//------------------------------// // Lessons // Story: The Deity Star // by Laarsgaard //------------------------------// Her eyes opened as a soft light fell upon her. Celestia pushed herself to her feet. She felt energized and well rested like never before. She looked around at her new surroundings. Beneath her was a massive golden platform that was covered in beautiful carvings and frescoes of ponies and other beings. Celestia looked up to see a massive figure standing before her. The figure had its back turned to her, its massive head bent over a book. Celestia was confused as she couldn’t see any shelves or any walls. The platform was surrounded by floating and rotating golden shapes and runes from dead and forgotten languages. The sight was breath taking in its serenity. But her attention was brought back to the massive figure. The figure had stood to its full height. It was covered a massive black robe that was covered in red and black runes and depictions of thousands of beings prostrated before one bright and benevolent figure. The figure placed the book into one of the floating runes. The book disappeared from sight, appearing to break into glowing dust as it left the figures grip. The massive figure turned and looked down at Celestia. It was the largest thing Celestia had ever seen. Its head was round and pink with no hair. Its eyes were large and ever changing in color. The thing had a blob in the middle of its face that was thin and long that came to a rounded point at the front with two holes that flared and narrowed as it breathed. On the side of its head were two fleshy protrusions that were rounded on the top and bottom with a hole in the middle of each. Its mouth was small and round, set in what appeared to be a pout. The thing looked down on her and smiled. “I am sure you are as confused by my appearance as you are by your surroundings.” It said, indicating the spinning projections and platform with its outstretched hands. Celestia didn’t like to think that maybe this thing could read her mind. “I can, child. It is one of the many things that old age has brought to me.” Celestia narrowed her eyes. “What are you?” she asked, jumping straight to the point. The thing chuckled. “My race is long dead,” the thing turned and placed its hands behind its back as it walked around the platform, strolling as if in the park. “I can’t really explain what I was, but I will give you a title with which to call me if you’d like? And before you call me ‘it’ one last time, I am a ‘he’.” Celestia felt overwhelmed at the obvious power that this man held. “Then what can I call you?” she asked trying to not think so as to not have her mind read again. “You may call me Aquilinus.” He said softly looking about at the projections as they flitted past, dancing and whirling at their own pace. Celestia didn’t answer him, she just stood there watching him. Aquilinus continued speaking. “You will be given ten days time here to train and to grow. You have come to me as a child, but you will not leave here the same. When I am finished you will be a full grown mare and you will have the powers that you deserve.” Aquilinus looked down at her, his eyes moving as he inspected her. Celestia could feel something, something rooting around in her mind. She closed her eyes as memories were brought to the fore of her thoughts. She watched as the mountain fell about her again, the crumbling rock crushing the two stallions to death in front of her right before her father teleported the two away. She cowered again as her father screamed his rage at her in her room, his hooves coming down and hitting her again and again. She felt confusion again at the first sighting of the mad stallion, his insane coat and mane changing and flowing before her. And lastly she felt excitement again as the star of stars took her. Celestia woke up again, this time she felt tired as if she had been beaten and dragged through a field. She moved her limbs. She felt odd, as if she had been put into the wrong body. Her legs felt too long and somewhat clumsy as she tried to stand. Celestia looked down. Her body had grown, her wings were large and beautiful her legs were long and slender. It felt as if everything about her had grown. She felt her tail’s length as she swished it about. Celestia managed to stand shakily as she began to adjust to her new body. It was odd for her to adjust. She looked around and found she was still on the platform. Standing across from her stood Aquilinus, his head in a book again. “Welcome back.” He said, his voice sounded different, somewhat tired. Celestia yawned. “How long was I asleep?” she asked, finally finding balance to her newly grown body. “Two days.” Aquilinus stated, still reading. Celestia was devastated. Two of her days gone and she still had so much she wanted to ask. “How could you let