Sometimes Things Don’t Lastby TouchofDestructionChaptersCast OffAfter Twilight's DepartureRecollectionA New Friend?Cast OffAuthor's Note Super short story Despise Canterlot Wedding and think almost everyone in it was a jerk, and I’ll admit that it eventually led to me losing any love I had for the series. I’ll admit that this is more from my understanding and experiences, but honestly, something like what happened occurred in real life, only I was on the end of both the perpetrator and the one that was abandoned by people I saw as friends and guides. I’m not going to discuss it too much here, but this thing has been eating at my brain and won’t let me go until I write it. This is mainly based on Durgan’s fic, “This Day Should’ve Just Been Perfect,” only there are a few alterations in events. Plus, even if I’m all for reconciliation and forgiveness, it has to be earned. And no, apologies in disguise don’t count. If anything, it makes you look arrogant. Oh, and reinstating Twilight as Best Mare doesn’t mean anything if they’re not even going to show Shining Armor actually SEEM sorry! Not a long one, and I won’t update frequently, but I have to get this out or it’ll drive me crazy. Cast Off "My dear student. I am so sorry for the way we treated you. I understand your pain now, as do we all. But you must believe me when I say this. These events this day and your actions to help save the REAL Cadence will be a huge day to be remembered not only from us here, but everyone across all of Equestria. And I promise you, there will be no more excuses to not hake heed of all that has been learned today. But right now, all we need is your help one more time to help piece together a day that will still be celebrated and enjoyed by all... especially for you too. Please Twilight" she lowered her head and nuzzled the still sobbing unicorn, "Please help us just one more time to make your brother's wedding possible". Upon hearing that, the purple unicorn immediately pushed the ruler away, as her very touch burnt the mortal equine’s skin. “Oh, I see. So, that’s what I am to you. I’m just someone who you think you can just toss out like trash, but when you need me, you expect me to be there.” She stood up, gazing at Celestia with despair and rage. “Twilight no, you’re anything but!” The ivory Princess answered. “Please, believe me-“ she reached out to her student, but the unicorn slapped her hoof away. “Don’t touch me,” Twilight hissed. “I don’t recall allowing you to do so.” Celestia’s eyes began to water, the true magnitude of what her negligence and ignorance had caused. “Twilight, please…” the Princess begged, practically on her knees by this point. “Please…I…I’m sorry. We’re all so, so sorry.” Despite her pleas, her student just gazed at her coldly. Any sort of familiar affection and childlike awe for the Solar Monarch was gone. Twilight felt nothing for her anymore, and this realization shattered the Princess’s heart. “If I recall correctly, you told me I had a lot to think about,” Twilight said, the alicorn lowering her head as a few stray tears leaked out from her eyes. “So, I have. And I’ve come to the conclusion that, unfortunately, this can’t continue any further.” Everyone froze in fear upon hearing that. “What do you mean?” Fluttershy questioned in a frightened tone, trembling with dread as Twilight spoke again. “Everything,” Twilight answered, looking at the yellow pegasus, along with the other five ponies. “Our friendship,” she then looked at Celestia. “My role as your student,” she then glared back at Shining Armor. “Or being my Big Brother Best Friend Forever.” The entire room fell silent. “You…you can’t mean…” Shining stammered, shaking his head in denial. Twilight answered with a nod and eyes that rivaled the coldest of tundras. “You’re none of those things to me anymore. And I’ve realized that I’m better off without you.” The five ponies’ eyes widened in horror, Cadence gaping in disbelief at what she had just heard. “Twilight…” she said, looking upon the unicorn with sympathy. “Twilight, please, don’t do this, please!” Celestia begged, unable to compose herself any longer, tears falling freely down her face. “I beg of you, please don’t cut us out of your life,” she cried. “Please, you’re the best student I’ve had in centuries. I…I don’t want to lose you.” “You already have.” Twilight responded coldly, making Celestia’s blood grow cold with horror. “I’m not your student anymore, nor do I wish to be.” Celestia just stared at the unicorn, eyes wide and flowing with tears. “Twilight…” “Enjoy the wedding without me,” the unicorn snarled as she began to make her way to the exit of the grand hall, only to be stopped by a white stallion with nothing short of desperation on his face. “Twily, please, don’t do this!” Shining Armor begged his younger sibling. “Please don’t leave, I’m sorry about everything I said and everything that’s happened! I really am!” He then extended a hoof out to her. “Please, don’t go. I want you to be my Best Mare-“ He got no more out before his sister slapped his hoof away, rejecting him and his words entirely. “Find somepony else,” Twilight hissed coldly. “Because, while I can’t stop being your sister,” she narrowed her violet eyes. “You are no longer my best friend forever.” The ivory stallion was robbed of breath and words, his chest felt as if it were weighed down with stone. “Twily…” “Don’t call me that,” Twilight hissed. “It’s a stupid nickname anyway.” Again, she tried to move toward the door, but her brother wouldn’t let her pass, desperate to try and repair the damage that had been done. “Twily,” “That’s Twilight Sparkle to you, Captain.” He sighed. “P-please, I’m sorry,” her brother said, voice beginning to crack. “I’m so, so sorry. But please, believe me, there’s nopony I want more at my wedding than you-“ “That’s not what you said earlier.” Shining flinched. The venom in his sister’s voice was almost painful to listen to, as if he were steadily being poisoned by her disgust and disdain. “I know what I said, I know. And I really am sorry. I was wrong, there IS no wedding without you, Twily.” “It’s Twilight! Don’t call me that! I hate it!” “Please let me make this right with you! Please, everyone will know what you’ve done to save us, I’ll tell everypony! I’ll tell them you’re the best sister and Best Mare! I’ll let everyone know how you and Cadence helped save Canterlot and Equestria! Just please, please let me make it up to you. Let me give you your place beside me at the altar.” “I refuse,” the unicorn responded coldly. “You wanted me gone, you got it.” “Twilight, please!” “I will not, nor will I EVER be your Best Mare, let alone be involved in your wedding,” Twilight narrowed her eyes. “I wish I had never come here,” she then turned to her friends. Her “former” friends. “I wish I had never gone to Ponyville,” then, she centered her eyes on the ivory Monarch with a flowing, iridescent mane. “And I wish I never became your student.” The five ponies she addressed, along with the Princess, felt their hearts collectively sink and turn ice cold, their worst fears slowly transforming their way into reality. “You…you don’t mean that,” Pinkie Pie began to whimper, tears pricking the sides of her ducts. “We…we were wrong, b-but we won’t do it again!” She said, “We…we’ll throw you a party even better than the wedding if you just-“ “Parties are occasions for friends,” Twilight interrupted. “And we are no longer friends.” The pink-colored mare’s blue eyes were consumed with moisture, her legs growing weak as what was happening came crashing down on her and everyone else. “But…but Darling…” Rarity stammered, choking on tears. “I think we’re done here,” Twilight hissed. “I’m going back to my room to pack,” she said. “I need to do some reading on where to move.” Fluttershy’s teal eyes widened in horror. “Move?! Wha-what do you mean?!” “You’re not my friends anymore, so there’s no reason for me to stay in Ponyville. I don’t have any need or want to be around any of you,” She narrowed her eyes. “Go to Tartarus, all of you.” “All right, that’s enough!” An accented voice shouted, a blonde pony rushing in front of Twilight. Applejack stood in front of the unicorn. “I get your sore with us, and yes, you have every right to be angry, but you can’t stand there and tell me that you’re just going to throw away everything!” “You’re no longer my friend, so what value does your word hold?” “Hey! Now that is uncalled for!” “It’s the truth! I thought that’s what was supposed to matter to you, Miss Honesty!” Twilight argued back. “It certainly matters more to you than me.” “That’s not true!” Applejack protested. “I just thought you were being clingy with your brother! But that doesn’t mean I don’t care about you!” “Then why didn’t you look for me?” The blonde pony paused. “Wh-What?” Twilight continued. “The Changeling Queen, when she sent me down to the caverns, said that nopony would even think to look for me,” she said. “And, seeing how I saw you all here, I guess she was right.” Applejack’s green eyes grew large. “No, Twi. She…she’s a liar. She-” “Let me ask you something,” the unicorn interrupted. “Did you even notice I was gone?” “What?” “From what I can estimate, the Queen sent me underground last night, which means that given it was morning when I and Cadance first got here, hours had passed,” she said. “I was gone for hours, Applejack. And you didn’t even think to try and look for me?” Applejack went silent. “I…” she stammered. “We…we didn’t…mean…to…” “Answer my question,” the unicorn repeated. “Did you even try to look for me? Did the possibility of a threat not give you even the slightest inkling that maybe something was wrong if a friend that you supposedly care about was gone for an unusual amount of time?” The other pony was rendered speechless, unable to respond. “It’s because you don’t care,” Twilight answered. “If anything, I owe the Queen for showing me that.” “Twi,” Applejack said, voice far less confident and proud. In fact, it sounded as if she had been broken a little. “If…if you want someone to be mad at, be mad at me,” she told the unicorn. “I…I’m the one who said we should check on the Princess, and…” she paused. Despite her penchant for honesty, a good part of her dreaded what she was going to say. “And…I’m the one that said you needed to think about what you did. Some of us wanted to check on you, but…I…told them not to.” Twilight said nothing, violet eyes cold and icy. “That doesn’t surprise me in the slightest.” “But, please, PLEASE believe me, I care about you, WE care about you,” the farmer pleaded. “And…I’m downright ashamed that I did this to you. We all are.” Still, Twilight said nothing. “Please,” Applejack choked out, her emotions beginning to become overwhelming. “Please…just…just don’t do this. Don’t remove yourself from our lives.” The purple unicorn only stared back at her, bright green orbs that looked into a pair of violets that echoed disdain and loathing. “I’m going home.” Twilight then stepped past Applejack and her brother, entering the hall leading out of the expansive chamber. “Have fun at the wedding without me.” Then she left. “Twily, wait!” Shining Armor called out, about to follow her, but the doors were shut by her magic, blocking him from going forward. The entire chamber fell silent at the absence of the unicorn, everyone stunned and shocked at what had just happened. But, most importantly, remorse. Today was supposed to be perfect. But now, it was one of the worst days of everyone’s lives. After Twilight's DepartureAuthor's Note Hello! Forgive me, but while I said that this isn’t going to be updated frequently, sometimes, if I’m in a foul mood, I’ve got to hate-write. Not in the sense of “I hate to write,” even if there are days where I’m pumping out words and others I’ve got nothing. No, it’s more of writing about the things that make me angry and channeling that energy into something else. Even if that something is depressing with no hope, sadness, and broken relationships. All the angst!!! Got to admit, even if I may disown the story or art piece in time, I find catharsis that I got it out. If anything, maybe it can serve as a stepping stone. I don’t want to sound haughty or arrogant, but, while I do hate Canterlot Wedding with a burning passion, if I pretend it doesn’t exist, or somehow come up with an alternate scenario (because, honestly I don’t like Cadence, although that’s better than my views on her husband because I hate his guts), because, outside of that, I do like the characters and setting. Granted, I’m more for harder fantasy, yet I’m curious about experimenting with putting the Mane Six in different situations. Some may be in the MLP universe, and some may be in crossovers, but I’m sort of wanting to test how they would react to worlds that aren’t run by friendship and are actually full of betrayal, destruction, grief, and suffering. Or maybe I’m just a morbid person that’s never gotten help. Either way, here is the next part of this small stepping stone on this site. Again, if I pretend CW doesn’t exist or has an alternate take, I can sort of look past it. Truth is, I might find myself making an alternate scenario of it myself. Unlike this, things end happily, but another secret is revealed that would sort of change everything in the series up to that point in some areas. Anyhow, thank you for reading! I’ll admit I’m sort of new to this site, and I’m wanting to possibly test out with some artwork in my works here, so if there’s a way to do that or where I can get feedback on stuff I’m making for the story, please alert me! Thank you! After Twilight's Departure Run. That’s the only word that echoed in her mind, her only conscious thought, her only natural instinct that she could harness at that very moment. Run. Run away. Run away from them all. Run back to her room where it was safe. Run, she repeated to herself. Run, don’t let them catch you. Don’t stop. She found her chest beginning to twist again, the emotional highs and lows, the intensity of her anger, it weighed down on her form as if it were a massive stone she carried on her back. And she wasn’t sure of just how much longer she could shoulder its burden. After a short time of looking back to see if anypony was following her, she finally reached her room and quickly opened the door before ducking inside and locking it. She then levitated her suitcase and began haphazardly throwing things in, all the while trying to banish the memories of what had occurred the night prior. The night she was sent down to the caverns. The night nopony, as Queen Chrysalis said, bothered to look for her. Her brother banning her from the wedding, her friends and teacher walking out on her, the sight of them all at the altar, Applejack’s apology that only served to further rub salt in the unicorn’s wounds, and the Princess’s smile and belief that everything was all right. It all just sent her over the edge. And, only after getting a quarter done, Twilight’s magic ceased, objects and items falling to the floor as everything that had happened hit her at once all over again. The tears began to fall and she felt her body beginning to shake. Ultimately, it didn’t take long for Twilight Sparkle to throw herself onto the mattress and soak the pillows with rivets of fresh moisture from her eyes. How long she was there, crying for what felt like hours, her lilac form steadily drained of all energy as she wept herself to exhaustion, the unicorn wasn’t sure. But just as she felt a haze begin to silently greet itself by slowly clouding up her mind, she was brought out of nearly falling asleep by a knock on the door. At first, she had assumed it was perhaps her brother, her friends (formerly), the Princess, or maybe even Spike. Maybe Cadence? Regardless, she didn’t want any visitors right now. “Please, just leave me alone.” But, to the unicorn’s shock, she heard a voice she didn’t recognize. “Pardon me, Lady Sparkle, but we insist that you come with us.” It was a stallion’s voice, perhaps one of the guards? Even after all the time she had been here, Twilight Sparkle herself never got to know just HOW many were employed under the Princesses. Opening the door with her magic, the lilac equine was greeted by the face of a dark-gray stallion equipped with golden armor and a spear. “Yes?” Twilight asked, confused. “How…can I help you?” “Lady Sparkle,” the guard began. “By order of the Equestrian Council, you are hereby summoned to give a testimony regarding the earlier attack on the city.” “Testimony?” Twilight asked. “What do you mean? Aren’t there repairs being done? The Changelings are gone, so there should be no more danger, right?” “Currently, no, there is not,” the guard answered. “But, given current events, the Council has decided to take action and potentially hold those that failed to take Canterlot’s safety into account responsible.” Twilight’s violet eyes widened. “What do you mean? I thought only the Princess had authority like that!” “Given that she too failed to take precautions and failed to defend her subjects against the Changeling Queen, she has temporarily been revoked