//------------------------------// // Ascension // Story: The Powers That Be // by Anthri //------------------------------// Twilight Sparkle had heard many details of a unknown past over the course of an hour. After all that she heard, one thing was nagging the back of her brain. It honestly had been a question since she became the bearer of harmony. She decided now was the right moment to ask the gods and the princesses. “Why me?” Princess Celestia and Lauren looked at each other. Lauren nodded and Celestia smiled back at her mother and then continued her story. “Mother told Luna and I how to find the tree. After Nightmare Moon, the elements stopped working because of what I had done. It's true that eternal night would have brought unbalance and chaos, so Harmony allowed me to use it against her but in doing this, I banished my other half to the moon. The elements sealed themselves up because I now had power over sun and moon. I was one being with power over the sky and that itself, much like Discord was a chaotic element.” Celestia explained looking to see if Luna was effected so to comfort her. Luna appeared to be okay for the most part but Celestia had to always make sure. "So Harmony would not allow control over everything and allow you to be connected too..." Twilight stated quietly. “Well, after the battle, I decided to move the capital to a location I was fond of. High on the mountains was the perfect spot for my new castle and so we began to build Canterlot in hopes that it would be a symbol of a new age.” “But why move? I thought you wanted to protect the tree? And you LEFT the elements there?” Twilight asked then remembered, "Well I guess no-pony could use them..." “Well it was obvious the tree could protect itself. The time we were there, it never came under any danger because of how vicious the forest was naturally. There is another reason too...” Celestia trailed off once again looking at Luna who returned the stare. “I couldn't live there anymore. I didn't regret my decision but it was a heavy price.” Celestia teared up because of what she was about to say. Twilight looked on with a sympathetic expression. “They may say that a thousand years on the moon alone is a long time and it is. They say that it is a form of loneliness beyond compare. However, I too had lost my long time friend and sister. While everyone I knew had always died around me, Luna was always there to comfort me, as I, her. But without her around, my rule felt surreal. I wake up one morning to my friends, go to sleep to wake up again to another set. I was in hell without her.” “Celestia, I'm so sorry.” Luna said tearing up too. “I didn't realize that you went through so much. I figured you enjoyed ruling while waiting for me to return.” she admitted. “Well, that's only half true. I ruled because I had to and I did it seriously. Don't forget Luna, we need each other, always and forever.” She smiled at her little sister who returned it. “I waited for your return and tried to prepare you a place but what I got told, put me at a tense 1000 years.” Celestia nodded turning to Lauren. “Mother told me about the elements coming back, about bloodline that would harbor the conditions.” “Bloodlines?” Twilight asked curiously. “Yes. The bloodline that would create conditions for the return of Harmony.” Celestia explained. “She told me to look for Harmony's starburst on a pony and I would know for sure.” “That's why you took me as a student?” “Correct. But I knew before you got your mark.” Celestia giggled. Twilight put a hoof to her forehead trying to figure this out. “How in Equestria did you know?” “Well Twilight, who else has your cutie mark?” Celestia asked. Twilight Sparkle thought for a moment thinking of various ponies with stars and shapes similar to hers. She remembered growing up around somepony who did. “My brother?” she asked hoping it was the answer. “That's right Twilight. When your brother was growing up, he did attend the school you did. I was informed of his mark because the teachers couldn't figure out his talent when he got it but they had a idea.” Celestia grinned. “You know he got it defending you from school bullies on his first day when you and your parents dropped him off.” “I remember, I had my smarty pants doll with me. We were almost as inseparable as I was with my brother. Dad went in with him to see him take his entrance exam but mom and I were outside because the judges didn't want a foal in there just in case something went wrong. While we waited, mom had to go to the bathroom and told me to stay seated. As she was gone inside the bathroom, some kids decided to trot by me really fast, snatching my doll away from me!” Twilight said angrily. “But your brother heard you crying outside the room.” Celestia smiled. “Yes. He came outside to see what was wrong, ignoring his exam in the process. I pointed a hoof at the running ponies and he ran after them.” she sighed. “He got so mad he intended to grab the doll with his magic to return it but that's not what happened.” Luna never learned this story but her ears were listening because she noticed Celestia's excitement. “What happened then Twilight Sparkle?” “Well magically making things huge, it runs in the family because the doll grew fifty sizes too big.” Twilight laughed. “Casting spells on that doll runs in your family too.” Celestia rolled her eyes as Twilight blushed. “And those students were stuck in the hallway underneath it. The judges saw this and decided he had magic potential.” Celestia went on. Twilight regained her composure, “He was so happy because after that he got his cutie mark.” “A Harmony crest with a shield.” Celestia said. “As you know, I own the school and was told of the incident. I was told of his cutie mark and hurried to meet him at your home.” “That's when I first met you face to face.” Twilight blushed