Third Immortal: Nights Redemption

by Midnight Moon

Rating: everyone
Tags: Tragedy, Slice of Life, Dark, Sad
Length: 19500

An old friend. A dying breed. An ancient secret. The Nightmare Curse.

A.N.

Story On Hiatus again, as I work on another project.

Even after the defeat of Nightmare Moon, many ponies still hold a grudge against Luna, claiming her responsible for the dark things the night brings out, both in nature and in other ponies. When an old friend of the sisters comes to visit, he intends to set things straight. But what lengths will he be willing to go to help an old friend?

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2011-12-10 03:33:23 UTC

Chapter 0: Prologue

It hurt when he thought too much about it.

So many centuries have passed since the last one died. He was beginning to think that maybe that was the last one after all. Maybe the four of them had what it took to maintain their sanity, and see everything the wide world would offer them. Certainly, Yunas Gong had shown no sign of mental deterioration those last few weeks. He’d been totally himself, maintaining his tiny realm as carefully as ever, ensuring nothing seriously bad happened to the few inhabitants he looked over. To think, all it took was an Ursa Major looking for a den to topple the delicate mental balance that had held him together for so long.

After letting the over-sized beast tear his physical form apart, Yunas Gong’s consciousness ran rampant, destroying the small peninsula that was his realm. Although there hadn’t been much on it, some few ponies had chosen to settle there anyways, savoring the view and the out-of-the-way-ness the peninsula offered. Even though they still worshiped their Princess, Yunas was still pleased to have something to look over. He’d been depressed, and had thought having something to occupy his time would keep him sane. As it turns out, he had not been ready for the full duties it had entailed.

After the destruction of the small sea-side town, Yunas Gong’s consciousness lost the last attachment to this world, and had departed. That left only him and the two sisters. So far, they had shown remarkable stability, most likely due to their interaction with their frequent with the mortals. Sure, there had been that one bit with the younger going mad and all, but seeing as that was the only deviation they exhibited over all the eons, it was hardly troublesome, most likely just a release of tension.

He briefly wondered if Yunas could have maintained himself better if he had mingled with the ponies of the now-destroyed town. It didn’t matter. The past was the past, and no amount of worrying of fretting or thinking about it could change that. Certainly, he should know that better then anypony else.

He supposed he should inform the sisters about this latest passing. Whether or not they cared for such news now, with their duties to attend, their realm to watch over, he no longer knew if they even remembered their old pact, the promise they made to each other, as the last of their kind. But even if they no longer cared for that centuries-old promise, he did. After all, it was his idea in the first place. He thought that if they had that extra bit of connection to each other, then, maybe, it would keep them from losing their connection to themselves. Certainly, it had brought him back from that point, when he had began to think that the world no longer required their kind. Hearing the sister's tale brought him back from the pit of despair, and renewed his desire to live, even if the mortals had forgotten him.

With these thoughts in mind, he began writing his letter. He would prefer to come visit them in person, but, given their position, he thought it better to keep his distance. If they wanted to see him, they would know where to find him, but he did not think it best to reveal himself to their subjects. After all, to most ponies, he didn’t even exist!

Celestia would often be found in her personal quarters after audience hours were over. It was during that time between audience hours and sunset that she did most of her thinking. While Luna, after a thousand years of imprisonment, was at first overjoyed to spend that time with her, her lack of knowledge on more recent events soon lead her to peruse history books, eager to learn what had happened in Equestria during her absence. Not that she minded, of course. It’s only natural to be curious about the past, after her long absence.

She had just finished reading another letter from Twilight when another one arrived. Strange, Celestia thought. Usually, a day or two would pass before she received reports. Maybe Twi merely forgot something in her last letter, or Spike had the hiccups again. Last time, she was bombarded with various incomplete sketches and notes. It had taken her quite some time to sort through it all and afterwards-

It was not from Twilight Sparkle.

Suddenly apprehensive, Celestia carefully opened the letter. Instead of the red ribbon with the insignia that marked her usual correspondence, this one was marked simply with a drop of nearly blood-red ink with an B delicately carved in the center of it. She knew who it was from, but hadn’t heard from him since their last get together 2500 years ago. She had almost begun to believe that he had forgotten them and their old promise, even though he had been the one to suggest it in the first place. Why the sudden correspondence now? What had been keeping him too busy to talk until now?

As she slowly read the letter, her mood shifted from curiosity to sadness, from longfulness to hopefulness, from memories of days long past towards hopes for what tomorrow will bring.

After finishing the letter, Celestia held back a tear of longing, and headed towards the royal library, where Luna would most likely be. There was still some time until she was supposed to raise the moon, and Luna spent nearly every available hour catching up on her history.

As Celestia entered the room, Luna looked up from her books. It was funny, Celestia thought, how much like Twilight she would look, absorbed in her books. At times, she wondered how the two would get along, both absorbed in their respective book, barely moving at all, off in their own little worlds.

“Is it already time to raise the moon?” Luna said upon see her big sister. “I thought it wasn’t to be for another hour now!”

“Not yet,” Celestia replied. “But I did get a letter from an... old friend of ours. I thought you should see it.”

The mood suddenly solemn, Luna and Celestia read the letter together, reliving their pasts. When they were done reading, they looked at each other for a brief moment, then nodded to an unspoken agreement. Leaving the library, the two of them went to their private rooms, thinking about the letter and what it meant. After Celestia lowered the sun and Luna raised the moon, they each went to their rooms, not so much to sleep, but instead to ponder the ramifications of what they just read, letting their minds go over it all again and again.

Chapter 1: Just Another Day

Waking up from deep, dreamless, Twilight Sparkle quickly decided that the first thing she needed today was a bath. It was Applebuck season, and a bumper crop lead she and her friends to help Applejack with the harvest. After her stubborn pride lead to several disasters in Ponyville, including the worst baking accident in their town’s history, AJ had been eager to accept help offered to her, and her friends happy to oblige. Even though Twilight had mostly used her magic, there was no denying that it was dirty, tiring business, and, too exhausted to take a bath when she got home, went straight to bed.

Feeling like a new pony when she finally separated herself from the hot, steaming water, Twilight quickly did her hair wand went downstairs, hungry after yesterdays hard work. Her head assistant, Spike, had woken up early (rare enough, considering he might be an even heavier sleeper then Twilight), and had made a large breakfast consisting of pancakes with maple syrup, fresh apple slices from yesterdays harvest, toast smothered in jam with a single slice of butter, and, for Owlowiscious, who he had come to deeply appreciate after helping to rescue him for a dragon, ground earthworms with bits of daises.

“Good morning, Twilight!” Spike said cheerily, having just gotten himself some of the pancakes.

“Spike, this looks wonderful! How long did it take you to make all this!” Twilight exclaimed.

“It ain’t nothing! You work so hard yesterday, you deserve it!”

“Thank you so much! I might have to go find you some gems once I'm finished!”

After a long, filling breakfast (Twilight ended up eating too much, and had minor stomach cramps for half an hour), and a short excursion to find Spike his gem (a large ruby, which he greedily ate), the three of them returned to the library, where Twilight returned to her books, while Owlowiscious went to sleep for the day and Spike took a short nap, stomach full almost to bursting.

A knock on the door caught Twilight’s attention. Leaving her books, Twilight Sparkle went to answer, and found Applejack waiting.

“Good morning Applejack!” Twilight said merrily.

“Good mornin’ Twilight! Ah’ just wanted to thank you again for helping meh’ out yesterday with the harvesting! Ah' ain’t seen so many apples in years!”

“Not a problem! Spike made quite a meal with them! I think there’s still a bit left, if you want some.”

“No t’anks! Ah’ already had a big breakfast, and ah’ doubt I could eat another bite!”

“Same here! Anything else you need help with?”

“Not at all! I’ll be seeing you later!”

“See ya!” Applejack turned for Sweet Apple Acres as Twilight closed the door.

“Who was it?” Spike asked, having been woken from his nap by the sound of the door knocking.

“Just AJ coming to thank us for our help yesterday.”

“Whatever!” He stretched and let out a large yawn. “You need anything? Looking for any books?”

“Actually, I'm almost finished with A Treatise on Magic and Magic Creatures, and I was wondering if you could find a book called Myths and Mythos: On Legends of Ancient Times. One of the other books said it offered interesting speculation of the time before Celestia’s reign.”

“You got it!” Spike had already found the book, and handed it over to Twilight.

“Thanks!” Having just marked her place, Twilight eagerly took the book, and started reading.

She examined the title page, frowning slightly when it said the author was anonymous. It might just have been her, but she didn’t usually trust books whose writers didn’t put their name on. Usually, they were full of errors and inconsistencies, and as a scholar, she chaffed at such sloppiness. However, once she got started, she realized that whoever wrote this had great talent, flawlessly seaming together countless details on various legends of ancient pony tribes, presenting it in an interesting, well-flowing manner, even adding personal speculation and bits of humor. If only she could find out who made this...

With a start, Twilight realized it was nearly time for lunch. Marking her spot, she had nearly closed the book when the book flipped to an interesting picture. It was a green valley, and in it were many kinds of creatures of every shape and size, resembling gryphons, zebras, buffalo, dragons, birds, rabbits, phoenixes, and even ponies. With a double-take, she even saw what looked like incredibly young Celestia and Luna. She would have to examine it closer when she got back, but she didn’t want to be late for her friends’ get-together at Sugar Cube Corner!

Chapter 2: Immortals

“T’anks again for helping meh out, girls! This one’s on me!”

They clinked their glasses, then began to eat. Applejack was paying for their lunch this week, as thanks for their help with harvest yesterday, and with the money she had already made selling apples, they were able to treat themselves to the best Ponyville had to offer. Afterwards, they’d treat themselves to the usual at the beauty spa, then disperse.

The six of them were talking about their week. Rarity received an order for twenty velvet dresses for Manehattan, and was rather busy trying to get them all done by the end of the month, but she doubted she’d have any problems. With the Applebucking nearly finished three days ahead of schedule, AJ was going to have some free time before they start milking the cows, so she thought she’d that she’d take Applebloom and her friends to the county fair on Saturday, which Pinkie Pie was also going too, of course. Rainbow Dash had been asked to show up at the Flight Training School in Cloudsdale to show off for the young fillies, as the Best Young Flyer in Equestria.

“How about you, Twilight?” Rarity asked. “Find anything interesting in those books of yours?”

“Actually,” Twilight said, “I did find an interesting picture in the one I'm reading right now. It showed a lot of things, including what appears to be Celestia and Luna at about Sweetie Bell’s age.”

Everyone gasped at that. Rainbow Dash, who had been taking a sip from her soda, sprayed it all over AJ, who scowled at her with an iron intensity.

“Oops... sorry,” Rainbow said.

“The princesses as fillies,” Applejack said. “I wonder what they were like back then...”

“I bet they played tons of cool games!” Pinkie Pie said. “Do you think they had ‘Pin the tail on the Pony’ back then? Or ‘Spin the Bottle’? I bet they were lonely by themselves. Did they have any friends? Was one of them a big, scary dragon? Or maybe something weird, like a six-legged, pink-and-green striped, twenty foot tall walking flower!”

Everyone stared at Pinkie Pie.

“What?” she said. “It must have been ages ago! Who knows what was going on back then or what was what?”

