Twilight Sparkle: Patient #107497by TwilicornChaptersRememberingIn Twilight's MindStriking a ChordStudiesRememberingIf you are reading this after 8:11 PM MDT on September 19, you are reading a HEAVILY rewritten chapter. I'd propose reading it. Twilight Sparkle waved good bye sorrowfully to her mentor, then dragged herself out the door. The smooth cobblestone under her hooves was a small comfort, reminding her of her own front walk at home. Keeping her head down, her mane in front of her eyes, she trudged onward towards Princess Celestia’s School for Gifted and Talented Unicorns. She heard the shuffling of hoofsteps long before she saw the two fillies she had come to dread. Keeping her head down, she prayed to Celestia that she could make it past them for one day. Just one day she could get away from teasing and taunting, so she could go see her friends in Ponyville. Ah, her friends. The real ones, who she saw at night in her dreams, or even during the day. Her saviors, they were. Pinkie, Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy, Applejack. Even their names brought a wane smile to her lips. The smile was soon removed as she caught two pairs of hooves, one silver and one golden in front of her. Lifting her head, she was caught in the gaze of the two older fillies. “Ha, look at little Twilight Sparkle!” teased Platinum Tiara, flipping her long silver mane from her eyes. “Yeah, look at her!” parroted Golden Spoon, flipping her mane as well. Twilight ignored them, trying to move away. They merely fell in step with her, despite her occasional speeding up or slowing down. “The little wanna-be Princess,” chirped Platinum Tiara. “Yeah, the wanna-be,” echoed Golden Spoon once again, just to receive a cuff over the ears from Platinum Tiara. “I am not a wanna-be!” Twilight finally exclaimed, stopping in her tracks. “And even if I was, what’s it matter? We all know you pretended to dress up like Princesses too!” “Oh, does widdle Twiwight dwess up wike Pwincesses?” teased Platinum Tiara once again. “So what if I do!” “So what if you do? So what if you do? All you do is walk around here like you’re better than us, you foal. We’re two grades above you! We’re smarter than you! You’re just a dumb mule who bribed Princess Celestia! Oh wait, you don’t have enough bits to bribe her!” roared Platinum Tiara in response. Twilight sniffed, then ducked to the ground, crawling between the two ponies and running back to her dorm, leaving tears behind her. ~*~ Princess Celestia wiped a tear from her eye as well as she remembered that, sitting in the white room of Canterlot Mental Hospital. Stroking her student’s mane soothingly, she looked at the young mare below her. The mare who had been here for five long years. “Twilight,” she whispered, continuing her stroking. “You poor thing.” ~*~ Twilight had gotten back to her dorm with no more problem, and quickly collapsed onto her bed. Shutting her eyes, she imagined Ponyville again, and all her friends. But this time, they were there with her, in her room. Shifting on her grey sheets, she sat up to look at all of them. “Hey Twilight!” called Rainbow Dash, waving a hoof. “Hi Twilight! Hi hi hi!” chirped Pinkie eagerly, bouncing like always. “What-what is it guys?” asked Twilight confusedly, looking around. “You see darling, we’d like you to join us. If you close your eyes, you can,” urged Rarity, batting her eyes. “Y’see sugarcube, ya can git away from them fillies out there and come with us,” added Applejack. “I-if you don’t mind,” squeaked the ever-shy Pegasus. “Just close my eyes, and I can get away from them?” “Tha’s right sugarcube. Jus’ close yer eyes,” replied Applejack as Twilight took a deep breath. “Are you sure?” “Of course, silly!” “I can get away?” “Yeah Twi!” “Then I’ll do it,” said Twilight confidently, looking at each pony. Taking another deep breath and shifting to a slightly more comfortable position, she closed her eyes. Then reopened them. "Should I?" "Of course," chirped Pinkie, and Twilight smiled. "If you say so Pinkie." ~*~ Twilight shifted slightly, and Celestia sighed again. The mare, off fighting her own battles. If only Celestia could see inside her student’s mind. Even magic wasn’t that strong. ~*~ I looked at each of my friends, staring into their eyes. Here they were, or rather, here we were. Each with necklaces, or in my case, a tiara, we stood in an arrow formation. The beast in front of us was just another one for us to fight, another creature we could ‘get’. “Ready girls?” I call, but I don’t even need to. I can see it in their eyes. Fierce determination, accompanied with a disappointing touch of boredom. I couldn’t have my friends bored. “Let’s do this!” I cheer, then focus. My magic is channeled into the tiara behind my horn, and I feel it building. The girls and I are connected, and we become more so every time we use the Elements. We all feel each other now, we all can tell what the other is doing. More often than not, I’ve felt invisible wings on my back, the euphoria of flying. The others have felt a burst of magic from an imaginary horn, or the pain after a day’s work on the farm. All these thoughts, running through my head as I attack. I open my eyes, and they are blindingly bright. I can scarcely see, save the rainbow jetting from us to the sky. With a final burst of effort from all of us, it crashes down. A scream of terror and pain echoes from the monster, its grey pony-esque figure twitches, then it falls silent. I know that we drifted upwards as we used the Elements, and our glide downward is comfortable and slow. “Well I do say,” exclaims Rarity, and I turn towards her in confusion. She was… fading? Then I realized she hadn’t spoken. She had thought. “I think we’re even more connected,” I ponder, then Rainbow Dash interjects loudly; at least, as loudly as one can when speaking mentally. “Look at Twilight!” I feel all of them turning to look at me, then look down at myself. My colors are bright, brighter than ever. Looking at each of my friends, they seem to be a bit more faded, and my colors seem to be mixing with theirs. “What is this?” I speak aloud, and I hear myself in six voices. “Never mind,” I think, and I feel them nod. “Ah jus’ righ’ly don’ know,” declared Applejack. “Me either,” squeaks Fluttershy, and I’m hit with a pang of pity for her, which is reciprocated through all of us. “I need to study girls. You don’t mind, correct?” “Of course not Twi! Take alllll the time