Cast in Fire

by Chaotic Note

Rating: everyone
Tags: Princess Celestia, Alternate Universe, Twilight Sparkle, Princess Luna, Drama, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
Length: 7832

Celestia doesn't have a lot of time left and needs someone to inherit her title: Heir of the Sun.

Time is running out. A thousand years have passed and Celestia could feel her strength fading. She would need to choose quickly - choose someone who would inherit her power. And who none better than the one she had looked over for the past couple decades? However, she's very sure that Twilight would not like to hear what the ultimate cost of it is.

Author's Notes
~ Image source: Phoenix Celestia by Csimadmax
~ Coverart made in www.canva.com

Published 2014-08-30 17:30:03 UTC
Last updated 2014-09-18 18:56:36 UTC

Chapter 1 - The Truth

Edited by Ultra1437

Celestia sighed heavily, the fur on her chest lowering slightly as she did. She stroked her forelegs together, her lower lip tucked in between her teeth as the sound of her quill scratching across the surface of a parchment entered her ears. She finished off the letter with her signature and sent it off in flames, watching the embers flying to the open doors of the balcony and disappearing into the skies. The hardest part now was waiting.

Celestia waited for a long time. Patience was a virtue, and she embodied it almost to perfection, although in this case, it is one that she dreaded. Oh she had a very long time to think about it. It was a long time, but eventually she came to accept it. However that didn’t mean she wouldn’t be concerned about it. Her wellbeing was on the line, but that wasn’t what she was worried about. No, not at all when it came to her citizens. What worried her was the reaction of a pony that was very close to her heart and what her ultimate decision would be in the end. Of course, Celestia knew she would accept the choice, but it wasn’t going to come easy.

Celestia’s shoulders tensed tightly as she heard a knocking on the door. Shifting on her bed, Celestia turned towards the door to the halls outside. She couldn’t be here already, could she? “Come in.” Celestia let loose the breath she was holding in when she saw it was just her beloved sister. “Oh Luna, it’s you.”

“Indeed, sister,” Luna said as she nodded to the two guards that opened for her in appreciation. They closed the doors when she stepped inside the room. “Were you expecting somepony else?”

Celestia suppressed a giggle as she soon found Luna’s precious blue eyes staring at her own. “Nothing escapes your sight, do they? Between the two of us, you were always the sharper one, the sword.”

“And you’re the bulwark that protects all. The mighty shield of Equestria,” Luna said, smiling back. It faded as quickly as it came. “Today... is the day, isn’t it?”

Silence was a very welcome guest, making itself very cozy for a minute that felt like an hour. Celestia’s eyes were locked onto the sheets of the bed as soon as Luna mentioned ‘today.’ Even so, she could still feel Luna’s eyes staring at her. After a while, Celestia said with a sigh, “Yes, today is that day.”

For a time being, the both of them said nothing until Celestia felt Luna wrapping her in a tight embrace. Celestia didn’t hesitate to return the favor, nuzzling her white cheeks against her sister’s blue fur.

“You’ll sorely be missed, dear Tia.”

Celestia could feel wet tears falling on the back of her neck, and soon her own tears were welling up as well. “I know, Luna. I know.”

+Ω‡‡¥‡‡Ω+

Twilight could feel her wings jumping in anticipation, although she restrained them well. It had been a while since Celestia invited her to have a conversation face to face. Numerous possibilities strolled around within her mind. What was so important that Celestia had to speak with her right away? Was there a new threat on the horizon, or was an old one returning? Whatever the case may be, Twilight was absolutely prepared to face it. She even brought two saddle bags of history books just so she could prep on it. Knowledge is power, and Twilight knew it all too well.

Entrance to the castle was easy as Twilight was a very well known face around Canterlot. Who wouldn’t know about Celestia’s beloved student? Of course, everypony was getting used to the fact that she is now the Princess of Friendship, but it still didn’t change the fact that almost every citizen in Canterlot recognized her. That includes the Royal Guards as well, who nodded to her politely before opening doors for her. Eventually she reached her ex-mentor’s private studies and knocked on one of the doors.

“Come in.”

The guards stationed on either side of the doors opened it for her. Twilight quickly walked in. “Princess Celestia, I came as soon as possible,” she said, smiling brilliantly at making good time.

“And I’m glad you did,” Celestia smiled back, “for we have much to talk about.” She nodded at the guards, giving them the signal to close the door. “I assume you’re thinking about why I called you here.”

“As always,” Twilight nodded. She started pulling out books from her saddle bags. “So what do we got? Is it a new one or an old one?”

Celestia blinked in surprise. “I beg your pardon?”

Twilight looked up from her books and stared with widen pupils before immediately flustering. “Oh I’m sorry! I thought there was going to be a villain so I thought I would bring some history books on Equestria’s past enemies and read up on them so I know what I’m facing against and– ”

Twilight stopped as she heard soft laughter coming from Celestia. “Oh Twilight do not fret. I just thought that we could have... a nice cup of tea together.”

