Mens pulchra in corpore pulchro
Once upon a time, in the magical land of Equestria, there was a royal couple who ruled together and created harmony for all the land.
To do this, the scholar claimed dominion over matters of the mind, leading scientific breakthroughs and inspiring inventors and explorers alike; the artist tended to the hearts of her ponies, inspiring them to create and share their passions with one another. Thus, the two lovers maintained balance for their kingdom and their subjects, all the different types of ponies.
But as time went on, the artist became resentful. The ponies heralded her wife as the trailblazer who would lead them to their future, but shunned her creations as shallow trifles. One fateful day, the artist infected the land with a madness, breaking all bonds of the mind and unleashing the darkest desires of her subjects' hearts. Her wife tried to reason with her, but the bitterness in the artist's heart had transformed her into a wicked mare of darkness: Blood Diamond.
She vowed that the land would become an eternal bacchanalia. Reluctantly, her beloved harnessed the most powerful magic known to ponydom: the Elements of Harmony. Using the magic of the Elements of Harmony, she defeated her wife, and banished her permanently in the moon. The scholar took on responsibility for both mind and heart, and harmony has been maintained in Equestria for generations since.
Princess Twilight Sparkle's ears twitched as the scrying crystal on her table began to buzz.
She wiped the sad frown from her expression, using her millenia of experience to school her features into a kind smile. With her magic, she activated the crystal, and an image of a white unicorn with a tricolored mane appeared before her.
"Hello, my faithful student," Twilight said pleasantly, not revealing that she'd been expecting this call.
"Princess." Celestia bowed, and Twilight held back her usual reminder that she did not have to do so. "I have urgent news." Something was giving off sparks in the background, as usual.
"Oh?" Twilight feigned a look of surprise. "And what would that be?"
"I've been reviewing the legends of the Royal Couple in the archives." Celestia's lips grimaced in distaste. "By the way, we really must digitize those some day — scrolls are really annoying to work with."
"I'll keep that in mind." After all, by the end of the day, it wouldn't matter anymore how difficult that information was to find.
"Anyways, by my calculations, Blood Diamond should be returning today, on the longest day of the thousandth year." Celestia's eyes brightened as she lifted up her universal tablet. "We need to mobilize the guards at once, and with your permission, I'd like to check out some equipment from the armory."
"Celestia," Twilight said with an easy laugh, hoping that her student couldn't sense how hard her heart was pounding. "I think you might have been spending a little too much time in the archives. And the barracks. The Royal Guards are still cleaning up after you made the Solar Core go critical somehow despite all the limiters we placed on it."
"I told you, they wouldn't believe me when I told them I ran the simulations and showed that anypony could cross a few of the wires and induce a positive feedback loop." At the very least, Celestia had the good grace to look embarrassed as she spoke. "Though I didn't expect my own containment protocols to fail too. I'll have to make sure that the orichalcum-mithril alloy panels are properly aligned next time." She shook her head. "Anyways, that isn't important right now. We have to save Equestria!"
Her fire was good. Twilight was betting so very much on it. "Equestria has stood strong for over a thousand years," Twilight said patiently. "For now, we have other matters to attend to than some old story, like the Symposium."
"But—"
"I'm making the Keynote speech in Ponyville this year," Twilight continued, her voice kind but firm. "And I would very much appreciate it if my most faithful student could make sure that all the preparations are complete. It will also be a good chance for you to spend time with your sister. She's still an astronomer there, right?"
There was an awkward pause as Celestia grimaced at the question. "She is," she eventually replied carefully, "but I don't think preparations for the Symposium are as important as ensuring the security of Equestria."
"Or maybe you just don't want to talk to her?" Twilight felt bad using that against her student, but more than ever, it was vital that Celestia reconcile with Luna.
"She's the one who doesn't want to talk to me," Celestia muttered.
"That doesn't mean you can't reach out to her." As Twilight should have done a thousand years ago. "It's not too late to repair the rift between the two of you."
