//------------------------------// // Catastrophic Omens // Story: The Cycle Anew // by ManeWriter //------------------------------// "Twilight Sparkle?" Invoked dreams of what had been absorbed by the forgotten tome, seized and ruptured as the soothing, radiant voice rippled through her mind. "Twilight Sparkle." As the voice spoke again, the dreams had died, and hoisted her into the receding darkness that was her awakening. "Wake up, my faithful student." Finally, Twilight had awoke, and was nearly blinded by the rays of the brilliant sun shining through tattered curtains. She took but a few moment to adjust herself and gather her surroundings. First of which, was The Grimoire of the Lost, which lied open beneath her. She must have stayed up for the remainder of the previous night soaking up every last iota of information from it. The dreams that were invoked by such a task resonated thickly in her memory. But a pair of strong, alabaster forelegs standing before her, finally shook Twilight out of her sleepy haze. "Princess Celestia!", she enthused with a most welcome smile. The lavender unicorn leaped from the stone-cold floor and into the warm embrace of her beloved mentor and leader. "O-hoho my! Has something escaped my attention, my little pony?" Celestia's answer was comprised of several ecstatic 'thank you's'. "Oh, Princess! I can't begin to tell you how grateful I am that you've given me this chance!", Twilight beamed up at the Sun Goddess. Celestia needed not ask another question. "It would be redundant of me to ask how that has been going for you, I suppose?", she asked rhetorically. Twilight fell into a fit of giggles. Now more than ever, the mere sight of Princess Celestia filled the unicorn with joyous content. "Princess, its amazing the things I've learned! The Humans are so fascinating to me! Their past! Their culture! Its absolutely incredible!", Twilight sputtered in excitement. Celestia simply couldn't help but smile down at her student as she talked of her new discoveries like a little school-filly. "I wanna learn everything about them, Princess! I have to know more!" "And you will, Dear Twilight.", Celestia cooed as she felt the strange, motherly urge to nuzzle against her student, "But wouldn't you rather bask in the festivities up above?" A now confused Twilight could barely got a 'what?' in, before she and Celestia were transported out of the ancient Archive; leaving The Grimoire of the Lost cold and deserted. When Twilight next opened her eyes, every one of her features progressively brightened to an almost feverish wonder as she gazed upon a sight, most fantastic. She and Celestia stood atop a balcony that stood beyond Canterlot Palace's ballroom. And it had never look more beautiful than it did that day. "The Renaissance... Its... Its gorgeous.", Twilight whispered in heart tingling wonder. Down below, ponies from all over Equestria, and even the different regions of the world, gathered for one of their history's most festive events. A gathering in which all of pony-kind could revel in their culture, and embrace a diversity that would bring them closer, and unveil untold stories of their upbringing. To some, it was more than a mere event, or festivity. It was a symbol. Not just in what it was, but in what it represented: a hope that unity could finally be achieved among all ponies, and they would finally understand one another. Twilight marveled at the art that decorated the walls of the once tame ballroom. Every square inch of the place was covered in festive decor that suggested extravagant tastes, be it old fashioned or innovative by design. An uncanny ability to read between the lines, however, allowed Twilight to detect a pattern all to familiar. Pinkie Pie decor... She quietly squealed and hid behind her mentor's foreleg. "Hm? What's the matter, Twilight? I thought you'd be eager to mingle with our fellow ponies.", Celestia said, concerned to no end. "B-Believe me, Princess. I would like that very much. But you see, I'm kiiiind of in a bind with my friends.", the nervous unicorn tried to explain has easy as she could. The regal Sun Goddess was struck by a sudden remembrance. "That reminds me. Your generous friend Rarity approached me earlier today, and wanted me to indulge you that her and your other friends are very displeased with you. Something about a 'Pinkie Promise'?" And, cue the sickening twinge of guilt. "Uh. Hehehe... Ehhh.", Twilight sighed in