A Good Choice…Not A Good Outcome
It was a nice night in Ponyville, as Twilight and Spike both came back home, all tired like they had been through a lot. They both yawned in satisfaction as they went inside. “I wish we could go on epic adventures more often.” Spike said happily, as he stretched his limbs tiredly.
“Well, it has been a good day.” Twilight agreed. “Especially since we got over a little confusion with the Games Inspector, earlier.” Twilight and her friends had a little confusion with both Ms. Peachblossom and Harshwinny earlier today, but they managed to get it all cleared up, when the other pony explained to her how great of a presentation she got, earning the Crystal Empire a chance to host the Equestria Games.
“Yeah.” Spike added. “I still couldn’t believe that I ate all the gems I wanted before I ate my cake, though.” He slunked down in sadness.
Twilight could tell that her son was sad about earlier, and petted him nicely. “Aw, cheer up, Spike.” She said to him nicely. “I’m sure you’ll get to make a gem cake again sometime.”
Spike looked up at his mother figure, and smiled. “Thanks.” He said, as he hugged her. “Yeah, I hope that will be soon as in sometime soon.” Twilight giggled at his response.
“Trust me, I know you will.” She said, as she felt her son’s cold body. “And, speaking of an entirely different topic, isn’t it time a certain dragon gets his usual bubble bath?”
Spike jumped up in glee. “Alright!” He said, pumping his fist in the air. “I was hoping you’d say that!” He hugged Twilight, and dashed to the bathroom to turn on the hot water, and get the bubble bath ready. Twilight just giggled and smiled, as Spike would get to rejuvenate and she would have some alone time. She sighed in content. What could possibly spoil this perfect night?
She would get her answer when she heard a knock at the door at the Golden Oaks Library. She came to the door, and answered it, as a mail pony greeted her. “You Twilight Sparkle?” He asked her.
She nodded. “You got her.” She said. “What is it?”
“I have a package from Princess Celestia, Ma’am.” The mail pony said, as he got out a package with a red Royal stamp. The unicorn gasped as she saw it.
“Sign here, please.” The mail pony said, as Twilight did so. He tipped his hat. “Thank you, have a good—“ But he didn’t get to finish as Twilight shut the door, and started to open the package.
“What would Princess Celestia send me on such a night like this?” Twilight wondered, as she tore open the envelope, and took out a book, with a parchment scroll attached to it. Concerned, she started read the letter.
“Dear Twilight Sparkle...” She read. It was a letter that Celestia sent to her. “The spell contained on the last page of this book is Star Swirl the Bearded's secret unfinished masterpiece.” she gasped in excitement, as she saw the book which was in fact the journal of her magical idol, Star Swirl. “Ooh.”
She continued to read the letter. “He was never able to get it right, and thus abandoned it. I believe you are the only pony who can understand and rewrite it. Princess Celestia” Now, she was concerned. Why would Star Swirl abandon his own masterpiece? Nevertheless, she took the book, and flipped through the pages until she got to a certain unfinished spell. That had to be it.
She read the spell, as her horn ignited. “From one to another, another to one. A mark of one's destiny singled out alone, fulfilled.” While she read that, unknown to her, her Element of Magic glowed brightly, and zapped the other five elements, changing their colours, while hers remained the same.
“That doesn't make any sense.” Twilight said out loud, as she couldn’t understand what the spell even meant. “It doesn't even rhyme!” She then heard a zap, and canceled out her magic, as her ears perked up. She raced over to the other elements of Harmony, and was shocked at what she saw. To her shock and horror, she saw that the elements had swapped colours, with the exception of her own.
“Wha...what happened to the elements?” She asked softly. “There has to be an explanation!” She was starting to panic, as five of the elements had changed. “How could the elements have changed, but mine hasn’t?” She stomped in fear, as her face sweat. “Oh, this can’t be right!”
“Twilight, what’s wrong?” Spike asked as he rushed to his caretaker, leaving a puddle trail from his bath. “I heard you panic, and...” He saw the trail, and looked down. “I’m sorry about the mess.”
“We’ll worry about that later!” Twilight said worriedly. “I just got a special delivery from the princess!”
Spike was confused. “So, it’s not that big a problem?” He asked.
“Don’t you see??” Twilight asked, panic rising in her voice, pointing to the trinkets. “Look what’s happened to the elements of Harmony! They changed!” She cried out, as Spike came over to the elements, and saw that they did change...all but hers.
“They did change!” Spike said surprise. “But why?”
“I don’t know!” Twilight said worriedly. “But...” They both took notice of the changed elements, and both got nervous, not knowing what the consequences would be of all this. The young unicorn knew what had to be done. “Spike! We need to tell our friends about this!” She told him, panicked. Spike nodded, as he was thinking the same thing, as well. Tomorrow, they would tell the others about this.
The next day, the rest of the Mane Six were gathering up at the park, setting up for their picnic. Pinkie brought her basket of balloon, while Applejack set up the picnic blanket, as Rainbow Dash was applying sunscreen to her hooves.
