Celestia lead Sunset into her private chamber. She turned around and gave leave to her guards who bowed and shut the doors behind them. Once alone; Celestia turned to Sunset.

"So there is much you have to tell me then," Celestia said with concern but still caring. "So it is really Chrysalis?"

"Yes, I'm afraid so. More than that, she's killed multiple people. Killing and eating them. I don't know much about her but she seems to be pure evil." Sunset let her frustration and fear come through her words. She was hoping that Celestia could help her out in anyway she could. Even if tit was just giving her information; that would be something.

Celestia nodded; a sad, grim expression on her face. "That she is. Her heart is pure blackness. She has absolutely no redeeming values about her. She's powerful, intelligent, cunning, patient, merciless, and full of hatred. She, along with Discord and Tirek composed the Unholy Trinity. They were the most vile villains Equestria had ever produced. Discord we managed to reform; slightly. Tirek was imprisoned, but Chrysalis had never been caught, never been brought to heel. She is your greatest enemy."

"That's not very helpful," Sunset said despondently, "or encouraging."

"I am sorry Sunset Shimmer; but those are the facts." Celestia felt bad for Sunset. There was so much she wanted to tell her but couldn't. She knew how dropping hints like she had been must be so frustrating.

"So how do I stop her? Can you tell me that?"

"On Earth? I do not know. Our magic functions differently there then it does here. You'll have to find your own way to defeat her."

Sunset nodded, then thought of something. "Did you really mean it when you told Twilight Flash would die?"

Celestia turned her head. She couldn't bear to look at Sunset. "Everyone dies Sunset," she said softly, embarrassed at her own words.

Sunset felt a sharp sting in her heart at hearing almost the very same words she had said to Twilight recited back to her. "That's not what I mean Princess Celestia. Will he be killed by Chrysalis? If Twilight continues to see him?"

Celestia looked down at the ground, her heart breaking. The words, the thoughts choked in her throat and mind.

"Celestia! Please! I, I am about to break-up with someone over the same fear. Tell me; is Flash in danger. Is, is mine in danger?"

Celestia just sat, looking at the floor for a moment; weighing her words very carefully. With every ounce of strength she could muster; she looked Sunset in the eyes and started talking. "Yes. To both; yes. You and Twilight bare a burden that only a few can carry. Luna and I were ones so unlucky. Because of who you are, what you will become; anyone you love, anyone who loves you, is a target.

"This, what you face now, is not the end. It's merely the final test before the beginning." Celestia stopped for a second. She was entering dangerous territory now and had to chose her words very wisely. "Remember when I said you and Twilight were to take over for Luna and I?"

"Yes, I couldn't forget."

"You'll be taking over more than just our thrones." Celestia sighed. She just couldn't say anymore. "Regardless. Even if you were only to rule Equestria, anyone you loved would be marked. Plus love for one person in particular could distract you from your royal duties. I know this sounds harsh, all too well do I know, but . . ."

"Wait, did you love someone Princess Celestia?" Sunset almost didn't have to ask. It was there, all there in the sound of her voice, the look on her face; the sadness that was so great it could not be hid. It stained her, marked her, flashed big and bold in every line on Celestia's face.

Celestia swallowed once. "His name was Justinius. He was human; a Roman general. While not as rebellious as my sister; I, too, had a time in my life where the burden of the crown weighed too heavily upon my brow. I was young and restless," Celestia gave a bitter chuckle. "That does seem to be a popular excuse for the mistakes of our youth; doesn't it?

"Star Swirl would taker me to different dimensions through the portal you went through. It could be made to go open to anywhere. We went to so many different places. It was his intention to show me how different species, different cultures lived and faced their problems. The more examples of how the problems of civilization were met, what was tried, what worked, what didn't work, and why; the better ruler I would become because I had a well spring of knowledge to draw from.

"Some worlds were so peaceful and serine; they made Equestria look nightmarish by comparison. Others were so hellish and vile that even to this day I have nightmares about them. So many different worlds, so many different creatures. Then he took me a place that seemed to exist right in the middle. The dominant life form there was bipedal, almost completely hairless, had flat faces, and could switch between mind-numbing cruelty to heartwarming tenderness." Celestia paused to see if Sunset understood what she was talking about.

