Fading Light

by Cabral095

Rating: everyone
Tags: Discord, Princess Celestia, Twilight Sparkle, Sad, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark, Adventure
Length: 7012

Temptation, it happens to everypony, even a Princess. They were just dreams she told herself.

Temptation happens to everypony, even a Princess. It didn't matter why she did or how she did it. It didn't matter her intentions, good or bad. All that matters is that she did it.

Proofread by Soundspeed

Published 2013-07-31 04:50:02 UTC
Last updated 2014-01-19 05:17:40 UTC

Fading Light

A deep sigh bellowed from the Alicorn goddess, her magenta eyes watched as the sun set on her beautiful kingdom. Poised upon a balcony overlooking Canterlot, her thoughts were aloof, mind wandering to and fro, much like her mane in the breeze. Looking to the east, she watched as the moon slowly ascended to the sky, gathering with the stars. She shut her eyes, not wanting to see the moon this night.

Celestia rose, her wings sprung open, and she leapt off of the balcony. Her wings caught the wind, and carried her away. The grand city of Canterlot sat below her, ponies all returning to their homes, to rest and wake upon the new dawn. A new era. Celestia’s eyes settled upon the forest just beyond the city, her destination.

She landed, the light of the sun now gone, and the blue of the moon now highlighted the land. She looked into the forest. Black. Her horn shone gold and she guided herself into the darkness. The mighty trees surrounding her, many a strange sound from nightly creatures filled the air. Celestia continued, her journey not yet finished.

“Oh my, what do we have here?” a voice chortled.

Celestia turned to see a cat, a brown one at that. His yellow eyes watched Celestia, tail flicking about.

“The mighty Princess of the Sun, so foolish, so blind.”

Celestia said nothing, turned, and walked down the path. The cat followed.

“Why so glum Celestia? Don’t tell me you’re having regrets.”

She ignored the creature.

“Oh but you are aren’t you?” He wryly smiled. “So foolish she was that day, when all the ponies were in dismay. Her own mind she could not question, nor to her subjects mention. When all was said and done, the victory she thought was won. But now her thoughts sour, with this new change of power. Oh poor is Celestia, ruler of Equestria.”

Celestia halted, her eyes shut, allowing the cat’s words to sink in. She turned and faced the cat. It sat there, playing with its whiskers. A crooked smile spread upon its face.

“I did what any ruler would do, and should do,” she stated. “The safety of my subjects is more important to me, than my personal feelings.”

“Do you honestly think that she will be ready for your forgiveness? You know how she is.”

“Then I’ll just have to hope and pray for the best,” she replied.

Celestia continued her walk through the thick forest. Her horn illuminated the ground before her and lighted the path. The pitter patter of the cat had now vanished, she turned. The cat was gone. She set aside her thoughts of the deceiver and walked on.

Above, the moon’s glow shone through the bramble and trees, ahead lay a clearing. The forest soon fell behind her as she entered it. One tree stood tall and strong, aside the tree lay a small stone. A tomb, one would suggest; one without a purpose. Celestia halted and looked to the stone.

“I know what you’re going through. It’s what all ponies will go through in their life. Temptation. I’m just sorry it happened to you this way. When you return, the world will have changed so much, the ones you loved gone and past. They may not understand, and they may not know why this happened now, but all will be explained. Only time will tell your tale. The tale of the fallen princess.”

Celestia sighed and looked to the moon’s light, memories filling her mind. “I remember when I first brought you under my wing, so young, so small. Yet so much potential. The days in the castle were delightful and filled with joy. This may be your greatest downfall, but every hero will fail. Only to rise again stronger than before. Your deeds will soon be forgotten, all things pass with time.”

Celestia sat in front of the stone. Her mane swayed in the gentle breeze. The trees had now joined in the wind's chorus, echoing their song throughout the forest landscape.

“Please Celestia,” a familiar voice chortled, “do you honestly think that she will return and all will be well?” The cat sat in the tree. His yellow eyes watching Celestia, a slight purr filled the air. “Do you honestly think that your subjects will receive her with open arms? After what she had done?”

Celestia sighed and closed her eyes. The cat jumped from the tree to her side.

“You should have seen this coming my dear princess. She wasn’t the strongest-willed pony.”

“I know,” Celestia said, “Sometimes, we need to fall and see our mistakes, to know why we fell. One day, she will see and know, like I have.”

