Celestia's Prophet

Chapters

Prophet
Who is "Flower Power?"
A Sketched Stallion
Who is "Shining Armor?"
The Color of Blood
Apploosia
My Little Pony

Prophet

Prophet

Princess Celestia swept down the stairs of the deepest, darkest dungeon in Canterlot’s Royal Castle. Flanked by two guards, both armed with batons, she clip-clopped down the winding staircases. They passed more than a few prisoners that tried to make grabs for her feathers, each getting shocked into submission. Forms were signed, passwords were exchanged, and locks were undone.

“Nice to see you, Princess,” said the final guardian of the ‘elite’ cells. The ‘F’ block held but one prisoner, and needed several keys to unseal. Leaning gingerly, the white alicorn allowed her crown to be plucked off of her head by the jail-keeper. The muscled pegasus stallion turned, pressing the rising towers of the headpiece into a series of slots. No other crown would do, only hers. The gears began to turn, and a steel door several inches thick began to slide to one side. “Be safe,” he said gruffily, returning her crown with great reverence.

“Thank you,” Celestia murmured. “I’ll go alone from here, gentlecolts. Please be comfortable until I return,” she bade. Her two guards nodded, and the jailer gestured toward a rickety table and a dusty old set of cards. They nodded their thanks as the Princess vanished slowly beyond the threshold into the darkest deep.

Taking a firefly lantern from a waiting hook, the alicorn walked the narrow path. The tunnel wormed about, into the very heart of Mount Canterlot. Taking a deep breath, Celestia paused at the final door and lifted a hoof. She knocked three times.

“Come in, Celestia,” a soft voice said. “You’re earlier than you expected. I’m sorry you didn’t sit to enjoy the whole opera because of me. You normally really enjoy music.” It was a statement, not a question.

Celestia’s neutral frown softened a bit, and she sighed. The alicorn didn’t question why it knew how her evening had gone. Turning the knob and opening the polished wooden door, she emerged into the cell. “Good evening,” Celestia said. “I’ve come to ask—”

“Questions, questions, always questions.” said a creature sitting in the corner. There were no windows for light, but a few perched candles and a grated hearth were enough to light the room lightly. “How about you ask how my day went now and then, huhm?” It rose to its impressive height, turning towards Celestia with a rather bitter smirk. The Princess wasn’t used to being eye to eye with anypony, but it was an exception.

“How was your day?” Celestia asked, sitting when it gestured for her.

“Well I’ve been in a dungeon all day, you see. So not much going on. Heh!” it coughed twice, then leaned on an old bookshelf. “But where are my manners, I’m in the presence of royalty!” It walked forward quickly and easily, bending at the waist to bow. Bizarre for a creature with such tender feet and posture. (That was how they’d captured it, it couldn’t walk across a gravel road without injuring itself!) “You only visit when you want something, so let’s hear it.” It sat across from her, half-orange and half-black because of the firelight.

“One of your prophecies came to pass yesterday,” Celestia said wearily.

“I know,” it said, “But for the sake of having someone to talk to, why don’t you tell me about it.” It reached intrusively, stroking Celestia’s mane. The Princess fought a shudder, but did not move. The ugly thing seemed to find an inner peace when petting somepony. She’d even sent braver soldiers in to visit it, so it could pet them and remain calm. Well, calm and sane. Each stallion or mare came back rattled and was forced to sign a non-disclosure contract. Some under pain of gelding or permenant memory-wiping. The things it would tell them sometimes! Horrors!

“A purple little unicorn filly conjured a dragon out of its egg for her academy entrance exam,” Celestia said. “But her magic swirled out of control and it grew enormous. Purple and green… greatly deformed, just like you said.”

“Mhm?” The creature nodded, still running its intrusive fingers through her ever-flowing mane. “Twilight Twinkle, er, Sparkle,” it seemed to be confirming things to itself. “Anything else you’d like to tell me?”

“I’m worried,” Celestia confessed a bit, cocking her head when two fingers pinched one of her ears and rubbed coarsely at the fur on either side of it.

“Of course you are. You’re a ruler,” it said with a snort. “There’s a lot of big stuff coming up in the next fifteen years or so.”

“Will Luna ever return? Surely my spell won’t last forever, even augmented by the Elements of Harmony?” Celestia blurted before she could stop herself. “Is that what Twilight is going to do? Bring my sister back? It’s been almost a thousand years!”

“To know the future is to change it,” it paused for a moment, then chuckled darkly, “My little pony.” Celestia frowned at its cryptic answers, shuffling her wings about to push the stroking hand away.

“Will you tell me nothing else?” Celestia asked softly. “If you say Twilight is to be the tipping point of Equestria’s history, for good or ill, I must know more!”

“Twilight will be the most important thing that has ever happened to your little ten-town nation,” it said mysteriously. “If I told you everything, that would ruin the fun of finding it all out.”

“You’re worse than Discord.”

“Oh please, if I was worse than him we wouldn’t be having this conversation,” it stood, gesturing to the thick door and the tunnel beyond. “You wouldn’t even have a sister if I’d had my way. You’d have been Queen Celestia!”

“Don’t say such things! I love my sister!” Celestia snapped, jumping to her hooves. She quickly caught herself and winced, for the red-maned monster laughed at her. Taking a deep breath and collecting herself, she sighed. “What will you tell me, then?”

“What makes you think I have anything to say?”

“Why would I be here if I didn’t have questions for you to answer?”

“What makes you think I’ll answer them?”

“I came for a reason and you know what it is. Don’t talk paradoxes at me.”

“I’ll talk all I want, it’s all I’m allowed to do anymore,” it gestured miserably to its surroundings. The fluffy cot sat in a lonely corner, and the tally-marks on the wall were like a twisted maze that covered the whole far wall. The bookshelf and the art supplies were all it really had down here. Much more than that was too dangerous. IT was too dangerous.

Celestia sat in silence for a long time, waiting for the eventual set of demands to come about. Prophecy, even from a prisoner like it, was not free. Sure, she could starve the creature, have it tortured for information or something of that ilk… but it was not Celestia’s way. Imprisonment, yes, but not harm. There was a line. “So, what’ll you give me?” it said rudely, leaning on the hearth and folding its arms at her.

“What do you want, aside from your freedom?” Celestia made sure to amend the question.

“How about a cell with a window?” it said. “It might be nice to see the sun now and then. Feel the breeze. Hear ponies singing.” It stared at one of the blank walls, turning to touch it and stroke the cold stone. “It’s so lonely down here…” it whispered.

“You know I can’t. You’re very dangerous. Too dangerous to move to another location without magic.” Celestia said. “What else?”

“How about a playmate?” it said innocently. Celestia made a face. “Not like that you pervert,” it groaned. “Send a soldier in to play checkers, or talk, or even just look at me. A deaf-mute would be good company at this point.”

“And condemn a pony to a life of secrecy and non-existence?”

“You’ve done it before,” it said savagely. “With Sombra. And Princess Luna. None of your little ponies know Nightmare Moon was your sister. Or that you even have a sister. You let her pass into myth so ponies wouldn’t worry about you doing such things to THEM—given you did it to your own flesh and blood. You do like your thousand-year prison sentences, don’t you?”

Celestia went hot in the face, but had no biting comeback. Her patience was starting to run out. Then a scarlet line of realization went across her mind. “Luna will have been gone one thousand years… fifteen years from now.” Celestia smirked a bit. “Thank you for the hint! My sister’s return is imminent—and I would wager it’s because of Twilight Sparkle!”

The creature scowled at her angrily, not having meant to drop such information for the princess. “Touche,” it admitted softly, flipping its scarlet mane with a grump to not look at her. Celestia smiled despite herself. The verbal fencing was nothing if not revealing sometimes. “What else do you want to know?”

Celestia stood and went over it, leaning gingerly into its line of sight, “What else would you give me for free? We were negotiating for something else, I believe.” It refused to look at her, having lost this particular round of arguing. Celestia batted her eyes and it flicked her on the nose sharply. “Owch!”

“You’re cute, but not that cute,” it said bitterly, turning from her. “If you’re going to keep me here forever, you could at the very least send me a friend now and then. Friendship is magic, after all.” It gave a short, hollow laugh.

“I agree, but I’m afraid of what you might tell them.”

“You want to put tape over my mouth?”

“I wouldn’t want to hurt you.”

“You are hurting me!” it snapped. “I haven’t seen the sun in years! I’ve not had meat to eat in ages! I’m lonely and pissed off and you won’t give an inch!” it shouted angrily, turning and thrusting a finger into her nose. Celestia back-peddled a little. “You want to know the future, Celestia?! Fine!” It came forward and grabbed the alicorn by the mane. Celestia shrieked, an arc of magic firing wildly from her horn. It bounced off the prisoner like rubber, striking the ceiling and sending a few stones to rain to the floor with the sound of a gunshot. Hoof-steps came galloping up the hallway, shouts and cursing echoing up the passage. The prisoner pulled Celestia forcefully to her knees, making her shriek like a feral horse. Through clenched teeth it whispered to her, “You will be struck down, in a sheer show of power, at a wedding. In front of everypony that loves and respects you. Struck. Down.”

Ice pumped through Celestia’s veins as her eyes widened. “Wh---what?!” she gaped. She was an alicorn! No force was powerful enough to kill she who brought the dawn! Who could possibly-?! The door crashed open, flying off its hinges as the final guard of the prison block bucked it in.

Two guards-ponies rushed the monster with a shout. It went down hard, crashing into the bookcase behind it. Celestia’s mane was released and books rained all around the creature. It moaned softly, slumping a little and nursing a bruised head.

