The Gift of Life Chapter 17
Four days later…
A plume of smoke rose from the commercial district of Everfree, shrouding Celestia’s vision of the mountains that guarded the Eternal Valley off in the distance. She could hear the bells ringing throughout the city that one of the buildings was on fire, but she gave no worry. She instead closed the blinds to shield her and Luna’s room from any possibility of watching the scene unfold in the city. She gazed over at Firemane who sat next to Luna, the mare laying on her side and staring forlornly at the floor.
“It’s the second day of the riots and they just keep getting worse,” Celestia said, walking over to sit next to Firemane. He put a wing around Celestia and sighed.
“I need to head back to the barracks and begin organizing the Royal Guards to assist the city watch,” he said. “We’re going to need every pony available if we’re to keep control of the city.”
Celestia nuzzled her nose up against his neck and gave a sigh as well. “I wish you didn’t have to go.”
“I know. I wish I didn’t either,” he said as he gave Celestia a quick kiss and got to his hooves. He looked down at Luna whom he had been comforting, and leaned down to give her a kiss behind her ear. “Everything will be alright, Luna. Your sister will still be here for you.”
Luna looked up at Firemane, but she couldn’t offer him a smile. She turned her head back down to the floor and then huddled her way up against her sister. Celestia offered a wing around her sister and then turned her attention to Firemane. He merely offered her a hopeful smile before turning to leave, closing the door behind him as quietly as he could.
“’Tia, are you going to marry Firemane one day?” Luna asked.
Celestia’s eyes widened. “I...” She stammered, “I… I uh… what?”
“You know, like, having a wedding. With flowers, a bird choir, a chocolate fountain, and two hundred guests?”
“I… don’t know, Luna,” Celestia said with a sigh, “I haven’t given it much thought. I mean, I sometimes wonder what it would be like to have a pony to love and cherish and hold while being under a love pact.”
Celestia paused and laid her head on the back of Luna’s neck.
“But then I am reminded that I am an alicorn. We do not have the mortal lives like Firemane does. While he would age like the rest of the ponies of Equestria, I would stay young and strong, until he finally died peacefully from old age. I’m not sure how I would be able to handle such a death.”
Celestia touched horns with Luna and turned her sister so that they were staring into each other’s eyes. Luna shied slightly under the intimate contact, but maintained her connection with Celestia.
“The very thought of creating such a powerful and intimate bond with another pony frightens me,” Celestia said gently to her sister. “To be connected so closely to another pony, but then to live your life knowing that you are going to outlive him or her. How could anypony possibly be able to live with that?”
“I-I’m sorry, ‘Tia. I shouldn’t-“ Luna started to say.
“Please don’t be sorry, Luna. Please,” Celestia interrupted. Tears started to well up on the sides of her eyes, but she blinked them away before Luna could catch sight of them.
“Okay,” Luna said. She broke their contact to rub her cheek against Celestia’s.
Just then there was a knock on the door. The two princesses jumped at the noise.
“Come in,” Celestia called over to the door.
The door opened, and Queen Chrysalis walked into Celestia’s and Luna’s room. She quietly shut the door behind her, and strode over to where the two sisters were sitting and took a seat next to them.
“Hi, Auntie Chrysalis,” Celestia greeted with a forced smile. “What are you doing in Everfree? It’s not-“
Chrysalis held a hoof up to her lips to silence Celestia before she could go any further. She gestured her head at Luna. Celestia looked at her sister, and glanced at the curtained window that hid the havoc outside. Sighing, she looked away and nodded at Chrysalis..
“There is no need to talk about such things,” Chrysalis said in her beautiful voice. “I have already been informed by your parents, and have been receiving daily updates ever since everything began. I came to help out.”
“What are you going to help out with?” Celestia asked, shifting her body a little to get a better look at Chrysalis.
“I think your parents would rather explain it to both you and Luna. I came to retrieve you two to see them.”
“They want to see us? Well, I guess we should get ready to go, then.” Celestia said, raising herself to her hooves. Chrysalis remained seated on the floor, however.
“Hold a moment,” she said.
Chrysalis lowered her head so that she could see eye to eye with Luna and charged up her horn in its striking red hue. Luna managed to look at Chrysalis, but her ears remained folded back and she still couldn’t give a smile.
“Hi, Luna. How are you doing today?” Chrysalis asked.
“I… I’m okay, Auntie Chrysalis,” Luna said.