of her authority.” The unicorn could scarcely believe what she was hearing. “Wait, what?!” she was flabbergasted. True, even if she still didn’t hold the ivory mare in high regard, such news was shocking to hear. The Princess?! Stripped of her authority?! She didn’t believe such a thing was possible! “When did this happen?” “When the damage was assessed and the city began repairs. During that time, Captain Armor, the Element Bearers, and several witnesses have testified of what occurred the day prior, as well as this day.” Element Bearers? Did he mean…? And her brother was there too?! “What about Princess Luna? And Cadence?” Twilight paused. What about Cadence? What about the wedding? “Princess Luna has been found to be enchanted in her chambers,” the guard said, Twilight gasping in shock. “It seems the Changeling Queen snuck into her room and gave her something extra in her evening tea.” “How is she?” Twilight asked, greatly concerned. “Is she alright?” “She’s fine physically, save for a slight headache and dizziness,” the soldier told the unicorn. “As for Princess Cadence, she too has given her statement. Which is why I have come to collect you-” “Wait, sir, if I may,” Twilight interrupted. “What about the wedding?” The guard lowered his head and closed his eyes. While he hadn’t been present for it, he had been outside in the hallway to see a lilac unicorn galloping as if she were trying to race the wind, which brought the attention of not only himself but other guards that were recovering from the sudden invasion. Needless to say, when he and his comrades arrived, they saw something they never expected to see. “There…will not be a wedding.” the guard told Twilight. The unicorn’s mouth went agape. “What?” The stallion winced. Even if he wasn’t the one receiving the wrath he had witnessed on display hours ago, reminiscing about still made him pity his Captain. “After you left, and, I’ll admit, I saw you leave, we went to the throne room to see if Her Majesty, Celestia, was safe. And, well…” he bit his lip. “It…wasn’t pretty.” Hours Before Once he and his fellow guards reached the throne room, they were presented with a scene of their Solar Monarch openly weeping, tears falling to the floor, while five other ponies looked just as forlorn and miserable as their ruler. Their Captain had his head down as if he were afraid to show his face. One of them was about to speak, but before they could do so, one of the Element Bearers spoke first. “Wh-Why…?” the pink mare, Pinkie Pie, he believed, croaked, her usually bouncy mane completely flat, her blue eyes watering with tears that soon couldn’t rest in her ducts anymore, finally flowing down her face. “Were we…really that horrible?” a white unicorn with blue diamonds on her flank said, barely able to get out words. A golden mare sporting a hat removed the head accessory and held it over her chest. “Wh-What are we going to do?” Celestia sniffled, able to put her tears to a halt, at least temporarily. “We…we can’t let this sit as it is,” she said. The guards exchanged surprised and worried looks. It was so alien to see their Princess, their Ruler, a mare over a thousand years, look so defeated and broken. “I…we have to make this right.” Their Captain then spoke. “I…I’ll try talking to her again. She…maybe she’s had time to calm down, and I can-” “Don’t bother,” a voice said. Although, it wasn’t from one of Twilight’s friends, nor from the Princess. Nor from the guards silently observing what was taking place. “There’s no need to have her as a Best Mare.” Shining turned around to see Cadence, always beautiful, but the normally cheerful, friendly, inviting look in her eyes was gone, replaced with one of extreme disappointment. Which then steadily grew into disgust. Shining Armor could see his bride-to-be’s brows furrowing, her eyes narrowing, and her teeth clenching from underneath her pink lips. “C-Cadence?” the white stallion nervously said, but he immediately wished he hadn’t. It was then that the Princess of Love exploded. “The wedding is off.” The room fell silent again, everyone taken aback by what they had just heard. “Wh-What?” Celestia stammered, unable to completely believe that there was yet another dire consequence to her neglect and foolishness. “I’ll be going to check on Twilight,” the pink Princess growled. “Right now, I think it’s safe to say that she doesn’t want to see any of you.” Shining Armor ran in front of his bride, who was just about to leave, the guards kept quiet as they continued to listen and watch. “Cadence, wait!” he cried out. “Wh-What do you mean it’s off?!” “Exactly what I said, it’s off,” the Princess answered, voice devoid of any affection or attachment. “I’m not going to marry you.” The stallion was left speechless for a good few moments before finally regaining his voice. “But…but why?” “Why?” Cadence questioned as if the fact he even dared to ask such a thing was an insult in of itself. “Why?! You seriously are asking why?!” she practically roared in his face. “Do you think that I would ever want to marry a pony who puts his stupid pride before his own family?! Someone who’s willing to make his sister’s friends and mentor turn on her because of a Princess?!” “But Cadence, I didn’t know that-” Shining Armor tried to argue, but his bride was having none of it. “That’s Princess Mi Amore Cadenza to you, Captain Armor!” Cadence shouted. “And if you think any of that sweet talk will win me back, you are sadly mistaken!” “But…But I seriously thought that was you! I didn’t mean to-” “I don’t want to hear it! Despite everything, it seems that your own sister didn’t matter to you in the least, seeing as how willing you were to cut her out of this event!” the Princess of Love then turned to the five mares that had formerly walked out on the pony she used to sit for. “And you, every single one of you should be ashamed of yourselves!” she bellowed, causing each of them to wince and flinch. “I know Twilight has a tendency to overreact, but she always means well, and you know it! How could you treat her so cruelly?! I thought you were all learning about friendship, but I guess, when an opportunity like this comes along, you really are willing to just throw it all away!” Celestia’s lips parted. “Cadence, please-” “And you!” the younger mare directed her attention to her aunt with an outstretched hoof, the white monarch robbed of breath. She had never seen her niece so furious. “You seriously put a wedding over the safety of your subjects?! Over the safety of your student?! I heard her say that she was gone for hours after the rehearsal, and not ONE of you thought that perhaps something was wrong?! That maybe she was in some sort of danger?!” “But…” Celestia stammered. “But…” “The Changeling Queen was right. You all cared more about a wedding than this kingdom or your friend! A friend that’s risked their life for you so many times and has done so much for you! Especially you!” Cadence glared at Celestia again after looking scornfully at Twilight’s friends. “Maybe she’s right, maybe she IS nothing more than just a tool to you. Maybe you don’t care for her at all.” “That’s not true!” her aunt protested. “I do care! I love Twilight as if she were my own filly!” “Certainly did a poor job of showing it,” Cadence responded. “Making sure this went ahead despite the present danger shows that this wedding was the only thing that mattered to any of you. You didn’t give a single thought about Twilight,” her eyes then met Spike. Her resentment and anger simmered down to disappointment. “Despite however long you’ve known her.” The little dragon lowered his head. He began to remove his tux, not even wanting to touch the fabric that composed the garment. “I think we’re done here,” Cadence said. “Forgive me, but I don’t exactly want to be part of a company that’s willing to abandon a pony they claim to love and cherish to partake in a royal wedding. In fact,” she then turned to the stallion that was to be her husband. “And I especially would NEVER, EVER marry somepony like that.” her eyes glistened dangerously. Shining Armor was frozen, the guards still keeping silent. Princess Cadence began to move to the door but was blocked by the white stallion. “Cadence, please! Don’t do this-” He got no further words out. A golden horseshoe met his face with surprising force, making him stumble for a moment before regaining balance. He brought a hoof to his cheek, the stinging burn her blow had left further confirmation that everything was going to Tartarus. “That’s Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, Captain,” the pink equine hissed. “And I’ve been down in those caves for some time, so I’d like to get myself cleaned off, if I may,” she then walked past him, Shining Armor too shocked to say or do anything. “Don’t bother following me. I never want to see you again.” With that, the Princess made her exit, noticing the guards by the door, but ultimately paid them no mind. For now, she just wanted to find Twilight and make sure she was all right. Then, perhaps take a shower. Anything to ease this insufferable weight that now rested in her heart, which had been completely shattered. Present Time Twilight Sparkle stood in place, shocked at what she had just been told. Yet, with that, another question came to her mind. “Where is Cadence now?” “She is being cared for by the physicians before she gives her statement. While it was not for an extensive period, any longer in those caves could’ve proved deadly for her, alicorn or not,” the stallion told the unicorn. “But, seeing as you are in perfect health, I request that you come with me to the Council Chamber to present your recounting of what’s transpired.” “Me?” “Yes, is there a problem with that?” The unicorn shifted her eyes, looking out the window. She then realized just what time it was, the sky a canvas of pinks and oranges with splashes of magenta and violet. The sun was about to set! How long had she been in her room?! “Bear in mind, Lady Sparkle, if you do not come, you shall be brought to the Council regardless,” the guard told her. “You seem like a reasonable mare, so I do not wish to do that. But I am a stallion that serves orders. So,” he said. “What is your answer?” Twilight was unsure of what to say. Even if she had known of what took place after she left, she had no idea what was currently going on in the streets of Canterlot. From the sound of the guard’s tone, she assumed that things weren’t exactly good. Yet, whether out of this sense of curiosity or with a genuine desire to speak, Twilight Sparkle nodded her head. “Yes,” she answered. “Please, lead the way.” Recollection“Hm?” The stallion guard paused in his trot, turning to see that, once again, the violet unicorn had stopped. “Something wrong, Ms. Sparkle?” “Huh?” the pony’s attention was drawn back to the one escorting her to the Council Hall. “Oh, no, it’s…it’s nothing,” she said. “Sorry about that.” The guard didn’t appear convinced. “You’ve stopped on our journey around five times thus far,” he told her. “There is something wrong with you,” he then drew closer, not to where he invaded her space, but to where he could at least examine her outer form with better accuracy. “Are you injured in any way? If so, I can alert the Council that you have been escorted to the medical center to receive treatment-” “No!” the unicorn suddenly shouted, the guard taken aback by her sudden outburst. “Oh, I mean, no thank you,” she said. “I…actually have some things I would like to say.” The stallion gazed at her for a few moments, not entirely trusting her word, although he didn’t entirely understand why. It wasn’t as if this mare, the prized student of Princess Celestia herself, had any reason to lie to him. All the same, there was a sense of something not quite right. Then, he stopped. “Wait a moment,” he said, turning back to face the unicorn. “Yes?” Twilight asked, puzzled as to why they hadn’t even begun to continue their journey. The stallion averted his eyes for a moment, then looked the mare in the eye, as if trying to see if there was any hint of something alien, something unfamiliar. Still, he saw nothing. “No,” he said. “You couldn’t be,” he sighed. “They were all banished by Captain Armor and Princess Cadance.” “Banished?” And you can forget about being my Best Mare! In fact, if I were you, I wouldn’t show up to the wedding at all. Twilight bit her lip. Again, those events replayed in her mind. And they still stung just as much. And with that sting came the heat of anger afterward, once again reminded of why she was even here. She was reminded why Canterlot lay in ruins all around her, why there were still stallions, mares, and foals looking for each other as some families were still separated from the attack, and why a day that was supposed to be beautiful turned out so wrong. A day that she thought she had lost everything and everyone. Especially her BBBFF. ...no. Don’t you mean, ‘Former BBBFF? …well, yes. I…I’m mad at him. But… But what? He said it himself, the wedding wasn’t important to you. That your concerns and efforts were not important. …yes, he did say that. And what did your friends say after? Nothing. Even if she’s just as guilty as they are, at least Celestia acknowledged you. Even if her words rivaled the hurt you were dealt by your so-called BBBFF. … … … … …! Hey, look alive, this dolt’s talking to you! “Huh?” The scene of demolished buildings and splintered glass littering the streets manifested before the unicorn once again, the stallion in golden armor staring her in the eye. With the suddenness of realizing the closeness between the two, Twilight stepped back, her violet eyes blinking and becoming aware that her escort was looking at her rather suspiciously. “Oh, I…I’m sorry,” the unicorn sputtered. “Did…I just…” “Are you certain that you are all right?” the guard questioned. “I think so. But…” Twilight bit her lip, unsure of how to answer. Did I just… blackout? Perhaps Sentry’s report has some merit. The guard whispered. Yet, to his surprise, he received an answer. “Sentry?” The guard looked at Twilight Sparkle with bewilderment. “Excuse me?” “You said something about a report from Sentry,” the unicorn said. “Who’s that?” The stallion’s brown eyes widened. “I…I didn’t…” he paused. “Well…perhaps I spoke louder than I had wished to,” he said. I didn’t say anything. I thought it. She knew what I was thinking. Regardless, he didn’t let her know that. Frankly, even if she appeared harmless, the stallion was becoming somewhat nervous in the mare’s presence. “Sentry…he is a…new recruit in the guard.” Twilight nodded. “And what is he?” “So far, he’s a cadet in the flying unit,” the guard informed her. “He can fly fast, but…he’s a little…” “A little what?” the unicorn asked. “N-Nothing,” the guard answered. “Anyway, when some of us saw you run out of the wedding hall, we realized that perhaps you and the other bearers would need medical attention, seeing as you had just fought and were apprehended by the Changeling invaders,” he relayed to her. “Of course, upon trying to enter, we realized that you had locked the door, and, after some thinking of what we saw, you didn’t appear too badly injured, so we let you be.” He paused. “What?” Twilight questioned. This guy was beginning to weird her out. However, the sudden lapse of memory she had just a moment ago weirded her out even more. Not only that, but she could’ve sworn that she wasn’t alone, and she didn’t refer to the guard. No, it was…someone else. Some…thing else? “...anyway,” the stallion continued. “Sentry stayed behind as he thought you appeared distraught, so he passed back and forth by your room to see if you were still all right. And…” he paused again. Should I be telling her this? Or, better yet, does she already know that I…?! “And he…what?” The guard remained quiet for a short time. “And…well, he…claimed to hear you talking.” The unicorn was puzzled. “Talking?” “Yes,” he answered. “Granted, he told us that you could have been very well talking in your sleep, as he reported that you stopped crying after an hour and went quiet for a lengthy period afterward.” Yes, Twilight thought. True, while fighting off the Changelings was taxing, it was the fallout of what occurred afterward that seemed to really deprive her of any semblance of strength. On the contrary, she felt as if she had nothing left in her to deliver or even provide, everything a mess of rage, confusion, pain, and, above all, fear. Fear of what if she was wrong. Fear of her BBBFF kicking her out of his life. Fear of her friends never finding her or Cadance. Fear of Celestia’s disappointment. Fears that, for a moment, she believed had all come true. Upon being revealed to have been correct about everything, the unicorn thought she would experience jubilation upon finding her friends and mentor again. They were probably looking for her this morning, Twilight thought. They had to, she had been gone all night. Surely they noticed that. Surely they noticed that she hadn’t answered her door or that Spike had, seeing as she and the dragon shared the same room. Surely they knew, or at