Chapter 2 : Immortality Revoked

“Captain, everything looks to be in order.”

“Roger.”

Shining Armor sat with his back planted against an aged oak tree.  Through binoculars, he watched Starshine, gathering detailed info on her possible motives for staying in this location.  Though, he had been here, he had not come up with a single idea, besides the notion that perhaps Starshine lived here, to keep away from the world.

The week had passed slowly as he watched diligently.  A week of nothing but spying, sleeping, and eating... it's  enough to make a lowly guard rethink his choice of career, but... for the captain of the guard, it was his job to painstakingly fulfill his duty to the princess, and his duty was just this.

As the sun began to set for the evening, Shining Armor was met by his First Lieutenant, Flash Sentry.

“Good evening Captain” Flash whispered as he approached Shining Armor, ready to relieve him for the night shift.

“Hello Flash” Shining replied, as Flash took a seat next to him.

“How goes the watch?” Flash asked, taking a sip from his canteen.

Shining Armor handed the binoculars to Flash who took a look towards the clearing.  “Nothing... This week has been a waste.  She just lives here nothing more.:

Flash watched as Sunshine had finished folding her linens and placing them into a basket to bring inside.  “I'm going down there.”

Shining Armor's eyes snapped open in surprise.  “You will do no such thing!  Are you crazy?  If she see's us...”

“She's gonna eventually be arrested by us anyway...” Flash said, removing his side bags and placing them by the tree.  “This is roughly the time she goes to bed... at least, she did every night this week.  I'm going to... take a look around...”

Shining Armor called to Flash as he began making his way down the embankment.  “Flash... you know that there are two other Alicorns down there correct?”

Flash smiled, pulling a bag the size of a golf ball out of his mane and holding it up for Shining Armor to see.  “Chamaemlum nobile.... instant sleeping powder... Twi made it for me, just before we left.”

“I see” Shining Armor said.  “My sister never ceases to amaze me.”

Smiling, Flash extended his wings and gently made his way down, being careful not to attract the attention of the two Alicorn guards that stood guard over the house.  He landed just behind the house, and slowly creeped up to the wall.  Peering through the window, he confirmed that Sunshine was indeed laying down for the night, and took this as his only opportunity.

He slowly inched his way down the side of the house, using the utmost care to not alert the guards, as they were both stationed on each front corner of the house... strategic planning was a priority.  Flash was no further than a meter away when he made the decision to wait.

“Hey Murlock... do those guards really think we are so stupid... they've been up there now for a week.  Like Shooting Star is going to return with them here...idiots.”  The guard whispered.

“We'll keep acting as if there is nothing to see here... then they will leave and we'll get down to business finally... I can't believe they are taking us so lightly Seymour.”  Whispered the other.

“So I was right” Flash thought to himself, inching forward closing the distance between the guard and himself.  He pulled the bag out from his mane once more, and taking a small hoof full, he blew it in front of the guard, who sneezed upon inhaling it.  Seconds later he collapsed.

“Murlock?  Wake your plot up!”  Seymour said, walking over to his companion, noticing the traces of the yellow powder sticking to his nose.  “Royal guards...” he whispered, as he slowly crept around the corner, facing Flash Sentry straight in the eyes.

“I didn't expect this.” He thought to himself, reaching to where he would have kept his knife, but remembering he had removed his side bag before coming here.  He took some backwards steps quite slowly, as Seymour's horn began to glow black.  Flash closed his eyes, fearing the worse the only thing on his mind was his wife and daughter... until he heard a thundering crack.

Opening his eyes, he watched as Seymour flew 20 feet away, as Shining Armor removed himself from his bucking formation.  “You alright?”

Flash softly nodded, shaking his head, he quickly regained his composure.  “Thanks.”

Shining Armor swiftly placed hoof-cuffs on each Alicorn, along with a magic inhibiting ring on each of their horns.  “Hurry up and do your thing...  We're not going to arrest her tonight but...”  Shining Armor whispered, pulling a small black tack like object out of his side bag.  “You're going to use the rest of that powder on her... and after cleaning her up, you're going to attach this to the bottom of one of her back hoofs.”

Flash took the small device.  Looking at it, it was obviously a magic tracer designed by the princess herself.  “Understood.”

Flash slowly creeped through the front door, carefully watching for other potential guards.  He saw none as he approached Sunshine's bedroom.  Opening the door, Flash gently entered the room.  He approached Sunshine who slept soundly.  He sprinkled a small amount of the powder into her nose, and besides a sudden sneeze, she turned on her side and fell into an even deeper sleep.  He waved out the window, signaling it was clear for Shining to enter.