The cat and alicorn sat silent for a few brief minutes, respecting the grave.

“How long will you continue to come out here?” the cat finally asked.

Celestia looked to the moon, “For however long I need to.”

“That’s a long wait my dear.”

“I would wait an eternity if I had to. So she knows that I have not abandoned her.”

A snap filled the air, and a bright light emitted from the cat’s paw. Two flowers rested there; he gave one to Celestia. She took the white rose and set it down in front of the stone, the cat did the same.

“It’s getting late princess, I’ll meet you back in the castle.” The cat said.

“Very well,” she replied.

The cat vanished with a snap of his fingers. Celestia smiled, looking to the two roses. Her thoughts drifted back to bliss. “We look forward to seeing you once more, my faithful student.”

Celestia stood, departed the small field, and vanished into the black of the forest. The field once again hushed. The moon shone down onto the gray stone. Before the stone lay nine roses. Words etched into the stone read: ‘As long as this stone remains, it shall forever be a reminder of the good deeds of the banished princess, Twilight Sparkle.’

Author's Note

I had this sitting around for months and months, might as well upload it.

Proofread by Soundspeed

Dawning

Dust whipped back and forth in the heat of the dry sun. The ground was dead and cracked, like much of the area around it. A single leaf hung above the land, dangling helplessly from a tree’s dying limbs. The old rooted plant stood silent before the crying wind that tugged at the small leaf, trying as if to free it from its prison.

Snap.

The leaf fell, its descent caught by the wind, carried all the way down to the harsh ground below.

The immediate area shedding a moment's peace for the fallen prisoner. The tree soon brightened and lights flashed through the cracks and holes that decorated its trunk. The bark peeled, and limbs fell one by one, slamming into the earth below. A great stirring in the wind circled the area, and flashes of lightning and magic sprayed about. With a great force, the tree split in two, revealing a purple pony; one who had rested peacefully in its bowels for centuries.

~~~~~

“I told you, what’s done is done, and nothing can change my mind now.”

“No! This can’t be the only way, I know what I did was wrong, but surely you can forgive me?”

“Forgive you?” The great Alicorn questioned. “Forgive you? For what you’ve done? Twilight Sparkle, you’ve put my subjects in danger, you’ve put your friends in danger, and worst of all, you put yourself in danger. You leave me no choice.”

Her voice emanating throughout the great halls of Canterlot Castle. Her stern gaze cast out of the window, looking onto her city.

“But, there’s always a choice…”

“Not this time.”

~~~~~

The purple pony fell in front of the tree, gasping for air. Her hooves clawed at the dirt, clinging to it, pulling her away from the past.

“No.” She murmured, her voice barely audible. Her eyes winced to the light, having only seen darkness for an eon. “Celestia, no.” She cried, knowing full well the world she would soon enter. Muscles strained to raise the small alicorn from the dirt; her head wracked with pain, her muscles spasmed, and her wings fluttered.

Senses soon returned to the equine, her composure stiffened as she glanced about her. Eyes shifting left to right, grasping what reality had left her with. Death. The luscious forest that had once surrounded her tomb had vanished, being replaced with tarnished trees and dead shrubs; no sign of life could be seen, or heard. The mare turned, gazing at her sarcophagus, looking in wonder at it. Her eyes studied the way it had split open in two. Gruesomely. The tree, however, had already been dead. Lying beside the tree stood a small stone.

She precariously wandered to the slab stabbed into the earth, eyes following the words engraved onto its surface. ‘As long as this stone remains, it shall forever be a reminder of the good deeds of the banished princess, Twilight Sparkle.’

“Why couldn’t she just see it?” The princess murmured, “I told her, but she just…” Her head was cast downwards, shedding tears of sorrow.

Crack.

The princesse's ears perked up, angling towards her rear. She was no longer alone. Casting a glance behind her, she could see nothing.

“Hello? Is somepony there?” Silence was the only answer. She turned her body, and cautiously moved forward. “It’s ok. I’m not going to hurt you…. hello?” A slight rustling echoed in her ear, alerting her to the tree just right of her. Peering behind the dry bark, her eyes caught glimpse of a young mare. Her brown hair was latched onto a golden coat, and green eyes studied the alicorn princess.

