//------------------------------// // Celestial Dilemma // Story: Aeternitas Book I: Lunar Shadow // by Shadowlight Wanderer //------------------------------// Chapter 17 "Hold on tight" yelled Doctor when column in the middle of the console started moving up and down. "Where are we goin' again ?" asked Applebloom. " To the weak point in the ilusion, where the timestreams are synchronising. We are landing.... AAAAAAAAAAAOOOOOOOOOUUHHHHHH!!!!! CRASH !!!!! **************************** "Oh, on Medusa Cascade. I haven't got such a bumpy landing since meet up with Rani. Fillies, where are you?" Doctor rised up desperately trying to fight the diziness. The control room was full of smoke and the console was glitching. Doctor sighed up and shouted "Girls, where are you ? Are you all right ?" There was a moment of silence and then... "Doctor !!!" the scream came from the other side of the room. Doctor galloped there to see Appleblooom under the one of the spherical walls "Oh, miss Appleblossom." he sighed in relief " You are all right". "It is... Applebloom" said Applebloom Doctor twisted his head " Is it ? Whatever. I must had you confused with one of your ancestors. Or descendants, it is really quite confusing" "Doctor !!! We are here !!! " now the scream was coming from above. Doctor and Applebloom raised their heads. On the top of the column-arc was Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle Doctor scratched his mane "How on Gallifrey did you get up there ?" He looked at two fillies. " I understand Sweetie Belle, it is an easy to fly for a pegasus. But you Scootaloo ? It is almost impossible for a unicorn to go out there " "Doctor, I am a pegasus and she is a unicorn. Are you seriously made a mistake with our races ? How long have you been a pony again ?" Scootaloo gave Doctor a gaze full of pitty. " Almost two years. Look, you both had... a extra... things attached to your body. Me and Applegloom..." "Applebloom" quietly corrected Applebloom. "Yes. Me and Appleplum have only our strenght and intelect. No boosters. This is really impressive, don't you think ?" Applebloom gently punched Doctor. "Oh, I think I can agree with this. Now, did we broke throug' ?" Doctor looked around "I am not quite sure, but I think so. Since the scaner seems to be broken, we need to go out and check. Besides, TARDIS needs to do some repairs. We must give her some time, maybe an hour or two.Now we must figure out how to get you two down ..." There was a flash of emerald light, and two ponies apppeared at the base of column-arc. "...or not" Doctor turned around. Sweetie Belle's eyes were full of disbelief and excitement "Oh yes !!! Yes, yes, yes !!!! I teleported us down. I didn't know... I can actually... do that" The unicorn looked at the Doctor. "Doctor... you are not going to investigate it? In a way this whole power and magic thing is great but it is also a bit freaky. I mean, back then when we were trapped by Sombra, I used dark magic to destroy his crystals. Don't you think this is a bit... unusual ? What if I am turning evil or something ? Am I that...awful ?” Sweetie Belle lowered her head. Small tear dropped down to the floor All of the sudden she felt a hoof lifting her head back up. Doctor had a gentle but presistent expression on his muzzle. "Don't say that Sweetie Belle. I don't know much about dark magic but I know that all princesses of Equestria can use it. And you know that they are not evil... most of the time. Look, the magic is just a tool. It is your choice that you wheels it for good or evil. And about unusuality... I am a 905 years old. I am Time Lord from planet Gallifrey. I have two hearts. I stole the TARDIS from repair shop and ran away. I saw the birth and the death of the universe, I fought in a war that lasted many centuries. I battled Daleks, Cyberman, Weeping Angels, Sontarans, Zygons, Sycorax... the list of my adversaries is endless. I saved every planet in the known universe for minimum 27 times. I walked through eternity, I left many companions and loved ones behind, I fought with my best childhood friend my whole life. I saw a million worlds and shaped the history of million more. So... yeah, I think that I am above unusuality. But listen here, Sweetie Belle. During 900 years of traveling through universes I never met anyone... or anypony... who wasn't important. You are important, Sweetie Belle. In all of time and space there isn't any creature same as you. Now cheer up. You ponies all think about time from your subjective, present perspective. But your future... oh, Sweetie Belle. You like to sing, right ?... well, let just say that someday, someday... ponies will be singing ballads about you" Sweetie Belle looked with disbelief at the Time Lord. Suddenly, she embraced him tightly. Shocked stallion's eyes started getting bigger and bigger, as if they were inflating. "Thank you Doctor ! I guess we all had a hard times lately. I don't know what to say about all of this... but thanks for believing in me anyway" Sweetie Belle said, letting the Doctor go. "Well, it is just what I do. Helping and stuff. Now let's go outside" Doctor dashed forward Sweetie shook her head, her gaze following the Doctor "He is carrying much more sorrow than he wants to admit. I want to help him as he tried to help me" she thought. ************************* "We are clear " said the Doctor. The group left the TARDIS and searched for any sign of trouble. They landed in a big chamber that looked like a bedroom and a library in the same time. There was a balcony adorned by the symbol of the sun, a little fireplace with a couch and a mini-laboratory filled with beakers and vials with strange looking liquids. " Oh dear. This must be Princess Celestia's bedchamber. I hope she didn't mind coming here uninvited." "Sweetie Belle, I think she has greater problems tha' this righ' now" Applebloom pointed at the walls. Doctor swung his screwdriver around and the device flashed blue. "Yes, yes this is definitely Celestia's bedchamber, there are lots of her energy frequency around here. And Pinabloom is right, this is... burnt marks. Look at you, you are just beautiful!!! I must check it out " Doctor moved closer to the doors. Applebloom noticed two crusaders giggling behind her back. Her faced flashed red when she faced them. "What the hay ?" she asked. " Nothing... Pinabloom!!!!" Scootaloo fell to the floor and started laughing outloud. Sweetie Belle still giggled gently, covering her muzzle with a hoof. "Ha ha, hilarious" Applebloom rolled her eyes before turning to the Doctor " Hey there, have ya find somethin' ?" "Yes, yes !!! Look at this. It looks like some kind of a diary. Some parts are burnt but... I think that we are still going to squeeze some information's about Princess Celestia's problem." "But this is her private diary. I mean... we shouldn't be looking at her personal stuff. I think... I once stole Rarity's diary and later I regretted that very much. " Sweetie Belle mumbled quietly. Scootaloo sighed frustrated " Look Sweetie, if what Doctor says is true, then we are in some kinda weird, alternate world. This is not really Princess's diary. Come on, we don't have time for ethics." "Scootaloo is right. This entire dimension has been created by the fusion of Sombra and Daybreaker's magic. But it is an ilussion... yet. " the Doctor agreed with orange pegasus. "I think tha' all this time, Princess Celestia was tryin' to win over the darkness inside of her heart.She was givin' us a chances and for some reason... maybe even she tried to warn us all by this crystal revelation. But I think' we're still missin' somethin'. Maybe the record of princess's fellings will help us solve the mystery. If this all thin' is fabricated, maybe this is kinda... sneakin' message from the Princess" Applebloom was slowly troting in circles. Four ponies gathered around the journal and started to read ************************* 15th of Late Spring , 2 AR (After Reunion) I am certainly impressed by the achievements of Twilight's pupil. Starlight Glimmer showed me and Luna that we should both appreciate each other and see the effort the other puts into ruling our kingdom. Latest experiences brought us closer than ever before. And for this, I will always be grateful. Maybe I will consider turning Starlight into an alicorn in the future. But on that fateful day we were on the brink of disaster and Luna nor Starlight knew who is Daybreaker. Surely, she is my dark side but there is a whole lot of more to it than this. I met her many centuries ago. I was so scared and lonely, I lost them all. And then she came, shattering my reign, all of my dreams for the future. Thank me that she was stopped back then. But right now I can just enjoy my life with Luna and simply be proud of Twilight and her friends. It's cake break!!! Night from 21st to 22nd of Early Summer, 2 AR Dear diary, I just had a most terrifying nightmare. The world around me was burning and my friends were either dead or running away. And over everything was she, laughing... just laughing... nothing more.I looked at my hooves and they were hers, not mine anymore. And then she spoke, using my lips " Oh sweet Celestia, welcome to the game." And in that moment it all went black and I woke up. I am not sure what it meant but I must be very careful.Today is the Summer Sun Celebration and I have to be well rested. But the biggest question is why ? Why is she keep staying inside of me ? I thought I vanquished her forever. It is all so confusing. I wish I knew the answers. I used to know them, when I was just a filly, when I was starting my journey. Then I knew, I had a wisdom. It was so much more wisdom inside of me back then. But even now I remember that I couldn't protect them. It all comes to