Chapter VII: Freedom from Purgatory

[Somewhere, Somewhen]

So, here I am. I don’t know where I am, but I’m here. Somewhere. I am definitely somewhere. I just don’t know where. Because I’m somewhere, allow me to describe it.

It’s white.

It’s fucking white.

All of it. Just white.

There’s no landmark for miles. There’s no horizon. It’s like being in one of those asylum rooms with the white walls, minus the walls. Similar to being in space, there’s no real sense of direction. There’s no real sense of gravity pulling you, but for some reason there’s a floor wherever you step. I tested this by simply putting my hat down, faced away, and walked. After a couple of steps I turn around, and next thing I know it's not their. So, in surprise I look around, and guess what.

It’s above me.

It wasn’t too far away that I couldn’t jump for it, but there it “stood” on a different level. Obviously defying my notion of physics, but what hasn’t. I had my sense of reality shook by talking horses. I used abilities that I can not fathom its origin. I turned into a fictional being. I turned into a fucking midget.

I understand saying such things with such a tone is rude, but my life has been ruined. Albeit wasn’t much. Wake up, morning routine, go to work, go to my friend’s studio, flirt with said friend, go home, dinner, sleep, and repeat. That was generally it. The one time I had to diverge from the norm, this happens.

I’m not religious, but this place seems to resemble some notions or views of Purgatory. More specifically the kind in the movies. And after some thought it seems like the perfect torture method. It’s nothing like solitary confinement, but very similar. With solitary confinement, you know there’s an outside world. For some, you can cope with that. But here, in what I call Purgatory, this is the world.

The world is your cell.

There’s no home to go back to here. Just cell for miles and miles. With this solitude you are forced to live with your thoughts and your spoken word. There’s no escape, not from the cell, and not from your thoughts. This kind of scenario forces you to think and think and think. It’s up to you what you choose to think about, but at some point you’ll exhaust that thought and move on. You’ll keep thinking until you have thought of everything you can think of. You are only limited to your imagination.

Time passes and passes and passes and passes. Meanwhile, here I am serving my unknown time. The only pleasures I am allowed are my ability to think, and sleep. And so given my options, I spend most of my time thinking.

And so, I think and think and think and think and think and think.

By now I know not how much time has passed, all I know is that my notion of time continues to tread along. I’ve thought a lot about my predicament. Naturally, as anyone else I should be more panicked, or worried. But I am not. It is in my belief that as a highly intelligent animal, I should be able to adapt under any circumstances given enough will, and time.

Another large portion of my time thinking was spent on trying to figure out how to tie general relativity and quantum mechanics together. I believe I’m close, but there’s something missing. I don’t know what it is and I have nothing to test any of it. If I ever return to whatever world, Earth or that other one I will do so.

Magic. That’s all I can think of when I think of my abilities. Sure there’s all this science-talk in the name of my abilities, but how does it work. I’ll never know. I’m stuck in a white world where I can’t do anything. I have so my thoughts, but I am able to complete them. I return to my previous statement, this is the perfect torture. Stuck with my thoughts, I can’t do anything with them. They just sit there, idle. It’s driving me crazy in the metaphorical sense.

When I think about anything that happened before this, the distinct thing I remember was destruction. Not that I cared. Those two were asking for it. But it’s clear that I had allowed my emotions, and that other entity to take control to an extent. Even now I feel something, I don’t know what it is specifically, but I know it contributes to me not caring. As time passes I’ll continue to think upon the subject. Containing such a creature with such malice is urgent.

Again time passes and passes. I am starting to feel increasingly irritated by this place. It’s white for miles, it never ends. It’s possible that my sanity is beginning to slip, commendable as I am sure at the very least a year has passed, like the hell I know how much time has actually passed.

“That’s one thing I’m sure we can both agree on.”

“Oh great it’s you again.” I said with a tired face. “I thought I got rid of you.”

