The Guardian of Harmony

No matter how long she spent in that room, Twilight was certain that she would never tire of it. With books lining against the high walls and a few piled around her on her bed, the uncovered walls were painted with grassy plains and colorful flowers under the blue sky that climbed up onto the domed shape ceiling. At the center of it was a fairly large and circular skylight that would allow the brightness of the sun or glow of the moon to filter in and illuminate the room. Not only that, but the room’s painting of the sky was enchanted to reflect the different time of day or night once the sun or moon shone directly above the sky light in order to help accommodate Twilight’s odd sleeping schedule.

When the moon was directly above, the sky painting of her room would slowly lighten up, as though dawn were approaching and ease the pony into a new day. When the sun was shining through the sky light, the transparent panes around the room would blacken to prevent light from coming in as the sky painting would slowly darken to mimic sunset, allowing a few “stars” to come out until finally the whole night sky encompassed the room. What was most fascinating about the enchantment though, was that it “learned” of the day/night’s events. For example, if it had previously been raining and was currently sunny outside, the room would show a rainbow flittering across the room’s sky. And the stars in the room would move across the dome like they did under the actual night sky.

Sometimes, such as right now, Twilight would find her self more interested and lost in “Stargazing” as opposed to sleeping.

Her ear twitched as she heard her door clicking open, causing her to scramble under her covers and tightly shut her eyes closed under the guise that she had been sleeping.

The sound of hoof steps came closer to her, and she remembered to slow her breathing down to help fool the intruder.

It didn’t work as a deep chuckle reached her ears and caused her to frown.

“Staying up star gazing again?” the pony asked in a soft, but deep voice.

Twilight grumbled as she shifted around under her sheets, trying to find the head of her bed. Finally, she nosed her way out and poked her head out just enough to peer her eyes out and look up at the new comer, giving a small pout. “How did you know I was awake?”

“I helped raise you did I not?” The pony asked with an amused smile, “I think I would know when you were in the mood to stargaze as opposed to sleeping. Especially when your duties don’t call for you until much later after you wake.”

Twilight blushed and flattened her ears while giving a nervous grin upon being caught, causing the other to chuckle once more. “May I join you?”

Twilight nodded until she realized the other couldn’t see her, “Of course.” Despite the bed having more than enough space for the two of them, she still scooted over a little so the two could share the center of the bed.

They stayed lying on their backs together in companionable silence, starring at the stars of the “night sky”.

“---- says there’s going to be a meteor shower tomorrow night.” The other commented

“Really?!” Twilight asked in excitement

“Yes. So I sent a letter out to the ---- asking if we could borrow a telescope. They have yet to respond, but I’m sure they will be accommodating.”

“Yes! I can’t wait!” she grinned

Another deep chuckle, “That may be so, but you must be well rested if you wish to see the shower. We do have a long day of travel ahead of us.”

Her ears flattened as her pout returned to her face at the idea of taking her time away from gazing at her ceiling, but relented with a grumble.

The other pony chuckled once more, patting her head with a hoof before shuffling off her bed. “I’ll come to gather you before we depart.”

Letting out a squeaky yawn, Twilight mumbled her consent.

“Sleep well Twilight.” The other pony whispered.

“You too ----“ She mumbled as sleep and darkness overtook her.

“Hello Twilight…”

“…Every pony misses…”

“… the stars are…”

“Chancellor ---- Passed away today. We had to…”

“If you can hear us…”

“---- and I… tired…”

“We had this…”

“… a new…”

“I know, it’s just me today…”

“… acting odd and I…”

“I’m sorry… I’m so sorry.”

“… the first time…”

“Something came up…”

“I’m so tired…”

“What would you do?”

“… there was no other way and I…”

“… I’m not sure I can continue doing…”

“…had to move…”

“Screaming…”

“your… I’m sorry.”

“You always somehow manage to…”

“… ----‘s family is…”

“… Thank you…”

“The magic of this world is…”

“…What else?”

“You never cease to amaze me…”

“…So much on my shoulders”

“… remember when…”

“I never realized…”

“It’s been a while…”

“… there’s a new…”

“… A gift for you.”

“Had to…”

“…PLEASE TELL ME!”

“… you would like her…”

“I’m going to be really busy…”

“… war may…”

“… just too much.”

“managed…”

“I still hear…”

“… pony… hurt.”

“Please… help me.”

“… no other… team”

“Am I doing the right thing?”

“… corruption in the…”

“…Spoke to me”

“---- would never…”

“… a solution.”

“… New school…”

“You smiled!”

“A long time…”

“…I made a mistake.”

“A pony has…”

“… easier… but…”

“Is this always how you…”

“---- would never approve.”

“Tension with the…”

“She’s adjusting but…”

“… Did your body... shift?”

“… forgetting how to…”

“This has never…”

“… been a few months since I last…”

“… very odd.”

“Something wrong with…”

“… I miss you…”

“New candy… you’d like.”

“… setting the moon.”

“Everypony seems to have forgotten…”

“… Different advisor…”

“How were you always able to…”

“… is nearing…”

“Trying my best…”

“… is fine but…”

“No no no! Twilight can’t-!”

“I don’t…”

“… worse than I feared.”

“… don’t worry, I can handle this.”

“The arcane plane is…”

“… stuck in between…”

“I see…”

“… you felt that didn’t you?”

“… fix it.”

“Made a connection with…”

“… has to stay!!!”

“… will never forgive me if I…”

“No! You can’t! She’s not ready!”
“Please don’t do this!”
“She won’t live long enough if you-!”

“Twilight!”

Purple eyes slowly opened, as the owner tried to focus on the world around her.

But the brightness of the day forced her eyes to squint and turn her head away, allowing her to focus on other things, such as how heavy the air around her felt, how there was a buzzing and ringing sound reverberating through her ears, and how her body refused to listen to her commands of standing, or holding her head up. Everything felt… wrong. And she didn’t know why.

“Sh, sh… It’s okay Twilight.” A familiar voice whispered as a warm body came in contact with her side.

She tried to peer up, to see who the owner of the voice was, but due to her eyes still adjusting to the light, all she saw was a white blob before she was enveloped into darkness once more by something soft and warm.

She felt the workings of something… familiar occurring around her, and before she knew it, the scent of her surrounding changed from that of a woodsy area into something… sterile.

“Quick! Send a team of medics to my chambers and as well as the Archmage!” the voice shouted

The sound of a snap and hooves galloping away soon followed the order as the warm blanket unraveled itself, only to be replaced by that previous feeling of familiarity surround her. She felt herself being lifted gently into the air, floating along as the world continued spinning around her, not yet coming into focus and the incessant buzzing and ringing continued to sound through her mind.

It was only when she felt herself being laid down on a soft surface along with warmth once again enveloping her, did she give up on trying to right her senses and allow sleep to consume her once again. But just before she faded into unconsciousness, she heard a whisper with a cracked voice and broken sob.

“I’m sorry…”