To Fulfill My Destiny

To Fulfill My Destiny

By Helljumper117

Prologue

        The fresh grass greeted Princess Celestia’s hooves gently with every step as she traversed the endless field. She closed her eyes as a soft breeze wrapped itself around her face. There was no moon; only tiny dots of blinking constellations as far as the eye could see.

The blatant lack of any life in every direction told Celestia that she was dreaming. Peace seemed to settle all around her, and moments of stillness like this- uninterrupted by the rhetoric of  politicians and sudden national crises- were extremely rare in the waking world.

        “Ahh...” Princess Celestia breathed as the cool night air exited her lungs.

She noticed that the air often seemed fresher at night, even if this was just a dream. For some time, Celestia simply walked. Perhaps she would run into Luna as she guarded the dreamscape land of Equestria’s citizens. It would be nice to have someone to talk to.

        Suddenly, Celestia stopped. Something was... off. Someone else was here. At first, she thought Luna had entered her dream.

Luna would have announced herself by now. Celestia thought

        The feeling of someone, someone powerful, being close by sent uncomfortable tingles up Celestia’s spine. Despite it only being a dream, she unfurled her wings and lifted a hoof defensively, scanning the immediate area.

“Hello, Celestia.” came a soft, vibrant voice.

        Celestia whirled around and squinted as she was suddenly hit with a bright light.

That voice... Celestia thought, caught in the wondrous glow before her. I know that voice.

“Yes, you do know me.” It said, as if reading her mind. “I hope you had not forgotten me?” The voice now sounded very clear, and became more normal. The light dimmed some, but remained formless and free-moving.

        With eyes widened in realization and in a deep gesture of respect, Celestia knelt low before the entity.

        “I- It- Its good to see you!” she stammered out.

        Although she could not see a face, Celestia could detect a smile, and returned it with one of her own. She felt a rush of excitement not felt in a long time.

        “Care for a walk?” it asked.

        “Of course!” Celestia replied enthusiastically.

        A moment later, the entity of light was replaced with a pony; an alicorn like Celestia. This one, however, was taller. A white aura still surrounded the alicorn, distorting it’s physical appearance. It’s eyes were hardly eyes at all, but vats of pure white. But now, it could quite literally ‘take a walk’.

        “I assume you are doing well?” Celestia queried as they took positions beside one another.

        “Well enough.” it responded flatly.

        For a few moments, the two continued in silence. Celestia shifted uncomfortably as she kept glancing over and seeing her companion facing straight ahead, emotionless. Celestia could tell that there was something serious on the light-embodied alicorn’s mind.

        After Celestia’s neck began to become slightly sore from glancing over so much, her companion stopped. They were now on the beach of a rather large lake. The bright alicorn gracefully sat down. Celestia followed suit.

        “Equestria is happier than I ever remembered.” It commented.

        Celestia looked over, relieved that the figure had finally spoken.

        “We’ve had our fair share of trials over the past few years. But each time, we have managed to overcome.” Celestia stated.

        “Yes, she has.” The alicorn replied, still staring out over the water. “Twilight Sparkle has certainly been quite the instrument in keeping Equestria safe. She has grown and learned more than others dare to dream over the past three years.”

        Celestia was caught off guard at the glowing alicorn’s statement.

        “So much so that you deemed her ready.” It continued. “You deemed her ready for the crown you have bestowed upon her.”

        “Y-yes...” Celestia began uncertainly. “Twilight was destined for this. Her abilities in magic, leadership, and friendship are well beyond what I expected. I have every confidence in her, if that is what you are here to question.”

        The alicorn looked away, her face betraying nothing. A “Hm...” Was all that escaped her mouth. A moment later, it stood up. Bowing its head and neck low, the tip of its horn tapped the water below. Ripples of disturbed surface tension expanded across the lake.

        “Look at the water.” It said. It voice was harsher than before.

        Celestia raised an eyebrow in confusion, but obeyed. She stood and gazed into the clear water. Suddenly, her eyes widened.

        The images that reflected back into her eyes lashed out at her very soul, yet she was drawn to them as if she needed them to survive. Anyone standing nearby would have seen flash after flash of bright light sear into the sun princess’ eye’s.

        “No... Not again... stop it... STOP IT!” Celestia screamed.

