Two years is an awfully long time
It’s been two years since my wife has seen me.
No, wait, that makes it sound like I’m a terrible pony, and besides, it isn’t quite true. I should start again. Forget that I said that, alright? I’m trying that one again.
It’s been two years since I’ve seen my wife.
There, that’s a little bit more accurate. Still leads to the wrong train of thinking, but we’re getting there, bit by bit.
It wasn’t like Rarity didn’t know what she was getting into, when she said she loved me back. She knew I would be incredibly busy, and she promised that she understood. (She’s sweet like that. I don’t know how she runs her businesses and still manages to have time to spare for all of us).
Saving the world was a job for regular ponies, but me? I had the formal duties of a Princess to consider. I had decrees to write, ponies to wave at, and court to hold, just like everypony expects. There’s also, of course, the lesser-known duties that I have to check off, so to speak.
The mountains of tax paperwork, for example. Nopony thinks of who has to read all that, after they fill it out. (I should really think about getting a secretary someday, but a part of me loves the challenge). I’d rather spend my nights curled up with a good novel, but at the end of the day, it’s just something I signed up for.
There’s also way more travel time than I thought there’d be. Who knew that being a Princess meant I’d spend days on the Friendship Express? The dining car knows my order. That’s just sad. Rarity used to write me letters to read while I sat, though. I’d keep them folded in a pocket in my saddlebags. A few of them have grown soft and worn through where they’ve been creased and uncreased over and over and over…
And, of course, there’s the most boring duty of a Princess. You know, being kidnapped from time to time.
I know, I know, most ponies don’t consider that an actual duty. “Duty” implies that it’s a legal obligation, and it isn’t, not really. It’s kind of a moral one, when you think about it. Would ponies discover the Friendship Inside of Them™ without the threat of a Princess being taken from them? Well, the mileage may vary, but so far it’s led to three separate renegade friend groups solving problems that conveniently spring up every millennial anniversary of some ancient threat (so, every other Tuesday).
So, when they discover that I’m sitting in a dungeon out in the far wastes of Northern Equestria, and making my way through the last thousand years worth of “Great Yakish Literature” and whatever else Cozy Glow thoughtfully steals from me, I hope they remember that I’m doing it for the good of all ponykind.
A part of me bets that one of my Faithful Students™ will realize that the statue that used to contain Tirek, Cozy Glow, and Chrysalis is gone, and has been for the last two years. But to be honest, a part of me is glad they haven’t.
I mean, I’m sure Starlight will pick up on that eventually. She’s the sort to notice details, give or take a couple years. One of my most brilliant students, and yet she didn’t realize that Rarity and I were dating until after the wedding. Ah, well. Nopony can be all types of intelligent.
It’s not that strange, really, that I’m not impatiently waiting to be rescued. I remember the first time I was kidnapped, back when the real Grogar showed his stupid face. Poor Cadance had to keep me from hyperventilating, and Grogar wasn’t the sort of villain to provide his captives with a handy paper bag. Luster Dawn got us out of there in no time, though I never realized how unnecessary the whole “I’m sad” musical numbers are. I wanted to shout “Be sad another time, and get me out now!”
That was past me. Cozy Glow and Tirek have been great captors, by comparison. Tirek’s not that bad of a roommate, once we got past the whole stealing-magic hurdle. He’s a pretty decent cook, a great gym buddy, and he’s gotten so much better at not touching the “few meager possessions he allows me to keep in my cell, in order to give me a shred of hope so he can crush it later on.” All in all, an 8 out of 10.
And when Cozy Glow went through puberty, she came to me to ask for advice (because Tirek isn’t good with the whole “feelings” department.) After that, she’s been really good about getting me some sort of fresh entertainment while she plots to take over Equestria. Sometimes, she asks me for advice about that, too, but every once in a while her requests are a little less make-them-bow-before-me, and more how-do-I-update-my-resume types of things. Of course I help her. I’m not a monster, and honestly? Neither is she. Not really.
Of course I miss Rarity. I do! I really, really do. And I’m sure that she’d miss me, if I were gone. Well, if she knew I was gone. Like I said, she’s seen me, but I haven’t seen her.
The changelings that Chrysalis has managed to raise after restarting her hive (don’t ask) reassure me that I still love Rarity, but I’m not so sure. Do I love Rarity, still, or do I love the memory of who Rarity was? I’m sure she’s changed a lot over the last two years. Chrysalis’s spawn are always quick to update me on anything their Queen has experienced in my stead. It isn’t quite the same, but at least it’s something.
