Post Mortem

The sun’s rays shone through the giant window at the end of the hallway, raising the temperature inside by a matter of a few degrees. It was very unusual for Cadance to be out and about in this part of the palace at this time of day, but it wasn’t like she had much of a choice in the matter.

But here she was, walking side by side next to Shining Armor. The clanking of armor rang out through the hall as the guards heard them approaching and snapped to attention. She turned to look at her fidgeting husband. It was faint, almost unnoticeable, but she heard him snicker ever so slightly.

“Shining, is there something you’re trying to hide from me?” she asked.

“No!” he snapped back at her. “Err, no. I’m not hiding anything. Not at all!"

“Oh, really?” Cadance stepped in front of him, raising her tail to tickle his nose before batting her eyelashes seductively at him. “You wouldn’t lie to me on my birthday, would you?”

“Eh heh. Of course not. Why would you think I’d do that?”

Cadance raised an eyebrow before moving back to his side. She figured she shouldn’t press the issue further. After all, he must’ve spent quite a while planning this whole day out. It would be rude for her to force him to spoil the—

“SURPRISE!”

A multitude of schoolfillyish screams filled the throne room as Cadance followed Shining inside. As she was frozen in place, a blizzard of confetti fell from the ceiling, covering her in a layer of the glimmering stuff. Twilight Sparkle, Spike, and their friends soon jumped into view, grinning wildly and bouncing like foals on Hearths Warming Eve morning.

“Why, thank you, girls!” Cadance exclaimed, shaking herself to remove the paper clinging to her. “I had no idea you were coming.”

“Thank Shining.” Twilight giggled. “It was his idea to have us come over to celebrate your birthday and then go to the Grand Galloping Gala together this evening.”

So that’s what it was. “Aw, Shining, you’re so sweet. Thank you,” she cooed softly, blowing an especially stubborn piece of confetti off his nose for him.

“And I’d like to thank you girls as well,” Shining said, his cheeks turning a dark shade of pink when Cadance pecked him there. “You did a really good job with all the preparations.”

“You’re welcome.” Rarity grinned. She had already grabbed a broom and started to sweep the excess confetti into a little pile. “So, how did your morning go?”

“We went to the Azure River this morning to try our hooves at white water rafting. So, there we were, and the—OW!” Shining winced as Cadance struck her hoof against the back of his head.

“Don’t you even dare think about mentioning it,” she hissed. Shining stumbled backwards, putting some distance between him and his irked wife before rubbing the spot where he had been hit.

With a final flick of her tail, Cadance removed all the confetti from her body and looked to the back of the room. Three presents sat off to the side of the two thrones in the back of the room, each wrapped in the same pastel yellow wrapping paper. The largest was big enough to fit one of Twilight’s friends inside while the other two looked small enough that both could fit into one of her saddlebags. “Wow! You girls really shouldn’t have. Thank you so much!” she squealed.

The gifts were nothing much, really, but what can you give the girl that has it all? A dozen crates of spiced apple jam from Sweet Apple Acres? The Elements of Harmony: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition? A dessert recipe book? Bless their sweet little hearts. Flipping through the pages of the last book, she saw a recipe for shredded carrots in lime gelatin that looked rather delicious. Hmm. She’ll have to try that one sometime later.

“There’s one last thing, Cadance,” Twilight said, diverting her attention to a strange looking object in the corner of the room, hidden from view by a plain white bed sheets. Judging by the shape, Cadance guessed it was the Grand Galloping Gala dress she had commissioned from Rarity a couple of weeks ago. However she was still surprised when Twilight yanked the cover off. It was a deep purple ensemble with a lining of sapphires and emeralds along the hem. Sequins of every color of the rainbow dotted the backside, giving it the appearance of the early evening sky.

“It’s so lovely. Thank you so much, Rarity!” Cadance said. She could already visualize herself in the fancy attire, so regal and elegant.

A small whirlwind of birds of every color of the rainbow soon flew in from the window and converged around Fluttershy. After she signalled with her head, the birds began to chirp a merry tune, which the ponies began to sing with shortly thereafter:

“Happy birthday to you!