in the world!” exclaims Pinkie, and we all smile inadvertently. “Very well then Pinkie,” I tease, then turn to get back to the library. Closing my eyes, I teleport there, just in time to see the rest of them teleport with me. “Go figure,” muttered Rainbow Dash, and I couldn’t help but snicker. ~*~ Princess Celestia looked out at the sky, the sun slowly, but shakily setting. It was good for Luna, to be doing this. The populace was already trusting her more. As Celestia watched her student, she seemed to brighten up a bit. Her color was most certainly less grey than before. What had happened to her? A question Celestia had pondered every day. Every day since... then. When her student had slipped. She could remember it as if it were yesterday. ~*~ "Princess?" asked Twilight Sparkle, looking up from the cups she was attempting to levitate on top of each other. "What is it, Twilight?" asked Celestia, settling down next to her. "You don't mind that my friends sit in, do you? You've never really mentioned it..." she added, trailing off uncertainly. "Who are your friends?" "Who are they? They're all right here! Rainbow Dash up there, Fluttershy over there. Pinkie went off to the castle kitchen, and Applejack followed her. Rarity's sitting in your chair," she explained, gesturing around the room as she rattled off each name. "Mmhmm," mused Princess Celestia, looking at each spot. "Well, I suppose they can stay," she decided with a chuckle. In Twilight's MindI waved goodbye to my friends, ignoring how odd things had become. Their thoughts were constantly echoing in my mind, and I needed to figure out why. "Spike?" "Oh, hey Twi. Didn't realize you were back," he said nervously, his hands behind his back. "Spike?" "Uh, yeah Twilight?" "What's behind your back?" "Uh... no... thing..." he said, moving backwards awkwardly. Sighing, I magically lifted him up, turning him around. "Spike! I told you no video games in the evenings!" "I know Twilight! I'm sorry!" he exclaimed, wriggling out of my grasp. "I needed to beat Captain Destructer!" Captain Destructer? I pondered to myself, only to have a brash voice interrupt my thoughts. Yeah! He's, like, the coolest pony ever! He's all pow-pow-pow, then bang-bang-bang! she mentally exclaimed, and I could imagine her gesturing wildly around. Thanks, Dash, I thought sarcastically, then turned to Spike. "Uh, Twilight? Why were you doing that weird thing you do when you eat brownies?" "What weird thing— never mind. I need everything we have under Elements of Harmony, Friendship, Telepathy, and... that's all for now. Quickly!" I added, and he ran off. Settling into a hard-backed chair and magically dragging my desk towards me, I prepared for a long night of studying. Spike ran in, carrying a stack of books easily twice as tall as him, and I magically lifted them as well, setting them in a neat stack aside my desk. He ran back out, then carried in a second stack, slightly shorter than the first. This was definitely a long night of studying. - "What am I doing wrong?" I yelled across the library, startling Spike from his nap. "I've checked every book here twice, and all I can find is that most users of the Elements end up becoming 'especially close,' that telepathy is 'scientifically and magically impossible,' and that 'friendship is magic!' What am I doing wrong?" she asked again, slumping to her desk. I'm sorry to interrupt, but Twilight? Yeah Fluttershy? What are you trying to find out about? Why I'm stealing your colors and why we can hear each others minds. Did you check books on hearing each others minds and losing colors? Why would there be a book like that? I saw it the other day... I'm sorry, I didn't want to startle you. Oops, I'm sorry, I'm trying to not apologize as much. Oops again! I'm so sorry, Fluttershy continued, and I sighed. Stop. It's not your fault. Now, I'm going to look for that book, I said, then trotted as well as my half-asleep hooves could carry me. Searching through the shelves rapidly, I finally found the book. "The 'Why Can I Read my Friends' Minds?' Manual, with Special Tips from 'Why Are my Friends Losing Their Colors?'" I finished the painfully long title, staring at the small image at the bottom of the book. Who knew? Carrying it back to my chair, I settled in for some educational reading aloud. "If you can read your friends' minds, you don't need to panic! In fact, there's a good chance it has some subconscious important meaning. Some things that may be causing this include: Fatigue, Insanity, Them Being Imaginary Friends, or as suggested by 'Why Are my Friends Losing Their Colors?', because they are actually a part of you that you created. All of these are equally possible, however, if you believe it to be the second, please ask ~~Spike~~ the local mailmare to contact the hospital immediately. If it is the first option, we suggest taking the weekend off for some solid sleep. If it is the second two options, you need to remember. I need to remember," I puzzled, sticking a slip of paper in the book. "Twilight?" interrupted a bleary-eyed Spike. "We're out of hot sauce," he said, then collapsed to the ground. "You silly drake. Time for bed," I cooed, lifting him to my bedroom. More studying could be done tomorrow. ~*~ Celestia looked on with concern as her student seemed to cringe. Curling up into the small bed she had requested for the room, she settled in and shut her eyes, ignoring memories that seemed to rise from the couch itself. ~*~ "Doctor, will she ever be okay?" asked Twilight Velvet, wiping a tear from her eye. "It's difficult to tell, ma'am. But don't waste your time here. You need to move on," he said, his tone carrying a heavy 'if you know what I mean' sense to it. "Are you certain? There has to be something you damn doctors can do!" yelled Shining Armor, his voice rising with each word. "Son..." "No, dad. Not this time. These bucking doctors can fix her; they can fix anypony!" he exclaimed, stomping his young hoof against the hard floor with a resounding crack. "Shiny, now is not the time. You can wait in the hall if you keep it up," warned his mother. "And watch that language," she added, this time less serious and more wearily. "My apologies, Princess," she said, and Celestia nodded. "I can understand," she said calmly, smoothly. That was what ponies wanted from her as their ruler. Calm, cool, and collected. After that, Twilight's family stopped coming. As if the doctor's words had been