Chapter 1: The Prophecy

Chapter 1

The Prophecy

The throne room was quiet as the sun crept to the horizon bringing forth the brief magical period of twilight. Princess Celestia stretched her stiff back; every muscle on it gave a satisfying crack and relaxed from the ordeal of sitting upright on the throne all day. Most of her business was politely listening to the pleas of ponies who merely wanted to be in her presence. It was not a glamorous job. She quickly tired of the pleas and wished more for action and adventure like in the olden days. Though she cannot do either such activities as a princess; she has a country to run and protect.

She whipped her multi colored mane as to get it to properly flow behind her. It was beginning to lose its usual luster as the sun began to set. The large golden tiara that adorned her head shifted slightly. She quickly straitened it with magic; not wanting to look unkempt in case there were any subjects nearby.

As she prepared to depart from her duties of the day, one of the Royal Guards adorned in his shining golden armor approached her in a low bow, “Princess, a pony by the name of Atlas has arrived and wishes to speak with you.”

“Can it wait for Luna?” Celestia stifled a yawn.

“He says he is from across the Vast Sea.” The guard added.

“Bring him in.” Celestia perked up in her seat. The large double doors opened to a stylish stallion looking like a male version of Daring Doo. Taking off his explorers cap he gave a low bow.

“Greetings Princess Celestia of Equestria. I am Atlas, and I have journey far from my homeland in the east to get here and make your acquaintance.” Atlas held his cap over his chest.

“What brings you to Equestria Atlas?” Celestia kindly asked.

“Adventure Princess. It’s what I live for!” his excitement got the better of him so he cleared his throat and tried again, “Apologies. Exploration. I have been traveling for well over a year from my home in Equidale mapping out the world for the betterment of all pony kind.”

“I am to assume that you were sponsored by your Princess correct?” Celestia asked. Atlas’ smile faded slowly. Celestia nodded her head understandingly, “It is alright. I give you permission to continue your mapping in my homeland, only if you will provide a copy of your full map for me as well.”

Atlas happily recapped his head, “It would be my pleasure.”

“How are things in the east?” Celestia asked before Atlas left. He turned back to her unsure of what to say.

“Things are quite well sense last I heard.”

“Is my sister still held up in her fortress?”

“Uh… she keeps a vigilant eye on trouble Princess. That much I do know.” Atlas was uneasy with Celestia’s questions. Seeing his angst the kind mare nodded.

“Very well. Is that all?”

“Yes Princess. Thank you.” The explorer bowed again and exited the throne room. Celestia turned her attention to the setting sun, its orange rays piercing through the stained glass windows sending a myriad of colorful light across the floor. The colorful display was not enough to raise the Princesses spirits. The day was long and meeting Atlas brought up to many memories of a past she thought long forgotten.

Yawning and weary eyed, the white mare steadily strolled down the red carpet to the door, stretching her large wings out as she moved; her golden shoes shining brightly in the fading light. All around her, unicorn servants were quickly lighting candles for the next shift of guards. The normal golden clad royal guards were being replaced by the Night Watch; a special division of Celestia’s sister and co-ruler Luna, whose guards had bat like wings for the pegisi and black plated horns for the unicorns. Celestia leisurely left behind her duties of the day, glad that she could now rest and not have to rule both day and night.

Passing by the many ponies that frequented the palace, all bowing to her majesty, the princess only answered with a courteous passing nod, accepting the “Hello princess” and “Good evening your majesty” with little regard, but always holding a jovial smile. As she approached the tallest spire with a shining golden sun adorning the top, she stopped on the veranda overlooking the edge of the city. The vastness of Equestria laid out before her, growing ever darker as the heavens turned from blue to black. Celestia admired the darkening sky, left behind by the sun that has past beyond the horizon. It mimicked her emotions which she knew she must keep bottled up inside so nopony could see. It is improper for royalty to show strong emotions; it could make her look weak. She lingered long enough to hear footsteps coming up behind her, “Day dreaming, sister?”

