Empire of Mercy

The rush to the hospital and checkups by the doctors all pass in a nauseating blur for Twilight. First she was carted away into the sky, then all manner of doctors and nurses wanted to take a look at her, all before she'd even stopped hyperventilating. Before long, she is allowed up, though she is not discharged from the infirmary, simply allowed on her hooves.

That’s a relief for her, because she has far too much anxious energy to be constrained to one spot, as she frantically walks in circles around the chamber, desperately wishing that she could wash the vivid imagery of living bodies being reduced to charred remains, the screams of terror and anguish, from her mind.

Squeezing her eyes shut tightly, she places both hooves on her head, as if she could block out the sounds. Enough so that the familiar voice of a very worried pony barely left any mark on her consciousness.

"Twilight! Oh dear Celestia, are you ok?" Twilight blinked her eyes open. She recognized that voice, wasn't it...

Any further thought was disrupted by suddenly being wrapped up in two very strong, very protective white forelimbs. Craning her neck up to see the face of her captor revealed the very worried face of Shining Armor. "Sh-Shiny?" She mumbles out in shock.

Shining Armor just nods his head and closes his eyes, squeezing Twilight as if he thought she would dissipate into the air if he let go. "I came as fast as I could once I heard what happened. Are you ok? You're not hurt, are you? The doctors let you get up, right?" His voice sounds almost as anxious as her own.

"I-I'm okay." Twilight's voice sounded meek and scared, even to herself. "I didn't get hurt too badly." The same could not be said for the others in the plaza... Shutting her eyes tightly, the scene replays in her head again, the horrible cracking sound of Rainbow Dash hitting the stone below her, the sudden loss of air as the guards throat was slit... The horrible, infernal heat as Celestia had made their entrance. Despite herself, she couldn't help but shudder, and instinctively bury her face down into her brothers white fur, hyperventilation mixing with ragged sobs.

"Thank goodness..." Shining Armor breathes out, gently stroking her mane. Slowly, ever so slowly, Twilight's shaking subsides, though she does not stop clinging to her brother any.

"H-how are the other ponies?" Twilight sniffles out, pulling her head back just the bare minimum amount needed to see Shining Armor's face. "I-Is Rainbow Dash okay?"

Shining Armor frowns, wishing he could console her but not being able to. "I don't know. As soon as I got word of what happened I came straight here. But I'm sur-"

Before Shining Armor can finish that statement the door bursts open again and another pair of familiar faces rush into the room at a full gallop. Twilight Velvet and Night Light both take up their positions close by Shining Armor's side, throwing their forelimbs around Twilight as well.

"You're okay! Thank Celestia you're okay! I swear, if I ever learn who was responsible for this..." Night Light bristles with rage at the suggestion.

'Thank Celestia'. Twilight can't help but ponder on that thought. Thank the Princess, indeed, for saving her. And yet, whatever gratitude she might feel, she couldn't help but feel it laced with fear. Never before had she borne witness to such unrelenting ferocity... And if she had her way, she prayed she never would again.

"My darling! What kind of monster could want to hurt my baby?" Twilight Velvet was wailing, smothering the younger Twilight in an embrace so tight it was difficult to breathe.

Even Spike got in on the action, standing up on wobbling legs and adding his own wailing to the mix, stubby arms struggling to curl around the blob of ponies.

Eventually, everypony had gotten enough, and slowly untangled from the mass of limbs and body heat, leaving Twilight sitting there in the middle of the family, Spike still draped across one of her hind legs refusing to let go.

"Did you catch a look at whoever your attackers were? Did they say anything?" Night Light was questioning her, but before she could respond, he was lightly slapped in the foreleg by his wife.

"Nighty! Don't ask the poor thing something like that, can't you see she's still terrified? I'm sure she'll have to endure enough questioning from the guards." Twilight Velvet turns back to her daughter apologetically. "Don't you worry about things like that right now, sweetie. Right now, we're just happy that you're safe."

"Shining Armor! The Princess would have a word with you." A voice from the doorway calls, a royal guard standing upright and at attention, not a hint of emotion showing.

Shining Armor sighs and reluctantly steps back. "Well, you hear him, sis. Duty calls. I'll be back as soon as I can, alright?" He promises, earning a nod of acknowledgement from Twilight. Uncertainly, Shining Armor turns to leave, following the guardspony who had called for him.

"They're just down here. A word of warning, they are rather exhausted. Do try not to show too much surprise, they don't need any more stress." Despite the words suggestion of sympathy, the guardsponies voice remains perfectly flat and dispassionate. Shining Armor just nods in response, too caught up in his own thoughts to bother with conversation.

True to the guardsponies word, Celestia is waiting there, in a quiet alcove, one of the rooms normally used for patients. The beds are presently empty, and Celestia is staring out the window listlessly, awaiting Shining Armor's arrival. Awkwardly, the cadet clears his throat to get their attention, while the guardspony behind him salutes and returns to whatever his other duties are.

