//------------------------------// // Chapter 24 - The Plan // Story: The Code's Apprentice // by Lapis-Lazuli and Stitch //------------------------------// ~~~~~~2 hours until the H.M.S. Commander Hurricane Is in position~~~~~~ The town square of Ponyville was silent, save for the soft sound of tears hitting the café table. Twilight stared at the sleek white form of Celestia, her cloak of flame all but vanished. Sombra had crossed his hooves and smiled in satisfaction, and Chrysalis was still glaring at Celestia. The rest of the ponies present presented various levels of shock and disbelief, none more so than Lilith. Twilight could feel the powerful pulse of emotions from the disguised Princess Luna, and she was as shocked as Twilight was. Minutes passed, and nopony spoke. Twilight finally settled back down in her chair, and Celestia's head lifted from the table. The shell of Celestia's serenity was back up, but Twilight knew it for the lie it was. She had so many questions now. Far more than she'd had before, and time was beginning to run thin. So. Shining Armor was lied to, too. I suppose I ought to not be surprised. she thought, trying to rally her original thoughts and plans. Twilight inhaled deeply and exhaled, mimicking how she'd seen Cadence do it so often before. When she finally broke the silence, everyone except for Celestia jumped. "So. I suppose the most relevant question now is why?" Twilight's voice was calm again, but that too was a lie. She was ready to leap upon the table and beat the answer out of Celestia. That wouldn't help though. Twilight kept speaking, her voice level. "Why did you send me away?" It was becoming harder by the moment to control herself, but she did it anyway. "Why did you not tell me? What is your excuse, Celestia?" Gone was the politeness now, the civility. Twilight had lost all patience with her. Celestia filled her teacup in silence, the soft golden glow of magic no longer the comfort it had once been to Twilight. Celestia spoke slowly, lifting the cup to sip at the cooled tea. "I will explain, but I must ask that you allow me to tell the whole story. Uninterrupted." she set the cup down. "Please." Celestia asked, her voice gentle. Twilight wanted to object. She wanted to scream. She did neither of these things. "Alright. I'll give you a chance, but I swear to Tartarus if you keep lying to me, this conversation will cease being civil. " She somehow managed to swallow her pride. She ignored everypony else that was present too. I'll deal with Sombra and Chrysalis later. Her mind growled. I need to focus on the important things. Like trying to bring her own plans to fruition. Celestia nodded gracefully, and leaned back. "A very long time ago, when we were first accepted as the new rulers of the pony tribes we had to sign a few treaties." Celestia smiled faintly. "The rulers of Unicornia wished to protect their traditional power, you see. Laws were established on what powers of government we could hold, and what would be reserved for unicorns." Twilight nodded cautiously, and Celestia continued with her story. "During negotiations, the subject of how to treat an heir to the throne arose. Although Luna and I were ageless, the unicorns insisted there be some kind of position to ensure royal continuity in the event of disaster. It was ultimately decided that the powers of the heir would be distributed by us to various unicorns, so long as the position was unfilled." Celestia took a deep breath and exhaled it. "However if we ever had children, they would be immediately made Heir-designate. They would then immediately receive full powers upon the acquisition of their cutie mark." Celestia gently leaned forward, her eyes sincere. "Please understand me, Twilight. The few times that position has been filled, it has only ended in tragedy." She gestured towards Chrysalis. "Princess Starbright was the last time." Chrysalis looked ready to spit out more words, but Sombra pressed his hoof into her mouth. The Shadow King shook his head firmly, and then gestured for Celestia to continue. "The unicorn aristocracy was not kind to her, Twilight. She was a direct threat to all of the power many of the nobles had accumulated over the years. Yet she proved stronger than they possibly could have dreamed." There was a sad, if proud smile on Celestia's face then, and she kept speaking. "So they hatched a plan, and sent one of their own to seduce her. They believed that they could control her through a husband. They did not know of the traditions we maintained, nor did they realize the powerful will of the one they chose as their