Princess Celestia looked at the five ponies that had collapsed on the floor around her, her sister Princess Luna and Twilight. For a moment it seemed Princess Celestia was about to burst into tears.
Spike was trying to warm up Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash by putting blankets on them, but upon feeling Rainbow Dash’s forehead, Spike shook his head and looked at Princess Celestia as a lightning struck outside and rain was hitting the windows of the library.
“It’s no use.” Spike said, desperately trying to rub the blankets against the five ponies. “I can’t seem to get them warmer.”
Princess Luna looked at her sister. “My dear sister… are they…?”
Princess Celestia shook her head. “No, I do not believe so. Something must have happened to them and whatever it is, their elements will protect them.” She then looked at Twilight. “Let us continue what we started.”
“But dear sister, there is only so much even we can do.” Princess Luna said. “I am already almost at my limit.”
“I know, my dear sister, and I won’t force you to continue.” Princess Celestia said. “But I will continue and try to buy everypony more time… even if I have to sacrifice my own life in doing so. I will do anything to save Twilight Sparkle.”
Princess Luna could see it. She saw a mixture of sadness and determination on Princess Celestia’s eyes.
“Try to keep them as warm as possible, Spike.” Princess Celestia said.
Spike barely heard the order as he already was trying to do what she said.
As Princess Celestia lowered her head once more and touched Twilight’s forehead with her horn, Princess Luna was worried about her sister.
“Is Twilight Sparkle really that important to you?” Princess Luna thought sadly as she joined her sister, lowered her head and touched Twilight’s forehead with her horn too.
They both then wrapped Twilight in a mixture of dark blue and white light again.
---
In total darkness, a light blue pony with rainbow-colored mane and tail opened her eyes half-way slowly. Her body looked beaten and bruised.
“Where… am I?” Rainbow Dash wondered while trying to move, but found out she couldn’t. Her body ached all over. “That… thing… attacked us and…” She tried to turn her head to see if anyone else was there, but saw no one. “Everypony’s gone…” It was then she shed tears. “We’ve failed. I’m… sorry, Twilight. We failed you.”
Rainbow Dash couldn’t hear anything but her own sobbing as she began to feel like a traitor. She closed her eyes as tears went down her cheeks. “I wish I could do something, anything, to help. I’d… give anything to save my friends. I’d even give my life if I have to. Just… please… let me save… all of them. I don’t want to go like this.” She opened her eyes and noticed one single dot of light.
---
“Oh ponyfeathers…”
Applejack was in the same state as Rainbow Dash. She tried to force herself to stand up, but the pain she felt was too much.
“UGH!” Applejack winced. “Am Ah really this weak? Ah can’t even save Twilight… or others for that matter.” She tried to stand up again, but fell as one of her legs cracked. Applejack tried not to scream.
She was devastated. “Even if Ah were able to continue, Ah can’t do this. Ah need them... Ah need my friends.”
Suddenly she saw a single dot of light in front of her.
---
Rarity was sobbing as she saw what state she was in. Her mane was a mess.
“This… can’t be happening.” Rarity said as she kept sobbing. “There was so much I wanted to do with my life. The dreams I have…and all the dresses I’d have made.” Her mouth quivered at this. “All those times I’d have spent with my friends, Twilight and the others. The dresses I’d make for them… the happiness in them… and in every other customer.”
Through her teary eyes, she managed to see something shining in the distance.
---
“HahahOW!!”
Pinkie Pie was weakly trying to laugh, but laughing seemed to hurt her chest.
“Well… it was fun while it lasted.” Pinkie Pie said while trying to smile. “Sure would have wanted to throw at least one more party for everypony, Twilight included.”
She suddenly saddened. “This… isn’t… fun anymore… … Even that shiny dot sure feels strange…”
---
Fluttershy was in the worst state of them all. Not only was her body bruised all over, but she was bleeding from various cuts. Her wings were in odd positions and her eyes were wide open.
“Angel… my dear bunny…” She sobbed, her tears floating above her. “I’m so sorry… … I’m so sorry, everypony… I’m so sorry, Twilight. I wish I could tell you, in case you survive, that I’m not mad at you. I want you to know… that I… came here on my own will… to help you…”
A small single dot of light shone on Fluttershy as she looked at it. “… … Such a warm light…”
---
All five ponies looked at the single light, remembering why they were in this mess.
