getting harder to move around. She was tired most of the time, found that it was harder to keep to her diet of mostly sugary confections, she had lost the bounce in her step and both her mane and tail had stayed straight. It had even lost a lot of its vibrant pink coloration. Everypony just thought she was still grieving over her friends death and the fact the mare she loved wasn't talking to her so they just let her be. Everypony felt that all she needed was time to process her feelings.

Other than the few outbursts of sadness here and there life in Equestria seemed to be getting back on track more or less. It seemed like everypony was doing their best to try and live happy lives in the aftermath of the great tragedy.

************

In was on a rather cold day in mid-winter that Fluttershy called Rainbow Dash, Applejack and Pinkie Pie to her cottage to speak with them about what was to be done about Twilight. Fluttershy had heard from Steel Heart that Twilight had not left her study for weeks. The Captain of Guards also reported that she was barely eating or sleeping. She seemed to only be working on something dealing with the Elements of Harmony and their connection to the Element users. Twilight had become so obsessed with her research that she had appointed a regent to deal with most of her royal duties.

The other three mares sat around the coffee table silent as Fluttershy told them what Steel Heart had seen along with what the other guards and servants had reported to him. Rainbow Dash had an impassive look on her face when she heard the news, as if she had already seen this coming. Applejack had a concerned look on her face but was at loss for words. Pinkie's depressed look seemed to get deeper as she processed the news of Twilight's mental and emotional state.

“I'm worried about her mental health now. Nopony outside of the castle has seen her in weeks. She stopped holding royal courts and even the servants have become afraid to say anything to her. I'm scared that she's trying to do something drastic like pull all of the Elements into her own body to give
us a normal life again.” Fluttershy stated in a sullen and worried tone.

“What would you have us do then Fluttershy?” Rainbow Dash asked in a flat tone.” It's not like she will see anypony at this point. You said it yourself that she is obsessed with getting us back our normal lives. You know that when Twilight gets like this, that short of beating it into her she's not going to see reason or listen to anything anypony has to say.”

“Rainbow Dash is right bout one thing, Twi won't listen ta anypony at this point, but we aint just anypony, now are we? We're her friends and it's bout time we started actin' like it. We need ta go set her straight is all and right soon. There's no tellin' what she'll do if'n we don't talk ta her soon.” Applejack stated.

“I agree with that. Lets go right now... if that's okay with everypony else that is.” Fluttershy said in her classic shy way.

“Fine but if she gets to going on about how sorry she is over all of this crap or starts defending Sun-Butt in any way I may have to bail at best or kick her ass at worst. I'm just done with this shit all together. Life has just gotten back to normal for all of us in a way. I'm not about to get drug back into that cycle of self-serving bullshit Celestia started at Rarity's funeral. I haven't forgotten and I'm still pissed about it.” Dash made it clear she was ready to fight if the situation turned ugly.

Fluttershy just frowned at the statement and was going to say something when Applejack stopped her. AJ knew that it was pointless to say anything to Dash right. Dash need to get that off of her chest and once Twilight was taken care Applejack had plans to let Dash do just that, but with Celestia. That was the source of all of this and that is were the girls were going to put an end to all of the political double talk and self-serving bullshit Dash mentioned.

“That's fine Dash if'n ya'll want ta fight be my guest Ah don't care about any of that bucking crap either. Ah just want ta make sure Twi is okay, the rest we can sort out later with Celestia herself if need be.” Applejack clarified as she looked at her three friends. “So are we agreed ta talk ta Twilight and get her off this crazy magical hunt before she hurts herself?”

“Agreed.” The other three mares said in unison before they all left for the castle.

************

Harmony Castle seemed like it had lost its shine in the last few weeks. An air of depression hung over the castle coating it in a layer of gloom. The once bright shining blue crystal looked gray and dirty, as if it had been covered in centuries of grime. The depressed and guilty ridden state of the Princess of Friendship in some strange magical form manifested in a presence that was seen and felt by all in her castle. Even the guards had lost the shine in their manes, coats, and tails. Even their eyes were dull almost lifeless, as if their very souls had been broken.

The guards at the main gate didn't even look up when the Element users walked past them into the castle. The four Element users could tell that Twilight was in a terrible state and it was literally affecting the whole of her castle and the ponies in it. If this kept up it was likely to spread to the whole of Ponyville or worse all of Equestria. The four mares decide it was best to find Twilight as soon as possible before her depressed state got any worse and this magical gloom spread beyond the castle.

It didn't take long for the girls to find Twilight's private study where Twilight was busy searching through several books. She was also writing on a chalkboard that was covered in magical theory pertaining to the Elements of Harmony. Her mane and tail were a mess, her coat was grimy as if she hadn't bathed in days, and she had bags under her eyes from going days without sleep. It seemed the lavender alicorn had lost a great deal of weight too from not eating properly or eating at all.

When the girls entered the room the smell in the room was horrid, it smelled of dusty old books and body odor. The smell was so strong Dash almost lost her lunch in the doorway. The other three girls covered their noses as they made sour faces. The problem with Twilight was far worse than they originally thought, they needed to intervene now.

“Twilight you have to stop this now. You're hurting yourself and everypony around you by doing this.” Pinkie said as she rushed over to Twilight's side and hugged her.

“Pinkie I... I can't stop now I'm so close to giving you back your Legacy. I don't want to be the one pony keeping you unhappy. I won't let what happened with Rarity... With Rarity..” Twilight never finished her sentence as she broke down crying into Pinkie's warm embrace.

“Twilight we don't care about that anymore we just want you to stop hurting yourself like this. We were wrong to tell you all of that stuff and not trying to explain the reasons why we felt like that. We are so sorry that we let you suffer like this but we were all so hurt by Rarity and Spike's deaths. Please Twilight stop it before you hurt yourself anymore.” Pinkie pleaded with the alicorn mare as she cried into her shoulder as they hugged each other tightly.

