//------------------------------// // I: Prologue // Story: Princess of Infinity // by Echo 27 //------------------------------// A flash of blue and she felt pain erupt across her side as the blow found its home just below the ribs, the still-dazzling flare of fire burning away the myriad fibers and threads that comprised her clothing until the flames licked through and seared flesh. She twisted herself away from the blow and, instinct driving her actions, began to writhe in the hopes of lessening the pain. As she fell back, the very tip of a blade was set against her neck, the presence of the sword felt brushing just above her skin. “Too slow- again,” said the hulking man now towering above her. “You hesitated.” “I was only buying time,” she replied in heavy gasps, though her tone was triumphant in sound. A cry of fury erupted from somewhere behind them and a lithe figure rose from cover and leapt into the skies, the violent silhouette of an axeblade borne in her grasp- She kicked out at her attacker and managed to destabilize his footing, pushing back from the close melee and leaping to her feet, her hands burning as the power within her reignited like a vicious fire and she took aim- only to find her partner had forced herself into range and was engaged, the axe swinging wildly through the air in the hopes of cleaving her opponent’s sword into pieces- “Luna, I have the shot, get out of the way!” she cried, feeling the strength in her fingers begin to grow ever greater the more she held back- Luna either ignored her words or did not hear, continuing her incensed attacks and letting her strength sap with every swing she took- “Luna, I said move!” she cried again, her voice threatening to break- A quick flash of metal and the axe was wrested from her grasp. Luna suddenly found herself struck across the neck and her breath was stolen from her. A second blow arrived in the form of a harsh kick that sent her sprawling across the clearing- Celestia tried to summon her strength all the more quickly but then felt the heavy grasp of hands around her own, forcing her to her knees where she was left gasping for air, a blade still pointed at her exposed throat as though nothing had changed from the mere moments before. “Is that all? Am I to be left disappointed again?” the man said, eyeing the two sisters with distaste. Luna struggled to rise to her feet, still spluttering from the deprivation of breath she had suffered, and each motion she took to rise to her feet appeared torturous. Celestia dared not move, knowing that the slightest sign of resistance would mean her end. Breen sighed and lowered his blade, gazing at his two pupils in a mixture of sadness and anger at the result. “So disappointment it shall be,” he muttered, and sheathed his weapon. “Young sisters, we have been stuck on this moment for too long now. How do you expect to be able to lead anyone who dwells in this world if you cannot even surpass your teacher?” Celestia felt the bitterness in his voice, the surpassing unhappiness and her own shame rose to meet it. It was true; they had been trying to overcome this lesson for days upon days now, and each attempt was as fruitless as the one before it. She began to wonder if they would even know success at all. Luna, however, took the rebuke in a different turn. “You cheat every time we try!” she cried out, finally regaining the strength of her voice. “You want us to win yet give us no chance of doing so!” “And you think the world will be fair to you? That they will be intimidated by the mere sight of an Alicorn?” Breen retorted, the grim-faced man standing his ground at the accusation of the young woman. “Those days are long passed, little Moon- the Alicorns are all but gone, and the time of reverence for your kind have left us beyond thought of hope and memory. Darkness will seek you out, and if you cannot best me, then know that there are far worse creatures than I that shall make mincemeat of you!” Luna gave a snarl and lunged forward, clawing out wildly for the man’s legs in the hopes of grasping him- With one motion Breen stepped back and let his blade fall upon Luna’s head, the heavy weapon scoring a harsh strike and knocking the aggressor momentarily senseless. “And you- why did you not capitalize on her movements?” Breen said, taking advantage of Luna’s temporary incapacitation to turn to Celestia, who only now dared to look up at her teacher and found his eyes burning. “She gave you an opening- the lesson could have been completed if you had been willing to take your chance! You hesitate yet again!” “I thought the lesson was over,” Celestia replied, trying to rise to her feet and place an attack but again found her arms tightened and she was deftly thrown aside- “It is too late now! You must act when the moment is right- hesitation costs lives, young one!” Luna finally managed to resettle herself and tried to stand, stumbling about until her elder sister came to her side in the hopes of aid. “Filthy cheat,” she said furiously. “I can barely see.” “Is your vision still distorted?” Breen asked of her. “None of your business!” Luna snapped angrily. “Celestia. Help your sister. The lesson is over,” Breen ordered, the harshness of his voice disappearing like the morning mist and found itself filled by a calming wisdom. Together, he and Celestia brought Luna over into the shade, far from the grove clearing and settled her down gently. “Rest, young one. You have overexerted yourself, my blow should have not been able to disorient you so greatly,” Breen said, examining the young woman for injury. “Will she be alright?” Celestia asked of him. “She certainly shall be. As you may have found yourselves already, Alicorns heal from injury quite rapidly. Tomorrow, it will be as though