//------------------------------// // C.4 Ascension // Story: The Night smells of Lavender // by Dark0592 //------------------------------// “So...what are we?” Twilight asked after another experimental make out session. “If I interpret your meaning correctly...honestly it is up to you. Truthfully I think I fell for you when you freed me from my curse, which was fortified by you helping me on Nightmare Night.” Luna answered. “So Princess Luna- Queen of the Night and Goddess of the Moon- has fallen for a little country unicorn?” Twilight asked with a grin. “Of course! That Little country unicorn saved her life and showed her what it means to be alive and have fun again. How could she not?” Luna asked back. “Well this little country unicorn might have fallen for her dark queen too.” Twilight said, putting her muzzle under Luna's. Luna sighed in content at the affection. “Oh dear...what do we tell my sister?” Luna suddenly asked. Twilight's brain shut off. Almost literally. Her eyes widened, she gasped and feinted. Luna couldn't help but chuckle at the reaction. While she knew Twilight held her sister's opinion at probably the top of her list, Celestia' revelation of a mother-like relationship was only enforced by this. Luna would admit if she had a mother figure she would be just as scared to tell in this situation. But then she remembered, Celestia sort of HAD been her mother figure...much more than just a big sister. She smiled at that. It made so much sense if you thought about it. A mother punishes her children, a time out when they do something bad. Though with Alicorns it was bringing about eternal night and the timeout was a thousand years...but it did make sense. “Oh...Oh my...I...I completely forgot about that...and...and how old you are...” Twilight stammered. “Oh...I suppose that would pose a problem publicly...does my superior age matter to you?” Luna asked, worry evident in her voice. “Yes!...well...no...well...it does, but not enough...it's just that...you have all this knowledge and experience ...all this power...I'm just a slightly above average unicorn...” Twilight said. Luna thought of a way to rectify the situation. “Twilight...do you remember when you asked 'so what are we?'...well...I think I should give a literal answer. You are the most powerful and beautiful unicorn in Equestria. And I am the Mare lucky enough to be called her Marefriend.” Luna said, pulling Twilight into a kiss. Twilight melted into it. “GAH! Why do I ALWAYS walk in on you two doing that?!” Spike exclaimed from the doorway. They stopped the kiss and looked at the queasy-looking dragon. “Well get used to it Spike.” Twilight said with a grin. “I don't think I'll be able to...ugh...letter from Princess Celestia...” he said, handing over the letter and quickly making himself scarce. “What's it say?” Luna asked. “Let's find out. 'Dear Twilight Sparkle and Luna I hope you both are enjoying Luna's Vacation, I have acquired a day of free time tomorrow and I would love to have you both here so I don't die of boredom. If the other elements have time they would be welcome as well. Princess Celestia' Hmm...” Twilight read. “What are you thinking?” Luna asked. “This invite would be a perfect time to tell Celestia and my Friends that don't already know...” Twilight started, but there was a knock on the door. “I'll get it!” Spike called. “That would be a good chance...but to tell the truth...I told her of my feelings and She's the one who set this all up.” Luna admitted. “Really?...well...it would still be nice to let her know...” Twilight said, unsure of how to react. “U-u-uh..T-twilight?” Spike's voice came. It sounded terrified. “Spike what's wro-” Twilight started but cut herself off as the pony at the door entered. It was a Mare, taller than Luna. She had a flat, crooked horn and insect-like wings. Her eyes were simple and slightly cold, her mane was long and blue and there were holes in her wings, mane and hooves. She had rather menacing fangs. There were two similar creatures flanking her, but they looked even worse and more insect-like. “Who are you?...What are you?” Twilight asked cautiously. “Figures ponies would forget about us...but you remember me, do you not?” the strange Mare asked Luna. “Chrysalis...the Changeling Queen...what brings you to Ponyville? Last I heard you left Equestria.” Luna said, standing up. “And last time I saw you you were...” she continued. “Whole? My people and I are starving Luna...the barbaric tribes bordering Equestria don't have enough love to feed on...we recently returned, my hive is in the Everfree.” Chrysalis said. “You haven't been feeding on the ponies here have you?” Luna asked. “no...not yet...and my people are starving for it...I remembered the promise I made to your sister...but I am afraid if I do not break it the Changelings will be gone forever.” the Changeling Queen said, almost sadly. “Why are you here then, and not talking to Celestia?” Luna asked. “This town...it is so full of love...it literally radiates from the ponies here...that little bit is what is keeping us alive. Once you arrived we saw the Love you are now part of...if you can do it then we can...I ask of you to teach us how to love for ourselves so we don't need to feed!” Chrysalis explained, nearly begging at the end. Luna had no idea what to say. “Everything is going to have to be explained to me...but Love isn't something that can be taught...it just...happens...it's really just a deeper form of friendship...right?” Twilight answered, surprising them both. “Who is this?” Chrysalis asked. “Twilight Sparkle, my sister's student and my partner.” Luna replied. “Well Twilight Sparkle...what is this...'Friendship'?” Chrysalis asked. “You don't...?...it's like...an emotion...but not an emotion...it's just there...like a bond you have with another...” Twilight attempted to explain. “Twilight, the Changelings are a slightly more independent form of a hive mind...almost like bees or ants- excuse the metaphor- it will take a lot of work for them to even understand what independence is...let alone emotion and friendship.” Luna explained. “Wait! I have an Idea! She could come with us to see Celestia and she could read my friendship reports so she can understand it!” Twilight exclaimed. “Friendship...reports?” Crysalis asked. “I'll explain it later...but first, tell me about the Changelings...I've never heard of them