For an eternal moment, the light had been everything. In that one split instant between seconds, he knew who he was and saw all that he might do. The world made sense, and he knew why everything had happened. The deepest mysteries of magic and the meaning of existence were both as familiar to him as his own horn. Then, with a soft chiding that felt like a 'when you are ready, young one', it all started to fade.
The version of him that Celestia used would have claimed his noble privilege and demanded to keep everything, would have gripped it all with his teeth if needed, and never let go. The new him just accepted it. This not quite a voice was kind and he knew they meant him no harm. He was just a foal, and you do not give a foal a book on dangerous magic and tell them to go play.
The insights flowed away with the sensation as if somepony was tenderly stroking his mane. If this was in public, he would have objected, but without the political ramifications, he could and would take the gesture as it was intended.
"Until I am worthy," he said and felt a warmth in reply that tasted very much like the other saying they would be waiting. Something that sounded like a nuzzle brushed his cheek. The last thing he heard before the light became everything again was the turning of a page and the scratching of a quill.
It was either far too bright or far too dark, and he could not tell which. Mild confusion washed over him, and none of his senses told him anything other than that he was falling. Despite all this, he felt completely calm, with a warm contentment in his chest. He knew there was nothing to worry about and that everything would be alright.
Where am I? What's happening?
An impact, both heavy and not at the same time, shot through his hooves then the feeling of falling stopped. His eyes shot open, and he could see again. The crazy blurs snapped into far crisper focus than he could ever have imagined before. Strands of fading light peeled off him, and something tensed and moved on his back. The sound of feathers catching the air told him exactly what they were. He stood there tall, regal, with his new wings flared and horn held high.
Unfortunately, his dramatic entrance was only seen by the spiders haunting the cobwebs in the abandoned throne room. Although he had never been here himself, he had seen paintings of the old Everfree Castle in its prime. Even after so long, it was still recognisable.
"Why here?" He asked the air as he headed towards the door. His body moved smoothly. Even with just this short walk, he felt as nimble as a dancer and as light as a feather.
Platinum's voice called out from a side chamber. "It was the safest place, my Prince. Might I say the wings suit you very well, indeed?"
He turned to face her, still marvelling at how fluidly his new body responded. There, with only the slightest hints that it was only an illusion, was Platinum Check. He bowed his head in greeting. "You may… So this is what my Aunt kept from me?" He asked, critically inspecting the magnificent white feathers that adorned his right wing.
"Yes, but we must hurry, my Prince. There is one more thing to be done."
"The final trial?" He asked, already knowing the answer.
"Yes, now please follow me, my Prince."
With a nod, he fell into step with her. His hooves were by no means silent, but with the grace with which he moved, they nearly were. He glanced over to her and noted how much he had to look down to meet her gaze If she is still as tall as normal, then I'm only a hoof or so taller than I was. It was still noticeable but did not make him the imposing presence Celestia was.
"What must I do in this trail?"
"Stay calm, trust me, know who you are and that you will survive."
"You have both my trust and my thanks. Even if I do not…"
Her cooling aura held his muzzle closed. She placed her hoof on the wall and a section of it fell away revealing a downwards sprialing ramp. Her intense eyes bore into his own. "You will survive, my Prince. Tell me you will."
As silly as it was he could see by the resolve in her eyes she needed this, and to her, this was deathly serious. "I will survive."
She shook her head. "Please, my Prince. Tell me you will survive. as if you believe it."
Her words stirred something in him, a feeling of certainty within him. "I will survive." This time his answer resonated. His normal volume somehow filled the space around him. It was a statement of fact and not mere intent.
"Who are you?" Her soft tone was almost a whisper compared to his.
Like before, he did not need to think. Each word felt like a divine decree as it passed from his lips. "I am Prince Blueblood of House Platinum, the true heir of Unicornia, Duke of Canterlot, Defender of Ponykind and Guiding Light to all those that have need of me."
She smiled and bowed to him. "This way, my Prince."
The hidden chamber below was lit with azure mage light. Countless spell runes blazed into being over every surface. Only a ring in the center of this most special space was left bear.
