Warning! The following contains scenes of violence and dark or disturbing subject matter that some readers may find highly unsettling. Reader discretion is strongly advised.

This chapter is heavily focused on the Original Character of Ascentia Kortai, particularly her back story. If Ascentia is of no interest to you, you may wish to consider skipping this chapter, as little of the information given is key to the rest of the story, and will be delivered again towards the end.

I am your Mother

In my womb you've seen a universe

Precious life, now I bring you into my world

Fear, love and pain are your guides

Can I provide a sanctuary to shield you

from a world that preys

Angels from heaven pray

see your children through the day

For knowing the coming tomorrow's ways

Demons await where the mighty rivers run

Children, sail on!

A young Val'Kyr walked down the streets of the massive city before her with her mentor a few paces ahead of her. Ascentia had never been outside the housing complex where apprentices were stationed in their early years. She was excited, but also nervous. She eagerly kept up with her mentor as well as her little legs could carry her.

The hooded Val'Kyr looked down at his apprentice, “There is no need to hurry, my child. We live a very long time, and the Grand Lord can wait twenty minutes.”

“Yes Master,” replied, slowing her pace and walking alongside him.

“Lord Ryder!” called a nearby man, “A moment of your time!”

Lord Ryder smiled and changed course to meet the newcomer. Ascentia waited while they talked politics and warfare tactics. She was only fourteen, and teenagers were teenagers, no matter what the species. She soon started to get antsy.

Lord Ryder noticed this, then smiled to the man, “Sadly, this is all becoming rather frustrating for young Ascentia here. I am due to meet with Grand Lord Megan, and introduce them.”

“Oh?” the man replied, turning to Ascentia, “You better be on your best behaviour, little one. You must not incur the Grand Lord's wrath.”

Ascentia looked mortified, while Ryder glared at him, “That crosses a line, Deagoun. The days of Athena are over, and we shall treat them as such. It is not the Grand Lord who's wrath you must fear.”

Ryder turned and left with Ascentia without another word. Ascentia looked up at him with one eyebrow cocked.

“Master?”

“Yes?”

“Is something the matter?”

“Whatever would make you think that?”

“I saw you getting angry back there.”

Ryder stopped and knelt down in front of the girl.

“Ascentia, anger and being stern are too different things. There are things in the world that are not acceptable, regardless of opinion. Pulling fear tactics on the young, even if only for humour, is one of those. Me and her Highness fought very hard to rid this place of such a thing,” he explained, “Remember that there are times where simple fun and games can lead to harm, and sometimes those that seem innocuous can cause the greatest damage. One must act carefully, and consider all possibilities before one decides to vocalize their thoughts into words. Words are far more powerful and deadly than even the sharpest blade. One day, you will learn that first hand.”

He stood back up and gave Ascentia an affectionate tousle of her pale pink hair.

“Come, we are late enough as it is.”

“That was the lesson that shaped who I am today,” Ascentia recalled as she and Twilight sat beside a small fire in the Everfree Forest.

Princess Celestia and Pumpkin Cake had fallen asleep, their strong powers making their exhaustion all the more intolerable. Twilight and Fluttershy were listening intently as Ascentia told them stories of her former master to pass the time since returning to Equestria. They could not make any motions during the night, despite Ascentia's preference of the darkness. Daylight would seem less conspicuous for the four ponies, giving them the chance to do some recon.

“As I grew older, Lord Ryder became... far weaker. He was still unmatched in swordsmanship, but his movement was not what it used to be,” Ascentia replied, “What Athena had done to him had left considerable damage to both his body and mind. He even told me the story of Athena...”

July 14th, 2008 Earth Calendar - Athena's Fortress

“My Lord, what you are asking is simply not possible,” Linaria explained to her counterpart.

“I know what you are implying,” Athena replied, “But I cannot allow the Black Sixteen to continue to lord over me like they have been doing for the past four thousand years. I must create my own warrior. One that I can control... one that I can corrupt.”

“My Lord, such a thing is dangerous,” Linaria replied, “Imparting that much strength into a single being could... potentially spell your own doom should he revolt.”

