Twilight looked out at Ponyville from atop her castle's balcony. The gentle night air caressing her skin as she took a deep breath, closing her eyes. She had been through so much in the past few weeks. She had just gotten her new castle a few short days ago, the memories of Tirek fresh in her mind. She let a tear slip down her cheek as she remembered all the times she had spent in her library. All the memories she would never be able to have in her old home. She liked her now castle, for sure, but it just didn't feel the same. It was so large and expansive, and even with Spike to keep her company, it felt so cold, so harsh and empty. She could couldn't sleep while the fond memories gnawed at her.
Feeling homesick are we now?
Twilight's eyes shot open, her head swiveling to look over her shoulder. She squinted into the darkness behind her, the silvery moonlight of the beautiful night going no farther than a few inches into her castle's chambers. Her eyes began to dart around nervously, as she turned her attention back to the edge of the balcony, peering over the side of it, searching for the source of the voice. Mocking laughter filled her ears as she retracted her head from the side of the balcony, her hair standing on end at the icy cackle that rang through the night.
I love the look in ponies' eyes whenever I do that.
More maniacal laughter shook Twilight to her very core. Her legs quivered as she began to slowly inch backwards, attempting to exit the balcony.
Now now, Ms. Sparkle, we have much to discuss.
Suddenly the door behind her slammed shut with a resounding thud. She turned around fully, racing towards the door, her heart beat intensifying as she attempted to pry the door open with her hooves. She heaved at the door to no avail for a moment, before resorting to magic. She summoned forth her strongest kinesis spell, attempting to lift the door off its hinges, but even as she concentrated , her magenta aura illuminating the balcony, she noticed that the light coming from her horn slowly got dimmer and dimmer.
"W-Who are you?What are you?" , she said in disbelief, her breathing intensifying as she witnessed her magical aura fizzle, and die.
Me? I've been called many things, known by many names. But you Twilight ...
Twilight heard footsteeps behind her, turning back around only to find nothing. Suddenly, the footsteps were behind her again. She whirled around trying to locate the source, but as it turned out, the sound was perpetually behind her, slowly gathering more and more power, the sound getting louder and louder until it was right on top of her. Her eyes were now filled with fear and scanned the balcony nervously, her back pressed up against the door. The footsteps ceased abruptly as she sighed in relief.
You can call me Adam.
She shrieked in surprise as she jumped up into the air, rapidly searching for the voice that had just whispered the simple, yet somehow terrifying sentence in her ear.
Tell me Twilight, what is it about me that scares you? Is it how I know exactly what you're thinking at this very moment?
Twilight shuddered at the thought, blood draining from her face as Adam continued.
For instance, I know you've been thinking of teleporting out of here since this conversation started, but you can't bear to leave Spike alone with big bad Adam. I also know that you've been trying to teleport inside your castle for the past two minutes, but you can't muster up any magical energy to do so. Don't try and hide it from me, I can see you trying to mask the strain on your face. Furthermore, you're still doubtful of your flight skills, and even if you were to jump off the balcony, you're unsure of whether or not it would even do any good, as you've just realized ...
Twilight's eyes bulged as her mouth dropped open.
... I'm in your head.
Twilight's heart skipped a beat as she muttered something to herself, her face continuing to lose its color.
Mumbler! I cannot understand a single word you're saying. You really should learn how to properly express yourself Ms. Sparkle.
She could only grimace as Adam's mocking laugh filled her thoughts, overpowering her senses and forcing her to drop down to the ground, clutching her head in an attempt to ease the mental distress.
Then again, I could just read your thoughts like the pages of book. But where's the fun in that? Why don't you go ahead and express yourself Twilight. Go on, I don't bite.
The sound of the gentle tapping of fingers on hard wood filled Twilight's ears. He was toying with her, playing with her emotions. He was even better than Discord when it came to manipulation. Discord had used magic and deception, but Adam was warping her, changing her through words alone. It was as impressive as it was frightening. Twilight thought about a reasonable thing to say in a situation like this, but struggled to formulate a sentence that could convey her mix of confusion, fear, and apprehension effectively.