"It's not my fault she can't get over that I'm your student. If she wants to get all worked up over nothing, I don't want to get dragged into that again." The words Celestia spoke echoed uncomfortably closely with Twilight's past. "We both know she's really good at astronomy, so there's really no reason for her to feel bad, anyways."
"Did you ever tell her that?" Twilight asked. When Celestia didn't respond, Twilight's expression softened. "Sometimes, those closest to us still want to feel appreciated." If only Twilight had known a thousand years ago as well. "Don't make the same mistakes I did."
"Princess?" Celestia's head tilted in confusion at that.
Twilight shook her head. "No need to worry about me. You should focus on preparations for the Symposium."
Celestia nodded. "Right, that's probably going to be where Blood Diamond strikes first. We need to divert some of the soldiers stationed here to Ponyville, and then equip them with—"
"There will be guards there." Twilight cut in smoothly. "Please, Celestia, let the ponies who are familiar with such matters handle any possible threat, and just focus on having a good time, okay?" After all, the fate of Equestria would rest on her shoulders soon enough.
Celestia sighed and pouted. "Can I at least get one of those fusion lances that we've been developing in the lab?"
Well, compromise was important. Another lesson that Twilight had learned far too late. "Only if you promise to follow proper safety protocols."
At that, Celestia's expression brightened somewhat. "Fine. In that case, may I be excused to begin preparations for travel?"
"Of course. I'll have the logistical details beamed over within the hour." Twilight held her smile as she said her farewells to her student. "Goodbye, Celestia. Please, try to have some fun at the celebrations, and make some friends if you can."
"Goodbye, Princess Twilight." Without saying anything else, Celestia ended the call, her image blinking out of existence.
Twilight breathed a sigh of relief as she let her smile fade, her heart growing heavy with guilt at what she was sending Celestia to do. It was necessary, but it was still a result of Twilight's own sins that she now had to send her most faithful student into mortal danger.
"May Harmony watch over you, child," she muttered, before returning to her terminal to ensure that the last details of her plans were finalized.
The ground shook as Twilight landed in front of Castle Everfree.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a manticore eyeing her for a few moments before apparently deciding that there were easier prey to hunt. As it stalked back into the forest, the princess took a deep breath, which did absolutely nothing to calm her nerves.
Twilight had consulted the probability engines about this course of actions hundreds of times in the past few months. It was obvious that she would return here once she was free, and the systems had all predicted that confronting her here would minimize collateral damage rather than waiting for her to strike first at the Symposium.
Of course, that wasn't the real reason she was here now, in this place that she'd once called home along with her other half. There was a faint chance, a glimmer of hope that she could resolve matters, that she wouldn't have to risk it all on her student.
And if not, well, she'd rather face the consequences of her actions alone. It seemed fitting.
All her plans had been set in motion, and all that was left for her to do was to take another step towards the ruined building, ducking under a collapsed stone archway as she made her way to the courtyard where she had last seen her beloved. Vines and roots had dug their way into the floor and walls, but the layout of this place was still unmistakable, and soon enough, Twilight found herself entering the remains of what had once been a garden beautiful enough that ponies flocked from around the world to visit it.
"My, my, you've really let this place go, haven't you?" A voice that Twilight had longed to hear for a thousand years said, and the sound of it filled her heart with dread. "You always did need me to keep things looking presentable."
"Hello, Rarity," Twilight said as she looked upon her beloved. She looked as beautiful as she always had, and the icy anger in her eyes burned Twilight's very soul. Her wings were spread out majestically, and her coat was as crimson as her new moniker. "I've been looking forward to this for a really long time. I've missed you." Despite everything, Twilight couldn't help but tell the truth to her.
