Chapters Flare of The Twilight
When Celestia’s sun peaked over the horizon its bright and warm rays awoke Twilight from her sleep. Rubbing her eyes, she looked out the window and a big grin started to appear. Today was the day she had been waiting for. She quickly hopped out of bed, danced and capered out into the hallway, and then down the stairs with cheerful glee as she heads to the kitchen. As soon as she arrives, she hops onto her chair to hear chuckling.
Author's Note
Had this idea in my head recently after watching a certian movie, can anyone guess which movie?
Author's Note
I'm ready for the dawws and the feels
Hard Decision
When Twilight came to again, she was laying flat, face upward on a moving bed, being moved from a brightly lit room to a dark one. Her rolling bed was being pushed by two burly Earth pony mares followed by a unicorn stallion. Twilight recognized that all three of them were dressed in light blue shirts and pants of hospital orderly uniforms. When the lights in that room were switched on, Twilight saw that she was inside a plain patient room.
The overhead light next to the door flashed with an audible pop and flickered out, creating a shadowy space over the doorway. All this was far too much to take in for the little unicorn. “MOM!” A startled Twilight cried out in fear.
“I’m right here honey.” Her Mom Twilight Velvet said, while appearing next to her. Her father Night Light moved into her vision on the other side of the rolling bed. Before she could respond more, she felt magic from the unicorn stallion surround her and move her from the narrow rolling bed to a wider bed. Now on the other bed, the three uniformed ponies walked out of the room, leaving the family of three alone.
With worry in her voice, Twilight asked, “Mom, Dad, why did you leave me in the school? And why are you older looking?”
Twilight furrowed her brow in thought before answering. “I was trying to hatch that egg, but wasn’t doing well. Then, a heard a big boom from outside and felt a surge of magic. The next thing I know is that I’m in the same room, but everypony was gone, and it was dark and scary.”
Twilight felt a hoof on her shoulder and looked up to see her mother. “It’s okay now Twilight. We are right here.” She then nuzzled Twilight, comforting her only daughter with the warmth of her gentle touch.
“Twily?” a voice asked. It was familiar to Twilight, but she couldn’t quite place it. She looked over to the door to see a stallion in shadows. “T-twily!” The stallion emerged from the shadows in a gallop and before she knew it she was being smothered by white fur that had a familiar scent. “Oh Twily, I missed you SO MUCH! Why did you have to scare us like that?”
“Shining, you’re smushing your sister.’ Night Light said with an eye roll.
“OH! Hehe, sorry Twily.” Shining said sheepishly. Twilight looked up and it indeed was her brother, but bigger, older, and filled with such joy on his face that she had never seen before. The blue uniformed, unicorn stallion from before asked for her parents and after a soft nuzzle from each of them, they left her with Shining.
“It’s so good to see you again Twily.”
“Shiny it is good to see you as well, but how come you’re so much bigger, while Mom and Dad look older?”
“I honestly don’t know sis, but you have been gone for eight years.” Though she didn’t know it, Twilight’s eyes went wide, with her pupils shrink to pinpricks. ‘EIGHT YEARS!’ Also, without her knowledge she started having parts of her mane curl outward. Recognizing the signs of intense anxiety, Shining came in close and hugged his little sister.
“It will be okay Twily. You are here and alive. You’re safe with me okay?” Shiny’s foreleg around her, his nuzzling, and his voice calmed her down a bit. By then her parents had returned.
After inhaling and exhaling a big breath, Twilight said, “Dad, I wanna come home now.”
“I know and we want you home. But the doctor feels it would be best to keep you for a few days.”Twilight shook her head with tears streaming down her cheeks.
“No Dad, please!” Twilight pleaded.
“Honey, they want to make sure you are okay and so do we.”
“And honey one of us will be here with you at all times.” Her Mom interjected. Twilight sagged in her bed, defeated. Her parents saw it and hugged her. “We just want to make sure you are okay. We lost you once and we don’t ever want it to happen again.” Her Mom looked to Dad and Shiny. “Now you two get some sleep. I’ll have first watch tonight.” The two silently nodded and after Shiny giving her a little noogie, they walked out. Tired Twilight lay down on the comfortable bed.
“Mom, have I really been gone eight years?”
“Yes, yes you have my little Twilight. But what matters to me is that you are here now.” Mom looked over her and her face changed. “Twilight, when did you get that?” Twilight looked at her Mom who was looking at her flank. Twilight took a look and where she expected a blank flank; she instead saw a magenta six pointed starburst with white behind it and five stars around it. She had her cutie mark.
* * * * * *
Celestia basked in the daylight of her sun. After a delightful breakfast with her sister she was making her way to the throne room. As she entered the throne room she quickly took a seat on the throne she shares with her sister. She had to prepare for another long day listening to the nobles of Canterlot make idiots of themselves as they try to exploit other ponies or each other in their little games. More than once has she been tempted to let Luna run day court just to see them react to her little sister’s brash approach. She suspected that was why the common pony went to night Court. Luna listened to them and held them in higher esteem than the nobles.
Thinking about that subject brought back a bad memory to her mind. Nearly a thousand years ago Luna was very unhappy with how ponies treated her and her night. If it wasn’t for some quick thinking and effort on her part Celestia feared what could have been the result.
It was still a half hour before the Day Court began when her latest Captain of the Day Guard came in. He looked tired to Celestia’s eyes.
“Captain Armor, didn’t sleep well last night?” She asked.
He gave her a shy smile. “It was lack of sleep your highness, but worth every minute of it. My sister has returned.”
“Oh, where has she been?”
“We don’t know. She disappeared in a flash of light eight years ago during a test for your school. She reappeared in the classroom she disappeared from and hasn’t aged. Hay the only thing that has changed is the fact she now has a cutie mark. I’ve never seen one similar to it, a six pointed star with five smaller ones in white.” Celestia’s eyes bulged when she heard the description of his little sister’s cutie mark.