“If he revolts, I shall be sure to always remain his superior. Now kill the boy,” Athena replied, “And start the preparations.”

“Athena had my Master, a human in his late teens at the time, slain and taken to her city,” Ascentia continued.

“How long do humans live, naturally?” Twilight asked.

“They liked the idea of 100 years, but few lived to see that mark,” Ascentia replied, “Most humans died around the age of 80, if it were to natural causes. The equivalent of around 54 years for your kind.”

Twilight was surprised. She had not expected them to have such short lives. Equestrians usually lived for 90-100 years by their own calendar, close to twice the lifespan of a human.

“So what happened to Athena?” Fluttershy asked, “How exactly did she die?”

April 14th, 2025 Earth Calander, Athena's Fortress

Athena had Ryder in her grip, her fist glowing a bright white around his throat.

“You do not yet see the truth, do you?” she asked, a twisted grin on her face, “I rule all! I own you, as I own everybody! You are nothing special, despite what I have led you to believe! Your strife is insignificant. Let your death be the same!”

Before she could deal the deathblow, Megan slammed a dagger into Athena's back.

Down below in the streets, all anyone could see was the bright white explosion that was Athena's destruction. The cheering could be heard for parsecs.

“It was not until several hundred years after that they would find me stranded on an icy world not far from them. My Master once told me that had they not found me when they did, I would likely have perished.”

Twilight tilted her head in a quizzical manner, “Icy world? A whole planet covered in ice?”

“Not ice as in frozen water, but rather very cold rock,” Ascentia explained, “The humans referred to it as Neptune...”

August 22nd, 2766 Earth Calander, Neptune

Lord Ryder stood on a large cliff overlooking the icy world before him. His hood pulled over his head as he surveyed the area before him. There was something almost serene about the cold, and the night sky above him showed the beauty of the universe that stretched beyond. He allowed a small smile to creep across his face, before speaking.

“You should see this, Meg. It's beautiful.”

I'm sure that it is. Did you find what you were looking for on Saturn?

“Sadly, no,” Ryder replied, “It seems that Linaria was clever in covering her tracks. There isn't a shred of her fortress left.”

So tell me why you decided to take a detour to Neptune?

“What, a man can't take a stop to relax?”

-120 weather is hardly relaxing.

“I'm sure people from Norway, Greenland, and parts of Canada would disagree. Besides, there's somethi- wait a minute...”

What?

“I see something crawling through the snow...”

Peering down at the valley below, Ryder could spot a small creature trying to clamber it's way through the ice and snow. It appeared to be humanoid in form, and rather tiny.

Leaping down to the valley below, Ryder broke into a run to meet the strange creature. Clearing the hundred kilometres between himself and it did not take long. He soon found himself standing above what appeared to be a small girl, shivering and breathing erratic.

Ryder pulled off his cloak and wrapped it around the girl, who quickly snapped her eyes up to meet his.

“It's alright,” he said in a soft whisper, “You have nothing to fear from me. I'm a friend.”

The girl appeared to recoil. Perhaps it didn't understand English.

“Lu'nektovar eisiltovev karamar iveel,” Ryder tried again.

This time, the girl relaxed, and huddled herself into his cloak, which was very warm. Ryder had learned long ago to channel his blood to increase his body temperature for icy places like Neptune. The effect would heat up his armour, as well as his clothes. He picked up the child and held her close.

“Alright, let's get you somewhere safe...”

“He took me in and trained me as his apprentice. He raised me like his own child. That's why it was so hard when he was forced to tell me the truth about why he took me in at all.”

“What do you mean?” Fluttershy asked.

“It's rather hard to describe,” Ascentia replied, “My Master's powers were fuelled by his rage. To see him become angry was terrifying. Even the Grand Lord knew not to cross him. Sadly, those kind of powers corrupt. Anger, hatred, insecurity, envy, these are all cancerous and deadly when fuelled into a Divine Being.”

Twilight and Fluttershy cast a quick glance to each other, remembering the legend of Nightmare Moon.

“In fact, most worlds have their own spirit for the chaotic nature of such emotions,” Ascentia replied, “An almost random, inconsistency to their geography, allowing things like weather and natural disasters. Your world seems to lack such a spirit, though...”

