Celestia looked around, once more becoming aware of the scene in front of herself. It was the same scene she had ended her last dream upon- The young man wielding what she now recognized as Tortured’s sword, pointing it at Dreamlestia. The tree’s golden leaves swayed in the wind, as the silence surrounded the isolated hill. The Celestia of the dream just smiled, and responded. “At ease, Prince of Man. My sister and I don’t agree with our Father's war. Personally, I find humans quite… fascinating.”
The Prince debated with himself whether or not to believe the Celestia before him. He thought for a good while before sheathing his sword with a sigh. “To be honest, I’d hoped you would say that.” He looked towards the battle camps in the distance, a somber look upon his face. “This war is so agonizing. Father is so obsessed with it that he doesn’t see how it’s hurting his people… or how it’s hurting me. Most of the citizens I’ve spoken to would rather learn from the ponies than fight them.” He turns to face Dreamlestia again, a hopeful smile on his face. “I’d wager that most ponies feel similarly?”
With a nod, Dreamlestia replied with stars in her eyes. “Exactly! Why don’t we use that to act out? Unite in opposition to this dreadful war? That might end this whole thing!”
A thoughtful look appeared upon The Prince’s face. He nodded. “A bit optimistic to think that, but it’s worth a try. If all goes well, we’ll have no need for bloodshed. ”He outstretched his hand to her. “So, shall we make it official?”
Just as Dreamlestia placed her hoof in the Prince’s hand to shake, the dream faded away…
Celestia woke suddenly. She looked to the window, and saw that it was not yet morning. Troubled that she was roused from her slumber, she decided to get up and about. She walked to the door, and to her surprise, it opened. She looked both ways in the dimly lit hallway, but nobody was around. She lit her horn a bit and ventured into the hall. She kept her thoughts off what Tortured might do if he found her out by herself by digesting a few things.
First, the outburst yesterday. She was sure now that he was trying his hardest to contain his darker desires. However, it seemed that it was inevitable that he’d snap. How long had he been doing this? Milleniums? Frankly, she was surprised he hadn’t snapped long ago. She only hoped that once she proved that he was wrong about her that she could guide him back from the edge.
Next were the dreams. They felt so... real. It was clear that the human Prince of the dream was Tortured’s younger self. What still bothered her was why she was having them. Was it as simple as the first Celestia’s spirit reaching out and showing her these dreams? Or was there something far more unexpected going on?
She shook the distracting thoughts away as she found herself near the library. She hadn’t intended on going there, but since she was already there… she took a deep breath and tested the doors. Locked, of course. She gathered her magic, for the first time in this strange world. She wasn’t too surprised she had no difficulties. After all, Tortured used magic just fine here. She put that thought away and teleported to the other side of the doors.
Once on the other side, she went towards the stack of Tortured’s book series. Those books were her only other insight into Tortured’s past, aside from his minimalistic answers and the dreams. She hesitated for a moment. Was it alright for her to go behind Tortured’s back like this, though? He’d said that she could read them, but…
A deep sigh escaped from her. This wasn’t right. She had to- *Click*! Startled by the sound of the lock opening, she Quickly used her magic to make herself invisible. She quickly added on a few hasty charms to hide her magic signature from Tortured. She was right to do so, for he was walking through the doors.
Locking the doors behind him, Tortured found his way over towards where Celestia was hiding. He gazed straight at where she was as Celestia held her breath. Tortured shook his head. “Shoddy work, Celestia. You always were a lousy spell crafter when startled...
She wasn’t sure how he knew, but Celestia could tell he wasn’t bluffing. “She let herself breathe as she let the spells drop. “I’m sorry I broke in… I couldn’t sleep…”
Surprise took shape upon Tortured’s face for a split second before he regained his composure. “I see.” Anger attempted to rest control, but he firmly restrained himself. “Nightmares of your inevitable defeat, no doubt. Rest assured-”
Celestia took a gamble and interrupted. “Actually, my dream was more like a vision of your past… Prince of Man.”
Shock colored Tortured’s face for a few minutes as he processed that. He soon regained his composure, though and had a museful look upon his face. “Now there’s a title I haven’t heard in eons…” He shook his head. “I don’t know how her ghost is contacting you- for, that’s all it can be. I know all the spells she had- Spectral Communication sure wasn’t one of them, unless I missed something…” With another head shake, he dropped the subject. “Now, onto more important matters…” He turned away from her. “I’ll forgive this little break in just this once, Su- *Khrm!* Celestia.” Celestia was about to comment upon his slip-up before he looked back at her with a smug look. “Are you ready for the penultimate test? I must warn you- your chances of success are slim."
