Chapters Princess Celestia was not sure what to expect when her sister, Princess Luna, burst into the Afternoon Day Court with a look of excitement she hadn't worn in some time.
Looking for any excuse to get out of the court, Celestia had been more than happy to follow her sister to a hallway she had almost forgotten about. But one look at the sole door in every direction, her confusion was replaced with a sense of pride, and not a little of a surprise.
"I was not expecting this. Not so soon. Or for her," Celestia said, as she and Luna stared at what looked like any other door in Canterlot Castle. Except for the cutie mark emblazoned on it.
Luna nodded, calming down slightly. "Nor did I. Or for it to appear for her as well. I was expecting somepony else if I am, to be honest."
Celestia nodded. It was not a knock on the pony in question, or the other as well. But she too expected this for somepony else first, but she would be lying if she said she wasn't happy to have been proven wrong.
"You know we don't know how this thing works Luna. Who is to say what makes it appear when it does," Celestia said, giving her sister a knowing look. "Besides. I think she might be offended you think of her like that."
Luna looked away, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. Celestia giggled. "Don't worry. I won't tell her if you don't."
Luna huffed in annoyance as she looked back at her sister. "So now what is to be done?"
Celestia smiled as she walked away, forcing Luna to keep up. "Now? We tell them. All of them. They have as much right to know as much as we do."
"Even though they cannot enter as well?" Luna asked.
Celestia nodded. "Just so. They will need to know that when it reopens, she will not be or look the same as she did when she entered." She shook her head. "You remember what happened to us?"
Luna couldn't help but giggle at the memory, Celestia joining in a moment later. For all the ruckus and mayhem it had caused, the reactions to the changes had been worth it in the end. "How long do you think it will be?" She asked.
Celestia shrugged. "I cannot say for sure. It didn't make sense for us at the time, and it hasn't changed that much in the years since."
Luna tapped her chin. "Even though Starswirl and Mage Meadowbrook tried to make sense of it."
Celestia nodded, smiling at the fond memories. "Indeed. Maybe this time though, she can find a way to understand how this works. She has more experience with time travel than either of us have ever had."
***
Twilight Sparkle wasn't sure why she and all of her friends had been called to Canterlot on such short notice. There didn't seem to be any looming disaster. She hoped.
That Princess Celestia had explicitly told her not to bring anything at all with her only added to her worry. Was thing some kind of special princess training? New Magic? Both?
And then there was also the fact that both Cadance and her brother were coming as well. Not that Twilight didn't mind seeing them of course. But it seemed odd that they too would be there.
Heck, she was going up to the Crystal Empire with Starlight and Spike to see them the very next week! So why would it be necessary to see them earlier? Cadance was due to give birth any day now. Traveling was something she shouldn't be doing.
It was only when they had been met by a Royal Guard squad at Canterlot Station that Twilight knew for sure that something was up. They had never needed an escort before. It only got worse as they came to the castle. Instead of meeting them in the Throne Room, Celestia and Luna met them in a hallway that seemed dug into the back of the mountain.
Celestia's smile seemed to grow on seeing them, but they could all see that there was something more to it now. Even Starlight Glimmer, new to all of this, could see something had changed in Celestia's demeanor.
"It is good to see all of you again," she said before looking at Starlight. "And you as well Starlight. Twilight has told me great things about you. I can see what she means.
Starlight blushed at the praise, even if a part of her didn't feel she deserved it.
Celestia looked behind the group. "Now we only need to wait on your brother and Cadance."
"We're here!" Came Shinning's voice as he and Cadance rushed up to the group, Cadance coming much slower than normal, now heavily showing her pregnancy. This also meant she and Twilight skipped their Ladybug Dance, which Twilight would admit she missed more now than she had before the wedding.
Cadance smiled sheepishly. "Sorry, we didn't get here sooner. The train was slow and then, well, I can't go very fast now can I?"