If Twilight didn’t hear Celestia’s hesitation in her voice, she didn’t show. Although, it didn’t appear that Twilight noticed. “O– oh! Well I guess I brought these books for nothing.”

“Um, how about you put them over there for the time being while we wait for the tea to arrive?” Celestia asked, pointing at the desk where she usually signed paperwork and such.

“Alright.” Twilight repacked the books and gently laid the bags next to the desk with magic.

Celestia slid off her bed and sat over near the fireplace, where a fire was burning brightly. Twilight followed and settled on a nice cushion. They both sat in silence, with Twilight looked towards Celestia in silent admiration. Reflecting in her violet eyes was Celestia, a prime role model of benevolence and wisdom, as well as everlasting. In Celestia’s eyes were only the orange embers dancing above the fire, until she noticed Twilight smiling at her. She turned away from the fire and gave back a small grin of her own. Twilight blinked in surprise. She hadn’t noticed it before, but now she noticed there was something a little off with the solar alicorn. Was it the slight slouch to Celestia’s usually chiseled posture, or the hint of water building up in the corners of her eyes?

A knocking on the door interrupted the moment. In came in a unicorn maid, levitating the steaming tea with her on a silver platter. “The tea, your majesty.”

It took a moment for Celestia to focus. “Oh yes, of course. Leave it over here.” The servant did as she asked and left with nothing more than a courteous bow. Celestia poured the tea in two small cups and lifted one for Twilight. She took it in silence. “Longjing tea, imported straight from the Dragon Well.”

“The Dragon Well? From Harasia?”

“In the Zhejiang Province, if I remember correctly. The hares make their tea quite well.” Celestia paused to take a small sip before talking again. “You know, it is said that drinking from the Dragon Well for your entire life will indubitably prolong it to the point where you will even greet your great-great-great grandchildren face to face.”

“Is it true?”

Celestia uttered a soft laugh. “Well it’s certainly fun to tell the story behind the saying, but that can be told another day.” Twilight’s shared in on this laughter as well, but then immediately dropped soon after Celestia did. Her smile was no longer there, and instead was a sorrowful frown. “Twilight... what do you think of the sun?”

The question threw Twilight off. Her lips and tongue were struggling to find words. “I... huh? I’m not sure why... well I suppose the sun is warm and hot. It provides light and life to all the stands under it. It’s a very important aspect of life to everybody.”

Twilight smiled once more, forcing it this time, in hopes that it would reach Celestia and make her smile again. It failed. Instead, it ushered a deep sigh from Celestia’s lungs.

“I will not deny that the sun is important, but its significance does not exist for only one reason.”

Twilight’s frown turned from sadness to confusion. “Huh? What do you mean?”

Celestia didn’t respond for a while and had turned her attention towards the fire. When she faced Twilight again, the bright shine in her eyes was dimmed. “Twilight, what do you think of me?”

Twilight really had no idea what to say. Well, she actually did, but she wasn’t sure if they were the right answer. Regardless of the possible outcomes, she said them anyway. “Well your brilliance shines like the sun you wield, and your compassion for others shows no bounds. Your wisdom is clear and thick, and your beauty is unmatched.” Twilight blushed as she added the last tidbit.

“That is very kind of you to say that.”

“I’m only speaking the truth.”

Celestia had the small luxury of smiling again, this time for real as she saw Twilight grinning with pure glee. It was short-lived as she was reminded of why she had called her here today. She looked back to where the doors to the balcony were open, and saw the sun slowly crawling down the sky.

“Twilight, do you know the history of the sun and those who controlled it?”

Twilight looked over to where Celestia’s gaze led to. “Well if I remember correctly, the sun was controlled by the Unicorn Tribe long ago, way before Equestria was formed. Upon Discord’s arrival, he hooked it away from their hooves and used it as his toy. Afterwards, you and your sister came and defeated him. Upon seeing your strength, the unicorns decided to relinquish their previous control of the sun to you.”

“You are close to the truth.”

Twilight’s eyes widened and she quickly looked back at her. “Wait what?”

Another deep huff was let loose. “Twilight, would you like me to tell you a story about the sun and the little mare who would later inherit it and its burdens?”

Twilight almost couldn’t believe what she was hearing. From the sounds of it, it seemed like Celestia was going to... “Yes, I would love to hear your story.”

Celestia nodded slowly. “Thank you, Twilight.” Her gazed drifted back to the fire. “I suppose I should start right from the very beginning, when everything was dark.”

+Ω‡‡¥‡‡Ω+

Nothing was the only existence, and existence was only nothing. This was the way everything was in the beginning. Then a colossal being came, from who knows where. No one knew where this large being came from, for there was no one around to see her come.