tool." Twilight watched a triumphant smile on Sombra's face, and the gentle love on Chrysalis' as they looked at one another. Celestia sighed deeply. "I played directly into their hooves, Twilight. I allowed them to manipulate my own fears of a new Alicorn dominion." Celestia gently lifted a hoof. "Witness the result of my fear, of my mistakes." The hoof gently fell to the table, Celestia's voice slightly bitter. "Centuries passed. I lost so much. I had lost my daughter, my student and soon enough I had lost my sister. I resolved to never again allow anyone I truly loved to be harmed like that ever again." Celestia's gaze turned to Twilight, the shell of serenity slowly melting from her to be replaced by a naked love for Twilight. There was no denying that feeling, not with the Sight she now had. "When it became clear that Nightmare Moon would be returning, I resolved to ensure the future of Equestria. I had you." her eyes softened. "I tried to be detached, Twilight. I put you into the hooves of the most noble unicorns I knew, two individuals who had hearts as deep and vast as the sea. I told myself I was doing the right thing, ensuring you would have parents' who would love and care for you as I would. Yet protecting you from the backstabbing and politicking of royal court." Celestia's voice continued, resolutely firm in spite of the tears that she threatened to shed. "Then your talent appeared, and I could remain detached no longer. All children of Alicorns have a particularly powerful talent in one way or another. Yet you bid fair to cast all those who came before you in the shade. Your magic was so strong, I had thought you had ascended by pure natural force of willpower. All of my most powerful unicorns would be helpless to teach you properly. I had to take you under my own wing." Twilight stared, her mouth frowned in worry as she tried to decipher where this was going. Celestia kept speaking, her voice still soft. "I should have told you then. Yet I could not bring myself to do it." Celestia's head hung over the table. "I loved you too much. I wished for you to be happy. The years passed, and I watched your talent grow exponentially. You saw the signs of Luna's return even before I had. Though I had long planned to take up the Element of Magic myself, I knew you were the one who was destined to do it." Celestia's hoof gestured towards ponyville. "I sent you here. You saved my sister. You mastered the Elements. Every great foe of harmony fell before you. Discord. Chrysalis. Sombra. Which brings us here, to today." Celestia's wings flared for a moment, then settled back down to her back. "It's a simple place. A humble place. Fitting for Harmony's victory." Twilight stared at her for a moment. "What do you mean, Celestia? I know you're powerful, but even you can't destroy a natural force like Dissonance! It's a part of what makes the world exist!" Twilight was trying to wrap her head around what Celestia was thinking, and could not do it. Every one of her earliest lessons had stressed how important Dissonance was to the creation of life. Without it, nopony could be born. No creature could be born. Harmony could give a thing form, but it could not give it soul. Celestia laughed gently. "Oh my dear, sweet Twilight. Do you think I intend to destroy Dissonance?" She shook her head faintly. "No. I am not so foolish. I merely seek to ensure it is forever under control. That it can never be allowed to harm another soul. That Dissonance is imprisoned within Harmony so powerful it can never escape again." Celestia smiled faintly, finishing off the very last cookie. Twilight's mind raced. That... made far too much sense. Twilight could feel the slow understanding begin to seep through her - Luna was clearly sending her more knowledge through the strange Dissonant link between them. Sombra and Chrysalis remained silent - stern and determined looks in their eyes. The logic was sound. Twilight was even beginning to see the pieces come together. "Of course." She whispered, eyes alight with understanding. "You need somepony who can control both powers in equal strength to do that." Twilight then frowned, hitting a mental roadblock. "But that kind of power is impossible for a unicorn. Except..." She paused, and then facehoofed. Sombra's eyes widened and he muttered a curse in some language that didn't exist any longer. Celestia bowed her head. "I told you. Your trip down the dark path was not without merit. There is now nothing you cannot do. No power you could not master. Even if you were to change back, the limits that were set upon your magic would never return." Celestia's