(E) The Goddess in the Basket
Author's Note
Another idea for a story that popped into my head. I may make a full story out of this one in the future after I have finished my other projects.
Again this is unedited and has a few plot holes here a there I'm aware of this fact. This is merely a rough draft of a prologue of sorts, so don't judge it harshly.
(E) The Goddess in the Basket
To Celestia,
If you are reading this letter then you have recently received a basket containing a newborn Unicorn filly. This filly is Magic Incarnate, her destiny is both set and unknown. She will either be the savior of all things or it’s destruction. Watch over her and raise her to be kind, generous, honest, happy, and loyal. She will either restore harmony or destroy it. Please raise her to be good for the sake of all that is right.
I have sent her to be raised by you because I know you can raise her to be good and I also I used your genetic template to create her. By that fact she is your daughter.
Signed,
Harmony
Celestia looked up from the letter she was reading to look at the small basket laying before her on her bed. A million and one thoughts and questions where running through her mind. The one thought that struck her first was the fact that Harmony the balance of the universe had sent her a unicorn filly to raise and teach. She had been sent a filly in a basket with a letter by the universe itself. THE UNIVERSE HAD GIVEN HER A DAUGHTER!
“Stars above,” Celestia muttered and pressed her left hoof to her forehead as all this information came crashing down on her. It was a lot to take in, after all, it’s not every day the universe gives you a daughter to raise with the possibility of her either saving said universe or destroying it. It felt almost like a cruel joke, for it was not just a night before where she had wished she had someone to share her kingdom with. She would be lying if she hadn't thought about having a little filly or colt to raise and care for, but she never had time for it. Being the sole ruler of Equestria meant that she had very little time for herself.
That’s a lie and you know it. She winced at her own subcountince. She let a sigh escape her lips. It was true she could easily have delegated more responsibility to her advisors and council members, but instead, she had buried herself in her work for the last nine hundred and eighty-one years. It was all in an attempt to distance herself from others for fear of getting attached. It had resulted in her ponies seeing her as some sort of goddess too far away to touch. It was partially true.
In many regards, she was a goddess of sorts; she was almost entirely deathless, there are very few beings in history that could pose a threat to her, and they were all locked away or in hiding and week. She wasn’t merely just the chaperone to the sun, she also was, in many regards, the sun itself. It was a part of her and a part of it, but she wasn’t omniscient, omnipotent, nor omnipresent. She could torch the entire solar-system if she wanted to. Not that she ever would, but still she had incredible power… though she really only had a few settings to that power. She feared that one day she would have to end up destroying all of Canterlot in an attempt to save the rest of the world. Thankfully the last thousand years had been relatively peaceful meaning she had no need to fight.
…
Celestia let loose a groan of frustration as she realized her mind had taken a tangent. What was she even thinking about? I swear I’m going to have to start asking Quick Wright to start cataloging my thoughts, she mused. Siad musing was cut off when a soft whimper reached the alicorns ears.
“Oh, right the universe deemed it necessary to give me a daughter,” She remarked sarcastically. The filly’s whimpers soon turned into soft cries as she stuck her front hooves into the air looking for someone to comfort her. A sigh escaped Celestia’s lips as she reached out with her magic. The filly was gently lifted from her basket and brought over to the alicorn. “It’s okay little one I’m here…” She said awkwardly as she deposited the foal into her forehooves.
As Celestia began to rock the filly back and forth her cries quieted and turned back into whimpers. After a few more moments the filly’s whimpers stopped and her eyes opened. When she saw Celestia looking down at her she cooed happily reaching up her hooves in an attempt to grab the mare’s snout. Celestia felt a smile spread across her muzzle.
“Hmm… maybe this isn’t so bad. You are rather cute.” She said. The filly replied with more coos and gurgling. Celestia’s smile soon vanished, however, as the reality of the situation fell upon her. I’m a mother now… and my daughter is destined for something important. Again more questions were running through her head this time accompanied by worries. Celestia needed answers, this was not the first time she had interacted with Harmony. Her first encounter with the balancing force of the universe was when she had earned her cutie mark and became linked to the sun. Harmony had talked to her in her dreams the following night and there she learned how important her world was to the balance of the universe. The last time Harmony contacted her was after she had banished her sister. Harmony had told her that she had upset the balance… That had hurt almost of having to banish her own sister. Now almost a thousand years have passed and Harmony sends her a filly in a basket with a simple letter. It just didn’t make sense.
She needed to be sure this filly was really what the letter said she was. Reaching out with her magic once more she cast a few spells. The first would test the fillies age… Two days old, okay so she is a newborn. Next was a spell that checked for genetic similarities… She poses 50% of my genetic code, the rest looks engineered… Okay, so she was genetically related too. Like the letter said genetically she was Celestia’s daughter. The final spell was something very few ponies could do and was more like a trait than a spell. Reaching out she felt the filly’s wellspring… WHAT!? She screamed internally and let out a gasp. This filly’s wellspring was massive! Way larger than that of a normal unicorn foal. In fact, her wellspring is twenty-four times that of what most ponies are born with. What’s more is that her wellspring is growing faster than usual too. The filly also possesses divinity, despite being only a unicorn.
“What are you?” Celestia asked aloud. The filly just stared at her blankly before sticking her hoof in her mouth and began to suck. Yes, you are cute but that didn’t answer my question. She looked back over to the letter laying face down on the bed... This filly is Magic Incarnate… Magic incarnate is that possible? She wondered turning back to look at the filly again. You are either going to save everything or destroy everything… There was no doubt that the letter was indeed real, but that didn’t answer her question as to why in this form? She could feel a headache coming on. Again, she let loose a sigh of frustration. I don’t have much choice, do I? I just hope I can raise you right… Stars above I’m actually a mother, I have a daughter who has the power of a teenage alicorn and she is only two days old!
“I have a daughter!” She exclaimed. Again the reality of the situation was hitting her at full force. The filly giggled at her mother’s shocked expression. I don’t even know how to rais a foal! I don’t even have the supplies I need to raise a filly! I’ll need to get diapers and baby food! No, wait she’s only two days old she needs to drink milk… Her eyebrows scrunched together. How am I supposed to feed her I’m not lactating!? Well, there is medication for that... She brought her right hoof to her forehead with a resounding smack. The filly giggled at her mother’s antics. Right, formula is a thing I could just get that… though would it be better if she got the milk from me? I’ll have to ask some of my maids who have children. I’ll also need to have Quick Write make a list- Celestia gasped loudly as another realization hit her like a locomotive. “HOW AM I GOING TO EXPLAIN THIS!?” She yelled.
