The Alicorn that Time Forgot

by JamBurglar

Rating: teen
Tags: Original Character, Spike, Comedy, Suicide / Self Harm, Tragedy, Profanity, Adventure, Discord, Twilight Sparkle, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Princess Cadance, Death
Length: 6155

Twilight outlives her friends and loved ones, much to her chagrin.

Whether time heals all wounds or simply exacerbates them remains to be seen. When Twilight outlives her friends and loved ones (even the ones she thought were immortal) she has a crisis of faith. Can she still be called the Princess of Friendship if she has no friends to speak of?

While coaching her grandniece and nephew to inherit Equestria's throne, Twilight will converse with an unusual constellation, partake in some good ol' fashioned suicidal ideation, and steal powerful curses as she searches for purpose. In travelling to faraway lands and meeting strange and fascinating creatures, Twilight might just learn the most important lesson of all; how to love herself again.

Published 2015-10-27 00:50:01 UTC
Last updated 2021-12-06 08:33:50 UTC

The Alicorn that Time Ignored

Old Wounds

The Alicorn that Time Forgot

By Avianation

Part One: Old Wounds

They say that time heals all wounds. Today marks the one hundredth anniversary of Twilight Sparkle’s coronation as Princess of Friendship. A date supposed to mark a century of successful friendship missions across Equestria. A date meant to honor selflessness and true camaraderie. But today Princess Twilight stands alone in her castle, her friends only fleeting memories. She knew all too well that there are some wounds not even father time himself bothers to repair.

“Twilight,” Spike said as he entered the royal throne room, “the ponies are all outside, and they, uh, want you to give a speech.” Twilight managed to give him a sideways glance.

“I-I don’t know if I can, Spike.” She motioned a hoof toward the empty thrones. “I mean, not now. Not after all we’ve been through.” Spike sighed a heavy sigh.

“C’mon Twilight,” he pleaded. “Just try…” Twilight slowly walked out on the veranda. She gave her hollow speech and then returned somberly inside.

“Hey,” he said, “maybe you can make friends with some of the ponies in Ponyville. I mean, we don’t really know anyone…”

Twilight didn’t know what to do. She didn’t know those ponies, and they only knew her as a leader for reasons from before their time. She had tried reading, but she didn’t want to turn her books into her friends, as her oldest friend had done so many moons ago. Books don’t indulge. They only talk at you, telling you their plights knowing you have to listen.

She stared at the empty thrones, her eyes affixed in a thousand yard stare, fruitlessly searching for the past. She made up her mind.

“I think I’m going to go out for a walk.” She said quietly.

“Hey, yeah!” Spike said encouragingly. “Maybe meet some new friends, eh?”

Twilight knew that wasn’t going to happen. She was leaving the castle, if only to allow herself a brief trip down memory lane. And so, with a heavy heart and a weary gait she exited her tomb of isolation, the heavy castle doors closing loudly behind her.

***

Twilight walked through the streets of Ponyville, her eyes darting between various passers-by. They could never replace my friends, they just couldn’t! We’re generations apart in age, we-. She stopped.

Right in front of her was the new Sugarcube Corner’s, now run by the Cakes’ grandchildren. She peeked in the window. There they were alright, a couple of full grown ponies. She ducked away before they could see her. It was the strangest thing to Twilight. She had watched three generations go by in the blink of an eye. And yet she hadn’t aged a day. She continued walking.

Sooner or later, her travels brought her to the dilapidated Carousel Boutique. Sweetie Belle had taken over running it once Rarity had passed, but now she too, was gone. Ever since then, the place had been left to rot. She stopped and stared, thinking about all the dresses she would never get to wear again, or that ever chipper Mid-Atlantic voice she’d never hear again. Twilight walked on.

Twilgiht walked by Sweet Apple Acres, or as it was called now, “Flim Flam Corporate Lot #217.” Well before their deaths, the Flim Flam brothers had secured a syndicate on all the apple orchards in Equestria, this one being the latest addition. She thought back to when she had to help Applejack save her farm from those cunning snake oil salesmen. Had it been in vain? She didn’t know, and frankly didn’t care.