Happy birthday to you!

Happy birthday, dear Cadance!

Happy birthday to you!”

The final notes took a few moments to fade away. The quiet and serenity that emerged was quickly broken by a loud holler from Pinkie.

“LET’S GET THIS PARTY STARTED!”

Cadance stood off to the side and watched Twilight and her friends dancing earnestly to the upbeat music that Pinkie put on. Shining walked up to her, pulling her into the makeshift dance floor to join the others.

“I hope you’re enjoying your birthday, dear.”

“Oh, a mare couldn’t ask for anything more.”

***

“Fifteen minutes before we have to leave, everypony!”

Twilight’s shouts echoed across the walls of the bedroom. A multitude of crystal ponies dashed anxiously to and fro, rushing to complete the final preparations. Several dressing curtains had been set up inside, each one occupied by one of her friends and two or three attendants. Stop panicking! Everything will be fine!

Twilight found a mirror and took a moment to look herself over once more. Her crown sat atop her slightly curled mane. Even though Princesses Celestia and Luna have only worn their royal regalia for the Gala in the past, Twilight had, like Cadance, decided to break from tradition and opted for a star-decorated navy blue number which had been modified to fit her alicorn body. She soon understood why her mentor hardly ever wore dresses; the base of her wings were itching like crazy!

Twilight blew a loose strand of mane back over her head and left the room. She immediately noticed the uneasy atmosphere inside the hallway as soon as she stepped into it, and her stomach started to spin. However, nothing seemed to be out of the ordinary. What was causing this?

She became more tense seeing her brother talking with one of the commanders of the Black Guard at the top of the stairs. He spoke in gruff, terse sentences to the officer as she had seen him when directing the Royal Guard back in Canterlot. The calm demeanor he usually wore had been replaced with an unusual look of fear. She raised her ears, trying to pick up their hushed conversation.

“What precautions are they taking at the Gala?”

“We already have tripled the number of patrols and implemented a security checkpoint system at the entrance. We have everything under control.” The guard maintained his stoic composure despite the gravity of the situation he was explaining.

Twilight took advantage of the pause in the conversation and stepped forward. “Shining, what’s going on? Why did they increase security at the Gala?”

“My name is Major Dark Twister, Princess Sparkle,” the unicorn guard said. “I come from Canterlot, and I have been asked by Princess Celestia herself to escort you to the Gala. We believe that there may be a plot to kidnap both you and Princess Cadance.”

“What?”

The elation from the birthday party they had less than three hours earlier evaporated in an instant. “What do you mean? Who would want to kidnap me or Cadance? What did we do?”

“I don’t know all the details, Princess Sparkle,” Twister replied, pulling out a folder with Celestia’s cutie mark adorned on the front. “About two days ago, the Royal Guard raided a suspected hideout of the Black Wings gang and found a staggering amount of evidence at the scene. I will warn you; some of these pictures are disturbing.”

Twilight felt blood rush to her head, and she almost lost her balance at the sight of them. The photographs showed a large corkboard wall, every inch of it covered with papers and pictures. Clippings of her and Cadance. A blueprint of Canterlot Castle. Several Grand Galloping Gala tickets. Potion recipes. A ransom letter.

“What are these?” Shining asked, handing two of the photos over to Twister. The objects on them were silver in color, and they looked as if they were designed to fit over her horn.

Twister grabbed the photos and examined them. “We believe that they are a magic suppression device of some sort. We ask you not to worry, however. We will make sure you get there and back safely,” Twister concluded without emotion in his voice, adding more to the already thick tension in the atmosphere.

“Whoa, nelly!” Applejack exclaimed as she stepped outside the dressing room and trotted up to the two siblings. “What’s going on? It’s like a graveyard out here.”

Twilight relayed the information that Major Twister had told her to her stunned friend.

“Someone wants to kidnap you?” Applejack’s mouth hung open. “But who? Why?”

“I don’t know.” Twilight sighed. “We’ll need to tell the others when they get out here.” She blinked, then hung her head low. “I’m not sure I want to go now. I’m so scared. What if they do manage to kidnap me?”

