Equestria Reborn

Part 2: Calling of the New Regime

Dusk's eyes widened in wonder and fear as he just barely got out a few words.

"Oh my... o-oh my pegagod...!!" There was a gasp -

Dusk snapped his attention to his sister, studying her, briefly, before he realized it wasn't her who had gasped, but was him. He turned his attention back to the guardians.

For a moment or so, none of them did anything.

Finally Dusk spoke up and said, "So then...my eyes really do not deceive me... Thou two truly art the Gaurdians, Lunais and Solaris...here.... before me..." He breathed these words as he carefully positioned himself in a bow.

He glanced over at Dawn who was still cowering on the ground. She hadn't even moved her hooves to look!

"Dawn," Dusk hissed. His eyes were wide and he motioned with his head, instructing her.

Dawn only  peeked over at Dusk. Still trembling, she did not change her position.

THOUGH THOU DOST COWER, THOU DOST ALSO BOW.

Yes, but you needn't do either. Rise, the both of you.

Dusk slowly, cautiously did as he was told, while Dawn stayed in her position, still trembling, with her eyes shut tight.

Dusk, though he had re-positioned himself now, did not look at the guardians. Instead, he looked down. None of the four said anything for a few moments, and then -

Princess Dawn, Prince Dusk, have you nothing to say?

Dusk's ears were tempted to perk, but they did not. He just knew he hadn't heard properly. Surely the Guardian Solaris had not called him "prince" nor his sister "princess".... surely not. And even if she had, may be she was just unaware of their status - no. No, that could never be right. The Guardians, though however celestial they may be, had much knowledge. They had knowledge of both the earth and sky, so why would she make such a mistake? But then again... could it be a mistake? If not then what did it mean? Dusk's mind raced. He tried to think, but no answer he came across could assuage his roaring thoughts.

FOALS! DO YOU DARE NOT LOOK TO US NOR ANSWER WHEN WE MAY SPEAK?!

The Moon Guardian lifted Dusk's face with her hoof, as she spoke. Dusk had to tilt his head back, but the storm that was her voice still did a bit of damage. Dusk blinked when it was all over and shook his head.

NOW THEN, DOST THOU *NOW** HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY?*

The Guardian returned to her sister's side.

Dusk looked over at his sister who was no longer trembling, but she hadn't risen or hadn't bowed, either. Instead - he saw that her ears were perked up, she was listening.

"Uh - e-hem..." Dusk said, clearing his throat, "Guardians Solaris and Lunais -

Please. Solaris is fine.

Dusk cautiously obeyed, "Yes, Solaris and... Lunais, um... A question, if you will...um -

YE SHALL SPEAK TO US AS THOU SHALT SPEAK TO ANY, *OR** THOU SHALT NOT SPEAK TO US, AT ALL!*

"...Yes...Lunais." Dusk replied. He then slowly inhaled and then slowly exhaled, he closed his eyes a moment or so until he finally found himself.

"Solaris and Lunais. The question I am sure both myself and my sister have, for you, is... Where are we?" Dusk sucked in a breath as he awaited his answer.

Ah yes, *that** question...*

Dusk, and now Dawn, watched as Solaris raised a hoof and then brought it, firmly, back down. There was a small flash of light about her hoof and then nothing.

Dusk looked from her hoof to the newly made surface below them. The surface was flat, firm and transparent. Dusk looked about; they seemed to be in some kind of a room. Though each face was faint, and each edge fainter, Dusk could still make out what shape it was. The room was as a cube, every face a perfect square.

"Where is this place?" He asked, almost absentmindedly, "What is this place?'

We are still where we were, young one, yet I have made it so that your comforts are met.

*SNORT* WELL I LIKE IT NOT. DO HURRY AND RID US OF THIS PRISM, SISTER.

Yes, all in good time sister.

"Why... are we in a box?" Dawn quietly piped, looking about.

NEIGH, IT IS NOT A BOX, EARTHLY, BUT A PRISM. DO NOT SO FOALISHLY LABEL THIS WONDROUS WORK OF MAGIC AS A MERELY INSIGNIFICANT, EASILY DESTRUCTIBLE, EARTH-BOUND BOX!

