Archmage Chapter 13 - “Love and Liabilities Part 2”

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“Welcome back, Twilight.” Much to her surprise, both Luna and Celestia were waiting for her at the train platform as she got off at Canterlot’s central station. Her short vacation was over, but Twilight was at least hoping to get the chance to drop her bags off before attending to business. It appeared as if that wasn’t going to happen.

“Princesses. Hello.” Twilight smiled bitterly at them, bowing her head low.

“We have things to discuss, Twilight.” Celestia said in a rather clipped, brief tone. Twilight couldn’t help but feel a sense of trepidation at Celestia’s curt tone. Perhaps it was because they were in public, or maybe Celestia was really being short with her out of anger. Either way, Twilight quickly felt the relaxation and relief that the short vacation gave her flee like cotton tufts on a strong breeze.

“Very well. Where would you like to go?”

“Follow us back to the castle, please.” Luna and Celestia turned together, leading a hesitant Twilight all the way through town. Twilight fought to keep a smile on her face as she passed all the inquisitive ponies looking at the odd procession. Twilight, the Archmage of Canterlot, hauling her luggage behind two regal princesses. It was going to be all over the headlines the next day. She breathed an audible sigh of relief as they made it to the castle, though she was slightly miffed that she couldn’t at least drop her bags off in her quarters before they spoke. Instead, Celestia and Luna immediately made for the judicial chambers, choosing an empty conference room to have their discussion.

“We understand that you must study all forms of magic, Twilight,” Celestia began immediately, cutting through to the issue at hoof. “But you have responsibilities to manage here in Canterlot.”

“Yes, I enjoyed visiting what’s left of my family in the crystal kingdom, thank you for asking.” Twilight muttered under her breath. She knew Celestia and Luna heard it, but they didn’t address it.

“First and foremost, I think you need to see Harbinger and Crest.” Celestia continued. “I think a visit is in order.” Twilight blinked at Celestia’s odd statement.

“Why is that?” She felt even more annoyed now. What reason would she have to go to Harbinger and Golden Crest?

“They are in the hospital. There was... An incident in your absence.” Her grave tone said it all. Twilight felt her heart skip a beat.

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Twilight realized that she hated hospitals. The sanitary smell, the eye-aching white linoleum tiles, the painstakingly-cleaned receptions areas filled with generic magazines. It made her stomach churn.

“Archmage?” The doctor’s voice made her head snap up. “Sorry for the delay, but they’re ready to see you now.”

“Yes, of course. No issues.” Twilight slid off of her chair, thankful to be doing something other than sitting. She followed the doctor out of the reception area and into a series of long, uniform hallways, past bustling nurse’s stations and busy ponies all around. Here and there, Twilight could glance into rooms and see doctors and patients, nurses and visitors. At least in here, there was healing to be done. Magic was being cast, helping ponies to get better. Out in the reception area, things seemed so… Grim.

Twilight had only received the news earlier that day. She had rushed to the hospital immediately, hardly even giving Luna and Celestia time to explain exactly what had happened. Never in a million years would she have expected something so tragic to take place… Especially not because of her mistake. “Here we are. Again, sorry for the delay.”

“Not at all. Thank you, doctor.” Twilight smiled and hastily ducked into the room, gasping slightly at what she saw.

“Trust us, Archmage,” Golden Crest smiled at her. “It’s not as bad as it seems.”

“Hhmph.” Harbinger grunted.

“Oh my goodness… You’re…”

“Burnt? Crippled? Deformed?”

“I think ‘injured’ would have sufficed, Harbinger.”

Both ponies sat in beds against the wall, leaning back and wrapped in various casts and bandages. Here and there through the edge of the white cloth, Twilight could see the discolored edge where their coats had been burned away, the skin beneath bright red and ruddy with their injury. According to Celestia and Luna, it had happened when the two were covering for her. For one reason or another, their magic had failed and the shields protecting both of them had dropped. Thankfully enough, it was near the end of the process, or the burns they sustained would have been much worse.

