Chapters Twilight Sparkle had never before doubted Princess Celestia's power. Raising the sun and the moon alone for one-thousand years as well as protecting all of Equestria is something nopony else could do. However, when Celestia was brought to her knees at the hooves of Chrysalis, these fears began to surface in her heart.
"Twilie!" Shining Armor's voice broke Twilight from her thoughts and brought her immeasurable joy.
"Hey BBBFF!" Shining Armor and Cadence had been called home from their honeymoon by an urgent request from Celestia. Though this worried Twilight greatly, seeing her brother and former foal-sitter gave her more happiness than she could bear. "Where's Cadence?" Twilight asked, not seeing her anywhere at the station.
"She went ahead and took an earlier train while I wrapped up our business at the hotel. She should be waiting at your place by now. Unfortunately, I don't have time to tell you about it. I have to hoof it quick to Canterlot. Urgent requests from the Princess don't come along often. It has me a little worried."
"I am too. I'm sure everything is fine. I mean, it's the Princess after all."
"Yeah. You're probably right...still, I should hurry. It was good seeing you. Love you sis. Keep Cadence company for me. I should be back before you know it."
With that, Shining Armor boarded and the train took off. Twilight stood on the platform, more concerned than she led her brother to believe. Celestia is the most powerful pony in Equestria, yet she was defeated so easily. Even with the strength of Shining Armor's and Cadence' love, it is unthinkable that Celestia could fall to someone like Queen Chrysalis. Something is wrong and this urgent request for her brother is just further proof of that. "Maybe Cadence will know more," Twilight thought as she began home.
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As Twilight arrived home, Cadence met her at the door with a hop and she knew what was coming.
"Sunshine sunshine, ladybugs awake. Clap your hooves and do a little shake!" Their laughter filled the afternoon air as they hugged and made it into the treehouse.
"Where's Spike?" Twilight asked not seeing her faithful assistant anywhere.
"Oh, he was on his way to Rarity's when I arrived, so I told him I would just wait for you here. I have so much to tell you. It has been just wonderful being together with Shining Armor. This urgent summons may not make me happy, but it has been a beautiful honeymoon."
"That's great Cadence. I know that he has been happy too. I want to hear about everything, but I have to ask. Do you know why he was summoned?"
"I don't. The letter was addressed as confidential for Shining Armor. He couldn't tell me why, but regardless we had to return. I understand. Being head of Canterlot royal security is a demanding job and duty calls."
"Cadence, this has me more than a little worried. I'm toying with some ideas and I'm sure I'm just overthinking things, but I was wondering if you could tell me everything you know about Celestia."
"Oh.....Twilight, I think this is something you should ask the Princess about directly."
"I don't want her to know how worried I am. And if my theories turn out to have merit, I want to be able to help. But to do that, I need to know everything about her. Please Sis....."
".....Okay Twilight. But I have to warn you. It is not a happy story."
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One-thousand years ago, the three tribes of ponies were constantly in conflict with each other. As you can probably guess, interbreeding was absolutely forbidden between the tribes. One day, a very powerful unicorn colt named Genesis met and fell in love with a beautiful pegasus mare named Gaia. They lived a simple life secluded in what would become the Everfree Forest so they would never be persecuted for their love. They wanted for nothing. As long as they had each other, that was all they needed and soon enough, their family began to grow. Gaia became pregnant and soon gave birth to a daughter. She was a unicorn with a pure white coat and a multi-colored mane. They could only think of one name to represent something so beautiful. They chose Celestia. Time passed and Gaia gave birth to another fillie. A jet-black pegasus as beautiful as the night sky. For her they chose the name Luna. Genesis and Gaia loved their children with all their hearts and strove to keep them hidden from the conflicts that plagued the pony world. Fate shone though once more as they were blessed with another daughter. But she was somehow different from Celestia and Luna. She had a cerulean coat and a mane of deep violet. She was every bit as beautiful as her sisters but she had no wings and no horn. She was an earth pony.Her name was Serenity. Genesis and Gaia viewed all their daughters as miracles and loved no one less than the others, but sometimes they did wonder how the world would greet them. They had done the unthinkable in loving each other and having a family, but they would do anything and everything to keep it safe.
A scant fifteen years passed. Genesis had used his magic to keep an eye on the relations between the three tribes and things had only gotten worse. The land had been engulfed in a endless winter. Though he did not know the cause, he worried for the safety of his family. Food was becoming scarce and Genesis never had a bite before his family. Their well-being was all that mattered to him.