me like a wave of sorrow and regret. But why now ? Why it comes out after so much time ? The answer is obvious. It is all going to happen soon. I know it was back then. I just know... 1st of Midsummer Luna is seriously concerned of the state of my dreams. She keeps asking if I need help. Of course I am fine, I am just a bit tired from all of the... royal duties. Now all I have to do is just relax. I have the newest edition of Vanity Mane that can help me achieve what I want. That punk hairstyle looks really... Oh no. No ,no, noooooooo... Well, this is interesting... new development. Haaaa, it is so good to be alive again. To breath with those lungs, to have a body again. Hmm, you got incredibly fat, you know Cellie ? Get out of my head !!! Just you try to stop me. Hmm, what is this again ? You have a diary. How sweet and... boring. True ruler goes forwards, not backwards. Let me see... Don't you dare. It is my private belonging Celestia, as stupid as you are, you should be more reasonable. I am you. We share some memories and body parts. There is no point in hiding anything. I see... Elements of Harmony restored, Luna is back... Luna... hmm... I won't let you hurt her. Why are you even here ? Why are you keep coming back ? I am your sorrow and regret, your vengeance, vengeance of the sun. Let me out and you will become the queen of a new Empire of the Sun First of all, we've been through this. I am not letting you hurt other ponies. And I stopped listening to you after a word "Queen". I am a Princess. P-R-I-N-C-E-S-S. Always So be it. Where are the Elements and Luna ? GET.OUT Fascinating, complete mental block, highly effective. Fine, I have all your time... which means forever. You will obey me. I am your better version, after all But you don't have my advantage What advantage ? If you won't leave me alone and you will attack me friends, I will kill us. You are bluffing You know me. I love my subjects and I would rather die than let them fall into your terror. I love and have compassion, you will never those emotions. If I die, you die too Stalemate then. But don't worry. We both share our little "time tricks". I still make the day eternal. And I know that somepony who knows a lot about creating illusions wants to have his revenge too. He will be a perfect tool... Sombra ? You mean that you can brought him back ? I am Daybreaker. Of course that I can do it. And the best part is that he will believe that he can trick and beat me. Hahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!! Did you seriously put your laughter on the paper ? Shut up. You know that the moment is near. The Doctor and his Crusaders of Time will return. And I will be ready ********************* “Poor Princess Celestia. This...this is terrible. What happened to her ?” asked Sweetie Belle “I was trying to figure it out earlier and I think it can be a side effect of the alicorn magic. They are filled with magic but the density of their bodies doesn’t actually cover molecular compression of the energetic potential.” “ All I heard was magic-bla-bla-bla-bla “ Scootaloo rolled her eyes. “I think he mean’ that their bodies are not prepare’ in a special way so they can’t hold so much magic” wondered Applebloom. “ Well, initially they can. But when alicorns grow, the quantity of magic inside of them grows. It is the opposite to what happens with other ponies. They magic weakens when they grow old. But the magic is the energy that needs a matter to be catalysed when it is not directly used. That’s why Princess Celestia or Princess Luna are so tall comparing to you and the rest of the ponies. Their bodies are trying to adjust to the quantity of magic inside. You can say that their magic is “inflating them”. “Oh so that’s why their legs are so long that they could be in a “Playcolt” with all those models “ Scootaloo’s eyes lightened up. Sweetie Belle to her friend and put her hoof to her muzzle, trying to look as shocked as she could. "Scootaloo, how could you, darling ?" she placed her hoof on her forehead, imitating Rarity " fillies from good homes do not read such a magazine " Scootaloo blushed slightly and then said sheepishly "Do I look like a filly from "good home"? Your so called "good home" is a place for boring party poopers and not somepony as cool as me." Sweetie gasped, keep playing her role "Beg your pardon ?" But then argument was silenced by Applebloom "Girls ! Y'all want to get outa here, righ' ?" Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo lowered their heads "Yes..." Applebloom winked at them "So let's focus then" Applebloom grabbed her friends by their manes "Ouuuh!!! Applebloom, are you crazy ? Let go " screamed Scootaloo "We must help the Doctor, remember ? So. Here. We. Go !" Applebloom looked at the Doctor, who wasn't paying attention to the whole scene "Doctor..." "...Daybreaker and Celestia seem to know a lot about the Laws of Time "muttered the time traveller "I wonder if they experienced time travel... cause it looks like it.Daybreaker mentioned "Doctor and Crusaders of Time"..." "But we already faced Daybreaker. We ran away from her... no, I still don't get it" said Scootaloo "We are time travelin'. We will meet her again in some time or place." stated Applebloom "Besides, if we want to save Spike and the others, we have to come for them in some point " Sweetie Belle added quietly. Doctor trotted to the bedroom's doors “I guess the best way is to find out by ourselves. Come on, we have to find your friends. By this moment they should be one place” he said, opening the door. “We are leaving the ship behind ? “ Scootaloo frowned “The TARDIS needs to repair herself anyway. We will be back when our work here will be done.” “I still can’t believe your crashed... her. Aren’t you the one who should know how to fly her ?” continued the pegasus filly as the group walked through the door. “I can fly her. I am perfectly capable of that” Doctor protested “I am driving my scooter with more grace” replied Scootaloo Doctor froze in place “ Did you just compare a wooden scooter to a technological marvel capable of travelling through all of time and space ?” “Yes. And I already know what is the better way of transportation” added Scootaloo with a grin on her face. “I can travel through time and space and you can barely cross your own town” “ It is the efficiency that matters. I can drive without crashing” “Scootaloo, I have to drive a complex machine that has mind on its own.” “ You are still a terrible driver. You shouldn’t drive if you want to crush in the end. “ “There is a big difference between a usual time travelling and breaking through the walls of different reality” „I think that...” “SHUT UP !!!” hissed Applebloom and Sweetie Belle “Both of you.” The arguing ponies silenced themselves instantly. ******************** When they were passing on of the corridors, they heard a voices behind the locked door. “Hang on.”Doctor pulled out his sonic screwdriver. After a loud „bzzeeeeeeppp”, the doors opened. Behind a door they found a room mentioned already a few times in this story. The Crusaders and the Doctor looked at each other „Now. Do not separate. We must find all of the...” Doctor turned to fillies and he noticed that somepony was missing. Sweetie Belle disappeared. „Sweetie Belle!!!” the group started shouting and looking for the white unicorn. „Where did she go ?” asked Applebloom „I don’t know. She was just beside me and apparently... now she is not.” answered Scootaloo, shuffling the ground with her hoof. The group started to search for Sweetie Belle but could not find her anyway. After a ten minutes they didn’t know what to do „Doctor, is she all righ’?” asked Applebloom nervously „I hope so. They always wander off, some things never change, aren’t they ?” muttered the Time Lord. „ What was that?” Scootaloo grinned Doctor gave the pegasus an irritated glare „Nothing. We must go on and hope that Sweetie Belle will catch up with us” „We are not leavin’ before she won’t be found!!!” Applebloom looked at the Doctor, trying to make her most persistent face. Doctor opened his mouth but before he could say anything, some mare galloped between them. This mare was Rarity. She looked around in panic. „Where is Sweetie Belle ? Where is my sister ? He was right. She is... she is...” Rarity collapsed to the floor and started shaking. Applebloom looked around, trying to locate Sweetie Belle one more time „She jus’ had to disappear now, didn’ she ?” Doctor quickly scanned Rarity using the screwdriver and checked the readings. He frowned. „Her conscience is fully incorporated into the illusion. I think that even Sweetie Belle’s presence would not change a thing.” “If ya say so. Wha’ are we goin’ to do with her ?” Applebloom tried to hug broken Rarity Doctor sighed and started sadly staring at the unicorn. “Honestly, I don’t know. But there is one thing I can try. Girls, I need you to hold her that she won’t be moving.” Scootaloo and Applebloom raised Rarity up, holding her by the front legs “Good. Now hold your head. I believe this should help...” Doctor placed both of his hooves on the sides of Rarity’s head and closed his eyes ******************* POweR. HatriDe. FEar. Hooooooooooooootttttt soooooo hoootttttt!!!!!!!!Burning burning burning. Eternal, endless, hungry. Eat eat eat. So huuuuuuuuungrryyysadlonelyblind heeeeeeelpp please. Sweeeeeetie is dead. I am.... kill destroy slice bite hate I am dying. Die die die die. Lallalalalalalalalala. Swirly flames licking the flesh the bones with juicy sister I am so so frightened sad alone worthlessssss fuuuuuuuurioouss hahahahahahhahahahahaha. I smell like roasted marshmallows. So cold... ************************ „GAAAAAHHH!!!!” Doctor severed the mental connection „Doctor !!” shouted