least thought, that her absence was a hint that something was wrong. But, upon reaching the wedding hall, her eyes saw all five ponies garbed in elegant, tailor-made dresses, Celestia at the altar about to proclaim her brother and the disguised Chrysalis as his bride, and Spike with the ring, eager to play his role as bearer when the time was right…all that hope was gone. Yes, she still fought alongside them and was fearful the Princess had been injured, yet when she heard Applejack’s remorse, remorse for not listening to her concerns, and Celestia’s attempt to patch things up with her…it was then that everything went red and found herself unable to stay quiet any longer. She bellowed until her lungs burned and her throat grew dry and horse, her eyes red and swollen with tears, her body trembling from the intensity of her emotions finally demanding to be set free. And then…she said things. Things that…thinking back, perhaps shouldn’t have been said. She saw how broken everypony was from her declaration of removing them from her life, her mentor practically on her knees and her brother desperate to make amends. It was clear to the unicorn that the collective guilt and shame of almost all present was the same as bearing the weight of a mountain upon their shoulders. Despite what they might’ve thought, it did stir something in Twilight. Once silence had fallen over the chamber yet again, when she was robbed of the ability to look away from the agonizing shame chiseled into everypony’s features, she found herself unable to speak. They were genuine, every individual in that room was shattered by everything that had occurred the day prior and now. She could see it, it was practically eating them from the inside out, a sickening sensation in the gut that worked its way to the soul and rendered you nothing more than a shell of what you once were. She had experienced the same when Shining Armor banned her from the wedding. I wouldn’t show up to the wedding at all. Her friends left her. “C’mon, y’all. Let’s go check on the Princess. Rarity disappointed, Fluttershy more so displeased than completely angry (although it still stung just the same), Pinkie ignoring her existence, Rainbow Dash flying past with a scowl, and Applejack making her view of the unicorn’s actions with an angered frown. And then, her final hope, Celestia herself, rejected her. You have a lot to think about. Then, the echoing sound of the doors slamming rang in her ears. Silence and crippling shame overtook her. Her body collapsed on the small stairway, rivulets of tears staining the red carpet. He was my Big Brother Best Friend, forever, And now, we’ll never do anything together. And then, the fake Cadance came in and sent her down to the underground caverns, the words the shapeshifter told her still sending shivers down her spine. No one will think to look for you either. Unfortunately, the scene around her proved that the Changeling Queen’s words were true. No one looked for her, at all. No one thought for a moment she was in potential danger, no one thought that perhaps, a mare they claimed to be a friend, sister, and student, something had happened. The unicorn was again reminded of why she was standing in this hall right now, why the city outside was nearly completely destroyed, why everyone was here going ahead without a second thought about where she could’ve been. They didn’t care. They didn’t care. …so why should it matter if they care now? Twilight Sparkle then made a break for it, shutting the doors behind her with her magic, preventing anyone from following her as she went to her room, locked the door, and threw herself onto the bed. Rage and disgust had been replaced with despair and anguish, the events of yesterday and today replaying themselves over and over in her head, conflicting messages and memories assaulting her consciousness. She was trying to protect them, and they abandoned her. Her brother kicked her out of his wedding, only to tearfully plead for her to be involved yet again. Her mentor dismissed her entirely, yet she begged the unicorn to not cut ties. They were all genuinely remorseful, guilt-ridden, hearts weighed down with tremendous regret. Wasn’t this what was supposed to happen? Wasn’t an apology supposed to heal everything she had felt? She went over this question again and again in her mind, uncertain of the answer. And, even more frustrating, whenever she thought she was close to finding it, her mind was thrown right back into the loop again, the wedding ban and seeing it go ahead without her, she was once again reminded of how they didn’t care. They didn’t care…and they were ashamed that they didn’t. But… “But nothing.” Twilight’s ears perked up. Did someone just…speak? “He said it himself, it’s obviously not important to you, so why should he think he has the right to want you back?” The unicorn’s violet eyes shifted. So far, it looked like she was the only pony here. “And Freckles said that she was the one that told the others not to look for you. She was just fine with you being gone. They all were.” “Um…hello?” “And the Princess, did she really believe that you being back in the wedding was a worthy compensation? She couldn’t even admit that she was so easily defeated and put her subjects, no, all of Equestria in danger because of her negligence.” Twilight rose from her bed, looking around and underneath, opening the closet and searching through the belongings she had hung inside. “They’re not sorry you were gone, they’re just sorry that they were proven wrong and made to feel guilty.” Twilight froze. “But, then again, why shouldn’t they feel guilty?” She wasn’t hearing things, nor was she half asleep. She was wide awake and hearing a voice that wasn’t there. “Oh, that’s cute. You still think I exist in your imagination.” The unicorn yelped, stumbling back until she hit the wall behind her, losing her balance and falling to the floor. Her eyes searched the room furiously, trying to find the source of the hidden individual speaking to her. “I’ll show myself if it’ll get you to calm down,” it suddenly said again. “But first, close the curtains.” “What? Why?” Twilight questioned. “I don’t like the light.” Silence fell over the room, the unicorn finally having a moment to process what she was hearing and seeing. Or, rather, NOT seeing. Who…or whatever was speaking to her had a cadence and pitch that seemed a tad…off. Granted, she could understand what they were saying, and they hadn’t made any aggressive gestures toward her, but still…there was a sensation that prodded at her spine, small chills crawling up each vertebrae, one by one. It didn’t appear threatening, actually genuinely interested in speaking with her. But still, the fact the speaker wasn’t willing to show itself unless certain conditions were met made her question whether or not she should comply with its request. Twilight turned to the curtains, the sunlight still shining beautifully despite the unfathomable damage Canterlot had received. Today…this wedding…it was supposed to be beautiful… “Yeah, about that,” the voice suddenly spoke again. “That’s sort of what I wanted to talk to you about.” The unicorn’s eyes widened. “Wait…you know about that?” “Even better, I saw the whole thing. Both last night AND this morning,” the voice answered. “If you ask me, you got the short end of the stick on both occasions,” the mare said nothing, appearing somewhat startled by the figure’s apparent knowledge of what had taken place. “It’s like you said, nobody cared,” then it paused. Now, go for the kill. “But I do.” It was then that Twilight felt a sense of warmth. Warmth that she associated with those she loved. At least, until today. “C’mon. It’s obvious you need help. And you can’t turn to those you usually would because they’re the ones that shattered your trust in the first place.” The unicorn had no rebuttal. In fact, it almost sounded like they could read her mind. “You’re confused and aren’t sure what to think. I get that.” Should she respond? Who did this…thing know all that they did? Better yet, why did its words sound so…comforting? Validating? Acknowledging that what she was feeling, what she was experiencing, mattered. She mattered. For once, ever since she had come here, someone was willing to hear what she had to say. Even more, they wanted to hear her speak. They valued her. “You want to talk, right?” Twilight gazed down at the polished floor, the sun’s image reflecting on the surface. It’s revealing, life giving rays shimmering, drawing the unicorn’s eyes. As if the flaming star in the heavens was trying to convince her to allow its light to remain in her room. For her to remain in it. As if it were silently urging, bargaining, pleading for her not to shut it out. To not cast the room in darkness. Still, her horn lit up, her magic grabbing ahold of the curtains, yet she didn’t pull them together. It was too soon. She needed to know if this stranger could answer her question. And, even more, answer it truly. “…if I do,” she muttered. “Will you listen to what I have to say?” “Of course.” “Everything?” “Whatever you want to say, say it loud and say it proud.” Her eyes closed pondering her choices. This figure…this stranger…they weren’t connected to her brother, friends, or teacher. They were a neutral party, a mere observer as they claimed. And yet, they were the only one that had offered her a shoulder to support herself on. If she would only accept it’s request. “Remember what put you here in the first place. Who put you in this state, who broke your spirit,” the voice paused again. Twilight wasn’t entirely sure, but it sounded as if the hidden figure was growling with disdain and disgust. “The sun’s light is a liar and only serves to burn you when you’re no longer of any use to it,” another pause. “Your teacher is a liar.” A liar. Well, perhaps not an intentional liar, but the Princess no longer held her admiration or respect. Let alone affection. “They’re all liars. But I won’t lie to you. Not about this.” The curtains still weren’t shut, but we’re being slowly pulled over the window. Then, just before they were drawn together, the unicorn halted. “…you WILL show yourself once I close these, right?” “Righty-O. You have my word.” “…” “…” “…” “…ok.” With one final pull, the vibrant fabric of deep red was drawn, the sun unable to penetrate through the darkened veil that fell over the mare’s room. It wasn’t so much that everything became indistinguishable, but still, it was in the daylight hours, yet when she pulled the curtains, the room looked almost as if night had just suddenly come without warning. “Thanks.” She was beginning to wonder if she had made a big mistake. “Go ahead. Turn around. Look at me.” Despite putting herself in this situation, Twilight found herself starting to tremble. Had she just invited someone…something that she wasn’t supposed to? “Don’t worry. I won’t bite,” the voice assured her. “Well, not you. I only do it to those who deserve it,” it halted. “Like your so-called loved ones.” Twilight lowered her head, memories of the lowest point of her life replaying in her mind. I wouldn’t show up to the wedding at all. C’mon, y’all, let’s go check on the Princess. You have a lot to think about. “Don’t worry. If it’s any consolation, you’re the last creature I’d hurt.” Twilight felt her eyes grow moist. “…why?” “Let’s get to know each other better, and I’ll tell you. But first, you’ve got to turn around,” another pause. “Turn around and face me.” Twilight didn’t move. “Please,” the voice said, “Let me see your eyes.” You have a lot to think about. ….you know what, Princess? I have. With a quick twist, the mare spun around and opened her eyes, only to still see nothing. “Um, hello?” “Down here, on the bed.” “The bed?” “Yeah, I’m not exactly the tallest guy around, so you might not notice me at first.” The unicorn’s eyes traveled downward, going along the details of the messed up sheets and to a small, sunken area on the mattress. Then she noticed the shadow. Despite the already present darkness, the being before her cast a shadow. Then, the unfamiliar creature turned its downward leaning head upward, Twilight’s eyes fully taking in what was before her. “Ah, good.” The stranger said, its shape now visible for the mare to see. “Now, we can have a proper conversation.” Author's Note Hello, everyone. Even if this probably isn’t going to be updated frequently (probably every mom or so), I’ll admit that your input has changed the direction of this thing. Plus, I’ll admit I just decided to make an alt. series of events that tie into the Season 3 premiere because fanfiction lets you do that. Also, while it’s nothing new, what I’m doing here isn’t new, but I’ve heard that there’s sort of a name that’s gone around of how Twilight rejects everyone to where she’s been called “Twilight Spiteful.” I must confess that I do wish that was a flaw of hers. Probably influenced by the several fics regarding ACW, but I honestly think a spiteful Twilight would be interesting to explore. While I don’t intend for her to be completely blameless and just say horrible things, I want to examine the nature of her being hurt, as well as the massive strain it’s caused on her relationships. Then that was when I wondered something. And, with that, a new character for this thing was born. You’ll find out more about them as the fic goes on, but I want to keep them somewhat mysterious and obscure. With that said, here’s hoping you enjoy this unexpected turn in writing this vent piece. A New Friend?Author's Note So sorry for the delay, but it took a bit to figure out how to host the image. Again, I'll admit that this story is sort of just a dumping piece for personal stuff, but I don't want everything to be totally out of whack. I plan to update at least once a month, but, if there's an image, it might take a little longer. Granted, I'm not exactly good with replicating the show's look entirely, and I used references for one character (look up Plato the Ponderer). That said, thank you. A New Friend? The second she had left the Great Hall to retreat to her room, they knew that their time had come. Granted, they still had little idea of whether or not this one would allow them to be able to at least get their goal partially accomplished, for, even if the end result was always tantalizing, they knew that they couldn’t afford to act too quickly. No, the ones they found were always at their weakest by the time the hidden figure had arrived. Indeed, it was difficult to not pounce right then and there, but they knew waiting was key. Waiting until the subject of interest was alone. Isolated. Vulnerable. Just as they had been rendered. Thus, it was easiest to talk to those they encountered when completely shattered and unable to see where to go, let alone know what course of action to take next. All of this and more was coursing through the violet unicorn’s heart, mind, and soul, and her body was on an all-time high of despair, sadness, rage, adrenaline, and soon, it all became too much and she had to leave, lest something worse happen. The period of silence that followed was all the time they needed to find her. Creep up to her room, through the halls, on the walls, traveling without being seen if not but a small shade or bizarre shape in the corner of an unsuspecting pony’s eye. No pony would notice a thing. No pony but her. And, for now, she was all they had. Yet, if things went well, perhaps she would be all they would need. … “Now, we can have a proper conversation.” The unicorn’s eyes met theirs, confirming that, yes, what she was seeing was not only alive, but aware of both the world around it and itself. It was intelligent. And, even more, it wanted to speak to her directly. The creature that sat upon the thick sheets was odd to say the least, Twilight Sparkle having never seen such a…being before, either since she came into contact with the Elements of Harmony or in the thousands of books she had gone through. No, this strange figure didn’t bear any resemblance to any living race, species, or beast that existed in or near Equestria. While they were monstrous in appearance, the Changelings themselves resembled ponies, albeit sick mockeries of the equine form, limbs riddled with holes and misshapen teeth with complex eyes and a seemingly single-minded goal to obey and adhere to the words of their Queen. . In a way, very much like her brother. Which then brought the memory of Shining Armor’s blank, emotionless face as he stood at the altar, eyes green and glassy, unaware of the world around him Maybe when he chewed her out in front of everypony, he was…?! “Don’t count on it,” the “His perception was manipulated by that bug, but he meant every word he said to you. They all did.” Twilight’s eyes widened, stepping back slightly, clearly in shock. “W-What the…?” she stammered. “How…how did you…?” “Well, I knew about what happened when I got here, but, as for what you were thinking right now, yeah, I’ve kinda got a little thing where I can read minds. Not much of a talent, as it only lets you know what others really think and feel. But, it’s