CHAPTER EIGHT: DESTINY EXPLAINED
Chrysalis couldn’t help but smile as she watch Twilight fire a magical blast. Though Celestia acted quickly to raise a shield, Chrysalis knew it was only a matter of time. She saw that meddlesome Princess Cadence leap into the fray and her horn glowed.
Then it ended, Chrysalis saw Twilight stop and hug the pink Alicorn. Filled with rage Chrysalis left running as fast as her hooves could take her. She was pursued by the guards of course. She then heard a thundering of hooves right behind her.
Princess Celestia was right on her tail.
“Your still weak old nag.” Chrysalis taunted.
“I shall not let you endanger anymore citizens Chrysalis,” Celestia said. “I challenge you tomorrow at dawn in the Badlands.”
“I’m no fool Celestia.” Chrysalis replied she had stopped running and was standing only feet from Celestia. “We need a witness.”
“Very well my sister Luna will bear witness.” Celestia said and turned to walk off.
“I want Twilight to bear witness.” Chrysalis said with a twisted grin.
“She’s too young.”
“No, unless you amended them a witness must be eighteen years of age. My request must be granted. Unless of course you changed that too.”
“Twilight is innocent!” Celestia yelled.
“Nopony is innocent.” Came the reply.
“I beg you. Leave Twilight out of this. This is between us!” Celestia pleaded.
“She foiled my plan. I want her to see you for what you really are.” Chrysalis hissed. “Or I can simply have my children who are hidden among your own subject destroy your kingdom.”
“You win.” Celestia sighed.
“Good.” We will meet in the morning.
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In Celestia chambers a highly distraught Twilight was being comforted by Cadence. Cadence ignored Rarities glares and just nuzzled the lavender mare.
“It’s ok Twilight.” Cadence purred.
“But..I..almost…” Twilight stopped as she began sobbing again.
“Ain’t yer fault sugercube.” Applejack said.
“Besides, Cadence got you under control because you went gonzo.” Rainbow Dash said. Garnering an angry chorus of
“Rainbow!”
“The fault is not yours, Twilight Sparkle,” Luna said. “My sister and I shall deal with Chrysalis.”
“Make that just me.” Celestia sighed as she came back into her chamber. “My little ponies, I…we need to speak to Twilight, in private. I wish Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, Prince Shining Armor and Princess Luna to remain.”
Shining Armor looked uncomfortable at the mention of his name. The ponies slowly filed out with the element bearers and Shooting Star hanging by the door, while Fleur de Lis, Nurse Redheart and Clean Sweep left together.
With a remorseful look Celestia used her magic to close the door to her chambers. Once it was just them Celestia looked to Twilight Sparkle. This would be the hardest thing she would ever have to do. She risked losing her favorite and prized student, if she took the news the wrong way.
“Twilight,” Celestia began with a deep calming breath. “It’s time you knew the truth. That is if you’re willing to keep an open mind and listen. Please keep an open mind my dear pupil.”
With her sister in law lovingly hugging her and her brother doing the same. Twilight Sparkle looked to Luna who remained silent though her look betrayed doubt. She looked at Celestia, who she loved like a second mother. Her mind raced with scenarios, but still she nodded.
Cadence and Luna both gave Celestia doubting looks. Celestia sighed and sat down, she folded her wings so they where neatly tucked by her sides. To Twilight it looked like Celestia was trying to look as unimposing as possible.
“Twilight,” Celestia said. “Let me start by saying none of what I am going to say is going to be easy. I have long since dreaded this day, not because of the news but the impact of what I will tell you.
Twilight, none of what happened since we met has been an accident, my making you my pupil after you displayed such raw untapped power. I knew then you where destined for great things Twilight. You have done more in eighteen years than most ponies do in lifetimes. You are the most powerful unicorn in Equestria, you’ve shown signs. Signs of your destiny, I am sure you see them as well”
“Look at what happened you have a phoenix, PeeWee, powerful friends. You are the element of magic, yet you are destined to be much more. Twilight, the time of your ascension is quickly coming.”