"Twilight, darling, dearest, sweetheart," Rarity replied with false saccharine sweetness. "I've been waiting to see you again for far too long as well." Her lips curled up into a sneer. "They say revenge is a dish best served cold, and after a thousand years, I do believe it's chilled quite enough." Her horn lit up, a sickly blue glow that illuminated her face.
"Wait!" Twilight said, holding out a hoof. "I— I just wanted to say I'm sorry, Rarity. I let myself get carried away by my duties, and I didn't realize that I was neglecting my own wife." She met Rarity's angry gaze, letting the shame in her own gaze shine through. "You were right to be mad at me."
"Twilight Sparkle, admitting that she's wrong instead of trying to rationalize?" Rarity's horn continued to glow, but she'd stopped channeling the spell she was casting. "Even with my immortality, I never thought I'd see the day. At least I won't have to worry about you holding on to your misguided righteous beliefs when I erase you from existence." She stepped forwards menacingly. "Thank you for granting me that catharsis, my love."
"Please, we don't have to fight," Twilight pleaded. "You can come back with me, and take up your position as Princess of the Arts again. I have the papers drawn up to give you equal power, and I promise that I'll listen to your suggestions this time. I've already put into motion a lot of initiatives to make sure ponies appreciate culture and creation."
"Too little, too late, Twilight," Rarity hissed back. "I will be adored as I deserve, and there will be no place in my kingdom of fabulosity for somepony as blind as you. All shall gaze upon my splendour and worship at the hooves of their goddess!"
With a sigh, Twilight lowered her head in defeat. "Very well, then."
Rarity glanced at her sharply. "Pardon?"
"I won't fight you, Rarity," Twilight said, staring up at her with determination burning in her eyes. "I've hurt you enough, and if this is the only way for you to get closure, then so be it."
At that, the magic finally faded from Rarity's horn. "I— do you really mean that, darling?" she asked, her eyes narrowed in suspicion.
"I do." Twilight took a step forward, lifting up a hoof towards the love of her life. "I want you back in my life, Rarity. I want to lie in bed with you again, and laugh at your jokes, and discuss philosophy and governance with you, and all the things we used to do together. I want my wife back."
"Oh, Twilight." Rarity stepped forward towards her, tears welling up in her eyes. "I spent every moment on that forsaken rock thinking about you. Remembering all the moments we shared together."
A bright, joyous smile spread out across her lips as she raised a hoof to touch Twilight's, and the physical contact stilled her heart and gave her a measure of peace and contentment for the first in a thousand years. She smiled back through her own tears. "I love you, Rarity."
The smile vanished from Rarity's face, replaced by a vicious snarl. "And you threw that love away out of your own selfishness, threw me away and locked me up because I wouldn't play along with your desires." Her horn flashed. "Well, now it's your turn to feel the sting of betrayal from your beloved."
Twilight's eyes widened as she looked down at her hoof and saw a layer of brilliant crystal engulfing it, gleaming facets spreading up her foreleg like an infection and immobilizing her. "Rarity, what did you—"
"Enjoy your new prison, dear," Rarity said, pulling away as more of the crystal encased Twilight, covering her barrel and locking her in place. She glanced casually around at her surroundings as Twilight continued to struggle against the imprisoning spell. "Hmm, it's going to take quite a lot of work to restore this castle. Once I finish blessing all my ponies with the gift of endless passion, I think I shall take some time to refresh my skills in needlework. Those tapestries might still be salvageable."
"Please, Rarity, you don't have to do this!" The crystal had covered every part of her except her head, and Twilight could feel it beginning to creep up her neck.
"Ah, but I want to," Rarity replied. "I have so many plans for Equestria, so many things I'm going to do with our ponies." She stepped forward to cup Twilight's chin with her hoof. "But don't worry, I'll make sure you have a front-row seat to watch as I remake this nation in my image. Equestria will learn to embrace all of those desires that you've suppressed over the last thousand years, and we shall all dance as your empire crumbles."
