For a Thousand Years... (CableZ) (Finished)

[Xelliea]

By the increased activity of almost every pony in the castle, excluding those sitting at or around the hall's table, it was clear that the coronation was very soon to begin. After a few minutes more, Caelum stood up, informing the group that he would need to leave to prepare for his grand entrance into the throne room. He asked Stygian to join him, but she, rather nervously, explained that she'd rather wait a tiny bit longer until Aero made it back to the group. From the increased sounds from the castle's entrance, it was clear that those ponies of enough stature that they were lucky enough to be present for the crowning were beginning to congregate in the throne room. Before leaving, Caelum informed the party present that they were welcome to enter the throne room for the event, and that he hoped he would see them all there. With that, he left for one of the many passage ways that honey combed the castle.

Noticing he was perhaps even more nervous than the princess, Hypie decided to approach Dread. While it was unusual that Hasta hadn't spoken to him first, she had decided that the closer to Dread she got, the more confused he got, and so the more nervous he got. As such, for the moment, she would let him collect his thoughts. But Hypie, whose inability to read and understand people rivalled Dread's, thought she'd see if he was all right. After all, they were friends... right? And friends made sure each other were ok. Hey Dread. You know you don't have to be so nervous. This is something nopony else from your, I mean our time can see. Have fun! She laughed with the imperative, trying to show just how silly Dread was being.

Utopia was the first to leave for the throne room, however Lux decided to briefly leave afterwards. He was intrigued to see the kind of ponies that would be present for the crowning, maybe he'd know some of them. While Dread and Hypie were still chatting away, Hasta chose to take the opportunity to speak with the to-be queen. She and Stygian had shared very little conversation over the last few days, and talking to her was something Hasta wanted to do before she returned to the present. You've come quite a way, princess. After taking on Vowz himself... I'm surprised a little coronation even phases you. I guess love brings out the best in ponies. Her gaze broke from the princess, briefly turning to Dread, who still seemed glued to the pillar. Yes, love was powerful all right.

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Caelum, walking yet rushing, was either too distracted by his thoughts or just not paying attention, as he felt a large thud as he walked right into what felt like another pony. Looking down slightly, he realised that it was Aero who he had stumbled into. The Pegasus seemed about to utter an apology, but Caelum raised his hoof. The fault is mine, I'm afraid I'm all too caught up in everything at the moment. He stopped for a moment, allowing both ponies to recollect themselves. I cannot thank you enough for the great courage you give my sister. Without you, I doubt she'd ever have agreed to rule along my side. I would hope that one day, you'd stand as her prince and husband... but as for now, right now, she needs your courage more than ever.

[CableZ]

Dread was hiding behind the pillar in peace, occasionally looking out. However on one occasion when he peaked around the pillar, he saw Hypie head toward him. He immediately recoiled behind the pillar, but his curiosity got the better of him, and he looked out again. Obviously seeing that she was close he hid once more. This happened a few more times, until Hypie was stood in front of Dread as he looked around the pillar, causing him to jump back in shock, as if he wasn't expecting it.

"GAH!" he jumped back slightly, causing all of his dread to go out of whack and over his face. With a sigh he began moving them back behind his ears. Listening to her talk while he moved his dreads back into their proper place, he was ready to respond just as he moved the last dread back into place. "I don't really care about the whole history thing..I just hate...crowds" he gulped slightly "I can't think of anything I wouldn't rather be doing than being here right now" he sighed, his cold tone ever made his words sound bitter. He peaked his head around the pillar once more and saw Hasta talking to the princess, and Lux leaving, before he moved back into the shadow of the large marble support

"I..um, Appreciate? the concern, but really..I'll, be happy?...once I get out of here" He sighed, the stress was getting to him.

---

Aero was checking his armour was safely attached to his wings when he bumped into the prince, he stepped back a few times, before looking up at the royal leader of this country. Aero was about to apologize when the prince raised his hoof, and Aero stood to attention. However his concentration on that was broken as Caelum began thanking his for...loving his sister. He surely wasn't expecting that. Aero gave a sheepish 'ah it was nothin' smile, however that was wiped away by the time that Caelum began walking away. The winged pony stood there, looking like he had see a ghost. The colour (or lack there of) was drained from him, and he went wide eyed. One thing that Caelum had said had stuck with Aero, and really knocked him for a loop.