“Well, there was one dragon, about twice as big as Spike,” Twilight said. “But I don’t think they’d get along very well.”

“Awwww!”

“At any rate,” Twilight continued, “It be nice to know what life was like back then, even if it is just speculation. And, really, Celestia and Luna, as kids? That, I got to see!”

All six of them giggled as they each had their own thoughts about what the princesses must have been like as fillies.

The rest of lunch passed quickly, and they didn’t talk much at the spa, simply enjoying the time. They said their goodbyes afterwards, as they each went home.

When Twilight got back to the library, she went immediately to the book she had been reading. She’d been curious as soon as she saw the picture, and talking about it with her friends had only served to amplify that curiosity. She quickly found the page with the picture, along with a title.

Beginnings, it said.

“At the very dawn of the world, life exploded into a vast array of species, many of which can no longer be found on this side of the line between life and death. Among them were those that were both similar and yet different in every way from anything that been born since then, different in that they were immune of the Passage of Time. These were the Immortals, and they were as gods.”

“They quickly discovered that they were drawn towards various parts and places in nature, in which they showed extraordinary talents and proficiency. They quickly claimed these as their domains, and they were zealous in their treatment of them.”

“But as time passed them by, they found that they were missing something. It gnawed at them, as they had considered themselves perfect in their power. They searched and searched, but they could not find out what they were missing. It tore at them so: many went mad, obsessed with finding out what they lacked, and they destroyed many great and wonderful things in their madness.”

“Those that were still in possession of themselves sought to defeat the mad ones, and banish their very beings to beyond the boundary of death. And as they fought, the world trembled before their power, as if to shatter.”

“It was then that they heard a cry, and they looked towards the earth, and they found many mortals quaking in fear and terror before the Immortals power. They pleaded to them, begging them to stop, and in the fear of the mortals voices and eyes, they found out what they had lacked.”

“They could not feel.”

Chapter 3: Questions

“The Immortals, who considered themselves perfect, found out that their lacking, which had torn at them constantly, was a trait easily found in the mortals, which they had considered far beneath them. In all their might, the Immortals one, great weakness was that they had no feelings. They had been cold and calculating, without emotions, and it was such lack that made them less then they thought they were.”

“Although many Immortals would deny it, and latter pay the price when they lost themselves and were banished beyond death, those few with wisdom would embrace the mortals, calling them equals. From them, the Immortals learned of emotion, of feeling, of loss and love and despair, of happiness and loneliness, of want and desire. And it was such that they learned to long and care for the mortals, and they brought to them many wonders and marvels, establishing great and mighty kingdoms, filled with rich and fertile lands in which the younger mortals could grow and thrive.”

“But the greatest gift of all was a piece of the Immortals power, a small fraction of the greatness that they enjoyed, for which they were worshiped for as gods among mortals. With it, the mortals built many a great and wonderful marvel of their own, with such beauty and elegance that even the Immortals were awed before their splendor. However, in doing so, they also gave the mortals the key to their destruction.”

“For the mortals were young, filled with greater potential then even the Immortals, and they showed frightening proficiency with the spark of the divine known as magic, such as the Immortals feared them. And so, they sought to limit the divine, which came at a terrible cost.”

“With their power, the Immortals rose from the ocean a great island, and on that island, they built a temple. And in the temple, they constructed a fail safe, with the power to steal all the magic from the world, forever sealing it within the temple’s confine. And they sealed the fail safe within the temple, and veiled the island with great and powerful magic, such that all those that set foot upon the island would be lost, doomed to wander the line between life and death until the end of time.”

“Afterwards, the name and location of the island was lost, and the fears of the Immortals were calmed, as the mortals showed great restraint with their gift of magic. Although, as time passed, more of the Immortals lost themselves to madness, letting themselves leave the world of the living when they lost all connections, and many mortal races forgot how to use magic, never again was our world threatened. Immortals pledged themselves to the various mortal races, swearing to guide them along the path to greatness. And as the Immortals and mortals grew closer together, learning from each other, there grew bonds stronger then even death could sever. Even today, those bonds connect those beyond the grave, mortal and Immortal alike, ever a reminder that even gods have much to learn from the magic of friendship.”

Twilight kept going over what she had read again and again. If this was all true, then it raised plenty of questions. It would indicate that Celestia and Luna had been ruling over pony kind far longer then the records indicate, and that there were plenty more like them all over the world. Magic would really be available to every pony, griffin, zebra, dragon, and any other species out there, but then why were unicorns the only ones that could use it? What had happened to make all the others forget? Not to mention this ‘fail safe’ that had been mentioned. What could possibly steal magic? And how could one place possibly be able to contain all the magic in the world? Plus there was the whole bit about the Immortals losing their connection. What did that mean? It must have something to do with their immortality, but what? Did something happen that bound them to this world? She knew that there were a few spells that could bind a pony's spirit to certain locations or people, but those were forbidden, and for good reason. Nothing should be able to interfere with life and death. It simply wasn’t right.

And then there’s the part about how the Immortals couldn't feel. What was that supposed to be like? She couldn’t even begin to imagine what it must be like, not having any emotions. But how does one learn something like feelings? There wasn’t any way to explain something like that, it’s not even something that can be understood. It simply was, and she didn’t think such things could be understood. The incident with Pinkie Pie’s ‘Pinkie Sense’ served only to solidify her opinion on the matter.

Twilight decided to simply not think much farther on the subject. Things like this hurt her brain, and thinking about it too much only served to make her frustrated. Looking at the clock, she saw that it was nearly time for dinner. She didn’t think she had been reading that long, but her sense of time was often distorted when she was reading or thinking too much, which she was prone to do.

Dinner consisted of grilled apples with hay fries and apple juice. Owlowiscious had already had his dinner (or was it his breakfast, since he was nocturnal?), so it was just her and Spike. They ate in silence, since neither had much to say. Until Spike burped out a letter.

"That's strange," Twilight said. "I don't know of any event coming up that Celestia could need my assistance with, and I didn't-"

Spike burped out another letter, this one different from Celestia's usual correspondence.

Her curiosity peaking, dinner forgotten, Twilight quickly retrieved the letters. Despite her curiosity, her respect for Celestia lead her to read the princess's letter first.

"My Dearest Twilight Sparkle,"

"An old friend of mine has recently come to visit. He has heard many things about you, and has requested to see you. After much thought, I have decided that it is for the best that you two should meet. However, It is still your choice to make, and neither of us will think any less of you should you refuse."

"Ever here for you,"

"Princess Celestia"

Her mind was spinning. Who was this friend of Celestia's? How long had they been friends? How did he know about her? Why did he want to see her, of all ponies?

Thinking that she might find the answers in the other letter, she quickly opened it. Instead of Celestia's red ribbon and golden seal, this one was simply marked with a drop of red wax, with an B pressed into it.

"Twilight Sparkle"

"I've heard of your many exploits with your friends, and I would like to meet the bearer of the Element of Magic face-to-face. I know that you must be filled to the brim with questions, and I will attempt to answer them all, should you agree to visit. However, as much as it pains me, I must ask you to not inform your friends of our meeting at the present moment. Rest assured that, afterwards, you are free to tell them anything you want, except what I explicitly forbid, of course, but for now, there are some things I must tell you that are to remain strictly between you and me. You may tell them that someone of great importance in the royal court has asked to see you in private, but that they would prefer to remain anonymous until further notice. Afterwards, I may request to see you all together, but until then, I must stress the importance of our meeting remaining between you, me, and the princesses."

"An interested ally"

"B"

Now Twilight was even more confused and curious then before, if that was even possible. Celestia had wanted them to keep that fact that she and her friends were the Elements of Harmony quite, and they had told nopony, so how did this "B" know about it? Why did he want to keep this away from her friends? Twilight didn't think that she could do this without her friends, but this "B" had promised answers, and she HAD to know about this. And why all the secrecy? If "B" was a friend of the princesses, then he should be safe at Canterlot, especially if he was staying at the royal castle. Heck, they'd probably throw a banquet in his honor! Why did he want to remain hidden so badly? And why risk it by telling her about him?

But now that her insatiable curiosity was on overdrive, Twilight didn't have any choice in the matter. She loathed that she had to keep her friends in the dark, but she didn't think she could live with herself if she passed this up.

She had made her decision. Already levitating supplies, she said "Spike, take a letter!"

"You got it!" Spike said quickly, his own curiosity replaced with monotony born out of countless letters he had written for Twilight.

"Dear Princess Celestia", she said, Spike already writing it down.

"I would enjoy being able to meet this friend of yours, and I accept your offer. As much as not being able to bring my friends pains me, my desire for knowledge compels me to agree. I eagerly await being able to see you again, and this friend of yours intrigues me to no end. Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle."

Spike sealed the letter, and sent it to Celestia. "Who do you think this 'friend' of Celestia's is, Twilight?" he said.

"I have no idea," Twilight said. "I thought I knew of all her friends. I'm guessing she didn't tell me because he wants to remain hidden, and pretty badly at that, but why?"

"Maybe he did something bad," Spike offered. "But what could be so bad he wont even tell his name?"

"I'm sure it's nothing we need to worry about."

"I don't know... all this secrecy doesn't sit well with me. You be sure to be careful, Twilight!"

"Don't worry, Spike! I doubt Celestia would let anything bad happen to me in her own castle!"

"Okay then." He barely had time to finish his sentence before another letter arrived from Celestia.

This time, Spike read it to her.

"My Dearest Twilight,"

"I am glad that you have agreed to visit. I'm sorry that you have to leave your friends behind, but my friend has preferred to remain unknown ever since an incident many years ago. I was a little bit surprised myself that he wanted to see you, as he hasn't shown his face even to me for a very long time. Rest assured, he will not pose any danger, but try not to ask him about the incident, as it is a painful topic to him, and he still hurts himself unnecessarily over it. But as long as you do not bring that up, everything should be fine. An escort will arrive tomorrow afternoon to bring you to Canterlot."

"Ever here for you"

"Princess Celestia"

"See, Spike? I told you I wouldn't be in any danger."

"Well," Spike said, "If the princess trusts him, then I do too! But just what is this incident she referred too?"

"Beats me!" Twilight said with a shrug. "But if he doesn't want to tell, then it's not my place to ask!"

They finished the rest of dinner, then went to bed early in preparation for tomorrow. Twilight had troubled dreams, her mind full of questions she couldn't wait to ask. But one question dominated all others, ever at the forefront of her mind.

What was this incident? What did "B" do?

Chapter 4: A Secret Meeting

Twilight woke up early to pack up a few last thing for the trip. Her anxiety had increased exponentially overnight, and every second spent waiting felt like an hour to her. But before she could leave, she had to tell her friends.

She had already sent them all letters explaining everything, but she knew that they would want to hear it from her own lips. She expected them to be arriving any second now. Almost as if on queue, she heard the knock on her door.

"We came as soon as we heard," Rainbow Dash said when Twilight answered the door. "Are you sure about this? All this secrecy just reeks of danger!"

"Relax, Rainbow. The princess trusts him completely, and there's the entire Royal Guard if he goes berserk."

"We know that," Applejack said. "But Dash is right. If this councilpony wants ta' meet ya' so badly, he can do it 'fore the rest of us."

