//------------------------------// // Chapter One: In Accordance // Story: Ducenti Septuaginta Septem // by Capacitor //------------------------------// Part One: The Prophecy, The Princess and The Portal Chapter One: In Accordance "That was supposed to be magic? That was a spell, mind you. This is magic." —Discord, 497 before Nightmare Moon [Equestria, Canterlot; 23rd of Dusk in the year 1003 after Nightmare Moon] The Public Security Committee had issued a permit application for a higher budget. They argued that recent events such as the Discord incident explicitly showed that the current expenditure was insufficient. Moreover, the apparent raise in risk had caused a widespread demand for higher loans in particularly endangered positions and a grossly understaffed law enforcement. While it would be only prudent to sign such a permit, it just wasn't that easy. If not introduced properly, such a policy would irritate many political actors. The griffins in particular would feel threatened and interpret it as rearmament. Especially now, when international relations were tense in the wake of the recent changeling invasion of Canterlot. Celestia reread her letter to the griffin ambassador. Yes, it made her point clear, even though it would take some time until the information had reached the Viceroy of Griffonstone himself and he had convinced himself that this action was necessary and would not endanger the peace between their nations. In the meantime, she would have to inform and win over the public. A few articles on the troubles law enforcement were facing or maybe an interview with a high ranked and popular officer such as Prince Shining Armor would do the deal. She would suggest that to the press—tomorrow. It had already gotten late. Now it was time for the sun to set. She put away her quill and closed the inkwell. The finished letter folded up and vanished in a flash of her magic. The papers on her desk slid back into their folders and within less than ten seconds, her workplace was in the same orderly state she left it each evening. Turning away from it, she walked outside onto the balcony of her private chambers and closed her eyes. Letting out a calm, slow breath, she called upon her magic, reached down into her deepest reserves that were vast like an ocean of glorious power. Channelling her age-old magic through her horn, she extended her will over thousands of miles, touching the fiery ball that hung in space like an oversized glowing orange without effort and forcing it slowly downwards, to the horizon, further on its way around the planet. Over the centuries, she had found it more and more easy to touch the sun with her mind and raise and set it with her innate magic. At the start of her and her sister's reign, it had taken her hours each day to make sure there actually was such a thing as day. But as time passed, she had not only gotten an insane amount of practice, but also herself grown in power. Nowadays, moving the sun felt little different from moving a limb, and she completed these daily tasks in not much more than a minute each. For another minute, she just stood there, breathing, relaxing, basking in the light of a beautiful sunset. She allowed herself a smile. Her workday was over and her obligation to lead the country was fulfilled for today. It was time for herself and the things she chose to do. She went back inside and to a small wooden cabinet harmlessly sitting in a corner. It was locked, as it should be, but as soon as she touched it, it swung open, recognizing her as its rightful owner. She levitated out a worn book with a dark green cover, put it on her lectern and opened it. Soon, she had lost herself in reading. When she heard somepony landing on the balcony she tensed for a moment, but calmed again and even smiled to herself when she felt Luna's welcome presence. Her sister entered her room swiftly, apparently in high spirits. “Fair greetings, my most marvellous sister. How has thy day been?” Luna noticed that her sister was focusing on reading and a look of surprise appeared on her face. “Huh? I thought you had dispatched of today’s toils by this time?” “I have, Luna. This is no state affair.” Celestia chuckled quietly. “At least not in the traditional meaning.” Luna, however, had currently no sense for finesse. “Cease the ridiculous ominousness at once! I shall not stand any unnecessary secrecy,” she declared with mock indignation and walked around the bookrest, lifted the book's side with a hoof and took a peek at its title. Her expression grew questioning, even challenging. “What is the meaning of this?” “Well, I've decided to—” Celestia started to explain, but Luna promptly interrupted. “My question was of completely rhetorical nature. While I am certain that you, sister, have reasons for your deeds, there surely must be a better way of achieving whatever you seek than referencing this tome of – how would this generation put it? – mad old Everfree?” “I appreciate your