Rarity was scurrying her basket for her plates for the picnic. “Please tell me I did not forget the plates.” She said, as she searched. So far, she found utensils, and napkins, but no plates. She gasped. “I did. I totally forgot them!” She was starting to get on panic level with her dramatics again. “Of all the worst things that could happen, this is THE. WORST. POSSIBLE. THING!” she brought her fainting couch, and sobbed.
“Rarity, calm down!” Rainbow said, coming to her. “You know forgetting the plates isn’t the end of the world!”
Rarity saw her friend, and got her composure back, as she sighed with relief. “You’re right, Rainbow Dash.” She said, smiling. “It really isn’t the end of the world.” Rainbow smiled, as she laid back, waiting for Twilight to show up.
Twilight and Spike were just showing up, with the two wondering how they should tell their friends about the incident last night. “So, what do you think we should tell them, Twilight?” Spike asked.
“I don’t know, Spike.” Twilight said, nervously. “But, I don’t want to talk on an empty stomach.” They both approached their friends, who were happy to see them, as they waved at them.
“Hey, Twilight!” Applejack, Pinkie and Fluttershy said to Twilight.
“Hello, Spike.” Rarity said, as she fluttered her eyes to him, as he blushed.
“Uh, hi, Rarity.” Spike said, nervously. “Heh heh.”
“Glad you could make it for the picnic!” Rainbow said, content. “Now, let’s chow down!”
They were chowing down on cupcakes, muffins, and tea and sandwiches together in a few minutes. They were all chatting together about how the games inspector went wrong yesterday. “And, I couldn’t believe we got the first pony we saw with a flower package, instead of the real inspector!” Rainbow said, smiling. “Cadence really should’ve given us more information on what she looked like, because her description was just vague!”
“Rainbow! How rude!” Rarity lightly scolded her. “But, I do have to agree with you.”
“I understand that Cadence wasn’t specific about Ms. Harshwinny...” Twilight agreed. “But, it still went really well.”
Fluttershy sighed with content. “I’m glad to agree!” She said happily. “I am just relieved we’re actually enjoying a picnic without anything bad happening!”
“Y'know that is a popular opinion today I must say.” Twilight said, as as she looked down nervously, rubbing her side. Applejack and the others could tell how she looked, just by looking at her.
“You alright, Twilight?” Applejack asked. “To be honest, would you like to have an apple spiced muffin?” She pushed a basket of said delicious treat.
She just sighed. “To be honest, kinda...kinda not.” She answered.
“Why, whatever’s the matter, Darling?” Rarity asked with concern in her voice.
“Last night when Spike was taking one of his bubble baths, I got a special delivery from the princess.” Twilight told them.
“Yes?” Everyone but Spike said in unison. “And?”
“What I got from her was Star Swirl the Bearded’s unfinished spell.” Twilight told them. “She told me that Star Swirl couldn’t understand it, and she thought I was the only one able to make sense of it.”
“Yes?” The others but Spike continued asking.
“It’s not that big a deal then.” Rainbow said, smugly.
“RAINBOW!” Everyone, but Twilight and Spike said, as she blushed.
“So, I started to cast the spell, to find out what it was, but I saw that the Elements of Harmony were changed!” Twilight finished.
“Yes?!” They finished.
“I should know.” Spike added. “Because I saw them changed as well, during my bath.”
“You knew about this, Spike?” Rarity asked to which he nodded.
“Don’t you think y’all might be overreacting over nothing?” Applejack asked her.
“No, I’m not overreacting, Applejack.” Twilight told her. “As I was about to cast the spell, the elements of Harmony changed color. I’m telling you, they’re changing wrong.” She started to panic again.
“Oh, Twilight!” Pinkie giggled. “You’re such a crack up!”
Twilight sighed. “Twilight...” Fluttershy told her. “None of us know what you’re talking about.” The others nodded in agreement.
“Oh, for...!” Twilight started to stress out, but realized that would get her nowhere, as she remembered that one time she put Ponyville into chaos. She took a deep breath. “Fine. How about I show you?” The others thought that sounded promising, as they decided to join her after the picnic.
They met at the Golden Oaks Library, where Twilight was as she opened the door. “Here.” She signaled them in. “I’m telling you! The elements have changed ever since I read that spell.” She pointed to them in the glass container. “See for yourself.”
They all carefully raced over to the elements, and they were all surprised to see that their friend was right. The elements had changed.
“Land sakes!” Applejack gasped. “They have changed!”
“And, why are the colours swapped?” Pinkie asked, confused.
“It’s like I’m kindness, AJ’s generosity, Rarity’s Loyalty, Pinkie’s Honesty, and Flutters is Laughter!” Rainbow said in disbelief and surprise. “They have changed.” She turned to Twilight. “I’m surprised that it hasn’t affected yours, though.”
Twilight nodded. “I’m surprised mine wasn’t changed as well.” She agreed. “But, I’m worried about what this could mean for the rest of you! Your true selves, your memories...all of it!”
“Well, why don’t you tell Celestia about it, darling?” Rarity suggested, as they nodded.
“It’ll be worse if you don’t tell her.” Fluttershy agreed.
