“So, it’s pretty much guaranteed that she’s going to lose the game?” Prophet asked.

As guaranteed as it can really get without cheating. There is always the chance she realizes the truth of the matter, and if she does it’ll be especially easy since I’m going to be there as well.

“And how did you get the purple one to agree to this? You would think she ought to be loyal to the one that essentially raised her, based on what you’ve told me.”

That was rather easy. I shared my knowledge with her. If she can learn more, she’ll sacrifice almost anything. And with some silvered words, she now believes that doing this is for the greater good.

“So were you lying when you told her that?”

Of course not, but it’s easier to swallow hard medicine when it tastes sweet.

“Who was lying about what?” Twilight asked, opening the door to Prophet’s room.

Convincing you to betray your mentor, in exchange for knowledge.

“Ah, the ‘greater good’ thing. It wasn’t that hard to see your point of things, especially taking into consideration that I’m a thaumaturgist working on other’s experiments. I can see the greater good that these things can create, whereas she simply denied them because they might infringe upon the dying peace she has created.” Twilight said, taking the seat opposite Prophet.

“And you so readily carry the blade, ready to plunge it into her back for the greater good of the ponies that she has forsaken?” Prophet asked.

“I swore to always do what was needed to protect my fellow ponies. If that means deposing Celestia, then so be it.”

You’re rather nonchalant about removing her from power. Aren’t you afraid of the political whiplash, or the thought of one of the other governments trying to conquer you afterwards?

“Of course. But with Luna taking over the military, as well as raising and lowering the sun, then that will leave the government open to reform. I’ll do my best with that, but it’ll probably be the most difficult because of the sheer number that will oppose the reforms.” Twilight said, pondering her plan of action.

“So, by giving Luna free reign over the military without the overbearing sight of her sister you hope that no enemies will see fit to try to assault Equestria. Meanwhile, you reform the entire governmental structure to what you see fit. Which is what exactly?” Prophet asked.

“I hope to create a council. The other elements are specialists in certain things, all of them relevant to the betterment of Equestria as a whole. With them, and the ability for everypony to bring ideas up through the specific council member, we will be able to create a better society. One where everypony helps, and where even the most common of ponies can put forth ideas that could revolutionize our world.” Twilight ranted, her eyes sparkling as she talked about her utopian ideal.

Quite the goal you’re setting for yourself. Do you believe it to be accomplishable within your lifetime?

“Because magic is such an integral part of our bodies, if we can find a strong enough magical focus then we can live nearly indefinitely. Just use the magic to supplement our own body’s, and we can live as long as an alicorn.” Twilight said, already having things planned out.

“Quite a good idea, if it will work. But is immortality such an easy thing to accomplish for your species? Most others resort to technical means, usually cybernetic bodies, in order to attain some form of immortality.” Prophet said, surprised at how adaptable these ponies could become.

“Since magic, or energy manipulation to you, naturally occurs within our bodies it should follow suit that having a very large power source connected will provide our bodies with enough energy to consistently regenerate. If our bodies stay in good enough health, it’ll essentially be immortality.” Twilight explained.

A rather simple thing to test really. And it follows pretty effectively from the fact that Prophet’s energy augment field nearly killed Celestia earlier.

“Nearly?”

“I stopped when I realized that any further interfering would end up with her dead before we rendered a proper judgement.”

“So why are we even bothering with this game if you’re capable of killing an immortal?” Twilight asked, her fist slamming down on the arm of the chair and cracking the wood slightly.

Because I wanted to play a game. When you’ve been around as long as I have, eccentricity becomes a fact of life. While it would have been simple enough to just kill her and remove the chance for any other outcome to happen, he decided to cater to my whims.

“Do you feel appropriate telling her what the outcome of this is going to be at the current rate?” Prophet asked.

“Isn’t Celestia going to die? What’s he talking about Seed?” Twilight asked, worry creeping into her voice.

If your entire life was spent creating your idea of utopia, what is the worst punishment you could ever be given?

“It would have to be watching... it...”

