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

[Xelliea]

Electrum... Electrum! The crimson Alicorn stood over his queen, a look of mild irritation on his face. Staggering, Electrum pushed herself up and got to her hooves. She retorted to the other Alicorn's expression with a brief glare, then glanced skyward. What happened!? We're not going to keep running like this, we just lost the best opportunity to bring you... The blue Alicorn snapped at him in the middle of her sentence, using her magnificent size to look down upon him. Incendius, watch your tongue, I'm... I'm still your queen. And besides, we can still stop them from getting it.

Well, 'your majesty', why don't you get out there and do it? Electrum slowly turned to face the Alicorn behind her, staring at her sickly-green coated form. She trotted over to her, then stopped. The look of anger changed to one of concern, as she looked between both her fellows. Listen up, both of you, we don't have much time. We need to get that blessing, whatever it takes. Do not let Vincere's spawn get his hooves on it!

__________________________________

Lux was slightly taken aback by Dread's response. It wasn't what he'd expected, but, he just shrugged it off and smiled. At least you're all right now, eh? He made his way over to where the bags were arranged in a corner of the tent, rustling through them with a prolonged bout of telekinesis. I'm not sure what you want for breakfast, but I think I could whip up a few things out of what we've got with us. All I'll say is make is something filling, you don't want to be setting off on a rumbling stomach. He finished his sentence with a quick laugh, then continued looking through his bags.

By the time Lux had finished his search through the Pandora’s box that was his bags, Hasta had not only awoken but had also gotten up from the sleeping mat and was trotting over to Dread. She held Dread's writing equipment, and handed them back over to their owner with a smile, in fact she was even blushing slightly. I... um... just wanted to keep them safe. Were you all right last night? You were out cold. She spent a short while making sure he his blackout last night wasn't caused by any illness, then she explained what she had experienced last night when she had settled down to sleep.

In fact, what she mentioned was in ways similar to what Dread had experienced that very same night... it was certainly very odd. Right, I think I've got something coming along. It might not be the five star treatment you'd get in the castle, but it shouldn't taste too bad. He chuckled to himself, finishing off making breakfast while Hasta trotted over back to the other side of the tent and took a seat, smiling as she looked back over to Dread.

[CableZ]

Dread sighed, he didn't really mean his harsh attitude toward Lux, he just didn't feel like being asked questions right now. He looked around, the weather looked fairly pleasant, although it was difficult to tell because of the dense tree cover. All Dread could tell was it was a pleasant temperature at least, however in the dense thicket of the forest the heat was trapped, meaning it was quite humid and the heat lingered. Dread let a small smile pass across his face, despite being in completely unknown territory with ponies he had known only a day or two, he actually felt like he belonged. He felt as if he was wanted and needed here, like it was something he was almost meant to do. Dread savored the moment before moving on from it, he knew that this voyage would not last and so didn't want to get to used to it.

Dread turned to face Hasta once he became aware that she was walking toward him, his smile was still present as she stopped in front of him. He looked down at her as she handed him back his notes, was she blushing?

"Thank you...Yathan, these mean more than you know, and yes I was fine I just ha some...peculiar dreams" [/b]His voice was as quiet as always but the cold tone was softer than usual.

Dread watched as Hasta inspected him to make sure he was free of any illness or parasite, he still wasn't used to someone taking an interest in his wellbeing, although he did appreciate the kindness in her action. He was quite surprised when he heard about Hasta's odd experience in her sleep, it sounded exactly like what he had experienced. Dread wasn't sure whether or not he should mention it, mention the names he had heard of the things he was shown. Dread decided it best not to mention know, he did pass out rather abruptly last night and didn't want to jump to conclusions that could have been nothing more than the fevered dreams of a mad pony....literally!

Dread was interrupted from his thoughts by the sound of Lux informing them that he had started cooking breakfast, Dread appreciated Lux's patience and it made him think that maybe Dread had been unfair to Lux. Regardless food sounded good right about now, however it would be a few more minutes before it would be done so Dread opted to quickly check over his notes. He walked over to where Hasta was sitting and without a second thought he sat down next to her. Now this could have been taken differently by Hasta but Dread was simply taking a seat, he didn't think of anything when he sat next to Hasta, despite the fact that they were very close together. There wasn't even the excuse of tightly packed dining chairs this time like there had been at the castle, in truth Dread just wasn't thinking. He unpacked some of his notes and began reading them over to catch his brain up to the point he got up to last night before he passed out.

[Xelliea]

As Dread sat down beside Hasta and began to look over his notes, Hasta crept back a slight bit. She wasn't sure what to do, she didn't feel right sitting where she was sitting. She had decided to get up and move, to make up some excuse, when Lux come over to them with... interesting looking food. Hasta just sat there, trying to relax as the three ate what were surprisingly decent meals. She wasn't she why she felt so odd, why she felt so out of place. Sure, it was in her nature not to want to be right next to another pony, but this felt different. Then suddenly, she thought of something. Something she hadn't considered. Did she... no, no she didn't. That wasn't even worth thinking about. She pushed the wild thought from her mind and finished her breakfast.

