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||- Chapter 5 -||
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>You've done it. Truly this is the zenith of comfiness that is achievable by man.
>A day off from work, with nothing on the agenda except relaxation.
>A recliner positioned in front of your bay window to watch the snowfall from your nice, warm house.
>A fire crackling in the fireplace to provide said warmth.
>A cozy blanket wrapped around you, and...
>A mug of perfectly prepared coffee in your hand.
>You let out a contented sigh as the sound of the fire calms you while you watch the dancing snowflakes outside. It's only 7:30 in the morning and already this day is perfect.
>You hear a shuffling behind you, followed by a bang and a groan as Sun Horse rolls off the couch and into the floor, then struggles to pull herself to her hooves; her standard morning wake-up routine.
"Your coffee's on the table."
>She grunts in response as she takes slow, labored steps to retrieve the sacred elixir before trotting over to sit beside you in front of the window. You both take sips periodically as you wordlessly watch the snowfall together.
>But soon enough, after about 10 minutes of silence, two tired, not quite awake magenta eyes turn their attention to you.
>"What are you thinking about, Anonymous?"
>You turn your head to meet her gaze as she tries to blink the sleep away.
"Nothing. You've lived for how long, now, and you don't know to never ask a guy that question yet?"
>A bit of a smile seems to lift some of the tiredness from her countenance.
>"Oh, is it the same with human stallions as it is with ponies? How curious... but do you really expect me to believe that there are no profound thoughts behind that contemplative expression you've had for a while now?"
 
"Yes, I expect you to believe it because it's true. I spend almost every waking moment thinking about stuff. To not have to think about anything is like a vacation to me, and the same is true for a lot of guys, so don't act surprised when you ask us what we're thinking during moments like these and we say 'nothing'."
>She nods. "I can certainly understand the sentiment, and I've been told similar things by stallions in the past..." She moves her muzzle to whisper in your ear. "...but I still don't quite believe it, my little human."
>She pulls her head back and you turn to face her again. Her now barely hidden smile is the perfect complement to her still tired eyes and untamed bed-mane, which attempts to wave in the astral breeze in seemingly every direction at once.
>A smile of your own begins to form at the sight.
>"You can have your secrets, though. I won't pry on your day off." She yawns and trots away toward the bathroom. "Enjoy your non-contemplative contemplating."
>You turn back to the window as the sound of hooves ascending the stairs begins to fade away.
>Okay, so she got you there. You were actually thinking about something. A spergy purple alicorn, to be precise.
>It's been over a month and a half since she appeared before you in Canterlot, and since then absolutely nothing has happened.
>Seriously. Even the weird attempts to annoy you from Rainbow Dash, Rarity and Fluttershy have completely stopped.
>You know you should be happy. These last 45 days have been great; possibly the best since you came to Equestria thanks to your always entertaining roommate Sunbutt.
 
