A Good Witchby BrownieCatChaptersChapter 1Chapter 2Chapter 3Interlude IChapter 1 As soon as the door handle was enveloped by a golden aura, Twilight sprung up from her seat, pressing herself urgently to her mentor - or rather, her tight golden-trimmed white jersey dress - the second the alicorn revealed herself. Celestia startled a little, barely out of the door, before smiling and nuzzling lovingly into the little unicorn’s mane. She nudged her student a bit until she was fully outside and nodded in thanks to the doctor once more before shutting the door and sitting down to better accommodate Twilight, arms squeezing her student’s shoulders gently and wings lowering themselves onto the filly. They stayed like that for a comfortable while, neither wanting to break the rare moment. Eventually, Twilight removed herself from the familiar chest and looked up, concerned, “A-Are you okay? Did he find out what was wrong? Are you going to get better? Do-” The Princess chuckled and silenced her with a brief kiss on the forehead, “Oh Twilight, don’t look so worried, that’s my job.” Celestia ran her fingers through the unicorn’s thick mane and smiled as Twilight nestled back into her rightful place. Just like how it used to be. Gods, she could stay here all day. “The doctor doesn’t know what’s wrong-” Twilight immediately tensed, “-yet. But I’ll be just fine. I promise.” Twilight was still worried, but was placated for now. “I still think Chrysalis did something to you.” She muttered, fluffy ears flattening. It was the love coloring every word that made Celestia’s heart melt, “Twilight, they’re just headaches. It could’ve been anything from simple stress to banging my horn on something. I’ll get better in no time.” Of course, her Twilight hadn’t known about the dizzy spells or her weakening magic, and Celestia was going to keep it that way. It was bad enough that she noticed the headaches to begin with! “O-Okay.” “Come now, where’s that happy little smile I so cherish, hm?” The Princess teased, watching her student’s cheeks colour slightly as a tiny grin peeked out. Like sunshine parting a storm of clouds. “There’s my little filly.” As much as she wanted to stay here forever, they were on the tiled floor of a hospital corridor. She sighed. “Time we head home, Twilight. Do you think you’ll be able to stay for a while longer? I do not wish to keep you, and I know you and your friends have already prolonged your stay for me, it’s just... we so rarely see each other anymore, and the Wedding...” The alicorn suddenly felt like the most horrible being in the world the second she saw Twilight flinch and that clear hurt dart into such bright amethyst eyes, but the student recovered before she could say anything. Twilight stood, and Celestia noted absentmindedly that Twilight was now a whole head taller with her sitting down. She still remembered a time where the unicorn had to stand on tiptoes, just to reach the top of Celestia’s calves. ‘ She grows so fast...’ She mused wistfully. “Well, of course I’m staying! If-If it’s stress then I’m going to have to make sure you don’t overwork yourself and actually rest!” The little mare said determinedly, making her mentor smile once more. “I think Rarity and Fluttershy might probably go back to Ponyville though. I shouldn’t keep them here.” In a swift movement, Celestia was on her feet again, extending her hand almost instinctively to grasp that of her filly’s. They headed down the corridor in comfortable silence, one alabaster wing gradually coming to rest over Twilight’s shoulders. It was when they almost reached the bend that Celestia suddenly started to feel a familiar throb in her head again, her vision blurring and her energy just leaking out like water. “Not now...” She muttered through grit teeth. Celestia’s eyes clenched and she hissed out a breath as she stumbled, one hand releasing Twilight’s only to clutch her forehead and the other gripping the hospital’s white walls, trying futilely to stabilise herself. “Princess!” She heard her precious little filly cry, and Celestia felt something tugging at her arm, a warm staticy energy enveloping her, and finally, the feeling of a cold, plastic hospital chair underneath her. “H-Hold on, I’ll get help!” “Wait... T...Twilight. Please...” Her mouth moved on instinct, murmuring out the words as she extended a shaky arm and her eyes cracked open weakly. She saw Twilight a few hooves away, panicked tears budding as amethyst eyes darted rapidly from her to the doctor’s office they’d just left and back to her again. “C-Come here.” She gasped out. “But-But-” Celestia doubled down, quivering with pain and forced to retract her arm, pressing her hand hard to her chest - even the migraine was forgotten in favour of this new source of agony, it was almost as if she’d just been stabbed. “Princess!” Tethering on the edge of consciousness, Celestia felt a warm figure squirm into her hold, wriggling somehow into a gap between her arms, her hunched back and her lap, and pressing their cheek against her collarbone, nuzzling her desperately as she finally allowed herself to be dragged into the bliss of the dark. And as she was, a shred of relief suffused her, feeling her filly safe and near. Aurelia paused in the middle of flipping a page, her pointer finger and thumb delicately feeling out the familiar rough feel of parchment as she looked up. Her hand dropped that page and lit up, wisps of dark magenta flickering as she reached deep, bringing out her Sight and looking to nothing but herself. Times like this was when she appreciated being what she was. The first layers were of her leylines, she saw lines of different hues of magenta interweaving and reaching her horn, her hands, her feet, and her wings, the familiar swirl of Incantatrix Magic most prominent as it actively pulsed to her fingertips. She reached deeper, instinct honed by a two millenniums of practice leading her to her destination and bypassing everything she didn’t need at the moment. She stopped. The final layer was her heart and soul. But she had no interest for her emotions at the moment. No, she focussed on the swirling mass that was her soul. Her spirit. There were far too many coats to count, and while on the surface, her heart’s emotions bled over, she could still feel the swirling whirlpool of her likes, her fears, her memories, and so much more of what made her her, deeper inside. All revealed, all vulnerable. How thankful she was that it was only she with that much control over her own. Aurelia dug a bit deeper until she reached the core, her lifeblood, her spark, her wellspring, her character, her power - everything was here, separated in organised chaos and perfectly complementing the other. It was akin to the eye of the storm, she sometimes mused. A bit was missing from each, and what used to be her darkness... well, there was nothing left there except for the memories of betrayal and a faint lingering sapphire aura, still here to this day. But she wasn’t here for that. She turned metaphorically to the missing bits of each section, narrowing her eyes at the faint strings from each, leading away from her, reaching far into the distance. To Canterhorn, perhaps. Emotions were the most prominent on these strings as well, and Aurelia felt no need to delve further than that, there was nothing in there that wasn’t seen in her own soul. These emotions were bubbling wildly, unusual for who it led to. Fear, confusion, despair and desperation choked all the memories of sunny days along with the joy and love that so often suffused these strings. The cord connected to the pony’s darkness even throbbed slightly, more movement than Aurelia had ever seen from it. Aurelia’s heart went out to the part of her she’d abandoned, and wondered just what had caused the filly such anguish. Should she check, just in case? Surely it was what any good... parent would have done? A mass of souls suddenly caught her eyes and she pulled out of her own, Soulsight turning to the approaching creatures. It had been very long since she’d last seen another living equine here, it was why she’d picked this place after all, and to her knowledge, only one pony alive still knew the exact location of her hom- She reeled back, her Sight shattering and the light fading out of her irises as she stood up, gasping. A soft and fluffy body weaved in between her boots and Aurelia looked down, finding her dear familiar looking up, whiskers twitching and head rubbing against her ankles. Aurelia sighed, quivering slightly, and the dark, plum colored feline gave a worried mew, eyes - one sapphire and the other amethyst, to match with her Mistress - lighting up as her pale aura lifted her off the wooden floor and up to Aurelia’s shoulders. The magicat curled around her neck and licked her cheek affectionately. “Luna is here, Elvira. She's... coming here. She’s almost here. I don’t know why.” Elvira hissed, ears flattening and eyes flashing with malice until Aurelia reached up, gripping her familiar gently and bringing her into her arms. Aurelia’s own dark navy tail thrashed with Elvira’s, betraying her rage for only a second before she ran