Big Mackintosh turned over underneath the covers, once again trying to find a comfortable position. He could feel the warmth of Celestia’s sun wash over the back of his neck as he slowly opened his eyes. Princess Luna lay next to the stallion and met his gaze with a smile.

“Hey,” he whispered hoarsely.

“Good morning,” she answered.

“What time is it?” Big Mac asked.

“It’s not too early. I wanted you to get some rest. I imagine they don’t let you sleep in that often back home on the farm,” Luna said, her smile faltering a bit.

The farmer frowned at his lover’s change in expression. Something was clearly bothering her. He’d been worried about her ever since they found out that the telepods were reactivated. She’d already been dealing with indecisiveness, and he could tell that it was crushing her, but now, with this new development, he could see that it only bolstered her insecurities.

“Luna, what’s wrong,” he inquired softly, as he lifted a hoof and stroked her cheek gently.

Tears formed in her eyes at his touch. Her eyelids became heavy as she looked away from him.

“I’m sorry, it’s just…I still don’t know what to do. Especially now, with those machines being recommissioned by my sister. It’s science on a level that I’ve never known. I can’t help, and even if I wanted to, my sister doesn’t even want my assistance. She’s pushing me away, Big Mac. I…I just…I’ve done it before. Before I…changed…I began to push Celestia away. That’s how it started. I don’t want to lose my sister to the same level of obsession that consumed me a thousand years ago. And…and I guess part of me feels guilty for worrying about that. She’s doing everything she can to help Twilight Sparkle. They both need so much help, but what can I offer?” she said.

“Look, sometimes, there ain’t nothin’ ya can do except be there for yer kin. Yer a leader, Luna, and you’ve proved during this whole thing that you’re a darn good one. Just keep doin’ what yer doin’ and trust me, you’ll be giving them the support they need,” he answered.

“You…you’re very close with your family, aren’t you, Big Mac,” she mused allowed, before turning onto her belly, tears still dripping from her eyes.

‘So, that’s what this is about,’ the stallion thought to himself as he sighed deeply closing his eyes.

He had no doubt that what the princess had already told him was the truth. She did feel like Princess Celestia was pushing her away, and she was in fact worried about her self-imposed inadequacy when dealing with Twilight Sparkle and the telepods. However, he was reminded of his conversation with her when they first kissed. Yes, she is a princess, an alicorn, and a co-ruler of Equestria. But, she’s still a mare. A beautiful and strong mare, but a mare nonetheless, and he needed to treat her like the wonderful mare that she is. He edged closer to her, using his hoof to stroke her back gently. She turned her muzzle to face his at feeling his touch.

“Now you look here, Luna. Ah do have strong family ties. And when one of us can’t be home Ah got a big family that can help keep things runnin’ so don’t you worry none. Ah ain’t goin’ anywhere, ok? Ah’m stayin’ right by yer side, for you and for mah sister, ya hear?” he whispered comfortingly.

The princess of the night smiled, as she leaned in to kiss the stallion on his lips. She broke the kiss quickly as another smile crept onto her face.

“I’m relieved to hear you say that, Big Mac. I…I knew that you had sent a letter back home explaining the situation after you decided to stay, but I wasn’t sure how long you’d be here for, and…and I was starting to worry. I have to admit, I began feeling a bit guilty as well, taking you away from your work and your home,” she stated.

“Now, that’s just silly, Luna! Mah sister needs me, and so do you! Ya couldn’t keep me away if ya tried, so, don’t you fret, alright?” he scolded, still keeping his voice low.

“You’re right. I’m sorry. It’s just…” she started, before he interrupted her.

“You ain’t got nothin’ to be sorry for, Luna. This is a tryin’ time for you, and Ah get that. Ah just need you to know that Ah’m here for ya. No matter what, ok?” he encouraged as he once again began to stroke her cheek gently.

“Ok,” she whispered back still smiling.

As they were about to embrace each other again, thunderous banging coming from the princess’ chamber door startled them. There were muffled cries emanating from the other side, but they couldn’t make out any actual words. The pair jumped out of bed as Luna raced to the door, opening it quickly. They both gasped at the sight of Applejack shivering with tears streaming down her face. Her brother was at her side in an instant.

