The Darkest Hope

Twilight Sparkle sat still at her desk, her head laying on it's hard surface. Staring silently outside the castle window in front of her, the moon giving off a soft glow. Her body was covered in bandages and her head was swirling with pain. All Twilight could think about was her time in captivity and the torture the changelings had brought upon her. She had been discharged from the Canterlot hospital a few hours or days ago. Twilight wasn't sure she was in too much pain.

"Twilight...are you awake?" Twilight sighed and struggled to raise her head, Starlight was at her door once again. Starlight had entered her room holding a tray of food in her magic. All Twilight could do was blankly stare. She wanted to yell at Starlight for disturbing her so late, but the tray full of food and drinks had quelled her rage. Setting the tray down carefully on Twilight's desk, Starlight looked at her mentor with worry.

"You need to keep up your strength." Starlight had told her mentor softly, concerned. Twilight sighed and picked up a sandwich, needing this if she was to get any better.

"Thank you Starlight." was all Twilight could give muster. Twilight looked over at Starlight who was standing far away from her. She could tell what Starlight wanted to ask.

"What else do you want?" Twilight asked as she took a bite.

"I...um...wanted" Starlight stopped to breathe. She had no reason to worry, Twilight was not a monster.

"Why did you you do that to Chrysalis? I mean she was horrible and was a major threat yes.. but I never thought that anypony was capable of something like that... especially somepony like you." Twilight's mind replayed that moment. Twilight had seen Chrysalis try to fly off and escape. Twilight had given chase and had shot a powerful blast of magic right at her kidnapper. Chrysalis's let out a agonized scream as her body slowly melted into black sludge that fell to ground. Twilight had just let out a power only alicorns were capable of. Twilight just sat there silently finishing her sandwich.

"Doesn't matter now, Chrysalis is no longer a threat to Equestria. Now if you don't mind I would appreciate being left alone." Twilight had answered Starlight and was done with her presence, besides she was very busy. Starlight made her exit quickly, shutting Twilight's door quietly. Twilight felt a boiling anger towards Starlight for trying to convince her own tormenter to take her hoof in friendship. Plus Twilight had her failures to toil with. She failed to be the perfect protector, the perfect student of Celestia who had ascended, the perfect...perfect. Twilight grabbed a vase in her magic and smashed it full force into the wall. She was done trying to be everypony's perfect princess. Twilight was done, no more of this hell she was expected to just live in. Twilight stared at shattered vase and the gears in her head had clicked. She now knew what she was going to do.

The next day Twilight made her way to ponyville's town hall, since she of course expected to be present. The area of the town was crowded with ponies waiting for Princess Twilight to give out a speech. As Twilight made her way to the podium, ponies whispered and pointed at the many bandages that she was warped in. Anger was taking hold of her once again, but Twilight knew that now was the time for it. She just had to get this over with before she could rest. Mayor mare stood in front of stairs leading up to the podium, looking down at the papers held in hooves. She looked up just in time to see Twilight approaching and bowed her head. Twilight paid her no mind as she made her way up the stage. Taking her place, she looked at the Mayor. Understanding what Twilight wanted she nodded, and turned the microphone on. She then waved her hoof for the crowd to silence themselves. Twilight took a moment to look the crowd over before she spoke.

"Thank you all for coming. Celestia herself has requested that I give this announcement. Chrysalis has been defeated and destruction of her hive is underway." The crowd burst out into cheers celebrating this victory. Twilight raised her hoof up in a signal for everypony settle down so that she could continue. It took a few minutes longer than would've liked, but the crowd did quiet down.

"In recognition of Thorax's bravery and his denouncing of his hive, Celestia has granted him a pardon and is now an official citizen of the Equestria. Please note that there are still a few rouge changelings roaming around, have no fear. Celestia believes that none of them will pose any threat." Twilight took a second to look at the crowd and sighed deeply.

"As for me, I'm recovering just fine. I request that anypony who needs my assistance hold off unless it is an absolute emergency... At least until my wounds have fully healed...That is all Thank you." Twilight shut her eyes and prepared herself. As the thundering of cheers and hooves stomping on the ground invaded her ears. A stabbing pain growing in her head. Twilight rushed to make her way off the stage. Before taking off and flying away towards her castle.

When Twilight had landed she had to drag herself all the way back to her room, finally she would able to get some rest. Climbing into her bed, she lay on her back among the several soft pillows and warm blankets. Sighing she sat herself on the edge of the bed waiting.

"Twilight. I know you don't want to be bothered bu-"

"Come on in spike." Spike opened the door and quickly rushed to Twilight's side. In his claws he held a bright sapphire potion prescribed to her for the pain. Twilight wasted no time. She snatched the potion from him and downing the potion so she could feel relief. The bitter taste stung her tongue and throat. It was the worst but the effects of the potion started to take ahold of her almost immediately.

"I'll leave a tray of food for you on your desk. Do you want anything specific?" Spike asked as he waited patiently for a response. He watched as Twilight drank the entire potion. Spike didn't know how much pain she was currently in. Removing the bottle from her mouth, Twilight coughed a few times before turning her head towards spike

"Bring me carrot soup and bowel of freshly cut fruit. DON'T wake me up." Twilight handed the empty bottle back to spike.

"Also send in a triple order for the premium lavender tea." Twilight needed that for her nerves, knowing that patience was going to be the key to her plan. Spike simply nodded and left her side to making his exit. Before he shut the door he turned around and gave Twilight a soft smile. Watching as she let herself fall back into her bed, already drowsy from the medicine. Spike set the bottle down and rushed back to Twilight's side. Jumping up onto the bed to tuck her into the soft blankets. Once he was sure that she would comfortable, he stepped off the bed and tiptoed back to the door. Slowly shutting it so he would not to make any noise. Twilight felt her body drifting as she let her eyes close to take her into a deep, peaceful rest. knowing that she was going to need it for what she was planning next.