“I’m afraid to take that chance, girls.” Twilight said. “Princess Celestia tasked me to make sense of Star Swirl’s spell! I haven’t cast it yet, but she thinks I’m the only one able to understand it!” She slunked down, and the others could instantly tell she was distressed.
“So, Celestia think you’re the only pony who can understand his unfinished masterpiece?” Rarity asked, to which the unicorn nodded.
"Yeah, but does the spell really need to be completed?” Rainbow asked for clarification.
Twilight thought about this. "Need? Like in the 'Capital N', hunter/gather sense of the word? No.” She simply answered.
The other ponies nodded in agreement as they looked at each other, and then to Twilight. "Then, don't.” Rainbow confirmed.
Twilight’s eyes widened. “What?” She asked, confused at the response.
“If you’re really so worried about how the spell would affect us, our cutie marks and our true talents, and don’t want to take that chance, then I suggest...” she looked at the others, who came to her side. “We suggest that you don’t cast the spell.”
“I have to agree with Rainbow, Sugarcube.” Applejack said as well.
“Agreed, Darling.” Rarity added. “If that spell is cast, who even knows what would happen to us...or Equestria?”
Twilight was shocked at this advice her friends were giving her. “But, I want to move on to the next level of my studies!" She started to protest, her voice faltering. “Princess Celestia has her utmost confidence in me!”
"Shhh," Rainbow shushed her, putting her hoof calmly over her mouth, and gently caressing her cheek. "No. You really don't, Egghead.” She calmly, and understanding. “Besides, how would you like it if our marks got switched, which would not only alter ourselves, and throw Ponyville into chaos, but even cause the Everfree forest to take over?” The others nodded as well.
“This would be an entirely new form of chaos!” Fluttershy agreed. “..and, I don’t mean Discord!”
“I would already hate it.” Twilight said, after thinking about the possible worst-case scenario.
“Exactly.” Rainbow said. “You’d wind up making a move you’d regret soon.”
“That wasn’t so hard to tell us, now was it?” Pinkie asked, as they nodded.
“Oh, Girls...I'm sorry, you're right." Twilight said, nuzzling them a bit. "I didn't realize what the consequences would be, but you five saved me from making the biggest mistake of my life.” She smiled. “Because of this, I know what I must do now.”
They nodded. “Knew you’d come around!” Rainbow said, turning to Spike. “Spike! If you're outside, come in!”
Suddenly, the door to the room flew open as Spike came in, the dragon was listening in the whole time! He heads inside, looking surprised while saying, "Whoa. For a moment, I thought Twilight was going to do something crazy." He said in stunned shock.
"I was...” Twilight admitted.
“Take a letter...” Rainbow said with a sigh. “...to the princess.”
Spike immediately got the paper and quill ready. "Go right ahead." He said, as they turned their attention to Twilight.
The young Unicorn took a deep breath, and started to dictate. “Dear Princess Celestia. I regret to inform you that I will not be casting the spell that you sent me. The reason is because as soon as I started to cast it, the spell somehow drastically changed the Elements of Harmony, and if they used them, their true selves could possible be altered for all we know. I feel that it’s best that this spell be no longer allowed to be viewed by anypony. As a result, I am returning this spell book to you. If my friends’ destinies get switched, who knows what it would mean for all of Equestria? I apologize and will await any punishment or such that you will give me, if possible. Your Faithful Student, Twilight Sparkle.” She turned to Spike. “Send it off, please.”
Spike nodded as he finished writing up the letter. He rolled the letter up and blew fire onto it, sending the message back to Celestia. "I hope you know what you're doing, Twilight.” Spike said, worriedly. “You've never turned down an instruction from the Princess before.”
"Of course, she does!” Rainbow said confidently. “She knows if she’s making the right decision or not.”
“Indubitably.” Rarity agreed as well, as the others nodded.
Twilight sighed, while nuzzling Spike. “I know. But, it’s for the best, Spike.” She told him. “Besides, it wasn't so long ago that I chanced failing her before when we were dealing with Discord."
The others nodded in agreement. Twilight's words were true. When they attempted to reform Discord, Twilight made it clear that the option to stop doing so and use the elements of harmony against him was a viable one, even though doing so meant that she would be failing in the task that Celestia set for her. She argued that the Princess would understand. Now it seemed that Twilight was certain that she would understand this was well.
Twilight turned to Spike and gave him a nod. The young dragon paused for a moment before nodding back, and hugging her. "The Princess is no doubt receiving my letter as we speak.” Twilight told him. “You think she'll be okay with this?"
“You bet!” Dash said smiling. “Besides, what could possibly go wrong?”
They nodded, and smiled at their friend, as she pulled her friends in a big group hug that they embraced. These were good ponies she knew. They were even sometimes like teachers to help her out, but that was no bad thing. Friends could sometimes teach one another a great deal. Perhaps, Twilight finally made the right call after all, without the need for her to blindly walk into disaster. After all, what could possibly go wrong?
Back at Canterlot Castle, Princess Celestia looked sipped her tea, looking out the window, thinking about the book she had sent her student last night. She knew it was no ordinary book, despite its seemingly plain appearance with only two big blue stars surrounded by swirls on its cover. This book was in fact the personal journal of Starswirl the Bearded, and it was the only thing in his possession that had remained after his mysterious and unannounced disappearance.