The three ponies were getting ready to move soon enough, packing up their bags and dismantling the makeshift tent. It had served well as a place to rest, but there was no reason to keep it up now. As Hasta watched Dread pack up his things, placing the notes and pages that he had written and she had kept safe last night back in his bags, the same thought crept into her mind. But, despite how many times the idea resurfaced, she kept it down. It wasn't true and she wasn't ready to waste time thinking about something she knew to be false. She had no feelings for anypony, especially somepony as socially backward as Dread.

Once everything was packed, they were on the road again, or rather, off it. They quickly started to make their way off of the track and deep into the forest. Lux had explained that the sanctuary was quite a way in, but shouldn't be more than about half an hours trot off the beaten track. It was odd to be going through such thick and overgrown environments, even for Lux, but as they pushed on through the vines and large plants, many of which Hasta was sure didn't exist in her time, it was clear that they would be at their goal soon.

And, at that point, they saw it. Nestled in the deepest and darkest part of the forest lay the sanctuary. Twin statues of Alicorns stood watchful over the entrance that went lead into several internal chambers. The sanctuary was large, much larger than it had seemed from descriptions. What was most odd, however, was the fact that there was no door blocking their path. The entrance was fully open and even a curious foal could have wandered in. If this blessing was as important as it had been made out to be, then why wasn't it protected by a simple door?

Now, you must show your respect before you enter, for it is said that any who step within the sanctuary of great Noctis disrespectfully will face his anger. You can believe it or not, but best not to risk anything. After he spoke, Lux made his way over to the entrance, and bowed before it, signalling for the others to do the same. Hasta grudgingly did as was requested, and bowed. It all seem like superstition to her, but Lux was right, it was best to be safe.

With the respects having been shown. Lux told the Earth-ponies to stay close as he pulled a torch from his bag and lit it with a quick spell. In truth, there was no telling what would be found within the sanctuary. It was once belonging to a pony most considered to be one of the most powerful Alicorns in history. Not to mention the fact that it contained his blessing, a blessing never recovered until now. Easy in, easy out... Hasta mumbled, the sentence quickly becoming her most used phrase.

[CableZ]

Dread didn't even look up when Hasta moved, he had no reason to think she was moving for any other reason than she wanted to move. Once Dread was satisfied that his notes were in order, breakfast was just about ready. Dread ate in silence, both in voice and any other sound. It had alway been his way, he was a quiet pony by nature. The meal was quite tasty, Dread had to concede that Lux could at least cook. Dread happily ate the meal with a relaxed enthusiasm, he was actually enjoying himself. Soon it was time to get moving however, so Dread once again put his survival knowledge to use.

Since he had built it, Dread had the makeshift tent down rather quickly. After he had it down he started packing up all his notes into his saddlebag, it didn't take long as Dread had learned to keep at least these things organized. He had enough trouble at home trying to find things, he didn't need that trouble when he was out and about. Once everything was packed up, Dread let out a sigh, he had always thought that the worst part of a journey was setting off. Although this time didn't seem so bad, at least he would have company in this journey.

While they were walking, Lux lead the way this time, although this time Dread had a better idea of why he was doing so. They trotted motly in silence, Lux seemed to be concentrating on path finding on their pathless route. Hasta was harder to figure out, just what was going on in her head? Dread always tried to figure what ponies were thinking, it helped him know if he was getting a better read on ponies. He continued thinking things over, but soon all these thoughts were pushed out of mind as they came into view of the sanctuary.

The structure rose up out of the canopy of the forest, it dwarfed all around it. Dread wondered how it went unnoticed for so long, he knew they were far into the forest but it seemed like it was fairly easy to spot. As they approached the entrance to this imposing structure, Dread didn't seem phased by anything at all. In fact he found it all very interesting, it made him wonder if this place was still here in his own time. He saw Hasta and Lux bow as they entered, how did a building know if you were respecting it or not? Still he thought it best to do so, he didn't want to mess anything up. As they entered Dread heard Hasta mutter something to herself, he only just made out the words. He had heard that phrase before, Daring Do used it quite a bit in her adventures. He made him smirk, he was the pony that had given that phrase a back story in his books.

"Just remember where you came from" He whispered to Hasta, wondering if she would understand the reference.

However before she could respond, Dread moved ahead to investigate something.

[Xelliea]

In the courtyard of Canterlot castle, quite the show was taking place. Two teams of soldiers were locked in combat with each other. They had no intention of causing harm to their fellows, but to somepony who didn't know better, they sure looked like they did. The event was the prestigious Stygian's Gauntlet in which one lucky participant would be invited to join the order of Equestrian knights, if they showed enough skill, that is. The name was ironic to say the least. Stygian, despite being a princess, was extremely timid and hated having to appear in public, so she rarely was actually present at the Gauntlet.