From her breath came the first two of the elements: the Earth and Air. Small bits of her earth spread across the space, growing bigger with every inch they traveled. They grew to titanic proportions until they rivaled the size of her, creating planets and moons. The air from her breath surrounded most of these enormous orbs of rock and dirt, wrapping them in their warm embrace. She was satisfied with what she saw, but then grew sad because they were lifeless.

From her eyes fell many tears, and from the tears was created the third element: Water. They carved out rivers in the planets, bowled out seas, and soon life blossomed from the once dead soils. There was one more missing element however. One that would change the universe more than the last three. From the depths of her soul, the goddess sang a song. One that shined as bright as her spirit. From her soul came forth the last element: Light. The light touched a tree on a world and the tree burst into flames, inheriting the light, becoming the first fire, and bringing beautiful colors to the universe.

The Light from the tree’s fire was powerful and mighty, extending its reach across the many worlds around. The moons of the planets would see the flames’ Light and reflect it, making the light go even further. Soon the Light touched everything there was possible in the realm, and the goddess smiled. However, not all was well.

From the darkness, a great evil stirred. This evil did not cause any trouble before the goddess’ arrival, for it was content with the quiet nonexistence of the universe. Once the goddess changed the universe, it became furious. From the evil’s fury spawned an extension of itself that would take the physical form of a titanic snake and become the second god of the universe. His name would be Apophis, his name meaning ‘chaos,’ ‘serpent,’ and ‘evil’s destruction,’ and a destiny was given to him. For as long as he lived, his fate was to swallow the first fire and plunge the universe into darkness once more and kill all.

Apophis’ path started slowly as he ventured towards the fire from the dark edges of the universe, eating moons whole in his path as their reflected the light he hated so much. With each moon he ate, he grew stronger. Knowing she had no choice, she went out to battle with the great snake, doing her best to beat him down. Not every battle ended in a victory, and from those losses she suffered great wounds that made her weaker. It certainly slowed Apophis down, but it did not deter him.

From their last battle, the Goddess ran away with a ruined, weakened spirit. The snake had traveled far and was getting closer to the flame. In desperation, she descended down to the planet that housed the great fire to make her final stand. Apophis ripped apart the clouds as he descended down on her, his presence placing great fear into every living thing around. He knew the goddess was very vulnerable and prepared to perform the final strike. Believing she was going to die, the goddess began to sing, wanting to give the universe one last beautiful thing before she died to the darkness.

Just before Apophis would sink his fangs into her heart, the fire behind the goddess roared greatly, shooing away the great snake with its increasing flames. The flames grew brighter and stronger as the goddess continued to sing, seemingly responding to her. On her final note, the fire glowed white hot and from its center burst forth two great beings, the first two alicorns. One was a male, and the other was female. They have heard the plight of the goddess in her song, and came to lend their aid to her. The alicorns were strong as gods and flew up to challenge Apophis with their strength. Apophis was not prepared and was defeated from their first fight, their hooves, wings, and magic sending him hurtling towards the nearest moon. Surprised to be licking wounds, the snake retreated, but would soon return once he has regained strength.

This cycle repeated for many years, soon growing from a battle of gods into a war of gods. From the dark scales of Apophis spawned a great many of his dark minions and children, performing the dark biddings of their evil lord. The denizens of the planet have watched the battles waged on and knew that the two alicorns would not be able to fight the evil god and his legion of dark warriors. Agreeing to lend their help, the people fought back the darkness with the alicorns to protect the Light. For the time being, both sides struggled to gain an advantage. For every victory the warriors of Light secured, they lost to the warriors of Dark the next time around.

The male alicorn knew this could not go on forever as lives on their side were lost while the dark legion of Apophis were forever existing. They were not like the mortals, and could regenerate and heal their own wounds. They were not living things, and did not follow the same rules of existence as those of Light. Wanting to end the war, he came up with an idea.

He went back to the first fire, where the tree was still standing despite years of burning. By the tree was the goddess, where she was still recovering from her last battle with Apophis. He shared his plan with her, asking for her help as he could not do it on his own. She agreed with no hesitation and lent him the little power she retained. Even though it was still a little, it was still a bit bigger and brighter than the male alicorn’s. With their magic combined, they summoned forth the power of the great fire and from its flames were birthed stars. As the plan was the male alicorn’s idea, he became the first avatar of our sun.

The stars spread forth across the universe, providing light everywhere. Angered by this show of power and light, Apophis went for the nearest one and attempted to swallow it. The ball of boiling flames, however, was surprisingly much too hot for him and scalded his forked tongue black as that star in particular was enhanced to be even greater than its brothers by the goddess herself. With Apophis occupied, the male alicorn strengthen the might of the star with his magic and caused it to grow bigger. The fire melted past Apophis’ scales and in a twist of irony, swallowed him in its fire. The male alicorn knew the sun wouldn’t be enough to contain the snake forever, though. Apophis would sooner or later break through its flames and come back more ferocious than before. Somebody needed to watch over the sun, to control it, to make sure Apophis never breaks free.

