Oh, Nelly

by Snow Quill

Rating: teen
Tags: My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark, Other, Princess Celestia, Twilight Sparkle
Length: 7094

What do you know of the mare Whoa Nelly?

‘What do you know of the mare Whoa Nelly?’

A question that Twilight never expected to be asked when Celestia was transferring the throne to her.

A question she wished she didn’t hear. A question she wished beyond anything that she didn't remember the true answer to.

~~

Rated T for descriptions of implied and offscreen violence and death.

Written for Shaslan, who left this glowing review

that was rad I would never have beleived someone could take Woah Nelly and give her a dark backstory that covered immortal angst, state secrets, the burden of leadership and evil for the greater good but you did it
All my favourite tropes lmao

Cover art by me, if you are an author and would like cover art, send me a PM!

Published 2024-06-04 19:30:00 UTC
Last updated 2024-06-04 19:30:00 UTC

Chapter 1

“Tell me, what do you know of the mare Whoa Nelly?”

~~

“Quiet on set, everyone on their marks… Action!”

The camera slowly zoomed in on a lone pegasus as she started her walk home from school, her curly blue, two-toned mane bouncing slightly with every step. Pink eyeshadow, slightly darker than her coat, and red eyeliner brightened her reddish-brown eyes, the whimsical lines ending in hearts on either lightly blushed cheek. She was not alone for long, as a pair of unicorns came up on either side of her.

The teenager lifted her chin and squared her jaw, seeming to prepare herself. The unicorn on her left sneered, “Nice makeup today, with how much you cake on I’m surprised you get enough sleep to stay awake in class.”

The pegasus willed her eyes not to roll into the back of her head, choosing to respond in a cool tone. “Golly, aren’t you sweet to be concerned about my sleep schedule.”

The one on the right scoffed. “Why do you even bother with all that junk? Don’t you know that colts are all about natural fillies, like us?”

“Not that you ever bothered to ask, but I don’t do it for the colts.”

The left one snarled and stuck out her hoof, tripping the pegasus. The other unicorn quickly conjured a rain cloud, turning the dirt into mud and utterly ruining the pegasi’s coat.

The pair tittered, the one who tripped her offering a half shrug. “Oops. Well hey, at least now you can get a good mud bath, isn’t that what all you vain and shallow girls like? You actually expect us to believe you ‘don't do it for the colts’?!”

“Hey! That’s not very nice.”

A large unicorn mare stepped up, looking at the younger unicorns with disapproval as she offered a hoof to the muddy pegasus. She lit her horn to help clean off the mud then addressed the two bullies. “Why are you being mean to her?”

Faced with an adult, the pair had the decency to look somewhat contrite, but they still gave the pegasus a side eye. One of them opened her mouth to speak but closed it, looking to the side with a confused expression now. Finally, she stomped her hoof in frustration and looked past the mare. “Line?”

A collective sigh swept through the studio set, making the unicorn flush with embarrassment. The director shushed the crew and held up a megaphone. “Lilac, your line was ‘What? She just tripped. Probably from all that junk on her face.’” He paused and looked over at a clock on the wall. “Tell you what, why don’t we take lunch and we can pick up from there later.”

The mare smiled reassuringly at the unicorns, “Don’t worry girls, we’ll get it next take, I believe in you!”

Lilac returned the smile and rubbed the back of her neck. “Aww geez, thanks Nelly. It’s a real honor to work with you.”

The other ‘bully’, Cashmere, nodded. “Yeah! Ever since I first saw one of your ads I was like, ‘oh my Celestia I hope I can be part of that’ and, now that I’m here, I’m having so much fun.”

“I’m glad you two are having fun. I know it must be hard to pretend to be bullies but I think you are doing a good job.”

Lilac looked past Nelly to the pegasus with genuine guilt. “Yeah, sorry by the way, I hope the trip didn’t hurt too much.”

The pegasus giggled and fluffed her damp curls. “Oh don’t worry about me, I might be a pegasus but I’m tougher than I look. I’m the one who said to make it authentic and catch me off guard.”

Lilac shook her head, “It’s incredible how dedicated you are to all this, inspiring even. I… Think I’m gonna go look at the script again and try to live up to your level.”

“Oh shucks, now you’re making me blush. I wouldn’t worry too much about it, acting is more of an art than a science. What works for me isn’t gonna work for everybody.”