The event was named Vincere's Gauntlet once upon a time, when the Alicorn queen still claimed the Equestrian throne. However, Vincere had chosen to assign the Equestrian knights to be under her daughter's command, to act similarly to her personal guard. Before this, there hadn't been anything close to royal guards, as kings and queens were expected to be great enough not to need them, however Vincere had chosen to break the tradition. Of course the knights were still called knights, and most outsiders were unaware of their secondary role. And so the name was changed to Stygian's Gauntlet.

The teams were from both of the different Equestrian military corps. In aqua coloured armour stood the Sky corps, those who stood under Caelum's banner, and the Earth corps in brown, those who followed Stygian. The different corps were rather pointless, as Caelum was the only one who ever lead any troops, so they two corps almost always merged into a single group. It was a safety measure, really, nothing more.

Atop a balcony, two floors up, Caelum, along with the leader of the Equestian knights, Whirlwind Requiem, watched over the entire proceedings. It was their choice (as Stygian gave the power to her brother) as to who would be given the amazing honour of becoming a knight. There were, of course, certain prejudices. There had only ever been one non-Alicorn member of the knights.

All Caelum could think of, however, was the blessing.
______________________________

With Lux leading, the group of three slowly made their way down from the main entrance. Oddly, all along the hallway, small glowbugs fluttered around, providing light enough to see. Lux still kept his torch lit, but it wasn't required for sight. The walkway was huge, both in hight and length. At least three ponies of decent size could fit on top of each other and still leave room for a small foal. True, it was built for or by an Alicorn, but even they would find this imposing. Though, given the size of the castle, maybe Alicorns just liked things to be colossal. Hasta was sure this sanctuary wasn't still standing in the present, as she had often looked at the Everfree forest from afar, and had even flown over it in an airship at one point.

As they walked, Hasta did her best to take in the surroundings. The walls were covered in carving and murals, all depicting certain Alicorns, preforming heroic feats and actions. Lux explained that, from what he had read, most of the murals contained three very specific Alicorns. Either Noctis himself, shown as a black shadow towering over all other ponies, or his two offspring: Halcyon and Talis, both seemingly imposing in their own right. Despite the sanctuary's age, the murals and carvings were all as complete as if they had been made yesterday.

Eventually, the three made it to the first large chamber. As they arrived, two torches, obviously magical, lit either side of a large stone door. On the door, carving depicted ponies running around, smiling and laughing, with not a frown in sight. It was a refreshing sight, compared to all the battling Alicorns seen thus far. Lux and Hasta, almost at the exact same time, both theorised that these carvings would likely be connected with opening the door, however, both had different ways of interpreting them.

Lux believed that the door was what was known as an Emotional Riddle, quite a common type of magical gauntlet, where one must show the correct emotion for the door to open, and that the carvings were showing that happiness was the emotion required. Hasta, shooting down the theory as utter nonsense, explained that it would be much more likely that the carvings were somehow linked to a riddle, that was asked in visual form, and required an answer for the door to open. ...and if it is what you say it is, how do you propose we get it open? I don't feel that much like smiling.

In the end, both ponies turned to Dread, whom had yet to put a theory forward. Seeing as the two were getting nowhere on their own, they both decided to ask the dark coated Earth-pony what he thought was the answer.

[CableZ]

Dread was too distracted by his studying of the carvings on the nearby walls to pay attention To Hasta and Lux's bickering, He did however pay enough attention to know what they were arguing about. Dread wandered from all to wall looking at the intricate carvings that covered each wall, they each appeared to tell a story. It seemed that the Alicorns only told stories about fighting and conquest, or at least thats what they all depicted, the worrying thing was they each showed a large Alicorn lording over the rest at the end of each battle. Dread wondered what it could mean, was it the same Alicorn each time, was it the Alicorn he had seen in his dream. Dread thought on it some more and decided that the carving didn't look enough like the pony in his dreams, although there was one carving that showed an Alicorn that looked very much like Electrum, it depicted her fleeing from the Alicorn that was towering over all.

Dread was distracted from his observations and thinking when he noticed that Hasta and Lux were not longer arguing, he turned to see that they were both staring at him. It took him a few minutes to figure out what it was they wanted, but after a quick glance at the still closed door he got the idea...at least he hoped he did. Sighing Dread walked over to the door to get a good look at it, Lux moved out of the way so he could do so. Dread looked the door up and down and got a pretty good idea of the carvings and their meanings, Dread had overheard Hasta and Lux's theories and thought them over. He eliminated factors about them in his head until he himself was quite stumped. He looked back at the carving one last time and noticed something. Dread quickly got an idea and got the quill from his saddlebag.

Dread then turned to face Hasta who looked at him with a cautious yet intimidating look that just screamed, 'Don't come near me with that'. Before she could react however Dread quickly moved the feather of the quill to Hasta's neck and she began giggling uncontrollably. After a few seconds of this there was a rumble that shook the area, Dust from the cracks around the door was vibrated out of place. Dread stopped tickling Hasta and turned back to face the door, as did the other door. They watched in awe and the massive door slowly began to open, revealing to them the next room. Lux turned to Dread with an amazed look on his face.