Celestia was herded out by the three panicked guards, the thick-armored one pulling up the rear and walking backward with his shield. Out, out, out of the accursed hallway they trekked with their Princess. It watched them go, giving the day princess a savage grin as she went. It touched the back of its head to check for blood, and the last it saw of Celestia’s face was a rattled expression of fear.

Outside, the huge metallic door was rushed closed and firmly locked. The guards fussed over Celestia, checking her over for injuries and even hugging her like foals. That had been a close one! “Guard?” the alicorn asked when she finally got her voice back.

“Yes, your highness?” he asked, still panting. “Want me to go in there and punish it?” he begged angrily, gesturing to a round mace that was leaning against the wall. “It should know better than to mare-handle a princess!”

“No, no don’t,” Celestia said, staring down the hallway with a haunted expression. “Reseal the room as per protocol. Have its firewood restocked as well, it’s running low.” She pawed at her abused mane a few times before it caught the ethereal winds again. This seemed to help her gather her dignity. “I’ll be sending you a list of things to bring to the prisoner’s cell.”

“Things?” he asked with a frown.

“We’ll need to replace all of its books with new ones. Replenish its art supplies. Bring it a puzzle or two. Living in such conditions can try one’s sanity, after all,” Celestia took a few more cleansing breathes, finally standing to her full height.

“But it attacked you! Shouldn’t we at least punish it?!” he demanded.

“It’s just restless. You are to double up on your petting time appointments. If nopony volunteers, you are to switch to a draft.” Celestia commanded while one of her two guards touched her cheek a few times with a cool wet rag. “Tell them to bring board games or other safe activities with them from now on. Anypony that refuses their turn will answer to me directly,” she bade.

“Er, yes. Yes, your highness,” the guard bowed low, submissive to the crown and her rather frowny face. Celestia thanked him and returned the firefly lantern to its waiting hook. “See you again soon?” It came out like a question.

“Not for a few months!” shouted the creature from far back in the hallway.

“Quiet, you beast!” he kicked the thick door with his back hoof.

“I’ll see you when the time comes, Lt. Sentry.” Celestia bade the middle-aged stallion with a practiced, feminine smile. “Until then, don’t talk to it anymore.”

“Yes your highness,” he said again, bowing.

Celestia left without another word.

Who is "Flower Power?"

Celestia’s Prophet
Part 2: Who is "Flower Power"?

The creature looked up when a section of stone slid inward, and then to one side. There was more than one way into her cell, but the newly revealed section was something of a ‘control area.’ Getting up with a sigh, it walked slowly into the room and peered around. Inside was a bountiful meal of salad and fruits, a steaming bath, and a standing guard. They stared at each other for a time, until the creature finally spoke. “You’re a new face. You new here?”

“Just transferred,” he said, eyeing her up and down. Sure enough, the beast was twice his height, with a screaming scarlet mane and piercing blue-green eyes.

“Well take it all in, I suppose,” it gestured to itself. “The mysterious monster of Canterlot’s deepest dungeons.”

“…you don’t seem so scary,” he said after a moment. The single chevron on either of his shoulders said he was a private-first-class. Probably still a bit wet behind the ears. He cocked his head and checked the thick steel door behind him, as though to make sure it was padlocked shut still. “The door is reinforced and locked from the outside. I have no key and no weapons to steal.”

“You and every other pony I meet in this room,” it mumbled, wandering over to the steaming bath. “What’s your name?” it asked, sinking into it with a sigh. They stared at one another for a time and it crossed its arms over its rounded mammaries. “…Are you going to watch me bathe?” she smirked coyly, looking at him sideways.

The stallion turned, for the creature was decidedly female, so she might have some inkling of privacy. “I’m Private First Class Armor Heart, of her Majesty Princess Celestia’s standing corps of Canterlot Palace Guards.”

“Fancy,” she chuckled, splashing about a little. He listened to her scrub for a time. “Do I look like a monster to you, my little pony?” she asked softly.

“That’s not for me to say,” he said, shifting his hooves a little.

"What do I look like, then?"

"Er... judging by your teats, I'd say a mammal."

She set into a series of loud barking guffaws, slapping the water with her palms a few times. “A mammal! Very good! I see!” she laughed. She hummed aloud, mood lightened as she bathed and shook her head at his stark and innocent reply. After ten or so minutes the steaming water began to cool and she got out, feeling rather refreshed. Dangling a drying cloth about her waist and another around her shoulders, she wrapped her mane as well. Walking daintily, she dripped all over him and he startled around. “Sorry. I don’t make much sound with no shoes.” She reached and rubbed the top of his muzzle, from between his eyes to the tip of his nose.

Armor Heart allowed the petting. He’d been ordered to. Even though her hand was wet and a little wrinkly. “Er,” he said. “S’okay, I suppose.” He cantered around her so she'd let go. “Are you hungry, then?” He'd been told to be conversational, friendly, and approachable. No matter how scary she looked or what she said.

“I don’t get much excersize, hard to be hungry much anymore,” she said wistfully. Sitting at the one-pony table she fiddled with her food for a bit. After a few bites, she leaned as though bored on one elbow. “So, just out of curiosity, what did they tell you I was?” she crunched noisily on her crutons. “I’m always interested to hear what they’re trying to classify me as.”

“Er, I wasn’t briefed on that much detail.” said Armor Heart, looking stiffly to one side.

“What if I told you I made you?” she said cryptically, leaning with her fork and taking another huge bite.

“I’d say my father had some explaining to do,” the young soldier said without thinking.

The red-maned monster threw her head back and laughed again, shooting a cruton across the table and to the floor. She covered her mouth quickly, still giggling, “Sorry, sorry! That’s cute, that’s cute.” She nodded to herself. “You’re a funny one, what’s your cutie mark? Show me your butt. Er, flank.” She amended, making a turn-around motion with her fork. Not seeing the harm, he turned profile to show her the heart with an iron cross across it, studded with divets. Pretty literal, considering his name. “Ah, you’re simpler than most.” She nodded, crunch-crunch-crunching on a sliced apple.

“I’m not simple!” he said, his temper flaring a little.

“It’s not a bad thing. A lot of early cutie marks were symbolic. Or worse yet, had no meaning at all. Only recently with your generation did they start becoming so literal. Must be all the individual, original characters popping out of the woodwork.” She wiped her mouth when she was done, standing. He looked up at her as she loomed over him. He didn’t understand her cryptic-speak, so he said nothing.

“So, let’s have a look at you,” she said, peering into his face. His ears turned back. She knelt down on her huge, pillar-like legs until they were eye to eye. “Hrm,” she murmured, pawing at his mane and feeling his ears. The soldier steeled himself, but couldn’t help the light purr gurgling in his throat. The pads of her fingers were quite soft, they felt nice when they rubbed circles on the insides of his ears. A glitter worked its way across the creatures eyes. “Well, you’re handsome enough. I can see why she likes you.”

“Who?” Armor Heart said, blinking curiously.

“Not too bright though. That might be part of the attraction,” she smirked a little, shaking her head. “Like a big dumb puppy, sometimes, you.” She stood again, shrugging.

“I’m not dumb!” he said.

“Are so. Dumb as a rock.”

“I… I…” his poor academic life came rushing back to greet him. Choosing the military. Muscle could make up for what brain could not. He was disciplined, methodical… just not very book-learned. It kept him from other jobs, and it would more than likely keep him from command as well. He hung his head a little. “How did you know?” he asked, following her back into the main cell area.

“I know everything about Equestria. Well, all the important stuff anyway.” She flopped onto her cot, scrubbing at her red mane for a long time. He sat on his haunches a few feet away. She then beckoned, and he came closer so she could run one of her ghostly pale hands down his back. Like he was a great big dog or something. He felt quite small next to her, to tell the truth. She sighed, letting go of him at last.

“…you don’t seem like a monster to me, Miss,” he said after a long time, looking over at her. “How come the Princess has you locked in here? You’re so slender and weak, what threat are you?” he eyed her up and down some.

“Because I know things,” she said softly, her gay smile fading a bit, running a brush through her mane over and over. “Things I can’t possibly know, in her eyes. Princess Celestia is afraid I might fall into the wrong hands, eh, hooves, and be a threat to national security.” Leaning, she playfully brushed his mane a couple of times.

“Like what?” he asked, curiosity getting the better of him at last. She leaned to whisper in his ear, a devilish smile on her crimson lips. Suddenly a bell sounded, and the guard flinched away. That was the signal to report back. “Er, I have to go,” he told her.

“Darn,” she said a little acidly, sitting upright. “Well, if I never see you again, be happy, my little pony.” She rushed a fast hand gracefully through his mane and withers. He shuddered a little, but offered a smile. She stood, dropping all her towels on his back. Going to the little writing desk she had, she put a band around her mane to hold it out of her face. She offered a miserable-looking smile, raising her hand just slightly to wiggle her fingers in a good-bye gesture.

Armor Heart stood in the bath-slash-eating room, then watched the section of wall slide closed. He felt… sorry for her. When the cell was sealed and all the gears and weights had slid back into place, the reinforced door clanged open. “Well done, Armor Heart,” a dark blue unicorn came in to tell him. A few other ponies rushed about to collect the food, tub, and other things strewn about the room.

“Er, Yessir, General Light, sir,” he said, straightening and saluting.

General Night Light leaned with authority, his horn lighting up. There was a flash not unlike a camera. Armor Heart went still, his tongue hanging out and his eyes derping in different directions. Little dots of light hung around his head. “Very well done indeed, for crown and country,” Night Light came forward and started leading the young soldier along by his shoulder.