“Hi.” The princess carefully stated, “I’m Twi- *ahem* Princess Twilight Sparkle.” Silence was again exchanged between the two mares. Tacking on a smile however, Twilight ventured forth to create a conversation. “Can you at least tell me where you’re from?” Before a reply could be made, the mare darted, her hooves pounding against the earth, carrying her away from the strange pony.

Taking a moment to allow the events of what had happened to sink in, the princess of magic illuminated her horn and vanished in a flash of white, soon after appearing in front of the mare. Tripping over her own hooves, the mare stumbled to the floor.

“Wait, I just need to find out what year it is, and where I can find Princess Celestia.”

The mare gaped for a moment, before asking, “Was… was that…… magic?”

“What?”

“Did you just use magic?”

“Well yes, I am an alicorn, that’s kinda what alicorns do.”

“.....Alicorn?”

The princess was taken aback by this, her thoughts raced faster now, “Where’s princess Celestia?”

The mare remained quiet, staring at this strange new pony she had just met. Twilight sat, joining the mare. “Where are you from?”

“J-just beyond this forest.”

“In Canterlot?”

“N-no, it’s the mountain city. I was sent out for food.” The mare shuffled in her place, seeking comfort on the ground.

“Do you have a name?” Inquired the princess.

“...Sunflower.”

“Well Sunflower, it is very nice to meet you.”

Silence returned again to the conversation.

“...I should be getting back.” Sunflower stated, interrupting the dead air, “The others may be worried for me.”

“Wait, do you think it possible for me to accompany you?”

Sunflower rose, patting the dirt off of her hide. “I suppose it can’t hurt, but I have to speak to the council about… this.”

Nodding in approval, Twilight rose, and followed the mare. The thick debris of dried forest slowed their march to the city. Gazing to the sky above, Twilight saw nothing. No clouds, no birds; just the lonely blue of the vast floating sea, and the face of the mountain. It was cracked and scorched. Burn marks marred the face, and led downwards towards the forest.

The edge of the forest was reached, and with it, a site unlike any other. The Mountain City; it clung to the face of the mountain, decrepit and in ruins. The once grand castle that could be seen shimmering from far away now sat dim and broken. Homes were riddled with holes and burn marks. The water and animals had seemed to vanish with the glorious times.

Twilight paused, looking to the mare standing before her. “I need you to tell me now, where is Princess Celestia?”

Author's Note

Another part? I was inspired I tell you! Inspired!

Presage

The mare turned and faced the princess, her eyes meeting her level. After studying her a moment, Sunflower motioned for her to follow. Twilight did. Crumbling walls greeted the duo as they trotted into what remained of the city. Homes broken and in shambles, others just missing altogether. Curious ponies clambered out from their holes in the earth, watching as a strange new pony entered the area. Many gasped, and others looked on in shock.

Rags and torn fabrics clung to the ponies, their bodies decorated with scratches and bruises. The sound of coughing soon joined in with the chorus of whispers. The locals seemed to be intrigued by the purple mare. Her presence, however, made many uneasy.

“What happened here?” Twilight inquired.

“We survived.” Sunflower answered, “Ponies from all around come here. It’s said to be the safest of the remaining cities, what with the valley being so deadly, and the coast too far for many ponies to travel.”

Before the princess could reply, Sunflower halted in front of a run down abode. The walls were cracked, the paint was all but gone, and the roof was dismantled.

“What is this?”

“This is where you will talk with the council. I’m sure they’ll be… interested in meeting you, Princess.”

~~~~~

“Now look here princess.” An orange mare stammered as her hoof slammed onto the grand marble tiles of the luxurious palace. A small crack had appeared, joining the tears that had pooled by her hooves. “Ya can’t do this ta Twilight! Ya just can’t!”

“I’ve already told you Applejack.” The white alicorn began, “What’s done is done, and there’s no going back. I can not and will not go back on my word.”

“But she said she was sorry! Ain’t that enough?”

“Applejack… I’m not doing this just as a punishment…”

“As what then? An example? Is this what happened to Luna? You made an example out of her?”

Celestia directed her glance to Applejack, eyeing her up and down. The orange mare’s brown hat was tattered and torn, and alongside her stood Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Rarity. The other elements had all gathered to defend their banished friend.

“No.” Celestia simply replied. “This, is a much more serious issue. This has nothing to do with what Twilight did, but what would happen to Twilight if I didn’t banish her.”

“What do you mean?” inquired Fluttershy.