Twilight had been walking for what felt like ages when she came to Fluttershy’s cottage. It too, had remained untouched since her death and was in a state of severe disrepair. She glanced briefly inside. The furniture lay covered in dust and spider webs, untouched by anypony in ages. The birdhouses and shelters were now devoid of animal life, the grounds an empty husk of what they once were. She continued walking, almost absentmindedly, into the Everfree Forest.

***

Twilight walked, aimlessly, her mind and body deeply conflicted. Where do I go from here? How can I be the Princess of Friendship without any friends? She came upon Zecora’s hut, it too, a barren wasteland of bittersweet memories. She noted the patch of poison joke as she carefully entered. The empty vials and dry cauldron harkened back to the time when Zecora had helped her reclaim Ponyville from Trixie, in her altered state. All the alchemy she had passed on to Applebloom, Twilight had learned from her. She exited the hut and continued walking. She walked and walked until she came out the other side of the forest and into a clearing. She happened to glance up just in time to see Rainbow Dash’s abandoned house floating by. Ever since her death, the house was no longer anchored by the powder blue pegasus’ minor telekinesis, and so it floated wherever the wind bothered to take it.

“It isn’t fair,” Twilight said aloud, “it just isn’t fair…” She tried to cry. She couldn’t cry, not anymore. Her friends had taken all her sadness with them. Now there was only a sort of all-encompassing ambivalence. She felt as though when they had died, they took pieces of her with them. She couldn’t go back, not without them. Perhaps she’d walk forever, and when her legs failed her she’d fly. When her wings gave out perhaps she’d lie down and wait for the warm embrace of death she knew would never come. She couldn’t take it anymore. Twilight collapsed where she stood from pure fatigue, and was overtaken by gentle sleep.

***

Twilight awoke the next morning groggy and disoriented.

“Ugh, I can’t believe I slept in this dirty field,” she said. She decided she would give her hooves a rest and fly home. Some anniversary. She felt a little better this morning, however. For she had made an executive decision. She would resign her position as the Princess of Friendship. When she arrived home Spike greeted her enthusiastically.

“There you are Twilight!” Spike said. “You had me worried sick last night!”

“I’m sorry, Spike. Things got a little out of hand. In any case, I want you to take a note, please.”

“With pleasure!” He obliged.
Twilight spoke;
Dear Princess Celestia,
I feel as though my position as Princess of Friendship has been compromised. It is most apparent that I can no longer fulfill my duties to the fullest extent due to circumstances beyond my control. It is for these reasons that I have decided to resign my title. Now, before you jump down my throat, I do have somepony in mind as a replacement. I am truly sorry.
Sincerely,
Princess Twilight Sparkle
“YOU’RE WHAT!?” Spike shouted.

“Spike, can’t you see?” Twilight said calmly. “I can’t be a Princess of Friendship when all my friends are dead! I don’t want to become a role model for these ponies on false pretenses!

“Twilight, I-” he stopped. “I just…this is not the answer. All the progress you’ve made over the past hundred years, y-you can’t just throw all that away!”

“Spike I’m sorry, but I have to do this. If not for all those ponies out there, then for myself. Now please, send that message to Princess Celestia.”

Without another word, Spike sent the letter to the Princess. It was a day or two before she responded, an obligatory ploy to try and convince Twilight otherwise. She didn’t so much as give it a second thought. Twilight knew her candidate would do a fine job as her replacement. Spike, on the other hoof, wasn’t so sure. Mostly due to his wayward obedience to Twilight. Shortly thereafter, Twilight began studying Equestria’s new Princess of Friendship. And so, much in the way a clock ticks, another hundred years went by.

The Alicorn With Too Much Spare Time

The Mane-churian Candidate

Part Two: The Mane-churian Candidate

By Avianation

Twilight gazed out at the frozen tundra from the window of her train car. She thought of the bygone days when she would ride these same rails with her friends. The back-and-forth visits to the Crystal Empire, and more specifically, the time she and her five friends saved the city from the accursed King Sombra. Twilight thought of when she and Spike ventured to Sombra’s dark chamber at the bottom of the Crystal Castle. The vision of Celestia’s cold excommunication was in fact, flawed. She only realized that now. Her true worst fear was losing her friends. This altered vision was no longer an illusion. It was now a waking nightmare from which she could not escape. Twilight’s train of thought was derailed by Spike’s abrupt interruption.

