Almighty... And empty inside...by Aether SparkChaptersPower in deathNumb to the painEmpty inside...?I am not alone... not anymorePower in deathWhat is death?... That is what we all wonder isn’t it? For some, it’s the end… nothing happens… For others Elysium awaits. For me…. It’s when one life ended… and a nightmare began…. Twilight trotted amongst ponies wearing black, they all were wearing black, and she trotted up to where her friends were, they were all sobbing inconsolably. And it made sense given who was in the grave… Twilight stood at the edge of the open casket and looked down, and she saw the one who had perished too soon and let some tears fall as well. She was looking, at herself… “Why…. why couldn’t it have been me!?” Spike sobbed. “It’s okay, she’s in Elysium now,” Fluttershy said through her tears. “D-dang it Twilight! Why’d you have to go like that…?” Rainbow fought back tears. “...” The others were too sad to say anything. It happened just yesterday… she simply wasn’t careful enough… “She managed to save Apple Bloom at least, those Timberwolves had her surrounded…” AJ said. “There were too many… I should have been there…” Rainbow said. “We all should have been… and now all we can do is live on in her memory,” Rarity said. “Twiley…. It’s too soon… I swear, I’ll destroy any and all Timberwolves I see!” Shining Armor vowed. “You don’t have to…” Twilight said, despite knowing he couldn’t hear a ghost like her. “Farewell my beloved student…” Celestia, Luna, and Cadance were in tears as well. Twilight wanted to console them but she couldn’t do anything but stay here and look on. And so she looked up at the sky. A light was there, waiting. How long could she put it off before it vanished…? Should she just go before it does? It’d probably be best… “Probably best I leave now… I… I can’t… Twilight said with tears in her eyes, before she spread her wings and took to the air, but not before pausing and seeing her friends. “....Goodbye… I love you all,” Twilight said before she flew off, her tears joining the rainfall. As she flew upwards towards the light she could feel its warmth… she could stay for a few days, process everything, but it would be too hard… too much… it’s best she leaves while she can… And so she flew into the sky, ready to embrace an eternity with-... huh? Twilight felt a pull… to the right of the light… what was- “AAAAAGH!” Twilight yelped as some invisible force yanked her around the light and into the sky, she screamed as she felt an incredible force fling her to and fro until she settled above the atmosphere and she paused. “AAAH! W-what the?” Twilight asked shaken. “Albert! I told you not to yank her so hard!” A female voice scolded. “Not my fault mortal souls are so light,” A male voice said. “Can you two focus! She can hear us!” Another male voice scolded. “Ok ok!” the other two conceded. “H-hello?...” Twilight asked. “Ahem, hello small horse,” a fourth warbled sounding voice said. “...What’s happening?” Twilight asked. “Maybe we should show ourselves?” The female voice asked. “Sure,” Then four faces appeared in front of her, the size of moons! And… weird looking? “AAAAAAAAH!” Twilight shouted. “Calm down, calm down! We’re friendly!” The third one said. “Wh-who are you all?” Twilight asked, looking at them they seemed almost alien. One was a grey face with black eyes and a small mouth. Another was pink and looked like a human face. The third was…. She couldn’t describe it, a mesh of tentacles and eyes maybe? And the fourth looked like a giant eye. “Glad you asked, hello, we are the celestials,” The tentacle-faced one said. “....Am I dreaming?” Twilight asked. “No, I assure you this is not a vision created by the mind, we are the four almighty overseers of this universe,” The eye said while giving a slow blink. “Your…. Gods?” Twilight asked looking like she was in shock. “No…” The grey face said “Perhaps introductions and explanations are in order." “I’m Melanie,” The Pink face said. “I’m Vault,” The Grey face said. “I’m SDKJFHBFDCUIHSADFUIHD, but you can just call me Timmy,” The tentacle-faced one said. “And you already heard, I am Albert,” The Eye said “... Such weird and normal sounding names…” Twilight said. “I know,” Melanie said. “As for what we are, we are the entities chosen by the all-powerful one to oversee this universe and all that inhabit it, Earthlings call him God or something,” Albert said. “This universe?” Twilight said. “One of countless, we’re the ones he chose to support this realm and prevent it from falling into ruin or stagnation, we each serve a purpose,” Melanie said. “I represent Creation,” Vault said. “I represent Compassion,” Melanie said. “Destruction,” Timmy said. “And knowledge,” Albert said. “...I’m so confused… wasn’t I just heading into the light right now?” Twilight asked. “Yeeeesss, buuuuut, we have a favor to ask of you,” Timmy said. “A favor?” Twilight parroted. “Yes… we’d like you to take our powers and positions,” Melanie said. “...What?” Twilight asked. “We’ve done this job for eons, since before God made the rock you all stood upon, we’re tired and want out,” Albert said with an eye roll. “I know this is a tall order, but you’d be doing us a favor,” Vault said. “...I don’t-” “Get it, I know, we said much the same when we were offered the same, but we’re allowed to hand off our positions whenever we want, we’re simply seeking retirement and you seem like a worthy host of our powers,” Vault said. “What will happen to you guys?” Twilight asked hesitantly. “We’ll be reborn as mortals and live out our days until the light calls us,” Melanie said. “What if I don’t want to?” Twilight asked. “...Well, we can’t stop you from saying no. We’ll send you back down and into the light, and you’ll be on your way to the next life, but you're a forward thinker. You know you’ll be doing us a favor by taking this burden,” Timmy said. “....I… need to think about this,” Twilight said. “Take your time, we’re used to waiting eons,” Melanie said. “...Hmm…” Twilight thought long and hard about this, they're offering her basically all the power she’ll ever want and need, but what about the next life? What happens afterward. “We can answer that,” Vault said. “Did you read my mind?” Twilight asked. “Um, yeah, remember who you're talking too?” Timmy asked. “...Point taken,” Twilight sighed. “We’re each capable of governing various aspects of existence,” Albert said approaching Twilight. “Yeah?” Twilight said. “I grant beings the knowledge they’ll need, whether instinctual or mental, Melanie here grants the ability to feel between others, emotion, Vault, and Timmy are self-explanatory, they make and break the universe,” Albert said. “And I’ll gain all this?” Twilight asked. “Yes,” Albert responded. “...What happens if I accept?” Twilight asked. “Then you become master of the four powers of the universe, and we finally gain sweet retirement,” Albert said. “...And what does this job entail?” Twilight asked. “You’ll manage various forms of life, keep watch over the universe and both cause and prevent various cataclysms,” Albert said. “Cause cataclysms? Why?” Twilight asked. “A world needs balance, and change, and you're the only one who’ll make it happen, and if you ever find yourself needing friends, you can elect helpers, or keep the power to yourself, doesn’t matter,” Timmy said. “...Will… I be able to see my friends again at least?” Twilight asked hopefully. “...Yes and no,” Melanie said. “Explain please,” Twilight asked. “Direct conversation with mortals is difficult, through dreams is different though, and you can do various things, just be careful not to shirk your duties,” Melanie said. “Why?” Twilight asked. “Or else Val will come visit to give you a year long lecture, she’s something of a divine accountant, don’t ask, and most importantly do not exit the universe, you manage, or else you could be destroyed by the event horizon,” Vault said. “...Gotcha… so… wow, I can’t believe this is happening, I… don’t know how to react,” Twilight said. “With a yes or a no would be preferred,” Timmy said. “.....” Twilight looked back at Equus, could she do it? She can still be with her friends in spirit… and in a way this isn’t permanent, this is an opportunity to become more than just herself. “We understand that this will be a tough decision, we’re willing to wait,” Melanie said. “.....I’ll do it,” Twilight said with a resolute look on her face. “....That quickly? No eon of thinking?” Albert said with a raised brow. “I can be with my friends in spirit, I’d say it’s a worthy trade-off, I went through one ascension, I can go through another,” Twilight said with a smile. “...I-I don’t know what to say,” Melanie said. “Thank you, tiny purple horse,” Vault said. “How does this work?” Twilight asked. “Leave that to us,” They said as they surrounded her and Twilight immediately felt nervous. “W-will this hurt?” Twilight asked. “...I won’t lie, it will, alot, but I hope that doesn’t change your decision,” Melanie said. “G-gotcha, I’ll be able to handle it,” Twilight nervously said. “Well! It’s been real friends,” Timmy said. “Farewell,” Melanie said. “I bid you all adieu,” Albert said. “May our mortal lives be more exciting than this was,” Vault said before their eyes lit up and they fired beams that struck Twilight. Twilight had braced herself for pain…. Not for this… “AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH” Twilight screamed as it felt like every atom that made her body up was on fire. Then when the beams faded the entities began to turn into giant multi-colored spheres that began orbiting Twilight who was still glowing intensely, then they paused and melted into multi-colored puddles and they formed up into a giant puddle and began covering Twilight, first her legs, than her body and as it approached her head she opened her eyes one last time as a mortal before her whole body was subsumed in the colorful liquid, which continued to cover her until it was all covering her body and formed into a giant sphere, then it glowed brightly and formed into a pony shape and when the light faded Twilight opened her eyes and looked down at herself. She looked the same, but with glowing white markings covering her body, her mane flowing like a galaxy of stars, and her eyes multicolored. “Whoa…” Twilight looked herself over before spotting four souls floating there in front of her, they then descended towards Equus and vanished. “...Thank you, Vault, Melanie, Albert, and Timmy,” Twilight smiled. Then she looked around and wondered outloud. …What now? She felt the power coursing through her, the power to build or destroy worlds, she could feel the compassion of every being in the universe and her knowledge, she’s always wanted unlimited knowledge, and now she has it, everything she could want to learn, it’s now in her head. Now it was time, to put it into practice! “Alright-” Twilight spoke in a booming voice and she covered her mouth before clearing her throat and speaking quieter. “Now, let’s test my powers out before I get to work,” Twilight said. Twilight floated through the cosmos, looking at countless planets, she could sense which ones had life, and which didn’t. She was going to start a world. And so she approached a large planet and her infinite knowledge told her what to do… She spat into her hooves and guided the spit onto the planet. “Alright, I’ll come back in a hundred years to see how it does,” Twilight said before flying away. Twilight had found the edge of the universe, she prodded the edge carefully, thankfully she knew now it was quite durable so she didn’t have to worry about going into the event horizon. “I wonder what goes beyond here?” Twilight asked. Twilight’s heart was heavy as she approached a dying planet, she knew what she had to do, even though there were traces of life on this planet. She raised a hoof and tried to swing at the planet but she stopped. “I-I….can’t… there’s life here,” Twilight stood back “Maybe nopony will notice?” Twilight said before flying away. Twilight glided among the stars and dragged her hoof through a sea of stars, it was like cold water, she giggled as she swam in it. "So much to do! I can do anything!... Well, except visit my friends, but maybe I can see them again after I master my powers," Twilight wondered out loud as she dove out and slid on a slide of stars. Afterwards she used her powers to form a bed made of asteroids and she laid on them. "I think I'm gonna like it here..." Twilight sighed. A year later Twilight having gained a better view on her abilities and done her fair share of exploring the cosmos approached her home, Equus, home sweet home. “Maybe I can visit my friends, it’s been so long,” Twilight said, after all she’s done much work throughout the cosmos, she’s entitled to a break… right? And so Twilight began to shrink down until she was the size of a normal pony and she flew forward to see her friends…. Only to bump into a barrier. “Huh?” Twilight said… deep down she knew she couldn’t go back but she deluded herself into thinking she could… “No…” Twilight said as she leaned back against the barrier, what was she going to do now?... she was honestly tired of space right now, she’d like to feel the grass on her hooves once more… “Even with my knowledge, I know there are no loopholes I can… wait…” Twilight remembered what she was told a year ago, dreams are the exception! And so she tapped into the dream realm and searched around, she looked around at the many dreams. But there was one mare she had her eyes out for… “Twilight?” Twilight turned around and saw a bewildered Luna. “Hello Luna,” Twilight said politely. “...What trickery is this?!” Luna lit her horn. “No trickery here, it’s me,” Twilight said. “NO! Twilight died a year ago! I refuse to believe it!” Luna said. Twilight simply stamped her hoof and Luna’s magic fizzled out. “Huh?! How did-” “I temporarily disabled your magic, now listen, I can prove it,” Twilight said. “Very well,” Luna said guardedly. “The last dream I had before I died was of me and my friends riding giant bunnies,” Twilight said simply. “....True…. How did Twilight die?” Luna demanded. “Timberwolves, one got me by the throat,” Twilight responded easily. “....What about-” “Sunshine sunshine, Ladybugs awake, put your hooves together and give a little shake,” Twilight responded immediately. “How?” Luna asked. “I know everything, as was the gift given to me by the Celestials,” Twilight said. “The-” “All powerful beings, too much explanation, listen, I want to see my friends, I’ve missed them,” Twilight said. “....Very well, you’ve proven yourself, but I have my eye on you,” Luna said. “Thank you,” Twilight said. Fluttershy woke up groggily, she used to be more energetic in the morning but losing Twilight has still left her without the enthusiasm… as she stretched and went downstairs to get breakfast she was