Lilac nodded in agreement. “Yeah, I totally get that. Still though, I am gonna work hard to make this a success. See you girls in a bit!”

Cashmere followed Lilac off the set, talking to each other about the script and ways to make sure they did it justice. The filly watched them for a moment before looking up at the mare. “It’s Whoa Nelly, right? Can I ask you something?”

“Sure!” Nelly looked to the side and floated over a small towel. “But please, call me Nelly. All my friends do.”

The pegasus took the towel with a thankful smile and wiped her face. “Alright Nelly, do you think we are doing this right? I’ve seen your other ads, isn’t it usually, you know, ‘ugly’ ponies who get bullied?”

Nelly shrugged. “Maybe. I mostly just go along with what my agent thinks will be good. But, a lot of my brand is about loving yourself and I think sometimes even pretty ponies can be made fun of, just because they like being pretty.”

The filly thought this over. “I suppose that makes sense. How did you end up in this line of work anyways?”

Nelly scrunched her face in thought, trying to remember. “Hmm. You know, I don’t think I can remember.”

Something resounded deep inside her, a sudden dull pounding in her head that threatened to bloom into a migraine, but with a blink the sensation passed. Nelly shook herself and shrugged again. “Oh well. All that matters is I’m here now and I like doing this. What about you?”

The pegasus opened her mouth to respond, but closed it quickly with a frown. After a minute, she quietly admitted. “You know, I don’t really remember either.”

She seemed disturbed by this and Nelly scrambled for a distraction, anything to help cheer up her new, young friend.

“Hey, are you hungry? There’s plenty of yummy food and snacks over there.”

The filly hesitated before shrugging. “Sure, I could eat.”

The pair walked over to a table laden with snacks, meant for both stars and crew. The pegasus looked over the presented food and hummed. “So, even though you don’t remember how you got into all this either, do you enjoy doing it? Acting in ads, writing books, talking at schools?”

Nelly nodded. “Yeah. I know this is pretend, but I think it helps real ponies, and I like that. Even if it is hard work sometimes, it’s worth it."

“Huh. You know, you’ve said a lot about things you like, is there anything you don’t like?”

Nelly thought about this, looking around the studio as she did. Her eye caught on a poster of Princess Twilight Sparkle and that feeling from earlier returned. She wasn’t really sure why though. She pursed her lips. “I don’t like the color purple.”

The filly followed her gaze and a similar expression settled on her face. “Yeah, me neither.”

~~

“What do I know of Whoa Nelly? I’m not sure what you mean.”

“Exactly that. Don’t think about it, just tell me what comes to mind.”

Chapter 2

Whoa Nelly was often seen as a simple mare who lived a simple life. Despite this simplicity, anyone who met her was usually blown away by her positive outlook on life and overall bubbly nature. There was little that could upset the larger than life mare and there were many who had never seen a frown on her face.

To the public, Whoa Nelly was a central figure for anti bullying campaigns, as well as the author of many self help books that focused on aiding ponies in seeing the best about themselves. She was also known for her incredible presentations at various schools, Nelly’s easy personality and almost childlike sense of wonder capturing her audiences and connecting to many young souls.

There was no one alive who knew of a different side to the mare, who could have possibly imagined a time where Whoa Nelly was regarded negatively, seen as a cold blooded monster who was devoid of heart or soul.

No one, that is, but the Princesses.

~Years Ago~

Celestia sipped serenely from her mug, eyes closing at the warm and rich hot chocolate that flooded her senses. Across from her, she could hear the soft scribble of a quill on paper, the sharp smell of wet ink just barely overpowering the sweet cocoa. She didn’t mind it though, having lost count of the times those sensations had mixed. She allowed herself to bask in memories of long nights of policies and declarations made bearable only by the comfort of a hot mug laden with chocolate and whipped cream.

She opened her eyes once the quill stopped and smiled at Twilight, once her most faithful student, and now, her successor. They had spent the past few days combing over everything Twilight would need to know and keep up on, passing the torch of certain responsibilities that none save the crown knew about.

Celestia supposed she should have been surprised how quickly and smoothly the process had gone, at one time she might have been, but this was Twilight Sparkle. She knew Equestria would be in good hooves under her rulership. Now, there was only one more manner to attend to.