Twilight and Fluttershy extended another quick glance. They didn't lack such a spirit, it was just encased in stone and being used as a lawn ornament.

“So what happened to your Master?” Fluttershy asked after a moment of awkward silence.

“The corruption of his own powers were slowly driving him beyond a point he could return,” Ascentia explained, “He said that he was not training a colleague... he was training his executioner.”

“That's horrible!” Fluttershy shouted, “How can he raise you like a daughter and then say he did it so you could kill him!?!?”

“You speak too quickly, Fluttershy,” Ascentia said with a warm smile, “This was not easy for him to do. My Master was not so heartless.”

December 25th, 2778 Earth Calander, Val'Yanar Gardens

A young Ascentia, about the age of twelve, ran alongside Lord Ryder, trying to keep up with his large stride. They were walking around the housing grounds, admiring the gardens in the dead of night.

“I like the night, Master,” she piped up as they walked, “Everything's so quiet.”

“Yes, the darkness has an inner peace about it,” Ryder replied, “As if the world smiles while it rests it's weary eyes.”

Ascentia looked up at the bright moon in the distance of the sky, “Does the moon have a name, like the moons of other planets?”

“You mean like Europa and Io do?” Ryder asked, “Why yes. The ancient Romans of Earth called their moon 'Luna.'”

(A/N: For those of you who didn't know that, it's true. Earth's moon is literally named 'Luna.')

“That's a pretty name,” Ascentia replied as she looked up at it.

“A pretty name, for a beautiful jewel in the sky,” Ryder replied, “From a distance that is...”

Ascentia looked at him quizzically.

“Earth's moon is a barren rock. It looks pretty from here, but on it's surface it's rather lifeless.”

Ascentia turned her gaze back to the moon, “Master... how did humans show affection towards one another?”

Ryder looked down at his charge with an eyebrow raised, “That's a rather odd question.”

Ascentia lowered her head, “I'm sorry...”

“No need,” Ryder replied, tousling her hair, “There are no questions that you should apologize for.”

Ryder looked back up to the sky before continuing.

“Humans on earth had many ways of expressing affection towards their friends, family or lovers. Generally most involved physical contact. There's an almost comforting feeling in the touch of another person. Like they are there to protect you and-WHOA!”

Ryder was nearly thrown off his feet when Ascentia wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged him tightly. He smiled at the young girl as she nuzzled her cheek into his tunic. Ascentia had become like a daughter to him over the years, and he wrapped an arm around her shoulders in response.

“I love you, Master,” Ascentia said.

“I love you too, sweetheart,” Ryder replied as they continued to watch the moon crawl across the void of space.

“It broke his heart when he told me I would one day be his killer,” Ascentia replied, “But as time stretched on, I started to notice the symptoms of his corruption. He became increasingly bitter and angry to most of his associates. Only the Grand Lord, myself, and his closest friends were spared his bitter attitude.”

Twilight and Fluttershy said nothing, though they both had a smile on their faces. Dark subject matter aside, they found the story of Ascentia hugging her father-figure to be cute.

“The day I had to strike him down is one I will not forget,” Ascentia replied, “It was... horrible.”

Ascentia looked out to the sky to notice that the sun was beginning to peek over the horizon.

“Well, I guess we should wake Sleeping Beauty and your daughter.”

“Oh... Pumpkin isn't my daughter,” Twilight replied.

“Forgive me,” Ascentia said, “She clings to you, so I merely assumed...”

Twilight stepped over to the Princess and Pumpkin cake, and nudged them with her hoof. The two stretched their muzzles with a yawn as they returned to the waking world.

After making their plans, Twilight and Fluttershy hiked off to Ponyville, while Celestia and Pumpkin took to the skies to scan the outskirts of the Everfree Forest. Ascentia remained at their camp, and began to meditate.

Several hours passed, and a quiet snap of a twig snapped her eyes open. In a flash, her sword was drawn, and she was pointing it at the creature behind her. The mare that made the noise froze, her hooves locked to the ground. Ascentia rolled her eyes and her sword vanished in a flash of light.