>And for a while, you sort of convinced yourself that maybe she had given up... maybe she'd finally realized that it was never going to work, that it wasn't worth the effort, and that she should just move on.
>But a sinking feeling of terror has slowly been clawing at the back of your mind over the last few days over something Twilight said that night.
>She told you the two of you would be married in two months. That deadline is rapidly approaching, and with each day that passes your feeling of dread grows.
>You spoke to Celestia at length about your encounter with Twilight the day after, and she reassured you that you have nothing to fear. You want to believe that, you really do, but Twilight sounded so certain...
>The fire pops as a log shifts and you nearly jump out of your skin. You're just being paranoid, Anon, and you're wasting your day off worrying about something you have no control over anyway. Best to just forget about it and enjoy the moment.
>You pull the blanket around you even tighter and resume watching the falling snow. It's just a light snowstorm now, but it's been scheduled to escalate into a blizzard later. You heard from Pinkie yesterday that the blizzard was some kind of odd last minute weather schedule change, but hey: if it's on your day off, you're not gonna complain. Just more time for indoor relaxation, after all!
>You settle back and let those thoughts drift out of your mind and become indistinguishable from the rest of the world like the falling snowflakes outside, and soon your greatest concern is whether or not to abandon your cozy place for another cup of coffee...
 
~~~~~~~~~
 
>You place a bookmark in your Daring Do novel and hop off the couch to tend the fire. A quick glance at the clock reveals that it's almost noon.
>"Anonymous? We're out of cupcakes..."
>You hear a worried voice call from the kitchen and turn to see a wavy multicolored mane peek from around the edge of the doorframe followed by a dejected looking Sun Horse.
"Maybe we wouldn't be if you limited yourself to two a day like we talked about."
>She scoffs. "You and I both know that's completely unreasonable. We need to go and pick some up from Sugarcube Corner before they close due to the weather."
"We? Oh no. You want 'em? You go get 'em, Roomie. I am -not- going outside in that mess."
>You turn to the window and your hunch is confirmed. Looks like the blizzard's started while you were enjoying your book. To your surprise, Celestia leaps through the door and over the couch to stand in front of you, swishing her tail with excitement.
>"Don't be that way... it'll only take a minute!"
>You sigh and rub your eyes.
"It'll only take you a minute to teleport over there, buy some, and teleport back. I don't see why you need me for this."
>She steps back and hangs her head. "Oh... I see. So the stories of Anonymous, the mighty human who braved the elements to conquer many mountains in his home world and overcame many of Equestria's own trials were all exaggerations... I suppose I should've known..."
>You cross your arms and stare at her.
"This isn't about cupcakes at all. You just want to go out and play in the snow."
>She turns back to you, ears folded down with a slight blush. "...Am I that transparent?"
 
"Yes. You're a big girl; you don't need me to chaperone you out there."
>"But what fun is it if you're not there with me? Don't be such a stick-in-the-mud, Anonymous, it's just a trip to Sugarcube Corner and back. Think of it as an adventure! Haven't you heard the saying, 'It's the journey, not the destination'?"
"I'd argue that both are important, and I've gone on one too many journeys for your sake already."
>You walk over to the window and notice that it's half covered by a snow drift.
"Look, it's already over a foot deep out there. I don't have any snowshoes and it's so fresh I'll sink right in. I don't really feel like slogging my way through a mile of deep snow on my day off."
>Celestia giggles. "Is that all you're concerned about? You should pay better attention to the resources you have available, Anonymous. The solution to this problem is right in front of you." She proudly puffs up her chest.
>Oh, right... sometimes it's easy to forget that this silly horse is actually a goddess with immense magical power at her command.
>You suppose she could transmute some random items into snowshoes for you, or cast a spell to allow you to walk on top of the snow without falling through. Or maybe she'll just bypass the problem entirely and blaze a path all the way there with magical fire. Given all that, it might actually be nice to get out of the house today. After a bit of thought, you're almost looking forward to it.
>Better not let her know that, though, or you'll never hear the end of it. You heave out an exaggerated sigh.
"All right, fine..."
 
>With a sly smile, Celestia's horn begins to shine and before you know what's going on you've been dressed in your shoes, hat and winter jacket. You chuckle at her enthusiasm and follow her to the front door.
"So what's your plan?"
>Her smile doesn't falter as she trots in place. "It's simple, Anonymous. Honestly, I'm not sure why you didn't come up with this yourself earlier considering all those tales you've told me of your world."
>In a single, smooth motion, she lays down near the doorway and presents her back to you.
>"Now, from what you've said, neither of us have really done this before, but it can't be too difficult. I promise I'll go slow until we're both better accustomed to it. You have nothing to fear, and if worse comes to worse the snow will help cushion your fall..."
>Your brain just stopped. Is she really...?
"Uh... I'm not sure I'm comfortable with this..."
>The white alicorn turns her head back and huffs at you in annoyance. "Why? What's the problem? I know I'm not built like one of your Earth horses but I'm not as fragile as I look!"
>You raise your hands in defense.
"No, no, it's not that, it's just... how do I put this... it's weird. Horses back on Earth are one thing, but you're practically my best friend..."
>A goofy smile spreads across her face when she hears those words.
"...and friends don't usually ride each other through town unless there's a lot of alcohol involved. And really, one or more of us being drunk for this is an even worse idea, so maybe we should just--"
>"Nopony will see us! The blizzard outside will prevent it, and you can dismount once we get close to Sugarcube Corner. Please, Anonymous..."
 
>And there it is. The look that can cause you to give in to any demand or forgive her for anything. Let's be honest here... you never really stood a chance against her in the first place, did you Anon?
>You take a few steps and straddle Celestia's broad back. Oh god this is awkward...
"Are my legs okay over your wings like this?"
>"It's fine, I won't need them and it helps to deter me from using them as a crutch for balance."
>You grab on to whatever you can as she stands, then slowly walks in a circle near the entryway to get used to the feeling of having you there.
>"See? This isn't so bad. It's actually quite fun!" She turns her neck to partially face you. "I think we're ready, don't you?"
>All you can manage is a nod as the door swings open courtesy of a magical aura and the two of you step into the blizzard. You close your eyes and shield your face with an arm to prevent the swirling snow from blinding you. With your sense of sight gone, all you can perceive is the sound and bite of the chilling winter wind along with the motion of Celestia's body as she takes cautious steps through the snow. You hold on to her mane for dear life with your one free hand, the cold already starting to numb your fingers.
>And then it all stops. The cold, the wind, the sting of driving snow on your face. Instead, Celestia's gentle laughter rings out in the newfound silence.
>"It's safe to open your eyes now."
>You lower your arm and tentatively open one eye... and the amazing sight before you takes your breath away.
"Wow..."
 
>It's like being in an inside-out snow globe. An invisible magical sphere surrounds you, keeping the blizzard at bay. The falling snow cascades around the barrier in a mesmerizing chaotic dance. The chilling wind no longer reaches you and the sound of the storm is muted. You can barely see anything past the barrier... it's as if you've stepped outside the world itself and into a place created for the two of you alone.
>Your grip loosens as you turn your gaze downward and are treated to another spectacle. Celestia's mane and tail cast a soft light of their own which is reflected upon the snow on the ground in a rainbow of pastel colors that shift and shimmer like the aurora borealis. The overwhelming beauty is such that you have to move your hands to her withers and lean forward a bit to avoid sliding off in a trance...
>Celestia takes your motion as a cue to continue and she begins a slow trot forward through the snow. The invisible barrier follows her unwaveringly and the only sound is the soft crunch of snow as each hoof finds its place.
>"Do you want to know a secret, Anonymous?"
>You nod your head in reply, too slack jawed to say anything, but then realize she can't see the gesture since she's facing forward.
"Sure."
>"I've... always been a little self-conscious about my stature in relation to other ponies. In my youth, I had quite a growth spurt that never seemed to slow, and before I knew it I was looking down upon all my peers, many of whom teased me relentlessly over it. After all, no stallion wants a mare so much taller than himself. My concern over it faded with age, but it never really went away, and to this day I wonder if it was partly why so many ponies found me unapproachable when I was a Princess."
 
>You're not sure what to say in response, so you simply trail a hand up and down the side of her neck in reassurance.
>"When you told me of the horses of your world, and of the relationship they've had with your kind for thousands of years... I knew I wanted to try this with you. Even though we're just walking together, something about this feels right. Do you feel it too?"
>Yeah... you do. It's tough to put into words. You initially thought this would be uncomfortably weird, but now that it's actually happening it stirs a variety of surprising emotions within you.
>She wants to carry you. And you want to be carried. That's the basic transaction that's taking place, but there's so much more beneath it that you can't even begin to describe. The trust you place in one another for something like this makes you feel connected to Celestia on a primal level that you've never felt with anyone else. The movement of her muscles as she walks reassures you that she's there for you, just as your weight upon her back reassures her that you're there for her.
>You swallow once to try to find your voice and say the first thing that comes to mind.
"Faster."
>Her ears twitch. If you could see the wide smile that plays across her face in that moment you'd probably be nervous. Instead, you feel a rush of excitement as her trot turns into a canter, then a slow gallop.
>You've never ridden a horse in your life, let alone bareback, but your body seems to know what to do. You pull yourself forward and center your weight where it needs to be. Handfuls of her plentiful mane become your reins. Your legs move above her wings, freeing them, and she flutters them a bit before resisting the urge and snapping them back to her sides.
 
>The snow kicks up with each impact of her hooves as your bodies begin to move as one. She's like water underneath you and you feel as if you're flying. Beyond her ears and horn the blizzard parts and moves aside with ease as if it was in awe of the two of you.
>All too soon you catch the silhouette of Sugarcube Corner in the distance and you pull back on her mane to slow her. She responds immediately, coming to a stop twenty feet from the entrance, just far enough that the two of you are still obscured from any onlookers by the blizzard.
>Celestia carefully lays down in the snow and you reluctantly stand, then kneel in front of her. You're both panting with exhilaration, and without thinking you take her muzzle in your hands and stroke it affectionately.
"We've gotta do this more often."
>She pulls away, cheeks flush, but her eyes still find your own.
>"Yes, that was even better than I imagined. I'm glad for this body now, because it allowed us to share this with one another... something special only for us." She leans her head forward again, back into your waiting hands. "I think I can find an out of the way place where we can practice..."
>"Practice what? Bowling? Jump rope? Calligraphy? Oh! Oh! Wait, were you guys... salsa dancing?! Mmmm... salsa..."
>You and Celestia both scream and cling to one another. There, standing near the edge of your sphere of safety, is Pinkie Pie dressed in a festive winter hat and stockings, a bounce in her step and a box balanced atop her back.
"Pinkie... please, please, PLEASE don't sneak up on me like that. I don't think my heart can take it!"
 
>The pink pony bounces over to you and places an ear to your chest. "Oh Non-non, I'm no clockmaker but your ticker's tockin' just fine!" She hops over to Celestia and repeats the gesture. "Celly's is too! Say, it almost sounds like they're in sync..."
>The two of you share a quick glance but turn away from each other before anything is said.
>"But that's not why you're here! And it's not why I'm here, either! Wait, why am I here...? Oh yeah!" She turns and presents the wrapped box to you. "Special delivery!"
"What's this?"
>You take the box and open the lid to find a dozen freshly baked and frosted cupcakes inside.
>Celestia's eyes glimmer and she tries to stealthily lick her lips as she eyes the tasty treats. "How did you know?"
>Pinkie giggles. "Oh, I had a twitch or two! Plus I figured Non-non would miss me on his day off, so it was only a matter of time before you guys came by!" She winks at you. "I wish I could stay, but I've gotta get back to help Mr. and Mrs. Cake close up shop. The storm's real bad today! You guys should head back too..."
>Celestia stands and stretches. "Yes, now that we have what we came for, I think that would be wise. Let's go, Anonymous."
>You pat Pinkie's back as you rise.
"Thanks, Pinks. Say hi to the Cakes for me."
>"I will." She nods a little less enthusiastically than usual, then turns to leave but hesitates and looks back over her shoulder.
>"I... had another twitch too. I think it might be important."
>Long ago you learned to trust Pinkie's premonitions or face the consequences, so your interest is immediately piqued. You lean back down as she rises on her hind hooves to whisper in your ear.
 
>"Snow isn't the only thing that's gonna fall today, Non-non. You should get Celly home."
>She hops back down, then bounds beyond the barrier's edge and disappears into the blizzard. You watch the spot where she vanished and scratch your head.
"Well that was ominous..."
>Celestia trots up beside you. "Something the matter?"
"I'm not sure, but I think we should get home as fast as we can. You up for it?"
>She grins and circles you once before laying down in the snow. "Our only limit is what you're able to handle."
>Securing the box of cupcakes close to your chest, you straddle her back again and the two of you are off like the wind.
 