nothing has happened.” “I want to try again,” Luna grunted, already resisting their efforts of aid in the hopes of rising to her feet. “I am confident we shall have it done.” Breen pushed down on her shoulders to keep her grounded. “You are brave, little Moon- but now is not the time. You need to heal lest your wounds become greater.” “What do we need to do to succeed, then?” Celestia asked of him. “To be the best of yourself, and knowing what strengths you bear- alone, and in one another,” Breen said calmly. “Luna, you fight as though you have already lost: all emotion, no grace or hesitation in any movement you make. You throw yourself into every motion as though it is your last. Your endurance is great, so wear out your foe! Only the mightiest of evils can stand against an Alicorn for long.” “So I was close,” Luna said breathily, strong enough to raise her head and look at him with her burning gaze. Breen laughed. Somewhat mocking, somewhat gentle. “You give too much of yourself for that, little Moon. You have one on whom you can rely.” Celestia braced herself for the coming lashes, knowing that her chiding would be next. “Celestia,” Breen said wearily, as though already tired by the tirade, “how long must I tell this to you for you to understand? Luna’s skill is with a blade, the physical blunt force of steel and iron. Your skills are something untamed and powerful, yet you always hesitate to use them. You called for your sister to separate herself from the target, yet did nothing to make it so yourself! Are your powers so frail that you could not have easily held me down? Of course not!” Celestia dared not to look at him, her eyes already averting themselves from his sight- “Do not look away! Into my eyes!” Breen’s voice was commanding, thunderous. “Sunlight, are you so ashamed of your efforts that you cannot withstand me? Are you not giving your all for this struggle?” “I am,” she said. “Then look at me with pride. Both of you. Shame is a teacher, but do not let it control thee. Take instruction, learn, and make it done. The time will come, that I believe. And when it does, a kingdom most glorious awaits you.” “What is like, Equestria?” Luna asked of him. Celestia, always eager to hear more of the subject, began to perk up and rose from her misery. “Equestria? Why would I tell you of the place?” Breen demanded. “I know Ithunel spoke of it to you last night,” Luna said. “That’s where you’ll be sending us, aren’t you? Their old kingdom is dead.” “I do not know why that would be the place for you. It is old, and wild, and untamed even by its inheritors,” Breen replied. “I do not suggest teasing them further, beloved,” said a gentle voice as clear as rain, and all eyes rose to meet it. Stepping through the trees as though she were its master and dressed in clothes that sparkled like the morning dew was a raven-haired woman with eyes as soft and colored as the grass that brushed against her bare feet. “You say I should tell them, then?” Breen asked of his wife. “The time is coming soon, after all,” Ithunel said warmly, “they should know what land awaits their guiding hand.” “So it is Equestria, then?” Celestia asked delightedly, her heart leaping. Every story of the place they had been told in the world of isolation had been a delight. The most ancient land in the world, teeming with magic and life and unseen powers and delights. The very thought of it had captivated her and her sister’s hearts long ago. “Yes, to Equestria you shall be sent- when the time is right,” Breen confessed. “The old kingdom that once ruled it has fallen into disrepute, and old fiefdoms now squabble amongst themselves. When this buried hatred has been allowed to wither, you shall go and find yourself welcomed.” “Why not send us now if they fight their own?” Luna asked. “Would we not be able to stop them?” “And you would be seen forever as a tyrant- a terror to behold,” Breen replied. “The wickedness that has befallen that land is great and terrible. Like a virus, it must run its course, the punishment made complete in wholeness. When that happens, and only then, will the land be ready for good things to come into it again. Then they will see you for what you are, and be willing to embrace it in its fullness of glory.” “Do you know what will happen when we sail there?” Celestia asked of Ithunel, seeking her gaze most of all. “You say you sometimes see the future. Has the Light nothing to shine upon across our path?” Ithunel’s warm eyes suddenly began to falter and the verdant glow was cooled. Where love and gentleness were so evident came sorrow, and a pain so great that the young woman could hardly stand to look at her teacher lest she weep at her feet. “Only that it will come, no matter what road is taken to avoid it,” Ithunel whispered. “And that you will meet it when the time comes.” Thousands of years later… The grey that was cast across the sea reflected against the dark waves, turning the realm into an endless cascade of water and mist as far as could be seen by even the keenest of eyes. The soft sea foam of cresting waves added to the thickness, and only the soft sound of water moving to and fro could be heard upon the ears. On the edge of the mists, just beyond the edge of sight, a skeletal silhouette could be seen pushing through the endless fog, moving steadily onward by the tired power of the meek winds that pervaded across the seas. Pushing ever forward until the bow broke through like a spear, the small ship finally cast itself into view, its well-worn sails still pushing ahead, though a steady growth of patchwork materials and added stitching could be seen all across the material like a growing disease. The thick wooden hull remained steadfast, a younger and bolder creation than the sail