"Earth," Sunset said in a quiet awe. Not so much because she had been to Earth herself but because Celestia was opening herself up to her in a way she could have never imagined.

"Earth." Celestia nodded. "I fell in love with the place and it's people. I would sneak out at night, through the portal, to Earth. The portal itself could be made to open anywhere so I kept changing the locations. I sang and danced and weaved cloth and made pottery with women from all over the world. Every where I went, my body would be different to fit in with the local people.

"The last time I went, I went to Europe. I was on a small, country road on the outskirts of Rome. I had decided to see the city for myself but decided it was best to walk there and not just show up out of nowhere in the city. Along the way I picked up a rather large branch that I used as a walking staff. I had on a white dress with a brown cloak embroidered in gold. It was a cloudy day but pleasant. Not too hot, not too cold, a little breezy now and then." Celestia gazed off as if she were looking back through time to that day. Her voice was soft and faint as if coming from a far; just close enough to be heard.

She shook her head a bit and continued on; her voice much stronger now but still looking off. "As I traveled; four bandits came out from some bushes from along the road. . . ."

********************************************************************

"Oy, what do have hear?" A dirty man said. He was about four foot eleven, nearly bald with what little hair he had left pinned greasily to his head. He was forty pounds over weight with most of his teeth missing and the ones that were left looking like they were soon to fall as well.

"Quite the beauty this one," said another man. While taller and leaner than the first; he too was covered in dirt and stank of bad food, drink, and bodily fluids. Unlike the first man who was clean shaven, this one had a thick, long beard which played home to how many different types of vermin Celestia could only guess. He was completely bald with the top of his head covered in sunspots.

"An' wealthy too by the looks of her," a third man said. He was the tallest with long, etremely greasy hair. It hung down and clung to his long, gaunt face. Slightly cleaner the others (though not by much), he was clearly the leader. His clothes were the least filthy and he appeared to have the most teeth left. His face and arms were covered in scars. This was a man who had faced many foes and come out on top.

"Aye," said the fourth and final man. This one had thinning, curly hair and a patch over one eye. Celestia could also see he had part of his left ear missing. He looked to be the eldest of the bunch. Clean shaven, his hair was a silver grey and it was obvious he had no teeth left. "What ya say we should do with her?" He asked the others in sickly cheery voice

It was clear to Celestia that these men were bandits. Men hardened by poverty and strife. They had nothing except for what the could take. These men had probably known nothing but suffering their whole lives and that had turned them in vicious predators. She had sympathy for them but that would not stop her from doing what she had to do to defend herself.

"I am the only one you should be asking that question to," Celestia said to the curly haired man. Her voice was stern and regal. Her face was hard and determined.

"Ah, is it now love?" Curly Hair mocked back at her.

The four circled her. She watched them with the same expression on her face. She gave no signs of fear or being intimidated. She pulled back her hood as to better see where each was. Bearded man on her left, Fat man on her right, Curly behind her, the tall in front.

She stared the tall one in the eyes and said, "Yes, it is so. I tell you leave and I shall not hurt you. I offer only this one warning."

The other three laughed but Tall just returned Celestia's gaze with a blank expression on his face. "I have no doubt my lady that thou be a woman of stature. Know, however, we respect only one thing, one power. You are plainly out numbered. If you can fend all of us off, not only shall we let you pass; but serve as your protectors on the rest of your journey. Fail and will take what money you have in your purse and delight ourselves as we wish with your body."

"Is that an offer?" Celestia asked mockingly back.

"No my lady. Merely a statement of fact."

With that they all set upon her. Celestia quickly used her staff to defend herself. With lightening speed she knocked all four down. Ramming Beard and Fat in the stomach, sweeping Curly's legs from underneath him, and busting tall in the jaw. All were stunned. None of them had expected her to so well.

Tall wiped blood away from his mouth and laughed. "That was good," he said, his voice full of condensation. "We shall have great fun breaking you my little filly."

They all started to rise and Celestia realized the only way she would get out of this is if she completely maimed or killed them. So be it. She was a warrior princess. The fight would be hers.