She was normally so articulate, and yet in the presence of Adam, she had been reduced to a silence. Something about that voice of his instilled a creeping sense of fear so great, that it simply paralyzed her in all her capacities.
What's the matter Twilight? Cat got your tongue?
Another round of cackling laughter rocked Twilight, sending her over the edge , prompting her to finally speak.
"You're not real Adam. You're all in my head. You're just a ... a part myself. You're just my imagination running wild. I'm just tired ... " , Twilight said , stammering out her sentence, more to try and convince herself of what she was saying than anything. "You can't be real ..."
Oh can't I? Tell me Twilight, what is reality but your perception of the world? Things are only as real as you believe them to be. Things are only as powerful as you make them out to be. I can feel your fear, taste your sense of terror. Nothing imaginary can do that to a pony Twilight, and I think you and I both know what that means.
"T-That's impossible. There's no way that you ...", Twilight trailed off, too afraid to finish her own sentence.
Twilight, you can lie to just about anyone, but you can't lie to yourself.
More footsteps echoed behind Twilight, through the closed balcony door, but this time, when she turned, they didn't shift. They remained constant and steady as her eyes widened even further, her anxiety growing by the second. The tension in the air was palpable, and Twilight's body felt numb as the footsteps got closer, and louder each second, their steady pace forcing her to back away from the door in utter terror.
Suddenly, the footsteps stopped, and Twilight strained her ears to try and hear anything behind the door. Her breathing was strained and audible as she awaited what was to come. She tried to speak weakly.
"A-Adam?", she whimpered inching back further, shaking her head in disbelief at what was happening.
A loud rap on the wooden door sent a shiver down Twilight's spine, her whole body losing its color. It knocked again, and again, and again, the fourth, and final rap on the door cutting through the night air , sending Twilight scrambling backwards in fear. Her back was now pressed against the edge of the balcony, her hooves gripping the railing in fearful anticipation, waiting for the fifth knock. It never came.
Suddenly the door exploded outwards, crashing straight into Twilight, sending her tumbling over the edge. She could feel every sensation of pain surge through her body as she fell, desperately grasping at the air, trying to open her wings, but too dazed by the collision to even attempt to fly. As she fell, closing her eyes for the ensuing impact, everything around her fell silent. The wind in her ears muted, the crack of destroyed railing and door splinters smashing into the ground, even the gentle breeze of the night, all fell silent.
Things are only as real as you believe them to be, and right now ...
Twilight slammed into the ground, letting her side take the brunt of the impact. She skidded to a halt after tumbling around in the dirt for a few seconds, the brown soil staining her coat, as it mixed with blood from various cuts and scratches. As her vision faded to black, she could see a figure standing over her, veiled by the darkness of the night. Letting herself slip into unconsciousness, Twilight could just barely hear someone whispering in hear ear.
... I am very real.
Twilight ...
Twilight bolted awake in her bed, her eyes darting around the room nervously. Her breathing was erratic and labored, her chest rising and falling rapidly, as she scrambled out of bed, tripping on the bed covers.
Twilight ...
She managed to get herself to her feet, shaking her head, her mouth agape. Her eyes were filled with fear, disbelief and confusion,while the moonlight that was flooding the room danced off of her coat. She tried to search her brain for answers. She had just been violently thrown off of her balcony, but even as she turned to look over her shoulder, she was struck with another wave of fear.
The balcony door was still attached to its frame, and through the window near her bed, she could see that the railing of the balcony was still in tact. She turned back to face her bed, peering into the darkness apprehensively. The voice echoed through her head one more time, the words cutting into her, sharp pain surging through her body.
Twilight, it's time to get up now. After all, you would't want to miss the sunrise.
Twilight gasped for air, blinking rapidly as she thrashed about in the dirt, her limbs aching. She struggled to stand, managing to get to her hooves, before collapsing in a heap, a look of defeat creeping across her face. She glanced around herself, shards of wooden door and crystalline railing impaled in the ground all around her. Her mind raced, thoughts zipping by at a sickening pace, the onslaught in her mind mirroring the same merciless pain that wracked her body.
