Sacrifice and Creation
Eight years have gone by since arriving on the planet to undergo our magic training. I have learned so much about magic in that time, thanks to the Doctor. Many times I had felt he would be unable to teach us, do to the fact he was an Earth pony, but he never failed to surprise me. When I was stuck on a spell he would often give me advice and encouragement that would spur me on to completion. His knowledge of magic and of things in general was staggering, sometimes I had a hard time believing he was just a normal pony. Sometimes when he thinks neither me nor my sister are around I can hear him mutter in despair. So much pain he hides from us, I wonder if he will ever reveal who he really is?
My magic skills have increased since my failure with the Firebird. From that experience I found I affinity for fire magic. The Doctor explained to me that due to my connection to the Sun I had control over the base element of fire. He told me that I could summon it up and control it if I desired. He gave me the example of my mother who could also do things with fire that were both dazzling and freighting. The Doctor also revealed that I had control over the greater element of light. I could project mirages of myself or others, if I wanted or even turn it into a weapon. Apparently in time if I focus my training I could master light and turn invisible or even travel at the speed of it.
My sister has been doing much better in her magic as well. I help her with the dream walking as we sleep. Ever since the encounter in the Doctor's dreams she refuses to ever enter his again. Her abilities in the dream world has improved over time, though she is not like father she is a comfort to have there with me. She too has control over elements as well much like me, but the opposite. Her abilities are over the base element water and greater element shadow. Her manipulation of water is going well, though she has an easier time with it when frozen. When she learns more about her shadow abilities she will be able to cast illusion and travel in them, much like father.
Today I fly around playing in the air weaving between day and night, having long ago over come the weakness of before. Below me the planet that has become my temporary home. I can see my sister as she laughs at the antics of a small creature that we come across while we lived here. The creature has long ears, hops, and looks much like a bunny, however it meows like a cat my sister has named it a, "Cabbit". The creature is strange, but friendly as my sister giggles at it. The Doctor is inside the TARDIS as of recent he has been letting us self train. Normally I would alright with this arrangement, but this has been going on for three days, he has never left us alone for this long.
"Celestia," calls the Doctor breaking me out of my thoughts. "Come down here I need to speak to both you and Luna," he says as I land and see the worry on his face.
"What is it Grandfather?," asked my sister as she too notices the worry in his expression.
"I don't know how to break this to you gently," hearing this only made me worry. "So I will tell you outright. We are going to have to leave this planet soon," he told us sadly.
"Why is that Doctor? Are we going back to Equestria?," I ask feeling he is not telling us everything.
"We are leaving because this planet is going to die soon," I look at him in shock my mind going blank. "As for Equestria I can try and direct us to it," he responded as I tried to make sense of what he told us.
"What do you mean the planet is dying Grandfather?," my sister managed to squeak out clearly in shock too.
"Well it is not the planet itself, but the moon," he corrected as I look over at the Moon. "The magic inside the moon is fading and the magical field that is around it will shrink as a result. Eventually the field will no longer touch the planet and without the moon's magic I fear this planet will die," he sadly explained to us.
"How long do we have? When will it start?," I ask scared I might not like the answer.
"It has already started," came the Doctor's morbid reply. "You only need to look at the TARDIS to confirm it," I glace over to the TARDIS wondering what he meant. All I can see it the blue color of the ship as it is fully bathed in the light of the Sun. My mind reels as I realize what is wrong with my observation, the TARDIS should not be covered in sun light. Half should be covered in night, but it is not the night has receded no longer touching the ship.
"Is there anything we can do Grandfather?," cried my panicked sister. I also wanted to know if there was any way to save our temporary planet home.
"I am afraid not," he said dejectedly. "I studied everything I could for the past few day hoping I could find a way. Unfortunately I can not stop the course of nature," the Doctor spoke somberly.
"What about us Grandfather?," spoke up my sister. "We have an attachment to the moon perhaps we can save it, perhaps even Celestia can aid us," she spoke in hope of saving the planet.
