Trinity of Time: Fate and Change

With a sheer gust of wind, I blew off the ashes of the leftover flames off a nearby hill. Honestly, after all these years, Lavender still leaves such a crummy mess for me to clean up. Not that I'm complaining, of course. Sigh... How long long has it been since I last met somepony like her? Hmm... "Oh well," I added, shrugging. "Time flies by so fast when you're me." Still, that glow in her eyes told me everything I needed to know. From the day I met her, I knew she was one of the three. Even if disguised as a young, arrogant, distraught filly, I acknowledged strength and skill beyond mortality. It just so happens that she is the third incarnation of your power, Crystal. The third of a Trinity of three...

Why is it so bright today? I didn't know the mighty sun could shine so brightly! Oh wait... It's just me. I put my right hoof over my forehead, and pressed downwards. It surely took a while, but at long last, the bright flashes were gone. I hate it when it does that. Then again, can I truly hate? Hmm... As long as I'm in this form; as long as I choose to live, I might as well act like them. Still, prudence is at hand. One wrong move, and even I could die. It would surely be ironic, wouldn't it? Would I be like you, Crystal? If I were to die, would my spirit wander the place between the worlds for eternity, already seeking the ideal source of life? Hmm... How miserable that sounds. I guess you're determination to meet the Mighty Celestia again kept you strong all these years! Still, what if I died? Is that even possible to die twice? Nah, I'm probably over-thinking this.

I was done cleaning up. However, something strange, shining in the distance caught my eye. I walked towards whatever the object might have been. Upon further inspection, I realized it was a pure,snow white feather. How did this get here? More importantly, am I shedding already? Huh... Shedding as this hour is surely unexpected. Must be the heat! Yeah... The heat! Nah... It can't be. Is it you, calling upon me? What is it? Ah, so you want to know how she is doing, right? Tsk. Rest assured, Lady Sparkle; she's doing fine. Yes, you and I have a different definition of fine. I understand you absolutely can't stand seeing her tortured like this. I assure you, however, that one day, she will be strong. I assure you, Lady Sparkle, there is nothing to worry about. Can't you feel it? Can't you feel this wind of change?

Huh... It seems to me like you've been too busy with your studies. As usual... If I told Celestia this, I can guarantee she will tell me you haven't changed a bit. Although, there would probably be a half-hour of tears shortly after! What?! No, I'm for torturing the Princess. Be glad there's no one on this mountain right now. They'd think I'm crazy, talking to myself. Mortals could never see what my eyes have seen. In fact, why don't you come down here? No, I'm not opening the portal! You're an Alicorn now! You've ascended to a greater platform; one above that of mortality. You do it!

"Honestly," I heard a voice speak behind me, "I've never seen anypony lazier than you are. Even Rainbow Dash had more stamina than you!" I turned around, my mane blown aside by a strong vortex of wind. I had to lay flat on the rock, and clench onto something hard, just so I wouldn't be blown away. Once the twister had passed, I saw a figure emerge from the falling leaves, and whatever leftover ash there was. Her coat was a lush, violet hue. In the middle of her dark purple mane was a stroke of light red, nearing a darker shade of pink. She wore a beautiful golden crown on her head, along with a large pendant-like jewel in the shape of a six-side star around her neck.

"Aren't you going to get up?" she asked, approaching my still body. "Nope, too lazy," I managed to mutter. Emitting some sort of powerful magic from her large, violet horn, she lift me up from, and force me to stand on my four hooves. "You lazy person... Why are you even like this?! You could have come here in any form possible, and you chose and Earth Pony?!"

"Do you have something against Earth Ponies," I retorted, "I'm sure your two earth pony friends would love to have a word or two with you. That is, unless they've succumbed to the greatness of their new forms." She flat out slapped me in the face. I merely laughed, still limp and somewhat tired.

"More importantly, umm..." She couldn't finish her sentence. "What do you call yourself now?"

"Silver," I replied, "I like that name. Methinks I should stick with it." She turned her head away from me, trying to hide her tears.

"She gave it to you, didn't she?" I nodded. "You know what you've missed, Sparkle?" Surprised, she faced me once more, glaring. "That feather I just picked up," I continued. "I realize now that it is not mine. It is none other than hers! Look at the trail over there. See it?! That's the trail she took upon leaving this place. That path, my dear, has feathers on it, leading all the way up the mountain. What do you make of this? After all, I recall Lavender being a Unicorn, right?"

The Alicorn before me said nothing. I ran back into my caravan, and brought back a small, sepia photograph. "Remember this? That's her. That's how you wanted her to be; just like you. That's the reason you gave her to Celestia! You were too weak to take care of her, and her father died years ago! You knew this would happen! You knew she would see Celestia and Luna as goddesses, as beings far more sophisticated than mortals, yet despite that, you still did it!" It was my turn to glare into her eyes.

"You knew of her arrogance, and yet still gifted her to two Alicorn role models. She inherited your wits alright, but developed that particular trait of her own. Reading all those stories between you and that blue mare, how you two fought relentlessly, could only fuel her drive for impossible power. Gifted at birth, she wanted nothing more than to ascend. Each day, she versed herself in the magical arts. Nopony could stop her, just as nopony could stop you back then."

"Unlike you, however, she is nowhere as kind or caring. You know why?" I pointed at the picture, my hoof over the image of a you foal, tucked into the arms of her mother. "You had friends. You were given a chance, a key to the outside world. She had none of those things. Of course, there were the Princesses, but I'm convinced that didn't help the slightest bit. Over the years I spent in that castle, watching her grow, and stray away from society. It's a wonder she can still talk to normal ponies.  Each day and night, confined inside her own mind, she ascended higher, and higher."

"However, she never considered one crucial thing; once at the top, what else is there to reach for?" I added, pointing upwards.

"The Angels above; the kingdom beyond mortal vision."

I guess it was just too much for the violet Alicorn to take. She vanished as swiftly as she came. This time, I did not budge, despite the strong wind. After a brief moment, there was nothing left of her. I stood there, silent, solemn.

"Are you going to be the one to break it to her? Are you going to tell her the cruel truth, or will she have to be crushed by it herself?" I picked up the photograph, and read what it said on the back: "In loving memory of Twilight Sparkle, who died at age 68. May her soul rest in peace." I snickered at the thought. I knew the violet Alicorn was aware of it too. In fact, that was the only reason she and her friends didn't ascend any higher.

"The ultimate sacrifice; the one thing you need to give up to become an Angel, a thing far too precious for you to surrender: the memories of the life you lived."