The other girls let Twilight cry it out with Pinkie as they went around the room cleaning all of the loose papers up and opening the windows to air the room out. When the sour smell in the room was gone Fluttershy went to the private bathroom in the study and ran some warm bathwater for Twilight. Applejack left the room to get Twilight something proper to eat from the kitchen while Rainbow Dash was busy putting away all of the books that littered ever available surface.

After what seemed like hours of crying Twilight and Pinkie both looked at each other with red puffy eyes and smiled softly.

“Pinkie I'm sorry for all of this. If I had known this would have happen I would have...” Twilight started but was hushed by Pinkie's hoof pressed gentle to her lips.

“No more Twilight. Let it go, it's in the past. We need to work on the now. You know that we love you and you need to worry about getting better. First you're getting a bath, then a good meal, and some rest before we all sit down to talk about this. You don't get a say in the matter as you have been out of control for weeks now. So hush up and come with me so we can get you cleaned up, you smell awful, no offense Twilight.”

Twilight backed up a bit and gave her foreleg a sniff and made a sour face at her own smell. She smelled so sour and sweaty from days of not bathing. Twilight blushed then lowered her head before she nodded yes. Pinkie smiled back before she helped Twilight up, taking her to the bathroom were Fluttershy was waiting. After giving Fluttershy a quick hug and a nervous smile Pinkie helped Twilight into the bath and helped her bathe while Fluttershy busied herself helping Rainbow Dash clean up.

When Applejack got back with several trays of food for everypony she placed them on the cleared off table before helping the others finish putting the books away. By the time Twilight was done with her bath the whole room was cleaned up and Applejack was sweeping up.

“Pinkie did you really have to shampoo my mane and tail three times?” Twilight asked as she walked out of the bathroom with towel draped over her shoulders.

“Yes I did. You were super smelly and your mane and tail were a mess. I'm surprised that all of the dirt and grime come out with just three times. You're not allowed to ever get that dirty ever again.” Pinkie told Twilight as she came out the bathroom seconds behind Twilight.

“Girls I want to say that I'm truly sorry for all of this. I never meant for any of you to suffer like you all have.” Twilight said softly before she took a seat at the table while the others gathered around her.

“Twi ya don't have say any of that. We can talk all bout it after you got a good meal in ya and some sleep. Leave the rest of the rulin' stuff ta us fer the time bein'. You just get yourself better okay.” Applejack told Twilight as she pushed a plate full of steamed vegetables in front of her. “Now get ta eatin' you're lookin' a might thin right now.”

Twilight opened her mouth to protest but when all her friends give her their version of the “Stare” she quickly swallowed hard and started eating. After a few tense moments and Twilight had finished a full plate of food the other girls relaxed. Soon the five mares were all sitting down eating and having small talk like they had in years past. Everypony was careful not to mention anything about Rarity, Spike, Celestia, or the Elements of Harmony.

After an hour of small talk and eating, in that time Twilight ended up devouring five plates of food and four helpings of sweet cakes, the girls took the full and very sleepy Princess to her room and put her to bed. The girls left Pinkie to watch over Twilight to make sure she would sleep for a few hours. Applejack, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash went to the throne room to deal with the Regent and all of the built up work Twilight had left him.

In Twilight's absence a mound of paperwork had built up and the line to get a royal audience was days long. Starry Night, a light blue coated unicorn with a green and blue mane and tail, had tried his best to keep up with everything. But there were so many ponies that needed to see Twilight and the paperwork that needed royal approval had piled up quickly. Far to quickly for the young unicorn fresh out of magical college to deal with in any orderly fashion. It was a miracle he hadn't quit or killed himself under all of the stress.

After sorting things out into four piles, papers dealing with trade and supply production for Applejack, weather and travel for Rainbow Dash, town issues and requests for Fluttershy, and all other more official royal matters for Starry Night, the four ponies busied themselves with getting everything signed and filed away. Once the paperwork was handled after four hours of reading, signing and stamping with the royal seal the four ponies set about getting ready to hold an emergency royal court. There were so many appointments to deal with that had been neglected in the last few weeks.

It took several hours for the girls along with the help of Starry Night to get through half the of list of appointments. Once they had closed the royal court the four overworked ponies sat down to rest in the throne room.

“Ah can't believe how many ponies depend on Twilight. Ah can't even imagine what would happen ta this place if'n we hadn't come ta check on Twilight as soon as we did.” Applejack said as she pulled her hat down over her eyes as she lay across her throne. “So what is left on the list fer tomorrow's royal court, Dash?”

“Uhhhhgaa... We have like a dozen more audiences with ponies that still have friendship problems, there are several requests for business permits by 20 or so ponies trying to set up shops, we have a three hour meeting with the Mayor on the schedule to go over the all of the stuff Twilight missed in the town meeting last month and we have to make a public appearance for the new park dedication.” Rainbow Dash said with a tone of frustration as she held up a scroll with the schedule on it.

“Don't forget we have a meeting with Steel Heart tomorrow to go over the list of new recruits for the castle and town guards. Not to mention that we have the interviews with all of candidates for the medical staff for the castle also.” Fluttershy said with a tired yawn before holding up the scroll that had the list of names on it.

“I want to thank you all for coming to help. I tried my best to keep up with all of the work but I'm still pretty new at this and the Princess only gave me three days of rushed training before she went into seclusion.” Starry Night said sheepishly.

“It's fine partner, Twilight has been under a lot of stress since the funerals so pay it no mind. The rest of us are here now so until Twilight feels better the Elements will be runnin' the Kingdom of Friendship.” Applejack told Starry Night before she stretched and sat up in her seat.

The sound of Applejack's bones popping and cracking echoed through the room followed by Applejack groaning in pain. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy looked at the farm mare in concern, “Oh dear Applejack that doesn't sound good, are your sure your okay?” Fluttershy said with concern.