her fingers through her cat’s fluffy fur, taking a deep breath. “I know, Vira, believe me, I do. I don’t want her anywhere near me either-” Deep breaths. “But I want to see what she wants.” Maybe even see if Lorelei was okay. She felt the bunch of ponies step through her first ward, receiving the information as they did. One valkyrie, four chiropterans, one magus... One alicorn. Three mare, four stallion. Blood types, one A+, one AB-, two AB+, two B- and a Z. Into the second ward they went. Details of their clothing, their armor... A peytral, but the tiara seemed to have been set aside. Weaknesses in their wear, body temperature, tension, position, it went on and on until they stepped through the fifth and last ward, the first to impact them as it easily blocked the intruder’s magics. Likely, none of them had even realized how much information they had just given Aurelia. The mare sighed and lit up her horn, temporarily dispelling the defensive shields the group were prepared to go through next. Another quick flash and her pale violet wings were gone with a breeze. No touch nor spell would bring them back until Aurelia did it herself. She could still feel her wings, a mild discomfort but one she had used to be familiar with, with all of Lu- her visits. Three sharp knocks sounded on her door. Author's Note Welcome one and all to my first story! (btw. Cover art yet to be found) Here’s what I based Elvira off of. (Not my pic!) The characters in this story have normal human skin, fingers, feet, a nose and a mouth (etc.) But they also have wings and horns, as well as pony ears (with fur ontop). They will still be called ponies, mares, stallions, but obviously some phrases like ‘singlehoofedly’ will be changed accordingly (singlehandedly). A big big thank you to Meowofy [Go check their stories out] for agreeing to collaborate with me on this story! I had a roughish idea, but was lacking in terms of writing skills. I don’t think the plan for this story would have come out as half as great if it weren’t for you, so it really means a lot to me! Signing off, ---Brownie Chapter 2“No!” The witch wailed and thrashed in the unbreakable hold, “Let go of me! Princess! Celestia!” She could be heard from all across the castle that day as she was pulled away from her own mother, desperate and despairing. “We command you, Witch Sorceress Aurelia Swirl to open this door this instant! Drop any hostilities!” The Solar Guard Luna had been forced to take barked at the thick oaken door, and she noticed just barely her own Guard Captain force an irritated breath out of his gritted teeth. Luna was far too busy worrying. “I repeat: By the high order of Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, the Dual Thrones, Bringer of Day and Night, The Golden Age-” “Do you truly think that listing off all of your Princess’ titles will do anything to anybody not some fanatic supporter of them?” An amused voice, sweet and familiar, cut through the guard’s stoic message, somehow reaching every corner of the well kept garden. Luna tensed, her breath hitching as a wisp of magenta toyed playfully with her guards’ manes, circling them once before eventually coming to a stop in front of the door, swirling quicker and quicker until a tall, elegant mare with skin of pale lilac and dark hair of the deepest blue materialized right before their eyes. Sharp, gleaming eyes of amethyst, holding untold wisdom, seemed to pierce their very souls. “Really, I’m curious. Does it ever work?” While Aurelia barely deigned to look at her, the multicolored eyes of the familiar fluffy feline, circling her mistress protectively, never strayed from Luna’s, as she hissed dangerously. Her protectors were immediately put on guard. Quivering imperceptibly, Luna took a step forward, her shoes crunching loudly on autumn leaves and eliciting a flinch from her. “Aurelia.” She greeted with a tentative smile. She half hoped the witch would grin and run up to her as she once did, throwing her arms around her shoulders as Luna herself would reciprocate the gesture with equal ferocity. She didn’t. Instead, the full weight of the mare’s gaze landed onto her, as if considering her every move. “Her Highness herself, come to see a cruel, heartless, life-sucking monster like me? Truly, so blessed am I this eve.” Her words were deceptively gentle, but her tone was cool, emotionless. Her eyes judged her, accused her. Asked her how she dared to come back, told her that she was enraged beyond mortal comprehension and told her that she could never ever make it right again. ”I am within my right to disarm you! You are just another cruel, heartless, life-sucking monster that, I, the Princess Luna, Guardian of Equestria has protected her against!” “We... I am sorry,” She took another step forwards, earning a warning yowl from Elvira. Luna shot a glare at her soldiers as they all raised their spears. She had always imagined she’d be alone for this, but the nation was on high alert and they couldn't risk another Princess... “...Why are you here, Lunetta?” Aurelia asked softly, seemingly uncaringly, as her familiar wound herself even tighter around her. “I-I just want to make things... okay between us once more.” ‘Really now? Even now, the lies never stop, do they?’ Luna flinched and pushed It down as far as she could, intent on never seeing It again. The witch chuckled dryly, “Try again.” “It’s true! I came to apologise.” Luna insisted, risking one more step. “But as a secondary intent at best, no?” The Princess cringed and Aurelia dropped all pretense of pleasantry with a tired sigh. “What is it that you want? I weary of this dance. Speak your piece then leave me be, I doubt there is anything I can do for you.” Her voice was cold, and Luna’s Captain looked ready to retort before coming to his senses and standing down. “Ray-” “Aurelia.” Came the swift, merciless correction. Luna swallowed. “Aurelia.” She whispered again, humbling herself, “I... require aid. Please, I-” “No.” Aurelia didn't even deign to allow her to finish, turning around with a scoff and turning the handle of her door, horn flickering with a brief unlock key. “Wait, no!” Luna darted forwards and dropped to her knees, much to the shock of her guards. The witch paused on the threshold, but didn’t look back. “Please, R- Aurelia. I-It’s my Sister, I- she’s sick, she’s sick and, Ray, I don’t know what to do, please!” “And what makes you think I can help?” A dash of hope dared to brush Luna’s heart. “I-It was first the fey, the changelings. We- I dost not know if you know about the Canterlot Wedding, but Celestia was felled. She was fine for a day after, but she just got worse and worse, and n-now she-” She shook her head, tears budding. “They don’t know if she’ll...” “...You have not answered my question, Lunetta.” “The researchers!” She blurted out hastily. “- them and a shaman have-have identified traces of Incantatrix, Ray. The fey, We think that they have worked with the witches for the Wedding. We- I know something’s been done to Tia’s soul, a curse, her magic is just leaking out and she’s getting worse- and I can’t do anything! Ray- Aurelia, please, please...” Luna begged. “If something has been done to your Sister’s soul, there is nothing I can do. If a curse has been lain, only the caster can remove it traditionally, there is nothing I can do.” Luna opened her mouth, but it was dry. How would she ask this of her friend? After everything? “Princess Luna claims that your soul is unique, and that you have an ability to see deeper than any other witch, right to the... uh, core of a soul, where the curse most likely is. We would ask you to use your talents to assist our Princess.” The Solar Guard said for her. Aurelia had told her that, in the faith that it would remain between them. “Would I not still not be able to do nothing about the curse itself?” The witch balled her fists, stiff and cold. She knew what was coming. “Your soul is unique.” The unicorn repeated, now a bit hesitant, as if he finally realized that he was walking on thin ice. “According to Princess Luna, your soul, or even a part of it, is powerful enough to overpower any curse and could also heal any damage within.” The sorceress was trembling now, a bang falling over her face as a low, primal growl rolled out. “You would ask me to give up a part of my soul for you?” She spun around, lightning dancing around her fingers and a wildfire billowing in her eyes as Luna reeled back. An icy breeze swept across the yard, picking up the autumn leaves and throwing them away, as if winter had come early. “Was last time not enough for you!?” “I will give up part of my soul in recompense! No, the whole of it!” Luna pleaded desperately, going against the wind. Her Captain whipped his head around to her, gaping before turning back to the witch determinedly, “You shall not lay a finger upon my Princess’ soul, sorceress! Take mine instead!” The storm reached a climax... then reached a sudden end, the wind billowing down as Aurelia took a deep breath. Elvira’s pale aura righted some of the potted plants as her mistress glared at the unwelcome group. “Fools.” Aurelia spat, narrowing her eyes, “A soul is not a currency to be taken and traded away so casually.” Another breath, and she was back to that cool, expressionless pony from before. “Leave. You are not welcome here.” “We are not leaving without you.” One of her Night Guards proclaimed resolutely, and her teammates nodded in agreement, stoically holding up their spears in defense of Luna, even with their magic dulled in this garden. “Please.” Luna tried again, just once more. She couldn’t give up. Her Sister’s very life hinged on the decision of her friend, she would give her anything she wanted... “...You took my sister, Luna, you took her. I’m not sure why I should come bounding to save yours.” Aurelia turned, stepping into her home and shutting the door quickly. All that was left was Elvira. “Wait, Ray! Please!” They learnt that day that cats could scratch hard. ‘Goodbye, Sister.’ Author's Note Updates probably won’t come very quick after this, by the way. Enjoy nonetheless! Chapter 3Behind the door, Aurelia let herself sink to the floor, knees bending and head dropping into her palms. “Will you take care of my students, Aurelia? They are yet young, and they have need of a guardian. An older sister, perhaps?” He didn’t look away from his spellbooks, plucking objects carefully off of his cluttered shelves and fitting them into a stuffed saddlebag as if nothing was wrong. In. “But they-” Out. The fifteen-year-old didn’t get a chance to protest before being interrupted again, “I know you don’t like them, and perhaps I was too forward with the sibling notion, but promise me you’ll at least keep an eye on their antics? Try your best to keep the property damage to a minimum?” In. ”If those petty, selfish foals want to act stupid and foolish, then I say let them!” Aurelia scoffed, rubbing her eyes furiously and very pointedly avoiding the disappointed gaze of the stallion, “Or.. if you really want to keep an eye on them, stay! Do it yourself!” She faltered suddenly, trembling silently and letting her bangs fall over her eyes, “Please. Father, stay. You don’t have to- to... Just don’t go. P-Please.” He had to stay. He had to. Even if it meant staying for his students instead of staying for her. He loved them, didn’t he? He wouldn’t leave them behind all alone without anypony. Unlike her. Out. She heard the sounds of a struggle outside. She felt the presence of Magic being flung around. She felt the cloak around her wings flicker and fail. She heard Luna crying her name. “Lula? Luna! What... What are you doing? ...LUNA!” In. “How... How could you?” Her chest clenched. “...Why?” Out. She heard her familiar’s sharp yowl. She heard the clang of spears. She heard the clack of heavy boots against her stone path. Luna cried her name. “What... What did you just say?” Her head whipped around to the moon she was currently studying, eyes wide, breaths speeding up as she suddenly saw the strange new craters in a horribly different light. Aurelia gasped out a sob and her body shook silently. Magic swirled around her, a friend, it heeded her, it wished to help. “No- LORELEI!” It couldn’t. “Come back... Any of you. C-Come back.” She didn’t see how any of this was fair. She felt Magic flood her being instead, filling the alicorn’s wellspring to the brim and settling over her skin like a familiar cloak, providing all the comfort it could. Safe. Warm. Loving. Aurelia wondered when she’d inevitably lose it too. And just upon that thought, she felt a strange reassurance, spoken not in the form of words. More of a sensation than anything. It told her that it would never leave her. But that was what all of them said. The witch stared at the wooden planks below numbly as seconds ticked by. She had no idea how long she sat there. It felt like years. She heard one of the guards telling the others to get their ‘Princess’ to safety. She felt them pass the wards again. She felt their wellsprings further. She felt their souls go. His hand tilted her chin, her glistening amethyst eyes forced to meet his wizened, ever-serious ones. “He must be stopped, you know this.” She moved to look away again, but was stopped as the stallion brushed a stray bang away from her face, a rare display of parental love dancing between all the creases painting his features. “Promise me, Aurelia, please.” Silence. “Not even for me? In. ”They don’t even know I exist- I’d just bring misfortune upon them or something- I- I-I...” She screwed her eyes shut. Why should she? Why should she? He wouldn’t stay for her, so why should she- Out. “...I-I promise.” Aurelia started and looked down as Elvira squirmed into her lap, rubbing herself all over the small space and rolling onto her back, fluffy stomach in the air. The witch smiled faintly and sniffed. She uncurled a bit, running the quivering digits of one hand through the feline’s fur - occasionally knotting it a bit - with her other wiping at her face. “Done already, Vira?” Aurelia croaked out with a small quiver in her voice. She received an affirming mew as her familiar rolled over and stood on her back legs, paws on her chest and head nuzzling her chin. “Thank you.” She whispered, bringing her knees tighter against her chest, pressing Elvira closer. She tilted her face up and sighed, the top of her head pressing to the door as her eyes slipped shut. “...Well, I love the night.” She would not allow hesitance to color her words now of all times. ...She would be lying to say she succeeded. As expected, the young weeping mare froze, inhaling a sharp breath as she whipped around, horn ablaze. “Show thyself!” In. “For so long, We wished only for one to look upon my masterpiece the same way they looked upon that of my sister’s... What thou had said earlier... twas truth?” “It... It was.” Out. “W-Why?” She blnked, mind blank all of a sudden. “I think... I just wanted somepony to talk to. Perhaps that was why I spoke out to you this time.” How long had it been? She was so very tired. The warmth of Magic coddled her and Elvira’s comforting presence was a soothing balm against a burn, but still those were temporary. She knew they were. She was so very tired of it all. Luna should have stayed in her little castle. Who did she think she was? Who was she to come and go as she pleased? Who was she to come after all this time, when Aurelia had finally gotten everything under control? Who was she to come to demand favors from her? Who was she to act as if they were still tight friends in a simpler time? ”I love you too, Lula.” Who was... W-Who was she to... “Ray?” The navy alicorn pursed her lips, shut her eyes, and leaned into the embrace, sighing contentedly. “I wish my sister was more like you.” Aurelia didn’t care about Lunetta. “Then tis but fair that We keep coming back!” She looked up from her reflection in the water, eyes widening. “Really?” “This, We promise.” Aurelia had nothing stopping her from just staying away. There was no reason she should have to help. “...I-I promise.” No reason at all. “Next time, if you’re ever in trouble again, come to me. I promise you’ll always be safe here.” She said seriously, a dark shadow crossing her face only briefly before she pursed her lips at her friend’s good-natured eye roll. Her teeth grit. This same old song and dance. Every. Single. Time. Well, they always did say hindsight was twenty-twenty. And yet... Finally, with a heavy sigh, she picked herself off of the floor, catching a certain startled feline just in time as she let her eyes flutter open. She was just tired. So very tired of it all. Magic squeezed her in a tight embrace. Supportive, caring, just there... “Help me pack, Vira. I... have a feeling that this will take a while.” So why couldn’t she just let things go? It had been... so long. The witch told herself that she was not doing it for them. Because she didn’t care for anypony anymore. And she didn’t. That was truth. The stories, myths, and exaggerations of her kind varied in every culture, every race. Some told of mental magics, some told of limitless magical prowess, some weaved tales of an irresistible charm - a sweet glamour of innocence drawing poor creatures in, like a spider’s web - and others claimed deals with the demons Tartarus themselves. Some were true, some were false. But only the witches themselves knew the truth - it was perhaps what made them so dangerous. Only a rare few of these stayed constant, one of which being that- -Witches could lie, and they could be convincing too. Author's Note This chapter was written and revised entirely by Meowofy. She sent me this in the middle of the night after hearing about my inability to write much this month and possibly the next, so you may be getting a few updates now, courtesy of her! Interlude IIn the lounge sofa lay a foal, her arms held aloft as if dreaming of cuddling the mother who abandoned her. Celestia knelt, sliding her pinky into the filly’s open hand in a pique of curiosity, and watched as tiny fingers curled around it, the baby sleeping on as she felt her soft breaths on the back of her hand. What to do? What to do? Where could she send her? What actions should be taken? Celestia fretted silently. For the first time in years, a witch