"I'm sorry," Dawn answered, standing up on all fours just to bow down, again.

THOU ART FORGIVEN.

Yes... This is neigh're a box, but a prism, as my dear sister hath said... It will give the both of you a surface to stand on and a more suitable "stay" while ye are yet here... Any further questions?

"...Yes." Dusk said, the Guardian's voice pulling him from his thoughts. "I do suppose that the next question should immediately be why are we here?"

Ah yes, *another** good question, I see. Well then, Prince of the Evening, both my sister and I can provide the answer to that... Luna?*

YES, SISTER - LISTEN WELL, EARTHLIES, FOR THOU SHALT SOON KNOW WHY YOU HAVE COME!

Solaris lowered her head so that her horn touched the air before her. The tip caused the air  to ripple. It rippled faster and faster, outwards, until a portal of some sort did open up before Dusk and Dawn.

"What is that?" Dawn asked.

PATIENCE! PATIENCE. ALL WILL BE REVEALED TO THEE.

Dusk and Dawn watched the portal as the Guardian spoke.

LONG AGO, DOWN ON YOUR WORLD WHERE THOU DIDST LIVE AND WHAT THOU DOST CALL - WHAT YOU DO CALL - EQUESTRIA, TWO PRINCESSES RULED. (The portal showed Canter Lot as it was a long time ago. It showed Princess Luna and Princess Celestia on their thrones.)

Dusk and Dawn were taken aback. They couldn't believe that both of the Guardians used to be rulers of Equestria.

WE RULED FOR AWHILE UNTIL MY SISTER DECIDED TO TAKE A STUDENT UNDER HER WING. (The portal showed Twilight Sparkle and Princess Celestia, when they did first meet.)

Dawn and Dusk's eyes both widened - how could that be? The Oracle Staris was as a student to one of the Guardians?

"We are truly unworthy," Dusk breathed, his eyes fixed on the portal.

ONCE IT WAS TIME, AND THROUGH ALL OF HER TRIALS, THIS STUDENT FINALLY BECAME A PRINCESS. IT WAS HER TRUE DESTINY... (The portal showed Twilight and her friends facing off foes, constantly saving Ponyville and many of the trials Lunais spoke about)

"Th...those are the elements..." Dawn breathed, in amazement.

AND RIGHT THOU - AND RIGHT YOU ARE, EARTHLY. THOSE SEEN BEFORE YOU ARE, INDEED, THE ELEMENTS. THEY WERE THE CLOSE FRIENDS OF PRINCESS TWILIGHT SPARKLE, EVEN BEFORE HER ACKNOWLEDGEMENT - THAT IS - EVEN BEFORE SHE *BECAME A PRINCESS.*

"Twilight... Sparkle? Dusk said, "Do you not mean Staris, the Oracle?"

TIME WILL SHOW. (The portal changed and began to show different events from the time after Twilight became a princess. It showed her and her friends fighting off new foes, discovering new things and learning many lessons. The images shown sped up and it began to show the time when Twilight did reign, and not only as Princess of Friendship. Under her reign, the Hall of Elements was created in honor of her friends...)

BUT TOO SOON DID THEY GO. PRINCESS TWILIGHT WAS LEFT WITH THE GREATEST TASK OF HER LIFE; TO CONTINUE ON WITHOUT HER FRIENDS. (The portal showed Twilight, 5 different times, her expression sad and her eyes teary.)

Dawn began to cry and Dusk put a foreleg around her, bringing her close.

BUT A VERY FAITHFUL AND DETERMINED ONE, SHE WAS. SHE FULFILLED HER DUTY AS THE LAST REGIME. MEANWHILE, MY SISTER AND I TOOK HEED OUR CALLINGS AND SOON LEFT EQUESTRIA. THE EARTHLY THINGS WERE OF NO MATTER TO US, ANYMORE, FOR WE HAD DUTIES, ABOVE, TO TEND TO. (The portal showed Celestia and Luna leaving Equestria and Equus behind.)

~ By Ponyholicsannonymous(?), Fim Fiction

"...You say... Last regime, but... what do you mean?" Dusk asked, "Is it because Princess Earth and Prince Sky have run off and left the throne to nopony? "And... and yet you did call myself a prince and my sister, a princess, so... what does this mean?"