me sleep for two days?” she asked, exasperatedly. Aquilinus smiled. “Do not worry, you’ve still eight days in my presence.” The giant put his book away and turned his attention to Celestia. “These next few days however, I shall be teaching you certain things.” Celestia’s interest was piqued. Aquilinus waved his hand. “Firstly, how do you like your new body?” he asked her. Celestia finally took the time to look down at her body. She had truly grown into a beautiful young pony. Her mane and tail flowed out behind her, swirling and moving as if locked in a graceful dance. Her appearance had grown to become fully regal. “This is what was happening as you slept.” Aquilinus stated. “You needed to grow into a true ruler, at least physically for the time being.” The giant turned and reached his hand out into the swirling nether and pulled forth one of his numerous ancient tomes. He turned and strode smoothly over to Celestia. He reached on of his hands forth and waved it. A platform pushed its way through the floor in front of Celestia. She stepped back and watched as the platform stopped rising about six inches from the ground and two cushions appeared. Aquilinus indicated that she should sit. Celestia sat down with the giant at the low table. Aquilinus laid his massive book down on the table and turned it to Celestia. Aquilinus wiped his hand across the cover and purple light flashed through the carvings and lit up to form the symbol of three oddly shaped balls tied with string. Aquilinus smiled as he stared at Celestia’s confusion. “This,” he stated placing his hand on the cover. “Is the first of your lessons.” Celestia looked into his eyes and listened. “To be a great ruler, a well liked one at least, you must rule with a gentleness and a firmness, a benevolence that cannot be questioned due to your knowledge and action through demonstrated and rather varied topics and functions of the world around you.” Celestia didn’t know what to say, she was till rather confused. Aquilinus continued speaking. “You must rule with Friendship, dearest, and as most would tell you,” Aquilinus lifted his finger and pointed at her with a big smile. “Friendship is magic.” Celestia smiled and laughed at his words. Aquilinus sat back with a confused look on his face. “Why do you laugh child?” he asked pleasantly. Celestia raised her eyebrow at him. “Friendship is magic?” she asked bemusedly. “Why yes.” Aquilinus replied. “How is that possible, magic is a science that can be studied and produced at will, friendship is just, well silly at times, it doesn’t do anything.” Aquilinus closed his eyes and chuckled. “Child, child,” he said chidingly. “Friendship is the most powerful force on this planet.” He leaned forward and Celestia was lost into his ever changing eyes. “When you are troubled, who can you turn to when even your family would not help you? Who do you tell your most trusted secrets to? To whom do you hold a regard higher than even your own deity? Who makes you laugh the hardest? Who gives to you and you to them without consideration of repayment only thanks? Who tells you the truth and would never, ever think of lying to you about anything unless to protect you from an unendurable pain?” Aqulinus sat back and ran a hand over his bald head. “The answer is quite simple: your friends. Without friendship or at least an ability to form friendship and spread love and tolerance throughout the land a leader is naught but a fancy idiot with delusions of actual power or that anyone really cares for them.” Celestia bowed her head. She had never had any friends. “I know child, that your life has been harder.” He took her chin in his hand and raised her gaze. “You have been abused and left aside by your own father, who will never forgive you sadly. I can understand why, it was a terrible accident, but that does not excuse his behavior and neither do I condone it.” Aquilinus dropped his hand raised his eyes to stare off into space. “I had a daughter once, long ago. I loved her, she was everything to me, and when I see what your father did to you when you were being raised, searching through your mind and knowing the utter terror he instilled into you, well, he is lucky am I well tempered being or I would have turned him into an ash pile when I first laid my eyes upon that filthy mongrel.” Celestia was taken aback at the change of demeanor Aquilinus had taken on as he discussed her father, it was frightening. Aquilinus visibly shook himself and looked again at Celestia. “But enough about that, more on Friendship.” He sat up straighter and addressed the book again. “This will be the first of six elements.” He pushed the book to Celestia. “This is about the element of Laughter.” Celestia peered down at the book and flipped open the cover. "The Element of Laughter" Laughter is one of the six Elements of Harmony that