Despite All Odds

When the pair reached the library, they found that Spike was fast asleep in his basket. “Poor little guy. He must have been up worrying about us.” Fluttershy walked over and gently tucked him in, making him sigh happily as he pulled it closer to his head. Both Twilight and Fluttershy smiled and went up to Twilight's room without another sound.

They closed the door and after blowing out the few still lit candles, they climbed into the bed and snuggled close together. Twilight was almost asleep when she heard her marefriend's nearly silent voice.

“Twilight?” The unicorn opened her eyes and looked straight into Fluttershy's. “Yes dear?” Fluttershy fidgeted for a moment before giving a reply.

“Who exactly is Star Bright?” Twilight sighed and said, “Like I said earlier at the candy store, he was a student like I was and was supposedly obsessed over me. Like I also said, I managed to discover his plan before he was able to do...THAT to me.” Twilight stopped for a moment and after taking a deep breath, continued.

“What I didn't tell however, is how I really discovered his intent. What I told you at the candy shop was...a sort of lie. You all know that I'm a usually reclusive and studious pony with barely any interaction right?”

“I know that you USED to be like that.” The yellow mare said with a soft nuzzle. “Well...in truth, there was a time when I was a little more social than what I was when you first met me.”

“You mean...you had friends?” Twilight shook her head and had to fight to keep the tears from her eyes. “No...I had a friend. Her name was Amethyst Star. She was the only pony other than my brother who could get me to come out of my room and away from my books. She has a light magenta coloured coat with beautiful purple eyes and her hair is purple as well with a lighter purple streak. She might have been the first pony I ever loved...”

Fluttershy didn't know how to respond to this comment, fearing that she would offend Twilight or make herself paranoid so she simply stayed silent. “She was always so nice to me, and was really smart too so I could talk about anything and she would actually understand.”

“What happened to her? You make it sound like something bad happened.” At this, Twilight's eyes narrowed into slits. “Yea. Star Bright happened.” She said through clenched teeth. “Twilight...if this story is too upsetting, you can always tell me later.” Fluttershy said, lightly laying a hoof on the unicorn's shoulder. It immediately calmed Twilight to have her lover show concern like this for her instead of prodding for additional information like most ponies might do.

“No...I mean, I appreciate the offer, but it might just be better for me to get this off my chest and into the open. I'm tired of keeping this all...locked up.”Fluttershy nodded and opened her hooves to the distressed pony. Twilight eagerly wedged herself between the arms of her lover and began to relax considerably as Fluttershy began to tenderly stroke Twilight's mane, much like anypony would stroke a cat. “It was during the Summer Sun Celebration when I met her...”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Oh! I'm so sorry! I didn't see you there.” A young Twilight Sparkle said, shaking her head and looking for her book while simultaneously apologizing to the filly she knocked down. “Heh, it's alright.” The light purple filly picked herself up and after a moment of staring, she grinned. “Hey, I know you! You're Twilight Sparkle; Protege of Princess Celestia herself.”

Twilight blushed as she gripped the book with her still developing magic and said, “Um...yea...well, I really am sorry I bumped into you but if you don't mind, I need to get back to my studying.”

“But...but...You gotta come play with me. Think of it as...making up for bumping into me.” The young pony said with a smile. Twilight smiled back, albeit nervously. “A-are you sure? I mean...ask anypony around and they'll all tell you that I'm a terrible playmate. I don't know the rules to any of the games, I don't know how to even PLAY any-”

“Calm down and c'mon! I'll teach you as we go.” Twilight swallowed a lump in her throat and carried the book as she walked alongside the other unicorn. “So...you know who I am, but other than seeing you around, I don't know who you are.”

“Oh! My bad! My name is Amethyst Star! A pleasure to meet you.” Amethyst Star held her hoof out and grinned. 'She's very loud...' Twilight thought with mild annoyance as she shook the unicorn's hoof. “C'mon! I'll race ya!” Amethyst took off, leaving a surprised Twilight behind.