The journal had been used by the old sorcerer to jot down his many different spells that he had spent his entire lifetime perfecting. After his disappearance, Celestia and Luna had held onto it as a way to remember their old teacher. And for over a thousand years, they had kept it hidden away, carefully preserved just in case Starswirl were to ever return.
Yet now, Princess Celestia was thinking about her recent decision. She had been considering this ever since Twilight had been instrumental in thwarting an invasion of changelings during her brother’s royal wedding, a threat that even the sun princess herself had not been expecting. But, after all she had seen since beginning her star student's advanced studies, she knew she made the right call.
Princess Luna came into the room, her doubts raised upon learning what her elder sister had done. “You really believe Twilight Sparkle is capable of doing what even Starswirl could not?" She had asked her sister.
Princess Celestia had firmly nodded. “She has shown an ability to master magic that rivals even that of my own. She has continued to exceed even my highest of expectations. I've tested her time and time again and she has always passed with flying colors.” She said to her sister. “She is ready."
Reluctantly, Princess Luna decided not to argue further on the matter and had simply replied. "If you are so confident in Twilight's ability, I shall reluctantly trust your judgement, sister. For both our sakes, I hope your faith in your student is not misplaced. You have been wrong before."
It was that very warning that now played in Celestia's mind. It would be so easy to let her star pupil take things from there. But even so, a nagging part of her mind would tell her not to leave her alone. It kept telling her that she was wrong to put so much trust into anypony, no matter how much that trust might be warranted. Everything leading up to this point had been one thing, but asking even a pony like Twilight to succeed where Starswirl had failed? That was a huge undertaking, one that carried with it great risks as well as rewards.
Yet, what the mighty alicorn could not have known was that her instructions were going to be ignored. She had underestimated just how eager Twilight would be to perform new magic. But, she didn’t know that her student would ignore her recent instruction...something that the sun princess was not expecting.
Suddenly, a package appeared to her magically, as she smiled. “Right on time.” she thought. “Finally. I knew you could do it Twilight. She opened the package, and saw the spell book she sent her. Now, she was pretty confused. “The spellbook got sent back?” She thought out loud, not noticing the scroll that fell on the floor.
Luna took notice, and read the scroll. She reread it a few times, and recoiled in shock at what she saw. “Um…sister?” She asked nervously.
Celestia could see that Luna seemed oddly perturbed, and nervous, as she held out the letter in her magic. “What is it, Luna?” She asked concerned.
Luna was trembling, as she held it for her elder sister to see. “It’s...well, she… you might wanna…read this?” She said, unsure of how she would react.
Calmly, she snatched it from Luna’s grasp, not plainly seeing what the fuss was about. The writing was perfectly legible. Slowly, she read the letter. The first few sentences surprised her. The elements of Harmony affected? Twilight sending the book back? Her last letter was a kind instruction, all things considered. And realizing what? Doing what instead?
Celestia continued to read on, skimming every single sentence, squinting at the words that flared up like burning fuses: As a result…sending the spellbook back...await any punishment or such...who know what would it would mean for…
“This…” Celestia murmured in shock. “She…”
“... declined,” Luna finished, visibly shell-shocked in body and soul. “A direct instruction from the Princess. To keep her friends safe.”
Celestia looked at the letter, and suddenly recoiled in shock. “Wait...this isn’t how it was supposed to go!” She thought.
Her teeth found themselves forced into a tight clench. So tight in fact, that any second they might shatter into tiny pieces, not that Celestia cared. She had a far bigger concern before her, as she calmly put her hooves on the table, and started to quietly growl. She had some words of choice to say to her student.
“Twilight if you screwed this up I swear to me...” She grumbled.
Back in Ponyville, just outside the library, Spike was watching the night sky stars twinkle in the night. He then noticed the moon eclipsed by a shadow. He couldn’t figure out what it was, but it appeared to be alicorn-shaped. The shadow got closer and closer, and Spike could see the princess of the sun flapping her wings, and landing right before him. “Princess Celestia!” He cried, sinking to his knees.
He then saw her solemn face, and started to droop. “Is Twilight in trouble?” He nervously asked her.
“That depends...” Celestia said calm, but firm. She opened the door to the library, letting herself in, as all Spike could do was watch, and wonder what the princess would do to her student.
Inside, Twilight was slowly reading a book from one of the shelves, and didn’t notice the tapping of hooves on the stairs. She decided to take a break from reading, and was surprised to see her own mentor before her eyes. She gasped. “Princess!” Twilight said, as she got off her bed, and walked forward to embrace her teacher, before remembering proper etiquette and bowing as deep as her legs would allow.
The Princess said nothing, leading Twilight to look up from the ground towards her. Her cheerful expression fell when she saw her teacher’s face. Her expression was not a pleasant one, but somewhat harsh. Perhaps disappointment? The alicorn stepped forward towards her pupil and looked down at her. Twilight stood up and locked her eyes with the Princess'. Her friends also stood and watched as the two said nothing to each other, growing ever more nervous as the silence continued.
