Chapter Eleven: “Preparing to Make Choices, to Make History”
“To leave a lie alone, to let it fester, can be easier than anything else for a mortal to do. To tell the truth, to step up and take responsibility for something, can be harder than death for that same said mortal. However, with the passing of time, I have come to learn something. Always telling as well as accepting the truth will set you free of most anything. Especially when the Spirit of Destiny, the master of fate, the seer of seers, decrees it to be so.” – Star Swirl the Bearded, Unicorn Prodigy
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“Twilight Sparkle, my most faithful student,” The Spirit of Destiny ominously acknowledged from Queen Dawn’s bedside, making every alicorn in the room pause in celebration to focus completely onto Ponyville’s conflicted princess in turn, “Element of Magic, championess of Equestria, friend of all mortals and to all mortals…”
Next, with a gradual smile spreading across his expression, the spirit stated to Twilight while he purposefully looked around, “Welcome to one of my personal, if not your own, favorite moments in history.”
At this, after gaining approval from both golden maned Dawn and shadowy maned Dusk with a nod of their regal heads, Agatha’s hooded master impersonating a Yonderlander purposefully gestured for the petrified Element of Magic to approach him. And not just him but little Celestia he cradled in his arms as well.
At the moment, at the historical moment, everypony was more than eager to be granted the honor of seeing the newly born, pink maned and tailed princess of the alicorns. Nevertheless, as both alicorn king and queen along with Destiny had invited her to join them first, all activity was being momentarily put on hold for Twilight’s sake. With the passing of the next moment, the lavender alicorn came to realize this with utter surprise; that she had been given the privilege of getting the first glimpse of the newest princess of Fortune Castle who would be a legend in more than just magic, who would be one of the two rulers of Equestria, who would be the glamorous keeper of the sun, who would be as gorgeous as Dawn and as powerful as Dusk in the future.
Yet, before stepping forward when beckoned by Destiny once more, Twilight couldn’t keep from rapidly thinking over a few queries to herself. Considering her case, who wouldn’t? Either way, without fully realizing it, she had soon departed or was departing the scene next instant. As everypony waited for her to see baby Celestia, she had or was being swept up into a never ending torrent of her own unanswered questions in the meantime.
Was any of this happening to her real and not just a figment of her wild imagination? If so, how could this be possible? How had she wound up here and been given such an honor as to approach filly Celestia as well as the monarchs of Fortune Castle? Was she truly in the midst of ponykind’s ancestors, the alicorns, then? More importantly, was she in the presence of Destiny, the fabled oracle of oracles, himself? And as he had just said, was she actually taking part in her most favorite section of history – the long lost age where alicorns were as common as any other pony type – which she’d never imagined seeing firsthand and only being able to read about with a “Squee”?
Wait, at rapidly taking in all of this at once, was Twilight’s heart literally about to explode from a sheer overdose of… giddiness? If not, she needed to take a few deep breaths to relax and clear her currently blurring vision. If so, then by all that was good, let that tragedy hold off long enough for her to fully enjoy the sudden realization that she was indeed seeing Queen Dawn and King Dusk so clearly, that she was amongst they who would be the founders of Equestria, that she was being able to see her most beloved princess of the sun – her future teacher – as a newly born filly.
Dream or no dream, going crazy or not going crazy, willing or unwilling, the princess of Ponyville firmly decided for herself then and there that even if she was sleeping or such, she might as well just go with the flows of things. After having been through worse than this beforehand, after having been sucked through a vortex, what was there for her to lose by allowing herself to fully enjoy everything transpiring around her now?
As for being able to see filly Celestia, as for being invited by Destiny along with the alicorn monarchs to join them at the bedside, Twilight could hardly believe that she was the first – the very FIRST – to be bidden forward amongst everypony else present! Had that miraculous turn out been due to favoritism, fate, or just plain luck in the works?
Obviously, being part of a world that wasn’t her own or as far as she knew, it couldn’t have been favoritism that blessed such an honor upon the Element of Magic. With Destiny being involved, perhaps it was fate then? That and plenty of luck as well?
Regardless, taking notice of the clearing of throats along with patient glances everypony was directing to one another at her hesitation instead of looking over the newest princess of the alicorns as she’d been asked, Ponyville’s princess jumped back onto the task she had been given.
Thinking of how dearest Rarity would handle the situation of approaching the best of royalty – with a clearing of her own throat, with a sweeping back of her indigo mane and swish of her tail – Twilight trotted forward to look upon Celestia as a foal. Or, heh, that’s what she thought of doing, anyway. However, as she came to find out with a sharp gasp, she wasn’t going anywhere. Not when, due to her recent anxiety, her body appeared to have cut itself completely off from her brain and had become as immobile as a statue!
Truly, with how her hooves seemed rooted in place to the marble floor, no matter how determined she was, Twilight could have very well been petrified by a Cockatrice without her know! She just – ngh! – couldn’t – ungh! – getting to trotting like wanted!
Getting flustered at the lack of coordination she had abruptly found herself in, the Element of Magic attempted to keep as much dignity as she could. Meanwhile, as she attempted to appear cool by smiling with a squee towards them, everypony else began whispering of things from the background in hushed tones. Obviously, after overhearing some snide comments about her, Twilight could guess that she was trying everypony’s patience.
But, oh dear, oh geez, oh gosh, they had to understand that this wasn’t on purpose, right? They had to understand… that approaching the king of night and queen of day and their firstborn was a HUGE deal! It would make anypony freeze in place!
Suddenly, as she had been attempting to be as gracious as Ponyville’s fashionista would be if faced with such a challenge as meeting Celestia’s parents, the Element of Magic couldn’t resist in thinking of how humiliating this moment would’ve been for Rarity. Without a doubt, if she were to hear of noble ponies shooting snide remarks in her direction, the Element of Generosity would be quick in giving in to her sobbing, wailing, just her dramatics altogether! Oh, as unfortunate as it was at the moment, woe would’ve been poor Rarity!
At this, at thinking of how depressed the Element of Generosity would’ve been in her position, Ponyville’s princess suddenly felt exactly as the Element of Kindness did everyday; meek, shy, always wanting to remain on the sidelines rather than in the center of the spotlight.
Nevertheless, if she didn’t want to ruin one of the greatest instances in history, if she didn’t want to be the target of further negativity for ponykind’s ancestors, Twilight couldn’t pull a “Rarity Drama Fest” now! No, with a resurgence of inspiration, she knew she needed to get a grip, to find her courage again as Fluttershy always seemed to do when the odds seemed too great a challenge! And for the princess of Ponyville, no trial, this one included, was too difficult for her to overcome!
So, come on hooves… MOVE! Confound it! That was an order from Twilight Sparkle, the Element of Magic, the Princess of Ponyville and Celestia’s former prized pupil! Now MOVE, MOVE, MOVE!
Ugh, of all the moments in her lifetime, of all the times she’d faced obstacles, now wasn’t the instant where Twilight wanted to pull a, well, “Rainbow Crash”! Sorry, no offense intended to the Element of Loyalty but now wasn’t the instant to look like the dork of dorks! Especially not in front of the majestic founders of Equestria! Come on, come on, come on!
“Heh, I know we’re all nervous beyond words, Twilight Sparkle.” Pumpkinpatch brightly encouraged the struggling Element of Magic from nowhere next, “But come along now. I’m here to help you, if you wish it.”
As she trotted forward from the background and hushed up the rude alicorns whispering amongst themselves, diverting the troubled purple alicorn from her own thoughts in turn, the chubby orange alicorn chuckled, “Heh, look at you as red in the face as a bunny caught red handed in a garden. But my oh my, you’re so tense! Way too tense, in fact!”
At hearing at how supposedly tense she was, in the middle of whispering amongst themselves some more, the alicorns all around began to chortle at Twilight’s anxious show of nerves.
Nevertheless, as a most disapproving Dawn nodded from her bed towards Pumpkinpatch to take action, everypony hushed up instantly when the round orange alicorn exclaimed most uncharacteristically in a scolding manner, “Bah, the lot of ya! Quit behaving like school fillies whom all have their cutie marks and are singling out the only one to not have one yet! Shame on you all for being so disrespectful, so mean spirited, so immature in the presence of their highnesses! I, for one, know better. Don’t we all know better? Hm?”
