Ruin

It seemed that the young filly was recovering nicely to everyone’s relief.

Her parents stayed in a guest room not too far from the infirmary. Despite the twin’s trustworthiness, there were other ponies who Celestia didn’t trust as much as they were ordinary service ponies. Because of this, Chrysalis still had to keep up her disguise when outside of her daughter’s room.

As she sat in the garden across from a dignified Celestia, she knew that her time within the nation’s capital was coming to an end.

“Your daughter is wonderful.” Celestia’s tone was genial as she thought on the filly she’d visited daily. Beneath Gemma’s shyness was a kind and eager mind. If circumstances were different, she could see the child in one of her gifted schools.

“Yes she is…” Amber’s smile was genuine. It was amazing how children could soften a person. Chrysalis was every bit as independent and fierce as she had been, but Celestia saw the softness that her daughter drew out of her. Not to mention the approachability a certain ex-captain of hers had managed pull out of her as well. Blinking, she realized the mare was speaking to her still. “In all your years you’ve never wanted a foal of your own? Surely there was some stallion in your life.”

“No…” Celestia’s smile was sad. “There’s no one I trust, and I simply haven’t the time.”

“It must be hard for you…” Amber’s features were sympathetic despite the gloating nature of her words. She truly felt pity for the princess. Watching and saving but never partaking in life with her ponies. “Having all that time and no one to spend it with.”

“I never got the chance to apologize.” Celestia cleared her throat.

Amber blinked as she processed the words, rolling her eyes once she’d realized what the other was referring to. “You only did what you thought was right.” Chrysalis had come to terms with much over the years. “Even one such as you cannot be expected to remain a pillar of impartiality all the time.”

“Perhaps, but the fact remains that I never gave you the chance to prove that there was more to your character.” Despite her status as royalty, the changeling had lived a life amongst ponies in a way Celestia never had.

Amber’s features were thoughtful as she considered the princess’ words and feelings. “What is it that you want, Princess?”

“I want peace between our kind.” At the other’s curious stare, she explained. “I wish to open Equestrian doors to your people.”

Chrysalis felt bitter. Atonement was not the same as genuineness. Celestia didn’t really care, she just hated to have that pristine legacy of hers tarnished. “You’re deluding yourself if you think I have any sway over anyone except maybe Shining Armor or my daughter. I am no more a queen than you are a simple earth pony.”

“I imagine it must be hard wherever they are.”

“And I imagine that they prefer it that way, wherever they are.” Her people had been cunning and resourceful. If they wanted to be a part of Equestrian society, they could easily do so.

“Chrysalis, please. I wish nothing but prosperity and happiness for all of my little ponies.” The Equestrian monarch was serious. The world was a very dangerous place.

“And what of their perceived crimes against your crown? Granted they may not have participated, but I imagine that there will be some kind of charge held against them simply because of where they hail.”

“Elytra paid their debts in full.” The thought still made her upset sometimes.

“And how did that feel, Princess?” There was curiousness beneath the accusation.

“She was insistent.”

“The only way I could ever introduce such an idea is if no one was made aware of their origins. That no one could trace them to anywhere but here.” Celestia scrunched her brow in obvious confusion. It was such a specific request. “You see, I am the only changeling left in existence. The others are simple pony folk.”

“I had no idea…” And yet it made perfect sense- not finding any after the invasion, the small group that infiltrated and ultimately sabotaged the execution.

“Neither did I… But I sleep well at night knowing that everything that I did and sacrificed gave my little ponies the ultimate gift of freedom. I am nothing to them now and I don’t meddle in their affairs.” Her latest scare was all because an Equestrian princess couldn’t mind her own damned business. Her anger flared. “Doesn’t it bore you, Celestia?”

“What?”

“Playing God… Do you ever get tired of it all?” Having a foal may have softened her, but the ruthlessness that had driven the queen she had been still rippled beneath her skin.

“I think our conversation is over now.” Obviously the mare was still upset. And while her words were offensive, Celestia knew that it stemmed more from anger than it did actual malice.

“I suppose it is.” Amber muttered as she tried to rein her temper in. “I will tell them of your hospitality, but don’t expect them to come flocking. They were slaves once before you know.”

“I see…” They had served once, perhaps they weren’t so ready to serve again despite the two kingdoms being completely different. “I didn’t mean to cause offense.”