“WAAA!!!” The filly cried at her mother's outburst. Celestia winced at her daughter’s wails.
“Shh, it’s okay,” She said softly rocking the filly back and forth gently. “It’s okay, mommy’s here,” Mommy, it feels so strange, but it also feels… natural. She mused mentally as she continued trying to calm the purple filly down. After a few minutes of rocking and hearing her mother’s voice, the little unicorn’s cries became sniffles. “See your okay, I’m sorry for yelling…” Celestia said in a kind, soft voice before craning her neck down to nuzzle her foal. My foal… The filly hugged her mother's snout and cooed happily. The alicorn chuckled before pulling away, much to the little ponies discontent.
Again the smile on her muzzle faded. Is this a good idea? Will she be able to handle the pressures of being a princess? Will I be able to be a good mother? These uncertainties refused to leave the Alicorns mind. Maybe I should find a couple to raise her instead? Celestia looked back down at the filly in her forelegs. She was looking back up at the older pony with curiosity. Seeing that her mother was looking back at her the foal gurgled happily and reaching up her hooves towards the alicorn. No! I cant! It was strange but Celestia felt unwavering desire to protect this little foal from harm. Is this what every mother feels?
Celestia’s thoughts were interrupted as she felt the tug of her magic telling her it was time to set the sun. Letting loose another sigh Celestia began to get off her bed. She stood on three legs while using her front right to hold the filly against her chest. The princess made her way to the balcony adjacent to her bedroom. The sun was low on the horizon as it should be for this time of day.
Doing as she always did at this time Celestia closed her eyes and reached out to her connection with the sun. The sun began to set but just as it dropped below the horizon the sound of a baby's giggles caused her to peak out her right eye. The filly seemed to glow in the twilight and her eyes sparkled in aw at the setting sun. Once the sun had set Celestia turned her full attention to the filly. Twilight Sparkle… that’s a perfect name! Gently Celestia picked up the filly in her magic and brought her to eye level with the alicorn.
“Twilight Sparkle, how about that?” Celestia asked the purple filly. Twilight gurgled happily and cooed. Celestia smiled. “Welcome to Equestria Twilight Sparkle.” Celestia smiled at her daughter. I can't give her up. I was given a responsibility to raise her, she is also my daughter and I’ve given her a name. “I promise Twilight I will be the best mother any pony could wish for,” Celestia said with finality in her voice. Her choice was made.
“Come on I need to tell the palace staff they will have a new princess to serve.” Twilight cooed happily at her mother. Celestia placed Twilight back in her right foreleg and made her way to the bedroom door. The alicorn stuck her head into the hallway and addressed her guards standing there. “Tell the palace staff to assemble in the castle’s dining room in twenty minutes. I have an announcement to make.”
“Yes, you’re highness.” They said in unison and gave a solute before swiftly walking down the hall to do as they were asked. While they were getting the castle staff together Celestia had to come up with a speech to explain the situation. “I hope they accept you Twilight,” Celestia said as she slipped her head back into her bedroom.
[T](V,G)Twilight's Return
Author's Note
I wrote this in about two hours. Just a few thoughts and ideas I kind of strung together in a few scenes. Remember this is just a rough draft so I'm fully aware of there being errors and mistakes. This is only to show ideas.
TTwilight's Return
“She’s made it back on the continent,” Chrysalis said with mild irritation in her voice to the figure.
“So she has… hmmm…” he trailed off.
“I could take care of her just send me out and I’ll sever her head from her body as I did with the other elements,” she said with a lick of her lips as excitement flashed in her eyes.
“I don’t feel that is necessary she is only a unicorn, a powerful one at that yes, but she is no goddess… send out Onix after her. I would like to see how well his training has been going,” he finished. Chrysalis knew better than to argue with him, not that she gain anything from being uncooperative anyway. Chrysalis left to do as she was commanded.
“Hmm… let’s see if you're as amazing as you appear Twilight Sparkle…”
“Thank you all for your hospitality but I must continue on my journey,” the hooded unicorn said to the mayor of the small fishing village.
“Of course, anything to give back for what you have done for the world,” the pale green earth pony said. The mare shook her head.
“I have done nothing but kill othe-”
“You killed those who harmed and abused those who they saw as lesser, you fight against those who are truly evil and you spare those you believe can be redeemed.”
“I act as judge, jury, and executer. I am hardly better than those I kill.”
“Do you think you are better than me?” the pony asked. The hooded mare looked insulted by the question.
“No, of course, no-”
“Then you are better than them, that fact alone makes you better, and the fact you do not want nor crave the power you possess shows that you are more deserving of it than anyone else,” the pale green mare countered. The hooded pony remained quite. “We can all feel it you know…” the mayor turned back to look at her small village.
“Feel what?”
“You’re power, we feel your divinity. Like all mortals, we can sense when a god or goddess is nearby. We can all feel it in you.”
“Another thing I wished to not become. Mortals do not need gods to rule over them, gods are greedy and exploit mortals.”
“Not all gods are selfish… I still remember your mother after all.” The hooded mare tensed at that statement, but the mayor didn’t seem to notice the physical reaction under the unicorns cloaks.
“And look what happened to her…” she mumbled.
“But she was still good at heart, and so are you,” she countered again and once again the hooded pony was silent. “And you say that mortals don’t need gods, but we argue that we do, and we always will. We not only need gods to guide us and protect us, but we want gods to look up to and to worship… many in the village have already begun praying to you…” the earth pony smiled. The hooded unicorn frowned.
“I do not wish to be worshiped… I do not deserve such a thing…”
“But you do, everything I have pointed out and everything you have done shows that you have more than earned the right to be worshiped as a goddess. Word of what you did in Gryphonia has reached far and what you have done here will spread to the rest of Equestria. When you eventually slay the King I can guarantee the world will bow to you as it’s Queen.”
“... I do not wish to rule…” the earth pony sighed but nodded at the unicorns statement.
“Very well… but many will still worship you even if you do vanish after your mission is complete… and I wish to do this one thing…” The mare bowed deeply before the hooded unicorn. “Thank you for everything your majesty to us and me you will always be our queen and goddess.” The hooded pony opened her mouth to protest but stopped before closing her mouth and nodding. The earth pony stood up straight once more.