~~~~~

Cautiously placing one hoof past another, Twilight entered the building. Tattered curtains waved to her as she passed by, with rubble and debris guiding her towards a back room. Shadows mingled with one another on the back wall of the room, and voices found their way to the Princess' ears. Poking her head in to the dank room, she could see four ponies were gathered around a small table. A candle emitted light from the center of the table, which highlighted the ponies' features.

To the right sat a gray stallion. His mane was dark and his deep sapphire eyes watched Twilight enter the small room. To the stallions left was an older mare, her once green coat had begun to gray, much like her blonde mane; her magenta eyes, however, held much youth in them. To the far left, was a young stallion with a scar traversing his face. His blue coat was dirty and coarse, with his subtle orange mane matching the condition of his coat. A fire seemed to burn within his gray eyes; determination, strength, and valor. The final pony was a unicorn, unlike the rest who were earth ponies. Her horn, however, was broken and cracked. Sorrow and fear filled the old mare’s eyes, while gray had dispersed across her mane and coat.

“Um, hello.” Twilight sheepishly stated. “Are you the um, council?”

“We are.” Replied the gray stallion, “And who might you be?”

“I- I’m Princess Twilight Sparkle.”

“Princess?” inquired the gray mare. “Did she say princess?”

“I do believe she did.” The blue stallion stated standing up on his hooves. “Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Blue Shield. This is Gallant Stone, the gray mare is Rose, and the lovely green mare over there is Elstar. Do forgive us, we live in an era where such formalities are dead.”

“Dead?”

“Yes.” Replied Gallant, “A title like that has not been used for an age. So that makes me wonder, who are you really? Because everyone here knows that the princesses died long before the end of the Celestial Age.”

“Celestial Age?” The princess inquired.

Elstar stood, “The Celestial Age was a time when Equestria had leaders; The Alicorn Princesses. These great mares lead Equestria into new wonders the world had never seen before, bringing with them new technology and friendship. However, that age has been dead for well over two thousand years.”

“Two thousand years?”

“Yes.” Gallant Stone answered, “And the princesses have all been dead since; we have some documents proving this, the ones that were found in Canterlot Castle.”

“But… but how?” Twilight asked, her voice cracking a little.

“That is something we never found.” Elstar remarked, “I’ve explored that castle from top to bottom when I was younger and never found anything. All we know is that one day, the princesses had gone and vanished.”

“And because of this.” Gallant added, “Everypony assumed the worst. Then there’s you. From the scrolls we’ve read, never once did it mention a miss Twilight Sparkle.”

“What?” The purple mare’s eyes began to redden, a look of downcast taking shape on her snout. “But... I’m Celestia’s student. I studied under her since I was a filly, she taught me magic. I saved the world from eternal darkness and chaos. Surely you’ve heard of me?”

Silence swept across the room. The candle flickered as shadows danced along the walls, as the purple mare was about to burst into tears.

“I will say this though.” Gallant stepped closer to the princess, “Your appearance is something that intrigues me. You may not be a princess, but you are most certainly an alicorn. Tell us, how did you become one?”

Twilight sat on the floor as a tear drifted down her face. “It’s a long story. A long story about myself, and how I discovered the magic of friendship.”

Author's Note

And thus ends my introduction to the story, yes, I took up three thousands words to introduce this story. Look forward to chapter 1 soon! Because I have a lot planned out for this beast! Please leave feedback! I do like hearing what other folks think. :raritywink:

Chapter 1 - Midnight

Chapter 1 - Midnight

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Luna’s moon cast down its light to the slumbering ponies of Equestria. The wind gently wandered throughout the valley, its chill greeting the few ponies still awake this evening. Including that of the princess of magic herself, Twilight Sparkle. She quietly meandered her way through the sleepy town of Ponyville, and soon she had reached the Everfree Forest’s edge. The mare held a small lantern before her eyes, and looked on into the forest. Hoisted upon her back was a saddle bag, and a robe for warmth. A small tug caught her attention, looking to her side was a small purple and green dragon.

“Spike?” Twilight gasped, “What are you doing out here this late? You should be in bed.”

“I was wondering the same thing about you.” He replied.

“Look, I just.” She stated looking back to the forest. “It’s just that something has been on my mind lately.”

“Well, what is it?”

“I don’t exactly know. I’ve been having these odd dreams.”

“Like odd how? Ice cream odd, or like mysterious odd?”

Twilight smiled a little at her assistant’s joke, “A little more mysterious than ice cream, Spike. I get this odd feeling that something is… calling me.”

