Separation

I didn't sleep that night. My mind was continuously reaching out for something that wasn't there anymore. I was impressed I managed to continue on the next day like nothing had happened, considering I had lost the other half of my being. Princess Celestia was back, so that was good. Apparently Princess Luna, who had been locked up for a thousand years was free too, no longer Nightmare Moon. I heard her welcome back party was fantastic. That's all well and good, too.

But what the hell happened to my sister?!

My anxiety slowly manifested into rage, trying again to search my memories for any sort of clue. This brought forth a startling fact. I hadn't just lost Twilight's senses, I had lost everything. Thoughts, emotions, and most importantly, memories. Everything Twilight had learned, all of her studies that Shining didn't learn, were gone. I was nothing but Shining now, nothing but his experiences and his knowledge. While I was still well off in comparison to most ponies, this frightened me beyond belief.

If I had lost Twilight to something hostile, that met the enemy was more knowledgeable and, honestly, more powerful than I was in my current state. Oh, that wouldn't do at all. I rushed straight for the castle and demanded an audience with Celestia. Luckily, despite that maddening events not a day before, I didn't need to wait. Well, I was Captain of the Guard, I could cut to the front of the line if I wanted to anyway. I barged in, practically sprinting from the other side of Canterlot.

“Celestia!” I pleaded, almost like I would to my mom whenever I managed to hurt myself or Twilight with a wooden sword. I had no use for formalities, even if I was supposed to use them arguably more than any other pony in the kingdom. I'm pretty sure she actually liked that about me though, “showed my youthful authority,”  or something like that. I don't know.

“Good morning Shining Armor, what have you been doing that's left you so tired?” She asked, that classic stoic grin ever present.

“I'm fine, but where's Twilie?!” I asked frantically, accidently calling her by my little nickname for her, but I didn't give a damn right then.

“She's fine, don't worry yourself. She managed to use the Elements of Harmony with her new friends and brought back my sister to us. I couldn't be more proud of her. It seems she has decided to stay and live in Ponyville to further study the magic of friendship.”

Okay, that knocked me on my flank. I stared blankly at the throne. So Twilight was actually acting on her own. That's not good. Or maybe it is and I was just paranoid, but with the way I had been utterly severed from her I had just reason to horrified. I was not scared of Twilight herself, I was scared of whatever the hell happened to her. I had no idea what to expect, and that's what scared me the most.

“Shining, are you alright dear?” The Princess asked. I wanted to tell her what had happened, I really did. I just shook my head and made my way out of the throne room. No, I didn't need her motherly help on this one. Something had happened to my Twilie, and I was going to found out what.

I must have had my war face on our something, because as I was walking down the hallways the guards kept stopping to salute me, which I normally order them not to do. Whatever, I was far too distracted to deal with it. On a more pleasant note I had run into Cadance.

Oh Cadance. Sweet Celestia, could I go on about her. I bet you a Canterlot annual income I could write at least three books about her. I'd be lying if I said the idea never crossed my mind. Long story short, she was gorgeous and I was head over hooves for her.

“Shining, are you okay?” She asked me. It would seem I was wearing my troubled banner today, oh silly me.

“Yeah, just...stressed.” I answered simply. She seemed to instantly drop what she was doing and walked with me. Damn I loved her.

“About what?”

Okay, so I have never told anyone about my situation, but I sure hinted at it from time to time. “I just have this really bad feeling about Twilight, I'm worried about what happened the other night.”

“Why's that? Everything seemed to work out all right. Auntie Luna's back, the day is back, and Celestia said Twilight was okay and happy in Ponyville.”

“Yeah, but that doesn't help. In fact, it only worries me more.”

She giggled at me. “You're really are over-protective of her, you know that.”

“Of course I am.” I couldn't help but smirk a little. She was so disarming it was almost illegal. I decided to at least make an excuse for my fear. “She's never really left Canterlot before, or at least for this long.”

“She has Spike with her right? I'm sure she can handle herself without her big brother swooping in to save the day.” She said, rolling her eyes at me. It didn't do much to calm me down though.

I needed to find out whatever I could about what happened, but had little to no leads as to what could have caused it. The only thing that came to mind was when I got her cutie mark...

A large, unstable discharge of magic.

I could only feel it for a second, but both times I was flung from her being. In retrospect, Twilight had seen more action than Shining. Twilight had an incredible reservoir of magic within her, much more than Shining did. It was strange, to say the least, and I honestly found myself scared of it whenever I had used magic through her. Then when I lost control during the exam, I lost her too. But I didn't just lose her, per say, I was thrown.

I remember something, I don't know what, rising as the magic did too. I didn't know what it wanted, I was too busy trying to contain the outburst. I got this sense of hostility, like I was intruding or something. Then I was only Shining.

The same can said for the second time, only it didn't come from within Twi. Actually, I think it came from those rocks at the castle. Those were the Elements right? Did they cause this?