had been spotted in her capital. Canterlot was no longer that unbreakable bastion of safety her ponies once believed it to be. Apparently, the witch had been targeting one particular house, breaking and entering with a little bundle before preparing to leave unseen again. What’s more, the witch would have succeeded in her mission, had she not lingered by the door and then been seen by a nine-year-old colt - one with aspirations of becoming a guard and who raised the alarm almost instantly. The sorceress had narrowly fleed the scene, leaving the bundle behind. The members of House Twilight had been understandably cautious of approaching said bundle, but when she herself had gotten there, and revealed what was within... The filly stirred suddenly, a few gurgles escaping her throat as she instinctively grabbed the pinky with her other hand as well, tugging it towards her before turning her head to bury it in the corner of the seat, stubbornly pushing and nuzzling her nose to the firm surface repeatedly, all without it giving way, even a bit. Her little face screwed up in frustration and her arms pounded onto her blanket, releasing Celestia’s finger as tiny beads bud underneath her eyes, still squeezed tightly shut, The Princess frowned, reaching her hands out hesitantly as she slid them underneath the filly and her blue blanket, lifting both up and taking a seat on the vacated couch. Celestia held the foal against her chest. She was smaller than a bag of sugar from the kitchens, the alicorn noted with a tiny smile as she rocked the filly gently, quieting her down. Celestia’s magic enveloped the folds of the blanket and rearranged them a bit to better wrap around the prone figure. An unexpected giggle bubbled out of the baby’s mouth, and the Princess’ ears perked in surprise, even more so when brilliant amethyst eyes revealed themselves for the first time. With a curious burble, she pawed at the golden aura, giggling gleefully yet again at the static feel of magic, earning her an amused smile from her temporary guardian. Tiny toes peeked out from underneath the fluffy cloth, dangling in Celestia’s lap. Her head, a surprisingly neat mass of thin navy strands of baby hair, bounced under her supporting hand as the foal reached for more of the energy kept alive by Celestia. It amazed the Princess just how... innocent the foals of the greatest threats to ponykind were. “Why, aren’t you just an adorable little bundle?” Celestia finally heeded the urge to nuzzle her cheek to the filly’s forehead, drawing her attention quickly. The baby babbled, giggling again as her tiny hands drew away from the magic and instead to Celestia’s face, craning her head and gripping the alicorn’s cheeks happily, only for them to leave and stretch towards her glimmering, ethereal mane instead, eyes sparkling with curiosity as the strands slid harmlessly into her fingers and slipped smoothly out of her grasp again. She clapped, legs kicking in her excitement, harmlessly hitting Celestia’s middle before she quietened down again, nestling against the alicorn’s breasts as said alicorn straightened the blanket once more. A genuinely warm smile crept up Celestia’s face as the tiny witch let an adorable little yawn pass through her mouth, mumbling out few more sleepy gurgles with her bright, half-lidded eyes finally fluttering closed, the Princess gently rocking the baby all the while. Celestia’s eyes shut, and she breathed out a light sigh, the corners of her mouth curling up. No. Nobody would hurt the foal. Not her, not the Council, not another witch. Not with her here. “Princess!” The toddler squealed as soon as the double doors opened for her. She clumsily ran up to the steps leading to the throne, catching the attention of Raven, Celestia, and her two guards, who relaxed upon seeing who it was. Whilst her companions chuckled quietly, the Princess bent down a bit, beaming as the little witch climbed the final carpeted step and leaped enthusiastically into her waiting arms. Celestia twirled the both of them around, the little pony held safely in her embrace giggling as she did. “I missed you so much!” The filly exclaimed. Celestia laughed, “Oh, Twilight, I missed you too.” She laid a gentle kiss on Twilight’s forehead and stroked her fingers through her long, thick bangs almost instinctively. “Tell me, did you have fun at Missus Velvet’s home? You didn’t cause much trouble for her, I hope?” She arched an expectant eyebrow. Twilight pouted, “But I never cause any trouble! Oh, oh but we had so much fun!” The witch lit up like a candle, barely able to keep still in the Princess’s arms. “Missus Velvet makes the very bestest triple chocolate chip cookies, and she said that it was a super-secret recipe, but since I was family, she taught me how to make them! And Mister Night Light had this really really cool telescope to show me, it was magically magnified and we could see all the way to the craters on the moon! And- and Shiny showed me his new shield spell, and we battled each other with swords - um, cardboard ones, don’t worry! - and then I was the Princess and he was a brave knight, and he slew the monster and saved me!” Twilight sucked in a huge amount of air, before grinning happily. The alicorn smiled fondly, “Well, it sounds like you had a good time, did you remember to thank them afterward?” “Mhm!” Twilight exclaimed, hands sparking magenta in her excitement, causing some of the closest nobles - who Celestia only then realized were still there - to step away cautiously. “You always say to be polite to everypony!” Celestia nodded, sitting back down her throne and ignoring the elder Blueblood’s pointed cough. She sat Twilight snuggly on her lap and smiled at her. “Indeed I do. Now, I believe you rushed in here while we were in the middle of something-” The filly blinked, then finally noticed the small mob of the nobility left in Open Court, shrinking at their judgemental stares and even the few glares from some, ears slowly wilting. Celestia paused and hugged her close, one of her primaries curling around the little witch protectively. A clear sign to back off. They did as they were told, and Twilight relaxed a bit, “Do you think you can sit here patiently with me for, hmm... an hour at most? Then you can tell me more about your weekend.” Twilight looked between Celestia’s warm, maternal expression, the lingering nobles, then to Celestia again, before finally nodding and hugging her arm, looking to the last petitioners to the Crown. Celestia smiled and looked to them as well, straightening up and assuming her regal stature once again. Maybe this Court wouldn’t be as boring as she’d thought it’d be. “Twilight...” A large wing squeezed her tight. “I’m here, Twilight. You’re safe, I promise, it’s okay now.” A voice cooed comfortingly in her ear. She curled up tighter, pulling away from that wing, shaking like a leaf. Everything hurt. “Come here, my little one, they’re gone, I promise, it’s just me.” Somepony whispered to her, lovingly stroking her messy bangs. She whimpered and finally gave in, pushing herself into the familiar mare’s arms, sobbing her little heart out. Strong arms squeezed her for all she was worth, murmuring quiet reassurances all the while as she was cradled to a warm chest. “I-I dun’ l-like M-Magic Kin-Kindergard-den-” She wailed pitifully. She winced and only cried harder as she felt something brush over one of her many bruises, and she felt the alicorn stiffen, hold tightening. “I know, baby, I know.” “Nopony touches you and gets away with it.” She heard a soft growl and only quivered in the embrace of the one she trusted most. “P-Princess...?” Her words stopped Celestia in her tracks, a few paces after all the others who’d gone to comfort the bride-to-be. A dash of hope dared flicker. A sad sigh crushed that hope. “Of all of the witches, I had least expected for it to be you to fall to your darker thoughts, Twilight Sparkle. Jealousy is unbecoming of you, and I am very disappointed.” Celestia turned her head a little, just so she could see that one magenta eye, shining with... displeasure, disappointment, sadness. Devoid of love. And just like that, the one pony she trusted most of all shook her head and walked the last steps out of the hall, “You have a lot to think about, Twilight.” The door slammed shut with a final bang, echoing throughout the hall as Twilight crouched down low on the pristine marble tiles, trembling with her fingers crackling with uncontrolled energy and her body wracked with her silent sobs as every single pony she’d ever loved left her alone to drown in her own doubt. “Of all of the witches, I had least expected for it to be you to fall to your darker thoughts, Twilight Sparkle. Jealousy is unbecoming of you, and I am very disappointed.” “...M-Momma?” She whimpered. “Let me go! Tell me how she is! I have to see her! P-Please, she-she’s all I...” Author's Note Updates probably won’t come very quick after this, by the way. Enjoy nonetheless! Yeah, okay, so I lied, but this time - for real - I’m not going to be focussing a lot on this for at least a month or so. I just had this little thing tucked away in a folder and repurposed it for this story.
