Rainbow and Scootaloo left in the morning. Runner and I got up early to wish them luck. Grinning, the two of them flew away to catch up with Spitfire and Soarin', the two sent to pick them up. Night Runner looked at me, "Daddy, what do we do now?"

I grinned, "Well, we'll have to go then!" She smiled and jumped up and down. I took her inside, and told her to pack up. We got ready to leave, and did just that. Setting up in the Everfree, I showed her various tips and tricks to wildlife survival. I helped her with many things. We just had a good time in general. She loves nature, maybe it's because she's always at Fluttershy's visiting Dark Storm. Anyways, after a week, we packed up and headed home. This would turn into a routine for us...

John flew to the castle. Unlocking the doors, he ventured into the hallway. He was expecting guards to stop him. He wasn't expecting the princess to stop him.

"Hello, John. It seems that you're setting foot on territory that isn't yours... Tresspassing is forbidden in Equestria. " Celestia said, annoyed.

"Well, my princess, I am welcomed here, seeing as a member of my family has been accepted. Therefore, I should be allowed as well!" John replied.

"Actually, no. She was welcomed explicitly, and has denounced herself as a member of your house. Therefore, you are wrong."

John growled, "Well then, I'll just have to welcome myself in, won't I?" At the very end of that sentence he summoned his sword. It was a double edged sword that was a dirty white. It seemed to glow with death itself. The hilt was black leather, and the crossguard was made of bones. Then it began to change. The blade shortened and began to curve. Soon, his sword had become a scythe. He twirled it around, then slammed the butt of the weapon on the ground. Celestia's annoyed look was replaced with that of anger. She summoned her blade, which appeared in a flash of bright light. It was a pure white katana. Then it caught flame.

"The Solar Flare?" John laughed, "I haven't seen this blade! It'll be a pleasure defeating a user with such power..."

He dashed toward her at breakneck speeds. She parried his strike, which was an upward slash. He recovered quickly with a stab toward the chest. Celestia jumped back and then dashed back into the center zone, slashing downward. John side stepped, then kicked her face.

"Really? This is all the strongest being in Equestria can do?" John teased. Celestia growled, then slashed upward from where she was standing. A wave of fire erupted from the blade. John twirled his scythe and simply blocked it. He dashed toward her, and slashed it across her face. Kicking her in her chest, he followed up with to hits with the butt of the weapon, and then a round house kick. Celestia went flying, but he grabbed her ankle and slammed her into the ground, leaving a small crater where she was. He crouched at her unmoving form, "It's a shame... It didn't have to end for you like this..."

John began to laugh hysterically, "I'm fully aware my princess! After all, it takes one to know one! I also know that immortals only live forever as long as they are not killed."

John smiled and turned her body over. Taking off his sunglasses, he revealed his red eyes. "I will tell you something before I kill you. Equestria is nearing it's end. The worlds are being taken to live with the Christian God. However, the ones that do not deserve this must wander a designated world until they die. They chose Earth. Too bad that they multiplied while the heroes reside here. And since heroes are here, Equestria cannot go to the heavens. The humans of Earth are looking to expand. And they are coming here to destroy you all. Equestria is going to fall. Without you." John smiled.

Tears ran down Celestia's cheeks, I'm sorry Luna, Twilight. I failed you both...

John laughed as he brought his scythe down on Celestia's chest. Seeing that she had stopped moving, he teleported away quickly.

But fate always plays one more trick card, for if a royal guard had not began to wander off from his duties to try and fondle the princesses in their sleep, then Celestia would have died without anyone knowing. Instead, this guard called his comrades to take her to the local hospital.

------------------------------------------------Brandon------------------------------------

Twilight was right outside my house in her hot air balloon. She said she had received a letter from Celestia intended for me. I read the letter, and it was the scariest thing I could ever read. The whole letter was stained with dried tears. It read:

Brandon,

Something horrible has happened. This morning, I had to raise the sun. Guards found my sister bleeding out in the middle of the hallway in the castle. Right now, I am in the Canterlot hospital, waiting for my sister to wake up. Please hurry...

-Your mother, Luna

I ran up the stairs and woke up Night Runner. I told her to put clothes on. She obliged and we flew as fast as we could to Canterlot.