“Of course you hadn’t,” Veigar said as if obvious. “You know I’ve been here with you all this time. You just refused to hear me with all that sanity.”

“Ahh… So you thrive off one’s insanity do you? Interesting I guess. Or you could just be a voice in my head,” I said in reply.

“And why would I be just that? I’ve been here listening to you for the last 900 years. Do you have any idea how annoying you are?”

“You know, I could care less about your opinion. What interests me more, is how the fuck it's been 900 years?”

“Guess, I’m sure you’ll figure it out in a couple of minutes,” Veigar said slightly annoyed.

“Well I hadn’t actually thought of anything related to the subject. If anything we could be in a separate dimension, where time is different from our own, but we would have no way of telling time here. Another thing is that we could have had a spell casted on us, trapping us in a prison.”

“Close.”

“Really?” Veigar only answered me with a nod. “I swear if it’s like the Matrix where I’m immobilized in some way and I’m trapped in my mind or something, I’m going to be very disappointed,” I entertained the thought of a movie scenario happening to me. My life was pretty boring.

Rather than get an answer, I received silence. Fucking asshole straight up “left”. The silence could’ve meant I was right, but it could be him just being a dick. And once again silence reigned, and I returned to my thoughts.

It couldn’t have been true… It’s too movie-esque. Reality doesn’t work like that, and the universe is a fucking asshole. Only time, will know what happens next I guess. I just hope I get out of here soon because if that asshole thinks he’s going to take my body, he’s wrong.

[Royal Archive, May 25, 1012 AD; 6:58 PM]

The room shook with great intensity as Veigar’s statue cracked. Purple rays of light shot out from the cracks, casting the room in a purple hue. Statues and old relics fell from their pedestals, some broke with a crash while others fell with a thud.

The three princesses quickly backed away from Veigar as his natural colors began to come to view. Celestia’s expression carried guilt and vengeance. Luna’s was one of anger and determination. Twilight’s held shock and fear, but she still stood strong. Not knowing what to do, Twilight and Luna looked towards Celestia for some sort of guidance. Looking to the two younger princesses, “Luna! Twilight! Prepare offensive spells. If he tries anything, I’ll have a shield ready! We must stop him now!”

“Of course!” Twilight said as her horn began to glow. Soon several purple orbs of magic appeared, arcing over her head. Luna began charging a spell of her own, summoning several blades to dance across the room all of which were pointing a Veigar. While the two other princesses began casting spells, Celestia began casting defensive magic. Layers upon layers of contingencies would be made. Barrier for barriers, shields for shields. Anything that would stop what would be an oncoming storm.

As if the whole ordeal never happened, the room stopped shaking. The last few objects that fell, echoed across the room. The faint sound of shimmering magic resonated. Silence remained for what felt like an hour for Twilight. Sweat dripped from her brow as bits and pieces of stone fell from the ceiling. She turned to look at Celestia, face battle ready. Turning over to Luna, she saw her face full of determination. Her on the other hoof? She was afraid beyond a doubt. She trembled, and forced her resolve to form, only for it to falter. What on Equus is going on? I’ve never seen either of these two so… so battle ready. What are we dealing with?

Thoughts raced through her head, hypothetical situations that felt too real began to surface. All of these thoughts centered around one thing: defeat. Twilight’s came to an abrupt end when the stone that encompassed Veigar shattered in an instance followed a blinding flash of light.

When the light subsided and the three had regained their vision, their he stood with his staff in his left hand and the tablet. He held the pose he was frozen in for a few seconds, “Free at last,” he said as he reveled at the cool air. Turning his head towards the three princesses, “And it’s all thanks to you,” he said pointing at Celestia.

“You’re a monster! Now!” Celestia yelled and the two other princesses unleashed the spells they had channeled. From orbs and glowing runes on the walls, blasts of purple magic shot at Veigar. Luna’s swords dashed towards Veigar in an instance, while at the same time she unleashed a beam of her own magic. In an instance Veigar was covered by a cloud of smoke.