"Gaia, I found a couple of mushrooms. Divide them among you and the girls. I'll be fine for now." Genesis had to venture out into the frigid air every day in search of food. He used his magic to try and grow what food he could, but the land was just not producing.There was no answer. Genesis became worried. The girls were still abed, but Gaia was usually awake before him. "Gaia?" He entered the kitchen and what he saw horrified him beyond all reason. His beloved, lying motionless on the floor. "GAIA! Gaia, wake up. Talk to me!" He screamed. "Girls! Girls, wake up! Celestia!"
Genesis saw his daughters enter the room. "Celestia, quickly. Gather some snow and heat it up. Go!"
"What's wrong with Mother?" Celestia asked, her and her sisters rushing to their parents side.
"Celestia! Now!" Genesis screamed, instantly regretting his tone, but he had no time or mind for anything but Gaia. "Luna, Serenity, help get her to the bedroom." He could see the tears in their eyes. He couldn't tell them to be strong for her with stinging in his own, but for everypony's sake he had to keep it together.
"Father, I have the water." Celestia entered, obviously fighting her own tears.
"Girls. Wait outside."
Celestia, who had never in her life raised her voice to her father, yelled, "No Father! We are staying with you and Mother. What's wrong with her?!"
"Girls, Celestia. Go now. I will not say it again."
Celestia had never seen her father like this. He needed to be alone with their mother and he needed her to calm her sisters. With great reluctance, she took her sisters into the hallway.
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What seemed like an eternity passed before Genesis came out of the room. "Girls. Your mother is very sick. Malnutrition has given her a high fever. She's starved girls." The looks of pain and horror that appeared on his daughters' faces were almost enough to break him. "She is going to be okay girls. I promise. Go in and be with her."
"Father....." Celestia could think of no words to comfort her father. She gently nuzzled her father's neck before joining Luna and Serenity at her mother's bedside.
Genesis sat, completely drained. The spell he used to try and break Gaia's fever took everything he had. All he could do was wait. His beloved wife's life was in his hooves, and there was nothing more he could do. He had never felt more useless.
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"Father! Father! Wake up!" Serenity's innocent voice roused the sleeping Genesis. He did not even remember falling asleep. "Mother's awake!" Genesis all but galloped to the bedroom.
"Hello sweetheart." Her voice sounded so weak. So fragile.
"How are you feeling?"
"Honey, listen. I'm sorry. All the food you've gathered. I was sneaking it into the girls' shares. I wanted to make sure they got enough. I guess I overdid it."
"Oh my darling. It's okay. Your heart is just too big. Don't worry. I'm gonna fix this. I'm gonna make you better."
"Genesis..... I love you so much. Tell the girls I love them."
"They're all here Gaia. You can tell them yourself."
"Tell the....."
"Gaia? Gaia! Gaia, no! Wake up! Don't leave us! Don't leave me! Please, no!" Genesis brought forth all the magic he could. "Celestia! Help me! Help her! We can't let her die!"
The room was filled with a brilliant light. The two unicorns gave every ounce of magic they had, but she was gone.
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Genesis had never known such despair. The love of his life, the only pony to ever truly understand him was gone. And it was all his fault.
He could still hear the screams from the bedroom as his daughters' pain grew ever more intense. He couldn't help them either. Their mother is dead. My wife is dead. We all have nothing now.
"Father," Celestia's voice drew him away from these terrible thoughts, "I.....I'm.."
"Celestia," he said, knowing full well what was on her mind.
"Father, I'm so sorry! You asked me for help, but I wasn't strong enough to save her. I didn't know she wasn't eating! I should've seen it! I should have trained harder! I should have made my magic stronger! I should have helped her a long time ago! And now she's.....she's dead and it's all my fault!"
Genesis listened to his eldest daughter's cries and felt ashamed of himself. He knew they grieved for their mother, but he was sure nopony else felt the depths of despair that now touched his heart. He was wrong; they all felt it. And it was up to him to save his daughters' lives now. That was all that mattered.
"No Celestia. It is not your fault. I knew she was too far gone when I asked you to help. I just couldn't accept it. Instead I asked you to use your magic in a futile effort. It is my job to protect our family.....I am the one who failed here."
Just then, something in the air changed. The temperature started to rise. Genesis could feel the clouds begin to part. The snow was beginning to melt. "What is happening?" he thought.
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"Celestia, Luna, Serenity! Come on girls!" It had been one month since Gaia's death. The forest had become lush and plentiful. Indeed the world had been snatched from the brink of destruction and Genesis wondered where this salvation was when his wife was dying.
A messenger visited them the week before. Apparently, the three tribes reconciled and have settled in a new land where all are welcome. They chose to call this place that Genesis and Gaia both dreamt of one day seeing Equestria.
