The group of mares ran thorough the thick trees of the forest, trying to keep pace with the bouncing pink pony in front. All of them were panting at the high pace she had kept for the last four hours.
"Pinkie, could you please slow down!?" Fluttershy yelled out from the back of the group.
"Nope, can't talk! Can't talk!" Pinkie rapidly shot out between her hops. "Pinkie sense crazy! I feel it I feel it!"
"What in tarnation are ya talking about pinkie? Just stop for one minute, please!" Applejack shouted.
Pinkie Pie growled in frustration but skidded herself to a stop. The other 4 mares all came to a halt as well, sweating and panting to try and catch their breath. Applejack coughed several times to clear her throat. "Dag nabbit Pinkie, what's gotten into ya!?" She snapped out in frustration, "y'all been acting more hyper than a rabid squirrel!"
Pinkie Pie began spinning in quick circles on the spot. "Pinkie sense going bonkers! The doozies are getting stronger!"
"But if ya think that is getting stronger, why didn't ya say anythin' earlier!?" Applejack growled at her.
"Yes, can you please let us know next time?" Fluttershy said between her gasps. She sat down on her haunches to rest her sore legs. "Can we take a break for a little bit, please?"
"Yes, a break is just what we need!" Rarity said in relief, eying the broken sticks and leaves stuck inside her mane. "Look at this atrocity at what has happened to me! I knew I should have packed my bag to bring along with me."
Applejack cast a glare in Rarity's direction hearing that. "With all the things happening now, how can a makeup bag come in yer mind of things to bring?"
"Well how can it not come into consideration? If I am to see Twilight I should be looking my best!"
"Lookin' yer best is the least of our worries, rarity!"
"Well sorry if I am concerned in appearance! I can't help myself, alright!?" Rarity snapped back, frowning as she pulled out the loose twigs in her hair.
Sighing, Applejack trotted over to her friend. "Sorry Rar, it's just ah'm so worried at what is happening to Twilight. And I'm not the one who is worried the most."
All of them turned back toward Twilight Velvet, the elder mare standing by herself looking up toward the dark sky. The entire time since leaving the castle she had not said a word to any of them, making them grow concerned for her well being. To their surprise however they saw something in her eyes they did not expect. She showed no sign of pain or sorrow, but only a single look.
Nothing.
No expression, no guilt, nothing but a blank face.
Fluttershy glanced to the others in confusion before walking towards Violet. "Miss Violet, are... You alright?"
Violet sat silent for several moments before she turned towards Fluttershy. "We are heading towards the dragons homeland."
The four young mares, especially Fluttershy, gave gasps of shock hearing that. None of them had any idea where they were going, only following where Pinkie Pie said she felt her senses going off at.
"D-dragons!?" Fluttershy whimpered out, "but what if we meet a dragon there?"
"Agreed, that would not be the best thing to happen!" Rarity said, having strong memories of the small time spent in the dragon homeland during the last dragon migration. "I can't believe I'm going back to that place since I went there with Rainbow and Twilight for... For..." Her voice trailed off realizing who she was saying.
She had originally gone to the dragon homeland with Rainbow and Twilight after Spike had left to see his own kind. By coincidence, all three of them were gone or missing at this time as well, sending a wave of guilt through her heart.
"Miss violet..." Applejack questioned the elder mare, "How do ya know this is the right way we're goin' to the dragon homeland?"
Twilight Velvet shut her eyes and took several steps forward. "Going directly east from Canterlot leads to only one place. Montara, the dragons territory. It's only a hundred miles away from where we were this morning, and ends up at the landmark separating the two borders."
"Landmark? What landmark?" Rarity asked.
"The volcano Mount Volvack. " Velvet responded. Suddenly, a small smile made its way to her muzzle and she laughed. "I still remember all those times Twilight would sit there at the dinner table reading off facts to us. The exact distance from Canterlot to Manehatten. I can still see her sitting there."
---
seventeen years ago
Twilight Velvet trotted over to her kitchen sink as she levitated her pot under the faucet. She quietly hummed to herself while the water filled up before she shut it off and made her way to the small stove. She looked over to the table and couldn't help but smile to the sight.
Twilight Sparkle, barely over seven years old, sat at the table staring down into a book nearly as big as herself. The young filly sat engrossed in glee to the giant encyclopedia in front of her. "Hey mom, did you know that dragons have no age limit? Nopony knows how old they can get!"
"Hmm, I didn't know that sweetie." Velvet answered as she poured her vegetables into the pot. "Why don't you put that away so we can get ready for dinner? Your brother and father are going to be here soon."