A minute later and Shining Armor entered the room.  The two of them spent the next half hour tearing the room apart searching for anything of importance.  By the time they were done searching, the room looked as if a tornado had gone through.  Book cases were knocked over, chests opened and their contents scattered across the floor.

“Nothing...” Shining Armor stated, taking a seat on the floor.

Flash joined him for a moment and eyed the sleeping Alicorn.  “What do we do about HER?”

Shining Armor shook his head, staring at her for a moment, then noticing a small crack in the floor right by her bed.  He approached it, and quickly determined it was loose floorboard.  He removed it, and inside lay a small brown box, and a ragged old book.  “Well what do we have here?” He asked, inspecting the box... “It won't open... and this book... There's... a page missing.”  Flash... take these.”  He said, handing them to Flash who placed them in his side bags.  “Also... give me the magic tracer.”

Flash handed him the tracer from his bag, and watched as Shining Armor inserted it into the bottom of Sunshine's back hoof.  “There we go.  Now then... let's get this mess cleaned up and report back to the princess.” Shining Armor sighed, as he took note of the pile of destruction that he had created just moments ago.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

“Hey Daisy” Spectrum asked.  “Your Dad is coming home tonight... right?”

“Yeah” She replied, nodding her head.  “I've missed him a lot.  Mom has been a bit sad... I can't blame her... he's been gone for a week now.”

Spectrum nodded, looking at the wall of her bedroom.  Pictures scattered the walls... pictures of her... and her sister.  Others of her Grandmother and Auntie, yet... the one that meant the most to her was the one which she kept on the nightstand of her bed.  She picked the white frame up, housing a picture of both her mothers on their wedding day.  “I wish...”

“What's wrong Hun?” Daisy asked, taking a seat next to Spectrum.

“I wish... I could have met my parents... I always have dreams about them but...” She added.  She took note as a single tear splashed on the glass.  “Grandma Tia said... that momma Rainbow chose to save me instead of herself... what's... what's it like to make a decision like that?  What does it feel like... to choose to sacrifice yourself, for the benefit of another?”

“Sis!”

Spectrum sat the picture down, and faced the door as Rose and Crystal came flying in.

“Hurry!  Come to Grandma's study!”  Rose shouted.

As the four of them galloped as fast as they could, Spectrum couldn't help but notice the increase in the number of guards that were stationed.  “Rose.. why are we in such a hurry?!?”

“Shining Armor... and... Flash... Sentry” Rose replied, gasping for breath as she ran.  “Returned... they found... something.”

As they entered the study, they all took a seat at the end of the meeting table, as Shining Armor and Flash sat down the two objects they retrieved.

“Princess Celestia... should they really be present for this?” Shining Armor asked, pointing a hoof at Spectrum and the others.

Luna however, placed her hoof on Shining Armor's, lowering it.  “If it's about their parents, then they have every right to be present.”  Luna said, smiling at her nieces.

“Well then” Shining Armor announced, clearing his throat.  “Last night we apprehended Sunshine's Alicorn guards, and retrieved these... from a hidden storage compartment in her bedroom.

Celestia took the box and the book, and inspected them.  The box, from what she could tell was sealed with a powerful dark magic, one of which she could not open, the book... had a single written page... being followed by one which had been torn out.

If you are reading this, and are not my daughter, then turn back now as this contains nothing of importance to you.  Not a day goes by when I don't think back on that day when I received these powers of mine, and also of the day I transferred a portion to you.  Those days however, are long gone, and mine too, shall just be pages in a history book.  However as you know, you have the means of which to grow even stronger, yet the object you retrieved is not yet ready to be fully awakened by your own hoofs.  Even if you chose to awaken the lexicon now, and even if you were to determine it's location, I have made it impossible for you to use it, let alone access it until your powers have matured.  But as you may be wondering, you do have the means to access this... it's all in your head, you'll soon know the spell, just learn to use it.  In the light of all of which has happened, living here is a gamble.  Not all Alicorns as you already know... are immortal.  Do not think for a second that you are as well... my daughter.  Immortality comes with a price, a sacrifice of which I do not deem you worthy of.

Now seek out the magic of which you shall rightfully own.  Go now... learn... and harness the Lexicon... the spell you seek... is on the next page... the location of that page... is hidden within the one you read.