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The capital city of Equestria, Canterlot, was already under construction. Everywhere he looked, Genesis saw unicorns, pegasi, and earth ponies all working together, interacting, and even laughing. Such a thing was unthinkable before and yet seems so natural now. "Why couldn't we have fallen in love in this time?" the thought brought to his heart both a sadness and regret he felt all too often now.
"Attention everypony! The tribal leaders wish to address all of Canterlot. Please assemble at the palace."
"An address? Wonder why. Everything is okay between them now. Come girls. Let's see what they have to say."
"Father," Serenity rarely spoke to him since Gaia's passing. Her voice had a tinge of fear behind it, "I don't think we should go. I don't know why but Mother doesn't want us to."
Genesis was shocked and angry that his daughter would say such a thing. Serenity backed away from him, seeing some of that anger on his face. He did his best to quickly hide it, "Serenity. Please don't ever say anything like that to me again. Now let's go. Everything will be alright."
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"Attention everypony! My name is Princess Platinum. I am the leader of the unicorn tribe. Together with Commander Hurricane, leader of the pegasi, and Chancellor Puddinghead, leader of the earth ponies, we hereby declare this beautiful and fertile land Equestria. But it was almost lost to us forever. You see, it was the hatred between the three tribes that fueled the Wendigos' magic and brought forth that awful winter. It was our friends, ponies much wiser and more kind than us, showed us that love and acceptance are the right ways to live with one another. When we learned that, the blizzard ceased and we were able to name the beautiful land of Equestria our home!"
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"No. This can't be true." Genesis couldn't believe what he heard. It was them. All of them. Their ridiculous pride and hatred for one another brought that blizzard. They killed Gaia. Something began in Genesis' heart. Something that he never felt there before. He'd always thought that one day, their love would be accepted. There was impatience, but never forthright hatred. He could barely think anymore. "It's your fault. It's your fault. She's dead BECAUSE OF YOU!"
Just then an incredible magic burst forth from the unicorn. It was embodied by pure hatred. Nothing so powerful and sinister had ever existed before. The sky grew dark and the dreadful cries of the Wendigos echoed through the air. Nopony understood why they had returned. Was the hatred from this one pony really enough to bring them back? Ice pervaded the air and the magic exuding from Genesis began to grow and consume it. The Wendigos charged for Genesis and the resulting flash of light was too brilliant than any eyes could bear.
Celestia watched in horror at the horrible transformation her father was going through. Her screams joined Luna's and Serenity's as they tried to bring their father back to his sanity, but the uselessness she felt was overshadowed only by concern for the only parent she and her sisters had. "Why did this have to happen? Why didn't I help Mother? Father! Come back!"
The light began to dim slowly and a figure began to take shape. This being looked like nothing Celestia had ever seen. It was not her father anymore, but.....something else.
"Well well well. This is certainly a chaotic turn of events. Hehehe!"
Discord's influence stretched out across Equestria. It was as if reality had been completely negated. The magic of the unicorns no longer existed, pegasi were slaves to gravity, and earth ponies suffered the untameable ground.
Celestia could find solace in nothing. Her world was dead and there was nothing she could about it. She brought her sisters back to the only place they could go. It had only been a week since they had left but already the house they had so many fond memories of seemed aged and decrepit. It seemed as though all they could is wait to die. Serenity had not spoken a word since the event, but Luna reacted in quite the opposite manner.
"Celestia, get off your flank! We have to do something!"
"What do you propose we do Luna? We are nothing but children. Our parents are dead. My magic is useless, your wings may as well be painted on, and Serenity is catatonic. What do we do? Tell me!"
Luna was silenced by these words. They were filled such pain and truth that she had trouble arguing with them. "I.....I don't know. But we have to do something. You can't just sit here. Nothing will change if we don't change it. Father is not dead. He is just lost somewhere. We have to help him!"
"He abandoned us and became that.....that monster!"
"It wasn't his fault he-"
"I know! It was mine!"
"You're wrong!" Serenity's voice rang through the empty rooms like a magnificent bell. "Mother loved us more than life itself. She knew what she did was dangerous, but the only thing she wanted to do was care for us. She blamed nopony. Father knew that even with both your magic she could not be saved. But he loved Mother so much he couldn't help but blame himself. Then when that pony revealed the cause of that terrible winter, the pain and anger he felt became too much for him. He was lost in the wendigos magic. That monster, Discord, he is not our father. Father is somewhere inside and we have to help him. There is nopony else who can."