“A.J. what’s…” he started before she cut him off.

“Princess Luna, ya gotta come quick! It’s Fluttershy! She hurt herself real bad!” she shouted.

-

Twilight Sparkle squinted as the thick mist obscured her vision. She was back in Tartarus, but she didn’t know why. She was still alive as of a few moments ago. Was she dead again? Had the princess killed her like she thought she would? The unicorn shook her head at the notion. She dismissed it as a fleeting thought that made its way into her mind due to her paranoia. She cursed herself for even thinking it to begin with. The princess loved her, she knew that, and guilt began setting in as she made her way through the fog. She didn’t know where she was going, but she knew that she had to keep moving.

‘Those monsters are probably around here waiting for me. I shouldn’t stop. I can’t give them a chance to catch me, if they even know I’m here,’ she thought to herself as she used her front right hoof to cast away the mist.

Suddenly, the faceless form of one of the brutes that tormented her appeared in front of her muzzle, startling her. She screamed as she backed away, slowly. Tears immediately found their way to her face. She thought that she’d never see one of these creatures again and here was one right in front of her. Her stomach tied in knots as it walked forward slowly.

“Please, please don’t hurt me!” she whimpered.

She straightened up as the fog around them started to dissipate rapidly, revealing seven more of the creatures. Twilight was shivering as she could feel her blood run cold. They were going to hurt her again. She couldn’t take the thought of it.

“No, no, please, please don’t do this to me!” she pleaded.

After slowly stalking forward, they all stopped in unison. Twilight braced herself for an attack of some sort, but it never came. After a few moments, she looked up at them curiously. Something wasn’t right. These things loved to torture her when she was here before. Why would they just stand there? Were they trying to make her feel ever more fearful than she was already? Were they playing with her?

“So…so, you’re not going to hurt me?” she inquired, just above a whisper.

The lead creature shook its head signaling ‘no,’ causing the unicorn to become even more curious.

“Then…then why are you…” she began before she heard moaning coming from behind her.

She turned to see more of the fog disappear. Twilight gasped at the sight before her. It was her friends. Prinkie Pie, Rarity, Fluttershy, Applejack and Rainbow Dash. They were all lying there, offering nothing but sickly groans as they lolled back and forth on the ground. Princess Celestia’s student screamed and ran over to them.

“Girls! Girls! Are you alright?” she shouted.

She was stopped short as the lead entity appeared in front of her blocking her path. Now that she was staring at it, she could make out the creature more vividly. It looked almost like a pony, but it lacked a face. The bone structure seemed to be similar to that of an earth pony. No mouth, eyes or nose. Twilight couldn’t remain fixated however, not while her friends lay there seemingly helpless. Before she could make any further inquiries, the lead demon turned away from Twilight and towards Pinkie Pie. With no warning it lifted its hoof and brought it down across the pink mare’s face, a sickening crack echoing in her ears.

“NO, STOP IT!” Twilight screamed, as she started to run forward again only to be stopped by two more of the ethereal beings.

The lead entity turned back towards the unicorn, its back now to a sobbing Pinkie Pie. Twilight was scared as well as confused.

‘Why?!? Why would it stop its attack?!?’ she thought.

The creature then did something unique. It pointed its ‘hoof’ at Twilight Sparkle, and then back down at Pinkie Pie’s crying form. The scholar was confused. What was it telling her?

“I…I don’t understand!” Twilight stated forcefully.

The creature then repeated the steps, eliciting another yelp from Pinkie Pie and another pointing at from the beast. Twilight’s eyes widened at the implication. If it was asking her to do what she thought it was asking of her, this became even worse for her.

“Are…are you asking me to hurt Pinkie Pie?!? To…to hurt my friends?!?” she asked through her own sobbing.

The creature just nodded, standing there, unmoving. Twilight was livid. How dare they ask this of her, especially after all they put her through? Did they really think that she was going to do this to her friends?