“Who… what… what did I do, again?” Armor Heart was slowly starting to be able to see colors again. “Was I on a mission?” he said, cocking his head and screwing up his eyes. “It’s so dark…” he murmured, squinting back and forth as they swept up the tunnels.

“Your mission was highly classified, Private, I had to wipe it from your memory for your own safety,” General Night Light said. “All I can tell you is that everypony is safe for another day because of your bravery.”

“Everypony? Really?” the young soldier said, blink-blinking until his vision finally returned. “Wow, that’s good!” he smiled enthusiastically. “Thanks for trusting me with the important mission, sir! Er… whatever it was!”

“Get yourself checked out in the medical wing, shower, then report back to your usual activities.” The General stopped when they were out of the dungeon area and above ground again. “Off you go.”

“Sir yes, sir.” He turned to be off, but bumped right into a maid in his rush. “Oof!” they tumbled over each other.

“Oh! Armor Heart it’s you!” the squeaky-voiced made said, red-faced and flailing to turn-upright again. “I-I-I’m so sorry!” she finally got back to her hooves while he did the same, scrubbing at his face to make sure he was okay.

“It’s okay…” he said. They locked eyes for a moment. Well, wasn’t she a pretty face? He blushed for a moment. “Er, Miss…?”

“Flower Power. I set the vases and inside plants around the palace.” She said, folding one hoof over another in a nervous, blushy-faced, nervous-filly expression.

Sensing this, Armor Heart coughed twice and stepped back a bit. “Are you alright then…?” he trailed off, quite enchanted by her freckles and tan fur.

“Oh yes, I’m fine… I’m… fine…” she said, never taking her eyes off him.

“Herm-HERHM?” General Night Light said, still standing right where he was moments ago. Both ponies fled in opposite directions, flushed and panicking. His not-so-carefully masked scowl deepened when they were both gone. He would have to report this to the Princess. He was in charge of security, and he’d never heard of this so called ‘Flower Power’ mare before. He’d memorized every staff member, kitchen dishwasher, and every guard in the palace. He knew all the names and faces, it was his job. There was no Flower Power on that list in his encyclopedic head. Oh no doubt she’d have papers, a detailed history, a good work ethic and so on and so forth, but… Celestia would want to know that another pony had just popped into existence. The monster in the dungeons was at it again.

A Sketched Stallion

Celestia’s Prophet
Part 3: A Sketched Stallion

The creature lay flopped on her back, head on her cot pillow. She had no shortage of pillows, all different colors—but the ponies had been unable to fit a bed down in her cell. Why they couldn’t build one or shrink one for a short time was a bit beyond her, but it was certainly better than nothing. She studied the nearest wall, now dotted with pictures of Armor Heart and Flower Power. They were quite good, really. She had an excellent talent for drawing ponies— even ones she’d not met before.

She sort of wished she had a clock, but to be honest one’s perception of time was quite different when one was a prisoner. Oh she could probably break out, sure, but then what? Have Celestia panic the entire city and send guards every which way looking for her escaped monster? Suppose somepony’s parents didn’t meet when they were supposed to, hiding in their own homes from the creature on the loose? Suppose a pegasus stopped pushing a cloud someplace when spotting her and a crop failed? The butterfly effects that might happen because of her were terrifying.

Having been there as long as she had, even under Celestia’s watchful eye, she’d been as careful as she could not to interrupt the grand scheme of things. Certain things were supposed to happen at certain times, in certain points of history. If they didn’t, or didn’t happen correctly, suppose this world’s entire fate were catastrophically messed up because of her? The thought made the monster ill, and she rolled on her side to contain the vertigo welling up inside her. They were so innocent. All of them, so innocent. Even mighty Celestia, in her own way. Why, just the other day she’d—!

She heard the section of wall moving. Another playmate? So soon? Celestia was certainly being kind. The news of her sister’s imminent return must’ve put her in a festive mood. Sitting up and draping her tender bare feet onto the floor, the creature stood. “Hullo?” she called.

“H-hullo?” it was a rather frightened sounding voice. Female, light and flighty. Certainly not a soldier this time around. “M-monster? Are you in there?” there was a pink Pegasus standing in the control area, peering into the much darker cell anxiously.

“I really wish Celestia would spread my name about. Or even tell it to the ponies she sends to see me,” it was tall, way taller than the poor Pegasus was ready for. At least twice her height!

“Er, I’m Butter Pecan,” the winged pony blurted. “I’m supposed to… uhm… play with you? I guess?” She jittered back a little when the slender, red-maned creature finally came into the light. It was naked of fur, the poor thing, but those eyes! She’d never seen such sharp and focused little eyes! They weren't beady, just… bright. Bright and alert and very intelligent-looking.

“Is that so?” it crossed the room in a couple of slow strides. “Are you military? I don’t imagine so, with a name like that. Sounds more civilian-like.” It sat at the little chair, too little for its comfort, taking in the new comer.

“W-well, I cater at the palace,” the Pegasus confessed. “Whenever there’s a formal meeting, or gathering, or gala, I get put in charge.” She tried to smile, but the unsettling creature was already smirking at her rather widely. “What?”

“The gala is gonna suck for you,” it said rudely, shaking its head with the same grin. “All those animals…”

“What?”

“Nothing, nothing… so! I don’t imagine they’d have an endless supply of soldiers to send my way, I guess they’d switch to regular palace staff at some point… what do you like to play, Butter Pecan?” The creature put its rather large hands on the table. The long, slender fingers had rather short nails and dainty, weak-looking wrists. The creature may have been large, but it certainly didn’t look very strong.

“Oh uhm… I’m just supposed to do as you ask, within reason,” the mare said, cocking her head nervously. “Wh-what games do monsters like to play?”

“I’m not a monster you know,” it said sharply. “I have a name. I have a home. And a family—” she trailed off very suddenly, a moistening in her eyes. She crushed the overwhelming sadness before it reared its head to destroy her. She’d suffered days, sometimes weeks, of sadness and depression pining for her home. For her husband. For anything but this. It was ironic really, being who she—!

“W-well, what’s your name?” Butter Pecan asked as the creature drew close. She flinched back a little when its large hands came to cup the side of her face. She took a few deep breathes. The general had promised her four figures in bits and a week’s vacation for this! She just had to be brave. If it tried to hurt her, there were soldiers waiting and stun-batons that were charged. The mare huffed twice, not retreating anymore.

The hand reached again, and the creature petted her up and between the ears. W-well, it could’ve been worse really. That did feel nice. “My name is Lauren,” she whispered, walking to her side and throwing a leg over her. Butter Pecan whinnied a little and the monster danced on her tippy-toe for a moment before sitting rather neatly on her back. “Giddy-up,” she giggled, digging her heels into her ribs a little.

“H-hey now!” Butter Pecan’s wings flared open, flapping this way and that. She couldn’t lift off with the creature on her back. Lauren scratched her between the ears again, and she settled out of her panic in a few moments. “You’re heavy!” she complained.

“Am not!” Lauren looked offended at her. “You’re built just fine for it. Why do you think ponies wear saddles, huhm? For fun?” Butter Pecan looked over her shoulder and stared at her in stark silence. The monster grinned, patting her muzzle. “Giddy-up,” she repeated, digging her heels in again. Butter Pecan, with no other real response, began a brisk canter about the room. It wasn’t a large room, so there wasn’t much space to do anything but go in circles. “What I wouldn’t give for a field to rush through!” The monster said gaily, holding onto the mare’s shoulder and mane with its large hands. They clippity-clopped around the room several times, Lauren teetering back and forth a few times but certainly doing her best riding bare-back. This went on for maybe twenty minutes before the poor mare began to slow down and pant a little. “It's okay, we can stop. Celestia is more my size anyway.” she giggled.

“I don’t think the Princess would let you ride her,” Butter Pecan snorted, a bit red-faced at how this had all turned out. She’d been expecting checkers or something, not this! She tried to remember the money and nice things promised. And it was good for crown and country, she’d been told.

Lauren smirked a little. “Hah! No I guess not. She doesn’t have a saddle at home. Not for the reason you do, anyw—wha-hahhh?!” Butter Pecan jolted to a halt, scarlet in the face. Lauren toppled off with a loud bump, rubbing her head and hips.

“H-h-how could you possibly—?!” Butter hadn’t let that saddle see the light of day… ever! She’d bought it at night, wore it at night, and only… well, in the bedroom. On special occasions. In spring. When she felt like it. Sometimes when her husband wanted her to.

“I know everything,” Lauren smiled from where she lay on her side. “Don’t worry, I won’t tell.” She put a finger to her lips to make a little hushy-sound, winking.

“What do you mean you know everything?!” Butter Pecan demanded, flushed. “Are you spying on me?!”

“Oh no no, nothing like that.” Lauren sat up, recovering and rubbing her butt a little. “It’s why I’m here. I know things I can’t know. Celestia thinks I’m a threat to national security.”

“T…tell me who’s out there.” Butter Pecan demanded pointing at the steel door.

“Lt. Sentry, my main guard,” Lauren listed off. “Nice stallion, very skilled with two-hoof’d weapons. Good with his hooves when it comes to carpentry.” She paused, as though in thought. “Noble Cause. A little ruddy around the mid-section, but she means well and loves foals. She wants like six when she finishes her enlistment for the military.” She shook her head with a smile, “Also General Night Light. Twilight Sparkle’s father. I’m sure you know who she is as well?”

“The sun’s favored foal.” Butter Pecan said in a whisper. “Princess Celestia’s new protégé?”