"Your heart is in the right place Luna, don't ever let you kindness go," he spoke with a small smile. "Unfortunately even if you and your sister poured all of you magic into the moon you would only delay the inevitable. The magic would still recede and the planet would still perish," he told us sadly.
"So there is nothing we can do?," I ask and he only nods confirming my fears. I want to yell at him bring some sense back to him. That is not how he taught us he never believed in giving up, yet here he is doing just that. What happened to the Doctor who once said, "there is always a way," well I won't give up even if he has. "That is it then you just going to give up and let this planet die," wanting him to get angry.
"I told you I looked at every option I could," he snapped back at me. "I don't want this planet to die, not even the TARDIS has the power to return the moon to the way it was," he huffed as he stopped his eyes widening at some realization. "There may be a way, however it may be slim," he spoke as excitement lite up in his eyes once more. "Celestia, Luna into the TARDIS we have a planet to save," he spoke swiftly as we followed him back into the TARDIS. I was glad he was back to normal.
"What do you plan on doing Grandfather?," she asked looking much happier at the thought of saving the planet.
"Something that will reset the magic of the moon," we both looked at him curiously about what he meant. "I cannot stop the flow of time or nature, but I believe I can reset it to how it was. However to do so I must ask if you are both willing to sacrifice your way home to do so?," he looks at us both as we process the request.
In order to save the planet we currently call home we must be willing to sacrifice our trip home to do so. It is a lot for us to process. The Doctor explained it all to us and how he could make a device that could reset the moon's magic. He told us that he would have to use our parents beacon in the device. It apparently holds the magical data needed to reset the moon. However it is also was way back to our home as well. It's function was to get us here then we would follow the beacon back set for how many years we been gone. Without it their would be no telling what year we would return to Equesteria.
There was another sacrifice that had to be made as well. The beacon would need to be stabilized in order to do that we needed to use an important piece of the Doctor's ship. The piece would stabilize, but also act as a reset timer making sure the moon's power never fades. However, the piece allows him to direct where the ship goes in the universe. Without it we would travel randomly place to place and could possibly never see Equestria again. There was also the risk that even if we make this sacrifice that it may not work and we gave it all up for nothing.
"We will do it Doctor," confident in my sister's and I decision. He smiles at us and starts to work on the device, "a mix of magic and science," the Doctor calls it. We watch and help where we can on the device, it needing some enchantments for it to work. The time past quickly as we worked together to save a lone planet and soon we were ready to launch the device to the moon.
"Whatever happens I am proud of you both," spoke the Doctor in support of us. "It is not an easy decision to give up one's home," he speaks as if he made the choice before. "You will have many difficult decision much like this one, just remember think of other's before yourself and you will never go wrong," he grins to us giving a well meaning lesson.
We launch the device and watch as it disappears somewhere on the large moon. We soon all enter the TARDIS and prepare to take off. Unfortunately we cannot stay to see the results of our work, we can only hope. The ship starts up as we watch the screen as the planet that was our temporary home disappears from view. Our hopes on the success of saving the planet. As the ship starts to rattle and shake. I can here my sister panic cries as the Doctor tries to find the source. I try to calm my sister as another jolt happens and my world falls into darkness.
I awaken my head pounding as I see both my sister and the Doctor on the floor. "Luna!," I cry out rushing to her using my hooves to shake her awake. "Doctor!," I can hear his groans as mumbles to himself and gets up. My sister waking up beneath me as I let her up. "What happened?," looking at the Doctor hoping he had an answer.
"One moment," he replies looking over his instruments. "This is interesting. It appears as if nothing is wrong with the ship everything is in working order," clearly shocked as he checks over the ship. "It also seems that we have landed," he turns on the scanner to make sense of it.
"Grandfather I don't see anything," she was right nothing is what we saw on the screen. "Are we in space just floating? All I see is black," she commented at the sight we see on the screen.