“I’d do anything to protect ponies…” the unicorn said before turning around and continuing on her way. The village mayor watched the hooded pony walk away for a few more moments before turning around and returning to her village.
The unicorn had walked for a few hours without much happening. It was strange really in Gryphonia she could bearly go twenty minutes without some monster trying to kill her, now she was rather bored with nothing to do. Though the more she thought about it the more she sort of liked it, it felt like she was starting to regain some sense of normality to her life. Too bad it didn’t last, as she felt a presence approaching. She stood in an open field except for the edge of a forest about eighteen meters to her left. The presence was not coming from her left, though, in fact, she couldn’t quite pinpoint its direction. She remained motionless for a few more seconds before her head suddenly snapped up. She quickly rolled over to her right and a good thing she did because where she had been standing a bloom of dirt has shot into the air as something had impacted the ground there. The cloaked mare came out of her roll unscathed and quickly turned to face whatever had just tried to crush her.
“You sensed me coming, impressive, for a unicorn at least. I masked my divinity so I’m quite surprised you sensed me coming. Though I’m kind of glad you did, it wouldn’t have been as fun if I had just crushed you,” a young male voice spoke from the small crater in the dirt. Once the dust settled she could see the pony who had attacked her and her muzzle became a deep frown at what she saw. An alicorn… a male alicorn at that. He was only slightly taller than her, but then again she was tall for a unicorn so that wasn’t the best comparison. He had black fur and a shaggy, gray mane with a silver and black streak running through it. Considering his mane was not etherial he was young in fact he sounded fairly young and the way he stood also portrayed that as well.
“Is the king sending children after me now?” she remarked. The alicorn looked very offended.
“Hey! I’m nineteen I’m an adult!” he countered with a stomp of his hoof. Oh yeah, he is definitely still a child.
“Hmm… so you are, but you are still young, at least to me…” she remarked. The alicorn scoffed at that.
“Whatever, I’m still stronger than you, and I will stop you and your rampage of destruction!” he exclaimed like he was some sort of storybook hero. The mare just furrowed her brow.
“Rampage of destruction is that what the king told you?” she asked.
“Of course he did, he sent me here to stop you from killing any more innocents,” he explained. That made the mare’s blood boil in rage, but she didn’t show it and quickly quelled the emotion.
“So he tells you. I could just argue that I haven't harmed any innocents, but you obviously wouldn’t believe, me no matter how true it is,” she remarked. The alicorn looked a little taken back by that like he expected her to go on some sort of evil monologue. “I have no real interest in fighting you my quarl is with your king and I’d rather not harm someone who has so much of there life still ahead of them. So please don’t hinder my progress I have no interest in harming those who do not deserve it.”
“What? You think you could actually harm me!?” he laughed. “I’m an alicorn and your just a unicorn you are no match for me! Do not think you can trick me Twilight Sparkle I know what you are.” The mare just sighed.
“So he told you my name, yet he didn’t even tell you where I come from, my origins?”
“It doesn’t matter and I’m getting bored just talking,” he said with mild irritation, He lit his horn with a pale blue aura and a long slender blade of the same color appeared at his side. Once more Twilight let out a sigh of frustration.
“Very well then…” she said as she too lit her horn in its signature violet aura. The aura of magic grasped and undid the clasp of her cloke around her neck. She lifted the cloke off her body showing her scarred lavender fur underneath. Onix looked a bit unnerved by how many scars crisscrossed the mare’s body, her left cutie mark was almost unrecognizable under all the healed cuts that it looked to have sustained. The mare neatly folded her cloke before gently setting it down far behind her so it was out of the way. Once that was done she too cast her blade; a light-violet long-sword-blade came into existence next to her. “Let’s see if you are as powerful as you think you are,” she said while pointing her blade at her opponent. Onix grinned with excitement and made the first move.
The alicorn charged forward and gave a mighty slash at the unicorn. Without so much as a twitch in her body, her blad rose up to meet his and she effortlessly batted it away. The alicorn’s eyes grew wide in shock and then pain as a pair of back hooves impacted his chest. With a hard flap, he propelled himself away from his opponent. When he landed he looked forward to seeing she had vanished and panic struck his heart. Where di- he didn’t even get to finish his thought as a clap of magic came from his left side and the feeling of two hooves impacting his side. He was sent into a roll, but he recovered quickly, landing back on his hooves. Again a clap of magic came from his left and he swung horizontally at his opponent. His blade was once again knocked aside and this time a hoof connected with his jaw causing him to stagger. He bearly even recovered before once again he was hit in the side and sent spiraling. However, before he could once again right himself he was forced into the ground landing on his right wing, followed by the snapping of bone. A cry of pain escaped his throat, and tears burst forth from his eyes. He struggled to his hooves, but when he looked up the point of a blade looked back.
“You need to work on your swordplay,” Twilight said simply. The colt just stared in shock before he bowed his head in defeat.
“Please be quick…” he pleaded. He sat there waiting silently to be killed, but it never came. The sound of magic dispelling enter his ears and he looked up to see the unicorn just looking back at him silently.
“I told you I don’t kill innocents,” she stated. Onix just stared at her in shock. His vision darkened before going black as he lost consciousness.
Twilight frowned as the young stallion collapsed before she let out a sigh and lifted him up. Looks like I’ll have to set up camp…
Author's Note
This is meant to be the final for a long story I had planned for a while now and it was bouncing around in my head making it hard to focus on other stories. Writing this has really helped and I've been able to make progress on Imperfect!
Once again this is super rough and not really meant for criticism just an idea that I had and wanted to write but didn't want to make an entire story to accompany it. Maybe in the future, I'll write the story that is supposed to accompany it.
I already know of a few issues like weird plot holes and the villain being meh so no need to point those out, again this whole thing is rough.
(T) (V,D)Final Twilight
Her eyes shot open as her lungs desperately tried to fill themselves with a gasp. Rolling over she fell down onto a hard surface. Her vision swam as pain radiates all over her body. After what felt like an eternity her vision became clear enough to see were she was.
“Hospital…” She croaked out seeing were she was. Her brain was quickly speeding backup as she took in more of her situation. She was in pain in many places accept something felt like it was missing or two things. Painfully, she turned her head to her back side… she only had one back leg. Panic started to raise, but she crushed it, she needed to leave now. She couldn’t remember why she needed to leave, but she knew she had to. Getting on her remaining three hooves she stumbled about, the room.
