Chapter 24

“The map to destiny.”

One year later….

North Star came through the desert and came upon the holy empire with its large stonewalls and the grand golden spires could be seen from afar.

North Star gazed in awe at the magnificence  and then the large stone gates open and then a swarm of pegasi came forth with their spears raised the commander came forth she had a golden coat with dull brown eyes wearing steel plated armor.

She held her spear forth and said “Unicorn state your business here.”

North Star looked up then said, “I came to see Prince Luminous to discuss about the pool of light.”  

The pegasus then said, “Where do you come from?”

North Star then said “Equestria.”

She lowers her spear then said, “It’s been almost 2 years since the last Equestrian came through it was a white earth pony.”

North Star smirked then said “Sugar cube.”

She then said, “I believe he went by Shade.”

North Star then said, “He changed it and he’s a close friend of mine. But right now can I please come in and have time to rest I traveled far and I would like to wash up before I preset myself to Prince Luminous.”

She nods then said, “Fine, follow me then.”

As he followed her surrounded by the pegasi he then said “Could I have your name?”

She then said “Valkyrie.”

North Star nods then he walks through the large streets ponies of all types were in the markets buying and selling goods. It was a bit crowded. Here they enter into the town square here a giant statue of an Alicorn with giant gilded wings spread forth he was bowing down. As they trotted around the statue, they soon came upon an inn here the two enter a room it was small but cozy. With a small hearth a single chair a washroom and some clothes folded on the bed.

She then said, “You can wash yourself here when you’re ready come to the palace. I’ll escort you to prince Luminous.”

North Star then said “Thank you.”

He then trots to the washroom and then after a bath and a change of robes he wore a white robe that fella round him with golden stitches. He looks at himself and then he combed out his black mane then he left the inn and trotted to the palace here the place stood with three towers rising upward with a large square structure with large thick columns forming the entrance.

North Star stood before two large golden doors and Valkyrie came forth then said, “Prince Luminous is ready for you and I see you’re ready?”

North Star nods then she nods her head to the guards and they open the two golden doors she then said “word of advice don’t forget your manners.”

North Star then said “ok.”

He then went through the two doors and enters a large throne room the floor was white tiles the high ceiling a single golden chandelier in the back of the room was Prince Luminous. He had a golden coat and piercing silver eyes with a long silver mane that flowed around him, he had a single wing on his right side with battle scars all over his body and one giant scar over his right eye. On his left side was his mark a golden spear surrounded by the sun North Star then saw the tapestry behind him it was huge and it covered the entire back wall. It depicted two sides one full of Alicorns on the right with white coats, lead by a golden Alicorn with a fiery mane of gold. The left side an Alicorn surrounded by shadow and was leading an army of Alicorns in black coats with the moon on the left and the sun on the right flying and fighting over a ruined city with the flames and smoke North Star kneels.

Then Prince Luminous shouts “Rise.”

North Star rises then he said “North Star from Equestria why do you come to the holy empire?”

North Star then said “Your grace I came to find the pool of light.”

The Alicorn nods his head then said, “Why do you seek it?”

North Star then said, “Because I was given the responsibility of defeating him and Omega.”

Prince Luminous then said, “So you’re the one my niece decided to endow with her power?”

North Star then said, “Your niece?”

He then said “Harmony she is my sister’s daughter.”

North Star then said, “She told you of me?”

He then said “No but after the kingdom of harmony fell she gave me her final letter that she that a unicorn will be given the responsibility of protecting her daughters and if the elements of harmony fail and all hope seems to be lost I was to help you. Those were her exact words.”

North Star then said “so this is after Abyss I mean Nova betrayed her.”

He nods then said, “Exactly She was going to give one the power to defeat evil if her elements of harmony cannot. But you have to prove that you are the one she told spoke of.”

North Star then said, “Of course.”

Prince Luminous then said  “Good now if I assume you have the amulet of harmony and the orb that Alpha gave to grey beard correct?”

North Star nods then he takes out both orbs. Then he said, “Break them in half.”

North Star took them apart then Prince Luminous said, “Put the left half of alpha’s orb to Harmony’s right.”

North Star does this then as they fused, they glowed then it showed him a map. Here it showed the land east of Equestria and above the Holy Empire was a mountain, and in this mountain was a cave.

