Chapters Twilight woke up feeling happy and excited, altough she didn't know why. Then she remembered.
Exactly a year ago, she had wandered into the Everfree Forest and she had built her home there , making five wonderful friends along the way: Lyra, a unicorn; Bon-Bon, Roseluck, both Earth ponies; and Raindrops and Cloudkicker, two pegasus. They lived not too far from where her home was, and they visited each other frequently. The idea of the little party at Roseluck's cottage, that she had promised, made her smile. Still smiling, she got out of bed, went downstairs and set everything up. When she was ready, she left her house. She didn't even need a map, because one year had been enough for her to know the Everfree Forest like her own house.
Twilight walked to Roseluck's house, taking her time to examine her sorruondings. That was what she loved the most in the Everfree Forest (apart from her friends, naturally): the nature. Everywhere you looked, there was a strange bush, a beautiful flower or an unique tree. Even the monsters, as dangerous as they were, were still quite interesting. And let's not forget the-
Wait, what was that?
She turned around. Had she actually heard the sound of someone walking through the leaves? She was sure it had to be another pony. She knew how the hooves sounded; it clearly was a pony.
"Hello? Is anypony there?"
Seeing that there was no answer, Twilight decided to think of something happy to calm herself down. Happy. She remembered when she met her friends, when they had a sleepover at Lyra's, when they spent Heart's Warming together, when they-
Then she heard a voice that she never wanted to hear again. A voice that, along with many others, were the protagonists of her nightmares. The voices which gave faces to the ponies she never wanted to see again.
"Ah' finally found you, Twi!"
Twilight turned around and saw her worst fear comfirmed.
Standing there, was an orange pony with yellow hair and three apples as a cutie mark.
"Is somethin' wrong, sugarcube?"
She stared in shock, and, to her surprise, another pony came out of the bushes. A cyan pegasus with a rainbow mane and tail, and a three-colored rainbow going out of a cloud as a cutie mark. Another pony she didn't want to meet.
"Finally, Twi! We've been looking everywhere for- Wait, why are you looking at me that way?"
Not answering, she turned around and started to run as fast as she could, not even daring to look behind.
"Wait, Twi!"
Twilight felt herself being lifted off the ground by a cyan magical aura. Forgetting that she had magic, she struggled to free herself, but in vain.
"I'm sorry darling, but this way you won't escape."
The voice belonged to a white unicorn with a stylish purple-colored mane and a cutie mark representing three gemstones.
Twilight wondered how many more of her nightmares where going to become true that day.
The pegasus sighed."Don't you remember us, Twi?"
She did, but there was a difference between not remembering and not wanting to remember. But those thoughts meant nothing now. She was trapped in a dead end.
Applejack, Rainbow Dash and Rarity had captured her. She couldn't run away anymore. But then her salvation came.
"Hey! What are you guys doing to Twilight!?"
Lyra was one of those ponies who couldn't orientate themselves, no matter where they were. That's why she always used teletransportation, but after being mocked about it at the last party with her friends, she had decided to walk, like the others did.
It seemed that she was going in the right direction and that everything was going to be fine, until she heard voices coming from her left. Moved by curiosity, she turned in that direction.
And what she saw horrified her.
There were three ponies: a pegasus, an earth pony, an unicorn, and another pony struggling to free herself from the unicorn's magical grasp.
And that last pony was Twilight.
Alarmed at the sight of her friend suffering, Lyra jumped in sight of the other ponies. "Hey! What are you guys doing to Twilight!?", she shouted.
The unicorn gave her a calming smile."Don't worry darling, we just wanted to-", she spoke before being interrupted by Twilight.
"Lyra! Help me! They are trying to hurt me!" She cried.
"Dear, what are you talking-", the unicorn was interrupted again, this time by a magic bolt from Lyra's horn, making her drop her magic around Twilight.
Before the other two could react, Lyra jumped to Twilight. Her horn glowed, teleporting them both out of there.
They appeared in Roseluck's home, and the owner of the house herself greeted them.
"Hello, Lyra! Is that Twilight with-Wait, is she okay!?", Roseluck spoke, getting worried when she saw the expresion in Twilight's face.
"Roseluck, bring the others. I'll tell you what happened while Twilight recovers"
Roseluck obeyed, and moments later, Bon Bon, Cloudkicker and Raindrops were in the room, and Twilight was sitting in a comfy chair, drinking from a glass of milk and eating from a plate of cookies as she watched Lyra explain the situation to the others.
"Twilight, do you know why they attacked you?", asked Cloudkicker, clearly worried about her friend.
She nodded."Let me tell you about it."
"Are you sure? You don't have to tell us right now", said Raindrops.
"No, you deserve to know.", Twilight answered. "Now, when I came to the EverFree Forest I told you all about me. But the reason I stopped being Celestia's protege was not because I dropped my studies and decided to have a calmer life."
"What? But you said-"Raindrops started, but was cut off.
"I know what I said, but you'll understand when I get to that moment" Said Twilight.
"It all started in my brother's wedding..."