“Twilight…” All five ponies said at the same time.
Right then the jewels on their necklaces shone brightly and soon they were wrapped in a purple light and disappeared.
---
The dark area was filled with purple light and all five ponies appeared near each other, floating just like during their first use of the Elements of Harmony and forming a pentagonal shape. The brightness dimmed and slowly everyone opened their eyes, noticing each other first.
“Where… did you come from?” Rainbow Dash asked.
“Ah don’t know.” Applejack said. “Ah thought ah was alone.”
But Rarity was in shock. “By Celestia! Fluttershy, you’re bleeding!”
The other three ponies looked at Fluttershy and would have been equally shocked if it wasn’t for the fact that they were all in pain.
Fluttershy was silently crying, looking up. “Who… are you?”
The others wondered about the odd question. That was until Pinkie Pie looked up too.
“Hey look! A giant purple ball!” she said.
All the others now looked up too and saw a big purple sphere floating there.
“You have come at last.”
The voice they heard surprised them and made them open their eyes fully. The voice was strange and yet very familiar to them.
“Twilight?” It was Fluttershy who spoke. “Is that you?”
From the center of the sphere, a shadow appeared and landed in the center of the group. The shadow revealed itself as the purple unicorn all five of the ponies knew, her eyes closed.
“It is you.” Rarity said.
Twilight opened her eyes and looked at everyone. “Unfortunately I am not the one you call ‘Twilight.’ I am the spirit that resides within her. I am the spirit of Magic.”
Disappointment could be seen on the five ponies’ eyes.
“I knew you would come.” The spirit of Magic said, her voice sounding exactly like Twilight’s and yet so different. “I was hoping my request for help got noticed.”
“So… it was you who called us.” Rainbow Dash said.
“Yes.” the spirit said. “I am now the only one keeping the mare called Twilight alive. Her magic has weakened to dangerous levels and soon I will be unable to help her.”
“That is why we are here, darling.” Rarity said. “We are here… to help our friend.”
“Beggin’ your pardon, but ain’t no way we can… help Twilight anymore.” Applejack said, looking at Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie. “With all the injuries we have, we can’t do a thing.”
The spirit of Magic looked at everyone, seeing their injuries and, to everyone’s surprise, giggled.
“What’s so funny?” Pinkie Pie wondered. “Did I miss a joke?”
“Silly me.” the spirit said. “Here I am talking about why you are here without even first treating your wounds.”
The form’s, which was Twilight, horn began to glow a warm light.
---
Princess Celestia was struggling with all her might to keep Twilight’s fever from going any higher.
Spike was trying to take care of the other five ponies, all of their bodies still feeling quite cold. “What in Equestria happened to you all? Please be safe in… huh?” Spike was trying to warm up Pinkie Pie when suddenly the latter one moved a bit. And within a few seconds so did the others.
Spike touched Pinkie’s forehead and a smile came over his face. “Princess Celestia, I think they’re OK. Their bodies are warming up a bit.”
Princess Celestia was concentrating hard on treating Twilight, but she heard what Spike had said and smiled. She looked at her sister, who had her eyes closed.
“How are you holding up, my dear sister?” Princess Celestia asked.
There was no answer and when Princess Celestia looked at her sister more carefully, she noticed the light on Princess Luna’s horn dimming.
A great fear suddenly swept Princess Celestia’s heart. “Luna, are you okay?”
“… Nightmare…” was all Princess Luna could say. Right then she fell on the floor, the light on her horn now completely dimmed.
A lightning stroke outside.
“Luna!” Princess Celestia yelled. She turned to see Spike. “Spike, my sister needs help!”
---
“There you go. How are you all feeling now?” the spirit of Magic said as she rechecked on everyone.
All of the injuries on the five ponies were completely healed.
“Awww yeah!!” Rainbow Dash yelled. “We’re back in business.”
“That was amazing.” Rarity said. “I’ve never seen such magic before. Not even from Princess Celestia.”
Fluttershy was still crying, but this time the tears she was shedding were happy ones. “Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it.” the spirit said. “After all, you five are carrying the other Elements of Harmony. I just asked them to help me heal you all.”