“Nah Ah'm fine sugarcube. Just a little sore is all. Ah'm alright Ah just need a hot bath and a little rest. After that Ah'll be right as rain.” Applejack said as she rubbed her right hip. It was a lie but Fluttershy didn't need to know about her advancing arthritis just yet.

Rainbow Dash slowly stood going to stretch out her wings just for them to cramp as she to let out an oomph of pain, “Stupid wings. This is just all I needed right now. Looks like I'm not going back to Cloudsdale tonight.” Rainbow Dash groaned. “Hey Starry Night are the guest rooms made up? Looks like I'm crashing here.”

“Yes of course, anything for the Elements of Harmony.” Starry Night said with respect in his tone.

“The both of your are going to go see the medical staff tomorrow after we choose them..well..umm if you really need to?” Fluttershy had started with an order but as usual she ended it in her cute meek tone.

“That's fine with me, my wings have been bothering me the last few days anyway.” RD said and again let out another grunt of pain as she folded her wings.

“Fine by me too, been meaning to get this hip checked out anyway. Its been pahwerful sore as of late. Well night ya'll see everypony in the mornin' bright n'early.” Applejack said as she walked of to her room already knowing where they would be staying as she had lived there.

Everypony said their good nights and left for the night to their own sleeping quarters to get some rest after the long and stressful day.

************

After a dozen audiences with ponies that still had friendship problems, hours of signing business permits. The three hour meeting with Mayor Mare and three public park dedications the mares were finally finished. A sore AJ was glaring at Rainbow Dash from a crossed the throne room table.

“Ah thought ya said there was jus' one park dedication?” Applejack said with a grunt as she plopped down on the cold crystal floor exhausted.

“So I missed two of the stinking park dedications big deal. You didn't seem to mind them after you gave a forty-five minute speech each time.” Rainbow Dash complained as she picked more confetti out of her tail.

“Girls enough of that. Its already been a long day and it's still not even over yet.” Fluttershy told the two angry mares. “We still have to meet with Steel Heart for the selecting of the new recruits. Since your already an EUP Air Calvary member Rainbow Dash you can do that. Applejack please come with me. We're going to go deal with the medical staff, that way you can get that hip looked at after we finish up the interviews and paperwork.”

“That's cool. Its been a while since I've gotten to yell at some new recruits. Time to find Steel Heart and yell at some newbs.” Rainbow Dash said before she trotted off excitedly.

“Sometimes Ah don't get that mare. Alright Fluttershy lets go get through these medical staff interviews. And then somethin' ta eat Ah'm pahwerful hungry.” Applejack said before she got up and followed Fluttershy.

“Ah wonder how Twilight's doin' today? Ah hope she well rested and feelin' better.” Applejack said after a while to break the silence between her and Fluttershy.

“She doing fine. I checked on her and Pinkie Pie just after got back to the castle from this mornings meetings. Pinkie's keeping her busy and away from her study just like we talked about. Once we get Ponyville and castle sorted out we all need to sit down with Twilight and talk to her about all of this.” Fluttershy said back with slowing down or even turning to face Applejack.

“Ah know but it goin' be hard tellin' her bout our feelin's and talkin' bout Rarity and Spike.” Applejack replied after a moment.

“I know but it has to been done otherwise this will happen again. That can wait fro now, we still have a lot of work to do.” Fluttershy said softly before they made to interview room were they spotted the long line of ponies waiting a few feet from the doors.

When Applejack saw the long line of doctors and nurses she just groaned while Fluttershy giggled lightly before went into the interview room to begin the selection process.

************

It had been at least twenty-four hours for Twilight since her friends had ordered her to eat and sleep. Precious time she could have been spending finishing the spell to take the Elements from them. She needed to atone for Rarity and Spike's deaths by giving her remaining friends back their legacy. Twilight felt like she was wasting time by eating and sleeping. It really was an unnecessary act in the alicorn's mind, but they had left Pinkie as her guardian. With the Pinkie sense there was no way Twilight could get back to her study without Pinkie finding out about it and stopping her.

Twilight sighed as she picked up the dice to take her turn on another one of the many board games that Pinkie had been making her play since she woke up and eaten breakfast. She really needed to find a way to get Pinkie to let her out of her room. But so far she couldn't come up with any usable excuses that would make the pink mare give up her guard duty. She had even tried pulling rank and stating that Pinkie was to let her go by order of The Princess of Friendship. All that got her was six straight game sessions of Super Pony Land, which Pinkie Pie won every time.

Now they were playing Equestrian Conqueror and once again Pinkie was displaying her unique ability at ruling 'any' board game. Twilight's Equestrian forces had been pushed all the way back to Appaloosa by Pinkie's Changeling Hordes. 'If only Chrysalis could have as easy a time as this with Conquering Equestria.'Twilight thought sarcastically before she rolled the dice. Both dice came up as sixes versus Pinkie's three and four allowing Twilight to keep hold of Appaloosa for at least one more turn.

“Pinkie do we really have to finish this game? There's other stuff we could be doing.” Twilight said as she pushed the white and black defense dice over to the pink mare.

“Twilight if you're asking to go back to your study again the answer is no.”

“No I just want to get out of my room for a little while. Maybe we could take a walk around Ponyville?” Twilight asked trying to seem if she wasn't being deceptive.

Pinkie Pie sat back on the edge of the bed and thought about it for a minute. The other girls did say that she was to keep Twilight out of her study, they didn't say she would have to stay put in the castle. And it had been some time since Pinkie had really stretched her legs. So maybe an hour or two in Ponyville wouldn't be too bad.

“Okay Twilight we'll go for a walk around Ponyville for a little while but only if you Pinkie Promise that you won't try and escape to go back to your study.”