“That’s the one. That’s her Dad. He’s going to retire soon, I think, to spend more time with his wife and family while the foals are still young.” Lauren smiled wider and wider, for Butter Pecan looked positively spellbound. “There is one more pony—”

The bell sounded and the mare flinched. “O-oh, it’s only been a few minutes… I guess I have to go.” she said, looking uncertain.

“I understand,” Lauren said, shaking her head. “They tend to pull my playmates when I talk too much. If I never see you again, be happy, my little pony.” The scarlet-maned monster reached and scrubbed the mare’s head affectionately.

“You don’t seem so scary, Miss Lauren,” Butter Pecan admitted softly as the monster retreated back to its cell. Their eyes met, and Lauren smiled graciously at her kind words. “Maybe we’ll see each—” the wall had slid closed, leaving the monster alone in its cell. It sighed, flopping back down on its cot. Well, at least there was a little interaction for a day.

Later...

Outside the safe room, while all the cleaning crews and others were rushing about to sterilize the place again, General Night Light and Princess Celestia stood side by side. In front of them, inscribed on the wall, was a life-sized sketch of a pony. It appeared to be chalk by the dusty look, but nopony dared touch it to check. It was a stallion by its proportions, perhaps an earth pony. Most might mistake it for a cave drawing, if perhaps it hadn’t popped up in the lowest dungeons of Mount Canterlot. “See?” General Light said. “She’s doing it again.”

“Disturbing,” Celestia admitted, shuffling her wings in a shuddering sort of way. “I had Flower Power looked into, as you requested.”

“And?”

“She has a full history, family, school grades, and an entire legacy of paperwork to back-up her existance.” Celestia told him. “And yet she didn’t exist at all more than a week or so ago.”

“Your majesty if this thing can just make up ponies what’s to stop it from making up monsters? Or natural disasters? Or armies of warmongering griffins?” He said, looking at her with a frown.

“I don’t know, General.” Celestia said. “I’ve had it down here for several years now, and as of yet it’s done no such thing. We can only hope it doesn’t suddenly gain the desire to do so.”

“Why doesn’t it leave? Making something, or somepony from nothing… it’s like she wants to be here, but hates it. Why not make up a pony that specializes in jailbreaks or... or something?” Night Light frowned in scowly confusion.

“I don't know. It’s bound by enough physical rules that we can contain it.” Celestia said softly. “That’s certainly good enough for me. All we can do is try to make it comfortable, and hope it doesn’t come up with anything dangerous.”

“Yes, your highness.” He nodded. “Are there any adjustments you’d like to make?”

“Bring her flowers with her next meal. A big vase of them. Red, like her mane. Don’t skimp on the meal either, she can’t eat them like we can,” Celestia bade, turning for the door.

“I understand.”

“Have Butter Pecan’s memory wiped. Tell her the four figures of bits are a bonus for her years of service, directly from the crown, and the extra week’s vacation is for her to do with as she pleases.” Celestia paused at the door, her two guards ready to follow her. “…and General?”

“Yes, your highness?”

“Have that wall scrubbed. Whoever that was, he wasn’t real. Leave no trace.” She nodded towards the sketched stallion that the monster had willed into existence.

“Yes ma’am,” General Light bowed until she was gone, then set to do as she'd commanded.

Who is "Shining Armor?"

Celestia's Prophet
Part 4: Who is "Shining Armor?"

Foals. Foals with an 's' on the end.

General Night Light was sweating before he even made it to his own street that night. He and his wife lived on Canterlot's cushy upper end, surrounded by perfect parks and clean streets. His rank gave them all the money they could need, and it was a picturesque way of living. Equestria hadn't gone to war in centuries, but it still needed a standing army. Being a general was still a big job, keeping his soldiers not ready for war, but prepared to face it should the horrible day come.

Foals. Foals with an 's' on the end. That's what Celestia's Prophet had said.

Turning the corner in the chilly night, he nodded only briefly to the guard on the corner as he cantered past. Huffing once, then twice more to prepare himself, he unlocked the door and pushed it open. All the scents and sounds of home wafted against him like a breeze of gingerbread-- his wife was cooking. Twilight squealed somewhere in the house, rushing to and fro above his head. General Night Light took off his hat and formal jacket, setting it on its usual hook. He looked to and fro. On the floor was a foam guard's spear, and it certainly wasn't Twilight's. The poor filly had never once in her life rough-housed, much less shown an interest in toy weapons. She was the book-learning sort. And with the magnificant honor of being Celestia's new protege, she was moving up in the world fast. He had no doubt he'd need to beat off any political sniffing once she'd reached the age of majority.

He'll be retiring soon, to spend more time with his wife and family while the foals are still young. More than one foal.

General Night Light only had one daughter. He was dead certain. "Mom!Mooooom!" a colt's voice jerked him to a halt, and his pupils shrank as his eyes widened. "When's dad coming home?! I can't write this report on the Changing of the Guard for school without him checking it over! I don't wanna disappoint him!" It was young, not quite a teenager. Young and virile and striking.

The monster's power had reached into his very home. He listened to the thumpity-thumps of a colt trapsing back and forth on carpet, then on kitchen tile. "He should be here any minute! Just don't tackle him as soon as he comes in the door! He's going to be tired from his long day," his mother said.

Night Light wasn't ready for this. His thundering heart almost kept him from realizing his hoof was moving. He watched it reach into his saddlebag for his military ID wallet. A folded picture floated out, slowly rising to his nose. He looked down at it. Himself. His wife. His daughter... and somepony new. Somepony that didn't belong. His mouth dried as he stared at a stark white colt with an electric blue mane.

There were hoof-steps coming his way. Panicking, he flipped the photo over:

Night Light
Twilight Velvet
Twilight Sparkle, age 8
Shining Armor, age 12

He almost dropped it when a scrappy young colt came tearing around the corner. "Welcome home, Dad!" he belted, school report floating next to him. Night Light blanched at him, sweating. "Wow mom was right, you do look tired," he said. "You okay?" he cocked his head.

"Y-yeah," Night Light said, running a hoof quickly through Shining Armor's mane. He looked pale. Turning with a measured amount of control and grip on himself, he looked for his wife. Twilight Velvet smiled when he peered into the kitchen.

"I know, I know, the whole place smells like gingerbread. I dropped something on one of the burners. But if I'd stopped to clean
dinner wouldn't have been ready when you got in." Twilight Velvet kissed him, nuzzled him twice and then wheeled back around to finish
setting the table. The poor mare was never convinced everypony in her household was eating enough, one of her adorable little quirks.

"I'll get Twilie!" Shining Armor announced, leaving his report on the kitchen counter. Night Light picked it up while he was thundering up the stairs. It was a grade school report on how guards outside the front of the palace changed shifts every eight hours and all the reasons why. All of their little quirks and different rank meanings were in a neat little magic marker chart. Very basic, but he seemed to get the gist of it all.

"You okay, hun?" Twilight Velvet asked softly, coming up to cup his cheek.

"Do you remember when Shining Armor was born?" Night Light asked before he could stop himself.

"Oh yes," Twilight rolled her eyes with a smirk. "I remember the doctor telling me if he'd been much bigger I'd have given birth to a hippo." Her eyes saw the past and she leaned on him. "I'd never seen you so livid, haha! I'm just glad you didn't try to arrest him. He lost his yearling fat, didn't he?"

"Oh erhm... yes, yes he did," Night Light murmured, not meeting her eyes. "I'm just glad he's erm... doing well in school?" it came out like a question.

His wife nodded absently, setting out silverware. "Well with you cracking the whip on his butt its no surprise. He wants to be the general of the army, just like his Dad." she leaned and kissed him again. "I bet you brag every day about that, don't you? Big strong General Nightlight. A daughter as Celestia's protégé a son going into the army just like him."

"Ehh..." Before Night Light could respond there was a stampede down the stairs and into the dining room.

"Shining Armor and Twilight Sparkle, reporting for dinner sir!" Shining shouted gaily, sliding his sister off of his back and saluting. Night Light sat hard, staring at Shining Armor. "Uh, Dad?" he said. "Dad? You okay? Equis to Da-ad." he said, waving a little hoof over in front of his face.

Twilight Velvet cocked an eyebrow while Twilight Sparkle did her best to stay quiet while the older ponies were talking.

"Nightie? Honey?" Velvet leaned a little. Her husband looked positively haunted.

"Er, yeah. Yeah I'm fine. Just a... stressful day at work... sport." he said, licking his lips a little. His eyes slid to the pictures on the wall. Himself and the colt at a hoofball game. Himself hugging Twilight and Shining Armor. Himself holding a squealing yearling with an electric blue mane. Shining Armor and Twilight Sparkle beaming into a camera that was way too close to their faces. Twilight Velvet and Shining Armor, the colt holding up an all-A's report card.

He was already there. A whole history. A whole life laid out before him, that hadn't existed three hours ago. Night Light gave a nervous smile to his waiting family, reaching for his fork with a lightly trembling hoof.

=-=-=-=-=

"Would you like to tell me why my must trusted general quit his job yesterday, arranged his military affairs, then turned a mind wipe spell on himself to keep you a secret?" Celestia sat across from Lauren, looking rather cross. "I thought to ask him myself, but all he said was--"

"'Ponies that are in the eye of a storm don't feel its rain until its too late.'" Lauren said, lifting her teacup.

Celestia fixed her with a frown. "Yes, that's right." she said carefully, levitating the tongs to offer her 'guest' another cube of sugar. Lauren nodded and took three, stirring idly. She rang the spoon against the side of the teacup three times before setting it down. "Care to explain yourself?" asked the white alicorn.

"I told you yesterday he would be quitting soon, just not how soon." Lauren smirked just a bit mischievously. "I just didn't say how soon. Like I said, to spend time with his wife and family while the foals are still young."