“W-wait for me!” Twilight galloped to catch up with the other filly. When she was a few inches behind Amethyst, Twilight smiled and jumped, tackling the other filly to the grassy ground.

They both laughed as they rolled around, trying to win the wrestling match they suddenly found themselves in. As they day went on, Amethyst Star continued to show Twilight how to play the various games and explain all the rules that went with them. It wasn't until Celestia's sun was near the horizon that Twilight tried to leave.

“Well...I guess it is getting late. Promise that I'll see you tomorrow?”

“Oh...well...I had fun and all today, but I don't know if-” Twilight was cut off by the energetic filly getting right next to her face with large eyes and a protruding bottom lip.

“Please? Please please please please PLEASE?” With each please, the magenta filly got closer and closer until their noses were touching.

“Okay! I'll see you under the large oak tree tomorrow afternoon. I promise.” Twilight said, slightly cringing at the aggressive nature of this other pony.

“Yay! See ya tomorrow Twilight!” Amethyst skipped away, making Twilight snicker as she collected her book and headed back to her own room. This continued for the next few months; Twilight would meet Amethyst under the oak tree around noon and the two would play from then until evening.

However, one day while Twilight was running to play with her friend, she stopped when she saw a few colts bullying her friend. “Why does she want to play with filly from a dirty home when she could play with us where she belongs?”

“Probably because you guys are all snobs.” Amethyst said with her tongue sticking out at the bullies. “Ugh. You low ponies are so lame. C'mon guys, let's show this little girl who's in charge.” The three colts slowly began to advance upon Amethyst. It was at this point that Twilight scratched at the ground and with a battle cry, rushed forward with her horn glowing.

“What the?” The leader asked before being shrunk. The other two tried to run but were turned into a frog and toad respectively. “You leave her alone!”

Twilight said, stomping her hoof when she neared the group. “Twilight! You made it!” Amethyst said, wiping a bead of sweat from her brow. A small, high pitched voice made itself known.

“Of course. Leave it to the fillyfooler's marefriend to save the day. Chocolate Tail, Graphite, let's go!” A small grey colt ran off while the two amphibians followed after. “Don't you think that you should change them back?” Twilight giggled and said, “It'll wear off as soon as they're out of eyesight so they should be fine.”

They pair laughed loudly as they walked to the small candy shop near the Academy. It wasn't until Twilight was on her way back to her room that she bumped into the grey colt again. “Ugh, you again?” The purple unicorn said with a roll of her eyes.

“Hey now, I didn't do anything to you. If anything, I should be mad at YOU.” He said, his golden eyes looking straight into her purple ones. “You were the one who was messing with my friend first!”

“Yea but you were the one who made me LITTLE!” The two young ponies pressed their heads against each other as they glared into each other's eyes. The colt was the first to back off. When he next spoke, his eyes stared off into the distance and away from Twilight's gaze.

“I just wanted to apologize is all, but I guess that I'm wasting my breath.” He stomped his right hoof and walked down the hall with his chin high in the air and his eyes closed as he tried to act dignified and it would have worked had he not ran into the wall instead of turning.

Twilight laughed as he glared and rubbed his chin before disappearing around the corner. Twilight made it to her room and quickly went to bed to make the next day come quicker so she could spend time with Amethyst Star.

The two spent all their time together, even after Spike was old enough to start staying with Twilight. Both mares shared all their secrets and dreams with each other, played and laughed with each other and helped one another study as time went on. However, as time went on and the two friends matured, it was hard for Amethyst to ignore the growing annoyance of Star Bright's numerous attempts to talk to Twilight and be nice to her.

Another such day was the day of Twilight's 16th birthday. “Thank you so much for the gift Amethyst. I never imagined that I would get such a wonderful gift that wasn't a book!” Amethyst blushed and smiled sheepishly.

“Well...I figured that emeralds would look good on you, so I picked out the best ones and had my mom help me get them onto the necklace.” Amethyst had gotten her cutie mark a long time after Twilight; three diamonds, to signify her talent in picking out the best gems for jewlery. “Ah! Twilight Sparkle, there you are.”