"She's EVIL!" Twilight exclaimed, pointing an accusatory hoof at Princess Cadence. Shining Armor moved in front of her, while the guards and the rest of the Elements started talking in hushed tones.
"She's been terrible to my friends-" Twilight teleported behind her "-She's obviously done something to her bridesmaids-" The princess of love was getting cornered "- and if that wasn't enough, I saw her put a spell on my brother that made his eyes all weird!"
The lavender's mare horn flared up with the spell to reveal Changelings."And here's evidence for you!"
"Twilight, no!"
A shield of magic covered Cadence from the blast, sending it from where it came. As the spell hit, Twilight was sent backwards. She managed to stand up, feeling pain but knowing that there probably wasn't nothing broken. She prepared to hear someone asking if she was alright, but that never came. Instead, she was met with the acusatory tone of his brother, and the sound of Cadence's tears as she ran out of the room.
"What the hell where you thinking, Twilight?"
Doesn't he care that I got hurt? Twilight was surprised. "Look, I-"
"You attacked her? If you had accused her, that would have been forgivable, but this?"
She tried again."Brother, If-"
Shining Armor glared at her." Don't call me that. You are no longer my sister! And I'll make sure you can't come to my wedding!" He strode out of the room, probably going to find Cadence.
Twilight felt as if the whole world was against her. But it was only going to turn worse.
"Twilight Sparkle." Celestia approached Twilight and looked down on her."You have dissapointed me. I thought you would never do such a thing. If your brother hadn't blocked your spell, you'd be having legal problems now." She shook her head." I would believe it wise to end your studies, Twilight. Improve yourself, and then I'll reconsider having you as my student." The sun princess left the room.
"Let's get out of here, girls" Applejack said coldly.
"Let's leave this crazy pony alone." Rarity added.
"Yeah!" Said Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie.
Fluttershy turned around and looked at her now crying friend. "I'm so sorry, Twilight" she whispered, and left with her friends.
Now alone, Twilight felt her pain and sadness change into anger and bitterness. I can't believe it... my so-called friends have left me, not to mention my brother, my assistant and my mentor ' Her horn flared. Very well. If they want me gone, then I'll be gone.
Twilight reapeared in her room in Canterlot. "Let's see... Ah, here it is." She picked up a sturdy leather bag, and she summoned a couple of things with her magic. She checked everyting was there mentally.'Bits, check. Books, check. Necklace... check. Scrolls, quills and ink, check. Smarty Pants, check. Favourite pillow..."
It went so for ten minutes, until Twilight's bag (that had been enchanted in order to have more space) was full. She smiled and picked it up with her magic. As turned to the door, something caught the corner of her eye. On ashelf nearby her, there was a picture of her and her ex-friends. Twilight picked it up, smiling. She smashed it against the floor, making sure the glass was broken. The lavender mare then opened the door and shutted it behind herself with a slam.
"...And that's basically what happened. I didn't tell you all because I was afraid you would leave me. I mean, I know I kinda overreacted, but..." Twilight had a visible trail of tears on her face and her voice was shaking, but she was cut off as all the five friends huged her. The mare started to cry loudly.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, please don't leave me, I don't want to be alone again!" Twilight sobbed.
"It's okay, Twi, It's okay." Raindrops wiped her ters off with her hoof gently.
"Try not to make a river with all those tears!" Joked Lyra.
Twilight smiled a little."Y-You don't hate me?"
Bon Bon smiled at her." Honestly, we don't care about your past."
Cloudkicker nodded."Bon Bon's right, what matters is the present. And in the present, we would never leave you."
Twilight's smile grew even bigger. "Thank you."
Before any of them could respond, someone knocked on the door."Hello? Anypony there?"
The lavender mare's expression changed. " I-It's Applejack. One of my old friends."
"What do we do? I forgot to lock the door, and I can't do it now" Roseluck was starting to panic.
"We could hide Twilight, and tell her we didn't hear her at the door." Proposed Lyra.
"Or maybe be could knock her unconscious, and return her to her home!" Said Cloudkicker.
"Or maybe-"
"No." Twilight had a determined expression in her face." Open the door, Rose. I'll talk to her myself."
"Are you sure?"
Twilight nodded. Roseluck took a deep breath amd went to the door. She returned moments later not only with Applejack, but also with Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and even Princess Celestia herself. The room fell quiet until Rainbow spoke.
" Guys, could you please go to another room? We want to talk with Twilight only."
Lyra and the rest turned to leave, but a magical barrier stopped them.
"They are staying" Twilight spoke with a cold voice.
Rainbow glared at her. "Twilight, the issue-"
"I don't care! They deserve to listen because they were involved in this, even if they didn't ask for it. And they have been better friends that you group of ungrateful, self-centered and idiotic ponies have ever been!" The unicorn's eyes were filled with anger.
The cyan pegasus sat down and looked at the ground, and so did the rest of her group.
Twilight sat in a nearby sofa."Now, let's get to the issue at hand. Why did you come to see me?"
View Online
Never say never, 'cause you'll end up embarassing yourself
Getting the anger out of your system
The room went quiet.