Exactly. Watching as the paradise you spent you created fall apart at the hands of the one you trusted the most is the cruelest punishment possible.

“But I wouldn’t destroy Equestria. If anything I’d be saving it from such an outcome.” Twilight argued.

But what you want to do goes against her ideals. She believes in absolute peace, while you accept that sometimes blood must be spilled. In creating your utopia, you destroy hers.

“I never thought of it like that.” Twilight said, suddenly saddened. She understood that Celestia was hampering progress, but the last thing she wanted to do was destroy everything her mentor had worked so hard on.

Don’t think of it that way. Her methods are becoming outdated because of the advancement of other species. It is exactly as you argued earlier, you must change and adapt to overcome the rising problems. The methods that worked a thousand years ago might work, and again they might not.

“From what I’ve heard, her methods are indeed outdated. While the others are content just sitting idly as this world spirals down from her inability to accept progress, I must commend you for being so willing to prevent that self-destructive tendency. It is very hard to create a revolution, especially one that the people need rather than want.” Prophet said, putting his two cents into the conversation.

“Ponies are going to react negatively to this. There might be a civil war.” Twilight realized.

Revolution is never easy, but this sort of tyranny is unacceptable.

“Isn’t forcing revolution a form of tyranny?” Twilight asked, questioning his logic.

Never said it wasn’t, but it’s a different kind. Rather than forcing the people to stick to outdated ideals, you are providing a way forward for them. You are ensuring their continued survival, whereas Celestia would have resisted the flow of advancement and eventually end in either death or enslavement. She would still be using fifteenth century methods, in a twenty-first century world.

“Of course I don’t know where they are, I was unconscious when they got here.” Celestia grumbled to herself, hobbling through the halls. Turning the corner, she noticed a few maids grouped together down the hall.

“And then she just hobbled past. I don’t know what’s going on, but those guests are in a lot of trouble if they did that to Princess Celestia.”

“I would rethink that if I was you. I saw what happened at Blueblood’s funeral. Just two of those space things took out thirty of the strongest nobles, without really breaking a sweat.”

“Yeah, and the ones that showed up recently are even stronger than them if the conversations I hear from their room every now and then are anything to go by.”

Celestia moved as quickly as she could to the group.

“If you don’t mind, could one of you point me to the room of the Aetherians?” She asked, making the mares jump in surprise. They turned to find out who had been snooping on their conversation, only to find a flowing mane that they had to look up to follow.

“Of course Princess. Just down the hall, they’re the first door on the right after the second left.”

“Thank you.” Celestia said, hobbling on past them. Her grip tightened on the Element of Magic. She was so close, and she would not fail her mission.

You said earlier that the griffins have already created guns. Do you have something in mind to protect against them? That will be the first problem you have to deal with.

“I already have a working model for a magic powered projectile launcher that would be more than capable of leveling the playing field against the guns the griffins would bring.”

“Not that I don’t enjoy the conversation, how much longer do we have before she ends up losing this game?” Prophet asked, tired of waiting.

Just a few minutes actually. I was expecting her back earlier, and I haven’t felt her try to leave the castle. It seems more like she was lost, although she is coming here now.

Twilight facepalmed. “She didn’t know where your room was, so she’s probably been wandering around trying to find you.”

“Quite a thing to overlook, although it is a blessing now.” Prophet said, walking to the door. Now that she was close enough, he could feel the energy surrounding her. He opened the door, just as she was raising her hand to knock.

“I brought you the Element of Magic, the most important object on the planet.” She said, holding up the tiara.

“I can see that. Come in and we can talk.” Prophet said, standing aside as she hobbled through.

“Hello princess.” Twilight said, using her magic to bring up another chair. “I was wondering when you would show up.”

Celestia sat down in the chair, her eyes darting suspiciously back and forth between Twilight and Prophet.

“Now that you’re here, we can actually begin our talks in earnest.” Prophet said, sitting opposite the both of them.

“Did I win your game?”

We will talk later of the game, for now we have a deal for you that would best be thought through entirely.

