The cold air flowing from the mountain washed over Celestia as she hesitated in front of a huge boulder. Finally she sighed and rolled the stone away with her magic, revealing a totally dark cave that smelled of age and something…Wrong. Celestia controlled a shudder that threatened to travel down her spine and walked into the cave, using her horn to just barely illuminate the path in front of her. She had forgotten how cold it was in the cave, and how far it really was to the center of the mountain. Celestia walked for what seemed like days through winding corridors and small caverns when finally the cave opened up to a massive cavity in the heart of the mountain. Celestia brightened the glow from her horn slightly and took a few cautious steps forward.
“Hello, Your Highness.” Celestia almost jumped when the darkness was pierced by those two pink irises the world had feared so long ago. The voice hadn’t changed, it was still the slightly out of tune musical voice of a mare, and Celestia saw the glint of sharp teeth under the eyes as the creature grinned. “What’s the matter? You’re not still afraid of little old me, are you?”
“I never feared you.” Celestia kept her voice even and slowly lit more of the cave. She raised an eyebrow when she heard the chains clink and grind against each other as cold, maniacal laughter pierced the air and sent a chill through Celestia’s heart.
“The Princess is a Liar! The Princess is a Liar!” She spoke to a tune with a sing-song voice. The strange creature laughed again “You were more scared of me than anypony!”
“Whether or not I was afraid doesn’t matter anymore.” Celestia lit the last bit of the cave and her eyes grew wide in shock when she saw the bone-white mare chained flat against the cave wall. The long braids of her azure mane and tail coiled around her hind hooves exactly as they did over eight hundred years ago, the only sign of age in the whole cavern was the caked rust on the enchanted chains binding her limbs.
She looked down and smirked “Look at me! A thousand years with no shower and I still look good!”
“You shouldn't. You…You should be dead.”
The mare’s laughter grew louder and more maniacal “You should know better by now, Celestia. I mean, how many times did you try to kill me?
“More than I care to remember. And it was eight hundred and fifty years ago, not a thousand.” Celestia’s voice was pained as she recalled the unfortunate events of those two years.
She shrugged, causing the chains holding her forelegs grind unpleasantly “I rounded up. Besides, I’ve been so bored, it felt like a thousand years. And I mean bored with a capital B-O-R-E-D. Not even a single foal to kill in centuries.” Her grin widened, showing off her fangs, and a dark glint grew in her eyes. “You shouldn't have put that rock in front of the door, who knows how many lost little ponies might have wandered in for me.”
Celestia's face hardened as she glared at the mare “Killing is not something to be enjoyed.”
The mare stuck her tongue out to blow a raspberry at the princess “To you maybe. I love it! There’s nothing quite as exciting as watching blood slowly ooze out of a pony’s mouth as they gasp and struggle for air…” She laughed again at the horror in Celestia’s eyes “You should try it sometime, Cici, it really loosens you up!”
Celestia could barely contain her revulsion “I will never kill for pleasure. You are an abomination.”
The mare pouted sarcastically “Aww, that’s not what you thought when you first met me.”
“I didn’t know what horrific things you were capable of. If I had, I never would have let him complete the spell.”
“Oh come on, you’re exaggerating, I never did anything horrific. If anything, I was helping you.” She grinned evilly.
Celestia’s voice grew louder “You murdered half of Canterlot!”
“Now that is complete bogus, I didn’t kill half of Canterlot. You stopped me when I was exactly three kills away from half, and believe me, that’s been bugging me for years.” She giggled “And would you really have stopped him? It was so impressive; everypony was talking about it for months.”
“If I had known what you would do, I would have stopped the spell myself.” Celestia’s voice was harsh and resolute.
“But then you wouldn’t have discovered the greatest mage in Equestria.” She was taunting the princess, and they both knew it as she continued. “Unless somepony else broke Starry’s record, which must be difficult considering me.”
“He is still recognized as one of the greatest unicorn mages who ever lived. Many of his spells are still used today.”
The mare’s face lit up “Oh, goodie! There must be hundreds of little mes running around!”
“Not that spell. That was destroyed.” Celestia took a step forward and the mare’s face fell.
“Aw you’re such a spoilsport!” She got a devious glint in her eye “Then again, that makes me unique. I remember when I first woke up, Swirly was so proud of himself! And then he introduced me to all of his friends and professors and even you as ‘his best accident’. Then after I committed a couple harmless murders he just called me an accident.”
“I don’t know why I have to keep saying this, but murder is not harmless. Death in any form is painful due to its very nature.”
The chains clinked as the mare tried to raise her hoof enthusiastically “Oh! Oh! I know! I know why you have to keep saying it!” Celestia raised her eyebrow “Because I’m insane!” The laughter that echoed through the mountain filled Celestia with horror and fear at the sheer madness of the pony in front of her.
“That is an understatement.”
“But it’s also why you can’t kill me! I’m not a spell anymore, so Star couldn’t just ‘uncast’ me, but I’m not a pony, so I can’t die! You were after me for so long, and I kept coming back! Hanging, beheading, magical sword to the chest, even starvation at the bottom of a mountain isn’t enough to get rid of me!” She smirked and glared “So why don’t you cut me down and let me kill you, I’m getting bored again.”
“No. The only way to keep Equestria safe is to leave you down here until you finally die, or until time ends, whichever comes last.” Celestia turned to leave and lowered the brightness of her horn. She had gotten a few steps forward when the mare laughed again and shouted after her.
“That’s the thing about a Jinx, Your Royal Fatness: They never go away!” And as Celestia quickly walked out of the cave and rolled the boulder back in place, the evil laughter of pure madness echoed behind her.