The two mares spun around and both immediately frowned. “What do you want Star Bright? Can't you see I'm trying to enjoy my birthday?”

“That's why I'm here to see you. I have a gift for you.” He laid a small package on the ground and turned away to start walking. Twilight cautiously tore away the wrapping and gasped. It had been a copy of History of Magic and All Things Arcane (5rd edition!), the very book Twilight had been after for a good 2 weeks. “Wow...thanks Star Bright. How did you know I wanted this book?”

“A gentlecolt always knows what a lady wants.” He winked and continued walking. Twilight couldn't fight the light blush that pranced across her face. “Ugh! How sappy!” Amethyst Star groaned, scrunching her face up in disgust. “Yea...but it was nice. Maybe he's finally grown up?”

Twilight suggested as she put the book in her saddlebag for later reading. “Yea, and I've grown wings and become a pegasus.” The magenta mare said in a deadpan. Twilight laughed and pushed her friend before taking off. “I'm going to get you for that Sparkle!” Amethyst laughed after catching her balance and chasing after her friend.

That night, Twilight had managed to convince Princess Celestia to allow Amethyst to stay the night (to study of course). Which they did for a large part of the night. At around 3 in the morning, Twilight yawned and rubbed her eyes. “Wow...we've been up for quite awhile...”

“Yea...hey Twilight? Can I ask you something personal?”

“Of course Star. Anything.” Twilight noticed that her friend's face had taken adopted a reddish tint and could barely form her sentence. “W-well...i-it's just th-that I...Er...n-never mind. It's n-nothing.”

“Doesn't seem like nothing. What's on your mind Amethyst?” Twilight moved closer and put a consoling hoof on her friend's shoulder, making the magenta mare jump. “N-nothing! I'm just really tired! I'm gonna hit the hay now. G'night Twilight!” With that, Amethyst Star dove into her sleeping back and was silent.

“Oh...okay...” Twilight sighed and blew out the single candle that lit the room and crawled into her bed, wondering what was bothering her friend. The next few days, Star Bright had kept offering gifts or nice words to Twilight while ignoring Amethyst Star's harsh glares.

One night, Amethyst and Twilight had parted ways after Twilight and Star Bright had gotten into talking about the recent astronomical bodies that had been discovered. Before Amethyst could turn the corner to leave the castle courtyard, she heard his voice.

“I'm so close to getting into Twilight's bed! But Amethyst Star keeps getting in my way!” The magenta unicorn gasped and snuck closer to where the voices were coming from. “We keep trying to distract her for you, but she just ignores or avoids us Bright.”

“UGH! You two are idiots! I've told you how to get her away and you still manage to screw it up. You two need to step up your game or else my reputation will be ruined and I'll be a laughing stock! And if that happens, you don't wanna know what I'm going to do to you foals.” Star Bright's voice was highly aggravated and when that happened, his voice tended to rise several octaves, something that made Amethyst laugh every time. She snickered, but quickly covered her mouth.

“Who's there!? Find who ever is snooping around and bring them to me!” Star Bright screamed.

'I've gotta warn Twilight! I knew there was a reason he was being so nice to her!' Amethyst turned and started running, but before she got too far, she felt something grip her back legs which sent her sprawling to the ground. “Well well well, lookie here Star Bright.” Amethyst Star felt herself being lifted and held upside down by the magics of Chocolate Tail and Graphite.

“Ahh...Amethyst. We were just talking about you.” Star Bright flashed a grin that made the captive unicorn's stomach twist. “So, what're you doing out this late?”

“N-nothing at all. I was just-” Amethyst clenched her teeth in pain as a hoof lodged itself into her stomach. “Shut your mouth!” Star Bright laughed after he hit her again. “Now then, what shall we do with you?”

“We should blindfold her and drop her off in the downtown area.”

