Chapter six. Vigil's Desert.

The sun was just rising and my friends at the castle were just stirring from there slumber. They had just sat down in the dining room to breakfast. When suddenly Spike burst in. And as he scanned the room only confirming what he dreads. The look of sheer worry on his face. "Is Sunset. Is Sunset Shimmer here"? He asked. The other's look at him with some surprise. "Why Spike whatever as you troubled"? Asked Princess Celestia. Spike look at her and Luna then says. "It's true then they have both left". He then hands to Twilight the scroll who promptly reads it out loud.

"My Dear boy Spike. I know that you and my loved ones have been through a terrible ordeal. And it pains me now that I must leave you my son. Even though you have helped me in many of my adventures and even though I wish you were with me. But where I am heading you and my friends cannot follow, as I am travelling to the San Palmino desert, just like before. As it is too dangerous for them. And I could not live with myself if I put you or the others in any danger. Plus, you now have a family of your own. A J is the very best pony I would have chosen for you. She is the best daughter-in-law I could wish for. And three wonderful grand fillies. Tell Apple Mac for me that I can't wait to be his wife. And ask that you both keep my little secret a little longer. I love you all. Be well my son. Love your mom Princess Twilight Sparkle".

"Please do not worry Spike Celestia and I will go find her". Says Luna and Celestia nods before they leave. As the fly south towards the desert. Luna turns and finally asks. "Do you think she has gone to the ancient city, and the relic"? Celestia replies in a tone Luna as only heard once in the last thousand years. "I have no doubt that is where she is heading. But talking about not putting any other creature in danger and yet still dragging poor Sunset with her angers me more". Then flaps her wings harder.

Dawn was just breaking Sunset asked. "Why are we heading into this eternal storm"? Without turning I reply. "We are going to the ancient city of Pompony".

This surprises Sunset. She was about to ask but I continued. "It was an ancient city from a time before Equestria. And holds a very powerful magic relic and is guarded by a very powerful pony. A male pony as old as Princess Celestia and Luna". Sunset gasped. "That means he's. He's a. He's a". She starts to say. "An Alicorn yes he is". I say, and I press on into the swirling dust clouds. They seemed more powerful this time around. Or was another force behind them I couldn't be sure, but I was sure that Vigil knew I was coming. He could feel the approach of any creature. I could at least know that was the same. The winds started to slow as though they were allowing us through.

"What in the world"! Exclaimed Sunset as the silhouettes of the old statues slowly appear. "I've read every book in the Canter-Lot library. But nothing covered this. This city must have been something special in its heyday". She says. As the great temple. The pyramid appeared out of the sands. CRUNCH, SNAP, CRUNCH. Echoed throughout the ruins. Sunset had trodden on something. She looks down and sees the bleach white bones of a pony. Her eyes widen stops dead in her tracks. But it didn't matter. We had arrived. As I step onto the roadway a voice I recognised and was glad to hear at this time. "It is a surprise to see you elevated one. However, I don't recognise the other three with you".

Sunset turns and sees the male Alicorn standing on her right side. "What type of creature are you"? He asks. Sunset was so scared she didn't answer and moves over by me. "Vigil it is good to see you again". I look at Sunset and say. "Sunset I would like to introduce you to Prince Vigil. Cousin to their majesty's Princess Celestia and Princess Luna". Sheepishly Sunset says. "Hi". Vigil chuckles. "Do I scare you little one"? He asks. Sunset nods. "Good so it should be". He says. Raising his war hammer spreads his wings and rears up on his hind legs. And with a mighty thrust with his magic, ploughed his hammer into the ground. The storm stops abruptly. "And the other creature like her"? He asked. Both of us look behind him to see Pinkie.

"Vigil. Let me introduce Pinkie Pie a human and a former student of Celestia and my friend Sunset Shimmer. They are from a world called Earth". I say before waving my hoof at pinkie. Getting her to come closer. "Vigil I have a purpose for being here. It is very important I need to consult the relic again. About another relic called Libro Prophetiae ET Legatum". Vigil looked shocked at the sound of my last few words. "Did you just say Libro Prophetiae ET Legatum"? He asked. I nod. "Then it already knows why you are here. It has been calling out that and several other words. As well as asking me to destroy it. What is going on Elevated one"?