Once there, I signed the two of us in. I told the people at the front desk I was there to see a special patient. The told me to go to the E.R. We dashed there. Opening the door, I found that the Elements were all there, except Rainbow Dash. Celestia's condition was stable, but she was unconscious. Twilight was leaning into Luna's shoulder. The two of them were crying.

I nodded and shut the door, locking it as well. She closed her eyes, and began to speak, "I should have done better, but my time is approaching. Brandon, I'm sorry for being an awful person to you. I didn't want you at first, but now I know better. I should have-"

She smiled, then turned to Twilight, "My faithful student, you will have to face many obstacles with my sister at your side instead. Either Luna or another of my good friends, Katherine, will have to mentor you. Is this okay with you?" Twilight nodded. "Good," Celestia said, "I expected as much..."

She looked up, "And to the rest of the Elements, I expect you to do well, even after my passing..."

I woke up in the royal chambers at about noon, "'Tia?" I called out, "Where are you?"

A royal guard stepped in, "Miss Katherine, there is something you should know. The Princess was found laying in the hallway in a puddle of her own blood. There were also signs of a struggle in the same area. She's recovering in the Canterlot hospital-"

I stood, "Thank you. I've gotta go now." I turned and ran to the balcony and jumped, soaring through the air. I flew as fast as I could to the hospital. Landing at the front door, I walked in. The smell of medicine among other things made me sick. I registered at the front desk, and they told me where she was. I ran as fast as possible. I was met with the door to the E.R. I made to grab the handle and twist, but it didn't budge. The hell? Why would anyone lock a door to the E.R.? Finally, I gave up and sat on the floor next to the door, hugged my knees to my chest, and cried.

Celestia answered, "He did hit me with a lethal blow, but he also did something else. I felt my power being drained, and I couldn't fly, or heal myself..."

Brandon stepped forward, "I think I know why. When I first fought him, he was developing a weapon that could drain one's energy, or in this case, magic. I think that was the finished version..."

"It's not that simple, and magic is harder to restore than energy. You can't just put it in a syringe and shoot it in her veins. You have to make sure they're compatible first!"

"Because magic is primitive compared to energy. If energy is difficult to restore, then magic won't be any easier."

"Will you shut up?" Twilight screamed, "You don't know anything, let me do this!"

"Her compatibility with magic has been removed! If you even try to put magic in her system, it'll destroy her from the inside out!"

Twilight screamed in frustration, turned, and slapped Brandon dead on the face, "Don't you want her to live?" Brandon nodded, "Then we have to do something!"

Katherine heard the whole thing through the wall. She couldn't cry anymore, but she wanted to, knowing how hopeless it was to save her...

Celestia spoke up again, "I will not leave you without a gift. Three people in this building will each receive one-third of my whole knowledge, wisdom, and power. Those three will know what to do with Equestria. They, while not the smartest, are ready to carry on the legacy of my kingdom, and to preserve Equestria for generations to come." Her eyes seemed to be a million miles away, yet they seemed peaceful, "This is the end of my road. Carry on, my friends..." She closed her eyes and released one final breath. And with that breath went her knowledge, power, and wisdom to the three designated.

Brandon felt the heaviness of decision flee from him, as wisdom flowed through him.

Katherine felt filled with knowledge, and she felt another tear fall. She felt undeserving of such a gift. She had failed her, and yet she stilled gave her such a gift.

They all flinched when the machine flatlined. They all walked out, in a grim mood. Brandon looked down to see Katherine sitting down on the ground. She looked up at him with tear filled eyes. Begging, for something, anything. Brandon knelt down and wrapped his arms around her. She cried into her shoulder, he just held her there. After a while, he stood, and offered her his hand. She took it and he pulled her up. Looking behind her, he saw Night Runner there. He hugged her. They began to walk out, but outside the hospital, Twilight was waiting.

Twilight nodded. Katherine began to back up. She was about to run, when Twilight caught her with her magic. "So, it was you, huh?" She slammed Katherine into a wall. "Why would she pick you? I deserve that. I was her personal student! I deserve it! I NEED IT!"

Twilight stopped, "Why should I? Katherine probably gave her murderer the key to the entrance!"

"I... I didn't..." She coughed, and blood shot out of her mouth and onto the ground.

"You're lying! How else could he have gotten in! Guards don't simply leave doors open."

"He's like my father... I know more about him than anybody!" Katherine replied, blood running out of her mouth, and tears out of her eyes.

"Well, then. It's a shame that you'll have to be punished." Twilight threw her against the ground. She created a hammer of energy and slammed it on Katherine's chest.