Her smile nearly faltered, the weight of the task and knowledge almost enough to topple centuries of a practiced, public smile that decorum demanded she keep. Not quite enough though. Twilight returned the smile and for a moment Celestia felt guilty that it would soon be wiped away, that Twilight might not feel able to smile at her like that ever again.

She steeled herself and set her mug on the table. “Twilight, I have but one task left for me to pass onto you.”

Twilight perked up, lifting her quill to the paper once more. “I’m ready.”

Celestia chuckled and gently plucked the scroll and quill from Twilight with her magic and set them to the side. “You won’t be needing those for this. Come, let’s stretch our legs and take a walk.”

Twilight followed her out of the room, brimming with curiosity at this final task to be transferred into her responsibility. “Um, Pri- Celestia, far be it for me to question you, but why shouldn’t I write this down too? What if I forget something and need a reference?”

Celestia smiled thinly. “I appreciate the dedication, but this is not something I wish to be transcribed in any capacity. Rest assured that, for better or worse, it is not something that can be easily forgotten.” She sighed as she continued to lead Twilight through the halls of the castle. “I can only hope you forgive me.”

Twilight furrowed her brows, her steps slowing slightly at the cryptic and worrying words of her mentor. Despite the growing dread twisting her stomach, she followed. Equestria had been a peaceful land of late, that was true, but she had faced countless secret evils. It only made sense that there would be more she never knew about, things that Celestia had taken care of.

Things she was now responsible for.

They continued on, a slightly awkward silence descending over them as they ventured to a part of the castle that Twilight was sure she had never been before, but felt vaguely familiar. Long gone were the large windows, many decorated with stained glass, that let in light and gave an almost ethereal glow against the marble flooring and ceilings.

Now, they were surrounded by gray. Gray walls, gray floors, and a gray ceiling that was just tall enough for Celestia to walk under. They were somewhere beneath the castle, having gone down quite a few flights of stairs, but there was no sign of the crystal caves Twilight had once been trapped in.

They only stopped as a wall blocked the passageway. Twilight rubbed her foreleg, an increasing sense of déjà vu making her fur itch. She looked to Celestia, but any question died on her tongue at the look on the elder alicorn’s face. Minutes crawled by like hours as Celestia stared at the wall.

Twilight felt like she might suffocate on the tension, each soft inhale of the stale air weighing heavily in her chest. She swallowed thickly and finally broke the oppressive silence with a soft, “Celestia?”

Celestia let out a sigh, the deep exhalation carrying the weight of years. “Tell me, what do you know of the mare Whoa Nelly?”

Twilight blinked. “What do I know of Whoa Nelly? I’m not sure what you mean.”

“Exactly that. Don’t think about it, just tell me what comes to mind.”

Twilight hummed in thought, ingrained decades of being a student, Celestia’s student, demanding she wrack her brain to find the right answer. “Whoa Nelly, the name is familiar but I can’t really remem- Oh! She’s the one who wrote ‘Love Yourself, You Deserve It’ right?”

Celestia nodded. “That is one of her published books, yes. She also is the spokesmare for many anti-bullying campaigns and headlines presentations at schools across Equestria.”

Twilight tilted her head, feeling as though she was still missing something, that she hadn’t given the right, or very least, complete answer. “...Right, her agent reached out to Starlight not too long ago to have her appear at the School of Friendship. She seems like a nice mare, why do you ask about her?”

Celestia didn’t answer, instead charging her horn with magic. Twilight watched in fascination as symbols began to glow on the wall, mentally translating them into what read as a complicated binding spell.

It was the kind that encapsulated an area, usually to contain or ‘bind’ something or someone to the inside of it while allowing specific creatures or things through the transparent barrier. Somewhere in her mind, a little voice wondered why it felt so familiar. Twilight was a smart mare of course, and translating magic runes was foal's play, but this felt a little too easy, like she was re-reading one of her own spells.

She brushed off the strangeness as Celestia leaned forward and touched the brightly glowing tip of her horn to the center of the circle. The spell didn’t seem to flow from her horn so much as drain from it, evidenced by the alicorn’s lips twisting into a grimace.

The entire wall was glowing now, the symbols unreadable as each flared with golden light. Twilight covered her eyes with a wing as the brightness became unbearable. Eventually, the passageway darkened and Twilight lowered her wing to find the wall had disappeared. Whatever was bound beyond, it required a great amount of power if the spell was written into stone.

