The Truths We Deny
Chapter 4
Celestia opened her eyes to brimstone and steam, her nostrils smelling sulfur and her coat feeling the intense heat of Tartarus. She glanced around, taking in her surroundings. She was laying out in the open upon the very burning embers of the dark realm. Lying a few feet away was Pix. The imp appeared to be unconscious. Celestia grimaced, pushing to all four hooves. They'd managed to escape Daxis, but only just so. The slug lord's minions would be on the lookout for them, and they needed to move.
“Pix,” Celestia said softly. “Pix, wake up.”
No response. Celestia walked over to the imp and stomped her hoof on the ground.
“Pix,” Celestia repeated. Still, the imp did not stir. The Princess of the Sun's eyes widened. Could Pix have perished in the escape? Was it even possible for the denizens of this foul place to even die? Celestia was unsure. She knew that powerful demons like Daxis were effectively immortal, but lesser beings such as Pix? She didn't know.
“Hnnng.”
Celestia shook herself from her thoughts and looked down. Pix's eyes fluttered open.
“It's... it's bright,” the imp managed to utter.
Celestia cocked her head in confusion. “Pix? What do you mean, it's bright?”
“It's bright, hurts...” Pix said. The imp lifted a clawed finger weakly, pointing off in the distance.
Celestia followed the imp's claw, her eyes widening again. Beyond the haze of the Tartaran soil she was standing on was a luminescent field of green grass, set under the loving rays of an ever present sun. Celestia gulped loudly, realizing what she had done. Instead of teleporting to another section of Tartarus, in her haste she had teleported a section of Tartarus to somewhere else. It was a realm she knew all too well.
“The Summer Lands,” Celestia said, blinking. She glanced back at Pix. It was no wonder that things were too bright for him. In fact, it was possible that the section of Tartarus she'd taken with her was the only thing keeping a Tartaran being like him alive in this realm. She looked again at the border of her blackened, burning soil. It was receding. No wonder she hadn't noticed it when she awoke at first.
“Bright...” Pix uttered again.
“Don't worry, Pix. It's going to be alright,” Celestia said quickly. Her eyes darted back and forth between the imp and the receding burnt soil. She had to move fast.
Despite the fact that Pix was just an imp, a dark creature of Tartarus, Celestia knew that she could never live with herself if she were the one who allowed him to die. She had brought him here. He had never asked to be brought along. Granted, he could have died back with Daxis, but she didn't know she'd end up teleporting all the way to the Summer Lands. Besides, she had grown accustomed to his company, no matter what his origins were.
Celestia grimaced, returning to the task at hand. She concentrated, bringing her magic to bear across the imp's body. The simplest thing to do was to send him back to Tartarus. It would save his life, and leave her alone once more.
Pix glanced up at Celestia and tried to say something. Celestia shook her head and released her magic, causing the imp to disappear in a flash of white light. The rest of the Tartaran soil burned away underneath her, leaving nothing more than luscious green grass. Celestia sighed.
“I'm sorry I couldn't do more for you,” she said softly. She turned away from the spot where the imp had been and looked out upon the Summer Lands. It had been a long time since she had set eyes on the realm. The cool winds brushed against her coat, reminding her how much cooler it was here than it had been in Tartarus.
“I wonder why I ended up here,” she said aloud. “The crown. Am I subconsciously following it's path? Daxis did say that whoever took it left Tartarus. Maybe they came here, to the Summer Lands. Looks like I'm going to have to look around and see.”
Celestia started forward, making her way down the hill she'd teleported onto. The green lush grass of the Summer Lands extended as far as she could see, but it was dotted here and there with tiny hamlets where the souls of good ponies lived. Celestia decided upon the closest of these was the best to start searching for her sister's lost crown.
As the alicorn neared the hamlet, she noted that there was a distinct lack of ponies around. In fact, she hadn't seen any of the pony souls that inhabited this realm since she'd come down from the hill. Her interest piqued, Celestia made her way into the town proper.
It was a quaint village, filled with thatched huts and even a little fountain in the center plaza. It reminded Celestia greatly of Ponyville, where her former student Twilight lived. And yet, something was off. Something in the air didn't feel right. Celestia felt as if though she were being watched.
“Hello?” she called out. “Is anypony out there?”
No response. Celestia grimaced.
Having a bit of trouble, are we? a voice echoed inside of her head.
Celestia turned about, looking for the source of the voice. “Who's there?” she asked anxiously.
Tsk. Dear Celestia, you know who this is, the voice replied casually.
“Tirek,” Celestia said, recognizing the voice. “How did...?”
How did I end up being able to talk inside your mind? I think we both know, Tirek said.
“I'm afraid I don't,” Celestia said angrily. “I do not have time for this.”
Oh but I think you do. You were so kind to my little messenger, sending him back here to me. His mission was ultimately successful, however, and now I'm afraid I simply have no use for him any longer, Tirek said.
Celestia's teeth gritted together. “Pix,” she said. “Pix was one of your spies.”