Finally, the ice was broken. “My student, I would speak with you.....in private.” She said solemnly.
The last words of that sentence were undoubtedly made Twilight nervous. What could she have done to make her mentor disappointed? She merely nodded, as they went down the stairs, and to the Center of the library. Once there, Twilight slowly allowed herself to look at her mentor again.
"You know why I have come here?" Celestia asked her student. Twilight did not respond, but rather nodded, indicating that she did indeed know her reasons for being here. Celestia's expression softened somewhat, but gave a deep sigh before continuing. “Twilight, I understand that you and your friends have been through some hardship today. Believe me, such a thing was never my intention when I sent you this book."
At the mention of the book, Twilight looked up, only to see Celestia's horn glow. There was a brief flash of light and suddenly, the old book she'd asked Spike to send away was there again, hovering in mid-air beside the Princess. It was something the young student never thought she’d see again.
“...And, I am sorry for what you've had to go through.” She continued, bowing her head down. “I have never sought to put you in a position like that, nor your friends, as they did not deserve whatever might have been endured today."
She looked at the book and gently placed it back on the wooden pedestal before turning to face her student again. “But believe me, Twilight...it is vitally important for you to finish this spell as I instructed." She said seriously to her.
Twilight looked up at her, sad that she disappointed her beloved mentor. But there was something else on her face, a hesitation. Looking at the book, she once more felt the memories of what she told her friends about. She didn’t want her friends’ destinies switched...ever! And, once more shutting her eyes tightly, she was resolved to continue to follow through with that decision. She looked back at Celestia, her legs remaining firm from what she was about to do. "I'm sorry Princess. But, I can't do that." She firmly said.
Celestia's expression became one of shock. Not once in all the years she'd known her had Twilight ever outright refused to do something she'd asked her to. She had always been so eager to please, and enthusiastic to do whatever it took to advance in her studies. Now here she stood, turning down her instruction. Celestia's look of shock changed back into the harsh look from earlier, as she adopted the tone of a stern parent figure.
"Twilight, you have to do this." She commanded her.
The mare, still shaking, stood her ground on this, even though her face was sweating more and more over the increasingly stern tone her teacher was taking. Her serious expression and firm posture remained. “No." She replied. “I can’t cast it! You heard about what it did to the elements of Harmony as soon as I read it.”
Celestia turned her head to see the elements...five of them had switched colours...all but hers. Now, she really didn't know what to do now. She didn't want to have to force her into doing anything she didn’t like, but she felt deep down that it was something that perhaps might have to happen. She had been preparing for this day for as very long time, and she did not want all that to come to an end because of the one she was preparing it for. But soon, she had another problem to deal with as her student spoke up.
“Princess, why is it so important that I do this, and put my friends in danger?” She asked, wanting to know why her mentor would ask her to do such a task.
The Princess silently took in a deep breath. In all honesty, she could understand Twilight's point of view on this. If she did cast that spell, it would cause her and her friends nothing but grief. But, here was her mentor, being more adamant than ever before that she goes through with it. Of course she'd ask that question, but how best to answer? Her plan was not something she just wanted to say outright, but one look at Twilight's confused face made her relent. She had to tell her the truth, as she bowed her head down.
"Twilight...” she spoke up. “This spell is a test. A complicated and powerful spell that only those with the deepest understanding of friendship and magic could complete. How hard is it for you to make your own magic that not even Star Swirl the bearded could make?” She asked her student sadly.
Twilight smiled nervously, looking up at her. “Very hard?” She asked.
She took in another deep breath, for the next words that would leave her mouth. “If you had cast the spell, and helped your friends realize what true friends they really were, and had you finished it, then I would have known that you would be ready."
Twilight tilted her head to one side in confusion, as she didn’t know what her mentor was preparing her for. "Ready? Ready for what?" She asked.
Celestia inhaled and exhaled deeply. She knew her answer would be difficult for her student to hear. But, she felt like she had to tell her at this point. “Ready to ascend to the status of alicorn...and Princess." She explained.
It was silent in the room for a few moments as Twilight stood there, staring blankly at her teacher in sheer surprise. She couldn't possibly have said what she thought she did, could she? The answer she'd heard had practically turned her mind to mush as a thousand thoughts all vied for dominance inside her head? Alicorn? A winged unicorn like Celestia, Luna and her sister-in-law Cadence? And to become a princess on top of all that?! How could this be possible???
“Why?" She asked simply, wanting to know more to the story.
The Princess sighed again. She had hoped that this explanation would have be used when Twilight had proved to be ready. But now, she had no choice but to give her the explanation. She gently placed a hoof on her student's shoulder before she spoke. “Since you came to Ponyville, you've displayed not only charity, but compassion, devotion, integrity, optimism, and above all, leadership, of a true Princess."
Twilight listened to every word, still feeling shocked to her stomach at what she was hearing. “I have watched you for a very long time my student, since you were but a small filly. In that time, you have accomplished so much in such a short space of time. You have performed magic that few have ever achieved. You have faced many evils. You even re-united me with my sister...something I once thought could never happen. You have done so much and.....I felt that you were more than worthy of ascending." She bowed her head down.