"How in Equestira did you figure that out?!" The unicorn was shocked

"Well...there are 3 ponies that are laughing for the same reason on the carving, they are each highlighted by the sun rays"[/b] Dread brought attention to the lines that were carved to show the suns rays, 3 of which pointed to 3 ponies on the carving that were laughing due to another pony.
"The door opens when the laughter of a pony caused by another is heard" Dread spoke like it was the most obvious thing in the world. After he had explained himself he turned to Hasta with what seemed like an apologetic look on his face, it was probably the most emotion he had shown in awhile
"Sorry, I just figured you were ticklish"

With that he packed away the quill then turned back to face the door, not hesitating to begin moving forward once more, leaving his 2 companions stood bewildered by what they had just witnessed.

[Xelliea]

Hasta had remained still and speechless from the moment she had stopped giggling when Dread had preformed his little trick to open the door. She had only been tickled a couple of times when she was a foal, when her brother, Effervescence, had tried to cheer her up. Although she had a bit of a phobia of being tickled, because it had always been done to make her happy, and had always done so, she actually wasn't angry when Dread did it. She felt a bit awkward and considerably embarrassed, being made to giggle like a filly on the spot like that, but she didn't hold anything really against Dread for doing it and soon recovered from the embarrassment. She wouldn't have wanted him to do it again, and made sure to tell him. He'd also managed to get the door open, which was amazing given that he usually was the quiet and reclusive one of the group. Lux only looked at her with a smirk, raising his eyebrows as Dread made his way down the corridor first, then he followed. Hasta rubbed her neck for a moment, then took off after them.

As they trotted down the corridor, both Hasta and Dread noticed something interesting about one of the carvings. Having both had the same dream the night before, they both recognised the blue Alicorn in two of the murals. The picture out on the other walkway had also depicted her, running from an unknown figure. She was pictured in an epic battle with a familiar pony. It took a moment for Hasta to realise who the other pony was. It was Vincere, the same Alicorn Caelum had shown them with his magic, the prince's mother. Above Electrum hovered a dark cloud, a form of a void black Alicorn could be seen within the nimbus. Above Vincere hovered a white cloud, containing the form of a bright golden Alicorn. These two ghostly ponies were in a battle themselves. From what Hasta and Dread had seen, those two Alicorns had to be Noctis and Halcyon. It was an interesting sight, perhaps shedding more light on Alicornian history.

There was no sign of any more carvings of Vincere, perhaps that was the only one. In fact, the younger the Alicorn, the less frequently they could be found in the carvings, Caleum was certainly never featured. By the time the two Earth-ponies had thought the facts over, they had reached the second door. This door depicted a different scene. Ponies were shown helping their friends do all manner of tasks, from building to writing. Lux burst out in revelation for a second, then calmed himself. Its friendship... wait no, no... aid?... no... er, selflessness, that's it! Next came the question of how to show said emotion. All three of the ponies were left thinking, no clear option appearing this time.

As Lux thought, he shifted slightly on the spot, trying to get the best balance of the equipment he was carrying. Oddly, as he did, he heard the door being to shake slightly. For the second time in mere minutes, Lux was infused with energy as he dashed up to Hasta. Miss Yathan, I must ask for forgiveness. I mare should never be forced to carry anything as heavy as a saddlebag. I should be ashamed, please, if there is anything I can do. It was true Lux was playing the part slightly, but he also saw this as a chance to impress his companion once more. Within a few moments, Lux had levitated Hasta's bags onto his back, looking as sorry as he could for not taking said bags sooner. Why do I always have to be the subject of... oh! Hasta was caught out mid sentence as the door began to creek open, letting out even more dust than the last one.

Lux also took the moment to levitate Dread's bags onto his back as he had done with Hasta's. The mare wasn't sure she wanted Lux to take her bags, and she was sure Dread felt the same, but Lux would have none of it. What sort of guide would I be if I left you carrying bags. Despite the extra load, Lux still seemed rather unfazed by it all. He seemed strong enough to hold it all and probably could have held even more. With the door open, the ponies began to make their way down into yet another long corridor, deeper and deeper into the sanctuary.

[CableZ]

This next corridor was slightly different in scale to the previous ones before it, it was wider and felt a lot warmer, the heat seemed to be coming from the floor. The carvings on the walls this time were less of historical conflicts, but their consequences. All across the walls there were depictions of homes burning and Ponies in tears. It wasn't the happiest of sights, It showed Vincere leaving Equestria behind after the conflict. Dread looked around the walls and got a clearer picture of the history of these lands in doing so. He was about to continue down the humid corridor to further study the carvings, however he came to a stop as there was something that the previous corridors lacked.

In the middle of the corridor, in front of the trio, there stood a stone pedestal. It came up to the perfect height for the 3 'lesser' ponies to read it, which felt slightly odd to Dread. There was a small parchment of paper that had some writing on it, surprisingly it was something Dread and Hasta could vaguely read, although the syntax had changed somewhat in over a thousand years. Roughly translated it read.

