Author's Note
To let readers know before hand the character Fate is based off the DC sorcerer Dr. Fate. Though they share the same golden clothing, powers and title that's where the similarity ends. As this version is female with a whole new world of things to deal with compared to the original. If there are any questions feel free to comment! Hope you all like it!
The Book
Celestia stood at her balcony setting the sun while Luna raised the moon. Night was coming and she looked forward to a goodnight’s sleep. The nobles were still throwing a fit about Twilight saving the crystal empire. She sighed waving to her sister before retreating for bed. A good sleep would help her think more clearly. Laying down, Celestia let her mind drift and fell into a deep slumber.
Blackness…an empty void was what greeted her in the realm of dreams. There was nothing around her not a soul or anything. Where was she? A sudden light forced her to close her eyes as it blinded her. When it dimmed she saw something that made her blood run cold. There floating before her, surrounded by a golden aura was a golden helmet. Not a helmet to be worn by a pony, this belonged to a being of legend…a legend she hoped to never cross paths with again. Then just as soon as the helmet appeared it was gone leaving her once more in the void.
“Fate,” she sounded her voice echoed around her. “Show yourself.”
But, the one she called never appeared instead the void shifted to where Celestia was floating amongst the cosmos. The stars gave light to the dark reaches of the void. Why was she here? What could Fate want this time? The Guardian’s presence was never a good thing! Danger always appeared with her meaning something was about to happen but what? Taking flight she flew around the cosmos looking for any sign of the one who’d brought her here.
“Fate,” she called. “You know I hate your games. Reveal yourself Guardian.”
No answer came for what seemed hours as she searched.
“I see a thousand years has not changed you Celestia,” she gasped spinning around to face the voice. “I’d hoped you would grow more, but then again I’m not surprised.” There was nothing the voice seemed to come from the void itself.
“Why don’t you reveal yourself? Are you afraid?” she sneered.
“What is there to be afraid of…you…please…you know as well as I do that my powers are beyond anything from your world. The only power you have is that of the sun I have the fabric of space and time at my fingertips,” the voice taunted. A melodic laugh rang out making Celestia growl in anger. “But, onto more important matters, you’ve probably guessed that my presence means the coming of danger. Well, my dear Celestia you would be right. There is a dark power that is approaching your universe and another. If something isn’t done soon your worlds will collide. I would suggest keeping an eye on your pupil by the way,”
Celestia looked around in confusing at her words.
“What does Twilight have to do with this?”
“The same force that turned Luna all so centuries ago has returned to Equestria,” she gasped in horror. “Act quickly so that you don’t make the same mistake twice Celestia. For that next time it happens… there will be no undoing it,”
“What do you…?
“Farewell Celestia…we will meet again soon,” the light returned.
“What…,” Celestia braced herself as she was flung back to the waking world.
Bolting up in her bed Celestia gulped for air raising a quivering hoof to her forehead.
“Tia,” she looked up to see Luna waiting for her. “Tia what was that?” asked shaking no doubt from the shock of Fate’s power.
“A being I hoped to never meet again in my lifetime Luna,” she rose from bed seeing it was time to raise the sun.
“What did she mean ‘next time it happens’? Tia who was that…I’ve never felt such power before,” Luna stood beside her to lower the moon.
“It’s a long story but one that you should know. I’m not surprised that you don’t remember but it must wait. We must get to Twilight before it does,” pulling on her regalia she ordered a guard to prepare her carriage.
“Before what…
“The Time Grimorum, the book that allows those who read it to have the power of space and time.”
(Ponyville)
Twilight looked over the library pleased with how organized it was it had taken most of the day but she was finally done re-shelving her books.
“Organizing complete now time to…Ufff,” she grunted as her chin meet the floor.
“Twilight are you okay,” Spike shouted from upstairs having heard her fall.
“I think so but what did I trip over…,” she looked over seeing a book she wasn’t familiar with.
It was large; massive even bound in deep earth brown leather with bronze clasps and locks. Picking it up with her magic she didn’t see a title just what looked like a pair of serpents curling around a pole on the front. What book was this?
