private Journey to the Higher Plane

[Jack Baker 698]

The Custodian smiled from underneath his mask.

 

"Oh no, you are very much alive," he said. "The portal is a way for those who are still alive to enter here without dying. It also serves as our way of traveling to the Mortal Realm by way of the Other World... or in other words, Equestria through the Edge of Equestria."

 

He walked forward. "This place is known as The Origin. Where life is created and, when it ends in the Mortal Realm, returns here, to the center of it all..."

 

He faced forward to the rest of the group. "...Also known as the Realm of the Divines. Which I believe is the reason why two of you are here today..." He looked at Lightning and Clover.

[Pripyat Pony 2,608]

Clover had listened to everything the masked pony said. She had refrained from speaking, as it seemed that the others had said all that was needed to be said. Once the masked pony opened the portal, she didn't hesitate at all but walked inside, closely followed by Stormwing and Nimbus. The two hippogryphs didn't hang back; Nimbus eager, Stormwing more hesitant but trusting to her pony friends to keep her and her filly safe. Once inside, Clover gasped in awe. This place was beyond anypony's understanding, but it was beautiful. She too wondered if this meant that they were dead, but was reassured when the masked pony, who had introduced himself as The Custodian, explained. When he added that the place they were in was the Realm of the Divines, and looked at herself and Lightning, she knew exactly what he meant.

 

Not just to be an ascended alicorn, born as a unicorn but given the status by the Royal Sisters... but to be like one of them. This was truly her heart's desire. Clover nodded without hesitation as The Custodian spoke.

 

"It's what I have dreamed of for years," she said. "But I don't know if I am truly worthy of such an honour."

Edited June 25, 2015 by Pripyat Pony

[Jack Baker 698]

"That is why I shall test you first," The Custodian said to Clover. "Those who wish to become one of us must prove themselves. All that have come here have gone through it, and those who have passed are guaranteed a place amongst us, to act as the invisible force that guides ponykind towards the right path..."

 

He turned around. "Follow me," he said, then began to walk towards the mega-city. Raze and the rest of the group did as they were told. While they were walking, The Custodian spoke again.

 

"I will tell you some secrets," he said. "The world you live in was created by none other than us. In the beginning, your world, and even this one, never existed, it was only a dark, empty space where it should have been. That had all changed when The Seed, the source of all magic and life itself, had created me, the first of the Divines. It had bestowed upon me one simple task: to spread it's life and magic across the void. So I did; with its guidance, I created this place, and I created some of the other Divines that helped me to shape your world. To give it life. All of you, that are here, walking with me, along with everything and everyone else, are of our creation. But I am the one who forsees it all; watching over every living soul in the Mortal Realm, and acting as the invisible hoof that guides them towards the right path. Hence my name, The Custodian. There is also a reason why alicorns are the only ones who can become Divines. It is because your powers were bestowed upon you by those who were once Divines before. When we created your world, it was still incomplete. We needed someone who would watch over ponykind directly and help them live in peace and harmony. However, we did not want to make our presence known outright, for fear that they would rely on our powers too much. We weren't sure of what to do, when two Divines stepped forward: Celestia and Luna. They offered to watch over the Mortal Realm and its inhabitants directly, in exchange for permanently inhibiting most of their power, so it would not be abused. I was reluctant, but accepted, and soon they descended from here to Equestria, from becoming Divines to alicorns, and exchanging their omnipotence for mortality. From there, they shaped the rest of the world, creating the Sun, and the Moon... and the rest, I am sure you already know."

 

"So what does this mean? It means when Celestia bestowed you your alicorn powers, she also made you half Divine. The power is there in its entirety, but it is inhibited by her bestowing it to you when she is also not at her maximum strength."

 

He stopped, then looked back. "Do you understand now? Why you are what you are?"

 

((OOC: AKA Official headcanon for the rp considering alicorns, their power, and the origins of Equestria and the rest of the world of MLP. Hope this isn't too confusing))

Edited June 25, 2015 by TheKidInTheCorner

[Hurricane 159]

Hurricane didn't dare interrupt the Custodian even with the smallest sound for fear that she would miss something. The sights and the story was amazing. It was so...unearthly. Hurricane could barely wrap her mind around the whole thing. She still had trouble comprehending that this was all real. They made it to the beginning of everything and stood where the ponies who made the beginning had stood.

Hurricane listened intently to the Custodian. This all added to her disbelief, but she decided that there was nothing else she could do other that to go with it. Hurricane turned her head to look at Lighting Bliss and Clover. "So...what do you guys do now?" she asked.

[Lightning Bliss 1,674]

"I...."