Celestia knew he was diverting the inevitable question, but she’d allow it for now. “I believe I am, Tortured.” She took a step closer. “I mightn’t know what’s bothering you, but... I will always be there to-”
“Don’t say it!” His look of anger was clearly indicating that those words bothered him. After a moment, Tortured found his calm. He turned away, and a somber tone entered his voice. “You don’t get to say that to me.” He sighed and started to walk away. “Just get out of the library. It's almost morning. You’ll need your energy for the test today, anyway…”
Celestia stood still for a moment after Tortured had left. His reaction was indicative of something, for sure. It was clearly about another Celestia, that much was certain. She pushed aside the thoughts for now, and left the library.
A few hours had passed, and she was now being brought to the Oval Office. She was let inside, at which time she and Tortured exchanged a look. Both knew something hung in the air, but now wasn’t the time to address it. To her surprise, news crews were already here. Tortured gave a nod and one of his Secret Service started to fire up some kind of new machine. Celestia raised an eyebrow. “So where is this… ring-like device… going to take us?”
As the energy crackled, Tortured gave a small smirk. “Ah, the Portal Machine. I’ve been meaning to break it out of storage for some time.” He looked towards the Turquoise energy that started to spin in the ring. “We’ll be going to a place that can’t exactly be reached through normal teleportation. We’re going to visit an old pal of mine…”
The way he said that, Celestia could sense a bit of wistfulness in his voice. As she was about to ask what that meant, the portal’s turquoise energy pushed aside as a picture began to form within the ring. Beyond the ring was a strange place that looked nothing like anything that she’d seen so far.
The land beyond was flat and gold- but as far as she could tell, there was no grass. Rivers of sand flowers across the land like water. The trees that dotted the land were even stranger. Instead of bark, it appeared that they were made of stone. The branches were shaped like sundials, flowering with hourglasses. In the sky where the sun would be was a giant clock face illuminating light. And in the distance, there was a figure adorned with a cloak and as many time-telling objects as one could feasibly wear.
Celestia saw a smile upon Tortured’s face. “There he is, Father Time.” He turned to face the crowd. “Come on, all of you. Let’s get going.” He stepped through the portal first, and the news crews filed in after. Celestia digested the situation as she waited for the rest of the reporters to enter. She was about to enter a realm that was separate from any reality. The figure she was about to meet was far more powerful than any she’d seen before, she could tell. Steeling herself, she followed into the portal.
The figure spoke before anyone else could. “Ah, you’re all here. That’s good.” His voice was strong and commanding, brimming with hidden wisdom that no mortal was privy to. He looked towards Celestia, and spoke. “So you’ve brought another one, have you? How many have met me before they’ve been brought low by you? Roughly 10% of all the ones you’ve met, I believe.”
Tortured sighed. “Father Time, while reminiscing would be nice, I have things to do. We’re here for the test.”
With a nod, Father Time turned and raised a hand. Magical energy filled the air and a giant clock presented itself in front of Celestia. “Relax, and let the Hands of Time glance into your past friendships… and judge them.”
The hands on the face of the clock started to turn backwards and scenes started to form. Old friends she had known, and missed. She saw all the times they had together, and a smile tugged at her face. There were so many over the years, keeping her company while she waited for Luna’s return… And then she saw her past interactions with Luna. How she always tried to reach out, always tried to make time for her. The only black mark was when Luna disappeared. She recalled feeling that there was something more that she could’ve done to stop Luna from leaving. But alas, she knew that she had done her best- and it hadn’t been enough. She was glad that things were good between them again, though.
As the scene began to shift, Tortured intervened and cut the spell. “I think we’ve seen enough.” He turned to Celestia. “You’ve passed the test. Congrats. Now, ask your question, and let us be out of here.”
Celestia thought for a good while. She wanted to know so many things, but she knew that not all of them would be answered- at least, not yet at least. There was something that she had been wondering, though… “Tortured. I’ve noticed that you portray your immortality as a curse in the book series. However… That couldn’t be further from the truth. In reality… you asked Father Time for it, as a gift. My question is: Is it really so simple as trying to stop all the evil Celestias? Or, was there another reason that you asked for it?”
For the second time that day, shock displayed itself upon his face. He took a moment to compose himself. It seemed that he didn’t really want to answer that one… However, he consigned himself to it with a sigh. “Your observation is correct. When I was young and naive, I thought I could prevent other worlds from suffering like mine. Fool that I was, I asked for immortality. Sure, for a while it was great- That was until I realized something. I could never do it all. The body may have been made immortal, but the mind was not expanded in capacity. The more time went on, the more I forgot the faces and names of people. They started to… blend together. I regretted it.”