        She jerked herself away from the water, shielding her eyes like someone would after staring at the sun for too long. It took her a few moments to compose herself.

        “Why?” Celestia asked simply. “I’ve already seen those images once; too many times for anypony to have seen them.”

        “Do you remember why I showed them to you the first time?” the figure inquired.

        Celestia thought for a moment. She knew the answer, but was not certain how to put it into words.

        “To... Prepare me.” she replied finally. “Yes, to prepare Luna and I for the thousands of years we would spend as leaders of Equestria.” She paused, and tried to think of more reasons. “You told us all those years ago that this knowledge would serve us well, and it has. It hasn’t been easy, but it has helped, despite how horrible it was to experience it.”

        “And you think it wise to deprive Twilight of this knowledge?” the figure asked.

        Celestia stopped and thought for a moment.

        “I did not think it necessary for her. She has come a long way, learned, fought, and faced down more than anypony would in a hundred lifetimes.” she replied finally.

        A sigh elicited from the creature’s unseen mouth.

        “A week ago, I would have agreed. But now...” the creature bent down and touched the water with its horn again. “Look into the water again.”

        Celestia obliged. For some time, the two remained silent as her eyes took in a series of distorted images. Suddenly, similarly to before, Celestia’s eyes grew large and her mouth dropped open in shock.

        “What is- no... This is...” she stuttered out after some time. “This can’t be true... It just can’t.”

        She did not panic like before, but the shock was still present. She ripped her gaze from the water and stared desperately at her companion.

        “Tell me it isn’t true.” she begged. “This spells our doom...”

        “I cannot.” the figure replied. “Nor can I prevent it.”

        “So you’re saying there’s no hope? Are we talking about the end times or some kind of armageddon? What about-”

        The creature lifted a shining hoof for silence.

        “You did not let me finish.” it began. “For one thousand years, Equestria has been spared from the chaos that still envelops much of the world around you. But look now. Everything that has happened within the past few years are signs of things yet to come. You, I, or anyone else would be powerless to stop it. I cannot tell you when it will begin but make no mistake; it will.”

        It paused, letting the words sink in.

“But,” it began again. “There is hope. Why do you think I brought Twilight into this? You have told her that it is time to fulfill her destiny. You are right, but you are misguided. Her destiny extends beyond that of Equestria, and even beyond the destinies of you and Luna. The whole world will be affected by this.”

Celestia did a head tilt combined with a halfway nod of understanding.

“What must I do to prepare Twilight for this?” Celestia asked.

“Have you not been listening?” the glowing creature replied. “This is not something you can do, Celestia.”

Celestia took a breath of realization.

“You want me to send Twilight... To you.” she concluded.

The creature nodded.

“Yes. I will teach her and prepare her, just as I once taught and prepared you and your sister. For now, however, her own abilities will be enough for her to start.”

“Then I will bring Twilight immediately-”

“No.” it interrupted. “Again, you cannot do this. If Twilight is to truly fulfill her destiny, she must come alone and be willing to move heaven and earth to get to me. This journey is hers, and hers alone, just as you and Luna once traveled alone.”

“But there were two of us then. There is only oneof Twilight.” Celestia countered. “Is it really wise to send her alone? The world is so different now! How will she know the way?”

“You are right that the world has changed... And as such, so has the path. Let me ask you: what was Twilight’s mission when you sent her from Canterlot, three years ago?”

“She knew the prophecy of Nightmare Moon. I knew she would be the one to stop her.” Celestia replied.

Suddenly, the light-being broke out into a hearty laughter. Despite not having a visible face or mouth, Celestia could plainly hear the inflection and the deep breaths it took to fuel each shockwave-like crackle. It took several minutes for the illuminated being to calm itself.

“Ah, Celestia. So ancient, so wise, and so strong... Yet, you are still the learning, carefree, and intelligent, but forgetful, young mare I knew all those millennia ago.” it said, after collecting itself. “You forget your own reasons for Twilight’s mission. Let me ask you, what did Twilight do that helped her accomplish her goal? What needed to happen?”

Celestia was still slightly put off by the being sudden bout of laughter, but let out an “oh...” of understanding.

“You mean her friends: Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie. The bearers of the other five Elements of Harmony.” The sun princess answered. “She made friends, and began to understand the magic of friendship.”

The being nodded.