“What’s that?” Twilight choked. Cadence hugged Twilight, as did Shining Armor.
“You posses all the traits of an Alicorn,” Celestia said. “We’ve all known this. We can’t ignore this anymore, we can’t mislead you anymore and regret we’ve done what we did.”
“I’m going to become an Alicorn?” Twilight asked.
“It’s not bad Twilight.” Cadence comforted. “you’ll have me, with you, always.”
“My friends,” Twilight said. “I’m going to watch them all die? Why? Why me? Why not somepony else? I..I don’t want to watch all I love wither away.”
“This isn’t easy Twilight,” Celestia said. “I beg you, to think on this.”
“I don’t want to think on it!” Twilight screamed tears in her eyes. “I don’t want to calm down! I want a normal life!”
“Twilly.” Shining Armor started. Twilight backed away, her family her mentor, they all lied to her.
“Leave me alone!” Twilight snarled her horn glowing bright purple. “No more lies! Just leave! Me! ALONE!”
The room was filled with a bright flash
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“How long has it been?” Rarity asked.
“Feels like hours.” Shooting Star added.
“Or longer.” Fluttershy muttered.
“Jus longer cuz our best friend is in there.” Applejack commented.
Pinkie Pie who was standing by the door began acting oddly. Even for her. “Itchy ear, twitchy eye, shaky back hoooooves. That mean something big is about to happen!”
“Come again?” Shooting Star asked.
“Pinkie sense,” Spike said. “Makes as much sense as Pinkie Pie does.”
Shooting Star was about to say something when a bright flash of light emitted from under the door. Frantic Applejack kicked the door in with her powerful hind legs. When they got in Twilight was gone.
“They vaporized Twilight!” Pinkie gasped.
“More like she teleported away.” Applejack reasoned. “But why?”
“She didn’t like that she was going to be an Alicorn and that the Princesses decided to keep that fact from her.” Rarity said suddenly drawing glares from her friends.
“Ya knew?” Applejack asked.
“Yes,” Rarity said. “I feel dreadful about it too so don’t even try with a guilt trip. I hoped Twilight would be happy. Now she’s out there, we have to find her. I hope you all accept my apology.”
“Well,” Applejack said. “ya had yer reason ah guess. Right now we needa find Twi, we can place blame later.”
“Let’s go girls!” Rainbow Dash cheered as she left the others hot on her tail.
Alone the royalty just hung their heads, and prayed Twilight would forgive them.
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She was in darkness after her spell, she had no idea where she was. Nothing looked familiar to her. Twilight walked for what felt like hours until she came to an open door. She heard a harmonic French voice
Twilight looked around, odd trinkets crowded the walls. She was sure this was only a secondary residence for the mare. The small room reminded Twilight of Zecora’s hut. She never expected such a high class mare such as Fleur to dabble in this type of magic.
“Madam Twilight, I’ve been expecting you.” Fleur de Lis said.
“How?” Twilight asked.
“As a Unicorn I have gifts like you non?” fleur questioned. “Every unicorn has a special magic. Madam Rarity finds gems, Madam Star can levitate better and you are a prodigy.”.
“An Alicorn in the making.” Twilight grumbled.
“Is good oui?” Fleur asked.
“how is it good?” Twilight asked. “My friends, I’ll watch them all die. While I live, I don’t want to outlive my friends”
“Nothing eez written in stone,” Fleur said. “I have seen glimpses of what you are destined to be. I have also seen how you become an Alicorn. Zee choice eez yours Madam Twilight. Accept or do not. Zey will understand”
“Not after how I acted,” Twilight sulked. “They must hate me.”
“One way to be sure non?” Fleur asked giving Twilight an assuring smile.
“Thanks Fleur.” Twilight said and she was gone in a flash of light.
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Twilight was back in Celestia’s chambers. There she saw the great white mare on the floor. Celestia was crying, Fluttershy was there of course, the butter yellow pegasus was showing kindness. She looked up and gasped.