concern, but as you might have forgotten, this book is the only known scientific work to deal with alicorns in general rather than with us two in particular.” Celestia smiled at her little sister. “Even you can't deny its usefulness.” But Luna continued to frown at the subject. “But this is the 'Equigenesis' we are speaking about.” She stomped the ground with a silver-clad hoof to emphasize her point. “Its author is whimsical, its contents nonsensical. Simply look at it:” The occurrence of an alicorn or princess pony, apparently a conglomerate of the three main pony tribes, herefrom be called 'alicornism', is, at its very basis, due to an inheritable genetic defect. Alicornism is a phenotype that arises from the combination of a certain set of alleles with a specific mutation on the twenty-ninth chromosome. Up to present date, only nine cases of this genotype and phenotype are known of. “'Tis all gibberish! Whoever has heard of this 'chromosome'? What has transmutation to do with whether a pony is an alicorn?” Princess Celestia's smile faltered slightly, a display of uncertainty she would never show in public. “I don't know, Luna. But even from this excerpt, valuable information can be extracted.” An eyebrow crept up Luna's forehead, settling down for a rest barely below her hairline. “Would you care to demonstrate, please?” “Of course. First, Everfree tells us that alicorns are all three types of pony at once. She also describes that 'alicornism' can be inherited and that it is really rare, as she knows of only nine alicorns to ever have existed.” Luna snorted. “Fine.” A battle had been lost, but the war was not over yet. Her eyes danced from letter to letter, searching for discrediting passages. Their effort was not in vain. “What doest thou make of this?” I assume the mutation to be incompatible with the Y-chromosome, possibly due to destructive hormone or enzyme reactions, as the observed cases are invariably female and present data does not suggest otherwise. “All alicorns are mares,” Celestia replied, her expression serene once again. Princess Luna groaned. She was losing ground, but was not willing to give up and in. Another paragraph came under her searching gaze. In several cases the thaumic potential of an alicorn is such that it even exceeds the physical capacitive capabilities of its body. This leads to an arcane overflow as the magic energy leaks into the physical realm and contaminates the subject's live tissue. The leaking magic, is however, adjusted to and cophasal with the subject's innate individual frequency spectrum and thus doesn't lead to a pseudochaotic reaction, but rather a mostly beneficial alteration of intra- and intercellular processes. The symptoms of such a state are the following: All parasitic and pathogenic agents within the organism are terminated. The subject displays immunity for all toxic, stimulating and sedative substances, save the placebo effect. Further genetic mutations of the subject's genotype are completely prohibited, leading to an immunity to cancer. All cells and, by extension, the whole organism, enter a state of insenescence. This can be, but is not necessarily, accompanied by full self-sustenance. Foetal mortality increases greatly. All surviving foeti necessarily also suffer from alicornism. Excess magical energy is emitted from all dead filamentous tissue with a length greater than or equal to the wavelength corresponding to the highest frequency in the innate individual frequency spectrum. Hence, the biomaterial loses some of its physical qualities and enters a semimaterial state similar to that of ectoplasm. The thaumic capacitive capabilities are fortified proportionally to the magnitude of the overflow. In extreme cases, the thaumostatic charge may render the organism impervious to most physical and resistant to most magical traumata. She turned back to her sister, a waggish gleam of triumph in her eyes. “What sense do you make of this, sister? Does a leaking alicorn get younger and covered in ghostly goo?” Celestia chuckled at her sister's colourful imagery. “Not quite. A very magical alicorn will cease to age, will get neither ill nor poisoned and her mane—well, little sister, have you looked into a mirror lately?” Luna tilted her head, her frown deepening as she connected the dots. After some contemplation, she came up with a reply that channelled her comprehension of the matter at hoof as well as her astonishment and consistent disbelief. “Oh.” Seeing that her argument had hit home and Luna was on retreat, Celestia advanced further. “And as you might have noticed, we both are very resistant to bodily harm, which as well was predicted by Everfree.” Luna frowned. She was losing ground, but didn't know why, and that confused her. “Very well, then. Apparently it is established that Everfree might not have been utterly wrong. Still, for what reason do you consult her work?” “Do you remember the wedding last month?” “I wish I were there,“ Luna