"I will show you". I say and wave at him with my hoof. So, he moves closer. "First Vigil to make sure you can't hurt Sunset or Pinkie". I say before using my magic and encased his hammer in a force field bubble. "Take off your helmet please Vigil". I say. Has he did it revealed his mane; Sunset was surprised by it. Its length wasn't like that of the Princess's. short but flowing as though it was alive. I nod in acknowledgement. "Thank you, Vigil, now come closer". I say, and he does. "Okay Sunset please stand here". I say then with my magic take her hands and raise them. She looked nervous. But with a reassuring smile I place my hoof on her heart. She smiles wearily back. And I place her one hand on my forehead by my horn, the other on Vigils. Her eyes glow. I then say. "Now Vigil, the reason I am here". And my horn and eyes glow. The glow spreads along Sunsets arm, encompassing her whole body and down the other. Lighting up Vigil's horn and eyes.

Sobbingly Spike says. "I know what everybody thinks she dreamt it. I don't know if she did. But I do know she died in my arms earlier. She was dead. No pulse, no heartbeat. Not breathing. D. E. A. D. DEAD". Kingdom of Friendship is at war. Not with the other kingdoms. It is with a being of immense power and savagery. Ponyville and my kingdom were the only kingdom left. This great evil started with the changelings. Both Queen Chrysalis and Thorax's people were wiped out. So too were the Sea ponies, Griffins, Yaks and the Hippogriffs. There weren't many dragons left. Those that were fought alongside me and what small army I could create. In the greater Equestria. The Kingdoms of the Sun, the Moon and the Crystal Empire were destroyed. We lost the Cities of Baltimare, Canter-Lot, Manehattan, Cloudsdale, Las Pegasus Apple Loosa, Filly Delphia and Vanhoover. But worst was. Was. We were losing. But what pains me more is that you Luna, it killed you. It broke Celestia's spirit and heart. But I felt the loss more when we lost Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Flurry Heart, Cadence, Skyla, Shining Armour and baby Sunbeam Twinkle.

But my pain increased tenfold when the evil creature killed my baby boy. "Hello, Twilight, it is good you chose to fight. Now is the time to prepare. Harbinger will come soon. And you will need to find the last of the elements. Find them. You must find them. It is your only chance. Remember Libro Prophetiae ET Legatum will hold the key. Find it and you'll find the elements". Says the spirit. These were the memories I allowed him to see. As the magic aura dissipates, I can see tears run down Vigils face. "That explains why it keeps calling me to destroy it". He says. And with his own magic opens the doors. "Pinkie, Sunset stay here with Vigil. And if any pony comes. In no circumstances allow them in. I mean do everything possible to stop them". I say then enter the pyramid.

Back at my castle. "Spike, what in Tartarus did you two talk about before falling asleep"? Asked Rainbow Dash. "That's what I like to know"? Asked the other Dash. "What I would like to know is where the other me is"? Asked Pinkie. "She's probably just being Pinkie". Says the other Rarity rolling her eyes as she says it. "I know we all know what that is like". Says our Rarity. "What I would like to know is, where is Sunset Shimmer, where is my Sunset, where is my girlfriend"? Asked Twilight, sounding angry. "Calm down sugar cube if we all give him chance to actually speak, we might find out". Says Applejack. Standing in front of Spike. He started to drool and get googly eyes. That was until he saw his wife's face. He shook his head. "All she asked was I fetch Sunset yesterday afternoon. Then asked me to fetch some tea. When I got back Sunset looked uncomfortable and tried to make small talk, but something was bothering her". He says.

Back at the ruins of Pompony. "So, Vigil, you must know what this city was like when it was alive"? Asked Sunset. Turning to her Vigil looks at the young girl before him. "I wasn't born then. This city is over three hundred thousand years old. And I am only aged 1334 years". He chuckles, though behind that chuckle was a sadness and sorrow. "Are you happy in that other world? Or do you miss Equestria"? He asked. Sunset gave him a weary smile before she looked down. A look of being ashamed. "When I left Equestria I was selfish and power hungry. I was a completely mean and arrogant creature. And I nearly destroyed myself. It was only Princess Twilight that saved me". "So, you are ashamed of your actions"? Asked Vigil. Sunset just nods.

Vigil stands opening his wings fully. And with a powerful flap of them, a gust of wind blows away the sand and dust. Revealing the thousands upon thousands of skeletal remains. The skeletons of all the creatures that made the journey but died here. And left to rot where they fell. Standing and looking a horrified Sunset scanned the remains. Many Earth ponies, unicorns and Pegasi. As well as griffins, dragons and Hippogriffs. The horrifying sight was too hard to look at. But then something caught a ray from the sun. Glinting like gold. Sunset approached the remains. Remnants of the garment the pony once wore remained. But it was the medallion. She recognised it.