“As much as Ah’m happy to be OK, there’s still the matter of Twilight.” Applejack said.
All the other ponies looked at the spirit of Magic.
“Indeed.” the spirit said. “As I was saying, the life of the mare called Twilight is slowly but surely ending.”
“What’s causing it?” Rainbow Dash asked. “Is it that… thing we encountered before?”
“That is the cause, indeed.” the spirit said. “What you saw was this mare’s heart all frozen by an outside force.”
“What do y’all mean by an outside force’?” Applejack asked.
“Something invaded this mare’s mind last night and literally dug up the most painful memory Twilight Sparkle has of her life and fed on it.” the spirit said. “Soon after that it attacked her heart and trapped it inside that block of ice, slowly draining the life out of Twilight while making her see a nightmare over and over again, feeding on the pain it caused at the same time.”
“That is simply horrible.” Rarity said. “Twilight is suffering so much because of that.”
“But what is it?” Fluttershy asked. “I’ve never heard of any sickness that does something like that.”
“That is because this invader wants revenge.” the spirit said.
“Revenge?” Rainbow Dash said. “You mean to say that that thing is alive?”
“Yes.” the spirit said.
“Then who is it?” Applejack asked. “Who would want revenge on Twilight?”
“I can think of a few.” Rainbow Dash said. “But they all are either those who couldn’t have done this or those who are forever taken care of.”
“What about the Great and Powerful Trixie?” Pinkie Pie suggested. “She would want revenge for the Ursa Minor incident.”
“I do not think she would have the necessary skills to pull this off, darling.” Rarity said.
“Well whoever it is, we have to defeat it or Twilight will die.” Rainbow Dash said as she looked at the spirit of Magic. “Is there any way we can beat it?”
The spirit of Magic was quiet for a moment. “Without the sixth element that is me it will prove quite difficult to beat the invader. I cannot come with you or else we all risk of losing Twilight. That been said, all you need to do is free Twilight’s heart. I can then heal her with the help of another mare that is trying to cure this mare with her magic.”’
“Another mare?” Rarity wondered. “You must mean Princess Celestia.”
“She is giving everything she can.” the spirit said. “There was another power helping too, but recently that power disappeared.”
“If that’s the case, we need to hurry.” Rainbow Dash said. “Time is running out. Can you tell us where that thing is right now?”
“The invader is still at the same place where you encountered it.” the spirit said. “I can send you all near the invader. After that…” the spirit trailed off, but continued. “… after that the fate of Twilight Sparkle will be decided by you. I am sorry I cannot join the battle.”
Rainbow Dash saluted. “It’s okay. We won’t fail!”
“Good luck, carriers of the Elements of Harmony.” the spirit said as the purple pony, who looked like Twilight, glowed and in a blink of an eye, all five ponies had disappeared. The spirit of Magic saddened. Her voice changed then. “Please… help me…” The spirit of Magic then disappeared.
---
Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie appeared at the same time to the same darkness they had first encountered.
After looking around, Rainbow Dash looked confused. “That’s strange. I don’t see that thing anywhere.”
“Maybe it moved somewhere else?” Applejack suggested.
“I hope not.” Rarity said. “We will most certainly have hard time finding it again and we do not have time.”
Suddenly Fluttershy began to shiver. “Uh, girls?” Others looked at Fluttershy now. “Are any of you feeling cold all of a sudden?”
“What are you talking about, Fluttershy?” Rainbow Dash wondered. “I don’t feel…”
But right then they all could feel the “ground” shaking violently.
“What’s goin’ on?” Applejack asked while looking around. She then noticed something rising up near them. “Look!”
As they all looked at the source of the shaking, they saw the same thing they had seen before literally been wiped out. The intruder as the spirit of Magic had called it.
When the object stopped, all the ponies could once again see Twilight, rather her heart, trapped inside, her eyes closed and not moving at all.
“There it is!” Rainbow Dash said and then yelled at the object. “Who are you and why have you hurting Twilight?”
For a moment there was no answer. Then they heard that same familiar voice, laughing.
“You little foals! I AM Twilight Sparkle and I wish to be left alone.” the voice said.
“That’s a lie!” Applejack said. “Twilight would never hurt us.”