“No! We should take her to Underground's gang! He said he's been looking for new “recruits” for raising money.” Chocolate Tail and Graphite shouted at the same time. “No...I have a better idea.” Star Bright took hold of her back legs with his magic and gently traced her jaw.

“Let's tell the guards about Amethyst Star's family “secret”. You know, the one about how her father is selling Canterlot secrets to the highest bidder?”

“My father would do no such thing! He's the captain of the royal guard!” Star Bright chuckled and said, “You mean he's a washed out old man! He'll be replaced soon enough and as for you...” He drew his hoof back and smashed it against the mare's jaw and she could feel something snap within her head.

“You mention one word of this to anypony and I mean ANYPONY...well...let's just say that you and your family will be worse for wear.” He dropped her and as she fell, spun and lashed out with a strong buck, catching her in the barrel and with a resounding cracking noise, sent her a few feet away. She immediately began clutching her sides and groaning. “Let's go boys.” Amethyst laid there and thought of what she should do.

The next day, Twilight was surprised that her friend was nowhere to be found. “That's strange...maybe she's just running late.” The lavender unicorn sat down and started to wait for her friend to show up.

“Good afternoon Ms. Sparkle. How is your day?” Twilight turned her head and saw Star Bright walking up with a smile. “Oh, hello Star Bright. My day is alright but have you seen Amethyst Star anywhere?” He shook his head and sat beside her. “Strange that she isn't here. Usually you can't pry her off of you with a crowbar.”

Twilight smiled and said, “Yea, but she IS my best friend.” Star Bright chuckled and said, “Yes...but anyways, I have something very important to ask you.” As he spoke, he leaned closer and closer to Twilight, making her heart race and her face beet red. “Y-yes?”

“Well...I was wondering if you'd do me the honour of becoming my marefriend?” Twilight was struck speechless. “I...I...” He gently put a hoof on her lips and smiled, his golden eyes glimmering. “Yes...” He laughed quietly and said, “Excellent. You have no idea how happy you've made me Twilight Sparkle.” After the two talked for a little while longer, Star Bright suggested they go into town and celebrate their relationship, but much to his irritation, she declined.

“Sorry, but I can't just leave. What if Amethyst Star shows up while I'm gone?”

“I'm sure you can explain the next time you see her.”

“Sorry, but maybe tomorrow?” He rolled his eyes and walked off, leaving Twilight confused. She waited another 2 hours before she got up and with a heavy sigh, slowly walked back to her room.

While Twilight walked, she didn't notice the light sobbing coming from the willow tree near the entrance of the park she and Amethyst always went to. Behind the sagging tree's protective branches, a light magenta unicorn with purple hair was crying at what she had seen hours ago. “I've lost her...I waited too long and lost her...”

She cried, despite the pain that flared up whenever she moved her mouth or sucked in air. Over the course of 2 weeks, Amethyst followed Star Bright and Twilight Sparkle to make sure nothing bad happened to her. Thankfully, Twilight had resisted most of Star Bright's attempts at “showing his affection”.

However, one night, he had tried to kiss Twilight and the lavender unicorn had reacted in a way that neither of them had predicted. “Umm...what are you doing?” She asked, backing away from him. “I'm trying to give my marefriend a kiss. Don't you think you should give your coltfriend a kiss?”

“Er...well...I...” He tried again and once more, Twilight dodged him. “Why are you moving? Hold still and let me kiss you.”

“No thanks...I'm still not ready for a kiss...” Both Twilight and Amethyst could see him grit his teeth in anger, but he took a deep breath and said, “Fine. I'll see you tomorrow.” He turned and stomped away and that was when Amethyst took her chance. “Twilight!”

“Amethyst?” The magenta pony tackled Twilight to the ground and begun to cry into her coat. “W-what's the matter? Amethyst, talk to me!” Through tears, Amethyst had told Twilight what she had overheard weeks ago and about how Star Bright had been keeping her away from Twilight with threats of having her family exiled from Equestria. “We have to tell the Princess!”