"This medallion is. It belonged to my former mare-friend. She disappeared a year before I decided to leave Equestria. Maybe her loss is what sent me down the wrong path". She said before she dropped to her knees. "Vigil approached her and said. "She was a very powerful Unicorn. We battled for three days, longer than most. But even when I allowed her to choose. To go home and live or die. Still filled with desire hatred and anger she chose wrong". He says. Sunset turns and places her hand on his head. She sees his memory of her former mare-friend battling the stallion. "Don't do it little one you will never win. You are indeed a powerful unicorn. Equestria will do well to have you in it. So little pony I give you this choice. Go home and go now or die here". The unicorn mare stood her ground and growled. "You dare tell me to go home? Call me little pony? Me Juno Mareah. The most powerful unicorn in Equestria. I will beat you, and when I have that relic in my possession, I will rule not that pampered winged freak Celestia. So, get out of my way". She says. "So be it". Says Vigil.

And has his battle hammer goes to hit the pony, Sunset pulled her hand away not seeing the whole memory. "You killed her, you killed her. You killed Juno". She says in complete shock and backs away in shear fear. Thinking Vigil is a monster. Vigil looks down at the ground. "I am sorry I took some pony you cared about, but my purpose here is to protect that relic. But I take no pleasure in ending the lives of any creature". Sunset clenched her fists. "You killed them all"? She asked. Vigil stepped closer and says. "Just those with evil intentions". SMACK! Sunset slapped Vigils face. Before welling up with tears. "I will carry the shame of all the lives I have taken, and those I let destroy themselves. There has only been one who has faced whatever is in that place and stayed sane". He says.

"You mean Princess Twilight". Says Sunset still crying. Vigil just nods. "So, cousin it is true she is here". Says a voice. It was Princess Celestia and Luna. Whom had landed near by Sunset and Vigil? "Celestia and Luna it is good to see you. It has been a while Luna". Says Vigil. Luna looked at Sunset. "Sunset what has upset you so much"? She says caringly. Sunset looked up tears trickling down holds up the medallion. "Juno died here. My mare-friend died here. At his hooves". She says. "No, my former student, Vigil is not guilty of that. He may be responsible for many but not Juno's". Says Celestia as she starts to walk up the roadway. Turning to face Celestia Sunset says. "Let me guess it was Juno who did it". Celestia look down and puffed out her cheeks, then said. "No Sunset. It was me. I took Juno's life. She had knock down Vigil after his hammer had struck me by accident, as I tried to stop her and bring her back home. I use the sword that lies beside her and pierced her heart. I KILLED HER". Says Celestia. Sunset looked at Celestia with a look of shock and vile hatred. "But that means you knew she was dead. When. When I asked you to help me find her"? Sunset says.

"Yes. And you don't know how hard it was not to tell you she was dead". Replied Celestia. Luna moved over and rapped her leg around Sunset, who with sheer anger shouts. "HARD IT WAS, HARD IT WAS. BUT WHY? YOU COULD'VE LIED TO ME, TOLD ME SHE DIDN'T LOVE ME ANYMORE, OR SHE DIED IN AN ACCIDENT, BUT NO YOU KEPT IT FROM ME. YOU DIDN'T SAY A WORD ABOUT IT. YOU JUST SAID YOU COULDN'T HELP". Luna looked as shocked as Sunset. "Sister how could you. You have told me so many times that sometimes a lie can be better than the truth if it saves hurting some pony you care about". Says Luna.

But Celestia said nothing in response she just said. "I don't have time to talk about this now, I need to get Twilight back". And heads to go in. Sunset moved in front of Celestia. Sticking out her arms tears still falling. And with anger on her face says. "STOP. YOU AREN'T GOING IN". Celestia Levitates Sunset out of the way. She felt embolden by the fact I had interned Vigil's weapon in a magic bubble. Luna steps forward. "Sister please. Let's just calm down and think it through. Before we do or say anything we will regret". Luna says. Celestia uses her magic to gently push Luna aside. Vigil now closed the doors once more. "Cousin I will have to stop you if you continue. You are not the chosen one". He says. Celestia is now starting to get angry with those stopping her. Sunset stands before her once more. Picking up the sword she used once before she aims to pin Sunset to a pillar and releases it. When you see a glowing pink rock fly towards the sword. Exploding on impact, the sword was destroyed. It was Pinkie she used her magical ability. And so, the five continued to battle.