"If you don't have an answer, get the hell out of this house now." Twilight said darkly.
"Darling, I'm not sure you have the right to do that." Rarity spoke with a gentle voice, trying to cover up her irritation.
"But I have." Roseluck stepped forwards, and everyone in the room looked at her. "It's my house, and if Twilight wants to kick you out, then I give her the right to do so."
Silence flooded the room again.
Applejack cleared her throat. "Look, Twi. We have something to tell you."
"Don't. Even. Think. About it. " Twilight looked up, her eyes lacking that little eager-to-learn glow . On its place was anger so pure even Celestia flinched. " Do you really think you will buy me with your little apologies, and then I'll come back to Ponyville and we'll all be friends again?" Her gaze hardened even more, if that possible. "You clearly are fools after all. I didn't forgive you one year ago, what makes you think I'll forgive you now? You're in my nightmares and in my dreams, can't you just give me a break?! " The unicorn broke in tears as she fell on the ground.
Out of all the ponies, Cloud Kicker was the first to react. She wrapped her friend in a tight winghug and slighty rocked her, while Twilight sobbed and cried. It wasn't long before Roseluck, Bon Bon, Lyra and Raindrops joined in.
The Princess and the Elements together felt the same thing: pain in their chests. A long time ago, they had been the ones hugging and comforting Twi while she was crying. They had been by her side, always. Until their egos got too strong to help her friend. They mistreated her, and they had lost her forever.
"Are you sure, Twi?" Raindrops' voice broke their trail of thoughts completely.
"I-I can do this, don't worry."
"We'll be your side in case you need us." Twilight took bravery from Cloud Kicker's words as she stood up.
Celestia approached her ex-student and knelt before her. "Twilight. My heart aches to see you this way."
"My heart ached too when you left me behind, Princess "
The coldness in her tone when refering to her title made the alicorn flinch. "Twilight, I cannot express how sorry I truly am. I made a huge mistake when I didn't trust you and when I dumped you."
The unicorn lowered her gaze. "I felt so horrible. So worthless. So alone . I thought you really had left me behind for good. And I was responsible for it. I believed I was so terrible that you had left me behind."
She felt her eyes start to water again, before two majestic wings wrapped themselves around her, replacing her sadness with surprise.
Another voice joined the conversation. "Twi, you're one of the most cool ponies I've ever met! Don't say that again, okay?" Rainbow Dash landed next to her, and instantly joined in the hug. Four ponies followed after, and soon Twilight was crying, but this time out of joy.
Bon Bon watched the scene unfold at corner of the room. She smiled to herself as she saw the happiness sorrounding her friend.
"Bon Bon? Can you help me prepare some tea and set up the table?" Roseluck also had the same smile.
"Sure, I'll help you."
"Good thing I never broke any of my cups, or somepony would be left out." Roseluck sighed.
Altrough the table wasn't specially big, it was enough for the twelve ponies to sit and chat with tea and homemade cookies. After the reconciliaton, Twilight wanted to chat a little with them, before they got to the more important topics, like if she was to stay in the Everfree Forest or move back to Ponyville. But for now, it was just chitchat.
"And then I said 'But you are a donkey!'" Pinkie Pie's joke was met with laughter and giggles from Fluttershy and Princess Celestia.
Raindrops joined with laughter and attemped to grab a cookie, but the plate was empty. "Hey, who ate all the cookies?" She groaned as Pinkie burped.
"Don't worry, I have more. I'll also being more tea." Roseluck carried the plate and the teapot in a tray, and returning back minutes later with both full.
Princess Celestia cleared her throat and the table silenced. "I believe it is time to discuss what we will do in the future. Now, Twilight, what do you plan on doing?"
The unicorn stayed silent for a second before answering. "I...really don't know. I never thought about the future, I just lived one day at a time. But I don't think Cadance could ever forgive me, you know." Tears began to build up in her eyes, but she blinked them away.
The Sun Bearer let a sigh escape from her mouth. "She will, because you were right all along."
Upon her former student's shocked eyes, she nodded. "Yes, you were right. Candance was a changeling, more especifically the Changeling Queen. Luna was suspicious of her too, but she kept her assumptions to herself. While the wedding was getting started, she entered the bride's room and found an entrance to the forgotten Canterlot Caves. The real Cadance was there, and Luna brought her to the surface. The latter distracted the Queen, while the former freed Shining Armor of his curse and cast a love spell to free Canterlot of the Changelings. When everything settled, we decided to hold the wedding until you came back." A smile spread across her muzzle. "Cadance just couldn't have her wedding without you, right? She's your favorite foalsitter after all.
Twilight smiled as well. "She is! Did she actually hold the wedding just so tha-Wait." Her smile disappeared as fast as it came. "Wait just a second. So I was right. So the wedding hasn't been done yet. But what about my brother? Wasn't he worried about me?!"
Celestia lowered her gaze, only to meet with the unicorn's glare when she raised it again.
"Celestia..." The Princess prepared herself.
"WHERE IN THE NAME OF THE CREATOR IS SHINING ARMOR?!"
Home is where the heart (and the family) is
Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter. 