Twilight kicked herself mentally for not seeing that coming, the other girls had really done their homework on the alicorn's obsessive need to find a solution to a problem. The other girls had left the one pony that couldn't be reasoned with, bribed or coerced into giving up her assigned task when she was focused on nothing but that task. If they had left Applejack she could have just badgered AJ until she gave up and let her go to the study, Fluttershy was a push over, and all she'd have to do for Rainbow Dash was start saying words that the pegasus couldn't understand until Dash cracked, called her an egghead and left. No Pinkie was different when she was focused and with the dreaded power of the Pinkie Promise her power as guardian was absolute. Twilight would have to try a different approach, maybe after the walk she would try again.

“Okay Pinkie, I Pinkie Promise that I won't try to escape and get back to my study and work. Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cup cake in my eye.” Twilight told the pink mare as she made an X over her heart, flapped her forelegs like wings, then touched her closed right eye with her hoof softly.

Pinkie Pie was watching the entire time and finally when Twilight was done giggled, “You could have just used your wings silly!”

“Hehe... Yeah forgot I had those.” Twilight embarrassingly said as she fluttered her wings.

Twilight got out of bed and was already walking out when Pinkie hold up her winter coat, scarf, and boots. Twilight grinned sheepishly before taking hold of them in her magic and putting them on. It was getting close to Hearth's Warming Eve again. How much time had passed since she began her quest to save her friends?

“Okay c'mon you silly filly finish getting dressed, its cold outside. Just remember you made a Pinkie Promise and if you break a Pinkie Promise you'll lose a friend... forever” Pinkie finished ominously before she walked along side Twilight heading out of her room then out of the castle.

Twenty minutes later found both Pinkie Pie and Twilight trotting through the snowy streets of Ponyville. Twilight would have preferred to been back in her study but this was a welcome change. It had been some time since she had seen the ponies of Ponyville happy. It was as if that unpleasantness months again hadn't happened. Everypony seemed to be going about their normal day, she thought Ponyville would be in utter chaos with her being locked up in her study for the last few months. Her friends had really come through in her absence. They had kept Ponyville running without any problems. Twilight felt ashamed for having neglected her duties as Princess in favor of dealing with her own guilt.

“Equus to Twilight. You okay you seem a little lost? Well I mean you've seemed a little lost for the last few weeks but right then you seemed really lost. Are you okay? Are you feeling well? Oh your catching a cold? We should take you right back to the castle if your catching a cold.” Pinkie Pie said in a giggly yet caring and motherly fashion.

“No I'm okay Pinkie but it seems that I've missed a lot while I was locked away.” Twilight said somberly as she wrapped her scarf around her neck a little tighter. “I had forgotten it was winter already. Hearth's Warming Eve will be here soon then Winter Wrap up a few weeks after that. How much have I missed?”

“Quite a lot but the other girls are handling that with Starry Night. My job is to keep you happy and away from your study.” Pinkie Pie told Twilight. “But don't worry about it AJ said that once they got all of it taken care of that they would have Starry Night present you with a report on it. So turn that frown upside down, cause all I want is a smile, smile, smile.”

Twilight just smiled and nodded her head, Pinkie Pie was right she spent far too much time being depressed and worrying about giving back what she accidentally had taken. Right now she just needed to concentrate on feeling better, she'd worry about everything else later. “Hey Pinkie can we go get something to eat? I'm a little hungry.”

“Sure Twilight we can go wherever you want.”

“How about The Mac n' Cheese Bistro Pinkie?” She said as she led the pink mare around a corner and into what looked like a small foreign cafe.

Pinkie followed Twilight almost stumbling over her hooves in the process as they chose a table relatively close to the door. To their left was a large bay window, the glass in it was enchanted to display scenes from a section of Equestria. This particular window was set to look over one of the fields near Canterlot castle. Periodically the scene would change, showing the field but in a different time of the year. When Pinkie Pie and Twilight sat down the window was displaying the field in mid-summer.

A waitress walked up to their table and set down two menus in front of them with a smile, “Welcome to Mac n' Cheese Bistro I'm Panini and I'll be your waitress. Oh, hello Princess Twilight and good afternoon to you Pinkie Pie. It's good to see you both out and about even on a cold day like this.” Panini said with a happy smile.

“Hello Panini it's good to see you too. I see your new Bistro is doing well.” Twilight said with a smile.

“Yeah it's been going really well and all of the party planning stuff I do allows me to use the Bistro as catering service as well so I'm busy, busy, busy most days.” Panini said with a half giggle. “Oh Pinkie thanks for all of the party planning books and things. Your records have come in handy for lot of parties. Are you sure you don't want any of that stuff back?”

“No Panini, I want you to have it. Consider it a gift from myself and your Great Grandpa, Cheese Sandwich. I was originally going to give them to him when I retired but as you are his heir the best place for them is in your hooves.” Pinkie said then smiled at the young mare.

“Okay I'll keep them but if you ever want them back you know they will be. Alright back to business now. What can I get you two to drink?” The Panini asked as she held a note pad and a pencil in the light yellow glow from her horn.

Twilight was the first to pick up her menu and smile but that was before she looked at Pinkie struggling to read the menu. The pink mare was holding the menu close to her face and squinting. Twilight just shook off her friends strange actions and began to read the menu. “I think I'll have a cup of black tea with cream and honey please.”

“I'll just have a glass of water with a wedge of lemon please.” Pinkie said as she set her menu down and looked to Twilight with a huge nervous smile.

“Okay I'll go get your drinks and then give you a bit to look the menu over.” Panini said with cheery smile before walking off to the kitchen.

“Wow never thought I'd see the day when Pinkie Pie wouldn't order something super sugary and sweet.” Twilight said with a curious glance at her friend, “Pinkie are you feeling okay?”