Celestia cleared her throat and shook herself. “Do you believe that ponies can be born evil?”

Twilight froze, the sudden change in topic and the nature of the question itself shaking her core as Celestia continued, seeming to speak aloud more than directly to her once-pupil. “I didn’t use to. I didn’t want to. The thought that one of my little ponies could be born…wrong was so appalling to me I never entertained it. Ponies could do evil things, surely, and sometimes they may never see the error of their way. But I never thought I would come face to face to someone who seemed predestined to commit great misdeeds.”

Celestia drew herself up. “You have accomplished many great feats and conquered many a great foe, but this will surpass any challenge you have faced before. Come, Twilight, and I will tell you of the mare Whoa Nelly.”

~~

Whoa Nelly was once seen as a quiet mare who lived a quiet life. Despite her apparent quiet nature, anyone who met her would tell you something was…off about her. There was little that seemed to bring her joy or peace, and there were many who had never seen a smile on her face.

To the citizens of Canterlot, Whoa Nelly was someone you crossed the street to avoid walking by, the subject of many side eyes and quiet but quick ushering of foals from her presence. Unicorn she appeared, it was hard to say if she was truly equine and there was only so much social pressure of generic kindness that could make ponies give her more than a quick, passing nod or small smile.

There was no one alive who knew of a different side to the mare, who could have possibly imagined a time where Whoa Nelly was regarded positively, seen as a role model and pillar of the community.

No one but the Princess.

Chapter 3

Heavy is the head that wears the crown, and heavier still the soul that bears it.

Many envy the position with no idea of the true power it holds, the burden of responsibility draping on shoulders like the yoke of the cattle, for to rule is also to serve.

When elevated to such heights, one must consider the scope of their actions, weighing heavily the price of a few to the good of the many and prepare for the consequences.

~~

Twilight was silent as Celestia led her beyond the doorway and into a large, rounded chamber. She barely breathed as they sat just outside of a protective ring of glowing runes. She watched in horror as a large, swirling vortex slammed into the magical barrier over and over, oozing with malevolence. There was really no other way to describe it. It was pure, concentrated malice. True evil.

Celestia spoke, raising her voice when needed over the howling winds that shrieked at random intervals. She told Twilight of an almost unbelievable version of Whoa Nelly from some years ago now, a mare who seemed the worst bogeypony made reality. Her haunted voice echoed as the vortex suddenly quieted, as if it wanted to hear her vague retellings of a horrific and unconscionable loss of life and harmony.

Twilight remained stoic, forcing her academic mind to listen carefully and dissect what information was being given, and fill in the blanks of what was left out. It obviously pained Celestia to recount this, to have to share the burden and bring Twilight in on a royal conspiracy she could have never imagined in her wildest dreams. The least she could do for now was listen. She was the Crown Princess of Equestria, her own emotions would have to come later.

“What amazes me still is how easily she went into custody after. She spent a week alone in the dungeons with half of Canterlot’s finest infantry guarding her cell as I tried to settle my citizens and prepare myself to face her. When I finally did go to see her, I had expected some…humility, some form of regret or, or even remorse.”

She shuddered. “What I found in that cell was none of those. I hesitate to even call her a pony, as cruel as it sounds. She never even gave a reason why, no matter how many times I begged and pleaded and demanded she provide one. I decided that if she wasn’t going to tell me, I would find out for myself.”

Twilight leaned into Celestia, trying to provide any small amount of comfort as she detailed countless sleeping nights of research and talking to anypony who knew Whoa Nelly. How, in the end, she could find absolutely nothing to explain what she did and how everyone had the same thing to say about the mare - that she ‘wasn’t right’.

“It was then I had to make a decision on what to do with her. My ponies demanded a trial, even went so far as to riot for her execution. Execution, Twilight! Try as I might, even after knowing what she did and knowing she had no remorse, I, I couldn’t bring myself to order her death.”

“I wanted to give her a second chance, to be able to live a better life and restore the harmony she had disrupted. But in order to do that, I needed to change her, make her safe for Equestria.”

Twilight’s apathetic front shattered with a shudder, not having the practice and strength yet to remain aloof in the face of such implications. Her voice trembled, “What did you do?”

Celestia was quiet for a moment, gathering herself. “What I had to.”