The young mare's head was reeling. She could not deny what her mentor had just said to her. When she was still living in Canterlot, she never once thought that she would ever do the things she'd do since moving to Ponyville. But becoming an alicorn Princess? She had no idea what to think of that. She felt so many things when she considered the possibility of becoming like Celestia. Joy at the possibility to further her own magic, appreciation that her mentor felt she was worthy of such an honour, and even fear at the prospect of becoming something other than what she has always been. And now, her mentor it seems had planned to make a momentous decision for Twilight's own life. She felt no animosity towards the Princess for this. After all, she had always had Twilight's best interest at heart. But this was something she had to speak to her about.
The Princess looked down at the mare, whose face was nervous. But it was also sad that not only had she disobeyed the mentor she'd respected for so long, but that she felt she'd disappointed her by turning down the offer she'd given. “But, now that momentous occasion I had set out for you will not happen. And because of this, you will never reach the heights your magic can achieve. Your magic has always been so important to you." Celestia said solemnly.
Twilight nodded briefly. “I know.” She said to her mentor. “But I can't go through with what you offer me. I.....I can't be what you want me to be."
Celestia and Twilight stood there in silence for many minutes, the only sound being that of the flickering candles which lit the room. As the princess kept her eyes on her student, she dwelt on her refusal to ascend, her reason for not doing so, and Celestia's own place in all this. After much consideration, she knew what she had to say to her.
"Twilight, I have taken some time to ponder what you had told me regarding your refusal to complete the spell.” She said flatly. What would come out of her mouth next would be very painful to her student. “As a result, it has come to my attention that you failed a very important lesson in friendship...one which, I'm afraid, must lead to your immediate dismissal as my student."
She gasped loudly in shock and surprise, upon hearing that. She then fell to the floor and began sobbing. “P-p-p-please, Princess! I’m sorry, I promise!” Twilight said, as she broke down. “Please don’t dismiss me as your student!” She pleaded with her mentor to give her another chance. The Alicorn seemed to regard her former student coldly, without emotion as she allowed the mare to continue to vent her sadness.
"I'm sorry, Twilight, but there are certain measures which must be taken.” Celestia said to her former student, disappointed. “You will be confined to Canterlot and are not permitted to return to Ponyville. Also, you are hereby stripped of your status as Element of Magic and your studies will be changed, but you are no longer my student either.” Twilight sobbed even harder as she heard those punishments. All her former mentor could do was bow her head down in sadness. “I'm very sorry to have to do this to you, but your refusal to do what was asked of you has resulted in you not only denied the chance to become an alicorn, but also dropped from the position as my protégé. It is all I can do at this point. It gives me no pleasure to do this, Twilight. I want you to understand that I still love you deeply, but I cannot allow this mistake to go unpunished."
Twilight's sobs intensified in their volume as her chest heaved almost violently, her body trembling on the floor of the room. The Solar Princess teleported her former student to her old house in Canterlot to allow her to rest and ponder the ramifications of her actions. She had no idea which felt worse -- being denied the privilege of princess, or not being allowed to visit her other friends for the foreseeable future. Noticing the change in her surroundings, she climbed onto the bed in front of her and lay across it, openly sobbing and weeping at her loss.
Later that night, the rest of the Mane Six arrived at the Golden Oaks Library. They felt worried for their friend, since they haven't seen or heard from Twilight since she told them about what had happened to the Elements of Harmony that afternoon.
"Oh, I hope Twilight is all right." Fluttershy said with concern. "She was worried about the elements changing our destinies earlier today.”
"Oh, she will be fine...I hope." Rarity said as they came to the door.. "She just needs to stop being a drama queen. Well, unlike yours truly." The group came in the library, and to their surprise, no Twilight but Princess Celestia was there, finishing a final document, as she sighed sadly.
“Princess Celestia!” Rarity gasped in shock as they all saw her, making her turn her head to see the five worried ponies. “I wasn’t expecting you to be here. What brings you to Ponyville?”
“Where’s Twilight?” Rainbow asked.
“Did you find a way to restore the elements?” Pinkie asked her.
“Is the Sugarcube okay?” Applejack asked too.
“Please, your Highness.” Fluttershy said worriedly. “We all saw that Twilight was upset about that spell you sent her. What happened to her?”
Princess Celestia saw the five ponies with worried looks on their faces, and she took in a deep breath as she closed her eyes and said what would shock the ponies to the core! “My little ponies...Twilight is...“ Celestia paused when she saw their fear and sadness in their eyes. Tears began to fall down her face, as the room was dead silent and nopony took a breath as Celestia finished her words. “Twilight has been confined to Canterlot.” She finished.
Everypony in the room stood silently in shock until Rainbow Dash broke the silence. “Hehe... Good one Celestia! This is a prank isn’t it? Where’s Twilight really?” The pegasus asked, as she began to search around the library.
“This is not a joke, Rainbow Dash.” Celestia confirmed gravely as Rainbow Dash continued to search around the library, disheveling books and looking under the wooden carving in the center of the library.
“Yeah, yeah.” Rainbow dismissed her quote. “But, seriously where is she?” She asked, still searching the library.