“NO! I WILL NOT DO THIS! HOW DARE YOU ASK ME TO DO SOMETHING LIKE THIS?!?” she screamed at the top of her lungs as she lunged for the leader.

Three of the creature’s kin held her back, forcing her to the ground. She could hear her fellow elements wailing, calling out to her in desperation. She struggled with all her might, but she couldn’t budge them. She grunted and squirmed, trying as hard as she could to make them release her, until she felt one of them rip into her skin with their teeth, causing her to shriek. She stopped her struggling immediately. They were doing it again. They were going to pull her apart. She wretched from side to side as panic set in.

“No, no, please, please, stop, you…you said you weren’t going to hurt me!” she whimpered as she stared up at the ring leader.

Once again, it pointed to the group of mares as Twilight looked on. The scholar got the meaning instantaneously. She was being given a choice: suffer the fate that frightened her the most, or administer that same treatment to her friends. She screamed in pain as she felt her faux flesh being torn apart. She didn’t want to give in, but the pain was excruciating. She couldn’t take much more of this, and these monsters knew it. She couldn’t give in, however. She’d already put her friends through so much, how could she possibly hurt them any more than she already had? She was in so much pain however, that she couldn’t even verbalize her intentions.

‘It…it hurts so much! But I…I…I can’t do this!’ she thought to herself as she gritted her teeth.

She realized that something was different about this attack, however. With this many beings, her beating should have over by now, but she was still is unfathomable pain. It didn’t take her long to realize the reason why. They weren’t letting her heal. Rather than tearing straight through her, they decided to hold her wounds open. She could feel each strand of ethereal flesh being stretched to its limit, with some of them snapping like the worn strings of a violin. It was a trial. A sick endurance test. They knew she had a limit, and they were looking to exploit it. It didn’t take too much longer. After a few more moments, it became clear that she couldn’t take it anymore. She cursed herself for being so weak, but finally, the pain was too much for her. Twilight’s tears of pain soon transitioned to tears of sadness as she screamed her submission.

“I GIVE UP, I GIVE UP, I’LL…I’LL DO WHATEVER YOU WANT, PLEASE JUST LET ME GO! I’M BEGGING YOU, PLEASE!” she bellowed as loud as she could, praying that they would hear her and release her.

Sure enough, they let her slump to the ground, her breathing labored. Her wounds began to heal quickly, as the three beings that attacked her brought her to her hooves. She couldn’t help but cry at what she was about to do. She felt so weak, so helpless. These monsters once again found a way to get to her. It infuriated her, but she knew there was nothing she could do about it. If she refused again, the unicorn knew that they would just keep hurting her until she complied. She whimpered again as she walked slowly over to Pinkie Pie. The party mare looked up at Twilight, shivering.

“Please, Twilight! We…we’re friends! You…you can’t do this, please!” she begged.

As Twilight examined them, she saw that they were already bruised and battered. It looked like these demons were looking for Twilight to finish the job they started. She wanted to run, to hide, to get away from all of this, but she had no magic, and no means of defense or even escape. She had no choice. She couldn’t take another bout of pain from them. Her ears perked up as the others joined in protest as well.

“Twilight, you can’t do this, please!” Rarity exclaimed.

“Sugarcube, yer better than this, don’t hurt us! Not again!” Applejack pleaded.

“Twilight, I’m scared, please, help us, please, please!” Fluttershy croaked.

“Twilight, we’re begging you, don’t do this!” Rainbow Dash whispered.

“I…I’m sorry, girls. It…it just hurt so much! I…I don’t have a choice! I…I’m sorry!” she cried as she brought her left hoof up, bringing it down on Pinkie Pie’s already bruised face, causing her to scream in pain.

For the next several minutes, she just kept hitting Pinkie Pie. She strained to look at her through the tears, every once in a while muttering an apology under her breath. Soon, the earth pony was unconscious, and the wailing she heard coming from her friends was drowned out by the laughter of the demons. The sickening laughter that haunted her had returned. Without needing to be told, she moved on to Rarity, and begun pounding her into the ground, once again eliciting moans of pain from her, and laughter from the creatures. As she repeated the process through all of her friends, the laughter increased. Once Rainbow Dash was finally unconscious, she turned to the beasts with tears in her eyes.

