Chapter 4: Dusty Remnants of The Past

          Or: A Quick Travel Down Memory Lane

The travel to Canterlot was pretty long considering we went with train…

Wait a second, I have to tell you how the first meeting with me and the rest of the cast went.

Well, Twilight introduced me like I thought, calling me her mentor and teacher, similar to Celestia, and well it was kinda „normal“. Fluttershy hid far behind Rarity while she commented on my armor, how elegant it looks on me. Rainbow was suspicious at first, as expected from the Element of Loyalty, but sooner or later, after Twilight told her for the millionth time that I am no evil in disguise or something like that, she let go off me. Now, left were Pinkie and Applejack, the latter assured that I only tell the truth about my intentions, being the assistance of Twilight with supervising the wedding. Pinkie was…well Pinkie. Showed up behind me like she’s used to, spoke with a ludicrous speed and all I could understand was that she would plan a ‚Welcome to Ponyville party', although I would not move away from my library in the desert.

Now, sitting in the train I started to close my eyes and relaxed, letting my mind wander off to the memories of old yore, namely the time where I was living in the Everfree Castle, together with my beloved Queen Aurora.

-------Several Centuries Before-------

We were in the infirmary of our humble castle, Aurora lying in a bed, me sitting next to her as the first foal came. It was a very important and great moment in our lives, at least in hers for I have experienced too much.  But still, it was a great moment, knowing that I would be at least once in my life a father.

After the procedure was done with, the doctor came with the foal in one hoof holding her out to Aurora.

„Congratulations, Your Majesties, it is a filly. And a very healthy on top of that.“

Aurora was just smiling at me while holding the filly in her hooves. I smiled back and took a look at our new daughter. She was beautiful, having a pristine white coat as well as a pink mane and tail…

But then realization hit me hard like an upcoming sandstorm. It was all so clear, but on the outside no one could notice what was going on in my mind. That filly, that foal, my daughter, it was the young, rather just-born Celestia, later princess of Equestria, and I was her father…

Many thoughts crossed my mind at this point. Why me? Would she be here even if I wouldn't have been? OR was it my destiny to come to Equestria to let the history unfold like I always knew it?

Even with these many questions, I could hear my wife ask me.

„And? Do you have a name for our daughter?“

Well, there weren't many options. I could have changed her name in the end. But if it was really predetermined that she would be my daughter then I was supposed to give her the name she would be known by.

„Yes, I have, my love. We should call her Celestia, I think that is a good name for the future princess and patron of the sun.“

„You are right, it is a lovely name for her. Our little daughter Celestia.“

------Present------

I came back to reality because the train came to a halt. But we still weren't in Canterlot, so something must have been gone wrong. From what I could hear, there was a technical problem which didn't really interest me. On the other hand, no one has noticed me „waking up“, so I could simply drift off again, reminiscing once more into my past.

------Several Years after the birth of Celestia------

It was yet again time, I know it sounds boring if I tell it to you like that but I don’t care. I was in the throne room, reading some reports of the farmer families about their current season and how much they were expecting as I heard the double door opened and the doctor coming in.

„Your majesty, it is time. We are finished and you can call yourself a proud father again.“

With these words in my mind, I followed the doctor to the infirmary where my wife was with our new child.

Before I continue, there is something important you have to know. At some point I actually fell asleep. I don’t know why I did this but it happened. So this became at some point a lucid dream instead of a simple memory.

Now, to come back to the memory/dream, I was standing in front of Aurora who was holding a foal in her forehooves. As I looked at them, I felt some presence entering my dream. I knew of course who it was, as well as the fact that I was actually dreaming now. And all I had to do was to mutter some simple words.

„Time…stop“

With that, the dream came to a halt, all freezing in their positions as I moved freely around, an image of myself still standing where I stood.

„Now, are there no words of congratulation for me, Princess Luna? I mean, I just became father once again. Isn't it a reason to celebrate?“

Out of a shadow in the room, Luna stepped out, her expression being one of confusion, really deep, core-shattering confusion.