emphatically recalled her failure to protect her subjects. ”For I would not have been hesitant! This impostor would have paid for her boldness!” “I don't mean that... conundrum.” Celestia pushed the fully fledged invasion by a parasitic hostile species aside with a wave of her gold-clad hoof. “I rather want to draw your attention to the lucky couple.” Luna's train of thought quickly changed tracks, connecting Celestia's previous statements with her own knowledge of internal affairs. “So... there was an ulterior motive other than love for the captain of your guard joining into the ranks of royalty?” Celestia smiled. “Indeed.” Then she dropped the metaphoric bomb. “I want to make my student a princess, and the wedding will ease the difficulties nobility might have accepting her as such by establishing her as a noble beforehand.” Luna blinked. “Of course I would have agreed to the marriage anyway, but it fit really well to my plans for Twilight,” Princess Celestia added. Luna blinked again. And regained her speech. “Thou wantest to crown Twilight Sparkle a princess? But such is impossible! While dearest Twilight Sparkle is certainly a very noble pony, she still is a unicorn, not a princess.” “Which is exactly why I need Everfree's findings on alicorns. Would you look at this passage?” It is theoretically possible to magically induce alicornism in any pony by simply altering the genetic make-up of every single cell, growing (if not present) permanent horn and wings, adding the innate magic of the two non-present tribal phenotypes appropriate to the patient, stimulating a harmonious resonance effect resulting in translinear magic amplification, harmonising the three types of magic to the patient's innate individual frequency spectrum and catalysing the conjoined earth pony, pegasus and unicorn magic into hybrid alicorn magic. “Of course,” Luna deadpanned. “Why wouldn't I think of such a thing. Sincerely, though, how could one perform such a feat?” Instead of giving an answer, Celestia turned to the book again, skimming the narrow hoofwriting without result. When she turned the page however, her eyes fell upon the most unlikely text she had seen in decades. Luna came closer to find out what had caused her sister's jaw to slacken and stared at the page. The entire double page was filled with neat runes and accurate little diagrams, only the numerous little annotations were written in ordinary Equestrian. There, devised more than eleven centuries ago, was a spell, enthralling in its elegance and sheer detail. “Methinks this is so implausibly convenient that it is downright suspicious. It is indeed very acute and complex, as is to be expected, but the amount of power it would require to cast this spell is ridiculously small. It can't possibly work.” “It says here that the pony who is to become an alicorn has to be overcharged with a great amount of free magic in order for the spell to work. As it appears, it just directs the power stored within the pony.” Celestia pointed out a small paragraph aside an exponential graph. “How great an amount of magic?” Celestia glanced at the paragraph, again. “According to book, up to 1.5MRi of magical potential, depending on the pony.” At the blank look her sister gave her, she added apologetically “I am afraid I do not know what that means, Luna. From what I gather, it appears to be at least equivalent to the combined magic of several thousand unicorns as Everfree notes that you might need legions of magi to provide enough magic to sustain the transformation.” “Tia, I wonder...” She looked into her elder sister's eyes, gazing into their purplish depths thoughtfully. “What is the true extent of our power? Can we turn a pony into an alicorn?” Princess Celestia bowed her head and reconsidered the spell whilst glancing down the carpet beneath her hooves. It was old, made nearly seven centuries ago by a truly talented mare as a present personally for her, the princess. Realizing that her mind was wandering off to dead friends from a distant past, she swiftly returned to the present. “I'm unsure whether I entirely understand how it works, but I really think this spell here could turn a pony into an alicorn.” “That is not my concern,” Luna retorted. “I'm not troubled by the dubiety of this spell, but rather by the question whether it is within our general capability to do so. Surely, any of us could grow a pony wings and a horn, maybe grant them magic just like any accomplished wizard can turn an apple into an orange. Our point is that the orange would not truly be an orange and the wings and horn would still be spellcraft. The orange, for instance, will look, feel, smell and taste like one, but any scholar of the arcane can tell thee that it is an apple that a spell is placed on. A counterspell would confirm this by restoring the original shape and properties of the apple.” Celestia slowly nodded, understanding where Luna was getting at. “It is, theoretically, possible to effectively