//------------------------------// // Prologue // Story: MLPU: Twilight Sparkle: Princess of Thunder // by TheInvincibleIronBrony //------------------------------// The nine realms have always had a connection that few can understand. However it was agreed millennia ago that Midgard would be left alone until it’s inhabitants had reached a level of understanding capable of comprehending the vastness of the universe the resided in. All were to abide by this unwritten law. It was only fate that this law would be broken countless times. None of these occasions was as devastating as the invasion of the Windigos. They brought their frozen hate to the ponies of Midgard with the intent to rule them as slaves. The mortal’s cries did not fall on deaf ears though. It was our force from the great Equinsgard that saved them from their tormentors, but at great cost. The blood of foes was spilled over top that of our friends that day. As is the way of war. After countless battles and untold casualties the Windigos were pushed back to their home world Jotunheim. It’s icy crevices and glaciers were the sight of the final conflict of the great war. We pushed the enemy to their strong hold and laid siege unto them until they could no longer hold us at bay. I personally defeated their ruler, King Frostmourne, in single combat and took from him the source of the Windigos power. The Casket of Ancient Winters. With our enemy defeated and powerless we returned to our home and pulled out of the rest of the realms. But we are always watching for new signs of trouble. ///////////////////////////////////////// Twilight Sparkle and Shining Armor listened to their mother’s story with rapt attention as she guided them through the weapons vault, their eyes wandering to the many deadly treasures that adorned the hall. The pair of young alicorns were dressed in their best formal wear. Twilight's was a deep purple robe with a lavender trimming over a matching tunic and leggings. Shining Armor wore white leather armor with glimmering steel fastened to the shoulders. Both had their cutie marks emblazoned on their chests. “It has been our duty to watch over the nine realms and stop anyone with evil intent,” Celestia finished, turning to see her children’s curious stares, directed at everything around them except their mother, dressed in a gown that looked like it had been sewn from gold. Shining turned to his mother confused. “But mother, there haven’t been any great wars since the Windigos. What evil has been stopped since then?” the curious colt asked, catching his sister’s attention as well. Celestia smiled at the question. She knew her son was a warrior at heart and hoped he would use his knowledge of combat to help others. Even at his young age, barely more than a decade old he showed great skill in combat. “None. A fact we must always be thankful for. The Windigos especially have gone out of their way not to cause trouble,” she told them as she turned to her left to retrieve the weapon they had come to the vault for in the first place. “When I’m king, I’ll hunt down those monsters and ensure they never harm another mortal,” Shining promised, smiling with confidence. Twilight looked at her brother with admiration. She had always been envious of his confidence. Celestia however frowned at the proclamation. “A wise ruler must never seek out war,” she chided her son, who looked at the ground sheepishly. “But they must always be ready for it,” Celestia finished, unable to watch her son sulk for even a minute. “Mother, which of us will rule after you?” Twilight inquired, speaking up for the first time. Celestia smiled at her daughter. “That is not for me to decide and is exactly the reason I have brought you with me to this chamber,” she replied turning back to the weapon to her left. “This is Mjolnir and will be the companion of the next ruler,” Celestia told them as she lifted the hammer with her magic. “Only an Equinsgardian fit to rule our kingdom will be able to lift her.” Shining looked at the weapon in awe as he reached for it. Celestia pushed his hand away as though he were reaching for the cookie jar. “Ah ah. This must be done by tradition. You will both be given a chance to lift Mjolnir and whoever does will spend the next few centuries preparing to take over the responsibility of the throne from me,” Celestia said. Shining rubbed his hoof as his mother walked past him towards the entrance to the vault. “Come my children. Your aunt will have our subjects ready to view the event by now.” Twilight froze. “View? We are to do this in public?” she asked, beginning to sweat. “Of course,” her brother answered. “The ponies deserve to know who shall be leading them in the future,” he explained, grinning at the prospect of wielding the mighty hammer. Twilight sighed. “I won’t be able to lift it though. It’s much too big for me. Mother must want you to rule in her stead,” she said, looking down trodden. Shining frowned at his sister’s gloomy tone. “Oh, don’t be like that. You heard mother, it’s out of her hands. The hammer will decide who will be the next ruler of Equinsgard,” Twilight cheered up a little. “I know it isn’t up to mother, but could you imagine me lugging that hammer around,” she said, eliciting a giggle from her brother. “It is no laughing matter,” Celestia told them sternly. “Mjolnir is not swayed by the strength of body, but the strength of heart. Only a true ruler of the realm may hold her,” Celestia said to them as they walked. The siblings shared a quizzical glance, unsure what their mother meant. Shining looked at his sister with curiosity. "If you were the next ruler, what would you do with Mjonir?" Shining asked. Twilight simply looked at the ground, a worried expression on her face. "What's wrong?" the colt asked. Twilight looked to her brother. “Shining I’m worried that if I did lift Mjolnir then you won’t like me anymore,” she said sadly, hanging her head Shining gave his