Ever since her ascension, Twilight has been having the same nightmares.

About a pale mare who shines brighter than anything she's ever seen.

This is an entry to the barcast's Halloween in April Contest. Thank you very much to wishcometrue and Flashgen for their help with editing and pre-reading. Any errors are because of last minute changes I made without consulting them.

An army marches upon Canterlot with a single intent.

Kill the Princesses.

I appreciate the story being shared around, commented on, liked, enjoyed, all that jazz.
Check out my profile for more fun little dark stories.

After the heat death of the universe, nothing remains.

Except for Celestia, of course, and her immortal sun.

Rated Teen for profanity, fantasised Celestia/Luna shipping and prejudice against transdimensional immigrants.

Summary

When the Goddess spoke to her, Celestia learned she was going to die. It was not the only knowledge she gained with the Goddess’s gift.

She learned that she was not the original Celestia, who had died more than a thousand years ago, right after concluding her bargain with the Goddess. The greatest achievement of her life.

She learned her true date of birth. Eleven years ago, seconds after a young filly named Rainbow Dash completed her first Sonic Rainboom.

She did not learn her true purpose. Yes, the Goddess had whispered it to her along with the other parts of Her gift, but Celestia had already known it. She always had.

Author's Note

Why does Celestia's personality change so much between seasons, going from a distant immortal goddess to an exhausted retiree aunt?

Why do Celestia's abilities go from omniscience and raising the sun to being helpless in a fight against an old has-been, a weird bug, and a racist child?

Why can't Celestia act to save her life?

Why is Equestria always being saved just in the nick of time?

Why exile Nightmare Moon for a thousand years?

What's up with Daybreaker?

Anyway, this is my headcanon for all that, and more. Enjoy!

Thanks to Reese and Fillyfoolish for feedback on the first draft.

Blog Post

I have heard ponies say that living so long would be a curse. That it is a burden. That it can break a pony's mind. There is some truth to that. It can be hard to know that you'll always be left behind as others pass on. However, that is not the whole truth, I am also blessed. I have an opportunity to see history play out in front of me and tell future generations of the ponies behind the legends.

In audio form: http://youtu.be/mTGMfwcAcwQ

Something's been bothering Sunset Shimmer for a while now.

How can there be a human version of Princess Celestia who's in her early forties, when Princess Celestia herself is thousands of years old?

The Rainbooms catch wind of Celestia and Luna's upcoming family reunion, and decide to crash it.

What they find there is...disturbing.

Chrysalis' scheme has borne fruit. United by bribes and promises, the leaders of each nation have come with her to deliver an ultimatum: surrender Equestria, or face hopeless war with their combined armies.

So why does Celestia look to Chrysalis with a gentle, mourning gaze? And why is Chrysalis afraid?

Deep beneath the mountain, Twilight must continue the great work. She has stopped for no one in many years. But perhaps she will stop for a friend. At least for a little while.

---

Written within two hours for Everfree Northwest 2018's Iron Author competition.

Twilight Velvet has never really understood her daughter-in-law. Princess of Love? That seems a little shallow, even to a secret romance novelist. So when they end up sharing a train to the Crystal Empire for Hearth's Warming, things are a little bit awkward. When the journey is faced with disasters natural and supernatural, their fragile relationship will be tested to its breaking point.

Edited by Scoots, Olden Brony, and Zontargs

Cover art by author.

Trixie and Starlight Glimmer experiment with time magic.

Originally written for the Writeoff Association's short story contest.