She reached the door of the room she had woken up in, but when she went to use her magic pain exploded throughout her skull like someone was trying to crush it. Magic sparks spewed out from her head and onto the floor around her. Once again panic began to fill her and she shoved the door open and hobbled down the hall as fast as her three legs could take her. Eventually she found what she was looking for and rushed into the bathroom.
When she looked into the mirror, it took all her will not to cry in despair. Her horn was in a very, very poor state; cracks ran all along it as well as large chunks of it was missing and had lost it’s top third. What was once a long and majestic horn now looked worse than one a starved changeling queen would possess. Doing her best to not fall apart emotionally the mare pushed herself away from the mirror and back into the hall of the hospital.
It didn’t take long for her to realize that the building was completely empty, abandoned. Her panic continued to rise and it took all her resolve not to break down then and their. As she made her way to where she hoped was the building’s entrance her memories started to come back. When an image of a certain god of destruction she suddenly knew why she was here and in such a state.
“Exitmus…” She mumbled before doubling her pace. Again she attempted to channel her magic, but once more she was met with blinding pain. After the pain subsided she had found the entrance and pushed her way through it and out into the destroyed land. The sky was blood read and the world was shrouded in an eerie glow. Looking to the north she could see Canterlot mountain shrouded in black storm clouds.
This time she focused into herself to draw upon her inner magic. Runic patterns glowed faintly all along her body, but they faded quickly. The mare let out a breath and took a large gasp of air.
“Come on you’re Magic you can do this!” She yelled to herself, her voice seeming to have regained its strength. Once more she concentrated in on her self and reached for her inner magic. Once more runes glowed all along her body. She continued to concentrate harder and the runes along her body began glowing brightly. Splitting her focuse she concentrated on the one pony who meant most to her; Celestia. An image of the alicorn beaten and broken, looking bearly alive laying on the ground entered the mare’s mind. “I’m comming mom just hold on!” She declared as she latched onto the image in her mind and in a flash of purple magic she was gone.
She had gone to meet her fate at the hands of a god of destruction from beyond her reality. On this day the fate of her reality would be decided. On this day the final die will be cast. On this day Twilight Sparkle would meet her fate in a final attempt to save her world.
“Pitiful.” Extimus’ voice rumbled through their minds as he looked down upon their broken and beaten forms.”You call yourself gods, but you are nothing compared to me. “He turned his attention squarely onto Celestia.”Your offspring showed more power than you by several orders of magnitude and even she could not stop me.” He stated and focused his attention on the five mares in golden armor with a gem in the chest of each. None of them were moving beyond their head and the occasional twitch of their limbs.
“You five are definitely fearsome. It’s no wonder you were chosen to guard the locks to your reality, but before me you are still nothing.” He stated it as if it were a fact. They glared up at him in defiance. “Why do you defy me? I am all there is and I am infinite, you are finite and minute yet you still resist me.”
“You are not as all powerful as you think you are.” Spoke a weak, but mischievous voice. Extimus focused down at the source of a voice; the draconequus Discord. “I used to think the same thing, but then ‘Celestia’s Offspring’ showed me oh how very wrong I was.” He said with a smirk.
“I defeated her yet you appear she will still stop me.”
“You didn’t kill her if you can’t eve-”
“I spared her.” Extimus interrupted. “I still intend to give her an offer to join me. After seeing there is no stopping me she will see there is no point in resisting.”
“You really are a fool then.” Discord laughed weekly. “Twilight may like her logic, but she will never abandon her morals for it. She will defeat you like see has done with every adversary that threatens all she holds dear.” He smiled victoriously. Extimus just stared down at the draconiquis… then vaporized him.
“DISCORD!” Futershy cried. Extimus hadn’t even moved. “HOW COULD YOU! YOUR SOULLESS YOU DON’T DESERVE TO BE A GOD!” She screamed in rage and sorrow. Extimus turned his attention to Fluttershy and gazed at her with looked like anger
“I AM A GOD!” He boomed.”I have no equal I do as I please and as I wish! I defined morality and what is write from wrong. You are nothing more than a mote of dust in a single reality among many! You are nothing before me! I create and destroy realities at will and yours will just be another on a long list! I tire of your resistance! When the one you call Twilight Sparkle arrives I will give her one last chance to join me. Weather she joins me or not is irrelevant, your reality will be erased and I will create a new one in its place in my own design. You will be nothing more than a forgotten memory!” He finished.
“Your wrong” Fluttershy declared. In that moment Extimus felt something.
“We will see, she approaches now.” After a moment of silences a large flash of light shined to the right of Celestia. When the light cleared a week and fragile Twilight Sparkle fell to the ground. After a few seconds she got to her three hooves.
“Twilight Sparkle…” Extimus spoke. Twilight ignored him as she made her way to her mother's side. Extimus was mildly surprised by this but continued. “I will give you one last chance. Join me and kill the lock guardians.” He spoke, but Twilight continued to ignore him.
“T-Twilight.” Celestia said weakly. “W-what are you doing h-here, y-your hurt.”
“I couldn’t leave you mom.” She said hugging her mother's head. “Besides I can't just sit by and watch you all do all the work, what kind of hero would I be if I just let the universe die?” She smiles weakly and Celestia returned it.
“I’m s-so proud of you Twilight I-I wish I c-could have been a better m-mother.” Tears streamed down her cheeks.
“Mom don’t say that… I couldn’t have wished for a better mother I love you.” She too had tears streaming down her muzzle. “Sleep now mom everything will be okay I promise.” Celestia nodded and closed her eyes. Twilight pressed a hoof to the alicorns neck to feel her pulse. She was still alive, but barely. Getting back up on her three legs she turned to Extimus.
“I’m still waiting for your answer.” He stated plainly.
“No” She said simply as the runes on her body glowed brightly and a few sparks sputtered from her horn.
“Then this is the end.” He said turning to the elements of harmony. They vanished before he could do anything, however. Turning back to Twilight he found the five mares laying behind her. “If you wish to die with them then so be it.” He stated… but nothing happened. For the first time he could ever remember Extimus was surprised. Twilight’s runes were glowing brightly. “I see…” he said and lifted up a long arm with the palm of his hand pointed to Twilight. “It looks like I’ll need to put forth more effort than simply thought.” White energy forms in front of his palm then shoots forward in a tight beam.
