//------------------------------//
// Alicorns - Power 
// Story: The Alicorn Book 
// by Nova Star Sparkle 
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* Chapter Three - Part 2 *





Once Twilight had her answer and knew what she intended to say the young lavender mare spoke to her two older companions.

“We are an embodiment of all three pony tribes. The Strength of Earth ponies, the flight abilities of pegasi and the magic of unicorns. But have far greater control and strength at our display. And are able to fulfill with these powers tasks, that others see as devine and unachievable. Alicorns are also known to live incredibly long, some even saying forever - Well, and from what I have learned recently, that is indeed true.

Clearing her throat to sort out her thoughts, Twilight continued.

“And because of all that some consider alicorns as goddesses. Oh yes, and surprisingly all four of us are female for some untold reason. But that pretty much is everything else, that I know so far about  me as an alicorn.”

Twilight summarized smiling fondly. Luna and Celestia did as well. Luna was the next pony to speak.

“As I earlier said I knew you were smart, I first recognized it when I encountered you and your friends. Your knowledge and leading abilities truly had surprised me. Still so young, but able to make decisions like a seasoned leader.” Smiling Luna added. “I have no doubt why your friends are so fond of executing your ideas - often even without second thoughts. "True" friends, like the ones you have in Ponyville, provide you and one another with endless, unbreakable loyalty. Ponys overall may be very cooperative and friendly towards each other - most of the time anyway. But the depth of your bond, with your friends is an gift not granted to many. As far as I know it's unheard for more than 15.000 years by now.”

Luna afterwards raised her Front hoof to indicate a serious matter.

“And all that at your youthful age - But honestly in retrospect, it was expected of a pony that reveals itself later to be an alicorn. Especially if this alicorn happens to be the alicorn of friendship. A pony basically capable of befriending anyone and anything in a matter of minutes, without having trouble to weave said bonds - almost like they come naturally to that mare. I should honestly congratulate her at some time, if I happen to meet her", Luna winked and managed to get Twilight reddening in various shades. Giggling she continued. "We´re experts at leading and educating others.” Luna finished with a big smile and a light reverent nudge of her head. And Celestia followed suit as well.

Touched by this, Twilight returned the gesture with equal respect. All three alicorns afterwards were still for some seconds, until Twilight took the word.

Thanks’ Luna!”

“Nothing to thank dearest!“

"Nethertheless, I have one more thing to ask. Do you yourself think that we are goddesses?", Luna addressed Twilight curiously. A question she thought was fitting as she really wanted to know what Twilight’s answer would be. The Mare always was a modest pony, who sometimes even put others to much before herself. As there always were people that took the whole hand, if you offered them a finger.

Shrugging Twilight replied. "Would it matter? I will proceed to do what I think is right for all ponies no matter what they say about me. And no matter how hard I would try to convince others, that I´m not...Some would always see you, Cadance, Celestia as well as me as goddesses. So, I will simply accept it. It might sound sometimes tough to be a god, a symbol of perfection and living up to what is expected of said, but If they say I´m a deity, that´s what I am.“

Just nooding, Luna acknowledged Twilight’s answer. „And that's exactly what I expected to hear from you. I can only say, I have the same feelings. We do what we think is right, no matter if ponies see us as more than a pony, praise and worship us or are just there.“

Luna then turned to her sister with a mischievous grin.

"Tia? Are you going to enlighten Twilight in the next thing? Or are you still to fancy for that?"

Ignoring the teasing but sticking her tongue out cheekily at Luna, Celestia turned to Twilight. I'll get you back for this, sister. Best always look behind you from now on.

"Apart from the fact that Luna seems to have just suffered brain damage, I'll be happy to explain the next special thing about ourselves."

While Celestia paused for a moment, ignoring her sister sticking out her tongue as well she had put her right hoof over her heart, because Twilight was more than good at the expression of being adorably exited with pointed ears and softly rustling wings. And Celestia preferred to reassure herself once too often that she had not suffered a heart attack as a result. Technically it was impossible for an alicorn and their hearts were just an fancy organ completely without actual survival use, but by looking at Twilight - Well Celestia wasn't so sure anymore. Once she was confident that her heart was still beating and she woudln´t die in the next minute Celestia could continue.

"We alicorns, as we have both explained, belong to the Immortal Beings - That's also pretty much all you know so far about our immortality. But that means much more than not being able to die. In short summary: Every remarkable species needs their own Immortal to be able to live. If the Immortal dies, then the species is damned to extinction in a few generations."

Before Celestia could continue, Twilight intervened rather energetically and flustered. "Wait! Wait. So, you're telling me that the four of us are vital for the survival of the pony tribes from becoming extinct in a few generations? That's quite a burden, though, and one heck of a danger, too, I might add."

Chuckling softly with a hoof held out, Celestia calmed Twilight down once more. "Take it easy. Yes, it's true. My point is that without the four of us, as the immortals of the pony tribes, there would be no chance of survival at all in the long run for all ponies. The same is true for all the other major races in the universe. If one of the immortals were to die, it would be the certain end for all of the same species."