After a small pause, Tortured continued his reply. “As for the other part of your query… You asked if there was another reason for my foolish decision...There was.” He turned to look at the exit portal. A sorrowful look was upon his face. “I had hoped to find somebody. I didn’t want to believe at first… You know the phrase that I believe so mightily now, the very reason I’m testing you.” He shook his head. “Alas, ‘twas folly to believe that I’d find her. After all, I’d ended her long ago. It was foolish to believe that she’d been… replaced.” He sighed and started to walk away. “I think that’s enough for today. Let’s get out of here.”
After everyone filed out and left the portal, Tortured looked back as it started to close. He couldn't quite put his finger on why he was so open with that answer… Mayhaps, he was starting to believe again… He sighed. There wasn’t room for thoughts like these. He noticed that everyone else had left- aside from his Secret Service. He dismissed them for the night, and once more walked through the secret passageway. He had to read something again, just be sure…
He once more sat at his desk, a giant journal on the table. He flipped it open to the earliest pages and started to skim. He recalled how different things were back then, How he and Celestia fought against the Pony-Human war that was waged by their fathers. He recalled how every once and a while, he’d joke with her about using his holy blade Recrisintyr on her if she corrupted. He remembered how close they had become… And then came the day where it all changed. He recalled how differently she acted, and how it threw him off. He was close to where the passage was, now.
He skimmed through most of the war- after all, he didn't much care for recalling all those deaths. He stopped as he saw the words he’d recorded long ago. The final words of the first Celestia he’d slain. “Fool Prince of Man! I see upon your face so many warring emotions… You don’t seem to quite understand what’s going on here.”
His reaction back then was one of confusion and anger. “What are you talking about! We used to be friends, Celestia! What’s gotten into you?”
He grimaced as he remembered the evil grin that accompanied her reply… “Oh, that’s cute! Do you really think that I’m the same pony as before? I can tell you… That’s far from the truth! I may die, but you’ll never find the mare you once knew! She and I… We exchanged worlds, you see…”
He hadn’t believed it fully back then. At some point he dismissed it as mad blatherings of a friend that’d betrayed him. But now… With this new Celestia, so much didn’t make sense. She even tried… reassuring him. That was something that Sunsun- his Celestia- once did.
He shook his head as he closed the journal. There was no way that first Celestia had been talking anything but nonsense. He couldn’t afford to waver, not now. Tomorrow was the final test. If She passed it, there was only one reason: cheating. He glanced at Recrisintyr over his shoulder. That blade would show the truth of the matter, if it came to that.
Celestia sighed as she came back to the guest room, a few books from Tortured’s series under wing. She was a bit surprised that they’d let her borrow one today, after what happened that morning. She shook her head. If anything had answers for her, it would be those books. So, she sat down and started to read from where she left off. As she read, she noticed the slow transformation of “Tormented Heart” from an eager man wanting to protect everyone, to what he would ultimately become; a shell that saw it all as formality. She knew that the book series reflected Tortured’s exploits, but she hadn’t fully understood how explicitly it did so. It went over all the thoughts that went through the protagonist’s head. From doubts to hopes. It covered everything.
However, what she didn’t expect was a reference to the first world. For most of the book, it hardly ever touched upon that. But the passage she stumbled upon had “Tormented Heart” mention the first world’s “Solaria” spiel about “not being the one he once knew, in more ways than one.” Intrigue sparked upon Celestia’s face. What did that mean? She read on as “Solaria” claimed to have “switched places” with the one he once knew.
That phrase could be literal, or just blatherings of a madmare. Either way, though “Tormented Heart” held on to hope that it was true at first, the further along in the books she got, the less and less he believed it. She also noticed that much like his real-world counterpart, “Tormented Heart” started to forget friends from his past. At first it disturbed him visually, but as the series continued he started to accept its inevitability.
Sadness ached in Celestia’s heart. If what Celestia had read was implicative of Tortured’s past- and, to her knowledge, the book series was- then she could safely surmise that there was a third reason that Tortured initially asked for immortality: To find his Celestia. But as time went on, he started to think ridiculous, and ignored it as he continued forward. After all, why try and find somebody if they’re surely dead?
Celestia sighed as she closed the book. She set it aside with the others, and called for somebody to return them to the library. She laid awake in the bed, thoughts buzzing in her mind. Was the first Celestia truthful in her final words? If so… where was the original Celesita? Such thoughts would keep her from slumber, so she let them fade. Maybe, a vision would give insight… She decided to get some rest for tomorrow.