again. “Yes, Twilight. When I saw the mark on your brother, I managed to also meet you. Your brothers mark I assumed at the time meant, 'protector of harmony' so I pegged you as the chosen one.” Celestia admitted. “I see. Then you chose me to be your student?” “Not quite. I wanted to keep an eye on you until you were ready. I was way to busy to do it but I knew somepony who could.” “Eh?” Twilight scratched her head. “I asked your parents if it would be okay if you had a baby sitter because a certain somepony could use a good lesson in what a job and what earning money are really worth.” Celestia groaned. “She's so careless sometimes.” “You mean, Cadance?” Twilight asked. “Right. I didn't expect her to fall in love with your brother but, that worked out in the end right?” Celestia laughed. “Yes princess. I really like Cadance and I'm happy for my brother.” Twilight smiled brightly. “Well, when the day came, your brother went off into the military and you went to your exam. I had a test just for you, to hatch that egg I got from Ryalon and Skadholm. I was supposed to be there watching but I ran late and while I were on my way, the events that took place became your cutie mark story.” Celestia smiled. “I see..” Twilight's eyes got bigger in realization. “So, you were the one and I got you under my hoof and now here we are.” Princess Celestia laughed. Twilight looked around and saw that her peers were smiling back at her. Lauren took the reigns of the conversation. “Now you are no longer with the elements and have that box.” Twilight frowned and nodded back at the god. “I am not one who see's the future but I can tell you that Harmony has something great in store for you.” Lauren admitted. “I hope so.” Twilight said. “Me and Craig are done here my daughters.” she said as they all hugged one another. “We will return to where we came from but I know we will see each other again after this is over.” Luna let go of her father. “I hope so. I've missed you mom and I want to hear more from you dad.” “Someday!” he said happily. “Goodbye mother.” Celestia said with a sad expression after retreating from their hug. “You'll be okay darling. You're always okay.” Lauren smiled. “It's hard but I do it for everypony.” “Do it for you.” Lauren gave her rub on her neck. Celestia half smiled at this. “I'm learning.” she looked at Twilight and Luna. “I have friends to teach me.” Both smiling, Craig and Lauren vanished into nothing. The room was quiet for a moment until Twilight broke the silence. “I'm sorry you two but what about my princess-hood?” “What do you mean?” Luna asked her. “Was this planned?” “You know it was, we gave you the book to figure it out.” Luna replied. “Well, was it part of Harmony's plan?” “Oh.” Luna shrugged her shoulders. “No. It was all my plan.” Celestia admitted with a serious expression. “I told Luna about you and at the time she was skeptical that you could actually do it.” “No offense Twilight but I knew Starswirl personally and if he couldn't do it then I didn't think you could.” Luna admitted. “Princess..” Twilight said sadly. “This is before I really understood your talents though. When you did prove me wrong, I was excited to see where this plan of my sisters would go afterwards.” Celestia laughed loudly. “You know, I didn't know if she could do it either because this was not on Harmonys grid.” Luna put a hoof to her forehead in shame of her sister. Twilight had a look of annoyance on her face. “Thank you guys for the vote of confidence.” “You saved my sister and have brought harmony back to Equestria. That is what Harmony had in store for you. My plans to turn you into a princess are my own and I'll tell you why!” Celestia said feeling anxious. “Yes sister, why is she one of us?” “Because we are two ponies who need each other yet we are very different.” Celestia told her. Luna and Twilight looked at her with demanding eyes, demanding Celestia to explain herself. Celestia took a deep breath, “The ponies may always have problems with one of us. They may see one of us better than the other. It will always be like this little sister.” Luna knew this to be true. Ponies in Canterlot are proof enough, the shallow views of the rich and influential. “So what are you getting at?” “Twilight is a worthy princess and has shown she can defend Equestria, so I propose we step down Luna.” “WHAT?” Luna and Twilight said in unison. “She is the only one who can replace us. That's the only reason I can come to this decision. I want us to step down so that the stress of ruling doesn't cause us to fight and so that we can bond stronger without the ponies trying to drive us apart with favoritism. Twilight can handle both sun and moon if she wishes. Her taking up this duty is of course optional and it won't effect her elements now that she has none.” Celestia said with a worried tone. “What has gotten into you sister?” Luna asked angrily. “I'm with Luna, I dont even have the elements to protect Equestria anymore!” Twilight said, rapid breathing starting in. “That is true Twilight. This was unexpected that you would lose them but Luna and I can stay rulers till you find out whats in this box. My point is, that you are a princess now and you need your own country. At the time I considered this plan, you had the elements and still needed your friends whom none would follow you to this new place.” Celestia said seriously. “What?” Twilight asked stunned. “Applejack tried once to leave the farm. She can't go anywhere. Rarity has family too and a business. Pinkie might follow you, as will Rainbow. Even though Fluttershy has animals he has grown attached to, she can release them into the wild.” Celestia explained. “I see..” Twilight replied, Luna still having a look of disapproval on her face. “But you lost the elements now. I didn't count on that so we will hold off on it all.” “I've been gone for a thousand years