“Really, Twi’?” Applejack replied, with a slight chuckle in her voice. “Do you really think that they’d be able to kidnap the most powerful magic user in all of Equestria?

“But they have magic suppression spells! What if they do get to me?”

“If they get to you,” Applejack answered, raising Twilight’s head up. “If those goons so much as try to hurt you, they’ll have to get through the five of us.”

“Applejack’s right, Twili,” Shining said. “Whoever’s behind this will also have to deal with me. I promise that none of you will be harmed at my watch.”

Her brother’s bold assurance helped strengthen Twilight’s faltering confidence somewhat. One by one, Cadance and the rest of Twilight’s friends emerged and joined them. Each were brought up to speed on the situation, and each reacted differently, from Fluttershy shaking like a leaf in the wind to Rainbow letting loose a steady stream of threatening remarks.

“My orders said there would be nine of you. Is this correct?” Major Twister asked, looking around at all those gathered.

“Yes. We’re just waiting on Spike,” Twilight replied. She turned back down the hall and screamed, “Spike! Where are you?”

“Coming, Twilight!” she heard a voice call out from the other end of the hallway. Spike huffed and puffed as he ran, one hand clutching an ornate cane and the other holding up a black top hat. He tripped when he tried to stop, sending his hat flying down the stairs.

“Sorry about that,” he wheezed, standing up and brushing the dust from off his jacket before looking quizzically at the others. “What’s up?”

“We’ll tell you on the way,” Twilight said. A lump formed in her throat, which she gently forced down before she addressed the major. “We’re ready.”

“Very good. If you all can follow me,” Twister ordered. The nine ponies and dragon filed down the stairway and outside the door, where they saw a dark red chariot with golden trim sitting not twenty feet away from the entrance. Eight white pegasi clad in armor similar to the major’s own were hitched to the front of the chariot, waiting in anticipation for the group to board. The name of the craft was emblazoned on the side in bright silver letters: H.M.C. RUBY.

“We mustn’t waste any time, your Highnesses,” Twister said, opening the door of the Ruby for the others. “It’ll take us three and a half hours with the new route. We need to be on our way.”

“Uh, yes. Yes. Sorry.” Twilight ran inside, quickly followed by the rest of her friends. Several seconds passed before the major leapt inside and slammed the door shut with a resounding thud.

Outside, the citizens of the Empire watched the pegasi take off with the chariot in tow behind them.

***

Silence.

It had persisted for the better part of the two hours that they had been in the air. The curtains were all closed, cutting off all exterior sources of light from entering inside.

“I spy, with my little eye, something that starts with ‘d’”

Twilight sneered. “Dark. Like the last three dozen times.”

“Oh, you’re so good at this, Twilight.”

Applejack leaned over and placed a hoof on Pinkie’s shoulder. “Pinkie, I think you should give it a rest.”

Pinkie pouted a little, but she obeyed and curled up into a little ball. Twilight, now free from distraction, turned to the major. “Excuse me, Major Twister. What can you tell me about the Black Wings gang? I’ve heard the name before, but I can’t recall what they did.”

“They specialize in the abduction of high-ranking officials,” Twister replied, scratching his chin. “They strike very quickly and without warning. They can escape with their hostages before the police can mobilize.”

“Were they the ones behind the abduction of Manehattan’s mayor last month?” Rarity asked. The carriage shuddered momentarily, but she was intent on hearing Twister’s answers.

“Um, excuse me?” Fluttershy spoke softly, but her caution fell on deaf ears.

A faint flash of light shone against the back of the carriage before disappearing suddenly. A faint boom of thunder could be heard soon thereafter.

“Yes,” Twister answered. “With each abduction, they leave a ransom note behind. With Manehattan’s mayor, we were told to release one of our high profile prisoners, Money Bags, to them.”

“Excuse me...”

“Money Bags?” Twilight yelled. “The Las Pegasus bank robber? What were you thinking? Why didn’t you send the Royal Guard to—”

“TWILIGHT!”