When she received murmured apologies along with agreements that they did indeed know better than to have acted so selfishly, Pumpkinpatch returned to being her sweet pudgy self as she next said to the alicorns, “Ah, good. Then give this child a chance, would you? Leave her be and we’ll all be getting our turns to see the firstborn. You all know that.”
At this, turning back to frozen Twilight who was more than ever grateful to have met Pumpkinpatch during this historical moment, the fiery orange alicorn reassured, “Now there’s no need to be frozen stiff as a statue, child. Their highnesses only want you to approach them, not do a jig for everypony here.”
Then, Pumpkinpatch added while glancing in filly Celestia’s direction, “And as for the newest princess, well… She’s not going to bite you.”
“Not yet, anyway.” Destiny confirmed jokingly, receiving a smug look from Dusk as well as a humored one from Dawn. It was while everypony else snickered at his comment afterwards, while he carefully checked inside little Celestia’s gurgling mouth with a finger, that the spirit playfully jumped about the regal bed next.
With an abrupt yelp, through the indignant squawks from Agatha trying to stay on his shoulder and the firstborn princess of Fortune Castle’s giggles at his dancing about in false pain, the master of three eyed ravens exclaimed in good humor, “Ah but, ouch, that’s just my opinion! If anything, if any of us aren’t careful, she could very well gum us all to death! Look!”
At this, freeing his hand from the princess of the sun’s maw, he showed off a completely unharmed yet saliva drenched hand for all to see as well as critique.
“I say, I’ve never seen such a severe case of over-dramatics!” One alicorn noble chuckled from the group all around.
“Ha ha, the princess is already showing she is to be as charming as her mother as well as be as fierce as her father! Huzzah!” A second alicorn, a maiden, giggled from elsewhere.
“She’ll gum us to death, you think? More like drown us.” A third stallion stated, beaming at watching the Spirit of Destiny be offered a cloth from an aid to dry off his purely drenched hand.
There was much laughter amongst the alicorns along with grumbling from shaken Agatha at this series of humorous remarks. As the result, laughing along but still feeling rooted to the spot at the same time, Twilight continued to involuntarily feel torn between moving and not moving to where she’d been invited. Truly, even when politely encouraged by the other humbled alicorns nearby to step forward, she actually found she could hardly move without awkwardly fumbling more than ever! Embarrassingly, it turned out that, sometime during the recent mirth, Twilight’s legs had practically turned into jelly underneath her!
Ugh, why was Ponyville’s princess doing this to herself? What was wrong with her body? It wasn’t like she had galloped through a field of Poison Joke before coming to this moment, right?
Seriously, she was more than happy at the thought of being invited to join Queen Dawn and King Dusk to see their firstborn daughter! She wanted to fulfill their wishes more than anything and, phew, thank goodness they hadn’t thrown her into the dungeon for her lack of action yet. As for her lack of doing anything but look foolish, if only she could get control of her hooves – of her trembling nerves – then she’d be having the time, the honor, of her life in seeing little Celestia!
Ugh, maybe if she thought of how Pinkie Pie would handle this situation then… Yeah, the Element of Laughter would just sing herself into feeling better! So, Twilight, ahem… “You put one hoof in front of the other, dah-dah dah-dum! And soon you’ll be trotting across the floor floor – Waaagh!”
Patiently, at seeing the newest of her do a perfect face plant upon the floor next, Pumpkinpatch immediately came to downed Twilight’s rescue again. In a matter of moments, after they both were back on their hooves, the orange alicorn began helping the smarting lavender one towards the expectant Spirit of Destiny.
Acting as the lavender alicorn’s support to lean against, the plump orange alicorn charmingly said in the meantime, “Well, isn’t this better, sweetness? Now, risk of being gummed or not gummed, we’re making progress. And that’s a good thing too. It’s common knowledge that Father Time waits for nopony and all of us, the kingdom, are going to want a turn after you. Your precious few seconds for seeing the princess are tick-tick-ticking away. Best get to it.”
“Ooh, ow, yes, I’d really like to have the first turn but look at me.” Twilight admitted, trying her best to not turn so very red again in the face from humiliation as her hooves didn’t want to obey her brain but go on making her fall all over the place, “I’m a complete mess, Pumpkinpatch! I’m in no shape to see Celestia.”
At this, Ponyville’s princess glanced upon the waiting king and queen of the alicorns while she wondered aloud, “Perhaps it would be better if their highnesses chose somepony else while I try to get better control over my-”
“Nonsense!” Destiny interrupted, “There is no huge rush to overwhelm Princess Celestia with attention here.”
In turn, he looked to the waiting audience of alicorns around him and admitted, “Actually, everypony should follow your example of seeing her, Twilight. We all should be as humbled, respectful, and be as slowly careful as you are being.”
Twilight drew her ears back to unknowingly better show how touched she was to hear this. In the meantime, she jabbered, “I – well – you know that – what I mean to say is-”
“Ha ha, everypony is willing to wait their turn after you, dearest. Don’t be bashful, don’t worry about anything expect trotting with me.” Pumpkinpatch interjected, pushing the reluctant Princess of Ponyville onward, “In the meantime, we all understand too well your reason for gaping at if not getting all nervous around the newest princess, the heir of the sun and moon themselves.”
At this, the orange alicorn awed when Celesta cooed from the arms of the Spirit of Destiny, “Truly, just look at her. Why wouldn’t anypony’s heart be all flutter at such an adorable sight?”
Yes, why wouldn’t everypony’s heart be all flutter at the sight of baby Celestia? Especially when, thousands of years later, everypony’s hearts would still be all a flutter when seeing her as the goddess of the sun? Now, if Pumpkinpatch thought the firstborn of Dawn and Dusk was adorable… then she would undoubtedly have her heart stolen away to see the same firstborn as an adult as Twilight did in Equestria nowadays.
Nevertheless, getting back to history, Pumpkinpatch lowered her voice into a whisper as she advised the stumbling Element of Magic, “But, Twilight, child, a word of caution. Don’t go seeming like you want to give up your turn here because of a little case of jelly legs. At the moment, these nobles with us are like hawks waiting for any opening to jump ahead of anypony. Besides, I have a bit of the shakes taking a hold of me too. Heh, see?”
“Y-you do?” Twilight wondered, watching her orange supporter shake out her own hooves, “That’s funny because you… But, wait, you’re such a liar! Ha ha, you’re having no trouble trotting at all!”
As the pair of them laughed, Twilight inquired from her support, “Actually, why can’t I have your hooves and you can have mine at the moment? Then, when I’m done, we can return them. Yeah, does that sound like a fair trade?”
“Ba ha ha! Can you do that, child? Nah, hold on, I don’t want to know!” The round orange alicorn reassured unto the brightened lavender one she was helping trot along, “For now, just relax. We’d best stop joking around and let you take advantage of the blessing of seeing their highnesses’ firstborn daughter while being given the chance.”
“Y-yes, of course! I’m more than happy to being given that honor, this chance.” Twilight replied, breaking into a wide grin towards the rulers of Fortune Castle that had honestly come forth mostly from her nervousness rather than will, “I’m sorry, I didn’t want to appear to be rude or ungrateful or anything bad towards their majesties by hesitating. I was just trying to be-”
“Considerate of others? You wanted to give somepony else the first turn?” Pumpkinpatch guessed, breaking into a wide grin also at being correct, “Heh, my husband did a fine job of hiring you onto my staff, darling. You’re so very perfect for being a part of Fortune Castle’s service crew. So, don’t be nervous anymore. Their highnesses, the princess, are going to enjoy you coming to see them.”
At this, she winked towards Twilight playfully, “Still, don’t take up all of our night. Heh, you’re so sweet and charming to speak with, dearest, but we’re all going to need a turn with the princess sometime, you know. Anyway, anyhow, enjoy the moment with their majesties while it lasts.”
With that said, the plump orange alicorn stepped aside, abruptly relieving Ponyville’s uncertain princess of her support.
At first, much like beforehand, it seemed rather difficult for Twilight to make her way over the remainder of the distance on her own. However, feeling newly inspired by Pumpkinpatch’s generous words, not wanting to be seen anymore as a foolish foal in the eyes of her alicorn ancestors but as the princess she was back in Equestria, Ponyville’s princess determinedly found her hooves again. Therefore, with another elegant swish of both her mane along with tail, with a stir of her wings, being back in control of her goofy self, she finally got around to being at the bedside she’d been invited to and gone through all of the trouble for.