Celestia smiled gently. "It is alright Cadance. We would have waited for you." She looked at Twilight, who stood straighter if possible. "This is not a time-sensitive thing."
Everyone shared a confused look. "So what's up?" Spike asked.
Celestia placed a hoof on Twilight's shoulder as her eyes began to water slightly. "It is time for you to take your final step on becoming an alicorn Twilight. And I could not be more proud of you."
Twilight blushed as she hid behind her wings. Praise from her mentor, even if they were technical equals now, was something that always set her heart aflutter. "Thank you, princess, but I don't know what that means?"
Luna smiled as she stepped back from the wall. "We will show you," she said, as all saw a door that she had been blocking. Nothing about it seemed special until they saw the cutie mark emblazoned on it. It was Twilights.
Shinning scratched his head as he looked at it. "I don't remember ever seeing this door." Which was strange, for as Captain of the Royal Guard, he knew all of the castle like the back of his hoof. It was his job, and even if he didn't have access to certain rooms, he knew where most of them were in the castle. This wasn't on any known map or plan of the castle. Not even the unused designs from the very founding of the city.
Celestia nodded gravely. "You wouldn't have. This room does not exist on any map of the castle for a very simple reason."
"Why is that?" Fluttershy asked.
Luna gestured at the door. "This room only appears when an alicorn is ready to take their final step on becoming their full and complete self. It appeared to Tia and me long ago."
Celestia nodded, as her smile dropped slightly. "It was not easy for either of us. But it helped us become who we are today. It was time well spent, even if I didn't think so at the time."
Luna nodded. "As do I."
Starlight caught the way the emphasized the word time, and it got her thinking. "So what is it exactly?"
Celestia shook her head as she looked at it. "We do not know if it has a proper name. But we have always called it the Hyperbolic Time Chamber. Inside is everything an alicorn needs to grow into their full self."
"Like what?" Rainbow asked, giving the door the stink eye.
Luna shook her head. "It changes depending on the alicorn in question. All we can say is that it tests those who enter to their absolute limits and then breaks those limits. It pushes the mare to their absolute peak, and then helps them rise higher than even that."
Twilight looked at the door with renewed worry. "And now its asking me to enter?" She and Cadance shared a concerned look. "Shouldn't Cadance go first? She has been an alicorn longer than I have."
Celestia shook her head, looking at her niece. "The chamber chooses those who enter when the time is right for them to do so. Yes, Cadance has been an alicorn longer, but I feel there is more to it than that."
Luna smiled. "And it might not want to endanger our niece or the child she carries if it is anything like our own."
"And what's that supposed to mean?" Applejack asked with a frown.
Luna shook her head. "We could not explain in a way that makes sense. Neither of us could. What we see and do in there is for us and us alone to know and remember."
Twilight gulped as she looked at her cutie mark on the door. Maybe it was just her imagination, but it seemed to be calling to her. "And how long am I supposed to stay in it?"
Celestia grimaced. "That is an impossible question to answer Twilight. To us, it will only have been one day before you return. But to you." She paused before sighing. "Time does not flow as we know it to inside the chamber. It could be a year, or maybe less, to you before you come out."
Now Twilight was really worried as she and Starlight shared a look. Their recent time travel nonsense had left a bitter taste in both of their mouths.
On top of that, her travels through the broken timelines had hammered home Twilight's own mortality. Or lack thereof. Being immortal and ageless as she was, the final one hurt the worst. Equestria would one day look like that, no matter what they did.
But no matter what, something seemed to be compelling her to enter the chamber, and Twilight found she couldn't resist. In fact, she didn't want to resist it. Something had awoken inside her, and now she wanted to complete it, no matter what
Before she knew what was happening, Twilight found herself standing in front of the door.
Celestia nodded. "It is calling to you Twilight. It is normal." Her expression turned grim. "You will not need to bring anything with you. The chamber provides everything you will need to survive for however long you will be inside."