a warning to back off eternally. And those foals of parents complied. ~*~ Celestia shuddered at the memory. They still haunted her, and had for five long, brutal years. Years of suffering, pain, and remembrance. Years of resisting the temptation to break down Twilight's family's door and scream at them for not taking care of their daughter. Yell at Shining Armor for becoming a weapon maker, when he could be a fantastic guard. At least he helped the guard. Shaking her head, she grunted. Looking down at the inviting pillow below her, she settled into a light, fitful sleep. ~*~ I wasn't sleeping any better. Rolling over for the hundredth time that night, I finally scowled and got out of bed. If I couldn't sleep, I wasn't going to. Silently slipping down the stairs, I lit a small candle and began to read more of the book. After a few attempts to start, I couldn't, and I began to think. Why does imaginary friends strike such a chord in me? My friends are real; them being made up is scientifically and magically impossible! The only imaginary friend I've ever had was... me. When I first came to Ponyville, I'd see myself in a different world. I think I even saw Fluttershy as an entomologist. But that was so long ago. Five years ago, almost. I was thankful the others were asleep, otherwise they begin to have some strange thoughts concerning my mental health, and I knew that it was perfectly sound. Maybe. Striking a ChordTwilight moaned softly as she rolled over in her bed, streching her hooves out. Lifting herself from her bed, she looked around, almost nervously, then spotted the book that had caused her nightmares. She considered throwing it, then shook her head and levitated it, pitching it down the stairs. Gee, Twi. D'ya really thing we're imaginary? asked Applejack, her voice taking on a cruel tone. Of course not! panicked Twilight, waving her hooves as if to stave off Applejack. Good, Applejack thought, and Twilight winced again. ~*~ Celestia sighed quietly as she stood, stretching her hooves and wings. "Princess, it is time for your flight," commanded one of her guards gently. "Thank you," she muttered, her mane hanging low. She took to the skies, flapping her wings only occasionally as she soared over Canterlot. Ponies below her looked up in wonder, and she merely ignored them. This was her time. ~*~ Girls, my place. Now, thought Twilight commandingly, then closed her eyes. Teleporting herself to to the nearby armchair, she couldn't help but snicker as the others fell around her, looking around in awe. Now girls. I want you to tell me something. Pinkie, how did you grow up? I lived on a rock farm with my two sisters and my mom and dad. One day, I saw a rainbow in the sky, and I realized I wanted to party, so I did. Pinkie's voice was monotonous, repetitive. Twilight simply nodded. What about you, Dash? I was at flight camp— she began, just to be cut off by Twilight. I mean before flight camp. I... uh... um... Dash stuttered. Thank you. Fluttershy? I really can't remember, squeaked the pegasus. Then I rest my case. Girls, what is the earliest you remember? The rainbow, they all chorused. "The rainbow," muttered Twilight. ~*~ Celestia landed outside her sister's window, magically throwing it open and pulling herself in. "Dear sister? What doth, er, what brings you here?" "Just... just missing you," murmured Celestia through a choked throat. She embraced Luna in a tight, magical hug broken only by a knock at the door. "Who doth go there?" cried Luna, and it was silent for a moment. "Princess Luna, there is another family to see you in Court," declared a guard, and Luna shot an apologetic look towards Celestia. "We must be off," she sighed, and Celestia nodded, then took off again. The wind under her wings was one of Celestia's favorite feelings. The euphoria of being near weightless, the only thing fighting her being her own weight. If Celestia could, she knew she would take for the skies and never land. Unfortunately, her flight was cut short as a cross wind caught her. Gritting her teeth, she flew through it, landing roughly against the window of Twilight's room. Hovering back, she magically opened the window and entered the room. Settling into her chair, she looked back at her student. ~*~ Girls, began Twilight, just in time to be interrupted by Spike. "Hey, does anyone want tea?" he asked, and Twilight gritted her teeth as the sound resounded through her skull. "Sure," whispered Twilight. "We'll all have some." She kept her voice low, hoping it would keep the noise down a bit. Unfortunately, it still echoed wildly. She felt the others winch, and sighed. "Spike, I need to talk to you, but writing is easiest on my ears. Just get the tea for now," she added, as she saw his eyes widen in concern. "Wha—" he began, then grabbed a pad of paper and a quill. What's happening? You see, Spike, the Elements can now all speak to each other telepathically. WHAT? he wrote, abusing the caps-lock button Twilight had magically added to her quills. I can't explain more. Yet, she added, then turned to the others, who all sat sipping the slightly steaming tea. Twilight? asked Pinkie nervously. Does this have to do with imaginary friends? Well... started Twilight, then stopped. I'm going to be straight. No, not like that, she added to a confused Fluttershy. I believe I may have reason to possibly consider the hypothesis that you may all potentially be... imaginary friends. That's more words than Pinkie can say in one breath! exclaimed Dash. Now Twi. Y'know wha' we tho't 'bout. D'ya rilly think we're imaginary? Applejack, you are not going to intimidate me. Yes, I believe it is possible. However, I'll need to run some tests. As Twilight stated she thought it was possible, all her friends faded a bit more. Twilight nodded, scribbling down something on a scroll, then looked around. Don't even try to leave, she commanded, then sat down. I can get you back here anyways. ~*~ I remember the one time I tried to talk to Twilight's parents. I can remember it so clearly, it could have been yesterday. Perhaps it has, with the days bleeding together to form one long, white roomed blur. "You can't give up on her," I pleaded Twilight Velvet. "I can and I will. She is gone, and I am not going back." "MOM!" yelled Shining Armor, and I winced at the sheer force in his voice. "We are not going back!" she yelled at him, and I watched as his face changed. First full of anger, it became simply