She leaned down her head, until it was inches away from Twilight's. "Though, before I leave to announce my triumphant return, I should take this moment to indulge myself."
With that, Rarity pressed her lips against Twilight, and Twilight allowed herself to enjoy the sensation as the crystal began to consume her face.
"Goodbye, my love," she heard Rarity say, and then everything went dark.
Twilight blinked as she suddenly found herself able to move all of her limbs again. The brightness of the sun was blinding as she took a moment to adjust to it, glancing at the floor to find the shattered pieces of her crystal prison lying around her. There was also a lot of fire, and burnt scraps of wood and fabric scattered about.
Her right hoof twitched, displacing the water around her and causing the lights of the flames surrounding her to shimmer in the reflection. It looked like a fountain had been broken during the fight, along with most of the other fixtures in the castle.
She looked up to see the concerned face of her faithful student staring at her. "Are you okay, princess?" Celestia asked. She was wearing a crown upon her head with a stylized sun etched onto it, and Twilight saw the twisted remains of the fusion lance held up in her magic, its shattered tip still smoking.
Drawing on all her experience as an immortal ruler, Twilight smiled serenely. "I'm fine, Celestia." Relief flooded her mind as she asked, "I take it you were able to assemble the Elements?"
Celestia nodded, her eyes narrowing. "You knew I'd need them, didn't you? That's why you sent me to Ponyville."
"I did say you needed to make some friends," Twilight replied. "Only with the power of friendship could you achieve your victory today. I'm so proud of you, my faithful student." As Celestia blushed at the praise, Twilight turned to glance at the rest of the room.
As expected, there were five other ponies present, each of them wearing a necklace with their cutie marks inscribed on it. "And I thank all of you as well, for helping my student." She only recognized Luna among the bearers, but there would be time enough to make their acquaintances.
For now, she had a much more important concern.
Rarity looked much different from their last confrontation. Her coat had returned to its pearlescent white, and she'd shrunk down to the size that she'd been when the two of them had first met, barely taller than the average mare. Still, the sight of her was enough to take Twilight's breath away, and the lack of any signs of dark magic corruption allowed hope to spread through her heart again.
"Hello, Rarity," Twilight said softly. "It's good to see you again."
Her beloved rushed forward to hug her, and though Twilight tensed at the physical contact, she forced herself to relax and return the embrace, savouring the love that now flowed between them as their wings wrapped around one another. "I'm so sorry, my love. I've really made a mess of things this time, haven't I?"
"My love? They're married?" one of the bearers said, but Twilight ignored it. All her attention was focused on the only mare who mattered to her right now.
"Hey, this is still better than that time with the Zebra ambassador," Twilight said with a soft chuckle, her heart still overflowing with relief and joy. "Welcome back."
"Thank you." Rarity looked up at her with a smile, tears staining her face and causing her makeup to run. "Oh, I must look a fright right now. Does anypony here have a mirror I could borrow? Or maybe a conveniently-sized puddle?"
"You're beautiful," Twilight assured her, her hoof softly stroking Rarity's curled purple mane.
"I suppose it's true that love is blind, then." A wince as Rarity brushed off some of the fine coat of ash that covered her mane. "Your student is quite, ah, passionate." Her smile turned wry. "And prone to shooting first and asking questions later, I might add. She would have flourished under my tutelage."
Both of them turned to Celestia, who shrugged. "You were threatening all of Equestria. Good thing I remembered that there was a mini Solar Core in the fusion lance."
"You overloaded the power source?" A long-suffering sigh issued forth from Twilight's lips. "That's extremely dangerous. Somepony could've gotten really hurt."
"I do believe that was the plan," Rarity chimed in, nuzzling her wife before she shot Celestia an approving nod. "I do so appreciate creative spontaneity, and you created quite the dramatic distraction to break my spell of unfettered desire and allow your friends to rescue you. Very theatrical."
All Twilight could do was shake her head, though her smile never left her face. "It's good to have you back, Rarity. And thank you, my faithful student, for saving my wife from the darkness."