"You made up another pony. A little colt this time. That's the first child you've ever made... that I know of." Celestia said carefully, lifting her teacup. "Why did you do this? What is your purpose?"

"Purpose?" Lauren looked up at her as though surprised. "I've been here almost six years, and you're just now puzzling that one out? What is your little red-headed monster's purpose?" she sipped her tea twice. "Oooh, this is the Jasmine. Quite good, thank you."

"I prefer 'Prophet.' It's more polite." Celestia parried with narrowed eyes. "I've kept you here to study the limits of your power and to keep you from harming anypony. It's already perfectly clear you could leave if you wanted to," Celestia paused, for Lauren's eyes flicked at her with a flash of... panic? Alarm? It was gone as soon as it came, though, and so she kept speaking. "So I suppose my latest question to you is... if you hate it here, why do you stay?"

"The reason you put me here, is the same reason I stay." Lauren whispered into her teacup, not meeting Celestia's eyes. The alicorn's wings opened, then resettled. One of her impatient body language flags. the cryptic answer hung in the air between them for a long silence. "But more about the general, yes?" the red-maned creature said, setting her teacup down with a little clack. Reaching without permission she stroked Celestia's mane twice before getting the folder on her side of the table. She flipped it open and Celestia opened her mouth to scold her, but stopped. It had merely plucked General Night Light's picture from its paperclip, and dropped the folder itself back to the table. "Here is a military man. Er, stallion." she smiled. "Six years and I still say man, guh..." she shook her head a bit. Celestia had already gathered a small lexicon from their conversations over the years. 'Man' meant stallion. "Here's a military stallion," Lauren tried again. "Cut above the rest. Handsome, powerful, by-the-book. A family stallion, and a good leader. However, at the end of the day he's still military."

"You have a problem with your military caretakers?" Celestia asked. "I could've arranged for something else if you'd liked."

"No, it's not them. Just him," Lauren said. "He's Twilight Sparkle's father, and, left to his own devices, would do anything to protect his little girl." Celestia filled in 'girl' with 'filly'.

"Mhm?" Celestia asked, listening intently.

"You think I couldn't hear him, beyond the wall there?" The creature said, turning the teacup around and around. "He saw me as a great threat to Equestria and all her holdings, whether he voiced it to you or not."

"So do I, but you've not conjured a twelve year-old into my household." Celestia said.

"Yes, but yours is not a military mind. You seek balance, not conquest," it said sagely. She lifted a hand before Celestia could protest. "I'm not saying he's a warmonger, no no. But, given what he thinks of as no choice, he wouldn't hesitate to kill me if it was to protect his family and his country."

"You think he could harm you?" Celestia cocked an eyebrow.

"You've seem me bleed, you know I'm just as mortal as you." Lauren said matter-of-factly. Celestia conceded this. When they'd captured her, she was bleeding from the feet for trying to run across a wide gravel road. She'd fallen with a shard of rock in her sole, the poor naked thing. "General Night Light was getting more and more paranoid that I was going to create an army of griffins, or a natural disaster, or some jail-breaking super-pony," she quoted the stallions own words for her.

"So you got rid of him," Celestia said with a frown.

"In the gentlest way I could. I gave him a son," Lauren paused to say before sipping her tea again. "A very successful son, mind you. Just wait until he grows up and-!"

"I don't want to know," Celestia rose with a rather blatant scowl. "Please, stop pulling at the strings of fate like you are," she begged, putting a diplomatic hoof on her shoulder. "It's only a matter of time before you create something chaotic, or uncontrollable, or evil... I would give you every comfort if only you would stop conjuring ponies and their histories out of thin air. Something will go wrong, at some point. I know it." she said.

Lauren took her massive, gold-shoe'd hoof in both her tender little hands. "It's the nature of the beast, Princess. I can't stop. The best you can hope to do is keep me safe," she patted the hoof twice. "And I'll keep things... well, to a justifiable minimum."

Celestia let the hoof fall, standing slowly and gathering her tea set. "I'll see you again soon, Prophet." she said softly. Lauren sighed, for she knew Celestia refused to use her name as a way of distancing herself.

"Good Night, Princess," Lauren said, standing and watching her go.

"Prophet?" Celestia stopped in the doorway, turning to look at her meaningfully. "Why can only a few tell when you've changed something?"

The monster smiled a little impishly. "Only someone standing next to an artist can see what they're doing on the drawing board," it said cryptically. "The more important question, I think, is: What color is alicorn blood?" she offered a kind, nonthreatening sort of smile.

Celestia sighed at her riddling words, then left with a click of the door. The white alicorn didn't know what upset her more: Losing her favorite general, the monster in the.... Prophet, in the dungeon... or the thought that she didn't know what color alicorn blood was. She would fret over it well into the night.

End of Part 4

Author's Note

Sorry for any formatting issues.
My computer is in the shop and I'm stuck on notepad for the moment. :(

~Aegis Shield

The Color of Blood

Celestia’s Prophet
Part 5: The Color of Blood

Celestia smiled contentedly over a chessboard, clacking a white knight onto a certain square and leaning back. Across from her sat little filly Twilight Sparkle. Sometimes, quiet time and meaningful meditation spoke volumes over regular schoolwork. Being a Princess, she could certainly appreciate the absolute quiet around them. The spell on the door and window certainly helped, but that was beside the point. The heavy red velvet curtains weighed themselves against the brilliant summer sun, casting the room into a pleasant pinkish glow.

Twilight Sparkle’s little tongue was sticking out and up in concentration. Celestia had laid two traps on the board, and was waiting to see if she could see them.

A tap-tap-tapping at the door turned both of their heads. “Come!” Celestia said melodically. The quiet afternoon had put her in a wonderful mood. A maid pushed in a cart bearing a tea set. “Oh, is that the jade set, Broom Brush? How wonderful!”

The mare blushed a little. She’d dug out a particularly old and fancy tea set for one of Twilight Sparkle’s first lessons. The sun’s favored foal deserved some pampering after all. The green and gold tea cups and kettle were simply lovely to look at. Leaning and serving the Princess first, she gave both of them steaming cups. “Here we are,” after making sure milk and sugar had been offered, she left the cart and bowed herself out.

“Remember Twilight, savor then sip,” Celestia reminded. “It’s not a soda to be gulped down.”

“R-right!” the little filly squeaked, nodding and looking down into her cup. She watched Celestia lift her cup, take in the scent, then sip daintily. Twilight mimicked.

“Most of our sense of taste comes from smell, so it’s actually best to sniff it first,” Celestia said with a smile. “Isn’t that funny?”

Twilight nodded with an innocent smile, sipping a second time as she considered the board. She nudged a pawn forward one space, off to the side, to free her rook. A rather direct approach, but she was still learning.

Celestia leaned forward to move a piece with her magic, but gave a little yip of pain quite suddenly. Three drops of tea went down her front, dark and foreboding. She looked at the lip of her teacup. It had broken off due to sheer age, cutting her lip only slightly. Something silvery had spotted the sharp edge. Blood. Celestia’s face fell. Gingerly, she set down the ancient cup and picked up a napkin to wipe her mouth. Pushing the tiny piece that had come off out of her mouth with her tongue, she touched her lip a few times to make sure it wasn’t flowing.

“Are you okay Princess?!” Twilight looked horrified at her. “You’re bleeding!”

So she bled silver. Celestia knew it was a sign. Or perhaps a warning. The Prophet had gotten rid of General Night Light rather easily only a week or so ago, was this a warning that she could do the same to her? “I’m alright Twilight, it’s just a little cut,” she assure the purple filly. A quick little flick of healing magic and the cut was gone, but Celestia was not so foolish as to think that it was circumstance. “How about we go for a walk and get some fresh air?” she offered, rising. “I think my legs are falling asleep. Have you seen the royal gardens yet?”

“I haven’t seen them, no!” Twilight looked at her, completely star-struck. “I would love to!” she leapt off of her little sitting pillow, forgetting the chess game entirely and bolting for the door with all her childish energy. Celestia watched the door flicker purple a few times, then inch open. “Oof!” the filly had managed to wedge herself in the inched-openway, then fall on her belly. “I’m stuck!” she whimpered, flailing a little.

“Heheh,” a guard’s deep voice could be heard as he pushed the door the rest of the way open for her. “There y’go, little one,” he said with some affection.

“Thanks!” Twilight was already ready to bolt down the hallway. Celestia followed, smiling and shaking her head. The guard that had spoken winked at her as she passed and she gave a nod. Following the galloping filly at a brisk pace, the Princess chuckled to herself. She’d forgotten what it was like to have foals under her hooves. She’d not had a young protégé like Twilight in some time. So young and full of ener— “OOF!” Twilight crashed headlong into somepony, and Celestia hurried around the corner in concern. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry!” Twilight untangled herself from a white colt exactly her age.

“Oh, it’s okay!” He was a blonde-maned thing with a compass on his rump, and quite possibly the most dazzling smile Twilight had seen in a while. “I crashed into a cider barrel once during fall festival, and my horn went right into it! Boooosh!” he flailed his front hooves high. Twilight giggle-squealed. A nearby butler smirked, herding the colt along as they went.

“Oh, hullo Aunt Celestia!” the colt smiled gaily and waved. Celestia jerked to a halt, her eyes wide. Aunt Celestia?

“I didn’t know you had any relatives here in the palace, Princess,” Twilight said, looking up at her. “Do I get to meet the rest of your family since I’m your student now? Who’s this?” Celestia’s mouth was a little dry and she couldn’t make herself speak. She only stared at the handsome young colt who was staring up at her as though expecting a hug.