Twilight had stuck with the story that this mysterious "B" character gave her. It was quite well thought out, actually. Even out here in Ponyville, where most ponies couldn't care less about outside gossip, a public appearance by a high-ranking noble would cause much unnecessary trouble, especially if word got out that the visit was all for just one pony. And after all the trouble Fluttershy went through when she was a fashion model, Twilight didn't even want to think what would happen if word got out the an anonymous noble had taken a special interest in her.

"I'm sorry girls, but if he doesn't want to risk showing himself, then it's for the best. Besides, I don't want anything to happen to the rest of you if things don't go well. He could even shut down your farm if he gets mad, Applejack!"

"He can do anything he wants, but there ain't no one that can stop me from doing what I do best!" Applejack retorted. "I'd like to see him try and shut down Sweet Apple Acres!"

"No, Twilight's right," Fluttershy said. "I know your farm means a lot to you, Applejack, and I know that you'd do anything to keep it thriving, but if the Guard shows up to close it down, there's nothing you can do! And I don't want you to get hurt or go to jail if things get... violent..."

Applejack made as if to protest, but decided against it. "Ohh, I know your right, but I just don't trust this fancy-schmancy noblepony. They think of us common folk as pawns, or vermin! Who knows what goes on in their minds?"

"Don't worry, AJ!" Twilight said. "You know more then anyone else here that they care more about their reputations than anything else!"

"Yeah, your right! Come to think of it, I bet he just don't want to be seen mingling with common ponies!"

"That's probably right on the spot! It pains me to do this, but it's for the best that I leave you all out of this. I'll tell you all about it when I get back!"

"Maybe I'll throw you a party when your back!" Pinkie Pie said. "With lots balloons! And cake! Lots and lots of cake!"

"That would be wonderful!" Twilight said. "I'll look forward to it!"

The chariot was soon heard approaching, so they said their final goodbyes. It hurt her to have to lie to her friends, but it really was for the best that they don't know about this. This friend of Celestia was obviously in a position of power just by virtue of being friends with the princess. Until she knew more about him, she better listen, and make him happy.

The ride was thoroughly uneventful, and Twilight was itching to meet this friend of Celestia's. To keep herself busy, she kept reading and re-reading the letters she had received. She kept reading them until the ink began to run. She was so deep in thought that she failed to notice that they had landed. She was caught completely off guard when Celestia spoke to her, and she frantically fumbled about as she attempted to return the letters to her bags and show her respect to the princess at the same time.

"Relax, Twilight," Celestia said, giggling to herself slightly. "Its been to long since you've been here as my prized pupil. How has life in Ponyville been treating you?"

"Its been wonderful, your majesty," Twilight responded, as they walked along to the castle. For security reasons, only the Royal Guard and the weather team were allowed to fly in Canterlot. "Spending time with my friends has been great. Yesterday, my friend Applejack treated us all to lunch for helping her with the apple harvest!"

"That's great! It's nice to know your getting along so well with everyone!"

As they entered the palace, Celestia's mood shifted. More seriously, she said "About my friend, be sure not to ask him about the incident I mentioned. He's been spending all his time in your old room in the library, and I'm worried that he still blames himself about what happened back then. He keeps shutting me out whenever I try to talk to him about it, and I keep thinking that's he's going to do something he'll regret forever."

"I wont talk about it," Twilight said. "But just what happened between you two?"

Celestia sighed deeply. "Maybe I'll tell you later. But right now, its best that you go talk to him yourself. He's been anxious to meet you. It's a bit unusual for him to take such interest in someone he's never even meet before. But then, he's always been a hard one to understand."

They had arrived at the royal library. A faint bit of nostalgia gripped Twilight as she gazed upon the countless rows and rows of books. While the library in Ponyville was great in itself, it couldn't hold a candle to the splendor before her. She could read books nonstop here and not even get through a quarter of the sheer bulk of knowledge stored here.

When the came to the small doorway that led to the backroom that Twilight had made her second room (for when she was studying for tests, which she did quite often,) they were surprised to find Princess Luna just leaving.

"Ah! Hello Celly! Hello Twilight!" she said. "I didn't expect you two to arrive so soon!"

"Luna? What were you doing with him?" Celestia asked.

"He wanted to talk with me about Nightmare Moon" Luna said, frowning as she recalled her time spent as that monster. "He seemed as if he was planing something, but when I asked, he said not to worry about it."

Celestia frowned, deep in thought. "Twilight," she said suddenly, "Why don't you go right on in? I'd like to talk to Luna in private for a bit."

Twilight nodded, and opened the door and letting herself in. It felt strange, thinking of it as someone else's room. But when she looked around, it suddenly didn't seem so strange at all.

She had kept the room bare, not worrying about decorations or furniture, except for two small beds for her and Spike, and a couch for reading. But now she found the walls covered in paper filled with notes, maps, scribbles, drawings, and a single, dusty, antique mirror. The beds and couch were gone, replaced with a small table holding a crystal ball. She knew that so-called mystics used them to predict the future, but Twilight didn't believe that the future could be a set path. That went against free will, and she refused to believe that anything could compromise free will.

Then she saw the alicorn. Her first thought was that this was some sort of prank, Celestia and Luna were the only alicorns in Equestria, and her research suggested that they were also the only ones in the world, but she knew that this had to be real. The princesses wouldn't pull this kind of prank on her, and there was no way anyone could have faked something like this, not in Canterlot of all places.

He had the regal wings and horn of an alicorn, and was tall, like Celestia. His coat was white, not like Celestia's pure white, but a greyish silver-white, which made her think of extremely old ponies. In contrast, his mane was a light brown, like sands in an hour glass, and it seemed to flow ever downwards even as it wavered in an unseen breeze. His cutie mark was an opened book, partially written, next to a quill and ink, and a hourglass. The eyes were hazed over, as if he was blind, but there was no doubt that he could see her.

"You must be Twilight Sparkle," he said, in a voice that both echoed and died in the air. "I have been waiting a long time for a chance to see the Element of Magic. I'm sorry you had to leave your friends behind, but I had to make sure for myself this wasn't a trick. There are still some that would wish to see me harmed. I cannot afford to let my guard down."

"Wait," Twilight said. "Who's after you? And just who are you?" She didn't feel comfortable, having this pony knowing so much about her, and yet she knowing nothing about him.

"Ah, right! Forgive me, but I have not seen anyone for an extremely long time, and my manners are a bit... rusty. You may call me Barthandelus, and I am known as the Keeper of History. As part of my job, I have access to... certain information, which many ponies desire for all the wrong reasons. You know, dark incantations not meant for mortal ears, hidden histories that were hidden for a reason, secrets that might be used to embarrass or blackmail high-ranking officials. Thus, the secrecy."

"I'll assume Celestia told you that I did something long ago, and that you're not to ask me about it. She still thinks I'm torn up about it, But I've really forgiven myself for that long ago. That's not the reason I'm having problems, though I haven't the heart to tell her what it's really about." The last he said with sorrow and regret heavy in his voice.

Twilight understood what Celestia meant when she said that Barthandelus was hard to understand. In the short course of three minutes, he dashed her expectations of him no less then ten times. She was still reeling from his confession of knowing things he admitted should not be known by most ponies.

"I'm sorry," Twilight said, "But this is all very confusing for me. You have to understand, I'd always thought Celestia and Luna were the only alicorns, and then you show up, and tell me your this 'Keeper of History', and I don't even know what that means."

"Don't worry about it," Barthandelus said. "I've been doing my best to make sure of that. I thought it best if I was forgotten. After what happened last time, the princesses and I decided that most of the knowledge I have is better of forgotten. The only reason I even keep that knowledge with me is because it is my domain."

Suddenly Twilight understood. It might have just been chance that she read that book yesterday, but now she knew that if she hadn't, she really would know nothing about him.

"Your an Immortal." She said. "From the book, Myths and Mythos-"

"Ah, you read my book! Glad to see ponies read that after all!"

"Wait, that was you?"

"Indeed," Barthandelus said. "I've actually wrote many a book and tome. While some knowledge is better off forgotten, there is even more that must be preserved, and I do my best to remind ponies of that which had been forgotten! I'll assume that your familiar with Immortals and their domains, then."

"I am," Twilight said, relieved that they were on more familiar topics. "Each Immortal has their own special talent with nature, kind of like ponies and cutie marks."

"A lot more like it then you might think! Our kind has always had a special interest in yours, due to the fact that we're similar in so many ways! All Immortals have a cutie mark as well, though we used to call them 'Talent Signets'."

"And your book also said that Immortals gave us magic! But then why is it that only unicorns can use it now?"

"Correction, only unicorns can consciously manipulate it. Earth ponies subconsciously use magic when working on their fields and crafts, to boost their endurance. Likewise, Pegasi use it to speed their flight and increase their dexterity. If only unicorns could use magic, then only unicorns could use the Elements of Harmony!"

"Which reminds me," Twilight asked, "How did you know I was the Element of Magic?"

"Because, like every Immortal, I took part in their creation. I'm sure I'd be able to recognize my own handiwork!"

"You helped make them?"

"Yes," Barthandelus said. "They're the keys to the fail safe. In order to activate it, all six Elements of Harmony must be present. And before you ask, the fail safe does exist. It is designed to forcibly suck the magic out of every living being. Sadly, in doing so, it would also kill them, which is why we took such great measures in hiding it."

"But I still don't get how any one object could hold all the magic in the world."

"Simple. Nothing can. It would have to divide the magic in order to keep it from detonating, Which is where the Elements come in again. The fail safe and the six Elements would house all the magic in the entire world, making whoever held them effectively gods. That is, if anything was left."

"But why? Why would such measure ever have to be taken?"

"It was... an old fear of ours," Barthandelus said, sorrow heavy in his voice. "When we first gave your kind magic, we had no idea what would happen. Our biggest fear was that your kind would overthrow us, since you outnumbered us fifty to one back then. And with the skill you all initially showed, it seemed that it was destined to pass. So we made the fail safe to use as a deterrent, to make sure we held something with power over you. But as time passed, and the younger races showed no sign of hostility, we realized that our fear was groundless. With the power we showed during the time Immortals warred amongst each other, mortals were afraid of us, and sought to ensure that we stayed pleased with them. As our kinds grew closer, we forgot about our ancient fears, and of the fail safe. Except for me, of course, since it is my job to remember that which is forgotten."

Twilight sighed deeply. She hadn't realized how scared she was about this fail safe, and now that she knew that it would not be used, she felt lighter then ever. "But then why don't you just destroy it? If you're not going to use it, then why risk somepony discovering it? I know that you put that spell up, but why not just get rid of it?"

"Because we no longer have the power to do so. The only ones that could do that... passed on long ago."

"Another thing I don't get. You're supposed to be Immortal. How do you die?"

"It starts when we lose our physical forms. Our consciousness's still remain, and we can form new bodies, though the process is long, and centuries can pass between the demise of one body and the creation of another. But it all depends on if there's something in this world that our consciousness can anchor too. Be it another Immortal, a physical feature of the environment, or, my favorite, something we made ourselves. That is another reason why I write so many books. As long as the original copy of at least one of them remains, I can reform countless times. But it has to be something we made completely on our own, not a group effort like the fail safe or the Elements."

"So then, how many of you are left?"

A great sadness washed over Barthandelus, and Twilight immediately regretted asking. Celestia had said that he was torn up about something, and even if it wasn't this 'incident', like she had thought, it obviously hurt him a lot. She was about to take it back when he spoke up.