“So,” Twilight’s tone was a mixture of confusion and seriousness. “Tell me what happened.”

“Fuck off.”

“Harbinger, please…” Crest rolled his eyes. “I’ll tell you, Twilight… You might want to sit down.” Twilight obliged, pulling a rolling chair close as she sat in the space between their beds. Harbinger, it seemed, had suffered the worst of the two. His entire midsection was wound with bandages, and a large square one covered the side of his face. His left foreleg was wound, as well, and supported in a sling. Golden Crest wasn’t without his own injury. Both of his forelegs were wrapped tight and sat at his sides, and as far as Twilight could see until the blanket covered him, his entire left flank was covered with a blue bandage. The hum of passive healing spells was audible, even over the soft beep of the monitoring machines.

“As requested, Harbinger and I were covering for you while you were in the crystal kingdom. As it turns out, though, we were out of practice… The first night you were gone went fine, and so did the next morning… But that evening, we made a mistake…” Crest shifted slightly, wincing as he adjusted atop his bed. Twilight caught Harbinger shooting a glance his way, though the darker pony went back to staring at the far wall as soon as he noticed Twilight looking at him. “I wasn’t shielding properly, and I got distracted by an adjustment that needed to be made… When the next wave of energy hit my shield, it broke, burning Harbinger… He dropped his shield, and Luna’s magic burned me. We laid there for thirty seconds while the princesses rushed the process, trying to work hard enough to finish it out, but not hard enough that we would be burnt. Really, it’s thanks to them that we’re even alive…”

“Oh my gosh,” Twilight breathed. “I’m… I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t apologize,” Harbinger growled, fixing her with an intense glare. “Not yet, anyways. Crest and I have been talking, Archmage.” Twilight blinked at him, her heart beating a little faster. “As soon as we’re discharged, we’d seek an official audience with you.” He glanced at Crest for a moment before looking back at Twilight. “The entire council.”

“The… All twenty of you?” Twilight asked softly, her eyes wide. Crest nodded softly, his expression a little sad.

“I… I’m a very supportive pony, Twilight. Anypony else can tell you that… But there has to be a line drawn somewhere.” He smiled at her sadly. “We’ve spoken with the other council members. We have agreed that a discussion is needed. But not until we’re discharged.”

“Right. Of course. I understand.” Twilight stammered slightly, her heart fluttering. Why would the council want to talk to her? What could it mean? She hadn’t met more than half of them, and only knew them by name and title if nothing else. Meeting all twenty at the same time was going to be overwhelming… The twenty unicorns that collectively made the Archmage’s position. “I’ll… I’ll be leaving now, I suppose…”

“That would be best,” Crest smiled at her.

“Good riddance.”

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“Words cannot express,” Twilight muttered, her shields lowering and her muscles relaxing. “How sorry I am for those two…” Celestia and Luna shared a look before turning their eyes down to Twilight. Twilight was much more careful when helping Celestia and Luna cycle the sun and the moon, since she had seen the injuries the princess’ magic could inflict just a few short hours earlier. What’s more, Celestia and Luna had been cycling the sun and moon without guidance for a full day before then. Twilight had quite a few adjustments to make. On top of making sure her shields were more sound than usual, she was exhausted.

“We all make mistakes, Twilight. Harbinger and Crest are no exception. Neither are you, that is certain, but you mustn’t blame yourself.” Celestia’s calm tone made her look up sheepishly. “Learn from this mistake, Twilight. All of us will. That’s the best thing to do… With any mistake.” Of course, Celestia spoke the truth… Letting mistakes weigh oneself down was just counter-productive… The best thing to do was to learn from them, make amends, and move on. Twilight couldn’t help but wonder how she could possibly make up for what had happened…

“I’m so sorry, Princess… I never should have left.”

“Look at it this way, Twilight,” Luna said gently. “Did you learn anything while you were with Cadance?” Twilight looked up, thinking over all of the spells and theories that Cadance had shared. Love was a simple magic, but it’s scope was incredibly grand… It drew from many different schools to make it’s own unique set of principles, and used them in the most effective and simple ways possible. Anypony who truly, fully loved another could accomplish amazing things with that simple magic.