Celestia had never felt so ashamed. Her sisters were right. She couldn't just brood and wait to die, but what could they do?
"Celestia you have always looked out for us. Putting us before yourself and using every bit of your magic to make our lives better. A magic that is even stronger than our father's. And you Luna. You are steadfast and determined. Never faltering when hardships arise and giving truth where others lie. And yet, you never deny your pegasus nature and are always willing to have fun with loved ones."
Celestia and Luna looked to their sister, realizing the qualities they had never really noticed in themselves.
"You two are the best of Mother and Father. They knew that and I do too. If anypony can stop Discord, it's you."
"We will.....try," Celestia said, her heart bearing a heavy shade of doubt.
"We will do it! We have to!" Luna assured her sister.
Celestia could not help but doubt herself. Still she would stand beside her sisters and fight.
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Equestria was in shambles. Reason was negated and every natural occurrence was thrown out of harmony.
"A storm is brewing," Discord said to himself. He then whistled loudly followed by, "I take my storms black." He produced a mug that was spewing lightning and thunderous crashes. "Dang, rush the brew and it loses some of its kick. Oh well."
"Discord!"
Luna's voice snapped Discord to attention mid-sip as he spit lightning bolts out of surprise.
"Why hello there. Is there something I can do for you? Or, more importantly, go away. You're interrupting my afternoon typhoon."
"We're here to stop you. You won't hurt anypony else."
"You're sure about this? You didn't even bother asking me. It hurts my feelings."
"Enough!" Luna launched forward at a blinding speed, her front hooves aimed directly at Discord.
He raised a claw as if to bring forth some of his terrible magic when suddenly his entire body seemed to freeze.
"Wha-" just then a pair of hooves connected with the immobilized monster. Celestia had used her magic to hold Discord in place. This was the best they could manage, but a sneak attack was all they could hope for. Luna rose again and bombarded Discord with kicks while Celestia threw spell after spell. Neither would let up; This was it, the only shot they had.
Light burst forth from the grounded Discord as Luna and Celestia were thrown back, slamming into the stone walls of the ruined structure.
"Well you ponies certainly have a point to make. Too bad I made it for you. Something about you having no chance of winning and how chaos will be everything from here to Tartarus, so on and so forth. I tell myself these things everyday. Need that little extra pat on the back now and then. Know what I mean? Oh of course you do, you're smart girls. But I digress."
Discord raised a claw again, readying a powerful spell. "Oh. What's this?"
Celestia looked up to see Serenity standing before her and Luna.
"Discord. You exist to only to destroy and bring pain. You are chaos incarnate, but my sisters will stop you. They are everything good in the world. They are Harmony!"
At these words, a hidden strength burst forth from Celestia and Luna. Their bodies were enveloped in a brilliant glow and a grand transformation began.
The light receded and Serenity could barely comprehend what she saw. Celestia was no longer a unicorn and Luna was no longer a pegasus. They were more. She saw the beautiful wings Celestia had as well as the horn that graced Luna's head.
"Celestia, embodiment of Kindness, Generosity, and Magic. Luna, embodiment of Loyalty, Honesty, and Laughter. The Elements of Harmony will end you, Discord."
"Interesting thought but," Discord didn't even finish his sentence before releasing his spell. The magical blast sped toward the newly transformed sisters.
"Are you ready Luna?"
"Yes Celestia." The sisters released every bit of magic their new powers could afford them. The two forces collided and sent waves of power surging throughout the land. Everypony everywhere could feel this power and could sense the goodness behind it.
The two forces seemed at a stalemate, neither side giving in. Serenity could see how hard her sisters were fighting, and would give anything to help them. They didn't need a cheerleader, they needed more power.
"Serenity, you have a power of your own."
The voice came from nowhere but Serenity recognized it immediately. "Father? Father where are you?"
"I'm in here. This monster is my fault. All this pain and destruction. I'm sorry for it, but mostly I'm sorry for forgetting even for a moment how much you girls mean to me. You can stop this. Just use what you have always had and what harmony can never exist without. Don't worry about me. As long as you girls have each other, that is all you need. Mother and I will always be in your heart. Now use it. The Element of Love."
Serenity's power awakened as her sisters' had. Her plain earth pony body now adorned in beautiful wings and an immense magic flowing through her new horn. "Now take this Discord!" Serenity's magic joined her sisters' and the combined power engulfed Discord.
As his body began to petrify, his final words came through with disturbing clarity. "I do hope we can do this again sometime." It was finished. The monstrous Discord had become stone.
"After Discord's defeat, Celestia and Luna were able to regain the power to raise the sun and the moon. They were appointed by everypony to watch over and protect all the land."