change the very essence of an apple, altering matter itself so that it truly would be an orange without any hex remaining on it. However, the only working spells of such a kind are those used to transform simple materials in a limited way, serving many a craftspony to create her goods. Nopony has the power to completely alter something's nature in such a drastic way,” Luna finished. Ever so slowly, a quiet, but nevertheless delighted smile spread on Celestia's lips. Luna knew that expression. It meant that Celestia just had an idea she liked very much. “I think you are right. No pony can turn another into an alicorn,” Celestia confirmed. Then her smile widened slightly. “But the Elements of Harmony can.” Luna could not help but roll her eyes. “Aren't these thine answer to everything?” Celestia utterly ignored her and instead strode over to the little cabinet sitting in its corner, its door leaning slightly open. Her horn flared in a warm golden light as a grey, old notebook floated out of the cabinet and towards Luna, who caught it in her magic. “What is this?” “This is the long-lost journal of Star Swirl the Bearded. I discovered it after the end of the civil war. In it, he describes a spell that can be used to harness the power of the Elements.” Luna stared at her sister in awe. “Star Swirl's journal?! Tia, what treasures didst thou uncover in our absence?” She quickly flipped it open, searching for the spell Celestia had mentioned. “Star Swirl knew neither what the Elements were nor how they operated, yet he recognised them as a paragon of power and strived to use that power for the good of all ponies. However, he never succeeded,” Celestia explained. Luna, who had found the spell, nodded in agreement. “Indeed. This spell will not work. So, what is this supposed to tell me?” “A magician with keen knowledge of the magic of harmony and friendship may be able to rewrite the spell. Still, the Elements of Harmony can only be used together, and only by their bearers.” Luna blinked, her ears perking up. “So you want Twilight to devise a spell that will allow her to access the magic of the Elements in order to ascend to the status of a princess,” she concluded. “Yes,” Celestia confirmed. “It... might just work,” Luna said, but then corrected herself upon recognising Celestia's idea as feasible. “It can most definitely.” “So you agree with me, Luna?” Princess Luna shook her head and closed the notebook. “Nay. Just because we can make Twilight Sparkle a princess it does not mean we should make her one perforce.” Celestia raised an eyebrow. “I'm listening.” “It is beyond doubt that Twilight Sparkle is a heroic and great pony. She has saved Equestria from the clutches of nightmares, changelings and chaos. Her devotion and friendship are unquestionable. She is a most kind and intelligent young mare as well as, I presume, a wonderful and faithful student. Nonetheless, a hero does not make laws, devotion cannot discern between right and wrong, a good friend is not necessarily a good leader. There is more to a princess than loyalty and kindness,” Luna explained calmly. “Twilight Sparkle is a wonderful pony and I hold her dear in my heart. But she has yet to prove that she has what it takes to be a capable ruler.” “I see.” Celestia nodded. “I have total confidence in Twilight and am positive that she will be able to prove herself when given the opportunity. And it will be given, be it only for your sake. Still, you have a point and it is a good one.” Luna raised a hoof to interrupt her sister. “Say no more, sister. Tell me, do you trust her completely?” “I do.” Her sister smiled, wondering whether her vote of confidence had changed Luna's mind. “You are certain that she will be a great princess?” “Indeed I am.” “You love her like your own flesh and blood?” Luna asked further. “Yes.” Slowly, Celestia was beginning to get irritated by the continuous questions Luna threw at her. “I remember you telling me she has the greatest raw ability you have ever seen in a unicorn. Is that true?” “ Yes. Luna, where are you getting at?” Celestia frowned. “You have known her for her whole life and practically raised her?” Luna continued without reacting to her counterquestion. “I have. What is your point?” Celestia asked, her frown deepening. “Do you not see the parallels? Do you not see who she is like?” Luna asked, her voice quivering in agitation. Celestia sighed. “She is like a daughter to me. Is that what you mean?” “Celestia, she is like me!” A hint of desperation clung to Luna's voice. “She is like young, sweet, joyful little Luna who gave in to woe and became corrupted by darkness.” Celestia head reared back and her eyes widened. “Twilight would never—” “You did not expect me to turn on you, either. Cannot thou see what I see?” Luna interrupted her bitterly. All blood was now gone from Celestia's cheeks. If her coat had not been a stainless white, she would actually have paled slightly. “I... understand. I would have