“So,” he said. “What’s up next on the roster?”

“Oh, just some routine composure analysis and behavioral studies,” she replied curtly. “You know, the usual.”

Spike shifted about uncomfortably. Because he was heralded a hero, the Crystal Empire railway had fashioned him a customized train car. Also, because he was now too big to fit in the regular cars. After a few minutes of rearrangement and absentminded thought, he spoke.

“You know Twilight, I’ve held my tongue for a hundred years now, but I have to say this.” Twilight gave him a surprised look. “I think what you’re doing is highly unorthodox. You were made the Princess of Friendship two hundred years ago for a reason, does that mean nothing to you?”

“Spike you don’t understand. I am nothing, without them. The reason I was made Princess of Friendship is because they were there by my side. I am a better mare because of them and them only!”

“The Twilight I knew and loved would never have done this!” Spike retorted harshly. “Trying to weasel out of your duties and spying on your own niece for personal gain. Have you even bothered to tell poor Skyla what you’re planning?

“You have to break a few eggs to make an omelet, Spike.” Twilight rebutted. “This is my way of breaking eggs.” She glanced again out the window. “And no, I have not told Skyla. I will tell her when the time is right. Now is not that time.” They both went quiet for a few moments.

“You know, Twi. It’s called making the best of a shitty situation. Ever heard of it?” Twilight decided not to dignify Spike’s uncouth inquiry with a response. And so, they rode the rest of the way in silence.

***

They arrived in the Crystal Empire and were greeted by Princess Cadance, herself now a great grandmother. After their age old, “sunshine, sunshine, ladybugs awake,” routine and the usual pleasantries, they made their way to the Crystal Castle. Once there, they were greeted by Princess Skyla, eagerly waiting in the foyer.

“Aunt Twily!” She shouted, as she ran up to give her a great big hug. “I missed you so much! It’s been weeks since your last visit!”

“I’ve missed you too, sweetheart. Tell me, how are the grandchildren?”

“Oh, they’re fine. Stormy will always be my little pyro, and Middy has begun to write poetry. It’s rather pleasant.” Skyla’s grandchildren, Solar Storm and Midnight Requiem, were the most recent in a long line of natural-born alicorns. Solar Storm had been studying pyro kinetic spells for quite some time, while Midnight Requiem was infatuated with the night and moon alike. “They both can’t wait to see you.”

Twilight went to reunite with her great grandnephew and grandniece. She enjoyed humoring them in their interests, their childlike wonder was amazing to her, as they were both no more than twenty. What I wouldn’t give to be twenty again. Those were the best years of my life. After a few hours of fun activities and merriment, Twilight retired with Cadance for a friendly conversation.

“Skyla’s doing well.” Twilight said. “She reminds me so much of Shining Armor.”

“Yes, she takes after her father. More than you’d think.” Cadance remarked. Suddenly she seemed very distant, as if lost in thought. “I miss him so much, Twilight.” She said abruptly. “I miss him more than anything.”

“We all miss him Cadance. I miss him just as much as you do. I miss a lot of people…” They were both lost in thought now, of loved ones long since past. Twilight tried to snap them out of it.

“Enough of these intrusive thoughts and unpleasantries. It’s best we get some sleep. Tomorrow is another day, eh?”

“Oh,” Cadance said, now embarrassed more than anything. “You’re right Twi. Sometimes I just get wistful like this.”

“I understand completely, Cadance.” You think you’ve got it bad? I’ve been wistful every day for a hundred years! “Now, get some rest. It’s been a long day for both of us.”

“Alright, Twi. Goodnight, and sleep well.” She said as she exited to her bedroom.

“Goodnight Cadance.” She said. Twilight walked the long corridors to her room. She got inside and made herself at home.

“Goodnight Spike,” she said out the window. Over the past two hundred years, Spike had grown too big to fit into the castle. He had to sleep outside, although he didn’t mind as much as one would think.