sister a shocked look. “Twilight even if you lift the hammer and I can’t, I promise not to hold any grudge against you,” the colt promised, making his sister smile as all three alicorns left the vault. ///////////////////////////////////// Celestia and her children walked the rest of the way to the throne room in silence. The walls of the room were solid gold and sported curtains of a deep red. The pillars holding the ceiling stretched high out of sight. The foals had been pondering over the meaning of their mother’s words. Once they had entered the chambers that Celestia held counsel with the ponies of her realm. The middle was clear save for a golden pedestal that sat only a few inches above the ground. All around the pedestal the ponies that resided in Equinsgard watched as the royal family marched up the middle of the room. Luna stood next to the pedestal, dressed in deep blue ceremonial robes, ready to preside over the event while her sister and Queen sat at her throne. Celestia laid Mjolnir in the middle of the golden slab, the head resting against the metal. She then proceeded past her sister. The pair shared a few hushed words before Celestia continued to her throne. Twilight and Shining took their place a few feet away from the pedestal. Luna cleared her throat as she began the proceedings. “Our great kingdom has seen the rule of many great and powerful rulers, all of whom held the protection of the nine realms above their own safety. Each has quelled a great threat from the banishment of the Spirit of Chaos and Disharmony uncountable millennia ago to my own sister’s recent victory over the Windigos. However the time has come for a successor to be chosen, who shall be taught the mannerisms of a proper ruler until our honored All Mother deems fit to step down from the throne,” Luna spoke with great presence and all before could not help but to listen. “As is customary we have turned to our allies the dragons to smith a weapon befitting a protector of the realms,” Luna continued, bringing everypony’s attention to the hammer next to her. “I give you the great hammer Mjolnir. It’s current powers are unknown to us, but we do know that only one worthy of ruling Equinsgard, the realm eternal, may lift this mighty tool.” Luna now turned to Twilight and Shining. “I now give you the candidates for that rule. Twilight Sparkle Celestiamaiden and Shining Armor Celestiason, the foals of our esteemed All Mother. Each will be given a chance to lift Mjolnir. Which ever succeeds shall be named the successor of Queen Celestia,” Luna finished her speech and turned to the foals. “Who will go first?” she asked. Shining nudged his sister offering her the first crack at the challenge placed before them. Twilight shook her head. “No. I don’t want to waste anytime. The sooner we get done here the sooner I can get back to the library,” she said as she took a step back from the pedestal. “Are you sure?” Shining asked. Twilight nodded. Not needing anymore confirmation the young colt stepped forward. “I will make the first attempt,” he announced as he stepped onto the the pedestal. Everyone in the room held the breath as the famous Shining Armor placed a hand on the hilt of the weapon. Twilight knew her brother was the public favorite of the two, but held no ill will because of it. She preferred being left alone. Unlike her brother who seemed to thrive off of the attention the public gave him. Shining looked to his aunt for the permission to continue. Luna gave a curt nod and Shining gave the hammer a light tug. Nothing happened. He pulled harder, but Mjolnir resisted. Shining gave one final yank and his hand slipped off of the handle causing him to fall off of the pedestal and onto his back. The crowd burst into laughter at the spectacle. Celestai slammed Gungnir, her spear which was kept next to the throne when not in use, instantly quelling the noise the crowd made. She wore a scowl, obviously unamused by the public's mockery of her son. Once she was satisfied with the quiet she nodded to Luna to continue. “Twilight Sparkle step forth,” Luna commanded. Twilight, who had been helping her brother off of the floor looked to her aunt with surprise. She looked at Shining who simply stared at the ground unable to comprehend this turn of events and embarrassed by his failure. “Twilight step forth,” Luna commanded again. Without further ado Twilight joined her aunt on the pedestal. She slowly approached the hammer, looking to Luna before she made her attempt. Luna nodded and Twilight laid her hand on Mjolnir. She gave it a gentle tug and to the surprise of everypony in the room Mjolnir was raised above the head of it’s holder with ease. Before anypony could react a bolt of lightning shot out of the end of the hammer, giving its approval of it’s wielder. Shining looked up from the floor at the sudden roar of thunder and the roar of the crowd around him. He stared open mouthed as his mild mannered sister held the hammer aloft, seeming just as surprised herself. “It appears that Mjolnir has chosen our next ruler,” Luna shouted above the crowd. “And revealed some of it’s hidden power as well,” she said in a low voice so only Twilight could hear. At the far end of the room Celestia smiled. Perhaps she’ll finally break out from her shell, She thought, a hopeful smile on her face. Her attention was then turned to her son who seemed to be glaring at his sister. I only hope her brother approves. Back at the pedestal Twilight was beginning to overcome her shock and turned around to show the crowd her new companion. Eventually she turned to Shining whose face face seemed to turn from a glare to a supportive grin. He walked over to his sister and hugged her. “Way to go Twilight I knew you had it in you,” he cheered as Twilight returned the hug unaware of how her brother was seething internally. Shining Armor had promised not to hold a grudge if his sister succeeded in lifting Mjolnir. Shining Armor lied.