“Calling you?” The dragon queried.

“Yes, but I don’t know what.”

“Is it a pony? Are they in trouble?”

“I don’t know.”

The two remained quiet for a moment before Twilight picked Spike up with her magic. Placing him upon her back, she set her course towards home.

“For now though, I think someone needs his sleep.” Twilight remarked with a yawn. “I suppose I could use some as well.”

The purple mare had soon arrived to her home. The door creaked open, revealing the darkness concealed within. Using her lantern the mare trotted up the stairs and to her bedside. Careful not to wake her passenger, she gently lifted him with her magic and set him upon his bed. Her assistant snored loudly as a blanket was placed on him. Next, she set down the lantern and her bag and hung her robe upon her bed post.

Perhaps I’ll continue this in the morning... She thought. Looking to her clock, the hands read 9:53PM. She sighed and sat herself upon her bed. Perhaps... it won’t happen tonight. Gently lying down, the mare closed her eyes and drifted off.

She was falling. The sea of black had once again surrounded her. Her wings tried to get her high above the darkness, but the shadows only followed. The purple mare rose higher and higher, but the darkness grabbed her. Tiny hands pulled her down. Her friends and family were just above her, hooves reaching out, begging her to fight. But she couldn’t. She could only fall further and further until she was consumed by the darkness.

That’s when the voice came. It boomed and echoed throughout the black, speaking as if in trouble. In pain.

“I can see you. I can smell your magic. The power you wield. Only you can set me free. Only you know how.”

She looked around for somepony or anything.

“Who are you?” She would ask.

“Only you, Twilight Sparkle. You are the one.” It would reply.

“How do you know my name?”

“Set me free.” The darkness demanded. “You know how.”

“But what if I don’t want to?”

Twilight sat with her horn illuminated, trying to discern anything that wasn’t darkness. Her eyes searched and searched. Beneath her was grass and the soft sensation of the blades graced her coat. A stone rose from the darkness beneath, pillars grew all around her, and the grass faded to an old castle. She knew this castle. She recognized it as the abandoned castle in the Everfree Forest.

Her eyes continued to watch the area transform like scenes from a play. Years filled the halls and ponies walked by, passing without a care. Then she appeared. Princess Celestia. Before her was the same stone. She looked to it and then to Twilight. With a rumble and a shake, the scene shattered, the castle vanished, and the darkness fled with them.

She was sitting on her bed, sweat dripping from her snout and mane and yet her body was cold. She looked to the clock. midnight. Sighing, she looked out her window. The moon remained high in the sky, watching her below. Hopping out of bed, the alicorn trotted to her desk nearby. A quill and some ink had remained from the previous night, along with a small journal. She lit a nearby candle, and set to work.

Flipping through the pages, she found the next blank page. Ink seeped from the quill as she hastily jotted down her dream.

‘The same happened again. This night however, I was in the old castle, the castle where Nightmare Moon had been defeated. A great stone rose from the darkness, along with the castle.’

She continued her scrawlings in the journal, writing with as much detail as she could recollect. ‘It’s at the point now where I must tell Princess Celestia, I know she can help me. But still, I need to know what this is. Or better yet, who.’

Looking to her number one assistant, Twilight sighed. No need to get him up for this letter. I’ll just wait to send it in the morning. Closing her book, Twilight set her quill down and lifted the candle from the table. Creeping down the stairs, she guided herself to the many books lining the inner walls of the tree. A particular section had grabbed her attention; history.

A violet aura selected various books from their shelves and brought them to the purple mare, each piling one on top of the other next to her. There must be something here. She quickly set to multitasking between reading and organizing the books by relevance. She went long into the morning stacking book after book, only to find the same end result. Nothing.

Her stockpile of books had grown smaller, and with it, her patience. The last book, however, wasn’t about history, but Equestrian myths and fables. It was the book Spike had found during Pinkie’s shenanigans with the mirror pool. She set the book down and groaned, thinking it best to just inquire of the princess.

“Twilight?”

She jumped at the sound of her name. Looking up, however, revealed Spike. He stood there with bags under his eyes.

“How long have you been up?”

“Oh, is it morning? I hadn’t noticed.” She answered with a yawn.

“You’ve been staying up late all week, are you ok?”

“...To tell you the truth, I’m not sure.” The princess pondered a moment, “Spike, can you take a letter?”