Fluttershy’s urgent cry reverberated across the chariot. Twilight stopped her thought and turned to her friend. “What is it, Fluttershy?”

A bright flash of white light pierced through the windows, followed immediately by an explosion of sound. The carriage jolted, and Twilight lost her footing.

“What in the hay was that?” Rainbow screeched, trembling as she rose to her hooves. The carriage rocked again, and the passengers were thrown forcefully into the ceiling.

“Dear Celestia!” Shining panted, stumbling over to the window and peering through the curtain. “What the hay? We’re flying into a storm. Why aren’t we going around?”

“Twitchy-twitch!” Pinkie’s body began to shake vigorously as if thousands of alarm clocks had gone off simultaneously inside her. Twilight’s face went ashen.

“What is it, Pinkie?” she asked, her question almost lost to the bellowing gale outside. “What’s the doozy?”

“It’s very, very bad!” she said, her voice wobbling. “I’ve never had one this scary before!”

The carriage shook violently as Twilight limped to the closest window. Flashes of harsh, white light pierced the darkness. Explosions of thunder and the howling of the wind blended together in a nightmarish symphony. A torrent of rain pattered against the glass.

“What are those carriage pullers doing?” Twilight asked, turning to Twister. “Someone needs to—”

Her eyes widened as she saw the corners of Twister’s mouth turn up into a sinister grin. His white teeth shimmered in the lightning’s flashes. “They’re just doing what I told them to do, Princess,” he answered coldly.

A sickening thought crossed Twilight’s mind. “You... you’re the kidnapper!”

“You... you rat!” Rainbow screamed, flying straight at Twister. Before she got anywhere close, she was bathed in an electric blue light, and she was tossed to the back of the carriage, where she writhed in pain.

Applejack was the next to charge at the treacherous stallion, fury burning in her eyes. Unfazed, Twister swung a hoof at her. It connected with Applejack’s face in a sickening crunch, and she was sent flying back as well. Taking advantage of the distraction, he grabbed Cadance by the neck and held her in front of him as a living shield. Twilight’s and Shining’s horns lit up threateningly, but they both stood their ground.

“Shining... please...” Cadance begged, her breathing heavy and ragged. She tried to pull Twister’s hoof from off of her, but he squeezed tighter, nearly cutting off her air supply.

“You traitor!” Shining snarled, his horn crackling with energy. “How did you do it? Your credentials? Celestia’s official insignia?”

“Such things are easily forged with the right skills,” Twister replied. “A few bribes can go a long way as well.”

A crack of thunder accented his cold, monstrous laugh. “We’ve been planning this little operation for months now. We knew exactly how you’d all react, and you fell into our little trap perfectly. We’ve even managed to dupe the Element of Honesty herself!”

Applejack let out a pitiful moan. Cadance tried once again to squirm free, but Twister kept her in his viselike grasp and continued his tirade. “We’ve defeated the ponies who’ve defeated kings! Queens! Gods! This will be a victory that I will cherish forever.”

“NOT YET!”

All heads turned to the source of the cry. Leaping from the back of one of the seats in the carriage, Spike let loose a torrent of fire towards Twister’s head. The flames flew true, and the entirety of the stallion’s right side of his face was set ablaze.

“GAH!”

Twister stumbled back as he tried to smother the flames, allowing Cadance to break free and flee to the protection of the others. Spike tried to strike again, but with a mighty swing of his hoof, Twister knocked him to the side of the carriage.

“Get him!” Shining barked.

Two bright pink magic missiles shot forth from the siblings’ horns, streaking towards the deformed unicorn. Before they could strike, Twister’s horn lit up, and the beams were reflected back to Shining. They both hit him right between the eyes, and he collapsed to the floor like a rag doll.

Before Twilight could charge another spell, she felt a searing bolt of pain strike her in the chest. As she fell to the floor, she watched Twister shoot several more identical beams of malicious energy in rapid succession at her friends behind her. She could hear each of them crumbling to the floor of the carriage, one by one.