“Are you sure? Can you give me a smile?”
A butterfly flew from behind Chrysalis’s head, and Luna immediately looked up so that she could see it. It floated around the Flutterpony Queen’s horn before it turned down to fly towards Luna. Her ears perked up upon seeing the butterfly fly towards her, and a smile grew upon her face as the insect landed on top of Luna’s nose.
Celestia couldn’t help but smile at the adorable sight she beheld. She walked over to Chrysalis and gave her a nudge with her nose.
“Thank you so much, Auntie,” Celestia whispered. “Luna hasn’t smiled in over a week. She has barely even eaten or slept.”
Chrysalis smiled and then rose to her hooves. “C’mon, Luna. Let’s not keep your parents waiting.”
Luna rose to her hooves, still smiling at the butterfly that hadn’t left her nose. Her wings opened slightly.
“Okay, Auntie Chrysalis,” she said.
~~~
Celestia stared with her mouth agape at her parents.
“Auntie Chrysalis is going to be teaching us Defensive Magic?” she asked.
“Yes, Queen Chrysalis shall be both you and Luna’s personal instructor for Defensive Magic,” King Sol said. “Your mother and I were going wait on introducing you to this form of magic until you two were a bit older, but, given the current circumstances, we decided it is necessary to begin your lessons now.”
“But she has a whole nation to take care of! How can she find time to teach us?” Celestia asked as she turned to face Chrysalis.
“I have left Blackheart and Commander Sunfire in charge of the Eternal Valley while I am away,” Chrysalis said with a smile. “They are both very capable leaders. I am sure there will be no trouble back home.”
Celestia turned to look back at her parents, and she could see out of the corner of her eye that Luna had the same look of surprise on her face as she did.
“When do we start our training?”
“That’s up to Chrysalis,” Queen Galactica said.
“I was hoping that we would be able to start the training immediately.” Chrysalis said. “Although I do have two of my most trusted advisors running the Eternal Valley for me, I would like to get back home as soon as possible.”
“It’s settled then.” Sol said. “Celestia, Luna, can you two hurry down to the practice range? Firemane has pulled all guards in to brief them on what is to be done with the city. There should be nopony there using it.”
“Yes, Daddy.” Celestia said.
Both she and Luna turned to leave when their mother spoke up.
“Luna, I’m glad you’re smiling again,” she said.
Celestia and Luna turned to see that both of their parents were smiling, their eyes twinkling. Celestia smiled back, and then left for the practice range with her sister.
~~~
“What is the first rule of magic?” Queen Chrysalis asked.
“Never use more magic than is necessary,” both Celestia and Luna said in unison.
“Good, this is the most important rule when it comes to using Defensive Magic. Using magic to defend yourself isn’t any more draining than a simple levitation spell, but it is easy to lose track of how much stamina you have.”
Chrysalis walked into the center of the practice range and levitated two practice dummies that had been leaned up against the fence. She placed them on either side of her, and then walked to stand in between both Celestia and Luna.
“First, we should begin with having a proper defensive stance,” Chrysalis started. “This is the very core of all defensive magic. If you do not have a proper defensive stance, you will not be able to channel your magic through your body effectively enough to use your spells to their full potential.”
Chrysalis stepped forward and then turned to face both Celestia and Luna.
“Observe how I position my legs and and my head,” she said. Chrysalis lowered her head so that her horn was pointing at a narrow arc, and spread her legs wide.
“Come and try to knock me over,” Chrysalis said.
Celestia and Luna looked at each other uneasily. Luna shoved her sister into position to charge Chrysalis, only to be pulled by Celestia so that she now was able to charge. The two princesses started to battle over who was going to be the first to charge, earning a frustrated sigh from Chrysalis.
“Are you two actually scared to tackle me?” she taunted. “I have seen you play with your father many times. Come on, who’s first?”
Luna huffed, and was the first to make a running charge for Chrysalis. Upon contact with her, Luna was greeted with what looked like a wall, and Chrysalis remained unfazed by ther tackle.
Celestia ran at Chrysalis next, hoping her larger size would be enough to knock her over. When she slammed into Chrysalis, however, her efforts were met with the same results as Luna’s, and she fell back on her flank.
In one last effort to knock Chrysalis over, both Celestia and Luna made a charge at her side. With their combined weight they were able to cause Chrysalis to sway a little, but they were still forced back onto their flanks and the queen had managed to hold her ground.