“Sure thing Twilight!” The purple dragon sluggishly climbed up the stairs to fetch a quill and some paper. Spike returned shortly thereafter, and began to scribe words onto the parchment.

“Dear Princess Celestia, I am in urgent need of your guidance. For the past week, I have been receiving odd dreams, dreams of darkness. I keep on trying to fight my way out, but I’m always dragged down to the bottom. Afterwards a large stone and a castle, the one from the Everfree Forest, rise out of the darkness. I’m in the castle, watching as ponies from the past walk all around. Then you appear, and with you is the stone. I’m afraid it ends there however, and I wake up at midnight, every night. Please respond hastily, your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle.”

“You know Twilight, I don’t think you have to keep calling yourself her student, seeing as you’re a princess and all.”

“Just send the letter please.”

~~~~~

“What do you mean?” inquired Fluttershy.

Celestia approached the five mares, She lowered her head level to them. “What I’m about to tell you.” She began, “Is something I want you to take to heart. It’s something that had to be done. I did not do this to make an example out of Twilight. I did not do this just to punish Twilight, and I certainly didn’t do this because I could. If I hadn’t banished Twilight she would be dead, but not just her my little ponies. All of the magic in Equestria as well.”

Author's Note

Look! A slightly longer chapter! I know I'm writing in spurts with short chapters, but they'll get longer! At any rate, leave some feedback and all that commenty stuff and, yeah! Expect more soon.

Chapter 2 - Engulfed

Chapter 2 - Engulfed

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“All of the magic, gone?” Applejack questioned.

“Is that possible?” Rainbow Dash interjected.

“It began long ago when Luna and I were young. Equestria was but an infant.”

The grand alicorn sighed as she guided her way past the colorful equines that filled her grand halls. The sun shone brilliantly through the stained glass windows, and each illuminated a different story. Only one, however, caught Celestia’s eye. It was towards the entrance of the hall; a grand scene decorated the hued glass. A large stone graced the center of its frame, and it appeared to envelope an orange unicorn. The unicorn had a mass amount of magic dispelling from his horn. Behind him stood Celestia, casting down a spell that created the gray stone.

Applejack and the others joined the princess.

“Who’s that princess?” The orange mare asked.

“A unicorn back when Luna and I had begun to rule Equestria. He was so young.” She sighed. “...So scared.”

~~~~~

“Help me.” The voice pleaded.

The never ending black had consumed Twilight once more. Images flung past her, swirling and circling just in front of her. She watched as the images culminated into one; the stone.

“What are you?” She asked.

Silence befell the black void. Her eyes carefully watched the strange stone, glancing over its smooth surface. No carvings, no molds, nothing peculiar stood out on the stone. The eerie gray surface was almost glossed, reflecting Twilight and the surrounding darkness. Placing a hoof on the stone, it was warm to the touch... as if it were alive.

An ear shattering scream rang from behind her, causing her body to jolt and turn. She spotted an orange unicorn. His screams echoed in the darkness, his horn aglow, his hooves wrapped around his skull. Images from seemingly out of nowhere assembled from hearing his call. Each circled the stallion in an almost melodic fashion, flashes of the past flickered onto the floating pictures.

Twilight could do nothing but watch on as the stallion was tormented, her body was frozen in time and space. Images were catching Twilight’s eyes. One showed ponies running, fleeing from a unicorn. Another of Canterlot, ablaze. The stallion continued to scream from his torture, his never ending past replaying in his mind. He was crying. The bloody yells dispelling from his body shattered a few images, only to have them be replaced by new ones. The pictures flashed to white and back a few times. It was then that he passed out. His horn cracked and the images fell, shattering into pieces like glass.

“Help.” The stone called out. “Only you Twilight Sparkle. Set me free.”

“Bury it.”

Twilight turned to the voice. Celestia. Looking around her, the castle had once again appeared. The large columns, stained glass windows, and guards all around bowing to Celestia. The stone stood in the center of the room.

“Your highness?” Questioned the guard before Celestia. His helmet had been removed and his black mane sat high atop his brown coat.

“Bury the stone in the Everfree Forest. I don’t want anypony finding it.”

Rising, the guard saluted Celestia, and with a nod the rest of the guards in the room followed suit. Three used magic to carry the stone as the doors slammed, shaking the grand walls. One by one the columns fell, surrounding Twilight, black enveloping her being. The castle and guards had gone, however, Celestia had remained. Her gaze looked past Twilight.