Pinkie Pie hopped over, a mad grin on her face. "What are we waiting for? Let's go!"
Luna shook her head. "Nay Pinkie. Only Twilight Sparkle is able to enter the chamber. No other will ever be allowed inside once she steps across the threshold."
That got their attention. Twilight drowned out the shouts and arguments that that was a load of horseapples and that they were all going with Twilight, consequences are damned.
Feeling a hoof on her shoulder, Twilight looked up into the face of her mentor, that motherly smile she knew so well once more where it belonged. It helped to calm her nerves.
"Good luck Twilight. And remember. We will be here for you when you return. No matter what shape or form that might take," Celestia whispered.
Twilight smiled herself. She couldn't help herself. Steeling herself, she pushed the door open with a hoof and stepped across the threshold.
Seeing the open door, her friends and family made a mad dash for it to follow her, only to be stopped dead in their tracks by Celestia and Luna's magic.
Spike though ducked underneath it and made a mad run for the door. Twilight wasn't leaving him alone. Not this time! But before he could get across the door, he bounced painfully off an invisible wall that had sprung up in Twilight's wake, even as the door began to close behind her. Luna's magic caught him before he hit anything else.
They all glared at the princesses, but could only watch helplessly as the door closed with a resounding boom, but not before they all caught a glimpse of what was inside an all-encompassing white.
Even as that sunk in, they watched in shock as the door to the Hyperbolic Time Chamber vanished without a trace. Leaving no indication that it had ever been there in the first place.
Author's Note
Okay, I admit. This is taking somethings from Dragon Ball Z. But it's not a proper crossover, so don't expect anything else from the franchise besides the Time Chamber. Cover art was done by Darksly-z.
Twilight let a startled yelp as the door closed with a resounding boom behind her. Turning around, she watched in surprise as the door itself vanished, leaving nothing but a solid wall behind.
She could only stare at it for a moment, trying to process this. Now she really was stuck in here until whatever arbitrary amount of time had passed it seemed. How long would that be anyway?
Sighing, Twilight turned her back on the wall. Glaring at it wasn't going to get her anywhere. Princess Celestia had said this was meant to help her become her full self. Whatever that meant. Which sounded like a test.
And if there was one thing Twilight Sparkle loved more than friendship, it was tests. She loved passing them even more. This one would be no different she felt.
First things first were to explore where ever she was. If she was going to be here a while, knowing her surroundings would be a great help.
The building, as it turned out, could either be described as a well off hotel or as spartan as the Royal Guard Barracks in Canterlot. A long central hallway leads out onto a portico. Spaced along the hallway, doors lead off into various rooms. On one side was a small but comfortable sleeping quarters, a bed, and a nightstand the only furnishings.
Next to that was a rather spacious bath and spa. If Twilight had to guess, it fit all of Ponyville's and the Crystal Empire's spas within it at the same time, and still have room left over.
On the other side was the kitchen. Rather small compared to what she was used to. It reminded her of her parent's kitchen back home.
Oddly, the only other door was locked tight. Not even her magic could get it to open. Something though told Twilight she would get in eventually. Whenever that might be.
But it was the view outside that held most of her attention.
In all directions around the small building, she was standing in was nothing but absolute white stretching to the horizon, and Twilight couldn't even be sure there even was a horizon.
Walking some ways out into the white, Twilight immediately felt everything around her become more oppressive, as if something was weighing her down. It was suffocating, in a way.
"Okay, I'm here. Now what?" She asked, but her voice was swallowed up by the sheer amount of empty around her.
The very next second, Twilight wished she had kept her big mouth shut.
Without warning, Twilight felt everything become a thousand times heavier, as her body was pushed to the ground as a weight like nothing she had ever felt was dropped onto her.
Grunting, she tried moving her legs, but they barely even twitched under the weight. Her wings weren't much help if she couldn't even use her legs, so Twilight tried to teleport back to where she had come from.