Celestia looks over at the newcomer dismally, forcing a smile. "Shining Armor. I'm glad you could make it." The princess states, rising from their position and walking over to shut the door behind him.

Shining Armor bows his head steeply. "Of course, your majesty. How may I serve you?" He asks, anxiously. What could be so important that the Princess had pulled him away from Twilight's side? Knowing Celestia, it wasn't likely the princess had done so frivolously.

Celestia nods. "Of course. Right to business." They sigh, their gaze returning outside as they briefly ponder. Based on what the eyewitnesses had reported, it seemed as though the assassins were at the least primarily targeting Rainbow Dash, or more likely exclusively targeting the filly. As much as they hate to admit it, that would make House Twilight one of the more plausible culprits; if nothing else, they had the clearest possible motive, as Rainbow Dash's death would leave Twilight as Celestia's sole student, elevating their prestige.

But that is still all speculation, and they can't be certain that Twilight is not also a target. If nothing else, House Twilight could be trusted to protect her. "Allow me to be straightforward. There is evidence that this incident was plotted by somepony within the royal guard. This ties my hooves, as much as I would like to, I cannot expect to always be present with my students. If somepony is wishing harm upon them, then I need to ensure they are well protected. I need somepony I can trust to watch after them." Celestia begins, delicately, crossing over to stand before Shining Armor as they did. "You are Twilight's older brother. I presume you have her best interests at heart. Therefore, I feel you are the only pony in my employ I can be certain would do their utmost to protect her. In addition, your talents with protective magic have time and time again proven exemplary. Therefore, I would like to appoint you as Twilight Sparkle's personal bodyguard."

Shining Armor blinks in surprise. "H-huh? But I'm still a cadet, how would I..." He trails off.

Celestia nods. "I am aware. Fortunately, Twilight is well ahead on her studies, and I feel that learning to protect herself is more than warranted given recent events. Thus, Twilight shall accompany you to your classes. Whenever neither you nor I can be present, I will do my best to pick out a host of guards to protect her. With potential threats inside the palace, I'm afraid we cannot leave Twilight unprotected at any hour of the day." Celestia sighs, rubbing their face.

Shining Armor hesitates briefly, before nodding. Not only was this his duty as a Royal Guard, but as an older brother. Puffing out his chest and saluting, Shining Armor nods to the princess. "As you command, your majesty. It would be my honor."

By the time the Princess comes to see Twilight, her parents had departed, leaving the filly to her own devices. She was not quite ready to be discharged yet; apparently the medical techs were waiting for scans to come back to make sure it was safe. Twilight suspects there is more to it than that, but that's all she was told, at least.

So it is that when Celestia appears through the doorway, Twilight is an anxious mess pacing around the room. Immediately upon seeing the princess, Twilight perks up and charges over to her, bowing her head deeply. "P-princess!" As the filly looks back up, Celestia can't help but notice the purple unicorn cringing backwards in remembered fear. For just a moment, Twilight does not see the benevolent, kind princess she knew above her; she sees the terrifying force of infernal strength, blazing like the surface of the sun, as living bodies were reduced to ash.

And then, she blinks, and the visage is broken. In its place... Is a pony. A pony who doesn't look like she remembers Celestia ever looking before; the wave of their mane is subdued, dark circles underneath their eyes. It had only been a few hours since the incident; how could the princess be this tired already?

The princess smiles softly at Twilight as she looks to them, but the look in their eyes is haunting, and Twilight can't help but shiver under the gaze. "How are you feeling, my young pupil?" Celestia asks, laying down on their haunches to bring themself to eye level with the filly.

"I-I'm okay. Rainbow Dash protected me." Twiliight starts, before looking back up at Celestia with some alarm. "Wh-where is she? Is she okay? The doctors didn't seem to know."

Celestia nods sadly. "She'll be alright. I was just with her, but she isn't ready for visitors just yet. She had broken some ribs and a wing, and needed surgery. I lent my magic to her to help her recover, but even so she needs rest. Right now, she is asleep; the enchantment I cast upon her should last at least until tomorrow morning. Perhaps then you could see her, if you so wish."

Twilight breathes out a sigh of relief. A broken wing was a big deal of course, and surgery was too, but it sounded like Celestia had done everything to make sure she'd have a full recovery. That would explain where Celestia had been this entire time, too. "Do... Do you know why they..." Twilight starts, before her voice breaks, thinking back to the traumatic events of earlier that day. Somepony had tried to kill them. She still can't seem to wrap her head around that concept.

"I was on my way to the outskirts to attend to a dispute with one of the noble houses, when I noticed a discrepancy in the schedule of the guard, leaving a conspicuous blind spot around an entrance of the palace and a route straight to our tower." Celestia starts explaining, each word careful and measured. "As soon as I discovered it, I doubled back as quickly as I could fly. I was nearly too late, but I saw you and Rainbow Dash being assaulted by those... Ruffians."