control the ebb and flow of the universe. The Element of Laughter can open a gateway to the soul of another and shows to others the blatant happiness that resides within yourself or others happiness is revealed to you. The Element of Laughter is one of the most powerful and yet the most basic of the Elements, every being whether newborn or ancient can laugh, this is a powerful tool that isn’t taught but learned to every being no matter where, even those who are mad can laugh. Laughter is power and that power can do many things. The first is stated, but something that laughter can do that is often not considered and even possibly unknown to most is its inherent ability against spirits and daemonkin. Laughter shows defiance and even a strong will over one’s mind and body that is strong and well defended. For example, if you were to face down one of the denizens of Tartarus you would be able to halt or maybe even defeat the daemon with a strong and genuine laugh. Barring your own ability to laugh you should always keep with you a close friend who does know how to laugh and does so often. These strong willed individuals can help keep you safe…" Celestia broke off her reading after that. She looked up at Aquilinus. “Am I supposed to read all of this in a day?” she asked him. Aquilinus smiled with a small chuckle. “No, but all of this information will be placed into your mind, I just wanted to show you this tome so you may know what you’re about to be getting into. There are five more just like this but I will not need to pull them out. They are all written just as boring as or even possibly more boring than this one, and believe this book is quite mundane.” Aquilinus stood and stretched his form, Celestia heard his back pop and creak as he moved. He turned away from her and moved to the edge of the platform. “This ends your third day here, now rest.” As he spoke Celestia felt he body begin to lose energy. She fell softly onto the cushion and her eyes clamped shut. Her last thought before she fell asleep was of how she was going to use this information to rule over an entire race. Celestia dreamed. Her dreams were filled with images of pink, something or somepony who was pink and every image of this color that flashed through her mind was accompanied by odd singing of a dozen different songs mashed together and played through her mind. But what was most prominent was the laughter. It wasn’t maniacal or frightening, quite the opposite. The laughter was genuine and warm, Celestia felt invited by the laughter and she also felt power behind that laugh, a soft and benevolent power that could do what the book said. Celestia smiled in her sleep. Aquilinus looked down upon her sleeping form. “Oh child, smile while you can.” With that the massive being strode from the platform and disappeared into the swirling runes, allowing Celestia her uninterrupted sleep, she would need it. Aquilinus sat at the table again and placed a large tray covered in food in front of him. Celestia continued to slumber. She had slept through the night well enough and the information had been absorbed into her brain easily enough, almost like a dry sponge soaking up water. Aquilinus smiled as he pulled a book out of the air and began to read. Celestia stirred. “Good morning.” Aquilinus said. “Good morning.” Celestia replied sleepily. She sat up and began to eat from the tray. She was pleasantly surprised a wide variety of fruits and vegetables that were exotic and quite delicious. Soon enough, though, Celestia was full and she sat back, satisfied and happy. She wondered what Element that she was going to be taught about this day. “Don’t worry,” said Aquilinus, once again showing off his freaky powers of mind reading. “Today is Honesty, but we’ll get to that.” He lowered his book and looked at Celestia. “How did you sleep?” he asked her. Celestia nodded. “Rather well, thank you. This cushion was just wonderful.” Celestia smiled. “So three days down and seven to go.” She didn’t say anything else. Aquilinus raise a massive eyebrow. “And?” he asked. “And,” Celestia said. “There is still so much you haven’t told me about you or this place or whatever your job really is and how you came to get it. I would like a little more info than” she sat up and waved her hooves about as she took on a deep mocking tone “’You’ve been chosen, you are the next one, blah, blah, blah, self righteousness!’” Aquilinus laughed heartily, rocking back and forth and slapping his massive slab of a hand onto the table making the food jump into the air an inch. “Oh, ho, ho” Aquilinus wiped a tear away. “Child you are truly a master of creating laughter now aren’t you? Eh, well, as to answer your questions. I am Aquilinus, in a past life I was known as Arthur, in a life before that I was Beelzebub, in a life before that I was simply known as the