The Truth: Chapter 4
Sometimes silence is your friend. Other times you hate it. It can be awkward and comforting. Sometimes it is dull and boring other times it is bliss. Silence isn't a coin; More of a sphere. It can be anything it wants to be at one time. Whether or not you like it. Silence doesn't care that it is boring to you as long as it fills a space of time. Silence can accompany death or carry itself with sleep, or just stepping along. Silence will be what it wants to be. But sometimes silence can truly be a bad thing. Not speaking about one's darker moments can be dreadful. Secrets brought on by silence can hurt sometimes or cause some to lose trust. It is a pitiful thing really; Silence is both beauty and beast. The one certain thing about silence is this; It is always quiet.
-StarSwirl the Bearded
Celestia walked quickly. The streets were full of junk; Shrapnel, parts of building, bodies... Celestia's face clearly showed rage. But not rage like before; This time it was worse. The veins in her neck bulged as well as some in her forehead. She hadn't been this angry in a long time. She ignored the things her path. She even encountered a few cloaked soldiers.
Let's just say they didn't have a chance.
Celestia shook the blood off her hoof and continued on her way. Celestia felt the minutes trudge by until she came across exactly what she hoped not to see. Luna was fighting an all too familiar pony.
Mira...
Mira. She was the queen of the land of Phoenix ponies. She was a wonderful friend until she became corrupted. Soon after Celestia and Luna had to defeat her but not before a war went on between the two kingdoms. She was crimson red with piercing gold eyes. But Mira had always been a kind mare until she snapped. After that she sought after the destruction of Equestria. And nothing could be done to help her either. Celestia and Luna tried to reason with her but... she was too far gone. They had to trap her in stone. The bond was supposed to last forever after all that had happened in the last few thousand years there could have been plenty of factors against the notion. All in all even at the time they turned her into stone both Luna and herself were unsure if it would hold. But then again they never knew they wouldn't be able to wield the elements forever.
The red alicorn threw a bolt of fire at Luna, the blue alicorn deflected it but only barely. Celestia's eyes narrowed. Mira looked at Celestia and grinned.
"Hello dearest Friends! I'm so glad we're all together!? Oh where's your boyfriend Celestia?! Oh that's right! You had to lock him up in ice! And what about Levier?!" Mira taunted before breaking out in laughter.
"Shut your trap Mira! You don't understand anything about that!" Luna shouted. Mira cocked an eye at her.
"I can't believe you even forgive her. She sent you to the Moon for a thousand years!" Mira said in disbelief.
"It's not like she wanted to! She couldn't use the elements to their full power!" Luna said angrily. Mira chuckled.
"Why didn't she talk to you before hoof? Why didn't she care?" Mira said smoothly. The words dripped out her mouth. Luna looked at her. She herself didn't know. She had ignored it really.
"Seems I've struck another chord. Good good!Glad to see somepony finally realizing my words are truth!" Mira laughed. Celestia glared at her.
"Oh?! It seems our perfect pretty princess is angry with me?!" Mira shouted.
"Shut your mouth..." Celestia said calmly. But her voice seemed to become gruff at the end.
"Why should I?" Mira asked before a tendril of golden magic lashed at her. It sliced open her wing. Mira cried out in pain. She looked at her wing; It was torn and bleeding. Celestia took another step forward.
"You wouldn't dare kill me! I'm sorry Tia.. Lulu.." Mira yelled but then quietly said something else.
Celestia's eyes grew wide. For just one moment it seemed her friend was back. But that hope was quickly shattered as Mira growled and let loose hundreds of fiery spells. Luna flew out of the way, only able to watch. Fire engulfed the area. It was like a bomb going off. She could only watch in horror as her sister was engulfed in the flames. Twilight, AppleJack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie and Rarity stood from the top of a building. It felt like everything around Twilight just crumbled. Everything except that flame and the murderous look on Mira's face. Twilight felt like a feather; Light and delicate. Like she would break. Celestia had always been so kind and strong. Kinda like a second mother to her really.
Sister...
Mira went to go and look at her prize as the fire died down. Mira looked curiously into the flames. But her eyes grew wide. Sitting there in the fire was Celestia. Half of her face was gone; regenerating. As well as other arts of her body. The fire went out after Mira blinked. Twilight stared at her teacher; sparks of magic glowed as it spread up the generated tissue and muscle. Rarity fainted. It was like watching little reddish chords come out and link together. It looked as if a permanent smile was stuck on her face really.
"That's what a pony looks like on the inside...?" Rainbow Dash asked shakily. Celestia's head was laid back, but came forward to look at Mira.
"Now now then.. You said you wanted a fight? Well then you can have it!" Celestia said. She jumped forward and knocked Mira to the ground. Mira was in utter shock.