“Spike…did you get a new hero encyclopedia again,”
“No, I’m still saving up for one…why,” the baby dragon walked down the stairs seeing the massive book. “Wow, that’s a big book. Where’d ya get it Twilight?”
“That’s just it Spike I’ve never seen this book before,” she tried to open it but the locks wouldn’t release. “It feels like there’s some kind of a spell on it to keep it closed but why,” she placed the book on the desk.
“Maybe it’s someponies journal so they put a spell on it to keep others from reading it. Not a bad idea,” the little dragon climbed onto her back to see the book closer. “Whoever it belongs to has to be big if they can lift it though,”
That wasn’t a bad theory…what better way to keep somepony from reading another’s private thoughts. She’d have to remember that one but still who could it belong to and why was it in her library. Whomever it belonged to had to be strong just to lift it.
BURP
Spike caught a letter as it appeared.
“A letter from the Princess, what’s it say Spike,” the book forgotten to hear from her mentor.
“My Dearest Twilight,
Luna and I are making an emergency visit. Whatever you do don’t open any strange books that appear in your library.
Princess Celestia”
“Emergency visit, I wonder what could be wrong,” she gasped. “That means she could be here at any moment quick Spike we need to get this place ready.” She dashed to clean tossing said dragon off her back.
“But, wait Twilight…” she paused looking at him. “The Princess said not to open any strange books do ya think she’s talking about this one,” he pointed a claw at the book on the desk.
Strange books, could this one be dangerous somehow! Lifting it once more she gave it another look over but it didn’t appear to be anything special. Just a really large book with an odd symbol on the front. How it be dangerous? Unless… of course it was a book on dark magic! Such books were destroyed whenever found their spells to dangerous to normal ponies to use. However, where could this one have come from? One little peek inside couldn’t hurt, just enough to see if it was dangerous. Gripping the book with her hooves she tried to force the locks open even casting a few spells to counteract the one protecting it. It had to be a book on dark magic that would explain why somepony didn’t want it opened. But, she’d never read a book on dark magic it would be a perfect chance.
“Twilight!” spike shout startled her into dropping the book.
“Spike what is it?” she looked over.
“The Princess said not to open any strange books why are you opening that one. You don’t even know where it came from. What if it’s dangerous?”
“That’s why I’m trying to open it Spike. If this is a book on dark magic this could be my only chance to read one. Celestia never let me near the books locked in the vault at the Archives,”
“Yeah, because you would attempt to try the spells in them! Please…Twilight put it down,” the dragon pleaded. Spike made to take the book only to miss as she raised it higher. “Let’s wait for the Princess and find out what it is at least Twilight please…I don’t like that book something about it doesn’t feel right,”
Rolling her eyes at the dragon she tried another spell on the book. Whoever this book belong to had to be powerful the spell on it wasn’t even cracking, so how could she open it. Maybe if she forced enough at one lock at a time. Channeling her magic she blasted the largest of the bronze locks using a great deal of her magic. Come one…come on… click the lock opened!
“Yes,” she quickly attacked the second lock this one smaller than the other.
Soon it to clicked open giving a small cheer she opened it to see…blank pages.
“What the,” she gasped.
“What is it Twilight,”
“It’s blank, why would somepony place such a power spell on a blank book,” she turned several pages still nothing. “Could this be some kind of jo…
Her words where cut off at a flash of light appeared from the pages it looked like stars where dancing from it. Power…so much power, Twilight looked over the words finding herself unable to read the dialogue. But, the energy, the…
“TWILIGHT SPARKLE,” the book was suddenly knocked out of her grip. A familiar golden aura trapped it in a barrier.
Shaking her head Twilight looked up to see a very displeased Princess standing above her.
“Princess?”
“I told you not to open any strange books Twilight Sparkle. Why did you? Do you have any idea how dangerous that book is,” Twilight flinched at the Princess’s words.
“I’m so sorry Princess, I don’t know what came over me,” she hung her head in shame.
“Tia,” Twilight looked up to see Princess Luna standing near the floating book. “What manner of book is this and why does it feel so familiar?”
“Because little princess, you and that book have a brief history,” a gentle, feminine voice startled them all. “A very brief yet tragic history,”
A flash of light revealed a tall bipedal being standing tall and proud. The curved form and gentle voice told them that it was female along with how she moved about the library with an alien grace. Towering over Celestia she wore blue and golden armored clothing with a gold cap and helmet. Magical power seemed to flow off her radiating throughout the library. The being floated over to where the tome was trapped, plucking it out of Celestia’s magic as if it was nothing.
She tsked as she closed it once more.
“History tends to repeat itself around you Celestia you would think after getting my warning you’d teleport straight here. But, I guess you have too much faith in your student here,” Twilight looked down at her words.
“Do not speak to her so; you have that cursed tome back. Be glad I don’t destroy it,” The others looked up at the sun alicorn in shock having never seen her like this.
“I’m afraid that the damage as already be done,” she laughed. “You really think you have the power to destroy the Grimorum. Your even stupider then I thought Celestia… then again you always let you anger get the best of you,” Twilight gasped having never heard anypony speak to the Princess so.
“Who are you to speak to my sister so creature…what are you,” Luna snapped.
“Where are my manners…allow me introduce myself,” she turned to face them the sun reflecting off her golden helm. “I am the Guardian of Time and Space…you may call me…Fate,”
Luna gazed at the strange being not sure what to make of her. She had never seen a being such as Fate and yet…there was something familiar about her magic. Also, that book. Why did it call to her? What history did she mean? How did it take over Twilight? How did Celestia know and why did she hate her so?
“All good questions little princess,” Luna jumped as Fate spoke.
“How did you…
“Read your thoughts, it’s very simple really. I’m shocked that you would keep this from Luna,” she cocked her head slightly. “Then again, I’m also not surprised Celestia. You lie to everypony around you a great deal, but keeping this from Luna. She has a right to know what really happened all those years ago.”
Luna had never seen anything speak to her sister in such a disrespectful tone. She looked at her enraged sister wondering why she was acting like this. What was it that she needed to know?
“I was going to tell her!” Celestia snapped.
“Oh yes, because I brought it to the surface. If I hadn’t come through your dreams, Luna would have never sensed me and start asking questions, now would she!” Luna's eyes widened at those words…they were true.
If Fate hadn’t come through her sister's dream, she wouldn’t have been aware of her. Was Tia ever going to tell this secret? What was she hiding?
“Leave Fate! You have your book.” She flared her horn. “Now Go!”
“You really think your pathetic magic will do anything to me. It’s as useless now as it was back then. Back when you jumped to conclusions and wrongfully banished Luna.” Fate stepped closer causing the rest to step back. “You know as well as I, that Luna didn’t need to be banished to the moon.”
“WHAT!?” all but Celestia shouted in shock.
“What do you mean I was wrongfully banished!” Luna shouted almost using the Royal Canterlot Voice. “Celestia. What is she talked about?”
Before she could answer, the room shifted and the library vanished revealing a world of stars. Luna looked around in amazement. It was as if she was amongst the stars above. She could hear Fate speak a tongue she didn’t recognize as her five digit hands surrounded with magic.
“I have caste an illusion so the truth may be known. Do not move, no matter what you see.”
“Don’t you dare...” Celestia didn’t get to finish as she was frozen in time with a wave of Fate’s hand.
“She always jumped to conclusions and that sadly doesn’t appear to have changed after so many years.” Fate sighed. “Now then. Luna, your sister has kept a great deal from you and the ponies of Equestria it seems. However, I’m sure that you’ve noticed a certain amount of memory lose.” Luna nodded. “The reason for that I’m afraid is the Grimorum.” Luna gazed at the book silently wondering how it was involved.
The stars around them changed revealing the castle in Everfree no longer in ruins. It stood proudly and whole as it did one thousand years ago.
“Several months before you were banished all those years ago. It wasn’t just the lack of love from your subjects that was clouding your mind. It was something else, something that you should have never gotten a hold of, the Grimorum.” The scene changed until they were in the castle. They saw Luna walking down the hall of the palace her face deep in the tome. “You found the Grimorum and became fascinated with it. Only I can read the language within, but that didn’t stop you from trying to learn.” They saw Luna pouring through all the dialogues in the library trying to find the language the book was written in. “As the protector of the book, I, of course, sought it out after it disappeared, but when I found you it was already too late.”
