//------------------------------// // Chapter 25: The Truth At Last // Story: I Have Returned // by EPiiCx5587 //------------------------------// I Have Returned Chapter 25: The Truth At Last All of the lights around Palmer radiated a beautiful blue hue as most Forerunner structures did. It was just like being on Requiem again, except with less Covies, and a psychopath of a soldier to replace them. Sarah didn’t know which was worse. Palmer and the others after their encounter with Jane were walking down the corridors of the labyrinth that was the underground Forerunner structure. “I can’t believe she almost shot us!” Palmer said. Luna was quick to respond though with. “I still can’t believe that the Twilight Sparkle I knew has become that…. that being!” “I’ve heard the stories of what she used to be like. Shame, she sounded like a good damn person, or pony in this case.” “I just hope we can lose her in here.” “Like I said earlier, these Forerunner buildings usually have more than one exit. If she isn’t able to find us again in here, once we get out it’ll be almost impossible for her to find us then.” “That won’t stop her from looking for us though. We have the Elements of Harmony after all, they’re her number one desire right now. She thinks they can save your people’s species.” “And she’s probably right, but that doesn’t make it right for her to just take them. Those Elements belong to the ponies of Equestria. Jane is a disgrace to the Spartan name.” “Might I ask, what is a Spartan? I’ve heard the name quite a few times by now.” “The alien alliance we have been fighting against for the past few decades is called the Covenant. Some of the species in that alliance are far stronger and far more technologically advanced than the human race.” “I don’t see how that answers my question Miss Palmer.” “Spartans are genetically enhanced human soldiers, with some of the best technology humankind has come up with. We are the closest things to being able to match those aliens on both a technological level, and a brute strength level. For years, the Spartans have been humanity's last hope.” “And you and Jane are both Spartans?” “We’re generation IV Spartans. The newest breed of Spartans.” “What about the older generations? What were they like?” “I can’t say much about them. Most of what I know is classified.” “Why is that?” “Lets just say that some of the methods used to make the older ones were…. unorthodox.” “Do you think that your people will ever win this war? Without the elements I mean.” “We did for awhile about six years ago; however the remnants of the Covenant joined together to become the Storm Covenant. We’re doing better than before, but if things keep up, they might just destroy us.” Luna stopped and put a hoof on Palmer’s shoulder. Her hoof just barely managing to go up that high, considering that Palmer was much taller than Luna. “Then I hope for the sake of your species that one day you will be triumphant.” The air around all of them got colder for some reason. If Palmer wasn’t in armour, she’d have goosebumps. Then, Palmer almost felt like there was another presence in the hallway that they were in. She didn’t know for sure, until a voice came out from the shadows. “I personally disagree, my little ponies…..” _________________________________________________________ The Librarian floated above Jane in the blue haze in the middle of nothingness. “What are you!” Jane asked. “I am a Forerunner Jane.” A Forerunner, still alive? Impossible, unless this was some sort of A.I. or message. Also, how did she know her name? “You say that it’s time for me to learn the truth about Equestria?” “That is correct.” “I already know though! The planet is a shield world!” “No Jane, I’m afraid it goes much deeper than that. Much deeper then you could ever even imagine.” “Explain, because if you don’t, then I’ll just assume that you’re the one behind this all. Got it?” The Librarian lowered herself until she was at eye level with Jane, who was still very sceptical of the Forerunner’s intent. “About one hundred thousand years ago my husband the Didact did not want humanity to obtain the mantle of responsibility.” “I know this, I read the report on the Master Chief’s encounter with him on Requiem.” “That’s not all though I’m afraid.” “I’m listening.” “While we wanted humanity to obtain the mantle of responsibility, we did not want them to be alone. That’s why I chose your old species, pony kind, to rule beside humanity.” Jane scoffed. “You have to be kidding me. If that were true, humanity would have found evidence of that!” “Yes, however something happened. My husband the Didact happened.” A lightbulb inside Jane’s head went off. “Wait a second, I remember reading something that Roland dug up under the crystal empire. Something about keeping ponykind away from humanity, and halting all technological progress. Also something about a gift.” “Exactly. Before my husband fled to Requiem where I imprisoned him, he made an attempt to try and stop my plans.” “And what did he do?” “He went to a noble of your species who worshiped the Didact. He claimed that if it was willing to keep ponykind away from humanity, and to keep the ponies from making any advancements in technology, he would kill off all of the other higher ups at your species so it would be in power. That was only the beginning though, after that he hacked the monitors that were deciding where each species went after the Halo’s fired. He made it so ponykind would get sent to this shield world.” Jane almost didn’t want to believe what she was hearing. It seemed so far fetched, yet it all made sense. “So that’s what’s going on. Everything