~~~~~~~~~
 
>The storm begins to break just as you near the path to your house, and with it the veil of snow that conceals you. You slide off Celestia's back with cupcakes in hand and the two of you walk the rest of the way at a leisurely pace. You even whistle a bit to try and act even more inconspicuous.
>It's kind of funny... if you think about it logically, other ponies catching the two of you riding probably wouldn't be that big a deal. Sure, they'd be curious and have questions, but these miniature horses are an accepting lot and a little explanation about human traditions would satisfy them.
>But this is too much to pass up. You feel like a little kid who's been doing something he isn't supposed to. Something FUN. And you totally got away with it! A quick glance at Celestia reveals that she's in a similar state. This is a secret that you share, and that in and of itself is exciting.
>Damn, Anon, haven't you outgrown stuff like this yet? Or maybe we never really do, considering the giddy millenia's-old co-conspirator by your side.
 
>You glance over again and watch as Celestia prances through the snow, happier than you've seen her in quite a while. Seeing her happy makes you happy. It's hard to believe this is the same creature that eyed you with cold indifference when you were brought before her shortly after your arrival in Equestria. If Twilight hadn't vouched for you at the time, there's no telling what she might--
>"...Twilight Sparkle?"
>Your attention immediately snaps back to the present and the sinking feeling of dread returns. There, sitting directly in the path to your home, is the purple alicorn herself.
>While initially surprised by her sudden appearance, Celestia trots over without fear. "It's good to see you again, my former student, even if it's only in the form of an astral projection. A very clever solution, by the way, but also expected of one with your talent and drive."
>Twilight giggles, basking in the praise. "Thank you, Prin--, whoops... I mean, thank you, Celestia. It's nothing special, really, just something one of my old friends taught me."
>Celestia smiles. "I've found that a skill learned from a good friend is special because each time you use it you'll be reminded of the time you shared together." She approaches and attempts to nuzzle Twilight even though her body isn't solid. Regardless, Twilight accepts and returns the gesture.
>"You look well, dear. I see you had the royal regalia resized to fit you. You truly look like a Princess now, but even still it's hard for me to let go of my memory of the little filly who would hop and scurry between my legs and tell me she wanted to be just like me when she grew up. Tell me, is the life of royalty everything you imagined it would be?"
 
>Twilight nods enthusiastically. "Oh yes, it's everything I dreamed of and more! But... I'd be lying if I said there aren't things I miss from my old life. That's one of the reasons why I'm here."
>She sits on her haunches, puffs out her chest and clears her throat. "Ahem. Dear Celestia, I'd like to report on what I've learned recently about the magic of friendship!"
>Celestia laughs. "A friendship report! How nostalgic... I'm all ears, Princess, and quite eager to hear what you've learned." She sits on her haunches as well and watches Twilight attentively. You stay well away from the two but still close enough to hear their conversation.
>Something about this isn't right. Twilight appearing here is a surprise, sure, but she hasn't so much as looked in your direction yet, much less acknowledged your presence in any way. Normally she's all over you, but her focus is completely on Celestia now...
>Twilight stands and paces through the snow. "Before I begin, I'd like to thank you for all you've done for me. Throughout my life you've always wanted what's best for me, and wanted me to become the best pony I can be. Through every test, every lesson, every word of comfort or admonishment... you were trying to help me grow. I didn't always realize it at the time, but I can recognize it now. Even after making me a Princess you wanted to push and develop me further..."
>She stops her pacing and looks the white alicorn in the eyes with sincerity. "And you have. Overcoming the Geas on Anon has been one of the hardest challenges I've ever faced, but with the help of my friends I've finally done it, and from that experience I've grown. I'm here to show you the fruits of your tutelage and guidance, my beloved teacher."
 