“Oh, hullo there,” Celestia smiled carefully, leaning down to nuzzle with him for a moment. “May I introduce Twilight Sparkle, my new personal student,” the alicorn worded herself carefully to learn more. “Introduce yourself, like a proper gentlecolt?” she said with a feminine chuckle.

“Oh! Uhm! Yes!” the colt straightened his shoulders, throwing out his chest a little. “I am Prince Blueblood, of the Western Herds!”

“You are?” Twilight said curiously.

“Mhm! I’m a descendant of Princess Platinum, of the original Unicorn Herd of Equestria!” he said proudly.

“Wow neat!” Twilight belted. “A real life Prince!”

Celestia breathed a sigh of relief. Not actually Aunt Celestia then, just a term of affection. Still, she’d never heard of him and that aroused her suspicions.

“Wanna come play?” the colt said, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed to have a new playmate. “The palace has a huge hedge-maze and I wanna see what’s in the middle! It’s my special talent, finding my way!” he turned profile to show her his cutie mark, a compass rose.

“I would love to!” Twilight suddenly stopped, looking up at Celestia, “Er, I mean, I would be most honored, Prince Blueblood, but the Princess and I…”

“--were just going into the royal gardens for a lesson. Perhaps another time,” Celestia smiled delicately. The alicorn wasn’t sure if the Prince was real or not. Had she truly never heard of him? There were plenty of noble families, and a few of them did descend from the original three herds of Equestria. Aunty Celestia, though… it made her uneasy. She wasn’t sure she wanted Twilight to play with a colt that had just popped into existence. The little purple filly looked glumly at the ground, and it made Celestia’s heart sink a little. She couldn’t resist that! “Mmh, very well. But I’ll be sending one of my guards with you to make sure you don’t get into any trouble. Present company notwithstanding, of course,” she smiled to the waiting butler, who bowed when he was acknowledged.

“Yayyy!” Twilight bucked then reared, bucked then reared, then both foals took off down the hallway to play together. Celestia smiled, gesturing to a guard with a silent command. He smiled, taking off after them and the butler ran in tow. Closing her wings at last, the white alicorn turned towards the nearest staircase. She had another playdate it seemed.

=-=-=-=-=

Celestia slowly sat across from the Prophet. It crossed its legs in a rather uncomfortable-looking way, so the alicorn merely sat on her haunches. “Silver,” the princess finally admitted. “I bleed silver.”

“Sorry to hear that,” Lauren said, eyeing her up and down. “It wasn’t much was it?”

“You tell me,” Celestia murmured rather crossly, opening her picnic basket to share some fruit with her.

“Well in mare’s your age it's not very common, but you are an alicorn so there’s no telling,” the creature said impishly.

Celestia refused to rise to the bait of a menstruation joke, but pinkened in the cheeks none the less. She settled instead to roll her eyes. “I cut my lip a little,” she said after a long silence. The creature did little more than eat a grape, saying nothing. “I understand your warning.” She admitted after a time. Lauren ate another grape, saying nothing. “You got rid of General Night Light, you could just as easily get rid of me.”

“Oh no, who better qualified to take care of me than you?” Lauren said, picking up the watermelon. “…do you mind?” she asked. “They don’t let me have knives.”

Celestia leaned and, with a few quick slices of magic, cubed the watermelon onto the waiting dish between them. They shared a few cubes back and forth, and the Princess let herself be petted. “I met Prince Blueblood today,” she said.

“Oh did you? Nice kid,” Lauren said with a little smirk. “Not for long, but for now.”

“You plan to kill him?!” Celestia sat bolt upright. “He is innocent! Leave him be!”

“Oh please,” Lauren rolled her eyes a little, smiling. “I’m no more threat to him than I am to you. Perhaps you’ve not been taking notes, Princess, but I can only create things. I can’t destroy them.”

“How do you mean? Your powers reach well beyond these walls and into the cracks of creation and reality.” Celestia said, brow knitting.

“Imagine if I were an artist,” Lauren said, turning and gesturing to the pile of art supplies in the corner. “And the world is my canvas. Once I’ve put paint on it, I can’t take it off without ruining the canvas. People… er, ponies, that looked at it would see the big, obvious mistakes.”

“Additive magic,” Celestia murmured, her gaze falling to the table in deep thought. “Did you ‘add’ Prince Blueblood, then? Is he one of your creations?”

“Yes of course,” Lauren nodded.

“Why?” Princess Celestia asked. “Why are you doing all this? Adding ponies in and giving them histories? Lovers and foals and Faust knows what else?”

Lauren smirked at the sentence but said nothing for a few moments. She seemed to be considering her answer. “Why not?” she asked slowly.

“What do you mean why not?” Celestia asked. “You can’t just go creating new ponies as you please and inserting them into our world! It’s unethical!”

“You should try to outlaw sex, then. I hear that’s how a lot of ponies get made,” Lauren smiled, popping another piece of melon into her mouth. The Princess went hot in the face. “Though I don’t think anypony would appreciate that.”

Celestia sighed, letting her head sag for a moment. There was really no reasoning with this thing, despite its imprisonment and perfect mortality. She just didn’t understand. “Why are you doing this?” she tried again.

“All the world’s a stage. And it’s only as interesting as the characters in it. You. Twilight Sparkle. Even Prince Blueblood. You all have your parts to play. I just make sure you’re there to play them.”

“You think you’re Faust now?” Celestia said a little wryly, tilting her head.

“Just Lauren will do,” the red-maned creature said. She squealed a little when some fruit juice went down her chin. “Mhh! Good stuff! I love watermelon,” she said absently. Turning and swallowing so she didn’t make a mess of herself in front of the Princess, she finally gave a straight answer. “Yes, I made Blueblood. And no, he’s not actually your nephew. That’s more of a title-system sort of thing. He is a Prince, but he is below your station. ‘Aunt and nephew’ is the closest I could come up with that would fit in his adorable little head.” She paused to daintily wipe her mouth while Celestia stared. “Not that you wouldn’t do well to have somepony closer to your level of station. A husband— or at least a lover. What’re your thoughts on male alicorns?” she turned over a sketchbook that was on the bench next to her.

Celestia stared at a picture of a large, barrel-chested alicorn stallion. He had gruff, orange-wheat-colored locks and scarlet fur. His bright-colored hooves set off his piercing green eyes. The muscles and stance were simply exquisite— the perfect example of virility and unobjectional maleness. The Princess quickly closed the sketchbook with a snap. “Don’t you dare,” she said quietly, looking away.

“No?” Lauren looked disappointed. “Very well. I’ll put him elsewhere. Maybe an earth pony…” she trailed off in thought.

The Princess sighed, turning from her, “Enjoy the rest of the fruit,” she said softly. “I’ll return to speak with you again soon. I need to pick up Twilight so we can continue our chess game.” She gingerly closed the door behind her, locking it with magic.

“I like chess,” Lauren said. “Good on her, teaching Twilight chess so young.” She slowly went and get her sketchbook, laying on her belly on her soft cot. Getting an eraser, she leaned over the red alicorn drawing. Sighing a little that the Princess didn’t want such a wonderful treat as that, she gently erased his wings and horn. Smoothing out the lines of the now earth-pony, she adjusted his proportions until he was sized properly. One of red’s compliment colors was green, so she decided on a green cutie mark.

It was only perhaps an hour later when Celestia connected 'Blueblood' with the Prophet's earlier comments. Blue blood, silver blood, it was all connecting in a lot of ways that was starting to make the Princess more and more uncomfortable.

=-=-=-=

On the far side of Ponyville, well beyond Canterlot’s walls, Big Macintosh sprang into existence. Ultimate Ponyville heart-throb, most reliable of stallions, pride of the Apple family.

“Big Mac! Supper’s on!” Applejack shouted from the porch.

“Eyuup!” he called back, turning to unhitch himself from his plow and turn in for the day.

End of Part 5

Apploosia

Celestia’s Prophet
Part 6: Apploosa

“Security breach! We have a security breach!” A stallion was running full tilt down the hallowed halls of the palace in the middle of the night. Rushing to the nearest balcony he seized the alarm bell by its rope and rang it furiously. Lights started coming on in all the barracks at the four corners of the palace yards. Armor crash-crash-crashed in time with its fellows as ranks and files were formed up. “Prisoner Zero has escaped!” the stallion shouted into the propped megaphone. “Prisoner Zero has escaped!”

Celestia, who had been sitting by the hearth reading, looked up from her book. Shutting it with a snap, she made her way to the door and pressed it open. It hit the butt of a mare that was stationed in front of her door. “You’d best stay in your room, Princess!” She gave a quick bow, pushing it closed into her face. Celestia stutter-stepped back a little. “There’s a dangerous prisoner on the loose!”

“Who--?” Celestia started.

“Prisoner Zero has escaped! Prisoner Zero has escaped!” the echoing voice had reached her chambers at last. Her pupils shrank and the Princess drew herself up to her full height. This was it. The Prophet was making her move. Teleporting with a crack of magic, Celestia appeared in the hallway.

“Princess!” the guardsmare yelped. “I’m supposed to keep you safe!”

“Go to the servants quarters! Tell everypony to lock the palace down and stay out of sight!” The white alicorn called over her shoulder. “Tell the guards to watch the windows and walkways!” Taking flight the Princess of the day launched herself into the starry night beyond a corner balcony. Lifting herself skyward with a few powerful flaps, she swerved high to survey the palace and grounds.

No storms, the sky was as clear as day. None of the border beacons were lit. No invading armies. No visible fires or collapsing buildings. Wait, the prophet had already said she could only create, not destroy. What was new? What looked out of place from the norm? Wheeling about and minding the patrolling pegasi directing air traffic away from the castle, her eyes at last fell on the super-structure. There was an extra tower!