“Goodnight Twi.” He said back. Twilight laid awake in bed for a while before drifting off to sleep.

Tomorrow is another day indeed. She thought to herself. The day I get what I want.

***

The next morning Twilight decided to take a walk through the streets of the Crystal Empire. On her way out of the castle she passed the Crystal Heart, ever-spinning on its pedestal not unlike the Earth’s core. It gave her an unwarranted flashback of that fateful day two hundred years ago. She thought of her friends, her brother, and that sinking feeling of true helplessness she felt. She also thought of Spike.
“Why can’t he just see things from my point of view?” Twilight didn’t know it, but all the while Spike had absolutely loathed her newfound nihilism. Only last night on the train had he worked up the courage to tell her directly. Twilight seemed indifferent, as she did with most things now. She pushed those memories sullied by death from her skull, and began her walk.

Twilight had only just left the castle when a flash of brown tartan streaked across the sky and crash landed dangerously close to her. Amidst the dust and rubble a tall, snake-like silhouette stood up and turned to her. It was Discord.

“Hello Twilight!” he shouted. “Aw, it’s been too long! Tell me, how have you been holding up the past hundred years?”

“Discord,” she was somewhat surprised to see him. “Fancy meeting you here. I’ve been doing the best I can, you know.” They hadn’t formally spoken to each other since the funeral for the rest of the mane six. “So how’s tricks?”

“You know, it was the funniest thing this morning. I was sitting in my thinking tree, thinking about how much I miss Fluttershy, when I started to think of you. I said to myself, ‘Discord, remember all those friendship lessons you taught her? What is she going to do now that she’s all alone?’ So, I decided to pay you a visit. And here I am.”

“Oh,” Twilight said nervously. “Well, I’m still the Princess of Friendship. Same as always, heh heh…” Discord frowned.

“You really never were one for lying Twilight. Something’s up, you and I both know it.” He leaned in close to her. “You can’t out-trick a trickster, Twilight. I’m eons ahead of you in that regard.” Twilight backed up.

“Discord, I assure you, I’m not planning anything. I’m the Princess of Friendship. I always have been, and I always will be.”

“Goodness, I never said you were planning anything!” he said with a Cheshire smile, as Twilight kept talking.

“Either way, I’m in the Crystal Empire visiting Skyla because she’s my niece and I-”

“What’s this about Skyla now?” He asked, feigning curiosity. “Twilight, what you’re saying sounds highly suspect. I think I should pick your brain, you don’t mind, do you?” Before she could answer Discord shrank down to the size of an earthworm and slithered in one of Twilight’s ears and out the other. He grew back to his normal size, and wore a look of shock on his face that was rather rare for him.
“My, Twilight…” he said, his voice unusually calm. “I never took you for such a conniver.”

“Discord it’s not what you-” He cut her off abruptly.

“I’ve never been more proud of you!” He said, grinning ear to ear. “You remind me of myself when I was two hundred.” Discord leaned down and picked her up, squeezing her affectionately. “My little Twilight’s all grown up!”

“Disc-*agch*,” Twilight struggled to speak. “Put me*gurk*down!” He dropped her on the crystalline pavement. She gasped heavily for a few moments before regaining her composure. “You can’t tell anyone! Understand?”

“Oh don’t worry. Your secret’s safe with me.” As he said this a zipper appeared on his lips which he then zipped shut.

“Thank you.” Twilight said. “I’m going through a lot right now, and I don’t need one more thing on my plate.”

“Ha ha, splendid! Well, I’ll be off then. You know, places to go, chaos to cause…” Discord manifested a tiny hat and briefcase from thin air. “Ta ta for now, Twilight.” And with a snap of his fingers he disappeared. Twilight took a moment to assess what had just happened, then continued walking.

Twilight thought about what Discord had said to her. Am I really a conniver? She didn’t know whether her actions were morally justifiable. There’s nothing wrong in what I’m doing, is there? As Twilight walked she glanced at various crystal ponies. In a way she envied them, as they were all heedless of the gift it was to be mortal. Through the sprawling buildings and by-streets she was again reminded of the crystal fair and the colosseum erected for the Equestrian Games. Her efforts to banish those thoughts to the recesses of her mind proved fruitless. She didn’t care though. She had reached her destination.