Not at all knowing but knowing at the same time of what was going on around her, having been stuck in something of a partially dumbfounded state of joy since the newest princess of Fortune Castle had been properly named after the sun itself, Twilight couldn’t do anything expect allow her mind to babble to itself as she took to respectfully bowing towards their highnesses of Fortune Castle first.
Then, as Dawn as well as Dusk had nodded their approval at her show of kindness towards them, she bowed with mixed feelings before the master of messages, the seer of seers, the Spirit of Destiny himself who returned the action with a slight bow of his own. And as he did so, the princess of Ponyville couldn’t keep herself from studying him, his chosen form, with eagerness.
For the past month, at having received Star Swirl’s Yonderland tome from Celestia with orders to study its contents, Twilight had been researching that which Destiny was presently impersonating or had taken the form of: a Yonderlander, an advanced sapien, a human. As described in the few notes written out in Star Swirl’s book, the Element of Magic could tell that the master of three eyed ravens certainly looked the part of a Yonderlander male. Apart for his fit body – a body that, even though hidden under a robe, clearly showed in its own way that it was as muscular as Rafael Goldfeather’s if not Applejack’s big brother’s – his face was a flat yet charming one lacking a muzzle or beak of any kind. The mane/ hair he had were the little strands of yellow bangs dangling down from under his hood over his forehead into his equally golden eyes.
And, at seeing the spirit’s supernatural eyes, the lavender alicorn had to quickly divert her own away with a sharp intake of air. Nonetheless, it was at that moment, at having locked gazes, that Ponyville’s princess felt that she wasn’t going mad at standing in the midst of so many historical alicorns nor that the Spirit of Destiny was a mere figment of her imagination. Right there and then, in some part of her soul, she knew the spirit as well as his powers was really there with her.
How so?
At having looked into his eyes for only mere seconds, at having stared into the doors that opened to his infinite wisdom without thinking, Twilight had witnessed numerous, unspeakable, terrifying, wonderful things about Destiny that firmly stole her breath away. Truly, being such a spirit of fate, being the element of destiny, it had become clear to her that he was older than old, more glorious than most anything else, and had always been a capable master of miracles. Miracles such as helping mortals learn about themselves better, helping them fight the good fight, helping them make the impossible that much more possible.
Fortune Castle, the alicorns, filly Celestia with her parents, the Spirit of Destiny, they were all real. That or, at the moment of looking into Destiny’s eyes, they were real enough for Twilight to believe in now. And not only had she deduced that for herself but, in a trance, she began to recall several other things she had come to comprehend when locking gazes with the master of three eyed ravens…
Somehow, as impossible as it sounded yet somehow true to looking into Destiny’s golden gaze, Twilight had watched the very first sunrise as well as sunset of all existence performed by a… gargantuan turtle carrying the sun upon its shell of a back? Yes, it had literally been a titan sized tortoise!
Then, the stars had been individually crafted by the darkest colored hound whom next fetched the moon like a plaything from the depths of the darkness of the night to reflect the far off sun’s light. From then on, the sun and moon had kept balance for all things for eternity.
Next, there had been a once barren land be gradually covered in greenery instead. The chaotic seas calmed down, the skies settled themselves, and life – mortal kind in general – rose up amongst it all, due to the efforts of a truly elegant swan.
In the last series of flashes induced by Destiny, Twilight had indistinguishably yet clearly enough observed two mortal civilizations, promised friends to the end, both in control of the land, sea, and sky, turn on one another because of an ominous spider stinging a magnificent stag in back!
Together, with some following the traitorous spider, others aiding the injured stag, the best of friends yet fiercest of enemies, the two formerly allied civilizations, reaped unbelievable chaos upon each other, upon all existence, as the result! A chaos that continued throughout the future ages to the very moment the visions ceased and, in several deep inhales, the Element of Magic regained what was left of her senses.
In one blink of the eye, Twilight had been focused on seeing Princess Celestia as a foal. Then, in the next blink, she’d taken up looking over the Spirit of Destiny as a Yonderlander; in looking over what she’d been researching for the past thirty days but not thought once of seeing in real life. And now, through the very eyes of Destiny… had she truly just saw what she thought she’d saw?
Had she just seen the fabrics of the older than old past? As her gut feelings were trying to tell her, had she just seen the very start of all things; the very beginning of mortals? The start of all that was presently considered good and evil?
No. To have seen the beginning of life, of time, of death, that was too much to believe in. It just couldn’t be possible that the Element of Magic, just a mere pony, had been blessed with such a sight. That just couldn’t be true! The Spirit of Destiny could not have bestowed upon her such a gift!
Yet, deep down inside herself somewhere, she seemed to already believe in the visions. Somehow, she couldn’t not believe in them. They had been far too miraculous, too glorious, too real, to not be believed in. After having seen them, in a place in her heart, in her very soul, a void that had always sought purpose had been filled for Twilight.
“Twilight Sparkle, my most faithful student… Friend of all mortals and to all mortals. Come back to me. Come back us.”
At hearing him speak as if from very far away when just in front of her – at being drawn away from the sudden thoughts of what she guessed as existence’s first day, night, along with plenty more – the Element of Magic glanced around to find herself back with gently smiling Destiny.
This time, with caution around him, she didn’t dare look into his handsome face let alone his eyes. If she did, if she were sent back to the start of everything supposedly known, then her heart, her mind, her soul… would surely shatter from so much knowledge being poured into her; a miserable fate she wouldn’t wish upon anypony, on any enemy.
However, being an egghead above all else, she wanted more than anything to forever hold onto the ancient wisdom she had just randomly inherited. At will, she wanted to be able to speak of the turtle that had brought about day by carrying the sun upon his shell, of the hound that had bounded into the darkness to bring back the moon and bring forth night, of the swan that had motherly helped everything grow in the meantime, and of the spider that had betrayed the stag as well as them all…
And how had Twilight gleaned all of this ancient knowledge from several flashes of merely looking into Destiny’s gaze? How was she believing in everything – the master of three eyed ravens, being with the alicorns, having seen the start of all things – without questioning herself on every little thing all of a sudden?
Well, as Discord would concur if present, that was just how the unpredictable powers of fortune, the influence of the Spirit of Destiny, worked on a mortal. That was and had always been the mysterious ways heroes, champions, the greatest of individuals, began their journeys; by believing in the impossible first. Then, heh, everything seemed that much more possible, didn’t it?
One way or the other, whether it had been a stroke of sheer insanity or of ultimate wisdom that had struck her at looking into Agatha’s master’s gaze, Twilight couldn’t be sure at the moment. All that she wanted from it, if able, was to trot away and jot it down into her notes to remember and believe in later. More than ever, she wanted to share it with everypony, with every kingdom, with Princess Celestia most of all. She wanted everypony to learn that it had been a turtle who had acted as keeper of the sun before anypony else, that a hound had summoned the moon, that a swan had guided the living to be intelligent, prosperous, who they were today.
And as for the spider and the stag… Their fight, their tale, was still in the works nowadays. Even after so many millennium, mortals were still taking sides in the battle of good against evil. That war, that trial, would probably last forever… Or, perhaps, as a certain few of the galaxy could guess, it was so very close to being finished; it was so very close to one side winning over the other and ending the fight.
And would everypony believe Twilight of she spoke of her visions she had had with Destiny? Maybe, maybe not. Nevertheless, seeing as she herself was dreaming of Destiny or doing something close to that at the moment… would the Element of Magic be able to talk of such prophetic things when awake? Or would the knowledge she’d gained, like in most everypony’s dreams, be lost to her when she woke up?
“Twilight Sparkle… You have left us again.” The Spirit of Destiny chuckled, placing a tender hand upon the distracted Element of Magic’s forehead while the other alicorns snickered nearby in the background, “Come back to us. Return to where you are needed at the moment, won’t you?”
Obediently venturing back from her deep pondering to being amongst the alicorns once more, with Dawn and Dusk beaming at her, Ponyville’s princess got around to controlling her rapid heart-beat, breathing, even slight shaking. She came to remember where she was, what needed to be done, what was currently expected of her.
