//------------------------------// // Storm of the Century // Story: Surge // by Zvn //------------------------------// Chapter Nine Storm of the Century “Dominus?” I knocked once more on the metal door, admiring the incredible display of dragons and ponies and all manner of creatures carved into its surface. Above them all was a glass circle, swirling energies held within. Its glow highlighted all of the entities on the slab. The door opened slowly, but without a creak to be heard. “Princess Sparkle! What can I do for you?” I was immediately drawn to the fascinating display of lights behind the amber dragon. “Just wanted to talk about something; I think you’re somewhat of an expert in the area.” Dominus Temporis opened the door fully, exposing the dazzling array of magic the room housed. “Then talk we shall.” Once inside, I approached the orb of energy in the center of the room, amazed by its presentation. Dominus must have noticed. “Splendid, isn’t it?” It spanned at least four meters in diameter, and showed thousands of light clusters, some as large as my head. I had studied similar magic before. “What’s it tracing?” Dominus Temporis approached me from the right, watching the lights as I was. “Magic. All of it in Equestria, actually.” I turned back to the map. “All magic?” Dominus smirked. “That’s right; ponies often forget the global effect of magic. It resides within us all, whether we have a conduit for it or not.” Temporis pointed at my horn during the latter part of his explanation. The dragon continued before I had a chance to intervene. “In fact, it’s better to look at magic as part of a universal energy; one shared with emotion, nature; time, even.” I turned again from the lights, and towards Dominus. “That’s why I’m here, actually. No one’s more acquainted with the element of time than you are, and I had some… questions about its rigidity...” Dominus Temporis began digging through the heap of documents and books on his desk, all the while presenting an answer for me. “Your curiosity reminds me of another’s; Starswirl the Bearded shared your desire to fill the unknown with known, and was no stranger to the mysteries of time.” Temporis momentarily ceased his searching to elaborate on the story. “Yes, he was certainly passionate about his work… and in ways the Council often didn’t see fit. I can’t say I cared too much for his mannerisms either. Nearly burned this lab down…” For the lord of time, he was unusually prone to wasting it. “Regardless, all of High Canterlot would agree Starswirl was extraordinarily gifted, and yet he eventually came to the same terms I have with time: you can’t change it.” I gently kicked with my forehoof in dissatisfaction. Dominus resumed his search. “I’m sorry, Twilight, but it really is a black-and-white subject. If I had enough power to change the past; well, I’m fairly certain that it would be me wearing the crown.” I mustered a voice that wasn’t riddled with disappointment. “I understand.” I could hear Dominus mumble several curses under his breath as he began looking through the chests under the tables. I felt defeated; and narrated as much aloud. “I spend a lot of time thinking about my vision. How things would have been different if I hadn’t seen it… Everytime I get to thinking about it, I always end up with the same question: ‘why?’” At that, Dominus Temporis rose from the floor, and began to scratch his scaley chin. “...You’ve taken an interest in the humans. It’s interesting to think that their entire existence is owed to chance; an astronomical accident. Sometimes, the greatest events are born from a collection of the smallest conditions.” I watched patiently as the dragon stepped closer to me. “Sometimes… things just are.” The room remained silent for a moment, as I looked down at my hooves and the cobblestone beneath them. I could hear Dominus return to digging through the room’s contents, while expressing his frustration. “I watch over thousands of lives, and yet I can never seem to remember where I put that bloody key…” I straightened up and flexed my wings. “Do you want help?”  