>Celestia looks confused. "Overcome the Geas...? Twilight, it isn't a test, I cast that spell on Anonymous because he--"
>Twilight holds up a hoof. "Ah-ah-ah! Please don't interrupt... and there's no need to continue denying it. This was a perfect test of the limits of my newly ascended power; an expertly designed lesson. Allow me to explain what I've learned..."
>She clears her throat again. "At the beginning, I had no idea what to do and admittedly went a little crazy trying stuff. I saw the Geas as just another curse, so I focused my efforts on finding loopholes to exploit that would get me closer to Anon, which is the standard textbook response to curses which can't be easily dispelled."
>A wavy image begins to appear on the snow before Celestia. You step a little closer and are able to see a simple picture of Rarity. "Using my friend Rarity, I was able to test the Geas' limits regarding rumors and relayed orders as they pertained to Anon. The findings were very interesting... I discovered that while direct mandates were ineffective, indirect orders relayed through an unaware third party -do- still work. This information was invaluable for me going forward, even if it didn't seem useful at the time."
>An image of Rainbow Dash appears on the ground next. "Using my friend Rainbow Dash, I was able to test the Geas' limits regarding my direct proximity to Anon. I had her wear a special gem attuned to my magical signature. Again, the findings were interesting but not that useful at the time, because I discovered that the Geas' effective radius would change seemingly at random. This observation would later lead to a critical breakthrough in my research."
 
>Finally, an image of Fluttershy appears. "Using my friend Fluttershy, I was able to test the Geas' reaction to simple enchanted items created with my magic but worn by another pony. I enchanted a variety of items, such as a fake moustache, with innocuous spells and had her confront Anon. It was through these experiments that I came to discover that my magic, if weak enough and not directly focused on Anon, wouldn't be blocked, and it led to my realization that communicating using this method of astral projection would be possible."
>The image on the ground fades away. "Individually these findings didn't really lead to any major practical applications, so I had to go back to the drawing board and re-examine the nature of the Geas itself."
>Celestia sits in silence. It's tough to tell from this angle, but it looks like her smile has faded and her expression is stoic, yet still attentive.
>Twilight continues. "Like I said, at first I thought it was just a curse. The bands on Anon's wrists continually draw power from your magical ember to maintain the Geas, so I categorized it as an Intimate Curse that relied on the physical closeness between the subject and the caster, much like a Changeling's love draining spell but with the transfer flow of the magic reversed. That's why I initially tried to separate you two; I figured if you were kept apart the Geas would weaken."
>Your fists clench in anger. That bitch... all that shit you went through with your money troubles was her fault. You figured it out a long time ago, but to hear it out of her own mouth makes your blood boil.
 
>"...But I later came to realize that I was completely wrong. A Geas is, at its most fundamental level, -Friendship Magic-! It's not a curse, though it behaves similarly... but the key difference is that while you can curse an inanimate object, you can't cast a Geas on one! The target of the Geas must be a living creature and you must have an existing relationship with that creature, be it positive or negative, before the spell can be cast! That's when I realized that the strength of the Geas wasn't fluctuating due to your physical distance from one another, it was fluctuating with your emotional distance! I sent Rainbow with her gem to test and confirmed my hypothesis."
>Wait, what?
>"Everything started to make sense after that. It explains why you chose to live with Anon and strengthen your friendship with him. Through it all, you were strengthening the Geas' power and thus creating the greatest challenge possible for me!" She rears up and clops her hooves together. "I'm so lucky to have a mentor who's so confident in my abilities! I have to admit, observing the amazing growth of your friendship over these past few months makes me a little jealous, but knowing that it's all for my sake means I can let it slide."
>It was all for Twilight...? No, there's no way you'll believe that for a second...
>"So then!" Twilight chirps. "Given all this, I realized there was nothing I could do to break the Geas. Your friendship was becoming stronger by the day, sealing off what few possibilities there were for me to exploit. I ran and re-ran the calculations and hit a dead end... until I realized that the only effective way to fight Friendship Magic is to use... Friendship Magic! In a way, it's a culmination of everything you've taught me!"
 
>Twilight takes a few steps back and beams with pride. "Again, thank you for this test and this opportunity to grow as a pony. I humbly present, for your consideration, the results of my research...!"
>She rears up and raises her forehooves to the sky in a grand gesture. And then nothing happens.
>You all just stand there in silence while Twilight maintains her pose.
>You wait.
>And wait.
>And wait.
>She continues to stand there, sweat dripping from her brow, but eventually she relents and returns to all four hooves, then angrily turns and shouts at the sky.
>"Oh for buck's sake! I know I didn't mis-time my speech... I swear, if you want something done you've gotta..."
>".................."
>Wait... you can hear something far away. It almost sounds like... screaming?
>Twilight smiles, then nods. "Ah, there it is. Whew! I was starting to get worried..."
>Yeah, it's definitely screaming. Celestia stands and looks to the sky as well. The clouds above part and...
>"THIS IS NO WAY TO TREAT A LADY~~~~!!!!!"
"Rarity?!"
>Yep, it's Squiggletail, and she's falling directly toward your house incredibly fast. If she actually hits the ground at that speed...!
"You've gotta save her!"
>Celestia is already in the sky before you can even get the words out. You let out a sigh of relief, quickly followed by a gasp of horror as she unexpectedly abandons the rescue and turns in the air, heading for you instead.
"NO! What're you...?!"
>"We need to get away from here, and quickly!"
 
>She scoops you up in a magical aura and pulls you close, then casts a teleport spell to move both of you away just as Rarity crashes through the roof of your house. The two of you reappear further down the street just in time to witness a massive explosion vaporize your home, leaving nothing but a crater marked by a strange glowing runic symbol behind.
>You fall to your knees, utterly stunned at the sight.
"Rarity... my house... what...?"
>Twilight's astral projection merrily flies over to join the two of you. "Well done, well done! I didn't think you'd realize it that quickly... I guess I still have a lot to learn!" She turns to the crater that once was your house and nods her head with pride.
>"The ultimate conclusion I reached was that I would have to use a Geas in order to break a Geas. It was an avenue of research that I had completely ignored because of Hoofstein's Fourth Law, which still applies in this case. But there's an exception to the rule... a little known footnote buried in one of his texts... I'm sure you've realized what it is by now~"
>Celestia scowls. "Yes... but never in a thousand years did I think you'd resort to using it. This is beyond abhorrent, Twilight, and I won't let it go unpunished."
>Twilight giggles and turns her attention to you. Celestia wraps a wing around you to pull you close in response. "You look confused, Anon. It's really simple, even to somepony with little understanding of magic. Celestia's cast a Geas on you to repel me. This is accomplished by a transfer of magical power, from Celestia to you, using the bands on your wrist as the conduit. Fairly simple, right? But the spell causes an interesting side effect! From a magical standpoint, you and Celestia are the same pony because you now share her magic..."
 