"Three. Celestia, Luna, and I, we are the last of the Immortals."

Chapter 5: A Dying Kind

Twilight had not expected that. But, now that she knew, she could see signs of it on him. When Barthandelus spoke of his kind, the Immortals, his voice would deepen, barely echoing like it normally would. Though he normally stood still while speaking, mentioning his kind would cause him to shift about. Now, he couldn't stop pacing about, unable to meet her face.

It had been ten minutes since she asked her last question, and neither of them could muster the strength to speak. The air hung heavily around them, so thick, it was nearly palpable. She could nearly taste the sorrow in Barthandelus, and his face, normally expressionless, was twisted and contorted in sorrow. She wished she could say something, say anything to comfort him, but the silence was so complete, she almost feared that making the slightest sound would bring the entire palace down on top of them.

Finally, Barthandelus broke the silence, muttering something to himself. She could barely make out the words, but they sounded like a spell.

"Nusquam permaneo forever, nusquam subsisto idem eadem idem. Dico mihi it's non super, dico mihi it's non perfectus."

"What does that mean?" Twilight asked, her tongue suddenly able to move.

Barthandelus smiled at her. "It's just a short prayer I say to myself whenever I'm depressed. It doesn't have any special power, but it makes me feel happy. 'Nothing lasts forever, nothing stays the same. Tell me it's not over, tell me it's not done'. Nothing special."

"Like I said, the princesses and I are the last of the Immortals now. There used to be thousands of us, but our war amongst ourselves, and aeons upon aeons of time to destroy much of which we held dear, it has taken its toll. In fact, the reason I came here was to inform Celestia and Luna of the recent departure of Yunas Gong, the only other Immortal out there. You see, the four of us sworn an oath together, that we would forever be connected, until the end of time. I was the one to suggest it in the first place, when I myself was on the verge of passing on. It gave me the strength to keep living, and I thought it best if I inform them that Yunas had failed to keep his oath."

Twilight knew how he felt. Though she had never felt lonely before she meet her friends, she now drew great strength from them, and she cared for them deeply, and knew they all felt the same way about her and each other. They meant a lot to her, and she knew she would do anything for them. She didn't know what she would do if anything happened to them.

"I must admit," Barthandelus said, "I'm surprised at how much Celestia and Luna have done since I last saw them. Back then, Canterlot was just a mountainside town. They ruled from their old castle in Eclipse City. It's sad to know that the once glorious city is now nothing but ruins in the Everfree Forest, but I doubt they'd want to live there, after what happened with Nightmare Moon. Besides, it's nothing compared to the countless species that have gone extinct over the years. I still miss the Hydra-Griffons, they were marvelous architects!"

Sensing an unwanted turn in the conversation, Twilight quickly changed the subject. "Your book said that Immortals couldn't feel emotions. What was that like"

"It's hard to say," he said. "On one hand, I could really do without depression, sorrow, and anger. But on the other, it's wonderful to be able to feel happiness, love, amusement, and all the rest. How can I describe it? It's like watching a video of someone elses life. You know what your supposed to feel, but you just don't."

"And how did you 'learn' emotions?"

"It's very complicated. Until then, we used nothing but logic. Then, after spending time with your kind, we just did. You can't teach a young filly how to walk, or breath. They just know. We didn't even notice the change, we just woke up one day and felt emotion for the first time. Some of us latter lost the ability to feel, but they all eventually lost their connections to our world, and latter disappeared, apparently having destroyed their bodies. I suppose the ability to feel helped keep me and the princesses alive all these years, and I certainly wouldn't want to be without emotions again."

Most of her questions answered, Twilight asked one last thing. "Before I came in, I saw Luna leaving your room. what were you two talking about."

His mood suddenly serious, Barthandelus quickly shot a look outside the room. After conforming no one was outside, he said "Listen very carefully. What I'm about to tell you does not leave this room."

After she nodded, Barthandelus's horn began to glow. Twilight felt a strong wave of magic come from him, and she soon knew that he had cast a spell of silence. No one outside would be able to hear anything said or done in here. It would take a incredibly strong counter-spell to breach it, and although she knew that Celestia and Luna could break the spell, it would take them time. Until then, she was on effectively on her own.

Even though he knew no one could hear him, he still whispered. "Luna told me about her time as Nightmare Moon. I know how everyone else feels about it! I know how to fix it! But you must not tell anyone, not even Celestia! You have to promise!"

The suddenly dark mood messing with her mind, Twilight quickly agreed. Later, she would wonder what would have happened if she told somepony, but at the moment, she simply knew that she had to agree to keep the promise. She knew that if she didn't, he would wipe this all form her mind, and, from what little she knew of the process, she knew it was far from pleasant.

A look of relief on his face, Barthandelus quickly unwound the spell. Suddenly, she heard the clop-clop of hooves outside.

"That must be the princesses. They'll be wondering what happened. Remember, you are not to tell anypony about this ever!" With this, Barthandelus went over to the door and opened it. Just outside, as expected, were Celestia and Luna.

"Ah, Barthandelus!" Celestia said. "We felt you cast that spell, and we wondered what happened."

"Its nothing," he said. "Just a simple silence spell. You understand if I want to keep somethings to myself as much as possible."

"We understand," Luna said, "But the way you've been acting worries us. You know that if there is anything you want to talk about, you're free to tell us."

"I know. I'm just not ready. I'll tell you when I am, but I just need more time right now."

Celestia and Luna looked mildly disappointed, but they didn't say anything. They nearly turned to leave, but then Luna suddenly spoke up.

"Barthandelus, if this is still about what happened back then, you need to stop! What happened was never your fault, and if you keep tearing up yourself over it, your only going to make yourself miserable! You need to let go!"

"Luna-" Celestia said, but Luna went on.

"I know you did your best, and I appreciate it, but what happened, happened! No amount of sorrow can change that, you know that! He made his choice, and he paid for it, but there was nothing you could do about it! You have to let go!"

With that, Luna ran off, sobbing. Barthandelus almost made to run after her, but stopped himself. Tears ran down his face, and Celestia put one of her wings over him, to offer comfort. He buried his face in it for a moment, then went back into his room, locking it behind him. Twilight was left with Celestia, who had a sad expression on her face.

After a moment of silence, Celestia said "Come, Twilight. He'll need some time alone."

Chapter 6: The Incident

Twilight and Celestia were in Celestia's private chambers. After they had left the royal library, they ascended one of the palace towers in silence. They first went to Luna's room, but when they found the door locked, they decided to leave her alone. Afterwards, Twilight told Celestia about what Barthandelus told her, minus the bit she promised not to tell. Something about his face when he made her promised... scared her. It was a look of desperation and madness. She thought "This is what a madpony looks like". The moment had passed quickly enough, but she would never forget that look, that silent plea in his blind-not-blind eyes.

Celestia sighed deeply. Again. The worry was heavy on her face. "I know he does his best to deny it," she said, "But I know that what happened back then still hurts him. He's been carrying that weight on his shoulders for decades, refusing to talk about it to anypony. If he keeps up like this..." a brief look of fear crossed her face, so quickly Twilight almost didn't notice it.

"Princess," Twilight asked, "Just what happened that made him like this?"

Celestia was quite for the longest time, and Twilight didn't think she would tell. She was about to ask another question when Celestia finally spoke up.

"I assume your familiar with Doctor Whooves?"

Puzzled, Twilight nodded.

"Then you know that Barthandelus and him share the hourglass on their cutie marks. The hourglass represents the flow of time. It marks him as a fellow Keeper of History."

"Around a hundred years ago, Barthandelus established the Order of the Keepers. Their job was to provide first-hoof accounts of happenings around Equestria. To that end, he gave them heightened awareness, and increased perception of their surroundings. Later, he would also gift them with a small bit of magic, allowing them to 'Replay' special events from different perspectives. But, he told each of them to never reveal their identities to anypony without an hourglass cutie mark, and to never interfere with events. They were to be merely observers."

"One Keeper, above all others, showed great talent. He was able to travel great distances in order to record events in the most remote destinations, and had an intuitive sense of what was about to happen, and where. His accounts were incredibly well-detailed, and he was a favored Keeper."

"Barthandelus had been paying special attention to him, and thought to make him his personal pupil. As such, the Keeper was allowed access to Barhtandelus's private records. That would ultimately be his downfall."

"The Keeper was interested in all the wrong records. He learned many dark secrets and forbidden incantations, and with them, thought he had the power to steal Barthandelus's power. They meet at midnight the next day."

"In the end, Barthandelus had to kill his prized pupil. He first drained him of his magic, then, to make sure he couldn't rise again, burned the shell that remained. It hurt him more than any physical pain ever could. For days, he refused to see anyone."

"When he finally came back out, he had... changed. He used to be so happy all the time. Quick to a joke, full of laughter. You couldn't be near him and not be happy. Now he buries himself in his work, trying to pretend that nothing ever happened. And he's so paranoid. Doesn't go anywhere where he might be seen, never goes to sleep without setting up a complex net of alarm and shielding spells. I don't think he even trusts himself anymore."

It was nearly time for Celestia and Luna to lower the sun and raise the moon. With a sigh, Celestia got up, beckoning for Twilight to follow her. As she learned more and more about Barthandelus, she kept feeling sorry for him. Having to kill his prized pupil, possibly his best friend, no wonder he was the way he is. She didn't know if she could keep on going if she had to kill any of her friends. The mere thought of it tore at her heart.

The two of them knocked on Luna's door. After a moment, she came out, a few tears still on her face. They went to the top of the tower, where they did their duties. Too tired and emotionally drained to talk anymore on the matter, they each went to bed.

And Twilight dreamed.

"Give it up, Barthandelus! I know what you did!"

"It was vital that I did what I did! Can't you see that!"

The wind was howling with suppressed energy. Two ponies, one that goes by the name Barthandelus, the other with a coat of midnight black, a mane of turquoise blue, and an empty hourglass for a cutie mark. His eyes were a startling red, and they were currently narrowed with hatred at the alicorn. The rooftop they were on was bare, save for a few dead leaves being blown about.

"You yourself said that we are to never intervene! No matter how dire, we can never act! And then you go against your own oath like this! Their blood is on your hooves!"

"Better a village then the entire land! I did what I had to do!"

"How can you say that!" They had to shout to be heard over the wind. "They were just a farming village! No one there even knew magic!"

"I told you! They were about to find something that must stay hidden!"

"Lies! I went there, and I found nothing but signs of your cruelness!"

"Did you think I would just leave something like that there!? Of course I destroyed it!"

"I know the truth! There was never anything there! You just did away with them so you could remain here, hiding from your duties while the rest of Equestria suffers!"

"YOU WOULD DARE ACCUSE ME OF COWARDICE? ME, WHO HAD WALKED THIS LAND BEFORE YOUR KIND EVEN DARED TO LEAVE THEIR CAVES, FOR FEAR OF THE NIGHT!?"

Barthandelus was clearly enraged, but to stallion refused to back down.

"You killed them all! Every last one of them! They had done nothing wrong, and you did away with them like they were little more then insects!"

"How many times must I tell you, boy! Your job was to look past the cover, to find what was hidden beneath the surface! Open your eyes! If they had been allowed to unleash that monstrosity, it could have meant a thousand years of suffering! Did you think I enjoyed having to kill all of them? Do you think those screams of terror don't haunt me to this day? Why would I kill every last stallion, mare, and filly unless I had no choice in the matter?"

