A New Ruler

Chapter 14: Fallen Hero

They went to see Othelia.

The Cutiemark Crusaders and Trixie were listening to one of her stories, or had been before the memories flooded in.

Rarity galloped over to her mother, crying because her sister was gone forever.

Winter and Luna, both beat up, arrived soon after. Winter said he’d seen Ella in the spire with Darklight just before Darkilight blasted him out. The spire expelled a magical pulse moments later. He hadn’t seen her or Darklight leave before the pulse.

They held a funeral for Ella some time later, and dedicated a monument in her honor.

~~~~~~~~~~

Rarity was walking through the forest after the service.

Coincidentally, so was I.

I had been thrown clear by the pulse, riding the stage out. It disentegrated from underneath me, but I managed to get my wings open. I felt myself dying, but at the same time somthing was pulling me from death’s cold embrace. I realized it must be my dedication to and love of my little sister.

I landed in the Everfree Forest, not caring where as I was tired from my journey and my weakened state from being so close to death. I heard sompony, or somthing, coming. I decided to try my luck.

“Hello,” I managed to all weakly, “Is somepony there? I’m over here!”

The rustling got closer and closer, and I kept calling. Suddenly, a white unicorn with curled purple hair emerged from the bush.

“Ella,” Rarity said with astonishment. I nodded before passing out.

~~~~~~~~~~

I woke up in the hospital.

“Ah, you’re awake,” said the doctor.

“Did I do it,” I asked. “Do what,” the doctor asked back, “Because whatever you did left you pretty beat up.”

“Riding a magical pulse tends to to that to a pony,” I said.

“So, it was you, then,” The doctor said, “We were always taught that the time spell erased the user from history. You, my dear, are living proof that whoever thought that was wrong.” I nodded in agreement.

“How long was I out,” I asked.

“A couple of days,” said the doctor, “You’re fine now, though, so you can leave whenever you so please. Oh, and Twilight told me to tell you to meet her at her house if you woke up.”

I nodded again. “I’ll head over there right away.”

I was out of the hospital a few minutes later. They had taken off my collar, which I collected and put back on, then proceeded to Twilight’s treehouse.

I knocked on the door.

As always, Spike answered. “Oh, hi Ella,” Spike said, somewhat shocked, “Nobody thought you’d be up already.”

“Can I still come in,” I asked kindly.

“Uh, yeah,” Spike said, ushering me in, “Twilight’s asleep. You may have rewritten time, but she still has a headache from that bookcase falling on her in the fire.” I nodded.

“It seems rewriting history doesn’t erase everything,” I said, “Somthing’s bound to make it through.”

Spike nodded in agreement. “She should be up in about an hour,” Spike said, “Just grab somthing and read it if you feel bored. I’ve been reading Daring Do books in my spare time.”

I was busy reading a book about Equestria’s history. It wasn’t History of Equestria, and missed a lot of details Winter’s book didn’t, but it was good to pass the time. Suddenly there was an knock on the door. Spike went to answer it.

It was Rarity and Trixie. Rarity looked really happy to see me. She jumped right across the room, landing on me, which caused me to fall off the chair with her on top of me.

“Ella,” She said, happy and sad at the same time, “I thought I’d lost you forever.” She hugged me.

“Me too,” I said, hugging her back. We got up as Twilight came from her bedroom.

“Sorry if we woke you,” I said.

"It’s okay,” replied Twilight, “At least I managed to sleep off that headache.”

We chatted for a long time. “Turns out, the erase factor of the Time Travel spells was a rumor created by a scientist years ago who believed events that have happened should stay as they are,” Twilight said.

“I would tend to agree with his statement,” I said, “But only on events long past.” Twilight, Spike, Trixie and Rarity all nodded in agreement.

Another knock on the door distracted us from our conversation.

“Spike,” said Rarity, sounding like the real thing, “Did Twilight invite anypony else?”

“I don’t think so, Rarity,” said Spike, looking at Twilight.

“I don’t remember, either,” said Twilight, “Well, go see who it is, anyway.”

Spike opened the door to reveal a mare with a jet black mane and tail, blue fur, and a shooting star cutiemark. This was Starlight.

“Hi,” she said.

Twilight jumped back in shock, but me and Rarity were expecting her.

“Hello Starlight,” I said, “I had a feeling we’d meet at some point. I’m sorry about you’re sister.”

“You did what needed to be done,” Starlight said, “May I come in?” Twilight nodded and Starlight came at sat between me and Rarity, who draped a wing over her.

“She was deranged,” said Starlight, “Completely out of her mind. She wasn’t always that way, though. She once used her power over darkness and shadow for good with me, Sunlight and Moonlight.”

“You two weren’t just sisters, then, were you,” I asked, “Abilities that contradict each other means you must have been...”

“Twins,” Starlight finished for me, “Yes. But I was then as I am now. She was over-powered by the darkness that gave her her power. So, in an attempt to at least slow her down a little, I saved Marcus, now your sister, Rarity, from becoming another of Darklight’s mindless minions. She is one of only a few I reached before it was too late. Winter got to your friends before me or Darklight, and were some of the few whose memories were not lost permanently. They and Rarity here are the only ones I know of having kept their memories, along with you and Prince Ted.”

I nodded, realising how lucky we were, out of so many who knew nothing other than being a pony now.

Starlight then explained that she had been sent to collect me, Twilight, Othelia, Trixie and Rarity for a Coronation Ceremony in Canterlot.

“My understanding is that you are now to be recognized as a Princess of Equestria,” said Starlight with excitement, “Isn’t that exciting?!”

“It is,” I replied, “But wouldn’t I gain a lot of attention after the coronation?”

Starlight nodded. “I envy you, really,” Starlight said.

“Why is that,” I asked.

“Well, ever since me and Darklight were fillies, we wanted to be Princesses of Equestria,” Starlight admitted, “While I went around doing good and spreading love, Darklight delved deeper into the dark arts until she lost herself, seducing anypony she could find to do her bidding. I worked for years, quietly cleaning up her messes and setting everything right again.”

I put a hoof on her shoulder, “It sounds like you deserve to be a Princess more than anyone,” I said to her wih a smile. She smiled back.

“Let’s go,” I said, “I’ll see if I can get Celestia to make you a Princess for all the good you’ve done.”