“NO! There's no way she'll believe my word over his...”

“She will if I'm backing you up!” Amethyst shook her head and buried her face into Twilight's chest. “I can't take that risk Twilight...I just can't.” Twilight wanted to argue and said that she could make the Princess see reason, but instead picked up Amethyst on her back and carried her friend to her room. Twilight put Amethyst down on her bed and stood by her.

“There has to be something I can do for you...” Amethyst looked out the large glass wall of Twilight's room and saw that the moon had taken the sun's place.

“Lay with me...” Twilight blushed darkly at the thought that immediately ran through her mind. “Not like that...just, here...with me.” Twilight nodded and after blowing out the candle and swallowing the large lump in her throat, crawled into bed with her friend where she fell asleep quickly after cuddling up with her friend. She wasn't sure, but Twilight could've swore she heard Amethyst mumble something that sounded like, “I love you” before she had passed out.

The next morning, Twilight was roughly awoken by the sound of her door flying open. “Amethyst Star, your family is being placed under arrest for selling Canterlot secrets on the Black Market. I'm going to have to ask you to come with us.” Two guards were standing in the doorway with Celestia behind them.

“What? No! My family would never do such a thing!” Amethyst leapt out of bed, wincing as pain exploded in her body.

“Never the less, you are to come with us.” They advanced forward while Amethyst backed away. “Wait! She's telling the truth! You can't take her away!” Twilight said, leaping in front of her friend.

“Twilight...move.” Celestia said, gazing into her student's eyes. “No! You can't take her! She's innocent and so is her family!” The guards continued forward, making the pair step further back. “Twilight...”

The unicorn shook her head. “I won't let them take you Amethyst.” Shutting her eyes, Twilight concentrated and with a groan of exhaustion, managed to teleport both her and Amethyst out of her room and under the oak tree in the park.

“Come...come on Amethyst.” Twilight breathed, trying to take in more air than her lungs could hold. Amethyst helped Twilight stay on her feet until she was breathing properly and said, “Where are we going to go?”

Twilight thought for a moment, then said, “The palace labyrinth!” The mares took off running for the large hedge maze on the other side of the palace courtyard. They were just about to run in when a blinding light made them halt.

“Twilight Sparkle, stop.” The light faded and there stood Princess Celestia. Twilight immediately stood in front of Amethyst who had crouched on the ground in fear and pain. “You can't take her Princess!”

“I'm sorry Twilight...but the guards have hard proof that he was indeed selling secrets.”

“It's all Star Bright's fall your highness!” Amethyst stood and said, “He's been blackmailing me for the past few weeks with the information to make me stay away from Twilight!” Celestia sighed and shook her head.

“Your father admitted to it when we questioned him.” Amethyst stood there, shocked beyond belief. “I...I can't...” The regal pony took a step forward towards the pair, but Twilight stopped her. “NO! You can't take her from me!”

“Twilight-”

“I said no! She doesn't have anything to do with this! I-” Twilight suddenly felt light headed as the world around her faded into darkness while Amethyst screamed her name.

Twilight mumbled and rolled around in her bed before shooting straight up and screaming, “Amethyst no!” Cold sweat ran down her body as she looked for her friend, but saw nopony other than the Princess of the Day. “Where is she!?” Twilight shouted before jumping out of bed. “Twilight, calm down.”

“Where is Amethyst Star? You can't-”

“Twilight, stop!” Twilight cringed as the alicorn rose her voice to halt her student's voice. Celestia looked at her for a moment, then at the ground.

“She's gone Twilight...I would have let her stay here, but at the trial...they were adamant that her whole family leave Canterlot. They wanted to exile her from Equestria, but I managed to calm them down. You can see her before she leaves...but she can never return to Canterlot...”