defeat. Celestia made her disappointment known in earnest. "Twilight Sparkle. I thought better of you than to hide from your friends when a difficult situation rises.", the alicorn sighed with closed eyes. It was a statement that nearly broke Twilight's heart. She stared up at her Princess, dumbfounded, and her sudden shame nearly brought her to tears. "But... But I was just afraid that... if they ever found out-...", the young protege's words fell through the cracks of her resolve, "I just didn't want them to worry." "Twilight. Your friends would crawl through the pits of Tartarus for you. You know that. I'm certain that if you had been honest with them about your visions, they would've understood implicitly.", Celestia explained. Twilight cast a sad, yet knowing gander at her mentor as she shared those words. "Luna?", she asked. "Luna.", Celestia responded flatly. Devouring doubt encroached upon Twilight as she tried to imagine how she would face her friends after so viciously throwing their trust back in their faces. "I... I don't know, Princess. It feels so much like I betrayed them. I-I don't know how I can face them so soon.", the purple eyed pony fretted. Her protege's words granted Celestia a refreshing memory of just how much her friends meant to her. The elegant alicorn craned her head down and nuzzled against Twilight adoringly. "Oh, my faithful student. Is living through your days, regretting what could've been because of passed grievances, really more important than trusting and confiding in the ponies who love you?" The ring of truth that accompanied Celestia's words, shook the foundation of Twilight's doubts. The statement's meaning cut through the young mare like a knife through butter. She grinned widely as she looked down, and, indeed, saw her five marefriends mingling with the crowd. "No... I guess not. Heh.", she laughed at herself for ever feeling so afraid. Now ready to face the music with her beloved companions, Twilight Sparkle galloped toward the stairs beside the balcony to join the fun down below. Content that her faithful student had regained her resolve, Celestia took a moment to gaze upon the beauty that sprang to life in the Palace ballroom. It was a beauty that no words could describe. What the regal Monarch of Day had beheld was a treasure that she had longed to see for as far back as she could remember. And though the celebration was confined to Canterlot, Celestia dreamed that, one day, such festivities would span across all of Equestria. With time, the world. For now however, her magenta eyes closed at the satisfaction of one soothing thought; brimming with pride and hope. Her people were thriving. Slowly, but surely, they were thriving. Humbled to no end by this prospect, Celestia turned and walked from the balcony; discreetly casting a containment spell behind her. A transparent bubble filled the openings, and blotted out all sound. What she was about to do, needed her full attention and no interference. It was strange how the Canterlot Grand Hall had become somewhat of favored spot as of late. "Luna." There, standing before a familiar and equally as troubling artifact, stood Celestia's fellow monarch, Princess Luna. "The resonance grows stronger, still, Sister.", Luna murmured. Celestia approached her sister; a new resolve coursing through her as they, once again, gazed upon the contained relic. "I can't tell you how grateful I am for your assistance Luna. Twilight Sparkle's intervention may have rolled the red carpet for a most fruitful project.", she said. "I am no longer certain of that, Celestia. Your protege may have single-hoofedly broadened our insight of this relic, but I fear that we may have taken our ambitions too far.", Luna said. Celestia was all too aware of what the dark Moon Goddess was suggesting. "I, too, have begun to doubt my original plan to involve Twilight. If her visions are as you described, then...", her words fell short of silence. Luna turned toward her fellow Princess. "You could not have known, Sister. It was beyond all knowledge of what would have transpired.", Luna strongly assured. Celestia's eyes closed shamefully. "Indeed. And, to that end, I'm going to do what I should have done from the very beginning.", she declared. Luna gazed at her sister thoughtfully. "Celestia?" The Sun Goddess opened her eyes, now filled with filled with determination. "Luna. I'm going to use the artifact." "What?! Have you gone mad, Celestia?!", Luna