With one more flash of his magic, the male alicorn entered the first fire, allowing the flames to burn away his essence. The fire took his tribute and with his soul, the fire sent it skyward, wrapping his might around the sun and making the first Sun Seal. But that was not all, for somebody still needed to control the sun. The sun needed an heir, a master. The female alicorn could not uphold the responsibilities as she was weak from the war and had her hooves full with controlling the moon, which controlled the great seas and the future of the universe. The first goddess could not take the responsibilities either, for she was also weak from the war. However there was one such being that could inherit the sun, for you see, the female and male alicorn had two children. Their son’s name was Solaris, and to carry on the legacy of his father he agreed to become the next sun avatar. Upon doing so, he became the Heir of the Sun, one who shall inherit the burdens and responsibilities of controlling our star. For the next thousand years, the minions and children of Apophis disappeared slowly and soon, peace seemed to have come at last.

+Ω‡‡¥‡‡Ω+

“Well, almost anyway,” Celestia said with a giggle. “Some of his children were still around and causing trouble, but they were dealt with long before my time.”

“I see,” Twilight laughed along, although not so much as she would like. “So this Apophis and the sun he is sealed in. Where is it?”

Celestia sighed heavily. “Well Twilight... there’s no easy way to say this. The sun Apophis is jailed in is actually the one that hangs over our head each and every day.”

Twilight’s eyes widened and she shouted, “What?! Our sun?!”

“Yes Twilight. The very thing that provides our planet light.”

Twilight’s head felt scrambled. She looked at the sun and tried to see if there was anything different about it. It didn’t seem like it. It looked just the same as she had seen it on the day of her birth, as well as every single day after that. There couldn’t be a snake inside the thing that provided warmth and light to their world, a snake bent on returning everything to darkness, right? But then again, Celestia would never lie to her, would she?

“There... it’s all very hard to believe, princess. I mean, an evil god inside the sun that wants to kill us all? Seems a little farfetched.” Twilight nervously laughed. Celestia only stared at her. “There... really is an evil god in there, is there?”

Celestia nodded. “That’s right.”

Twilight softly smiled again. “Well, at least we don’t have to worry about him getting out right? I mean, that Sun Seal isn’t going to break anytime soon. It sounds very powerful from what you told me.” Celestia didn’t answer. Twilight’s smile went away slowly. “Princess?”

“... Twilight, I’m so very sorry to tell you this.”

“W– why? It was a nice story,” Twilight said, trying to smile again. An empty feeling was starting to form in her chest.

“Twilight, the Sun Seal isn’t all-powerful or eternal. Every day the Seal gets weaker and weaker as Apophis bangs away at its wall of flames. It will not last forever unless... ”

“Princess Celestia?” The white alicorn looked away from the flames and towards Twilight. “Whatever happened to Solaris?”

“... The children of the first two alicorns, Solaris and the Lifemaker, they had children as well together. However instead of having a son, they had two daughters. Regardless of the fact, Solaris and the Lifemaker were very happy with their family. That happiness didn’t last, however.”

Twilight rubbed at her chest. She could feel her lungs getting more tense. “What do you mean?”

“Solaris, he could feel the Sun Seal getting weaker every day he retained control of it. Apophis would torment him in his sleep as he was a part of the sun and thus, a connection would be formed between the God of Evil and the Heir of the Sun. Controlling the sun exerts a lot of energy from the Heir, and Apophis wasn’t making it easier for Solaris. Eventually if left to be, Apophis would break through the Seal and later, the sun itself.”

The silence was heavy after Celestia finished that last sentence. Everything felt dazed for Twilight, although she tried to ignore the feeling. “So what did he do?”

Celestia could no longer meet Twilight’s eyes. “He... he didn’t have a choice. Not even the cries of his daughter would stop him. He was very devoted to his people, and would do anything to protect them.”

“Princess? You’re crying.”

Celestia choked a little between her words. “Solaris... knowing there was no other choice, he performed a ritual that hadn’t been done for at least thousands of years. One that would ultimately cost him his life. Sacrificing his essence to the first flame, he rose up to the heavens above and strengthened the Seal like his father did before him. It wasn’t an easy decision, but it was one that would buy the universe a lot of time. He did it for the greater good.” She took a deep breath and calmed down. Celestia could feel her tears being wiped away as Twilight held up a soft cotton cloth to them with her magic. “But of course with him gone... somebody had to take his place as the Heir of the Sun.”

Twilight’s magic failed her, dropping the napkin to the floor. “You mean... ”

Celestia sniffed and swelled her chest with air, as well as a little bit of pride. “That’s right. I’ve taken the responsibilities of my father and became the next Heir.”

“That’s... wow,” Twilight said, her breath shaky. All her respect for Celestia felt even stronger. “That’s amazing, Princess Celestia.”