"Why should I? Celestia was like my mother! You have no idea how horrible it feels to have a parent figure killed!"

Twilight was taken aback, and for possibly the first time, she didn't have a comeback. Brandon let up, his face suddenly seeming aged and saddened. "When I was sixteen, before I ended up here. The people I was raised by, not so much my parents but like it, were killed by the same person I defeated here. Right in front of me, he slashed their throats and threw their innards all over the bed. I spent the whole day crying, scared, hoping he wouldn't take anyone else from me..." Brandon looked up, "Listen, Twilight. I know you're upset. I know you're angry, and that you feel abandoned. It's okay to tell others how you feel." He got up and walked toward her, as she started to cry. He wrapped his arms around her, and as she fell to her knees, he went with her. She cried on his shoulder, and he let her. After a while, she calmed down and he let go. "There. You feel a lot better now than you did trying to kill Katherine, don't you." She nodded, "Good. Now the two of you make up. You guys gotta help me break this news to Rainbow Dash before she comes back." The girls nodded.

"Listen, I'm sorry about attacking you like that, will you forgive me?" Twilight said as she healed Katherine.

Wiping the leftover blood off of her mouth with her sleeve, Katherine replied, "Don't worry about it. I probably would've done that same thing had I been in your shoes. But..." She slapped Twilight, "Payback. Now we're even in my book." Katherine grinned.

The news went okay with Rainbow. She didn't freak out, but she did seem a little downed by it. I took Night Runner home. Telling her to go to bed, I laid on my couch. I felt more tired than ever, but I didn't feel exactly sleepy. Laying on my back, I stared into the ceiling. I reflected on my whole life, and decided that I wouldn't be happier with the way I turned out. Feeling kind of sleepy, but awake at the same time, I closed my eyes, and felt nothing.

In minutes, I opened them again. I was in a different bed, but everything seemed to be vibrant with life. I got out of the bed, and left the room. There was humming, and it sounded like someone was cooking. I looked to see stairs. Going down them I saw a sight that made me want to shit myself. In the kitchen, a blond girl with a familiar petite figure was cooking. And Celestia was laying on the couch. I looked at myself. I felt less bound by physical limit, and I also felt younger. I went back upstairs, and went to a bathroom. Looking in the mirror, I saw that I was no longer in my late twenties. I was sixteen again.

I ran down the stairs, and Celestia looked at me. "Looks like the sleepyhead's awake!"

The blond girl stopped cooking and turned around. By god, it was Kaitlin. She ran toward me and gave me a tackle hug. She was warm, and I felt her smooth skin as she nuzzled my cheek. "Brandon! I missed you so much!" She kissed me on the cheek.

She nodded, "I made you breakfast, but that's not important." She led me and Celestia to the kitchen table, and sat down. She got me a plate, and put two burritos on it. I could smell it from here.

"Here you go. Eggs, cheese, bacon. I still remember that from back then." She put the plate in front of me and sat down. She was wearing a maid's outfit, and her hair was down, but she was missing her cat ears. "Okay, first off, I didn't kill you. I've just been assigned to house you and Celestia here. You'll be checking out and returning to Equestria in three days, or years over there."

"Three years? I have to leave my thirteen year old daughter by herself for three years?!"

I sighed, "Well, it looks like I'll be here for a while, so can I talk to you, Kaitlin?"

"What's wrong? I know you, this isn't normal for you to be so passive." I asked her.

She sighed, and dropped her bored expression, "I know, it's just... I want these three days to be comfortable. After this, I won't see you again. The angels told me to house the people that died heroes. I can't leave, Brandon. And your fate was explained to me. After these three days, I will never see you again..." She sniffed, tears coming out of her eyes.

I moved closer, and put an arm around her, "Don't get scared, even if we never actually see each other again, we'll still be in each other's hearts. We're never apart. Even if you can't be my lover, and I can't be yours, you're like my sister, maybe a little closer than that. I love you, Kaitlin. And I've grown up enough to know that I don't have to have sex with you everyday to prove it." I said, with a grin.

I laughed and kissed her on the cheek. We went downstairs to find Celestia crying. "What's wrong?" Kaitlin asked.

"I knew I should've done more. Without Brandon there, his family is going to tear itself apart..."

The New Generation

by TheBlackPanda

Chapter 7: Separate Ways