"P-p-p-p-prince..." He hadn't considered it up to this point, but he was going to be known as a prince if he married Stygian..woah. He tried to shake the feeling from his head, but it was no good. His body sort of went into auto pilot, he stumbled down the hall, not being able to keep in a straight line. It was another 5 minutes before he stumbled into the room where the others were, his rattling armour announcing his arrival before he had even arrived.

[Xelliea]

Hypie tried to smile away Dread's worry. She too held a slight fear of the event, sharing, albeit to a lesser extent, Dread's worry. Being only a few days old, it seemed confusing why she'd be fearful in that manner. Perhaps it was the product of the events of the last few days. perhaps it was Hasta's secretive nature, but her love for Dread seemed to melt this in some ways. There was always Electrum, but Hypie didn't know enough about her to make a guess in that regard. She didn't seem that nice, but then again, she seemed nicer than Noctis had, or most of the Alicorns who were meant to be dead. She was confused as to why they could still talk to the living, let alone interact and even harm them. Was magic really that powerful? She was an Earth-Pony, and such things were beyond her, but the subject did intrigue her. But then again, she was holding the living remnant of a pseudo-god.

Her thoughts drifted to her dream. What did that thing mean? Were they going to have to fight another six Sentinels? She hoped not. The beast Vowz was perhaps more than any pony should have to meet in a life time. But still, they beat him. Thinking about the things she was told about time just made her head hurt. She physically shook her head having realised how far off topic her thoughts had gotten. Looking back to Hasta and the princess, she turned back to Dread. Pausing for a moment, she smiled. Dread really didn't seem like he wanted to be a part of the whole event at all. While one of the other ponies would have probably tried to persuade him further, she wasn't them. If you don't want to go, could you always, you know, not? I don't think Hastie would mind.

On the other side of the room, Aero had returned to the hall. Stygian's nerves were clearly reduced as she gave a long sigh. After exchanging a kiss with Aero, she looked toward the door that Caelum had left by. She knew Aero would be there, along with the other friends she'd made from this whole experience. Yeah... yeah, she could do it. If destiny did exist, it was pretty clear this was hers. Best, um, not keep the whole of Equestria waiting. With that, she went to meet with her brother.

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Caelum had finished his final preparations, and, while he waited for his sister to catch up with him, he spent the time to look around, and reflect on what had happened. How he'd changed from, in all honesty, a budding tyrant to a joint-ruler with the backing of the nation. Whether his attitude had always been his own, or rather part of the darker side that now no longer lived within him, he didn't know. It was all rather a blur, but he was happier with himself now he was what he was. The rise of the Black Sentinel had been a horrible experience, but maybe, just maybe, it'd been his country in danger that had finally changed him for a better pony. Maybe what was one of Equestria's darkest hours ended up leading to one of its brightest.

[CableZ]

Aero walked with his love, his armour clinking and clanking as he did so, which was slightly embarassing. Luckily he was with a pony who thought he was adorable, so it didn't make a difference to her.

"You look so smart and cute in your armour Aero" The future ruler giggled at her lover's blushing

"Oh don't start Stygie, I remember you saying that when I was your guard, I couldn't concentrate for the rest of the day" He laughed

The two shared a quick kiss before running ahead together to join up with Caelum and get the show started. They saw the would be prince and Stgian smiled, walking over to her brother, While Aero stayed a few steps back.

"You know brother..I hadn't thought about this yet..but..what do we do once we are crowned..I mean whats next?" she sounded nervous, unsure almost.

---

Dread looked at Hyperion with a raised eyebrow for a moment, there was no way in the wings of Luna that Hasta would be ok with him skipping the event..right? Frankly he didn't fully know why he cared what Hasta thought, in his mind they weren't even a couple. He thought about it for a moment before coming up with an answer. Dread wasn't over thinking much at the moment, he just want to be done with the past.

"If I attend the...thing, it will go faster than me not going and them holding it up for me" He sighed, looked past Hypie to the rest of the room.

