Collision Zone

Chapter Six: Collision

Over Canterlot, purple energies arced from empty patches of air, coalescing with a hollow 'boom' into the form of Twilight Sparkle. A pulse of excess magic burst from her skin, the invisible thaumic pressure wave shattering nearby windows. Having anticipated emerging mid-air, she repeated her previous trick of coating her hooves with a levitation spell, descending easily to the palace gates.

Her hooves made a smart little click on the flagstones as she landed with an ease that belied her anxiety. Some ponies had stopped to stare as a unicorn seemingly descended from the heavens, but that merely meant that her landing space was relatively clear of obstruction. For a moment, Twilight froze, staring at the onlookers like a rabbit staring down an oncoming train. The silence stretched for a long moment,

“So, um... are you Twilight Sparkle?” some brave soul called out from the crowd of onlookers. She smiled awkwardly.

I actually hadn't even considered this...

~~~

Thunder without sound.

Princess Celestia twitched, sitting bolt upright on her bench.

I recognise that magic... surely she would not-

“Your highness?” The supervisor, a dark blue pony by the name of Ink Blot, looked up from his programme with wide eyes.

“I am afraid I must depart momentarily. In the event of my absence, keep everything on track as if I were there,” She said quietly, staring out of the window at nothing in particular.

My student... you are most bold.

“Ah, yes your highne...” Ink blot trailed off, realising he was now talking to a dispersing cloud of golden mist.

~~~

“Look, if you'll excuse me, I really need to-” Twilight tried to push her way through the crowd, while they parted almost grudgingly.

“What about your duel with a hydra? I heard you beat it up using only one hoof!” a foal chirped excitedly in her ear, scampering between the legs of the adult ponies.

“Not now! I mean, if you wanted to know at any other time, I would be glad to-” Twilight was once again interrupted, as a pony on the verge of a nervous breakdown yelled,

“Everypony, clear the way!”

A yellow radiance welled up at the end of the street, a mane of many colours billowing in an intangible wind clearly visible above the crowd, who crammed themselves against the sides of buildings in a flurry of hasty prostration.

Here goes nothing. Terminus, you with me?

“Always, dear one.”

Twilight sank down, keeping her eyes respectfully lowered, until the light became almost blinding in its intensity.

“My faithful student.”

“A-ah... Princess.”

The voice was the same as she remembered, soft but powerful, though now tinged with warm amusement. A hoof gently reached out, cupping her chin, when a fiery tingle shot through her, filling her with a pleasant warmth, and Celestia immediately pulled it back as if burned. It was only then that she dared look up.

The Princess hadn't changed, not that Twilight had expected her to, but the flawlessness of her ruler still took her breath away. Like living porcelain. Graceful and, though she was hesitant to admit it, beautiful. A white and gold dress, loosely fashioned like a toga, draped over her frame, beneath the regalia.

This must be what it's like to stare into the sun...

Celestia's eyes were wide, as she reared back from Twilight, shock clearly etched into her features, with a hint of fear. It was only noticeable for a moment, before shutters seemed to fall behind her eyes, her face becoming an inscrutable mask.

“This way, Twilight Sparkle,” Celestia said in even tones, beginning to walk back the way she had come.

W-what? Twilight followed numbly, unable to keep her own apprehension from showing. They walked in silence for a few minutes, the crowds of Canterlot parting around them like water on rock. Celestia would occasionally give a nod of recognition to various ponies, but seemed to be deliberately avoiding her eyes. Twilight felt her ears droop.

Great... not five minutes in, and already I've messed things up. Even worse, I don't even know what I did wrong...

“P-princess... I'm sorry,” she managed to squeak out.

“Do not trouble yourself needlessly. It was through no fault of your own. I am simply being foolish, nothing more,” Celestia said, looking straight ahead, “I very much enjoyed your anatomical study paper.”

“Really? T-thank you, that means a lot, coming from you,”

“Indeed, the ink tasted delicious.”

“P-p-princess!?” Twilight wasn't sure if she believed her ears, staring at the princess in utter dismay. Celestia shot her a wicked grin,

“Gotcha.”

Aba...wih... what just happened?