“I learned a lot,” Twilight nodded. “I dare say I understand the magic of love completely.”

“Aaand that’s my signal to leave,” Celestia smiled down at Twilight as she swept past.

“Wh-what? Wait, Celestia!” Twilight whirled around, catching the princess on the threshold of the balcony. “What do you mean?”

“I mean I ought to leave,” Celestia winked at her. “If you and Luna are going to talk.” The door shut behind her, leaving Twilight alone on the observatory tower’s balcony with Luna.

“I… What?”

“I had to tell her, Twilight.” Luna said softly. “She’s my sister. More than that, she and I rule this land together. We have to work with one another if we’re going to work effectively.”

“R-right,” Twilight muttered, feeling a blush creep onto her cheeks. Great, so now Celestia, her mentor and ruler, knew that she had lost her virginity to Luna. It was no surprise, of course, but it was still embarrassing. “So…”

“What did you learn with Cadance?” Luna asked, her wings shuffling slightly as Twilight turned to look at her. Twilight heaved a heavy sigh before raising her gaze to look up at Luna. She took a few long, pointed moments to look deep into Luna’s eyes, searching through the brilliant depths held there… Twilight had been struggling with these words ever since she and Cadance had spoken.

“I love you, Luna.” She said quietly. “I realize that… Well, I knew that, but I didn’t want to believe it.” Luna’s expression remained stoic as she slowly sat down, looking at Twilight expectantly. “I mean… That night with you was the most fantastic thing to ever happen to me. The things you said, the way you touched me…” Twilight shuddered as she closed her eyes, her mind fleeing to that blissful night for a few moments. “I’d have to be mad to give that up…”

“So-“

“BUT.” Twilight cut her off, her expression serious. “You hurt me so much, Luna…” Twilight’s voice shook with a different memory now, her eyes filling with tears. “Running afterwards, and being as distant as you were… And then you and Celestia betrayed both Shining Armor and I. Individually, I might have been able to handle those two things… But together?” Twilight shook her head, still shuddering slightly. “That hurt me so much… I can’t possibly tell you how hard it was to cope with that pain…”

“Twilight, I’m so sorry…” Luna cut in, her own voice shaking with the emotion and pain. “I… I don’t think I’ll ever forgive myself for what I’ve done to you. We were so wrong keeping that secret from you, we realize that too late… And for running, I was being foolish. I never should have hidden my feelings from you.” Luna sobbed once, a single tear tracing it’s way down her cheek. “I was so scared that I’d do the same thing as last time, that I-“

“Luna,” Twilight cut her off, rising to her hooves and advancing on the crying princess. Gingerly, she raised a hoof to the Princess’ chin, cupping it with a tender touch as she looked up into Luna’s watery eyes.

“I’m not Nightshade.” Luna froze in her grip, trembling slightly. “And I’m no fool, either…” She smiled sadly, leaning in to kiss Luna’s lips ever so gently. “I love you, Luna… And I forgive you for everything you did. You and Celestia. Yes, it hurt, but I’m a better pony for it. It’s made us stronger.” She paused, stepping forward. “Will make us stronger… I hope?”

Luna pulled Twilight into her embrace with a choking sob.

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It took Harbinger and Crest all of two days to be discharged from the hospital. Twilight was informed by a messenger that found her in the main library one day. He handed her an official summons, which detailed the meeting between her and the council responsible for her duties. That evening before the sun and the moon were handled, she was to report to the main court room for discussion. Thanking the messenger, Twilight began to prepare herself. Whatever was going to happen, it was going to be major. She didn’t know if she would need notes, a presentation, or what. But she did know that there would be discussion. Discussion, if nothing else, was something Twilight excelled at.

When the time came, she was surprised to find Celestia and Luna waiting for her outside of the main court room. “Celestia. Luna. Hello.” She said cautiously. “This isn’t something you need to be here for, is it?”

