Transcription of Witness Interview: Twilight Sparkle
Date: May 7th
Time: 8:22 a.m.
Interviewer: Princess Celestia
There was no further writing from Twilight since our last discussion.
Twilight, are you there? It’s a new day for us. We’re ready to begin when you are.
Twilight, I’m here whenever you’re ready.
(It was some time before a reply finally came.)
They came
I
I had to fight
push back
resist
revolt
repel
revise
Are you alright, Twilight? Are we in danger?
no
passed
routed
weakened
They did not expect
wanted prey
scurrying
withering
found HOPE
LIGHT
They will come back stronger
They will come back braver
They will come back with
Her
Is there any help that we can offer? Anything at all that I could do?
no Princess
it has to be Me
it has to
cannot lose more
cannot threaten
cannot obstruct
Very well, Twilight. If we can do anything beyond collecting the ponies you send back, please let me know. Ponies are already combing the town this morning. They are ready whenever you are.
soon
trails hard
to track
winding
wandering
wasting away
the strongest
HOPE
are far
And Her, Twilight? Is it really your friend, Fluttershy?
was
is
will be
but not as well
if I cannot
recover
She cannot
if I can
She
still may not
broken
shattered
cracked
beyond
mending
They are coming
again
may be less
longer
lost
However many you can bring back is enough, Twilight. Please be safe.
(There was no further reply from Twilight for hours. I took the time to discuss things with her brother, Shining Armor. I had still not told him the truth of why his sister was considered a suspect, worthy of note and detention. In my experience, painful, personal truths are better spoken by those who committed them. If Twilight will not say it by the end, it will be my burden to undertake, but until then I would rather she speak for herself.)
Princess
Yes, Twilight?
it is changing
morphing
resisting
harder to find
harder to lead
harder to HOPE
draining
daunting
deliberate
She must be
obscuring it
Are They hunting the survivors as well?
impossible to say
impossible to
stop
like finding
a pebble
in an unfathomable ocean
Are those in town in danger? Are you?
I can still hide
places
They have not
They do not
go
LIGHT
HOPE
They will try
to bridge the gap
when safe
if you are not
there
at night
in dark
in shadow
They will not come
(I took stock of Twilight’s words and decided to alert Verdant Vines and White Clover. Shining Armor left me for some time to fetch them.)
I hope that you are right, Twilight. I will still make sure the guards are careful, and we may stop our patrols early today.
I will be
as well
I promise
Princess
winding ways
twisting trails
another path
opens
rises
I will talk again soon
I will wait, Twilight.
(When Shining Armor returned, he informed me that Vines and Clover had decided to end efforts an hour before sundown. I relayed the information to Twilight and waited.)
Twilight, the guards will be pulled back from Ponyville early today. They have three or four hours left at the most. Please keep it in mind, and let me know when you are finished and safe.
(I received no reply immediately, biding my time by asking Shining Armor about the number of survivors recovered. At that time, the number was thirty-five. Such a small number of the ponies that lived here, made their lives here, felt safe here. Everyone Twilight helps return is, as I have told her, a miracle, but I shiver with dread when I think about if Luna or I could have done anything to prevent this.
These dreams, nightmares, visions that ponies have mentioned, Luna never saw them. These creatures, my ponies, may have taken so many in the past. Could we have ever known? Could we have seen the signs? Could I, alone all those years?
It is a worrying spiral I have to pull my thoughts away from. The past is just that. I must focus on the now and the future. Whatever we learn here, we will be sure to note. We will prepare for the future, if at all possible. With any luck, there will be no need, but what little optimism I can muster shrinks with every passing moment.
It was hours later when Twilight finally responded.)
I could not reply
Princess
focused
frenzied
frantic
I had to keep
moving
working
saving
It’s alright, Twilight. There isn’t much time left in their shifts today.
I know
I’ve done what I can
for now
I will
find a place to
hide
for the nights
I will be here again, if you want to talk. So is your brother.
may I
can I
talk to him
Of course, Twilight. I would not try to keep you from him.
(I called Shining Armor in and asked him not to look through the journal as he waited for Twilight’s words.)
Twily?
yes
Shining Armor
brother
I
I am sorry
I cannot be there
It’s alright, Twily. I’m just glad you’re safe. Princess Celestia and the investigators have told me a little, that you’re close. Close to coming home, helping other ponies get home. I’m so proud of you.
I know
I know you
mom
dad
you were
are
so worried
concerned
afraid
I know what you’re capable of, Twilight. I know that if anypony can get out of this and help fix things, it’s you.
fix
yes
fix
I
do not know
if I can
will
come back
if I do not
please tell mom and dad
I miss them
I love them
so much
I know you’ll come home, Twily. I believe in you.
thank you
do they know
yet
No, just me, but they’re worried sick. They always are, ever since you moved to Ponyville. Ever since you became Celestia’s student, really.
I
HOPE
they will not
worry
much longer
I am
still Me
I will
be Me
I am Me
I am Me
I am Me
I know, Twily.
I need
to go again
to speak
to Celestia
the Princess
once more
Okay. I love you, Twily. Stay safe.
Yes, Twilight?
I mean it
I will try
to come back
I will tell him
all
then
I miss you
I miss them
so
much
I miss you too, Twilight. Stay safe. I’ll stay awake as long as I can, if you need to talk at all.
need
rest
always more
rest
energy
will
HOPE
LIGHT
warmth
Princess
it’s so cold here
Rest well, Twilight. Do not push yourself on my account.
just want
need
something
somepony
else
besides
whispers
besides
thoughts
besides
suffering
pain
anguish
screams
I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me
I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me
I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me
I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me
I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me
I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me
I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me
I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me
I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me
I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me
I am Me I am Me I am Me I am Me
The lines continued for some time. On Doctor Blue Sky’s recommendation, I left Twilight to her devices with her “mantra.” Eventually, they stopped, halfway through a line. Nothing else came for the rest of the night.
Forgot a colon
10277421
Pretty sure that's on purpose
10479252
The colons are there because it’s a transcript. And it’s already been fixed.