"You could have simply taken the artifact and left them alone!"

"They had been tainted! Any one of them could have carried his mark! Even a single pony could have been enough to bring him back!"

"They had done nothing wrong for years! How do you explain that?"

"You think it could have just cursed them all willy-billy? It had been buried for thousands of years! It needed sustenance! It needed blood!"

The stallion sighed. "I can see that you will remain unrepentant! Very well! For everyone you killed, I will destroy you!"

"Don't be brash, lad! Give me time, and I swear I'll make amends!"

"SILENCE, FIEND! NOW, DIE!"

The stallion quickly gathered his energy, and unleashed it in a truly massive fireball. It would have been enough to kill any pony, but Barthandelus was only slightly singed. A cold rage filled his eyes, and his horn began to glow with a hellish red energy. His eyes were quickly hidden behind a veil of pure magical energy, the alicorn's entire being filled with pure energy.

With a stomp of his hoof, Barthandelus sent pure white fire towards the stallion, even as the wind buffeted him and lightning struck him repeatedly in quick succession. As soon as the flame hit, a howl of pure pain and terror escaped from the lesser pony. But the Immortal wasn't finished. His horn kept glowing brighter and brighter still.

With a screech of pure rage, he levitated a humongous chunk of earth towards the still-engulfed form of the stallion. It hit him with enough speed and force to make a sonic boom. Upon impact, it detonated with enormous amounts of magical energy, quickly spreading to engulf the Immortal, the building, and the entire mountainside.

When it finally cleared, Barthandelus was nearly unconscious. Covered in head to toe with horrible-looking burn marks, he somehow managed to get to his feet. Limping, he slowly made his way to where the stallion once stood. In his place were ashes.

"Why!?" he said weakly. "Why did I have to do this? Why did I have to do this to him, my prized student, my heir?" He sobbed for a bit, then cried out "WHAT IS HAPPENING TO ME!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!"

Chapter 8: Revelations

Wake up.

The voice startled the sleeping Rainbow Dash, causing her to fumble about for three seconds. When she regained her senses, she looked around, but didn’t see anypony. Was the voice just her imagination?

She looked at her alarm clock. 6:00 A.M., it said. Way too early to be up. Still, she was awake, and she doubted she could get back to sleep. Might as well get ready. She knew the Wonderbolts always got up early to train, so she figured she needed to get used to it. Maybe she’d be able to use the extra time to practice her new stunts. Maybe something involving the Buccaneer Blaze. She hadn’t done that in a while, and she wanted to make sure she could still do it.

Rainbow was just about to fix breakfast when she heard a quite knocking on the door (well, quieter then usual, for a cloud door). Fluttershy, she thought. What did she want at this hour?

Ignoring the empty feeling in her stomach for a moment, Rainbow went over to the door. Fluttershy, obviously expecting her to be asleep at this hour, was surprised when she opened the door to find her standing right in front of her.

“Oh! Hello, Rainbow Dash. Sorry to wake you up so early.”

Don’t worry about it,” Rainbow said. “I was already up, anyways.”

“Really?” Fluttershy knew her friend’s habits well. The only other time she could recall her being up this early was when there was a Wonderbolt performance in Fillydelphia.

“Weird, I know. I thought I heard somepony talking, but it must have just been my imagination.” Rainbow didn’t want to mention how real the voice sounded. Fluttershy was the type to worry too much about things like that.

“That’s strange,” Fluttershy said. “But, as long as you’re up, Twilight just got back today, and she said she wanted to talk about something. At Applejack’s place,” she added.

“Sure thing. Do you know when it is?”

“Right now... I think.”

“Well then, lets get going.”

The two of them flew at a leisurely pace, Rainbow Dash still trying to wake up her tired muscles. Twilight wasn’t the type to gather all her friends over just anything, and, judging from the tone of her voice, she guessed that Fluttershy was also curious as to just what Twilight wanted to talk about.

They arrived at Sweet Apple Acres at the same time as Twilight Sparkle and Pinkie Pie. Twilight was surprised to know that Rainbow was already awake when Fluttershy got to Rainbow’s cloud house, but she didn’t ask. Applejack had seen them coming, and was at the gate, ready to greet them.

“Howdy, girls!” Applejack said. “How did Canterlot treat ‘yah, Twilight? ‘Trewnt expecting you to be back so soon, to be honest.”

“Same here, actually,” Twilight said. “I’m glad to be back, and all, but it would have been nice to stay a little longer, and see how things have changed.”

“I hear yah. So, what are y’all doing here? ‘Ah ain’t in need of any help, with Applebucking done.”

“Actually, I was hoping to tell you all about the trip. Spike should be here any moment now with Rarity, and I’m a bit eager to get it all off my chest.”

“Is this all about that councilpony that summoned yah there in the first place? What did he want to talk about with you so badly, anyways?”

“That’s what I want to talk about,” Twilight told Applejack. “I’ll be happy to tell you all about it, as soon as Rarity gets here.”

“Present!” Rarity said. She had rounded the last curve in the path to Sweet Apple Acres, followed by an infatuated-looking Spike, who was, defying all logic (even Rainbow Dash knew that it didn’t make any sense), hovering a few feet above the ground, propelled by a rapidly spinning tail. Twilight was used to this behavior in her assistant, however, and only blinked when she saw the absurd sight. Besides, she had already seen stranger things from Pinkie Pie. Everypony has.

“Perfect timing,” Twilight said.

“When I heard you were back, and wanted to talk, I just HAD to come,” Rarity said. “It’s not everyday that one gets summoned by a pony from the Canterlot High Council, after all. Tell me everything,” she said suddenly, zipping up right next to her. “What was he wearing? Where did you two meet? Did he treat you to anything? What did he talk about? Was anypony else there? Where there any other councilponies? Don’t spare any detail!”

“Calm down, Rarity,” Applejack interjected, putting her hoove on her Rarity’s shoulder. “‘A’hm sure she’ll tell you all about, so stop pressuring her.”

“I suppose you’re right,” Rarity said. “I just got ahead of myself. I just don’t see why a councilpony would take such a special interest in Twilight... No offense,” she added hastily.

“None taken,” Twilight responded.

“So,” Rainbow said, “Now that we’re all here, why don’t you tell us what happened?” Even she couldn’t help but be a little curious. The entire thing reeked of secrecy, and she wanted to know what it all meant.

“I’ll be happy to,” Twilight said. “I think it’s for the best that you all know this.”

=====================================================================

Miles away, Barthandelus watched Twilight explain everything to her friends. Each of them listened without saying a word, absorbed in her tale.

Satisfied that they were listening, he walked over to one of the many papers on the wall. Every inch of it was covered in writing, though the language was unknown to most ponies. It posed no trouble for him, however.

A silver glow surrounded his horn. On the paper, all of the writing disappeared, to be replaced with a sketch of the six ponies in his crystal orb. It was incredibly detailed, even showing individual blades of grass and feathers on the wings of the two pegasi.

Barthandelus took the paper from the wall, and set purple fire to it. The magical flames would transport the ashes to his personal vault, where it would then reassemble, and be hid away from prying eyes.

Once again, he regretted having to manipulate the ponies like this. They could have had such bright futures, create wondrous marvels. But, he needed them to be ready. Dark times were ahead, he he needed them to be the perfect tools. What were six lives, compared to the world he loved?

The princesses would never approve of this kind of behavior from him, Barthandelus knew. They put such high value on free will, and hated the thought of such manipulation. If they only knew what he knew...

A sudden burst of noise from the crystal orb drew his attention. It appeared that the rainbow-maned pegasus, Rainbow Dash, had been somewhat angered by what she had learned. The other pegasus, Fluttershy, was trying to calm her down, to no avail. Twilight was standing her ground, to her benefit, while the other just watched in stunned interest.

Intrigued by this turn of events, Barthandelus watched patiently while events unfolded. He would need to learn everything he could, if he was to pull this off. Even the slightest detail could be crucial.

He was so tired of it all. He just wanted to rest...

=====================================================================

“Rainbow, just-”

“DO YOU EVEN KNOW WHAT YOU’RE SAYING? HOW CAN YOU BELIEVE ANY OF THIS?”

Rainbow Dash had taken Twilight’s tale rather badly. She didn’t want to believe anything she heard. It was too much for her.

She chose to vent her anger and confusion onto Twilight. To her credit, Twilight didn’t back down, and insisted on trying to calm Rainbow down, which, in turn, only made her angrier. Fluttershy, seeing the state her friend was in, was doing her best to help Twilight calm her down, but she was too quite and soft-spoken to be able to help, much to her dismay.

“Rainbow, I know this is hard to believe,” Twilight said, “But I promise I’m not lying to you. This isn’t something I made up. You have to trust me.”

“THE ENTIRE THING MAKES NO SENSE! WHY IN EQUESTRIA WOULD CELESTIA KEEP SOMETHING LIKE THIS A SECRET? AND YOU EXPECT ME TO THINK THIS IS ALL TRUE?”

“Rainbow-” Fluttershy all but whispered.

“THIS IS STUPID!” Rainbow shouted. “I DON’T HAVE TO LISTEN TO THIS! I’M OUT OF HERE!”

Rainbow Dash sped off, flying in a random direction. Fluttershy made as to try and catch up with her, but a hoove on her shoulder stopped her.

“Leave her be, sugarcube,” Applejack said. “She just needs some time alone.”

“But-” Fluttershy tried to say.

“No, Applejack’s right,” Twilight said. “I know how she feels. She’s just scared. Give her time to think, and she’ll be alright.”

“If- if you say so,” Fluttershy said. “I just- she must be feeling awful.”

In truth, they all felt bad. Twilight realized that some small part of herself had been denying everything she had learned. With the telling of her story, that last part finally had to acknowledge it all, and the full force of it hit her. Everything she had learned, everything she believed, everything she thought she knew... how much of it was a lie? How much was just some cover-up?

Fluttershy was just as scared as Rainbow Dash must be. To think that somepony like that was out there... that something so terrible could take place... and that something so big could be hidden for all these years. And yet, she understood. This pony, this Barthandelus... he must have seen some terrible things in his lifetime to have affected him so. And to be witness to the downfall of his people... The pain he must be feeling... if only she could do something about it.

Rarity couldn’t believe what she had heard. And yet, she knew that it had to be true. Nopony could fool Twilight, to say nothing of Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. And yet, if it was true... and she thought she knew about the royal family. True, she acknowledged that there were some things about them that she wouldn’t know about, but this? And this weapon, this fail safe... that something so powerful could be out there... it had to be destroyed.

Applejack was the least affected of the bunch, but that’s not to say that she didn’t have her own troubles with it, not at all. While she didn’t put much stock in magic, she knew enough to know that this Barthandelus meant trouble. Between the knowledge he held and his own alicorn magic powers, he could be one heck of a problem. Heck, he even admitted that some of the things he knew should be forgotten. Anypony so ready to admit that had to be troubled. But, she couldn’t help but to feel sorry for him at the same time. Applejack knew the pain that came with seeing somepony close to you die. It could only be worse for him, to have seen so many pass on.