Twilight was speechless. She had no idea of the hardships the Princess and her family had faced. Having come from such darkness, and still being able to bring light to every day? It was incredible.
The silence between them was broken by a thought. "Cadence, what happened with Serenity? And why have none of my books ever mentioned a seventh Element of Harmony?"
"After the battle, Serenity lost her alicorn powers. Celestia and Luna thought it best to allow Serenity to live the life of a normal pony. They made sure the histories remembered that day a certain way. As Serenity lived and started a family of her own, they watched over her and left all the trouble upon themselves. Even after the birth of Night Mare Moon, Celestia made sure Serenity's lineage was safe."
"Wait Cadence, does that mean you're-"
"Yes it does. Serenity was my 7th great-grandmother."
"This is amazing. I never knew the connection Celestia had with Discord or with you."
"I owe everything to Celestia. She has watched over my family for one-thousand years and I don't think she will ever stop."
"But something still perplexes me. You said Serenity lived out her days as a normal earth pony. How is it that you are and alicorn?
"That is something I don't know. Even Celestia did not know why I was the first alicorn born in a thousand years. Then my magic started developing and my special gift made an appearance. My Element, you could say."
"Wait, you're the seventh Element?! You're Love? That's how you and my brother defeated Chrysalis."
"Yes. It started reacting very strongly when you and your friends gained control of the other Elements. You know I always had a knack for helping lovers who were fighting or were scared to share their feelings. Well when you six gain your Elements, my power suddenly skyrocketed."
"But shouldn't we have become alicorns as well? That's what happened to everypony else. I don't understand."
"I'm right there with you Twilight. I asked Celestia about that very thing when I came to meet my aunt Luna. She said that she would tell me another time but it never came up again."
A half-knock at the door was followed by an abrupt entrance by Shining Armor. "Cadence?"
"Hello Big Bro! What did the Princess want?"
"Sorry Twilie. Cadence, we have to go now."
She had never seen such a serious expression on her brother's face. She was certain of it now. Something was terribly, terribly wrong. "Shining Armor, please tell me what's wrong. This worry is killing me!"
"I know it is lil' sis. I promise, everything will be explained soon. Trust me. Right now I have to take Cadence back to Canterlot. Just wait a little longer."
With that they departed leaving Twilight alone with her thoughts. She could not stop them from spiraling out of control. "Everypony needs to know about this."
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With all of her friends gathered around her, Twilight recounted the entire saga as told by Cadence.
"That's quite a story Twi," Applejack's voice broke the thick silence following the tale's conclusion.
"It sure is!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed, "I mean, if Celestia, Luna, and Serenity became alicorns after they got their elements, we should have become alicorns too. I want my wings! And if there's a seventh element, why didn't she help us beat Night Mare Moon and Discord? She didn't help us and just expected us to do everything for her wedding? Kinda rude, don'tcha thin-"
Pinkie's rant was silenced by a hoof pressed to her mouth and Rarity's voice soon followed, "Although her delivery needs some work, Pinkie dear does raise several good points."
"Yeah, but what can we do but wait for answers?" Rainbow Dash added, shooting a raised eyebrow at Pinkie Pie, who continued her muffled ramblings.
"Oh.....it's an awful lot to take in," Fluttershy added, "but I agree with Rainbow Dash."
"We thank ya fer levelin with us Twilight, but ya said yer bro promised to tell ya everythin when he gets back, right?"
"Yes he did. I am just so worried. And I don't mean to worry you girls too, but I had a feeling this would involve you as well."
"Twilight dear, we want to know anything that's troubling you. We will always be ready to help, but I think its best if we just wait it out this time."
"Definitely! I'm sure the Princess knows what she's doing."
"Thanks Rainbow, Rarity, AJ, Fluttershy, Pinkie. I feel better for talking to you girls, but still...."
"We know Sugarcube. It's okay."
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They had decided to spend the night at Twilight's house. Twilight felt some solace in the soft sounds coming from Spike's bed. Luckily, he had already fallen asleep when she told her friends the story. She felt it was a little too heavy a burden for a baby dragon's shoulders. She wondered if her friends had the same thoughts buzzing around in their heads. What is Celestia hiding? Why did attaining the Elements happen differently for them than it had for Celestia and her sisters? Why didn't their bodies change? She finally felt the weight her eyelids had taken on and reluctantly allowed them to close. Hopefully tomorrow would bring with it some answers.
"Wake up." a voice she couldn't place in her exhaustion tried to rouse Twilight from her sleep. "Come on Twilie. You need to wake up."