"No, we would still be able to see stars," observing the screen with us. "While it appears we are floating we are in fact not. It is a small area, however we have landed on something. Perhaps an asteroid," he theorizes.
"I don't like it Doctor," I speak my mind. "We should leave he there is nothing here," wanting to leave this desolate place.
"Strange that the TARDIS landed here," stuck in his own thoughts and not listening to me. "It is almost as if .... Ah I know where we are," the Doctor grins excited. "Has the day finally come? I have waited so long. I need to get ready," I watch as the Doctor moves around quickly giddy with excitement. I have never seen the Doctor act like this in the years I have known him. He is acting like a colt on his birthday or a young teen stallion getting ready for a date, he was even checking his mane.
"Well what are you two doing? You need to get ready as well," we both had no idea what was going on as the Doctor pranced around. "Go to the closet your always snooping around in Celestia. Find something nice to wear and bring your sister with you," as I tried to hold back the blush at his accusation. I lead my sister from the lively Doctor and to the closet of dresses I like to occasionally look through. I do not know what has gotten the Doctor so excited as I select a dress that I believe will fit me, hopefully I will soon find out.
We arrive in the main area dressed up. I wearing a light blue dress with some orange and gold, it reminded me of my mother. My sisters dress a striking sliver color much like our father's mane, even after all this time we miss them both. We are shocked to see the TARDIS doors open wide, we can only believe the Doctor must of already left. We both leave the ship at the same time ready to use magic if needed.
The air outside is cold and desolate there is not a single star in space, in fact there is nothing at all. Space is completely empty void of everything, the only thing in it was us and the rock we landed on. I spot the Doctor as he just stands there looking into the endlessness.
"I never thought I would ever reach here," breaking the silence as I trot next to him. "Yet here I am," he spoke with happy tears in his eyes.
"Where are we Grandfather?," my sister spoke as we both wonder what we were missing. "How is this possible?," making reference to the fact we were in space without protection, yet alive.
"We are at the beginning and we were invited, I am the guest of honor," he said proudly as he continued to look into the emptiness. "We are all going to meet somepony very important and witness something grand," as he knew something that we didn't as we looked into space hoping to see what he spoke of.
There was a small flicker of light in the blackness a glimmer that appeared in the bleakness. A star born of nothing formed in front of our eyes. Then another and another stars were popping into existence rapidly one after another and then every exploded into color. To described the myriad of colors and feelings at this moment no words I could come up with would ever do it justice. I am not fully sure what I am seeing, but I know I never forget it.
In the center of it all was a star that shined brighter than the rest. From that star a form came out as if born of the star itself. The first thing I noticed were the wings long and elegant as the being flew towards us. I grew excited as I noticed the pony shape and horn atop the head. It was an Alicorn, I hoped it was my mother. That hope was dashed as it got closer it was a mare, however the coat and mane will wrong. A pure white coat that seemed to shimmer and dance before my eyes. The mane red and alive like fire giving off it own warm glow. Her cutie mark was that of a feather inside of a ink well.
"May I present to you the Goddess of Creation, Lady Faust," spoke the Doctor recognizing the Alicorn. I was in shock the being before me is a Goddess the creator of everything. Now I knew what I was seeing the birth of a universe, my universe. I was witnessing the start of it all. I couldn't help but bow when the rock came up to meet her as she landed before the Doctor.
"Greetings my Guardian of Time," she spoke her voice calm and soothing draining one of all stress and worry. "I have made you wait such a long time my dear Watcher. You were just a colt when I saw you last," her hoof touching his muzzle lifting it to meet her eyes.
"It was worth the wait for the moment like this my Lady," the Doctor spoke meeting her eyes. He spoke as if enamored with her treating her like nopony before as an equal.