“Gee, thanks for the vote of confidence.” Luna chuckled as she nuzzled Twilight affectionately. The small gesture helped to relax her, and she smiled at Celestia’s patronizing eye-roll.

“As it stands, yes. We do need to be here. Mainly as advisors for the discussion, but also to oppose the council, or you, if need be.” Celestia said, nodding towards the wide double doors. “Are you ready, Twilight?” She heaved a sigh, calming her nerves with a deep breath. Over the past two days, she had resumed her duties once more, at least those that she could perform. In addition, however, she had spoken with two of the other council members. Paper Prose, who filled her position on the Acquisitions Committee, and Measure, her stand-in for the Education Committee. Both of them seemed to be rather indifferent to their roles, as both committees were easy to manage, and met very infrequently. But they did express general concern for her as the Archmage. While their duties for this meeting were only to provide input on their specific committee, it was still nice to hear how they felt in general.

When the doors opened, Twilight wore a confident smile.

That quickly faded when she saw who was in attendance. It wasn’t just the twenty unicorns filling her position… There were probably a hundred packed into the courtroom, and each one of them looking at Twilight and the two princesses.

“Oh my,” Celestia mused, looking around. “This isn’t what I had expected…”

“Most definitely not… Come on, Twilight.” Luna nodded towards the empty center of the packed court room, hushed whispers shared between all in attendance at the suddenly-frightened expression on Twilight’s face. She fought to control her thundering heart, to put something other than fear on her face. She managed an odd, platonic sort of expression. Stoic and cold for the most part. She couldn’t stop frowning.

Celestia and Luna left Twilight in the middle of the room, both of them ascending twin sets of steps up to a large, circular dias overlooking the entire courtroom. All around the outside edge of the large, rectangular room were risers for ponies to sit on. Twilight could count four empty seats. Every other chair was full. Before the circular dias, and immediately before Twilight, was a set of twenty chairs, stacked in two rows of ten. On each of these chairs sat the council members. At the front sat Bastion, with Harbinger and Golden Crest on either side of him. She spotted Paper Prose and Measure in the back row, but nearly every other pony there was a mystery to her. The only other one she recognized was the head gardener, though she couldn’t recall his name just then…

“Very well, then.” Celestia’s voice sounded from atop the dias, silencing the hushed whispers going all about. Twilight slowly sat down, holding her head high as she blankly looked at the twenty before her. “The council has seen fit to summon the Archmage for discussion of her duties, and failure to assume them in a satisfactory capacity. Twilight Sparkle, Archmage of Canterlot, will plead her case to the council, who will then decide whether or not she is fit to fulfill the role of Archmage.” Twilight’s heart leapt into her throat. Plead her case? The council would decide? What was happening? Luna continued.

“Ultimately, the decision of whether or not Twilight Sparkle will remain Archmage lies with the Royal Pony Sisters, Princess Celestia and I. However, being a self-governing body, we will remain as partial as possible to the decision of the council.” She was serious now, her expression that same stone-cold that it always was when she was handling business.

“Bastion, Commander of the Royal Guard and unicorn in charge of maintaining the shields protecting Canterlot, will represent the council as a whole, though his opinion will be counted as an individual amongst them. Twilight Sparkle, Archmage of Canterlot, will represent herself. Council, do you agree to this?”

“We do.” Bastion’s gruff voice sent a shiver down Twilight’s spine.

“Twilight Sparkle, do you agree to this?”

“Yes, your highness.” Twilight surprised herself with how solid her voice sounded. It steeled her resolve. Her stoic expression returned. Her heart beat normalized. She was the Archmage. She could handle this.

“Very well. Council, make your plea known.”

“Thank you, your highness.” Bastion rose to his hooves, standing between Twilight and the dias, his tone loud and clear for everypony gathered to hear, though he looked straight at her, unwavering and solid. “Twilight, the council has made it known that they are dissatisfied with your inability to assume your duties as Archmage. It has been a total of two months and fifteen days since you were named, and you have accepted a grand total of two of your positions. The act of doing so, might I add, only requires you to be present with both princesses for no more than ten minutes every morning and evening.