Pinkie Pie, too, was affected by what she had learned. She had always been one to see the best in everything, but she had never encountered a story as sad as this one. An entire race... nearly dead. She wanted to cry, cry for all the lives lost, cry for the fallen race, cry for those that live no more. No. She needed to be happy. Happy for her friends. Happy, so they could be happy. She could cry later. Right now, her friends needed her. And she would never let a friend in need down.

“Come on, girls,” Pinkie said. “Ain't no use in just moping around all day! Twilight still hasn’t gotten her ‘Welcome Back’ party! Come on, I’ll make us a huge cake!”

Everyone lightened up at the thought of a Pinkie Pie party. She was right, after all. No use in just standing there, thinking about had happened. Celestia’s day was still young, after all. Smiling, they followed Pinkie Pie to Sugarcube Corner.

=====================================================================

Rainbow Dash was back home, pacing about. Of all the things she’s ever heard, this had to be the most stupid, ridiculous, far-fetched, feather-brained tale she had ever heard! Celestia would never keep something like that a secret. How could it even be possible, for somepony like this “Barthandelus”, to stay hidden? Surely somepony would have known about him. And, honestly, these “Keepers of History” sounded like some half-drunken fable. Did Twilight really think she could fool her like that?

These “Immortals”, they sounded too powerful to be real. Sure, there was Celestia and Luna, and they were supposedly two of these “Immortals”, but they couldn’t possibly be that powerful. Sure, it must take a lot of magic to raise the sun and moon, but for them to be powerful enough to threaten the entire world? Heck, such violence just didn’t sound like them in the first place. And not having any emotions? How was that even possible? How do you learn emotions? Not to mention this “gift of magic”. Unicorns have always had magic. And besides, if the “Immortals” were so powerful in the first place, how come there’s only three left? Why would they be afraid of us? Why ever need something like this fail safe? And, even as powerful as they supposedly are, how could they have made the Elements of Harmony?

As she calmed down, she realized that she was being too harsh about this. As crazy as it sounded to her, it made sense. Twilight wouldn’t lie to them, and she wasn’t so easily fooled. Either this “Barthandelus” character was a master liar, or it was all true. No, it couldn’t be the former. Twilight, maybe, but Celestia? Nopony could fool Celestia, not in her own palace, of all places. It had to be true. But how? How was something like this kept secret for so long? WHY was it kept a secret for so long?

Rainbow didn’t like it, but she had to face the fact that everything Twilight had told them had been true. She remembered how she had treated her, how she had shouted at her because she couldn’t face the truth that was presented to her. How could she have been so angry? Twilight had only been trying to help her understand. And Fluttershy... she had been trying to calm her down... but she had been too angry to listen. Oh, the two of them must be feeling terrible, and all because of her. She had to apologize, right away.

Rainbow sped out of her cloud house. She knew that Pinkie had wanted to throw Twilight a party when she got back. The others, including Fluttershy and Twilight, would most likely be at Sugarcube Corner. Sure enough, she saw Twilight and the others enter the building. She nearly flew in after them, but hesitated. How would she do it? She had been such a jerk to them, after all. Would they even want to see her again, so soon? Maybe she should just wait a while, catch up to them after the party. She certainly didn’t feel like a party right now. She should probably just wait...

Pony up, Rainbow Dash, she thought to herself. All you have to do is walk in there and apologize. How hard could that be? You only shouted at Twilight, calling her a liar. Even though she was probably just as troubled over this as you are. And you completely ignored Fluttershy, your best friend since fillyhood. No big deal, right? Ooh, how am I going to do this?

She decided that she needed to stop thinking about this, and get it over with. Rainbow Dash flew down until she was right in front of the door. With a final sigh, she steeled herself, and entered.

Pinkie Pie and Spike could be heard in the kitchen, baking any number of sweets and goodies. The scent coming form the kitchen was simply wonderful, and Rainbow had to suppress the desire to drool. Rarity, Applejack, Fluttershy, and Twilight could be seen sitting at one of the tables, talking. When she entered, they all turned to look at her. She nearly wimped out then and there, but she forced herself to approach them.

“Twilight, Fluttershy,” she said, doing her best not to tremble of run away. “I- I just wanted to say... to say that I’m-”

A gentle hoove to her mouth silenced her. Fluttershy was there, giving her the sweetest look she’d ever seen.

“It’s okay,” Fluttershy said. “We understand. We forgive you.”

“She’s right,” Twilight said. “You were scared, and you needed something to vent your fear and anger on. It’s completely okay. Everypony does it.”

A smile formed on Rainbow’s face, and her eyes shined with suppressed tears. “Thanks, girls,” she said, her voice shaking her relief and joy. “I was so worried you were going to be mad at me, and that you wouldn’t want to see me-”

“We’ll always be glad to have you as our friend,” Fluttershy said. “Even if you say mean things, we know you don’t mean any of it.”

“Thank you,” was all Rainbow could say before she embraced Fluttershy and Twilight in a fierce hug. The others joined in, and soon all of them, even Pinkie, who must have overheard them and took a break from her baking, were engaged in a group hug, smiling, happy to be together.

Soon, the sound of laughter could be heard from inside the building. Pinkie was all but inhaling the cake she had made (strawberry frosting, she had eventually decided on), while Applejack and Rainbow Dash were engaged in hoof-wrestling. Twilight and Spike were talking about something, though Rainbow couldn’t hear what they were saying, and Fluttershy was with Gummy, who was biting her in various places. Luckily for her, Gummy didn’t have any teeth, so it didn’t hurt at all.

At 9:00 A.M., they went their ways. Pinkie needed to get ready to open shop, and Rainbow had to get ready for weather duty, as Ponyville was due for a light shower. Rarity was nearly finished with the dresses she needed to make, but she still needed to be ready for anypony that wanted a new dress, or needed one repaired. Fluttershy had her animals to attend to, Twilight had her books, and Applejack was busy with whatever came up at her farm.

As they exited, Rainbow turned around to face Fluttershy and Twilight.

“Listen, girls,” she said, “I want to thank you for being so understanding. It was just so much to take in, and I guess I let my emotions take over me.”

“Not a problem at all,” Twilight said. “What are friends for?”

Rainbow smiled. “I am so lucky to have you two as my friends.”

“And we’re lucky to have you as ours,” Fluttershy said. “We’ll always be there for you.”

The three of them had one last hug, then Rainbow went to get ready for the shower. The smile never left her face, just as Fluttershy and Twilight kept theirs for the rest of the day.

=====================================================================

Barthandelus had a sad smile on his face. It was so heartwarming, to see such good friends. If only he had such good friends.

Alas, his life was a lonely one, due in no small part to his own efforts. Between his work and the knowledge he had, he didn’t allow anypony to grow close to him, or vice versa. It was hard, to know what he knew, and to know so much about those he knew. He couldn’t allow himself to grow attached.

“Nusquam permaneo forever, nusquam subsisto idem eadem idem. Dico mihi it's non super, dico mihi it's non perfectus.”

Barthandelus chanted this to himself. As always, it lifted the pain and sorrow from his heart, allowing him to return to his work. He still had much to do, if his plan was going to work.

Chapter 9, Part 1: The Library

After Twilight’s party, the week passed with few points of note. The county fair came and went, and a traveling pony passed on through without a word, but otherwise, it was just another week.

Unless you bothered to take note of six ponies in particular. While, to the wandering eye, they acted just as they usually did, a trained eye could detect a subtle anxiety underlining their actions. They were expecting somepony, and it showed in mysterious ways.

Twilight Sparkle was reading many books, which was to be expected, or course, but, if you looked closely, you might detect a hint of a frown, and a calculating look in her eyes. She was on the lookout for tiny inconsistencies, misplaced details, anything that could hint at some hidden force at play.

Rainbow Dash would practice her various tricks slightly more often then usual. If you were fast enough to keep up with her, you might catch a glimpse of suppressed fear and anger in her eyes as she practiced. She put herself into her tricks, and would often finish exhausted, sometimes with a pulled muscle even.

Pinkie Pie made sure to give everything she made that extra-special touch. Her smile was bigger, her grin wider, and she acted more random then usual. It could easily be put off as her being Pinkie Pie. However, if you happened to be near Sugarcube Corner late at night, and if your ears were good enough, you might catch the faint sound of somepony crying. If you looked close enough at her eyes, you might detect a slight puffiness.

Rarity would be somewhat more meticulous in the dresses she made. Her eye for detail would work extra hard, and she would fret over any subtle error she found. This would result in her dresses having that extra bit of fashion, and trained connoisseurs would be willing to pay that extra few bits for the gowns and dresses and robes.

Applejack would often be seen just watching her apple orchard. Sure, she didn’t really have much to do, with harvest season over, but she was a pony of action. While she did enjoy just looking at the result of her hard work, she was doing so more then usual. Her brother, Big Mac, noticed, but he knew not to say anything. If she wanted to talk about something, she’d come to him first.

Fluttershy would worry more often, and she took extra care over her animals. They got better quicker, and she would smile just a bit longer then usual before moving on to the next patient. Only Angel, her best animal friend, noticed the subtle change in her usual behavior, and he would act a bit more protective, and listen to her more then usual. He knew that she was stressed, and he didn’t want to cause anymore problems for her then he had to. Fluttershy took note of his good behavior, and would spend more time with him, though she didn’t talk about what she had learned.

On the final day of the week, Twilight had just finished yet another book on Equestria history, and had not found anything that would hint at a conspiracy. With each book read, her fear lessened slightly, but it was not enough to get her to stop. She was just about to get another book when Ditzy Doo, the mailmare, knocked on her door. Frowning a bit because of the distraction, yet glad to see the ever-cheerful, cross-eyed pegasus, she went and opened the door.

“Special delivery for Twilight Sparkle!” Ditzy said, before sticking her head in her bags. She brought out the usual mail, and, strangely, a package from Canterlot. Twilight levitated them from her, then gave Ditzy a tip.

“Thanks for the delivery,” Twilight said.

“Muffins!” Ditzy responded, giving her trade-mark cross-eyed smile before going on her way.

Twilight gave a smile before closing the door to the library. She knew that many ponies would tease Ditzy, often calling her “Derpy Hooves," due to her eyes and the way she would act. Sure, she would often get lost and crash into things, but she was easily one of the kindest, bravest ponies she had ever met, and sometimes, Ditzy would show an unusual, remarkable intelligence. Twilight made a point of always calling her by her proper name, and never teasing her, and it showed in the mailmare eyes whenever they met.

Turning her attention to the mail, she quickly sorted through the usual junk mail and magazine subscriptions (sign ONE subscription to Science and Magic Monthly, and suddenly, every magazine in Equestria wants you to sign theirs), then returned her eyes to the package.

It was covered in some strange script, from which she detected the familiar aura of magic. It must be enchanted, possibly to blow up in case somepony other then her tried to open it. Instead of a return address, it had a simple, stylized “B”.

Knowing who it was from, she carefully open the package. As soon as she touched it, the script flashed, and she feared that she had set off the trap, but then it disappeared. Defiantly enchanted. Barthandelus took no chances, it seemed.

Once she had done away with the packaging, she was left with a book, titled “The First War”. She had never heard of it before. When she flipped the cover, she found a short message written on the title page.

I’ll be here tomorrow, it said. Gather the Elements. Look for the black pegasus.

B.

Tomorrow. Good. Twilight had gathered a lot of questions over the week, and she wanted them answered. She knew that her friends would want to see Barthandelus for themselves, and they would have questions of their own.