"Mmfuhh.....Shining Armor? What is it?" Twilight said, eyes barely open.
"Princess Celestia requests you. Your friends are ready and waiting for you. She wants all of you. Even Spike." the serious look of her brother's face hid behind it a deep sadness, but Twilight knew asking would do no good.
"I'm coming."
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The train housed an uncomfortable silence as the six friends and faithful baby dragon speculated about what everything means. Shining Armor looked completely drained, no doubt from his back and forths to Canterlot coupled with royal guard duty, so they insisted he take his own car in which to rest on the trip.
"Does somepony want to fill me in?" Spike said breaking the silence.
"I'm so sorry Spike. I forgot you didn't know anything about this."
Twilight then recounted the entire story, from the start of her concerns to the origins of Celestia. "I didn't expect us all to be summoned at first but now it kinda makes sense."
"Does that mean ya have and idea 'bout this whole thing?"
"Not quite, but I suspected from the start that Celestia's power was weakening. After all, the Elements of Harmony were the source of her power and now she no longer controls them."
"This is crazy!" Rainbow Dash yelled, "If she needs the Elements back, I don't understand why we can't just hoof them over. Discord and Chrysalis are gone. We don't need them anymore."
"Rainbow is right in a way," Rarity chimed in, "Celestia is the ruler of all Equestria. Its not like we will need such amazing power in the everyday lives we live in Ponyville. She however can use them to protect us and make everypony's life better."
"Oh, well, Rarity she was always able to do that anyway."
"Yeah, until that Queenie Meanie wedding crasher came along."
"Pinkie Pie is right." Twilight added with a nod.
"It's unbelievable," said Rainbow Dash.
"You can say that again darling."
"No, I mean that Pinkie was right. Now that's unbelievable."
A hearty laughter erupted in the train car. It soothed Twilight's heart a little bit to know they could still share such moments of joy even among these trying circumstances.
The laugh died down as the magnificence of Canterlot appeared on the horizon.
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Though Twilight had visited it many times in her fillyhood, the royal palace always daunted her with its overwhelming regalia combined with the air of openness it exuded. It was open to one and all and the Princess always be ready to hear any pony's problem.
"Princess Celestia will receive us in her chambers. Cadence is already waiting." Shining Armor had been all business from the second the train docked in Canterlot. As they approached the door into the Princess' chamber, Shining Armor stopped. He hung his head low and breathed a massive sigh. "Alright. I want you all to be prepared for what you see. The Princess is.....well...." the sadness became more than apparent on his face and in his voice as he searched for the words. "She's.....see for yourselves." The doors opened.
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The Princess was in her bed but there was something horribly wrong with her. The normally beautiful multicolored mane was grey and matted and her flawlessly white coat had lost its shine. She was over a thousand years old and she looked like it now. Cadence was at her bedside and she looked over to the six with tears in her eyes. The princess' labored breathing was enough to break any heart.
"What's wrong with her?" Twilight asked, using all her might not to break down and weep.
"She's dying." A familiar voice came from the opposite corner of the room. They glanced over and laid eyes on a pony they had never seen before. A beautiful jet-black mare.
"Who're you?"
"Its a shame that you've forgotten me already Twilight Sparkle."
As the mare approached them from the shadows, it suddenly donned on Twilight who the mystery pony was. "Princess Luna!? But what-" It was definitely Luna but her horn was gone. She still had her beautiful black wings, but she was no longer an alicorn.
"Is that you Twilight?" a weak voice came from the bed. "Oh my faithful student. Thank you so much for coming. All of you. I imagine you are all quite surprised by my appearance. My little ponies, I must speak with Twilight alone. Please give me a few moments."
The five other ponies left the room, tears in their eyes, along with Shining Armor, Cadence, and Princess Luna.
"Princess, tell me what to do." Twilight said, her voice cracking.
"Twilight, listen. I have lived a very very long time. One of the curses I have suffered is the fact that I was never able to bear any foals. I have had loved ones who lived their lives while I watched them slowly die. Each death affected me little by little but I knew I had to keep going. I had to be strong for all of you. I don't think I could've lived if I'd had to watch my child grow up and die. All of the apprentices I've had in the past, I've refrained from getting close to, just so it wouldn't hurt me when they died. But then I met you. That scared little filly who possessed a far greater magic than mine, but did not know how to handle it. You are everything I ever wanted in a daughter. I have no regrets in my life for having known you."
"Princess, you can't die. There has to be a spell to fix this. I just need to find it. Without you, who will guide us? Who will give us the sun everyday? The world is gonna be so dark without you."