is starting to make sense now. I have to stop whoever is doing this!” “Yes you do, but I am not done telling you what I need to tell you.” “Continue.” “Before the Halo’s fired he sent Ponykinds new ruler to hide within the shield world to protect itself from the array. The Didact left instructions on how the being could link itself to the core of the planet. In turn the energy of the core would keep the new ruler from aging, and give it unimaginable power.” Jane remembered seeing reports on the Didact and how he fought the Master Chief. During the fight it seemed as though that Didact had a magic like ability. “Let me guess, that power and magic are one in the same.” “Yes they are.” Jane raised an eyebrow. “What about everypony else? They all have magic in their own ways.” “True. When the being connected itself with the core, it malfunctioned. While the being gained its power, everyone else got a fraction of that power. That’s where ponykind split up into it’s three subspecies. Earth ponies, Pegasi, and Unicorns, each with their own minor connection to the core. That malfunction also is the reason why Equestria looks like it does.” “My god…. It all comes together so perfectly. For years I wondered why Equestria and the rest of the galaxy was so different. Wait though, what about that being. Ageless, power beyond belief, and has ruled us for one hundred thousand years. It can’t be… no, it can’t!” “Yes it is Jane. The being who worshiped my husband, the being who is trying to keep ponies and humans away from each other, is Princess Celestia…..” _______________________________________________________ The sound of the voice initially shocked Luna, but the instant she recognized it all of her worries went away. Out from the shadows came face that Luna longed to see. Her sister, Celestia. “Celestia!” Luna shouted as she ran up to nuzzle her sister. “I’m so glad that you’re ok.” “I am too dear sister. It is good to see you.” Celestia responded as she broke the embrace. After the hug ended Celestia's eyes immediately darted over to Sarah. Her sister's expression suddenly changed into one of anger. Upon noticing this Sarah started to walk over to Celestia with a smile to show that she meant no harm. “Hi I’m Sarah Palmer of the UNSC. A lot has been going on since you have been down here but rest assured I’m on your si-” “HUMAN!” Celestia screamed at the top of her lungs before lighting up her horn and sending an ultra powered magical beam straight through Palmer’s chest. The resulting blast left a gaping hole in the humans chest as blood spurted out of it in pools. Palmer’s eyes widened in shock as she fell to the ground. “NOOOO!” Luna exclaimed as she ran over to the body alongside the other element bearers. Luna got down on her haunches right beside Palmer. Slowly but surely Sarah moved her head to look at Luna. The two locked eyes for a moment before Palmer’s body went limp on the floor. Looking back up at Celestia Luna said. “You… you killed her.” “It’s ok Luna, you’re safe now from the human.” “But she was trying to help us!” The sun goddess chuckled. “Oh silly Luna, she’s a human. Humans can’t be trusted. That’s why they must be eliminated.” “No, that’s not true. Jane is the only bad human, the others are good.” “Then those ones were only trying to trick you. Humans are masters at lying to others. Shame our Twilight decided to join them. Do you see what being human has done to her? The very fact that she’s a human has changed her.” “Jane is bad because a war made her go insane. Or at least that’s what I’ve heard.” “Then that must have been another lie Luna. You can’t trust any of them at all.” With every fiber of her being Luna wanted to trust Celestia’s words. After what she just saw though, she didn’t know who to trust. Until fluttershy rose up. “No Princess Celestia.” She said in a quiet tone. “I talked with Sarah myself. She is not a liar, she is kind, caring, and thoughtful. If it wasn’t for her we would have never escaped. I know a liar when I see one, and Sarah was always being truthful to us.” Luna could see that the timid pegasus legs were shaking, and that she was scared. Fluttershy’s words however made Luna’s mind up. Palmer was a good person, no matter what Celestia said. “I’m sorry dear sister, but I agree with Fluttershy. Palmer was a good person, and not all humans are bad.” Luna said with the element bearers right behind her, backing her up. Celestia’s facial expression flattened. “Very well then, you leave me no other choice if you all are going to be human sympathizers.” Celestia’s horn lit up with magic and ripped off the elements from each of the bearers necks, and the crown from Luna. “Those belong to the bearers sister!” “Correct they do. Sadly for now I can’t trust any of you, so I’ll have to keep you locked up. It’s ok though, I know that you are all smart ponies and that you will eventually see things my way, the right way.” Luna felt herself being lifted off of the ground by Celestia's magic, and with a flash of light, Luna was gone. _______________________________________________ “So Celestia is the one behind this all?” Jane asked. “Yes she is. To make sure the ponies worshiped her, she made up the lie of her being able to control the sun. Eventually they all believed her and crowned her as their ruler.” “I can’t believe it. I was so close to her when I was young, and yet she lied to me about everything. I thought of her so highly, like a god. All she was though, was a good for nothing pussy who worshiped Forerunners.” “And now because humans have arrived on this planet, she now knows that humankind has survived the great purge of the