"I suppose we should get going" He said coldly before emerging from behind the pillar

[Xelliea]

Caelum was almost confused at Stygian's question. Why, we rule Equestria, of course. But in all honesty, he too wasn't 100% sure what they'd do. For a pony who'd had his eyes on the crown for many a year, he didn't know were to start. I imagine after the ceremony, we'll come back to the throne room as monarchs. He gave her a smile, but her uncertainty had sparked his somewhat. Well, at least there would be two rulers, they could work it out together. Quite how ponies like Noctis, Electrum or even their mother had done it alone, he didn't know. After a while thinking, he turned to Aero, While I thank you for being here for Stygie, I'd ask if you might join the others in the throne room. It's that tradition thing, you see. He tried his best to sound at all demanding, he just knew what ponies expected, and that was for only the rulers, or until this point ruler, to enter from the main doors, There'd be enough traditions dashed on the rocks from having two rulers anyway.

Then there was the whole thing about a Pegasus prince. Oh, the PR. Once Aero and Stygian had kissed once more, he reluctantly left, assuring her he'd be there the whole time. At that, the two soon-to-be-monarchs slowly made their ways up to the main doors to the throne room. There'd be quite a few important ponies inside, whom all would have used various side entrances. The tradition was for them to be crowned by the head of the Equestrian church, and today was no different. Religion was still an important feature of Equestrian society, and, although the ruler was the head of the church, a proxy would be elected while there was no ruler, and so his crowning of the new monarch was almost like him passing the torch from the last king or queen, a torch that he had kept burning. With one last deep breath from both the prince and princess, they stepped forward through the doors.

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The sun was getting well into its descent into the horizon when the coronation's parade had returned to the castle. The throne room was much less crowded than it had been that morning, which made gave the king and queen their first chance in hours to relax slightly and not have to worry about image. As soon as the doors were closed, queen Stygian ran as fast as she could to Aero, embracing him and sharing in a long kiss. Caelum, meanwhile, stood looking up to the throne. He realised that he should probably be talking to his friends around the room, without whom he'd never have made it. Still, he just found it hard to fully understand that he was king now. It was more shock than anything else, and a lot of panic that he and his sister would rule Equestria well. While being ruler didn't come with a handbook, he knew that they'd do their best to make Equestria a better place. Maybe, just maybe, that would be enough.

Mother... if you're watching... we'll do you proud.

[CableZ]

Dread stood in the room with a raised eyebrow, while all the others were talking around him, he just sort of stood there in a confusion. Hasta was talking with Lux and Hypie, sort of preparing them for their trip to the future, and what they would face, Aero and Stygian spent there time just kissing and chatting. Dread was sort of stood in between, trying to figure some things out. The biggest question on his mind was...was that it?!

Dread had stood there watching the coronation for awhile, wondering when his obligations or whatever would come into play...but they never did. Why did they request him to be there anyway, he hadn't even done anything. Frankly Dread could get behind the idea of coronations, all you did was stand there in silence, that was like the greatest idea ever! He stood there considering some things over, sort of oblivious to all that was going on around him. However he shook the thoughts out of his head when his mind began processing the visual aspect, and he processed that he was still in the past. He walked over and tapped Hasta on the plot, not realizing it was somewhere he wasn't exactly meant to tap.

"Um...Hasta?..when are we. leaving?"

---

Aero and Stygian were off on their own little world, chatting and kissing. Aero was sat down, his armour being slightly uncomfortable after the numerous hours of wearing it. Stgyian sat with him, laying her head on his back, she was very tired after the long ceremony. Aero looked out to the rest of the group, smiling softly, he was going to miss those faces. But he had his love with him now, and frankly he didn't have enough room in his heart for anypony else.

"Stygie..what happens now?" Aero asked with a furrowed brow

"What do you mean?" She asked in a tired cute tone.

"Well, with the world, the country..us...everything seems to have changed" came the unsure toned reply of Aero

"I don't know Aero...but I know that no matter what..we'll be together" She smiled, nuzzling into him.

"Yeah...I guess you're right" He smiled

[Xelliea]

Hasta jumped a little, before turning around to Dread. She would have said something about not tapping ponies on the behind, but this was Dread, and she didn't mind too much, not that he'd understand if she did say anything. I'm... not really sure. Caelum said something about it having to be this evening, so... soon, I guess. A little bit away from Hasta, Hypie had giggled a little with Dread tapping Hasta on the behind, but soon turned back to Lux. She too was getting restless as to when they would be returning. Not so much that she had had enough of the past, but instead that she was so excited to see the future, or the present, for Hasta and Dread. She decided to talk to Lux more to pass the time. Of all her friends, she felt closest to Lux, and she enjoyed just talking to him. Virtus had long since settled down and was resting on her back, so she felt now was the perfect time to talk. I can't wait to see the future, can you? I just know it'll be so great!