Chapter 1 As soon as the door handle was enveloped by a golden aura, Twilight sprung up from her seat, pressing herself urgently to her mentor - or rather, her tight golden-trimmed white jersey dress - the second the alicorn revealed herself. Celestia startled a little, barely out of the door, before smiling and nuzzling lovingly into the little unicorn’s mane. She nudged her student a bit until she was fully outside and nodded in thanks to the doctor once more before shutting the door and sitting down to better accommodate Twilight, arms squeezing her student’s shoulders gently and wings lowering themselves onto the filly. They stayed like that for a comfortable while, neither wanting to break the rare moment. Eventually, Twilight removed herself from the familiar chest and looked up, concerned, “A-Are you okay? Did he find out what was wrong? Are you going to get better? Do-” The Princess chuckled and silenced her with a brief kiss on the forehead, “Oh Twilight, don’t look so worried, that’s my job.” Celestia ran her fingers through the unicorn’s thick mane and smiled as Twilight nestled back into her rightful place. Just like how it used to be. Gods, she could stay here all day. “The doctor doesn’t know what’s wrong-” Twilight immediately tensed, “-yet. But I’ll be just fine. I promise.” Twilight was still worried, but was placated for now. “I still think Chrysalis did something to you.” She muttered, fluffy ears flattening. It was the love coloring every word that made Celestia’s heart melt, “Twilight, they’re just headaches. It could’ve been anything from simple stress to banging my horn on something. I’ll get better in no time.” Of course, her Twilight hadn’t known about the dizzy spells or her weakening magic, and Celestia was going to keep it that way. It was bad enough that she noticed the headaches to begin with! “O-Okay.” “Come now, where’s that happy little smile I so cherish, hm?” The Princess teased, watching her student’s cheeks colour slightly as a tiny grin peeked out. Like sunshine parting a storm of clouds. “There’s my little filly.” As much as she wanted to stay here forever, they were on the tiled floor of a hospital corridor. She sighed. “Time we head home, Twilight. Do you think you’ll be able to stay for a while longer? I do not wish to keep you, and I know you and your friends have already prolonged your stay for me, it’s just... we so rarely see each other anymore, and the Wedding...” The alicorn suddenly felt like the most horrible being in the world the second she saw Twilight flinch and that clear hurt dart into such bright amethyst eyes, but the student recovered before she could say anything. Twilight stood, and Celestia noted absentmindedly that Twilight was now a whole head taller with her sitting down. She still remembered a time where the unicorn had to stand on tiptoes, just to reach the top of Celestia’s calves. ‘ She grows so fast...’ She mused wistfully. “Well, of course I’m staying! If-If it’s stress then I’m going to have to make sure you don’t overwork yourself and actually rest!” The little mare said determinedly, making her mentor smile once more. “I think Rarity and Fluttershy might probably go back to Ponyville though. I shouldn’t keep them here.” In a swift movement, Celestia was on her feet again, extending her hand almost instinctively to grasp that of her filly’s. They headed down the corridor in comfortable silence, one alabaster wing gradually coming to rest over Twilight’s shoulders. It was when they almost reached the bend that Celestia suddenly started to feel a familiar throb in her head again, her vision blurring and her energy just leaking out like water. “Not now...” She muttered through grit teeth. Celestia’s eyes clenched and she hissed out a breath as she stumbled, one hand releasing Twilight’s only to clutch her forehead and the other gripping the hospital’s white walls, trying futilely to stabilise herself. “Princess!” She heard her precious little filly cry, and Celestia felt something tugging at her arm, a warm staticy energy enveloping her, and finally, the feeling of a cold, plastic hospital chair underneath her. “H-Hold on, I’ll get help!” “Wait... T...Twilight. Please...” Her mouth moved on instinct, murmuring out the words as she extended a shaky arm and her eyes cracked open weakly. She saw Twilight a few hooves away, panicked tears budding as amethyst eyes darted rapidly from her to the doctor’s office they’d just left and back to her again. “C-Come here.” She gasped out. “But-But-” Celestia doubled down, quivering with pain and forced to retract her arm, pressing her hand hard to her chest - even the migraine was forgotten in favour of this new source of agony, it was almost as if she’d just been stabbed. “Princess!” Tethering on the edge of consciousness, Celestia felt a warm figure squirm into her hold, wriggling somehow into a gap between her arms, her hunched back and her lap, and pressing their cheek against her collarbone, nuzzling her desperately as she finally allowed herself to be dragged into the bliss of the dark. And as she was, a shred of relief suffused her, feeling her filly safe and near. Aurelia paused in the middle of flipping a page, her pointer finger and thumb delicately feeling out the familiar rough feel of parchment as she looked up. Her hand dropped that page and lit up, wisps of dark magenta flickering as she reached deep, bringing out her Sight and looking to nothing but herself. Times like this was when she appreciated being what she was. The first layers were of her leylines, she saw lines of different hues of magenta interweaving and reaching her horn, her hands, her feet, and her wings, the familiar swirl of Incantatrix Magic most prominent as it actively pulsed to her fingertips. She reached deeper, instinct honed by a two millenniums of practice leading her to her destination and bypassing everything she didn’t need at the moment. She stopped. The final layer was her heart and soul. But she had no interest for her emotions at the moment. No, she focussed on the swirling mass that was her soul. Her spirit. There were far too many coats to count, and while on the surface, her heart’s emotions bled over, she could still feel the swirling whirlpool of her likes, her fears, her memories, and so much more of what made her her, deeper inside. All revealed, all vulnerable. How thankful she was that it was only she with that much control over her own. Aurelia dug a bit deeper until she reached the core, her lifeblood, her spark, her wellspring, her character, her power - everything was here, separated in organised chaos and perfectly complementing the other. It was akin to the eye of the storm, she sometimes mused. A bit was missing from each, and what used to be her darkness... well, there was nothing left there except for the memories of betrayal and a faint lingering sapphire aura, still here to this day. But she wasn’t here for that. She turned metaphorically to the missing bits of each section, narrowing her eyes at the faint strings from each, leading away from her, reaching far into the distance. To Canterhorn, perhaps. Emotions were the most prominent on these strings as well, and Aurelia felt no need to delve further than that, there was nothing in there that wasn’t seen in her own soul. These emotions were bubbling wildly, unusual for who it led to. Fear, confusion, despair and desperation choked all the memories of sunny days along with the joy and love that so often suffused these strings. The cord connected to the pony’s darkness even throbbed slightly, more movement than Aurelia had ever seen from it. Aurelia’s heart went out to the part of her she’d abandoned, and wondered just what had caused the filly such anguish. Should she check, just in case? Surely it was what any good... parent would have done? A mass of souls suddenly caught her eyes and she pulled out of her own, Soulsight turning to the approaching creatures. It had been very long since she’d last seen another living equine here, it was why she’d picked this place after all, and to her knowledge, only one pony alive still knew the exact location of her hom- She reeled back, her Sight shattering and the light fading out of her irises as she stood up, gasping. A soft and fluffy body weaved in between her boots and Aurelia looked down, finding her dear familiar looking up, whiskers twitching and head rubbing against her ankles. Aurelia sighed, quivering slightly, and the dark, plum colored feline gave a worried mew, eyes - one sapphire and the other amethyst, to match with her Mistress - lighting up as her pale aura lifted her off the wooden floor and up to Aurelia’s shoulders. The magicat curled around her neck and licked her cheek affectionately. “Luna is here, Elvira. She's... coming here. She’s almost here. I don’t know why.” Elvira hissed, ears flattening and eyes flashing with malice until Aurelia reached up, gripping her familiar gently and bringing her into her arms. Aurelia’s own dark navy tail thrashed with Elvira’s, betraying her rage for only a second before she ran her fingers through her cat’s fluffy