scholar. I have lived many lives and taken on roles of evil and good for many cultures. I have no recollection of where I came from and by the time I learned what I really was my people were long dead. I play necessary roles for necessary actions, but alas,” he sighed. “This will be my last journey to find another deity, you will be my last and hopefully brightest star.” Celestia looked confused. “But from the sound of it you are immortal or at least very, very old.” Aquilinus chuckled deeply. “I am very old child, that’s why I have so much knowledge and was put into this position. I have been doing this for at least ten thousand of your years.” He shrugged with an odd look on his face. “Or round about that time frame, it’s easy to lose count after so long. I have seen almost every race these cosmos have to offer rise from the dust and fall back into it and in all that time I’ve learned some things and the lessons behind Friendship and the true power that the elements provide are quite possibly the most reassuring and have helped keep me sane through most of years.” He clasped his hands and looked down at the food. “It has been a long road that really has no end in sight or possibly ever, and yet, I hold no regrets as I have one friend who has been with me the whole time.” Aquilinus turned. Celestia could see past his bulk and looked upon the mad stallion standing on the other side of the platform patiently with a small smile upon his face. “Come my friend, you should really introduce yourself to our new friend.” Aquilinus told the prophet. The prophet stepped forward. Celestia let out a silent gasp as his form began to change to look almost identical to Aquilinus. “I, Celestia,” the now giant, pink and robed figure stated. “Am Aeturnam Mutans, but please call me Prophet, it’s much easier to remember and a lot more catchy I might add.” He ended with a chuckle. Prophet sat down next to Aquilinus and clasped his hands with a smile. His skin still flowed but not nearly as rapid or drastic, only small changes from bright red to a pale pink, but his eyes, they moved at an even more rapid pace, jumping from color to color as if they were racing each other. Celestia was still confused. She pointed a hoof at Prophet. “You told my father you hadn’t laughed for hundreds of years.” She stated her confusion evident in her tone. Prophet chuckled again. “You ponies are such a young race you needed a figure that was serious and possibly even crazy. Did you really suspect that I had gone five hundred years without even a single giggle, preposterous! Laughter is far too important and far too enjoyable to keep from one’s life.” Prophet leaned back, a wooden board sprouting from the floor to support him. “But I believe my mentor here is the one who will be giving the lesson today and not me.” Aquilinus nodded. “You are correct my friend now hush.” Aquilinus leaned forward and clasped his hands in front of him. “Now today I’m going to give you the second Element. But before I do so I’m going to give you a little lesson.” Aquilinus leaned back and a wooden back support that matched Prophet’s sprouted from the floor. “Today’s element is Honesty. Honesty is possibly the easiest to break and the hardest one to stay consistent with. It is a unique element in that unless done fully it is rendered useless and therefore ineffective. Some would say that omitting some of the truth is not lying. They are wrong, and in some cases dead wrong.” He chuckled at this. “But if you try and keep some of the truth from your subjects, especially if it could hurt your credibility in the future then it is best to just tell the truth and get it over with, unless you would be willing to take a few extra steps and get your hooves dirty.” Aquilinus raised his eyebrow at her. Celestia was taken aback. “No, I’d never have any pony murdered, that’s wrong.” Aquilinus put up his hands and shrugged. “Who’s to say? It is entirely up to the cultural stigma that is placed upon the beings when their society begins or the evolutionary path it takes.” Aquilinus leaned forward and pointed. “When you return you will be the new ruler you will be in charge of how your society runs. I will not dictate how you must run your land, but I am giving you these tools so that you may have a better understanding of how creatures no matter where they are from or how they live should be governed.” He leaned back again. “This is my last opportunity to play kingmaker and I’ve seen far too many good minded men and women go bad because they were ill prepared or interpreted my lessons wrong. Before you leave here you will be ready I promise, but I digress. “If you intend to have an open honest policy then you will have a tough time because some of the things that are going to happen to you and your land are going to be pretty insane.” Celestia sat forward a bit