>She turns her head to the sky again. "And likewise, anypony -I- cast a Geas on will share my magical hoofprint too. So if I were to cast one on, for example, Rarity, she'd be unable to approach you because your Geas would recognize -her- as -me-. The repulsion effect would be doubled if the Geas I cast happened to be one to repel Celestia, because then Rarity's Geas would see -you- as -Celestia-!" She chuckles again. "So, what would be the point, right? That's what I thought at first, too, because according to Hoofstein's Fourth Law, 'curses' cast by mages of similar power with opposing effects will always repel one another with no harm done to the subjects or objects in question..."
>She flaps her wings a few times in glee. "But there's an exception~! A Geas is a constant transfer of power from the caster to the subject via the arcane bands, but the rate of that transfer can be controlled, and even overcharged! Unfortunately this tends to cause the holder of the overcharged Geas to explode, but the resulting magical backlash is able to penetrate, disrupt, and eventually eradicate an opposing spell!" She narrows her eyes at Celestia. "If that had been a direct hit, Anon's Geas would've been broken, but even being near the impact zone is enough to have an effect. You can feel it, can't you?"
>Celestia stomps a hoof in anger and begins to charge her horn. "I've seen enough. You've clearly lost sight of everything I've ever taught you."
 
>Twilight just laughs. "I think that's an unfair assessment. And don't bother with your spell, this isn't the real me, remember? I'm in Canterlot and I seem to recall you're not allowed to set one hoof there for another 99 years and 9 months or so. But if you'd like to arrange an audience in advance, I'm fairly certain my calendar's open!"
>She turns back to you. "Don't worry about your house, Anon, you didn't need it anymore anyway. You'll be living with me in the palace soon enough!"
>Your fists are clenched so hard that your fingernails are starting to cut into your palms.
"Get this through your thick skull: I will never, ever, ever love you, you sick freak. You're insane! You just killed one of your own friends for god's sake!"
>Twilight shakes her head and sighs in response. "Sorry, Anon, but you're wrong. I'm not insane, I'm a genius. There's a difference. And killing my friends? Don't be ridiculous..."
>She looks to the sky again, and then you hear it.
>"WA~HA~HA!"
>Another scream from above. You turn your head to find another hole in the clouds has been ripped open and ANOTHER Rarity is falling directly toward you. She flails her hooves in terror as she plummets and you manage to catch sight of an odd glow coming from each one. Your brain is completely broken at this point from trying to process what's going on, but thankfully Celestia seems more aware because she teleports you both to a safe location as Rarity impacts and then detonates in similar sized explosion which leaves behind yet another runic crater.
>What. The. Fuck.
 
>Twilight flutters over this newest crater with pride. "Yes, yes, yes! The blast radius is 0.43% greater than the initial tests seemed to indicate! How exciting!"
>Again, she lands near the two of you. "It'd be more accurate to say that I'm killing clones of my friends. There's a little pond in the Everfree called the Mirror Pool... very convenient for creating an army of expendable clones which I can enchant with a Geas and detonate without worry. Everypony knows that since the Bon Bon population control act of 1131 was ratified clones can be killed indiscriminately with no repercussions..."
>She trots up to Celestia with an arrogant posture. "I've won. I've solved your puzzle, so you can go ahead and relinquish Anon into my care. Again, I'm very thankful for the opportunity to grow as a result of this test, but I think I've more than proven myself, don't you?"
>Celestia shakes her head. "The only thing you've proven is how little you understand of both him and of the world around you. I fear I've made a terrible mistake."
>Twilight pouts. "Oh... so we're going to have to do it the hard way. Well, it's not like I wasn't prepared for this. Even though you've already met, allow me to reintroduce you to my first invention, the RY-XX Series Geas Bomb!"
>Rarity's familiar scream echoes through the sky...
 
Weapon Profile: RY-XX Geas Bomb
===============================
Description: A clone of Rarity enchanted with an Anti-Celestia Geas, dropped via magical portal into the battle zone from Canterlot. Explodes on impact.
[+] Great destructive power: Since RY-XX is a unicorn the magical feedback blast radius is greater than other weapons.
[+] Cursed ground: The impact zone of the RY-XX becomes cursed ground. Should Celestia enter the crater boundary of an impact zone her magic will be severely weakened.
[-] Reduced accuracy: RY-XX is not very aerodynamic, so it can be difficult to hit mobile targets.
[-] Fussy: RY-XX units tend to incessantly complain about minor, irrelevant details and working conditions.
[-] Mean Drunk: RY-XX has a bit of an alcohol problem and tends to get angry if anyone points it out.
 
>Celestia instantly teleports the two of you several thousand feet into the air. You scream as you start to plummet, but she flies underneath you and you fall right onto her soft, comfortable back. The Rarity clone's explosion thunders directly below you.
"Maybe I'm not remembering it right, but was she always this crazy?"
>Celestia looks on with an exasperated expression. "I'd say this is typical Twilight Sparkle. A brilliant solution marred by extremely questionable execution. The mistake I made was in thinking that Luna would be more active in curtailing her more peculiar activities. My little sister must be really, really mad with me."
"So now what do we do?"
>"I'm not certain, but we should be safe in the air for the time being."
 
>"Don't be so sure!"
>Twilight's projection stands on a nearby cloud, a wicked grin on her face. "Twilicorn Industries is proud to present my second invention, the RD-XX Series Geas Missile!"
>Three shimmering lights appear from above you, followed by rush of air as three rainbow trails slip past...
 
Weapon Profile: RD-XX Geas Missile
==================================
Description: A clone of Rainbow Dash enchanted with an Anti-Celestia Geas, fired into the battle zone via magical portal from Cloudsdale. Tracks and latches onto the target, then explodes after several seconds.
[+] Extreme speed: RD-XX is the fastest weapon in the Royal Arsenal, able keep up with or overtake almost any target.
[+] Homing capability: RD-XX is able to track a moving target over long distances with deadly accuracy.
[-] Somewhat clumsy: RD-XX units tend to crash into obstacles as a result of overestimating their abilities.
[-] Low self-esteem: RD-XX's ego is surprisingly fragile. Please be kind to her.
[-] How do I say this...: RD-XX's personal hygiene leaves something to be desired.
 
>Celestia immediately accelerates to a speed which makes you slightly uncomfortable to say the least, and the three Rainbow clones follow. You hold on for dear life and try not to piss yourself as you careen through the sky.
>You notice her horn start to shimmer and in an instant she's recast the invisible barrier from earlier this morning. It greatly decreases the effect of the rushing air around you as she flies, allowing you to speak to one another.
"Can't you blast them or something?!"
>"I doubt it'd be effective. They're protected by a Geas designed to resist my magic."
"Well then port us outta here!!"
 