"To cross this room o' you ponies that are pure of heart, you must trust your eyes to somepony else. Do not panic and do not fear, for if you do...then failing to cross the room may not be your only penalty."

The 3 had to send a few minutes wondering was this meant, up until now they had only been faced with simple doors to open. This however sounded somewhat different, but it didn't Phase Lux from trying to seem like a tough pony. He stepped forward, past the pedestal, which would prove to be his own mistake. A dull blue glow seeped through the cracks and crevices in the floor of the corridor, lighting up the entire stretch of the ancient stone hall way. The magical aura made certain slabs in the floor glow a brilliantly bright blue to seemingly light a path, but the the magic moved toward Lux. In an instant it enveloped him and there was nothing Dread or Hasta could down. The magical aura slowly lifted Lux off the ground, Lux was held still.

In silence he was then lowered down back to the ground again, Dread and Hasta were left stood wondering what had happened. Dread looked at Hasta for a moment before taking a step forward

"Um...Lux? are ok?"

"Not really Dread...I can't see"

Lux seemed very calm about all this

"I CAN'T SEE!"

Maybe not.
Dread immediately figured out what this room was about and what they had to do to pass it. He turned to Hasta to explain it, as he figured it didn't matter to Lux which way he faced.

"Its about trust...we um have to direct Lux across that path or...I think we'll find out where that heat is coming from" Dread looked down at the floor after he finished speaking, there was a silence for a moment.

"ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!" Lux cried out, he seemed to be directing his worries to the sanctuary itself.

[Xelliea]

The carvings that were now visible on the walls depicted much less epic and heroic scenes. In their stead, there were scenes of banishment and loss. One carving that really did catch Hasta's eye was a rather large one, still bright with colour. Electrum, seemingly sleeping or dreaming, locked away under a mountain, could be seen in the back ground. In the foreground, however, the form of a horrifying creature was visible. It looked like a chimera of all manner of wicked beasts. It looked like a demon from the depths of eternity. Beneath it, smaller but similar creatures swarmed around the larger one, like flies to meat. For the first time, an engraving could be seen below the carving. The sins of a mother, passed to her First-Born was written clearly at the bottom. Hasta recalled the family tree shown to them yesterday. She was sure the only name she saw beneath Electrum was Vincere, yet whatever that creature was, it was certainly not her.

By the time the three had come to what seemed like the third trial, Hasta was reluctant to even begin to step forward. She had decided she didn't like the sanctuary one bit, and she hated the trials too. What's more, this trial actually seemed dangerous. The Earth-pony quickly broke from her thoughts when she saw Lux being engulfed in an odd magical light. When he came down, he began to shout and panic, saying that he was blinded. Hasta actually felt worried for him, but was worried that trying to help would only bestow the same fate to her. She and Dread both stood silent for a second, but when Dread worked out the trial, Hasta began working on possible ways of solving it.

The hallway was littered with tiles, each big enough for a pony to stand on, and each held a certain symbol on its surface. The heat that all three ponies could feel quite strongly now, was actually coming from beneath their hooves. Hasta was the first to come up with a theory. She had played a similar board game to this in the present, where players had to removed tiles to make a path across the board. The symbols on each tile hinted at whether they were safe or not. I think... I think I know how this works. Lux, keep calm, just follow the path we tell you to, oK? The Unicorn nodded, his panic and anger had changed to obvious nerve.

The two ponies thought for a while, trying to remember the path that the light had shown. Hasta remembered that it had illuminated tiles that all held the same symbol, but she found it hard recollect the exact symbol. Lux realised at this point that the magic aura had also made him unable to use his horn for even the most simple spells. This only served to panic him further, but with re-enforcement from the two Earth-poines behind him, he kept calm. It turned out that the tile that was safe was the tile holding the symbol of an eight pointed star, with each of the stars arms being in the form of arrows. Hasta was sure she had seen the symbol before inside the sanctuary, in fact it had been quite common. What did it mean?

As for the tiles that were not safe, as soon as Lux touched them, they fell away revealing a pit of magical fire below. For the first time, it was actually lucky that Lux was blind. The fire certainly wouldn't have helped him to calm down at all. Once the correct tile was found, the path became much more clear. All that was left was for the Unicorn to be told the way. Left, right, forward, left, left, left, right, backwards, left, forward, forward, right, forward, forward, and he was there, on the other side. He sighed with immense relief as he finally made it to solid ground once more. I... I can see you. I can see again! He waved his hooves in front of his face, eyes following them just as well as they could have before. Never had Lux been more happy to be able to see.