THAT IS ACTUALLY WHAT I WAS GETTING AT, *PRINCE** DUSK.* (The portal changed, showing a small colorful fire. The images changed as the fire was shown bigger and bigger. Soon, the fire was sweeping across every nation, with absolutely no regard for the large bodies of water it passed over. In fact, even the water began to dry up - )

"NO!" Dawn cried, tearing away from her brother and running over to the other end of the prism-room.

Dusk turned to see her sink down to the floor and begin crying. "Dawn..."

The portal disappeared in a flash of light.

So then, we see. Thus is the fate of your world. Therefore, Staris, as you know her, is truly the last regime.

"But... but what about Princess Earth and Prince Sky? Are they not the new regime?" Dusk asked, glancing back at his sister whose cries were muffled by her hoof.

BUT OF COURSE THEY ARE! EVEN WE DO NOT DISREGARD THE APPOINTINGS OF THE PRINCESS TWILIGHT!

"O-of course." Dusk said, "But -

They are not truly a regime, but an un-reigning pair, young prince. For they have not truly ruled, yet their ability to reign - as well as the other - has been acknowledged.

"So then... how can they even be considered worthy to rule when they have run away - ?"

SUCH FOALS!! YOU DARE SAY SUCH THINGS ABOUT THE APPOINTED REGIME!?

Dusk flinched.

Calm, sister. It is fine, they do not know. The two have not run away but they will not rule, either. Instead, the both of you will.

AND IT IS ABOUT TIME WE SAY SO.

"....What?" Dawn said. Sniffling followed and could be heard from where she sat.

"I... I do not understand," Dusk said, glancing back at his sister whose back was still turned to them.

My sister and I have summoned the both of you so that you will then be appointed the next regime.

"Bu -

THE - YOU - THE BOTH OF YOU WILL NOT BE THE REGIME OF THIS WORLD, BUT THE REGIME OF THE NEXT.

"What are you saying?" Dawn said, walking up next to her brother, wiping her tears. Dusk began to lick her tears away.

........

.......?!

Dusk stopped when he saw both Guardians watching. "Sorry." He said.

NEVERMIND.

What we mean is that since this world is evidently perishing - yet it does have a future - the two of your will be the reining pair where you two are to go so that ponykind might be saved. (An image appeared between the Guardians, facing and Dawn and Dusk. It was the image of a planet... It looked somewhat like the planet from which Dawn and Dusk had come, but not quite... It was similar, enough, though.)

"What is that place?" Dawn asked.

CALL IT WHAT YOU WILL, NAME IT WHAT YOU WILL, FOR THAT PLACE BELONGS TO YOU. THE *BOTH** OF YOU.*

"...But... how?" Dusk asked. There were there so many more questions floating around in his head, but he feared the end of the conversation was near...

Come forward, the both of you

Dawn and Dusk did as they were told.

AND TO YOU, PRINCE EVENING STAR, I GIVE THIS GIFT. (A small shinny bubble of light appeared before Dusk, and steadily hovered before him. Before anything else happened, he heard the other guardian say:)

And to you, Princess Aurora, I give this gift....

NOT TOO LONG AGO WAS IT WHEN YOU DENIED YOUR SISTER AND WAS DETERMINED TO LEAVE THE PLACE YOU SO LONG KNEW... (The sphere shuddered and Dusk was slowly lifted up...)

YOU WERE SO SELFISHLY DETERMINED TO FIND SOME KIND OF MEANS TO SAVE YOUR SISTER, IF NOT YOURSELF... (As Dusk rose, faster, the sphere divided into not two but four and all of them began an orbit-like track around him.)

BUT THE PLACE YOU WANTED TO TAKE YOU AND YOUR SISTER WOULD HAVE MOST ASSUREDLY KILLED YOU BOTH - INCREASING THE STRENGTH OF THE ENDING FLAME, THE APOCALYPSE FIRE, THE COLORED FIRE YOU DID SEE, BEFORE NOW.... (Dusk's eyes widened, in recognition and fear as he realized that where he would have taken him and his sister would have utterly killed them both - may be even over-killed. He realized that he would have made a terrible mistake had the Guardians not summoned them. He realized, also, that the colors in the sky were the signs of the approaching fire and the destruction which was to come to Equestria and with the Guardians words - was he being punished?! The sphere's began to fly around him faster and faster until, altogether, they let of a great, bright light and then - !)