indifferent. "Fine. Then she is gone. She may as well be dead to me," he muttered, then turned on hoof and walked away. "Look at what you've done," I harshly scowled. "You have destroyed him." "And you have destroyed my daughter!" yelled the mare, finally loosing it. I watched in awe as she performed the same trick Twilight did when she became angry—catching on fire. Her usually white body became black, her mane fiery. "I have done nothing! You let your near-foal child go to boarding school, and expect her to what? Be under my permanent guard? You destroyed her! You never visited! You never cared! And now you've given up!" Twilight Velvet stared numbly at me, then turned around, slamming the door to her small home behind her. As I entered my chariot, I heard heart-wracking sobs behind me. And I couldn't care any more. StudiesTwilight smiled, then looked around the ponies seated awkwardly in front of her. Who's going first? she asked in a sing-song voice. Her mind remained awkwardly silent, until Pinkie spoke up with a falsely cheery voice. I'll do it! she exclaimed mentally, and Twilight shot her a thankful look. If you'll just put your forehooves here, and wear this hat, and put this on your tongue, and your face, and your tail, and... that's it! Twilight gave a broad, desparing smile, then began to speak aloud. "Girls, please leave the room for now. I need to speak out loud to Pinkie." Her voice echoed in her head six times, but the others left, leaving Twilight and Pinkie alone. "Now Pinkie. I want you to tell me everything you can remember, from the rainbow. Preferably before it, maybe after. What can you remember? Say it aloud," she added with a small wince as her voice echoed twice. "All I remember is that I lived on a rock farm, and was really sad. Then I saw the rainbow, and I was so... so happy. It felt like I was alive, if you know what I mean. Really, truly, abso-positutely alive!" Twilight was scrawling rapidly across the page, until she realized the quill was writing for itself. With a small blush, she let it work. "The rainbow... brought you to life?" she asked, hoping to clarify. "It did! Before that, everything was sad, but you made it happy!" Twilght nodded, then quickly teleported a few hooves away. This time, her friends were ready and landed squarely on their hooves. "Girls, this time I'd like to work with Rainbow Dash or Rarity. Which one?" The two mares shot each other looks, as if saying it was the others' turn, but finally Rarity stepped forward. "The rest of you, please leave," said Twilight, with no regard to manners. Pinkie squeezed her hooves out of their hold, and Rarity trotted nervously over. "Twilight, dear, what ever is the matter?" "I think you all are imaginary friends, but what's more... you all keep mentioning a rainbow. I... I can remember a rainbow," she said quietly, caught in thought. "Anyways, just fit those to comfort and I'll ask a few questions." Rarity complied, sliding her hooves in, and began to speak. "I know what you'll ask, so I'll just begin. No, I cannot remember anything prior to the rainbow besides what I told the Cutie Mark Crusaders a bit ago. The rainbow... brought me to life," she said dreamily, and Twilight rolled her eyes, but nodded. "So... you'd say the rainbow pulled you out of something?" "Precisely, dear! I can barely remember a strange room, talking to a young filly not too different from you, and everything being grey. When the rainbow came, everything changed. You came to Ponyville, and I did as well. I was born here, of course," she added quickly, "but I had never felt like I was truly here." "Thank you then," said Twilight, letting Rarity leave. She approached the machine, which held two small vials of what should have been blood. Instead, a painfully bright light reflected through the prism-vials. Twilight hastened to open the lid of the vial, but inside was an ugly mixture of brown. She turned her gaze to the vial, and white shone instead. She turned away, then looked back. The same properties applied. With a dramatically long inhale, she let out a small string of curses, then teleported her friends in. Ignoring the unavoidable echo, she spoke. "Girls, I believe you are made of rainbow." ~*~*~ Princess Celestia had dozed off again, remembering little things, when she saw her student's eyelids flutter. She was on her hooves in mere moments, leaning over her student as if she were a gold-miner who had just found a literal river. Twilight was moving. On her own. Princess Celestia fell back to her haunches, staring almost blankly at the student, as she began to remember once again. ~*~*~ When Twilight had first slipped into her coma, her family had been there constantly. I've mentioned that. She had only been in a lighter coma; still an astonishingly deep one, but a lighter coma than she had been in two years ago. She would move, mumble, and her horn flared occasionally. Then her family stopped coming, and she fell apart. It was almost as if she could tell who was there. When I was around, she seemed to straighten up, act as composed as one could in a coma. When Luna was around, she almost flinched, but not as if she were truly afraid. When her family was around though... it brought her to life. She'd be relaxed, nodding, gentle movements or mumblings. She could have stepped out of it, she was so close. Until those damned idiots stopped coming. I'm determined to get them back for that. Someday, she'd make sure they were around. Possibly the day she attacked them, or threw them in the dungeons for all long eternity. ~*~*~ Princess Celestia looked down at her student, whose state seemed closer to when she had first slipped in than ever. With a small sigh of relief, she looked around the room for the millionth time. Her eyes became fixed to the window, where a flyer fluttered down. She was tempted to ignore it, but instead used her magic to lift it. Wonderbolts in Canterlot! Image Featuring Rainbow Dash, Spitfire, Soarin', Misty, and More~! **Costumes designed by Sapphire Shores Jewelry designed by Rarity, with assistance from Pinkamena Pie** Celestia let it flutter tiredly to the ground, turning back towards her student. "I know you'll be okay. You are my student, and I never take on quitters or losers." Author's Note Anyone who says this is short will have their head cut off. I'm really excited to get to the next few chapters, since this'll be wrapped up soon. I'm trying to lengthen the chapters, but I promise the last one will be a doozy!