I-I think it would be best if I went n-next. Get it over with... Although one pony had made it across, there was no sign that the others would be able to make it across without taking part in the trial themselves. Hasta, taking a few deep breaths, walked past the pedestal. In the same manner as Lux, she was soon engulfed in ribbons and streams of blue magic. Although by now she was unable to see anything but a black nothingness, Dread and Lux could see that the path had changed, or rather the tiles had. They shifted and spun, completely changing the path that Hasta would have to take. The combination of hearing the tiles move and not being able to see them caused her to instantly start to panic. It wasn't the fact that she had lost her sight that troubled her, but it was the fact that, for the first time in her left, she actually had to put her safety in the hands of another pony.

She trusted Dread, sure, she had always trusted him and she know he had no intention of lying, but the fact the experience was completely new and against her nature made everything more nerve-racking. She knew she needed to calm down, that panicking would get her nowhere, but still she was worried. Dread and Lux could be heard either side of her, both telling her to take it slow and keep calm. After she was told the first tile to step on, she held out a hoof and tapped the tile. It was safe. After exhaling a long breath, she walked on the tile. Just like Lux had been, she was directed through the grid. Left, forwards, left, forwards, forwards, right... she froze. She couldn't do this, it was too much. Her thoughts suppressed by panic, and against her better judgement, she jumped forwards, hoping that she would cover enough distance to reach the other side.

She could feel something solid beneath her, she had made it... or so it seemed. The tile below her hooves began to tremble, then give way all together. She tumbled back, falling onto yet more unstable tiles. She could hear Lux and Dread both call out to her, but she could do nothing.

She began to fall.

__________________________________________

She was ready for the heat, ready to fall into the fires below, but said heat, said fire, never came. In fact, once she fell into the pit below, the heat had disappeared completely. In her head, she went over what she had felt happen. She felt the falling, but that was it. There was another feeling though, a familiar feeling. The feeling of being pushed and pulled, almost twisted and warped... the feeling of... being teleported. Hasta opened her eyes, after shutting them tight as she fell. She was sure she could see again, she could feel the sights change as she moved her eyes, but everything was as dark as it was when she was blind. She was standing on a platform of some kind, big enough for her to stay on it as she sat down. All she could think about was if Dread would be ok. It took her a moment to realise there was a voice, ghostly and echoing in the blackness. Was it talking to her?

Welcome, my child. Welcome... home.

[CableZ]

Dread took things slowly when it came to directing Hasta along the path that had been shown to them, he didn't want to rush her as she seems panicked. He was ready to go after Lux but if she wanted to get it out of the way, he wasn't going to stand in her way. If she took it slow the entire way she would make it across with no trouble, but that plan didn't last. When Hasta Jumped forward, Dread took a step forward himself but stopped as he knew what would happen if he walked forward anymore. As she landed, there was a silence as they waited to see what would happen. Dread and Lux could only watch in horror as the tile beneath Hasta began to crumble away, Dread made no sound as it happened, Lux however was more dramatic.

"YATHAAAAAAN!" He cried out down toward the fiery pit.

He tried to use magic, but the room seemed to block any magic effect. He looked down at the pit and could only see the fire burning below, he looked up to Dread to see the dark pony as expressionless as always. Lux couldn't believe that Dread was so stoic after seeing his companion die, Lux hated Dread in that moment. He knew they had to continue however, there was no way around it. Dread knew it aswell, and took the step forward to take his eyesight away.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dread made it across the room with no issue, as he stepped across the final tile, The room shifted again and the tiles that were once there were replaced by a solid floor. Dread quietly walked past Lux, not even looking him in the eye.

"How can you be so cold and emotionless, she just died and you have no feeling to show?!"

Dread turned to look back at Lux, he stared at him for a moment before turning back to walk on. Dread felt wrong, something inside him just..died.

[Xelliea]

Child? Home? Who are you? Hasta spoke out into the darkness in a voice both imperative and confused, trying to see if the voice could hear her. As she did, her mind kept cycling in a state of concern about Lux and... Dread. She hoped with every fibre in her body that she would see them again, and over and over she promised that she would find them again, even if it was the last thing she did. In the end, it was a mixture of doubt, fear and hope that made here realise the truth. She'd been trying to hide it for so long, trying to tell herself that she wasn't like that. But there was a reason she actually cared for Dread, even more than she cared for herself, there was a reason she was happy when he smiled, there was a reason she was willing to do anything to see him again. She did like him, she did have feelings for him... she loved him.

I? I am the beacon of ages. The watcher and walker of the wheel. The director of Kings and Queens, Princes and Princesses. I have been named a being of Chaos, I have been named a being of Order. But all these things are void to me. I only am. Only one title clings to me now. Hasta jumped as the voice boomed back at her, sounding more like a riddle than an answer. The Earth-pony wasn't going to just sit there listening to enhanced truths and lies, she had a reason to escape other than her own safety, and she was sure that this being would be able to do it.

Defiant, Hasta got to her hooves and shouted back into the blackness. WHO ARE YOU?! ANSWER ME! Her voice echoed into the void beyond, leaving the whole area silent for a moment. Breathing heavily, she glared around her, feeling for the first time in her life at one with her duty, her destiny. Then, like a wave of force that almost blew Hasta from the platform, the voice shouted back a single word.

NOCTIS!