pride shone, and her voice was rich with triumph. "You will become the most powerful wielder of magic in all of history." Twilight licked her lips, which had suddenly gone dry. The very thought of wielding so much power was... intoxicating. The knowledge she might obtain, the good she might do. I could bring an end to war. An end to hunger and poverty. Once again though, her thoughts were derailed by the flood of emotions and knowledge from Luna. Yes. I could do those things. At what price? The price would be freedom of course. The end to choice, to passion and creativity. She would have to smother the world to save it. The sun would blaze in the sky, and no shadow would be found below. But shadow gives us a place to free ourselves. From conformity and judgment. In a world without shadow, every flaw is cast into the light. The world that would build would be a world unchanging. Life would slowly calcify, and turn to stone. It was a world Twilight could not live in. A world Twilight could not bring herself to create. Damn you, mother. Twilight wanted to weep. She wanted to rage and cry and flail like a foal. Yet she could do none of these things. Twilight felt the cloak of flame settle down upon her shoulders again. Lilith looked sadly up at her. Was it pity? Twilight didn't know. For the first time, Twilight heard words through the link between herself and all of her followers. The Faithful were rising as one, and lending her their power. Even the mayor was giving every bit of what little strength she possessed. Luna opened herself up to Twilight, and power as great as all of the thousands who now relied upon her came to her hooves. Luna's voice whispered in Twilight's ear. "Death is lighter than a feather." The cool blue spectral hoof settled upon one shoulder, as the bright tan of the Mayor's power settled upon her other. "Duty." Said Mayor Mare, her voice sad. "Is heavier than a mountain." Twilight understood. She could not abandon those who had chosen to believe in her. She could not give up on those who believed in a better tomorrow. Change was always painful, it was always chaotic and messy. Change was also necessary. Change was the birthing of new life, and new concepts. Change was the power of ponies to throw off the shackles of fate and aspire to be greater than they had ever been before. Change was a newborn foal in a crib, surrounded by a loving family. Change was a soldier standing alone to hold the bridge against impossible odds. Change was six friends, who had stood up to gods before and emerged Victorious. Change was Hope. And Twilight was not about to abandon it. Fluttershy sent Twilight a strong feeling of being ready. The rest of her friends sent the same. For a moment, Twilight felt a surge of pride and love for all of them. We can do this. She gave a mental command to go forward with her plan. "I do not think so, Princess Celestia." Twilight said softly. "I cannot let you force me to destroy the world. " Celestia smiled back, and her horn suddenly lit with blinding gold magic. "No, my student. I cannot let you stop me from helping you save it." ~~~~~ "Prince Armor! We have a report!" Shining Armor tore his eyes away from the scene below him, and stared at the Batpony commander. "What is it? Did you scouting teams finally get back?" There had been no word for hours, and Shining had sent three more teams in to try and find out what went wrong. The Batpony nodded, gesturing to a limp and broken form being held up by two of his comrades. "Private Silence here says there's about six teams of elite royal guards." Shining armor stared, fear slowly coming over him. "It gets worse." Continued the batpony commander, "They've got full Royal Battlemage squads with them, and they've been setting up some kind of ritual devices." Shining finally put the pieces together. It made sense, when he thought about it. Distraction. This has all been one big distraction. Shining barked out orders, his eyes suddenly narrowed. "Get everything we can out to those positions! Forget about aerial defense! We've got to stop that spell!" ~~~~~~ One Hour Remains until the H.M.S Commander Hurricane is in position ~~~~~~ At six fixed points outside of Ponyville, an army of dark creatures attacked. Within each clearing, a massive golden shield was built around a purple crystal that hummed with impossible amounts of magical energy. As swarms of changelings, Batponies and other dark creatures converged upon the shield, more shields went up as the unicorns inside built layer upon layer of defense around them. Bolts of green energy barraged against the shields, and