Inside the pyramid. "Well hello again Princess. Come to finish what you started. Or is there something else troubling you"? Says the relic. I sit feeling a little weak. There was a shooting pain on my left side. "I'm here because this world is facing a great threat. It will destroy all life. I need to locate several missing elements of harmony". The relic was quiet. Its aura shifted and contorted through different shapes and colours. I ask. "What can you tell me about some relic called Prophetiae ET Legatum"? The relic stops and turns a dark hue. The entire pyramid starts to shake violently. "WHY DO YOU SEEK A RELIC THAT POWERFUL"? Screeched the relic. I felt a second shooting pain. "I was told to find it by the Spirit of Harmony, to help stop some being called Harbinger". I replied.

"I see". It says. It pulsed and flashed. Moving over to a shelf, it finally says. "So, the last of the Elementals are at each other's throats once more". It pulled a scroll from the shelf. "This scroll will help". It starts to say but stops when I double over in extreme pain. A shooting pain across my stomach. The hue of the relic turned to a bright white. "So, you're with child, aren't you? I thought I could sense another's presence". It says before coming closer. A beam of energy hits me. It says. "You must leave now, go home rest or you will lose something more precious than gold". I feel no more pain. But I still feel weak. And I stagger towards the entrance. Outside the pyramid my friends continued to fight. I used my magic to open the doors. As I stagger out into the sun, I see the fighting unfolding. With all the magic I could muster. I freeze my friends and shout. "STOP. STOP IT. STOP IT NOW".

And they all look. To see me stagger towards them. I slip and the spell holding them releases. Within seconds Vigil is beside me holding me up. "Twilight". Says Sunset and pinkie concerned. Has they all approached I say with some urgency. "No, no, no, please don't let me lose her". But they didn't hear. I then scream. "NO, NO, NO NOT NOW PLEASE IT TOO SOON PLEASE". "She is in a bad way". Says Celestia. Vigil's horn lights up and rising out of the sand was a huge warlike airship. The boarding ramp drops. And as Pinkie and Sunset help me to get aboard I turn to Vigil. "If summoned if and when I need you will you come"? I ask. With a single nod.

"I will your majesty". He replies and smiles. And I return it and say. "Thank you, old friend". As the ramp slowly rises. The great jet engines of the ship start, and we lift off into the air and slowly move forward heading back to Ponyville. The airship started to gather speed. The pain I first felt was back. And it was because you were going to make your appearance my little one. But I thought the worst and I was going to lose you. I grabbed my stomach which by now had grown. "NO, NO, NO, PLEASE DON'T LET ME LOSE HER. NO, NO, NO NOT NOW PLEASE IT TOO SOON PLEASE". I cry. Luna, Celestia and Sunset are around me.

Has Sunset stroked my mane to comfort me, I could not help but think about when I told your father I was carrying you. And has Sunset continued to stroke my mane her ability showed her what I was thinking about. "Princess Twilight Sparkle will you do me the honour of becoming my wife"? I blush profusely before I answer. "Oh, Apple Mac. I would be honoured to, no that's not what I mean. I mean I would love to be your wife. So yes. Yes, I will marry you". And kiss him before saying. "There is one more thing. I need to tell you. I'm. Wow I'm nervous. Please when they come in don't tell them, I will do it. But I'm Pregnant". She sees.

"Oh, my Celestia. You're Pregnant, so that was what Vigil meant when he said the other three"! Exclaimed Sunset, gasps of shock come from Celestia and Luna. All I could do is nod. I scream out in intense pain. You weren't waiting until we got back. I was now in labour. "NO, NO, NO, PLEASE NO. NO NOT NOW PLEASE IT TOO SOON. NO NOT NOW PLEASE IT TOO SOON". I cry. I look up at Celestia tears in my eyes. "The baby is coming". I Exclaimed. "Pinkie get this thing moving faster". Screams Sunset. Second by second, I felt the pain and soon you were in the world. "Well done Twilight". Says Celestia. I was in a daydream world. Then I hear you cry, and I wake from my Stupor. Sunset had rapped you in her top before placing you on my chest. And as I hold you in my fore legs, I kiss you and say. "Hello, my precious little girl I am mommy. Welcome to the world my little Daydream. Princess Daydream".