“You never do.” Amber sighed. Celestia really did care about the life and happiness of ponies. So much in fact that the mare had no life of her own. It was hard to not be respectful of such dedication. It was annoying, but she supposed it served the people well. “Thank you for saving my daughter.” She said after a while. “We truly are grateful.”

The Sol alicorn smiled. “What will you do now?”

*-*-*-*-*

Pinkie Pie was an unconventional pony for sure, but that was only because of her overwhelming zest for life and her passion for bringing joy into the life of others.

As she bounced merrily through town, she found her hooves stilling as she stopped in front of the local library. Blue eyes misted as she considered the building and who was in charge of it. Her mood dampened if only a little.

Pinkie Pie loved parties. She loved planning parties, hosting parties, throwing parties, attending parties, stalking ponies so she could plan their parties.

However, her favorite thing involving parties was roping her friends into being involved in some form or fashion. While she’d already talked to Applejack and Rarity, she was passing by the local library with the intention of asking Twilight if she wanted to be involved in her current shenanigans.

After entering her friend’s tome filled home, she was shocked to find the place in total disarray.

Baby blue eyes widened as the party pony gasped.

Shelves were knocked over and books were strewn everywhere with Twilight being nowhere to be seen.

Taking a deep breath, Pinkie Pie cautiously stepped inside navigating the strewn books as carefully as she could. She knew how much her friend cared about such things.

What could’ve happened? Did someone try to hurt the bookish alicorn? At that thought, Pinkie Pie froze as her eyes narrowed and her anger flared dangerously. How dare someone damage her friend’s things and try to harm her!

Looking around the room for something to defend herself with should some stranger be lurking about, she settled on a cast iron skillet ready to swing with the fury of an angry Nightmare Moon.

Preparing herself for the worst, she continued along as quietly and carefully as she could.

Where was Spike? She wondered at the stillness of the room. “Spike!” She whispered loudly. “Spike! Where are you?” She waited for a response.

Nothing.

With a harsh sigh, she recalled that Spike was off with Rarity as the fashionista had mentioned something about gem collecting after she’d left her shop. She mentally cursed herself for forgetting that tidbit of information.

Pink ears twitched as a soft sound caught her attention. Straining her ears as she leaned forward, she could make out whimpers that made her blood run cold. “Twilight!” She immediately dropped any pretense of stealth and tore through the library to where the sounds were coming from.

She found herself in front of Twilight’s room door, desperately trying to get in to no avail. With a look of determination, she threw the skillet aside, and kicked the door as hard as she could, pleased as it flew open to reveal the lavender alicorn as she was darkly muttering strange words the other had never heard before. There were strange symbols painted in ink around on the walls and floor as the mare was surrounded by three strange tomes.

The sight made the other pause as she took in the scene with wide eyes.

“Twi…light?” She managed softly, lost to what she was looking at. The energy in the air was enough to make her shiver as she came to the conclusion that something was horribly wrong here. “Twilight!” She called again with more strength in her voice. Strong gusts of wind seemed to come out of nowhere as lightening flashed. What the hell was going on? Pinkie Pie thought desperately shielding her face from stray flying objects.

“Twilight what’re you doing?!” She shouted heatedly. “Stop!”

It was like she wasn’t even there.

The other’s chanting became louder and the pink pony realized she had to do something drastic. Grabbing the skillet she’d dropped in favor of smashing the door, she stalked forward with the intention of silencing the other.

As she moved closer, she steeled herself and raised the skillet above her head. “Sorry Twilight, but you leave me choice!” With one swift motion, she brought the heavy skillet down hard enough to make a distinct dong as it connected with her friend’s skull.

Pinkie Pie wasted no time as the other squawked before falling forward, rolling around in pain as she wailed in distress clutching at her head. She smeared the strange text written on the walls and floors until they were illegible before grabbing the ominous tomes and hurrying to her friend’s kitchen with the intention of destroying them. She may not be a unicorn, but she knew damningly dark magic when she saw it.

She could hear Twilight muttering curses, and telling her to stop, but she didn’t care. Throwing the volumes in the oven, she fumbled around cupboards until she found some matches. By the time she’d struck a match and thrown it on top of the books, Twilight had managed to stumble into the kitchen after her.

