Tempest Tossed

With blushes, Twilight speaks. "I hadn't planned
To get involved, but this?" Her horn aglow,
She bends to touch my head...and pain is banned.

I push to rise. She says, "You need to know:
Excessive guilt can only ever hurt.
It's terrible to say, but let it go.

"Would Applejack—?" "You don't!" I cut her curt
And jab a hoof against her purple chest.
"Whatever point you've got, you can't assert!

"To know the wishes Applejack expressed,
We've got to go, I dare to say, and ask!
Beyond this course, we've nothing more than guessed!

"And that's my goal! It's hardly faceted!
Discover what she wants: alive or dead!"

They're blinking more, and Twilight says, "The task
You've set yourself, I fear, cannot be done.
You'll end a broken jar, an empty flask."

A whisper takes her voice. "For once begun,
Descending paths will likely claim you both,
Ensconce you deep. You'll never see the sun.

"A tragedy's befallen all, but growth
Can yet occur for those who still remain."
I shake my heavy head: "I gave an oath.

"My actions caused her death. I can't abstain
From balancing the books and leave her there
Despite the odds. I'd crack from grief and pain."

"I know," she says, her scent adrift with dust.
"I'll step aside. You go the way you must..."

Expecting something painful makes me stare.
"You won't, I mean, attempt to pluck my wings?"
With pursing lips, she gives me half a glare.

"We're friends. And yes, our disagreement stings,
But Rainbow, please. Mistaken though you are,
Success is all I hope this effort brings."

She bends her neck, her horn a glowing star,
And warmth extends to fill my inner holes.
"I'll bring her back," I say, "from near or far."

A rueful smile; the dark around her rolls,
And Twilight's gone. I'm left to stand alone—
Except for Discord. "Mind," he says, "the poles."

He's built a trellis twined around with greens:
"You talked so long, I went and planted beans."

"Enough," I say. He shakes his head: "They've grown
Robust and fulsome, waiting patiently
While certain ponies knelt at Twilight's throne."

I growl but show a grin. "You helping me?
Or just committing acts that might increase
The noxious gas you blow for all to see?"

He quickly harvests beans. "You want a piece?
You'll likely need your strength before the last
Encounter seeks to end your mad caprice."

The warmth of Twilight's touch is fading fast;
I drag my hooves a step, again, again.
"The only princess left would seem miscast."

"Indeed?" A cracking splits the darkened space
Revealing Cadance, hard of eye and face.