fur, taking a deep breath. “I know, Vira, believe me, I do. I don’t want her anywhere near me either-” Deep breaths. “But I want to see what she wants.” Maybe even see if Lorelei was okay. She felt the bunch of ponies step through her first ward, receiving the information as they did. One valkyrie, four chiropterans, one magus... One alicorn. Three mare, four stallion. Blood types, one A+, one AB-, two AB+, two B- and a Z. Into the second ward they went. Details of their clothing, their armor... A peytral, but the tiara seemed to have been set aside. Weaknesses in their wear, body temperature, tension, position, it went on and on until they stepped through the fifth and last ward, the first to impact them as it easily blocked the intruder’s magics. Likely, none of them had even realized how much information they had just given Aurelia. The mare sighed and lit up her horn, temporarily dispelling the defensive shields the group were prepared to go through next. Another quick flash and her pale violet wings were gone with a breeze. No touch nor spell would bring them back until Aurelia did it herself. She could still feel her wings, a mild discomfort but one she had used to be familiar with, with all of Lu- her visits. Three sharp knocks sounded on her door. Author's Note Welcome one and all to my first story! (btw. Cover art yet to be found) Here’s what I based Elvira off of. (Not my pic!) The characters in this story have normal human skin, fingers, feet, a nose and a mouth (etc.) But they also have wings and horns, as well as pony ears (with fur ontop). They will still be called ponies, mares, stallions, but obviously some phrases like ‘singlehoofedly’ will be changed accordingly (singlehandedly). A big big thank you to Meowofy [Go check their stories out] for agreeing to collaborate with me on this story! I had a roughish idea, but was lacking in terms of writing skills. I don’t think the plan for this story would have come out as half as great if it weren’t for you, so it really means a lot to me! Signing off, ---Brownie
Chapter 2“No!” The witch wailed and thrashed in the unbreakable hold, “Let go of me! Princess! Celestia!” She could be heard from all across the castle that day as she was pulled away from her own mother, desperate and despairing. “We command you, Witch Sorceress Aurelia Swirl to open this door this instant! Drop any hostilities!” The Solar Guard Luna had been forced to take barked at the thick oaken door, and she noticed just barely her own Guard Captain force an irritated breath out of his gritted teeth. Luna was far too busy worrying. “I repeat: By the high order of Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, the Dual Thrones, Bringer of Day and Night, The Golden Age-” “Do you truly think that listing off all of your Princess’ titles will do anything to anybody not some fanatic supporter of them?” An amused voice, sweet and familiar, cut through the guard’s stoic message, somehow reaching every corner of the well kept garden. Luna tensed, her breath hitching as a wisp of magenta toyed playfully with her guards’ manes, circling them once before eventually coming to a stop in front of the door, swirling quicker and quicker until a tall, elegant mare with skin of pale lilac and dark hair of the deepest blue materialized right before their eyes. Sharp, gleaming eyes of amethyst, holding untold wisdom, seemed to pierce their very souls. “Really, I’m curious. Does it ever work?” While Aurelia barely deigned to look at her, the multicolored eyes of the familiar fluffy feline, circling her mistress protectively, never strayed from Luna’s, as she hissed dangerously. Her protectors were immediately put on guard. Quivering imperceptibly, Luna took a step forward, her shoes crunching loudly on autumn leaves and eliciting a flinch from her. “Aurelia.” She greeted with a tentative smile. She half hoped the witch would grin and run up to her as she once did, throwing her arms around her shoulders as Luna herself would reciprocate the gesture with equal ferocity. She didn’t. Instead, the full weight of the mare’s gaze landed onto her, as if considering her every move. “Her Highness herself, come to see a cruel, heartless, life-sucking monster like me? Truly, so blessed am I this eve.” Her words were deceptively gentle, but her tone was cool, emotionless. Her eyes judged her, accused her. Asked her how she dared to come back, told her that she was enraged beyond mortal comprehension and told her that she could never ever make it right again. ”I am within my right to disarm you! You are just another cruel, heartless, life-sucking monster that, I, the Princess Luna, Guardian of Equestria has protected her against!” “We... I am sorry,” She took another step forwards, earning a warning yowl from Elvira. Luna shot a glare at her soldiers as they all raised their spears. She had always imagined she’d be alone for this, but the nation was on high alert and they couldn't risk another Princess... “...Why are you here, Lunetta?” Aurelia asked softly, seemingly uncaringly, as her familiar wound herself even tighter around her. “I-I just want to make things... okay between us once more.” ‘Really now? Even now, the lies never stop, do they?’ Luna flinched and pushed It down as far as she could, intent on never seeing It again. The witch chuckled dryly, “Try again.” “It’s true! I came to apologise.” Luna insisted, risking one more step. “But as a secondary intent at best, no?” The Princess cringed and Aurelia dropped all pretense of pleasantry with a tired sigh. “What is it that you want? I weary of this dance. Speak your piece then leave me be, I doubt there is anything I can do for you.” Her voice was cold, and Luna’s Captain looked ready to retort before coming to his senses and standing down. “Ray-” “Aurelia.” Came the swift, merciless correction. Luna swallowed. “Aurelia.” She whispered again, humbling herself, “I... require aid. Please, I-” “No.” Aurelia didn't even deign to allow her to finish, turning around with a scoff and turning the handle of her door, horn flickering with a brief unlock key. “Wait, no!” Luna darted forwards and dropped to her knees, much to the shock of her guards. The witch paused on the threshold, but didn’t look back. “Please, R- Aurelia. I-It’s my Sister, I- she’s sick, she’s sick and, Ray, I don’t know what to do, please!” “And what makes you think I can help?” A dash of hope dared to brush Luna’s heart. “I-It was first the fey, the changelings. We- I dost not know if you know about the Canterlot Wedding, but Celestia was felled. She was fine for a day after, but she just got worse and worse, and n-now she-” She shook her head, tears budding. “They don’t know if she’ll...” “...You have not answered my question, Lunetta.” “The researchers!” She blurted out hastily. “- them and a shaman have-have identified traces of Incantatrix, Ray. The fey, We think that they have worked with the witches for the Wedding. We- I know something’s been done to Tia’s soul, a curse, her magic is just leaking out and she’s getting worse- and I can’t do anything! Ray- Aurelia, please, please...” Luna begged. “If something has been done to your Sister’s soul, there is nothing I can do. If a curse has been lain, only the caster can remove it traditionally, there is nothing I can do.” Luna opened her mouth, but it was dry. How would she ask this of her friend? After everything? “Princess Luna claims that your soul is unique, and that you have an ability to see deeper than any other witch, right to the... uh, core of a soul, where the curse most likely is. We would ask you to use your talents to assist our Princess.” The Solar Guard said for her. Aurelia had told her that, in the faith that it would remain between them. “Would I not still not be able to do nothing about the curse itself?” The witch balled her fists, stiff and cold. She knew what was coming. “Your soul is unique.” The unicorn repeated, now a bit hesitant, as if he finally realized that he was walking on thin ice. “According to Princess Luna, your soul, or even a part of it, is powerful enough to overpower any curse and could also heal any damage within.” The sorceress was trembling now, a bang falling over her face as a low, primal growl rolled out. “You would ask me to give up a part of my soul for you?” She spun around, lightning dancing around her fingers and a wildfire billowing in her eyes as Luna reeled back. An icy breeze swept across the yard, picking up the autumn leaves and throwing them away, as if winter had come early. “Was last time not enough for you!?” “I will give up part of my soul in recompense! No, the whole of it!” Luna pleaded desperately, going against the wind. Her Captain whipped his head around to her, gaping before turning back to the witch determinedly, “You shall not lay a finger upon my Princess’ soul, sorceress! Take mine instead!” The storm reached a climax... then reached a sudden end, the wind billowing down as Aurelia took a deep breath. Elvira’s pale aura righted some of the potted plants as her mistress glared at the unwelcome group. “Fools.” Aurelia spat, narrowing her eyes, “A soul is not a currency to be taken and traded away so casually.” Another breath, and she was back to that cool, expressionless pony from before. “Leave. You are not welcome here.” “We are not leaving without you.” One of her Night Guards proclaimed resolutely, and her teammates nodded in agreement, stoically holding up their spears in defense of Luna, even with their magic dulled in this garden. “Please.” Luna tried again, just once more. She couldn’t give up. Her Sister’s very life hinged on the decision of her friend, she would give her anything she wanted... “...You took my sister, Luna, you took her. I’m not sure why I should come bounding to save yours.” Aurelia turned, stepping into her home and shutting the door quickly. All that was left was Elvira. “Wait, Ray! Please!” They learnt that day that cats could scratch hard. ‘Goodbye, Sister.’ Author's Note Updates probably won’t come very quick after this, by the way. Enjoy nonetheless!