“No more.” She looked to Twilight and whispered, “No more.”

She fell. Celestia vanished in a puff of smoke and Twilight hit her bed. Steam rose from the sweat that had beaded upon her brow. The chill of the room latched to her form. Her window was open. Sporadically closing and opening her eyelids, the purple mare looked out her window. Shutting her eyes, she pressed her hoof against her head. The throbbing was more intense this time.

I hope Celestia responds soon… I have to find out what this is.

Quietly leaving the warmth of her bed, Twilight walked towards the open window and looked outside. The crescent moon smiled to her, greeting her with a gentle breeze. The coolness of the morning soothed her mind and eased her muscles. Exhaling a sigh, the mare looked past the sleeping town to the forest just beyond its borders. The dawn was soon to come, and with it, hopes of an answer. Twilight, however, was thinking of finding her own answer.

Retreating back inside, she shut the window and walked down the stairs. A purple hue filled the downstairs floor, guiding Twilight to the door. She obtained her pack, robe, a map, quill and a piece of parchment to take notes with.

I’ll just look around for a bit. She assured herself, I should be back in time for Celestia’s reply.

The creaking door gave way to Twilight’s magic, allowing the cool air to enter her home. She shut the door shortly after and trotted towards the forest.

~~~~~

Sighing, Celestia assembled her thoughts together. “Do you know what it’s like?”

“What is what like Princess?” Fluttershy asked.

“...To not be there. To not be able to help somepony. Somepony that you promised to help.”

The mares remained silent, not knowing how to answer.

“Bigarade.” Celestia whispered, “I’m sorry this has happened to you.”

The white alicorn composed herself, and faced the five mares standing around her. “A long time ago, Bigarade lived a fairly happy life. His parents cared for him, there was peace throughout the land, and he was to take over his father’s business. It was a fine carpentry business, making some of the finest furnishings in the land.”

“However, Bigarade didn’t want to take over his father’s business. He wanted to become a great unicorn of magic. To learn new spells, conjure new magic and teach it to his friends. He spent many days with his nose in a book. However, he never could learn new spells or conjure new magic. His friends were often supportive, but they saw that he wouldn’t get far in magic.”

“Bigarade lost hope of one day ever becoming a great unicorn. One day, however, changed his life.”

“What was that?” Pinkie inquired.

“He met me.”

Chapter 3 - Gleam

Chapter 3 - Gleam
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The salty tears rolled down the purple mare’s cheeks as she sat before the four ponies. Unsure of how to act, they sat there and watched her. After a moment, Twilight had composed herself and asked to be excused from the room. The dry mountain air greeted her as she exited the run down abode. Casting her gaze down the street, the castle came into view.

Surely they couldn't have found everything… She thought.

Without hesitation, the alicorn cantered towards the ruins of her teachers home. Her hooves clacked against the rocky and stony roads that guided her. As she neared the castle, the scene around her altered. The homes here were not as that from the outskirts; here they were rubble. There was no distinguishable form to them, just mounds of rubble and charcoal. Skeletons were lined in their ranks, prepared for battle.

The mare halted. What happened here? Her eyes surveyed the sad ruins of Canterlot that laid before her. The once luscious and large domiciles that lined the streets were now tombstones to those who had fallen here. The ground was cracked and scorched, torn and ripped; this was no battle, it was a slaughter.

“Celestia!” Twilight shouted. She lunged forward into a sprint, her wings beat the air around her and raised her body above the ground. Flapping with as much might as she could, the mare sped towards the castle. The scene fled behind her and she arrived at the castle. Upon landing, she wiped the tears from her eyes and looked to what was left of the entrance.

The large double doors that once stood strong and proud had vanished altogether. The archway was cracked and sagged, the white marble had faded into a dull yellow brown. The sound of echoing hooves filled the empty halls of canterlot castle. Many of the columns that had lined the grand hall had fallen, the few that remained creaked and cracked under the pressure of supporting what was left of the grand building. The hoof weaved carpets were torn out from the floors and the tiles were practically dust beneath her hooves.

Each hall and room told the same story, all of their belongings had been stolen and all of their windows broken, there was nothing. Each and every room, empty. Trotting up some stairs in the west wing, Twilight had arrived at the bedroom of Princess Luna. Gently placing her hoof upon the door, she gently pushed it open. The dusty room before her was empty, there was no evidence that anypony had lived her once before.

