FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

"Valour is the contempt of death and pain."

• Tacitus

The gryphons had always considered fire a sacred thing, as dragon fire had been used to make their mountaintop cities habitable, but uncontrolled fire has a destructive side... The vessel we had journeyed here in still carried four members of our crew, Xane, Shining Armor, Zandria, and Flash Sentry. The horrifying moment that the fire swept over the deck played over and over in my mind. I would have thought it was magic, a simple teleport, if there weren't a cloud of ashes billowing through the air. They were gone, vanished with barely a trace save the acrid smell.

"S- Shining?" Cadence stared blankly, "You promised... You promised me!" Cadence paused, turning her head towards Raeleth. As if a spark inside of her died the light left her eyes, replaced by hatred and detest for the creature that so carelessly killed her husband. With a chilling shriek she rushed towards Raeleth, darkness consuming her once pure soul in an instant. Stunned by what had just happened we watched as Raeleth focused his gaze towards her.

Dark shards of crystal launched from the sea, lancing into the Dragon's unprotected flesh. Swiping at her like a fly Raeleth received a crystal shard through his grasping hand, like a needle stabbing through cloth. The crystals glowed a sickly hue, the once vitreous substance bubbling into dark goo that seeped in through the wounds. Feeling the poison seep into his veins Raeleth growled, unleashing a stream of fire in Cadence's direction.

"You can make him hurt him now," Discord spoke. "My magic is spent, so it falls to you to help cadence now."

"But if Cadence goes on..." Luna trailed off.

"Cadence doesn't have a band of power, darkness is the only way to enact the destruction she desires, don't let her fall be in vain." Discord spoke, knowing that today such things would have to be allowed in the name of victory.

Looking between Luna, Celestia, and Twilight I could see the fear inhabiting their eyes. The task before them seemed insurmountable, the dragon far more potent than any of them. Getting their attention I began to speak, turning away from Cadence as she continued to assault the great beast in vain, his sheer size making the wounds negligible. "Its now or never, if we fail everything any of us has ever accomplished will have been in vain. The gryphons, ponies, and every other creature that inhabits this world are counting on us to give them one last chance. Will you join me?"

"Once more it is time for me to follow the lead of someone other than myself," Celestia spoke, "I trust you."

"Ill do this for Cadence, she will not be lost to darkness this day." Luna affirmed.

"This is for my brother, Shining Armor. If he had just protected himself his shield would have held... but he always wanted to try and protect everyone. Today I fight for his memory and his purpose."

"Hurry, Cadence can't keep this up alone." I warned, flying off to join her. The others followed before me, each drawing upon the strength granted by their bands of power and mentally preparing themselves for the fight of their lives. Despite everything I felt like the odds were on our side for once, with all of us together how could this ancient beast hope to succeed?

Cadence and Luna flew straight towards Raeleth, Twilight and I each flying to a separate side. All at once we unleashed our magic, beams of raw energy struck at the dragon's body, causing him to swing out his tail. Dodging away forced me to stop my attack long enough for Raeleth to unfurl one of his massive wings, with a single flap that crashed with the sound of thunder all of us were thrown away from him.

"I am the flame that has burned since the dawn of time, a light shining though the ages. Do you truly believe such a holy thing can be extinguished?"

"Only a creature base and vile in nature would fight so fervently to bring an end the world. There is naught holy about you." Luna began to glow with a pale light, calm and pensive as the moon. "Return to slumber, and be lost in the realm of dream for all time." She commanded, a cloud of silver dust enveloping the great dragon's head.

The great beast's eyes began to drift shut, Luna's magic at work. But with a bone-rattling roar Raeleth shook off her spell, dragging a claw over his other palm and cutting it open.

"Your Impudence has forced my wrath, did you really think a simple spell like that had a solitary chance at stopping me? Compared to the Chaos magic that is now spent, the rest of you are nothing. I will eradicate you in an instant before you can bother me further, including the chaotic creature, even if I must resort to the old magics." The dragon started chanting in a language foreign to my ears, the air seemingly growing heavy as if thick with power, but somehow each word made sense. "By the bones of the world and the wellspring of life I curse thee. Feel the pain of the land!" A drop of his blood dripped off his hand into the waves, a testament of his fortitude.

All of us stopped in our tracks as the eldritch magic took a hold of us, Raeleth immobilizing us with a simple taste of the pain the world was in after loosing the Pillar of Fate. Taking the opportunity the beast's hand reached out, swiping through the air to grasp Cadence. "Bite no more, little gnat." He gave a quick squeeze, discarding the broken princess.

Fighting against the immobilizing pain, I could only watch as Raeleth continued to exploit the moment. Turning to Celestia and Luna his jaw parted, flame rumbling towards them. In an instinctual teleport Twilight appeared in front of them throwing up a barrier. With the pain it would be impossible for her to concentrate on maintaining a barrier over so many, let alone herself. She hadn't had the same experiences with pain as I did.

By now I had collected myself enough, blocking out the pain, but with the flames blocking my vision it was too late to give any help. I heard a cry that broke my heart as Twilight's magic failed, even more painful than watching three tiny glinting objects fall from the cloud of smoke and out of view, I didn't want to believe either had just happened. As the flames ceased I looked in vain hope, knowing his fire was too powerful, they were gone just like the others.