“Sure I am Twilight, I'm Okie Dokie Lokie.” Pinkie lied, how could she tell Twilight what the doctor's had told her weeks ago. If Twilight knew about her condition that would only drive her back into her study and under no circumstances was she to allow Twilight back into that study again.

“Well if your okay then what was that all of that stuff about you giving Panini all of your party planning records?” Twilight asked.

“Well I been planing parties for years now and it's time that somepony else takes over doing that. I just want to live the quiet life for a little while.” Pinkie lied again. She really didn't have the energy or the time to plan parties like she use too. Plus time was get short for her and there was still a lot she had left to do.

“Well I can understand that. A lot has happened in the last few months so I can see why you want to live the quiet life for a while.” Twilight replied softly. She still watched Pinkie curiously for a while though.

For several minutes both Pinkie and Twilight both stared at the menu for a long while before Pinkie put her menu down and spoke.“Since the menu is in Istallion and I can't read it how about you order for us Twilight? It will be like we're on a date.”

“Okay, sure Pinkie...” Twilight said curiously before looked over the Istallion text again.

Under each entry was the standard earth pony script of every item, so why was Pinkie having a hard time reading the menu? Something wasn't right with the pink mare. Pinkie's coat and mane were a dull lifeless almost grayish pink color, she was avoiding sweets for the most part as if her diet had drastically changed, and now she was having trouble reading. All of which were signs of advanced age.

Twilight was worried for her earth pony friend and that worry showed in her large violet eyes. She looked over at Pinkie keeping the menu up to hide that she was watching the earth pony. She would have to keep an eye on her and the rest of her friends just in case her thoughts were right and Pinkie and the others were rapidly aging.

Once Panini had brought them their drinks, she left Twilight and Pinkie to look at the menu's again. Twilight took a sip from her tea and smiled slightly as she picked up her menu and went back to reading it. She took the time to tell Pinkie about every thing on the menu before she picked out the sandwich she wanted for lunch before Panini show up a minute or two later.

When Panini came back she smiled at Twilight and Pinkie as she held the pencil and notepad in her magic, “So are you ready to order or do you still need some more time?”

“No we've decided, I'll be having the Istalliano on ciabatta with provolone cheese and Pinkie will be having the hummus supreme hold the pomegranate molasses.”

Panini wrote both orders down before taking the menus, “It will be just a few minutes and then I'll bring your food.” Panini said politely before she walked back into the kitchen.

Twilight and Pinkie engaged in small talk until their food arrived. Twilight was careful not to mention anything related to the fact that all her friends seemed to be aging rapidly or her work on removing the elements from them. The whole time they ate Twilight kept stopping and starting sentences, it was rather hard not to mention the obvious signs that something was wrong with Pinkie. Twilight was just about to break down and ask Pinkie what was wrong when Pinkie did it for her.

Pinkie stopped in the middle of eating when an alarm went off. Pinkie reached into her coat to pull out a small black case. She opened it pulling out an alcohol swab and the sugar testing unit before she proceeded to test her blood sugar. After she was all done she cleaned everything up placing it all inside of a small bag inside the case. She turned to Twilight with a dower look on her face before giving a heavy sigh.

“I know you've noticed that I haven't been acting like myself lately Twilight so there is just no getting around it. I might as well just tell you the truth. I've been to the doctor recently and I found out I'm diabetic, I'm also losing my eyesight due to Age-related Macular Degeneration and Diabetic Retinopathy.” Pinkie told Twilight without looking up at her.

“Pinkie why didn't you tell me about this sooner? How long has this been going on? Are the other girls affected to?” Twilight asked worried but tried to keep her voice even so as not to upset her friend or draw attention to their conversation.

“So far only AJ and I are the most affected that's why she's been avoiding going to the doctor. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy have also been showing signs of aging but not as bad as AJ and I. Fluttershy doesn't know anything about it and Rainbow Dash wants to keep it that way, at least for a little while. I wasn't supposed to tell you but because of the way you've been watching me so closely there's no avoiding it now.” Pinkie Pie replied unsure of what Twilight was thinking as her face was impassive at the moment.

Twilight remained quiet for a long time as she just staring at Pinkie Pie impassively. The whole time she stared the gears in her head turned rapidly. It all seemed to make sense now; Pinkie's odd behavior, Applejack's complaints about aches and pains, the fact that they had all been avoiding her the past few months. Her worse fears had been realized, her theory about Rarity's death had just been proven. Since the harmony between them had been broken the stasis that held her friends in an unchanging state was now gone. Time was catching up with them, 135 years of time to be precise, they were going to now age 135 years and most likely die soon.

With they way Pinkie Pie looked now Twilight feared she would only have a few months at best. Pretty soon the other girls would be showing advanced signs of aging if they weren't already. Twilight had no choice, she had to get back into her study, she had to continue her work. If she didn't find away to stop this she was going to lose all of her friends sooner than later.

“When did all of you decide that you should keep this from me?” Twilight asked with no emotion in her voice.

“It was actually AJ's decision she said it would be best if we didn't tell you right away. You were already under a lot of stress as it was anyway. Twilight please don't be mad, we thought it was best if you didn't know. In fact I wanted to tell you but we put it to a vote and I lost, two to one.” Pinkie reached across the table and laid her hoof over Twilight's giving a sympathetic smile.

Twilight looked at Pinkie Pie her eyes narrowing and her brow knitted in anger. She couldn't believe her friends would blatantly lie to her like this and keep such important information from her. That would end now.

“No, Pinkie Pie I'm extremely upset with you and the others. I could handle you all ignoring me because of what happened at the funeral. I could understand keeping me from working because I was stressing myself out and not eating or sleeping enough. But what I cannot handle nor will I tolerate is all of you lying to me about something so important and before you say this is about me being the Princess of Friendship, its much deeper than that. When it comes to you girls I'm your friend first and a Princess second and we all Pinkie Promised to come to each other whenever any of us were in trouble. Finish lunch because when we're done we are going back to the castle and I'm putting an end to all of this nonsense once and for all.”