‘It’s just like the Tree of Harmony. Must let Luna know, and I have to see this filly.’ Outwardly Celestia regained her calm and pleasant look.
“Captain Armor, I would like to see your sister later today.” Shining gave a smile to her.
“I’m sure she’d appreciate it your highness. Seeing you and your sister during a Summer Celebration got her interested in magic. It would mean a lot for her to see you in person.”
“Then I shall after lunch. But Captain.”
“Yes?”
“Make sure you get some rest. I believe I will find you often close to your sister but I don’t need a Captain asleep on duty. If necessary take some time off. I know how important it is to be there for your sister. I almost made such a mistake nearly a millennium ago.”
“I understand Princess and I will rest if I feel I need to.”
“Very well.”
* * * * * *
It was about three in the afternoon when Celestia joined Shining Armor to visit his sister. She was walking in the ornate halls of Canterlot General Hospital, which rarely saw the Princesses inside. But Celestia did know her adopted niece Cadance does try to visit sick fillies. That thought did bring a smile to her lips. Cadance will be a great ruler one day. Celestia saw up ahead of her an armored guard standing watch beside a patient room door. ‘That must be our destination’, thought the Sun Princess. Celestia has long seen Shining’s protectiveness. Celestia guessed she knew the reason now. She had nearly lost her sister once, so she has some understanding of the pain Shining must have felt to have lost a sister like that. The guard saluted them as they passed and went in.
“Hey Dad, I’m taking over.” Shining said to his father. Upon seeing who was joining them, Night Light bowed.
“Your highness, you grace us with your presence.” Celestia gave a smile to the stallion.
“Well, when I heard of your daughter’s incident I had to see for myself.” She then looked at the filly who was jaw dropped in amazement and she was so cute. And Luna would adore her with those colors and name. “Hello, my little pony.” She said to the filly.
“H-hello P-princess Celestia.” She replied, causing Celestia to inwardly squeal.
‘She’s just so cute.’ “Good to see you Twilight Sparkle. I would like to scan you myself. Perhaps I can find an answer to why you disappeared.”
“O-okay. Will it hurt?” the filly asked sheepishly.
“No.” Celestia replied with a chuckle. “You will just sense my magic.” Celestia focused her magic and a gold arua appeared around Twilight Sparkle. The alicorn of the sun just manage to keep her feelings from showing. ‘This filly is a powerhouse; she has much more magic potential than an adult unicorn now. Celestia had not sensed that much potential from Star Swirl. That much raw power, combined with little control over her power is very dangerous for her. I need to let Luna know at once, she needs to use her dream walking abilities to guide this filly; while I make plans to use her abilities for the good of our pony nation.’
“Wow that felt so warm.” Twilight Sparkle knocked Celestia out of her thinking with that phrase. She smiled down at the filly.
“Why thank you Twilight. May I see your cutie mark?” Twilight turned to her side to show the sun princess her cutie mark. ‘Yup, just like the one on the tree.’ Celestia kept up a small talk to keep Twilight entertained, while the bulk of her mind processed what she has discovered. Yes, she needed to talk to Luna.
* * * * * *
Celestia raced into her sister’s private apartment and sealed the door behind her with a protection barrier spell. Luna was sleeping in her bed, looking as cute as ever.
“Sister we need to speak.”
“… tia?’ Celestia sees her sister yawn and sit up to look at her. That’s when Celestia saw the little fuzzy cap on her sister’s head. She tried to hold back a laugh. “This… (yawn)… better be good sister to wake me during the daytime.”
“It is! Remember the report you gave me about last night in our school?”
“Yes, I figured it was a professor experimenting with something.”
“Nope, it’s connected to the flare we sensed eight years ago. Turns out that filly has finally returned… without aging.” Luna looked at her in shock.
“That… is odd.”
“I agree, but that’s not all. She has the largest magic potential I have ever seen in a unicorn. Even more potential than your student Sunset.” Luna was speechless, her student Sunset Shimmer was a magically gifted unicorn and almost became Celestia’s student, but Lulu beat her to it and in the end that was probably a good thing. Their personalities jibe better, but Celestia has done a couple lessons for her. “And to add to it, her cutie mark matches that third mark on the Tree of Harmony.” And that was when Luna’s jaw dropped.
“Where is this filly?” Her sister finally managed to ask.
“Canterlot General Hospital. She was sent there after passing out when she saw her parents visibly older.”
“We must have her here for her own safety if her flares are that powerful. And we must learn of her connection to the Tree.”
“Agreed.”
* * * * * *
The day after Celestia visited her, Twilight was having lunch while reading a book on recent history, trying to catch up to the missing time. Her mother was next to her writing the next book in her latest series when they were surprised by a SECOND visit by Celestia.
“Greetings my little ponies.” The Princess greeted them with a warm smile. Both ponies bow to her in respect.
“Your highness it is an honor, but a surprise you come to visit so soon?” The smile vanished on the Princess’s muzzle.
“It’s more than a visit Mrs. Velvet. I am here to take Twilight to the Castle.” Fear swept through Twilight.
“Did I… did I do something bad?” Twilight fearfully asked. With a smile, Princess Celestia shook her head.
“Oh no Twilight, this is for your safety. You are unusually gifted in magic for a unicorn. Your magical ability far surpasses that of any adult unicorn. That’s why your flare was powerful enough to send you eight years into the future. Until you can control your powers, you need to live in the royal castle, as it is warded to prevent uncontrolled flares of magic within their walls.”
“Your highness! I just got my little girl back and you want me to give her up to YOU!? Please don’t take my baby away from me.” Mom’s voice went from angry to fear and Twilight saw tears in her Mom’s eyes and she hugged Twilight close.