"And now for the last of these bothersome worms," Raeleth grumbled, unfazed by the death he had just caused. "The two that do not belong in this world shall both leave it on the same day, how fitting." Raeleth reared his head back in preparation for another blast of fire.

"Ike, over here!" Discord called throwing the three metallic bands into the air. As I had watched in horror Discord had the mind to collect the tools needed for victory. I dove towards them, Raeleth's fire arcing along behind me as I left its path.

These bands were all that was left of the many who had died today, the Shackle of Dawn thrummed with power as I neared the other three bands of power. Reaching out I snatched them from the air, placing the Greave of Night, Solar Bracer, and Dusk Armlet on my forelegs. "I know I am not worthy, but grant me your power." I begged of them.

The Bands latched and faded out of sight, a greater power than I had ever known ripped through me. I was barely able to get it under enough control to prevent my own destruction, but through sheer force of will I managed. I knew this kind of power; it was the same as when the Shackle threatened to destroy me, the kind of power that comes at a cost. The only power strong enough for what I needed to do.

Raeleth's flames caught up to me, bathing over my unprotected form. But I didn't feel pain, I didn't feel heat, only the flow of magic. And compared to my new power the magic in his flame was weak.

"This is your last breath, spend it wisely." I warned, launching myself forward at a speed his eyes couldn't even track.

Raeleth began to laugh, certain that my threat was meaningless. "Hahahahaha-" His rumbling laugh was cut off abruptly as I made contact with his chest, my magic propelling me straight through and out the other side, leaving a ragged and gaping hole through his massive heart. Raeleth tried to gasp in a shocked breath, but only managed a choked gurgle his clawed hand coming up to feel the gaping wound. He collapsed face first into the water, his fire and light extinguished once and for all.

Breathing deeply to calm my pounding heart I pulled the overwhelming and destructive power back in, preventing it from going out of control. I had avenged the deaths Raeleth had caused, and the world was free to live its last thousand years in peace. But without the princesses who could possibly guide the inhabitants of this land? Who could they look up to when the world I had only temporarily saved began to crumble around them? I wasn't up to the task and would probably be consumed by the bands of power before I had the chance to learn.

"Discord, what can I do? I rewrote fate, the world doesn't die today. But even if I could, I don't think I can bear to live in this new world."

"I saved just enough energy for a one person, one way trip." Discord spoke, tearing open a hole in reality.

"Where does it go?" I asked.

"Wherever you need to be the most." Discord replied. "Xane let me know his second prophecy, and I was able to figure out what it all meant. You haven't rewritten fate yet, just lived through it. It is a great burden to bear, and a choice must be made... But this choice and burden are yours alone, I can only wait here and hope for a world happier than this.

"You aren't done yet, go.

~~

Flying into Discord's tear the world ceased to make sense, there were no rules in this place but Discord's magic and my will guided me towards my unknown goal. If minutes or days had passed I couldn't tell, but I came out on the other side in a sudden rush of light and noise.

Looking around I could see the inside of the cavern where the Pillar of fate used to reside. I stood upon the crumbled base of the shattered pillar in the center of the room, its once glowing surface shattered and strewn about. I could feel a flow of power, though much different than before. It felt like the world itself was slowly bleeding out from the wound that had been inflicted by the destruction of the pillar of fate. I understood now why I was brought here.

The bands of power thrummed with life, my life, but they still bent to my will for the time being. I had changed them, broken the rules by sheer willpower, and I would soon pay the ultimate price for my choice. No power came free, and what I wanted now might cost even more than I had to give...

"By the bones of the world and the wellspring of life," I began, the words slipping out in the same tongue the dragon used, the power flowing through me just as old as the world I wished to save. "By shackled power now unbound." I paused momentarily, to unleash the flood of power and emotion, my words a command to the very universe.

"I Demand A New Fate!"

My defiant cry fell silent, the cavern refusing to even echo it back. I slumped down, certain that I had failed. They were all gone, and my final task a failure. Who did I think I was to command the universe to serve my will? I was even more insignificant to the great cosmos than I was in the eyes of the dragon, but I thought I could prove both wrong. I slammed my hoof angrily onto the ground, a shard of the once magnificent pillar slicing into me. Blood welled from the gash, dripping down unto the scattered remnants of fate.

I struck the ground again and again, blinded by the anger and sorrow. I almost didn't notice as the ground cracked open, but the sudden rumbling made me pause. Crumbling all around me the floor fell away, leaving me to lie on the shattered base of the pillar. The walls crumbled away as well, a chunk hurtling right towards me. Reaching out with my magic I tried to stop it but had no effect, the rock slipping right through me as I If had become immaterial. The world all around me crumbled into nothingness the only thing left were the broken shards of fate, each floating in the empty void, glowing just dimly enough to show the faint life that still resided within.

The shard wet with my blood glowed brightly; I pushed it out amongst the others, the light spreading between them. Of course, the old magics required more than just power, they demanded blood. So was this it, would I get my chance to change fate?