“Twilight I'm sorry I never meant to hurt you, your the last pony I ever wanted to hurt.” Pinkie said with tears rolling down her cheeks. If her mane hadn't already gone flat it would have just then as her heart ached for the mare she wished she could confess her love to.

Twilight's anger faded when she saw that Pinkie was truly sad because she wasn't able to tell her the truth. She turned her friends hoof over and gripped it with both her own. “It's alright Pinkie, you don't need to cry. I'm upset but not hurt, you know I can't stay upset at you for very long.” Twilight whispered to her friend as she raised a napkin to her cheek and wiped away the stray tears.

After their touching moment both mares went back to eating in relative silence until their meals were done. Once they were ready to leave Twilight called Panini over to pay the bill. The young unicorn mare wouldn't hear of the Princess or Pinkie Pie paying. The whole thing was on the house as a thank you to them both. After saying their goodbyes and agreeing to come back sometime soon Twilight and Pinkie headed back to the castle.

************

Applejack walked back in the throne room rubbing her sore flank as she eyed Fluttershy with an angry expression. Never had the farm mare been poked, prodded, and examined like that before and that was just the interviews with the medical staff candidates. Thankfully Fluttershy had chosen most of the new staff, after all she was an EUP Field Medic and knew more about medical stuff than Applejack. Picking the new Medical staff should have been the end of it but it wasn't.

After the medical staff had been selected and the contracts signed Fluttershy threw Applejack to the Timberwolves, or at least that's how Applejack saw it. No sooner then the last paper was signed Fluttershy announced that Applejack would be their first patient. AJ tried to make a break for it but the new nurses were earth ponies and former college track stars so the orange farm mare didn't get far. In fact she made into the hallway when they caught her.

Rainbow Dash and Steel Heart got an eye full of the two nurses dragging a kicking and cussing Applejack back into the Infirmary. Rainbow Dash burst into loud boisterous laughter in the hallway at the scene only to have two very large pegasi nurses pick her up and carry her off to the Infirmary for her check up seconds later.

Steel Heart stood in hallway holding his cap to his chest in silent memory of Dash as she yelled one final time as the needle meet her flank. Next to be heard were sounds of protest from both Applejack and Rainbow over the next set of shots they would be receiving. Steel heart took that as his cue to run for it lest he be next on the examination list.

All of that had been an hour and half ago and now Applejack had a bone to pick with Fluttershy. The shy butter yellow mare sat across from Applejack with head down still apologizing for the fact that the farm mare had been handled so roughly. AJ wasn't really listening as she was trying to find away to sit down without putting too much pressure on her sore flank.

“I so sorry Applejack I didn't think that Dr. Rose would be so through with her examination.” Fluttershy told AJ in small meek voice.

“Ah'm not mad about the examine Fluttershy but Ah'm ticked off that ya didn't give me a chance to get ready fer all of that. Oh my flank will never be the same after all that.” Applejack whined as she tried to sit once again.

“You think you had it bad. I'm grounded for the next three weeks thanks to Dr. Ruby Needles and the Nurse Ratchet crew. So what if my wings are a little bruised, I'm a stunt flier I get bruises all the time and why did they have to bind my wings so tight? I can't even flap them at all like this.” Rainbow Dash grunted as she tried stretch her wings.

Both wings were bound in clean white bandages all the way to her shoulders. RD could move them and even fold them up but the extra weight from the bandages and the strange herbal salve that had been rubbed on her wings made flying difficult. Dash had tried to fly with the bandages on and nearly crashed into the wall, thankfully to two pegasi nurses were there to catch her before she hurt herself even more. After that Dr. Rose threatened to put Dash in wing binders if she didn't behave herself and follow the very specific care instructions until her injuries healed.

“Three whole weeks of no flying and being stuck on the ground like an earth pony. I'll die for sure!” Dash wailed as she draped herself over her throne dramatically.

“An what's wrong with bein' on the ground or bein' an earth pony? Whatcha tryin' ta say there Dash?” Applejack asked as she glared in Dash's direction.

Rainbow Dash glared right back at Applejack, “There's nothing wrong with being an earth pony I didn't mean it like it was a bad thing. Being stuck on the ground and not able to fly for a pegasus is like you going without apple bucking or any of that other farm junk you do.”

“What's that supposed ta mean? Are ya'll tryin' ta compare flyin' ta farmin'? Because that ain't like comparin' apples ta oranges. All that farmin' junk is what feeds everypony, Ah don't see yer stunt flyin' helping anypony out.” Applejack said while she continued to glare angrily at Rainbow Dash. “Oh Ah get it, yer just upset because yer useless now. Fer three weeks Equestria's fastest flier is grounded, no better than a chicken.”

“A chicken? Are you calling me a chicken?” Rainbow Dash yelled as she got nose to nose with Applejack.

“If'n the feathers fit and the bird don't fly Rainbow Chicken.” Applejack replied in a mocking tone as she pressed her forehead to Rainbow Dash's pushing the rainbow maned mare back.

“Take it back.” Rainbow Dash yelled as she pushed Applejack back “Make Me.” Applejack replied shoving Rainbow Dash back.

The two mares were about to go to blows when suddenly they were wrapped in the coils of their maniacal ex-villain friend, Discord. The God of Chaos was in his more serpentine like form as he wrapped his 'coils' around them. They completely forgot about their spat as the laughing male settled most of his weight on their backs.

“Hello girls, why the shouting and angry looks? Best friends don't fight like you two were about to do. I've just returned from my fifteen year trip around Equus without magic and it seems I have appeared just in time to stop you two from going to blows.” Discord said matter-of-factly as he moved off them. A throne much like the others appeared but it was made of rainbow colored stone instead, Discord slipped into it turning back into his 'normal' form as bags appeared around his feet, each colored like one of the mane six.