Pinkie Pie slammed the oven door shut just as the books caught fire. Indigo eyes widened in horror as she reached forward weakly. Twilight’s head ached horribly as her vision blurred with tears and pain. “Pinkie Pie!” She whimpered in anger and distress, “No!” She tripped forward in one last effort to fix her mistake just as she lost consciousness. Despite her anger and confusion, Pinkie Pie caught the alicorn as she slumped to the ground with the extra weight.

With a deep sigh, she considered the resting alicorn. She probably had a concussion she thought grimly. “What were you thinking, Twilight?” She thought aloud. “What did you do?”

After scrawling a quick note to Spike informing him Twilight was safe and with her, she flipped the open sign to close and proceeded to drag the unconscious Princess to her house.

When Twilight awoke, she awoke to a horrible headache and a curious Pinkie Pie staring down on her.

Her thoughts were murky as she tried to recall the last few hours. She could tell by the scents and bright colors of the room that this wasn’t her home. “Pinkie Pie?” She vocalized weakly, wincing as even the sound of her own voice aggravated her already ailing head. Her face scrunched in confusion as she tried to recall why she would be at her friend’s home instead of her own.

Pinkie Pie moved to call in the cavalry.

Fluttershy was the first to enter, followed by Rarity, Applejack and Rainbow Dash.

“Twilight!” Came Fluttershy’s soft tone. “You’re awake!” She rushed over and began looking after her friend, checking her pupils, and gently probing her head for any swelling. “How do you feel?” she asked with a gentle smile satisfied with the results. “Pinkie didn’t mean to hit you so hard.”

“My head hurts, but otherwise…” She spoke quietly still trying to recover from the fog.

Pinkie Pie stepped forward with a wry grin. “Sorry Twilight, sometimes I go overboard. You know me.”

“Twilight, darling, do you know where you are?”

“I’m at Pinkie Pie’s?” She tried in obvious thought.

Fluttershy nodded encouragingly. “Good! And you know who we are?”

“Yea… You guys are my best friends.” Finally the fog was beginning to lift despite the aching that continued. She stared at the anxious and encouraging expressions on their faces. The look of anger on Rainbow Dash’s features however seemed to jog her memory more than anything else. She felt queasy as the sinking feeling that she’d messed up yet again settled over her.

Rainbow Dash must’ve sensed her shame as she pounced immediately. “What the hell did you think you were doing?” She fumed as her wings twitched. “What the fuck did you do, Twilight?!”

“Dash!” Applejack immediately jumped to the alicorn’s aid. “Not now!” She growled with a fierce glare of her own as she stepped to the other. The other backed down in the face of the farm pony’s ire. She looked as if she were about to the cry she was so angry.

“Whatever!” She grumbled petulantly. “I’m leaving. You’re a fucking disgrace, Twilight!” She seethed storming out of the room.

“I’ll go after her.” Fluttershy sighed sadly. She turned to the glassy eyed alicorn who looked ready to bawl. “I’m glad you’re awake, Twilight.” Her smile was comfortingly soft. “We were so worried.” She quickly left to calm the other fuming pegasus.

The remaining ponies were quiet. Despite their calmness they understood the pony’s anger as they had their own emotive reactions on lock. They listened to Fluttershy talk down the emotional pony.

“But Fluttershy! She could’ve damned herself for messing around with that kind of stuff! Where’d she even get those books? What would we do if something horrible happened to her?”

“I know, Dash… But Twilight is obviously going through something right now. As her friends it’s our job to be there for her, not assign blame.”

“It’s just… I can’t believe she would do something like this! I mean…. What if Pinkie Pie hadn’t had gone over there? We were dumb lucky today!” Twilight flinched she heard something crash to the ground.

“You better not be breaking my stuff!” Pinkie Pie shouted angrily.

A snort.

“This is so fucking stupid!” Silence. “I’m just upset that I could’ve lost someone I really cared about and there would be nothing I could do about it.”

“I know, Dash, I know. But Twilight is okay now. You understand? She’s okay. Pinkie stopped her before she could complete the spell. Now we just have to make sure she doesn’t try anything like this again. I know you’re upset because you care, and I don’t blame you. Let’s just make sure our friend is alright first, okay?”

There was a sniffle. “Okay. Pony feathers! I owe Pinkie a new bowl…”

“DASH!!”