surprised to see the others there. “Girls?” Fluttershy said confusedly as she saw them all there with her. “Shy? How did we get here?” Rainbow asked. “Ah don’t-” “Maybe we’re having some kind of group dream!” Pinkie said interrupting AJ. “I doubt it,” Rarity said. “Yeah, that can’t be it,” Fluttershy said. “Actually it is,” A familiar voice said and they turned to see Twilight. “Twilight?!” Pinkie exclaimed. “...Soooo I'm having that dream again?...” Rainbow sighed. “No Rainbow, I’m really here!” Twilight said looking like she was tearing up from having not seen them in so long. “Ah doubt it, yer dead remember?” AJ said sadly. “I can prove it to you all,” Twilight said. “Ok?” Pinkie said. She found it weird that her Pinkie sense could usually sense things, but for some reason, she couldn’t sense her. “Could something that’s simply part of a dream do this?” Twilight said before she suddenly manipulated the dream and turned it into a grassy field. “Huh?” They all looked around. “Or this?” Twilight made party hats appear on them. “Whoa!” Pinkie liked it. “You can manipulate dreams just like Luna?... that means your-” Rainbow said. “Yes, I’m-” “A faker! WHO ARE YOU!?” Rainbow demanded. “What? No! I am Twilight!” Twilight said. “Yeah right! She died last year! Nice try!” Rainbow said. “Yeah, we ain’t gonna fall for it!” AJ said and the others looked ready to fight. “She’s telling the truth,” They heard another voice say and they turned to see Luna standing there with a smile. “Luna? Y-your saying-” Rainbow said. “I took the time to check her source and nopony on Equus is influencing this image, what does that say?” Luna asked. “N-no way-” AJ said. “I would know, trust me,” Luna said. “Girls… it really is me,” Twilight pleaded. “...Twilight?” Fluttershy carefully approached and reached forward Twilight did the same and when they touched Twilight gave her a vision of the times they spent, her and Shy. When it was over Fluttershy was smiling and she hugged Twilight tightly. “Twilight! It really is you!” Fluttershy cried. “Yes, it is,” Twilight said with a smile. “Twi?...” Rainbow approached carefully with the others. “Hey guys,” Twilight said with a smile. “It really is you isn’t it?” Rarity asked with hope in her eyes. “It is,” Twilight said and they all ran over and hugged her, “I MISSED YOU!” Pinkie cried. “Twilight!” Rarity sobbed as she held her. “Ah can’t believe mah eyes!” AJ cried. After some tears were shed they all backed off and Twilight sat with them. “Wait, where’s Spike? He’s nowhere in Ponyville, should I search farther for him?” Twilight asked, she’s all knowing but some things need to be searched for. The others looked at eachother worriedly and then AJ approached. “He… ran away, losin you was too much for him… we tried but we couldn’t find him,” AJ said. “No…” Twilight said looking horrified. “You can connect with him right?” Rainbow asked. “No, he’s not asleep right now,” Twilight sadly said. The others looked at eachother and decided to change the subject. “How are you here?” Rainbow asked. “I… it’s a long complicated story, let me start from the beginning,” Twilight said. And so Twilight wove a long tale of how she died, met the Celestials, and inherited their power, and now she is omnipotent, and can only visit them in their dreams. “Wow… that’s… alot to take in,” Rainbow said. “Yeah,” Rarity said. “Where to start?” AJ said. “What matters is that I’m back, not in the flesh, but in your dreams,” Twilight said. “Ah’m glad to have ya back Twilight, ah really am,” AJ said. “Agreed,” Rainbow said. “Me three!” Pinkie said. “So, tell me what-” Suddenly the dream realm began vanishing. “Seems their waking up,” Luna said. “No!” Rainbow said. “I’ll be here tomorrow! Pinkie Promise!” Twilight said before everything vanished. Once more Twilight was out in space but she smiled. “I can be with my friends again… thank goodness,” Twilight smiled up at the stars. “Well! Time to get to work!” Twilight said flying off. Little does she know… the dangers awaiting her new position… and the nightmares to come… Author's Note Hello friends! It's been a while, I'll work on this while I get Harmony Spark and its sequel up to date. Till then enjoy. Numb to the painFive weeks later “Bye Shiny!” Twilight waved at Shining Armor as the dream realm vanished and Twilight was ejected from the dream. Yep, she had located her friends and family and added them to her nightly excursions with Equus. It was a hard first few weeks. Lots of tears were shed, and accusations of being a faker were made. But now she has the means to enjoy her job and communicate with her friends. Except Spike… For some reason, she can’t find him… weird, but she hopes this doesn’t mean he’s dead… she’ll find him eventually though. She then made her way over to Saturn to lay down and read a summoned book. She may know everything now, but she still enjoys books. “Alright, Equestria is enjoying perfect weather and non-stop disaster free weeks, I’d almost say me dying was just the break Equestria needed at this rate,” Twilight giggled at the jab at herself. “...That’s kinda the problem,” A woman's voice said and Twilight jumped. “Huh?! Who said that?” Twilight asked. “Me,” Twilight turned and saw what looked like a human in an office outfit with glasses floating in space in front of her. “What the?... Who-” “Val, don’t forget it,” Val said. “...Oh, that person Albert warned me about…” Twilight said. “Yes yes, I’m here for an evaluation,” She said, displeased. “Evaluation of my progress, I forgot, but I’m sure I’m doing well, right?” Twilight asked. “Not even close…” She sighed, writing something down on a clipboard. “What?” Twilight said a little offendedly. “Listen, you're going to have to pick up your own slack here because this universe is very messy,” Val said. “What?! B-but I’ve done all I can, I started a dozen worlds,” Twilight said. “And how many have you destroyed?” Val asked. “...None… but give me a break, there were still lifeforms on those worlds,” Twilight said. “Balance is the universe's bread and butter, that, and those worlds died on their own last week,” Val said. “What?!” Twilight exclaimed. “They died last week,” Val repeated. “I heard, but… then it’s done then right?” Twilight said, unsure how to react. “...You're new so I’ll let your ignorance slide,” Val said. “Hey!” Twilight said. “You don’t grasp the severity, when you destroy planets, you are giving them a mercy kill, want to know what happens when you don’t destroy a planet at the eve of it’s death?” Val said. “I know everything, so that-” “The planet dies, slowly, painfully, and so do all who live on it, so congratulations, you're responsible for the suffering of many, due to being squeamish,” Val said. “...What?” Twilight said in shock. “Some things even infinite knowledge cannot predict, harden your heart, be more proactive, and for the love of Pete, stop lingering so much around this particular planet,” Val said pointing at Equus. “B-but, my friends-” Twilight said. “Will move on, you need to as well, you cannot manage a universe and dote on only one planet, otherwise you’ll be promptly fired and replaced,” Val said interrupting her. “No…” Twilight looked sad to hear that before she looked to her again “But I can’t bring an end to a planet, It’s not in my nature,” Twilight said. “Then extract it,” Val said. “Extract it?” Twilight asked. “Yes, you are capable of extracting emotional facets from your personality, it will protect you from the guilt, I’ll be back in a year and if no improvement is made, we’ll begin the job termination process,” Val said before she vanished. “Wait!” Twilight cried but she was gone… she looked back at Equus in the distance, and she began to sob. “It’s not fair, can I not be happy?! I… I need to leave then, I got work to do, I hope they understand…” Twilight said before flying away. Twilight flew to a galaxy cluster, there were multiple planets that were dying and needed that ‘mercy kill’ Val mentioned… “Alright… I can do this,” Twilight said as she flew into the cluster and located one. A water planet that contained minimal life… it was dying though, and due to the inhabitant's fault, polluting their oceans… It was time to kill it. …Annnny moment now… Twilight floated before the planet for what felt like forever, she could have elected somepony else to do this part… but no, she’d never subject somepony else to this cruel decision. Twilight raised a hoof and shut her eyes before punching the planet and immediately it exploded, she didn’t even hit it that hard, but she knew it was the punch that injected destructive energy. It was done…. Countless lives gone in an instant, but it was either die with a bang… or a whimper…. Speaking of which. “I CAN’T DO THIS!” Twilight flew out of the cluster and landed on top of a vacant planet to cry. Blood was on her hoof now, there was no changing that… so why did it have to be like this…. There was only one way to end this pain… extract it, she didn’t want to, but she had no choice. And so she sat up and raised a hoof to her chest before entering it into her chest. In her mind she saw what looked like an option menu in a video game… She saw options for, rage, rationality, and other emotions… but one stuck out to her. Compassion. Reluctantly Twilight mentally drew that one back, just a little… and suddenly, her tears dried… she didn’t feel as bad anymore… “Weird…” Twilight said before adjusting it again and she found she stopped caring she just ended a civilization… this actually made it easier… “Well, I got work to get back to,” Twilight said before spreading her wings and taking off back into the cluster. A month later she flew away from the cluster, having cleaned it up. “Hmm, I should feel bad for the lost lives… but I don’t… Val was right, this does make things easier." Helps that those planets were on the verge of dying anyways… she was just helping them along. Yeah… “It’s been awhile, I should take a break, maybe visit my friends again,” Twilight said as she flew back. As she arrived at Equus she used her power to look into the planet, she could see everypony was going on with life, she looked around and expected them to excite her like they used to… But oddly she feels less like them, like she’s something else. Did adjusting her compassion really render her unable to associate herself with them? Maybe she should turn back… just for awhile. And so Twilight reached into the glowing portal on her chest and and adjusted her compassion back to normal… and then some. The pain came back… “No… NOO! THOSE WORLDS!” Twilight hurriedly lowered her compassion again “...On second thought… nevermind…” Twilight cooly looked down at the planet, she felt almost nothing for it right now. She felt more for it than other places at least, that was enough. She waited until nighttime before accessing the dream of Rainbow Dash. Rainbow was flying with the Wonderbolts when suddenly she was teleported to the ground. “Huh?!” Rainbow said looking around. “Hello Rainbow…” Twilight said. “Huh? Oh hey Twilight! Your back! I wondered where you went,” Rainbow said trotting over to her. “I apologize…” Twilight said in a bored tone. “...You okay? You don’t seem as happy to see me,” Rainbow asked. “I’ve had to make adjustments to myself to ease the pain of destroying worlds,” Twilight said without a change in inflection. “...Hahahaa, nice one,” Rainbow laughed… only to pause when Twilight didn’t laugh. “Your… not laughing…” Rainbow said. “Destroying inhabited planets used to bother me but after lowering my compassion and ability to feel extreme emotions I can handle it now,” Twilight said. “Haha… seriously drop the joke,” Rainbow said nervously. “I did them a favor, it was either die slowly or quickly,” Twilight said as if she’s having a normal conversation right now. “Egghead… you're starting to scare me… Do you mean to tell me you’ve been nuking planets? With life in them?.... Why?” Rainbow said taking a step back. “It’s my job, as the epicenter of life, death, knowledge, and feeling, can’t remain in touch with you all and not blow up a few minor planets in the process,” Twilight said with a chuckle. “...Twilight… you’ve changed… whatever you did to yourself undo it!” Rainbow insisted. “If I do that the guilt will come back, it’s better I feel less,” Twilight said. “NO! This isn’t you, I mean… look,” Rainbow approached her but suddenly the dream realm shifted. “Until next time, Rainbow,” Twilight said and Rainbow woke up in her bedroom looking a little pale. “Something’s wrong with her…” Rainbow rushed out of her room in a panic. Rainbow rushed to Ponyville, she flew into Sugarcube Corner and saw Pinkie making a batch of cookies. “Hey Rai-” Pinkie said before Rainbow flew up to her. “Pinkie! We have a situation!” Rainbow said. “What?” Pinkie asked. “Gather everyone here, Twilight is back!” Rainbow said. “That’s great!” Pinkie said. “Not right now it isn’t, she’s done something to herself, we need to help her!" Rainbow cried. “Ok!” Pinkie said before darting off to retrieve the others. “And that’s what happened!” Rainbow exclaimed. “Y-your lyin! Twi would never destroy planets!” AJ said in shock. “She wouldn’t!” Fluttershy added. “You weren’t there, she was talking about killing off planets like it was a boring hobby! She said she ‘lowered her compassion’ or something,” Rainbow said. “She’s poisoned her own mind with her powers!” Rarity said. “She’d sooner surrender her new powers than use them for destruction!” Fluttershy said. “I know what I saw and heard, she’s not acting right, we need to help her,” Rainbow said with determination. “Alright, what do we do?” Rarity asked. “We confront Twilight in our dreams and convince her to return her compassion,” Rainbow said. “But it’s mornin, do we wait until nighttime?” AJ asked. “No, we go to sleep now and hopefully she comes to us,” Rainbow said. “Ok, luckily I have studied sleep spells in the past, they will be useful here,” Rarity said. “Then let’s go, let’s save our friend,” Rainbow said. Twilight just ended another bothersome planet, teeming with life, but crumbling due to ozone issues and pollution. As she turned and flew around looking for something to do in the meanwhile she sensed her friends were asleep, she’s been keeping tabs on them and they are asleep already. Whatever, if this is their way of getting her attention after that conversation they had about their concerns, so be it. Twilight teleported up to Equus and accessed the dream realm… Twilight wasted no time and gathered her friends, they all appeared before her and they looked surprised to see her so soon. “Hello my dearest friends,” Twilight said with little emotion. “Twilight, we’re here to-” “Convince me to turn back to the fragile person I used to be?” Twilight said. “How-” “All-knowing, remember?” Twilight said. “Twilight… please, Rainbow told us everything,” Rarity