IV
I never got HIS name. I never understood where HE came from or what HIS purpose was. You call HIM a number of names, from what I hear. I have but one for HIM.
HIS form was white, with a mane made of light itself and pulsing in all manner of colours. HIS face was covered in a large golden mask, similar golden eyes piercing through holes he clearly didn’t need. HIS body only had forelegs, the rear half of the form folding into itself and disappearing somewhere beyond the ether. HIS cutie mark was a trifold triangle, engraved in plain sight upon HIS faceplate. HIS horn protruded magnificently from underneath the helm, and HIS wings, the largest I had ever seen, spread threefold to each side, and were tipped with golden adornments.
This was obviously a construct, a representation of HIM in a form I would understand, but it was the most beautiful construct I had ever seen. So perfect. So pristine. So utterly godlike.
So completely above me.
I was attracted, repelled, awed, surprised, honoured, aroused and… well, basically completely confused all at once. He was so perfect it was utterly impossible for me to think of myself as even having a ghost of a chance of thinking of an acquaintanceship, never mind anything more. While I was merely Equestrian royalty
He
Was
Royalty.
This STALLION did not need entourage. HE did not need embellishments. HE didn’t even need to speak. The universe itself was HIS embellishment, evidenced by how the light of HIS mane swirled slowly around us. It created a simple platform of light, which, effortlessly, cemented itself into a solid mass. As this happened and his forehooves rested upon the platform, gravity returned to my body for the first time in countless hours. My hooves joined his in rest upon the mass, the ancient sensation pressing me softly to the platform.
Twilight Sparkle.
I gulped. I had no idea what was coming.
“N-n-nuh…”
I choked. I coughed. I gagged. I stammered. I could say nothing in HIS presence. HIS very regality suffocated the words out of me.
Do not fear, my child, he said. I have been watching you fulfil your duties without complaint for many years, far beyond what would normally be expected of alicorns. Yet, you knew in your heart what being tied with Magic meant.
I swallowed. I hadn’t given it much thought, but… I guess, something within me did know. Even in my maddened state so long ago, I knew. I was to last far longer and do something to rewrite history as I knew it.
“But… to destroy the universe? How could YOU choose me to do that?”
There must always be an end to a beginning, unless there was no beginning. Unfortunately for some, they must end what others begin. This is the way of this universe.
It made logical sense, but it still hurt. I bit my lip, worried that I would insult with my next phrase.
Go ahead, young Twilight, HE encouraged. Be not afraid. I know your pain.
I swallowed. With a deep breath, I looked into his eyes. “W-why me? Why not some other pony? Why did it have to be me?”
HE was silent.
I began to pace. “What’s the plan? Why did the world have to end then? Why couldn’t you have just let it go as it was? What was the purpose of making a beginning and an end? What do you want from me?”
HE looked at me, expressionless.
Well, not completely.
A tear rolled down HIS eye.
“Why did you do this? Why did you not rescue us ponies when we lived? Why let it all die? Why let all life die?”
By this point, I was screaming.
“Why did you let my… m-my friends, my mentor, my sister, brother… my country, e-everything I ever loved is gone! Why did you take it from me?”
My voice was hoarse. My throat, parched. I was nose-to-nose with this STALLION, this KING, who was crying. What kind of KING was HE anyway, to cry like a commoner? Celestia never cried like this! I never cried like this! What was HIS game?
After what felt like an eternity, he stepped forward and enveloped me in pure, warm light.
I was speechless.
I mean, what can you say about experiencing a hug from three – no, that’s not right, one – no, that’s not right, either… three AND one beings. I know, I know… this might be fourth-dimension thinking going on here, but trust me on this. It was like getting a hug from love itself: pure, perfect, pristine love. I felt true community. True compassion.
True HARMONY.
Forget what linking with the Elements was like. Forget about what living as friends with others was like. This was that to mathematical powers inconceivable to my phenomenal mind. I had not forgotten my many lovers, my many children. Each of their loves was grand.
This was beyond that. This was pure.
All things I create must come back to me of their own choice, HE whispered. If I do not present them with things that will challenge them in their resolve and do not present an alternative to MYSELF, then I could not honestly claim my creations to have chosen ME, and therefore could not call MYSELF good. This is why I must allow what happens between two ponies to occur, whatever may come. This is also why I must not interfere when it comes to violence, for if I were to interfere, I could no longer say that I allowed them to choose what they did, and therefore could not call MYSELF good or just.
“But what about death?”
When I first designed your race, I designed you all to be immortal. However, I gave the first two a choice – follow ME or you and all your children die.
“Isn’t that a little harsh?”
When you were a foal, your parents were given authority over you. If they were responsible, they warned you of a consequence, then followed through when you disobeyed. Most children do not have the knowledge to question their parents until they are much older. So too did your race. They also did not think to simply let the whys of this decision lie when it came up.
However, I know you, Twilight. I made you, after all, and I know you will not be satisfied with the foals’ answer to that question. I will tell you more once you’ve passed across the river. It is time for this universe to end, and another to be born.
As much as my logic circuits demanded an answer, I decided to trust HIM. Call it desperation. Call it curiosity. Call it naivete. Heck, call it idiocy for all I care. Whatever. At that moment, I made the choice to trust instead of think it out. I sighed and smiled sadly.
“Do what you need to.”
He chuckled. I will need you.
I was aghast. “B-but YOU can do it! YOU don’t need me to create a new universe, not with what YOU did to form this platform. Why am I necessary?”
Because I make it so.
Now I was totally confused.
Concentrate your energy into the ball at the centre of your soul – all of it. Spare no magic.
I complied. My horn lit up and drew what was left of the universe’s magic to myself. It wasn’t a lot. In fact, I wound up drawing upon my own reserves far more than those of what wasn’t around me.
The dark magic, too.
I cracked an eye and looked at HIM skeptically.
Let the race I make choose, Twilight. Otherwise, I cannot be honest.
I nodded and, for the first time in my life, drew upon all my magic at once. Light and dark swirled within myself, comingling in perfect balance until shades of gray coalesced around my form. Slowly, my body drew clearer, exposing a single glowing orb within.
Will you entreat your soul to me?
I drew it, along with my magic out of myself. For a split second, I held it out, but recoiled.
“Promise me this.”
Whatever you wish.
“Remember me.”
HARMONY smiled. With that, I left my soul in HIS hooves and took my final ride.