Yes...not that he had any choice in the matter. That is the nature of how things work in Tartarus. I had the imp plant a magical device that would allow me to psychically link with your mind, Tirek said. I must admit, I had not expected the crown to be missing.
Celestia mulled over the centaur's choice of words. “You don't know where it is now, either, do you?” she finally said.
No. I'm afraid not, Tirek said. If I did, I wouldn't be stuck in this infernal prison, would I? No... the removal of it is as just a mystery to me as it is to you.
“So why reveal yourself now? Why not wait until I have the crown?” Celestia said. Her eyes drifted towards several of the buildings across the plaza. She thought she'd seen movement there.
Because as much as I loathe to admit it, you would have found out about the link sooner or later. My powers are not as great as yours are in my weakened state, Tirek replied.
“And if I choose to cut off this link?” Celestia said, walking towards the building she'd seen shadows coming from.
Then I suppose that would be your prerogative. There would be no reason for you to continue talking to me, after all. But you won't. Face it, we're more alike than you realize, Celestia, Tirek said. I only told you where the crown was because I wanted you to see it too.
“I'm afraid you're wrong. We are nothing alike,” Celestia said aloud. “As for this conversation, it is over.” Her horn twitched, and she heard Tirek's voice no longer. Satisfied that she had eliminated the link, she trotted right up to the front door of the building. She knocked loudly on it.
“Hello? Is anypony in there?” she called out. No response. Celestia grimaced again. “Listen, if anypony is there, please answer me.”
Again there was no response. Celestia turned around back towards the town, not hearing the door open behind her. Before she could react, Celestia dropped to the ground, yelping loudly as something struck her in the back of the head. She passed out before she could see the two shadowy figures dragging her inside the house.
**************************************
“I still don't quite understand why we had to split up,” Rarity said as she trotted along a pathway made of dirt.
“So we could cover more ground easier, Rares,” Applejack said, trotting beside her. “You trust Twilight's judgment, right?”
“Well yes, I do,” Rarity said. “I just wonder if we could have accomplished more together, as opposed to being separated.”
“Listen, Twilight's got a lot on her mind right now. Princess Celestia gone and all,” Applejack replied. “We've all gotta do our best to help find out where she went.”
Rarity nodded. Her companion was right. Twilight was noticeably stressed by Princess Celestia's disappearance. They all were. Celestia was more than just their Princess, she had been each of the Elements of Harmony's friend as well.
“Still, I don't suppose you have some idea of where to start looking?” the alabaster mare imposed on her friend.
“That's a good question,” Applejack said, stopping to put her hoof to her chin. “Twilight said that we'll run into rogue memories here and there, so it's best to assume that if we just keep moving, eventually we'll run into one.”
Rarity grimaced, but kept moving forward. The path they were on eventually coalesced into a large field set next to a grand castle. Several ponies stood upon it, chief of which Rarity recognized as Celestia, Luna, and Serenity. Celestia appeared to be performing some magic with her horn.
“You mean like that?” Rarity said as she and the other mare approached the memories.
“Exactly like that,” Applejack said.
The young Celestia stepped forward, her horn blazing as it lifted a large shining orb in front of her. She appeared to be struggling with the orb, gritting her teeth as she attempted to lift it with her magic. Eventually she dropped it, gasping for air.
“Again,” a voice said from next to the three mares.
“But, Mother... it's too heavy,” Celestia whined. “Why do I have to do this anyways?”
“Because, my dear. Eventually, you will be responsible for lifting the Sun. And that, I think we can both agree is a much larger burden than this simple orb,” Celestia's mother replied, stepping out into view. “Now, do it again. And pay attention to the amount of force you are exerting on the orb. You must not place too much on it, otherwise it will reject you. It is not a matter of power, it is a matter of finesse.”
Celestia rolled her eyes. “Fine.”
“Don't roll your eyes at me, young lady. I know you may not understand the point of this training now, but you will someday when I am gone and you rule the Everfree,” Celestia's mother said.
Celestia grimaced, averting her eyes from her mother's cold gaze. She stepped forward, re-igniting her horn. Her golden magic wrapped around the orb once more and she began to pull on it. The orb responded by beginning to float into the air. Celestia grinned widely as she lifted the orb.
“I got it!” she shouted. “Look! I did it!” Her joy quickly turned to disappointment when the orb stopped floating immediately and dropped to the ground. It rolled around in place for a second before stopping at her hooves.
“I think that's enough for one day,” Celestia's mother replied. “It's clear that you're not focused on this task, Celestia.”
“But... but I had it in the air,” Celestia said.
Celestia's mother grimaced. “You were supposed to hold it there, not break your focus once you lifted it. Now, put the things away and go back up to the castle. Dinner will be served soon. After dinner, I will see you in my study.” She turned and took off into the air towards the castle.
Celestia sighed, hanging her head.
“Don't worry, you'll get the hang of it,” Serenity said, smiling as she trotted up to her sister. Luna followed behind her.
“Yeah, it's just a stupid orb, Tia,” Luna said. “You can do it!”
Celestia smiled softly. “Thanks... I just wish Mother would see that I am trying. It is harder than it looks.”