thunderous blows were struck by the hooves and claws of monsters. Lightning bolts were conjured out of what few clouds could be found, and volleys of magic were blasted by covens of dark sorcerers. Yet for every shield that fell, a new one rose to take its place. Within the shields, Royal Guards formed up a shield wall around the crystal and the mages who were focusing the complex spell into it. They knew they would not survive, but the Solar Guard had a duty and they would carry it out. Little by little, the purple energy within the crystal began to transmute into gold. Glowing white geometric patterns began to etch into the ground, as the magic of Harmony grew stronger. The dark creatures felt the white hot energies assail them, but they did not give in. No creature amongst them wanted to fail the Nightmare Queen. A battle cry went up from the ranks, as the golden shields slowly began to fail completely. "FOR FREEDOM!" The dark creatures began to surge forward, hungry for the blood of their enemies. The Solar Guard locked it's shields together, and the battle mages prepared their final spells. Beneath their feet, the white glow of Harmony gave them courage. They may die today. But it would not be in vain. Amongst them, one of the guard called back, his own blue eyes hard with determination "FOR HARMONY!!" The shields failed, and the monsters swarmed forward in triumph. But it was too late. ~~~~~ Shining Armor watched in horror as one by one, golden white magic burst into life on the horizon. A massive explosion of power ripped through those areas, flattening trees and shattering his forces on the ground. Oh no. was his single, grim thought. Six massive crystals, taken from the caverns beneath Canterlot blazed with light. Six columns of magic soared into the air, and then curved to meet each other over Ponyville. Shining Armor's face hardened. "I'm not going to be able to stop that in time." He turned to the other two commanders. "Get out of here. Retreat to the forest. I'll shield myself, and personally evacuate the Queen." The two creatures hesitated, then nodded. They saluted him, and shot into the air just as the beams of energy began to converge into a single point over the center of Ponyville. Shining Armor could see them buzzing away to the west, towards the forest. He took a deep breath and planted his hooves. Within moments, the hardest and thickest shield he had ever created enveloped him like a bubble. Hang on Twily. I'm coming to get you. Shining grit his teeth and hunkered down, waiting for whatever was going to happen to pass. ~~~~~ The Elements of Dissonance were already moving. Dash threw herself at Celestia at speeds that no other pegasus could match. Had she gone a hair faster, she might have even set off a Sonic Rainboom. Celestia was faster, a shining golden shield deflecting the charging pegasus off of it and into the square, where Dash Tumbled to her hooves, snorting angrily. Twilight's thoughts raced That's one... Pinkie Pie was next. The windows and doors of the cafe suddenly bursting open to reveal a battery of Party Cannons, all of which fired off at the same moment. Celestia whipped around to redirect her shield, only to find herself buried in streamers, balloons and thrown cupcakes. Twilight built the magic up in her horn, getting ready. That's Two... Rarity was up next, her horn suddenly glowing with a bright blue glow and a single needle hurled towards Celestia. Celestia's shield burst open, scattering the party favors in every direction just in time to see the tiny enchanted needle strike her golden shield dead on. The complex spell woven into it suddenly came to life, and Celestia's shield was shattered like glass. That's Three! GO FLUTTERSHY! Applejacks hooves hurled Fluttershy towards Celestia at incredible speed, and Celestia's eyes had gone wide. Time seemed to slow down as Twilight felt a surge of Triumph. There was no time for Celestia to cast a spell. There was no time to rebuild the shield strong enough to stop Fluttershy from making contact, and once she did Twilight's spell would end this once and for all. Checkmate. Twilight whispered softly in her mind. Suddenly, a single column of energy descended from where the beams met in the air and struck into the ground right in front of town hall. Within less than a second, every street and road within the town was crazed with geometric patterns and symbols. White light seemed to seep upwards from these symbols, giving everything an unearthly glow from below. A second burst of magic detonated out from the beam a moment later from the town square and struck every