“I've brought presents for all of you too. So were are the other three of my favorite six ponies in the whole of Equus? Oh yes can't forget the fun loving gem eating drake Spike, I got him some very tasty candied gems from Connamaraia while I was traveling.” Discord said with giggle as a seventh bag appeared colored purple and green like Spike.

As soon as Spike's name was said all three of the mares in the room got quite and just looked at one another with sad expressions. It seemed that news of Rarity and Spike's deaths had not reached Discord while he was traveling without the use of his magic. Now it was time to tell him about the tragedy that befell Equestria but no pony seemed to want to speak of it.

“Fluttershy why so down my dear friend?” discord as asked as he appeared behind her with the bag called pink and yellow. “I got you two new and wonderfully rare birds for you choir. I got you a rare Snowfall Blue Nightingale from Griffonia and an even rarer Black Crested Thresh Flier from Zebrica. The latter of the two I had to work for this nice zebra mare named Nyuni, who own a pottery shop, for six months to purchase it.” Discord said happily as he snapped fingers and the bag opened and two golden bird cages floated out in front of Fluttershy.

“Oh Discord their so beautiful but I have to tell you...” Fluttershy was cut as the draconequus vanished suddenly and appeared next to Applejack.

“Applejack I brought you something that you and your whole family will enjoy.” Discord said with a bright smile before he snapped his fingers and the orange and blonde bag opened. Several small saplings floated out. “I got you several different types of apple tree saplings from around Equus for the farm and books on raising them. I'm sure you will enjoy the taste of these apples and making them into fine and tasty apple products.”

“Discord this is uhm... Ah don't know what ta say but thank ya partner.”Applejack said softly with tears in her eyes.

“Think nothing of it Applejack as we are friends. Now dry those eyes, no need for tears my friend.” Discord told Applejack as he summoned a box of tissues for her.

Next on his list was the premiere stunt flier of Equestria, he appeared floating just above Rainbow Dash with her bag floating next to him. Rainbow Dash looked up at the floating God of Chaos and frowned deeply. He was being his random self and at a time like this his antics would keep her and the others from telling him about what was going on.

“Discord we don't have time for your games. There is something impor orr...ummm....” Dash was cut my Discord covering her mouth and telling her to shush.

“Now, now Dashie we will have time for that after the presents are given out. So for you the best flier in all of Equestria, maybe even the whole of Equus, what would be the best gift?” Discord asked as he still covered Dash's mouth and scratched his chin as if thinking about it. “I know the best gift of all is this.” Discord said after a few moments of mock thinking.

Once again he snapped his fingers and the light blue bag with rainbow colored handles opened then several large signed books and magazines floated out and landed next to Dash. “Here you are signed flight and stunt manuals from around Equus from all of the top fliers in every country. I even got Crimson Talons of the Griffionia Military to personal sign the Fliers Month issue he was interviewed for.”

Dash stopped struggling in Discord's grip and just stared at him for a long while before tears rolled from her eyes just like with Applejack. Discord removed his hand moments later and looked at Rainbow Dash with concern.

“Discord I don't... I can't... Discord your so … your so AWESOME!” Dash yelled as she hugged the blushing draconequus tightly.

“Uh, thank you Rainbow Dash. You don't know ho much that means to me.” Discord said softly as he hugged the cyan mare back.

As Discord was hugging Dash Twilight and Pinkie walked in to the throne room. Twilight didn't look happy in the slightest and Pinkie was a few steps behind her with a sad frown on her face. Applejack and Rainbow Dash both knew that Twilight now knew they were all rapidly aging and that they had intentionally keep that fact from her.

“Applejack and Rainbow Dash I have a serious bone to pick with the both of you! How could you both li...” Twilight started but was stopped by Discord appearing in front of her and hugging her tightly. He picked up the Princess of Friendship and swing her around in several circles while hugging her.

“Oh if it isn't my favorite Princess in all of Equestria. Princess Twilight Sparkle I have missed you so much. And I have to thank you for the great suggestion of seen all of Equus without using my magic. I learned so much about the Magic of Friendship and made so many new friends along the way.” Discord told Twilight as she held away from him and smiled.

“Discord that's great but I really need to talk to the other girls about...” Twilight was also cut off my the draconequus exuberance in greeting his friends,

“Now, now Twilight there will be time for that in a few minutes as I have gifts for you,” Discord said as he sat down on plush couch much like the one Rarity would faint on. “For the Princess of Friendship I have brought what is the a collimation of the sum total of what is the know magical knowledge of all of Equus.” Discord said with a proud smile before he snapped his fingers and trumpets sounded before the bag colored like Twilight opened.

From the bag pour out a large stack of magical tomes and old books. It took the bag several minutes to finish pouring out of the books and in total there were at least two thousand or more books on all types on magic from the modern to the ancient from every country on Equus.

“Discord! I'm, I'm, I'm... SO HAPPY!” Twilight shouted as she was surround by stacks upon stack of magical knowledge. Her earlier anger and concerns where soon forgotten for the moment. “How did you find some of these? Some of these books are said to be lost to time. Where did you find all of them?”

“I'm so glad you like your present Twilight. It took me a good five years track a lot of them down and I had to jump thru a few hops literally for a few of them. But it was all worth it just to see you smile like that.” Discord said blushed as he rubbed the back of his neck.

“Well on to the next of my friends.” Discord said with light laugh before he spotted Pinkie Pie. The normally happy and vibrant mare looked down and almost gray in color.

“Oh Pinkie Pie you look so sad but I know what will turn that frown upside down as you always say.” Discord said as he appeared to Pinkie Pie then hugged her.