After a moment of dumbfounded shock, she felt laughter bubble up inside her. It was crazy, irrational, but it felt right, after everything that had happened to her. She snorted, giggling uncontrollably, Celestia chuckling along in that soft, tinkly manner that sounded so very wrong to Twilight's ears. Despite her misgivings, she just felt too happy to care too much about that. It really is nice to see her again... um, I mean... she taught me magic... oh, stop judging me!

“I was not going to comment, dear one.”

Good. There's nothing to comment on.

“Now there is the smile I remembered, Twilight Sparkle,” Celestia said, fixing her with a piercing gaze, oblivious to Twilight's momentary consternation. A single white hoof ran its way affectionately through her mane, leaving a wave of tingling warmth. Twilight's breath caught in her throat, as all thoughts of her passenger's opinions immediately left her. It feels good. Celestia quickly pulled her hoof back, shivering almost imperceptibly.

Oh dear, oh dear... what's the appropriate response to something like that?

“I m-missed you too, Princess.”

It seemed to be the right one. Celestia rewarded her with an enigmatic smile and a slight nod, before turning back toward their destination.

“Come then, we wouldn't want to disappoint my other guests with excessive tardiness.”

~~~

The Canterlot Royal Hall loomed impressively over the tiny lodging houses on either side, separated by a thin barrier of green parkland. Industrial weather lamps began to stutter into life around them as the sun dipped low toward the horizon, but Celestia's glow banished the lengthening shadows even without their presence.

I don't remember it just... spilling out like that.

“You lacked the eyes to see it, dear one,” came the barest whisper at the edges of her hearing.

“Hmm? Did you say something?” Celestia raised a quizzical eyebrow in her direction.

“No, nothing,” She murmured, eyes roving over the hall, attempting to give the impression she had been mesmerised by the ancient building. To be entirely fair, the lighting crew had done a marvellous job, strategically placed blue and green lights causing the entire hall to seem almost ethereal. All in all, it did a great job of making Ponyville's librarian feel remarkably out of place.

“Princess, why am I here? I mean I'm no scientific genius. I-I haven't made any revolutionary discoveries, unless you want a speech on the Elements... and we're still not entirely sure how those work,”

That got a snort, and Celestia hurriedly covered her mouth with a hoof. “Oh, my student... you are blind to your achievements, I feel. I did not expect you to speak in front of the assembly, merely to be present with me,” Celestia arched an eyebrow, “After all, you are the faithful student of a princess of Equestria, are you not?”

“A-ah, yes Princess,” Twilight looked away, an odd sense of warmth welling up inside her. The Princess always shielded me from the politics of her work... Why now? Am I finally ready?

They stepped forth into the antechamber of the hall, early arrivals shuffling into hasty bows as the princess swept through. Twilight recognised a few of them in passing, such as the Marquis of Trottingham, the inventor of the Equestrian steam engine, but the rest eluded her. Several of them sent quizzical glances her way, which she tried to ignore. Likely wondering what I'm doing here, she concluded, playing nervously with the silky purple lace around her shoulders.

Celestia's horn glimmered, the doors to the hall throwing themselves open at her command.

“Ladies and gentlecolts, if you would follow me into the venue we can get underway,” she said, framed in the doorway, a glint of laughter in her eyes.

~~~

Feeling the ancient building come to life beneath her hooves, Celestia smothered a sigh with upbeat thoughts. It is good that she is back. That is enough... even if she is different to how I remembered. A chill crept up her spine, but she refused to shiver. Since when did her touch carry the cold of the void? Admittedly, the sensation was not entirely unpleasant, but to have her expectations subverted in such a way felt entirely alien to the alicorn. She stole a glance at Twilight, who seemed to be in awe of the hall's interior, and smiled softly. The little unicorn's zest for life was soothing, even if she seemed more nervous than Celestia had expected.

Perhaps I shouldn't have dragged her to a formal party? Celestia scoffed at that thought. It will do her good to become accustomed to the life of the gentry, and this is as gentle an introduction as one might hope for.

The chattering of the guests returned her attention to the task at hand, and she gently prodded Twilight with one hoof, breaking her student out of her stupor. A cool sensation, like ice covered silk, filtered up her leg and once more she quickly broke contact. That time she did shiver, if only a little. What could you have done to give yourself such a cold aura, my student?