"You shouldn't be alive and kicking What kind of monster are you!" Mira gasped. Celestia stood over her. The last bits of skin grew back and her mane unfurled.
"The kind of monster that will protect the ones she loves at any costs." Celestia said. Twilight could only stare at the two as they fought; Mira was trying to outrun Celestia but to no avail. The still regenerating alicorn kept up with her. It was especially disgusting to see the muscles in her legs stretch and pull. AppleJack thought she might throw up. After what felt like hours Mira stood there. She was cut and bruised all over in an angry huff. Celestia was perfectly fine; Except for the fact one side of her neck was regenerating. Mira had got in a few good hits but nothing spectacular. Mira stared at Celestia in confusion and disbelief.
"You can't be this powerful! I won't let you!" Mira said in between heavy breaths. She drowsily attacked Celestia over and over again. Each time losing more blood.
"This is pointless Mira. Please surrender and I will let you go." Celestia said calmly as she easily dodged Mira attacks.
"NEVER! NOT AFTER WHAT YOU AND LUNA DID!" Mira yelled. Celestia gave her old friend and pained look.
"You'll bleed to death.. please for your ponies..." Celestia said.
"Those weren't my ponies fool. Those were merely followers. Followers who were willing to help me defeat you!" Mira cried out. She gathered all her energy into one blow and threw herself at Celestia. But Celestia just caught the punch. Mira looked so shocked for a moment. She was terrified.
That was one of my strongest attacks! Why didn't it work?! Why is she still alive!?! Mira thought. Celestia gave the mare a somber but cold look.
"You monster Celestia! How could you be so heartless!" Mira cried out. Tears streamed down her face as most of her body turned to ash. Luna landed and could only look.
"You kill off my kingdom and imprison me in stone! Only for me to come back and die like this! This can't be happening!" Mira cried out in vain. The mare disintegrated into ashes; Only leaving behind a few tears. Celestia looked at her friend as the lasts of her body regenerated.
"I'm sorry friend." Celestia said. A bit of her blood dripped off of her healed neck. She turned to face Luna.
"Mira... I'm sorry. I'm so sorry Mira.. Please.. I'm sorry." Luna said in between tears. A small blue aura surrounded the pile of ash. And lifted it above Luna.
Such a terrible thing death is. Not only does it hurt the deceased one but those who loved them as well. It's especially hard on young ones... or those who don't die.
-Nebula
Twilight stood from the top of the ledge and took a few steps back. It seemed no pony noticed she and her friends were there.
"What the heck was that!" AppleJack whispered loudly.
"That was so freaky Rarity passed out!" Rainbow Dash whispered no quieter than AppleJack.
"Ugh girls I'm fine. Though I do want to throw up." Rarity said tiredly. She got on her feet and looked at her friends in distress.
"What do we do?" Pinkie Pie asked. Twilight took a moment to think.
"We come clean. We'll just go up and talk to her about it." Twilight said calmly. Rarity gave her a confused look.
"Twi that's great idea but I don't know if we can just talk to them about it. " AppleJack said. She gave Twilight a almost disappointed look.
"Guys. We need to talk about this. If what Mira said was true; Which should be by what we saw then.. we need to know." Twilight said. She seemed to become a bit less confident but quickly snapped up.
"Alrighty then Twilight. Whatever we learn can't be too bad right!" Pinkie Pie said optimistically. AppleJack sighed and smiled a little bit.
"I guess Pinkie's right." AppleJack said quietly. They soon got off the crumbling building and walked back to the castle with many others. Crowds of ponies poured out the bunker and into the streets. The damage was limited for what had gone on really. Many ponies complained until Luna came out to speak.
"All of you calm down! We will begin construction soon enough! You're all lucky you're alive. So stop your complaining!" Luna snapped. She snarled and stomped out. Didn't help that quite a few places in the castle was destroyed. The crowd quieted and dispersed. Twilight, AppleJack, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie trotted down the long path into the castle. FlutterShy walked out from the crowd and met up with them. The five quietly explained everything that happened that day as the Sun went down. The orange and pink sky darkened the area until the lamps turned on. FlutterShy trudges over to a bench, sat down and held her head.
"Oh guys... I'm so sorry." FlutterShy said. She looked as if she were about to cry actually. Twilight gave her a pained look. And sat down next to her. She brought her friend closer and hugged her.
"It's ok. I promise you. We're all ok right?" Twilight said with a slight smile. FlutterShy nodded as her face turned red and she held tears back. The four others joined in.
Giant hug you got there.
Twilight heard. Her eyes snapped open.
"What's wrong dear? Are you alright?" Rarity asked. They pulled away and looked at her.
"Nothing. Just tired. And hungry. And thirsty you know?" Twilight said sheepishly. She smiled shyly and got up.