~~

The Royal Courtroom was separate from the Throne Room, a separation Celestia had been very specific about when building Canterlot Castle. Crime was rare in Equestria, violent crime even more so, and it was all the more rare that the Princess was required to pass down a judgement.

Fashioned after a traditional courtroom, the far end featured a raised podium and intimidating desks beside it to form a semi circle where the Princess and any necessary legal personnel would sit. Below it was a single podium, where the accused would stand to receive their verdict and on either wall were large galleries where, if permitted, the public may file in to watch the proceedings.

Today, the Courtroom was closed to the public, and as much as they demanded entrance, this case, and the sentencing decided on, would not be easy to understand. And so the guards were deployed, the gates closed, and the room empty save for one.

The rattle of chains and metallic thuds of armored shoes echoed in the vacant halls, steadily growing closer as a single mare was marched towards her judgement.

Celestia let out a deep breath and sat up straight, her wings flared on either side of her as she looked down from her heightened position. She didn’t often like to be so elevated above her populace, but judgements were a special exception and for as seldom as they were, she could tolerate it.

All too soon, the door opened and a solemn procession of heavily armored guards entered. Somewhere in the middle, the large frame of a teal unicorn stood tall, seemingly unbothered by the heavy chains that shook with every step.

The alicorn waited patiently as the guards in the front parted, swarming the stand and allowing the unicorn to take center stage. Only once everyone was settled and the room was quiet did the Princess speak. “Whoa Nelly, you are brought before the crown today accused of the following acts.” She cleared her throat and levitated a heartbreakingly long scroll, taking an extra moment to prepare herself to actually read aloud the crimes.

“36 counts of malicious disruption of harmony. 13 counts of grievous bodily harm. 12 counts of child endangerment. 23 counts of malicious intent to harm. And…11 counts of…” She swallowed thickly. “of murder.”

She put the scroll aside, forcing herself to look directly into Nelly’s unblinking brown eyes. “I have spoken with you on the nature of your crimes, and while you have offered acknowledgement, you have expressed no sign of regret or remorse. I will give you one final chance here to make a defense and provide reasoning.”

Whoa Nelly stared back, as undisturbed as the day she was brought into the dungeons covered in the blood of innocents. From all appearances, her and Celestia could have been neighbors discussing how their gardens were growing. “I don’t have anything else to say about this.”

Princess Celestia closed her eyes, her heart shattering in her chest as her last hopes were brutally decimated. Her face twitched as she opened her eyes. “Very well. Whoa Nelly, you are found guilty of all counts. Due to the heinous nature of your crimes, as well as your continued apathy and refusal to cooperate, I have come to an unorthodox but just punishment.”

She then jumped over her desk and gracefully glided down to the floor, guards shifting to give her space to land. “As incapable as you might be to understand this, know that it brings me no joy.”

Whoa Nelly raised an eyebrow, the first show of emotion she had made her entire time imprisoned. “Don’t lie to me Princess.” Her lips trembled, one side lifting into a very slight smirk. “I know what I did, and I know it must burn you up not knowing why.”

“Silence. Your judgement is passed and my justice shall be enacted. Guards, leave us. Help the others secure the castle. You may tell the public that I will release a statement in the morning, nothing more.”

There was a rustle of salutes and the retreating thuds of metal shoes and then, silence.

Princess Celestia’s horn flared with golden light as she teleported the two of them deep below Canterlot Castle, to a large, rounded room she had hoped she wouldn’t need to use. ‘Be prepared, but optimistic’ Somnambula had once told her, a lesson she was thankful she took to heart.

Whoa Nelly looked over the room, noting with another raised eyebrow the glowing runes circling the edges. She may not have been the most educated unicorn, but even without the inhibitor ring on her horn she could tell there was strong magic at play, the kind of magic used in containment.

“From one prison to another, is that your plan?”

“Of a sort. Will you resist?”

Whoa Nelly thought about this for a moment, then answered with a simple. “No.”

Princess Celestia nodded and stepped outside of the runes, her horn once more flaring with a brilliant light. Her eyes began to glow as she quietly brought forth another, smaller binding circle, right around Whoa Nelly’s hooves to hold her fast. Once she was secured, a beam of magic streamed directly into her horn and further into her mind, taking a moment to secure itself before it began to pull.

Whoa Nelly screamed, unable to move as her memories were forcefully ripped from her, her life literally flashing before her eyes in the most horrific way anyone could imagine. It was an agonizingly long process, made longer as she tried to resist, her horn sparking painfully underneath the nullstone ring.

