//------------------------------// // Chapter 19: Broly’s Fate / Celestia’s Resolve // Story: The Legend of Broly // by I-C-U-P //------------------------------// All seemed calm in the castle of Canterlot. But within the castle walls were a series of unrest and uncertainties. The Mane Six, Celestia, Luna, Cadence, Shining Armor, Spike and Starlight had finally finished their journey through Broly’s mind. Witnessing as many intact memories as they could find for the sole purpose of understanding the Saiyan. But while they had indeed learnt many things about him, and surprised at how hellish his upbringing was, the one thing they initially had no idea about was how special Broly was. Why he was dubbed the Saiyan of Legend. The answer they received was something they weren’t prepared for. The reason Broly was so special… was because he was the warrior of myth. A being destined to be born every thousand years. The Legendary Super Saiyan. Seeing the unveiling of the transformation was only half of the surprise. What made the power all the more infamous was how it turned Broly into a heartless, destructive monster. A madman bent on destroying everything in his path and bring pain and suffering to all those in his wake. While it was very easy to picture Broly being a violent brute because of what happened on Planet New Vegeta, there were a couple of ponies who believed that it wasn’t entirely his fault. That it was the uncontrollable power within him, and the poor decisions of Paragus, was what made Broly to what he had become. Princess Celestia was one such pony. After witnessing the events of Broly’s life, it left the Sun Princess unrest to a point where it was impossible for her to fall back to sleep. There was just so much thought processing that it kept her fully awake. To help with her thoughts, she decided to leave her bed chambers and have a little stroll around the dark castle. Adorned in her dressing gown as she walked in solitude. But the quiet loneliness was what helped put her mind at ease. As she walked silently in the dark, the corridors barely lit by the cloud covered moonlight, her mind kept thinking back to Broly’s tragic past. Mostly about the events on the doomed world of New Vegeta. How Broly suddenly turned psychotic when he transformed into the Legendary Super Saiyan. The white Alicorn could understand why the likes of the Vegeta family and Paragus would be afraid of the legend. But one question came to mind. ‘That transformation. Is it really uncontrollable?’ But as she was about to ponder on the subject more, her ears heard the sounds of rushing footsteps from a nearby corridor. Steadily getting louder as it approached her. The curious Celestia paused as she readied herself. Thinking that it might be an intruder. But to her surprise, emerging from the corner was her sister, Princess Luna. The blue Alicorn paused in surprise at the sight of her older sibling. “Oh, Sister. I didn’t think you were up.” “No. I was just… thinking…” Celestia paused her words as she noticed what Luna was wearing. The younger princess was wearing outdoor clothing. And hanging over her shoulder was a bag. The only conclusion Celestia could think of was that Luna was about to go outside. But with how late at night it was, the Sun Princess was a little suspicious. “W-What’s this?” She asked. Gesturing towards Luna’s empty bag. Luna briefly looked at her bag. Almost in a panic. “Oh, this? Umm?” Celestia could see that Luna was struggling to put her sentences out. What’s more, she caught on that moment of panic from her. Her suspicions intensified. Luna was clearly up to something, and from her lack of response, didn’t want Celestia to know about. Celestia gave her sister a raised eyebrow as he spoke up. “Luna? What’s going on?” The younger sister felt as though she was on the spot. But not wanting to openly lie to her, Luna calmed down before answering the question. “If you must know, sister. I intend to gather the elements.” The answer left Celestia puzzled. “The Elements of Harmony? But why?” It was Luna’s turn to express her confusion. “Surely you must know. It’s about Broly.” Luna continued to speak as she turned to adjust her bag. Failing to notice Celestia’s change of expression. “It was already bad enough for him to be so powerful. But last night just proves that he’s far more dangerous than we expected. But with the elements while he’s asleep, we could…!” Just as Luna was about to walk by Celestia, she was silenced when to her surprise, the white anthro Alicorn flared out her wings. Blocking Luna’s path. Which was followed by a stern tone reply. “No Luna.” The blue princess looked at Celestia in surprise. Only to be startled by the shockingly stern look she had. The look of disapproval. Luna stuttered in response. “W-What?” “I know what you’re planning, Luna. But you will do no such thing.” Luna was baffled at what she was hearing. In her eyes, the Saiyan was a very dangerous