This Twilight sighed happily as she slid deeper into the warm water, which was exactly what she needed. Just the right temperature, and everything she needed to clean herself up with, within hoof range.

She might not ever leave this room at this rate.

The Bathroom was easily as big as her Personal Bath in the Castle of Friendship. Maybe it was even a little bigger. The bath itself was not too deep for her to easily stand up at its deepest end and not worry about staying afloat. Close by were all her favorite brands of Mane and Tail shampoo and conditioner, alongside several towel racks.

Along the far wall was a large mirror that allowed Twilight to see what she was doing, as she grabbed a bottle of Lavender scented Mane 'n Tail Deep Moisturizing shampoo and began to lather up. While she was nowhere near as picky about this as Rarity, Twilight still made herself presentable every morning.

She'd had enough lectures on the subject to last eternity, thank you very much.

As she worked the shampoo into her mane, Twilight took the time to finally think about what she would do next. She had no idea of how long she had been out there. The soreness from the Surge was down to a manageable level, so there was that at least.

But she couldn't rely on doing a Surge every time she went out there. Her magic wouldn't be able to keep up with it, and she knew the story of what had happened to Starswirl the Bearded. She didn't want to end up like that.

She sighed as she dunked her head under the water, running her hooves through her mane to get all the shampoo out, before coming back up for air with a grumble. "I can't stay in here forever. No matter how much I want to. But what am I supposed to do? What am I meant to do in here?"

"Embrace a part of yourself that you have never given much thought to," came a new voice. One that made Twilight jump in shock as she looked around, and finally came face to face with... Herself?

She blinked. The pony floating in front of her was very definitely a copy of her. But more ethereal, and was still an alicorn. The mare only smiled as two locked eyes.

Twilight finally found her voice. "Who are you? What are you?"

Her other self giggled. "I have no name. As for what I am? I am the Tree of Harmony given a few form. Being a tree is so last millennium."

Twilight couldn't help but giggle. The Tree sounded so much like Rarity. Yet, she could also sense that she was being sincere. But questions remained. "But if you're here. What about the Elements of Harmony?"

The spirit smile grew. "The Elements are fine, Twilight. Where I go, they go with me. And there is no safer place in all of this universe than this place."

Twilight didn't really buy that last bit, but that could wait. "Well. Why are you here then? I mean. I don't mind the company. But Princess Celestia said that no one else can get in here once the front door closed."

The tree rolled her eyes. "Despite what so many think, Celestia doesn't know literally everything there is to know. I believe she's told you that as well?"

Twilight glared at the spirit. It was true, but that didn't mean she had to like it.

The spirit sighed. "As for why I am here? I'm here to help you, Twilight. You have neglected your magic for too long. Earth pony and Pegasus magic flow through your very essence. Yet you rely on your unicorn magic almost exclusively."

Twilight's glare only grew. "I was born a unicorn. Magic has been my thing for years now. Of course, I use it so much. Would you ask Applejack or Fluttershy to give up using their magic?"

"No. But they do not use it for literally everything. None of your friends do," the spirit replied. "But you still believe a fantasy. That you are still a unicorn. In your heart, you are. But you are so much more than that now."

Twilight bit back a retort. As much as she hated to admit it, the Tree was right. She still saw herself as a humble unicorn librarian. Not a pony others looked to for guidance and leadership. Not a pony who leads.

The spirit nodded, her smile softening. "A time will come when you will lead all of Equus into a golden age of friendship and enlightenment that others can only dream about in their wildest dreams. An eternal golden age." She saw Twilight's ears fall. "Celestia and Luna are not dying, and nor will they die. But you possess something they do not."

"And what would that be?" Twilight asked.

The Tree chuckled. "That, Twilight Sparkle, is something you will have to discover on your own. I will help and guide you for as long as needed. One day, though, you will no longer need me. On that day, I will happily relinquish the Elements of Harmony to you, for they will have found their true master. A true Innovator."

Twilight didn't know why, but there was something about how she said 'Innovator' that made her spirit soar. She didn't know why, but the feeling wouldn't leave her alone. "I'm not a leader though. I don't think I ever will be."

The spirit nodded. "No great leader is ever born into the role. Very few great leaders have ever seen themselves as one. It is what sets the great leaders and true rulers apart from the tyrants. You have the compassion and love of a true ruler, Twilight. Ponies love you unconditionally. Not because of your title. But because you are an inspiration for countless ponies you've never met and yet to be born."

Twilight blushed at the praise. "I don't suppose you could tell me what I'm to expect in here. Can you?"

The spirit giggled. "But where's the fun in that if I tell you everything? You'll never grow as a pony that way."

Twilight harumphed and crossed her hooves, but there was a tone of playfulness in her response. "Fine. Be like that, then." She paused as a thought came to her. "But I can't keep calling you the Tree of Harmony. It's not fair." She smiled. "How about. Harmony?"

The spirit blinked, taken aback by the change in subject. But the more she thought about it, the more she loved the name. "I like it. Harmony. It just feels right to me. That will be my name then."

Twilight and Harmony shared a smile before Harmony seemed to fade away into thin air, allowing Twilight to return to why she was here in the first place. She still had so many questions. But now? She was actually looking forward to whatever the future brought her.

Author's Note

So I hope I can get the story back on track from here on. As Xalok correctly guessed, to a degree anyway, Twilight is being changed into something new. Twilight will go from flabby. To a pure fighter. One that can have three hooves tied behind her back, and still curb stomp anyone stupid enough to pick a fight with her.

But a pure fighter that still possesses all the love and compassion of a true princess. A pony that all of Equestria and the world will one day look to for leadership and kindness. A pony that others will not fear for what she is and what she can do. But will love her unconditionally and follow her because they believe in her and what she stands for.

The Time Chamber will not only push Twilight physically. But will push her morals to the absolute breaking point and beyond.