Rarity’s new mane cut. What they ate for breakfast. Construction going on in the castle.
The fact that Rarity wants a foal.
I don’t know how to deal with that last one, to tell you the truth. Chrysalis doesn’t either. The last time she called me, she said that Rarity wanted to adopt one. I’m… I hate to say it, but I’m almost inclined to let them. The relationship they’ve built has grown past what Rarity and I had, and it’s been so long that I’d feel kinda bad reappearing out of nowhere and putting Rarity through that.
I don’t need Chrysalis’s swarm to tell me that she’s developed feelings for her, too. It’s easier to deal with if I mentally think of my wife as two separate beings. There’s my Rarity, who was starting up her tenth location in Appleoosa when I was kidnapped, and there’s Chrysalis’s Rarity, who wants a foal with her. My Rarity probably hasn’t existed for two years, but I still love her, and I still love the Rarity that’s held a changeling in my shape every night since.
It’s just complicated, okay? We’re complicated. I’d be lying if I said that I didn’t have a sort of fondness for Chrysalis in return. She’s been in my hooves (literally!) for the past two years, and I feel she knows me better than anypony. Even… even Rarity, since Rarity hasn’t so much as given her a second glance. And isn’t that a sort of love?
Besides, I get to help raise Chrysalis’s grubs! It’s another duty of mine, but it’s not a Princess duty. It’s just a Twilight duty. It’s nice, just being Twilight. I’d forgotten how much I missed it.
I don’t think that I’d turn them all to stone again, if they ever do realize what happened to me. I’d think of something else. Maybe community service. I wouldn’t let Thorax take custody of her children, though. They seem pretty happy, just as they are.
And I am, too. Happy, I mean. I curl up and read in my “cell of solitude and eternal subjugation,” I teach Cozy Glow how to navigate her first job interviews, I work out with Tirek (I hold the record for most push-ups, currently), and I figure out how to burp a changeling.
So, uh, yeah. If you find this memory crystal, it’s up to you. Not the fate of Equestria, per se, but the current status quo. It’s me, the real Princess Twilight Sparkle. I’m safe, I’m healthy, and I’m happy with how life is going. This is more of a Princessly-obligation thing that I’m doing, and Cozy Glow promises to hide it in a secret location where, in theory, somepony might find it, but only if they’re extraordinarily lucky.
And honestly? I think this’ll be my last one. I feel more like Twilight than I’ve felt in a very very long time. Keep Equestria safe for me. If you need me, you know who to ask for my location. And tell my wife I said hello. She’ll be confused, but, you know, it’s the thought that counts.
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I read this as "time travel" and got excited for a second
Very good story
Wait, Equestria doesn't have an internal revenue service beyond Twilight herself? That seems more than a little absurd.
I... honestly can't decide what to think of this one. This is a slice of life whose size belies its density. It's not quite a drama, comedy, tragedy, adventure... It's just life. Messy, complicated, unclassifiable life. It is a bit frustrating that no one's noticed that something's gone awry for two years, but overall, this is a fascinating little piece. Especially how Twilight's befriending her captors over time. Hard to tell how much is Stockholm Syndrome and how much is Lima. Thank you for it.
I laughed out loud during the story and felt other emotions at equal intensity. It was sweet and good.
they way i feel about this story is complicated. its a good complicated!!! its a great complicated, even, just like twilights life. its brevity is stunning for the fact that so much Happens. your twilight voice here is wonderful too. this is something you should be very proud of. :)
10333927
I should've included time travel, rats! Thank you for the comment!
10334009
Wow, thank you for this analysis! It really means a lot! I'm so happy you enjoyed it!
10334025
Thanks! I'm glad you liked the story.
10334033
Thank you for reading, Dawn! I'm touched that you enjoyed it. Complicated feelings on this seems to be the consensus!
This fucking bops
10334056
You're a fucking bop. And also a delight, thank you!
I really tried, but I just can't seem to make myself like this story. It’s well written, but something about the premise just frustrates me. The massive idiot boulder of no one noticing the disappearance of the giant magical statue, Twilight's nonchalant disregard for her friends and family... I dunno, it just doesn't work for me.
Sorry.
So I just woke up to see this story posted and gave it a read.
Dear
Dear please, that's a lot of feelings for haveing just awoken.