said. “I know, but really I was simply informing her of what I’ve been up to for awhile,” Twilight said. “Twi… you destroyed planets!” AJ said. “With life on them!” Pinkie added. “I know, is that a problem?” Twilight asked. “You weren’t kiddin,” AJ said looking disturbed. “It’s my job, like it or not, I have to do so if I wish to maintain my position and stay in contact with you all,” Twilight said. “It just doesn’t seem like you, and the casual way you address it worries us,” Rarity said. “It’d be best if at least for now you return to normal,” Fluttershy said. “No,” Twilight said. “Why?” Rainbow asked. “Because when I last did, the pain of what I did came back, I don’t like feeling that pain… so I eased it,” Twilight said. “We miss the real you Twi,” AJ said. “I do too, but it’s better this way,” Twilight said. “...What if we helped you?” Rainbow asked. “What do you mean?” Twilight asked. “You could return your compassion to normal and we can support you in your time of need, please, just once,” Rainbow pleaded. “...You really wish to see me in pain?” Twilight said. “No! But we can help you like we always do,” Rainbow said. “...If seeing my pain let’s you know why I need to numb myself to it, then fine,” Twilight sighed before reaching her hoof into a glowing light on her chest and adjusting her compassion back. Immediately she looked horrified. “NO!” Twilight cried falling to the ground and clutching her head. “TWI!” AJ cried as they ran over to her and held her close as she cried. “Those lives… all of them… I took so many…” Twilight sobbed. “It’s alright Twi, we’re here,” AJ said. “Let it all out,” Fluttershy cooed. “The last planet I saw the beings on it were begging me for mercy… but I did it anyways without any remorse… I’m a monster!” Twilight said. “You're not a monster,” Rarity said. “I can’t…. I can’t live with myself…. I need to numb the pain,” Twilight said before shoving her hoof back into the glowing light on her chest. “NO! Twilight! Stop!” Rainbow grabbed her arm and the others tried to stop her. “Please stop! I can’t take this!” Twilight said. “No! Twilight, ya can’t just numb yerself like this!” AJ said. “Let go!” Twilight cried. “Stop!” Pinkie said. “Let… GO!” Twilight yelled before Rainbow accidentally jerked Twilight’s arm too hard to the left. Compassion: 1% Twilight froze and stared out into the void around them. “Twi?” AJ said. “......I feel… nothing…”Twilight said before she stopped holding back and tossed her friends off like they were nothing. “AGH!” Rainbow cried as she hit the ground, she looked up at Twilight who was standing there looking lost. “Twilight?” Pinkie asked nervously. “...Nothing… my heart is empty…. I feel…… liberated…” Twilight said as her eyes turned black and she looked at them. “Twilight? What happened?” Rarity asked as Twilight approached her. “I need to see,” Twilight said before she reached forward and struck Rarity sending her tumbling. "Aaah!" Rarity cried. “RARITY! Twilight, what are you doing?” Rainbow demanded. “...Nothing…I felt nothing… my compassion is almost nothing now, you all suddenly seem… insignificant,” Twilight said before turning to Rainbow who flinched. “Twilight?...” Rainbow nervously said. “I’ve been too lenient with Equus… just because it is my home planet, doesn’t make it any different than any other planet, from now on, I’ll do my job right, thank you Rainbow… for freeing me from myself,” Twilight said before she took off into the sky. “TWILIGHT!” Rainbow cried as she woke up and the others did too. As they looked around they knew right then and there… they just made things much worse… “Wh-what will she do?” Fluttershy asked nervously. “...I don’t know…” Rainbow said looking afraid “What have I done….” Author's Note Uh oh, what could this mean? Empty inside...?Now outside of Equus Twilight looked around. “Nothing… I feel nothing, for anything, not even this planet,” Twilight said turning to Equus, she briefly considered destroying it to remove the last distraction for her… but no, its time isn’t up yet… So maybe she’ll speed things along. “Some localized heavy storms, some earthquakes near Ponyville, and a fissure through Appleloosa, that would be a good start…” Twilight said before her eyes glowed and the planet as well as Equestria was immediately facing disasters. She stood back and watched, the death toll was racking up already. “I’ll return to resume later,” Twilight said before flying off. One week later The universe was already not doing well, any planets that Twilight considered even remotely ready to go, went. And she didn’t always do it quickly. Sometimes she caused catastrophes that whittled the planet to nothing. One planet she inflicted earthquake after earthquake until the planet fractured apart, another she dried up all the seas and left the planet to dry out. Twilight was no longer the benevolent mercy killer, she was now a monster. “Nothing matters… nothing,” Twilight said as she flew by Equus again. “I’d say hurricanes and a plague will do this time,” Twilight said as she continued her gradual decline of the healthy planet. Three weeks later… Weekly now, Twilight inflicts various misfortunes upon the Equestrians. She knew she was destroying her home… but she didn’t care anymore… she didn’t care about anything anymore… 1% compassion… is who she is now… she even lowered a few other things that were holding her back. “I am… empty inside…” Twilight said as she sat upon the moon and sent more plagues onto Equestria. She should talk to her friends at least once…. Nah… who cares…? “Come on darlings! You can make it!” Fluttershy cried as she led her animals with her, Ponyville had to be evacuated, it was crumbling! “FLUTTERSHY! FORGET THEM! COME ON!” Mayor Mare cried as the train hadn’t been damaged yet. “NO! I can’t!” Fluttershy exclaimed. “I got her!” Rainbow zoomed out and snagged Fluttershy who was holding onto Harry and Angel into the train. The rest of the animals weren’t so lucky… A great fissure broke and swallowed up Ponyville, the train narrowly escaping. “NOOOOOOO!” Fluttershy screamed for her animals. “The farm… how could she do this?” Apple Bloom sobbed. “We can start over, elsewhere,” Granny assured her granddaughter. “The Boutique… is gone…” Rarity cried into her hooves. “At least we got out,” Sweetie said. “Dang it! This is all my fault!” RD sobbed. “Calm down Rainbow-” Pinkie said before Rainbow hit the floor. “If I’d never tried to help Twilight she’d have never turned into a monster!” Rainbow sobbed. “...” Pinkie couldn’t deny that… All throughout Equestria, Twilight is sowing destruction, at this rate the nation will crumble… They have tried to contact her again but she doesn’t answer anymore. They're on their own… All they can do now, is wait and hope she somehow comes to her senses… Twilight had managed to create a great enough seaquake to bring down Mount Aries, it’s a matter of time now. As Twilight hovered around the planet wondering what she should do next… And then she sensed it… “Hm?” Twilight looked over in the dragon lands, she had caused many eruptions and earthquakes there but the dragons were a tough nut to crack. Not surprising, what was was the fact that there was a familiar signal coming from there… Somedragon had just fallen asleep, not notable, but there’s a feeling and it’s all to familiar… “I’ll investigate…” Twilight boredly said before entering the dream realm. She entered the 'now vacant of a princess' realm and searched. Luna and Celestia tried to talk her down from her recent actions… she simply banished them both out of the dream realm for annoying her with their pitiful pleas. As she approached a lone dream she saw somedragon she hadn’t seen in ages… “Spike?” Twilight said, normally she’d be more surprised but not anymore, intrigued she entered the dream. She was trotting around a grassy field and saw Spike, still the happy little drake and a fake her. Playing a game of dragon drop… meh. Twilight stamped her hoof and everything but him vanished. “Huh?” Spike said looking around before spotting Twilight “T-Twilight?” Spike said. “Hello, Spike… I’ve been looking for you,” Twilight said emotionlessly. “....This is just a dream…” Spike sighed losing his hope that- Suddenly he was picked up and slammed. “OW! What the?” Spike complained. “That hurt?... I suppose I’ve forgotten what pain is,” Twilight said. “You… wait, if I felt that… Hey!” Spike called to her. “What?...” Twilight asked. “Do the ladybug dance, if your really Twilight you’d know it,” Spike pleaded. Usually a pony begging didn’t faze her but something about him caused an alien feeling to go through her. Without thinking she did her and Cadance’s dance. “You are her… TWILIGHT!” Spike cried running over to her and hugging her. “....” Twilight looked down at him without an expression. “I missed you!” Spike sobbed. “....Are you done?” She asked. “Twilight?... You aren’t happy to see me?” Spike asked. “I heard you ran away,” Twilight said. “It’s just… losing you made me so sad… I had to get away, clear my head… You're acting weird Twilight,” Spike said. “That is because I removed my compassion, among other things, and now I will destroy this planet, gradually,” Twilight said. “Y-You can’t!” Spike cried. “Why?” Twilight asked. “Because… then I’d never see you again,” Spike said sadly. “.....” Twilight’s eyes widened a little as she felt a pang of pain in her heart… she… she should kill him, he’s causing her to feel something… But… she can’t… She tried to focus on his body sleeping amidst a crumbling dragon lands… but she couldn’t… “Why?... I feel nothing…” Twilight said before she looked into his teary eyes and felt another pang of… guilt?... she… needs to leave. Immediately she disappeared. “TWILIGHT!” Spike cried. “He must not have been sleeping… that’s how I couldn’t find him…. Yes… I just… need time,” Twilight said before moving on to search for more planets to erase. Not noticing that something happened to her compassion… Compassion 6% Twilight arrived at another planet, this one was set to die soon. Might as well get this annoying rock out of the way… Twilight approached the green planet and prepared a massive beam to eliminate it. “Life signs… zero in a minute,” Twilight said before firing- “I’ll never see you again…” And missed... “Huh?” Twilight realized she missed… even though it was in front of her…. Seriously… what was wrong with her? Is her compassion returning somehow?... Twilight checked and found that it had increased to 8%... what?! “No… go back!” Twilight reset it to 1% the feelings vanished and she destroyed the planet before leaving. “I don’t care about him… he’s one insignificant speck on an equally insignificant planet,” Twilight said, if this was going to affect her work then she needed to be rid of that planet, asap. Forget the rules! Twilight arrived at her planet and prepared to strike it down. “This is how much I care,” Twilight said before throwing a punch to inject destructive energy. “Twilight” And missed. “What?! No!” Twilight swung again but it seemed like she was unable to land the killing blow! Why?! she swung again and again, but she couldn’t hit it. Eventually, she prepared just to unleash an explosion of energy to destroy the planet. again, she couldn’t hit it. Eventually, she prepared to just use some ambient energy to destroy it... ...But once again, she couldn’t do it eventually, she gave out a loud scream of defeat. “Why… Why can’t I do it?... is he really so important to me I can’t even destroy the planet he’s on?” Twilight asked herself “Or is it that he’s somehow reawakening my compassion for this world?... either way I must find out!” Twilight said resolutely. Spike was asleep the next night, knowing now he has a chance to communicate with his sister. As he slept, he found himself in a familiar grassy field with Twilight. “Twili-” Spike didn’t finish as he was encased in a stasis bubble. “Your soul is coming with me,” Twilight said before vanishing out of the dream realm with him. As they arrived in space Twilight unfroze him. “-ght…. Huh?” Spike said looking around. “Explain,” Twilight demanded. “What? How did-” Spike questioned. “I said, explain! How are you influencing my compassion?” Twilight demanded. “I don’t even know what that means,” Spike said. “I don’t want to feel… If I do then the pain comes back… Rainbow freed me… don’t send me back,” Twilight said to herself looking lost and broken. “Twilight, I’m worried about y-” Spike was frozen again. “I’ll hold onto you for awhile, maybe I can figure out how to prevent this… yes…” Twilight said before flying off, carrying Spike with her. Can she still care for something even when her heart has been rendered unable to feel anymore?... Author's Note Can Spike free Twilight from herself? I am not alone... not anymoreTwilight kept Spike by her side as she flew through a universe she had recently cleaned up. She looked around and found the lack of life better. Less to manage… “I’ll bet Val will be impressed…” Twilight boredly said. “I’m not…” Val said and Twilight turned to see the accountant standing there on a moon. “Hello Val,” Twilight said. “Twilight, I rarely say this, but you becoming the epicenter of this universe’s management was a mistake, not only have you destroyed many planets in a manner most sadistic, but you haven’t kept up to date on life-giving, your doing the opposite of what you were doing before, and not in a good way,” Val sighed. “I know… I don’t care,” Twilight said. “It would help if you raised your compassion to a level where your judgment is not impaired, and cease carrying a mortal around like an accessory,” Val said, referring to Spike. “No,” Twilight said. “You try my patience, I will return in one month, and if this universe is not cleaned up, properly, then you're terminated,” Val said before vanishing. “...Whatever…” Twilight said flying off with Spike. Three days later “-ou… huh?” Spike looked around and saw he was in front of a moon, this moon had life on it, not innocent life though, aliens that eat others. Morality of beings doesn’t matter anymore though… not to Twilight. “I wanted you to see this… this is my job now, my burden now that I am not mortal anymore,” Twilight told Spike. “What?” Spike said. “Hah!” Twilight punched the planet and it fractured apart and exploded. Spike cried out thinking they’ll be caught in the blast, but a barrier protected them and he saw the planet was fully destroyed. “Wh-what happened?” Spike asked. “I destroyed an inhabited planet,” Twilight said as if she didn’t commit genocide. “Wh-what?” Spike said. “Does it shake you? Knowing I am no longer the Twilight you knew, the weak Twilight you knew would have hated to do that,” Twilight stated. “Killing a planet is horrible, but…” Spike said. “But?” Twilight asked. “You had no choice, it’s like you said, this is your job right?” Spike said. “I don’t get it… how does this not make you hate me? You don’t even seem as scared,” Twilight said looking frustrated. “Twilight, I can’t hate you, because no matter what… you're my friend,” Spike said. Twilight felt a pang in her heart… She didn’t want to feel! “Look Twilight, I thin-” Spike was frozen again and taken away as Twilight flew off with him. “There has to be some way to kill off this source of compassion! I can’t face that pain!” Twilight said with determination. a week later “-k that you need to-... you did it again didn’t you?” Spike sighed looking around and they were in a cluster. “If one planet dying wasn’t bad enough, how about this!” Twilight said before she focused a beam in her mouth and fired upon multiple planets. “Twilight!? Stop!” Spike cried seeing multiple planets being destroyed, this continued until there was only space rocks in front of them. “H-how many did you just kill?” Spike “Those planets were mostly uninhabited anyway, but now they can’t bear life… does that prove that the Twilight you knew is gone?” Twilight demanded. “...I think I see what you're trying to do,” Spike said with a sigh. “What am I trying to do?” Twilight asked. “...You can’t handle the emotions I make you feel, so you're trying to destroy our bond, is that it?” Spike asked with a serious look. “So what if I am, I care for nothing, this is what I am now,” Twilight said coldly. “...You claim that, but then why are you crying?” Spike said, knowing he needed to be strong for her. “What? I’m not-” Twilight then realized there were tears floating amidst the space around them “Wh-what?” Twilight said in disbelief, hurriedly she checked. 