proven useful to me time and time again,” from the shadows, the small shape that pierced the unicorn with a knowing, confident gaze, their chest surging in satisfaction as they could tell that the young mare was both startled and fearful. But, they remembered, they couldn’t let her get too fearful. If the “friends” they made grew too cautious or wary, then the effort to find, let alone communicate with them, would be worth nothing. “Wh-Who…are you?” Twilight questioned, feeling somewhat foolish, as, in retrospect, she had been the one to take this…thing up on its offer to talk. The curtains were behind her, they realized. She could turn back and wrench them open anytime. They had to act before that happened. “Well, for one thing, get a hold of yourself,” the being told her. “If I was here to hurt you, I doubt I’d stand much of a chance.” they then scoffed and shrugged. “I mean, c’mon! Look at me! Do I LOOK like some sort of dangerous creature or bringer of terrible destruction to you? Hey, if you wanted to, you could crush me with a single hoof if you wanted to!” They were right. Despite how their appearance caught Twilight off guard, her new guest was, indeed, far smaller than she, and Pinkie had taken out a good few Changelings using the unicorn’s horn. Pinkie… “Hey, focus,” the figure said, bringing her out of her thoughts of both the failed counterattack against Chrysalis' hoard “Tell me, do I look dangerous to you?” Twilight processed their question: did they indeed look dangerous? Honestly, even now that she had gotten a better look, this stranger still failed to strike any sense of familiarity with her in regard to its shape and dimensions. The creature was small, very small. To where the unicorn could easily fit them onto her hoof if she so wished to, yet she didn’t wish to make contact, if not for the fact she didn’t know if this being’s species was possibly toxic to the touch. Yet, unlike the venomous and poisonous creatures that lay outside of the more civilized parts of the world, this…thing’s skin appeared to not resemble that of a moist amphibian or another animal that secreted toxins in its flesh, but somewhat dry, lacking in moisture, as if their body’s form bore the same texture of sanded, polished stone. Smooth to the touch, but unrelenting in its harness and leaving a cold sensation upon allowing oneself to place a hoof upon them. While it didn’t resemble them much, if at all, the unicorn found herself likening the creature to the Diamond Dogs: they bore two sets of limbs that ended in what appeared to be four-digits appendages, only, unlike the claws of Rarity’s kidnappers, this beast, minuscule as it was, appeared to possess regular nails on both ends. What the small, stumpy digits were, Twilight still couldn’t deduce, but, even if they were rare features to find in any living thing in Equestria, they appeared to resemble what were called “fingers” and “toes.” Their shape was regularly built, somewhat plump in the stomach, and their head, while somewhat similar to a Diamond Dog, seemed to be in a field of its own, for, while it bore features that looked like the underground-dwelling race, their face partially resembling a bulldog or some other flat-faced breed, their nose was somewhat of a mix between a boar and a cat, but their ears were a combination of several elements from several different species, creating something new but with just enough familiarity to ground the attribute in reality. A small ridge of smooth spikes began from in between their eyes and traveled to the back of their head. And, upon letting her eyes travel and count the individual studs, Twilight noticed the small back-and-forth wagging of a stubby tail that lightly made small thumps on the bed when it hit the surface of the mattress. “Well?” they asked again, eyes bright and glowing. Strange, while she could see them, the stranger’s eyes were little more than dark voids that, whether intentional or not, seemed to wish to suck in everything that existed outside of itself. “Ok, well, how about this?” they then said. “Even if I WAS dangerous, do you think I could hurt you any more than you’ve been already?” Twilight Sparkle bit her lip, averting her gaze for a short moment. “...so…you DO know everything.” “Sure do,” the creature responded. “And, honestly, if I can be honest, what you gave them was a lot less than they deserved.” That, Twilight hadn’t expected to hear. “What do you mean?” They smiled. They got her. “Wait,” the unicorn spoke before they could get another word in. “Before you answer that, could you tell me something?” she questioned. “Just…who are you?” The stranger was silent for a few moments before they shrugged. “Eh, fair enough question,” they responded. “Truth is…I’ve got several names, some of them I can’t really even remember.” “So…what do I call you?” “Indeed, just what CAN you call me?” the stranger said, pondering for a moment as to what exactly they would like their title to be this time. “Actually, seeing as it relates to the problem you’ve got, call me…Milton.” “Milton?” “Yeah, Milton,” they said. “Although I’ve been called Saltpeter on occasion.” “What’s that mean?” “It’s basically another word for fireworks, nugget. Just like your talent is Magic itself, mine is making things light up and brighten the world.” If that were the case, then why was this Milton so adamant about keeping the sun out? “Essentially, what you see with me is what you get. I’m a magical little guy that can take your problems away, which is what you seem to be in need of right now, considering you spent, what, an entire night down there in those caves?” Twilight looked down. “If you’re here to help me, I…appreciate it, Mr. Milton,” “Mister! Eugh! No way! I’m not THAT old! Just Milton will do.” “Well, ok, Milton,” the unicorn corrected herself. “Thank you, but, truthfully, I don’t know if there IS a way to fix this.” Just what they had been wanting to hear. “And you’re right.” “What?” “There isn’t a way to fix this. Not the way they want to,” the bipedal creature told the violet-colored mare. “You’re absolutely correct in your assessment. But you still seem to be having doubts,” Twilight didn’t move for a short time before she ultimately nodded, confirming Milton’s suspicions that, yes, she was still quite affected by the treatment she received from those she had held close to her. “So, maybe it would help if you laid it out all on the table again,” then, Milton sat down on the bed casually, as if he was completely at ease while his new company still had her insides in knots and twists. “How about we go over everything, starting from the beginning?” They asked. “In your words, suppose you tell me what happened.” Twilight was confused. “But, I thought you said you knew everything already.” “And I do,” Milton confirmed. “But sometimes, there are details that we miss out on the first time around. And, even if I know all about what occurred and the whole imposter, Changeling Queen debacle, I am only an outside observer,” then, to the unicorn’s surprise, they grinned. The mare wasn’t entirely sure why, yet the being’s smile brought forth a sense of comfort in her chest that she hadn’t felt for a long time in the last few hours. A sensation she usually tied to Princess Celestia or her friends. Yet now, this stranger was the one providing it for her in their absence. “But, unlike that pony with the funny hat, I’ll actually listen.” The room fell silent, Twilight and Milton studying each other, trying to deduce what the next move would be from the other side. “...ok,” she said. “How far back do you want me to start?” “Maybe to when you first got here, because, from what little I heard listening around, you received an invitation?” “Right,” Twilight nodded. “My friends and I-” she paused. “Well…I and…them,” she corrected. Even if she couldn’t exactly consider them friends anymore at this current moment, she still found herself unable to denounce them entirely. “We were having a picnic, and then, we received a letter talking about the Royal Wedding behind held in Canterlot…” … “...and then…when the Princess said that…I…I just…” Twilight Sparkle paused, having come to sit on the mattress to converse with Milton, the small being leaning on his side as they listened to her talk. If it weren’t for the fact that he repeated words back to her, she would’ve assumed that they had fallen asleep. But no, they were wide awake, and, so far, very, VERY attentive to each detail the mare recounted to them. “And then?” “And then…” Twilight said. “I…I don’t know why. But…when she said that I had a real wedding to put together…I…honestly couldn’t really believe it. Like, after everything that’s happened…that’s ALL you have to say?” “Then what?” The unicorn sighed. “I…I just…let everypony know what was on my mind. Then…I left.” The room fell quiet again, a single thin beam of light separating the mare and Milton by a ridiculously small distance. Although, for the latter, they seemed to regard it with the utmost contempt, as if the very essence itself was offensive. “And now…I…I don’t know,” Twilight confessed. “I don’t know…anything anymore,” she then let her head drop onto the pillow. Even if it had been some time ago, recalling the event that put her in this current state brought back some painful feelings, as well as the same surges of indignation and rage that she felt upon hearing Celestia speak to her about repairing the wedding. “...truth be told, I’m not entirely too sure of why I’m so…angry about it.” This perked Milton’s curiosity, the little creature raising a hairless brown and their mouth pulling into an inquisitive frown. “Hm?” “I mean…I’m not, I can’t be, but,” Twilight sighed. “Shouldn’t I be…happy?” “Happy? What for?” Milton questioned. “From what you’ve said, these past few days are probably candidates for the worst moments in your life.” “They are,” Twilight answered. “I wish I had never come here. But…” “But what?” “...but now, technically speaking, things should be all right now, right?” “How so?” “It’s like Spike said, the Changelings were driven from the city, and no longer a threat. Once the damage had been repaired, then…the Princess was right. We COULD’VE gone on with setting everything up,” she paused. “Cadence was rescued, the truth was revealed, my fears were validated, and…and, judging from the Princess’ words, I was back in the wedding,” she said. “Everything was back to how it was before.” Everything went silent yet again. Then, after a short time, the stillness was broken by the light sounds of small drops of water meeting the fabric of the pillow. Milton leaned up to see the unicorn had begun to break down once again. But they weren’t able to reach her due to the barrier of sunlight. “Everything should be fine,” Milton said. “But, for some reason, it’s not. And you don’t know why. Is that right?” Twilight tried to keep herself under control, yet she could only manage with a pitiful nod as tears were escaping from her eyes. Milton gave a knowing smile, parental almost. “Well, that’s because it’s not ok,” they said. “None of what happened was okay, and redoing the wedding, whether it would’ve been better or worse than before, wouldn’t have made a difference, because the truth is, it’s not the wedding that’s the problem here.” This was something Twilight had been shocked to hear, her sadness suddenly overcome with befuddlement. “It-it’s not?” “No. In fact, it didn’t have to be a wedding, it could’ve been anything,” Milton told her. “And the question is not if, but when, for, this isn’t the first time they ignored your concerns before, right?” Twilight again nodded. “That’s right.” “And, even after you told them how this affected you, all Celestia could still think about was the blasted wedding.” “Yeah, exactly!” The mare exclaimed, not even realizing the volume of her voice. “It’s like she didn’t even understand anything I had just said! She just thought I got my feelings hurt! And yes, I did, but that wasn’t the main issue!” “No, it wasn’t,” Milton agreed. “The wedding itself has nothing to do with it. If anything, it just happened to be that. This could’ve happened anytime, anywhere, at any place,” they said. “It just so happens that, now, unlike before, the right conditions and circumstances have been met. And, lo and behold, your friends have shown what really matters to them in the moment, when things are going well for them. You, on the other hand…well,” they shrugged. “It clearly shows how much worth your safety and wellbeing is, let alone you are worth to them all.” “Exactly!” Twilight “And they act like me not being able to stand by my oh-so-great former BBBFF in some pretty dress with my mane done and hooves polished was the problem! It’s not! Nothing about this stupid wedding is the problem!” she then paused, her voice having given out, her throat sore and eyes stinging. “...and…and nopony seems to understand that.” Milton let their eyelids fall as Twilight let herself cry a little more, allowing the unicorn to wrench out her sorrows as they contemplated their next move. And, more importantly, their next words. For, if anything, this little incident proved just how efficient words could be. “You know, this is far from over,” they spoke. “There’s going to be more than just friends distancing themselves that’s going to come of this. You know that as well as I do. I’ve seen my fair share of destruction and ruined cities,” even if they couldn’t see it, Milton turned their head to face the window, the partially collapsed tower of a nearby structure seen from within the small open space created by the curtains. “All because of one, stupid little mistake.” “You have?” Twilight asked. “Oh yeah,” Milton said. “Although, in this case, it wasn’t exactly a mistake.” The unicorn grew confused. “What do you mean? This entire thing was because of everypony making an error in judgment,” she said. “...even me, in the beginning.” “That was a mistake, yes, but what happened afterward wasn’t.” Milton said. “Everything that occurred only did so because it was allowed to do so.” Before Twilight could ask further, both she and Milton heard a small knock on the door. The young mare didn’t see it, yet, in that moment, the tiny being’s strange but essentially harmless face changed. And, perhaps, had the unicorn seen just what kind of shape the creature’s facial features took, maybe she would’ve realized her error and thrust open the curtains or answered the door to alert whoever was there that a monster was in her room. Yet she saw none of that, Milton managing to compose themself just in time to answer the mare’s next inquiry. “What was that?” Their time was short. They had to make the link now. “Listen,” Milton told her, turning to face her again, features just as they had been before, as if they had never changed at all. “This isn’t the end. There will be more to come.” “What do you mean?” Twilight questioned. “That’s not important,” Milton said. “The point is, things are going to get rough from here on out, and you’re going to need somebody’s help.” “Don’t you mean somepony?” “No, somebody. Because, let’s face it, since when has anypony, let alone any dragon, or anything at all, helped you in the last few hours? And be honest. Trying to get to the Elements doesn’t count. They had all the time in the world before then.” Twilight looked down. “...none.” “So, what do you say? You want to accept what I have to offer?” Milton asked. “Do you want to accept my friendship?” they then extended a four-fingered paw out. “I won’t leave you.” Twilight was quiet for a short time. “...promise?” Milton nodded. “Absolutely.” again, they held their paw out, as if they wanted the unicorn to take it. “After today,” they said, still noticing the unicorn’s hesitancy. “What else do you have to lose?” It took some time for Twilight to dwell on that question, for, while the answer was short, allowing herself to accept it was not. But, indeed, right now, at this very moment, there was nothing. Nothing else that she held from before. “Then, in that case,” the figure grinned. “What are you waiting for?” …he was right. Just what was she waiting for? Reaching forward, Twilight Sparkle’s hoof reached forward, her purple forelimb passing through the small barrier of light, stopping only a few inches shy of Milton’s grasp. The question still remained of why they didn’t like the light? Before the unicorn could articulate this, however, the creature seized her, their grip light and tiny, yet, as if she had come into contact with a dark, all-encompassing wave of darkness, Twilight Sparkle’s eyes fluttered as things began to dissipate into blankness. “Everything is fine,” Milton assured her. “I’ll help you speak what you want to say.” Twilight tried to speak, yet the darkness still continued to swallow her, pulling her further down into its fathomless depths. “And I meant it when I said I’ll never leave you.” “N-Never…?” “Never.” That was all she heard before her entire world went dark and still. It was then that Milton saw fit to utter the last part of his statement. “Not even when you want me to.” … Not long after that, she heard knocking once again. Only, this time, she answered.