Eventually, the spell was completed, leaving an empty mare and an oozing mass of dark colored magic floating in golden light. Celestia shuddered as the concentrated hatred and malice fought against her magic, knowing she didn’t have long to act. Another beam from her horn hit Whoa Nelly, in the chest this time, and pulled out a pulsating teal sliver of her soul.

In an instant, the circle holding her body was dissolved and then she was yanked, landing heavily next to Celestia. Then, the memories and soul piece were brought together in a violent explosion that shook the room.

Only when things had settled did Celestia let her horn die, heaving an exhausted sigh. Inside the runes, a seething vortex appeared, screaming unintelligibly. It slammed into the magical barrier, but to Celestia’s relief it left no mark as the spell held strong.

She looked down at the unicorn next to her, staring blankly into space now that there were no memories left and a piece of her soul missing. Celestia looked back at the amalgamation, unsure if her words would be heard but feeling the need to speak them anyways. “This is your punishment. You have disrupted harmony and must atone. However, you are too much of a danger to allow in the world anymore, so here your consciousness will stay, bound by your own soul. I will give part of mine to complete your body, along with false memories. She will become an advocate for all the values you lacked - kindness and empathy being the foremost. She will speak for those who feel they have no voice and preach the value of life. You will know of her deeds, but be unable to do anything about it. So I have decreed and so it shall be.”

~~

‘Heavy is the head that wears the crown’, a phrase Twilight Sparkle had never imagined would hold such personal meaning to herself.

She never envied the position that was thrust upon her, wholly unaware that she had been groomed for it her whole life. She had been told she was prepared, and so she acted like she was. And for most things, she was.

When she had first been elevated, she swore to treat her new responsibilities with all the gravity required. What she hadn’t expected was just how much weight those burdens would carry.

Chapter 4

History is a fickle thing and more oft than not the surviving retellings are not completely true to the actual events. Sometimes it happens naturally, word of mouth muddled over generational embellishments and failing memories. Sometimes, it is influenced - records altered, scribes bribed, and naysayers silenced, all to promote one version over another.

It was not often that history was completely wiped, a hole punched in the memory of the world that no one even knew was missing.

~~

Twilight watched the vortex lazily drift around its cage, somehow seeming to enjoy her discomfort and Celestia’s pain. With the knowledge of what Celestia had done to the mare, the horrifying ability to take all of someone's memories and merge them with their soul to leave behind…that thing, came the uncomfortable realization that Twilight did not remember the supposed event. She had lived in Canterlot for most of her life and while the specific fate of Whoa Nelly could have been written over, there was no record whatsoever of her crimes.

The more she thought, the more the obvious conclusion came to light, as sick and twisted as it was. The only way Celestia could have made sure that this path she decided for Whoa Nelly would have worked, was if no one remembered the original mare and events at all.

Twilight pulled away from Celestia, as painful as the action was for the both of them and took a deep breath before bluntly stating. “You took away all of her memory and sealed it here, but that’s not all you did, is it?”

Celestia pursed her lips, responding in a diplomatic tone. “I needed to make sure that Equestria would allow her to have a second chance without the taint of her past actions. For that, I needed to…rewrite history.”

Twilight scoffed incredulously. “Rewrite history? Rewriting history is hiding that Nightmare Moon was actually your sister Luna. That’s not what happened here, you didn’t rewrite anything, this time you completely obliterated it!” Twilight motioned at the vortex that was the real Whoa Nelly. “It was one thing to take away her memories and make her pay for her crimes, however roundabout it may be, but to then use that sort of magic on the rest of the world?!”

Celestia watched, neutral, as Twilight stood and began to pace, the young alicorn’s wings half extended and feathers fluffed in irritation, the storm once more picking up as it fed off her agitation. “I mean, where would you even come up with that sort of idea? Memory magic is extremely volatile and it’s not very well researched, Clover the Clever is the last mage to have made significant progress on it, not to mention the ethical implications of-”

Twilight froze mid step, replaying the last sentence over and over in her mind. She recalled being let into a secret archive to uncover a scroll and help Sunset Shimmer. How, somewhere buried under her excitement, hindsight allowed her to recognize the tinge of déjà vu she had brushed off at the time. “Clover the Clever’s research…”

She suddenly whipped around to face Celestia, a dreadful accusation on the tip of her tongue, but her heart not having the strength to throw it. It was a double edged sword that would cut not only the once princess of the sun, but herself as well.

