Chapter twenty-one: Stygian's Sacrifice.

In the thousands of years before and during the time between the time I came through the time portal and our final battle. The pony that was in the shadows of the castle ruins, had been on a mission. Their mission to prepare for when Harbinger would return. For at least a thousand years from when the pillars disappeared. They had been there in the background helping with all that was needed. This pony was Stygian. He had arrived at the tree of harmony. "Great Spirit. I have returned". Stygian says. "My faithful Stygian. You have two more tasks before your final journey. Travel to all the lands, other kingdoms and every town and city. Plant these seeds. They will grow over the years. Ready for when Harbinger returns". The spirit says. Stygian replied. "Yes, great spirit. But will it be enough"? The spirit took the form of an alicorn. And moved down by Stygian. "My faithful Stygian. It will have to be". It replied and kisses his cheek before saying. "Go and return in a thousand years my little pony".

Stygian nods and before turning into a shadow and disappearing. Over the years between then and now, Stygian had done what was needed. But what we didn't know was Stygian had met a pony, fell in love. And eventually married her and raised seven foals. And to this day there are many of his descendants that serve Equestria. But he was immortal and so sadly had to watch his wife grow old and pass away. His children, grow up, fall in love, have their own family. Grow old and they too pass away. So, he could not face their deaths he pretended to pass away too. Changing his name every few decades. Until after I came to this timeline. "Oh, great spirit I have returned". Appearing out of the shadows. "My faithful Stygian it is good to see you once more. I am truly sorry about your family. I promise you will see them again once your journey comes to its end". Says the spirit.

"Thank you spirit. Is it time for me to fulfil my destiny"? Asked Stygian. The spirit moved over to Stygian and kisses his cheek once more. "You have one more task my little pony. Go find yourself and capture and take him to the ruins in the San Palmino desert then return". It says. "Yes, great spirit". And Stygian turns into a shadow and disappears once more. Only returning near the end. And was there when I spoke with the spirit before the final battle. "Then there is a chance we will win"? I ask. "Yes, Twilight you will begiven a chance, but to begiven one, one must give something up". The spirit says cryptically. "Now go and gather your allies and prepare for battle Princess". It adds. And I teleport back to my castle. After I disappear a pony moved f rom out the shadows. "Yes, Twilight you will win, but you will have to sacrifice something most precious to your family and friends when the time is right. Sacrifice yourself". Says the spirit. Stygian steps out of the shadows. "And speaking of time. It is nearly time for you to fulfil your destiny. But before you go, are you sure that you want this my little pony"?

"Yes, oh great spirit I am. I have had a good and fulfilling life and you promised that I would see my Millie and Foals once more. And I remain loyal to her Majesty. Just would you please will you make me one more promise. Promise me that you will give her time with her daughters before the end". Says Stygian. The spirit smiles and says. "It will happen as before my dear little pony. Now go". And with that Stygian turns into a shadow and zooms off. The spirit disappears. Back at the battle Stygian was waiting on a mountain side. "Stygian it is almost time. Use the blow dart". Says the spirit as they watch the event. "Antumbra Crystal but how, you went missing when you were but a foal". Says Luna. "ASK AUNTIE CELESTIA". Replied Chrysalis. Luna looked and we all look at Celestia for an answer. Celestia started to sob with a sad expression of remorse on her face before she said. "I…I…so…so sor…sor…sorry…sorry…Luna…Luna but…but you…were…were getting angry…And distant…And…and…and". Luna stared at her sister and asks. "What did you do sister". Celestia stuttered. "You…you…were…were growing co…cold and were fading…and…and getting weak…and". Luna started to look angry. "CELESTIA. WHAT DID YOU DO". Shouts Luna. "I Banished her from the Kingdom. Just before you became Nightmare Moon". Cries Celestia. "WHY CELESTIA? WHY? YOU KNEW HOW MUCH ANTUMBRA MEANT TO ME". Luna cries angerly. "I was afraid I was losing you". Celestia says then turns to Chrysalis and bellows. "SHE WAS DRAINING YOUR LIFE. SHE WAS KILLING YOU. SHE WAS CHANGING YOU BUT IT WAS TOO LATE TO STOP YOU BECOMING NIGHTMARE MOON". Tyrannirum began to laugh.

"So, you're that little speck that slowed me down". He cackles and zaps Chrysalis with a beam of Magic. Chrysalis screams in pain. "Antumbra no". Cried Luna. Tyrannirum laughed. "You think that little bug was changing your sister. No, I whispered in her ear. For years, after you two put me back in, she was young and jealous of you and so was easier to manipulate". With all her strength Celestia managed to move closer to Luna and Antumbra. "I am sorry I didn't know. I hope in time you can try to forgive me". She says. Tyrannirum laughed and so did Harbinger. He then shot a beam out. Aimed at Chrysalis. Celestia managed to jump in front of the beam. Shielding Chrysalis. And Stygian blew. The tiny dart was a magic dart. Designed to awaken the special talent in ponies. But in me it was to help awaken the missing element. I felt a small spark of magic and I cast a shielding spell. This angered Harbinger. And he sends a beam at me. And as the beam was close the elements appeared.

