Events Unfolding

The conversation between Twilight and the six humans was, for lack of a batter word, rather eventful as the princesses could describe it. To both Celestia and Luna’s surprise, they had arrived at the hospital to speak with them personally only to see Twilight chatting with them. They simply watched and heard the conversation between them from outside the door as they did not wish to disturb them yet. There were a few tense moments where Celestia almost jumped to Twilight’s side in defense only for the six humans to yet again show a level of compassion that would rival the Sun Princess’s own. Just seeing what can only be described by both princesses as a love for family, it made her smile brightly. Yet despite the positives, there was their conversation in mind.

The words they spoke echoed in both princesses as they fell silent. However, it was most reflected in Celestia’s mind as she looked back into her thousand year ruling. It was true that peace was something everyone would fight for, that much she can agree with. But Equestria, her own home, falling due to no conflicts arising? She found that hard to believe. She looked towards her sister and despite her looking confused, she knew that she had a better understanding of their conversation.

Both looked back to see the seven of them laughing together. A smile formed on the both of them, “Tis a sight to behold, is it not Celestia?” The Sun Princess could only nod seeing the scene unfold in front of her. Before long though, her mind lingered back to the conversation. Luna noticed the slow change in emotion, “Sister, if you are worried about their conversation in question, perhaps we should talk about it in private.”

Celestia looked back towards her sister before sighing and accepting the idea, “Very well, perhaps we can make our conversation with those six at a later time.” Their horns glowed as a magic veil surrounded them. They immediately thought of their castle and before long, the veil closed itself and a pop sound was made.

Within a moment’s notice, they arrived in the throne room. The guards noticed the two princesses inside the room and were prompted to close the doors. The princesses nodded and they saluted to return the gesture as the door was closed behind them. With any distraction out of the way between the two sisters, Celestia decided first to start the conversation, “Luna… those six, are they correct?”

The Night Princess looked towards her sister and met her gaze. She was questioning herself clearly about what the six beings said. She had to tread carefully with her words for this was a sensitive topic for the both of them, “Celestia, do not let their words make you question your rule. You managed to keep Equestria alive and prosperous for a thousand years. That you cannot deny…”

Celestia fell silent as she looked out the window. She was thankful for her sister’s words but even if she were to not question her rule, there’s still the idea of Equestria falling lingering in her head, “Luna, I want to ask you something and please be honest even if it is blunt…” She let the silence drag on for a few moments before asking, “Do you think what they said is true, that Equestria will fall someday?”

Luna looked at her, seeing if there was a single sign of her being hesitant. She wanted to be sure before she answered whether she was willing to accept the answer. Seeing no sign of hesitation, she went to ask the statement she used, “Are you sure you wish me to be blunt in my answer? I only ask for your concern sister.” She was not fazed and stood still looking out the window. Luna let out a sigh seeing no point in prolonging her answer, “Unfortunately, I am willing to agree with them Celestia…” She waited a bit, seeing if there were any noticeable changes in her body language. Seeing no sign of movement, she continued, “Equestria has been in peace for a thousand years without a single sign of conflict. If I knew anything from my battles, it is that evil will always be waiting to strike. We are just lucky that it hasn’t decided to go on the offensive during your thousand year ruling.”

Luna peeked at her sister wondering if there was any sign of movement at all. She noticed fairly quickly that her mouth curled into a smile. Celestia looked at her sister with that same knowingness Luna knew all too well, “Thank you Luna, I really needed an answer like that.”

The Night Princess raised an eyebrow at this prospect, “You welcome, but… why are you smiling? This is rather out of character of you to smile even with you saying to be blunt with my answer…” She was scanning her body to see anything else out of the ordinary. So far, the only thing that felt off about her was her smile yet it still shined like usual. It was baffling to Luna right now.

Celestia saw her sister’s expression and raised her hoof to her mouth trying to stifle her laughter. She met Luna’s gaze who was extremely perplexed as to what was going on. In the end, she couldn’t hold back her laughter as she fell backwards. Again, she raised an eyebrow trying to understand what was going on with Celestia, “Sister, what’s so funny about all of this? I thought you were trying to be serious here…”

Celestia snorted a bit as her laughter slowly faded away. Luna rolled her eyes seeing the silliness that is her sister. The Sun Princess regained her composure as she looked outside the window again seeing the citizens freely walking about, “You are correct Luna, I wish to take this topic seriously. As you noticed, I was hesitant on their words. I cannot deny that under my rule Equestria has managed to prosper and… knowing them just by their conversation with Twilight; they wouldn’t ignore that fact either.”

