"You understand what I am asking, don't you, Accord? I cannot rule any longer. I grow weary, burdened by all that I have seen. I give the world to you, can you accept it?"
Her eyes. Her eyes could pierce the heavens, souls, and hearts. There were rumors of ponies who had died, just by looking into those eyes. They had seen all. Creation, destruction, chaos. Harmony. She was less of a life, and more of a force. The backbone of the world, the light in the dark. The fire against the frost.
She, in almost every use of the word, was a goddess. She was the Goddess. Her coat was pure light, her mane pure love. The ink and quill on her hip spoke of her purpose. She wrote the script by which the world acted.
“Yes, my Queen. I understand, but… why me? I am young, I am… reckless. I’m not even a pony, yet you expect me to lead… them?”
He was young. A creation of Harmony, designed to keep the world in check, as one. He represented the whole world, a organized chaos of horns, wings, and coats. He was her right hand draconequus. Though he knew that if the Queen asked this task of him, he would surely succeed, he still doubted his own abilities.
He was, in the best way, weak. He never knew power beyond that of his physical prowess. He had never commanded a pony, much like his Queen, and he had never hurt a living creature. He didn't seek for anything beyond what he owned, and he never coveted. He followed the script to the mark.
"No. I don't expect you to lead them. I expect you to comfort them. They will mourn my leaving, regardless of my willingness to do so. They may never recover completely. Their world may break, and shatter as time passes. You must be there to seal the gaps, and to clean up the shards they leave behind. My child, my assistant." She turned her turquoise eyes to him, chilling his bones. "Do you have faith in my script?"
He nodded, and threw his claws around her neck. "Of course, as always." They held their position for a time. "What happens now?"
She looked to the stars. "I must say some goodbyes, then I will give myself up to you. What happens next is wholly in your claws." With a flash of blue, she vanished from his company, leaving him to prepare for his fate.
"Celestia, Luna! Wake yourselves, we have much to discuss." She rested her hooves on her two children, shaking them lightly. They stirred, pink and blue eyes and manes turning to their mother.
Celestia spoke. "Mother, what is it?" She flicked her eyes between her mother's, and Luna's.
"I am going to make my leave from this world very soon. I have chosen my heir, at least for now. I have come to you two, because you have a role in the coming storm, greater than any other's. The world will not be able to last when I am gone, at least not without Harmony." She looked between her two children, both looking to her with expectant, yet welcoming eyes. "There is a tree in a dark cave, through the forest and deep below. It carries six virtues, six Elements."
She looked to Celestia. "Kindness. Loyalty. Generosity." She turned to Luna. "Laughter. Honesty. Magic. These are essential to the world's survival in my absence. When the world begins to darken, go to that tree, and claim the Elements of Harmony. They will teach you to wield their power, do not fear."
Celestia rested her head in her mother's chest. "We understand. You have done your part in this world, we know this to be true. We are more than willing to do our parts in your leave."
Luna jumped to her hooves, worry on her face. "But... mother... why must you go? Why risk the worlds suffering, when you could remain with us, and guide the world by your own horn?"
"I have seen many things, some passed, some to come. My time upon this world has finished, my duty done. I have seen the world's creation, and ponykind's birth. That was my role in this world, and I have fulfilled it. You two have your own role to play, separate from my guidance. It is simply my time to depart. Despite what the world thinks, I am not infallible. I don't see everything. I know what comes, but I can't see how it comes. Be strong, my daughters, and honor me in my absence."
The Queen turned away, pausing at the door. She gave a loving smile at Celestia, and a loving, yet somewhat... sorrowful smile at Luna. The Queen saw that other side, that dark reflection. But she trusted Celestia to keep that side at bay.
Celestia held back tears as she watched her mother turn, and walk back through the door. Luna was not as strong. Once her mother turned the corner, she let loose a great cry, and lowered her head to the ground.
"Stars be with you, mother. Be strong, my sister, for it is not the end." Celestia nodded at the empty doorway, and prayed to whomever gave life to their mother.
Luna turned to Celestia. "But why must she go? We still do not understand."
"Nothing can last forever. Eventually, even the greatest mountains will break apart, and fall to the world. Plains are carved into canyons, canyons are flooded with water, that water flows onto a plain. Her reign o'er this world cannot last forever, so she passes her rule on. Whomever she designated to be her heir will one day step from their post, to allow another to step up. 'tis the cycle of life."
"And what of us, sister? Will we one day have to leave this world?" Celestia turned to her sister, and pondered.
"Someday. Someday we shall grow too weary from all the pain and sorrow we have seen over the ages, and we shall pass on. But fear not, for mother shall await us when we step away from this grand design." Luna nodded, comforted by her sister's statement.
"Alright, Accord. I have done what I needed to do. All that is left is the transfer of power, and my leaving. Before we do, you must look me in the eyes, and swear that you will wield this power in accordance with the world. That you will use it only to strengthen Harmony. Can you do this?"
He looked into her eyes, shuddering under the weight of her gaze. He looked and saw life, death, love, hate, and everything in between. "I swear by the stars above that I will use your power only to strengthen Harmony. "
The Queen stared into his soul, and saw him. Those red pupils, and yellow sclerae. she saw the lord of Chaos, tormenting the world, attacking Harmony. But she also saw her daughters, side by side, glowing in the Element's light. She nodded, confirming his fate. "Good. Take my light, my power, and lead them as I once did. Grand things are planned for you in the script. Last of all, Accord, I thank you. I thank you for letting me rest one last time."
With that, the Queen's horn glowed a brilliant blue, and she began to unravel into white ribbons of light. The curled outwards, revealing a blue sphere matching that of her horn. The orb slowly shrunk, until it was no more. The ribbons began to spiral into the air, in a great dance of life, before shifting towards Accord, who held his claw to them. They curled around him, and began to cover his body. He grunted in pain as they twisted, contorted, and pierced his body. The whole power of the Queen fell into him, like a great wave of water, and slammed into the dam of his soul.
The moment passed, the light fading to what it was before. Accord fell to his knees, and looked at his hands. He snapped a claw, resulting in a crack, and a flick of energy arcing from his fingers to the balcony around him. The power was vast, more grand than he ever imagined. All slamming into his soul and mind. He felt something warm drip from his nose, then he blacked out.