>A Rainbow clone nearly clips Celestia's wing and she banks hard before beginning an evasive downward spiral and diving into a nearby storm cloud.
>"They're too fast... I don't want to risk the spell being interrupted; the consequences could be disastrous. It seems that we'll have to do this the old fashioned way."
"Great."
>Celestia giggles. "Don't worry, all isn't lost. Twilight's clever, but there's a reason why she's waited so long to execute this plan. The amount of time and magic it would take for her to cast this type of Geas on a clone of one of her friends is enormous. She'll run out of 'ammunition' eventually... we'll just need to outlast her until that happens."
>You pat Celestia's neck.
"Okay, if you say so. I trust you, Roomie. Let's do this."
 
>[ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgNGtGI-XbM ]
 
>She grins and begins to ascend, breaking through the lower layer of storm clouds and into a windy, empty pocket of open air between the storm and the ceiling of another, much higher cloud layer. The three clones aren't far behind.
>You start to feel a slight burning sensation on your wrists as she starts to level off. It stings, but it's not overly painful...
>"I'll need to perform some advanced flight maneuvers, but you'll be fine as long as you hold onto my mane. Are you ready?"
"As I'll ever be."
>"Then let's begin."
>She's off like a bullet. Two of the clones tear after you while the third breaks off and disappears into the upper cloud layer.
"Be careful, I think one of 'em is gonna try to dive on us from above!"
 
>You hear the telltale sound of a Sonic Rainboom and sure enough a rainbow trail of death is heading right for you. Celestia angles her wings and airbrakes hard, stopping short of her expected position and causing the diving Rainbow to miss her target. The two clones behind you see their opportunity and begin to close in...
>"Close your eyes, please."
"Huh?"
>"That was your only warning."
"Okay, okay!"
>You shut your eyes. Maybe this is for the best... you're not sure if you want to see what's eventually going to kill you anyway...
>"SOLAR FLARE!"
>There's a flash so bright that you can see it through your eyelids and it instantly causes you to recoil. Celestia lurches as she takes an evasive maneuver and soon enough you hear an explosion behind you as the two pursuing clones smash into one another and detonate in a shower of magical sparks. The burning in your wrists increases and you risk opening your eyes to find the sole remaining Dash buzzing after you like a pissed off hornet.
"Two down, one to go, huh?"
>As if on cue, a series of booms echo in the distance and five more Rainbow trails tear through the upper cloud layer.
"For fuck's sake! Maybe I should've gone to work today after all..."
>"She's not making it easy, is she?"
>You shake your head.
"...Let 'em get close. I've got a plan."
>Celestia grins. "Okay, if you say so. I trust you, Roomie. Let's do this." She lets out a laugh as you give her a noogie for trying to be clever, then slows, allowing the clones to approach.
>They're all beside you now, three on each side and itching to make a move. You point to a random clone, cup your hand over your mouth and shout:
"I think that one's faster! And she's definitely cooler, too!"
 