Halo’s. Soon she’ll make an attempt to wipe out off of humanity in order to finish what my husband started. Go quick Jane! Stop her at all cost! Be the hero for humanity that you promised that you would be!” Jane nodded in response. She made a promise, a promise that she would do everything she could to protect humanity and. As Serin Osman once said, humanity comes first. Now it was the time to truly live up to those words. “Alright, I’m on it.” “Good. You do not have much time though. You have to be quick. End this now, and save both humanity, and pony kind.” The Librarian started to fade, and so did the world around Jane before she found herself shot out of the object that sent her to that place. Rising up from the ground, Jane’s mind was clear. She had a job to do, and nothing was going to stop her from completing it. _________________________________________________ The current cell Luna, and the others had wasn’t any better than the one she was stuck in on the human ship. This one didn’t even come with basic amenities such as a toilet. The only thing that it had that was better was that it was larger to accommodate six ponies. The bars of the cell were made of what seemed to be hard light, and no matter what Luna did, she could not break them. The way Celestia acted though, it just wasn’t like her. Yet it felt so familiar for some reason. Upon that thought the pain came back. Luna instantly wanted to divert her attention to something else to make it go away, this time though she focused on it. It was time that she finally got to the bottom of what this was. As she tried to think harder and harder, the pain worsened and worsened. It was getting to a point that was almost unbearable, and Luna was starting to sweat. Luna didn’t falter though, and choose to ignore the pain to the best of her ability. She kept on pushing and pushing, delving deep into her memories. Then it finally hit her. Everything, she remembered everything in an instant. Everything she knew about Celestia, humanity, and the Forerunners. _________________________________________________________ Everfree Castle 1000 years ago…. A much younger Luna couldn’t believe her eyes. Lying beneath her throne was some sort of freaky device. When she confronted her sister about it, she learned a horrible truth. “I’m honestly surprised Luna, you’re the first alicorn to ever find that terminal.” “So the entire planet is hollow?” “Yes, and the core of the planet is, where we get our magic from. Dear sister.” “How did you get that power?” “I made a deal with a great warrior of long past. About 99 thousand years ago.” “Wow, and he gave you all of this? That’s amazing Tia! What did he want in return?” “He instructed me to keep all of ponykind away from this evil species called humans. Also he told me to never let Equestria grow technologically.” “And you agreed!? Tia just think about how advanced we could have become by now!” “But look at what magic has gained us Lulu. We don’t need any technology. Our kingdom could never be better.” “You don’t know that.” “Trust me sister, I’ve lived for almost one hundred thousand years. I know everything there is to know.” “No, just no. Holding us back will do us no good. Just wait until the public hears about this!” “No, the public must never know.” “I disagree. I’ll tell them myself.” Luna turned around to leave the throne room. The press had to hear about this. It wasn’t right to keep Equestria in the dark like this. The public had to know. “Stop!” Celestia yelled prompting Luna to turn back around. “You will not speak to anypony about this!” Luna had never seen Celestia in such a state. Normally she was so calm and collected, but now, it was like she was another pony. “I’m doing this for Equestria’s own good Tia. Maybe you’ll thank me later.” “I will not permit this!” “You’re not the only one who rules this world. You have no control over me.” “NO!” Celestia’s horn flared to life as she shot a magical beam at luna, sending her to the ground. Due to Luna being an alicorn, the blast didn’t kill her, but she was on the ground in pain. “I’m sorry Luna, but I can’t break my promise. The Forerunners were great beings, and I will not disobey their will.” “The ponies will never stand for what you’ve done to me.” “That won’t be too hard to get around. I’ll just make up a lie, and tell them that you were trying overthrow me, and bring about eternal night or something. For now, I’ll just keep you in the darkest deepest dungeon I can find. Who knows though, maybe I’ll let you out one day.” Luna’s consciousness started to fade away now, and she layed down on the floor, defeated. _______________________________________________________ Present day Luna remembered now. For a thousand years she was kept locked up in that dungeon. It was a meager existence. Celestia eventually let her out, but not before altering with her memories. That whole Nightmare Moon fiasco a few years prior must have been just a test for Twilight Sparkle. All of what Luna previously thought was true was now destroyed. For the past few years Luna had been ruling beside a liar who put a lock on her true memories, and made her think that she was once a cruel villain. It was painful for Luna thinking that she was once a tyrant. It was all a lie though. All of those horrible emotions, and nights in which she cried herself to sleep. All of it, was Celestia’s fault. Her sisters nice demeanor was all a false front that had fooled Equestria for a hundred thousand years. Luna wasn’t even sad at this point. She was angry. Angry for what Celestia did to her, did to Palmer, and did to ponykind itself! Celestia had to be stopped!