Luna was trying to connect the dots as to what Celestia said. Each piece in her head was beginning to mesh together as she connected them hoping to find her answer. It was quick but it took her awhile to get where her sister was saying, “But you’re worried about future conflicts that Equestria or something those six or even us can’t handle?”

Celestia nodded as she casted her magic. As the Sun was setting according to time, Luna’s magic glowed in accordance as the moon rose up and the blue clear sky soon embraced the starry night sky. During all of this, Celestia continued her conversation, “Yes, what if somehow today or perhaps two hundred years later, we will not be here to watch over those six as well as others. They are right in that we cannot watch them forever.”

“Indeed, even I cannot enter everyone’s dream as I am limited in how far I can reach.” The moon shone brightly with the sky as Luna finished. Something else bugged her though. She recalled what Celestia said and her mentioning two hundred years seemed suspiciously specific. Luna wished to ignore it but she couldn’t resist and ended up asking, “Sister, what thou mean when you said two hundred years from now? Did you say that as a coincidence or did you mean it?”

The Sun Princess let out a sigh as she met her sister’s gaze, “I meant it Luna, I… took one look into the Veil of Truth if you wished to know why.” Luna raised her hoof about to ask what she foresaw but was beaten as Celestia answered for her, “An explosion of sorts, a green mushroom cloud and there were multiple of them spread across Equestria. What resulted after that was nothing short of a wasteland.”

Luna lowered her hoof as she absorbed the revelation spoken. She shuddered from the thought as she looked with Celestia through the window, “Tis a terrible thought now that you spoken of it. Equestria, our own home, made as a wasteland caused by whatever those green explosions are. I dare hope that we do not let such an event happen.”

“Indeed and in case you are wondering, I looked into the Veil before we were about to meet those six. I have no idea why but I felt it was needed. Their conversation and what I saw cannot be a coincidence now that I think about it.” Celestia noted for the both of them.

“True, perhaps we should think about it for another time though.” Celestia looked towards her sister in confusion. Luna placed a hoof on her shoulder, “You and I are going to meet them anyway. We can talk it out with them Tia. Besides, aren’t you forgetting something else?”

It took some time but a smile begun to form on Celestia’s face as she remembered the date, “Oh! You’re referring to that event aren’t you? How could I forget that important day?” The Sun Princess couldn’t help but chuckle a bit from almost forgetting the special event.

Luna joined in her laughter, “Yes I am referring to that event…” She put a hoof on her chin wondering about the conversation before something clicked in her head, “Celestia, perhaps this would be the perfect time to set up a defense of sorts.”

Celestia smiled hearing her sister’s words, “Taking their conversation into account I see?” A simple nod from her confirmed it, “Very well, perhaps it might be best to try. We may not be able to extinguish evil as they say but we can prevent it to the best of our abilities.”

“Shall I make contact with him then to create his shield?” Celestia nodded and both were about to rest for tomorrow’s events until Luna felt like saying one more thing, “Good night Celestia, I hope thing don’t go downhill as the ponies of today would say.”

The Sun Princess chuckled hearing her sister’s remark, “With everything that’s been thrown at Equestria these past years, I believe it is better safe than sorry to be prepared.” Both shared each others thought and retreated to their bedrooms for a good night’s rest.

==========

In the Grand Gaia Crater

In the center of the crater, the disciple that slain the Six Heroes as he said to his master awaited him with a degree of nervousness. The disciple knew that he lied but was hoping that his master would not catch on to his deceit. With humanity beginning to thin down almost to the point of extinction, the weight of what he did weighed heavily on his shoulder. He had donned the mask and the black coat hoping to hide his shame towards his lover.

But even that did not hide his dwelling anger at his own lord. When knowledge of the Six Heroes supposed demise came into the ears of the Fallen Gods, they turned the odds into their favor and continued their war against humanity. Hearing such a thing made him realize that, even if his goal was good in heart, by doing so, in caused the fall of humanity for a second time. The thought of him causing the extinction of humanity made him feel extremely guilty. Not only that, he had also found out that his lover was used as a hostage to force him to kill the Six Heroes. These events made him seethe with anger towards his former master.

He only seemingly obey his master but in reality, he was readying himself to attack. He was gripping his twin swords tightly as he felt power surging in the crater. A bright light illuminated the crater prompting him to cover his eyes from it. When the light slowly faded away, he was now face to face with his master, “I see that you succeeded in almost putting humanity towards extinction.”