shouted in protest, "We still know so little of it! It is unwise to use it so casually!" "I am well aware of that. As such, I should have been more cautious when I subjected Twilight Sparkle to this task.", Celestia countered. She spoke nothing but the truth. Celestia was ashamed of herself for having involved her most treasured student so openly. Even going so far as to send the enigmatic artifact to Ponyville. "I was reckless, Luna. I had exposed a strong, fertile mind to horrors that no young mare should ever have to see. And because of it, I fear she has grown obsessed." Luna's brow furrowed with understanding. "Yes. Her new fascination with the Humans is proof of that, Sister.", she said, recalling the archive she had shown the eager unicorn. "Had I known, Luna... If only I had known...", Celestia whispered; her guilt becoming more apparent, "It is time to make things right." With that declaration, the turquoise maned alicorn's horn beamed brightly and dispensed of the thick glass that contained the relic. Celestia stepped forward. "Sister, I beseech you. Please reconsider your actions? I... I am afraid.", Luna hastily admitted. Celestia smiled warmly at her younger sister. That edgy, confident smile that warranted all troubles of the mind away. A gift that, as it seemed, only she possessed. And, despite her hesitance, was all it took to garner Luna's compliance. "Celestia, I... ... Very well." "Lulu. Please understand that whatever happens... I love you." Luna's teeth clenched together, fighting back fearful tears. She wanted so much for her sister to stop what she was about to do. To lose her perpetual back-bone and find another way to learn from this enigma. But Celestia's mind was set. And if anypony knew how impossible it was to change that, it was Princess Luna. "And I you, Tia." Their moment of sisterly affection was abruptly cut short when the artifact pulsed it's sharp red glow of light. Celestia glared unto it as she stepped closer, prepared to take whatever it had to offer by storm. Luna timidly backed away as the resonance became suffocating. As Celestia felt her body become drawn to the artifact, her wings expanded, and she felt an unsettling discomfort. What was long expected followed soon after. Pinkie Pie!~", Twilight whined almost endearingly as she besought the pink party pony's forgiveness. Alas, Pinkie Pie threw her chin up with an audible, and somewhat haughty, 'Humapha!'. "I'm still not talking to you, Twilight Sparkle.", she said flatly. The cuteness in her voice gave an adorable edge to her moodiness. Rainbow Dash tossed one of the scrumptious Hors d'oeuvres into her mouth. "Seriously, Pinkie Pie. Are you still all fussy over that?", she asked while chewing loudly. "Honestly, Dear.", Rarity elegantly chided, "What had happened was a lifetime ago. You've simple got to let it go." The poofy maned earth pony glared at her other friends. "She broke. A Pinkie Promise.", she growled through clenched teeth, "Nopony breaks a Pinkie Promise!" Fluttershy delicately sipped on a cup of tea, and stifled a sigh. "Oh, Pinkie Pie. The important thing is that Twilight's alright. Please don't be mad at her.", she asked politely. "Yeah, Pinks.", Applejack chimed loudly, "Besides, we can all get our licks in, after the Celebration." Though Pinkie's doubt was slightly noticeable now, she stubbornly turned away from Twilight, still. The lavender unicorn, desperate for forgiveness, walked to her friend's side, and brushed her forehead against her neck. She nuzzled softly unto her, and stared at her with award-winning puppy-dog eyes. "I'm sorry, Pinkie.", she whined in a pout. Every last ounce of contempt that Pinkie held on to was shattered in that instant. Who was she fooling, anyway? She couldn't stay mad at one of her very best friends. Any trace of what had soured Pinkie's mood became non-existent as she pulled Twilight into a spine crushing hug. Her blinding smile returned. "OH! I forgive you, Twilight!", Pinkie enthused. A vibrant sigh of relief was shared among the friends as all was again right in the world. Or at least, that's how it seemed at first until an illuminating flash of light burst from the balcony above. The entire celebration as a whole seemed to stop at that very moment. Everypony expelled chatters of startled curiosity at what had just happened. As realization set in, Twilight inhaled a terrified gasp. "Princess, Celestia!", she screamed before galloping