Celestia dropped her head. “It is, but... actually I’m sorry again, Twilight. I haven’t told you the full truth.”

“W– what do you mean?” Celestia didn’t say anything. The empty feeling in Twilight’s heart grew larger. “Celestia... when was it you inherit the sun?”

“... I couldn’t bear the idea of my father going. In defiance, I said to him that I didn’t want to become the next Heir, hoping he would stay. I didn’t care about what would happen if Apophis escaped from his prison. I wanted father to stay with me as long as possible. But he couldn’t. Seeing he had no choice, he passed on the title to the unicorn race, hoping they would be able to upheld the burden together.

“They did, but it caused a divide among the pony race, splitting them into the Three Pony Tribes as you know them from history. The unicorns grew prideful and arrogant of their newfound power, being able to control the sun. The earth ponies didn’t much care for it, and the pegasi didn’t like this and tried to show their own might through military strength and weather control, something the unicorns couldn’t truly grasp. They were able to control the sun, but only because the title of being Heirs of the Sun gave them that power. Names are a powerful form of magic, Twilight. One that I had hoped to teach you one day.

“Either way, this divide caused quite a bit of chaos and eventually drew the attention of the windigoes and eventually, Discord himself. They drove them away from the original land of the ponies and managed to pull together thanks to the wisdom of Clover, Smart Cookie, and Pansy. But the recombined strengths of the Three Pony Tribes wasn’t enough face against the windigoes and Discord. I’ve... ran away the before, but I wasn’t about to let the ponies fall to the chaos of the spirits. Luna and I returned to the ponies before it was too late, and we’ve managed to defeat the windigoes and Discord, but only barely.

“The War of Chaos and Harmony was a brutal one, Twilight. It took a lot of energy out of Princess Platinum and her Heirs of the Sun as the chaos of the war somehow made Apophis stronger. Platinum told me how she was having increasing nightmares every night during the war, and that a terrifying great snake would cause her agony and swallow her each time. Luna tried her best to alleviate her troubles, but it wasn’t enough. Apophis almost drove Platinum mad. When she was just on the edge, she begged me what she should do to make him go away.

“Unicorns... weren’t meant to inherit the sun in the first place. They were capable, but Apophis was a powerful force to be reckoned with. Platinum and her Heirs of the Sun had strong spirits, but they could not live forever. When I told her of my true identity and my relationship to my father, she understood what needed to be done, and I was ready. She ascended up to the heavens to strengthen the Seal while leaving me down on the earth, making me the next Heir of the Sun.”

Celestia looked directly back to Twilight’s eyes. “It has been more than a thousand years and my time is running out. I haven’t been able to find a potential suitor who could help me sire a child of my own. Another alicorn couldn’t be born... but a Bearer of the Element of Magic? One who has the potential to ascend to alicornhood due to being the most powerful magic user ever born? It... was a gamble. I’m sorry Twilight, I truly am, but you would have to be the next one who would inherit the sun.”

Author's Note

This story was inspired by Dark Souls and the concept of the First Fire needing the Soul of the Chosen to relight it in order to restart the Age of Fire. To better understand the concept of the idea, please watch VaatiVidya's video explaining the ending of Dark Souls 2, which provides an in-depth look into the lore of the Dark Souls series.
Or if you're looking for a shorter video, here is another video of his: Which ending is the "good" ending? [DARK SOULS].

Or if you really want... a one minute video, here is his Dark Souls Lore in a Minute video.

Chapter 2 - The Taunts

“... T– this can’t be.”

Celestia blinked. “Pardon?”

“I mean, you look fine! A picture of health! You definitely look like you can last another thousand years, or even more,” Twilight said, her voice quavering.

Twilight made a wide smile on her face, desperately hoping Celestia would crack a smile and admit she was just teasing her. Unfortunately, it didn’t come.

“Twilight... I wish I could say otherwise, but the reality is that my strength is failing me.”

“I refuse to accept that.” Celestia watched as Twilight stood up from her cushion. “You’re the great and powerful Celestia, ruler of Equestria for a thousand years and Mistress of the Sun.”

“Heir of the Sun,” Celestia corrected.

“Doesn’t matter! You’ve always been a figure of power and eternity. There are stories of you moving mountains and performing miracles, healing illnesses long before magic and science created cures for them. You’ve dueled the seventh emperor of Gryphonia, the strongest of all gryphons in history, and defeated him with nothing more than a single strike! When the Star Beasts rampaged after Luna’s banishment, you’ve subdued them without lifting a hoof! Your mere presence tamed them, and even scared the Ursa Major into hibernation for three hundred and ten years! You’ve– ”

“Twilight that’s enough!” Twilight stopped and shrunk back when she saw the frown upon Celestia’s face. “I’m so disappointed in you, Twilight. This is the most serious matter I’ve spoken with anyone, and you’re denying it like a foal. I’ll be dying soon and this is how you treat the situation?” Celestia immediately regretted her words when she saw the fallen expression on Twilight. Tears were welling up in Twilight’s eyes. With slight hesitation, Celestia slowly lifted her hoof towards her. “Twilight I’m sorry I’ve said that. I should have been more thoughtful about my words.”