That sentence made the disciple cringe but it was well hidden with the black cloak, “Yes and I have vanquished the Six Heroes as you deemed it so… Lord Lucius.” The Sealed God, despite having no face, only a light that represented his face, looked towards the disciple. It unnerved him that he was being observed despite no eyes or mouth to tell him of what his lord was thinking. However, that did not get acknowledged by him as he stepped forward and sternly looked at him trying his best to keep his anger in check, "Now... Release Ilia! Free the Oracle Maiden from the gate now!"

Lucius slowly backed away from the cloaked knight. He was a bit caught off guard at the sudden command he was given from his own disciple no less. However, it did not bother him much as he presumed that he wished to see his lover now considering the years they have not seen each other. That however, was not the case clearly with the knight. Not wishing to prolong his patience, Lucius obliged his command for now, "Very well... I shall bring her forward for you my disciple..." One of his hands was open as a while light that moved like fire was in place. Slowly, a gate was beginning to form in front of him.

The knight's anger, while still there burning like an inferno, was less channeled as the gate soon materialized itself. As it opened, the sounds of footsteps reached his ears and soon revealed a being he recognized. The voice only cemented who the being was as it called out to his name, "Ark? Is that you...? Am I... back?" The Oracle Maiden stepped forward a few steps to notice that she was indeed back in Grand Gaia, "I... I really am back..." She looked back at the knight and took a few small, slow steps before turning into a run as she embraced her lost lover, "Ark... I missed you so much..."

For a brief moment, all the anger he felt at his master subsided as he returned the gesture, only feeling happy to see and feel his beloved once again, "Ilia... I'd never thought to see you again... I missed you too..." Their embrace felt like an eternity to them as they only wished to not forget this moment. However, as the both of them separate and Ark looked upon his master, his anger resurfaced once again remembering his fallen friends and his false efforts at killing the Six Heroes. Ark gently put the Oracle Maiden behind him as he reached for his hidden swords, "Ilia... stand back..."

"Ark... what are you...?" Before she could even finish her question, the knight immediately unsheathed his swords and charged at his master while screaming out his unbridled rage, "Ark!"

Lucius was shocked to see his disciple coming at him with the intent to kill. Reacting to the changing situation, he met the attack head on as he used his wings to block the incoming attack. As he opened his wings, Lucius had already gathered energy into his hands as he fires a ball of light at Ark. The knight dodged it however and charged at his master yet again with his swords cloaked in darkness as he raised one of them into the air, "Abyssal Reave!"

Lucius conjured a surrounding barrier allowing him to absorb some of the incoming damage before it broke apart. The Sealed God was hurt from the attack but was able to counter with his own as he crushed a ball of light in his hand, "Empty Fate..." Suddenly, Ark was caught in a spell and took the most damage out of as he was sent flying right next to Ilia's side, "You cannot hope to fight in such a condition disciple Ark... stand down..."

The Oracle Maiden ran up next to him and tried to assist him up but Ark managed to pick himself up through his force of will as he glared at the god that instigated the fall of humanity, "Never... I won't give in to the pain no matter how much you try to hurt me. I will continue to fight you for as long as I can! I may have caused humanity's downfall but after seeing what has happened, I have seen the truth! I will fight so that humanity can prosper once more!" He charged once more at his master not once slowing down from the pain he was under.

Ilia could only watch him continue the fight as she was left saddened upon hearing what she just heard, "Ark... You caused all that... just to see me once more?" Despite feeling down from hearing what she heard, she couldn't help but smile seeing him acknowledge the error of his ways and try to rectify them, "I might have a hard time forgiving the actions done, but I'll still love you all the same because you try to rectify the sins you caused..." A stern expression formed as she conjured her staff and joined in assisting her lover, "Ark... let me help you in this fight!"

Lucius, though calm, was beginning to get concerned with the idea of the both of them working together. They both could defeat him and he knows how far they would both go to do so. Upon looking at Ilia, an idea formed and he decided to act quickly upon it. He casted a stronger spell on Ark as a way to distract him from what he was thinking of, "Metanoia..." Just as the spell was casted, he focused his attention on the Oracle Maiden as he opened the gate that still lingered, "Ilia the Oracle Maiden, you are to be banished back into the other world once again as atonement for joining Ark's side."