Twister slunk like a fox over to Twilight and began to caress her horn and wings. She tried to muster enough strength to kick him away, but her legs refused to obey. She felt the hot stink of his breath inside her ear.

“You’ve been a thorn in our side for too long, Twilight Sparkle, but not anymore,” he growled.

SNAP

It was as if an axe had been driven right through her forehead. As she cried out in pain, a purple, cone shaped object dropped to the floor in front of her. She barely had time to register it before she felt her wings being forced back behind her.

“After tonight, we won’t have to worry about Celestia’s prized student catching onto our little plans.”

CRACK

CRACK

Her back erupted in an all-consuming pain as her wings fell lifelessly to her sides. Her head remained frozen in place as Twister stepped over her, out of view, towards the rest of her friends.

“You-you’ll never get away with this!” Shining’s harsh voice wavered. “The Princesses and the Royal Guards will search for us to the ends of Equestria!”

Twister’s hoofsteps stopped and he laughed remorselessly. “Oh, they will find you in due course, Captain, when we are ready for them to find you.”

SNAP

Shining’s bloodcurdling scream sliced through the air, intensifying Twilight’s headache. An almost inaudible whimper came from Cadance as the clanking of armor moved across the carriage.

“Don’t... you dare... touch her... I swear...” Shining said between short, staggered breaths.

“You swear to do what?”

SNAP

“You can try and sound tough in front of your girlfriend, Captain, but we all know your threats are idle and empty,” Twister gloated.

CRACK

CRACK

“There is nothing you can do to stop me from... say... indulging myself in a little pleasurable company...”

“Go to Tartarus!”

“Unfortunately, I do not have the time for it.” Twister was on the move again. “After all, I am pressed for time. I just need to ensure that you all stay put on this carriage. That means no wings...”

CRACK

CRACK

“...and no magic.”

SNAP

By this time, Twilight had moved her head just in time to see Twister towering over the helpless Fluttershy, hooves moving towards her wings.

“No! Don’t you dare—”

CRACK

Twilight threats were cut short as she heard the sickening sound of wing bones being snapped. Fluttershy howled in agony as the broken wing fell to her side, limp and useless. Twister held her firm and pulled back the other wing.

“Why? Why do you have to do this?” Twilight sobbed. “We would have gone peacefully, and I’m sure that Princess Cel—”

“Peacefully? Did you really think all along that this was going to be a kidnapping?” Twister gave a sinister laugh. “Oh, no, Princess. This is much more than that.”

CRACK

Twilight’s mind reeled at the realization. Twister walked over, heavy footsteps thumping like war drums, and lorded over her. “This carriage is about to have an accident, and you will all be found dead in its remains. I can see the papers now. ‘Equestria mourns loss of beloved Princesses’. ‘Princesses Cadance and Sparkle perish in tragic carriage crash’. With no witnesses, nopony would be the wiser.”

Twilight spat at Twister’s hooves. “You monster!”

“Oh, so you waste your last pitiful breaths on petty insults? I thought better of you, Twilight. No matter.”

Twister raised Twilight’s head up so her eyes could meet his hellish red ones. The entirety of the right side of his face was scarred and grotesque from Spike’s attack from earlier. The words he triumphantly whispered in her ear caused the very blood in her veins to run cold.

“Long... live... Princess Sparkle.”

His horn glowed, and his body was enveloped in a vibrant blue aura before he vanished in a pop of light. The carriage shook with the thunder while Twilight squinted through the pain trying to see what had become of her friends. Their dresses were in tatters, and their manes and tails had become unkempt. She saw Applejack crawl to Rainbow, blood leaking from her nose, while Pinkie and Rarity, despite their own injuries, huddled close to the bawling Fluttershy.

The party had only happened hours ago. There had been dancing. Music. Laughter. Friends. Now here they were, just moments from the end, just seconds left to live. They would die alone. Destitute. Broken. Past hope.

An image of Celestia’s smiling face formed in Twilight’s mind before vanishing in a whisp of smoke. They would never see each other again. Princess Luna. Her parents. The ponies in Ponyville she had come to love. She would never see them again.

Long live Princess Sparkle!

