Author's Note

Frail Words

Maria and Brandon stepped inside the Joseph family home. Twilight kept still, not wanting to alert them to her presence just yet. She wanted to see what they would do. From her experience, the taste for blood could not so easily be satiated...

"Maria!" Emily cried in relief. She ran into the teen's arms without a second thought. To Twilight's surprise, the young Drake didn't push her away.

"Sorry we took so long, kiddo."

Maria knelt down to meet her friend at eye level.

"How's your arm?"

"It's okay. Twilight healed me with her magic."

"Twilight?"

Emily pointed in the pony's direction, causing Maria to veer her gaze. The princess tensed, afraid of what would come next.

"Well what do ya know..."

Twilight blinked.

"You're...You're not surprised to see me...!?"

"At this point, I can believe anything. I'm not the only one who can see you, so I know I'm not crazy."

"I have to admit, I expected more of a reaction..."

"I get that a lot."

"I saw: everything."

"That explains why you look so scared." Brandon interjected.

"I guess I'm not very good at hiding it."

"I'm sorry..."

"How could you...?"

"We didn't want it to end like this. We agonized over alternatives all the way here. If we'd tried to call for help, we would've put other people in danger. That's why we acted so quickly - so no one had to suffer..."

"You mean...You were sad, too...?"

"Of course. We're not heartless. They weren't going to retreat. We tried to make it as merciful as possible."

"I see..."

"Mercy killings don't exist where you're from, do they...?"

Twilight shook her head.

"Trust me when I tell you we mean you no harm. This was something we never saw coming."

"For better or worse, I'll believe you for now. Forgive me if I maintain a distance for the time being."

Brandon nodded. He couldn't blame her. He couldn't even forgive himself. For now, there were more pressing matters to attend to. He shifted his attention toward Robert and Chelsea.

"Maria's injured. Would you mind patching her up while I bury the bodies? I wouldn't feel right otherwise..."

"Of course." Chelsea obliged.

"I appreciate it."

Maria and Twilight talked while Chelsea stitched the adolescent's leg. As sobering as the experience was, the princess had to maintain a tough exterior - for now, at least.

"I already know a fair bit about this world," she admitted, "I've been here a few times before."

"Chels told me. I'm not sure which revelation's more shocking: the fact multiverse theory's been proven or it's inhabited by talking horses."

"Imagine how I felt."

"Must've been one hell of a discovery."

"As you can imagine, I'd rather keep our worlds separate at the present moment. It figures the one thing I didn't know was the one I should have..."

"Your secret's safe with me. One world's crazy enough as it is. Better not to get into time paradoxes."

"Agreed. Of course, you understand I have to report my findings. Knowing the extent of your fighting skills, we'll be on high alert from here on. I'll likely be assigned to make sure you don't cause any trouble."

"Be my guest. I have nothing to gain from defiance. It didn't end well last time, anyway..."

"Last time...?"

Maria paused. Among the things she was willing to do, speaking her shame was not one of them...Not now...

"Never mind. The blood loss is probably making me delirious."

"So long as we're clear about where we stand."

"I got it."

"Good. I can take my leave in peace, then."

Twilight set her sights on the structure's center. Maria offered one last gesture of gratitude.

"Thanks for keeping their spirits up. If morale was lost, everything would've fallen apart..."

"Consider us even."

"Yeah..."

Twilight began walking toward the portal. She was halted by Robert's voice.

"Twilight," he called out, "Emily's birthday's on Halloween. Why don't you drop by if you have some time?"

"What day?"

"The 31st. We'll keep in touch and figure out a plan."

"Sure. Just let me get a few things sorted out."

"Take your time."

"Take care..."

"We will. Thank you."