RememberingIf you are reading this after 8:11 PM MDT on September 19, you are reading a HEAVILY rewritten chapter. I'd propose reading it. Twilight Sparkle waved good bye sorrowfully to her mentor, then dragged herself out the door. The smooth cobblestone under her hooves was a small comfort, reminding her of her own front walk at home. Keeping her head down, her mane in front of her eyes, she trudged onward towards Princess Celestia’s School for Gifted and Talented Unicorns. She heard the shuffling of hoofsteps long before she saw the two fillies she had come to dread. Keeping her head down, she prayed to Celestia that she could make it past them for one day. Just one day she could get away from teasing and taunting, so she could go see her friends in Ponyville. Ah, her friends. The real ones, who she saw at night in her dreams, or even during the day. Her saviors, they were. Pinkie, Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy, Applejack. Even their names brought a wane smile to her lips. The smile was soon removed as she caught two pairs of hooves, one silver and one golden in front of her. Lifting her head, she was caught in the gaze of the two older fillies. “Ha, look at little Twilight Sparkle!” teased Platinum Tiara, flipping her long silver mane from her eyes. “Yeah, look at her!” parroted Golden Spoon, flipping her mane as well. Twilight ignored them, trying to move away. They merely fell in step with her, despite her occasional speeding up or slowing down. “The little wanna-be Princess,” chirped Platinum Tiara. “Yeah, the wanna-be,” echoed Golden Spoon once again, just to receive a cuff over the ears from Platinum Tiara. “I am not a wanna-be!” Twilight finally exclaimed, stopping in her tracks. “And even if I was, what’s it matter? We all know you pretended to dress up like Princesses too!” “Oh, does widdle Twiwight dwess up wike Pwincesses?” teased Platinum Tiara once again. “So what if I do!” “So what if you do? So what if you do? All you do is walk around here like you’re better than us, you foal. We’re two grades above you! We’re smarter than you! You’re just a dumb mule who bribed Princess Celestia! Oh wait, you don’t have enough bits to bribe her!” roared Platinum Tiara in response. Twilight sniffed, then ducked to the ground, crawling between the two ponies and running back to her dorm, leaving tears behind her. ~*~ Princess Celestia wiped a tear from her eye as well as she remembered that, sitting in the white room of Canterlot Mental Hospital. Stroking her student’s mane soothingly, she looked at the young mare below her. The mare who had been here for five long years. “Twilight,” she whispered, continuing her stroking. “You poor thing.” ~*~ Twilight had gotten back to her dorm with no more problem, and quickly collapsed onto her bed. Shutting her eyes, she imagined Ponyville again, and all her friends. But this time, they were there with her, in her room. Shifting on her grey sheets, she sat up to look at all of them. “Hey Twilight!” called Rainbow Dash, waving a hoof. “Hi Twilight! Hi hi hi!” chirped Pinkie eagerly, bouncing like always. “What-what is it guys?” asked Twilight confusedly, looking around. “You see darling, we’d like you to join us. If you close your eyes, you can,” urged Rarity, batting her eyes. “Y’see sugarcube, ya can git away from them fillies out there and come with us,” added Applejack. “I-if you don’t mind,” squeaked the ever-shy Pegasus. “Just close my eyes, and I can get away from them?” “Tha’s right sugarcube. Jus’ close yer eyes,” replied Applejack as Twilight took a deep breath. “Are you sure?” “Of course, silly!” “I can get away?” “Yeah Twi!” “Then I’ll do it,” said Twilight confidently, looking at each pony. Taking another deep breath and shifting to a slightly more comfortable position, she closed her eyes. Then reopened them. "Should I?" "Of course," chirped Pinkie, and Twilight smiled. "If you say so Pinkie." ~*~ Twilight shifted slightly, and Celestia sighed again. The mare, off fighting her own battles. If only Celestia could see inside her student’s mind. Even magic wasn’t that strong. ~*~ I looked at each of my friends, staring into their eyes. Here they were, or rather, here we were. Each with necklaces, or in my case, a tiara, we stood in an arrow formation. The beast in front of us was just another one for us to fight, another creature we could ‘get’. “Ready girls?” I call, but I don’t even need to. I can see it in their eyes. Fierce determination, accompanied with a disappointing touch of boredom. I couldn’t have my friends bored. “Let’s do this!” I cheer, then focus. My magic is channeled into the tiara behind my horn, and I feel it building. The girls and I are connected, and we become more so every time we use the Elements. We all feel each other now, we all can tell what the other is doing. More often than not, I’ve felt invisible wings on my back, the euphoria of flying. The others have felt a burst of magic from an imaginary horn, or the pain after a day’s work on the farm. All these thoughts, running through my head as I attack. I open my eyes, and they are blindingly bright. I can scarcely see, save the rainbow jetting from us to the sky. With a final burst of effort from all of us, it crashes down. A scream of terror and pain echoes from the monster, its grey pony-esque figure twitches, then it falls silent. I know that we drifted upwards as we used the Elements, and our glide downward is comfortable and slow. “Well I do say,” exclaims Rarity, and I turn towards her in confusion. She was… fading? Then I realized she hadn’t spoken. She had thought. “I think we’re even more connected,” I ponder, then Rainbow Dash interjects loudly; at least, as loudly as one can when speaking mentally. “Look at Twilight!” I feel all of them turning to look at me, then look down at myself. My colors are bright, brighter than ever. Looking at each of my friends, they seem to be a bit more faded, and my colors seem to be mixing with theirs. “What is this?” I speak aloud, and I hear myself in six voices. “Never mind,” I think, and I feel them nod. “Ah jus’ righ’ly don’ know,” declared Applejack. “Me either,” squeaks Fluttershy, and I’m hit with a pang of pity for her, which is reciprocated through all of us. “I need to study girls. You don’t mind, correct?” “Of course not Twi! Take alllll the time in the world!” exclaims Pinkie, and we all smile