I'll admit I had forgotten all about Cadance next to me, and I'm surprised she didn't speak up. The two of us were walking down the corridor, and she was probably feeling rather awkward without me flirting with her, in a gentlecoltly manner of course. I suddenly stopped as a puff of green smoke blew in front of my face, popping into a scroll in front of me.

I can safely say there is only one other time I have been more scared than when that letter came, but not by much. This message came from Spike, anyone who knew Twilight knew that. They would also know Spike doesn't normally write letters from himself.

Twilight was trying to contact me.

I had no idea what to expect. I stared at the letter on the floor like it would turn into a bunch of snakes if I touched it. I didn't even want to touch it with my magic I was so spooked. Cadance didn't seem to notice my worry.

“Oh, speak of Discord! That's from her isn't it?” Cadance asked me, grabbing it with her magic.

“Cadance...” I started. She looked at me, a little confused, before giving it back to me.

“Sorry Shining, I won't invade you and your sister's privacy.” She stated, almost sarcastically. She didn't seem to notice how scared my voice sounded.

We said our goodbyes and left each other. I didn't even watch her flank as she left. So yes, I was very preoccupied. I trotted as fast as I could back to my quarters in the castle without drawing too much attention, holding the letter as far away from me as I could without it looking suspicious.

As soon as I entered I threw the paper against the wall as hard as I could, bucking the door closed. I casted a number of sound wards to make sure no one could hear anything. I stood in the middle of my room and slid to the floor. My body felt completely numb. The fear I had earlier was replaced with bitter anger over what was stolen from me. I glared at the letter, debating whether or not to set it ablaze.

After I spent an eternity trying to calm my nerves, I finally grabbed the letter and opened. I immediately learned another important piece of information. I couldn't read it at first. It was protected by a special enigma ward I had made years ago for myself.

Now why, you may be asking, would I make a secret encryption technique between two ponies if I had access to both of them at any given time? You see, I used to keep a journal of my rather odd life. I figured if I never could understand what was happening to me, I should at least document it for any future generations who might have the answer, or be suffering from it themselves. With that in mind, I made a special journal with an enigma code, the translator on the back cover visible only by magical sight under a special light. I would switch ownership of the journal between Shining and Twilight whenever something important was coming up or had already happened.

An idea sprang to my head as I began to vigorously search my room. Sure enough, I found the journal underneath a little hole in the floor beneath my bed. I had completely forgotten to give it to Twilie before she left for Ponyville. I was thanking my stupidity as I took another look at the letter. If I had the only guide to our language with me, than that meant one thing.

She still had her memories.

Twilight still had her experience, and therefore her knowledge. This could be very, very bad. If she had indeed been taken over by something of ill will, then it had a wide arsenal to use. Then again, it was the Elements of Harmony that caused it, so maybe it was just a necessary means to save Equestria from Nightmare Moon. Although, it could have also been some sort of magic placed by Nightmare Moon herself.

Witness, fillies and gentlecolts, the birthplace of my paranoia.

I sighed, knowing I was getting way too ahead of myself. I haven't even read the damn paper yet. After I quick run through, I translated it in my head:

Shining Armor,

I hope you're okay. I'm not sure if anything happened to you too, but I think I'm actually myself now! I don't know exactly what happened or why, but I think I've finally gained my independence! I no longer hear our thoughts, my mind is my own. I admit I was incredibly lonely that night, but at least my new friends were there to keep me company. I'm sure you must feel as lonely as I am, but I'm still here and you should have no reason to worry. I can't wait to see you with my own eyes for once.

I have so many questions Shining, and none of the books I've read, here or under our collective conscious, have any answers. I hope you're not as scared as I was. I had no idea what had happened, nor had I any idea of what I should do. It was, after all, the first time I had control of myself ever.

Just know that I am okay down here, but I want to see you. I want to know if you know anything about what was going on, before and after. I talked to the princesses and they would love for me to come back up home for a visit in a week or so.

This next part wasn't in my code.

On a lighter note I noticed they are going to start selling tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala. I was wondering, were you planning on going? I don't know if I will but it would be a lot of fun if we both went.

Take care of yourself Shining,

Twilight Sparkle

Okay, I admit, this relieved me somewhat. I was honestly expecting it to be a giant curse and hex covered threat letter of her blaming me for complete domination of her soul and that she was now free of my evil will, now seeking revenge. The thought actually rolled around in my head that she might have been suffering an extreme case of Stockholm syndrome. That actually made me laugh a bit, although I do not believe she was. If I was actually holding her captive the entire time, I don't think I was that cruel. I thought I was treating her properly. It's not like I really had a choice in it either.

Well, everything would just have to wait until next week. I could at least take solace that she didn't seem to hold me accountable for it. With that little concern now busted, I could start adapting to life without her, however hard it might be.

It doesn't mean my paranoia over the situation was gone.