15% compassion “...” Spike looked away as he was frozen again. “Your… making me feel again…. I DON’T WANT THIS!” Twilight forcibly reset the compassion to 1%, but somehow the meter went back up to 15%, no matter how many times she did it it refused to stay down! WHY?! “I need to try harder!” Twilight growled. Over the next few weeks, Twilight did various cruel things to various worlds. She increased the sea level on a desert planet and drowned it, she created a new species of deadly plantlife to attack an innocent world, she moved the sun a little to the left and froze a world. But he never hated her… his kindness refused to fade away! Twilight just finished tossing a moon into a sun, leaving a world without a moon. “...Twi-” “WHY DON’T YOU HATE ME!?” Twilight bellowed at him. “...Because you my big sister, my friend, you’ve just lost your way, I want you back, but I won’t hate you,” Spike said. He was frozen again… and this time Twilight’s patience had worn thin… “There’s only one way to do what I need to do without emotion clouding my mind… I need to get rid of him!” Twilight said as she grabbed him and flew off. She knew a certain part of the universe that had one, now it was time to use it… Twilight arrived at a safe distance from a certain anomaly in the universe… A black hole… Most wouldn’t know, but black holes are actually portals to outside the universe… a tear in the wall, that leads into the event horizon, a place even overseers like her can’t survive in… A perfect place to dispose of this distraction… and so she proceeded to unfreeze Spike who then turned to her and addressed her again. “Twilight, I meant it when… wait, where are we?” Spike looked around before seeing the black hole. “Time to go,” Twilight said, forcibly holding her compassion at 1%, she refused to let go and let him erode her new self anymore! “T-T-Twilight?... Is that a-” Spike stuttered. “A black hole, and your resting place,” Twilight said before picking him up. “NO! Twilight STOP!” Spike thrashed. “I am not Twilight anymore! And I care about nothing, NOTHING!” Twilight held her hoof out towards the black hole and Spike was being pulled. “NOOOO! I DON’T WANT TO DIE LIKE THIS!” Spike cried. “I, NGH!” Twilight grunted as her compassion was trying to roar back to the surface but she forced it down “-Don’t care! I DON’T!” Twilight waved her hoof to make him let go. “PLEASE! REMEMBER YOURSELF TWILIGHT!” Spike cried. “I KNOW WHO I AM!” Twilight screamed as she raised her hoof and swung it toward the black hole, making Spike lose his grip and he flew back. “No…” Spike felt the gravity was starting to pull him towards the black hole. “Now he’ll be sucked into the event horizon and forgotten… problem solved…” Twilight turned to fly away. Spike knew he had only one chance now, if he had to say one thing before he died. “I forgive you…” Spike said shutting his eyes, waiting for death as the black hole pulled him closer. …. ……. ……… I forgive you… “No… NOOOO!” Twilight screamed as the sound of his words caused some kind of… malfunction within her. “I’m empty… I’m empty! I’M-” Twilight gripped her head with one hoof while the other struggled to reset her compassion to 1%. But something in her broke... “SPIIIIKE!” Twilight couldn’t handle it anymore and a flash of light overcame her and she shrunk down to her original size. She was still an overseer, but now it’s clear to her… Spike was too important to her to let die! Compassion 100% “SPIKE!” Twilight spun and flew back towards him as the gravity tear began to suck him in, she didn’t care what happened to her, SHE CAN’T LET HIM DIE! And so Twilight willingly flew headlong into the gravity and flew towards Spike. “Twilight!?” Spike looked surprised as she wrapped him in an embrace and pumped her wings against the portal to the event horizon. “I’m so sorry Spike! I’m so sorry!” Twilight cried before she fought with all her might to resist the black hole. But it was too strong, she was being pulled in! She and Spike were going to die, all because she didn’t realize until now that numbing oneself to pain only leads to more suffering! She has to do something! “Thank you Twilight, I knew you were still in there.” Spike hugged her back. “Don’t give up Spike! We can still make it!” Twilight panicked as they were getting closer and closer to the edge, by then, space time was starting to warp, it wouldn’t be long… before they were no more. “I’m so sorry,” Twilight shut her eyes and let a few tears loose. “I forgive you,” Spike said bracing himself. The yawning darkness, the end…. “My my, you truly are a troublemaker,” a voice said. “Huh?” Twilight opened her eye and saw a massive hand reaching forward. “AAAH! What the?!” Twilight exclaimed. The hand reached past her, clutched the edges of the black hole and forcibly shut it. Instantly the gravity pull ended and Twilight was able to relax her wings. “Huh? What just-” Twilight looked around and saw the hand belonged to Val, who was enormous in size! Val sighed. “If you're planning to play around black holes, don’t, it’s in the handbook…” Val said before she shrunk to Twilight’s size. “You…” Twilight said looking shocked. “I’ve been watching you since our last talk, I would say it is lovely that you fixed your compassion, maybe try not to let it lower past fourty five percent next time…” Val said. “S-Sorry… thanks to Spike I’ve regained my ponyanity… but at what cost…? I wrecked this universe, I harmed my home, I almost killed the one who matters most to me…” Twilight sobbed into her hooves. “Twilight,” Spike hugged her to calm her down. “I can safely say you’ve failed the evaluation… I will begin stripping you of your power and choose another,” Val said. “...Do it, I’m not meant to be like this… I never should have taken their offer in the first place…” Twilight said with sorrow. “Glad we agree,” Val said but just as she was about to act on her words Spike jumped in front of Twilight. “Now hold on a moment!” Spike said. “Hmm?” Val disinterestedly looked down at him. “You didn’t do anything to stop her! Why should Twilight be punished when she just got her emotions back! I say she doesn’t get punished,” Spike said. “....Are you done? Step aside mortal, this doesn’t concern you,” Val said. “Give Twilight another chance! She can fix what she did!” Spike said. “Even if I wanted to, she’s too squeamish to be a destroyer, that’s what started this mess,” Val said. “...What if she gave that job to me?” Spike asked. “You?...” Val raised a brow. “Spike! No!” Twilight shouted. “NO TWILIGHT! I finally got back together with you, and I refuse to lose you again! You can’t handle this on your own then share the burden!” Spike said. “Spike… you know what you're saying right?! You’ll be destroying planets! Ending countless lives, everyone could end up fearing you! Hating you even!” Twilight pleaded. “...I know, and I’m willing to bear that burden, I’m tired of being alone Twilight, and as long as we’re together, we can bring balance to this universe,” Spike said. “Spike, I’m begging you,” Twilight said, not wanting to inflict this burden on him. “Will this fix everything if I do this?” Spike asked. “I suppose I could allow one more trial run if it’ll move things along… I’ll make an exception, but only once,” Val said seriously. “....I understand,” Spike said. “Spike… What about your life on Equus?” Twilight asked. “I’m fine, trust me,” Spike said hugging Twilight. “....Very well, I trust you Spike,” Twilight hugged him back “From what I know, you have to be dead to receive the gift of an overseer, go back to Equus and live a full life, and when you die-” “He’s already dead,” Val said. “...What?” They both said. “You abducted his soul and left his body alone for weeks on end, his body was eaten by a passing Tatzelwurm… what did you think was going to happen?” Val asked. “....Point taken…” Twilight facehoofed. “Guess I’m already fit for the role then,” Spike chuckled. “Okay Spike, please don’t regret this,” Twilight said before they hugged. The two glowed and some of the markings on Twilight transferred over to Spike, when they backed away from eachother Spike was now the bearer of knowledge and death, while Twilight wielded compassion and life. “Balance is restored, I will report back in a week to check your progress if I see you two not doing your jobs-” Val said before Spike cut her off. “You’ll fire us, I know, oddly,” Spike said realizing he knows everything now. “I figured you should know everything, it will make things easier for you,” Twilight said. “Thanks,” Spike said with a smile. “I’m leaving, farewell,” Val said before she opened a portal and walked in, and then the portal closed. “...So, shall we get to work?” Spike said with a smile. “Sure thing my number one assistant,” Twilight smiled as they both flew off to take care of the universe. Equestria was in ruins. Thanks to Twilight’s rampage much of the land is either fractured, flooded, or disease-ridden. Canterlot is overwhelmed with the number of ponies needing to take residence. In Celestia’s throne room the princesses stared out at the destruction with sorrow. Alongside the remaining elements. “This is all my fault…” Rainbow said, looking like she hadn’t slept in days… “It’s all our fault, we shouldn’t have done anything,” Fluttershy assured. “We must consider leaving this dimension, it is no longer habitable here,” Luna said solemnly. “Yes… I have been at work preparing a mirror portal to another dimension, Celestia said equally somber. “Well… let’s go inform the populace about our plan then, we’ll be-” Suddenly the clouds began forming over the lands, faster than should be possible. “Oh great, now what is she doing?” Rainbow said fearfully. “No, is she preparing another calamity?!” Celestia said preparing to run and warn the populace… until suddenly it began to rain, not water, but strange motes of light. “Huh?” Celestia said as she saw this. As the light hit the ground suddenly, plantlife began forming. The cracks in the planet began closing. The air became clearer. It was as if the planet was healing itself. “Huh?… What is happening?” Celestia asked. “I… Don’t know,” Luna said. Across the land, the damage of all the calamities was being repaired. All the ponies watching were in awe. When it was over the clouds parted and the sun shone down upon Canterlot. “I… don’t believe it, I-” Luna said before she suddenly looked shocked and she shook her head. “What is it?” Celestia asked. “I am being contacted from the dream realm… it’s Twilight! And… another presence… I’m not sure who,” Luna said. “We got our chance to talk to Twilight! Let’s go!” Pinkie cheered. “Very well,” Luna said before flaring her horn, preparing a mass sleep spell. As they opened their eyes in the dream realm they saw nothing but a void, and when they looked they saw Twilight, only her eyes weren’t all black anymore. “T-Twilight? Is… that you?” Celestia asked cautiously. “Yes… it is,” Twilight said as she looked like she was hesitant to say anything, but she forced herself to “I’m… I’m so sorry, for everything!” Twilight said with some tears. “She’s back!” Pinkie cheered. “I am… but I know that I can’t apologize enough, I numbed myself too much, to see how much it was hurting everybody… I’m responsible for so much death…” Twilight said. “You are… I wish to say that I forgive you Twilight, the rest of Equestria may be a different story though,” Luna said. “Me too, I wish for you to know, you are forgiven by us, but what are the odds of this happening again?” Celestia asked. “Nothing,” Spike said as he appeared by her side. “Huh?! Spike!?” The group exclaimed. “She gave the job of destruction to me, she’ll no longer be burdened by it,” Spike said. “B-but Spike! Such a job implies-” Celestia said but Spike held a hand up. “I know, and I’m willing, if just for me and Twilight to be together again, and I’ll do my best,” Spike said. “...” Everyone else looked to eachother and nodded before looking to them. “So the lightshow before?” Rainbow asked hopefully. “Me fixing the damage I did, I even restored Ponyville,” Twilight said. “Thank you,” Applejack said gratefully. “We’re so glad to have you back Twilight,” Celestia said. “Glad to be back,” Twilight said and Spike waved before the dream realm faded. As they woke they seemed relieved. “We must inform the populace immediately, we have much work to do now that the cataclysm is over,” Luna said. “Let’s go!” Pinkie cheered and they galloped off. Back in outer space Twilight and Spike floated there, as big as the planet itself. “Well Spike? Let’s get to work, I have alot of planets to give life to,” Twilight said. “And I have some to remove, just like old times, amiright?” Spike chuckled. “Yeah,” Twilight chuckled as they hugged. “It’s good to be back Twilight,” Spike said. “I agree, but let’s get to work before Val chews our ear off about how much we’re working,” Twilight chuckled. “Alright! Let’s go! And maybe when we’re done, we can visit our friends again?” Spike asked as they flew away. “Trust me Spike,” Twilight said as she smiled back at Equus “I see only good things for the future,” Twilight said as the two vanished among the stars, ready to do their jobs. And have some fun while doing it! FIN Author's Note And that ends it, what do you all think?