“T-too late for what?” Spike asked as he ducked behind Twilight when Fate looked his way. Twilight edged closer her eyes only on the book.
“A good question little Spike. The Grimorum is a dangerous artifact to any being but I that reads it.”
“But why?” Spike asked “Twilight read it.”
“Yes and we all see how that’s going don’t we?” she pulled the book closer causing Twilight to flinch back. “Whoever reads this book that doesn’t have the right training in both mind and magic will be overcome with the need to possess its power.” The scene changed again. “Like you were Luna.” Luna appeared, reading the book. Her mane unruly, her coat a mess and, huge shadows under her eyes.
Her eyes were bloodshot from the lack of sleep, but she didn’t appear to care as she studied the book. Then suddenly, Fate appeared. The past Luna clutched the book to her chest as Fate drew closer hand outreached. Luna shock her head holding the book like her life depended on it. Fate made a move for the Grimorum only for Luna to fire a beam of magic at her that was easily deflected. Luna was shocked by her own actions. She prided herself in thinking first and attacking later, yet it was clear she had taken leave of her senses.
“Why did I attack you?” Luna couldn’t stop from asking. How could she not remember any of this!?
“It was not your fault Luna.” Fate soothed. “Your mind was overcome with the book. You where obsessed with knowing how to unlock its power to make your night more beautiful. You hoped that with it's power you could finally get out of your sister's shadow and feel loved by your subjects.” The scene changed again.
It wasn’t Luna they saw this time but Nightmare Moon. It was when Celestia confronted her when she refused to lower the moon. All eyes were on the scene, watching as Fate intervened knocking the two sisters apart. Celestia appeared furious firing several beams of magic at her only for Fate to knock her back.
“Celestia did more harm than good back then. She never confronted you about your obsession with the book. When she finally did, you were Nightmare Moon and nothing could reach you.” Fate's past-self slammed Celestia through the castle wall igniting gasps of shock from the other. “I tried to tell her that I could free you from the book's influence, but she wouldn’t listen to reason. She thought you becoming Nightmare Moon was my doing and attacked me for it. I warned her that if I didn’t free you from its hold, you would be lost forever.”
Fate charged Nightmare, grabbing the book still in her magical grip. She tore it from her magic closing it before dodging the dark mares attack. Fate countered every attack. The frenzied Nightmare threw at her until an array of light appeared. It was Celestia surrounded with the elements of harmony.
“Using the elements was a mistake Luna.” Luna felt Fate’s hand on her shoulder. “I warned Celestia that it would only make matters worse, but she wouldn’t have it. She believed the elements could solve any problem.” the golden being snarled. “Celestia made a stupid mistake! She took the easy way, instead of trying to reach you within Nightmare Moon, and you paid for it.” The elements hit Nightmare before Fate could deflect it, sending her to the moon.
Celestia landed on the ground in shock. Her eyes looking at the heavens. The elements dropped scattered on the ground at her hooves. Fate landed storming towards her balling her hand. They all watched as Fate’s past-self punched Celestia clean in the jaw.
“You never should have been sent to the moon! If I’d had enough time I could have restored your mind, but you were forced to spend a thousand years fighting madness. If I hadn’t cast a spell on you, just before you were banished, you would have gone insane!” Fate nearly shouted. “That’s why I despise your sister for allowing you to suffer when all she would have needed to do was stop and allow me to help. She then had you wiped from history on top of that. When you returned to Equestria, nopony even knew she had a sister!”
Luna could feel the tears fall at what she heard. She did not have to spend all those years on the moon. She never had to be alone for all those centuries watching the planet knowing she couldn’t go back. She didn’t have to fight all those thousand years against MADNESS! Now she knew why Fate’s magic was so familiar. That's what kept the demon at bay on the moon. It had been her that had kept the Nightmare from permanently taking over her mind. The memories, the pain, the hate… she remembered… she remembered it all!
She stumbled backward falling on the floor as the memories flooded back all at once. She could vaguely hear Twilight and Spike asking if she was okay. NO…she was not okay. She had been wronged by the one she cared for most, and now…it would never be right again.
Author's Note
Well here it is, the second chapter, took a while but its finally done. Hope you all enjoy it!