“Twilight?”
Celestia looked behind her and saw the lavender mare run towards her and hug her.
“I’m so sorry Princess.” Twilight sobbed.
“I truly feared I lost you dear Twilight,” Celestia whispered as she hugged her most cherished student. “I should have never kept this from you.”
“No,” Twilight said. “you should have told me, but I understand why you didn’t. I forgive you Princess, like I forgive everypony else. Where are they?”
Celestia paused as her horn glowed yellow, she smiled and motioned for Twilight to come closer. When she did so Celestia whispered in her ear. Twilight, then used her magic and her horn glowed purple and in a corner where once nothing was, there was Cadence, Luna and Shining Armor.
“Where you listening the whole time?” Fluttershy asked.
“Tia!” Luna protested.
Cadence said nothing, she only ran to Twilight and hugged her as hard as she could. Twilight smiled and returned the hug and smiled harder when her brother joined in.
“I’m so sorry Twilight.” Cadence said.
“It’s ok,” Twilight replied. “I might not like it, but I’ll do my best to make everypony proud.”
The married couple nodded and let go of the hug, Twilight went to and hugged Fluttershy, when a pink blurred zoomed in and tackled the duo screaming.
“Group hug!”
On cue Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Spike and Applejack all ran in and joined in the hug. While Shooting Star hung near the door. The black coated mare looked down.
“Hey! No hold outs!” Rainbow Dash yelled.
“Huh?”
“She means you sugarcube. Come join in the fun.” Applejack said.
“But I’m..” Shooting Star started.
“Well you said you are coming to Ponyville and you are one of the group.” Rarity said.
“Beside’s if ya didn’t bring that book along who knows what would have happened ta the Princess.” Applejack said.
“It is true.” Celestia added. She knew full well she would have recovered fully with or without the redroot cure. Chrysalis only meant to wound, not to kill. For now though Shooting Star deserved the credit.
“Comeoncomeoncomeon!” Pinkie blathered pushing Shooting Star towards the group where she was hugged by six other ponies.
“It’s getting late,” Celestia said. “Perhaps you should all get some much needed rest. Twilight I will need you for just a tad longer.”
The others nodded and filed each taking a chance to bid Twilight a good night. Then Cadence and Shining Armor did the same, Twilight noticed how relieved they both seemed to be now. When all had left it was just Twilight, Celestia and Luna.
The Ruler of the Night looked between Twilight and Celestia. “Wilt thou face Chrysalis after you raise the sun sister?” Luna asked.
“Yes,” Celestia replied. “I’m afraid you will have to be with me Twilight Sparkle.”
“This is not what we agreed on sister!” Luna shouted using a small bit of her Canterlot accent.
“I had little choice in the matter Luna,” Celestia explained. “Twilight is of legal age to be a witness, by the laws I’ve written.”
“Change them.” Luna growled
“Then Chrysalis would cry foul,” Celestia reasoned. “Besides any ruling I make must be cleared by the nobles first. Nobels aren’t known for their speed dear sister.”
“Twilight will only be a hindrance.” Luna stated.
“I’m right here!” Twilight protested, more than annoyed at the fact they were talking about her like she wasn’t even there.
“Twilight,” Celestia said. “Luna and I had planned for Luna to be there in the position you are now forced in.”
“Why?” Twilight asked.
“My sister has a very powerful spell,” Luna replied. “So powerful that it can incinerate nearly anypony caught in it’s rather wide range.”
“Chrysalis saw this,” Celestia continued. “So she chose you instead, knowing I would not use the spell around you. I would use it around Luna only because I know my sister would survive it.”
“Princess,” Twilight started.
“No Twilight, the fault is not yours. I’ve known for some time how devious Chrysalis is,” Celestia said as she extended her wings and wrapped them around Twilight. “I will find a way to defeat her my pupil.”
“Dawn will come sooner than you think sister.” Luna said. “You need rest, as does Twilight.”