Power in deathWhat is death?... That is what we all wonder isn’t it? For some, it’s the end… nothing happens… For others Elysium awaits. For me…. It’s when one life ended… and a nightmare began…. Twilight trotted amongst ponies wearing black, they all were wearing black, and she trotted up to where her friends were, they were all sobbing inconsolably. And it made sense given who was in the grave… Twilight stood at the edge of the open casket and looked down, and she saw the one who had perished too soon and let some tears fall as well. She was looking, at herself… “Why…. why couldn’t it have been me!?” Spike sobbed. “It’s okay, she’s in Elysium now,” Fluttershy said through her tears. “D-dang it Twilight! Why’d you have to go like that…?” Rainbow fought back tears. “...” The others were too sad to say anything. It happened just yesterday… she simply wasn’t careful enough… “She managed to save Apple Bloom at least, those Timberwolves had her surrounded…” AJ said. “There were too many… I should have been there…” Rainbow said. “We all should have been… and now all we can do is live on in her memory,” Rarity said. “Twiley…. It’s too soon… I swear, I’ll destroy any and all Timberwolves I see!” Shining Armor vowed. “You don’t have to…” Twilight said, despite knowing he couldn’t hear a ghost like her. “Farewell my beloved student…” Celestia, Luna, and Cadance were in tears as well. Twilight wanted to console them but she couldn’t do anything but stay here and look on. And so she looked up at the sky. A light was there, waiting. How long could she put it off before it vanished…? Should she just go before it does? It’d probably be best… “Probably best I leave now… I… I can’t… Twilight said with tears in her eyes, before she spread her wings and took to the air, but not before pausing and seeing her friends. “....Goodbye… I love you all,” Twilight said before she flew off, her tears joining the rainfall. As she flew upwards towards the light she could feel its warmth… she could stay for a few days, process everything, but it would be too hard… too much… it’s best she leaves while she can… And so she flew into the sky, ready to embrace an eternity with-... huh? Twilight felt a pull… to the right of the light… what was- “AAAAAGH!” Twilight yelped as some invisible force yanked her around the light and into the sky, she screamed as she felt an incredible force fling her to and fro until she settled above the atmosphere and she paused. “AAAH! W-what the?” Twilight asked shaken. “Albert! I told you not to yank her so hard!” A female voice scolded. “Not my fault mortal souls are so light,” A male voice said. “Can you two focus! She can hear us!” Another male voice scolded. “Ok ok!” the other two conceded. “H-hello?...” Twilight asked. “Ahem, hello small horse,” a fourth warbled sounding voice said. “...What’s happening?” Twilight asked. “Maybe we should show ourselves?” The female voice asked. “Sure,” Then four faces appeared in front of her, the size of moons! And… weird looking? “AAAAAAAAH!” Twilight shouted. “Calm down, calm down! We’re friendly!” The third one said. “Wh-who are you all?” Twilight asked, looking at them they seemed almost alien. One was a grey face with black eyes and a small mouth. Another was pink and looked like a human face. The third was…. She couldn’t describe it, a mesh of tentacles and eyes maybe? And the fourth looked like a giant eye. “Glad you asked, hello, we are the celestials,” The tentacle-faced one said. “....Am I dreaming?” Twilight asked. “No, I assure you this is not a vision created by the mind, we are the four almighty overseers of this universe,” The eye said while giving a slow blink. “Your…. Gods?” Twilight asked looking like she was in shock. “No…” The grey face said “Perhaps introductions and explanations are in order." “I’m Melanie,” The Pink face said. “I’m Vault,” The Grey face said. “I’m SDKJFHBFDCUIHSADFUIHD, but you can just call me Timmy,” The tentacle-faced one said. “And you already heard, I am Albert,” The Eye said “... Such weird and normal sounding names…” Twilight said. “I know,” Melanie said. “As for what we are, we are the entities chosen by the all-powerful one to oversee this universe and all that inhabit it, Earthlings call him God or something,” Albert said. “This universe?” Twilight said. “One of countless, we’re the ones he chose to support this realm and prevent it from falling into ruin or stagnation, we each serve a purpose,” Melanie said. “I represent Creation,” Vault said. “I represent Compassion,” Melanie said. “Destruction,” Timmy said. “And knowledge,” Albert said. “...I’m so confused… wasn’t I just heading into the light right now?” Twilight asked. “Yeeeesss, buuuuut, we have a favor to ask of you,” Timmy said. “A favor?” Twilight parroted. “Yes… we’d like you to take our powers and positions,” Melanie said. “...What?” Twilight asked. “We’ve done this job for eons, since before God made the rock you all stood upon, we’re tired and want out,” Albert said with an eye roll. “I know this is a tall order, but you’d be doing us a favor,” Vault said. “...I don’t-” “Get it, I know, we said much the same when we were offered the same, but we’re allowed to hand off our positions whenever we want, we’re simply seeking retirement and you seem like a worthy host of our powers,” Vault said. “What will happen to you guys?” Twilight asked hesitantly. “We’ll be reborn as mortals and live out our days until the light calls us,” Melanie said. “What if I don’t want to?” Twilight asked. “...Well, we can’t stop you from saying no. We’ll send you back down and into the light, and you’ll be on your way to the next life, but you're a forward thinker. You know you’ll be doing us a favor by taking this burden,” Timmy said. “....I… need to think about this,” Twilight said. “Take your time, we’re used to waiting eons,” Melanie said. “...Hmm…” Twilight thought long and hard about this, they're offering her basically all the power she’ll ever want and need, but what about the next life? What happens afterward. “We can answer that,” Vault said. “Did you read my mind?” Twilight asked. “Um, yeah, remember who you're talking too?” Timmy asked. “...Point taken,” Twilight sighed. “We’re each capable of governing various aspects of existence,” Albert said approaching Twilight. “Yeah?” Twilight said. “I grant beings the knowledge they’ll need, whether instinctual or mental, Melanie here grants the ability to feel between others, emotion, Vault, and Timmy are self-explanatory, they make and break the universe,” Albert said. “And I’ll gain all this?” Twilight asked. “Yes,” Albert responded. “...What happens if I accept?” Twilight asked. “Then you become master of the four powers of the universe, and we finally gain sweet retirement,” Albert said. “...And what does this job entail?” Twilight asked. “You’ll manage various forms of life, keep watch over the universe and both cause and prevent various cataclysms,” Albert said. “Cause cataclysms? Why?” Twilight asked. “A world needs balance, and change, and you're the only one who’ll make it happen, and if you ever find yourself needing friends, you can elect helpers, or keep the power to yourself, doesn’t matter,” Timmy said. “...Will… I be able to see my friends again at least?” Twilight asked hopefully. “...Yes and no,” Melanie said. “Explain please,” Twilight asked. “Direct conversation with mortals is difficult, through dreams is different though, and you can do various things, just be careful not to shirk your duties,” Melanie said. “Why?” Twilight asked. “Or else Val will come visit to give you a year long lecture, she’s something of a divine accountant, don’t ask, and most importantly do not exit the universe, you manage, or else you could be destroyed by the event horizon,” Vault said. “...Gotcha… so… wow, I can’t believe this is happening, I… don’t know how to react,” Twilight said. “With a yes or a no would be preferred,” Timmy said. “.....” Twilight looked back at Equus, could she do it? She can still be with her friends in spirit… and in a way this isn’t permanent, this is an opportunity to become more than just herself. “We understand that this will be a tough decision, we’re willing to wait,” Melanie said. “.....I’ll do it,” Twilight said with a resolute look on her face. “....That quickly? No eon of thinking?” Albert said with a raised brow. “I can be with my friends in spirit, I’d say it’s a worthy trade-off, I went through one ascension, I can go through another,” Twilight said with a smile. “...I-I don’t know what to say,” Melanie said. “Thank you, tiny purple horse,” Vault said. “How does this work?” Twilight asked. “Leave that to us,” They said as they surrounded her and Twilight immediately felt nervous. “W-will this hurt?” Twilight asked. “...I won’t lie, it will, alot, but I hope that doesn’t change your decision,” Melanie said. “G-gotcha, I’ll be able to handle it,” Twilight nervously said. “Well! It’s been real friends,” Timmy said. “Farewell,” Melanie said. “I bid you all adieu,” Albert said. “May our mortal lives be more exciting than this was,” Vault said before their eyes lit up and they fired beams that struck Twilight. Twilight had braced herself for pain…. Not for this… “AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH” Twilight screamed as it felt like every atom that made her body up was on fire. Then when the beams faded the entities began to turn into giant multi-colored spheres that began orbiting Twilight who was still glowing intensely, then they paused and melted into multi-colored puddles and they formed up into a giant puddle and began covering Twilight, first her legs, than her body and as it approached her head she opened her eyes one last time as a mortal before her whole body was subsumed in the colorful liquid, which continued to cover her until it was all covering her body and formed into a giant sphere, then it glowed brightly and formed into a pony shape and when the light faded Twilight opened her eyes and looked down at herself. She looked the same, but with glowing white markings covering her body, her mane flowing like a galaxy of stars, and her eyes multicolored. “Whoa…” Twilight looked herself over before spotting four souls floating there in front of her, they then descended towards Equus and vanished. “...Thank you, Vault, Melanie, Albert, and Timmy,” Twilight smiled. Then she looked around and wondered outloud. …What now? She felt the power coursing through her, the power to build or destroy worlds, she could feel the compassion of every being in the universe and her knowledge, she’s always wanted unlimited knowledge, and now she has it, everything she could want to learn, it’s now in her head. Now it was time, to put it into practice! “Alright-” Twilight spoke in a booming voice and she covered her mouth before clearing her throat and speaking quieter. “Now, let’s test my powers out before I get to work,” Twilight said. Twilight floated through the cosmos, looking at countless planets, she could sense which ones had life, and which didn’t. She was going to start a world. And so she approached a large planet and her infinite knowledge told her what to do… She spat into her hooves and guided the spit onto the planet. “Alright, I’ll come back in a hundred years to see how it does,” Twilight said before flying away. Twilight had found the edge of the universe, she prodded the edge carefully, thankfully she knew now it was quite durable so she didn’t have to worry about going into the event horizon. “I wonder what goes beyond here?” Twilight asked. Twilight’s heart was heavy as she approached a dying planet, she knew what she had to do, even though there were traces of life on this planet. She raised a hoof and tried to swing at the planet but she stopped. “I-I….can’t… there’s life here,” Twilight stood back “Maybe nopony will notice?” Twilight said before flying away. Twilight glided among the stars and dragged her hoof through a sea of stars, it was like cold water, she giggled as she swam in it. "So much to do! I can do anything!... Well, except visit my friends, but maybe I can see them again after I master my powers," Twilight wondered out loud as she dove out and slid on a slide of stars. Afterwards she used her powers to form a bed made of asteroids and she laid on them. "I think I'm gonna like it here..." Twilight sighed. A year later Twilight having gained a better view on her abilities and done her fair share of exploring the cosmos approached her home, Equus, home sweet home. “Maybe I can visit my friends, it’s been so long,” Twilight said, after all she’s done much work throughout the cosmos, she’s entitled to a break… right? And so Twilight began to shrink down until she was the size of a normal pony and she flew forward to see her friends…. Only to bump into a barrier. “Huh?” Twilight said… deep down she knew she couldn’t go back but she deluded herself into thinking she could… “No…” Twilight said as she leaned back against the barrier, what was she going to do now?... she was honestly tired of space right now, she’d like to feel the grass on her hooves once more… “Even with my knowledge, I know there are no loopholes I can… wait…” Twilight remembered what she was told a year ago, dreams are the exception! And so she tapped into the dream realm and searched around, she looked around at the many dreams. But there was one mare she had her eyes out for… “Twilight?” Twilight turned around and saw a bewildered Luna. “Hello Luna,” Twilight said politely. “...What trickery is this?!” Luna lit her horn. “No trickery here, it’s me,” Twilight said. “NO! Twilight died a year ago! I refuse to believe it!” Luna said. Twilight simply stamped her hoof and Luna’s magic fizzled out. “Huh?! How did-” “I temporarily disabled your magic, now listen, I can prove it,” Twilight said. “Very well,” Luna said guardedly. “The last dream I had before I died was of me and my friends riding giant bunnies,” Twilight said simply. “....True…. How did Twilight die?” Luna demanded. “Timberwolves, one got me by the throat,” Twilight responded easily. “....What about-” “Sunshine sunshine, Ladybugs awake, put your hooves together and give a little shake,” Twilight responded immediately. “How?” Luna asked. “I know everything, as was the gift given to me by the Celestials,” Twilight said. “The-” “All powerful beings, too much explanation, listen, I want to see my friends, I’ve missed them,” Twilight said. “....Very well, you’ve proven yourself, but I have my eye on you,” Luna said. “Thank you,” Twilight said. Fluttershy woke up groggily, she used to be more energetic in the morning but losing Twilight has still left her without the enthusiasm… as she stretched and went downstairs to get breakfast she was surprised to see the others there. “Girls?” Fluttershy said confusedly