“I take no joy in this Velvet. I really don’t. But we don’t know the cause of Twilight’s flare. If it happens again she could disappear for another eight years or longer. Imagine her having a flare right now and appear two hundred years later. Everypony she knows would then be long dead, alone in a world that no pony knows her. Could you do that to your daughter?”
Mom looked down at me with sad eyes. “Twilight may live with me and my sister but I would never deny you from seeing her. Your whole family can move in if you want to. But our castle will protect Twilight while we train her to control her magic. No pony else can help her in this and the only way besides this is to keep her here while using a magic suppressor. Would you do that to her when her special talent seems to be magic?” Tears streamed down her Mom’s face as Twilight processed what was said. She could disappear again, and that when she came back Mom, Dad, and even Shiny would be gone? She… she couldn’t handle that. The Princess was saying she could stop that, but only if she lived with her.
“No matter what Twilight, your family loves you.” Twilight nodded her head. “And you Princess, better take good care of my little girl.”
“I promise you that as a sovereign of Equestria that Luna and I will teach your Twilight to control her remarkable abilities as if she was my own daughter. You better go home and get Twilight’s favorite things. I’ll take Twilight to the castle and show her the room she will have. And I meant what I said. You family is welcome to come at anytime, just be patient if we are in the middle of a lesson.” Mom nodded and she and Twilight gave one last hug, before Celestia herself checked Twilight out of the hospital. And then, Twilight was escorted by the Sun Princess into her radiant white and gold carriage.
Royalty and Adorkableness
Royalty and Adorkableness
Twilight looked out the window as the carriage brought into her view Canterlot Castle, a vast estate of buildings and slender towers, connected by bridges while the estate was enclosed by one-story walls. She was worried a bit about her future and rightly so. She was taken from her family for eight years by a surge of her own uncontrolled magic. Twilight realized that she needed to learn how to control her magic or the next uncontrolled flare might take her away again. From the carriage, the Canterlot ponies she saw that she recognized appeared older, like her parents. The most jarring transformations were her Canterlot, kindergarten playmates as they had grown into teenage ponies and had gotten their cutie marks. Her thoughts are interrupted as she felt Celestia feathered wing caressing her mane. She looked up and to her left to see Princess Celestia smiling at her. This display of affection caused Twilight’s woebegone expression to transform into her cute smile.
Despite it all, she was going to be Celestia’s personal student. Celestia is the mare that had inspired her to learn magic to begin with. If anypony can help her, it’s the Princess. The carriage slowed down until it stopped at the castle’s main entrance. With a nod of her crowned head, Celestia guides Twilight out. The Day Guard saluted Princess Celestia as they walked past a line of the armored ponies. As the solar princess led her into the castle Twilight was awed by the place. It was beautiful and she gets to live here? She was led through some halls where she saw the occasional guard, till she was led outside to an ornate tower.
BOOKS!
BOOKS! BOOKS! BOOKS! BOOKS! BOOKS! BOOKS! BOOKS!
‘My new room was a library filled with BOOKS!’ She raced over to a shelf and glanced over the titles before racing to another shelf. Twilight’s middle class parents had given her their school books and had bought new books for her. But, she could only have dreamed of having this big a library, until today. This place had everything!
“Do you like Twilight?” She heard Princess Celestia ask. She raced back over to the alicorn princess using the Princess’s leg for support as she stood on her hind legs with tail swishing.
“Yes! YES! YES! THANK YOU PRINCESS!”
“You are very welcome Twilight.” The Princess said with a smile.
“So this is our new resident.” A new voice said and Twilight looked behind Princess Celestia to see a pink alicorn with a trio of purple, pink, and white for her mane and tail. “Hello Twilight, I’m Cadance and Shining has told me so much about you.”
“You know Shiny?”
“Oh yes, very well and I tell you I have never seen him happier since you returned. All he can talk about is his adorable little sister.” Cadance took a glance around the room. “Though I think the term Adorkable fits better.” Twilight crossed her forehooves and pouted at that which only caused both alicorns to laugh.
Their laugh was interrupted as an armored Pegasus guard flew in. “Your highnesses, I regret interrupting you but the Gryphon Ambassador is demanding to see Princess Celestia immediately.”
The joy Twilight had seen in the Princess faded quickly.
“I am sorry Twilight. I had hoped to give you a tour of the royal castle personally but my duties insist on getting in the way.” Princess Celestia eyed Cadance. “My dear niece, would you mine giving Twilight a tour?”
“Oh, I’ll love to.”
“Thank you Cadance, I’ll see you all at dinner.” With that Princess Celestia took flight following the guard.
“Well, shall we begin Twilight?”
* * * * * * *
Over the next couple of hours Cadance showed her the kitchen, the stain glass wall art that portrayed the key events in Equestria history, even the Royal Archives. Twilight so wanted to check that place out, but Cadance said no. She even managed to refuse the puppy dog eyes.
“And here we are, the Royal Apartments. Each a self contained series of rooms and you can spend days in easily. Mine’s right here next to Celestia’s, then Aunt Luna’s, and finally Blueblood’s room.”
“Did someone mention my name?” Both mares look behind them to see a unicorn stallion with pure white fur and blonde mane. “Cadenza, why are you giving this common filly a tour of our apartments? It’s beneath you to even be with one, much less this tour.” Cadance took a step towards the unicorn and Twilight saw a very serious expression on the alicorn’s face.
“First, it’s Cadance not Cadenza. I hate that name the nobility keep trying to force on me. Second Blueblood. I am as much as a commoner as Twilight here. I was born as a Pegasus orphan and raised by Earth ponies till I got this.” She points a hoof to her horn. “Twilight here is Celestia’s new personal student, so you will be seeing a lot of her and I suggest your watch what you say around her.” His response was to lift his head and close his eyes as he left them and entered his apartment.
“Who was that?” Twilight asked.
