Author's Note

Reminder, Commissions are open! Hit me up if you want me to write anything as I am in running low on food.

Chapter 59

Twilight Sparkle held onto the table with what little strength she had left in her. Knees shaking, and breath coming in ragged gulps, she tried and ultimately failed to stay standing. Her back legs gave out first, and the rest of her body followed a moment later, the alicorn lying sprawled out on the floor.

Sprawled out on the cold stone, Twilight looked out to find that others had joined her on the ground. Most were struggling for breathe like her, though a few were glassy-eyed, their chests unmoving and horns smoking slightly. These unfortunate few were swiftly pulled away by masked and robed unicorns who dragged them through side exits and out of sight.

Standing in the center, and seemingly the only one uninjured, or unbothered by the ritual that had just been completed stood Celestia. The alicorn’s horn trickled golden smoke, and sweat glistened across her nude form, only to boil away a second later. She stood there, impassive amidst the burnt ozone, and a lingering aroma of rotten eggs, used matches, and fresh corpses.

Around her stretched a large runic array of immense intricacy. Each symbol, line, and sub-matrix had been inked in gold, with the entire thing having been done in a single long stroke. Those still present, and breathing stood, knelt, or lay in the center of the many circles that surrounded the outermost edge, almost like stars in a constellation, though all orbited Celestia.

Twilight took a deep breath, and pushed herself up before grabbing onto the table she had stumbled over to and using it to help her the rest of the way. Once her legs stopped shaking quite so badly, the mare became aware of how her senses had left her and was only now returning.

Her ears began to ring, the sound heralding distant shouting, and the sound of hurried hooves clopping on stone. Celestia’s cold voice ordered servants this way and that while groaning mages were dragged from the room. Twilight's heart thundered in her chest with such an intensity that it nearly drowned out everything else.

Her nose twitched as the full force of the sulfurous stench hit her like a ton of bricks. The pony had thought her sense of smell had stayed with her, but even that scent had been dampened significantly. Now that it was coming back, Twilight almost wished that it hadn't as the overpowering aroma was nearly enough to knock her back to the floor.

The woosh of magical wind heralded the dismissal of this noxious odor, replacing it with the cold smell of stone, and what smelled like blood.

Twilight touched her nose and pulled her hoof back to reveal a sploch of crimson. It had been a long time since she had spent so much of her mana in such a short time, but already her alicorn physiology was working. The weakness that plagued her was beginning to dissipate, her empty magical well was refilling, and the minor injuries she had sustained were healing.

By the time the mostly featureless stone room was clear, Twilight was beginning to feel almost normal. What didn't change was the incredible disappearance she felt in her gut and the guilt that rested heavily on her mind.

“You did well,” a voice suddenly stated.

Twilight stumbled back a step and looked up to find her mentor looming over her, blotting out most of the room’s candlelight.

“Oh, it’s… thank you,” Twilight muttered.

“I appreciate you volunteering to assist in this matter,” Celestia added, a small smile growing on her face. “I am glad to see that you finally took the changeling matter seriously.”

“Do not misconstrue my involvement with my agreement of the changeling matter,” Twilight retorted. “I was here only to alleviate the magical load from the others.”

Twilight glanced to the spot where one of the dead unicorns had lain only a few minutes earlier.

“I just wish I could have given more,” Twilight murmured.

“Regardless of the reason, you are here and I appreciate your hoof in this,” Celestia stated cooly. “The history books will record you as one of the brave few who help rid this world of the changeling menace once and for all.”

“I would prefer if my involvement in this was not noted,” Twilight hastily retorted, waving a hoof. “You know I’m not a fan of the limelight.”

“Fame and worship come naturally to alicorns. It is best if you come to grips with this fact early lest it cause.. Complications later on,” Celestia added.

Twilight grits her teeth and shrugs.

“I just need a few years,” she began, glancing up at her former teacher with wide eyes. “Surely we can afford a decade or two. After all, we have forever, right?”

“Hmm, I suppose,” Celestia muttered. “Still, the next time such a project comes up I hope you will volunteer a little earlier. Your presence would have been greatly appreciated when this first got underway.”

Twilight glanced over to one of the other unicorns that had served as a battery for Celestia alongside herself. She recognized Moon Dancer immediately, just as she had recognized the inert form of Minuete, the mare lying face down on the ground, unmoving. Twilight was sure there had been others from her past here this night, though she had trouble spotting them due to the heavy robes they wore.

“Yes well. Next time I would appreciate it if you didn't volunteer so many of my friends for a suicide mission,” Twilight muttered.

“Watch your tone, Twilight,” Celestia growled, the larger mare leaning in close, singing Twilight's mane. “Everyone present tonight volunteered. Furthermore, there would have been fewer martyrs had you simply joined us when I first requested your presence.”

“I…” Twilight began, only to pause and bow her head. “You are right, Celestia. I should have helped sooner.

The blistering heat of Celestia’s presence continued for a moment longer before stopping suddenly, the taller alicorn taking a step back.

“I am glad to hear you say that,” Celestia exclaimed. “Now go. Find something to eat. Rest, recuperate. You are still growing.”