Next, at feeling better, she shakily replied to Destiny’s statement, “Yes, I’m here. I apologize for being so much trouble for you all. I just happened to have a bit on my mind that came from nowhere.”
“You’ll find that that is a regular thing you suffer from when in the presence of the master of fates.” Dawn softly put in, surprisingly coming to Twilight’s aid despite her holding up the grand occasion with her constant wonderings, “We all know too well that we get a bit thoughtful whenever we have dealings with the Spirit of Destiny. You do not need to apologize, young one.”
As Ponyville’s princess brimmed with happiness at having been told not to worry over being sorry for anything, Agatha’s master questioned innocently, “Is it so wrong for everypony to be thoughtful every so often, Dawn? Ha, you make me sound like nothing more than a villain for making others think back on the things that have helped them get to where they are today.”
At this, Destiny looked down upon baby Celestia as he purposefully added, “To where we are now.”
As everypony looked to the newest princess of Fortune Castle in turn, the fateful spirit wondered aloud, “Tell me friends, is it a curse or blessing to dwell on the past at certain times? Is it so wrong for me to make you think at this moment of the time in the past when your king and queen accepted each other’s differences and promised to unite all ponydom? When they ignored being opposites and became each other’s special someponies instead?”
There was a collection of murmurs in response to this question. Taking up the chance to rally the others with the occasion, Pumpkinpatch chimed, “No. To think of the moment, of the twilight, when you brought our king and queen together, my lord Destiny… That is a most romantic if not epic sight for us all to recall. Thank you for helping us remember it here and now.”
In turn to having their thoughts voiced for them, everypony else brightly agreed with the orange alicorn. Especially Dawn and Dusk who went on to lovingly nuzzle each other as their subjects, Twilight included, applauded along with awed at their show of affection.
“Destiny,” Dawn admitted, showing a bit of regret in her regal expression next, “I never meant to make you sound like you had to defend yourself. Truly, you have been nothing but a blessing unto all pony if not mortal kind. You have and always will be the best friend to us all.”
Next, the queen of the alicorns looked upon her firstborn as she stated amid agreements from the ponies around her, “A friend I am so very glad to say and know will always be there watching over my daughter, my kingdom, in the unpredictable future. Yes, you will be there when she needs your help… Won’t you?”
At this question, the Spirit of Destiny turned his cheery gaze along with smile away from the Element of Magic onto the queen of alicorns instead. Even before he answered, before he hugged Celestia tighter to himself, Twilight knew what the spirit’s answer – he who was the master of prophecies, the teacher of heroes, the master of glory – was going to be. However, it came as something of a pleasant surprise when Dusk confidently rumbled out Destiny’s answer for him.
“My love… How can you question our friend in such a manner?”
While his wife looked to him with a continued look of uncertainty, the king of the night said for them both, “Destiny brought us together. He brought our kingdom, our people, together.”
Dawn’s husband next looked upon his cradled firstborn as he happily praised her, “Now, we needed him most, he’s brought us a daughter as well as named her. So, yes, as he’s always been there for us… he shall, no doubt, be there for our Celestia too.”
As he humbly proclaimed next, Dusk could not help but tip his graceful head in the direction of the quietly grateful master of three eyed ravens while Twilight watched in growing awe, “So, of course, Destiny will be there to guide our little Celestia in the coming days, my love. He’ll forever be at her side. When we’ve passed on – whenever the unfortunate time the hound of the valley of death comes for us – then she’ll have him to show her the way, in the least.”
In turn, while he boldly finished for everypony, for his loved ones, for his kingdom, the king of the moon stated with pure resolution showing in his face, “In that regard, in you, Spirit of Destiny, I have the utmost faith. I know that with how you’ve made my life far more better than I could’ve asked of you… you’ll be the perfect example for my firstborn daughter to follow, to love, to consider family.”
And, with that said, the stallion as dark as night suddenly bowed to the spirit so gently cradling his firstborn daughter.
In turn, everypony else present, even beaming Twilight, followed their king’s actions. As for Dawn, the queen looked around before dipping her own head in honor towards the wordless Spirit of Destiny who, tickling cooing Celestia’s tummy, purposefully turned his eerie gaze back onto the Element of Magic; the pony of Ponyville who would be – had been since she had been born – his newest chosen championess for Equestria and needed to hear a prophecy that had been awaiting her for a thousand years. A prophecy she’d earned by completing every challenge, defeated every enemy, that had come her way for the last two years until becoming a princess.
But before that, before anything else was to happen, there was just one more bit of business to be handled at the moment. If Destiny was going to be asking the Element of Magic for a favor, for her to truly become his newest chosen one, it was only natural he needed to return the favor in kind. He needed to allow her the time to enjoy herself in the gift dream he’d made for her. He needed to let her be happy in the presence of Dawn, Dusk, the alicorns, foal Celestia, as he’d remembered them on this particular day that made history those many centuries ago.
“Twilight Sparkle…” As he said this, as he placed a hand upon her head, Destiny had Ponyville’s inspired princess get up from bowing and stand back onto her hooves, “Heh, you still haven’t been given the honor of seeing their highness’s firstborn, have you?”
“I, well…” Twilight mumbled, still keeping herself from looking up into the golden eyes watching her from under the hood, “No. No I haven’t. I’m sorry.”
“No, there is no reason to apologize. We all cannot seem to keep from being distracted, can we?” The master of three eyed ravens explained.
In turn, he purposefully shifted Celestia in his arms so she could be seen better by everypony while he said next, “Everypony is waiting for their turn, though. So, look upon her now, Element of Magic.”
Next, Destiny abruptly took Twilight by surprise as he leaned in to fatefully whisper in her ear, “Look upon she who we both know will be your majestic teacher and my best friend in the future. Look upon she who will be as gorgeous as her mother and be as powerful as her father, she who will have a little sister of the moon soon enough, she who will seal away the Spirit of Disharmony, overthrow King Sombra, and be a rightful ruler over Equestria.”
She didn’t know why but, at that moment and much like how she’d recently witnessed the beginning of all things, something majestic took hold of Twilight’s heart. Simultaneously, she felt a mixture of painful, saddening, invigorating, hopeful, happy feelings. In turn, despite herself from trying not to, she couldn’t keep from glancing back into Destiny’s eyes when he stepped back from her and, this time, the scenes that flashed before her own vision did not depict the beginning of all things. No, at that moment… she literally witnessed bits of Celestia’s life, her struggles, her beliefs, her victories as well as losses.
And during it all, throughout everything being shown, Twilight knew that the Spirit of Destiny had been there with Celestia. Clearly, things were starting to make a bit better sense. He had been the reason why the goddess of the sun had become the promising leader, the feared pony, the glorified alicorn, she was back in Equestria.
Caught within the pools of the Spirit of Destiny’s wisdom once more, pulled from her own mind into his, Twilight happily along with sadly witnessed the greatest of scenes concerning her former teacher pass before her eyes. In several brief moments that zipped by at the steady ticking pace of a clock, there was Celestia growing up, fighting, surviving, suffering, questioning herself, believing in herself, and lastly observing the certain white capitol of Canterlot being erected upon the side of a dark blue mountain which signified Equestria being united.
Next, there was Celestia again, as a young filly this time, beaming over her newly born little sister, Luna, with Queen Dawn cradling them both in a room that sparkled like diamonds.
Then, there was a teenage Celestia – her mane and tail beginning to flow like the aurora it would turn out to be when she was and adult – with a mighty four winged dragon, the mighty Dragon Elder Garm, happily listening to what she had to say. The both of them were upon the highest peak of a white capped mountain top and, by the end of their talk, they had thoroughly impressed one another as well as become the best of friends. To this very day, their friendship had endured. They had remained the closest of allies since then.
Third to be shown was Celestia as a young adult in an open valley with little Luna at her side and, this time, she looked absolutely dreadful. With her amethyst eyes swollen along with reddened, with her mane plus tail not flowing as fluently as they usually did, it seemed she had been crying for ages. Why became clearer as did the company she was standing amongst which were hundreds if not thousands of… Yonderlanders?