being to be let loose. Yet her older sister, the one who was regarded by the citizens as the most responsible of the two, was against the idea. Something that any other pony would find extremely irresponsible. Luna began to question Celestia’s motives, as well as reminding her of who Broly truly was. “You’re… defending him!? But sister… have you not forgotten the amount of destruction that monster is capable off?” Celestia replied to the question. Her voice remained stern. “I have not forgotten. But I’m still not allowing you to carry on.” The Moon Princess was taken aback at the shocking development. Her sister truly had no intentions of putting Broly back into his stone prison. She briefly felt her body tremble from the shock. Her face filled with disbelief. So much so that the strap of her bag slipped off her shoulder. Falling to the floor. “Sister. I… I don’t… understand. W-Why? He… He’s the most dangerous threat that ever fell upon our world. It’s dangerous enough for him to be a member of a warrior race. But he’s… a legend. THE legend. He can wipe out our entire world in a blink of an eye if he wants to,” Luna said. Trying to justify her reasons of getting the elements. But Celestia countered her argument. “But he didn’t. Did he?” Luna could feel her anxiety peaking from the level of noncompliance from her sister. It left her shaken. “I… I don’t believe…” Celestia then interrupted her. “Turning him to stone isn’t going to solve your problems, Luna.” Luna’s nerves continued to accelerate. “But sister! It’s the only way! He’s too dangerous!” Celestia then gave an example of why she thought that Luna’s plan was a bad idea. “You can’t just get rid of him, Luna. You would only be doing what all the other Saiyans had done to him. It’s wrong.” Luna paused in shock. Her own sister just compared her to the Saiyans. Something that she’d hoped that she would never want to hear. The last thing she would want was to be associated with the alien brutes. The thought of it caused her body to tremble uncomfortably. After getting the uncomfortable thought out of the way, Luna’s patience was wearing thin. She was determined to find out why Celestia was being so defiant. “Why!? Why are you doing this? He’s… He’s a monster!” Celestia fell silent for a moment. She could perfectly understand why Luna would behave in such a manner. The blue Alicorn was already afraid of Broly long before the trip in his memories. But during the events on New Vegeta, where they first witnessed his true power, the Sun Princess saw that fear intensifying. As if witnessing the Legendary Super Saiyan had instilled absolute terror into Luna. And that what she was doing was, in her eyes, for the safety of Equestria. In a way, it made sense. But Celestia felt differently. To which she was about to reveal. “He’s not a monster, Luna. Not in my eyes.” Luna stared at her older sister with wide eyes of disbelief. After everything they had witnessed, Celestia didn’t see Broly the same way she saw him. Even the destruction of an entire galaxy hadn’t swayed her point of view of the Saiyan. Seeing that Luna wanted to hear her out, Celestia turned to the side as she expressed her thoughts. “I understand why you’re afraid of him, Luna. But despite all that had happened to him, it’s not his fault. Life has treated him so cruelly.” “But sister…” To Luna’s surprise, she was interrupted by Celestia’s outburst. Silencing the younger sister as she snapped at her with an angered glare. “He was sentenced to death, Luna! As an infant!” Luna took one step back in fright in response. Despite usually being the nicer of the two, Celestia was quite intimidating when she got angry. Furthermore, Luna had just been reminded on what could be the most shocking moment in Broly’s early life. His near execution. Celestia then said something that further reinforced the said cruelty. “Have you not felt anything from seeing that dagger in his chest?” Luna found herself unable to answer. But she had to admit it. Seeing the defenceless baby almost getting killed and cast out by his own race made her feel bad for him. It might be one of a few times where Luna actually felt sorry for Broly. Despite not getting a verbal reply, Celestia knew what Luna was thinking. As she turned back to her side, the white Alicorn continued. “He was a born prodigy. Given a gift that could help his race. But they feared him and tried to get rid of him. He was only a day old… and he was rejected and cast out by all the other Saiyans. His own people. And traumatized from the destruction of his homeworld by that tyrant Frieza. The only person he knew that showed any pity to him was his mother figure. Pruna. But her life was taken away from Broly. It’s true that Paragus started out the same way. But the father ended up just like the rest of those cruel people. Turning his own son into a soulless weapon.” She continued as she faced back at her sister. Her stern glare replaced