To her shock, Twilight moved away from Celestia. “No, don’t be. I’m the one that should be sorry. But even so, I’m still mad at you.” Celestia felt her heart drop when Twilight turned back with angry tears. “That night when you made me an alicorn, I thought it was the most amazing thing ever. The highlight of my life, and that it would mean we would do incredible things together. I thought together, we could change the world for the better. But never would I have thought that my transformation would be the means to this horrible end.”

“Twilight I– ”

“Celestia, you’re basically asking me to replace you. I could never do that. This world needs you! There has to be a way to extend your life, or maybe another way to strength this Sun Seal.” Twilight quickly gathered her bags and threw them onto her back.

“Twilight what are you– ”

“I’m going to find a solution to our problem. That way you won’t have to die!”

“Please stop, Twilight. It pains me to see you like this,” Celestia said, almost begging. “If I don’t sacrifice myself, billions will die. I just need your cooperation.”

“And I am cooperating! By finding another answer!” Twilight yelled back. She sniffed and wiped away the tears. “I never wanted this to happen. Never this.”

And without another warning, a spark of purple energy zapped around Twilight’s body and with a loud *POP*, Twilight disappeared. Celestia was stunned for a moment before slamming her hoof down, hitting the tray and spilling hot tea over her hoof. She ignored it. “Damn myself, why did I let this escalate. I shouldn’t have shouted at her like that. She’ll never forgive me.”

“Perhaps, or perhaps not.”

Celestia lifted her head to find Luna walking out from the shadow of a curtain. “How long were you there?”

“Long enough to hear all the shouting.” Luna sat next to her sister and used her magic to clean the mess with a napkin. “I’m sorry to be spying on you and Twilight. I came in to make sure if everything was alright.”

“Well clearly you can see everything went smooth and lovely,” Celestia said bitterly.

Luna gave her a sympathetic look. “Would you like me to go talk to her?”

Celestia prodded her teacup, which was flipped over by her. “Yes. I would do it myself but... I don’t think I can bear to see Twilight now after this.”

“I won’t be long then.”

+Ω‡‡¥‡‡Ω+

Twilight could feel her chest thumping wildly as she ran. She couldn’t care less about where she was going, nor did she stop when she heard the castle’s inhabitants yelling or yelping in shock when she bumps past them. Her mind was far too befuddled and messed up right now for any of that. She didn’t even faze when she crashed into a pedestal holding a vase full of roses. Picking herself up from the puddle of water and clay fragments, she ran away, not stopping as a nearby maid scorned her for destroying such a precious thing.

But the vase is not precious. Not as beautiful or important as Celestia. Why did she have to go now? Why did she have to die?! Twilight refused to believe any of what Celestia had said about the duties of a Sun Heir and the consequences of letting go of its title. It had to be a lie. It all had to be! But the ugly truth still leaned over her head like a stormy rain cloud, washing away her hopes and joy. Just when she thought she couldn’t feel any worse, she felt herself falling over something hard and her face being dunked in chilling water. She rose up quickly and gasped for air, looking around as best she could through her wet mane. Somehow with all the running, she managed to find herself in the middle of the royal gardens, dripping wet in a fountain. Looking up at where the spout was, she could see a stone version of Celestia pouring water down into the pool from a stone vase. Her heart tightened with pain, and finally all the tears she was holding back surged from her eyes.

“Why... WHY?!” Twilight bellowed as loud as she could into the sky, her throat croaking with sobs. “THIS ISN’T RIGHT!”

“Oh nothing is ever right in the world, and who better know this than I?”

Twilight swung her head around for the source of the voice, her teeth bared viciously. “Who said that?! Show yourself!”

“Why don’t you look up here then?” Twilight looked up at the figure of Celestia. Instead of a kind, serene face of a goddess, there was a twisted face with an oddly large fang smirking back at her. Twilight uttered his name with seething anger. “Discord.”

“Hi ho, Twilight Sparkle! It has been a while since we’ve talked,” Discord said with glee as he slithered out from the Celestia figure’s face, its features rippling as if he was emerging from liquid. He grew into his full length and size as he stepped onto the water, although not sinking into it and instead started to skate circles around Twilight as if he was on ice.

She was not pleased.

“No, we haven’t. Not since my friends and I have sent Tirek back to his cage. And how dare you impose your face on Celestia? That is beyond obscene.”

“Oh it’s just a fountain thingy of Celestia. It’s not like I’m actually coming out of her face or anything,” Discord chuckled. He barely stifled his laughter when Twilight was frowning deeper than the depths of Tartarus. “Oh gee, you look quite furious.”