To her horror, nothing happened. Not a spark, fizzle, or pop, came from her horn. In fact, she couldn't even feel her magic. A moment later, her eyes widened in shock. Her magic wasn't being blocked. It was gone as if it had never been there, to begin with. A void now existed where it had once been.
Unlike when Tirek had stolen all of her magic, however, there was no pain or discomfort in the void. But it was still something Twilight did not want to have to put up with for very long if she could help it.
She was only five or six feet from the front porch of the building. Maybe this would end if she could back into it. It was better than being smushed like this at least.
That five or six feet though may as well have been on the other side of the moon for all Twilight could move at the moment. So for the moment, she began to try and think of a way out of this predicament.
"Me and my big mouth," she grumbled.
***
Luna leveled a glare at Spike as he floated in her magic. "What part of 'None of you are allowed to go with Twilight' did you not understand?"
Spike wasn't backing down though. "Twilight needs me!"
Celestia shook her sadly as she looked at the whole. "And what good could any of you have done if you had somehow made it inside? The chamber is now designed especially to fit Twilight and what she needs. It will kill you."
That shut the group up for a moment. "I'm afraid to ask how you can say that?" Rarity said.
Luna shook her head. "When the chamber first appeared over a thousand years ago, several ponies managed to get in ahead of sister."
Celestia nodded. "I found what was left of them. I will not go into details, but I have never seen such things done to a pony's body. None of them had survived." She trembled. "I will not risk that again."
Something in her tone of voice convinced them that maybe, just maybe, the sisters had a point. Of course with literally no way to get into the chamber now, they couldn't as it was.
All they could do it seemed, was hope and pray that Twilight would be alright.
***
Twilight wasn't sure how long she had been like this. With no way to see the time, and time seemed to indeed flow differently now that she thought about it, it could have been hours or even days. She didn't think it had been that long, but she couldn't be sure.
Her body didn't feel any different from too long without food, water, or rest, so there was that at least. But this place was having an odd effect on mental faculties. And the weight holding her down wasn't helping either, and it was odd. It wasn't magical in nature, so what was it?
It felt like the gravity had been turned up to eleven, and then quadrupled after that, but how was that even possible? Twilight knew gravity spells, and this wasn't one.
If she was being honest, it reminded her of something that would happen in one of those manga stories Spike seemed to like alongside his comics. Too far fetched for her own taste, if she was being honest. But let it never be said Twilight Sparkle dictated what others should and shouldn't read.
She'd at least tried to read one. Spike had been disappointed they couldn't bond over that, but he had at least understood.
But that was beside the point. Here she was, unable to move, no magic, and no bucking idea of how to get herself out of it. Twilight knew that her legs could still move, if only barely. Her wings were no good. If this was gravity turned up to a ridiculous level, she wouldn't be able to fly anyway.
And why did her back feel so light all of a sudden? For that matter, why did her forehead feel the same?
Twilight shook her head, focusing on the immediate problem. Unicorn magic was out, as was her Pegasus magic, so that left only one other kind of magic, she hoped.
Twilight had never really used her earth pony magic before now. Applejack had of course been more than happy to help her learn it after her ascension. Mostly the basics, and how not to hurt or even kill someone if she wasn't careful. As it turned out, it was much easier to hurt or kill, than to not do so.
Past that it was, as AJ had put it, up to her alone to learn how her magic developed. Even Granny Smith or Big Mac hadn't been able to add much to it, since Twilight was only 1/3 earth pony.
So now, never having really used it since those days months ago now, Twilight had no idea if her earth pony magic had developed at all since. "Time to find out," she mumbled.
First step? Just seeing if she could turn herself around. If she could do that at least, then she had an objective in sight, something to work toward. Out here there was nothing but the all-encompassing white.
Closing her eyes, Twilight focused on a mana pathway she barely even thought of. For a moment there was nothing, and she feared she was stuck out here forever. But then, there it was, a faint green trail of mana.