with remorse. “Don’t you see what I’m trying to say, Luna. It’s life’s cruelty that turned Broly into what he had become. It’s not his fault he turned out that way.” “But… how can you be so sure?” Luna asked. Curious as to what was behind Celestia’s reason. To which she explained. “Otherwise, he wouldn’t had saved us from those aliens, Luna. Ever since we released him and calmed him down, he has done nothing but help us free our world. He even rejected Turles’s offer to enslave us.” She then began to think back to her talk with Broly before she left him to sleep. “He may be the Saiyan of Legend. But I know, that in his regular state, he’s very different from the rest of the Saiyans. He’s calm. Gentle. And even kind.” She then revealed to Luna what she intends to do with Broly. “All throughout his past, life has treated him with cruelty and unfairness beyond compare. Which is why… which is why I want to make things right for him. To give him a life that he never got to have. A place… to call home.” Luna was stunned from realising what Celestia was implying. To which she openly spoke out. “You… plan to reform him? But… what if he can’t be redeemed?” Celestia gave Luna a questionable eyebrow as she replied back with another question. “Isn’t that the same question you asked, when I spoke about reforming Discord?” Luna was about to reply. Only to find that she could not counter the argument. Luna knew what Celestia was talking about. When the white Alicorn once spoke about the Spirit of Chaos being reformed to good, the blue mare heavily doubted the idea. Deeming it impossible. But to her surprise, Celestia’s idea worked. Not only Discord had become good, that it was Fluttershy of all ponies who did the impossible. It was thanks to the yellow Pegasus that Discord had become a force of good. To which was Celestia’s idea. And it paid off. “So… you plan to do the same for Broly?” She asked. “Yes, Luna. This may be hard for you to understand, but I know that there’s good in him. He just… needs help. But I’m certain that being among friends with a positive mindset, he may be able to learn from them. And with our world mostly deprived of conflict, its possible for him to be more relaxed living in Equestria. In mind and body.” Celestia then brought up something that she will not resort to. “And we will certainly not be using any mind control magic on him.” Luna paused in thought. Remembering everything Celestia said about her plan to reform Broly. While she was still skeptical about the plan, and fearful towards the Saiyan, she could see that the white Alicorn really wanted her plan to come to fruition. To see if Broly, the Legendary Super Saiyan, could truly be a force of good. A kind-hearted Saiyan. But there was one big elephant in the room that she needed to address. “But what about his transformations?” Celestia took a brief moment to think before responding. “Well… from what we’ve seen from his fight with Turles, he has control over his Super Saiyan form.” Before Celestia could continue, Luna interrupted her. “That’s not the one I meant, sister. I’m talking about his… Legendary Super Saiyan form. What would happen if he became… that?” She asked. Feeling a frightening vibe in her spine from the mere thought of the green-haired transformation. Celestia paused in thought of the spoken question. It was true. If Broly were to achieve his legendary form as he was, it would surely spell disaster for them. To which she then gave Luna her own thoughts about the subject. “From what we’ve seen, that form is tied with his hatred for the Saiyan Goku. But with Broly being the one of his kind here, that may not even be a problem. There should be no reason for him to transform. But we should still be careful. Such as not even mentioning Goku’s name in front of him. Or anything else that might anger him.” “So all we need to do is just… humor him?” Luna asked. “We need to do more than that, sister. We need to show him that all we want is to make him feel welcome. To show him that we’re not his enemies. I mean… it’s working for us so far.” Celestia’s tone became a little sterner as she continued. “But for this to work, we all need to start adjusting to make him our ally. All of us.” Luna knew what Celestia was implying. It would mean that she herself would have to take part. The blue princess didn’t like the idea of befriending the same person that almost killed her. But she could see how passionate and determined Celestia was in going through with her plan. She truly wanted to help the Saiyan. Furthermore, the last thing Luna would want was to start a second rift between her and her sister. It had only been a few years since she returned from her banishment to the moon. Her mind was conflicted. She really wanted Broly to go away. But at the same time, she didn’t want to betray her sister. Her mental conflict was evident in her doubtful expressions. Then, after letting out a heavy sigh, Luna spoke