Seconds after Discord hugged the pink mare a bag colored like she normally looked opened up and several large bags jumped from it. The larger bags were filled with party supplies from around Equus. Discord let go of Pinkie and stuck his lion arm into the bag colored like Pinkie for a few moments. He ran his paw around in the bag a few time before he fished out several large books with colorful covers.

“Here you go Pinkie, these should brighten your day. I collected party planning books and materials on parties and holiday planning in every country I visited. I even got to celebrate few of them with a lot of new friends. The best part was that when I mentioned I had pony friend that loves planning parties my news friend helped me gather all of these things for me to bring back to you.” Discord said with a giggle to his voice. “Isn't it wonderful Pinkie? I can't wait to until you plan your next party with some of the stuff I brought back for you. And the best part Rarity can make all of the outfits for the party with the gift I got her.”

Discord snapped his fingers again and the white and purple bag with jeweled handles opened and what seemed like a ton of different colored fabrics and patterns poured of out of it. There were stack of threads with an assortment of sewing needles, and a few crates or gems, buttons, and other accessories to go along with any outfit that was made. There were several dress racks full of dress from several different countries made for ponies, gryphons and few other assorted creatures of Equus. Discord even fished out a stack of fashion books and dress maker guides.

“Yes all of this you took me a year and a half of working odd jobs to make the bits to buy it all. It will be well worth it when I get to see all of the unique and original designs that Rarity will make from them. So where is the premiere Fashionista? I thought she be here by now with the commotion of my arrival. So is she in the castle or do I have to pack all of this up and go to her manor and surprise her there?” Discord asked with smile.

His smile soon faded as she looked around the throne room and so all of the sad faces of his friends. Discords could see that there was something very wrong and that it was centered around Rarity. It struck him as odd that she wasn't already with the others girls when he arrived or that she had not walked in with Twilight and Pinkie Pie. In his joy of being back with the mares that had become his first true friends he had not seen that everything was out of place or just not right. Why were they all sad? Why was Rainbow Dash's wing all bandaged up? Why did Applejack look so tired and run down? Pinkie looked like she had lost one of her best friends, it was in that thought that Discord sensed what was truly wrong.

“Don't tell me something has happened to Rarity? Girls please tell me that everything is all right and your just trying to prank me?” Discord asked as tears welled up in his eyes. He prayed that was just them pranking him for all of the pranks he had pulled on them over the years.

“Discord, please sit down we have something important to tell you.” Fluttershy said softly as she lead the nearly crying draconequus to the throne he had made for himself. As Fluttershy led Discord to his throne he snapped his fingers and Rarity's gift packed itself away in the bag once again.

The other girls gather around but remained quite as Fluttershy sat Discord down. For a long time no pony spoke they just sat still in the sad silence of the moment. Fluttershy looked up at Discord after a while with tears in her eyes before she spoke the words none of the others wanted to say or hear ever again.

“Rarity is gone Discord. She could no longer live the life of an immortal and she took her own life. Spike found her before we did along with a note she left for us. After he read it he took his own life to be with her always. I'm sorry Discord but their both gone now.” Fluttershy said before she broke in to tears.

Seconds later Rainbow Dash was at her side hold her softly as she cried. Discord just sat there in disbelief for a long time not saying a word, not moving. He just sat sat there trying to process what he just heard. He would have stayed like that longer but he felt Twilight's hoof touch his side and he turned to her with tears running down his face.

“Discord I'm so sorry but this is all my fault. If I had done more research on the Elements of Harmony I could have prevent this. I'm the pony you should be angry at, if you need some pony to hate its me.” Twilight told Discord with tears in her eyes.

Discord just stared at the crying mare in front of him for some time before he hugged her tightly and cried with her for a long while. The other girls just stood by silently and watched as the Twilight cried out her pain with Discord. For the first time in over a thousand years the God of Chaos knew the sadness of losing somepony he loved dearly again.

Twilight and Discord cried for what seemed like hours before they had puff red eyes and were tired. After what seemed like a hours of sadness Twilight and Discord separated and everything Discord had missed was explained even the subject of the other girls advanced aging. Both Twilight and Fluttershy yelled at Dash and AJ for lying to them about the aging effects they were experiencing. Discord was none to happy about it or the decision to not involve Celestia in the situation that Twilight had made.

After argue about it for an hour it was finally decided that Twilight would go back to her rule as Princess in a day or two since Discord wanted to spend some time talking with Twilight about her research before he took it over. It was also decided the Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy would be given a medical check-up twice a day until the solution to the rapid aging could be found. The other three Princess and Shining Armor would be kept out of the loop until all possibilities had been exhausted or the girls health fell to critical levels.

Rainbow Dash begrudgingly agreed to this after getting a lecture from Twilight and ten straight minutes of the 'stare' from Fluttershy. After everything was settle Applejack went to go lay down for a while as she was rather tired. Rainbow Dash wondered off with Fluttershy to talk as they seemed to be having a lover's quarrel over Dash's decision to not tell Fluttershy about her health. Pinkie went to go lay down as well as she was feeling bit drained from the days events. She told Twilight she would see her later for dinner if she wasn't still upset with her. Twilight told Pinkie they would be having every meal together for the foreseeable future before she let the pink mare go and rest.

Both Discord and Twilight walked from the throne room to her private study side by said both of them sullen and quite. As they both walked down the hallway they would looked over at each other as if they were going to say something but both remained quite until they reached the study. Once in the study the only words shared between the alicorn and the draconequus where about the work Twilight had already done and what solutions to the problem before them she had word out so far.

Four hours there was very little said between the two immortals as the work was all the conversation they need for the time being. The work was all that matter for it would culmination of two very sad but powerful things. The first being Twilight’s lamented feelings and guilt for fifty years of stolen feelings, hopes, and dreams. The second thing, being equal in sadness, were Discords tears. Tears shed in silence for two friends, two beloved friends that he was unable to save after they had given him so much in the last 135 years.