“THERE! I DID IT! ARE…ARE YOU HAPPY NOW?!?” she screamed at the top of her lungs.

They just kept laughing. Soon they began to dance around her and her friend’s lifeless forms, the laughter getting louder and louder. It was beyond deafening. Twilight’s jaw clenched as she felt the anger well up inside her. They made her do the most terrible thing she could ever imagine, and it made them happy. They mocked her. Both her weakness and her actions.

“Stop it! Stop laughing! I SAID STOP IT!” she shouted.

“STOP IT!” she screamed as she shot out of bed.

It took the unicorn a few moments to get her bearings and her breathing under control. She looked around and realized where she was. She was in the new bedchambers that Princess Celestia told her about.

“It was a nightmare…just a…just a nightmare” she whispered to herself.

She looked outside, through the glass that now formed the far wall. There were guards lined up on both sides. It infuriated her. Here she was, at her most vulnerable, and these private moments were on display for the world to see. Humiliation washed over her as her disfigured face contorted in anger. She leapt from the bed, and galloped over to the see though wall.

“WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT?!? HUH?!? DID YOU ENJOY THE SHOW, SIRS?!?” she bellowed, pounding on the glass.

She could feel the magic force bouncing her energy back at her. There was truly no escape, no matter how much her pride demanded it. She slumped to the floor her back now against the magic window. Her thoughts carried her to her recent nightmare. She’d hurt them again. Would she end up doing that in reality? If her transformation can’t be controlled, would she go after her friends again, like she did before?

‘No. I…I can’t let that happen. I…I have to get better!’ she thought to herself, as she got up off the ground.

Clearing her throat, she turned around, straightening up.

“Can one of you please find Princess Celestia for me? Please let her know that I am rested and ready to continue our work,” she requested, doing her best to keep her voice even.

She closed her eyes, as she heard the clopping hooves of a few of the guards as they went to fetch the princess.

-

Princess Luna stared at Fluttershy’s sleeping form, a frown plastered on her face. She couldn’t help but pity the timid pegasus, but the situation brought an urgency to an already tense situation. No one had expected Fluttershy to do this, but it was evident now that she was truly disturbed. The doubts that consumed the alicorn were exposed like a nerve with Fluttershy being their embodiment. She felt tears form in her eyes as she watched the broken mare, bandaged and sleeping peacefully in her infirmary bed. There had been too many trips to this part of the castle. Too many injuries, too many hurt, and too much pain. Feeling overwhelmed once again, she let her tears fall as her head drooped forward. Big Mac was at her side in an instant. She felt his hoof caress her back, but this time it did nothing to comfort her.

“It’ll be ok, Luna. She…she just had too much to drink, is all,” The stallion whispered comfortingly.

“I…I failed, didn’t I? That’s…that’s why she’s here, isn’t it?” Luna choked through her sniffling.

“Luna, that ain’t true and you know it. Ah…ah think yer lookin’ at this all wrong,” Big Mac replied.

“Wh…what do you mean?” the moon princess inquired.

“Look, this ain’t a test. It ain’t some pass or fail trial. Yer helpin’ these mares return to a sense of normalcy. Ah know Fluttershy may have fallen off the applecart, but come on, look at Rarity, or mah sister. They couldn’t eat or sleep when they first came here. They…they just cried all the time. They had nightmares that left them shiverin’. And how are they now? That’s all thanks to you, Luna,” Big Mac stated.

“You’re right, Big Mac,” she said as she closed her eyes, leaning into her lover.

“I…I guess that it hurts to see her like this, especially after coming so far. Oh, just listen to me, poor Fluttershy is in a hospital bed wrapped in bandages, and here I am worried about myself,” she cursed under her breath.

“It’s alright, Luna. Ah understand that you feel responsible since you were the one leadin’ her treatment, but ya can’t let setbacks like this get to ya,” Big Mac replied.