“Additionally, this duty has been neglected just recently, and your irresponsibility led to the injury of two council members. Do you deny this claim?” Twilight rose her head high, staring straight into Bastion’s eyes.

“I do not.”

“You understand admittance of that fact places you in a position of responsibility for the injuries sustained by said council members?”

“I do not.”

“OBJECTION!” Harbinger shot to his hooves, flustering at Twilight. “It’s thanks to you that I was burned! Crest too!”

“With all due respect, Harbinger,” Twilight said coolly. “Your injuries were not a direct result of my negligence. They were a result of Golden Crest’s. He failed to maintain concentration during the process, and as a result, his shield broke, injuring both himself and you.” Harbinger flagged, his eyes wide. “As a result, your own shield broke, further injuring you both. Furthermore, the morning before my departure, I made a request of you both. But that’s what it was. A request. If you or Golden Crest felt you were unable to perform the duty requested, you should have denied. I would have allayed my plans, and remained to perform the duty that injured you both. Therefore, any injuries sustained during the process were the fault of yourselves, and not me. I forgive the council for it’s false accusation against me.”

Twilight could see the ghost of a smile on Celestia’s face. Harbinger had no words, and sat down shocked. The entire courtroom was silent in the aftermath of Twilight’s scathing rebuttal.

“Very well,” Bastion cleared his throat to continue speaking. “The council would also like to make it known that you have failed to take your position as advisor to the Homeland Committee, which has met a grand total of four times and has suffered thanks to your absence.”

“Might I ask which council member has filled my spot on that committee?” Twilight asked calmly.

“That would be me, Archmage.” The pony who spoke out was a blue-coated pegasus with a white mane, his mark that of two swords crossed over a shield. “My name is Homefront, and I act in an advisory capacity to the Homeland Committee in place of the Archmage.”

“Thank you, Homefront. Please, what is your claim against me?”

“As mentioned before, it has been some time since you were named Archmage. Not once have I received any notification or correspondence from you expressing interest in the Homeland Committee. As a soldier in the Guard, and a subject passionate about the defense of his home, I am both offended and outraged that the Archmage has neglected her duties to home and country.”

“Your anger is understood, Homefront. But for your claim, I have a question to ask of the council.” Twilight stood up, letting her gaze slide across each of the twenty council members before her. “Prior to this discussion, how many of you have sent correspondence to me, expressing interest or concern in my inability or ‘neglect’ to fulfill my role in a satisfactory manner?” Silence. Twilight pressed her advantage.

“As many of you know, I was not a student of Nocturnal Glow before his passing. Why he named me over any of his students remains a mystery. Trust me, I wish I knew the answer myself sometimes. But alas, he named me, the princesses agreed, and here I am today, standing before the council as the Archmage of Canterlot.” She started pacing back and forth, addressing everypony in the court room.

“What duties I have assumed, I did so on my own volition. I accept full responsibility for any and all failures to perform them, on behalf of myself, or the ponies designated to fill my role while I adjust to the position.” She shot a glance at Harbinger. “Provided the blame is mine to begin with,” She let her eyes slide over everypony in the risers, the council and even up to the princesses. “However. I would let it be known to the council and everypony in this court room that I have not once received a single letter, document, complaint, memoir, or note regarding my failure to perform a single one of my assigned duties.” Murmurs broke out in the audience, and Twilight spoke louder to drown them out.

“I have researched and toiled away, but documentation on the Archmage and their duties is difficult to find. What I have discovered in the two months and fifteen days since being named Archmage is this:” She turned back to the council, the murmurs having died down so she could speak quietly. “Harbinger and Golden Crest are responsible for assisting the princesses in the raising and setting of the moon and sun. Bastion is responsible for maintaining the shields protecting the crystal caverns beneath Canterlot. And two ponies amongst the council are heads of two opposing parties. The Movement for Magical Superiority in Canterlot, and the Canterlot Preservation group. These parties were founded to replace a role the Archmage fulfills. That role being to maintain the balance between magically-enhanced and fortified buildings being erected, and natural gardens or features.

