Ascension To Beyond

Celestia sat upright, a knocking sound coming from the door to her cottage.

“That’s unusual. Usually they let themselves in.” She said, getting up from her bed and walking into the front room. She made her way to the door, opening it to several heavily clothed ponies that weren’t Luna or Twilight.

“Your Highness, we have come to bring you back to your throne.”

Celestia just stood there, jaw open in shock and eye twitching.

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Luna’s horn lit up softly, waking her and Twilight from their slumber. They looked up at the glow, before realization hit them and woke them up hard.

“Prepare the city.” Twilight said, as she jumped out of bed and started getting dressed.

Luna nodded, teleporting herself to the barracks of the Magister Guard.

Twilight, meanwhile, was staring out into the night. Celestia was coming, and she would be ready to greet her.

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A group of cloaked travelers approached the main gate to Canterlot, the one in the center larger than the rest.

“No admittance allowed without papers. The city is under lockdown due to rebel threat.” The guards said, their grip tightening ever so slightly on their weapons. “Remove your hoods.”

“We will not.” One of them said, reaching beneath his cloak. The soldiers responded by raising their guns to point at them.

“You have one more chance before we open fire.”

“Belay that order.”

The two gate guards turned to see a lieutenant of the Magister forces.

“They have permission from Archmagister Twilight to enter. With an escort of course.” He said, as a few more soldiers filed out from the barracks. They were decked out in heavy armor, and were all carrying fully automatic weapons pointed at the group of travelers.

The gate guards saluted, the unicorn turning and using his magic to undo the lock.

As the gate swung open, the travelers walked through cautiously. They weren’t equipped to fight the Magister Force, and here was seven of them fully armored.

“Twilight is expecting you in ten minutes, so let’s be on our way.” The lieutenant said, turning and walking off towards the castle. The armored soldiers surrounded the group, making sure they kept walking.

“This is not going to end well.” The tallest one said, as the travelers circled around her protectively.

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They were shown into a large auditorium. The throne room, by Celestia’s memory. The thrones had been replaced by a large table with six chairs behind it. As the door closed behind them, the travelers removed their cloaks and drew their weapons.

“I had hoped we could speak peacefully, and here you come with weapons drawn.” Twilight said, teleporting in. Her wings spread slightly behind her, keeping her balance while making her appear bigger than she was.

“We have returned our princess of the sun, who shall smite thee with the flames of justice for your crimes.” The leader cried out, pointing his weapon towards Twilight. With a wave of her hands, she disarmed them all and brought their weapons directly in front of her.

“Smite me? She has been gone for a century, and you are nothing before my magic.” She said, as magical chains bound them all except Celestia.

“She will rise again wreathed in the holy flames of the sun, and strike down the tyrant queen.” The leader cried out again.

“Oh, she will? Well, Celestia. Here I am, waiting. Smite me.” Twilight said, raising her arms in mock surrender.

Celestia just glared at her.

“Oh yes, that’s right. Prophet sealed your magic. You’re about as dangerous to me as a puppy is to a hydra.” Twilight started laughing.

The rebels looked up at Celestia, fear in their eyes that what Twilight spoke was the truth.

“Just let them go. I’ll return to the cabin, if you let them live. Let them spread word that I cannot help them. That bringing me back will do them no good.” Celestia said, as a single tear fell form her eyes. “Just let my ponies go.”

“Very well then.” Twilight said, dispelling the chains with a wave of her hand. None of the rebels moved, simply staring at Celestia’s confession.

“The throne was made for the alicorn crown. You are still not worthy to lead.” The leader said, charging at Twilight.

He was stopped a few feet away, wrapped from head to toe in purple magic. He struggled against the ironclad hold she had.

“You believe I have no right to lead because I’m not an alicorn?” Twilight asked, taking a few steps towards him. “You are an earth pony, correct?”

“A descendent of the Apple clan. The only one of my generation that remembers Princess Celestia.” He said, spitting in her face.

Twilight wiped away the spit. “Well then, if you so wish for an alicorn ruler I have no qualms giving you one.”

“Wha-what?” He said, shocked.

“If you wanted an alicorn ruler, then I will give you one.” She said, the smile on her face turning to a malicious grin. The purple magic turned a deep black.

The stallion’s mouth opened to scream, but no sound came out.

“If you so want an alicorn ruler, I shall give you one.” She said, as several threads of bright green magic started making their way out of his body towards her. “But first, you must give me your magic.”

Celestia looked away, not wanting to watch what happened next. A bright flash of light filled the room, blinding everyone.

“Let this be a warning to the rest of you. An alicorn commands Equestria again. I have grown tired of your slander, so be gone and do not sully my city again.” Twilight’s voice echoed within their heads, all of them covering their ears in the hope of making it stop.

The remaining rebels nodded their heads, before running out with their ears still covered..

“Celestia,” Twilight’s voice echoed in her head. “look at me.”

Celestia turned and opened her eyes. Her pupils shrank at what she saw.

It looked like someone had taken Twilight’s body and stretched it too far. Her horn had tripled in length, tapering to a lethal point, and her limbs were gangly. Her torso was thinner, almost to the point of sickness. However, the very air around them thrummed with power.

“I believe it is time for you to return. The world has changed much, and you have been gone.” She said, her voice making Celestia nauseous.

“I do not wish to be a part of this world you have created.” Celestia responded. “Just return me to my solitude.”

“I’m not giving you a choice.” Twilight said, before looking down at the husk of the stallion she had drained. “The citizens will be happy to have their princess of the sun again.”

“Even if she is nothing more than a figurehead?” Celestia asked, her body weary.

“I would not just have you here for appearances. You have millenia of experience I do not. Yet.” Twilight’s voice was growing quieter, apparently only a side effect of the sudden influx of magic.

“So you want me to be your crystal ball?”

“I would prefer councilor. But think it over. I have a room prepared.” Twilight said, the same lieutenant from earlier walking into the room. “Show Princess Celestia to her new quarters.”

He saluted, before signaling for Celestia to follow.

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Hermes Drone #11357

Sending high density info-burst

Priority Channel: Omega 0 0

Fifth Report

Count: 100 years

Evolution.

Recalculating Odds: 50%

Re-Initializing Long Term Hibernation Protocols

Power Consumption Reduced to 15%

Activating secondary generation system

Remaining Power: 20%

Requesting Refueling Scheduled in 50 years