Cast OffAuthor's Note Super short story Despise Canterlot Wedding and think almost everyone in it was a jerk, and I’ll admit that it eventually led to me losing any love I had for the series. I’ll admit that this is more from my understanding and experiences, but honestly, something like what happened occurred in real life, only I was on the end of both the perpetrator and the one that was abandoned by people I saw as friends and guides. I’m not going to discuss it too much here, but this thing has been eating at my brain and won’t let me go until I write it. This is mainly based on Durgan’s fic, “This Day Should’ve Just Been Perfect,” only there are a few alterations in events. Plus, even if I’m all for reconciliation and forgiveness, it has to be earned. And no, apologies in disguise don’t count. If anything, it makes you look arrogant. Oh, and reinstating Twilight as Best Mare doesn’t mean anything if they’re not even going to show Shining Armor actually SEEM sorry! Not a long one, and I won’t update frequently, but I have to get this out or it’ll drive me crazy. Cast Off "My dear student. I am so sorry for the way we treated you. I understand your pain now, as do we all. But you must believe me when I say this. These events this day and your actions to help save the REAL Cadence will be a huge day to be remembered not only from us here, but everyone across all of Equestria. And I promise you, there will be no more excuses to not hake heed of all that has been learned today. But right now, all we need is your help one more time to help piece together a day that will still be celebrated and enjoyed by all... especially for you too. Please Twilight" she lowered her head and nuzzled the still sobbing unicorn, "Please help us just one more time to make your brother's wedding possible". Upon hearing that, the purple unicorn immediately pushed the ruler away, as her very touch burnt the mortal equine’s skin. “Oh, I see. So, that’s what I am to you. I’m just someone who you think you can just toss out like trash, but when you need me, you expect me to be there.” She stood up, gazing at Celestia with despair and rage. “Twilight no, you’re anything but!” The ivory Princess answered. “Please, believe me-“ she reached out to her student, but the unicorn slapped her hoof away. “Don’t touch me,” Twilight hissed. “I don’t recall allowing you to do so.” Celestia’s eyes began to water, the true magnitude of what her negligence and ignorance had caused. “Twilight, please…” the Princess begged, practically on her knees by this point. “Please…I…I’m sorry. We’re all so, so sorry.” Despite her pleas, her student just gazed at her coldly. Any sort of familiar affection and childlike awe for the Solar Monarch was gone. Twilight felt nothing for her anymore, and this realization shattered the Princess’s heart. “If I recall correctly, you told me I had a lot to think about,” Twilight said, the alicorn lowering her head as a few stray tears leaked out from her eyes. “So, I have. And I’ve come to the conclusion that, unfortunately, this can’t continue any further.” Everyone froze in fear upon hearing that. “What do you mean?” Fluttershy questioned in a frightened tone, trembling with dread as Twilight spoke again. “Everything,” Twilight answered, looking at the yellow pegasus, along with the other five ponies. “Our friendship,” she then looked at Celestia. “My role as your student,” she then glared back at Shining Armor. “Or being my Big Brother Best Friend Forever.” The entire room fell silent. “You…you can’t mean…” Shining stammered, shaking his head in denial. Twilight answered with a nod and eyes that rivaled the coldest of tundras. “You’re none of those things to me anymore. And I’ve realized that I’m better off without you.” The five ponies’ eyes widened in horror, Cadence gaping in disbelief at what she had just heard. “Twilight…” she said, looking upon the unicorn with sympathy. “Twilight, please, don’t do this, please!” Celestia begged, unable to compose herself any longer, tears falling freely down her face. “I beg of you, please don’t cut us out of your life,” she cried. “Please, you’re the best student I’ve had in centuries. I…I don’t want to lose you.” “You already have.” Twilight responded coldly, making Celestia’s blood grow cold with horror. “I’m not your student anymore, nor do I wish to be.” Celestia just stared at the unicorn, eyes wide and flowing with tears. “Twilight…” “Enjoy the wedding without me,” the unicorn snarled as she began to make her way to the exit of the grand hall, only to be stopped by a white stallion with nothing short of desperation on his face. “Twily, please, don’t do this!” Shining Armor begged his younger sibling. “Please don’t leave, I’m sorry about everything I said and everything that’s happened! I really am!” He then extended a hoof out to her. “Please, don’t go. I want you to be my Best Mare-“ He got no more out before his sister slapped his hoof away, rejecting him and his words entirely. “Find somepony else,” Twilight hissed coldly. “Because, while I can’t stop being your sister,” she narrowed her violet eyes. “You are no longer my best friend forever.” The ivory stallion was robbed of breath and words, his chest felt as if it were weighed down with stone. “Twily…” “Don’t call me that,” Twilight hissed. “It’s a stupid nickname anyway.” Again, she tried to move toward the door, but her brother wouldn’t let her pass, desperate to try and repair the damage that had been done. “Twily,” “That’s Twilight Sparkle to you, Captain.” He sighed. “P-please, I’m sorry,” her brother said, voice beginning to crack. “I’m so, so sorry. But please, believe me, there’s nopony I want more at my wedding than you-“ “That’s not what you said earlier.” Shining flinched. The venom in his sister’s voice was almost painful to listen to, as if he were steadily being poisoned by her disgust and disdain. “I know what I said, I know. And I really am sorry. I was wrong, there IS no wedding without you, Twily.” “It’s Twilight! Don’t call me that! I hate it!” “Please let me make this right with you! Please, everyone will know what you’ve done to save us, I’ll tell everypony! I’ll tell them you’re the best sister and Best Mare! I’ll let everyone know how you and Cadence helped save Canterlot and Equestria! Just please, please let me make it up to you. Let me give you your place beside me at the altar.” “I refuse,” the unicorn responded coldly. “You wanted me gone, you got it.” “Twilight, please!” “I will not, nor will I EVER be your Best Mare, let alone be involved in your wedding,” Twilight narrowed her eyes. “I wish I had never come here,” she then turned to her friends. Her “former” friends. “I wish I had never gone to Ponyville,” then, she centered her eyes on the ivory Monarch with a flowing, iridescent mane. “And I wish I never became your student.” The five ponies she addressed, along with the Princess, felt their hearts collectively sink and turn ice cold, their worst fears slowly transforming their way into reality. “You…you don’t mean that,” Pinkie Pie began to whimper, tears pricking the sides of her ducts. “We…we were wrong, b-but we won’t do it again!” She said, “We…we’ll throw you a party even better than the wedding if you just-“ “Parties are occasions for friends,” Twilight interrupted. “And we are no longer friends.” The pink-colored mare’s blue eyes were consumed with moisture, her legs growing weak as what was happening came crashing down on her and everyone else. “But…but Darling…” Rarity stammered, choking on tears. “I think we’re done here,” Twilight hissed. “I’m going back to my room to pack,” she said. “I need to do some reading on where to move.” Fluttershy’s teal eyes widened in horror. “Move?! Wha-what do you mean?!” “You’re not my friends anymore, so there’s no reason for me to stay in Ponyville. I don’t have any need or want to be around any of you,” She narrowed her eyes. “Go to Tartarus, all of you.” “All right, that’s enough!” An accented voice shouted, a blonde pony rushing in front of Twilight. Applejack stood in front of the unicorn. “I get your sore with us, and yes, you have every right to be angry, but you can’t stand there and tell me that you’re just going to throw away everything!” “You’re no longer my friend, so what value does your word hold?” “Hey! Now that is uncalled for!” “It’s the truth! I thought that’s what was supposed to matter to you, Miss Honesty!” Twilight argued back. “It certainly matters more to you than me.” “That’s not true!” Applejack protested. “I just thought you were being clingy with your brother! But that doesn’t mean I don’t care about you!” “Then why didn’t you look for me?” The blonde pony paused. “Wh-What?” Twilight continued. “The Changeling Queen, when she sent me down to the caverns, said that nopony would even think to look for me,” she said. “And, seeing how I saw you all here, I guess she was right.” Applejack’s green eyes grew large. “No, Twi. She…she’s a liar. She-” “Let me ask you something,” the unicorn interrupted. “Did you even notice I was gone?” “What?” “From what I can estimate, the Queen sent me underground last night, which means that given it was morning when I and Cadance first got here, hours had passed,” she said. “I was gone for hours, Applejack. And you didn’t even think to try and look for me?” Applejack went silent. “I…” she stammered. “We…we didn’t…mean…to…” “Answer my question,” the unicorn repeated. “Did you even try to look for me? Did the possibility of a threat not give you even the slightest inkling that maybe something was wrong if a friend that you supposedly care about was gone for an unusual amount of time?” The other pony was rendered speechless, unable to respond. “It’s because you don’t care,” Twilight answered. “If anything, I owe the Queen for showing me that.” “Twi,” Applejack said, voice far less confident and proud. In fact, it sounded as if she had been broken a little. “If…if you want someone to be mad at, be mad at me,” she told the unicorn. “I…I’m the one who said we should check on the Princess, and…” she paused. Despite her penchant for honesty, a good part of her dreaded what she was going to say. “And…I’m the one that said you needed to think about what you did. Some of us wanted to check on you, but…I…told them not to.” Twilight said nothing, violet eyes cold and icy. “That doesn’t surprise me in the slightest.” “But, please, PLEASE believe me, I care about you, WE care about you,” the farmer pleaded. “And…I’m downright ashamed that I did this to you. We all are.” Still, Twilight said nothing. “Please,” Applejack choked out, her emotions beginning to become overwhelming. “Please…just…just don’t do this. Don’t remove yourself from our lives.” The purple unicorn only stared back at her, bright green orbs that looked into a pair of violets that echoed disdain and loathing. “I’m going home.” Twilight then stepped past Applejack and her brother, entering the hall leading out of the expansive chamber. “Have fun at the wedding without me.” Then she left. “Twily, wait!” Shining Armor called out, about to follow her, but the doors were shut by her magic, blocking him from going forward. The entire chamber fell silent at the absence of the unicorn, everyone stunned and shocked at what had just happened. But, most importantly, remorse. Today was supposed to be perfect. But now, it was one of the worst days of everyone’s lives.
After Twilight's DepartureAuthor's Note Hello! Forgive me, but while I said that this isn’t going to be updated frequently, sometimes, if I’m in a foul mood, I’ve got to hate-write. Not in the sense of “I hate to write,” even if there are days where I’m pumping out words and others I’ve got nothing. No, it’s more of writing about the things that make me angry and channeling that energy into something else. Even if that something is depressing with no hope, sadness, and broken relationships. All the angst!!! Got to admit, even if I may disown the story or art piece in time, I find catharsis that I got it out. If anything, maybe it can serve as a stepping stone. I don’t want to sound haughty or arrogant, but, while I do hate Canterlot Wedding with a burning passion, if I pretend it doesn’t exist, or somehow come up with an alternate scenario (because, honestly I don’t like Cadence, although that’s better than my views on her husband because I hate his guts), because, outside of that, I do like the characters and setting. Granted, I’m more for harder fantasy, yet I’m curious about experimenting with putting the Mane Six in different situations. Some may be in the MLP universe, and some may be in crossovers, but I’m sort of wanting to test how they would react to worlds that aren’t run by friendship and are actually full of betrayal, destruction, grief, and suffering. Or maybe I’m just a morbid person that’s never gotten help. Either way, here is the next part of this small stepping stone on this site. Again, if I pretend CW doesn’t exist or has an alternate take, I can sort of look past it. Truth is, I might find myself making an alternate scenario of it myself. Unlike this, things end happily, but another secret is revealed that would sort of change everything in the series up to that point in some areas. Anyhow, thank you for reading! I’ll admit I’m sort of new to this site, and I’m wanting to possibly test out with some artwork in my works here, so if there’s a way to do that or where I can get feedback on stuff I’m making for the story, please alert me! Thank you! After Twilight's Departure Run. That’s the only word that echoed in her mind, her only conscious thought, her only natural instinct that she could harness at that very moment. Run. Run away. Run away from them all. Run back to her room where it was safe. Run, she repeated to herself. Run, don’t let them catch you. Don’t stop. She found her chest beginning to twist again, the emotional highs and lows, the intensity of her anger, it weighed down on her form as if it were a massive stone she carried on her back. And she wasn’t sure of just how much longer she could shoulder its burden. After a short time of looking back to see if anypony was following her, she finally reached her room and quickly opened the door before ducking inside and locking it. She then levitated her suitcase and began haphazardly throwing things in, all the while trying to banish the memories of what had occurred the night prior. The night she was sent down to the caverns. The night nopony, as Queen Chrysalis said, bothered to look for her. Her brother banning her from the wedding, her friends and teacher walking out on her, the sight of them all at the altar, Applejack’s apology that only served to further rub salt in the unicorn’s wounds, and the Princess’s smile and belief that everything was all right. It all just sent her over the edge. And, only after getting a quarter done, Twilight’s magic ceased, objects and items falling to the floor as everything that had happened hit her at once all over again. The tears began to fall and she felt her body beginning to shake. Ultimately, it didn’t take long for Twilight Sparkle to throw herself onto the mattress and soak the pillows with rivets of fresh moisture from her eyes. How long she was there, crying for what felt like hours, her lilac form steadily drained of all energy as she wept herself to exhaustion, the unicorn wasn’t sure. But just as she felt a haze begin to silently greet itself by slowly clouding up her mind, she was brought out of nearly falling asleep by a knock on the door. At first, she had assumed it was perhaps her brother, her friends (formerly), the Princess, or maybe even Spike. Maybe Cadence? Regardless, she didn’t want any visitors right now. “Please, just leave me alone.” But, to the unicorn’s shock, she heard a voice she didn’t recognize. “Pardon me, Lady Sparkle, but we insist that you come with us.” It was a stallion’s voice, perhaps one of the guards? Even after all the time she had been here, Twilight Sparkle herself never got to know just HOW many were employed under the Princesses. Opening the door with her magic, the lilac equine was greeted by the face of a dark-gray stallion equipped with golden armor and a spear. “Yes?” Twilight asked, confused. “How…can I help you?” “Lady Sparkle,” the guard began. “By order of the Equestrian Council, you are hereby summoned to give a testimony regarding the earlier attack on the city.” “Testimony?” Twilight asked. “What do you mean? Aren’t there repairs being done? The Changelings are gone, so there should be no more danger, right?” “Currently, no, there is not,” the guard answered. “But, given current events, the Council has decided to take action and potentially hold those that failed to take Canterlot’s safety into account responsible.” Twilight’s violet eyes widened. “What do you mean? I thought only the Princess had authority like that!” “Given that she too failed to take precautions and failed to defend her subjects against the Changeling Queen, she has temporarily been revoked of her authority.” The unicorn could scarcely believe what