Again she struck out with her staff. This time she smashed Fat's face in. His nose and upper jaw completely splintering and giving way. Blood shot out and covered her dress. Next she got beard in the eye, destroying it. She then went for curly who tried to doge her blow but ended up taking it to the side of his jaw, causing it to break. She turned to get Tall but he was already upon her. He grabbed her staff and ripped it out of her hands and then used it to nail her in the stomach.

Celestia doubled over in pain. She felt like vomiting but nothing would come out. Her breath was short, almost nonexistent. Tall dropped the staff, grabbed her by the arms, and threw her to the ground. He then kicked her, over and over in the sides. She tried her best to fight back but she was too out of breath and her eyesight blurry from tears and dirt.

"Don't worry, I won't scar that pretty face of yours. I want to look at as I take you for my whore," Tall said. He then dropped down, straddling her. He rolled her over so she was face up on her back. He placed his hands at the top of her dress; ready to tear it open. "Now let's have a look at what we have underneath."

Before he could follow through, a voice called out; "YOU, BARABARIAN, OFF THAT WOMAN!"

Tall looked up and saw a man dressed in full military uniform getting down from a white horse.

"On your way soldier boy! This is no concern of yours!" Tall called back. As he; the rest of his comrades got up off the ground and started walking over.

"The name is General Justinius Aquinas . And you are mistaken. This is a Roman road, she is a Roman citizen, and I am a protector of Rome and her people so that makes this my concern." Justinius drew his sword as he walked over to where the others were.

"Ha! Don't give me that," Tall said with a vicious disdain. "I was in the military once upon a time General. I know what you really do out there. Tell me, how many women, girls, or perhaps boys have you had in this exact situation? Protect Rome? Ha! You're just like us; only dressed nicer. Now off with you. My men may be battered but they are not dead and have fought back from worse. GO! Or they might decide it your body they'd prefer to enjoy than hers'."

"I have stood firm in the face of armies; a bunch of beaten dogs will not make me turn and run."

"Very well," Tall said. "Boys, show him how vicious your bite is." With that order the three others drew their daggers and attacked. Tall looked down at Celestia with a smile. "And while they keep him busy I shall take full use of your delights my dear."

Celestia smiled. "Well, if I can't stop you; I might as well enjoy it. Come, kiss me." Her voice was soft, sensual, seductive.

Tall smiled in triumph. While part of him wanted to break her, make her scream in pain, doing so was also a lot of work which took up time. A willing woman was always quicker. He leaned forward to kiss her. When his face was almost to hers', Celestia suddenly snapped and bit down on his nose.

Tall screamed in pain and tried to pull away but Celestia held fast and bit harder. The combination of the two lead to Talls' nose and face becoming separated. Blood spurted out over Celestia who turned and spat his nose out on the ground. Tall put his hands up to his face to cover the new, gaping wound.

Celestia was able to roll him off top of her. Sharp spikes of pain exploded and rippled through her body as she moved thanks to the kicks Tall gave her before. She would not let that deter her. She pushed down the pain and reached behind her to grab the knife she had hidden in her belt. She pulled it out and lunged at Tall; stabbing him through the throat. She quickly pulled the knife pulled the knife out and watched as Tall collapsed to the ground, making gurgling sounds as he choked on his own blood. Celestia turned to help the stranger who came to her aid but saw there was no need as the bodies of the other three laid in pools of their own blood by his feet.

"Thank you for your help good sir," she called to him.

"Was not much help I gave to thee my lady. You had done most of the work yourself," he said with a smile. "There are not too many men who could have faired much better than you did."

"If I thought men were more capable than women, I should take being compared to them a compliment," Celestia answered back. Her voice was light, joking.

Justinius cocked his head in surprise and curiosity at this strange woman. She had almost fought off four attackers by herself, killed the one, yet showed no remorse or even thought about it, and now even jested with him about the strength of men visa/vi women. Dirty, covered in blood, she still carried herself with a grace and nobility that few, even in the house of Caesar could match.

"May I ask what brings you out on these roads alone my lady? These are dangerous times, bandits roam where they wish. It's not safe to be by yourself."

Celestia's smile grew bigger. "I have faced danger before. I do not let such a minor thing as that keep from going where I wish."