Twilight didn’t waste any time. She quickly found her friends, and told them about the message in the book. They would all come to the library, and see Barthandelus with their own eyes. Rainbow Dash looked eager, and even Fluttershy seem excited about it. Twilight just hoped that nothing would happen to make him angry. The dream she had still haunted her.

===============================

===============================

The next day found Twilight and her friends gathered in the library. While the others were content to just wait and talk, Rainbow Dash was pacing around restlessly. It had only been ten minutes, but Rainbow had never been a patient one, and, coupled with anxiety and her thoughts about who she was about to meet, it made every second spent waiting agonizingly long.

When they heard the knock on the door, Twilight went and answered it. As expected, it was a black pegasus, with blue eyes and haggard wings, and an hourglass for a cutie mark.

More then a few of the inhabitants of Ponyville were staring at the odd pegasus at the library. Black was an extremely rare color for ponies, and they were often thought to be harbingers of evil and chaos. The fact that Nightmare Moon had had a black coat certainly didn't help.

Twilight ushered the pegasus in before anything bad could happen. The citizens of Ponyville were very superstitious folks, and there was no telling what they would do to him. Although, knowing who he is, Twilight doubted that they could actually hurt him. She was more worried about what would he would do to them.

As soon as the door was closed, a flash came from the pegasus, and Barthandelus stood where the pegasus once stood. Fluttershy let out a yelp when she saw the tall figure before the six of them, and ducked behind the nearest couch.

"Glad to see you're all here," Barthandelus said. "My apologies for the subterfuge, but I would rather avoid any unwanted trouble from the local populace."

"Cut to the chase," Rainbow abrubtly said, suddenly right in his face. "Why did you want to see us about, anyways?"

A hint of amusment showed in his eyes. "Quick to the point, eh, Rainbow? I must say, such bluntness is refreshing. Usually, ponies that know me do their best to stay on my good side. Especially after a show of my powers."

All the others caught the hint, but Rainbow, hard-headed as she could be, only seem to grow more agitated. "Get to the point! Why did you want to see us?"

"Merely checking up on the Elements," Barthandelus said. "I must say, when we made them, no one expected for them to turn out the way they did. If I didn't know any better, I'd say that they have minds of their own, even."

"I also didn't expect for them to be able to bond to ponies," he contuined, not giving Rainbow a chance to speak. "But I have to admit, it turned out for the better, in the end. They help you more then you might think, you know. What you all did with them to Nightmare Moon and Discord are quite comendible, but there is so much more to them then that."

"Yeah? Like what?"

"I'd be plenty happy to tell you more," Barthandelus told Rainbow Dash, now getting annoyed, "But, if I'm to get an accurate estimation of their effects on each of you as individuals, I'll need to meet you all alone."

"Not a chance!" Rainbow Dash said. "How do I know that you're not just trying to get us alone to take the Elements for yourself?"

"My dear Rainbow, if that was what I came here for, I would have gotten it over with already."

The glow of his horn was barely visible, a faint, silver glimmer. Rainbow Dash was completly paralyzed, unable to even blink, her eyes frozen in a challanging glare. She dropped down on the floor, impacting with a soft thud. Fluttershy nearly fainted, and all the others could only gawk at the sight. A paralysis spell like that would take a lot out of the average unicron, yet Barthandelus had done it with barely any effort.

"I hate having to use my power like that," Barthandelus said, a bitter sorrow in his voice. "Displays like that are the mark of tyrants, and I am NOT a tyrant. Now, Applejack, would you be kind enough to come with me? Twilight, the spell should be simple enough for you to dismantle on your own."

Chapter 9, Part 2: Honesty

Honesty... The power of the truth... To be able and willing to tell those around you what they need to know, even if it hurts them... Because, even when the truth hurts, it can never hurt more then to lie to those you care for...

"Applejack," Barthandelus said, mostly to himself. "Hard-working, proprietor of Sweet Apple Acres, one of the most faithful dependable ponies to be found anywhere in Equestria. Bearer of the Element of Honesty."

"That ah ahm!" Applejack said. She didn't quite trust the alicorn speaking to her. Freezing Rainbow Dash like he had, it made him look like a bully in her eyes. Then again, Rainbow had had it coming. That girl had always been temperamental, and if Barthandelus was even half as powerful as she thought, she was lucky to have gotten off so easily.

"I've heard that you don't put much faith in magic," Barthandelus said. "It strikes me as rather strange, considering who you're friends with."

"Ah ain't saying that magic ain't mighty useful, but ah think it's better to do things with your own two hooves."

"I agree completely, to be honest. It's just that some things can't be done with just physical labor. Nothing in your line of business, but it is an absolute necessity in my work."

"And just what is that, anyways?" Applejack asked. "Twilight said it was something to do with recording what goes on in Equestria, but just what do you do with all that?"

"Predictions."

"Say what?"

"Have you ever went to a carnival and had your fortune told?" Barthandelus said. "The so-called mystics say they can tell you your future with their crystal orbs, or tea leaves, or your hooveprints, or whatever they can come up with. Balderdash, every last one of them. The future has no set course. There are far too many variables involved. Time, wind, mood, the position of the sun, moon, and stars, other ponies. Heck, even the act of predicting the future changes the future. I deal with potential futures."

"For example, what would have happened if your friend Rainbow Dash had never accomplished the Sonic Rainboom that day, long ago? What of you never defeated Nightmare Moon? What if your brother Big Mac had never gotten injured during last years Applebucking Season? What if you had been successful in selling your apples at the Gala? Any number of things could have happened during any number of events during your life. My domain is the monitoring of the flow of time, to make sure that events unfold in the best possible manner... even if it doesn't seem so at the time."

"Well," Applejack said, "If that's what you do, then how come bad things happen anyways?"

"Ponies have to learn. If there is no sorrow, there is no joy. If there is no bad, there is no good. Only through conflict is there growth. Besides, there will come a time when I will no longer be able to continue my duties. When that day comes, ponies, zebras, griffons, and buffalo, and all the others out there, will have to be able to live on their own, and do what must be done."

"Ah' think ah' understand," Applejack said. "But what do you mean, when we have to 'do what must be done'?"

A look of extreme sorrow immediately overtook Barthandelus' face, his sadness palpable in the small side room. Applejack regretted saying what she did, even if she didn't know just what about it made him like this. She went over to his side, but he outstretched his wings, preventing her from getting any closer.

"No," he said. "Don't. It will only make it harder. Besides, there is one more thing I must tell you. Or rather, show you, if you so wish."

"What do you mean?" Applejack asked.

"Like I said," Barthandelus told her, "My domain is the flow of time and potential futures. I've developed a spell that allows me to show others what their lives could have turned out like. I must warn you, though, that some of the things that you may see may disturb you. You may find out things about yourself that you didn't want to know. It is up to you, but be warned, I have little control over what you may see."

That frightened the orange earth pony somewhat, but she never backed down from a challenge. She was curious as to what she would see, how her life might have turned out. And when she set her mind to something, there was little that could stop her.

"Show me," Applejack told him. "I'm not afraid. Show me what you will. I'm ready."

A grin slowly creeped up on Barthandelus' face. "Such bravery is commendable. That will be invaluable, in the times to come. But beware, for the line between bravery and foolishness is one often crossed."

Applejack was about to ask to ask him what he meant, but then he started an incantation. It was unusual

"O piedra arenisca de vicis, umquam liquidus, audio vestri vinco placitum. Ostendo nos un visum de posterus preteritus. Ostendo nos un universitas haber estado."

Without warning, Applejack's eyes glazed over, her vision shifting to somewhere deep inside her. Although part of her knew that she was still in the library, she felt as if she was hurtling through space and time.

Slowly, images began to form from the blackness. It was faint at first, but they slowly grew stronger. They fought for her attention, and she could only focus on one for a second, but that was enough.

Applejack and her friends were arguing. Though she couldn't make out the words, she remembered this from the Discord fiasco. The six of them ran away from each other...

She was in Manehatten. She was dressed up much like her Aunt Orange, with a pompous wig and outfit. She was looking at the picture of home she had brought with her when she went. She gave a look of distaste, then threw the picture in the trash...

She was at the Iron Chef competition in Canterlot. Her apple cake had won her the title of Iron Chef, and with the million bits in prize money, she could afford for all sorts of renovations back at the farm. Her friends were cheering wildly for her, even Pinkie Pie, who had won second place...

She was with her parents. In reality, they had died when she was even littler then Applebloom, but here, they were alive. Here, they were able to help her the the applebucking. Here, they were there when she needed to talk, or to cry. Here, they could watch as little Applebloom finally got her Cutie Mark...

Applejack was back at the library. Barthandelus was giving her a quizzical look. With a start, she realized that her legs were shacking violently. With a surge of pride, she stilled herself.

“Well,” Barthandelus said, “You seemed to have fared better then most do. I hope there wasn’t anything too disturbing.”

“My parents were there,” Applejack said, unable to keep the tremble from her voice. “They could still be alive. Why not? Why did they have to die?”

“Thousands of reasons. For example, as long as they were alive, you wouldn’t have direct access to the Apple Family fortune. Your brother, Big Macintosh, wouldn’t have grown to be as physically strong. You never would have gone to Manehatten, so you would have had to gain your Cutie Mark another way, which would change the Cutie Mark story you told to Applebloom and her friends, causing the lesson they learned to have changed. That would have been bad. The three of them need to-”

“Now hold on a minute! You leave mah’ little ‘sis outta all this!”

“That is no longer in my power,” Barthandelus said. “The six of you have a great destiny ahead of you. So great, in fact, that you’re affecting other’s fates by the mere fact that you know them, and they know you. They are chained to you, and not even I can change that.”

“And what do you mean by that? You obviously had a role in our lives. Why can’t you change theirs?”

“Because they have wills of their own. No matter what I may change, their knowledge of you would change their actions from what they might have chosen otherwise.”

“How can I put this?” Barthandelus paused to think for a bit. “The moment the six of you took up the Elements of Harmony, you became like magnets. You attracted those around you, shifting their future. Even now, their fates are changing because of you. While everypony can affect the fates of those they know, only the six of you can do so on such a mass scale. Even if you all disappeared, their paths had already been altered. Without true control over time, there is nothing I can do about it, even if I wanted to. Besides, each and every one of them has a part to play, if my plan is to succeed.”

“And just what is this plan of yours, anyways?” Applejack asked.

“That is something I cannot tell you. But know this, Applejack, Element of Honesty: If it fails, Equestria as we know it will cease to exist."

Chapter 7: Meeting with Friends

Twilight was all set to go back home the following morning. With Barthandelus still locked in his room, it was just the princesses to see her off. Twilight briefly considered telling Celestia about her dream last night, but decided not to. After all, a dream is just a dream... even if said dream was incredibly realistic, and horrifying.

Luna had barely said a word since her outburst yesterday. Aside from a "Good morning, Twilight", in fact, she had not said a word at all. She was clearly still hurting from yesterday, and, occasionally, a suppressed tear could still be found in her eyes.

When the three of them reached the chariot that would bring Twilight home, Celestia said her goodbyes. Luna looked as if she was about to say something, but, evidently, she did not yet trust her tongue. The look in her eyes said enough, though.