“That was Prince Blueblood. He is the last descendant of Princess Platinum. The unicorn founder of Equestria. When Auntie Celestia and Luna defeated Discord, the ponies wanted them to rule, especially since they were the only ones now that could control the sun and moon. The nobles of all the tribes were in fear of losing power and could have started a new war. But it was the verbal persuasion of Gleaming Armor, a distant relative of yours I guess came up with the idea of Celestia and Luna being adopted into the royal family, thus the current state of government. Sadly the position has gotten to his head and is very arrogant.”
“Cadance, there you are!” A smiling Shiny came up to them and kissed Cadance causing Twilight to gagged at the site. “Oh hush you.” He replied and lightly bopped her on the head. “I’m glad you met and I was hoping to find you Twiliy. Mom and Dad are here with your stuff.” Twilight got really excited and clapped her hooves together.
“Goody, goody, goody,” Twilight joyfully said. If she knew where they were she would have raced over to them. But, since she didn’t she had to follow Shiny and Cadance. Thankfully they weren’t doing anymore of that gross stuff. Soon she saw her parents and she raced over and started a three way hug that lasted for minutes before breaking up. Twilight then looked through the cart her parents brought over. She saw a lot of her favorite books like Daring Do and the Quest for the Sapphire Stone and a few new books of A.K. Yearling’s biggest hit adventure series. She searched more and found her favorite doll. Miss Smarty Pants. She squealed with joy and held her beloved doll close to her barrel. She put the doll back inside the box and then Shiny lead them to her room and she began unpacking her favorite things.
While Twilight unpacked with some help from Shining, her parents checked out her room. “Well dear, our little Twilight doesn’t have to worry about lack of books eh? There must be a hundred times as many books here, then we could afford. ... Dear?” He looked over to see his wife eyes wide, her jaw opened, and… was that drool? He waved a hoof in front of her, no response. He went to her ear and whispered. “Honey, you’re late.” She immediately snapped out of her daydream and looked around.
“Late for what!?”
“Sorry dear, you were in a daze again. Had to pull out the late card.” Velvet facehoofed at that as Cadance chuckled. Night Light saw that and commented. “Oh you’re laughing now, but Twilight takes a lot after her mother, so you will likely have to do the same thing.” He and his wife sat back and watched their daughter unpack and have fun with her brother. She was happy and that was a beautiful sight for them. They were robbed of her for eight years and even with her back have to be separate as she learns to control her vast amount of magical potential. The very magic that took her away from them. For her safety she needed to live here, as much as that hurts them. But they will spend as much time as they can with their daughter and nothing and nopony will get in their way.
They saw Cadance walk in and start talking to Twilight. Velvet and Night Light were glad that Cadance had an interest in their daughter. Then again considering her relationship with their son it was not really surprising. Hay, they were waiting for THE QUESTION to pop out soon.
Night light’s internal thinking stopped when Shining said he had a surprise for Twily. He moved to the bed and with his magic brought out a large case and floated it to Twilight. “Open it sis.” Twilight did and Night Light couldn’t help the smile gracing his lips as a happy shocked expression. He knew what Shining had gotten for his long missing sister. Heck the fact that he was Captain of the Day Guard, also put him at ease with Twilight living away from them. Wait is she? … Yup Twilight’s drooling, on the one thing that could beat books in her mind, a brand new telescope. She raced over to her brother and hugged his leg.
“Thank you B.B.B.F.F.”
“B.B.B.F.F.?” Shiny asked.
“Big Brother Best Friend Forever.” Twilight clarified. Shining smiled and returned the hug.
“Anything for my L.S.B.F.F.”
* * * * * *
“THE NERVE OF SOME OF THESE NOBLES! TO THINK THEY THOUGHT THEY COULD GET AWAY WITH SUCH A STUPID IDEA!” Luna fumed as she flew through the night sky to cool off. Seriously, the nobles get dumber as the centuries move on. She was swinging around the castle when she noticed something new. On a balcony of the library tower she noticed a small unicorn filly with a telescope. Considering the time of night that it was this was very strange. She swooped in and landed on the balcony causing the young filly to gasp and back away. She hated that, she hated causing their ponies to fear her. Lifting a hoof out, she pleaded to the filly.
“Please filly, do not fear me. I do not recognize you and was curious. It is quite late for a filly your age to be up.” As she said that she looked at the filly. She had lavender fur with a mane nearly the same color as her own coat. Her mane and a purple and pink stripe and her eyes matched her fur. She was absolutely adorable. The filly relaxed.
“Your, your Princess Luna.” Luna nodded at this. “Wow, First Princess Celestia and now Princess Luna. This day turned out better than I hoped.”
“And why did you meet my sister?”
“She picked me up from the hospital and gave me this tower filled with books and I have the perfect spot to stargaze with the telescope Shiny gave me.”
‘Shiny, could she mean Captain Shining Armor? Oh that opens up some new ones for her.’
“Wait, you are the filly that jumped through time aren’t you?” Luna glanced over to the side to see the fillies flank and there is was. The six pointed star exactly like the Element of magic with five smaller stars surrounding it. ‘Why, why would this filly have that for a cutie mark?’ The filly’s expression saddened.
“Yes, yes I am. Princess Celestia says your castle will protect me from my wild magic, but I’m scared. I’m scared of time jumping again and then my mom, dad, even Shiny will be long gone and I’ll be alone.” Tears started filling her eyes and Luna was hurt. No child should need to think of these things. She walked over putting a hoof on the fillies shoulder, and then the little unicorn looked up at the Princess of the Night.
“Fear not little one. While my sister and I can’t put you back eight years ago where you should be, we can however ensure that you won’t jump again. She and I will teach you to control that magic. You should not fear your gift, but embrace it. That star in your mark represents magic and the fact you jumped through time tells me you have lots of it. Now sadly I forgot your name, so why don’t you tell me it, and which is your favorite constellation of my stars?”
