//------------------------------// // They Are // Story: Secrets of Balance // by Shadow Valkyrie //------------------------------// Chapter 3 So she was dead, and she had two opposite voices in the afterlife to talk to. At least they were exciting, to say the least. There was an odd air around them like they were alive and dead at the same time. Was there an air in this place? Twilight had no clue. Was she breathing or drowning? "So who, or what are you two?" The nicer voice began to attempt to answer the question. To the immortal deities of other existences, it would be simple to explain, but explaining this to the mortal mind should be fun. We have been here since time immemorial. Many names have been used to try and describe our existence. We are push and pull. The ocean and the moon. Harmony and Discord. No, that was you, mortal. Life and Death. Yin and Yang. Burning passion and cold logic. God and the Devil. Satan Lucifer and Jehovah. Jesus and the Antichrist. Oh, religious wars were so much fun to witness, weren't they? The Aether and the Nether. Heaven and Hell. Olympus and the Underworld. Asgard and Hel. Why they named us as places I do not know, for whatever reason. The kind voice lost her train of thought for a second, thinking. How rude of me! We have a guest! Need to stay focused, but also ignorant. We are the Alpha and the Omega. The beginning and the end. Space and Time. Hate and Love. We are Order and Chaos; Ma'at and Apophis. So many more names wed have to list, but that would take up too much time. And your mind is not capable of recognizing or understanding some of them. You cannot even process many of the sounds that are used to pronounce them. To put it more simply... They both spoke in one, fluid, indivisible, voice for just a moment. We are. There weren't enough words in any universe to describe the voice. But one word that described how Twilight felt at the voice: overwhelmed. In a way, Twilight understood completely, but did not get any of it at the same time. "So what else is interesting about you?" Wait, interesting or boring? The first voice returned in speech. Ah. Well, our existence is a strange one, to the mortal mind. We always live in two states of existence, at the same time. We are dead every second, and yet we are immortal. We know all, but know nothing. We are young, but ancient. We are united, but divided. Our forms are soothing, but terrifying. We are as close as can be, but complete strangers to each other. "Do you... reside (it would not be accurate to say "live") anywhere?" The soothing one thought for a second, trying to find the right words to describe it. We were each born in a primordial dimension. There was no live, no stars, no black holes, no space nor time. There was nothing, except for us. As we learned about our worlds, we realized that we could shape the universes to our will. They became sandboxes, for lack of a better word. We did not know what to create or destroy, for we had never seen outside our empty worlds. So, we looked to other places in the multiverse. We looked at millions of worlds, each bearing their own balance of positive and negative. We soaked up the concepts, and since opposites attract, we found each other. When we collided, an entire universe formed. The Balance, we called it. It became our playground, and we have been here ever since. We squeezed our worlds of origin into this place, so we were always at home. But, we were always homesick as well. Not much else happened during our existence. We saw gods rise and kings fall. We saw armies clash and diplomats make peace. But it was like watching a recording. We also saw you, Miss Twilight Sparkle. "Me?" Yes, you. There is much knowledge and power within you, so you have been chosen. "For what?" Our existence is nearly over. Though we are immortal and all-powerful, we are not eternal. Eventually, our energies will run out, and everything will cease to exist. Unless... "You pass on the mantle to someone." We decided to bring you to us after you died, but you decided to die unexpectedly. We had to put your disembodied self back together. Thanks a lot for wasting our dwindling power a bit. The aggressive one remarked sarcastically. "I think this should be some kind of honor, or insult given this place, but why me? I'm sure that there are other beings that can take on this role." She stopped herself, realizing the answer. "You don't have enough power left to search other worlds, do you? I'm the only logical choice." We spent too long contemplating who to choose, and the doors started closing. You realize our plight, so you are smart enough for the task we ask of you, but will you accept it? It is a new life, but we know not what will become of it. You will live again, but be Twilight Sparkle no more. You will see your friends eventually, but be something else. Do you accept our offer? "I will see my friends again?" Why, you could do anything you wish! So long as balance is maintained in the multiverse, you are able to do whatever you want. Anything you think of can be yours. Just embrace both sides of the Balance, and is yours. "So I might become a tad bit... chaotic in the process?" Just a smidge. But who cares? I think it would be fun to have a dual personality! "Hmm. A new friend in my head. Might as well make a new friend in the process. Okay. I'll do it." The blended voice returned. Then let us begin. A glow full of all the colors and no colors filled the Balance. Goodbye, Savior. and that was the last she heard of them. The new life was about to begin.