"Welp. Better late than never?" Rainbow Dash said. Twilight nodded and walked with her friends into the castle.Her mane was matted with blood. At that point it didn't matter whose. They walks down the dimly lit path into the castle. The guards let them through without any hesitance. Twilight stepped before the Throne. Sitting on it was Celestia. She had a deep cold look in her eye. One she hadn't seen in her teacher before.
"Yes my faithful student?" Celestia said flatly.
"Well.. um I-I..' Twilight said. Far less confident than she was a few moments ago.
"Speak!" Celestia snapped. For one moment her eyes were almost completely black. Only her slitted pupils were red. But just for one moment.
"Sorry!" Pinkie Pie said as she jumped. Celestia sighed and rubbed her head.
"Sorry. I haven't been having a very good day and I basically just woke up." Celestia said. Her mane was still loose. Rainbow Dash sighed in relief along with Rarity and AppleJack. FlutterShy whimpered with a "yes ma'am."
"Celestia. We saw you fight Mira." Twilight said firmly. Celestia's eyes widened then narrowed. Her forehead furrowed with slight anger.
"What did you see exactly then." Celestia said coldly.
"Your regenerative properties. We saw you. It was quite disgusting actually. Now then. I have a few questions to ask you." Twilight said staring up at her teacher. Celestia leaning into her hoof.
"Fine. Ask away. I might as well spill my guts." Celestia said with a sigh.
"Guards. Leave." Celestia said calmly. The guards nodded and left. The doors creaked close.
"Alright first question; How do your healing powers work, Second; Who was Mira, Three; Why didn't you do anything Celestia to stop Luna before she even became NightMare Moon." Twilight boldly said. Her own forehead furrowing. They seemed to glare at each other but not quite. It was more like they were searching each other for something.
"Your first question; It's simple. I am the source of power for the Sun. Therefore that means If I die so does the fusion within the Sun. You would know what would happen if that ever did come to pass wouldn't you Twilight?" Celestia said calmly. She slowly got up and stepped down the stairs. Rarity tensed up. Heavy silence filled the room.
"As for your second; Mira was the Queen of one of the Phoenix Pony kingdoms. She used to be my friend till' she became corrupted. Me and Luna trapped her within stone. It must have broken." Celestia said, leaning into Twilight. She seemed to stare down in Twilight; The purple alicorn leaning backwards.
"As for your third and final... I was a fool then. I should have realized something was wrong. When I finally realized what went wrong it was too late." Celestia said. Her face became pained and she lowered her head.
"Anymore?" Celestia said backing up. She looked towards Rainbow dash.
"Yea. I got one. If alicorns are so important then what about Twilight and Cadence- Do they regen to?" Rainbow Dash asked boldly. If not a bit arrogantly.
"Yes. Though she is not 'immortal' as me and Luna have been in a way." Celestia said turning to her throne.
"How do I know that?" Twilight asked.
"I can prove it." Celestia said and a smug grin grew across her face. In a flash of light Twilight had been decapitated. Her body slumped over. Rarity gasped and fainted again while AppleJack charged at Celestia who just threw her off.
"Nullam venerunt ad nos amici. Et reversus, denuo vivere." Celestia said. Another flash of light and Twilight was there gasping.
"HOLY SUN AND MOON THAT WAS WEIRD!" Twilight yelled. Celestia laughed a bit.
"See? Why would I kill my own student?" Celestia said calmly. The six mares blinked. Rarity barely sitting up.
"B-But.. she was completely decapitated!" Rainbow Dash said, poking Twilights neck. Twilight pushed away her hoof.
"Magic can do many things." Celestia said. She was still smiling a bit.
"Bu-Bu-Bu-But HOW?!" Rainbow Dash said falling over with her hooves rubbing her temples.
"It seems I may have broken them.." Celestia said. All six mares were either rubbing their temples while rolling on the floor or smacking their own heads into the wall. She chuckled a bit.
"Come now. You all are filthy." Celestia said motioning them to follow her. after a few moments they arrived at the bathroom; Celestia and Luna's to be exact.
"Why Princess we couldn't possibly use that..." Rarity said in disbelief. Celestia chuckled a bit.
"No need to worry. It's quite alright. Go on in. I have a lot of paperwork to do." Celestia said, She seemed displeased at her last sentence. Celestia waved them off and disappeared into the murky dark hallways. The six went in. Unknowing what happened to their ruler. All except Twilight. Who had the strangest feeling something was wrong. She closed the door behind her and blinked.
"This is a bathroom?" AppleJack asked.
Her eyes looked around to see the marble floors and tub. The tub was quite large; Probably since both Luna and Celestia were tall. A small light blue aura formed around the handle and turned it. Water poured out quickly, Filling up the tub. Armor clanged as it came off. Even when it was lightly put on the floor it still made some amount of noise. It felt weird to be in somepony else's tub but it became apparent they'd be in there for a long time. After only a few minutes the water was filled with blood and dirt. They opened up the drain plug and the murky red water went down the drain. The process repeated itself until about the seventh time.