"Twilight, I have lived long enough. I am so tired. I want to see my mother and father again. And Serenity, my beautiful little sister."
"What about Princess Luna? You'll be leaving her too."
"Ah. Her state surprised me too. Her imprisonment must have kept her age in stasis. Without her magic, she can now have something I always wanted, but will never have the joy of knowing: a normal pony life. She can live, love, have babies and then one day join the rest of us. We have had our tears over this, and we both accept it this way."
"What will we do without you? You have always been there to guide us and bring light to our lives. Where do we go from here?"
"My little ponies will have to find someone new to guide and watch over them. Twilight, I have a choice for you."
Princess Celestia's funeral took place on the day of the Summer Sun Celebration. Ponies from all over Equestria journeyed to Canterlot. There was a great silence that filled the air. There was nopony at all who did not weep openly at the service, not just at the prospect of the sun and moon being forever lost to them, but the fact that someone who had always been there for everypony, guided them, and brought so much joy and light to their lives was simply gone.
"I want to thank everypony for being here. My name is Twilight Sparkle and I am.....was Princess Celestia's apprentice. She was everything that was good in all of us. The beautiful and everlasting force that made every day happen. I'm not the only one who has no idea where to go from here. I'm sure everypony in all of Equestria feels that way. I loved Celestia with all my heart as did all of you. Trust me when I say that she did not want to leave us. She lived over a thousand years, saw things that nopony else has ever seen, and also felt so much pain and hardship. She lived on as her loved ones grew and died leaving her alone again and again. I can't imagine the pain she endured day in and day out and yet always put on that beautiful smile and gave everything she was to us. She was the warmth that each of us felt in our hearts everyday. I won't forget that feeling......I.....I'm sorry I couldn't do anything.....I....." Twilight had so much more she wanted to say but the tears would not allow it. They had been held back for far too long.
"Thank you for your kind words Twilight Sparkle," Luna continued, "I will not say much here. I have shed my tears for my sister and do not wish to prolong such feelings. Therefore I ask everypony to join hooves. Send my sister off to wherever she's going not with sadness and pain, but with love. A love for her yes, but also a love for each other that she spent every day of her life nurturing and protecting. Never forget who she was. A ruler and a holder of powerful magic, but mostly remember her as a pony. A pony with all the love in the world to give. In her words: 'Thank you for everything my little ponies. Thank you.'"
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The magic Celestia left behind would raise the sun for one more day. Twilight had decided to make the best of it. She gathered all of her friends together. Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash. Her faithful assistant Spike, her BBBFF, and her former foal-sitter. Everypony she loved. She had them all with her now. Sharing laughs and memories, doing everything Celestia had intended for them.
The day had winded down and all that remained were six ponies and one baby dragon.
"Pinkie Pie, you are too much," Twilight said, laughing at the pink pony's unusual antics.
"Oh, yes, but I wouldn't have it any other way."
"You got that right 'Shy!"
"Yer darn tootin'."
"Aww. Why do you guys laugh the hardest when I'm completely serious?!"
"Twilight? Is everything okay?" a concerned baby dragon asked, shifting attention away from Pinkie Pie.
"Everything is more than okay Spike."
"It's just that.....you're crying."
"Oh am I?" Twilight said, wiping at her eyes with a hoof, "I'm sorry everypony. It's just this day has been so perfect. I know it's been hard since Princess Celestia passed away, But it makes me so happy that everypony can still join together and share these wonderful moments."
"Well of course. Ain't nothin' in Equestria strong enough to tear this friendship apart."
"She's right Twilight dear. Forever is just the beginning of how long we'll be together."
A collective agreement rose up from the group that warmed Twilight's heart more than she could bear.
"Thank you everypony. I'm sorry for what I have to do now." Twilight said as a glow formed around her horn.
Her friends didn't have time to voice their confusion as they all were engulfed in a brilliant light. Each pony felt the Elements manifest around her neck and the full force of each power burst forth.
"What's happening!?" Spike yelled, averting his eyes as the light grew ever brighter.
The light began to fade as the forms of each pony became ever clearer. And in the distance something began to take shape. The ponies looked on in shock as they finally realized what they were looking at. It was a pony, but she was much taller than any of them. Her dark purple mane waved weightlessly in the breeze, a beautiful pink stripe flowing down the center, surrounding the horn which housed such great power. The flawless purple coat was adorned with two majestic wings and an image appeared on the strange pony's flank. The ponies gazed at it and it finally dawned on them what had happened and just what she had done.
"Oh no.....Twilight....."
"I'm sorry my friends, but I had to do this."