"But I can assure you, so far none of us immortals have been killed. As we are so incredibly important to the continuation of our species, hurting or even killing us is no easy task." Celestia paused for a moment and then continued, chuckling softly. "And well, an alicorn takes it to a whole other level anyway."

Now Luna took the lead. "And it is for this very same reason that once every one hundred years all the immortals of the cosmos gather in the "Council of Immortals". A secret and protected place where we consult or make alliances between each other on how to effectively secure and prevent anything so terrible from happening to any of us. And by doing so, we can also preclude any of the species from facing the horror of extinction."

Wrinkling the corners of her mouth in a less than pleased expression, Luna continued. "And as I'm sure you can imagine, the realization that there were only a few generations to live. Would cause any species, no matter how highly civilized, to fall into pure anarchy. In a hopeless attempt to somehow still avert fate."

Neither Celestia nor Twilight wanted to picture that thought longer than a second in their minds. So they tried to dismiss it as fast as possible and Celestia changed the subject to a more pleasant one.

"That is why it is of the highest priority that we all attend this meeting and ensure that such a scenario never becomes a reality. And now that you are an alicorn yourself, you are most welcome to attend the next gathering in just under 29 years. If you wish, you can also write and conduct the speech in which we briefly describe if there were any problems since the last time. I think I can speak for all of us when I say it would be a great honor."

Luna nodded eagerly in response, rustling her wings slightly in delight as she got a little more comfortable.

Lightly embarrassed and moved, Twilight once again ran a little crimson and fanned her wings. But was still able to speak her thoughts.

"Thank you Celestia. As well as you Luna, too. You both don't know how much this means to me, that you have such great trust in myself. It would be a huge honor for me, too, if I could write and hold the speech for you at the next Council meeting." Pausing briefly. "But don't you think the other members might be outraged if someone as young and inexperienced as me. Make such an elementally important speech at an assembly like this?", Twilight wanted to know, slightly anxious and with her ears partially laid back.

Casting the thought aside with a sideways movement of her hoof, Celestia encouraged Twilight anew.

"Phh, trust me these are utterly empty fears. More likely the opposite will be the case. They will praise you for your courage in braving to speak in front of so many of them. Despite the fact that you are much younger and in terms of life experience, as you said yourself, you still have a lot more to learn. The Council of Immortals partly consists of beings who have lived for unthinkable periods of time from the point of view of mortals. We all have far too great responsibilities for us to be corrupted by such marginal things as mutual hatred or imprudent action. We respect each other, for whoever attends the council has earned his place there as well."

"Moreover, the Alicorn has a special status among the Immortals in the Council, which should make things a lot easier for you - since we are different from other Immortals in some aspects. We also have close ties and alliances with just about every single member - Only with the Shadow Dragon Immortal, Xara, we have yet to form an alliance." Grimacing, Celestia continued. "How shall I put it - she is a little bit more than difficult and suspicious towards others. So far, none of us have managed to get more out of her than was necessary to avoid jeopardizing the safety of us all."

Looking deeply into Twilight's eyes, Celestia continued after a quick sip from her teacup. "But you are the alicorn of friendship, I'm sure it won't take you more than 5 minutes to make Xara a friend and convince her that she could trust you with her own eggs. That's also why I'm so happy for the next meeting, because I'm really interested to learn more about the Shadow Dragons. They have some more than interesting characteristics at times." Celestia finished, giving Twilight an appreciative nod.

After a brief reddening of the cheeks, Twilight gave her answer back to the two older alicorns.

"I think the pleasure will be all mine then. I'm already looking forward to writing the speech. Eeeee that's going to be so awesome.", Twilight squealed towards the end.

The other two princesses laughed and a short time later, after a short pout, Twilight joined in the laughter.

"Oh Twilight, please never change. That's the way I like you best,", Luna laughed hard. It took her several tries, as her whole body twitched with spasms of laughter.

Also having trouble speaking, Twilight gave her answer back to the older princess.

"I will try. But no promises on my part."

The three mares then laughed and joked with each other for several more minutes until they all slowly regained their composure. After each was able to sit without breaking out in renewed prompt laughter. Twilight floated the teapot to her once more and poured herself some more tea, having almost nothing left in the cup. She then looked at the other two with a slightly wry and questioning look, asking if the others also wanted some more tea.

Celestia kindly denied, but Luna held her cup closer to Twilight, so that the young mare could refill her cup.

After all present were supplied, Twilight put the pot back to its old place. But not before she shook the jug slightly back and forth, realizing that it was almost out of tee. Quickly she filled it up again with a simple water spell.

Luna and Celestia meanwhile took a few sips from their respective cups. Afterwards they waited until Twilight had also drunk something and put her cup back on the floor next to her.

Clearing her throat to sort out her thoughts, Luna began to talk anew.

"I guess we can now continue with our round of explanation?

At an approving nod from the other two mares in the room, Luna continued unrelatedly.