It was… rather phallic, really. A bulbous tip of purple and golden filigree, it looked like it had never been touched by rain nor time. Celestia stared down at it in wonder, and at the balcony jutting out at its summit. There was a large, ornate telescope looking skyward. Next to it was a little side table with scattered papers and scrolls. “There you are,” Celestia folded her wings to dive towards it and landed with a clack of her hooves.

“Prophet!” she called with authority. “Prophet! Are you here?!” she peered into the darkened archway. Leaning cautiously, she minded the fancy telescope, as not to knock it over with her wings. Screwing up her eyes, she finally gave in and lit her horn.

Lauren appeared in the threshold just as she did so, startling both of them back. “Oh there you are! I was wondering how long it would take you to notice an entirely new wing!” she elated, patting Celestia’s nose like nothing was wrong. “Ohhhh! Smell that fresh night air!” she heaved her lungs, then hahhhh’d out spectacularly.

“You’re out of your cell,” Celestia said a little testily, walking about her. “Please, return with me so nopony gets hurt—or created.” She poked Lauren in the butt with her horn, rather insistent. “You’ve caused a bit of a panic, I’d like to see you home before--!”

“Home? You think that little hole in the dark should be my home? Shame on you!” Lauren twirled about, grabbing Celestia’s horn with her hand and shaking her head about. Celestia staggered just a little while her world rocked, but she was let go and steadied herself.

“You’ve been down there for six years, why leave now? How did you do it?” Celestia looked around quickly, hoping nopony was staring up at them. If the Prophet set her eyes on anypony she might decide to change their lives, their histories, into something they were not. Hopefully she could contain it before she got… creative.

“I’m almost done!” Lauren threw her hands up in delight, all smiles.

“Done?” Celestia echoed.

“Yes!” the red-maned creature turned and herded Celestia forward to the telescope on the balcony. “Want to see?” she gestured a little.

“See what?”

“Ever look at a telescope? You can tell a lot about it by how it’s positioned,” Lauren snickered, pointing it skyward. “Star-gazer,” she pointed it towards the horizon, “Explorer,” then downward at the city below them, “Pervert.” She chuckled aloud, slapping Celestia’s shoulder.

The Princess was not amused. “Enough, please. You’ve been dodging my questions for ages. If you’re going to cause all this panic, you will answer me!” Her patience was all but gone now. Lauren turned and looked at her with an uncertain smile. “I protect this land and all the little ponies within,” she put an authoritative hoof down, starting to genuinely frown now. “Speak!”

“I made a town,” Lauren said rather smugly.

“You what?” Celestia said, rather taken aback.

“Yep!” she tossed her scarlet hair, looking rather proud of herself. “Here let me find it, it’s a little harder in the dark.” She was aiming the telescope more seriously now, peering through it as she slowly moved it. “Equestria is so small, but you still need to get up high so you can see far enough.” There were a few moment’s pause, then she made a little squeal of delight, “Ah! There it is!”

Celestia leaned before she could stop herself, peering into the telescope’s eye. It was a sleepy-looking little western-town. It bordered an apple orchard, and had a rather impressive train station on its border. “What is that…?” Celestia murmured.

“I call it… Aaaaaah-puh-LOOZ-uh!” Lauren put on an accent Celestia had not heard before, startling the Princess a little. “Ah, God, I love that. I'm gonna hafta have somepony saying that constantly. Er-any-hoo! It’s a western border town with plenty of surrounding mines, a train station, apple orchard, and plenty of rough-n-tumble ponies to live there!”

“Oh dear…” Celestia said a little fretfully. Squinting harder… sure enough, there they were. Little pony-shaped shadows moving back and forth through the streets. The streetlamps were fireflies, and not strong enough to see at this distance. It suddenly occurred to Celestia how she was seeing for miles and miles with something so simple as a telescope. But given she was looking at a town that had not been there yesterday, she had more important questions to ask.

“Do you like it?” Lauren asked eagerly.

Celestia turned and, with a hoof the size of a dinner plate, slapped Lauren across the face so hard that the cracking sound reverberated. Lauren reeled wildly, a red hoof-mark on her face. “Stop it!” the Princess cried suddenly. “Stop making things up! Toying with our lives! Changing our fates! Making things up as you go!”

“It’s what I do,” Lauren said from where she lay, holding the side of her face. Tears were slipping from her eyes because of the pain.
“Equestria is not some piece of clay for you to fashion like some sort of—!” Dead silence suddenly fell over them both.

“You think you’re Faust now?”

“Just Lauren will do.”

Lauren gave a rather bitter smile as she watched the realization sweep over Celestia’s expression like an icy wave. Slowly sitting up until her legs were folded under her, she waited for the Princess to speak. “I… knew it would be awkward,” she offered lamely, looking at the alicorn’s hooves instead of her face. “Once you figured it out, that is.”

“You?” Celestia said softly, slowly coming down to lay on her belly. “You…? And all this time I’ve been…” she stared hauntingly at the stone floor.

Lauren reached, half out of habit and half out of need for her own comfort, and stroked Celestia’s mane. “Yep,” she said softly. “Me.”

“But I locked you away! Hid you! Kept you under guard and didn’t even feed you properly!” Celestia said. “You just let me?”

“Yep,” Lauren said softly.

“Why? I don’t understand,” Celestia said forlornly, looking up at her. “I don’t… I don’t…”

Lauren took the Princess’ muzzle between her soft hands and kissed her between the eyes. “It’s alright, my little pony. Like I said, I’m almost done. Then I’ll be out of your hair forever.”

“What?” Celestia looked up, startled. “But—!”

“It’s a lot of work to just make a world, much less a complex one with such a rich history and background details like this one,” Lauren said. “I promise that as soon as I’m done making Equestria just right, I’ll leave it and your little ponies alone.” She offered such an honest and meaningful smile that Celestia could not help but believe her and feel at ease. Looking into a goddess’ eyes could do that to a pony.

There was a long silence of Lauren holding Celestia’s head, then tucking it over her shoulder like she was hushing a fretting filly. The Princess didn’t know what to say. Her ethereal locks flowed back and forth, catching the liquid starlight and the silvery glow of the mare in the moon. “Why aren’t you angry with me? For the way I treated you?” she whispered to Lauren.

“If you didn’t treat me like a dangerous creature I’d still be out there, affecting lives and maybe messing things up. In isolation, I could keep myself out of this work of art and let it flow naturally about itself,” Lauren smiled.

“You made all this?” Celestia whispered, not wanting to believe it.

“Mhm,” she nodded with a rather proud smile.

“Did you make… me?” the white alicorn whispered. Lauren smiled in silence for a long time, giving a quiet nod. “How old am I, really?” Celestia wanted to know. “Did I just pop into existence like Flower Power? Like those colts Shining Armor and Prince Blueblood?”

“You are only as old as you feel,” Lauren teased, patting her back. “I promise everything you remember happened, and has always happened. Even if I made it up.”

“Even if you made it up?” Celestia mumbled a little bitterly. “Am I just an artist’s dream?”

“A good dream, I promise,” Lauren cooed, kissing the end of her nose affectionately. “Now wake up.” She bapped Celestia on the forehead.

=-=-=-=

Celestia sat up with a feminine gasp of horror. Sweat beaded down her temple, and she looked about herself. Rising with her silken sheets laying over her back like a gown, she peered out her chamber balcony. New tower. Telescope. She could see no figures and heard no alarms. The mare in the moon stared down at her, unblinking as usual. She had no doubts about her vision. She was keeping a GOD in her deepest dungeon.

Turning with an audible swallow, she went to don her adornments and crown. The dozing guards outside snapped to attention when her door clicked open. “Take me to the palace dungeon,” she bade them softly.

End of Part 6

My Little Pony

Celestia’s Prophet
Part 7: My Little Pony

When Celestia arrived at the Prophet’s cell, she left her guards behind as usual and closed the door behind her. All the furniture had been pushed to one side to expose the far wall. The maze of little tally marks meant to count the days had been painted over into an intricate mural. Mount Canterlot stood in the middle, and a quick survey told the Princess it was a map of Equestria. Most of it she recognized, a few things she didn’t. But she knew those places would be real now that she had put them there.

Lauren was sitting, one leg folded over the other, admiring her work. “Hey,” she said softly when she turned to look at Celestia. Not knowing what else to do, the Princess bowed her head. “Oh no no no honey, don’t do that,” she rose to her feet and crossed the room with a quick couple of steps. She took the alicorn’s head into her arms. “I know it’s overwhelming, I do, I just…” she paused as though in thought. “I just thought you deserved to know, here near the end.”

“The end?” Celestia asked, sitting on her haunches so Lauren could scratch behind one of her wings. Ohh, that did feel nice. “Are you leaving us… Faust?” she whispered the name softly.

“Just Lauren. Just Lauren, please,” the red-haired creature smiled kindly, stroking her mane over and over. “Calling me by my last name is so formal. And I know how much you crave informality sometimes.”

Celestia nodded that it was true. “Is this your completed work?” she asked, gesturing to the massive pained mural. Lauren nodded a little. “It’s so intricate,” she looked back and forth at all the little buildings, roads, beds of flowers and other things dotted throughout. “And you made all this?”

“There were others,” Lauren admitted. “But they wanted me to paint the pictures and work on the main design and aesthetic appeal.”

“They…?” Celestia wondered, but decided it was best not to ask. “Why did you do all this?”