The lavender mare yawned a show of her exhaustion. “I should get to my room.” She yawned.
“You can stay here.” Celestia said pointing a wing at her rather large bed.
Wearily Twilight went to Celestia’s bed lay down and was asleep within moments. Celestia smiled as she removed her royal attire, she noticed Luna looking at the scene.
“Allow me this,” Celestia requested. “Allow her at least this night under my wing, under my protection.”
“Of course Tia.” Luna replied with a smile as she left.
Celestia lay down in bed and lets out a gasp as Twilight snuggled into her. She smiled as she covered Twilight with her wing and levitated sheets to cover the pair of them. Tomorrow they would face Chrysalis, tonight? Tonight she would spend a night with Twilight, nothing in Equestria would change that.
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“Where are they?” Spike whined as she waddled as fast as his chubby feet allowed.
“Now we’ll check Celestia’s room, she ain’t there then ya sleep with Rainbow Dash.” Applejack said not happy that she was playing guardian for the dragon.
“Maybe she’s having a way super fun sleep over.” Pinkie Pie observed.
On the way they saw Luna who was just leaving Celestia’s chambers. The night ruler said nothing only pointing a wing towards the chamber. The four entered and saw Twilight sound asleep nestled under Celestia’s wing. Celestia opened her eyes and gave a small smile before cuddling up with Twilight and going back to sleep.
Pinkie Pie pulled Spike’s bed out of nowhere and placed it on the ground. The baby dragon promptly crawled into bed and the happy pony bounced out followed by Applejack and Luna.
“Am I to ignore she got the dragon’s bed from nothingness?” Luna finally asked when they were far enough from Celestia’s chambers.
“We jus chalk it up ta Pinkie bein Pinkie.” Applejack answered.
Luna just nodded, accepting the pink mare’s total randomness. She parted ways with Applejack shortly after. The farm pony had a long day, while Luna’s started on a rough note.
Still Luna had a job to do, she had to protect the night. This meant checking Equestria for any late night threats. It also meant monitoring dreams, she had a love-hate relationship with this aspect of her job. She loved looking in on happy dreams, like one Pinkie was currently having about talking cakes. Yet on sad dreams she disliked it, it felt like she was intruding on the most personal aspect of a ponies life.
Still Luna went upon her nightly tasks and prepared to meet her sister just before dawn.
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It was just before dawn when Celestia awoke, she gently nuzzled the lavender mare she shared her bed with.
“Good morning Twilight.” She purred.
“Suns not even up.” Twilight protested pulled the sheets over her.
“That might be so, but we have someplace to be after I rise the sun.” Celestia reminded her student.
“I’m not so sure I should be with you Princess,” Twilight squeaked. “You admitted Chrysalis only chose me because she knew that me being there would hinder you.”
“Listen well Twilight Sparkle, for I’ll only say this once,” Celestia said as she donned her royal vestments yet again. Twilight noticed her teacher voice shifted to a mode she knew well. Lecture mode. “There are many things that make Chrysalis and I similar, though I detest it, she does care for her changelings. She is also afraid of me, she knows what I can do, and I need tell you Twilight to trust me.”
“I will.” Twilight said as she nodded.
Celestia smiled as she left with Twilight following, on the balcony of Canterlot Castle, she met with Luna. Luna went to her task and lowered the moon and stars and Celestia rose the sun, both did so with no difficulty. With that done Luna turned to Twilight.
“Take this Twilight Sparkle.” Luna said as she floated a pendant in front of Twilight before fastening it around her neck. “It will keep you safe, from when Celestia casts her spell Solaris Ultimus.”
“Thank you Luna.” Celestia said with a smile.
“Keep safe.” Luna said as she hugged her sister and then Twilight.
Celestia gave her sister a smile before her horn glowed yellow and the two were gone.
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The badlands, a wasteland devoid of any notable life, they where bare, barren and lifeless. That is above ground, underground was a network of caves and chambers all crafted by hoof. This is where Queen Chrysalis and her changeling host lived. For a thousand years they kept their existence a secret. Then four months ago Chrysalis made a dangerous bid, she infiltrated Canterlot and abducted Princess Cadence.