Temporis turned towards me. “I appreciate it, Princess, but I don’t think there’s much we can do at this—” Hunched over the table, Dominus squinted his eyes and reached for a golden key laying on an envelope. “Of course; it’s always right under your nose, isn’t it?” A warm smile. The dragon made his way over to a large metallic chest against the wall, and unlocked it with the newfound key. My curiosity grew when I saw the open chest cast a green light against Temporis’ face, and he began to reach for the glowing item. “I’ve been meaning to give you this for awhile now; but, well, you know what it’s been like here in Canterlot as of late.” The item was now fully removed from the chest, and in the hands of Dominus Temporis. It was a green flame, flailing wildly inside of a small jar. I continued to stare into it even as its carrier began to explain. “Quite some time ago, while I was studying the flame’s magic, Spike offered to conjure a sample for me.” Dominus extended his arms, and I lifted the jar into the air with my levitation. I was unable to find words. “I just recently cooked up a new seal, it should retain the flame and its magic for more than a decade.” I studied the flame closely, as it licked the glass walls of its prison. After I broke free of the fire’s trance, I looked back to Dominus Temporis. “...Thank you.” The Lord of Time gave me a comforting smile, then began to reposition all of the items he had moved in his search. “Now, I don’t mean to offend, but I do have work to do today.” I held the jar next to my flank and cleared my throat. “Of Course; I’ll get out of your way.” With my back to the magic tracer, I weaved through the devices and furnishings of the room, until I could reach the metal door with a forehoof. Before I did, however, I turned towards Dominus once more, who was leaning against a table with his arms outstretched. He appeared distraught. “I’ll see you around, then.”  I began to walk through the doorway, admiring the metallic design once more. “Twilight—” Dominus’ voice led me to turn around. I had never seen the Lord of Time display as much concern in his face as it now did. “...You know as well as I do, the laws and restrictions that bind me to secrecy about what I see. But I refuse to keep what I see before you hidden.” I stepped back into the room, forcing the door to follow me with my magic. “What do you see?” “...You’re not safe, Princess. I think it’d be most wise if you left Equestria, perhaps to the Gryphon Kingdoms or beyond.” It felt as if I had just fallen into the freezing ocean waters. “What—what is it that threatens me?” “Please Twilight; I’m not often wrong about these kind of things…” * * * Dominus’ words lingered over me even as I returned to my room. I was mulling over them so thoroughly it was a wonder I could hear the commotion coming from down the halls of Canterlot. I made my way cautiously to the main doors, and pushed through them to find hundreds of vivid colors moving violently amongst each other. A mob was forming in the town square. I turned to one of the guards posted in the hall, and levitated the green flame towards him. “Return this to my chamber, and do not let any harm fall upon it.” Without question, the pony nodded and took a hold of the jar with his own magic. With his leave, I flew down to the square below me, intending to disperse the gathering. “Princess Twilight Sparkle approaches!” The four guards stationed there all kneeled at my presence. I quickly approached the nearest, and referred to him with a voice only just audible over the crowd. “What is going on here? Where is Celestia?” The earth pony stood before leaning towards me to respond. “Princess Celestia has been speaking with the council; she’s ordered us to maintain the gate until they reach a decision.” I looked into the rambunctious crowd, disheartened by the many enraged ponies that looked back. “I’m going to talk to them.” Ignoring the guard’s warning, I flew up onto a makeshift barricade separating the civilians and the castle. The crowd grew louder with my approach, their hoofmade signs about the horrors of the vault highlighted in the sun. “Citizens of Canterlot, please, let me help you…” Even I struggled to hear my voice. As I continued, I neared shouting. “Please, just let me talk…” The mob showed no signs of quieting, but I hadn’t yet exhausted all of my options. My horn began to glow dimly as I casted on myself and minimalised a cough triggered by the burn that made its way through my throat. When I spoke again, however, my voice had expanded tenfold. “ENOUGH.” The crowd slowly embraced a reasonable volume, and I wasted no time taking advantage of it. “I know you’re tired, hurt, and enraged; but know that not long ago, I too was a mere resident of Equestria, living peacefully within its borders...” I began to walk cautiously along the edge of the barrier. “...and I have dedicated several years of my life to study the humans, and their creations… know this, citizens: Mankind is not your enemy!” I raised my voice further to combat the mob’s response. “YOUR ENEMY LIVES AMONG YOU, IN SHADOW.” There was a hint of interest brewing in the many faces before