“As you can see,” Chrysalis said. “having a good defensive stance will be able to keep you on your hooves against even some of the more powerful spells. Now, I want you two to try.”
Both Celestia and Luna tried to mimic the same stance that Chrysalis had taken, spreading their legs and lowering their heads for focus.
“Okay, hold your stance,” Chrysalis instructed. She relaxed her posture and strode over to Celestia. Celestia watched as she raised her hoof to Celestia’s folded wing and pushed, causing Celestia to stumble and then fall over.
“Again,” Chrysalis said.
As Celestia was getting back to her hooves, Chrysalis walked over to Luna and did the same, resulting in Luna, too, falling over sideways.
“Again,” she said, turning from Luna and walking back to Celestia to test and see if her stance was sturdy enough.
Chrysalis again pushed Celestia’s side, except this time Celestia was able to hold her ground against Chrysalis’ powerful hoof by sliding one leg out to absorb the shock of the push. Chrysalis smiled.
“You’re learning,” she said. She turned to Luna and repeated the same push, also failing to knock Luna over as she absorbed the momentum of Chrysalis’ hoof the same way that Celestia had.
“Alright,” Chrysalis said. “I’m going to show you some of the most basic defensive spells there are. We can practice more defensive stances later when we begin sparring.”
Chrysalis moved to beyond Celestia and Luna so that the two princesses could have a clear view of the dummies in front of them.
“The first is a simple pulse spell,” Queen Chrysalis said. “A pulse spell uses the raw magic that is built up inside of you, and then projects it in the direction you wish it to go from your horn. Observe.”
Chrysalis charged her horn, encasing it in a red hue, and then shot a blast of raw magic towards one of the dummies. The magic connected perfectly with the dummy’s head, burning a hole straight through it. She smiled proudly, and then looked down at Celestia and Luna.
Celestia gaped at what was left of the dummy’s head.
“Auntie Chrysalis, you said that later we were going to be sparring. What if one of us hits the other?” she asked, gesturing towards the burn hole.
“Don’t worry, Celestia,” Chrysalis said. “I will also be teaching you and Luna defensive shield spells that can protect you from the heat energy of magic. You’ll be safe when we begin sparring together.”
Chrysalis walked to stand on the other side of Celestia. “Your turn.”
Celestia was the first to charge up her horn. Her horn lit up in a golden-yellow hue as she started to gather the magic that was inside of her body. When she felt like she had gather enough magic, she expelled the raw energy from her horn directly at the dummy. The dummy exploded in a wave of heat and dust.
“That may have been too much power,” Chrysalis observed. “A little less and you would have done perfectly, Celestia. You only want to use as much magic as you can spare when attacking with raw energy, otherwise you will quickly expend your reserves and leave yourself too exhausted when more complicated spells are called upon you.”
Chrysalis moved to step behind Luna. “Even though you two are alicorns and contain much larger reservoirs of magic compared to unicorns, you still have finite supply of magic before you need to rest and recharge. Luna, why don’t you try hitting the dummy?”
Celestia watched as her sister stuck her tongue out in concentration and charged up her horn, illuminating it in a dark blue hue. Luna then fired off a bolt of the raw magic, missing her target completely and instead striking one of the weapon racks at the far end of the practice range. Celestia cringed at the noise of ten swords or spears all crashing onto the ground at the same time.
“Sorry,” Luna sighed.
“Don’t worry about it, Luna,” Chrysalis said gently. “It was only your first time using a spell that required direct aim instead instead of a mental image. I was surprised that your sister was able to hit the dummy on her first try.”
Celestia was about to give a retort when Chrysalis gently kicked her in the side. She pouted at the Flutterpony Queen, but was met with a sly, beautiful smile.
“Anyways,” Chrysalis started. “let’s try this a few more times, and then I’ll move on to show you two a few more defensive spells.”
~~~
As the hours of practice dragged on into the afternoon, plume upon plume of smoke rose from the city. She could hear the bells off in the distance. She was about to say something to Chrysalis, when Chrysalis turned and looked towards the smoke hanging over the city.
“I... think we should head inside. Come on, Celestia, Luna. Practice is done for the day,” Chrysalis said.
As Celestia and Luna were ushered into the castle by their tutor, Celestia gave one last look at the darkening sky of Everfree. The smoke was forming its own clouds, and the pegasus weather teams were having trouble dispersing the nimbus. She gave a sigh when the massive doors that led to the practice range were shut.