“I’m sorry, I just…” the moon princess started before the stallion cut her off.

“Luna. She’ll be alright. She’s safe now,” he said, lifting one of his large hoofs to her cheek gently.

“Ahem,” a voice uttered from the doorway.

Princess Luna and Big Mackintosh both turned to the entrance startled. Applejack was walking towards them slowly. Her eyes were still puffy from crying, the sight of which made her big brother’s jaw clench. He looked down and away from her as she approached.

‘It’s like fer every two steps forward, we keep takin’ one step back,’ he mused before she spoke up again.

“Ah hope Ah’m not interruptin’ anything,” Applejack said glumly.

“No, not at all, Applejack, we were…just talking. Where are Rainbow Dash and Rarity?” Luna inquired, changing the subject.

“Well, they both just left. The doctor came by just to let us know what was goin’ on. It looks like Fluttershy just has some cuts and bruises. She’s also a bit dehydrated on account of the wine she guzzled, but they got her hooked up to them IV’s, so she should be ok,” the farm mare said.

A faint groaning noise from the bed got their attention as they all turned towards the source. Fluttershy finally stirred as she opened her eyes and stretched, wincing a bit as she felt her still healing skin stretch where the glass had cut her. Applejack, Princess Luna and Big Mackintosh approached her bedside slowly.

“Hey, how ya feelin’ there sugarcube?” Applejack whispered in the most compassionate voice she could muster.

“I’m…I’m ok…I guess,” she answered slightly hoarse, unable to meet her fellow element bearer’s gaze.

After a few moments of silence, Princess Luna was about to speak, but Applejack started just before her.

“Princess, do you mind if I have a few minutes alone with Fluttershy?” she asked.

“Oh…of…of course, Applejack. Please, be well, Fluttershy. I’ll be back tomorrow morning to check on your progress,” she answered.

With that, Big Mac and Luna slowly exited the chamber, leaving the farm mare and the pegasus alone. There was tension in the air, they both could feel it. Neither wanted to say anything at first, but finally, Applejack couldn’t stand it anymore. She was angry with her friend, and she needed to let her know that.

“Fluttershy, what in the world possessed you to get drunk?!? Look, Ah get yer scared, but there were a million other things ya coulda done! You coulda came and talked to one of us! Any of us! Ya coulda went to Princess Luna! She’s here to help ya, and what did ya do instead?!? Ya drowned yerself in alchohol!” the earth pony scolded.

“Shut up,” Fluttershy muttered under her breath.

“Seriously, Flutters, as bad decisions go, this is one of the worst things you coulda ever done to yerself!” Applejack continued unabated.

“Shut up, Applejack,” the pegasus whispered a bit louder.

“Ah mean, don’t ya know we’re here for ya?!?” the farmer inquired forcefully.

“SHUT UP! JUST SHUT UP, APPLEJACK!” Fluttershy screamed with tears streaming down her face.

Applejack gasped at the reaction. Her friend’s face was contorted in anger. The earth pony just stared wide eyed, her train of thought completely cut off.

“Sugarcube, what’s the matter?” she whispered.

“YOU! YOU’RE WHAT’S THE MATTER, APPLEJACK! IT’S YOUR FAULT THAT I’M HERE! THAT I’M LIKE THIS!” Fluttershy screeched loudly, still staring at her fellow element bearer.

“What?!? Just what the hay do you mean by that?!?” Applejack inquired forcefully.

“YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHAT IT MEANS! IF IT WEREN’T FOR YOU, I’D BE OFF SOMEPLACE ELSE! ANYPLACE ELSE! BUT NO, YOU FORCED ME TO COME BACK!” Fluttershy accused.

Applejack’s eye narrowed as she stared right back into her friend’s eyes. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

“Ah did no such thing! And in case you haven’t noticed, yer here because YOU DECIDED TO GET STINKIN’ DRUNK!” the farm mare shouted back.

“I NEVER WOULD HAVE HAD TO GET DRUNK JUST TO FORGET WHERE I WAS IF I WASN’T HERE ANYMORE! YOU FORCED ME TO COME BACK HERE!” Fluttershy wailed with more tears of anger streaming down her face.