“What kind of deal?” Celestia asked, suddenly afraid.

“A simple one. You abdicate your crown, and you continue living.” Prophet said.

“I would never agree to that. It would mean subjecting my ponies to horrors I would never accept.” Celestia said, glaring at him.

“Well, now that the formal offer is turned down.” Prophet said, standing up and walking over to her.

“What do you plan on doing?” She asked, her magic rising as a natural response to the threat in front of her.

You lost the game, and so you’re being punished for it.

“But I brought the object you wanted, how did I lose?” She asked, frantically scrambling over the back of the chair. Before she could get very far, she was wrapped in a shimmering purple aura.

“My friends and family are more important than anything else, and Seed taught me a way to protect them all. Right now, he ranks just above the Element.”

In refusing to allow the advancement of your ponies, you have nearly guaranteed their destruction or enslavement.

“I was protecting them.” She screamed.

“No, you were trying to create a false utopia. While it might have worked if you were the only species on the planet, there are others.” Prophet said, as Celestia was placed back in front of him.

“The griffins are not restricted from researching technology. They create devices that allow for them to easily beat our armies. Their simple guns now could easily outshoot any bows or magic, and they have armor that is impenetrable by arrows and spears. Given a few more years, they could easily run us into the ground.” Twilight said, standing up and walking over to stand next to him.

“So, my student is betraying me.” Celestia said, glaring at her.

“Yes, in order to protect my fellow ponies. You are blind to the dangers they now present. You believe that just because you control the sun, they wouldn’t dare do anything to your subjects. So let me open your eyes. It didn’t stop the changelings from attacking us, it hasn’t stopped the griffins from raiding our cities, and it hasn’t stopped the transgressions by countless others. They do not care for your rule anymore, because all you do is tell them not to repeat their mistakes. There is no real punishment for their actions, so they continue doing so regardless.”

“Then where are the reports of griffin raids? Where is the proof of these transgressions?” Celestia asked, trying to stand up only to be pushed down by Twilight’s magic again.

“With the ponies that suffer. When you do nothing to stop a problem, ponies start taking it into their own hands. They are fighting, against ever increasing odds, to defend their way of life from griffin raiders. And I’m tired of standing by, agreeing with what you say because I was blind to the rest of the world.”

When you turn a blind eye to the problems of the people, yet retain absolute authority, you are not worthy to wear any sort of crown.

“Luna won’t let this go unpunished.”

“She has been asking for your permission to deal with the griffins for months, and yet all you do is tell her that peace can be achieved through talking. With you deposed, she will be allowed to defend her ponies to the extent that is needed.”

“You are going to start a war.” Celestia said, glaring at Twilight.

“No, she is doing what is needed to guarantee their survival. By preventing your ponies from advancing, you create a gap that others can use to gain an advantage over you.” Prophet said, reaching forward. One of his hands wrapped around her horn, while the other was put against her forehead. “This will only hurt for a moment.”

It felt like lightning had flooded her brain. Her mane shot out straight, and her eyes rolled up into her head as her mouth started foaming. As quickly as it started though, it was over.

“And we are done here now. Your magic will no longer respond to your will, although it is still there.”

In other words, you are no longer capable of using your magic willingly. You are still immortal, but you will never cast another spell for the entirety of your life.

“And you are no longer fit to wear your crown.” Twilight said, reaching down and pulling it from Celestia’s head.

“This... will... not go... unpunished.” Celestia said, before blacking out.

“That’s where you are wrong. Without you limiting technology, we will create a real utopia.” Twilight said, turning to the window as the sun rose again. “From today on, we will resume the march of progress. For a better future.”

Author's Note

Yes, I am writing an epilogue.

I do not know when I will have it finished, or what all it entails but I will put it out eventually.

And to anyone thinking of commenting 'oh how horrid an ending', this is where I was going with it the entire time.I made references to what would happen in Seed's appearance, namely Belphegor's reference. He seduces people(ponies here) with secrets and ideas, promising them riches or whatever in return.