Lux chuckled. He too hoped that future would be all he hoped, but he'd be happy with it either way. He was a little worried about where he'd stay, but he was sure he'd find a place to stay for the short term. In the long term, he hoped to join a military group, perhaps the Night Guard that Hasta had talked about. Who knew, it was a whole new world, but he wanted to help protect it. He'd heard myths about how changing the past would change the present, and of course, for Hasta and Dread to have come back, there must have been a past without them coming back. In that past, had Vowz won? Or had the blessing ever been retrieved. How would what they'd done have changed things? But then again, just like a stream, even a kink in time somewhere probably would affect too much down the line, because if the past was changed, then the future would be changed before the past was even changed. Oh, it gave Lux a headache, but he was disrupted by a knock on the throne room's doors.

The doors were opened, and in rushed High Noon, clutching the relic and looking rather panicked. My Lord, I may have made a few mistakes about timing with this device. We'll need to get it working within the next twenty minutes, or it'll shut up forever. The scientist lay the relic down in the centre of the room, waiting for Caelum's word. All eyes were on Caelum, who nodded. Best we think about activating it, lest our friends become trapped in this time.

Twenty minutes wasn't immediately, so there was some time to say goodbyes. Hasta found herself speaking to Aero. The love between him and the queen was so bright it was blinding, and it would be a beacon in her mind, in the hopes that one day she'd have the same mutual love with Dread. One day. Lux was more drawn to the new king. It's been an honour, sir. And, who knows, we might just find another time relic to pop back and say hi. The knight and the king exchanged knowing smiles, before Lux turned to face the relic. Hypie, on the other hand, while almost overcome with excitement, briefly skipped over to everypony she'd be leaving behind, saying goodbyes.

Eventually, about ten minutes had passed, and High Noon's expression showed that any longer, and they might never see the future. As such, the three said their goodbyes to everypony once more, then began to form a circle around the relic. Once Dread had joined them, it seemed like it was time to go. After High Noon preformed a few spells on the thing, it began to glow. However, with all of Hypie's excitement, Virtus began to stir a little from his sleep.

[CableZ]

While the group all said their goodbyes and hugged and all that nonsense, Dread sort of just stood there, on the outskirts, watching it all. He didn't know what to do really, he didn't exactly feel part of this group (Celestia knows why) so he felt saying goodbye in what would inevitably an awkward way was a bit pointless. However it didn't stop some of them coming to him. First there was Stygian, who simply hugged the dark dreaded pony, saying things like he was a hero and if it weren't for him there would be nothing left. But frankly Dread just didn't understand that, he'd been unconscious for the entire fight between Vowz and everyone else. Caelum was the second of the new rulers to approach the dark confused pony, and he said much what Stygian had, why were some ponies so insistent on making a fuss. Dread wouldn't have minded so much, but he never understood why they were making a fuss, and it just annoyed him trying to figure it out.

Aero spent most of his time talking with Lux, the two had been friends for years, and it was quite sad seeing him go frankly, Aero had too few friends these days, being very much married to his career. The two shared their first and last hug, both agreed it felt rather weird, and they both agreed it was a bad idea. The two then split up to go and give their goodbyes to the others that were going/staying. Once it was all done, and they were ready to get started, Aero stood with Stygian, and watched on as he said goodbye to the faces he had come to know as friends.

It was the simple however, Aero noticed the little creature on Hyperion's back beginning to stir, and he knew immediately that this was going to go badly. The creature awoke and immediately became a little shocked, it didn't know what was going on and with the artifact glowing and all the ponies stood around it, it got scared quickly. Letting out a shriek it began kicking up a fuss, moving around on Hypie's back, Aero stepped forward slightly, but Stygian made sure he didn't get too close to the artifact, but unfortunately for him, his move had been taken badly by Virtus. Seeing Aero step forward put the creature into a full on fright, it immediately shot off toward the door of the room. Aero's instincts kicked in immediately, he darted off at something close to the speed of sound, heading straight past the creature and slamming the door shut. Virtus just changed direction, but Aero was on it in the blink of an eye.Stygian looked on with worry as she watched her love chase after the little creature, in fact everypony in the room watched, especially a worried Hypie. by this point, Virtus thought that it was a fun game, with Aero chasing after him, and sped up in excitement. However, Aero, saw this coming and quickly changed direction, ready to intercept the creature when it turned. Aero was right, it turned, and the two collided, however the force of Virtus sent Aero on it's course, with Aero holding the creature tightly. The two hit into the artifact in the middle of those going back to the future...an that was it, the last thing Aero heard was the scream of Stygian as everything went white.