So yeah this was good and I think I gotta like go stare blankly at a wall or out a window at the rain or something to properly match the aesthetics my emotions demand right now.
That their current contest? I can never keep up
10334082
It was... two contests ago, I believe. I placed second. The top three were incredibly close.
10334082
They host the contests on their discord. We welcome new people if you ever want to join in!
10334061
That's fair. Thanks for at least letting me know what didn't work for you. Not every one of my stories can be a winner for everyone. I appreciate you giving it a shot!
10334070
I just like giving you the feels, babe. Thanks for reading. You're always such a cherished supporter of what I write and I love you, but I don't think it's gonna rain for a few more months, so you might be out of luck.
10334085
Ah! That’s why I never know until after the fact >.>
I... I... I need a sequel... This can't be it. She is content living as a prisoner while her wife is being tricked by Chrysalis? What kind of life is that?!? And not even the guards are stupid enough to have not noticed that the statue is missing let alone Spike who would have felt something off by now. And two years as the Princess of Friendship and Chrysalis is not changed is some way? As manipulative as she is she can't avoid having some kind of change of heart after two years of pretending to be everyponies friend and being Raritys wife. Two years of constantly feeling the love of the same pony and knowing that she genuinely loves who you are pretending to be would have to stir something in her. And then there's the changelings, she would have to be friends with them to keep her cover up which means that she would either see the benefits of embracing love and friendship or would have gotten caught and since she hasn't gotten caught...... I want to see this from Chrysalis' side of things. Sequel..... Please.
This needs a sad tag. She might be in a content situation, but I doubt happy. Not to mention how obvious is the entirety of the not-sucking if the situation comes from Twilight having a life for herself.
She needs to get rescued and retire. And then have a foal with Rarity, for she's so oblivious to how taking care of others (young adult Cozy and changeling grubs) makes her happy that it hurts.
Maybe they can become a herd with Chrissy, everyone wins!
It's stories like this one that really make you step back and remember that Twilight didn't ask to be a princess. Celestia kinda just forced it on her. Is it any wonder Twilight is happier being a second mother to Cozy and Chrysalis' kids and making friends?
Of course, this whole thing kinda screams of Stockholm Syndrome and quite possibly Lima Syndrome from the Evil 3, so maybe a sequel where Twilight deals with getting "rescued" and eventually decides she's better off being a teacher/mother figure than a princess?
"I have no strong feelings one way or another."
Can't have profanity in description/title without a Teen rating or higher btw.
Title... Futurama reference?... wow, I haven't heard anyone talk about that show in so long... since a week after it ended I think.
I cannot buy Chrysalis successfully impersonating Twilight for two minutes let alone two years
This was very interesting and told from that same standpoint. A precarious position at the top and juggling the responsibilities that lie there, but also wanting to be down to earth and have a shared life. One that, though it was a considerably difficult pill to swallow for Twilight, it was medicine. Though it hurt for her to let Rarity go, she knew it would be better for her to let go and for Rarity to have that foal and move on herself. There were lovely touches here and there that were placed lovingly, like the bits with Cozy Glow and the letters from Rarity. Overall, I'd call this bittersweet with a long aftertaste of sweet! Very solid!
You're very talented Silent, and excel in characters! I smile reading your stuff and I smile at your success! Here's to this one, and here's to many more!
10334153
Yes... "tricked".
10334325
All I know is my gut says maybe.
Glad to see you in the Box. And it's well deserved <3
This story confuses me, not in the I don't know what's going onTM way, but the I don't know how I feel about thisTM way, ya know?
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10334814
Thank you so much! You guys are so kind and supportive and I don't know where I'd be without you!
10334362
crap, I didn't know that. Thanks for pointing that out, I got it fixed!
10334168
If I could tag more than three blue tags at once, I would've added that (sorry!)
10334274
This is a great take! Thank you so much for telling me your thoughts, I loved reading your comment and you made my day!
10334886
That's a mood, and thanks for the trademark symbols!
10334153
Hm, I'll definitely think about it! If I can figure out what story I want to tell with it, you'll be the first to know!
You need a better summary for the story than “Being kidnapped is the least of Twilight's concerns.”
That tells us literally nothing, except that Twilight is kidnapped, and doesn’t necessarily give me, as a reader, any incentive to read further.
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10334325
I appreciate that you all are willing to share your opinions, and I appreciate you taking the time to write a comment about them. I might not agree with them, but thank you for your input regardless!