Celestia turned to see Luna, dressed in her usual royal attire: shining silver shoes glimmered with every step and a black tiara neatly set amongst her flowing light blue hair that was turning to sparkling azure and violet as the sun set. Adorning her broad chest, sat her cutie mark of the crescent moon on a black collar as Celestia wore a similar one, but it was gold, fashioned with a purple gem seated in the middle. Having slept all day the Princess of the Night was fresh and ready to rule.

“At this time, I suspect it would be more night dreaming.” Celestia replied with a smile, her mane reverting to a flat color of light pink; the other colors fading away with the sun. Luna walked up next to her sister, holding her head high, remaining unresponsive to her sisters attempt at a joke. They gazed out solemnly at their kingdom.

“It is quiet.” Celestia said aloud, not looking at her sister.

“It always is at night.” Luna replied, in her usual stiff royal tone. She turned to her sister; the white of her coat grew darker as the last bits of light diminished from the world, “What troubles you sister?”

“Nothing. Not much happened today, so I was just reminiscing about the past. It has been quite a year hasn’t it?” The white mare spoke with her drowsy eyes full of distant thought.

“Indeed…” Luna eyed her sister, curious as to why she was being so pensive.

“Discord’s return. You’re learning of friendship. The changelings at the wedding; our own niece married.”

“I never would I have dreamed such events would happen.” Luna added, just as stone hearted as she always spoke, “Anything I should know about before taking command?”

“Not really. But I did just meet an explorer from Equidale across the Vast Sea. He is over here on Event Horizon’s orders to map out the world; most likely in search of dragons.” Celestia paused, letting the information sink into her sisters mind.

“You still have not told her where it is? You…”

“How long has it been sense we left?” Celestia cut her off.

“Over five thousand years I believe, if not more. Those were dangerous times Tia. But you must have known that eventually something like this was going to happen.”

“To be honest, I thought it would never happen. The ocean is so big that it seemed impossible for anyone to cross. We were barely able to traverse it when we were younger. Now with boats and airships, we are trading with ponies and creatures I never thought I would see again; though he made no mention of the valley.”

“Just because we left, doesn’t mean it is gone. That world is our past, we can never forget that.”

“You think I can forget it?!” Celestia snapped at her sister. She turned away, ashamed at her outburst, “I’m sorry.”

“I know your frustration sister. But what’s done is done and cannot be undone. We must live with our mistakes.”

“How can I? What if we could have saved our home? What if we had stayed, used the elements to repair the land?”

“There is only one pony who knows, and we have not heard from her since we left. Besides, the Elements of Harmony are powerful, but they cannot undo that kind of destruction.”

“It worked against Discord.”

“That is because he is a lesser being then the elements, as you and I are. The destruction of our homeland is that of equal measure to the elements. The valley is lost…”

“That’s our home you’re talking about!” Celestia stomped her hoof hard on the ground. She removed it to see a perfect indented circle in the grey stone.

“Not anymore Tia. Our home is gone, replaced by a land of ash and death. This is our home now. We made an agreement never to return.” Luna ended her argument by turning back to the darkening landscape. The silence of the night grew on them as the cold winds blew across their castle in the sky.

“I worry about them Luna. I have only heard from Solar Ray and Star Fall, but even then our messages are short and far between. Do you think the others are alive?” Celestia asked, once the silence had taken its toll.

“You made mention of Event Horizon. It seems she is still doing what she has been for the last few thousand years. As for the others, I do. I have faith that we will fulfill our mother’s promise to create a better world for all life.”

“Despite the fact, that we are so distant from one another?” Celestia looked into her sisters dark blue eyes. They stared at each other for a moment, their long hard pasts flooding into their minds. The happy memories of fillyhood came first, when they would play and be merry with their mother and sisters in a land of eternal peace and sunshine. From that time, they have grown bitter and angry; fighting one another that consumed their early adulthood. Separating the close bonds once held between the sisters. They went their separate ways, resentful of one another for their actions that cannot be undone.

Luna could not hold the gaze and turned away, closing her eyes, “It’s hard to think about.”

The beloved ruler of Equestria sat down, turning her face to the stone floor. A single tear fell from her pink eye, “Why did it have to happen that way?”