“My apologies, you startled me,” she lied. She was never startled, simply trained to react quickly. She often overreacted as a result of this.

Ascentia bowed slightly to the foal, and motioned for her to sit at the fire. The mare cautiously moved forward and sat at the warmth of the fire.

“Tell me your name,” Ascentia said, her voice sharp, yet calm.

“...Scootaloo,” she said, her wings twitching a little bit.

“You are one of Twilight's friends?” Ascentia asked.

“Yeah!” she replied, perking up instantly, “You know Twilight?”

“She taught me a very valuable lesson,” Ascentia replied, “I am now here to repay her.”

“You look like those things that came into town yesterday...”

“I'm ashamed to admit they are of my kind. No matter, I shall soon correct that mistake.”

“By yourself?”

“I am quite powerful, but I am lucky to have the aid of Twilight, her apprentice, and your Monarch.”

“Princess Celestia?” Scootaloo asked, “We were told she was killed!”

“By who?”

“One of those things came into town to tell us they killed our Queen,” Scootaloo replied, “We don't have a Queen, we assumed they meant Princess Celestia.”

“Val'Kyr do not usually make such a claim dishonestly,” Ascentia pondered, “It may have been the Xoroth they killed...”

Scootaloo tilted her head, “The what?”

“The Dark Princess,” Ascentia replied, “The one you call Luna.”

Scootaloo's ear twitched. Luna rarely made public appearances, so most of Equestria forgot that she held an equal position as ruler to Celestia.

Ascentia took a good look at her companion, “You do not appear to be fully grown yet, child.”

Scootaloo grinned sheepishly, “Yeah, I'm a teenager. I'm 17 to be exact.”

“Ah yes, nearing womanhood, but not quite there yet,” Ascentia replied with a smile, “Do you have a mate?”

Scootaloo tilted her head again, “A what?”

“A life partner,” Ascentia replied, “Someone you share a special relationship with?”

“A very special somepony?”

“Is that what you call it?” Ascentia asked, “It appears there are still some mannerisms I've yet to learn.”

“Well, no... but there is someone I like,” Scootaloo replied, “But I'm nervous...”

“Someone you met recently?” Ascentia asked, “Or a dear friend you have started to have affection for?”

Scootaloo blushed, “The... um... the second one...”

Ascentia chuckled, “There are times I find the innocence of the young to be rather refreshing. There is no need to be nervous, young one.”

“Well, what if I tell them, and they hate me forever?”

“You have multiple objects of affection?”

“I'm trying not to give away their...”

“Keeping the subject gender-neutral?”

“Yeah.”

“Then you have nothing to fear,” Ascentia replied, “Experience has told me that you cannot ruin a friendship over something so trivial. That is something that only exists in bad fanfiction.”

Scootaloo pondered Ascentia's words.

“Though considering my being here, you likely have far more pressing concerns,” Ascentia replied, “Are you not hiding from invading Val'Kyr?”

“They aren't hurting anypony,” Scootaloo replied, “They're just... standing there, enforcing new laws.”

“Believe me when I tell you they are not here to be so peaceful,” Ascentia said sternly, “They plan to destroy this planet, for reasons I am not yet sure of.”

“How do you know?”

“Because 15 years ago, I came to do the very same. My subordinates were angered by my decision to not follow through.”

Scootaloo said nothing, just sat there.

“You should run home,” Ascentia said after several minutes of silence, “I do not sense any immediate danger to you, and I fear it may be far more dangerous to linger here.”

Scootaloo got up and walked away, “Okay, thanks for the advice... Miss...?”

“Ascentia Kortai,” Ascentia replied.

Before leaving, Scootaloo looked at her, “Did you ever have a very special somepony?”

Ascentia chuckled again, “I did have someone who was very special to me... he died a long time ago.”

Scootaloo walked away, not knowing how to respond. When the young mare was out of sight and earshot, Ascentia returned to tending the fire.

“Nice kid,” she replied, “I wonder if I'll see her again before the end...”

Because if there was anything Ascentia could be sure of, it was that she would not survive this war.

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