Yes, standing in rows, heavily armored from their stern heads to the two feet they all stood upon, an army of humans – some clad in gold, others in ebony, the rest in diamond – surrounded the troubled goddess of the sun. Yet, amongst them all, a single figure in caped navy colored plate armor was the only one to purposefully embrace Celestia, turn away from her, and begin walking away with a withdrawal of his sword. At this, with a shifting of feet, a ring of their own weapons being drawn, the mighty army moved away into the horizon for a place only they seemed to know of.
And after this most unexpected scene of Yonderlanders having bidden farewell passed, there was only more hardship for the princess of the day to conquer and for Twilight to watch happen.
King Sombra, being swarmed by his supposed slaves and the alicorns sisters’ magic, was plunged into shadow as was the Crystal Empire for the next millennium.
Discord, finally cornered, was sealed away in stone for that same millennium.
And then there was Luna as Nightmare Moon afterwards, seized by the darkest of magics, being banished to the moon by what was left of her own family.
The last of the visions that Twilight got to see of her former teacher, of the keeper of the sun, of the princess of the day, was when Celestia stepped into a certain classroom… to make the Element of Magic her own pupil! And at this, as the goddess of the sun couldn’t have looked happier at having found herself a student, the series of images depicting her were tenderly yet inspiringly concluded at the same time.
All the while, the Element of Magic knew that with every victory Celestia had achieved, every feat she had accomplished, Destiny had somehow been nearby to guide her along. As best as he could, he had fulfilled his promise to Dawn and Dusk. He had watched over their firstborn, the champion of Equestria as best as he could manage. And not only had he done that… it turned out that he had been part of the reason why the goddess of the sun had found herself a star pupil. If it had not been for some of his influence, Twilight Sparkle would not have been given the chance to learn the best of magic under the best of teachers.
Equestria owed him much gratitude. Twilight owed him much gratitude. Obviously, everything in existence owed him much gratitude.
Through it all, after regaining herself from his visions, Twilight almost sobbed with merriment to Destiny as he watched her, “Yes, Destiny, you’re right… Let me look upon she who, even though fated to endure so much strife, will be the most beloved pony of ponydom in the end.”
“Heh, well said.” The spirit replied, stepping closer to his chosen one with the firstborn of Dawn and Dusk as he did so, “Yes, throughout the ages, we both very well know that Celestia will be the most beloved of ponies, won’t she? However…”
At this, Agatha’s master knowingly tapped Ponyville’s princess on the nose, “I know of a certain other pony who is destined for such adoration as well as greatness. I’m speaking of you, of course, Twilight Sparkle.”
This, honestly, had been expected. After everything she had seen, heard, and learned through him, why else would the Spirit of Destiny be visiting her in her sleep or whatnot? Still, like all other mortals that had been chosen before her, she couldn’t keep from… showing her fear, surprise, uncertainty at being given such attention.
When Ponyville’s princess looked up at him in shock at his words, when she looked about ready to really suffer from a heart attack, the Spirit of Destiny stated while he placed a comforting hand upon her head again, “Oh, do not act so surprised, my friend. You’ve seen too much until this point not to have expected such news from me. Why wouldn’t you, the Element of Magic, be fated for such glory, hm?”
Then, he focused back onto the present moment and said, “But we will get around to discussing your success, your fate, your prophecy, after you have gazed upon Celestia here.”
At this, the master of three eyed ravens had his chosen one lay down to cradle Celestia. Then as he sat down himself to watch them both, he finished, “So, no more waiting. No more questioning. Just believe in me and believe in this, Twilight Sparkle. Please, no more questions. I will explain my reasons for having appeared after you enjoy yourself for a bit.”
And, with that said, despite everything else that had been happening to her since she’d fallen asleep back in the library alongside her friends, Twilight Sparkle found herself in the weirdest if not most impossible situation so far.
Laid out on the nearby carpeting, with everypony watching her, Ponyville’s princess was allowed to nuzzle the future goddess of the sun – her future teacher. And, as she’d been portrayed by the many portraits back in Canterlot Castle but ten times better, foal Celestia was absolutely adorable! With her delicate movements, innocent cooing, flicking of her little wings, blinking of her lavender eyes, and trying to nibble on her pink mane, the baby goddess of the sun could’ve made any wicked thing’s heart melt. Truly, from the start, the sunny babe made Twilight’s own heart melt in her chest.
Really, as she comforted the firstborn of Dawn and Dusk, Twilight couldn’t tell whether she wanted to cheer, cry, or laugh. In the end, as she got around to realizing how impossible yet possible everything transpiring around her was, she settled with giggling. Losing control, she was soon laughing to herself and, honestly, only all-knowing Destiny could guess her reason for doing so.
Ever since seeing Celestia raise the sun during a certain Summer Sun Celebration those many years ago, ever since she’d become a student of magic, the Spirit of Destiny could guess that Twilight hadn’t imagined in the slightest she’d be cradling her teacher as a newborn babe at this point in time. Then again, no one but he could’ve guessed long ago that Twilight would revive the Elements of Harmony, reform the Spirit of Disharmony, become an alicorn, along with a lot more before now. Her life was just an assortment of surprise after surprise after surprise, wasn’t it?
Yet, shockingly but not so shockingly, it seemed the surprises, her achievements, were not as over as she or anypony had formerly thought. No, not after the Spirit of Destiny had just said she was fated to be as glorious, revered, along with heroic as the princess of the day she cradled on the marble floor.
The Element of Magic –even though already superb as a mortal – was due to be far more glorious than anypony or anything that had come before her in the past. As it would turn out in the coming days, when she was awake again, she wasn’t going to just make history for the twelfth or such time throughout Equestria. Sure, she had done so very much for her homeland already but, with what she was going to be doing at dawn as foreseen, she was literally destined to change everything everypony supposedly knew. She was destined to alter the fabrics of existence and make two separate worlds one again.
However, setting aside all that business of fate, of doom, of what was presently evil trying to smother what was good, the Spirit of Destiny insisted on his chosen one enjoying the moment where the alicorns welcomed Dawn and Dusk’s firstborn into the world. Most of all, even though his time with her was becoming short, he insisted to himself that all of his business be put on hold while he watched the Element of Magic enjoy his well-prepared gift to her: letting her participate in her most beloved part of pony history by taking care of foal Celestia.
It was then that, as quietly as they came, a ripple of power surged throughout the scene as well as into Destiny. Half of something that had been waiting to be fulfilled for the last thousand years, a prophesized something, had just transpired far elsewhere.
Twilight, being too distracted with everything around her, didn’t notice a change to anything at all. She didn’t even take notice of the master of three eyed ravens purposefully closing his eyes, leaning back, and questioning to himself, “Ah, Flannen? Is that you, my friend? Have you done what needs doing?”
In the back of his mind, somewhere in Ponyville’s library where Owlowiscious was keeping himself calm and Discord was busy silencing one of Luna’s lunar guard, Destiny envisioned his faithful raven companion – phantom like Flannen – proudly reply to his inquiries, “Caw! Yes, my lord. It is done.”
“Then you have placed the key to Yonderland in the tome? You have given Twilight the means to summon my second chosen one to Equestria?” When Flannen looked to answer again, the master of three eyed ravens lectured himself, “Look at me question you, my friend. Yes, of course you’ve completed my wishes and given Twilight the way to contact the Yonderlanders. Thus, finally, the first half of her prophecy has been finished.”
At this, as he scratched a passive Agatha under her chin, Destiny went on to order Flannen further, “So, now that you have finished what needs doing in Ponyville, my time here with the Element of Magic is nearly done. Not to worry, I have her almost ready to begin the summoning. As for Agatha here, your kin altogether, they won’t admit it but they’ve been worrying for you. It’s time you came back home and take a well-deserved rest.”
“Caw! Of course, master Destiny. I am on my way.” Flannen responded from the library, sounding a bit heartened even though arguing, “Yet, there was no reason for you all to fret over little old me. Caw! Am I not the best of the best for a reason? Have I ever failed you or them?”
“No, no, do not take our worries the wrong way, Flannen.” Destiny reassured, now rubbing Agatha’s back to make her chirp with gratitude, “Your brothers, sisters, and myself merely want you to know that we care about your safety as well as success. It’s true, you may be in Ponyville but Everfree Forest is just next door and with what we’ve seen growing in there…”
There was an ominous pause where only the ravens and their master fully understood what they were talking about what was growing in Everfree Forest until, “Well, we’re just happy to see you’ve safely finished your task as have we. Just be sure to return as safely as you can, alright?”
