Books, books, more books. That’s all that she has on her mind. Reading books, organizing books, restoring books. The day by day design of her schedule is all but predicted. Every aspect of every moment categorized and prepared for when and if it happens.
Of course, that’s expected of a Princess of Equestria to have this sort of knowledge. Princess Celestia does, Princess Luna does, even Princess Cadance does. To be aware and prepared for any outcome, despite the lack of knowledge they don’t show. As a Princess, they all have their duties.
Cadance looks over the Crystal Empire and protects them. A few years ago, word got out that Cadance had her fill of the not-nice type. On more than a few occasions, she had to resort to jailing them. She never wanted to, though. Some held her at knife point, some just tackle her, others just run at the sight, fearing the imminent punishment. Despite it, she still tried to make friends, and change their ways.
Most of the time, it works. The thug would just drop the knife or bat and fall to his knees, begging for forgiveness. Pleading that they’ll change. Wait a few weeks, and they hold up their promise. They never tried to hurt anyone again.
But, of course, there are those who are irreparable. Often sent to the dungeon for misbehavior. One time, a guy got chummy and tricked her into letting her guard down. She needed stitches in two of her hooves from him. Some things can’t be forgiven.
Princess Luna was the dreamkeeper. Every time a pony dreamed a bad dream, she was always there to guide them and remind them: “It’s just a dream.” Some dreams are fun. A little filly dreams up a pit of lava that keeps rising, and she’s gotta jump on these tiny platforms, like an old video game. Others are bizarre, like a circus, or an abandoned park. The things people dream.
One time, Luna had followed a dream that led her, strangely, to her own castle. The altar, to be precise. It was Twilight’s dream, her sister’s faithful student. Luna knew this was a dream, and so did Twilight, but Luna was real in this aspect. Twilight wasn’t. As she stood face to face with an old adversary from years ago, Queen Chrysalis, the queen of the Changelings, she had a look in her eye that said, “This time, I’ll win.” But neither Shining Armor, nor Cadance, the duo that had once bested her,could be found, leaving what felt like a losing battle to Twilight.
As they fought, Twilight was bent on taking her down, wanting to finish her once and for all. But from behind, Luna was caught by a subordinate Changeling, covering her muzzle and sending her to the ground. Luckily, the impact was loud enough for Twilight to hear, or Luna would have been done for. Twilight knocked the changeling off, and Luna zapped Chrysalis away. Twilight wasn’t too happy about it, but Luna simply thanked her and disappeared. The dream was over.
Then there was Princess Celestia, herself. The one who presides over all of the daylight hours. Also the mentor of Twilight Sparkle, whom she receives letters from every week to show her improvements. Not much is really said, or known, past that point. She usually keeps to herself in her castle, unless she has an audience or formal event to attend. But one step out of line, and she knows. She always knows. Sombra, Discord, Tirek, she knew it when it happened. Who better to trust than the one who was able to best all three to handle such a task.
A task that Twilight had been given just a week ago. She had already packed her things. Her friends were made very aware of what needed to be done. Fluttershy took it the hardest, as it struck a deep nerve. All of them had that feeling of worry. But Twilight knew it must be done, for herself and for the better of Equestria if one less threat be subdued.
It took her the whole of five days to traverse the murky swamps and winding caves before she actually made it outside the borders, nearly surviving the cave-ins and quicksand. Too bad she refused to take Spike along. If one had to go, better her target than Spike.
Finally, she found the cathedral of a castle that was home to one of her greatest enemies, now the very prison that holds her. Twilight stood and ,with a sigh, climbed the steps and unlocked the door.
The entire room was pitch black. Twilight had to use her magic to keep a steady light around her, preferring three or four meters for precaution. It was old. Twilight hadn’t visited this place in almost a decade. The walls were crumbling, and the windows look like a mere touch will shatter them. Even the concrete floor felt like it would give in at any time.
After what felt like an hour, she found her, lying on the cold ground, hardly noticing Twilight’s light. Twilight inched closer, and as she did, she could see her long, swamp green hair moistly falling over her face without care. She stared at her body, her legs covered in holes, only natural of a Changeling, and a black coat that made her almost invisible.
“Queen Chrysalis?” Twilight asked her.
“Go away,” she said weakly, “leave me here to rot.” Her head rose slightly so her eyes were partially visible, a deep jungle green, like the hunter ripe for its prey.
“Princess Celestia sent me here,” Twilight replied softly, “She gave me strict orders. I can’t leave, even if I wanted to.”
“How long has it been, since you put me in here?”
“Almost ten years.”
“You have no idea how this feels, Twilight,” Chrysalis threatens, “You have no idea how it feels to be alone. No idea how it pains every fiber of my being to see your face. You could have been the greatest unicorn that ever lived. But you had to have your pathetic little friendship. One day, it will have to change, and you’ll come crawling back to me.”
Groveling, she pulls herself up in front of Twilight’s face, threatening her, insulting her for not having the power she claims: the power of a queen.
“I know,” Twilight said calmly, despite Chrysalis’ breath crawling down her spine. “That’s why Princess Celestia… That’s why I came here. I’m going to put you out of your misery.”
Chrysalis let go and dropped to the floor, Twilight stepped back. “You? You really think you can kill me?” slowly, she rose to her hooves, weakly able to hold herself up, grinning at the weak mare. “No. That can’t be it. You just want to see me get what I deserve: the chance to kill you once and for all!”
Chrysalis leaped at Twilight, nearly falling on her face when she missed. Her movements were slow, every shot she fired from her horn was predictable. It was almost impolite to kill her, but Twilight had to. After Chrysalis leapt once more, Twilight pulled from her knapsack a small knife, made of pure obsidian, and thrusted it where her black heart lied. She never got back up.
As Twilight was leaving, she couldn’t help but shed a tear for all the Changelings that came out and saw the battle. Their eyes were full of tears, but no one tried to stop Twilight when she walked away, leaving the door unlocked, as the threat was resolved. Twilight’s job was done, but was it the right thing to do?