Appleblooom and Scootaloo Time Lord shook his head. His body was now shaking like Rarity’s „I am afraid I cannot purify her mind. Too... much”. Then ponies heard it DUM...DUM...DUM...DUM... Doctor’s hearts fastened. This couldn’t be ! DUM...DUM...DUM...DUM... Doctor and the Crusaders turned to Rarity. The unicorn was now standing and putting one hoof down from time to time in a certain pattern DUM.DUM.DUM.DUM That was the prophecy. That was the rhythm of four knocks. DUM.DUM.DUM.DUM Rarity twisted her head and spoke in a voice that ponies recognized as Sombra’s „Received and understood ?” he hissed in the air Rarity fainted and stopped moving Doctor was in shock. But only for a moment. Fury ignited his eyes. He galloped to Rarity and screamed, looking at the ceiling „Oh no! You will not end it like this ! I am going to die ? Fine then. But I won’t let you kill any of those innocent ponies. You cannot comprehend what have you just started. Try me out!!!” He grabbed Rarity once again by the sides of her head and begun to sing We all start out so small, so tiny We all start our journey as nothing but point On the map of eternity But even then we need to be strong Time to reach the stars, achieve your dreams Find a place where nothing’ is as it seems Run away to the places, don’t follow the plan life is an adventure, your has just begun Even if time may pass, the sky will fall you will be gone, you’ve played your role Never stop dreaming of the time when you tried When you opened up and got it right (Rarity moved and sighed. Doctor continued singing, tears streaming down his face) We are like diamonds in the sky We all change through the twists of life You’ll be remembered when you die They will be with you when time will come Through the stars and crystal spheres through the light and darkest fears Love will always find her way It will lead you to the day (Rarity opened her eyes. They were green and purple smoke was evaporating from them. Doctor hummed gently) Thousands of years will pass and again You will love with that burning flame Even what is lost can’t be restored Never be cruel, you can be more Let the stars guide you home When you will be with us Even if love don’t rome You will be free at last We are so different and still the same We are alive each and every day Don’t cry, my dear cause I am here You’re still alive, fight with the fear Because this is love not much to tell And where the love is there’s... SWEETIE BELLE!!! The Doctor shouted and focused all his strength... BLAST!!! Rarity’s eyes went back to normal. She looked around, looking confused. „Sweet Celestia! Where am I ?” „You were trapped in an illusion but the Doctor brought you back” explained Scootaloo „Oh... that explains a lot. I was feeling off since I went here but... where is Sweetie Belle?” „I am right here” said Sweetie Belle „She is right... WHAAAAT?????!!!!!” Scootaloo jumped into the air. When she landed, she spotted a familiar white unicorn with a swirly, purple and pink mane „ Hooow...whaaaa...whyyyy...whaaaaat???? Where have you been ??? We were searching for you such a long time. You missed... you missed really nice song... and everything else” „Calm down Scoots” Sweetie Belle tried to explain her absence „I just heard some noise when we were passing near some doors. I just looked inside... but nopony was there. Then I went back to the corridor and you weren’t there anymore. So I started to run and caught up with you just now.” Sweetie Belle was indeed breathing heavily and was all a bit sweaty. But Scootaloo still wasn’t convinced „You weren’t with us for twenty minutes. Something is wrong with time...” „I don’t know” Sweetie Belle whispered „maybe it was one of those weird time jumps that the Doctor mentioned earlier?” „Maybe” Scootaloo noted to self that they must solve that mystery later. Applebloom was helping the Doctor get up. Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle and Rarity trotted to them The Doctor coughed with golden light. He looked at the other ponies „That was a close one. The effort almost made me regenerate. But I am just a little weak for now, that’s all” Rarity looked at the Doctor and smiled widely „Oh it is you Clockwork. I am so glad you saved me. My hero” she hugged the Doctor, her lips slowly moving down and down... Doctor quickly freed himself „It was my pleasure to release you, Rarity. Now, I am going to have a pretty strong conversation with our friend Daybreaker” „That song you sang...what was that ?” asked Applebloom Doctor’s gaze became sad and distant. „This is a lullaby that me and... m-my wife used to sing to our daughter when sh-she was crying. Back home, on Gallifrey. Before they...they...I thought that if I combine some emotional effort into the mental connection and add somepony important to Rarity, I might wake her up. And here she is. Now we must continue our search.”