she was hearing. “Wait, what?!” she was flabbergasted. True, even if she still didn’t hold the ivory mare in high regard, such news was shocking to hear. The Princess?! Stripped of her authority?! She didn’t believe such a thing was possible! “When did this happen?” “When the damage was assessed and the city began repairs. During that time, Captain Armor, the Element Bearers, and several witnesses have testified of what occurred the day prior, as well as this day.” Element Bearers? Did he mean…? And her brother was there too?! “What about Princess Luna? And Cadence?” Twilight paused. What about Cadence? What about the wedding? “Princess Luna has been found to be enchanted in her chambers,” the guard said, Twilight gasping in shock. “It seems the Changeling Queen snuck into her room and gave her something extra in her evening tea.” “How is she?” Twilight asked, greatly concerned. “Is she alright?” “She’s fine physically, save for a slight headache and dizziness,” the soldier told the unicorn. “As for Princess Cadence, she too has given her statement. Which is why I have come to collect you-” “Wait, sir, if I may,” Twilight interrupted. “What about the wedding?” The guard lowered his head and closed his eyes. While he hadn’t been present for it, he had been outside in the hallway to see a lilac unicorn galloping as if she were trying to race the wind, which brought the attention of not only himself but other guards that were recovering from the sudden invasion. Needless to say, when he and his comrades arrived, they saw something they never expected to see. “There…will not be a wedding.” the guard told Twilight. The unicorn’s mouth went agape. “What?” The stallion winced. Even if he wasn’t the one receiving the wrath he had witnessed on display hours ago, reminiscing about still made him pity his Captain. “After you left, and, I’ll admit, I saw you leave, we went to the throne room to see if Her Majesty, Celestia, was safe. And, well…” he bit his lip. “It…wasn’t pretty.” Hours Before Once he and his fellow guards reached the throne room, they were presented with a scene of their Solar Monarch openly weeping, tears falling to the floor, while five other ponies looked just as forlorn and miserable as their ruler. Their Captain had his head down as if he were afraid to show his face. One of them was about to speak, but before they could do so, one of the Element Bearers spoke first. “Wh-Why…?” the pink mare, Pinkie Pie, he believed, croaked, her usually bouncy mane completely flat, her blue eyes watering with tears that soon couldn’t rest in her ducts anymore, finally flowing down her face. “Were we…really that horrible?” a white unicorn with blue diamonds on her flank said, barely able to get out words. A golden mare sporting a hat removed the head accessory and held it over her chest. “Wh-What are we going to do?” Celestia sniffled, able to put her tears to a halt, at least temporarily. “We…we can’t let this sit as it is,” she said. The guards exchanged surprised and worried looks. It was so alien to see their Princess, their Ruler, a mare over a thousand years, look so defeated and broken. “I…we have to make this right.” Their Captain then spoke. “I…I’ll try talking to her again. She…maybe she’s had time to calm down, and I can-” “Don’t bother,” a voice said. Although, it wasn’t from one of Twilight’s friends, nor from the Princess. Nor from the guards silently observing what was taking place. “There’s no need to have her as a Best Mare.” Shining turned around to see Cadence, always beautiful, but the normally cheerful, friendly, inviting look in her eyes was gone, replaced with one of extreme disappointment. Which then steadily grew into disgust. Shining Armor could see his bride-to-be’s brows furrowing, her eyes narrowing, and her teeth clenching from underneath her pink lips. “C-Cadence?” the white stallion nervously said, but he immediately wished he hadn’t. It was then that the Princess of Love exploded. “The wedding is off.” The room fell silent again, everyone taken aback by what they had just heard. “Wh-What?” Celestia stammered, unable to completely believe that there was yet another dire consequence to her neglect and foolishness. “I’ll be going to check on Twilight,” the pink Princess growled. “Right now, I think it’s safe to say that she doesn’t want to see any of you.” Shining Armor ran in front of his bride, who was just about to leave, the guards kept quiet as they continued to listen and watch. “Cadence, wait!” he cried out. “Wh-What do you mean it’s off?!” “Exactly what I said, it’s off,” the Princess answered, voice devoid of any affection or attachment. “I’m not going to marry you.” The stallion was left speechless for a good few moments before finally regaining his voice. “But…but why?” “Why?” Cadence questioned as if the fact he even dared to ask such a thing was an insult in of itself. “Why?! You seriously are asking why?!” she practically roared in his face. “Do you think that I would ever want to marry a pony who puts his stupid pride before his own family?! Someone who’s willing to make his sister’s friends and mentor turn on her because of a Princess?!” “But Cadence, I didn’t know that-” Shining Armor tried to argue, but his bride was having none of it. “That’s Princess Mi Amore Cadenza to you, Captain Armor!” Cadence shouted. “And if you think any of that sweet talk will win me back, you are sadly mistaken!” “But…But I seriously thought that was you! I didn’t mean to-” “I don’t want to hear it! Despite everything, it seems that your own sister didn’t matter to you in the least, seeing as how willing you were to cut her out of this event!” the Princess of Love then turned to the five mares that had formerly walked out on the pony she used to sit for. “And you, every single one of you should be ashamed of yourselves!” she bellowed, causing each of them to wince and flinch. “I know Twilight has a tendency to overreact, but she always means well, and you know it! How could you treat her so cruelly?! I thought you were all learning about friendship, but I guess, when an opportunity like this comes along, you really are willing to just throw it all away!” Celestia’s lips parted. “Cadence, please-” “And you!” the younger mare directed her attention to her aunt with an outstretched hoof, the white monarch robbed of breath. She had never seen her niece so furious. “You seriously put a wedding over the safety of your subjects?! Over the safety of your student?! I heard her say that she was gone for hours after the rehearsal, and not ONE of you thought that perhaps something was wrong?! That maybe she was in some sort of danger?!” “But…” Celestia stammered. “But…” “The Changeling Queen was right. You all cared more about a wedding than this kingdom or your friend! A friend that’s risked their life for you so many times and has done so much for you! Especially you!” Cadence glared at Celestia again after looking scornfully at Twilight’s friends. “Maybe she’s right, maybe she IS nothing more than just a tool to you. Maybe you don’t care for her at all.” “That’s not true!” her aunt protested. “I do care! I love Twilight as if she were my own filly!” “Certainly did a poor job of showing it,” Cadence responded. “Making sure this went ahead despite the present danger shows that this wedding was the only thing that mattered to any of you. You didn’t give a single thought about Twilight,” her eyes then met Spike. Her resentment and anger simmered down to disappointment. “Despite however long you’ve known her.” The little dragon lowered his head. He began to remove his tux, not even wanting to touch the fabric that composed the garment. “I think we’re done here,” Cadence said. “Forgive me, but I don’t exactly want to be part of a company that’s willing to abandon a pony they claim to love and cherish to partake in a royal wedding. In fact,” she then turned to the stallion that was to be her husband. “And I especially would NEVER, EVER marry somepony like that.” her eyes glistened dangerously. Shining Armor was frozen, the guards still keeping silent. Princess Cadence began to move to the door but was blocked by the white stallion. “Cadence, please! Don’t do this-” He got no further words out. A golden horseshoe met his face with surprising force, making him stumble for a moment before regaining balance. He brought a hoof to his cheek, the stinging burn her blow had left further confirmation that everything was going to Tartarus. “That’s Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, Captain,” the pink equine hissed. “And I’ve been down in those caves for some time, so I’d like to get myself cleaned off, if I may,” she then walked past him, Shining Armor too shocked to say or do anything. “Don’t bother following me. I never want to see you again.” With that, the Princess made her exit, noticing the guards by the door, but ultimately paid them no mind. For now, she just wanted to find Twilight and make sure she was all right. Then, perhaps take a shower. Anything to ease this insufferable weight that now rested in her heart, which had been completely shattered. Present Time Twilight Sparkle stood in place, shocked at what she had just been told. Yet, with that, another question came to her mind. “Where is Cadence now?” “She is being cared for by the physicians before she gives her statement. While it was not for an extensive period, any longer in those caves could’ve proved deadly for her, alicorn or not,” the stallion told the unicorn. “But, seeing as you are in perfect health, I request that you come with me to the Council Chamber to present your recounting of what’s transpired.” “Me?” “Yes, is there a problem with that?” The unicorn shifted her eyes, looking out the window. She then realized just what time it was, the sky a canvas of pinks and oranges with splashes of magenta and violet. The sun was about to set! How long had she been in her room?! “Bear in mind, Lady Sparkle, if you do not come, you shall be brought to the Council regardless,” the guard told her. “You seem like a reasonable mare, so I do not wish to do that. But I am a stallion that serves orders. So,” he said. “What is your answer?” Twilight was unsure of what to say. Even if she had known of what took place after she left, she had no idea what was currently going on in the streets of Canterlot. From the sound of the guard’s tone, she assumed that things weren’t exactly good. Yet, whether out of this sense of curiosity or with a genuine desire to speak, Twilight Sparkle nodded her head. “Yes,” she answered. “Please, lead the way.”
Recollection“Hm?” The stallion guard paused in his trot, turning to see that, once again, the violet unicorn had stopped. “Something wrong, Ms. Sparkle?” “Huh?” the pony’s attention was drawn back to the one escorting her to the Council Hall. “Oh, no, it’s…it’s nothing,” she said. “Sorry about that.” The guard didn’t appear convinced. “You’ve stopped on our journey around five times thus far,” he told her. “There is something wrong with you,” he then drew closer, not to where he invaded her space, but to where he could at least examine her outer form with better accuracy. “Are you injured in any way? If so, I can alert the Council that you have been escorted to the medical center to receive treatment-” “No!” the unicorn suddenly shouted, the guard taken aback by her sudden outburst. “Oh, I mean, no thank you,” she said. “I…actually have some things I would like to say.” The stallion gazed at her for a few moments, not entirely trusting her word, although he didn’t entirely understand why. It wasn’t as if this mare, the prized student of Princess Celestia herself, had any reason to lie to him. All the same, there was a sense of something not quite right. Then, he stopped. “Wait a moment,” he said, turning back to face the unicorn. “Yes?” Twilight asked, puzzled as to why they hadn’t even begun to continue their journey. The stallion averted his eyes for a moment, then looked the mare in the eye, as if trying to see if there was any hint of something alien, something unfamiliar. Still, he saw nothing. “No,” he said. “You couldn’t be,” he sighed. “They were all banished by Captain Armor and Princess Cadance.” “Banished?” And you can forget about being my Best Mare! In fact, if I were you, I wouldn’t show up to the wedding at all. Twilight bit her lip. Again, those events replayed in her mind. And they still stung just as much. And with that sting came the heat of anger afterward, once again reminded of why she was even here. She was reminded why Canterlot lay in ruins all around her, why there were still stallions, mares, and foals looking for each other as some families were still separated from the attack, and why a day that was supposed to be beautiful turned out so wrong. A day that she thought she had lost everything and everyone. Especially her BBBFF. ...no. Don’t you mean, ‘Former BBBFF? …well, yes. I…I’m mad at him. But… But what? He said it himself, the wedding wasn’t important to you. That your concerns and efforts were not important. …yes, he did say that. And what did your friends say after? Nothing. Even if she’s just as guilty as they are, at least Celestia acknowledged you. Even if her words rivaled the hurt you were dealt by your so-called BBBFF. … … … … …! Hey, look alive, this dolt’s talking to you! “Huh?” The scene of demolished buildings and splintered glass littering the streets manifested before the unicorn once again, the stallion in golden armor staring her in the eye. With the suddenness of realizing the closeness between the two, Twilight stepped back, her violet eyes blinking and becoming aware that her escort was looking at her rather suspiciously. “Oh, I…I’m sorry,” the unicorn sputtered. “Did…I just…” “Are you certain that you are all right?” the guard questioned. “I think so. But…” Twilight bit her lip, unsure of how to answer. Did I just… blackout? Perhaps Sentry’s report has some merit. The guard whispered. Yet, to his surprise, he received an answer. “Sentry?” The guard looked at Twilight Sparkle with bewilderment. “Excuse me?” “You said something about a report from Sentry,” the unicorn said. “Who’s that?” The stallion’s brown eyes widened. “I…I didn’t…” he paused. “Well…perhaps I spoke louder than I had wished to,” he said. I didn’t say anything. I thought it. She knew what I was thinking. Regardless, he didn’t let her know that. Frankly, even if she appeared harmless, the stallion was becoming somewhat nervous in the mare’s presence. “Sentry…he is a…new recruit in the guard.” Twilight nodded. “And what is he?” “So far, he’s a cadet in the flying unit,” the guard informed her. “He can fly fast, but…he’s a little…” “A little what?” the unicorn asked. “N-Nothing,” the guard answered. “Anyway, when some of us saw you run out of the wedding hall, we realized that perhaps you and the other bearers would need medical attention, seeing as you had just fought and were apprehended by the Changeling invaders,” he relayed to her. “Of course, upon trying to enter, we realized that you had locked the door, and, after some thinking of what we saw, you didn’t appear too badly injured, so we let you be.” He paused. “What?” Twilight questioned. This guy was beginning to weird her out. However, the sudden lapse of memory she had just a moment ago weirded her out even more. Not only that, but she could’ve sworn that she wasn’t alone, and she didn’t refer to the guard. No, it was…someone else. Some…thing else? “...anyway,” the stallion continued. “Sentry stayed behind as he thought you appeared distraught, so he passed back and forth by your room to see if you were still all right. And…” he paused again. Should I be telling her this? Or, better yet, does she already know that I…?! “And he…what?” The guard remained quiet for a short time. “And…well, he…claimed to hear you talking.” The unicorn was puzzled. “Talking?” “Yes,” he answered. “Granted, he told us that you could have been very well talking in your sleep, as he reported that you stopped crying after an hour and went quiet for a lengthy period afterward.” Yes, Twilight thought. True, while fighting off the Changelings was taxing, it was the fallout of what occurred afterward that seemed to really deprive her of any semblance of strength. On the contrary, she felt as if she had nothing left in her to deliver or even provide, everything a mess of rage, confusion, pain, and, above all, fear. Fear of what if she was wrong. Fear of her BBBFF kicking her out of his life. Fear of her friends never finding her or Cadance. Fear of Celestia’s disappointment. Fears that, for a moment, she believed had all come true. Upon being revealed to have been correct about everything, the unicorn thought she would experience jubilation upon finding her friends and mentor again. They were probably looking for her this morning, Twilight thought. They had to, she had been gone all night. Surely they noticed that. Surely they noticed that she hadn’t answered her door or that Spike had, seeing as she and the dragon shared the same room. Surely they knew, or at least thought, that her absence was a hint that something was