Twilight stood in front of the Crystal Empire Library. She entered through the huge crystalline doors and approached the reference desk.

“Pardon me,” she said. “I am looking for the spell archive.”

“Oh,” the librarian said. “Of course, Princess. That’s, hm…okay. Ah! Yes, I remember! Spell archive is located in the east hall.”
“Thank you.” Twilight walked back to the east hall of the enormous library. After a few minutes of searching, she found the book she needed.

“Ah, here it is! A Collection of Offensive and Defensive Spells for the Practical Unicorn.” A tome of eldritch lore predating even Starswirl the Bearded. Most of the spells in this book would largely be considered unorthodox, even illegal by today’s standards. She used her magic to flip though the pages. “Alphabetized, just the way I like it.” As she glaced at the various diagrams, she couldn’t help but imagine Equestria in a barbaric state, where these spells could be deemed even tolerable.

“P, P, where is P…ah, right here! Let’s see, P-R…” Twilight continued searching the ancient tome until she found a particular spell.
“Here it is!” Twilight half-shouted. She read the description aloud to herself:

Praeceptum ex Cornu - the commanding spell. A latent mind control spell that remains dormant in the recipient until invoked by the caster. By uttering the following incantation, the spell will implant in the target until activated by the caster through use of a trigger phrase of the caster’s choosing. Because of the nature of this spell, it is often referred to as, “The Sleeper Agent’s Spell,” or the “S.A.S.”

Twilight quickly memorized the spell, and chose a trigger phrase to activate it. She didn’t know why, but felt that “Would you kindly?” would be most appropriate.

“Perfect for my backup plan!” She said. “Let’s just hope this failsafe works better than my last one.” She closed the book and made a haste exit. With this knowledge secure, she returned to the castle.

That night, as Skyla lay sound asleep in her room, the door creaked open ever so slightly. Twilight entered without a sound, and loomed over the foot of her bed. Her horn glowed a bight magenta as she readied herself.

“I’m sorry, Skyla. But this is something I have to do.” Without further ado, Twilight whispered the spell:

When all is said, and all is though

All my bidding will pass unto you!

A tiny pink orb emerged from Twilight’s horn. It floated over Skyla’s body before snaking its way into her mouth. She didn’t so much as flinch. When Twilight was certain the spell had finished its assimilation she exited the room without a sound.

All that remained of Twilight’s plan was to choose a time when she would ask Skyla to take her place. After a hundred years of preparation, her plan was finally coming to fruition. For the longest time after Twilight cast her surreptitious spell, everything seemed perfect. But perfect never lasts.

The Alicorns that Time Remembered

Making Gods

Part Three: Making Gods

By Avianation

EQUESTRIA MOURNS LOSS

OF BELOVED RULERS

ROYAL PONY SISTERS DIE OF NATURAL CAUSES

Or so the headlines read. Yes, it was true. After ruling Equestria in excess of two thousand years, Celestia and Luna had died. Their sudden deaths took the entire nation by surprise. The grandest monuments Canterlot Cemetery had ever seen were erected in their honor. Thousands flocked to the mountainside city for their funeral reception. Some called it; the day Equestria wept.

Twilight was chosen to give the somber eulogy. Because she was Celestia and Luna’s most faithful student, and having helped them cope with their own personal vices for the past two hundred years, many saw her as the only appropriate candidate. And so, on that cold rainy day, in front of a crowd of thousands, she quietly cast a voice amplifying spell, and spoke;

“Celestia and Luna were more than mentors to me. They were…my inspiration. They were the wind beneath my wings, both metaphorical and physical. I feel as though they are personally responsible for the joining of my friends and I, and my subsequent ascension into alicornhood. Celestia, mover of the sun and moon, friend to ponies of all races, was the most benevolent ruler Equestria could have hoped for. And Luna… her lapse into villainy notwithstanding, was the ever-caring guardian of dreams. She always wanted the best for her subjects, and held herself personally responsible when anypony felt even an ounce of emotional discourse. Truly, Equestria will never know rulers as great as they.”

