The Ascent: To Liberate a Kingdom

Chapter Two: The Fall

The shock that Celestia felt as she woke up was not from the alien surroundings nearby, indeed, but from the fact that she had woken up at all. She had fallen from a tremendous height, and couldn’t have shielded her fall or used her wings due to the paralysis induced by The Archon. She attempted to pull herself upright, but collapsed again; the fall may not have killed her, but it had certainly taken its toll. She tried a second time, and with great effort regained her feet. She took a moment to survey her surroundings. She was stood on a raised platform with an expansive view; albeit a foreign view to her. Above her, the sky was an almost black colour, the clouds ominous and unnatural. Below her she could see virtually nothing, as it quickly dawned on her that the particular platform she was stood on was precariously hanging over the abyss below. Celestia began observing the nearby platforms as she searched for a way out of the region she had appeared in, and made short yet painful leaps from platform to platform. Her body hadn’t fully recovered from the landing, but she had regained enough of her faculties so that she could at least move naturally.

It didn’t take long for her to find the way out, but reaching it wasn’t the problem she was faced with. Ahead of her, she could clearly make out a massive, flat wall, inscribed with various depictions of major moments in Equestrian history. She could see the founding of Canterlot, the (unfortunately short lived) peace treaty with the Crystal Empire, and many more murals. After seeing this, she was able to put a name to the location. It was Tartarus, the Underworld, and it then dawned on her that she was actually dead. Her eyes drifted to the gateway protruding from beneath the wall; and behind that, a blue, swirling portal. To make things worse, she could plainly see the gateways’ guardian. Like every newly deceased Equestrian, she could reclaim her life by defeating Cerberus, the giant Three-Headed dog; no mean feat by any standards. Nevertheless, it was something that she had to accomplish if she was going to save Equestria.

She had recovered enough to fight Cerberus now, and she took off for the gateway. As she landed, a deep chuckle shook the area.

“What’s this?” boomed the voice. “It’s been a while since a soul this intense had found its way into my domain.”

Celestia readied herself. Cerberus was massive, but a truly agile foe. He was quick thinking too. She gathered that it was a benefit of having three brains.

“Ah, Princess Celestia. The Archon got the better of you then, I presume.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure. When I get out of here, Cerberus, I will gift you his soul – you’ll have a lot of fun with that, I promise you.”

“Right you are Princess. I would. But I’d have even more fun with yours!”

Celestia didn’t have time to evade the attacker from above; his shadow over her had more than revealed where he was coming from. She teleported away with ease.

“Let’s recap on the last few weeks – this will make an excellent addition to the wall.” Celestia swallowed her anger. She was just as eager to hear Cerberus’ take on the events over the last few weeks.

“Indeed, first, a mysterious figure arrives from a ship at Fillydelphia, no doubt The Archon, and makes his way to the north.” This was as much as Celestia had gathered; it’s what he did there that her spies couldn’t find out.

“Then, he holds counsel with King Sombra – who also happens to be entertaining the Queen of the Changelings at the time. I hear that Sombra was to trade the love that powers the Crystal Heart for minerals found in the rocky terrain of the Changeling Kingdom.”

“This is a mere triviality, Cerberus.” Celestia spoke. “We all know that he gained the allegiance of both The Crystal Empire and the Changelings.”

“That we do, Celestia. The other notes are worth mentioning though, as history is easily twisted if comprehensive records are not kept.” Cerberus cleared his throat, and began to continue. “Now then, after recruiting the two rulers, he makes his way south and across the Everfree Forest, only to end up in Canterlot. After helping Discord break free, a changeling spy is sent disguised as a Shadowbolt to Princess Luna’s quarters.” This is the part that Celestia was most keen to hear of.

“So he got to her with a spy? I should have known as much.” Celestia mentioned.

“I’m surprised, Celestia. I thought Canterlot Castle’s security was bar-none!”

“I cannot wait for you to finish talking, Dog.” Celestia growled. The Guardian merely raised an eyebrow, and continued.

“Anyway... It is then thought that the ‘Shadowbolt’ made Luna believe that The Archon was offering power, and had made an offer of Eternal Night to Luna.”

“And she took it!?”

“So it seems.” Celestia’s head dropped. Apparently something as trifling as Eternal Night was enough to buy Luna’s betrayal.