more interested. “What’s going to happen?” she asked. “Do not worry, there won’t be anything you cannot handle and when you return you are going to find some assistance in an unlikely ally to say the least.” Aquiilinus sighed. “Honesty is a powerful thing if you are honest and the truth, if withheld, can hurt you, just be careful with this one, it can do the most damage out of any of them to your dynasty to come.” With that the two massive figures stood and walked away through the wall of dancing light that surrounded the platform. Celestia felt the familiar lull of sleep as her body slowly curled up on top of the cushion and she drifted off into a peaceful sleep. She dreamed again, but instead of pink all she saw was apples. Apples, apples, apples everywhere and fields and fields of apple trees, one by one the trees were shaken and apples fell. Celestia heard some pony yell out ‘yee haw!’ in the distance. This was as odd a message as the last she found in her dreams. The next morning began the same as the second. Aquilinus and Prophet sat side by side on the opposite side of the table while Celestia roused herself for another resounding breakfast of odd and exotic foods. Celestia continued to eat as she listened to the two ancients talk to one another. “Interesting that she takes the lessons so well, you remember the one we did I believe it was four or five tries ago, the fat one.” Prophet said. Aquilinus chuckled as he remembered. “Ah yes, Barbarus, he lasted at least ten years I believe and he was rather fat, I thought he was going to push me off of the platform here.” Aquilinus laughed aloud with Prophet as they remembered their exploits. Celestia swallowed her food. “How many people have you turned into gods?” she asked innocently. Aquilinus put his hand under his chin in thought. “Not sure,” he answered. Prophet leaned forward and began to speak. “The process is arduous at times. Not every race has one amongst its number who is ready whenever we show up, and sometimes they have one who is ready but the people aren’t so we pass them by and return when they are ripe for some change. The next problem we have at times is that when the rulers are returned they don’t quite fit the way they should due to some odd change in the culture that we did not foresee. The process is not fool proof but those occasions are very rare, almost in the less than one percentile.” Aquilnus took over. “But we’ve been doing this for a long time and it could take possibly hundreds of years for one ruler to be in charge before they are ready for the next step and their own choosing is usually less than spectacular. If you look back into most histories war and anger sprout up very quickly when a new deity or at least powerful religious figure is removed or given to the populace. The best example were the Jews and the Christians. Very old races very old people and had very different ways of thinking and they fought each other a lot and a lot of it was over how they worshipped.” Prophet scratched his head. “We had nothing to do with that one unfortunately, we wouldn’t have botched it nearly that bad even if we did botch it.” Aquilinus nodded his assent. “But that’s enough ancient history. Today’s lesson is Loyalty.” They both smiled as they looked to each other. Prophet spoke first as he returned his gaze to Celestia. “Loyalty is the second most important of the Elements. You must be loyal to your subjects and your friends. It begets trust and if you cannot trust anyone then your lordship will be challenged and you will be overthrown in a heartbeat.” Aquilinus bent over the food and took big bite. He swallowed then spoke. “Now don’t trust any one being to anything too huge on their own, especially if your sovereignty could be threatened. Have some sensibility about who you have around you and know that Loyalty is a two way street. You must have faith in them and they must have faith in you.” Prophet rubbed his chin in thought. “There are thousands of examples we could use from history of monarchs who surrounded themselves with people that they could not trust and in the end paid the ultimate price. So we caution you with this one, make sure you tread lightly young one or fall forever into death.” Aquilinus shot Prophet a look at the mention of death. “It is no matter, we shall gift you the knowledge this night and tomorrow we shall be on with the next one.” And with that the two giants, once again, strolled off of the platform and Celestia slept. She was growing rather tired of this routine after only three days. That night Celestia expected to dream about something or some pony. She was surprised when the only thing she dreamed of was the sky. It was a bright blue sky that stretched from horizon to horizon and the only other things was the most clear and beautiful rainbow that she had ever seen. Celestia