That was six months ago. Six months since Twilight fulfilled her destiny and became the newest alicorn princess. Six months since she walked down the aisle to join Celestia, Luna, and Cadance in Equestria’s most prestigious sisterhood.

Long live Princess Sparkle!

Six months since Celestia crowned her and bestowed upon her the Princess of Magic. Six months since the crowds cheered and shouted praises to her name.

Long live Princess Sparkle!

And now, six months later, the very phrase used to bless her with a prosperous rule had been used to sentence her to an early and ignominious death.

“I’m...I’m so sorry, everypony,” Shining winced, pulling Cadance’s head beneath his own. “I  promised I would protect you all, but I...I failed.”

His words barely died away when a jolting sound rang out. The carriage rocked to the side, and the ponies were thrown onto their backs.

“What’s happening?” Fluttershy squeaked.

A second jolt followed, and Twilight felt a sense of weightlessness, her insides jumping in her body amid the pain.

“We’re falling!” somepony cried, but Twilight was not sure who. The carriage began to spin, and everypony inside was slammed repeatedly against its sides and each other, all while crying out in peril.

“Twilight?”

Twilight looked to her side and saw Spike’s prone body flying right next to her own. She reached out and grabbed her life long friend, wrapping her broken body in a protective cocoon around him. Wood cracked against wood, and they were thrashed about with every thump. Twilight caught a glimpse of trees through the shattered windows before clamping her eyes shut one final time.

“I’m sorry, Sp—”

***

Celestia flew like a falcon over the Auxois forest. Her eyes scoured the tree-infested landscape, looking for the slightest hint of red. The shadows from the setting sun played tricks on her, giving her brief moments of false hope.

There was nothing but trees and rock. Nothing! The Guard had organized themselves into search parties, each with a stallion brightly illuminating the forest while the others carefully looked for signs of the Ruby. The last few storm clouds that had disrupted the flight of the Ruby were being dispersed by weather pegasi called in from Windy-peg. Unicorns and Earth Ponies weaved through the labyrinth of trees below, all looking for any trace of the missing carriage. Pulling a wide U-turn with a mighty flap of her wings, she looked again, but once again saw nothing out of the ordinary. Where were they?

Why tonight? This would’ve been Twilight’s first Grand Galloping Gala as a Princess. Why tonight?

“Princess Celestia! We’ve got a problem.”

“What is it, Captain Sword?”

“The Ruby’s gone missing. The chariot pullers lost it in a rogue storm.”

“Your Majesty!”

Celestia spun her head around to see one of her guards approaching her from behind, struggling to keep up with her. He panted before continuing.

“Five... miles north... flare... went up...”

“A flare?” Celestia asked. “What color?” Don’t be red. Don’t be red. Don’t be red.

“It... was red... confirmed fatalities...”

No!

Celestia turned north and sped off, leaving the poor guard spinning in the draft she created. Don’t be dead, Twilight. Please don’t be dead.

She saw it at the edge of the clearing. A path of debris led to the wreckage of the Ruby. The sides were smashed in, and the windows were all shattered. Several dozen ponies had already arrived, galloping about and creating much commotion, but they had arrived too late. Several body bags were lined up some distance away from the carnage.

Celestia immediately dove straight for them. “No! No!” she cried, landing next to the closest one and trying to rip it open.

“No! Please! Your Highness!” one of the medics nearby pulled her away. “There’s nothing we can do with them. They were already dead when we got here.”

Celestia caught her breath and looked at the bags there. Seven. Only seven. But then—

“Where are the other two?” Celestia blurted. “Who are the other two? Will they be okay?”

The medic paused before speaking “Spike survived, but he was critically wounded in the crash. He’s in a coma, but we don’t know if he’s going to live. We’ve taken him to the Vanhoover Medical—”

“What about Twilight? Where is she?”

The medic’s countenance changed even more. Her ears pressed against the side of her head and she bowed her head.

“I’m sorry, your Highness. Princess Sparkle also survived, but she suffered some severe internal bleeding. She’s not going to make it.”

“NO! Take me to her!”