“I do not know the names of the ponies who are fulfilling my duties as advisors to the numerous committees, save for two of you. Truth be told, I haven’t been informed of any of these committee’s meeting times, places, or protocols for attendance. I have not been contacted with regards to any committee member’s names, positions, or the impact this has had on their personal lives. In addition,” Twilight continued. “Keep in mind that every single Archmage from the first to the one before me has been a student of their predecessor. Not so with me. I had met Nocturnal Glow maybe twice in my entire life. I never once studied with him, or even held a meaningful conversation.” With a sigh, she sat back down, her head still high. “Everything I know about my position I have learned on my own. With no help from the council. My counter-question is this, Bastion:” Twilight pointed to the entire committee with her hoof, her tone low and heartfelt.

“What would any of you do in my position?”

Again, silence.

Bastion turned to Celestia, looking up at her as he spoke. “Princess, with your permission, the council would like to recess.”

“We will re-convene after sunset.” Celestia nodded. “And continue this discussion further.”

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“After deliberation amongst the council members, we have decided to rescind our complaint against the Archmage and her alleged inability to fulfill her duties, but there are conditions to be fulfilled. Should the Archmage agree to these conditions, we will proceed. If she should disagree, the council will adjourn and re-convene at a later date to continue deliberation. Does the Archmage agree?” Bastion spoke clear and loud, though it was apparent by his expression that the council was feeling the pressure from Twilight.

“I agree to hear the conditions.”

“There are a total of two. The first is this: Twilight Sparkle will assume duties monitoring and maintaining the shields beneath Canterlot within a period of three days. The second: Twilight Sparkle will be responsible for finding a replacement for Harbinger, and must do so within the same three days.” Twilight frowned, glancing at Harbinger and his very disgruntled disposition.

“Am I to assume that Harbinger is retiring from his position on the council?”

“That is correct.” Bastion grunted. Twilight saw him glance over his shoulder at Harbinger, sitting with his hooves crossed on his chest

“Very well, then.” Twilight nodded towards the council, and then again up at Celestia and Luna. “I, Twilight Sparkle, Archmage of Canterlot, agree to the conditions. Provided I do not meet them within the allotted time, I will happily address the council once again on the subject of my inability to perform my duties satisfactorily.” She rose to her hooves, nodding stoically at the council. “If you’ll excuse me, it appears I have some studying to do.” With a flick of her tail, Twilight left the council chambers, leaving in her wake over a hundred impressed ponies, and one very disgruntled Harbinger.

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“Twilight! That was incredible!” Luna wrapped her forelegs around Twilight, sweeping her off of her hooves and into a warm, passionate embrace. “I have never seen anypony handle themselves so magnificently! And in front of the entire council, nonetheless! That was simply amazing! Outstanding!”

“If ever I was more proud to call you a student of mine, I have yet to remember it.” Celestia moved to embrace Twilight after Luna had released her, and after both gentle hugs, Twilight felt happy and warm inside. In fact, it felt like the depression and sadness that had weighed so heavily on her heart before would never return. She heaved a long sigh, smiling up at both princesses.

“I’m just glad I read the log books for courtroom proceedings. I knew that would pay off.” They all shared a laugh and smiled wide at one another. The entire discussion had taken less than an hour, between talking, cycling the sun and moon, and returning to hear the conditions of the council. Twilight’s rebuttal had convinced everypony on the council that she was doing all she could to assume her responsibilities as quickly as possible. Not to mention she had made a very important point that would make moving forward much easier.

“Still... I don’t see know how the council expects me to pick up the shields in just three days... I mean, with Bastion’s schedule and trying to find Harbinger’s replacement, I just... It’s impossible.” Twilight sighed and hung her head. She was not unused to handling monumental tasks, but this one seemed to be ridiculously difficult.