"Well, I didn't do it alone." Celestia gestured at the others in the room, who looked less wary than when Twilight had last glanced at them. "Princess Twilight, I'd like to introduce you to my friends. You already know my sister, Luna."
"It's good to see you again," Twilight said. "I'm glad to see that you two have patched things up."
"It's nice to have my sister back," Luna said, frowning at Twilight. "Though I don't appreciate you throwing her into danger like this."
"Luna!" Celestia hissed. "Not now!"
"It's alright," Twilight said gently. "Luna has a good point. I'm sorry for deceiving you."
"At least it all worked out in the end," Luna replied. "And I guess the night sky is about to look much more interesting, so that will be nice too."
"I hope so." Twilight turned to Rarity. "You think you're up for creating some art again? I've never been particularly good at arranging the stars."
"I had noticed," Rarity said dryly. "And yes, it would be nice to work my magic upon that canvas once again." She glanced curiously at Luna. "Perhaps I should take on a student of my own, once I'm accustomed to Equestria again."
"I would be honoured," Luna replied.
After that, each of the other bearers came up to Twilight for a quick introduction. Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Applejack. Twilight would remember those names for the rest of time, would remember what these six mares had done for her and for all of Equestria.
At some point, a party was mentioned, and Twilight sent the bearers off to finish preparations at the Symposium, leaving her a few moments alone with Rarity before they had to catch up.
"So," Rarity said, her earlier enthusiasm fading, "I suppose I shall have to offer some apologies when I arrive back at Ponyville."
"Probably for the best," Twilight agreed. She paused for a moment. "I... I also need to apologize to you too. I meant what I said before. I'm really sorry that I neglected you, and I promise I'll do better this time. No more trying to shut you out of policy decisions or drafting laws without you there."
"It takes two to tango, dear," Rarity replied, softly stroking Twilight's cheek with a hoof. "I was awful at communicating my true feelings, and I let jealousy fester in my heart for far too long."
"I guess we both had some stuff to learn, huh?" Twilight said wryly.
Rarity gave her a hesitant smile. "Quite so. That is the way of immortals, is it not? We must always leave our minds and hearts open to change, lest we become out of fashion."
"Well, I'll be happy to stay current with the times with you," Twilight promised. She leaned forwards, and for the second time that night, the loving couple shared a passionate kiss. "I love you, Rarity."
"And I love you, Twilight Sparkle. Now, and forever, with all heart." Rarity's gaze drifted down, towards the puddle of water next to her, and she gasped. "Oh my, I really do look a fright." Her horn glowed as she conjured up a dizzying array of beauty products.
Twilight felt a weight she'd been carrying for a thousand years lift from her heart as she watched her beloved clean off the dirt and grime from her fight with the bearers and reapply her makeup. Her wife was back, now, really back, and Twilight no longer had to be alone. Every part of her wanted to snap her up in a sweeping embrace, teleport them to the castle, and show Rarity just how much she had been missed.
Still, duty called, and so she patiently waited until Rarity was satisfied with her appearance, and then reached out a hoof towards her. "Are you ready to meet your subjects, my princess?"
"Truthfully, I don't think I shall ever be ready. Also, isn't there some sort of bureaucratic process for reinstating a princess?" Rarity asked, raising an eyebrow. "I know how much you like doing things through the proper channels."
Twilight shrugged. "I did say that I already filled out the paperwork." She pressed a kiss against Rarity's forehead. "Along with the paperwork making you the sole ruler of Equestria in case you actually managed to take over."
Rarity chuckled. "Always prepared for every possibility, aren't you, darling?"
"I've had a lot of time to think about this moment too," Twilight replied, holding her wife closer and letting the joy in her heart sing out for all to hear. "And about everything I want to do with you. But first, I think it's time we return to Ponyville to celebrate the reunion of mind and heart."