never even considered—” “It might just be me getting royally paranoid once again,” Luna declared, “but I consider the risk too great to ignore.” “No, you're right. I should have seen it. Especially I should know that power, desire, grief, even knowledge, really any kind of strong mental strain, can turn anypony into a monster.” Celestia's expression darkened. “Becoming a princess would put Twilight under quite some stress, making her susceptible to such negative influences.” “The problem about Twilight is that if she turns evil, there will be nearly no way of stopping her lest we use violence since she is the Element of Magic. Her friends would be unable and not willing to use the Elements against her. As I take it, you using the Elements to banish the Nightmare was what caused our connection to the Elements of Harmony to fail. Do you recognise the true danger of the Element of Magic turning against us?” “Even if she is stopped, which means either banishing or—killing her” – Celestia winced internally – “the Elements would be powerless once again. Sooner or later, Discord would break free once again, possibly before the Elements have accepted new bearers.” Luna grinned. “Which means we can ridden us of two problems at once by performing one simple task. We can give ourselves means to defeat any mad princess while disposing of the threat of Discord once and for all!” Taken aback by her sister's sudden enthusiasm, Celestia failed to retort verbally, but instead communicated her scepticism through her facial expression. “We reform him!” Luna happily exclaimed. Staring at Luna in disbelief, Celestia stammered “Y-you cannot be serious.” Luna chuckled lightly and Celestia realized she had been had. After thousand years without her sister, she was still used to nopony daring to attempt such a thing. “Of course not.” Luna got serious again. “I still doubt Twilight should be made princess at all. Such a course of action appears ridiculous to me.” Princess Celestia of Equestria had the feeling the conversation was somehow going in circles. Why wouldn't Luna even consider the possibility of Twilight living up to her high expectations? “And what if, hypothetically, Twilight proved to be worthy of the position?” she asked wearily. “Then” – Luna turned her muzzle upwards dignifiedly – “my suggestion to reform Discord would albeit be a serious one. A foe he may be, imprisoning him just delays a fight that cannot be won by force. So why not fight it whilst we can control its terms? There might not come a time when the odds are as much in our favour once again,” she pointed out. Reasoning this final statement concluded the argument, she quickly added a question, depriving her sister of the satisfaction of having the last word. “By the way, sister mine, methinks thou hast mentioned that knowledge can corrupt a pony's mind, turning them evil. Would you care to explain this phenomenon?” Celestia decided to drop the issue of Twilight for now. Luna could not be convinced by words alone, but when Twilight had proven herself to be capable, her line of argument would falter. Pushing these thoughts aside, she nodded. “With pleasure. I take it you know of the circumstances of the civil war that followed Nightmare Moon's banishment?” Luna idly scratched her chin, recalling what she had read on ancient history. “If I recall correctly, this conflict, while at first peaceful, at one point broke out into open violence between several opposing factions, costing many dear lives. Our ponies were divided between those that believed I had turned to evil and had rightfully been banished, those that believed thou had turned to evil and spitefully imprisoned me, those that believed both of us were vile tyrants that had waged a war for total control, and even those who believed things had been better under the rule of chaos, I believe.” “That is true. However, few know the cause that started the fights. It was a mare who thought herself blessed with the gift of foresight. Whatever she thought she knew, true or not, turned her insane. She and her followers, an occult order of some kind, rose up against me, sparking a conflict that lasted for twelve long years. This mare, today barely remembered as The Necromancer, was corrupted by her knowledge not only of what she believed to be the future, but also of the dark arts, of black magic that would enslave the dead. I remember seeing those that had fallen by her hooves rise again under her command...” She shook her head in sadness, bowing low. “No grief had stricken that mare that I know of. Her evil wholly came from knowledge she should not have possessed.” Celestia rose up high again, facing her sister, who was looking at her with wide eyes. “Pray tell, what happened to her?” While she had anticipated the question, the answer still hurt. “I have always tried to show kindness to those that oppose me, although fate has not always allowed me to do so.” She sighed. “With some, I could not have mercy.”