inadvertently. “Very well then Pinkie,” I tease, then turn to get back to the library. Closing my eyes, I teleport there, just in time to see the rest of them teleport with me. “Go figure,” muttered Rainbow Dash, and I couldn’t help but snicker. ~*~ Princess Celestia looked out at the sky, the sun slowly, but shakily setting. It was good for Luna, to be doing this. The populace was already trusting her more. As Celestia watched her student, she seemed to brighten up a bit. Her color was most certainly less grey than before. What had happened to her? A question Celestia had pondered every day. Every day since... then. When her student had slipped. She could remember it as if it were yesterday. ~*~ "Princess?" asked Twilight Sparkle, looking up from the cups she was attempting to levitate on top of each other. "What is it, Twilight?" asked Celestia, settling down next to her. "You don't mind that my friends sit in, do you? You've never really mentioned it..." she added, trailing off uncertainly. "Who are your friends?" "Who are they? They're all right here! Rainbow Dash up there, Fluttershy over there. Pinkie went off to the castle kitchen, and Applejack followed her. Rarity's sitting in your chair," she explained, gesturing around the room as she rattled off each name. "Mmhmm," mused Princess Celestia, looking at each spot. "Well, I suppose they can stay," she decided with a chuckle.
In Twilight's MindI waved goodbye to my friends, ignoring how odd things had become. Their thoughts were constantly echoing in my mind, and I needed to figure out why. "Spike?" "Oh, hey Twi. Didn't realize you were back," he said nervously, his hands behind his back. "Spike?" "Uh, yeah Twilight?" "What's behind your back?" "Uh... no... thing..." he said, moving backwards awkwardly. Sighing, I magically lifted him up, turning him around. "Spike! I told you no video games in the evenings!" "I know Twilight! I'm sorry!" he exclaimed, wriggling out of my grasp. "I needed to beat Captain Destructer!" Captain Destructer? I pondered to myself, only to have a brash voice interrupt my thoughts. Yeah! He's, like, the coolest pony ever! He's all pow-pow-pow, then bang-bang-bang! she mentally exclaimed, and I could imagine her gesturing wildly around. Thanks, Dash, I thought sarcastically, then turned to Spike. "Uh, Twilight? Why were you doing that weird thing you do when you eat brownies?" "What weird thing— never mind. I need everything we have under Elements of Harmony, Friendship, Telepathy, and... that's all for now. Quickly!" I added, and he ran off. Settling into a hard-backed chair and magically dragging my desk towards me, I prepared for a long night of studying. Spike ran in, carrying a stack of books easily twice as tall as him, and I magically lifted them as well, setting them in a neat stack aside my desk. He ran back out, then carried in a second stack, slightly shorter than the first. This was definitely a long night of studying. - "What am I doing wrong?" I yelled across the library, startling Spike from his nap. "I've checked every book here twice, and all I can find is that most users of the Elements end up becoming 'especially close,' that telepathy is 'scientifically and magically impossible,' and that 'friendship is magic!' What am I doing wrong?" she asked again, slumping to her desk. I'm sorry to interrupt, but Twilight? Yeah Fluttershy? What are you trying to find out about? Why I'm stealing your colors and why we can hear each others minds. Did you check books on hearing each others minds and losing colors? Why would there be a book like that? I saw it the other day... I'm sorry, I didn't want to startle you. Oops, I'm sorry, I'm trying to not apologize as much. Oops again! I'm so sorry, Fluttershy continued, and I sighed. Stop. It's not your fault. Now, I'm going to look for that book, I said, then trotted as well as my half-asleep hooves could carry me. Searching through the shelves rapidly, I finally found the book. "The 'Why Can I Read my Friends' Minds?' Manual, with Special Tips from 'Why Are my Friends Losing Their Colors?'" I finished the painfully long title, staring at the small image at the bottom of the book. Who knew? Carrying it back to my chair, I settled in for some educational reading aloud. "If you can read your friends' minds, you don't need to panic! In fact, there's a good chance it has some subconscious important meaning. Some things that may be causing this include: Fatigue, Insanity, Them Being Imaginary Friends, or as suggested by 'Why Are my Friends Losing Their Colors?', because they are actually a part of you that you created. All of these are equally possible, however, if you believe it to be the second, please ask ~~Spike~~ the local mailmare to contact the hospital immediately. If it is the first option, we suggest taking the weekend off for some solid sleep. If it is the second two options, you need to remember. I need to remember," I puzzled, sticking a slip of paper in the book. "Twilight?" interrupted a bleary-eyed Spike. "We're out of hot sauce," he said, then collapsed to the ground. "You silly drake. Time for bed," I cooed, lifting him to my bedroom. More studying could be done tomorrow. ~*~ Celestia looked on with concern as her student seemed to cringe. Curling up into the small bed she had requested for the room, she settled in and shut her eyes, ignoring memories that seemed to rise from the couch itself. ~*~ "Doctor, will she ever be okay?" asked Twilight Velvet, wiping a tear from her eye. "It's difficult to tell, ma'am. But don't waste your time here. You need to move on," he said, his tone carrying a heavy 'if you know what I mean' sense to it. "Are you certain? There has to be something you damn doctors can do!" yelled Shining Armor, his voice rising with each word. "Son..." "No, dad. Not this time. These bucking doctors can fix her; they can fix anypony!" he exclaimed, stomping his young hoof against the hard floor with a resounding crack. "Shiny, now is not the time. You can wait in the hall if you keep it up," warned his mother. "And watch that language," she added, this time less serious and more wearily. "My apologies, Princess," she said, and Celestia nodded. "I can understand," she said calmly, smoothly. That was what ponies wanted from her as their ruler. Calm, cool, and collected. After that, Twilight's family stopped coming. As if the doctor's words had been a warning to back off eternally. And those foals