 

Bliss was at a loss for words. Celestia and Luna, were once, practically gods in this realm of the divine, but they chose the life of semi-mortals, to help guide and grow their world...Equestria. But they must have known they would need help...so they waited till their were ponies like Princess Cadence, Twilight...Clover...and even herself...that were worthy and strong enough, to take on the role to help guide their Equestria... But it was more then just that... they were...in a sense being given the opprotunity to become what they really were...Divines, creators of the universe. Which meant...she had to become something even more then she could already handle...The responsibility was too much to bare, the magic was too much to bare...this place, was too much to bare for her.

 

I'm just a pegasus... she thought, I just want to live a normal life... a life with my family and friends... I don't want the life of Celestia or Luna...I don't...I don't want the life of a Divine...I don't want...I cannot be...

 

All this slammed into the tiny white alicorn faster then she could bare...and she stopped dead in her hooves. Artemis noticed his sub-mother had stopped walking with the group and dashed to her side. Stroking her foreleg with curiosity and concern.

 

"Blissy?" He peeped.

 

"No..." she managed to muster out, "I can't be here... I can't...I shouldn't be here..." She aburptly turned around, heading towards the portal.

 

"BLISSY!!!" Artemis galloped after her.

[Jack Baker 698]

The Custodian merely looked at Lightning as she headed back to the portal.

 

"Hmm..." he said, then faced the group. "Not many can handle the truth. I have seen quite a few alicorns who came here react the same way..."

 

Raze raised a brow. "Exactly how many of them came here?" he asked.

 

"Not many, actually," The Custodian replied. "The ones who came were Celestia's most trusted alicorns, a small group of princes and princesses whom she thought were worthy of becoming a Divine."

 

"But some, like your friend, believed they were not ready to handle it, and left. I could not stop them; they are free to choose their own paths, I merely push them towards the right one."

 

He paused, then turned around, looking at the obelisk tower in the center of the mega-city. "Becoming a Divine isn't something that is required of every alicorn. It is a big responsibility, something only those who are truly special can do. I believe your friend is one of them; she shows potential to become something greater, as I have observed from her acts in the Mortal Realm. However, if she wishes to live the normal life, then so be it... although I want her to understand something before she leaves."

 

He then turned to Clover. "But first... what about you? Are you still set on this path?"

 

@Pripyat Pony

Edited June 26, 2015 by TheKidInTheCorner

[Pripyat Pony 2,608]

@, Clover had listened intently to everything that The Custodian had said, and altho she had been grieved by Lightning running away, she had realised that, as far as what was being offered her was concerned, she still wanted it.

 

"Yes, I am," Clover replied. "I would never forgive myself if I were given the chance to be something greater, and rejected that chance. Even if I am tested and do not prove worthy to become divine, then I at least can be satisfied that I tried and be grateful that I was given the opportunity."

[Lightning Bliss 1,674]

The small white alicorn reached towards the end of the portal, but stopped just in front, staring at it.

 

I have come all this way... she thought to herself, with all these wonderful ponies...I watched some of them die...just to reach this place of magic and mystery...And now... I'm supposed to be tested, to become something I'm simply am not ready for? I wasn't ready to become what I am right now!

 

She felt Artemis rub up against her side affectionatly. More likely the young foal didn't understand what she was thinking or feeling, but he was doing all he could to cheer her up and support her in anyway he could. Looking down on him with a smile, nuzzling his head, she wondered if she had already been given the chance she had truely been looking for all this time. A family, a chance to raise children...a chance to share her knowledge and morals, ethics, with another living being, so that they may grow up to be better then she ever could, and make their world just a little bit brighter.

 

"I don't need to be divine to be happy..." she spoke softly to Artemis, "I have you, and Nights Hoopla...I have my family and friends...Why would I need to become something more, when I already have it?"

[Hurricane 159]

Hurricane watched Lighting Bliss stop at the portal and contemplate what she was doing. Finally, she decided to run up to her. "Lighting Bliss, are you really gonna give this up?" she asked. "You came all this way and went through so many obstacles to get here and are given a chance to become the greatest of the greats." she said urging her to give in.

Hurricane badly wanted Lightning Bliss to do this. Although, it was almost like if Lightning bliss went though with it, then Hurricane would feel satisfied with herself for changing her mind. Of course she also wanted Lighting Bliss to do this for herself.

[Pripyat Pony 2,608]

@@Lightning Bliss, Clover dared not leave her spot, unless The Custodian gave her leave, but she called over to Lightning.

 

"You are my friend. You fought by the side of your friends, we battled many dangers and passed thru many weird and wonderful places to get here today. I wouldn't force a decision on to you, but I would like you to consider whether this might be something that you really want. I will remain your friend, no matter what you decide. But I want the choice to be yours, not influenced by anypony else, but what you really feel in your heart."

[Jack Baker 698]

The Custodian waved his hoof in dismissal.