Then North Star takes the two halves apart then he said, “Harmony and Alpha knew that I would come?” The prince shakes his head and said, “Yes they did but actually they never wanted you to never find the pool of light these orbs were supposed to show you the way only as a last resort.”

North Star then takes the amulets apart and fuses the two back together and places them back in his saddle bag then he said “I read the stories of brave knights looking for this pool of light but only ending up dead why?”

The prince then said “The pool of light itself will judge the one who enters it it will give you a vision a test if you would call it. This test is pass or fail; if you pass it will grant you the power to create what we call an element. It will take your will and forge it into the pool and you will be able to use this power. But fail and the pool will consume you and from there I actually don’t know if you die No pony knows what happens if you fail you just disappear.”

North Star then said, “This is why they didn’t want me coming they fear I’ll fail.”

Then prince Luminous said, “Not just that even if you pass you will have to pay a price for for an element of your will.”

North Star then said, “How could Harmony forge 6 of them then?”

The prince replied, “Because she was an Alicorn born from Alpha her raw ability alone could forge three and when she was older and far more powerful she was able to forge 6 along with Alpha’s power sustaining her. But she paid a price she never told me what it was.”

North Star then said “so why can’t the elements of harmony be enough against Omega?”

The prince then said, “they did at one point almost 1,000 years ago they could of but now it’s too late he has been hoarding his power in Tartarus gaining stronger from the darkness of the pool of shadow, I feel it closed now it seems one was able to resist the darkness and reseal it. Omega can no longer gain its power but at this point, his power is beyond even Alpha’s ability at her prime. The only reason he can’t use his power because he’s using an inferior vessel the one he uses now Abyss is weakened to the point of breaking he will need a new vessel soon.”

North Star then said, “That’s why he wants Luna.”

Prince Luminous shakes his head then said “He wants to possess her not go into her he will use another, the first wielder of the element of magic the Alicorn known as Hera. She was the second most powerful Alicorn under Harmony’s command and she was good but after Omega’s defeat they decided to give the elements of harmony to Harmony herself and they decided to protect where they forged the elements of harmony in the cave in which is on your map. But Abyss found it. Omega told him where it was and he killed five of them and took Hera away I fear she is being used as the vessel for Omega as we speak. Worst of all she has completely agreed with Omega’s ideals after Abyss coerced her I tried to fight them but I was mortally wounded.”

He then revealed his missing left wing and said, “I barely escaped with my life.”

North Star then said, “Abyss is that strong.”

The Prince Luminous then said, “Abyss is a puppet north star he can easily be defeated he is not the true enemy.”

He points to the tapestry at Omega and said, “He’s the enemy he’s the one you have to face and defeat. “

North Star then said “So what do I do now is there a chance for me not to use the pool any other options?”

The prince sighed and said, “I wish there was. The pool of shadow the one now sealed could help but your soul will be damned to Tartarus forever if you use that power.”

North Star then said, “So if this is my destiny I’ll go. However I need to know what must I do next after I achieve this power I should head out to destroy Omega correct?”

Prince Luminous then said, “You may I should advice you to train with your new power get use them grow with them. You should also talk and spend time with your friends and family even if you defeat Omega you could die and you will never get a second chance.”

North Star then said “Thank you for your council.” Prince Luminous bows then said, “I failed twice from saving the Alicorn race even if my race dies I see hope in you North Star a hope I thought long gone.”

North Star then said, “I will go then is there anything else you wish to speak of?”

Prince Luminous then said, “Take Valkyrie with you she is my captain of the guard she is strong and will advise and help your climb gather supplies I’ll give you a seal of mine you can show it to any merchant and I will pay in full what you owe them for any supplies you need. Pack lightly though.”

North Star bows then said “I can’t thank you enough.”

Prince Luminous then said “I can’t thank you enough, and I wish you all the luck in the world and I hope you can defeat Omega and seal him away and this time make sure he never returns.“

North Star then said, “I will. “He then leaves the throne room and closes the doors behind him.

He spends the next few days traveling around and gathered supplies he went the royal library where he found book on ancient Alicorn runes. While he was packing, he placed it in his saddlebag. He then strapped it on and then he took out his blue cloak and pulled it around him. He then left the inn and found Valkyrie standing outside.

She then said, “So you’re finally ready to go?”

North Star then said “Yeah I guess I am.”

They go back through the streets the ponies laughing and talking fillies’ chasing each other in the streets he looks at them.

Then Valkyrie said, “You want a normal life?”