"Ah... now we can relax in some nice warm water." FlutterShy said sinking down into the water.
"Hey guys did you see Celestia's eyes?" Pinkie Pie asked. Her hair wasn't really cooperating with her at the moment.
"What do you mean Pinkie?" AppleJack asked. She tilted her head in confusion.
"They were all dark n' stuff." Pinkie Pie said before scratching her chin to think.
"Wait you saw them to?" Rainbow Dash said. Surprised by this she looked around at her friends.
"I saw them to..." Rarity said. Her eyes grew wide as she looked back on the memory.
"Maaaaan. Today is getting more and more freaky. First I had to kill ponies then Celestia showed us her insides and now she's got demon eyes! What next!" Rainbow Dash said angrily. She hit herself again.
"This is something I have to talk to her about again don't I?" Twilight asked unamused.
"I guess so. Well let's do that tomorrow. We gotta get checked up by the docs here." AppleJack said calmly. She got up and out of the water to dry off. Her friends followed behind her and the water drained out. They walked out into the hallway and down to the medical ward. They waited patiently on the bench while other guards were being treated as well as some civilians. Eventually the six were treated. FlutterShy was fine except for some bruises but other than that she was fine. Rarity hurt her knee and had to have it wrapped up but nothing else really. Rainbow Dash somehow didn't notice the laceration on the back of her head and they had to cut her mane short. Rainbow was none too happy about it. AppleJack had some laceration as well but most were around her legs. Nothing to serious but the doctor warned her and Rainbow Dash to keep them clean. Rarity looked at the doctor.
"I'm not to badly hurt am I?" Rarity asked.
"No miss you seem fine. Though you all could use something to eat probably." The doctor said calmly. Rarity sighed with relief. Twilight stepped up.
"So um they say i'm fine. I guess they don't know about alicorn's healing powers either." Twilight said,rubbing her neck.
Rarity nodded and got up. Pinkie Pie came back with her neck wrapped in bandages.
"I may or may not have pulled a mus-muscle thingy." Pinkie Pie laughed. She cringed and smiled at her friends.
"You six! Come with me! Your families are here." A clerk yelled out. Motioning over the six ponies.
Applebloom ran up to AppleJack and hugged her. She embraced her little sister with a smile. Granny Smith and Big Macintosh weren't too far behind. Shining Armor ran to to Twilight.
"Are you ok? Are there any bones broken?! Anything feel wrong or out of place?!" Shining Armor said, jumping around his sister. He lifted her wing and looked up to her.
"I'm fine Shining. Really. " Twilight said as she pulled Shining Armor into a hug.
"Don't go off worrying me again ok?" He said quietly. Twilight nodded.
Rainbow Dash sighed and sat down. Rarity walked over to her.
"What's wrong deary? Still upset about your mane?" Rarity asked Rainbow Dash looked up to her.
"I don't think anypony's coming to me. You guys all got family who can come on a dot." Rainbow dash said un-enthusiastically.
"Dear. You see her?" Rarity said pointing to a small orange pegasus. The pegasus looked their way and sped up to Rainbow Dash.
"Yes! You're ok! I knew it!" Scootaloo said excitedly. Rainbow Dash pulled Scootaloo closer.
"Yep. Do I look like somepony who'd leave everypony hanging? Course not!" Rainbow Dash said, rubbing Scootaloo's head.
"Yea. Except you're mane's cut off. What'd they do?" Scootaloo asked.
"Oh. I had a some sort of big cut on the back of my head to the had to cut it short so nothing could get in it when they put in the stitches." Rainbow Dash said.
"Woooah." Scootaloo said.
'So kid, where's Rarity's family?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"Oh they're over there" The small orange pegasus said pointing to three odd looking ponies. They all paced around looking frantically around. A small white unicorn seemed especially distressed. Rarity ran over to them. It was like with Apple Jack's family really. Filled with a huge group hug. Twilight's parents came over and smiled at her.
"I guess you and your brother are good at protecting others." Her mother smiled. Twilight nodded and she and Shining pulled their parents into the hug. A pink alicorn walked over.
"Cadence!' Twilight said to the smiling alicorn.
It didn't take long for Cadence to join the group hug as well. After almost two hours of catching up eventually their families had to go home. The six had to stay in Canterlot for a while. Celestia requested they stayed there for a little it longer. Though Twilight smiled and waved her family goodbye just as her friends did she felt something was off that night. It was about midnight though so she was too tired to think about it.
"Sometimes we wish we were not tired. If we were not then so much more could be done. But our muscles do not care really."
-Levier Adona