“And we know you are the one hurting Twilight.” Rarity said.
Fluttershy couldn’t say anything. She was shivering, but it wasn’t because of coldness. Pinkie Pie was looking at the intruder with angry eyes.
“Whoever you are, release her heart right this instant!” Rainbow Dash demanded.
“I guess you’ve found me out.” the voice said. “I was hoping you all would JUST GIVE UP AND DIE!” the voice had changed into very different kind… and yet still somehow familiar.
Pinkie Pie’s eyes widened. “Black Snooty? Is that you?”
Everyone looked at Pinkie Pie.
“Black Snooty?” Applejack said. “Who’s that…” was all she managed to say before remembering and turning to see the intruder. “No! You can’t be her. We defeated Nightmare Moon.”
Rainbow Dash, Rarity and Fluttershy looked at the intruder now too, hoping it wasn’t true.
“Nightmare Moon was just a name I took when possessing the one called Princess Luna.” the intruder said. “Just call me Nightmare.”
Knowing who they were up against now, Rainbow Dash was angry. “You monster! Release Twilight’s heart and leave before we…”
“Before you what?” Nightmare interrupted. “Without the sixth element, you can’t possibly hurt me in any way. This mare called Twilight Sparkle feeds me with her most terrible nightmare full of suffering and guilt. It is only fitting that she will suffer after what she, what you all, did to me before I’ll kill her right in front of her mentor.”
That was the last straw for Applejack as she started to run towards the block of ice. “Ain’t no way we let y’all do that!”
“Wait, Applejack!” Rarity yelled, but it was too late.
Applejack turned around right next to the block of ice and bucked it hard with her hind legs, but right then she suddenly bounced and slid back to the others.
“I was going to tell you that she’s using strong magic to shield herself.” Rarity said.
“Thanks a bunch, Rarity.” Applejack said.
“So how are we supposed to fight her then?” Pinkie Pie asked.
Before any of them could answer, they could hear Nightmare laughing. “Nice try. Now it’s my turn!”
Before any of them could react, Nightmare unleashed yet another blizzard on them, just as strong and sharp as before. This time, however, the five ponies stood their ground and shielded their faces.
Rainbow Dash tried to open one of her eyes to see Fluttershy. Despite the thickness and, to Rainbow’s surprise, sharpness of the blizzard, she could see just in how much pain the others were.
“We have to hold on!” Applejack yelled. “If we lose here, Twilight will die!”
---
Princess Celestia was sweating and breathing hard. She glimpsed at Spike who was coming down the stairs.
Spike, noticing Princess was looking at her, gave a weak smile. “She’s going to be fine, Princess. She just used too much power in short time.”
Princess Celestia didn’t say anything and just continued her attempt to buy more time.
“How is she?” Spike asked.
Princess Celestia closed her eyes. “Not good, I’m afraid. I have tried everything I could think of, but nothing seems to be working as they should. It is as if something is blocking any healing attempts.” Tears could be seen running down Princess’ cheeks. “We are losing her slowly but steadily.”
Spike had gone wide eyed. “No! That can’t be true, Princess. Surely there’s something we can still do.”
Lightning struck outside as Princess Celestia looked at Twilight, who was looking eerily calm, with her tearful eyes. She could tell Twilight was still feeling so much pain. “I cannot do anything but buy her more time and even I am at my limit now. Healing magic is not exactly light, you know.” She looked around her, seeing the other ponies lying on the floor, their expressions unreadable. “They do not have much time left. In a matter of minutes…”
Princess Celestia couldn’t finish the sentence. Instead she fell down gently, her head falling on top of Twilight’s body, and cried while her hair practically caressed Twilight’s head. “Please, my faithful student, wake up…” She could hear almost non-existent breathing.
---
The five ponies hadn’t moved anywhere despite how powerful the blizzard was. Rainbow Dash tried to focus on Nightmare, but every time her eyes hurt.
“ARGH!” Rainbow Dash yelled. “We won’t be able to do anything at this rate. We have to get closer.”
“I feel so cold!” Rarity yelled. “We’re going to freeze here.”
That made Applejack angry. “Well then let’s walk towards Twilight!”
“WHAT?” was what other ponies said.
“Even I think that’s crazy, Applejack!” Pinkie Pie said.