as she saw them all there with her. “Shy? How did we get here?” Rainbow asked. “Ah don’t-” “Maybe we’re having some kind of group dream!” Pinkie said interrupting AJ. “I doubt it,” Rarity said. “Yeah, that can’t be it,” Fluttershy said. “Actually it is,” A familiar voice said and they turned to see Twilight. “Twilight?!” Pinkie exclaimed. “...Soooo I'm having that dream again?...” Rainbow sighed. “No Rainbow, I’m really here!” Twilight said looking like she was tearing up from having not seen them in so long. “Ah doubt it, yer dead remember?” AJ said sadly. “I can prove it to you all,” Twilight said. “Ok?” Pinkie said. She found it weird that her Pinkie sense could usually sense things, but for some reason, she couldn’t sense her. “Could something that’s simply part of a dream do this?” Twilight said before she suddenly manipulated the dream and turned it into a grassy field. “Huh?” They all looked around. “Or this?” Twilight made party hats appear on them. “Whoa!” Pinkie liked it. “You can manipulate dreams just like Luna?... that means your-” Rainbow said. “Yes, I’m-” “A faker! WHO ARE YOU!?” Rainbow demanded. “What? No! I am Twilight!” Twilight said. “Yeah right! She died last year! Nice try!” Rainbow said. “Yeah, we ain’t gonna fall for it!” AJ said and the others looked ready to fight. “She’s telling the truth,” They heard another voice say and they turned to see Luna standing there with a smile. “Luna? Y-your saying-” Rainbow said. “I took the time to check her source and nopony on Equus is influencing this image, what does that say?” Luna asked. “N-no way-” AJ said. “I would know, trust me,” Luna said. “Girls… it really is me,” Twilight pleaded. “...Twilight?” Fluttershy carefully approached and reached forward Twilight did the same and when they touched Twilight gave her a vision of the times they spent, her and Shy. When it was over Fluttershy was smiling and she hugged Twilight tightly. “Twilight! It really is you!” Fluttershy cried. “Yes, it is,” Twilight said with a smile. “Twi?...” Rainbow approached carefully with the others. “Hey guys,” Twilight said with a smile. “It really is you isn’t it?” Rarity asked with hope in her eyes. “It is,” Twilight said and they all ran over and hugged her, “I MISSED YOU!” Pinkie cried. “Twilight!” Rarity sobbed as she held her. “Ah can’t believe mah eyes!” AJ cried. After some tears were shed they all backed off and Twilight sat with them. “Wait, where’s Spike? He’s nowhere in Ponyville, should I search farther for him?” Twilight asked, she’s all knowing but some things need to be searched for. The others looked at eachother worriedly and then AJ approached. “He… ran away, losin you was too much for him… we tried but we couldn’t find him,” AJ said. “No…” Twilight said looking horrified. “You can connect with him right?” Rainbow asked. “No, he’s not asleep right now,” Twilight sadly said. The others looked at eachother and decided to change the subject. “How are you here?” Rainbow asked. “I… it’s a long complicated story, let me start from the beginning,” Twilight said. And so Twilight wove a long tale of how she died, met the Celestials, and inherited their power, and now she is omnipotent, and can only visit them in their dreams. “Wow… that’s… alot to take in,” Rainbow said. “Yeah,” Rarity said. “Where to start?” AJ said. “What matters is that I’m back, not in the flesh, but in your dreams,” Twilight said. “Ah’m glad to have ya back Twilight, ah really am,” AJ said. “Agreed,” Rainbow said. “Me three!” Pinkie said. “So, tell me what-” Suddenly the dream realm began vanishing. “Seems their waking up,” Luna said. “No!” Rainbow said. “I’ll be here tomorrow! Pinkie Promise!” Twilight said before everything vanished. Once more Twilight was out in space but she smiled. “I can be with my friends again… thank goodness,” Twilight smiled up at the stars. “Well! Time to get to work!” Twilight said flying off. Little does she know… the dangers awaiting her new position… and the nightmares to come… Author's Note Hello friends! It's been a while, I'll work on this while I get Harmony Spark and its sequel up to date. Till then enjoy.
Numb to the painFive weeks later “Bye Shiny!” Twilight waved at Shining Armor as the dream realm vanished and Twilight was ejected from the dream. Yep, she had located her friends and family and added them to her nightly excursions with Equus. It was a hard first few weeks. Lots of tears were shed, and accusations of being a faker were made. But now she has the means to enjoy her job and communicate with her friends. Except Spike… For some reason, she can’t find him… weird, but she hopes this doesn’t mean he’s dead… she’ll find him eventually though. She then made her way over to Saturn to lay down and read a summoned book. She may know everything now, but she still enjoys books. “Alright, Equestria is enjoying perfect weather and non-stop disaster free weeks, I’d almost say me dying was just the break Equestria needed at this rate,” Twilight giggled at the jab at herself. “...That’s kinda the problem,” A woman's voice said and Twilight jumped. “Huh?! Who said that?” Twilight asked. “Me,” Twilight turned and saw what looked like a human in an office outfit with glasses floating in space in front of her. “What the?... Who-” “Val, don’t forget it,” Val said. “...Oh, that person Albert warned me about…” Twilight said. “Yes yes, I’m here for an evaluation,” She said, displeased. “Evaluation of my progress, I forgot, but I’m sure I’m doing well, right?” Twilight asked. “Not even close…” She sighed, writing something down on a clipboard. “What?” Twilight said a little offendedly. “Listen, you're going to have to pick up your own slack here because this universe is very messy,” Val said. “What?! B-but I’ve done all I can, I started a dozen worlds,” Twilight said. “And how many have you destroyed?” Val asked. “...None… but give me a break, there were still lifeforms on those worlds,” Twilight said. “Balance is the universe's bread and butter, that, and those worlds died on their own last week,” Val said. “What?!” Twilight exclaimed. “They died last week,” Val repeated. “I heard, but… then it’s done then right?” Twilight said, unsure how to react. “...You're new so I’ll let your ignorance slide,” Val said. “Hey!” Twilight said. “You don’t grasp the severity, when you destroy planets, you are giving them a mercy kill, want to know what happens when you don’t destroy a planet at the eve of it’s death?” Val said. “I know everything, so that-” “The planet dies, slowly, painfully, and so do all who live on it, so congratulations, you're responsible for the suffering of many, due to being squeamish,” Val said. “...What?” Twilight said in shock. “Some things even infinite knowledge cannot predict, harden your heart, be more proactive, and for the love of Pete, stop lingering so much around this particular planet,” Val said pointing at Equus. “B-but, my friends-” Twilight said. “Will move on, you need to as well, you cannot manage a universe and dote on only one planet, otherwise you’ll be promptly fired and replaced,” Val said interrupting her. “No…” Twilight looked sad to hear that before she looked to her again “But I can’t bring an end to a planet, It’s not in my nature,” Twilight said. “Then extract it,” Val said. “Extract it?” Twilight asked. “Yes, you are capable of extracting emotional facets from your personality, it will protect you from the guilt, I’ll be back in a year and if no improvement is made, we’ll begin the job termination process,” Val said before she vanished. “Wait!” Twilight cried but she was gone… she looked back at Equus in the distance, and she began to sob. “It’s not fair, can I not be happy?! I… I need to leave then, I got work to do, I hope they understand…” Twilight said before flying away. Twilight flew to a galaxy cluster, there were multiple planets that were dying and needed that ‘mercy kill’ Val mentioned… “Alright… I can do this,” Twilight said as she flew into the cluster and located one. A water planet that contained minimal life… it was dying though, and due to the inhabitant's fault, polluting their oceans… It was time to kill it. …Annnny moment now… Twilight floated before the planet for what felt like forever, she could have elected somepony else to do this part… but no, she’d never subject somepony else to this cruel decision. Twilight raised a hoof and shut her eyes before punching the planet and immediately it exploded, she didn’t even hit it that hard, but she knew it was the punch that injected destructive energy. It was done…. Countless lives gone in an instant, but it was either die with a bang… or a whimper…. Speaking of which. “I CAN’T DO THIS!” Twilight flew out of the cluster and landed on top of a vacant planet to cry. Blood was on her hoof now, there was no changing that… so why did it have to be like this…. There was only one way to end this pain… extract it, she didn’t want to, but she had no choice. And so she sat up and raised a hoof to her chest before entering it into her chest. In her mind she saw what looked like an option menu in a video game… She saw options for, rage, rationality, and other emotions… but one stuck out to her. Compassion. Reluctantly Twilight mentally drew that one back, just a little… and suddenly, her tears dried… she didn’t feel as bad anymore… “Weird…” Twilight said before adjusting it again and she found she stopped caring she just ended a civilization… this actually made it easier… “Well, I got work to get back to,” Twilight said before spreading her wings and taking off back into the cluster. A month later she flew away from the cluster, having cleaned it up. “Hmm, I should feel bad for the lost lives… but I don’t… Val was right, this does make things easier." Helps that those planets were on the verge of dying anyways… she was just helping them along. Yeah… “It’s been awhile, I should take a break, maybe visit my friends again,” Twilight said as she flew back. As she arrived at Equus she used her power to look into the planet, she could see everypony was going on with life, she looked around and expected them to excite her like they used to… But oddly she feels less like them, like she’s something else. Did adjusting her compassion really render her unable to associate herself with them? Maybe she should turn back… just for awhile. And so Twilight reached into the glowing portal on her chest and and adjusted her compassion back to normal… and then some. The pain came back… “No… NOO! THOSE WORLDS!” Twilight hurriedly lowered her compassion again “...On second thought… nevermind…” Twilight cooly looked down at the planet, she felt almost nothing for it right now. She felt more for it than other places at least, that was enough. She waited until nighttime before accessing the dream of Rainbow Dash. Rainbow was flying with the Wonderbolts when suddenly she was teleported to the ground. “Huh?!” Rainbow said looking around. “Hello Rainbow…” Twilight said. “Huh? Oh hey Twilight! Your back! I wondered where you went,” Rainbow said trotting over to her. “I apologize…” Twilight said in a bored tone. “...You okay? You don’t seem as happy to see me,” Rainbow asked. “I’ve had to make adjustments to myself to ease the pain of destroying worlds,” Twilight said without a change in inflection. “...Hahahaa, nice one,” Rainbow laughed… only to pause when Twilight didn’t laugh. “Your… not laughing…” Rainbow said. “Destroying inhabited planets used to bother me but after lowering my compassion and ability to feel extreme emotions I can handle it now,” Twilight said. “Haha… seriously drop the joke,” Rainbow said nervously. “I did them a favor, it was either die slowly or quickly,” Twilight said as if she’s having a normal conversation right now. “Egghead… you're starting to scare me… Do you mean to tell me you’ve been nuking planets? With life in them?.... Why?” Rainbow said taking a step back. “It’s my job, as the epicenter of life, death, knowledge, and feeling, can’t remain in touch with you all and not blow up a few minor planets in the process,” Twilight said with a chuckle. “...Twilight… you’ve changed… whatever you did to yourself undo it!” Rainbow insisted. “If I do that the guilt will come back, it’s better I feel less,” Twilight said. “NO! This isn’t you, I mean… look,” Rainbow approached her but suddenly the dream realm shifted. “Until next time, Rainbow,” Twilight said and Rainbow woke up in her bedroom looking a little pale. “Something’s wrong with her…” Rainbow rushed out of her room in a panic. Rainbow rushed to Ponyville, she flew into Sugarcube Corner and saw Pinkie making a batch of cookies. “Hey Rai-” Pinkie said before Rainbow flew up to her. “Pinkie! We have a situation!” Rainbow said. “What?” Pinkie asked. “Gather everyone here, Twilight is back!” Rainbow said. “That’s great!” Pinkie said. “Not right now it isn’t, she’s done something to herself, we need to help her!" Rainbow cried. “Ok!” Pinkie said before darting off to retrieve the others. “And that’s what happened!” Rainbow exclaimed. “Y-your lyin! Twi would never destroy planets!” AJ said in shock. “She wouldn’t!” Fluttershy added. “You weren’t there, she was talking about killing off planets like it was a boring hobby! She said she ‘lowered her compassion’ or something,” Rainbow said. “She’s poisoned her own mind with her powers!” Rarity said. “She’d sooner surrender her new powers than use them for destruction!” Fluttershy said. “I know what I saw and heard, she’s not acting right, we need to help her,” Rainbow said with determination. “Alright, what do we do?” Rarity asked. “We confront Twilight in our dreams and convince her to return her compassion,” Rainbow said. “But it’s mornin, do we wait until nighttime?” AJ asked. “No, we go to sleep now and hopefully she comes to us,” Rainbow said. “Ok, luckily I have studied sleep spells in the past, they will be useful here,” Rarity said. “Then let’s go, let’s save our friend,” Rainbow said. Twilight just ended another bothersome planet, teeming with life, but crumbling due to ozone issues and pollution. As she turned and flew around looking for something to do in the meanwhile she sensed her friends were asleep, she’s been keeping tabs on them and they are asleep already. Whatever, if this is their way of getting her attention after that conversation they had about their concerns, so be it. Twilight teleported up to Equus and accessed the dream realm… Twilight wasted no time and gathered her friends, they all appeared before her and they looked surprised to see her so soon. “Hello my dearest friends,” Twilight said with little emotion. “Twilight, we’re here to-” “Convince me to turn back to the fragile person I used to be?” Twilight said. “How-” “All-knowing, remember?” Twilight said. “Twilight… please, Rainbow told us everything,” Rarity said. “I know, but really I was simply informing her of what