“Furious? More like enraged!” Twilight shouted as she stood up, flexing her wings wide.

“Whoa hold your horses there, Twilight. No need to start a fight with little old me,” Discord said with a devilish smirk.

“Don’t start with your jokes. You might soil the water with them.”

“Woo hoo hoo, a bit feisty aren’t you?” Discord chuckled as he twirled his beard with a claw. A claw attached to a gryphon who appeared from out of nowhere in his lion’s paw.

“W– where am I?!” the gryphon squawked.

“Hush. The grownups are talking,” Discord said as he tossed the bystander into the pool. A portal opened up on the surface of the pool, sending the gryphon into what appears to be a street crowded with bustling gryphons. The portal closed before the bird could utter another word.

“What do you want?” Twilight asked, her face still angry.

“Just like I said: a talk. I heard through the grapevine that Celestia’s time is to soon burn out.”

“Grapevine? How many others know?”

“Oh I’ll never tell. It’s a secret I’ll keep to myself, just like the ones Celestia is keeping from you.”

“What are you saying?” she asked with a snarl. She didn’t like where the conversation was going.

“Oh I’m speaking of dark secrets that Celestia wouldn’t want to let the public know.” Discord grew a small smile and puffed out his cheeks to look innocent, cupping the cheeks in his mismatched claws.

“That’s a lie. Celestia wouldn’t have any ‘dark’ secrets. She’s a pristine ruler of Equestria! For a thousand years she has taken care of us little ponies from any evil that would plague us! She led us into a golden age. She is one of the most benevolent on this earth!”

“For a thousand years,” Discord repeated with relish, “and in those thousand years, she has also done many things. Terrible things that would give her more than a bad image in the public’s eyes.”

“How would you know that? You were a subpar stone statue during that time!”

“I may have not been able to speak, move, or even blink, but that does not mean my ears were not keen. I see all, know all.”

“Know what?”

“Oh, like how during the times of war between Equestria and the gryphon empire that Celestia herself would burn her prisoners of war to a crisp and sent their meat back to the king as a ‘peace offering,’ claiming it was just chicken.”

“That’s a huge, fat lie. Celestia never did that. It was the nobles of Canterlot who sent actual cooked chickens to the gryphons as an insult. The emperor of Gryphonia at the time spread dirty lies about how it was Celestia who had burned his own soldiers to a crisp. It was a big, fat lie!”

“Or that’s what the historians paid by Celestia wants you to believe. Oh! How about that time when she tried to force her sun duties on somepony else without sacrificing herself.”

Twilight felt her anger wavering and the curiosity creeping in. “She tried to pass the role before?”

“Oh yes she did. A few decades after the beginnings of Equestria, Celestia was worried with fright of her future. She was a cowardly pony who did not want to die. Luckily, there was a mare who held Celestia very near to her heart. A pony who would do anything for her beloved older sister.”

Twilight took a step back, her eyes widening. “No... you don’t mean– ”

“Yesss I do mean who you are thinking about,” Discord cut in, chortling deeply. “Princess Luna, the lonely Mare in the Moon.”

“No... that can’t be right! Celestia would never do that to her sister! She’s kind and sweet, and loves her sister!” Twilight insisted.

“Ahhh, but she would dare indeed. Unfortunately for her the ritual failed. Forcing such a binding without sacrifice drove the poor sister beyond madness, and because of that failed process, Luna transformed into something far beyond her own powers.” Discord nodded with what appeared to be symphony. “Nightmare Moon, a powerful alicorn with reign over horrible dreams and the black matter of space, and the moon of course. Who could forget the moon.”

“But that’s not even how Luna transformed into Nightmare Moon! I saw it with my own eyes! Luna became Nightmare Moon on her own accord!”

“Yes, perhaps that is what you saw, but I did not say it happened right away. Her ‘immediate’ transformation happened about a week after Celestia tried to make Luna the Heir of the Sun. Celestia had hoped by altering the steps, she could avoid dying.”

“That’s a lie. You’re lying. You’re LYING!”

Twilight jumped at Discord’s face with carnivorous-like fury, wanting to punch his kooky tooth straight out of his mouth. Maybe send it down his throat even. Her hoof, however, fazed through Discord as if he was made out of miss. Instead, Twilight’s hoof smashed into the face of the Celestia fountain spout. Twilight crashed onto the other side of the pool and groaned with pain as she lifted her head. She looked down and was shocked as she saw a decapitated stone head of Celestia lying at her forehooves. She didn’t mean to do that! She didn’t want to do that! With the image of Celestia being headless in mind, Twilight screamed in horror and kicked the stone head away, her cry loud enough to shake mountains.

Discord, meanwhile, was roaring with laughter. “Wow you have some issues going on, Twilight! This is great!”

Twilight turned around with renewed rage. “Get out, get out, GET OUT!”