“So full of questions!” Lauren chided, patting her nose a few times. “Come along, I’ll show you.” Turning with a smile, Lauren reached with a finger and drew a circle on the wall with the pad of it. Heaving for a moment, she pushed the wall in, the circular section falling like it weighed nothing. The light beyond blinded Celestia and she lifted a wing to shield herself. She felt Lauren gently take her shoulder, and she walked forward obediently.

The Princess of the Day stepped beyond the threshold and---

And--?

It felt like ages, walking on nothing. Lauren’s comforting humming was all she could hear for the world was too bright to look upon, even for she that brought the dawn. “Do you know why you’re so important, Celestia? I bet you don’t,” Lauren’s voice had a slight echo, for the white space they were travelling through was endless.

“Because I’m a Princess?” she allowed herself the vice.

“Heheh! Well I suppose so! Yes!” Lauren chuckled, patting her back. “But beyond that!” they came to a plain wooden door, and Lauren fitted the key before stepping beyond it. Celestia peered inside. It smelled of coffee cakes, and looked like a filthy office of some kind. She clip-clopped slowly beyond the threshold, feeling the sunlight on her fur from the near window. The curtains were plain, the carpet a little stained in places from a few too many coffees. The walls were a puzzling maze of pinned up pictures. The ponies they depicted seemed simple, almost cartoonish. All of them were smiling, laughing, playing. There was a sketched rendering of early Canterlot as well. Celestia remembered when it looked like that, before the palace proper was built. She wouldn’t allow her little ponies to build her a grand palace before they’d built absolutely everything else in the city. Why she’d lived with one of the workers for a few months and--!

“It’s a little messy,” Lauren admitted, shutting the door behind them and locking it carefully. She hung the ornate key a peg on the wall. “But its home.”

“This is where you live?” Celestia asked.

“This is where I came up with what is now Equestria,” Lauren nodded. “But I’ll ask again, do you know why you’re so important?” Celestia shook her head no, brow knitting in a rather worried way. “Because you are going to be one of the symbols of a new generation of little ponies.”

“New? I’m over a thousand years old…” Celestia said vaguely. Leaning, she found a picture of herself standing over a logo that read My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. “Friendship is magic?” she whispered. Lauren leaned and put an arm around her affectionately. The Celestia in the picture was a little stylized, perhaps too short compared to the real thing, but she could certainly tell who it was. Leaning, she plucked it from its peg with her magic. She looked at the date. She didn’t recognize the calendar it was referring to.

“You had the daintiest little ankles the first time I drew you, it was cute!” Lauren insisted on showing her several other designs. “But you went through a few changes before you ended up looking as good as you do.” Lauren winked, and Celestia felt a wave of flattery rise up in her chest. “Erm! Anyway! I wanted to show you all this for a reason, trust me.” She gestured to a nearby cushy-looking chair, but when Celestia tried to sit in it her rump got stuck. Clearly not meant for a pony. “Ooh, sorry,” Lauren winced, helping her up. Celestia sat on her haunches instead. Lauren finally leaned and sat on her legs before the Princess. “I made you so that you could inspire others.”

“Oh?” said Celestia, peering around the room and feeling like a distracted filly. Water paintings of Rainbow Falls, Diagrams of the Equestria Games Colloseum… was that a tree with windows and a door? How silly!

“Yes,” Lauren cupped her cheek, stroking it to help her pay close attention. “The sole ruler of Equestria for the longest time, and soon to be diarch,” she made a vague gesture to an inked lineart of a cartoonish-looking Nightmare Moon. The real thing had had more fangs. “When Luna returns, the real deal will start, I promise.”

“In fifteen years?” Celestia whispered. “When Twilight Sparkle comes of age and… does whatever she’s going to do?” the white alicorn leaned into the petting, feeling rather faint looking at the diagrams and art of her own world laid out before her.

“Yes,” Lauren said gently. “And though I can’t tell you how it will go exactly, I want you to know that it will always work out for the better.” She petted Celestia’s nose, then finally let go and leaned back a bit. “People from my world will look to you and your little ponies to inspire good in their hearts, through every trial and obstacle in your lives. You and others like you--!” she stopped to gesture to what was undoubtedly her sister. The Princess rose and went to see the drawing. There was a long silence.

Celestia reached and stroked the picture for just a moment. “Luna…” she mewled softly, getting soft in the eyes. Her gaze shifted to the side. A simplified version of Twilight Sparkle smiled dazzlingly out at her, surrounded by a group of ponies that Celestia didn’t recognize. Five mares and… was that Spike as well? They all beamed out at her, bright and colorful and full of life. “Who are they?”

“Twilight will find them, don’t worry,” Lauren said, smiling kindly. Coming to stand beside her, Lauren put a hand on her back. “I know I caused you a lot of stress, so I wanted to show you it was all for a good cause.”

“It’s lovely,” Celestia said softly, turning to look at her. “But please, why make all this?”

“You want me to tell you the meaning of life?” Lauren giggled aloud, leaning on a shelf. “That’s a hard one! But hmm, let me see,” she tapped her lips for a moment. Celestia perked her ears. “I suppose, if you had to put it to words it would be this,” she gestured to an early map of Equestria, one that lacked Apploosia and had Ponyville labelled as Fillydelphia. “It should be everyone’s, er, everypony’s, mission to put a little more joy into the world than they take out of it. That’s why I helped make Equestria.”

“To bring others joy?” Celestia whispered.

“That’s right,” Lauren nodded, grinning wide. “Stories about your little ponies will inspire little girls, er, our foals that is,” she gestured to a picture sitting on her desk. “To be themselves, to be strong, to love the world and be happy. I know it’s kind of a lofty goal, but if at the end of the day we make one child happy, then I think I did an okay job.”

“That’s very noble of you,” Celestia said, looking all about the room and feeling a little overwhelmed. “What happens now?” she asked in earnest.

“I just wanted to show you all this since you’ll be the only one to remember it,” Lauren said softly. “I went to Equestria to finish it from the inside out, to make sure it all worked properly,” she gestured to another logo’d picture, this time with Celestia and Luna standing side by side and smiling. Luna was wearing a curious little laurel of flowers.

“Why did you run? Why did you let me imprison you for so long?” Celestia asked, feeling rather guilty.

“I needed a secluded place to work, work, work!” Lauren chuckled. “It’s hard to craft worlds once you’re in them, y’know,” she hugged Celestia reassuringly. “I did lose some weight, so there’s that I suppose. Girl’s gotta watch her figure,” she gestured to Celestia’s flanks. The alicorn looked over her shoulder at herself, blinking twice.

“But all that time!” Celestia whispered, turning back about.

“Time to you, nothing to me. It’s all a matter of perspective.” Lauren shook her head a little, “Six years for you, six months for me, it’s all relative and world-crossing and junk,” she made a vague gesture. “Let’s just call it magic so I don’t have to explain it, huhm?” she grinned her usual tomboyish sort of grin, looking rather proud of herself.

Celestia shook her head, smiling incredulously. If she had to meet the creator of her own world, she supposed she was glad she was such a casual thing. “L… Lauren?” Celestia tried.

“Yes?”

“Thank you for showing me all this,” Celestia said with a smile.

“Of course,” Lauren nodded. “Here, take this with you. Fifteen years is a long time to wait!” she snatched a piece of concept art off the wall. Luna and Celestia sitting together on the throne, beaming and with their arms around each other. Next to Luna was a long list of names such as ‘Discord’, ‘Selene’, ‘Moonestia’, and the like. All were scratched out and at the bottom was Luna’s name, circled. Celestia had a similar list next to herself, with her own name circled.

“Thank you,” Celestia took it gingerly in her magic and folded it into the feathers of her wing.

“I have to send you back now,” Lauren said, heaving a big sigh and putting her hands on her hips. “Anything else before you go? Are you sure you don’t want a Prince Consort or something?” she asked in earnest. Celestia chuckled and shook her head no. “I wonder if I made you gay…” she screwed up her eyes and leaned at the Princess as though it might be written on her face. The Princess tittered self-consciously, backing up a bit and laughing, her cheeks stained pink. “Ah well. Anyhoo! This door here will take you back to your chambers for the night,” Lauren went and took the key off the peg, turning it in the lock. As soon as she did it slowly dissolved into a silvery glitter and out of existence. Turning the knob she opened it. “It was great to meet you Princess,” leaning, she bent into an earnest bow.

Celestia bowed in return. “It was great to meet a goddess as well,” she said reverently.

Lauren straightened and hugged her with all her might about the neck. “Oh listen to you! Goddess! You’ll swell my head to bursting!” Her eyes were soft when she pulled away though. “I’m very proud of you, honey. Now go on, you have a nation to run in the morning. Just like always.”

“Yes,” Celestia turned, then paused in the doorway. She looked back at the messy office, all the drawings, all the everything that made Equestria how it was. “So that’s how Equestria was made,” she murmured. Lauren smiled kindly, hands folded at her waist. Unable to help herself, she waved a little. Celestia smiled in earnest, then stepped through the door and took wing. Lauren slowly shut it behind her.

My Little Pony…

I used to wonder what friendship could be…

Until you all shared its magic with me…

Celestia could hear a soft, sing-song voice in the endless white of the abyss around her. Running in mid-air and flapping her wings, she watched as the doors to her own chambers swam into view and opened to greet her. The Princess skidded into her own chambers and the doors closed behind her. She peeked at the keyhole, but the white abyss was gone. After a long silence of staring at the doorway, she unfolded a wing and took out the picture Lauren had given her. It had morphed into a full color photograph, eight inches by ten. "Ohhh…” Celestia whispered reverently. She turned and looked up at the Mare in the Moon, then slowly sat on her bed with a soft smile. “Wow…”

THE END