Twilight nods slowly. She remembers quite well the events after that. The way the light seemed to leak out of Celestia, the strength of their presence bleeding into the air, flaring like a star. How could that be the same as the flesh and blood pony before them? Try as she might, she could not perceive any hint of that divine light from Celestia's frame, although the Alicorn before her still radiates a quiet sense of majesty.

Celestia's knowing gaze seems to follow Twilights thoughts, a distant look on their face. "The light you saw was me. When I saw those fiends attacking my students, I'm afraid I lost control. I let the mask slip. What you saw was... My true nature, underneath this skin and bone."

"Does that mean... Is that body just a puppet?" Twilight asks, cautiously. That seemed like the logical conclusion to draw, yet, to even ask it was terrifying. Not only because she was questioning the Princess of the Sun, but because of the implication. Was the creature before her... Even a pony at all?

But to Twilight's immense relief, Celestia simply shakes their head. "No, it is every bit as much a part of me as my magic or my mind. It simply is not the whole of me. The body of an Alicorn is akin to a manifestation of their will and magic. Upon ascension, a ponies original body is reduced to ashes, and only those who can create a new form through will alone will survive the transformation." Celestia stretches their wings out, looking at them as though they were novel to them, despite having received them over a millennia ago. "But deep within this body is the core of my being. Closer to a star than equine-kind. That is what you saw, unleashed."

Celestia gives Twilight a remorseful look, frowning. "...But rest assured, I am still a pony at heart. And by that token... I should apologize. I never should have let this happen. I should have seen the error sooner, I should have been there, I..." Celestia's breath catches in their throat, and they take a deep breathe, rehearsing themself before finishing. "...I'm sorry you ever had to see me like that."

Twilight gapes, trying to understand all that. Then... That horrible burning smell, those living bodies reduced to ashes... That had all been the princess. Somehow, she hadn't been able to truly believe that until just now. Just how many ponies have they killed, over the years? Twilight can't help but wonder, staring into the ageless face of the alicorn before her. The princess had, after all, presided over many wars in the last millenia. Dozens? Hundreds? Thousands? All burnt to cinders or torn to shreds, by the very same tender-hearted alicorn across from her. Twilight can't help but shiver at the thought.

Celestia nods, seeing the unicorns discomfort, making no attempt to dissuade her. "If you would prefer to talk to somepony else, I would understand." Celestia states delicately. "And I know this must be difficult for you. But I am afraid I am going to need to ask you to try and remember everything you can about the attack. We still haven't identified the conspirators behind it, and could use any advantage we can get."

Twilight bites her lip, uncomfortably, but nods. "No, it's alright. I'll do whatever I can to help." She affirms, trying to process her confused memories and taking a deep breathe. Logically, she has to view the events logically. "I... It all happened so fast. We noticed that the palace was strangely empty while we were leaving... I guess maybe that's what had Rainbow Dash on guard. I didn't get a good look at any of the attackers, they were all wearing cloaks and using knives." Twilight shuts her eyes tightly, wanting to block out the memories but knowing she needs to keep going.

"They went straight for Rainbow Dash... I don't think any of them so much as noticed me until I threw a brick at one of their heads." Twilight opens her eyes again, looking over at Celestia with a haunted stare. "I don't know if Rainbow Dash noticed that, though... Instead of flying off as soon as she could, she grabbed Spike and I before trying to make a getaway. Then... You know the rest." The filly shudders from the memory, as if she could feel the heat and smell of charred flesh that had filled the air.

Celestia steps back, contemplating with a subtle frown. "I see. Thank you, Twilight. I will do my best to ensure those responsible are brought to justice." The princess nods in acknowledgement.

Nervously, Twilight swallows before asking the next question. "Do... Do you know why they were after us? And..." Twilight's hooves tighten around the blankets, the hint of a panic attack coming on. "Did... Anypony else get hurt?"

Celestia views the filly with a sympathetic gaze. As much as they might want to, they would not lie to shelter the filly; Their student deserved to know the truth. "A guardspony was slain, as were all but one of the attackers. A passing tourist was also critically injured in the scuffle, though last I heard they were still alive and receiving the necessary medical attention. Only time will tell if he will pull through, or not." Celestia explains.

Twilight stares downwards, looking sickened, and Celestia lays what they hope is a comforting hoof upon Twilight's shoulder. "Let us be thankful that you are alright, at the least. Things could have been much worse. You should be able to leave the hospital now, your brother will escort you home." Celestia states, softly, rising from their repose. "I should expect you need some time to recover before we discuss these events in more detail. Until then, all that matters is that you are safe and comfortable. I will go and fetch Shining Armor now, so you may return someplace more familiar."

Just as the princess was leaving, Twilight calls out to them. "Wait!" The alicorn turns back, giving an expectant look towards Twilight. "I just..." Twilight bunches up the sheets under her hooves, and breathes out a short breathe. "...Thankyou. For everything."

Celestia watches Twilight for a long moment, impassively, before turning back towards the door. "You have nothing to thank me for. After all, I am the only reason you were in danger to begin with." Without any further ado, the princess steps out into the hall, and Twilight is left alone with her thoughts.