of parents complied. ~*~ Celestia shuddered at the memory. They still haunted her, and had for five long, brutal years. Years of suffering, pain, and remembrance. Years of resisting the temptation to break down Twilight's family's door and scream at them for not taking care of their daughter. Yell at Shining Armor for becoming a weapon maker, when he could be a fantastic guard. At least he helped the guard. Shaking her head, she grunted. Looking down at the inviting pillow below her, she settled into a light, fitful sleep. ~*~ I wasn't sleeping any better. Rolling over for the hundredth time that night, I finally scowled and got out of bed. If I couldn't sleep, I wasn't going to. Silently slipping down the stairs, I lit a small candle and began to read more of the book. After a few attempts to start, I couldn't, and I began to think. Why does imaginary friends strike such a chord in me? My friends are real; them being made up is scientifically and magically impossible! The only imaginary friend I've ever had was... me. When I first came to Ponyville, I'd see myself in a different world. I think I even saw Fluttershy as an entomologist. But that was so long ago. Five years ago, almost. I was thankful the others were asleep, otherwise they begin to have some strange thoughts concerning my mental health, and I knew that it was perfectly sound. Maybe.
Striking a ChordTwilight moaned softly as she rolled over in her bed, streching her hooves out. Lifting herself from her bed, she looked around, almost nervously, then spotted the book that had caused her nightmares. She considered throwing it, then shook her head and levitated it, pitching it down the stairs. Gee, Twi. D'ya really thing we're imaginary? asked Applejack, her voice taking on a cruel tone. Of course not! panicked Twilight, waving her hooves as if to stave off Applejack. Good, Applejack thought, and Twilight winced again. ~*~ Celestia sighed quietly as she stood, stretching her hooves and wings. "Princess, it is time for your flight," commanded one of her guards gently. "Thank you," she muttered, her mane hanging low. She took to the skies, flapping her wings only occasionally as she soared over Canterlot. Ponies below her looked up in wonder, and she merely ignored them. This was her time. ~*~ Girls, my place. Now, thought Twilight commandingly, then closed her eyes. Teleporting herself to to the nearby armchair, she couldn't help but snicker as the others fell around her, looking around in awe. Now girls. I want you to tell me something. Pinkie, how did you grow up? I lived on a rock farm with my two sisters and my mom and dad. One day, I saw a rainbow in the sky, and I realized I wanted to party, so I did. Pinkie's voice was monotonous, repetitive. Twilight simply nodded. What about you, Dash? I was at flight camp— she began, just to be cut off by Twilight. I mean before flight camp. I... uh... um... Dash stuttered. Thank you. Fluttershy? I really can't remember, squeaked the pegasus. Then I rest my case. Girls, what is the earliest you remember? The rainbow, they all chorused. "The rainbow," muttered Twilight. ~*~ Celestia landed outside her sister's window, magically throwing it open and pulling herself in. "Dear sister? What doth, er, what brings you here?" "Just... just missing you," murmured Celestia through a choked throat. She embraced Luna in a tight, magical hug broken only by a knock at the door. "Who doth go there?" cried Luna, and it was silent for a moment. "Princess Luna, there is another family to see you in Court," declared a guard, and Luna shot an apologetic look towards Celestia. "We must be off," she sighed, and Celestia nodded, then took off again. The wind under her wings was one of Celestia's favorite feelings. The euphoria of being near weightless, the only thing fighting her being her own weight. If Celestia could, she knew she would take for the skies and never land. Unfortunately, her flight was cut short as a cross wind caught her. Gritting her teeth, she flew through it, landing roughly against the window of Twilight's room. Hovering back, she magically opened the window and entered the room. Settling into her chair, she looked back at her student. ~*~ Girls, began Twilight, just in time to be interrupted by Spike. "Hey, does anyone want tea?" he asked, and Twilight gritted her teeth as the sound resounded through her skull. "Sure," whispered Twilight. "We'll all have some." She kept her voice low, hoping it would keep the noise down a bit. Unfortunately, it still echoed wildly. She felt the others winch, and sighed. "Spike, I need to talk to you, but writing is easiest on my ears. Just get the tea for now," she added, as she saw his eyes widen in concern. "Wha—" he began, then grabbed a pad of paper and a quill. What's happening? You see, Spike, the Elements can now all speak to each other telepathically. WHAT? he wrote, abusing the caps-lock button Twilight had magically added to her quills. I can't explain more. Yet, she added, then turned to the others, who all sat sipping the slightly steaming tea. Twilight? asked Pinkie nervously. Does this have to do with imaginary friends? Well... started Twilight, then stopped. I'm going to be straight. No, not like that, she added to a confused Fluttershy. I believe I may have reason to possibly consider the hypothesis that you may all potentially be... imaginary friends. That's more words than Pinkie can say in one breath! exclaimed Dash. Now Twi. Y'know wha' we tho't 'bout. D'ya rilly think we're imaginary? Applejack, you are not going to intimidate me. Yes, I believe it is possible. However, I'll need to run some tests. As Twilight stated she thought it was possible, all her friends faded a bit more. Twilight nodded, scribbling down something on a scroll, then looked around. Don't even try to leave, she commanded, then sat down. I can get you back here anyways. ~*~ I remember the one time I tried to talk to Twilight's parents. I can remember it so clearly, it could have been yesterday. Perhaps it has, with the days bleeding together to form one long, white roomed blur. "You can't give up on her," I pleaded Twilight Velvet. "I can and I will. She is gone, and I am not going back." "MOM!" yelled Shining Armor, and I winced at the sheer force in his voice. "We are not going back!" she yelled at him, and I watched as his face changed. First full of anger, it became simply indifferent. "Fine. Then she is gone. She may as well be dead to me," he muttered, then turned on hoof and walked away. "Look at what you've done," I harshly scowled. "You have destroyed him." "And you have destroyed my daughter!" yelled the mare, finally loosing it. I watched in awe as she performed the same trick Twilight did when she became angry—catching on fire. Her usually white body became black, her mane fiery. "I have done nothing! You let your near-foal child go to boarding school, and expect her to what? Be under my permanent guard? You destroyed her! You never visited! You never cared! And now you've given up!" Twilight Velvet stared numbly at me, then turned around, slamming the door to her small home behind her. As I entered my chariot, I heard heart-wracking sobs behind me. And I couldn't care any more.