toward the stairs that led to the balcony. "What the hays goin' on?!", Rainbow Dash demanded; instinctively hovering in the air. With a furrowed brow, Applejack opted to get to the bottom of whatever was going on. All of Twilight's friends exchanged knowing glances toward one another. "Come on, y'all!". "Sister! Oh my stars! Sister, please wake up!", Luna lamented as she nudged to head against the fallen Celestia. The alabaster monarch lied sprawled unto the ground in a motionless heap, save only for her slow, shuttered breaths. Fear of a soul destroying magnitude took Luna in earnest. "SISTER!", she cried again. Celestia's eyes shot open, and her lungs inhaled a sharp breath. She exhaled harshly to resist screaming at the top of her lungs. Her eyesight haloed as she regained herself; swimming in an inconceivable migraine. Relieved to a staggering degree, Luna aided her sister to her hooves, and noted the difficulty she had standing. "Celestia. What was it? What did you see?", she asked impatiently. There were no words Celestia could use to answer that question. The visions that Luna had described before, were only a fraction of what the Sun Goddess had just witnessed. "I... I saw..." "Princess!" Both alicorns turned only to see Twilight Sparkle and all of her friends rushing to there side. Ready to render aid in whatever way they could. "Elements...", Celestia weakly whispered. Twilight was a basket-case of worry as she gazed upon her mentor's weakened form. Celestia trembled uncontrollably, and tried to maintain her balance. "Princess, what happened?! A-Are you alright?", she shrieked with worry. "I am... I am fine my little ponies.", she said through shuddered breath, "Don't worry, I-" Any words of reassurance died as Celestia gasped in heart thumping shock. The artifact, which had been the cause of such an upset, burst out another flash of red light. Only this time, the surrounding area slipped into a pitch black darkness; the ominous shade of red being the only beacon. The Mane Six and the Princesses looked on in wonder and terror as a gargantuan, blood-red image of strange shape hovered above the artifact. What followed next, was a voice that destroyed the silence. A chest hollowing, teeth rattling voice that vibrated the very floor they stood on. "Starswirl's Beard...", Luna whispered as she stared up at the visage of this new presence. "THE CYCLE BEGINS ANEW." Its voice struck fear and uneasiness into the hearts of the surrounding ponies. "What in tarnation is that thing?!", Applejack exclaimed. "Wow. That has got to be the biggest cuttlefish I have ever seen.", Rainbow commented flatly. Pinkie pointed a deductive hoof at the image. "Ah-HA! So THAT'S what they look like!", she hollered. The ungodly, dominant, and monotone voice rumbled again. "RUDIMENTARY CREATURES OF BLOOD AND FLESH. YOU TOUCH MY MIND; FUMBLING IN IGNORANCE. INCAPABLE... OF UNDERSTANDING." Any and all assumptions that had arisen, were smashed as soon as they had formed. "Darlings? I do not think that's a cuttlefish.", Rarity stated the obvious. "THERE IS A REALM OF EXISTENCE SO FAR BEYOND YOUR OWN, YOU CANNOT EVEN IMAGINE IT. I AM BEYOND YOUR COMPREHENSION. I... AM SOVEREIGN!" Princess Celestia and her midnight coated sibling stood before the ominous shape, dreadfully cautious of its presence. "What... are you?", Celestia asked with. "WE HAVE BEEN DUBBED MANY A NAME, LABELS CREATED BY CIVILIZATIONS OF AGES PASSED TO GIVE VOICE TO THEIR DESTRUCTION. THE HUMANS HAD MAINTAINED A NAME IN PARTICULAR THAT HOLDS NO MEANING TO US. FOR IN THE END, WHAT THEY CHOSE TO CALL US IS IRRELEVANT. WE SIMPLY... ARE." This time, it was Twilight who stepped forward. Consumed by the need to protest something with youthful abandon. "That... That can't be true.", she denied with a shake of the head, " You speak as though you had seen them first-hand. But the Humans vanished 50,000 years ago. For you to have been there... That's impossible!" The terrible voice clarified its assertions without a hitch. "ORGANIC LIFE IS NOTHING BUT A GENETIC MUTATION. AN ACCIDENT. YOUR LIVES ARE MEASURED IN YEARS AND DECADES. YOU WITHER... AND DIE. WE ARE ETERNAL. THE PINNACLE OF EVOLUTION AND EXISTENCE. BEFORE US, YOU ARE NOTHING. YOUR EXTINCTION IS INEVITABLE. WE... ARE THE END OF EVERYTHING." If that wasn't a declaration of war, than nothing was. Sovereign's statement antagonized all of the mare's in ways that sent minds and hearts racing. Blindly accepting