BUT BECAUSE OF THESE TRAITS; THAT YOU DID CARE ENOUGH FOR THE ONE YOU TRULY LOVE, THAT YOU SYMPATHIZED WITH HER AND DID HEAR HER, THAT YOU WOULD HAVE SACRIFICED YOURSELF FOR HER WELL BEING - ARE YOU WORTHY TO BE A PRINCE. (The shining light, which was before the guardian Lunais, lowered to the floor-surface of the prism and dispersed, revealing a semi-stunned Dusk.)

Dusk shook his mane, shook his head. He was a bit dizzy, but managed to stay on all fours.

"Dusk, they're beautiful!" Dawn cried.

"What the... What?!" Dusk choked out.

The sister before his was definitely Dawn, only... different. Instead of being a normal, white, and winged mare, she was now a white, winged Alicorn, with a long pointed horn. Her wings were larger, her skin more pure a-white and her eyes had gone from orange to the colors of sunrise. "Dawn... that makes so much sense..." Dusk thought.

"I... You... you're beautiful! Dusk exclaimed, admiring his sister.

Dawn's cheeks turned a rosy shade of pink, as she blushed. "Thanks, Dusk, um.... But you're wings..."

"My what?" Dusk turned his head and observed a pair of large black wings which had somehow sprouted from his back. "Whoa..." He noticed that his fur had darkened and was nearly as black as night.

Yes. And just the same has happened your sister. Because of her kindness and love, caring and generosity - all of her good spirits - along with the oracle ability and her strength in magic, she too is worthy of being a Alicorn. In this case, a princess.

Dawn blushed, some more, and rubbed a foreleg with the other.

"So... you... made us into Alicorns..." Dusk said, glancing - once more -  at his newly-found wings.

That is correct, young one. And in doing so, you are now a prince, and your sister, a princess. Worthy to rule all whom ye shall.

Just then, the prism was gone - Dawn and Dusk looked about.

PERHAPS *NOW** YOU ARE MORE COMFORTABLE OUTSIDE OF THAT PRISM?*

"I am." Dusk said.

"Yes, I am, too!" Dawn exclaimed, I never felt so free!" She trotted about, on nothing, but didn't seem to care.

"Yes..." Dusk said, watching his sister trot about, "But being a prince and princess, being leaders, being.... being a regime and carrying the supreme authority... We need more than a transformation, we need... we need to time to learn..."

And that you shall.

"How?" Dusk asked.

GO. GO TO THE PRINCESS YOU CALL STARIS. IT IS THERE THAT YOU WILL RECEIVE YOUR INSTRUCTIONS.

In a quick blast of light, Lunais and Solaris were transformed:

Lunais' hair had become black as night and was sprinkled with many stars. Her eyes brightened and the shade of her fur did, too. Her horn's length had been increase and her wings had been enlarged.

~ By shadypony, Deviant Art

Solaris' hair became a flaming, radiant red-orange, flowing ever-freely. Her eyes became very bright and fire-like. Her fur-tone was tanned, yet shone brightly, while her horn gained a great length... Both of their attire was changed to more magnificent wear - both their cutie marks had changed, moderately.

~ By spyrothefox, Deviant Art

AND IT IS NOW THAT WE MUST GO. WE HAVE COMPLETELY FULFILLED OUR DUTY AND OUR TASK IS COMPLETE. HENCEFORTH SHALL WE NEVER AGAIN ASSOCIATE WITH THE EARTHLIES... THEY ARE NOW, AND FOREVER, ON THEIR OWN.

With the absence of the sun and the disappearing of the moon, your words are both true and acknowledged. As for later, I agree. It is now that we go.

Princess Dawn and Prince Dusk both bowed as a bright light surrounded the Guardians and then shot off like a comet - carrying them far from the world of Equus, forever.