up. “Sister. Do you truly believe that this plan of yours would work?” Celestia understood why her younger sibling would feel insecure. But after a short pause as she faced away, she spoke up to reassure her. As well as reminding her of what they went through. “It has to, Luna. We may be strong, but there are threats that are too much even for us. Those alien invaders. Turles. If not for Broly, our home would’ve been wiped out or enslaved. And what if another alien invader comes? One even stronger than Turles? Broly is our best defense against such aggressors. We need him.” She continued as she looked back at her sister. “And Equestria is a land of forgiveness and friendship. Giving second chances to whose who want it. I want to give Broly that second chance. Because after what we’ve seen tonight… he deserves one.” Luna paused in thought. Celestia’s message was loud and clear. She truly wanted to make Broly use his powers for good. What’s more, when Celestia mentioned forgiveness, it made Luna think about her own past. How she thought that due to her actions as Nightmare Moon, the other ponies would never forgive her. Luna was even skeptical of showing her face to the crowd fearing that they would be too frightened of her. Or calling Celestia crazy for not sending her back to the moon. But despite her concerns, the ponies of Equestria forgave her. Cherishing her as much as they had done before. Therefore, the idea of Broly using his strength to help might not be too farfetched. Especially since the citizens had no idea who or what Broly was or what he had done. Even cheering for him when he defeated the Frieza Force. That being said though. Trying to take over the world to bring eternal night is vastly different than outright obliterating an entire galaxy. Even if it was an accident. Without saying a word, Luna picked up her fallen bag and, to Celestia’s relief, turned back to where she came. Seemingly giving up her idea in favour of letting her older sister to enact her own. But before she disappeared down the corridor, Luna spoke up one more time. “I hope you’re right. For all our sakes.” With a look of surprise, Celestia watched on as her younger sibling vanished into the darkness. Returning towards her bed chambers. After closing her eyes in reassurance, the white Alicorn continued her stroll. Celestia continued on for seemingly nearly an hour. She couldn’t tell for she had lost track of time. While strolling through numerous hallways and corridors in peaceful silence, her mind was full of thoughts. About how to set out Broly’s redemption. How for it to start. Where he should go. What he should do. Her encounter with Luna had briefly scared her. If she hadn’t bumped into her, then Luna might had actually got the Elements of Harmony and tried to use them. But the likelihood of them working was slim. Since the elements had recently chosen the Mane Six to be their bearers. But even if they did work for Luna, she would still need Celestia to help activate them. But the thought of her own sister doing something behind her own back felt disturbing. It showed just how much Luna was afraid of Broly. Then her mind focused back on Broly himself. She knew for sure that the Saiyan was at his most docile when in his Base form. Despite being born with the most battle potential of any Saiyan ever known, he was calm and placid. Which still left her surprised. Despite his gentle nature however, he could easily be provoked. Such as when Spike uttered the word Kakarot in front of him. Then was the matter of his Super Saiyan form. At first, Celestia was afraid of the transformed state as it was how she first met Broly. His violent nature reflecting with his blondish-gold spikey hair. Which made it all the more surprising when she found out that even in his first transformation, Broly still had control over himself. She knew that the form tied with his rage. So it was obvious to her that he would be more eager to fight when in the form. But fortunately, still retaining his rationality. His Legendary Super Saiyan form however was a different story entirely. As Paragus mentioned, it was a form that ties to the very violent instincts of a Saiyan warrior. The embodiment of violence and pure malice. Something that frightens even the Vegeta family. In his Legendary form, Broly’s rationality and sense of reason had completely vanished. Leaving him to hurt everyone in his path. Despite understanding how dangerous the form was, Celestia couldn’t help but think. Although Broly had tapped into the power several times in his past, the events on New Vegeta was the only time he’d properly transformed. His first time taking on the green-haired form. It was that reasoning that left her with the thought she was thinking about earlier. If Broly had the chance, could it be possible for him to control his Legendary Super Saiyan form? If it were possible, the power of the form would be very beneficial to the security