And the answer was already plain on Celestia’s face.

Twilight’s knees buckled and she collapsed to the floor, desperately searching for some recollection but finding blanks. In the broadest strokes she knew what had happened and what she had to have done, but her mind provided no details, no specifics. She could almost feel the nights of research she had doubtless spent, burning candle after candle as she crafted spells of a magic she had little practice with. But it wasn’t there.

Twilight remained frozen on the ground as Celestia walked over to her. “For what it is worth, I am sorry. At the time, you weren’t ready to know of your destiny, so I had to erase your involvement along with everything else revolving around Whoa Nelly.”

“Did you…did you ask me to do it?”

“I don’t see what difference-”

“Did you ask me?!”

“...Yes. It was a year or two before I sent you to Ponyville for the Thousandth Summer Sun Celebration. You were still living in Canterlot as my personal student. I showed you the archives and asked for your expertise and assistance.”

Celestia kneeled beside Twilight, her voice pleading. “It wasn’t meant to be actually used, it was more of a theoretical practice that could work. I wasn’t even entirely sure it would until I performed it.”

The maelstrom that was Whoa Nelly screamed, drawing the attention of both alicorns as it assaulted the barrier with renewed vigor. Somehow, Twilight could sense that its efforts were now directed at her, as her involvement in the punishment was made clear.

Celestia gently nudged Twilight to stand, and began to lead the trembling mare back into the passageway. When they were just past the doorway, Twilight paused and looked over her shoulder, the echoes of screams bouncing around the halls.

“We…I…did the right thing, didn’t I?”

“Yes. I still want to spare you the disturbing details, so please trust me when I say that this was the best outcome. Lives were lost back then, but so many more were forever changed for the worse. But with this, with your brilliant spells and research, they were able to have a second chance. And now, Whoa Nelly is working for the betterment of Equestria.”

Twilight nodded as Celestia brought the wall back into place, the sudden silence just as deafening as the roars of the true Whoa Nelly. It was too much for Twilight as the reality of the past hours suddenly crashed onto her. She needed to distract herself, keep talking until her hammering heart slowed again. “Why did you show me this? What would I have to do with her? Is, is there more spells I need to add, does the barrier need reinforcements, do-”

Her rambles cut off as Celestia laid a hoof on her shoulder, a comforting smile on her face. “I know it is a lot to process and understand, but the lesson I needed to impart is that a ruler must be able to weigh the cost of one to the good of the entire nation. You will need to make seemingly impossible choices in the pursuit of balance and harmony, and it’s important you are ready for whatever consequences may come from your decisions.”

Twilight took this in, her wings opening and closing on her back as she tried to bleed off some of her nervous energy. The rest went towards thinking, her mind whirring and turning over Celestia’s words at a pace that impressed herself. “This…isn’t the first time entire events have been wiped from the memories of Equestria, is it.”

“I can say this is the first time with such specific circumstances, but, yes. It was easier in the early days, when little was written on paper and naysayers were easier to discourage speaking out, but it’s happened more often than you realize. And now it is up to you to decide what the future is taught of our lives.”

~~

History is a fickle thing, said to be written by the victors - implying that surviving retellings may not be completely true to the actual events. Through altered records, the bribing of scribes, and silencing of naysayers and ‘truth spreaders’, anyone dedicated enough could promote one version over another.

What was not often said is that it could be erased by them as well, so thoroughly scrubbed clean that no one would even know there was anything missing.

Chapter 5

Princess Twilight Sparkle sat in the royal garden, trying to enjoy the sun on her face and the sweet bird song that came from elsewhere, but the statue in front of her kept her from finding pleasure in the moment.

She sighed and closed her eyes for a moment. When she opened them, she forced her gaze onto the intricately detailed stone. She looked first at the snarling open mouth of the former changeling monarch Chrysalis.

Chrysalis’s part in the attempted takeover of Equestria was no surprise, even if Twilight was honestly a little disappointed and tired of it. For all of Chrysalis’s failed attempts, one would think she might stop and consider if there were a better way, especially after Starlight’s own confrontation. But there was simply no reasoning with the would-be tyrant, not anymore.

