Chapter 14

Rainbow Dash rounded a corner just in time to see Twilight disappear into a room further down the hall. Unfurling her wings, Rainbow took to the air and quickly caught up.

“Twilight what’s wrong?” Rainbow said, hovering above her.

She said nothing. Rainbow glanced around and saw that they were in the throne room. Unlike the rest of the Palace, this room remained largely intact. Green torches along the wall cast they’re eerie glow about.

Twilight walked slowly to a darkened spot several feet from eh throne and sot down, staring absently at the floor. Rainbow dropped to the ground and moved to sit next to her. They both sat there, neither saying a word until Twilight broke the silence.

“At times it feels like I’m fighting against myself. Always doubting or second guessing the decisions I’ve made but when I let my anger take control everything seems certain. Every choice was right.” Twilight sniffed quietly before continuing.

“When Sombra took the city I sealed the Palace to keep Cadance from escaping. We knew she’d be too weak to escape or pose a threat on her own but my brother would have found a way to protect her no matter what.” Twilight idly glanced around the room. “Sombra could sense where they were in the Palace after he regained his body, Shining Armor found Spike here after we got separated and barricaded themselves inside, hoping to stay safe.”

Twilight’s voice lowered to a whisper and Rainbow had to strain to hear her. “I didn’t want to hurt them.”

Cold dread filled her heart as Rainbow spoke. “What happened?”

At first, Twilight didn’t reply. She instead took several shaky breaths before continuing.

“Sombra destroyed the doors and made it seem that he had taken me hostage in order to get Shining Armor to surrender. When he didn’t, I got close and forcibly drained his magic. Spike couldn’t bear to watch and had an emotional breakdown. I put him into a magical sleep, hoping to calm him down.” Twilight shook her head. “I couldn’t cast the spell again so Sombra attempted to drain Cadences magic as well.”

The sadness seemed to evaporate as Twilights eyes flashed red and anger seeped into her voice. “She fought back against Sombra, the fool. Cadance turned his spell against him, changing it to drain his life instead. Unable to reverse the spell I was forced to choose between them and in the end…Cadance was the enemy.” Twilights face hardened into one of sheer determination.

“I rammed my horn into her chest, killing her where she lay.” Rainbow eyes widened in shock at the tale but Twilight was not yet done.

“At the time it destroyed me inside. I was so lost and ready to give up but then Sombra saved me again.” Her face softened and a small smile formed. “He told me about his exile, how he used the pain that threatened to destroy him as a weapon, helping me to do the same.”

Despite the situation, Rainbow Dash felt a twinge of jealousy towards Sombra. “You really trust him then?” She asked.

Twilight nodded her head. “Yes. He opened my eyes to the lies and deceit that was my life. I owe him everything.” She looked to Rainbow Dash. “You still don’t trust him.”

It wasn’t a question. “No but knowing that you do is enough.” Silence pervaded and they simply sat for a time, each with their own thoughts until Rainbow Dash posed a question that had been bothering her. “Do you love him?”

Twilight did not reply at first but Rainbow could see the signs of a blush appearing on her cheeks. “I’m not sure. I’m grateful to him for saving me and I’ve saved him enough times to make up for it and well…” she trailed off, her blush deepening. “When I forced myself on him he didn’t resist.”

Rainbow’s mouth dropped as her face reddened to match Twilights. “You didn’t!”

A lopsided grin took over Twilights face. “I did! I wasn’t thinking, one minute he was talking and we were sharing a blanket, the next I’m on top kissing him.”

The smile dropped from her face like a stone. “That’s when Celestia possessed him and attacked me, almost killing me until I absorbed the Crystal Heart.”

“So that’s how you destroyed the dome.” Rainbow said matter of fact.

Twilights face lightened slightly. “Yeah, when I took the Crystal Heart there was so much power all at once that I couldn’t control it at first. I was able to direct most of it upwards hence the destroyed dome. I’m pretty sure the city would be gone otherwise.”

“No doubt, so what happened to Shining Armor and Spike? Is that who Sombra was talking about when he said guests?”

“Yes, while you went with him I went down to the dungeon where they’re being kept. Thankfully it’s below ground so it survived my fight with Celestia. Spike is still a wreck and Shining Armor is…he….” She grew silent.

“Its ok, Twi. You don’t have to talk about him if you don’t want to.” Rainbow said, placing a comforting hoof on her shoulder.

Twilights mane and tail grew more erratic in their movements, slightly alarming Rainbow Dash. “That selfish weakling asked me to kill him.” Twilight said angrily. “He asked about Cadance and I told him she was safe, but he knew. Somehow he knew she was dead and couldn’t live with it. Hah! What does he know about pain and suffering?” Rainbow Dash didn’t answer and Twilights anger only increased.

“I looked up to him as a pillar of strength. Someone I could rely on, but he’s weak! A weakling who can’t bear loss! I’ve lost everything and it’s made me stronger!” Twilight finished her rant, shaking from the pent up rage. Rainbow Dash was slightly afraid of her friend but quickly crushed that feeling.

“You haven’t lost everything Twi. You still have me.” Rainbow said as she draped a foreleg over her shoulder.

Twilight steadied her breathing enough so she could look at Rainbow Dashes face. “I guess your right about that. It makes me feel better knowing that you are with me Rainbow. I’m not sure how I’d make it without you.”

Rainbow Dash had to fight to keep from blushing. “Hey I know I’m awesome but I’m pretty sure Miss Unlimited Magic would do just fine without me here.”

Twilight playfully bumped Rainbow with her shoulder. “That’s not what I meant.” Her face fell once again. “All the times before, I only succeeded because I had my friends beside me. When Sombra showed me the truth, I was alone. That’s what truly scared me.” Twilight trailed off before looking to Rainbow again. “How are the others?”

“The evacuation hit all of us pretty hard. Applejack got caught in the fog and was in the hospital with a cough when I left, the others came out alright, except for Pinkie. When we left her mane was straight like it was that time before.”

Twilight sighed. “What about you? Did you come out alright?”

“For the most part, though I was not keen on the idea of leaving you behind. The first thing I did when we got to Canterlot was talk Princess Luna into letting me come back.”

“Oh?” Twilight said with a knowing look. “You were just concerned about me?”

“What? Nnn..no I meant you as in all of you!” Rainbow said quickly looking away to hide her face. Twilight laughed and Rainbow gave her an angry look but soon joined in as well. They both laughed long and hard, driving away the doubts and sadness.

“Wow did I need that.” Twilight said, finally calming down enough to talk.

“I know what you mean.” Responded Rainbow. “We shouldn't let all this get to us, if we do it’ll just make it easier for the Princesses to win.”

“Your right.” Twilight grabbed her friend in a hug. “Thanks for being here Dash.” She whispered into her ear. Rainbow Dash returned the hug. “Anytime Twi. Anytime.”

High above the two friends past the light from the torches, the shadows roiled and churned.

Author's Notes:

Not sure but it feels a little rushed at the end, at least to me.