 

 "It is alright. Let me speak to her..." he said to Clover and Hurricane. Then, in the blink of an eye, he had teleported to Lightning's side, no one even noticing that he had left his original spot until a second later. He held a hoof under her chin, gently bringing her face up to meet his.

 

"My child, I understand how important family is to you," he said to her. "Yes, I know what you are thinking; I created you after all. I also know that you feel you are not ready for something such as this. Why, you even think you can barely handle being an alicorn! You mustn't think that way. If Celestia did not think you were ready, she would have not made you an alicorn in the first place. Now, about your family... know that I would never think about separating anyone from their loved ones. They will be allowed to live here with you if you become a Divine, if you want. You and your husband can be together..."

 

He paused, then continued. "I know you have your mind made up, but, please... do think about it."

 

@@Lightning Bliss,

[Lightning Bliss 1,674]

(OOC This goes against everything my OC feels to represent, not to mention living in a 'heavenly place' XD when I've established her to live in a hummble mushroom house.)

 

"I...live here? They live here?" Her eyes fluttered in fear and bewilderment. The fact that Hurricane and Clover spoke their minds, that they clearly wanted her to consider this... She too felt a bit of bitterness for coming all this way only to turn around and leave right when they arrive. This was her reward for all the punishment she and her friends had to endure...But if it meant giving up her home...her birth place...

 

"I would...my family would...we'd...have to live here?" She asked the coastodian, "but...what if...what if I wanted to stay? I was born in our world...Where I was raised, grew up, fell in love...married...and now even adopted..." she cuddled Artemis. "Must we stay here?"

[Jack Baker 698]

"As I have said, if you want them to," The Custodian said to her. "However... times have changed, and I have allowed some of my Divines to live in the Mortal Realm and help directly, with their powers hidden of course. They are only allowed to use them in times of great danger. Perhaps this is what you would like, if you change your mind: to stay in Equestria, but as a Divine."

[Pripyat Pony 2,608]

@, Clover could not help but overhear; she had been startled at the thought that she would have to leave her friends and family, and live here. She was about to change her mind, until she heard that, if made a Divine, she would be able to live in Equestria as one, but only to use her powers in times of great need. I think I could live with that, Clover thought. It would be enough to know that she had surmounted the challenge given to her and gotten the great gift. Besides, Clover thought with a laugh, It's hard enough with other ponies acting different around me as an alicorn Princess. Imagine how bad it would be if everypony knew I was a Divine? Yes, this way would be better, by far.

[Lightning Bliss 1,674]

After awhile of thinking about it... the chance that she could still be given this divine gift...but still be able to live amongst her family and friends, did seem appealing at first. But then she felt Artemis rubbing up against her right side. She looked down on him, and in that moment of seeing his eyes, she saw herself... She was so young, so unskilled in what she had already possessed as an alicorn...to be gifted with something as special as the 'divine' powers...made her feel unworthy in that moment. No...she thought to herself, I'm just... I'm just not...

 

She turned to the white pony in mask and cloak.

 

"Sir...nothing would be more wonderful then to earn the powers that were meant for me to have." She held out her hoof in a gesture for him to take it, "But I am not ready... I made this journey yes, with all my friends here, and I've made new ones. But in this journey to find this wounderous place... I have come to realize I'm magically am not ready for such commitment. But now that I know where this place is...when I have become skilled enough...when I know I have earned the proper ability to be burden with such power... I promise I will return."

 

She nodded to him, and smiled to Hurricane and Clover and Raze.

 

"It's alright everypony, my decision has been made."

[Hurricane 159]

Hurricane was shocked when Lightning Bliss made her final decision not to accept the offer. She saw it as an offer that couldn't be refused, but she accepted Lightning Bliss's decision and smiled back to her. She then turned to Clover to see what she would do. "What do you think Clover? Are you gonna do it?" she asked without showing her extreme curiosity.

[Pripyat Pony 2,608]

Clover accepted Lightning's decision. She wanted her friend to make the choice for herself, not for what she thought others wanted her to do. When Hurricane spoke to her, Clover replied, "Yes. I would be happy to live in Equestria and keep my powers secret, revealing them only if Equestria is in great need. But I do wish to become a Divine. I just feel my gift would be better served in Equestria, rather than here where there are many Divines to battle evil."

[Lightning Bliss 1,674]

Bliss smiled to see her friends accepted her decision. After all, she may not be ready now, but one day...

 

"I'm sure you'll be amazing Clover," she smiled to the slightly taller gray alicorn, placing a hoof on her shoulder. "Just don't forget you and I will have to still get some time in to teach me some magic. I'm sure you'll still need some flight lessons too."

 

"FLY! FLY!" Artemis chirped as he fluttered to sit on Bliss's back.