“I’m Twilight Sparkle and I love them all. The night is so wondrous that only dawn and dusk beat it.”
‘Twilight Sparkle, such a beautiful name and a pony after my own heart.
“Well Twilight Sparkle what were you observing when I interrupted?” Luna put a hoof around the filly and it was two hours later when she put the exhausted, but content filly to bed. She couldn’t help herself giving the filly a peck on the forehead.“Rest now Twilight Sparkle, The Night is mine to command and it will never harm you.”
Author's Note
In other news many bronies and pegasisters died today from a chapter of mass feels.
Summer Celebration
A smiling and hot to trot Twilight felt her enthusiasm growing. It was the weekend and her parents were visiting today. During the past few weeks since her surge sent her to this timeliney, she’s been training with both princesses as they teach her how to control her magic. She especially enjoyed the nights, as she spends these with Luna stargazing. Shiny saw her everyday and tried to be there during lunch, but sometimes his job got in the way. When he couldn’t, Cadance was always there to fill in.
“Mommy, Daddy!” She cheered and raced towards them, with the finish line being the warm embrace of a three way hug.
“How are you doing Twilight?” Velvet asked.
“Great! The princesses are teaching me so much magic! Princess Luna stargazes with me nearly nightly and Princess Cadance spends so much time with me.” The three of them broke off the hug, while her parents looked down at her with small smiles.
“Well, it’s our time to have with you now, isn’t it?” Twilight went from a smile to a grin and raced to the garden, with her parents in hot pursuit.
The next hour the parents chased their daughter around the garden and hedge maze while giggling as much as their daughter was sharing the joy of something they long missed. Twilight glance behind her as she saw her parents slowly lie down on the grass next to a weird statue created out of mix up animal parts. Concerned, she raced over to them.
“Mommy, Daddy! Are you alright?” Her concern was clear in her voice. They looked up at her with weak smiles and her dad answered.
“We’re fine Twilight, just tired. We aren’t as young as we used to be.” Twilight winced at that. She missed eight years of her parents’ life and didn’t know how to respond to that. Her dad seemed to sense this and lifted a forehoof. Twilight grinned and darted underneath her father’s hoof. She felt it lower on her and she nuzzled him and let out a happy sigh.
* * * * * *
The next thing Twilight knew her stomach was growling at her. She opened her eyes and saw that she had, to her surprise, fallen asleep next to her dad.
“Our little star is making hungry tummy sounds, so let’s go get some grub,” her mom said as all three got up. Twilight nodded and leads them towards the private dining area. She looked at a nearby clock to see it was noon. Excellent, Celestia will be having lunch about now.
In minutes, they were in the private dining area and she saw both Celestia and Cadance there. With a grin she raced over to Cadance who saw her as well.
“Sunshine, Sunshine, Ladybugs awake. Clap your hooves and do a little shake!” Both said as they did their dance and then laughed in joy. Everypony sat down and orders were taken by ponies dressed in waiter and waitress uniforms.
During a lull in the conversation, while they waited for their food, Twilight Velvet decided to ask. “Princess Celestia, Twilight told us she was learning a lot from you and your sister Luna. While we are grateful for teaching our Twilight how to control her magic, we are wondering about this. With all her training, is she is now able to leave the castle grounds? We would like to have her home every now and again.”
Celestia gave a sad frown before replying. “Twilight is indeed learning much and fast. She reminds me of Luna’s missing student Sunset Shimmer. However, as Twilight still has not achieved complete control over her magic, there is still a danger for her. So not right now. She’s gotten to the point of an accidental time flare happing has greatly diminished, but it can still happen. Me and my sister are working on something, so give us a few days and next weekend Twilight can spend it at your home.” Twilight was excited by the prospective, but her parents looked a little sad. She nuzzled them and their smiles returned.
Their lunch arrived and everypony dug in. A few minutes in Celestia asked her mom a question. “Miss Velvet, how’s your editing going?” Mom was an editor for a book publisher.
“Well, just finished the latest Daring Do story and with nothing on my plate been working on my own story.” Twilight perked up at that. She read the first Daring Do just before her jump and has been trying to catch up in her free time. Celestia gave a warm smile and turned to her dad.
“And you Night Light?”
“With the latest telescopes, my team and I discovered a new nebula. We named it after my daughter since its purple and it was hidden from us before now. Your sister truly makes a marvelous night.” Celestia’s smile turned into a big grin. In the short time Twilight has been with the Princesses she noticed how much Celestia loves hearing ponies love her sister’s night. Luna didn’t comment much on the whole day night thing and she thought there was something behind that.
“Well, I should let you two know that after the Summer Celebration me and my sister will move to our summer castle in the Everfree. To continue her studies, Twilight will be joining us there. I will ensure that a chariot is always available for your use when you want to visit.”
“Thank you your highness.” Her mom said and her parents bowed to the tall alicorn.
“Princess, why do you have two castles?’ Twilight asked.
“We built it long ago, before we came to power. It was our little private place. Then Discord appeared and we had to step in to take him out. After we turned that villain to stone, we took over the duties of the Sun and Moon from the unicorn tribe. After that, the leaders of the three pony tribes combined into one pony nation, and then they asked my sister and me to rule. To ease things we kept the bureaucracy of national governance in Canterlot. But, as we love our Castle as well, so that during the summer months we rule from there instead of Canterlot, so we can have a breather from the day to day demands of ruling the country. And ever since Ponyville was founded, Luna spends time in that little town, getting to really unwind there. I think you’ll like it, it has a large library.” That got Twilight’s attention and she couldn’t wait to check it out.
“Well, we will likely take up the offer of the chariot. Can I assume that that our son will be joining you?” Her mom asked. That was something that Twilight wanted to know too.