Using her magic, she closed the door, and left the west wing. She trotted her way over to the east wing, Celestia’s wing. She soon found what she was looking for, Celestia’s room. Looking carefully at the door, Twilight could see no outer damage to it. There were no scratches, burn marks, or hoof marks of any kind. It’s as if the room itself had never been touched in the past two thousand years. The door would not open. She pushed and strained to try and push the door open, but nothing happened. It was locked. Her horn flared and a beam of purple fired at the door. Nothing happened again.

Why would Celestia lock her door? What could she be hiding? I’ll have to see if I can maybe find some clues lying elsewhere in the castle.

With a sigh of defeat Twilight walked away from the curious door, and trotted further down the hall. Her eyes scanned and searched the ruins for anypony, anything would suffice by now. The mare had reached some stairs that she knew led to the upper balcony. The long climb up was quiet, eerie some may say. The ruins of an old abandoned castle watched the young princess as she continued her ascent. The last of the steps were reached, and before her lay a sight she had not seen in some time.

Walking out to the edge of the balcony, careful of her strides on the old structure, Twilight looked out to the valley below. It had seemed as if a darkness had consumed the valley, her old home. Ponyville could not be seen, as it was hidden by the shadow of the forest that lay next to it. She sat herself down upon the ledge, and with a heavy sigh, she shut her eyes.

Her muscles had ached with stress and pain. Her mind was trying to grasp exactly what had happened to her. What had happened to her home. Why Celestia? You could have at least told me… I should have known….

The mare looked up towards the scenery before her. The darkness of the valley, the mountains off to the west, and the setting sun. Much of the land had appeared burned and scarred. She needed to find out more history, perhaps her old library may hold answers of its own.

The alicorn’s thoughts continued to ramble in her head. Perhaps Celestia’s room will….. wait…

The mare blinked once more, her eyes cast to the sun. It was setting.

The sun… it’s, it’s setting! That must mean. Without missing a beat, Twilight sprang up from her resting position and rushed across the balcony. She sprinted as fast as she could down the stairs, and to the east wing. Tears again forming beneath her eyes, and a giggle escaped from her lips.

“Celestia!” She cried, “Celestia I’m here!” Twilight reached the door and knocked. “Celestia, open up please! It’s me Twilight!” Her ears caught the sound of something, hooves. Clicking and clacking their way towards her. She happily panted and waited for the door to open. Looking at the door, Twilight could see the magical shield that had been covering the door dissipate. The door slowly creaked open, and an elderly sounding voice rang in her ears, “Twilight? Did I hear somepony say Twilight?”

Soon Twilight’s smile faded, and was replaced with confusion. “Who are you?”

Within the doorway stood an old mare, her light blue fur had grayed, a horn graced her forehead, and her brilliant purple eyes looked over the princess. “It is you Twilight…” she said, “After all this time I… I didn’t think it’d actually come true.”

“That what would come true?”

“Why your return of course.”

“My return?” Twilight inquired.

“Please, come inside, it’s not safe out here.”

Twilight obeyed and followed the mare inside. Placed in the middle of the room was a table with a journal on it. Towards the back wall was a fireplace, fire still crackled in the pit. A large bed was to the left side of the room, the east side. To the west, was a window just like the one that graced the opposite wall. Beneath her hooves was an illustriously weaved carpet that sported Celestia’s cutie mark. A dresser, a closet, and a bathroom were also located near the back wall.

“You must be starving,” the old mare spoke up, “Here, have some crackers, I have plenty to share.” A plate of crackers appeared in front of Twilight, which she graciously accepted.

“It’s been a long time Twilight, I’m sure that you wouldn’t remember me all that well. I’m surprised I even remember you.” The old mare used her magic to pass over a cup of water to the purple mare.

Twilight finished her chewing, and proceeded with a question, “Who are you?”

“Time does a lot of things to a mare Twilight, it lets her think. A lot. I never did thank you for what you had done for me that day. I was just a young mare, showing off what magic I had learned and perfected in a wooden carriage that I traveled the country with. It was a great experience, seeing all the sights, meeting all the new ponies. But then I met a pony more powerful than me. I met you.”

“...Trixie?”

“Hello Twilight Sparkle, it’s been quite a while. Has it not?”

Author's Note

Let me know what you think! :twilightsmile: