Equestria Reborn

Part 4: The Chosen Two

"Here you are, your highness's." The white colt, whose name Dusk and Dawn now knew to be Kobi said.

"Thank you," Dawn watched as Kobi let both of their birds out of the golden cage he was carrying them in.

"No problem. But I apologize for the way they had to be put in a cage - uhh... The commander didn't want them to get all rowdy and out of control during the lift off or the break through, so..."

"That's quite alright." Dawn giggled a reassurance. "And very understandable -

"Why?" Dusk cut in, with a question.

Dawn turned to Dusk, "Hm?"

"Why?" Dusk repeated himself,  "Why is that understandable?" How is it understandable? Are these not the royal birds? Are they not royal birds? And also, are they not purebred pets - nature's finest, at that? I should think so. And on saying so, why on earth do you think such explosions of power would disturb them? Sure the alicorn or alicorns they were once owned by did not exert such power on anything or anypone, often, but they were - without a doubt - capable of doing so. Knowing this; why would they have pets which would be disturbed at any amount of a power outlet - any explosion, for that matter? ...They wouldn't." Dusk  let the words hang in the air for a while, and then turned his attention back to the outside.

Kobi's eyes widened with the fear that he had made some kind of mistake and bowed down, saying, "O-of course, you're right - I deeply apologize -

Dawn giggled, softly and Kobi's cheeks felt hot. Bowing down, he couldn't tell if he was being laughed at or what. He dared to look up.

He saw that the prince had also heard her majesty's mellow titter, and had turned to look at her.

"Oh, you..." Dawn brought a hoof to Dusk's face and moved in to give him an affectionate peck on the cheek.

At the sight of this, and at the sudden reddening of his majesty's face, Kobi slowly backed out of the room.

On the other side of the door, with the cage off of his back, Kobi sighed as relief flooded his body. He was trembling, but tried to command himself not to.

"Whew... wonder what all that was about," he muttered. He then turned and took the handle of the cage, in his mouth, and dragged it off towards is designated spot on the ship.

~   ~   ~   ~

"What was that for?!" Dusk asked, wiping his face.

"Tee-hee!" Dawn giggle, "You are so cute, sometimes."

"Yeah... whatever...."

Ehem. Am I interrupting anything? A voice asked.

"Hm?" Dawn turned from Dusk and peered out of her window.

I am glad to see that you are faring better, Princess. The dragon observed.

"Yes... thank you." Dawn said, smiling sadly.

The dragon nodded and then there was a moment of silence...

"May...may ask where you went off too, Mr.Dragon?"

Please, your highness. The dragon said, Dragon is just fine. I am all ears for highness's and I -

"Oh, forgive me!" Dawn said, hastily, "I forgot to even ask your name!"

'Tis nothing, your highness. Dragon is just fine.

"As he has said," Dusk put in, turning an eye to Dawn - for as of then, he and her sat back to back.

"I know..." Dawn said, softly. "Please say what you meant to, M - um - Dragon... please.

Yes. Now, as I was saying, I went up front to give the stone to whosoever was to have it. For you see, the gem I did have - The dragon showed the end of his tail to Dawn and then to Dusk. Dusk couldn't see it, for his head was turned, eyes closed, as he listened to their conversation. Of course, he opened at least one eye to see that the gem was missing from the end of the dragon's tail, but with that as an acknowledgment, he closed it back.

It serves as a guide for this ship, the Master Ship.

"A guide? Whatever do you mean?" Dawn wondered aloud, "Does it... does it have a mind of its own?"

Dusk gave a little cough, before the dragon answered. No, Princess, it does not. But when connected to navigation system of the ship, it will lead all whom it shall to the New World. 'Tis why I gave it to whom I did.

"I see..." Dawn said, tapping her hoof on her chin, "So... what is keeping you up here?" Surely the gem -

she stopped herself. Something was telling her not to go on.

The dragon eyed her, steadily. Have you something to ask, your highness? As I have said, I am all ears, for yourself and your brother.

"Yes... but I am hesitant, nonetheless," Dawn said, "The gem... it seems to touch something, within you." Dawn and the dragon held gazes for a considerable amount of time.

The dragon's gaze was steady, but there was something within his eyes that only Dawn could see. The dragon smiled chuckling, a little. The eyes of the oracle, he murmured.

Dawn blinked and there was  a movement from her brother.

"Perhaps what my sister wants to know - and what I would like to know - is what exactly is it that is keeping you up here? There is no such thing as a space dragon, nor has there been. All dragons are earth-dwelling creatures - and even the wings wouldn't help! I do hope you can explain yourself... that is, if your willing to." Dusk's head was turned to its fullest, now, and the eye that he could see the dragon, clearly, with challenged the dragon to respond.

Dawn looked from her brother to the dragon, once more, and then once again. She began, "You don't -

When I was what your highness would consider an earth-dweller, I had a very close friend. She was a princess, like yourself - Dragon motioned towards Dawn, with his head - Although she hadn't always been so. Before she was acknowledged as one, she was a very gifted, very powerful unicorn. From a filly's age, all she really ever did was keep to herself and read books. She gained so much knowledge, but hardly any of that which could assist her in the making of friends or the acquiring of a companion... For the longest time I was all she had, and she was all I had. I loved her, dearly, and was soon her official assistant.

But thanks to the lovely guardian, Solaris, the life style of my princess changed; the former princess Celestia sent for her student, whose name was Twilight Sparkle, and told her to go and make some friends. In addition, she was to report her findings on the magic of friendship.

(Cute Celestia and Student Twilight image By: chinalover551989, Deviantart)

Dusk's ears twitched. "Really..." he voiced his doubt, under his breath.

Yes. Dragon answered, And this magic, I must say, proved stringer than any form that I have ever seen, up 'till now. Though many great and powerful foes fought and many lessons learned - along side her five friends, the former Keepers of the Elements of Harmony - she who was now Princess Twilight Sparkle had with her the greatest magic of all, the Magic of Friendship. I, too, took part in the group of friends she did have, although I have come to learn that through out the whole time, I did - and always will - sit in a class of my own... The dragon paused, as he was a little overwhelmed by his thoughts and emotions, and he dared not continue.

Dusk cleared his throat, "You do realize that - he was halted by his sister.

"Dragon, you don't have to - Dawn was halted by Dragon.

Tis fine, Princess. I will continue. Now -

"P... please." Dawn sad, hesitantly, "I only ask that if you must continue to address me... do it so that you are comfortable... you do not have to call me 'Princess' - Dawn, is fine..."

'Tis not a bother, to me, Princess. Dragon responded, coolly.

"Then please continue," Dawn said, quietly.

Dragon nodded, Eventually those who were the princess's friends perished... One by one, they were taken by - and I am very glad to report - natural causes. Each time was harder for my princess, but she had a strong and determined heart. The memories of her friends and the fact that none of them had perished too painfully, or in-vain, was of great comfort to her. As Loyalty lie on her deathbed, my princess completed the construction of the Hall of Elements which could be found in her former castle, The Elemental Friendship Spire. But it was also at this time that I became - again - the only and closest companion she could turn to, for comfort...

(Such beautiful and lovely picture, I found! All credit to the creator!!)

...And then it began. Many thought Princess Twilight mentally unwell; she shunned the public, for many days, and she would hardly eat or drink any thing and if ever heard, she would only ever say things that nopony understood... This went on for a while, until all figured that Princess Twilight had "come to her senses" - though soon after, other troubles arose; unknown creatures showed their faces, most of whom the princess had to deal with, herself. Lands from afar threatened to break the chains of peace, evil plagues began to come over the land... This. This and many more things were predicted by Staris, herself, before many deemed her to be an Oracle... Dragon paused, sighing. Dawn and Dusk just looked on and though Dusk was temped to speak, he felt the brush of his sisters hoof, over his, and remained quiet.

And then there was the time of the calling of the new regime. Dragon began, again, Though before such a thing was made known to those who resided in Equestria, I was spoken to by the princess - the Oracle. She told me many things and gave to me the understanding of her foretelling words - though even then, I might not have been able to interpret *all of what she did say, I understood enough to know what was to come... And that, in the end, I would no longer be with her.*

*   *   *   *

"So what is this that you are asking me to do, Twilight?" Spike, now a much older, grown and wiser dragon of many titles and names looks down upon his life-long companion. He looks into her eyes. The fire of determination shines brightly - though tainted with something else.

"I am telling you that you need to go, that you must flee from here, save yourself! I... I wouldn't be able to bear seeing the last of mine return to a blackened earth."

"I will not leave you, Princess." Spikes long tail reaches around him and lifts the chin of the princess and Oracle, Staris.

"You must!! You do not understand, Spike - you must! You have to, I command it! Twilight slaps his tail aside, fury burning in her eyes, causing them to water.

Spike sighs, shaking his head. "My Princess. My princess, my princess... How long have we been together? One of the most perilous hours of Equestria draws near and yet you tell me to go from you? I have done so, once, and shall never again... What is it that though dost not understand when I say these things?"

The princess lowers her head, flattens her ears. "Please, Spike... do not use those words, with me... And when you say my name, say it, for when you do not do these things, it seems... its seems that you are the one who does not understand. I love you so much and... I loved... I loved all of the girls -  if they were here, now, well... well I would tell them the same thing... I would tell them to go..." Twilight begins to cry, quietly.

"And they would not listen." Spike says, rising to all fours.

"Wha... what?" Twilight stutters, wiping at her tears.

"And they would not listen." Spike repeated, "For they are you true friends and - by becoming your friends and as bearers of the elements - they swore that they would see the end to the end... In other words - if they could have - they would have proudly and willingly died along side you, not hesitating, because you are all as one. Through-out the years, the bond between all of you became stronger and stronger. But when one fell, did the bond weaken? No. It grew tighter - and infinitely so. So then, I can say, they would not have listened. You could have begged them with all of your power, but they would not have moved from you." Spike moves his tail, bringing himself and Twilight together.

"But perhaps they would have done this?" He murmured, "And then begged you to let them stay? Surely, it is so. Besides... me, being a dragon, I..." he trailed off, for a moment and then said, "Remember that one time? When I learned truly what a dragon was? When I discovered the past of my kind and all those other events that followed? I learned so much, then... And if there was one thing that I remember, it was that dragons were never meant to run. We are to be loyal, respectable companions who would never turn our backs on those we care about. 'Tis a disgrace - this generation of dragons - who have trampled over such principles of their fathers and - well. They've not kept up the standards of being true dragons... 'tis truly a shame... But anyways, my point is that I will not leave you. Besides, the disasters to come are far off and being a true friend, I just couldn't do it." Spike stopped himself and waited for an answer.

"Oh, Spike,"Twilight said, her voice a whisper, "You know that you mean so very much to me, already - stop acting like you don't know, that you need to be like Rainbow Dash or Apple Jack or - or any of the girls - just stop being that way!" Her voice rose again, "You know better than that, Spike! You've know me longer than anypo - she stopped herself.

"It's fine," Spike said, quietly,  "I  -

"Anyone." Twilight finished, "And you should know that I know that you know that on accepting this request of mine, you would be doing myself - as well as yourself - a great favor. You know that this is what I want."

Twilight pushed herself from Spike and walked around him, heading for the back of his cave.

"Where are you going?" Spike hurriedly asked, turning his head to look after her.

"There are many things I must do, in order to prepare myself for what is to come. One of these things was convincing you to leave..." She paused and looked back at Spike. Spike didn't say anything, his expression blank.

"I see that I've already done that."

Spike forced steam from his nostrils, a reluctant acknowledgement that she was right - and there was nothing more he could say or do. Twilight continued on down the cavern, her horn giving of a luminous glow.

Spike walked, silently, behind her. The clip-clop of her hooves and his breathing were the only two things to be heard. Hardly any other sound echoed off of the large walls of the underground cavern.

Spike looked about at the walls, the ceiling. The place was discovered only so long ago by himself and his friends, and he couldn't help realizing how nostalgic it all was. The cavern was directly below the Elemental Friendship Spire. He looked forward, to Twilight who walked before him. It was just as it had been, that day; her in the lead, as always, their friends flanking the left and right, himself somewhere in between - no. No, now this time was different. The feelings, the atmosphere - everything was off... And so much had been lost, since then.

Spike glanced around, warily, as if the elements, his friends, would just suddenly appear out of the shadows... But they did not and he knew that is wasn't ever to be.

Before he knew it, he and Twilight were standing a the back of his cave. There was a horde of gems, before them. They shined so brightly that Twilight had no need to use her horn. Spike could already see in the dark so he wasn't bothered, either way.

He watched as Twilight searched the pile of gems, carefully - but quickly -  separating and organizing them. He carefully settled himself down, to watch.

"Spike," Twilight said, "I think that it is about time I redeem myself, don't you?"

"What do you mean?" Spike asked, perking up, even more.

"What I am saying is that for a long time now - well, for a long time then - I had always given you lousy birthday presents."

Spike was taken aback. Waaay back. Why ever in Equestria was she mentioning that, now?!

Twilight giggled, softy. "I would never spend as much quality time with you as I should have, nor would I give many thoughts about you might have wanted to do, when I should have..."

"Twilight..."

Twilight turned and looked at Spike.

"I am so very sorry." She said, tears in her eyes. They began to spill down her cheeks, but she quickly wiped at the, attempting to make them disappear.

"....?!" Spike was confused; what was all of this about?

Before he could express his confusion or what was on his mind, Twilight said, "So I am giving this to you."

She levitated a large, green, glowing, diamond-shaped gem before him. (And, in fact, it was that gem.)

(Not so random green diamond picture)

"It's beautiful, Twilight." Spike said, as she lowered it into his claw. "I never knew this was in there..." He gazed over at the horde of gems that was now organized into small, shiny piles of glowing stones.

"It wasn't." Twilight said, "Not necessarily, that is; I actually combined a few. Of course, if it had been in there, I would wonder what kind of friend would give such a gift to her friend when he was the one who collected all of these, by himself."

With a chuckle, Spike asked, "Well aren't you just giving multiple gems that were from myself, in the first place?" He was half joking, for he cracked a smile, but he still wanted an answer.

"No." Twilight said, killing the jocular moment with a solid answer, a solemn expression. "This gem is all you need to get you to higher grounds when the raging floods come to destroy this land. I have cast many a-spell on several of the gems before combining them, as one... Take it as a parting gift, for - as I have said - it is all you need."

"What do you mean by 'higher ground'?" Spike asked, hesitantly, not really wanting to know.

"The second sky," Staris responded, simply. "When you fly higher than you've ever flown before, when you fly higher than you know you can, when you fly higher than anyone and anything has ever flown before, you may keep going. Eventually, you will reach the second, starry sky. The disaster to come shall not reach that place and you shall be safe."

"...I see..." Spike said, clutching the gem, "And what, pray tell, should I do then? What purpose would I serve? What is it I could do, after all is said and done, without wanting to destroy myself? Surely there would be no one else left, if this disaster is a catastrophic as you have said it will be."

"You are wrong there, my friend," Twilight said, "Yet since you have made up your mind to adhere to my request, I will give instructions to you." She motioned with her hoof and Spike lowered his head. Staris touched the tip of her horn to his head and  rested it there, a few moments.

Afterward, there was silence.... Spike was the first to speak.

"Twilight?" Spike whispered, cautiously attempting to revive her voice.

Twilight rubbed her face against Spikes and he felt something wet... He supposed she was crying.

"Twilight..." Spike said, again. "I... I just -

"It is done," Twilight said, stepping back from Spike, "The time you have to become fully comfortable with the powers of the stone I did gave you is as much time there is until the disaster comes. So this is the last time I will see you."

"...." Spike didn't say anything. He couldn't. There was nothing to say... Twilight's horn began to glow and she turned from Spike, tracing a doorway out of the air. When she had finished, she turned back to Spike.

"Spike... I thank you for all you have done for me, up until now - all you have been, all you have said, to help me... I love you so very much and forever will. But most importantly, I am glad that I was able to personally see and send you off, myself, knowing that it was the right thing to do... I am sure our friends would have wanted it."

"Yes, I am sure." Spike responded, refraining with all that was in him from touching her. "I love you very much, too, Twilight.... Please take care of yourself."

"Forever do the same, Spike." Twilight said, turning from him. She took a few steps towards the door and then stopped. Silenced followed, for only a moment, before she stepped through to the other side, disappearing from Spike's sight, forever.

*   *   *   *

So now you know how I've come to be here. Dragon said, I'll admit that I did require the gem's assistance, for a little while, but... as you can see, I need it not, anymore. He was quite, then, and waited for a response.

He looked to Dawn who was quietly crying, her hooves to her face and then to Dusk who now sat next to her, instead of them being back to back. His expression didn't give off much, but Dragon knew better.

So as I have said, my friend was a very power alicorn princess who was the second to last regime - in respect to you two. Her friends - and mine - were the elements, her mentor was the Guardian Solaris who was most-likely the one responsible for their union. I was the one who was always there, beside Oracle Staris, even before the day she was acknowledged as an alicorn. I was also there on her last day... but I did not see her perish if that is what should be assumed.     Dragon summarized, quietly.

"Yes... yes, I know." Dawn said, trying to stop the tears, "I heard you - please forgive me, I -

"Tis fine, Princess Aurora, I understand how you feel, yet... your brother..."

"Huh - wha?" Dawn looked at Dusk. "What's wrong?" She asked, for Dusk didn't look to good - in fact, he actually looked angry.

"What you say..." Dusk began, through clenched teeth, "What you say you - how?! How can you just say that?!" Dusk's voice rose.

"Dusk..." Dawn said, surprised at her brother.

"Do you really just expect us to believe that?! I mean, I don't even believe in you!" Dusk exclaimed.

"Dusk!" Dawn said, "How could you say that?!"

"What do you mean how can I?!" Dusk asked, astonished at his sister, "He's the one you should be telling that to, not me!"

"Dusk, that doesn't make any sense," Dawn said, "If you're saying that then... then your're calling Dragon a liar!"

"Well may be I am!" Dusk retorted. "We learned nothing of him when the guardians revealed to us the past of the Oracle!"

Eyes wide as she shook her head, in disbelief, Dawn immediately switched her attention over to Dragon and sincerely apologized, in place of her brother. "I am so very sorry Dragon! I don't know why -

If you would excuse me, Princess. Dragon calmly interjected, Prince Evening, may I tell you something?"

"...You may." Dusk said, suspicion edging his voice.

Excellent. Dragon said, Now, do you two remember what happened when you were transformed into alicorns?

After glancing at one another, both Dusk and Dawn nodded.

Princes Aurora, I believed you received a horn, is that correct? Dawn nodded.

So that would leave the wings to yourself, then, Prince Evening. Dragon concluded.

Dusk nodded but them immediately said, "What significance does that have, in this matter? And how do you know?"

I may know things, young prince. Dragon said, Because I am able. And the significance of your separate transformations is this:

Addressing Dawn, now, Dragon said, Remember, Princess, your abilities - particularly the oracle ability - which is also known as a "telling". This "telling" - the "Telling of Prophecy"' - enables you to foretell later events and/or accurately predict the future. But you also have another "telling", which is the "Telling of Truth". This telling enables you to know when one is telling the truth or when he or she is lying. It also allows you to see things that others do not see - take earlier, for example. You sad that you would not press me about the gem, since it seemed to touch something within me... Now, how did you know that? I didn't say anything and I am assured my expression gave nothing away - am I right? Prince Evening, did my expression give away anything, to you?

Dusk perked up, blinking rapidly. "Uh - um n - no... no, Dragon, I didn't notice..."

As is expected, young prince. Dragon responded, And now looking at your personalities - when I was speaking to the both of you, all this time, I picked up on a bit of your personalities and there are significant differences.