“Of course he is, as it’s his main job after all. Lieutenant Golden Shield will be handling the castle here in his absence.” Twilight clapped her hooves together at the knowledge her brother will be close by. After that lunch was a simple thing of some eating and talking before Twilight played with her parents a couple hours more before they left for home with Twilight waving to them by the gate till they were out of sight. Then she drooped, missing them already. She then felt something on her and she saw a white wing covering her back and right side. Looking up and to the left, she saw Princess Celestia giving her a sad smile. “I promise you Twilight, you will be able to go with them and live in your house again. Maybe not today or tomorrow but one day you will.” The princess then lowered her head to Twilight and she was nuzzled by the large alicorn.
* * * * * *
It was the day before the Summer Celebration and Twilight was in the garden next to a pool. Her eyes were closed and her horn a glow with her magic. Two sphere’s of water about her size floated around her in a slow orbit. Princess Celestia was lying nearby watching her student go through the exercise. Twilight was able to get one full rotation before her control of the spell collapsed and the water spheres hit the ground and disintegrated. Twilight panted as she regained her breath, exhausted by the exercise.
“Well done Twilight.” Celestia said with a pleased sound in her voice.
“But I only held them for a minute tops!” Twilight said through her pants.
“True, but you did something no other filly your age can do. I didn’t try this exercise with Cadance till she was three years older than you are and an alicorn at that. You are learning control which is what you need. Now I say that attempt deserves a milkshake.” Twilight perked up a bit at that and followed the regal princess to the kitchens.
“I assume you liked your shake?” Celestia asked. Twilight nodded enthusiastically.
“How did you know that chocolate was my favorite?” The filly asked. Celestia smirked before answering.
“You and my sister are a lot alike and she ADORES chocolate flavored food. We have a truce between us. She lets me have my cakes without complain and I don’t mess with her chocolate cravings. Speaking of my sister, I better let you get some rest. We have all night parties before I raise the first sun of summer and she is giddy as a filly for you to be there tonight. And you probably need it after that exercise.” Twilight just waved the princess off and replied.
“I’ll be fine Prin..zzzzzzzzz.” To Celestia’s amusement Twilight was face down on the table, out like a light. She put the sleeping filly on her back and then went to Twilight’s room to let her sleep on her much more comfortable bed.
* * * * * *
The sun was setting went Twilight finally got up. She didn’t have long before the doors burst open.
The Summer Eve party as it was officially named was like a carnival. Everything you can think of they had there. Princess Luna led Twilight to various game stalls. Twilight won the spray gun stall thanks to her training in control. But Princess Luna won the ring toss. They both tied in the milk jug pyramid. Though Twilight won overall, it comforted Luna that Twilight’s first prize was a plushie of her and the other her sister. Luna got a Daring Do Plushie and gave it to Twilight. With them secure in a saddle bag Luna led them to the rides and let Twilight pick which ones. The roller coaster was scary but fun, the spinning teacups just made her dizzy. The swinging chairs were a blast.
The two of them were walking with snacks in their magic grips. Twilight had a chocolate covered ice cream cone while Princess Luna had an ice cream sandwich; when they encountered Cadance and Shining who had cotton candy and popcorn.
“You are having a fun night Twilight?” Cadance asked.
“A BLAST! Princess Luna is fun to be with.”
“Please Twilight, call me Luna. I only want to hear my title for formal things, not with friends.”
“Well, would you mind us taking her for a while aunty?” Cadance gave Luna the sad eye look.
“Of course aunty Lulu,” Cadance replied and Luna frowned at that. She hated that nickname and wished TIA hadn’t told Cadance that nickname. Luna waved goodbye to them as Twilight spent time with her brother and his marefriend.
Hours later Cadance led them to the seats facing a platform with statues of a sun and moon on them. Twilight’s parents joined them from their own extended family’s party. They made some same talk about the celebration; while afterward Twilight showed them the prizes she won and was given by Luna. That ended when Princess Luna elegantly strode onto the platform.
Both smiling alicorns landed and after a final blast of music from the guard’s horns, the crowd dispersed. Twilight’s parents exchanged words with the royal sisters, but all noticed Twilight drooping in her chair. Luna went over and put the sleepy filly on her back and took her to her bed. They give her a few hours to sleep before they moved to their Everfree home. Laying Twilight on her bed, Luna kissed the now sleeping filly on the forehead, as Twilight dreamed of raising the sun and moon with her family watching.
Ponyville
Looking out the window of the castle’s dining hall, Twilight looking with longing at the distant town. Before her flare, her foal friends and their parents often told her of their vacations in that town to experience the rustic charms that the honest and modest, Earth pony town provided.
During the past couple days, she had unpacked and familiarized herself with the castle. Luna showed Twilight the castle’s nearby observatory dome, with a telescope with a cylinder large enough for Twilight to walk upright inside without her horn touching the upper surface. She also hanged out with Cadance and Shiny. But, both had official duties today and Twilight was left alone. Normally a good book could keep her mind occupied, but this day looked so beautiful. It was too beautiful to stay inside. Twilight saw the castle’s staff from skilled chefs to powerful guards, while off-duty, enjoying the warmth and sunshine, so why couldn’t she? She sighed before she heard a voice.
“Twilight come over and eat your breakfast.” Princess Celestia said. She walked over to the table and sat down next to the princess with a downcast look. “What’s wrong Twilight?” The Princess asked with genuine concern.
“You have?” The alicorn nodded and walked back to her spot.
“We believe so. Luna worked well into the early morning to finish this.” Celestia picked up a torc in the glow of her yellow telekinesis and then presented it before Twilight. It was made of gold and looked like a much smaller version of Princess Celestia’s, but instead of a simple purple gem in the middle, it had a dark blue gem made to look like her cutie mark. “Put this on,” the Princess ordered. With a smile and a nod, Twilight took the torc in her purple telekinesis and then fitted it over her neck. It felt snug and she barely felt the weight.
“What does it do?” Twilight asked after she was finished messing with it.
