Kamek: Do you even know what's real anymore, Princess?



Twilight: ...Excuse me?



Kamek: You and your friends are brave to come to Ghostli Grove, sweetheart... But all the preparation in the world won't ready you for what lies at the end.



Twilight: Go away, Kamek. We're not in the mood for your condescending banter, so just step aside.



Kamek: Relax, Twi. Kah ha ha. I just wanted to make sure your senses are at their highest. They'll need to be, if you and your buddies plan on overcoming Alighast's illusions. Countless bat ponies have died trying to escape, FYI.



Twilight: We're in full control, Kamek. Your mind games won't work on us this time.



Kamek: Hm hm hm... Good to hear. It's just too bad Applejack fell for them before you journeyed here. ...And it's more pitiable that you're still falling for them now... and for once, I'm not the one playing you.



Twilight: H... Huh???



Kamek: You still don't get it, do you, Twilight Sparkle? Haven't you realized that everything you and your friends achieved was anticipated? Did you honestly think that your title of Princess just... fell out of the sky for you?



Twilight: What are you...?



Kamek: Keheheheheheheh. No. Your Ascension was planned, my dear. From the very beginning... and even further back than that.



Twilight: W... What???



Kamek: Celestia's been using you the whole time.



Twilight: No... N-No! You're lying!!



Kamek: Am I???



Twilight: YES! Celestia wouldn't take advantage of me!! She's my friend, my mentor, and a pseudo-mother!



Kamek: She's also a master chess-player, Paperface. She knows how much you look up to her. She knows that you'd do anything if it would make her happy, or help out. And yet, you refuse to see that she's loved the practice of having you do her dirty work for her?



Twilight: *growls* I've heard enough!



Kamek: Denial. Always the first step. Think about it, my darling. What has Celestia done with villains whenever they threatened Equestria ever since Luna was corrupted? She banished them instead of killing or redeeming them, and they'd always show up right when it seemed you were ready to deal with them. Why does she never deal with these problems herself when the time comes? Because the stress of running a kingdom is too much for her, so she delegates the work to anypony dumb enough to volunteer. Why has she treated you with more compassion and respect than any student she's had for the last 1,000 years? Because she knows you're perfect for her vision. She knows you're a clingy, major-league suck-up, eager to garner praise from ponies you love. She knows you're the most powerful magic-user to be born in millennia. Thus... who'd be a better candidate for taking her place on the throne... than YOU?



Twilight: *puts hoof to mouth, expression saddens* No... No... I-I don't believe you...!



Kamek: Trust me, Twilight. This is one test of faith that won't favor you in any way. Celestia knows she can't handle ruling Equestria… so she wants to have you replace her once you inevitably prove you're up for the task. Mountains of paperwork, red tape covering every dilemma, and outliving almost everypony you hold dear... They'll soon be yours. All you have to do is get the Element of Magic back.



Twilight: *starts shaking*



Kamek: You're just a pawn in the grand scheme of things. And the chessmaster is the one pony you suspect the least. You're all pawns. Kehehe… You'll see soon enough. *disappears in a puff of smoke*



Twilight: *despondently* He's l-lying... He HAS to be lying... Celestia wouldn't... She... She couldn't... Right?



*Twilight's friends avoid the question, averting their eyes.*



Twilight: G... Guys...?