Celestia stretched out on the wonderfully soft cushions as the crackling fire warmed her body. It had been a long day and Celestia was looking forward to reading one of her favorite books with a nice glass of good wine. She had just poured the wine and pulled the book off of the shelf when she felt an almost imperceptible breeze pass over her, along with a slight chill. A hint of a smile played across her lips as she calmly put the book and glass on the table next to her before turning her head so that she was staring at a corner of darkness far from the fire.
“Hello.” Celestia’s voice was even and almost warm as she addressed the shadow.
Hello Celestia. The response was a strange whisper that seemed to come from Celestia’s own mind and sounded like an echo of her voice.
Celestia’s smile grew slightly “I know you can’t show yourself but you can at least use your own voice.”
As you wish. The voice changed to a slightly more ethereal feminine tone and sounded as though it was coming from the patch of shadow, even if the hint of echo remained.
“It’s been a long time, how have you been?”
I have been well. Equestria flourishes under your rule.
Celestia chuckled “Thank you, but it isn’t all under my rule anymore. Not only do I have my dear sister Luna back, my faithful, well, former student Twilight Sparkle and her sister-in-law Princess Cadence have taken some responsibility as well.” Her voice was not as regal as it normally was and her demeanor was more relaxed.
I know. Your mind is troubled, would you care to talk about it? The voice was sincere and Celestia smiled for a moment but her face quickly fell.
“Do you remember Jinx?”
Of course I do. I remember all that happens in this world.
“I spoke to her yesterday. She is alive, well, and still absolutely mad.” Celestia turned towards the fire as the shadow moved to cover a chair near Celestia’s desk. “How? How could I have let such an atrocity happen in my own capital?”
It was not your fault, Celestia. You saved hundreds of lives when you imprisoned her.
“After hundreds had already been slaughtered.” Celestia sighed “I was there when she was introduced to the Court, and I did nothing. I gawked at her just like the rest of them when Starswirl told us how she came to be.”
There was no way you could have known what she would do. And after that you attended every one of the funerals for those killed by her.
“But what justice did I give them? I locked her in a mountain and left her alone, how is that right?” Celestia’s voice was tired and pained.
What other choice did you have? Starswirl could not undo his spell, you could not unravel her magic, and every conventional and unconventional means of execution failed.
“I know, I know. I don’t know why I keep going back down to her, in my heart I know she won’t change.”
When was the last time you visited her before this?
“Twenty years after I imprisoned her.” Celestia sighed again and took a sip of wine.
That is a very long time ago, and you have seen the lord of Chaos himself change his ways. Your hope is neither unfounded nor something to regret. The voice was gentle and warm with kindness, and Celestia couldn’t help but smile a little.
“Perhaps, but it still pains me that I can’t bring an end to it. I have carried this burden for almost as long as the burden of banishing my own sister to the moon.” Celestia looked at the shadow “I only want closure.”
I know. But you are not alone, Celestia. Your sister loves you very much, and the princesses Twilight Sparkle and Cadence view you almost as a mother. Celestia smiled and weakly nodded. There is also me. I may not be able to offer a tender hoof or a physical shoulder to cry on, but I can offer some guidance and a willing ear.
Celestia chuckled “That is true; you’ve always been there when I needed advice, even if I don’t know what or who you are.” Celestia raised an eyebrow mischievously “Speaking of which, don’t you think it might be time to tell me your real name?”
A whisper echoed through the room that sounded almost like a laugh. I have told you before, Princess of the Sun, I have no name other than what ponies and other creatures have called me. The Conscience, the Voice of Reason, the nagging thought at the back of your mind. Although I have to say my personal favorite as far as accuracy is concerned is the Moral Compass.
Celestia laughed “Very well, my shadowy friend. I can’t remember whether or not you like wine, I have plenty if you would care for some.”
I would enjoy that, thank you. The shadow shifted towards the bottle and the wine seemed to drain for a moment before stopping at a slightly lower level. This vintage is excellent, but of course I expect no less from the sovereign of Equestria. The voice had a lightness to it that made it sound like it was smiling.
Celestia raised her glass before taking a sip “Thank you. You know, I have always found it strange that you can interact with physical objects and even consume them without a body.”
The echo of a laugh returned. I never said that I have no physical form.
Celestia raised an eyebrow “Do you?”
No. Both voices laughed at this for a moment and the shadow continued while Celestia drank more wine. I myself am not quite sure how I can drink wine and sit in chairs, but I have learned to accept it as a part of my purpose.
“And what is your purpose?” Celestia felt the faintest hint of alcohol in her brain as she spoke.
What is any creature’s purpose?
Celestia rolled her eyes and sighed “It depends on the creature.” She had forgotten how annoying her friend’s love of stalling really was.
To be fair, I have to speak to every other creature through riddles and hints, using their own words to help them see the right path. You are the only being in the world I have ever shared my own thoughts and voice with.
Celestia shook her head slightly with a smile; there really were no secrets of emotion with the shadowy counselor she had known for centuries. “My apologies. About your purpose?” Her wine glass was empty and she debated refilling it.
My purpose is to give guidance where it is needed. You should feel free to have another glass; it has been a trying few days.
Celestia smiled and poured herself more wine “Well, if my conscience thinks so, I would be remiss if I didn’t.” Another breeze passed through the room and the shadow started to recede, causing Celestia’s face to fall. “So soon?”
Yes. I am sorry, Celestia, but I am needed elsewhere. Until we meet again. The shadow faded and Celestia sighed, draining her glass. She smiled and picked up her book, curling up in the warmth of the fire before opening the cover and starting to read. She barely picked up a final whisper as it passed through the room and faded into silence.
Beware, Celestia…All chains can weaken…