“Two things, we’ve have tried enchanting it with a spell similar to what we have in the castles. This will allow you to cast low energy magical effects like levitation, while suppressing the chances of a flare, but there’s no guarantee. Thus, that is why we included a teleportation spell. If you feel a flare coming on, just tapped the gem twice quickly and it will teleport you to the nearest castle. Now eat your breakfast and we’ll see if it works. If it does you can go into Ponyville for the day.”
‘To visit the town? To have some freedom? OH YES!’ Twilight nodded and digged in, as joy filled her mind again.
* * * * * *
After finishing their breakfast, Celestia then teleported them both to a wildflower covered meadow within a forest that appeared safer and felt more relaxing to Twilight’s mind than the Everfree.
“Where are we Princess?”
“This is Whitetail Woods. It looks like the Everfree that surrounds our vacation castle, but has none of the chaotic magic that Everfree endures. Now tap your collar as I instructed.” Twilight tapped the gem twice and she was enveloped in a light blue light. When it cleared she was in a room that was a simple but elegant bedroom with a large bed in it. A golden light appeared next to Twilight and she shielded her eyes. Soon the light disappeared and Princess Celestia was next to her. The princess looked at her with a smirk. “It seems our enchantment works in that at least. You can go to Ponyville. I’ll have a guard escort you through the forest.” Celestia lifted a saddlebag with Twilight’s cutie mark on it. “There are some bits in it for you to buy snacks or whatever fills your fantasy. There is also the latest Daring Do novel that your mother sent you. Now go enjoy yourself.” Twilight did the small, yes dance, but saying thank you instead of yes.
* * * * * *
For the record, the Everfree Forest is reealllly creepy, even when seen in Celestis’s warm sunlight and an armored stallion walking beside her. While walking on the road, Twilight noticed that the wild forest grew on both sides of the road to Ponyville, while the upper branches of tall trees created a green roof over the road itself. Why the Royal Sisters had constructed a castle in the Everfree, Twilight had no idea. For a pony whose contact with nature had been limited to Canterlot’s well manicured parks, the Chaos of the Everfree plants undisturbed by pony hooves was a bit nerve-wracking for the sheltered foal.
Thankfully they safely reached the outskirts of town. The guard, whose rank and name is sergeant major Maximum and has a guard shed for a cutie mark, took his leave saying in a Whinnyapolis accent that he’d be in the Town Hall when she was ready to leave. With that Twilight walked all around the town reveling in the freedom she now had regained. Twilight loved the rustic appearance of the town’s half-timbered homes and businesses, while the majority of the ponies Twilight saw were Earth ponies, unlike Canterlot where the majority of the ponies are unicorn ponies.
She was looking upward at a well done cloud house when she ran into some pony. Twilight shook her head and looked at the pink mare. “Oh I’m sorry.” Twilight replied looking up to the mare. The mare in question looked at her bugged eyed before somehow jumping into the air and staying there for a few seconds before gasping and disappeared in a cloud of dust.
‘Well, that was a weird pony, and fast to.’ Twilight continued her journey and noted a few key buildings, like a house fully adorned as a gingerbread house. ‘Must be the candy store; I’ll have to check that out later.’ Twilight smiled at a building that looked like a white carousel and was puzzled at one that was literally made out of a living tree. The sign said Golden Oaks Library. She just had to check the place out. She walked in and saw a cozy little library that appeared bigger inside than it was on the outside. As a resident of the royal castle, twilight had stopped questioning how pony engineers could fit a sixty foot indoor space within thirty feet of exterior walls. It seemed well stocked, but the place was also a tad dusty.
“Hello?” She asked but after a minute got no response. From the look of things there was no librarian for the town. With a bit of sadness at that fact she left the library and strolled through town a bit more. Her stomach grumbled so she decided to head for the market area for some fresh food.
Twilight looked around the stalls and saw many different veggies and fruits but one stall caught her eye. An apple stand. She trotted up to it and the vendor greeted her.
“Well howdy miss.” The orange furred mare with a cowboy hat said with a smile. “Care to try a Sweet Apple Acre apple?” Twilight nodded.
“They look tasty.”
“Well our apples are among da best in Equestria. Dat be one bit.” Twilight handed over a bit and was handed an apple. Taking it in her magical grip, she took a bite and oh my, was it the most delicious apple she ever had.
“Say, shouldn’t ya be in school right now?” That hit home to Twilight. She had loved school, except for magic kindergarten. But, ever since the flare she hasn’t been in school.
She looked down to the ground and answered sadly. “Couldn’t go to school, couldn’t even go out till today. It was too dangerous.” She didn’t want to think on that more so she did a polite smile. “Good apple though, thank you. Have a pleasant day.” Twilight said as she walked away eating the apple.
“And a good day to you.” The mare said with a look of concern in her eyes.
* * * * * *
Twilight spent the next couple hours reading in a streamside park enjoying both the book and the outside. But her tummy complained since she only had an apple, hours earlier. She decided to check out that candy looking place. Putting her book away she headed back into town.
She noticed how much more quiet the town was at this time of day. But she was born and raised in Canterlot, not a farming community like Ponyville. She finally reached the candy looking store. The sign above the store said ‘Sugarcube Corner’.
“SURPRISE!” Several voices shouted and the lights turned on and confetti was blown into the air. Twilight soon followed them before being caught by a pink mare.
“Hi I’m Pinkie pie and I threw this party just for you because I haven’t seen you before and if I haven’t seen you before you must be new to town. And if you’re new to town you haven’t had a welcome to Ponyville party so I threw one.”
‘Did she even breathe during that?’ Twilight thought to herself.
“Uh, Hi, I’m Twilight Sparkle. I’m....I’m gonna get a bite to eat.”
“Okie dokie loki, the cake is over there.” Pinkie said and hopped away and Twilight went and got a slice.