Her horn burned brightly in an fiery purple glow and fired off an intense beam of pure magic at Discord, aiming to burn a hole through his thick noggin. Discord’s head, however, decided to ‘nope’ at that and split in half, letting the magic bolt pass through the space before coming back together again. Twilight let off another one, this one being eaten by him instead. Twilight grinded her teeth in a frenzy. She was just on the edge of having enough of this draconequus demon in her sights.

“WHY DID YOU WANT TO TALK TO ME ANYWAY?! YOU WERE ONLY PROVOKING ME!” Twilight shot off another laser, only to have it effortlessly dodged by Discord. “I THOUGHT WE WERE PASSED ALL THIS! I THOUGHT YOU HAD CHANGED!”

“More or less,” Discord smiled. “I came here to see just how much you actually care for Celestia, and I can clearly see you do care for her a lot.”

“Oh it’s way more than that. MUCH MORE!” Twilight decided to forgo laser shooting and went for punching instead. “SHE WAS THE FIRST TEACHER I EVER HAD! ONE WHO SHOWED ME THE JOYS OF MAGIC!” She went for his chest but missed. “SHE TOLD ME STORIES OF HERSELF THAT SHE NEVER TOLD TO ANYONE ELSE!” She tried to grab one of Discord’s arm but it slithered away. “SHE KEPT ME COMPANY AT MY WORST AND LOWEST TIMES! LIKE A MOTHER, SHE CARES FOR ME! SHE’S THE MOST IMPORTANT –” Twilight attempted to roundhouse kick Discord in the chest “– MARE TO ME –” her hooves blazed through the air with purple fire “– IN THE WHOLE –” the water steamed when they touched “– WORLD!”

But no matter how many times she attacked Discord, she couldn’t land a hit on him. He sighed as he saw Twilight’s eyes glowing white with intensity. “Is she that important to you?”

“YES!” she snarled, her voice echoing as if there were room full of Twilights speaking.

“Important enough for you to sacrifice yourself instead of her?”

“YES, YES, YES! I WOULD GIVE MY LIFE FOR HER LADYSHIP!” Twilight swung at Discord again, this time grazing his arm a little. He winced as he felt the heat burn his fur. Felt like time to leave.

To her slight surprise, he spread his arms wide open, no longer smiling. “Hit me, Twilight. Don’t hold back.”

Twilight didn’t hesitate. With a powerful swing, she leapt up and punched him right in the jaws, satisfied to hear a crack in his mouth. Every ounce of her strength jolted into his head, sending him high flying into the air. Oh but Twilight didn’t stop there. She soar straight after Discord and grabbed him by the tail. She spun him around in the air before diving back down with Discord in tow, continuing to spin forward until the motions blurred like a racing wheel. She then slammed Discord into the dirt hard without mercy, creating a small crater in the earth before swinging him around again. Twilight then finally released him as he reached top velocity, delivering him to a painful patch of thorny roses. Discord groaned as he pulled a thorn out of his eye, which left no wounds as if it wasn’t in his eye in the first place.

“Well, at least you let your anger out.” Discord looked up to see Twilight creating a massive pack of purple and white energy swirling around in a perfect sphere. He gulped. “And this is where I make my exit.”

With a quick snap of his fingers, Discord was gone without a trace. Even the rose bush fixed itself. Twilight, however, was still in her devastating, rampant state. With no draconequus in sight, she had no target to direct her magic anywhere. She didn’t have enough energy to throw such dense and heavy magic concentrate upward, and if she were to release her grip on the magical energy, it would explode right above her. With her stamina draining fast, she was literally holding a ticking time bomb.

“Can’t control this much power,” Twilight strained out, pausing between each word as she breathed. She shouldn’t have let her emotions out like that or she wouldn’t be in this mess, but Discord really did deserve that beating. Twilight wanted to punish him for what he said, but in the back of her mind she couldn’t but wonder if what he was saying was true. Did Celestia really force her sun duties on Luna? It didn’t seem to make any sense to her at all, and she would never get the answer if she couldn’t control this magic bomb right now.

“Somepony please help me! Anypony really!” Twilight screamed. She felt her grasp on the sphere fading away. As the last of her strength went away, she embraced for the worse. However, nothing happened. Not even a ‘poof.’ She looked up to see the sphere shrinking away, a blue glow compressing on it. “Huh? But who is– ”

“That would be me, Twilight Sparkle.” Twilight looked down to see a blue alicorn softly smiling at her. “You looked like you needed some help.”

“Princess Luna,” Twilight gasped in surprise. Exhaustion then hugged her tightly. “Oh I’m feeling a little light,” she moaned as her wings stopped flapping. Her eyes closed and her vision was overtaken by darkness.

Author's Note

Think I did a little too much? I dunno, I wrote this all in one night sitting. Hope this chapter pleases you cause this is the best I could come up with.