“Caw! Naturally, sire. I understand.” Flannen agreed wholeheartedly, “Despite our recent spying on the gloom in the Everfree Forest though, everything is quiet here. And as for remaining safe from the enemy, you all know I would perform my task no other way.”
Then, with a stir of his wings, the blackbird looked to take off through the nearby window where Owlowiscious roosted, “Caw! As for now, my task for the Element of Magic has indeed been fulfilled, master. With your permission, I and the Spirit of Disharmony are on our way back to you right now.”
Yet, it was as Flannen looked to leave the library that his master quickly added, “No, wait, hold on a moment, my friend!”
“Caw! Yes, master Destiny?”
“Knowing what I’m going to be having the Element of Magic performing at dawn and with how Discord likes a good fireworks show…” The Spirit of Destiny admitted, finishing in spoiling Agatha with attention, “How about I have you stay with him there in town?”
At the curious pause to his words, the spirit explained his plan cheerily, “Truly, you’ve both been working hard over the past year leading up to this and deserve a show. I want you to see Twilight Sparkle make history when she summons a Yonderlander at dawn’s first light, okay? Just enjoy yourselves after a hard year of working alongside me, got it?”
“Caw! As you wish, sire.” Flannen answered, ruffling his feather before cocking his head to one side, “I am more than happy to be given such an honor. I’m sure Discord will feel the same way. But what of the owl here? Shall I erase his memory?”
“Oh no, that won’t be necessary, Flannen.” Destiny instantly exclaimed, feeling a bit humored by Flannen’s instant suggestion to make likable Owlowiscious forget everything he’d seen, “As uninvited guests of his, making that owl clueless of our visit wouldn’t be polite at all. No, instead, reward him for having been such a terrific host for us. If anything, in the future, we will need him as an ally, will we not?”
“Caw! It will be as you say, master.” Flannen chirped back from the library, knowing what to do from there, “I will thank the owl for his assistance. As for the dawn we’re speaking of… it is quickly approaching, my master. Your father, the Spirit of Time, waits for nothing. Your moments with the Element of Magic are running out.”
“Yes, yes, I know full well of how much time my father is providing me, Flannen. I appreciate your reminder. Now go retrieve the Spirit of Disharmony and wait for the sun to rise, would you?”
And, as the far off vision of Flannen flying for the library window towards Owlowiscious faded away, as Destiny opened his eyes, he resolutely focused onto happy Twilight. He’d given her this historical moment to relive, he’d allowed her into this certain memory of his, he’d provided her this chance to take part in the age of the alicorns, for as long as he could. It was a bit unfair of him to interrupt her when she was busy being so very cheerful comforting baby Celestia but, as it had been said numerous times before, the past had to be let go so the future could be attended to.
As regrettable as it was, after a thousand years of waiting, the time had finally come for Destiny to get down to business. The moment for him to explain, to show, to clarify to Twilight why he had appeared to her had arrived. Much like how it had happened with the goddess of the sun when she was old enough, it was here that the Element of Magic would find out her true reason for having been born, for having been made into a princess, for having revived the Elements of Harmony: to protect all that was good in the world.
The dreaming had to end. Reality needed attention.
“The moment has come, Agatha.”
When the raven perched upon his shoulder looked down upon him at this, the Spirit of Destiny ominously added, “The moment has come where I must do my part in the prophecy and make Twilight believe in the impossible. Now, we show her what she is meant to do at dawn, what she is meant to do to rescue hard won Equestria and Yonderland from wickedness… and what she has been meant to do since being born to help me keep tyranny, my brother, at bay.”
And, with that said, the master of three eyed ravens resolutely snapped his fingers. At once, at his snap, the surrounding historical scenery made up from Destiny’s arcane powers began to take on a most dramatic change.
Much like when the floor had fallen out from under her beforehand, much like when false Celestia had exploded into blackbirds; Queen Dawn, King Dusk, Pumpkinpatch, the alicorns, Fortune Castle everything that seemed so very real to Twilight, gradually fell apart like a shattered mirror or burst into hundreds of three eyed ravens!
It was as the once serene realm around her shifted into a place of chaos, of confusion, of squawking along with shattering glass, the Element of Magic abruptly realized she had once again been led into believing that she hadn’t been participating in actual history but a false. Even as she looked down to try to prevent it, she watched filly Celestia shift into a raven itself whom cawed before flying away into the crumbling background.
Yet, as everything collapsing progressed, instead of falling into an ominous vortex below at the end of it all, Twilight actually found herself being held aloft by the Spirit of Destiny. In the next instant, as they stayed together, the two of them soon found themselves no longer in a crumbling castle but floating within the center of nothing but whiteness with a whirlwind made up of thousands of his three eyed ravens swirling around them.
There, just hovering in the air, the Element of Magic of Equestria along with the master of the present three eyed ravens stayed quiet for a moment. Then, with his ravens flying everywhere in every direction, Destiny held his newest chosen one amid everything that had suddenly taken an abrupt turn into madness and seriously said to her, “Element of Magic, friend of the mortals and to all mortals, my time with you is about to run out. And as you know, like all of my chosen others before you, I’ve appeared unto you seeking your help in a most grave matter.”
Next, before she could say or do anything in reply, the spirit resolutely touched Ponyville’s princess horn as he went on to proclaim, “Yes, I need your aid, Twilight Sparkle. Do not question it. You know too much about me and about what’s going on to possibly do so. I need you, just as I needed the mightiest dragon, he whom you know as Dragon Elder Garm, many thousands of years ago in uniting his kin, his kingdom of Valhalla.”
At this, even though not looking into his eyes but somehow due to him holding her horn, Twilight couldn’t keep images from playing across her already weary mind at Destiny’s words. As the spirit mentioned Dragon Elder Garm, it was then that she witnessed the oldest of dragon elders not as a fossil like nowadays but as a much younger drake being announced as chieftain over a dead opponent and with hundreds of his cheering kin surrounding him.
“Just as I needed Dawn and Dusk to fall in love, to accept each other for who they were, and bring all ponies under their banner; the banner of the alicorns.”
Another vision, a most festive one, passed before Twilight’s mind’s eye where glamorous Dawn and sturdy Dusk stood proud upon Fortune Castle’s balcony, overlooking the crowd of adoring earthen, pegasi, unicorn, and alicorn subjects that had come to adore them so very much.
“Just as I needed Celestia and Luna, with their resolution, their integrity, their courage, to stand beside one another and create your homeland of Equestria.”
Then, in a flash, there was Celestia and Luna during their days of strife, of winning over evil, and briefly coming together to be princesses over Equestria within newly erected Canterlot.
“Just as I needed the Goldfeathers to unite their clans in an effort to free the Crystal Empire from the grasp of corrupted King Sombra.”
There for Twilight to see was the Crystal Empire, captured in the insane unicorn king’s black crystal, being assaulted by the alicorn sisters’ pony armies. However, coming to aid the ponies of Equestria from above dove hundreds if not thousands of griffins being led by the very first Goldfeather clan leader; Rafael and Gild’s most ancient ancestor.
“And just as I needed the Spirit of Valor with the help of Star Swirl,” At this, Destiny’s eyes inherited somewhat of a depressed glint while he went on, “just as I needed him to make the ultimate sacrifice for Equestria, for his tainted people, just as I needed him to set this tale, your prophecy, Yonderland’s prophecy, in motion.”
It was here, at the mention of this Spirit of Valor, that Twilight witnessed a familiar sight amid the flashing visions. She was seeing the human armies of gold, ebony, along with diamond from before. At the same time, the question of where they had gone was answered for they were in the badlands, out amidst the empty flatland, fighting with a terrible enemy. An enemy that turned out to be more… vicious humans. And in the middle of them all, fiercely beating away at each other with both weapons as well as shields, was the same cobalt colored knight who had embraced saddened Celestia and a furiously ruby shaded one.