After Celestia and Luna were laid to rest beneath their stone likenesses, the reception began in the castle’s ballroom. Only those closest to the royal pony sisters were granted access, as the sheer amount of ponies would not have fit.

Not only was all of Equestria saddened by the sudden loss of their rulers, they were also thrown into utter panic for fear that the sun and moon would stay affixed in the sky, as they had some two hundred years ago. Much to everpony’s surprise, the sun and moon still circled the earth as they always had. Everyone thought best not to question it, and returned to grieving.

Wanting to avoid the sea of crying ponies, Twilight made a hasty beeline for the passages that led to the higher parts of the castle. She climbed and climbed, until she reached the highest veranda in Canterlot Castle. Twilight gazed out at the clear night sky, the iridescent moon shining brightly overhead. She wasn’t certain, but she could’ve sworn she saw a constellation of stars start dancing. Right as this happened, a dark shadow loomed from behind her. It was Discord. Before she could react, she found herself held tightly in the clutches of the friendly draconequus.

“Oh, Twilight,” he said. “This must be a very difficult time for you.”

“Discord, thank you but-” she struggled to say. “But put me down, please!” He released her to the cold marble of the balcony.

“Sorry,” he said, sheepishly. “I’m doing my best to be comforting. It’s just…” He paused. “You’ve been their helping hand, their therapist, their viceroy, for more than two hundred years now. I’ve known them for two thousand years, and I was nothing more than an adversary to them.” He summoned a chair from hammerspace and sat down. Twilight hadn’t noticed until just then, but there were tears in his eyes.

“Aww, Dicsord,” she said. It was her turn to be comforting. “It’s going to be okay.” She offered him her hoof to hold onto.

“Thank you.” He took her hoof, and promptly blew his nose into it.

“No, that’s not what I- okay…” She said, both surprised and disgusted.

“Oh, I suppose it’s just the whole, ‘you don’t appreciate what you have until you don’t have it anymore’ kind of thing.” Now it was he who gazed longingly at the night sky. “I remember all those centuries ago. They were just two young fillies with the weight of the world on their shoulders.” He now summoned a rose, whose petals he plucked slowly. “I didn’t realize what I had, or what I could’ve had, until it was far too late.” He rose, the flower and chair disappearing simultaneously. “Doesn’t matter now, they’re in a better place.”

“Are they though?” Twilight said, once again looking to the constellation from earlier.

“Hm, what was that?” Discord asked.

“O-Oh, nothing. Just thinking out loud, really.”

“Ah, I see.” He lunged forward, giving her a gentle hug. “You know, Twilight. We really must stop meeting like this. Why is it always the funerals?” With his talon he ripped open a portal leading back to Chaosville. “Good luck with ‘you know what’!” He stepped though the tear in space-time, and was gone.

With no more distractions, Twilight once again gazed at the night sky, pondering the nature of those dancing stars. After a couple hours of solace, she retired to her chambers in the castle.

***

The next day, Twilight boarded the midday train back to Ponyville, all the while thinking about the deceased princesses. Two hundred years ago, the princesses disappeared without a trace, leaving the sun and moon affixed in the sky at once. The very nature of their incapacitation was peculiar to begin with, as they were both put in a sort of stasis by the plundervines. Due to their unconsciousness, the night and day cleaved the sky in two. Now, with the royal pony sisters seemingly dead, logically, that effect would be mirrored. But such was not the case.

“What does it mean?” She said to herself. “I could’ve sworn I saw those stars moving last night.” As she pondered this unusual situation, the train pulled into the station. Twilight surmised that talking to Spike might help shed some light on this mystery. Once off the train, she flew straight home.

Twilight found Spike outside the castle, his ever-increasing size a constant hindrance to him going indoors.

“Spike!” She shouted. “I’ve got some news!”

“Oh, hello Twilight. Back already?” Spike too, felt he should play the comforting role. “Do you wanna talk about it?”

“What? No, listen! Last night after the reception, I was out on a balcony, and I saw the strangest thing! The stars began to move…”

“Hmm, you’re taking this rather well.” Spike said dryly. Twilight ignored him and continued talking, her speech never faltering once.