“AH DID NO SUCH THING!” Applejack retorted.

“YOU TACKLED ME TO THE GROUND!”Fluttershy countered.

“YOU WERE SNEAKIN’ AROUND THE PRINCESS! AND WHAT DOES ANY OF THIS HAVE TO DO WITH YOU CHUGGIN’ AN ENTIRE BOTTLE OF WINE! YOU DID THAT YERSELF! AH DIDN’T POUR THE STUFF DOWN YER THROAT, SO HOW’S ABOUT YOU START TAKIN’ RESPONSIBILITY FOR YER ACTIONS, AND STOP BLAIMIN’ EVERYONE ELSE BUT THE ONE WHO’S FAULT IT REALLY IS THAT YER IN HERE?!?” the blond mare screamed back.

“BECAUSE MAYBE NOT EVERYONE IS AS STRONG AS THE MIGHTY APPLEJACK! MAYBE NOT EVERYONE HAS A BIG, POWERFUL BROTHER TO SUPPORT THEM, OR A HUGE FAMILY TO HELP THEM OUT WHENEVER THEY NEED IT! MAYBE ALL OF THIS IS TOO SCARY TO SOMEONE LIKE ME WHO’S ALONE AND AFRAID ALL THE TIME! I’M TIRED OF BEING AFRAID!” the pegasus responded at the top of her lungs.

“COWARD!” Applejack snapped.

“BULLY!” Fluttershy shouted.

The two mares were locked in a stare down, bearing their teeth like hungry timber wolves. Neither of them had ever been angrier in their lives and it only made it worse that the focus of that anger was one of their best friends. Applejack finally broke away, stomping towards the door.

“Ah don’t gotta stand here and take this from a drunkard!” she huffed loudly.

“Oh, I’m sure you’ve got someone else out there to intimidate! Please, don’t let me keep you!” Fluttershy yelled back as Applejack slammed the door shut, leaving the pegasus alone in her bed.

-

Princess Celestia winced as she activated her magic again to lift the telepod into place. It was her third try. Normally, this would be child’s play for the sun goddess, but after Twilight Sparkle’s attack she was finding it hard to ignore the pains and aches she felt throughout her body. The adrenalin she felt during the situation had long since dissipated, leaving her with nothing but soreness and discomfort. She shook her head, doing her best to ignore the pain and push harder, although it was difficult to concentrate. The physical pain was one thing, but the emotional pain of seeing her student in such a state and hearing those terrible words from her own lips, hurt her on a much deeper emotional level. It was beginning to take its toll now, with each piece of equipment she moved.

‘She didn’t mean it. I know she didn’t mean it,’ she thought to herself before hearing the palace door open.

Turning to meet her guest proved counterproductive, as she let out a small grunt of pain after twisting her neck, her eyes shutting tight. Opening them revealed her sister walking towards her slowly. She wore a frown, although, she couldn’t tell if it was because something happened or her appearance.

“Tia, I need to…sister, what happened?!?” Luna exclaimed, galloping towards her sibling.

Celestia thought about scolding her sister for once again defying her order and entering the throne room, but the thought left her mind as quickly as it appeared. She’d already seen what was going on in here, and although they hadn’t talked about it yet, she was sure there would be a more in-depth discussion at some point, but right now, it was obvious that Luna was simply worried about her sister.

“I’m fine, Luna. It looks worse than it feels, really,” the elder alicorn answered, forcing a smile.

“Celestia, please! You’re hurt! What happened?!? Are those…Tia, were you assaulted?!? Who in their right mind would even think about hurting…” she said before being cut off.

“It was Twilight,” she said just above a whisper.

“Twilight?!? How?!? Why?!?” the moon princess answered, her eyes widening.

Princess Celestia sighed deeply as her head drooped. She wasn’t quite ready to have this discussion, but it appeared that once again, the conversation found her instead of the other way around.