In a flash of light the five gems in the armor of the five mares appeared before Twilight and blocked the attack, they were spinning around a sixth gem… the same one Extimus destroyed. Again Extimus was surprised even shocked.
“How!?” He exclaimed.
“You said it yourself!” Twilight responded definitely. “I’m a goddess in waiting!” The gems absorbed the beam and fired it back at the god of destruction. Extimus bated the attack aside and it flew off into the sky.
“You are still weak compared to me.” He stated as another ball of white energy formed in front of his palm this time much bigger and fired it towards the defiant mare. However, instead of absorbing it the elements spun faster and fired their own attack. A beam of rainbow light meat the beam of pure white and began to push it back. Extimus glared and focused more power into his atack. Twilight just pushed back harder.
Extimus brought up his other hand. This time a ball of black energy formed at his palm and fired forward to meet the beam of rainbow light. The beam of harmony was pushed back by the duel beams of chaos and order. Twilight pushed more magic into her attack. Her runes glowed bright and cracks began to form over her body. Despite this she took a step forward, then another, and another. Extimus was infuriated and pushed more power into his attack.
“I don’t care!” She declared. “I will put forward every ounce of strength and power my existence possesses to stop you!” She yelled and continued to close the distance as Extimus continued to put more power in a futile attempt to stop her advancements.
“STOP! I COMMAND IT!”
“NO!”
“I AM A GOD YOU WILL DO AS I SAY!”
“You are no god!” She declared.”You are a parasite, and I’m the exterminator to end your rampage of destruction!”
“I AM INFINITE YOU ARE NOTHING COMPARED TO ME!”
“I AM MAGIC! YOU ARE NOTHING COMPARED TO ME!” She countered! Twilight was now floating off the ground level with Extimus now and mere meters apart. Use what little available focus she could she locked onto her friends, her mother, and her aunt with her mind and with a though sent them to ponyville where they would be safe.
Where the three beams met their energies began to coalesce and grow larger with each passing second. Twilight continued to close the distance as her body started to crumble away. Extimus took a step back.
“If I die defeating you then so be it! I will do anything to end your rampage of destruction here and now. Not will I save my universe but countless others!” She said with finality. The build up of energy was had grown larger and practically filled the space between them and it only grew larger. Twilight’s body was barely holding together most of it had faded to dust and junks of her barely stuck with her. As the build up of energy reached them she closed her eyes. A single tear rolled down her cheek as memories flashed through her mind.
***
Twilight sees herself get her cutie mark. She’s jumping around Celestia after being told she would be her student. She didn’t know at the time That Celestia was actually her mother. Times they spent together, playing, learning, bathing, and sleeping.
Memories of raising and taking care of Spike. Back then she never thought about herself as his mother while raising Spike, he was just another test given to her by Celestia. How happy they were when she finally realised how Spike saw her.
She’s coming in ponyville for the first time where she meets the five mares that would soon be her friend. They are navigating the everfree together to find the Elements of Harmony. All six of them are facing down Nightmare Moon as they use the Elements for the first time and became friends. That was the night that her life changed and soon she would be saving the world again and again with her friends by her side.
Their first Grand Galloping Gala together and how it became such a disaster. After words they all sat down and had donuts together and Celestia joined them. That night they stayed at the castle and Twilight slept with her teacher like they had when she was just a filly.
Them facing down Discord and how he turned them against who they were. Celestia sending her letters to remind her of all the times she shared with her friends helping her realize who she was. She had gone to all her friends and reminded them of who they were. Together they faced down Discord, and this was when she had first tapped into her true talent when she canceled Discords magic with her own.
Her memories brought her to the Canterlot Wedding and the Changeling Invasion. Her friends had turned on her and Celestia was disappointed in her. She found the real Cadance and exposed the imposter. Her friends realize their wrong came to her aid. They failed to get the elements, but she was still able to free Cadance and get her to Shining armor where they were able to banish Chrysalis. That evening Celestia apologized to Twilight for not believing her and for what she said to her and begged for forgiveness. Naturally Twilight forgave her.
They were in the crystal empire. Her friends are helping her by cheering up the crystal ponies. Her hunt for the crystal heart leads her to discovering sombra’s secrets, but also her ability to use dark magic. She’s trapped behind a wall of crystals and can't teleport out and tells spike to take the crystal heart to the ponies. He succeeds and she couldn’t be more proud.
Trixie showing up in with the alicorn amulet and challenging her to a duel. She got exiled from ponyville and went to get help from Zecora. She and her friends end up making a plan to fool Trixie into taking off the alicorn amulet. After that day Twilight and Trixie became good friends.
Her memories start going by faster. She sees Fluttershy reforming Discord. She’s facing down Chrysalis again this time on her own, but is victorious in the end and offers the Changeling Queen redemption.
She remembers the first year no big bad had attacked and her first dive into the world of politics. She do much for equestria by rooting out corruption and with her friends by her side she was able to do so much good for her fellow ponies. She remembered the day it was leaked that she was actually Celestia’s daughter. That had almost ended their relationship. When she end up being attacked and kidnaped Celestia had come to her rescue and promised she would never keep secrets from her.
The following year was the most eventful for her since moving to Ponyville. That year she entered the World Magic Tournament. During this tournament was when she first discovered her Runic Form and won the competition. She remembered her friends cheering for her through the whole event.
That same year she had saved Equestria once more when Celestia and Luna had mysteriously vanished and Twilight took control of the sun and moon. Not only that but she slayed her first god and saved her mother and aunt in the process. After that she was crowned a proper princess of equestria, despite not being an alicorn, and being given the title ‘God Slayer’ by the ponies she now ruled over.
The next six years had been a blur of her becoming not only the protector of Equestria, but the world as a whole. She had become the most loved being in all of history, but not once was she boastful. Throughout it all she had her friends right behind her, even if they physically weren't there all the time.
So many happy memories that she wouldn’t give for anything. Now here she was once again saving all she held dear, but this time she wouldn’t be joining them. She would die protecting what she loved most. She had lived a good life.
***
Thank you, everyone, for everything.
…
…
…
BOOM!
“Celestia wake up” Luna shook her sister, being careful not to hurt her. Celestia’s eyes cracked open slightly before she let out a groan of discomfort. “Thank Faust I was afraid you would never awake sister.”
“What happened, where are we?” Celestia went to sit up but winced as pain shot through her body like a title wave.