North Star then said, “I do, I envy them I wish I could live a life like they do. But I know that’s not my destiny.”

He turns his head and he and Valkyrie watch as the gates open and then as they did North Star and Valkyrie walked through the desert.

North Star and Valkyrie flew to the top of the Great Mountain and here they climbed the pass to the entrance of the cave. Valkyrie looked in then she gasped and stepped back.

Then North Star said “What’s wrong.”

She then said “Nothing’s wrong I just had a flashback to my filllyhood something I thought I forgot.”

North Star starred inside and then said, “I feel something to.”

She then said, “I know I cannot enter this cave.”

North Star turns then said, “You don’t mind staying out here?”

She nods then said, “I don’t mind you go ahead.”

He looks on and trots inside then he finds to sealed doors they were cast in gold and he slowly pushes them open inside he finds the pool it was clear and made of gold. He then looks across and he sees a mare Alicorn with her mane was the power of the sun and stars as one, her tail was the same as were her wings. She had dark purple eyes and her coat was pure white and she had a cutie mark of the sun and starts swirling in a vortex.  

She then said “north star it’s nice to finally see you face to face.”

North Star then said “Your harmony?”

She then said, “I was before I died.”

North Star then said, “How is this possible?”

She then said, “This place is a place where life and beauty grows I’m bound here to this world it’s my sacrifice to never rest in peace to make sure Equestria’s freedom and safety are secure.”

North Star then said “so that will be my sacrifice?”

Harmony then said “No I never wanted this for you I never  wanted you to come here”

North Star then said “Why what will happen when I forge my element.”

She looked up and said “You will forfeit your life. After the element is created you will slowly die your life force will ebb away until there is nothing left. The process will go faster the more times you use but eventually you will die.”

North Star swallowed then said “I will die for sure if  I enter this  pool."

Harmony then said “I was hoping the pony race would of find itself earlier but because of the strife and conflict the lack of unity Omega has the upper hoof the world id bending to his way of thinking. Hera the first to use my element of magic abandoned me as well she only see’s the end the darkness.”

North star then said “what does that mean exactly?”

Harmony then said, “His way is harmony. It is corrupted but his way will secure peace I never could. He would dominate every mind and they will no longer have the freedom to choose their destinies forced to work and live as he sees fit. His way is vile but  it is a perfect system he would create a perfect world one without suffering and death. It is why my power is failing more and more gave up and have accepted his harmony the true battle will be not over harmony but over dominance over freewill. I always strived for freewill twice I failed in picking the unicorn for protecting Equestria now I fear that my mistakes are catching up. Every pony that has died every pony that has suffered is because of me.”

She bows her head then she said, “I was a horrible mother I left Celestia and Luna with the greatest of my responsibilities without any guidance and Sol my love his death is also my fault.”

North Star then said “No it’s not how can you blame yourself for every pony’s mistake? All you ever done was try to protect the pony race and the Alicorns . I don’t know if letting Abyss was a good decision or not but without you I wouldn’t even have been born Celestia and Luna wouldn’t exist our world will be a cold and terrible place but everything happened for a reason we all learned to work together through the fires of war and the cold of the wendigoes. There will always be those who can find hope find harmony within themselves through every trial and every age and it started with you forging the elements of harmony your gift your love gave my kind hope.”

Harmony then said “this is why I don’t want you to die. You always strived to see the good in others and give hope even to old dead fools like me. I thought your brother would be the one to fight Omega then after he fell I did not know who to choose then you gave that speech to Commander hurricane and I knew you were the one you are the one to defeat Omega. But I also hate myself knowing what it’s going to take from you so you have to choose will you do this knowing you will die?”

North Star paused then said “If you’ve been watching me this whole time then you know I told your daughter that I love her.”

She nods then said, “it’s going to break her heart.”

North star sighs then said “I now wished I told her sooner.”

Harmony then said, “I wish there was another way.”

North Star shakes his head then said “There isn’t if I don’t do this I will just be giving this destiny to another and that pony will get through the same hell that I went through. I would never be able to live with myself if that happens.”

He then swallows then said, “what’s going to happen?”

Harmony then said, “You will be shown a vision this vision is not real nor is it a different reality the vision will take many forms but you have to find the exit. It will most likely be an object once you find this object you will leave but if you fail to find the object, you will be placed in this vision destined to live there forever. The worst part is that the vision is a world created by the pool it will try to suck you in and make you a part of it."