Blocking the beam. I am energised. And I place you down. And I send a beam back at harbinger. He roars with anger, my beam hurt him. Tyrannirum and the others go to join in. "STOP. SHE IS MINE". And we battle for at least ten minutes and Stygian was getting anxious. "Now"? He asked. But the spirit shook its head. "Patients". Is all it says. I continue to battle with Harbinger. You cry out and I take my eye of him I am hit. My left wing is hurt, and I am unable to fly. Harbinger lands in front of me. You in the middle still crying. He walks towards you. Lighting his horn with every step. "This little speck is your daughter. So, you are the chosen one. The one who will save them. But how can you if you can't even save your daughter". He says. Now standing over you. I teleport myself and try to cover you. "Stygian its time". Says the spirit. And stygian transforms. Standing over me and you Harbinger smiles sadistically has he strikes. When the beam hits it is only a glancing blow shattering my crown and the element held within. You are also hit. But the one whom takes the majority of the attack was a surprise. Your aunties scream. "Oh, Celestia it's the Pony of Shadows". And as I look Stygian's shadow form dissipates. And he drops. He was dying. "Your majesty I am grateful that I was able to save you". He says.

He coughs. "Your majesty. I am glad. This was my destiny. I have done my duty. I will always serve you my quee…". And with that Stygian dies. I am heartbroken. Harbinger chuckles. "Looks like I may have won". And I look and my heart breaks even more because you are covered in blood and aren't moving. Tears in the eyes of everybody there. All fearing that Harbinger had killed you. "Oh, Daydream my little Daydream not please no". I cried as I go to hold you. The painful ache in my heart is replaced with the kindness of relief when you cough and start to cry. The spark Stygian started, now started to grow. "Let's try that again". Says Harbinger. And goes to strike you. Then in a split second I see memories of all the days where we had spent playing, holding you and watching you sleep I feel what Cadence and your Uncles and Aunties feel. Love. "Awaken Element of Love". I hear it was the spirit. And I realise my love for you, your brother and father were stronger than any magic I had.

Harbingers strike is stopped by a powerful forcefield. Created by me. A bright flash had come from me. My mane my tail where fire. My coat was coloured white. And I step forward. "YOU ARE NOT THE STRONGEST HERE". I boom. Harbinger shoots a beam at me. And I deflect it. "HARBINGER YOU WON'T WIN. BUT I RESPECT ALL LIFE. SO, I WILL LET YOU LEAVE AND NEVER RETURN TO EQUESTRIA OR EARTH. AND BE AT PEACE". I say. "NEVER". Replied Harbinger. And shoots another beam, I simply deflect it. My power grows and I say. "So be it. Harbinger if you don't stop I and the Elements of Harmony will stop you". And again, he tries to blast me, but I don't need to put a forcefield up. The beam is split and reflected around me. "You see Harbinger I don't need to be the most powerful ever. And yes, I have failings". I say before more blasts and he was joined by the other Elements of Disharmony. More beams but I continue.

"And my flaws but, it doesn't matter. Because I am lucky. I am lucky to have the magic of friendship and family. Because if I fail or something is wrong my friends and family will show me that, their Honesty". And as I speak the Elements appear. And are worn by the respective bearer. Who was now able to move and rainbowfied. And as I continued to speak a beam shot out from the elements and hit me. But they don't hurt no the make me more powerful. And this included their human counterpart. I shoot a beam at Harbinger. "Their honesty will always stop the untruths from hurting me. Their kindness will protect me from the cruelty of those who darken the world. Their generosity will save me from those whose spite would break my spirit. Whose laughter, power my fun and never allow fear into my heart. Whose loyalty who will be by my side through the powerfullest storm. Whose magic empowers me to give my magic freely. Whose forgiveness will not take my biggest mistakes to heart. Whose sense of justice will protect me from falsehoods. Whose humility will humble my anger and quell my rage. And whose faith in me gives me the strength to try and try again". I am now in front of Harbinger. And the flow of the beam moves back and forth. But the Element of love that I now embody give me the strength needed.

Digging in I start to push back. Crack like energy spikes started to form over Harbinger and up my legs. But I wasn't stopping. My shattered crown starts to levitate of the ground. And as the two pieces near my head they fuse together, and the crown becomes larger. There at the crest is a large gold heart and containing the element crystal shaped like my cutie mark. I step closer my beam pushing Harbinger's back. The cracks in him growing. "Because you see there is one element in friendship and family that empowers all others". I say. And the power of my beam increases. "AND THAT ELEMENT IS LOVE. AND IT IS LOVE I WILL ALWAYS FIGHT WITH. THE LOVE OF MY FRIENDS, MY PARENTS AND SIBLINGS, MY NEICES AND NEPHEWS. AND MY CHILDREN. I WILL ALWAYS PUT MY LIFE ON THE LINE FOR THEM. SO, HEAR ME HARBINGER HEAR ME. YOU WILL NEVER HURT MY SON OR DAUGHTER EVER OR ANY OTHER PONY OR CREATURE NEVER AGAIN. SO WHY DON'T YOU JUST FUCKING DIE YOU BASTARD". I scream and the power of my beam pushes Harbingers right back and mine also hits him. And as he shatters your aunties hear. "How can a pathetic little welp like you beat me…me…me…meee". Suddenly there was a blinding flash. And after it dissipates Harbinger shatters into pieces. Defeated and would never return. But. My crown dropped to the ground scorched. Just like the ground where I stood.

But I was gone. "Mom no". Cried Spike. And all there had tears in their eyes. "My master may have been destroyed but we are still here. Surrender or die". Tyrannirum said. "Never". All there said. "SO BE IT. OBSIDIANS ATTACK. WIPE THEM OUT AND BRING ME THAT CROWN AND THE BABY. YOU WILL NEVER STOP I WIL RULE FOREVER. BECAUSE YOU STAND ALONE". Shouts Tyrannirum. And a group of Obsidians begin to attack. As they get close in an object falls from the sky and the obsidians are destroyed. "No, they don't". Says a voice.