“I-is he-” Twilight’s question was quickly cut off.

“As cliche as this is, I have no time to deal with you fools. I have more important matters to attend to,” Veigar’s voice echoed throughout the hall and the young princess could only stare in shock.

How could he… he- he shouldn’t have been able to survive all that! Just what is he?!

Before the dust could settle, Veigar’s form emerged through the cloud. Not a single scratch was present. With each step, Veigar came closer and closer. All that stood between him and the outside world was the three alicorns. Despite Celestia’s best efforts at creating a barrier, Veigar simply walked by each one as if she made none at all. The traps she had made activated, but none phased him. I-I can’t possibly fail again, Raced through Celestia’s mind.

“Quickly! To the portal! I will do my best to stall him!” Celestia yelled turning to face Veigar.

“But Sister!” Luna yelled back.

“I said, go!”

“I will not sit idly by-”

“I’ll be fine. Protect Twilight! Protect Equestria if fail-”

“You won’t!” Rather than her sister, it was Twilight who interrupted, “We’ll be on the other side!”

“Thank you Twilight, Luna. Now, go,” Celestia felt a bit of relief as she saw Twilight gallop away, her sister, though reluctant spread her wings and flew off. “Now, it’s just us two.”

“As heartwarming and sweet as that was, I don’t have time to deal with you,” Veigar said. Irritation was beginning to form as he paused in front of Celestia.

“I won’t allow you to harm Equestria, not again. Never again!” with that said, Celestia launched herself with her wings straight at Veigar who stood calm. Flames erupted from Celestia, her body covered in fire. She pointed her horn to thrust into Veigar, her eyes watching for the slightest move. She got closer and closer, until she came to an abrupt stop.

“Event Horizon, how could you not have learned after more than a thousand years. Truly you are an idiot of a ruler,” Veigar simply walked around Celestia, continuing his way towards the white hallway.

“Release me!” Celestia roared, as her body was engulfed in even more flames.

Veigar made no acknowledgment of Celestia and continued walk further into the halls, as she continued to yell. 3… 2… and-

Veigar was rammed by Celestia, the fire burning him to a degree. “I will stop you!” yelled as she stopped, allowing the force to slam Veigar into the wall. I won’t let you destroy my country ever again!” Celestia released a beam of solar energy at Veigar who was beginning to stand up. The blast pushing him up against the wall. Veigar attempted to flash away, but before he could Celestia put more energy into her attack, crushing him further into the wall.

I will not be stopped now. I have too many ideas that must come to fruition.

Another voice resonated through his head, “If you wish to win! Accept my power! If you want your plans to succeed, than help me with mine! Listen to me Julian!”

You’re insane!

“And you have no sanity left!”

Never!

“I am not going to die, and unfortunately, neither are you!” Veigar forced his mind upon Julian. Shoving the young man into the realm of the subconscious. “Now it begins!”

Veigar summoned his power and enveloped himself in a magic barrier, denying Celestia’s attack. Realizing that Veigar had shielded himself, Celestia quickly shifted tactics and began casting another spell. Similar to Twilight’s, Celestia summoned hundreds of orbs of fire that shot balls of fire at Veigar. Casting another spell she summoned a greatsword and greatshield to her side. Both themed like the sun. Once again she charged at Veigar who was being barraged with fireballs.

“If it weren’t for the Rift subjugating me to use only four abilities, I would have crushed all my opponents, luckily I am free from the as well.”

As Celestia charged at him with sword and shield in magic, Veigar unleashed a spell he had forged long ago. Nearly an inch away was her blade from Veigar’s face, but before it could made contact she was blasted away by a ray of magic. Even now she had no idea, what it was made of. All she really knew was that it hurt.

