//------------------------------// // Chapter 17: Unification // Story: The Unbinding // by awesomesauce4 //------------------------------// “Hey, does anyone hear someone screaming in the background?” Eve asked, adjusting her mascara in front of the bathroom mirror. Luna had left just a few minutes ago, presumably to find Isaac. “Probably just somepony being dramatic and stupid,” Judas replied, going over the blank tax forms and legal codes he’d managed to steal from one of the castle’s many offices. He’d adapted remarkably well to Equestrian life given that he was the most recent Child to arrive, and was worryingly interested in Equestrian finance. “But what if it’s somepony that needs saving?” Azazel asked. Maggy shook her head. “That’s a job for the Royal Guards, Azazel. Best to just get out of their way.” Samson snorted. “Those pissbrains couldn’t fight their way out of a duffel bag. I bet it’s some stupid criminal trying to steal something in broad fucking daylight.” Lazarus looked over at him. “Samson, it’s seven in the evening. Luna just raised the moon.” Samson glared at him. “I don’t recall giving your mouth permission to sass my eardrums,” he retorted threateningly. Lazarus simply stared at him. “Yeah? Come over here, let’s see how smug you are when I throw this clover at you.” The Follower waved the lucky clover tantalizingly, and everyone froze. "Whoa there, Lazarus, let’s… not get too cocky,” Samson soothed hurriedly. Lazarus grinned. “Oh, it’s good to be free.” With no other comment, he rolled over and went to sleep. Meanwhile, Eve and Samson looked at each other worriedly. Lazarus had just been… assertive. That was never, ever, ever supposed to happen. What was going on? As Isaac fell, the wind screamed past him at an alarming pace. Canterlot was a big, big mountain, and he’d been perched on the edge – he wouldn’t stop falling until he hit ground level. Panicking, Isaac swallowed frantically, trying to think of something to do, wishing his two halves would just reconcile… but to no avail. Gasping once, he blacked out. “So it’s all come down to this,” a voice rasped, breathing heavily. “All my friends, gone. All yer’ friends, escaped. Hell, even the Guardians are packin’ their shit…” There was a pause. “I never wanted this… I didn’t, honest. When I locked the two Masters in that box with ye… I was tryin’ ta get em’ ta reconcile. Ta’ make up their differences, ya know?” There was no answer. “Ah, but you got pulled in just the same. And now… Well, to be honest with ye’, now I don’t know what to do.” Isaac felt his eyes being forced open. Somehow, he was in the Shop, Greed standing in front of him expectantly. “Y… you? You’re behind all this?” Isaac gasped. Greed shrugged. “More or less. You weren’t really the main goal, though. You were more of an… unexpected addition. A… three-for-one deal, if ya catch my drift.” Greed paused a moment to gulp some air, the noose around his neck tightening. “I’m not gonna last… much longer… now I said that… He’s pretty mad at me. He didn’t figure it out, until now…” Greed wheezed, each breath seemingly taking more effort than the last. “I still have to fight ye, though. That’s a pact we Sins made together, and I ain’t gonna break it, ya… ya know? So it all comes down to this: You kill me… or He does.” Greed handed Isaac a familiar object, glinting in the warm Shop lights. Mom’s Knife. Isaac stared at the blade, one of the two strongest weapons in the Basement. “What’re you waiting for, kid? Hurry up and… stab… me…” Greed choked, the noose impossibly tight below his head. Isaac could hear the voices whispering in his head. Choose, they said. Either a death for the Darkness, or a death for the Light. Choose. Isaac stared at the knife in his hand, then at the noose around Greed’s neck. And in that moment, he made his decision. Isaac slashed out with the knife… And cut the noose off Greed’s neck. Greed gasped for air, wheezing frantically as he sucked in oxygen. “Wha… whadda hell… what the hell!” Greed shouted at Isaac. “Kid, you weren’t… you didn’t… What?!” Isaac leveled his gaze at the Sin, as calm as he could be given the circumstances. “I’m done choosing between two paths,” he declared calmly. “From now on, I’ll walk my own path. Neither Darkness nor Light, but something in between.” Greed stared at him, a hint of incredulity in the dark recesses of his missing eyes. “What path is that?” Greed asked curiously. “The path of Love,” Isaac answered, and hugged Greed. “You… I… are you… forgiving me?” Greed asked quietly. “Yes, Greed. You may have caused all this. You may have been responsible for ten million years of unbearable torture… but in the end, you didn’t mean to. It’s okay, Greed. You’re safe now.” Greed, surprisingly, started to cry, silvery mercuric tears leaking out onto the floor. “I… don’t do this to me, Isaac… this is a debt I c-can’t repay…” Isaac shook his head, still holding the Sin close. “There is no such thing as a debt between friends,” Isaac whispered. For some reason, an image of that dressmaking pony Rarity from Ponyville flashed into his mind. Greed suddenly began to glow with a bright light, his form shining white as the Sin stepped away and gazed in wonder. His form grew ever brighter, and Isaac shielded his eyes. By the time he looked back, Greed had changed. Gone was the sallow, wrinkled gray skin, the eyeless, empty sockets set above a shallow toothless grin. Gone was the rope that so commonly hung about his neck, and in their place was an entirely new being. Dressed in robes of cleanest silver and gold, with eyes as mercuric as the tears of gratitude