[Jack Baker 698]

@@Lightning Bliss,@@Pripyat Pony,

The Custodian looked at the two alicorns for a minute, then nodded. "Very well," he said. "I shall honor both of your requests." He looked at Lightning Bliss again. "However... at least stay with us for Clover's test and, if she succeeds, induction."

 

Raze was observing the conversation, when he almost forgot that he was carrying Steel on his back. "Wait!" he said, approaching the Custodian. "There's something I need to ask of you..." He gently set Steel's body on the ground. "There were more of us in the group, you see... two more; an earth pony and a pegasus. However, we were both ambushed by this demon creature thing, and it took both their lives before we could defeat it. However, the earth pony's dying wish was to have us bring the pegasus back, since we read that if we found this place, we would be rewarded for it..."

 

He paused, then continued. "What I'm saying is... can you revive him?" he said, pointing at Steel.

 

The Custodian listened with interest, then looked at the body. 

 

"Follow me," he said, motioning them to follow. With his magic, he lifted Steel's body, hovering it in front of him as he went forward.

[Pripyat Pony 2,608]

@@Lightning Bliss, @, Clover smiled at Lightning. "I might not pass the test today," she said. "But at least I know that I tried, and that maybe one day, I could try again. I just could not forgive myself if I didn't even try. And yes, I will still give you some magic lessons, perhaps on the way back we could find a quiet spot for that. Plus, you're right. I might be able to fly now, but I'm still needing some tuition; it's not an instinctive thing with me the way it is with you and Hurricane."

 

She watched the Custodian lift Steel with magic, and turned to follow. She badly wanted Steel to be returned to life. He had been a good friend.

[Lightning Bliss 1,674]

Nodding to Clover, Bliss saw Raz and the Custodian speak to each other, then the white being instructed them to follow him, lifting the body of the once proud Steel as they went.

 

She stretched her wings out, holding Artemis as she went, following in a hover behind Clover and Raze as the white being lead them deeper into this white, floating paradise.

 

"Could he really be saved?" She whispered to herself in hope.

[Jack Baker 698]

As The Custodian walked, he began to speak. "The truth is, your friend is here, living amongst the rest of the departed. I have observed your battle with the Keeper of Souls. Thanks to you, more of the departed have come here, back to where they belong..."

 

He sighed. "You know, The Keeper wasn't always evil. In fact, he was once one of us. The Keeper was the second Divine to be made, created by me. He was responsible for nurturing souls before they were made, and for taking them back here when their time in the Mortal Realm had come to an end. He was a kind, gentle being, who would protect the souls he cared for at any cost. However, that all changed when he strode into Tartarus, the place where all vile and evil souls lie. He believed he could save the souls trapped there, and reform them to become good and pure, despite all that I had told him about how those who were put there were there for a reason. Once he stepped foot past the gates, it wasn't long until the evil found him and took hold of him, becoming what you have witnessed..."

 

"Now, as for your friend, I will revive him, as your boon for traveling all the way here. The question is, however... will he want to go back?"

[Hurricane 159]

Hurricane followed the Custodian as he took Steele and began to go somewhere. She listened intently to the story of the Keeper and found it incredibly hard to believe that he was once kind and caring. Her mind was filling so many thoughts like Clover's test and the Keeper and Steele and Divines. It was so much coming so quickly. She was finally snapped away from her thoughts when the Custodian asked if Steele even wanted to come back. "Is there any way to tell if he wants to come back or not?" she asked.

[Lightning Bliss 1,674]

@@Hurricane,

 

"Can, can we even see him? Steel?" Bliss added in standing next to Hurricane.

 

"I mean it's a thought..." she whispered to Hurricane, "this place is wounderous... In all this time have you ever felt cold? Or too hot? Have you felt stressed out or belittle by issues you have since we entered here?" She was mentioning the fact that ever since they stepped hoof in this realm, all the things of their world she concerned about to herself felt so far away... The fears of being chased by her arch rival Chase Razor, the scheduled meetings with diplomats from other countries she had to think about... It all seemed so petty and far away...that none of it seemed to matter once they were all here. "This place is...in a way...paradise...Heaven...why would he want to come back if this place offers anything we could ever want?"

[Jack Baker 698]

@Lightning Bliss

The Custodian overheard their conversation, and turned to face them. They had stepped on a small circular platform which began to rise up, until they reached another circular platform, which appeared to be an open air observation deck of some sort, providing a fantastic view of the strange setting sun. A sole Pegasus was standing at the edge of the observation deck.

 

" If you are so curious as to if he will come back... why don't you ask him yourself?" The Custodian said to them, gesturing at the Pegasus in front of them, who turned around.

 

It was Steel Tempest.

Edited July 16, 2015 by TheKidInTheCorner