Your mother,

Sunshine

“So... It's a diary”  Celestia stated.  Inspecting the book, and the missing page.  “Whoever... did this... knew we were coming.”

Luna picked the box up from the table and examined it.  “I'll say it's safe to assume that the Lexicon is inside of here... and the missing spell is the means of gaining entry into this box.”

“And... the clue to finding the missing page is within this diary entry?” Shining Armor said, looking at the note, reading it again.  “I can't see anything” He stated, handing the diary back to Celestia.

“You know... This will be a wonderful test for my granddaughter” She said, handing the diary to Spectrum.  “If there is anypony able to figure this out... it's definitely her.”

Spectrum blushed, taking the book and scanning the page.  “But... but grandma... I don't see anything.”

“I'm positive you will dear.” Celestia replied.  “Now... why don't you four head up to bed, it's getting late.”

Spectrum nodded, and took the lead exiting the room.  Celestia closed the door behind them and returned to the table.  “Shining Armor” She called.

“Ma’am!”

“I want you to take the lexicon when you return to the Crystal Empire.  Surely, if Sunshine discovers it has gone missing... the first place she will search is Canterlot” Celestia said, handing the box over to Shining Armor.

“Then!” Shining Armor said, setting the box down on the table.  “It is imperative that we strengthen the protection here!  We can't risk the safety of all of you again!”

“Which is why the girls will be sent to Cloudsdale.”

“Why Cloudsdale?”  Luna asked.  “Oh...”

Celestia nodded.  “Lightning Storm will keep them safe.  We... discussed the possibility of this happening years ago.  I... will also take residence there as well for the time being.”

“Sister!  Why can't we just use the Elements of-” Luna yelled.

“Because... the Elements of Harmony... died with Rainbow Dash and Applejack” Celestia replied, staring at the ground.

“How... is that possible?” Luna whispered.

Celestia relieved herself from the table and stood at her windowsill to gather her thoughts.  As she opened the window, a cool breeze overtook the room, as if it were extinguishing all the sorrow she held for the moment.

“Normally... Luna...”  Celestia began, turning to face her sister.  “Normally the Elements are passed on before one's death but... since the last bearers died... they are unable to pass on the Elements of Honesty and Loyalty.”

“I see...” Luna sadly replied.

“The girls and myself will leave for Cloudsdale in the morning... Luna!  I wish for you to head to Manehatten and keep watch there.  Shining Armor and Flash Sentry...”

“Ma’am” they said in unison.

“You have both done well... return to your families in the morning.  And Flash... don't tell Twilight where I am headed... alright?”

“Sure...” Flash replied.  “We will leave Canterlot as well... it seems it will not be safe here for the time being.”

Celestia nodded, approaching the table and examining the box one more time.  “This one thing started this all those years ago...”

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

“I... don't wanna go to Cloudsdale sis”  Rose said, as they headed to their room.

“We shouldn't have snooped Rose but... I don't want to go there either.”  Spectrum replied.  “I wish there were somewhere else we could go.”

“Umm...” Crystal hummed.  “Maybe... you two can come with me and daddy back to the Crystal Empire?”

“But!” Daisy cut in.  “Spectrum wants to figure out this book... right Spectrum?”

Spectrum looked at the book as it floated in front of her.  “To be honest... it wasn't hard.”

Rose stopped in her tracks, causing Daisy and Crystal to plow into her.  “What do you mean it wasn't hard?”

“Save it until we're back in our room” Spectrum replied.

They quietly walked past the guards as they climbed the stairs into the northeastern tower that housed their bedroom.  Spectrum opened the door as everyone scrambled to get inside.  As she entered, Spectrum placed the book down on the table and placed a muffling spell along the walls of the room.

“A muffling spell?” Daisy asked.

“Yeah... I don't want the guards hearing and telling Grandma Tia” Spectrum replied.

“So.... You figured the book out?” Crystal asked.

“Yeah... and I'm sure Grandma Tia did too... it's not like it was supposed to be hard... just to keep thrill seekers away I guess.”  Spectrum said, grabbing her scissors from inside her crafts box.  “The secret is... the first letter of every sentence. I-N-T-H-E-B-I-N-D-I-N-G.”

“In the binding!” they all said together.

Spectrum nodded, slicing a small opening in the binding and reveling a folded piece of paper.  She pulled the paper out and unfolded it, placing it on the table.  She read the one word on the piece of paper.

“Zephyrus” Rose said.

“That's not a spell!” Spectrum yelled.  “It's... I don't know what it is!” She screamed, falling backwards onto the floor.