I’ve been up to for awhile,” Twilight said. “Twi… you destroyed planets!” AJ said. “With life on them!” Pinkie added. “I know, is that a problem?” Twilight asked. “You weren’t kiddin,” AJ said looking disturbed. “It’s my job, like it or not, I have to do so if I wish to maintain my position and stay in contact with you all,” Twilight said. “It just doesn’t seem like you, and the casual way you address it worries us,” Rarity said. “It’d be best if at least for now you return to normal,” Fluttershy said. “No,” Twilight said. “Why?” Rainbow asked. “Because when I last did, the pain of what I did came back, I don’t like feeling that pain… so I eased it,” Twilight said. “We miss the real you Twi,” AJ said. “I do too, but it’s better this way,” Twilight said. “...What if we helped you?” Rainbow asked. “What do you mean?” Twilight asked. “You could return your compassion to normal and we can support you in your time of need, please, just once,” Rainbow pleaded. “...You really wish to see me in pain?” Twilight said. “No! But we can help you like we always do,” Rainbow said. “...If seeing my pain let’s you know why I need to numb myself to it, then fine,” Twilight sighed before reaching her hoof into a glowing light on her chest and adjusting her compassion back. Immediately she looked horrified. “NO!” Twilight cried falling to the ground and clutching her head. “TWI!” AJ cried as they ran over to her and held her close as she cried. “Those lives… all of them… I took so many…” Twilight sobbed. “It’s alright Twi, we’re here,” AJ said. “Let it all out,” Fluttershy cooed. “The last planet I saw the beings on it were begging me for mercy… but I did it anyways without any remorse… I’m a monster!” Twilight said. “You're not a monster,” Rarity said. “I can’t…. I can’t live with myself…. I need to numb the pain,” Twilight said before shoving her hoof back into the glowing light on her chest. “NO! Twilight! Stop!” Rainbow grabbed her arm and the others tried to stop her. “Please stop! I can’t take this!” Twilight said. “No! Twilight, ya can’t just numb yerself like this!” AJ said. “Let go!” Twilight cried. “Stop!” Pinkie said. “Let… GO!” Twilight yelled before Rainbow accidentally jerked Twilight’s arm too hard to the left. Compassion: 1% Twilight froze and stared out into the void around them. “Twi?” AJ said. “......I feel… nothing…”Twilight said before she stopped holding back and tossed her friends off like they were nothing. “AGH!” Rainbow cried as she hit the ground, she looked up at Twilight who was standing there looking lost. “Twilight?” Pinkie asked nervously. “...Nothing… my heart is empty…. I feel…… liberated…” Twilight said as her eyes turned black and she looked at them. “Twilight? What happened?” Rarity asked as Twilight approached her. “I need to see,” Twilight said before she reached forward and struck Rarity sending her tumbling. "Aaah!" Rarity cried. “RARITY! Twilight, what are you doing?” Rainbow demanded. “...Nothing…I felt nothing… my compassion is almost nothing now, you all suddenly seem… insignificant,” Twilight said before turning to Rainbow who flinched. “Twilight?...” Rainbow nervously said. “I’ve been too lenient with Equus… just because it is my home planet, doesn’t make it any different than any other planet, from now on, I’ll do my job right, thank you Rainbow… for freeing me from myself,” Twilight said before she took off into the sky. “TWILIGHT!” Rainbow cried as she woke up and the others did too. As they looked around they knew right then and there… they just made things much worse… “Wh-what will she do?” Fluttershy asked nervously. “...I don’t know…” Rainbow said looking afraid “What have I done….” Author's Note Uh oh, what could this mean?
Empty inside...?Now outside of Equus Twilight looked around. “Nothing… I feel nothing, for anything, not even this planet,” Twilight said turning to Equus, she briefly considered destroying it to remove the last distraction for her… but no, its time isn’t up yet… So maybe she’ll speed things along. “Some localized heavy storms, some earthquakes near Ponyville, and a fissure through Appleloosa, that would be a good start…” Twilight said before her eyes glowed and the planet as well as Equestria was immediately facing disasters. She stood back and watched, the death toll was racking up already. “I’ll return to resume later,” Twilight said before flying off. One week later The universe was already not doing well, any planets that Twilight considered even remotely ready to go, went. And she didn’t always do it quickly. Sometimes she caused catastrophes that whittled the planet to nothing. One planet she inflicted earthquake after earthquake until the planet fractured apart, another she dried up all the seas and left the planet to dry out. Twilight was no longer the benevolent mercy killer, she was now a monster. “Nothing matters… nothing,” Twilight said as she flew by Equus again. “I’d say hurricanes and a plague will do this time,” Twilight said as she continued her gradual decline of the healthy planet. Three weeks later… Weekly now, Twilight inflicts various misfortunes upon the Equestrians. She knew she was destroying her home… but she didn’t care anymore… she didn’t care about anything anymore… 1% compassion… is who she is now… she even lowered a few other things that were holding her back. “I am… empty inside…” Twilight said as she sat upon the moon and sent more plagues onto Equestria. She should talk to her friends at least once…. Nah… who cares…? “Come on darlings! You can make it!” Fluttershy cried as she led her animals with her, Ponyville had to be evacuated, it was crumbling! “FLUTTERSHY! FORGET THEM! COME ON!” Mayor Mare cried as the train hadn’t been damaged yet. “NO! I can’t!” Fluttershy exclaimed. “I got her!” Rainbow zoomed out and snagged Fluttershy who was holding onto Harry and Angel into the train. The rest of the animals weren’t so lucky… A great fissure broke and swallowed up Ponyville, the train narrowly escaping. “NOOOOOOO!” Fluttershy screamed for her animals. “The farm… how could she do this?” Apple Bloom sobbed. “We can start over, elsewhere,” Granny assured her granddaughter. “The Boutique… is gone…” Rarity cried into her hooves. “At least we got out,” Sweetie said. “Dang it! This is all my fault!” RD sobbed. “Calm down Rainbow-” Pinkie said before Rainbow hit the floor. “If I’d never tried to help Twilight she’d have never turned into a monster!” Rainbow sobbed. “...” Pinkie couldn’t deny that… All throughout Equestria, Twilight is sowing destruction, at this rate the nation will crumble… They have tried to contact her again but she doesn’t answer anymore. They're on their own… All they can do now, is wait and hope she somehow comes to her senses… Twilight had managed to create a great enough seaquake to bring down Mount Aries, it’s a matter of time now. As Twilight hovered around the planet wondering what she should do next… And then she sensed it… “Hm?” Twilight looked over in the dragon lands, she had caused many eruptions and earthquakes there but the dragons were a tough nut to crack. Not surprising, what was was the fact that there was a familiar signal coming from there… Somedragon had just fallen asleep, not notable, but there’s a feeling and it’s all to familiar… “I’ll investigate…” Twilight boredly said before entering the dream realm. She entered the 'now vacant of a princess' realm and searched. Luna and Celestia tried to talk her down from her recent actions… she simply banished them both out of the dream realm for annoying her with their pitiful pleas. As she approached a lone dream she saw somedragon she hadn’t seen in ages… “Spike?” Twilight said, normally she’d be more surprised but not anymore, intrigued she entered the dream. She was trotting around a grassy field and saw Spike, still the happy little drake and a fake her. Playing a game of dragon drop… meh. Twilight stamped her hoof and everything but him vanished. “Huh?” Spike said looking around before spotting Twilight “T-Twilight?” Spike said. “Hello, Spike… I’ve been looking for you,” Twilight said emotionlessly. “....This is just a dream…” Spike sighed losing his hope that- Suddenly he was picked up and slammed. “OW! What the?” Spike complained. “That hurt?... I suppose I’ve forgotten what pain is,” Twilight said. “You… wait, if I felt that… Hey!” Spike called to her. “What?...” Twilight asked. “Do the ladybug dance, if your really Twilight you’d know it,” Spike pleaded. Usually a pony begging didn’t faze her but something about him caused an alien feeling to go through her. Without thinking she did her and Cadance’s dance. “You are her… TWILIGHT!” Spike cried running over to her and hugging her. “....” Twilight looked down at him without an expression. “I missed you!” Spike sobbed. “....Are you done?” She asked. “Twilight?... You aren’t happy to see me?” Spike asked. “I heard you ran away,” Twilight said. “It’s just… losing you made me so sad… I had to get away, clear my head… You're acting weird Twilight,” Spike said. “That is because I removed my compassion, among other things, and now I will destroy this planet, gradually,” Twilight said. “Y-You can’t!” Spike cried. “Why?” Twilight asked. “Because… then I’d never see you again,” Spike said sadly. “.....” Twilight’s eyes widened a little as she felt a pang of pain in her heart… she… she should kill him, he’s causing her to feel something… But… she can’t… She tried to focus on his body sleeping amidst a crumbling dragon lands… but she couldn’t… “Why?... I feel nothing…” Twilight said before she looked into his teary eyes and felt another pang of… guilt?... she… needs to leave. Immediately she disappeared. “TWILIGHT!” Spike cried. “He must not have been sleeping… that’s how I couldn’t find him…. Yes… I just… need time,” Twilight said before moving on to search for more planets to erase. Not noticing that something happened to her compassion… Compassion 6% Twilight arrived at another planet, this one was set to die soon. Might as well get this annoying rock out of the way… Twilight approached the green planet and prepared a massive beam to eliminate it. “Life signs… zero in a minute,” Twilight said before firing- “I’ll never see you again…” And missed... “Huh?” Twilight realized she missed… even though it was in front of her…. Seriously… what was wrong with her? Is her compassion returning somehow?... Twilight checked and found that it had increased to 8%... what?! “No… go back!” Twilight reset it to 1% the feelings vanished and she destroyed the planet before leaving. “I don’t care about him… he’s one insignificant speck on an equally insignificant planet,” Twilight said, if this was going to affect her work then she needed to be rid of that planet, asap. Forget the rules! Twilight arrived at her planet and prepared to strike it down. “This is how much I care,” Twilight said before throwing a punch to inject destructive energy. “Twilight” And missed. “What?! No!” Twilight swung again but it seemed like she was unable to land the killing blow! Why?! she swung again and again, but she couldn’t hit it. Eventually, she prepared just to unleash an explosion of energy to destroy the planet. again, she couldn’t hit it. Eventually, she prepared to just use some ambient energy to destroy it... ...But once again, she couldn’t do it eventually, she gave out a loud scream of defeat. “Why… Why can’t I do it?... is he really so important to me I can’t even destroy the planet he’s on?” Twilight asked herself “Or is it that he’s somehow reawakening my compassion for this world?... either way I must find out!” Twilight said resolutely. Spike was asleep the next night, knowing now he has a chance to communicate with his sister. As he slept, he found himself in a familiar grassy field with Twilight. “Twili-” Spike didn’t finish as he was encased in a stasis bubble. “Your soul is coming with me,” Twilight said before vanishing out of the dream realm with him. As they arrived in space Twilight unfroze him. “-ght…. Huh?” Spike said looking around. “Explain,” Twilight demanded. “What? How did-” Spike questioned. “I said, explain! How are you influencing my compassion?” Twilight demanded. “I don’t even know what that means,” Spike said. “I don’t want to feel… If I do then the pain comes back… Rainbow freed me… don’t send me back,” Twilight said to herself looking lost and broken. “Twilight, I’m worried about y-” Spike was frozen again. “I’ll hold onto you for awhile, maybe I can figure out how to prevent this… yes…” Twilight said before flying off, carrying Spike with her. Can she still care for something even when her heart has been rendered unable to feel anymore?... Author's Note Can Spike free Twilight from herself?
