An invitation

The First had heard many things in his everlasting life. Be it lies, truths, laughter and misery, he had heard all and witnessed all, but what he had just heard made him raise a brow at the mare in front of him. That mare was Celestia, his daughter.

He stood in the center of the Canterlot Palace’s throne room. His height dwarfed all in the room, intimidating the guards around. With his arms crossed and his tail laid on the floor, he could only sigh.

“Please, father, you must understa-”

“Do not bother, I understand completely - but that doesn't make it any better. You've allowed two mortals to ascend without their consent. Do they not know of their immortality? They will be forced to live on as their loved ones perish, unable to retrieve their mortality.” The First said, explaining to his daughter her grave mistake. “It won't be long until they realize this, time may continue to move and age others but they'll both realize that while others age, they will not.” He finished with a scowl. Celestia heard this, her ears folded atop her head. She hung her head in sadness as tears formed.

“I-It was the only w-way.” Celestia stuttered in her words. The First saw this and knelt down, before raising his daughters chin with his large claw.

“I may not be happy with your choice, but you did it for the safety of others. When they do find out of their everlasting lives, be ready.” The First said, wiping her tears away gently. This showed the affection of Father and Daughter to all in the room, and while the guards stood in shock, Discord smiled with sympathy.

“I've missed you so much, father.” Said Celestia between quiet sobs as she rested her head on the nail that lifted her gaze.

“And I have missed you too, both of you.” Saanvodkiin said. After a day since the initial arrival, they finally had their reunion - though it may not have been what they both wanted, they were a family once again, and that was what counted for the both of them.

As the minutes went by in silence, only the sound of the First’s tail was heard as it moved from left to right and vice versa. It was not until his tail rested beside his foot when Celestia finally calmed down. Her sobs were replaced with hiccups. His height decreased in front of everypony’s eyes.

Magic, one could say, but that is not the case. The First, having shrunk his height, now stood at seven feet. Even at his smaller height, he towered over those around him. He looked down at Celestia.

“Where is your sister? I must discuss something with the two of you.”

Spike had taken a liking to the advice that the ancient Dovah had given him. With his mediation, Spike had a calming aura that only he could feel.

Spike had spent the majority of the morning sitting cross legged under the shade of the tree. It was not until his stomach rumbled that he realized the time, and he wasted no time in returning back to the castle.

As he walked through Ponyville, Spike waved and greeted the residents that walked by. Some greeted him back while others waved.

After minutes of walking, he finally arrived at the newly formed crystal palace. It saddened him to see this, knowing his old home was shattered by the demonic centaur.

Taking a deep breath, he headed inside. After entering, the door closed behind him with a slam that echoed through the empty halls. It was silent walking through the halls, it gave Spike an eerie feeling.

Seeing the large doors to the throne room, Spike quickened his pace before arriving in front of the doors. Hearing some faint chatter through the door, Spike took hold of the handle and pushed.

With a loud and slow creak, the doors opened and allowed the teen drake to enter. The sight of his friends greeted his eyes as they continued to talk before Twilight’s gaze landed on him.

“Oh hey Spike, where have you been?” She asked. The answer was not immediately given, causing the young princess to start worrying, before Spike pounded his chest and let out a burp that echoed through the large room.
“Spike please, have some manners!” Rarity said, covering her nose. Applejack only shook her head with a chuckle while both Rainbow and Pinkie burst into laughter.

Spike looked down at his hand and saw a rolled up letter. Opening it, Spike began to read the contents of the letter.

“What does it say?” Twilight asked. Spike looked at his step sister.

“It says that we've been chosen to act as representatives of Equestria to head to a place called Skull- Skuld- Skuldafn?” Spike said. “It also says something else but I can't really understand it.”

Silence filled the room as the girls looked at one another. This lasted for more than a minute before they all nodded.

“We'll go.” Twilight said, answering for her friends. With a nod, Spike took out a pen he keeps in his pocket and began to write before taking a deep breath and incinerating the letter.

“So when did it say we leave?” Pinkie asked.

“A week from now.” Spike said as he put away the pen back into his pocket. “So, what were you girls talking about?” Spike said, wanting to join their earlier conversation.

“Are you sure it is wise to send them?” The voice of the youngest daughter, Luna, broke the silence between the group.

The First sat on the edge of the palace gardens that overlook the forest down below. Celestia sat by his side while Luna sat on his palm.

“We can always go ourselves.” Luna said to her father. Saanvodkiin heard this and shook his head.

“No, it must be them, and them alone. If they represent your so called Harmony…” The First said as he his gaze moved onto Luna once more. “Then they must represent your kingdom.”

“But what if they're hated by the Dovah? You know how your people act towards outsiders.” Luna added with worry. The hand she sat on moved up to meet the gaze of Saanvodkiin. She stared at her father's crimson red eyes.

The gaze of father eased her worries and gave the calming feeling that she remembered from her youth. Laying down, Luna felt more comfortable on the palm of her father's giant hand than any bed ever made.

“You worry too much, my dear.” Saanvodkiin said in a soothing tone.

“He's right, Luna.” Said Celestia, gaining her sister's attention. “Father will take good care of Twilight and her friends while visiting Skuldafn.”

By the time Celestia finished speaking, Luna had already fallen asleep. With quiet snores, Luna slept despite her sister's annoyance. Saanvodkiin couldn't help but smile at the sight of this.

Author's Note

Hello.

You may be wondering why I take my sweet ass time with these chapters. Well to quite simple, I don't want to fuck this up. I'm afraid that if I work non stop that the quality of each chapter would be degrading with each update.

I've also been working on other fics as well, even new ones. So far I'm working on a Destiny Crossover.

So hate me all you want for being slow, you know that quality is better than quantity.