„How did you know we were hiding here?“

„Simple, I am a lucid dreamer. I know what happens in my dreams, that they are just dreams, and who enters my dreams.“

„Well then…congratulations on your foal. Is it a colt or a filly?...“

I could see that she still was confused. She was trying to start a conversation besides the fact that she stood in front of another alicorn, one of similar color but taller and being a stallion.

„Well, it is a filly. But I can see that you are still concerned about something. Just tell me what bothers you. I think I can and will answer your questions.“

„Well, for us it seems like you are an alicorn but this simply is impossible for there are only three alicorns currently in Equestria.

Then, you yourself looks similar to somepony we never really get to know and your „wife“ over there has the same appearance like…our…mother…“

At this point she started to drop tears to the ground as she remembered her mother. I admit, she was a great mare. Somepony you could only love from the bottom of your heart if you really got to know her.

„Tell us now, what is this sorcery?! How could you mock us like this? Explain yourself right now or we will leave you trapped in this dream forever!!“

She turned from confusion to sadness to rage faster than Discord could pop in and out of existence. Well, we all know that you should never keep a lady waiting…or in this case a princess.

„Simple, this is a memory. I never intended to fall asleep. This is why you could see all of this right here. And if you want me to explain myself, just sit back and watch until the end.“

With these words, I went back into my position, making the memory continue.

„Well darling, she is just wonderful. Do you have a name for her?“

„Yes, Aurora, I have. She shall be named like the moon, Luna“

I was still in role of my memory but I could see her from the corner of my eye sitting in shock as she heard my words. She was not part of the dream but I still could hear her.

„All lies, this isn't the truth. Everything here is fake!“

As she started to cry, I wanted her to know how real this situation really is. So, according to my memory, there was only one thing to do.

„Celestia, do you want to come over here and welcome your new sister?“

We both saw a filly Celestia, certainly older than before but still young, running into the room. She was taller, but remained her pristine white coat. Her mane was still pink but some colors started to shine within, hinting at the change of mane she will experience. As she stood besides me, she took a look at the little Luna and was smiling.

„This is my new sister? That is great. I love her so much. As soon as she gets older, we can brush each others manes. That will be great and I’ll be a good big sister to her. Does she have a name yet?“

„Yes, her name is Luna. She will be our daughter and your sister. We will be a great family together.“

After that, the doctor came into the room, looking at the family sitting on and around the bed.

„Ehm…King Starlight, Princess Celestia? I ask you to please leave the room for now as Queen Aurora and your daughter at the moment both need some rest.

„But of course, Celestia, let’s leave. We should give them some time to sleep. And I think it is time for you to sleep as well.“

With that, us two left the room. Outside, we stopped again as I ended the memory before re-entering the room, walking to the „real“ Luna.

„Well, what do you say now? This is not just a coincidence. And it certainly is not fake. All that you witnessed right now was the truth. This is how it happened.“

With these words, the dream faded away, slowly turning into sand before blown away by the wind, leaving me and Luna sitting in the Dreamscape.

I approached her, still having the appearance of King Starlight and pulled her in a mighty hug while she cried tears in my coat. I knew it would be hard for her to see her father actually alive and well but I was prepared if anything might happen.

„How is this possible. I thought you would be dead. Mother told us you were killed by some beast dog that came into the castle one day. She said you died in an attempt to kill it. Why can I see you here? Am I actually the one dreaming?“

I was expecting those kind of questions from her. It was complicated for her, seeing as her world just crumbled in front of her. But it was fine as long as I was with her.

But our little reunion came to an abrupt end as I heard the whistle of the train in the background, giving me the signal that we arrived in Canterlot. Soon after I could her the voice of Twilight in my mind, asking me to wake up. So I had to make this quick.

„I’m sorry but I have to leave now. There is no time left for me. Just know that I am alive and well and that I will always be there for you and your sister, for you are everything that I have. Goodbye for now.“

With these words, I left the Dreamscape, leaving Luna alone for now and returned to the world of the awake.

„Hey, Nasus, did you sleep well? We are already in Canterlot.“

„I noticed that. I was just having a little nap. But now we can start on the wedding, alright?“