In the end, the blue human warrior disarmed his red fellow. Yet, instead of finishing the job, the victor surprisingly stepped back to begin to glow with a most brilliant light; a light that remained weak in the beginning but grew to be so blinding that nothing of the badlands could be seen. And by the time this glow dissipated, by the time the vision came to an end, there were no more Yonderlanders. The furious battle they had been waging in the desert, they themselves… had ceased, vanished, practically disappeared into thin air.
“Yes, just as I needed them all, now I need your help once more, Element of Magic. Just as you’ve helped me save Equestria numerous times already, it needs to be saved again. And that which you’ve come to learn as Yonderland requires such as well.”
At this, as she felt like she was going to seriously be having a heart attack, the series of apparitions before Twilight took on a most rapid pace!
At first, she was seeing herself as a newborn filly being cuddled by her mother, father, and brother in Canterlot’s hospital.
Next, after the grand moment of having found out her cutie mark, she was being accepted into magic school as well as being made Celestia’s star pupil.
Then, now older, she saw herself arrive in Ponyville for the Sun Celebration, saw herself revive the Elements of Harmony, saw herself defeat Nightmare Moon, reform Discord, stop Queen Chrysalis’s plans, overcome King Sombra, and then turn into alicorn royalty in the end. And all during that time, during her victories… Destiny had been there watching over her, protecting her, being proud of her!
Yet, maybe it was due to her thoughts or perhaps Destiny was trying to emphasis on them but, even with the Spirit of Destiny’s help, Ponyville’s princess couldn’t keep from thinking she couldn’t have won against the odds… without the aid of her friends, her loved ones.
There had been Celestia, Cadance, Shining Armor, her parents, the ponies of Ponyville, along with so many more that had helped her find the will to fight for what was right. To find the true lessons within friendship.
But most of all, Twilight couldn’t keep from thinking of how lost she would’ve been from the very start of her journey if she hadn’t met honest Applejack, loyal Rainbow Dash, giggly Pinkie Pie, understanding Fluttershy, and generous Rarity. They were not only her best friends, mind. No, they were practically her sisters. They were her family!
Yet, at thinking of the Elements of Harmony, of her very best friends, a sudden thought, a sudden realization forced itself into the Element of Magic’s mind.
Throughout all of her victories, throughout all of her triumphs along with tests passed, she hadn’t caught onto something… until the Spirit of Destiny had just shown her and admitted, “Yes, Twilight. You are indeed quite lucky to have six such wonderful friends. Celestia, as did I, counted on them to make you who you are at the moment; devoted, charitable, compassionate, integrant, as well as optimistic towards your fellow mortals. However, for the past year, you should have been learning-”
“Of a seventh element.” Twilight interjected, her mind’s eye now not only seeing six of her “bpffs” – Best Pony Friends Forever – but a seventh one far off in the recesses of her conscious, “But how? Why? Why have I missed that vital detail? How has Celestia and Luna missed it? And for a full year? That doesn’t make any sense!”
“Even with the crisis your world faces, Twilight, things make more sense than you care to believe.” Destiny explained, his eyes adopting another depressing look, “Yet, due to this seventh friend of yours, this seventh element, missing… your friends, your homeland, everything good in existence that I have fought for in the past thousands of years is, unfortunately, at risk.”
And it was here that, with a sharp intake of breath and at Destiny’s command, Twilight fully witnessed the potency of the wickedness her home of Equestria was presently plagued with.
Due to a seventh element missing from the six, Ponyville’s princess regrettably watched a vision of a certain ice dragon laying waste to the Zeklathine isles as well as griffins, of the badlands being swarmed by hordes upon hordes of changelings despite pony reinforcements, of Valhalla reveling in chaos as dragons caved into their greedy ways in the end, of Canterlot itself being torn down from the very mountainside by the most alien looking enemies… what looked to be abominations of numerous kinds.
And what was the fate of the free peoples of Equestria afterwards? What become of its citizens, of its mighty rulers, when the fighting came to a conclusion?
One and all, much like everything else that had been shown already, they were ultimately defeated, enslaved, engulfed in hopeless darkness. Put simply, all resistance was dead. It – Equestria, everything considered good and just – was over. Having given in to Eternal Night, whatever sources of light were dead. The war between good and evil… was finished in the worst way.
Yet, this was just a vision, a prophecy, was it not?
No Equestrian had been completely defeated nor enslaved to the shadows yet! Equestria was still free and happy and, seeing as the Spirit of Destiny was present, it could remain that way! Action had to be taken!
There was still hope. There were Elements of Harmony ready as well as more than able to keep morality for everypony high. However, as she came to realize it, Destiny had claimed the coming wickedness was due to a missing seventh element of the six that should have been at her side for some time. So, first off, where was this missing power? Where was this missing force or hero or whatnot of hers, of Equestria’s?
At this, at having read her mind, the master of three eyed ravens said to his chosen one, “You will not find the answers you seek in stopping Equestria’s plights in Equestria alone, Twilight Sparkle…”
In turn, he gestured to himself as a Yonderlander as he explained, “Think about what I am appearing to you as. Think about what you have been researching for the last month.”
“I…” Ponyville’s princess took an instant to think before saying, “Yonderland? The answers I seek, the seventh friend, element, of mine… is in Yonderland?”
“Yes. The answer to your troubles is in Yonderland.”
Then, Destiny actually smiled to himself as he concluded, “He who will be your sword and shield, your seventh friend, my second chosen, Element of Magic, awaits your call in Star Swirl’s Yonderland.”
And at this conclusion, at thinking of the quest it would entail, at knowing what he said was only truth, the weirdest flashes of vision appeared unto Twilight at the command of Destiny.
For the briefest of instances, at the master of three eyed raven’s behest, Ponyville’s princess witnessed a most alien world with miles of buildings that were higher than anything in Equestria, buildings that sometimes reached towards the heavens as if to scrape the passing skies themselves. Then, there were so many steel things or vessels or birds that sailed through water, zipped over paved paths, and soared through the sky.
There was no magic in this world but, at the same time, there most definitely was! There were things that acted, behaved, worked, activated, bleeped, and lived in their own way without the help of the arcane! It was so enchanting to see!
Most fabulous of all about this particular vision however was, even though seeming like blurs as they made their way along, was hundreds if not thousands of Yonderlanders doing their business of walking, chatting, playing, fussing, laughing, just plain living!
And then, with a snap of his fingers once more, the scenery blinked out in an instant at Destiny’s command. In fact, everything – the whirlwind of ravens, Yonderland, Fortune Castle, Destiny himself – had disappeared and the surroundings had become nothing but whiteness again. A whiteness that seemed to go on forever apart for one certain doorway, one that opened on its own, when Twilight looked upon it.
Ah. Without having to be told, without it having to be said, the Element of Magic could guess where the self-opened door led to. She could guess that the madness, the visions, Destiny’s meeting with her had come to an end. She had found Agatha’s master, heard his reasons for having appeared… and now she had found that exit she’d been looking for.
However, before going, desperately wanting some questions answered, she couldn’t help but shout out into the stillness that were her surroundings.
“So, that was Yonderland? That is what I have to call to in order to gain the answers to saving Equestria?”
“Indeed.” Destiny replied from nowhere yet everywhere at once, not appearing but remaining hidden somewhere, “I have now provided you with the key you need in order to save not only your homeland along with loved ones but also Yonderland from itself. The rest of the work, the rest of the prophecy, is up to you.”
“I… The rest is up to me then?” Twilight exclaimed, feeling a bit shaky all of sudden, “I’ll do my best.”
“Ha ha, that could’ve went without being said, my friend” The Spirit of Destiny chuckled from everywhere through the whiteness, “In fact, now that it’s time for you to wake up, to go, you’ll find you are not so alone. You have your friends, your family, your allies, to aid you during the time that will be your hardest yet most rewarding lesson of all: learning to believe in the impossible to make it that much more possible.”
“Wait, I’m going wake up? Then… I’m asleep? This is a dream?”
“Not if you’re willing to believe in the impossible to make it possible. Not if you’re willing to believe in me, in yourself, in all that I have just shown you about what you face.”
“But if this is a dream and I’m waking up…” Twilight wondered aloud, seeking consent from her unsure self while – in the background – the doorway was literally sliding towards her from behind by itself, “How… How will I remember any of this? Will I remember you?”