"I can't believe dragons live only a hundred miles from us. There home is so close that they could fly here all the time if they wanted. Wouldn't that be crazy, mom!?" Twilight ecstatically asked.
"Oh I don't think that would be fun, Twilight. A big dragon would be pretty frightening to see here. Now I know it is fun to read, but-
"Mount Volvack is so big that Canterlot can fit in its top! I wonder if I'll ever see it someday!"
---
Taking a deep breath, Velvet came back to the present and turned back to the other girls. "I can still see my little girl everyday when I wake up. I know she's in there."
A few seconds later, the suns rays began to slowly creep its way over the horizon, lighting the sky from the mystic dark blue to the majestic gold shine. They all looked at the brightening light, all watching in awe as the sun began to creep over the large mountains in the distance.
"If what I remember from Twilight is right, we are twenty miles from the volcano. That is the same one Princess Celestia said her student used in the past..." Velvet felt her skin shiver at the thought of some mad pony crawling inside her daughters mind. "I have never been strong in believing in fate, but I may have to change my ways today."
Velvet began walking towards the distant mountains, especially eyeing the very large one silhouetted behind them. "If there is only one place to where she is going. It has to be there."
---
The bright rays of the sun began to illuminate the interior of Celestia's bedroom. Shadows shrank smaller and smaller until they were mere patches scattered through the large bed chamber. The golden painted bed frame glittered in the bright light and created beautiful patterns across the wall. It felt so rich and warm inside that nothing felt off inside. The only problem was something was in fact off.
Celestia stood outside on her patio overlooking the large city of Canterlot. Her eyes however sat staring into the distance beneath the rising sun in the east, her alicorn eyes able to see the great volcano dwarfing all nearby mountains. She couldn't help but imagining the sun rising from the peak as if it were a massive lava ball exploding out from the top. Releasing a small sigh, she turned and walked back into her private room and cast a soundproof ward over her walls.
It was nothing new to her that Twilight Velvet and the element bearers had snuck out of the palace the night before. She also knew the guards had simply allowed them to leave as well, something she had expected from the beginning. As soon as word got out about what had happened with Twilight being the one responsible for the damage to the city, the entire royal guard grew suspicious of what was going on. It made matters worse that the guards she had ordered to attack Twilight were spreading the news of what happened inside the castle before her rampage in the streets.
"Distrust..." Celestia mumbled to herself, "I knew this would happen when they learned of what happened." Turning back behind her she shut the door, enveloping the entire room into blackness other than her glowing horn. She clicked the lock shut to ensure she wouldn't be seen at what she was about to do.
Lifting up a small chest from the side of the room, she shut her eyes in preparation to doing this again. Opening up the lid, she levitated a round green gem the size of an orange, lifting it out and setting it into the center of the room. She stepped back from it and took a deep breath. "Once again..." She whispered.
Charging magic at the tip of her horn, she shot out a small stream of magic at the strange artifact, causing it to begin spinning on the carpet. It glowed brighter and brighter each second, illuminating the entire room. Releasing her magic, Celestia watched as the item continued to spin on its own as she began reciting the needed words.
"From the skies high above to the ground far below, the life blood of all will always flow. While flesh will rot and bones will fall, the souls of the dead will be there to call. Come to me the one I need, give me sight of your conscious seed."
In a bright flash, the gem shattered into thousands of small shards that seemed to float in the air, circling a single thing that Celestia stared at in awe. It was not the gem she was looking at, but in fact a figure that she had known from the earliest days of her youth. A stallion she would regard for all of her days as her savior.
Starswirl.
The legendary Mage was standing right in front of her, his gray coat hidden mostly by the blue, star covered cloak over his body. Even his long beard hung down beneath his bright yellow eyes like it always remembered it being. He was a spitting image of what he always had been.
But he was just an image.
Bowing her body down, Celestia lowered her head nearly to the floor. "It's good to see you again, master." She said.
Starswirl looked around the room for a moment before he turned back to his former student. "Your room hasn't changed much since the last time. It hasn't been long, has it?" He asked her, his voice filled with disappointment.
Celestia looked to the side in guilt at the truth to what he was saying. "It's been about a year since I used the soul gem."
"Ah, back when Luna returned from the moon you locked her on, wasn't it?" He asked in annoyance. "It feels like this has become a habit for you to use this for whatever comes your way now despite what I warned you about the soul gem."
Celestia winced to his words that came out of his mouth, for what she was doing was perhaps one of the most restricted forms of magic in the entire kingdom.