“We were arrogant. Perhaps it is different now.” Luna suggested, brining her hoof around her sister to comfort her, “Past grudges are forgotten, replaced by happy memories. Look at us. We fought, we made up. Now we rule together again as intended.”

“Do you believe the others think the same?” Celestia cried softly. She looked up into her sisters eyes; they were struggling to come up with an answer. Failing to think of something to say, Luna removed her hoof and walked away, squinting her eyes to keep them dry, “I am sorry Tia. Some things are too hard to forget. Some memories are too strong to ignore.” She left her older sister alone on the veranda.

“No, I am sorry.” Celestia replied watching Luna go. The regal leader of Equestria turned back to the horizon. Only a sliver of blue light shined along the thin line that was the edge of the earth. Somewhere, out there, in the vast world beyond the borders of Equestria, was a land that was once her home, now a desolate waste; and it was all her fault.

The sky turned to black.

***{Legacy}***

Up in her chambers, Celestia removed her shoes and royal collar to be comfortable. Looking around, she saw that the room was a mess. The bed was unmade, the pillows were scattered, the desk was covered with papers, quills and letters. The logs for the fire were scattered all around. Sighing, Celestia used her magic and tidy up. The bed sheets floated into the air, whipped once, then laid down perfectly flat on the bed, the pillows thoroughly fluffed and placed back neatly at its head. Her large red sitting pillow with golden lace she fluffed once and set down next to the hearth. She picked up the logs, setting some neatly into the fireplace; they ignited instantly into a roaring fire. The rest she stacked nearby in a pyramid shape.

The desk was a mess, with ink spilled over all the papers. As she began striating it out, she noticed a strange hoof print on one of the papers. “Ops. My bad.”

The princess turned to see a grey mare lying on her head, her back leaning against the wall in the corner of the room. She fell forward with a loud bang, landing on the floor. She scrambled to her feet and gave a low bow, “I’m sorry Princess Celestia. I was going a little too fast. The Postmaster said that I really, really needed to get here fast.”

“Oh, it’s okay Derpy. That was very sweet of you to come so quickly. But, why were you just sitting in the corner?” Celestia asked. This was not the first time she had received mail from the clumsy, but lovable mail mare. The first time she delivered a package; she tried very hard to be professional, but ended up knocking over a statue as she was leaving, nearly destroying hundred year old stained glass windows. Any important letter that the Pony Express gets for the princess is always sent with Derpy. Celestia suspects it is because the Postmaster General knows she will be kind to the clumsy mail mare, unlike some ponies.

“Well, when I was flying over, I saw you go inside the big tower so I yelled, ‘wait!’. I flew as fast as I could into the window but was going too fast to stop, making a big mess. When I saw you come in, I was scared that you would be angry so I stayed still. I hope you’re not mad…” Derpy said very quickly. She finished by bowing her head. The dejected look on her face mixed with her crooked eyes was enough to make Celestia smile, filling her heart with forgiveness.

“Not at all Derpy. Thank you for being so serious about your work.” Celestia said in her motherly tone. The grey mare jumped up happily, one of her yellow eyes skidding off in another direction from the other, “Thank you Princess Celestia! Here is your letter.”

Derpy pulled out an old wrinkled envelope completely covered with stamps from all across Equestria. The only open part of the envelope that was not covered was in the middle where badly written scribble read, ‘To Celestia’. Celestia took it with magic, and exchanged it for a brand muffin from the desk that she always has prepared for when Derpy arrives. The grey mare happily took the muffin, plopped her bottom down and began munching on the baked delicacy.

The princess walked over to her large pillow in front of the fire, laying down on it, she opened the old envelope. Pulling out a yellowing wrinkled paper scribbled in what looked like a foal’s first attempt at writing, or someone trying to write after having not written in a long, long time. She made out the scribbles as three words…

Typhon will return

“Derpy. I have a mission for you.” Celestia said urgently. The grey mare stopped half way through a bite. She shoved the rest of the muffin into her mouth, put on her serious face and saluted, “Muffhumaf priffsus ceceusua.” she muttered through the mass of bread and crumbs occupying her mouth, her eyes facing two different directions.