Chapter 3Behind the door, Aurelia let herself sink to the floor, knees bending and head dropping into her palms. “Will you take care of my students, Aurelia? They are yet young, and they have need of a guardian. An older sister, perhaps?” He didn’t look away from his spellbooks, plucking objects carefully off of his cluttered shelves and fitting them into a stuffed saddlebag as if nothing was wrong. In. “But they-” Out. The fifteen-year-old didn’t get a chance to protest before being interrupted again, “I know you don’t like them, and perhaps I was too forward with the sibling notion, but promise me you’ll at least keep an eye on their antics? Try your best to keep the property damage to a minimum?” In. ”If those petty, selfish foals want to act stupid and foolish, then I say let them!” Aurelia scoffed, rubbing her eyes furiously and very pointedly avoiding the disappointed gaze of the stallion, “Or.. if you really want to keep an eye on them, stay! Do it yourself!” She faltered suddenly, trembling silently and letting her bangs fall over her eyes, “Please. Father, stay. You don’t have to- to... Just don’t go. P-Please.” He had to stay. He had to. Even if it meant staying for his students instead of staying for her. He loved them, didn’t he? He wouldn’t leave them behind all alone without anypony. Unlike her. Out. She heard the sounds of a struggle outside. She felt the presence of Magic being flung around. She felt the cloak around her wings flicker and fail. She heard Luna crying her name. “Lula? Luna! What... What are you doing? ...LUNA!” In. “How... How could you?” Her chest clenched. “...Why?” Out. She heard her familiar’s sharp yowl. She heard the clang of spears. She heard the clack of heavy boots against her stone path. Luna cried her name. “What... What did you just say?” Her head whipped around to the moon she was currently studying, eyes wide, breaths speeding up as she suddenly saw the strange new craters in a horribly different light. Aurelia gasped out a sob and her body shook silently. Magic swirled around her, a friend, it heeded her, it wished to help. “No- LORELEI!” It couldn’t. “Come back... Any of you. C-Come back.” She didn’t see how any of this was fair. She felt Magic flood her being instead, filling the alicorn’s wellspring to the brim and settling over her skin like a familiar cloak, providing all the comfort it could. Safe. Warm. Loving. Aurelia wondered when she’d inevitably lose it too. And just upon that thought, she felt a strange reassurance, spoken not in the form of words. More of a sensation than anything. It told her that it would never leave her. But that was what all of them said. The witch stared at the wooden planks below numbly as seconds ticked by. She had no idea how long she sat there. It felt like years. She heard one of the guards telling the others to get their ‘Princess’ to safety. She felt them pass the wards again. She felt their wellsprings further. She felt their souls go. His hand tilted her chin, her glistening amethyst eyes forced to meet his wizened, ever-serious ones. “He must be stopped, you know this.” She moved to look away again, but was stopped as the stallion brushed a stray bang away from her face, a rare display of parental love dancing between all the creases painting his features. “Promise me, Aurelia, please.” Silence. “Not even for me? In. ”They don’t even know I exist- I’d just bring misfortune upon them or something- I- I-I...” She screwed her eyes shut. Why should she? Why should she? He wouldn’t stay for her, so why should she- Out. “...I-I promise.” Aurelia started and looked down as Elvira squirmed into her lap, rubbing herself all over the small space and rolling onto her back, fluffy stomach in the air. The witch smiled faintly and sniffed. She uncurled a bit, running the quivering digits of one hand through the feline’s fur - occasionally knotting it a bit - with her other wiping at her face. “Done already, Vira?” Aurelia croaked out with a small quiver in her voice. She received an affirming mew as her familiar rolled over and stood on her back legs, paws on her chest and head nuzzling her chin. “Thank you.” She whispered, bringing her knees tighter against her chest, pressing Elvira closer. She tilted her face up and sighed, the top of her head pressing to the door as her eyes slipped shut. “...Well, I love the night.” She would not allow hesitance to color her words now of all times. ...She would be lying to say she succeeded. As expected, the young weeping mare froze, inhaling a sharp breath as she whipped around, horn ablaze. “Show thyself!” In. “For so long, We wished only for one to look upon my masterpiece the same way they looked upon that of my sister’s... What thou had said earlier... twas truth?” “It... It was.” Out. “W-Why?” She blnked, mind blank all of a sudden. “I think... I just wanted somepony to talk to. Perhaps that was why I spoke out to you this time.” How long had it been? She was so very tired. The warmth of Magic coddled her and Elvira’s comforting presence was a soothing balm against a burn, but still those were temporary. She knew they were. She was so very tired of it all. Luna should have stayed in her little castle. Who did she think she was? Who was she to come and go as she pleased? Who was she to come after all this time, when Aurelia had finally gotten everything under control? Who was she to come to demand favors from her? Who was she to act as if they were still tight friends in a simpler time? ”I love you too, Lula.” Who was... W-Who was she to... “Ray?” The navy alicorn pursed her lips, shut her eyes, and leaned into the embrace, sighing contentedly. “I wish my sister was more like you.” Aurelia didn’t care about Lunetta. “Then tis but fair that We keep coming back!” She looked up from her reflection in the water, eyes widening. “Really?” “This, We promise.” Aurelia had nothing stopping her from just staying away. There was no reason she should have to help. “...I-I promise.” No reason at all. “Next time, if you’re ever in trouble again, come to me. I promise you’ll always be safe here.” She said seriously, a dark shadow crossing her face only briefly before she pursed her lips at her friend’s good-natured eye roll. Her teeth grit. This same old song and dance. Every. Single. Time. Well, they always did say hindsight was twenty-twenty. And yet... Finally, with a heavy sigh, she picked herself off of the floor, catching a certain startled feline just in time as she let her eyes flutter open. She was just tired. So very tired of it all. Magic squeezed her in a tight embrace. Supportive, caring, just there... “Help me pack, Vira. I... have a feeling that this will take a while.” So why couldn’t she just let things go? It had been... so long. The witch told herself that she was not doing it for them. Because she didn’t care for anypony anymore. And she didn’t. That was truth. The stories, myths, and exaggerations of her kind varied in every culture, every race. Some told of mental magics, some told of limitless magical prowess, some weaved tales of an irresistible charm - a sweet glamour of innocence drawing poor creatures in, like a spider’s web - and others claimed deals with the demons Tartarus themselves. Some were true, some were false. But only the witches themselves knew the truth - it was perhaps what made them so dangerous. Only a rare few of these stayed constant, one of which being that- -Witches could lie, and they could be convincing too. Author's Note This chapter was written and revised entirely by Meowofy. She sent me this in the middle of the night after hearing about my inability to write much this month and possibly the next, so you may be getting a few updates now, courtesy of her!