sister, I really didn't have a lot of time to rule or get to prove myself to our citizens!” Luna told Celestia. “I want to do this for us, Luna.” Celestia closed her eyes trying to not cry. Luna stayed silent. Frustrations rising with each others opposite opinion on the situation. Twilight spoke up though trying to diffuse it. “We can all rule together.” she offered. “I just can't see Equestria without you two. I can't see my life without you.” Celestia sighed. “I'm sorry Twilight. I just tried to decide what was best and recent events with the tree have strengthened my resolve.You have corrected Luna and my mistakes, piece by piece. You released my sister, you beat Sombra and now the Empire is free. You beat Discord AND helped him! Not to mention what you've recently accomplished with the dragons! Lest we forget that you actually beat some-pony who had her hooves on the Alicorn Amulet? You are fit to rule and Luna and I, are not...” Luna was mad now, not saying anything about her sister's outrageous proposal. Twilight however, had another way. “Celestia, please don't give up. If any trouble you face in the future from now on, I will be there. No matter how long you live in this world, I promise I will be there to straighten it all out between you, after all, I'm an alicorn now.” Twilight smiled and rubbed her face against Celestia's neck. Luna watched and her anger evaporated at Twilight's love for her sister. Luna smiled and was happy to see Twilight so determined to talk her sister out of this. It made her more happy to see how much she cared about the two. Celestia spoke through her shaky voice. “Thank you... Twilight.” ----------------------------------Epilogue------------------------------------- Weeks have passed since that day and Twilight has collected almost all the keys for the mysterious Harmony box. It was night and the castle in Canterlot was mostly dark except for a noticeable light coming from Luna's room. She stared out the window at the street lit city and pondered about many things. The princess noticed when she got back that ponies had been more active during the night because of street lamps and lights on businesses. These things didn't exist and the only light back then was the light of the moon. The ponies liked the night sky but if you can't see much, you cannot do much so it was no true surprise to Luna that the citizens played at night these days. They didn't play all night though leaving Luna alone in the late hours aside from the castle staff that had cleaning duties or guard duty. Celestia had mulled over the decision to step down with her sister but Luna still worried about it. She doesn't want to give up the throne so easily when she just got settled back into it. She doesn't want to rule without her sister there because she wants Celestia to be by her side through all the politics and experiences that they never truly shared together. On a darker note, ruling without Celestia would make the dark princess out to look like she was trying to rule alone. Like the day when she turned into that demonic mare that ponies remembered and celebrated her defeat for years. So many secrets have plagued the past of Equestria and even time before then that Luna just wanted the future to be a lot more transparent. Perhaps Twilight's involvement was a great thing after all. Honestly, she didn't want another princess ruling between them but it may just be okay. Fhil was still in Chanolis with Queen Chrysalis and doing a great job at changeling relations. His wife is being taken care of while he is gone and visits the castle every so often to show his letters she receives to Celestia so that she can read his part to her. Apparently he can't send letters to anyone else because the queen has trust issues and his mail gets read and approved before it's sent. To make sure the unicorn is even alive, a convoy of guards with supplies of goodwill travels to check in on him weekly. Lillian worries about him but knows that his success is important to Equestria's medical future. The god's haven't been heard from since they disappeared that day. The Ponyville friends are all adventuring collecting the keys for that box nopony know's anything about. Discord hasn't been around much and his girlfriend left him. Apparently they kept getting into arguments so she went back to the dragons. This was bitter news because now we don't know what the dragons are planning and Discord keeps flirting with Celestia! Luna's thoughts came to an end as she finally pondered somepony whose destiny was like Twilight's destiny. Cadance's grandmother Princess Platinum once ruled the Crystal Empire but she survived the sealing by coming down to live with her lover in the castle in Cloudsdale after fleeing the city while pregnant. She died before I became Nightmare moon and her daughter was very young. Life went on these past thousand years and eventually she met a pony and had Cadance. Unfortunately, Luna was told that she died while giving birth. Cadance never knew her dad either, it was a sad story of an unknown father. When Cadance got her mark, Celestia knew that she was born to rule the Crystal Empire. Everything came together so perfectly for both Cadance and Twilight. Even so, Luna could not help but feel angry at her sister for even suggesting this retirement. Destiny may have been good to Celestia so far but Luna wanted more. She wanted the admiration of her ponies and to leave her own legacy behind when her reign was over, only because death had come for her. She hoped her sister would change her mind. She hoped that she wouldn't be forced to do it if Celestia went through with it. She hoped for a brighter future with Equestria... or perhaps, a darker one. A gleam of light from the moon caught Luna's eye and just for a moment, the familiar dragon shaped eye of a certain demonic mare, looked back.