wrong. But, upon reaching the wedding hall, her eyes saw all five ponies garbed in elegant, tailor-made dresses, Celestia at the altar about to proclaim her brother and the disguised Chrysalis as his bride, and Spike with the ring, eager to play his role as bearer when the time was right…all that hope was gone. Yes, she still fought alongside them and was fearful the Princess had been injured, yet when she heard Applejack’s remorse, remorse for not listening to her concerns, and Celestia’s attempt to patch things up with her…it was then that everything went red and found herself unable to stay quiet any longer. She bellowed until her lungs burned and her throat grew dry and horse, her eyes red and swollen with tears, her body trembling from the intensity of her emotions finally demanding to be set free. And then…she said things. Things that…thinking back, perhaps shouldn’t have been said. She saw how broken everypony was from her declaration of removing them from her life, her mentor practically on her knees and her brother desperate to make amends. It was clear to the unicorn that the collective guilt and shame of almost all present was the same as bearing the weight of a mountain upon their shoulders. Despite what they might’ve thought, it did stir something in Twilight. Once silence had fallen over the chamber yet again, when she was robbed of the ability to look away from the agonizing shame chiseled into everypony’s features, she found herself unable to speak. They were genuine, every individual in that room was shattered by everything that had occurred the day prior and now. She could see it, it was practically eating them from the inside out, a sickening sensation in the gut that worked its way to the soul and rendered you nothing more than a shell of what you once were. She had experienced the same when Shining Armor banned her from the wedding. I wouldn’t show up to the wedding at all. Her friends left her. “C’mon, y’all. Let’s go check on the Princess. Rarity disappointed, Fluttershy more so displeased than completely angry (although it still stung just the same), Pinkie ignoring her existence, Rainbow Dash flying past with a scowl, and Applejack making her view of the unicorn’s actions with an angered frown. And then, her final hope, Celestia herself, rejected her. You have a lot to think about. Then, the echoing sound of the doors slamming rang in her ears. Silence and crippling shame overtook her. Her body collapsed on the small stairway, rivulets of tears staining the red carpet. He was my Big Brother Best Friend, forever, And now, we’ll never do anything together. And then, the fake Cadance came in and sent her down to the underground caverns, the words the shapeshifter told her still sending shivers down her spine. No one will think to look for you either. Unfortunately, the scene around her proved that the Changeling Queen’s words were true. No one looked for her, at all. No one thought for a moment she was in potential danger, no one thought that perhaps, a mare they claimed to be a friend, sister, and student, something had happened. The unicorn was again reminded of why she was standing in this hall right now, why the city outside was nearly completely destroyed, why everyone was here going ahead without a second thought about where she could’ve been. They didn’t care. They didn’t care. …so why should it matter if they care now? Twilight Sparkle then made a break for it, shutting the doors behind her with her magic, preventing anyone from following her as she went to her room, locked the door, and threw herself onto the bed. Rage and disgust had been replaced with despair and anguish, the events of yesterday and today replaying themselves over and over in her head, conflicting messages and memories assaulting her consciousness. She was trying to protect them, and they abandoned her. Her brother kicked her out of his wedding, only to tearfully plead for her to be involved yet again. Her mentor dismissed her entirely, yet she begged the unicorn to not cut ties. They were all genuinely remorseful, guilt-ridden, hearts weighed down with tremendous regret. Wasn’t this what was supposed to happen? Wasn’t an apology supposed to heal everything she had felt? She went over this question again and again in her mind, uncertain of the answer. And, even more frustrating, whenever she thought she was close to finding it, her mind was thrown right back into the loop again, the wedding ban and seeing it go ahead without her, she was once again reminded of how they didn’t care. They didn’t care…and they were ashamed that they didn’t. But… “But nothing.” Twilight’s ears perked up. Did someone just…speak? “He said it himself, it’s obviously not important to you, so why should he think he has the right to want you back?” The unicorn’s violet eyes shifted. So far, it looked like she was the only pony here. “And Freckles said that she was the one that told the others not to look for you. She was just fine with you being gone. They all were.” “Um…hello?” “And the Princess, did she really believe that you being back in the wedding was a worthy compensation? She couldn’t even admit that she was so easily defeated and put her subjects, no, all of Equestria in danger because of her negligence.” Twilight rose from her bed, looking around and underneath, opening the closet and searching through the belongings she had hung inside. “They’re not sorry you were gone, they’re just sorry that they were proven wrong and made to feel guilty.” Twilight froze. “But, then again, why shouldn’t they feel guilty?” She wasn’t hearing things, nor was she half asleep. She was wide awake and hearing a voice that wasn’t there. “Oh, that’s cute. You still think I exist in your imagination.” The unicorn yelped, stumbling back until she hit the wall behind her, losing her balance and falling to the floor. Her eyes searched the room furiously, trying to find the source of the hidden individual speaking to her. “I’ll show myself if it’ll get you to calm down,” it suddenly said again. “But first, close the curtains.” “What? Why?” Twilight questioned. “I don’t like the light.” Silence fell over the room, the unicorn finally having a moment to process what she was hearing and seeing. Or, rather, NOT seeing. Who…or whatever was speaking to her had a cadence and pitch that seemed a tad…off. Granted, she could understand what they were saying, and they hadn’t made any aggressive gestures toward her, but still…there was a sensation that prodded at her spine, small chills crawling up each vertebrae, one by one. It didn’t appear threatening, actually genuinely interested in speaking with her. But still, the fact the speaker wasn’t willing to show itself unless certain conditions were met made her question whether or not she should comply with its request. Twilight turned to the curtains, the sunlight still shining beautifully despite the unfathomable damage Canterlot had received. Today…this wedding…it was supposed to be beautiful… “Yeah, about that,” the voice suddenly spoke again. “That’s sort of what I wanted to talk to you about.” The unicorn’s eyes widened. “Wait…you know about that?” “Even better, I saw the whole thing. Both last night AND this morning,” the voice answered. “If you ask me, you got the short end of the stick on both occasions,” the mare said nothing, appearing somewhat startled by the figure’s apparent knowledge of what had taken place. “It’s like you said, nobody cared,” then it paused. Now, go for the kill. “But I do.” It was then that Twilight felt a sense of warmth. Warmth that she associated with those she loved. At least, until today. “C’mon. It’s obvious you need help. And you can’t turn to those you usually would because they’re the ones that shattered your trust in the first place.” The unicorn had no rebuttal. In fact, it almost sounded like they could read her mind. “You’re confused and aren’t sure what to think. I get that.” Should she respond? Who did this…thing know all that they did? Better yet, why did its words sound so…comforting? Validating? Acknowledging that what she was feeling, what she was experiencing, mattered. She mattered. For once, ever since she had come here, someone was willing to hear what she had to say. Even more, they wanted to hear her speak. They valued her. “You want to talk, right?” Twilight gazed down at the polished floor, the sun’s image reflecting on the surface. It’s revealing, life giving rays shimmering, drawing the unicorn’s eyes. As if the flaming star in the heavens was trying to convince her to allow its light to remain in her room. For her to remain in it. As if it were silently urging, bargaining, pleading for her not to shut it out. To not cast the room in darkness. Still, her horn lit up, her magic grabbing ahold of the curtains, yet she didn’t pull them together. It was too soon. She needed to know if this stranger could answer her question. And, even more, answer it truly. “…if I do,” she muttered. “Will you listen to what I have to say?” “Of course.” “Everything?” “Whatever you want to say, say it loud and say it proud.” Her eyes closed pondering her choices. This figure…this stranger…they weren’t connected to her brother, friends, or teacher. They were a neutral party, a mere observer as they claimed. And yet, they were the only one that had offered her a shoulder to support herself on. If she would only accept it’s request. “Remember what put you here in the first place. Who put you in this state, who broke your spirit,” the voice paused again. Twilight wasn’t entirely sure, but it sounded as if the hidden figure was growling with disdain and disgust. “The sun’s light is a liar and only serves to burn you when you’re no longer of any use to it,” another pause. “Your teacher is a liar.” A liar. Well, perhaps not an intentional liar, but the Princess no longer held her admiration or respect. Let alone affection. “They’re all liars. But I won’t lie to you. Not about this.” The curtains still weren’t shut, but we’re being slowly pulled over the window. Then, just before they were drawn together, the unicorn halted. “…you WILL show yourself once I close these, right?” “Righty-O. You have my word.” “…” “…” “…” “…ok.” With one final pull, the vibrant fabric of deep red was drawn, the sun unable to penetrate through the darkened veil that fell over the mare’s room. It wasn’t so much that everything became indistinguishable, but still, it was in the daylight hours, yet when she pulled the curtains, the room looked almost as if night had just suddenly come without warning. “Thanks.” She was beginning to wonder if she had made a big mistake. “Go ahead. Turn around. Look at me.” Despite putting herself in this situation, Twilight found herself starting to tremble. Had she just invited someone…something that she wasn’t supposed to? “Don’t worry. I won’t bite,” the voice assured her. “Well, not you. I only do it to those who deserve it,” it halted. “Like your so-called loved ones.” Twilight lowered her head, memories of the lowest point of her life replaying in her mind. I wouldn’t show up to the wedding at all. C’mon, y’all, let’s go check on the Princess. You have a lot to think about. “Don’t worry. If it’s any consolation, you’re the last creature I’d hurt.” Twilight felt her eyes grow moist. “…why?” “Let’s get to know each other better, and I’ll tell you. But first, you’ve got to turn around,” another pause. “Turn around and face me.” Twilight didn’t move. “Please,” the voice said, “Let me see your eyes.” You have a lot to think about. ….you know what, Princess? I have. With a quick twist, the mare spun around and opened her eyes, only to still see nothing. “Um, hello?” “Down here, on the bed.” “The bed?” “Yeah, I’m not exactly the tallest guy around, so you might not notice me at first.” The unicorn’s eyes traveled downward, going along the details of the messed up sheets and to a small, sunken area on the mattress. Then she noticed the shadow. Despite the already present darkness, the being before her cast a shadow. Then, the unfamiliar creature turned its downward leaning head upward, Twilight’s eyes fully taking in what was before her. “Ah, good.” The stranger said, its shape now visible for the mare to see. “Now, we can have a proper conversation.” Author's Note Hello, everyone. Even if this probably isn’t going to be updated frequently (probably every mom or so), I’ll admit that your input has changed the direction of this thing. Plus, I’ll admit I just decided to make an alt. series of events that tie into the Season 3 premiere because fanfiction lets you do that. Also, while it’s nothing new, what I’m doing here isn’t new, but I’ve heard that there’s sort of a name that’s gone around of how Twilight rejects everyone to where she’s been called “Twilight Spiteful.” I must confess that I do wish that was a flaw of hers. Probably influenced by the several fics regarding ACW, but I honestly think a spiteful Twilight would be interesting to explore. While I don’t intend for her to be completely blameless and just say horrible things, I want to examine the nature of her being hurt, as well as the massive strain it’s caused on her relationships. Then that was when I wondered something. And, with that, a new character for this thing was born. You’ll find out more about them as the fic goes on, but I want to keep them somewhat mysterious and obscure. With that said, here’s hoping you enjoy this unexpected turn in writing this vent piece.
A New Friend?Author's Note So sorry for the delay, but it took a bit to figure out how to host the image. Again, I'll admit that this story is sort of just a dumping piece for personal stuff, but I don't want everything to be totally out of whack. I plan to update at least once a month, but, if there's an image, it might take a little longer. Granted, I'm not exactly good with replicating the show's look entirely, and I used references for one character (look up Plato the Ponderer). That said, thank you. A New Friend? The second she had left the Great Hall to retreat to her room, they knew that their time had come. Granted, they still had little idea of whether or not this one would allow them to be able to at least get their goal partially accomplished, for, even if the end result was always tantalizing, they knew that they couldn’t afford to act too quickly. No, the ones they found were always at their weakest by the time the hidden figure had arrived. Indeed, it was difficult to not pounce right then and there, but they knew waiting was key. Waiting until the subject of interest was alone. Isolated. Vulnerable. Just as they had been rendered. Thus, it was easiest to talk to those they encountered when completely shattered and unable to see where to go, let alone know what course of action to take next. All of this and more was coursing through the violet unicorn’s heart, mind, and soul, and her body was on an all-time high of despair, sadness, rage, adrenaline, and soon, it all became too much and she had to leave, lest something worse happen. The period of silence that followed was all the time they needed to find her. Creep up to her room, through the halls, on the walls, traveling without being seen if not but a small shade or bizarre shape in the corner of an unsuspecting pony’s eye. No pony would notice a thing. No pony but her. And, for now, she was all they had. Yet, if things went well, perhaps she would be all they would need. … “Now, we can have a proper conversation.” The unicorn’s eyes met theirs, confirming that, yes, what she was seeing was not only alive, but aware of both the world around it and itself. It was intelligent. And, even more, it wanted to speak to her directly. The creature that sat upon the thick sheets was odd to say the least, Twilight Sparkle having never seen such a…being before, either since she came into contact with the Elements of Harmony or in the thousands of books she had gone through. No, this strange figure didn’t bear any resemblance to any living race, species, or beast that existed in or near Equestria. While they were monstrous in appearance, the Changelings themselves resembled ponies, albeit sick mockeries of the equine form, limbs riddled with holes and misshapen teeth with complex eyes and a seemingly single-minded goal to obey and adhere to the words of their Queen. . In a way, very much like her brother. Which then brought the memory of Shining Armor’s blank, emotionless face as he stood at the altar, eyes green and glassy, unaware of the world around him Maybe when he chewed her out in front of everypony, he was…?! “Don’t count on it,” the “His perception was manipulated by that bug, but he meant every word he said to you. They all did.” Twilight’s eyes widened, stepping back slightly, clearly in shock. “W-What the…?” she stammered. “How…how did you…?” “Well, I knew about what happened when I got here, but, as for what you were thinking right now, yeah, I’ve kinda got a little thing where I can read minds. Not much of a talent, as it only lets you know what others really think and feel. But, it’s proven useful to me time and time again,” from the shadows, the