“Really? Can I try?” Serenity said. She was glancing at the orb resting on the ground. “What makes it so hard to lift anyways? It doesn't look that heavy.”
“Mother told me that it was infused with the essence of the Sun, so it would respond magically the same way it would to me,” Celestia recited. “Heavy.”
Serenity trotted around the golden orb. “Fascinating. So, do you mind?”
“Mind what?” Celestia said before realizing what her sister was talking about. “Oh. Sure, go ahead and give it a shot.”
Serenity grinned widely and took a step back. Her horn began to glow softly, reaching out to the orb with her magic. The sphere began to wobble. Eventually, it started to rise slowly. It stopped at eye level, hovering silently.
Celestia's eyes widened. “How...? How are you...?”
Serenity grimaced, sticking her tongue out to the side as she lowered the orb. She took a deep breath and exhaled just as deeply. “Wow... you aren't kidding. It's really heavy.”
“But... but you lifted it,” Celestia said. “How in the Sun's name were you able to do that?”
“I don't know,” Serenity said. “I just did what Mother said. Finesse, not power.”
Celestia scowled, turning away from her sister. From their vantage point looking in on the memory, both Rarity and Applejack could see that she was... angry?
Rarity blinked. She'd never seen Princess Celestia truly angry before. It appeared almost as if...
“She's jealous,” she said softly.
“Say what?” Applejack said.
“She's jealous. Serenity was able to do very easily what she struggled to do,” Rarity pointed out. “That's quite odd, if you think about it.
“Why? Everypony gets a little jealous sometimes,” Applejack replied.
“Fair enough, but have you ever seen Princess Celestia act jealous of somepony?” Rarity asked.
Applejack thought for a moment. “I suppose you're right. It looks like that's the end of that memory, too. C'mon. We'd better keep moving.”
Rarity nodded. The two ponies stood and continued on down the path.
******************************************
Celestia's eyes fluttered open to darkness. She grunted, trying to move and finding that she couldn't. What happened? she thought. She had only turned away from the door for a moment. Something had come out of it and attacked her.
The Solar Princess craned her neck, trying to see where she was. The room was very dark, and she couldn't see much of anything at all.
“Hello?” she called out, realizing that she was only bound by her legs and body, and not her mouth. “Is anypony there?”
“The Princess, she awakens,” a dark voice said from somewhere within the room.
“Who's there? I can't see you,” Celestia said.
A lantern ignited in the room, illuminating a small portion of the dark space. Standing next to it was a simple earth pony stallion. He had a grin plastered on his face. “Forgive us, Princess. I am used to the darkness.”
Celestia grimaced. “Why can't I move? What have you done to me?”
“You were attacked,” the stallion said softly. “I'm afraid I had to restrain you while you recovered.”
“I feel much better now,” Celestia lied. She didn't. Her head ached heavily and so did the rest of her body. “Can you please untie me? I am on a very important mission.”
“I am sorry, Princess. But I cannot do that,” the stallion replied. “There is too much to do, you see. Too much, indeed.”
Celestia frowned. It was time to get serious. “Pony, I am the sovereign ruler of Equestria. You will abide by my command, or I shall be required to free myself through force.”
“Oh, you don't rule here,” the stallion said. “Not in the Summer Lands.”
“Of couse I do. I am the arbiter who decides what ponies get to enter the Summer Lands,” Celestia said angrily. She was beginning to get frustrated.
“So I was right,” the stallion said. “It was you. I must thank you, Princess Celestia. You are the entire reason I am here in the first place.”
Celestia's gaze narrowed on the pony. “Who are you, pony? Do I know you? I have judged many souls to this place, and I remember them all.”
“Do you remember me then? My name was Generous Soul, but now it is Nothing,” the pony said, setting his lamp on a nearby table.
Celestia searched her memory, trying to remember a pony with a name, but she was unable to specifically remember judging anypony with that name. Her eyes widened as she realized where she'd heard the name from.
“My sister. Serenity. She's the one who judged your soul. She let you in to the Summer Lands. You're the pony Tirek tried to corrupt,” she said.
The stallion chuckled slightly and put his hoof to his chin. “Oh my, it seems you don't remember do you? All in due time, I suppose. It's not my place to tell you, no it is not. But what to do with you then? I suppose I could I could add you to my collection.”
“Collection...? And what am I supposed to remember?” Celestia questioned.
“Yes, my collection...” the pony said softly, almost as if he had not heard Celestia's question in the first place. The stallion walked calmly over to the wall and brought the lamp to bear.
Celestia's eyes widened. Strewn along the wall were the souls of the ponies who had lived in this town in the Summer Lands, or at the very least the physical manifestation of those souls as they appeared in life. Each one was carefully posed and displayed, and very noticeably not moving. It was as if the soul itself had been cut off. The alicorn averted her eyes from the gruesome display.
The pony once known as Generous Soul cackled wildly. “Yes... my dear Princess Celestia, we're going to have a lot of fun together, you and I. Oh yes, we will.”