Just as the both of them heard that, Ark's eyes widened and suddenly, he was growing panicked, "No! Ilia!" As he managed to break out of the spell, he saw his master sending his lover back into the gate. Ilia could only return a sorrowful smile as she was banished back into the world she was just released from. Ark dropped his swords as they clattered on the ground and felt his despair returning. He collapsed on the ground as he was trapped in the same situation once again, "Ilia..."

Lucius banished the gate away as he was healing himself, "Now you both have been separated once again... What will you do disciple Ark now that the one person you wished to sought has slipped you once again?"

Ark could only look at his master in seething rage at being asked such a question. However, he despair overcame his anger as he stood up and sheathed his swords back into place, "I... I'll pledge my life of service to yours... just... please let Ilia stay alive, it's that I ask..."

The disciple looked up to see him tapping his chin. He clearly knew that he was pondering about the answer and every second waiting for his answer felt like a sword cutting at him. The Sealed God stopped and looked towards the knight who was tightly gripping his swords truly just wanting to fight and end this all despite his despair. One of his hands was open as a white light that moved like a burning fire was in place, “Very well, I shall do so under one condition...” Ark looked upon his master, his fear slowly forming as his condition was announced, "Kill the Six Heroes you banished... that is my condition..."

The sentence made Ark's blood run cold. Despite what he just heard, he tried to deny what was spoken, “What do you mean? I have obeyed and killed the six and as it shows, humanity is crumbling from the pressure.” The words did not bode well with the knight as he gripped the swords tightly again. He had hoped that the war would end quickly but he ended up discovering that it was all pointless in the end end it pained him to know it.

Apparently, his words were exactly what Lucius was looking for as he spoke, “Ah but you see, even though humanity is crumbling, I can sense that the six you supposedly vanquished are not gone from this world but to another.” He saw the knight was desperately trying to resist fighting his former master here and now to end all of this. It did not bother him much however. Ark's mind was distracted from it all as Lucius spoke, “While I am pleased with the results, perhaps I should send another to finish them off if you are not able to…”

The knight cut him off faster than he expected. Those six whose lives were cut short at least to their friends and family, despite them being instrumental to the war, deserved a better life after the war. He did not wish to kill them at all yet again. Instead, he had a plan in mind but that all depended them forgiving him and that chance was slim to none. Even then, it was all he could hoped to do after what happened now,  “No… I will carry out the deed; you made the promise to keep Ilia alive. The promise still stands.” Behind the mask, his expression was of anger and desperation.

Lucius observed the disciple, looking to see if there are any signs of betrayal. After a few minutes of observation, he deemed him truthful, “Very well…” The light held in his hand glowed brightly as he creates a gate to the world where they reside. The gate was of a rainbow variety signifying that beyond the world, peace seemed to be the dominating force. The Sealed God looked towards the cloaked knight as his body begins to disappear, “When you are ready to depart, take this gate and finish what you were set out to do.”

It was not long before his master disappeared and left him. With the disciple alone, he let out a skyward scream he held abated and collapsed to the floor. Looking at his hands and the swords that gripped them, his thoughts lingered to his allies that sided with him to defeat Lucius’s sworn enemy Karna Masta alongside his guardians. It was a decisive battle that ultimately leads to Karna Masta being sealed away and his allies alongside the guardians perishing. Only he and Ilia lived but his lover was trapped in Ishgria as a result of Lucius sealing her away.

This lead to the current situation where Ilia somehow lived and was now a hostage until the knight finished off the Six Heroes despite him not wanting to. All of this was too much for the lone knight. He looked towards the rainbow gate knowing that once he sheds the blood of them in that world, there was no turning back towards the peace that world tried so hard to protect, “Rinon, Dion, Yuura, Balgran, Ruby, and Medina… My friends… what do I do?”

He stood up with his blades in hand as he stepped forward slowly. Did he want to do it? Shed the blood of those six and let another world fall? The pain was too much yet the knight put it behind his thoughts as he focused on the task at hand. He put his hand o the rainbow gate and felt familiar warmth beyond the gate. It was something that only happened when everything was over and peace could truly settle for all who strived for it. The thought of killing them here made it worse now. If this world made peace after so much conflict… No, the knight decided to not dwell into it. He will regret it as his heart has always but in the end, he hoped it was worth it.

He pushed the gate open as a rainbow light enveloped him, “I hope this is all over soon… Ilia, wait for me. I promise we will reunite again someday...” The knight entered the gate and left the world of Grand Gaia as it closed behind him. Time will tell if what will happen as the events unfold in a new world.