Interlude IIn the lounge sofa lay a foal, her arms held aloft as if dreaming of cuddling the mother who abandoned her. Celestia knelt, sliding her pinky into the filly’s open hand in a pique of curiosity, and watched as tiny fingers curled around it, the baby sleeping on as she felt her soft breaths on the back of her hand. What to do? What to do? Where could she send her? What actions should be taken? Celestia fretted silently. For the first time in years, a witch had been spotted in her capital. Canterlot was no longer that unbreakable bastion of safety her ponies once believed it to be. Apparently, the witch had been targeting one particular house, breaking and entering with a little bundle before preparing to leave unseen again. What’s more, the witch would have succeeded in her mission, had she not lingered by the door and then been seen by a nine-year-old colt - one with aspirations of becoming a guard and who raised the alarm almost instantly. The sorceress had narrowly fleed the scene, leaving the bundle behind. The members of House Twilight had been understandably cautious of approaching said bundle, but when she herself had gotten there, and revealed what was within... The filly stirred suddenly, a few gurgles escaping her throat as she instinctively grabbed the pinky with her other hand as well, tugging it towards her before turning her head to bury it in the corner of the seat, stubbornly pushing and nuzzling her nose to the firm surface repeatedly, all without it giving way, even a bit. Her little face screwed up in frustration and her arms pounded onto her blanket, releasing Celestia’s finger as tiny beads bud underneath her eyes, still squeezed tightly shut, The Princess frowned, reaching her hands out hesitantly as she slid them underneath the filly and her blue blanket, lifting both up and taking a seat on the vacated couch. Celestia held the foal against her chest. She was smaller than a bag of sugar from the kitchens, the alicorn noted with a tiny smile as she rocked the filly gently, quieting her down. Celestia’s magic enveloped the folds of the blanket and rearranged them a bit to better wrap around the prone figure. An unexpected giggle bubbled out of the baby’s mouth, and the Princess’ ears perked in surprise, even more so when brilliant amethyst eyes revealed themselves for the first time. With a curious burble, she pawed at the golden aura, giggling gleefully yet again at the static feel of magic, earning her an amused smile from her temporary guardian. Tiny toes peeked out from underneath the fluffy cloth, dangling in Celestia’s lap. Her head, a surprisingly neat mass of thin navy strands of baby hair, bounced under her supporting hand as the foal reached for more of the energy kept alive by Celestia. It amazed the Princess just how... innocent the foals of the greatest threats to ponykind were. “Why, aren’t you just an adorable little bundle?” Celestia finally heeded the urge to nuzzle her cheek to the filly’s forehead, drawing her attention quickly. The baby babbled, giggling again as her tiny hands drew away from the magic and instead to Celestia’s face, craning her head and gripping the alicorn’s cheeks happily, only for them to leave and stretch towards her glimmering, ethereal mane instead, eyes sparkling with curiosity as the strands slid harmlessly into her fingers and slipped smoothly out of her grasp again. She clapped, legs kicking in her excitement, harmlessly hitting Celestia’s middle before she quietened down again, nestling against the alicorn’s breasts as said alicorn straightened the blanket once more. A genuinely warm smile crept up Celestia’s face as the tiny witch let an adorable little yawn pass through her mouth, mumbling out few more sleepy gurgles with her bright, half-lidded eyes finally fluttering closed, the Princess gently rocking the baby all the while. Celestia’s eyes shut, and she breathed out a light sigh, the corners of her mouth curling up. No. Nobody would hurt the foal. Not her, not the Council, not another witch. Not with her here. “Princess!” The toddler squealed as soon as the double doors opened for her. She clumsily ran up to the steps leading to the throne, catching the attention of Raven, Celestia, and her two guards, who relaxed upon seeing who it was. Whilst her companions chuckled quietly, the Princess bent down a bit, beaming as the little witch climbed the final carpeted step and leaped enthusiastically into her waiting arms. Celestia twirled the both of them around, the little pony held safely in her embrace giggling as she did. “I missed you so much!” The filly exclaimed. Celestia laughed, “Oh, Twilight, I missed you too.” She laid a gentle kiss on Twilight’s forehead and stroked her fingers through her long, thick bangs almost instinctively. “Tell me, did you have fun at Missus Velvet’s home? You didn’t cause much trouble for her, I hope?” She arched an expectant eyebrow. Twilight pouted, “But I never cause any trouble! Oh, oh but we had so much fun!” The witch lit up like a candle, barely able to keep still in the Princess’s arms. “Missus Velvet makes the very bestest triple chocolate chip cookies, and she said that it was a super-secret recipe, but since I was family, she taught me how to make them! And Mister Night Light had this really really cool telescope to show me, it was magically magnified and we could see all the way to the craters on the moon! And- and Shiny showed me his new shield spell, and we battled each other with swords - um, cardboard ones, don’t worry! - and then I was the Princess and he was a brave knight, and he slew the monster and saved me!” Twilight sucked in a huge amount of air, before grinning happily. The alicorn smiled fondly, “Well, it sounds like you had a good time, did you remember to thank them afterward?” “Mhm!” Twilight exclaimed, hands sparking magenta in her excitement, causing some of the closest nobles - who Celestia only then realized were still there - to step away cautiously. “You always say to be polite to everypony!” Celestia nodded, sitting back down her throne and ignoring the elder Blueblood’s pointed cough. She sat Twilight snuggly on her lap and smiled at her. “Indeed I do. Now, I believe you rushed in here while we were in the middle of something-” The filly blinked, then finally noticed the small mob of the nobility left in Open Court, shrinking at their judgemental stares and even the few glares from some, ears slowly wilting. Celestia paused and hugged her close, one of her primaries curling around the little witch protectively. A clear sign to back off. They did as they were told, and Twilight relaxed a bit, “Do you think you can sit here patiently with me for, hmm... an hour at most? Then you can tell me more about your weekend.” Twilight looked between Celestia’s warm, maternal expression, the lingering nobles, then to Celestia again, before finally nodding and hugging her arm, looking to the last petitioners to the Crown. Celestia smiled and looked to them as well, straightening up and assuming her regal stature once again. Maybe this Court wouldn’t be as boring as she’d thought it’d be. “Twilight...” A large wing squeezed her tight. “I’m here, Twilight. You’re safe, I promise, it’s okay now.” A voice cooed comfortingly in her ear. She curled up tighter, pulling away from that wing, shaking like a leaf. Everything hurt. “Come here, my little one, they’re gone, I promise, it’s just me.” Somepony whispered to her, lovingly stroking her messy bangs. She whimpered and finally gave in, pushing herself into the familiar mare’s arms, sobbing her little heart out. Strong arms squeezed her for all she was worth, murmuring quiet reassurances all the while as she was cradled to a warm chest. “I-I dun’ l-like M-Magic Kin-Kindergard-den-” She wailed pitifully. She winced and only cried harder as she felt something brush over one of her many bruises, and she felt the alicorn stiffen, hold tightening. “I know, baby, I know.” “Nopony touches you and gets away with it.” She heard a soft growl and only quivered in the embrace of the one she trusted most. “P-Princess...?” Her words stopped Celestia in her tracks, a few paces after all the others who’d gone to comfort the bride-to-be. A dash of hope dared flicker. A sad sigh crushed that hope. “Of all of the witches, I had least expected for it to be you to fall to your darker thoughts, Twilight Sparkle. Jealousy is unbecoming of you, and I am very disappointed.” Celestia turned her head a little, just so she could see that one magenta eye, shining with... displeasure, disappointment, sadness. Devoid of love. And just like that, the one pony she trusted most of all shook her head and walked the last steps out of the hall, “You have a lot to think about, Twilight.” The door slammed shut with a final bang, echoing throughout the hall as Twilight crouched down low on the pristine marble tiles, trembling with her fingers crackling with uncontrolled energy and her body wracked with her silent sobs as every single pony she’d ever loved left her alone to drown in her own doubt. “Of all of the witches, I had least expected for it to be you to fall to your darker thoughts, Twilight Sparkle. Jealousy is unbecoming of you, and I am very disappointed.” “...M-Momma?” She whimpered. “Let me go! Tell me how she is! I have to see her! P-Please, she-she’s all I...” Author's Note Updates probably won’t come very quick after this, by the way. Enjoy nonetheless! Yeah, okay, so I lied, but this time - for real - I’m not going to be focussing a lot on this for at least a month or so. I just had this little thing tucked away in a folder and repurposed it for this story.