Veigar was relentless with his attacks, following one after another. Each blast of his dark matter blasts tossed Celestia like a ragdoll. His Event Horizon freezing her, only to be blasted to another edge of it by his attacks. The fire that engulfed her was quickly fading along with her consciousness. I… failed… again.

Celestia fell to the ground, the last thing she saw was Veigar leaving through the room that was suppose to trap him. “No…”

[Canterlot, May 25, 1012 AD; 7:33 PM]

Twilight paced back and forth across the throne room, “Oh no… What if… No… That’s bad Twilight. Do not think about that. That’s bad, really bad,” Twilight kept muttering to herself, her mane and tail fraying.

“Keep calm Twilight, and relax. I have faith that my sister will be able to stall him in time. She simply needs to get out before he does. If anything it will take him a few days to escape, and by then we’ll have a plan. So rest assured,” Luna placed a hoof on Twilight’s shoulder.

“Thank you Luna. I’m sure there’s nothing to worry about. We’ll solve it like we always do… surely,” Twilight closed her eyes, allowing herself to take a couple of deep breaths. She would've finished her third one if the sounds of clapping hadn’t choked her.

“What a beautiful display,” Veigar said as he looked down upon them from the steps of the throne.

“Veigar! What have you done with our sister!?” Luna looked ready to dash forward. Prepared to strike at the vile creature.

“You should take your own advice, and relax,” Veigar laughed mockingly. “Your sister shall live for now. Attempt to stop me again, and I promise you shall see this country crumble, your citizens suffer, and your loved ones killed,” with his threat made Veigar tore a rip in reality and stepped through closing behind him and leaving the two alicorns before they could retort.

“We need to check on your sister!” quickly Twilight leapt into action. She ran pas Luna into the portal only to find her a battered mess. “Celestia!”

Luna would also make her way into the Archive, “Sister…” In both rage and sorrow Luna exasperated, “I should’ve been there. Just maybe I could do something. Maybe I could’ve made amends. Just maybe… I could’ve…”

“Could’ve failed!” a voice said.

No… It cannot be. No you aren’t real.

“If you say so…”

You’re not real. You’re not real. You’re no-

“Luna are you okay?” Luna attention swiftly shifted to Twilight, who stood before her.

“Yes. Indeed I am well Twilight. I must apologize, my mind shifted elsewhere,” Luna stated moving her focus from Twilight to Celestia. “How is Tia?”

“She’s fine, the alicorn regeneration has already begun to heal her wounds, but the taste in the air. It’s different. Nothing I’ve ever encountered,” Twilight pondered, her affinity for magic allowing her to detect the anomaly.

“That is Veigar’s magic. Unlike us he harnesses his source from forces we know not,” Luna tried to give Twilight some information on Veigar’s ability. But even after all these years they had never figured it out.

“Another source of magic… What is he?” Twilight could only stare at her former mentor with a twinge of guilt. If he could defeat Celestia so easily, than what about us. Are we all nothing to him…

“No… We’ll find a way. I know we will. We have too.” Twilight said, determination resonated with each word.

Author's Note

So here's another "fantastic" chapter by yours truly. That would be me if you didn't know... Anyway! Thank you for reading. Just so you know it's real fun balancing Veigar's bat-shit craziness with Julian's calm, rational side. Here and there we see the two combine. Truly, if these two cooperate, than we would have a truly superb villain. Veigar is powerful and all, but besides combat he's basically useless, and Julian is basically the opposite. Oh well, maybe I'm saying too much, or maybe I'm rambling like I do.

I'm coming up with another story by the by. It's another displaced, and I will keep it away from this story. Unlike this story, it'll definitely be quite the opposite. More lighthearted, I suppose. And trust me the fact that it's going to lighthearted is going to be ironic.

Regardless, thanks again for reading. As per the now usual, comment for any mistake, questions, or just because. Leave a like if you want. Leave a dislike if you want, just do me a favor and explain why. Otherwise have a wonderful whatever day or night.