“Hey Flutters there you are. Why are you hiding in the corner? You know most of these ponies,” said a cyan colored Pegasus with a mane colored like a rainbow.
“Sorry. There is just so many here.”
“It’s a Pinkie Party, of course there’s going to be a lot of ponies just because she made it.”
“Are her parties that popular?” Twilight asked.
“Yeah, she throws them often and always brings her A Game. This party must be for you if you didn’t know that.” The cyan Pegasus extended a hoof. “I’m Rainbow Dash, the fastest flier in Equestria. You heard of me?” Twilight shook the hoof.
“Twilight Sparkle and no I haven’t. I’ve been gone for some time.”
“Well, look who’s makin some friends.” Twilight looked over and saw the mare from the apple stand again. “You let so quickly I’d nevar gave ya my name. I’m Applejack.”
“Twilight Sparkle.”
“You met her already AJ?” Rainbow Dash asked.
“She came to my stall earlier today. I’m sorry if I made ya uncomfortable earlier. I wanted to introduce you to my little sister Apple Bloom, but I lost her somewhere in here.”
“It’s okay. I just rather not talk about it.”
“Okay Sugar.”
“Oh there you are Darling!” A voice that reminded Twilight of Canterlot’s upper class ponies said who was a white furred unicorn with a stylish purple mane and tail.
“I’ve been searching for you. It’s unlady like to not greet the guess of honor. My name is Rarity and I own the Carousel Boutique where everything is chic, unique, and magnifique.” Twilight again gave her name and Rarity continued. “My, that is a lovely torc. Where did you get such a lovely item?” Rarity reached for the torc and Twilight freaked out with fear. She batted the hoof away and curled in.
“DON’T TOUCH! PLEASE don’t touch. I don’t want to go away again.” She started to feel a flare coming and she tapped the gem twice and with a flash she was back in the castle. She looked around to see it was princess Celestia’s room. She saw the white alicorn lounging on a couch.
“Twilight, are you alright?”
“Sorry Princess, I was at a party and a pony tried to touch my torc and I was scared and I started to flare…” Twilight then felt herself hugged by the Princess.
“Ssssshhhhhh. It’s okay Twilight. That’s what the torc was designed for. It’s okay to be scared. You’ve suffered too much already. You are safe here. The Torc worked as planned.” Both remain silent for the next few minutes. During which Celestia lowered the sun and felt her sister raised the moon. ”Twilight you said you were at a party?”Wiping tears from her eyes before answering.
“Yes, some pony named Pinkie Pie threw one for me.” Princess Celestia chuckled at that.
“Oh yes, ever since she moved into Ponyville it has become more lively. Both me and Luna rather enjoy those parties. Speaking of my sister. I do believe you need to thank her right?” Twilight nodded. “Well, she said she was going to be on the Organ to Outside tonight before Night Court. Why don’t you go to her?”
Twilight left the Princess’s room and went to the Organ room. She found it days ago to kill time, so she knew the way. It didn’t take long for her to hear the organ. It was haunting yet beautiful to her ears. Soon she got to the room and saw the lunar princess playing on it. She approached Princess Luna.
“Excuse me Princess.” She said loud enough to be heard over the organ. The princess quickly looked over to her and Twilight swore her eyes were dragonic for a second there before she saw the teal eyes fill with joy.
“Twilight Sparkle! I see you are wearing the torc. Do you like it?”
“Yes it’s comfortable and I was able to enjoy Ponyville. At least till I got scared that somepony wanted to touch it. And it teleported me back went I started flaring from my fears. Thank you for making it.”
“No thanks needed Twilight. I was happy to make it for you. Good to know it works. But did you at least enjoy your time in town?”
“Yes, they even threw me a party!”
“Ah that be Pinkie Pie for you. Well now that you are here would you like to listen to some more music?”
“Yes please. What you played earlier was so beautiful.”
“Then you shall experience the Music of the Night!”
Luna played several songs with the last being Come Little Children when she looked over and notice Twilight sleeping against her side. This caused Luna to smile and she carefully extended her tail and absorbed Twilight into it before going full smoke form and headed to Twilight’s room. Once there she reformed herself and laid Twilight on her bed. Removing the torc and tucking the filly in. She kissed Twilight on the forehead.
“Goodnight Twilight. My filly of the night.”
Meanwhile back at the party.
The filly disappeared in a flash of light with a soft popping sound after tapping the gem in her torc.
“I think young Twilight is a flare.” She stated.
“What in the hay is that?” Rainbow asked.
“It’s a very rare condition for unicorns. When we are born it is common for newborn foals to have magic surges. Flares are unicorns that still have that even when they are older. As their magic increases so does the strength of the Flare. I fear poor Twilight is suffering from this and it seems she has powerful magic, much more powerful than most adult unicorns. Such flare magic is unpredictable and can ever appear to have a will to do crazy things.”
“Like what crazy things?” Rainbow inquired.
“A flare can crate spontaneous spells unknown to the unicorn’s mind, like turning two ponies into potted houseplants like what happen in Celestia’s school years ago. Oh I feel so horrid. She must have suffered badly from her condition and that torc, a rather wonderfully crafted item, must help in some way. I simply must make it up to her.”
“Well, how can we help?” Applejack asked. Rarity looked around and saw Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and even a smiling Pinkie Pie (wasn’t she was on the other side of the party hall just seconds ago?) looking eager to help. The lightbulb went off.
“IIIIIDDDDEEEAAA!”
* * * * * * *
Celestia had completed writing an important diplomatic letter, sending it using her magic. Then, she was about to put herself into her oversized bed, well oversized for most ponies anyway, when she facehoofed. “Darn, I forget to send a guard to return Maximum to the castle.” Taking her purse, she vanished away in a flash. Pony historians now believe that Celestia’s mistake was less about forgetfulness and more for an excuse to eat delicious Sugarcube Corner cake.
Author's Note
final got past the writers block for this chapter.