“I…I was going to tell you, but I didn’t have the time. Not with the amount of work that Twilight and I had to do, but…well…I took the liberty of preparing a special room for her. I showed her to it when she became tired and she…didn’t take to it the why I hoped she would,” the elder alicorn explained.

“What do you mean ‘special room?’” Princess Luna pressed curiously.

“Luna, you know full well that in her…state… she cannot roam the hallways unguarded. It’s not safe for her or for anyone else given her recent…episodes. Therefore I designed a room where the wall facing the corridor was removed and replaced with invisible glass. I…I cast a few spells on it so that Twilight could talk through the glass without having to leave the space,” she said.

“I…see,” the younger sibling replied apprehensively.

“What else could I do, Luna?” Princess Celestia asked in an exasperated tone.

“Tia, I understand the sentiment, but…she already feels like a monster. I could see where she might get upset. She probably saw it as a cage of some sort. And to be on display light that? My goodness, that would infuriate anyone, I imagine,” Luna mused allowed.

“WHAT WAS I SUPPOSED TO DO?!? LOOK AT WHAT SHE DID TO ME! WHAT IF I WAS A GUARD, OR WORSE, ONE OF HER FRIENDS?!? LOOK AT…look at…” the sun goddess stammered as she collapsed sobbing.

Luna was at her side in an instant. She pulled her sister’s muzzle onto her lap, as she watched the tears stream down her face in horror. The moon princess hugged her with all her might, her own frame moving in rhythm to the body wracking sobs of her elder sibling.

“Tia, shhh, it’s alright…just tell me what happened,” the younger alicorn whispered into her sister’s ear.

“Twi…Twilight ran, and I…I chased her…I…I needed to make sure she didn’t hurt anyone, and….and she tackled me….we…we wrestled for a bit, and I finally got on top of her….I…I wasn’t trying to hurt her, I…I just needed her to stop, and…and that’s when she…” Princess Celestia blubbered.

“It’s ok, Tia, I’m here. Go ahead,” Luna encouraged softly.

“She…she started saying terrible things, Luna. She…she said that she hated me, that she wished she never became my student, or…or met her friends…and…and then she…she said that I threw her away because she couldn’t be the daughter I always wanted,” she sobbed.

“Celestia, you know that…” the Luna began.

“I know, I know. Of…of course she didn’t mean those things, but...but they still hurt, Luna. You should have seen her. The rage in her eyes, hitting me with her hooves over and over again. And…and then it got worse,” Celestia continued.

“How?” Luna gasped.

“She…she tried to get away from me. She…her personality shifted entirely. She…she became afraid of me…deathly afraid. She…she thought that I was trying to kill her!” the elder alicorn shouted, her fresh tears matting her sister’s fur.

Princess Luna was astonished. She couldn’t think of anything to say to make her sibling feel better, and she so desperately wanted to. As minutes past and her sister continued to cry, Luna said the only thing she could think of.

“I’m sorry…I’m so sorry, Tia,” she whispered, hugging her sister even tighter as she cried.

A loud knocking from the large throne room door startled the pair, as Princess Celestia did her best to compose herself. After a brief respite, the sun goddess verbalized her command.

“You may enter,” she said, doing her best to keep her voice even.

As the doors opened slowly, a few royal guards walked in slowly before bowing to the princesses.

“Princess Celestia, we were sent to inform you that Twilight Sparkle is awake and has asked us to tell you that she is ready to begin working again,” one of the guards said while stepping forward.

“Very well. Thank you for your report. Please let her know that I’ll be on my way shortly,” she answered.

The two guards bowed and made a quick exit to relay the statement to her student. Celestia sighed heavily as she sat back on her haunches, a look of dejection on her face.

“Tia, you aren’t just going to let her out, are you? Not…not after what she did to you!” Luna exclaimed.

“No, Luna. I…I’m going to assess the situation before I make any decision. I assure you, I won’t do anything rash,” she answered.

