I had debated taking the train to Canterlot, but the urgency of the situation, and having never gone farther than Ponyville, caused me to simply run all the way there. I was surprisingly fast, having made the distance in a few minutes time.

I didn’t bother slowing down to look at the city itself, nor did I bother with the guards at the gate. I know it wasn’t particularly kind of me, but I sort of just walked past them and into the castle, making my way to the thankfully easy to reach throne room.

When I got there, the Princess, Princess Celestia, stared down at me in surprise, while the guards moved towards me, frowning. Just before they reached me, however, Celestia called them off.

“It’s alright, guards.” She said, that seemingly being enough to stop them. She then said to me, “You aren’t Sarah, are you? You look so much like her, and even dress similarly, yet you lack the scars and the... well not so much “lack”, more along the lines of “have” a right arm.”

I nodded, rubbing the back of my neck nervously, “I’m her twin sister, Mary. It’s... hard to explain, and I’m rather pressed for time right now....” I trailed off, not knowing how to explain the situation.

She seemed to catch on, nodding with a soft smile, “It is alright, Mary. While I would like to speak with you, I am always wishing to meet the new Wraiths who seems to be appearing recently, I understand if you are busy. What do you need of me, however? I imagine you did not come all the way here simply to tell me we do not have time to speak to one another.”

“Right um....” I fumbled around, trying to find where I had placed the letter in my trench coat. Eventually, I found it in the coat’s inner pocket, and I held it up for her to see her name on the front. “I was asked to deliver this to you; it’s from Sarah.”

She seemed surprised at my statement, and a golden aura enveloped both her horn, and the letter. It floated over to her, and she broke the envelope’s seal, removing and unfolding the paper within, and reading it.

As she read,her expression became increasingly troubled, and after a few seconds, she finished. She looked up from the letter and said in a tone equally as put off as she appeared, “I must say... I was not expecting what I have just read.”

Is looked down at the floor, shuffling my feet uncomfortably, “I don’t really know what’s in the letter, I just delivered it.” I then looked up and asked worriedly, “Is it that bad? Is she okay?”

“I can’t tell from the letter, but... I would return to your sister as soon as possible. I know firsthand the result of not being there when your sister is breaking down, both mentally and emotionally, and...” She shuddered, closing her eyes and shaking her head as she did so. She then opened them and said, “Go, for your sisters sake, and possibly your own.”

I frowned, “I would but....” I pulled out the letter to Michael, “I still need to deliver this one, and I don’t really know where Michael is....”

A golden glow pulled the envelope from my hand, and Celestia said, “I will make sure it gets to him. Your sister will need you now, more than you need to deliver this personally. Do not worry, it will find it’s way to Michael’s hands.”

“Thank you....” She nodded once at my thanks, and I gave a quick, awkward bow before turning and running from the castle, back to the house. I would have argued, but I think I could trust her word.

Now I just hope that Jav delivers the other two letters to Dean and Beth.

Contents of the letter to Princess Celestia

Princess Celestia,

        I’m sure you don’t remember me, or perhaps you do, but my name is Ardiente Fragua. I’m writing this to tell you that the following is from the Wraith you had a particularly... unpleasant experience with, Sarah Akinson. She asked me to write this to you, on account that she does not know how to write. I will not be leaving out anything said by her, what you see is exactly what she said, or what I could make out from her, at least.

“Princess- what’s her name? Celestia? Princess Celestia, I’m having Ardiente write this because, well, I’m sorry. I just want to apologize for how I acted when we met, how I treated you and all that. I don’t even know why I acted like that, or why I’m acting the way I am right now, for that matter. I just had a breakdown after losing about half of my mind, and I just want to apologize and make things different. Not just between you and me, but I want to make tons of things different, better I hope. Look, I can’t get this all out right here, my mind’s too screwed up right now. Could I just visit in a week, maybe when my head is better, and talk to you? Please? I want to set things straight, make things different, and how me and you see each other is one of those things.”

Ardiente again. I’m not totally sure what’s wrong with her; she refuses to say until all of the letters are out and written. I don’t know how you'll take this, but try to give her a chance, at least. She seems so... broken right now, and she needs to pick up the pieces. Talking to you, I think, would help her do that, so please consider seeing her.

                                                Sincerely,

                                                        Sarah Akinson & Ardiente Fragua

Contents of the letter to Michael Fritz

Michael Fritz,

        This is Ardiente, your friend Sarah’s lover. She asked me to write this letter, and three others, on account of her being unable to write.

        “Michael, I don’t know if you care or not, hell given the way I act I doubt you do, but please listen. The day we left the ruins, I had a breakdown, a big one. Those four personalities of mine you met? I don’t know how they came back, or took control of my body and changed my appearance the way they did, but for whatever reason, they disappeared completely. They’re gone, and my mind can’t take it right now, I’m stressing the hell out.

        I know you’ve said before that I tend to yell about how bad my life is, but you have to understand, that’s all I know how to do. That’s all I’ve ever done, is yell and scream, the only difference is that now, it’s not in fear or in pain, it’s in anger and confusion. I don’t expect you to understand, but please just listen. I’m not screaming or yelling to try and get sympathy, or get attention, I’m just acting the way I have always been acting, acting the way I know how to act.

        Just know that right now, I’m not yelling to try and get sympathy or attention from you, I’m yelling for help. Please, I just need some fucking help....”

        This was the last letter I wrote from her, she just sort of... stopped speaking after that. As soon as you can, Michael, please talk to her. I don’t know how much help you can offer, or if she’ll even need it (as this could just be an “episode”), but at least talk to her. She’s been going on in the other letters about how she wants to set things straight with others, and get on better terms with them, that’s probably what she wants from you as well.

        I’d imagine the “yelling for help” part was on account of something you’ve said to her in the past, and she was just getting it out. I don’t know for sure, though, so either way, just talk to her. Please.

                                                Sincerely,

                                                        Sarah Akinson & Ardiente Fragua

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