The soul gem was an ancient relic from the beginning of time, able to communicate with the souls of the departed. The black magic revived their conscious minds to be able to physically speak to the user, even if they have been dead since the beginning of time. While it may appear to be a simple form of talking to the departed souls of loved ones, this magic can be used to uplift the souls of those of any race, able to recover information about their enemies and perhaps even use the gem to bring back the souls to show their prisoners their past loved ones to force them to give them what they want. Most importantly however, the gem is a curse to those who abuse it, unable to move on with their life as they refuse to move on in life and stare at their lost love.
"I know that you always warned Luna and I from using the gem for the wrong reasons. That's why you had it locked inside the castle in the first place."
"Alright, I understand my princess." Starswirl answered solemnly. "So what have you been up to? Has that foal you wanted come yet?"
Celestia's face scrunched in pain to the question he asked, not wanting to be reminded. Starswirl saw her look however. "Ah, so it still won't happen, will it?"
"No, but I thank you for your concern . This however is not some simple news to inform you of to why I summoned you. I am in need of your wisdom once more."
"And to seek knowledge you call upon me for help. I thought you would go to your sister now." Starswirl said to her.
"Luna isn't here, and that is due to the reason I summoned you once more." Celestia clenched her teeth together in frustration, still struggling with herself to the situation she was in. "Do you remember all those years ago? My first student Crimson?"
"Ah yes, the fire possessed one..." Starswirl sighed in curiosity... "I was always wondering how could a pony with so much talent was possessed by a pony like that. It is too bad that had to happen. Why are you mentioning him though? It was such a long time ago."
"That is the reason I brought you back, master. Do you remember be telling you about my newest student Twilight?"
"Oh yes, the new mare prodigy you have. What does she have to do with this?"
"She..." Celestia clenched her eyes to the facts she was saying. "She is the vessel for Crimsons power I was waiting for."
Starswirls eyes widened in surprise to her words, unable to believe what she just said. "You mean your first student... He's come to possess your newest student after all these years?"
"Yes, I'm sure of it. I saw it with my own eyes." Celestia looked up to him expecting him to be deep in thought, but was shocked to see him smiling. "Do you find this amusing!?" She snapped at him.
Starswirl let out a small chuckle to her outburst. "It seems like destiny has found its way back to your doorstep, Celestia."
"Destiny? You think it is fate that this is happening to me!?" Celestia stood up from the ground and walked towards the projection of her dead mentor. "You believe that destiny made it so that Luna was to grow jealous her moon was not as loved as the sun and led to her descent into nightmare moon? You make it sound it was all planned out in history!"
"And who says it isn't written already? Your first student, one you said was one of the strongest unicorns ever. Now your newest student happens to be the new strongest unicorn in the world, and yet you act like this wasn't expected to happen. Why don't you realize this is perhaps a chance to make up for the mistake you made all those centuries ago."
"Make up? How is this making up for it?" Celestia asked him.
"Do you remember what I had told you about Aligon, Celestia? A pony that went on a rampage destroying all those towns?"
"Yes, but what does that have to do with Twilight?"
Sighing, Starswirl leaned his face forward until he nearly touched her muzzle. "He was a crazed monster made from my own blood. He was what you could consider my own reflection cast upon the world. When that creature tried to destroy my land, I engaged him and ended his wrath. I took my sword plunged it straight through his heart."
"I know master, you told both of us that story before. But why are you trying to tell me this? How does-"
Her words froze on her tongue when her mind realized what he was saying. "Master, you don't mean..."
"When there was a pony that threatened the safety of Equestria, I did what was necessary to ensure the survival of my home. Perhaps you should accept that and do the same."
"But wait, there has to be another way! To just kill her its-
"Destiny, Celestia, it's calling for you. You failed to bring yourself and kill your first trial of a student when it almost wiped out Equestria. Now history has repeated itself due to that reason, and unless you do what is right, it will happen again." Starswirls body suddenly began to glow green, signaling his end. "Hmph, seems like time is up again. It's such a shame... Death is truly a boring place. No thought, no hunger, no feeling. Just emptiness."
He looked down at Celestia to see her lying down on her belly with her eyes down, causing him to sigh. "Don't allow personal feeling to cloud your mind, Celestia. You must do what your heart knows is right."
After nearly a minute of silence, Celestia finally responded, but to his confusion it was a laugh. "Heh heh..." Celestia chuckled out loud, "It seems Luna is copying your own ways of ruling. She even is using your style with your own sword and-
"The sword?" Starswirl suddenly yelled out, his voice filled with more interest than the entire conversation before. "She has taken up the sword of shadows as hers to use?"