“Do you have any better ideas?” Applejack said.
It was then Rainbow Dash thought she heard something behind her. As she looked behind her she couldn’t believe her eyes.
Fluttershy had begun to walk towards Nightmare and Twilight.
“Fluttershy, you all right?” Rainbow Dash asked.
Applejack, Rarity and Pinkie Pie managed to look at Fluttershy too.
“I’m… fine.” Fluttershy said despite the beating she’s had from the blizzard.
Applejack looked forward then, but she didn’t close her eyes. “Let’s save Twilight, everypony!”
“Move!!” Rainbow Dash yelled as she also tried to move towards Nightmare and Twilight. “MOVE!!!”
The four ponies slowly began to walk towards Nightmare and Twilight along with Fluttershy.
Nightmare laughed at the sight. “What good do you think walking over here will accomplish? No matter. This little foal called Twilight Sparkle is already dead!”
“NO!” Rainbow Dash yelled. “She’s still alive and she will be alive when we’re through with you!”
“As Twilight’s friends, we will do everything we can to save her.” Rarity said.
“We promised Princess Celestia we’d save her and Ah always keep my promises.” Applejack said.
“Twilight will still have many parties after this.” Pinkie Pie said.
“She’s the one that brought us all together.” Fluttershy said, her voice sounding surprisingly loud. “We’re all friends thanks to her.”
“ENOUGH!!” Nightmare yelled, causing a wave of energy hit the five ponies, stopping them in their tracks. “Everything you say makes me sick and angry! I think I’ll end this NOW!”
Right then Twilight’s heart was engulfed in black flames and slowly, to the other ponies’ horror, began to disappear.
---
Twilight suddenly began screaming, startling Princess Celestia and Spike, but Princess Celestia knew what was going on and she embraced Twilight, giving her a hug.
“My dear Twilight…” Princess Celestia said, her tears running down her cheeks.
“NO!” Spike yelled.
---
“NO!!” Applejack cried out as Twilight’s heart had almost completely vanished.
“TWILIGHT!!” Rainbow Dash yelled. “You have to wake up. Please, Twilight!! Wake up!!”
But there was no reaction.
Tears were forming in the ponies’ eyes as she and the other ponies watched helplessly. For one final desperate attempt, they all cried out: “TWILIGHT!!!!”
Right then, a light, mixed with various colors, lit the area up and engulfed the five ponies, the crystal and Twilight’s heart.
---
In the darkness, crying could be heard.
“I’m… all alone.” a voice said. “Nopony will ever forgive me. Not my parents, my big brother or Princess Celestia. I have nothing left. I should just…”
Five colorful lights suddenly shone brightly on the area.
“You’re wrong, dear.” a voice echoed. “You’re not alone.”
“Y’all have us.” another voice echoed. “Friends who forgive y’all.”
“Friends who will stay loyal to you no matter what.” a third voice echoed.
“Friends who will play with you.” a fourth, cheery voice echoed.
“Friends who will support you in times of trouble.” a fifth voice echoed.
“We are here for you!”
---
Cracking sounds could be heard as the crystal began crack up.
“No…” Nightmare’s voice echoed.
Slowly but surely, Twilight’s heart opened her eyes and in a flash of light the crystal shattered to pieces and disappeared.
“NOOO~~!!!” was all Nightmare could yell before disappearing along with the crystal, its voice echoing around the area.
After the light died down, the five ponies opened their eyes, having closed them when the flash of light filled the area, and looked at Twilight’s heart, which didn’t move anywhere nor did anything.
“Umm… you okay?” asked Rainbow Dash.
There was no answer.
“Thank you, my little ponies.”
All five ponies turned around and saw a familiar light shining in the darkness.
“You have saved us both miraculously.” the spirit of Magic said.
“What happened and why isn’t Twilight moving?” Rainbow Dash asked.
The spirit of Magic giggled. “That is Twilight’s heart. It is not supposed to move. Just emit and give life to the one it beats for. As for what happened… well, let’s just say that your determination and your friendship saved Twilight Sparkle and pulled her out of the nightmare.”
“So she’ll be a’right?” Applejack asked.
“Yes.” was all the spirit of Magic said.
All five ponies cheered loudly.