A million questions formed in his mind, but not a single doubt. He offered her a respectful nod and strode past her to the space that was clearly meant for him.
"Lay down if you would, my Prince."
He complied. The strange, smooth stone chilled his flesh through his coat, even as it felt almost too hot to touch. Her magic floated over a small vial of liquid. Silver and black motes chased each other through a thick, almost honey-like substance. He watched a pair of them dance with each other. They almost look playful.
"Remember all I have told you and drink, my Prince."
The scent was of the sweetest honey, of metal and night blooms. The liquid fizzed on his tongue as a million different tastes assaulted his taste buds. It burned like a smooth spirit and chilled like a fresh milkshake.
The world spun and shapes twisted. He was glad he was lying down. Nothing his body told him made sense anymore. Up was yesterday, and down was strawberry; colours were sounds and sounds were simply gone. It would have been terrifying but for one thing. In the privacy of his mind, in vivid, perfect detail, he recalled every word, every look, and every gesture he had ever seen from Platinum Check played out. Behind them, every moment of his life played out in their own little oceans of memory.
One of the oceans started to float away, and a surge of wrongness rushed through him. Somehow, he knew if he lost it, it would be gone forever. His aura immediately snapped out and pulled it back. Then, two more wobbled and started to fall away. One he lunged for and garbed with his hooves, and the other he dragged back with his magic. With each touch, a flash of memories hit him. His mind was assaulted by moments past.
Anytime he looked away from some of them, they would start to fade. His gaze became another tool to hold them all there. He knew not what he was doing, but he knew it was vitally important. This is just like spinning plates…
Past the memories, he caught patches of silver magic holding back the hungering darkness. Even now, she is helping me. That thought warmed his heart and spurred his efforts on. She was not in the best of shape before this and that looked like it used a lot of magic.
It took time, but slowly, the outer edges of the oceans froze, and one by one, he put them into place. At the last moment before he completed it, Platinum hurled six glowing orbs through the last gap and dived after it. He slammed the last memory into place, and the whole mass of them flared with mage shields. A shell of memories fused into a bastion against the hungering void.
Platinum did not bother to rise from where she lay upon the ground. "Well done, my Prince."
"Will you be alright?" Blueblood asked as he walked over to her.
"I will. Thank you for your concern, my Prince, but now it is time for you to Awake."
He was cold. That was the first thing he noticed. He opened his eyes, and darkness greeted him. A little magic to his horn fixed that. He blinked as the sudden brightness rapidly redefined what a little magic was.
How do you feel, my Prince?
Cold he tried to say but nothing came out. His throat moved, but there was no sound.
A soft laugh danced in his mind and seemed to caress his ears. You need to inhale first, my Prince.
He did, and his lungs expanded. It was only then he realised he had not been breathing. With that realisation, his heart hammered back into action. Cold, sluggish blood pulsed through his veins, and a migraine threatened to be in his future.
"What?" He just about managed to choke out.
You passed, my Prince. Her normal, severe voice was instead rich with joy and pride. Unless he was mistaken, there was even a hint of giddiness underneath it.
With each beat of his heart, his body warmed. There were no pins and needles, and other than the headache and the now receding chill, there were no lingering ill effects.
"Only with your aid."
Even though she was not there, he felt her drape herself over his back and wrap her forelegs around his neck in a comforting embrace. You were denied a lifetime of preparation, and you truly only needed a little aid, my Prince.
"You have my thanks all the same."
He lay there and just enjoyed breathing, listening to the sound it made as the movement of the air tickled his feathers. His heart played a simple tune each beat a declratioin he was alive.
"Platnum?"
Yes, My Prince.
"Why is this chamber here?"
Princess Luna had it created in secret to aid in ascensions.
"Why was secrecy necessary?"
Queen Celestia dislikes competitors.
"Queen?"
That is not the title she uses in public, but it is what she is. It is her way, mind control or a fiery death.
He spread his left wing. "Aunty is not going to be happy."
No… she will not be my Prince… there is one more thing we must do before we leave here.
"Another trial?"
No, this is nothing dire. You must simply see a new aspect of yourself.
"What do you need me to do?"
Come here.
The world fell away, and then he was somewhere else.