Epilogue: Dawn of a New Sparkle
Twilight Sparkle gazed through the windows of the royal quarters that once belonged to Princess Celestia. She looked upon the royal city of Canterlot with such pride. Under her reign, everypony was provided for. All of Equestria wanted for nothing. Trade had expanded to all parts of the world, from the previously unknown villages deep within the Everfree Forest to the far reaches of the dark realm of Tartarus. Control of the Elements of Harmony combined with her inherent knowledge and incredible magic had allowed her rule to unquestionably outshine that of Celestia's, of course this is not something she would admit to herself because she had never lost any of the respect or love she felt for her old mentor.
"I guess it's here again." Twilight said, feeling a deep sadness begin to exude from the place in her heart she kept it locked away. It was the day before the Summer Sun Celebration. The anniversary of her beloved mentor's passing brought with it fond and oftentimes depressing memories. Not just of Celestia, but of all the friends and family she'd lost over the years.
"Princess?" a deep voice brought Twilight away from her thoughts and back to reality. "Are you okay?"
"I'm okay Spike. More importantly, I've asked you for five-hundred years not to call me Princess."
"I know, it just makes me giggle sometimes." Spike had grown into a handsome young dragon. He was the only one left who Twilight was close to. He had stayed by her side for half a millennium and without him she would never have lasted this long. She still gets overwhelmed from time to time, and Spike has always been there to comfort her. Sometimes, in quiet moments, she breaks down and the only thing that brings her back is Spike's embrace and his voice telling her it will be okay.
"I'm sorry to worry you Spike. It's just this time of year brings back those memories.....I miss them Spike." Twilight said, on the verge of collapse.
Spike had learned to recognize these signs. He took Twilight in his arms, a claw running down her mane. "I miss them too Twilight. You've done amazing things. You have sacrificed so much and if they were here today, they would thank you with all their hearts. You can't lose hope. We will see them again someday. In the mean time, I'm here with you and I'm not going anywhere."
The cool feeling of his scales and his beautiful words brought Twilight a comfort as she rested against the dragon's thick chest. "Thank you Spike. I don't know what I would ever do without you."
"Don't worry about things like that. I'm here now and that's all that matters. Now come on. We have a celebration to prepare for. We don't get down to Ponyville very often."
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Twilight looked out over the sea of pony faces illuminated by the moon she herself raised. "Thank you for being here everypony. Today is a day of memories. Although most of you may not remember the gentle rule of Celestia before me, none of us would be here if not for her. We pay her tribute, but indeed this is a day to remember everyone we've ever lost, and to cherish those we still have." Twilight shot a loving glance over to Spike who immediately returned it. "We have all felt sadness but the happy times are worth so much more. And I promise all of you, tomorrow the sun will shine!" Twilight flapped her wings and rose as her horn glowed a deep magenta. The stars faded and the sky erupted in a brilliant light as the sun rose and bathed all of Equestria in a glorious warmth. Twilight allowed this warmth to engulf her heart and with it, beautiful memories of her days in Ponyville and the fun adventures she had with all of her friends.
____________________
The night was dwindling as the celebration began to die down. Twilight had managed to slip away to spend a few moments with her thoughts. "Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Rarity. I would never have gotten here if not for you girls. Your Elements helped me, but it was your friendship that opened my heart and gave me the power to keep going. Thank you so much. I promise, I will see you again someday."
Suddenly a flash of light appeared in the corner of Twilight's eye. Curious, she walked toward it, taking caution to conceal herself. She saw a beautiful unicorn filly with a dark blue coat and a brilliant sliver mane. Her horn emitted a golden glow as she pointed it at what looked like a dying rose. The aura surrounded the flower and slowly but without doubt, the faded petals regained their crimson glory.
"Well that's certainly a great deal of magic you have inside you."
The startled young pony turned and shyly replied, "Oh, Princess Twilight! I'm sorry, was I bothering you?"
"Not at all little one. I was quite impressed about how you handled that magic. Tell me, what is your name?"
"Oh, I'm Stardust."
"I'm honored to meet you Stardust. You can just call me Twilight. Why aren't you at the party having fun with your friends?"
"I.....I don't really have any friends Prin- I mean Twilight."
"Well that isn't really true anymore. After all, I'm your friend now."
A beautiful smile overtook the young filly's face and her turquoise eyes grew wide. "Really? You'll really be my friend?"
"Of course I will. Not only that, but I think you have a great magical potential. How would you like me to teach you a little more?"
"Yes! I want to learn as much as I can about magic so I can help everypony who needs me. But.....do you really think I can?"
"I do, my little pony. More than you know." Twilight said as a new light began to sparkle in her heart.