“Of course, princess. Goodnight,” Twilight offered.

“Good night Twilight,” Celestia replied, only to pause. “Oh and do tell your little friend about tonight’s events. If they are quick they may be able to wipe the changelings out before they become a problem over there.”

Twilight turned away, and lit her horn, disappearing in a flash of light. The moment she repeated, she collapsed into her bed, her eyes wide with terror as she stared up at the ceiling.

“She knew,” Twilight muttered to herself. “How did she know?”

“Twilight is that you!?” Called the distant voice of Spike the dragon.

“I’m home! Just need a breather and I’ll be right down!” Twilight shouted back.

“Okay, I made muffins! They’re on the table!” Spike yelled.

Twilight breathed out a long sigh, and closed her eyes, laying on the bed without a thought in her mind. After a minute or two of thoughtless silence, the mare sat up, and hopped off the bed, making her way towards the desk. Seating herself comfortably, and withdrawing a pen, Twilight cast a secret spell, conjuring the magical journal that allowed her to communicate across the barrier between worlds.

“Dear Sunset Shimmer,” Twilight began, the mare falling back into her old routine of speaking aloud as she wrote. “I will unfortunately be skipping the usual pleasantries. Celestia has just dumped several thousand changelings through one of the dimensional gates. I cannot tell you where exactly because I do not know but you must deal with them quickly. Their queen, Chrysalis will be key to this process. She is a bitter, and spiteful but I believe that at her core she is a good person.”

Twilight paused to refill her quill with ink before beginning again.

“I have hope that you will be able to save them,” Twilight continued. “Unfortunately with that said I must end our communications here. I’m afraid Celestia knows of the journal and I do not wish for it to fall into her hooves.”

Twilight took a deep breath, recoiling her quill and letting a few drops of ink to hit the page before pressing on.

“It has been an honor to call you my friend and I hope that one day we will meet again. Your friend, Twilight Sparkle,” Twilight finished.

Putting the quill away, Twilight leaned forward and gently blew on the page a few times before sitting back, and inspecting her handiwork. After waiting a few moments, Twilight lit her horn, channeling her magic into a spark that arced onto the open page. The moment it struck parchment, the entire journal erupted in flames so powerful that the whole time was consumed in moments.

Twilight watched it burn down to little more than a scant few ashes. Only when the flame died completely did she gather up what was left, and teleport it into the nearest lake.

“Thank goodness I still have everything covered in flame-retardant runes,” Twilight murmured to herself.

The pony sighed and leaned back in her chair.

“Well Sunset, I have high hopes for you,” Twilight murmured, sighing a second time. “At least Spike made muffins.”

Sunset watched as the unused pages of the journal burnt away to nothing, leaving nothing left to write on. The final page was signed but intact, with Twilight's final goodbye partially consumed, leaving only ‘Your frien-’ left on the bottom of the page. The ink spots almost looked like fallen tears but Sunset could sense that there was a simmering anger behind her friend’s final words to her.

It was clear Twilight was not a fan of her mentor’s actions but the power imbalance was clear even to Sunset. There was nothing Twilight could do save to warn Sunset and hope that said warning was enough to right a wrong. The implications of which Sunset found unpleasant as they were dire, her mind a mix of worry, anger, and sadness.

“Umm Sunset,” whispered the voice of her Twilight. “Are you alright?”

Sunset sniffed and wiped away a tear. “Just uh saying goodbye to your counterpart,” Sunset muttered, closing the book. “We probably won't be able to talk for a while.”

“Were you crying?” Twilight asked.

Sunset smiled faintly at the concerned face of her dearest, closest companion poking out from the side of the door. Twilight was as ever, adorable, and now she was concerned, something Sunset wouldn't allow to continue.

“Just something in my eye. Trust me,” Sunset stated.

“Well if you’re sure,” Twilight murmured, clearly unconvinced.

“Did everyone else leave yet?” Sunset distracted.

“Yeah everyone but Chrysalis. But I assumed she was going to stay with you,” Twilight began, a frown crossing her face. “You know if you want I could stay with you. I don't need to say goodbye to my family per se.”

“Yes you do,” Sunset interrupted, walking over to the other woman and placing a hand on her shoulder. “You’d regret it forever if you didn't. Besides, you don't have to worry about me. Perfect Tempo might be a bit odd, but I trust him.”

“I suppose,” Twilight murmured.

“Hey,” Sunset whispered, gently turning Twilight and forcing the girl to face her. “I won't be gone for long. I just need to have a short chat with Perfect about some details and I’ll have him drop me off at your parent's place in no time.”

“It would be nice for you to meet them before we left. It won’t be as nice as the usual dinner and small talk but…” Twilight shrugged.

“Probably just as awkward though,” Sunset offered.

“Yeah…”

Twilight stood a little taller, and leaned forward, planting a gentle kiss on Sunset’s lips.

“I’ll see you again soon Sunset,” Twilight whispered.

Sunset caught her partner by the waist and pulled her in for a more forceful, and intimate kiss, only releasing her after several breathless seconds.

“Stay strong Twilight,” Sunset whispered back.