___________________________________

Why are we here? Lux had stopped in his tracks. Still angry and sad at what had happened, the conflicting emotions had lead to a thousand questions rolling through his mind. Above them all, that was the greatest. Why did we even come here in the first place? So that an idiot Prince can have some ancient scribblings? So he can sit on that throne and lord over everything? There was little emotion in his voice, he only looked forward into the endless corridor a head. Listen, Dread, I've been telling you a lie ever since we met. I'm not some servant boy, or a petty guide. I'm... I'm a knight.

Lux realised at this point, any reaction from Dread was justified, but, as he said the last three words, a slight hint of zeal crept into his voice. I'm sorry for lying, it was Caelum. It was all his plan. His anger was now redirected from Dread to the prince, hate boiling in his voice. He was the one who made High Noon drag you to this time. He was the one who sent on this stupid quest. And he's the one who's responsible for what happened to Yathan. Before all this passing of the throne, Caelum was actually nice, actually a kind and caring pony, but now all he cares about is power Lux started to move again, the anger transforming into zeal and vigour in his stride. My oath is to his sister, Stygian, not him. So you can do whatever you wish, but I'm going to find that blessing, and give it to my princess. Then Equestria will have the ruler it deserves.

So, Dread, are you coming with me?!

[CableZ]

As Lux confessed and contemplated their purpose here, Dread could only sigh. Agendas had never been something Dread had needed, he was always very straight with what he intended. Now there were so many agendas and conspiracies around him that he had to wonder what really was truth anymore, everypony was out for themselves. Dread turned back to face Lux and for the first time that Lux had seen, he had an emotion on his face. Dread was smiling, it was ever so slight but there was a smile on his face. All the damage that had been done by this pointless crusade, all the pain that the history of this place told had all be for nothing. After all this the prince had nothing to show, Electrum had nothing to show for all their power hungry nonsense.

"Lux...I really don't care" Dread had to chuckle "I never cared, I tried pretending that this all seemed so important and that I was meant to do this but the truth is what have I accomplished? The pony i came here with is gone, the reason I'm here is pointless." Dread lost his smile for a moment. "I know that whatever happens here, it doesn't last, the future doesn't have Caelum or Stygian on the throne, Alicorns are all but gone and the world is left in peace." Dread looked around, this was the most he had spoken without needing to think deeply on his words. "What the world deserves isn't what it always gets, what a pony deserves is not what they always get. I'm not with anypony at this point Lux." Dread turned and continued walking down the dark corridor "I never have been"

Dread continued walking and soon came up to another door, a frustrated sigh escaped his lips. Lux followed after Dread, he respected the dark pony. As they both stood before the door it opened, revealing the next corridor ahead of them. A new trial awaited them both as they slowly stepped inside.

[Xelliea]

You! Why are you doing all this, Noctis, is this all a game to you? Hasta had managed to stabilise herself after the great shout that had shook her to the core. Her tone was still demanding and imperative, she refused to be intimidated by this monster of an Alicorn. Why? You are so blind, like the rest of your race. All I have done, I have done to keep my Equestria safe, so is every Alicorn's duty. Hasta couldn't help but laugh incredulously at this explanation. How were any of Noctis's actions beneficial to Equestria? He was full of naught but pride, hate and lust for power. Then tell me, how are you keeping your Equestria safe?

Your ignorance leaves you unable to understand my purposes. I am Eqeustria's guardian, and the guardian of every pony within it. However, to truly see my reasons, you must open your eyes. Open your eyes and see the truth. With these words having been spoken, Hasta began to feel a slight tingling sensation, similar to the feeling one would get if they lay on their leg for too long, but around her entire form. She tried to move, but realised that she was unable to shift an inch. The strange feeling engulfed her and buzzed through her body, multiplying in power as it did so. Then it all cut out. Hasta a feeling of falling, of significant vertigo. When she looked around once more, everything had changed.



If only I were the one who's able to make you see...

____________________________________

No Dread, your wrong, I'm wrong. Don't you think that maybe, just maybe, you were meant to come back to this age, that this is your destiny. Lux seemed only fuelled by Dread's apathetic response. He knew had never felt so sure of himself in his entire life. He and Dread, they weren't just pawns in some Alicorn's game, they were something more. You can stand there not caring, not wanting to go any further. Heck, you know the way out, leave if you want. You didn't even have to come down here in the first place. But I think there's something inside you telling you to do this, something that has brought you this far. I think behind that mask, you know the truth. That you doing this not only for yourself, but for everypony, both in your age and in mine. But above all, I think you're doing it for her.

As Lux finished his pseudo-speech, the two ponies had made it to the next trial. Like the last one, a scroll was presented to them, lying on the floor in remarkably good condition. On the scroll, words could be easily made out. It is often the greatest flaw of the proud to feel that what you see to be true is just that. Ahead of them, there stood a second huge stone door. However, this one was different, there were no carvings, no features at all except a gargantuan lock that kept the door sealed. Near the ponies, there lay a pile of keys, each one was a different size. Upon closer inspection, some keys had the word truth carved into them, while some had the word lies on their surface.