“WOOHOO!! This is fantastic!” Pinkie yelled.
“We did it, everypony!” Rainbow Dash said. “We did it.”
But then Rarity stopped as she realized one thing. “Wait a moment. How are we going to get back?”
“Like this.” was all the spirit of Magic said before all five ponies suddenly disappeared.
---
All was silent inside the library as Princess Celestia was just sitting on the floor, holding Twilight within her hooves, with Spike watching with sad eyes.
“Princess? Is she… … She’s been quiet for a while now.” Spike said.
Princess Celestia opened her eyes and looked at Twilight, seeing she looked calm. Tears fell down her own cheeks as she touched Twilight’s head with her horn one more time. “Please, Twilight Sparkle… wake up.” With her last effort, her horn glowed, enveloping Twilight with white aura.
Right then, the entire room was filled with bright light, surprising both Princess Celestia and Spike and forcing both of them to close their eyes. In just a few seconds the light died down. When Princess Celestia opened her eyes, she felt like her heart had just stopped as she saw Twilight Sparkle’s eyes slightly open, looking at her.
“Everypony! You’re awake!”
Princess Celestia looked at Spike in wonder and then turned to see the five ponies, wide awake and smiling. Princess Celestia could only shed tears of happiness at the sight.
“Did… did we do it, Princess?” Rainbow Dash managed to ask.
Princess Celestia only nodded, calming the five ponies, and turned to look at Twilight again.
Twilight was cut off as Princess Celestia suddenly hugged Twilight.
“Ssshh… You’ve being through a lot, my faithful student.” Princess Celestia said.
Everyone was quiet for a while, glad that the whole ordeal was over. Twilight managed to turn her head towards library’s broken door.
“Why’s the library’s door broken?” Twilight asked.
Everyone just laughed. Upstairs Princess Luna looked down at the others and smiled at the scene she saw.
---
The morning sun shone in the sky as many unicorns trained their magic in a hallway of Princess Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns. Suddenly double doors opened at one end of the hallway, revealing Princess Celestia herself. All of the unicorns bowed as they saw Princess Celestia coming their way, accompanied by her sister, Princess Luna, six ponies of which only two were unicorns and one was carrying a bouquet of flowers with magic and a baby dragon. When the unicorns lifted their heads, they saw the group heading towards the other end of the hallway.
Twilight Sparkle and the others followed Princess Celestia to a courtyard. Twilight looked both sad and nervous as she saw the courtyard in all its beauty. There were some unicorns here too, studying, but their heads turned to the group as they saw the royal pony sisters
“May I have your attention, please?” Princess Celestia said, her voice calm and clear, but loud enough to get every students’ attention. “All students must leave the courtyard for an hour. Anypony who wishes to study during this time in peace can go to an empty classroom past the hallway.”
All of the unicorn students obeyed without question and left the courtyard.
When all the students were gone, Twilight went to the center of the courtyard, carrying the bouquet of flowers, and stopped. “Here’s where it happened.”
The others stayed quiet, looking at Twilight.
“This is where the worst moment of my entire life happened.” Twilight continued. “Do you remember that day, Princess Celestia? The day when I lost control of my magic?”
Princess Celestia took a few steps toward Twilight. “Yes, I do remember, Twilight Sparkle. I also remember that it wasn’t your fault.”
Twilight was quiet for a while. “Maybe not, but I never forgot what I did back then. It has haunted me to this day.”
“Wha happened, Twi?” Applejack asked as she went closer to Twilight.
Twilight lowered her head.
**Flashback**
I had just settled down after getting to this school thanks to Princess Celestia. But other unicorns heard how I got in and were… kind of jealous of me, I guess, being Princess’ protégé and all. One unicorn was especially jealous. She soon confronted me right here in this courtyard when it was empty, boasted about a lot of things, but not like Trixie. Her accomplishments were very real, but when I just ignored her, trying to study, things got messy then. She used her magic on me, tried to provoke me to attack her. I didn’t fall for it at first, but when she didn’t show any signs of stopping, my patience ran out and… I lost control just like during my entrance exam.