that helped to drive it onward, though it creaked steadily with every swish of the wind above and sway of the waves that lapped at it from below. Standing like a statue on the crow’s nest was the heavily garbed figure of a man, his body motionless though his eyes flickered back and forth across the mists madly, hoping for even the smallest of glimpses through this seemingly endless haze of nature they had ventured into? No matter his elevation, no matter the time of day- even the weather refused to allow them to break through this clouded forest of water. All he had found hope in was the compass that now lay before him, tied to the edge of the crow’s nest with wire and pointing them steadily westward. They had done nothing to alter their course for two weeks now, and their path had remained unchanged. No list, no halting of their fixed path onward. Unless a foul curse had been cast upon this place, they would eventually find some hope of exiting- and perhaps land would meet them when they did. “What do you see? Is there any change?” A voice called up to him and the man suddenly fidgeted, cured of his motionlessness to peer down. The fog thickened and suddenly lessened, allowing him to see down at the base where a seeming rainbow of color had called out to him, borne upon a once-royal garment. His voice was frayed and he knew to call would be futile. Judging he would find no further purpose in the nest he descended, swinging down and landing before his companion and pulling the scarf from his face to reveal a soldierly man with a wild, unkempt beard growing upon his face. “Not a thing to be seen,” he reported. “The mists seem to carry on forever, just as yesterday. That makes three days now that we’ve been caught in its grasp.” “And you are certain that we are not going in circles?” “The compass stays true. Unless there is some fell magic at work against us, the aim is still true.” He hesitated. “Do you sense something that bodes ill?” Celestia shook her beautiful head, her hair shimmering like a fresh rainbow in the sky. “No, nothing. That is why I find it odd. We have yet to face anything like this.” Saber Ford turned from her and stared out into the vastness of it all, as if hoping to see their exit somewhere just beyond the bow. “Your tales of the world never spoke of it. We have traveled far. We might simply be beyond anything you or I have ever known.” “When was the last time you rested, Ford?” she asked of him. “I just awoke, and by my count it has been nearly three hours since I lay down. You were supposed to wake me for guard two hours ago.” “I’m fine,” he said grimly. “If I needed rest to keep this vessel controlled, I would ask it of you.” “Except you hardly ask anything,” she replied. A flick of her fingers and the ship suddenly became rigid, the course firmly cemented by a power beyond mere reckoning. “Come. The rations have yet to peter out and you look exhausted.” Somewhat unwillingly, Ford nodded in assent and disappeared below the deck beside his wife, letting the haunting light of the fog disappear from his sight and be replaced by the soft glow of lamplight. “What do we have now?” he asked of her. “Just the hardtack now,” Celestia said, tossing him a tightly woven pack that was a single ration. “The water remains clean, but we’ll need to hope for rain in the next week if we are to not ration it out also.” “We underestimated the journey across this ocean,” Ford muttered. “We could not have known,” was all she ever said in reply. The two settled to eat in silence, Celestia taking in the rugged appearance of her husband. The journey they had started together so long ago seemed to have worn upon him greatly, and age was beginning to show its handiwork across his body. The dark brown hair was now tinged with flecks of grey, and the beard he bore was swiftly turning silver. Scars from youth had become settled upon him, and the new ones had yet to fade. Though he was by far the younger of the two, appearance would no longer suggest to any who saw them. Her immortal beauty remained as clear as it had been the day she had grasped it; the mortal world was swiftly claiming him as its own. The only thing that could prevent it is the Philosopher’s Stone, Celestia thought. And it must be soon, or else his twilight years shall be made his permanence- if we even find it at all. Or if Sombra has not found it already. “You’re thinking of it again,” Ford guessed, and Celestia gave a start as she surfaced from her reverie. “The Philosopher’s Stone. Am I right?” “Are my thoughts so evident to you?” she asked. “Only when your mind is darkened,” he answered. “And as of late, that is often.” “You are still doubting, then?” “How could I not, after all this time?” Ford replied. “Tia, it may be time to accept the inevitable: what we are looking for no longer exists.” “And you have no proof of that claim. I have told you this,” Celestia said, trying to rouse the best of her patience in the hopes of dealing with this long-held argument. “There is no proof for either side. We set out upon this journey because Sombra believed it might still exist, but even then there was nothing definitive to follow on,” Ford said. “Every country we have seen, every kingdom we encounter- the result is always the same. No knowledge of such a thing, no reason to believe it exists. And worst of all, no sign of Sombra anywhere. That is what should concern us.” “You believe he hid from us,” Celestia said. “Ford, please understand that we would have known. Luna and I know his steps, what he feels like in the ether. If he had hidden himself with his levels power still intact then we would have sensed him.” “What if he was able to hide it?” Ford challenged, his tone rising alongside his temper. “You didn’t even know he