“…and that’s why I think they haven’t passed on.”

“Well,” Spike was thoroughly dumbfounded. “That’s very strange indeed, Twilight. But if the Princesses haven’t passed on, then where do you think they are?”

“I don’t know, that’s the thing!” She said. “But I’ve got a feeling those dancing stars were a part of it. They may have been a sign, or a desperate warning, or even a cry for help.”

“This is certainly a head-scratcher, Twilight. Maybe you should sleep on it.”

“Maybe I should,” she said. “I just hope the princesses are okay.” She stopped speaking of the matter, but didn’t stop thinking about it, until the sun set and the moon rose inexplicably once again.

That night Twilight had a nightmare, the first one she’d had in ages. In it, the princesses were in a cage being sucked out into space. Twilight was restrained, and watched helplessly while the princesses were defenestrated. She awoke in a cold sweat.

“Luna…” she mumbled. Not wanting to sleep anymore, she rolled out of bed and made her way to the veranda. Twilight opened the doors and quietly crept outside. She gazed again at the stars.

“Just give me a sign,” she said. “Let me know you’re okay.” As she finished speaking, the stars began to move again, this time forming a shape not unlike the Tantabus they had fought over two hundred years ago.

“HOLY FUCK!” Twilight yelled, before quickly putting her hoof to her mouth, sheepishly. The sentient constellation made eye contact with her for a few moments before dissipating into the starry sky.

“Well that didn’t answer anything!” she shouted, somewhat frustrated. She went back inside to further ponder what exactly she had just laid eyes on. Twilight continued this for the rest of the night.

***

The next morning, a rather groggy Twilight shuffled over to her library door to rearrange her books, if only to calm her nerves. As she was about to clean, she heard a telltale belch coming from outside. Now wide awake, Twilight hurried outside to inspect. Once there, she found Spike holding a single scroll in his claw.

“I-I just received this,” he said, flabbergasted. “The only one ever to use this was Princess…Celestia.” He handed the scroll to Twilight. Shocked, she took it and began to read.

Dear Twilight, my most faithful student,

If you are reading this, I and my sister Luna, are dead. We have shed our corporeal vessels and moved on to a higher plane of existence. However, we are not at rest quite yet. When we took the weighty burden of raising the sun and moon, we vowed to continue our duty until such a time when there were others powerful enough to take our place. Until we are replaced, we shall patrol the eternal space and keep a watchful eye over the world. I have the utmost faith in you, dearest Twilight. Please, help us.

Forever yours,

Princess Celestia

Twilight reeled back as if struck with a truncheon. Her eyes widened and her pupils dilated. She had a look of pure shock on her face.

“Twilight!” Spike said. “What is it?” It took her a few moments to compose herself and even more to be able to speak.

“Oh nothing,” she replied. “I just have to help the princesses get into Heaven.”

Spike was understandably confused and very surprised at this broad statement. Twilight took a few moments to elaborate. Once she finished, he spoke up.

“Twilight, that sounds like an insurmountable task. Are you sure you’re up for it?”

“I have to be, Spike. The princesses need me now more than ever.” She looked to the north. “Besides, I have a couple of candidates I feel would be perfect for the position.”

***

“I’m sorry, you want us to do what, now?” Solar Storm asked incredulously. Twilight, having learned of the horrible clause to the princesses’ reign, travelled to the Crystal Empire within a fortnight of the reception. She planned to train Skyla’s grandchildren, Solar Storm and Midnight Requiem to raise the sun and moon, respectively.

“I know this sounds like an impossible task,” Twilight began. “But I implore you to consider this. The Princesses’ salvation is at stake.”

“Where would we even begin?” Midnight Requiem asked. “How can we move celestial bodies, we are but two simple alicorns.”

“Celestia and Luna were two simple alicorns.” Twilight retorted. The alicorn siblings fell silent. “Please…I just need you to trust me. The alicorns looked at each other in silent conversation for a few moments, contemplating amongst themselves this weighty burden.

“I don’t know about this, Twilight,” Skyla interjected. “Are you sure Celestia told you herself?”