She sent activation signals to the sturdy wooden tables laid out for the event. Prime featherwood, grown by some of the most skilled earth ponies in Equestria, treated in the foundries of Cloudsdale. They greedily absorbed the magic, groaning softly as they began to lift into the air. At one point, they had been viewing platforms for great plays and musicians, but in recent times had been converted into versatile modular tables for any particular event the hall hosted. The pegasi had initially opted to use clouds, but the cost of maintaining a cloudhoof spell on all the occupants of the hall had quickly nixed that idea.

There were some tittering as the guests levitated with their seats, some of the younger members of the Canterlot Scientific Society marvelling at the craftsmanship of the tables, while Twilight looked on pensively.

“Grab on, Twilight Sparkle, you will find it is quite safe,” Celestia nodded in the direction of a small table, where a white and gold varnished bench sized just for her sat ready. Right next to... a pang of sadness pierced Celestia's heart as she looked at the empty black bench, mirroring her own. There's still hope. She might come this time. She's just... late. She shook her head, shoulders slumping a little. Not a chance.

“P-Princess, are you okay?”

She felt silken ice press against her legs, and smiled down at Twilight. If the smile was a little watery, neither mentioned it.

“Just thinking,” she muttered,
gritting her teeth as she looked at the empty seat.

“Princess Luna?” Twilight curled herself against Celestia's leg, sending waves of numbing coolness through her.

Celestia closed her eyes at that, nodding imperceptibly. “Climb aboard, and let us talk of happier times.”

After all, it would not do for you to bear the weight of my mistakes, my little pony.

~~~

Twilight's mind whirled. Laughter and happily feasting ponies surrounded her on slowly rotating tables, while she nibbled on a round of corn and thought on what she had just witnessed. The pain in Celestia's eyes bit into her, prompting her to offer what comfort she could. It was still there now, just beneath the surface, even as she watched the princess joke with the Count of Fillydelphia.

“You seem troubled, dear one. You care deeply for your ruler, do you not?”

Twilight's eyes swivelled back to Celestia, watching the laughing mare's ears like a hawk. Nothing. Good.

She was the one I looked up to, you know. I still do, I guess. My hero, and my princess. It... it hurts to see her like this.

At that moment, Celestia looked up and met her eyes. Twilight's breath caught in her throat, despair and hope warring behind those pink windows. Twilight was the first to look away, her shoulders slumping slightly. She'd never open up to me though. I'm her student, not her confidant...

“Twilight Sparkle... now, what has gotten you so glum?” the soft voice of the princess filtered through to her. I couldn't tell you the truth if I tried, Princess.

“Oh, nothing Princess. I'm just being silly, I guess.” She smiled ruefully, feeling a little out of place.

“Shall I tell you a secret?” Celestia's nose wiggled, the despair for once giving way to real mirth at her student's plight, “I don't like large parties either,”

“What!?”

“It's true... I am an important symbol to our people, and to be the constant centre of attention can be wearing, can it not?” Celestia leaned closer, whispering into her ear, “ It brings with it a whole host of problems... take him, for example.” She subtly pointed to a shabby looking stallion, currently laughing raucously with a few others. “Before the night has come to an end, he will have twice attempted to end my life.”

Twilight stared as the stallion took a moment to slosh back a snifter of brandy, nearly snorting it as a friend made a particularly coarse joke. He looks... like any stallion off the street. How... how can she know this?

Celestia grinned, “Catching flies, my student?”

Twilight shut her mouth with a sharp click, goggling at her mentor. Celestia merely raised an eyebrow, then delicately ate a bite of her candied carrots.

“Hmm... I must say, the hemlock does complement the sweetness of the carrot wonderfully. I would advise you to avoid the caramel glaze on this table, Twilight Sparkle,” she said, chewing thoughtfully.

Hemlock!? Bu-but those would kill...

“Pri-!” A white hoof stifled her exclamation, her lips tingling electrically.

“Shhh...” the soft breath against her neck made her shudder and close her eyes, “I am not so easy to kill, you will find.”

She was acutely aware of Celestia's proximity, the warm breath on her ears, the smooth white hoof at her lips, the silky white fur pressing against her side. She could feel the magic surrounding her begin to unravel, which was enough to shock the floundering unicorn into action.

A-ah... that feels good... no, no, no! The princess is in danger! I can't get distracted by... by... oh, sun, her fur is so soft... focus!

Drip. Drip.

There.

Her eyes snapped open, and she turned, meeting Celestia's gaze coolly. “What must we do, then?”

The princess seemed a surprised at this sudden change in demeanour, but smiled softly to her, “I believe the air in here is much too warm. Would you accompany me on a walk through the gardens, my little pony?”

“I'd be delighted, princess,” Twilight returned a determined grin, although her hooves shook.

Just what have I gotten myself into?