small shape that pierced the unicorn with a knowing, confident gaze, their chest surging in satisfaction as they could tell that the young mare was both startled and fearful. But, they remembered, they couldn’t let her get too fearful. If the “friends” they made grew too cautious or wary, then the effort to find, let alone communicate with them, would be worth nothing. “Wh-Who…are you?” Twilight questioned, feeling somewhat foolish, as, in retrospect, she had been the one to take this…thing up on its offer to talk. The curtains were behind her, they realized. She could turn back and wrench them open anytime. They had to act before that happened. “Well, for one thing, get a hold of yourself,” the being told her. “If I was here to hurt you, I doubt I’d stand much of a chance.” they then scoffed and shrugged. “I mean, c’mon! Look at me! Do I LOOK like some sort of dangerous creature or bringer of terrible destruction to you? Hey, if you wanted to, you could crush me with a single hoof if you wanted to!” They were right. Despite how their appearance caught Twilight off guard, her new guest was, indeed, far smaller than she, and Pinkie had taken out a good few Changelings using the unicorn’s horn. Pinkie… “Hey, focus,” the figure said, bringing her out of her thoughts of both the failed counterattack against Chrysalis' hoard “Tell me, do I look dangerous to you?” Twilight processed their question: did they indeed look dangerous? Honestly, even now that she had gotten a better look, this stranger still failed to strike any sense of familiarity with her in regard to its shape and dimensions. The creature was small, very small. To where the unicorn could easily fit them onto her hoof if she so wished to, yet she didn’t wish to make contact, if not for the fact she didn’t know if this being’s species was possibly toxic to the touch. Yet, unlike the venomous and poisonous creatures that lay outside of the more civilized parts of the world, this…thing’s skin appeared to not resemble that of a moist amphibian or another animal that secreted toxins in its flesh, but somewhat dry, lacking in moisture, as if their body’s form bore the same texture of sanded, polished stone. Smooth to the touch, but unrelenting in its harness and leaving a cold sensation upon allowing oneself to place a hoof upon them. While it didn’t resemble them much, if at all, the unicorn found herself likening the creature to the Diamond Dogs: they bore two sets of limbs that ended in what appeared to be four-digits appendages, only, unlike the claws of Rarity’s kidnappers, this beast, minuscule as it was, appeared to possess regular nails on both ends. What the small, stumpy digits were, Twilight still couldn’t deduce, but, even if they were rare features to find in any living thing in Equestria, they appeared to resemble what were called “fingers” and “toes.” Their shape was regularly built, somewhat plump in the stomach, and their head, while somewhat similar to a Diamond Dog, seemed to be in a field of its own, for, while it bore features that looked like the underground-dwelling race, their face partially resembling a bulldog or some other flat-faced breed, their nose was somewhat of a mix between a boar and a cat, but their ears were a combination of several elements from several different species, creating something new but with just enough familiarity to ground the attribute in reality. A small ridge of smooth spikes began from in between their eyes and traveled to the back of their head. And, upon letting her eyes travel and count the individual studs, Twilight noticed the small back-and-forth wagging of a stubby tail that lightly made small thumps on the bed when it hit the surface of the mattress. “Well?” they asked again, eyes bright and glowing. Strange, while she could see them, the stranger’s eyes were little more than dark voids that, whether intentional or not, seemed to wish to suck in everything that existed outside of itself. “Ok, well, how about this?” they then said. “Even if I WAS dangerous, do you think I could hurt you any more than you’ve been already?” Twilight Sparkle bit her lip, averting her gaze for a short moment. “...so…you DO know everything.” “Sure do,” the creature responded. “And, honestly, if I can be honest, what you gave them was a lot less than they deserved.” That, Twilight hadn’t expected to hear. “What do you mean?” They smiled. They got her. “Wait,” the unicorn spoke before they could get another word in. “Before you answer that, could you tell me something?” she questioned. “Just…who are you?” The stranger was silent for a few moments before they shrugged. “Eh, fair enough question,” they responded. “Truth is…I’ve got several names, some of them I can’t really even remember.” “So…what do I call you?” “Indeed, just what CAN you call me?” the stranger said, pondering for a moment as to what exactly they would like their title to be this time. “Actually, seeing as it relates to the problem you’ve got, call me…Milton.” “Milton?” “Yeah, Milton,” they said. “Although I’ve been called Saltpeter on occasion.” “What’s that mean?” “It’s basically another word for fireworks, nugget. Just like your talent is Magic itself, mine is making things light up and brighten the world.” If that were the case, then why was this Milton so adamant about keeping the sun out? “Essentially, what you see with me is what you get. I’m a magical little guy that can take your problems away, which is what you seem to be in need of right now, considering you spent, what, an entire night down there in those caves?” Twilight looked down. “If you’re here to help me, I…appreciate it, Mr. Milton,” “Mister! Eugh! No way! I’m not THAT old! Just Milton will do.” “Well, ok, Milton,” the unicorn corrected herself. “Thank you, but, truthfully, I don’t know if there IS a way to fix this.” Just what they had been wanting to hear. “And you’re right.” “What?” “There isn’t a way to fix this. Not the way they want to,” the bipedal creature told the violet-colored mare. “You’re absolutely correct in your assessment. But you still seem to be having doubts,” Twilight didn’t move for a short time before she ultimately nodded, confirming Milton’s suspicions that, yes, she was still quite affected by the treatment she received from those she had held close to her. “So, maybe it would help if you laid it out all on the table again,” then, Milton sat down on the bed casually, as if he was completely at ease while his new company still had her insides in knots and twists. “How about we go over everything, starting from the beginning?” They asked. “In your words, suppose you tell me what happened.” Twilight was confused. “But, I thought you said you knew everything already.” “And I do,” Milton confirmed. “But sometimes, there are details that we miss out on the first time around. And, even if I know all about what occurred and the whole imposter, Changeling Queen debacle, I am only an outside observer,” then, to the unicorn’s surprise, they grinned. The mare wasn’t entirely sure why, yet the being’s smile brought forth a sense of comfort in her chest that she hadn’t felt for a long time in the last few hours. A sensation she usually tied to Princess Celestia or her friends. Yet now, this stranger was the one providing it for her in their absence. “But, unlike that pony with the funny hat, I’ll actually listen.” The room fell silent, Twilight and Milton studying each other, trying to deduce what the next move would be from the other side. “...ok,” she said. “How far back do you want me to start?” “Maybe to when you first got here, because, from what little I heard listening around, you received an invitation?” “Right,” Twilight nodded. “My friends and I-” she paused. “Well…I and…them,” she corrected. Even if she couldn’t exactly consider them friends anymore at this current moment, she still found herself unable to denounce them entirely. “We were having a picnic, and then, we received a letter talking about the Royal Wedding behind held in Canterlot…” … “...and then…when the Princess said that…I…I just…” Twilight Sparkle paused, having come to sit on the mattress to converse with Milton, the small being leaning on his side as they listened to her talk. If it weren’t for the fact that he repeated words back to her, she would’ve assumed that they had fallen asleep. But no, they were wide awake, and, so far, very, VERY attentive to each detail the mare recounted to them. “And then?” “And then…” Twilight said. “I…I don’t know why. But…when she said that I had a real wedding to put together…I…honestly couldn’t really believe it. Like, after everything that’s happened…that’s ALL you have to say?” “Then what?” The unicorn sighed. “I…I just…let everypony know what was on my mind. Then…I left.” The room fell quiet again, a single thin beam of light separating the mare and Milton by a ridiculously small distance. Although, for the latter, they seemed to regard it with the utmost contempt, as if the very essence itself was offensive. “And now…I…I don’t know,” Twilight confessed. “I don’t know…anything anymore,” she then let her head drop onto the pillow. Even if it had been some time ago, recalling the event that put her in this current state brought back some painful feelings, as well as the same surges of indignation and rage that she felt upon hearing Celestia speak to her about repairing the wedding. “...truth be told, I’m not entirely too sure of why I’m so…angry about it.” This perked Milton’s curiosity, the little creature raising a hairless brown and their mouth pulling into an inquisitive frown. “Hm?” “I mean…I’m not, I can’t be, but,” Twilight sighed. “Shouldn’t I be…happy?” “Happy? What for?” Milton questioned. “From what you’ve said, these past few days are probably candidates for the worst moments in your life.” “They are,” Twilight answered. “I wish I had never come here. But…” “But what?” “...but now, technically speaking, things should be all right now, right?” “How so?” “It’s like Spike said, the Changelings were driven from the city, and no longer a threat. Once the damage had been repaired, then…the Princess was right. We COULD’VE gone on with setting everything up,” she paused. “Cadence was rescued, the truth was revealed, my fears were validated, and…and, judging from the Princess’ words, I was back in the wedding,” she said. “Everything was back to how it was before.” Everything went silent yet again. Then, after a short time, the stillness was broken by the light sounds of small drops of water meeting the fabric of the pillow. Milton leaned up to see the unicorn had begun to break down once again. But they weren’t able to reach her due to the barrier of sunlight. “Everything should be fine,” Milton said. “But, for some reason, it’s not. And you don’t know why. Is that right?” Twilight tried to keep herself under control, yet she could only manage with a pitiful nod as tears were escaping from her eyes. Milton gave a knowing smile, parental almost. “Well, that’s because it’s not ok,” they said. “None of what happened was okay, and redoing the wedding, whether it would’ve been better or worse than before, wouldn’t have made a difference, because the truth is, it’s not the wedding that’s the problem here.” This was something Twilight had been shocked to hear, her sadness suddenly overcome with befuddlement. “It-it’s not?” “No. In fact, it didn’t have to be a wedding, it could’ve been anything,” Milton told her. “And the question is not if, but when, for, this isn’t the first time they ignored your concerns before, right?” Twilight again nodded. “That’s right.” “And, even after you told them how this affected you, all Celestia could still think about was the blasted wedding.” “Yeah, exactly!” The mare exclaimed, not even realizing the volume of her voice. “It’s like she didn’t even understand anything I had just said! She just thought I got my feelings hurt! And yes, I did, but that wasn’t the main issue!” “No, it wasn’t,” Milton agreed. “The wedding itself has nothing to do with it. If anything, it just happened to be that. This could’ve happened anytime, anywhere, at any place,” they said. “It just so happens that, now, unlike before, the right conditions and circumstances have been met. And, lo and behold, your friends have shown what really matters to them in the moment, when things are going well for them. You, on the other hand…well,” they shrugged. “It clearly shows how much worth your safety and wellbeing is, let alone you are worth to them all.” “Exactly!” Twilight “And they act like me not being able to stand by my oh-so-great former BBBFF in some pretty dress with my mane done and hooves polished was the problem! It’s not! Nothing about this stupid wedding is the problem!” she then paused, her voice having given out, her throat sore and eyes stinging. “...and…and nopony seems to understand that.” Milton let their eyelids fall as Twilight let herself cry a little more, allowing the unicorn to wrench out her sorrows as they contemplated their next move. And, more importantly, their next words. For, if anything, this little incident proved just how efficient words could be. “You know, this is far from over,” they spoke. “There’s going to be more than just friends distancing themselves that’s going to come of this. You know that as well as I do. I’ve seen my fair share of destruction and ruined cities,” even if they couldn’t see it, Milton turned their head to face the window, the partially collapsed tower of a nearby structure seen from within the small open space created by the curtains. “All because of one, stupid little mistake.” “You have?” Twilight asked. “Oh yeah,” Milton said. “Although, in this case, it wasn’t exactly a mistake.” The unicorn grew confused. “What do you mean? This entire thing was because of everypony making an error in judgment,” she said. “...even me, in the beginning.” “That was a mistake, yes, but what happened afterward wasn’t.” Milton said. “Everything that occurred only did so because it was allowed to do so.” Before Twilight could ask further, both she and Milton heard a small knock on the door. The young mare didn’t see it, yet, in that moment, the tiny being’s strange but essentially harmless face changed. And, perhaps, had the unicorn seen just what kind of shape the creature’s facial features took, maybe she would’ve realized her error and thrust open the curtains or answered the door to alert whoever was there that a monster was in her room. Yet she saw none of that, Milton managing to compose themself just in time to answer the mare’s next inquiry. “What was that?” Their time was short. They had to make the link now. “Listen,” Milton told her, turning to face her again, features just as they had been before, as if they had never changed at all. “This isn’t the end. There will be more to come.” “What do you mean?” Twilight questioned. “That’s not important,” Milton said. “The point is, things are going to get rough from here on out, and you’re going to need somebody’s help.” “Don’t you mean somepony?” “No, somebody. Because, let’s face it, since when has anypony, let alone any dragon, or anything at all, helped you in the last few hours? And be honest. Trying to get to the Elements doesn’t count. They had all the time in the world before then.” Twilight looked down. “...none.” “So, what do you say? You want to accept what I have to offer?” Milton asked. “Do you want to accept my friendship?” they then extended a four-fingered paw out. “I won’t leave you.” Twilight was quiet for a short time. “...promise?” Milton nodded. “Absolutely.” again, they held their paw out, as if they wanted the unicorn to take it. “After today,” they said, still noticing the unicorn’s hesitancy. “What else do you have to lose?” It took some time for Twilight to dwell on that question, for, while the answer was short, allowing herself to accept it was not. But, indeed, right now, at this very moment, there was nothing. Nothing else that she held from before. “Then, in that case,” the figure grinned. “What are you waiting for?” …he was right. Just what was she waiting for? Reaching forward, Twilight Sparkle’s hoof reached forward, her purple forelimb passing through the small barrier of light, stopping only a few inches shy of Milton’s grasp. The question still remained of why they didn’t like the light? Before the unicorn could articulate this, however, the creature seized her, their grip light and tiny, yet, as if she had come into contact with a dark, all-encompassing wave of darkness, Twilight Sparkle’s eyes fluttered as things began to dissipate into blankness. “Everything is fine,” Milton assured her. “I’ll help you speak what you want to say.” Twilight tried to speak, yet the darkness still continued to swallow her, pulling her further down into its fathomless depths. “And I meant it when I said I’ll never leave you.” “N-Never…?” “Never.” That was all she heard before her entire world went dark and still. It was then that Milton saw fit to utter the last part of his statement. “Not even when you want me to.” … Not long after that, she heard knocking once again. Only, this time, she answered.