“And finally...” began Cerberus, “The Archon rallies his combined strength and takes Canterlot within a matter of hours, clearly not enough time for even the most gifted strategist to counter. I think that about settles it.” Cerberus lowered his jaw, making eye contact with Celestia. There was definite bloodlust in his eyes.

“I take it you won’t let me pass?” Celestia inquired.

“And miss a prize like your soul? Don’t make me laugh.” Cerberus lunged at Celestia; he was at full stretch and attempted to swipe Celestia early with his claw. She was ready however, and effortlessly teleported to her right. Cerberus’ left head caught her, and he swiftly turned to face her. A glint of light caught Celestia’s eye; a key was attached to Cerberus’ collar. It would be impossible to remove whilst the enormous canine was still breathing, however. Cerberus lunged at her a second time as she leapt to his rear, and shifted towards the very edge of the platform. He soared at her, and she teleported away. He was a little confused now, and his delayed reactions would only benefit Celestia. He howled in anger, shaking the floor and causing a stalactite to drop down near the platform, missing it narrowly. Celestia could see many more stalactites, and began formulating a plan. Cerberus regained calmed himself, and lowered himself to the ground – it was obvious what he was going to do. He pounced at Celestia who teleported behind him again, she subsequently fired a bolt of flame at the stalactite, causing it to drop and impale Cerberus’ right head.

The beast scrambled around; he was both enraged and in enormous pain. Celestia jumped onto his head, and removed the stalactite via levitation. She angled it at his head and launched it in his direction, but the dog saw it coming and held his paw ahead of his face. Cerberus was swimming in his own blood, but she couldn’t wait for him to bleed out. Cerberus would expect another stalactite, so she grabbed a nearby chain from the gateway. She took it in her mouth, and ran towards Cerberus. She quickly tied the loose end around his head and locked it there, before taking the end in her mouth and soaring towards a nearby stalactite on the roof. She tied it to that and kicked it off. Cerberus, realising her plan, was unable to respond, and the heavy rock took his entire left head with it as it plummeted to the darkness below. Left with only a single head, Celestia impaled his remaining head with her horn, before watching his remains crumple into a dark heap before her. She grabbed the key from his bloodied collar and opened the bulky gate to the portal.

Stepping near the portal, she took a deep breath as she stepped through, only to be blasted back onto the platform in front of the gateway. An equine figure could be made out from the portal, and Celestia was stunned as she identified its key features; a predominantly black coat, with a mane and tail of a deep blue, with sparkling dots frequently visible. It had what appeared to be a helmet, and a broach bearing the sigil of the moon. It became evident that this was Nightmare Moon.

“Fear not, dearest sister. I am not here to do battle.” boomed the Mistress of the Night. Celestia’s expression was perplexed, to say the least. “I wish to forgo my role in The Archon’s forces. I...” Nightmare Moon suddenly sighed.

“Go on.” inquired Celestia. Nightmare Moon’s typical voice dropped to a quieter, softer tone.

“I want to be Luna again.” Needless to say Celestia was taken aback. Something had to have brought this sudden change in her sister. There was a strong hint of regret, fear and sadness in her voice.

“I didn’t expect this, Nightmare.”

“Please, call me by my true name.”

“I didn’t expect this...” Celestia swallowed. “Luna.”

Luna quickly shed her armour, which then rapidly disintegrated on the floor.

“The Archon and I didn’t exactly see eye to eye on many things. You cannot fathom how much regret I am carrying right now, dear sister.” This broke Celestia’s heart. She couldn’t admonish her sister in the way that her actions warranted, especially after what Luna proceeded to say next.

“I want to help you in stopping The Archon.”

“No. I would not risk you, Luna, even if I were to defeat him.”

“I can help!”

“Yes. You can. You can help steering clear of me. The Archon is my foe and mine alone.”

“Was it ‘You alone’ that stopped Sombra the first time? Was it ‘You alone’ who set Discord in his stone prison?” Celestia took a deep breath. Her sister was right.

“Fine, you can start by informing the major settlements that Equestria is not lost yet. Inspire them to fight back against their oppressors.” Luna saluted; she had a beaming smile on her face. Celestia was usually very strict in situations like these. The younger sister took off through the portal, followed shortly by the elder sibling.