~~~

The warm evening air carried a hint of honeysuckle as the two ponies made their way into the expansive garden surrounding the back of the hall. A few young couples wandered the grounds, but for the most part they were alone in the verdant gloom. Immaculately trimmed topiary sculptures lined a central square around a large fountain.

Twilight let out a shaky breath, then began to pace in front of the fountain. Agh... what are we going to do? This is crazy! Somepony's trying to kill the princess!

“Calm yourself, Twilight Sparkle... I am more than capable of looking after myself,”

“Oh, I-I... um, sorry, I didn't mean to imply...” she muttered, tail swishing anxiously.

“I am not offended, you mean well,” Celestia favoured her with a little smirk before she wandered over to lean against the wall of the fountain. Twilight shrugged and joined her, the shorter unicorn propping her front hooves up and dangling them in the cool water. She let out a little sigh, then turned to the princess.

“How can you be so calm? There's a stallion in there trying to kill you!”

Celestia stretched languidly, hey hair billowing out like a rainbow stream, “Once a pony has faced death so many times, it begins to lose its charm, one might say.”

“That's sad, Princess,” Twilight muttered, playing idly with the water.

“I know. It matters not, either way. He will not succeed,” She could see Celestia's eyes take take on a steely glint as she spoke, the words coming out somewhat terse, “He is too young, likely drunk on delusions of grandeur. He'll get cell time, and a lifetime in a mental health institution, but there is little I can do for such ponies,” Celestia sighed, seeming to fold in on herself at that. Once again, Twilight caught a glimpse of fear and melancholy in her mentor's face. Again, a stabbing pain in her chest as she watched metal walls rise behind Celestia's eyes.

She's... so alone. Twilight stepped closer, reaching out a hoof, which seemed to confuse the mare, who watched her quizzically.

She looked at that regal face, and for a moment everything seemed to still. Twilight found herself reaching out to Celestia, closing the scant distance between them. Wrapping her forelegs around that alabaster chest, she hugged Celestia as close as she dared, trying her best to comfort her mentor. She was dimly aware that Celestia had gone utterly still, but for the moment her senses were completely filled with silky white fur and a tingling warmth, like sunlight against her skin. It seemed to last an age, but an indeterminate time later she felt gentle forelegs encircle her, surrounding her in electrifying heat.

“My, my... Twilight Sparkle, what has brought this on?” Celestia sounded amused, but Twilight could still hear a hint of sadness in the princess's tones.

“You l-looked like you needed a hug. I-I'm sorry, I didn't m-mean-” Twilight sniffled, trying to pull away, but white hooves held her firmly in place.

“Shh... I understand,” Celestia was silent for a moment, smiling tenderly at the unicorn in her grip, “Thank you, my little pony.”

Not a problem, Princess.

She let out a shriek as Celestia rolled, dumping the pair of them into the fountain.

“P-P-P-Princess!” Twilight gasped, warmth suddenly giving way to chill water. Her dress clung to her, and she floundered for a moment, before realising that the fountain was shallow enough for her to easily stand with her head above water. She scowled at Celestia, but that quickly faded at the sound of Celestia's laughter. It was loud and a little braying, not the tinkling little thing Twilight usually heard. And it was all the more beautiful for its rarity.

Oh... you make it difficult to stay annoyed with you...

She smiled beatifically at her laughing ruler, who lay on her back in the water, one shaking hoof pointed in Twilight's direction. A moment later, she began to giggle, diving at Celestia and tackling her back into the pond.