of their homeworld. But with how Broly was at the current moment, it would be improper to do so. If he were to lose control, it would most certainly spell disaster for their whole world. Probably after he was properly settled in. As thoughts of the Saiyan’s power kept being on her mind, Celestia decided to pay attention to where she was going. And to her surprise, the corridor she appeared in was the one where she left Broly to sleep in one of the rooms. Taking careful quiet steps, she slowly moved down the corridor. Stopping as she faced towards the door to the room. The Sun Princess paused. Just hours earlier when she last saw him, she knew very little about Broly. Seeing him as a very powerful alien. But after seeing his memories, she felt as though she had become a different mare. One who was more cautious, but at the same time, more concerned. Yet something was driving her forward. Despite seeing what he had done, knowing what he could do, she wanted to see him. Taking in a deep breath to settle herself, Celestia gently opened the door. Peering in through the dark room. With gentle steps, she quietly entered the room. It was there she saw him. Despite the darkness of the room, barely lit up by the moonlight, she could see him. Broly himself. Lying in bed in a deep sleep. Most of his body covered under the duvet. Celestia then slowly approached his bedside. The way she stood, looking down on him, it almost mirrored the moment when Paragus looked at Broly while holding the mind control crown in his hands. But the anthro Alicorn had no ill intentions. She just wanted to check up on him. ‘To think… that he possesses such incredible power. It’s astonishing.’ She looked at Broly’s sleeping face. The Saiyan seemingly at peace. Almost surprising to see, considering what he truly was. But it was there when she noticed something. Something that she had never noticed. She could see strange markings that ran from his closed eyes down to the sides of his cheeks. Celestia looked at the markings in confusion, before realising what caused them. ‘He was… crying?’ That was when it hit her. Back when she and the others were inside Broly’s mind, she remembered Luna using a spell that unlocked fragments of his memories for them to witness. By doing so, it caused Broly himself to suddenly remember those memories too. Which included the events on Planet Vampa. Which was one of Broly’s most traumatic moments in his life. ‘He remembers,’ She thought to herself. Knowing which memory was the one that caused Broly to shed tears. Celestia began to look at Broly in pity. Him sheading tears was a clear sign that he truly was more than a Saiyan warrior or a powerful monster. He truly was a person who had feelings. But with all that happened to him, before and after his arrival in Equestria, the constant fighting blocked out his reason for being sensitive. The trauma of his past and the effects of the mind control crown made him twisted and almost emotionless at times. But with their actions in viewing his memories, they had done far more to him than they had realised. By making him remember the sadness of his past, it might be what’s needed for him to be more sensitive and understanding. Though the idea was just a hunch, Celestia believed that it could be possible. With the sudden revelation, Celestia decided to make a bold move. Without disturbing Broly, Celestia sat down by his bed side. All the while staring at him to see if he stayed asleep. Then with gentle movements, the white Alicorn reached out her right hand and, with brief hesitation, placed her hand on the top of Broly’s sleeping head. Her fingers buried in his black shaggy hair. The Saiyan almost shifted from the sudden touch. But immediately relaxed from feeling the warm comfortable sensation as he let out a quiet moan. Calming to a point where the princess began to gently caress him. Stroking his hair as he slept. Seeing Broly subconsciously surrendering to her actions caused Celestia to wonder. In parts of his memories that they couldn’t access, was there a moment when Pruna did the same while the younger Broly was sleeping? And that what she was doing, was making Broly subconsciously remember the feeling? Celestia began to smile warmly as she continued to gently stroke Broly’s hair. She truly began to see why she reminded the sleeping Saiyan of Pruna. He saw the white Alicorn as a mother figure. In fact, what Celestia was doing was what a mother would do for her child. To reassure him that he was in good hands. That he was safe. Seeing the gentle side of Broly made Celestia feel more confident then ever. Genuinely believing that the idea of him becoming good was more of a possibility than she realised. It can happen. In the right direction, it can come true. As she continued to caress the Saiyan’s black hair, she made a mental promise to him. ‘You have suffered long enough, Broly. But no more. This time… we will treat you better.’