Friendship's a finicky thing; as quickly as a connection can be established, it can be severed beyond repair, no matter how hard one tries to mend it.

At the age of 21, just before Princess Celestia's rule, the promising Maiden had high expectations from the most regarded of unicorns, Star Swirl, to be the pinnacle of magical power and an influencer to future generations to come. Maiden was a workaholic, constantly toiling away in work to make breakthroughs for the progression of magic. The wise young mare had such knowledge on magic that even Star Swirl sook her out for guidance on occasion.

Maiden loved to work, however, she made time to relax with the one pony she cared about more than anything else: Celestia. The regal alicorn visited Maiden every single day to hang out and talk for hours. They'd read books, duel using their magic, drink tea, play games, go out to restaurants (usually around a less populated area), even go as far as sleeping with one another. They were nearly inseparable; kith that acted like sisters; they were one of the greatest examples of friendship. Celestia cherished every moment because despite being with one another, Maiden was a recluse; she favored a life of not being around other ponies.

That's why this relationship is special. It was a privilege and an honor, an exemption of one's principle. To know that Maiden loved Celestia so much to let the alicorn into her life. That was true magic: the magic of friendship.

When Maiden wasn't working or spending time with Celestia, she would trot out of her study and travel down a beaten path that led to a patch of beautiful red roses. It was her favorite flower. She could be found humming a happy and peaceful tune near those red roses.

Then one day... everything changed. The day of the coronation came. It was supposed to be Celestia's most important day. It was supposed to be perfect. To see Maiden smile and cry at her alicorn friend's coronation. To laugh, play, and celebrate. It should've gone that way. It never should've turned out like this.

Maiden was outside attempting a spell that could heighten one's magical capabilities before going to Princess Celestia's coronation to be crowned ruler of Equestria, but something caught her attention.

Maiden heard a faint voice... calling out to her, asking for help. Lulled by the faint cries, Maiden followed them to the Everfree Forest, an eerie and dangerous place off-limits to everypony. The voice echoed inside the perilous wilderness, and Maiden went in deep into the dark Everfree, trudging through dirt, bushes, and animals before finally coming across the voice that beckoned for help.

It wasn't a pony or a creature. It was an object embedded in the ground, glowing with an umbral splendor. Maiden approached the object and examined it. It was an orb. There was something odd about it, how it began to whisper sweet nothings into Maiden's ears. Compelled, Maiden reached out with her hoof and touched it. She was enticed. Then suddenly, she felt evil surging within the orb. It overtook her, seeping into Maiden's body, injecting the evil inside her. She wailed and cried, shouting for help, but her screams found naught but the wind. Maiden cries out one more time... for Celestia before her vision went black.

She laid there motionless for hours before getting up and making her way towards Celestia's coronation. Her coat was black and mane silver. Her eyes became a glowing dark blue and she wore a wicked smile. Celestia, now dubbed as ruler of Equestria who now properly attests to the title, Star Swirl, and all the other ponies recognized her.

Maiden's horn lit dark blue as she shot a powerful beam of magic towards the civilians, but it was blocked by Princess Celestia's magic shield which nearly broke instantly. She commanded Star Swirl to gather up the ponies and take them somewhere safe, and he did just that.

Then a battle that shook the earth took place with the Maiden gaining the upper hoof. Princess Celestia tried every way imaginable to try and return Maiden to her original state, but all her attempts at restoring her friend failed. Beaten, battered, raspy breathed, and at a disadvantage, Princess Celestia lured Maiden to a large lake in an attempt to contain her, despite the heartache she felt.

She didn't want to harm Maiden. Princess Celestia wished that she had other choices. To hurt, to harm the one she loved so dearly... it was almost too much to take, and she held back her tears and attempted to put on a strong face. This shall be mercy only Princess Celestia could decide.

The Maiden never laughed or said a word after she attacked Princess Celestia's coronation; she was stoic with a murderous ire splayed across her countenance. She used the magic spell to increase her magical capabilities by half, channeling that raw power into various, all-powerful storms. Luna rushed to help her sister after learning about what happened from Star Swirl.

Princess Celestia claimed that no pony can defeat Maiden, her magic was too strong, so she had a plan to contain her instead. The sisters braced themselves, the storms struck them both as struggled to keep back the storms with their magic, slowly failing. Then Star Swirl appeared to help after taking the ponies away from the battle. It was then Princess Celestia put her plan into action.

Princess Celestia conjured a magic cage, Princess Luna created fetters and chains, and Star Swirl made magical rings. With one last effort, Luna and Princess Celestia pushed the storms and the Maiden back. She was forced into the cage, wrapped in chains around her, and the rings bound her horn and her body. Maiden was completely restrained. Then together, the three ponies shot magical beams at the Maiden, turning her to stone, and casting her deep into the lake.

The fight was over. Luna and Star Swirl were triumphant, but Princess Celestia didn't join them in victory. She was quiet. Although Star Swirl and Luna wanted to stay and comfort the depressed princess, the alicorn ordered them to leave and check up on the citizens that attended the coronation. With no way to deter Princess Celestia from her decision, she was left alone.

The dismal princess trotted to the lake and laid down in a depressing slump, her head drooped over the water with a face of regret. She wept. And she wept more and more. Her heart was shattered. Her best friend, one she loved like a sister... and maybe loved her as something more, was gone.

What could have Princess Celestia done? What choice did she have? All future memories she would've shared with Maiden were vanishing, burning away. She lamented; she mourned her best friend's absence. Princess Celestia only wanted tears streaming down her face, but the heartache and pain she felt were too great and she wailed and cried with all her might.

The harsh truth overtook her mind; it was all she could think about. Her Radiant Majesty would never see her best friend ever again.

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