>The other clones begin to go apeshit as the one you pointed to blushes and hoof pumps.
>"Awwww yeah!"
>"What the...?!"
>"Nuh uh!"
>"I'm totally faster than her!"
>"R-Really..?"
>"Does she even lift?!"
>Celestia dives away as the six Rainbows start throwing insults and eventually hooves at one another. A comical dust cloud begins to form over their midair melee and one of the clones explodes, causing a chain reaction that detonates the rest.
"Holy shit, they're stupid as hell."
>Celestia nods. "Yes, clones generally are."
"Really? I didn't notice much difference from the normal one."
>You can see the internal battle play at the corner of Sun Horse's lips as she tries not to laugh. You help give her a little push by patting the side of her neck again.
"C'mon, it's just us here."
>The guffaw that followed from her was totally worth it.
 
~~~~~~~~~
 
>The two of you descend from the clouds into a snowy field near the lake to the south of Ponyville. You hop from Celestia's back and stretch, then collapse in the fresh snow.
"You realize if she cloned Pinkie we're done for, right?"
>"We'll deal with that hurdle when we come to it."
>You hear a nerdy chuckle from behind you. "No, Anon, I learned my lesson with that one. We're not going to be cloning Pinkie again. For any reason. EVER."
>You quickly sit up to find Twilight's projection nearby.
>You've just about had it... this day, which started out so great, has completely gone to shit. You've got clones up your ass, your house has been destroyed, your wrists feel like they're about to melt off... and it's all because of HER! You stand and confront the purple alicorn.
 
"Look, let me make this as clear as I possibly can. I'M NOT INTERESTED! I don't love you. I never loved you. I'm never GOING to love you, so just stop this! Call off your stupid fucking clone army and just GO HOME already and STAY THE HELL AWAY FROM ME!"
>Twilight shakes her head. "Fluttershy was right, you really don't realize you love me yet... but after a few nights together that'll change. And you're so silly, Anon, why should I give up now when I've already won?"
>You feel something on your leg. Slowly, you tilt your head downward to find two cyan eyes staring back.
>"Um... hello. I'm here to blow you... ... ...up, I mean." She blushes, turns away and whimpers...
 
Weapon Profile: FS-XX Geas Mine
===============================
Description: A clone of Fluttershy enchanted with an Anti-Celestia Geas, placed into the battle zone prior to the start of combat. Hugs the target, then explodes when she feels she's ready.
[+] Super stealth: FS-XX is so quiet and unnoticeable that she's almost perfectly invisible on the battlefield even without standard camo or concealing spells.
[+] Territory control: FS-XX's 'stare' ability is able to immobilize the target, allowing her to approach and latch on and maybe explode or do other things to it.
[-] Premature detonation: FS-XX tends to explode when she's nervous, and sometimes when she's not nervous.
[-] Hippie protocol: FS-XX will often refuse to explode if any nearby woodland animals will be harmed by the blast.
[-] Fetish?: Surprisingly, FS-XX will sometimes make odd, out of place lewd comments to those she's comfortable around, which often results in awkward converstation.
 
>"This is the FS-XX Geas Mine. I'm proud of it, but it's sort of still in beta testing due to some... issues."
 
>You lock eyes with the butter yellow pegasus and she squeaks again.
"Yeah... I don't think you're ever gonna get the beta out of this one."
>Twilight chuckles. "Be that as it may, it appears I have you in checkmate. That clone will detonate on my command. I've more than proven that your Geas has been overcome... what more do you need to see, Teacher?"
>Celestia sighs and trots up beside you. "That's enough, Twilight. It's time to stop all this. I understand what it's like, my little pony. I really, truly do know what it's like to face unrequited love. But you have to understand that Anonymous can't return your feelings. I'm afraid you've misunderstood... this was never a test for you. I cast the Geas on him because he requested protection from you in compensation for bringing me the Orb of Ascension. It was part of the bargain we arranged. I'm sorry, but what he says is the truth..."
>Twilight steps back a few paces. "Th-that's crazy... a pathetic last-ditch attempt to save yourselves and deny my victory. Ha! Ha ha! Good one, I almost fell for it..." You can see strands of her mane and tail begin to pop out of place. "Now, now... come on, Anon... it's over. It's time for you to take your rightful place by my side..."
"Twilight, I don't..."
>"DON'T YOU DARE SPEW THAT GARBAGE ABOUT NOT LIKING PONIES AT ME!" Her Royal Canterlot Voice rings out across the field, scaring the sparse few winter birds from their nests.
 
>"I've watched you through my friends, Anon. They've told me how you look at her." She turns to Celestia, her breathing ragged. "And they've told me how you look at him. Tell me... was it all part of the plan to strengthen the Geas, or did you really start to fall for him? Or maybe you just wanted to hurt me as much as possible by taking something else precious to me away!!"
>"Twilight, what...?"
>"ENOUGH! I don't want to hear it. I still respect you, Celestia, and I'm still grateful. But you've LOST THIS GAME and now it's time for you to bow out gracefully. You gave him to me when you gave me the crown and I will not be denied!"
>The white alicorn's eyes narrow. "I will not. Anonymous is not a prize to be won, or some sovereign entitlement to claim. He's a noble, living creature and he is precious to me too."
>Twilight turns away. "I see... then you've brought this upon yourself. Override protocol: bluejay."
>The Fluttershy clone begins to tremble and the Geas around her hooves shines. Shit, she's gonna...!
>A flash. You're blinded, but you quickly recover. There's a huge crater in the ground nearby but thankfully you're still in one piece. You look around and spot Celestia on the other side of the crater. She looks fine too. You can see her horn crackling with residual magic... she must've teleported both of you away before the clone exploded. You let out the breath you were holding.
"We made it..."
>"No, Anon," the purple alicorn's voice coos from behind you. "It's all exactly as I planned. I told you before, if I couldn't find a way inside the fortress I'd bring down the mountain. She forced my hoof... and this is the result."
 
>You lock eyes with Celestia across the crater. She mouths something to you, but you're too far away to understand.
>The light comes first, robbing you of your vision. Then the sound, nearly shattering your eardrums. Next comes the shockwave and you tumble backwards uncontrollably.
>But it doesn't stop there. You can hear smaller booms and impacts resound nearby and feel the resulting shockwaves as well. Your wrists are on fire now, you're sure of it...
>You finally manage to open your eyes, and you can't even begin to process the sight before you.
>The original crater is in front of you, or at least part of it. A little further away is a crater so large that it's taken a portion of the lake and forest with it.
>You get to your feet and clumsily scramble to the edge, but can't find any sign of a pony within. You slide down inside, throwing caution to the wind, and begin to dig. And dig. And dig.
"C'mon Roomie... c'mon Roomie... c'mon Roomie...!!"
>At last, your hands find a matted fur coat and with a heave you manage to free her upper body from the compacted earth. But the pony before you looks so different... gone is her great multicolored mane, now replaced by dirtied and much shorter strawberry-colored hair. She seems a tiny bit smaller, too, but thankfully still seems to be breathing. Between the white coat, strawberry hair and brown patches of dirt that still cling to her, she almost looks like a bucket of that Neapolitan ice cream she likes so much...
>A few tears fall from your eyes, but you wipe them away. There's no time for crying here... you need to get help... get her to the hospital so they can treat her wounds...
 
>"She was bombarded by the last of my overcharged Geas weapons, designed to be the antithesis of her own magic. When she wakes up, she'll probably be on the level of an average unicorn, if even that. She'll fully recover in time... in two hundred... maybe five hundred years or so, but it's unfortunate that it had to be this way..."
>You turn to Twilight and only stop yourself from lunging at her when you remember she's just projection.
"I'll never forgive you for this. I'm going to find a way to make her better... and then I'm going to make you pay, and I'll fight my way through every damn guard in the Equestrian army if I have to."
>Twilight chuckles. "You have two days to do it, then. Look at your wrists."
>You do so and find that the Geas bands are so bright they're almost blinding.
>"That won't last. She must've known this would be the result from the beginning, because she started funneling magic through the conduit when the fight started. Not enough to harm you, of course, but enough to strengthen to Geas to where it'd still be effective without her magic for a while. It'll last two days, Anon. After that, I'll be coming to collect you and our new life will start... together. I'll be looking forward to it..."
>She turns from you and her image fades away.
>You suppress the conflicting feelings of grief, loss, anger and fear welling within you and continue to dig.
 
~~~~~~~~~
 
>You only left her bedside when you got full assurances from the doctors that she would be okay. From what they said, aside from the magic drain her injuries were thankfully minor and she'd recover after a good rest.
>Damn hospitals are real sticklers about their visiting hours, though, so you've been kicked out. And it's at this point that you've come to the stark realization that you're now homeless.
>You sit down on a park bench near the town square. It'd probably be best to go ask the Cakes if they can offer you a spare bed tonight...
>"Well, somepony sure looks down in the dumps."
>You lift your head to see Applejack standing in front of you wearing an apple themed scarf and her classic stetson hat. She hops up on the bench next to you, but you don't really feel like talking to anyone right now so you stay silent.
>"Heard there was a lotta commotion in town today. Mac said he saw bright lights 'n whatnot flashin' in the distance a little after noon."
>You look away.
>"Ya reckon Twilight had somethin' ta do with it?"
>A pulse of rage runs through your body. You turn back to the farmpony to speak.
"Don't you d--"
>...but find an apple jammed in your mouth instead. Without thinking you start to chew.
>Applejack looks at you expectantly. "Is it good?"
>Yes, it's good. You nod in response and she smiles. "Good ta hear! Ah'd hope so considerin' ya paid 15 million bits fer it."
>You nearly choke, but manage to swallow the piece in your mouth before ripping the apple away.
"I WHAT?!?!"
 