was still alive until he made his appearance in the Crystal Empire, how can you say that you are certain? We have nothing to be certain of!” “Even if he was in Equestria, we would have no way of returning to stop him. That is up to Luna and Twilight to defend, and for us to stop his ultimate goal.” “And that is my problem! We are on a wild goose chase for something that likely no longer exists, while our home –your kingdom- lies awaiting its greatest threat. It has been ten years- Celestia- it has been ten years, Celestia!” Ford’s voice cracked like a whip and he rose to his feet, his weariness and anger no longer held in check. “I will follow you wherever you go, but you led us on this quest in the hopes of trying to fix something that cannot be fixed! You wish me to be immortal, to be with you forever- but that simply cannot be. Where we need to be, where you need to be, is in the land that loves and needs you. Equestria is the land we never should have left.” Unable to stand there any longer, Ford departed and left out into the open air, leaving Celestia exhausted and more dispirited than ever. They had married the day before they had departed. The marriage had simply been one endless journey across the world in the hopes of finding immortality and their foe, with not even the smallest of successes to call their own. Despite all their best hopes, their time together simply had yet to be a happy one. He simply does not want to get his hopes up, she counseled herself. He wishes no further disappointment for me or himself. That is how he has always been. She desired to join him on the deck, but hesitated. Let his fire cool before she ventured outside. Celestia pored over their makeshift map, adding more waters to their current portion as her eyes glazed over. So many countries had been discovered, countless kingdoms and people new to her eyes. It had been a blur, these past several years, but all of it had been fruitless. Until either Sombra or the Philospher’s Stone were found, there would be no success. Celestia quietly exited out onto the deck, finding Ford standing on the prow and unwilling to face her. She strode quietly over to him and lay a hand on his shoulder, taking it as a good sign that he did not shrug her off. “I did not mean to snap,” he said, his voice as quiet as it had been during his younger years. “Endless, unwelcoming, unfeeling water can have that effect on a man,” she said. Though their marriage had yet to be wildly successful, she still loved him greatly and wished for him to be at peace. Ford gave a quick chuckle at the remark. “Celestia, do you really believe the thing even exists?” “I do.” “Why, though? Even the text we look at spoke of the Philosopher’s Stone as a rumor, and it was more ancient than I- or even you. What we are searching for may not exist anymore.” “Sombra believes it does. And if he is right, we must be there to stop him.” “So we go because evil has faith, not faith ourselves.” “We go because we have hope that the world will be rid of him, even if by our own hands it is done.” Ford turned to face her, taking her hand in his and holding on tight. “I wish I could have your faith, then.” She kissed him and smiled, trying to bring the warmth of her soul to his own. “You will when the time is right.” The creaking of wood grew loud and suddenly became a roar as the ship swayed harshly beneath their feet, the splash of water rising over the side and soaking the deck- “What on earth-” Ford was across the ship in an instant, peering over the side and down at the commotion below, suddenly turning rigid as his eyes fell upon the waters. Celestia joined him and found her jaw had dropped at the sight of the magnificent beast swam leisurely aside them. The creature was monstrous in length, easily twice the size of their ship, its gaping maw surrounded by serrated teeth that spoke to its capacity for incredible violence. Drifting lazily closer to them with every leisurely swish of its tail, the creature came to the side of the vessel and poked its head gently out of the water to peer at them as they drifted steadily along, a lidless black eyes staring at them with a singular intensity as its jaws lay agape. Celestia stared at this creature intently, its lidless gaze boring into them as though it had yet to see something of their kind before and now had been left dumbfounded by the sight of these strange, otherworldly beings that rode across the surface of the seas. Seemingly, as if its curiosity had been made satisfied, the creature departed into the deep and out of sight, leaving only the churning waters as a sign that it had even existed. “I believe we have just been found worthy of passage,” Celestia breathed, her mind still fixated on the size and ferocity of the creature’s teeth. “Or simply not interesting enough for an attack,” Ford countered shakily, his practical nature giving him little interest in the sentience of the great beasts of the world. “Either way, it’s probably best we don’t go overboard.” The attempt at humor was flimsy at best, and neither said anything for a time. Celestia suddenly found herself wincing as light began to filter through the fog, which was weakening with every passing moment. “The fog- Ford!” she cried. “I’ll take the helm,” he said, dashing to the wheel and awaiting her word. “Is it breaking any further?” “Yes! Keep us moving forward, it’s clearing!” Celestia felt her skin turn warm and her heart sang as her namesake began to shine forth. Though her vision was obscured by the coming light, she looked out with eager anticipation for the coming sunlight. The clouds broke open and the glorious daylight shone down upon them, and graced them with beauteous skies- and a long-awaited sight. “Ford! We’re coming up on land!”