“Sorry!”

Twilight could feel her tears fall as she sunk down on the bed turning away from her friends as she realized how bad everything was.

“None of that now.” Rarity said, as she forced the other to turn over. “It’s going to be okay, Twilight.” She assured her as she stared into her eyes and sat next to her on the bed. “We’re your friends no matter what, okay.”

Fluttershy had entered the room with a much more calm and resigned Rainbow Dash.

It was Applejack who stepped forward and sat near the head of the bed and spoke in something of mothering tone to the dejected female. “You gonna tell us what happened Sugar Cube?”

“I don’t want to talk about it…” She murmured as her voice shook and she refused to make eye contact with anyone.

“Tough shit!” Rainbow Dash stated with a serious expression on her cyan features.

“Dash!” Rarity reprimanded her use of language.

“We’re right here, Twilight.” Pinkie Pie chimed in from her place in a seated position on the floor an arm length away from the bed. “We’re here for you. So whatever it is that you did… It’s okay, you can tell us.”

“No it’s not!” She choked as she sat up. “It’ll never be okay!”

Once she started talking she couldn’t stop. Though she spoke haltingly, her friends listened patiently as she confessed her argument with her brother and his admittance to have been in love with the changeling queen and that he was leaving Equestria. They encouraged her to continue as she told them about her discovery that Amber Stone was Chrysalis.

“What did you do then, Sugar Cube?”

“I told Princess Celestia.”

“And!” Pinkie Pie encouraged hanging off her every word.

“But she already knew. She told me to think about what my brother wanted, to consider all he’d been thru. She said that I was being arrogant and that I needed to learn to let things go. I didn’t listen!” She sobbed. “I didn’t listen!” She felt a pair of forelegs wrap around her and based off the powdery yet flowery scent, she knew it was Rarity. She felt another set of hooves on her back and could tell by the strength and firmness of the strokes that it was Applejack.

“Luna showed me things…. And instead of trusting I took matters into my own hooves.”

“Oh Twilight…” Fluttershy murmured not liking where this was going.

“Shhh!” Pinkie Pie whispered. “This is crazy good.”

“I confronted her. Queen Chrysalis.” The alicorn explained. She spoke of her brother’s defense of the mare, the fight she had with Chrysalis and how she’d used her magic against her older sibling. “But that’s not the worst part.” She swallowed and looked up with red eyes and tears everywhere. “I didn’t know…. I didn’t mean it!”

“Twilight! What didn’t you know?” Rainbow Dash asked from her position behind her. The five friends had all gathered around her as her tale had continued.

“I didn’t know that Jewels…. I didn’t know that she was… m-my- his…” She cried even more as she tried to find the words to admit her most horrible mistake.

“Oh no…” It was Rarity that made the connection. “That she… was your brother’s.” The resemblance, now that she thought about it, was uncanny. And if one simply did the math and thought back to what had happened all those years ago…

“And you killed your brother’s mare… her mother?” Spoke Rainbow Dash.

“Worse!” Twilight hiccuped. “I didn’t know Jewels was there… S-s-sh-she took the hit for Chrysalis!” The heaviness that settled upon the group as they took in their friend’s confession was soul crushing.

“Holy fuck…”

“Oh snap!”

“Twi…”

“Twilight… I… Oh my god…”

“…”

Applejack was the first to recover. “Is she okay?” She couldn’t imagine the curious filly hurt or suffering.

“I don’t know!” Twilight wailed loudly. “The Princesses showed up and took us to the castle. Apparently they knew I’d do something stupid.” Her tone was bitter. “They took her to the healers and last I heard she was still unconscious… I don’t… I don’t know if she’ll ever wake up.” Gathering herself as much as she could, she took a deep breath before continuing feeling exhausted. “I was sooo wrong about everything… And now my brother hates me, Chrysalis has every right to hate me, and Gemma…. My krifling niece may die because of me- And I can’t fix it! I can’t fix this!” She buried her face in her hooves. “You guys were right!” She exclaimed despondently. “I should’ve listened…”

“So what were you doing when Pinkie Pie found you?” Rarity held her breath as she awaited the other’s answer.

“I was trying to go back…” Was her tired response. “To stop myself from hurting Gemma and confronting Chrysalis.”