Twilight frowned. There wasn't enough to get her back to the building, and barely enough to turn herself around to face it. But there was one, a final, idea that could help. But she risked so much in doing so.
Applejack had called it a Trans-Am Surge, literally flooding every cell and molecule of her being with pure magic. Why it was called that, not even the Apple Family knew. But there was a serious risk involved. Trans-Am had a time limit before it cut out and she returned to normal. If Twilight extended the Surge, then her body risked destroying itself from a magic overdose.
But it was either that or be stuck out here forever. Twilight was willing to take the risk to get out of this mess. Refocusing her mana, Twilight opened the flood gates and poured pure magic into herself.
Her heart began to beat faster and faster, her lungs straining to keep up. Opening her eyes, Twilight watched as a red glow surrounded her body as the Burst took effect. She couldn't keep this up for more than a few minutes. But it began to make a difference.
Every so slowly, her legs began to move, looking for purchase. It wasn't the most graceful way to move, but inch by inch Twilight began to turn herself around. With each passing second, Twilight this was going to cost her in the long run, but she'd take it.
Finally, after what felt like forever, she was now facing back the way she had come. Now came the hard part. She was still too far away from the porch, and she was down to the last minute or so. Gritting her teeth, Twilight pushed her Trans-Am to its absolute limits and began to push with all her might with her back legs.
This time she went faster. Keeping track of how much time she had left, Twilight pushed faster and faster, until she finally got her front hooves on the front porch. Instantly she felt the weight drop away from her. Now with a solid foundation to pull on, Twilight pulled herself the last few feet up and over the lip of the porch.
Just in time too as she felt her Trans-Am cut out, and she collapsed in an exhausted heap right then and there against a column. For a long time, she just lay there panting, trying to recover from the sheer rush of power she'd come down off of. Her magic was still restrained, however.
"Great. If it's always like that out there, how am I supposed to get out? Am I supposed to stay here the whole time?" She asked, nobody in particular. No answer was forthcoming. Go figure.
But now, on top of her magic still being gone, she felt something else. Or a lack of something. With mounting horror, Twilight felt around for her horn. It wasn't there. But no like it had been cut off or broken, but like it had never been there, to begin with.
"That doesn't make any sense. How did I lose my horn? Why did I lose it?" She asked in a panic. And that wasn't the only thing she felt missing. Her back felt lighter than it had in a long time. Looking back, she saw why. Her wings were gone. Just like her horn, they appeared to have never been there, to begin with.
This didn't make any sense. Why was she losing parts of herself? Sure the wings were still newish to her, but they still felt like they always been there, and her horn. Twilight had that since the day she had been born. It was a natural part of who she was.
And to add to the confusion and misery, her cutie mark was gone as well, the fur spotless where the starburst usually was. Unlike with Starlight's spell, however, there was no discomfort in it being gone.
Still feeling sore, and with a million more questions now than she had before, Twilight shakily got to her hooves and pushed away from the column, and made a beeline to the kitchen.
Maybe a snack and something to drink would help her thoughts.
Author's Note
If you've ever seen Gundam 00, then you know what Trans-Am is, what it looks like, and what it does. Aside from being magic instead of GN Particle, based and for ponies only, it's the same. All ponies have their own version of the Trans-Am Burst. Very few have ever used it. Even fewer of those actually survived using it.
Normally, a lunch with the ruling princesses of Equestria was something that all of the now Mane 7 looked forward too. While at one time it had seemed daunting, now it felt almost normal.
Starlight was still a bundle of nerves. But Celestia's earlier comments to her, and the ease with which most of her friends seemed to enjoy this time, she too began to lighten up.
Spike and Shining Armor had left to tell Twilight Velvet and Night Light what was happening with Twilight, for they had every right to know as much as the rest of them did. Rarity had to excuse herself to handle some crisis or another at her local boutique, but the others had stayed in the castle, wanting to be there when Twilight came back.