-

Princess Celestia made her way down the hallway, her stomach tied in knots. It took all of her energy to contain her magic as she pushed the cart of food in front of her. Normally, one of the castle chefs would be doing the pushing, but due to the unique circumstances of her excursion, she decided to have a meal prepared for her pupil and take it by herself. She couldn’t remember the last time that Twilight ate anything, and she thought that maybe she could use the food as a peace offering in case she was still upset. Just before rounding the corner, the royal alicorn stopped, taking in a deep breath, doing her best to collect her thoughts before seeing her student. After another deep breath, she pushed the cart in front of her into Twilight’s view as she approached the see through wall. Her student’ back was against it, slumped to the ground and hunched over. She hadn’t moved since Celestia came into view, and that fact disturbed the princess greatly.

“Leave us, please,” Celestia ordered her guards, as she stopped in front of the room.

“But…but Princess, are you sure…” the lead guard started before the royal mare raise a hoof stopping him.

“I can assure you, I have situation under control. Please, leave Twilight and myself alone for a moment,” she said sweetly.

The soldier nodded, turning to his squad and nodding towards them. They quickly filed out rounding the corner from where Celestia first came in. Once she was sure they were all out of earshot, she turned towards her pupil, whom still hadn’t moved. The sun princess decided to open the conversation.

“Twilight, I thought you might be hungry, so I brought you something to eat,” she said softly.

The unicorn’s ears perked up at the statement as she slowly turned around. It was hard for Princess Celestia to tell whether or not her apprentice had been crying, as the deformities around the eyes made it nearly impossible to tell. Her demeanor told a different story, however. Twilight was clearly exasperated.

“Thank you, Princess,” she said just above a whisper.

Princess Celestia forced a smile as she used her magic to push the cart through the wall. Twilight gasped as the two ethereal bubbles intermingled with the cart landing right beside Twilight. The unicorn got up from her position sluggishly, using her own magic to remove the tray covering, revealing a large slice of chocolate cake. For a moment, she just stared at the confection, her eyes heavy.

“If you’re wondering, I tuned my magic to the wall, so I can send things through it easily,” her mentor said.

“I…I hurt you, didn’t I?” Twilight inquired.

Silence reigned between them for more than a few moments, as Princess Celestia did her best to try and come up with an answer that wouldn’t hurt her student’s feelings. She was just getting her to speak to her calmly, and she didn’t want to risk another episode.

“Don’t worry about it. You weren’t yourself, Twilight,” the alicorn answered.

“I said mean things to you…didn’t I?” Twilight pressed.

“Twilight, you were not yourself. You…you’re sick, and I cannot blame you for being sick,” Princess Celestia responded.

“But it is my fault, right? I…I did this to myself. I hurt my friends…my family…and…and now you,” the unicorn mused allowed her shoulders hunching forward.

“You can’t think like that, my student,” the princess said.

“How can I not? Look at what I did to you. Just now, I had a dream. A nightmare. And in it, I beat my friends because I couldn’t handle the pain. What does that say about me? About who I really am on the inside?” Twilight asked.

“It says that you’re confused. That you’re in pain, Twilight. And I’m going to do everything I can to make sure that you never have to live with that pain again,” Celestia promised.

“I’m just a beast now, Princess. I’m nothing more than a monster,” Twilight countered dejectedly.

“No! You are Twilight Sparkle! Gifted unicorn, element of magic, and a friend to your fellow elements! You are someone we all love! Someone I love who will always be there for you!” the alicorn stated forcefully.

Twilight stared at the slice of cake in front of her for a moment more before she let a stream of milky vomit careen from her throat on top of it, melting it instantly. Once melted down, she slurped up the liquid with vigor. Once she was done with her meal, she turned towards her teacher. The princess’ expression told her everything. Her eyes were wide and she’d brought a hoof to her mouth in fright, probably trying to keep her own food down. Celestia heard about the phenomenon from the other element bearers, but she’d never seen it, and now that she had, she wished she’d hadn’t. Twilight’s voice snapped her back to reality as she spoke.

“I guess I really am a monster, Princess,” Twilight said as she turned her back walking away, deeper into her chambers.

-

Well, another chapter in the books! I’m happy how this is turning out and I hope you all are as well. Things will definitely be picking up in the next few chapters, so stay tuned!