“I need you to return to Ponyville as soon as possible and alert Twilight and her friends. Have them come to Canterlot once they are assembled.” Celestia said. Derpy saluted again, “Mughf nophin!” and flew off into the night, a trail of crumbs falling in her wake. Celestia hopped off her pillow and hurried out of the room.

***{Legacy}***

“There will be no disorderly conduct of that nature whilst I am on the throne!” Luna boomed out from her seat. Before her might and majesty, a small foal who was cashing a young filly he adored through the streets. By accident they made their way into the palace gardens and were caught by the guards. While a simple strong talking to about being careful before sending them home would have sufficed, Luna took it a step more, by condemning the young foal to, eternal damnation.

“The act of trespassing on the royal grounds without permission is a dire act that requires punishment of equal stature!”

“P…p…please don’t send us to Ta…Tartarus…” the young foal whimpered.

“We’re…s…s…sorry your highness.” The filly quivered.

“Silence! Your apologies will not undo your act of betrayal against this court! May my judgment be swift and your punishment dear!” Luna stomped on the ground hard sending the two foals into a huddle at the guard’s feet who stood right behind them. Storm clouds began forming over the princess, the torch lights dimmed as an unnatural wind blew from behind her majesty. She gazed malevolently at the two foals, contemplating their doom.

“We’re sorry!” they cried out in terror.

“Very well then! Thy punishment has been administered. The proper amount of fear has been instilled. You may go younglings.” Luna said waving her hoof in front of her before returning to the throne. The magical weather formations dissipated and the room returned to normal. The foals looked at each other. The guards behind them stepped aside opening the way to their freedom.

“Go now, before I change my mind.” Luna hissed. Yelping, the foals ran out of the room as fast as their little hooves could take them.

“You know your majesty, you could have just told them not to do it again and spare the theatrics.” One of the guards said.

“I still am not used to this, modern way of doing things. In the old days, those foals would have been strung up by their tails outside the palace gate as an example to others.” she finished with a heavy sigh, “I guess I must adapt to the current climate of things, but I do miss the cries.” she sat down on the throne again and began reading through a number of reports from the day guards, making note of anything in particular that Celestia should know.

“No wonder she was so unpopular back then.” The guard muttered to his fellow.

“What was that?!” Luna boomed. The two guards striated up, “Nothing majesty. I said, no wonder you are so popular now.”

“Thy words make me giddy. I thank thee.” She said, returning to her work. The guards gave a relieving sigh and marched to their stations.

Unfortunately for the princess of the night, Equestria has become domesticated sense her sister began ruling. Even after Discord’s first rein of chaos, the three pony tribes continually fought one another leaving the princesses to have to solve any issues between the three groups. Making themselves the supreme leaders ended any political strife that the ponies held against one another, and over time they became docile and friendly to one another. Luna assumed that during her banishment, her sister continued making Equestria a perfect place by taming any wild creatures still left hiding in the woods. The changelings at the wedding were a big surprise to Celestia, as she thought that any such threat was either too small or already stamped out. Sense then she has doubled the guards patrolling the boarders and the prison of Tartarus. Any creature of sufficient size to attack the ponies of Equestria would be dealt with quickly and quietly. So far, no such force has been needed.

Luna tossed the notes aside, realizing that it was useless, there was nothing in them mentioning any kind of struggle or a problem going on. There is no action anymore; all the fighting is reduced to friendly quarrels and culture clashes, which can be easily resolved without violence or a little magic. “Is there nothing for a princess to do at a time like this?” she cried aloud waving her hooves in the air in frustration. She was answered by the all familiar silence.

“Of course there is not.” She stood up, irritated at the lack of work to do, and began walking down the red carpet to the door, “I shall conduct my usual patrol of the grounds. Inform me if there is a royal duty that needs to be done.” Just as she was about to reach the doors, they burst open to Celestia; out of breath and undressed. All the guards gave a low bow.

“Sister? What are you doing here? You must rest for tomorrows…”

“I can’t rest. I must speak with you. Privately.” Celestia panted. Luna turned to the guards around the room and nodded, they all marched passed the two of them out the main doors. When they were gone, the doors shut automatically.

“What troubles you sister?” Luna watched as the worried white mare walked passed her.