So when a wave of energy washed over them, it got all of their attention as they looked at each other in confusion.
Celestia, though, bore a look of shock and almost horror. "Oh, Twilight. You didn't?"
"What did Twilight do?" Rainbow asked.
Celestia and Luna shared a look. "That was somepony going into Trans-Am and a powerful surge at that. I have not felt one in a long time," Celestia replied after a moment.
Fluttershy perked up at the mention of that. "You mean like?"
Luna shook her head, smiling a little. "Nay Fluttershy. While it functions the same and has the same effects, it is pure magic-based, compared to Celestial Being's."
"So what is it?" Pinkie asked.
Celestia looked thoughtful for a moment. "It is a rush of pure magic that floods a pony's essence, boosting their bodies far and above their normal limits. But there is a danger in using it."
"Like what?" Cadance asked, looking worried.
Luna's ears dropped. "Trans-Am has a finite time limit before it cuts off. A pony's magic is drained after using it, and the physical exhaustion from a surge cannot be described unless you have felt it yourself."
Celestia nodded, her expression grim. "That is not all. A pony can extend the surge past the time limit, but they risk everything if they do. In the best case, their magic is forever exhausted and they will never be able to use magic again."
Applejack looked grim at the thought. "And the worst case?"
Celestia shook her head. "It will kill them as their body overdoses on a level of magic nopony was ever meant to handle. Starswirl made that mistake, and it cost him his life. The Pillars never came back together after his death, even though Stygian tried to keep them together."
That shut everypony up for a moment as they tried to digest all of that. It was easier said than done. "So how come we've never heard about it?" Pinkie asked.
Luna chuckled. "It has never been a widely known ability, though it is an ability everypony possesses. I am surprised Twilight knew of it, though not as much as I might have once been."
Applejack nodded, pushing her hat up to her brow. "I told her about it. Never thought she'd use it."
Celestia nodded, not completely shocked to know the Apple Family knew of Trans-Am. "What we just felt was the most powerful surge I can ever remember feeling. We only felt it because we are so close to Twilight personally. Others will not have felt it."
Starlight thought still looked worried. "Is Twilight alright?"
Celestia and Luna paused a moment, feeling their fellow alicorn out, before Celestia nodded, smiling. "Twilight is indeed still alive, though sorer, I feel, than she has ever been in her whole life."
That got a chuckle out of everypony at least.
***
As Twilight finally struggled into the kitchen, she swore to never, ever, do that again. Never before had walking twenty feet felt like walking to the other side of the world. And that was on top of her magic is gone like it was.
At this point, she would just be happy to get something to eat and not worry about how much literally every part of her body burned and hurt in a way she had never thought possible.
Dragging herself over to the fridge, she wrapped a hoof around the handle and pulled it open. With no magic, she was back to doing everything with her hooves. Oh, joy.
Luckily, the fridge was stocked with all the things she normally liked, aside from a serious lack of hayburgers, so she didn't have to worry about going hungry. Grabbing an apple, Twilight took a bite as she closed the door. It had never tasted as sweet as it did now. She would even say it rivaled the ones from Sweet Apple Acres.
She swore not to tell Applejack that though. She'd never hear the end of it.
As she sat down at the table, munching on her apple, Twilight tried to get her thoughts into her order. It was now apparent that whatever this place was, it was not going to be a simple hop, skip, and a jump, to get back out of here.
She still had no idea of how long she had laid out there like that. While the exhaustion from coming down from that high was beginning to recede, at last, she was still not ready to try and do that again.
But she couldn't stay here forever, as much as she wanted to. At some point, she would have to go back out and face that again. Something she wasn't looking forward to.
"What I wouldn't give for a planner," she mumbled, taking another bite. Even if she did have one though, with no magic to call on, she was left with mouth writing, and she could hardly call that writing.