I am not alone... not anymoreTwilight kept Spike by her side as she flew through a universe she had recently cleaned up. She looked around and found the lack of life better. Less to manage… “I’ll bet Val will be impressed…” Twilight boredly said. “I’m not…” Val said and Twilight turned to see the accountant standing there on a moon. “Hello Val,” Twilight said. “Twilight, I rarely say this, but you becoming the epicenter of this universe’s management was a mistake, not only have you destroyed many planets in a manner most sadistic, but you haven’t kept up to date on life-giving, your doing the opposite of what you were doing before, and not in a good way,” Val sighed. “I know… I don’t care,” Twilight said. “It would help if you raised your compassion to a level where your judgment is not impaired, and cease carrying a mortal around like an accessory,” Val said, referring to Spike. “No,” Twilight said. “You try my patience, I will return in one month, and if this universe is not cleaned up, properly, then you're terminated,” Val said before vanishing. “...Whatever…” Twilight said flying off with Spike. Three days later “-ou… huh?” Spike looked around and saw he was in front of a moon, this moon had life on it, not innocent life though, aliens that eat others. Morality of beings doesn’t matter anymore though… not to Twilight. “I wanted you to see this… this is my job now, my burden now that I am not mortal anymore,” Twilight told Spike. “What?” Spike said. “Hah!” Twilight punched the planet and it fractured apart and exploded. Spike cried out thinking they’ll be caught in the blast, but a barrier protected them and he saw the planet was fully destroyed. “Wh-what happened?” Spike asked. “I destroyed an inhabited planet,” Twilight said as if she didn’t commit genocide. “Wh-what?” Spike said. “Does it shake you? Knowing I am no longer the Twilight you knew, the weak Twilight you knew would have hated to do that,” Twilight stated. “Killing a planet is horrible, but…” Spike said. “But?” Twilight asked. “You had no choice, it’s like you said, this is your job right?” Spike said. “I don’t get it… how does this not make you hate me? You don’t even seem as scared,” Twilight said looking frustrated. “Twilight, I can’t hate you, because no matter what… you're my friend,” Spike said. Twilight felt a pang in her heart… She didn’t want to feel! “Look Twilight, I thin-” Spike was frozen again and taken away as Twilight flew off with him. “There has to be some way to kill off this source of compassion! I can’t face that pain!” Twilight said with determination. a week later “-k that you need to-... you did it again didn’t you?” Spike sighed looking around and they were in a cluster. “If one planet dying wasn’t bad enough, how about this!” Twilight said before she focused a beam in her mouth and fired upon multiple planets. “Twilight!? Stop!” Spike cried seeing multiple planets being destroyed, this continued until there was only space rocks in front of them. “H-how many did you just kill?” Spike “Those planets were mostly uninhabited anyway, but now they can’t bear life… does that prove that the Twilight you knew is gone?” Twilight demanded. “...I think I see what you're trying to do,” Spike said with a sigh. “What am I trying to do?” Twilight asked. “...You can’t handle the emotions I make you feel, so you're trying to destroy our bond, is that it?” Spike asked with a serious look. “So what if I am, I care for nothing, this is what I am now,” Twilight said coldly. “...You claim that, but then why are you crying?” Spike said, knowing he needed to be strong for her. “What? I’m not-” Twilight then realized there were tears floating amidst the space around them “Wh-what?” Twilight said in disbelief, hurriedly she checked. 15% compassion “...” Spike looked away as he was frozen again. “Your… making me feel again…. I DON’T WANT THIS!” Twilight forcibly reset the compassion to 1%, but somehow the meter went back up to 15%, no matter how many times she did it it refused to stay down! WHY?! “I need to try harder!” Twilight growled. Over the next few weeks, Twilight did various cruel things to various worlds. She increased the sea level on a desert planet and drowned it, she created a new species of deadly plantlife to attack an innocent world, she moved the sun a little to the left and froze a world. But he never hated her… his kindness refused to fade away! Twilight just finished tossing a moon into a sun, leaving a world without a moon. “...Twi-” “WHY DON’T YOU HATE ME!?” Twilight bellowed at him. “...Because you my big sister, my friend, you’ve just lost your way, I want you back, but I won’t hate you,” Spike said. He was frozen again… and this time Twilight’s patience had worn thin… “There’s only one way to do what I need to do without emotion clouding my mind… I need to get rid of him!” Twilight said as she grabbed him and flew off. She knew a certain part of the universe that had one, now it was time to use it… Twilight arrived at a safe distance from a certain anomaly in the universe… A black hole… Most wouldn’t know, but black holes are actually portals to outside the universe… a tear in the wall, that leads into the event horizon, a place even overseers like her can’t survive in… A perfect place to dispose of this distraction… and so she proceeded to unfreeze Spike who then turned to her and addressed her again. “Twilight, I meant it when… wait, where are we?” Spike looked around before seeing the black hole. “Time to go,” Twilight said, forcibly holding her compassion at 1%, she refused to let go and let him erode her new self anymore! “T-T-Twilight?... Is that a-” Spike stuttered. “A black hole, and your resting place,” Twilight said before picking him up. “NO! Twilight STOP!” Spike thrashed. “I am not Twilight anymore! And I care about nothing, NOTHING!” Twilight held her hoof out towards the black hole and Spike was being pulled. “NOOOO! I DON’T WANT TO DIE LIKE THIS!” Spike cried. “I, NGH!” Twilight grunted as her compassion was trying to roar back to the surface but she forced it down “-Don’t care! I DON’T!” Twilight waved her hoof to make him let go. “PLEASE! REMEMBER YOURSELF TWILIGHT!” Spike cried. “I KNOW WHO I AM!” Twilight screamed as she raised her hoof and swung it toward the black hole, making Spike lose his grip and he flew back. “No…” Spike felt the gravity was starting to pull him towards the black hole. “Now he’ll be sucked into the event horizon and forgotten… problem solved…” Twilight turned to fly away. Spike knew he had only one chance now, if he had to say one thing before he died. “I forgive you…” Spike said shutting his eyes, waiting for death as the black hole pulled him closer. …. ……. ……… I forgive you… “No… NOOOO!” Twilight screamed as the sound of his words caused some kind of… malfunction within her. “I’m empty… I’m empty! I’M-” Twilight gripped her head with one hoof while the other struggled to reset her compassion to 1%. But something in her broke... “SPIIIIKE!” Twilight couldn’t handle it anymore and a flash of light overcame her and she shrunk down to her original size. She was still an overseer, but now it’s clear to her… Spike was too important to her to let die! Compassion 100% “SPIKE!” Twilight spun and flew back towards him as the gravity tear began to suck him in, she didn’t care what happened to her, SHE CAN’T LET HIM DIE! And so Twilight willingly flew headlong into the gravity and flew towards Spike. “Twilight!?” Spike looked surprised as she wrapped him in an embrace and pumped her wings against the portal to the event horizon. “I’m so sorry Spike! I’m so sorry!” Twilight cried before she fought with all her might to resist the black hole. But it was too strong, she was being pulled in! She and Spike were going to die, all because she didn’t realize until now that numbing oneself to pain only leads to more suffering! She has to do something! “Thank you Twilight, I knew you were still in there.” Spike hugged her back. “Don’t give up Spike! We can still make it!” Twilight panicked as they were getting closer and closer to the edge, by then, space time was starting to warp, it wouldn’t be long… before they were no more. “I’m so sorry,” Twilight shut her eyes and let a few tears loose. “I forgive you,” Spike said bracing himself. The yawning darkness, the end…. “My my, you truly are a troublemaker,” a voice said. “Huh?” Twilight opened her eye and saw a massive hand reaching forward. “AAAH! What the?!” Twilight exclaimed. The hand reached past her, clutched the edges of the black hole and forcibly shut it. Instantly the gravity pull ended and Twilight was able to relax her wings. “Huh? What just-” Twilight looked around and saw the hand belonged to Val, who was enormous in size! Val sighed. “If you're planning to play around black holes, don’t, it’s in the handbook…” Val said before she shrunk to Twilight’s size. “You…” Twilight said looking shocked. “I’ve been watching you since our last talk, I would say it is lovely that you fixed your compassion, maybe try not to let it lower past fourty five percent next time…” Val said. “S-Sorry… thanks to Spike I’ve regained my ponyanity… but at what cost…? I wrecked this universe, I harmed my home, I almost killed the one who matters most to me…” Twilight sobbed into her hooves. “Twilight,” Spike hugged her to calm her down. “I can safely say you’ve failed the evaluation… I will begin stripping you of your power and choose another,” Val said. “...Do it, I’m not meant to be like this… I never should have taken their offer in the first place…” Twilight said with sorrow. “Glad we agree,” Val said but just as she was about to act on her words Spike jumped in front of Twilight. “Now hold on a moment!” Spike said. “Hmm?” Val disinterestedly looked down at him. “You didn’t do anything to stop her! Why should Twilight be punished when she just got her emotions back! I say she doesn’t get punished,” Spike said. “....Are you done? Step aside mortal, this doesn’t concern you,” Val said. “Give Twilight another chance! She can fix what she did!” Spike said. “Even if I wanted to, she’s too squeamish to be a destroyer, that’s what started this mess,” Val said. “...What if she gave that job to me?” Spike asked. “You?...” Val raised a brow. “Spike! No!” Twilight shouted. “NO TWILIGHT! I finally got back together with you, and I refuse to lose you again! You can’t handle this on your own then share the burden!” Spike said. “Spike… you know what you're saying right?! You’ll be destroying planets! Ending countless lives, everyone could end up fearing you! Hating you even!” Twilight pleaded. “...I know, and I’m willing to bear that burden, I’m tired of being alone Twilight, and as long as we’re together, we can bring balance to this universe,” Spike said. “Spike, I’m begging you,” Twilight said, not wanting to inflict this burden on him. “Will this fix everything if I do this?” Spike asked. “I suppose I could allow one more trial run if it’ll move things along… I’ll make an exception, but only once,” Val said seriously. “....I understand,” Spike said. “Spike… What about your life on Equus?” Twilight asked. “I’m fine, trust me,” Spike said hugging Twilight. “....Very well, I trust you Spike,” Twilight hugged him back “From what I know, you have to be dead to receive the gift of an overseer, go back to Equus and live a full life, and when you die-” “He’s already dead,” Val said. “...What?” They both said. “You abducted his soul and left his body alone for weeks on end, his body was eaten by a passing Tatzelwurm… what did you think was going to happen?” Val asked. “....Point taken…” Twilight facehoofed. “Guess I’m already fit for the role then,” Spike chuckled. “Okay Spike, please don’t regret this,” Twilight said before they hugged. The two glowed and some of the markings on Twilight transferred over to Spike, when they backed away from eachother Spike was now the bearer of knowledge and death, while Twilight wielded compassion and life. “Balance is restored, I will report back in a week to check your progress if I see you two not doing your jobs-” Val said before Spike cut her off. “You’ll fire us, I know, oddly,” Spike said realizing he knows everything now. “I figured you should know everything, it will make things easier for you,” Twilight said. “Thanks,” Spike said with a smile. “I’m leaving, farewell,” Val said before she opened a portal and walked in, and then the portal closed. “...So, shall we get to work?” Spike said with a smile. “Sure thing my number one assistant,” Twilight smiled as they both flew off to take care of the universe. Equestria was in ruins. Thanks to Twilight’s rampage much of the land is either fractured, flooded, or disease-ridden. Canterlot is overwhelmed with the number of ponies needing to take residence. In Celestia’s throne room the princesses stared out at the destruction with sorrow. Alongside the remaining elements. “This is all my fault…” Rainbow said, looking like she hadn’t slept in days… “It’s all our fault, we shouldn’t have done anything,” Fluttershy assured. “We must consider leaving this dimension, it is no longer habitable here,” Luna said solemnly. “Yes… I have been at work preparing a mirror portal to another dimension, Celestia said equally somber. “Well… let’s go inform the populace about our plan then, we’ll be-” Suddenly the clouds began forming over the lands, faster than should be possible. “Oh great, now what is she doing?” Rainbow said fearfully. “No, is she preparing another calamity?!” Celestia said preparing to run and warn the populace… until suddenly it began to rain, not water, but strange motes of light. “Huh?” Celestia said as she saw this. As the light hit the ground suddenly, plantlife began forming. The cracks in the planet began closing. The air became clearer. It was as if the planet was healing itself. “Huh?… What is happening?” Celestia asked. “I… Don’t know,” Luna said. Across the land, the damage of all the calamities was being repaired. All the ponies watching were in awe. When it was over the clouds parted and the sun shone down upon Canterlot. “I… don’t believe it, I-” Luna said before she suddenly looked shocked and she shook her head. “What is it?” Celestia asked. “I am being contacted from the dream realm… it’s Twilight! And… another presence… I’m not sure who,” Luna said. “We got our chance to talk to Twilight! Let’s go!” Pinkie cheered. “Very well,” Luna said before flaring her horn, preparing a mass sleep spell. As they opened their eyes in the dream realm they saw nothing but a void, and when they looked they saw Twilight, only her eyes weren’t all black anymore. “T-Twilight? Is… that you?” Celestia asked cautiously. “Yes… it is,” Twilight said as she looked like she was hesitant to say anything, but she forced herself to “I’m… I’m so sorry, for everything!” Twilight said with some tears. “She’s back!” Pinkie cheered. “I am… but I know that I can’t apologize enough, I numbed myself too much, to see how much it was hurting everybody… I’m responsible for so much death…” Twilight said. “You are… I wish to say that I forgive you Twilight, the rest of Equestria may be a different story though,” Luna said. “Me too, I wish for you to know, you are forgiven by us, but what are the odds of this happening again?” Celestia asked. “Nothing,” Spike said as he appeared by her side. “Huh?! Spike!?” The group exclaimed. “She gave the job of destruction to me, she’ll no longer be burdened by it,” Spike said. “B-but Spike! Such a job implies-” Celestia said but Spike held a hand up. “I know, and I’m willing, if just for me and Twilight to be together again, and I’ll do my best,” Spike said. “...” Everyone else looked to eachother and nodded before looking to them. “So the lightshow before?” Rainbow asked hopefully. “Me fixing the damage I did, I even restored Ponyville,” Twilight said. “Thank you,” Applejack said gratefully. “We’re so glad to have you back Twilight,” Celestia said. “Glad to be back,” Twilight said and Spike waved before the dream realm faded. As they woke they seemed relieved. “We must inform the populace immediately, we have much work to do now that the cataclysm is over,” Luna said. “Let’s go!” Pinkie cheered and they galloped off. Back in outer space Twilight and Spike floated there, as big as the planet itself. “Well Spike? Let’s get to work, I have alot of planets to give life to,” Twilight said. “And I have some to remove, just like old times, amiright?” Spike chuckled. “Yeah,” Twilight chuckled as they hugged. “It’s good to be back Twilight,” Spike said. “I agree, but let’s get to work before Val chews our ear off about how much we’re working,” Twilight chuckled. “Alright! Let’s go! And maybe when we’re done, we can visit our friends again?” Spike asked as they flew away. “Trust me Spike,” Twilight said as she smiled back at Equus “I see only good things for the future,” Twilight said as the two vanished among the stars, ready to do their jobs. And have some fun while doing it! FIN Author's Note And that ends it, what do you all think?