A fall from that height sure does take a toll on a pony doesn't it Ms. Sparkle?
"Why are you doing this ... I don't even know who or, what you are. Stop dancing around my questions, and give me a straight answer.", Twilight demanded, once again trying to stand, this time managing to stabilize herself once she stood up.
Alright Twilight, I'll be straight with you. But first, why don't we watch the sunrise together. Go ahead, take a seat.
Twilight was about to respond, but before she could, an invisible force shoved her backwards. She braced herself for another tumble, but
instead of being greeted by the unforgiving ground, her flank crashed into a well padded reclining chair. The force of the shove kicked up the foot rest section of the chair, forcing Twilight into a relaxed looking position, betraying the concerned expression on her face.
"What are you talking about? It's the middle of the nigh-", Twilight tried to respond, but was cut off by a thunderous explosion. Her eyes widened as the sky exploded into an orange mass of fire. The cool night breeze was replaced by the warm wind of the day, embers floating through the air around her. She was tinted orange by the sky, her eyes glazed with an intense orange glow, staring in horror as the sky of fire swirled around her. She glanced over to her castle, the crystalline exterior sparkling and reflecting the intense light of the explosion. The sky had quite literally been set on fire.
Is it now?
A demented laugh filled Twilight's head again, each wave of cackling forcing her to shrink into her skin as she watched the sky go up in flames. She eyed the moon nervously, the white orb taking on the shade of orange that the sky had. Flames streaked through the sky, the long, arcing streams of fire reaching towards the ground like tentacles. A whip of fire smashed into the ground beside Twilight, sending her flying from her chair onto the ground. She skidded across the hard earth, tumbling over herself several times, before managing to stop herself with her hind hooves.
"W-What have you done ... ", was the only thing she could whisper under her breath, more to herself in shocked disbelief than anything. She looked up, swiveling her head from side to side, and then shaking it in utter shock, as the sky wrapped around the entire landscape, from horizon to horizon. It was a ferocious mass of flames that smashed into the ground with tentacles of fire as far as the eye could see. The win carried embers from the burning trees and houses that had been set alight in Ponyville. Twilight could only look on, paralyzed, as another wave of mocking laughter slammed into her.
Me? Why I've only done what is necessary.
"H-How could ... how could t-this ..." , Twilight stammered out, trailing off as she looked at the ground, still trying to summon forth her magic. As she strained to even get a spark of arcane energy, she began to cry, tears rolling down her cheeks and splashing onto the ground below her.
Go on, Ms. Sparkle. Complete sentences please, I'm listening.
Twilight felt something, deep inside her, from the very bottom of her heart. Her overwhelming sadness and distress exploded into anger, igniting a fire within her hotter than that of the burning world around her. She snorted angrily, a magenta aura engulfing her entire body, mending her injuries and returning her to pristine condition. But something was wrong as she raised her head from the ground, her eyes filled with a look of pure hatred. As the magenta aura around her died, a few sparks of dark red energy fizzled along with the rest of the magical field. Adam couldn't help but snicker.
"Stop laughing you fucking monster!", Twilight screamed to the heavens, furious with Adam.
You really should learn to control your anger Ms. Sparkle. What would Celestia think of you having such an outburst? Speaking of which ...
As if on cue, the moon that was still floating precariously in the sky was overwhelmed by the vortex of flames around it. Huge arcs of flame wrapped around the moon, the encircling tendrils of flame overwhelming it. It was enough to snap Twilight out of her rage, as she stared up at the moon, the flames encompassing the entire thing, layer after layer of fiery tendril violently sweeping across the surface, until finally, it may as well have been the sun.
I'm giving you a chance Twilight.
Twilight was about to reply with a pointed remark, but before she could, everything stopped. The swirling mass of flames that was the sky ceased to thrash about restlessly, the burning embers that were floating through the air on the wind remained in place, and the entire landscape fell silent.