There was a reason that Spike did most of her correspondence, aside from wanting to help his big sister of course. He had never complained about it much at least.
But that still left her without a plan of action or any idea of what she was supposed to do next. And if there was one thing Twilight was proud of, it was always having a plan. But how could she plan for this? She didn't have very much to go on with this place.
Princess Celestia and Princess Luna had said that their own experiences were different from each other's, which more than likely meant that whatever was in here, was unique for herself, and her alone.
Normally Twilight wouldn't mind that. But today was proving to be the exception. Her lack of everything that defined her as Twilight Sparkle was upsetting now that she could think straight. But at the same time, it gave her something to think about at least.
While her horn had been something that had been with her for her entire life, her cutie mark and wings had been earned through accomplishing something unexpected and unknown. Did that mean she would have to do the same things again to get them back?
"But how?" She thought aloud. Hatching Spike's egg had never been part of her test at Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns, as she had learned years later, and it had been the Sonic Rainboom that had triggered her magic surge that had hatched it in the first place. There was no way she could replicate that effect again, even if she had wings.
Her wings. As much of a serious pain in the backside as they had been those first few months after her coronation, she missed them now that they were gone. They were now as much a part of her as the horn was, and she felt naked without them.
Oh sure, she would never be as fast as Rainbow Dash or ever make into the Wonderbolts, but Twilight could now keep up with the vast majority of Pegasi.
Not that they would be much help around here though. This place seemed small enough that walking from one room to another wasn't much of a problem. Outside though? That was another thing. But if Twilight couldn't overcome the gravity as it was, she was never getting off the ground.
"Maybe that's it. If I can get around this stupid gravity, maybe everything else will fall into place," Twilight grumbled, as she tossed the apple core into the trash. It wasn't much of a plan, and a part of her was shocked at how much wasn't said in it. But Twilight would take anything at the moment.
As she left the kitchen though, her hooves turned not back toward the front porch. But toward the bath and spa room. The soreness from earlier was much more manageable now, but she still hurt all over.
"Maybe a bath and a nice long rest will help my nerves," Twilight said, as she dragged her sore self to the promise of some relief.
Author's Note
I can now confirm that Equestria does indeed have Mobile Suit Gundam manga. Fluttershy and Luna are fans, hence that little tidbit.Why not? As for what happened to Starswirl and the Pillars? His death caused them to separate for good, though they all remained friends, and Stygian never went to the dark side. So now they never went to Limbo and died long ago.
Number Shipping is Bad for Your Health
With nothing else to do, and with no real desire to return to Ponyville and leave Twilight behind, the girls had decided to spend the night in Canterlot. Princess Celestia had been more than happy to provide them with rooms for as long as they needed.
With nothing much else to do, the girls tried to find anything to do. Rainbow had finally given in and tried out some of the manga Fluttershy had been recommending to her for years, without success. And while she would always see Daring Do as her first love, she was really starting to get into some of these.
She wondered how Fluttershy could like some of them, however. Some made sense, in a weird sort of way. But Berserk? Who knew Fluttershy liked that kind of thing?
Rarity was still at her boutique, and Applejack had wandered off down to the Royal Kitchens to see if they were as good as they claimed to be. Spike had returned with Shining Armor, both looking a little worse for wear, and now Cadance was trying her best to cheer them both up.
Fluttershy, to the shock of everyone, had found something that both she and Princess Luna could get behind. Their love of Neighponese manga, and more specifically, Mobile Suit Gundam. The two had retreated sometime before to go over the collection Luna had amassed since her return.
And it was that brought the girls together again, as they started at a very annoyed Fluttershy glaring bloody murder at a corner of Luna's room. The princess herself was nowhere to be seen, though with how the stacks of books shivered, it was obvious where she was hiding.
Pinkie and Starlight shared a look. They had a pretty good idea of what they were looking at. What they didn't understand was why. "So why is Princess Luna doing book forts? I thought only Twilight did book forts?" Starlight asked.