“Now, you see it. Everything Twilight has learned, and how she choses to use it, will be her greatest ally; and allies will be found on her way.”

Suddenly, the being turned to the still water beside them and looked into it. Celestia followed her gaze, bracing herself for what she might see.

The water turned red as if it had caught fire, and many shadowy creatures of all shapes and sizes suddenly materialized into view. Some had eyes that blazed with black flames. A few laughed; not hearty or joyful laughter, but the laughter of villainous victory. The last few did nothing, but only stared ahead with no emotion leaving their faces. No matter what their actions, Celestia felt evil staring her right in the face.

“And alongside her allies, Twilight will find enemies; some more obvious than others. She could very well give her confidence to an enemy and not know it until it is too late.” the creature continued, its voice slightly shaky.

Celestia looked over to the being, and found that it hung its head. Sadness was clearly present in her voice as it continued.

“One in particular will leave a gaping wound that will bleed Twilight’s heart and spirit.” it finished, its voice almost mournful.

At this point, Celestia wanted to tell the being to shut up, pack itself up, and leave. A large part of Celestia’s mind wanted to shield and protect Twilight from whatever this being had planned for her...

“Remember that I am not responsible for this.” the being stated suddenly as if reading Celestia’s thoughts. “I can see and reveal these things yet to come, but I am powerless to stop them. I can take action, but if I intervene too much it will have all been for nothing; Twilight will fail, and evil will triumph.”

“Can’t I at least point her in the right direction?” Celestia asked, sounding desperate. “I can’t be thrown under the chariot and just watch.”

A headshake of dissent came from the creature.

“You cannot show her the way,” it started. “But you can nudge her, or rather, push her out the door. However, I cannot promise that doing so will be easy.”

“What exactly do you mean?” Celestia inquired. “Twilight has never refused a request from me.”

“She will this time. I have a plan in place, but it is not one she, or you for that matter, will particularly like.” the creature paused, considering how much it wanted to reveal. “Know that she must lose what she loves and die to herself, and become lesser than she is. Only then can she rise even more glorious than before, ready to face what will befall the world.”

“‘Die to herself’...” Celestia repeated. “You’re right. I’m not liking this at all, if you’re saying what I think you are saying.”

“Celestia... Princess of the Sun, I am not asking for your approval, only for your trust. Do you trust me?”

A few minutes passed by in silence, as Celestia took in everything the luminescent being had said to her. Dreamscape insects and animals traversed the area, livening up the lonely night. At long last, Celestia noticed the being begin to fade.

“The night wanes, Sun Princess.” it said distantly. “Soon, you must raise the light for the new day.”

Without warning, the white spirit reverted once again to the free-floating entity of light. Slowly, it faded completely from Celestia’s view.

“Wake up...”

*        *

        A cold sweat had soaked the bed sheets beneath Celestia as she jerked awake, flinging her upper-body forward. It was dark, but a nearby clock told her she was on the verge of being late for the sunrise. Her breathing was unnaturally heavy, as though she had just woken up from a nightmare. Of course, that had not been the case. At least, not directly.

Part of Celestia wanted to forget the dream, as most dreams were naturally forgotten in the depths of a pony’s mind. Not this one, however. The images were still there, constantly rolling in a film just in front of her eyes. With a shake of her head, she attempted to focus.

Celestia left her mattress, opened a set of nearby doors and gracefully stepped out onto the balcony, surrounded by the early morning dark. From this high up in her tower, and the mountain on which Canterlot resided being fairly tall, she was almost able to see the curvature of the earth. With a slight grunt, her horn was suddenly encased in a golden-yellow. For several short minutes she remained, focusing on her delicate task.

The first rays of the morning sun touched her face, signifying that her task was complete. She let go with a heavy exhale, and stared out into the horizon. The yellow fireball in the distance took over in its task, waking Equestria into sharing the day with the rest of the world.

Celestia did not move for quite a while. Something, some unseen force forced her to stare at the rising sun. A cool morning breeze flowed through her hair, which flowed in compliance with the wind’s direction.

Then she heard it.

It was like a song, but not one she had ever heard before in her life. The lyrics were not quite sung, but were spoken as though each syllable had a beautiful melody of its own.

One life you will send,

And anew will rise.

She will outlast the stars

Even if the world dies.

*        *        *