“I received a message from Derpy.”

“The retarded mail mare?”

“She’s not… we do not say such things like that Luna. Derpy is clumsy and suffers from a physical disability of her eye making her imbalanced. She has been gifted with a lot of heart, and… not so many brains.”

“My apologies. The new way of things is hard for me to understand. It is all very complex and complicated; this politically correct speech. It is not like the old days.”

“She is not the point though. The letter I received is from Chrona.” Celestia looked at her sister, who now displayed a similar look of concern.

“Chrona? But… how?”

“I don’t know.” Clesetia showed her sister the envelop, which she regarded as bizarre.

“What are these markings on here?” Luna questioned.

“Stamps, they mark where the envelop has been.”

“This has traveled very far indeed. How do you know it is from Chrona?”

“Her writing.” Celestia showed the letter, opening it in mid air for the both of them to see, “She was never a very good writer.”

“Typhon… will… return… What madness is this?” Luna whispered, “This cannot be true.”

“Chrona has never been wrong about predicting the future before.” Celestia warned.

“But this… mother banished him eons ago; when we were young. This must be a trick by one of his minions. Chrona has not spoken to us in over four thousand years, much less written to us. Why now?”

“I don’t know. I told Derpy to bring Twilight and her friends here; I’m going to send them to find her. Hopefully they can get more out of her and bring her here.”

“Why are you sending Twilight? I will go. It is much too dangerous for mere pony folk to journey.”

“No. I need your help here. If this prophecy is true, then we need to reunite our sisters and prepare Equestria for the coming fight. And if it is true, I don’t want the elements near here in case he is still hunting them.”

“Tia, this is insanity. You want to send your faithful student and her friends across the world to who knows where? You do realize that in doing this, you are giving up all of our history that you have banished from the pony folk?” Luna finished, eyeing her sister. Celestia walked over to the stain glass window depicting Twilight and her friends defeating Discord with the Elements of Harmony.

“I understand. I am willing to take on all responsibility for coming actions.” She said boldly, only a slight hint of fear.

“Even if it means the death of your faithful student?” Luna said sternly. Celestia bent her head down; tears brimmed like a dam ready to burst. “Think hard Tia. Once you make a decision, the coming actions will happen whether you like it or not. Twilight and her friends will be on their own out there. Beyond the borders of Equestria, the world is not a forgiving place. We left that world for a better one, which we built here; and if Chrona is right, then even that fragile creation will be shattered. We need the Elements to remain here, to stop any deadly threat from consuming this world.”

“No. I must send them to Chrona. There is something Twilight needs to know.”

“What is that?” Luna asked.

Celestia turned from her sister, “It is something that only Chrona knows where it is.”

“Tia, this is madness. You cannot let Twilight and her friends go on this journey alone.” Luna argued.

“They won’t be. Together they represent the Elements of Harmony and they can overcome any obstacle so long as they stay together.”

“You cannot truly believe that?” Luna shook her head, withholding her frustration. It was no use trying to change her sister’s mind.

Celestia sorrowfully turned back to her sister, tears streaming to the floor, “Do you think we can defeat him?”

“Typhon is both powerful and cunning. He has no equal. He weakened the All Mother so much that she passed on from this world. If he does return, I fear that we do not have the strength to stop him.”

“We have the Elements.”

“We do. The Elements are an incarnation of our mother’s power. However, we cannot use them and those who can, are mere mortals. You must keep them here for the coming storm.” Luna walked up to her sister, bending her head down so they were face to face, “If you continue down this path, by allowing Twilight to find Chrona, you will condemn your student to death.”

Celestia tired to turn from her sisters harsh words, but they reverberated around, echoing and intensifying. Memories of Twilight flooded in, as a filly jumping around at her passing the test and gaining her Cutie Mark. Studying in the library, practicing magic, taking care of Spike, heading off to Ponyville, defeating Nightmare Moon, defeating Discord, saving Cadance… it was all too painful for the princess. She loved Twilight as any teacher would a student; but the fate of Equestria, of the world, was in her hooves.

“Then I have condemned her to death…”

***{Legacy of the Alicorn: Part I ~ Legend of the All Mother}***