“Is Twilight going to come back?” asked Fluttershy in a serious tone standing in front of Celestia, her face changing from scared to concerned.
Rainbow Dash stopped searching, everypony in the room turned to focus on Celestia and Fluttershy. Celestia took a moment to wipe the tears from her face and looked Fluttershy in eyes.
“No, she will not.” Celestia said. "Twilight Sparkle has...” she muttered, quietly & forlornly. "...I could go into detail...but... when you sum it all up...she has been confined back to Canterlot.... my former student...she isn’t allowed to come back to Ponyville, and no longer harnesses the Element of Magic...because she has refused to complete the spell...the spell that I specifically instructed her to do..."
“WHAT?!” Everyone but Celestia burst out in shock and sadness all at the same time.
Everypony simply stared with expressions mixed between horror, understanding, and, was that... judgment? But, one stood out among all of them. Rainbow Dash stood, seemingly tall among the other ponies, her expression nothing short of furious.
"Are you insane!?” She erupted in anger. “You confined our friend!?"
Celestia bowed her head and closed her eyes without response. She wanted to say she didn't do it herself, but she knew that she didn't have to. She could have stopped it, and yet, she didn't. "You kicked her out of Ponyville!? You stripped Twilight Sparkle of the Element of the Magic!?"
The sun princess wanted so badly to remind them they wouldn't even be friends, had she not sent Twilight. No... that would be wrong. That would belittle Twilight Sparkle herself. She deserved so much more... so much more than the punishment she gave her. Celestia now felt she could have ever offered her more than all this. She just nodded, as they were a little upset. And by that, I mean very cross with her!
“What was so darn important about that spell that you needed Twilight to cast it to put us in such danger?” Applejack asked, stubbornness in her voice, as she stepped up to Celestia.
“Immortality.” Celestia said solemnly, her eyes still red from her talk with her former student.
“Say, what now?” Applejack questioned.
Celestia decided to just tell them plainly. “The spell would give immortality to the pony who casts it correctly, and had Twilight cast it, she would’ve become a Princess, thus joining Luna, Cadence and I in the Royal ranks, " she replied.
“Why in the wide wide world of Equestria was that worth risking our destinies getting switched?” Rarity snapped, as she also approached Celestia.
“Because, I have grown so very tired of outliving my little ponies.” Celestia stated.
Well, that was enough to spur some anger out of the ponies, as they were upset that she separated them from Twilight. “Well, Celestia, your plan sure worked well.” Pinkie said, her fury reaching a boiling point. “In fact, it worked TOO well!” Tears were still in her eyes.
“I understand that you’re sad about Twilight. But, the consequences are the same..." Celestia said, only to be cut off again by another voice.
“Well, you were wrong to treat her like that!” Fluttershy shouted, as she threw a book at Celestia's face, and flew out the door, tears streaming from her eyes.
“Of all the things you could do, Celestia, this is THE. WORST. POSSIBLE. THING!” Rarity yelled loudly at her, as she stomped her hoof down for emphasis. “And, I really mean it this time!”
"Y’all should have known better than to banish her from Ponyville!" Applejack started, her tone almost defiant, as she threw her hat down angrily. “She was our friend, and you sent her back?”
"Look, girls, I'm sorry, okay?” Celestia said, her voice starting to falter. “I thought I was doing what was best for Equestria.” The princess responded in an attempt to justify her actions.
"Saying sorry doesn't change the fact that you TOOK HER AWAY FROM US!" Rainbow Dash scolded her harshly. Celestia was surprised and sad that Twilight’s friends were angry at her for what she did.
Everyone else was shocked at Rainbow’s atttitude towards the ruler, that a few of them backed away. Rarity bit her lip, tapping Rainbow with a hoof. "D-deary... I-I-I don't think--" she started.
But, she never got the chance, as Rainbow swatted Rarity's hoof. "No! I don't care!" She pointed an accusatory hoof at Celestia. "I don't care if you're the Princess of Equestria! I don't care if you ruled the whole world! You took away our friend! You sent her a spell to alter the elements...and our own destinies! And for what!? So you could turn her into an alicorn, while the Everfree forest could take over?! HAVE YOU EVER CONSIDERED THAT!?"
Once more, the Princess did not respond. The four mares looked at their friend, horrified, almost certain she was digging her own grave. But, Rainbow Dash genuinely did not care all. "All our lives, we were told you were a just and loving ruler, who was kind to her little ponies, who was selfless, who would never ask anything of somepony you weren’t willing to do yourself!"
Her wall was breaking. Tears visibly ran down her cheeks, but that anger did not leave her eyes. "... That you held the Summer Sun Celebration every year, to remind Equestria how much you loved and cherished us! That you viewed each and every one of us like children, and that you protected us with your own blood if need be! And then... and then you send our friend to do your dirty work... a pony in her prime who never defied your orders, whose only crime was reading too many novels, straight into our danger...just because you wanted to make sense of the leader of the Pillars’ spell!?" She spat the last word out, the rage in her eyes seeming to boil over.