North Star nods then slowly trots into the pool of light and then the energy surrounded him then he felt the pool’s energy entered his mouth and then everything became dark.

He wakes and see’s that he was in a bed he slowly  rises then he sees his mother she was a light blue haired unicorn with grey curly mane she had a cutie mark of a silver shooting star.

She smiles as she came forth and said “Good morning sleepy head.”

He then said “Mom your alive?”

She stares at him awkwardly then said, “Of course I’m alive now get out of bed sugar Cube’s birthday party is today it’s all you’ve been talking about.”

She goes back downstairs then North star wakes and rushes over to a mirror and stares into it his he was younger with his shaggy black mane and his dark blue eyes and his mark was still the horn with a hit aurora surrounding it but he felt happy he felt full. He then goes downstairs then he sees his big brother Black star at the table with his dad a black haired unicorn with a dark blue mane and blue eyes with a mark of a silver star and his brother with his dark green eyes.

Black Star smiled and said “North star your finally awake!”

His father turns with a cup of coffee in his magic he then said “Good morning north star.”

North Star then said, “You’re all here? “

Blacks Star laughed and said, “Of course we are where else would we be?”

North Star went to the table and there was a plate of pancakes with syrup. He slowly ate some then he remembers that this is not real this is just a vision then everything began to blur then he got off the table and then he said, “This isn’t real.”

He gallops to the door and opens it outside then he looks into a dark road the shadows flowing forward then it all dissipated then he find himself in a nice black suit he was tin the throne room of Canterlot’s palace. Here he sees Celestia next to him she was wearing a bright white wedding dress smiling happily at him he then see’s he was taller and he and two giant blue wings.

Then he said “I’m an Alicorn?”

Princess Celestia laughed then said “Honey you’re supposed to say I do.”

He turns and sees every pony mares and colts with his friends siting in the front row all staring at him smiling. He then see’s Princess Luna standing by Princess Celestia and she was wearing her wedding ring a ring with a purple diamond a long dark purple dress he then takes out a small box then he placed the ring with a white diamond on Celestia’s horn then said “I do?”

Then she comes in and then they embrace as every pony clapped he felt his heart flutter and he thought if this moment thought of Defeating Omega there first dance then he realized in the back of his mind this isn’t real this is just another vision the pool is trying to trap me.

He breaks from the embrace.

Then Princess Celestia says, “What’s wrong?”

North Star looks back at her and in tears gallops down the hall and rips open the front doors. Then everything dissipates again and he was back in shadow the world turns and he sees the shadow consume everything then he looks upon a valley of snow.

He see’s King Sombra come forth he bows then said “You wanted peace correct?”

North star then said, “what?”

King Sombra looked up then said “I will no longer fight I’ll go south into  exile all you have to do is  say yes. There will be no war the crystal empire is untouched Abyss is gone Omega  will be gone Necro will be gone this I promise you a world with no evil no pain no suffering all you have to do is say yes.”

North Star stares at him then he knew it was a trick it was all a trap he wanted it though. However, he looked sideways then he saw the object it was a star amulet.

He picks it up then said, “There’s no such thing as a world without suffering. There will always be death but I  have to have to the strength to fight it and even if it kills me secure the peace and the love for others that I myself will never have.” Then the world dissipated and he woke….

North Star screamed as he felt the energy from his horn enter the pool then the energy exploded and an element was created it was dark blue with power radiating from it he climbs out of the pool but he was completely dry.

He then stares back at Harmony and he holds up the blue crystal and said, “So how long do I have?”

Harmony then said, “Like I said it depends how many times you use it and how much you pour into it. But I guess less than two years.”

North Star turns nods then said, “That gives me two years to do what I need to do.”

Harmony then said, “I want to thank you for everything you sacrificed. I know I cannot give it to you and I know I am responsible for all of this."

North star turns back then said “There is nothing your responsible I choose this path I could of gave this to another I could give in and just leave start a new life but I’m not. So don’t you dare blame yourself we were both just given tough destinies but if you know me I don’t give up I never will.”

She then said, “What will you call it?”

North Star turned and said “The element of free will.”

He then turns forward and leaves the cave and Harmony smiled then said “I never doubted you. I just wish you could have lived the life you wanted.”

Next Chapter: Chapter 25 the shattered promise Estimated time remaining: 1 Hour, 58 Minutes