“Careful sister you are still very injured.”
“I don’t care where is Twilight!?” She demanded.
“She’s still in Canterlot I believe she teleported us here.” She said and pointed to Twilight’s five friends in varying states of recovering.
“But how her horn was broken!”
“She had entered her runic state sis-”
“SHE ENTERED RUNIC FORM WHILE INJURED!” She sat up abruptly but cried out in pain from the sudden movement.
“Easy sister you are still recovering.” She pushed Celestia to lay back down and she reluctantly complied. “I’m sure Twilight will be fine. She has faced beings more powerful than us before.”
“I know, but can you blame a mother for being so worried. She’s also your niece why aren't you more worried?”
“I am also very worried sister, but I have confidence that Tw-” She was cut of when she felt the hairs on her body all stick up on end. The others must have felt it to because like her they all turned in the direction of Canterlot Mountain. The dark mass of clouds still surrounded it, but they had changed slightly. Beams of violet light was shooting out of cracks in the clouds in small amounts.
As they watched more and more violet light pushed its way out of the clouds at an ever-increasing rate. Suddenly a massive, opaque violet dome formed around the cloud just as it became completely overwhelmed by the light pouring out it. Everything was silent as the dome become completely solid.
…
…
…
CRRK!
A massive crack shot across the surface of the massive shield, followed by another, then ten. Soon the dome was covered in fractures and everything became still once more.
…
…
…
fffrrrrOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!
A massive shockwave of rainbow light exploded outward in all directions bathing all of Equestria in its energy. For a moment every being on that world and possibly all other worlds within twenty light years literally tasted, smelled, heard, saw, and felt the pure harmonic energy. After a few more moments of the agonizing bliss of pure magic, the world once more grew still.
“NO!” Celestia cried out. At her sister's cry, she turned to her sister, having turned away to shield her eyes from the intense energy. She followed Celestia's gaze and gasped. Canterlot Mountain was gone not only that there was now a massive crater. So massive that they could see the opposite end of it on the horizon.
Being the first to recover Rainbow Dash shot up into the air to get a better look at the destruction. Luna observed as the prismatic mares jaw seamed to come unhinged. Shaking her head Rainbow flew back down and landed in front of the night princess.
“What do you have to report?” Luna asked clearly straining to keep her composer.
“I… I-it’s huge!” She was clearly having trouble processing what had just happened. Taking a deep breath she continued. “From what I can tell the edge of the crater is about seventy miles from ponyville.” She took another pause to steady her breathing. “I- I can't tell how deep it is but I could see a bright orange glow where I guess the lowest point may be.” She explained clearly struggling to keep herself from breaking down into hysterics.
“Eighteen miles…”Luna fell to her hunches and pressed a hoof to her forehead.”The crater is eighteen miles deep…” She said. “Canterlot is a hundred miles the crater is sixty miles across…” She mumbled… Her head spun as she tried to comprehend it.
“Twilight shielded us…” Rarity mumbled
“What?” Luna asked still trying to get her thoughts in order.
“That dome…” Rarity explained. “That was Twilight’s magic she protected us… she blocked most of... whatever that was.
“TWILIGHT NO!” Celestia wailed. It didn’t take long for the others to realize why. Twilight was inside that dome their longtime friend for the past thirteen years had sacrificed herself to save their universe. Twilight Sparkle, the most beloved being in all of history, was dead.
Luna made her way over to her sister and hugged her tightly and she too began to cry. Celestia wailed into her sister’s shoulder and soon the others broke down and sobbed. None of them noticed as other ponies came upon them, it didn’t take long for them to realize the absence of Twilight Sparkle and they too broke down in sobs.
Hundreds of ponies joined the group in mourning Twilight Sparkle. The number of ponies continued to swell. Sobbing and crying filled the air of ponyville. After what could have been an eternity the crying grew quite with the occasional last remaining sobbing coming from Celestia. Eventually, her sobbing slowed, the was when she spoke.
“Y-you…” Her week voice sang. “Are my sunshine…” she sang softly. “My only sunshine…” She continued. It was the same song Celestia sang to Twilight as a lullaby. “You make me happy when skies are grey…” Her voice trembled slightly. “You’ll never know dear, how much I love you…” She took a shaky breath. “Please don’t take my sunshine away.” She finished before breaking into more sobs. The only sound was that of a mourning mother until another voice began to sing.
“You are my sunshine…” Fluttershy sang softly. Celestia’s sobs stopped and she looked up at the yellow mare. “My only sunshine…” She continued as she walked up to the alicorn.”You make me happy when skies are grey. You’ll never know dear how much I love you. So please don’t take my sunshine away.” Fluttershy finished as she leaned into Celestia’s side and hugged her. Soon another voice sang.
“You are my sunshine my only sunshine…” Luna sang. “You make me happy when skies are grey. You’ll never know dear how much I love you. So please don’t take my sunshine away.” She tightened her hug with her sister. Soon other voices joined in.
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine
You make me happy when skies are gray
You'll never know dear, how much I love you
Please don't take my sunshine away
By the time they had sung the last line, it had become a chorus. When they started again everypony was singing.
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine
You make me happy when skies are gray
You'll never know dear, how much I love you
Please don't take my sunshine away
A small smile graced Celestia’s muzzle and a single happy tear ran down her cheek. Everything would be alright they would remember Twilight Sparkle and she would always be in the heart of the ponies of Equestria. Then a scream shattered it all. The scream was followed by others and the sound of panic soon filled the air.
Looking up Celestia looked up to see her ponies looking to the north in fear and panic. Looking back in the direction of where Canterlot once stood and she felt her heart sink. An absolutely huge mass of grey, swirling energy as large as the crater itself hung over the massive divot on the planet’s surface. The voice of Extimus rings out over the world.
“You think you have won!?” His voice came from all directions. “I told you I am a god! I am absolute! I am infinite! Your precious Twilight Sparkle merely destroyed my physical form! Your goddess is dead! Before long you all will join her as I erase this pitiful reality!” He finished and the grey mass of energy rapidly expanded and soon covered the sky.
“Princes, what do we do?” Rarity asked desperately. Celestia looked upon her ponies with a solum frown.
“I’m sorry my little ponies, but there's nothing we can do. I’m sorry.” She hung her head. The others did the same. Pony kind had lost all hope, they had given up.
…
…
…
Then there was a spark.