“I'll... be right back girls.” Daisy announced as she quickly left the room, but returned in under a minute, floating in front of her was a book.  She placed it on the table and opened it to the last page.

“Zephyrus” Spectrum read.  “The god of the west wind...”

“Zephyrus was the horse god that pulled Zeus's chariot” Daisy said, pointing to his picture.

“but... isn't that just a myth? Crystal asked.

“Yes Crystal” Daisy replied.  “But... Zephyrus was said to live in a cave in Thrace.”

“Isn't there a shrine for him out west?” Rose asked.

Daisy nodded, pointing to the next page in the book.  “A alter was erected in the Smokey Mountain in his honor.  It attracts local tourists year round who flock to pay their respects, in hopes that the spirit may bless them with his holy magic.”

“That settles that” Spectrum said.  “I'm going there.”

Everypony's eyes snapped open.  “Are you crazy?!?” asked Rose.  “You could get yourself killed!”

“Rose...” Spectrum whispered.  “Grandma gave me this book because she said I'm the only one who could figure it out.”

“And you did!”  Rose replied angrily.  “But she didn't say for you to go get yourself killed on some crazy chicken chase.”

“I'm going Rose... My mind is made up” Spectrum said, grabbing her side bag from under her bed.

Rose left the room, being followed by Crystal.

“She's upset... are you sure you should go Spectrum?”  Daisy asked.

Spectrum stared at the page from the book.  “Shooting Star killed both of my moms... I have to go...”

“Then we're going with you” Crystal and Rose said, as they returned with bags full of food and supplies.

“Girls” Spectrum whispered, running to them and embracing them.  “But.. how did you not attract the guards attention?”

“Easy!” Crystal giggled.  “We told them we were hungry and wanted some food for our sleepover.”

“Should we... take the lexicon with us?” Daisy asked.

“No...” replied Spectrum.  “We know where it will be.  If we find what we're looking for... we'll come back for it.”

“When... are we leaving?” Crystal asked.

“In one hour” Spectrum replied.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Celestia and Luna stood on the south balcony, overlooking Ponyville.  They watched together as the ponies, one by one, turned the lights off in their houses.  Celestia also looked towards Sweet Apple Acres, the former home of her daughter and daughter in law.  But... it was abandoned now.  After Applejack's death, Granny Smith passed away from sheer heartbreak.  Big McIntosh left for Appleloosa to be with the rest of his family, while Applebloom refused to go, insisting on staying with the other Cutie Mark Crusaders.

“What is troubling you sister?” Luna asked, wiping a tear from Celestia's face.

“Oh Luna,” she replied.  “It's been 14 years yet... nothing has healed.”

Luna wrapped her hoofs around her eldest sister's neck, drawing her close.

“I'm sorry Luna.” Celestia said as she extended her wings and flew towards Ponyville.

Luna watched as her sister left, no doubt heading down to her daughters last home.  “Sis... what do I have to do to heal the pain?”  She said, as she curled up in the corner and fell asleep.

A few moments passed and Celestia landed in front of the old barn.  She looked at the barn that was now missing boards from the walls, and half of the roof had caved in.  She walked inside only to be met with a magnitude of dust.  Obviously, when the remainder of the Apple family left, they did not even bother packing.

Celestia walked through the house that time forgot, glancing at the photos that scattered the walls.  Most every picture had now included Rainbow Dash.  Obviously she played a role in the family, and had been welcomed warmly in the end.

Walking up the stairs, Celetia approached the door that lead to their bedroom.  She gently pushed it open and soon was standing in the center of her daughters bedroom.  Unlike the rest of the house, this room was spotless.  There was not a speck of dust to be seen.

“How odd.” Celestia whispered, as she opened up Applejack's nightstand, finding a diary inside.

I'm feeling really bad this year.  It's bucking season and Mac is out there bucking by himself, and Applebloom... she's trying her best.  Rainbow has been having those nightmares again, hopefully they disappear soon, it pains me to see her screaming as she wakes up in the middle of the night.  Well... today was nice I reckon.  We spent the day in bed, thinking up names for our foals.  We've settled on Pacific Rose for mine... gotta keep tradition with an apple name right?  Rainbow on the other hand has absolutely no idea whatsoever.  Typical Rainbow, trying to figure out the coolest or most awesome name she can think of.  We got a letter today from the princess, she wants to see us soon, and go to a banquet with her... I don't even know what that means, but Rainbow sure seems excited.  So until next time faithful diary of mine, talk to ya tomorrow.