Princess Celestia sighed. A sigh that only an annoyed older sibling dealing with an annoying little sister could sigh. "Because Starlight. My sister made a terrible mistake several minutes ago. She spoke of 'Number shipping' in Gundam Wing. Fluttershy did not take it very well."
Spike winced, even as the rest of the girls shared a confused look. "Um. 'kay. That's kinda random. Even by my standards. Which is way something," Pinkie replied.
Celestia nodded, rubbing her forehead in irritation. "Indeed. But you also have to remember that Fluttershy is a purist in these matters, reads the manga in the original Neighponese even, and gets unusually... Peeved at the mere mention of fan-based Yaoi speculation."
The girls winced. They could see where Fluttershy was coming from now. "Oh, right. So, how is Luna still breathing?" Spike asked, not much happier about the idea than Fluttershy was.
Celestia pointed at the book fort Luna was hiding in. "Simple. She has cleverly hidden in a book fort made up of nothing but Dragon Ball dojin. Fluttershy will not go anywhere near that."
Fluttershy nodded, looking away from Luna for a moment. "It's true."
Rainbow rolled her eyes in exasperation. "So now what do we do?"
Celestia shook her head as she trotted over to her sister's hiding place and poked it. "Luna. You can't hide like this forever."
"Watch me!" Luna grumbled from inside her fort. "I rather like it in here. And I can still handle the moon from inside here, so don't try and hit me with that, Tia!"
Celestia rolled her eyes. This was bringing back several fillyhood memories for her. "And what of court, Luna?"
"What about it? The Canterlot Elite can go dunk their heads in a toilet, and flush, for all I care about what they demand. I say no more than I ever say yes to something. You're too soft on them," Luna replied.
Celestia really couldn't argue with that. While there were some that were reasonable with what they asked for, Twilight Sparkle's family and Fancy Pants, for instance, the vast majority of the so-called Canterlot Elite were nothing but entitled snobs that we're better off being kicked off Mount Canter.
And maybe she was too soft on them sometimes. There were days that they tried her patience just a little too much, and she lost control and just literally kicked them, kicking and screaming, out of Canterlot entirely.
Celestia looked back at Fluttershy, who seemed to be finally calming down. "And what of what started all of this in the first place?"
Luna popped her head out of the fort, still looking worried. "How was I supposed to know Fluttershy would react like that?"
Spike pinched his nose. "No offense, Princess Luna. But any real fan would have the same reaction. Gundam Wing isn't even that great of a series. It's only famous because it was the first one published here in Equestria."
Fluttershy nodded. As annoyed as she was, the sight of Luna looking like she was about to be attacked put her fires out or at least cooled them off. "I don't even like Gundam Wing myself. The characters aren't even that good looking. But this just peeves me off so much."
Luna nodded, as she pulled herself out of her makeshift hiding place. She bowed her head in apology. "I am sorry, Fluttershy. It seems that there is still more for me to learn in this current era. Perhaps I let my excitement get in the way. We were getting along so well before that happened."
Fluttershy smiled. No matter what, she couldn't stay mad at the princess forever. It just wasn't in her nature. She'd forgiven Discord for far worse than this. She was quick to walk over and pull Luna into a hug, one the Lunar Princess was more than happy to return. "It's alright, princess. We all make mistakes. But let's not do that again, shall we?"
Luna giggled, her own worries evaporating. "Let's. We still haven't looked through everything yet. It's so nice to finally find somepony who appreciates manga as I do. Very few around here do so like you."
The two of them giggled, while Celestia tried not to look hurt at that.
Author's Note
This chapter, and everything in it, is 100% Kencolt's fault for existing. His comment inspired all of this. I just filled it out to a full chapter length. I regret absolutely nothing at all. And yes. I am taking shots at New Mobile Report Gundam Wing. The After Colony timeline is highly overrated. It's famous because it was the first series fully shown in the west.
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.