that had once escaped them, was a being with slightly tan skin and an everlasting, kindly smile. “I am Generosity,” he introduced formally, shaking Isaac’s hand while grinning like a madman – but in an oddly endearing manner. As though he’d just discovered real happiness, Isaac thought, smiling slightly himself. “I can’t believe it… after all these millennia, I’m finally real,” Generosity mumbled slightly. He turned to Isaac again. “Oh, thank ye, Isaac! I will remember this!” Generosity announced, hugging Isaac tightly. Isaac patted him on the head, somewhat amused and somewhat embarrassed. “It’s… it’s nothing…” Isaac answered falteringly, but Generosity shook his head. “No. I am gonna repay ye. Here…” Generosity muttered a bit, poking around the Shop before pulling out a small Bicycle Card. Isaac turned it over – it was the Credit Card. “Next one’s on me,” Generosity announced with a wink. “Now get out there, and show those two imbeciles what Love really means!” Isaac woke up, as suddenly as though Samson had slapped him again. He was still falling down the mountain – in fact, judging from the distance, he hadn’t even fallen that far. “ISAAC!” he could hear someone behind him, screaming frantically. He looked up, and Princess Luna was there, trailing after him as fast as her wings would allow her. “Luna!” he called back in delight - she would certainly save him! “I can’t – I can’t catch up with you, Isaac!” she screamed desperately, her wings straining to put on an extra burst of speed. “I c-can’t-“ and to Isaac’s horror, she slumped unconscious, now falling along with him. In her effort to save her son, she’d clearly overtaxed herself – and now, both of them were about to pay the ultimate price. Again, the voices called to him. Choose, they whispered. Darkness or Light. Flight of the Angel, or Flight of the Demon. Choose! Isaac grimaced. Those voices would never go away. But he had discovered a third option, and by all that was good in this world, he would take it. I choose Love, he whispered, lost to the screaming winds all around him. And in that moment, Isaac began to glow a brilliant white. The Basement Children felt it happening. They had no time to prepare, no time to say goodbye. All they had time to do was stand together, one last time. “Here’s to our future, everyone,” Eden said kindly. The other Children stared at them: Eden only spoke if every Lost soul agreed to say something... Oh, whatever. “To our future!” the Children chorused... And disappeared. Luna could only just open her eyes. There was a brilliant glow, all around her, and the sensation of falling. Was she dead? Had she finally, stupidly killed the both of them? She became aware of two limbs carrying her, holding her as though she weighed no more than a newborn foal. “I…saac…?” she mumbled. “Hush, dearest Luna. Be still,” the figure gently ordered, and Luna felt her body obey as she gave over to a deep sleep. When she awoke, Celestia was standing over her, the Solar Princess’ eyes tinged with red and her expression adorned with worry. “You’re – you’re sure she’s alright?” Celestia tearfully asked. “Give her some rest, dearest Celestia,” a familiar voice answered. It was the voice who had carried her to safety… “Isaac…” Luna moaned. She felt a soft, wet cloth apply itself to her forehead. “Just relax, Luna,” the voice whispered. “Rest… and heal.” And with that, Luna slipped away again. By the time she awoke, it was night once more. Luna knew she’d been out for quite some time: The moon called to her, telling her how much it missed her guidance. She smiled up at it, sending just a hint of magic its way to let it know she was alright. Shakingly getting to her hooves, she stumbled over to the door before realizing where she was. She was in her chambers, the bed neatly made, her papers neatly stacked… Who had done this? It was not the servants, as they knew not to touch her things. Celestia, then? Perhaps. She looked down at herself, trying to recall what had happened to her. She’d gone after Isaac… seen him falling… and then… she’d heard the strangest thing. A voice, so familiar, yet so alien at the same time… Who had it been? She felt the door open, and immediately stepped back. Celestia walked in, surprised to see her awake. “Lulu!” she cried, embracing her, and the two sisters quickly nuzzled each other in their ancient gesture of friendship. “I’m so happy to see you’re awake…” Celestia whispered. “What… what happened, ‘Tia?” Luna asked. “I… you’d better ask him yourself,” Celestia mumbled. She reluctantly broke away from their hug, and gestured for Luna to follow. Curiously, and with a hint of trepidation, the Lunar Princess complied. Luna entered the throne room, wondering who she could possibly be meeting. Her question was answered when she looked up at her own throne, in front of which a figure was sitting in a meditative, cross-legged position. He was gray, a perfect shade between black and white, and there was not a mark on his flawless body. He had horns, a remnant of a once-demonic nature – but most curiously, they reached up now to touch a floating halo of purest silver, and Luna felt almost as if that was what the horns were meant to do. He was dressed in robes of translucent gossamer gray, a strange bulge rather reminiscent of the human “Santa Claus'” outfit adorning the edges. Perhaps the strangest thing of all was his third eye – wider than the other two, it constantly looked up, giving off a slight glow. “Princess Luna,” the being spoke, noticing her approach but not acting startled in the least. It stood up, and Luna noticed that it was