>The orange pony begins to laugh uncontrollably. "S-Sorry there, sugarcube, it's just an old Apple Family joke we like ta play sometimes. The apple's on the house. Ah'm actually here ta deliver yer real order..." She removes her hat and pulls some forms out. "Or ah guess it's really Celestia's order, but yer name's on it so ah guess it's okay fer ya ta sign. Where is she, anyhow?"
>You sign the paperwork without really paying attention to what's on it and hand it back.
"She's... not feeling well right now. So where's this expensive thing you're delivering, anyway? I don't see it."
>Applejack looks at you like you're an idiot for a few moments, then points a hoof toward the sky. Your gaze follows it and...
"No... way..."
>Applejack chuckles at your reaction. "Ah said the same thing when she arrived earlier this mornin' from the Apple N' Orange berths in Manehatten. Ah heard Uncle Orange himself was real proud'a this one... called it his greatest work, and Ah'm willin' ta believe him."
"Yeah... me too."
>There's an airship hovering above Ponyville. But it's not just any airship. It's huge, like those rich pony yachts you'd see floating around the larger cities from time to time when you visited.
 
>But you can tell, even from the ground, that this is no yacht; it's a machine built for speed. The large helium frame is angled to cleave through the air, as is the much smaller ship mounted below it. Four downward facing propellers on each side of the ship provide vertical lift, keeping it in place, while an inactive set of massive twin rotors attached to the back of the helium frame are seemingly enough to propel the ship into orbit if need be. The various air fins lining both the frame and the ship itself look like they could easily allow it to perform all sorts of acrobatics if the pilot was bold, or maybe stupid enough to try...
>You see a red face peek over the side of the ship, followed by a waving hoof. You and Applejack both wave back.
>"Mac 'n Applebloom are up there right now. There ain't enough room ta land her here in town, but he wanted a chance ta give her a spin before we signed her over ta ya. Ain't often ya see him get so excited about somethin'."
>The ship turns in the air, its twin rotors beginning to spin, and then it vanishes over the horizon without a sound. Oh yeah, it's fast.
>Applejack hops off the bench and faces you. "Why don't ya head on over ta the Acres with me and ah'll give ya a tour of the interior?"
>You push the many thoughts swirling in your head away and force yourself to stand.
"Lead the way."
 
~~~~~~~~~
 
>It's perfect.
>It's certainly no luxury ship, but it has everything you need. More than everything, really.
>The living deck feels like home. Master bedroom, guest bedroom, crew quarters, fully stocked kitchen and pantry, laundry room, two bathrooms, and a grand meeting / living room equipped with the bigger TV you wanted!
>Looks like you've found a place to stay tonight.
>"Well, that's it ah guess. Ya've got some readin' ta do before ya attempt ta fly, but the manual's pretty straightforward. Ah'd better be gettin' back before Granny starts ta miss me. If ya haven't had dinner yet we're always willin' ta set another chair at the table."
"Thanks, AJ. For everything."
>She chuckles. "Don't thank me! Ah should be thankin' -you-. That money went toward helpin' the Apples start a new frontier settlement. Even though we ain't all farmers, it's still what most'a us are called ta do."
"I'll think about your offer for dinner. I just need a while, if you don't mind."
>"Sure thing, sugar." She turns and exits down the gantry.
>You start to tour the living quarters again, walking from room to room, trailing your fingers across the smooth wooden walls and paneling.
>You stop in the kitchen. A welcoming fruit basket's been left on the table. Apples and oranges, obviously. You sit down and grab an apple and begin to eat.
>But your eye catches the corner of an envelope underneath the basket itself. You shift it aside to find a sealed letter with your name on it. You give in to your curiosity and open it to find something that takes your breath away.
>There's only one creature in the world whose penmanship is this perfect...
 
 
My Little Human,
 
As I write this, I'm resting upon a pile of bits and assorted other treasures in our living room. I'm certain that if you saw all of this you'd have another one of your funny little foaming-at-the-mouth moments, but as much as I'd like to see it, I'm hopeful it will all be gone by the time you arrive back home. I must admit, I acted a bit on impulse when I went to face my old acquaintance Agamemnon and kindly ask him for a donation. Before I knew it I was back here with all this treasure and without any idea of what to do with it. It's more than the both of us could ever really want or need; I left a life of luxury behind by choice, and you never struck me as the type who yearns for riches, so I've decided to buy you a gift instead. I'm hopeful that it will be to your liking.
 
I spent most of the night pondering over what I could give you that would appropriately express my gratitude for the time you've shared with me, and I believe I've found just the thing. An agent from the Apple and Orange shipyard will be here shortly to collect my payment along with my design requests and this letter.
 
Anonymous, you should see how your face lights up when you talk about your time climbing mountains back on Earth. Many times have you described to me the feeling of euphoria you've felt when standing above the clouds from the summit, gazing upon the sky and the world below. Sadly, I have never experienced such a thing myself; there's little point in climbing mountains when you have wings, after all. But the joy you conveyed to me through your words touched my heart and I could feel it, even if it's just a pale imitation of the real thing. I want you to experience this joy again many, many more times over your long life, and I'd like to be there to see it, if only once.
 
I can't help you conquer a mountain, and I can't return you to Earth. But maybe, through this, I can give you the sky you love so much.
 
Your Freeloading Roommate,
Celestia
 
 
>You fold the letter back up and return it to the envelope. You wouldn't want your tears to stain it, right?
"This is too much, Roomie."
>"Cel."
>You lift your head to find the bandaged white alicorn herself standing in the doorway, her strawberry mane wildly framing her tired but smiling face.
>"Call me Cel."
>You immediately jump up and run to her before pulling her into a hug, careful to avoid putting pressure on her injuries.
"What're you doing here? You should be resting!"
>"Oh, I discharged myself. I'm fine, Anonymous, really."
"Anon."
>Her eyes meet yours and a sly smile begins to play on her lips.
>"Anon."
>You ruffle her mane a bit.
"I like the new hair. Makes you look a lot younger. But damn, Cel, look at all this! You really must want me indebted to you for life, huh?"
>She trots with you into the living area. "If you can't accept it as a gift, then think of it as an exchange, Anon. As much as you dislike it, I'll need to ask you to undertake another journey for my sake, and I'm afraid it won't be as simple as a walk to Sugarcube Corner this time."
"I don't care what it is, you want it, you got it. It's the least I can do."
>She nods. "I'm glad. We need to leave tomorrow, so you should spend some time with the pilot's manual tonight. I hope you're a quick study."
>You let out a nervous laugh.
"I tend to learn through doing as opposed to studying. Hopefully that'll work out for something like this."
>"I suppose we'll see, won't we?"
 
>You run a hand down her back.
"There are so many things I want to say to you right now, but I guess I'll start with something simple. I've got an open invitation to dinner at the Apples' and I'm sure they wouldn't mind if I brought a guest. Have you eaten?"
>She shakes her head. "No, I think dinner would be wonderful right now."
>The two of you walk side by side down the gantry and toward the illuminated farmhouse in the distance, just as the stars begin to appear in the winter sky.
 
Next Time on Exchange: The Journey Begins