A chance to see things my way.
The sound of crackling flames and roaring fire ceased, as Twilight's eyes glanced all around her. Everything had stopped, the burning of the grass, the destruction of Ponyville, and whatever was happening to the moon.
A chance to save everyone. In exactly three minutes, the the moon is going to come crashing down into Equestria. Fortunate for you, I've time locked this planet for precisely two hours.
She could only shake her head weakly, the absurdity of the situation finally getting to her. She collapsed onto the ground, clutching her head, and muttering to herself, her eyes shut tight.
"Please let this be a dream ... Please , this can't be real ..."
Oh but it is very real Twilight.
"Please Adam just ..."
What did I say about complete sentences Ms. Sparkle?
" Please stop this. Please ..."
Ah, finally. But why would I want to stop it? It's beautiful.
Twilight opened her eyes, noticing that a wall of black was standing in front of her.
It's horrifying.
Her eyes slinked up the wall of darkness that was casting a shadow over her, realizing that the figure was wearing a suit.
It's terribly cruel.
She noticed something twinkling within the fibers of the suit, as it seemed to shift ethereally. After a moment, she realized the fabric wasn't fabric at all. It was a view of the universe. Stars and galaxies suddenly exploded across the canvas of the black suit, shifting and swirling all across it.
It's necessary. And so is this.
As her eyes finally reached the top of the figure, she was shocked to find no head atop the suit. Without warning, the entire suit flopped forward onto Twilight, engulfing her in the billowing universe-colored fabric, wrapping her up within the confines of it, and forcing her into a ball, before vanishing.
Twilight could feel herself moving, and yet at the same time, her whole body was numb. Her eyes were open, yet the world before them was completely black. She blinked several times, trying to see something, anything. She tried to speak, but before she could, Adam interjected.
Now then Ms. Sparkle, give me just a moment.
"What are yo-", Twilight began, but was interrupted by Adam's chilling laughter, silencing her instantly.
It seems you're imagining me as something akin to an intangible mist of evil. Sombra still on the mind I see.
She couldn't refute it, she had been picturing Adam as a corrupting mist of evil, similar to Sombra's pure darkness form. It only seemed fitting considering Adam was, up to this point, just a voice in her head.
Now that simply won't do Ms. Sparkle. Such a sharp mind you have, but you lack creativity. Tell me Twilight, what would you have me do? I can remain as a voice in your head for the entirety of this "trip", but I'd imagine it'd get awfully lonely on our trot through time and space.
Twilight mulled over the idea for a moment, while she tried to figure out why she still couldn't see anything, before replying uncertainly.
"I, I don't know ... I want to believe you're not just a voice in my head, but at the same time, I'm afraid of what you might become."
Oh come now Ms. Sparkle. Perhaps it is time to begin answering some of your questions directly. And I know just where to start.
Twilight waited silently, pondering what he meant, as she started to shift uneasily. She realized she was floating weightlessly through a void of nothingness. She opened her wings, but even as she flapped her wings helplessly, she was unable to move.
"What's going on, why is everything black, and why can't I move?" , she inquired, beginning to get uncomfortable, a creeping sense of fear starting to grip her.
Tell me Twilight, why does aviation and flight work?
"Because ...", Twilight sputtered, trailing off, a stark realization dawning on her.
Because there's something to push. When you flap your wings, you're pushing air in the opposite direction in order to propel yourself. Granted, it's a simplified version of what actually happens, but I believe you understand what I'm getting at.
"The suit that fell on me ... it was ... it had stars, and planets inside of it. They, they looked so surreal, but there was something different about them. They looked as if they were new, young and still forming. " , she said, the pieces of the puzzle beginning to fall into place.
You're a smart pony Twilight, so riddle me this; where exactly did I take you?
"You took me to ... " , Twilight couldn't believe that she was even considering it. It defied all the laws of science, was outside the realm of even the strongest of magic, and was completely and utterly alien to any living thing. Yet here she was. " ... to the beginning of time."
Clever girl.