"Y-yes, she took it this morning." Celestia answered in confusion. "But why is this important? I was telling you about Twilight and Crimson, what must I do!"
Starswirls body began to glow brighter as the shards started spinning around his form. He stared out in space before his eyes made their way back to Celestia. "I always knew she would be the one to finally unsheathe it. I actually am surprised it took so long to do it, in fact. Now it seems like the doors are really opening."
"Wait, doors? What are you talking about?"
The gem shards were spinning so fast it was hard to see Starswirls body anymore, but a large smile still could be seen. "Luna has chosen her path, and her actions will shape Equestria. Now you must also choose a path and shape yourself a chunk of history. I will see how your choices played out next time we see each other... Goodbye."
Blinding the entire room, the gem shards slammed together into their original shape once again, the single piece of stone having replaced Starswirls body. Falling to the ground, the lone jewel began to lose its bright glow as Celestia stared at the gem as it grew duller and duller before leaving the room in pure blackness. The same feeling as the answer she received.
---
On the far eastern side of Equestria, the once green and colorful landscape that covered the plains slowly began to dwindle the further you went. Trees became more scarce before they were simply charred stumps rising from the ground. Grass was only found in far distance patches until it was non existent at all. Even the soft dirt disappeared entirely, being replaced by coarse sand and hard stone. This was the border to Montara, territory of the dragons.
Ponies knew to stay away from the border due to the hostility of dragons towards other races, but the landscape itself kept them out. Set during the rule of Starswirl, the two countries were separated to determine who owned what land, the dragons of course given the harsher climate due to their resilience to heat. Temperatures on average rose into the triple digits, the intense sun rays baking into the hard ground. Even the air itself felt stale and barren. Nopony enjoyed sitting in this intense land for long.
And yet a single pony made her way into it.
Twilight slowly trotted through Montaras outer edge, her burning mane flickering like a beacon through the night. Her hooves crunched across the dry ground with every step she took closer to her target. Her mind however was focused on something else though. She stopped walking and brought a hoof up to her chest, unsure what it was she was feeling.
'Is something wrong, Twilight?' Crimsons voice echoed inside her head. 'You seem troubled since last night.'
"It's... I don't know. It has been bothering me ever since that village we went through." She responded to him, her mind replaying the villages burning inside her mind.
'Are you troubled by what you did? You cannot let emotion cloud what you are about to do. You did that to keep them from reaching word to Celestia. She would have come and killed you. You know that is the truth.'
Twilight's face scrunched in anger to the memory of her former master. "I know. She would do that, just like she did the other day."
'Yes, and we can't let her do that or we will never complete our task.'
"I just can't explain what it was that i felt last night though. It was after we left, it seemed like something burst inside and is growing stronger. It feels like... Like..." Twilight suddenly pictured a small dragon in her mind, his bright green eyes looking at her with a smile. "Spike."
'It is probably nothing Twilight. You don't wave to worry about anything. We are so close now.' Crimson said with excitement. 'Look.'
Turning her head up, Twilight laid her eyes upon what was the largest mountain she had ever seen. The base of it was at least nine miles across from one side to the other, large pockets of dried magma still sitting across the face. The large volcano rose over four miles up into the clouds to the highest point. The most interesting part of its features was nearly half of the mountains face had been blown off, leaving a crater over a mile wide down the side. Twilight couldn't help but stare in awe at its sheer mass.
"It's enormous..." She whispered out loud.
'Yes, just as large as it was back when I was here...' Crimson said. 'This is it Twilight, we are here.'
Unknowing to Twilight though, crimsons soul was grinning in lustful excitement to the sight of the mountain once more. 'For sixteen hundred years I've sat in limbo.' He said to himself so Twilight couldn't hear. 'I will finally make true all those teachings you gave me. I will make true the promise I made to you, Celestia.'
---
High above the ground, two figures gently flapped their wings as they stared down at the fire unicorn beneath them. Both were small dragons around nine feet tall and dark brown, making sure they kept their bodies hidden in the clouds.
"What do you think, should we go down and see what it is doing here?" One of them asked.
"No, let's not..." The other answered, "there's something that makes me feel strange about this one. That's no ordinary pony down there."
"It doesn't matter if it was the damn pony princess waking down there, none of them are allowed here."
"Then we go to notify the king of this. Let's go."
Sighing, the other dragon nodded his head and lifted up from the cloud. Both drakes turned and flew towards the interior of their land, to the master of all dragons.