With her as Cadence, Chrysalis began her plot, the first part was easy enough. Take control of Shining Armor, the stallion was love struck and it was filly play to seize his mind. Using the real Cadence for information was helpful, sure sometimes Cadence would refuse but it only took Chrysalis saying she would hurt Shining Armor to get Cadence to agree.
Yes things where good, it would have been perfect is not for Twilight Sparkle. Cadence made no mention of her or that stupid song. Still Chrysalis made the most of what she had, a well timed “emotional breakdown” had turned every pony even Celestia against Twilight.
Still even after hiding Twilight where she hid Cadence, Twilight managed a way. To trick the bridesmaids she had guarding the escape, to show up just as she was about to get everything she ever wanted. Even so she managed to defeat Celestia and capture them.
Still Twilight, so craft, so resourceful, was able to free Cadence. Then with the power of love she was able to expel the changelings. It took Chrysalis three months to sneak back in. Now Chrysalis waited and smiled when Celestia and her student blinked into existence.
“Take cover Twilight.” Celestia ordered.
Twilight nodded and sought shelter behind a pile of rocks.
Celestia starred hard at Chrysalis, the two rulers had no love for each other. To Celestia the changelings where little more than a blight upon Equestria. To Chrysalis, ponykind were glutton’s hording all the love for themselves.
Celestia powered up her horn while locking Chrysalis in a glare. Celestia unleashed a powerful blast, one Chrysalis wasn’t able to totally dodge. The changeling queen countered with a blast of her own one Celestia easily dodged.
The two continued trading simple blasts, with neither getting the definite advantage. Chrysalis was getting sick of the game and decided to change it up. She got a massive fireball right as where Twilight was hiding.
Celestia heard a scream and saw her student leap out frantically trying to put out her tail. Celestia heard the sound of Chrysalis laughing. Celestia began to power up her horn.
“Get behind something!”
Was all Celestia said, she let her horn glow and even though Twilight was hunkers several yards behind her mentor. She could still feel the heat radiating off of her. She could see the gold jewelry start to glow red. A white ball formed at the tip of her horn.
Then Celestia let it loose directly at Chrysalis, who had no time to attempt a dodge. The changeling queen was engulfed in white light. When it was over Twilight looked up from her hiding spot and saw Celestia, but no Chrysalis.
“Is it over?” she dared to asked.
Celestia looked at her student and smiled. “Yes, I do believe so.”
Twilight rushed to her mentor while quickly scanning for signs of the queen. Seeing none she joyfully hugged Celestia, who returned the embrace.
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Chrysalis however, was not so easily defeated, the changeling queen smiled from where she took cover, apparently unharmed. She saw her target and let loose a white beam similar to what Celestia fired at her.
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Twilight was happy, but as she hugged her mentor, she saw it. She had no time to call out she only knocked Celestia down out of harm’s way.
Celestia hit the ground hard, she didn’t knock why. When she got up she saw Twilight laying not too far away. Celestia went to her student, when she saw a hole in her chest. Twilight was alive but crying and scared.
“T…twilight.” Celestia said, it was the worst thing to happen. Celestia was beginning to panic. She tried to use magic to heal the wound, when that failed she tried talking. “Twilight, please, stay with me!”
“I’m so scared.” Twilight whispered.
“Be brave my friend!” Celestia said trying to keep herself from breaking down. “Twilight?”
With blood under her, Twilight Sparkles final breath was a bloody gurgle. Then her eyes closed.
“No! No! Noooooooooooooooooo!”
A laughter was heard as Chrysalis hovered above them. “I think I broke her.”
Celestia began to radiate heat, as she soared into the air. Her golden wear began to steam in the morning air. She looked at Chrysalis. All she did was scream and when she did it almost seemed like the Sun Princess exploded with anger.
“CHRYSALIS!!!”
END CHAPTER EIGHT