The medic hesitated before leading the way. Together, the two of them moved across the field, navigating through the broken bits of wood, to another stretcher nearby.

Celestia barely even recognized Twilight upon first glance. Her horn was broken near the base, and her wings hung limply to her side. Her muzzle was smashed in, covering her entire face in blood. Nearly her entire body was covered in the putrid substance, giving her coat a stomach-churning red-violet hue. Her chest rose and fell slowly with each labored breath.

“Twilight!” Celestia wailed, running over to an unoccupied spot next to the stretcher. The next words she spoke were much quieter.

“Twilight. It’s me. It’s Celestia. I’m here.”

Twilight stared blankly ahead. Her eyelids trembled slightly, but her body remained still. Her breathing started to slow.

“Twilight. It’s okay! You’ll be okay. Please don’t go...”

Celestia felt a familiar presence by her side. “Sister, I am here,” Luna announced, stepping up to the gurney alongside her.

Twilight eyes moved towards the two of them. A small sparkle shone briefly in them. Her mouth opened just the slightest, and a trickle of blood rolled out of the corner of her mouth.

“C... Cel...”

Her body convulsed. Several medics swarmed around the gurney, desperately trying to secure the regal patient. One of the unicorns cast a spell on one of the deep gashes across her chest.

“Her lungs are collapsing. She’s going into respiratory arrest!”

“Do emergency resuscitation! Quickly!”

One of the medics moved further in, placing Twilight in a firm headlock. He covered her mouth and nose with his own, and he blew deep breaths into her.

“Twilight! No! Don’t go!” Celestia exclaimed, shoving one of the medics away.

“Sister, please, let the medics do what they can.”

“NO! I can’t let her go!”

Celestia tried to prepare a spell, but a light grey-blue aura surrounded her and she felt herself being pulled away.

“No! Luna! What are you doing? Let me go!”

Twilight thrashed about, with white coated ponies surrounded her on all sides, attempting to hold her hooves down. The light in her eyes slowly dimmed with each slow passing second.

Then it was gone.

Twilight’s violent spasms stopped, and her body limped back down on the gurney, where it lay still. One of the doctors pressed a hoof to her neck, sighed sadly, and shut the unmoving alicorn’s eyes.

“No! No!”

“I’m sorry, your Highnesses. She’s dead.”

The aura around Celestia vanished. She flopped down to the mud below, but didn’t care to get up. She could only watch helplessly as the medics slipped Twilight’s body inside a waiting body bag and sealed up.

“I could have saved her,” Celestia whispered between tears.

“I’m sorry, dear sister, but there was nothing that could be done. She was far beyond your mag—”

“NO! I could have saved her!” Celestia shot up and spun to face her sister. “You held me back! She died, because of you! You killed her! It’s all! Your! Fault!”

Celestia charged, but her nose hit something hard and firm. A shield similar to the aura that pulled her away from Twilight shimmered around her, imprisoning her inside. She swung a hoof at it, but it bounced off without making a crack.

“Luna! Release me! NOW!”

“Calm yourself, Tia,” Luna replied, maintaining the shield. "The Guard captains are certain this was an accident. Nopony could have done anything."

She took a moment. "They had no chance to escape the carriage."

“NO!”

Celestia continued to attempt to punch and buck her way out, but eventually her strength gave way, and she collapsed in the muck once again. Her beautiful white coat was now coated in dirt and grime, and her mane lost its magic, turning it into a solid pink tangle of hair.

“Medics! Watch her,” Luna ordered as she dispelled the shield. As the ethereal walls of her prison vanished with a faint pop, Celestia heard Luna calling for the attention of the guard. Her sister’s voice was dull and distant, and all the light around her started to dim.

“Move the bodies to Fort Hurricane and notify the victims’ families. This is a matter of top secrecy; you are not allowed to divulge any details of the events that have transpired tonight. Tell the families that we will do all we can to help them. Do you all understand?”

There was nothing now. No light. No sound. No warmth. Nothing, save for the sudden, gentle embrace of Luna behind her.

“They’re gone, Luna... they’re all gone...”