creature within it with an immense wave of power. Twilight acted on instinct, grabbing every ounce of power from within her and flinging it up in a meter thick shield of green flame that encircled herself and Lilith. The blast of harmony struck her shield and nearly obliterated it. Twilight was too strong for that though, and Lilith's power pouring into her made it possible to resist the assault as it came again and again. Power hammered at her shield for what felt like an eternity, and then suddenly stropped. Twilight paused, her eyes meeting Lilith's. They nodded to one another and Twilight slowly unraveled the shield, her eyes traveling over the square. The ground had become cracked and crazed all through the square, geometric Harmony patterns glowing with a rippling white power. The patterns formed a perfect, ten meter circle, with six lesser circles around the edge and a single larger circle in the middle. It's a ritual circle. A very powerful ritual circle. Twilight thought with no small amount of awe. Twilight looked up above her town to see the entirety of it now trapped within a cage of light. Beams of energy crisscrossed one another and slowly rotated around the town, effectively trapping her here. Twilight then looked elsewhere in the square, her eyes narrowing in anger. Her friends lay unconscious on the ground - each of them still wearing the silver necklaces of the Elements of Dissonance. Damnit. I was so close. Twilight had to think, with Fluttershy mere inches away from Celestia's hooves. What the buck is this spell? Twilight looked around slowly - Sombra and Chrysalis were... cocooned inside some kind of hard black shell. The Harmony magic couldn't touch them, but they were effectively out of the fight. Celestia slowly walked around the table, her eyes going to each of Twilight's closest friends. "You sought to wield their power against me." She spoke gently. "And not through force either." Celestia leaned down to gently stroke back a lock of Fluttershy's pink mane. "A spell of Obedience, cast through its own element. Even I would have been unable to resist that." She shook her head. "You never fail to impress me, Twilight Sparkle. An absolutely brilliant plan." Twilight grimaced, calling more of her new found power through her crown - pouring more strength into her shield of flames. "What have you done to them?!" She growled out, pushing herself out of the chair. Lilith was now close behind Twilight, her eyes narrowed angrily at Celestia. Celestia smiled, her horn softly glowing and each of her five friends floating into the air. "They are merely asleep, Twilight. When they awaken, the world will be renewed. They will be saved from the dark corruption. As will you." Each of the five friends were gently deposited in the middle of the square, in a rough formation. Twilight advanced, her own horn slowly coming to life with opaque purple power. Celestia laughed gently. "You are incredibly strong, Twilight. Yet you are not strong enough to stop me alone." Celestia turned her head with a slight smile. "I'm afraid our conversation must end here." Celestia lifted a white bound book, and laid it down upon the table behind them. "I know you had more questions. I assure you, the answers to all of them are in there." She nodded her head towards the book. Twilight stared, as Celestia slowly walked into the center of town. Twilight's friends arrayed around her like...A ritual. Celestia's performing some kind of...insanely powerful ritual. Twilight's mind went blank. The entire town was being used as a ritual circle. She could not begin to fathom what she might be up to. Lilith's eyes went wide, and she whispered. "By the ancestors, does she mean to.." Celestia's wings suddenly flared open. and her horn shone like a sunbeam in the darkness. Twilight felt her shield slowly being burned away, and she was powerless to stop it. No. It can't end this way! Each of her five friends slowly lifted into the air, their necklaces glowing bright with power. The Elements of Dissonance shone like stars and Celestia smiled. "I love you, my daughter. Never forget that." her words were truth and Twilight knew it well. Twilight could feel the tears streaming down her face, as she tried to deny what was happening around her. Six beams of energy - one from each of her friends, and one from Celestia shot out towards Twilight. Twilight closed her eyes and threw herself in front of Lilith, her hooves wrapping tightly around her. I can save her, if nothing else. I can protect the future. Dash. Fluttershy. Pinkie. Rarity. Applejack... Luna ... I love you. She waited for the end.