“Alright, you two are free to do whatever you want. I need to go and talk some more with your parents,” Chrysalis said, a little hint of worry in her voice.
“Auntie Chrysalis, is it alright if I accompany you?” Celestia asked.
“I-I don’t see why not,” Chrysalis said, quickly turning away from the two princesses. “This way then. Would you like to come with us, Luna?”
Celestia looked down at Luna.
“I... I...” Luna started to say, tears welling up in her eyes.
“Luna, I thin-” Celestia started.
“No, ‘Tia. I want to come,” Luna interrupted, looking up at her sister. Celestia looked up at Chrysalis, but the Flutterpony managed to keep a stoic face before turning to leave.
The three walked on in silence towards the throne room. As they were passing along the many massive windows that overlooked different parts of the city, they could see towers of smoke rising from different areas of the city, as well as ponies congregating in mass against the guards that were protecting key points of the city. At one point she saw that a small fight had broken out between the two groups, and she quickly turned her head away so she wouldn’t have to witness the outcome.
Celestia turned to look at Luna, and saw that Luna had begun to droop her head. She inched closer to Luna and placed her wing around her as they walked.
Soon, all three ponies had reached the throne room. Chrysalis grabbed hold of one of the doors with her magic and gracefully pushed it open. She allowed for both of the princesses to get inside before she closed it behind them, and then seemingly enchanted the door with a spell Celestia couldn’t quite discern.
“King Sol, Queen Galactica,” Chrysalis called out to the two royalty sitting on the thrones.
“Queen Chrysalis, how fared the training?” King Sol responded.
“Your daughters are exceptional learners,” Chrysalis replied. “We accomplished much today, although there is still plenty that could use work.”
“I’m glad to hear it. What brings you here at this time of day?” Sol asked.
“The riots are getting out of control, Sol,” Chrysalis stated. “I could see multiple fires breaking out as I was training your daughters, as well as being able to hear the shouts from the rioters and the guards alike. Something more needs to be done or you will have a full fledged civil revolt on your hands.”
“And what would you have us do?” Galactica inquired. “We are already stretched thin on resources as is. The majority of the Royal Guard have joined the city watch in an attempt to keep the peace among the city streets. We have expended almost all of our messengers sending them to the cities all over Equestria to gain updates on the riots.”
“Call upon the assistance of your allies,” Chrysalis stepped forward and stood at the foot of the steps up to the throne chairs, “No doubt the Night Guard will quickly come to your aid to keep the peace amongst Equestria. Take advantage of their powerful legions to subdue the masses.”
“Are you suggesting we enact martial law?” Galactica asked, tilting her head a bit.
“If that is required, then yes.” Chrysalis firmly stated, keeping her eyes trained on Sol and Galactica.
“You want us to declare martial law on Equestria?” Sol asked a second time. He turned to look at Galactica.
The entire room remained silent. Her parents looked torn on making a decision.
“Martial law has never before been declared on Equestria,” Sol began, raising himself from his chair and walking over to the window to look out onto Everfree. “In the thousand years that this nation has existed, from the time when the three races first discovered this land to escape the Windigoes, never have the citizens become so disgruntled that we have thought about bringing martial law upon this land.”
He paused and turned to look at Chrysalis.
“You ask much of us, Chrysalis. You ask us to throw away our democracy for a time in order to restore peace to this nation. Is this our only option, or is there another we can use?”
“Perhaps our reign has finally come to an end, Sol,” Galactica said, walking from her chair to stand next to Chrysalis. “Perhaps we have ruled this land long enough. The citizens can look after themselves, and there are much darker things that we should devote our time to.”
“Galactica, the citizens cannot rule this nation by themselves,” Sol said. “Look at how they squabble over lands, ponies, and power. Corruption will run rampant through its political system in a matter of years. Would you be able to watch as our home for a thousand years suddenly crumbled without our rule?”
Galactica opened her mouth to respond to Sol when there was a knock of the throne room door. Sol looked over at Luna and Celestia.
“Could one of you open the door?” he asked.
Celestia trotted over to the door and used her magic to take hold of it. She could feel that Chrysalis’ magic was still present on the door, and upon further inspection she recognized it as a silencing spell. She opened the door to greet the pony who was waiting to enter. It was one of the pegasus messengers.
“Is the king and queen available?” the pegasus asked.
“Yes, this way,” Celestia responded, opening the door wider to allow the pegasus through.