Twilight spared the bug a moment of sympathy, she knew that a certain amount of it could be contributed to the old changeling ways and the way Chrysalis was raised. Changelings groomed their queens rigorously, making sure they had the strength to lead and continue the survival of the changeling race. Twilight mused that, in a different universe, she might have been in a similar situation. Could she truly say she would have reacted differently, if she felt so deeply in her bones that her and her children were superior and their ways needed no changing?

She shifted her gaze to look upon the cowering visage of Tirek. Try as she might, she couldn’t help but feel a bit of cruel satisfaction at seeing the monster who destroyed her home, drained her loved ones of their magic, and came closest to completely changing the world as she knew it looking weak and scared. His involvement was the least surprising of the three - it was just the nature of a demon to destroy. Well… She sighed, the little voice of reason breaking through the hate she still held as she thought of Tirek’s brother, who so long ago had managed to accept friendship and conquer his instincts.

What could have been, if she were able to break through to him in a similar manner? Or even if, of all creatures, Discord had? Tirek was obviously capable of cooperation, working together with the other two cast in stone with him almost flawlessly. Twilight’s eye twitched at the thought that they may have been friends, in whatever twisted understanding they had of those sorts of relationships. Something to ponder later, she decided.

That left the last, and frankly most puzzling, part of the ‘Legion of Doom’. Twilight stared at the little filly, frozen in a pose befitting her age. Her actions, however, decidedly did not. After things had settled and harmony was restored, Twilight spent every spare second combing through reports, checking homework, and talking to students at her school, trying to understand why.

As far as she could tell, Cozy had a normal and comfortable life growing up. She had some troubles at the start at the School of Friendship, but quickly found her place and almost everyone loved her. She was smart and charismatic, that little filly could have gone anywhere, done anything - the world truly was her oyster.

So then why?

Much as Celestia had with Whoa Nelly, Twilight didn’t want to believe that Cozy had simply been born…wrong and was incapable of good. It was hard to believe that Cozy might have reached the same level Whoa Nelly had, but Twilight couldn’t deny a twinge of fear that the filly wouldn’t have someday.

It was this uncertainty that brought her here, to the statue. To debate making a similar decision her predecessor had made.

It would be a simple tweak to the same spell once cast on her and the rest of Equestria to erase the filly’s involvement but leave the blame on Tirek and Chrysalis. Especially easy now that she had had access to her old research notes.

But was it the right choice?

She knew why Celestia had done what she had with Whoa Nelly, but was it necessary for her to pursue a similar path with Cozy Glow?

“You will need to make seemingly impossible choices in the pursuit of balance and harmony, and it’s important you are ready for whatever consequences may come from your decisions.”

Twilight nodded resolutely and stood up, lighting her horn and casting a spell.

~Years Later~

Nelly smiled sadly at the young unicorns before her. “So don’t you see? It’s never nice to bully someone for their interests, especially when you haven’t even tried to talk to them.”

The unicorns nodded solemnly, the one who tripped the pegasus rubbing her foreleg as she faced her victim. “I’m sorry for tripping you.”

The other one piped up, “I’m sorry for making it rain and ruining your makeup.”

The pegasus seemed to hesitate for a second before delivering a quick hug to each of them. “It’s okay, I’ve got plenty more at home.”

The unicorns looked at each other before one of them nervously asked. “Do, do you think you could show us? I actually really liked the cute designs you did on your cheeks.”

The pegasus gasped happily and clapped her hooves together. “Sure! Come on, my mom makes great after school snacks!”

“I can’t wait!”

“I love after school snacks!”

Nelly giggled as she watched the trio run off, a proud smile on her face.

“Cut! That’s a wrap folks, good work today.”

A collective cheer rang through the studio, the actors quickly leaving the stage so that the crew could begin breaking it down. Cashmere and Lilac were practically bouncing towards the dressing room, the pair excited to have finished their first acting gig.

Nelly hung back with the pegasus, nudging her playfully. “So? What did you think, Cozy?”

Cozy Glow shrugged, a small smile tugging at her lips. “I’ll need to wait until post production gets done with it but…I guess it was good.”

Nelly scrunched her nose with another giggle. “You young stars, always so critical. Do you have any other projects lined up after this?”

“Hmm, I don’t know. I’m sure my agent has something in the works.”

“Well I hope whatever it is, we get to work together again soon!”

Cozy smiled, “Me too!”