“Where am I?” Her voice echoed across the infinite plain of greyness.”Hello is anypony there?” She called out. “Am I dead?” She looked down at herself. Her body was there but everything felt numb if not nonexistent.
“Technically yes you are, at least your mortal form is.” Her own voice said back. Twilight’s head snapped back up to be greeted by… herself.
“What… a-are you me?” She asked dumbly her mind struggling to process all that was being given to it.
“Not entirely, I just look like you, but I’m not you, I’m what you would call reality or the universe.” Her doppelganger explained. “I took this form because I don’t have an actual physical form so I just copied yours.”
“Wow… so I’m talking with all of creation then?”
“Yes very much so. I guess the most accurate term would be God to describe what I am, but I’m not like Exitium who can intervene directly. I started everything and influenced things here and there, but this is the first time I intervened directly.”
“You called him Exitium…”
“That’s one of his names, his true name is Destruction. He was like me once just another omnipotent among many… then he turned on us and started killing us.” her reflection said sorrowfully. “I am one of the strongest if not the strongest… and I am the last.” She said sadly.
“Why did you bring me here?” Twilight finally asked the question had been nagging her. Her reflection smiled.
“Because you are the most powerful being ever to exist…”
“What!?” Twilight exclaimed. “What about you?” Her reflection shook her head.
“You may have been one of my creations, but you have far outpaced me. Your magic doesn’t just draw from me no but from beyond my limits. You have tapped into a power not even omnipotent beings like me can access. A power you can access because of who you are” She explained. Twilight pressed both hooves against her forehead, her mind reeling at the information. Her, Twilight Sparkle, more powerful than a truly omnipotent being.
“If I’m so powerful then how come I’m dead?” She asked one hoove still rubbing her forehead.
“You’re physical being was not able to handle it all so it was destroyed in your attempt to fight Exitium. However, you have broken free of that limitation you are now a true god.” She explained. Twilight gasped.
“Take it, take my power.” She pleaded. “I don’t want to be a god.”
“I can’t.” Her doppelganger shook her head. “Even if I could I wouldn’t.”
“B-but wh-” Twilight was cut off by her copy raising a hoof.
“The exact reason you don’t want the power you possess is the exact reason you should be the one to possess it.”
“I-I don’t understand.”
“Tell me Twilight, why did you get involved in politics? Was it because you wanted power or wealth… or was it because you wanted to help others? What about how you learned dark magic, not because you wanted power, but because you wanted to protect those you cared about. You practiced combat magic not so you could kill, but so you could defend.” She explained. Realization flashed across Twilight’s features, it was all true. Her double continued. “Not only that, but you offered redemption for all you faced, never once have you ever done something for selfish reasons. If anyone is more deserving to be a god and hold such great power than you then I don’t think they exist.”
“But what about my friends and family… will I have to leave them?” Twilight asked. Her double laughed and shook her head.
“No of course not you can do as you wish if that means you wish to remain on your world and stay with your family. If you wish to lock away some of your power after you defeat Exitium you can do that.”
“He’s still alive I didn’t kill him?!” She exclaimed
“No you didn’t, but you still can, however, you are going to need a physical form so I can send you back and stop him before he kills me.”
“But you said mine has been destroyed.”
“Your right that’s why I’ll be giving you one that better represents your power.” The double said with a wide grin.”I have it already prepared for you, even in your new physical form you will be more powerful than Exitium.”
“Please tell me I’ll still be a mare…” She said. Copy Twilight just laughed.
“Don’t worry I’m sure you will like it. Now go and be the god you were born to be!” She exclaimed. Twilight nodded, then everything went black… then there was a spark.
“What in the world…” Applejack mumbled as she and the other ponies looked up at the pillar of swirling energy where Canterlot mountain once stood. The pillar of energy was slowly shifting in color when it had first appeared it was black but quickly shifted to white then red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and finally… Lavender. At the last color the pillar of energy contracted becoming so thin it could barely be seen. The pillar of energy exploded outward filling the world in lavender light and from the sky that the pillar of energy breached something shot towards the group. Even once their vision had cleared many watched in fear as the purple speck of light rapidly approached. As it got closer Celestia gasped.
“Twilight!?” She exclaimed. The alicorn pulled herself onto her hooves, despite her sister’s and her body’s protests. The princess ran as fast as she could despite her injuries towards the growing lavender object. “Twilight!” She cried in joy as she grew closer. It’s her she’s alive my baby’s alive! Seeing who was running to greet her Twilight smiled as fresh tears spilled from her new eyes.
“Mom!” She cried in joy and stretched out her now longer forelegs.
“Twilight!” She cried out again before she was tackled to the ground by her daughter. Her body cried in protest some more but the cry of happiness in her heart was much louder. The two tumbled over each other a few times before they came to a stop, the two of them crying into each other’s fur while desperately hugging for fear that they may be separated.”You're alive my baby girl is alive!” Celestia wailed while petting Twilight’s mane. Twilight didn’t say anything but merely pressed her muzzle into her mother's coat. They stayed like this for a while just hugging and crying, never wishing to let go. Sadly it had to end because Twilight remembered she still had something to do. Twilight went to stand but Celestia refused to go.
“Mom…” she began
“Please don’t leave me I don’t want to lose you again.” She pleaded with her daughter.
“You aren't going to, not anymore.” She said standing up to her full height and showing off her new wings. Her mane flowed behind her in an ethereal breeze that both looked chaotic and orderly. Twilight closed her eyes then concentrated and glowing runes appeared on her body. Unlike her old body, the runes on this one were much more elegant for while the looked more complex they also seemed to flow more beautifully. Celestia stared in aw at her daughter, who was now well and truly looked like a god.
“Oh my!”
“No way!”
“Whoa, nelly!
“You look beautiful!”
“Ooh Sparkly!”
Five voices exclaimed and the new Alicorn turned to face her friends. She had already grown taller than them being a powerful unicorn, but now she towered over them. Twilight smiled brightly and walked up to the five mares and pulled them into a hug with both her hooves and new wings. All five of them returned the hug.
“Darling you look absolutely beautiful!” Rarity exclaimed.
“I have to agree with Rar’s here ya do look amazin Twilight.” Applejack complemented
“Not only that but she’s got wings!” Rainbow Dash said excitedly as she flew up and grabbed Twilight’s left wing and examined it.
“You look like a princess!” Fluttershy exclaimed her eyes wide with awe.