This was interesting, thanks for the read.
I need to put something forward that I feel Twilight Sparkle is a little too content. I blame Changeling Magic, probably. I believe enough that Chrysalis may have upped her acting since the wedding and maybe...a VERY STRONG maybe ...Chrysalis eventually falling in love with Rarity. But Twilight being content with it? I find that just a bit too much. She's lost everything, literally, at the hooves of Chrysalis. Maybe life as a Princess changed her, but life as a Princess should have her feeling the necessary obligation to take care of her subjects, which probably encompasses all of Equestria & beyond. Willingly resolving to be a prisoner of the Changeling hive, working out with Tirek and exchanging memorable moments with Cozy Glow who, may I remind you, both literally endangers the whole world while Chrysalis rules? No, it's either a very strong OOC case or Changeling Mind-Control Magic.
10335025
Thanks for reading!
Your interpretation is interesting and sound. Honestly, I'd say it's up to your interpretation whether or not Twilight is being influenced by Chrysalis. It's a take I hadn't thought of before I posted the story, but I'm delighted to read that other people share your point of view.
10335039
Mostly.
I'm not saying I didn't enjoy it, mind you. It was definitely entertaining.
I believe it's Changeling Magic, I mean, it's their M.O
It's a good story, but I feel like... literally everyone is portrayed as out of character, Twilight being content with this for two years, Cozy who, as far as we know, is evil for NO ACTUAL REASON. Asking Twilight for advice or doing her any favors, Tirek being a work out buddy and Chrysalis feeling any positive emotion for anyone but herself, especially to the point of being able to act out being the kind, loving, and benevolent Twilight for two years?
Edit: Maybe they've actually already turned Equestria into like, a ruled slave state and they're just messing with Twi so they can see her break when she eventually finds the truth
10335100
Thank you for the comment
Gonna be honest, and please don't take this the wrong way if you've attempted to write a serious story. But when I saw the title...
10335144
Ah, finally, someone's shown me where the quote's from!
The story itself is serious, but when we were doing the speedwriting, someone had suggested as a potential prompt the line that became the title. A different prompt was chosen, but I couldn't get the mental image of it out of my head, so I wrote about that as well as fitting the original prompt ("Plain Jane" as the theme and "Second Glances") into the story.
... you know, and then I found out it was a line from a show, lol. Thanks for the clip!
This made me feel things. So cute in a weird way.
Deceptively short but extremely dense.
10335176
No problem lol. You'd be surprised how often Futurama lines appear in fics.
This was a really interesting story, that started out with the common "boy, being a princess sure is wacky, huh?" stuff before going into the quiet despair of Twilight's situation in captivity. There's no mention of Twilight trying to escape, so I imagine she fell into a sort of depression that led to her not wanting to even try to make things better for herself, and assumes that Chrysalis will make a better partner to Rarity.
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OneTM canTM neverTM haveTM tooTM manyTM TM'STM
10335323
ATMmTMeTMnTM tTMoTM tTMhTMaTMtTM!TM
Holy cow. There's a lot to unpack on this little fic! Excellent worldbuilding, and lots of feels... The last couple paragraphs in particular are heartbreaking. Well done!
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10334153
My guess is, the statue might have disappeared, but it was soon replaced. Twilight seems to have assumed it is gone because the three villains are around, but I think she doesn't know what happened in that spot AFTER. Chrysalis, disguised, goes into a shop, gets a souvenier statue, and then spell is used to grow it up to full-sized, or the like
Hm... That's one hell of a Stockholm syndrome...
10335563
True, but the spell was cast by Luna, Celestia, and Discord. So wouldn't Discord feel the spell break like when he felt the power shift when Twilight was given the other princess's power?
10335742
Depends on how it was broken I suppose, was there ever meant to be an end on it, and the like, kinda like Lunas banishment. Honestly the story reads more like the villains are going through the motions of being evil now, more then actually being so. That may just be my more hopeful view though
10335833
Either way I am not a fan of content Twilight sitting in a cage while Chrysalis pretends to be her with her wife. Something about that just rubs me the wrong way.
10335833
Also to point out with Luna's banishment Celestia pretty much knew when Luna was going to be released. And since the show doesn't really emphasize on how she knows we can't really rule out them feeling the spell cast by them weakening.
Weird, but not bad.
10335100
Its not the stories fault Cozy is evil for no reason. Thank cannon for that.