As Twilight boarded and the pegasus-drawn chariot departed, Twilight mentally went over everything she had learned yesterday. It was so sad, thinking about the princesses and Barthandelus as the last of their kind. She knew that many species went extinct, but knowing that didn't make it any easier. The Immortals were incredibly powerful, having lived since the dawn of time. How does such a race die off?

Look in your bag...

The sudden voice nearly made her jump. Was she going mad?

Look in your bag...

Frowning internally, Twilight looked in her bags. Her books, parchment, ink and quill...

And a single stone, with a note attached.

She could tell that the stone was enchanted in some way, but she didn't have the time or equipment to tell how just yet. She'd look it over when she got home, but maybe the letter might help explain.

It bore a single drop of red wax, with an “B” pressed on it. Barthandelus's seal. She had thought as much. She quickly read it over.

Twilight Sparkle,

I have seen great things in you. The power you possess marks you as a catalyst for something great, but I fear that your future is grim. Darkness gathers on the horizon. Rumors of unrest in distant lands reach my ears, and I fear that it shall soon spread to Equestria. Even as the kingdom prospers under the reign of Celestia and Luna, old evils and forgotten enemies stir within her borders. You hold in you the power to save Equestria... or doom it to annihilation.

Know that the I will do my best to guide you and your friends along the path to salvation, but the future is dark, and my Sight fails me. I do not know what time will bring to our fair kingdom, but I know that we must prepare for the worst. I have given you something I found long ago. It holds immense power, but it refuses to yield to me. It responded to you, after you left, and I know that you will need it in the coming days, though for what purpose, I cannot tell. Keep it with you at all times. You are the only one that can unlock its secrets, and it is vital that you do so.

In one week, I will come to see you again. Make sure your friends are with you, for there is one last thing I must tell, and you all must hear it. You six are linked, and where one goes, the others will soon follow. As the Elements of Harmony, you will all play important roles in the dark days to come, and you will ultimately decide the world's fate. The only advice I can offer is to follow your hearts. Though the world may seemed destined for destruction, as long as you all do what you think is best, I am sure things will work out. The choices you will all have to make will be difficult, and there may seem to be no right answer, that you must choose between two evils. But all that matters is that you do what you think is best.

The Keeper of History,

Barthandelus

More dark news. It was true that Equestria had been facing many problems ever since Nightmare Moon returned and was defeated. And even in little old Ponyville, rumors of distant troubles reached her ears, though no one really cared about those rumors. But how could Twilight and her friends possibly hold Equestria's fate in their hoofs?

There was no doubt that Twilight and her friends were connected. They were the Elements of Harmony, and none of them would even have their cutie marks if it wasn't for Rainbow Dash. They were destined to be friends even before they meet. Now, they went everywhere together, and no one could doubt that they would all share the same fate. There was never a doubt about that.

But there was still the matter about the stone Barthandelus gave her. If he couldn't tell what it did or what it was for, how could he expect her to? And how something so old be connected to her? Or maybe it was just connected to her Element of Magic. That was far more likely. But how?

And what did he mean when he said that his "Sight failed him"? He couldn't mean to imply that he could see the future. That still went against everything she believed about free will. Even if she had no choice but to believe Pinkie Pie about her Pinkie Sense, she still wouldn't believe that the future could have a set path.

Twilight would have to think about this more later. The chariot was nearly at Ponyville, and she needed to prepare to see her friends.

She stepped off as soon as the chariot landed, and set off for the library where she made her home. It was still rather early in the morning, so she only found Spike, deep asleep right next to the door. She decided against waking him up.

Twilight knew it was only a matter of time until her friends showed up. What would she tell them? Most of what she learned scared her. She didn’t know much about history before the whole Nightmare Moon escapade, but this? Just how long had the princesses been alive? What else had Celestia been hiding from her? How come none of her books even mentioned these “Immortals”? And why did she keep getting the feeling that Barthandelus was hiding something, something important?

Twilight hadn’t realized that she’d been pacing around the room as she thought. It quickly woke up Spike, who, at first, was too groggy to realize what it meant.

“Ugh, could you keep it down, Twilight?” he asked, eyes only half open. “It’s too early to be up.”

He nearly went back to sleep before it hit him. “Twilight! Your back!” Almost too quick to see, Spike rushed over to embrace her.

Her train of thought derailed, Twilight simply took pleasure in seeing her number one assistant again. The two of them had almost never been separated since she had hatched him from his egg as a filly. Heck, she would have brought him to Canterlot, if the letter hadn’t explicitly told her to come alone. Looking back, she was glad she didn’t. She still couldn’t fully grasp everything she had learned in the short 24 hours she’d been away. There’s no telling how Spike would have reacted. After all, he’s still just a baby dragon.

After Spike was done hugging her, he immediately launched a salvo of questions. “So, what was it like? What did you learn? Who was this councilpony? What did he want with you? Did you see Celestia and Luna? Did you bring anything back?”

“Calm down, Spike! I’ll tell you all about it. But first, I’m starving!” As if on cue, Twilight’s stomach complained. Loudly. Sheepishly, she added “I... didn’t really have time to grab a bite before I left.”

“Gotcha,” Spike said, and rushed off to the kitchen. Within moments, the sounds of baking could be heard from within.

In nearly no time at all, a hearty breakfast of blueberry muffins, pancakes (Spike had been making an awful lot of pancakes lately, for some reason), and apple juice was served. While it was not nearly as grand as what he made two days ago, Twilight’s empty stomach all but cried out in joy when she beheld it, and she nearly dived into her food.

One (very) messy meal and a bath later, Twilight was ready to face her friends. The more she worried about it, the worse it would be. Better just do it, and get it out of her system. But first, she had to find them, and gather them all together. Telling it all once would be bad enough. She didn’t want to do it five times.

She told Spike to go fetch Rarity (he obviously loved the idea) while she went to Pinkie Pie’s and Fluttershy’s homes. Fluttershy would find Rainbow Dash, and they would meet up with Applejack at Sweet Apple Acres.

Thus they went on their way. Sugarcube Corner, where Pinkie worked (and lived in the attic), was the closest to the library, Twilight went there first. She didn’t even manage a knock on the door before Pinkie Pie launched (literally) outside, knocking the wind out of her and sending them sprawling outside.

“Twilight! You’re back! I heard you coming but I didn’t think you'd be back so soon, so I didn’t have time to prepare a party like I wanted to, but maybe later we can throw a ‘Welcome Back From Canterlot!’ party and I’ll make a super-duper-extra-special cake and should I use vanilla frosting or chocolate or maybe strawberry its been a while since I used strawberry frosting and I figure this calls for something special, but I don’t know if you like strawberry, so maybe I’ll use half-strawberry and half-vanilla since everypony likes vanilla and I know you like vanilla but you should really try strawberry it’s delicious, and-” Pinkie didn’t even seem to breath as she talked nonstop. Celestia only knows where she gets all her energy. The sheer amount of sugar she consumed might be it, but her energy seemed limitless.

“Calm down, Pinkie,” Twilight managed to say. We can have the party later, but right now, there’s something I want to talk about with you and the others.”

“Okie-Dokie-Lokie!” Pinkie said. “I saw Fluttershy heading towards the lake earlier. Want to check to see if she’s there?”

“Sure,” Twilight said, and the two of them went to the lake near the edge Ponyville proper, Pinkie using her peculiar hop/trot.

Sure enough, Fluttershy was at the lake, busy feeding the local fish and turtles. She always woke up early, making sure to feed all the local animals in the area around Ponyville. Celestia only knew how much it all must cost her, and yet, without any discernible source of income, Fluttershy managed to keep it up for years, ever since she moved to her cottage near the edge of the Everfree Forest from Cloudsdale. Twilight meant to one day ask as to her she managed to do it all, and keep herself fed and afford her cottage. But, right now, she had other things on her mind.

“Hey, Fluttershy!” Twilight said. Fluttershy gave the slightest “eep” at the sudden sudden sound of Twilight’s voice, then turned around.

“Twilight!” she said, in her usual, quite voice. “I didn’t expect you to be back so soon. Did you enjoy your time back in Canterlot?”

“I sure did!” Twilight responded. “I can’t believe it’s only been a year since I moved here from Canterlot. Time flies when among friends!”

“It sure does,” Fluttershy agreed, remembering the many times she’d nearly missed feeding her animal friends when Rarity would take her to the spa. And the times Rainbow Dash would show her her various new tricks. Precious moments, every one of them.

“Listen,” Twilight said, “Could you try and find Rainbow Dash, and tell her to meet us at Applejack’s place? I’ve got some things to tell about what I heard there, and I’d like everyone to be there. I’ve already sent Spike to tell Rarity, so don’t worry about her.”

“Sure thing,” Fluttershy said. “I’m already done feeding all the animals, anyways. See you there.”

Fluttershy went off to find Rainbow Dash. She was probably still asleep. She was never up this early in the morning, unless she was excited about some new trick or Wonderbolt performance. Twilight just hoped that she wouldn’t be too hard to wake up. Usually, it would take a bucket of water or a loud shout to wake her up before 10:00 am, and Fluttershy was not the type to do either.

Ah, well. If Fluttershy couldn’t wake Rainbow up, Twilight could just use her hot air balloon and go wake her up herself. Rainbow wouldn’t like it, but she needed to get this off her chest. And, honestly, Rainbow needed to learn to wake up sooner. Not even Twilight, not even Spike, could sleep in that late. It couldn’t be healthy. Too much of anything can’t be good for you.

Twilight and Pinkie Pie set off to Sweet Apple Acres. Pinkie Pie was babbling about something or other, but her friends have learned to tune her out in such cases. And Twilight’s mind was elsewhere entirely. She knew that she needed to tell her friends about what she learned, but, the closer she got to the moment, the worse she felt about it. She knew for a fact that Fluttershy would take this hard. If it could scare Twilight, it would terrify the poor pegasus. But, it was for the best. At least, that’s what she kept telling herself.

Reluctantly, Twilight forced her thoughts to drift elsewhere. She’d deal with it later, but if she kept thinking about it, it would only make things worse. She focused on putting one hoof in front of the other. She’d deal with it when the time came.

=====================================================================

Meanwhile, Barthandelus stood, watching into his crystal orb, watching Twilight and the Element of Laughter (Pinkie Pie, he reminded himself) head off for Sweet Apple Acres.

He regretted having to tell Twilight what he did. He knew it would cause her and her friends much inner turmoil, but he needed them to be prepared. Hard times lay ahead, and they needed to toughen up if things were to go as hoped.

Barthandelus sighed to himself, then muttered a short incantation, and passed his hoove over the crystal orb. The scene shifted, to a cyan pegasus with a rainbow mane sleeping deeply on a cloud bed. The entire house was made of clouds, as were most pegasus houses. They made for very comfortable beds and blankets, yet, they seemed somewhat lacking to him. He preferred the solidity of traditional bedding, though occasionally he would take short naps on cloud beds. Not that he needed to sleep, but it was a good way to relieve stress, and he got gleam a lot about the state of the world form his dreams.

So many plans, so many variables, he thought. It’s so tiring. If only I could just take a break from it all... no, that wouldn’t do: Everypony has a part to play. I have to stay vigilant.

Taking a moment to collect his scattered thoughts, Barthandelus zoomed in on the image of the sleeping cyan pegasus. With a final, heavy sigh, he muttered another incantation. Focusing on the image, he closed his eyes.

“Wake up.”