felt peaceful as she stared into that rainbow, she wished for it to end. Then she woke. Her head came off of the cushion and she sat up. She was surprised to find Aquilinus not around and no breakfast for her to have. She stretched and heard her bones creak and pop. Celestia stood and trotted around the platform. She looked down over the edge and saw nothing. There was no ground or rocks to dash her upon if she was to fall on accident. She looked up and saw the same: nothing. She went back to the cushion and lie down, content to wait for her mentor to reappear. Hours passed, or what felt like hours, as she just lie there waiting. She was incapable of sleeping and couldn’t remember any of the dreams she had the past three days. Celestia rolled impatiently across the large cushion as she waited for something to happen until finally she was fed up. She stood and trotted to the section of the platform where Aquilinus and Prophet had exited the day before. She inspected the floor and found nothing of note. She raised her head and studied the floating scripts and tried to decipher them. She found that some of the words made sense. It seems that Aquilinus was pumping her with more than just information on the Elements. Celestia looked out at the swirling masses around her and made a decision. She reached her hoof out and felt it meet light resistance. She pushed a little harder and her hoof moved through. She gasped, but didn’t retract her hoof, instead, she pushed all the way through. She fell through the other side and landed face first on the ground. “Oh, nice of you to finally join us.” Said Aquilnus, a smug smile on his face. “I told you she’d figure it out, you owe me dinner Prophet.” Prophet threw up his hands in exasperation. “I never wagered anything, there was literally nothing else for her to do!” he exclaimed. Aquilinus nodded. “All the same you owe me food.” Prophet sighed and began to rub his temples in frustration. “Just pick her up, we’ve an appointment to keep.” Celestia picked up her head and looked at her two massive mentors. Aquilinus moved to help her. The giant lifted Celestia from the ground and placed her on her feet. Celestia took stock of her surroundings. The new room they were in was massive. A huge glass dome stretched over the top and outside she could see stars moving and dancing around as if some massive ballet. As she watched the outside goings-on one of the stars inflated to a harsh red and exploded casting its essence through the void. She gaped in wonderment at such beauty. She heard Prophet chuckle deeply. “It appears as if she’s distracted.” Aquilinus smiled. “Come child, we’ll have plenty more time to go sightseeing after we speak with Her.” Celestia was confused. “Where are we?” she asked. The two turned and Aquilinus beckoned she follow, he spoke as they walked. “We are in the Reclusiam, we’ve had you kept in one of the cells for the first few days like always.” Celestia felt a bit offended at having been put in a cell. “It’s not a prison cell so calm down.” Celestia stuck he tongue out at Aquilinus. “I saw that.” They continued on and Aquilinus kept on his monologue. “This is the epicenter of our work and where we keep track of the millions upon millions of races that have some form of belief system or need one.” He gestured as the two parted and let Celestia move between them. She gasped again as she looked down upon a tiered work center filled to the brim with working and moving peoples. Some crawled, some flew, but almost no two were alike and they all moved at the fastest pace possible. “Pretty neat huh?” said Prophet. They were used to this, but Celestia could have watched this place for hours and have never grown bored. The group moved on with Celestia stunned silent taking in as much as she could. As they descended Aquilinus kept speaking and pointing. “Over there is our records bank, those are monitors that show us film from planets and lands far from here.” Celestia cocked her head. Aquilinus showed off his all too powerful ability to read minds. “We have placed machines and devices, kind of like big magic boxes, that watch these things and they are hooked to those screens which show what our magic boxes see.” Celestia nodded, still unsure of what she was seeing. As they moved a massive slug like being wearing a ridiculous shirt with a collar and a tie and suspenders that hooked to nothing stopped them, it had a big brown stick in its mouth that poured smoke as it breathed in and out. “Is this the new one then?” it asked impolitely pointing at Celestia. The big slug thing smelled horrible and Celestia wanted to be away from it as soon as possible. “Yeah, yeah, we need to go see the boss Mort, if you don’t mind?” said Prophet, tilting his head for emphasis. “Yeah whatever, don’t keep her waiting.” Was all the slug being said back as it slithered away, a massive cloud of nasty smoke following it as it went. The three moved on without any further interruptions. They came to the bottom tier upon which sat a small round structure with one massive archway. Above the archway read ‘Kings come and go, but we remain eternal, Ave Dominus Lex.’ Aquilinus leaned down. “It means ‘We are above the law’.” He told her. She nodded her understanding as they moved through the archway. The interior of the building was shut off from the hubbub of the outside world with a small portal that was see through. Celestia stepped through first followed quickly by her two massive teachers. Once inside Celestia saw a massive chair but its occupant was blocked from view by an enormously bright light, all she could make out was the lower half and the hands which were works of beauty themselves. Other than that she could see nothing and had to put her hoof up to make sure she didn’t go blind. A soothing female voice came from the chair, sultry and stern, the voice of one who walked amongst gods and who was better and more powerful than them. “Welcome child, welcome to your future and your end.” The voice said. Aquilinus and Prophet both bowed their head in deference to their overseer as she continued to speak. “You were told you have ten days in the presence. This was a lie, today will be your last day amongst us.” Celestia felt her heart fall and she spoke. “But I only know three Elements, you can’t send me away yet!” she cried out. There was a soft laugh. “Aquilinus, I knew you’d disobey my orders with this one, oh well. Do not fear child, the reason you were sequestered as you were was to see how well you took to the teachings of your master. You have passed, you shall be gifted the rest of the knowledge you will need to rule over your domain to include the last three Elements of Harmony: Generosity, Kindness, and Magic. You yourself are already somewhat gifted and studious in the use of magic and that is good to see. But I have not called you before me to speak of what you know, you are here so I may give you your place.” Celestia was confused. What did this mean for her and her future? “Please step forward child.” Celestia obeyed walking towards the throne. Before her on the ground were three massive tiles each displaying a different symbol. “To the right of you is the power over the sun and the moon, over the celestial heavens and to move them as you see fit. Directly before you is power over the earth and all that she provides from animals and creatures, to smallest blades of grass, and lastly, on your left is the power over the oceans and the waves, the ability to calm the seas or to make them boil into a rage that can crush ships and sink continents. These are my gifts to you child, I would ask you to choose.” Celestia was taken aback and looked down at the tiles. All three were tempting to her. She had seen the sea once and felt the power there, it would be wonderful to swim through the waters without any fear of what would happen. But then, there was the power over the earth and its creatures. She would never have to fear if one of the massive Ursa Majors that her people had created would come and attack her, but, the sun, the very sun and stars could be toys in her hooves, she could have all three, at least, in some portion if she took the one. Celestia moved to right and stood on the tile that was decorated with the sun on it. “I see,” said the woman. “I grant you the stars then.” Celestia felt her body lift from the tile and her spirit began to swell within her body as power filled her. She felt her flank burn momentarily and she swiveled her head to see that a cutie mark that looked to be the sun had appeared. Celestia felt joy at the appearance of her cutie mark. She turned and stared into the light as she was gently placed upon the floor. “Lastly child, I gift to you your role in the pantheon to come. Your demeanor and upbringing have made you perfect to fill the role of Death in your world.” Celestia felt her stomach drop. “What do you mean?” she asked quietly. Aquilinus behind her tightened visibly. The voice answered. “Your father has changed you, Celestia, you are to become the god of death upon your return to this place. Do not worry child, you shall be in charge of shepherding the lost souls of your kind into the afterlife that you will be responsible for making for them. Your other duty, however, will be in removing their souls from their bodies. This is a great power that is gifted to you, do not make light of it.” Celestia stood there, mouth agape. “Be gone now, I will see you upon your return. Aquilinus?” the giant stepped up and bowed his head again. “Yes my lord?” he said. “Take her back to her cell and give her final lessons, there is work to be done.” Prophet and Aquilinus bowed again in unison and pulled Celestia