Once he had completely gotten through the door, she closed the door behind him and released her magical grip. The pegasus quickly trotted up to the king and queen, who were now standing next to each other with Chrysalis standing off to the side. He stopped halfway across the room.
“Oh, I hope I wasn’t interrupting something, your majesties.” the pegasus politely said.
“It is of no trouble. What news do you bring?” Sol asked.
The pegasus cleared his throat. “Sir, the largest mass of rioters has congregated in front of the castle gates. Fanatic is at their head and wishes to speak with the entire royal family.”
“Fanatic is here? In the city?” Galactica asked. “What does he want?”
“He will not say, your majesty.”
Galactica turned to look at Sol, who was staring back out across Everfree. Celestia gazed out the window in her father’s direction. She saw the carnage that had spread across the city over the course of two days. Sections of the city laid in ruin from fires that had been started by the rioters, while the streets were littered with debris. Celestia cringed when she though she saw ponies lying amongst the debris.
“This needs to end,” Sol said quietly. “We are going to figure out what it is Fanatic wants. Let’s go.”
He turned and stormed out of the room, throwing the doors to the throne room open with a terrible slam. Galactica, Celestia, and Luna followed after him at a brisk trot.
~~~
Celestia watched as the massive gates to the castle started to open with a horrible groan. Dust fell from the sides of the door, and slowly she could see the crowd of ponies grow larger the more the doors opened. The sounds of angry chanting grew louder. She could feel Luna huddle up next to her.
“Luna, whatever happens, just stay behind mother and father,” Celestia said, putting a wing around her sister. Her legs felt like they were going to collapse under her, and she could feel her heart race inside her chest.
Sol looked at Galactica and nodded. She gave him a look that almost looked pleading, but he ignored it and stepped forward. His enormous wings were spread to their full size as he stopped before the ponies that had gathered before the castle gates.
“Fanatic of Fillydelphia, step forward!” King Sol shouted, enhancing the volume of his voice.
An earth pony stepped forward from the crowd, giving himself noticeably enough room between Sol and himself, so that he may retreat into the crowd of the king decided to attack him. He had a smug smiled adorned on his face. The rest of the ponies behind him fell silent.
“King Sol. Fancy seeing you leave the safety of your castle. The food inside run out yet?” Fanatic asked.
“You came here to address my family, so here we are. What is it you want?” Sol growled, his eyes burning with intense anger.
“Straight to the point? No chit chat about my horrible deeds or misgivings? I was expecting a little more fun from the King of Equestria.” Fanatic smirked.
Sol charged his horn, enveloping it in a dark blue hue. “I suggest you answer my question,” he said.
Fanatic frowned. “A wise suggestion. I guess I might as well state my business. I have come to negotiate an end to the hostilities between us. I realized that my demands were a little... harsh to start off. Perhaps it will be better if we were to discuss terms on more even grounds?”
“Why the sudden change of heart?” Sol asked.
“Can a pony not feel regret for his actions, Sol? I have watched this city become torn apart by my very eyes. No longer do I wish to see the towers of smoke rising all over the city. No longer do I wish to see ponies robbed of their possessions or of their lives. It all started because I spoke out against something I felt was wrong. My charisma pushed the citizens to their limits, and as a result, Everfree is now smoking and ruined.”
Fanatic took a few steps forward.
“I have no doubt that many of the rioters who stand before you now feel the same as I do. Hear us out, Sol and Galactica. Hear out what it is the people demand of you. It is all that we ask for.”
Sol narrowed his eyes, but dissipated the energy that had been encasing his horn. “I, too, wish to see an end to these hostilities. We are more than willing to listen to the terms of the people. We shall discuss this on the morrow.”
Sol then turned to leave the crowd of ponies. The gates to the castle started to close, slowing shrinking the size of the group of ponies who were standing outside of the gates. Celestia strained her ears to get the last audible sounds from the crowd.
“Glad to hear it.” Fanatic said, and Celestia could see a wicked smile spreading across his face as the gates to the castle closed.
~~~
Here you guys go, another chapter out and ready to be read. I more than likely will not be coming out with another chapter for a week or so. I have become drained of writing between finals and volunteering, and I just do not have the drive to write a chapter in a couple of days. I will be taking a small break, but this is not a hiatus! I begin my winter break next week so expect more chapters (hopefully!) more frequently.
A huge thank you to Naes345 and whisperingsage as my editors!
Next chapter is Chapter 18: Ultimatum