Tears were streaming down Twilight's face as the news settled into her mind. Celestia moved towards her student to offer a comforting wing, but halted as a single word was uttered. “Leave...” To the royal pony, the word stung worse than a thousand spears thrust into her heart. “Twilight-”

“I said LEAVE!” Celestia stood still for a moment before leaving with a lowered head. As soon as the door closed, Twilight broke down, wailing loudly at the loss of her friend. It had taken three hours before Twilight stopped due to her throat being incredibly sore from her constant screaming and crying. As she laid on the floor sniffling and wiping her eyes, Twilight didn't notice the door open behind her.

“Twilight?” The unicorn was about to scream and tell the pony who had dared to bother her to leave, but the words died in her throat when she saw who it was.

“Amethyst!” Twilight scrambled to her hooves and ran to her friend. They met and hugged and Twilight began to cry all over again, but this time, she had a friend to cry with her. The two didn't cry for more than an hour before simply laying down in front of Twilight's glass wall and staring out at Canterlot as the city dimmed and took on the ethereal glow that many ponies loved.

The unicorns didn't say a single word during those final hours together, instead using the time to just be together. It wasn't until 10 that a knock sounded at the door. “Twilight...it's time.” The lavender pony was tempted to scream at whoever was at the door, but stopped when she felt her friend's hoof on her back.

With a tearful smile, Amethyst pulled Twilight into a hug and whispered, “I'll miss you Twilight...more than you'll ever realize...” Then, she pulled herself away from Twilight and disappeared behind the door, taking the small emerald necklace with her.

It had taken Twilight years to pull herself out of the depression that followed that day. There were days where she would get so engrossed in her studies to escape reality that she would have to be taken to the hospital from malnourishment and sleep deprivation.

Other times, she would be hateful to anypony that dared cross her path. She would hate the world, her fellow students, the guards, and even the Princess herself. Anything that sparked her ire would find itself burnt, frozen, shocked, or in some form of pain. Even Spike would stay away from her during these periods of rage.

It was one of these days that Star Bright had foolishly tried to talk to her. Twilight's day had already started horribly when she couldn't find a particular book and she was in no mood to speak to anypony or even speak at all. So, when she heard a knock, she immediately screamed, “Go away! I'm busy!” When the door opened, she turned her bloodshot eyes on the pony who had foolishly walked in and wished that looks could kill when she saw who it was.

“Hello Twilight Sparkle.” Twilight could practically feel her anger flow through her body.

“If you know what's good for you Star Bright, you will turn around and walk out that door.” He laughed and said, “Oh please. Now, I wanted to talk to you about-” His sentence was stopped in mid syllable as she lifted him off the ground and threw him through the door.

He collided with the wall with a groan as small cracks spider-webbed out from behind him. “You're lucky that I put a small protective spell on you. Now BEAT IT!”

She fired a bolt of frost magic at him and with a yelp, he dodged it and ran off. “I'll be back!” He cried before flying around the corner with a speed only fear could grant. She ignored him and rebuilt the door and slammed it back into the door-frame. The next day, he had returned like he promised. Only this time, instead of rage flowing through her body, it was sorrow.

“You know, you only have yourself to blame in Amethyst's departure. If you would have just forgotten about her and focused on ME, she would've been able to stay.”

“No...It was-”

“YOU! You were the one she couldn't stay away from so logically, this is YOUR FAULT Twilight Sparkle!” He screamed in delight. “No...no!” She ran past him with tears streaming down her face as he just laughed at her pain. Two more years would pass before her emotions stabilized and she went back to being a recluse.

Nopony would even mention Amethyst Star around Twilight and even Star Bright left her alone once he began to take interest in other mares. Though everypony definitely agreed on one thing; she was definitely more isolated than she was before.

Finally, a year later, Twilight would be sent to Ponyville to study the Magic of Friendship.

(Author's Note; First off, I want to apologize to you, the readers. I'm sorry if this chapter isn't as...clean cut as the others have been. My editor has I guess been doing life stuff and I haven't heard from him at all so I edited it as best I could so...yea, sorry if it doesn't read as smoothly. Other than that, nothing too much to say other than...uh...nothing? Remember to comment about stuff, mkay?)