"As my sister had mentioned, we alicorns have a special status in the Council. This is not solely because we have exceptionally strong abilities. But largely because we possess two very unique and powerful aspects."

"You see, an alicorn is, with the exception of the draconequus Discord, the only being that can be called ´True Immortal´ - and yes, I'm well aware that you're dying to know what the heck that means," Luna hastly added, seeing Twilight's wings twitching wildly with tension and also having trouble keeping herself in check.

Okay...I knew Twilight was very interested in new knowledge. Normally at this level of expectant excitement, I would really worry about her health, if she wasn't an alicorn. But a simple anti-sound spell should be enough, once I start explaining to her. Just to be on the safe side. Don't want the whole army rushing here, to try breaking down the door. Even if they wouldn't even manage to dent it in the slightest.

At this thought, Luna activated her horn in characteristic magic and cast a sound-absorbing spell on the entire room that prevented outsiders from hearing what was going on inside. The spell on the walls brighely shimmering, until it faded out of view not two seconds later. 

That little problem out of the way, Luna happily turned her attention back to the overly enthusiastic ball of fluff that was somehow Princess Twilight Sparkle. She had to smirk, once she saw the full view in front of her.

"Please Twilight. Don't get high on joy, we don't want a repeat of before, do we?"

Looking somewhat caught and embarrassed, Twilight hastily apologized, albeit somewhat loudly. Though she had very much heard the amusement in Luna's voice.

"SORRY!"

Laughing to herself, Celestia replied more quickly than Luna.

"There's nothing you have to apologize for. I can very well understand your enthusiasm, Twilight. I'm pretty sure I'd be just as impatient in your situation. So it's better if we start at once with going deeper into the theme. Agree?"

As Twilight nodded, having caught herself almost fully. Celestia looked back to her sister, indicating her with also a nodding gesture that she could resume.

Also nodding that she understood, Luna continued.

"So, back to the question, what is a ´True Immortal´? It's actually really quite simple, the only real difference of an Immortal to a True Immortal, is the fact that we are no longer bound by the concept of life and death. And yes, that means we transcend the boundaries that normally limit any living being, whether mortal; immortal; spiritual; conceptual or otherwise. No matter what would happen to reality, we would be unaffected by it on all levels and could continue to live as we did before. Also we possess a kind of Cosmic Awareness, bound to our Cosmic Powers. What that is, could be better learned from a book. I will give it to you latter this day, if thats okay with you."

Luna had to pause for a moment as Twilight's look was more than irritated. She had furrowed her brow in bewilderment, because as it seemed, she still had medium difficulties to believe just off the top of her head that there could be a being. That was able to bypass laws that were otherwise unavoidable, just like that. Disregarding Discord for once, since as the spirit of chaos he already made no sense to others anyway.

Somehow comprehending it as well, as that was already a more than curious thought, Luna nodded to her Alicorn friend with a good-natured smile.

"Believe me Twilight. If you knew how much Celestia and I had doubted that statement for the first time. Then you would know that I'm not telling you nonsense. So, I suggest you let me tell you what I know and then you can ask questions at the end if you have still any. Okay?"

Nodding in agreement, Twilight gave her silent answer.

"Alright, where was I again? Ah yes, I was explaining to you that we are unaffected by our surroundings physically and mentally. I wasn't joking about either of it. Our existence is just simply of too immense importance for us alicorns to get along with just normal forces."

Starting to make a scene, to indulge a mysterious atmosphere, just out of fun. Luna let her voice drop a few notes and explained further. "Besides, the Alicorn species is much older than you might think. Consequently, we are preserved and protected by the power of the oldest magic there is, the magic of the Divine: Or in simpler words - > pure Alicorn magic - and you have experienced, even with your short power hiccup, how potent our magical powers are."

"We will get deeper into the thematic, in just a couple of minutes. But after I told you why we're so different from the other immortals. And why we have such a special status among them, that you believe what I explained to you a minute ago."Finished Luna, looking again deep into the clear, sharp eyes of the lavender colored alicorn opposite her.

True, Twilight didn't say anything or move for the first few minutes after Luna stopped talking. Nevertheless, it was evident in her eyes that she was thinking at a breakneck pace, probably impossible for most to realize and to complex to understand. As she sorted and processed the individual information.

After she had sorted out her thoughts as far as possible, Twilight shock her head and raised her voice again.

"Okay, if I've understood correctly, you've just told me that we have highly unique abilities. Which make us independent of space and time, so we can pretty much do whatever we want. As well as protect us from critical dangers that could hinder our existence."

Twilight then briefly looked Luna in the eye to make sure that everything she had put together was correct.

Luna nodded briefly, because so far Twilight had interpreted everything correctly. And I don't assume that our dear Twilight has misunderstood anything.

"The powers we possess are in their nature derived from our own alicorn magic and further strengthen us. I assume possibly other allies as well. Which in reverse means, that we have more power to strengthen us. And thus, our forces continue to grow. Which means we possess more power in our position." Twilight then rolled her hoof in a circle to indicate that she could go on and on with the thought.


* End of Chapter Three - Part 2 *