Lux began to look over the keys, thinking for a second. Ah. I know what's going on here. The scroll is trying to tell us that the ones that say truth are the ones we should be looking at. One second, let me try this one? No. This one? No. I guess I'll just have to try each one. Lux began telekinetically probing the lock with key after key, but time after time, the lock failed to turn. Thinking it a matter of luck, he tried the next key, then the next key, then the next key...

[CableZ]

Dread sighed as Lux spoke, he had been subjected to the self righteous ramblings of unicorn's before and he learned to tune most of it out. However some of it stuck with Dread, he was wrong? There was something inside him? He was wearing a mask? He was doing it for a her?
Dread Struggled to understand what any of these things meant, how could he be wrong about something that didn't have a right or wrong answer, what was inside of him telling him to do anything, he wasn't even wearing a mask, who was this 'her' and why would he be doing anything for her. Dread was well and truly stumped and didn't really know how to respond to Lux, luckily he didn't have to as they soon arrived at the next door.

Dread read over the scroll a few times while Lux went about trying each key, what Lux didn't seem to notice was that the pile of keys was not getting smaller despite his efforts. Dread looked at the door and back at Lux, trying to figure out what the whole thing was talking about. Dread thought back to the previous rooms and soon game up with a theory.

Laughter
Selflessness
Trust
...
Pride!!

That was it, even the scroll mentioned the proud. Dread had it figured out now, the sanctuary was a test of character, it was all designed to keep those that were deemed unworthy out. The unworthy in this case were the the proud and the worthy were the humble. Dread tried to think of a solution as Lux went about trying keys, the greatest flaw of the proud to feel that what you see to be true is just that...
Dread looked at Lux again, he was still trying keys and getting very frustrated. He was sure in his plan that one of the keys that said truth would open the door, and thats when Dread figured it out. It was all a play on words, Lux saw truth and thought it to be just that. Dread thought for a moment that trying a key that said lies might work but dismissed the idea quickly, Those that see lies and think truth are simply fools. No instead Dread had an idea, he walked past Lux toward the door. Lux stared at Dread, wondering what he was doing.
Dread approached the large door, looking up at its intimidating size. He then pressed his hoof on the stone work..and pushed. With a creak the door began slowly opening, and after a point Dread no longer needed to push as the door opened of its own accord. Lux walked over to Dread's size astonished by what he just saw

"But...the keys said truth...and there was a lock"

"the greatest flaw of the proud to feel that what you see to be true is just that." [/b]Dread simply repeated what the scroll had said with a smile, before moving forward.

[Xelliea]

Hasta gasped for a second as she regained consciousness. She was no longer standing in a dark void, nor could she hear the booming voice of Noctis rattle through her head. In fact, as she looked around. She was actually back in the sanctuary, that is if she ever truly left. She was alone, certainly Dread or Lux were nowhere to be seen. She thought for a second about what Noctis had said. She wasn't sure if he was lying or telling the truth, but she knew that the Equestria she came from was safe, and as for the past... well the past would turn out as the past turned out. At the moment, all that she cared about was finding here friends again. She had never missed a pony as much as she missed Dread at that point.

She glanced around the room. It was circular, with three staircases leading up to a central platform that she currently stood on. Cautiously, she trotted down from the elevated plate, slowly wandering down the stairs and to the ring of flat floor that ran around the centre. More curious than anything, Hasta made her way around the room, trying to find a way out. She did indeed find a door, stone like all the others, but when she tried to push it, it failed to give way. Hasta felt a slight worry creep into her stomach, why wasn't the door opening? How would she get it open? Would she even be able to? She started to pace from side to side, then sat in front of the door, examining it.

_________________________________________

Lux trotted down the corridor after Dread, still unsure as to how he had been able to open a locked door by pushing it. It certainly was an enigma, but then again everything about this sanctuary was. The carvings on the wall now showed a different theme. One of positiveness, of a new age. Where before Alicorns were shown in battles or rivalry, these carvings depicted various Alicorns helping those of the other races to rebuild, their sadness and loss replaced with happiness and restoration. Though it was hard to make out, Dread was sure one of the Alicorns looked like Caelum, but how could that be. This sanctuary was built hundreds if not thousands of years before his birth. It must have just been co-incidence.

There can't be many more trials, we must be near the near the end by now. I mean, the next one could be the final one we'll have to face. Lux spoke with a familiar optimism, the same tone that he had spoken with back in Canterlot, a tone that had been absent during the exploration of the sanctuary. It certainly made the mood and the atmosphere a little brighter. His theory certainly seemed to make sense as the two came to the next door, likely the entrance to a trial. However, this door was plated in places with gleaming gold, making it stand out from the other grey, pure stone doors. Perhaps this was the final trial.

Well, ready when you are... Lux smiled, although there was a hint of nervousness in her face. Blinking a couple of times, the Unicorn took a step forwards towards the door.