“Well, the Archmage is renown for making the impossible possible. So, study up, I guess?” Luna smiled over the rim of her own cup of tea, and Twilight frowned down at her half-empty one.

“It’s your problem, not ours, Twilight. You’re going to have to stand up on your own this time.” Celestia teased, nudging Twilight. She sighed again, mumbling into her cup of tea.

“And what about Harbinger’s replacement? I don’t even know anypony who can use shadow magic…”

“I can help you there. For what it’s worth, I might have a few names I can give you. It’ll be up to you to interview them and decide which one is a suitable replacement, but you’re not alone on that front.” Luna smiled and rested a hoof over Twilight’s, making her smile in return.

“Thanks. I’ve got three days… Three days to do all of that...”

“Well,” Celestia finished her tea off, raising to her hooves with a tired smile. “If anypony can do it, Twilight, it’s you. Good night.”

“Night,”

“Good night, sister. See you in the morning.” Celestia smiled back at them before leaving the lounge... Leaving Twilight and Luna alone together.

They rushed into the kiss so fast, Twilight felt their teeth scrape together. She didn’t even care. Her hooves pushed through Luna’s mane, clinging tight, feeling Luna wrap both her hooves and her wings around Twilight. Their tongues met in a hungry, eager dance, the two twining and swirling together so eagerly that Twilight forgot to breathe.

“Stop.” She whimpered, pulling away suddenly.

“S-sorry,” Luna panted, withdrawing. “I… I’m sorry.”

“No, it’s fine… Just…” Twilight paused for a moment, drawing a shaky, uneven breath. “Moving a little fast…”

“Hehe.” Luna blushed and hesitantly approached for another kiss, this one much slower and meaningful. Afterwards, Twilight could hear her heart hammer in her ears, making her legs quiver slightly. “You’ll do fine, Twilight… The council is obviously impressed with you, or they wouldn’t have even given you conditions. Like I said, I’ve never seen anypony handle themselves so admirably… I’m so proud of you.”

“Thanks, Luna.” Twilight said gently. “But… About us…”

“Oh? There’s more?” Luna looked genuinely shocked.

“Just a little bit… Look, we’ve all make mistakes.” Twilight sighed, fighting the tears that threatened to well up within her again. “You and I are no exception to that rule. At all… But that’s all they were. Mistakes.” She looked up into Luna’s beautiful eyes, smiling brightly. “I’m not perfect, Luna… I’m just a young unicorn… But I’m not foolish. I understand that life is just plain too short to miss out on something good…” She reached out, cupping Luna’s hoof with her own, drawing it up to her cheek so she could feel the soft, gentle touch. “You’re the best thing to happen to me… And I want you to keep happening to me.” One tear escaped, staining Luna’s coat with it’s moisture.

“But I’m scared… I don’t want you to fall so deep in love with me that you’re hurt when I… When I pass… I’m just a unicorn, and I can’t live forever. Please, Luna, just…”

“Shh,” Luna silenced Twilight gently, wrapping her forelegs around the trembling unicorn. She drew Twilight close, rocking back and forth as Twilight cried again. “Shh, shh… It’s okay…” She kissed Twilight’s forehead softly, tears of her own falling into Twilight’s mane. “I love you too, Twilight… And I will love you forever…”

“B-but, I’m not going to be around forever.” Twilight sobbed, burying her face into Luna’s chest and crying more.

“It’s okay, Twilight.” Luna leaned in to whisper into Twilight’s ear, her horn glowing as she cast the sleep spell. Twilight slumped in her hooves, her chest rising and falling steadily. Luna held her for a few more moments, crying silently for fear of breaking the spell. Once she was calm enough, Luna gingerly carried the slumbering pony to her nearby quarters, carefully and easily setting Twilight down atop her bed. Luna took a few long moments to run a hoof through Twilight’s mane, watching her love slumber quietly. Luna leaned forward to kiss Twilight’s forehead, shedding one last tear.

“If only you knew, Twilight… If only you knew.”