“You are evil, you know that?” She poked the chuckling mare in the ribs, eliciting another peal of laughter. It was as if, for a moment at least, the barriers surrounding them had fallen, and they played as they had once did, two mares soaked to the skin, laughing in a pool.

~~~

Naturally it couldn't last. A pair of stallions, one of which was immediately recognisable, stepped out into the garden. They looked around cautiously, under Twilight's covert gaze from beneath the rim of the fountain, before making their way over. Celestia too, seemed alert and watchful, although she did an excellent job of appearing nonchalant. She bent low over Twilight, who blushed at the intimacy of the movement.

“It is time, my student. I trust you will keep yourself safe, hmm?”

“Yes Princess,” she muttered, eyes still on the approaching pair. Her hooves shook with anticipation.

Oh dear... ohdear ohdear ohdear... there's going to be a fight. With ponies... oh, she could die! They want her to die!

“Good evening, gentlecolts,” Celestia smiled warmly, although Twilight could see it didn't meet her eyes.

“Yer 'ighness,” The bowed stiffly, shooting each other worried glances.

“May I help you with something? You seem to have sought me out, after all,”

She's... she's taunting them! Why?

“Yeah! You can help me with something, you treacherous, lying-” He fiddled with something in the dark, but Twilight could barely make it out.

“Ah, ah... I believe we instructed to you leave personal weapons at the door,” Celestia's voice took on a dangerous edge, “Rock Steady?”

“With gusto.”

A small tree was uprooted with a sharp ‘thunk’, flooring the stallions, revealing a dark grey earth pony flanked by a pair of pegasus guards. Celestia's horn lit with a faint golden glow, and steel manacles formed around the legs of the would-be assassins.

“F-f-fuck you, bitch!”

A tinkling sound, followed by a splash, as something arced in her direction.

“Twilight, move!” A desperate shout, as Celestia's head whipped in her direction. Twilight scrambled over the lip of the fountain, slippery in her wet dress, before a golden light enveloped her, pulling her to safety. A sensation like electric sunburn, like being dropped into a lightning conduit. She screamed in pain, thrashing in the princess's magical grip. The field crackled, sparking erratically, before finally dissipating with a sound like a thunderclap.

Oh, ponyfeathers...

~~~

Twilight hit the ground hard, rolling end over end, before finally coming to rest in a bed of tulips. In the distance, something let out a dull boom, and the garden was bathed in fiery light for an instant, and several of the nearby weather-lamps shattered.

“P-p-princess!?” She called out, ignoring the pain in her jaw.

And the pain in my everything else... wow...

Her fur was literally steaming, as if she had just been doused in boiling water. Her skin felt raw, and she whimpered, her nerve endings screaming at her.

“I... I am right here, Twilight Sparkle,” A white glow lit her vision, as Celestia's soft voice answered.

“Oh... good. M'glad you're okay...” Twilight mumbled. The dirt was surprisingly comfortable. I could lie like this for a while. It'd be nice. She heard a sob, and felt smooth hooves pull her onto a comfortably muscular belly.

“I-I am so s-s-sorry,” That stopped her cold. Celestia never stuttered. She shifted weakly, rolling onto her side, “Please, my student, I-I did not mean to... I cannot ask your forgiveness,”

The sight of the Princess, tears streaming down her face as she cradled the little unicorn to her almost broke Twilight's heart. Why? Why is she... oh. Am... am I dying? It hurts so bad...

She was vaguely aware of Rock Steady questioning the two stallions, but for the moment, Celestia's visage filled the entirety of her existence. “P-p-please... don't leave me, my student... please, not you too. Not you too, Twilight...” She heard the alicorn whisper brokenly, over and over like a mantra, as Celestia clutched desperately at her shoulders. It was then that Twilight made her decision.

No, no, no!

Drip. Drip.

An eerie calmness settled over her, as the sound of water on rock filled her ears.

No.

I have too much that I must do, before I can be allowed to pass. Terminus needs me. My friends...

Graves filled her vision, some recognisable, others clearly intended to be those of friends she had yet to meet.

Celestia... my princess... she needs me.

I made a promise... I refuse to pass.

I refuse to die.

~~~