When I calmed down, the sight I saw was horrible. That unicorn was badly hurt. The teachers had sensed me and came to check what was going on. They immediately took the unicorn to the infirmary. I couldn’t say anything to them. It was then when Princess Celestia came and asked me what had happened. Of course I told her everything. The teachers wanted to expel me for doing such a thing, but Princess Celestia disagreed and mentioned what had happened during the entrance exam. The teachers only gave me a warning then.
**End of flashback**
“On that day, I learned that I really had strong magic in me and that I was responsible for it. It had to be controlled and used wisely.” Twilight continued. “It never happened again after that, but the experience made me fear my own power, fear what other thought about me.”
There was silence for a moment.
“What happened to that unicorn, Twilight?” Rainbow Dash asked.
Twilight didn’t answer. Instead Princess Celestia turned to see Rainbow Dash. “That unicorn is fine, Rainbow Dash. She ranked high here in school and took a job here afterwards as a teacher. She was second only to Twilight Sparkle. However, the incident did leave its mark on her.”
Right then doors opened up again, making everyone, including Twilight to turn around. The pony they saw had a black coat and white colored mane and tail. As the unicorn mare came closer, the other ponies could see that there was an eye patch on her right eye and her cutie mark was a shining wand.
“It has been a long time, Twilight Sparkle.” The unicorn said.
“Indeed it has been.” Twilight said rather sadly. “I won’t take much of your time. I just… wanted to apologize to you for what I did to you that day.”
The unicorn was silent for a while. Then, to everyone’s surprise, giggled. “Is that what this is about, Twilight? I’ve already moved past that. I don’t hold any grudges that you put out one of my eyes that day. I think I actually deserved it. And the nurses were able to heal me of the other wounds.”
“Still, I’m sorry.” Twilight said as she gave the bouquet of flowers to the unicorn. “I’ve felt horrible every day ever since that incident.”
The unicorn took the bouquet with her magic. “Twilight, you don’t need to feel bad about it.”
“I lost control of my magic and you got hurt.” Twilight said. “I was lucky I was allowed to stay here after that. I studied so much about magic so that something like that would never happen again.”
“While that’s good and all, you really don’t need to feel bad about that day, Twilight.” the unicorn said. “I was just so jealous of you and I pushed you too far. If I hadn’t done that I wouldn’t have lost my eye. I should be the one to ask forgiveness from you.”
Twilight lowered her head, looking sad.
“You need to learn to let go of the past, Twilight.” the unicorn said. “What happened between you and me cannot be changed. All we can do is learn from our mistakes.” She then went and gave Twilight a hug. “And I see we both have. Let it go, Twilight.”
As the others listened and watched quietly at the scene, Pinkie obviously having trouble keeping quiet as she smile widely, Twilight closed her eyes and returned the hug.
---
Nighttime was about to start in Equestria as Princess Celestia went to the balcony to lower te sun. Before she could, however, she heard a knock at the door.
“Come in.” Princess Celestia said as she turned to look at the door.
The door opened and revealed Princess Luna.
“Ah, my beloved sister. I was just about to lower the sun.” Princess Celestia said.
“Before you do that, dear sister, may I ask something?” Princess Luna said.
“Anything, dear Luna.”
“Is Twilight Sparkle... so important to you?” Princess Luna asked. “I noticed back at the treebrary that you treat her like she was your own foal.”
Princess Celestia stayed quiet for a while before turning around to see the sun, smiling all the time. “Well, dear sister, Twilight was, in a way, raised by me, but she does have her own parents. You should know that.”
“I do, dear sister, but to go for such lengths for your personal student... You were ready to throw your life away if Twilight Sparkle had died.”
Again Princess Celestia was silent for a moment. “Yes, dear Luna, and I would do it again. Because Twilight Sparkle... will change Equestria in ways even we could never do.”
“What do you mean, dear sister?” Princess Luna asked. “How will Twilight Sparkle change Equestria?”
Princess Celestia didn’t answer. Instead she closed her eyes as her horn began glow golden light. In the horizon the sun descended and disappeared out of view. “It’s time to raise the moon, my dear Luna.” She turned around and went to her bed.
“Wait, dear Tia...” Princess Luna started, but couldn’t continue as she saw Princess Celestia lying on her bed. Princess Luna turned around and went to the balcony. She closed her eyes as her horn began glow dark blue light. Within seconds, the moon rose in the horizon.