the challenge, Rainbow Dash growled and zipped up to the image. "That so, oh Wise and Godly Cuttlefish?! And just who do you think you a-" "Rainbow Dash!". The cyan pegasus whipped her attention back to a frowning Celestia, who silently prompt her not to finish her sentence. Rainbow Dash clenched her teeth and backed down. "I don't know what you are, Strange Being. But whatever your plan is, its doomed to fail. There is a entire Kingdom united and ready to stand against you!", Celestia strongly declared. The presence wasn't phased in the slightest. "CONFIDENCE BORN OF IGNORANCE. THE CYCLE CANNOT BE BROKEN." The longer the presence remained, the more questions arisen. Luna was especially curious about what it was talking about. "Cycle.", she repeated, "What is this 'cycle' you speak of?". "THE PATTERN HAS REPEATED ITSELF MORE TIMES THAN YOU CAN FATHOM. ORGANIC CIVILIZATIONS RISE. EVOLVE. ADVANCE. AND AT THE APEX OF THEIR GLORY, THEY ARE EXTINGUISHED. THE HUMANS WERE NOT THE FIRST. AND THEY WILL NOT BE LAST. THE CYCLE WILL CARRY THE UNSULLIED FUTURE OF YOUR WORLD. THE LEGACY... OF MY KIND." The more it spoke, the less sense it made. Celestia grew both nervous and angry at these outrageous declarations. She may not have been perfectly clear about these statements, but what they suggested was impossible. An endless cycle of catastrophe. "What you speak of is absurd! What is your purpose?! Whats the true reason for this senseless genocide?!", she demanded. "IT IS NOT A THING THAT YOU... CAN COMPREHEND. YOU REPRESENT CHAOS. WE REPRESENT ORDER. YOUR CIVILIZATIONS ARE A BLIGHT UPON THE FACE OF EXISTENCE. COUNTLESS CYCLES HAVE PROVEN THAT YOUR ONLY PURPOSE IS TO REAP THE BOUNTIES OF YOUR OWN WORLD. EVERY CATASTROPHIC END IS WROUGHT ONCE YOUR CIVILIZATIONS DEVELOP TO THE LEVELS WE DESIRE. WE IMPOSE ORDER UPON THE CHAOS OF ORGANIC EVOLUTION. YOU EXIST BECAUSE WE ALLOW IT. AND YOU WILL END... BECAUSE WE DEMAND IT." Luna's face twisted with disdainful protest. "You harvest life. You allow civilization to grow to the level you need, then wipe us out.", she hissed, "You... disgusting abomination!" A menagerie of questions riddled Twilight's mind as she gazed upon the cruel visage. How could such a thing possibly exist without anypony knowing? It was inconceivable! "But I don't understand! "Twilight sneered, "What do you want from us?! If we exist only to bleed our world dry, then why not just destroy us outright?!" "MY KIND TRANSCENDS YOUR VERY UNDERSTANDING. WE ARE EACH A NATION. EACH INDEPENDENT. FREE OF ALL WEAKNESS. YOU CANNOT HOPE TO GRASP THE NATURE... OF OUR EXISTENCE." "But where did you come from?! You're unlike anything I ever seen! Were you born, or did somepony create you?! Tell me!" "WE HAVE NO BEGINNING. WE HAVE NO END. WE... ARE INFINITE. MILLIONS OF YEARS AFTER YOUR CIVILIZATION HAS BEEN ERADICATED AND FORGOTTEN, WE... WILL ENDURE." "You-... You're lying! There couldn't possibly be more of you! Somepony would have noticed! Or maybe... Maybe you're the last of your kind?!" "WE ARE LEGION. THE TIME OF OUR RETURN IS COMING. OUR NUMBERS WILL DARKEN THE SKY OF YOUR ENTIRE WORLD. YOU CANNOT ESCAPE... YOUR DOOM." Without her consent, tears of confusion, anger and fear began to well up within Twilight's eyes as she rigorously tried to make sense of the words spoken. "But... But-!", her protests were silenced by a grave Celestia. The assertions of this being had MORE than convinced the Sun Goddess of an impending struggle. One that would shake the very foundation of her people. But Sovereign's convictions would never go unchallenged so long as she drew breath. She flapped her majestic wings, and raised herself to meet with what could loosely be called it's face. "Understand one thing, Sovereign.", she warned with an edge to her voice that scared even her, "What awaits you and your kind, upon your arrival, will make you regret ever seeing the light of day. Your intentions are foul and detestable. And will not be tolerated. If you rekindle your candidacy of genocide of this world, then rest assured that we will unite. We will stand together. And we will end you!". Like any other time during that whole conversation, Sovereign was unflinching. Unhindered. Unchallenged. It's next words would rattle Celestia's bravery down to its rawest essence. A statement that clarified one thing. This was no joke. "YOUR WORDS ARE AS EMPTY AS YOU FUTURE. I AM THE VANGUARD OF YOUR DESTRUCTION. THIS EXCHANGE IS OVER..."