If I may, Princess, I'd say that you have a very unique personality that is centered around caring for others and you are led by the kindness in your heart. While you may appear to be ignorant of many things, it is a fact that you can be counted as wise. Furthermore, you gentle nature may be very suiting of you and you may want to stick to your morals, but there are times when you will need to make moves that will catapult you far from your zone of comfort... Do take this as a mere word to the wise, I make no threats.

As for you, Prince Evening - though I have not heard much from you - it seems evident to me that even when you might appear to be fearless or even careless, you are skeptical and cautious of your surroundings. You may seem brash, but your intentions are good and seem to lean towards the well-being of others. You have a certain air about you that is fit for a prince, yet you must know when and how to say things and not just do things your way, simply because you can. Try to broaden your understandings, sometimes... do not hold to tight to what you think you may know. Do you follow?

Dawn looked over at Dusk. He was staring down at the floor, eyes wide, in disbelief. He twitched every now and then, and almost looked is he were going to cry.

“Dusk...” Dawn said, touching him, gently.

“I... understand.” Dusk said, looking over at the dragon. There was something faulty about his voice, but in the very least he did understand.

Wonderful. Dragon said, And that brings me to this, the reason why one of you received wings and the other, a horn.

You, Prince Evening, received wings for wings are a form of - and represent - “power” and power you are verily capable of  withholding. Terrestrially speaking, wings were always considered an advantage. 'Twas the wish of many creatures, to fly – and was the gift of others. This gift was highly esteemed and through it, many records were set, broken and then re-set. Many astonishing acts and performances took place by way of flight, astounding those who walked upon and were bound to the ground. It pushed those who were some how deprived of flight - though they had wings – to try their hardest to reach the sky where there was believed to be true freedom. By having a mind to control power, and not it controlling you, then it is why you were meant to transform the way you did. Take the wings as a symbol of your abilities.

(MiniMalist Pony base By: coolez, Deviantart)

But, on the other hand, there was also magic. Those who had magic were esteemed higher than those with wings, for they could do all sorts of things. Some of those with wings even marveled at the abilities of those known as the unicorns and those higher then they, the alicorns. Now, the unicorns deserved to be esteemed higher than those who could merely leave the ground – no matter how impressively – because through their magic, they could give *themselves** the gift of flight.*

It is why you, Princess Aurora, have received the gift of the horn – that is – magic. You are able to capable of controlling yourself and your actions – and with this you also have wisdom. Who then is better to possess such great a gift as magic? One who can be in control of both themselves and such a precious gift, of course. And having the heart you do, you assure your people that there is a very small percent of chance that you will ever turn against them, seeing as you are capable of doing that. Furthermore, you were born with wings and were modest in their use. But as far as magic, you were “well versed”, so to speak. And seeing as you two both differ in strengths - which may also balance each other out - and seeing as you are both siblings, then that would make you one. One is the wings, the other is the horn and together you are as one tremendously powerful being known as the alicorn.

After saying these things, Dragon was quiet. He let the information he gave the two sink in.

Both Dusk and Dawn said nothing, as thoughts took hold of their minds, entrancing them. Their faces were still, their expressions distant. Dragon knew that they would be in deep thought, for a while, so he offered to leave.

From here *until** the New World, I will always be at the sides of your majesties. It was a part of my instructions to tell you these things and I do hope they will stay with you. You two must stay with each other, as much as possible. Strengthening the bond between the two of you and growing stronger, together, should be a top priority - and as you'll come to learn - a great advantage. As you apply these things, in the New World, I will be there to assist you - and My Prince; if you have believed not a word of the earlier things that I have spoken, then at least remember thou these things that I speak unto you, now,* Dragon said, Will you do that?

“I will do that, Dragon.” Dusk croaked, hardly leaving his trance, “Thank you..."

"Yes, thank you," Dawn echoed, he switched from Dusk to Dragon.

Dragon nodded. If you need me, call me, and I will be there. Until we speak again, Prince Evening. Farewell to you, as well, Princess Aurora. And at that moment, the dragon vanished before their eyes.