[Xelliea]

It was all over in a moment. Even if Aero had known what was going on, there would have been nothing he could have done. The relic activated as soon as he came into contact with it. For some reason, perhaps some upgrade made on the relic, there was no transition period in whatever void space there had been when the relic was first used by Hasta and Dread. Instead, the five ponies instantly appeared in the physical world. They found themselves in the same dig site that the relic had been first used in. However, it was night time, and it seemed that all the ponies who crowded the dig site that day had left, leaving the glade quiet. At first, most of the party had no idea that Aero had been taken with them, and Hasta, happy to be finally home, took a few steps on the familiar ground of her time.

Well... here we are. Don't worry about a place to stay, you two, enough people owe me a few favours. I can get you a place in Canterlot easy, as long as you don't mind sharing, that is... As went to continue speaking, but paused when she heard Lux shout to her. Oh... oh, no... She gasped, noticing that Aero was indeed in the glade with them. She ran over to him, while Lux picked up the burnt out remains of the relic. Oh, come on! It's gone. Aero... I'm sorry. The glade stood silent, only light squawks from Virtus breaking the verbal stalemate. Hypie glared at her pet, shocking the little creature into silence.

Why did you have to start playing around? She grumbled to the pseudo-dragon, but not loud enough to be disrespectful. She wanted to say sorry to Aero, but, given how shattered he looked, perhaps it was for the best that she didn't. Across from her, Lux and Hasta were trying to comfort him, but they weren't even sure if he was listening. I mean... at least you've got Lux, and the rest of us. You can stay with Lux and it'll be... She fell silent, realising that she probably wasn't helping as much as she would have liked. So, the glade once again fell silent, out of respect more than anything.

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Thousands of years in the past, Stygian leapt forward, grasping at the relic just after it activated. But, no matter what she did, how many times she slammed it on the floor, it remained inactive. It was gone, it was nothing but a hunk of metal now. Caelum tried to comfort his sister, but she only got up and walked over to the window, ignoring anything being said to her. No, she didn't want pity, she wanted her Aero, but that was the one thing she couldn't have. She looked up at the darkening sky, the stars starting to blink into the sky. That was it, then. He was gone. The only pony she'd loved, except from her brother and late parents, and now he was gone. Eyes full of tears, she turned back and embraced her brother, not saying a word.

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And so, a kingdom was saved, a Sentinel felled, and two hearts broken. Time seems to be always called the best healer, but, in this case, it ended up being the worst wounder. But, in the end, all of the ponies involved were heroes. All of them had defeated the shadowy being that could have not only destroyed Equestria, but time itself. Yes, they did the right thing, even if the cost was heartbreak. The first twin rulers were crowned, and perhaps the true peace of the Equestria we know today had begun at that moment. But, there was still that dream. What that Sentinel had said. Vowz had passed, his evil could never threaten the world again. However, what of the other six that were now to be awakened? Would they be kind, or be just as evil as Vowz. Do they have a plan that perhaps even the smartest pony could never even comprehend? The Sentinel's are beings above us, and something perhaps interests me the most. In that white flash that brought the ponies to the present, there was a word that seemed to join with the flash. A word that appeared, then disappeared before much could be made of it. The relics, were they made by the Sentinels? Maybe to connect us through time, or maybe for something more sinister. But, if so, then that word, maybe it was something to do with them. Maybe it was a final message. The word was... Eden.

Having learnt everything I could about the events of this tale, I must say it is one of heroism, love and sacrifice. I can't say it had a happy end for everypony. Friends and loved ones were lost. But, no matter what happened in the end, everypony involved should be proud. After all, it's not everyday that one can save a country and see an ancient coronation. Whatever they're doing now, I wish the best of luck to them all.

Equestrian Nights,
a tale of a thousand years

by Hyperion



The End