out of the chamber with them. The walk back was silent and without incident. The three walked through the wall of light and were back in Celestia’s cell. She turned on the two. “When were you going to tell me?” she demanded of the two huge beings. The two ignored her and took their places at the low table. “Come and sit with us, calm down and we’ll talk about this, alright?” said Aquilinus. Celestia took a deep breath and sat down without saying anything else. Aquilinus leaned forward. “I know you’re upset, especially with us for not telling you, but it was not our place to tell you.” Celestia’s anger flared up again. “What do you mean not your place? You’re the ones who are supposed to teach me this nonsense remember? You’re in charge of telling me what I’m supposed to be!” Celestia came up out of the cushion and stood on the table breathing heavily her body trembling from adrenaline and rage. Prophet raised his hands defensively. “Calm yourself.” He commanded. Celestia took a deep breath and her head slumped down. She settled back into her cushion and placed her head on the table dejectedly. “You are goddess of the sun and of death now, but do not worry about that.” Prophet said. “You’re only concern for now is to watch over the ponies of your world and give them sunlight, that’s it.” He said. “Problems are going to crop up as you live out your tenure and you’ll have to deal with those as they come, but if you spend your whole time concerned with how you’re going to be overseeing the death of every being while you’re in charge you will lose your privilege and we will return to take your power and your life.” Celestia looked p at Prophet. “Celestia,” he said as he leaned closer. “You’ve been given a great power and a great responsibility, but you’re going to have a long time to enjoy it, so quit moping and let’s give you your final lesson so you can return to your family.” Celestia picked up her head and peered at the two giants then looked down at herself. “How will they know it’s me? I’ve grown considerably different in the short time I’ve been here.” She said coldly. Aquilinus shook his head. “While the time frame here has only been that of a few days, on your world a few hundred years have gone by.” Celestia’s eyes grew wide with shock. “What?!” she exclaimed. Aquilinus put a giant hand on her. “Calm down, not a lot has changed, we’ve been monitoring your family since you came here. They all still live and are rather happy, your father said that Prophet attacked and killed you.” Celestia felt a tear well up in her eye. “Why would he say that?” she asked as she cried. Prophet answered. “For him it served a few good purposes. He was rid of you, his shame, he had killed me which in the eyes of the community makes him the hero and the victim. He lost a daughter to a mad pony who had tricked them all. Now he is seen as a grieving father and a hero to the community.” Celestia cried as the words came out. “Shut up!” she yelled. “Just shut up! My father loves me, he always has!” she continued to yell. Aquilinus looked to his partner and then sighed. “No, Celestia, he does not love you.” The words hit her like a sledge. She slumped down, the tears soaking into the cushion. “But, b-but, I’m a ruler now, I can get him to love me again.” She said through sobs. “No,” said Prophet. “The fear you saw in his soul, before we entered the mountain. That fear turned to anger and hatred.” Prophet leaned forward and took Celestia’s hoof in his hand. “Your father could never love something he feared and that is why you were chosen. His corrupting influence hadn’t touched you and he is a monster for not loving you, Celestia.” Celestia pulled her hoof back. When she spoke the two could barely hear her. “Please, just give me my lessons and let me go.” She said. The two giants looked at each other. Aquilinus nodded. Together they stood up and bowed deeply to Celestia. “Celestia,” Aquilinus began. “I give to thee the title of ruler and steward of Equestria and all the lands that lie there within. I charge to you the duties to watch and protect its peoples and creatures, to safeguard the land against all who would depose you rule and usurp your power. I also grant you the power of the sun and stars over said realm. With this I give you the last remaining Elements of power.” Celestia felt her spirit swell again inside of her body and power flowed through her, but she didn’t care, she was feeling despair as it wormed her way through her and with it came rage. The two giants turned and strolled off of the platform. Prophet left first but Aquilinus paused. “For what it’s worth, I would gladly call you my offspring, I am proud to see such a young and beautiful being reach her full potential.” With that Aquilinus walked from the cell into his future leaving Celestia behind to wallow in her new found anger.