“Yes!” Twilight rebutted. “I received a posthumous letter from Celestia herself. I know this is going to sound crazy, but I’ve seen what they are now. They’re a giant star deity that only I can see. I wouldn’t have come to you two if I wasn’t serious about this.”

“Well as long as you’re sure of yourself,” Skyla said. “Then I believe you. Stormy, Middy, what do you think of it?”

“Just give us a moment to talk about it.” Solar Storm said.

“That’s perfectly fine.” Twilight said, nonchalantly. The two turned away from her and whispered quietly. They have night and day motifs, I thought they’d be more into this. After a couple minutes of deliberation, they answered.

“We’ll do it,” Midnight Requiem said. “If it’s for the princesses, we’re up to the task.”

“Thank you,” Twilight said. “This means a lot to me, and I know for certain it means the world to them.”

“Well, it’s fine by me.” Skyla said. “As long as my grandchildren are content, then I am too.” With that, it was settled. Solar Storm and Midnight Requiem would become the new rulers of Equestria, and train with Twilight to learn the magic of moving the sun and moon. Awhile later, they retired to bed, their training to begin the following morning.

Before Twilight went to sleep, she went to the balcony of her room, to once again stargaze. She looked at the same spot as before, and sure enough, they appeared. They stayed for only a moment, giving a single nod of approval before disappearing. Twilight gave a weary smile, and went back to bed.

***

Shortly after breakfast, Twilight brought the siblings outside to begin their lesson. She began with an informative, if lengthy, lecture about the undertaking.

“Now, I know you two have been studying the sun and moon, and spells having to do with them, somewhat?”

“Oh, why yes.” Solar Storm responded. “We’ve loved the night and day for as long as we can remember! We just never thought we’d be the ones controlling them.”

“Indeed,” Midnight Requiem added. “I suppose it’s got to do with our names and appearances. Almost as if it’s our destiny, wouldn’t you say?”

“Oh, well…” Twilight said, suddenly flustered. “I don’t know, um, sure?” The alicorn siblings only stared with their judging eyes. “Right, let’s continue.”

Twilight, being all too familiar with raw power, did her best to convey to the two what exactly raising the sun and moon was like.

“Now, I only had the princesses’ magic inside me for one day, but what I gathered was that this task requires the utmost focus. I was unable to focus because this guy we knew betrayed us and a centaur destroyed my house, so raising the sun was incredibly hard for me. Long story short, I had a lot on my plate. Anyway, uh, it was only when I focused on one task, in this case it was defeating Lord Tirek, that I was able to channel the magic in a much more controllable fashion. It took all my strength and willpower, but I was able to do it.”

“Hmm, I see…” said Solar Storm. “So diligence is the key, then?”

“Precisely!” Twilight said. “Our first lesson is in tenacity. We’ll begin with a question; this training may take decades, even centuries, are you sure you’re up for it?”

“Yes,” Midnight Requiem answered. “I mean it’s not like we have a choice, now do we?”

“Good, lesson one complete. Now, lesson two…”

“I have a question,” Midnight Requiem asked. “What can you tell me about raising the moon?” That caught Twilight off guard. Fuck, did I even raise the moon that day?

“Uh, w-well I’m sure it’s similar to raising the sun. Although, the moon is much closer to Earth and it is smaller than the sun, so perhaps a bit easier.” Midnight Requiem nodded. “I’ll get into that more when I talk about entering dreams.” The young alicorn’s eyes lit up at the mention of entering dreams, as if intrigued. Good, that’ll buy me some time.

Twilight continued teaching the alicorns to harness, and more importantly, control their magic. She would travel to the Crystal Empire for weeks at a time, and her sessions would last for hours. The alicorns seemed enthralled at the prospect of ruling a nation, and in time, controlling the sun and moon. Decades passed, and as Twilight foretold, even centuries. This pattern of teaching continued for five hundred years, until one day Twilight deemed the two ready. She had successfully found replacements for the royal pony sisters, and her assimilation of Skyla was on the backburner for now. But her damage control was far from over.

The Alicorn that Longed to Forget

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The Alicorn that Took Her Sweet Time

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