As if to acknowledge my silent question the shards rushed together, forming a cracked but reflective surface. Random colors and shapes danced around the surface, as if waiting to be commanded to form a picture.

"Show me, what can be done to re-forge a shattered Fate?"

The image swirled to a gravestone; one I hated myself for nearly forgetting in my time here. It was from my old life, my little sister's.

"I can change this? I could prevent my failure to protect her?"

As if in response the cracked mirror began a new image, showing a young girl at a birthday party. She blew out the candles as I stood behind with my beaming mother, another face I had almost forgotten.

"That's her, but older, is that how she would have looked?" I asked.

The image shifted, ignoring my question. It showed Discord as he carried my unconscious form, laying me down in the grass. "This was how I was brought to Equestria, what does that have to do with my sister?"

The image faded to gray, and I began to understand. " I would have been in a different place, Discord wouldn't have found me passed out drunk with sorrow on what would have been that birthday. So that means everything here would change, that to them I would never have existed." I paused to think things over. "Show me what happens if I never arrive." It was always something I wanted to know, as I had blamed myself for the problems Equestria faced due to my arrival.

The shards re-assembled the picture, Flashing quickly to Discord holding a different person. "So fate demanded Discord find someone that day, even if it wasn't me?" That meant everything that happened starting with the tear in space-time in the Everfree, the Hydra, the demon, and Sombra's reincarnation... Could this new person do the same in my position, would they manage to protect everyone?

As if to show me the answer the shards showed Ponyville in ruins, changing immediately to the Canterlot throne room. Sombra sat upon a new throne, a dark acolyte of the Imperium standing beside him.

"I think I understand, if I change my fate in this way I doom Equestria, making things worse than ever. But in exchange I get to live out my old life like I never was here."

A new set of shards assembled, I looked over as they began showing a different outcome. It began with Discord, rapidly showing me everything I had done in my time here. The highs and lows, the happiness and sorrows. The good far outweighed the bad, and I knew these experiences had changed me for the better. The images slowed as they reached recent events pausing upon the image of my dark copy entering into the chamber containing the Pillar of fate.

"I have the chance to change things here too?"

The shards rushed together, smoothing themselves into a perfect unmarred surface. The other set of shards did the same forming an image of a parking garage on the day a drugged up car thief's finger slipped, pulling the trigger and ending my sister's life. Magic flared up and the images became real, tangible things. But there was a problem, choice. I knew I could only change one, forever abandoning the other.

Should I jump in and fight myself moments before the pillar was destroyed, avoiding waking Raeleth from his slumber and averting death and disaster? Or should I choose to rewind time and fix my life's biggest regret? I had fought so long with my grief over not being able to save her that day, so the decision I had to make weighed heavily on my heart. I wanted nothing more than to see my sister alive and well, to not watch her life drain away in my very arms... But that would mean abandoning everyone I cared about and had grown close to in my time in Equestria.

I made my decision, leaping from the pedestal to change my fate.

~

As I landed on the floor I launched a wave of magic at my enemy, the overwhelming power of my magic knocking them against the wall with a sickening crunch as bones shattered. I could hear a metallic clatter as something struck the ground as they slumped down. "H- how?" They gasped with a final breath, eyes closing for the last time.

My world spun as I grew accustomed to my surroundings, a white pulsing glow around me. I could feel the path back close, letting me know my choice was final.

Looking to the body I saw the case of the metallic clunk, the unhinged shackle of dawn made tangible once more, I had made my choice. My copy was dead, released from the demon's hold by death. I could sense no foul presence or power, my overcharged magic having achieved both the task of destroying him and stopping my copy in one blow.

Another pulse of light drew my attention back to the pillar. It was whole, just as it should be, but something else was wrong. The pillar pulsed again, its light nearly fading entirely. The pillar of fate was still dying; changing fate had been too much to ask. It had no power to continue on...

The four bands of power suddenly became visible on my forelegs; maybe returning their power to the pillar would be enough? I desperately pulled on the shackle of dawn, it was stuck. I tried the Celestia's Solar Bracer, Twilight's Dusk Armlet, and even Luna's Greave of Night. All of them refused to budge.

Maybe just one would be enough? I rushed over to my copy's Shackle, carefully lifting it with magic. Brining it back to the pillar I touched it to the pulsing light, nothing... This shackle belonged to the Pillar of fate from another world; it was foolish of me to think it would work to repair this one. I knew what had to be done, although I didn't want to believe it. After everything I has survived, after every time I had cheated death things had to end like this? The bands of power only came off in one circumstance, imminent death whether it was caused by their power or an outside force.

The pillar pulsed again, this time remaining dark for an alarming few seconds. "I don't even have time to say goodbye." Reaching out I grabbed hold of the pillar, feeling my life drain into it. "Let them know somehow," I asked the pillar. "Let them know ill miss them and I'm sorry I couldn't come back to them. Tell them- Tell them I would do it all again in a heartbeat. " My eyes drifted shut as I felt the bands of power leave me, returning to where they belonged after so many years apart.

Author's Note:

~Thanks for reading!