before.” Twilight said. --- Twilight was having a very strange dream. She had offered Chrysalis the guest bed, but she had chosen to return to her colony. This dream was very, VERY strange. She knew she was dreaming instantly, because there was no dream. Not really. She was just standing there in nothing. White specs slowly began to appear from the blackness. It almost looked like they were stars. As she watched them appear one at a time she noticed that something large was coming into view. She turned around and gasped as she saw a planet. It was the planet she lived on...and she could see the huge mass of land dominating an entire hemisphere that was Equestria. She turned around once more and saw the sun. but she also saw the moon. And she realized they were coming closer to her. The two masses suddenly split a part off of them, seemingly from the core. The pieces flew towards each other, spiraling upwards in the vastness of space and suddenly aimed towards her. Her eyes widened and a gasp escaped from her lips as she noticed the details of the pieces of the moon and the sun. they had wings. They had horns. They had Equine bodies. They were Alicorns! The moon Alicorn was a Stallion, his coat and mane blending in almost perfectly with the surrounding space, his eyes solid white. The Sun Alicorn was a Mare, her coat a deep orange-red and her mane seemingly made of fire with the intensity of the sun. “Greetings, Thine name is Twilight Sparkle, correct?” the Stallion asked. Twilight didn't hesitate to nod. “Dost thou know us?” the Mare asked. Twilight half-shook her head, but something clicked in her brain. Two Alicorns that are the moon and the sun. she didn't know how she came to the conclusion, but it made so much sense. “You're Celestia and Luna's Mom and Dad?” she offered. The Alicorns grinned. “Aye, our Daughters. Thou hast a strong bond with them. Please, tell us.” the Stallion said. “Well...I'm Celestia's top student, and she's been a great mother figure to me and Luna both...and Luna...well...” Twilight started, but couldn't bring herself to finish. “We aren't blind to Thine world. We hast observed Nightmare Night and the events proceeding.” the Mare said with a smile as the two moved closer to Twilight. “Thou art wondering why Thou art here yes?” the Stallion asked. Twilight nodded. “Thou saved our Daughter from her Monsters. Thou saved Equestria from Eternal Disharmony. Thou art not only an Element of Harmony. Thou art THE element of Harmony.” the Mare explained. “The..element? The element of Magic?” Twilight asked. “No. The Element of Magic does not exist, though the magic yo believe it wields is real.” the Stallion explained, seemingly learning from Twilight's speech. “You are the pure manifestation of the element of Harmony. Your friends are scattered manifestations, they are the individual elements. Together you are unstoppable, but you alone are able to call forth the full power of the elements. Your friends are simply using your power and amplifying it.” the Mare explained. “Ok...but...but why are you telling me this now?” Twilight asked, her brain working in overload. “We waited to make sure. When faced with all of the challenges Ponyville threw at you, you always came out on top. You care for others more than yourself. The final decision was with the Changeling Queen. You didn't even know who she was or what she was, yet you still helped her and made probably the best choice you could have. And your ability to truly love others as with Luna” the Stallion answered. “What does that mean? Waited for what?” Twilight asked, not sure what was happening. “Alicorns aren't born. They earn their ascension. Celestia was born an earth pony. Luna a Pegasus. As their creation of the Equestria you know today earned them their Ascension...” the Mare said. Twilight's eyes widened. She got it now. They wanted her to be an Alicorn? Her question was answered when the two Alicorns charged her. She didn't even have the time to blink as they literally went through her. But they didn't come out the other side. She felt power. Power coursing through her hooves, her back, her horn...everywhere. --- “Twilight?!” Luna exclaimed when the Lavender Unicorn snuggled into her suddenly hunched over and shook as she floated into the air. Luna couldn't believe her eyes when two very familiar forms burst from her. “Mother? Father?” Luna asked. “Hello Luna. It has been far too long...” they said, hugging their daughter. “What's happening?” Luna asked as suddenly Twilight spread out and calmed in the air. Magic swirled around her horn, hooves and Back. “Ascension.” Luna's Mother answered. Her eyes widened as she saw Twilight grow larger. Her horn shot outwards nearly another foot. Her legs, and the rest of her body for that matter, gained tone and strength and elegance. Then wings shot out of her back with the sound of flapping feathers. Spike burst in the room at that point and passed out at the sight. Slowly, the magic began solidifying and began forming Regalia. Luna's was a midnight blue, Celestia' a shining gold. Twilight's regalia took the color of white silver. Her mane and tail gained length and volume, assuming the liquid-like flowing the Princesses had but did not otherwise change in appearance. “What...what is her duty? I have the night...Celestia the day...” Luna asked. “harmony.” her father answered. “Fitting.” Luna simply replied. “Tia is going to be jealous when she finds out I saw you when she did not.” Luna said, looking at her parents as Twilight slowly floated back down. “We will visit her, this Mare has enough magic to sustain us for weeks...but we will not be parasites longer than needed.” her mother said. “I see...Father...I never had my chance to thank you...if it weren't for your conversations in my dreams during my banishment...I would have lost my sanity.” Luna said, hugging the Stallion. “Of course my Daughter...we will go see your sister, then we will return...we will visit again in time.” he replied. They smiled at each other and were gone in a flash of borrowed magic. Luna looked out of the window and saw them playfully, but quickly, flying towards Canterlot. She then looked at her Marefriend. She frowned for a moment, Twilight was taller than her now. But she only giggled as she snuggled back up to the Lavender Mare, now she was going to find out what it was like to be held by one bigger than her.