StudiesTwilight smiled, then looked around the ponies seated awkwardly in front of her. Who's going first? she asked in a sing-song voice. Her mind remained awkwardly silent, until Pinkie spoke up with a falsely cheery voice. I'll do it! she exclaimed mentally, and Twilight shot her a thankful look. If you'll just put your forehooves here, and wear this hat, and put this on your tongue, and your face, and your tail, and... that's it! Twilight gave a broad, desparing smile, then began to speak aloud. "Girls, please leave the room for now. I need to speak out loud to Pinkie." Her voice echoed in her head six times, but the others left, leaving Twilight and Pinkie alone. "Now Pinkie. I want you to tell me everything you can remember, from the rainbow. Preferably before it, maybe after. What can you remember? Say it aloud," she added with a small wince as her voice echoed twice. "All I remember is that I lived on a rock farm, and was really sad. Then I saw the rainbow, and I was so... so happy. It felt like I was alive, if you know what I mean. Really, truly, abso-positutely alive!" Twilight was scrawling rapidly across the page, until she realized the quill was writing for itself. With a small blush, she let it work. "The rainbow... brought you to life?" she asked, hoping to clarify. "It did! Before that, everything was sad, but you made it happy!" Twilght nodded, then quickly teleported a few hooves away. This time, her friends were ready and landed squarely on their hooves. "Girls, this time I'd like to work with Rainbow Dash or Rarity. Which one?" The two mares shot each other looks, as if saying it was the others' turn, but finally Rarity stepped forward. "The rest of you, please leave," said Twilight, with no regard to manners. Pinkie squeezed her hooves out of their hold, and Rarity trotted nervously over. "Twilight, dear, what ever is the matter?" "I think you all are imaginary friends, but what's more... you all keep mentioning a rainbow. I... I can remember a rainbow," she said quietly, caught in thought. "Anyways, just fit those to comfort and I'll ask a few questions." Rarity complied, sliding her hooves in, and began to speak. "I know what you'll ask, so I'll just begin. No, I cannot remember anything prior to the rainbow besides what I told the Cutie Mark Crusaders a bit ago. The rainbow... brought me to life," she said dreamily, and Twilight rolled her eyes, but nodded. "So... you'd say the rainbow pulled you out of something?" "Precisely, dear! I can barely remember a strange room, talking to a young filly not too different from you, and everything being grey. When the rainbow came, everything changed. You came to Ponyville, and I did as well. I was born here, of course," she added quickly, "but I had never felt like I was truly here." "Thank you then," said Twilight, letting Rarity leave. She approached the machine, which held two small vials of what should have been blood. Instead, a painfully bright light reflected through the prism-vials. Twilight hastened to open the lid of the vial, but inside was an ugly mixture of brown. She turned her gaze to the vial, and white shone instead. She turned away, then looked back. The same properties applied. With a dramatically long inhale, she let out a small string of curses, then teleported her friends in. Ignoring the unavoidable echo, she spoke. "Girls, I believe you are made of rainbow." ~*~*~ Princess Celestia had dozed off again, remembering little things, when she saw her student's eyelids flutter. She was on her hooves in mere moments, leaning over her student as if she were a gold-miner who had just found a literal river. Twilight was moving. On her own. Princess Celestia fell back to her haunches, staring almost blankly at the student, as she began to remember once again. ~*~*~ When Twilight had first slipped into her coma, her family had been there constantly. I've mentioned that. She had only been in a lighter coma; still an astonishingly deep one, but a lighter coma than she had been in two years ago. She would move, mumble, and her horn flared occasionally. Then her family stopped coming, and she fell apart. It was almost as if she could tell who was there. When I was around, she seemed to straighten up, act as composed as one could in a coma. When Luna was around, she almost flinched, but not as if she were truly afraid. When her family was around though... it brought her to life. She'd be relaxed, nodding, gentle movements or mumblings. She could have stepped out of it, she was so close. Until those damned idiots stopped coming. I'm determined to get them back for that. Someday, she'd make sure they were around. Possibly the day she attacked them, or threw them in the dungeons for all long eternity. ~*~*~ Princess Celestia looked down at her student, whose state seemed closer to when she had first slipped in than ever. With a small sigh of relief, she looked around the room for the millionth time. Her eyes became fixed to the window, where a flyer fluttered down. She was tempted to ignore it, but instead used her magic to lift it. Wonderbolts in Canterlot! Image Featuring Rainbow Dash, Spitfire, Soarin', Misty, and More~! **Costumes designed by Sapphire Shores Jewelry designed by Rarity, with assistance from Pinkamena Pie** Celestia let it flutter tiredly to the ground, turning back towards her student. "I know you'll be okay. You are my student, and I never take on quitters or losers." Author's Note Anyone who says this is short will have their head cut off. I'm really excited to get to the next few chapters, since this'll be wrapped up soon. I'm trying to lengthen the chapters, but I promise the last one will be a doozy!