“A time spell?” Applejack mused aloud.

“Those are forbidden.” Fluttershy murmured.

“If you had completed that spell, you could’ve ruined life as we know it.” Rainbow Dash stated with as little accusation as she could.

“Twilight…” Pinkie Pie began. “You have to learn to let things go. You can’t keep doing this. You can’t be right all the time, and you can’t fix everything.”

“Pinkie Pie is right.” Rarity nodded even as she leaned her head against her friend’s. “We are so sorry that you went through this. We can’t imagine how you feel, but you can’t keep inserting yourself into other ponies’ life like this just because they don’t meet your preference.”

“You have to live your own life.” Fluttershy gave her shoulder a comforting rub. “It’s okay to mess up, but you have to accept that and move on.”

“We want you to be a part of our lives. Which you can’t be in Tartarus. If Celestia could banish her only sister to the moon, what do you think she’d do to you?!” Rainbow Dash looked her in the eye with tears in her own maroon orbs. “Don’t ever do something like this again.”

Twilight nodded as she continued to sniffle.

Even though things were tough now, her friends swore to see her through her despair as they whispered assurances.

Shaking her head as she pulled herself from her reverie, the party pony was happy that her friend was in a better place now. The fact that she’d finally accepted the consequences of her actions instead of trying to erase them was a relief to all. They were confident that she would survive her guilt so long as she was able to move forward.

Pinkie Pie finally approached the library to find all of her friends waiting for her.

“Ready to make tracks?” Applejack asked.

“Ready!” Pinkie mock saluted.

Today the mane six would be placing their finishing touches on Amber’s formerly damaged home. After listening to Twilight’s ordeal and helping her calm down, the group decide they’d fix up the mare’s cottage. Once they heard about Gemma returning home they decided to prepare a dinner so the family could try at some form of reconciliation. This was a big step for Twilight and they were all going to see her through it.

The group kept up with Gemma’s progress through letters with the Princess. Every day they gathered in the library as Spike read aloud an update. Today the trio were leaving the castle and the girls plus Spike wanted to make sure that once they’d returned home everything was back to normal. It was the least they could do after everything that had happened.

*-*-*-*-*-*-*

The family of three sat in their seats on the train, lost in their own thoughts.

Gemma liked the castle and the Princesses and the twins, but she couldn’t wait to get back to her own room. It wouldn’t be hers for much longer she realized as she stared out the window watching the landscape as the train made its way back to Ponyville. They were due to depart in a few days. The small girl had never sailed before.

She gently hooved the scar on her chest. One could barely see it if they weren’t looking for it. She supposed it made her feel brave and strong. It gave her history like one of the characters from her books. She still had mixed feelings about the ordeal, but she wasn’t too worried. Her parents on the other hand, were a different story. She glanced at them out of the corner of her eye.

Amber made a face as she realized how hectic things would be once she returned home to grab some things. Neither she nor Shining Armor had left Gemma’s side much during their impromptu stay at Celestia’s castle. So she could only imagine the damages left to her home as Twilight hadn’t seemed to care much for her house during their fight. She frowned as she thought of the other. While most of her anger had chilled, she still had a strong, burning dislike for the alicorn.

Leaning against her lover, she felt most of her irritation fade away. She was a newlywed now despite having been with the stallion for years and already having his child. Talk about backwards, Amber thought as she rolled her eyes. With the smallest hints of a smile in place, she closed her eyes. She figured she might as well get as much sleep as she could as the next few days would be long and busy.

Shining Armor felt his wife rest her head on his shoulder. Looking down on mahogany locks, he watched her with a soft grin. The thin golden band that rested above the joint of her foreleg made his heart swell. He was well aware of his own band, and relished in the feel of it. The look on her face when he’d asked her to tie her life with his, had been priceless.

“I want to be more than just her father,” he had said, “I want to be your husband too. I want you as my wife.” Shining Armor wanted there to be no question about where they stood or who they were to the other. The ceremony had been small. Very small. Only Gemma and the twins served as witnesses. Celestia oversaw the nuptials as he’d approached her the day after his daughter woke. If the Princess was surprised by such a request, she hadn’t let it show.

Resting his head against the wall of their booth, he allowed himself a chance to relax. The ride to Ponyville wasn’t long, but the stallion felt he was long overdue for a moment’s rest.