easily taller than her – taller, in fact, than even Celestia. Its robes started to unwrap, and that was when Luna realized they weren’t robes – they were wings. “Who… are you…?” Luna replied, somewhat wary of this newcomer. The being’s face fell. “Oh, Luna…” “Don’t you recognize your son?” Luna stared, openmouthed. This… was Isaac? He was okay? Luna immediately swept forward and engulfed the new Isaac in a hug, which he returned gladly. “You’re okay! But you’re so… different!” Luna remarked, gazing up at him with wide eyes. “I – that is to say – not that we art judging thee-“ Luna hurriedly stated, but Isaac put a finger to her lips, gazing down at her with utmost satisfaction. “I know what you mean,” he softly answered. Placing her gently down in front of the throne, he took a seat beside her, and beckoned that Celestia joined them. “It is time I explain what happened, and what is going to happen. You will have a lot of questions, but please – save them for the end. I do not have much time,” Isaac began. Luna looked at him uncertainly, and Isaac smiled warmly at her. He explained about ‘Isaac’ and ‘Caasi’, Luna listening in rapt attention as he described the two new sides bickering and fighting. He illuminated the final conflict with Greed, and how he had chosen to walk his own path, neither Dark nor Light but something in between. “And it seems I have come to a realization now, as well,” Isaac continued. “Oh?” Celestia queried. “I have come to recall the events of my creation.” “Long before I was born, God had grown tired of the constant conflict with Satan. He wished to end it all, douse the world in Fire and Water, and from the ashes give birth to a glorious new Kingdom. In His hubris, he made to create a new Messiah – a second Messiah. Me,” Isaac gestured to himself. “A soul of purest holy light, untainted by that which He considered darkness and sin.” Luna nodded along, smiling – she’d known it all along. Isaac was too pure, too innocent to be anything but good. “But in His hubris, he did not anticipate Satan’s mischief. For Satan had created his own ‘Messiah’, a soul of pure darkness, and hate, and sin. In addition, he had assigned Greed to steal a part of the Holy Trinity, the part that allowed God to work his miracles. The Soul.” Luna gazed at her son, openmouthed – finally, it was all making sense! The demonic form, the stubborn belief that he had somehow been sinful... “And it just so happened that Greed convinced Satan to put the Soul of Darkness in the very same body and mind that God had created for his own messenger, neither of them knowing what they were about to create. Two souls, with one body and mind to share! I very nearly split apart upon my creation, but Greed was clever. He bound my souls together, shared by the one bond that could hold both of them.” Celestia looked at Isaac curiously. “What bond was this?” she asked, and Isaac smiled. “It was the bond of Love,” he answered. “True love, unrestrained by the bonds of lust or chastity, the one thing defined in the Bible as both a Sin and a Virtue. Something that has never been truly claimed by Darkness or Light… because it is far more powerful than both.” “He bound my soul with the magic of love, and in that Binding, Greed created something new. A being not of pure darkness or light, but a perfect mix of both! With true freedom to choose, any path he wished.” Isaac pulled out the D6, its glossy red surface glinting in the light of the throne room. “Time passed, and I grew up. I was five years old, when both God and Satan had discovered the trick.” Isaac allowed himself a brief moment to chuckle. “They were both furious. They came to our house, demanding to know what had happened – for Greed had been clever enough to hide the details even in his revealing. He was always rather pernicious.” Luna gave a short laugh, unsure of what else to say. Isaac smiled again at her. “At first, they thought the Soul they were looking for was my mother. An easy mistake to make, for two immortal gods. Centuries pass in the blink of an eye to them.” Here, Isaac frowned. “They dove into her mind, attempting to find the answers, and drove her mad. She became obsessed with religion, always thumbing through the Bible, buying Christian objects and trying her very best not to be sinful…and wondering why the voices wouldn’t leave her alone. My father left our family because of this, presumably for good. Meanwhile, I created the story. 'The Binding of Isaac.' It was my way of explaining why she wouldn't stop telling me to stop sinning, why she replaced everything in our home with crosses and Christian symbolism and Bibles...” Isaac’s eyes turned to the floor, showing a hint of their old inner sadness, and Luna patted him sympathetically on the back. “But once they had determined the mother was not the correct person, they turned to me. They attempted to infiltrate my mind, only to find another of Greed’s tricks: He had stolen the Mind, another part of the Holy Trinity, and it had chosen me as its new bearer. I could still hear their voices, but they held no power over me. When I had retreated to my safe place, my little toy Chest that I hid in from my obsessive mother and the hateful world around me... that was when Greed struck. He cast his most powerful enchantment of all. He trapped God, Satan, and me in there, to sort out our issues on our own time, in a world stripped of time itself. What he didn’t quite anticipate was that Satan was clever enough to pull him in after them.” Isaac paused a moment to gaze at Luna. “And so, we threw ourselves down, into the unknown depths below…”