Displaced from time and no longer the villainous Pony of Shadows, many in Modern Equestria know Stygian as a thrice renowned author. This, however, is a partial truth.
After a chance encounter with Stygian at a local antique shop, Sunburst comes to learn that his publications aren’t all that he expected. Feeling Stygian has not been truly represented by his books, Sunburst offers to aid in translating his revised autobiography — a task that just might liberate Stygian from an oppressive past and show him a kind future is possible.
However, the rewards of acceptance can only come at the risk of being known.
A story about stories, self-authorship, and the endurance of love.
Winner of the M/M Shipping Contest III!
CW: themes of historical homophobia, child abuse, unsettling imagery, and the depiction of a past suicide attempt and implied self-harm (as indicated by the suicide/self-harm tag), as well as a non-explicit scene of sexual intimacy
The use of Old Ponish in this story was aided by this lovely dictionary.
Cover art illustrated by me.
(As well as the bonus drawings featured at the end of chapter 10).