Celestia stared into the massive portal door that had opened up in her cell. She could see through to the other side which was showing the walls of the massive cave in her world. She sighed and stepped through.
The cave was cold and dark, the light from the crystal formations having gone out long ago. Celestia looked around. It felt like just yesterday that she had stood as a filly in this very cave while her father tried to find a way out. She moved slowly through the cave heading for the exit. She looked around at the beautiful depictions. They seemed lifeless and ugly now that all of the energy had gone from this place.
She left the cave and walked through the tunnel. It took her a few minutes to finally climb out into the open.
The sun was out shining brightly over the land. The fields of grass Celestia had expected to see had been replaced with a vast forest that stretched as far as she could see. The trees were tall and ancient looking. She could hear animal sounds coming up from the woods and even feel some of the life energy coming off of the forest.
Celestia unfolded her wings and took off into the air. She sailed on thermals over the massive forest. She remembered the journey on the way to the mountain and how it had taken her and her family at least a day to get there. She remembered her dream. The dream showed her the inner lights of all of them. She remembered most of all her father’s light. How it had burned dark with hatred and fear, fear of her. A tear fell from Celestia’s eye.
She flew through the day and into the night not sure if she was headed in the right direction or not but something was drawing her forward. After hours of flying in the dark Celestia wished to see the sun again, the night depressed her. She landed in the forest in a small clearing. She looked up at the night sky and focused her mind. Celestia pushed out with her magic seeking the massive star. She connected to it and felt the massive presence begin to stir. As she pulled the sun up the sky began to light up as dawn came. Celestia watched the sun move across the sky at her whim and she placed it in the middle of the sky.
Celestia laughed in disbelief. She had done it, she had raised the sun. Celestia spread her wings and took off into the air again feeling the warms rays across her back.
After some hours the forest gave way to the grass fields she recognized. In the distance she could see the mountain, she could see home.
Celestia landed before the massive gates of Canterlot. Things had definitely changed. A guards pony poked his head over the parapet.
“Who goes there?” he called down. Celestia looked up unsure of what to do.
“I’m Celestia.” She replied. The guards pony visibly flinched. His head withdrew and Celestia could hear shouting coming from the other side.
The massive gate swung inwards to allow Celestia in. On the other side ponies had gathered to see her come in. As Celestia began to move through the crowd she heard gasps and exclamations. She looked about nervous with a nervous smile on her face.
The crowd began to swell as word spread of her return. Celestia looked forward as somepony began to shout and push his way forward.
“Out of my way, out of my way.” Ferrus pushed his way to the front of the pack with his wife in tow. His eyes landed on Celestia and he froze. Ventia gasped and put a hoof to her chest. Ventia stepped forward with tears in her eyes.
“Is it really you?” she asked. “Can it really be my little filly?” Her eyes were flowing freely as she stepped ever closer to Celestia. Celestia nodded feeling tears well up in her eyes as well.
“Yes mother, it’s me.” She said choking back the sobs of happiness. Ventia began to sob and threw her forelegs around Celestia’s neck and began to sob openly. Celestia embraced her mother and let quiet tears fall down her cheeks. She looked up at her father and her heart stopped. Ferrus had a look of rage upon his face that would have stopped the stars in their tracks.
The massive stallion stepped forward and pulled his wife from Celestia.
“How dare you.” He spat. “How dare you show up now, after all this time!” his face was red with rage. “Do you expect us to just pick up like nothing happened after all of this time? You” he pointed a hoof at her face. “You made me and your mother look like massive fools when we had to return without you!” He turned around and threw his hooves up in anger. “We’ve just now been able to hold our heads high again thanks to your sister!” he wheeled on Celestia. “You’ve no place here!” he shouted.
Ferrus’ body heaved as he breathed deeply, recovering from his rant. Celestia looked at stallion who was supposed to be her father and something snapped. Celestia unfurled her wings and magic coursed its way up and down her form causing her eyes to shine bright white with ethereal power. Celestia raised herself up above the crowd, above Ferrus whose face had turned from one of anger to a look of pure, petrified terror.
“I am no longer yours to order about!” Celestia yelled her voice filled with anger and power. “I am the new ruler of these ponies!” she continued to call out, as she spoke dark wisps of power threaded their way through the magic adding shadows to the light. “I have the power of a god and I control your very sun!” The darkness threaded its way deeper and deeper beginning to drown out the light. Her eyes had gone from bright white to black with the anger she felt.
Celestia landed before her father, her words were only for him. “I am your god now, Ferrus, and I damn you.” Ferrus stared into the darkness that swelled within his daughters eyes as the magic began to tear his body apart.