Rainbow was torn between anger and sadness. "I d-don't care how you spin it... that's... that's just selfish! No, that’s beyond selfish! That’s just wrong!” She said tears leaving her eyes as she still felt angry at the pony who had stripped their friend of the elements.
"I tried, Rainbow Dash! Everypony! Really, I did think about what was best for all of Equestria! I'm sorry! How many times do I have to keep saying that? What do you want from me?” the ruler cried, tears beginning to well up in her eyes once again.
"I don't know, Princess, but ... I can't forgive you for what you've done! None of us can! I'm gonna have to take some time to think about this." the pegasus stated as her anger receded. Tears threatened to spill over the corners of her eyes as she took to the sky and flew away in the direction of her house
“I am afraid that Rainbow Dash is right.” Rarity said, still giving her the evil eye. “You really did get what you deserved!” Celestia tried to speak, but her sadness kept from having a final say.
"Indeed... it was selfish of me... I... I had no excuses. I may have went over the line..." Celestia's lip seemed to tremble as she spoke, her eyes never leaving the lifeless body before her.
“Over the line?!” Pinkie lashed out. “You-you’re-you’re so far past the line, that you-you can’t even see the line!” She pointed an accusatory hoof at her. “The line is a dot to you!”
“Yes. Yes! Right!” Celestia admitted. “And, I feel horrible. But, I had never imagined that it would ever go this far..." Celestia bowed her head down sadly once more.
"That really was darn foolish of ya..." Applejack said bluntly to her. Everypony turned to Applejack. She was visibly uncomfortable with speaking out of line, but she did. She knew she had to say something, otherwise it would eat her up.
"With all due respect, Your Highness, you sent a spell to a pony who, if I understand correctly, was wary about the consequences of what would happen had she cast it..." She rubbed the back of her neck with a hoof, making sure not to break visual contact with the Princess. "In my opinion... that was like taking a foal fresh from a crib to a foster home without giving it a chance!”
Celestia was feeling completely helpless, as she felt every word of punishment and anger sting her to the very bone. She felt like she didn’t make such a good decision.
"Now if y’all excuse us, we’ve got a friend to mourn for!” Applejack said to her sternly. “And you can forget about your momentous occasion you were planning, since you sent her away before it could even happen. In fact, if any of us were you, none of us would want you to even come near Twilight at all! You’re the one that has a lot to think about!" The others all nodded, as they slowly, but sternly left the room, not wanting to look at her as they left.
As they left, Rainbow started to cry, and so did the others as they were sad that their friend was stripped of her group of her friends. "Aw man! All that planning for nothing!" Rainbow said with tears in her eyes. "Come on, girls! Let’s just go home and forget this ever happened!" They all nodded, as they all went back to their homes to think about the horrible outcome that had befallen their friend.
Before long, all that remained in the library was now Celestia, who dropped to her hooves and began to bawl shaking on the floor like a little filly. It was all her fault. She had separated Twilight from her own friends, just because she wanted to save them from a cutie Mark switching spell. And now, she felt like she made a terrible mistake, banishing her back to her old home. She looked down, bawling, as she wasn’t sure she would be able to forgive herself, after she dropped her own star pupil from her school. All she could do was soak in her sorrows, and wonder to herself in the place she used to live in, how things could ever get worse.
The next day, Princess Celestia trotted slowly to a special room in the castle where the relics representing the Elements of Harmony were kept. She took a few moments to gaze at them, with those five back to normal, but the element of Magic now dormant among the others. She lowered her head slightly, pondering the future for her realm, knowing that there would be a time when those relics would be needed. She silently hoped that such an event would be a very long time in coming, though she also noted that there had been very long stretches of time when all was peaceful in Equestria.
She took one last look at the relics, then closed the case which held them, sealing it with her magic. Heaving a sigh of resignation, she slowly trotted to the stained glass window, which had a picture of her former student, and her friends harnessing the elements against Nightmare Moon. She sadly looked through the window, as the sun shone brightly through it, remembering the remnants of her memories of her star pupil.
“I still have faith in you, Twilight Sparkle.” Celestia said solemnly, as she watched the sun in the sky. “I just hope you will be able to find a new Element of Magic, who is as smart and determined as you, but who can actually follow my instructions. I don't know when or where that may happen, but I hope it does happen in the future... and hopefully, before you pass away very soon.”
Author's Note
That’s all for this alternate ending! Wow! Twilight did make a smart move, not casting the spell, and for that, her friends’ destinies never got switched! Nor did their cutie marks! That’s a plus! But, by not doing that, she had failed an important lesson in friendship which led her to be sent back to Canterlot, stripped of her element, and her studies changed...worse for her, she isn’t Celestia’s pupil anymore! She was even denied the chance to become a princess! I guess bad things happen when you don’t do what is expected of you! Now, her friends are really mad at Celestia for doing such a punishment to her, and she did deserve it! I did mention Just For Sidekicks, Games Ponies Play, as well as the season 4 premiere...which didn’t happen in this alternate turn of events. Now if an evil comes to Equestria, how will the mane five save it without their leader? Oh, well. I guess things weren’t meant to be this time. But how will Spike react to this news? Tune in next time, for these and other...just kidding!
What? What else were you expecting?