Celestia turned the page which contained only two sentences.

I know you don't believe me about my thoughts on my dream Applejack, I think my dream is going to come true.  But, in case it does and I die like I did in the dream well... I love you forever Applejack....

Rainbow Dash

“She knew... She knew she was approaching the end of her life” Celestia said through sobs, while tears streamed down her face.  “It's only natural I guess... she's my daughter, and it's only natural that she would have some magic ability, despite her lack of a horn.”

Something glimmered that caught Celestia's eyes.  She sat the diary down on the bed, and approached the closet.  Opening the door, she was met with the dresses that Rainbow and Applejack wore on their wedding day.  Standing there in their presence, memories of that day came flooding back to the princess.

“How... are you feeling?” She asked.

Rainbow frowned a little, meeting the princess's gaze.  “To be honest... I'm nervous...”

“It's perfectly fine for you to be nervous dear... this is a big change in your life.”

Rainbow nodded, turning to look at herself in the mirror once more.  “I asked my dad to invite my mom...”

“Did you now?” chuckled Celestia.

“I hope she comes...” Rainbow said, trailing off.

“I promise that she is going to be there Rainbow, even if you don't know it.”

Celestia sat back down on the bed, sinking her face into her hoofs.  “I'm such an idiot.  I shouldn't have ever left her in the first place... I should have... told her when I first met her in Ponyville all those years ago.” She said, as her coat slowly became soaked from her tears.

“I promised your father many years ago... 22 to be exact... that I would not divulge that information to you.  Don't be upset my dear... she will be at your wedding, I promise.”

“I promised him nothing, it was a lie!  I made HIM promise not to tell you... I'm such an idiot.  But... at least I was there... just like I promised you Rainbow.  I told that one lie all those years ago... and thus doing so... I broke my bond with the Elements of Harmony.” She whispered, holding back what tears she could.

But finally Celestia collapsed on the floor, being consumed in her own grief.  For the first time in 14 years, the pain of losing her daughter was overbearing, and she couldn't take it any more.

“Curse my immortality!” She shouted.  Her horn glowed bright yellow, engulfing her in a yellow sphere.  When she emerged she was noticeably shorter, her ethereal mane had been replaced with a simple pink mane which no longer defied gravity.  A small yellow orb fell from her horn and landed at her hoofs.

“I've lived for far too many years and grown attached to far too many ponies.”

The next morning Celestia returned to the castle to find her sister asleep on her balcony.  She approached her and nuzzled her gently, causing the night princess to stir.

“S...Sis?” Luna whispered, before snapping her eyes open.  “Wha?? What happened to your mane?  When did you get back?”

“Luna... I can't keep living on with this grief from losing her.  I've... decided to finally age myself as a normal pony.  It's your turn to shine on the throne little sister.”

“But sister!” cried Luna.

“No buts Luna!” Celestia responded, cradling her sisters face in her hoofs.

“But... where will you go?” Luna asked.

“It's time... after all these years... to finally be with my husband.” Celestia stated, as she turned to walk inside.

Luna stood up to follow her, but stopped at the door, a question lingered on the front of her mind.  “That's not... the only thing you're going there for... is it?” She asked.

Celestia walked to her bedroom, with Luna following close behind.  She unlocked the door and walked inside, removing the black box from her nightstand and placing it on the table.

“reclude” She said, as the box opened up, revealing the lexicon.

“Sis?  How did you know?” Luna asked, taking a seat on the edge of Celestia's bed.

Celestia placed her yellow orb by the lexicon, and with a tap of her horn, the lexicon swallowed the orb, leaving behind a faint yellow glow.

“There will be a time when Spectrum is ready to use this... but until then you must keep it safe Luna.”

Luna nodded, taking the box from her sister as she relocked it.  “I thought you were leaving it with Shining Armor?” She asked.

“I only said that last night because they were listening outside of the door.  They... probably aren't here right now.  It's obvious that little Spectrum figured out the book puzzle and has left searching for an answer.” Celestia said, as she took a seat next to Luna, placing her head on Luna's shoulder.

“And you're OK with that?” Luna asked.

“It's her destiny.  It is she who is destined to destroy Shooting Star.  I... cannot do it, knowing she is my blood.”  Celestia whispered.

“So... I must ask this Tia... Just... what is it that they will find on their journey?”

Celestia fell backwards into her bed.  “That I do not know little sister.”