me. “YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE UPSET; BUT DIRECT YOUR ANGER NOT AT THE HUMANS, OR THE WEAPONS THEY’VE CREATED, DIRECT IT AT THE MARE WHO WOULD DARE POINT THOSE WEAPONS AT YOU.” The ponies began to talk between themselves. “I HAVE DEFEATED BEHEMOTHS FOR YOU—I WILL NOT TURN MY BACK NOW.” Several of the signs withdrew into the crowd, as the outrage I had stepped into began to drown in a thunderous collision of hooves and earth. The many colors before me moved in an almost rhythmic pattern, save the expanding ball of orange in my peripherals— I squinted my eyes as the light exploded just before me, throwing a wave of heat against my coat. When the roaring noise it created was gone, and I again opened my eyes, I saw the ponies frantically attempt to escape the square, and the uniform hoof-stomping of before degraded into panicked stampeding. Flame still clung to the hastily cast arcane shield before me, and as I turned around, I found its creator. “Guards, arrest that fleeing unicorn.” The stallions nodded towards their ruler, then quickly made their way over the barrier I still stood on. I exhaled panicked breaths as Celestia approached me. “Are you okay?” I climbed down off of the barrier and stepped over the broken glass and flames that accumulated around me. “I’m fine…” Celestia nodded ever so slightly, then walked past me with her wings unfurled. Shortly after, two guards from the castle rushed to me, and asked that I leave immediately. I had no intentions of ignoring their suggestion, but took one last look over my shoulder at the chaos behind me. Celestia stood in the midst of it all, guiding the civilians to safety. * * * They tried to kill you. Even in the comfort of my own room, my nerves continued get the better of me. Images flashed in my mind, of the flames, the crowd; and most often, of Celestia. Her appearance further complicated the cloudy sentiments I already had for her. Strangely enough, however, it was getting easier to stop any of these feelings from bothering me as time went on. So I acted as a composed princess would, and began to sort through the mail that had been accumulating on my desk; at least until I had the chance to speak with Celestia again. Dear Princess Twilight Sparkle, I have been a resident of Equestria for ten years now, so I feel comfortable in claiming that the state of our nation has only been worsening since the vault was opened... Dear Princess Twilight Sparkle, we’ve lived in peace for so long now, it boggles my mind how badly things must have slipped up there to reach this level of chaos... Dear Twilight, what are you honestly doing at Canterlot? Because it’s clear you’re not ruling... My expectations had certainly been met. I pushed aside the criticism in favor of a bright pink envelope that caught my eye. It had a sweet scent lingering over it, so faint I would have denied its existence, were it not for the hastily scribbled return address that read “6440 Sugarcube Corner”. For a moment, I could only stare at the envelope; unwilling to reveal its contents. It was troubling to think this had sat unopened for over two weeks now. Eventually, I mustered my strength, and carefully opened the pink envelope with my magic. Inside was folded sheet of paper, adorned with images of confetti and ribbons. I read its words slowly. Twilight! Do you know what’s coming up? Gummy’s birthday party! And MY birthday party! We’re gonna celebrate on May 2nd and 3rd, at good ol’ Sugarcube Corner of course! I’d love to see you! P.S. I know you’re really busy at Canterlot so if you can’t make it, don’t worry. There’s always next year! My legs began to shake as I looked over the letter again and again. Every word pierced a little deeper than the last. You’re a Princess. I started to fold the paper back up with my telekinesis, blinking often to clear my vision. Princesses don’t cry. I threw my forearms up onto the desk and my head collapsed into them. Once my sobbing had begun, any attempts to silence it would be in vain, as the façade I had so rigorously worked towards collapsed under pressure. This was the edge; I had no doubt about that. It must have been at least ten minutes before I could recover, but once I had, I placed the jar Dominus had given me in my satchel, and slung it around my back. One last check of the room, and I pushed open the doors leading out. It was time to recover the things I’d sacrificed. I had made it not even a meter out of the doorway before remembering one last thing; I turned around and took care of it, then finally made my way down the hall. Left on my bed was my crown, placed neatly in the center.