"Even now you flatter me," she laughed her giggles bring joy to me. "You have suffered much my Knight and your eyes tell me so. Do regret your promise to me?,"
"Never, you saved me on that day," speaking softly to her. "I saw things I should of never seen, but I also saw the way things could be and it was beautiful. I wanted nothing more than to make what I saw real," he told her with passion and fire in his eyes.
"That is what drew me to save you the selflessness to help and create a brighter world," the Goddess revealed to him. "My dear ... Doctor, it was I who stripped your name from you how can you forgive me?," she spoke sadly as I wanted to cry with her.
"It was I who gave it willingly," he grinned. "I have had marvelous adventures and met some good friends thanks to the gift you given me," as he seemed to look beyond us at the TARDIS.
"Your journey is far from over and much suffering for you will follow. Do you still wish to be my Guardian, my Knight?," the Doctor smirks and nods. "Come with me we have much to discuss," the ground lifts them away so we can no longer listen in.
I do not know what they speak of I can only sense the Goddesses emotions. Some are of joy, while others of sadness, and some I cannot fully understand. I look over to my sister as she waits with me. I can tell she wishes to know what they speak of. The wait is not long as their talk comes to an end and she brings them both down.
"My dear young mares, Celestia and Luna," the Goddess acknowledging us. "So many questions rolling around your heads wanting to be answered," knowing our thoughts and feelings. "I have seen your noble sacrifice that you made and will let you know it was not in vain," revealing to us that the planet we left had been saved. "As a reward I promise you will see your beloved Equestria again and when you do it will be your mission to save it," I smile happy that we will one day see our home again. "However, you journey will be full of challenges and suffering so I give you fair warning. As long as you two work together there is little you cannot accomplish," warning us of hardships to come.
"My dear Doctor," as she gazes at him once more. "I fear I did not come alone Devastation, my brother, has followed me here," fearing the name I look into space trying to find the pony. "Do not bother looking you will never find him. He lost his form and true name long ago. I fear his corruption my taint my creation, he only brings destruction. While you will never meet him his taint will be felt and even take form, you have met such forms my dear Doctor. You promise to continue your work in keeping my universe safe?," she speaks to the Doctor softly.
"Indeed I will, Lady Faust," giving his promise to her.
"Very well," she smiles as her horn dances with light. "I dub thee my Knight oh Lord of Time," knighting the Doctor with her horn.
"I have a gift to ponies of the universe," magic swirling around her horn. I watched as what looked to be a ball form above her. The ball was clear, however danced with colors. Just looking at it gave me joy and made me feel at piece. "To my ponies I give the Harmony giving it unity and order," I wonder if it is connected to elements of home. I watch as another ball forms this one is dark and red. I shudder as the ball is formed the feeling I get is the one of fear I felt before. "I also give my ponies Chaos, for with out it there would be no magic or change," as the two powers orbit each other in an eternal dance, equal. "I give to ponies of this new world this most sacred artifact, may they protect it for all time," as I am reminded of the story of Discord. Could this artifact made before my eyes be the same one that Discord torn in half? I can only hope it is not.
"My time here is ending," I can see her fading as the two powers dance above her. "Take care Celestia and Luna and of course my dear Doctor, may your trials be kind to you," speaking sadly as she fades from view.
"May we meet again Lady Faust," spoke the Doctor, but looked as if he knew otherwise. "Perhaps in another life, maybe I will be a ginger. I do like that red mane of yours," he joked as the Goddess laughed mirthfully and the faded from view. The artifact shooting off into distance to somewhere unknown.
We stood in that place for a while watching the universe burst to life around us. I did not want to disturb the Doctor I can only imagine what he is feeling. "Let us go we still have to get you home," he spoke as he headed to the TARDIS. We followed in silence my mind whirling with what I just experienced. What else lies before me as I travel in a blue box? I do not know, but I will meet it head on no matter the danger. I turn and look at the budding universe, giving my own promise. To keep the universe at piece, to aid the Doctor so he doesn't have to do it alone. Turning back and head into the TARDIS, into my next adventure.