“You know what this means?” Pinkie Pie exclaimed excitedly jumping up and down in front of the new goddess. Before Twilight could reply Pinkie answered,” A PARTY!” She was now jumping around Twilight exploding with energy and excitement. Twilight couldn’t help but smile at her friend’s antics. Twilight faced forward when she noticed someone else had walked up to her. Her aunt stood in front of her wearing no expression and seemed to be looking her over. It took a moment but Twilight realized something else that took her by surprised. She wasn’t looking up at Luna she was looking down at her, at least by a little bit. After a minute of staring down the newly made alicorn, Luna smiled and gave a snort.
“Next thing you know Cadence will grow an extra foot and I’ll be the shortest princess.” She joked and gave her niece a warm smile. Twilight returned the smile before pulling the older alicorn into a hug.
“Don’t worry auntie you’re still my favorite aunt.” She reassured.
“But I am your only aunt!”
“Exactly!” She exclaimed before tightening the hug.
“I’m glad to see you are alive Twilight we all feared we lost you.”
“I thought so too I was afraid I would never get to see you all again.” She said and after a few more moments she pulled away and turned to look at the sky.” Though we may not have long unless I do something about this.”
“Be careful Twilight I don't want to lose you.” Celestia's voice was full of concern. Twilight walked back over to her mother laying on the ground.
“You won’t lose me again.” She reassured her. “Exitium is no match for me now, I know what I am now.” She said looking over the runes on her chest.”I know what I was born to be, I’m a goddess now… Even though I do not want this power, in fact, I don’t think anyone should be allowed to even poses a fraction of a fraction of the power I can wield, not even me.” She looked back up at the sky. “It’s my responsibility so I’ll take it seriously.” She looked back down to her friends and family. “I’ll back, make sure mom gets taken care of.” She said. Luna nodded her understanding as well as her friends. Twilight returned the nod before once more turning to look at the sky that was now black and bubbling like tar.
In one swift motion, she spread her wings and gave a mighty flap and smashing through the sound bearer in less than a second. She flew higher and soon she realized that the black tar-like sky wasn’t actually the sky but was actually outside the atmosphere. She concluded that it must be space itself that she was looking at. That made scenes considering that Exitium was likely trying to replace the universe with himself.
“Let’s see what this new body can do!” She exclaimed excitedly, more than ready to do what she was born to do. She lit up her horn and let the magic flow over her body as her runes glowed brighter. In a pulse of magic, she vanished from her location and immediately appeared high above the planet. Without wasting a second she reached outward and tugged at reality itself. Pulling at it she tore it open and then folded it around herself.
“I’m impressed I thought for sure you had been erased.” Exitium’s voice rang in her head. Twilight ignored it and continued to drag out Exitium from the fabric of her universe. “I’m impressed though it’s a futile atem-” he was cut short when he was suddenly and fully pulled from the fabric of the universe and forced back into his physical form. “WHAT!” he exclaimed in rage.
“I’m more powerful than you Exitium there is nothing you can do.”
“How do you know my other name and what foolishness do you speak? I am a god! I am creation itself! You are but a mear mortal!”
“No, Exitium your the one being foolish, believing it’s your divine right remake all realities in your image, you are so blinded by your own power that you can not even see that I am no mere mortal. You are correct that I was originally born in a mortal body, but I was never meant to be. I was not told this but I know it to be true. This reality created me to be able to tap into what you call the keys to this reality, the elements of harmony. I was meant to be the core of them I am Magic. For a long time, I thought I represented the element of magic, but I was wrong. Magic is a representation of me as well as the other elements. They are now apart of me once more as they were meant to be. I was born mortal so I would grow to understand what it was like to value individual life, something you lack. You are not a god you are a parasite a demon and I’m a goddess. I was not told all of this, but I just know it’s the truth for I am now the element of honesty. I will slay and protect my reality, for I am now loyalty, I will fight you fair and square for I am generosity, I will beat you then show you mercy because I am kindness, and I will bring joy and happiness to all of the universes because I am laughter. I harness a power so limitless that even my new mind of a goddess can’t comprehend it, for I am magic and magic is me!” She stated. Exitium no longer held an expressionless gaze, no now he looked enraged.
“You are nothing! I will show you what true power is you insolent, imitation god!” He raised his hands and a gray beam of energy shot forth towards the alicorn. As it shot towards her she simply raised a single hoof. As soon as the beam touched her hoof it froze in place. If Twilight were still just a mortal she would have considered it an impossibility, but now that she was a goddess it didn’t even require any effort on her part. She had just frozen a beam of light in place, the sheer impossibility of it seemed merely trivial. She hated it, she hated possessing so much power, but she had a job to do, and she could seal away most of her power when that job was done.
“No Exitium you are nothing and I am everything.” She said with the utmost truth and the beam of frozen grey energy wink out of existence.
“I’m done holding back, this has long lost its entertainment value.” He said with finality before shifting into his corporeal form and attempted to erase Twilight with his being. Twilight was unfazed. “Impossible! I should have replaced your existence with my own!” He raged, but Twilight simply raised her hoof and the god of destruction was once more forced back into his physical form.
“I am beyond existence now. I am truly infinite and I have decided I am done with this power I do not wish to wield it so I will end this here so I can lock it away.” She stated plainly and raising her hoof once more.
“NO! I AM CREATION, I AM INFINITE, I AM A GOD, I HAVE WORKED HARD TO GET WERE I AM NOW, AND I WILL NOT BE STOPPED BY A WANNABE GODLING!” He raged as he felt his very entity being stripped away.
“No, you are not,” Twilight stated before she began stripping him of his godhood. “I promised to give you mercy, as I have done for so many. Do you repent for all the wrong you have done?” She asked.
“I HAVE DONE NO WRONG I AM THE DEFINITION OF RIGHT AND WRONG ONLY YOU HAVE DONE WRONG BY DEFYING ME!” He continued to rage while desperately trying to free himself from her power.
“I know all truth and that is a lie you. I have given you mercy and you have refused it, but I will give it to you again do you repent?”
“I HAVE NOTHING TO REPENT FOR I WILL END YOUR EXISTENCE IN ALL REALITIES AND THE BEYOND FOR YOUR INSOLENCE!”
“You have no hope of doing so repent or I will do you what you claim you will do to me. This is your final chance.”
“NO! I AM A G-” He was gone totally and permanently. Twilight had won she had done her duty.
“No, I am a god.”
To be continued...