“Heh, that’s the catch, isn’t it?” Destiny coolly replied as the doorway came to a quiet halt behind his chosen one, its door swinging wider to make it look more like an ominous mouth ready to have a meal, “In this certain case, I suppose, after all of this… No. No, you won’t remember much of our meeting here.”
“What?! What was the point of all of this then?!” Twilight desperately exclaimed into the nothingness, not aware of Agatha soaring forth from above to perch upon the door behind her, “Wait, I have to remember all of this! I have to or, like you’ve said, Equestria will fall to evil and – Augh!”
It was at that moment, with a sharp squawk, Agatha purposefully flapped in front of Ponyville’s flustering princess!
As the result, unknowing Twilight reared backwards as well as, with a startled scream, began to tumble through the exit resting just behind her! What couldn’t have been known was that the door led into another bottomless like drop into darkness! However, at the last second, the Element of Magic managed to grab onto the threshold ledge where she dangled precariously over the abyss!
Ugh, what was Destiny’s fascination in making his heroes suffer like this? Why did he like to make the fall around? Couldn’t he cut at least the princess of Ponyville a break?
Speaking of the Spirit of Destiny, he was suddenly before his hanging chosen one and, clicking his tongue along with letting Agatha roost upon his shoulder once again, he stood before struggling Twilight.
As she tried to get up onto solid ground, he smoothly explained, “Element of Magic, you know you’ve seen too much during this meeting. Some secrets need to remain secret. There are certain things I can let you leave here with such as what we’ve discussed concerning Yonderland. However, as for you seeing my parents and uncle creating the Natural Order by mistake, as for letting you leave knowing how all existence came to be… Ah, yeah, you can’t trot away with that.”
Destiny was referring to the images of the tortoise, hound, swan, spider and stag. He had to be and, seriously, he couldn’t just allow any mortal to depart back into reality to remember such visions. If he did, well, that would anger the spirits for their own reasons and an earthquake or war or natural disaster or something terrible would commence elsewhere.
Put simply, Twilight could leave the meeting with enough knowledge about the prophecy to contact Yonderland as well as the seventh element she needed. However, no matter how badly she wanted to, she couldn’t just go back to Equestria and start blabbing about the beginning of everything. Not only would that distract her from her own prophecy as well as make her appear to be crazy to many of her fellows.
Besides, when the mortals were truly ready for it… the tale of the creation of life would show itself to them. For now, it had to remain out of their reach and panicking Twilight needed to wake up. With plenty of work to do now, she needed to be on her way back to the library to save everything considered morale from wickedness. Of course, in order for her to wake up included her falling into a bottomless abyss but, heh, she had to start waking up somehow.
“I, ungh, I don’t – Wait! Don’t shut that door – No!” Twilight squealed while dangling, getting fed up with hanging off of things, “So, okay, if I’m going to wake up soon, I’ll… I’ll still remember how to save Equestria, right?
“If you wish to find out and there’s only one way,” Destiny snickered, just about ready to close the door on his stubbornly dangling chosen one, “then wake up, call to Yonderland at dawn, and… with my blessing, every question you have now will be explained in the days afterwards.”
“Oh but – agh – why are making me fall into – WHOA!”
“Just trust me on this one, Twilight Sparkle. No, better yet, trust in yourself as you did to complete Star Swirl’s unfinished masterpiece. If you could complete that then you can accomplish anything. I know I’ve put you through plenty already but you’re going to be okay with a little freefalling.”
“Says you! Says the master of most ridiculous, well, um, ugh! Whatever! Just get it over with!”
Yet, as he was about to close her in darkness, to make her fall into the bottomless pit, Destiny gently put in lastly to trembling Twilight, “Oh and by the way, don’t just dangle there like you can’t fly.”
“Wait, what? Oh, I – augh!”
At this, as the door clicked shut and forced her to begin falling with a squeal, the master of three eyed ravens scolded the flailing Element of Magic through the shadows as if really falling alongside her, “I didn’t make you an alicorn a year ago to have you never use those wings, Twilight Sparkle… Go on. As your friend, the Element of Loyalty would say if here: quit your bawling, believe in yourself, and begin flapping, silly.”
It was while she gradually descended into dark nothingness afterwards, as she took to heart all that she had been told by the Spirit of Destiny, Twilight gained a newfound source of inspiration to do just that; to begin trying to fly. Of course, she hadn’t used her wings too many times in the past and it didn’t help with shadows pressing in on her from all sides. Nevertheless, while she managed to flip herself over through the air, while she started to begin to hover rather than free fall, a starry light blinked forth from the darkness. In time that same little light grew in radiance along with size until, with a gasp, Ponyville’s princess couldn’t see anything anymore.
She could only hover, only wonder, only try to make sense of everything that had happened to her… as well as to what the future held for both her Equestria as well as Star Swirl’s Yonderland.
++++++
Having finished his part in the prophecy, having finally revealed what he had wanted to reveal to Twilight for the past one thousand years while waiting for her to become the princess she was, Destiny released the grip he had upon the door he’d shut upon his newest chosen one. In time, Ponyville’s princess’s presence receded from his blank realm until it could no longer be felt and, at this realization, he exhaled deeply.
She had woken up. She had returned to reality where she was needed most.
Truly, Flannen, Agatha, Celestia, Discord, Equestria, Destiny, Yonderland, everything, had been awaiting a pony like the Element of Magic to finally show up. Now, with blessings from every spirit, she was on her way to pass her hardest test of all; calling to Yonderland, summoning a Yonderlander, and making two spit worlds one against the approaching darkness.
And at thinking of the darkness that plagued Equestria, at thinking of the strife Yonderland presently faced itself, Destiny couldn’t help but show a bit of concern to himself at wondering how well the differing worlds would cooperate in the end. Even as the master of glory, of fates, of unimaginable power… the master of three eyed ravens only had so much control over things in existence. He could only do so much for the currently troubled mortals, for his chosen heroes.
Yet, setting aside his concern, his conflicted wonderings, the Spirit of Destiny told himself what he’d always been telling himself for too many generations, “Believe in the impossible and it becomes that much more possible. Yes, it is when the sun is shining its brightest, when the moon is at its fullest, when the Elements of Harmony are renewed and Star Swirl is amongst us once more… There shall be a most remarkable sparkle of twilight.”
While he thought about this, about the prophecy that had been waiting a thousand years to be fulfilled by Twilight Sparkle, the master of three eyed ravens coolly went on, “And from that sparkle of twilight, from a place thought lost, from a people long forgotten, a child of history will be brought back home as well as a most ancient prophecy will have been fulfilled.”
Considering the prophecy in question, the most remarkable sparkle of twilight clearly meant the Element of Magic. As for what would come from her sparkle, from her learning in magic with Celestia since being a filly… what would she summon at dawn?
Who was Destiny’s second chosen one? Who or what was the seventh element needed from Yonderland that would come to Equestria in the form of a fallen star at dawn?
So many questions… that would provide answers in the nearing future.
For now on, one way or the other, while he dutifully turned away from the door to begin walking through the whiteness and as his thousands of three eyed ravens began to land around him like black dots, Destiny stated aloud, “Whether the worlds of Equestria and Yonderland are ready or not for one another, it does not matter. Here and now, things have been set into motion and I, mortals in general, have come too far to lose to the evil that is growing to make one final strike! The unity of the two worlds must happen… It cannot fail when so close to being complete!”
At this proclamation, at hearing their master getting riled up, the endless number of three eyed ravens all around began to epically swirl around him with much flapping, swirling, as well as calling!
With his golden eyes narrowed while looking upwards, being enveloped in a torrent of his shrieking blackbirds and with Agatha coming to rest upon his shoulder one last time, the Spirit of Destiny decided to himself, “Like they did in the days of old, like they will now with the help of Twilight Sparkle as well as he who will be her sword and shield, I shall see to it that the mortals overcome the coming taint’s grip and be free of its binding chains…”
Then, while he scratched content Agatha’s head, Destiny finally stated with a casual smile to his feathery fellows, “When this prophecy is over, all things shall be free of my treacherous brother, of his treason, of his abominations, now and forever more. Isn’t that right, Agatha? My friends?”
“Caw! Indeed, my lord!” The swarms of three eyed ravens replied at once to their master’s inquiry, “It shall be as you say!”
++++++
End of “Preparing to Make Choices, to Make History”…