"I can see that," he said as a half joke. He then just looked her over. It was not in a perverted or sexual way; but in the way one might look at an exquisite piece of art, with awe, wonder, and humility. "You killed a man yet show no remorse. Of course so I have but I am a soldier, born and raised. You, your manner, the way you walk, the way you carry yourself, if I were one to believe in the old, or any myths, I would say you were Athena made flesh."

Celestia gave a short laugh. She was now standing face to face with Justinius. "I am more than meets the eye, I assure, but I am not one of the gods of old. I am a traveler, a wonderer, a seeker of knowledge and experience. They more I travel, the more I see, the wiser I become.

"As for him," Celestia turned to look at the corpse of Tall, "I too have been in battle. I have seen the fallen before. In the taking of his life, how many other lives have been spared? I regret it had come to that but I can not and will not regret the deed." Her voice became soft, contemplative and just trailed off.

"You have. I see it. You have the mark of a leader, an empress. Nobility surrounds you like the very air." Justinius spoke with awe as gazed upon Celestia.

Celestia turned back to him. "I thank you. You are a good man. That I can see as well."

Justinus shook his head. "I am not good. I have done far too much to ever be called good. It is merely out of hope that deeds such as this might mitigate some of my many sins just in case there is a god to answer to."

It was now Celestia who looked over Justinius. She was intrigued by this man, this human. "General, I know I am going the opposite way as you; but wouldst thou mind accompanying me for a bit? At least until we reach the first town. I have to notify the authorities about the corpses in the road plus I must look most frightening in my current state; and I must admit that as the passion of the moment has subsided, I have become well aware of the pain inflicted by these dogs. A distinguished companion such as yourself would be of great use and comfort."

"You are in luck then. I am on leave from my unit for a while so I have the time. Also I try to make it a practice to never turn down an invitation from a beautiful woman."

***********************************************************

"Oh wow!" Sunset said in amazement. "I can't believe it. It must have been so scary when those men came at you and I, I, can't believe you, I mean YOU, did, that!" The idea of Celestia hurting anyone, let alone killing and not feeling guilty about it; it just didn't seem to fit. It felt off, not right; like someone else.

Celestia smiled a small, slight, smile. "I have lived for a long time Sunset Shimmer, ruled for a long time. Equestria is peaceful today; but only because I helped make it so. I get to be the Princess Mother today only because I was the Warrior Princess back then.

"So what happened? After that." Sunset was eager to hear the rest. This was a whole new side to Celestia she had never heard of, never dreamt of before. She wanted to know all about it.

Celestia could see Sunset's eagerness. She so loved the little pony. No, not a little pony anymore. She was so proud of how far Sunset had come; how she had battled back her demons to ascend to the rank of princess. Celestia was filled with a mother's love.

"Well the trip into town ended up being a three month stay. I found not just Earth, but him, to be so fascinating. We talked and talked for hours on end about life and philosophy and politics. He told me everything about his life. He had been born the son of a solider; not an officer but still respected within his ranks. He said that when he joined, it was clear the best days of the empire were behind it. Most of the army was made up of mercenaries that couldn't be trusted. He worked his way up through the ranks until he became a general.

"I told him as much as could about who I was. Somethings I had to change a bit, sometimes I just had flat out lie; I think he knew," Celestia said that last bit more to herself than Sunset, "but he never called me on it. We eventually fell in love. When he was called back to his unit in Gaul, I went with him. He even asked me to marry him."

"What? Well what did he say when you said no?" Sunset asked excitedly.

"I didn't," Celestia said with a wry, sad smile.

"Wait, what? You actually married him?"

Celestia shook her head. "No. He was going to do one more tour then retire. It was then we were to be wed."

Sunset was shocked. This really was a completely different Celestia than she had known. "So what happened? Did you get married?"

Celestia looked down and sighed. "As I said, I had stayed on Earth for three months. Three months without going back to Equestria and no plans to go back. I was happy there. I had decided my sister could rule over Equestria just fine. I was tired of being a princess and just wanted to be a wife and a mother. Star Swirl, however, had a different idea. He had been looking for me to bring me back; whether I wanted to or not."